{"id": "425035000005502039", "title": "Long Way Home", "author": "Tom Crown", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 335, "review": "In Crown\u2019s Long Way Home, professional photographer Ryan gets more than he bargained for when he attempts to check into a Lapland hotel. He's here in the land of the midnight sun for a bit of R&R and maybe some filming of test car drives. As he's heading up to his room, a scream from the desk agent has him running back, only to discover the mail she just opened contained graphic photos of a murdered woman.

Despite being total strangers, Ryan plays the white knight and goes with Jenny to confront the man in the pictures--her erstwhile boyfriend, Mats. The ensuing conflict leaves a trail of death and deception behind it. Ryan has met up with fellow mercenary photographer Steve as he\u2019s fleeing a criminal organisation with Jenny and the recently rescued Katia. Can Ryan work this tangled knot out, keeping himself and those he's chosen to protect safe?

I enjoyed this read. There were times I found the writing to be a bit clunky or stilted, mostly in dialogue. Other times, the writing was brilliant and original in description: \"Blood kept pouring through his fingers, warm against his skin like the baking sand of a summer beach\" or \"His shoes crunched the shattered glass beneath him as if it were winter ice.\"

I did feel a bit put off by the abruptness with which Ryan got involved in Jenny's business. It seemed awfully fast and intimate to go from strangers just meeting, quite literally, to helping confront a possible murderer--without calling the police! These thoughts also go through Ryan's head, so that did make up for it. There was acknowledgment of the odd circumstance. Nevertheless, I was soon lost in this world and quite invested in Ryan and Jenny\u2019s safety. There is room for improvement, certainly; though, overall, I found this story enjoyable, and I look forward to seeing this author continue to grow.

Recommended if you enjoy action reads, psychological thrillers, and books with a bit of a murder mystery to them.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "10-Jan-2017 23:05:19", "publisher": "", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000005625035", "title": "Age of Swords: Book Two of The Legends of the First Empire", "author": "Michael J. Sullivan", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 318, "review": "Age of Swords is second in Michael J. Sullivan's Legends of the First Empire series. War continues to loom between Fhrey and Rhune. A vicious attack leaves those of Dahl Rhen without a home and more determined than ever to shake free of the yoke of Fhrey oppression. Persephone, now chieftain of Dahl Rhen, issues invitations to all the Rhune clans, even the feared and fearsome Gula, to a summit to appoint a keenig who will lead the united clans against the Fhrey.

Trouble plagues the effort from the beginning. No clan wants another's chieftain to be keenig. While the council continues to argue it out, Persephone and a band of intrepid females set out to the Dherg nation to barter for weapons of quality. What they are required to pay, and what they find, is far beyond their imagination. Question is--will it be enough?

I love Sullivan's writing! He has dynamic characters and engaging, immersive stories. Swords is no exception. Each character continues to grow, even as they struggle with inner and outer demons. For the women, Neith becomes their crucible, forging alchemic change. This is especially true of Suri, who pays the highest price of all for their cause.

This book is all about alchemic change. It isn't just the individuals but entire cultures. Sullivan does a masterful job showing cultural diffusion, as Rhune, Dherg, and Fhrey cultures begin to bleed into one another, sharing technology and information, however reluctantly. It's a great message, too, that the majority of change is instigated by women, often despite the men\u2019s behavior and beliefs.

I'll admit. It is a rare book that can make me actually cry. Not just tear up, but sit bawling, hugging my very confused, and increasingly irritated kitty cat. In the depths of Neith, I truly shared Suri\u2019s sorrow. Sullivan plays the heartstrings of imagination as Suri plucks the strings of creation. Powerful magic indeed.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "23-Mar-2017 20:08:55", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000005586027", "title": "Your Brain Is a Time Machine: The Neuroscience and Physics of Time", "author": "Dean Buonomano", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Gretl - Age 17", "word_count": 206, "review": "Time travel has fascinated us since the concept was introduced. Who hasn't wanted a time machine of their own? Dean Buonomano proves that we already have one. Our brains are sophisticated devices capable of projecting us forward or setting us backward in time, allowing us a variety of unique abilities. The first half of the book is devoted to how the brain measures time. There are many different reasons for why being able to accurately measure time is useful; efficient sleep/wake cycles and verbal communication are impossible without an accurate clock. The natural follow-up question is: what is our brain measuring? What is time? Buonomano turns from neuroscience to physics to investigate. What is the most accurate way to measure time? Though at first, the topics of neuroscience and physics may seem to be only tangentially related, Buonomano explores their intersections with such wonder and interest that the reader cannot help but agree that these fields are intricately connected. Buonomano presents his material in an accessible way, with clear explanations of sometimes difficult concepts; his passion for his subject easily transfers to the reader. Reading this book leaves you with a new perspective regarding our brains, our selves, and the ubiquitous, and perhaps humble, wrist watch.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "06-Mar-2017 21:44:03", "publisher": "W. W. Norton & Company", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000005572023", "title": "Magdalena's Shadow", "author": "E.E. Orme", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Caryn Shaffer", "word_count": 618, "review": "Magdalena\u2019s Shadow is a modern-day bildungsroman that follows Coco Rodriguez, a young girl sheltered in her supermodel mother\u2019s penthouse with her sister, Bebe. Coco\u2019s mother, Magdalena, built wealth and fortune at the expense of her family, leaving her children largely to fend for themselves. Coco and Bebe have an abusive housekeeper, whose true nature is only revealed when she tries to sell one of Magdalena\u2019s paintings. The housekeeper is replaced with Tia, an older woman who bears the burden of a troubled past.

Coco, Bebe, and Tia settle into a semblance of a happy life together, which is where the story goes full soap opera. Coco meets her neighbor, Rob, and they fall in love. However, Coco is only seventeen, and Rob leaves her when he finds out. After he leaves, Coco finds out she\u2019s pregnant. Coco attends school for fashion design and develops a friendship with Carmen, a student there. While Coco is in school, her mother dies in a plane crash, and Coco, Bebe, Tia, and Coco\u2019s son, James, must fend for themselves while lawyers hash out Magdalena\u2019s finances in a lengthy court battle. Coco tries to enter the fashion world as a model. While some agents seek to propel Coco\u2019s career using the specter of her mother, Coco wants to earn her way. However, Coco\u2019s sheltered existence and naivet\u00e9 begin to act against her in the exploitative realm of modeling, leading to moments of abuse.

While some aspects of Magdalena\u2019s Shadow were empowering \u2013 Coco\u2019s desire to advance her career, to work for her money, and to take care of her sister and child \u2013 some underpinnings of misogyny and toxic masculinity were present, albeit unavoidable in an industry where rich men prey on young, na\u00efve girls. While Coco wanted to earn a living, she was always drawn home by a desire to care for her children and have someone else earn a living for her, whether it was Paolo, a conniving rival fashion designer, or Rob. Magdalena, Coco\u2019s mother, was always depicted as a villain in Coco\u2019s mind and in the narrative because she got lost in the haze of her career and her addiction and she neglected to care for her children properly. Coco was oppressed with the guilt of not revealing James\u2019 parentage to Rob, and Tia constantly reminded Coco that she could be collecting child support. Coco was a strong main character, and readers will be interested in seeing her growth, but her lack of compassion and hypocrisy toward her mother, after finding herself in a similar situation, brings dissonance to the story.

Since Magdalena\u2019s Shadow was ultimately a coming-of-age tale, it brought to mind another coming-of-age narrative that is familiar to so many: Jane Eyre. In it, Jane could be Edward Rochester\u2019s kept woman, but she flees his cozy estate, almost starves to death, works as a teacher for poor children, and comes into her own when she learns her uncle dies and leaves her a large inheritance. By that time, Jane is self-actualized enough to return to Rochester, a fully independent woman and his equal. The gothic novel, written in the Victorian era, pushed societal boundaries, alluded to Biblical scripture in relevant and subtle ways, and is still a powerful piece of storytelling today.

In contrast, Coco was plucked from one situation to another with the help of her dead mother\u2019s influence, ultimately earning a large inheritance in the end. Tia made allusions to scripture, but Coco rejected them. Did Coco grow and mature as the story went on? She certainly became wise to the world and its darker side without losing much of her optimism. Ultimately, though, she was trapped under Magdalena\u2019s shadow, never free from her impact.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "01-Mar-2017 04:48:21", "publisher": "The Wow House LLC", "page_count": "330 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000005662031", "title": "Besieged: Stories from The Iron Druid Chronicles", "author": "Kevin Hearne", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 199, "review": "Besieged by Kevin Hearne is a collection of nine short stories set in the world of the Iron Druid series. These tales focus on recurring characters from the series, from Atticus to Archdruid Owen, to Perun, a thunder deity. Each story is prefaced by a notation placing it within the Iron Druid Chronicles timeline.

Written with Hearne's customary wit and humor, Besieged follows Atticus to ancient Egypt, the Western US Gold Rush, and even the depths of Xibalba itself. There are a few stories focusing on Granuaile, Owen, and even an immensely amusing one about Perun. I loved the (not so) subtle chastisement in 'Gold Dust Druid\u2019 towards people who post reviews on a book before it's even released. I've come across plenty of reviews like this by people who didn't read an ARC, or who read one and ignored that it's not the final copy. The same story had a reference to a fellow urban fantasy writer too. I spat my tea when I red that part.

Highly recommended!

***Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. This book was reviewed for the San Francisco Book review.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "11-Apr-2017 17:15:36", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000005657003", "title": "ASIWAJU: The Biography of Bolanle Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu", "author": "Moshood Ademola Fayemiwo, PhD & Margie Neal-Fayemiwo, Ed.D", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bradley Allen", "word_count": 353, "review": "Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a politician from the Lagos State of Nigeria. He served as both a Senator from Lagos, prior to the military coup in 1993, then after the coup, was governor from 1999 to 2007. While born in Nigeria, he was college-educated in the U.S. and worked for several U.S. corporations before returning to Nigeria to work for Mobile Oil.

Tinubu, also known as Asiwaju, became involved in politics in 1992 as a progressive, championing the needs of the poor in his state, pushing for increased housing, education, and infrastructure. During his tenure, there were a few minor financial scandals, but nothing ever resulted from them. Asiwaju is still seen as a major progressive leader, not only in Lagos, but Nigeria and throughout the African region.

Asiwaju: The biography of Bolanle Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu is, as titled, a biography of Tinubu. It is not a dispassionate biography, as the authors make clear in the introduction with comments like \"Bolanle is a lion-hearted politician\" and \"Why was he so monomaniacal in his determination to build a virile, formidable, and strong political opposition in Nigeria and what were his master stroke strategies in defeating the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015?\" While most biographies try to provide a neutral viewpoint of the subject and their history, here, authors Moshood Fayemiwo, Ph.D. and Margie Neal-Fayemiwo, Ed.D, are unabashedly partisan in their writing and conclusions throughout the book.

This partisan view of Asiwaju won't take away the pleasure of readers who are already admirers of Tinubu. For them, it's a celebration of his life and successes. For a student of history, the overview of life in Lagos and the political timeline of Asiwaju and transcripts of selected speeches will be a helpful resource. As a biographical resource, the book would have been better served with extensive footnoting and index that was, sadly, not included. Being that there are so many events over the period of his life so far, having more neutral references for review would provide any reader an easy ability to dive deeper into any specific period. As a partisan biography, Asiwaju is a well-written book.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "09-Apr-2017 08:12:17", "publisher": "The Jesus Christ Solution Center, DBA Texas", "page_count": "410 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000005757003", "title": "The Glorious Beyond", "author": "Sandy Adams", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Meghna Hulsure", "word_count": 417, "review": "The Glorious Beyond is a murder mystery written by Sandy Adams as her debut novel. It revolves around the protagonist Kim\u2019s struggles to cope with the unexpected death of her husband. Kim returns home from a girl\u2019s weekend out with her inseparable friend, Sharon. On her way into the house, she discovers Kevin\u2019s dead body with a bullet hole in his forehead. He is shot to death, apparently by someone who broke into their home. Kim is devastated by the loss and lives through the nights with insomnia and an attempt to reason with all the events. Although trying her best to cope with police inquiries, funeral preparations and not-so-supportive in-laws, she is barely able to hold on to the empty space in her life. On her mother\u2019s suggestion, Kim joins therapy sessions for help and takes Sharon with her. The trauma support group helps Kim to tackle her grief and eventually feel stronger, but throughout the process, it brings out deep secrets about her father, Sharon and many other people in her life.

The plot of Glorious Beyond is fresh and convincing. In almost 150 pages, Sandy Denise Adams has done a great job with crafting two storylines in parallel with true-to-life characters. Kim\u2019s attempt to find an explanation for her husband\u2019s murder is gripping, and you can\u2019t help but empathize with her. At the same time, it is suspenseful enough that, for a moment, you are even convinced about the suspicions on Kim as a spouse in this case. However, unlike other fast-paced detective plots, the narrative of this story is more about the heartache of losing someone and the post-grief healing process. In fact, the police have little success in their investigation of Kevin\u2019s murder, and they only share their suspicions. In the end, the reader does find out who the murderer is.

All this focus on heartache and other emotions do stand as a little distraction from the main event of Kevin\u2019s murder. Also, I wish the cover for this book was a bit more aligned to the theme of the story than with the title of it. The current cover conveys a very self-help, positive and spiritual vibe as a first impression. In general, the author\u2019s writing is simple and seamless. She has put life in her characters and dialogs. Though, there are also some grammatical mistakes in the writing that could have been avoided by the editor.

Overall, a well-written mystery that shall challenge you emotionally and keep you captivated long enough.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-May-2017 17:37:00", "publisher": "Createspace", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000005734003", "title": "Miracle in Havenport, R.I.", "author": "Giancarlo Lui", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Romuald Dzemo", "word_count": 441, "review": "Tales of the Rohrk introduced me to Giancarlo Lui\u2019s writing, and I knew after reading the hilarious, satirical, and interesting book that I\u2019d want to read any other work by this author. It was with great expectation that I picked up Miracle in Havenport, R.I. (A Quasi-Christmassy Tale, but the novel met my expectations, making a wonderful offering for readers who are keen on witnessing the encounter of myth with modern fiction.

It is Christmas, and the Christmas spirit can be felt everywhere, with people moving about with gifts and snow covering everything. The year is 1933, and the place is called Havenport. The people in this town are busy with their Christmas preparations, oblivious to the ache that Jonathan Kablonsky feels in his heart after the woman he\u2019s sworn to love, Cleo, accepts a marriage proposal from his most tenacious rival, Bill Lombardo. Jonna K doesn\u2019t know that his life is about to change completely and that this change will not only be about him but about his world and the town that means everything to the local fish mogul.

The goddess Aphrodite only wants to feel some Christmas cheer, but when she visits Havenport, she feels like a stranger, but then she sees Jonathan, and she knows that she wants him more than anything in the universe. She wants him all to herself, but he isn\u2019t a god. She is determined to have him, so she pleads with Zeus, her father, to raise the poor man to a god, a request that Zeus is willing to honor but on one condition \u2014 Jonna K must past his tests, and Apollo is tasked to keep an eye on the human and Aphrodite. Read on to discover Jonna K\u2019s new powers and to find out if he passes the test. What this miracle would do to his town and its people is what will take the breath away from the reader, but can Jonna K turn a curse into a blessing and stop the world from a serious threat from the gods?\n

Miracle in Havenport, R.I. (A Quasi-Christmassy Tale is a novel that combines Greek mythology with modern fiction to create a captivating tale that will absorb readers. Giancarlo Lui has an inimitable style of writing that mimics the setting and the tone of the culture within which the story is set. Readers can get lost in his signature phraseology and unique syntax, but it takes very little time for the reader to get absorbed into the fast-paced, tantalizing, and complex plot with the huge conflict. This is an exceptional story for fans of fantasy with strong settings and memorable characters.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-May-2017 15:55:46", "publisher": "", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000005733003", "title": "Tales of the Rohrk", "author": "Giancarlo Lui", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Melissa Lockaby", "word_count": 471, "review": "For astronauts Lt. JP Verrazzano, Dr. Eleena Nielsen, and Dr. Sylvester Van Vammerick, the new decisions they must make will dictate how much longer they will live. As part of a NASA experiment examining the effects of light speed travel on the body, the three astronauts are jettisoned beyond the Milky Way and into a universe that is completely alien to anything they have ever imagined. Their robot, PeeWee, now talks and thinks on its own, inanimate objects seem alive and capable of independent movement, and the aliens they initially encounter are majestic creatures who seem afraid of their own shadows. Taken in by a small group of people who have been banished from their kingdom and still loyal to the deposed King Senecatus, JP, Sylvie, and Eleena quickly become captives of King Tyrant Metaphistus. Calling the astronauts the Aliens of Prophesy, they are the foreigners destined to end a cruel monarchy and free the galaxy from Metaphistus\u2019 tyrannical rule. However, they must survive first.

Couched in SciFi/Fantasy, Tales of the Rohrk is a political satire and social commentary on current affairs. King Tyrant Metaphistus represents real, modern day despots who battle their own people, as well as other countries, to consolidate power only to find they have lost direction and forgotten their original purpose. JP, the proposed hero of the story, is determined to rescue the damsel in distress, but winds up leading the Rorhk galaxy into a rebellion against a violent monarchy without considering the consequences. Eleena fights for women\u2019s rights by rescuing herself from the clutches of a carnivorous plant without the help of a male and avoids a forced marriage to none other than the King Tyrant himself. Not forgetting Sylvester, the opinionated doctor represents countries that have a definite opinion on economic, social, and political policy, but aren\u2019t willing to commit to any true course of action. The moral to Lui\u2019s 565-page book is that there isn\u2019t any clear rule governing who is ugly or pretty or what is right or wrong.

Is there any coincidence that the cover depicts an \u201cObama\u201d look-alike (especially given the book\u2019s original publication in 2008 \u2013 just as the President was campaigning for his first term)? No doubt readers will also find politicians personified in the story\u2019s characters (Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney, Sara Palin). LGBTQ and minority rights, climate change, military campaigns, and reinvesting in recovery also make an appearance in the book.

Tales of the Rohrk is at least 200 pages too long and is in need of good editing. While Lui is successful in conveying the sarcasm necessary for satire, scenes drag on, detail that is unnecessary interferes with the story, and the sheer number of political allusions borders on overkill. Stick with Robert Heinlein, Philip K. Dick, and C.S. Lewis\u2019 science fiction trilogy for political satire at its best.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-May-2017 15:32:22", "publisher": "", "page_count": "562 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000005732019", "title": "Tales of the Rohrk", "author": "Giancarlo Lui", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Romuald Dzemo ", "word_count": 303, "review": "Tales of the Rohrk by Giancarlo Lui is a captivating sci-fi with phenomenal characters, a gritty plot, and a sophisticated setting. An alien gondola brings a manuscript to Earth, and the story within the manuscript is just about to change the lives of some people.

Meet the astronauts, John Paul Verrazzano, Sylvester Van Vammerick, and Dr. Eleena Nielsen, all working on a NASA project to unveil the effects of light-speed travel on the body. They are catapulted into a planet beyond the Milky Way, a world where things are quite different from anything they\u2019d ever imagine. Things become complicated for them when they are taken by a group of people whose king has been deposed by the tyrant Metaphistus. The people believe that the astronauts are heroes from a prophecy, destined to redeem their land from the merciless clutches of the tyrant. Can they help these people? Can they even survive in this cruel universe long enough to help the people overthrow their tyrant?\n

Giancarlo Lui\u2019s novel features powerful literary elements, and it is just too natural to get thrilled by the masterful use of satire and the genial re-creation of the political drama that is witnessed in today\u2019s world. Each character is sculpted to embody a set of political values, and readers can quickly identify with the different forms of governments. Metaphistus reminded me a lot of the African leaders who will cling to power to the point of becoming blind to reality, even waging war against their own people, and as I read on, I couldn\u2019t help but wonder if the US isn\u2019t headed toward the same direction at this point in time. Tales of the Rohrk has a fast-paced plot that's complex and laced with exciting moments. It is a great ride for fans of sci-fi with elements of adventure.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-May-2017 17:51:17", "publisher": "", "page_count": "562 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000005732015", "title": "Tales of the Rohrk", "author": "Giancarlo Lui", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 464, "review": "I am glad to say that science fiction has gone through a boom in relatively recent history. (\u201cRecent\u201d being something of an exaggeration; the boom I refer to may have begun before I was born.) No longer are we stuck with the same old tropes of the early years of science fiction, with women being little more than damsels in distress as men go about exploring strange new worlds. Now we have science fiction of all sorts, from hard sci-fi that could very plausibly be a future based on the science we now know to young adult novels more interested in exploring plot than presenting something truly scientific. I would argue that this is the true Golden Age for science fiction fans: no matter where you look or what you look for, you will always find what you seek.

And yet\u2026what if what we\u2019re looking for is something reminiscent of those early days? What if what we want is a taste of the past tempered with some of the sensibilities of the present? (Imperialism and chauvinism are even more shocking to read when they come from a recent pen than one several decades old.) If you have been asking those questions, then look no further: Tales of the Rohrk will have everything you want.

It opens with a device as old as Frankenstein: the main part of the novel is a manuscript sent via alien gondola to Earth, which randomly happens to encounter a man from New Jersey on vacation in France. (Okay, so maybe it\u2019s not exactly like Frankenstein.) The story brought by the gondola is where things get interesting. Three astronauts \u2013 John Paul Verrazzano, Eleena Nielsen, and Sylvester Van Vammerick \u2013 find themselves quite unexpectedly in another universe with only a monkey named Piper for company. All three characters could have walked out of an old science fiction novel. John Paul is the archetypal hero figure, to the point of being a hunter in his past on Earth. Eleena starts out as the usual love interest for John Paul, though I am happy to say she quickly shows herself to be far more capable than the women in traditional science fiction. As for Sylvester\u2026he\u2019s one of those characters people will either love or hate, though if you enjoy the aesthetic of old sci-fi novels, you\u2019ll love him. He puts me in mind of the Doctors from the classic episodes of Doctor Who: rather ridiculous but far more capable than anyone would give him credit for.

In short, this book is a wonder at combining past and present to give us a vision of the future. While not exactly a beach read, it is a good book for summer when you want more than anything to take a little break from reality.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-May-2017 17:51:14", "publisher": "", "page_count": "562 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000005732011", "title": "Miracle in Havenport, R.I.", "author": "Giancarlo Lui", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Heather Clawson", "word_count": 485, "review": "It\u2019s 1933, and the small town of Havenport, Rhode Island, looks like a Norman Rockwell Christmas card. Along its snowy streets, the citizens bustle about their holiday business with packages under their arms and good-will wishes on their lips. But not everyone is filled with holiday cheer. In the covered market, Jonathan Kablonsky\u2014also known as Jonna K.\u2014sells fish from his stall while he dreams of pretty Cleo in her pastry shop. But his daydreams are soured by Bill Lombardo, a jumped-up mobster wannabe who runs the market for the Boss, Don Malatesta. The two men don\u2019t move in the same circles, but their pursuit of Cleo brings them into constant, cantankerous contact with each other. Until, that is, Lombardo asks Cleo to marry him and, to Jonna K.\u2019s dismay, she says yes.

And then\u2014a miracle! The Greek goddess Aphrodite moves through Havenport, unseen and unremarked, when she spies Jonna K. and decides she must have him for herself. But the gods cannot form lasting unions with mortals, so the Goddess of Love petitions Zeus to bestow the power of the gods upon Jonna K. so that he might prove that he\u2019s worthy to carry the mantle of a god.

And so the little town of Havenport is turned upside down as Jonna K. struggles to get a grip on his newfound abilities. But man-sized rabbits, and bluebird hair pins that really fly are just the beginning. When Jonna K.\u2014aided by the well-meaning Reverend Lynch\u2014announces plans to turn the world into a New Garden of Eden on Christmas Day, deadly chaos erupts, and the only chance the world has of surviving is if Jonna K. can somehow undo the damage he\u2019s caused.

Miracle in Havenport, R.I. is a quirky story that mixes mythology with a smidge of theological philosophy and serves it up with a historical glaze, to produce a wildly imaginative narrative for the reader to dive into. On the downside, the grammar and prose are boxy and uncooperative and often seem to be battling against themselves. The reader must wrestle regularly with oddly worded paragraphs and awkwardly structured sentences that almost, but don\u2019t quite, get the meaning, or action, or emotion across. Yet, at the same time, the language is that of a simpler, more innocent time, and as such, is fun and can be taken at face value without having to constantly dive for deeper meaning. Some of the characters' motivations are, at times, built on a very shaky foundation. There was a touch too much exposition for my tastes, and, as a reader, I found myself on occasion reaching deep to get a hold of something approaching a logical connection between thoughts and actions. But, overall, the author managed to convey a fairly coherent account of a simple man who is suddenly the recipient of a great deal of power. A light, fun read with an interesting premise and a decent bit of historical flavoring.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-May-2017 17:22:07", "publisher": "", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000005732007", "title": "Miracle in Havenport, R.I.", "author": "Giancarlo Lui", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 403, "review": "\u201cIt had all started when Aphrodite had stopped \u2013 as already noted \u2013 by Havenport\u2019s Christmassy scenery seeking an elusive palliative to her emotional miseries.\u201d

Aphrodite takes roadtrip to Havenport, hoping to gain a little Christmas spirit and feel some goodwill. Unfortunately, she is not finding any. She ruminates on the fact that the pathetic humans running around preparing for the holiday used to worship her and tried to emulate her beauty. Sadly, in 1933, this is not the case. In the midst of her moaning, she notices a \u201cdivine apparition\u201d in the person of Jonathan Kablonsky, local fish monger and man of titanic proportions.

Having decided that she must have this man for herself and make him a god, she rushes to her father, Zeus, and, like a petulant teenager, begs him to help her. He agrees, having noticed that humans certainly don\u2019t give him the kind of respect they used to. Zeus agrees to a trial of sorts to see if Jonathan can prove himself worthy of being a true god, and he is sending Apollo to keep an eye on him, and on Aphrodite.

And so Jonna K\u2019s life is changed with a quick bolt of lightning and a head full of colorful stars. Though hoping only to make the world a better place, Jonna K can\u2019t seem to get it completely right. Will he see what is actually important before it\u2019s too late for him...and everyone else?

Miracle in Havenport, R.I. (A Quasi-Christmassy Tale) by Giancarlo Lui, author of Tales of the Rohrk, is a fast-moving Victorian-revival of sorts. After the reader grows accustomed to the archaic style, the going gets much easier. Also, the author seems to loosen up his tight wording a few chapters into the novel, which helps the reader stop focusing on the words and actually begin to understand what Lui is trying to say.

Though not the easiest of novels to unpack, ultimately it is truly worth the hard work. Lui\u2019s descriptions are detailed and vivid. One does not have to struggle to visualize exactly what Havenport, R.I. looks like on those days leading up to Christmas 1933. His prose is colorful and engaging even at its most archaic and confusing. I could not help but root for poor Jonathan Kablonsky and his well-meaning scheme for making the world, and especially his own particular lot in life, Eden-esque. Another fascinating novel from Giancarlo Lui!", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-May-2017 17:22:01", "publisher": "", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000005716087", "title": "Dragon Teeth: A Novel", "author": "Michael Crichton", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 356, "review": "Last of Crichton\u2019s books, published nigh on a decade after his passing, Dragon Teeth follows William Johnson as he travels into the American West in the late 1800s. At first he was to accompany Othniel Marsh, but the paranoid paleontologist left Johnson behind, deciding he must be a spy of Marsh\u2019s rival. Unable to return home, Johnson ends up working for that rival, joining Edward Cope\u2019s research team as a photographer. This is a snapshot of one of the most unusual \"wars\" of US history, the \"Bone Wars\" between two legends of paleontology: Othniel Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope.

Unlike Jurassic Park, Dragon Teeth focuses on true paleontology and actual historical events. Written with Crichton's typical flare for adventure, our protagonist journeys from the learning bastions of the East to the Badlands in the West. Over the course of the story, Johnson goes from a rich, spoiled schoolboy to a calm, self-assured, mature man. To even keep the gig with Marsh, he must learn the art of photography. Then he gets left behind by Marsh, and rather than reneging on a bet, he signs on with Cope\u2019s expedition. With Cope, there is greater freedom, if more hardship, and it quickly becomes clear that, while he is many things, he's not how Marsh described him. Johnson ends up separated from Cope\u2019s group when he and two others volunteer to go retrieve the second half of the boxed bones being brought back East and get attacked. He is presumed dead and ends up in the town of Deadwood. By the time Johnson returns home, he has quite the tale to tell.

I devoured this book in about three hours. Crichton is a favorite author, and Jurassic Park is among my favorite books. I was floored when I first came across Dragon Teeth before it's release. I thought Pirate Latitudes was the last Crichton book I'd get to read. That it was about paleontology, and true events, was icing on the cake. It may not have had the scientific or moral/ethical questions of his other books, but it did illuminate an unusual and fascinating spot of history. Highly recommended!!", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "08-May-2017 20:07:52", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000005706055", "title": "AFTERLIFE", "author": "Marcus Sakey", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan", "Seattle"], "reviewer": "John Murray", "word_count": 192, "review": "Agent Will Brody throws caution to the wind and pursues a serial sniper who has been terrorizing Chicago for weeks. One misstep leads to an explosive encounter, and Brody finds himself in a strange version of Chicago called an echo. Trapped in a version of an afterlife, the denizens of the echo attack and absorb each other to keep the darkness at bay. Only Brody can\u2019t let go of his past life or his love, Claire McCoy. Life and death blur, and a war rages in the afterlife.

Afterlife by Marcus Sakey is an ambitious novel that weaves an epic love story with crime drama and blends everything into an intense supernatural thriller. The concept is fascinating with the various levels of the echo, the war that ravages the afterlife, and the sinister forces lurking just beyond perception. There is an intricate level of world-building here that belies the action-blockbuster mask. In addition to the pulse-pounding action, heartwarming romance, and surprisingly deep philosophical quandaries, Afterlife deftly tackles issues like equality, morality, and ethics. This is a fun summer or airplane read that will stick with you long past the pretty surprising conclusion.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "08-Aug-2017", "date_added": "02-May-2017 20:53:45", "publisher": "Amazon", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000005811079", "title": "Savage Country: A Novel", "author": "Robert Olmstead", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 290, "review": "The sweeping landscape and brutal living conditions in Robert Olmstead\u2019s latest novel, Savage Country, complete a stark and treacherous backdrop to the steady and vicious injustices the characters inflict upon one another. Elizabeth Coughlin, recently widowed in 1873 in Kansas, discovers her financial situation, thanks to poor choices made be her late husband, is dire. Her only hope to survive is a dangerous trek into Indian Territory to carry out the buffalo hunt that should have been her husband\u2019s responsibility. In order to do this, she will need help.

Among the ragtag band of men she assembles, including four brothers named for apostles, Elizabeth is accompanied by two wildly different men. The reverend doctor with a passion for writing has designs on building a life with the young widow. He is respectable, well-mannered, and well-heeled, and wants nothing more than to protect her. The other man, a secretive and darkly mysterious big-game hunter, is Michael, the brother-in-law she did not meet until her husband\u2019s death. Both men aid Elizabeth in valuable ways, but only one of them senses who she really is and what she really needs.

As the book unfolds, the journey becomes more and more fraught with peril. In-fighting, unpredictable storms, and disease plague the party as they make their way across the plains. Olmstead\u2019s prose is riveting and spare, and while the details are accurate and compelling, there is no overwriting or flowery description: the style of the novel reflects the haunting and at times hopeless state of the characters. Savage Country is difficult to read in its depiction of the killing of buffalo, but important, too, as Olmstead\u2019s narrative reveals the struggle to survive not only for Elizabeth but for the country during the post-Civil-War era.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "27-Jan-2025", "date_added": "22-Jun-2017 19:31:10", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": " 4"} {"id": "425035000005802063", "title": "Hannibal's Oath: The Life and Wars of Rome's Greatest Enemy", "author": "John Prevas", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 196, "review": "Hannibal of Carthage demonstrated generalship and tenacity that terrified his enemies, bringing Rome, the juggernaut empire of the Mediterranean, almost to its knees. His brilliant, unconventional tactics won him many battles, and admirers, and are still studied today. The story is fascinating, and even more so because, while Hannibal was arguably the better leader, he ultimately lost his war.

Author John Prevas has written a brisk, sympathetic history of this larger-than-life individual. And though relying on the same sources that have been used to scrutinize Hannibal for the last two millenia, Prevas nevertheless provides new and insightful analysis. The author superbly writes an accessible, entertaining book that revivifies this general for a lay audience. Sifting through the varying ancient accounts and personally following Hannibal's footsteps and possible pathways, Prevas makes Hannibal's trials \u2013 and his genius in overcoming them \u2013 immediate and salient. Hannibal was not perfect - he could be cruel, and some of his decisions, even those most lauded, may have led ultimately to his downfall. But he was a great leader and general, one whom even his enemies could not help but admire. His war with Rome truly changed the course of history.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2025", "date_added": "19-Jun-2017 20:24:06", "publisher": "Da Capo Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000005800003", "title": "The Beginning of the End", "author": "Fredrick Hudgin", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Demarest ", "word_count": 451, "review": "The Beginning of the End is an ambitious novel by Fredrick Hudgin that focuses on a compelling story about humanity and the problems we have created for ourselves. The novel jumps between several points of view, that of three young physics students (Lily, Kevin, and Doug), who suddenly find themselves building a wormhole-generating machine based on a dream; several politicians and scientists of note in the US community; and several members of a diverse alien cooperative known as the Ur. Unbeknownst to humanity, we were originally an intelligent species farming project by the Ur, but our technology outstripped our social development and the Ur have decided we are too dangerous to be allowed to spread beyond our home planet.

Unfortunately, while the plot of the novel is engaging and well constructed, the other aspects of the story were not as well carried out. The first major flaw is in the repetitive nature of the writing itself. Hudgin frequently repeats himself, often within the same paragraph or set of dialog, and the pacing of the sentences is choppy. The second major problem is an overabundance of jargon and abbreviation. Not only is the science overly- and poorly-described, it\u2019s unnecessary for the furthering of the plot. In fact, if we were presented with less over-the-top descriptions of the science, the story would be much more believable. As it stands now, though, the amount of alien technology that can be recreated from \u201cstuff you\u2019d find in any scientific supply house\u201d stretches credibility. In the same vein, the amount and usage of acronyms in the text is awkward and poorly placed, making it difficult for the reader to move past them smoothly.

Beyond the technical issues with the text, there are two deeper problems with the novel. First, the characters we are presented with are one-dimensional caricatures of people, with robotic dialog and motivations. Each character is defined by a broadly-drawn personality trait, belief, or stereotype and extraneous character histories are randomly introduced, whether appropriate to the narrative moment or not.

Lastly, the moral message of the novel was over-simplistic and could have benefited from more subtlety. By the fourth iteration of the reasons why humanity had failed to qualify for admission to the Ur, I was beginning to tire of the message. And while the political reformations proposed by the presidential candidate in a conveniently numbered list towards the climax of the book are all well and good, the narrative would have been vastly better served by seeing how those ideals could have been implemented rather than letting them serve as empty campaign promises.

Overall, I think this novel has significant promise but could benefit greatly from a few rounds with a professional editor.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Jun-2017 19:36:02", "publisher": "Createspace", "page_count": "349 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000005776135", "title": "Do You Know What a Book Publicist Does?: A Guide for Creating Your Own Campaigns", "author": "Claire McKinney", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 202, "review": "In a world that\u2019s teaming with self-published and small-press published books, many an author finds themselves as the primary publicist for their own work. It\u2019s a daunting task and not something most writers are prepared to tackle. Therefore, a book like Do You Know What a Book Publicist Does? seems like a welcome savior for all the authors-turned-marketers out there. However, the book has the unfortunate characteristic of reading like a lot of valuable information is being disseminated, but once the book is closed, there aren\u2019t really any actionable tips to pursue. While there is general information about various topics such as putting together a press kit, the ultra-short chapters only provide a tantalizing tip of the iceberg. For someone who probably has no experience with these concepts, more than a couple pages would be necessary to impart the information needed to try one's hand at these things with any level of confidence.

As it stands, this book feels more like a general outline of what types of things a book publicists does, without giving readers the step-by-step instructions or important details needed to really do it on their own. It\u2019s a great concept, but it doesn\u2019t live up to the expectation.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "05-Jun-2017 20:09:53", "publisher": "Claire McKinneyPR, LLC", "page_count": "174 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000005776095", "title": "An Apple and An Adventure", "author": "Martin Cendreda", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Afton - Age 7", "word_count": 94, "review": "This book was a fun adventure across the alphabet, an exploration of prehistoric lands, and a story of a girl and her dinosaur. I liked that this showed new ways of using the alphabet that had not been used before in other alphabet books. Personally, I thought the illustrations could have been more exciting. There are several books that have similar drawing styles, and I did not like that the book did not have much color. Other than that, I thought this was a cute book and a fun way to learn the alphabet.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "05-Jun-2017 17:08:47", "publisher": "KaBOOM!", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000005827087", "title": "The Secret Agent Training Manual: How to Make and Break Top Secret Messages: A Companion to the Secret Agents Jack and Max Stalwart Series (The Secret Agents Jack and Max Stalwart Series, 1)", "author": "Elizabeth Singer Hunt, Brian Williamson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 176, "review": "The Secret Agent Training Manual is a book written by Elizabeth Singer Hunt. I really enjoyed this manual! This book has different codes in it, like Morse code, hiding-your-message-in-a-magazine-article code, Caesar cipher, zig-zag cipher, Atbash cipher, miniature message code, and anagrams. Speaking of anagrams, I especially liked that part of the book. Here is an example: unscramble the following: EM, OTY, TROSE, and OUY are the anagrams. ME, TOY, STORE, and YOU are the answers. (Don\u2019t know how to unscramble anagrams? Look in this book.) Here\u2019s another type of code I learned about by reading this book: mirror writing. Mirror writing is writing spelled backwards. You know why it is called mirror writing? It is because if you hold it up in a mirror, you will see the correct message. When you think about codes, ciphers, decoding, deciphering, encoding, and enciphering, you might think of secret agents and spies. Secret agents and spies use codes so that the guilty people don\u2019t read what they are saying. Kids who love codes and ciphers will enjoy this book.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "27-Jan-2025", "date_added": "05-Jul-2017 20:24:32", "publisher": "Weinstein Books", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000005917039", "title": "The Write Treatment Anthology Volume I 2011-2016: Writings by Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers from The Write Treatment Workshops at Mount ... Mount Sinai Beth Israel Cancer Centers, NYC", "author": "Emily Rubin", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1332, "review": "Books to Celebrate National Cancer Survivor Month\n\nThe month of June is National Cancer Survivor Month, a time when many reflect on their and their loved ones\u2019 experiences of cancer treatment and survivorship. A diagnosis of cancer raises many questions and concerns, and even after having survived the disease, people are often left with unresolved issues and anxieties. There are numerous books available about living with and treating cancer, and the following titles might be of interest to those looking to expand their understanding of the multifaceted disease that is cancer.\n\nThe Living Room: A Lung Cancer Community of Courage by Bonnie J. Addario\n\nThe Living Room support and education group was launched by Bonnie Addario and her family to help, nurture, and champion lung cancer patients and their caregivers. The group\u2019s remit is a wide one. Indeed, as Addario\u2019s daughter Danielle comments in the introduction to The Living Room: A Lung Cancer Community of Courage, the group provides \u201ca safe place to meet and talk about everything from high-level things like advanced genomic testing to eating mashed potatoes because the drugs you\u2019re taking are not letting you keep anything down.\u201d Addario is herself a seventeen-year survivor of lung cancer as well as being the co-founder and chair of the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer. Her work as an activist on behalf of cancer patients prompted her to recognize the importance of community to those who are suffering, which led to the formation of the support group. Now, in The Living Room, Addario presents the stories of twenty lung cancer patients and survivors who have found ways to both live with the disease and thrive. They are difficult and emotive stories, but they are also uplifting and inspiring. Those featured in the book have found ways to overcome the obstacles put in front of them by cancer and to continue pursing their dreams while fighting the disease.\n\nYour Cancer Road Map: Navigating Life With Resilience by Kim Thiboldeaux \n\nThe Cancer Support Community (CSC) is a professionally led nonprofit network that provides cancer support to individuals worldwide. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that all those impacted by cancer, whether patients, relatives/friends, or caregivers, have the knowledge, help, and support they require on their cancer journey. Kim Thiboldeaux is the executive chair of the CSC and she has written Your Cancer Road Map: Navigating Life With Resilience to explain in a straightforward and user-friendly way all the physical, emotional, financial, and logistical challenges associated with a cancer diagnosis and the subsequent treatment. The book represents an almost exhaustive resource when it comes to the concerns and queries commonly raised by cancer patients, including how to choose from among treatment options, how to talk about fertility issues, and how to go about planning end-of-life care. Thiboldeaux aims to provide readers with all the tools necessary to fully participate in their care and to make informed decisions regarding various cancer-related matters. The book\u2019s impact is enhanced by the inclusion of personal stories by some of those, both celebrities and everyday folks, whose lives have been touched by cancer.\n\nCancer as a Wake-Up Call: An Oncologist\u2019s Integrative Approach to What You Can Do to Become Whole Again by M. Laura Nasi \n\nDr. M. Laura Nasi, a specialist in integrative oncology, has over twenty-five years of experience working with cancer patients in hospitals around the world. Her medical education and her initial years as a doctor provided her with a strong theoretical understanding of cancer and other diseases as well as extensive practical experience of conventional treatment modalities. However, the realization that medical developments depend too heavily on economic concerns and that her own view of cancer treatment, which was fostered by her traditional medical education and training, was overly narrow prompted her to pursue a more holistic approach. In Cancer as a Wake-Up Call, Nasi explains how she sought to integrate the Eastern spiritual worlds that fascinated her with the Western approach to cancer treatment that predominated in the hospitals in which she worked. As part of her desire to understand the disease process, she chose to focus on the cancer patient as a whole (mind, body, and spirit), rather than solely on the physical manifestations of the disease. In the book, Nasi details the various spiritual techniques, such as meditation and visualization, that she has found to benefit cancer patients alongside more conventional therapies.\n\nNovel Approach to Curing Cancer by Jianqing Wu and Ping Zha\n\nIn Novel Approach to Curing Cancer, Jianqing Wu and Ping Zha detail a new methodology for treating all kinds of cancers. Starting from the two traditional pillars of cancer treatment, that is, the use of drugs and the basic treatment model, the authors suggest that so long as anti-cancer drugs have side effects and have to be administered periodically, they cannot be considered true cures. The idea is that no drug can destroy all kinds of cancer cells, and further, that cancer cells reproduce so quickly that any gaps in treatment allow them to take hold once again. The stories of various celebrities who died as a result of cancer are used to illustrate this idea. The authors suggest that the only way to truly overcome cancer is to understand three key factors: speed, number, and multiplication. They base their methodology on traditional Chinese medicine, modern disease theories, recent medical discoveries, and stories of people\u2019s miraculous recoveries from cancer. As such, the book makes for interesting reading, although it is more geared toward the cancer researcher\u2019s perspective than the cancer patient\u2019s experience. It could be a useful and informative book for those looking to expand their theoretical understanding of the different approaches to treating cancer.\n\nThe Write Treatment Anthology Volume I 2011-2016: Writings by Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers from the Write Treatment Workshops at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Beth Israel Cancer Centers, NYC edited by Emily Rubin \n\nEmily Rubin, herself a cancer survivor, runs weekly creative writing workshops for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers at the Mount Sinai Hospitals in New York City. During the workshops, Rubin makes use of writing prompts, photographs, and inspirational quotes to inspire attendees\u2019 writing, and while some do opt to write about their cancer diagnosis and treatment, many choose to let their creativity flow far more freely and imagine things far beyond the world of cancer. The people who participate in the writing workshops are a diverse bunch, with varying lives, beliefs, and experiences, and their writings reflect that diversity. The Write Treatment Anthology Volume I 2011-2016 collects personal essays, stories, and poems written by twenty-three people who attended Rubin\u2019s workshops during the relevant period, and taken together, it is a hugely inspiring body of work. The tales they tell range from the hilarious to the tragic, the sublime to the ridiculous, and there are more than a few thought-provoking moments.\n\nWhole Body Healing: Create Your Own Path to Physical, Emotional, Energetic and Spiritual Wellness by Emily A. Francis\n\nFor those looking to complement their physician-led medical treatment and improve their overall health, Whole Body Healing: Create Your Own Path to Physical, Emotional, Energetic and Spiritual Wellness by Emily A. Francis offers the tools, techniques, and confidence necessary to design and implement an individually tailored holistic treatment regimen. As the title suggests, Francis aims to address every aspect of the individual reader\u2019s wellbeing (physical, emotional, energetic, and spiritual) in an integrated way in order to facilitate lasting positive changes. The book explores both traditional and modern alternative therapy techniques, ranging from homeopathy to Ayurveda to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, meaning that readers have a wide range of options to consider. The goal is to achieve balance in what Francis considers to be an increasingly unbalanced world. Francis\u2019 ideas regarding certain medical conditions and, therefore, the contents of the book are certainly not without controversy, although it does suggest a number of promising and proven avenues that readers might find worthy of pursuing as part of their quest for better health.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2017 18:13:39", "publisher": "Wash and Dry Productions", "page_count": "218 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000005911003", "title": "All the Women in My Family Sing: Women Write the World \u2014 Essays on Equality, Justice, and Freedom", "author": "Anthology, Deborah Santana, editor", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lenna Stites", "word_count": 453, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

\nAll the Women in my Family Sing is a very thoughtful, well-curated collection of personal essays written by women of color, spanning a variety of themes and experiences. It shares stories that spark a conversation about the human experience, rather than just bringing tales about what it\u2019s like to struggle as a woman of color. And, because it includes such a wide breadth of narratives, readers are sure to identify with, and see themselves in, at least one of the essays in this anthology. While a few select essays held a bit of a self-righteousness in their tone, it was far from overbearing, and for the most part, the writings were humble and well crafted. I feel that this book is here to educate through discourse and shareable anecdotes. But what this book gave me was a way to think about my own experiences and my own identity\u2014not only as a woman in this society, but as a woman of mixed race. I often feel that the same perspective is being shown and highlighted from marginalized voices, but this collection offers an answer to the lack of diversity in our literature from women of color.

For example, there are a couple of essays in the anthology from these writers about identifying as \u201cwhite\u201d growing up, even though their ethnic makeup was non-white, because, to them, there is more to cultural identity than just skin color. In her essay \"The Colour of Transparency,\" Shyla Margaret Machanda writes, \u201cI am mixed race, but this isn\u2019t a life-altering concern of mine. It is a simple fact, just as valid as it is to those who hold their mixed-race heritage high, front and center to their identity.\" There were great perspectives to hear from.

All the Women in my Family Sing is also methodical in the way that it\u2019s broken up. Each essay is carefully grouped into an overarching theme, ranging from identity and home to traumas and personal journeys. La Rhonda Crosby-Johnson\u2019s essay, \"From Negro to Black\" discusses the evolution of terms for \u201cblackness\u201d and its effects, while Denise Diaab\u2019s \"The Road to El Camino\" shows the importance of following our hearts to journey as we wish. This makes it easy to read essays out of order, according to moods or according to subjects, and they are short enough that they can be revisited time and again.

It\u2019s an all-inclusive collection of stories that I believe intends to strengthen our capacity for thinking outside the box and shares a group of strong voices in the writing world. It\u2019s a different type of reading than with traditional fiction novels, but I already have a list of women who I would like to share this with.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Aug-2017 22:28:50", "publisher": "Nothing But The Truth Publishing", "page_count": "366 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000005910003", "title": "Caveman at the End of the World", "author": "Brad Rau", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lauren Stafford", "word_count": 407, "review": "Caveman at the End of the World by Brad Rau is the story of Ella Pearson and her efforts to extricate an alien yet harmless being from her apartment and from her life. Her efforts, however, only serve to make the problem much bigger, more complicated, and ultimately a Kafka-styled labyrinth of personal demons and semi-futuristic bureaucracy. Caveman at the End of the World also goes on to bring together the best elements of several genres into a story that both captivates and intrigues the mind of its readers.

The novel begins with a perfect introduction of Ella\u2019s unique outlook on the world around her: \u201cMore than anything else, Ella Pearson revered the sun. She understood the primacy of the sun; that everything\u2014every-last-thing-on-earth\u2014depended on it for survival.\u201d The author pulls us in until we are completely involved in Ella\u2019s intensifying problems, which, despite their surreal atmosphere, feel completely tangible and ominous. And as her world closes in more and more tightly around her, so does the sun, whose imagery spotlights Ella\u2019s changing disposition. Rarely does a novel succeed in giving its readers such a brilliantly illuminating window into the hero\u2019s soul with a more perfect tool of metaphors. The sun is Ella\u2019s life, and it is her story. Readers will immediately flock to this heroine who is like none other. She\u2019s very detailed and relatable, such are all the characters, and you can really feel as if you are submerged in this world as well.

Caveman at the End of the World delivers a rich, superbly original story that moves along with lifelike action scenes, shocking twists and turns, and nail-biting suspense. The novel features a genuine and believable protagonist who earns our deepest care as she contends with a sequence of harrowing events. It successfully merges the themes of human origins, transformation, and existential meaning with artificial intelligence, futuristic menaces, apocalyptic survival, and the great mystery we all attempt to solve daily: who are we, why are we here, and where are we going? Rau\u2019s book was by far a very bizarre but highly enjoyable read. A wonderfully blended mix of Orwell, Kafka, and originality, Rau\u2019s unique writing style has leanings toward The Twilight Zone, and I\u2019d even wonder how he\u2019d do in a horror setting. Rau has designed his third-person tale in five parts that continuously unfold into unanticipated scenes and that never grow overbearing or dull. Riveting and compelling right until the very end.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Aug-2017 19:53:00", "publisher": "", "page_count": "434 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000005891003", "title": "The Hidden Legacy (Discovery of Ocaba)", "author": "Kevin Keller", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jason Lang", "word_count": 488, "review": "In the legacy of young adult novels about Narnia or Lemony Snicket, the first Ocaba series manages to take the familiar trappings of the genre into a new arrangement. The magical land of Ocaba has been conquered by the evil Elf Darius. He has made pact with demons, giving him great power. The four ruling families of Ocaba have all been wiped out...save for four children smuggled to Earth. They are watched over by their guardians, Minerva and four Miniatures, magical creatures who appear as animals or tiny humans. Now in their teens, the children begin to question their past. More, their powers are becoming more apparent every day. In addition to being able to cast magic, they each have a special gift. Koda, the eldest boy, has sight sharper then any eagle. Alill, the eldest girl, has superhuman balance and strength. Dungan, the younger boy, has amazing hearing. Thryn, the youngest girl, can read minds. King Darius desperately wants to capture these last royal children, as there is a prophecy that they will be his downfall.

When the children are old enough, their grandmother, Opal, reveals the truth of their past. When they travel to Ocaba, they find a world of danger and amazement. Hunted by the King's forces, they begin to make alliances with the resistance. But the children end up separated and must find their way in the strange new world.\n

While the story is solid, some of the dialog comes off as rather stilted. \"How is it that you and Grandmother say we are a family, but we all look so different?\" asks a then seven-year-old Thryn in a flashback. Later in the book, after a spy reveals himself in the children's camp \"Do not be afraid, Princess. King Darius was great friends with your parents, and only wants to restore you to your royal position.\" Even Minerva, who, for some reason speaks in a southern accent, only drops the occasional \"be\" instead of an \"are\" in the perfect diction.

While the dialog is slightly strange, more so is the awe that characters have for each other. Whenever Opal reveals herself, she is held in awe and respect. Nobody blames her for not protecting people against the dark times. And, while everyone holds her in great esteem, it's not clear why. She is in hiding in Ocaba, moving from place to place, but it's not clear what she is doing to generate such esteem. Is she feeding the poor, fighting the patrols, healing the sick? It isn't mentioned, but whenever she reveals herself, it's as if a holy figure has appeared. This same revelation is extended to the children, who at least are the subject of prophecy. Even when one of them is captured, she is treated luxuriously.

The Hidden Legacy sets up an epic series of magic and adventure. It should appeal to anyone who enjoyed the Chronicles of Narnia or similar young adult fair.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "07-Aug-2017 20:12:47", "publisher": "CreateSpace", "page_count": "324 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000005888007", "title": "Diaphanous Minds", "author": "Michael Sullivan", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 483, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

When Daniel Kilgore's wife, Vivian, starts experiencing memory problems after a car accident and the possibility of an aggressive form of dementia, Daniel is hoping, with the right help, her memory will improve. As a result of his wife's problems, and hoping to see how others with similar problems are coping, he volunteers at Magnolia Gardens, a retirement home in South Carolina, which caters to those with dementia.

Initially, I was a little concerned that this would be a terribly sad story. As my own mother had just passed away from a long battle with cancer a few weeks before receiving this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was, therefore, surprised to find this book to be both thought-provoking and engaging. There were sad aspects to the story, which is no surprise, considering the subject matter, but I actually found this book to be full of interesting characters who I could relate to, having recently been a caregiver to my mother.

I thought Mr. Sullivan provided a realistic look at how people react to long-term illness. The families of the patients had characteristics that were very familiar to me. I also found that the dialogue throughout contained the appropriate level of emotion. In fact, I found myself both laughing and crying while reading. I had a good laugh on page 58, when Mr. Sullivan mentioned his previous review at San Francisco Book Review.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this story was the fact that the characters seemed so real. I almost expected them to walk off the page and into the room with me. I thought this was especially the case with the main characters, Daniel Kilgore and his friend, Jane Lincoln. The fact that I was able to form a real attachment to the characters means that this story is one that will stay with me for some time.

If there was one thing that didn't really strike a cord with me, it would be the title, Diaphanous Minds. I do understand why the author chose it, but, to me, it seems a bit dry. I would have expected something more along the lines of Hidden Memories, Lost Memories, or Time Forgotten\u2014something that would spark more curiosity. Also, at times, the transition within the story from one set of events and characters to another was perhaps not as smooth as it could have been. I had to stop and check or remind myself that I was now reading about another set of characters.

Having said that, this was a book I enjoyed reading. I especially liked the fact that it wasn't predictable and that there were some unexpected twists as well. Mr. Sullivan's best attribute as a writer seems to be the ability to create the perfect emotion through good dialogue and well-crafted scenes. Of course, this makes me wonder what he will be writing next.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "06-Aug-2017 21:42:47", "publisher": "", "page_count": "197 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000005965075", "title": "Your One & Only", "author": "Adrianne Finlay", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Tatiana - Age 15", "word_count": 200, "review": "This story is a thought-provoking and powerful story of survival. Jack is a human in a world of clones created when humans were on the brink of extinction. As humans were wiped out by a plague, a small group of scientists preserved their DNA and created clones that continually \u201cimproved\u201d themselves as they created more and more generations of clones. 300 years later, Vispera is a seemingly \u201cperfect\u201d world of order with a strong sense of community and purpose yet lacking \u201chumanness.\u201d Jack is created to bring hope, in the form of a tenth clone model, or to bring destruction to the clones\u2019 orderly world. When Jack meets Althea-310 their differences appear ready to destroy them or change their world forever. This story is told from the alternating perspectives of Jack and Althea-310 as they explore their growing understandings of what makes us human. The characters are engaging and well developed. The book is well written and captivating for anyone 17 or older who is interested in dystopian stories. I do not think younger people should read this based on the casualness of sex and sexual scenes. Otherwise, this is a great book, and I look forward to a sequel!", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "18-Sep-2017 20:15:22", "publisher": "Harcourt Children's", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000006046003", "title": "Accidental Travels of a Single Woman", "author": "Terry Woods", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jackie Bussjaeger", "word_count": 436, "review": "In ancient times, St. Augustine, wrote, \u201cThe world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.\u201d This theme forms the heart of the book Accidental Travels of a Single Woman.

Six years after living in Las Vegas, author Terry Woods develops a severe allergy to the summer heat. When she decides to leave for three months every summer, she joins a travel club and European home exchanges. She winds up with an assortment of adventures in France, England, America, Canada and Italy, where there\u2019s a little Italian romance to boot.

In addition to everything expected from vacation chronicles, the author almost fatefully winds up in circles of thinkers and doers. A few visits to France find her in the company of the doctor who invented the abortion pill, a world-renowned pianist, and a well-known painter.

Some of her travels are filled with the same minor disasters that can make or break a vacation for any of us, but throughout, the author retains her sense of humor\u2014even when she finds herself part of a royal wedding procession in Madrid.

There are times when the author delves deeper into emotionally poignant moments. Amid the levity of dancing with Texas cowboys and viewing art galleries in Paris, is the deeply emotional chapter detailing the author\u2019s grief when she visits her ailing father for the last time. This unexpected variability is what made the book an exciting and entertaining read.

While many travel writers wax rhapsodically about Paris, Woods has an entire chapter dedicated to the things she won\u2019t miss about the City of Lights: small apartment elevators, strange bathroom situations, crazy traffic, and more.

As a gift for her 70th birthday, she takes a river cruise on the Rhine and Danube. Her visit to a courtroom in Nuremburg is one of the most emotionally compelling chapters in the book. She contrasts this with a woman who had been a German baroness and expressed the shame and guilt many Germans still feel about their past. The chapters are delivered succinctly, often ending with a lighthearted note, due to the marvelous absurdities that exploring new places can introduce. Woods seems up for anything and keeps an open mind about all of her encounters\u2014both the mundane and magnificent.

All along the way, Woods listens to the stories of the many types of people she meets, taking away lessons and thoughts on what it means to be part of the world in our day and age.

At its heart, Accidental Travels of a Single Woman celebrates the spice of life and new experiences that can change the way you think.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Oct-2017 17:21:49", "publisher": "AuthorHouse", "page_count": "125 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000006008003", "title": "The Truth That Hides", "author": "A.J. Schmitz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi ", "word_count": 401, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

An extremely promising series from a charismatic author

The story begins with someone else\u2019s story, which makes you wonder how it is connected to the book\u2019s plot. Then, everything changes and we meet the book\u2019s protagonist, Jack , who works at the National Electronic Transfer Corporation. The NET is a government agency that has access to every single American citizen via their social media accounts, their phones, laptops, smart TVs, everything electronic. Most employees, including Jack, use these data in order to create individual profiles for each citizen, believing that\u2019s how they keep America safe by protecting the country from extremists. But what the government sees as a threat could be someone else\u2019s hope for a better future.

Jack\u2019s life was pretty normal; some might say boring, because he followed the same routine every day. So when he got back from Brussels after attending a convention, meeting a mysterious woman in a yellow dress and having read a strange book with the instruction to throw it out after finishing it, his life dramatically changes. His team at the NET is responsible for a brand new top-secret government project called \u201cOperation Straight Arrow.\u201d The purpose of the project is to track down people who are considered to be dangerous enough to create chaos and destroy a multi-billion deal about a new oil pipeline that will connect Canada and Mexico.

So, when Jack comes across names and places in his research that he had already read about in the book he threw away, he realizes that the two are connected. What he discovers is a conspiracy running so deep that the future of our planet and humanity is at stake.

One of the things that really stood out is how Jack matures as a character throughout the story. There are moments in the book where he questions himself and what his life purpose was all along. So, when he finds his place in the world, it\u2019s a true revelation for him.

The book is really easy to read. It is only 284 pages, which makes it a very quick read. Despite its length, every page is carefully written. The author pays a lot of attention to the details and the reader receives that while reading the descriptions of the places mentioned in the book. All in all, The Truth That Hides is a brilliant and highly recommended book in a fresh and exciting series.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "09-Oct-2017 03:37:32", "publisher": "Deep Theory Press", "page_count": "234 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000006069003", "title": "Prisoners' Objects: The Collection of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum", "author": "Paul Bouvier, Contributor \u2022 Roger Mayou, Contributor \u2022 Martin Rueff, Contributor \u2022 Isabelle Schulte-Tenkhoff, Contributor", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Unknown", "word_count": 198, "review": "Political prisoners and prisoners of war spend long days, weeks, and months, even years, in detention. To relieve the boredom and escape their confined environment, many use available material to create works of art and beauty. Eventually people at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent realized the value of these achievements and collected the finished items. They were first displayed in 1991, but in 1998 they were placed in a museum in Geneva in a permanent exhibition. Prisoners\u2019 Objects is a collection of photographs of these objects spanning the years 1914 to 2015 and representing prisoners\u2019 works from a large number of countries. This is a unique collection, and the photos are professionally shot, one to three per page. Each one is labeled with the place of the prison, the material used, and its size. Materials available were leather, wood, beads, plastic, strings, cardboard, aluminum foil, fiber, metal burlap, and soap. Many works are made up of several materials. They are in fourteen chapters according to topics. Each chapter is introduced by one of four writers with an extensive text. They are informative and educational. A quote precedes each chapter. This is a beautiful, emotionally charged volume.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "10-Nov-2017 14:31:35", "publisher": "5Continents", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000006223003", "title": "The Manhattan Swindle", "author": "Jay Perin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 417, "review": "At the opening of The Manhattan Swindle, we are in a search-and-rescue helicopter, hovering above the border between Egypt and Libya. Senator Temple looks down at a collection of vehicles being searched by Libyan soldiers. They are looking for the same people he is: a pair of abducted teenagers, Lilah and Harry Sheppard. The pilot spots Lilah running into a minefield, just before all hell breaks loose.

At once, we are tossed two years into the past, to the funeral of Lilah\u2019s parents, and we learn that the danger in her life won\u2019t only come from Libyan soldiers. She is connected to wealthy families in the oil business, and as her brother-in-law tries to make arrangements for her twin to become his heir, she is thrust into a political power struggle that would hardly be out of place in medieval Europe. At only fifteen, Lilah finds herself in a position to be abducted along with her best friend, and the two of them undertake a dangerous journey across Libya to reach safety in Egypt.

That alone would make a compelling thriller, especially with the perfect balance of strength and vulnerability Lilah and Harry show, but their tale isn\u2019t remotely finished once they reach Egypt, or even when they are returned to America. In fact, it\u2019s only just begun.

The world of oil corporations in the 1980s is ruthless and cutthroat, beyond what even I would have expected. After all, as someone points out partway through the book, people don\u2019t just try to kill each other in modern America. Except, as it turns out, they do. Making it out of Libya has not gotten rid of the Sheppards\u2019 enemies, and in trying to fight back, Lilah and Harry will only draw further ire and further attempts on their lives. They will need powerful allies and all the help they can get if they want to get out of this alive, let alone bring down a dangerous man.

While I don\u2019t often go for corporate thrillers, I\u2019m glad I made an exception in this case. Not only did the tension keep me invested from page one, each character is a wonder. Lilah fights through trauma to find new strength without losing her believability, and Harry\u2019s determination to do the right thing begins to lead him down a dangerous path. Everyone in the book must make difficult choices, and while sometimes those choices make them harder to like, they never once made a choice that I found out of character.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "13-Feb-2018 21:49:36", "publisher": "", "page_count": "603 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000006219003", "title": "The Manhattan Swindle", "author": "Jay Perin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": " Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 622, "review": "The Manhattan Swindle begins in 1974 as Lilah and her twin, Daniel, deal with the grief of losing their parents. Powerful friends of their parents long to adopt her brother but show no interest in her until her brother refuses to be adopted without her. When she and her best friend, Harry, are kidnapped, the two work together to perform a daring escape. Lilah's life after rescue puts her on a new path as she goes to MIT and tries to leave the pain behind her, but she'll never be rid of the pain of what happened. As they're pulled into separate directions, both find their way into the middle of a political agenda and power struggle.

The plot of The Manhattan Swindle weaves through time, focused on the 1970s and 80s and exploring Lilah's life from her earlier years into adulthood. The story shows her evolving from a scared girl to a strong woman fighting for her voice. She lives through an assault when she and Harry are kidnapped and spends the next several years trying to find ways to empower herself. She gets into kickboxing, helps other people, and even faces dangerous situations that often find her risking her life. She makes her own choices and sacrifices a lot of her happiness when she chooses to marry in a powerful decision.

The Manhattan Swindle is full of complicated relationships as the characters tend to change dalliances throughout the years. Lilah has a significant relationship with Harry, beginning with their harrowing escape from their kidnappers, which bonds them for life. Weaving through the years, they grow together and grow apart, entering adulthood and leaving behind the innocence of childhood. They start off as friends and briefly explore the idea of a romance, but their romantic relationship barely starts before it ends. Their feelings for each other remain even when they're both married to other people. Despite the romance never fully taking off, their bond seems to be at the heart of the story, as they tend to go to each other as confidants and for support. Even when their friendship is strained, they still seem to gravitate toward each other. Aside from Lilah and Harry's friendship, Lilah has two other relationships: a brief flirtation with Alex and a marriage to Brad, but both of these relationships seem a bit strained. Her past continues to haunt her day and night to where she feels like she's never fully free of it and is being held back by it. Her marriage to Brad often feels strained, as she's never truly happy, only content. While she's entering these relationships, Harry has many before he marries Verity, but even his marriage has issues. He always puts work first, to the point his wife feels neglected and confronts him about wanting more from him.

Jay Perin plays with relationships with a political eye and explores the power that tends to take over from love. The idea of image and power is seen through several of the relationships as Lilah's husband is often concerned about how she appears to the tabloids, and Harry puts his work first so much he pushes his wife aside again and again. While The Manhattan Swindle explores relationships, Perin also handles serious issues, including kidnapping, war, and rape with a genuine and honest voice, especially as seen through Lilah's perspective. She realistically faces her trauma and is never portrayed as weak but as an empowered woman with strength and a lot of heart. The Manhattan Swindle navigates different perspectives as the story moves through two different decades, exploring issues of the past. While The Manhattan Swindle is a political thriller full of action and danger, it never lacks in heart and humanity.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "13-Feb-2018 01:32:40", "publisher": "", "page_count": "603 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000006494027", "title": "Drop by Drop: Book One Step By Step", "author": "Morgan Llywelyn", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 201, "review": "Sycamore River is like any small town, full of rustic charm, friendly folks, and a few eccentric types. But when plastic all over town begins to melt, suddenly life as they knew it is over. As selfishness, paranoia, and uncertainty run amok, what will become of the people of Sycamore River? When challenged, will the best of humanity triumph... or the worst?

Drop by Drop is a true rarity in science fiction storytelling these days: a disaster story where the author doesn't revel in the disaster's trappings. Unlike Hollywood films where the storm or the earthquake is the star and the characters are simply one-dimensional ciphers to vaguely root for or against, the citizens of Sycamore River are wonderfully three-dimensional, engaging figures. You understand them, you know them, and whether you like them or not, you're invested.

Llywelyn's debut novel is equally intriguing because it's something of an optimistic dystopia. Yes, something disastrous has happened. But there are just as many good people and entrepreneurs as there are selfish types and dangers. Not fixating on the bad not only makes the book more engaging, but it feels more genuine.

Drop by Drop is what science fiction should be: enthralling and unexpected.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "22-Jun-2018 20:10:26", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000006485151", "title": "Cancer as a Wake-Up Call: An Oncologist's Integrative Approach to What You Can Do to Become Whole Again", "author": "M. Laura Nasi \u2022 Lissa Rankin, Foreword", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1332, "review": "Books to Celebrate National Cancer Survivor Month\n\nThe month of June is National Cancer Survivor Month, a time when many reflect on their and their loved ones\u2019 experiences of cancer treatment and survivorship. A diagnosis of cancer raises many questions and concerns, and even after having survived the disease, people are often left with unresolved issues and anxieties. There are numerous books available about living with and treating cancer, and the following titles might be of interest to those looking to expand their understanding of the multifaceted disease that is cancer.\n\nThe Living Room: A Lung Cancer Community of Courage by Bonnie J. Addario\n\nThe Living Room support and education group was launched by Bonnie Addario and her family to help, nurture, and champion lung cancer patients and their caregivers. The group\u2019s remit is a wide one. Indeed, as Addario\u2019s daughter Danielle comments in the introduction to The Living Room: A Lung Cancer Community of Courage, the group provides \u201ca safe place to meet and talk about everything from high-level things like advanced genomic testing to eating mashed potatoes because the drugs you\u2019re taking are not letting you keep anything down.\u201d Addario is herself a seventeen-year survivor of lung cancer as well as being the co-founder and chair of the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer. Her work as an activist on behalf of cancer patients prompted her to recognize the importance of community to those who are suffering, which led to the formation of the support group. Now, in The Living Room, Addario presents the stories of twenty lung cancer patients and survivors who have found ways to both live with the disease and thrive. They are difficult and emotive stories, but they are also uplifting and inspiring. Those featured in the book have found ways to overcome the obstacles put in front of them by cancer and to continue pursing their dreams while fighting the disease.\n\nYour Cancer Road Map: Navigating Life With Resilience by Kim Thiboldeaux \n\nThe Cancer Support Community (CSC) is a professionally led nonprofit network that provides cancer support to individuals worldwide. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that all those impacted by cancer, whether patients, relatives/friends, or caregivers, have the knowledge, help, and support they require on their cancer journey. Kim Thiboldeaux is the executive chair of the CSC and she has written Your Cancer Road Map: Navigating Life With Resilience to explain in a straightforward and user-friendly way all the physical, emotional, financial, and logistical challenges associated with a cancer diagnosis and the subsequent treatment. The book represents an almost exhaustive resource when it comes to the concerns and queries commonly raised by cancer patients, including how to choose from among treatment options, how to talk about fertility issues, and how to go about planning end-of-life care. Thiboldeaux aims to provide readers with all the tools necessary to fully participate in their care and to make informed decisions regarding various cancer-related matters. The book\u2019s impact is enhanced by the inclusion of personal stories by some of those, both celebrities and everyday folks, whose lives have been touched by cancer.\n\nCancer as a Wake-Up Call: An Oncologist\u2019s Integrative Approach to What You Can Do to Become Whole Again by M. Laura Nasi \n\nDr. M. Laura Nasi, a specialist in integrative oncology, has over twenty-five years of experience working with cancer patients in hospitals around the world. Her medical education and her initial years as a doctor provided her with a strong theoretical understanding of cancer and other diseases as well as extensive practical experience of conventional treatment modalities. However, the realization that medical developments depend too heavily on economic concerns and that her own view of cancer treatment, which was fostered by her traditional medical education and training, was overly narrow prompted her to pursue a more holistic approach. In Cancer as a Wake-Up Call, Nasi explains how she sought to integrate the Eastern spiritual worlds that fascinated her with the Western approach to cancer treatment that predominated in the hospitals in which she worked. As part of her desire to understand the disease process, she chose to focus on the cancer patient as a whole (mind, body, and spirit), rather than solely on the physical manifestations of the disease. In the book, Nasi details the various spiritual techniques, such as meditation and visualization, that she has found to benefit cancer patients alongside more conventional therapies.\n\nNovel Approach to Curing Cancer by Jianqing Wu and Ping Zha\n\nIn Novel Approach to Curing Cancer, Jianqing Wu and Ping Zha detail a new methodology for treating all kinds of cancers. Starting from the two traditional pillars of cancer treatment, that is, the use of drugs and the basic treatment model, the authors suggest that so long as anti-cancer drugs have side effects and have to be administered periodically, they cannot be considered true cures. The idea is that no drug can destroy all kinds of cancer cells, and further, that cancer cells reproduce so quickly that any gaps in treatment allow them to take hold once again. The stories of various celebrities who died as a result of cancer are used to illustrate this idea. The authors suggest that the only way to truly overcome cancer is to understand three key factors: speed, number, and multiplication. They base their methodology on traditional Chinese medicine, modern disease theories, recent medical discoveries, and stories of people\u2019s miraculous recoveries from cancer. As such, the book makes for interesting reading, although it is more geared toward the cancer researcher\u2019s perspective than the cancer patient\u2019s experience. It could be a useful and informative book for those looking to expand their theoretical understanding of the different approaches to treating cancer.\n\nThe Write Treatment Anthology Volume I 2011-2016: Writings by Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers from the Write Treatment Workshops at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Beth Israel Cancer Centers, NYC edited by Emily Rubin \n\nEmily Rubin, herself a cancer survivor, runs weekly creative writing workshops for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers at the Mount Sinai Hospitals in New York City. During the workshops, Rubin makes use of writing prompts, photographs, and inspirational quotes to inspire attendees\u2019 writing, and while some do opt to write about their cancer diagnosis and treatment, many choose to let their creativity flow far more freely and imagine things far beyond the world of cancer. The people who participate in the writing workshops are a diverse bunch, with varying lives, beliefs, and experiences, and their writings reflect that diversity. The Write Treatment Anthology Volume I 2011-2016 collects personal essays, stories, and poems written by twenty-three people who attended Rubin\u2019s workshops during the relevant period, and taken together, it is a hugely inspiring body of work. The tales they tell range from the hilarious to the tragic, the sublime to the ridiculous, and there are more than a few thought-provoking moments.\n\nWhole Body Healing: Create Your Own Path to Physical, Emotional, Energetic and Spiritual Wellness by Emily A. Francis\n\nFor those looking to complement their physician-led medical treatment and improve their overall health, Whole Body Healing: Create Your Own Path to Physical, Emotional, Energetic and Spiritual Wellness by Emily A. Francis offers the tools, techniques, and confidence necessary to design and implement an individually tailored holistic treatment regimen. As the title suggests, Francis aims to address every aspect of the individual reader\u2019s wellbeing (physical, emotional, energetic, and spiritual) in an integrated way in order to facilitate lasting positive changes. The book explores both traditional and modern alternative therapy techniques, ranging from homeopathy to Ayurveda to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, meaning that readers have a wide range of options to consider. The goal is to achieve balance in what Francis considers to be an increasingly unbalanced world. Francis\u2019 ideas regarding certain medical conditions and, therefore, the contents of the book are certainly not without controversy, although it does suggest a number of promising and proven avenues that readers might find worthy of pursuing as part of their quest for better health.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Jun-2018 18:35:51", "publisher": "North Atlantic Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000006463039", "title": "The Parting Gift", "author": "Evan Fallenberg", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Wenger", "word_count": 161, "review": "Evan Fallenberg\u2019s third novel may be his best. A page-turner from beginning to end, The Parting Gift is written with exacting detail, a riveting plot, and characters of incredible depth. An epistolary work, the story follows the unnamed narrator as he makes a move to Israel, becomes the obsessed lover of a gruff, hyper-masculine spice farmer named Uzi, and slowly integrates into Uzi\u2019s life, work, and family. Jealousy, lust, and ambition drive the thrilling, fast-pace plot.

Like Fallenberg\u2019s other novels, the book discusses the intersection of Judaism, gender, and sexuality. Though the back-cover calls the novel an \u201cerotic tale,\u201d I cannot exactly classify this book (which does have erotic scenes) as a run-of-the-mill romance, nor should it be classified as \u201cerotica,\u201d as the generic name may imply that it\u2019s simplistic smut. The book is dynamic and thematically complex, dealing with power, masculinity, family, and desire. \nIf you are in need of a quick and engrossing read, I cannot recommend this novel enough.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2020", "date_added": "07-Jun-2018 19:01:36", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000006522083", "title": "A Fierce Glory: Antietam--The Desperate Battle That Saved Lincoln and Doomed Slavery", "author": "Justin Martin", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Louise R Mitchell", "word_count": 372, "review": "Many of us have read about the Battle of Gettysburg and its three long days of battle\u00a0and losses on both sides, yet a mere year before\u2014near a creek called Antietam\u2014a battle with just as many losses\u00a0could have changed the course and outcome of the war. It was here that the Confederates crossed the lines and, for the first time, had a good chance of changing the outcome of the war. The key words here are could have changed\u00a0if they succeeded. It would have omitted the need for the Battle of Gettysburg and the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation.\u00a0

The author introduces the reader to many characters throughout this novel\u2014many we have heard of\u2014some we will remember, some will not. I\u2019m looking at Lincoln in a different light. Mind you, I have always felt that he was a hero, yet here I find a man suffering deeply at the loss of his young son, Will;\u00a0the mental state of his wife, Mary, who already had lost a son before they came to the White House;\u00a0and the heartache of his younger son's handicap. All this and the war were the burden placed on his shoulders, yet he accepted it, keeping his grief in his soul, as he knew his country needed him.

The author enlightens us about\u00a0not only the young men\u00a0who enlisted but the women who did as well. Many young girls dressed as men and joined the fight. A young woman with limited experience took it upon herself to go into the battlefields, giving aid to the injured, no matter which side they were on. This young woman, Clara Barton, with courage and dedication to others, founded the Red Cross we know today. But the true story is that, had the South won the war, Britain and France were ready to step in on the side of the South to give them aid. Great Britain's motive was they needed the cotton the South had. But putting all this aside, this is not just another wartime novel with blood and gore.

An excellent study guide for a history major. The novel is an excellent piece, and I totally recommend it to all who enjoy a good historical work.", "issue": "Rejected", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "10-Jul-2018 19:32:53", "publisher": "Da Capo Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000006587003", "title": "The Easter Man", "author": "Stan Freeman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lenna Stites", "word_count": 388, "review": "The Germans and the British are at war in this historical fiction detective story, set to a World War I backdrop. As tensions continue to rise, German sympathizer groups are growing and one, in particular, has plans for something big in New York City. Berlin is sending over a young chemist, Peter Schwegel, who developed a special design of bomb to send a message to America to stay out of the war.

On the opposite side of Schwegel\u2019s long journey sits John Nolan. Now happily married, with a child on the way, John sits at a desk as an accountant out of harm\u2019s way, though a part of him misses the excitement of investigating. So what started as a gentle favor by an accountant turned into hints about a large plot headed for New York and, after some convincing of his wife, he very quickly finds himself back on the case.

The Easter Man is a friendly detective story that would suit a variety of readers in its quick pace and easy writing style. John Nolan has the aura of a very likable local detective consultant; a smart and capable family man. Concise and sweet, the plot does not lull, and the pace and action kick up simultaneously in the back half of the novel as the dramatic tension between the two main characters is about to come to a head.

As Schwegel gets closer to making landfall in NYC, he only grows in confidence and a coldness for war, while Nolan goes deeper undercover toward the center ring of the group. What they uncover is an engineered plot to place several bombs and explode them simultaneously on Easter Sunday, intending to be warning shots to the U.S. government. Periodically in danger, Nolan has to use his instincts in order to piece together the remaining hints of the mission before the Easter Man fulfills his plans and put a stop to it. The way the characters are written provides this novel with the foundation elements of a fun detective story: the good hero to root for and the villain to dislike. With the relaxed feel of a hobbyist\u2019s series, the enjoyment the author has in developing Nolan as a character and the cases he will uncover shines through, and I suspect there will be more adventures to come.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "15-Aug-2018 14:09:23", "publisher": "Hampshire House Publishing Co.", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000006563031", "title": "Dear Santa", "author": "Nancy Naigle", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 171, "review": "Angela owns a small business called Heart of Christmas, in the beach town of Pleasant Sands. When a large mega store called Christmas Galore sets up in Pleasant Sands, Angela is forced to face the truth, that her business is failing. Her little niece, Chrissy, tells her to write a letter to Santa asking for help. Angela doesn\u2019t want to do it, but Chrissy and her mother show Angela the new Dear Santa app and convince her she has nothing to lose.

Angela is surprised when she gets a reply that doesn\u2019t sound automated. Dear Santa ends up setting her life in motion in ways she never would have expected. Dear Santa is a heartwarming holiday romance that takes place in a cozy coastal town. The characters are warm and likeable. Although the narrative gets bogged down a little in some places, overall, it\u2019s a lovely story to curl up with on a cold night. This book is a sweet romance that will delight readers looking for a gentle romantic escape.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "03-Aug-2018 18:56:00", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000006812027", "title": "The Complete Book of Ketones: A Practical Guide to Ketogenic Diets and Ketone Supplements", "author": "Mary Newport", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 500, "review": "The title says it most accurately. This is a complete treatment of the subject of ketones, ketogenic disciplines, and diets. Early in, Dr. Newport states, \u201cThe story of ketones is Steve Newport\u2019s legacy to the world. I am his messenger.\u201d

There we have motivation for many years of experimentation, consultation, medical evangelism, and research: Dr. Newport\u2019s beloved husband and her efforts and partial successes in ameliorating his advancing affliction with Alzheimer\u2019s disease.

Ketones, as the doctor repeatedly informs us, are an alternative fuel for the brain. Glucose, in Alzheimer\u2019s, encounters increased blood/brain resistance, and ketones do not. She makes the case, most convincingly, that ketosis (not diabetic ketogenesis) is one of the evolutionary tricks our species possess to cope with everything from fasting to breastfeeding to extended physical exertion.

As any biology student who has suffered trying to memorize the complexity of the Krebs digestive cycle knows, our usual metabolic path to glucose production is extended and distinctly Rube Goldbergian, a reminder that evolution has many elements of happenstance rather than design. Ketones are produced from fats in a shorter process, which can be specifically stimulated.

This leads to the repeated evocation of the efficacy of coconut oil and some of its burgeoning derivatives, extracts, and simulators. There is a significant treatment of coconut and oil palm distribution and history. Those substances, their historic appearance, and distribution receive comprehensive coverage.

Doctor Newport gives full appreciation to and backgrounds of many in the field of ketogenic study. Curricula Vitae is detailed, and effort is made to show the intellectual linking and growth of these theorists and their theories.

Additionally, it does appear that all the diet methodologies and diet guidelines that have led to our current understanding of Keto diets and treatments have been objectively covered. We haven\u2019t a novel here, but instead a striving for depth and breadth, so some of this becomes a bit extended to follow.

The most critically functional ketone is acetoacetate, but most inexpensive tests reveal just beta-Hydroxybutyrate, an accompanying ketone. And if, like me, you never made it to Biological Chemistry, those very often-mentioned substances, and the chemistry that contributes to their production, can make for slower reading simply because of the plethora of words with more than six syllables -- that require some practice to pronounce.

I want to emphasize that while we are given much more than a simple guide to achieving and using a ketogenic condition, the sheer informativeness of this volume is rewarding. A range of questions are answered, with this writer\u2019s comprehensively sympathetic style. Possible hopes for treatment of epilepsy, Parkinson\u2019s, and even Multiple Sclerosis are advanced with care. Research in this quickly expanding field of inquiry is still in ferment.

A bonus! There are recipes!! And the sources of these, too, are given honest attribution. All material in the book is carefully referenced.

My sole regret after undertaking this reading is that working with an uncorrected proof, I am now denied an index. Without any punning, an enriching tone.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "15-Jul-2021", "date_added": "27-Sep-2018 16:44:29", "publisher": "Basic Health Publications, Inc.", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": true, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000006784191", "title": "Breaking News: The Remaking of Journalism and Why It Matters Now", "author": "Alan Rusbridger", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Ryder Miller", "word_count": 239, "review": "In Breaking News, The Remaking of Journalism and Why It Matters Now Alan Rusbridger tells the story of how the Internet and Social Media has changed The Fourth Estate. Rusbridger was editor of The Guardian News and Media for twenty years and is now a journalism Professor at Oxford University. During his tenure between 1995 and 2015, he transformed the British Daily into the most visited English-language new site in the world. Here he tells of the transformation of journalism to a model that also serves those who prefer consuming it over the Internet.

Many stories are told in this about changing times which saw the influential likes of those like Craig Newmark, Mark Zuckerberg, Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, and others. The Press has had to adapt to changing forces, including a more cynical political landscape and new technologies. With great style, Rusbridger tells of these changing forces using new terminology. One will appreciate the accessibility of the prose which is vital, accurate, and efficient, but not always clear to those who don\u2019t know a lot about the new and old players involved. Some of them are British, but much here is also about America. Rusbridger, despite some self critical views, does remind the reader of the remaining importance of the press and reporters. One sees here that it also evaluates and criticizes itself. We can now more easily interact with it and have more options to choose from.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "15-Mar-2019", "date_added": "21-Sep-2018 20:07:36", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000006743263", "title": "Under the Table: A Novel", "author": "Stephanie Evanovich", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 205, "review": "This was my first Stephanie Evanovich read and it was an absolute joy to read. The author\u2019s writing flow was very easy to follow, and the storyline kept me interested throughout the book. The plot was quite simple, yet I found myself wanting to read more and find out what would happen to the main character, Zoey, and her complicated love triangle. The characters were fun and had great personalities. Zoey, a chef, is on a break from her husband because they have grown apart and she has suspected him of cheating on her. She goes to live with her sister, Ruth and ends up doing some freelance work as a personal chef. She meets Tristan when he hires him to cater a dinner party. From the moment she meets Tristan, Zoey is in awe of him but also feels self-conscious because she starts developing feelings for him and doesn\u2019t know if he feels the same way about her. The book has several turns of events due to Zoey making choices all throughout the book. Some of her choices are risky and some are surprising. This book had me laughing at some parts, and wide-eyed at others. A fun read for fans of light-hearted fiction.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2019", "date_added": "12-Sep-2018 20:31:47", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000006740083", "title": "Thin Air: A Novel", "author": "Richard K. Morgan", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1098, "review": "Enjoy reading about threats from an alien race, journeying to Mars, and a political epic fantasy while you explore this selection of fantasy and science fiction reads that will take you into another world. Check out the sequels to /The Salvation Sequence/ and /Wake the Dragon/, a spin-off from Gregory Maguire that expands the /Wicked/ world, and the next book in the /Court of Thorns and Roses/ series. \n\nSalvation Lost \u2013 Peter F. Hamilton \n\nBook two of /The Salvation Sequence/ explores the encounter that utopian earth has with a visiting race of aliens that are quickly discovered to be among the worst threats that mankind dealt with. The Olyix plan to convert the residents of earth into their belief system under their own god. But the aliens didn't expect mankind to fight back. As the Olyix try to take power, humanity is more determined than ever to stop them before they're the ones destroyed. \n\nThe Brides of Maracoor \u2013 Gregory Maguire \n\nKicking off a new series, this spin-off from Gregory Maguire features Rain, the green-skinned granddaughter of Elphaba. It was ten years ago when the fourth and final volume of /Out of Oz/ was released. Rain washes ashore on a strange island where she's saved by a women community that uses devotional practices considered more obscure. A mysterious navy attacks the mainland which causes the civil-servant overseer over the island to wonder how an alien could put a whole nation under threat. This new trilogy will follow Rain's journey as it takes her from an outpost on the island to the uncharted Maracoor badlands as she works to find her way home again where she'll return to her family and lover. The beauty and suffering of Oz come to life through the mystery, injustice, and possibility of this story that serves as a reminder of the sacred terrain found in our lives. \n\nA Court of Silver Flames \u2013 Sarah J. Maas \n\nNesta is known for how slow she can be to forgive and how quick she can be toward anger. Ever since she became High Fae by force through the Cauldron, she has worked to fit into her new role. Cassian is the best at making her angry and she can't avoid him thanks to his own role in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court. The friction between them is just the beginning as the two have an undeniable chemistry that draws them closer when they're near each other. As if this wasn't enough, the human queens have joined forces and this proves to be a threat against every realm. To stop them, Nesta and Cassian each have to confront the pasts that have haunted them which is a journey set against a background of war and uncertainty. Together find healing and acceptance as they battle monsters and inner demons.\n\nThin Air \u2013 Richard K. Morgan\n\nHakan Veil is a killing machine after he received body tech that's military-grade and once a corporate enforcer, he's now been abandoned by his former employers. He's been left on Mars where overlords that are earth-based engage in a fight for profits and power despite the growing independence movement. Harkan quickly grows tired of life on Mars and searches for a way to return home which leads him to accept a position from the Earth Oversight organization. The job makes him a bodyguard for an EO investigator. It's easy to work until his charge looks into what happened to a lottery winner that suddenly vanished. The deeper he's drawn into this world, the more secrets reveal themselves and push him up against enemies that he must take down \u2013 no matter what. \n\nVengewar \u2013 Kevin J. Anderson \n\nThe second book in the /Wake the Dragon/ series continues with war unfolding between The Three Kingdoms and Ishara. For over a thousand years, the two sides have been at war until an outside threat made itself known. An ancient race awakened which brought the two continents together and had them put aside their feud to form an alliance against this common enemy. Book one led to the awakening of a dragon which created events that set the two continents against each other. Now in book two, the Three Kingdoms is facing serious consequences thanks to having a king that is inexperienced. The king is receiving encouragement from a regent, with a lot of ambition, to not take threats made by the Wreths seriously and to instead choose a vengewar with Ishara. His brother and uncle spot the danger that lies within the Older Race. Meanwhile, the Ishara queen lies comatose which provides the opportunity for a priest to take power only to fail the country when he doesn't have the experience to effectively it. \n\nThe Wood Wife \u2013 Terri Windling \n\nMaggie Black has left the fashion of her old life behind on the West Coast in exchange for a new life in the Southwestern desert. She's determined to pursue her dreams even if this means starting over. Her mentor, the poet Davis Cooper, died under mysterious circumstances and left his estate to her. Now it's up to her to figure out the mystery of his life and the cause of his death. Maggie is drawn into this new life she discovers and is captivated by the people she meets \u2013 including Fox. He's unlike any man she's met before and he has a deeper understanding of the power the desert possesses. Maggie uses Cooper's letters as a way to understand his life and soon this search draws her to the ancient spirits residing within the desert. \n\nThe Blue-Spangled Blue \u2013 David Bowles \n\nOver a hundred years ago, the Aknawajin came to a planet called Jitsu where they were forced to serve as workers. Despite their oppression, they've won their independence and have gotten freedom from the corporate owners of the world. The planet has started to allow humankind to enter which allows for an architect, that also serves as a leader to a religious reform group, named Tenshi becomes acquainted with Brando D'Angelo who left earth to work as a teacher on Jitsu. Tenshi shares about her faith in the Path with Brando and guides him on his own journey which inspires him to say goodbye to his identity and to reform under the guidance of Tenshi so he can obtain a soul. Tenshi's enemies create obstacles for the couple while the growing struggles on Jitsu cover up the plans of a dangerous mind. They'll be guided along a new path which will inspire the creation of a movement that will have effects on history.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Sep-2018 20:28:41", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000006891079", "title": "Hello Winter!", "author": "Shelley Rotner", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Michael - Age 3", "word_count": 75, "review": "We loved this book! My son asked for //Hello Winter!// to be read to him quite a few times at night before bed during the duration of us having it. From the fabulous pictures in the book to the actual little story it was adorable. Since we are in winter I figured it was appropriate to leave to my 3 year old son. My 1 year old also enjoyed the book being read to him.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2019", "date_added": "12-Oct-2018 17:10:20", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000006891039", "title": "The Formula: Unlocking the Secrets to Raising Highly Successful Children", "author": "Ronald F. Ferguson \u2022 Tatsha Robertson", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Melville", "word_count": 249, "review": "Ronald F. Ferguson and Tatsha Robertson write the following in their ground-breaking book The Formula- Unlocking Secrets to Raising Highly Successful Children: \u201cRaising children who will grow up to have the ability and the will to make change in the world isn\u2019t easy. But it\u2019s crucial if we\u2019re going to successfully take on the problems we face as a society\u2014global political conflicts, looming water shortages, farming crises, and other challenges that the achievers in the book are now confronting in their careers.\u201d

Ferguson and Robertson draw from the findings of Harvard University\u2019s \u201cHow I Was Parented Project,\u201d isolating seven unique roles played by the parents of 120 high-achieving students throughout their child\u2019s lives. Combining current scientific information about learning, brain growth, and child development with engaging personal stories, The Formula offers strategies and advice for any parent hoping to raise successful adults.

The Formula is both fresh and insightful; you\u2019ll walk away refreshed and encouraged to help your child reach their full potential.
br>I enjoyed the personal success stories, as well as the opportunity to learn from parents who have raised high achievers. It's so interesting the patterns that exist between these families and their parenting styles, despite cultural and socioeconomic differences.

\u201cWhen a master parent sends a high achiever into the world, the effect of their parenting has a broader reach than they can know,\" the author writes. I find this incredibly inspiring\u2014Ferguson and Robertson have encouraged me to be more intentional in how I raise my children.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2019", "date_added": "12-Oct-2018 16:45:56", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000006889031", "title": "Dump Truck Disco", "author": "A01, Contributor \u2022 A12, Contributor \u2022 E08, Contributor", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Michael - Age 3", "word_count": 90, "review": "Dump Truck Disco was a book my two sons (and I) enjoyed very much. The illustrations were eye catching, and kept my kids attention as I read the book. My older son, Michael (age 3), liked pointing out each truck and saying their names (names of the trucks were written on them). A great feature is the book also came with a CD, so we listened to the song quite a bit! The kids laughed and liked my version of the song as I would read the book to them.", "issue": "Rejected", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2019", "date_added": "12-Oct-2018 14:58:09", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000006844127", "title": "Small Mistakes, Big Consequences: Develop Your Soft Skills to Help You Succeed", "author": "Anne Corley Baum", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 396, "review": "This book purports to be a short read on personality types that could be a hinderance to one\u2019s career. Sixteen such personalities are presented, with one chapter dedicated to each type. Each chapter begins with a paragraph description of the personality (and a cartoon personification of the personality type). The next section (also a paragraph) outlines the consequences of such a trait. After that, the solutions focus on three areas (approximately one paragraph per area): Tips on curtailing the trait, coaching direct reports who exhibit such traits, and working with co-workers who exhibit these traits. The last chapter (titled \u201cStrategies for Success\u201d) is a list of takeaways from the previous sixteen chapters.

While the book refers to each type of person presented as a stereotypical personality, these are closer to traits \u2013 it is difficult to think of one\u2019s handshake as one\u2019s personality but easier to think of it as one\u2019s trait. Readers are likely to see aspects of themselves or their co-workers as exhibiting the traits listed (although the book exaggerates the traits to make its point). As the traits are relatable, grasping the magnitude of the consequences and gauging the effectiveness of dealing with co-workers or curtailing them is easier. However, the advice in just a couple of pages is necessarily general, and for some readers too general to be useful or actionable.

An objective of this book is to be short and readable. From that perspective, it achieved its goal, but at the cost of not including other personality traits such as the control freak or meeting air-hog. Another is to recognize these traits in others. As the traits are exaggerated, some readers may have difficulty recognizing mild forms in others. Depending on the severity, and the work environment, some mild forms may be benign to one\u2019s career but in other environments may be detrimental. For instance, \u201cThe Spin Doctor\u201d trait in mild forms may not have any detrimental effects for those working in marketing, but it may be detrimental for those working in the legal department. Yet another objective may be to provide readers with actionable advice. As the chapters are so short, the advice provided, by necessity, cannot be in-depth. For readers looking for a summary, the book\u2019s brevity may be an asset. However, for those looking for a more detailed discussion, this book needs to be supplemented with other works.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "04-Oct-2018 19:31:51", "publisher": "Momosa Publishing, Llc", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000007317067", "title": "Influenza: The Hundred Year Hunt to Cure the Deadliest Disease in History", "author": "Jeremy Brown", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 212, "review": "One of the many interesting things about the Influenza pandemic of 1918 is how little we still know about it. One would think that after a hundred years, we would have learned more about what caused it, where it came from, and (perhaps most importantly) how to combat it, but unfortunately, answers to these questions are still not definitive. Author Dr. Jeremy Brown walks readers through what is known \u2013 and what isn't \u2013 and where that leaves us today as we await another biological disaster. The news is not comforting; we are not prepared. \nDr. Brown's writing is easy going, smooth, and brisk. He covers a lot of ground and a lot of science and research, in a way that is engaging, at times even thrilling. The story of the flu is a lot more detailed than you might think, and with thousands of people still dying every year from influenza, it is incredibly relevant, timely, and important. Along the way, you meet scientists, politicians, lobbyists, and ordinary citizens who help, hinder, or merely endure the influenza investigation in various ways. Humanizing the story is essential to keeping the research going so someday we can combat this as well as other diseases that may occur. Meanwhile, keep drinking Grandma's chicken soup.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Dec-2018 21:20:52", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007211003", "title": "The Third Internecion", "author": "Erik A. Otto", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 536, "review": "As the world of Matteo\u2019s Lands continues to recover from the Day of Ascendancy, a prophecy that became very true when the world turned completely upside down for an uncomfortably long time and then finally righted itself. Those not worthy were taken by the skies. And, now, as the world tries to regain a sense of its former composure, there is the next prophecy coming very soon: the Third Internecion.

Much like in A Tale of Infidels and The Day\u2019s Wake, The Third Internecion tells the story of three characters, who are new to the overall story, but are either close to or within the same group, as characters readers have already met in the previous two books of the trilogy. In this book, we hear the tales of the General, the Purveyor, and the Commander.

The General is Timothur Granth, who soon discovers his brother has been killed and is now in charge of the army. He has some big decisions to make: should he continue to follow his late brother\u2019s orders? He has a number of wanted infidels in custody who he must interrogate thoroughly before he makes his final decision. They all speak of what will happen on the day of the Third Internecion: that a massive horde will invade Belidor and begin the conquest at the Old Keep, and it will be the end of everything. Timothur refuses to believe this but chooses to bring the infidels and his army to the Old Keep where they can be turned over to the monks; however, along the way, his certainty begins to crumble.

The Purveyor is Paulo and the Jawhari man, Zahir, who was the former aid to the princess, travel all the way to the lands of the Fringe to the unusual town of Spoons. Paulo holds considerable stature in the town with his ability and after all he has done, such as the invention of Brickstone, and requests an immediate meeting with the council to tell of the fate of the world with the oncoming attacking force. The council considers his evidence little more than hearsay and lacking anything concrete. Paulo must decide what he is to do next and chooses to travel to the Old Keep to meet with the Conductor and convince him of what is about to befall their world.

The Commander is Aisha, a woman of royalty and sister of the supposed infidel princess, Hella. She finds herself placed in a position of importance and seeks to negotiate with the new General, Timothur. She also knows what will happen on the day of the Third Internecion and the unknown invading army. Events draw her to the Old Keep as well, and it is not long before all characters of importance are brought together to this fateful city on this fateful day.

The Third Internecion is just as compelling and interesting as the previous two books and wraps up pretty well at the end. The world continues to be further developed, and answers are made to questions posed in the previous books, as well as some suggested possibilities to what the future might be, leaving some introspective thoughts up to the reader, which is always a delight in a good book.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "06-Dec-2018 23:03:37", "publisher": "Sagis Press", "page_count": "198 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007209003", "title": "The Weight of a Moment", "author": "Michael Bowe", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Anita Lock", "word_count": 380, "review": "Forty-three-year-old Nick Sterling seems to have it made. The recipient of a prestigious journalism award, Nick\u2019s happiness is complete when he finds the love of his life. His contentment is short-lived when, in the flash of a moment in 2008, the unexpected happens, and, overnight, his life begins to spin out of control. He decides to move to his quaint hometown of Shelbyville, Pennsylvania, as a means of getting away from his unbearable turn of events.

Multi-millionaire Tom Corbett feels as though he\u2019s got all his eggs in one basket. While issues arise with his kids, what the forty-nine-year-old least expects is problems with his wife. The latter sends him off on a tailspin, and, before he knows it, he is out of a job in 2011. About the same time, Tom receives a letter alerting him that he is the sole beneficiary to his parents\u2019 Shelbyville farm. With nowhere to turn, he heads to his boyhood roots and meets Nick at the town\u2019s local diner. Although the two become fast friends, they are unaware of the life-changing events that will unfold when they rebuild the guesthouse on the Corbett estate.

Rising author Michael Bowe highlights the fragility of life and the power of friendship in his latest installment. Nick Sterling is front and center narrating a believable tale that, for the first few chapters, appears to be all about him until a new figure, Tom Corbett, unexpectedly emerges. The Weight of a Moment opens with Nick providing generalities to a dark time in his life before delving into its back-story.

Bowe\u2019s articulate writing style captures in-depth accounts into the lives of two men whose journeys ironically cross paths and the bond of friendship forged from the events they encounter together. Amid the enormity of Nick\u2019s and Tom\u2019s problems paradox continues to come into play as the men observe the comedic petty issues of the residents within the anachronistic and Mayberry-ish town of Shelbyville.

From one clipped chapter to the next, Bowe\u2019s attention to detail draws readers into the heart of the story to the point of sympathizing\u2014even empathizing\u2014with his main characters. Replete with a balanced blend of predictable and startling twists and turns, The Weight of a Moment\u2014like Bowe\u2019s debut opus, kyscraper of a Man\u2014is a profound human-interest story that has Silver-Screen potential.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "06-Dec-2018 16:16:49", "publisher": "", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007476003", "title": "F F F: The Foibles, Fables and Follies of Triple-F: Fearless Frankie Fubar", "author": "Al X. Griz", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 439, "review": "Sixty-two-year-old Frank (or Frankie) Jenkins is a down-and-out, struggling stand-up comedian from Southern California. Divorced from his twelve-year-old son, Buckley\u2019s, mom, Sonia, Frankie has been forced to move from Malibu to Oxnard into a trailer home. He can barely afford groceries but manages to put food on the table for him and Buckley, as well as give Buckley a few extras, such as pet fish and music lessons. The story takes the reader into Frank\u2019s past and present, giving us the good times and the bad. Unfortunately, for this character, most of the times are bad due to no one's fault but his own.

I found the main character, Frankie, to be really quite pitiful for most of the book. A small part of me felt sorry for him because he seems to keep digging himself into holes and although he knows better, does it anyway. His substance abuse problems are also a big part of the book. I think a lot of readers will be able to identify and either empathize or sympathize with Frankie because they have either had a problem with addiction or know someone who has. Throughout the book, Frankie pulls himself into sobriety. One of those times is when his best friend Joe tells him that he will give him large amounts of money as long as Frankie does not touch another drink. Although Joe was heavily into drugs, I felt that he was a good friend to Frankie.

The story also takes the reader into the love life of Frankie\u2014another area of his life that has been self-sabotaged. From really messed up relationships to one-night-stands with prostitutes, Frankie has done it all.

One suggestion I might have for the author is to take some of the political talk out. Some of Frankie\u2019s jokes are funny, yet several are in bad taste. I think there are many other \u201ctaboo\u201d subjects that Frankie could explore without delving into the political arena.

While reading this book, I often wondered how it would end for Frankie. As the story progressed, it took a positive turn when he turns a negative experience into something so big and so positive that he pulls himself out of the largest hole he has dug. With the help of Buckley, whom he banters with throughout the book, Frankie is able to live life again. By the end of the book, I was cheering. F F F: The Foibles, Fables and Follies of Triple-F: Fearless Frankie Fubar is an entertaining, free-flowing adventure about a man who could have it all but struggles to find himself in the midst of environmental and self-sustaining evils.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2019 19:51:52", "publisher": "(not provided)", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007473047", "title": "Ghost Wall: A Novel", "author": "Sarah Moss", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 187, "review": "The Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss is a short, but powerful book. North of England, teenage Silvie, and her parents have joined an experimental archeology class. They will spend two weeks living like ancient people\u2014Silvie\u2019s father\u2019s dream. He\u2019s obsessed with the Iron Age. OBSESSED. Silvie doesn\u2019t share her father\u2019s passion, nor, it seems, do many of the college students who are attending the experimental class. Silvie chaffs under her father\u2019s control, even as she finds herself defending him and getting caught up in her dad and the professor\u2019s most extreme experiment.

Moss captures the complicated feelings of being fifteen through the character, Silvie.

Love, and loyalty are explored in this book. The need to subjugate women is also examined in this haunting book that grabs hold of the reader and won\u2019t let go.

With all the elements of a coming-of-age novel, a thriller, and a love story, a lot is happening in these scant pages. Silvie emerges from her ordeal much like the bog people\u2014transformed. The reader will rise along with Silvie, gaining an understanding of her struggles and the overall experience of a compelling story.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2019 19:12:47", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000007473035", "title": "Novel Approach to Curing Cancer", "author": "Jianqing Wu \u2022 Ping Zha", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1332, "review": "Books to Celebrate National Cancer Survivor Month\n\nThe month of June is National Cancer Survivor Month, a time when many reflect on their and their loved ones\u2019 experiences of cancer treatment and survivorship. A diagnosis of cancer raises many questions and concerns, and even after having survived the disease, people are often left with unresolved issues and anxieties. There are numerous books available about living with and treating cancer, and the following titles might be of interest to those looking to expand their understanding of the multifaceted disease that is cancer.\n\nThe Living Room: A Lung Cancer Community of Courage by Bonnie J. Addario\n\nThe Living Room support and education group was launched by Bonnie Addario and her family to help, nurture, and champion lung cancer patients and their caregivers. The group\u2019s remit is a wide one. Indeed, as Addario\u2019s daughter Danielle comments in the introduction to The Living Room: A Lung Cancer Community of Courage, the group provides \u201ca safe place to meet and talk about everything from high-level things like advanced genomic testing to eating mashed potatoes because the drugs you\u2019re taking are not letting you keep anything down.\u201d Addario is herself a seventeen-year survivor of lung cancer as well as being the co-founder and chair of the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer. Her work as an activist on behalf of cancer patients prompted her to recognize the importance of community to those who are suffering, which led to the formation of the support group. Now, in The Living Room, Addario presents the stories of twenty lung cancer patients and survivors who have found ways to both live with the disease and thrive. They are difficult and emotive stories, but they are also uplifting and inspiring. Those featured in the book have found ways to overcome the obstacles put in front of them by cancer and to continue pursing their dreams while fighting the disease.\n\nYour Cancer Road Map: Navigating Life With Resilience by Kim Thiboldeaux \n\nThe Cancer Support Community (CSC) is a professionally led nonprofit network that provides cancer support to individuals worldwide. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that all those impacted by cancer, whether patients, relatives/friends, or caregivers, have the knowledge, help, and support they require on their cancer journey. Kim Thiboldeaux is the executive chair of the CSC and she has written Your Cancer Road Map: Navigating Life With Resilience to explain in a straightforward and user-friendly way all the physical, emotional, financial, and logistical challenges associated with a cancer diagnosis and the subsequent treatment. The book represents an almost exhaustive resource when it comes to the concerns and queries commonly raised by cancer patients, including how to choose from among treatment options, how to talk about fertility issues, and how to go about planning end-of-life care. Thiboldeaux aims to provide readers with all the tools necessary to fully participate in their care and to make informed decisions regarding various cancer-related matters. The book\u2019s impact is enhanced by the inclusion of personal stories by some of those, both celebrities and everyday folks, whose lives have been touched by cancer.\n\nCancer as a Wake-Up Call: An Oncologist\u2019s Integrative Approach to What You Can Do to Become Whole Again by M. Laura Nasi \n\nDr. M. Laura Nasi, a specialist in integrative oncology, has over twenty-five years of experience working with cancer patients in hospitals around the world. Her medical education and her initial years as a doctor provided her with a strong theoretical understanding of cancer and other diseases as well as extensive practical experience of conventional treatment modalities. However, the realization that medical developments depend too heavily on economic concerns and that her own view of cancer treatment, which was fostered by her traditional medical education and training, was overly narrow prompted her to pursue a more holistic approach. In Cancer as a Wake-Up Call, Nasi explains how she sought to integrate the Eastern spiritual worlds that fascinated her with the Western approach to cancer treatment that predominated in the hospitals in which she worked. As part of her desire to understand the disease process, she chose to focus on the cancer patient as a whole (mind, body, and spirit), rather than solely on the physical manifestations of the disease. In the book, Nasi details the various spiritual techniques, such as meditation and visualization, that she has found to benefit cancer patients alongside more conventional therapies.\n\nNovel Approach to Curing Cancer by Jianqing Wu and Ping Zha\n\nIn Novel Approach to Curing Cancer, Jianqing Wu and Ping Zha detail a new methodology for treating all kinds of cancers. Starting from the two traditional pillars of cancer treatment, that is, the use of drugs and the basic treatment model, the authors suggest that so long as anti-cancer drugs have side effects and have to be administered periodically, they cannot be considered true cures. The idea is that no drug can destroy all kinds of cancer cells, and further, that cancer cells reproduce so quickly that any gaps in treatment allow them to take hold once again. The stories of various celebrities who died as a result of cancer are used to illustrate this idea. The authors suggest that the only way to truly overcome cancer is to understand three key factors: speed, number, and multiplication. They base their methodology on traditional Chinese medicine, modern disease theories, recent medical discoveries, and stories of people\u2019s miraculous recoveries from cancer. As such, the book makes for interesting reading, although it is more geared toward the cancer researcher\u2019s perspective than the cancer patient\u2019s experience. It could be a useful and informative book for those looking to expand their theoretical understanding of the different approaches to treating cancer.\n\nThe Write Treatment Anthology Volume I 2011-2016: Writings by Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers from the Write Treatment Workshops at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Beth Israel Cancer Centers, NYC edited by Emily Rubin \n\nEmily Rubin, herself a cancer survivor, runs weekly creative writing workshops for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers at the Mount Sinai Hospitals in New York City. During the workshops, Rubin makes use of writing prompts, photographs, and inspirational quotes to inspire attendees\u2019 writing, and while some do opt to write about their cancer diagnosis and treatment, many choose to let their creativity flow far more freely and imagine things far beyond the world of cancer. The people who participate in the writing workshops are a diverse bunch, with varying lives, beliefs, and experiences, and their writings reflect that diversity. The Write Treatment Anthology Volume I 2011-2016 collects personal essays, stories, and poems written by twenty-three people who attended Rubin\u2019s workshops during the relevant period, and taken together, it is a hugely inspiring body of work. The tales they tell range from the hilarious to the tragic, the sublime to the ridiculous, and there are more than a few thought-provoking moments.\n\nWhole Body Healing: Create Your Own Path to Physical, Emotional, Energetic and Spiritual Wellness by Emily A. Francis\n\nFor those looking to complement their physician-led medical treatment and improve their overall health, Whole Body Healing: Create Your Own Path to Physical, Emotional, Energetic and Spiritual Wellness by Emily A. Francis offers the tools, techniques, and confidence necessary to design and implement an individually tailored holistic treatment regimen. As the title suggests, Francis aims to address every aspect of the individual reader\u2019s wellbeing (physical, emotional, energetic, and spiritual) in an integrated way in order to facilitate lasting positive changes. The book explores both traditional and modern alternative therapy techniques, ranging from homeopathy to Ayurveda to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, meaning that readers have a wide range of options to consider. The goal is to achieve balance in what Francis considers to be an increasingly unbalanced world. Francis\u2019 ideas regarding certain medical conditions and, therefore, the contents of the book are certainly not without controversy, although it does suggest a number of promising and proven avenues that readers might find worthy of pursuing as part of their quest for better health.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Jan-2019 16:24:24", "publisher": "Amazon Digital Services LLC", "page_count": "602 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000007412007", "title": "A Lie Too Big to Fail: The Real History of the Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy", "author": "LIsa Pease \u2022 James DiEugenio, Introduction", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 231, "review": "June 5, 1968--Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy is celebrating a narrow victory in the California primary. The joy of the victory is cut short when Kennedy is felled by a fusillade of bullets. A young man, Sirhan Sirhan, is gradually subdued by Kennedy\u2019s security and others. Sirhan is summarily arrested by the LAPD. His docile demeanor and seeming aloofness are alarming. Kennedy succumbs to his wounds on June 6, 1968. The case against Sirhan appears airtight. However, one eyewitness views a young woman in a polka dot dress exclaiming, \u201cWe shot him, we shot him!\u201d This becomes just one anomaly among many when the case is re-examined. However, Sirhan\u2019s lawyers opt for an insanity defense to mitigate punishment, quashing any conspiracy queries. Sirhan is soon convicted. As time has passed, the number of shots have been challenged, the killshot debated, and the suspect behavior of others in the kitchen pantry seen in a new light. A case once deemed open and shut now seems more cold than ever.

A Lie Too Big to Fail is history re-examined. Lisa Pease has offered up not just your garden-variety conspiracy theory but a well researched and annotated historical mystery. Pease outlines the facts as offered and puts forth the challenges to the documented case. Pease believes in the alternative narrative, but her journey there is thorough and makes a compelling argument. Grade A journalism!", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2019", "date_added": "08-Jan-2019 14:56:54", "publisher": "Feral House", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007530003", "title": "The Condor's Shadow", "author": "Jim Story", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 407, "review": "For Travis Mackey, otherwise known as Clayton Poole, life has been quite different from most peoples'. At the age of fifteen, while living with his father in California, his life changed forever because of a split-second decision. Whether the decision was intentional or not has yet to be confirmed. Now, at the age of thirty-four, he has lived in multiple states under multiple aliases and has had to overcome much hardship through sheer determination. Despite trying to live an honorable life, Travis must break a few rules to make sure his past does not catch up with him and to protect the people he cares about most.

He befriends Alejandro while working as help in a hotel to a friendly, yet unpredictable owner. Throughout his two years with Alejandro, he tells his life story and secret for the first time to his new friend. This friendship ends suddenly and unexpectedly, and Travis chooses to take his secret to the grave. During a stint in Washington, he meets an attractive waitress by the name of Maddie. Maddie herself comes with some baggage, but they both fall for each other all the same. Travis, at this time going by the name of Rusty, tries to do right by her while still keeping her in the dark about his life before becoming \u201cRusty\u201d despite her constant suspicions. Due to potentially hazardous circumstances, he is forced to move on physically, putting many miles between them, but never leaves her behind emotionally. During his time away, he finds himself in Alaska, Canada, and, finally, Montana. By the end of the novel, he is forced to face his decisions and actions and deal with their consequences.The Condor\u2019s Shadow is an interesting read. It brings to light many aspects of life about living off the grid, many of which I had not considered. Understanding the book can be somewhat confusing at first, as you have to pay attention to the titles of each chapter to know exactly what time frame and alias Travis is referring to. Given Travis' childhood experience, you have to feel for him, whether you\u2019ve experienced the same or not. He ends up having to live entirely on his own, which would be a difficult feat for any teenager, let alone one who had his upbringing. Jim Story weaves a heart-wrenching tale that will appeal to audiences of all ages and interests, though be warned of some strong language and sexual content.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Feb-2019 19:12:35", "publisher": "Blue Mile Books", "page_count": "245 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000007524007", "title": "The Condor's Shadow", "author": "Jim Story", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Melissa Lockaby", "word_count": 372, "review": "Clayton Poole, a journalist for a small Montana newspaper, makes a habit of reading local newspapers in the surrounding area. When he notices a story about a woman accused of murder, he realizes his past is catching up to him. In order to save her, Clayton will have to confess to a childhood crime.

Six years earlier, the only thing Rusty Thomas leaves behind is a note to his lover that he has to leave, believing she might be safer with him out of her life. Before that, Skate McHenry trusts Alejandro with his secrets knowing that his best friend will never betray him. Moving from place to place, never calling attention to himself, Clayton has invented and shed identities and backgrounds like water. Living in the shadows, running away before setting down any roots and skipping out of town before anyone recognizes him, that has been Clayton\u2019s life for twenty years. But, in Montana, he has finally found a home, made friends, and discovered his passion for writing. Walking away now means he will lose everything he has worked for, but if Clayton tells the truth, he could sacrifice his freedom. It means he will have to tell the truth about a young boy, Travis Mackey, who shot and killed a stranger who claims to have murdered his father.

Was it self-defense? Why did he hide the body? Why did he run?

Simply written but beautifully told, Jim Story\u2019s latest novel, The Condor\u2019s Shadow, traces the story of Clayton Poole, who has protected his true identity, choosing never to share his secrets with anyone. Traveling throughout the Pacific Northwest, staying long enough to save a few dollars to get him to the next town, Poole finds that he\u2019s tired of moving. In viewing himself as the condor, an endangered bird of prey, young Clayton is a survivor and a destroyer \u2013 removing any threat that might expose who he really is and moving on. However, with the passage of time, he is offered the chance to quiet his soul and make peace with the only person he\u2019s ever loved. Is redemption and forgiveness worth losing his independence?

For readers who may be seeking their own answers concerning the price of freedom versus responsibility.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Feb-2019 02:18:56", "publisher": "Blue Mile Books", "page_count": "245 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000007617007", "title": "The Man Who Wouldn't Die: A Novel", "author": "A. B. Jewell", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 913, "review": "DUN DUN DUN\u2026\n\nAs the nights draw in, there\u2019s nothing better than a chilling, thrilling read to pass the time. While the five books included in this roundup are all quite different from each other, they are united by the suspense and sense of intrigue that permeate them. As long as you don\u2019t want to put your mind at ease, sit back, (try to) relax, and let these stories transport you to another reality, where all manner of nefarious things are possible.\n\nThe Effort by Claire Holroyde\n\nWhen an eight-kilometer comet is detected near Jupiter\u2019s orbit, those who take the time to consider its nearness to the Earth recognize the significant threat it poses to humanity. After all, a similar situation didn\u2019t end well for the dinosaurs, did it? Foremost among those who understand the impending danger is scientist Benjamin Schwartz, who, together with girlfriend Amy Kowalski and an international band of adventurous boffins, decamps to South America to devise a way to save the planet from catastrophe. Simultaneously, the crew of a polar icebreaker struggle to capture the majesty of the Arctic before it is destroyed forever (and by causes other than the comet). Claire Holroyde\u2019s The Effort is the gripping tale of brave sections of humanity as they attempt to find hope and solutions in the face of almost certain disaster. A thriller with a strong environmental message, it stresses the importance of international collaboration and never giving up, however hopeless things may seem.\n\nA Dangerous Engagement: An Amory Ames Mystery by Ashley Weaver\n\nA Dangerous Engagement, the sixth book in Ashley Weaver\u2019s series, sees feisty amateur detective Amory travel to New York to attend the wedding of her best friend, Tabitha Alden. Although she didn\u2019t enjoy the crossing, Amory is looking forward to the wedding, but her husband Milo feels the exact opposite; prohibition-era New York holds little interest for him. Unfortunately, things turn rather more interesting rather quickly when a member of the wedding party is murdered. While the police concentrate on the likely involvement of notorious gangster Leon De Lora, Amory focuses on the possible suspects among the wedding guests, at least some of whom seem to be keeping significant secrets. Ashley Weaver does a great job of recreating the atmosphere\u2013\u2013both the glitz and the danger\u2013\u2013of life during prohibition, wonderfully capturing the dialogue and concerns of the time. The murder mystery itself is nicely convoluted, with the twists and turns building to a somewhat outlandish yet still highly satisfying conclusion.\n\nWaiting for the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton\n\nA coming-of-age story founded on an intriguing mystery, Waiting for the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton follows two former childhood best friends as they reconnect and attempt to deal with a secret from the past that both drove them apart and bound them together forever. Forestry researcher Cadie Kessler has spent years trying to escape from the shadows of her past, but she is forced to confront and reevaluate long-buried feelings and secrets when her former best friend, Daniela Garcia, sends an urgent message that forces her to return to her former hometown. Cadie will have to decide how far she is willing to go to honor former oaths and protect both the people and the forest that she loves. Cadie\u2019s story is a suspenseful tale in which the sense of danger and menace builds slowly as she attempts to uncover truths that have been buried for far too long. Aside from the mystery aspect, the story covers weighty themes such as racism, community erosion, and climate change, which makes for compelling reading.\n\nOld Bones by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child\n\nOld Bones by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child introduces Nora Kelly, a curator employed at the Santa Fe Institute of Archeology, who is about to find herself embroiled in a whole lot of peril and intrigue. She\u2019s seemingly offered the opportunity of a lifetime when historian Clive Benton invites her to lead an expedition in search of the Donner Party\u2019s lost camp. Nora knows that any excavation concerning the infamous Donner Party will lead to traces of murder, madness, and cannibalism, but she has no idea that uncovering the long-buried horrors will trigger violence and devastation in the present day. Preston and Child craft a chilling thriller around real-world history and commonly held speculation, and it leads to an action-packed story that\u2019s brimming with danger and double-crosses. The characters are relatable and the plot exciting, and in true Preston and Child style, there\u2019s a big twist at the end.\n\nThe Man Who Wouldn't Die by A.B. Jewell\n\nYou\u2019ve heard of messages from beyond the grave, but what about tweets from the afterlife? As unlikely as it may sound, Captain Don Donogue, who recently died in mysterious circumstances, appears to still be tweeting despite his notable absence from the mortal coil. Could the Silicon Valley tech bros have finally uncovered the secret to life after death, a secret that allows social media accounts to live on while bodies decay? In A.B. Jewell\u2019s The Man Who Wouldn\u2019t Die, old-school private detective William \u201cFitch\u201d Fitzgerald is hired by Captain Don\u2019s daughter to investigate her father\u2019s possible murder as well as his apparent ability to communicate from the spirit realm. In delightful Raymond Chandler meets Carl Hiaasen style, Jewell unspools a hilarious hard-boiled yarn that mixes noir tropes with tech startup cliches to produce a rip-roaring, mind-bending detective story that takes readers to a whole host of peculiar places.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Mar-2019 21:34:33", "publisher": "William Morrow Paperbacks", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000007588035", "title": "The Unwanted: America, Auschwitz, and a Village Caught In Between", "author": "Michael Dobbs", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 198, "review": "The Holocaust is one of the defining moments of the mid-twentieth century, when a country decided to attempt to exterminate an entire group of people based on their religion, and in a way, define them as an unwanted 'other'. Many books have been written about the Holocaust, most of them large and well-ranging studies; we are slowly starting to get more and more microhistory accounts, ones that look at a small group and how they often fit into the larger picture, and that is where this book fits in. Michael Dobbs follows the Jews of one small southwest German town as they react to events both near and far, starting with Kristallnacht, to the struggle to get visas to get to the United States, and the banality of bureaucracy. Mr. Dobbs takes a look at the many different agencies, government and private, that were involved if you wanted to escape and the way it often felt like luck that you made it out at all. By showing how one small village fits into a larger picture, it is a way for audiences to not only see the larger picture but what was happening at local levels as well.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "21-Mar-2019 00:20:42", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007587027", "title": "A Journey for Perlene: Jumping Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire", "author": "Sherene Rutherford", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 168, "review": "Sherene Rutherford\u2019s A Journey for Perlene attempts to render the triumphs and tragedies of the protagonist, Perlene, as she grows up in Jamaica without her mother, Anrol. Anrol returned to England when Perlene was nine; several years later, Perlene, along with her sisters, fly to England to rejoin their mother.

The novel examines the lives of each of Anrol\u2019s daughters. Perlene struggles through life with rocky relationships and the loss of her sister Camille, who commits suicide after several attempts. The other sister, Antoinette, loses a child, which contributes to the traumas all three sisters experience throughout their lives.

The problem with the book is in its lack of organization and lack of editing. The chapters are not arranged in any sort of discernible order, so major plot points are revealed before they are explained, and a number of basic editing errors related to spelling, punctuation, and grammar usage make the book very hard to read. However, there is a compelling story here about women\u2019s resilience and strength.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "17-Jul-2021", "date_added": "20-Mar-2019 23:05:37", "publisher": "Olympia Publishers", "page_count": "88 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000007573019", "title": "Meet Me in the Future: Stories", "author": "Kameron Hurley", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Daniel Casey", "word_count": 204, "review": "Kameron Hurley has not so quietly become one of the major voices in speculative fiction. Her particular science fiction blends the natural with the unnatural creating an organic technology for her host of myriad near future and far future worlds. In Meet Me in the Future, Hurley gives us her first short story collection made up primarily of the stories she first offered up to fans through her Patreon account (a service allowing creatives to connect directly with fans to support their work).

As always, two themes dominate Hurley\u2019s stories\u2014war and the body. In each of the tales, we encounter individuals having to make deeply intimate and emotional choices whose immediacy always revolves around some existential threat to themselves as well as the world they are immersed in. Readers do more than sympathize with these characters; they are drawn into their inner lives in a profoundly empathetic manner coming to realize \u201cThere was no greater sin than touching a piece of a world that wasn\u2019t yours.\u201d Hurley makes us complicit in touching her worlds, the worlds of these characters, and such a transgressive framing makes each story feel urgent, timely, and utterly estranged. It is a delightful collection that will challenge and grip readers.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2019", "date_added": "17-Mar-2019 18:00:25", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007551027", "title": "Always Smile: Lessons from the Inspiring Life of Carley Allison", "author": "Alice Kuipers", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Neela - Age 11", "word_count": 202, "review": "Alice Kuipers book Always Smile won\u2019t have you smiling the whole way through, as it\u2019s the story of real-life blogger, Carley Allison\u2019s battle and loss to cancer at seventeen years of age. But from Carley\u2019s own words and those who knew her, many will find inspiration in her courage and perseverance.

The book is made up of short passages that tell the story of Carley\u2019s diagnosis through treatment and her death a year later. It includes interviews of people close to Carley, Carley\u2019s own blog (including photos), and even text messages.

I didn\u2019t know Carley or her story before reading this book, but it gave me a really full understanding of how it might feel to not be able to do the things you love and to be so close to death. Although the style of the book was unique with so many different perspectives, I didn\u2019t feel as engrossed in her battle as I thought I would. I might have been more drawn into her story if it had been simple narration without the interruption of the interviews. I think this book will appeal to anyone who is, or knows someone who is, battling cancer and of particular interest to older teenage girls.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "07-Mar-2019 21:09:07", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "392 Pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000007546023", "title": "Dreamers & Designers: The Shaping of West Vancouver", "author": "Francis Mansbridge, Photos by John Moir", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 989, "review": "This vivid collection of books is perfect for architecture lovers with amazing works that feature stunning photography and ventures into stunning places. Check out iconic houses by famous architects that changed the American landscape then take a trip to Vancouver to learn about its spatial richness before stepping into the cultural intensity of Chinatown. These stunning books are perfect for the urban curious and fans of the /99% Invisible/ podcast. \n\nThe Vancouver Sketchbook: Lush Landscapes, Vibrant Streetscapes, Soaring Skyline \u2013 TK Ng\n\nThe beauty of Vancouver comes to life off the pages of this stunning book which features the beauty of the city from various locations including Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, snow-capped mountains, Stanley Park, False Creek, and UBC. Check out the rich history of Vancouver in this book that's half travelogue and half guidebook. /The Vancouver Sketchbook/ is a celebration of the city shown through vivid and colorful sketches by Ng which are paired with vibrant text to create the ideal pairing that shows the spatial richness and diverse culture of Vancouver. Ng's plan is to do more than creating an art book, but create a book that explores the city through its identity through pictures by focusing on Vancouver's history and Ng's own observations. \n\nThe Iconic American House: Architectural Masterworks since 1900 \u2013 Dominic Bradbury \n\nCheck out over 400 photographs that feature influential and groundbreaking innovations from architects over the last 120 years. These architects featured include Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, in addition to Richard Neutra, Peter Eisenman, Philip Johnson, and Thomas Gluck. Houses from these various architects range in style but maintain similar local appreciation, experimentation with style as well as materials, and understanding what the clients need. /The Iconic American House/ features fifty homes that are considered some of the most important in house design since 1900. The book has rich text paired with vibrant illustrations that show an array of masterpieces. The book also contains commissioned photographs, drawings, and floor plans along with biographies for the architects which makes this the perfect resource for students and professionals alike. \n\nThe 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design \u2013 Roman Mars; Kurt Kohlstedt\n\nConsidered fresh and imaginative, /The 99% Invisible City/ is the bible for the urban curious with each entry providing a surprising story that's thought-provoking. This beautifully designed guidebook shines the light on the unnoticed parts of our cities which is an idea that stems from the /99% Invisible/ podcast. This podcast pegs questions that will have you wondering where graffiti comes from, why metal isn't on fire escapes today, and perhaps even the purpose of inflatable figures used by car dealerships. This podcast is noted for having big ideas to reveal the stories in the buildings, streets, and sidewalks around us. Celebrate design and architecture in all its wonder and absurdity in this book from Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt to take a hard look at what makes our cities work. Explore origins behind what we consider mundane such as drinking fountains, power grids, fire escapes, and street signs. The entries featured in this book are well-researched and paired with beautiful line drawings that will leave readers captivated and make them look closer at their surroundings. \n\nModern Architecture: A Critical History \u2013 Kenneth Frampton \n\nThis revised and updated edition from Kenneth Frampton comes from the highly acclaimed survey which focused on the subject of 1980 modern architecture. Cultural developments drove the modern movement in 1750 which led to the creation of architecture we have today. Exploring the effects of globalization and the phenomenon that celebrity architects have brought into the field, /Modern Architecture/ contains a look at the rich history. The work has been thoroughly revised with the addition of new chapters that provide a deeper look at the modernist tradition. Frampton takes an honest look at the need society has to build more sustainably with structures that can handle climate change. The redesigned interior includes an updated bibliography and 500 illustrations. \n\nSan Francisco's Chinatown \u2013 Dick Evans and Kathy Chin Leong\n\nWith an amazing appreciation of color and adventurous perspectives, /San Francisco's Chinatown/ provides an amazing contribution to the community. Striking imagery paired with a historical narrative, see Chinatown through its stunning streets and festivals that bring to life its local flavor and culture. The median household income for Chinatown is about a quarter of San Francisco's average income. This book will take you into the heart of Chinatown through breathtaking images which show the beauty that has attracted tourists. Take a stroll through this lush district for some dim-sum and spot some red lanterns as you observe the stunning apartments and outdoor games. A stunning blend of American and Chinese architecture pairs with the blend of cuisine and culture in this lucid text from Kathy Chin Leong. /San Francisco's Chinatown/ focuses on the tight-knit community of the district which captures the thriving neighborhood through stunning images that highlight the unique and authentic Chinese traditions. \n\nDreamers & Designers: The Shaping of West Vancouver \u2013 Francis Mansbridge \n\nVancouver is a city defined by its geography with a border that has an ocean, mountainous wilderness, ravines, and creeks creating the perfect backdrop. This stunning landscape creates a unique personality for the city which lures people from all around the globe who come to explore the outdoor activities provided. Mansbridge explores how this city went from a beachfront cottage community to a location where only a select few could afford it. /Dreamers & Designers/ highlights the tension that has grown between the desires of West Vancouverites and the goal to maintain. The land of West Vancouver helped to shape the area through the fight of the less marginalized which Mansbridge captures through a stunning assortment of photography. Through the lens that Mansbridge provides, you can see how the unique setting created the community and defined the area for what it's known today.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "06-Mar-2019 22:21:37", "publisher": "Harbour Publishing", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000007710003", "title": "Silver Meadows Summer", "author": "Emma Otheguy", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johnna Rocker-Clinton", "word_count": 241, "review": "A round of applause for Emma Otheguy. her modern, coming-of-age immigrant story, Silver Meadows Summer, is timely and realistic.

Eleven-year-old Carolina is forced to move from her beloved home in Puerto Rico to her aunt's house in upstate New York after her father loses his job. She and her cousin Gabriella, a supercilious thirteen-year-old, have difficulty bonding. America proves to be different and challenging, but Carolina meets an eccentric friend at summer camp, and through their time together she starts to regain her identity.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to middle school teachers for literature circles, summer reading, or even a class novel. I would also recommend it to any reader who wants a fresh perspective on the emotional transition of immigrating through a child's eyes.

Otheguy is a wonderful writer. Her use of simple language makes this book a winner for lower reading levels, but there is plenty of room for higher readers to analyze and dig deep. I love Carolina's self-awareness. She loves Puerto Rico. She knows that she is an artist. She finds it weird that many Americans try to fit in with each other and care so much about what others think. Even her mother falls into this rhythm, hardly ever speaking Spanish so as not to offend anyone, and telling Carolina to behave more like Gabriela, who is half white.

This is a great story with the power to inspire children who struggle with their ethnic identity.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "04-May-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2019 15:49:57", "publisher": "Random House Children's", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007709051", "title": "The Risk of Us", "author": "Rachel Howard", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 879, "review": "These young adult novels offer something for everyone from a memoir about women in the meat industry to a moving story about family and foster care to a re-imagining of /Oliver Twist/ with much more to be discovered! Check out captivating, thought-provoking, and stunning stories that range from the genres of graphic novel to memoir to fantasy to a heist thriller. \n\nLong Distance \u2013 Whitney Gardner\n\nThis graphic novel comes from the creator of /Fake Blood/. Summer is meant to be a time where you have no responsibilities and have fun with your closest friends, but for Vega, it's a time of change. Things take a turn for the worst when she's not only forced to spend her vacation without her best friend, but she learns that her parents have made the dreadful decision of moving them to Seattle. Now she's leaving her hometown behind, along with her best friend. In a plot to help her adjust to her new life and make some friends, Vega's parents decide that she should go to Summer Camp. Vega has made her own decision to find a way to return to Portland, but when weird things start happening, her only option is to work with her fellow campers to uncover the camp's secrets.\n \nGirl on the Block \u2013 Jessica Wragg\n\nIn this memoir, Jessica is a determined female butcher that fights for her place in the meat industry. At sixteen years old, Jessica received a job at a local shop that sent her behind the butcher's counter, typically run by men, and plunges her into a world where butchers used a secret language but are hesitant to share their secrets with her. A decade later and Jessica is navigating this male-dominated world while taking on the whole industry and proving herself. She finds herself facing challenges similar to her female counterparts fighting to prove themselves in the restaurant industry. She's had to earn every ounce of recognition, memorize every aspect of the meat, and face off against ageism and sexism. The graphic novel blends personal experience, craft, and delves into an honest look at the industry. \n\nThe Risk of Us \u2013 Rachel Howard\n\nA story that tackles the honesty of adoption and the foster system, /The Risk of Us/ is about a couple stepping into the role of fostering a child. After taking in a child, the three face hurdles in their journey to become a family. Maresa is seven years old and has a history filled with abuse with multiple failed foster families and outbursts induced by anger and panic attacks. The story explores the struggle of two parents and one child trying to understand what it means to be a family while a mother struggles with her own traumatic history and a father faces a worsening heart condition. The three of them long to become a real family but don't know how to take the first steps forward. /The Risk of Us/ takes place over the course of a year as Maresa enters the age that makes it harder for children in the system to find homes. Will the three learn how to be a family or is this an adoption that's meant to crumble? The story has a thought-provoking style that explores how children bring challenges into a relationship, the uncertainties surrounding building a family, and how empathy can bring down defenses. \n\nTwist \u2013 Tom Grass\n\nA re-imagining of /Oliver Twist/, this thrilling heist adventure that delivers a tale of love, betrayal, and plenty of danger. Twist is eighteen and has no money, family, or home with all he has being his reputation as one of London's most infamous street artists and abilities that have made him well-known as an urban climber. His luck starts to run out when the police set off after him and he realizes his freedom is at stake. After the mysterious Dodge saves him, he introduces him to con artist Cornelius Faginescu and is drawn into a world of stealing and danger. The further Twist is pulled within Cornelius' group, the closer he becomes to the charming Red and the more he understands about the truth behind Cornelius' plan for them. He soon learns that this world is more dangerous than he realized and now he must figure out how to stay alive. \n\nA Choir of Lies \u2013 Alexandra Rowland \n\nThis is the follow-up to /A Conspiracy of Youth/ and takes place three years since Yfling's master-Chant ripped apart a nation with just the power of his words. Yfling has started over in a new realm but his heart is still broken and he continues to grieve what he lost. He has received employment from a wealthy merchant as a translator. Sterre de Waeyer has offered Yfling a second chance, but Yfling still struggles with events of his past, the feeling of alienation, and his fear of telling stories. Everything changes after his new employer discover the truth about him and are forced to tell stories that send the city into mania over getting shipments for an exotic flower. Disaster pushes him into crossroads where he's forced to decide if he wants to be like his former master and let the city destroy itself, or use the power of his stories to save everyone?", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Apr-2019 17:25:46", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000007707039", "title": "An Irish Country Family (Irish Country Books)", "author": "Patrick Taylor", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kristin Jarrett", "word_count": 217, "review": "This is a nice read if you\u2019d like to enjoy a little bit of Irish culture with a group of good-natured characters. This was the first book I have read in the \u201cIrish Country\u201d series and I\u2019d be happy if it wasn\u2019t my last. I enjoyed reading about the characters, set in rural Ireland in the 1960s. It\u2019s not historical fiction, but I\u2019d say that if you enjoy historical fiction and are looking for a novel, this is enjoyable to read. It gave a glimpse into life in Ireland in the 1960s with the typical cultural expectations of males vs females during that time period and a touch of the political climate of the times. The characters are interesting and likable and you get a good dose of medical knowledge if that\u2019s of interest to you as the main characters are doctors or student doctors and nurses, who explain the various ailments of their cases along the way. My only drawback is that if you\u2019ve never read the series, it can be a bit confusing to sort out all of the characters. For this reason, you should pay close attention as you start out to keep up with it. I think I would enjoy more books in the series now that I am familiar with the characters.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "27-Apr-2019 19:54:59", "publisher": "Forge Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007707003", "title": "Plant-Based on a Budget: Delicious Vegan Recipes for Under $30 a Week, in Less Than 30 Minutes a Meal", "author": "Toni Okamoto", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 215, "review": "Plant-based meals are often perceived as being expensive and time consuming. However, the vegan recipes in this book are made from familiar ingredients found in any conventional grocery store, and they are easy to make in about half an hour. That's pretty remarkable.

While many of the recipes rely on ingredients such as tempeh and tofu, many others, simply by leaving out any non-vegan ingredients, make familiar meals that much healthier. For example, a beautiful recipe for blueberry muffins uses mashed banana instead of egg, giving the muffins a great flavor as well as a potassium boost. But author Okamoto doesn't nag or scold about nutrition \u2013 she wants you to enjoy this delicious food without breaking your budget.

Accompanied by beautiful photos, the recipes are for snacks, breakfasts, suppers, desserts, and more, and they are all pretty quick and easy \u2013 some only have two or three ingredients! Try the quinoa salad, or the pumpkin curry over brown rice. And make sure to keep some homemade hummus in the fridge for a quick snack \u2013 it's incredibly easy and delicious, and much cheaper than the store-bought kind!

Also included are directions for preparing pantry staples such as beans and grains ahead of time, so you are always ready to throw together a quick meal.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "26-Apr-2019 17:51:38", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000007706027", "title": "The Wealth of Religions: The Political Economy of Believing and Belonging", "author": "Robert J Barro", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 145, "review": "This is an extremely dry book by two academicians. They base their economic exploration of religions only on those religions with specific theistic beliefs. They define religion as those groups believing in a supreme being or a transcendent god who can intervene in human activity. However, this makes most of their thesis irrelevant since their definition excludes many religions without belief in a supreme being. Unitarianism, for one, is a secular religion. Much of the book is citing sources which attempt to link religious belief with either economic prosperity or the lack of it. Some theorists posit that religion fuels economic growth by encouraging productivity, moral discipline, and hard work. The authors also point to the resurgence of religious activity after economic growth. They point to the Chinese government\u2019s increased tolerance for folk practices as an example of how economic growth can lead to increased", "issue": "Rejected", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Apr-2019 17:05:56", "publisher": "Princeton University Press", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000007701031", "title": "The Enlightenment of Bees", "author": "Rachel Linden", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 677, "review": "Gimme a Kiss\u2026 Roundup\n\nAs the saying goes, the course of true love never did run smooth, and these three contemporary romance novels certainly indicate that to be a truism. From rediscovering love after a bereavement to rediscovering themselves after a relationship breakdown, the heroines of all three books finally seem to find that love may, after all, be worth the effort. \n\nThe Enlightenment of Bees by Rachel Linden\n\nAt twenty-six years old, apprentice baker Mia West rather smugly thought that she had everything important in life\u2013\u2013career, home, and relationship\u2013\u2013nicely sorted and neatly arranged. In fact, she had just secured a promotion at the artisan bakery where she was training, was convinced that her long-term boyfriend Ethan was about to propose, and had a detailed picture of their quaint future home in mind. However, when Ethan\u2019s attempt at proposing goes awry and he admits that he needs some space, Mia\u2019s perfect world quickly crumbles. In need of a distraction, she agrees to participate in an around-the-world aid project with her friend Rosie. Of course, working with an eclectic bunch of folks in far-flung and troubled locations has a profound affect on Mia and causes her to question if what she thought she always wanted is actually what she really needs in life. The Enlightenment of Bees, Rachel Linden\u2019s latest novel, is a charming romance novel in which the lead character\u2019s love life frequently takes a backseat to her journey of self-discovery. Mia finds herself transforming as she works to transform the lives of those involved in the aid project, and she ends up better off for all the troubles she experiences.\n\nGoodbye, Lark Lovejoy by Kris Clink\n\nGoodbye, Lark Lovejoy, the first book in Kris Clink\u2019s Enchanted Rock series, follows the eponymous Lark as she finally deals with the aftermath of losing her husband and acknowledges that her family life is far from the idyll she has been pretending it to be for so long. Finally realizing that enough is enough, Lark moves her children back to her Texas hometown and decides to pursue her long-paused dream of running a vineyard. Once settled, aside from learning a new trade, Lark also finds herself learning to fall in love again, this time with Wyatt Gifford, an injured army vet who has his own problems to overcome. Lark\u2019s inspirational story is one of rejuvenation and the importance of recognizing and seizing second chances. The decision to leave everything she and her husband had built behind was not an easy one, but finally choosing to pursue her dream of becoming a winemaker proves to be the making of the Lark and, it seems, her family. The Texas wine country setting is delightful, the characters warm and inspiring, and the story itself is romantic, humorous, and uplifting.\n\nA Lot Like Adi\u00f3s by Alexis Daria\n\nFormer best friends are brought back together after years apart in A Lot Like Adi\u00f3s and the sparks soon start flying. Michelle Amato has focused on building a successful career as a graphic designer at the expense of her love life, much to the chagrin of her marriage-obsessed family. She\u2019s happy with her choice, however, as there has only ever been one man she considered to be marriage material: her childhood best friend Gabriel Aguilar. As for Gabriel, he left New York as soon as he turned eighteen so that he could escape the weight of his family\u2019s expectations. Now the co-owner of a hugely successful celebrity gym in Los Angles, fate is about to intervene in his happy exile and force him to return to New York. Once back in the same city, Michelle and Gabriel find that they have to work together and work out where they stand with each other. This second book in Alexis Daria\u2019s Primas of Power series is a steamy romance in which the lead characters have to navigate their own messy feelings, as well as the overly burdensome feelings of their respective families, in order to decide whether the pursuit of love is really worth all the heartache and confusion.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Apr-2019 16:34:07", "publisher": "HaperCollins ", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000007688003", "title": "Left for Dead at Nijmegen: The True Story of an American Paratrooper in World War II", "author": "Marcus A. Nannini", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Casey Quyn", "word_count": 169, "review": "On the one hand, the author of Gene Metcalfe's story has a relatively easy job of merely staying out of the way and letting the story tell itself. On the other, Nammini delivers where another biographer might clutter this modern-day Canidide with complications. Intertwined with the experiences of this paratrooper left for dead behind enemy lines, captured as a prisoner of war only to escape and be recaptured, the reader finds threads of entertainment. Never aspiring to take himself too seriously, the straightforward manner of chronicling matches the temperament of one of America's unsung heroes. Nannini's writing style captures just enough of the tension of war without adding to it, thus allowing the lighthearted moments to shine through in the cartoon characters Metcalfe sketches.

Some savvy screenplay writer will inevitably snag the rights to this one. The comic relief is already built into the suspense-driven plot. The story is just the right size for a movie in an industry struggling to break-away from comic book heroes into the genuine article.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "18-Apr-2019 18:31:46", "publisher": "Casemate", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007678019", "title": "Snowman - Cold = Puddle: Spring Equations", "author": "Laura Purdie Salas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Nishaant - Age 10", "word_count": 226, "review": "Snowman - Cold = Puddle is a picture book that hides poems in math problems. An example is \u201chive + bees - bees + bees = airport.\u201d Then there is a little collage and some simple science facts. I didn\u2019t learn any new science from this book. It is written for preschool and younger elementary kids. One science fact is that when spring comes, a bunch of geese migrate north. I like the geese poem, because it is written in a v-shape. I also like the poems about the water cycle, dandelion seeds, pollinating flowers, and beaver families. The book starts in winter and ends in spring. There\u2019s an author\u2019s note, an illustrator\u2019s note, facts about spring, and further reading. I like how the illustrator told us how she did her drawings. She used collage-style. My favorite part is the illustrations. I just like looking at them. Some of them are pretty funny too. In one, the snowman is melting and looks sad. It made me laugh. It was clever when the woodpecker was tapping the tree while the humans were tapping their own trees for maple syrup, which was on the next page. Some of the spring pages are too colorful. It drew my attention to one part of the picture and didn\u2019t really let me notice the whole thing; but overall, I liked it.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "16-Apr-2019 00:53:01", "publisher": "Charlesbridge", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000007677023", "title": "To Live on an Island", "author": "Emma Bland Smith", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Avery - Age 9", "word_count": 228, "review": "To Live on an Island is about a boy who explains what it is like to live on an island in the Pacific Northwest. He explains that he hears ferry horns, how he goes to school. What he does when playing outside and tells about all the things he can see on the island. He spends a lot of time playing on the water, building forts and exploring. Some people even fly in a tiny seaplane to visit between islands. He tells about the animals he sees on the island, like bald eagles, river otters, sea lions and even orcas.

I loved reading To Live on an Island because I have visited the San Juan Islands before and it reminded me of that trip. I like how they have the story, but they also have facts. I loved the illustrations. They make me feel like I am really on the island, seeing what the boy sees. My favorite page is when it shows the orcas swimming in the sky. I went on a whale-watching trip and saw these orcas that they talk about on the fact sheet. These types of orcas are critically endangered and it is very important for people to learn more about them and protect them. I would recommend To Live on an Island to kids who like nature and to anyone who loves beautiful illustrations.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "16-Apr-2019 01:02:57", "publisher": "Little Bigfoot", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007674043", "title": "Alone in the Wild (The Oregon Trail)", "author": "Jesse Wiley", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Julia - Age 12", "word_count": 224, "review": " Alone in the Wild (The Oregon Trail) is a book full of suspense and adventure. This is a pick-a-path novel that lets you make your own choices that leads to different endings depending on your selection.

In 1849, you\u2019re halfway through the trail and while traveling in your wagon train you see a river ahead. While you and your family are crossing it, a storm arrives, and you fall overboard!!! You wake up on a densely wooded riverbank and call out for help. After no one replies, you\u2019re on your own, and you must rely on your survival skills.

Some of my favorite choices were whether to eat a rotten deer carcass, go with an experienced Indian girl, or survive on your own. Also, another thing I liked about the book was the illustrations. They were unique because they were pixelated and made to look like the old Oregon trail game. I even liked that it was mysterious when I didn\u2019t know what choices were next and if I was going to survive or not! I did die a lot, once a pack of wolves killed me. I also liked that it kept me on my toes! I recommend this book to ages eight and up, or people who want to learn more about the Oregon trail, or if you just like history!", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "16-Apr-2019 01:55:38", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007661003", "title": "The Middle Ground: Stories", "author": "Jeff Ewing", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Emma Berman", "word_count": 365, "review": "Jeff Ewing\u2019s The Middle Ground tells the tales of people at the edge of society, living divergent lives in rural America. Ewing\u2019s subjects all share a deep and haunting sense of loneliness and alienation from others. Ewing\u2019s sparse prose only serves to deepen the mystery about his characters and the empty stretches of land in which his characters reside. These stories also share a narrative drive and closure, instead preferring to show a small glimpse into someone\u2019s life.

Though this collection of vignettes and stories does not have a theme, Ewing visits several concepts more than once. He attends to odd relationships between people and is particularly fascinated in bonds between middle-aged men and unrelated younger girls. Several of these stories feature terse friendships between older men and a younger girl\u2014usually the friend of his daughter. This leaves the reader with a weird ambivalence about the relationship, unclear if it is endearing or inappropriate. \nMy favorite story, and I think the most chilling of the collection, was \u201cIce Flowers\u201d \u2014 the tale of a dispassionate man named Wilton who lives in a tundra-like territory. This land is saturated with death; Wilton lost his wife and daughter to an illness that swept the region in years past. Rather than mourning the loss of his family, Wilton remarks that he has passed the period of experiencing loneliness. As his loneliness has withered away, so too have his memories of his wife and daughter. Wilton remarks that he can no longer recall an impression of his late family and that his ability to feel loneliness, too, has frozen. Perhaps to compensate for the lack of human connection and to forge his own path, Wilton develops an obsessive habit for collecting and preserving ice crystals. Wilton develops a lovely friendship with the daughter of his neighbor, who ultimately dies in a chill. The most resonant concept in this story is the idea that your lot in life is handed to you. Wilton is described as a man who \u201cwasn\u2019t much of a farmer, never had been, but you inherited most of your life, like it or not.\u201d Ewing shows us a bleak world in which people largely inherit their circumstances.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "21-Jun-2019", "date_added": "10-Apr-2019 20:02:08", "publisher": "Into the Void", "page_count": "230 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007656015", "title": "A Nice Cup of Tea", "author": "Celia Imrie", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madelynn - Age 13", "word_count": 197, "review": "Five retired friends, Theresa, Carol, William, Benjamin, and Sally created La Mosaique, a little restaurant on the streets of Bellevue-sur-Mer. But they\u2019re in some trouble because their restaurant is struggling to stay afloat. On top of this, Sally and Theresa have their own personal demons they have to deal with. Can theses close friends get past their distractions and save their restaurant? It's a perfect book for anyone who loves drama, mystery, and reading about the characters\u2019 everyday lives. This book being set in France means that some characters in the book did not speak English. This makes the book harder and more complicated to read. It was slow in the beginning made it difficult to keep reading. It did feel like it also dragged on. Although, when I got towards the end It got more exciting and fast-paced. The author did do a good job at describing the characters and giving a story to them. She also did well to explain how the characters were feeling. There were little step by step recipes in every chapter making it more interesting and special. I do not recommend this book for younger readers because of the mature parts.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "10-Apr-2019 21:32:09", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000007649007", "title": "In Pursuit of Flavor", "author": "Edna Lewis", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Edna Lewis grew up in a small farm town in Virginia and learned her culinary skills watching her mother and grandmother prepare meals from what was in season in the garden, orchards, the wild, or what was on hand. The fare is often simple, but flavorful as prepared with fresh herbs and meat juices and fats. The book has six sections \u2014 From the Gardens and Orchards; From the Farmyard; From the Lakes, Streams, and Oceans; For the Cupboard; From the Bread Oven and Griddle; and The Good Taste of Old-Fashioned Desserts. Besides the recipes, there are instructive stories about planting and growing cabbage, buying ducks, storing food in the refrigerator, freezing plums, buying lard, and more. Some instructions might shock today\u2019s cooks such as her advice to \u201clet the uncooked duck sit out in the kitchen most the day without any covering\u201d so that the skin will crisp. Her instructions for making sauerkraut are exactly the way my mother made it, and her Apple Brown Betty brings back wonderful memories. Don\u2019t miss that recipe. It\u2019s perfect. Her chutney recipe can be made with a variety of fruits, depending on what is available fresh. Don\u2019t miss this.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2021", "date_added": "06-Apr-2019 23:21:35", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007646151", "title": "This Is How You Lose the Time War", "author": "Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 236, "review": "It is safe to say there is nothing quite like this delightful, quick read from Amar El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone with the ominous title of This is How You Lose the Time War. It is impossible to say what time or date this story begins, because it is ultimately a story about time travel and it's also essentially irrelevant to the story at hand. Suffice to say it involves two unique, interesting, and complex characters who are very different but have a strong thing in common: they are both time travelers.

There is Red, who belongs to the Agency, a post-singularity technotopia; and there is Blue who belongs a vast consciousness within all organic matter known as the Garden. One day, Red discovers a letter that reads: \u201cBurn after reading. Signed, Blue.\u201d And so begins a most unique and unusual pen-pal relationship across time and space, as the two communicate with each other through these clandestine letters that are hidden in all manner of ways only to be skillfully discovered by the other, whether it be in the rings of the tree, or layers of a rock, or the strings of a fabric, or any other method of incomprehensible correspondence.

While the literary device begins creatively and draws the reader's interest, past the halfway point it gets a little repetitive and dragging. But towards the end, things heat up and reach a satisfactory conclusion for the reader.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2021", "date_added": "05-Apr-2019 17:42:54", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000007844011", "title": "Wonder Mole's Scent Costume Party", "author": "Pato Mena", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sohail - Age 9", "word_count": 217, "review": "An amazing story about moles that have a costume party with scents. This book is about a mole throwing a costume party with other moles. The thing is that the moles\u2019 costumes are scents! The reason the moles do this is because they can\u2019t see at all, so they use scents, so they can smell the costumes! One thing I wish I was able to do was to get to know the characters in some depth. Most of the book was about Wonder Mole\u2019s party, and not so much about him and his personality traits. I thought the book flowed along really well. The author did a wonderful job writing the book in a sequence that made sense. Another thing that I thought was great was the illustrations in the book. They were nice and bright and showed so much detail. I felt that each illustration went along with each page of the story, kind of giving the reader a good visual representation. I think this book would suit kids who have an interest in fun picture books about animals. I think this book would make a pretty good series. Maybe it could be about nonfiction things that animals do secretly when no one is there. This is a great book that is totally worth the time.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "28-May-2019 22:41:49", "publisher": "NubeOcho", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007843011", "title": "Un poco perdido", "author": "Chris Haughton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Neela - Age 11", "word_count": 203, "review": "When a little owl falls out of his nest, will an overly enthusiastic squirrel be able to help him find his mom? Losing a parent is usually pretty scary, but little kids will laugh when squirrel keeps presenting what MUST be the little owl\u2019s mom, but instead, it\u2019s a huge bear, a rabbit with tall ears, and a frog with big eyes! Complete with a happy ending and a hint to an additional adventure this book has humor, repetition, and cartoon-like drawings that every kid will love.

This picture book has a cover that kids will reach for, with a very sweet little owl. More abstract representations and subdued colors extend the range of whom it might appeal to, as I would read it again at eleven to practice my Spanish.

Told entirely in Spanish, Un Poco Perdido will appeal to native Spanish speakers, beginning Spanish speakers (like me!), and even those that don\u2019t know any Spanish at all as the tale is so universal and well told in pictures. It reminded me a little bit of the classic, Are you my mother? by P.D. Eastman. Un Poco Perdido will be a hit and one that kids will return to again and again.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "28-May-2019 22:36:56", "publisher": "NubeOcho", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000007840019", "title": "Beyonce: Shine Your Light", "author": "Sarah Warren", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Abigail - Age 8", "word_count": 179, "review": "Most people who have heard of Beyonce know that she is a famous singer, her life is very exciting but did you know that she wasn\u2019t always so exciting? When Beyonce was a little kid she was very shy, she mostly played by herself. Beyonce had a special teacher though that saw that Beyonce was a really good singer, that teacher helped Beyonce to realize her dream of becoming a famous singer. Even though she was shy in her regular life she changed when she went on stage, she was confident. Beyonce would sing wherever she went, when she was singing she was shining.\n\nThis book is a great story because it shows that even if everyone thinks you can\u2019t do something you can especially if you have someone like a teacher that can help you. The pictures in this book are very exciting, they show how Beyonce went from a shy girl in regular clothes to the famous person she is today. It also shows that with a lot of hard work you can make your dreams happen.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-May-2019 22:32:23", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007835011", "title": "Bach to the Rescue!!!: How a Rich Dude Who Couldn't Sleep Inspired the Greatest Music Ever", "author": "Tom Angleberger", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sophia - Age 5", "word_count": 129, "review": "The book Bach to the Rescue is a very funny book about some very famous music written by Bach. A rich man has a hard time falling asleep and makes the character Goldberg play him music every night. The old man still can\u2019t sleep until Bach makes the most amazing music. The whole town enjoys the music and is able to finally fall asleep. This was a funny book that made me want to learn how to play the piano. I didn't like some of the mean words the characters used because they were so grumpy but I was glad that Bach's music helped them get some sleep and be kind to each other again. The pictures were very colorful, bright. Some pages almost looked like a graphic novel.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "27-May-2019 19:04:02", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000007826067", "title": "The Princess Beard: The Tales of Pell", "author": "Kevin Hearne", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 240, "review": "A princess is trapped by a sleeping spell. You've probably heard this one before. But in Pell, fairy tale tropes work a little differently. In this case, the princess wakes up with a beard as well as lengthy tresses, but she decides to keep the beard. In fact, she abandons the princess life entirely and joins a pirate crew. With a parrot captain, a magic-wielding centaur, a dryad law student, and an elven researcher all seeking their place in the world, the bearded princess-turned-pirate is set for some unlikely adventures!

Dawson and Hearne reunite for the third offering in their Tales of Pell series but don't worry if you haven't read the earlier books. The Princess Beard proudly stands on its own as a shamelessly punny fantasy novel that gleefully skewers tropes while celebrating the genre as a whole. Not since Peter David's Sir Apropos of Nothing has fantasy humor been this silly, this charming, or this relentless.

The novel manages to take one of my favorite fantasy cliches -- the cast of misfits who come together and find themselves -- and makes it feel fresh, with dangerous unexpected consequences for some characters and ridiculous, yet poignant, discoveries for others. Despite the light tone, the characters endure genuine hardship and feel like complete, three-dimensional beings.

With careful plotting as razor-keen as the wordplay strewn across every page, The Princess Beard is unabashed fun, but with greater depth than you'd expect.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "25-May-2019 18:53:26", "publisher": "Del Rey", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000007826051", "title": "Alexander the Great: His Life and His Mysterious Death", "author": "Anthony Everitt", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 189, "review": "Anthony Everitt begins and ends his book with the mysteries surrounding the death of Alexander the Great and the myths that developed in the wake of his remarkable conquests. An accomplished historian and writer, Everitt effortlessly transports us through history, setting the stage of Macedonia aspirations and Greek culture of the fourth century B.C. when Alexander's father, Phillip, shifted the balance of power and then handed it off to his son.

Of the hundreds of books in print about Alexander the Great, this is by far my favorite. In addition to Everitt's captivating writing, he accompanies the text with excellent maps, a time line, and glossary, and he salts his prose with quotes from ancient sources. Often times the author offers precious detail to bring life to old stories, such as Alexander cutting through Gordian's knot or the personal history of Alexander's ferocious mother, Olympias.

Ultimately, Everitt seeks to dispel many of the myths surrounding Alexander the Great, particularly the later fables that arose a few centuries after his mysterious death. The author's careful dissection of ancient sources logically leads to the unraveling of some of these dark mysteries.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "24-May-2019 00:16:31", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007825015", "title": "Disasterama!: Adventures in the Queer Underground 1977 to 1997", "author": "Alvin Orloff", "category": "F13 Special Interest", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Jane Wengler", "word_count": 270, "review": "Though this book is categorized as a memoir, it is so much more than the story of one man. As Orloff writes in his introduction, it can also be read as \"an elegy, apologia, cautionary tale, or social history.\u201d The book ripples out from Orloff\u2019s personal story coming out as queer and joining myriad misfits in the streets of San Francisco. It recalls drag shows, performance art, poverty, youth, and sex. It can be read as a first-hand history of the city\u2019s ever-changing queer club scene, or as a tale of life outside the norm. At the memoir\u2019s center is the slow march of AIDS.

While many recountings of the AIDS crisis graze over the happiness and love that still existed in the community and dwell on the pain, this book chooses to laugh. Disasterama! records the joy and playfulness that queerness was and continues to be despite hardships. Powerfully, the comedy in this book is never overly flippant but almost reverent. Orloff captures the humor in the darkness and eulogizes his friends with determined laughter instead of mourning. Even when the book does have its tender moments, it is adamant in its refusal to reduce his friends to martyrs in a larger political game. He insists on the details and on the individual moments that make up people and make up communities. In this way, he acknowledges the personal as political but urges readers not to forget the day-to-day existence of those personally affected by politics and prejudice. This book is a must-read for memoir lovers, history nerds, punks, misfits, amateur artists, clubbers, and anyone looking to laugh and learn.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "23-May-2019 21:17:51", "publisher": "Three Rooms Press", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000007825011", "title": "Strings - The Ables Book 2", "author": "Jeremy Scott", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 272, "review": "The Ables: Strings is an exciting book about Phillip, a blind, telekinetic teen going on a dangerous, fast-paced adventure to bring justice to the rest of the custodians, a group of people who are basically superheroes.

Lately the government has been casting a nasty light on the custodians, putting crimes committed by custodians using their abilities in the news. This is an injustice to innocent custodians like Phillip, his friends, and his family. These events also begin to upset his school. It\u2019s becoming less safe to be out in the open, so custodian families are leaving town. Phillip is thinking like this as well and asks the group of kids he's formed at school, The Ables, how they feel about going on missions with him. In the end, it's only other custodian friends and a few other Ables who agree. Later into the novel, the Ables' outings become wilder and more exciting, and they start to mess with the government more and more.

This was a stunning read! Phillip is an amazing character. He deals with PTSD, strong anxiety, and panic attacks. He also lost his mother at a very young age and must take care of his brother now that his father is missing. He even keeps school in mind and has a crush on Emmaline, a girl who has teleportation abilities. I admit I haven't read the first book, but the sequel is outstanding. It does have a center on a human rights message, which I think is very important. This book I would recommend to kids about eleven and up because it is a little more intense than most middle-grade novels.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "23-May-2019 21:13:39", "publisher": "Turner", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007823051", "title": "First Day of Groot!", "author": "Brendan Deneen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 183, "review": "It\u2019s Groot\u2019s first day. Time for the learning to begin, but first he must eat a good breakfast. After brushing his teeth and combing his hair, Groot is off on a grand adventure. After lessons on sharing, counting, and spelling, it\u2019s time to break for lunch with all his friends. When Thanos attacks, everyone comes together to fight back. Then, its back to work. Groot\u2019s day is filled with teamwork and fun, and a day that no one will forget.

Join Rocket and Groot as they sail through the galaxy on a learning adventure. Brendan Deneen and Cale Atkinson team up to bring readers a real galactic adventure celebrating the joy of learning. From singing and dancing to fighting evil villains to learning the importance behind sharing and working together, First Day of Groot celebrates the lessons that will stay with every reader forever.

Memorable, and fun, anyone will be excited about their first day of learning. Adorable and lively illustrations celebrate the whole Marvel gang, as everyone bands together to help Groot learn. A perfect book for any young school-age child or classroom library.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "24-May-2019 19:44:54", "publisher": "Disney", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007803003", "title": "Lucy's Light (Once Upon a Garden)", "author": "Jo Rooks", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - Age 5", "word_count": 162, "review": "My favorite thing about this book was the pictures. There are so many details! I love how it looks like watercolors. All the bugs are so adorable. I also really like how the words are not just in a straight line, but sometimes I got confused about where I should read next. The bolded words made me realize I should say them loud and I did that! My baby sister really loves this book. I like to read it to her at bedtime. She thinks it is funny when I use funny voices and sounds to read! This book reminds me a lot of another lightning bug book I have read before. This book taught me to not give up and keep trying and I will succeed! I also loved that Lucy did something nice for the whole garden; that was really nice of her! I think this is a perfect length book for kids my age; I am 6 years old.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "20-May-2019 20:52:26", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007802007", "title": "V.E.N.O.M.", "author": "Ty Mitchell", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi ", "word_count": 398, "review": "Protagonist Jake Penny is a veteran-turned-detective, fighting with his own demons. Having lost both his wife and daughter in a deadly car accident, he finds some peace in his alcohol addiction. Being a homicide detective, he's one of the first people to arrive at a crime scene, but when he gets a call for a new case and agrees to take part in the investigation, he becomes part of the world's biggest conspiracy. Before he knows it, law enforcement, NSA, and a secret organization called V.E.N.O.M are after him. V.E.N.O.M. is an acronym for the Veiled and Exclusive Nation of Organized Mercenaries. Ninety-nine percent of the people who work there are ordinary people, doctors, and government officials who push the organization\u2019s agenda. The remaining one percent were the spies and mercenaries, and Jack has just crossed paths with them. His only allies are an NSA agent, Ethan Parker, who is too eager to help him, and an investigator specializing in politics and two-times Pulitzer winner journalist called Zasha, who has her own agenda. He knows that both of them are not to be trusted, but he has no other choice, since this is bigger, much bigger than he originally thought, and he will need all the help he can get, even if someone betrays him in the end.

Jack is an extremely complicated character. There are so many layers as far as his personality is concerned, and we've barely scratched the surface. He's been through so many things that have shaped his character, so when readers find out something new about Jack, they will think that they know everything there is to know about him. However, the story then develops, and a different side of him suddenly becomes known that changes everything.

V.E.N.O.M. is a fast-paced thriller with a number of twists unraveling throughout the book that make the reader keep reading, until they find themselves reaching the end and realizing just how well-written the story is. The plot's characters are well thought through. From the moment they are introduced, to the moment their intentions become apparent, each character evolves right in front of the reader's eyes, demonstrating the amazing feat Ty Mitchell has accomplished with V.E.N.O.M. The book ends with a cliffhanger. Jack's story is far from over, and I would love to find out how it continues. A great choice for adult fans of action-packed thrillers.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "19-May-2019 23:44:09", "publisher": "Red Rope Press", "page_count": "338 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007801047", "title": "Welcome to Wonderland #4: Beach Battle Blowout", "author": "Chris Grabenstein", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Benjamin - Age 10", "word_count": 199, "review": "P.T. Wilkie and his best friend Gloria live in the most fun place in all of Florida, at least according to them. The friends live in the Wonderland Motel, which P.T.'s grandfather opened way back in the 70s. It\u2019s really hard to be the most fun place in Florida, since there are so many fun things to do but it has always been his grandfather's dream to be voted the best. Now is their chance, Florida Fun In The Sun Magazine is hosting a contest to find the most fun attraction in Florida, and finally the big theme parks aren\u2019t able to be a part. With Gloria\u2019s great business sense to help fund them and P.T.'s imagination, the team is determined to win \u201cHottest Family Attraction.\u201d Will they be able to wow the secret shoppers and judges with all of their new innovations and updates?

If you are looking for lots of laughs and characters that have huge personalities then this is the book for you. It shows that if you are determined you can really reach your goals. I also liked that each character had their own unique characteristics that made them a great part of the team.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "18-May-2019 20:09:38", "publisher": "Random House Children's", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007801043", "title": "Snitchy Witch", "author": "Frank J. Sileo PhD \u2022 MacKenzie Haley, Illustrator", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sophia - Age 5", "word_count": 128, "review": "The book //Snitchy Witch// is a great book about a witch who learns the difference between tattling and reporting problems. It is a very funny and interesting story about witches and snitches. I learned that the big difference is safety and when you need help from a grown-up you can always tell them but if it is something silly then don't tattle on your friends. The drawings and pictures were just as interesting and funny as the story. I liked the rhyming spell about \u201cwitches who snitch.\u201d It is about witches and reminds me of Halloween but it's a fun book to read any time of year! This book would be good for any kid to read and can help them learn how to be a good friend.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-May-2019 20:06:29", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007774007", "title": "Blackberry and Wild Rose", "author": "Sonia Velton", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Melville", "word_count": 251, "review": "Esther Thorel is an aspiring artist married to Spitalfields\u2019 finest silk weaver. She desires a deeper purpose and to connect with her husband, but he spurns her\u2014and her artwork\u2014as silly and meaningless.

Sara Kemp is a country girl sent to London for a chance at life in service. She imagines wide, clean streets and elegance but instead finds herself in the talons of a notorious madam, Mrs. Swan. She has no escape until her path crosses Esther\u2019s, and their lives will ever be the same again.

Powerful, emotional, and moving, the narratives of Esther and Sara quickly reveal that nothing is as it seems.

Based loosely on the life of legendary silk designer Anna Maria Garthwaite, Esther dreams of becoming a silk designer. She tries to impress and connect with her husband over her creations, but he harshly brushes her off. Journeymen weaver Bisby Lambert enters the Thorel household to weave his masterpiece, and a friendship is born. Lambert not only sees Esther as an individual but helps her merchandise her masterpiece: Blackberry and Wild Rose.

As her beautiful artwork springs to life, the world around her implodes\u2014the false veneer of perfection crumbles. Throw in unrest, riot, rebellion, a pregnancy, and death, and the plot thickens with many delicious twists and turns.
br> Sonia Velton instantly drew me into the world of the Spitalfields silk weavers in 18th century London. I loved the atmosphere, the multifaceted characters, and the unexpected plot twists. If you enjoy well-written, historical fiction, you\u2019ll adore this novel.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "12-May-2019 21:57:19", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007742007", "title": "The Wisdom of the Renaissance", "author": "Michael K. Kellogg", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Miriam Wagner", "word_count": 212, "review": "The European Renaissance was a period when great changes in ideas were reshaping society, driven by imaginative thinkers who challenged the old philosophies of the medieval world. This book profiles nine men whose writings have been seminal to the development of modern Western thought: Petrarch, Erasmus, and Machiavelli; Thomas More, Castiglione, and Rabelais; Montaigne, Cervantes, and Shakespeare; some of these names are still known, but others, largely forgotten. Each chapter includes a short summary placing the subject in his historical context and a brief biography that explains how the person's ideas developed influenced by his background, culture, and experiences. Most importantly, thoughtful analysis of the thinker's work and writings gives the reader a good overview of what his writings were about and why and how they have been, and continue to be, so important. The author is perceptive and careful to present each person's ideas clearly and fairly, with sympathy and admiration; his inclusion of countering arguments as well, along with his own rebuttals, gives the reader a balanced conception of the flow of these ideas through time. The book is written conversationally and is a pleasure to read. It's a wonderful introduction to these paradigm-changing ideas and to the men themselves, restoring them from obscurity to the prominent recognition they deserve.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "04-May-2019 22:57:09", "publisher": "Prometheus Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007738015", "title": "Rewind", "author": "Catherine Ryan Howard", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 232, "review": "What a completely exhilarating book. This book grabbed me from the beginning (or shall we call it the end) and kept me engrossed until the very last page. Rewind starts with the main character, Natalie, or so we presume, being killed in a bedroom that is not her own. The killer stabs her to death and then turns to remove a hidden camera that has been recording the killing. Interesting, no? From there, an odd cast of characters is introduced, including Andrew, the manager of Shanamore Cottages who is a very odd fellow. Natalie is an Instagram Influencer, and her husband, Mike is desperately trying to find her after she leaves one day without telling anyone where she is going; not even her Instagram followers. Her last post is of a pink suitcase and Natalie telling everyone she is going off the grid for a bit. The book in written, as the title implies, in reverse; however, the chapters go back and forth in fast forward and rewind. Although it moves around a bit, the story is not hard to follow and the author gives the reader bits of information as the plot moves on. Although the book is fairly long, it would be easy to finish it in one sitting. Attention-grabbing and thrilling, Rewind is a fascinating read for lovers of suspense and mystery with a great twist at the end.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "05-May-2019 17:41:47", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000007726019", "title": "The Scandal of the Century: And Other Writings", "author": "Gabriel Garcia Marquez", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 231, "review": "It\u2019s a rare volume that offers a retrospective insight into latent yet burgeoning genius. The late Gabriel Garc\u00eda M\u00e1rquez\u2019s collection of journalistic writings, The Scandal of the Century and Other Writings, offers a glimpse into the literary giant\u2019s gift for telling memorable stories, with characters and events that take root and linger in one\u2019s consciousness.

Before his ascent to worldwide literary fame, Garc\u00eda M\u00e1rquez worked as a journalist in Colombia, progressing to reporting stints in France, Italy, Venezuela, and Mexico. This anthology includes 50 articles published between 1950 and 1984. The subjects range from political revolution to foreign policy maneuverings to the horrors of human trafficking and murder. Whether he\u2019s writing about pimps or heads of states, Garc\u00eda M\u00e1rquez contemplates human suffering and the often-ruinous consequences of desire. In divulging imperfections among flawed humans, he manages to inspire empathy for human folly.

Journalists excel at their craft by bearing witness and recording history, and Garc\u00eda M\u00e1rquez mastered both. This volume offers the Nobel Prize winner\u2019s astute observations, allegories and metaphors, and affinity for the macabre and fantastical. Some articles connect factual and lived reality with a supernatural bent, illustrating the author\u2019s early forays into magical realism. The articles serve as an important reminder of why Garc\u00eda M\u00e1rquez was such a beloved storyteller: he fully understood the fragility of the human condition and, in so doing, made us feel his ruminative agony.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "02-May-2019 17:29:14", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007725019", "title": "The Flight Portfolio: A novel", "author": "Julie Orringer", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Mandy Nevius", "word_count": 189, "review": "The Flight Portfolio follows the rescue efforts of real-life hero Varian Fry, a Harvard-educated journalist who moved to Vichy France to help Jewish writers, artists, intellectuals, and other anti-Nazi refugees escape war-torn Europe. Not only is Varian\u2019s work dangerous, but so is his homosexual romance with Elliot Grant, a Harvard friend who Varian had a short affair with twelves years prior to reconnecting with him in France. Grant has secrets of his own; all his life he has passed as white despite his black heritage. With very little resources and support from neutral America, Varian, Grant, and their colleagues stop at nothing to preserve the lives of as many refugees as they can.

Julie Orringer is a master at creating fully realized characters. She tenderly explores Varian\u2019s rumored homosexuality; the relationship between Varian and Grant alone makes this novel worth reading. Orringer\u2019s ability to imagine Varian\u2019s experiences and thoughts is thrilling. However sometimes her writing is so detailed that it borders on excessive. The novel asks important moral questions that readers will struggle with. The Flight Portfolio beautifully highlights a little known historical figure that deserves to be remembered.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "02-May-2019 17:59:39", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "576 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000007723007", "title": "Son of Havana: A Baseball Journey from Cuba to the Big Leagues and Back", "author": "Luis Tiant", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1085, "review": "Sports Education Roundup\n\nWhether you\u2019re looking for inspiration to take up a new sport, tips on how to improve your game, or just a good read for during the summer months, the following five sports books all have something to offer. From basketball to baseball, football to golf and cross-country running, these books tell the extraordinary and inspirational stories of a wide range of athletes, whether just starting out, at their peak, or on the comeback trail.\n\nThree-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty by Jeff Pearlman\n\nThree-Ring Circus presents a definitive account of the highs, the lows, and the controversies experienced by the Los Angeles Lakers (and their fans) during the period 1996 to 2004, which saw many of the biggest names in the game take to the court. While the main characters are, unsurprisingly, center Shaquille O\u2019Neal and shooting guard Kobe Bryant, as well as coach Phil Jackson, Jeff Pearlman takes pains to highlight the roles of other Lakers stars, such as Nick Van Exel, Samaki Walker, and Mark Madsen, and members of the coaching squad in the team\u2019s successes and losses. He examines what made the team so great, the extent to which O\u2019Neal and Bryant were more similar than people generally thought, and how ego ultimately led to the disintegration of the team. Pearlman has a way with words that makes his factual reporting seem like storytelling, and his admiration for both the game of basketball and its players shines through on every page. This is a must-read book for basketball fans that pulls no punches but also offers a fitting and touching tribute to the late Kobe Bryant.\n\nRoaring Back: The Fall and Rise of Tiger Woods by Curt Sampson\n\nArguably, few athletes have experienced a fall from grace and a decline in competitive performance as monumental and well-publicized as that suffered by Tiger Woods after the spectacular and hugely public failure of his marriage and his two subsequent car crashes, to say nothing of the eight surgeries he required. However, despite the undoubted controversies, Woods is recognized as being one of the greatest golfers of all time, having won four Masters titles before injury forced him to take a career break. Of course, that wasn\u2019t the end of the story and, in Roaring Back: The Fall and Rise of Tiger Woods, Curt Sampson chronicles both Woods\u2019 troubled times and his spectacular return to golf, which saw him win a fifth Masters title in 2019. In telling Woods\u2019 remarkable story, Sampson relates the comebacks of other players and also shares the insights of a host of golf insiders, ranging from caddies to coaches to Augusta locals, concerning the source of Woods\u2019 greatness and his ability to come back from the brink. \n\nHell with the Lid Off: Inside the Fierce Rivalry between the 1970s Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers by Ed Gruver and Jim Campbell\n\nDuring the 1970s, the NFL was dominated by the rivalry between the Oakland Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers. As Ed Gurver and Jim Campbell detail in Hell with the Lid Off: Inside the Fierce Rivalry between the 1970s Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers, the infamous rivalry was sparked by the 1972 playoff game in which Franco Harris\u2019 touchdown, the result of the so-called \u201cImmaculate Reception\u201d (or \u201cDeception,\u201d depending on which side is favored), gave the Steelers the win against the Raiders. That game led to a five-year fight for dominance between the two teams, which were both known for their physicality and imposing presence on the field. Things eventually got so heated between the teams in terms of the mudslinging that a defamation of character court case resulted. Focusing on the larger-than-life personalities involved, Gurver and Campbell provide a thrilling account of a turbulent period in the history of football as well as the games, players, and coaches that characterized it.\n\nAmazing Racers: The Story of America's Greatest Running Team and Its Revolutionary Coach by Marc Bloom\n\nIn Amazing Racers: The Story of America's Greatest Running Team and Its Revolutionary Coach, Marc Bloom relates the inspiring story of the Fayetteville-Manlius cross-country running teams and their innovative coach, Bill Aris. Under Aris\u2019 leadership, both the boys and girls teams have far exceeded expectations and come to dominate the Nike Cross Nationals championships. To offer just a few of the stats that Bloom presents, the girls team has won eleven of the last thirteen championships, while the boys team has the best cumulative national record in terms of championship podium performances. While Bloom can\u2019t detail exactly how Coach Aris has achieved such success with his teams (after all, that would mean giving away quite the advantage to rival teams), he does discuss some aspects of Aris\u2019 philosophy and his approach to fostering talent. Through interviews conducted with current and former runners, he sheds light on some of the unique features of the program and suggests how the teams managed to come so far so quickly. The insights provided into Aris\u2019 mindset lead to insights into the runners\u2019 varying approaches and motivations, which should prove highly valuable to those looking to improve their own performance.\n\nSon of Havana: A Baseball Journey from Cuba to the Big Leagues and Back by Luis Tiant\n\nWidely regarded as the best and most consistent pitcher yet to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Luis Tiant is among the greatest players to have ever featured on the roster of the Boston Red Sox. While his talent was never in any doubt, his distinctive style\u2013\u2013including the signature Fu Manchu mustache\u2013\u2013caused him to stand out from his contemporaries in Major League Baseball during the 1970s, as did his race and country of origin. In Son of Havana: A Baseball Journey from Cuba to the Big Leagues and Back, Tiant details his extraordinary career in baseball from the early days after political upheaval meant he could not return to his home in Cuba through to the glory days of the World Series with the Red Sox and on to his emotional homecoming when he played an exhibition game in Havana in 2016. Tiant\u2019s story is an unusual one in that even aside from his baseball greatest, he lived an inspirational life after being unwillingly exiled from Cuba, facing racism during his early days in the United States, and eventually going on against the odds to succeed beyond all measure. This engaging and punchy memoir tells interesting tales from a life well lived, both on the mound and off.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "01-May-2019 19:50:19", "publisher": "Diversion Books", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000007960035", "title": "Little Penguin's New Friend (I Can Read Level 1)", "author": "Tadgh Bentley", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sophia - Age 5", "word_count": 126, "review": "This is a fun story about a penguin and polar bear who become unlikely friends. The penguin has never met a polar bear and thinks he will be scary and mean at first but realizes that he is actually funny and nice. This was an easy-to-read book about penguins. It was very short, but the story was fun to read. I wish the book were a little longer because I love penguins. This book teaches you that you need to give new friends a chance and don\u2019t be too quick to judge someone you have never met! I think this book would be a good book for any kid who is learning to read, enjoys animal characters, and wants to try to read books by themselves.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "29-Jun-2019 21:23:12", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000007960031", "title": "Snow Much Fun!", "author": "Nancy Siscoe", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sohail - Age 9", "word_count": 188, "review": "A nice book about some friends in the snow. This book is about three friends that are so excited to play in the snow. Except for one. She for sure doesn\u2019t want to play outside in the snow. She keeps doing stuff so they won't have to go outside. Then, in the end, something happens. Now they\u2019re all happy. Nicely written. It was very descriptive and positive throughout the story. Two things that I wish were better were the flow and level of interest. The events that happened did not really go step by step toward the end. I also thought the author could have made the book a little more interesting. Maybe there could have been more action. I think the story was written in a way that I was able to understand the characters. For example, one of the little bunnies I learned about is not really an outdoor person. I think this book could make a pretty good series. Maybe if the author made a series and wrote the next book, it could be about the blue bunny after she starts playing in the snow.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "29-Jun-2019 21:19:24", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000007927023", "title": "A Year Around the Great Oak", "author": "Gerda Muller", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sophia - Age 5", "word_count": 136, "review": "This book was a good book describing the life of an oak tree and all of the animals and plants that might live in and around the oak tree. I enjoyed the pictures and that the story reminded me of oak trees near my house. I love nature and animals, so this book taught me a lot about both. The pictures were very beautiful, and I loved looking at how nature and the tree changed over time. I was surprised to learn that trees can be three-hundred years old! The story was very sweet and I enjoyed reading along with my parent. I would enjoy reading it again and again. I really liked how they had a party for the tree\u2014it made me want to have a party for my favorite trees in my yard too!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "21-Jun-2019 03:42:41", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000007920015", "title": "Metropolitan Stories: A Novel", "author": "Christine Coulson", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Sarah Grace Glover", "word_count": 207, "review": "Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the glorious walls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art? If so, here is your chance to find out. Take an intimate step behind the walls of the Met. See the daily interactions of guards, curators, and directors. Take a stroll with a visitor. See what happens with the art when no one is looking; see what happens when someone IS looking. See the close-knit community that is more of a dysfunctional family. See the Met as more than a museum: a calling, a dream job, an escape from reality, a beginning and an ending.

Christine Coulson\u2019s collection of short stories about the Met gets off to a rocky start. If you open it expecting a novel, as the title suggests it to be, it can be jarring to find yourself reading a collection of loosely connected short stories. The stories jump between time (step inside a painting to travel to Egypt in the 1920s), space (ghosts of past benefactors attend charity functions), and medium (sculptures and paintings compete for the role of muse), which can be difficult to follow. But if you stick around, the collection becomes more cohesive around halfway through and finishes on a strong, delightful note.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Jun-2019 23:09:24", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000007917003", "title": "Camilla, Cartographer", "author": "Julie Dillemuth PhD", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sophia - Age 5", "word_count": 135, "review": "The book Camilla, Cartographer is an interesting book about two animal friends (a boar and a porcupine) who use their love of maps and adventure to make a new path of their own. It was really cool to see how Camilla used an old map to help her discover new places and make a map of her own. I had never heard of a cartographer before and this story made me want to make maps of my own just like Camilla. The pictures in the book were very interesting too and I enjoyed looking at the pictures, especially the map Camilla made. The designs of the pictures were very creative and helped me understand the story and new ideas about cartography. I recommend this book to kids who like animal characters, adventures, exploring, and maps.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "17-Jun-2019 18:02:48", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007916015", "title": "Float: A Guide to Letting Go", "author": "Aimee L Ruland", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 139, "review": "Float is about how to let go of feelings that aren\u2019t serving us well. It\u2019s uplifting because it\u2019s a guide to letting go so you can feel happy and carefree and confident. The author takes us through all the colors of the rainbow and describes a few different emotions, then invites us to breathe them into a colored balloon and release it to sail away. Sometimes feelings can be difficult to explain, so talking about them with colors and examples makes everything more clear. The overall message is to love yourself enough to free yourself of any feelings or experiences that are weighing you down. This book has unique illustrations that go very well with the text. It will appeal to ten-year-olds and older kids and adults who are trying to figure out what to do with their emotions.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "17-Jun-2019 18:22:58", "publisher": "Loving Healing Press", "page_count": "34 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007914027", "title": "The Girl and the Tiger", "author": "Paul Rosolie", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Sutton", "word_count": 446, "review": "I found this to be engaging, informative, and so dispiriting. It was nigh impossible to pause reading it. Smoothly immersive, communicative of a world generally unfamiliar to western readers without being preachy or talking down, this is an adventure nudging at the classics level of writing.

A mini-synopsis: Isha is bright, inquisitive, and absolutely stifled in her Indian school. An autodidact, she finds adhering to the school\u2019s limited curricula and establishment difficult. Hoping to ameliorate this, her father determines to send her to \u201cthe jungle\u201d to be with her grandparents. That \u201cjungle\u201d proves to be thousands of acres of areca nut palms. In the middle of that boring (though towering) monoculture, Isha discovers a great banyan grove, preserved by quasi-religious veneration.

Repairing to that grove daily to meditate, read, and explore, she finds peacefulness and a refuge. However, another denizen of the grove, a pregnant tigress, subsisting clandestinely on street dog, peacocks, and monkeys, is awaiting her birthing time and remaining undiscovered, though the grove is in an area highly populated by humans. The tigress watches, and even approaches Isha during naps, to perform thorough olfactory examinations.

Bearing two cubs, the tigress depletes the local prey, due to the necessities of lactation. In the process of moving one cub, grown too large for simple carry, she is set upon by dog and human packs. Her male cub is lost and subsequently torn apart by the dogs. That pack attacks Isha, and the tigress, under the impression that it is assaulting her as-yet-unmoved cub, attacks, killing several and intimidating the rest. She herself is killed by gunfire as Isha clings to her rescuer\u2019s flank.

Realizing during treatment for her dog-imposed wounds why the tigress saved her, Isha runs to seek the surviving cub. Still bearing the tigress\u2019s scent, she is able to bond with the youngster, a female Isha names Kala. Isha embarks on a journey to take Kala to some place of refuge. They live hidden from mankind; Kala is sustained first by purchased milk, then some purchased or simply stolen goats. Isha is stressed to the point of collapse. Arun, a departed priest, saves her from unconsciousness and then meeting Timma, the mahout of blind elephant Hathi, Isha gains allies. Their struggles to insert Kala into a preserve area reveal the stultifying horror of Indian bureaucracy and the terrifying status of shrinking environments for India\u2019s creatures.

I found that all-too-real obstacles of terrain, legalities, and hostile humans made the denouement heart-stopping. There is an element of realism regarding body functions, the urgencies of hunger, and the realities of life in a compressing world that make this worth your reading even beyond the attraction of the tale itself. Gripping, well written.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "18-Jun-2019 00:03:17", "publisher": "Owl Hollow Press", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007908015", "title": "Marvin's Monster Diary 2 (+ Lyssa): ADHD Emotion Explosion (But I Triumph, Big Time)", "author": "Raun Melmed", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Susan Faith - Age 12", "word_count": 213, "review": "ADHD Emotion Explosion (But I Triumph, Big Time) is a book about ADHD. I don\u2019t know if the author Dr. Melmed has ADHD or not, but this is still a great book. I thought this book was very funny. I like how the author takes a serious subject (ADHD) and tells a story with humor that makes it less scary for a reader. This story is about monsters. There\u2019s this monster who has a science fair coming up but only thinks about explosions. He struggles when his teacher says, \u201cno unnecessary explosions.\u201d His girlfriend/classmate(?) named Lyssa teaches him about the exercise ST4 (Stop, Take Time To Think). She also teaches him about the \u201cmonstercam\u201d in which one uses his thumbs to make a rectangle. The monsters use silly adjectives like \u201cboring-snoring\u201d and \u201cscaretastic.\u201d I experience ADHD when something distracts me (I learned this at Camp MATES as the \u201cbrain eater\u201d). I can \u201cstop\u201d and \u201ctake time to think\u201d whenever there is a problem. Kids with ADHD can do that too! So I think this book is a good choice for kids who have ADHD because it provides useful ideas through a fun story and interesting characters. Even kids who don\u2019t have ADHD could read it because maybe they will understand their friends better!", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "14-Jun-2019 18:37:15", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "116 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000007900027", "title": "100 Times: A Memoir of Sexism", "author": "Chavisa Woods", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Cay Lane Wren", "word_count": 222, "review": "100 Times details exactly what it describes in the title, one woman\u2019s life reflected through the lens of one hundred experiences of sexism. The stories that Chavisa Woods details are self-described as not unusual and that in itself is her inspiration for compiling such a list; to drive the point home that the sexism she has experienced is mundane and normal procedure for any woman living today. Chavisa goes further to explicitly outline in her prologue saying \u201cit\u2019s not that my life has been exceptionally plagued with sexism. It\u2019s that it hasn\u2019t.\u201d and that is the heart of this book of traumas.

The stories described are about things done to the author, but through reading it you get a rather vivid outline of an amazing woman. She details her trials in a refreshingly calm and thoughtful tone, expressing disbelief more often than the histrionic outrage that some readers might assume this book would be full of. Though this woman\u2019s life is riddled with tension, Chavisa herself remains stalwart. Perhaps it is because, while the reader consumes the insanity, we can rest easier knowing it is a survivor\u2019s tale. She has lived to write about it and can look back with perspective and sometimes even humor. 100 Times is a fantastic true story of one unremarkable woman\u2019s survival in a remarkably sexist world.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "21-Jul-2021", "date_added": "11-Jun-2019 20:18:54", "publisher": "Seven Stories Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007895255", "title": "Out of Darkness, Shining Light", "author": "Petina Gappah", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 774, "review": "These four stunning reads will make you see history as you've never had before. Check out the thrilling sequel to /The Unseen/ will take you into a Nazi-occupied Norway, a mystery that finds the Bronte sisters working as detectives, the poignant sequel to /The Golem and the Jinni/ which weaves between World War I and the start of the twentieth century, and the journey that was taken across Africa to return Dr. Livingstone's body back to England. \n\nWhite Shadow (The Barroy Trilogy) \u2013 Roy Jacobsen\n\nIn this is the sequel to /The Unseen/, Ingrid Barroy finds herself alone on Barroy island and faces a reality worse than the war she experienced as a child. The Nazis have occupied Norway and soon bodies wash ashore following the bombing of a vessel that held prisoners of war from Russia. When one of those prisoners manages to survive, his presence gives Ingrid the company she's always craved, but this reality isn't a fairy tale. Ingrid knows the penalties she faces for keeping him a secret and knows the German authorities will be angry, but it's worth the risk, and so is the journey she must endure following her punishment for protecting him. She's been cast away from the island she calls home and is provided with a gift that will help her against the setting of war and those running from threats of famine. \n\nThe Diabolical Bones (A Bronte Sisters Mystery) \u2013 Bella Ellis\n\nAnne, Emily, and Charlotte Bronte are sisters that each have a love of literature that drives them as they send their poetry out to publishers in hopes of making their dreams of one day writing a novel come true. When the sisters aren't spending their time writing, they're seeking out their next case to pursue in their agency Bell Brothers and Company. As luck would have it, their housekeeper reveals the discovery of bones found in the chimney of an old farmhouse and gives them a warning along with informing them of a rumor about Clifton Bradshaw. The man was believed to have traded his soul to the devil in exchange for great wealth. The three sisters see an opportunity and take it upon themselves to investigate but the search for answers won't be easy after they learn that this may be part of a larger trap set with evil intentions. \n\nThe Hidden Palace: A Novel of the Golem and the Jinni \u2013 Helene Wecker\n\nChava and Ahmad's lives are revisited in this amazing sequel to /The Golem and the Jinni/. Chava is a woman made from clay which is a being known as a golem. She has the unique ability to hear the thoughts and feel the longings of others which drives her to help them. Ahmad has his own problems as a former jinni struggling to live life as a man after losing the freedom that came from exploring the desert. The fear of exposure causes these two from letting others discover their true identities and choose to pass as immigrants trying to make it in Manhattan during the 1900s. The two haven't deciphered what they mean to each other but they know that not only are their lives entwined, they've also influenced people around them. Sophia Winston is an heiress living on Park Avenue who is suffering from a strange cold-induced infliction after having contact with Ahmad. In hopes to fix her problem, she takes a trip to the Middle East which allows her to meet a banished jinni named Dima. In New York, Kreindel is a little girl that has brought the golem Yossele to life with her father while being unaware of what awaits her in her future such as living in an orphanage where the golem will be her only source of protection. /The Hidden Place/ weaves between the time periods of World War I and the start of the twentieth century with everyone's lives connected. \n\nOut of Darkness, Shining Light \u2013 Petina Gappah \n\nThis is a powerful exploration of nineteenth-century Africa and the adventure that various men and women took to bring the body of missionary and explorer, Dr. Livingstone, across the continent. Their journey takes them over fifteen hundred miles as they work to deliver his body, along with his papers and maps, back to England. The story is told through the perspective of Dr. Livingstone's clever cook Halima and freed slave Jacob Wainwright in a tale that brings to life the hypocrisy found in slavery and colonization. Gappah also details the hypocrisy that can be found within the heart and delivers a story that provides reasons to celebrate such as loyalty, resilience, and love.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Jun-2019 05:34:25", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000007895239", "title": "No More Holding Back: Emboldening Women to Move Past Barriers, See Their Worth, and Serve God Everywhere", "author": "Kat Armstrong", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Tahlia South", "word_count": 216, "review": "As a woman, it can be tough. We face wage discrimination, gender inequality, and sexism. There are people in this world who believe that women hold a special place and that that place is beneath. In Christianity, women endured the same defeat as they were only given certain roles to fulfill and blamed for acts while men were not held responsible. In No More Holding Back Kat Armstrong challenges us as women to embrace our purpose. Armstrong \"debunks five common myths about women and invites us to discover the joy and freedom of being all in for Jesus.\" The myths that she talks about are:

1. Women can't be trusted to learn and lead.
2. I don't have a lot to offer.
3. My greatest joy is marriage and highest calling is motherhood
4. I am too much to handle.
5. Leading ladies don't fit in supporting roles. She then offers a solution, which is to do what God says regardless of what anyone else thinks or says. My favorite chapter is Chapter Seven: \"All your soul.\" This resonated with me because, in my season, I am learning to praise God when life gets real. This is a great book and, I love that at the end of each chapter she provides reflective questions to make you think about each chapter.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "11-Jun-2019 05:28:17", "publisher": "Thomas Nelson", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007895007", "title": "A Choir of Lies", "author": "Alexandra Rowland", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 879, "review": "These young adult novels offer something for everyone from a memoir about women in the meat industry to a moving story about family and foster care to a re-imagining of /Oliver Twist/ with much more to be discovered! Check out captivating, thought-provoking, and stunning stories that range from the genres of graphic novel to memoir to fantasy to a heist thriller. \n\nLong Distance \u2013 Whitney Gardner\n\nThis graphic novel comes from the creator of /Fake Blood/. Summer is meant to be a time where you have no responsibilities and have fun with your closest friends, but for Vega, it's a time of change. Things take a turn for the worst when she's not only forced to spend her vacation without her best friend, but she learns that her parents have made the dreadful decision of moving them to Seattle. Now she's leaving her hometown behind, along with her best friend. In a plot to help her adjust to her new life and make some friends, Vega's parents decide that she should go to Summer Camp. Vega has made her own decision to find a way to return to Portland, but when weird things start happening, her only option is to work with her fellow campers to uncover the camp's secrets.\n \nGirl on the Block \u2013 Jessica Wragg\n\nIn this memoir, Jessica is a determined female butcher that fights for her place in the meat industry. At sixteen years old, Jessica received a job at a local shop that sent her behind the butcher's counter, typically run by men, and plunges her into a world where butchers used a secret language but are hesitant to share their secrets with her. A decade later and Jessica is navigating this male-dominated world while taking on the whole industry and proving herself. She finds herself facing challenges similar to her female counterparts fighting to prove themselves in the restaurant industry. She's had to earn every ounce of recognition, memorize every aspect of the meat, and face off against ageism and sexism. The graphic novel blends personal experience, craft, and delves into an honest look at the industry. \n\nThe Risk of Us \u2013 Rachel Howard\n\nA story that tackles the honesty of adoption and the foster system, /The Risk of Us/ is about a couple stepping into the role of fostering a child. After taking in a child, the three face hurdles in their journey to become a family. Maresa is seven years old and has a history filled with abuse with multiple failed foster families and outbursts induced by anger and panic attacks. The story explores the struggle of two parents and one child trying to understand what it means to be a family while a mother struggles with her own traumatic history and a father faces a worsening heart condition. The three of them long to become a real family but don't know how to take the first steps forward. /The Risk of Us/ takes place over the course of a year as Maresa enters the age that makes it harder for children in the system to find homes. Will the three learn how to be a family or is this an adoption that's meant to crumble? The story has a thought-provoking style that explores how children bring challenges into a relationship, the uncertainties surrounding building a family, and how empathy can bring down defenses. \n\nTwist \u2013 Tom Grass\n\nA re-imagining of /Oliver Twist/, this thrilling heist adventure that delivers a tale of love, betrayal, and plenty of danger. Twist is eighteen and has no money, family, or home with all he has being his reputation as one of London's most infamous street artists and abilities that have made him well-known as an urban climber. His luck starts to run out when the police set off after him and he realizes his freedom is at stake. After the mysterious Dodge saves him, he introduces him to con artist Cornelius Faginescu and is drawn into a world of stealing and danger. The further Twist is pulled within Cornelius' group, the closer he becomes to the charming Red and the more he understands about the truth behind Cornelius' plan for them. He soon learns that this world is more dangerous than he realized and now he must figure out how to stay alive. \n\nA Choir of Lies \u2013 Alexandra Rowland \n\nThis is the follow-up to /A Conspiracy of Youth/ and takes place three years since Yfling's master-Chant ripped apart a nation with just the power of his words. Yfling has started over in a new realm but his heart is still broken and he continues to grieve what he lost. He has received employment from a wealthy merchant as a translator. Sterre de Waeyer has offered Yfling a second chance, but Yfling still struggles with events of his past, the feeling of alienation, and his fear of telling stories. Everything changes after his new employer discover the truth about him and are forced to tell stories that send the city into mania over getting shipments for an exotic flower. Disaster pushes him into crossroads where he's forced to decide if he wants to be like his former master and let the city destroy itself, or use the power of his stories to save everyone?", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "10-Jun-2019 09:32:38", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000007893011", "title": "Project Revenant", "author": "Lawrence Drexel Jr", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 515, "review": "Lawrence Drexel thought he was all done with being a government agent after retiring from the United Defense Intelligence and Response, or UDIR, after serving his country for twenty years and receiving many commendations for his work. Lawrence was looking forward to once again enjoying civilian life and doing a number of \u201cnormal everyday\u201d things with his wife. But that all suddenly changes when reports begin to come in of people acting weird and biting others. These strange cases increase in number quickly and soon things are getting out of hand, as major cities are quarantined and then eventually \u201cnapalmed\u201d and wiped out in an attempt to control this growing epidemic.

After being summoned once again and barely making it out of a hospital alive, Lawrence and his wife are rescued and taken to a secret submarine, where he is reinstated as commander for UDIR and must now put the pieces together. It is clear that a zombie infestation is somehow taking over the country (even though this did not apparently occur to any of the characters for many pages) and it\u2019s up to Lawrence (with the help of his wife, Lisa) to use his training and experience to find out how this all started and what can be done about. The question is whether it is not already too late.

While the simple plot for Project Revenant can be easily summarized, actually parsing it out from the book as one reads it is akin to extracting the proverbial blood from the proverbial stone. Where to begin? From the very first line, the book reads like the first draft of a first book by a first-time author. Every sentence is awkward, wordy, and heavy. Details and points are often repeated over and over for no apparent reason, and only serve to completely derail the reader from attempting to connect with the story. Then there are the countless typos, spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and misuse of words that make slogging through the paragraphs much like climbing Mount Everest without an oxygen tank: the further one goes, the harder it becomes to keep going.

The main character, Lawrence Drexel (who also bears the same name as the author, apparently), is a character that approaches the ridiculous in his abilities. Here is an opening description: \u201cSpecifically, he was a scientist and a field agent. Lawrence held doctorates in human biochemistry, human sociology, human genetics, and human physiology. As far as being a field agent is concerned, Lawrence was trained in anti-terrorism, infiltration, intelligence gathering, weapons handling, assassination, espionage, basic explosives, and basic first aid.\u201d As soon as he enters a room, whether it be a hospital or a government meeting, all bow down before his munificence and agree to whatever he decides, while his wife, who has had her own considerable training for UDIR, serves as little more than a prop to help Drexel shine all the more.

Perhaps, if Project Revenant went through several edits and rewrites, along with some serious editing and copyediting and adapting the protagonist to be more realistic and believable, a decent enough book might be salvaged.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "08-Jun-2019 22:08:27", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "170 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000007875007", "title": "I Wanted Fries With That: How to Ask for What You Want and Get What You Need", "author": "Amy Fish", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Gretl Wagner", "word_count": 203, "review": "Every day is full of opportunities, big and small, either to speak up or miss out. Many of us feel awkward complaining or even expressing our own wants. This is a textbook on how to ask for what you need and complain effectively (hint: it's not a Facebook rant).\u00a0The\u00a0book is quick and broad, offering great advice about how and why you should and can negotiate your desires and advocate\u00a0for others as well as yourself. The author offers reassurance and encouragement, and even sample scripts that will help you overcome your reticence in a variety of situations. Her principles for speaking up (and how) include talking to the right person, at the right time (and when to escalate); figuring out where you can compromise; admitting when you are wrong and being honest; and getting the other person on your side. Each chapter hosts a helpful technique, illustrated by an amusing or memorable episode from the author's experience that vividly explains how this technique can be put into practice. The writing is cute, friendly, and very informal, making these suggestions easy to understand and easy to put into practice. Use them and get more of what you want and need every day.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "09-Oct-2019", "date_added": "05-Jun-2019 00:41:06", "publisher": "New World Library", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007865031", "title": "The Dream Defenders", "author": "Neal DenHartog", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Downing", "word_count": 201, "review": "The Dream Defenders is the story of a normal boy, Nolan, and his normal baby brother, Max, discovering how to fit together as a family. Except back up a minute, because Nolan is also being recruited for the DREAM Institute, dedicated to keeping the dreaming population safe. And his classmate Aeryn is definitely in on it. So maybe nothing in Nolan\u2019s life is quite as normal as it might seem. For anyone with a love of the fantastical, Nolan, Aeryn, and their friends have the perfect adventure for you. With a very wonderful and funny cast of characters that you\u2019ll soon consider friends and a healthy helping of magic, Neal Denhartog\u2019s book mixes the classic family narrative with the fantasy of dreams. It\u2019s the kind of book that draws you in so far that you just can\u2019t put it down until it\u2019s done. One more chapter, you tell yourself, because you just have to know what happens. I know that\u2019s what I did! For readers young and old looking for a story about strong friendships, charming characters, and maybe a lot of magic, The Dream Defenders by Neal Denhartog is exactly where you should look next. Have fun and happy dreaming!", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2019 03:01:37", "publisher": "August Inkling Press", "page_count": "318 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000007860023", "title": "Reading Backwards", "author": "John Crowley", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Ryder Miller", "word_count": 228, "review": "Reading Backwards, by award-winning writer and professor, John Crowley, contains essays and reviews written by him between 2005 and 2018. The hefty book of four-hundred-and-forty-four pages will, as hoped, delight and fascinate. There are close to forty entries covering a variety of subjects, many literary, but also topical and social. Literature students are bound to find many things here that they will want to explore. The detailed writing demands attention. Crowley, who is famous for some genre classics like Little, Big, and Engine Summer, has covered many subjects. His writing is erudite and sophisticated. He also is ambitious with some worthwhile and lofty goals but is more accessible to read than Zola and Flaubert.

It makes sense from this that Crowley, with the same last name as a famous magician, could tell fantastical tales in many ways. Crowley is modern, and not famous for telling stories about war or what one would expect from epic fantasy, but usually of the troubles, wonders and desires of life. There is a belief in some magical things, which is somewhat commonplace. Many of the authors he celebrates wrote fantastical tales also. Crowley has gone onto profound writing about ghosts, the hereafter, and pacifism. Many fascinating pieces from a variety of sources are included in this book, which is, sadly, a bit big to carry out of the house in cargo pants.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "01-Jun-2019 20:31:04", "publisher": "Subterranean Press", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008061019", "title": "Long Bright River: A Novel", "author": "Liz Moore", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 243, "review": "Long Bright River is on plenty of \"must read\" lists, and after finishing it, it is easy to see why. At the heart of the story is the broken relationship of sisters Mickey, a police officer, and Kacey, an addict living on the streets who sells her body to feed her habit. When Mickey realizes she has not seen Kacey around lately, and several bodies are discovered in the area she patrols, Mickey risks everything to find out what happened to her sister. Mickey proves to be a reliable narrator and the story is told from her point of view, in both the past and present. As the story unfolds, the history of the family is slowly revealed and the reader is able to get a better understanding of the circumstances Mickey and Kacey find themselves in. At times, this book is difficult to read because the issues faced by the characters are current, sad, real, and frightening. The baggage each character carries is complex and multilayered, and just when the reader thinks they understand the motives behind a particular action or behavior, they are forced to re-evaluate. Despite the difficult topics, Moore beautifully captures the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on family, friends, and the community. This book is complex and multilayered and it is difficult to classify it into one genre. Suffice it to say, Long Bright River has something for those that enjoy literary fiction, family drama, and mystery.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2019 20:47:04", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008059019", "title": "Wardens of Eternity", "author": "Courtney Allison Moulton", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 503, "review": "Ziva has always taken care of herself and hasn\u2019t relied on anyone. Everything changes when she meets Sayer and Nasira, who introduce her to a world where monsters and gods are real. She uncovers a shocking secret about her origins that traces back to Egyptian royalty and comes with the discovery of powerful abilities that date back to the time when gods ruled. Ziva is drawn up against a growing darkness shrouding War World II and sets out to prevent the Nazis from finding a dangerous weapon. When Ziva catches the attention of the Nazis, she turns to her new friends for guidance as she explores the extent of her abilities and prepares for the fight of a lifetime.

Courtney Moulton brings to life an amazing historical fantasy that will captivate you with an addicting adventure that\u2019s hard to put down. The unique world and dazzling characters are a breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre. Ziva is used to looking out for herself with a shining wit and a strong personality which is balanced by her loving heart and the strength she discovers within herself. Sayer and Nasira introduce her to this exciting and dangerous world that helps her where she came from while also filling the void of a family that Ziva longs for. Moulton delivers a unique approach to Egyptian mythology by wearing the inclusion of gods such as Set and Anubis into the historical backdrop of War World II. The unique mythology that Moulton delivers a fresh perspective on various gods and brings to life threads of Egyptian mythology. The story is an exciting mashup of powerful gods, dangerous monsters, and Nazis which provide a triple threat that pushes Ziva to discover her role in this whole battle and helps her to become the hero she\u2019s meant to be. Moulton blends Nazis and Egyptian gods into a world that flawlessly creates a new genre that works with magical and captivating results. Ziva\u2019s journey is one that is rooted in self-discovery as she learns about her origins which helps her understand the power within herself. She connects with Sayer and Nasira who give her the family dynamic she\u2019s always wanted and act as her guides through this new reality. As the battle unfolds around her, Ziva is pushed to an emotional exhausting place that helps her find herself in the world of gods and power. The story is woven with scenes from the perspective of Anubis which gives a delightful inclusion of the gods as their presence is important to her journey. She\u2019s driven by the search for the truth about her parents with her limits pushed until she discovers just what she\u2019s capable of. Action-packed moments are well-written and each one-ups the extent of Ziva\u2019s powers which propel the fight against the Nazis until an exciting conclusion. Wardens of Eternity is a thrilling, action-packed, and addicting historical adventure that provides a fresh perspective and a rich voice with a unique twist on Egyptian mythology and War World II.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "29-Jul-2019 20:42:27", "publisher": "Blink", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008059015", "title": "The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life", "author": "Boyd Varty", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 192, "review": "The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life is basically two books in one. On the one hand, it follows Varty and his friends and fellow trackers Alex and Renias into the South African bush as they track down a lion. It relates their journey, which is full of adventure and years of experience getting to know what the land can tell them. On another level, this is a book about helping the reader find or track their own path in life. As Varty shows throughout, life is about the call. But in order to hear that call, you must be listening. If you are looking but not seeing you may very well miss your path, and as a result, life might pass you by before you even notice.

Varty's story and thoughts really resonated with me. This is definitely a well-written, not to mention well-presented, clever little gem of a book. The profound words and advice that Varty has in this slim volume might change your life if you are open and listening. So, stay alert, don't miss what's important, be that a lion in the bush or anything else you desire to experience.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2019 20:23:08", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008054003", "title": "Let's All Creep Through Crocodile Creek", "author": "Jonny Lambert", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 194, "review": "According to my four-year-old, Let\u2019s All Creep Through Crocodile Creek is one of the funniest and most entertaining books he\u2019s been read in a long time! I can\u2019t tell you how many times each night it is requested to be read. From an adult perspective, I have to agree that it is entertaining, and makes the listeners think. The story starts with three lovable characters, Rabbit, Shelly the turtle, and Mouse, thinking about starting to head home before it gets too dark. Mouse suggests they take a shortcut through the \u201ccreepy, crooked creek.\u201d Rabbit isn\u2019t so sure about that idea, but due to the mouse\u2019s insistence, they head that way despite the rumor of crocodiles living in this creek. Shelly apparently has never seen a crocodile, so each leg of the journey Mouse describes their characteristics. Coincidentally, on those legs of the journey, the trio also deals with something similar to what is being described: they must swing through dark green vines at the same time that the mouse is describing crocodile\u2019s flippy, whippy tails! The illustrations are colorful with much to see, and the whole book is enjoyable for any age to read.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "26-Jul-2019 17:52:21", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008048455", "title": "A Good Neighborhood", "author": "Therese Anne Fowler", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littel", "word_count": 250, "review": "In the affluent and beautiful Oak Knoll neighborhood in North Carolina, modest houses are slowly being razed and giving way to larger, more opulent homes as older residents leave or die, selling their properties to younger, wealthier families. The Whitmans, helmed by local HVAC celebrity Brad, are new to Oak Knoll, and their backyard neighbors, Valerie Alston-Holt and her teenage son Xavier are wary but welcoming. Neither family is thrilled when Xavier begins dating seventeen-year-old Juniper Whitman. There\u2019s the affront of the Whitmans\u2019 oversized home and Valerie\u2019s anger over the damage the construction has wrought on her beloved oak. There\u2019s also the fact that the Whitmans are white, and Valerie is black. Xavier, whose late father was white, straddles the void, his intelligence and ambition seeming to promise safe passage. When Valerie crosses Brad with a lawsuit over the tree, however, Brad retaliates, and no one will escape the escalation unharmed.

Dread builds from the very first page of this novel, when the neighborhood chorus announces, \u201cWe begin our story here\u2026\u201d Harm will come to the innocents, that much is clear, and the question of blame isn\u2019t answered as neatly as one might hope. Everyone has heard this story before, at least the broad strokes of it, and this is itself the queasy moral. The horror that Fowler renders in these pages is threaded through with an inevitability that is, perhaps, the most wrenching thing of all. A Good Neighborhood is a page-turner, but there is no joy in the turning.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2019 01:24:51", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008048423", "title": "Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation", "author": "Stuart Gibbs", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Antonio - Age 13", "word_count": 215, "review": "This is a fast-paced action story with twists and turns that keep you turning the pages. The CIA is looking for an equation that holds the key to ultimate power. If the wrong people get their hands on Albert Einstein\u2019s equation it could be the end of the world. The Furies are anxious to find it and twelve-year-old Charlie, a genius, might be the CIA\u2019s only hope of getting it first. The story is well written and told in the third person. It is quite unbelievable, but you still get caught up in it. There is violence but no bad language. The plot is well thought-out and complex enough to keep older kids interested and engaged, especially with the clues you have to figure out. The characters are likable and real, but Charlie\u2019s abilities are a bit far-fetched. Even so, you find yourself rooting for her and caring what happens to her. She has horrible parents, and that is a strike against this book for me because I am not a fan of books where the amazing kid has awful parents. This is a good book for people who like action, spies, and adventures, especially with a girl as the main character. Kids who are ten years old and up should really enjoy this book.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2019 01:18:56", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008048379", "title": "Amazing Racers: The Story of America's Greatest Running Team and Its Revolutionary Coach", "author": "Marc Bloom", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1085, "review": "Sports Education Roundup\n\nWhether you\u2019re looking for inspiration to take up a new sport, tips on how to improve your game, or just a good read for during the summer months, the following five sports books all have something to offer. From basketball to baseball, football to golf and cross-country running, these books tell the extraordinary and inspirational stories of a wide range of athletes, whether just starting out, at their peak, or on the comeback trail.\n\nThree-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty by Jeff Pearlman\n\nThree-Ring Circus presents a definitive account of the highs, the lows, and the controversies experienced by the Los Angeles Lakers (and their fans) during the period 1996 to 2004, which saw many of the biggest names in the game take to the court. While the main characters are, unsurprisingly, center Shaquille O\u2019Neal and shooting guard Kobe Bryant, as well as coach Phil Jackson, Jeff Pearlman takes pains to highlight the roles of other Lakers stars, such as Nick Van Exel, Samaki Walker, and Mark Madsen, and members of the coaching squad in the team\u2019s successes and losses. He examines what made the team so great, the extent to which O\u2019Neal and Bryant were more similar than people generally thought, and how ego ultimately led to the disintegration of the team. Pearlman has a way with words that makes his factual reporting seem like storytelling, and his admiration for both the game of basketball and its players shines through on every page. This is a must-read book for basketball fans that pulls no punches but also offers a fitting and touching tribute to the late Kobe Bryant.\n\nRoaring Back: The Fall and Rise of Tiger Woods by Curt Sampson\n\nArguably, few athletes have experienced a fall from grace and a decline in competitive performance as monumental and well-publicized as that suffered by Tiger Woods after the spectacular and hugely public failure of his marriage and his two subsequent car crashes, to say nothing of the eight surgeries he required. However, despite the undoubted controversies, Woods is recognized as being one of the greatest golfers of all time, having won four Masters titles before injury forced him to take a career break. Of course, that wasn\u2019t the end of the story and, in Roaring Back: The Fall and Rise of Tiger Woods, Curt Sampson chronicles both Woods\u2019 troubled times and his spectacular return to golf, which saw him win a fifth Masters title in 2019. In telling Woods\u2019 remarkable story, Sampson relates the comebacks of other players and also shares the insights of a host of golf insiders, ranging from caddies to coaches to Augusta locals, concerning the source of Woods\u2019 greatness and his ability to come back from the brink. \n\nHell with the Lid Off: Inside the Fierce Rivalry between the 1970s Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers by Ed Gruver and Jim Campbell\n\nDuring the 1970s, the NFL was dominated by the rivalry between the Oakland Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers. As Ed Gurver and Jim Campbell detail in Hell with the Lid Off: Inside the Fierce Rivalry between the 1970s Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers, the infamous rivalry was sparked by the 1972 playoff game in which Franco Harris\u2019 touchdown, the result of the so-called \u201cImmaculate Reception\u201d (or \u201cDeception,\u201d depending on which side is favored), gave the Steelers the win against the Raiders. That game led to a five-year fight for dominance between the two teams, which were both known for their physicality and imposing presence on the field. Things eventually got so heated between the teams in terms of the mudslinging that a defamation of character court case resulted. Focusing on the larger-than-life personalities involved, Gurver and Campbell provide a thrilling account of a turbulent period in the history of football as well as the games, players, and coaches that characterized it.\n\nAmazing Racers: The Story of America's Greatest Running Team and Its Revolutionary Coach by Marc Bloom\n\nIn Amazing Racers: The Story of America's Greatest Running Team and Its Revolutionary Coach, Marc Bloom relates the inspiring story of the Fayetteville-Manlius cross-country running teams and their innovative coach, Bill Aris. Under Aris\u2019 leadership, both the boys and girls teams have far exceeded expectations and come to dominate the Nike Cross Nationals championships. To offer just a few of the stats that Bloom presents, the girls team has won eleven of the last thirteen championships, while the boys team has the best cumulative national record in terms of championship podium performances. While Bloom can\u2019t detail exactly how Coach Aris has achieved such success with his teams (after all, that would mean giving away quite the advantage to rival teams), he does discuss some aspects of Aris\u2019 philosophy and his approach to fostering talent. Through interviews conducted with current and former runners, he sheds light on some of the unique features of the program and suggests how the teams managed to come so far so quickly. The insights provided into Aris\u2019 mindset lead to insights into the runners\u2019 varying approaches and motivations, which should prove highly valuable to those looking to improve their own performance.\n\nSon of Havana: A Baseball Journey from Cuba to the Big Leagues and Back by Luis Tiant\n\nWidely regarded as the best and most consistent pitcher yet to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Luis Tiant is among the greatest players to have ever featured on the roster of the Boston Red Sox. While his talent was never in any doubt, his distinctive style\u2013\u2013including the signature Fu Manchu mustache\u2013\u2013caused him to stand out from his contemporaries in Major League Baseball during the 1970s, as did his race and country of origin. In Son of Havana: A Baseball Journey from Cuba to the Big Leagues and Back, Tiant details his extraordinary career in baseball from the early days after political upheaval meant he could not return to his home in Cuba through to the glory days of the World Series with the Red Sox and on to his emotional homecoming when he played an exhibition game in Havana in 2016. Tiant\u2019s story is an unusual one in that even aside from his baseball greatest, he lived an inspirational life after being unwillingly exiled from Cuba, facing racism during his early days in the United States, and eventually going on against the odds to succeed beyond all measure. This engaging and punchy memoir tells interesting tales from a life well lived, both on the mound and off.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jul-2019 01:11:08", "publisher": "Pegasus Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008048307", "title": "Stolen Things", "author": "R. H. Herron", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 982, "review": "Popular Reads\n\nThe best seller lists can be a great source of new reading material, pointing interested readers toward popular, award-winning, and worthy books. The five titles included in this roundup have all won a heap of praise and sold incredibly well, and they are all highly recommended. \n\nThe Silence by Don Delillo\n\nDon Delillo\u2019s The Silence is a frighteningly prescient novel about an all too plausible global catastrophe. On Super Bowl Sunday in 2022, a retired physics professor and her husband are preparing to host a dinner party at their Manhattan apartment. One of the guests is a former student and, as kickoff looms, the three of them await the arrival of a couple who are due to fly in from France. Then, during the last commercial before kickoff, an unexplained disaster strikes: digital devices worldwide cease working, leaving people with no electronic means of communication and connection. Unfortunately, for those at the dinner party at least, the inability to rely on digital communication seemingly reflects a lack of interpersonal communication skills, although Delillo ensures that they have weighty monologues and plentiful internal strife to share. It\u2019s an unusual take on a post-apocalyptic situation as the characters embrace the mundanity of societal collapse rather than seeking out the cause and solution.\n\nThe Phone Booth at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina\n\nEverything in Yui\u2019s life reset on March 11, 2011\u2013\u2013the day a devastating tsunami hit Japan. It was the day she lost both her mother and her daughter. Sometime later and still consumed by grief, she hears a rumor about a disused phonebooth that bereaved people have started to visit so that they might talk to and about their lost loved ones and, it that way, begin to heal their pain. Yui decides that she will chance visiting the phonebooth, but once she gets there, she feels unable to actually lift the receiver and start talking. Instead, she meets a grieving widower whose daughter has stopped speaking in the wake of his wife\u2019s death. Yui\u2019s journey through heartbreak and loss is deeply moving and, ultimately, uplifting as it portrays how those touched by tragedy have to live with the resultant feelings forever, while the rest of the world is able to move on. Laura Imai Messina\u2019s The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World is a beautiful exploration of grief and healing. Its meditative tone makes for a quiet yet profound read.\n\nStolen Things by R.H. Herron\n\nWhat do you do when it appears that everything you have always believed in might just be founded on lies? That\u2019s the question that Jojo Ahmadi has to face in Stolen Things by R.H. Herron, a crime story based on real-life events. Jojo\u2019s dad is the chief of police in her California hometown while her mom is a 911 police dispatcher, so it\u2019s no surprise that she\u2019s always considered the members of the police department to be her family. It\u2019s also no surprise that when Jojo is found drugged and in pain in the house of Kevin Leeds, a professional football player, the whole police department rushes to investigate. Also in the house is the dead body of Leeds\u2019 trainer, while Jojo\u2019s best friend Harper is missing from the scene. Leeds seems the most likely suspect but Jojo is convinced he would never hurt her. She embarks on her own investigation and, in the process, learns far more than she bargained on. The crime and Jojo\u2019s subsequent investigation make for a shocking thriller that certainly packs a punch as a host of secrets and lies are revealed. \n\nBefore You Go by Tommy Butler\n\nTommy Butler\u2019s debut novel, Before You Go, is a life-affirming work of speculative literary fiction. It follows Elliot Chance from childhood through to adulthood as he gets ever closer to understanding why he has never felt that he belonged to this world. Although he doesn\u2019t know it yet, the answers he seeks lie back in the time beyond memory, when humans were created with a hole in their heart and their creators didn\u2019t realize their mistake. In the present, he finds a pair of unlikely allies in his quest for understanding in Sasha, a young woman who is compelled to send coded messages out into the ether, and Bannor, a man who knows far too much about the future. With the support of his new-found friends, Elliot at last feels able to get on with the business of living, but the problem of the hole in humanity\u2019s heart will not be so easily solved. Elliot\u2019s journey through depression and disenfranchisement to awakening to the beauty and possibility of life is uplifting, while the sense of magic realism that characterizes his world elevates the story to something really special.\n\nPrivilege by Mary Adkins\n\nA timely tale of campus life and both gender and social politics in the #MeToo era, Mary Adkin\u2019s Privilege is set in Carter University, allegedly the \u201cHarvard of the South.\u201d Annie Stoddard was a big fish in the small pond that was her Georgia high school, but now she\u2019s enrolled at Carter, she realizes just how marked she is by her economically underprivileged upbringing. Similarly, Bea Powers is wondering if she made a mistake by putting aside her fears of being a biracial student in the South and deciding to attend Carter, especially as everyone seems to have a different idea of what justice and equality mean. Meanwhile, Stayja York works at a campus coffeeshop and has to cope with serving Carter students all day as she attempts to save for her own education. The lives of the three women unexpectedly intersect when Annie accuses a male student of sexual assault, and they will all be profoundly changed by their encounters. Told from the alternating perspectives of all three women, the story is thought-provoking and surprisingly tense, mixing contemporary real-world concerns with campus fiction tropes.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jul-2019 00:50:11", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008048287", "title": "Evil: The Science Behind Humanity's Dark Side", "author": "Julia Shaw", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 200, "review": "Evil is one of the most fundamental concepts in human culture. Many of our stories revolve around the battle of good and evil. We paint our enemies, our rivals, and those who are different from us as evil. Plenty of religions are happy to cast aside entire groups of people as evil. But what is evil, really? What does it mean? What makes a person evil?

Those are far harder questions to answer than you might think. After all, delving into cultural, historical, and even scientific parameters to try to define \"evil\" takes you to some very dark places. But Julia Shaw doesn't shrink from that harrowing challenge.

In Evil, Shaw examines actions and ideas often deemed to be evil and tries to get to the root of them, their origins, how they work, and why they affect us. She asks incredibly difficult questions\u2014even pondering how \"evil\" plays into acts of murder and pedophilia\u2014and seeks to quantify and truly understand what makes something evil.

This book isn't an easy read. Whole chapters are upsetting. But it's an incredibly worthwhile read nonetheless. It will make you question not just what you consider evil, but how you frame such moral declarations in the first place.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2019 00:37:25", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008048059", "title": "The Name of All Things (A Chorus of Dragons #2)", "author": "Jenn Lyons", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 200, "review": "Lyon's second /Chorus of Dragons/ book, The Name of All Things, is recorded this time by Senera, one of Relos Var's associates, and the majority consists of Janel and Qown telling Kihrin their story, in a bid to gain his assistance. First off, I loved Senera's footnotes! Even more than Thurvishar's notations in Ruin of Kings, these were full of deliciously sarcastic humor. The last maybe one-fourth of the book was a return to the present, and an epic battle. I might not agree with Var's methods, but through Senera, Janel, and Qown's eyes, one begins to see a much more complex and complicated adversary. Var is older than most realize, and with his gift and curse of longevity, Var sees time differently. I'll be interested to see if he continues as the villain in the next book. We get to see more Cornerstones! Qown has Worldhearth, which allows him to spy or communicate through light sources. Senera has The Name of All Things, which can answer any question. Var has Warmonger, though we don't learn how that Cornerstone works. Each Cornerstone is tied to one of the dragons. And there's one dragon whose Cornerstone I really want to learn!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "24-Jul-2019 23:35:38", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "592 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008043059", "title": "Antoni in the Kitchen", "author": "Antoni Porowski, with Mindy Fox", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 207, "review": "Star of the Netflix series Queer Eye, Antoni Porowski, brings fans of the show exactly what they have wished for, Antoni in the Kitchen. Simple and stunning, Antoni takes his readers on a beautiful culinary journey with a splay of breathtaking full-page color photographs, along with heartfelt comments and tips for every recipe. This book isn\u2019t just a look inside his kitchen but a window into his food-loving soul. With stories of his childhood, his family, and the inspiration drawn from his Polish ancestry, readers can\u2019t help to be inspired.

With Antoni\u2019s Top Ten culinary mantras, readers will know exactly what to expect and the level of attention that went into creating this cookbook. Elegant, sophisticated, and a celebration of every aspect of culinary fusion food lovers will delight in the recipes within. With recipes ranging in every skillset from the upscaled Easy Bastardized Ramen, sophisticated Blackened Swordfish, to the simplicity of Warm Herbed Olives, anyone can be a success. Fish, pasta, apps, vegetables, soups, and desserts are all explored in an easy detailed manner that makes anyone excited to try something new. The undeniable fact is with this many tempting recipes and Antoni\u2019s charming personality; every reader will want to jump in the kitchen and create.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Jul-2019 12:53:10", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008041075", "title": "Twice in a Blue Moon", "author": "Christina Lauren", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Jessica Ramirez", "word_count": 212, "review": "Christina Lauren is the \u2018what you see, is what you get\u2019 type of author. We know that we will have an epic love that will somehow find their way into our hearts and never let go. Twice in a Blue Moon was a good read; I love a good second-chance romance. The first half of the novel was definitely better than the second half. I think it\u2019s because it felt too rushed in the end. I don\u2019t know why, but I was just expecting way more than I got. That\u2019s not to say that it wasn\u2019t a good read, I just felt that special spark that makes a Christina Lauren novel great, was missing. The gist of the story is that two people meet while on vacation and fall in love. Then one part of the duo betrays the only in an astronomical way; causing the rift that will keep them away from each other for fourteen years! I enjoyed this for what it was but I just wish it would have had something a bit more in the end. Overall, if you\u2019re a lifetime fan of the two women who write beautiful romances for the soul, then I have no doubt that this could be a great addition to your shelves.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "24-Jul-2019 12:06:48", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008040175", "title": "Supernova Era", "author": "Cixin Liu, trans. by Joel Martinsen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Michael Shulman", "word_count": 158, "review": "Cixin Liu's new science fiction novel Supernova Era tells the story of a discovery by astronomers of a dying star that unleashes a supernova that is traveling toward earth. Upon studying it closer, it is determined that the radiation will kill anyone over the age of 13. A decision is made to tell the inhabitants of Earth about it and, subsequently, the adults begin to teach their children everything they should know to rebuild civilization. Primarily centering in Beijing, China, the book is brimming with characters from all walks of life and how they cope with the impending doom.

Although the premise is super improbable, this shortcoming is made up with highly developed and multidimensional characters. Liu, the author of the highly-acclaimed Remembrance of Earth trilogy weaves a taut and very suspenseful plot into the story that keeps the reader engaged throughout the book. Overall, I quite enjoyed Supernova Era despite its ridiculous plotline about a discriminating solar radiation.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "24-Jul-2019 03:27:51", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008040119", "title": "Highfire", "author": "Eoin Colfer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 169, "review": "Highfire by Eoin Colfer is one rollicking good read! When young \u2018Squib\u2019 Moreau witnesses a murder on the bayou (the murder of his new employer, no less) and nearly bites the dust when the killer realizes there had been a witness to the dastardly deed, he is rescued by an unlikely saviour.

This book cracked me up. Colfer does a masterful job of keeping the language and tone befitting of the setting. It was easy to fall in love with all the characters, even Regence and Ivory, villains though they be. My favourite parts were the dragon lore and the insights into Vern\u2019s physiology. While Vern isn\u2019t technically a wyvern, save by given name, the reason behind the definition of \u2018wyvern\u2019 in the story world was hilarious. (Vern is a dragon with six appendages. The wyvern of mythology are dragons with two wings and two hindfeet. No forefeet. Think Game of Thrones). I also loved the combustion mechanics and that fact that Vern needed to replenish by drinking oil.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "24-Jul-2019 02:59:57", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008038007", "title": "Good Girls Lie", "author": "J.T. Ellison", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 237, "review": "A student is found hanging from the gates of a prestigious, elite girls\u2019 boarding school where its students' futures are all but guaranteed. Who is the student, and is it suicide or murder? All eyes are focused on mysterious new student Ash Carr who has just arrived at the Goode School. Receiving a less-than-warm welcome, she is immediately pegged as an outsider, which is fine by Ash because she wants nothing more than to leave her past behind and focus on her studies. However, after she is summoned to attend a secret society, things at the elite school will never be the same as secrets, resentments, and betrayals are revealed.

Author J.T. Ellison\u2019s latest book, Good Girls Lie, is a twisty psychological mystery. Using several timelines and multiple points of view, none of which are reliable, the author lays out the story in a tightly written plot that fans of Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars will enjoy. The boarding school setting is almost another character of the story and one that evokes mystery, where tales of murder and haunted staircases prevail. The first third of the book is a slow burn rather than a page-turner, and while some questions are answered, others remain. After that, the pace picks up considerably but those looking to figure things out by following clues the author leaves will most likely be disappointed since the payoff comes on the last few pages.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "24-Jul-2019 01:57:19", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008033071", "title": "Cry Pilot", "author": "Joel Dane", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 148, "review": "Cry Pilot by Joel Dane introduces readers to a far future Earth that had nearly succumbed to global environmental destruction. I wasn't feeling this book, to begin with, but things picked up about a third through. The training and initial conflicts with the lampreys were exciting, and once they left training, the action got pretty intense. Just don't get too attached to characters! Several die some pretty grim deaths. I'm glad my favorite character, Ting Ting, makes it to the end. I'm looking forward to seeing how things progress with her in the next book. I loved the concept of technopaths! I hope we get to meet more in the next book. It seems like they could be very valuable assets against the lampreys. Just the ability to control tech with your mind sounds so cool! Recommended, especially if you enjoy the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2019 12:41:36", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "415 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008033059", "title": "The Vine Witch", "author": "Luanne G. Smith", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 213, "review": "Elena Boureanu, the vine witch once responsible for a superior wine from Chateau Renard in the Chanceaux Valley, has been missing for seven years. Her return to Chateau Renard and the vineyard to which she is inextricably bound opens Luanne G. Smith\u2019s delightful first novel The Vine Witch.

As Elena escapes the curse placed on her seven years before, she painstakingly makes her way back to her home where she finds her mentor and stand-in grandmother waiting for her. She also finds Chateau Renard has a new owner, one who doesn\u2019t believe in witchcraft. Jean-Paul Martel is a learned man, a former lawyer, who feels sense and reason and science should be enough to create bountiful yields and perfect wine, but so far he has failed. His competition, Bastien du Monde (who is incidentally Elena\u2019s ex-fiance) is driven to acquire Chateau Renard for himself. And, with the help of his wife\u2014a beautiful and terrifying bierhexe named Gerda\u2014he just might be able to do it.

When tragedy strikes the Chanceaux Vally and the authorities come looking for Elena, far more will be at stake than the reputation and legacy of Chateau Renard. With glorious attention to detail and sumptuous description, Luanne G. Smith has crafted an engrossing and enchanting tale of The Vine Witch.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2019 12:33:45", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "268 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008032111", "title": "Dark and Deepest Red", "author": "Anna-Marie McLemore", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 387, "review": "Lavinia and her family are forced to hide who they really are in order to protect themselves from prejudice, but the summer of 1518 threatens to expose all their secrets. A dancing fever sweeps through the village, which has brought women outside dancing until some fall dead. As accusations are thrown toward her family, Lavinia has a choice to make to save her family, which may cost her everything. In the present day, Rosella creates her own red shoes, but when they seal to her feet and she starts to dance uncontrollably, she has only one person that can help her. Emil works to uncover the secrets of his family history during a time that his relatives were blamed for a dancing plague.

Anna-Marie McLemore\u2019s latest story is a must-read fairy tale that you won\u2019t be able to put down, with endearing characters, a riveting plot, moving romance, and stunning writing. The story weaves between two time periods, with Lavinia in the past and Rosella in the present. As Rosella\u2019s story unfolds and the curse of the shoes overtakes her, Lavinia\u2019s own story and the events of the past slowly unfold until all the pieces are tied together. In the past, Lavinia has many secrets that, if discovered, could mean the death of her and those she loves. Lavinia\u2019s life is constantly on the edge of being discovered and McLemore layers a presence of fear into every choice Lavinia makes. Her romance with Alifair is fraught with danger and secrets, but their connection is undeniable, passionate, and sweet. McLemore delivers a love story that instills a passion and drive that pushes Lavinia to make the choices and sacrifices that she does. In the present, Rosella is uncovering her family story, navigating the connection she has with Emil, and understanding the magic she has within herself. The two girls share a connection that goes across the centuries that bonds them through dance, magic, passion, and romance. McLemore crafts an unforgettable fairy tale that blends sacrifice, love, self-discovery, and strength in a tale that raises the bar that all fairy tale retellings should look to. Weaving between two centuries, McLemore brings to life a stunning tale in Deep and Darkest Red told through strong voices that has passionate romance, strong female characters, and dangerous and beautiful magic that transcends time.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2019 15:53:40", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008032099", "title": "Blue Moon: A Jack Reacher Novel", "author": "Lee Child", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 230, "review": "Jack Reacher favors the underdog in the world, the scrappy types facing an uphill climb. When Reacher foresees a potential mugging of an elderly individual, Reacher ventures off his bus and into the man\u2019s life. In another part of the same city, competing Ukranian and Albanian mobs have reached an uneasy detente. The Ukranian boss drops a couple of names of alleged informers to the Albanians as a peace offering, disguising his true motivations. Reacher, having saved the older gentleman, is now privy to his predicament. A large payment is due to a loan shark from the Albanian mob, and time is of the essence. The absence of the lender leads to Reacher assuming the elderly man\u2019s identity when paying the money back. As Reacher learns more about the man and his financial calamity, the duty he has long held as a soldier burns deep. As the desperate hours pass into days, Reacher is now marked and bodies start to drop. A mob war has erupted; who will emerge in the end?

Blue Moon is the newest release in the action laced Jack Reacher story. Lee Child has not lost footing in grasping the reader\u2019s attention from minute one of his books. Reacher remains stoic in his loyal work for the downtrodden, his humor sharp and dark. The characters are eclectic and well composed. Child\u2019s work never fails to be irresistible.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2019 15:50:37", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Children's", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008032071", "title": "Joe Quinn\u2019s Poltergeist", "author": "David Almond, illus. by Dave McKean", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 219, "review": "Davie just wants to hang around with his pal Geordie and watch his crush as she plays blistering rounds of tennis. But he just can't get Joe Quinn's latest tall tale out of his head. Joe claims a poltergeist is haunting the home he shares with his single mom, and strangely enough, Davie believes him.

Joe Quinn's Poltergeist is one of those rare collaborations where both voices bring the best out of each other. Almond's patient, thoughtful, poignant storytelling is beautifully complimented by McKean's singular mixed-media art that grants vibrant thematic color to each scene. (The moment on the soccer pitch with the lads is a wonderful, transformative, heartbreaking example.) Both work in tandem to create a sense of possibility in Davie's world, the idea that maybe something like a poltergeist could be real.

And what really sells this book is that the teen angst feels genuine. When you're a teenager and everything seems uncertain, that knife's edge of understanding, confusion, and evolution that you walk on. Factor in the death of Davie's sister, his questions about God and faith, and a touch of the supernatural, and you've got a recipe for a marvelous jaunt through an unsettled time in Davie's life.

Joe Quinn's Poltergeist is far more than the spooky tale it appears to be at first glance.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2019 14:10:22", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008022043", "title": "The Contact Paradox: Challenging Our Assumptions in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence", "author": "Keith Cooper", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 221, "review": "Is alien life out there? No one knows for sure. But if it is, that gives us another important question to ask: should we attempt to contact it or not?

That question is at the heart of The Contact Paradox, a fascinating scientific exploration of the possibility of alien life, the history of human attempts to detect it, and the question of what to do in the event we do find something.

Cooper crams a lot into this book, exploring all of the conditions that made life possible on Earth, and then delving into all of the assumptions and conclusions we've drawn from the only verified example of life in the universe: our own planet. As he debunks notions of why aliens might visit (punching holes in the concepts of both resource-hunting aliens and friendly extraterrestrials), he also ponders the many ways first contact might go wrong... or right.

There's so much to unpack here, but Cooper makes it all easy to digest, even as he's blowing your mind with the sheer immensity of the universe and the incredible distances and challenges involved in locating, let alone communicating with, an alien species.

The Contact Paradox is the best of scientific writing: it's engaging, informative, full of wonder, heartbreakingly honest, and presents all sides fairly. Everything you need to know on the subject is right here.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "19-Jul-2019 08:01:22", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008018007", "title": "Star Spangled Scandal: Sex, Murder, and the Trial that Changed America", "author": "Chris DeRose", "category": "N09 History", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 201, "review": "A man aggrieved that his wife is having an affair in 1800s Washington DC one day kills the man, the son of Francis Scott Key, in broad daylight on the street. This book examines the main players, why a little known Congressman, little known in modern history books and largely forgotten, and U.S. District Attorney Philip Barton Key. The author also examines the debates about slavery, and the expansion of slavery, in this largely southern city, and how honor ultimately came to play a role in the shooting. While the players are largely forgotten because of the Civil War, and the vicissitudes of time itself, at the time it did grip the capital city, people read the papers for the latest testimony, and the verdict; while might be shocking for us would not be as shocking for that time period.

Honestly I am not sure this subject needed a book-length treatment, especially with the trial as short as it was, a good portion of the book is examining the backstories of the main players involved. It tries to keep the readers' attention with its scandalous reveals, and language. But ultimately it feels flat and uninteresting with larger national events overshadowing it.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jul-2019 22:01:38", "publisher": "Regnery History", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008014007", "title": "The Snow Bear (Winter Journeys)", "author": "Holly Webb", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 211, "review": "In The Snow Bear, a Winter Journey book, Sara is staying with her grandfather in northern Canada while her parents are waiting for the new baby to be born. Grandpa is supposed to drive her home in time for Christmas, but a big snowstorm makes it unsafe to travel. Sara is really sad. But she loves Grandpa, and he tells her a story about when he was a boy. He and his father went to visit the Inuit in the far north. He and an Inuit boy found a polar bear cub. Grandpa and Sara build a snow bear and a tiny igloo in the yard. That night Sara has a dream about the bear from grandpa\u2019s story. The snow bear turns into a magical polar bear cub, and it takes her back in time to visit the Inuit boy. Sara gets to visit an Inuit igloo. She eats Inuit food and dresses in sealskin clothes. She wants to take the bear cub to find his mother, but it\u2019s a long journey to where the polar bears hunt seals. Will Sara help the bear cub? The end of the book gives advice on how to build your own igloo and gives more facts about amazing animals that live in the arctic.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "17-Jul-2019 22:42:33", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4 1/2"} {"id": "425035000008014003", "title": "By the Gods of Babylon", "author": "Sin Leqi Unnini", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 587, "review": "Welcome to the world of ancient Mesopotamia. Under the skilled hands and mind of Sin Leqi Unnini, who, within the pages of a book called By the Gods of Babylon, takes readers on a unique journey into this distant, dark past, presenting a hefty slice of life in this long book of what an average day looked like for the people of Babylon or Ur, or other renowned towns among the Tigris and Euphrates\u2014whether they be hardworking poor people, well-off nobles, the elite religious class, or perhaps even the recently appointed king of the surrounding lands. Journey to a world of the past, brought to life through word and story.

Our main cast number in the many, from all walks of life. To name a few, there is King Sargon, who recently became ruler of all the realm, who now spends his days wondering who might be plotting to overthrow him. He came to prominence as a mighty and skilled general, most notably at the Siege of Eshnuna, where he overcame the impossible and achieved the unbelievable. And yet, even with all this wealth and power, he remains constantly suspicious. Fortunately, he has a personal guard in Naplanam, who has spent many a battle at the former general\u2019s side. But King Sargon needs someone who is less noticeable\u2014someone who knows what might be going on behind closed doors and who is good at finding out who may be plotting behind the king\u2019s back. Someone who has good ideas when the king has none.

Enter one Ibrahem, a lowly sculptor who is talented, but perhaps more skilled in finding out what the king needs to know and most importantly being listened to by this ruler, who seeks his judgment more so than anyone else in the kingdom. But things are never easy. There is Ibrahem\u2019s son, Issa, who is learning at the tablet house, and yet does not want to follow in his father\u2019s footsteps and ridicules his blind, unquestioning religious devotion. Then there is Enhedunna, daughter of the king, looking to learn more and becomes an apprentice at the very same tablet house where Issa is an instructor. The two instantly begin bickering with each other, as one is of low status while the other is of the very highest, and yet it seems there may be something more going on between the two.

Meanwhile, there is Ishillanu, head of the priests, who is looking to do things his way and not the king\u2019s, seeking his own devout and unquestionable power and looking to perhaps overthrow the monarch. And Mayram, from Babylon, a devotee of Ishtar, who began life as small and insignificant, but has lofty plans to make some serious changes to those not wishing to upend the status quo, and she is easily willing to kill to get what she wants.

By the Gods of Babylon is perhaps most intimidating for its extreme length, and the book begins with a strange retelling of a familiar religious story, but as the reader gets further in, the more they are absorbed and fascinated and engaged by the ongoing story. The book features a wonderful balance with historical and religious tales from Gilgamesh and others from the period, to providing descriptive goings-on of ancient Mesopotamian life, and yet the characters feel real and fully developed and complex and interesting.

By the Gods of Babylon may be a very long book, but once you get into the meat of the story, you'll be happy just to be along for the very long ride.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Jul-2019 18:09:59", "publisher": "Namir Naoum", "page_count": "760 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008012027", "title": "By the Gods of Babylon", "author": "Sin Leqi Unnini", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 402, "review": "The gods created men, either out of mud or because they were drunk, and eventually there came a king to rule over all the land, King Sargon. Stories upon stories overlap in this long work of historical fiction. At its center, the world\u2019s first leader called emperor, Sargon, and from him, stories spiral outward\u2014a young girl, buried alive with her newfound love interest; a sculptor\u2019s son; a young woman who seeks vengeance on those who\u2019ve caused harm; a grieving father; an ugly messenger; corrupt generals; vindictive guards; a king\u2019s daughter; a scribe newly turned to worship an invisible god; a teacher who\u2019s malice grows out of control\u2014stories overlap like ripples in a pond and converge into a startling conclusion.\u00a0

The author captures a great sense of the ancient world in this piece\u2014capturing the sights, sounds, and textures of ancient Mesopotamia, as well as the brutality and orgy of blood-lust. The characters have realistic motivations and conflicts, are complicated in ways that make humanity feel relatable even through such a spread of years from then to now. This novel\u2019s great strength is how it makes the ancient feel authentic and recognizably human. The research seems accurate enough for the author\u2019s aims of the story, and is even quite beautiful in some cases, such as the girl with the ribbon in her hand. (Honestly, the explanations at the end of the story regarding the research, with the information mixed with humor, were some of my favorite reading in the book.)

That being said, By the Gods of Babylon is an astoundingly violent and bloody read. Readers who may not be up for graphic murder, vivid descriptions of torture, and just plain butchery for violence\u2019s sake, should be aware of this going in. Readers not prepared to deal with a slave being forced to cook his own recently removed tongue, for instance, might want to skip this one. The author also has it out for the gods and religion in a bad way and this may also be a bit excessive for some readers. There\u2019s a level of vitriol that is far from comfortable, even if it is understandable.

By the Gods of Babylon by Sin Leqi Unninni is an interesting book, if a violent one. It covers a seldom written about period of history and does it with some success as far as characters go and weaves together a complicated plot more or less with success.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jul-2019 01:05:50", "publisher": "Namir Naoum", "page_count": "760 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000008012023", "title": "By the Gods of Babylon", "author": "Sin Leqi Unnini", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 480, "review": "The creation story of Adam and Eve is told, the sexual undertones now highlighted to a graphic degree. The punishment is severely meted out by God when Adam & Eve ignore God\u2019s rules in order to gain knowledge. But the story now has a different spin. The power of sexual thoughts holds great weight in the Bible story re-tellings. The jealousy of Cain for his brother Abel inflame a desire to hurt him to gain favor ends in infidelity. As these stories are relayed to Sargon, he is displeased by the storyteller and is swift in exacting punishment. Sargon is the unquestioned ruler of his kingdom, but he faces adversaries plotting his demise and their ascension. From the wrath of the mercurial Sargon, we move to a young girl, Amare. She is smitten with a young man named Ashur. Their love seems not meant to be, as they are merely pawns on a larger scale, destined to meet tragic ends at the hands of scheming brutes. A mass poisoning engineered at the hands of a high priest leaves many victims in its wake. Sargon is ignorant of some machinations by the disgruntled. His chief antagonizers are the high priests. Sargon\u2019s hair-trigger temper yields brutal executions, even involving long-trusted lieutenants. No one is truly safe.

Enter Ibrahem. Ibrahem carries forth the news of the disfavor among the masses to Sargon. He cheats death, in doing so, he seeks to settle scores with some high priests as well. Ibrahem, by relaying hard truths, has earned Sargon's trust and protection. However, Ibrahem\u2019s son, Isaa has fallen hard for the daughter of Sargon. He attends classes with the iconoclastic Princess, her knowledge and privilege not endearing her to anyone. Despite some initial growing pains, Isaa reveals his feelings. However, the ways of the Gods don\u2019t favor royalty marrying commoners. They set forth on a dangerous plan to be together that ends in a brutal killing. Ibrahem\u2019s thoughts are not on his son, whom he casts aside altogether. Ibrahem has met Maryam, a femme fatale who leaves human sacrifices for Goddess Ishtar. She makes men weak at the knee and then calculatingly snuffs them in their vulnerable moments. Ibrahem now has an assassin he can mold and use to deal with Sargon's enemies. The world is getting more dangerous by the second. Who will survive?

By the Gods of Babylon is an epic tale of ambition, power, lust, and love. Reckless would apply to all the previous words, as each character embodies that in their nature. The pacing can be frenetic, as the action jumps from one character and their tale into the next. Every now and then the reader will need to take a moment for fear of getting lost. The story overall is strong, but the length is intimidating and the detail is exhaustive. The book is solid overall but could be much more.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "18-Jul-2019 01:05:31", "publisher": "Namir Naoum", "page_count": "760 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008012019", "title": "By the Gods of Babylon", "author": "Sin Leqi Unnini", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 430, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

Journey back to the cradle of civilization- to ancient Sumer, Babylon, Assyria. By the Gods of Babylon by Sin Leqi Unnini follows the lives of several people as they twine, part, and intertwine yet again, from kings to sculptors to religious devotees and simple boatmen. Sargon the Great is now the ruler of Sumer, despite the machinations of priest and soldier alike to overthrow him. Sargon outwits them all, aided by Ibreham, the palace sculptor. Yet Ibreham is not immune to the lure of power, and he is oft easily able to manipulate Sargon. Isaa, son of Ibreham, becomes infatuated with Princess Enheduanna, leading to predictable trouble for both. Others, such as Ur-nammu, Mayram, Allamu, Humbaba, all take their own place in the tapestry being woven.

This is a story of palace intrigue, social dynamics, and an exploration of philosophy and anthropology. Throughout inter-city conflicts, the reign of terror caused by a serial killer, and treasonous intra-city plots run tales from the Epic of Gilgamesh that invite the discerning reader to explore where our modern religions first were birthed, how myth is reshaped to suit a new purpose, and the unbalance between logic and faith. As more than one character, in frustration, notes-beliefs cannot be disproven, and oft lead to fanaticism. Yet it is perfectly possible to hold both in balance if you recognize and accept that the stories underpinning any faith are just that- stories. Not ironclad truth of events that literally did or will happen. Myths of any flavor, including the stories found in the Bible, Quran, Torah, etc, encode moral or ethical lessons important to the people of the time or encode natural events that happened within the framework of that point in time. This book invites the reader to ponder such questions, and asks 'can you find the right balance?'

I appreciated the end sections that detailed the history some, and explained where the author had taken creative licence and why. This afterword part also brings home the lessons I took away from the book, about finding balance between faith and logic. The author even mentions that they themselves are Christian. I'm not. I follow none of the Book religions. I'm Rokkatru, following Loki and the 'darker' Norse deities. Doesn't matter. Those lessons apply to any, and all, spiritual paths.\n\n\n

Be forewarned, this is a rather hefty book. Not War & Peace or IT hefty, but still pretty big. It's well worth the read, especially if you enjoy historical fiction.

PS- I was thrilled with the mentions of Pazuzu in the proper context. Just sayin'...", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jul-2019 01:05:08", "publisher": "Namir Naoum", "page_count": "760 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008011031", "title": "Buzz!: Inside the Minds of Thrill-Seekers, Daredevils, and Adrenaline Junkies", "author": "Kenneth Carter", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 217, "review": "Whether you admire their guts or you think they're insane, you cannot deny that there is a wow factor to those individuals who engage in extreme activities. The derring-do of stuntmen, X-Games performers, Nitro Circus stars, and more gets categorized as thrill-seeking behavior. The practitioners are labeled as adrenaline junkies. And whether you approve or disapprove, you probably wonder what the appeal is. What makes these adventure seekers different from the average person?

Buzz! gets to the heart of that question by exploring the biochemistry and psychology of these individuals, whom Carter calls \"high-sensation-seekers.\" Carter strives to understand the effect these activities have on the brain and personality of people, exploring both nature and nurture in his pursuit of what makes a high-sensation-seeker tick.

And the journey is an absolutely fascinating one. Carter delves into the everyday lives of those who do not enjoy everyday stimuli, investigating both the positive and negative ramifications that high-sensation-seeking individuals experience. It's an eye-opening look at not just those who are different, but ourselves. How we perceive risk. How we handle fear, anxiety, the unknown. How we push ourselves.

Part of what makes Buzz! such an engaging read is that it brilliantly balances the extreme with the mundane, couching amazing acts of risk-taking with science that applies to all of us.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2019 23:49:13", "publisher": "Cambridge University Press", "page_count": "225 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008011027", "title": "The Sky Done Ripped (Ned the Seal)", "author": "Joe R. Lansdale", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 214, "review": "Nobody breathes new life into the genre of dime novels like Joe R. Lansdale, and for Ned the Seal's final romp through the multiverse, Lansdale has whipped up a doozy of an adventure for everyone's favorite time-traveling, fish-loving, fez-wearing, mischievous mammal.

In a clash for the ages, Ned finds himself on a strange world-within-a-world where a monstrous demon is running amok, eating and enslaving and crushing everything in her path. She Who Must Be Obeyed and Eats Lunch Early could be the end of the world if our plucky heroic seal and his friends can't stop her. Along the way, they'll traipse through Tarzan tropes, Planet of the Apes mythology, cannibal tribes, and a lost civilization where the people who still live there are somehow just as lost.

The Sky Done Ripped is a pulp novel for the ages, a gloriously strange and rambling adventure that deftly mixes different genres with a dash of slapstick humor and more than a little of Lansdale's patented grotesquery for the villains that inhabit his unique worlds.

Embracing the quality with the cheese that comes part and parcel with dime novel storytelling, Lansdale makes the most of both, crafting a story so outrageous that \"over the top\" seems inadequate. The weirdness of the story never stops topping itself.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2019 23:47:26", "publisher": "Subterranean Press", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008009011", "title": "In Every House on Every Street", "author": "Jess Hitchman, with illustrations by Lili La Baleine", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 88, "review": "In Every House on Every Street is an interesting book. The book is about how in every house different things could be happening. In one house somebody might be showering or watching TV. Many different houses could have many different things happening. Readers who are six years old and younger will like this book because it did not hold an eight-year-old\u2019s interest. There is not much of a story that goes through the pages, it just makes you think and wonder. The pictures have very interesting details, though.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2019 23:16:19", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008007023", "title": "Pirates Don't Go to School!", "author": "Alan MacDonald, with illustrations by Magda Brol", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Jake, a young pirate, is tired of scrubbing the poop deck, tired of mending the sails, and tired of scraping barnacles off the hull of the ship. What he really wants is to go to school. His parents and grandmother are horrified. They tell Jake school is hard work and has too many rules and that the teachers are mean. But Jake doesn\u2019t give up. He keeps on asking and asking to be able to go to school. He doesn\u2019t care if pirates aren\u2019t supposed to go to school. At long last, his family is convinced to let Jake go and try it out. Feeling nervous and needing a friend, he sneaks his pet parrot, Polly, along with him under his hat, and when Polly escapes in the classroom, things get pretty interesting.

Author Alan MacDonald has written a fun and truly funny introduction to some of the worries kids have about school by turning them on their heads. Magda Brol\u2019s bright and detailed illustrations complete the story and will keep little eyes searching the pages for all the silliness that can be found there. This is a book with wonderful messages delightfully hidden in a charming picture book.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2019 23:18:28", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008001027", "title": "Silo Boys", "author": "Amy-Brooke Odell", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 409, "review": "Silo Boys is the debut novel by author Amy-Brooke Odell. The story follows the main character, Addy, in her hometown in North Carolina. A few years ago, Addy and her friends, Charlie (a girl), Hunter, Mason, and Beau were hanging out all the time at the nearby Silo. Soon, Addy and Mason, and Charlie and Beau, were couples. Hunter seemed to be the fifth wheel, but since they were all friends the dynamic worked out well. Up until they find Beau\u2019s body near the silo. Whether he was pushed, or he jumped, was always a question that the townsfolk had wondered. Shortly after, Mason disappeared. Everyone figured he was either guilty of killing Beau or he was dead himself. Even Addy did not know what happened to him. It was like he fell off the face of the Earth. One day, Addy receives a note on her car in Mason\u2019s handwriting saying he wants to meet up with her. Addy is in disbelief. Before Addy can find Mason, something terrible happens and Addy promises to get to the bottom of it, even if it means putting herself in danger. Although it is a short read, the story is full of wonderful characters and an exciting plot. Addy\u2019s character is very persistent, and she will stop at nothing even if it means interrogating her own friends and annoying them. As Addy digs deeper, it seems like everyone in town has a secret. What really happened and why are the people around her not willing to tell the whole truth? I really enjoyed reading Silo Boys because the timeline of events flowed very smoothly, and the story was easy to follow. The setting of the story was in North Carolina which the author described very serenely. At one point, she describes the sky as \u201ca perfect Carolina blue\u201d. The small-town atmosphere also seemed very welcoming. One part of the book that seemed like it was a little abrupt was the part where Devon and Lila are introduced. They are not heard of before Addy goes to the fair with them, and it is there that she meets Will who may or may not be connected to other characters in the book. I would have liked to have seen a little more character development leading up to the two girls\u2019 hanging out with Addy. Overall, this book was a fun read with a fast-moving plot, interesting characters, and a very satisfying ending.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "15-Jul-2019 03:21:32", "publisher": "Willow River Press", "page_count": "211 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007999011", "title": "Empire of Lies", "author": "Raymond Khoury", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Michael Shulman", "word_count": 220, "review": "What if the Ottoman Empire survived to this day? How would it impact the course of history? These questions are explored in Raymond Khoury's explosive (literally) alternate history novel, Empire of Lies.

The book starts off with a member of ISIS gaining knowledge of time travel by interrogating a museum director. He then decides to travel back in time to 1683, at the height of the Battle of Vienna, to ensure the Ottomans successfully capture the city and thus have the Ottoman Empire last to this day.

In 2017, Paris and the rest of Europe is ruled by an Ottoman sultan. When a naked, tattooed man washes up on the banks of the River Seine, the sultan's chief counterterrorism investigator, Kamal Arslan Agha, is called to investigate. The man is treated by Kamal's estranged brother in a hospital. During his treatment, the man rambles incoherently about past events. It turns out that the man is Rasheed, the same ISIS terrorist who traveled back in time and ensured the Ottomans' survival.

Khoury deftly mixes time travel, a classic science fiction trope, with history and thriller elements to deliver a fast-paced plot with lots of twists and turns. With immense world building and character development, Empire of Lies is a what-if alternate history novel on a par with those of Harry Turtledove.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "13-Jul-2019 21:38:06", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007979359", "title": "The Bastard Brigade: The True Story of the Renegade Scientists and Spies Who Sabotaged the Nazi Atomic Bomb", "author": "Sam Kean", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 224, "review": "The atomic bomb. It was the ultimate weapon, a dream forged by scientists and military minds and unleashed like a nightmare upon the world. But who would build it? Who would wield it first? The race to split the atom and conquer the world waged in the background of World War II. It led to secret missions, unlikely spies, and scientists choosing sides, for country, for pride, and for the chance to do the impossible.

The Bastard Brigade chronicles the parallel stories of America pursuing the bomb and American agents trying to prevent Germany from building the bomb first. It's an insane story, one that hinges on luck, skill, misunderstandings, and opportunity. It ricochets between military operations\u2014like the ones launched against a German heavy water plant\u2014and recruitment efforts on both sides to snatch up any and all scientists who could potentially produce the fissionable materiel needed for the bomb.

The cast of characters is as colorful is it is eclectic, bringing to life iconic scientists, lesser-known spies and agents, and the peculiar mechanisms of bureaucracy that sparked both victories and defeats.

Kean does an impressive job keeping a lot of plates spinning as he weaves a narrative that spans years. Not once is there even a wobble. Science and history come alive in The Bastard Brigade, sharing a tale that's equal parts amazing, terrifying, and utterly bonkers.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "09-Jul-2019 15:40:58", "publisher": "Little, Brown", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000007977019", "title": "How Quickly She Disappears", "author": "Raymond Fleischmann", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Mark Graham", "word_count": 178, "review": "How Quickly She Disappears is a novel written by Raymond Fleishmann that shares the story of sisters and how some events will affect many other facets of living. This is the story of Elisabeth, Margaret, and Jacqueline and how interrelated some relationships can be in our lives. In reading this story, it will give the reader a sense of what family and community means to a person and also how we make various connections between events in one's life that just may bring understanding to many concerns from changing landscapes of one's own life and how one's decisions will affect others in living life and being able to accept what happens.

Fleishmann describes the process of growing up in a way as he described on page 222. Raymond writes a story that relies on using memories as may be seen from the cover art of the physical terrain and the terrain of one's own emotions. How Quickly She Disappears has many lessons for the readers to learn about accepting one's fate and decisions made that were right and/or wrong.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "05-Jul-2019 21:56:57", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000007973035", "title": "Look Again: Secrets of Animal Camouflage", "author": "Steve Jenkins", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 7", "word_count": 190, "review": "Secrets of Animal Camouflage will have young readers engaged in trying to find animals hidden in their natural habitats. Secrets of Animal Camouflage answers the many questions of why animals blend in with their surroundings and how they are designed to blend in. The illustrations in this book are amazing, as many animals are hidden in plain sight, yet it is very hard to discover them. The colorful eye-catching illustrations are sure to keep readers enthralled in looking for animals. Readers will explore a variety of animals in different biomes and how camouflage keeps them safe from predators or helps them to cunningly catch their prey. The informative text is perfect for young readers who want to expand their knowledge of how animals are best equipped to survive in a harsh environment against predators. I would highly recommend this book for avid animal lovers who want to learn more about the diversity of animals and their skills and traits to be the strongest/best. This book also has great tips for readers to explore their own backyard to hunt for camouflaged animals and be more aware of the world around them.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "09-Jul-2019 18:10:10", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000007972003", "title": "A Savage Dreamland: Journeys in Burma", "author": "David Eimer", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Casey Quyn", "word_count": 223, "review": "It helps that David Eimer has been a correspondent in Southeast Asia since 2012 with prior experience in China. His vast language skills must have come in very handy in his travels throughout Burma with some eight hundred dialects. It is not merely the language barriers that present substantial challenges to most westerners in this part of the world, but also customs and governmental restrictions that offer layers of detours.

This is not a travel guide for leisure vacationers, but instead a descriptive look at a struggling country that squeezed itself into democracy after half a century of military rule. Despite the ravaged families in the south who are still climbing out from under the rubble from the 2008 cyclone that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced hundreds of thousands, or the racial minorities living in the fringes of Burmese outlands where roads are rare and often non-existent, Eimer details the beauty of the people who live in this golden triangle between India, China, and Thailand.

This particular work freeze-frames a time of transition for a developing country that is in many ways stuck in the past. While the potential is there for explosive technological advances, the traditional cultures cling to a history the rest of the modern world has forgotten. Eimer gives Burma a voice by letting her people tell their stories.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "05-Jul-2019 17:17:26", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000007971047", "title": "Williams' Gang: A Notorious Slave Trader and his Cargo of Black Convicts", "author": "Jeff Forret", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 207, "review": "The life of slave traders is often overlooked in pre-Civil War American history, while they are talked about it is often in passing and mostly related to slave auctions and the banning of imports of slaves from Africa in the early 1800s. Jeff Forret looks at one slave trader in-depth, and mostly because of his legal troubles with one transport of slaves to the South, and how slave traders like Williams H. Williams lived, made money, and operated within the larger sphere of early American culture. Not much is known about Williams H. Williams, beyond that, he owned a slave pen in Washington D.C., sent slaves to the South to sell, and got caught up in lawsuits over one such transport.

I felt this book would have been much better, and more useful to students if it looked at the role of slave traders like Williams H. Williams than just looking at Williams specifically. It is a topic, especially how states dealt with slaves who committed crimes, that really is not explored that much. And a couple of things bothered me as well, the use of anachronistic language at times and the book is a bit too long; it would have been better if it was shorter.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "06-Jul-2019 18:19:01", "publisher": "Cambridge University Press", "page_count": "450 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000007967007", "title": "Salvation Lost (The Salvation Sequence)", "author": "Peter F. Hamilton", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1098, "review": "Enjoy reading about threats from an alien race, journeying to Mars, and a political epic fantasy while you explore this selection of fantasy and science fiction reads that will take you into another world. Check out the sequels to /The Salvation Sequence/ and /Wake the Dragon/, a spin-off from Gregory Maguire that expands the /Wicked/ world, and the next book in the /Court of Thorns and Roses/ series. \n\nSalvation Lost \u2013 Peter F. Hamilton \n\nBook two of /The Salvation Sequence/ explores the encounter that utopian earth has with a visiting race of aliens that are quickly discovered to be among the worst threats that mankind dealt with. The Olyix plan to convert the residents of earth into their belief system under their own god. But the aliens didn't expect mankind to fight back. As the Olyix try to take power, humanity is more determined than ever to stop them before they're the ones destroyed. \n\nThe Brides of Maracoor \u2013 Gregory Maguire \n\nKicking off a new series, this spin-off from Gregory Maguire features Rain, the green-skinned granddaughter of Elphaba. It was ten years ago when the fourth and final volume of /Out of Oz/ was released. Rain washes ashore on a strange island where she's saved by a women community that uses devotional practices considered more obscure. A mysterious navy attacks the mainland which causes the civil-servant overseer over the island to wonder how an alien could put a whole nation under threat. This new trilogy will follow Rain's journey as it takes her from an outpost on the island to the uncharted Maracoor badlands as she works to find her way home again where she'll return to her family and lover. The beauty and suffering of Oz come to life through the mystery, injustice, and possibility of this story that serves as a reminder of the sacred terrain found in our lives. \n\nA Court of Silver Flames \u2013 Sarah J. Maas \n\nNesta is known for how slow she can be to forgive and how quick she can be toward anger. Ever since she became High Fae by force through the Cauldron, she has worked to fit into her new role. Cassian is the best at making her angry and she can't avoid him thanks to his own role in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court. The friction between them is just the beginning as the two have an undeniable chemistry that draws them closer when they're near each other. As if this wasn't enough, the human queens have joined forces and this proves to be a threat against every realm. To stop them, Nesta and Cassian each have to confront the pasts that have haunted them which is a journey set against a background of war and uncertainty. Together find healing and acceptance as they battle monsters and inner demons.\n\nThin Air \u2013 Richard K. Morgan\n\nHakan Veil is a killing machine after he received body tech that's military-grade and once a corporate enforcer, he's now been abandoned by his former employers. He's been left on Mars where overlords that are earth-based engage in a fight for profits and power despite the growing independence movement. Harkan quickly grows tired of life on Mars and searches for a way to return home which leads him to accept a position from the Earth Oversight organization. The job makes him a bodyguard for an EO investigator. It's easy to work until his charge looks into what happened to a lottery winner that suddenly vanished. The deeper he's drawn into this world, the more secrets reveal themselves and push him up against enemies that he must take down \u2013 no matter what. \n\nVengewar \u2013 Kevin J. Anderson \n\nThe second book in the /Wake the Dragon/ series continues with war unfolding between The Three Kingdoms and Ishara. For over a thousand years, the two sides have been at war until an outside threat made itself known. An ancient race awakened which brought the two continents together and had them put aside their feud to form an alliance against this common enemy. Book one led to the awakening of a dragon which created events that set the two continents against each other. Now in book two, the Three Kingdoms is facing serious consequences thanks to having a king that is inexperienced. The king is receiving encouragement from a regent, with a lot of ambition, to not take threats made by the Wreths seriously and to instead choose a vengewar with Ishara. His brother and uncle spot the danger that lies within the Older Race. Meanwhile, the Ishara queen lies comatose which provides the opportunity for a priest to take power only to fail the country when he doesn't have the experience to effectively it. \n\nThe Wood Wife \u2013 Terri Windling \n\nMaggie Black has left the fashion of her old life behind on the West Coast in exchange for a new life in the Southwestern desert. She's determined to pursue her dreams even if this means starting over. Her mentor, the poet Davis Cooper, died under mysterious circumstances and left his estate to her. Now it's up to her to figure out the mystery of his life and the cause of his death. Maggie is drawn into this new life she discovers and is captivated by the people she meets \u2013 including Fox. He's unlike any man she's met before and he has a deeper understanding of the power the desert possesses. Maggie uses Cooper's letters as a way to understand his life and soon this search draws her to the ancient spirits residing within the desert. \n\nThe Blue-Spangled Blue \u2013 David Bowles \n\nOver a hundred years ago, the Aknawajin came to a planet called Jitsu where they were forced to serve as workers. Despite their oppression, they've won their independence and have gotten freedom from the corporate owners of the world. The planet has started to allow humankind to enter which allows for an architect, that also serves as a leader to a religious reform group, named Tenshi becomes acquainted with Brando D'Angelo who left earth to work as a teacher on Jitsu. Tenshi shares about her faith in the Path with Brando and guides him on his own journey which inspires him to say goodbye to his identity and to reform under the guidance of Tenshi so he can obtain a soul. Tenshi's enemies create obstacles for the couple while the growing struggles on Jitsu cover up the plans of a dangerous mind. They'll be guided along a new path that will inspire the creation of a movement that will have effects on history.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "03-Jul-2019 23:57:34", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000007962083", "title": "Cursed", "author": "Thomas Wheeler, illustrated by Frank Miller", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 249, "review": "When it is time for the Sky Folk, a clan of Fey feared by Man Bloods, to choose a new summoner, the person who will lead their clan as dictated by the Hidden, the Arch Druid\u2019s own daughter Nimue is chosen\u2014a choice Nimue at first rejects and that other Sky Folk do not wish to honor. This moment opens a strange and fantastic retelling of the King Arthur legend by Wheeler and Miller.

Nimue\u2019s power comes at a tumultuous time when the Red Paladins are destroying the villages and taking the lives of Fey Kind. They believe in one true god and reject druids, and their expressions of faith are violent and bloody. It is Nimue, in alliance with a young sword-for-hire named Arthur and her best friend Pym, who must root out their evil and protect the Fey. She can only do this if she acquires the Sword of Power and learn the truth of her history from the Red Paladins\u2019 own magician: Merlin.

Frank Miller, of Sin City fame, has created arresting illustrations to accompany an engrossing tale that wonders why the one true king must be male. If the Sword of Power is wielded by a young girl, how might Arthurian legend be changed? For fans of those legends, of Miller\u2019s work, or for anyone looking for a tale of action and intrigue, Cursed should be on your list of must-reads. The book is approved for readers aged fourteen and up. The Netflix series adaptation premieres in 2020.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "01-Jul-2019 11:19:17", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008184023", "title": "Saint X", "author": "Alexis Schaitkin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 245, "review": "On the last night of a family vacation, seven-year-old Claire\u2019s sister Alison does not return to the hotel room. Days later, after an extensive search, Alison is found dead at a secluded spot on the island. Two suspects are quickly arrested but are released shortly thereafter as the timelines do not fit with the death. The family returns home and tries to put their lives back together while the mystery of what happened to Alison remains unsolved. Almost twenty years later, Claire randomly comes into contact with one of the men suspected of killing her sister and embarks on an all-encompassing search to find the answer to what happened to Alison all those years ago.

This read is not a police procedural, and the mystery of what happened to Alison is not the focus of this book. Saint X is more about Claire\u2019s journey to understand the sister she idolized but barely knew. If you are looking for a Dateline-type murder mystery that will have you turning pages late into the night, this is not the book for you because this is a slow burn read that raises many questions relating to social issues including class, privilege, race, family dynamics, grief, and sexuality. The writing style was very uneven. Many parts were too descriptive with the overuse of parentheses and examples that, after a paragraph, were skimmed by this reader. There were often times the author needed to give the reader more because questions remain unanswered.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "30-Aug-2019 20:44:43", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000008183003", "title": "On Cussing: Bad Words and Creative Cursing", "author": "Katherine Dunn", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 210, "review": "Swearing is awesome. It's immensely satisfying, it draws attention, it adds emphasis, and it helps you handle pain. But that doesn't mean you can scatter expletives willy-nilly throughout your writing and expect it to be effective each and every time. There's an art to using profanity to maximize its impact in your writing, and Katherine Dunn knows more than most when it comes to curse words and the written word.

On Cussing examines not only a quick history of swearing -- both word origins and the ebbs and flows of swearing in literature -- but how best to employ it to build characters and establish their voices. Citing film and literary quotes, historical texts, and her own expansive experience with swearing in a colorful and thoroughly entertaining fashion, this brief treatise is both informative and an enjoyable read in its own right.

Loaded with advice and examples of new directions in which to take your own swearing endeavors, On Cussing is the perfect hit-and-run look at a complex and valuable topic, giving you what you need to get started and a launchpad from which to do further homework.

Go far beyond the usual four-letter words with On Cussing. By the unblinking red eye of Ra, you're sure to learn something.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "30-Aug-2019 18:51:06", "publisher": "Tin House Books", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008182011", "title": "A Queen in Hiding (The Nine Realms)", "author": "Sarah Kozloff", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 200, "review": "Cressa is nothing like her mother, the former queen. She\u2019s not a strategist, she can\u2019t plot her moves in advance. When her life and the life of her daughter, Cerulia, are threatened, Cressa has no choice but to flee the palace with the Queen\u2019s shields. In order to keep her daughter safe, Cressa takes her to a small village in the middle of nowhere, then sets out to find her husband and rally her navy to reclaim her kingdom. Exiled, alone, and hunted, Cerulia must learn how to use her magic and become the queen she\u2019s destined to be while waiting for her mother to return.

A Queen in Hiding is the first book of the Nine Realms quartet. The world is vast and different, with different cultures and ways of life. The whole book is mostly world building and background. The story could start almost at the end, when Cerulia has grown up, but I found myself loving the story of Cressa and her shields and would have loved to read more about them. The pacing is a little off, sometimes it\u2019s slow and other times its fast, jumping to different times without much warning. There is heavy cussing throughout.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "30-Aug-2019 20:31:08", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008175011", "title": "Stalingrad: Letters from the Volga", "author": "Daniel Ortega", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Jayne Wengler", "word_count": 280, "review": "This graphic history rapidly overviews the Battle of Stalingrad. Each chapter begins with a letter from a German soldier. Each letter is followed by a description of the battle\u2019s development and an illustrated portrayal of the events. It should be noted here that a major issue concerning the book is that the authenticity (or otherwise) of the \u201cletters\u201d from the German soldiers is not made apparent.

The account is fairly engaging and covers the chronology of the battle, and the book\u2019s value lies in its utility as an introduction to the subject. However, the storytelling can be confusing at times and the plot should not be considered a reliable historical account. Additionally, the author\u2019s target audience is unclear. The graphic portions could easily be aimed at children and teens, while the historical prose seems made for amateur war historians. These sections also seem to be in conflict with each other in terms of tone.

That said, it is a book in translation, which may explain the odd sentence structure. While I try to read generously, especially with translated works, this book has other issues that detract from its potential power to interest young readers in history. For instance, the objectivity of the work is questionable. At times, the Germans appear sympathetic while the Russians are presented as cruel killers. This effect is heightened by the fact the Russians\u2019 words often appear in Cyrillic, meaning they are unintelligible to most readers. The German soldiers are thus given a voice while the Russians are denied one.

In the end, I found that whatever utility the book has as a historic introduction is trumped by authorial bias and flaws in the book\u2019s structure.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "15-Jul-2021", "date_added": "29-Aug-2019 20:19:14", "publisher": "Dead Reckoning", "page_count": "120 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000008174023", "title": "We Speak in Storms", "author": "Natalie Lund", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Arieanna - Age 13", "word_count": 168, "review": "The novel We Speak In Storms is about three people who find themselves near where a tornado touched the ground. This story switches through three characters' minds: Callie, whose mother has a very serious illness, Joshua, who came out as gay and everyone started avoiding even more, and Brenna, who has been trying to fit in and started hanging out with the emo people at school. Callie, Joshua, and Brenna meet each other where the tornado touched down. Callie hears whispers and sees a face when she and her dad are investigating a car in the ditch and soon tells Brenna and Joshua about it. When they all first meet each other Brenna offers a ride to Joshua, and they both discover a car in a field. Brenna thinks it is more than just a coincidence for a tornado to touch down on its anniversary and for two older cars to be thrown because of it. I really enjoyed this book and I would definitely read it again.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "29-Aug-2019 20:04:32", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008174003", "title": "Pirate Women: The Princesses, Prostitutes, and Privateers Who Ruled the Seven Seas", "author": "Laura Sook Duncombe", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 171, "review": "Pirate Women: The Princesses, Prostitutes, and Privateers Who Ruled the Seven Seas by Laura Sook Duncombe is a thrilling read all on its own, whether or not you enjoy history or biography. It\u2019s especially entertaining because the author is an enthusiast of pirate women and not a historian. Places in the book are laugh-out-loud funny and as such may get you strange looks from your kids once they realize pirates are more grisly than Jake in Neverland. Nonetheless, this book is filled with notorious female pirates that readers know\u2014such as Mary Reed and Anne Bonny\u2014as well as less well-known characters such as Lady Elizabeth and Lady Mary Killigrew, Queen Teuta, Cheng I Sao, and many others. From the earliest pirates of Greece to the modern Hollywood depiction of women on the high seas, Duncombe offers an amazingly researched volume that is highly readable, informative, and captures the je ne sais quois that pirate enthusiasts enjoy, while not shying away from brutal reality. Pirate Women is a can\u2019t-miss book in the genre.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "29-Aug-2019 17:55:22", "publisher": "Chicago Review Press", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008172003", "title": "The Holy Trinity - Three In One: Unveiling God's Presence In The Bible", "author": "Tommy C. Seay Sr.", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 438, "review": "God is an enigma that, for many people, can either be very easy or very difficult to process. The fact that we are expected to acknowledge that there are actually three persons in the same God can, and is, mind-boggling to both non-believers and believers. Rest assured, even to devout Christians, this concept does not come naturally and can take some interpreting from the scriptures. However, the truth remains that there is sufficient evidence in the Bible that the Trinity does in fact exist.

In The Holy Trinity- Three in One: Unveiling God\u2019s Presence in the Bible, Tommy C. Seay, Sr., has combined three volumes of his work on the holy trinity into one solid piece of evidence, based on passages and events that are recorded in God\u2019s Word to us. The Bible was given to us all by God with the purpose of studying it to learn more about Him until he comes back once more for Judgement Day, to take the believers back to their true home. The Bible does not contradict itself, but yes, you will have to take some of its events in light of the ancient traditions, customs, and way of life in the past to fully understand them; many people get confused because they were interpreting the events and actions based on our current era, when our way of thinking and living would have been completely foreign to the time of the writings. Other factors that would sway our understanding of the scriptures include the different translations over the years and the origin of the words they contain, such as how to understand the text in the original languages they were written in, Hebrew or Greek.

Seay begins in his first two sections of the book describing God through the aid of various passages, specifically how he is referred to as an \u201cAngel.\u201d The ways God revealed himself to the people in the past, usually as the \u201cAngel of the Lord,\u201d and the \u201cduties\u201d or characters of angels are discussed. With passages referenced from the King James version, they may differ slightly in their exact wordage from newer translations, but the overall point of the passage will/should not have changed. Seay continues to explain the passages that show the truth of Jesus Christ, which some people dismiss, and how God came and presented himself through the second Person of the Trinity, in the human form in the eyes of men such as Abraham and Lot in Genesis. The study of literally amazing people should be high on people\u2019s to-do list, and Seay makes the study process that much easier through his research and presentation.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "29-Aug-2019 02:22:09", "publisher": "Xlibris Publishing Company", "page_count": "678 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008168019", "title": "Toxic Femininity in the Workplace: Office Gender Politics Are a Battlefield", "author": "Ginny Hogan", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 215, "review": "It can be immensely difficult to navigate the turbulent waters of both professional and casual interactions at work. How can you offer criticism without offending someone? Make your point without coming off combative or unreasonable? Deal with the chronic stupidity that comes with outdated stereotypes and suffocating gender roles?

First, take a deep breath. Second, get this book.

Toxic Femininity in the Workplace is a hilariously acidic mix of sarcasm, tongue-in-cheek condescension, and artful juxtaposition that points out the insane hypocrisies that define so many daily interactions in business and the social world when it comes to gender. Whether it's explaining how free tampons aren't the same as equal pay or exploring a world where women aren't interrupted in meetings, this book is packed with inventive, entertaining, and engaging ways of confronting the horsesh*t women deal with every single day.

Toxic Femininity in the Workplace is brilliant for several reasons. One, it's hysterical, and that counts. Two, it manages to take a truckload of incredibly serious issues that are worth discussing openly and absolutely slaughter any sacred cows standing in the way of those discussions by inverting, twisting, and otherwise cleverly subverting the norm.

And, hopefully, amidst the laughs, it serves as recognition that these aren't problems to be swept under the rug... they're ones to be faced head-on.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "27-Aug-2019 21:27:07", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008168007", "title": "Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design", "author": "Geoffrey Engelstein and Isaac Shalev", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 236, "review": "If you wanted to design your own board game, where would you start? Would you base it on an existing game you already know and like? Would you create a new mechanic in order to facilitate gameplay? Would it require luck or skill? How would the pieces move?

A thousand and one questions immediately leap to mind. But although there are plenty of resources out there for the aspiring game designer, there has never been a one-stop-shop for the actual bits and pieces that make up the rules of board gaming.

That is, until now.

Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design is the industry's first true lexicon, an encyclopedic look at board game mechanics. From piece movement and card manipulation to offering clues, forging contracts, and communicating with other players, a staggering number of techniques employed by board game designers are chronicled within these pages, as well as examples of effective and not-always-effective implementation from well-known board games.

You immediately feel like you're in good hands when you read this book. The designers come off as incredibly knowledgable about games themselves as well as enthusiastic fans of board games, meaning that you're getting not only mechanical effectiveness but aesthetic input on how to build a game to fit your concept or narrative.

Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design is a mind-blowing undertaking, one that belongs on the desk of every game designer, no matter how experienced.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2019 20:16:53", "publisher": "Routledge", "page_count": "516 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008160015", "title": "Raising Animals for Fiber: Producing Wool from Sheep, Goats, Alpacas, and Rabbits in Your Backyard", "author": "Chris McLaughlin", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 209, "review": "Classy-appearing reference trade book, glossy in and out.

A species comparison of sizes, life spans, average purchase prices, personality, the minimum required space, difficulty level, and environmental hardiness follows a foreword embracing the hopeful fiber farmer. The introductory chapter combs into fiber micron sizes, purchasing quality animals, and the social intricacies of finding reputable breeders to deal with. It also explains the author\u2019s restricting her book to sheep, angora goats, alpacas, and angora rabbits. We are gifted with an introduction to the removal and processing of fibers, how to seek medical help, the beauty of attending shows\u2026or perhaps not\u2026 in the interest of biosecurity. There are a richness and depth to the presentation, examinations of the often obsessive engagement of fiber folk with the infinite possibilities of the field. Photographic illustrations are omnipresent and excellently selected.||Each chapter/treatment offers lingo specific to the beastie, the mechanics of harvesting their fiber, necessities of feeding and maintenance. (Alpaca males need to have fighting teeth trimmed; their fleeces should not be combed whilst still on the animal). Sheep must be shorn. Breeding is described in good detail.

There is some obvious boiler plating in each treatment. Not surprising, as many considerations are similar across species. Ms. McClaughlin is an experienced and adroit writer.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "24-Aug-2019 19:14:17", "publisher": "Fox Chapel Publishing", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008160011", "title": "Pavi Sharma's Guide to Going Home", "author": "Bridget Farr", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Pavi Sharma has been in foster care for awhile and also spent time in Crossroads, a group home for kids awaiting placement. She has learned a lot about the system and how foster kids can make it easier for themselves moving through. She teaches other kids how to make a good impression with the Front Door Face \u2014 puppy-dog eyes and a lemonade smile \u2014 and she researches the backgrounds of their families and schools to help them acclimate. She has quite a business going. When she visits Crossroads and discovers a sweet five-year-old about to be placed in the worst home Pavi had ever experienced, she pulls out all the stops to avert that. What could go wrong?

Author Bridget Farr seems to have a great deal of knowledge about the foster care system, although this book focuses on the better parts of it rather than on the really dark things that happen. The writing is crisp and the characters are fully-developed and very engaging. One can\u2019t help but cheer for Pavi and her small posse. This is a great introduction for middle-graders to the foster care system and will engender compassion for foster kids.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "24-Aug-2019 18:49:04", "publisher": "Hachette Children's Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008159019", "title": "The Illuminati Ball", "author": "Cynthia von Buhler", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 225, "review": "Five people receive invitations to a ball held by one of the most secretive and infamous organizations in history. Their hosts are masked, their promises unreal, their motivations unknown. At the Illuminati Ball, nothing is what it seems, and the guests find themselves plunged into a world they don't understand . . . one where the rules of life and death are not what they seem.

The Illuminati Ball is a curious read, more akin to a play or the script for a murder mystery dinner than your usual graphic novel fare. Combining elements of science fiction, historical drama, and stagecraft, the story is loaded with twists and turns, and for a while, the reader feels as off-kilter as the guests.

The art is sumptuous, lavishing details on masks, clothing, and different elements of performance to make the world feel both lived-in and painstakingly assembled. The more time you spend immersing yourself in the decor, the art style, and the conscious choices made by both the host of the ball Pig King and his author Cynthia von Buhler, the more you get out of the story. This isn't a one-read tale, this is a bath you must luxuriate in.

Driven by misunderstandings, preconceived notions, baser instincts, and acts of both distrust and honesty, this is a dinner party none of the guests, or the reader, will ever forget.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "24-Aug-2019 18:14:01", "publisher": "Titan Comics", "page_count": "88 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008156027", "title": "The Golden Key", "author": "Marian Womack", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Caryn Shaffer", "word_count": 172, "review": "Helena Walton-Cisneros claims she\u2019s a medium in post-Victorian England, but she\u2019s actually a detective. Her current job is tracking down three girls who went missing in the fens years ago. Her job will lead her to a mysterious fungus, as well as a man named Samuel Moncrieff who can\u2019t remember pieces of his life.

The Golden Key takes a while to get into, and it\u2019s unclear whether it\u2019s entirely worth the time. It doesn\u2019t matter who the characters are\u2014 they could be anybody\u2014 because the focus of the book is not on character development, but on the resolution of the mystery. I really wanted to know more about Helena, who passes herself off as a medium because men wouldn\u2019t take a female detective seriously in England at the time, but the focus is more on the subjects of Helena\u2019s pursuit, who were also unmemorable. The supernatural elements in The Golden Key were actually red herrings to something more real and sinister. As a reader, I expected more than I got from this story.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "24-Aug-2019 19:46:06", "publisher": "Titan Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008153007", "title": "Ice Cold Heart: A Monkeewrench Novel", "author": "P. J. Tracy", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 205, "review": "In the tenth installment of the Monkeywrench series, P.J. Tracy gives us another exciting and unexpected mystery to solve. All of the same characters in the series are back to endure another frigid and brutal January in Minnesota. Thankfully, the weather must be on the police\u2019s side, as there have been no homicides in at least a month \u2013 too cold! Unfortunately, this all changes when Magozzi and Gino get a call that there has been a very unusual murder take place. The victim is an unhappy housewife who suffered a painful and almost satanic death. Based on the findings in this murder, an old murder has resurfaced that has similar findings and might be connected somehow. It\u2019s up to Magozzi, Gino, and the entire Monkeywrench crew to solve these murders before any more might happen.

Traci has produced another page-turner in Ice Cold Heart. After every chapter, I had to check myself if I had time at the moment to keep reading because I would keep going until the end. The descriptions of everything, from the murders to the scenery are spot-on and make for a realistic story for the reader to imagine exactly what\u2019s happening. P.J. Tracy is an author to keep around!", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "21-Aug-2019 18:46:14", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008153003", "title": "Passionate Spirit: The Life of Alma Mahler", "author": "Cate Haste", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 181, "review": "She was one of the most beautiful women in all of Vienna, Austria, coming of age at the end of the 19th Century. Initially married to the composer Gustav Mahler who was nearly twice her age, she had an affair with Walter Gropius and ended up marrying him after Mahler died. Even the marriage with Gropius was troubled as she had an affair with Franz Werfel, whom she also married after separating from Gropius. She eventually settled in New York where she lived out the rest of her days.

It can be hard to write a book about someone who was not directly powerful. Most of her impact was her affairs and loves with men other than her husband. At times, it just feels like not much is happening, and the entries from her journals and letters, especially the affairs that ended on a sour note, are about the only interesting parts. She was involved with many men and wanted to become a composer herself, but her lack of support and her mindset of always needing love led to bouts of depression.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "21-Aug-2019 18:40:52", "publisher": "Basic Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008150039", "title": "Into the Fairy Forest", "author": "J. M. Stephen", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 221, "review": "Pippa\u2019s life is turned upside down after a house fire kills her mother and strips away her life in California. By starting over in New York, she hoped to put the tragedy behind her, only for her new life to become even stranger. When trying to save her friend, she\u2019s drawn into a magical and dangerous world that sends her stumbling into a family secret, into a shocking romance with the handsome Pan and serving as the savior of two worlds. She must catch a dangerous monster in the human world that is behind the fires and missing girls.

The new relationships Pippa forms help ground her in her attempts to start over, only for a new friendship to sweep her into another world where fairies and magic exist. She\u2019s drawn into the middle of a world under oppressive rule that finds citizens locked away when trying to flee to the human world. Pippa faces the fate of two worlds in a story that is riddled with humor, an emotional journey, and a magical romance that finds Pippa connecting with the alluring Pan. As she delves further into the world, she discovers more about herself and her family origins.

Into the Fairy Forest is a magical adventure that weaves a delightful twist on fairies, the lady of the lake, and Pan.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "21-Aug-2019 18:47:43", "publisher": "D. X. Varos, Ltd.", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008150031", "title": "Seven Sides of Self", "author": "Nancy Joie Wilkie", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Arnis Krists Veveris", "word_count": 249, "review": "Seven Sides of Self includes seven stories that overall left me with a disappointing feeling. Perhaps the main blame should be put on its categorization as a sci-fi short stories collection. Only two out of seven of them weren\u2019t heavily religious and/or spiritual. A more appropriate genre label would be Christian sci-fi.

One of the best stories that did stand out were \"There Once Was a Man,\" which is the very first one in the volume. It's about a man to whom an idea to become an author is more intriguing than actually the work that has to be put in. It\u2019s nothing for him to spend all the time and money to create the \u2018\u2019perfect\u2019\u2019 writing corner, but then when it\u2019s time to start to work, he isn\u2019t in the right mood or his muse isn\u2019t there.

But the best story out of all seven is \"Microwave Man,\" in which an unnamed character in his senior years decides to visit a small town through which he has driven through many times and has seen this mysterious sign that says Microwave Man, but he hasn\u2019t once stopped to check the place out. In this story\u2019s case the best part was the mystery of the identity of the place\u2019s owner rather than any tiny sci-fi detail in it.

It can\u2019t be denied that there is an overreaching theme throughout Seven Sides of Self, but the other five stories didn\u2019t jell at all with \"Microwave Man\" and \"There Once Was a Man.\"", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "21-Aug-2019 18:37:20", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "152 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008141015", "title": "The Humanist's Devotional: 366 Daily Meditations from Some of the World's Greatest Thinkers", "author": "Jessica Hagy", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 201, "review": "Author and illustrator Jessica Hagy has extracted famous sayings from the Yale Book of Quotations and the Forbes Book of Quotations and selectively paired them together to form themes of thoughts. Filling a leap year's quota of three hundred sixty-six days, that number of pages contains paired phrases from different eras that connect to a common image. Using squiggles, arrows, circles, loops, and other selected markers, the bold-faced aphorisms are highlighted to stimulate thoughts about the vagaries of the world and how we relate to one another. Tidbits from Whitman, Glen Gould, Comte, Disraeli, Michelangelo, Erica Jong and so many other personalities from the past and present have something to say that will cause the reader to stop and reflect on the variety of experiences. Each source cleverly links with another along this chain of thoughtful adages, smoothing the continuity of the meditations. While the book may appeal to contemplative readers, its format is more closely that of a daily calendar, each page holding thoughtful ideas. I would prefer to see it as a spiral bound version with easily flippable pages accompanied by an array of colored markers to match the hue of the mood with the tone of the message.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "14-May-2020", "date_added": "17-Aug-2019 16:52:42", "publisher": "Freethought House", "page_count": "374 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008140007", "title": "Green Lantern: Legacy", "author": "Minh Le", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 199, "review": "There has been a growing trend of Marvel and DC getting into the teen/young adult market with graphic novels, where things are not too complicated and feature stories with kids the readers' own age, so the kids can identify with the main character and keep reading comics, as that can be the age when they fall out of it. This book is a fairly simple story about the legacy of one's family and honoring that legacy, no matter if a seemingly better offer comes up. Tai Pham lives in an apartment with his family above their grocery store. He dreams of a better life for himself, with racial hatred a thing of the past. What he does not know is that his grandmother was a Green Lantern, and she passes the legacy onto him. Pham must learn to control this new power and to use it for good, while an offer from a friend turns out to be a red herring.

This is more for the younger readers, as it really breaks down who is good and who is bad. While leaving a little bit for a gray area, with overly philosophical argument towards the end with the bad guy.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "17-Aug-2019 02:39:33", "publisher": "DC Entertainment", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008138007", "title": "The Forest", "author": "Ben G. Greenfield", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Kilian - Age 11", "word_count": 209, "review": "One day, while taking a walk in the forest, twin brothers River and Terran accidentally stumble through a portal. They soon find themselves trapped in the world of Arbore, a strange land full of monsters, magic, and mystery. They discover they can control the elements of water and earth, and when united with the other two elements, they possess the power to save all of Arbore. They set out on an epic quest to find the elements of air and fire, meeting both friend and foe along the way. But if they decide to save this new mysterious world, will they ever make it back to their own?

I love this book, and I think you will too. There are several strange metaphors, such as \u201cas you slide down the banister of your next adventure, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction\u201d. I personally find them very funny. However, several characters die, and it is pretty gory sometimes. Because of this, I would not recommend it for younger kids. But if you can handle that, it is a wonderful book. This is an amazing, hilarious, and exciting book full of adventure and magic. If you like fantasy, you must read it. I know you will love it.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "17-Aug-2019 17:20:58", "publisher": "World Leapers Publishing", "page_count": "421 Pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008137019", "title": "Diana: Princess of the Amazons", "author": "Shannon Hale", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Natalie - Age 9", "word_count": 81, "review": "Nobody would expect that something the hero Wonder Woman made could be so evil. Of course, she wasn't Wonder Woman at the time. She was Princess Diana of the Amazons. But there is one thing: her mom didn't really treat her like an Amazon. It was probably because she was made from clay. I didn't really know anything about Wonder Woman except that she is a hero. This book told me her origins, and for that, the book deserves five stars.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "17-Aug-2019 02:48:04", "publisher": "DC Entertainment", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008136011", "title": "The Andromeda Evolution", "author": "Michael Crichton", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 218, "review": "Decades after The Andromeda Strain wiped out Piedmont, Arizona, people have forgotten the danger. All but Eternal Vigilance, a military operation put in place to monitor for evidence Andromeda has returned. Now the remnants of a crashed ship in the Amazon have triggered alerts. Andromeda is back. A new Wildfire team is selected to investigate the reports.

Continuing in the vein of Crichton's classic, Daniel Wilson's The Andromeda Evolution introduces a whole new generation of readers to the deadly organism. This time it is out in the wild, not contained in a lab. This new team faces untold dangers not just from the organism, which is rapidly constructing something in the depths of the Amazonian rainforest, but from the jungle itself and the uncontacted tribes living within.

I enjoyed this story immensely! This Wildfire team is far more diverse, including an anthropologist, and a roboticist who has a small flock of \"canary\" drones. At one point, they convert a canary drone into a universal translator to communicate with a native person. Another member is an astronaut from the ISS. There's definitely more action and diversity in this story. The ending was neat too, though it does stretch the imagination. Andromeda continues to evolve. It's here to stay. I hope there's a sequel! I'd love to see further evolutions.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "17-Aug-2019 03:20:01", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008132011", "title": "Heartwood Box", "author": "Ann Aguirre", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Tatiana - Age 17", "word_count": 204, "review": "This is a fast-paced, suspenseful, paranormal book with a teen romance thrown in. Araceli has moved to a new town and is living with her aunt. What seems like a dull small town turns into a mysterious place where strange lights appear in the woods and people keep disappearing. It also seems that the disappeared are haunting the townspeople. To add to the mystery, Araceli finds a box that allows her to travel across time and speak with a soldier from World War I. The book is well written, although not always well developed. The romance is not really very interesting and takes away from the suspense and mystery of the story. Araceli is a likable character most of the time, but she lacks depth. There are several side characters that are not well developed beyond their role in helping us see that Araceli is an \u201coutsider.\u201d They generally seem very one-dimensional. Ultimately the story is less about the suspense and mystery and more about the romance, which did not interest me. I would recommend this book for people over the age of sixteen who like teen romance with a little time travel thrown in, but it is not for anyone looking for suspense.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "16-Aug-2019 00:30:58", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008127023", "title": "Amber Hollow", "author": "Edgar Swamp", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 201, "review": "Weird things happen in Amber Hollow. Most recently, a fire destroyed the entire town killing all but five of its 600 residents. Detectives are called in to investigate this odd occurrence and question the survivors. Yet every one of the survivors tells a different story. The more the detectives examine this case, the stranger it becomes. But nothing could compare to the horror of the truth. An evil deed has been committed, and a force beyond comprehension will have its revenge. Nothing will get in the way of justice finally being served.

The premise of this story drew me in and held my attention pretty well. The characters, as well as the plot, were interesting. While this is a horror story and you might be expecting it, there is quite a bit of gore and there are some very dark elements to this story. There is often what seems to be cruel and unusual punishment. As I finished the story, I had some questions relating to the plot, but overall it was easy to understand and read. It was not the greatest book I\u2019ve ever read, but still interesting, and I think fans of the supernatural or horror genre will enjoy it.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "14-Aug-2019 18:04:55", "publisher": "JKS Communications", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008127007", "title": "Trampled Blossoms: What They Stole from Grandma", "author": "Moon Young-sook", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Grace Utomo", "word_count": 197, "review": "World War II \u201ccomfort women\u201d are unfamiliar to many Western readers \u2013 especially young adults. Trampled Blossoms spotlights these victims and their little-known history through the story of Chun-ja, a thirteen-year-old Korean girl who is kidnapped by Japanese soldiers and forced to work as a sex slave.

The novel explores Chun-ja\u2019s story through the eyes of Yu-ri, her preteen granddaughter who lives in modern-day Seoul. Yu-ri is exasperated by her over-protective grandmother, but when Chun-ja vanishes after her middle school graduation, Yu-ri determines to uncover her grandmother\u2019s mysterious past. She discovers a book about comfort women and learns Chun-ja was forced to work as a comfort woman until she was freed by Americans at the end of WWII. After she finishes the book, Yu-ri wonders if Chun-ja\u2019s erratic behavior was a type of PTSD, even though her grandmother was too embarrassed to admit the truth.

Some authors might detail the horrors of WWII sex slavery too explicitly for young adult readers, but Moon Young-sook maintains historical accuracy while remaining age-appropriate. She also sheds light on trauma\u2019s relational consequences with poignancy and dignity. Trampled Blossoms is an engaging, insightful read sure to satisfy both teens and their parents.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "14-Aug-2019 17:47:23", "publisher": "Seoul Selection", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008124003", "title": "Bodega Cat", "author": "Louie Chin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Abigail - Age 8", "word_count": 174, "review": "Bodega cat is about a cat that lived in a bodega which is another name for a shop, the cat\u2019s name is Chip. Chip is telling the story about his shop like he is the owner. Chip likes to think he runs the shop. All of the customers that come into the bodega love Chip, he says that all the customers are his fans. In the story, Chip shows the readers all of the different things that are in his shop and all the reasons that he likes living in the bodega. Throughout the book, he explains all of the things that happen in a day at the bodega.

I loved the illustrations in this book, the illustrator used bright colors that really showed what a bodega looks like. I liked how sometimes the illustration was from Chip\u2019s point of view and sometimes you had to search the picture to see what Chip was up to. You can tell the Chip really loves his home and his owners, he enjoys being the Bodega Cat.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "13-Aug-2019 23:39:36", "publisher": "Powerhouse Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008117047", "title": "Frozen: Conceal, Don't Feel: A Twisted Tale", "author": "Jen Calonita", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Susan Faith - Age 12", "word_count": 176, "review": "This book asks the question, \u201cWhat if Anna and Elsa never knew each other?\u201d It takes characters from Frozen and puts them in different situations. I enjoy reading stories like this, where I know the characters but not the plot. This book is exciting because Elsa has to journey and find a missing princess! I thought the adventure part of the story was very interesting, and it kept me wanting to read more and find out what happened. There are also new characters, such as Freya, who is like Anna\u2019s aunt. I have seen both of the Frozen movies, so I was already familiar with the characters, but anyone could enjoy this story\u2014the reader doesn\u2019t have to see the movies before reading the book (although that would be okay too!). There is a mystery about a curse that is thrilling to discover also. I liked how the author used some flashbacks (\u201cthirteen years earlier\u201d) to reveal information about the characters and their backgrounds. Readers who are interested in Frozen will find this book a good choice!", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "11-Aug-2019 01:02:53", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008117015", "title": "Santa: My Life & Times - An Illustrated Autobiography", "author": "Jared Green, with illustrations by Bill Sienkiewicz", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 244, "review": "Every child knows about Santa Claus. They know his beard and his reindeer, his magical powers and his workshop home. They know he's jolly and married and prone to booming exclamations and bending the laws of physics to his will. But, despite all that, no one really seems to know how he came to be Santa.

Well, jolly ol' Saint Nick is rectifying that problem himself, sharing the surprising and heartwarming origins of his unique position in history in Santa: My Life & Times. The reader meets the young Nicholas, his loving parents, and his encounters with a world steeped in magic and mythos, a world with grand plans for a kind young boy pure of heart.

Building a new mythology for not only Santa but also his powers and those characters most associated with him is no easy feat. Green cherrypicks elements from other mythologies, yet manages to weave a tale that feels wholly his. Elves and reindeer, sorcerers and hobgoblins... it all somehow fits in Green's capable hands.

But what truly brings this story to life is the artwork by Bill Sienkiewicz. Every image feels like a Christmas card, or like art you'd associate with Currier and Ives or Norman Rockwell. Awash in warm colors, even the coldest winds and snowiest nights are bright and eye-catching.

Santa: My Life & Times may not be everyone's cup of Christmas cocoa, but it is wonderfully unique, bringing Santa in your home in an inventive, magical, and optimistic way.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "10-Aug-2019 20:56:14", "publisher": "Titan Comics", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008115071", "title": "Tidelands: A Novel", "author": "Philippa Gregory", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 205, "review": "I have been a fan of Philippa Gregory\u2019s work for many years beginning with her novel The Other Boleyn Girl and continuing through to her 2016 novel Three Sisters, Three Queens. It has always been a joy to read about female characters which generally never see the light of day except as a set piece or accessory to the main character. I was very excited to start Gregory\u2019s Tidelands having read the short synopsis. What could be more interesting than a woman living outside of history? We are given Alinor, a poor healer, living in the tidelands, a woman truly \u201cother.\u201d She is not part of the village but is often called upon to take care of their sick or deliver their children. She knows, however, no matter how much good she does, her life is always teetering on a precarious edge. At any moment that goodwill can turn and the word \u201cwitch\u201d will be spoken aloud with dire consequences.

Unfortunately, Gregory decides to veer away from the well-researched historical fiction she does so well and bogs the storyline down with quickly developed romance, followed by a historically unbelievable ending. If I didn\u2019t know she plans this to be a series, I would be very worried.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2019 23:50:26", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008115063", "title": "Ducks, Newburyport: A Novel", "author": "Lucy Ellmann", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 197, "review": "The unnamed narrator of this epic doorstop of a novel is an Ohio mother of four, married twice, a pie-baker by trade. Over the course of nearly a thousand pages, she free-associates as she bakes her pies, delivers them, deals with a flat tire, manages her children and spouse, and confronts endlessly appearing news stories, the stream of consciousness constant and dizzying. Climate change, motherhood, history, nature, politics\u2014no subject goes untouched, and no connotation is too random. Wordplay and lists show a mind uneasy and at work, never still as it chews through the tasks of the day. Contrasting the narrator\u2019s stream of consciousness are occasional short sections that feature a lioness and her cubs. Terse and specific, these more traditional scenes are a relief from the constant mental chatter but not separate from it.

The narrator separates her thoughts with the phrase \u201cthe fact that,\u201d and grammatical resolution is never offered. There is enlightenment in the melee, and heartbreak, too, as separations of all kinds\u2014expected and unexpected, willing and unwilling\u2014challenge mothers of all species. Love, parenthood, survival, and loss are the dominant notes, and readers who give themselves over to the dense pages will find themselves moved.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2019 23:49:07", "publisher": "Biblioasis", "page_count": "1040 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008115043", "title": "The Secrets We Kept: A Novel", "author": "Lara Prescott", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 211, "review": "Author Boris Pasternak knows the novel he\u2019s writing, Doctor Zhivago, is a masterpiece. However, since the novel is critical of Russia, he also knows that the Russian government will do anything to prevent its publication. The costs are steep: Pasternak\u2019s mistress, Olga, is sent to the gulag as punishment for aiding and protecting him. But Pasternak perseveres, and the CIA comes to see that his novel might be a powerful weapon in the Cold War. Typists-slash-spies Sally and Irina find themselves playing a pivotal role in the book\u2019s journey to publication, and its winding path back into Russia.

Told from multiple viewpoints including Pasternak, Olga, Irina, and Sally, The Secrets We Kept spans over a decade of political turmoil and crosses from East to West again and again as the CIA\u2019s plan is conceived and executed. Sally and Irina are all but hidden from the world in their innocuous secretarial roles, yet their skill and savvy are crucial to the covert American actions. At the heart of the intrigue and espionage, always, are the women and men who find their professional, artistic, and familial roles heightened with international significance. All involved in Doctor Zhivago\u2019s birth know it is far more than one man\u2019s creative triumph. Nothing less than freedom is at stake.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2019 23:45:25", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008114019", "title": "The Secret Life of Pets: Pet Tails", "author": "Stephane Lapuss", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 11", "word_count": 195, "review": "This book is a collection of funny short comics based on the characters from the movie The Secret Life of Pets. Chloe is my favorite character from this story. She is an extremely sarcastic cat who can be a little mean sometimes.

In one comic strip, Norman the hamster is trying to solve the mystery of the hamster wheel. Norman keeps running on the wheel every night, trying to reach \u201cthe end.\u201d Although Chloe knows it is just a wheel, she won\u2019t tell Norman because she is amused by his wasted effort.

Another of my favorite comic strips is where Max finds Duke chewing on his owner\u2019s shoe. In order to escape detection, Duke suggests they chew ALL the shoes. If there are teeth marks in all the shoes, the owner won\u2019t notice that only one shoe had been chewed!

I like this book because it is funny! It is great if you just need a laugh. What is not to love about a book that makes you laugh with every single page you read?

Each of the characters is lovable or relatable in his or her own way. This book is a must-have for any age of reader!", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "10-Aug-2019 21:04:19", "publisher": "Titan Comics", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008113019", "title": "The Colorful Family Table: Seasonal Plant-Based Recipes for the Whole Family", "author": "Ilene Godofsky Moreno", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 210, "review": "As plant-based eating grows in popularity, vegans, meat-eaters, and everyone in between are on the lookout for more vegetarian options to feed themselves and their families. Children especially can be pickier eaters, and many of the dishes that appeal to adults may not be quite so kid-friendly. Fortunately, there are new cookbooks coming out all the time that deal with this issue, and blogger and recipe developer Ilene Godofsky Moreno\u2019s newest cookbook is packed with great ideas. The Colorful Family Table is meant for families, and the recipes inside will surely appeal to a wide range of tastebuds, from the pickiest of children (and adults!) to those with a wider palate. Moreno is a big fan of eating seasonally, and consequently, her book is divided into four seasonal sections. In the fall, enjoy cozy, filling dishes like kabocha squash & lentil stew or easy stewed apples. Winter recipes include options like balsamic cabbage \u201csteaks\u201d and brownie blizzard balls. In the spring, enjoy fresh flavors in dishes like veggie quiche or roasted garlic pesto. And in the summer, home chefs will be eager to try BBQ lentil burgers or watermelon & tofu feta salad. Beautiful pictures make the meals even more appealing, and readers will appreciate no-fuss instructions and easy-to-find ingredients.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "10-Aug-2019 22:29:18", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008109011", "title": "White Flights: Race, Fiction, and the American Imagination ", "author": "Jess Row", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 177, "review": "The rise of multicultural, ethnic, and gender studies in recent times has cast its shadow on literature and the role literature plays in modern society and in education. In his new book, Professor Jess Row examines how literature by white authors has changed, been challenged, and often struggles in the modern world to still act as a voice. Professor Row examines whether white authors can write about anything else other than their own experiences, such as other cultures or nationalities. While there are no easy answers to this question and ideas, Professor Row does raise important questions that deserve to be debated in academia and talked about. There is a role white authors have to play in the conversation it just depends on whether anyone will listen.

This book is designed for academic audiences, either professors or students in college. These essays will help literature majors explore these larger conversations about race and literature. Professor Row does not claim to be the last word on this topic but instead wants to start the conversation and keep it going.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2019 13:16:56", "publisher": "Graywolf Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008101011", "title": "Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Beyond The Bizarre (16) (ANNUAL)", "author": "None", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 198, "review": "There are two big books full of weirdness and wonder that I look forward to every year. One is the Guinness Book of World Records. The other, which is weirder and more wonderful, is the next volume of Ripley's Believe It Or Not!.

Jam-packed with peculiarities, coincidences, amazing moments, and brain-melting feats, every edition of Ripley's opens your eyes to the magic, mystery, and madcap nature of existence all around the world. Beyond the Bizarre is a perfect example.

From insane natural phenomena like orange snow and bog bodies to cultural traditions from around the world (like coming-of-age ceremonies involving tooth-sharpening), from daredevil acts like those of Evel Knievel to strange and marvelous works of art (some involving Etch-a-Sketch, butter sculpting, and painting while skydiving), it's impossible to encapsulate how wide a swathe a single edition of Ripley's cuts across life on Earth.

The photography is top-notch, bringing all of these outlandish and unlikely things into stark reality, be it a zipline ride over lava or a lion that rides shotgun in a stunt car. Complete with interviews, featurettes, and historical explorations of oddities past and present, every edition of Ripley's is a treat, and Beyond the Bizarre is no exception.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2019 23:09:39", "publisher": "Ripley Publishing", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008090267", "title": "River of Fire", "author": "Sister Helen Prejean", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 225, "review": "Death penalty activist and perhaps the most well-known nun in the world, Sister Helen Prejean recounts her origin story and the passions that drive her in her latest book, River of Fire: On Becoming an Activist.

The most welcome surprise of this book was the deep and sustained humor in it. Despite her fame and the difficult work of her life, Prejean does not take herself all that seriously. The early chapters, which recount her entry into the life of a nun, are filled with small episodes of her silliness and joy\u2014two emotions often viewed as inappropriate for sister of the cloth. And the level of honesty in the book\u2014about her own early feelings of racism and a rejection of the idea that a woman must be with only one man for life\u2014is revolutionary.

If you\u2019ve seen the film Dead Man Walking, in which Susan Sarandon plays Prejean, you may know something about this writer. But reading River of Fire is a far better window into the soul of the full woman. While the title suggests the book is about Prejean\u2019s rise to activism, I\u2019d argue it\u2019s also about becoming your full self by acknowledging who you are, what you want, and what you don\u2019t. It is a brilliant book\u2014the kind you read and mark up in the margins and share with friends for years to come.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "12-Jan-2021", "date_added": "03-Aug-2019 03:24:57", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008090195", "title": "Girl on the Block", "author": "Jessica Wragg", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 879, "review": "These young adult novels offer something for everyone from a memoir about women in the meat industry to a moving story about family and foster care to a re-imagining of /Oliver Twist/ with much more to be discovered! Check out captivating, thought-provoking, and stunning stories that range from the genres of graphic novel to memoir to fantasy to a heist thriller. \n\nLong Distance \u2013 Whitney Gardner\n\nThis graphic novel comes from the creator of /Fake Blood/. Summer is meant to be a time where you have no responsibilities and have fun with your closest friends, but for Vega, it's a time of change. Things take a turn for the worst when she's not only forced to spend her vacation without her best friend, but she learns that her parents have made the dreadful decision of moving them to Seattle. Now she's leaving her hometown behind, along with her best friend. In a plot to help her adjust to her new life and make some friends, Vega's parents decide that she should go to Summer Camp. Vega has made her own decision to find a way to return to Portland, but when weird things start happening, her only option is to work with her fellow campers to uncover the camp's secrets.\n \nGirl on the Block \u2013 Jessica Wragg\n\nIn this memoir, Jessica is a determined female butcher that fights for her place in the meat industry. At sixteen years old, Jessica received a job at a local shop that sent her behind the butcher's counter, typically run by men, and plunges her into a world where butchers used a secret language but are hesitant to share their secrets with her. A decade later and Jessica is navigating this male-dominated world while taking on the whole industry and proving herself. She finds herself facing challenges similar to her female counterparts fighting to prove themselves in the restaurant industry. She's had to earn every ounce of recognition, memorize every aspect of the meat, and face off against ageism and sexism. The graphic novel blends personal experience, craft, and delves into an honest look at the industry. \n\nThe Risk of Us \u2013 Rachel Howard\n\nA story that tackles the honesty of adoption and the foster system, /The Risk of Us/ is about a couple stepping into the role of fostering a child. After taking in a child, the three face hurdles in their journey to become a family. Maresa is seven years old and has a history filled with abuse with multiple failed foster families and outbursts induced by anger and panic attacks. The story explores the struggle of two parents and one child trying to understand what it means to be a family while a mother struggles with her own traumatic history and a father faces a worsening heart condition. The three of them long to become a real family but don't know how to take the first steps forward. /The Risk of Us/ takes place over the course of a year as Maresa enters the age that makes it harder for children in the system to find homes. Will the three learn how to be a family or is this an adoption that's meant to crumble? The story has a thought-provoking style that explores how children bring challenges into a relationship, the uncertainties surrounding building a family, and how empathy can bring down defenses. \n\nTwist \u2013 Tom Grass\n\nA re-imagining of /Oliver Twist/, this thrilling heist adventure that delivers a tale of love, betrayal, and plenty of danger. Twist is eighteen and has no money, family, or home with all he has being his reputation as one of London's most infamous street artists and abilities that have made him well-known as an urban climber. His luck starts to run out when the police set off after him and he realizes his freedom is at stake. After the mysterious Dodge saves him, he introduces him to con artist Cornelius Faginescu and is drawn into a world of stealing and danger. The further Twist is pulled within Cornelius' group, the closer he becomes to the charming Red and the more he understands about the truth behind Cornelius' plan for them. He soon learns that this world is more dangerous than he realized and now he must figure out how to stay alive. \n\nA Choir of Lies \u2013 Alexandra Rowland \n\nThis is the follow-up to /A Conspiracy of Youth/ and takes place three years since Yfling's master-Chant ripped apart a nation with just the power of his words. Yfling has started over in a new realm but his heart is still broken and he continues to grieve what he lost. He has received employment from a wealthy merchant as a translator. Sterre de Waeyer has offered Yfling a second chance, but Yfling still struggles with events of his past, the feeling of alienation, and his fear of telling stories. Everything changes after his new employer discover the truth about him and are forced to tell stories that send the city into mania over getting shipments for an exotic flower. Disaster pushes him into crossroads where he's forced to decide if he wants to be like his former master and let the city destroy itself, or use the power of his stories to save everyone?", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "03-Aug-2019 03:01:46", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008088007", "title": "Here and Now", "author": "Julia Denos", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 93, "review": "Here and Now is about becoming. Maybe everyone who reads the book is becoming something different. The book is about how whatever we\u2019re doing and wherever we are, there are other things happening all around us. The illustrations are creative. The story is different from anything I have read before. It seems like it might be more interesting to older kids even though there aren\u2019t many words. It\u2019s the kind of book I would read once in a while. Maybe it would be better if you listen to yoga music while reading it.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "03-Aug-2019 22:16:26", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008087027", "title": "The Companion", "author": "Kim Taylor Blakemore", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 226, "review": "Lucy Blunt has been condemned to be hanged for the murder of two people. Lucy came into the Burton household as a maid, but managed to catch the eye of her employer and rose to become The Companion of the title. However, the current companion is not happy with this situation and will do anything to bring Lucy down. As Lucy awaits her fate, she reflects on the circumstances that led her to the Burton house and what went on once she got there. Things aren\u2019t always what they seem and it can be hard to know who to trust when everyone has their secrets.

I thought there would be more of a mystery to this story, but it was more about spurned lovers and things turning out differently than we plan. There were no likable characters in this book, with maybe the exception of Cook, but even then, that\u2019s pushing it. I\u2019m not even sure what the genre of this book would be. There was some attempt at mystery and historical fiction, but it felt more like a romance novel turned bad. Since I sincerely dislike romance novels, this was not a book I enjoyed. I don\u2019t know that I would even recommend it to someone who does like romance novels. Overall, it wasn\u2019t really worth the short amount of time it took to read.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "04-Aug-2019 01:56:51", "publisher": "Lake Union Publishing", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "1.5"} {"id": "425035000008262015", "title": "Groundhog's Runaway Shadow", "author": "David Biedrzycki", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 200, "review": "Groundhog's Runaway Shadow is about a groundhog named Phil and his shadow. Phil's shadow is always with him to have fun or help him out with something. The story starts with Phil being young, but then, like us, Phil grows up to become an adult groundhog. When he's grown up, Phil likes different things than his shadow does. This starts to frustrate Phil because he wants to do his own thing but he can't when his shadow messes it up. One day, Phil tells his shadow to leave! His shadow does that and travels around the world. Phil starts to miss his shadow, and even though he is afraid of traveling, he does it anyway to get his shadow back. He ends up finding his shadow, and they learn to live together with their differences.

I like this story because the pictures are colorful. I like the meaning of the story, that even though we don't all like the same things we should learn to get along anyway. I just got done learning about Groundhog's Day at school, so this was fun to read about since I understand now why his shadow isn't with him absolutely every day of the year.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2019 19:28:50", "publisher": "Charlesbridge", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008261023", "title": "Deception (The Dark Matter Trilogy)", "author": "Teri Terry", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Tatiana - Age 17", "word_count": 208, "review": "This is a fast-paced, futuristic science fiction story about a terrible epidemic that is affecting the world after some scientists mess around with dark matter. This is Book 2 in the series and follows three teenagers: Callie, her sister Shay, and Kai as they try to uncover what is behind this terrible contagion. Shay thinks she is a carrier of the disease, so she leaves her friends and turns herself in to a government facility for survivors. Kai and Callie are searching for Shay and the scientist they think started the disease. The book is well written in clear language that keeps a nice fast pace of action and plot twists. The chapters are narrated from different perspectives which also helps us get to know different characters better. The main characters are well developed and have grown a bit since the first book. They are likable and believable even though one of them is technically a ghost. The other characters could have been developed more so that we get to know they better. Some of the romantic relationships seem unneeded. This is a good book for people over the age of fifteen who like apocalyptic, futuristic action stories with characters you can stand behind and surprising plot twists.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2019 20:15:24", "publisher": "Charlesbridge Teen", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008261015", "title": "Mario and the Hole in the Sky: How a Chemist Saved Our Planet", "author": "Elizabeth Rusch", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Andrew - Age 11", "word_count": 204, "review": "This book talks about a boy named Mario who lived in Mexico City and who received a microscope for his eighth birthday. He was so intrigued by chemistry that his family eventually allowed him to convert their unused bathroom into a laboratory.

As he grew up, Mario remained interested in science, took extra classes in school, and conducted his own experiments. Mario discovered that the CFCs, or chlorofluorocarbons, used in refrigerators, insulation, and hairspray cans did not dissolve in rain or break down in sunlight. They actually go into the ozone layer, or the sunscreen of the Earth, and break it up. This was a terrifying discovery because the human race would die out if the ozone layer was destroyed.

Mario told the media about his discovery, but no one believed him until a British scientist took measurements of the ozone in the atmosphere and found an enormous hole over the Antarctic. It was a hole the size of the United States.

I don\u2019t want to ruin the ending for you, but it is a happy one! The illustrations are really fun and add to the story to help tell it. I recommend this book for science nerds like myself aged 7 and up.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2019 19:26:48", "publisher": "Charlesbridge", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008258003", "title": "The Magical Language of Others: A Memoir", "author": "E. J. Koh", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Cay Wren", "word_count": 252, "review": "In The Magical Language of Others, E.J. Koh takes her readers on a wonderfully written, if sobering, journey through the history of the women of her family and her own journey to being the author of this memoir. Born in Milpitas, California to Korean immigrant parents, Koh\u2019s mother and father start out humbly but move up in society rapidly after her father makes some dedicated business maneuvers in the tech industry. When her mother and father decide to move back to Korea temporarily for her father\u2019s work, they leave Koh to live with her older brother in Davis.

The familial tales of stark trauma are paced between translated letters from her mother, passionately and consistently sent off from Korea while Koh grew up with her brother. Each story is a patchwork of isolated devotion, and over time Koh sews them delicately together to create a quilted spread of familial feminine pain. But Koh does not pity herself or her family. In fact, she is economical enough with her prose to waste little time reflecting on the grand scheme of raw deals the women of her family have faced, but rather reckons these events in an empathetic but ultimately detached tone. Koh\u2019s writing does not err on the side of the histrionic, and therein lies her genius; she leaves space for the reader to feel all those feelings on her behalf. The effect is a quiet and brief memoir that immediately pulls you in and leaves your heart wrenched by imagined grief and love.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2019 03:27:01", "publisher": "Norton", "page_count": "203 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008257003", "title": "How Much of These Hills Is Gold: A Novel", "author": "C Pam Zhang", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 241, "review": "Twelve-year-old Lucy and eleven-year-old Sam are orphaned sisters embarking on a gruesome quest to bury their father. His body is in a trunk that they strap to their horse, and though his body is actively decomposing, they can\u2019t find a burial place that feels right. Once they find a resting place, their path forward is far from clear. Born into a family of gold prospectors, they meet hardship at every turn, as their rights to the land and its riches are relentlessly questioned. They\u2019ve spent their whole lives in the American West, but they are treated as outsiders. Sam, who is impulsive and quick-tempered where Lucy is measured and cautious, believes a better home for them lies across the ocean; Lucy goes along with the planning, though she isn\u2019t so sure Sam is right. When the sisters are separated, each must forge her own way. The sisters will be forced to face their deepest fears as they confront new truths about their family and themselves.

This riveting novel is full of myth and also rooted in a raw, harsh landscape. Children bear the burden of tradition, but family rituals also provide solace and even freedom. The capable flintiness of Lucy and Sam enables their physical survival, but all the toughness in the world won\u2019t numb their wrenching discovery about their own mother\u2019s sacrifices and selfishness. Only their love for each other will help make a place for them in a changing world.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2019 03:15:06", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008256003", "title": "Darling Rose Gold", "author": "Stephanie Wrobel", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 197, "review": "Suffering from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, Patty Watts abused her daughter, Rose Gold, and deceived the community. Now, after serving five years in prison, Patty has been released and is determined to show everyone, especially Rose Gold (who seems to have forgiven her mother), that she has changed and no longer poses a threat. As the chapters alternate between mother and daughter, we learn about Patty\u2019s childhood as well as what happened to Rose Gold in the five years her mother was locked up.

Do not let the beautiful cover of this book fool you - Darling Rose Gold is a psychological suspense novel where people and things are not always what they seem. While readers familiar with the case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard will recognize several similarities, Darling Rose Gold is ultimately a story about revenge and retribution. The reader will surely enjoy the cat-and-mouse game between Rose Gold and Patty as they try to figure out who has the upper hand. Written by first-time author Stephanie Wrobel, this is an enjoyable binge read that will have the reader continually questioning the motives of both mother and daughter as each tries to regain control over their lives.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2019 02:27:15", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008255019", "title": "Wink", "author": "Rob Harrell", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Seventh grade is a tough time for any kid, but Ross has special issues. He\u2019s been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in his eye. He has to go through surgery followed by eight weeks of radiation. The medical people are upfront with him, and he knows he might lose his vision or maybe even his life. But Ross puts on his big-boy pants and does what he has to do. One of his two best friends totally ignores Ross and the other will shortly move away. But one of the radiation techs becomes a friend and teaches Ross a LOT about music and even how to play. Some mean kids do some terrible things to Ross as he goes through radiation burn, hair loss, and more that almost bring him to his breaking point.

Author Rob Harrell tapped into his own experience with cancer for this incredibly well-written story. The first-person point of view is perfect for this story because Harrell absolutely nails the language and feelings of a prepubescent boy facing both cancer and seventh grade. This book is filled with heart and humor wrapped in a most compelling story. This is a winner!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2019 03:23:53", "publisher": "Dial Books", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008255011", "title": "Arguing with Zombies: Economics, Politics, and the Fight for a Better Future", "author": "Paul Krugman", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 193, "review": "Paul Krugman is one of the most famous economists in the United States, and his writing has reached millions of readers as he often writes for the average reader in his columns for The New York Times, The New Yorker, and other publications. This book brings together a collection of his writings that date all the way back to 2004. The writings are arranged by theme and then proceed chronologically as Krugman looks at different themes that have had an impact on society.

This feels like traveling back through time in a way, though there is a little bit of new writing at the beginning of each section. This honestly feels more like a remembrance of the past including how things were when George W. Bush won a second term, the fight over the privatization of Social Security, the crash of the housing bubble, Obama's presidential terms, and the early days of Trump. This book will be interesting for those people who were too young to really know what was happening back then and to help those that did know what was happening to recognize how things can oftentimes travel in full circle.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2019 01:53:45", "publisher": "W. W. Norton & Company", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008255007", "title": "Apeirogon: A Novel", "author": "Colum McCann", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 206, "review": "Israeli Rami Elhanan and Palestinian Bassam Aramin are grieving fathers brought together by losses that unite them across cultural and spiritual divides in National Book Award-winner Colum McCann\u2019s latest novel, Apeirogon.

The title, a geometrical term expressing a polygon with an infinite number of countable sides, conveys the structure of the book. Written in 1001 sections, counting up to 500 and back down to one, the novel is a hybrid of interlocking narratives, historical accounts, metaphorical explorations, photographs, and philosophical musings. The structure is demanding and can be difficult to follow\u2014particularly the core stories of Rami and Bassam\u2014if the book is read over a long stretch. I recommend committing to it in a shorter time frame so the narrative threads don\u2019t unravel.

For those interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or history and art enthusiasts looking to be mesmerized by McCann\u2019s vast and seemingly endless allusions, the novel is a home run. Fans of more traditional, linear narratives, however, may find his latest offering a struggle.

At its core, Apeirogon is a complex, at times heartbreakingly beautiful reminder that shared humanity trumps hatred, violence, war, difference, and time. There is nothing more necessary to remember as we navigate the world, each of us in our individual spheres desperately seeking connection.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2019 01:51:17", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008254011", "title": "Always Home: A Daughter's Recipes & Stories: Foreword by Alice Waters", "author": "Fanny Singer", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 162, "review": "Lest you think that the author, Fanny Singer, trades on the celebrity of her very famous mother, think again. She is a very good writer and has filled this memoir with charming stories, recipes, family traditions, and pictures. In all, reading this book is like cozying up to a warm Berkeley hearth and reveling in a comfortable yet unconventional family. In this family, there are godparents, uncles, family friends, and chefs galore. Singer tells family stories about food and provides the recipes for an at-home re-creation. This reader was dismayed by the abundance of cilantro recipes in the final chapters, but I\u2019m sure there are enough cilantro lovers in the world who will welcome these dishes.

From these stories, Alice Waters, the proprietor of the famous restaurant Chez Panisse and the innovator of the farm-to-fork movement emerges as someone we would all want to know and a mother who could pack our lunchboxes anytime she wants. This is an enjoyable and unusual memoir.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2019 03:44:03", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008254007", "title": "Writers & Lovers", "author": "Lily King", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 189, "review": "Casey is a thirty-one-year-old waitress who is trying to get her life together. She\u2019s incurred massive student loan debt, but she has traveled the world and has an extensive education in English. She\u2019s been working on her novel for the past six years. She\u2019s recovering from a brief romance gone bad, and her mother has recently, and unexpectedly, died. In short, Casey is trying her best not to spiral out of control.

For the first quarter of this book, I was contemplating whether or not I should just put it down. It felt a little stream-of-consciousness-like and the threads weren\u2019t coming together for me. However, I persevered and I\u2019m so glad I did. I couldn\u2019t put the book down after a while. I wanted to know how Casey\u2019s love life was going to work out and what would happen with her novel. In short, I wanted to see how the author was going to wrap up Casey\u2019s story and if she was going to be OK.

This ended up being a poignant and heartfelt novel about the effects of grief and the paths people take to get through life.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2019 01:44:32", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008254003", "title": "Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating the New Masculinity", "author": "Peggy Orenstein", "category": "N16 Relationships & Sex", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 199, "review": "She first wrote about girls and their sexual experiences, agency, and how they experience sexual pleasure. Now she looks at boys, especially young men who are growing into adulthood in a world that still prides itself on the manly ideal of fitting into a crowd, not showing emotion, and \u201clocker room\u201d talk. Peggy Orenstein uses interviews she had with a select number of boys of different age groups, along with psychologists and academics about how access to pornography and other sexual material is changing the way boys interact with girls, and how age-old stereotypes of how men should act have not changed. This is a fairly frank book, so people easily offended by frank descriptions or the use of language should avoid it. But it covers ground that other, more academic books have not covered. What would be considered groundbreaking is that Orenstein is writing this for a more general audience than other academics. Instead targeting parents, and young boys themselves. She covers different topics in each chapter and moves on a thematic scale, with some of her interview subjects finding a sense of redemption and others still struggling to find out what it means to be a man.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2019 01:35:15", "publisher": "Harper", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008250059", "title": "Trouble at Table 5 #1: The Candy Caper (HarperChapters)", "author": "Tom Watson, illustrated by Marta Kissi", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - Age 8", "word_count": 141, "review": "I really liked this book! I was confused about why she wants to count the skittles so badly. When I read the cover, I saw that it was the author of Stick Dog! He is one of my favorite authors! I knew I would like the book just because of the author! I think that the book is for third graders, not second graders. I liked the fact that it had pictures to separate the words and keep me interested. I like the progress bar; sometimes I have a hard time get through chapter books because I don't know how much farther until the end. I also like that it is long but not too long. Long chapter books are hard for me to follow. The fun and games at the end are actually fun! Even my little sister liked those!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "25-Sep-2019 01:09:39", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008250055", "title": "Havenfall", "author": "Sara Holland", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 199, "review": "There is nothing worse than spending summer interning at an insurance company. Maddie boards the bus to the mountains of Colorado instead, to Havenfall. It is her family\u2019s legacy, on her mother\u2019s side, an inn run by her uncle for the different magical realms that converge there in a safe place. However, the Solarians, a dangerous group cast out and sealed off from the inn, have found a way back, and this promises danger. After Maddie\u2019s uncle is hurt and falls unconscious, Maddie steps into the innkeeper\u2019s position way sooner than she had expected. She had hoped to take over the inn after years of learning, but now she just hopes she won\u2019t ruin everything he has worked so hard to maintain.

This tale is reminiscent of the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull, or the Trylle series by Amanda Hocking. There is so much adventure and suspense with the turn of every page. Maddie\u2019s determination to save everything she loves even as she questions her capability makes her real in the midst of a make-believe world. The pacing is quick and the surprises many, and readers will be disappointed only to learn that the sequel is not expected until 2021.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "25-Sep-2019 00:43:29", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008250051", "title": "Maya and the Rising Dark", "author": "Rena Barron", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Yessenia - Age 11", "word_count": 198, "review": "This is an action-packed, fast-paced story about magic, family, and friendship, and it has lots of twists and turns.

Strange things are happening in Maya\u2019s hometown of Chicago, as dark shadows appear in her neighborhood and her dreams are filled with the Lord of the Shadows. Twelve-year-old Maya is half Orisha. She is also caring, funny, and loving, and she is on a mission to save her missing father, who is a powerful Orisha. As she and her friends embark on their mission to rescue Papa, they encounter exciting adventures and learn a great deal about themselves.

Maya and her friends, Eli and Frankie, are engaging, diverse characters. They, along with all the side characters, are realistic, likable, and multi-dimensional. This story incorporates West African culture in a fun and informative way. It also has a caring family that is supportive of one another, which is a refreshing change from the usual orphan-or-child-with-terrible-parents theme that is more common in books for kids.

This story has lots of adventure and magic, and it has a hero you will love everything about and want to see in more stories. It's a great book for anyone over the age of ten.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Sep-2019 00:36:42", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008249075", "title": "Beyond the Shadowed Earth", "author": "Joanna Ruth Meyer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 241, "review": "Eda has fought her way to becoming Empress and fights daily to keep her throne against shady advisors trying to run the empire over her. As her vow to a god that helped her achieve her reign begins to crumble, she receives a visit from a prince and his sister from a warring whose arrival sparks conversation to sign a peace treaty that Eda doesn\u2019t want. She doesn\u2019t expect to discover a connection with Prince Ileem or the way he challenges her.

Meyer captures this amazing world through rich details that bring this adventure to life to deliver a sensational journey that is complex, powerful, and emotional. Meyer weaves a suspenseful journey of power and strength as Eda makes one bold move after another as she journeys to confront powerful gods. Eda is an incredible character with a strong will and a bold personality that helped her claw her way into power and into a life she will do anything to keep. The story has flashbacks woven throughout that depict Eda\u2019s life before and chronicles her journey into becoming the Empress. These memories are poignant and give the story a reflective tone that centers on the theme of origins which explores Eda as she was and as the Empress. Beyond the Shadowed Earth is an exhilarating adventure that breathes new life into the fantasy genre that delivers an epic fight for an empire with action-packed moments that will leave you breathless.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "25-Sep-2019 00:32:08", "publisher": "Page Street Kids", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008249047", "title": "My Pet Slime (My Pet Slime Book 1)", "author": "Courtney Sheinmel", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - Age 8", "word_count": 241, "review": "I really liked the book My Pet Slime! I feel bad for Piper because she can\u2019t have a pet because she is allergic to so many things. I also felt bad that she doesn\u2019t have anyone to play with at home and has to play alone. Piper sounds a lot like me. I LOVE art. I LOVE slime, but I am not supposed to make it without my parents. I was so happy when she made it purple because that is my favorite color. I wish, when I made slime, I had some space dust to make my slime come alive! Piper takes her slime to school and then it gets lost! She has a fight with her friend, which makes me feel sad. When the girls have to stay late for their punishment at school but find Cosmo and then he comes alive for Claire, that made me happy!

I liked that there were pictures in the book, it sort of broke up the words and gave my eyes a break. I think it is a good book for kids who are learning to read chapter books. I am very excited that this is a series of books. I like it when books connect and I can keep reading about the same characters. I also LOVED that there is a recipe for slime in the back of the book because again, I LOVE SLIME! This book is great for slime-loving kids!", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "23-Sep-2019 23:55:06", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008249019", "title": "The Burglar in Short Order", "author": "Lawrence Block", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 203, "review": "In The Burglar in Short Order, readers will meet their newest favorite New York City burglar (I didn't think I'd ever be saying that!). Lawrence Block has been writing short stories and novels about burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr for four decades now. You can find the stories included in this volume in magazines such as Playboy and Cosmopolitan, and one as a movie starring Whoopi Goldberg!

Most of the stories in this book are chapters from individual books told from Bernie's point of view, with additional essays included by Block about his experiences writing the stories. Bernie runs a bookstore by day but is a burglar by night. The reader will enjoy learning about his adventures at night and the people he comes to befriend in his line of work.

I thought the book was enjoyable and unlike most that I've read. Reading and comparing Block's first story from 1977 to his most recent shows that his writing is still as enjoyable as it always was, but the material is updated. It is fun to read about a comical and realistic burglar, as those are few and far between. Future writings from Block will be a must, most definitely if they include Bernie Rhodenbarr.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2020", "date_added": "23-Sep-2019 17:03:24", "publisher": "Subterranean Press", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008248067", "title": "Enchanter's Child, Book One: Twilight", "author": "Angie Sage", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Antonio - Age 13", "word_count": 198, "review": "This is a funny and entertaining fantasy story filled with magic and adventure. Alex, age eleven, doesn\u2019t know who her parents are. After the monarch banned enchanters her parents gave her to a woman, Miriam, when she was a baby. Since then Alex has lived with her foster family even though she doesn't always feel like a part of their family. To make extra money she uses her enchanted cards to do secret readings about the future for people at the marketplace. Her foster sister, Zerra, reports her and Miriam, and Alex is now is the run, facing danger and in hiding as she tries to figure out who she really is. The story is exciting, funny and well written. The setting is an interesting and complex world with magical characters. The author creates a world where magic is against the law, though oracles and wizards are everywhere. The characters are strong, funny, interesting and make you root for them. This is a story that is mostly appropriate for eight to thirteen-year-olds, although the vocabulary and detailed descriptions might be a little challenging for younger kids. Everyone who likes fantasies and magical kingdom stories will enjoy this book.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "25-Sep-2019 01:14:06", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008248063", "title": "Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor", "author": "Ally Carter", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Yessenia - Age 11", "word_count": 196, "review": "This is a fast-paced story filled with action, adventure, mystery, and suspense.

April is in foster care and waiting for her mom to come back and get her. The only clue she has to her past is a key with the Winterborne family crest on it. When she and four other orphans get sent to live at Winterborne, she has the chance to find out where she comes from. In the process she meets the heir to Winterborne, who is believed to be dead but is actually living in a hidden room in the mansion. Now she is going to try and help the Winterborne heir get his rightful place back.

April is an energetic, smart, and self-reliant twelve year old who just wants to find the treasure her key will open. The rest of the characters, Sadie, Colin, Tim, and Violet, are lovable and interesting kids you would want to have as your friends. This story is well written and told in a funny and interesting way. Once you pick it up, it is hard to put this book down.

This story is good for readers aged nine to thirteen who like suspense and mystery.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "25-Sep-2019 00:46:19", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008248059", "title": "Ink in the Blood (Ink in the Blood Duology)", "author": "Kim Smejkal", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 168, "review": "Celia and Anya have long since stopped believing in the Divine they are forced to serve. They spend their days tattooing followers with her will to guide their actions, but they know the truth: Profeta is built on lies and they want out. Their chance comes with the Rabble Mob, a traveling theatre troupe. Celia and Anya only have one chance to impress the troupe\u2019s leader. Using their inking abilities to perform, the friends are content for the first time. Until they find out the Divine is very real, very angry, and threatening the family they\u2019ve found.

Ink in the Blood has taken tattoo magic, religion, lies, and theatre somewhere new. Sometimes the writing is confusing and hard to follow, but otherwise well written. I absolutely love the way the troupe is portrayed, each one having two faces: the one they are and the character they play. This is especially true for some characters more than others, adding another layer to the already high pile of lies and half-truths.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "25-Sep-2019 00:41:21", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008248051", "title": "Choosing to Care: A Century of Childcare and Social Reform in San Diego, 1850-1950", "author": "Kyle E. Ciani", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 260, "review": "Today\u2019s families fret continuously about resolving family childcare and economic stress. Kyle Ciani\u2019s saga describes a century\u2019s progress in these concerns, zoning in on San Diego, representative of a city that underwent a substantial change in a growing, diverse population between 1850-1950. The need of \u2018a resource needed by unstable families\u2019 barely understates the situation when American Indians could become indentured servants in 1850, Mexicans came in to escape the Revolution in the early 20th century, and Chinese railroad workers, as well as African-Americans, were in need of homes and a means of supporting their families, protecting their children. Those living in the city coped as best they could until later court-appointed and professional assistance began to serve and, despite unwillingness to hand over their children to the care of others, provided a substantial measure of relief.

When psychologist G. Stanley Hall introduced the term and concept of adolescence in 1904 as a new stage of life, this was a milestone. Troubled and troublesome twelve to eighteen-year-olds who needed discrete attention were no longer viewed or punished as adults. Teenage boys who were labeled incorrigible, vicious, and uncontrollable and girls who were seen as rebellious and sexually promiscuous received much-needed guidance.

Subsequently, settlement homes were introduced, following a pattern already familiar in Chicago and Boston, and well-to-do \u2018white\u2019 women stepped up to fund, organize, and volunteer or take leadership staff positions.

Besides detailing the formal progression of social reform and childcare, Ciani has included case studies of individual children and families transforming an academic study into sympathetically readable urban history.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Sep-2019 19:35:28", "publisher": "University of North Carolina Press", "page_count": "342 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008248043", "title": "The Seventh Sun (The Age of the Seventh Sun Series)", "author": "Lani Forbes", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 213, "review": "The Chicome people are living in the age of The Seventh Sun. The world has ended six times before and only the blood of the emperor can cause the sun to rise each day. Unfortunately, the emperor has just passed away, so his son Ahkin must now rise to the task. However, he cannot become emperor until he has chosen a wife. Each of the six city-states must send one of their princesses to compete to be his bride. While Ahkin's blood controls the sun and light, each of these princesses possesses their own powers. Mayana can control water, but it might not be enough to save her. Only one can be chosen as empress, while the rest will be sacrificed to ensure a long reign for the couple. Mayana will have to decide how far she\u2019ll go to save herself and those she loves.

Reading this book is like time-traveling to the Inca and Mayan empire. You are completely immersed in the culture with historical accuracy. Every moment puts you on the edge of your seat as you wait to see what the fate of Mayana and the other princesses will be as well as the Chicome people as their sun appears to be fading. I can\u2019t wait for the next book!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Sep-2019 00:25:54", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008248003", "title": "Don't Leave Me Breathless", "author": "A Kelly", "category": "F19 Erotica", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 400, "review": "Don\u2019t Leave Me Breathless begins with one of the most intense prologues I\u2019ve seen in any work. Joseph Russo is in a hospital, anxious about Summer, his fianc\u00e9e, who has been badly injured in a fight. He and his daughter watch over her, worried but nevertheless certain she will be all right. They have the doctor\u2019s assurance she will pull through, after all, and besides that, they know the one thing anyone going into this book must know: Summer is a fighter.

From there, the book skips back over ten years to Summer\u2019s adolescence to show us various formative events in her life. We see how she became a fighter, the beginnings of her work as a lawyer, and a disastrous marriage that both sends her fleeing across Australia and gives the title its power. We also see a few moments in Joseph\u2019s life, but for the most part, the book focuses on Summer, as well it should. She is a powerful, complex character caught in a storm partially of her own making, and how (or even if) she will weather the storm is an exciting journey I was eager to take.

I did, however, find myself wishing for more. The book is a quick read, but at times that quickness made me feel as though I had lost something. I wanted to see more of the gaps between Summer\u2019s chapters and to know more about her legal career, which is mentioned but rarely discussed. While at times the gaps served the story well, for the most part, I found myself wishing they could be filled in to keep the first part of the book from feeling like a prologue.

That said, the parts of Summer\u2019s life that are presented are intense. Summer is a woman of powerful feelings, many of which pop up simultaneously. Love, hatred, lust, regret\u2026 all are presented, and all turn the book from just a story into a rollercoaster. In the end, the book did leave me breathless for how much is covered in its few pages.

While it didn\u2019t quite blow me away, I thoroughly enjoyed Don\u2019t Leave Me Breathless and would recommend it for anyone needing an escape from the winter blahs. And for those, like me, who finish the book wanting to see more of Summer, it\u2019s the first in a series, so keep your eyes open for more from A. Kelly.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Sep-2019 12:24:51", "publisher": "", "page_count": "358 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008247107", "title": "The Burning Maze (Trials of Apollo, The Book Three)", "author": "Rick Riordan", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 125, "review": "Apollo's trials and tribulations continue in The Burning Maze. He and Meg head to California. The southern part of the state is withering away thanks to the trapped primordial energy. Along the way, they recruit the assistance of Jason, Piper, and Gleeson Hedge. We also meet several dryads from succulents, including a male dryad! I adored all of these dryads. They have such personalities that really fit with the plants they inhabit. Aloe, for instance, is all about healing. They have several confrontations with the last emperor (whose identity I correctly guessed!), that end in terrible losses for the group, losses I really wasn't expecting, and they hit pretty hard. They hit Apollo pretty hard, too. I'm so glad he's slowly changing for the better!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "26-Sep-2019 23:03:00", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008247103", "title": "Sea Wife: A Novel", "author": "Amity Gaige", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Margo Littell", "word_count": 246, "review": "Michael Partlow has a dream: to live on a boat with his wife, Juliet, and young children, Sybil and George, for at least a year, sailing around the Caribbean if not around the world. Juliet is reluctant, but their marriage is already in trouble; a drastic change might be exactly what they need. Michael finds the perfect sailboat, coming up with the funds thanks to a loan from his new friend Harry, and names the boat Juliet. For a while, life is good: the family is a cohesive, supportive unit, which it hasn\u2019t been for a while, and, thrilling Michael, Juliet\u2019s sailing skills improve. Their marriage strengthens. Their children thrive. They\u2019re self-sufficient and removed from the usual cares of the world. But when stormy weather, boat repairs, and illness shatter the dream, they\u2019re far away from everything but one another\u2014and, this time, more is required to save them.

We know from the start that tragedy will strike the Partlows as the story is told in retrospect, with Juliet reading and reflecting on a journal Michael wrote at sea. When two detectives arrive at Juliet\u2019s house to question her about the disappearance of Harry, Juliet wonders how well she really knew her husband, and how much she owes him. Gaige\u2019s novel captures the tensions that arise in the Partlows\u2019 life of seafaring\u2014both the freedom and the claustrophobia, the beauty and the harrowing dangers. For readers stuck at home, Sea Wife provides a raw, intimate glimpse of hopeful survival.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "14-May-2020", "date_added": "26-Sep-2019 00:16:32", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008247031", "title": "Mister Rogers and Philosophy (Popular Culture and Philosophy)", "author": "None", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 264, "review": "These days, we're enjoying a bit of a Mr. Rogers renaissance. With the man being brought to life in big screen form (both biographical and documentary-style), a childhood icon is being introduced and re-introduced to the world at large, and he's never been needed more. So it's only natural that the Popular Culture and Philosophy series would turn their curious lens toward the beloved besweatered moral figure who invited us all into his home so often.

And honestly, they've created their most enjoyable essay collection yet. Here, the great philosophers (via their knowledgable avatars) don't nitpick or tear down a cherished property (as has happened in previous editions in the series). Instead, they explore how he engaged children through make-believe, using puppets and objects as bridges to discuss larger issues. They luxuriate in how Mr. Rogers taught us the value of quiet and contemplation and how by treating children as thinking, capable beings, he elevated all of us to a higher level of discourse.

Also, thankfully, they gleefully dispel the idiotic notion that Mr. Rogers \"harmed\" a generation of kids by teaching them that they're special, a narrative parroted by morons who see empathy as weakness instead of a valuable trait to be cultivated.

Although there aren't the laughs you'd find in editions covering Deadpool or the gang from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, this is by far my favorite entry in the series. It analyzes and poses questions, but never seeks to deflate or attack the subject at hand. This is scholarly work that embraces an icon. What more could you ask for?", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "23-Sep-2019 17:26:34", "publisher": "Open Court", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008247023", "title": "The Murderous Macaron", "author": "Ana T. Drew (this might change)", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 42, "review": "\"French patisserie owner Julie puts on her detective hat in this whimsical mystery. Fun characters and an unexpected plot twist make this story a delightful read. Perfect for fans of mystery and suspense without any blood and gore.\" \u2014 Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Sep-2019 06:24:10", "publisher": "Independently Published", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008246115", "title": "Escape from Hat", "author": "Adam Kline", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Kilian - Age 11", "word_count": 174, "review": "Everyone in the world has their own personal black cat and lucky rabbit. These two magical animals determine whether you have good or bad luck. But what would happen if somebody were to lose their good luck rabbit? That\u2019s what poor Cecil Bean finds out. After a few days of nothing but bad luck, he realizes what is going on. Meanwhile, his lucky rabbit, Leek, after getting sucked into a magician\u2019s hat, finds himself in the dangerous world of Hat, home of the black cats. Now, both of them, rabbit and boy, set out on a quest to get back to each other. But Hat is a dangerous place. Can Cecil find Leek before it\u2019s too late?

This book is awesome! It is action-packed and hilarious! I think that it would be good for all ages because there is lots of action, but also humor and fun illustrations. The good luck vs. bad luck idea is fun. The colorful, whimsical illustrations help bring the story alive. Read it. I guarantee you will like it.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "25-Sep-2019 21:20:32", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008246095", "title": "Heart of Junk", "author": "Luke Geddes", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 243, "review": "A group of wildly different characters populate the booths of the Wichita, KS, Heart of America Antique Mall in Luke Geddes\u2019s debut novel, Heart of Junk. Each person carries a secret, some small and personal and sad, some strange and terrifying, and those secrets all congeal in this hilarious and exceptional book.

Little Lindy Bobo, a pageant princess of some renown, has disappeared in Wichita, and the members of the Heart of America set out to search for her just days before Mark and Grant, hosts of the popular program Pickin\u2019 Treasures, are set to film an episode at the long-suffering antique mall. Newcomers to the mall Seymour and Lee join the old guard, including batty Barbie doll collector Delores and postcard aficionado Ronald, to search for the young girl. The mall\u2019s owner Keith is convinced that the discovery of Lindy will be a great human interest angle for Mark and Grant\u2019s show, but Keith will have to navigate his wife\u2019s addiction to purchasing pottery online and his daughter Ellie\u2019s deep disdain for Wichita as a whole before he can even think about making the Heart of America the star it deserves to be.

Equal parts commentary on what it takes to make us happy and how far we will go to protect ourselves from the things that break our hearts, Geddes\u2019 Heart of Junk is a bit like a carnival ride: twisted, a bit dangerous, and a whole hell of a lot of fun.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "25-Sep-2019 00:24:47", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008246079", "title": "2020 My Shining Year Business Goals Workbook", "author": "Leonie Dawson", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 190, "review": "Oh, what fun it is to set new goals for the year! This workbook specifically tackles business goals and is designed in such a way that it will make you happy to fill out the pages. Designed with colorful, quirky pictures and plenty of room to doodle and write, 2020 My Shining Year Business Goals Workbook is the perfect companion to your daily planner. This workbook has ideas on not just how to grow your business but also how to break down each section of your business and work within them to figure out strengths and weaknesses. It takes the user back in time to 2019 to find out what types of changes need to be made to push your business forward. It breaks down the return on investment of social media and email and asks the user for insights, thus evoking the creative process. It even has a place to reflect on gratitude. This is a whole big book of writing prompts specific to growing your business and really making this year amazing. A must-have for anyone who wants to bring their business to the next level in 2020.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "24-Sep-2019 19:05:50", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "190 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008246071", "title": "Tell Me Another Story: Poems of You and Me", "author": "Emmy Marucci", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 160, "review": "Tell me another story is a collection of poetry that spans a variety of human experiences. From the death of a cherished loved one to dating, human relationships, and more, this collection has a little something for everyone. Emmy Marucci really shines in the poems that delve into the pain of losing her beloved grandfather. She taps into the universal feelings of loss and grief to deliver very poignant and heartbreaking poems. To set off some of the poems, she includes photographs of the subjects of her poems. Reading her raw feelings about people in her family and then turning the page to see their photo was a powerful touch bridging the gap between poetry, imagination, and reality.

Not only were the poems very moving and accessible, but the quality of the book was also very high. Thick, glossy, pages enhanced the reading experience. This is an excellent selection for even casual poetry lovers, or readers who are strapped for time.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Sep-2019 18:46:48", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008246063", "title": "Don't Read the Comments", "author": "Eric Smith", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 200, "review": "Divya, the online streamer known as D1V, organized several gamers, many of them girls, to create her #AngstArmada. Aaron is the son of a doctor who expects him to follow in her footsteps, but he\u2019d rather be writing script for games with his crew at ManaPunk. They meet playing the game Reclaim the Sun, and an unlikely friendship begins. During one of their planetary excursions, a group who call themselves the Vox Populi attack Divya\u2019s armada and threaten her right to game. Later they attack her mom, but Divya won\u2019t go down quietly. Aaron, meanwhile, is trying to show his parents the legitimacy of his chosen profession, but it\u2019s difficult when Jason, the owner at ManaPunk, refuses to pay up. As attacks become more personal and Jason continues with excuses, Divya and Aaron must decide what\u2019s important.

Told in alternating voices with online chats thrown in, this book is a fast read with an incredible message. Supporting women in gaming and bringing attention to sexual harassment both in person and online is handled expertly in this story. Some parts will make readers rage, others will make them laugh, but the whole thing will leave them feeling good. A favorite for 2020.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Sep-2019 00:30:29", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008246059", "title": "Outback: The Amazing Animals of Australia: A Photicular Book", "author": "Dan Kainen and Ella Morton", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 142, "review": "Outback: The Amazing Animals of Australia: A Photicular Book is a really cool book! It\u2019s like you\u2019re watching TV, except you\u2019re really reading a book about native Australian animals. If you\u2019ve never been to Australia, this book makes you feel like you\u2019re there with its amazing kangaroos, camels, wombats, and more. If you\u2019re interested in nature, this is a good book to have on hand. It takes a really long time to read because there are a lot of details on each animal. This book is written for older kids and adults, though even babies will enjoy looking at the moving pictures. My brother liked how if you turn the pages fast the animals move really fast, but if you turn the pages slowly the animals move slowly, and you can make them forward and backward. A magical book to be sure.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "23-Sep-2019 23:23:24", "publisher": "Workman Publishing Company", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008241023", "title": "The Book of Spells: The Magick of Witchcraft", "author": "Jamie Della", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 182, "review": "Magick and witchcraft have been growing in popularity over the past few decades, with more experienced practitioners being open about spellcraft and newer initiates getting started all the time. But for many, the biggest question is how to get started. Where can one find reliable information? What tools do you need? How do you cast a circle? What is a spell, really? Author Jamie Della has been studying magick in various forms for more than two decades, and The Book of Spells is an excellent guide for anyone trying to get started, or even for those who are looking for a treasury of information all in one place. Della gives a rundown of different styles of witchcraft, the tools of the craft, various deities you may wish to incorporate into your practice, the seasonal holidays, and even simple guides to crystals, herbs, and tarot cards. And of course, there are plenty of spells to cover a wide variety of wishes and needs. The Book of Spells is a wonderful, surprisingly complete (for its size) book for anyone with an interest in magick.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "18-Sep-2019 21:21:22", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008240011", "title": "Hell with the Lid Off: Inside the Fierce Rivalry between the 1970s Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers", "author": "Ed Gruver", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1085, "review": "Sports Education Roundup\n\nWhether you\u2019re looking for inspiration to take up a new sport, tips on how to improve your game, or just a good read for during the summer months, the following five sports books all have something to offer. From basketball to baseball, football to golf and cross-country running, these books tell the extraordinary and inspirational stories of a wide range of athletes, whether just starting out, at their peak, or on the comeback trail.\n\nThree-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty by Jeff Pearlman\n\nThree-Ring Circus presents a definitive account of the highs, the lows, and the controversies experienced by the Los Angeles Lakers (and their fans) during the period 1996 to 2004, which saw many of the biggest names in the game take to the court. While the main characters are, unsurprisingly, center Shaquille O\u2019Neal and shooting guard Kobe Bryant, as well as coach Phil Jackson, Jeff Pearlman takes pains to highlight the roles of other Lakers stars, such as Nick Van Exel, Samaki Walker, and Mark Madsen, and members of the coaching squad in the team\u2019s successes and losses. He examines what made the team so great, the extent to which O\u2019Neal and Bryant were more similar than people generally thought, and how ego ultimately led to the disintegration of the team. Pearlman has a way with words that makes his factual reporting seem like storytelling, and his admiration for both the game of basketball and its players shines through on every page. This is a must-read book for basketball fans that pulls no punches but also offers a fitting and touching tribute to the late Kobe Bryant.\n\nRoaring Back: The Fall and Rise of Tiger Woods by Curt Sampson\n\nArguably, few athletes have experienced a fall from grace and a decline in competitive performance as monumental and well-publicized as that suffered by Tiger Woods after the spectacular and hugely public failure of his marriage and his two subsequent car crashes, to say nothing of the eight surgeries he required. However, despite the undoubted controversies, Woods is recognized as being one of the greatest golfers of all time, having won four Masters titles before injury forced him to take a career break. Of course, that wasn\u2019t the end of the story and, in Roaring Back: The Fall and Rise of Tiger Woods, Curt Sampson chronicles both Woods\u2019 troubled times and his spectacular return to golf, which saw him win a fifth Masters title in 2019. In telling Woods\u2019 remarkable story, Sampson relates the comebacks of other players and also shares the insights of a host of golf insiders, ranging from caddies to coaches to Augusta locals, concerning the source of Woods\u2019 greatness and his ability to come back from the brink. \n\nHell with the Lid Off: Inside the Fierce Rivalry between the 1970s Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers by Ed Gruver and Jim Campbell\n\nDuring the 1970s, the NFL was dominated by the rivalry between the Oakland Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers. As Ed Gurver and Jim Campbell detail in Hell with the Lid Off: Inside the Fierce Rivalry between the 1970s Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers, the infamous rivalry was sparked by the 1972 playoff game in which Franco Harris\u2019 touchdown, the result of the so-called \u201cImmaculate Reception\u201d (or \u201cDeception,\u201d depending on which side is favored), gave the Steelers the win against the Raiders. That game led to a five-year fight for dominance between the two teams, which were both known for their physicality and imposing presence on the field. Things eventually got so heated between the teams in terms of the mudslinging that a defamation of character court case resulted. Focusing on the larger-than-life personalities involved, Gurver and Campbell provide a thrilling account of a turbulent period in the history of football as well as the games, players, and coaches that characterized it.\n\nAmazing Racers: The Story of America's Greatest Running Team and Its Revolutionary Coach by Marc Bloom\n\nIn Amazing Racers: The Story of America's Greatest Running Team and Its Revolutionary Coach, Marc Bloom relates the inspiring story of the Fayetteville-Manlius cross-country running teams and their innovative coach, Bill Aris. Under Aris\u2019 leadership, both the boys and girls teams have far exceeded expectations and come to dominate the Nike Cross Nationals championships. To offer just a few of the stats that Bloom presents, the girls team has won eleven of the last thirteen championships, while the boys team has the best cumulative national record in terms of championship podium performances. While Bloom can\u2019t detail exactly how Coach Aris has achieved such success with his teams (after all, that would mean giving away quite the advantage to rival teams), he does discuss some aspects of Aris\u2019 philosophy and his approach to fostering talent. Through interviews conducted with current and former runners, he sheds light on some of the unique features of the program and suggests how the teams managed to come so far so quickly. The insights provided into Aris\u2019 mindset lead to insights into the runners\u2019 varying approaches and motivations, which should prove highly valuable to those looking to improve their own performance.\n\nSon of Havana: A Baseball Journey from Cuba to the Big Leagues and Back by Luis Tiant\n\nWidely regarded as the best and most consistent pitcher yet to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Luis Tiant is among the greatest players to have ever featured on the roster of the Boston Red Sox. While his talent was never in any doubt, his distinctive style\u2013\u2013including the signature Fu Manchu mustache\u2013\u2013caused him to stand out from his contemporaries in Major League Baseball during the 1970s, as did his race and country of origin. In Son of Havana: A Baseball Journey from Cuba to the Big Leagues and Back, Tiant details his extraordinary career in baseball from the early days after political upheaval meant he could not return to his home in Cuba through to the glory days of the World Series with the Red Sox and on to his emotional homecoming when he played an exhibition game in Havana in 2016. Tiant\u2019s story is an unusual one in that even aside from his baseball greatest, he lived an inspirational life after being unwillingly exiled from Cuba, facing racism during his early days in the United States, and eventually going on against the odds to succeed beyond all measure. This engaging and punchy memoir tells interesting tales from a life well lived, both on the mound and off.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Sep-2019 22:51:51", "publisher": "University of Nebraska Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008239015", "title": "Dead to Her: A Novel", "author": "Sarah Pinborough", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 250, "review": "//Dead To Her// by Sarah Pinborough is a domestic drama set in steamy Savannah, Georgia where the lifestyle of the Old South, including exclusive country and social clubs still exist. Now traveling in this elite circle of power and old money, trophy wife Marcie, has come a long way from the trailer park of her youth. She has everything she ever wanted - a handsome husband, a newly purchased mansion and a credit card with no limit. Despite all that she has, Marcie still believes the other couples view her an outsider. When her husband\u2019s boss returns from a trip abroad with Keisha, a younger and beautiful bride, after a whirlwind romance, Marcie\u2019s insecurities get the better of her as she fears losing the lavish lifestyle she has worked so hard to acquire. \n\nOften readers select books and have expectations based on an author\u2019s previous work, so if you are a fan of Behind Her Eyes you very well could be underwhelmed by this book because there is no \u201cwhat did I just read\u201d moment. However, if you are looking for a story filled with the drama of the rich and privileged with some racy sex, //Dead To Her// delivers. Unfortunately, there are some unnecessary elements that take away from the flow of the story and while there are a few twists and turns, the unlikeability of the characters makes it difficult for the reader to connect with them and thus the feeling about the outcome is one of indifference.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "17-Sep-2019 01:16:03", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000008239011", "title": "Valentine: A Novel", "author": "Elizabeth Wetmore", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 224, "review": "The oil fields in 1970s Texas are full of hell-raising men hoping to get rich. They arrive at the fields with guns and swagger, and anyone close enough to encounter them sees their arrival as a double-edged sword: waitresses make a killing in tips, but the risk of rape and murder underscores every flirtatious interaction. The women in Odessa lead lives that are all but invisible to the men in the fields until a violent rape of fourteen-year-old Glory shines a spotlight into their most intimate domestic spaces. Mary Rose, an exhausted young mother, is the first person to see Glory alive after the rape and finds herself hellbent on justice. Corinne, a new widow, spends her days torn between rage and paralyzing grief. Waitress Karla stares down danger in ways no man could have predicted. And Debra Ann becomes the lifeline of a traumatized Vietnam vet, even though she\u2019s only a child.

Though their hardships are individual, the women\u2019s fates are bound to merge. As their friends and acquaintances are relentlessly victimized by men who trust that justice will serve them above anyone else, their voices reach a fever pitch--but the promise of true justice is elusive. Sometimes victory resides in how you tell a story--about yourself, about your life, and about what you\u2019ve left behind. This raw, relentless novel is essential reading.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "17-Sep-2019 01:14:26", "publisher": "Harper", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008237011", "title": "The Vanished Birds: A Novel", "author": "Simon Jimenez", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 205, "review": "Lonely and adrift, Nia Imani is essentially a time traveler, a woman out of place, and outside time. A month of travel for her is a decade for others. But when she takes in a boy who has fallen from the sky, everything changes. Though the boy refuses to speak, he plays beautiful, haunting music. Through this unusual communication, the two outsiders form a bond, finding solace in each other. Their fateful encounter allows them to start life anew, and over the years, of traveling throughout the stars, they can only begin to realize they cannot outrun the past forever.

The Vanished Birds is such a complexly wonderful world - exploring the end of the world as we know it (by our own doing, no less), and into a future where nearly every part of space is controlled by the Umbai company. At first glance, I was unsure to make of this world, but as time progressed into Nia and the boy's story, I could not help but become engrossed with it; anticipating every twist and turn (and every new character) that was brought my way. The Vanished Birds is an all-around beautiful journey, filled with moments of love, of home and everything in between.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "17-Sep-2019 01:09:39", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008236035", "title": "The Very Rude Toytoise", "author": "Peter Lynas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - Age 5", "word_count": 184, "review": "This was a very cute book! I liked to read it and so did my mom! I really like how detailed the drawings were. They really kept me interested in the book. I love that they are in color and take up all the space on the pages. I really liked the story. I thought it was funny he had to keep telling people he was a TOYtoise. He destroyed so much and I can relate to him, sometimes I get yelled at for destroying my sister\u2019s things. I felt sad when the toytoise felt sad. He HAD to go fast because he was a wind-up toy. He didn\u2019t want to make a mess but he did. He said sorry and that\u2019s a good thing to do. I liked how the text used BIG letters to show when I should read loud. I also liked that on some of the pages they used text that wasn\u2019t straight across. Overall I liked this book and I think it teaches little kids how to say sorry for things that they do that hurt their friends feelings.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "17-Sep-2019 01:58:33", "publisher": "Made-Up Books", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008236015", "title": "Just Beyond: The Scare School", "author": "R. L. Stine", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 197, "review": "When Jess, Josh, and Marco discover a weird robot creature roaming the halls of The Scare School, they aren\u2019t sure if it is a large insect or just a bizarre bot. Little do the three of them know that this weird creature will only be the beginning of a terrifying adventure. In a split-second decision, the three children decide to jump into a swirling vortex, landing them in another dimension. Now, Jess Josh and Marco must figure out where they are and how to escape before it\u2019s too late.

In this new graphic-novel series for middle-graders, Just Beyond: The Scare School, readers will be whisked into a science-fiction terror complete with alternate dimensions, a human-eating robot, and a school that traps its students. Middle-grade readers will instantly relate with the three main earthly characters, while the name of the school alone will make them want to read the story. However, with its dual first-person narratives and confusing storyline, readers might be left questioning a few aspects of the plot. Hoping for a true Goosebumps in aesthetic and effect, I found this storyline to fall flat, yet I am optimistic that the next book in the series will deliver.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "17-Sep-2019 00:40:56", "publisher": "KaBOOM!", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008236003", "title": "Breathe Slower, Deeper, Better: Make Deep Breathing a Habit with Simple Yoga Exercises", "author": "Yael Bloch", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Julia - Age 10", "word_count": 169, "review": "Breathing is something every single person does from the moment they are born. It is something we do without even thinking about it, but what happens when you do actually think about how you are breathing? The first part of this book explains how breathing and the respiratory muscles in the bodywork. The book then goes into how to recognize your own breathing patterns and how you can change your breathing by thinking about it. After explaining the importance of breathing the author then explains how breathing is used when practicing yoga and shows some yoga breathing exercises that can be easily done.

Even though breathing isn\u2019t something we have to think about, there are times when thinking about breathing can help you. By controlling your breathing you can help calm yourself, reduce stress and help control emotions. It was interesting to see how breathing works and how you can use it to help you. The yoga poses and breathing exercises were easy to follow especially with the pictures.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "16-Sep-2019 23:28:05", "publisher": "The Experiment", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008235011", "title": "The Frugal Book Promoter - 3rd Edition: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher", "author": "Carolyn Howard-Johnson", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 200, "review": "Here\u2019s the 3rd edition of this advisory extravaganza. Ms. Howard-Johnson has a long record with her Frugal series and has accumulated a tremendous volume of experience and reading. Here, she put it all in, making for a dense read.

Anything one might wonder about in the realm of book promotion, from the pros, cons, costs, and often limited advantages of engaging a publicist to how to craft a query letter seeking a review or blurb, is included. Exhaustively. There is, seemingly, always a caveat or a reconsideration. Advertising is denigrated, public relations extolled, reviews and their solicitations extensively delved into. How to address letters, formatting of queries, and pre-constructed blurbs are all included. Groups and blogs receive extensive coverage, as do the arguments for and against conferences, the considerations thereof\u2026an argument is advanced for selling to libraries for the sake of name recognition.

The font used is measured by this reviewer at ~2mm. If one were to look up and read all the advice writers are offered herein, one would deserve a Master\u2019s in promoting and marketing, at the least. The index is by-the-word. Looking up \u201csynopsis,\u201d for example, yields eleven page referrals, all of which reference just the word.

Potentially valuable; tedious.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "17-Sep-2019 00:21:08", "publisher": "Modern History Press", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008234019", "title": "Wonder Woman: Warbringer (The Graphic Novel)", "author": "Leigh Bardugo", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 202, "review": "Diana, the youngest of the Amazons and the only one who didn\u2019t earn her place on Themyscira, sets out to prove herself at the upcoming race. Though her mother fears she is not ready, Diana trains and maps out a route to bring her out front. However, an explosion and boat wreck out at sea force her to change plans and send her into the water to save a girl who is not from their world. Alia\u2019s presence brings havoc to the island, so Diana visits the Oracle and finds out that Alia is a Warbringer, and will bring death and destruction to all. Diana knows that both must she and Alia must leave the island, not only to prove her worth but also to return Alia to her home and save the world.

This beautifully illustrated graphic novel brings Bardugo\u2019s Wonder Woman: Warbringer novel to life in a rich tapestry of color and text. The story\u2019s focus on blues when events are calm and more reds when action starts to build helps to heighten the dramatic decisions Diana and her new friends must make. The focus is on friendship and sisterhood with witty dialogue and loveable characters to weave it all together.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "17-Sep-2019 01:08:32", "publisher": "DC Ink", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008231011", "title": "We are Artists: Women who Made their Mark on the World", "author": "Kari Herbert", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Julia - Age 10", "word_count": 202, "review": "Do you like to draw or create art? Well, I do. Women can be artists in different ways, whether its painting, sculpting, or photography. Each chapter is the story of a specific female artist, describing how they became artists, the types of art they created, and the struggles they experienced in their lives. Each person was a different type of artist and special in their own way. They all became famous due to their unique way of art and they all inspired young artists to follow their dreams. These women believed they could do anything they wanted, because if you want to be an artist, you should listen to your heart and no one else.

This book is inspiring because this last year I had a desire to create art and I have been doing so in my free time since then. I thank my art teacher for making me love drawing. The stories throughout this book show that women can be famous for their art and not just popularity. Most importantly, the women in this book show strength and independence. They can do anything, they will not let anyone drag them down and they can share their art with the world.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "14-Sep-2019 22:57:11", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008230023", "title": "The Gift of Gerbert's Feathers", "author": "Meaghann Weaver MD MPH", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 236, "review": "It\u2019s evident at the time of his birth that something is different about him. As he grows older, even though Gerbert loves to feast on savory blueberries and crunchy corncob kernels, he remains smaller than his siblings. He feels healthy and strong and can keep up with the pack in flight, although he does have to flap a bit harder than the rest. As time progresses, young Gerbert\u2019s feathers begin to thin and his vitality weakens. When the time for the annual migration approaches, he knows it\u2019s a journey he can\u2019t possibly endure. Before saying a final \u201cgoodbye\u201d and \u201cI love you,\u201d Gerbert decides to leave those he loves the most with something special to always remember him by.

The Gift of Gerbert\u2019s Feathers is a delightful story about strength, courage, determination, and love. The reader will be blessed by witnessing how this young gosling with a condition that inevitably takes his life persists each day with amazing grace and admirable dignity. He sets a wonderful example for children who face obstacles such as his, as well as for those who have the normal frustrations of life to cope with. His positivity and bravery radiate through the pages of this exquisitely illustrated picture book. Though the reader may experience a sense of sadness at his loss, a sizable amount of joy will lift the reader to heights above as his final migration to heaven is imagined.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "14-Sep-2019 23:23:38", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008230003", "title": "Agnes: A Novel", "author": "Peter Stamm", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Grace Glover", "word_count": 197, "review": "Originally published in 1998, Agnes is Peter Stamm\u2019s debut novel. It is a short novel characterized by terse prose and a few translation hiccups, although hidden beneath the short, staccato sentences is a complex tale of relationships and power.

Agnes follows the tumultuous romance between an unnamed older author of bland nonfiction works and a PhD student half his age. The narrator becomes fixated on Agnes when he sees her at the Chicago Public Library, and a coffee date soon turns into romance. Agnes discovers that the narrator once had dreams of becoming a writer of fiction, so she begs him to write a love story...their love story.

At first, the story evolves in real time, but as the relationship hits a plateau, the narrator becomes more invested in playing out scenarios from his fictionalized story than in his relationship with Agnes. It seems that in an effort to save the relationship, Agnes begins to act out the scenarios he has written, and for a time it sustains the relationship. But in the end, the illusion of Agnes seems to be more valuable to the narrator than Agnes herself. Where can a love story go from there?", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Sep-2019 22:07:05", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008229035", "title": "Brilliant Maps for Curious Minds: 100 New Ways to See the World", "author": "Ian Wright", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 203, "review": "This book uses geographical maps to display information. The maps are useful, eye-opening, curious, or just whimsical. It's divided into nine sections, such as people and populations, culture and customs, national identity, nature, etc. Each section has either about a dozen maps (first sex sections) or about half a dozen maps (last three sections). Most maps are color-coded across a two-page spread with minimal text and no source information. These include maps like average male height (by country). There is another for average female height as well. Others, such as the longest place names or the largest islands, do not require a color code.

As most of the maps are a two-page spread, countries in the middle (typically the Middle Eastern countries) get buried in the fold. For some maps, the colors provide qualitative data (such as the most photographed to least photographed places in the world). It would be helpful to know the difference in magnitude between the highest and lowest places. For other maps, the legend is inexplicably non-linear, and for other maps, it is difficult to distinguish between one color and another as the legend is shades of the same color. Overall, the book is a great idea but requires refinement.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "14-Sep-2019 23:01:17", "publisher": "The Experiment", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008229023", "title": "Sulwe", "author": "Lupita Nyong'o, with illustrations by Vashti Harrison", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 8", "word_count": 188, "review": "Sulwe is the story of a girl whose whole family looks different from her. Her mother is the color of dawn, her dad is the color of dusk, and her sister is the color of high noon, but Sulwe is as dark as midnight. At school, Sulwe's sister is given all types of nice pet names such as \"Sunshine Ray\" and \"Beauty\" but the other children call Sulwe \"Blackie\" and \"Darky.\" Sulwe does not feel good about her skin color and tries everything she could to lighten her skin, but nothing works. One day, her mother tells her a story of two sisters, and Sulwe is changed forever. To find out what happens to Sulwe, buy this book. It may change you as well.

Sulwe is a beautifully written story, with lovely illustrations that can be shared with the whole family. This book is a must-have for all the little girls in the world who question their value, who doubt their worth. It teaches that beauty is not skin-deep and that each person is precious. Sulwe reminds us that we are all beautiful, no matter what anyone else says.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "14-Sep-2019 22:44:42", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008229019", "title": "Santa Mouse", "author": "Michael Brown, illustrated by Elfrieda De Witt", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 481, "review": "In a story that captures the true spirit of Christmas, author Michael Brown presents Santa Mouse. The idea for the book was born out of inspiration from a simple piece of children\u2019s pajama fabric with a miniature little Christmas mouse on it. Initially written in 1964 and published in 1966, this new hardcover edition of Santa Mouse brings this classic holiday story back into the public eye again. In this story, a tiny little mouse living all alone in a great big house spends his time daydreaming of companions that don\u2019t exist. He dreams of playing imaginative dress-up games and indulging in a cup of tea with his guests, yet when he tries to feel their presence, he sadly realizes they are each no more than a figment of his imagination. One day, he reaches into a shallow drawer and gently pulls out something he has saved for just the right occasion: a piece of neatly-cut yellow cheese. When he suddenly realizes that no one ever gives Santa a present, he decides he\u2019ll wrap the cheese up and gift it to the one who gifts the most. He wakes up the following day to find himself peering directly into Santa\u2019s eyes. When Santa thanks him for the present and discovers that the poor little mouse has no name, he decides to adopt him as his helper and give him the name of Santa Mouse. As he journeys from house to house with the jolly old man, delivering presents to all those who are deserving, the little mouse concludes his ventures feeling a sense of contentment, for which he could previously only yearn.

This young children\u2019s story is one that will touch the hearts of young readers and old readers alike. It\u2019s a memorable holiday tale about thoughtfulness, kindness, and companionship, making it ideal for those students in pre-K through second-grade classrooms. Teachers and parents can use it as a catalyst to spark timely, impactful discussions about the meanings of generosity and selflessness, and how embodying these favorable attributes can make deep changes in the lives of others. It is a wonderful story, as well, for parents and grandparents to share with their loved ones. It's sure to brighten some souls and fill a number of homes with holiday cheer. The adorable, detailed illustrations by Elfrieda De Witt fill the pages of this beloved picture book with elements of vibrancy, awe, and poignancy, and the text is spread across the pages sparingly enough to keep the attention of even the youngest ones. The words are easy to decipher in its simple, unadorned font, and the book is ideal for those reading at a second-grade level. This hardcover edition, in particular, has attractive, embossed lettering and decoration on its exterior, of which young students will be especially fond! The subtle rhyming pattern throughout is yet another inviting feature of this high-quality holiday picture book.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "05-May-2021", "date_added": "14-Sep-2019 22:43:26", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Children's", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008229015", "title": "Oscar and Lucinda, True History of the Kelly Gang (Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics Series)", "author": "Peter Carey", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 202, "review": "There is something so very satisfying about staying with characters within a very big book. Oscar and Lucinda are out-of-character gambling addicts.They are brought together through that mutual love and learn to love each other. This is a most unusual love story without a cliched ending.

I can\u2019t believe that I hadn\u2019t known about the Australian writer Peter Carey. He has won the Booker prize twice which is an unusual feat especially for an Australian. His writing, characterizations and dialogue is superb. It is not, however, a page turner, so be prepared for a long interval with his very unique characters. Oscar has strayed away from his fundamental roots and become an Anglican minister. He is devout, however, he is also a devout gambler. His gambling methodology, he feels, is blessed by the almighty. Lucinda has money to burn. She is a feminist in nineteenth century Australia. She really doesn\u2019t fit in anywhere and neither does Oscar. This volume also includes The True History of the Kelly Gang about the famous outlaw Ned Kelly who is made the narrator of his exploits. This novel runs long and ultimately tedious, but a reader who loves books will love this addition to their library.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "12-Sep-2019 22:31:07", "publisher": "Everyman's Library", "page_count": "905 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008229007", "title": "Scars Like Wings", "author": "Erin Stewart", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Arieanna - Age 13", "word_count": 134, "review": "Scars Like Wings is a great story that pulls out all the feels.\nScars Like Wings is about a girl who has to find her \" new normal\" after being severely burned and losing her parents and cousin in a house fire. This book is well written and easy to read. You will feel the heartbreak and joy as you follow Avas' journey and a bit of comedy along the way. The author did a great job of portraying that you are more than your body and that sometimes the worst scars are actually within. Though Ava's experience may be different from yours, you will find yourself relating to her as she fights her battles within. This is the kind of book you won't want to put down and will leave you wanting more!", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "12-Sep-2019 22:16:36", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Children's", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008229003", "title": "Diary of a 5th Grade Outlaw (Diary of a 5th Grade Outlaw Book 1)", "author": "Gina Loveless", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - Age 8", "word_count": 96, "review": "It was a really good book. I liked that there was a combination of pictures and words. It is one of my favorite books now! I hope there will be another one just like it. I liked the pictures, and Robin is really pretty. I liked how sassy she was. I thought it was really, really nice of her to spend all of her bonus bucks for her friend's birthday party! the length of this book was perfect for me, and I couldn't wait to get back to reading it when I had to take breaks!", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "12-Sep-2019 22:03:49", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008225019", "title": "Gold Rush! (7) (The Oregon Trail)", "author": "Jesse Wiley", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 9", "word_count": 169, "review": "This is a choose-your-own-adventure book about how, in 1851, your family is traveling on a wagon train along the Oregon-California Trail. You are headed west to get rich fast by finding gold during the Gold Rush. The goal is to keep your family fed and safe on the long journey out west.

There are twenty-two possible endings to this story but only one way to make it to your destination safely. You have to fight danger and disease to make it all the way. Some examples of dangers included in the book are a herd of bison stampeding towards the wagon train, your family being stuck in the middle of the desert with barely any water, and a rattlesnake that is about to strike!

This book was very adventurous and suspenseful at some points. I liked this book because it was entertaining. I think it would be terrifying to travel west into wilderness. But, reading this book, it was fun to imagine that I was brave enough to make that journey!", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "11-Sep-2019 19:17:18", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008223015", "title": "Calamity in the Cold (8) (The Oregon Trail)", "author": "Jesse Wiley", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Abigail - Age 8", "word_count": 182, "review": "Have you ever thought about what it was like to travel across the country by horse and carriage? Calamity in the Cold is an adventure book about travelling the Oregon Trail in 1845. You get to choose how the story goes. Throughout the book, the reader can decide how the story progresses. The reader has to make wise choices because each choice can change what happens to the characters. The choices include who you go on the trip with, what supplies you buy, and whether or not you take someone's advice. Your goal is to get to Oregon City. Will you and your team be able to get all the way there by making the right decisions?

This book was really fun to read over and over again because you can see if you can get to Oregon City. It really surprised me when I thought I had made the right decisions, but at the end my camp died. If you have ever wondered what it was like in the olden days, then this book would be a good choice for you.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "11-Sep-2019 19:18:12", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008223003", "title": "How to Spy on a Shark", "author": "Lori Haskins Houran", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 178, "review": "Three students set out to follow a shark. They spot a mako pup and tag it. Then, they release a robot that follows the shark while providing live video feed. The scientists follow along in their boat observing what the shark eats and the creatures it encounters on their laptop. At the end of the day, they retrieve their robot and head home. The appendix contains some shark facts such as why to spy on sharks, the considerations of swimming alongside sharks, how the data collected are used, etc.

The illustrations are bright and bold, and the rhyming sentences are short, making it ideal reading for pre-school kids. Two of the human characters seem rather young to be tracking a shark. Some of the facts in the appendix could have been incorporated into the text, making it a more valuable read. The book\u2019s main objective is to spark young minds in understanding the \u201cshark world\u201d\u2014in this the book provides just enough detail to give educators (and parents) enough freedom to structure their book discussion as they feel is appropriate.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "11-Sep-2019 17:53:35", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008218003", "title": "Wrong Way Summer", "author": "Heidi Lang", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Claire is used to her father\u2019s stories. They are a bit outlandish, but he has been telling them since Claire\u2019s mother left when Claire was only four and her brother, Patrick, was just a baby, eight years ago. Now Claire\u2019s father shows up with a big van. He says they are going to outfit it like an RV and have a Grand Adventure. Claire doesn\u2019t want to leave her best friend Ronnie (or her slightly younger brother who is suddenly pretty cute), but Claire\u2019s father says he\u2019s sold the house and off they go. There seems to be no plan, but they stop in different places to visit some of Dad\u2019s old friends, and then they leave quickly with Dad always disappointed. They end up at Dad\u2019s sister\u2019s home in Utah when Patrick runs away. Can this family ever get on solid footing?

Author Heidi Lang has written an interesting story of a family in a very realistic crisis of disfunction. There are far too many middle-grade readers who will identify with this story of a broken family, homelessness, parents making lousy decisions, and more. It is a frustrating story to read, but only because it\u2019s pretty realistic.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "10-Sep-2019 04:46:56", "publisher": "Abrams Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008217003", "title": "Last of the Gladiators: A Memoir of Love, Redemption, and the Mob", "author": "James M. Larossa, Jr.", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 232, "review": "James LaRossa was a warrior in the courtroom who was feared and respected by his opponents who sought to put many of LaRossa\u2019s clients in jail. LaRossa possessed oratory skills in presenting a defense along with a pugnacious cross-examination of government witnesses leaving the prosecution\u2019s case in tatters. LaRossa served as defense counsel for a wide array of criminal defendants from Paul Castellano, head of the Gambino Family to Tammany Hall kingmaker Carmine DeSapio. LaRossa fought wars in the courtroom and tried cases in the media for almost fifty years, but the biggest fight was for his life.

His son, James Jr. admired his Dad from a distance, his father always on the move, their relationship ebbed and flowed over the years. When his father was diagnosed with Cancer, James Jr. took initiative and assumed primary responsibility for his Dad\u2019s care. For the next four years, Father and Son lived in California, bonding over homestyle cooking, shared memories and medical emergencies. Their relationship would be solidified during the time, but this would be bittersweet as LaRossa soon would succumb to his illness.

The Last of the Gladiators is a biography that evokes laughter and tears, sometimes simultaneously. James LaRossa Jr recounts highs and lows, in his Father\u2019s career & personal life, along with his own. This biography and autobiography is captivating from beginning to end, with genuineness in abundance. A fantastic read.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "09-Sep-2019 22:47:44", "publisher": "Bancroft Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008215047", "title": "Stillness Is the Key", "author": "Ryan Holiday", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Mark Graham", "word_count": 175, "review": "All readers will find Stillness is the Key is a way to improve one's own meaning in life. The purpose of this book is to show a unity of body, mind, and soul. On page five, there is a list that one could follow to help them find their moment. Holiday uses various religious themes and ideas to make his points come to life. Readers will find the steps necessary to internalize a truth found on page forty-seven. We can learn from others and the good choices and the bad choices that they make. Holiday is a writer, as is mentioned, who\u2019s all about making connections, but he is also interested in how we gain wisdom through what we do as humans. The setup of the book is in units, starting with the mind, then the spirit, then the body. He discusses using a journal in many different ways, knowing when enough is enough, and how our physical activities fulfill all our needs. Ryan Holiday's Stillness is the Key is the way of finding yourself.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "07-Sep-2019 20:24:59", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008214015", "title": "Six Goodbyes We Never Said", "author": "Candace Ganger", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Arieanna - Age 13", "word_count": 159, "review": "The novel Six Goodbyes We Never Said greatly represents the mental illnesses of depression and OCD. This novel switches through two characters' minds. Both characters have been through the traumatic experience of their parents passing away. Naima's father was killed while serving the military, and her mother died after giving birth to her. Naima has a stepmother named Nell who she greatly dislikes. Naima and Nell go down to Naima's grandparents' house for the summer, but only Naima stays. While Naima is at her Grandparents' she meets the other main character named Dew. Dew has also lost his parents. It took a while for his sister to warm up to their new parents, but she finds a great hobby that she cannot stop talking about. Dew is always carrying around this tape recorder, recording everything to help him cope with his loss.

At first Naima despises Dew, but that ends up changing. This was a very interesting and heartbreaking story.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "07-Sep-2019 19:55:53", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008212043", "title": "Something She's Not Telling Us: A Novel", "author": "Darcey Bell", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 270, "review": "After reading Darcey Bell\u2019s A Simple Favor, I was excited to pick up a copy of her new book. With a storyline like this, I figured it would be an exciting read with a big cat-and-mouse chase, most likely near the end. And of course some kind of crazy great twist. Sadly, I was disappointed.

Charlotte, her husband Eli, and their daughter Daisy are a very happy family. Charlotte has a younger brother named Rocco whom she loves dearly and is very protective of since their mother (in Charlotte\u2019s words) tried to kill him by setting fire to their family home when he was little. That is why it is so difficult to see Rocco date so many odd women. So very odd. One day, Rocco brings a new woman over to Charlotte\u2019s for dinner. Ruth is also a bit strange but hits it off with little Daisy. Ruth picks up\u2014or rather kidnaps\u2014Daisy from school. No one knows where Ruth has taken Daisy, and Ruth also seems to know about a dark secret of Charlotte's. Now, the secret is a good one, and the back and forth narrative between Charlotte and Ruth is also very good. There is no surprise ending, however, as we learn very well what is happening from the beginning. The secret is not quite good enough to give the reader shock value, so once you find out that part there really isn\u2019t too much more to the story and it ends up dragging a bit. Good storyline and easy read, but I definitely think this could have been rewritten to give it a bang at the end.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "07-Sep-2019 23:01:44", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008211039", "title": "How Yiddish Changed America and How America Changed Yiddish", "author": "Edited by Ilan Stavans, Josh Lambert", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 210, "review": "Yiddish, a language generated by European Jews many centuries ago, has spread with the diaspora of its speakers from Europe, but its vitality still remains. Within this impressive anthology of Yiddish publications from the early 1900s to the present, the reader is exposed to an array of expressive styles, including stories, memoirs, poetry, graphic art, cartoons, plays, essays, and even traditional mouthwatering recipes. Familiar names such as I. B. Singer, Michael Chabon, Sholem Asch, Cynthia Ozick, and, surprisingly, Sophie Tucker, along with so many others, leave samples of their contributions to this collection. Some of the reading is poignant, reflecting back to the old familiar shtetl of Europe, which is contrasted with the pains of immigration to the new country; much is heart warming in detailing the warmth of human relationships; some selections play on the ironic humor of life; but all the readings engage attention and focus on analysis of the tie between Yiddish and our culture. Yiddish has not only penetrated the nation\u2019s lexicon, but it is the glue that connects its adherents from Europe throughout North and South America as well as Cuba. One can start reading in any section of the volume and just roam through the pages to feel the essence and influence of Yiddish.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "07-Sep-2019 23:22:15", "publisher": "Restless Books", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008211035", "title": "Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts", "author": "Kate Racculia", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 241, "review": "Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts is not what I expected. It starts with the black-clad character of Tuesday Mooney heading to work at a large hospital fundraiser. While she\u2019s there, checking in the affluent guests, one of them, Nathaniel Arches, strikes up an unexpected flirtation with her. Later, during the fundraising auction, she and Nathaniel cross paths again and witness one of the other guests fall down dead. And this is the point when things get very weird.

The dead man turns out to be an eccentric billionaire named Vincent Pryce. He\u2019s a collector of the obscure and macabre, also a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe. He had set up an elaborate game for the entire town to play upon his demise. This book follows Tuesday, her friends, and some new acquaintances as they get involved in the game.

The author put in a ton of literary and gothic Easter eggs for the readers. The style itself was slow to get through, very much like speaking to someone who constantly interrupts themself, goes off on a tangent, and then circles back to the original point. Despite the quirks in the storytelling, the characters and the premise were so unusual, I had to continue reading to see if I could figure out what was really going on, how it would all end, and whether it would ever become clear. It is a slow burn of a book and often convoluted, but enjoyable overall.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "07-Sep-2019 22:47:14", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008211007", "title": "Geeks Who Drink Presents: Duh!: 100 Bar Trivia Questions You Should Know (And the Unexpected Stories Behind the Answers)", "author": "Christopher D. Short", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 246, "review": "The crew at Geeks Who Drink are the uncrowned kings and queens of bar trivia. At the crossroads of eggheads, barflies, family, and friends, where they serve drinks and chicken tenders and buffalo wings, you'll find a fun and challenging trivia experience where all of the above congregate. But if you want to become a proper trivia hound, there are a few things you'll need to know.

Duh! is the perfect introduction not only to the sort of trivia you'll find on a bar trivia night but also to the sense of humor and clever questioning that has been a Geeks Who Drink hallmark. With tongue firmly planted in cheek, the team has assembled dozens of questions that might lead you to overthink your answer, get it wrong, and then utter one word when you realize your mistake... duh!

Loaded with bonus trivia and explanatory footnotes that are often as hilarious as they are helpful, this book is great fun and immensely educational, even as it entertains. The questions span all sorts of subjects\u2014everything from science, sports, and history to geography, anatomy, and pop culture\u2014rarely failing to surprise you either with the answer, the explanation, or the other details included by the writers.

Don't feel like venturing out to a trivia night just yet? That's fine. You can use this book as a launchpad for recruiting fellow trivia nuts or testing friends and family around you. Make sure to have a drink or two on hand, just in case.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "07-Sep-2019 19:53:53", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008206015", "title": "Boy-Crazy Stacey (The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novel #7)", "author": "Ann M. Martin", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 193, "review": "In the latest Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel adaptation, Stacey and Mary-Anne babysit the Pike children while on vacation in the shores of New Jersey. Everything starts out on a good note until Stacey spots a hunky lifeguard. Stacey becomes obsessed with her new crush, and she puts all her attention on him. Stacey becomes distracted and doesn't pay a lot of attention to her babysitting duties while at the beach. Mary-Anne feels like she is watching the children all by herself. Stacey's new obsession starts to irk Mary-Anne. The girls write postcards to the rest of the Baby-Sitters Club members to keep them in the loop about the Pike children and their own drama.

I'm a huge fan of the Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel adaptation. I love all the illustrations by Raina and Gale. I wish they decided to adapt a different book in the series instead of Boy-Crazy Stacey. This story was a little too centered on boys which I'm not a fan of, and I don't think it's appropriate for young children to be reading this. Still, I highly recommend this book, especially to graphic novel fans and Baby-Sitters Club fans.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "06-Sep-2019 22:06:03", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008200019", "title": "A Day at the Zoo", "author": "Cassie Roberts, illustrated by Judy Richards", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 178, "review": "A Day at the Zoo is a very good story written by Cassie Roberts and illustrated by Judy Richards, who are a mother and a daughter. In this story, two kids, William and Rose, visit a very unusual zoo. With rollerskating tigers and bicycling elephants, the animals in this zoo are very adventuresome. These crazy animals invite the kids to join them in their activities and antics, but the children don\u2019t want to. They are too scared to try something new, only to realize later what they missed out on.

This book is very silly with the animals and also good. It has an old-timey storybook feel, without the creepy pictures. A Day at the Zoo is a great lesson for all ages: say \"yes\" more and less \"no\" for a full and crazy life. The part where they are seated for tea is very good because of the animals in the picture. It\u2019s a story that is very encouraging of trying something new, with lots of silly pictures. I\u2019m going to read it a lot with my sister.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "04-Sep-2019 20:40:58", "publisher": "Adelaide Books", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008198011", "title": "More to the Story", "author": "Hena Khan", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Jameela has big plans. She intends to become a world-famous journalist. The newspaper advisor tells her even though she\u2019s only in seventh grade, she will be a features editor. But things at home become stressful. Jameela and her three sisters are all close to their parents, and when Baba loses his job, he has to take one overseas. It\u2019s hard on everyone. Jameela writes a great story for the paper, but some private information is included by mistake, and she may have ruined an important friendship. Then the family finds out Jameela\u2019s younger sister has cancer, it sets everyone into a tailspin, and everything is put into a new perspective.

Author Hena Khan has written a charming story of a Pakistani-American family that will open a door for many American youngsters to see how much people are so much alike even when they have some differences that seem big and important. But mostly this is a terrific, beautifully-written story about family and many of the difficult dynamics families have. Through it all, there is the love and support families have for each other that can get them through the most difficult of times. Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "04-Sep-2019 18:17:16", "publisher": "Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008195019", "title": "Me and Banksy", "author": "Tanya Lloyd Kyi", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 313, "review": "Me and Banksy is a powerful novel about middle-schooler Dominica Rivers taking charge at her school. Dominica goes to a private school which, for security reasons, is covered in cameras. They were put up when school security breaches became worse. However, someone has hacked into the camera files and is posting mortifying videos on the student forum, like one of Dominica\u2019s classmates Ana, picking her nose. Dominica and her best friends Holden and Saanvi don\u2019t think much of the Event until a video of Dominica quickly turning her shirt around in the seemingly private library is posted. It\u2019s horrible not only because it\u2019s on the forum but also because the school has had so many assemblies about media safety too! Dominica wants to retaliate against whoever is posting the clips but decides to go directly to the source \u2014 the cameras. She takes inspiration from Banksy an anonymous street artist who focuses on current events, politics, and issues in society. His art is amazing and this book has inspired me to look up more of Banksy\u2019s work. Dominica begins to do her own silent protests that say that her school has become a literal prison that has inmates being watched at all times. This book was absolutely amazing! I love that it discusses current issues like a person\u2019s privacy, school security breaches and shootings, media safety and even human rights regardless of skin color or gender or sexual orientation. Along with that this book was realistic, Dominica balanced well-tried her best to do school, protesting against her school, her mom\u2019s new boyfriend and misunderstandings with her friends and her love for art all at the same time. She also used her abilities to her advantage to protest the cameras. I would recommend this novel for anyone ten and up that likes reading about our generation taking charge and changing things for the better.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "04-Sep-2019 18:42:42", "publisher": "Puffin Canada", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008192003", "title": "Under Pressure: The Science of Stress", "author": "Tanya Lloyd Kyi", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Abigail - Age 8", "word_count": 189, "review": "Did you know that everyone experiences stress? Not only people but animals too. There are many types of stress and guess what: not all stress is bad. There are scientists who have made their whole careers learning about stress, how it affects people and how people can learn to manage it better. Under Pressure: The Science of Stress starts off by explaining the basic type of stress: fight or flight. This is a type of stress that people don\u2019t have much control over. If your body is exposed to something scary or shocking a part of your brain takes over and causes automatic responses. The book also talks about different types of stress like PTSD.

The best part of this book is that along with telling about the science behind stress and all the different research that was done on stress it also tells about the research that has been done to help people deal with stress. There was a lot of advice on ways to help your body deal with stress which I found useful, especially when they spoke about breathing techniques and getting the right kind of sleep.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2019 19:28:34", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "76 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008190015", "title": "Franklin and Luna and the Book of Fairy Tales", "author": "Jen Campbell", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - Age 5", "word_count": 145, "review": "Franklin and Luna love stories like I do. Since that was the first line in the book, I knew I would like it! The book store they visited sounds fun and exciting. I went to a book store like that once and it had an old clock in the corner too!!I wish I could get trapped inside a book. I have had dreams like this and they are my favorite kind of dreams. I love that they get to meet so many characters from other stories. I felt sad when all the characters asked if they could come out of the book too. Then they all came to Franklin\u2019s birthday party! I really like all the colorful and detailed pictures in the book, there is so much to look at on each page! I think other kids big and small would like this book too!", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2019 19:41:00", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008348011", "title": "The Adorable Beastling", "author": "Jonathan Rosenbaum", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 248, "review": "With no parents around to protect them, newborn beastlings explode from their eggs to scare away any predators that might be lurking nearby and to establish their place in the beastling hierarchy of toughness. They\u2019re fierce and they\u2019re frightening and they\u2019re able to scare to survive. Well, most of them are...

This is the tale of one particular beastling who just doesn\u2019t fit in with the rest. Scaring doesn\u2019t come naturally to her, but when she finds herself separated from her brothers, she manages to find her own food and her own way to live. She even manages to make some friends, although the story isn\u2019t going to be all smooth sailing for the cutest little beastling around.

Jonathan Rosenbaum\u2019s The Adorable Beastling is a charming picture book that is aptly described as The Ugly Duckling in reverse. It\u2019s a story with a moral, as the beastling learns to be herself and not to try to copy the scariness of her kin, but it\u2019s also a really fun book to read. There\u2019s action and adventure and even a healthy dose of mild peril as the beastling sets out to find her place in the world.

The artwork is marvelous and really enhances the story. The expressions on the beastlings\u2019 faces when they practice scaring and set about menacing passersby are particularly amusing. Aside from the beastlings, there are plenty of other cute and fantastical creatures featured in the story which are sure to capture the attention of younger readers.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "26-Oct-2019 19:14:40", "publisher": "Action Lab Entertainment", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008348007", "title": "Alison and Her Rock Awesome Robot", "author": "Fred Chao", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 175, "review": "The comic collection of Alison and Her Rock Awesome Robot by Fred Chao are hilarious comics for kids (and adults!) who like comics.

Penguins, a monkey, a girl, and her robot\u2014what else could you want?

There is so much funny and goofy stuff. I laughed a lot while reading this book. And I read the whole thing in almost one night! And there are director\u2019s cuts! (I LOVE director\u2019s cuts and bonus features.) And these are super funny. Alison is seven (like me!) and her robot has a lot to learn. They have all kinds of adventures, and the penguins are hilarious and good. One even takes off his jacket to wash in the laundry! That was so so funny. The illustrations are fun. My mom liked how it was like reading a book collection of the old Sunday newspaper comic strips, and said the dialog was fresh and punchy, with something for both kids and adults.

If you like comics that are clever and have lots of insights, this might be a collection you like too.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2019 19:00:32", "publisher": "Action Lab Entertainment", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008347027", "title": "The Best New True Crime Stories: Serial Killers", "author": "Mitzi Szereto", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Can\u2019t get enough true crime stories? Anthologist Mitzi Szereto has put together a collection of short pieces about serial killers that will help to satisfy the needs of any true crime junkie. The subjects of the sixteen serial killer expos\u00e9s range across the world and across time and include both men and women. Eschewing the familiar names of Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and other super-famous modern serial killers, these pieces will send readers to the internet to find photographs and further information on the several killers written about here. Each piece is short\u201412- 27 pages long\u2014and does not contain photographs or any drawings or maps. Not all of the cases were solved. But all of them will likely disturb readers\u2019 sleep and make readers\u2019 skin crawl. The writing in each case is very good, and each writer has clearly done his or her homework. Each also shows a real passion for the subject matter. Some cases are so astonishing (Dr. Harold Frederick Shipman with at least two hundred and fifty kills), they are difficult to believe, but believe readers must. This book will be a must-have for any fans of true crime literature.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "26-Oct-2019 21:01:51", "publisher": "Mango", "page_count": "316 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008347011", "title": "Because It's Wrong: Bullies vs. Nazis", "author": "Lydia Greico", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 439, "review": "As a teacher and former bullying victim, I was drawn to Because It\u2019s Wrong on multiple levels. On one hand, I have a personal connection to the topic of bullying. On the other, I found myself curious. What links would the author draw between bullies and Nazis? Would they be the obvious ones, or would she delve deeper into this topic and create an insightful book to further the very necessary national conversation on bullying?

I don\u2019t entirely have an answer to the question. In a way, she didn\u2019t really do either. The vast majority of the book (ten chapters out of twelve) is essentially an extended history lesson on the Holocaust, one that has been delivered in greater detail in many other books. Another chapter is devoted to the Japanese-American internment camps. In the end, only two chapters, and the comparison table that makes up chapter thirteen, really touch on bullying, and they say nothing new at all. The statistics presented in the first chapter are useful, but most of the book is devoted to the author\u2019s thoughts on bullying, the final chapter being the strongest example of this.

I knew from the preface this book would touch on religion, but I didn\u2019t know how strongly it would until it reached chapter twelve. There, the author presents a few theses which will prove controversial to say the least. Not only, she says, is bullying like the Holocaust in miniature, but America itself is approaching a Christian Holocaust. For example, the author cites church burnings and the shooting at Columbine High School, bringing up Christian victims. (The latter was an especially curious point, as earlier in the book she mentioned school shooters as people attempting to take revenge on bullies, and with the little explanation she offers for either, the two points are a contradiction.) How we will solve this problem \u2014 and the problem of recent extreme weather \u2014 is simple: everyone needs more Jesus. It is, according to the author, just that easy.

Overall, I found the book rather questionable. The parallels drawn between bullies and Nazis are minor at best, and often seem like the same point repeated. The writing style is simplistic, and while that might suit an introduction to the problem of bullying (or an introduction to World War II or the Holocaust), I expected more from this book. Finally, spending most of the book talking about the persecution of German Jews and concluding by saying we as a nation need to be more Christian is disturbing. Bullying is a topic we as Americans need to seriously consider, but Because It\u2019s Wrong does very little to help.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Oct-2019 21:36:44", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "178 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000008347007", "title": "Because It's Wrong: Bullies vs. Nazis", "author": "Lydia Greico", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 482, "review": "An in-depth comparison of bullying on many different levels.

Because It\u2019s Wrong gives graphic descriptions of the horrors of history from the Holocaust to recent terrorist takeovers. An eye-opener for anyone who thinks that bullying in today\u2019s schools is no big deal

Because It\u2019s Wrong: Bullies vs. Nazis is a wonderfully written book dedicated to all the victims of bullying. The author organizes the book into chapters starting with the definition of bullying and how we see it in schools today. She describes how it is so prevalent in today\u2019s society that it has almost become the norm. But bullying is not a new concept, and the author delves deep into history so that the reader can remember some of the world\u2019s worst cases of bullying. The author also delves into the psychological aspect of bullying and bullies themselves. There are still so many questions unanswered about why bullying has grown to the extent it has in today\u2019s society. Bullying is an imbalance of power in which there are a victim and a bully. The author goes on to describe the different types of bullying that can occur, not only physically, but also mentally, and the long and short-term effects it can have on the victim. One fact the author shares that I found both interesting and sad is that most bullies \u201chave been the victims of physical abuse or bullying themselves, usually at home.\u201d

There is a large section on Hitler and the Nazis as Hitler may be labeled by many as the \u201cbiggest bully of all time.\u201d What he did to the Jews was one of the most heinous acts in history. The concentration camps, the cruelty, physically, mentally, and emotionally, to this innocent group of people is absolutely despicable. And yet it happened. And people followed Hitler in his hate for the Jews. The author describes the growth of the camps and the people Hitler worked with to maintain them. And although I liked reading about the details because it is such an important part of history, I felt as if the author went on a bit of a tangent and most of the book was solely about the specifics behind the concentration camps and how they were run. In fact, chapters two through ten were all about the concentration camps, with a short chapter eleven which touches upon Japanese internment camps after Pearl Harbor. The author does tie it all together in the end with a chapter on why she wrote the book the way she did, however, I still think there were too many facts about the Nazis that weren\u2019t necessarily showing how the Jews were being bullied but just describing the timeline of events that could have been removed from the middle chapters. Overall, the author made her point about the damage that bullying does and what we can do about it, and for that I applaud her.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Oct-2019 21:36:04", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "178 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008346043", "title": "There's a Dragon in my Boot", "author": "Tom Nicoll", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 217, "review": "What happens when you secretly take a mini-dragon on a camping trip with your dad and your annoying neighbors? This very funny episode in the There\u2019s a Dragon in My... series is all about that. It\u2019s about a dragon and a boy and two friends. The mini-dragon is small enough to fit in a boot! Eric is going on a camping trip with his dad, his friends Jayden and Min, his mini-dragon Pan, and his enemy Toby and his dad. Toby eats a lot and beats Eric at video games. Toby and his dad basically brought a tent castle on the trip with real beds, TVs, and even a pool table. Toby and his dad are very competitive, so they make contests with Eric and his dad. The first contest is fishing. Toby\u2019s dad cheats by hiding a cooler of frozen fish in the lake. The second contest is starting a fire, and Eric and his dad accidentally cheat, because the mini-dragon sneezes on the fireplace and starts the fire! Eric\u2019s friends think Eric started the fire on purpose to cheat, so they get pretty mad. Eric has to make up with his friends, cheer up his dad, and keep his dragon hidden from his competitive neighbors. Can Eric do it? Can Pan stay out of trouble?", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "29-Oct-2019 00:41:45", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008346039", "title": "Llewellyn's Little Book of Dragons", "author": "Shawn MacKenzie", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 238, "review": "How to Train Your Dragon is a terrific name for a series, but it's a bit misleading. I mean, did you really learn everything you needed to know about dragons from those books? Hardly. Where, I ask you, is the textbook to explain dragon life cycles, how different climates affect different species of dragon, or how dragon lore has grown by leaps and bounds across the ages?

It's right here, as Llewellyn's Little Book of Dragons distills everything you need to know about these glorious scaly creatures into a handy one-stop-shop for all your draconic needs.

I'm a sucker for any book that treats myth as fact and really sells the premise of the fictional as nonfictional. This book hits the sweet spot there, treating the reader like an eager student seeking the deepest lore and the most common sense facts about dragons. This book is informative, colorful, and perhaps most importantly, scathingly funny at times. The fact that so much humor is slipped effortlessly into an otherwise scholarly presentation is just another highlight of a terrific book that entertains the adult while delighting the child inside of all of us.

I loved this book -- the little side nuggets of advice were an absolute delight -- and you can't help but wish that the alternate history presented as fact in this book was how things actually went. I cannot say enough good things about this joyous read.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "27-Oct-2019 01:01:50", "publisher": "Llewellyn Publications", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008346031", "title": "The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant: A Novel", "author": "Kayte Nunn", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 226, "review": "Esther Durrant thinks her husband is taking her away on holiday. She isn't really in the mood to go. She hasn\u2019t felt like herself since the incident and the last thing she wants is to leave their toddler with the nanny and go away for a week, but her husband insists. What she doesn\u2019t realize is that the \u201choliday\u201d is a ruse to dump her in an asylum. Neither of them can know what her time there will do to her mind or her heart.

In addition to the story of what happens to Esther and how she came to need mental help in the first place, readers get to know Eve and Rachel. Eve is caring for her beloved grandmother after a hip fracture. Rachel is taking a job researching clams. How are the three women\u2019s tales intertwined? Read to find out.

The beginning of the book is a little slow until it becomes clear how the three women\u2019s stories will come together. Once that thread of commonality was revealed, I couldn\u2019t read fast enough to find out what would happen next. The subplots were compelling in their own right and the book was beautifully written. This is a heartbreaking story of lost love, self-discovery, resilience, and choice. It is an excellent read about the power of women as well as a sweeping love story.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "27-Oct-2019 00:06:40", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008346027", "title": "Almost Just Friends: A Novel", "author": "Jill Shalvis", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 172, "review": "Piper Manning has had an admittedly tough life, losing her parents at a young age and consequently having to raise her two younger siblings. But things are finally looking up: Piper is getting ready to sell the family lake house, and she has plans for her share of the profits. But life rarely remains simple, and when her siblings return home, the secrets they bring with them make a mess of everything. Further complicating Piper\u2019s situation is her neighbor\u2019s son, Cam, and not even Piper can deny the feelings he stirs in her. Can Piper still manifest the new, better life she\u2019s been working toward?

Jill Shalvis has created a fun, complex, and all-too-close-to-life novel with Almost Just Friends. Piper\u2019s life is the kind of complicated that many readers can identify with, and the up-and-down relationships with her adult siblings will seem familiar to many, while the unexpected heat she feels with Cam is sure to keep readers turning the pages. This is a fun and funny novel, perfect for a light read.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "26-Oct-2019 23:54:38", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008346011", "title": "Fix That Clock", "author": "Kurt Cyrus", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 173, "review": "Fix That Clock by Kurt Cyrus is the story of fixing up an old, broken-down clock. It used to be nice, but then it got all rusty and moldy because nobody loved it any more. But the builders come and use their tools to make it new again. And they take care of the animals living in the clock too!

This book is good because it\u2019s all about building and fixing stuff instead of tearing it down like it\u2019s junk. The clock isn\u2019t junk, it just needs some love. I like how the mouse runs up the builder\u2019s leg! It was fun to read the clank, bang, crash parts. I like that it rhymes. And the pictures are good too. It was fun to read because it is all about fixing up old, abandoned clocks. And in the end, the clock is all new again, so that was happy. This is a good book, and I read it a lot already. I think other kids who like clocks, or mice, will like it too.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "26-Oct-2019 20:39:05", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008345067", "title": "The Cool Cat Club (Jasper and Scruff)", "author": "Nicola Colton", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Natalie - Age 9", "word_count": 153, "review": "I really liked Jasper and Scruff. I enjoyed the plotline and how Jasper stood up for Scruff, even though he didn't like him. The moral of the story is to stand up for your friends. Jasper was trying to change himself to impress the Sophisticats, and I didn\u2019t like that. In real life, you shouldn\u2019t change yourself to impress other people. I think it is funny that the Sophisticats sign their notes with their paw prints. It makes them unique from other cats. The funniest part of the book was when the Sophisticats found out that Scruff helped make the cake and they almost barfed. I really enjoyed the pictures throughout the book. I thought the drawings were very detailed and imaginative. I liked that some of the words are different sizes. It made me put emphasis on different words as I read. I do wish there were more colors in the book.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "29-Oct-2019 00:43:26", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008345059", "title": "Wildhood: The Epic Journey from Adolescence to Adulthood in Humans and Other Animals", "author": "Dr. Barbara Natterson-Horowitz", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 226, "review": "Adolescence is a difficult time as one transitions from a sheltered life to independence. This book explores the in-between stage in various species (calling it \u201cWildhood). The intent is to highlight similarities between human adolescence and adolescence experienced by other species.

To keep a coherent narrative, the book explores four major themes: safety (leaving the comfort and safety of home), Status (navigating hierarchy), Sex (courtship, relationship, and consent), and self-reliance (sustaining the specie). Each theme focuses on a particular adolescent\u2019s journey. Readers share the experience of safety with Ursula, a king penguin, who ventures into leopard seal infested waters. They learn about Shrink, a spotted hyena, as he navigates the hyena hierarchy. They follow Salt, a humpback whale, as she finds love. They journey with Slavc, a European wolf, as he journeys across the Alps in winter. Along the way, readers meet several other (non-human) adolescents. The narrative is not shy about drawing parallels between non-human and human behavior and urges, and at times these parallels stretch too far.

The book is filled with various examples from several species, representing a vast amount of research. However, its scope and style preclude deeper dive into the underlying research, thus leaving readers to trust the assertions made. Overall, well-written and an excellent read for those looking to find similarities between humans and other animals who share our planet.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "29-Oct-2019 00:35:31", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008345015", "title": "Let's Celebrate!: Special Days Around the World", "author": "Kate DePalma", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 129, "review": "Across the world all cultures celebrate. This book showcases thirteen such celebrations from diverse countries and cultures, some religious and some concerning the changing seasons or important days. Each celebration is presented across a two-page spread showing children celebrating with their families. The images depict contemporary family settings showing both genders. Wavy couplets (two lines on each page) focus on the activities prevalent for that celebration. The backmatter provides a little more detail on each holiday.

The holidays selected are truly from all parts of the world. If used in a classroom setting, facilitators are advised to review the celebrations\u2019 background beforehand. In addition to the holidays, the images could be used to discuss attire and other aspects of the cultures depicted. An excellent book for globally-minded children and educators.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "26-Oct-2019 20:37:52", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008344059", "title": "Curry & Kimchi: Flavor Secrets for Creating 70 Asian-Inspired Recipes at Home", "author": "Unmi Abkin", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Miriam - Age 16", "word_count": 211, "review": "This beautiful book is going to be an essential addition to your collection. It is not just a recipe book for crafting amazing dishes; it contains the recipes for making the sauces at the heart of your favorite Asian-Inspired meals, and then the recipes to use those sauces, as well as the essential condiments, pickles, and dressings that truly elevate the dish. So, you get the best of both, accompanied by stunning photos that will make your mouth water. The book is great at teaching as well, for example by explaining the need to balance salt, spice, fat, acid, sweet, and umami, which you see repeated again and again throughout the book. Just understanding that concept makes you look at each recipe with a new intention, working out what element is satisfied by each ingredient, in this book and even in your other cooking. There are a few recipes that at first seem a little out of place, like chili con carne or macaroni and cheese, but they end up fitting in quite well, happily jostling elbows with Korean spaghetti, Shiitake mushroom and tofu phad thai, zesty Jalapeno cabbage slaw, and pork carnitas tacos. It's an eclectic recipe mix that works wonderfully, just like the meals you will create with them.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "16-Jul-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2019 18:08:41", "publisher": "Storey Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008344051", "title": "The Unicorn Whisperer (Phoebe and Her Unicorn Series Book 10): Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure (Volume 10)", "author": "Dana Simpson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 8", "word_count": 183, "review": "The Unicorn Whisperer (Phoebe and Her Unicorn Series Book 10): Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure (Volume 10) is about a little girl named Phoebe and her unicorn best friend, Marigold. It is the end of summer break, so Phoebe and Marigold end their vacation with a sleepover as they prepare to face a new school year. Once school begins, Phoebe has trouble focusing and gets picked on by a bully at school. Phoebe and Marigold find a way to help each other, even when it means facing their biggest fears.

This story teaches a valuable lesson: no matter what troubles you face, a true friend will always find a way to help. We are not alone, and friends make it easier to deal with the difficult situations that life sometimes throws at us. I recommend this story to kids who are shy or who sometimes have trouble making friends. The friendship that Phoebe and Marigold share reminds us that we need other people and that we can get through the hard times when we find someone to share our joy and sadness with.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "29-Oct-2019 00:52:02", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008344047", "title": "The Treasure Hunt (Jasper and Scruff)", "author": "Nicola Colton", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Clementine - Age 8", "word_count": 199, "review": "Jasper and Scruff own a book store. One day someone gives them a strange pirate book with a treasure map in it. Then they find a clue on the map. They soon find themselves on the path of mystery, trying to find a golden bone. They meet a few characters along the way, including an old bird, an ice-cream selling dog, and three snooty cats. Can they find the golden bone before someone else does?

This cute book is great for people who like animals and mysteries. The large print makes it perfect for a first chapter book. It is the second in the series. A few times, the characters mention a few things from the first book, so you might consider reading that one first. All of the characters in this book are animals, which I really like since I love animals. There are pretty, colorful, detailed illustrations that make the story more exciting. Plus, you can see how cute the animals are. My favorite scene is the ocean because the foam is so creative and gorgeous. There are also jokes, like the singer named Alvis Pawsley. If you like animals and mysteries, you will love this book!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "29-Oct-2019 00:44:06", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008344043", "title": "There's a Dragon in my Toilet", "author": "Tom Nicoll, with illustrations by Sarah Horne", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 188, "review": "There\u2019s a Dragon in My Toilet is number four in the series about Eric and his mini-dragon Pan. After the first book that introduces all the characters, the order you read them in doesn\u2019t matter. I like all of the books, but this one was not really as interesting as the earlier books. It has a good ending. The trouble is that mini-dragons are excellent party planners. Pan plans a surprise anniversary party for Eric\u2019s parents. Afterward, Pan seems depressed, and Eric and his friends Min and Jayden try to cheer him up. It turns out that they can email Pan\u2019s parents in China! Pan is excited to video-chat with his parents, but they send his aunt and uncle to pick him up. Pan doesn\u2019t like his aunt and uncle. They are not very nice. They travel through toilets. Most of the story is about Pan trying to convince his mom and dad to let him stay with Eric. Eric\u2019s cat almost eats Uncle Fernando, but Pan saves him! I\u2019m looking forward to the next book about Pan and Eric without Pan\u2019s aunt and uncle in the story.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "29-Oct-2019 00:42:37", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008344031", "title": "Pippa Park Raises Her Game", "author": "Erin Yun", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Charlotte Heikkila", "word_count": 247, "review": "A fun and interesting story about a girl trying to learn what she is doing for her life. A girl tries to reach her parents\u2019 expectations about how she lives her life. The plot was very interesting; I felt that Pippa really wanted to fit into Lakeview Private and try not to be any different from the people at Lakeview. I felt that I really can relate to Pippa because she wants to fit in perfectly with the other students at her school. The language really did flow throughout the story as more content came through. The author did make a good point, that you will always chase your dreams, as Pippa discovers the real reason why she got a scholarship to Lakeview Private.

There were no illustrations in this book. I think ages nine to twelve would best like this book because nine-year-olds can think about what middle school can be and twelve-year-olds can reflect on what their middle school is like compared to Pippa\u2019s. I think this book would make a good series, about what Pippa\u2019s life would be like going forward. I think this book is so different compared to other ones I have read, so I don\u2019t think there is anything compared to this book. I would recommend this book to the people who can compare their life to Pippa\u2019s. Read this book because it could teach other children life lessons. \u201cIt matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.\u201d", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "27-Oct-2019 00:10:25", "publisher": "Fabled Films Press", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008344027", "title": "The Last Sister", "author": "Kendra Elliot", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 208, "review": "Emily feels like The Last Sister left since her father was murdered twenty years ago. Her younger sister Madison has never been the same, especially after their mother committed suicide the week after he died. Her older sister Tara left town in between those events. Emily has been trying to hold what\u2019s left of her family together, but now she has found the bodies of a coworker and her husband, with the husband left hanging just like Emily's father. The special circumstances surrounding this double-murder bring FBI special agent Zander Wells to investigate. He knows there is a lot more to this story and that everyone has something to hide. Emily will have to unbury the past to help Zander solve this case, but at what cost?

This was the first I\u2019ve heard of author Kendra Elliot, even though she seems to be a prolific writer with at least two other series under her belt. After reading this story, I will definitely be checking out the others. You can\u2019t help but want to know more about these FBI agents who appear in the other series, but reading them isn't crucial to enjoying this one. It\u2019s a non-stop thriller that makes you wonder, what skeletons are in your family closet?", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "27-Oct-2019 00:09:08", "publisher": "Montlake Romance", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008343019", "title": "Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry: A Novel", "author": "Mary Higgins Clark", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 176, "review": "Journalist Gina Kane receives an e-mail from an unknown person telling her that they have had a terrible experience while working at REL News and that they were approached with a settlement offer. Gina answers the e-mail yet does not receive a response. This is because the person on the other side of the e-mail address, Cathy Ryan, is dead. As Gina sets out to find out about Cathy's experience at REL News, she finds out that there are several other women who have had bad experiences at REL but for some reason are not talking.

This book was written very well in terms of ease of understanding. There were no crazy plot twists or sudden shifts in the writing, which made it easy to read. I did, however, get a little bored midway through the book as it seemed like the plot just dragged for a bit. The cast of characters was likable, though with several characters being just puppets to the higher-ups. No big surprises with this story, but it was an enjoyable read.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "26-Oct-2019 20:08:39", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008343003", "title": "Sasha in Good Taste: Recipes for Bites, Feasts, Sips & Celebrations", "author": "Sasha Pieterse", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 216, "review": "Classifying this book as a cookbook does not do its scope justice. In addition to recipes, about a third of the book is devoted to offering advice for party themes, preparing party favors, decor, guest books, and other party related accessories. There are pages devoted to specific celebrations (with personal anecdotes).

The recipes themselves include appetizers, salads, party trays, lots of desserts, and lots of (primarily adult) beverages. The recipes are very simple, and most focus on assembly and presentation (rather than the actual cooking or baking). There is even one section devoted to preparing a party tray for guests to assemble their own sandwiches (called sammies).

This book tries to cover a lot of ground and (rightly so) starts with the basics. However as its scope is so broad, it cannot cover any one area in depth (detracting from its potential utility). The book is crammed with several color pictures distributed throughout the book \u2013 in some cases, a double page is devoted to only pictures. While some of the pictures are useful as they depict what the final product should look like, others adorn the book\u2019s pages. The book is full of good ideas and serves as a good template for future books that delve deeper into each of the main themes covered here.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "25-Oct-2019 17:44:57", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008342063", "title": "Christmas at Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop: A Novel", "author": "Jenny Colgan", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 231, "review": "It\u2019s December, and Rosie Hopkins is getting ready for an idyllic holiday in her new home in Lipton. Her sweetshop, which she took over from her great aunt, is flourishing, and her boyfriend Stephen is thriving in his new job as a school teacher at the local elementary. Her lovable new dog is the proverbial icing on the cake. But changes come as changes do, and when Rosie\u2019s family plans a visit coinciding with Christmas, Rosie finds herself struggling to figure out where to house them and how to keep them busy, and she worries that they won\u2019t like her new hometown\u2026 or her boyfriend\u2019s family. And then, a horrible accident makes everything even more chaotic. Suddenly, Rosie\u2019s plans are up in smoke, and only time will tell if she can sort everything out again.

Jenny Colgan delivers a cozy, fluffy novel with Christmas at Rosie Hopkins\u2019 Sweetshop, a sequel to her previous book starring the lovely Rosie (but able to stand independently for readers who have not read that story). The story is primarily told from Rosie\u2019s viewpoint, but readers also see things from the eyes of Stephen and Rosie\u2019s great aunt Lilian, as well as from a few other characters. This book is fun and lighthearted, despite the few tragic turns, and readers will walk away from it with a feeling of joy that all is right in the world.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "29-Oct-2019 00:40:38", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008342059", "title": "Essential Oils for Beginners: A Guide to What They Are & How to Use Them", "author": "Kac Young, PhD", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristin Jarrett", "word_count": 249, "review": "This is a great book for anyone just starting to use and learn about essential oils. I've been using essential oils on a daily basis for five years, have taught classes, and have several books on the subject, but I'd say that this one is the best I've read because of its content and organization. It takes the readers through the basics first, with chapters on the history of essential oils, carrier oils, and safety. Then, it has chapters on each of the twenty most commonly used oils. It includes their benefits, where each oil is sourced from, and precautions and uses. This is great because it shows the variety of uses each individual oil has. For example, peppermint oil can be energizing, aid digestion, and help with congestion, motion sickness, sinus issues, etc. The specific tips for how to use each oil are very useful. This also helps a new user build their oil collection by allowing them to focus on these twenty oils. There are hundreds out there, but you can do so much with these twenty. Once you are familiar with basic oils, the book has chapters exploring blending oils and diffusing oils. It ends with information on using oils for different purposes, like health and beauty, physical ailments, and emotional uses. This is a very well-laid-out book that covers a ton in a way that is not overwhelming to the new essential oil user. It would make a great gift to accompany oils as well.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "27-Oct-2019 01:06:16", "publisher": "Llewellyn Publications", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008342035", "title": "SACRIFICED: A Kieran Yeats Mystery", "author": "Linda J Wright", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 549, "review": "Kieran is contacted for a mysterious meeting, though she doesn\u2019t expect the woman to go fleeing from the scene or leave behind an injured cat and a flash drive. The case takes a turn when the woman is killed in a car wreck that Kieran doesn\u2019t believe was an accident. She takes the cat to her vet friend for help and soon uncovers animal testing at a cosmetics company. Kieran is drawn into the plans of an animal activist group called CLAW, tackles her first challenges as a parent, and confronts a killer. SACRIFICED is the second book in the Kieran Yeats Mystery series.

Picking up following events in Stolen, Kieran has settled into the role of parenting Tris, whom she rescued while taking down animal abusers. She\u2019s balancing her roles of investigator and parent, which puts her in a different position from the first book as she\u2019s no longer only looking after herself. This dynamic uncovers a new layer of who Kieran is. It\u2019s lovely to see the two settled in together and to see the impact they have on each other as Kieran has fully gone into parent mode and Tris is encouraged to learn and to ask questions. Tris is an outspoken, brave, and intelligent eight-year-old who learns about the world around her by understanding bullying and trying out a vegan lifestyle.

The relationships are an important role in the story and in Kieran\u2019s life as her friend group acts as the support system that keeps her grounded and provides back-up sleuthing support. Wright uses each of these strong women to give a voice to animals through vets, activists, and shelter workers. Wright provides some delightful and humorous moments between friends as they band together against the cosmetic company for some investigating, research, and even a break-in for some rabbit-napping. The amazing children in Kieran\u2019s life provide a focus on bullying and veganism in the story. Jan, the daughter of a friend, provides a great influence on Tris by inspiring her to try veganism. She\u2019s opinionated and passionate and confides in Kieran about crushes and life. The relationship between Tris and Kieran is a favorite part of the story as Kieran is so dedicated and full of love while also teaching Tris about morals and friendship. Wright uses the children in the story to spark conversations about veganism, identity, bullying, respect, and the treatment of immigrants and refugees.

Animal cruelty is the core issue of the series, as it follows Kieran\u2019s job as she tackles cases that focus on the mistreatment of animals. Animal testing is the focus of this mystery as the characters rally together against a cosmetic company and Wright shines a light on the fight to get a law passed to end this practice. The title is a poignant message directly tied to animal testing and will educate you about what \"sacrifice\" truly means. Wright gives an honest look at the treatment of animals and the cruelty they endure while creating strong characters that will inspire you to act, speak out, fight, and look closer at the companies that support these practices. As with the first book, Wright delivers a mystery in Sacrificed that is poignant, emotional, heartfelt, and action-packed with important themes and sweet messages about being yourself, finding yourself, and the bond of family.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "26-Oct-2019 21:18:23", "publisher": "Cats Paw Books", "page_count": "268 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008342031", "title": "Go, Goats! (True Tales of Rescue)", "author": "Kama Einhorn", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - Age 8", "word_count": 207, "review": "I think I want to work in a sanctuary to save animals after reading this book. What a cool job it would be to work with helping farm animals get better from whatever they might have faced before coming to the sanctuary. This book has lots of interesting facts about goats and I liked how they were mixed in with the story; like did you know goats have 4 stomachs? I enjoyed it because it was told from a goat's point of view and I thought it was a great story. The part about all those abused animals in the barn was very sad. The pictures were very neat because they were real photographs. I think people who love farm animals should read this book. I couldn\u2019t stop turning the pages while the kids were born! 3 babies from one goat- wow! The sad news that came after made me feel bad for Lulu. I wish I could go visit little Violet, she sounds adorable. I think my favorite part of this book was the jokes\u2014haha! The end almost made me cry. I was so into the book that when I read the last few pages I needed a hug. I wish I could have met Lucia.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "26-Oct-2019 20:49:29", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008340035", "title": "Hour of the Assassin: A Novel", "author": "Matthew Quirk", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Benjamin - Age 13", "word_count": 395, "review": "Matthew Quirk is also the author of The Night Agent, Dead Man Switch, Cold Barrel Zero, The Direct, The 500, and many more.

Hour of the Assassin by Matthew Quirk author of The Night Agent, Dead Man Switch, Cold Barrel Zero, The Direct, The 500, and many more.

Nick Averose was once a Secret Service Agent, which he spent a decade protecting the most powerful men in America. Operating as Secret Service Agent, Nick Averose manifested a unique gift: the ability to think like an assassin. Nick Averose took advantage of this gift and now uses it as a \u201cred teamer\u201d, testing the security around the highest officials to find vulnerabilities in their security system. His latest and last assignment was to evaluate the security surrounding the former CIA director, Widener, at his DC-area home. Once he breached into the main office he arrived at a dead body laying on the floor. It has become clear that someone else here has attacked the former CIA director right under Nick\u2019s nose. Having no evidence that Nick is innocent. How will he expose the murderer who killed Widener and protect himself and the people he loves? Framed and running for his life, he discovers how far some men would go, just to obtain the highest position in this land.

I would recommend this book to young adults who enjoy mystery and adventure novels. This book has 106 chapters in 337 pages, which means each chapter has about three pages of content. Sometimes between chapters, they switch characters; for example, one chapter is about Nick escaping, then the next chapter would be about Grey, the person seeking him and trying to find clues in the murder case.

I really love how the book always leaves the end of the chapter as a cliffhanger. This makes you want to read more so that you will be able to progress through the book to find out what happens to our main character. Even though many chapters you come across are short, they still leave a lot of detail in what is going on with both sides. So you could say that they are short and sweet.

The author, Matthew Quirk, wrote many excellent books, so I assume the book, Hour of the Assassin would be just as good, or even better than, his previous books. He has still exceeded my expectations.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Oct-2019 23:02:09", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008340027", "title": "Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children)", "author": "Seanan McGuire", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 189, "review": "Bestselling author Seanan McGuire continues with the next installment of her Wayward Children series in Come Tumbling Down. We last met twin sisters Jack and Jill in the second book, Down Among the Sticks and Bones, when they traveled to the land of darkness and magic and vampires. In the fifth book, Come Tumbling Down, Jack returns from that dark, terrifying realm through a secretly made door back to the Home for Wayward Children, except somehow she\u2019s trapped in her sister\u2019s body.

To undo this wrong that has happened she must travel back to the fantastic world she has come to both love and hate and put things right. Assembling a team of characters we\u2019ve come to know well through other Wayward Children books, the reader travels back with them and is taken on a whole new adventure, except this time they really don\u2019t know how things will end.

These books are like pieces of delicious candy you don\u2019t want to end and can\u2019t stop yourself from gobbling up. Come Tumbling Down is light and dark, funny and sad, loving and hurtful. You will be left feeling hurt but also hopeful.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Oct-2019 22:53:58", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008340023", "title": "Evie's Field Day: More than One Way to Win", "author": "Claire Noland", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Chloe - Age 8", "word_count": 184, "review": "Evie's Field Day is about a girl who loves to run and play games, but she doesn't win a lot at the Field Day event. During one race, she has a chance to win, but a baby bird gets in the way. She gives up the race to pick up the bird so that it can fly back to its mom.

I would not recommend this book because it was a little boring, and anyway, you are not supposed to touch birds because you would leave a human scent on them. Also, I expected more action with it being about Field Day.

The pictures were great. I like how some were black and white and then others had little bits of color.

The story was a good example of how to be a good sport. At the end, it gave a list of how to be a good sport, but it had too many words for a young person like me to read on my own. A parent should read this kind of list to their child. I did not really like this book.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "24-Oct-2019 20:17:03", "publisher": "Cardinal Rule Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008339027", "title": "Go with the Flow", "author": "Karen Schneemann", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah G - Age 13", "word_count": 250, "review": "Are you a girl? Have you dealt with your period? Well, Go with the Flow is a book just about that!

Sasha is the \u201cnew kid\u201d in her school already, she didn\u2019t need this on top of things! On her second day of school she gets her period, and everyone sees! Sasha is incredibly embarrassed, and the bathroom has no pads or tampons, and they would cost money anyways! But luckily, Sasha makes three new friends quickly and they come to help her out at last.

There is Christina, the goofball, who is almost always hungry for sweets! \nAbby, the smart girl, who always tries to fight for women\u2019s rights! And finally, Brit, who is the kind, caring part of the group, but she has really painful periods.

The four new friends are trying hard to make a difference at their school and fight for women\u2019s rights. Will they be able to make a difference ?

This book is great because I could relate to it a lot. I am a girl and have had to deal with my period, which isn\u2019t always easy. It feels good to read about it and share problems and thoughts with others. I loved that the girls are trying to make a difference in their school! More support should be there for girls and women alike! I recommend this book for girls ten and up who feel mature enough to read this! The book is also in the style of a comic, which made it fun to read!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Oct-2019 23:04:44", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008339015", "title": "The Healer's Daughters", "author": "Jay Amberg", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 406, "review": "A complicated, uplifting story of female courage.

After spending the first chapter with a young Galen at the bedside of his dying father in Pergamon, Asia Minor, in 148 CE, we are abruptly dropped into the mind of a suicide bomber in Bergama (modern-day Pergamon) in 2017. The man, an Irishman by birth but converted in prison, drives his truck toward the Aesklepion, the world\u2019s historical center of healing, with the intention of blowing up the Acropolis cable car station and becoming a famous martyr for his cause.

From this terrible moment, we are suddenly on the promontory overlooking the horrific aftermath of the bombing, pacing and crying with \u00d6zlem Boro\u011flu, who until recently was the local director of Archeology and Antiquities. She knows that what occurred was only to cover up the real crime going on: the looting of priceless artifacts by ISIL to sell to international buyers. Soon she is joined by her daughter Elif, artist and worshipper of the old mother goddesses, who joins her weeping.

Tu\u011f\u00e7e Iskan, a Turkish Ministry investigator, sits in her office and tries to make the connections between this bombing, \u00d6zlem Boro\u011flu, and the powerful Hamit crime family. An outsider in her own family because she is left-handed and therefore unclean, she does not mind being an outsider in her job. She trusts almost no one.

We are also introduced to other women: Haziz, the mother of Mahmet, the boy fatally injured in the bombing who holds a coin and a clue; the unnamed wife of a suicide bomber whose eleven-year-old son is taken from her and also made a suicide bomber, and who eventually takes her own life rather than be raped by the sheik who took theirs.

There are men, obviously, such as Serkan Boro\u011flu, son of \u00d6zlem, but he, like most of the men in the story, are the cause of the problems, either due to greed or ignorance. Even those who seem harmless cause harm through their rash decisions and inability to reason calmly. There are, however, a few who are truly selfless and literally sacrifice themselves for others.

At its heart, The Healer\u2019s Daughters by Jay Amberg is a story of the healing, necessary power of female relationships and the strength women possess alone and in groups. I was not expecting to discover this theme when I began reading but was beyond satisfied with the direction the author took the story and the sense of hope at the conclusion.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "24-Oct-2019 12:28:02", "publisher": "Amika Press", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008338031", "title": "Sunny Side Upbringing: A Month by Month Guide to Raising Kind and Caring Kids", "author": "Maria Cini Dismondy", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 206, "review": "Sunny Side Upbringing is amazing. Everything about it is top-notch. I love the binding of the book, which makes it like a recipe book. I love the format, how the chapters cover the months of the year. Each \"chapter\" consists of an overall theme that will help you to raise a kind and caring child (honesty, love, gratitude, empathy). Included in each chapter are relevant quotes from well-known people, real-life testimonies/stories, and various ideas that are relevant to toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children.

I love that author Maria Cini Dismondy is an advocate for reading, which is very important for children. She includes in every chapter a book list to look into as well as eight craft ideas that center around a particular book that you can read with your child.

The themes and bits of advice in the chapters range from pregnancy to car trips, potty training to back-to-school. Then there are pages about reasons to celebrate the month, which include the unfamiliar holidays (read a book day, chocolate milkshake day, etc.). From a mental health perspective, this book is perfect for raising children to become responsible and caring adults as well as for helping you to play an active role in your child(ren)'s childhood.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2020", "date_added": "24-Oct-2019 20:15:11", "publisher": "Cardinal Rule Press", "page_count": "236 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008338023", "title": "Twilight of the Gods: A Novel", "author": "Scott Oden", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 196, "review": "Twilight of the Gods is a dense story. The second book in the story of Grimnir, protector of the Raven-Geats in a greater war waging among gods, and a new priestess who finds her way in a fight of her own. It\u2019s a book rich with detail to the point of weighing down the narrative, and the world-building is so elaborate as to cost the characters their believability. I would have liked to have seen more development of the characters and human connection as opposed to long descriptions of clothes, imagery, and battlefields. There\u2019s a lot of telling, and the prose feels needlessly stiff as it tries to summon a bygone age. It\u2019s predictable, with a heroine of sixteen summers old raging against authority who can\u2019t get a handle on her anger and her relationship with her mentors who withhold vital information from her. It\u2019s a hard book to connect with, even as a lover of history and mythology. It seems like a series where, if you liked it, it would be easy to get very involved. But it\u2019s likely a title that readers either love or that leaves them cold, with not much in between.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "23-Oct-2019 22:08:08", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008337039", "title": "One More Hug", "author": "Megan Alexander, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - Age 5", "word_count": 133, "review": "I ask for one more hug all the time! This book would be good for boys because it's about boys, but I can also try to put myself in the book and see myself there. I like how detailed the pictures are; they seem like they were drawn with a pencil, and then water colors were used to paint. I like that the boy asks for one more and then stops asking. I used to ask my mom for lots of hugs before school, but now some days I go right in and she comes in for my hug because I forget and want to get to my classroom! I was sad when I saw the mom sitting on the porch but so happy when the boy came back to hug his mom!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Oct-2019 20:19:07", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008337015", "title": "A Book of Bones: A Thriller", "author": "John Connolly", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 232, "review": "A woman\u2019s corpse is found in a refrigerator in the unforgiving deserts of southern Arizona. The body bears striking resemblance to a murderer sought by the FBI and other authorities. Enter Charlie Parker. Parker is currently serving as a witness against two pederasts in Houston when the Feds beckon him to the Mexican border. Parker assists in the questioning of potential witnesses and soon learns the body is a decoy. The suspect, named Mors, and her boss/associate Quayle have fled the country. But the danger they represent to Parker and others has not abated. Quayle is hunting for the elusive pages of an Atlas, a book of religious bearing, verging on apocalyptic. Quayle will stop at nothing to obtain the lost pages while ordering murders that will bring forth armageddon. Dueling killers are operating in London, their victims left with a clue that points to hate crimes. Parker and his loyal friends seek to foil Quayle and Mors and end their reign of terror. But have they met their match?

A Book of Bones may be John Connolly\u2019s finest work yet in his Charlie Parker saga. His latest work is composed of a multi-pronged narrative culling together diverse characters and their journeys, inevitably meeting at a fiery ground zero. Connolly weaves a rich tapestry of beauty in painting the scenery while waiting to spring the inevitable horror he has become known for. A+", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "23-Oct-2019 19:21:55", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "688 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008336047", "title": "Catfishing on CatNet: A Novel", "author": "Naomi Kritzer", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 196, "review": "Do you really know whom you're talking to online? Because her mother is always on the move, sixteen-year-old Steph hasn't lived anywhere longer than six months. Her only constant is an online community called CatNet - a social media site where users upload cat pictures. The admin known as ChesireCat is a sentient AI who loves cat photos. When a threat from Steph's past catches up to her, and ChesireCat\u2019s existence is discovered, it's up to Steph and her friends - both in real life and online - to save them.

The setting of Catfishing on Catnet was really compelling; it takes place during a time where drones, driving cars, and robots are more commonplace and more accepted than they are now. It's especially relevant today because of the character's uses of social media, where friendships are seemingly built on common interests and there's a need to always be there for each other, despite how much danger they would end up in. Catfishing on Catnet is absolutely wonderful because of the setting, the use of online friends, and the inclusivity of both sexuality and gender identity. I could not help but love every twist and turn.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Oct-2019 22:51:12", "publisher": "Tor Teen", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008336043", "title": "Because It's Wrong: Bullies vs. Nazis", "author": "Lydia Greico", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Melville", "word_count": 500, "review": "Bullying is an epidemic in our modern world, and Lydia Greico is on a lifelong mission advocating for those who have suffered from this devastating plague on society. Written as an easy-to-digest teaching tool, Because It\u2019s Wrong: Bullies vs. Nazis aims to educate parents and teachers alike and help them to make the world a safer place for their children.

Greico begins by defining bullying, discussing its various forms, exploring its impact on individuals and on society, and emphasizing why bullying must be stopped. She offers suggestions on how to help bullying victims and effective bullying prevention tips. This part of the book is very strong.

Next, the author explores the life of Hitler, whom she labels \u201cthe biggest bully of all time.\u201d She discusses the rise of concentration camps during World War II, \u201cthe most notorious places of cruelty (bullying) done to non-believers in the Nazi regime.\u201d Greico likens the atrocities committed against the Jews (among others) to bullying. While her research into the Dachau Concentration Camp, Dachau Subcamps, the Liberation of Dachau, Sobibor, Treblinka, Auschwitcz-Birkenau, Buchenwald, and Manzanar is well written and the facts are shocking, I don't follow her connection between the modern bullying epidemic and Nazism, but she vividly portrayed war crimes and the atrocities of genocide.

Greico then attempts to logically connect bullying and Nazism, writing \u201cI will talk about all the comparisons of the holocaust to the incidents of today and provide scriptural support for them. Bullies more often than not kill their victims just as the Nazis killed the Jews. They do cruel things to their victims as well just as the Nazis did in the holocaust.\u201d As a reader, I found that a step too far. The author also asks why all sorts of natural disasters occur and suggests it may be because \u201cJesus wants our attention and is calling his flock to pay more attention to his ways and his works.\u201d She states that the hatred (violence/ terrorism/ bullying etc) of today stems from the godlessness of society and asks, \u201cWhy can\u2019t we all turn to God before it is too late?\u201d This is really where she lost me, even as a Christian reader.

Despite the comparison/contrast chart, I found the connection between bully behavior and Nazi behavior to be superficial. The author\u2019s claim that unless we end bullying, we\u2019re in for WWIII is a little over the top to me. There\u2019s great information here, but I didn\u2019t always follow her logic. I am not persuaded.

The best part of this book is the statement that ending bullying starts with us and the simple advice for parents/teachers on how to accomplish this. I liked the blank note pages included at the end of each chapter where readers can jot down insights and action plans. What a nice feature! I also liked the related Bible verses.

Overall, this book reads as a persuasive essay or research paper and could use more supportive evidence. While I am not persuaded, I appreciate Greico\u2019s passion and heart for this painful subject.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Oct-2019 22:09:27", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "178 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008336015", "title": "A Pilgrimage to Eternity: From Canterbury to Rome in Search of a Faith", "author": "Timothy Egan", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 297, "review": "Timothy Egan serves as a host, inviting readers to join his Pilgrimage to Eternity. As such, it is a memorable series of revelations. Raised a Catholic, his mission is to explore the strength of his personal faith, traveling twelve hundred miles from Canterbury to Rome on the Via Francigena, a pilgrimage similar yet distinct from the trail to Santiago de Compostela His path leads first through small French towns and cities where the past is remembered in cathedrals, abbeys, and monasteries, most of them older than the United States. Whether they are still vibrant or in ruins they serve as both a centerpiece of the pilgrimage and a backdrop to introduce those who immortalized them. Among the names some better recalled than others like Joan of Arc, (at nineteen-years-old not in college and instead, saving France), and Martin Luther whose ninety-five theses were spread gratuitously by his near-contemporary Johan Gutenberg, a revolutionary religious before he became a malevolent old man.

Egan is never alone, whether remembering the contributions of the early saints or introducing a newly met friend who takes out her phone to show him a photo of her little grandson as he is introduced to the Pope.

Despite the joyful tales, the months are not all sunshine and light as the author intersperses his account by revealing enough family tragedy to challenge a believer. He complements descriptions of the glorious natural scenery, a heatwave, and later snow while suffering enough emotional distress to take him home for a break before reaching St. Peter\u2019s Square and receiving his Vatican seal of the Testimonium.

The Pilgrimage to Eternity is intimate and affecting, and as a pilgrim separates his travels from one day to the next, the book is best read in measured spells to relish every chapter.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "23-Oct-2019 20:22:09", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008334031", "title": "Invisible Wars: The Collected Dead Six (4)", "author": "Larry Correia", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Michael Shulman", "word_count": 179, "review": "Invisible Wars: The Collected Dead Six is an omnibus of Larry Correia's Dead Six series books and two short stories set in the same universe. The series features two protagonists Lorenzo and Michael Valentine, a thief and a mercenary, who are tasked by the government to perform off-the-books missions. From infiltrating terrorist networks to fighting a brutal warlord hell-bent on enslaving people, Lorenzo and Valentine perform their jobs with tremendous skill. Although the scenarios and missions are quite unrealistic, the book is full of hard and very descriptive action which adds a sense of awe and suspense to the plot. Larry Correia doesn't skimp on character development either and uses very descriptive language in his stories.

Invisible Wars: The Collected Dead Six was quite enjoyable to read. At more than 1500 pages, three full-length novels and three short stories, there is plenty of time for the reader to be engaged and follow the characters. If you love action, descriptive language, even at the expense of authenticity, then Invisible Wars: The Collected Dead Six is the perfect book for you.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2019 18:06:55", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "1216 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008334015", "title": "Love Poems for People with Children", "author": "John Kenney", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 206, "review": "This poetry collection paints an accurately hilarious portrait of the parental life, many from that moment when every parent feels they\u2019re about to lose their cool. Though some of the poems specifically call out the experience of being a father, or a mother, the majority of the poems are so real that every parent will relate and think it was written just for them.

Kenney explores themes such as making grocery lists during sex, feeling like death when the baby wakes up for the third time and it\u2019s only three in the morning, and the \u201cjoy\u201d of family road trips. Poems go back and forth between various ages of childhood, from infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age, and reaching into an adult child that won\u2019t leave the nest.

Although the poems are sarcastic, it\u2019s easy to see that these poems are laughing at some of the more challenging moments of parenting. As Kenney sums up at the end, \u201cI am so lucky to be your dad.\u201d

This book is a great read for parents who can laugh at themselves and the ridiculous situations parenting will often put them in. It has humor and sarcasm, but it also has a lot of heart. I really enjoyed reading this collection.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2019 17:32:24", "publisher": "G.P. Putnam's Sons", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008334007", "title": "Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth", "author": "Sarah Smarsh", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 228, "review": "Heartland, the first full-length book by writer Sarah Smarsh, is a brilliant and heartbreakingly hopeful examination of class, gender, and the pursuit of happiness in America. Like Smarsh, I am a fifth-generation Kansan; every word she wrote about the often seemingly insurmountable divide between hard work and financial success rings startlingly true.

Narratively structured as a letter to August, an imagined daughter, Smarsh recounts her own history as well as the experiences of her mother Jeannie, grandmother Betty, and other stand-out players in her family tree. But the book isn\u2019t pure memoir. If it were, those stories\u2014funny, poignant, and written with near-surgical precision\u2014would be exceptional on their own. What makes the book necessary, what makes it impossible to put down, what makes it re-readable and sharable and important is the social commentary it contains. Smarsh examines the cost of hard, physical work, making the wrong choices when it comes to men, the necessity of an education, and the often futile exercise of trying to rise in a system made to keep people down.

In a narrative crisscrossed by the travels of people dead and gone, the sacrifices of those still living, and the monumental question of what it means to be a person of value, Smarsh has written a book that deserves every accolade.Heartland is nothing short of an American classic that should be devoured and savored by readers everywhere.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2019 17:29:09", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008334003", "title": "Dork Diaries 14: Tales from a Not-So-Best Friend Forever (14)", "author": "Rachel Renee Russell", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 8", "word_count": 212, "review": "Dork Diaries 14: Tales from a Not-So-Best Friend Forever (14) tells the story of Nikki, a teenager in a band who thinks that her summer will be perfect because she and her bandmates are going on tour with one of the hottest boy bands ever AND her tormentor, Mackenzie, will not be there to ruin her amazing summer. At least that is what Nikki hopes, but her perfect summer ends up a lot different than she wants it to when Mackenzie manipulates her way onto the tour and ends up being Nikki's roommate, the boys in the boy band are not as perfect as they seem, and Nikki has to keep a huge secret from her best friends and bandmates. Why is it so hard to be a best friend?

Dork Diaries 14: Tales from a Not-So-Best Friend Forever (14) is the perfect read for ten-to-fifteen-year-old girls who can understand what Nikki is going through. The cartoon-like illustrations are fun and interesting, and Nikki's problems and her solutions to them help us remember that we must always try our best to do the right thing in order to be a good friend. To find out how Nikki handles her perfect summer gone wrong, grab a copy and settle in for a great read!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2019 17:13:05", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008333003", "title": "A Dangerous Engagement: An Amory Ames Mystery", "author": "Ashley Weaver", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 913, "review": "DUN DUN DUN\u2026\n\nAs the nights draw in, there\u2019s nothing better than a chilling, thrilling read to pass the time. While the five books included in this roundup are all quite different from each other, they are united by the suspense and sense of intrigue that permeate them. As long as you don\u2019t want to put your mind at ease, sit back, (try to) relax, and let these stories transport you to another reality, where all manner of nefarious things are possible.\n\nThe Effort by Claire Holroyde\n\nWhen an eight-kilometer comet is detected near Jupiter\u2019s orbit, those who take the time to consider its nearness to the Earth recognize the significant threat it poses to humanity. After all, a similar situation didn\u2019t end well for the dinosaurs, did it? Foremost among those who understand the impending danger is scientist Benjamin Schwartz, who, together with girlfriend Amy Kowalski and an international band of adventurous boffins, decamps to South America to devise a way to save the planet from catastrophe. Simultaneously, the crew of a polar icebreaker struggle to capture the majesty of the Arctic before it is destroyed forever (and by causes other than the comet). Claire Holroyde\u2019s The Effort is the gripping tale of brave sections of humanity as they attempt to find hope and solutions in the face of almost certain disaster. A thriller with a strong environmental message, it stresses the importance of international collaboration and never giving up, however hopeless things may seem.\n\nA Dangerous Engagement: An Amory Ames Mystery by Ashley Weaver\n\nA Dangerous Engagement, the sixth book in Ashley Weaver\u2019s series, sees feisty amateur detective Amory travel to New York to attend the wedding of her best friend, Tabitha Alden. Although she didn\u2019t enjoy the crossing, Amory is looking forward to the wedding, but her husband Milo feels the exact opposite; prohibition-era New York holds little interest for him. Unfortunately, things turn rather more interesting rather quickly when a member of the wedding party is murdered. While the police concentrate on the likely involvement of notorious gangster Leon De Lora, Amory focuses on the possible suspects among the wedding guests, at least some of whom seem to be keeping significant secrets. Ashley Weaver does a great job of recreating the atmosphere\u2013\u2013both the glitz and the danger\u2013\u2013of life during prohibition, wonderfully capturing the dialogue and concerns of the time. The murder mystery itself is nicely convoluted, with the twists and turns building to a somewhat outlandish yet still highly satisfying conclusion.\n\nWaiting for the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton\n\nA coming-of-age story founded on an intriguing mystery, Waiting for the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton follows two former childhood best friends as they reconnect and attempt to deal with a secret from the past that both drove them apart and bound them together forever. Forestry researcher Cadie Kessler has spent years trying to escape from the shadows of her past, but she is forced to confront and reevaluate long-buried feelings and secrets when her former best friend, Daniela Garcia, sends an urgent message that forces her to return to her former hometown. Cadie will have to decide how far she is willing to go to honor former oaths and protect both the people and the forest that she loves. Cadie\u2019s story is a suspenseful tale in which the sense of danger and menace builds slowly as she attempts to uncover truths that have been buried for far too long. Aside from the mystery aspect, the story covers weighty themes such as racism, community erosion, and climate change, which makes for compelling reading.\n\nOld Bones by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child\n\nOld Bones by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child introduces Nora Kelly, a curator employed at the Santa Fe Institute of Archeology, who is about to find herself embroiled in a whole lot of peril and intrigue. She\u2019s seemingly offered the opportunity of a lifetime when historian Clive Benton invites her to lead an expedition in search of the Donner Party\u2019s lost camp. Nora knows that any excavation concerning the infamous Donner Party will lead to traces of murder, madness, and cannibalism, but she has no idea that uncovering the long-buried horrors will trigger violence and devastation in the present day. Preston and Child craft a chilling thriller around real-world history and commonly held speculation, and it leads to an action-packed story that\u2019s brimming with danger and double-crosses. The characters are relatable and the plot exciting, and in true Preston and Child style, there\u2019s a big twist at the end.\n\nThe Man Who Wouldn't Die by A.B. Jewell\n\nYou\u2019ve heard of messages from beyond the grave, but what about tweets from the afterlife? As unlikely as it may sound, Captain Don Donogue, who recently died in mysterious circumstances, appears to still be tweeting despite his notable absence from the mortal coil. Could the Silicon Valley tech bros have finally uncovered the secret to life after death, a secret that allows social media accounts to live on while bodies decay? In A.B. Jewell\u2019s The Man Who Wouldn\u2019t Die, old-school private detective William \u201cFitch\u201d Fitzgerald is hired by Captain Don\u2019s daughter to investigate her father\u2019s possible murder as well as his apparent ability to communicate from the spirit realm. In delightful Raymond Chandler meets Carl Hiaasen style, Jewell unspools a hilarious hard-boiled yarn that mixes noir tropes with tech startup cliches to produce a rip-roaring, mind-bending detective story that takes readers to a whole host of peculiar places.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Oct-2019 17:05:32", "publisher": "Minotaur Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008332019", "title": "The Meaning of Marriage: A Couple's Devotional: A Year of Daily Devotions", "author": "Timothy Keller", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Utomo", "word_count": 162, "review": "The Meaning of Marriage is a 365-day devotional that challenges Christian couples to deepen their commitment to God and to each other. According to Timothy and Kathy Keller, Christian marriage is \u201cfriendship with a mission.\u201d They encourage spouses to be best friends who base their marriage \u201cfriendship\u201d on spiritual growth. The devotional focuses on three ways couples can help each other grow: speaking truth, showing love, and offering grace. Each day\u2019s devotion includes a Scripture reading, a devotional message, a reflection question, and a prayer prompt.

The devotional\u2019s reflection questions foster discussion and application, setting it apart from more traditional verse-message-prayer options. While the Scripture readings are a bit brief (one to two verses on average), couples can use the references to explore the verses in their original context. As long-term commitment seems increasingly pass\u00e9, the Kellers\u2019 biblical perspective on the beauty and significance of marriage is timely both for Christian couples and for couples exploring marriage from a Christian point of view.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2019 17:33:57", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008332011", "title": "Weather or Not (Upside-Down Magic #5)", "author": "E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle, and Sarah Mlynowski", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Natalie - Age 9", "word_count": 95, "review": "The book goes well with the other books. I have the whole series at home, and the new book works with them. The only thing I don't like is that they did not add any new characters. It was just the same old, same old. The book is a tiny bit predictable, but still fun to read. The predictable part is when Nory and Willa get into a big fight. Then I realized that they'll just make up in the end. Sure enough, I was right. A cliffhanger would be a nice change in pace.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2019 17:17:58", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008332003", "title": "Old Bones", "author": "Douglas Preston", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 913, "review": "DUN DUN DUN\u2026\n\nAs the nights draw in, there\u2019s nothing better than a chilling, thrilling read to pass the time. While the five books included in this roundup are all quite different from each other, they are united by the suspense and sense of intrigue that permeate them. As long as you don\u2019t want to put your mind at ease, sit back, (try to) relax, and let these stories transport you to another reality, where all manner of nefarious things are possible.\n\nThe Effort by Claire Holroyde\n\nWhen an eight-kilometer comet is detected near Jupiter\u2019s orbit, those who take the time to consider its nearness to the Earth recognize the significant threat it poses to humanity. After all, a similar situation didn\u2019t end well for the dinosaurs, did it? Foremost among those who understand the impending danger is scientist Benjamin Schwartz, who, together with girlfriend Amy Kowalski and an international band of adventurous boffins, decamps to South America to devise a way to save the planet from catastrophe. Simultaneously, the crew of a polar icebreaker struggle to capture the majesty of the Arctic before it is destroyed forever (and by causes other than the comet). Claire Holroyde\u2019s The Effort is the gripping tale of brave sections of humanity as they attempt to find hope and solutions in the face of almost certain disaster. A thriller with a strong environmental message, it stresses the importance of international collaboration and never giving up, however hopeless things may seem.\n\nA Dangerous Engagement: An Amory Ames Mystery by Ashley Weaver\n\nA Dangerous Engagement, the sixth book in Ashley Weaver\u2019s series, sees feisty amateur detective Amory travel to New York to attend the wedding of her best friend, Tabitha Alden. Although she didn\u2019t enjoy the crossing, Amory is looking forward to the wedding, but her husband Milo feels the exact opposite; prohibition-era New York holds little interest for him. Unfortunately, things turn rather more interesting rather quickly when a member of the wedding party is murdered. While the police concentrate on the likely involvement of notorious gangster Leon De Lora, Amory focuses on the possible suspects among the wedding guests, at least some of whom seem to be keeping significant secrets. Ashley Weaver does a great job of recreating the atmosphere\u2013\u2013both the glitz and the danger\u2013\u2013of life during prohibition, wonderfully capturing the dialogue and concerns of the time. The murder mystery itself is nicely convoluted, with the twists and turns building to a somewhat outlandish yet still highly satisfying conclusion.\n\nWaiting for the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton\n\nA coming-of-age story founded on an intriguing mystery, Waiting for the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton follows two former childhood best friends as they reconnect and attempt to deal with a secret from the past that both drove them apart and bound them together forever. Forestry researcher Cadie Kessler has spent years trying to escape from the shadows of her past, but she is forced to confront and reevaluate long-buried feelings and secrets when her former best friend, Daniela Garcia, sends an urgent message that forces her to return to her former hometown. Cadie will have to decide how far she is willing to go to honor former oaths and protect both the people and the forest that she loves. Cadie\u2019s story is a suspenseful tale in which the sense of danger and menace builds slowly as she attempts to uncover truths that have been buried for far too long. Aside from the mystery aspect, the story covers weighty themes such as racism, community erosion, and climate change, which makes for compelling reading.\n\nOld Bones by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child\n\nOld Bones by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child introduces Nora Kelly, a curator employed at the Santa Fe Institute of Archeology, who is about to find herself embroiled in a whole lot of peril and intrigue. She\u2019s seemingly offered the opportunity of a lifetime when historian Clive Benton invites her to lead an expedition in search of the Donner Party\u2019s lost camp. Nora knows that any excavation concerning the infamous Donner Party will lead to traces of murder, madness, and cannibalism, but she has no idea that uncovering the long-buried horrors will trigger violence and devastation in the present day. Preston and Child craft a chilling thriller around real-world history and commonly held speculation, and it leads to an action-packed story that\u2019s brimming with danger and double-crosses. The characters are relatable and the plot exciting, and in true Preston and Child style, there\u2019s a big twist at the end.\n\nThe Man Who Wouldn't Die by A.B. Jewell\n\nYou\u2019ve heard of messages from beyond the grave, but what about tweets from the afterlife? As unlikely as it may sound, Captain Don Donogue, who recently died in mysterious circumstances, appears to still be tweeting despite his notable absence from the mortal coil. Could the Silicon Valley tech bros have finally uncovered the secret to life after death, a secret that allows social media accounts to live on while bodies decay? In A.B. Jewell\u2019s The Man Who Wouldn\u2019t Die, old-school private detective William \u201cFitch\u201d Fitzgerald is hired by Captain Don\u2019s daughter to investigate her father\u2019s possible murder as well as his apparent ability to communicate from the spirit realm. In delightful Raymond Chandler meets Carl Hiaasen style, Jewell unspools a hilarious hard-boiled yarn that mixes noir tropes with tech startup cliches to produce a rip-roaring, mind-bending detective story that takes readers to a whole host of peculiar places.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Oct-2019 17:02:10", "publisher": "Grand Central Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008331035", "title": "Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong", "author": "James W. Loewen", "category": "N09 History", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 775, "review": "Historical Roundup\n\nWhether debunking historical fallacies, assessing the more bizarre consequences of a recent history of evil, elucidating the shared and divergent characteristics of well-known figures from history, or situating shamefully overlooked individuals in their rightful place within the historical record, the four books included in this roundup all serve to extend historical scholarship in insightful and enlightening ways.\n\nLies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong by James W. Loewen\n\nThis updated edition of Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong, which examines \u201cinaccuracies, myths, and lies [concerning] monuments, statues, national landmarks, and historic sites all across America,\u201d really packs a punch in terms of debunking pervasive fake news regarding a wide range of sites of national historical importance. James W. Loewen, as the myth-buster extraordinaire, casts a critical eye over how and why American history is traditionally commemorated, and he engages in a whole lot of entertaining muckraking while doing so. Of course, given its remit, there\u2019s a lot of funny material included, but the book also serves a very serious purpose, explaining how inaccurate history has been used to prop up social inequality as well as bringing to light people, places, and events that have been unjustly forgotten. It\u2019s fascinating and a little scary to read about how American history has been blatantly skewed by those with the power to write and disseminate it.\n\nA Demon-Haunted Land: Witches, Wonder Doctors, and the Ghosts of the Past in Post-WWII Germany by Monica Black\n\nAs if World War Two didn\u2019t have devastating and traumatic enough consequences for the national psyche, its aftermath saw a bizarre confluence of paranormal events and belief in the supernatural in Germany. Unlikely though it may seem, in addition to faith healers achieving national prominence and exorcisms becoming almost commonplace, the immediate post-war years saw an explosion in allegations of witchcraft. In A Demon-Haunted Land: Witches, Wonder Doctors, and the Ghosts of the Past in Post-WWII Germany, Monica Black charts a different course to the majority of histories of the period and examines how a national preoccupation with evil characterized Germany\u2019s transition from a Nazi dictatorship into a liberal democracy. Drawing on a host of intriguing and previously unpublished archival materials, Black examines how these highly improbable superstitions resulted from national guilt and a reluctance to talk about and properly analyze events from the Nazi era. In doing so, she provides a sobering account of a little known yet hugely important aspect of Germany\u2019s attempt to reconcile its past with its prosperous seeming future.\n\nLeadership in War: Essential Lessons from Those Who Made History by Andrew Roberts\n\nWar! What is it good for? Well, reputation building (whether for good or ill) for one thing, or so it seems. In Leadership in War: Essential Lessons from Those Who Made History, Andrew Roberts provides a series of nine pen portraits of major figures from modern history\u2013\u2013Napoleon Bonaparte, Horatio Nelson, Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, George C. Marshall, Charles de Gaulle, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Margaret Thatcher\u2013\u2013who are still renowned for their leadership during times of war. Roberts\u2019 central thesis is that each of these leaders fundamentally influenced the outcome(s) of the war their country was involved in, and he sets out to examine the differences and similarities among them in an effort to better understand the qualities that characterize a war-time leader. By necessity, he does not really consider the tens of thousands of other people who contributed to the winning of the various wars, although he certainly does succeed in elucidating how war \u201cdemands and reveals the best and worst in leadership.\u201d\n\nVanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All by Martha S. Jones\n\nAlthough it\u2019s likely destined to be remembered for other things, the year 2020 marked the one hundredth anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, which granted American women the right to vote. It also saw the election of Kamala Harris as the first Black, South Asian, female Vice President of the United States. In recognition of these historic events, Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All, Martha S. Jones\u2019 landmark account of African American women\u2019s political lives in the United States, has been updated to include the vital contributions of Black women during the 2020 election. Jones offers remarkable insights into how a brave and dedicated group of women\u2013\u2013who have all too often been overlooked in mainstream historical/political accounts\u00ac\u00ac\u2013\u2013fought both racism and sexism in order to secure the right to vote and then used their new-found political power to champion the cause of equality for all people.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Oct-2019 18:11:21", "publisher": "The New Press", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008331011", "title": "Allies", "author": "Alan Gratz", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ben - Age 11", "word_count": 190, "review": "Allies is about kids during World War II facing their problems. This story has a lot of different characters who have their own backstories and motives for what they push them to do what they need to do. Dee is fighting against the Nazis, however, he is German himself. Samira\u2019s mom has been captured by the Nazis while she was fighting as a part of a resistance organization in France to stop the Nazis. Each kid\u2019s story is unique to their own experience. The stories of each of the characters, however, intertwine with one another all leading up to D-day. \nAllies is a good book that can be used to help kids understand the events of D-day and the Nazi takeover. It has its really heartfelt moments that help you feel for the characters in a way that not many other books do. It is interesting to read about characters that are your age who are undergoing something that you might never experience in your life. Understanding the tragedy of the world at this time while also telling a story is not something many other books care to delve into.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2019 17:17:07", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008331007", "title": "The Crossed-Out Notebook: A Novel", "author": "Nicol\u00e1s Giacobone, translation by Megan McDowell", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Mark Graham", "word_count": 176, "review": "This is a novel about words, specifically picking the right words to fit a particular purpose or project. Nicol\u00e1s Giacobone writes a story of a writer trapped by a rich movie producer. The main characters of Santiago and Pablo are somewhat like a \u201cteam,\u201d but with one key difference: Pablo is the one doing all the writing work as prescribed by Santiago, who is the \u201cboss\u201d making all the final decisions. Pablo uses a computer application to keep his own private journal of what is occurring in his writing career. Giacobone\u2019s story is written from the perspective of a writer through this journal and includes notes from the projects that Pablo is undertaking while trapped and the rules and guidelines that he has established for his writing process. Pablo states many rules about being a good writer throughout. Giacobone uses imagery well, with Pablo effectively describing his living situation and how everything is setup while he is forced by Santiago to complete the next project. Outside of the narrative, Giacobone completes his own writing project perfectly.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2019 17:07:33", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008329007", "title": "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York: The Classic Illustrated Storybook (Pop Classics)", "author": "None", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 263, "review": "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is a beautifully written and designed picture book about the comedy movie we all know and love from the 90s. Kevin\u2019s family is once again leaving for a Christmas Vacation, this time to Florida. Kevin has no desire to go and drags his heels. They wake up late and have to rush to the Airport, while everyone tries to run to make it to the gate on time, Kevin stays behind to look for something in his Dads bag. When Kevin looks up, he follows a man that looks like his Dad but isn\u2019t and ends up on a totally wrong flight, not to Florida but to New York City, all alone!

In New York, he sees lots of Landmarks and books a room in a hotel. Running through the city he all a sudden, runs into his old bandit friends Marv and Harry, who had tried to rob his house last Christmas when he was home alone! They tell him that they are going to rob a toy store. Kevin plans once again to save Christmas and the toy store, which wants to give all its Christmas profits to the children\u2019s hospital nearby!

Every Christmas season my family and I watch this movie, it is one of my favorites. The book made me laugh out loud, just like the movie, and the iconic facial expressions of Kevin and Marv and Harry are spot on! It\u2019s beautifully drawn and just such a fun read-aloud for just about any age! Even my baby sister loved it already!", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "21-Oct-2019 21:41:14", "publisher": "Quirk Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008327091", "title": "All Ways Family", "author": "Noem\u00ed Fern\u00e1ndez Selva", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 176, "review": "All Ways Family is a sweet book that talks about the many ways families are formed. All families are different, and that is a good thing. Even though every family is different, each one is the same because no matter what they all love one another. Some families have a mommy and daddy that have a baby, but some can't have a baby on their own and they must adopt a child that needs a home with love, and some families need the help of special doctors to have babies, and sometimes some families only have one parent. Some families have only grandparents, and some have moms, dads, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. Each family is special and we should be kind to others even if their family is different from ours. This book is very informative on the many ways that men and women can have babies, either naturally or with the help of a doctor or through adoption. All a family needs to be a family is to love and care for one another.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "21-Oct-2019 21:56:26", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008327079", "title": "Birdie and Me", "author": "J. M. M. Nuanez", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Willow - Age 9", "word_count": 204, "review": "Birdie and Me is such a great book. It is a story about being true to yourself. In the book, Jackie and Birdie are forced to move to their other uncle's house when Uncle Carl fails at taking care of them. Watch them as they discover their inner courage and strength. I loved the end the most. I thought it was awesome to see some of the characters change after every event of the story. I would really love to meet both the characters because they were adventurous. I think it would be fun to hang out with them. I think ages nine to fourteen should read this book. You would like this book if you like emotional books. This book is now one of my favorite books. This book reminds me of Out Of My Mind because the characters in both learn to be themselves. In Out Of My Mind, Melody learns that even if you look different from the other kids it doesn\u2019t mean you are bad. I really loved how I could picture the situation and what was going on. I would love to see a Book Two. This was a heartbreaking, emotional story about two young kids finding their voices.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "19-Oct-2019 20:10:34", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Young Readers", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008327071", "title": "Zaha Hadid (Little People, BIG DREAMS)", "author": "Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 110, "review": "Zaha Hadid is part of the Little People, Big Dreams series, one of my favorite series of all time. This book is different from the rest of the series because she creates curved buildings and the others I have read become nuns and help people. Zaha is a woman who created curved buildings, not square buildings or rectangle buildings, and she did what everyone thought was impossible. The writer did a good job of presenting her story, just like the others in the series. I really enjoyed getting to know Zaha. Her favorite classes were art and math just like mine. The illustrator did a good job with the pictures.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "19-Oct-2019 18:42:08", "publisher": "Quarto", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008327067", "title": "Mary Shelley (Little People, BIG DREAMS)", "author": "Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Yelena Bryksenkova", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 176, "review": "Mary Shelley (Little People, Big Dreams) is all about the author Mary Shelley. Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara wrote it and Yelena Bryksenkova made the pictures. I liked this story a lot. I liked it because Mary Shelley was a writer and she wrote with a feather. Her mom died when she was just a baby, and that was sad, but Mary Shelley became a great writer anyway. She wrote the story Frankenstein and spent a lot of time in graveyards.

This author seems to know a lot about Mary Shelley. Lots of kids will like this book because Mary Shelley is really interesting to read about. My little sister likes it a lot, and she\u2019s only four! The pictures are detailed and good. The pictures of the monster are scary, but not too-too scary. And how Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein was really interesting and good. I really enjoyed reading this book about Mary Shelley. This is a book that\u2019s good to read over and over. I want to read more books like this about women in history.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "19-Oct-2019 18:40:59", "publisher": "Quarto", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008327035", "title": "82 Days on Okinawa: One American's Unforgettable Firsthand Account of the Pacific War's Greatest Battle", "author": "Art Shaw", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 221, "review": "The war in the Pacific had been raged for three years when Major Art Shaw and his men landed in Leyte. The see-saw battling had seen momentum shift to the Allied effort. Major Shaw and his men were encircled by Japanese forces initially, but a bluff to marshal in greater forces led to the enemy retreating. The joy of victory was short lived, as Shaw and his men would be sent to Okinawa.

Okinawa was a different story altogether. Deadly reptiles and other creatures presented their own perils, while the resourceful Japanese hid traps on the Island. The Americans disinterred hidden and frightened locals who had been put in underground tunnels, having been told of the alleged depravities the Americans would commit. Shaw would communicate and allay their worries. The carnage began with the initial attacks, some under cover of night. The Americans fought bravely, but their enemy was resilient. The long-fought campaign lasted nearly three months. Yet, the tide shifted toward the Allied effort.

82 Days on Okinawa is a personal view of war that is heartfelt and poignant. Col. Shaw\u2019s account of the day-to-day grind brings new life to the historical record. His reflections of home and his longing to return, interspersed with the upcoming engagements, make for an impactful narrative. A fine autobiography/history book for all to enjoy.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Oct-2019 00:41:14", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008326083", "title": "Bee Heartful: Spread Loving-Kindness", "author": "Frank J. Sileo, PhD", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 5", "word_count": 90, "review": "Be Heartful is a nice story. Someone snatches the bee\u2019s scarf, but she just stays calm and takes three breaths and doesn't get mad. She sends loving-kindness thoughts to the whole garden and she gets her scarf back. There are lots of pictures of animals and they are really nice. Five-year-olds and maybe four- and six-year-olds will like this book, but everybody can read it. I learned something that made my heart fill with joy, and the book just makes my heart sing. It reminds me of bees building hives.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "21-Oct-2019 21:44:05", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008326071", "title": "Frozen Secrets (Europa Academy #1)", "author": "Myles Christensen", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 13", "word_count": 184, "review": "An amazing mystery story set in outer space. Frozen secrets is about a boy named Max who can't stay out of trouble. After a near-death experience, Max and his friends discover a shocking truth.

I think this story was very well written. It took me a long time to figure out who the villains were, and when I did I was surprised. I really liked the illustrations at the start of the book. They helped to give me an understanding of how big some of the places in the book are. Myles Christensen did a great job with describing the technology in the book. The story takes place in the future, and the technology seems like it could exist in a few decades.

I think this book is good for middle-school-age kids, although people of other ages would also enjoy it. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery or sci-fi stories. I think a lot of people will like this book, and I can't wait for the rest of the series.

If you like space, adventure, and mysteries, you need to read this book!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "19-Oct-2019 20:17:50", "publisher": "Moon Zoom Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008326031", "title": "The Better Liar: A Novel", "author": "Tanen Jones", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Ashley Horning", "word_count": 180, "review": "Taren Jones\u2019 The Better Liar is a fresh take on a typical thriller. There is no girl-chase-boy-chase-girl cat-and-mouse game. The Better Liar is the story of Leslie trying to get money from her father\u2019s will and the lengths she\u2019s willing to go to get that done once she finds out her sister, Robin, is dead. Per her father\u2019s will, both Robin and Leslie need to be present together to obtain their inheritance. Will Leslie be able to get her share of the money she so desperately needs without anyone finding out her plan?

The Better Liar provides twists and jolts throughout, keeping the story constantly flowing up to the last page. I appreciated a thrilling story that centers around the relationship between two sisters, often with chapters dipping back into the characters\u2019 pasts to help the reader get a better sense of where the character was coming from. The book delves into deep areas of the human psyche, asking what leads us to make the decisions we make and how much of the trauma from our childhood affects us as adults.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "17-Oct-2019 23:44:10", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008325067", "title": "A World Full of Spooky Stories: 50 Tales to Make Your Spine Tingle", "author": "Angela McAllister", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 198, "review": "This collection of fifty stories comes from all over the world, but not all of these stories are actually spooky. These stories are grouped together based on their settings, like graveyards, or under the sea, in the woods, or at a castle, so stories from different languages get grouped together. This would be a good book for Halloween, because the stories are about monsters and dead people and magic. Some of them can be creepy, so this is probably not a good book for very young kids. Sometimes the monsters are friendly, but sometimes the heroine or hero has to outsmart a witch or ogre. Some of these stories you may already know, like \"Baba Yaga,\" \"Rumpelstiltskin,\" or \"Little Red Riding Hood.\" My favorite story is \"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,\" because the Green Knight tricks Gawain while testing his honor. I like the pictures, too. They aren\u2019t realistic paintings, but the monsters look cool. The paintings are not scary, but it gives you something to imagine as you think about the stories. This is a fun book to read if you like stories from different countries with monsters and ghosts you maybe haven\u2019t heard of yet.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "19-Oct-2019 18:35:38", "publisher": "Frances Lincoln Children's Books", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008325027", "title": "The Sun and Her Stars: Salka Viertel and Hitler's Exiles in the Golden Age of Hollywood", "author": "Donna Rifkind", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Cay Wren", "word_count": 236, "review": "Not only is

The Sun and Her Stars an engaging glimpse into a fascinating woman's life, it is also an important reference for anyone trying to learn more about history outside of the usual white male hero tale. Salka Viertel was once known for many things: being a great writer in the male-dominated Hollywood of the 1930s, acting, throwing lovely cocktail parties, but what was truly her most unsung skill was weaving and strengthening friendships. Author Donna Rifkind makes that clear from the very beginning of her story. Salka was able to find and care for people in her life better than anyone around her had ever seen. She rubbed elbows with the famous and not-so-famous, and it didn't matter, Salka Viertel would find a way to connect with anybody. Not just a good friend, Salka\u2014who was a Jewish Austrian immigrant who only happened to miss needing to flee her home country by rare circumstance\u2014used those powers of connection to bring artists over to America via emergency visas. Through her fundraising work and the co-founding of the European Film Fund, Salka's impact on the lives of people affected by the Nazi rise to power is not something one can calculate. Rifkind does a wonderful job of telling the multifaceted and somewhat tragic life story of a brilliant woman. Salka Viertel did not do anything society expected of her, and the world was far better for it.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "17-Oct-2019 23:47:46", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "560 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008325011", "title": "The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising Trilogy)", "author": "Kiersten White", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 201, "review": "Guinevere is to marry Arthur, the new king of Camelot. Magic is forbidden within its borders as the king tries to build a new city better than any before. However, Guinevere is not whom she says she is, but a changeling sent by Merlin to help and protect Arthur. Her magic is for small, little things, just enough to help in certain situations, but she must make sure no one sees. And there\u2019s a force, a dark force that refuses to let go. When that force threatens the troops and Arthur himself, Guinevere uses her magic to help and just hopes that she can keep her secret from destroying everything that Arthur has built.

Told from Guinevere\u2019s point of view, this follows the tale of Arthur after he has pulled Excalibur from the stone and been named king, offering a new vivid depiction of a long-ago legend, with witty dialogue and beloved characters. True to White\u2019s previous re-imaginings, like The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein and The Conqueror\u2019s Saga about Vlad the Impaler, this one is dark and twisted, altering characters and events to fit a new, creative tale. This does for the Arthurian legend what Twilight did for vampires and werewolves.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "17-Oct-2019 17:55:58", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Children's", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008324063", "title": "The Hidden Kingdom (Wings of Fire Graphic Novel #3)", "author": "Tui T. Sutherland", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 11", "word_count": 200, "review": "This is the third book in the Wings of Fire graphic novel series. After six years, Glory is going home to the rainforest. Once there, Glory hopes to meet her family and find a cure for the venom inflicted scratch on Webs\u2019s tail.

When Glory finally meets her tribe, it is disappointing for her. One of the dragons she meets, Jambu, says the RainWings didn\u2019t even know she was missing! While in line to see the queen, Glory finds out that over fourteen RainWings have gone missing. Even worse, Queen Magnificent doesn\u2019t want to lift a claw towards the act of finding her missing subjects.

Glory decides to take the matter into her own claws and start investigating. With the help of her friends, Glory discovers an astonishing lead: a mysterious tunnel! Could this be where the missing RainWings are kept? And even if the missing dragons are at the end, what can one dragonet do to save her kin against this formidable foe?

This book is filled with action and adventure on every page, along with a dash of surprise and fun. It\u2019s a nice addition to the Wings of Fire book series, with colorful illustrations and thrilling scenes.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "18-Oct-2019 21:01:57", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008324043", "title": "America's Test Kitchen Twentieth Anniversary TV Show Cookbook: Best-Ever Recipes from the Most Successful Cooking Show on TV", "author": "America's Test Kitchen", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 184, "review": "The cookbook is a heavy and thick compendium of season twenty's recipes. The cookbook is divided up into an impressive fourteen sections: \"Breakfast and Brunch,\" \"Soups, Stews, Chilis, and Curries,\" \"Salads,\" \"Poultry,\" \"Beef,\" \"Pork and Lamb,\" \"Fish,\" \"Pasta,\" \"Grilling,\" \"Sides,\" \"Bread and Pizza,\" \"Cookies,\" \"Pies, Tarts, and Fruit Desserts,\" and \"Cakes and More.\" I wish they had included a table of contents for the sections so you don't have to flip back and forth to find the section you are looking for. I made the patatas bravas recipe, and it was delicious. Typically, the potatoes are double-fried to produce an extra crispy crust. However, this recipe parboiled the potatoes with baking soda which gave it the extra-thick crust. Next time, I might try to air-fry it to see if this recipe would work. The cookbook is black and white so none of the pictures were in color. Also, the paper that was used was a flimsy newspaper print paper which I have never seen used in a cookbook. I recommend this cookbook to anyone who likes to cook and are fans of the show.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "18-Oct-2019 00:51:32", "publisher": "America's Test Kitchen", "page_count": "592 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008324019", "title": "The Last Scoop (3) (Clare Carlson Mystery)", "author": "R. G. Belsky", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 203, "review": "The Last Scoop is another thrilling adventure in the Clare Carlson series by R.G. Belsky. A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and news reporter who stops at nothing to get her story, Clare Carlson finds that her latest story hits too close to home when one of her mentors, Martin Barlow, is found murdered. Clare knows he was working on a big story and had wanted her help on it only weeks before his demise. Left with a pit of guilt at the bottom of her stomach, Clare vows to find out what Martin was working on and to get the story out in the hope of finding his killer at the same time.

This is the second book in the Clare Carlson series that I've read and both books kept my eyes glued to the pages. Clare's imperfections and tenacity are what makes her a fantastic journalist. The book also shows her emotional side as well. In The Last Scoop Clare searches for a serial killer that Martin was tracking down. This book is exciting and there is never a dull moment. The plot twists are set perfectly in the book to keep the reader wondering. A fantastic read for fans of crime fiction.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Oct-2019 23:34:37", "publisher": "Oceanview Publishing", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008324011", "title": "Roaring Back: The Fall and Rise of Tiger Woods", "author": "Curt Sampson", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1085, "review": "Sports Education Roundup\n\nWhether you\u2019re looking for inspiration to take up a new sport, tips on how to improve your game, or just a good read for during the summer months, the following five sports books all have something to offer. From basketball to baseball, football to golf and cross-country running, these books tell the extraordinary and inspirational stories of a wide range of athletes, whether just starting out, at their peak, or on the comeback trail.\n\nThree-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty by Jeff Pearlman\n\nThree-Ring Circus presents a definitive account of the highs, the lows, and the controversies experienced by the Los Angeles Lakers (and their fans) during the period 1996 to 2004, which saw many of the biggest names in the game take to the court. While the main characters are, unsurprisingly, center Shaquille O\u2019Neal and shooting guard Kobe Bryant, as well as coach Phil Jackson, Jeff Pearlman takes pains to highlight the roles of other Lakers stars, such as Nick Van Exel, Samaki Walker, and Mark Madsen, and members of the coaching squad in the team\u2019s successes and losses. He examines what made the team so great, the extent to which O\u2019Neal and Bryant were more similar than people generally thought, and how ego ultimately led to the disintegration of the team. Pearlman has a way with words that makes his factual reporting seem like storytelling, and his admiration for both the game of basketball and its players shines through on every page. This is a must-read book for basketball fans that pulls no punches but also offers a fitting and touching tribute to the late Kobe Bryant.\n\nRoaring Back: The Fall and Rise of Tiger Woods by Curt Sampson\n\nArguably, few athletes have experienced a fall from grace and a decline in competitive performance as monumental and well-publicized as that suffered by Tiger Woods after the spectacular and hugely public failure of his marriage and his two subsequent car crashes, to say nothing of the eight surgeries he required. However, despite the undoubted controversies, Woods is recognized as being one of the greatest golfers of all time, having won four Masters titles before injury forced him to take a career break. Of course, that wasn\u2019t the end of the story and, in Roaring Back: The Fall and Rise of Tiger Woods, Curt Sampson chronicles both Woods\u2019 troubled times and his spectacular return to golf, which saw him win a fifth Masters title in 2019. In telling Woods\u2019 remarkable story, Sampson relates the comebacks of other players and also shares the insights of a host of golf insiders, ranging from caddies to coaches to Augusta locals, concerning the source of Woods\u2019 greatness and his ability to come back from the brink. \n\nHell with the Lid Off: Inside the Fierce Rivalry between the 1970s Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers by Ed Gruver and Jim Campbell\n\nDuring the 1970s, the NFL was dominated by the rivalry between the Oakland Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers. As Ed Gurver and Jim Campbell detail in Hell with the Lid Off: Inside the Fierce Rivalry between the 1970s Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers, the infamous rivalry was sparked by the 1972 playoff game in which Franco Harris\u2019 touchdown, the result of the so-called \u201cImmaculate Reception\u201d (or \u201cDeception,\u201d depending on which side is favored), gave the Steelers the win against the Raiders. That game led to a five-year fight for dominance between the two teams, which were both known for their physicality and imposing presence on the field. Things eventually got so heated between the teams in terms of the mudslinging that a defamation of character court case resulted. Focusing on the larger-than-life personalities involved, Gurver and Campbell provide a thrilling account of a turbulent period in the history of football as well as the games, players, and coaches that characterized it.\n\nAmazing Racers: The Story of America's Greatest Running Team and Its Revolutionary Coach by Marc Bloom\n\nIn Amazing Racers: The Story of America's Greatest Running Team and Its Revolutionary Coach, Marc Bloom relates the inspiring story of the Fayetteville-Manlius cross-country running teams and their innovative coach, Bill Aris. Under Aris\u2019 leadership, both the boys and girls teams have far exceeded expectations and come to dominate the Nike Cross Nationals championships. To offer just a few of the stats that Bloom presents, the girls team has won eleven of the last thirteen championships, while the boys team has the best cumulative national record in terms of championship podium performances. While Bloom can\u2019t detail exactly how Coach Aris has achieved such success with his teams (after all, that would mean giving away quite the advantage to rival teams), he does discuss some aspects of Aris\u2019 philosophy and his approach to fostering talent. Through interviews conducted with current and former runners, he sheds light on some of the unique features of the program and suggests how the teams managed to come so far so quickly. The insights provided into Aris\u2019 mindset lead to insights into the runners\u2019 varying approaches and motivations, which should prove highly valuable to those looking to improve their own performance.\n\nSon of Havana: A Baseball Journey from Cuba to the Big Leagues and Back by Luis Tiant\n\nWidely regarded as the best and most consistent pitcher yet to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Luis Tiant is among the greatest players to have ever featured on the roster of the Boston Red Sox. While his talent was never in any doubt, his distinctive style\u2013\u2013including the signature Fu Manchu mustache\u2013\u2013caused him to stand out from his contemporaries in Major League Baseball during the 1970s, as did his race and country of origin. In Son of Havana: A Baseball Journey from Cuba to the Big Leagues and Back, Tiant details his extraordinary career in baseball from the early days after political upheaval meant he could not return to his home in Cuba through to the glory days of the World Series with the Red Sox and on to his emotional homecoming when he played an exhibition game in Havana in 2016. Tiant\u2019s story is an unusual one in that even aside from his baseball greatest, he lived an inspirational life after being unwillingly exiled from Cuba, facing racism during his early days in the United States, and eventually going on against the odds to succeed beyond all measure. This engaging and punchy memoir tells interesting tales from a life well lived, both on the mound and off.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Oct-2019 18:55:51", "publisher": "Diversion Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008323111", "title": "Jane Goes North", "author": "Joe R Lansdale", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozarro", "word_count": 227, "review": "Jane\u2019s existence can best be described as haphazard. Her financial outlook is bleak, she has lost her job, her credit cards cling to the edge of maxed out. However, an invite to her younger sister\u2019s wedding offers a glimmer of hope. Jane doesn\u2019t get on well with her kin, especially her younger sister. She is determined to attend the wedding, mainly for spite. However, her car is unreliable, each mile bringing it closer to the wrecking yard. Jane decides to seek out an old school ride share. Enter Henrietta, or Henry. Their meeting for the ride is chaotic, ending with hurled desserts and epithets. Jane is crestfallen until Henry shows up at her house to confirm a lift up north. The stage has been set for a memorable voyage, replete with chauvinistic alpha males, kidnappers, and other sideshows. Jane and Henry retain their determination to reach their destination.

Jane Goes North is a buddy story with a sharp edge. The laughs are timely and well thought out, the plot fast and loose. The individual personalities of Jane and Henry are distinct and heartrending. The reader will find themself drawn to both, no matter what hell is brought down on them. The duo of Jane and Henry exist on a parallel plane of existence with Lansdale\u2019s more famous Hap and Leonard. Another solid effort by the prolific Lansdale.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "19-Oct-2019 19:30:13", "publisher": "Subterranean Press", "page_count": "232 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008323063", "title": "The Perfect Pie: Your Ultimate Guide to Classic and Modern Pies, Tarts, Galettes, and More", "author": "America's Test Kitchen", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 192, "review": "I've been a fan of America's Test Kitchen the show so I was dying to try out the recipes in the cookbook. The book is packed with many classic pie recipes from apple, pecan, key lime to not-so-familiar recipes like Portuguese egg tarts. I love a fresh fruit tart so I really wanted to try my hand at making it. Disappointingly, the fruit tart recipe in the book is not a classic French fruit tart recipe. Instead of the classic pastry cream, the recipe used a filling made of white baking chips (which isn't even chocolate!) and mascarpone cheese. The fruit took me about two and a half hours to make. The dough was a little tricky, and cutting up some of the fruit was time-consuming, but a finished fruit tart looks gorgeous. Although the filling held up really nicely when you cut into it, the taste was disappointing. The filling just did not compare to the eggy and sweet pastry cream. The cookbook had a lot of gorgeous pictures, but none of it was in color, which is odd for cookbooks. Aside from that, I recommend this cookbook to pie enthusiasts.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "18-Oct-2019 00:49:55", "publisher": "America's Test Kitchen", "page_count": "376 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008323059", "title": "Immortality, Inc.: Renegade Science, Silicon Valley Billions, and the Quest to Live Forever", "author": "Chip Walter", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 198, "review": "It seems like barely a week can go by now without a new article or news piece about how longevity is the future and the human race will soon be living to a much longer and greater age. Humans will one day live not just 100 years but even 200! It continues to sound ridiculously far fetched and, until the average person starts seeing actual people living to these ripe old ages, no one is going to believe it\u2019s true. In Immortality Inc., Chip Walter doesn\u2019t seek to give readers the answers and clues to living long and fruitful lives past a hundred years of age, so if you\u2019re looking for that kind of book, this isn\u2019t for you. Instead, Walter goes into depth about the billions of dollars that have been spent over the last two decades into the scientific pursuit of immortality. You\u2019ll hear the backgrounds and coming-of-age stories from all the big guns involved in prolonging life, such as futurist Ray Kurzweil, rejuvenation expert Aubrey de Grey, Apple chairman Arthur Levinson, and many more. Walter also explains why there is this obsession with the Baby Boomer generation wanting to live forever. It\u2019s a fascinating read.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "18-Oct-2019 00:35:42", "publisher": "National Geographic", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008323055", "title": "Bryant & May: The Lonely Hour: A Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery", "author": "Christopher Fowler", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 218, "review": "Bryant and May\u2019s resourceful exploits take British mysteries to new heights, ingenuity a byword for their originality. The two elderly English detectives complement each other. Bryant, in his grungy clothes pocketing unwrapped candy and sardine sandwiches, is questionably a hundred percent 'compos mentis.' May, slightly younger and still bashfully womanizing, personifies elegance. As members of the Peculiar Crimes Unit (PCU), a fictional adjunct to London police services, the team tackles seemingly unsolvable murders. In The Lonely Hour, a group of women set up their nighttime bat-watching group in the woods, and one member is disturbed by an eerie assassination taking place nearby. The victim is left surrounded by misleading clues. More macabre murders ensue. And Bryant, though well over 80 years old, is again on the ready for a new challenge.

The latest in a distinctive series is a gem with May\u2019s investigative skills drawing on his recondite book collection, a white witch, and some undeniably shady eccentrics. Forensic evidence allows the other team members, and the readers, a chance to try their hand at solving the crimes.

The characters, the humor, and the ingenious plot are highly engaging. To compare Christopher Fowler with those mystery writers who favor red herrings or sadism is akin to setting whipping cream alongside skim milk; this is a heady diet indeed.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "18-Oct-2019 00:33:39", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008323043", "title": "House on Endless Waters: A Novel", "author": "Emuna Elon", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Sarah Grace Glover", "word_count": 189, "review": "Yoel Blum is a famous Israeli novelist who is comfortable with his life. One day, his publicist asks him to travel to Amsterdam to promote his newest novel. Yoel refuses because he promised his deceased mother never to return to his birthplace after they escaped the concentration camps. Yoel\u2019s wife and publicist eventually convince him to make the trip. While there Yoel walks the beautiful streets and ponders what his life would have been like.

Yoel and his wife go to the Jewish Historical Museum and there, in a photograph exhibit, he sees a picture of his dad who died in a concentration camp, standing by his mom and his older sister, Nettie. In his mom\u2019s arms is an infant, but, the infant is not him. This revelation sends Yoel into a tailspin. As Yoel attempts to process what he has discovered, revisiting Amsterdam\u2019s dark history and the heartbreaking steps Jewish families took to save their children, he finds inspiration for his next novel.

A beautiful, heart-rending search for identity, belonging, and family, Emuna Elon\u2019s powerful novel will leave you on the edge of your seat, breathless and eager for more.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "18-Oct-2019 00:22:02", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008323039", "title": "A Witch in Time", "author": "Constance Sayers", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 255, "review": "Helen Lambert\u2019s marriage is over, and her career, once so fulfilling, doesn\u2019t give her the same thrill it once did. Looking to make a change and find a new passion, she takes a chance on a blind date only to learn she\u2019s known the man before, in past lives, and that they are linked through a curse she must learn how to break should she ever want real love.

Constance Sayers\u2019 A Witch in Time is a rollicking ride through 1890s Paris, 1930s Hollywood, 1970s Taos, and modern-day Washington, DC. In each era, Sayers\u2019 attention to detail, specifically to fashion, is exquisite, and the women she places in each time period are haunting in their power and their inescapable fate. Helen Lambert comes to learn she was once a Parisian girl named Juliet LeCompte who fell in love with the wrong man, a married painter named Auguste Marchant. When Juliet\u2019s mother, a witch, learned of the affair, she cursed the girl to keep her from Marchant. Unfortunately, the curse was more complicated than Mrs. LeCompte expected, and something went wrong, dooming Juliet to return to life over and over as different women, always drawn to and then tragically separated from some version of Marchant.

Overseeing all of this, and the key to Helen\u2019s understanding of her past, is Luke Varner, a handsome demon whose fate is bound to the curse and to Helen.A Witch in Time is a love story, a supernatural mystery, and a piece of beautiful historical fiction that deserves to be read and savored.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "18-Oct-2019 00:12:11", "publisher": "Redhook", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008323007", "title": "Dining at Dusk: Evening Eats - Tapas, Antipasti, Mezze, Ceviche and Aperitifs from Around the World", "author": "Stevan Paul", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 195, "review": "Wouldn't you love to travel the world, sampling the best of each region's cuisine along the way? This book is the next best thing, as the author invites you along on his culinary travel adventures, highlighting the small eats and little dishes each culture enjoys sharing with friends and loved ones at the close of the day. The scope is vast, in fact traversing the globe, so there are only a few recipes from any particular area. But collected together here are dozens of delicious snacks and small meals that give a tiny but mouth-watering sample of what the world has to offer, including Australian grilled sandwiches, Chinese steamed buns, Swiss raclette, Danish smorgasbord, Moroccan hummus, Portuguese fish salads, Brazilian ceviche, and so much more. The recipes are easy to follow, all accompanied by gorgeous photos of the food as well as its native home in restaurants and cityscapes, so you almost feel like you've been there. Finally, the author offers complementary drink pairings, including many non-alcoholic options, and suggests ideal music to complete the experience. It's a lovely read, a treat for the senses, which is just what evening dining is meant to be.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "17-Oct-2019 17:22:14", "publisher": "Whitecap Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008321011", "title": "Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tale Collection", "author": "Hans Christian Andersen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 171, "review": "The Hans Christian Anderson Fairy tale Collection is a beautifully illustrated book that contains some of his best fairy tales, including The Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina, The Nightingale, The Emperor\u2019s New Clothes, and The Little Mermaid.

The stories in the book are between twenty to forty pages long, but the gorgeous illustrations that were done by Josef Palacek take up most of the space in between and really help to bring each story to life.

I really enjoyed reading these stories, some I have heard before and some not. The one that surprised me the most is The Little Mermaid because it is nothing like the story I have heard before about The Little Mermaid. It was quite sad but also beautiful. The Emperor\u2019s New Clothes is one of my favorites because it\u2019s so funny!

I love how different these stories were from other fairy tales and enjoyed reading them. I would recommend this book to kids ages nine and up because some of the stories were a little sad after all.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "16-Oct-2019 18:13:54", "publisher": "NorthSouth Books", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008321003", "title": "Machiavelli: The Art of Teaching People What to Fear", "author": "Patrick Boucheron", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Heather Clawson", "word_count": 201, "review": "Across time and geography, the name of Machiavelli is usually synonymous with tyranny, cruelty, and fear. To be yoked with the Machiavellian adjective is to be branded an unpleasant individual to be around. But is that implication truly accurate or fair? According to historian Patrick Boucheron, not necessarily.

In Machiavelli, Boucheron views Machiavelli\u2019s writings from a different perspective. Looking to those who influenced the political arena in Machiavelli\u2019s day, as well as his written works, Boucheron carefully reveals the logical and timeless premises of the concepts that have branded Machiavelli a devil of history.

While I enjoyed this book, I found the title to be hugely misleading. The Art of Teaching People What to Fear seems to imply that the author is prepared to discuss the justification and/or effectiveness of Machiavelli\u2019s approach towards ensuring a strong, stable government. Instead, Bucheron simply draws out the inherent logic in Machiavelli\u2019s concepts and illuminates their relevance, not just in Machiavelli\u2019s time, but in this day and age. The author\u2019s ideas are clear, and he makes his points succinctly in individual vignettes that are arranged in a very consumable format. A great little book to round out your knowledge of one of literary history\u2019s more scandalous contributors.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "16-Oct-2019 17:44:30", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008320011", "title": "The Tenant", "author": "Katrine Engberg", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 226, "review": "The Tenant has been murdered. She was murdered in exactly the same fashion as described in the building owner\u2019s crime novel. The Copenhagen police are working round the clock to discover the perpetrator, but are finding it difficult when there doesn\u2019t seem to be a motive and everyone involved is suspicious. Time is running out and the bodies are starting to pile up. Why would anyone murder Julie Stender and in such a heinous manner? Esther de Laurenti is going to learn the hard way that you have to be careful what you write. You never know who might be reading.

The outline of the plot was what drew me in, but once I got into it was a bit anti-climactic. There were way too many characters so that it was hard to get a good feel for any of them. I could not really tell whom the story was supposed to be about. It switched viewpoints often and sometimes to minor characters. I think Saidani was the most likable and she was rarely the focus. The story was not very suspenseful and the villains stood out from the get-go. It did have a similar feel to Tana French stories but was less dark. Overall, it wasn\u2019t the worst book I ever read and the plot idea was interesting, but I probably wouldn\u2019t read it again.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "16-Oct-2019 17:55:51", "publisher": "Gallery/Scout Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008319027", "title": "The Couple's Cookbook: Recipes for Newlyweds", "author": "Cole Stipovich", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 197, "review": "An essential cookbook for couples that appreciate modern food pairings and new exciting recipes. The Couples Cookbook: Recipes for Newlyweds is an ideal cookbook for any couple looking to explore the joy of cooking together. With recipes that tackle the common question of, what\u2019s for dinner by elevating everyday classics into elegant masterpieces, all while introducing show-stopping new recipes. Whether you have been cooking for years, just starting, or timid to jump in the kitchen, this cookbook lends all the tools of success complete with tips for everyone. With Sections to calm and inspire, to stocking and organizing a pantry, Cole and Kiera Stipovich knows just how to get couples cooking with confidence. With breakfast that makes you want to stay in and dinners that create picture-worthy table settings, this book is a celebration of food and being together. While some recipes might have ingredients that aren\u2019t as familiar to new home chiefs, they are easy to follow and delicious. Although centered around newlyweds, these recipes pair just as well for any couple, by encouraging them to connect with family and friends around the table, making this a cookbook that is worth returning to over and over.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "16-Oct-2019 18:19:53", "publisher": "Ten Speed Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008318007", "title": "And the Silent Spoke", "author": "Amy L. Greeson", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Johnna Rocker-Clinton", "word_count": 442, "review": "Profound, eloquent, inspirational\u2014just a few words that describe Amy L. Greeson's \"And the Silence Spoke.\"

Her thought-provoking, literary journal is narrated by an older woman in transition. With all of her loved ones around her, she looks back over her ever-so eventful life. \nIn her younger years, she had been a pharmacist\u2014a well-traveled pharmacist. Her travels had led her to reexamine Western life. In the Amazon, she had seen medicine men and shaman; \"the Amazon summoned the free spirit, the introvert, the explorer and the spiritual seeker.\"

She had become spell-bound by the lush vegetation and diverse wildlife and \"immersed in the jungle's rhythm and flow.\" Her time there taught her that nature was the ultimate laboratory\u2014rather than a chemical lab. Spirituality and medicine were not her only realizations while traveling; she had been shopping in London in July 2005\u2014during the terrorist attack. The bombing had forced her to realize that millions of people grapple with war-torn conditions every day. Her travels had changed her; she was inspired to use her resources to see other parts of the world. She trekked mountains, discovered healing plants, visited villages, and experienced different cultures. She encountered the best and the worst of humanity.

Gresson is a talented storyteller. Perhaps the most intriguing element of the novel is that all the stories are true. Greeson tells her own stories in the older woman's voice; this point of view is brilliant. A memoir would have been wonderful, but Greeson's choice is remarkable. The older woman archetype embodies wisdom; therefore, the reader is left captivated and longing to hear more.

One of my favorite stories is from Madagascar. Jahiry, the ombiasa, invokes an ancestral spirit to help another citizen of his tribe. The ceremony, fivoriana, is a sacred one that leaves the narrator chilled to the core. Blindfolded, she sat summoning God and the angels to protect her while the doors and windows rattled, and a non-human voice spoke in its gruff, croaky tone. This experience left her shaken up for days. Greeson ultimately learned and taught her readers that every lifeform matters. As she learned about plants, animals, and tribal culture, she began to embrace change.

As I read this book and processed Greeson's profound realizations, I examined my own ideals. In Western culture, we are sometimes so entranced by our obligations to society\u2014work, school, promotions, bills\u2014that we do not grasp that the world has more depth than our immediate surroundings. Greeson ends with a call to live life with purpose, encouraging us to listen, reassuring us that \"God\u2014and ALL the silent\u2014speak,\" and with her purpose-driven life as an example, readers will be inspired to harken the voice.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "16-Oct-2019 00:30:15", "publisher": "Wisdom House Books", "page_count": "354 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008317019", "title": "Losing Reality: On Cults, Cultism, and the Mindset of Political and Religious Zealotry", "author": "Robert Jay Lifton", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Jane Wengler", "word_count": 375, "review": "Losing Reality combines excerpts from Jay Lifton\u2019s previous work with his new material. Covering Nazi Doctors, a Japanese subway-bombing cult, Communist China, Donald Trump, and the \u201cApocalyptic Twins\u201d of climate change and nuclear war, this book offers a smorgasbord of historic and modern-day cultism. These easy-to-follow case studies show cultism in various scales, countries, and time periods. The book\u2019s introduction (like a \u2018Cult 101\u2019 class) familiarizes the reader with the basic foundations and terminology of cult studies that Jay Lifton uses throughout this thin volume.

If you are looking for a history or encyclopedia of cults, look elsewhere. Though the book contains much fascinating material, there are other books on the subject more capable of providing a comprehensive overview. To be fair, this book does not seem intended as \u201cCults for Dummies.\u201d It has a clear motivation to inform readers of cultism in the past while urging them to be wary of its manifestations in the present. The purposeful arrangement of the chapters presents the reader with historic examples so they may better view modern-day nationalism and Trump himself through a cult-colored lens.

Despite agreeing with the author on many of his insights into the psychology of the current president and on the similarities between nationalism and cult mentalities, I cannot help but think the author and publishers could have been more opaque with their purposes. I\u2019d picked up the book hoping to learn about cultism more generally as the title seemed to indicate. Instead, the chapters on Trump (though again, I found them well-argued) felt like tacked-on political opinions. I was jarred by the change from the earlier academic excerpts to more speculative commentary on the modern political climate.

This reviewer feels it important to point out my own political biases and sympathies with the author\u2019s point of view. While I found this book informative and interesting, I would not recommend it to readers looking to learn about cultism divorced from contemporary politics. Additionally, readers should be prepared for the academic writing style and possibly unfamiliar subject matter (to those without prior study of communism, Chinese history, or theology).

Even if you disagree with Jay Lifton\u2019s accusations of Trump, there is much valuable and intriguing information here for anyone wanting to learn about cultism.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "15-Oct-2019 23:36:26", "publisher": "The New Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008317007", "title": "The Elephant's Umbrella", "author": "Laleh Jaffari", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 196, "review": "The Elephant's Umbrella is the story of an elephant, an umbrella, and being kind. The elephant has a colorful umbrella all the time, and when it is rainy, it lets animals come under it to keep dry. One day there is a strong wind that blows the umbrella away from the elephant! The story then goes with the umbrella and the new animals it meets. The first animal that the umbrella flies to tells it that it will use the umbrella to keep itself dry while it eats. The umbrella doesn't like that answer, so it goes with the wind to another animal. The second animal tells the umbrella that it will use it to keep dry while it is also eating. The umbrella still doesn't like that, so it goes with the wind and ends up back with the elephant. The umbrella likes that the elephant is using it to help others instead of only themselves. I like reading this story because the umbrella knows the difference between being nice to others and nice to only yourself. I also like the pictures! The pictures are very pretty and colorful and make this a fun story.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "15-Oct-2019 22:54:03", "publisher": "Tiny Owl Publishing", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008316015", "title": "Kevin the Unicorn: It's Not All Rainbows", "author": "Jessika von Innerebner", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - Age 9", "word_count": 180, "review": "Every day, Kevin the unicorn wakes up and it is magical awesomeness. It is always rainbows and glitter for unicorns until, one morning, Kevin wakes up and something is strange. Nothing goes as planned for Kevin. His car loses its tire, clam juice is spilled on him, and maple syrup is stuck on his hair! Kevin is having an awfully bad day. Kevin is sad and down. Will Kevin's day get better? Luckily, other unicorns tell him they are all having bad days too. All the unicorns realize that unicorns don't always have to have perfect, magical days. I really like the illustrations because the pictures are colorful and bright. All the unicorns are very cute! I like the part when Kevin goes to a cupcake bake-off, and there is cupcake and pancake in his hair. I also like the part where one of the unicorns has glitter in her eye. I thought it was cute! I recommend this book to anyone who likes unicorns and anyone who is having a bad day. Maybe this book will cheer them up!", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "15-Oct-2019 23:48:44", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008315023", "title": "Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women's Fight for Their Rights", "author": "Mikki Kendall", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 209, "review": "This book sets out to provide an outline of primarily women\u2019s rights by outlining prevailing laws throughout history, events that influenced women\u2019s rights, and the personalities that publicly advocated for their rights. Towards the end, it also presents snapshots of LGBTQ rights. The setting is school children arguing about women\u2019s rights, and the AI Program gives them a tour through history about the development of women\u2019s rights. The history lesson starts in Antiquity and progresses to contemporary times.

The early portion of women\u2019s rights spans the entire world. However, from the eighteenth century onwards, the focus shifts primarily to the Western World. The book does cover a lot of ground and emphasizes the breadth of coverage rather than depth, which works well with its graphic novel format. Readers looking for more than just a paragraph on a particular event or personality will have to do further research on their own. There is no list of sources, and the personalities profiled or events covered have omissions \u2013 a necessary feature of a work of this scope. Some readers may find the quick transitions a little jarring, but the work\u2019s intent is more like that of a dictionary than an encyclopedia. Overall, a good introduction to the history of women\u2019s rights.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "15-Oct-2019 22:58:55", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008315015", "title": "Most of the Better Natural Things in the World: (Juvenile Fiction, Nature Book for Kids, Wordless Picture Book)", "author": "Dave Eggers", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Andrew - Age 11", "word_count": 249, "review": "This book, Most of the Better Natural Things in the World, does not describe in words but rather in pictures. It is a book of landscapes and natural things in the world. In every picture there is also a tiger that has a chair strapped around him like a backpack.

Along the way, the landscape changes, sometimes from a plain to a forest. I learned new words from this book like atoll and vista. Besides the landscapes, there are beautiful skies, including one of the Northern Lights. It is so vibrant, I felt like I was in the picture looking at the Aurora Borealis.

As you go through this book and see so much, the last illustration in the book shows the tiger waving to his family as they sit around the dinner table \u2013 so then it all makes sense why he brought the chair with him through all the various terrains.

The illustrations are impressionist-style painted and there is just enough detail to see the geography terms listed on the two-page spread. This is considered a wordless book, although every spread has a one- or two-word title on it describing the picture. The end of the book is a glossary that defines all the terms listed and pictured in the book and where you can find them in the world.

I recommend this book for all ages because it isn\u2019t too difficult to read and any child can use their imagination on the story of the tiger.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "15-Oct-2019 22:45:26", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "52 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008314003", "title": "Eddie's Choice (True-to-Life from Hamilton High)", "author": "Marilyn Reynolds", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 501, "review": "Eddie Barajas is going into his senior year at Hamilton High School. He and his two best friends, Cameron and Brent, spend a lot of time together and have been friends for years. Eddie\u2019s family is a solid home base for him. His older brother, Mario, has already moved out but their mother, Max, is very present in Eddie\u2019s life. Her significant other, William, an African-American man, and his daughter, Imani, moved in when Eddie was in ninth grade. William is a really good guy, although Imani is a bit of a pest. Eddie works for William's house painting business and plans to do that full time after high school. He likes the work and feels like it will be a good career for him. Even though he\u2019s had a deformed right hand since birth, it doesn\u2019t get in his way. His teachers and friends tell him he has too much potential to make house painting his life\u2019s work, but Eddie is unshakable in his belief that satisfying, physical work is what he wants for himself. Even college-bound Rosie, a girl he's getting to know and falling in love with, cannot deter him in his decision.

When Eddie arrives one morning, some terrible racist graffiti is on a wall. Eddie grabs black spray paint from his car and obliterates it before the custodian arrives. Eddie\u2019s action has enraged the people who defaced the wall, a group called the P8riots, and Eddie has a target on his back. The bullying begins online with awful messages about his heritage and his deformed hand, but it doesn\u2019t take long to escalate. One night, Eddie is badly beaten and, when William comes looking for him and finds him shortly before police arrive, William is nearly beaten and arrested until Eddie can speak enough to explain he is his father. Eddie doesn't see who beat him, but he recognizes one voice. Will he rat the person out? It\u2019s a big choice for him to make.

This is a complex novel with a good deal going on. The characters are largely believable in their actions and ways of speaking. The issues they face are realistic and very contemporary. Today\u2019s high school readers will understand and engage with these characters and their problems. The writing, for the most part, is strong and will pull the readers in and keep them turning pages. That said, there is some serious overwriting that slooooows the story down and could be excised making this a stronger book. For instance, it\u2019s enough to know the family is having salad without needing a list of ingredients. It\u2019s fine to know that the principal drove away without knowing the four or five steps he took to get going or that the three boys had lunch together without a list of every item in their lunch bags. There are many instances of this kind of overwriting that should be cut. Fortunately, the story is truly compelling and will keep most readers engaged enough to complete this good story.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "15-Oct-2019 21:44:31", "publisher": "New Wind Publishing", "page_count": "268 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008313011", "title": "Simple, Elegant Pasta Dinners: 75 Dishes with Inspired Sauces", "author": "Nikki Marie", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 201, "review": "Pasta is comfort food, and spaghetti with meatballs is a perennial favorite for a reason, but pasta can also be elegant and gourmet, even while retaining its implicit simplicity. This book, with gorgeous pictures for every recipe, shows you how easy it is to craft delicious pasta dishes using fresh and flavorful ingredients for every season. It's easier than you might think to make your own pasta, and a simple, basic pasta recipe is included, along with step-by-step guidance on pasta-making technique; this basic recipe can be amended with various additions to become Sage Fettuccine or Pumpkin Pappardelle. Many other recipes rely on prepackaged noodles of various shapes, which makes these recipes come together in a snap \u2013 usually under half an hour, or about the time it takes to boil the pasta. The flavor combinations are truly inspired, from the brilliantly unique like Caramelized Blood Oranges and Escarole, or Blueberry and Raw Sweet Corn with Basil and Thyme, to the more familiar but still, in these pages, multidimensional, like Pasta e Patate, or maybe Cucumber Pasta Salad with Creamy Dill. This is an exceedingly beautiful pasta cookbook that will elevate your pasta dishes to heights you would never have imagined.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "15-Oct-2019 22:12:49", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008311055", "title": "Trains, Jesus, and Murder: The Gospel according to Johnny Cash", "author": "Richard Beck", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 193, "review": "When I was younger, I never knew too much about Johnny Cash. Thanks to Trains, Jesus, and Murder, I can say that I have been missing out! Richard Beck does an excellent job of combining biography with religion.

Johnny Cash lived a life filled with sorrow and regret, mixed with some enjoyable moments. Between a strained and failed marriage, a strained relationship with God, and being shot into superstardom, it was no surprise to hear of the trouble he had to endure. The solution to his problems came in different forms, but it always helped when the gospel was present somewhere. One thing that helped was the prison system, a place that on the outside appears to house the worst kind of people but on the inside can provide healing to both inmates and visitors.

Beck formats his book based on Cash\u2019s singles. It\u2019s amazing how each title fits perfectly with Cash\u2019s life events. Some backstory on the creation and meaning of the song is given, then additional biblical facts are stated that coincide with the events occurring in Cash\u2019s life. Beck knows his Bible and how to present an entertaining, informative, and well-made book!", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "14-Oct-2019 19:10:43", "publisher": "Fortress Press", "page_count": "205 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008311011", "title": "Barefoot Books World Atlas Sticker Book", "author": "Nick Crane", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 189, "review": "Barefoot Books World Atlas Sticker Book takes readers on journey all across the world. This beautifully illustrated book is full of fun facts and information about people, places, plants, animals, landmarks, activities to do in each place, and transportation. Not only can readers learn about each place but also can properly place over four hundred stickers where they belong to learn more about each area. This sticker book is perfect for hands-on learners and helps those to learn about each place by giving readers a chance to explore each area on their own without the help of an adult. Readers will be delighted by the fun, colorful illustrations that help the informative text come to life. This book is perfect to keep the reader entertained for hours, either on a road trip or just for fun at home. Readers can also use a compass rose and practice map skills in this book. In the back of the book, there is a map poster of the world to help explorers see the full picture of the world and identify important places, people, and animals as listed in the sticker book.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "12-Oct-2019 18:51:00", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "31 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008311003", "title": "The History of Philosophy", "author": "A. C. Grayling", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Ryder Miller", "word_count": 204, "review": "The History of Philosophy tells of the long search for the truth through rational means. In it, A.C. Grayling, an author and professor from Britain, seeks answers to the following questions: What is? What matters?

This exploration is thousands of years old, starting in detail with the philosophers of Ancient Greece. After the ancients, the history continues with Medieval and Renaissance philosophy, modern philosophy, twentieth century philosophy, and Asian, Arabic, and African philosophy. There is also an Appendix about logic. Those philosophers who have withstood the test of time are included, as are the key movements and theories.

Grayling does a better job of recounting the achievements of individuals. Their philosophy and anecdotes about their lives and times are included. The book becomes more difficult with its discussions of philosophical or cultural movements. There is also a brief mention of some of this community who could fall by the wayside as time wears on. There are some subjects introduced but left for other places, such as postmodernism and feminist philosophy.

The book is a lot to absorb, but it will serve as a useful reference book for both the serious and the dabbler. This intellectual journey is interesting, inspiring, challenging, and at times, convoluted.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "11-Oct-2019 18:38:38", "publisher": "Penguin Press", "page_count": "704 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008310067", "title": "America's Last Great Newspaper War: The Death of Print in a Two-Tabloid Town", "author": "Mike Jaccarino", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Ryder Miller", "word_count": 266, "review": "America's Last Great Newspaper War tells the story of \"The Death of Print in a Two-Tabloid Town.\" Journalist Mike Jaccarino who was in the journalistic trenches for this battle recounts what transpired, including his personal adventures, the stories he covered, and the colleagues and competitors he met. The war was between The New York Daily News and The New York Post, in probably the biggest journalistic market in the entire country. One should remember that NYC is probably the most important city in the country, second maybe to Washington, D.C., and containing The United Nations, Wall Street, National Broadcasters, and world class art. The Daily News and New York Post, strove to be the number one daily paper for the average, or maybe low brow, New York City reader. One did not need a college education to read it, and in tabloid form one could read it on the train.

Jaccarino was hired by The Daily News to challenge The New York Post. Their partial demise was not caused by the feud, but rather the advent of the internet, which resulted in many staffers being let go. His tale is complicated and dense, and would be better appreciated by readers and scholars who read the paper during his tenure or who studied the papers. There are also inside accounts of some of the big stories of recent times, which were told with verve and sometimes humor. Those who were not party to this reporting might not fully appreciate the account, but it does tell of an era and style of journalism that has not left our mind.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "13-Oct-2019 20:24:23", "publisher": "Fordham University Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008310051", "title": "The Raptors of North America: A Coloring Book of Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Owls (Barbara Guth Worlds of Wonder Science Series for Young Readers)", "author": "Anne Price", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 288, "review": "The Raptors of North America is a unique book that includes not only information about a variety of raptors from vultures to falcons but also provides full-page coloring activities which allow creativity while learning about the fifty birds in the book. Each bird is printed in black and white, along with a color photograph to guide you as you recreate the bird\u2019s colorful plumage. Ms. Price provides facts and stats about each unique species, along with a short essay which provides detailed information about each bird. The essays cover information such as: how birds descended from dinosaurs, how the art of falconry began, and how to distinguish a raptor from other birds. The book also has further instructions on how to build a kestrel box and a bird checklist so birdwatchers can keep a tally of their finds. The Raptors of North America, by using a creative, unique approach along with educational information, encourages you to continue to explore the birds in your own backyard and beyond.

I really enjoyed this book for many reasons. The coloring really appealed to me, as I am interested in art, while the information provided educational value. The layout of the pages is quite functional while also aesthetically pleasing. All the essays were well written and provided lots of easy-to-understand information, which allows the reader to identify many different types of raptors. I also really enjoyed the further reading at the back of the book about the kestrel box. The instructions were clear-cut, and the activity was easy and fun to do. This book was fun to color in, as well as it helped me learn. I would recommend this book to bird lovers and bird watchers alike who are twelve and older.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "12-Oct-2019 21:03:51", "publisher": "University of New Mexico Press", "page_count": "88 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008310035", "title": "Global Kids: 50+ Games, Crafts, Recipes & More from Around the World (Multilingual Edition)", "author": "Homa Sabet Tavangar", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 4", "word_count": 118, "review": "There are lots of cards with different activities and all of them that we\u2019ve done so far are fun! I like to do different activities and learn about other places. Some of them are kind of silly like Bollywood dance. I am excited to make a whirligig next and try making ice cream. Kids who like to do creative new things will have fun, too. It is also fun to play with the cards and sort them into colors. Each of the colors is for a different type of project, like art or cooking or a game or something else. I think that everybody will like Global Kids: 50+ Games, Crafts, Recipes & More from Around the World.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "12-Oct-2019 20:04:25", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "50 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008310031", "title": "To the Land of Long Lost Friends (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series)", "author": "Alexander McCall Smith", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 198, "review": "Mma Ramotswe, the owner of No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, has been invited to a wedding where she encounters a long-lost friend. A friend she thought was dead. She is surprised to find her alive and well. The only problem seems to be that the women's daughter has been acting suspiciously. Of course, Mma Ramotswe can't resist the urge to investigate in the hope that she can find out what has caused a rift between her long-lost friend and that friend's much-loved daughter. At the same time, the part-time assistant at the agency Charlie is having his own problems. His girlfriend, Queenie-Queenie, wants to get married, but Charlie doesn't have enough money to satisfy her parents. What will he do to keep the girl he loves happy?

To the Land of Long Lost Friends is another one of McCall Smith's charming stories that take the reader into the heart of Botswana's culture, with characters that are wonderfully observed as well as warm and funny. I love how he elevates the mundane to something special. Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi, and Charlie are always focused on what is good in life and the surrounding community. I can't wait to read more.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "11-Oct-2019 23:08:02", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008309043", "title": "Leadership in War: Essential Lessons from Those Who Made History", "author": "Andrew Roberts", "category": "N09 History", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 775, "review": "Historical Roundup\n\nWhether debunking historical fallacies, assessing the more bizarre consequences of a recent history of evil, elucidating the shared and divergent characteristics of well-known figures from history, or situating shamefully overlooked individuals in their rightful place within the historical record, the four books included in this roundup all serve to extend historical scholarship in insightful and enlightening ways.\n\nLies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong by James W. Loewen\n\nThis updated edition of Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong, which examines \u201cinaccuracies, myths, and lies [concerning] monuments, statues, national landmarks, and historic sites all across America,\u201d really packs a punch in terms of debunking pervasive fake news regarding a wide range of sites of national historical importance. James W. Loewen, as the myth-buster extraordinaire, casts a critical eye over how and why American history is traditionally commemorated, and he engages in a whole lot of entertaining muckraking while doing so. Of course, given its remit, there\u2019s a lot of funny material included, but the book also serves a very serious purpose, explaining how inaccurate history has been used to prop up social inequality as well as bringing to light people, places, and events that have been unjustly forgotten. It\u2019s fascinating and a little scary to read about how American history has been blatantly skewed by those with the power to write and disseminate it.\n\nA Demon-Haunted Land: Witches, Wonder Doctors, and the Ghosts of the Past in Post-WWII Germany by Monica Black\n\nAs if World War Two didn\u2019t have devastating and traumatic enough consequences for the national psyche, its aftermath saw a bizarre confluence of paranormal events and belief in the supernatural in Germany. Unlikely though it may seem, in addition to faith healers achieving national prominence and exorcisms becoming almost commonplace, the immediate post-war years saw an explosion in allegations of witchcraft. In A Demon-Haunted Land: Witches, Wonder Doctors, and the Ghosts of the Past in Post-WWII Germany, Monica Black charts a different course to the majority of histories of the period and examines how a national preoccupation with evil characterized Germany\u2019s transition from a Nazi dictatorship into a liberal democracy. Drawing on a host of intriguing and previously unpublished archival materials, Black examines how these highly improbable superstitions resulted from national guilt and a reluctance to talk about and properly analyze events from the Nazi era. In doing so, she provides a sobering account of a little known yet hugely important aspect of Germany\u2019s attempt to reconcile its past with its prosperous seeming future.\n\nLeadership in War: Essential Lessons from Those Who Made History by Andrew Roberts\n\nWar! What is it good for? Well, reputation building (whether for good or ill) for one thing, or so it seems. In Leadership in War: Essential Lessons from Those Who Made History, Andrew Roberts provides a series of nine pen portraits of major figures from modern history\u2013\u2013Napoleon Bonaparte, Horatio Nelson, Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, George C. Marshall, Charles de Gaulle, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Margaret Thatcher\u2013\u2013who are still renowned for their leadership during times of war. Roberts\u2019 central thesis is that each of these leaders fundamentally influenced the outcome(s) of the war their country was involved in, and he sets out to examine the differences and similarities among them in an effort to better understand the qualities that characterize a war-time leader. By necessity, he does not really consider the tens of thousands of other people who contributed to the winning of the various wars, although he certainly does succeed in elucidating how war \u201cdemands and reveals the best and worst in leadership.\u201d\n\nVanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All by Martha S. Jones\n\nAlthough it\u2019s likely destined to be remembered for other things, the year 2020 marked the one hundredth anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, which granted American women the right to vote. It also saw the election of Kamala Harris as the first Black, South Asian, female Vice President of the United States. In recognition of these historic events, Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All, Martha S. Jones\u2019 landmark account of African American women\u2019s political lives in the United States, has been updated to include the vital contributions of Black women during the 2020 election. Jones offers remarkable insights into how a brave and dedicated group of women\u2013\u2013who have all too often been overlooked in mainstream historical/political accounts\u00ac\u00ac\u2013\u2013fought both racism and sexism in order to secure the right to vote and then used their new-found political power to champion the cause of equality for all people.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-Oct-2019 20:24:19", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008309031", "title": "Tell Me a Story: My Life with Pat Conroy", "author": "Cassandra King Conroy", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 227, "review": "Pat Conroy was a larger-than-life author and personality who left an ingrained footprint on the literary world. His relationship with his wife Cassandra King Conroy was a large part of his later life. Both authors would meet in a fateful way, nearly missing each other due to other commitments, their acquaintance made by their love of the written word. Pat Conroy made for an intimidating presence, yet his personality showed the opposite. Their first meeting would lead to a long-lasting friendship. Pat wrote a blurb for Cassandra\u2019s first book with no qualms. Their turbulent past relationships led them to slowly develop their relationship until Pat revealed the depth of his feelings. They would each introduce the other to their respective and colorful families and marry in a private ceremony in May 1998. The couple loved each other immensely and also fueled the other\u2019s creative output, with Pat publishing six books and Cassandra releasing five. Their time together was a true love story spanning longer than eighteen years. Tell Me A Story is a poignant view of two souls fatefully destined to meet. Cassandra King Conroy tugs at the reader\u2019s heartstrings in stirring fashion, while providing plenty of uproariously funny moments to stifle the occasional sob. The book is near impossible to put down, every relayed memory a keepsake for the reader. A must-read dual biography for 2020!", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "12-Oct-2019 18:43:52", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008309011", "title": "Christmas Shopaholic: A Novel", "author": "Sophie Kinsella", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 203, "review": "Becky Brandon n\u00e9e Bloomwood is back! As a lover of the Shopaholic series and Sophie Kinsella in general, I was so happy to receive a copy of Christmas Shopaholic. Becky is up to her ears in Christmas shopping when her parents decide to spring on her that they are moving to another town and letting her eco-friendly sister Jess and Jess\u2019s husband Tom move into their place. This means that Becky has to host Christmas! The problem? Becky has never hosted Christmas before and now has a list a mile long to do. This includes getting a vegan turkey for her sister, a regular turkey, llama ornaments (yes, exactly\u2026what???), and of course a present for her husband Luke. Becky has calmed down a bit from her former level of frantic, running around like a chicken with her head cut off, however, her wild antics in this book include becoming the first female member of a billiards club, and giving a speech to do so, all because she wants to win the top prize in their raffle because she thinks that it would be the perfect bespoke gift for Luke. Again, Becky and her big heart win me over in this wonderful Shopaholic story.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "11-Oct-2019 18:48:42", "publisher": "The Dial Press", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008308055", "title": "Pasta Grannies: The Official Cookbook: The Secrets of Italy's Best Home Cooks", "author": "Vicky Bennison", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 209, "review": "This delightful book takes you into the kitchens of people who know what pasta is really all about \u2013 great flavor from great ingredients, shared with those you love. Their expertise doesn't hurt either! These Pasta Grannies are not professional chefs, but rather home cooks who have been making pasta for decades. By necessity they use the freshest and most local ingredients, grown in their own home gardens or locally foraged, to create pasta dishes that include nuts and herbs, vegetables and pulses, seafood, and even meat. You will find recipes for gnocchi, ravioli, tortelli, and all sorts of shapes that marry with their sauces perfectly, perfected through years of repetition.

To be honest, the expertise of these women makes these recipes a bit intimidating, especially to someone who is not a cooking novice. But pasta is actually quite forgiving, and the recipes are very clear and kind to anyone trying to learn this skill. Watching the Pasta Grannies YouTube channel can help too. The way these grannies can whip out pasta shapes is astonishing. However, even if you are not quite ready to attempt pasta-making, the book is a lovely read as it introduces you to amazing women whom you will quickly come to respect, admire, and love.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "14-Oct-2019 19:06:33", "publisher": "Hardie Grant", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008308015", "title": "How to Catch a Mole: Wisdom from a Life LIved in Nature", "author": "Marc Hamer", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 229, "review": "Moles are small and powerful, vicious subterranean predators. This damming description was penned by Marc Hamer, in truth, an affectionate professional mole catcher. In England, for many years he was the man to call when molehills appeared on the lawn, beside the hedgerow, or on the golf course. The behavior of moles, despite their beguiling appearance, was unlike Kenneth Grahame\u2019s host in The Wind in the Willows, and instead of an unequivocal pest, the bane of homeowners and sportsmen throwing dirt up into mounds as they created their subterranean tunnels. Single-mindedly the moles pursued worms, dead or alive, along these tunnels\u2014a species even more determined not to be seen above ground.

Deftly blending the global ecology of moles with a memoir, his endearingly personal narrative intersperses graceful poems, drawing the reader closer.

As a teenager, he walked out on a difficult father and spent many months walking through the countryside and towns, spending nights under the stars, shedding personal belongings as he traveled\u2014the unwieldy sleeping bag replaced with a comforting blue blanket before he completed his education, reached adulthood, and chose an outdoor life. Towards the end of an endearing chronicle he admits, \"My mind is losing its need to control the world\u2026 I let things be what they are.\" But even as he steps back, his love of the natural world and the eloquence of his poetry don\u2019t diminish.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "11-Oct-2019 23:03:47", "publisher": "Greystone Books", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008308003", "title": "Gloom Town", "author": "Ronald L. Smith", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Natalie - Age 9", "word_count": 151, "review": "Gloom Town is a bit scary. I didn\u2019t think I would be able to read the whole thing because it was creepy, but I kept going and finished it! (I am a nine-year-old girl for reference) I thought the beginning kind of drug on and seemed weird to me. I think a middle school kid would really like this book. I did not like the part where Lord Foxglove tries to murder Rory! I liked the details but I think it was a bit too dramatic to the point where it wasn't believable. I like that Rory tries to help his mother earn some money. It added a soft touch to the overall quality of the book. I did really like the ending though. All in all, I have come to the conclusion that this is a great book and it would be appropriate for a middle school age and above.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "11-Oct-2019 18:15:47", "publisher": "Clarion Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000008307051", "title": "The Best of Iggy", "author": "Annie Barrows", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Willow - Age 9", "word_count": 201, "review": "The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows is about Iggy\u2019s life. Jeremy Geerson and his mother come over to Iggy\u2019s house for brunch. Jeremy teases Iggy making it sound like his life is better than Iggy\u2019s. Iggy tries to impress Jeremy by riding a skateboard off the shed roof! Then, Jeremy says that he will do it too! Iggy tells Jeremy not to, but, of course, Jeremy goes up the ladder onto the roof. Iggy screams, \u201cyou\u2019re dead, Jeremy Geerson!\u201d Just then, the parents come outside to see what is happening. Iggy always gets caught at the wrong times. This was an interesting and funny story. Iggy reminds me of Clementine by Sara Pennypacker. Both characters are troublemakers who are sometimes trying to do the right thing or helping someone. This book will make an amazing series. I think ages seven to ten should read this book. It is a great short read. The illustrations were just right. I thought the illustrations really added to the book. Without the illustrations, this book would have not painted a picture as well. I would recommend this book because it made me laugh so much. Please read The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "13-Oct-2019 20:17:58", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Kids", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008307011", "title": "Hivemind: The New Science of Tribalism in Our Divided World", "author": "Sarah Rose Cavanagh", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 685, "review": "Take a trip to Mars to learn about the Red Planet then learn about birds and their behavior. These four reads include planned missions to Mars, a look at the hivemind of our society, and ways to combat climate change. \n\nMars (Kosmos) \u2013 Stephen James O'Meara \n\nIt's no secret that Mars has a reputation for being the mysterious planet that has fascinated mankind since it was discovered. The planet is known for volcanoes that are larger in size than Mount Everest, canyons large enough that they would engulf America and a landscape that is suspected to have contained water. /Mars/ is a detailed resource that provides a vast history on the planet which includes dating back to the first that discovered the planet and those currently obsessed with Mars from filmmakers to radio broadcasters. O'Meara also includes the most recent information from the /Curiosity/ rover, Mars mission plans, and critique on if the chances of these plans succeed. \n\nWhat is a Bird? An Exploration of Anatomy, Physiology, Behavior, and Ecology \u2013 Tony D. Williams \n\nBirds can be found all over the world with over 10,000 species that cover a wide variety which creates one of the most diverse groups in the animal kingdom. Among the species included in this book are the ostrich and the small species of bee hummingbird. This book explores every aspect of birds through an up-close look at their morphology, anatomy, behavior, and ecology. Hundreds of illustrations are provided which include common birds such as sparrows and exotic species such as birds of paradise. This is a must-have for birders and naturalists with a stunning exploration of bird history, a look at their ecology and behavior, and an insight into human connections with birds. \n\nHivemind: The New Science of Tribalism in Our Divided World \u2013 Sarah Rose Cavanagh \n\nThis provocative read takes a look at the way communities have shared ideas and learned their viewpoints from the groups we've selected for ourselves. As humans, we define ourselves through our social groups who are people that share our commonalities with such as shared tastes, faith, and heritage. This book takes an honest look at what happens when people only socialize with those like them which could create a point where we can't socialize with those outside our common interests and what could occur when our chosen communities define our views versus expanding it. Human beings have always been a social species and this nature has given us the benefits of us being able to ward off the emotional and physical upheavals of being alone. Topics found within /Hivemind/ include the Charlottesville riots, zombies, Facebook boardrooms, honeybees, and neuroscience. Cavanagh is a specialist in psychologist and emotion regulation who explores through /Hivemind/ how the way we socialize has been reshaped through social technology. This book explores online tribalism as well as how our panic has dimmed towards using screens and our mental health and delves into our understanding of community. \n\nThe New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet \u2013 Michael E. Mann\n\nThis book tackles the elephant in the room: climate change. Fossil fuel companies have spent years shifting the blame of their actions so /The New Climate War/ tackles this topic with hard-hitting honesty while introducing ways to save the planet. Also included are examples of going against climate change by doing things such as eating less meat, flying less, and recycling. Current companies have deflected their actions and greenwashed as a way of handling their role in climate change. Mann delves into how companies have found ways to block efforts to regulate carbon emissions while discrediting PR campaigns and choosing to not accept responsibility for their role in the greater problem. A battle line has been drawn between the side of the people and the side of the various polluters which include in addition to fossil fuel companies, petrostates, and right-wing plutocrats. The plan outlined within the book shares an attainable approach to carbon pricing along with a look at renewable energy, discredited false narratives, and going up against the idea of doomism in regards to climate change.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Oct-2019 18:10:15", "publisher": "Grand Central Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008307003", "title": "Dead Cat Bounce", "author": "Robert White", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 192, "review": "Old Mrs. Bello, bless her soul, was a married Italian woman with kids, grandkids, and to top it off, a distrust of banks. Everyone in the neighborhood was privy to her distrust and how she hid her money in old shoeboxes and stashed them in secret places in her house. After she passed, her kids looked for months, but to no avail. When a low-life criminal, Butchie, gets wind of this gossip, he\u2019s all over the challenge. Unfortunately for him, he is forced to take on a partner. By means of chance, the two find the hidden money, but after that, things take a turn for the worse with their partnership. Butchie, with his \u201clevel-headed thinking\u201d, must constantly remind his partner, Odraye, of the risks associated with their find.

Robert White has written another exciting, intense, and page-turning story. The fact that he has at least one \u201csmart\u201d criminal in his story makes it that much more enjoyable. Many of the situations in the story seem believable and realistic, thus increasing the story\u2019s entertainment. The writing is well-done and easy to follow. This is definitely a read for the murder-mystery and crime lover.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "11-Oct-2019 17:22:31", "publisher": "Fahrenheit Press", "page_count": "177 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008304003", "title": "Great Cities Through Travelers' Eyes", "author": "Edited by Peter Furtado", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 209, "review": "Travelers\u2019 experiences are among the most vivid memories and perceptive observations of a prevailing culture. This book compiles travelers\u2019 impressions of thirty-eight cities. Fortunately, none of the narratives are by natives, giving readers as true a traveler\u2019s perspective as possible. The descriptions are from the ancient world (primarily Greek & Roman travelers), the medieval world, the pre-modern world (primarily European travelers), and the modern world (pre-1980). Each chapter focuses on one city, and the narratives are chronologically arranged.

The cities are all in existence today and are not concentrated in one part of the world. However, the narratives seem to disproportionally be from Europe and North America. Ibn Battuta\u2019s impressions (from the fourteenth century), for instance, are included for a few cities, but his narrative on Canton (Guangzhou) is not included. Most descriptions are not translations, but adaptions from the original work (probably necessary to maintain length). Each description starts with a brief introduction of the author and the author's reason for visiting the city. Some narratives are by women, who provide a different perspective on the city. While reading the various narratives readers get a sense of how the city changed over the ages, and the descriptions are brief enough so an entire chapter can be read at once.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "10-Oct-2019 18:28:58", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "408 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008302035", "title": "The Bathysphere Boys: The Depth-Defying Diving of Messrs. Beebe and Barton (Unhinged History)", "author": "Ted Enik, with illustrations by G. F. Newland", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Andrew - Age 11", "word_count": 162, "review": "The Bathysphere Boys: The Depth-Defying Diving of Messrs. Beebe and Barton is a book in the Unhinged History series which focuses on odd couplings or rivalries that make remarkable discoveries or inventions. This book is about William Beebe and Otis Barton, who are rivals forced to work together to fulfill their dreams. Based on a true story, you'd think it would be a great book. Barton is rich and Beebe has great ideas. Together they built the bathysphere, a bubble-like submarine structure which would dive more than half a mile deep. Unfortunately, this story doesn't have a happy ending and is kind of confusing in the way it is written. The illustrations are watercolor and have distinct expression. They jump from black and white to saturated color and then to pale washed out. It doesn't flow very well and is hard to follow. I would only recommend this book to people who have a specific interest in the history of underwater exploration.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "10-Oct-2019 22:09:16", "publisher": "Schiffer", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008301007", "title": "Olive, Again: A Novel", "author": "Elizabeth Strout", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 257, "review": "Olive Kitteridge makes no apology for who she is, and her blunt, unbending worldview will be immediately familiar to anyone who loved Strout\u2019s Olive Kitteridge. This time, however, Olive is older, and she isn\u2019t quite so quick to make moral judgments and swift dismissals. Olive has never been as hard as others sometimes believe her to be, but in this collection, she reveals a new vulnerability, recognizable from the original stories but heightened now, more searing. Her nurturing side is more pronounced as she navigates the indignities, fears, and disappointments of old age. There are complicated new layers of love, resentment, and forgiveness with her son, Christopher, and his prickly second wife, Ann. New, too, are second chances, including Olive\u2019s second chance at love now that her husband, Henry, is gone.

The people who share Olive\u2019s hometown of Crosby, Maine, are as lonely and conflicted as ever, and some of the most wrenching stories in this collection aren\u2019t directly Olive\u2019s at all. Kayley Callaghan, an eighth-grade house cleaner, finds a queasy connection with an elderly man in \u201cCleaning.\u201d A grown woman discovers devastating new truths about her parents in \u201cHelped.\u201d And in \u201cLight,\u201d a woman dying from cancer finds more comfort in Olive than in her own doting husband. In all of these stories, Olive is a crucial force either in person or in spirit, and readers will want to seize every second of her waning life. Olive, Again is an essential partner to Olive Kitteridge, and the emotional impact of these new stories won\u2019t easily fade.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "10-Oct-2019 19:07:51", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008299023", "title": "The Districts: Stories of American Justice from the Federal Courts", "author": "Johnny Dwyer", "category": "N09 History", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 736, "review": "From the first heart transplant to the federal courts of New York City, these four reads take an in-depth look at the death of Bruce Tucker, the transition of America into a one-click society, the groundbreaking work of William Smith, and the callousness of a billion-dollar industry. \n\nThe Districts: Stories of American Justice from the Federal Courts \u2013 Johnny Dwyer \n\nDelve into this comprehensive look into the court system within Manhattan and Brooklyn. The two federal courts of Southern District Court and Eastern District Court keep order in New York City. Johnny Dwyer provides multiple stories as examples that range from a Mafioso in Queens helping depose of a body to a college student caught at the JFK airport with cocaine to a Manhattan hedge fund manager that lies to investors. Dwyer takes an in-depth exploration of the courtrooms through the lives of the judges, attorneys, prosecutors, and defendants. The crimes mentioned in the book include drug trafficking, terrorism, organized crime, and white-collar crime. /The Districts/ takes a hard and honest look at intent, deception, justice, and reasonable doubt.\n\nThe Organ Thieves: The Shocking Story of the First Heart Transplant in the Segregated South \u2013 Chip Jones \n\nChip Jones recounts the horrific events surrounding the first heart transplant which occurred in 1968 when Bruce Tucker, a black man, went to the top hospital in Virginia after a head injury only to have his heart removed and placed inside a white businessman. This book from Pulitzer Price-nominee journalist delves into Tucker's death and how he became a human guinea pig without his family knowing. These events reflect a long history of the mistreatment African Americans have endeared which began over a century ago with horrific actions including cadaver harvesting. The 1960s saw a race for the first successful heart transplants in a book that balances medical history, legal drama, and the issues of life and death told through the lens of racial injustice that has been around for centuries. Also included is a forward from Ben Jealous who is a social justice activist. \n\nStrata: William Smith's Geological Maps \u2013 Oxford University Museum of Natural History \n\nFull-color geological map illustrations, geological cross-sections, strata tables, fossil illustrations, and photographs are included within /Strata: William Smith's Geological Maps/. Also included in /Strata/ is Smith's 1799 geological map of Bath, detailed stratigraphical country maps, and the groundbreaking map of strata. The information is thanks to a variety of sources such as the London Natural History Museum, the Geological Society, and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. This includes the first complete presentation of the revolutionary work of William Smith, a geologist, from the nineteenth century. He's considered the father of English geology. This book illustrates the career of William Smith as he went from an apprentice to a surveyor and collector of fossils and even his imprisonment over debt problems. An introduction from Douglas Palmer describes Smith's work as it relates to structure specifically towards geographical mapping and theories of biostratigraphical. The book is divided into four parts and contains sheets from Smith's 1815 hand-colored map, cross-sections, and fossil illustrations. Between each section are essays commenting on Smith's work in areas of hydrology, mining, cartography, and agriculture. This testament to Smith's career includes a forward from Robert Macfarlane and an awe-inspiring collection. \n\nFulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America \u2013 Alec MacGillis \n\nUpton Sinclair published a novel with the subtitle /A Story of Ford-America/ which called out a billion-dollar company for how it underpaid employees and had dangerous working conditions. Going forward eighty-three years, Amazon.com has well over a trillion dollars while Ford Motor Company is worth around thirty billion dollars. One-click America has intensified under the pandemic of the Coronavirus due to the increase in online shopping. As Amazon grows through deliveries, corporate campuses, and data centers, a separation between winner and loser cities begins to grow. The book focuses on the fabric of society unraveling which is told through stories about those that have succeeded and those that haven't. These examples include high-paid Seattle workers in offices where a black neighborhood once was, Virginia homeowners that work against a data center that could damage their local environment, and an El Paso office supply firm that works against Amazon's governmental procurement. MacGillis also includes in /Fulfillment/ how Amazon become a Washington D.C. force, the growing inequality between the poor and rich, and how every click online is remaking America.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "09-Oct-2019 18:34:58", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008298007", "title": "Plagued by Fire: The Dreams and Furies of Frank Lloyd Wright", "author": "Paul Hendrickson", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristin Jarrett", "word_count": 274, "review": "Plagued by Fire was a tough read for me. Hendrickson is the author of acclaimed Hemingway\u2019s Boat and I am a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright\u2019s work, so I was interested in this book. I\u2019ve read articles on FLW\u2019s personal life and knew him to have lived an unconventional life for his time and to have a big ego to match his artistic brilliance. I was curious to dig in and learn more. This book was not the fit for me though. It reads more like research notes\u2026. extensive research notes\u2026 hundreds of pages of research notes. The author spends an enormous amount of time and words telling the reader all about the inaccuracies of other published works on FLW. It lost my interest and I found myself wishing that he would get onto the things that he found to be true about FLW and telling them in a reasonably succinct and interesting way. For example, he mentions many times in the book that Julian Carlton\u2019s (the servant who burned down FLW's home and murdered his family and students) name is misspelled in other publishings. I would gladly trade that level of minutiae for something more readable. That being said, the author is a very well educated man and has won awards for several other books. If you are looking to dive really deep into the details of what\u2019s been written about FLW and contrasting it with what this author has found to be true, you may enjoy this book. To me, this one reads more like a compilation of research notes that haven\u2019t yet been woven into a story for others to enjoy.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "09-Oct-2019 18:10:15", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "624 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008297015", "title": "The Best American Mystery Stories 2019", "author": "Edited by Jonathan Lethem", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 229, "review": "While Jonathan Lethem is known more for detective characters in his novels than for true mystery, no one can doubt his understanding of the genre. The stories selected for The Best American Mystery Short Stories 2019 are filled with every twist and turn imaginable, and a few you couldn\u2019t think of if you tried.

Reading this collection is a surefire adrenaline rush, especially for fans of fiction that takes you places you weren\u2019t expecting. The collection opens with the dark \u201cCoach O\u201d by Robert Hinderliter, in which a high school football coach suspects his wife of having an affair as he also realizes his star player is an alcoholic. The way the coach chooses to deal with both situations is as wrong as it is riveting. Anne Therese Macdonald\u2019s \u201cThat Donnelly Crowd\u201d seems, on the surface, to be about the poor choices of a woman traveling abroad until more sinister forces emerge in the guise of a charismatic Irishman. A bigger name, Pulitzer Prize-winner Joyce Carol Oates, also appears in the collection with her horrifying \u201cThe Archivist\u201d: for school teachers, this one is a particularly terrifying read. But the story I can\u2019t stop thinking about is \u201cHannah-Beast\u201d by Jennifer McMahon. Trust me when I say it will grip you and not let go.

These pieces, along with sixteen other excellent short stories, will keep you turning pages far into the night.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "09-Oct-2019 18:07:15", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008296011", "title": "ABCs of Art", "author": "Sabrina Hahn", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Children are never too young to be introduced to great art. This large board book (8X10 inches) offers a large print of an important painting on the right-hand page with the artist\u2019s and painting\u2019s name and the year it was painted. There is also a question that should elicit some activity or thinking from the youngster being read to, such as asking the child to point out the stars in The Starry Night or asking which fruits and vegetables the child can name in Vertumnus. On the facing page is the alphabet letter, what it stands for, and a rhyming couplet that speaks about the painting. Two pages at the back of the book contain a thumbnail of every painting, the letter designation (A is for Apple), the artist\u2019s full name, the title of the painting, the year it was painted, and the place the original is held. The design of the book is very clean to help youngsters to focus on the art. Unfortunately, the rhyming couplets are mostly uninspired and many have poor meter. Also, many of the activity questions are uninteresting and not at all challenging. This is a pretty introduction to art though.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "09-Oct-2019 17:56:52", "publisher": "Skyhorse Publishing", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008293011", "title": "After Sundown: A Novel", "author": "Linda Howard", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jahminneh - Age 14", "word_count": 271, "review": "After Sundown is an intriguing apocalyptic story about the journey of Sela Gordon and Ben Jernigan out of their respective shells of isolation. Ben warns Sela about the coming CME that will wipe out the power grid, plunging the world into a different civilization. Sela, although hesitant, goes to the mall to get things they'll need, but realizes that this can\u2019t be enough. Grabbing what she can, Sela heads back to her store, and a couple of hours later the NOAA announces that there would be a CME hit tomorrow at 3 o'clock, giving them only 24 hours to prepare. With this in mind, everyone rushes to gather non-perishable food items, but the stores only take cash. When 3 o\u2019clock hits, everyone freezes; when a minute passes, they think they were wrong, but then the lights go out. A surreal feeling comes over everybody.

Linda Howard effectively weaves in the backstory of Sela and Ben without taking the time to make a formal exposition. At first Sela and Ben are apprehensive and withdrawn people, but when they know each better, they both come out of their shells for the good of the community. The plot is so realistic. I found myself wondering what it would be like if it really happened in real life. This is the first novel I have read that deals with coronal mass ejection. One clear lesson is that we can't shut people out forever; eventually we'll have to start letting people into our bubble. Because of descriptions in an intimate scene between Sela and Ben, I would recommend this book to teens ages 15 and up.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "09-Oct-2019 01:40:33", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008291007", "title": "Scavenge the Stars", "author": "Tara Sim", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 201, "review": "Silverfish has worked for years on a debtor\u2019s ship to pay a debt her parents passed on to her. Soon though, her debt will be paid, she can reunite with her mother, and she can finally return to being Amaya. However, when she rescues a stranger from drowning she fears she has only earned herself longer on the ship. Instead, he offers her wealth, a new identity and the chance for revenge against the man who ruined her life. As her plans intertwine with the son of the man she is trying to take down, things get more complicated and she has to question just whom she can trust.

In this gender-bent retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, Amaya has to find out whom she is, after having everything she knows twisted with lies. The story is well written, with descriptions to show you what is going on but leaving enough for you to imagine yourself. Some characters I would have liked to see more of didn\u2019t get much time in the story, but may have more in the second part. It\u2019s called a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo but is more of its own story than a retelling.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "09-Oct-2019 00:12:43", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008287071", "title": "The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver", "author": "Gene Barretta, with illustrations by Frank Morrison", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "George Washington Carver was born into slavery. George and his mother were kidnapped, but young George was brought back, and he and his brother were raised by the Carvers, farmers who had no children of their own. George, always curious about nature, had a secret garden in the woods where he grew flowers and learned much about plants, soil, and more. George learned that nothing could be wasted and made many things from what was there: feathers became needles, berries became dyes, and more. Even after slavery ended, George couldn\u2019t go to school, but he learned much from his garden. He eventually was able to leave the farm and go to school, finishing college and became a professor of agriculture. He changed the way farming was done in the South and made peanuts the great crop, finding many uses for them.

Author Gene Barretta\u2019s extensive research shines through in this marvelous non-fiction book that will allow youngsters to learn about this incredible man and all that he accomplished. The beautiful, detailed illustrations by Frank Morrison complete this story and will help to keep youngsters engaged as they read this inspiring story. Don\u2019t miss this one.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "07-Oct-2019 21:35:55", "publisher": "Katherine Tegen Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008287063", "title": "Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina", "author": "Lea Lyon and Alexandria LaFaye, with illustrations by Jessica Gibson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - Age 6", "word_count": 206, "review": "I could read Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend became the Bookmobile Ballerina a hundred times. This book is about dancing. A girl named Sylvia learns to dance ballet from books and then at the end is a teacher. She wants to be able to dance in real ballets, but the problem is the teachers all don\u2019t want to teach her because she is black. So, she teaches herself and other girls from books until a girl backstage says she should meet a teacher who wants her in the school.

I think this is a good book. I like the dancing and the pictures. The story is fun and interesting. The pictures make it easy to figure out who Sylvia is because all the kids look very different. The pictures help tell the story and let you know what moves the kids are learning. Kids three to eight would like this book.

This book lets you learn how to do lots of dance steps. Reading it makes me want to dance along with the book. It also teaches you a lot about trying hard. Teachers could use it to talk to kids about discrimination. I think schools and libraries should buy this book. It is a terrific book.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "07-Oct-2019 21:30:32", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008287023", "title": "Jetpack Attack (Carmen Sandiego Chase-Your-Own Capers)", "author": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 9", "word_count": 166, "review": "This is a Carmen Sandiego Chase-Your-Own Caper book. In this book, the reader is an engineer who is working on a prototype jetpack. An evil organization by the name of VILE wants to use the jetpack to steal things. Carmen Sandiego is trying to intercept the jetpacks before the villains of VILE can use them for nefarious reasons!

One of the storylines is when your boss needs you to go on the plane that is delivering the jetpacks to oversee the delivery and answer any questions your customers might have. The plane makes a stop in Kenya to pick up a passenger who works for the client. She wants to make a quick stop in Italy but needs you to convince the pilot to make an unscheduled stop. You, the reader, have to decide whether to stop, without really knowing the reason behind it.

I liked this book because I love choose-your-own-adventure stories. The storyline was intriguing because it was full of adventure and suspense. It was awesome!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "05-Oct-2019 17:20:00", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008286051", "title": "Cherry Blossom and Paper Planes", "author": "Jef Aerts", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 124, "review": "Cherry Blossom and Paper Planes is awesome. It\u2019s about true friendship. When one friend moves away from the country to the city, they miss each other dearly. Then one day they miss each other so much that one visits the other, and the story gets even sweeter. It\u2019s very touching to your heart. It will be an especially good story for anyone who has had a friend move away, but anyone will like it, and it will be dear to your heart. The book itself is printed very nicely on good paper that is smooth. The illustrations are thoughtful, beautiful, imaginative, and so on. This book is more than gorgeous and creative and beyond. I would love to read more books by the author.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "07-Oct-2019 20:19:08", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008286015", "title": "Best Kept Secrets: A Novel", "author": "Tracey S. Phillips", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 192, "review": "Best Kept Secrets was an entertaining read with intricate characters and relationships. Morgan is a detective out for vengeance. Several years ago, her best friend Fay was killed. Morgan found the body, and it has haunted her ever since. Now, as Morgan is given a new homicide case, she thinks that the killer may be the same person who killed Fay. She becomes obsessed with a man named Ekhard and his sister Caryn who both seem to be very odd and unstable characters.

This book was a fun-to-read police mystery, but the thing that made this book even better was the subtleties that were thrown into two parts of the book. The very last sentence of the book confirmed my suspicions and finalized the story as a whole. Very well written with some really dysfunctional relationships between both Morgan and the man she is dating, Rob as well as Ekhard and his sister Caryn. Caryn is also dating a married man and doesn\u2019t know if she really wants to be with him or just likes the fact that she is doing something taboo. A good book for fans of mystery and suspense.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "05-Oct-2019 18:29:55", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008285091", "title": "Honey, the Dog Who Saved Abe Lincoln", "author": "Shari Swanson, with illustrations by Chuck Groenick", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "As a young boy, Abraham Lincoln loved being out in nature and particularly loved animals, even saving some. He rescued a frog from the jaws of a snake and saved a golden dog that had a broken leg. He splinted her leg and took her home. Abe named the dog Honey, and she became his constant companion. It is a good thing he found Honey because saving can be a two-way street. One day, Abe dropped a bag of grain at the mill to be ground. He and Honey explored the nearby woods while waiting for the grain to be done, and when Abe found a cave, he went in, followed closely by Honey. Abe got stuck between two boulders, and it was Honey who was able to go for help, saving Abe from a terrible fate.

Author Shari Swanson has written a fun and sweet telling of a true story from Abe Lincoln\u2019s childhood that is well researched and beautifully written. Youngsters will be fascinated with this peek into a favorite president\u2019s life. Illustrator Chuck Groenick uses a soft palette and lots of fun details to complement the story. This is a honey of a book.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "07-Oct-2019 21:28:46", "publisher": "Katherine Tegen Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008285087", "title": "Three Ways to Trap a Leprechaun", "author": "Tara Lazar", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - Age 8", "word_count": 102, "review": "The cover of this book is SO pretty! I love the rainbow and the gold. They really pop off the page. The brother and sister remind me a lot of me and my sisters. We try to catch the leprechaun every year too and haven't been able to get him yet. It is good to know that his name is Finn! I like that Claire never gave up. She kept trying and trying to come up with a perfect trap to catch Finn. I cannot wait to try the ideas in the book when it comes time to make a new trap!", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "07-Oct-2019 21:27:13", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008285075", "title": "A Day So Gray", "author": "Marie Lamba, with illustrations by Alea Marley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Two little girls stand at a window looking out at a snowy day. One of them says that it is such a gray day, but the other says that it isn\u2019t so. She points out all the different colors that can be found\u2014soft brown, shining blue, silver splashes on bright yellow. As they walk outside, the first girl claims the field is a blah brown. The other girl shows the first one that the brown field is filled with things that are orange, black, red, and tan making up the brown. And so goes the day. The first girl insisting on the dullness while the second girl points out all the beauty that can be found if one only takes the time to look carefully for the details of the day.

Author Marie Lamba has written a sweet, quiet story that will help to give children a different perspective when they look at the everyday things around them while also reinforcing color names. Illustrator Alea Marley has filled the pages with perfectly enchanting pictures chock full of charming details that will keep youngsters\u2019 eyes firmly on the pages. This will be a nice addition to any child\u2019s library.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "07-Oct-2019 20:22:09", "publisher": "Clarion Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008285039", "title": "A Key to Treehouse Living", "author": "Elliot Reed", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 247, "review": "William Tyce, abandoned by his parents and left in the care of his gambler uncle, narrates A Key to Treehouse Living, the brilliant debut novel from Elliot Reed. Written as a series of definitions, not always in alphabetical order for reasons Tyce explains early on, the book is a coming of age tale with echoes of Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield.

In William, Reed has created a young man whose heartbreak and desire to make sense of the world evolve as he ages. From the earliest entries, when William is in elementary school, to the latest entries that find him in his late teens, the character\u2019s voice is clear, funny, observant, and unflinchingly honest. Early on, his perceptions of people he deems \u201cgypsies\u201d and \u201chillbillies\u201d are filtered through his limited experiences as a child. As he ages, those perceptions gather gravity and depth\u2014particularly in relation to the parents he\u2019s lost and the uncle he becomes separated from.

When the novel ends\u2014a moment that comes far too soon and at exactly at the right time\u2014William returns to a semblance of safety that for most of us wouldn\u2019t seem terribly safe at all. But, for a young man who has braved a solo river trip on a raft made of barrels, spent time in a shack with a rum runner called River Jim, and shared a fleeting encounter with a tender-hearted stranger and her Chihuahua, the safety William attempts to find is the perfect resolution for A Key to Treehouse Living.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "05-Oct-2019 18:01:26", "publisher": "Tin House Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008285023", "title": "Oregon City or Bust! (Two Books in One): The Search for Snake River and The Road to Oregon City (The Oregon Trail)", "author": "Jesse Wiley", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Andrew - Age 11", "word_count": 264, "review": "The Oregon Trail is a series of choose-your-own-adventure books inspired by the computer game of the same name. With pixelated fonts and lots of black and white illustrations, this book series embraces elements from the retro video game. Oregon City or Bust! combines Volumes 3 and 4 of the series. This book can be saddening when things suddenly turn for the worse based on the choices you\u2019ve made earlier on the trail. From sickness to livestock dying and even avalanches, there are many dangers along the Oregon Trail. Your job is to make wise choices and avoid the twenty-two negative endings that will dissolve your dreams of making it to Oregon City. Only one path will lead you safely through Snake River to Three Island Crossing to finish Volume 3 and through treacherous, snowy mountain passes to Oregon City to finish Volume 4. I really enjoyed this book because it is so entertaining and keeps you guessing throughout. I felt really good when I finally selected the correct path through the hazards. Even though this is a fictional story, many pioneers made the journey across the Oregon Trail, and there are some factual historical pieces in the book. Volume 4 is my favorite of this combined set because I felt better knowing that there\u2019s no more chance I will die of dysentery. I recommend this book for anyone who can handle the sad reality of pioneering families in the 1850s. The characters in the wagon train are really interesting, and if you play it safe, you have a better chance of keeping everyone alive!", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "05-Oct-2019 17:21:31", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008285007", "title": "Harlem Bible-In The Beginning", "author": "Grant Harper Reid", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 269, "review": "Harlem Bible: In the Beginning by Grant Harper Reid is a nonfiction work detailing the author\u2019s family, friends, and biographical experiences. The book starts with a biography of the author\u2019s father and proceeds to narrate the lives of his parents, grandparents, and himself. His father had an interesting upbringing and was a leader in the black community. Reid calls his family, particularly his father, part of the \u201cbougie\u201d class, including vacations in upstate New York and owning boats. This is a perspective of African American history that is lesser known. Reid attended school in Harlem, starting in 1958, and his childhood in Harlem is chronicled, along with high school, later life in New Jersey (black suburban paradise as he calls it), and has numerous wonderful pictures, which I particularly enjoyed seeing. Heartbreaking, racist and cruel moments in middle school and in high school give the book particularly important emotional and historical value.

The book reads like a work of history. It could be especially useful to historians and students of American history. It reminds me of the oral history interviews that I\u2019ve conducted in its retelling of events in a matter of fact way, and has much value in its first person, primary source accounting of a unique American life. Because it reads like an oral history interview, however, its tone is flat. It doesn\u2019t read like a novel (except for the teen year sections), but of a historical accounting. It can be hard to sustain interest because of this. Accounts like this one are to be encouraged, as they are so important to our collective understanding of the past.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "04-Oct-2019 18:08:43", "publisher": "CreateSpace-SelfPublished", "page_count": "188 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008284051", "title": "Flavors of Africa: Discover Authentic Family Recipes from All Over the Continent", "author": "Evi Aki", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 197, "review": "A region\u2019s cuisine evolved from peoples who settled there and the available foods in that region. Africa, because of its location, has seen migrants from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Its cuisines reflect those influences along with influences from internal migration. This book aims to bring readers flavors from all parts of Africa. The book is divided into four parts (east, west, north, and south), each section containing recipes from that part of Africa. West Africa has the most entries (thirty-one recipes), while the other sections have about a dozen each.

Each recipe has a color picture of the finished product, which was very helpful. However, the preparation instructions are not completely clear (or there are some steps missing) as not all the recipes turn out looking like the picture provided. While the dishes are labeled as authentic, the ingredients are fairly easy to find, most probably due to adaptions for North America (the author lives in Atlanta). Curiously, Zanzibar pizza is in the Southern Africa section, while Zanzibar is in East Africa (as part of Tanzania). If made correctly, the food tastes good (but not great), and the recipes do not require expert-level culinary proficiency.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "07-Oct-2019 19:46:21", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008284047", "title": "The Aosawa Murders", "author": "Riku Onda", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 184, "review": "A terrible crime struck the Aosawa family in the 1970s when a killer poisoned a drink at a family celebration killing everyone except for young Hisako, who has been blind for years. Shortly afterwards, a young man commits suicide leaving a note that he is the one who killed all those people. The case is considered closed until an author who is unable to let the investigation go starts to interview people connected to the case, including the author of a bestselling book who wrote it as a way to send a message to the true killer, not the young man who committed suicide.

This is different from many mystery books people in the United States will read. It is slow-moving, slowly revealing itself in bunches, with the final reveal not totally at the end. It encompasses 1970s Japanese culture, including the cult of the powerful family and one person\u2019s quest to truly find themselves in the madness, ultimately leading to their demise. Some people might find it confusing and too unfamiliar, while others will see similarities to other famous murder mysteries by Truman Capote.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "07-Oct-2019 19:11:03", "publisher": "Bitter Lemon Press", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008284027", "title": "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?: With Fun Facts, Cool Maps, and Seek and Finds for 10 Locations Around the World", "author": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 161, "review": "Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? Follow Carmen on her journey to ten different locations around the world and see what she finds. From North and South America to Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia, Carmen Sandiego is on the lookout for ten vile operatives who are creating chaos around the world. Explore each city in detail, learning about their population, capital, size, currency, agricultural products, industries, as well as about each culture and how they are alike and similar. Readers will also learn about famous landmarks in each city. This fun-filled book takes readers on a journey of fact and fiction and also keeps readers engaged with fun seek-and-find puzzles and allows them to explore fun maps. Readers are sure to enjoy learning about various, places, cultures, and landmarks while helping Carmen Sandiego battle the bad guys. My favorite part about the book is the seek-and-find pages. I look forward to the many other books in the Carmen Sandiego series.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "05-Oct-2019 17:44:07", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008284023", "title": "Star Wars Creatures Big & Small", "author": "Caitlin Kennedy and Calliope Glass", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 216, "review": "This is a cute little book with drawings and rhyming poems that describe all the weird animals that show up in every Star Wars movie so far. There are forty creatures from very small to very big. Yoda starts and ends the book. He says it\u2019s an adventure because \u201ctruly wonderful every creature is.\u201d My favorite animals are porgs and puffer pigs because porgs are the smallest and cutest animals of them all, and when the puffer pigs get scared they puff themselves up with air and float away. My least favorite animal is the mynoch, an ugly, bat-like creature that lives inside the space slug. It eats wires, and almost grounded the Millenium Falcon when it landed on an asteroid.

The creatures drawn in the book are much cuter than the creatures in the movies. For example, the mynochs are creepy in The Empire Strikes Back, but the drawing makes them look cute.

The sarlacc actually looks pretty much the same, except it has more teeth in the movie. At the end of the book, there\u2019s a chart of all the animals from littlest to biggest in order. The most dangerous animal in the book is probably the biggest: the summa-verminoth, which can catch and eat spaceships. I really like this book because it\u2019s about Star Wars.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "05-Oct-2019 17:23:13", "publisher": "Disney Lucasfilm Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008283087", "title": "Wicked Bite: A Night Rebel Novel (#2)", "author": "Jeaniene Frost", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jessica Ramirez", "word_count": 194, "review": "I can\u2019t believe Wicked Bite is already over. Ian and Veritas give readers everything they want and more. After the way Shades of Wicked, the first book in the series, ended, I had no doubt in my mind that we would be in for a wild ride. Veritas didn\u2019t have to wait too long for Ian to find her. Who could blame him? Once he has his mind set, it\u2019s very hard to change it. What I love so much about Veritas is that she\u2019s smart and so much fun\u2014it helps that she knows just what to do to get herself out of the biggest pickles. So much is at stake for Veritas to save Ian but she will stop at absolutely nothing to make sure bad things don\u2019t happen. Such as hunting down all the dark souls that were let free. The romance was on point but didn\u2019t take away from the main plot of the story. I never felt overwhelmed or thought it was cheesy. The pacing was perfection, and everything happened the way it was supposed to. Now, I\u2019m stuck waiting until I can get my hands on the next book.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "07-Oct-2019 21:25:08", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008283039", "title": "Rachel's Roses", "author": "Ferida Wolff", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - Age 8", "word_count": 67, "review": "I liked the determination Rachel had when she raised enough money to buy her rose charms. The drawings were neatly drawn and very detailed. I can easily compare this to other books and find I like this one much better. The story board was quite simple ( in a good way) and the title was catchy. I enjoyed reading this, and I hope everyone else will too.", "issue": "Rejected", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "05-Oct-2019 17:48:50", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008283027", "title": "Endangered Operation (Carmen Sandiego Chase-Your-Own Capers)", "author": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 191, "review": "Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? Follow Carmen on her journey to save endangered species from the VILE leaders of the world's most dangerous and powerful criminal organization. This book is so fun because it gives readers a choice of what you can do to help Carmen Sandiego rescue the endangered animals. At the end of each chapters readers are asked a \"What do you do?\" questions, for example, if the reader wants to run after the criminal its says to turn to a certain page, or if the reader would rather hide from the criminal one can turn to another page. This choice gives readers the choice of what to do and how the book ends based on all their decisions. The best part about this book is unlike regular chapter books, this book can be read many times and have many different endings based on the choices the reader makes. This book is also fun because it has a few illustrations in it which many chapter books do not. I love reading the Carmen Sandiego series and I hope other readers enjoy it as much as I do.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "05-Oct-2019 17:17:54", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008283007", "title": "Exactly as You Are: The Life and Faith of Mister Rogers", "author": "Shea Tuttle", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 212, "review": "Exactly As You Are: The Life and Faith of Mister Rogers explores the life of Fred Rogers from when he was a young, shy, and bullied child, to the end of his life when he had achieved the creation of a children's show that was not only educational but also filled with moral and less-than-obvious references to Christianity. Many people throughout the years have wondered who the real Fred Rogers was, especially when his televised persona made such an impact on children and adults alike. Shea Tuttle breaks down Fred Rogers' behavior and reasoning for many of his memorable songs and talks on his hit show, Mister Rogers\u2019 Neighborhood, and how they all had a connection to Christianity and his need to let the children know that, like Jesus, Mister Rogers liked everyone \"exactly as you are.\"

Even if you're not a religious person, you will still find this book fascinating as you learn much about this inspirational man. Being a religious person, I found this book to be inspiring to my faith and a testimony to how God works in us humans for the betterment of others. Tuttle writes with experience and includes cited sources as well as some assumptions in her text to make it read as an enjoyable, light read.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "04-Oct-2019 17:34:00", "publisher": "Eerdmans", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008279007", "title": "Juliet Takes a Breath", "author": "Gabby Rivera", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Tatiana - Age 17", "word_count": 220, "review": "This is a powerful, moving, and engaging story about a young woman figuring out who she is as a young feminist. After coming out as gay to her family, Juliet Milagros leaves NYC for Oregon where she will be interning with a feminist author she admires. As a Puerto Rican lesbian from the Bronx, she isn\u2019t sure what the summer in Portland will bring, but she is hoping to work out her \u201clife\u201d or at least run away from her problems with her mom. She encounters racism, mentors, a wide range of people on the queer spectrum, heartbreak, and a whole series of experiences that help her redefine who she is and what it means to be a lesbian woman. The character of Juliet is smart, compelling, funny, caring, and very likable. The writing style is quite informal and a bit \u201cstream of consciousness\u201d and conversational. While this isn\u2019t good or bad, it definitely made the story go a little slower than I like. I learned a good deal about feminism, homophobia and queer communities, but there isn\u2019t much of a plot beyond seeing Juliet\u2019s life for the summer. It is told from Juliet\u2019s perspective, and there is quite of bit of language that is more adult, therefore I think it works best for people over the age of sixteen.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "02-Oct-2019 22:07:04", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Young Readers", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008278015", "title": "The Book of Dust: The Secret Commonwealth (Book of Dust, Volume 2)", "author": "Philip Pullman", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Julie Blum", "word_count": 182, "review": "The Secret Commonwealth picks up Lyra\u2019s story a few years after His Dark Materials story ends. Lyra is a student at St. Sophia\u2019s College when her daemon, Pantalaimon, witnesses a murder. This sets in motion a series of events that will send Lyra and Pantalaimon \u2013 separately! \u2013 on a mission through Europe and the Middle East in search of information; they are aided by the \u201csecret commonwealth.\u201d On these adventures, they encounter allies and enemies both new and old, and they learn how to navigate the journey and their lives on their own.

At over 600 pages, The Secret Commonwealth rambles a bit, and much of the dialogue seems simplified and forced. Its themes are decidedly more mature and darker than in His Dark Materials, which makes sense because Lyra is older. Still, it is an interesting read, and its parables about media, religion, and soul-searching address today's real-world issues. The story ends abruptly without tying up all the loose ends, but the cliffhanger at the end of the book has this reader excited for the next installation of the trilogy.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "02-Oct-2019 22:31:56", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Young Readers", "page_count": "656 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008278007", "title": "Rose Coffin", "author": "M. P. Kozlowsky", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 205, "review": "Rose knows all about bullying, whether it's about her clothes or her blushing cheeks. When SallyAnn, the most popular girl in class, asks Rose to join the band, Rose is skeptical but hopeful, and joins the group in the scary woods. She pours her heart out into the tryout, only to find out that SallyAnn just wanted video footage for more bullying. Rose is so embarrassed, even the next morning, that she runs into the woods instead of getting on the bus. There the people of Eppersett, a town in the woods, are so excited to see her - she\u2019s the one, the one who will save them from the Abomination! She soon realizes, however, that no one will save her, as her death is the only way to save the town.

This fantastical adventure is set in a world with strange creatures who experience many of the same things as Rose: crippling doubt, unending bullying, and impossible hope. It is similar to Percy Jackson\u2019s epic adventures in The Lightning Thief>/em> and Alice in Alice in Wonderland. Rose is the downtrodden hero who may be the only one to save them, at such great cost, and it is her growth that propels this story along beautifully.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "02-Oct-2019 22:08:39", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008276003", "title": "The Measure of a Man: A Novel of Leonardo da Vinci", "author": "Marco Malvaldi", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Mark Graham", "word_count": 202, "review": "To be an artist means to see what is around you, just as Leonardo da Vinci did in his lifetime. The Measure of a Man: A Novel of Leonardo da Vinci, which is written by Marco Malvaldi, is a fictional account of the life of the great man, but the factual statements made by Marco at the end of the book still make for a good read.

The Measure of a Man is a good representation of what Leonardo da Vinci could have done in his lifetime, up to a point. Marco has done well in having famous people from the time, such as Savonarola and Lorenzo de Medici, as fellow characters in the story. There were many romantic scenes in the book, and it is a piece of literature that covers the time of the famous artist Leonardo da Vinci well. It is also a novel of creativity that will have readers believing what they have read.

Marco Malvaldi is a creative writer who uses research very well. The writing gives readers a sense of how a romantic artist could have lived his life. This is also a book that caused me to read my humanities textbook in a different way.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "01-Oct-2019 23:22:49", "publisher": "Europa Editions", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008273027", "title": "Lethal Agent", "author": "Vince Flynn", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Michael Shulman", "word_count": 215, "review": "Lethal Agent by Kyle Mills is the eighteenth book in the Mitch Rapp series started by Vince Flynn. Since Flynn's passing, Mills took over the series, and this current book is on par with Mills' previous books set in the Rapp universe as well as Flynn's novels. In the latest book, a violent unrepentant ISIS terrorist, Mullah Sayid Halabi, thought killed by Rapp, is actually alive, according to new intelligence. A video surfaces purporting to show Halabi, but the CIA dismisses it saying it was shot some time ago. However, Rapp becomes convinced Halabi is still alive when ISIS kidnaps a French microbiologist and forces him to weaponize anthrax. CIA director, Irene Kennedy then tasks Rapp to find Halabi and kill him once and for all. However, as Rapp and his men are dealing with terrorists overseas, Kennedy faces problems at home. A senator running for President on a divisive platform is very antagonistic of the CIA and especially Irene Kennedy which makes her put pressure on Rapp and his men to find Halabi whatever it takes.

I enjoyed reading Lethal Agent. There is plenty of action in the book and the characters are developed and multidimensional. In addition, politics plays a very big role in the book which adds another level to the suspense.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "01-Oct-2019 21:46:06", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008273019", "title": "The Invention of Yesterday: A 50,000-Year History of Human Culture, Conflict, and Connection", "author": "Tamim Ansary", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Miriam - Age 16", "word_count": 195, "review": "This wonderful history of the world takes a unique approach in looking at major trends throughout time that were far more global than any particular locale or even empire. It is like the expanded prose version of a comprehensive timeline, linking such far-flung events such as dynastic succession in China with the European Crusades. Events in one place always had ripple effects that spilled out across the globe, influencing, directing, and leading to the next sweeping change. Viewing history in this comprehensive way gives you a much deeper understanding of why, perhaps, people have acted as they have, and why history unfolded as it did. From the earliest civilizations to empires to nation-states and finally to a globally interconnected world of information, readers discover connections, trends, narratives, and ideologies that lap and crash into each other, resulting sometimes in annihilation, sometimes in absorption, with results that are still felt today. Although it covers multiple millennia, it is a fast read, and whether you are a long-time history buff or a budding novice, this will give you multiple pegs on which to hang everything else, making constellations of sense out of disparate historical points of light.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "01-Oct-2019 21:37:55", "publisher": "PublicAffairs", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008272007", "title": "The Braid: A Novel", "author": "Laetitia Colombani", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 185, "review": "In a small village in India, Smita is what\u2019s known as an untouchable, fated to a lowly life with no opportunities\u2026 but she\u2019s determined that her daughter will have a better future to look forward to, and she\u2019ll do whatever it takes to make that happen. In Sicily, Giulia is being groomed to take over the family wig-making business, but when her father gets in an accident, she discovers that it\u2019s up to her to save them from bankruptcy. And in Canada, powerful lawyer Sarah is about to learn that a cancer diagnosis can mean the end of a career.

These three women from around the globe seem like they have nothing in common, but in The Braid, author Laetitia Colombani shows that unexpected things can create connections. It\u2019s a short novel, and none of the three individual characters\u2019 stories are particularly detailed, but most readers will enjoy getting glimpses into the unique\u2014but surprisingly relatable\u2014lives of these three women. This book is a relatively quick read, but the interwoven stories will really stay with readers and leave them wondering about the mysterious ways the world works.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "01-Oct-2019 21:03:07", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008270023", "title": "Zatanna and the House of Secrets", "author": "Matthew Cody", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 186, "review": "Continuing their line of books for middle-school-aged kids and younger, DC Comics has been reimagining their heroes as kids and putting them into adventures. This continues with Zatanna, as she lives in the House of Secrets with her dad, who is also a magician, a talking rabbit as a familiar, and a key that everyone wants because they believe it can extend one\u2019s life. The villains are obvious, and learning to grow up is the major theme of the book. As Zatanna struggles with a changing culture at school and a friend who wants to be like a grown-up though Zatanna might not be ready for that. Can she come to learn that adults keep secrets for their own reasons, and can Zatanna keep her friends with her at the end?

This book, like the others of its kind, is clearly geared towards a younger audience, as complex questions are not asked and people who have been reading for some time will see the twists coming. But overall it is decent, and most young kids looking to get into graphic novels will find this a good choice.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "01-Oct-2019 01:43:10", "publisher": "DC Entertainment", "page_count": "152 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008269039", "title": "Hide Away (A Rachel Marin Thriller)", "author": "Jason Pinter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 240, "review": "Rachel Marin\u2019s life was destroyed in an instant by a horrific crime. She took her two small children, changed all their names and left Connecticut and went to Hide Away in Illinois. It\u2019s been seven years and Rachel has honed her body and mind to be able to better protect her family and hopefully stop the same thing happening to other people. Then the former mayor is found dead in what appears to be a suicide, but Rachel is sure she was murdered. She works hard to find justice for her, but it puts her in the crosshairs of the killer. Rachel can\u2019t give up now, so she needs to make sure the killer is caught before there is more collateral damage, including her children or herself.

Incredibly addicting! This book was the perfect length to allow you to fall in love with the characters and all their flaws. The gradually unveiling of what happened to Rachel in her past added the perfect amount of suspense while also explaining the way that she is and her thirst for justice. I couldn\u2019t put it down. I wanted to know how far Rachel would go. Her character is complex and smart and very interesting. If you love thrillers, especially with a female lead you will love this book. The author did a fantastic job of making it about people but also about the crime. Check it out, you won\u2019t be disappointed!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "01-Oct-2019 01:53:27", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008269035", "title": "Cub", "author": "Cynthia L. Copeland", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Willow - age 9", "word_count": 210, "review": "Cub by Cynthia L. Copeland is about Cindy becoming a reporter. Mrs. Shultz is the first one to realize how good of a writer Cindy is. She signs her up for a job to be a cub reporter. But when she goes to her first meeting, things get a little bit harder. Cindy realizes being a reporter is harder than it seems. Will she continue to be a reporter? Or is the work too hard to continue?

I loved the characters. I thought they acted as real people would in these situations. I would love to be friends with Cindy because she is a very nice girl. I think we would get along nicely. I thought the plot was very believable. I liked how it focused more on secondary characters. I think all of the events could really happen or have happened to lots of people. I think ages 9-12 should read this book. Cub reminds me of two books called Invisible Emmie and The Baby-Sitters Club. It reminds me of Invisible Emmie because it's also a graphic novel, and the main characters are not the popular ones. It also reminds me of The Baby Sitters Club because they both have girls as the main character with lots of drama.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "01-Oct-2019 01:49:21", "publisher": "Algonquin Young Readers", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008269031", "title": "Pretty as a Picture: A Novel", "author": "Elizabeth Little", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 232, "review": "In Pretty as a Picture, Marissa has been hired as the new film editor for the legendary Tony Rees. His new movie is about a young woman who was murdered some twenty years ago, and they are filming on location at the original scene of the crime. The shoot has been plagued by accidents, indiscretions, and scandal, with most of the crew being fired. Marissa is not quite sure what she\u2019s walking into, but when the leading lady is murdered in the exact same way as the original victim, she knows she better get to the bottom of this. It\u2019s not great for your career to be trapped on an island with a murderer.

For some reason, I went into this book not really expecting to love it. I thought it would be entertaining, but I failed to guess how much I would love this book. Marissa\u2019s character resonated with me, as I tend to feel based on movie scenes as well and can be somewhat socially awkward. Little\u2019s style of writing in this book was perfect. Marissa\u2019s thought process written down is not unlike what goes on in my own head. The podcast interviews between chapters were also a fantastic addition. Any cinephile will enjoy this book. All the movie quotes and references alone were worth it, but add in a colorful cast of characters and murder, and you\u2019ve got something irresistible.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "01-Oct-2019 01:47:58", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008269027", "title": "Willa's Grove", "author": "Laura Munson", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 175, "review": "Willa's Grove is an easy read with a captivating premise: what happens when four women, each in a mid-life crisis, gather for a week in rural Montana to ponder the answer to the question: so now what? As it turns out, each of the four has secrets that take time\u2014and trust\u2014to unfold. The best parts of this book are the conversations and conversions that occur in nature, which Munson describes vividly. Montana-style nature encompasses the delicacy of hummingbirds and the menace of grizzly bears. Munson is good at helping readers feel the grief that Willa experiences. But her characters are hampered by her tendency to give them all speech that is absolutely littered with italics, which drove me mad after a while and made them sound too much like each other. I saw several of the final outcomes telegraphed many pages before they were revealed, so the novel lacked enough surprises for my taste. But I did enjoy how much it celebrates the company of women and the special support we can offer one another.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "01-Oct-2019 01:44:18", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008269019", "title": "Roll with It", "author": "Jamie Sumner", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 11", "word_count": 185, "review": "This book is about a girl named Ellie who has cerebral palsy. She and her mom live in Nashville. When her grandpa, who suffers from dementia, drives his truck into the front of a grocery store, Ellie\u2019s mom realizes she needs to move in and help care for him. This means a new school and new friends for Ellie. That is traumatic for any kid, but it is especially true for Ellie, who is in a wheelchair. Who will want to be friends with her?

It\u2019s a frustrating school transition because there is no wheelchair ramp on the school bus and the aide assigned to Ellie is less than stellar. In good news, Ellie makes two new friends, Coralee and Bert! But right as she is settling into her new life, Ellie\u2019s mom starts looking into assisted living facilities for her grandpa. That would mean a move back to Nashville!

I liked this book because it depicts some of the frustrations of a child who uses a wheelchair. It is a dose of reality that differently-abled kids have struggles that most able-bodied kids do not even realize.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "01-Oct-2019 00:22:46", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008268051", "title": "A Good Man: A Novel", "author": "Ani Katz", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahminneh - Age 14", "word_count": 638, "review": "An enigmatic, baffling story about a so-called \"good\" man and the women in his life. This book describes the slow, inevitable decline of Thomas Martin, who is constantly striving for control. The reader follows him through meeting Miriam, her meeting his family, their marriage and the birth of their daughter, Ava. Years later, Ava and her friends from her school make a joke about being sugar-babies without knowing what it means. It resulted in a heated argument about how they should discipline their daughter. Thomas, wanting to take away all Ava\u2019s tech, confines Miriam, who wants to talk it out and reason with Ava. After a failed ad pitch Thomas is fired after being accused of assault, this causes him to lie to his wife. Mustering up enough courage, Thomas discovers that Miriam was going to leave him. Leading him to murder his wife. Picking up Ava from his mother\u2019s home, Thomas takes her to the beach where he also murders her.

The plot was both original and intriguing. It, at first, paints Thomas as the innocent man who just wants to do all that he can to protect the women in his life and has the reader craving to learn more about his life --just like Miriam. Then the reader starts to question his motives when he loses control over things that he should know he can't control. Then, finally, the reader is thrown aback by his reactions to his losses of control. From major event to major event the plot flowed and made sense: the less control Thomas had over things, the less control he had over himself.

Katz was able to effectively tell the story of Thomas' downfall but also tell the story of his life as if it were just another biography; allowing the reader to get to know Thomas and the women in his life.

There was just enough dialogue so that it felt as though I was living through the events being recounted. Katz was able to place subtle clues that hinted at the inevitable end of the story. There wasn't a clear moral of the story, but the lesson the reader can take away is that some things are just uncontrollable and that sometimes we need to let go of these things. When it comes to the question of who should read this book there are many things to consider: the language, the plot, and the events within the book. Katz uses words that are not commonly used every day like, \u201cmorass\u201d and \u201cephemera\u201d. Based on the events in the story, I would recommend this book to ages fourteen and up. The interests would be a very small circle.

This book does remind me of two stories. Tannhauser: this one she mentions throughout the book. The plots are very similar. The protagonist, Tannhauser, commits a grievous sin, where he is forced to admit and go on a journey to the place where he will be able to receive forgiveness. The Sandman: particularly, E.T.A Hoffmann\u2019s rendition of the famous story in 1816, where Nathanael is constantly peppered by thoughts and fears of Coppelius being the Sandman which drive him insane and push his love, Clara, and his family away from him; as a result, he is forced to take his own life by jumping off a building. The line that connects all of these stories is the protagonists had something that they are forced to give up because of themselves and they are not able to cope with it, which forces them to do something that cannot be undone.

I would recommend this book because of how much I liked the plot and because you can learn so much from Ani Katz\u2019s debut book as a writer. To conclude, this was a well-written story but not one for the faint of heart.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "01-Oct-2019 02:02:38", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008267039", "title": "Last Day", "author": "Luanne Rice", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Breanna - Age 10", "word_count": 260, "review": "The Last Day by the New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice is an interesting book. Right from the get-go, you immediately come upon the main plot of the story. Last Day features two sisters named Beth and Kate Lathrop. Beth fell right through the world of art, while Kate became a pilot following her grandmother\u2019s footsteps. Both of these sisters experienced a tragedy. The night their mother was killed, the famous painting, Moonlight, owned by the Lathrop family, was stolen, but later the painting was recovered. Many years later, Kate once again encountered the same tragedy, staring at finding Beth\u2019s body on the ground, blood everywhere, and the famous painting, Moonlight, was stolen once again. Kate thought she was experiencing deja vu since both her mother and sister were dead and the same painting was stolen twice. Detective Reid believed that the person who did this was somebody in Beth\u2019s family. This detective swore to Beth and Kate when their mother died that he would keep both of them safe, now breaking the promise, he was on a mission to find the murderers who did a horrifying thing to Beth.

I would recommend this book to young adults who enjoy mystery novels and who also read before going to bed. This book really explains each character\u2019s characteristics and their importance to the mystery very well and lengthy. Every time I read this book for 30 minutes, I feel like I need to take a nap. This book has a lot of unnecessary details. Basically red herrings to the mystery.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "01-Oct-2019 01:50:45", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "412 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000008265035", "title": "The Making of You: The Incredible Journey from Cell to Human", "author": "Katharina Vestre", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 205, "review": "Even if you happened to learn about embryonic development in your high school science class, you have probably forgotten most of it \u2013 not to mention that our understanding of how the human body develops is constantly growing and evolving. This book brilliantly summarizes our current best understanding of how a human grows from germ cell to fertilized embryo to fetus during the nine months of gestation until birth. Along the way, you learn about DNA and genes and proteins, our evolutionary past and near and distant relatives, and a lot about the humble fruit fly. It's incredibly detailed, really getting into the mechanisms of why, for example, a hand forms when and where it does, or the process that the brain takes from mere neural tube to the densely folded wonder it is at birth; however, the writing is kept at overview level so you don't get lost in too much jargon. It is all incredibly fascinating, and the author explains it all with infectious enthusiasm, in a clear and straightforward way that is easy to understand even in the details. Anyone who wants to delve deeper will also appreciate the extensive reference section listing several scientific papers and studies to guide your study.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "01-Oct-2019 02:08:12", "publisher": "Greystone Books", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008438003", "title": "The Ganneret Legacy - awakening", "author": "M. K. Dakan", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 407, "review": "This book had me wondering what would happen next the whole way through. Alternating perspective by chapter in the third person, author M. K. Dakan introduces the reader to the Garnet Fleet led by Balto Malzan, a religious fanatic, as well as Jake Lowe, a highly intelligent college student with both physics and a girl named Mina on his mind. As the story engages the reader more, we understand how both of these characters' worlds intersect.

Jake goes on a trip with Mina and a boy she is dating and quickly realizes that he is the third wheel. Leaving her a note, Jake goes off to contemplate life and do a little snowshoeing. What he doesn\u2019t know is that there are beings from another planet, Ganneret, who are in desperate need of his help. These beings call to him using his strong aura, and he finds himself among robots who call him a pilot and explain to him that their ship needs both him as a pilot and a librarian. Unfortunately, the ship's librarian Mal-Tiga is in bad shape since their ship crashed to Earth. Jake must help Mal-Tiga get back to full health. On Balto\u2019s planet, the evil leader is planning on taking over Earth by blasting it and making water levels go up to get rid of the humans on the planet. In Balto's world, men are considered superior and are free to go around assaulting little girls. One such girl, Dari, accidentally finds out that she is suitable as a pilot much like Jake is. The story then connects both worlds as Jake tries to save Earth and Dari tries to help him by taking down Balto.

This story had a lot of excellent characters in it. I particularly liked the brave Dari because she never gave up on her mission and was also a spunky little girl who knew she was different from the others. Jake was also a fun character to follow as he matured quickly as his responsibilities became greater. The book also had some Star Wars-like robots that could carry out specific tasks for the humans and Gannerets. There were a few parts in the book that were a bit graphic when it came to violence. This book would definitely be for readers sixteen years and older. Overall, the story was easy to understand and had some great hold-your-breath action moments. A good read for fans of light science fiction.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Nov-2019 20:44:11", "publisher": "", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008437003", "title": "Dead Astronauts: A Novel", "author": "Jeff VanderMeer", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 203, "review": "In Dead Astronauts, bestselling author Jeff VanderMeer gives readers another novel set in the fascinating world of his previous novel, Borne. It can\u2019t really be called a sequel, but possibly a prequel as the events occur before the previous novel\u2019s story, though it doesn't involve any of the main characters. Nevertheless, the book expands the world and universe already set, adding depth and complexity.

Our astronauts in question are a strange trio of rebels who have been traveling through time and space for some time. They are always on the run from the all-powerful Company, looking for a place of safety and perhaps hope. But they must also deal with a great and ancient leviathan, an enigmatic blue fox that appears to be following them, as well as a strange homeless woman and a raving madman.

The book\u2019s flow and plotting is quite different than Borne, but more in the style of VanderMeer\u2019s Southern Reach trilogy. It can be sprawling and discombobulating at times, so readers looking for a straightforward chronological book might not fend too well with this. But for those readers who have come to love the author\u2019s prose for its wild and descriptive nature will certainly delight in Dead Astronauts.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "29-Nov-2019 20:02:13", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus & Giroux", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008433011", "title": "The Mystwick School of Musicraft", "author": "Jessica Khoury", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Kate - Age 12", "word_count": 201, "review": "\u201cWell I\u2019ll be Bach!' This was an amazing book with a good mix of mystery and fantasy. The characters grew throughout the book, and it was fun to try and figure out the mystery along with them. If you enjoy the Harry Potter series, you will enjoy this book as well. The adventures that the main trio of characters find themselves in, such as the great humfrog disaster, reminded me of Ron, Harry, and Hermionie from the Harry Potter series. Amelia was a very well written character, and her struggles adapting to a new school and trying to figure out what she's going to do and who she is made her very enjoyable to read about and easy to relate to. It was also interesting to see the other character stories, like Jai and Darby, though we don't get to see their point of view. Jai was probably my favorite character; he's funny, outgoing, cares about his friends, and is slightly more cautious about getting into trouble than Darby and Amelia. Darby\u2019s struggles to get over her friend's death and her snarky comments made her very entertaining as well. I would recommend this to all lovers of fantasy, music, and adventure.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "28-Nov-2019 02:14:15", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008432007", "title": "Hearts, Strings, and Other Breakable Things", "author": "Jacqueline Firkins", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 255, "review": "Edie Price never wanted to end up back in Mansfield, Massachusetts, not after she and her mom thought they had left the clique-y rich town behind forever. But now Edie\u2019s mom has been dead for three years, and her aunt and uncle have finally decided to give her a home until Edie finally turns eighteen and can hopefully set off for college. Edie\u2019s plans for the next few months don\u2019t include parties, makeovers from her cousins, or romance. Definitely not that last one. And yet, Edie soon finds herself torn between two local boys: Sebastian, her childhood friend and the boy next door\u2026who already has a girlfriend, and Henry, the local rogue who leaves a string of broken hearts in his wake but who seems determined to get on Edie\u2019s good side. When Edie gets caught up between them, can she fix the situation without breaking anyone\u2019s heart\u2014including her own?

Hearts, Strings, and Other Breakable Things sounds like it should simply be a fluffy summer young adult read, but anyone who picks up this novel will be pleasantly surprised by the intricate and moving story author Jacqueline Firkins has concocted. Edie is a fascinating character, and her continued grief is something a surprising number of readers will be able to identify with, as are her frustrations with the situations life has thrown at her since. The story is well written and engages young readers on teenage subjects while still also being interesting to older readers. It\u2019s worth wading through Edie\u2019s problems to get to this ending.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Nov-2019 02:15:02", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008431007", "title": "The Queen of Paris: A Novel of Coco Chanel", "author": "Pamela Binnings Ewen", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Alissa Smith", "word_count": 247, "review": "This is a story about Coco Chanel, the most elegant woman in Paris. Though her life was not always as glamorous as it may appear, she always looked and acted in the most proper and dignified manner. It is an almost classic story of love, loss, and revenge.The Queen of Paris is the story of Chanel\u2019s life during WW2 with some tidbits of information from her past. She has gone through many hardships in her life and this is the story of it all.

Chanel has had to fight for many things in her time: her business, her son, social status and her life just to name a few. Her business partner, Pierre Werthimer, is Jewish so he flees France, going to America. With him, he takes the formula for Chanel No.5, Coco\u2019s most famous perfume. Pierre has not consulted Chanel on this nor does he pay her her cut, so she has no choice but to consider this theft and take her case to court. It is difficult to live and stay afloat under the Nazi regime; it seems everything is going downhill for her when her son turns up in a prison camp and she must go to desperate measures to save him, as she would do anything for her son.

The storyline was very intriguing, but there were so many characters to remember, I kept mixing them up. This was an entertaining book that would be liked by anyone looking for a different perspective on WW2.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Nov-2019 01:58:27", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008431003", "title": "The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up the World", "author": "The Staff of The Undefeated", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jeffrey - Age 10", "word_count": 131, "review": "The Fierce 44 is a cool book about forty-four black Americans who stood against slavery or did something people thought that no black man/woman could do. I think this book is perfect for kids who like black history, however, I think it\u2019s more for thirteen-year-olds. Some of the words I did not know. I think that there should be a definition table about what words mean. You can learn two people a day and admire the artwork while learning. I learned a lot of new people like Stevie Wonder, Benjamin O. Davis Sr., and Jean Michel Basquiat and some further history like how Jesse Owens humiliated Hitler. In my opinion, I think it is a really good book for black history, and maybe next time it can go to fifty people.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Nov-2019 00:27:47", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008430027", "title": "Pale: A Novel", "author": "Edward A. Farmer", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 266, "review": "The summer of 1966 burned hot across America but nowhere hotter than the cotton fields of Mississippi. Finding herself in a precarious position as a black woman living alone, Bernice accepts her brother Floyd's invitation to join him as a servant to a white family, and so she enters the web of hostility and deception that is the Kern household.

The secrets of the house are plentiful but the silence that has encompassed it for so many years breaks with the arrival of the harvest and the appearance of Jesse and Fletcher at the plantation as cotton pickers. The brothers, sons of house servant Silva, awaken a vengeful seed within the Missus of the house as she plots to punish not only her husband but also Silva's family.

Pale is such a wonderfully written book. From the wonderful, well-rounded characters to the very descriptive setting and story, I could not help but feel as if I were in the story itself. And although the plot may be slow-paced on occasion, I felt as if the pace did a great job of showing the tension in the air, either thin as ice or thick as fog.

While many of the historical fiction books that I have read in the past pertain to World War II, with Pale taking place in an era that I have not read much about, I could not help but enjoy the journey that the book brought me on, and in a way, I couldn't help but feel like I learned something new about an era of American History that is often overlooked.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "28-Nov-2019 02:18:44", "publisher": "Blackstone Pub", "page_count": "229 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008430019", "title": "Meadowlark: A Novel", "author": "Melanie Abrams", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 241, "review": "Simrin and Arjun are old friends, connected by the childhood they spent in the cloistered, cult-like commune Ananda. But a complicated escape attempt sent Simrin into the free world and Arjun back to Ananda, where the other residents\u2019 reverence grew to a new and dangerous intensity. Decades later, Simrin\u2014now Simone, with a child of her own\u2014is surprised by how excited she is when she receives a message from Arjun asking for her help. He is the head of a new community called Meadowlark, a group convinced that their children are remarkable\u2014and that they can reach new levels of consciousness and success if given total freedom to do so. There are people, however, accusing Meadowlark adults of terrible crimes, and police are at the gate. Simrin agrees to help but isn\u2019t sure what to believe. Arjun\u2019s wife Bethany has her own reasons to fear the controversy\u2014and Simrin. These women\u2019s lives are about to collide, putting everything they love most at risk.

Meadowlark is a page-turning, gripping story about both the wonder of childhood and the adults who both envy and exploit it. Arjun\u2019s attempts to access the children\u2019s \u201cgifts\u201d are both pathetic and profound, calling into question what potential lies untapped and who has the authority, or the ability, to search for it. If there are no limits, how far might a child go? Who gets to say what \u201cgifts\u201d are worthwhile? And, more troubling\u2014if there is no oversight, who will say \u201cenough\u201d?", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2020", "date_added": "28-Nov-2019 02:12:38", "publisher": "Little A", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008430015", "title": "The Incredible Journey of Plants", "author": "Stefano Mancuso, with illustrations by Grisha Fischer", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ryder Miller", "word_count": 196, "review": "Stefano Mancuso, a professor from Italy, takes you along on The Incredible Journey of Plants. There are also accompanying watercolor illustrations by Grisha Fisher which beckon one to the botanical kingdom and sometimes hearken back to an earlier age. Mancuso is fascinated by plants and their abilities, pointing out that they are sensitive to their environments, that they can move slowly without losing their roots, and that they can also communicate. He also bemoans the fact that there is a lot we do not know about them. Mancuso is from the field of plant neurobiology which explores signaling and communications.

Much of the book is about how plants have been transported around the globe. Despite being written by someone with a knowledge of ecology and evolution, there is not a lot about evolutionary history here, which itself could be treated as a journey, it instead focuses on recent human history with mankind spreading plants and their seeds around the world. Botanists have planted cherished plants around the world. Animals have also played a large part in this process, with some seeds going through the digestive system and being taken elsewhere. Some are also survivors of harsh environments.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "28-Nov-2019 01:34:42", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008430011", "title": "In Five Years: A Novel", "author": "Rebecca Serle", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 197, "review": "Rebecca Serle has crafted a technically perfect novel. The pacing and plotting do not let go of the reader for one second. In fact, the chapters are just short enough, and action packed enough, that it\u2019s easy to find oneself saying \u201cjust one more chapter\u201d until the whole book is finished. She seamlessly fits the events of the story together in a way you absolutely don\u2019t see coming. My jaw literally dropped when I got to the end and saw how flawlessly she fit together the beginning of the story with the ending. It\u2019s a thing of rare beauty when an author can balance their story as masterfully as this one does.

The story itself, is far deeper and more dramatic than the cover copy leads one to believe. It sounds like a second chance romance book, but what you get is far more than that. Be prepared for deep emotions, a few laughs, and possibly a few tears as well. Reading this book is truly an experience. Don\u2019t start it unless you have hours to spend reading, because you won\u2019t want to put it down until you\u2019ve read every last word. This is an amazing book.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "28-Nov-2019 01:32:38", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008428007", "title": "The Golden Age, Book 1", "author": "Roxanne Moreil", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Breanna - Age 10", "word_count": 94, "review": "This is the best Adventure Book I have ever read! The Golden Age contains outdoor missions that need to be solved and it might make someone wonder what will happen in the next book of this series!\nThe main thing of the story is about how princess Tilda tries to reclaim her throne with the help of her two loyal friends. This book makes me feel like I wanted to go on the mission with the characters in the story. I think this book is good for teenagers that like adventures, treasures, and fantasy.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "26-Nov-2019 19:05:30", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008428003", "title": "Splash and Bubbles: Sharks!", "author": "The Jim Henson Company", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 193, "review": "Splash and Bubbles: Sharks! is a kid-sized encyclopedia on sharks. Okay, maybe a little less information is given than that in an actual encyclopedia, but this informative book offers many labeled pictures of different species of shark as well as their anatomy and other facts. The pictures are sharp and colorful and certain to catch the attention of kids of all ages. Fans of the PBS Kids show, Splash and Bubbles are sure to enjoy this book because of its familiar characters. The book starts out with an introduction to the main characters and the purpose of this book. From there, each character gives a different fact relating to sharks in its four chapters. Their habitat, physical features, behavior, and diet are the topics of each of the chapters. \nReading this to my four and five-year-old, I noticed that the facts given are many of the same ones we have read in other shark books. Regardless, I like reinforcing facts about things they learn about, and they love to learn about animals of all kinds. The facts presented cover all about sharks and are easy to digest for smaller minds with big curiosities.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "26-Nov-2019 19:00:19", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008427011", "title": "Ali Cross", "author": "James Patterson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Kianna - Age 9", "word_count": 196, "review": "Ali Cross was above and beyond. I love mystery books in general, but Ali Cross is one of my favorite books. Not one of my favorite MYSTERY books, one of my all-time FAVORITE books.

Ali Cross is about a boy whose father is a detective. Alex Cross is well known in James Patterson\u2019s adult mystery books. Ali Cross' friend Gabriel disappears when the winter break begins. Meanwhile, Alex Cross, Ali's dad, is anxiously awaiting whether or not he will be going to jail. This is what happened: Alex was just going to interview the father of someone that has been put in jail but the father wasn't having it. Then, the father accidentally fell down the steps and hit his head. He was soon in a coma. Now, many people are saying that Alex PUSHED the father and if he dies they will say that he murdered him. I know that it gets off to a rocky start, but it soon gets better. They are making progress on finding Gabriel. But Ali gets into a fight at school about Alex's trial.

To find out how it ends, you'll have to read the book! You\u2019ll love it!", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "26-Nov-2019 19:04:34", "publisher": "jimmy patterson", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5 "} {"id": "425035000008427007", "title": "Dog Driven", "author": "Terry Lynn Johnson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "McKenna Barney, fourteen, realizes her vision is failing. Her younger sister has already lost almost all her vision to a genetic disorder called Stargardt disease. McKenna faces the same fate, but she still has enough vision to compete in one more dogsled race, one that would carry important letters to try to raise awareness for Stargardt. And she cannot let her parents know what is happening or they will stop her. Even in the best of weather, a dogsled race is difficult, and there will be storms to face along the way. McKenna\u2019s dogs know her well and know how to race, and she finds unexpected help from two of her competitors. Maybe she can do this.

Terry Lynn Johnson has quite a franchise with middle-grade survival stories set in Alaska. This is a terrific survival story that will keep young readers totally engaged and turning pages. The writing is terrific, the dialogue is spot-on, and the characters are well rounded and completely believable. The story is very compelling. The family relationships not only in McKenna\u2019s life but those of her two competitors add a lot of complexity and credence to this great book.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "26-Nov-2019 18:59:05", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008424011", "title": "Starsight (Skyward Book 2)", "author": "Brandon Sanderson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 201, "review": "Many people are concerned with Spensa\u2019s loyalties once they discover she is a cytonic like her father, which led him to betray his kind. Her powers enable her to hear transmissions by the Krell, the race keeping her people on Detritus, the planet on which they are imprisoned. Doing daily training exercises, fighting the Krell pilots when they attack, and trying to find a way to fit their ships with a hyperdrive take up her days until a ship crashes on her planet. In a split decision, she takes the place of the foreign pilot and uses her powers to pretend to be the humanoid woman trying to get a post as a pilot with the Superiority, the group of races keeping the humans prisoner. Spensa will either find a hyperdrive to steal and return home a hero, or die trying.

Sanderson\u2019s sequel to Skyward is just as fast-paced and action-packed as the first. Favorite characters from the first join a new cast to help the humans learn more about their place in space and the reason they were almost wiped out. The focus on friendship and loyalty rather than competition and selfishness makes this middle-grade science fiction novel refreshing and memorable.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "26-Nov-2019 19:13:57", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Children's", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008423003", "title": "Mia: Ripples in the Water", "author": "D.A. Jennings", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - Age 9", "word_count": 400, "review": "A mouse named Mia, who loves adventure, gets inspired by her papino\u2019s trip to Africa. Her papino would read his journal from his adventure to Africa to Mia. He tells Mia about King Abdalla the lion and his father. A long time ago, Mia\u2019s big sister, Zola, wandered off and lost her memory. Mia\u2019s big brothers, Cade and Rupert, tried to scare Mia out of liking adventure because they don\u2019t want to lose Mia just like they lost Zola. They also wonder what\u2019s in Papino\u2019s journal. Mia gets scared, but she never stops liking adventure. Her Papino would tell her to dip her toe in the water and see where the ripples would take her. Mia sails on a journey to Africa, meeting lots of friendly animals along the way, like Twiga the giraffe and Deka the elephant. However, there are lots of other dangerous animals that try to eat her, like Effiom the crocodile and Faizeen the cheetah. But little does she know Cade and Rupert have been following her on her adventure the whole time! Mia\u2019s other friend, a bird named Pern, watches Cade and Rupert from above, just in case. Mia loves adventure, so she\u2019ll never stop doing it. Mia\u2019s curiosity and love for adventure give her toe a dip in the water, and a journey begins!

A book like this is a great book! But I don\u2019t like how Cade and Rupert treat Mia. The funny part is when Cade is asleep and Mia\u2019s friend spider, Spidey, spins a web inside one of Cade\u2019s nostrils and comes back out the other nostril! I like how Mia looks and seems just like Zola! They share the same lavender eyes, and they share the same love for adventure. I like Mia because she is very clever and kind. I also like how she helps if a friend is in pain. She is also very brave and quick. I like how, on the cover of the book, Pern\u2019s claw carries Mia across the hills because the picture is also inside of the book. At first, I thought the bird on the cover was the other bird in the story. I hope there will a second book in which Mia travels someplace else! Will Mia accomplish her journey without any fear? Or will she fail the trip and choose a different path? I recommend this book to someone who loves adventure.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "25-Nov-2019 18:44:39", "publisher": "Inlet Shade Publishing", "page_count": "197 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008422047", "title": "The Ganneret Legacy: Awakening", "author": "M. K. Dakan", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 514, "review": "M. K. Dakan\u2019s The Ganneret Legacy: Awakening is a sci-fi thriller that considers the near future and the potential fate of humanity. Speculative and action-packed, it should appeal to readers who enjoy a good mix of space opera, hard science, and deadly danger.

The story follows three main characters who all have a role to play in determining the future of the Earth. Balto Maltzan, the first leader of his people since the insurrection generation and prophet of the God of the Outer, is determined to guide his flock to the Blue Planet, the promised land, where they will live according to the true religion. Jake Lowe is an exceptional physics student who has come up with a theory that could revolutionize humanity\u2019s understanding of the universe, although his major concern remains his crush on classmate Mina. Melandari is a young girl who is doing her best to go unnoticed, but her insatiable curiosity and inherent desire to avoid the future mapped out for her means that she won\u2019t be able to hide for long.

In The Ganneret Legacy: Awakening these three disparate characters find themselves on a collision course as they all attempt to secure their place in the world. Single-minded and brutal, to say nothing of deeply hypocritical, Balto Maltzan is a thoroughly unpleasant character whose despotic rule has resulted in innumerable deaths, widespread despair, and the total subjugation of women. Melandari falls afoul of him early in the story, with the resultant events showing his appalling nature and her exceptional bravery. (There needs to be a trigger warning here as, particularly early on in the book, there are scenes of a mature and sexual nature that may well distress some readers.) Melandari ultimately finds some unexpected allies and learns that her destiny is far bigger than she could ever have imagined. Throughout the book, she is the most interesting and engaging character. Jake Lowe starts off as a bit of a wet blanket, but he also has an exceptional destiny, and his character becomes much more fleshed out and appealing as the story progresses and he moves closer to understanding the danger facing the Earth.

M K Dakan clearly has a good understanding of science, as the principles that influence the story are thoroughly explained and based on reality, which helps to make the events seem fairly plausible. If anything, there are sometimes too many details. Still, there\u2019s plenty of action and even a smidge of interstellar warfare. It would have been good if the secondary characters were better developed, especially in the case of Rahily and Martel, who were highly original creations and showed great promise. The scenes of a sexual nature (notably those involving the twelve-year-old Melandari) mean that the book is definitely not suitable for all audiences, but the sci-fi and dystopian elements of the story will appeal to many readers.

The author\u2019s note at the end of The Ganneret Legacy: Awakening suggests that it is to be the first book in a series, so it\u2019ll be interesting to see what Dakan next has in store for readers.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Nov-2019 23:45:38", "publisher": "", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008422043", "title": "Scripting the Life You Want: Manifest Your Dreams with Just Pen and Paper", "author": "Royce Christyn", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 219, "review": "What is scripting? It is basically writing down how you want your day to unfold. The author suggests making a list of your wants and beliefs, which include some mundane things that you already know will happen. Some or all of these things are incorporated into your daily script. Which is like writing a journal account of your day as you want it to occur. This is followed by an evening entry into a nightly journal where you write down what actually happened. By using the examples and tips, the author gives you should see your daily script align with your nightly journal in a short time.

I love that the author presents a simple way to bring about changes in our day-to-day lives quickly. If you are drawn to the theory of the law of attraction but have trouble manifesting your desires, this book might help. The author writes with a passion and enthusiasm that inspired me to write my first daily script. This helped me focus on the day ahead. However, he does go into a lot of scientific information about how and why he thinks this works, which I'm not sure I needed. Nevertheless, this guide is good at showing you how to incorporate scripting into your life. All you need is a pen and paper.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "25-Nov-2019 23:42:37", "publisher": "Inner Traditions", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008422027", "title": "Strange Exit", "author": "Parker Peevyhouse", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 202, "review": "The world has come down to a simulation. Lake is on a mission to wake those still in the sim in order to save everyone on board, kept waiting for decades to go back to an Earth that has healed after a cataclysmic event. It\u2019s a delicate procedure\u2014you cannot just tell sleepers to wake up. Lake has to find what they cherish most and bring them slowly back to the realization that they are hiding in a sim. When she wakes Taren, who has been in the sim a long time, she hesitantly accepts his aid, but realizes, too late, that he was in too long, and his help may jeopardize the health and lives and future of all on board.

Science fiction has a new addition to its ranks\u2014this one combines an uncertain future with the questionable safety of technology and gaming into one. There are aspects similar to Nyxia by Scott Reintgen and Life as we knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Even though no satisfactory explanation is offered for the fact that the teens are still teens decades after the destruction of Earth\u2019s atmosphere, the quick pace and well-developed characters make it a book that is impossible to set aside.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "25-Nov-2019 22:59:31", "publisher": "Tor Teen", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008422011", "title": "Points North: Discover Hidden Campgrounds, Natural Wonders, and Waterways of the Upper Peninsula", "author": "Mikel B Classen", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a really special place. Separate from the rest of the state, it doesn\u2019t have any major metropolitan areas. Marquette, with a population of just over twenty-one thousand, is the largest city. But who needs cities when one can find an abundance of parks, museums, ghost towns, wilderness areas, hiking trails, rivers, lighthouses, and more. This wonderful book has forty destinations, each with a write-up of two to five pages that includes beautiful full-color photographs and a detailed accounting of what the place has to offer. When appropriate, there is also history woven in. The writing is lively and shows the passion author Mikel B. Classen has for his subject. He has been to all these places and describes them in great detail. The photos were taken by Classen, and are a great addition to the book. Every page will entice readers to hit the road and head to the north country to uncover these delightful destinations for themselves, but even if one is merely an armchair traveler, this book will be a great addition to their library. It is so well-written and designed, that it will satisfy every type of adventurer.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "22-Nov-2019 20:58:33", "publisher": "Modern History Press", "page_count": "132 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008421043", "title": "You Let Me In", "author": "Camilla Bruce", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 192, "review": "Cassandra Tipp is a seventy-four-year-old writer of romance novels when she disappears. She has not lived an ordinary life \u2014a traumatic childhood was followed by accusations of murder when her husband died and more trauma when she lost her brother and father to murder and suicide. After years of success as a writer, she leaves behind quite an estate with rather odd instructions. If she doesn\u2019t turn up in a year, her niece or nephew or both can claim her estate. They must go to her study in her house and read a manuscript left there for them to find a secret password that they must give to her attorney to complete their claim. The manuscript is a long letter to her niece and nephew, and it\u2019s hard to know if she was completely crazy or really had such a traumatic life. It\u2019s complicated.

Author Camilla Bruce is clearly an accomplished writer, and she weaves quite a tale. It is not a typical mystery as it includes some serious (and very creepy) elements of fantasy. Readers who enjoy being frightened half out of their wits and thrive on tension will love this one.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Nov-2019 23:54:41", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008421011", "title": "The Confession Club: A Novel", "author": "Elizabeth Berg", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 199, "review": "The third installment in Elizabeth Berg\u2019s Mason series, which began with Arthur Truluv, The Confession Club: A Novel contains the same heartwarming, uplifting stories that readers have come to love in the previous books while introducing new characters and revisiting old friends in the small Missouri town of Mason.

The small supper club turned confession club, where local women come together to share food, wine, and their most embarrassing secrets, invite two new members in: Iris Winters and Maddy Harris. Iris has taken over in teaching Lucille\u2019s cooking classes, and Maddy has returned from New York with her daughter, circling back to her home town when worries overcome her in the big city.

Second chances, new hopes, and heartwarming humor abound in this book. Berg strikes the perfect note of sentimental and uplifting, without wandering into the sappy or overdone, in this series, and The Confession Club is no different. Things don\u2019t all work out perfectly for her characters, indeed some things stay quite messy or become deeply sad. But the power of love and friendship, Arthur Truluv\u2019s legacy remains, and that carries the story, and the club, through most everything. This is a book that\u2019s easy to get lost in.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "22-Nov-2019 19:54:02", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008419011", "title": "Girl, Woman, Other: A Novel (Booker Prize Winner)", "author": "Bernardine Evaristo", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 263, "review": "In her recent Booker Prize-winning novel, Bernardine Evaristo explores the lives, loves, and losses of a panoply of women of color. Those to the manor born, the English upper crust, strivers and strugglers, artists and academics populate this beautiful and intricate book which seems to define women\u2019s experience as perfectly undefinable. The novel affirms that there is no one way to be a girl, to be a woman, to be other, but all types of women are infinitely powerful, beautiful, and necessary.

Told in five sections comprised of three chapters each, the book focuses on women whose lives intersect in numerous and often surprising ways. An early character proves to be a lover of a latter one, the matriarch in one chapter is revealed to be the petulant daughter in another\u2014the tapestry is woven artfully and, for attentive readers, richly rewarding. While the book is unconventionally written\u2014the narratives are not traditionally linear; paragraphs lack structure and sentences often lack punctuation\u2014it is remarkably easy to read. There is a natural, almost spoken rhythm to the lines, as if Evaristo has invited you to sit beside her as she tells you these myriad and wildly interesting stories.

Amma, a playwright and director, begins the book, and it is the opening night of her most recent production that locates these women and their lives, but the book is as much the simple act of living as it is about art and expression. It could be argued that Girl, Woman, Other is fundamentally a novel about life as art, and that is what makes it so important and meaningful.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "22-Nov-2019 19:31:07", "publisher": "Grove Press, Black Cat", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008418051", "title": "Some Assembly Required: Decoding Four Billion Years of Life, from Ancient Fossils to DNA", "author": "Neil Shubin", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 239, "review": "The conundrum that has puzzled philosophers and scientists across the ages is the story of how man appeared, his relationship to other organisms, along with the mystery of evolution. These are the questions that Paleontologist Neil Shubin, covers in this absorbing account of the quest to understand how life evolved. Clues from fossil evidence led to studies of relationships among species, then onto the study of embryos in their developmental stages. Comparisons indicated the presence of precursor structures in fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals that resulted in fins, appendages, wings, and fingers, these structures hidden in snakes. With the discovery of chromosomes and the unraveling of DNA, the master key to the process of development with chance modification was uncovered. And remarkably, the DNA of the differing phyla was found to be similar. This epic saga of how evolution can be examined and even perhaps manipulated at the genetic level is chronicled in this engrossing tale. In this scientific scramble across the ages, the author embraces the stories of the involved investigators, revealing their passions along with some of their quirks and habits, their conflicts, and primarily their brilliant determination to master their curiosity. Take advantage of this charmingly accessible book to follow the fossils into the submicroscopic world of genes and inspect their molecular chicanery to gain some views as to how change and time interact. And if you like mysteries, here is an unparalleled scientific thriller.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2020", "date_added": "25-Nov-2019 23:03:14", "publisher": "Pantheon", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008418031", "title": "The Dark Corners of the Night", "author": "Meg Gardiner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 235, "review": "The Midnight Man is terrorizing families in LA. He kills the parents and leaves the children alive, witnesses to his horrible crimes. FBI agent Caitlin Hendrix will have to search The Dark Corners of the Night to catch this UNSUB. This is different than anything she has faced before and she isn\u2019t sure if she will be able to do what needs to be done if she catches up with this killer. Her last two cases have taken their toll on her and this case will push her to her limits. The killer is beginning to escalate his violence and now a little girl is caught in the crossfire. Caitlin will have to rise to the challenge, but at what cost to those around her and to herself?

I could not put this book down. I have been hooked on the UNSUB series since I picked up the first book. This whole series is well written and chock full of suspense. Caitlin\u2019s character is brilliant as well as relatable as she deals with her flaws and struggles all while trying to stop serial killers. The physical toll it takes on her as she has to get inside the killers\u2019 heads to create a profile and try to catch them before they kill again is very insightful. I highly recommend this series and look forward to the next book as well as the planned TV series.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "22-Nov-2019 21:05:44", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008418027", "title": "I Remember: Poems and Pictures of Heritage", "author": "Lee Bennett Hopkins", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Fathers and mothers, grandparents, aunties and uncles, neighbors and friends: they have all contributed to the tapestry that is each of us as Americans. They taught us to draw, write, stitch, sing. They told us stories of our ancestors and of lands near and far from which they came. This collection of poems by well-known writers of children\u2019s poetry shines a light on those moments in childhood that helped to shape each of us: the slights we felt, the love shown to us, the struggles with identity, the travels, the foods, the songs, the smells. The poems have a wide variety of forms. Some rhyme, most don\u2019t, some are short, some are long, but all are powerful and steeped in childhood memories. Accompanying the poems are wonderful pieces of art by a number of American artists that enhance and sometimes reflect the poems. This joyful collection was compiled by the late, award-winning poet Lee Bennett Hopkins, who compiled a great many wonderful collections of children\u2019s poetry during his life. This may be one of his best and is perfect for the middle-grade set. This will be a great addition to any library\u2014classroom, school, or personal.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "22-Nov-2019 20:50:33", "publisher": "Lee & Low Books", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008418015", "title": "The Princess Who Flew with Dragons", "author": "Stephanie Burgis", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 8", "word_count": 216, "review": "The Princess Who Flew with Dragons is an adventurous tale that allows children to open their imagination and see the world in their own unique way as they read about Sofia, the Princess.

Sofia is sent by her sister to the City of Villine in order to complete a duty only a princess could do. Sofia has never been very good at completing princess duties, but she follows her sister's orders and does as she is told. In order to get to Villine, Sofia has to travel in a carriage that is carried by a dragon. As they approach her destination, the city begins firing cannonballs at the carriage and dragon. In an effort to show the people of Villine that she is coming in peace, Sofia opens the door of her carriage and begins waving a flag, but she falls and lands straight into the dragon's mouth! Will Sofia perish or will she survive to go on the adventure of a lifetime?

The Princess Who Flew with Dragons is a wonderful story for fantasy-loving children with big imaginations. I loved reading this story and did not want to put it down. Be sure to grab a copy and curl up in a comfortable spot because you won't want to put it down once you pick it up!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "22-Nov-2019 19:46:33", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008417039", "title": "The Safety Net (Inspector Montalbano)", "author": "Andrea Camilleri", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 206, "review": "The best of The Safety Net comes in the first chapters. Detective Montalbano is asked to find out what lies behind six reels of home movies, all taken at exactly the same time, on exactly the same day for six consecutive years, and all showing exactly the same scene: part of a wall. This intriguing premise should be the start of a terrific story in the hands of a writer of Andrea Camilleri\u2019s quality. Instead, he switches horses in midstream, introducing a second and much less interesting mystery about an attack on a local school by two armed men. Around page 160, the author seems to suddenly remember the first story and casually mentions that Montalbano had \u2018practically forgotten the mystery of the wall.\u2019 Ditto for the reader. It might be expected that the two parts come together in some clever manner, but that never happens. Moreover, both mysteries are rather transparent and easily deciphered early in the development of each. The frequent descriptions of Italian food and cooking become tedious after a while and the attempt to render the local Italian dialect in English makes for some annoyingly difficult-to-understand dialogue. True fans of Inspector Montalbano may enjoy this book but perhaps not many others will.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "25-Nov-2019 23:32:16", "publisher": "Penguin Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008417035", "title": "Flyaway", "author": "Kathleen Jennings", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 213, "review": "Bettina Scott is a proper young woman. She would never go against her mother\u2019s wishes. But when she receives a note from her missing brothers, she starts to question everything she thought she knew. With the help of some friends, she begins to dig into her past and attempts to find out what really happened to her father and her two brothers. She\u2019ll have to work quickly before all the answers begin to fly away.

I\u2019m not entirely sure what to make of this book. Even after reading it, I couldn\u2019t confidently tell you what happened. The author\u2019s writing style felt heavy on description and weak on storytelling. It was disjointed and sometimes felt very random. It left me with more questions than answers. I did enjoy the folktales, but even with those, it was a bit hard to understand what was actually occurring. The book is very short, and I think the author could have used a few more pages to develop the story and characters. Bettina is obviously the main character, but even so, I don\u2019t know much more about her than when I started. I don\u2019t know that I would recommend this if you like fairy tales and folktales. If you enjoy unclear Gothic stories, then you will probably love this.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "25-Nov-2019 23:08:59", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008417011", "title": "Verse and Vengeance: A Magical Bookshop Mystery", "author": "Amanda Flower", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 232, "review": "Violet is back with her magical bookshop and a brand-new mystery to devour. The fourth book in the Magical Bookshop Mystery series pulls Violet through another emotional wringer when one of her students is at the heart of the last murder case and who immediately disappears. This is the catalyst that drives her to investigate and uncover her student\u2019s secrets. The mystery draws out a few secrets about Violet\u2019s boyfriend Chief Rainwater\u2019s own family which draws him further into the case and only adds to the fear she has of her own secret being exposed. Her relationship with Rainwater is at the center of the story as the weight of telling him the truth weighs on her. With her grandma eager for her to reveal the truth about their family, Violet has a choice to make. Poetry plays an important role in this mystery as the book at the core of this episode is Whitman\u2019s Leaves of Grass, with each verse adding insightful wonderings and interruptions that are key to unveiling the killer. Amanda Flower delves deeper into the origins of the magic bookshop when Violet learns intriguing family history that puts life into perspective. Verse and Vengeance is a humorous, charming, and addicting mystery that has a magical bookshop that is every reader's dream come true, a sweet romance with a handsome chief, and delightful characters guaranteed to make you smile.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "22-Nov-2019 20:19:45", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008417003", "title": "Mia - Ripples in the Water", "author": "D.A. Jennings", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 551, "review": "She\u2019s a sweet and adventurous mouse who lives in constant fear of the ridicule of Cade and Rupert, two of her eldest brothers. They once chased her with a swarming beehive and ended up tragically ripping her ear with the sharp stick from which it hung. They often take her food, leaving her famished, and to fend for herself. Worst of all, the two boys lie awake at night waiting for Papino to finish reading to his adored Mia. Then, they creep slowly to her bed to deliver their evil threats of sabotaging the very thing that means the most to her: the freedom to explore the meadows during the day where she can dream of new beginnings, play without fear, and be watched over closely by her loyal friend, Pern. He follows her wherever she goes, trying to protect her from all the sadness and dangers that exist in her small world. Mia\u2019s greatest desire is to someday make it across the Mediterranean Sea, all the way to Africa. She desperately wants to meet the courageous lion Abdulla that Papino has read to her about from his sacred journal. After much trepidation, Mia convinces her parents that she must go. Papino tells Mamma that \u201cwithin the dark embrace of fear, the heart slowly dies\u201d and hands Mia a map of the route she must take. He cleverly tells her \u201cto follow the ripples where they take her.\u201d With the bravery of a soldier, she embarks on a journey of a lifetime, never losing sight of her ultimate goal. Her travels are filled with unforeseen challenges, marked with budding friendships, and ripe with the passion only a true adventurer possesses. Her dreams are finally realized when she comes face-to-face with the great Abdullah, and due to some twists and turns and new awakenings, some of her worries of the past are no more. Repentance and forgiveness pave the way for healing and acceptance.

This is a beautiful story that encapsulates the heart of the reader, offering to brighten even the darkest of days through its sweet innocence. It touches on every formidable emotion, from sadness and fear to jubilation and hope. D.A. Jennings\u2019 style allows readers to feel a part of every moment of Mia\u2019s journey from beginning to end, traveling with her through the tumultuous times in the old, dismantled barn in Southern Italy where her family lives and into the exotic land of amazing animals and flat terrain of Africa. Mia - Ripples in the Water is full of adventure and surprise. It\u2019s certain to hold the attention of young readers who have fondness in their hearts for the creatures of the earth, as they are plentiful in this delightful story. The chapters are relatively short, and the reading level of the text is perfect for students who read at a 4th grade level. However, Jennings\u2019 work will likely appeal to a much broader audience, namely, children between the ages of 8 and 12. The content is rich with topics relevant to young children: love, friendship, forgiveness, bullying, loss, justice, and success. Additionally, the words of wisdom shared by Papino, Pern, and Mia throughout the story make this book ideal to use for literature circles and whole class readings. They are likely to spawn fruitful discussions and even internal growth.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "22-Nov-2019 15:00:07", "publisher": "Inlet Shade Publishing", "page_count": "197 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008415035", "title": "Eight Perfect Murders: A Novel", "author": "Peter Swanson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 229, "review": "Is it possible to commit the perfect murder? Malcolm Kershaw is the co-owner of a popular bookstore in the Boston suburbs. His normal day-to-day existence is interrupted when FBI Agent Gwen Mulvey contacts him. She is curious about a number of murders that have been committed recently, and how they relate to an old blog post from Kershaw. The post, which was to promote the store, regaled the reader with Kershaw\u2019s list of eight perfect murders from fiction. The victims share little in common, with the exception of less-than-stellar reputations. As Kershaw listens to the victims and their respective methods of demise, one victim is familiar. He keeps the information to himself. He decides to aid Agent Mulvey in looking at the titles mentioned in his list and looking for other possible deaths connected to the list. As Malcolm dives into the past, his own skeletons threaten to be disinterred with disastrous consequences. Is Malcolm a person of interest, a potential victim on an ever-growing list?

Eight Perfect Murders is the latest entry in the growing library of nail-biting suspense penned by Peter Swanson. The tension builds with each chapter, the reader quietly pondering when the next body will fall. The characters are well-written, smart dialogue in abundance. As the book hits each prospective fork in the road, the reader will gladly follow the journey anywhere and be rewarded. A+", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "21-Nov-2019 02:50:02", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008415019", "title": "Night of Dangers (Adventurers Guild, The Book 3) (The Adventurers Guild)", "author": "Zack Loran Clark", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Paloma - Age 13", "word_count": 200, "review": "Freestone is in danger again. But this time it\u2019s different. The danger comes from within. A dozen have died because of a Danger inside the walls. When the adventurers went on a mission, it was sabotaged. Finally, one of their own is accused of horrific crimes. Brock doesn\u2019t know who\u2019s behind it. And Zed can\u2019t tell him, because Makiva is controlling his body. Will Brock realize that his supposed friend is an imposter before it\u2019s too late? Or can Zed break free and save everyone? Or will they both fail\u2026 and watch the world fall apart around them?

I love this book and this series! It\u2019s action-packed, full of surprises, and awesome characters. I would say that it is a little more violent than the others. You should know that some (ok, several) characters die. It\u2019s not a good book for little kids, but you probably know that. I don\u2019t think you should read this book before the other ones. I could gush about this all day - so exciting! So surprising! So funny! But I have a word limit. So, please, don\u2019t miss out on this thrilling conclusion to your favorite series, packed with secrets, betrayals, and snarky quips!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "21-Nov-2019 02:13:40", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008414011", "title": "A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon: (Juvenile Fiction, Mystery, Young Reader Detective Story, Light Fantasy for Kids)", "author": "Karen Romano Young", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Abigail", "word_count": 194, "review": "Pearl has spent her entire life in the library, her mom is the circulation librarian at the Lancaster Avenue branch of the New York City Library. Even though Pearl doesn\u2019t have a lot of friends her age, she is friends with all the grown-ups at the library. Pearl\u2019s favorite part of the Lancaster Avenue library is the garden with the statue of Edna St. Vincent Millay, a poet that had come from their neighborhood. When the statue\u2019s head goes missing one night everything changes at the library. Pearl must learn to make new friends and allow them to help her save the library she loves so much.

Even though Pearl fights her feelings against new friends she eventually allows them to help her which shows how even if you are uncomfortable if you give someone a chance you might end up liking them. All of the characters in the book are very unique, and I think it really shows how New York City really is. I really enjoyed that along with the story and the mystery the book was filled with sidebars with interesting facts and notes about other books that are Pearl\u2019s favorites.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "21-Nov-2019 01:30:02", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "392 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008412051", "title": "Devoted", "author": "Dean Koontz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 175, "review": "There are prolific authors who have a loyal following, stay in their genre lane, and embroider consistent themes throughout their books. Dean Koontz is among them. This book reads movie-ready; he is a very good writer, and the reader can easily visualize every scene in the book. Koontz also has a great love of golden retrievers, which figure prominently in many of his stories. This reader agrees that all dogs are exceptional, but in Devoted, Koontz\u2019s hero dog is paranormal. The readers will concur that it would take such a special dog to fend off all the strange happenings within this suspenseful story. Koontz pays homage to dogs with the epigram which begins this volume: \u201call answers are contained in the dog.\u201d

The reader can find easy parallels to current events in this story of unbridled corporate greed setting loose a plague upon the world. The events in the book are truly monstrous and perhaps not for the faint-hearted such as me, but faithful readers of Koontz will be delighted by another volume from this master.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2020", "date_added": "21-Nov-2019 02:53:46", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "370 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008412043", "title": "Queen of the Unwanted (The Women's War Book 2)", "author": "Jenna Glass", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 231, "review": "Alys may be the acknowledged queen of the Women's Well\u2014the fledgling colony where women hold equal status with men\u2014but she has little care for politics in the wake of an appalling personal tragedy. It is grief that rules her now. But the world continues to turn. In a distant realm unused to female rulers, Ellin struggles to maintain control. Meanwhile, the king of the island nation Khalpar recruits an abbess whom he thinks holds the key to reversing a spell that Alys\u2019s mother gave her life to create. Unless these three women can all come together and embrace the true nature of female power, everything they have struggled to achieve may be at risk.

Queen of The Unwanted is a sequel for Jenna Glass's The Women's War, so if you haven't yet had the time to read the first book in the series, I would suggest you start there. Much like the previous book in the series, Queen of the Unwanted has a wonderfully written world filled to the brim with a great mix of characters both good and bad. Although there are many wonderful things about Queen of The Unwanted, like the wonderfully written world, beautiful characters, and ever-changing politics surrounding every twist and turn, the first half of the book was a slow burn, though that would all change with the unexpected twists and turns of the second half.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "21-Nov-2019 02:51:10", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "592 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008412023", "title": "What Color Is Night?", "author": "Grant Snider", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sarah - Age 5", "word_count": 149, "review": "What Color Is Night by Grant Snider is about being able to see the beautiful colors even when it is dark outside. The black sky is filled with beautiful stars that shine bright in the sky. The story starts with a little girl who is looking out the window to see what color the sky is. The pictures were bright and pretty, and I like how they show that the colors at night do not just come to the sky, they also come from the city lights and the fireflies in the country.

This is a really fun book that I have enjoyed reading with my family. Because I live in the country I love being able to see the fireflies outside of my window, so I liked seeing it in the book as well. This is a fun book for all ages, and I recommend that everyone read it!", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "21-Nov-2019 01:33:40", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008412019", "title": "Reading Beauty: (Empowering Books, Early Elementary Story Books, Stories for Kids, Bedtime Stories for Girls)", "author": "Deborah Underwood", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 6", "word_count": 179, "review": "Reading Beauty is like Sleeping Beauty except it has books. Lex likes books and reading. When she turns fifteen, her parents take all her books away. A fairy has cursed Lex. The fairy says that Lex will get a paper cut and she will fall asleep unless she has true love's kiss and that will wake her. So her parents take all the books away because they are scared. Lex wants to find the fairy to break the curse. The fairy thinks the king and queen did not invite her to the ball, even though they did, so the fairy got angry and cursed Lex when she was a baby. The dog helps find the lost invitation. Then Lex teaches the fairy how to read, and there are books in the kingdom again. The fairy becomes a librarian at the end, which is funny. I thought the story and the illustrations were okay. The illustrations weren't very cute, and I like cute stories with cute pictures. I think children who like the Sleeping Beauty story might like this story.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "21-Nov-2019 01:32:27", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008411023", "title": "Call Down the Hawk (The Dreamer Trilogy, Book 1)", "author": "Maggie Stiefvater", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 204, "review": "Ronan is a dreamer, someone who can bring things back from his dreams, like paintings, like animals, like people. Jordan is a dreamer too, but her dreams are more like nightmares of death. Carmen hunts them both, and any others like them, as it is forecast that dreamers will bring about the end of the world in a firestorm of death and destruction. In this world, Visionaries see into the future, helping hunters find and kill Zeds, the dreamers who will end the world. But Ronan and Jordan must stay alive, as their creations die if they do. With the help of another dreamer and some practice controlling their dreams, there is hope that they may live another day to dream another dream.

Call Down the Hawk continues the story of Ronan, a favorite character from the author\u2019s Raven Cycle series. Stiefvater has expanded on a world in which dreams manifest themselves into reality, taking a twist on a topic that has fascinated people for many, many years. It is a complex story, with budding relationships that help to balance out the storyline of Ronan and Adam and nameless entities that are trying to end it all. The highly anticipated sequel arrives later in 2020.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "21-Nov-2019 02:11:06", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008411011", "title": "The Ship of Dreams: The Sinking of the Titanic and the End of the Edwardian Era", "author": "Mr. Gareth Russell", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 278, "review": "Gareth Russell's masterful work The Ship of Dreams offers a rich and complex canvas of humanity and history. By seeing the great seas disaster through the eyes of a handful of passengers, the author is able to provide more insight and more vivid imagery than the typical Titanic book. It is so meticulously researched, and the characters are so vibrant and fully formed that it breezes along with the same caviar impulses of the Edwardian age.

The time of tragic inequalities and the lucky fortune of birth are showcased quite clearly. Everyone knows the story of the ship and the morality story that unfolded on its decks that dark April night. But what many people don't know is the atmosphere of the era and the climate of blind faith in technology that allowed the largest man-made object to run head first into an iceberg. The cold detached manner in which people are relegated into class and the space on lifeboats is given mostly based on chance.

This is not a merit based world. But it is a time of social graces and a sense of collective progress. Russell takes these common themes and paints a narrative that manages to do honor to the history of the event and the lives of its passengers.

Since 1955, the Titanic fan's Bible has been A Night to Remember by Walter Lord. Each successive Titanic biographer has tried and largely failed to equal Lord's great work. The strength of Russell is not that he succeed in eclipsing Lord, but rather that he managed to moved beyond him by retelling the fabled tale while taking it out of the deep shadow it casts.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "20-Nov-2019 21:23:27", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008403019", "title": "Ranger Rick: I Wish I Was a Bison", "author": "Jennifer Bov\u00e9", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - Age 5", "word_count": 157, "review": "Did you know bison talk with their tails? Or that they take dust baths? I didn't either until I read this book. I really like the I Can Read Books once I start reading them! I think non-fiction books are hard to read but the way the book has a question on each page and then answers with all sorts of cool facts makes it easier to learn and remember! I like all the real-life pictures in the book too! (Especially the ones with baby bison in them!) My dad really liked the questions Ranger Rick brought up in the book. It helped me learn about bison and about myself. I read this book out loud to my sisters and then used the Did you know and wild words pages at the end to test them like we do in school. I love to play school so this was really fun! Overall I really liked this book!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "19-Nov-2019 00:02:08", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008402007", "title": "The Clutter Remedy: A Guide to Getting Organized for Those Who Love Their Stuff", "author": "Marla Stone", "category": "N10 Home & Garden", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 206, "review": "A clean and organized house usually produces a calm and happy environment for people; for most people though, they equate an organized space as having minimal items. Marla Stone is here to tell you that you've got it all wrong. With a background in social work and as a psychotherapist, Stone's advice centers around the idea that to keep up with an organized external living space, you must keep up with your internal living space. There is not much hope of keeping your things, however much or little, in an organized fashion, if you still need to be working on yourself to appreciate the things you have. Filled with self-help tips, as well as advice on how to organize your home based on the room and items, Stone's words of wisdom can be useful for anyone if they will allow the help.

Just hearing the title, I assumed it would be a book with pictures and ideas for organizing your home, but instead, it's a book with life advice, tips, and useful organizational skills all presented in the text. I believe every word that Stone has to say, and know that it can help so many people on their journey to a cleaner home and life.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "18-Nov-2019 22:41:06", "publisher": "New World Library", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008397003", "title": "Life in Medieval Europe: Fact and Fiction", "author": "Dani\u00e8le Cybulskie", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "Many of today\u2019s books, movies, and television shows are set in medieval Europe, and for many today these shows and books form the basis of information about that time. But how true are the representations of how people lived, what they ate, how they dressed, what they did for work and for fun, and so much more? Wouldn\u2019t it be nice to have a book with answers to those questions that is easy to access and very readable? Look no further. Author Daniele Cybulskie is a former college professor and expert in all things medieval, but more than that, she has an accessible, conversational style in writing about this topic. Not many have the ability to make history as fun and interesting as Ms. Cybulskie does. For instance, in the food section there is this little gem: \u201cIf a mouse falls into a liquid, it shall be removed and sprinkled with holy water\u201d and the food could then be served. She covers all aspects of life (the section on underwear is pretty interesting, including facts about communal underwear), and it is nicely organized, making the needed information easy to find and access. This is a great read. Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "14-Nov-2019 23:23:37", "publisher": "Pen and Sword History", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008395015", "title": "Ancient Egyptian Warfare: Tactics, Weaponry and Ideology of the Pharaohs (Casemate Short History)", "author": "Ian Shaw", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 246, "review": "This tiny gem of a book is an engaging introduction into Iron Age combat, covering all manner of Egyptian warfare. For anyone interested in battle tactics, military strategy, weaponry, or even battle injuries, this is your book.

With so much of ancient and medieval military history shrouded in the deep depths of time, this book seeks to pull back the veil, showcasing a wide range of concepts complemented by marvelous illustrations. The book starts off with a wonderfully detailed outline of this subject matter, and there are is a breathtaking volume of historical facts before the reader's attention is even turned on the actual book. While not a complete study on the combat habits of ancient Egypt, the book instead presents interesting observations and associations with the reader as a jumping-off point. It\u2019s well-researched examinations of military strategies and cultural ideologies.

We are all so used to the common associations of ancient Egypt: the pyramids, its far-reaching architectural achievements, and its flair for sundrenched pageantry. But all of these are civilian in nature. We forget that it was the sword that maintained this vast empire along the Nile. The tranquility of the Egyptian character can be a bit misleading because further investigation shows that they can more than hold their own among the most barbarous of warriors.

In order to aid in this revelation, whole campaigns and drawn-out conflicts are here condensed in easily consumable sections. Each sometimes gruesome detail can\u2019t help but change one\u2019s perspective about the Egyptians.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "15-Nov-2019 23:12:15", "publisher": "Casemate", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008394043", "title": "Mulan: Before the Sword", "author": "Grace Lin", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Kate - Age 12", "word_count": 179, "review": "This was an absolutely amazing book; Grace Lin does not disappoint! The characters are relatable, and it was nice to see new additions that weren't in the movie Disney created. The fables and stories that are told in the book make it all the more enjoyable. I loved the references to other stories and tales that weren't fully told, and it was fun to see some I'd heard before. The book is mainly told from Mulan's point of view. Though sometimes you get The Red Fox's view of things, which I liked because you don't get to see the villain or henchmen's point of view very often. The characters Mulan meets along her journey were varied and interesting; they ranged from a jokester immortal to an eye rolling bunny. This book has action in just the right places and is entertaining throughout. The plot was very well written and the mysteries and challenges the characters face kept my eyes glued to every page. The characters were easy to relate to, and I would definitely have fun reading this again.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "14-Nov-2019 00:36:10", "publisher": "Disney Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008394039", "title": "The New Adolescence: Raising Happy and Successful Teens in an Age of Anxiety and Distraction", "author": "Christine Carter", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristin Jarrett", "word_count": 228, "review": "The New Adolescence by Dr. Christine Carter was even better than I had hoped. As the mom of a thirteen-year-old girl and an eleven-year-old boy, I have picked up a few parenting books in the past few years, and this was by far the best one of all. The author uses stories of her own kids and her friend\u2019s to share great examples, which makes her advice memorable and keeps your attention. She covers a variety of topics that are important to me as a mom. It\u2019s surprisingly comprehensive. Topics include tips on communication, how to influence your teens to set their own goals and be motivated to work towards them, and talking about tough subjects such as sex and drugs, with real-world suggestions that made me realize that conversations have to be much more specific to kids to help them anticipate complex situations they may be involved in and how to be ready to deal with them. She also covers suggestions on the use of technology. All of this is presented with a combination of research to back up her advice and real examples from her role as a mom to teenagers. This is a book that I will read more than once to absorb more the second time. Christine would be the friend you\u2019d call for advice for all of your parenting dilemmas, if you could.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "14-Nov-2019 00:28:45", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "230 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008394023", "title": "All the Dear Little Animals", "author": "Ulf Nilsson", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 177, "review": "This book is about three little children in Sweden who are really bored one summer day, so they go outside to look for something to do. Then they find a dead bumblebee. The oldest of them decides they should bury all the dead animals they can find. Then Esther calls all their neighbors looking for dead animals to bury. They find somebody in the next village with a dead hamster, so they hold a funeral for it. They sing hymns and say a poem.

It\u2019s a sad book about animals that died and the kids bury them, and then the next day the children stop having funerals and do something else. I like how at the end of the book a picture shows all of the graves the kids made. I would do the same if I found a dead animal. It reminds me of my cat Ari who died. We buried him in the garden and planted a tree on top of him. People who like sad books will like this one, and the drawings are good.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "13-Nov-2019 23:37:15", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008394003", "title": "Manga Classics: Hamlet", "author": "William Shakespeare", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 185, "review": "Manga Classics: Hamlet contains the complete, unabridged text from the original play. Hamlet is a story of revenge, and of how Hamlet goes to great length to seek vengeance for his father's death, even at great cost. Truthfully, I have never been a fan of Shakespeare's plays, mostly because I had a difficult time reading them in high school. However, I was excited to read Hamlet in a graphic novel format. Having all the illustrations definitely made reading Shakespeare so much more enjoyable and easier to understand. Visually, the graphics are true to manga style with chibi females and handsome males. Prince Hamlet looks like a brooding Prince Darien from Sailor Moon. I didn't know there are Manga Classics in some popular classic literature like Pride and Prejudice. English class would have been a lot more enjoyable had these books been around when I was in high school. I think Manga Classics can really help some readers understand and appreciate classic literature more.\u00a0I highly recommend the Manga Classic series to manga fans, classic literature fans, and especially to readers who struggle with older stories.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "13-Nov-2019 21:27:23", "publisher": "UDON Entertainment", "page_count": "468 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008393039", "title": "2020 Guide to the Night Sky: A Month-by-Month Guide to Exploring the Skies Above North America", "author": "Storm Dunlop and Wil Tirion", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 195, "review": "The 2020 Guide to the Night Sky by Storm Dunlop and Wil Tirion is pretty much what it says in the subtitle: a month-by-month guide to the skies above North America. The guide is put together logically, explaining common sky phenomena such as the constellations, the ecliptic of the earth, and meteors, in a way that explains the jargon to newbie stargazers without talking down to more experienced readers. With its helpful month-by-month breakdown, this is a practical guide for those new to astronomy and a helpful reference to readers more seasoned in starry topics. This guide includes the movements of the planets and constellations that can be sighted, in northern as well as southern skies, which is very helpful for various weather conditions and all manner of geographic locations. It also includes the moon\u2019s phases and helpful calendars. The layout, with the astronomical charts being landscape, is very helpful in matching sky to picture and helping locate various clusters. Whether you're working with a telescope or the naked eye, the 2020 Guide to the Night Sky explains it all. It\u2019s easy to imagine many lovely nights of stargazing with the aid of this book.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "14-Nov-2019 00:05:41", "publisher": "Firefly Books", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008393035", "title": "Teddy Bear of the Year", "author": "Vikki VanSickle", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Chloe - Age 8", "word_count": 123, "review": "I really loved Teddy Bear of the Year. I would recommend this book to all of my friends. I think three to eight is a great age to read this book or to have it read to you while cuddling with your own bears. It was easy to read myself and the story flowed very well.

Ollie does a great job as a teddy bear for Amena, but he doesn't know if the little things he does are enough at the Teddy Bears' Picnic. I love all of my teddy bears and this is the type of story that I would imagine them doing. It's a fun and adventurous book with really good pictures.

I would definitely choose this book as a gift.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "13-Nov-2019 23:20:39", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008393031", "title": "The Button Book", "author": "Sally Nicholls", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 195, "review": "I thought The Button Book was so funny! I have read a book like it before, called Press Here, but this one is a little different and just as much fun.

The Button Book has different colored buttons on each page, which some cute-looking animals press. The button on each page is a different color than the others and usually a different shape, too. When each button is pressed, something happens. Everything that happens is usually fun; it's fun to look at and do with the animals. For example, when the red button is pressed, a loud beeping noise happens, while when the blue button is pressed, they all start singing a song.

I know kids of any age will like this book; I had a lot of fun reading it with my brother and laughing! My favorite button is the yellow button and my brother's favorite is the blue button. The animals in the book are really cute to look at and they make the pages fun to look at with their pretty colors. I think there could be another couple of buttons added to this book, but it's also good as it is.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "13-Nov-2019 23:19:30", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008393019", "title": "Fun and Easy Crafting with Recycled Materials: 60 Cool Projects that Reimagine Paper Rolls, Egg Cartons, Jars and More!", "author": "Kimberly McLeod", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Kids with time on their hands and nothing to do is a recipe for disaster. Why not have lots of things on hand to keep the kiddos busy, especially when the \u201cingredients\u201d are mostly found items that are in nearly every home with the addition of a few items from the local craft store? This book has sixty projects based on six basic items: Paper Rolls (toilet paper or paper towel rolls), Egg Cartons, Scrap Paper and Newspaper, Cardboard, Ice Pop Sticks, and Jars and Bottles. Keep a tin of buttons, some paints, pens, pencils, scissors, glue, rubber bands, scrap felt, and art foam around and maybe some wiggle eyes, and you are all set for a ton of fun and cute projects. Each project has a large photo of the completed project, a materials list, and excellently written directions followed by step-by-step photos. If children are quite young, parents will need to be close by and ready to help, but from eight or nine and up, kids will be able to do these fun projects on their own. This is a terrific book \u2014 well-designed and well-written. Kids, teachers, and parents will love it.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "13-Nov-2019 23:09:49", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008392035", "title": "Cross Her Heart (Bree Taggert #1)", "author": "Melinda Leigh", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 235, "review": "Bree Taggert has dealt with a lot in her life. When she was eight, her father killed her mother and then himself while Bree and her siblings were there. That tragedy is what led her to become a homicide detective, but she\u2019s still dealing with the trauma. Now Bree has gotten a call that her sister has been murdered and her brother-in-law is missing. This case is eerily familiar, but she isn\u2019t entirely sure it\u2019s the same. With the help of her brother-in-law\u2019s friend Matt, Bree is going to find out what happened to her sister, Cross Her Heart.

I really enjoyed Bree\u2019s character as well as her dynamic with Matt. I liked how the author showed how each Taggert turned out differently in response to the tragedy they experienced. There were mystery, procedural drama, and thrills in this start to the Bree Taggert series. The author\u2019s take on those who experience darkness, that all experience it differently and it\u2019s what we do with it that defines us, was insightful. I\u2019ve never read any of her other books, so I\u2019m not sure how it compares. While it is another law enforcement thriller with a strong female lead, it holds its own and is well worth reading. If you enjoy any of those aspects, I definitely recommend you check this new series out. I look forward to seeing what other kinds of trouble Bree can get into.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "14-Nov-2019 00:31:29", "publisher": "Montlake Romance", "page_count": "331", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008392031", "title": "A Flicker of Courage (Tales of Triumph and Disaster!)", "author": "Deb Caletti", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 203, "review": "A Flicker of Courage is a fun story about one mean ruler, four kids, and one amazing dog. One of the children does not know how to make friends and is trying to make a friend. The plot was entertaining and original. It was interesting when the mean ruler decided to have a parade and a fair to show kindness to his people. The characters are fun and lively. Henry is my favorite because he is kind and funny. The language in the book was easy to understand. The moral of the story is: Do not try to take all the attention. The book has pictures in it, but they are dull. They kind of went with the story but were random things. I would recommend this book to anyone ten and older who likes magic and adventure. I would recommend this book because it is funny. I have not read books similar to this before. I liked reading the book, and I think you will like it too.

A great quote from the book: \u201cApollo\u2019s hands are cupped, and inside of the cup sits a lizard, an entirely unclothed lizard, no lizard trousers or lizard pajamas, or lizard anything else. A naked lizard.\"", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "14-Nov-2019 00:25:56", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Young Readers", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008391027", "title": "The Light in Hidden Places", "author": "Sharon Cameron", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 13", "word_count": 182, "review": "A story of a girl's selfless act during World War II. This book is based on the true story of Stefania Podgorska. When World War II starts, Stefania is left to care for her six-year-old sister. One night her Jewish friend Max shows up at her apartment, and she agrees to hide him. She ends up hiding twelve more Jews, even with Nazis living in her home.

Sharon Cameron did an amazing job writing this book. There were many sad moments and few happy ones. The most interesting part is when people that Stefania doesn't know started offering her Jews to hide. It was also interesting when the Nazis requisition her house. Stefania is determined, compassionate, and courageous. She hides thirteen Jews even though she knows she will be killed if they are found.

I would recommend this book to teenagers and adults. Anyone interested in stories from World War II should read this book.

I really enjoyed the ending, as well as the entire book. Although parts were sad, I couldn't stop reading this book. Every library should have this true tale of heroism.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "14-Nov-2019 00:32:58", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008388007", "title": "The Parlay Effect: How Female Connection Can Change The World", "author": "Anne Devereux-Mills", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 585, "review": "In The Parlay Effect: How Female Connection Can Change the World, Anne Devereux-Mills shares a candid account of how her struggles through a devastatingly dark time in her life led to the creation of an innovative and dynamic organization in which women from all walks of life can gather to connect with one another in fruitful, energizing, and sometimes even life-altering ways. In hosting the first Parlay House meeting, in which a dozen women gathered in her San Francisco home, Devereux-Mills started what would later result in the cascading positive effect (dubbed the \u201cParlay Effect\u201d) of women coming together to find strength in one another, share their life experiences and knowledge, and search for a meaningful way to impact the lives of others. Based on her strong-held belief that \u201cwe are stronger when we are connected,\u201d she spent the next several months after that first meeting nurturing relationships with these women and others who joined in their monthly meetings. Guest speakers, champagne, snacks, and intellectually and emotionally stimulating conversations were all paramount at those first meetings, and two main rules guided their interactions: Each new member was to be blessed with the nurturance and guidance of a more seasoned member, and the meetings were never to be used for monetary or professional gain. With these boundaries in place, relationships were fostered and expanded. The organization grew exponentially over time and now crosses not only the borders of cities and states but also those of countries. Now thousands gather to empower each other and to spread acts of kindness, generosity, understanding, and encouragement across the globe.

This is beautifully and eloquently written. The author reaches out to women of all types and from all sectors of society through her inclusive writing style, integrating research, and heartfelt quotes from other writers, political and historical figures, and even of those not so well known by the general public. She even incorporates information about and the findings of her own research on how exactly the \u201cParlay Effect\u201d (\u201cthe cumulative effect of positive actions and deeds produced when one event sets off a chain of similar events\u201d) works. Devereux-Mills and a researcher and professor from the University of California, Berkeley conducted a study in which they sought to determine if and how the \u201cParlay Effect\u201d could go beyond the walls of the Parlay House, eventually touching the lives of those within the population at large. They found that even those who witnessed kind, thoughtful actions by others, often in turn were inclined to initiate their own. In other words, not only were those instigating the acts of kindness or on the recipient end of them positively effected, but onlookers were as well. These findings, as well as the author\u2019s own observations, lend credence to the fact that the \u201cParlay Effect\u201d can have broader implications for society. Each small act on one\u2019s part to make a difference in the life of another can \u201cripple outward, leading to positive consequences beyond oneself.\u201d The author not only poignantly makes this case, but she generously lays out an array of specific and helpful guidelines for readers should they ever decide to start their own versions of parlay houses. Drawing on her own nearly life-shattering experiences as well as the intriguing stories of others, she provides insightful recommendations on what women can do to create positive self-images and realistic expectations for themselves in a world where idealism is often sought. Through writing this poignant story, Devereux-Mills is paying forward a great act of generosity to women.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "12-Nov-2019 19:18:32", "publisher": "Parlay House", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008388003", "title": "The Parlay Effect: How Female Connection Can Change The World", "author": "Anne Devereux-Mills", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 401, "review": "When Anne Devereaux-Mills discovered she had cancer, she also lost her job. These difficulties were compounded by the fact that her two daughters were striking out on their own, leaving her alone and at a crossroads. She decided to change her life and chart a new path into something unknown. By going out of her comfort zone and moving across the country to San Francisco, she hoped to create a new, more fulfilling life for herself. She decided to set up an organization called Parlay House, a place to bring together women who felt a need to connect to and with other women. From the creation of this group, she could see how women grew and found the strength to make a difference in their lives and often in the lives of others.

In The Parlay Effect she explains how women were able to \"parlay,\" move forward or spread help, confidence, kindness, or connections that improved the value of their interactions. Whether the participant of her group was an initiator, receiver, or witness to acts of kindness or exchange, they all seemed to find meaning in the connections and shifts in their lives. They were often inspired to do more to help others.

I loved the fact that this book explains to readers how they can create something from a small act that might result in a ripple effect that benefits others. I think many women will be able to identify with the sentiments the author shares about how, at times, we feel less connected than others and even downright lonely. No doubt, we could all benefit from trusting relationships and a place to connect with other women who may feel the same, whatever their background.

This book incorporated a good mix of the author's experiences (which I enjoyed learning about) and the experiences of other men and women who inspired her in some way. The best part is the concrete tips she gives to help other women who want to branch out and make new connections. This book made me think about how I can go out of myself and find, by what she terms \"going wide and deep,\" new ways of expressing myself and living a more connected and meaningful life. Reading this work made me want to get involved in something, yet to be decided what it will be. The suggestions she provided made me feel empowered to try something new.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "12-Nov-2019 19:18:16", "publisher": "Parlay House", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008386011", "title": "Blue Tin Sky", "author": "Greg Gregory", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 443, "review": "Blue Tin Sky is clearly a labor of love for poet Greg Gregory. Not only has he written the 54 poems in the collection but also created the cover art, a painting of a storm near Mendocino, which is fitting for poetry so rooted in northern California.

The book is divided into four unnamed sections, and nearly all of these free-verse poems are a single page in length and easy to read and contemplate before moving on to the next one. The title poem, Blue Tin Sky, invites us to \u201ccome bathe under waterfalls of words\u201d and indeed, many of Gregory\u2019s poems use cascading words to evoke images, sensations, or emotions. For example, in \u201cAlong Drake\u2019s Beach\u201d which describes shells:

\n

the wonder shell, living in amazement,\nthe rosy harp, lost in its music\u2026
\nthe cat\u2019s-tongue oyster, mewing for pearls,
\nthe moon shell, living in mystery,
\nthe anomia, living without a name \u2013
\nall reaching down through spirals\u2026


\n
\nThe poet pays careful attention to nature and his poems are inspired by loons, sea glass, wetlands, cattails, tree frogs, beaches, and trails. At the same time, he captures images from city life, as in \u201cNight Moving\u201d:
\n

Moon in the mirror,
\n\tdresser in the back of
\n\tan open pick-up
\n\tjouncing down upper Market at 2 am


\nin which he observes that although the mirror shudders in its frame, the image of the moon always remains still. Numerous other poems also evoke the moon as it rises, gleams in a window, winks or stares like a cat\u2019s eye/ lost in the night sky.

\nMany of his lines are quite lovely: The thing of the world is/the softness of its secrets in \u201cLoons\u201d and When young, you have promise, when old, history in \u201cDon Quixote, Summer\u201d and the veil most fragile catches the most light. We learn to be quiet about beauty in \u201cBy Tomales Bay.\u201d\n

\nOther poems are dialogues\u2014with a house:
\n \t

My tires crush wild oat and star thistle\n that have finally grown through the concrete,
\n now too broken to stop them.
\n I have no business being here\u2026
\n The house whispers, \u2018Remember me, remember you.



\nor with \u201can Ex from the 60\u2019s\u201d which unmistakably references San Francisco:
\n

City of visions. City of promises\u2026.
\n City of painted ladies. City of mirrors\u2026
\n City of Alice\u2019s rabbit holes. City of illusions\u2026


\n

\nThe third section is the most elegiac, as it addresses grandchildren, aging, and memory: \u2026years lose ceremony, importance. Our stories are the important things\u2026The water and sea stay. The waves pass through.\n

\nThese evocative and simple poems will stay with you long after you read them.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "11-Nov-2019 23:24:43", "publisher": "Avenafatua Press", "page_count": "68 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008385003", "title": "Bon Voyage, Mister Rodriguez", "author": "Christiane Duchesne", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 257, "review": "Mr. Rodriguez strolls through the neighborhood every day at four o\u2019clock sharp. The children watch, wide-eyed, as curiosity surges through their small statures. This mysterious man has mesmerized them for days. One day, he ties angelic wings onto an injured cat\u2019s limbs. The next, he places a wounded dog in a sled after it conveys its dire need. Then, one day, as the children wait with sizable anticipation for his coming, they discover this day will be different from the last. His presence will not be among them. Something has happened to this gentle man and the creatures for which he cared; they have all ascended to a place of eternal happiness and comfort: the vast heavenly world.

Bon Voyage, Mr. Rodriguez is an exquisitely crafted book that beautifully tells the story of a man of unique character who lends a hand to those in need. They, like he, are easily overlooked by those too busy to stop and acknowledge their existence. The sweet innocence of young onlookers allows them to open their eyes to the gift this man is. This poignant message is intricately woven through the pages of this brilliantly written and gorgeously illustrated tale. The author leaves much to the imagination and inference of her readers, allowing them to put the pieces of the puzzle together on their own. Multiple readings will likely help them gain the greatest insight. This story is ideal for young children who have lost someone important in their lives. A comforting light on the concept of death illuminates its pages.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "09-Nov-2019 22:06:09", "publisher": "Pajama Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008380019", "title": "Satellite Street", "author": "Eleanor M Lerman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozarro", "word_count": 425, "review": "Paul Marden is a man inhabiting a shattered existence. His previous year was spent battling a mysterious malady that nearly killed him. His body is still in recovery, his mind just as much. His solitary life consists of living in a home affected by Superstorm Sandy, the house being one of the few on his block not condemned. Besides his pain (internal and external), he has been informed about his father\u2019s deteriorating condition. Paul\u2019s estranged step-sister is no longer willing to be responsible for Paul\u2019s father\u2019s long term care. Paul\u2019s relationship with his father is tough for even Paul to put into words, but situations soon force his hand in assuming control of his father\u2019s care.

Paul\u2019s life takes a turn when he meets a familiar face at a movie screening in town. A childhood acquaintance, then known as Arthur Connors, has now become Lelee, a transgender individual. Lelee and Paul reconnect over their past, growing up in Rockaway. Lelee is soon comfortable enough to reveal to Paul that she can commune with the deceased. The new developments in Paul\u2019s life intersect when his father randomly turns up seeking Paul. Paul takes his father to a screening of a movie, where Lelee happens to be. Paul\u2019s father soon assaults a local TV personality and is taken into custody. Paul now must find a new facility that will house and care for his father, as his decline is becoming advanced. A trip back to Rockaway with Lelee opens up long-closed doors, not involving Paul directly, but with a restless spirit looking for redemption.

The spirit speaks to Paul through Lelee and explains that the attack on the TV personality was not truly Paul\u2019s father's fault. He was being used as a vessel for revenge. The TV personality, \u201cThe Great Oswaldo\u201d uses his medium to attack alleged frauds in the paranormal, spiritual realm. However, he had previously wielded his soapbox to slander a radio personality and drive him out of his job. Now Oswaldo seeks to destroy Lelee and her work as a medium. Paul is sought to help exorcise past demons and his friend.

Satellite Street is a moving and interesting drama that sucks the reader in rapidly. The author deftly narrates a compelling narrative where past and present collide in the life of the protagonist. Paul has survived a near brush with death but still lacks vitality. His role in aiding both the spirit and Lelee and taking over his father\u2019s care revitalizes his existence. Eleanor Lerman\u2019s work provides a spark for the soul. A most enjoyable read.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "08-Nov-2019 21:23:50", "publisher": "The Permanent Press", "page_count": "217 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008380015", "title": "The Parlay Effect: How Female Connection Can Change The World", "author": "Anne Devereux-Mills", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 422, "review": "Parlay (verb) to increase or otherwise transform into something greater. From the French word parler, meaning to speak or to talk.

This definition is very important to the book The Parlay Effect: How Female Connection Can Change the World by Anne Devereux-Mills. In her candid story about her physical and emotional collapse, the realization that she needed more meaningful connection with other women in her life, and the subsequent founding of Parlay House, Devereux-Mills explores what happens when women support other women and the exponential effects of that connection.

The Parlay Effect is a powerful story of the strength in female connection. It\u2019s easy to overlook connection in our lives, or for social media to trick us into believing relationships more meaningful than they actually are. As stated in the book, networking is not connecting; networking goes wide, but connecting goes deep. The book examines connection on a sociological and scientific level, also exploring self-compassion and mindfulness. While not a long book, it\u2019s a profound one, encouraging readers to do deep work on their own values and abilities, and being open to mentors, or mentoring, paying attention to places in their lives where they can \u201cpay it forward\u201d in more ways than just giving money. Helpful questions to ask and steps to take at the end of each chapter will lead readers to do a close self-examination and deeply consider their thoughts and actions.

While this book is terrifically empowering for women to go take action and connect with other women, one shortcoming is that it doesn\u2019t provide much practical advice for doing so. For instance, if you don\u2019t discuss work, what do you discuss? It has great examples of situational awareness and steps to consider when opportunities for connecting and helping arise, but for the woman who doesn\u2019t socialize much with other women, for example, doesn\u2019t work in an office or have a large network of friends, the steps seem more difficult to implement. Also if the other women aren\u2019t doing the same kind of self-development or are unaware of Parley House, creating that uplifting environment among one\u2019s acquaintances may prove more challenging. Yet this book still has great value in getting readers to recognize the places in their lives where such opportunities for interpersonal and social change may arise.

The Parlay Effect is wonderfully written, a powerful story, and terrifically uplifting in its call to create sustainable change through kindness and reciprocity. As Devereux-Mills says, \u201cWe are stronger when we are connected.\u201d This book might help us all connect just a little bit more.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "08-Nov-2019 05:18:09", "publisher": "Parlay House", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008377059", "title": "The Healing Bowl", "author": "Anita Fisk", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 433, "review": "The Healing Bowl by Anita Fisk is a middle-grade novel following Harley and his friends TJ, Tamiko, Azlynn, and Sammy. During a soccer match, Sammy suffers a terrible injury that leaves him in a coma. Or so everyone thinks. There's more going on than Harley and company first realize, and they end up on an adventure in ancient Greece in an effort to save Sammy by retrieving a very special healing bowl.

I'm going to be honest. This book will probably appeal far more to middle-grade readers than it did to me, especially if they enjoy Greek myth. There were many things that I found confusing. This reads like a book later in a series, with certain things already established, but that doesn't seem to be the case. There is little to no setup leading into Greek myth being active in modern day. There is the suggestion that Zeus may be willing to help humanity again if only some people still believed, but he's skeptical. It wasn't clear why they cared though. I didn't get the feeling their power was waning. Morpheus doesn't seem to have any motivations for his actions either.

Things seemed way too easy for the teens too. Things were either done for them or handed to them. Theseus fights the minotaur (again). Athena and/or Apollo give them step-by-step instructions via enchanted parchment. They can travel instantly with enchanted amulets and have magical universal translators. The reason they choose Hephaestus over Apollo and Athena made little sense at the time, as it was very clear it was the latter pair helping them and they had no reason to think Hephaestus would be sympathetic.

I did love Korvus since I adore corvids in general. Demeter and Hygea were both neat too. I don't often see them in stories inspired by Greco-Roman myth. Demeter seems so gentle-natured. I wish we'd gotten to see more of her and to have seen Dionysus at all. Apparently, he can manifest a temporal-spatial gateway and just used it to stick his hand through. (See, easy. They didn't even have to ask\u2026) Oh, and Asclepius' snakes at the healing temple! They were precious!

I read this book in literally three hours, while I was sick, which tends to make me read slower. There was so much potential that could have been explored, expanded, and played with to give more substance to the story. These things being said, when I was in sixth grade, I'd likely have quite enjoyed the book, and my niece that lives with me stole my kindle and read part of the beginning and enjoyed it.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "08-Nov-2019 23:51:25", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008377055", "title": "The Healing Bowl", "author": "Anita Fisk", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 510, "review": "In a world parallel to that of which they formerly knew, best friends Harley and TJ find themselves surrounded by mythical creatures and odd phenomena as they set out on a journey unlike any other. The two boys, along with two girls, Ashlyn and Tamiko, have been buddies for years. Though they each have unique personalities of their own, they\u2019ve formed a bond that is inseparable. The two girls have agreed to take part in the boys\u2019 daring quest to save a classmate from near-certain death. After Samuel Crabtree, an unusual but gifted and compassionate peer of theirs suffers a devastating injury to his head on the soccer field, he lies comatose in a hospital bed for days. Once the quartet decides they can no longer bear to not do something, they devise a plan with the aid of their seventh-grade science teacher, Ms. Clio, for the boys to plunge into the world in which the Greek gods and goddesses exist while the girls stand guard. Once they enter this strange and often unwelcoming place, they must follow a sequence of steps and clues leading them to eventually find Apollo. He is the only one who can save their dear friend. The amulet Ms. Clio gives them, along with Apollo\u2019s crow and Athena\u2019s owl, provides essential guidance they desperately need. They are in a race against time, as their dear friend\u2019s condition has taken a turn for the worse. With mere determination and a beautiful twist of fate, they are able to hear Sammy\u2019s voice again and see the life in him soon after they return to the earthly world.

The Healing Bowl is a captivating tale of determination, courage, friendship, and adventure. It is laced with poignant messages about the deeper meaning of life and our existence in it. For example, during a conversation Harley and TJ have about Sammy\u2019s condition soon after he enters the hospital, Harley responds to his friend\u2019s question about whether Sammy will be okay or not with \u201cit\u2019s hard to say, TJ. Nobody can know...except maybe God.\u201d Then, TJ reminds Harley that Sammy doesn\u2019t attend church and says, \u201cYou know that. Maybe God doesn\u2019t know Sammy\u2019s hurt.\u201d The author, Anita Fisk, also weaves into the story characters of great magnitude. The boys\u2019 soccer coach, Coach Kreller, is just one example. According to Harley, he is the epitome of what a coach should be: someone who encourages excellence and strives for every player to feel like part of the team. Mrs. Crabtree, Sammy\u2019s mother, is another. She loves her son with every fiber of her being and is willing to do anything within her power to enable him to live a full life. Those students who can read fluently, have rich vocabularies, and enjoy novels sprinkled with a bit of mythology or even sci-fi will likely be the best candidates for this book. There are times when the descriptions of the gods and goddesses and their roles in the overall scheme of things may seem cumbersome, but overall the storyline is genuinely unique and masterfully crafted.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "08-Nov-2019 23:51:12", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008377051", "title": "The Healing Bowl", "author": "Anita Fisk", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 425, "review": "This book brought together many of my favorite themes into one very fun read. A story of challenges, love, and friendship, The Healing Bowl will have you cheering at the end. Seventh-graders Harley, TJ, Azlynn, and Tamiko are the best of friends. They do just about everything together including facing life\u2019s challenges. In this story, their friend Sammy Crabtree, who has special needs, is playing soccer on their team. When he goes to head the ball, he closes his eyes and somehow falls backward, hitting his head on the ground. Now in a coma in the hospital, Mrs. Crabtree is beside herself. Sammy seems to be getting worse each day and is unresponsive. Harley and his friends visit Sammy and put their heads together to try and figure out a way that they can help Sammy heal. Their teacher, Ms. Clio, is there to help them as well. At what might be my favorite part of the book, they realize, with Ms. Clio\u2019s help, that something Sammy shouts from his hospital bed is actually a clue as to help him get well.

He yells something about Epimend and Korvus and then goes back into a deep sleep. Harley and his friends take this information to Ms. Clio, and from there they go on a mission to find a ball of string from Theseus (the one he used when destroying the Minotaur), amber drops, and tears in a bowl. These items are meant to help them cure Sammy since modern medicine cannot figure out why he is in the coma.

I really enjoyed the adventures Harley and TJ go on, including the part where they encounter the snakes and Harley must face his biggest fear to save his friend. The characters are all very likable, and the way the author integrates the gods and their backstories is genius. Greek mythology was one of my favorite subjects in school, so the tidbits about the gods that the author explains throughout the story were really interesting. Korvus, it turns out, belongs to Apollo, who was guiding the boys the whole time. Athena also makes an appearance, as does Zeus. The story which I found interesting that I hadn\u2019t heard of is the story of Tantalus, who he tried to trick the gods by feeding them his own son, Pelops.

This is a book that could easily be read by middle school or high school students to spark an interest in the Greek gods. A simple story, yet with many wonderful themes strewn throughout, that could be enjoyed by all ages.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "08-Nov-2019 23:50:55", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008377047", "title": "The Tooth Fairy's Tummy Ache", "author": "Lori Orlinsky", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 250, "review": "While chomping on a delicious apple, she hears at last the crack associated with losing a tooth. It is indeed her first tooth to lose, an exciting adventure for most, but when she suddenly realizes it quickly escaped into her stomach instead of waiting to be gently extricated from her mouth, her alarm grows. What will she tell the Tooth Fairy? She must find something similar in size and color to serve as its replacement. When the Tooth Fairy discovers a popcorn kernel under her pillow, she deems it unlike most of her findings and hesitantly trades it for a silver dollar. Upon her return to Fairy Land, it begins to pop and multiply. She simply can\u2019t resist its temptation and soon finds herself in bed with a terrible tummy ache. In her angst, the fairy decides she must return to the little girl\u2019s house to teach her a lesson.

The Tooth Fairy\u2019s Tummy Ache was inspired by the author\u2019s own childhood experience of misplacing her first tooth. It's a charming tale laced with humor and rhyme and will likely appeal most to children ages four to eight. The text is short and concise, which will enthrall the youngest ones with brief attention spans. Additionally, it\u2019s filled with colorful, alluring pictures that illuminate the pages with bright shades of pink, blue, and purple, to name a few. Adding to its overall quality is an underlying message on the importance of honesty and integrity even in the seemingly innocent moments of youth.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "08-Nov-2019 23:05:03", "publisher": "Mascot Books", "page_count": "38 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008376019", "title": "The Healing Bowl", "author": "Anita Fisk", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 501, "review": "Seventh-grade Harley dreams of a more exciting life that takes him on an adventure away from his daily routine of school and soccer practice. He gets more than he wished for when one of his teammates ends up in the hospital and doesn\u2019t wake up, drawing Harley and his friends find themselves in a surprising new world where mythology comes to life and on a quest of a lifetime that rivals that of Hercules himself.

Mythology is brought to life through various references and characters drawn from legends which range from lessons in class to a dog named Apollo to TJ\u2019s vast knowledge of mythology. Anita Fisk delivers a delightful tale rooted in friendship and bravery. Their journey has myths woven throughout that pertain to the plot as it unfolds. Various references are made to the trials of Heracles, which parallels Harley\u2019s own journey to becoming a hero and what reflects what heroism really means. The legends included throughout the story feature the island of Delos, the legend of the sky bear, King Minos, and the story of Niobe.

Friendship is an important aspect as several threads of the story focuses on the connections Harley has in his life. His friendship with TJ is at the heart of his journey and plays a key role in the quest as he\u2019s Harley\u2019s greatest partner and strongest support. It\u2019s TJ\u2019s passion that drives Harley\u2019s deeper understanding of the myths, and he\u2019s the one first alerted to the truth about Ms. Clio\u2019s connection to the Greek legends she teaches. The two share a genuine friendship that is realistic and a great example of how friends should be as they work through tension through open communication and trust in each other. Sammy is another important character in the story as it\u2019s his injury that drives the friends into this quest so they can save him and makes him the catalyst of this world of mythology. Fisk also speaks volumes about inclusion through this sweet and endearing character as the story reflects on Harley and his classmates' understanding of autism.

The daily life aspects give a glimpse of Harley and his normal environment before he discovers that Zeus and the other Greek gods are real. His concerns revolve around school until his priorities shift and he pushes the boundaries of what he\u2019s capable of to save a friend. Fisk gives the school a seemingly happy and tranquil tone as it\u2019s a place that thinks of inclusion and goodness with high esteem, even going as far as offering a reward system for good deeds. Even the bullying eighth graders don\u2019t bring down this lovely community that Harley and his friends are a part of. Harley and his friends are genuinely good kids which makes them ideal role models for kids of all ages as they\u2019re seeing kids helping other kids and forging genuine friendships. The Healing Bowl is a delightful story that\u2019s perfect for all ages with valuable lessons on inclusion and friendship while incorporating mythology, history, and adventure.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "08-Nov-2019 20:25:09", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008373011", "title": "Sofia Valdez, Future Prez (The Questioneers)", "author": "Andrea Beaty", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 6", "word_count": 182, "review": "Sofia and her Abuelo go out to help people at Blue River Creek. Sofia takes pets out for walks while her grandfather rakes the leaves. But then her grandfather slips and falls over the garbage. The grandpa, the dog, and Sofia all go thud. Then, Sofia puts up a sign to get rid of Mount Trashmore. She wants to build a new park. And then Sofia goes to City Hall all by herself, but then they keep telling her to go to different rooms. The Duck tells her to go see the Office of Monkeys. Then Sofia is holding up signs to get people to sign a petition. Miss Lila Greer's class also joins Sofia. I like how Rosie Revere, Iggy Peck, and Ada Twist are there. I thought the part where Sofia goes to the Department of Cheese, and there is a man dressed as cheese was funny. I like how Sofia is very brave. She is scared to go to City Hall, but she does it anyway. I recommend this book to kids who like reading stories about brave children.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "07-Nov-2019 00:04:33", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008372003", "title": "Larkin on the Shore", "author": "Jean Mills", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 11", "word_count": 179, "review": "After surviving a difficult year in high school, Larkin goes to spend the summer with her grandmother in Nova Scotia. There she hopes to escape memories of a traumatic experience and begin the arduous process of rebuilding her life and her trust in others.

Her grandmother is trying to build a caf\u00e9 with a reading room to supplement the town\u2019s lack of a public library. Larkin\u2019s job is to organize donated books and eventually shelve them. Even this small task seems overwhelming at first. Right when things seem to be getting back on track, an arsonist strikes the place she has come to love.

It\u2019s clear that the fire was set by someone she knows, so who is Larkin to trust? This book is a look into small-town social dynamics, losing trust in others and yourself, and the healing power of love.

I enjoyed this book because it is beautifully written and deeply emotional. The author does a wonderful job of making Larkin\u2019s pain almost tangible. She also gives the reader hope that any pain can be endured and conquered, given time.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "06-Nov-2019 23:10:29", "publisher": "Red Deer Press", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008370003", "title": "Calendula Cool: MAS Adventure #44", "author": "Steve McManus", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 452, "review": "A girl carrying a small figurine comes running out of the woods and into a clearing by a cliff overlooking the ocean as darkness falls. A boy is there. Startled, they both scream, and the girl drops what she is carrying. The boy jumps behind a boulder, and when he peeks out, the girl has disappeared. Footsteps pound through the woods toward where the boy is hiding; something really big comes crashing through, and the boy makes a quick getaway.

Calendula is a small town on the California coast, and, as is often the case in a small town, rumors race like wildfire. The next day will be the second-to-last day before the long summer break, and that was all anyone would normally think about, but the rumors flying all over the middle school about the ghost girl on the cliff captures everyone\u2019s attention. The usual cliques exist at the school, and the three main cliques are at the heart of this story. There is a group of boys known for their bullying ways \u2014 Stuart, Brandon, Jason and Brad, a group of bright boys who are at the receiving end of the bullying \u2014 Danny, Matthew, Jeremy, Gustavo, and Micheal \u2014 also known as the Mysterious Adventures Society (MAS), and a group of girls led by the stunning Lola. Everyone, it seems has reason to want to find the ghost girl and whatever treasure it was that she carried. The bully boys end up in cahoots with a really, really bad guy, and the bright boys join forces with Lola to help to rescue the ghost girl from the forces of evil. It\u2019s a tough mysterious adventure for MAS with no guarantee of success.

This book has all the ingredients needed for a good middle-grade mystery. Unfortunately, the book has a lot in it that slows the story way down, and it needs to be seriously trimmed. Readers don\u2019t need a half-page description for tertiary characters who only show up for a scene or two. They don\u2019t need to have detailed descriptions of every bicycle that every kid rides or every set of clothing each character wears or every place a character spends a few minutes in. There are a lot of young characters in this story and some with similar names (Brandon, Brad, Jason, Jeremy, Matthew, Michael) make it hard for young readers to keep track. Fortunately, the story is good with just enough compelling adventure and mystery to keep the middle-grade crowd reading. With good rounds of developmental editing, copy editing, and a very good round of proofreading (so many run-on sentences and comma splices and comma errors!), this could become very popular and perhaps be the springboard for a series.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "06-Nov-2019 02:12:22", "publisher": "Steve McManus", "page_count": "221 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008366055", "title": "Fly High, John Glenn: The Story of an American Hero", "author": "Kathleen Krull", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 267, "review": "This is a lovely picture book biography about the astronaut John Glenn. His story starts when he was just a little boy living in Ohio staring out the windows of his bedroom dreaming of flying. After his father took him on a ride in an airplane, John was hooked on flying. As he grew older he got interested in all kinds of subjects and flying eventually had to take a backseat because of expenses, but his interest in it never went away. During college, he found his way into a new program that paid him to fly. Later he joined the military and became a fighter pilot in World War II. John then married his high school sweetheart who had always supported his dreams. John went on many missions before he found his way into NASA. After two years of training, he was one of the seven to qualify for the space mission Friendship 7. During this dangerous mission, his heat shield came loose, and John had to maneuver the space ship himself to ensure a safe landing. Luckily he made it and got reunited with his family. John became the first American to orbit Earth three times, he continued to serve his country through politics and also became the oldest person in space at seventy-seven in 1998 aboard the Discovery mission. I enjoyed reading this book about space and astronauts. I find these stories incredibly inspiring; the illustrations are very realistic and beautiful. I would recommend this book for ages six and up. Although the text is very detailed and long, its a really fun book.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "05-Nov-2019 02:38:50", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008366051", "title": "Snail Crossing", "author": "Corey R. Tabor", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 248, "review": "Why did the snail cross the road?... To get to the cabbages.

Snail is sliding along when he sees the most beautiful sight: Cabbages across the road. So, he begins his journey to the other side. As he goes, he encounters some problems which cause him to save and befriend a group of ants. He travels and travels and eventually gets turned around, but when all hope is lost his new friends come through to help him, too.

My kids, three and six, liked this book. They thought the snail was a fun character. They enjoyed him meeting the ants and seeing what a snail house looks like. They were very sad for Snail when he has a problem getting to his destination but were overjoyed to see his new friends the ants come help him out.

On the text: I loved Snail\u2019s determination to get to his goal even though he is slow. I love the ants\u2019 voice and how it changes when Snail saves them from the rain. I liked the repetition of being \u201cCabbage Bound\u201d and then turning it into \u201cSnail Bound\u201d at the end.

Illustrations: I really enjoyed the style. It had a lot of white space and had details on the pages that needed a little more. I thought specifically the snail trail on several pages including the end papers was a great touch. Snail\u2019s home was my favorite scene because, honestly, I had never thought about what it might look like, so great job on creativity.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "05-Nov-2019 02:38:14", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008366047", "title": "The Bold, Brave Bunny", "author": "Beth Ferry, with illustrations by Chow Hon Lam", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 211, "review": "Teetu is a Bunny. Teetu the bunny's house is full of bunnies. Teetu needs some space after his brothers and sisters eat his book, so he decides to go for a walk. While he is out for a walk, he has an idea: what if he makes his own book about the world around him in the forest? The forest is dark. The forest is cold. The forest is scary. But Teeth is a bold bunny. Teetu is a brave bunny and explores the beauty of the forest. When Teetu gets lost, all he wants is to be at home with all his bunny brothers and sisters. Luckily, Teetu has a big family, and all the bunnies can easily find him in the forest. Teetu is glad to be reunited with the ones he loves the most. The muted colors in the illustrations show just how scary, yet pretty, the forest can be in nighttime. I love how the trees and bushes in the book look just like animals. Teetu uses what he finds in the forest to make his book. This book shows readers that sometimes we all feel like we need space from our loved ones, and that is ok because spending time with loved ones is even better.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "05-Nov-2019 02:36:43", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008366043", "title": "Krit Dreams of Dragon Fruit: A Story of Leaving and Finding Home", "author": "Emily France and Natalie Belcher, with illustrations by Samantha Woo", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 195, "review": "Krit loves his home and where he lives. Krit and his dog, Mu, run through the market place with friends and past the tree with the statue of the Buddha. Thailand is beautiful and warm, and the trees are full of yummy fruits to eat. One day Krit finds out he and his mother are moving to the United States. Krit is very unhappy to move to Chicago in the United States. Chicago is not warm, the trees are covered in snow, and the city is filled with smog. Krit is not allowed to bring his dog, Mu, in the market places or in any of the buildings in the city. Krit wishes he could go home. Krit's mother tells him of a Buddist teaching, which is the idea of happiness can't be found by avoiding change but that we are already home and we just don't always know it. I think this is a great book for readers like me, who want to know more about a different religion, and its practices and traditions. The beautiful, colorful illustrations show how one's outlook on change can change how they feel about the world around them.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "05-Nov-2019 02:34:14", "publisher": "Shambhala Publications", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008366039", "title": "What's in Your Mind Today?", "author": "Louise Bladen, with illustrations by Angela Perrini", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 191, "review": "Our mind is full of thoughts, and more often than not our thoughts can turn negative quickly. Have you ever been thinking of something, but suddenly your thoughts turn dark? This book is the perfect example of what I feel like is going on inside my mind. What's in Your Mind Today? is the perfect book to help readers know what is going on in their brains. I really liked the illustrations that helped to visualize sucking in the trees and blowing them away when letting the air out. Taking deep breaths is helpful in stressful situations. This book has colorful illustrations that help to visualize the colors and visions we can associate with feelings. My favorite illustration is of the brightly colored butterflies when the girl is happy. I feel happy when I see butterflies, so this is a great comparison. What's in Your Mind Today? will help readers to work through their big emotions and feel calm and at peace with the world. I recommend this book for all readers who want to learn more about how you are feeling and how to feel better when bad thoughts happen.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "05-Nov-2019 02:29:31", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008366023", "title": "Dracula's Child", "author": "J.S. Barnes", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 185, "review": "Ever since Bram Stoker\u2019s Dracula appeared in print, authors have been writing sequels, stand-alones, and side-stories featuring the most famous vampire. This book continues the long tradition and, kind of like all the others, lands flat on its face. We pick up with the original Children of Light years after their adventures in Transylvania to kill Dracula. Jonathan and Mina Harker now have a young boy named Quincey who is growing into adolescence. At an anniversary dinner party when the fame Dr. Van Helsing goes into a coma, a darkness descends over Britain as friends become lost then found and a great evil is destroyed.

Similar to the original, the story is told through diary entries, letters, and newspaper clippings. But it is often overwrought and at times a bit dull. Also, the new characters who appear on the scene really add little than just caricatures of characters from the source material. The constant reference to \u201cthe previous century\u201d gets repetitive and old fairly quickly. The ending leaves a lot to be desired as it feels incomplete, and pretty much the entire thing was for nothing.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "05-Nov-2019 01:52:33", "publisher": "Titan Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008365027", "title": "Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell", "author": "Selina Alko", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 177, "review": "This slim book is an homage to one of our greatest songwriters, Joni Mitchell. With beautiful illustrations, the author depicts the life and trials of her subject. She is obviously a fan and has followed Ms. Mitchell\u2019s career and song history. Many of her illustrations are delightfully whimsical, like the taximeter reading \"Woodstock\" (a destination that Joni Mitchell did not make, despite her tribute song). Despite being the illustrator of children\u2019s books, this book is not quite for children. While the illustrations are wonderfully and simply rendered, the text is more complex and adult.

It is a beautiful book for fans of Joni Mitchell or those who want to become a little more familiar with her life. An illustration at the book\u2019s end features many of Joni\u2019s album covers, and it is fun to see the artist\u2019s output on a double spread. This is a very personal book by one artist having been inspired by another. The book is almost the size of an album cover, so one could slip it in among a reader's Joni Mitchell collection.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "05-Nov-2019 02:36:05", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008363047", "title": "Agent Lion", "author": "Jacky Davis and Davis Soman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 195, "review": "Agent Lion follows a lion who is a detective as he works with Ms. Flamingo to find her lost kitten, Fluffy. Ms. Flamingo is sad that Fluffy is missing, so Agent Lion comes and starts looking around her apartment. They can't find Fluffy. They go up to the roof next, but all they find there is a pigeon. After that, they head back down and stop at Ms. Hippo's apartment and try to stay quiet for her sleeping babies. They still can't find fluffy. Fluffy is also not in the mailroom! They will end up finding Fluffy, and it's funny where they find him!

Agent Lion made me laugh several times because Lion is goofy! His favorite food is a jelly-filled doughnut, which is something I also like, but he thinks about his favorite food too much\u2014it will give him cavities! I was happy when he found Fluffy because I like cats and I wouldn't want one to actually be lost. While they are searching for Fluffy, I like looking at the pictures that are colorful and bright. I think any kid will like this book because it is easy to understand and fun to read.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "05-Nov-2019 02:35:12", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008363043", "title": "Little Mole Finds Hope", "author": "Glenys Nellist", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 223, "review": "Little Mole feels terribly sad, although he doesn\u2019t quite know why. When Mama asks him about his gloomy disposition, she tells him that his greatest need is hope. This furry creature inquisitively asks what hope is and where it can be found. She tells him it can be discovered in the most unlikely of places and is sometimes hard to distinguish. With nurturing and love, she guides him out of the dim tunnel in which they reside and gently shows him, through nature\u2019s confounding manifestations, that hope lies all around him. What might appear as lifeless in the present may indeed be full of hope and beauty as time progresses and nature performs its glorious works of wonder.

Little Mole Finds Hope is ideal for children who feel a sense of hopelessness and angst. It\u2019s equally suitable for those who are full of optimism and joy and simply find stories of adversity touching. Educators seeking to encourage young students to display empathy toward others as well as to learn to see the sunshine through the darkness will savor this heartwarming story. It will make a great addition to any first to third grade classroom. The precious, detailed illustrations bring meaning and vitality to its content, and the words of wisdom Mama shares with Little Mole are ones from which any child can benefit.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "05-Nov-2019 02:33:16", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008363039", "title": "This Is the Church", "author": "Sarah Raymond Cunningham, with illustrations by Ariel Landy", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 203, "review": "This is the Church is a kids' story about the hand motion rhyme: \"Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the doors and see all the people.\" The little girl in the story wants to add to that song and shows what she wants to add throughout the book. Different types of churches are shown, big ones that hold thousands of people and small ones that hold maybe only one family. Other kinds of churches shown are ones that are held in people's homes and others that are held outside maybe in front of a campfire. All of these churches are Christian churches, but each one looks a little different than the others. Even though the churches look different, what they have the same is that there are people. The church is the people.

This story does a good job of showing people worshiping God but in different places. It will depend on what you believe with churches because some people may think different things about a church building and some people may not think girls should be pastors, but these things are shown in the book. I like the pictures because they are pretty and the story is fun to read.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "05-Nov-2019 02:31:35", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008363031", "title": "The Girls with No Names: A Novel", "author": "Serena Burdick", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 226, "review": "Not far from Luella and Effie Tildon's large family mansion in Inwood looms the House of Mercy, a workhouse for wayward girls. The sisters grow up under its shadow with the understanding that even as wealthy young women their freedoms come with limits. But when the sisters accidentally discover a shocking secret about their father, Luella, the brazen older sister, becomes emboldened to do as she pleases. Her rebellion comes with consequences, and one morning Luella is mysteriously gone. Effie suspects that her father made good on his threat to send Luella to the House of Mercy and hatches a plan to save her sister\u2014only for a miscalculation to throw Effie off her path.

The Girls With No Names was a wonderful read, from the unique stories of wayward children sent to live under the harsh control of nuns to the cruelty of young girls that find themselves there, even to the woman spearheading the suffrage movement, left to feel the judgment of a male-dominated society. Although the book covers some difficult topics, such as runaways, class divide, and poverty, I still found the story to hold my interest throughout. While The Girls With No Names started out as a slow burn, showing off the dynamics of life before the metaphorical storm hit, it slowly turned into a story that I did not expect in the slightest.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "05-Nov-2019 01:55:18", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008360067", "title": "I Survived The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912", "author": "Lauren Tarshis", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 198, "review": "George is on the adventure of his life! He, his sister Phoebe and his Aunt Daisy are on the Titanic. He loves exploring the boat and talking to the passengers and staff on the ship. On the night of April 14th, he sneaks from bed to find a special piece of cargo. While he\u2019s out, the boat hits an iceberg and begins taking on water, but when he gets back to his room, he discovers his sister is missing! After locating her, his family has to find a way to the top deck to get off the sinking ship, but the obstacles are so many.

This graphic novel based on the book of the same name is going to delight those readers who love Tarshis\u2019s I Survived series. The illustrations are beautifully rendered in color and detail, and follows right along with the original book. The beginning, like in the books, begins with a foreshadowing of what\u2019s to come, followed by the title of the book, very much like the beginning of a fast-paced action movie. Good news! This first one in the series will be followed by I survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 in June this year.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 22:37:09", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008360059", "title": "All Hell Breaking Loose: The Pentagon's Perspective on Climate Change", "author": "Michael T. Klare", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 224, "review": "Climate change. Despite what some high-ranking politicians might want you to believe, it's very much real, and the consequences of climate change will be felt for decades to come. One of the primary forces working to adapt to climate change and realize the severity of the situation is the Pentagon, which may surprise some people given the current political climate in the US.

Despite the politics and social gamesmanship, the Pentagon has to deal with the real world, particularly when it comes to keeping soldiers and US military assets safe, and to do so, it has to confront the obvious: climate change is real.

All Hell Breaking Loose takes you into the heart of climate change prep in the US military, exploring not only Pentagon assessments of climate change but also the actions already being taken to mitigate its effects on operational effectiveness in the field. It's a fascinating angle on the subject to explore, one that combines both the scientific facts and solution-based, real-time reaction to the threat.

It's both sobering and encouraging to see so much detail and consideration given to the topic by a government entity, particularly one with the reach and influence of the Pentagon. Klare has done a marvelous job of compiling reports, firsthand accounts, and key sources to bring readers to the frontlines of a battle that will affect us all.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 19:29:10", "publisher": "Metropolitan Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008360043", "title": "Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Force Collector", "author": "Kevin Shinick", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 184, "review": "Everything is a story eventually, so long as someone lives to tell it and someone lives to hear it.

Karr\u2019s grandmother told him repeatedly until the day she died that he has the Force and that the headaches and things he sees when he touches certain objects doesn\u2019t mean something is wrong with him. Maize is the new girl at school, and she's a troublemaker. When Karr\u2019s parents decide to send him to school on the other side of the planet, Karr and Maize run away together. Maize is looking for adventure while Karr is searching for the truth about the Jedi and his powers.

Karr and Maize are easy to relate to; they are just a couple of teens trying to figure out who they are and what their place in the universe is. The story is well-paced and is readable in one sitting or over a few days. Much of the setting is familiar, with some other unfamiliar places thrown in. Any fan of Star Wars will enjoy Force Collector and how it adds to the lore of the Star Wars universe.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "01-Nov-2019 17:48:45", "publisher": "Disney Lucasfilm Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008358071", "title": "DC Super Hero Girls: Powerless", "author": "Amy Wolfram, with illustrations by Agnes Garbowska", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Natalie - Age 9", "word_count": 235, "review": "The book was amazing. The structure and the plot helped a lot in helping me feel as if I was right there in the moment with these five girls. When I opened the book, I got a surprise. The book was a comic. I enjoyed the illustrations and the color. Out of all the books that I have reviewed, this is one of the only ones that has been a comic. So, to this book and the author, I say great job. This is a book for everyone and I really enjoyed it. I think people who are wanting to start reading chapter books would really like this as well as people who already read chapter books.

I compared it to the TV show (because I am a BIG DC Super Hero Girls fan), and I discovered that the drawings are the same and the girls are the same.

My favorite part was when Batgirl saves the day even though her tech is gone, and I can relate to her because sometimes my friends say I can\u2019t do things, but I go ahead and do them anyway and prove that I can do anything.

I love DC Super Hero Girls because girls can totally save the day!

I enjoyed the quality of the book and that it is based on a TV show, so the only thing that I have to say is:

Amy Wolfram and Agnes Garbowska, well done.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 23:17:59", "publisher": "DC Entertainment", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008358063", "title": "Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes", "author": "Kathleen West", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Grace Glover", "word_count": 250, "review": "High school drama isn\u2019t just for the students at Liston Heights. English teacher Isobel Johnson has devoted her professional life to pushing boundaries and awakening social consciousness in her privileged students despite most of the parents opposing her progressive lessons. She receives an anonymous voicemail accusing her of pushing a liberal agenda and threatening her career if she does not change her curriculum. In response, Isobel pushes further, ignoring requests from her boss and colleagues to take a step back. Soon she finds herself the focus of a smear campaign and on the verge of losing her position.

Julia Abbott is an overinvolved parent obsessed with getting her son a role in the play. Her dedication goes too far when Julia accidentally punches another theater student. The incident is caught on tape and goes viral. Julia finds herself ostracized from the theater department, the other school moms, and her family. When her daughter Tracy announces she never wants to have children after one of Isobel\u2019s English lessons, Julia feels her life spinning out of control and decides to do some digging into Isobel\u2019s past to discredit the teacher and win back her daughter and the community\u2019s affection.

When a secret Liston Heights High gossip site posts damning stories on Isobel and Julia, they must join forces to take the site down before it ruins both their lives. This novel will keep you on the seat of your pants and is perfect for fans of Where\u2019d You Go Bernadette and Big Little Lies.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 22:47:18", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008358059", "title": "This Terrible Beauty", "author": "Katrin Schumann", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 267, "review": "On the windswept shores of an East German island, Bettina Heilstrom struggles to build a life from the ashes. World War II has ended, and the Iron Curtain is tearing Europe apart. Longing for a family, she marries Werner, an older bureaucrat who adores her. But after joining the fledgling secret police, he is drawn deep into its dark mission and becomes a dangerous man.

When Bettina falls in love with an idealistic young renegade, Werner discovers her infidelity and forces her to make a choice: spend her life in prison or leave her home forever. Either way, she loses her lover and her newborn child.

Ten years later, Bettina has reinvented herself in Chicago, although she yearns for the baby she left behind. Surprised by an unexpected visitor, Bettina returns to her ravaged homeland to reclaim her daughter and uncover her beloved's fate, no matter the cost.

This Terrible Beauty is such a beautifully written story, from the complex and well-developed characters to the ever-changing plot, there is much to like about it. The author did an amazing job writing about life in Germany after the war and about how East Germany developed, which I definitely find to be rare in World War II era historical fiction, as there are many stories that tell about life in Germany during the war (rather than about life afterwards).

While there are many things that I enjoyed about This Terrible Beauty, I have to say that there were times when the story seemed to be a bit slow, and I would have to circle back and power through it.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 22:44:52", "publisher": "Lake Union Publishing", "page_count": "381 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008358055", "title": "The Third to Die: A Novel", "author": "Allison Brennan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 225, "review": "Kara Quinn is on leave from the LAPD in her hometown of Liberty Lake. While out jogging she discovers the body of a young woman, throwing her into an FBI investigation of a serial killer called the Triple Killer. He kills three people in nine days every three years. The FBI has just assembled a Mobile Response Team, and this is their first case. The body Kara discovered was number seven, which means they have eight more days to save two more people. The Third to Die is always a cop, so the stakes are high. Both Kara and the FBI are not going to let him slip away again, but how do you catch a killer who has gone so long without being caught?

This was a fairly long book for a thriller, but it worked out well because there were so many different main characters. The length allowed for the development of all of them, including the killer. The part I enjoyed the most was watching the FBI profile unfold as they work the evidence and look for patterns, allowing them to somewhat predict what the killer\u2019s next move would be. If you enjoy thrillers that have characters that are more than just surface-level, you will enjoy this book. I would also recommend it to anyone who finds profiling as fascinating as I do.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 22:40:59", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008358051", "title": "The Glass Magician", "author": "Caroline Stevermer", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Heather Clawson", "word_count": 188, "review": "From an early age, Thalia Cutler has always known that she was born to be on stage, performing magic and dazzling audiences across the country. But her dreams of stardom come to an abrupt halt when she becomes a prime suspect in the murder of a rival magician while also trying to come to terms with the revelation that she\u2019s a Trader: an individual who has the ability to switch between her human form and her animal counterpart. Now Thalia must clear her name and learn to control her abilities before the savage beasts who have been hunting Traders throughout the city catch up to her.

Stevermer does an excellent job of building her world and pulling you inside of it, and I really enjoyed the fact that stage magic and real magic were able to share space without one overpowering the other. My only complaint was that the story is a pretty slow burn when it comes to getting a glimpse of Trader abilities. It was past the halfway point before the book actually magicked. But other than that, I thought this was a great urban fantasy read.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 19:53:16", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008358047", "title": "Gunpowder & Embers", "author": "John Ringo", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 206, "review": "The authors are triune: John Ringo, Kacey Ezell, and Christopher L. Smith. What role each has played is nicely unclear. What is clear is that however they combined work or collaborated, they followed the \u201cshow, don\u2019t tell\u201d rule in exemplary and sometimes even boggling fashion.

We begin with a hive immersion reminiscent of C.J. Cherryh\u2019s Serpent\u2019s Reach without background, in the head of young Ariel, and initially dumbfounding. Then, on horseback, the gift is mounted combat\u2026and we are not told that the combatants are aligned with and against the hive\u2026In fact, that relationship is left until later to be developed. What background is afforded is offered only in conjunction with action and interpersonal tensions.

This is a post-dystopian romp across an America both degenerating and crushed, essentially following Chuck Gordon, a youthful cowboy hero of engaging character development and formidable fighting skills

The Windfists are a warrior monkhood, and their pantheon includes the revered Baddis (\u201calways have a plan to kill them\u201d), the sainted Norris\u2026you get the idea.

Inter dimensional invaders are referred to, but we are left to work out or meet the references. What could be a frustration becomes an engaging aspect.

There are dragons both wild and tame, betrayals of great magnitude, heartstopping action.

Great fun. Do buy it.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 19:32:35", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008357067", "title": "Bolivar Eats New York: A Discovery Adventure", "author": "Sean Rubin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah G - Age 13", "word_count": 144, "review": "Bolivar is a cute dinosaur that lives with his friend Sybil in New York. The picture book starts out with the two of them going to their favorite Deli downtown. Bolivar orders his favorite, just like every other time! Sybil tries to encourage him to try something new and ends up taking him all across New York to find new exciting food! Bolivar gets to try all kinds of new food from different cuisines and cultures including Jewish favorites, Italian, Chinese, and street food from all over the world. I really enjoyed this book. It\u2019s beautifully illustrated, and while the book is a mix between comic and traditional story, the explanations about the food and cultures were a great addition. I learned a lot of facts about New York, its history, and people. I think this book is a great addition to anyone\u2019s library!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 23:11:11", "publisher": "Archaia", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008357047", "title": "The Missing Sister", "author": "Elle Marr", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 251, "review": "Angela is The Missing Sister. She\u2019d been living in Paris for the last three years when her twin, Shayna, gets the message that she\u2019s been found dead, possibly the victim of a serial killer. Shayna flies over to identify her body and finds a secret message in her sister\u2019s apartment that says her sister is alive. Shayna retraces Angela\u2019s steps throughout Paris and its catacombs in an attempt to find her. Shayna isn\u2019t the only one looking, though, and how do you know whom to trust in a city full of strangers and where you don\u2019t speak the language? There is also a serial killer on the loose who will stop at nothing to finish his work.

I found this book to be a bit difficult to enjoy. None of the characters were likable, not even Shayna and Angela. They both seemed self-centered and irritating. The hard things they went through made them more so instead of bringing them together and making them stronger. The plot was somewhat convoluted with rabbit trails that didn\u2019t appear to have much to do with the story. After all that, the motives of the killer ended up just being a repeat of history. There was a great deal in this book that didn\u2019t make sense. The part I did enjoy was the descriptions of the city of Paris itself. The author did not paint its people in a very positive light, though. I\u2019m sure there is a niche for this book, I\u2019m not sure where.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 22:33:28", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008356087", "title": "Perfect Little Children: A Novel", "author": "Sophie Hannah", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 229, "review": "On her way to her son\u2019s football practice one afternoon, Beth takes a detour to the beautiful, showy house where her former best friend Flora lived twelve years ago. Beth and Flora have long been out of touch, but Beth can\u2019t shake her curiosity about whatever happened to her friend. She doesn\u2019t expect to actually see Flora, but, to her surprise, she sees Flora getting out of an SUV with two little children. She hears Flora call to them, using the names of the children Beth remembers. Yet this is impossible because the children Beth remembers would be teenagers by now. Beth struggles to reconcile what she\u2019s witnessed with what the reality must be, but she can\u2019t make it make sense. There\u2019s a mystery here, and, worse, danger. Her bond with Flora has loosened, but Beth feels an overwhelming compulsion to figure out what\u2019s going on\u2014before harm comes to those children, or to Flora herself.

The mystery at the heart of Perfect Little Children has nothing to do with science fiction, an expectation that is suggested in the cover copy. Instead, as Beth delves deeper into the confounding tangle of familiar names and unfamiliar faces, of what she knows to be true and what appears to be true, we get a chilling portrait of a marriage steeped in cruelty, and of a woman frantic to protect her children\u2014at any cost.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 22:56:34", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008356075", "title": "The Way Home (Owly #1) (1)", "author": "Andy Runton", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 230, "review": "Owly the owl wants nothing more in life than to have friends, but he doesn\u2019t have the easiest time making new ones. Being an owl, many of the birds and bugs in the forest where he lives are scared of Owly, even when all he\u2019s doing is trying to help. So when Owly rescues a lost little worm from a puddle on a rainy day, his only concern is the little creature\u2019s safety and helping it find its way home. Owly could never have predicted the amazing friendship that would form as a result! In a second story, Owly and Wormy befriend a pair of hummingbirds.

Artist and author Andy Runton brings the popular comic character Owly to life in a new set of stories about the beauty of friendship. This book, Owly: The Way Home, the first in a new series, is a little different from previous Owly stories, as some readers may notice. The earlier books contained very few actual words, but this book changes things up with much more actual dialogue (except for Owly himself; Owly still speaks in pictures and symbols).

These stories are cute and fun, and while they can easily be enjoyed by readers of all ages, the Owly stories are especially great for new readers, and they are an excellent way to introduce kids to the art of comic books and graphic novels.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "23-Jun-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 22:39:45", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008356051", "title": "A Blight of Blackwings (The Seven Kennings)", "author": "Kevin Hearne", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 194, "review": "Blight is the second in Hearne's Seven Kennings series. As with most of his works, the characters are wonderful, and the world-building, excellent. Most is told by the bard Fintan, with pockets of present-time action. Fintan possesses a unique magic, one of six Kennings. These Kennings are rare, powerful, and come at a price for those accepted to bear them. His allows him to enhance storytelling by taking on the personas of those he's met in his travels, who've played parts in the actual events.

Blight dove more into exploring the quite disparate cultures of this world. The anthropologist in me always loves learning about different cultures, be they real world or story world cultures. The only downside for me was lack of any kind of recap of the events in the previous book. It jumped right back into things, which might be fine if I were reading it on the heels of Plague instead of a long time apart! This is epic fantasy at its best, infused with Hearne's particular brand of humour. Recommended for fans of Patrick Rothfuss, JRR Tolkien, and GRR Martin. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 19:44:11", "publisher": "Del Rey", "page_count": "592 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008356043", "title": "The New Husband", "author": "D.J. Palmer", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 243, "review": "Nina Garrity has been through a lot. Almost two years ago, her husband disappeared under mysterious circumstances. As the search for him continued, the lies and secrets started spilling out and Nina found out that she didn\u2019t really know him at all. Enter Simon Fitch, who is attempting to be The New Husband. He seems to be perfect; he knows all her favorite foods and her son thinks he\u2019s amazing. He knows just what to say to be comforting. Nina\u2019s wary to trust again, but he\u2019s so great. Are there warning signs that he\u2019s not whom she thinks he is or is she just too traumatized from her first marriage? Nina is going to have to decide whom she can trust to tell the truth before it\u2019s too late.

If you enjoyed B.A. Paris\u2019 book Behind Closed Doors as much as I did, then you will love this book. This book was just long enough to be a slow burn, leading you to know an explosive ending is coming without detracting from its greatness. There were even a few twists in there I didn\u2019t see coming. A really fantastic story with complicated characters that you couldn\u2019t help but root for. The only part I don\u2019t understand is the title, since Nina and Simon are never even engaged, let alone married. Other than that, it was amazing! I couldn\u2019t put it down. If you are looking for a good thriller, then look no further.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 19:27:53", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008356031", "title": "Change Maker: Turn Your Passion for Health and Fitness into a Powerful Purpose and a Wildly Successful Career", "author": "John Berardi", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 263, "review": "I tried going into this with an unbiased opinion but really knew that I couldn\u2019t since John Berardi, Ph.D., is the co-creator of the very program I use with my nutrition clients, Precision Nutrition. To top it off, the Foreward in this book is written by non-other than Jon Goodman, who is one of the top fitness gurus in the world, in my opinion, and whose books I\u2019ve read and courses I have taken and apply every day in my work. Grabbing a copy of this book made me jump up and down and I started reading it as soon as I received it. I would expect no less than the well-organized chapters the book is laid out in. With colorful chapter dividers with words of wisdom and questions for thought, this book is interactive and makes the reader step out of his or her comfort zone. Being in the health and fitness industry for over eight years now, being a successful entrepreneur is a whole other topic. In Change Maker, John gives the reader ways to separate him or her from the pack, to figure out his or her own special abilities (strengths and weaknesses other than the regular personality test would dictate), to understand clients from the client perspective and not the professional\u2019s perspective, and how to build your business and keep it going. Some of the tips I\u2019ve heard of before, which was fine, but the takeaways and the questions I left asking myself were many. This is a book that can be gone back to many times for direction.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 18:19:23", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008356023", "title": "Junko Mizuno's Hell Ladies", "author": "None", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 931, "review": "Looking for something cheerfully depraved? Or something hyper-cute and grotesque? Look no further than these killer comics which feature a range of delightfully dark stories that span the absurd, the post-apocalyptic, and the disturbing. Take an adventure with four robots bound together through a kill lock then explore the origins of Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo, and then follow June Branch as she tries to rescue her boyfriend and escape an island with the help of a cursed Viking axe. \n\nHell Was Full \u2013 Branson Reese\n\nBranson Reese delivers a work that features alt text and has new material that's delightful and absurd while also being called bitingly satirical, depraved yet cheerful, and eye-scractchingly humorous. This collection features moments that are insane, including God's fallen head being chewed on by a raccoon, a man having driven a Transformer out of a funeral, and a toaster that turns against its owner. /Hell Was Full/ stems from the webcomic which has been commented on for its bleak style that weaves into the absurdity and creates dadaist cocktails. Everything you love about the webcomic can be found in this collection with a variety of comics that range from a man using his wish to wish the genie dead to absurd characters that include M&Ms and hornets. \n\nPost-Apocalypto \u2013 Tenacious D.\n\n/Post-Apocalypto/ was a film, an album, and a tour. Now the graphic novel has arrived with audio included. Tenacious D (the musical styling of Jack Black and Kyle Gass) have branched out their universe with this new graphic novel. This humorous and genre mash-up stems from the minds of Black as an illustrator and Gass as a writer. The movie is available on YouTube. An atomic bomb drops and now Tenacious D is cast into a world of chaos after they survive the apocalypse in true cinematic style by hiding inside of a 1950s refrigerator. The Tenacious duo quickly learns that a new kind of evil has developed as a side effect of the bomb which can only mean one thing. In order for humanity to survive the brewing evil, this duo will have to save the world. In this crazy tale of post-apocalypse, you'll follow this duo as they venture to the White House, use a time machine, and even take an adventure into space while working through daddy issues. /Post-Apocalypto/ is described as being hilarious yet political while also being brilliant and multi-faceted with colorful illustrations. \n\nThe Kill Lock \u2013 Livio Ramondelli\n\nThis science-fiction adventure finds these four robots cast away from their homes after committing horrible crimes and are now facing a big problem. They're bound together through a kill lock that will activate if one of them dies and kill the other three. Their only choice is to rely on each other. The journey bands a soldier, a murderer, an addict, and a child together in a search for a cure that will ensure all of their survival. Only one clue steers them in their search. A bot called the Axial is supposedly the creator of the Lock and the only one that has the answers they need. \n\nUsagi Yojimbo Origins Vol 1 Samurai \u2013 Stan Sakai \n\nThis colorful edition delves back into the beginnings of rabbit ronin Miyamoto's journey. Usagi started as a student where he trained under the guidance of a mountain hermit called Katsuichi-Sensei. This journey takes place in a time well before he was a samurai without a master. His training under the hermit provides him with the first steps toward becoming a warrior and closer to the battle of Adachigahara. This serves as a catalyst for the incredible tales he is set to venture upon. Discover the origins of Stan Sakai's fan-favorite character in a story set long before the decades-long epic that fans love. This stunning collection follows the /Samurai/ storyline in an edition that includes full color for the first time since it was released in 1987. This volume includes /Blind Swords-Pig/, /A Quiet Meal/, /Kappa/, and /Lone Rabbit and Child/.\n\nJunko Mizuno's Hell Ladies \u2013 Junko Mizuno \n\nThis stunning collection is a compilation of Junko Mizuno's works from the beginning of her career which highlighted powerful female characters which had a transgressive twist. These characters come to life through this colorful fantasy world that has been a fascination of Japan since she created them. Mizuno's art has been described as delicious, distinctive, and disturbing. The works in /Hell Ladies/ range from 1998 to 2001 which introduce a variety of manga-inspired girls that wear rattlesnakes and play with butcher knives as well as razor blades. Known for her psychedelic flair, Mizuno's style mixes sweet and horror with female sexuality which creates a juxtaposition between tones of hyper-cute and grotesque. This is a collection for mature readers. \n\nBasketful of Heads \u2013 Joe Hill \n\nWhat other choice does June Branch have when she's trapped on Brody Island, but try to find a way out, no matter the risk. To make matters worse, her boyfriend was kidnapped and she has escaped convicts out for her blood. The only thing June has in her defense is a mysterious Viking axe that comes with the power to behead people while allowing them to continue talking. June's only option to save herself and rescue her boyfriend is to use the axe's power while trying to keep herself calm and perhaps even seek help from a basketful of heads. This collection is spine-tingling and features artwork by Leomacs from /Lucifer/. The entire seven-issue miniseries is featured within /Basketful of Heads/ with special features that include character designs and sketches from behind-the-scenes.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "01-Nov-2019 17:41:48", "publisher": "Titan Comics", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008355099", "title": "52 Random Weekend Projects: For Budding Inventors and Backyard Builders", "author": "Grant Thompson \"The King of Random\"", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Raif - Age 10", "word_count": 226, "review": "In a survival situation you would want to know how to start a fire --perhaps with just a sandwich bag, or a gum wrapper and battery \u2013 or how to make a water filter so you can stay safely hydrated. Maybe you want to de-stress \u2013 a Ninja stress ball or some Magic sand could be the solution. Or, maybe you just feel the need to have a little mini-arsenal on hand, with Nunchucks, a little RPG launcher and Airsoft Grenade, Crossbow, and a few other things... just in case? All these projects and many, many more are available for you in this clever handbook of weekend projects that will thrill tweens and terrify parents (and younger siblings). Most of them take only a few minutes to create, using easily-found materials, although some are more complex. The book is helpfully divided into sections according to difficulty and complexity, with the later projects requiring additional time, more specialized materials, greater competence and experience, or a combination. The steps are fairly clear, although the simple black and white diagrams lack detail and could use more specificity \u2013 some are a little difficult to follow, and it is always good practice to read through the instructions several times before beginning a project. Whatever your skill level or time constraints, you are sure to find something interesting and engaging here.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 22:48:51", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008355087", "title": "The Citizen's Guide to Climate Success: Overcoming Myths that Hinder Progress", "author": "Mark Jaccard", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 198, "review": "There are people agitating that we need to do something about climate change, and other people believe that nothing needs to be done since climate change is just a hoax. Professor Mark Jaccard looks at things that can be done. Dr. Jaccard feels that there is hope and that we can do something before it becomes too late, and it offers ways that making a few key changes then we are on the right track. The other area Professor Jaccard focuses on is electing leaders who are climate-sinecure from those that are insincere.

While it is nice to get a book like this, I feel like it has been written before. People who read magazines on the left, and listen to left-leaning television stations a lot of this information will feel the same. I do not want to say Dr. Jaccard is preaching to the choir, but if the only people who read his book are those that believe in climate change then that is what he is doing. The question becomes now is how to reach those that are climate change deniers and those that live in rural communities who might not have access to this book.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 20:59:44", "publisher": "Cambridge University Press", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008355059", "title": "Penric's Progress", "author": "Lois McMaster Bujold", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 202, "review": "Frabjous!! I sought this out for review thinking it was another in the series of entrancing Penric novellas. It is in fact a trilogy of three I had already read and treasured. Disappointment did not ensue. Thinking I would just scan and write, I found myself devouring every word of all three again, in a read that cost me a night\u2019s sleep. Juxtaposition made for enhanced enjoyment and a smooth continuation. I knew Ms. Bujold tries to make even her \u201cseries\u201d work effectively as stand-alones. I was happily gob-smacked to realize how neatly they heterodyne.

We are treated to the mental interactions of a multiply-female chaos demon and a still-embarassable young man, the legal and theological implications of the same concatenation (this is the World of Five Gods, after all) an episode of remote arson and one of close combat with a demoness director/assistant.

Daniel Dos Santos has contributed a cover exciting, complex, happily salacious. That complements the author\u2019s notorious humor and gender takes.

Supporting characters are limned with fine detail, admirably developed. Penric himself and his demonic ally also develop most satisfyingly over this fine triune progression.

A gift: a Bujold reading order guide. Invaluable, conversational, and foretelling the upcoming Penric\u2019s Travels.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 19:33:51", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008355047", "title": "The Secrets of Love Story Bridge: A Novel", "author": "Phaedra Patrick", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 182, "review": "Mitchell is still mourning the loss of his wife while trying his best to raise his daughter, Poppy, and do his job. He used to be an architect, but now he works in city maintenance cutting padlocks left by couples off city bridges. After a hot pop group does a song about the love locks, couples go overboard affixing their own locks to proclaim their love. When Michell witnesses a young woman attach her own lock and then fall off the bridge, he dives after her without a second thought. His split-second decision ends up changing the course of his life.

This book is exceptionally well written. The characters are multi-dimensional, realistic, and vivid. The unique storyline is part mystery as well as heartwarming romantic drama. Every character is interesting and reveals their own surprising secrets along the way. Even Michell\u2019s daughter is a delightful character, written as a realistic young girl.

You\u2019ll go through the range of emotions with this book. Much of it is bittersweet, but the underlying emotion of this story is hope. This is truly a feel-good read with substance.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2019 19:24:57", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008355039", "title": "The Philosophy of Deadpool", "author": "None", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 210, "review": "Until fairly recently, Deadpool was a hilarious anarchic force roaming the pages of comic books. But after two wildly successful Hollywood movies, the Merc with a Mouth suddenly has a brand-new fanbase to introduce to his insane adventures. Whether he's battling undead presidents, killing off the entire Marvel Universe, or teaming up with Thanos to save Death (who they're both in love with, by the way), a casual Google search or a stroll through the comic shop barely scratches the surface of Deadpool's wholly unique pantheon of stories.

The Philosophy of Deadpool strives to encapsulate all things Deadpool, offering numerous glimpses of him teaming up with famous heroes, tossing out witty observations, and causing havoc in all sorts of inexplicable situations. Although the book doesn't linger long enough on any of these scenes to be truly satisfying (a taste or a hint is all you get, with many important characters not even being named), it does pique the reader's interest, whether they're a die-hard Deadpool fan or a newcomer to the madman's comic book endeavors.

Essentially, this is a scrapbook, a highlight reel of Deadpool's peaks and valleys. It's a good jumping off point, to be sure, but it serves more as a hit-and-run retrospective than as something more substantial.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "01-Nov-2019 17:42:26", "publisher": "Titan Comics", "page_count": "127 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008530007", "title": "The Canyon Cuts Both Ways/hidden stories", "author": "Dan T. Cox", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 479, "review": "Sometimes a short story collection is just that: an anthology of simple, vaguely interesting stories that are soon forgotten after reading . . . and sometimes a collection stays with you in the way fond memories do. The Canyon Cuts Both Ways by Dan T. Cox is one of the later collections, with moving tales that remain in your mind.

Welcome to the Canyon, located in Central Oregon, close to the Cascade Mountains, where all the elements make themselves known. \u201cTo embrace it best, you have to be somewhere along that stretch of river that flows from the base of Big Cliff Dam toward the rocky narrows of Niagara, where the North Santiam resisted long-ago efforts to dam it with chunks of chiseled stone and Chinese labor.\u201d And it is the people, the residents who breathe life and vitality into the Canyon. In the style of Steinbeck with the sharp rural way of life of Flannery O\u2019Connor, you may sometimes agree with these people, and sometimes you may disagree, but the canyon cut both ways after all.

The opening tale, \u201cKing Bean,\u201d tells a story of farming, of the tradition of picking green pole beans in August. The workers come from all over\u2014both young and old\u2014but all needing the small amount of money this hard labor offers. Before long, the bean fields will echo and ricochet with the tin sounds of beans landing in metal buckets. There is the made-up game of King Bean, where the largest beans have grown into a horseshoe shape and are brought together in a fierce tug-of-war, with the strongest bean remaining intact, the weaker breaking. But this time Virgil is sure he\u2019s picked a winner and will finally give Sam a run for the title.

Or there is the story of a family in \u201cThe Teachings of Anna\u201d where seven-year-old Charlie is looked after by his aunt and uncle because his mother made some bad choices in her life and continues to do so. Charlie may not be as sharp and bright as other boys his age, but there is a magical personality about that him that makes him truly lovable and unique. In \u201cThe Unlit Woods,\u201d a raw hunting tale is told as brawny men linked by family are out looking to take down some deer, yet Paul secretly hates doing this whole thing, but at the same time wants to impress Lyle. And then there is the mythical tale of one Shiner Black that echoes American folklore.

The language is rich and alive in \u201cThe Canyon Cuts Both Ways,\u201d with wonderful descriptions of nature and the natural world; the words possessing a lyrical quality that make it seem like they might be accompanied by music. The collection is ideal for either being consumed whole-heartedly in a long sitting, like a many-course delicious meal, or in shorter sittings: a series of tasty snacks to be savored.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Dec-2019 20:29:14", "publisher": "IngramSpark", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008530003", "title": "With Dark Understandings", "author": "Fazle Chowdhury", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 59, "review": "\"Surrounded by fear and living under the rule of a corrupt militia, two friends risk their lives to create a land of peace. Death, love, and heartbreak: An all-too-realistic scenario in a world of chaos. Readers will find With Dark Understandings disturbing but become deeply involved in the complicated and fascinating lives of these characters.\" \u2014 Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Dec-2019 16:03:44", "publisher": "", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008528031", "title": "A Doll for Grandma: A Story About Alzheimer's Disease", "author": "Paulette Bochnig Sharkey, with illustrations by Samantha Woo", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 216, "review": "When Kiera discovers Grandma\u2019s keys in the refrigerator next to the orange juice, and Grandma starts knitting hats that are much too small for a human head, she becomes perplexed, confounded by the changes she is witnessing. Her mom lovingly explains that Grandma\u2019s brain is having trouble remembering. Soon, Grandma moves to a memory-care home, and as her disease progresses, she loses her ability to walk. The once vibrant, active, and animated woman Kiera loved so deeply as a young child seems to be fading into the background of the person she has become. Through compassion, creativity, and unwavering determination, Kiera is able to connect with the person she has become, and the love between them shines bright.

This heartwarming story is inclusive, yet relatively short and concise\u2014perfect for young children who are emerging readers. It\u2019s likely to ignite an array of emotional responses from its readers, from sadness to joy, from pensiveness to laughter. Though this topic (Alzheimer\u2019s disease), and more broadly, degenerative diseases, may ignite a negative reaction from children, the author\u2019s style of presentation is masterful. She sprinkles her story with moments of hilarity and touches of sweetness that are gripping. Youth whose lives have been impacted by aging loved ones will be transformed by insight and hope after reading this exquisite picture book.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "29-Dec-2019 01:29:04", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008528015", "title": "Wild Dog", "author": "Serge Joncour", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahtega - Age 16", "word_count": 322, "review": "Wild Dog is a captivating tale about the power of the natural world and its influence on humans. It tells the stories of two sets of people who sought to escape from the world. Franck and Lise rent a secluded house in the hills of France to escape the strains of modern life. Echoes from a dark past can be heard all over the property, where a German lion tamer took shelter with his cats decades ago. As the story unfolds, both sets of people begin to realize how similar they are to the wild that surrounds them.

The plot that Joncour spins is like a winding road, full of unexpected twists and turns. These twists and turns make the story interesting; they are the reason why the reader keeps reading, so the reader can find out what happens next. Not only did Joncour develop the plot well, but he knocked it out of the park with his character development. Each character is crafted carefully and deliberately. Because of this, readers are better able to understand and relate to the characters, which drives the plot. Another interesting thing Joncour does with his characters, is how he shows their growth and change. These changes make the characters real and help to move the story along.

One more thing that Joncour does really well is his use of descriptive language. The way he employs imagery makes possible for the reader to really visualize the scenes. Joncour\u2019s message is the power and influence that the natural world holds. He also wants to make clear the effect nature has on us. He makes this clear by developing Franck\u2019s character in response to the situation he finds himself in.

All in all this is a good book. I would recommend this book for more mature readers who are interested in wildlife and human relations. I am sure many other kids (high school age) will love this book.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 22:12:51", "publisher": "Gallic Books", "page_count": "372 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008528011", "title": "The Imperfects: A Novel", "author": "Amy Meyerson", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Ramirez", "word_count": 198, "review": "The Imperfects is a story filled with mystery, lost diamonds, and the importance of what family means in the grand scheme of things. Whether it be good or bad, the characters in this story all have one thing in common: they aren\u2019t perfect. The Millers are estranged when the story starts up. That is, until Helen, a mother and grandmother, suddenly dies. Therein starts a moving tale of a secret family inheritance that could make or break an already broken family. I enjoyed this one a lot. Meyerson writes wonderfully flawed characters that are relatable in so many ways, although there were times that I felt like they were way too stubborn for their own good. The ending was perfect and not too over the top. Readers looking for a family drama that has mystery and history thrown in, look no further. There are many individuals and different storylines that help bring a better understanding of the way the characters tick, why they do what they do. It was great seeing how everything came together in the end. I look forward to reading more from the author; she writes engaging and interesting books that fill me with wonder.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 20:52:27", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008528007", "title": "Servant of the Crown (The Dragonslayer)", "author": "Duncan M. Hamilton", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 189, "review": "This was a great final\u00e9 to an amazing series! One character, Boudain, really surprised me. He stepped up and at least tried, instead of acting like a young, spoiled royal. It's clear he has the potential to be a great ruler. Another character I really liked died in this book, too. I understand the necessity, in terms of the storyline, but dang. It really hit me hard. I'm not naming names, as it would be a big spoiler.

I am sad to leave Gil's company. He was definitely a character I fell in love with. Each major character really changed over the course of the series. For Gil, I hope the changes stick, and he doesn't go back to what is familiar and easy. He deserves better. I'd love to see the future of the female dragonling and if other dragons are still out there somewhere. It seems open for another story with some of the same characters, due to the arrival of the ghul/vampire-like creatures. As for this story arc and its characters, things felt pretty well wrapped up. The perfect series for any dragon fan! Highly recommended.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 20:44:06", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008528003", "title": "Little Turtle and the Changing Sea", "author": "Becky Davies", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 206, "review": "Little Turtle and the Changing Sea is about a little turtle and it starts right after she hatches from her egg on the beach and is heading to the ocean. Once she gets into the ocean, she sees lots of pretty things, like colorful fish, moving seagrass, and other animals, too. Little turtle grows up and is still swimming to her home on the other side of the world. Little turtle makes this trip lots of times, but one time she goes, she notices that things are different in the water- there is trash and she gets caught in a net! Some divers free her and clean up the mess where she is at, and then the ocean is pretty and clean again.

This story is kind of sad that the water had to start out being pretty, but then change to being dark, scary, and sad to swim through for the animals. At the end of the book, it talks about garbage and plastic in the water and on the ground. I want to keep the animals safe, so I will try hard not to leave any trash on the ground or let it fly into water-instead I will use the trash can or recycle.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 20:16:13", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008527023", "title": "Rick", "author": "Alex Gino", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Rick is starting middle school, and things are pretty much the same, right? Rick and his best friend Jeff fall into place as always. But Jeff is loud and proud about some things that make Rick very uncomfortable. Jeff seems to think everyone who isn\u2019t just like him is fair game, and he particularly picks on kids in the Rainbow Spectrum club\u2014a safe place for kids in the LGBTQIAP+ community. But Rick is questioning a lot about himself. He doesn\u2019t get excited about girls but doesn\u2019t get excited about boys either. He\u2019s confused. His father talks about girls to him a lot. His mother makes it clear it\u2019s okay for him to like boys. It\u2019s Rick\u2019s grandfather and Rainbow Spectrum who really open doors for him.

Author Alex Gino has done a terrific job writing about an important, difficult subject for middle-graders. The characters are credible and will-rounded, the situations are things to which kids will relate, and the handling of the subject matter is deft. Readers will find themselves cheering for Rick to make good choices and learn to live his life on his terms. This will be a great discussion starter for middle-grade classes.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "29-Dec-2019 01:15:34", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008527015", "title": "Curse of the Night Witch (Emblem Island)", "author": "Alex Aster", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lana - Age 11", "word_count": 200, "review": "In Alex Aster\u2019s first book in the Emblem Island series Curse of the Night Witch, three children embark on a perilous journey in which they must find and defeat the Night Witch to keep her from terrorizing villages and remove their curses. The main character, Tor Luna, dislikes his leadership emblem and wishes for a new one, only to find it replaced by a black eye encircled on his wrist: a curse. Tor, Melda, and Engle use a \"storybook\" as their guide and map, which leads them to villages that are nothing short of magical, mythical monsters that test them, and people who contribute to them on their adventure.

The reader may think the story is very predictable at some points, while it can be very fickle at others. Conversely, some will find this book very enlightening with many twists and turns that make them want to close the book for a second to process what they just read. Others might feel compelled never to stop reading because they want to know what will happen next (I would be one of the \"others\"). Either way, anyone who reads this fascinating story will have the urge to finish it no matter what.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "29-Dec-2019 00:46:01", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008527011", "title": "He Started It", "author": "Samantha Downing", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 250, "review": "In order to collect their share of a sizable inheritance their grandfather left, estranged siblings Eddie, Beth, and Portia must embark on THE exact same cross-country road trip they went on when they were children and scatter his ashes at the end of their journey. Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong. While two people are not along for the ride, their grandfather and sister Nikki who mysteriously disappeared years ago but whose presence is felt, two additional characters join the Morgans on this trip from hell: Eddie\u2019s new wife Krista and Beth\u2019s even-tempered, albeit boring husband Felix. Not only do they find themselves being followed by a mysterious truck, but with each mile they travel, secrets, past resentments, and hostility emerge.

Samantha Downing follows up My Lovely Wife with He Started It, a slow-burn family drama told from Beth\u2019s point of view. None of the characters are likeable, relatable or reliable, but that is what makes this read so much fun. While the reader knows they are being kept in the dark, Beth, with a no-nonsense, blunt, and at times witty point of view, is upfront about not being the heroine and tells her story in the order that best suits her purpose, leaving one to wonder about her real motives. An added bonus is the wacky places the siblings stop along the way to their destination. The short chapters and pace of the story will keep readers turning the pages as they wonder how this family trip from hell will conclude.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 20:53:24", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008527007", "title": "The Hand on the Wall", "author": "Maureen Johnson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 183, "review": "In her short time at Ellingham Academy, Stevie Bell has experienced a lot: blossoming friendships and a confusing romantic life, the mysterious deaths of two fellow students and her mentor, and the possibility that she may have just solved a decades-old mystery. As misfortunes keep piling up, Stevie can\u2019t shake the feeling that the mysteries of the past and the circumstances of the present might be connected. Stevie juggles anxiety, family challenges, and romantic confusion as she works to uncover what happened decades ago and what\u2019s going on now.

In this final book in the Truly Devious series, Maureen Johnson expertly balances the warmth and coziness of an idyllic, friend-filled Vermont boarding school with the bone-chilling thrill of murder and mystery. The Hand on the Wall has a richness of atmosphere and character that readers will want to savor but a plot that keeps the pages turning\u2014readers will be eager to know the novel\u2019s conclusion but will never want the book to end. Replete with intrigue, thoughtfulness, and depth, The Hand on the Wall is a mystery of the moment and for the ages.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 20:10:00", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008526055", "title": "Rita and Ralph's Rotten Day", "author": "Carmen Agra Deedy", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "Rita and Ralph live very near each other, each in a small house on top of a small hill. Every morning they would each come outside and run down their hill and up another small hill in between their houses to meet and play together, dancing, making daisy chains, and more. But one day they added a new game called sticks and stones. Rita got hurt and Ralph knew it was bad. They each ran home to their own house and closed their doors. Ralph felt bad and went to Rita\u2019s house to apologize, but by the time he got there, he was hot and grumpy and yelled his apology, which didn\u2019t sound like an apology. Can they find a way to make up and be friends again?

Author Carmen Agra Deedy has written a very cute story with a very important message that will help youngsters find their way through friendship trouble, something all kids face. Illustrator Pete Oswald\u2019s stylized illustrations using bright colors and lots of fun details will keep little ones interested all the way through. This fun book will teach a good lesson without young readers ever realizing it.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "29-Dec-2019 01:22:23", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008526051", "title": "More Miracle Than Bird", "author": "Alice Miller", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 216, "review": "Georgie Hyde-Lees, twenty-one years old and more self-assured than she is knowledgeable, develops a relationship with the Irish poet W.B. Yeats in Alice Miller\u2019s debut novel, More Miracle than Bird.

After leaving school to pursue a life of leisure, art, and her passion for translating poetry, Georgie finds herself unable to gallivant around WWI London due to the death of her father. Her mother, a socialite in her own right, wishes Georgie to live at home or return to school, but Georgie strikes out on her own and secures a position as a nurse at a wartime hospital. There she meets a handsome wounded soldier, Lieutenant Pike, who sees more in her than she sees in herself. Georgie struggles against her emerging feelings for him and the darker pull towards the Order, a nearly occult society that seeks to make sense of the world through s\u00e9ance, magic, and secret rituals. Yeats is a part of the Order, so her attraction to it and to him are mulled together.

Part romance novel, part historical fiction, the spell Miller casts with her first novel is mesmerizing, if a bit uneven. There are moments when one storyline seems sacrificed for the sake of another, but the overall effect of the world within More Miracle than Bird makes this book endlessly intriguing.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "29-Dec-2019 00:24:55", "publisher": "Tin House Books", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008526043", "title": "A Hundred Million Years and a Day", "author": "Jean-Baptiste Andrea", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 210, "review": "Dreams are what drive us to go after a job, to apply for a promotion, or to set off on a quest, and dreams are what drive the main character in this translated novel. Stan is a failing paleontologist at a university in Paris. His chances of becoming famous and making a new discovery are growing slimmer and slimmer every year. After hearing a story about a dragon in the French Alps, he sets off with his friend from graduate school, who is considered successful, to find it and become what he always thought he would be.

What follows is a trip through dreams, loss, ambition, and trying to prove oneself to ones father. Whether Stan succeeds or not is not the point of the novel. Instead, the journey itself proves that Stan still has what it takes, and as the quest to find the dragon takes over, the risks for Stan become greater and a final sense of epiphany takes hold.

Some people might find this slim novel a little hard to wade through, as some French novels can be. This one does have it moments, and the scenes with the puppet are weird and distracting. However, the author's main ideas concerning dreams and ambition drive the story home.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 21:21:45", "publisher": "Gallic Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008526039", "title": "The Eye of Zeus: Legends Of Olympus, Book One", "author": "Alane Adams", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 193, "review": "The Eye of Zeus is a shocking novel about Greek mythology with a wild adventure.

Phoebe Katz is a foster kid from New York City, and weird things happen when she gets mad or emotional. She notices more and more little accidents. For example, one time at her school, a bully trips her and destroys one of her school projects. Phoebe gets mad, and a thunderstorm starts completely out of the blue. A coincidence, right? Not so much! Phoebe Katz is the daughter of Zeus, which makes her a demigod. Together with her mortal friends Damian, Rodina, and Angie Spaciacolli, she will have to brave a dangerous quest. They will have to save Carl, the closest friend Phoebe's ever had to family, and even save Olympus!! The group will have to face challenges, make new friends, and sadly also lose some.

This book was a great adventure book in which friendships also played an important role! It was fast-paced, and I enjoyed it a lot, like many of the other books about Greek mythology that I have read before!

I recommend this book to kids who like the Percy Jackson series or are nine and up.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 21:20:18", "publisher": "SparkPress", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5 Stars !! Loved it !"} {"id": "425035000008526031", "title": "It's Not All Downhill From Here: A Novel", "author": "Terry McMillan", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 187, "review": "Best known for her books, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale, McMillan has a formula for reaching an audience of a certain age. While this reader falls into this demographic, this tale seems a tad trite and uninspired.

The narrator is a highly successful cosmetic tycoon with a loving husband and great life. When her husband unexpectedly dies during her birthday celebration, she is left to contend with her business, her friend group, and her addicted daughter who wants nothing to do with her. There is also a young man who claims to be the son of her late husband. While we are told that the narrator is grieving, only a postponement of friend trips seems to indicate this. The narrator seems to deal with her cast of characters through liberal monetary contributions to them to ease their problems. It should not be surprising to the reader that it all comes together neatly by the end of the story. The author does manage to develop a healthy cast of characters and keep the story moving forward. For her fans, this will be a must-read.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 20:54:55", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008526027", "title": "If We Were Giants", "author": "Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett Smith, with illustrations by Antonio Javier Caparo", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 181, "review": "If We Were Giants is a book about how clever tree folk defeat the enemy. This is a story about a girl who was driven out of her home. She is adopted by tree folk and learns new ways of living. Kirra helps the tree folks fight off their enemy using giants. The story is entertaining, and it made sense. The best part was when they are fighting the takers. I really liked the characters because they seemed real. The story is very slow in the beginning but gets better when you get to the action. It is well written and the language flowed pretty well. There are no pictures in the book. The moral of the story is that you need to let your grief out to move on and be happy. I think eleven and older who are good readers and enjoy medieval themes would like it. The book could make a good series. The book was great, but if you like a lot of action, then probably not. It was sad in the beginning but got better later.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 20:47:09", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008526019", "title": "I'm Sorry!", "author": "Barry Timms", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 513, "review": "Scribble and Swoop are the best of friends. They meet every day to do their special crafts. Scribble loves to write plays and Swoop has a special toolbox to build things. They like acting out the plays together. The friends decide they like being together so much they should find a place and live together. It was just the right size for two with a little leftover. When both sit on their big new porch each has a plan to make it a place for their work, but trouble ensues when they do communicate, and both try to use the space at the same time. The curtains for the theater get torn and Swoop\u2019s box gets knocked over scattering all of her tools. Both friends are very angry with each other. Scribble tries to write the perfect words, \u201cI\u2019m Sorry\u201d, to make it better, but he comes to find out that without actions, I\u2019m sorry doesn\u2019t work. Will the two friends be able to act and resolve their problems or be angry forever?

The text is excellent. I really appreciated the flow and thoughtfulness. The number of words on the page seemed exactly right, not too much and not too little. I loved the phrase the author used, \u201cThere was room enough for two with a little leftover.\u201d I love this book because kids often do not understand that saying, \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u201d requires action not just saying the words. This book teaches an excellent lesson on both the words and the actions together to make things better.

The illustrations are beautifully done. I love the bright pictures and all of the details in each one. Scribble and Swoop are just adorable. I think their personalities really shine through in the pictures. I love their home in the tree and honestly, I wish I had that porch at my house. It would be a great place to read and write.

The scene when the friends get so mad that Scribble breaks his pencil and cries is a powerful moment. I think this book depicted perfectly how saying sorry and doing something are two very different things. I love that Swoop comes up and gives Scribble a hug knowing how much she has hurt him. Then the friends work out a solution that makes everyone be able to use the porch, not causing a mess or fight. I also love that the friends helped repair the things they had damage as well as repairing the damaged relationship.

My three-year-old daughter said this about the book, \u201cI didn\u2019t like the animals getting angry, I liked they were happy. I didn\u2019t like it when they were angry.\u201d My six-year-old son said, \u201cI didn\u2019t like that the animals got angry. I liked that they were happy in the end.\u201d It opened the conversation that sometimes we are angry, but that\u2019s when we take action and solve the problem.

I would recommend this book for four to eight-year-olds. My three-year-old liked it, but it might be a tad long for three-year-old\u2019s who are not used to reading long books.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 20:18:05", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": true, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008526011", "title": "Topics of Conversation: A Novel", "author": "Miranda Popkey", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 223, "review": "Miranda Popkey\u2019s debut novel Topics of Conversation is not for the faint of heart. It is, however, for every woman who's ever felt herself an outsider\u2014watching her own life, and the world around her, with little clarity on how to find happiness.

In the vignettes that make up the book, all connected by an unnamed narrator, Popkey creates a life of one woman struggling with desire, self-loathing, and pain. Covering a span of seventeen years, the narrator experiences marriage, loss, motherhood, anger, jealousy, and nearly every other emotion one can name, and her life is rendered with sharp, witty prose that keeps you turning pages even when you aren\u2019t certain you like her. That the narrator doesn\u2019t like herself much may be the genius of Popkey\u2019s novel. She\u2019s a modern woman with no anchor\u2014absolutely certain in her feminism but also craving, at times, to be controlled\u2014what does that make her if not perpetually at war with herself?

The book is small but powerful, and readers should note there are elements of violence and sexuality that pepper nearly every chapter. These moments aren\u2019t gratuitous\u2014they are achingly real\u2014but if you\u2019re looking for an escapist love story, this isn\u2019t your novel. If, however, you are interested in hearing this woman\u2019s story, and perhaps considering the stories you tell yourself and what they mean, this is an absolute must-read.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 19:58:38", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008526007", "title": "The Cracked Slipper", "author": "Stephanie Alexander", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 420, "review": "I wasn\u2019t expecting to, but I finished The Cracked Slipper in a single day. This fantastical novel, which begins where the Cinderella fairytale ends, can best be described as a child created from the works of Angela Carter and Anne McCaffery. Because I like both of the above authors, I really enjoyed this book.

I thought the author did a nice job of expanding the Cinderella fairytale to the completely magical realm of Cartheigh, which includes dragons, unicorns, and talking birds. The fairytale is also expanded in terms of the complexity of the characters. Eleanor, the Cinderella character of the story quickly realizes that she has married a very flawed prince in a very flawed kingdom. People act politely while plotting her demise. Luckily, she has her loyal teacher and professional witch, Rosemary, her talking bird, Chou, and her devoted lady attendants, which is good because her evil stepmother and stepsister continue to cause her grief, and the royal court\u2019s magician doesn\u2019t like her very much.

There is also the matter of Eleanor\u2019s attraction to one of her husband\u2019s most trusted advisors: Dorian Finely. This plotline is particularly aching because it\u2019s clear from the beginning that this magical society doesn\u2019t tolerate married women having affairs while turning a blind eye to men\u2019s. The romantic tension between Eleanor and Dorian rises throughout the book, but the characters and the reader know that any relationship between the two of them cannot end happily.

/The Cracked Slipper is the first of a trilogy and resolving that story arch will be among the author\u2019s biggest challenges. Alexander has skillfully set up a strong chemistry and an unforgiving society. Whether the romance will satisfy believability and readers\u2019 desire remains to be seen. I appreciated the well-developed, complex, and strong female characters in this novel. Many of them are given difficult situations and make the best of it through a combination of strategy, strong friendships, and sheer determination. Even the more villainous characters, both male and female, are given the opportunity to be seen in a different light.\nThis novel is dense\u2014every chapter is packed with history of the magical realm, neighboring countries, the building conflict between witches and magicians, and royal court maneuvering and politics. It\u2019s part of what makes the story so fast-paced and believable. But I think the author could have given less detail and the story would have been just as interesting. However, because this book is part of a trilogy, maybe this detail was a set up for a story yet to come.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "27-Dec-2019 22:37:06", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc.", "page_count": "412 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008525039", "title": "Beginners Welcome", "author": "Cindy Baldwin", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Annie Lee lost her father three months ago, but she and her mother still smell his aftershave and find his whiskers in the sink every morning, and the phonograph turns itself on playing his favorite music even after they move from their house. Annie Lee\u2019s mother works non-stop trying to make ends meet, and Annie Lee has to go to a new middle school where she knows no one. Annie Lee tries to be invisible, but a girl named Mitch befriends her. After school some days, Annie Lee takes her scooter and goes around town, one day finding a man playing piano in a mall, and the music is so beautiful she can see it. She asks him to teach her to play, which he agrees to. But when he goes missing, Annie Lee has some hard choices to make.

Cindy Baldwin has followed up her brilliant debut novel, Where the Watermelons Grow, with an equally affecting story. The character of Annie Lee will grab readers' hearts and have them rooting for her the whole way. The writing is gorgeous and the voice pitch-perfect for a middle-school girl. This deserves readership far beyond its intended audience.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "29-Dec-2019 00:26:05", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008525027", "title": "InvestiGators", "author": "John Patrick Green", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 139, "review": "InvestiGators by John Patrick Green is a funny story about two alligators in vests. They have two cases they need to investigate. The story is about how they go about it. The plot is very entertaining, and the book is full of puns that help my interest. The characters are very lively and hilarious. I feel like I got to know them even though they are not realistic. I like the characters a lot. The story is very well written and flowed well. Since it is a comic book, it has lots of dialogue and pictures, which are pretty funny. Eight-year-olds and older would enjoy this book if they like a good pun. I absolutely recommend this book because it is one of the funniest books I have ever read. The book is great, I could not stop laughing!", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 20:55:48", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008525019", "title": "Imagine That!", "author": "Tom Burlison", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - Age 5", "word_count": 99, "review": "I liked the story a lot! I liked that his friend helps him learn how to imagine things. The pictures are very colorful and are very detailed. I like that the little girl is blonde because I am too! The words that are bold pop off the page and make me realize I could read the book using different loudness and sounds. I think this book is good for a boy or a girl because there are a boy and a girl in the book. This book helps me know that friends can help other friends learn new things!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 20:17:11", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008525003", "title": "Caught in the Maelstrom: The Indian Nations in the Civil War, 1861-1865", "author": "Clint Crowe", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 190, "review": "The American Civil War was a complicated and multifaceted conflict. While ultimately it was about slavery, individual actors and even larger groups had their own reasons for fighting on one side or the other. For example, the five Native American tribes of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek (Muscogee), and Seminole fought on both Union and Confederate sides of the war; for them, slavery was not always the essential issue.

This book is a fascinating account of a neglected aspect of the war. It is incredibly detailed and well-documented; this also means it is factually dense. In fact, the book is made directly from the author's doctoral thesis, and it is quite academic. New names and players are difficult to sort out and keep straight, made even more challenging as the actors' loyalties sometimes shift. This is definitely a scholarly work, not written for a general audience; however, it is not unaccessible for those who are willing to make the effort. It is worth the effort for those who want to better understand the Civil War in general, as well as better understand the history of these tribes during this time.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "27-Dec-2019 18:10:29", "publisher": "Savas Beatie", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008524071", "title": "I Love Me!", "author": "LaRonda Gardner Middlemiss, illustrated by Beth Hughes", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb - Age 6", "word_count": 94, "review": "This book is about loving yourself. It\u2019s about kids loving who they are, no matter how different you look. Even if you are in a wheelchair.

I like this book because they talk about loving themselves because that\u2019s who they were meant to be. I Love Me was really easy to read. The pictures also made it easier. People who feel sad about something about themselves should read this; then they know that it\u2019s ok if you're hurt, in a wheelchair, or have different color skin. It reminds of the book Papa, Daddy, and Riley.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "29-Dec-2019 01:30:12", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008524067", "title": "Superheroes Don't Babysit", "author": "Amber Hendricks", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 173, "review": "Siblings are always trouble, especially when you\u2019re a superhero.\u00a0

In Superheroes Don\u2019t Babysit by Amber Hendricks, illustrated by Kyle Reed, the big sister is a superhero. Well, she\u2019s only pretending to be a superhero, and she\u2019s having a lot of fun doing stuff when her dad asks her for a big favor\u2014like watching her little brother. It\u2019s so funny when the little brother spills sprinkles everywhere. I laughed so much at that part. By the end of the story, the siblings get along, but in the middle, they don\u2019t get along very well at all. My sister and I don\u2019t always get along either, so I get it. But, by the end of the book, through diapers and disaster, they realize that every superhero needs a sidekick.\u00a0

The pictures are funny and good. I really liked the sprinkles going everywhere. The little brother is lots of trouble!

Reading this book with my little sister makes me feel happy. I hope other kids can read this with their brother or sister and feel happy too.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "29-Dec-2019 01:27:56", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008524063", "title": "Lost Carnival: A Dick Grayson Graphic Novel", "author": "Michael Moreci", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Kate - Age 12", "word_count": 125, "review": "The Lost Carnival is a great read and the artwork is amazing! Although it is not in full color, the different colors really enhance the drawings and feelings. And the multiple colors in the end really add to the fight scene.

If you're a fan of mystery and magic you should definitely read this book. The characters are well made and easy to relate to. The conflict between some of the characters is interesting to watch unfold and the way they change throughout the book is cool.

This is probably not the type of book you can start reading and then pick up again a couple weeks later if you get distracted.

It is a good book, and the mystery will really suck you in.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "29-Dec-2019 01:25:11", "publisher": "DC Comics", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008524055", "title": "The Vanishing Sky", "author": "L. Annette Binder", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 211, "review": "There are some times and places which are difficult to write about with any sort of happiness. Germany in 1945 is one of those. Even for ordinary civilians, life grew hellish at the end of the second world war. The Vanishing Sky follows a family of four as they struggle to survive without falling apart.

The book alternates between following Etta Huber, the mother of the family, and her younger son Georg, who grows disillusioned enough with the Hitler Youth to flee his group and try to run back home. As he makes his way across Germany, Etta has her own struggle to face. Her older son, Max, has come home from the front changed. At first, he seems merely shaken by the war, but as the days go on, it becomes clearer that something is very wrong with his mind. She vows to hold onto him as best she could, though she knows it won\u2019t be easy. Nothing is these days.

The Vanishing Sky reminded me a great deal of All Quiet on the Western Front. It isn\u2019t an easy book to read, but it\u2019s magnificent all the same. The tone of the narration may seem distant at first, but by the end, I couldn\u2019t imagine it any other way.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "29-Dec-2019 01:17:06", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008524051", "title": "The Wife Stalker: A Novel", "author": "Liv Constantine", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 208, "review": "Raising children Evie and Stelli while supporting Leo as he battles depression, Joanna thinks she is finally seeing glimpses of the man she loves. His engaging personality is reemerging and he is joining in family activities. However, Joanna quickly realizes the reason for the change is because of Piper, the beautiful business owner who has recently moved to town. While Joanna is home taking care of the children, Leo and Piper\u2019s relationship is moving at breakneck speed, so fast, in fact, readers may be wondering how it could be happening, especially when Leo is initially described as a caring and compassionate family man. Meanwhile, Joanna is desperate to unearth Piper\u2019s secrets and get Leo and the children back.

If you\u2019re looking for an entertaining binge-read, this book is for you. The Wife Stalker is a domestic thriller that will delight those that are new to the domestic thriller genre. For those readers familiar with the genre, this story begins with elements that are quite common, however the sister authors do a masterful job telling the story from Joanna and Piper\u2019s points of view. Readers will not see the twist coming, and the nuances of the writing will ultimately come together in not one, but two \u201cwhat just happened?!?\u201d moments.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "29-Dec-2019 00:44:49", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008524043", "title": "Fire in Paradise: An American Tragedy", "author": "Alastair Gee", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 342, "review": "In 2018, some of the most devastating fires on record wreaked havoc on Californians. The Carr Fire burned 229,000 acres over a period of thirty-eight days, reached temperatures of more than 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit, and fanned a 17,000 foot tall fire tornado that whirled at 143 miles per hour. The Mendocino Complex Fire burned 717 square miles of the northern portions of the state. The Woolsey Fire torched 97,000 acres through Los Angeles and Ventura counties and parts of the Santa Monica mountains. But by far the deadliest, most destructive in terms of loss of human life and economic devastation was the Camp Fire that began on November 8th and burned for seventeen days, utterly consuming the city of Paradise and surrounding communities, displacing more than 50,000 people and burning alive 85 of them.

This book by Gee and Anguiano, both seasoned journalists, chronicles the frantic evacuation of Pulga, Concow, Magalia, and the city of Paradise as the wall of flames chased them down at unprecedented speeds, consuming the size of more than two hundred football fields a minute. Spliced in three primary sections, this fast paced narrative account documents how a PG&E power line tower number 27/222 sparked the fire when a C-hook broke free amid 70 mile per hour Diablo gusts. Had the fire started on the east side of the North Fork Feather River instead of the inaccessible West Bank, the early arrival of firefighters could have contained it before the canyon winds barreled the flames headlong up the ridge on a sleepy Thursday morning. Gee and Anguiano braid the stories of hundreds of interviews to bring back the heroes that gave their lives helping others get away.

Layered throughout the heated action, Gee and Anguiano tackle the underlying conditions that drive up the frequency of these epic fires, and the the options available to curb the trend. Their reporting quotes directly from the seasoned professionals tasked with fighting these blazes, the corporate leaders facing new safety challenges, and the lawmakers wrestling with regulatory issues.

Paradise is gone, but the lessons remain.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "29-Dec-2019 00:30:58", "publisher": "W. W. Norton & Company", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008524039", "title": "Elysium Girls", "author": "Kate Pentecost", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 353, "review": "One town stands between two sisters, drawing the townsfolk into a game between Life and Death, with the lives of everyone hanging in the balance. Sal Wilkinson has always been an outsider in the town of Elysium, Oklahoma. Little did she know the role she was about to play. Time is running out before the Dust Soldiers to see if the townsfolk are worthy. Sal receives the most unexpected news: she\u2019s to become the new successor to Mother Morevna. An honor no one expected. The townsfolk soon turn on Sal, and she\u2019s banished out into the desert with a mysterious stranger as her only ally. The two are drawn into a group of outsiders who may be the key to stopping the approaching danger and save the town that scorned them all.

The setting is truly unique as Kate Pentecost blends apocalypse, mythology, and western into a world of 1944 with a backdrop of a Dust Bowl and a gritty Oklahoma town. Sal is headstrong and brazen, which makes her the perfect voice to make this world come to life. The battle between Life and Death drags this town into a gritty fight between two sisters which pulls each of the characters in the middle. The Elysium girls are tough, with each being a little hard-edged and each having their own poignant tale of exile. The theme of outsiders bonds these various characters together with each playing a vital role in the ultimate battle. The Elysium girls consist of the strong-willed characters of Olivia, Cassandra, Zo, Judith, and Susanah with each of them providing Sal with allies and confidants that she needs to find her own power. Sal deals with the struggles of a teenager during this era with bullying, identity, and loss set against this backdrop of dust and apocalypse. She struggles with the memory of her mother, which weighs on her throughout her journey to becoming the hero that Elysium needs. Elysium Girls is a thrilling and wild ride that blends a gritty western and an apocalyptic thriller that delivers an epic tale of life verses death that is addicting and entertaining.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "29-Dec-2019 00:22:43", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008524031", "title": "More Than Just a Pretty Face", "author": "Syed M. Masood", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 197, "review": "Danyal loves making food that people enjoy. He is learning the delicacies of French dining in the hopes of becoming a chef. However, this is not smart enough for his parents, who still follow the ways of their ancestors, including arranged marriages. His parents have arranged several meetings, and the one with Bisma is just the latest. Though she is honest and friendly, Kaval, his best friend\u2019s sister, is the one. When Danyal is chosen as the Renaissance Man for history class, a coveted spot usually earned by a top student which includes a research paper and presentation, he has a chance to redeem himself to his parents and earn Kaval as his bride. Unfortunately, he\u2019s not one to take the easy way, but it may cost him the life he envisions.

Danyal is the sweetest, kindest kid\u2014his wit and honest gut reactions are stuff that teenage girls\u2019 dreams are made of. Hindi words are thrown in, lending an authenticity to Danyal\u2019s experience. The complexities of Muslim dating customs combined with the history of the Muslim people provide a backdrop for a unique but vaguely familiar story. This story is wonderful, like a favorite teddy bear\u2014snuggly and warm.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 22:13:55", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008524027", "title": "Amnesty: A Novel", "author": "Aravind Adiga", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Mandy Nevius", "word_count": 228, "review": "Danny is a Sri Lankan immigrant who has been living illegally in Sydney, Australia ever since his student visa to attend what turned out to be a fraudulent university expired. He works as a housecleaner throughout the city, and he completes menial tasks in a grocery store in exchange for a place to stay in the storeroom upstairs. But his life under the radar is threatened when one of his clients is murdered. Danny believes he knows who committed the crime: a doctor with whom his client was having an affair with who also happens to know Danny\u2019s secret. Danny is torn between coming forward with incriminating information while risking deportation or turning a blind eye to justice in order to continue his quiet and simple life in Australia.

Taking place in a single day, Aravind Adiga\u2019s latest novel Amnesty exposes the struggles of undocumented immigrants while also spinning an irresistible mystery. The emotional wrestling Danny does in the pages of this book is expertly conveyed, and readers will feel just as conflicted and will understand the fears that haunt many undocumented immigrants around the world today. Danny\u2019s inner thoughts are tediously repetitious at times, which may turn some readers away, but ultimately this adds to the unbearable nature of the moral dilemma. Exquisitely written with incredible insight and compassion, Amnesty is a relevant novel that shouldn\u2019t be overlooked.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 20:38:35", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008524023", "title": "Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business (1)", "author": "Lyla Lee", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - Age 8", "word_count": 148, "review": "Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business is a great book, and I enjoyed it. The book was about Mindy Kim and how she wanted friends after moving to America from Korea She did that by trading her seaweed snacks for American snacks, and that escalates into selling a pack for a dollar. I agree with Mindy because Sally actually did give her the idea and made her do it. I think she got in trouble because of Sally, but I also see the story from Sally\u2019s side as well. It wasn\u2019t fair that Mindy and Sally got in trouble but the kids who bought them didn\u2019t. And she had to give the kids their money back but they got to keep the snacks! I liked the pictures and the plot. Mindy is a cute, funny character that probably took a lot of imagination and thought to create.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 20:34:45", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008524019", "title": "Bedtime for Sweet Creatures", "author": "Nikki Grimes", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "It is bedtime and the child in this story has only one thing to say: NOOOOOOOO! And over and over again NO NO NO NO like the beat of a drum. But Mom persists and the child asks \u201cWho?\u201d like a little owl pretending not to know. But Mom takes Bear and reminds the child Bear will feel lonely. So the child comes along. Once in bed, the child growls like a bear, but coils like a snake beneath the quilt, hissing about monsters. But Mom knows what to do and searches for monsters, declaring the bedroom a safe zone. More animals appear through the child, but Mom keeps on with the bedtime ritual, as does the child with a need for one more drink and one more trip to the bathroom. Will this ever end?

Told from the mother\u2019s point of view, author Nikki Grimes has built a fun going-to-bed story that, unfortunately, ends up with the child in the parents' bed \u2014 not the hoped-for outcome. There is also a non-participatory father in the book. Illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon are bright and truly imaginative and are the perfect complement for this story.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "28-Dec-2019 20:14:15", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Jabberwocky", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008524011", "title": "The Self-Care Solution: A Year of Becoming Happier, Healthier, and Fitter--One Month at a Time", "author": "Jennifer Ashton M.D.", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 200, "review": "We hear it time and again: self-care is important. But if social media are to be believed, self-care consists of bubble baths, spa days, and a no-shame attitude toward wine. Jennifer Ashton thought she understood self-care, until a chance decision (the idea of going \u201cdry\u201d and avoiding alcohol for the month of January, following a holiday season that verged on excess) led to a revelation. Self-care isn\u2019t about indulgence, nor is it about making sweeping lifestyle changes, but instead it is about making small choices that lead to you feeling better and healthier.

The Self-Care Solution chronicles Ashton\u2019s decision to turn that one month into a whole year of small changes for the better, one month at a time, including drinking more water, eating less meat, and walking more. Ashton discusses the science behind why these things are important, gives readers the lowdown on her own experiences, and offers tips for anyone interested in incorporating these self-care ideas into their own lives.

Readers will appreciate her down-to-earth tone along with her insight into exactly how and why being \u201chealthier\u201d truly is self-care. This book is recommended for anyone who wants to feel better but needs ideas for where to start.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "27-Dec-2019 18:13:41", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008524007", "title": "Loveboat, Taipei", "author": "Abigail Hing Wen", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 251, "review": "Everett \u201cEver\u201d Wong has always loved being a dancer. From the time she was a little girl, she knew it was what she wanted to do. She\u2019s even received an invite to a prestigious dance school, but her parents have other plans for her. As she is first-generation Asian American, her parents are always reminding her of the sacrifice they made for her to have a better life. They expect her to get excellent grades and be a doctor to make the family proud.

She is finding ways to do both until her parents decide she needs to learn about her culture and go do an international program for the summer. She thinks it\u2019s going to be all work and no fun until she finds out about the nightlife and gets a roommate who knows how to make this a summer she will never forget. Will this new sense of freedom ruin her future or make her bolder about talking to her parents about what she really wants?

I really enjoyed the concept of this book. I like that Ever is spreading her wings and gaining confidence. Her learning to stand up for her dream is admirable. I do like that she finds her confidence around boys.

I would recommend this book for eighteen and up. The sneaking out and sensual things Ever does to break every rule her family laid out is interesting, but not for a younger teen reader. It seems the character goes off the deep end a little too much.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "27-Dec-2019 18:11:29", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008524003", "title": "Bowls: Vibrant Recipes with Endless Possibilities", "author": "America's Test Kitchen", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 228, "review": "Bowls: Vibrant Recipes with Endless Possibilities is the most wonderful book for foodies who love that umami feeling on their tastebuds. Packed with nutrient-dense, flavorful bowls with vibrant colors, there is a bowl in this book for everyone. The first bowl I made was the bibimbap bowl which is a Korean-style bowl with rice, garlic spinach, saut\u00e9ed mushrooms, egg, and kimchi. I opted out of making the kimchi, but I used the other ingredients as well as the gochujang sauce on top. Needless to say, my family devoured it. The textures and flavors combined so well. I loved giving the rice a little bit of crunchiness by lightly pressing it into the frying pan and letting it crisp. The next bowl I will be trying is a cheesy polenta bowl with broccoli rabe and egg. It too looks like it will become a favorite in our household. Although the recipes may look complicated at first because of the number of ingredients, they are actually pretty simple and can be altered to the taste of the chef or to the individual person. For example, my son is not a fan of mushrooms so for the bibimbap I just gave him extra spinach. This is a book that has endless possibilities. The beautiful color photography is an added plus and will make your mouth water while looking through the book.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "27-Dec-2019 18:06:53", "publisher": "America's Test Kitchen", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008520007", "title": "Are You Living with a Narcissist?: How Narcissistic Men Impact Your Happiness, How to Identify Them, and How to Avoid Raising One", "author": "Laurie Hollman", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Stacia Levy", "word_count": 346, "review": "In this self-help book, author Laurie Hollman, a clinical psychologist who has treated those with narcissist disorder, explores narcissistic disorder in males. Topics addressed are how narcissistic disorder develops and impacts those around the affected individual, especially their families and partners, and how to treat those affected. Special focus is given to the mother-son bond and how, if dysfunctional, it can lead to narcissism. The author uses as support actual cases of patients and their families she has treated.

This is a compelling book, especially for those with an interest in narcissism and other mental health concerns. It is written with concision for the interested layperson, avoiding overly clinical vocabulary. There is an increased incidence in narcissism nationally, according to various expert sources, so the book is also timely. The book focuses on constructive solutions and communication that can support those living with people with narcissistic disorder and also help the affected individual toward positive change. Narcissism occurs on a spectrum, according to the author, with some degree of it even being healthy and responsible for positive outcomes, such as reasonable self-esteem. On the more negative end of the spectrum, when the narcissistic individual becomes manipulative and unempathetic to other\u2019s needs, narcissism turns dysfunctional.

A part of the book I would, however, question is the responsibility given to early upbringing in the development of narcissism, especially the mother-son relationship, and the mother\u2019s failure to meet the child\u2019s psychological needs. Another recent reading I\u2019ve done on the topic addresses narcissism as a neurological disorder, with the affected individual having limited ability to recognize other\u2019s emotions and needs, almost like a learning disability, having little relationship to upbringing in its origin. This latter view does allow for positive outcomes\u2014narcissists raised well become reasonably well-adjusted and able to channel the disorder in less destructive ways than those raised poorly. The author of this book also holds this positive view: that with treatment, narcissistic individuals can change and be productive members of families and society\u2014which is certainly more uplifting than the common view of narcissists as monsters, incapable of change.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "26-Dec-2019 21:43:27", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "178 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008520003", "title": "Losing You: A Novel", "author": "Nicci French", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Stacia Levy", "word_count": 358, "review": "Nina Landry\u2019s day just keeps getting worse. It is her fortieth birthday, and she is happy about leaving her home on Sandling Island, off the coast of England, for a vacation in Florida. She is going with her boyfriend Christian and her two children, teenager Charlie and younger brother Jackson. But things start going downhill fast. First, Nina's car breaks down. Christian appears to be terminally stuck in traffic. Charlie hasn\u2019t come home from a sleepover. No one has packed. Still, there is plenty of time to prepare and get to Heathrow for their flight, which doesn\u2019t leave for hours, so Nina doesn\u2019t worry excessively.

Then the worst complication arises. Charlie has planned a surprise birthday party for her, and friends descend on their house expecting food and drink. And Charlie, the host of the party, has still not returned home and is not responding to her mother\u2019s text messages. As the hours tick by, a frantic Nina cancels her vacation plans and throws her energy into finding her missing daughter, whom she is certain did not just take off over some imagined slight, as the police seem convinced.

This is a satisfying suspense novel, which drew me back to it again and again, eager to find out which clue Nina would follow next. With the intuition of a desperate mother, Nina tracks the evidence of her daughter\u2019s disappearance with a laser focus that sharply contrasts with the police\u2019s nonchalance. In the process, she finds out things about her daughter that she had not known, such as her having two boyfriends. The police begin to take Nina more seriously when her search leads to the body of another missing girl and then to the scarf her daughter had been wearing the night before in her ex-husband\u2019s car.

I did think the way Nina manages to push around veteran police officers in what becomes an official investigation strained credulity at times, and her constant exclamation that \u201cthere isn\u2019t time\u201d repetitive, contributing little to the urgency of the plot, which is gripping as it stands. Overall, this story of a mother\u2019s devotion to and search for her child is powerful.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "26-Dec-2019 20:54:49", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008519007", "title": "Almost Time", "author": "Gary D. Schmidt", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "It is breakfast time on a deep winter morning when Ethan comes to the table only to find applesauce instead of maple syrup on his pancakes. If they were out of syrup, it must be almost time for the maple trees to be ready to be tapped for their sugary sap. But morning after morning, there is still no syrup and Dad keeps saying it\u2019s almost time, but not time yet. The nights are still long and the air is still too cold to release the sap. One morning, Ethan bites into a walnut and discovers he has a loose tooth. Now he has two things he has to wait for, and patience is not his strongest quality. But, ultimately, good things come to those who wait, and this lesson is not lost on Ethan or the readers.

Authors Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney have written a sweet text that teaches a good lesson, although the repetition of breakfast scenes gets a little old. Illustrator G. Brian Karas uses soft colors with a fun, cartoonish style with lots of details that complete the story and will keep young readers' eyes on the pages.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Dec-2019 19:37:53", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008519003", "title": "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker The Galaxy Needs You", "author": "Caitlin Kennedy", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 9", "word_count": 187, "review": "This picture book is based on illustrated scenes from episodes seven through nine of the Star Wars movies. It is an inspirational book about Rey\u2019s journey. Although she thinks she is nobody important, just a scavenger on her home planet, she has important skills inside of her to fight challenges that are ahead and become who she is destined to be.

At the beginning of the book, Rey is alone with no friends, she does not know how to use a lightsaber, and has never been trained in the ways of the Force. But, through circumstance, she meets friends who help her along the path. She is brave in the face of danger and willing to learn the skills she needs to be successful.

Rey is an inspirational character, especially for young girls. She is smart, kind, and persistent. She helps others when she can, and she never gives up, even when things are very hard or scary. This book encourages other children to follow in Rey\u2019s footsteps, to be brave, kind, and unique. It is a great book, especially for young Star Wars fans like myself!", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "24-Dec-2019 19:37:10", "publisher": "Disney Lucasfilm Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008517011", "title": "Self-Confidence: A Philosophy", "author": "Charles Pepin", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Stacia Levy", "word_count": 369, "review": "Translated from the French, author Charles Pepin examines the various aspects of self-confidence. He draws a causal chain on how self-confidence develops. It grows first through connections to others, then connections to oneself, to connections to the environment. Finally, self-confidence moves beyond an individual psychological phenomenon to a philosophic/spiritual one. Confidence in others and oneself, through commitment, becomes confidence in the universe and life itself.

This book is different from the many books and articles I\u2019ve read before on the topic. Self-confidence texts usually focus on the intrapersonal/psychological aspect of the issue, urging the reader to draw self-confidence from within themselves through sheer force of will. It is then imposed on others through demands and limit-setting. These books are often no more than motivational texts in which the line between self-confidence and selfishness is blurred. This book is different in that it focuses on the actual mechanics of how we develop self-confidence, beyond just willing it into existence. Confidence is developed first through trust in our caregivers and teachers through their help then in ourselves through practice of skills. Specific examples are offered, such as a child learning to ride a bicycle. She first trusts her parent to guide her; through practice, she gains confidence in herself. The spiritual aspect of confidence is also addressed. As confidence in oneself develops, confidence in one\u2019s intuition develops, the ability to listen to one\u2019s instincts. An emergency room doctor knows, from practice, on an intuitive level, which patient to treat first. Confidence leads to an ability to quickly choose a course of action in an environment of uncertainty and chaos. Confidence then extends to the natural world, the intuitive ability to see beauty.

This is a well-written and well-translated book, addressing a complex topic with enough explanation and examples for clarity. It is not an easy read, however, due to the abstract concepts, despite the concrete examples offered. The text is laid out with titled chapters that help organize the material and aid in reader comprehension. Subtitles, however, within the chapters would further assist the reader in understanding the topics and their connections, with less need for rereading for those connections. Overall, however, this is a novel perspective on a well-visited topic.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Dec-2019 19:44:26", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008517007", "title": "Boxitects", "author": "Kim Smith", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 204, "review": "Meg is a little girl who loves to create with boxes. I can relate to her as I also love to build things using boxes. Meg goes to a special school where everyone has their own special creative skills. But Meg is the only Boxitect that creates with boxes until one day another boxitect joins the class. Meg thinks that she must complete to the be the best boxitect in the school. However, when the Maker Match is held, she learns she must work with her rival, Simone in order to succeed. After a huge accident, Meg and Simone learn that it is better to work with each other rather than compete against each other. This is a great book to illustrate how important teamwork is with friends at home or at school. I like this book as it is full of great S.T.E.A.M. Ideas and I love to build. The illustrations show how students are not only creative with boxes, but spaghetti noodles and other loose parts. This is a fun book to help readers learn to make the best of working with others and how you don't always have to be the best, but to try your best in everything you do.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Dec-2019 19:36:24", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008517003", "title": "Just Like Me", "author": "Vanessa Brantley-Newton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb Manansala", "word_count": 99, "review": "Just Like Me is a storybook of poems. The poems are all about girls. Every page is a different poem. It is about girls who can be themselves and who like themselves just the way they are.

My favorite poem was \u201cSunshine Blues\u201d because it is funny, and I also liked \u201cExplorer\u201d because it reminds me of space. Some poems were long but some were short. Some were really funny.

The illustrations are very nice, and each page is really colorful. I am guessing the illustrations are made with paint and crayon.

I think girls would like this book more than boys.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Dec-2019 19:30:14", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008516023", "title": "Normal: One Kid's Extraordinary Journey", "author": "Magdalena Newman", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jewel - Age 12", "word_count": 261, "review": "Normal is a non-fiction book written by a teenage boy, Nathaniel, and his mom, Magda. Nathaniel was born with Treacher Collins syndrome, which is a craniofacial condition. This book is a memoir of their lives, the ups and downs of having craniofacial differences, the many surgeries that Nathaniel had to have, and how his family got through it. Magda didn\u2019t know that Nathaniel had craniofacial differences until he was born. That's when surgeries started.

Nathaniel is the real-life Auggie Pullman from Wonder. They even say in the book that Wonder changed how people looked at and approached Nathaniel. They met the author, helped her talk to some schools, and Nathaniel even auditioned for the role of Auggie in the movie. The family got to visit the movie set and give the actors some tips on what it is really like to live with a craniofacial condition.

When I heard about Normal, I really wanted to read it because I loved reading Wonder. It is broken into chapters, but it is written in Magda's and Nathaniel\u2019s own words, each with their own font and paragraphs. I think that Nathaniel is funny in how he writes. He once asked a doctor to give him Spider-Man figures while the doctor was working on his nose. This made me laugh. I liked the flashback sections that have Magda\u2019s memories of things when she was younger or a memory of when Nathaniel was younger.

I would recommend Normal to kids aged ten and up. If you liked the fictional story Wonder, then you will love Normal.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "24-Dec-2019 19:45:38", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008516019", "title": "The Thief Knot: A Greenglass House Story", "author": "Kate Milford", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 13", "word_count": 179, "review": "The Thief Knot is a great mystery novel about a group of friends trying to solve a kidnapping. This is the fourth book in the Greenglass House series, but it also makes a great standalone adventure. In The Thief Knot, Marzana and her best friend Nialla, attempt to solve a kidnapping that makes very little sense. Along the way, they meet some old friends and make new ones. The characters each have a unique set of skills, which help them in their investigations. There are many unique settings in the book, including a network of underground train tunnels and a school full of secrets. A hidden message, family secrets, and mysterious characters all make this book hard to put down. There were great illustrations at the start of every chapter, and they helped give an idea about what might happen in each chapter. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries. It is a good book for kids in junior high and young adults. If you enjoy a good mystery, then you need to read this book.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Dec-2019 19:43:27", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008516015", "title": "In the Dream House: A Memoir", "author": "Carmen Maria Machado", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 221, "review": "Carmen Maria Machado\u2019s memoir follows her wildly successful first book, Her Body and Other Parties, and could easily have paled in comparison. Her first book was dark, funny, shocking, and imminently readable. Her memoir is even better.

What Machado manages to do with In the Dream House is nothing short of revolutionary. While exploring her own past abusive relationship, she documents and archives lesbian relationships in a way no other book has done. By dismantling stereotypes, illuminating that which is often left in the dark, and unearthing and displaying the darkest moments of her own life, she lays bare a book that is equal parts cautionary tale and revolutionary primer. Written in short chapters that all begin with some variation of \u201cThe Dream House as,\u201d Machado works through all the ways her lived experience can be viewed and read. The deep love she feels for her abuser is as real as the terror she experiences at that woman\u2019s hands, and every page offers as many questions as it does explanations.

Machado\u2019s In the Dream House does not attempt to be the loudest voice in the room, but it is the voice most worth listening to. Even when the language whispers, in the smallest moments of revelation and most hideous chronicles of pain, the book is grand and gratifying, and demands to be read.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Dec-2019 19:41:21", "publisher": "Graywolf Press", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008516011", "title": "Raising Hell: Backstage Tales from the Lives of Metal Legends", "author": "Jon Wiederhorn", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 191, "review": "Rock bands by nature tend to feature larger-than-life characters as part of the \"rock star\" experience, so you'd expect the onstage and backstage stories of heavy metal bands to be even more bizarre, outrageous, or notorious than usual. And you would be absolutely right.

The stories featured in Raising Hell, told by the musicians themselves, cover everything from starting out and where they found their inspiration to the rigors of touring, fighting for opportunities, fighting with your bandmates, literally fighting, and of course, the rock star unholy trinity of sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. (There's even a chapter or two dedicated to gross-out moments.)

The entire experience from dreams and success to the high points and low are covered in an oral history format that allows for first-hand accounts and personality galore. These are legends in their own words, sharing stories you've probably never read before. (Even as a metal fan, there were entire bands I'd never heard of before.)

It's a no-holds-barred multi-stage extravaganza, hilarious and horrifying in equal measure. Go onstage and behind the scenes with adventures any rock n' roll or heavy metal fan should not miss.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "24-Dec-2019 19:40:42", "publisher": "Diversion Books", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008515003", "title": "Lumberjanes Vol. 13", "author": "Kat Leyh, created by Shannon Watters, Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, and Brooklyn Allen, illustrated by Dozerdraws", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 183, "review": "In the latest volume of the Lumberjanes series, the Lumberjanes all have been tasked to remain in the mess hall during a storm. The counselor has asked the Lumberjanes to stay indoors and not to venture outdoors. Wanting some more space, Rip, Mal, and April decide to go on a snack run but instead venture down some secret tunnels which lead to a giant bug encounter. Simultaneously, Jo, Barney, Molly and Diane decide to play a board game that was invented by another 'Jane. The invented board game reminded me of Settlers of Catan.\nWhile I haven't read any of the previous graphic novels in the series (maybe I would have enjoyed this better if I had), I figured out the characters pretty quickly. The characters were likable, but I thought the story was just okay. The plot seemed a little dull and rather boring compared to other graphic novels I have read. I wanted to like the book because I liked the illustrations. I may try and read the previous books in the series to see if I would like them more.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Dec-2019 19:18:41", "publisher": "BOOM! Studios", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008514011", "title": "The Bad Guys in the Baddest Day Ever (The Bad Guys #10) (10)", "author": "Aaron Blabey", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - Age 9", "word_count": 162, "review": "Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, and Mr. Shark are in the Good Guys Club together. But also it's been called the Bad Guys Club. Previously, one of the club\u2019s members, Mr. Snake, fell into a mother ship\u2019s cannon while the Bad Guys' super powers got drained. The Bad Guys also teamed up with The International League of Heroes to fight Marmalade, an evil alien who has butts as hands. But when all seems lost, the Bad Guys are in for a big surprise.

This book is very funny, like the other books. My favorite characters are Mr. Piranha, who can eat thirty-seven burritos for a such a tiny piranha, and Agent Fox, who is part of The International League of Heroes. My favorite part is when Mr. Piranha\u2019s Papa and his sons all bite Marmalade. And it\u2019s weird when the Bad Guys say their real names. I\u2019m not used to it at all! I recommend this book to anyone who likes funny superhero books.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Dec-2019 19:47:06", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008512019", "title": "Blue Flowers: A Novel", "author": "Carola Saavedra", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 243, "review": "When I read the description for this book I thought it was a really interesting premise. A newly divorced man named Marcos receives letters at his new apartment addressed to who must be the past tenant. These letters aren\u2019t your average advertisement or credit card offer though. These are personal love letters written in poetic prose from a lady who signs the letters with a simple initial \u201cA\u201d. As the book progresses, the letters become more and more graphic; it sounds like the man beats the lady, giving her bruises and treating her meanly and roughly both in and out of the bedroom. It was a bit disturbing, and I was wondering if Marcos would eventually find either the man or the mysterious woman since there was no return address on the envelopes. Marcos himself is quite detached from the world, although he has a three-year-old daughter named Manuela with his ex-wife, and he has started seeing someone new. Nothing seems to interest Marcos like these letters do. He finds himself obsessed with them, and he wants to find the people in the letters. As I said, the storyline was very interesting, but the plot fell apart in the end. It was quite unsatisfying. I don\u2019t know if it is because this was originally written in a foreign language and then translated, or if the ending really was this dry. In either case, this book offers a great storyline that led to nowhere.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "21-Dec-2019 18:59:46", "publisher": "Riverhead Books", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008512011", "title": "A Bookshop in Berlin: The Rediscovered Memoir of One Woman's Harrowing Escape from the Nazis", "author": "Fran\u00e7oise Frenkel", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 252, "review": "\u201cI don\u2019t know exactly when I felt the calling to be a bookseller. As a very young girl, I could spend hours leafing through a picture book or a large illustrated tome.\u201d

From the first line of Fran\u00e7oise Frenkel\u2019s memoir, A Bookshop in Berlin, I was hooked. Being a book lover and collector who haunts local bookstores every chance I get, I felt that immediate connection that all booklovers feel with a kindred spirit. Here is someone who understands, but also someone who clearly was in the wrong place at the very worst time possible.

I was intrigued by the difficulties Frenkel faced in opening a French bookshop and, to be honest, why she would even want to do so knowing the growing negative political climate in Germany towards all things foreign. However, then she describes how in 1921 her shop becomes a literary haven for Berlin: \u201cprofessors, students, and members of the aristocracy.\u201d Also, there are well-to-do women, poets, philosophers, scholars, and high school teachers. It is a place of solitude and solidarity which crosses all social boundaries. Until, one day, it isn\u2019t, when this story really begins. And perhaps why some think the title seems a little strange. However, consider that it is this feeling of belonging that Frenkel creates in Berlin, in her bookstore, that this entire book continues on in the hopes of finding. Her memoir is a story of that perilous, often heart-stopping, journey, and I feel privileged to have been permitted to travel it with her in spirit.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "21-Dec-2019 18:37:42", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008511007", "title": "The Ghosts of Notchey Creek", "author": "Liz S. Andrews", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 81, "review": "\"Andrews delivers another delightful mystery rich in endearing characters, small-town vibe, and a ghostly eeriness reminiscent of A Christmas Carol. Harley and her friends must face the past to tackle the latest mystery that has come to Notchey Creek which finds their charming town haunted by a mysterious woman and a shocking murder. Ghosts of Notchey Creek has a charming ambiance that breathes new life into the cozy mystery genre with humor, suspense, and surprises.\" \u2014 Elizabeth Konkel, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 23:52:06", "publisher": "", "page_count": "330 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008510027", "title": "The Toughest Kid We Knew: The Old New West: A Personal History", "author": "Frank Bergon", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 280, "review": "Novelist Frank Bergon shifts his attention homeward in this quirky little work of nonfiction to carry us back before flowering hillsides became Silicon Valley. He seems to ramble, as novelists are prone to do, but it is an interesting journey through history--both of the land now largely known for vineyards and almonds, and of Bergon's personal family ties to the old ranches surrounding Madera. Along the way we get to know Bergon's Basque family roots and a host of immigrants from other lands who came to work the land and develop it into what it is today.

The ordinariness of these people Bergon introduces washes away to reveal the toughness of their underlying character. The roots that install their endurance, or what Bergon calls \"Indarra,\" is a word he lifts right out of the Basquean tongue to describe a type of persistent strength that marks the enduring quality of people who make it through tough times. Booming out of the seemingly unrelated vignettes, while wondering if there is a point buried in this rambling, the reader begins to sense a pattern in the characters featured. This brand of toughness cannot be overtly taught academically. It has something to do with bloodlines, but not necessarily pedigree.

Late in the book when the reader has given up searching for a theme, Bergon finally gives us the story about the life and death of Billy Carter, the toughest kid in town. Then in reflection, Bergon takes us to a family style Basque Hotel dinner, as if to incorporate us with everyone else struggling to find their place into the family fold. But the dinner is not really enough. Bergon leaves us wanting more.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "21-Dec-2019 02:35:08", "publisher": "University of Nevada Press", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008510011", "title": "Long Live Latin: The Pleasures of a Useless Language", "author": "Nicola Gardini, translation by Todd Portnowitz", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 173, "review": "Long Live Latin: The Pleasures of a Useless Language is a love letter to the author\u2019s beloved: the Latin language. The whole book is a meditation on a critical question: what use is Latin?

While Latin might seem to be a dead language, so much of our experience and identity is still filtered through the lens of this originally obscure language once particular to a relatively small population in a particular region. It rose through a myriad of contemporary languages and variations to become as much art as language, as well as the language of law and science, to preserve the prayers and ideas of the church, and bring the ribald and insightful poems and epigrams of Catullus to schoolboys everywhere. The author\u2019s insights into the language are thoughtful, heartfelt, comical in places, and overall uplifting. Even readers without any Latin education can share his passion for this sometimes enigmatic, often difficult, language. If language shapes how we think, then understanding the impact and consequences of Latin grants us a deeper understanding of ourselves.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 18:54:43", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008509023", "title": "Lila and Hadley", "author": "Kody Keplinger", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 11", "word_count": 169, "review": "After her mom goes to jail, Hadley goes to live with her sister; Hadley doesn't think she'll have a good time. On top of moving away from her friends and her school, she is also slowly going blind. Hadley spends her days sulking in her bedroom, refusing to talk to anybody.

But one day, Beth takes Hadley to the shelter where she works. There she meets Lila. Lila is an abandoned pit bull who won\u2019t react to anyone at the shelter who tries to play with her. She comes over to sit by Hadley, which isn\u2019t much, but more than the workers at the shelter could do. When Beth asks her to train Lila, Hadley reluctantly agrees. But training Lila is harder than Hadley thought. Lila is very stubborn and won\u2019t obey orders in front of anyone besides Hadley. Moreover, Hadley must navigate friendships, mobility classes, and what it truly means to forgive.

This book takes a fabulous look at a beautiful friendship between a girl and a dog.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "21-Dec-2019 02:36:48", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008508023", "title": "Prairie Lotus", "author": "Linda Sue Park", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 181, "review": "Prairie Lotus is like an Asian American version of Little House on the Prairie. It tells about a motherless Asian-American girl and her struggles with prejudice in her community. The characters are incredibly well developed, so it feels as if you are actually the girl. The plot includes a best friend that helps her overcome her differences with the community. This shows how friendship can be an asset to help you change how your life. The focus on an Asian American gives a different perspective on pioneer times.

The book flows very well and evokes a lot of sympathy for the characters. The language is very descriptive, which helps you get immersed in the book. I couldn\u2019t put the book down until I finished it.

I would recommend this book for kids in third to fifth grade who enjoyed Little House on the Prairie. I think it should also be used in schools to give a larger perspective on minorities in pioneer times. It also could be useful for discussing discrimination. I highly recommend this book for both education and a relaxing read.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "21-Dec-2019 02:51:53", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008508015", "title": "Red Letter Days", "author": "Sarah-Jane Stratford", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 260, "review": "Phoebe Adler wants to be a television writer, but in the 1950s, that job almost exclusively belongs to men. In her latest novel, Red Letter Days, Sarah-Jane Stratfod, author of Radio Girls , brings to light Phoebe's story and the scandal of the Red Scare within the television industry.

When Phoebe leaves New York after being blacklisted as a communist, a false allegation designed to keep her from working, she travels to London to work with one of the most influential producers on TV. Hannah Wolfson has her own production company and is embarking on a re-telling of the classic Robin Hood story. She has the money and the power to make it a true classic, but she needs strong writers. When she meets Phoebe, they form a partnership that will test them both. And, as Phoebe's past and Hannah's penchant for hiring blacklisted writers begins to catch up with them, these smart, independent women have to decide what's really worth fighting for.

If you know nothing about the Red Scare and its effects on the television and film industry, this book is a wonderful primer. Stratford takes this pivotal moment in history and wraps it in a story of women's friendship and women's struggle to have it all. Hannah, a businesswoman, wife, and mother, in particular, faces this challenge; though the book is set more than 50 years ago, its themes are incredibly relevant today.

Whether you're looking for historical fiction or a novel about women working against the stereotypes that have held them back, Red Letter Days is a perfect read.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "21-Dec-2019 02:42:09", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008508011", "title": "Eden", "author": "Tim Lebbon", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 229, "review": "Jenn is part of an adventure group that races across the different Virgin Zones. The Zones were created to protect what was left of nature in hopes that it would begin to grow back after all the damage humans have done to the planet. Jenn\u2019s boyfriend and father are also part of the group. Months before, Jenn\u2019s mother went into this particular Zone and was never seen again. The Zone they are attempting to race across is Eden, the oldest and most wild of the thirteen Zones. Although this group has seen a lot and survived some terrible things, nothing will be able to prepare them for what nature has become when left unchecked. This Eden is no paradise.

I thought this was an interesting take on how nature responds to climate change and humanity\u2019s destructiveness. The only negative aspects for me were the language and gore, but being a horror story, this was not unexpected. I also would have been fine with this book being longer and including more explanation about the science of what was happening. It can still be horrifying while being educational. Overall, it\u2019s a fairly quick, easy read that brings the horrors of nature into your home. I would not be surprised if this is turned into a Netflix or Hulu original. So if you don\u2019t want to read it, wait for the movie.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "21-Dec-2019 02:40:13", "publisher": "Titan Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008508007", "title": "My Wandering Dreaming Mind", "author": "Merriam Sarcia Saunders", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sophia - Age 5", "word_count": 122, "review": "My Wandering Dreaming Mind by Merriam Sarcia Saunders is an interesting book about a little girl who has a hard time paying attention. This book is really good and made me think about myself. Sometimes it is hard to pay attention and, just like the main character in the book, rather than be upset and sad, you can be creative about new ways to be organized and pay attention when it's hard rather than focus on mistakes. This is a great story for kids and I would recommend it for my friends to read, too. The illustrations are great and really show what it is like to be thinking of a lot of things at one time--especially things like mermaids and fairies.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 18:36:53", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008508003", "title": "Papa, Daddy, and Riley", "author": "Seamus Kirst, illustrated by Devon Holzwarth", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb Manansala", "word_count": 132, "review": "The book is about Riley, her dad, and her papa trying to figure out who is her real dad because her friend Olivia says you can only have one dad and one mom. That makes Riley feel sad.

But I don\u2019t think that\u2019s true, because families could be different. You can have a step-mom, a step-dad, or you can have two moms and two dads.

Riley feels happy afterward because she realizes every family is different but at least one thing is the same: they all have love. She was happy to have two dads because they love her. Papa, Daddy, and Riley was like my friend who has two moms.

I like the drawings a lot! I think they are made with crayon and watercolor. The book was easy to read.

\u201cLove makes a family.\u201d", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 18:35:08", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008507031", "title": "We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships", "author": "Kat Vellos", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 57, "review": "\"Tips, tricks, and a sense of comfort are what Vellos grants those who could use a little help in the friend department. She lays out key ingredients for how to stop the excuses and change your life. Vellos is committed to raising the happiness level among the population\u2014the only prescription is more friendship!\" \u2014San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Dec-2019 00:50:33", "publisher": "", "page_count": "310 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008507027", "title": "The Poison Garden: A Novel", "author": "Alex Marwood", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 269, "review": "Twenty-one-year-old Romy doesn\u2019t remember life before The Ark, a community in North Wales committed to the teachings and leadership of Lucien, a charismatic leader who insists on the community\u2019s preparation for the apocalypse and refers to them as the only real living left, while everyone outside The Ark are \u201cThe Dead.\u201d This is the premise of Alex Marwood\u2019s psychologically exquisite novel, The Poison Garden.

As the novel opens, one hundred members of The Ark are discovered dead, all poisoned. Signs of attempted escape, make this not a suicide plot but a mass murder. How these devoted followers of Lucien met this fate is the question at the heart of Marwood\u2019s novel, and none of the explanation isn\u2019t easy. In some ways, it has to do with the guards of The Ark, trained by Uri, Lucien\u2019s biological son with a military background and hunger for his father\u2019s power. In others, it all revolves around Romy\u2019s mother Somer, who brought Romy to The Ark before Romy was five. Somer\u2019s relationship with Lucien and the children she bears at The Ark pave the road leading to the deaths that open the novel. But really, this is Romy\u2019s story: How she manages to live among The Dead after surviving the massacre and how she will make her life now that all she knew before is gone.

The turns in this novel were some of the most surprising I\u2019ve ever read, and the ending left me breathless. If you have an interest in cults, in the dark side of human behavior, or if you are looking for an \u201cun-put-down-able\u201d book, The Poison Garden is for you.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "21-Dec-2019 18:46:29", "publisher": "Penguin Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008507019", "title": "The Manifestations of Sherlock Holmes", "author": "James Lovegrove", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 251, "review": "A man believes he has accidentally cursed his family. A woman suspects her husband's suicide was faked and that he is still alive. A young housemaid asks for help proving her innocence in the death of her employer. A man accused of his employer's death believes a deadly spirit committed the act, and Holmes ventures behind the veil of spirit mediums to solve the crime.

From the above summations, you might assume that this is a run-of-the-mill collection of Holmes stories, but that's only half the collection. Other tales venture into Holmes' darker side in a Jekyll-and-Hyde-esque misadventure, encounters with the cosmic horrors of H.P. Lovecraft, a Christmas caper for Doctor Watson, and even a story told from the point of view of Toby, the dog who occasionally assists Holmes in his investigations.

Rarely does a collection of Holmes stories cast a net as widely as The Manifestations of Sherlock Holmes, and yet, most of the stories work nicely. While it's true that the majority of them don't feel as if they could have been penned by Doyle, that doesn't disqualify them from due consideration in my book. Quite the contrary in fact, as I thoroughly enjoyed the ambitiousness in some of these tales, even if they all don't stick the landing.

James Lovegrove continues to be one of the most engaging and adventurous authors expanding the Holmes canon on the market today, and this collection proves he has plenty of clever, cunning, and occasionally off-the-wall ideas for the Great Detective.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 19:02:37", "publisher": "Titan Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008507015", "title": "Woven in Moonlight", "author": "Isabel Iba\u00f1ez", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 169, "review": "Ximena is nothing more than a decoy, a fake condesa. She\u2019ll do anything to keep the real condesa safe, even marry the false king. In the days leading to her wedding, Ximena searches for the deadly relic that forced her people from La Ciudad many years before. With it, they will take their home back. But as she weaves hidden messages into tapestries, she meets a masked vigilante, a warm-hearted princesa, and a thoughtful healer who challenge Ximena\u2019s beliefs. What if there\u2019s a way to overthrow the false king without starting another war?

In this carefully woven tale, Ximena has to face who she really is while trying to learn the truth of not only her people but also the people whom she seeks revenge on. Every character is different in their own way, and some aren\u2019t all that they seem. Woven in Moonlight is fast-paced, with several months passing yet seeming like hardly any time has passed at all, but it\u2019s not too fast, with important events sticking out.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 18:56:36", "publisher": "Page Street Kids", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008507003", "title": "Accordionly: Abuelo and Opa Make Music", "author": "Michael Genhart, PhD", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 115, "review": "If you have never heard an accordion playing before, you should. The sound is really unusual and jazzy. The book Accordionly will make the most sense for kids who have heard the instrument before. It\u2019s hard to imagine that it could sound so different. The book is about families coming together with their love of music. It celebrates the beauty of Spanish music and European music. The two songs the grandpas play are real songs, and it would be good if there were a CD with the book, but you can always find the music on your parent\u2019s phone. This book is good for younger kids who are just learning about different kinds of music.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 18:27:21", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008505015", "title": "The Perfect Escape", "author": "Suzanne Park", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 199, "review": "What better way to spend a Friday night than at an escape room? With zombies? Nate is a guide for the escape room, and Kate is a zombie actor. Nate\u2019s parents hail from Korea, and their finances are more often than not strained. Kate recently lost her mother, and her father has taken his role as surviving parent seriously, often too seriously, dismissing her love of the theater for something practical. They both have their reasons to enter a contest that requires contestants to battle their way across a zombie wasteland, but the reward is great. However, there\u2019s more than just zombies on the battlefield trying to block their path to the finish line.

Like the many recent books that capitalize on our love of comic conventions, this one starts with our new obsession with escape rooms. And adds in zombies. And competitions. Combined, they are the perfect setting for a rom-com that is sweet and funny and touching, with memorable but flawed characters. Nate\u2019s Korean background is just part of who he is, and characters focus more on his status as the scholarship kid and less on his race. This one is the perfect escape from life. So cute.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "19-Dec-2019 19:29:05", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008503051", "title": "Hat Tricks", "author": "Satoshi Kitamura", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 177, "review": "It would be fun to be a magician, especially if I could do the kind of tricks as Hattie the Magician does in Hat Tricks. Instead of a bunny that's pulled from a hat by a human magician, a rabbit named Hattie is the magician and has her own hat for her tricks. On each page, she pulls out something new and exciting. When you are reading the book, you can tell on some of the pages what animal that Hattie is about to pull out, but not on every page. It is fun to watch the animals pulled out of the hat; the expressions of the animals that have already pulled out are funny to see, too. The story isn't that long, but Hattie pulls out quite a few animals of different sizes and says a fun phrase for the magic to work. The ending is nice; I'm glad that it turned out the way it did. I think that this book would be a good one for kids of any age, but especially younger ones.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 00:57:21", "publisher": "Peachtree Publishing Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008503047", "title": "Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention", "author": "Pip Jones", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 221, "review": "Izzy Gizmo and Fixer are a team working pair of fixers, and Izzy has just been invited to the invention convention. Izzy loves to invent new things, but there is just one problem, the things she invents don't always work. Izzy's Grandpa encourages her to keep trying no matter what. At the convention, there are many other inventors to compete against. Izzy is running out of ideas and supplies. What will she make for the invention convention? Abi is has a pile of old broken tools, she is throwing out but Izzy knows just what she will do. She will invent something to fix broken tools and make them new again. Izzy uses only old recycled materials to fix the tools. When she doesn't have enough electricity to power her machine, she knows she must harness renewable energy sources to power the machine. Izzy and Fixer use wind, water, and solar power to power the machine and Izzy is a success. The vibrant illustrations bring Izzy and Fixer's creation to life. This is a wonderful book as it teachers readers, that you may not always succeed the first time, but if you persevere and work hard you can make anything your heart desires. I love the fact that Izzy upcycles and makes old things new again by using natural energy sources.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 00:56:12", "publisher": "Peachtree Publishing Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008503019", "title": "All the Ways We Said Goodbye: A Novel of the Ritz Paris", "author": "Beatriz Williams", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 281, "review": "France, 1914: As war breaks out, Aurelie becomes trapped on the wrong side of the front with her father. When the Germans move onto their family's ancestral estate, using it as headquarters, Aurelie discovers she knows the German major aide de camp, Maximilian. Despite their conflicting loyalties, Aurelie and Max fall in love, but soon betrayal will shatter them both. France 1942: Raised by her free-spirited American grandmother in the glamorous Hotel Ritz, Marguerite \u201cDaisy\u201d Villon remains in Paris with her family after France falls to Hitler. Once reluctant to put herself and her family in danger, Daisy agrees to join the resistance, acting as a courtier for a forger known only as Legrand. But as Daisy is drawn deeper into the resistance, she uncovers a devastating secret, one that will force her to commit the ultimate betrayal. France 1964: For Barbara Langford, her husband Kit was the love of her life; yet their marriage is haunted by a mysterious woman known only as \u201cLa Fleur\u201d. But after Kit's death, Andrew Bowdoin, who was hired to find \u201cLa Fleur,\u201d appears at her door. Filled with curiosity, Barbara joins Andrew on his quest, all the way to Paris and the Ritz Hotel.

All The Ways We Said Goodbye is a wonderful story about three women who, despite the years that separated them, are brought to Paris' Ritz Hotel. But the hotel is not the only thing that connects these three women. Although two of the three storylines take place during the World Wars, I enjoyed how the story focused on the strong women in the story rather than the horrors of war like so many other historical novels set during these times.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 22:24:57", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008503007", "title": "Midnight on Strange Street", "author": "K. E. Ormsbee", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 533, "review": "One night a blue light burned at the end of Cedar Lane in Callaway, TX. It burned for an hour and then was gone. This incident was made into legend and gave the road the nickname Strange Street. Callaway became known for its new industry Glow Inc. that sold an extraterrestrial substance called glow. The only thing it is really used for is a new sport called glowboarding.

Many years later, Avery, Dani, Lola, and Bastian moved to the street. They became friends and made a glowboarding team naming themselves the Sardines. Their biggest rivals the Grackles had just beat them in every race. Of course, it does not hurt that the Grackles have Mitchell Jensen, whose father owns Glow Inc. that makes all the glowboards and accessories. Things are going okay until the last day of school when Lola gets so mad, she causes food to levitate and then explode all over Mitchell. Most think it was a kid pulling a prank, others think it was something having to do with the war that set and explosion.

The team comes to realize that all of them have felt a flame inside them and they can connect to each other\u2019s thoughts, which will give them just the advantage they need at the ultimate race Glow in the Park. As they get stronger, they are contacted by otherworldly beings saying they have placed the \u201celixir\u201d there to protect them and they are planning to eradicate the world. The only problem is that the Sardines are only getting part of the message because there is a fifth person and they do not know who it is. With the biggest race of the year coming up and aliens to appease will the Sardines be able to win the race and save the world or end up falling flat?

This book was awesome! I loved it so much! It had great pacing, action, and intrigue. This one kept me on the edge of my seat. Descriptions were perfect for middle-grade kids. Callaway felt like a small-town even though it was a city. Glowboarding is awesome, I wish it were a real sport. The added mystery of the blue flame is just epic. I loved the added parts that someone was making a deal about glow and then after those connected with the aliens.

The characters were very well fleshed out. They had their own voice and personality. You could see it from Dani\u2019s in charge personality to Lola\u2019s sweet and peacemaking one. It was also interesting to see how the family dynamic directly affected the kids. I loved that it switched during the four main characters' points of view. It was really well done.

My favorite parts were feeling like I was glowboarding along with the characters. It was just an amazing feeling. I also loved that even though there was a lot of action the author took time to make sure you knew the characters and all the things each one was dealing with. I think it would make middle graders feel like someone really gets them.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action, mystery, or sci-fi. Perfect for upper elementary and up.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 21:40:30", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": true, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008503003", "title": "Auntie Poldi and the Vineyards of Etna (2) (An Auntie Poldi Adventure)", "author": "Mario Giordano", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 205, "review": "When Auntie Poldi's water is cut off, her friend's dog found poisoned, and she hears about the murder of a young district attorney; she is sure the mafia is behind it. She's in Sicily, after all. Setting out to discover the culprit behind the dog's death, Poldi ends up getting involved in the murder case of Chief Inspector Montana. As if that weren't enough excitement for one sixty-year-old woman, she discovers a body at a vineyard on the slopes of Etna. Her senses tell her the murders are connected. And when Auntie Poldi sticks her nose into something, she can't let it go, even when she knows death is looking over her shoulder.\n

Auntie Polidi and the Vineyards of Etna is narrated by Poldi's nephew, an aspiring writer with his share of writer's block. As he points out, his aunt navigates life between two poles: utter joy and the depths of despair. But she knows, like him, that Sicily is a special place, full of complex characters, and mysteries yet to be solved. There is nowhere else she'd rather live. Giordano has written a firecracker of a story, layered with wit, humor, and charm. It's filled with delightful and exotic characters I won't soon forget.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 21:38:09", "publisher": "Mariner Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008502023", "title": "Where the Best Stories Hide", "author": "Roman Yasiejko, with illustrations by Ben Whitehouse", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 161, "review": "Where the Best Stories Hide is a story about Nick. Nick tells stories. All. The. Time!

In this story, Nick shows his teacher and friends about where the best stories hide: In his mind! He makes them up like I do in my comics. (\u201cAnd I do too with my big brother,\u201d adds my little sister Julianne. \u201cHe helps me.\u201d) Nick tells good stories. Nick tells stories about all kinds of things, like pirates, rocket ships, race cars, dinosaurs, everything. He dreams up all sorts of thing and tells tales. I like to imagine things like Nick and just have fun. That\u2019s the best part about drawing, and that\u2019s what Nick does: just has fun. They think he is just drawing, but he is actually telling stories. My favorite part was at the end where the whole class rides on the dinosaur with Nick.

Kids who like telling stories might like this book too.

I give this book five stars because I love it.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 01:07:11", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008502019", "title": "How to Make a Shark Smile: How a positive mindset spreads happiness", "author": "Shawn Achor", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 197, "review": "Hilariously funny! On a scale of one to ten, this book would be a ten because it made me laugh out loud! How to Make a Shark Smile: How a Positive Mindset Spreads Happiness is a wonderfully funny book and illustrates just how powerful a smile and a positive attitude can be, even when a shark is involved. Ripple the dolphin is new to the aquarium, but all the other sea animals are afraid of her because she looks like the mean shark that swims in the tank. Ripple wants to show her friends how to be happy, and the power of being happy and kind to others can make difference. Ripple show the sea animals the power of her smile and encourages them to try to resist not to smile back. Will this positive attitude and the power of the sea animals smiles be enough to change the shark's mean ways? This book is vibrantly illustrated to show the beauty of an ocean aquarium. I love the realistic illustrations including the coral. This is a fantastic book to show readers how powerful a positive mindset can be on not only yourself, but on others as well.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 00:58:25", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008502003", "title": "Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything", "author": "BJ Fogg, PhD", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 176, "review": "If you really want to change your habits once and for all, this is the book to pick up. Based on science and practice, Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everything by BJ Fogg, PhD is life-changing and will make you think about habits in entirely new ways. It\u2019s also super readable and really enjoyable, even if the only habit you cultivate is flossing one tooth.

Fogg\u2019s style is informative and funny. He\u2019s incredibly relatable as he leads readers through the ins and outs of his tiny habits research. Change has never been more accessible and easy to understand. Based on over twenty years of human behavior research, this model for change breaks down how to make transformative changes into the tiniest steps. It encourages celebrating successes, even tiny ones, as opposed to suffering failures. No matter your goals, Tiny Habits is there to help you achieve new habits that add up in a big way to a better life.

(This is the self-help book that finally works! It even ended arguments about pants with my kid!)", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 21:33:36", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008501047", "title": "Someday We Will: A Book for Grandparents and Grandchildren", "author": "Pam Webb, with illustrations by Wendy Leach", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 214, "review": "Grandparents and their grandchildren go through the book showing all the things they want to do together, from going swimming in the lake to reading books together. The end brings a beautiful conclusion: that someday is here and they get to be together to do all the fun things they had been looking forward to doing.

The text was sparse, which worked well. It had a beautiful flow and rhythm to the words. I felt as if I was being transported to this beautiful world that the grandparents and grandchildren are having together. The illustrations were beautiful and whimsical. The family is very well drawn, giving a true sense of who they are. I will say this book represents European-American culture. If you want diversity, you will need to look for another book.

How timely of a book for our family; we just moved away from both sets of grandparents, so this book really spoke to me and my kids. My three- and six-year-old loved the pictures of grandparents and grandchildren doing things together, thinking of the special times when they get to be with their grandparents. This is a book they loved reading over and over again.

I recommend this book for three- to eight-year-olds and for all grandparents to buy to read to their grandchildren.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 01:01:34", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008501043", "title": "Paper Planes", "author": "Jim Helmore", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Ben and Mia are best, best friends. They live by each other on the shores of a big lake. They do everything together from swinging to singing, but their favorite thing to do is to make airplanes that they try to fly as far as they can. They race their planes with flying geese. They dream of being able to fly their planes all the way across the lake they live next to. But before they have the chance, the worst thing happens \u2014 Ben\u2019s family is going to be moving far, far away. They trade planes with each other and say goodbye. Can these two friends find a way to keep their friendship while being so far away?

Author Jim Hilmore has written a sweet story of friendship and longing. Having a best friend move away is something most kids face at one time or another, and this book can help them get through the experience. But the real star of this book is the illustration work of Richard Jones. Using soft colors and lovely details, each page is filled with enchanting images that will keep youngsters' eyes on the pages and their imaginations working.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 00:53:47", "publisher": "Peachtree Publishing Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008501031", "title": "Creating Things That Matter: The Art and Science of Innovations That Last", "author": "David Edwards", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 199, "review": "It's rare that I find it difficult to encapsulate what I liked and didn't like about a book, or how to define what was effective and what was ineffective. Creating Things That Matter is certainly a book that you should read, but I genuinely wonder what a different reader will get out of it.

David Edwards collects numerous engaging stories about visionaries who took their fields in startling new directions, and those sections of the book are pure inspiration, offering insight into how you can channel your creative energies, your ideas, and your drive into something tactile.

But it's when Edwards applies a methodology to these individual accounts that I found the book wanting. It strove to quantify these innovations into a step-by-step process that is universal. I admire the attempt, certainly, and I cannot deny the author's own success or his passion for inspiring others and provoking thought about a new nexus of science and art, but I found my own interest flagging at these points.

Perhaps I am just behind the curve on this one, but I got more out of the example stories than I did from the surrounding framework so intricately constructed by the author.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 00:36:38", "publisher": "Picador", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008501015", "title": "This Book Thinks You're an Inventor", "author": "Jon Milton, with illustrations by Harriet Russell", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "A lot of elementary and middle school students have a lack of confidence in their abilities in the STEM areas. This book opens with a fun quiz to find out what kind of an inventor one is, acting on the assumption that anyone can invent and opening the door to kids who might not otherwise be willing to try inventive activities. This is followed by some ways to get inventive thinking happening and six sections: \"Amazing Materials,\" \"Transportation and Machines,\" \"At Home,\" \"AI and Robots,\" \"Buildings,\" and \"Helping People and the Planet.\" Each of these sections has three to five activities to encourage inventive thinking and get youngsters creating. There are cute illustrations by Harriet Russell that enhance the activities. This is a workbook with lots of room to write and draw printed on heavy stock paper to handle any kind of pens, markers, or paint kids want to use. This book is a great addition to the series, which also has books on being a scientist, a math genius, and an artist. The writing is fun, the illustrations support the text well, and creativity will be unleashed in the youngster lucky enough to get this book.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 21:46:27", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008501007", "title": "The Unteachables", "author": "Gordon Korman", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Kiana is a short-timer. She will only be at this school until her mother\u2019s movie is done. Staying with her father, step-monster, and their new baby is something she has to get through, like two months at this school. The step-monster doesn\u2019t register Kiana. She finds her way to the Unteachables, a class of misfits and losers. Their teacher, Mr. Kermit, does crossword puzzles while the kids do worksheets. One of the kids, Barnstorm, was a big sports star, and it seems the only reason he\u2019s in this class is that he broke his leg. When told the class can\u2019t go to the rally, Mr. Kermit gets on the phone and fights for Barnstorm to not only go but to sit with the team. The kids realize Mr. Kermit will fight for them, and that changes everything.

Author Gordon Korman understands what makes kids tick. The characters are well rounded, the dialogue is spot-on for middle schoolers, and the story is compelling, funny, and sweet. Readers will root for the kids and Mr. Kermit as they all fight for each other and for what is right. This book is such a winner! Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 21:26:50", "publisher": "Balzer + Bray", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008500035", "title": "30-Day Journey with Jane Austen (30-Day Journey)", "author": "Natasha Duquette", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 141, "review": "If you can\u2019t get enough of Jane Austen, why not spend every day with her in 30-Day Journey with Jane Austen? This slim volume, perfect for gift giving as well as keeping for yourself, opens with a brief biography of Jane Austen. The rest of the book has a three-part structure for each of the thirty days.

Each day offers a brief passage from one of Austen\u2019s works, a nugget of information that corresponds to the passage, and a reflection for the reader. The reflection ties together modern life with the passage for the day. One such reflection begins, \u201c We are bombarded with messages telling us to be assertive and lean in, yet Austen understood there is often more wisdom in leaning back and letting go.\u201d

This little book is a unique choice for the Austen lover in your life.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 01:03:17", "publisher": "Fortress Press", "page_count": "90 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008500003", "title": "The Ghosts of Notchey Creek", "author": "Liz S. Andrews", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 54, "review": "\"A wonderful small-town mystery set in the heart of Tennessee. Harley Henrickson will have you cheering before you know it. Complete with ghosts, whiskey, and colorful characters and set with a Christmas backdrop, The Ghosts of Notchey Creek will keep its readers entertained until the very end.\" \u2014 Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 15:46:14", "publisher": "", "page_count": "330 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008499035", "title": "After the Rain", "author": "Rebecca Koehn, with illustrations by Simone Kr\u00fcger", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 195, "review": "Levi watches the rain out his window. \u201cDrip. Drop. Plink.\u201d It has finally stopped. Levi dons his yellow raincoat and rain boots, grabs his boat, and runs out the door. The gutters are overflowing and raging through the streets. It\u2019s perfect for sailing! As Levi races his boat, he splashes and swishes through puddles, keeping ahead of his toy. He then spots the grate\u2014oh no! He rescues his boat just in time. But then Polly shows up and proclaims, \u201cMy river! No boats here!\u201d A battle begins, with Levi attacking and Polly defending. There is slinging, hurling and flinging! But soon there is no splashing either, or dribbling and rippling, because the water is flowing down the grate. Can Levi and Polly call a truce instead?

Rebecca Koehn\u2019s fun and alliterative After the Rain will have readers planning for the next rainy day. The author uses sparse language to convey Levi\u2019s joy and Polly\u2019s anger. Their rivalry eventually turns from fighting into collaboration when they realize the water is drying up. The book sends a strong message about friendship and working together. Simone Kr\u00fcger\u2019s illustrations pop with color and will bring a smile to your face.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 01:05:44", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008499031", "title": "The Society of Distinguished Lemmings", "author": "Julie Colombet", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 230, "review": "They live by strict, no-nonsense rules, and few newcomers are accepted into their Society of Distinguished Lemmings. When Bertie, a lemming who has tired of their rigid ways, wants a rather unseemly creature to join their furry pack, the other lemmings only hesitantly attempt to train him in their distinguished ways, finally declaring him unsuitable to their likings. Bertie, however, finds comfort in the bear\u2019s less stringent ways and likes the simple lifestyle he leads. While the others vacation at the beach, the pair happily stay behind only to realize the others may be in grave danger. A life-saving rescue transforms the other lemmings\u2019 thinking, and suddenly bear\u2019s status becomes as distinguished as their own.

In The Society of Distinguished Lemmings, debut author Julie Colombet offers readers a creative combination of text and dialogue bubbles. Together, they make for a delightful and appealing story for young children that is filled with adorable and lively illustrations. Their light, blended hues add a warm and welcoming tone to the text.

The exclusivity of the lemmings\u2019 distinguished society parallels that of the cliques that exist among young people today. Bertie\u2019s character provides children with an alternative to trying desperately to fit into groups in which their true selves don\u2019t belong. Through his actions, they are encouraged to seek friendships with others who are more relatable to them, ultimately bringing them greater happiness in the end.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "20-Dec-2019 01:00:16", "publisher": "Peachtree Publishing Company", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008499023", "title": "Garden Jungle", "author": "H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Druvert", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 198, "review": "If you like a book with pretty pictures and cut-outs, then you should check out Garden Jungle! Even the cover is really pretty with a bright coral color on the animals and plants. Inside the book, the people look like their shadows. The story is about a little boy who goes to his mom outside and tells her that he's bored. His mom tells him to look around and he'll probably see interesting things. The boy goes walking and sees a butterfly. The butterfly keeps flying along, and the boy follows it to where the pages become really pretty in the book. When he keeps chasing the butterfly through the garden, it transforms into a jungle, and the cat that was following him transforms into a big cat! The boy sees all kinds of neat things until he reaches the end of the jungle when he sees the coolest thing. Now the boy knows he won't be bored again.\nI like how the garden turns into a jungle; the animals that live in jungles are cool and big and pretty. I would like for that to happen to me; maybe we all need to use our imagination more!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 22:54:48", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008497039", "title": "The Pursuit of the Pankera: A Parallel Novel About Parallel Universes", "author": "Robert A. Heinlein", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 203, "review": "Yes, this is a new Robert Heinlein novel. The first one hundred fifty-nine pages are identical to those in Number of the Beast. That was a visitation and embracing of other writers and mythos, a sort of farewell. Herein, we are gifted with the opportunity to visit familiar and widely beloved worlds of imagination. Of course, Mr. Heinlein puts his own unique stamp on all of them, with touches of hilarity and over-the-top extrapolation. After that lead-in, the crew of the Gay Deceiver (I hasten to point out that at time of writing, \u201cgay\u201d had not acquired its current meaning) embark on a roaming of otherworldly dimensions, venturing into realms defined by literary expositions.

The voice is heartbreakingly Heinleinian, and it ranges from whimsy to the chest-out strutting of Lazarus Long revisiting his own past. By the by, Lazarus is mentioned and involved with our heroes\u2019 lives, though under an alias.

Interpersonal relations, sexual tensions, and pleasurable titillations abound. Familial hierarchies, or the societal kowtowing to them, are reminiscent of fifties morality, but not to the point of being stifling. If anything, they are employed masterfully to maintain loving conflict.

I will reveal no more; all Heinlein fans deserve to experience this wondrous revisiting for themselves.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:10:28", "publisher": "CAEZIK SF & Fantasy", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008497035", "title": "This Light Between Us: A Novel of World War II", "author": "Andrew Fukuda", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 272, "review": "This Light Between Us is a beautiful novel that takes place during World War II. It tells the story of Alex and Charlie building a bond through letters. Alex is a Japanese-American teen who lives on the California coast. Charlie is a Jewish girl who lives in France.

The heartbreaking story begins when Alex\u2019s teacher assigns foreign penpals to his class. It turns out, after a while, that Alex and Charlie are the only ones still corresponding. Soon, deeply unfortunate events happen. In France, Nazis blast propaganda and start searching people\u2019s homes, while in California, Pearl Harbor is attacked. Prejudice bites at both characters.

Alex\u2019s father gets taken away by the government and they have to get rid of any Japanese heritage remaining. They have to hide a part of themselves.He hates the fact that the \u201cAmerica\u201d that\u2019s supposed to be welcoming makes them hide a part of who they are to keep safe and takes their family away. Later on, Alex learns that Charlie has to hide from the Nazis and eventually gets taken to a concentration camp. Around the same time, Alex\u2019s family gets taken to a camp in the desert.

This book was a work of art. I did take me a while to get through, though. It\u2019s a YA novel and has vivid imagery. However, it tells an important story. Like a lot of books about this time in history, the Holocaust, and the oppression of Japanese-American people, it is quite emotional. This is a unique book told through the eyes of two penpals, and I think it would be an excellent read for ages 13 and up.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:00:53", "publisher": "Tor Teen", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5 "} {"id": "425035000008497031", "title": "Yoga Cocaine", "author": "Daralyse Lyons", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 200, "review": "I wanted to read Yoga Cocaine because I felt the two topics combined would make for an interesting read. And I was right! The author, Daralyse Lyons, uses some of her past experiences to create this novel about a girl named Jessica who seems to not have a fighting chance. Until she does.

As a cocaine addict, Jessica is an embarrassment to her family. Her mother is frustrated, her younger sister is appalled, and her stepdad, well...her stepdad started having sexual relations with Jessica when she was fifteen years old, so I felt like he really didn't have a say when it came to Jessica's problems because he added to her dysfunction until she was eighteen. Jessica wants to get better. She wants to be a whole person. And by going to yoga class, she feels the power of the poses and feels so good. The problem is, she has a hard time saying no to cocaine and alcohol. As the reader is brought through the twelve steps of AA, pairing each step with a yoga pose, we start to feel Jessica heal and become stronger. This book was an interesting read, with some very graphic parts but overall pretty fascinating.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "17-Dec-2019 23:54:01", "publisher": "Modern History Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008497023", "title": "Rise Up: Ordinary Kids with Extraordinary Stories", "author": "Amanda Li", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Susan Faith - Age 12", "word_count": 185, "review": "Rise Up: Ordinary Kids with Extraordinary Stories is a wonderful book. It tells the stories of 29 kids. Amongst these kids are Sheku Kanneh-Mason, a wonderful cellist (like me). Another is Greta Thunberg, a girl with autism (like me) who helped the climate change problem. One of the most influential kids is Abraham Keita, who believes that \u201chowever difficult one\u2019s childhood, it is possible to change your life and help others.\u201d Like. Me.

This book is written by Amanda Li and illustrated by Amy Blackwell, whose pictures resemble children\u2019s books today: cute and pastel-like, complete with hand-lettering. The book also encourages you to be like these people by doing meaningful activities. Another example of influential people in this book: the Nona siblings, a boy and two girls from Australia who survived a swim on the way to a birthday party with their parents.

When I read this book, I felt hopeful and excited to make a difference in the world like these kids have. Boys and girls who may grow up to be like these people (thank you, very helpful activities) will like this book.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "17-Dec-2019 21:10:20", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "120 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008497019", "title": "The Princess in Black and the Bathtime Battle", "author": "Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, with illustrations by LeUyen Pham", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 6", "word_count": 170, "review": "So there's a stench looming in the air, and there's a bunch of princesses who wants to be a superhero because of the stench. There's Princess in Black. There's the Goat Avenger. Princess Snapdragon turns into Flower Girl. Princess Honeysuckle turns into Cartwheel Queen. Princess Orchid turns into Miss Fix-It. Princess Sneezewort turns into The Princess in Blankets. The princesses try to defeat the stinky monster. They are able to do so by giving the stinky monster a bath. Then the stinky monster turns into a cute, fluffy monster. Then the monster wants to eat goats, but since there are so many princesses, he just gives up. The princesses are going to find each other again with the stone. They'll use the stone to send a signal to each other. Then there's going to be another princess. I liked the story because it was funny and silly. I really liked the cute, fluffy monster because it's so CUTE! I recommend this book to anyone who likes princess and superhero stories.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "17-Dec-2019 21:08:55", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008497003", "title": "The Return of Thelma the Unicorn", "author": "Aaron Blabey", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - Age 5", "word_count": 133, "review": "Can I give this book a hundred thousand stars?! I love this book. I thought the first Thelma the Unicorn book was great, but this one is REALLY great! I love how we can read it in a sing-song kind of way. I love that the pictures are so detailed and funny. I was sad when I remembered Thelma didn't want to be a unicorn anymore, but as I read the book I knew she would be back. I like that this book makes me think of my own life and sometimes I don't think I can do something and then I remember my friends make me happy and tell me I can do anything! Otis is one awesome friend! I also love how glittery the cover of the book is\u2014I love glitter!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "17-Dec-2019 19:25:04", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008496035", "title": "Just Watch Me: A Novel", "author": "Jeff Lindsay", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozarro", "word_count": 233, "review": "Riley Wolfe is a master thief capable of the impossible theft. Recently he has nabbed a valuable statue from a felonious billionaire in front of a large crowd. He is at the top of his craft, however, his success rings hollow. The challenges lack depth. The next target appears serendipitously in an airline magazine, the prize of nearly incalculable value. The loot will be under heavily armed presence. Riley is meticulous in planning a theft of this scale, but anything less would merit arrest or worse. He reaches out to adept artist and friend Monique for her aid in pulling off the score. Meanwhile, Special Agent Frank Delgado is on the trail of Wolfe. Delgado, possessed with a consuming obsession, embarks on a solo mission to apprehend Wolfe. The history of Wolfe may hold the key to unraveling his criminal forays. As Wolfe dives deeper into his heist, the lies, stakes, and bodies pile up. Will Wolfe be successful?

Just Watch Me is the latest from Jeff Lindsay illustrating his versatility as a mystery author. The book\u2019s depth weighs in early and gets you hooked. Riley is an endearing protagonist, despite his various moral shortcomings. Agent Delgado compels the reader to choose a side to root for, yet one might just find both alluring enough. The story builds throughout as does the anticipation, and the reader will be justly rewarded. Excellent new addition.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 01:00:21", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008496031", "title": "Fly Back Agnes", "author": "Elizabeth Atkinson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 169, "review": "Fly back Agnes is a beautifully written book that I think most girls in the ten-to-twelve range will enjoy reading.

Agnes\u2019 life was never perfect. First, her parents divorced, then her sister Viva moved out. Her mom (Mo as Agnes calls her) and her boyfriend Richard want to leave for Kansas, but Agnes decides to spend the summer with her Dad. Everything seems to change: her family, her friends, and even herself.

In her Dad's town, she starts exploring and making new friends. She doesn\u2019t want to tell them whom she is and starts lying. She tells them her name is Cloe and a whole bunch of other lies, and she has to deal with the consequences. In the end, she learns a lot about friendships, herself, and how to accept and deal with a lot of things in her life.

I felt like I have a lot of things in common with Agnes, which made me like the book a lot. This is a great book for girls ten and up", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:56:32", "publisher": "Carolrhoda Books", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008496027", "title": "The German Heiress: A Novel", "author": "Anika Scott", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 249, "review": "Clara Falkenberg, once Germany's most eligible and lauded heiress, earned the nickname \u201cthe Iron Fraulein'' during World War II for her role in operating her family\u2019s ironworks empire. It\u2019s been nearly two years since the war ended, and she\u2019s left with nothing but a false identification card and a series of burning questions about her family's past. With nowhere else to run, she decides to go home and take refuge with her dear friend Elisa. Narrowly escaping a British officer who\u2019s hellbent on arresting her for war crimes, she arrives to discover the city in ruins and Elisa missing. As Clara begins tracking down Elisa, she encounters Jakob, a charismatic young man working on the black market and, for his own reasons, searching for Elisa. Clara and Jakob discover how they might help each other, if only they can stay ahead of the British officer.

The German Heiress is a gripping post-World War II story filled with twists and turns I did not expect. I enjoyed how each character, whether they are only in a single scene or are present for the vast majority of the book, are well written and believable. Another thing that I enjoyed is the perspective. Much WWII fiction is often focused on the Allies and tends to portray the Germans in a negative light while The German Heiress is told from a post-war German perspective (and how many struggled after the war concluded), and casts a negative light on the allied forces, particularly the British.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:51:50", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008496015", "title": "When You See Me: A Novel", "author": "Lisa Gardner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 193, "review": "Another excellent read from Lisa Gardner, When You See Me is a part of the Detective D.D. Warren series that reads well as a standalone. In this case, D.D. pairs up again with ex-kidnapping victim and wild child Flora Dane. FBI Agent Kimberley Quincy is in charge of finding out who \u201cthe Bad Man\u201d in this Georgia town is after finding the remains of several young girls in the area. Forensics must work around the clock to put the pieces of the bodies together as they are racing against time. When will the killer strike again?

This story was well written with detailed characters who all have crucial parts to the storyline. Every. Single. One of them. What I love about Lisa Gardner\u2019s D.D. Warren/Flora Dane books is that she takes a detective and a victim of torture, both women as tough as bones, and pairs them up to solve these gruesome cases. They both have different ways of getting the task done, Flora a little more rambunctiously. The ending will shock you and the methods the task force must use to figure out this intricate mystery will astound you. Suspense at its best.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:29:06", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008496011", "title": "Engaged to the Earl: The Penhallow Dynasty", "author": "Lisa Berne", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 265, "review": "Gwendolyn Penhallow believes she has everything she could possibly want. She\u2019s in London for her Season, but is already engaged to the Earl of Westenbury, who is handsome, adoring, and the perfect man for her. Things get even better when her childhood friend Christopher Beck returns from his travels abroad. He\u2019s handsome, unconventional, and a delight to be with, but his arrival coincides with (or maybe causes) some cracks to appear in paradise\u2019s fa\u00e7ade. All at once, Gwendolyn isn\u2019t so sure she\u2019s meant for the earl. But if not him, than who?

Engaged to the Earl is nothing like other romances I\u2019ve read. Gwendolyn can be childish at times, but it\u2019s part of her charm; she is a unique and relatable heroine. Christopher may be wealthy, but the narration focuses more on his history of working with his hands. The book has tropes I love: childhood friends returning to each find the other has suddenly become beautiful, uncertainty as to who one\u2019s heart belongs to (even if readers are well aware of the ultimate conclusion), and a plot pushed more by affection than lust. At its best, the book is a sweet read full of lighthearted fun.

However, the secondary characters are too often one-dimensional and over-the-top. Also I found Helen, Gwendolyn\u2019s supposed friend, to be vapid and rather dull. Some plotlines have half-hearted resolutions. What could have been a fresh new book in one of my favorite genres for the most part failed to connect with me.

Though the book had some delightful moments, it was far from my favorite of Lisa Berne's novels.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "17-Dec-2019 23:41:27", "publisher": "Avon", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008496007", "title": "Constantly", "author": "GG", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Maggie Marshall", "word_count": 277, "review": "Many people who experience depression, including myself, struggle to find the language to describe their experiences. When words such as \u201ctired,\u201d \u201csad,\u201d or \u201cnumb\u201d no longer do their experience justice, some people resort to personifying depression. Constantly does just that.

Constantly contains very few words. Instead, it\u2019s fueled by images, like a graphic novel or comic, with snippets of poetry throughout. It follows a day in the life of a young woman who is persistently pulled back by a dark creature every time she seems to gain some momentum. As she wakes up, as she gets dressed, as she tries to move on with her day, wraith-like hands send her tumbling down into darkness.

Depression makes every little task ten times more difficult, and while Constantly provides an accurate portrayal of depression, I found myself wishing it was longer. It was a startlingly quick read, which seemed to undermine the themes of sadness, sluggishness, and the loss of time and energy. I wanted to sit with the protagonist a bit longer and linger in the darkness with her.

Constantly resonated with me despite its length, but this nuanced portrayal may not do the same for readers who haven\u2019t experienced depression, as it is such a unique experience. But for those who have, the book will undoubtedly hit home. Each person\u2019s experience with depression may be nuanced, but Constantly manages to touch on the more universal parts of the illness. With so few words, it relies on a reader\u2019s ability to empathize with the imagery. That may be the very thing that allows so many to resonate with the work: it truly shows the experience rather than explains it.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "17-Dec-2019 21:02:25", "publisher": "Koyama Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008495027", "title": "Lord Holt Takes a Bride (The Mating Habits of Scoundrels)", "author": "Vivienne Lorret", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 433, "review": "Lord Asher Holt awakens in a carriage with a young woman in a fantastical confection of a wedding dress, who seems to be under the impression that not only is he the cousin of someone named Jane but also that this meeting between the two of them was prearranged. As he tries to gather his wits, he realizes that the young lady who has all but commandeered his carriage is none other than Miss Winnifred Humphries, the woman he had set out intending to kidnap.

Mere days earlier, Winnifred\u2019s friends were attempting to convince her to run away from her wedding to a man who has no particular affection for her (and, at times, looks at her with outright disdain) but who is interested in her particularly large dowry. She held firm against them, determined to do her duty as a woman, even as she looked forward to the day with growing dread. Jane, a rather reckless woman whose activities include writing primers on courtship with information women don\u2019t yet know and occasionally capturing noblemen to ask them questions polite society won\u2019t allow, promises to have her cousin waiting outside the church in case Winnifred should change her mind.

Naturally, she does, bringing our hero and heroine together. The rest of the novel is a delightfully chaotic carriage ride (sometimes literally so) as Asher and Winnifred try to determine just what they ought to do with one another. Whoever has absconded with the other, one thing is clear: they can\u2019t just stay together, no matter how much they might feel compelled to do so. It would be downright scandalous, and we certainly can\u2019t have that.

I went into this book expecting a fun, rather silly romp with plenty of stolen kisses and maybe a lighthearted kidnapping or two. (You know, all in good fun.) What I did not expect was multiple kidnappings, thwarted dreams, or a touching subplot that very nearly had me tearing up from happiness. I certainly didn\u2019t expect a plus-sized heroine. Don\u2019t let the cover fool you; Winnifred is plump, much to the pleasure of Asher and to the chagrin of her mother. After so many novels starring willowy heroines, it was pleasant to find one who has a different body type, one which affects her state of mind. Winnifred is plump and freckled, with flyaway hair, and she is just as lovable as our bad boy with a surprising heart.

Lord Holt Takes a Bride is the first in a trilogy, and I very much look forward to the others, especially if they star Winnifred\u2019s rather more daring friends.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:58:34", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008495023", "title": "Final Judgment (Samantha Brinkman Book 4)", "author": "Marcia Clark", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 209, "review": "Final Judgment is an excellent read that I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of light law thrillers. Samantha Brinkman is a lawyer who is not afraid to get what she wants at pretty much any cost. I really like her as the main character because she has her little quirks but is a hard worker. Nevermind that she kind of breaks the law while trying to unravel the mystery with her sidekick investigator Alex, who I also loved. Although this was book number four in the Samantha Brinkman books I found that it read as a standalone quite nicely. I'm assuming that in one of the previous books she finds her father Dale because he appears a lot in this book as her police officer father who helps her behind the scenes. In Final Judgment, Sam is trying to find out who killed a man and where another one disappeared off to. As she gathers more clues, many of them point to her own boyfriend Niko, an investor of the two men. This book kept me glued to the pages, and I couldn't wait to see how it ended, so although it was quite a long read, it went by fast and was easy to follow.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:49:11", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008495019", "title": "Of Curses and Kisses", "author": "Sandhya Menon", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Downing", "word_count": 208, "review": "Looking for a splash of fantasy in your romance? How about a cast of real, funny characters? Or maybe a new spin on a classic fairy tale? If you are, then Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon is the perfect book for you. Princess Jaya Rao, protective older sister and independent high school senior, knows that family is always first, and the Raos have a reputation to uphold. After a scandal involving her little sister, one that she is sure has something to do with the Emerson family and their generations-old feud, the two sisters are sent away to St. Rosetta\u2019s. There, Jaya plots to break the heart of Grey Emerson, as revenge. Meanwhile, Grey just wants to be left alone, but there\u2019s something about Jaya\u2019s rose pendant that makes him wonder. Jaya, Grey, and the other students of St. Rosetta\u2019s are delightfully unique and wonderfully realistic. Of Curses and Kisses follows them as they learn about friendship, family, love, and what it all means to them. You\u2019ll wonder and love and learn along with them as Sandhya Menon gives a modern spin on the classic \u201cBeauty and the Beast.\u201d Is it possible to create your own happy ending? Come find out in Of Curses and Kisses!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:39:41", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Children's", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008495015", "title": "All Things Left Wild", "author": "James Wade", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Madelynn Scowden", "word_count": 189, "review": "Sixteen-year-old Caleb Bentley is on the run with his older brother Shelby when a horse theft takes a turn for the worst. They travel across America and Mexico where Caleb and Shelby will be tested and testing each other. Randall Dawson is hunting the Bentley brothers with little know-how on surviving in the wild west. That is until he meets Charlotte, a woman who knows every inch of the harsh terrain. This book is about courage, mistakes, and inner morals. It has adventure and passion. This being set back at the beginning of the twentieth century made it very interesting and exciting to read, although it did seem a little slow and unhurried at times. It also gives you an inside look at what men and women struggled with during that time. The author did a good job describing the emotions the characters were going through, making it very easy to connect. This book being three hundred and four pages does mean it took some time to read. There are also some mature parts that would require a mature reader. All in all, I do recommend reading this book.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:23:09", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008495011", "title": "Jack", "author": "Connie Willis", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 195, "review": "During World War II, intrepid volunteers would venture out during the bombing raids on London to look for survivors. And one particular member of Miss Lucy's squad has a knack for finding survivors buried under rubble where nobody else would expect. The volunteer, named Jack, disappears during the day, doesn't eat, and doesn't sleep. Who is Jack, our narrator wonders, and just what makes him so good at finding victims in the aftermath?

Jack marks another impactful collaboration between Connie Willis and the era of World War II, this time in an all-too-short novella revisiting the Blitz. Jack is populated by rich, intriguing, believable characters thrown together by horrific circumstances, but never forgets about the mundanity of everyday life, no matter how insane the situation. The novella is as charming as it is engrossing, placing us among Miss Lucy's recruits in a story that's remarkably immersive, given its length.

You could read this novella a half-dozen times and still find little details to unravel, whether you focus on the main mystery or any of the fully-formed characters that make Miss Lucy's a living, breathing, tangible setting. Jack is masterful storytelling, it just goes by far too quickly.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "14-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:13:10", "publisher": "Subterranean Press", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008495007", "title": "The Lost Continent (Wings of Fire, Book 11)", "author": "Tui T. Sutherland", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 156, "review": "The Lost Continent is yet another adventure-filled book in the Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland. If you are not familiar with this series, it's okay, because Book 11 is a perfect place to start discovering the amazing dragons of Pantala.

This is a perfect read for folks who love fantasy, adventure, and mythical creatures. It is action packed and can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. I have even got my mom hooked on the series now!

The Lost Continent will pull you into a world full of silk wings and hive wings as you read about Blue, his fearless sister, Luna, and his one-of-a-kind friend, Cricket. These young dragonets are willing to dive into the unknown on a quest for knowledge about themselves and their tribes.

Grab a copy and curl up on the couch for an awesome adventure with the dragonets of Pantala; I promise you will not be disappointed!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "17-Dec-2019 19:32:57", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008494043", "title": "Of Mice and Minestrone: Hap and Leonard: The Early Years", "author": "Joe R. Lansdale", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozarro", "word_count": 216, "review": "Hap Collins and Leonard Pine share a friendship that\u2019s deeper than the heart of Texas. They are ideological opposites but are as close as brothers. Of Mice and Minestrone travels back to earlier times in their lives, not exactly bucolic, yet not as turbulent as their older years. \u201cThe Kitchen\u201d is a nostalgic trip to Hap\u2019s childhood, a large family gathering punctuated by a sumptuous meal and the warmth of togetherness. The titular \u201cOf Mice and Minestrone\u201d finds Hap embroiled in a fractured couple\u2019s domestic discord. Hap makes a bold and kind gesture to a battered spouse, and the end results are not what he expected. \u201cThe Watering Shed\u201d and the remaining two stories revolve around the core of Hap and Leonard\u2019s friendship. The duo\u2019s refusal to be cowed by ignorance, redneck rabble-rousers, crooked businessmen, or inherent danger serves to distinguish the last three stories.

Joe Lansdale\u2019s Hap and Leonard never cease to interest the reader. The situations they start and end up in are amply filled with humor, wisdom, and heart. The early years provide the reader with more proof of the two characters' innate humanity and inherent likability. No matter the trouble they find, their loyalty is to each other and what\u2019s right, which makes every story stronger. An excellent addition to a great collection.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:19:12", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008494039", "title": "In Her Shadow: A Novel", "author": "Kristin Miller", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 230, "review": "Colleen will always be living In Her Shadow. Her boyfriend\u2019s wife Joanna has been missing for six months, and she is currently pregnant with their child. But remnants of Joanna are everywhere. Soon after Michael asks Colleen to move into his house, a woman\u2019s body is discovered across the street. Colleen has worked so hard to have this perfect life, coming from a somewhat tragic background. She will not let anything stand in the way of her perfect ending, but it is a dangerous path she is on. Joanna was not the perfect woman everyone thought, and there are secrets everywhere. Colleen will have to decide how far she\u2019ll go to have the life she\u2019s always wanted, even if it puts her in the path of a killer. Secrets only stay buried for so long.

Overall, I thought this was a great take on the classic by Daphne du Maurier. The titles of the chapters added a bit of a twist as they don\u2019t really mean what you think they mean; this becomes more and more clear as you continue to read. The setting really came alive, with the fog of the grove across from Ravenwood adding to the ominous scenery. This was a great read to curl up to with a blanket and a cup of cocoa while wondering: how far would you go to get what you want?", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:17:37", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008494035", "title": "Ignite Your Light: A Sunrise-to-Moonlight Guide to Feeling Joyful, Resilient, and Lit from Within", "author": "Jolene Hart", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 217, "review": "Are you looking for a way to get more energy into your life? If so, Ignite Your Light has many useful tips, inspiration, and recipes to help you do just that. Jolene Hart focuses on the differences between a dim light and positive light. She will help you discern the difference between the two and, ultimately, get more positive light moving through your day. Changing your energy levels will allow you to feel better and glow from the inside out. And the best part about the process Hart describes is that you don't need a lot of money to follow her advice.\nI love the fact that this book is divided into sunrise, daylight, sunset, and moonlight. I knew right away that I needed to incorporate tips and tricks that Hart presents to awaken more positive energy during sunrise, especially since that sets the foundation for the day. I also found useful advice for other times of the day as well. For example, just turning off devices and relaxing with family and friends or taking a long relaxing bath at the end of the day can have positive benefits for your health and mind. Ignite Your Light is a well written, easy-to-follow guide that I will continue to consult whenever I need a little bit of inspiration.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:08:45", "publisher": "Running Press Adult", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008494023", "title": "The Mall: A Novel", "author": "Megan McCafferty", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 191, "review": "The Mall is the ultimate throwback for kids who grew up in the 1990s. Cassie Worthy is your normal teenager who works at America\u2019s Best Cookie in her local mall's food court. She can\u2019t wait for summer to be over and leave town for college. And things are getting worse by the day. She gets mono and is down for the count for several weeks. When she is better, she finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her with the Bath and Body Works girl. Because of this, she has to leave her job because they both worked at America's Best Cookie. Luckily Cassie is in the right place at the right time. Gia, the mom of her ex-best friend Drea Bellarossa, snatches her up and gives her a job as a bookkeeper for their boutique called Bellarossa. The fun starts there as Cassie meets new people and goes on a Cabbage Patch Kid treasure hunt with Drea. This book will surely bring back memories if you were around to experience the 90s. Complete with Orange Julius, Cabbage Patch Kids, and Sam Goody, this book is a blast to the past!", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "17-Dec-2019 23:47:17", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008493039", "title": "Saltwater Secrets", "author": "Cindy Callaghan", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Natalie - Age 9", "word_count": 165, "review": "I did not really like Saltwater Secrets because it was hard to focus on. I only could get one page done a day because when I got the opportunity, I always looked for something else to do. Even though the name of the person who is talking is the chapter title, I had trouble knowing who is talking, and I had these thoughts in the middle of the chapter like \u201cwhy is Josie saying her own name instead of I?\u201d then I realized that Stella was the one narrating, and I thought \u201cI wish they could make who was talking more clear.\u201d One thing I liked about the book is the cover art. It was detailed and I really liked it. I don\u2019t like that they were sometimes fighting because I like peace and quiet.

This story can happen in real life, but with different facts. I think it would be fun to solve a mystery with my sisters, or better yet with my best friends.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:53:10", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Children's", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008493031", "title": "The Postutopian Adventures of Darger and Surplus", "author": "Michael Swanwick", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahtega - Age 16", "word_count": 113, "review": "The Postutopian Adventures of Darger and Surplus is a collection of short stories about the escapades of a humanoid Dog, Surplus, and his human companion, and partner in crime, Darger. Each story is filled to the brim with dark witticism, brilliant scheming, and crafty tricks.

I personally didn\u2019t like the stories all that much. That\u2019s not to say they were bad, they just weren\u2019t my cup of tea so to speak. I think this book is more appropriate for mature readers, as there are many references to mature topics and activities in the stories.

These stories are fantasy/science fiction, so if you like those genres I would recommend giving this book a try.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:15:48", "publisher": "Subterranean Press", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008493027", "title": "A Sweet Mess", "author": "Jayci Lee", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 220, "review": "Aubrey Choi is making her own way in the world as a baker. Her bakery is ready to expand, even if her pocketbook isn\u2019t quite as ready. Enter Landon Kim. He is passing through Aubrey\u2019s small town when his car breaks down. Unable to get it fixed until morning, Landon explores the town and comes across a craft beer bar. He meets Aubrey and it\u2019s lust at first sight. They spend an unforgettable night together. But a hot one night stand isn\u2019t all they\u2019re getting into. Due to a surprise twist, they\u2019re linked in ways they never would have imagined.

Aubrey and Landon are a cute couple, although the book has a little too much \"will they, won\u2019t they\" tension. The reasons for them to stay apart feel a little flimsy until the last quarter of the book when some deeper character backstory is quickly explained. The characters are likeable and fun, though.

The food and travel aspects of the story are highly enjoyable. The plot is a little thin, but overall, it\u2019s a fun, escapist, love story. The author also provides a recipe in the back, although it\u2019s for steak. Since Aubrey is creating new dessert recipes throughout the book, the steak recipe seemed like an odd choice. This book would be a good choice for a beach read.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Dec-2019 00:03:14", "publisher": "St. Martin's Griffin", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008493007", "title": "Virginia Woolf: And the Women Who Shaped Her World", "author": "Gillian Gill", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 192, "review": "This was an enjoyable though sometimes uneven read. While I found the information about the women in Woolf\u2019s family history interesting and certainly a possible influence on her writing, I was not as interested in the chapters about the carryings on of the Bloomsbury crowd. Frankly, we have heard it all before and reads like so much unconfirmed gossip. I would have preferred the author stick to the women who influenced Woolf without diverting into the well-trodden areas of incest and promiscuity which get brought out in just about every new biography that comes out.

The book seemed to have quite a bit going for it initially, with interesting information about Woolf\u2019s maternal lineage but even in that area the author strays too far into guessing about what these women \u201cfelt\u201d about each other or what others \u201cthought\u201d of them. Her sources simply do not seem to support this sort of knowledge.

Overall, I found much of this book to be interesting, though I would not feel comfortable quoting it in a research paper or even categorizing it as a biography. There is simply too much that strays into historical fiction, in my opinion.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "17-Dec-2019 19:02:16", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008493003", "title": "Now You See Them", "author": "Elly Griffiths", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 227, "review": "The fifth novel in Elly Griffiths\u2019 Stephens & Mephisto Mysteries, Now You See Them is set in 1960s Brighton on the eve of the Mods and Rockers clash on the beach. A lot has happened since the beginning of the series, which was set in the 1950s, but the characters still hold the same charm and appeal. It\u2019s a decade after the events of her last novel, The Vanishing Box, and Edgar Stephens has been promoted to superintendent and is now married to former D.S. Emma Holmes. Married life is not as fulfilling as Emma thought it would be, though she loves her husband and her children, and she is determined to catch the person responsible for the latest kidnappings of young girls in the area. When one turns up dead, however, what is Emma willing to risk to be back in the game?

I am an avid fan of Griffiths\u2019 Ruth Galloway series and have been reluctant to pick up this series for a number of reasons, mainly that I am not a fan of the time period it is set in. However, I love the author\u2019s writing style enough to give it a try at least once and I am very happy I did. Her characters are likable and believable, and her mysteries are well managed. I look forward to adding this series to my bookshelf!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "17-Dec-2019 18:41:02", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008490019", "title": "Spider Grandmother's Web of Wonders", "author": "Beatrice Virginia Bowles", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 188, "review": "The book Spider Grandmother\u2019s Web of Wonders is a terrific collection of mythology. It is an easy-to-read, cleverly written book. There are a lot of well-categorized stories. It is a collection of myths but does not have too many. If it had too many, I could not find my desired one. If there were too few it would be a few myths, not a collection of myths. The myths are from assorted places around the world and are about many different topics. The stories are perfectly kid-ified and are easy to understand. They are good for all ages and could be easily read in a classroom setting. You do not have to read all the stories at once. They are better as individuals. As part of school you could write a compare-and-contrast essay about similar stories from different cultures. They are clear to read and could be read by a young child age five, and yet they are entertaining enough for a preteen to enjoy. This book is a great intro to mythology that is clever and readable. All and all, this is a great collection of stories.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "14-Dec-2019 19:32:17", "publisher": "Beatrice Virginia Bowles", "page_count": "152 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008490015", "title": "The Burlington Transcript", "author": "Stan Freeman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 441, "review": "The Burlington Transcript is an authentic portrayal of the life of a reporter working on a small-town daily newspaper and the decisions and choices he makes every day that reflect morality, personal integrity, and journalistic ethics.

Journalist Paul MacDonald is self-deprecating and witty. He describes himself as average. In fact, he says, \u201cIt would take being well above average to possess the qualities to drag myself up out of average. But of course, being average, I don't possess those qualities.\u201d

When it comes to ambition, he\u2019s average as well, which is why his first wife divorced him. He\u2019s satisfied reporting on the lives and events of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, at least in the context of his beat.

And, since \"there's nowt so queer as folk,\" the nine chapters of the book are filled with drama, compassion, and humor that include academic con men, entrepreneurial dreamers, manipulating entertainers, deceitful colleagues, and vacuous beauty queens. The accounts not only reflect the realistic experience of a reporter but also how the public responds to people in this profession.

Much of MacDonald\u2019s stories aren\u2019t really what he considers reporting, but rather \u201cpuff pieces,\u201d a form of local cheerleading, such as \u201ca crossing guard retires after forty years\u201d or \u201can Italian restaurant has its grand opening.\u201d However, there are moments when his professionalism is challenged. Should he reveal the plagiarism he\u2019s discovered in the work of a local author up for a book award and destroy his career? Similarly, he has the opportunity to expose a college administrator\u2019s affair with a co-ed.

His personal morals and integrity are also tested when he shares a house with a married couple he works with at The Transcript. Over the course of a few months, it becomes apparent their marriage is in trouble. He\u2019s attracted to the woman, and when she makes subtle advances, he has to make a decision.

Underlying author Stan Freeman\u2019s narrative is the existential threat to MacDonald\u2019s career and to all print media; the growth and popularity of the Internet that siphons away readers and revenue.

As the fortune of the newspaper declines, MacDonald is on the lookout for stories that could be expanded into books and provide him some financial security. Is this the future for reporters made redundant by advancing technology?

Freeman\u2019s simple and concise prose makes the book a pleasure to read. Individual chapters are so well crafted they could be considered independent short stories featuring the same protagonist and setting while addressing a different theme.

The Burlington Transcript is an entertaining book that gives an insightful glimpse into a profession that, despite performing an essential service to society, is fighting a losing battle to stay relevant and viable.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "14-Dec-2019 01:57:59", "publisher": "Hampshire House Publishing Co.", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008490007", "title": "Tanna's Owl", "author": "Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, with illustrations by Yong Ling Kang", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Avery - Age 10", "word_count": 237, "review": "Tanna\u2019s Owl is about a girl who lives in the Arctic, and one day, when her dad comes back from hunting, he brings Tanna a baby owl. When she first sees the owl, she thinks why did her dad bring her back such an ugly thing. After she looks at it more, she thinks the baby owl is kind of cute and names it Ukpik. Since the owl has no mom, Tanna has to catch food for it to eat three times a day. At first, she catches lemmings to feed Ukpik, then she feeds her fish and caribou. Tanna takes good care of Ukpik, and she grows up until she is ready to fly away.

When I first saw Tanna\u2019s Owl, I wanted to read it because we had a screech owl box in our backyard that had four babies. This book is based on the author Rachel Qitsualik-Tisley\u2019s experience as a girl helping to raise an owl. I think it would take a lot of work for Tanna/Rachel to feed and take care of a baby owl. I\u2019ve never seen a big snowy owl in real life; I think Tanna is very lucky to take care of a snowy owl. I really liked that the owl\u2019s name, Ukpik, means \u201cowl\u201d in Inuktut. I really liked the illustrations and how the baby owl looked like a little ball of grey but grew into a beautiful snowy owl.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Dec-2019 19:44:52", "publisher": "Inhabit Media", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008489011", "title": "The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook: 175 Super Easy Recipes Made Just for You", "author": "Joanie Zisk", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "It is no easy task to cook for one, but this wonderful cookbook can make it both fun and doable. The introductory section tells one how to set up the kitchen and pantry to make the perfect working conditions for the single life. In addition, there is a list of great tips that will make it possible to cook for one without having failures or wasted ingredients or leftovers to eat for a week. There are one hundred and seventy-five recipes broken into seven chapters: \"Breakfast,\" \"Side Dishes,\" \"Chicken Main Dishes,\" \"Pork and Beef Main Dishes,\" \"Fish and Seafood Main Dishes,\" \"Vegetarian Main Dishes,\" and \"Desserts.\" The variety is great. If you like Indian food, don\u2019t miss the butter chicken. Pasta with pork ragu will satisfy your need for Italian, and shrimp quesadilla will answer those Mexican cravings. The recipes are all easy to follow and include prep and cooking time as well as calories, fat, protein, sodium, fiber, carbohydrate, and sugar information. An excellent index and a metric conversion chart finish all this off. Make sure you try the recipes for the mushroom and herb crust-less quiche or the lemon Bars. Tres magnifique!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "13-Dec-2019 19:59:57", "publisher": "Adams Media", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008489007", "title": "The Cool Bean", "author": "Jory John, with illustrations by Pete Oswald", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - Age 9", "word_count": 168, "review": "The Chickpea wants to be cool like the Cool Beans. The Cool Beans consist of a Kidney Bean, a Black Bean and a Lima Bean. The Chickpea used to be friends with them, but they stopped playing with each other. One day the Cool Beans start helping out the Chickpea. The Chickpea drops his lunch, and the Black Bean helps him pick up his lunch. Then he trips, and the Kidney Bean helps him. Then he isn't listening to his teacher, and everyone is laughing at him. The Lima Bean tells him what to do. Then they all start out hanging out with each other again. I really like how the Chickpea is soooo cute! I love his cute bow-tie and giant sunglasses. I really like the illustrations. I also like the story because it is about friendship. I highly recommend this book to kids who like stories about kindness and friendship. You can check out Jory John's other stories like The Bad Seed and The Good Egg.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "13-Dec-2019 19:48:37", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008488027", "title": "China Basin", "author": "R.A. Niles", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 400, "review": "A body has been found in the cold waters off of San Francisco. The deceased is Carlo Steffano, a well known and organized crime connected attorney. Steffano appears to be the victim of drowning, though not in its usual appearance. Detectives Andrew Johnson and his partner Chuck Camozzi are called upon to investigate. Johnson has familiarity with Steffano and his clientele. The initial circumstances assume an added mystery with the discovery of another body. The other victim is a known Mexican drug dealer. Johnson\u2019s hackles are raised as the drug trade connections appear to be more than just coincidental to the deaths. The detectives visit Steffano\u2019s widow, who has connections to the shipping industry and also doesn\u2019t seem too distraught at her husband\u2019s demise. The detectives soon investigate a recently docked ship, where questions soon lead to another body dropping.

The conflict in Korea and the creeping paranoia ushered in from the onset of the Cold War has left San Francisco as a linchpin for extralegal activities. Johnson\u2019s goal is to investigate the case and clear the multi homicides, yet the hovering of corrupt officials and federal interference threatens this. Johnson has been fighting battles all his life, having left a divided Chicago, where his mixed-race was ridiculed and bullied. Johnson is an excellent investigator, yet he bucks authority, and mix in his drinking and poor romantic decisions, he is a volcano of volatility. Johnson\u2019s relationship with a forensics investigator is complicated by history and the ignorance of the times. His waffling on a possible relationship with her is mingled with his reliance on her ingenuity as respects scientific investigation. As Johnson and Camozzi penetrate the omerta of the underworld, their world is getting more dangerous. Johnson faces losing his livelihood and freedom from unseen forces. The drugs-weapons-money pipelines are running in every direction and no one who stands to profit wants it shut down. Johnson and Camozzi have their work cut out for them if they manage to survive.

China Basin is a rollicking mystery and thriller from the get-go. The plot is thick with intrigue and drama compelling the reader to keep reading, turning that next page until there are no more left. The characters are multidimensional and fascinating in their depth, Johnson\u2019s persistence balanced by his self-destructive ways. RA Niles has crafted a tome of noirish, James Ellroy quality. A new addition to the must-reads of 2020.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "16-Dec-2019 21:31:04", "publisher": "", "page_count": "351 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008488007", "title": "In My Anaana's Amautik", "author": "Nadia Sammurtok, with illustrations by Lenny Lishchenko", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 5", "word_count": 128, "review": "In My Anaana's Amautik is a story that will make you feel happy. It is very sweet and nice. The story is about people who live in a place where it is really cold. We have read other books by the same publisher, Inhabit Media, and we like them all so far. Kids who like learning about other places and how people live will like these books too. The pictures are really sweet and pretty. They will make you feel cozy even though the people are some place really cold. Kids who like this book might also like A Ride on Mother's Back: A Day of Baby Carrying Around the World, which is by a different publisher but also very nice and about babies cuddling with their mommies.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "13-Dec-2019 19:46:03", "publisher": "Inhabit Media", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008487019", "title": "Cartier's Hope: A Novel", "author": "M. J. Rose", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 392, "review": "New York City, 1910. Vera Garland is the unmarried daughter of department store magnate Granville Garland. She\u2019s also Vee Swann, author of the society column \u201cSilk, Satin, and Scandals\u201d and numerous exposes. Though she was injured on her latest assignment, two events coincide to bring her back to writing. First, Cartier brings the Hope Diamond to New York and plays up its history of bad luck to drum up interest. Then she finds a letter among her late father\u2019s books stating that he and his male lover had been blackmailed. Her investigations lead to a spiral of secrets, blackmail, and thievery, showing the uncomfortable underbelly of the upper crust of the Gilded Age.

I have to admit that at first I wasn\u2019t certain about this book. It\u2019s wonderfully written, which is obvious from the very first chapter. It\u2019s also, however, stuffed full of exposition, at least in the first few chapters. While this does help to bring readers up to speed regarding Vera\u2019s world, I worried that the whole book would be closer to a textbook than a novel. Luckily, the chunks of exposition eased up as the book went on, and I hardly even noticed when they finished. History buffs will certainly find them interesting, but casual readers may well be daunted. My advice is to push on. Once you get well into it, Cartier\u2019s Hope is a fascinating book.

Its quality, of course, comes not least from its well-written characters. Vera is a powerful figure, flawed yet forceful, and she drives the plot forward in her determination to deal with her father\u2019s blackmailer. Jacob Asher, the mysterious jeweler who catches her eye, is intriguing, keeping Vera (and readers) forever on her toes. Even the side characters are excellent. So many writers fall into the trap of making their side characters one dimensional, but M. J. Rose escapes this without going too far in the opposite direction and giving exhaustive exposition on everyone the protagonist meets. Everyone in Vera\u2019s world is clearly a fully realized person, but they all have the privacy to keep their own secrets until the plot forces them out.

Cartier\u2019s Hope absolutely swept me away. I loved every page, even those full of exposition, and would gladly recommend it to any fan of historical fiction. In fact, I\u2019ve even begun suggesting it to some of my friends.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "14-Dec-2019 19:30:36", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008487015", "title": "Spies, Lies, and Disguise: The Daring Tricks and Deeds that Won World War II", "author": "Jennifer Swanson, with illustration and photography by Kevin O'Malley", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "There has been a good deal written for young people about the history of World War II, of the various battles, how ships, airplanes, and tanks were moved, how decisions were made by officers running the armies. There has also been plenty about spying, but relatively little has been written for this age group about the behind-the-scenes trickery used to overcome the strong military of the Germans. The British, and to a lesser degree, the Americans used some fascinating and incredible ideas, some cooked up by famous people, to mislead the Germans. How about floating a dead body carrying plans for a fake invasion to where German sympathizers would likely find it? It worked. Or maybe use Navajo people communicating in their native language to baffle Germans with no knowledge of that unique tongue? Author Jennifer Swanson has written with a surprising amount of humor about a pretty serious time in history, but it will work well to get youngsters turning the pages. Illustrated with photos and cartoony drawings by Kevin O\u2019Malley will keep the kids interested. This is not a book for serious scholars but will be a good introduction for kids grades four to eight.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "13-Dec-2019 20:26:49", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Children's Books", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008487007", "title": "The Walrus and the Caribou", "author": "Maika Harper, with illustrations by Marcus Cutler", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 136, "review": "The Walrus and the Caribou is a story from Alaskan legend. Alaska, like from the TV show Molly of Denali. First, Guk breathed life into the whole world, and she made the walrus and the caribou. But they had different body parts. There were horns on the walrus and tusks on the caribou. The walrus with horns was a big problem. The caribou charging the hunters with his tusks was a big problem. The hunters were scared of the caribou because of his tusks. So Guk switched them.

I enjoy reading about legends from other places, and this one was good too. It explains the story of the past, when people didn\u2019t know how animals got their shapes. The pictures by Marcus Cutler were good, and I\u2019d like to read more Alaskan myths after reading this book.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Dec-2019 19:47:20", "publisher": "Inhabit Media", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008487003", "title": "The Ambassador's Daughter: A Novel", "author": "Pam Jenoff", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 193, "review": "The Ambassador\u2019s Daughter is the standalone prequel to two other books in Jenoff\u2019s brilliant catalog, The Kommandant\u2019s Girl and The Diplomat\u2019s Wife. In this post-World War I study of the heart set against a backdrop of intrigue, deceit, intricate and ultimately doomed treaties, Margot Rosenthal navigates the increasingly complex and changing world following \u201cthe war to end all wars.\u201d Yet the issue of whom to trust and whom to love remains as complicated and rife with secrets as ever; the casualties of war continuing even after the last shots have been fired.

Margot is an astute and engaging narrator who isn\u2019t always completely forthright with her audience. She finds herself bored by all the pomp and circumstance of the diplomatic mission, the old opulence, and convention which doesn\u2019t feel so important now that so many have died, and she seeks a more meaningful occupation. She finds it in helping Georg, a German naval officer, but knowing him only increases her conflicted feelings about the world and her role in it. The Ambassador\u2019s Daughter captures the turmoils following WWI very well, and brings the world alive on the page, making it vivid, thrilling, and poignant.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "13-Dec-2019 19:23:19", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008486011", "title": "Animal Soul Contracts: Sacred Agreements for Shared Evolution", "author": "Tammy Billups", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Vincent Dublado", "word_count": 226, "review": "How well do you understand your pet? Tammy Billups has spent two decades of dedicated research and study into the transformational soul journeys that profoundly demonstrates our sublime connection with the creatures that share our home. Animal Soul Contracts unravels the physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and mental connection that we unconsciously form with our animal friends that reinforces our \u201cmirroring\u201d of each other\u2019s predispositions. Ms. Billups, an exponent on animal-human sacred soul partnerships, gives a revolutionary insight and practice on tandem healing between pets and their owners. Simply defined, a soul contract is a predestined design wherein the higher self of a person or animal has agreed in advance to build a relationship. Our lives and that of our pet are fated to be together, and that there is no such thing as coincidence.

Whereas animal whisperers merely help animals with people problems, Ms. Billups helps both in a holistic approach. The seven types of soul contracts she outlines and explains may not be to the liking of hardcore scientific animal behaviorists. Her case studies of tandem healings offer a fusion of New Age and animal psychology, but then, everything is fair play and we exhaust all the means to better understand the creatures that share our homes. Animal Soul Contracts is a new take in inter-species communication that affirms that our pets are unmistakably our equals.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 19:09:18", "publisher": "Inner Traditions", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008485027", "title": "Schr\u00f6dinger's Dog: A Novel", "author": "Martin Dumont", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahtega - Age 16", "word_count": 303, "review": "Martin Dumont writes a work of realistic fiction that delves into the depth of a father\u2019s love for his son. Schrodinger\u2019s Dog follows Yanis, who is a single parent, and his son Pierre as they receive the life-altering news of Pierre\u2019s cancer. With the deterioration of Pierre\u2019s physical health and the prospect of his death, events in the book take a turn for the worst. All of this takes its toll on Yanis, who is left wondering what is to become of his precious son. Yanis is so distraught that he begins to act in a way that in completely uncharacteristic. He starts to smoke, he begins drinking more heavily and starts to take more and more risks. None of these things help him to cope with the tremendous amount of stress he is under. This compounded stress clouds his judgment and leads him to make a decision that may not have been the best one. He decides to lie to Pierre about the status of his book manuscript. Yanis lies to Pierre and tells him that a publisher picked up his book; Yanis even convinced the representative of the publisher to go along with his plan. The book is very well written with a lot of time put into developing the characters well. Personally, I didn\u2019t really enjoy reading the book. I definitely appreciated Dumont\u2019s skill as a writer and storyteller, however, this particular story wasn\u2019t one that I connected with. With that being said, I would recommend this book to readers that like fiction that is rooted strongly in reality. This book addresses some very mature topics so I think it is more suitable for older readers, around high-school age. I think this a good book that lots of people will like, I just happen to not be one of them.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 21:11:40", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008485023", "title": "Happy and You Know It", "author": "Laura Hankin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 250, "review": "Claire Martin isn\u2019t in a good place. A talented musician, she\u2019s facing a grim reality: her band, Vagabond, has soared to stardom without her, a sexier singer leading the band in her place. Broke and desperate, Claire takes a job as a playgroup musician, answering an ad from a group of wealthy women on New York\u2019s Upper East Side. These women seem to have it all: beauty, wealth, handsome husbands, gorgeous children, supportive friendships. The group leader, Whitney is an Instagram star, and the pictures she posts of the playgroup suggest nothing less than the ease of charmed, perfect lives. Claire is embraced by the women, and it doesn\u2019t take long for her to see that there\u2019s unrest beneath the surface. The women\u2019s focus on wellness isn\u2019t surprising, but their commitment to an eye-popping-ly expensive vitamin regimen called TrueMommy strikes Claire as strange. And it turns out that TrueMommy isn\u2019t the only part of playgroup based on shocking deception.

Happy and You Know It offers a glimpse of the rarified world of Instagram-able motherhood and the sometimes absurd wellness industry it feeds. Beneath the juicy, funny, gossipy surface are larger critiques of an industry exploiting women\u2019s insecurities, leading women to believe that the only way to be a good mother (indeed, a TrueMommy) is to rely on expensive \u201csolutions\u201d promising support and fulfillment. Motherhood is an identity-shifting state, and the playgroup mothers stumble painfully while finding their footing. Too often, the wellness industry is there offering an easy place to land.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 20:57:09", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008485015", "title": "Winter Grave", "author": "Helene Tursten", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Detective Inspector Embla Nystr\u00f6m has recovered from a terrible injury and is back at work. A young girl disappears in the small town of Str\u00f6mstand, Sweden just before Christmas. She had ridden home with a teenage boy, but the police soon clear him. The townspeople though, who see the boy as odd, don\u2019t let go of him as a suspect. A few weeks later, another child, a six-year-old boy, goes missing, and during the investigation, a police officer is found murdered. A suspicious fire occurs at the home and shop of the teenage boy, and he is found beaten badly. His father dies in the fire. It is all hands on deck, and the police put Embla back with her two former partners in a specialized team. They start to connect some very interesting dots.

Author Helene Tursten has written a crackerjack thriller/mystery that will keep readers enthralled. American audiences will find the differences in police procedures between here and Sweden fascinating and sometimes frustrating. The translation is good, although it is a different experience from reading mysteries originally written in English. The story is compelling and the writing quite good. Mystery fans will like this one.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 19:21:37", "publisher": "Soho Crime", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008484055", "title": "The EQ Intervention: Shaping a Self-aware Generation Through Social and Emotional Learning", "author": "Adam Saenz", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 207, "review": "If anything can be agreed upon in our hyper-partisan world, it's that people could use better skills for understanding and dealing with emotions, both of themselves and others. That is exactly what this book offers. Although it is directed specifically to an audience of educators, the skills and insights apply in every situation where people interact. The Social and Emotional Learning framework comprises five main parts: recognition of one's own emotions, (self-awareness); regulation of those emotions (self-regulation); recognition of others' emotions (social awareness or empathy); regulation of others' emotions, or relationship skills; and, finally, putting all that together for Responsible Decision Making. The author walks the reader through these steps with illustrative stories that are broken down to examine how each works in the real world, all based on numerous studies and solid science. The stories are interesting and personal, and the book is a quick and engaging read, but for those who want a quicker overview, each chapter ends with a summary in a few bullet points and a set of suggestions for how to implement the chapter's message. Increasing your Social and Emotional intelligence will improve your relationships in every area of your life; this book gives you the blueprint for how to do it.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 21:13:06", "publisher": "Greenleaf Book Group Llc", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008484051", "title": "Repo Virtual", "author": "Corey J. White", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahtega - Age 16", "word_count": 176, "review": "Repo Virtual is a cyberpunk adventure story that tackles what makes us us, the failings of human government, all while providing fast-paced heist action and ample humor.

In the city of Neo Songdo, augmented reality, virtual reality, and reality itself are almost indistinguishable. Here we meet Julius Dax, an online repo man, and a real-life thief. His latest job may be the last one he\u2019ll ever have to do, but it may also be the most dangerous. When he finds out he\u2019s stolen what may be the first sentient AI, however, things get much more complicated.

I really liked this book. My favorite thing about it was how it presented the idea of personhood, namely, what makes a person a person. I really liked how this idea was communicated through the dialogue of the story. This made the book feel very organic.

I think this book is best suited for older, more mature readers, as it does discuss mature topics. But, I am sure that everyone who gives this book a try will be thoroughly delighted.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 21:04:04", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008484047", "title": "Grace Is Gone: A Novel", "author": "Emily Elgar", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 213, "review": "Beloved Meg has been murdered and her daughter, Grace is Gone. The community can\u2019t imagine who could have done such a thing, other than Meg\u2019s estranged husband who had tried to kidnap Grace once before. Cara, their next-door neighbor, and Jon, a reporter trying to make up for past mistakes begin searching for Grace and discover that things aren\u2019t so black and white. Both Meg and Grace had their secrets and sometimes reality is more twisted than our imaginations. Jon and Cara are walking a thin line that could get dangerous because we often don\u2019t want the truth to ever come out.

It was fairly obvious what was really going on even at the beginning of the story and unfortunately the writing style didn\u2019t make it any more enjoyable. I knew a couple of pages in that I didn\u2019t enjoy this author\u2019s writing style. The topic of the book, however, is fascinating and how it impacts Cara and Jon themselves and whom they turn out to be. This was not a thriller by any means, so if you decide to read it just be aware of that going into it. It was more of a character study, which I usually like, however, I was not the biggest fan of this author\u2019s storytelling style.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 20:58:48", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000008484043", "title": "Sixteenth Watch", "author": "Myke Cole", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 196, "review": "Now hear me out: what if you took the awesomeness of the Coast Guard, and put it in space? Specifically, doing the amazing work they do, but on the moon instead of on our shores. That\u2019s what bestselling author Myke Cole of The Armored Saint does in his new book, Sixteenth Watch. It\u2019s a wild ride, like anything involving the Coast Guard is, especially when it involves spaceships on the moon.

After a tragic accident, Captain Jane Oliver loses her husband in a horrific battle on the moon and thinks her days are done with the Coast Guard. But before she knows it, she finds herself promoted to a shockingly high rank and serving at the helm of the Coast Guard\u2019s elite SAR-1 lunar unit. She will have to learn things from the bottom up again, but there\u2019s a reason she\u2019s been chosen for this role. Little does she know she will prove pivotal to preventing a potential first lunar war.

Sixteenth Watch is brimming with Coast Guard jargon and intense action scenes. For those not too familiar, it can be a little jarring, but still enjoyable. For those who love this stuff, it doesn\u2019t get any better.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 20:38:44", "publisher": "Angry Robot", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008484035", "title": "Ship of Destiny", "author": "Frank Chadwick", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahhtega - Age 16", "word_count": 250, "review": "Ship Of Destiny is an action-packed military science-fiction story that explores the boundaries of the universe as we know it.

Captain Sam Bitka is a navy reserve officer who has a hard time bowing to authority. This trait leads to his transfer to command the USS Cam Ranh Bay. A mysterious probe reprograms the ship and sends its crew light-years out into unknown space, where they encounter an ancient civilization that is so old they have forgotten their own origins. This civilization soon turns violent. Captain Bitka and his crew must find a way back home while eluding their new \u201cfriends\u201d and carrying secrets and information that may redirect the course of history.

Chadwick does a great job of developing his characters and makes them feel very realistic. He does this by including good dialogue that reveals the characters\u2019 personalities. The story is well written and the language is clear. The plot of the book is very good, with lots of twists and unexpected events.

I think this book is best for older readers. This book includes many advanced scientific concepts and terms. The book is also rather graphic and incorporates mature language. For the proper readers, this book is definitely one I would recommend. It is a good book with very good characters and an intriguing storyline to keep readers engaged. This book is part of a series, so I would recommend reading the books that come before this one. This is a great book that I am sure many will enjoy.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 20:32:33", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008483023", "title": "Running Against the Devil: A Plot to Save America from Trump--and Democrats from Themselves", "author": "Rick Wilson", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 213, "review": "Former Republican Rick Wilson unleashes his intelligence and ire on the current president of the United States and offers a plan to save the country, as well as his former rival political party, in his latest book, Running with the Devil: A Plot to Save America from Trump--and the Democrats from Themselves.

Chock full of statistics to support his positions and tweets from the president, Wilson lays out the case that Trump is not only unqualified but an absolute threat to the country. As a former Republican, he is not the voice that most left-wing, liberal Democrats would initially put stock in, and he acknowledges this. In his own words, he \"treats the Democrats like a client\" and attempts to point out their own weaknesses in an effort to illustrate how they can win in 2020.

Wilson spends a great deal of time on the myths of the Democratic Party and the strengths of Trump's campaign and presidency, as perceived by Trump's base. He abhors Trump, so don't read this book if you own a MAGA hat or support the president; you'll only get angry. But DO read it if you are interested in how the White House can be returned to someone fundamentally decent, a trait that Wilson full-throatedly argues Trump lacks.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 21:07:52", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008483019", "title": "DAWGS: A True Story of Lost Animals and the Kids Who Rescued Them", "author": "Diane Trull", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Natalie - Age 9", "word_count": 155, "review": "DAWGS is a heartwarming book that emphasizes the need for people to get their pets spayed or neutered so the tragic stories of pets past doesn\u2019t happen to future animals. The stories are sad and happy at the same time, and I love how Diane and her class of 9-year-olds make a huge difference in their community and in the world around them. I would really like to see the DAWGS sanctuary and the dogs and the cats there. I love the way the cover looks and the picture of the black and white dog on the front. The cute stories at the beginning of each chapter are a nice touch. Some of the stories about how the animals were rescued literally made me cry. The pictures are adorable, and the story of how one grown-up and a class of nine-year-olds changed the world moved me and will inspire anyone who reads it. Well done.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 20:39:49", "publisher": "Kensington Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "100 out of 5"} {"id": "425035000008483015", "title": "Starborn and Godsons", "author": "Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, and Steven Barnes", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahtega - Age 16", "word_count": 206, "review": "A story from beyond the stars, Starborn and Godsons, follows the encounter between the planet-bound Starborn of Avalon and the self-proclaimed Godsons from Earth.

Avalon became a prison for the Starborn. It wasn\u2019t all bad though: the planet was a paradise, the grendels were taken care of, and the hydroelectric power station would allow them to begin surviving and thriving. What they were losing, however, was the ability to travel through space. While the Starborn dealt with these problems, an object was moving toward them, from Earth, carrying the Godsons. The outcome of their encounter will decide the fate of humans in space.

The p2lot was rich and full of twists. It provided a good foundation for the rest of the book, including the well-developed characters. The language was clear and helped keep the story moving.

I loved this book, and I think that many other readers will enjoy reading it as well. I believe this book is better suited for older readers. The language, concepts, and scenes in the book can be mature and graphic at times.

All in all, Jerry Pournelle, Larry Niven, and Steven Barnes did a great job writing this book. I believe lots of other kids will enjoy reading this as much as I have.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 20:33:55", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008482015", "title": "Don't Check Out This Book!", "author": "Kate Klise", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Paloma - Age 13", "word_count": 198, "review": "Appleton has a terrible economy and a school with only nineteen children, until librarian Rita B. Danjerous and her daughter, May B. Danjerous, move in. But the town isn\u2019t sure about them. With the election of Ivana Beprawpa (say it aloud), uniforms are mandatory and available at Beprawpa Attire. But Rita won\u2019t buy a complete uniform. Soon she\u2019s created a \u201cgreen dot\u201d collection, refused to resign at the principal\u2019s request, and befriended the secretary, Gladys Friday. Some like her, but others have the opposite mind. Will these bad apples spoil the bunch, or will the seeds of truth sprout? Find out in this tale of scandal and stylish ties.

CHECK OUT THIS BOOK! I love this story and have read it three times. It\u2019s entertaining, funny, and put together in a unique format. Consisting entirely of letters, newspapers, and texts, it is charming and creative a few pages in, but pay attention in the beginning or you\u2019ll get confused. It\u2019s got an inspiring message, funny characters, and celebrates books! What\u2019s not to like?

To use a joke you won\u2019t understand until you read it: \u201cBuy this book right now! I politely yet firmly insist you buy this book!\u201d", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 21:01:49", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008481027", "title": "The Desert Between Us: A Novel", "author": "Phyllis Barber", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 221, "review": "Geoffrey Scott, one of the road builders, decides to venture north to discover new opportunities in the opening of the American West when he\u2014and the camels\u2014are no longer needed. Geoffrey arrives in St. Thomas, Nevada, a polygamous settlement caught up in territorial fights over boundaries and new taxation. There, he falls in love with Sophia Hughes, a hat maker obsessed with beauty and the third wife of a polygamist. Geoffrey believes Sophia wants to be free of polygamy and go away with him to a better life, but Sophia\u2019s motivations are not so easily understood. She had become committed to Mormon beliefs in England and had moved to Utah Territory to assuage her spiritual needs. When faced with the opportunity to move away from her polygamist husband and her tumultuous life in St. Thomas, Sophia becomes tormented by a life-changing decision she must face alone.

I loved the idea of The Desert Between Us. I was especially drawn to the time period because I have not read many historical novels that explore the American West; therefore, The Desert Between Us offered a pleasant variation. But, I personally felt as if The Desert Between Us was a bit slow, especially towards the beginning, to the point where I could have skipped chunks of the book and still understand what was going on.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 21:23:08", "publisher": "University of Nevada Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008481023", "title": "Elephant Speak: A Devoted Keeper's Life Among the Herd", "author": "Melissa Crandall", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 257, "review": "Roger Henneous would be the first to caution that elephants are wild animals, not to be viewed as oversize pets. But as chief keeper of the largest captive elephant herd in the US for thirty years, he offers plenty of positive tributes. Author Melissa Crandall shares a wealth of information and tales drawn from her recorded interviews with him.

The demanding job at the center that became Oregon Zoo was not merely a career for Henneous; it was a life. He affectionately respected the different personalities and behaviors of the elephants on the family tree. He had a soft spot always for Belle, to whom the book is dedicated. Belle is the undeclared matriarch who kept watch on her peers, even stepping in to console Hanako, who was frantic when her baby got stuck in the bars of the enclosure.

Although generally serene in public appearances, keepers are all too aware of temperamental differences between elephants and, therefore, can better avoid life-threatening skirmishes. Crandall describes the ecology of Henneous\u2019 charges by detailing such characteristics as their gender differences, the outstanding memory displayed when their intelligence is tested, health issues with medication and the special care needed for their feet, and mortality. The effort required to bury members of the herd is especially poignant.

Elephant Speak wins acclaim for the author\u2019s deference to Henneous and his accomplishments, flawless organization, and clear writing. To readers whose knowledge of elephants was previously limited to circus performances, Babar\u2019s adventures, and Kipling\u2019s unwisely curious baby elephant, the book will be a revelation.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 21:21:15", "publisher": "Ooligan Press", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008481003", "title": "A Perfect Confluence", "author": "Peter Bridgford", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Denhing", "word_count": 407, "review": "A Perfect Confluence is rightly named for the situation that the main character, Noah, finds himself. Noah is a reformed alcoholic who is trying to get his life back together. After having faced some heartache at a young age, he has had help from his \"Uncle\" Bob to ward off his demons and learn how to live a sober life. Life is going well for him and his dog, Kimo. Thanks to one bad decision made, Noah has changed the course of his life. Now that certain people are aware of his mistake, namely the local mafia-man, Noah must decide fast which route he'll choose- his own or the one that has appeared to have been chosen for him. Fleeing the area in his canoe, he is part of a man-hunt and must watch his back at every turn, especially when he meets a mysterious pregnant lady named Becca. Noah must figure out his feelings for her and decide if she's the best thing for him in his life at the moment. Coming with her own set of baggage, Becca might be the perfect teammate on this wild, adventurous, and scary river ride, and maybe on his life journey as well.

A Perfect Confluence contains themes of outdoorsy adventure, self-preservation, self-discovery, and viewing the world in a completely different light. There are scenes with cursing and vulgar language, as well as some graphic scenes that can be expected from a book in which the main character upsets a mob-boss. For a while, the foul language started to bother me, but as the story progresses, it seemed to make sense to the storyline. The text of the story flows smoothly, so it's easy to understand what's going on. The reader will find themselves flipping through the pages quickly, and it helps that there is continuous suspense thanks to both Noah and Becca's past threatening to catch them throughout the book, as both are trying to escape their mistakes and hope for a better future. The interaction between Becca and Noah is sweet; Bridgford wrote the perfect amount to distinguish between attraction versus friendship between the two, especially given Noah's history with women. The journey the two embark on is exciting and written to make the reader feel as if they are actually traveling alongside Noah and Becca. The ending will come as a complete surprise to the reader, and I hope to read more about their future endeavors.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 13:34:46", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "297 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008478003", "title": "William Wallace: The Battle to Free Scotland (Traditional Scottish Tales)", "author": "Molly MacPherson, with illustrations by Teresa Martinez", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Andrew S - Age 11", "word_count": 184, "review": "William Wallace: The Battle To Free Scotland is a true story based on the Scottish warrior who created a rebel band to fight against England. English King Edward I invaded Scotland and took the people\u2019s crops to pay for a war against France. Wallace saw his homeland suffer under the English rule, which made him very angry. He led his band of rebels to fight the English soldiers, paving the way for others to continue the battle for Scotland\u2019s freedom. This picture book has lots of colorful drawings that help you go back in time seven hundred and fifty years to the medieval period. My favorite part of this book is when the outnumbered Scots defeat Edward\u2019s soldiers at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Unfortunately, not all hero stories have a happy ending, and this is one of those times it does not. But the tale of William Wallace is one of bravery and courage in the face of poor odds. I recommend this story for history buffs aged eight and up because the language of war might be too much for younger readers.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "11-Dec-2019 23:40:47", "publisher": "Kelpies", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008477011", "title": "There's A Murder Afoot: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery", "author": "Vicki Delany", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 353, "review": "Gemma Doyle and her friends have exchanged their quaint community for a Holmes Convention that brings them on vacation to London. Little did she know that quality family time would involve discovering a long-lost uncle she never knew existed and a murder that shakes her whole family. Her mysterious uncle comes with a shady history and persistence that threatens to disrupt their good time at the conference. When a death sends a shock through her family, her father is at the top of the suspect list thanks to a vendetta the annoying DI Morrison has against him. Fearing the worst, Gemma turns to her friends and her sister for help solving the case before her father ends up taking the blame. Delving into the world of art forgery, Gemma meets some shady sorts, takes up her own American persona, and tries to dissuade her handsome boyfriend Detective Ryan Ashburton from suspicious of her sleuthing activities.

Family is at the heart of the mystery as Gemma\u2019s trip to London comes with some family time which reunites her with her sister Pippa who\u2019s a mystery in herself through her job and connections. The two sisters have a distance between them after their time apart though they quickly step into a fun dynamic as they take up the sleuthing hijinks together. The two are incredibly different women living two very different lives which provide several humorous scenes as the two work together. Gemma\u2019s life back home is a delightful side story throughout as she receives various frantic phone calls that add to the humor and lightness in the writing. As Gemma works the case with her friends, they help her with various undercover and sneaky plans as she delves into the world of art forgery and into her uncle\u2019s shady life. Her relationship with Ryan provides a playful and lightness to the mystery as the two share several sweet moments while they add humor as she dodges him to do her sleuthing. There\u2019s a Murder Afoot is the perfect read for cozy lovers as it\u2019s a mystery about family that\u2019s funny, emotional, and full of heart.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "12-Dec-2019 00:20:16", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008477003", "title": "The Sand Elephant", "author": "Rinna Hermann", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 129, "review": "The Sand Elephant is a good book about meeting a new friend beyond your imagination. An elephant says a little rhyme and then voila, there is a huge sandcastle in front of you. There is a little boy in the story who is lonely and wants somebody to play with. Kids eight and younger would enjoy this book because as you grow older your imagination gets less and less. The illustrations are imaginative. It seems like you\u2019re in a land of your own when you\u2019re reading it. It's nice to read a book that is not like any other story you've ever read or heard before. If you like this book you might also like the original Olivia and Tippy-Tippy-Tippy, Splash! because there are sandcastles in both of them.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "11-Dec-2019 23:37:31", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008476003", "title": "Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration", "author": "Samara Cole Doyon", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Chloe - Age 8", "word_count": 86, "review": "Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration is a story about loving the skin you are in. It celebrates being happy with your skin color and comparing it to different things that the character really enjoys. This book had pretty pictures but it was hard to read. There are a lot of words that need an adult to help with pronunciation or defining. Even after my mother read the book out loud, it still did not appeal to me. I think this should be a teenage level book.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "11-Dec-2019 23:34:48", "publisher": "Tilbury House Publishers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008475007", "title": "Gloria's Big Problem", "author": "Sarah Stiles Bright, with illustrations by Mike Deas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Gloria loves to sing. She sings opera, she sings rock, and she sings musical theatre numbers. But she only sings when she is alone. She would like to sing for other people, but she has a Big Problem that follows her everywhere, and that Big Problem fills her head with all the things that could go wrong if she were to, say, go to the movies with a friend, or stay at a friend\u2019s house overnight, or sing out loud in music class or at a birthday party or anywhere else. Her brother and his friends laugh at her; her parents are dismissive. When there is an open call for the town musical, kids from all over town are going to audition and Gloria finds herself in the auditorium with her Big Problem. Can she find a way to fulfill her desire to audition?

Sarah Stiles Bright has written a clever story for young people to help them overcome their fears and insecurities. Illustrator Mike Deas has created a very cute representation of the Big Problem many kids have that completes this cute picture book nicely. This text-heavy picture book is perfect for youngsters six to eight years old.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "11-Dec-2019 23:36:11", "publisher": "Tilbury House Publishers", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008475003", "title": "Why We Can't Sleep: Women's New Midlife Crisis", "author": "Ada Calhoun", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 194, "review": "It\u2019s impossible to recommend this book highly enough to anyone who identifies as a Gen Xer or to those who love one.

Why We Can\u2019t Sleep is a story with GUTS. It explores why women of a certain age and generation have been largely marginalized, partially by society and partially by their own choices, facing a world they were not prepared for. It addresses those big feelings women face in middle age\u2014namely, I have everything I wanted (or, conversely, I have nothing that I wanted) so WHY am I so unhappy?

The experience of Gen X women in middle age is a unique one, smashed between the \u201cyou can have it all\u201d message and the reality of feeling constant inadequacy and failure. Calhoun lets her readers know that it\u2019s not their fault they feel like they do, gives context to their suffering, and offers light at the end of the tunnel that doesn\u2019t have to do with death and taxes. She doesn\u2019t flinch from brutal truths as she explores the context of how Gen X found itself in this situation. She leaves readers feeling that Gen X women are not irrelevant and have not been forgotten.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "11-Dec-2019 23:29:34", "publisher": "Grove Atlantic", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008473003", "title": "Fatal Roots: A County Cork Mystery", "author": "Sheila Connolly", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 210, "review": "Maura Donovan is busy trying to manage her pub in the Irish village of Leap. Her estranged mother has just returned from Chicago with Maura's half-sister, Susan, in tow. It's the first time Maura and Susan have met, and Maura's hoping Susan will be able to spend some time in the pub while her mother tends to business dealings in Cork. At the same time, three graduate students arrive at Maura's cottage, looking for fairy forts. Maura doesn't know anything about these prehistoric sites, but it appears she owns the land where at least one fort exists. When one of the students disappears without a trace, Maura and her friend Mick decide to take a look around the fort. That's when they find a decade's old body, which might hold some clues to Maura's past.

Although I felt this one started a bit slowly, it did get better the further I got into the story. The best thing about Connolly's writing is that she can make the reader feel like they are just as much a part of the community in her book as the characters she creates. This is a cozy and charming mystery. Fans of this series will feel like they've returned home to reconnect with old friends.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "10-Dec-2019 19:46:36", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "237 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008472003", "title": "100 Easy STEAM Activities: Awesome Hands-On Projects for Aspiring Artists and Engineers", "author": "Andrea Scalzo Yi", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 198, "review": "100 Easy STEAM Activities is the ultimate no-bored-day type of book out there, especially for those who love conducting experiments and learning something in a fun way! As the second half of the title explains, it is for the \"aspiring artists and engineers\" in the world. The activities are broken up into sections for easy retrieval; great for those interested in science experiments, technology, engineering challenges, art projects, math activities, toddler steam ideas, seasonal steam activities, and sensory STEAM ideas. Each section contains multiple activities, all of them being on the simpler side to perform. The materials are all ones you'd either already have around the house or would be easy to obtain. Complimentary to this book is Andrea Scalzo Yi's website, Raisingdragons.com, that includes pictures and video of many of the activities to ensure that you have no excuses for not engaging in these fun and educational activities.

I can see this book working in a variety of settings, basically any environment in which you deal with kids. These activities would work for mothers as well as teachers, daycare workers, and therapists. The pictures are bright and informative\u2014the whole book is a sure-fire hit for the little ones!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "10-Dec-2019 19:37:53", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008471003", "title": "Nesting", "author": "Henry Cole", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 114, "review": "Nesting is a book about little robins and how they grow up. It helps you to learn a bit about their lives and about a predator they fight off. You\u2019ll also learn more about what a mama bird does, from laying the eggs to teaching her babies to fly.

This book is good for young naturalists who are interested in birds. The kids who will be most interested are aged 6-9 years old, depending on their attention span, but everyone can read it. The illustrations are clever even though they are only in black and white with some blue. The author has been really clever about weaving a story around teaching kids about birds.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "10-Dec-2019 02:26:29", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008470011", "title": "The Moon Keeper", "author": "Zosienka", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 210, "review": "The night creatures have appointed Emile the new moon keeper, and it is a very important job. Emile climbs a ladder to meet the moon and realizes for the first time how beautiful and round it is. Emile keeps watch for several nights, shooing away a few clouds and fruit bats, but there isn\u2019t a lot to do. He does find the moon nice to talk to. One evening, he notices that the moon is getting smaller. His neighbors notice, too, and Emile even calls his cousin to find out if the moon looks different in the jungle. It isn\u2019t good news. The moon seems to be disappearing.

Written and illustrated by Zosienka, The Moon Keeper is a story about change and how scary it can be, especially for the youngest of readers. Emile must go on a journey. He doesn\u2019t understand what is happening to the moon, but he knows that he doesn\u2019t like it. Emile learns from a large green bird that things come and go. The darkness is only temporary, and the light of the moon eventually returns. Zosienka gives readers a gentle bedtime story with a new perspective on the moon, and her illustrations' soft colors against a dark backdrop give the book a classic feel.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "10-Dec-2019 02:25:13", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008470007", "title": "I Believe I Can", "author": "Grace Byers", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 188, "review": "Children of every race, creed, and gender have great potential to become whatever they want to be. They will discover their potential through imagination and play, through trying and believing. This book will open children up to the idea of exploring their ideas and stretching their virtual wings. They will see themselves in the charming, vibrant illustrations and hear their voices in the simple rhyming couplets that express the imaginative thoughts of youngsters: \u201cI am like the lion\u2019s roar. I am like a dragon\u2019s flames. / I\u2019m worthy because I\u2019m me, and there is value to my name.\u201d Each couplet is designed to remind children of their valuable contribution to society and their worth as part of the human story. The illustrations capture the tapestry of humankind and represent the true diversity of our country. There are several instances of near rhymes and sometimes the meter is a little off, but the messages are all good for kids to hear and will build confidence and encourage youngsters to try new things. This will be a good read-aloud in kindergarten and early elementary classrooms as well as at home.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "10-Dec-2019 02:18:30", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008470003", "title": "Batman Tales: Once Upon a Crime", "author": "Derek Fridolfs, with illustrations by Dustin Nguyen", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 247, "review": "Batman has one of the most eclectic and colorful rogue's galleries of villains in all of comics, and more than a few of them\u2014like the Mad Hatter, the Clock King, Crazy Quilt, and Kite Man\u2014are cartoonish in the extreme. Still, it should come as no surprise that both the Dark Knight and his myriad foes make perfect fodder for a fairy tale reinvention.

And that's just what Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen have in store for readers with Batman Tales: Once Upon a Crime. Delightfully mashing up fairy tales and children's stories with the world of Batman creates not only the opportunity to lighten up an often grim storytelling universe but also allows for surprising insight and clever juxtaposition. After all, it's easy to forget that the deadly Damien Wayne is still a child, so seeing him live out the life of Pinocchio isn't just funny, it's poignant.

The art is vibrant and welcoming, a cheerful departure from the usual Gotham palette, and with four fairy tales to retell with the Batfamily involved, there are numerous chances for Nguyen to put his own silly, but often beautiful, twists on both the characters and the stories. (The closing tale is particularly gorgeous and haunting.)

Longtime readers of Batman have seen all sorts of different variations on the character, from the malicious Batman Who Laughs to a bloodthirsty, vampiric Batman, from a Victorian-era vigilante to the World's Greatest Detective. But you've never seen Batman or his litany of villains quite like this.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "10-Dec-2019 02:13:46", "publisher": "DC Comics", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008469019", "title": "Two Little Trains", "author": "Margaret Wise Brown, with illustrations by Greg Pizzoli", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 125, "review": "Two Little Trains was a good book. The puff puff and the chug chug parts were my favorite part. It\u2019s the story of two trains, the streamlined train and an old-fashioned train, on their trip to the West and the hazards and obstacles they face on their journey. They head from one stop to the other, then stop in the West.

This book is a lot like Margaret Wise Brown\u2019s other books, like Goodnight, Moon and The Big Red Barn. I like how it rhymes and is really soothing and calming. The cadence sounds like trains on the track.\nThis is a great book for other kids who love Margaret Wise Brown. Or kids who love trains. Parents can like it too. I know mine did!", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Dec-2019 02:19:54", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008469003", "title": "Anonymous Is a Woman: A Global Chronicle of Gender Inequality", "author": "Nina Ansary", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 442, "review": "The idea of gender inequality is not a new problem, it has been an issue for thousands of years. In 1929, the esteemed British novelist Virginia Woolf posed a question and statement that will forever be remembered among feminists. In her time, Woolf was concerned about why there were no women mentioned as authors or main contributors to literacy in Shakespeare\u2019s era. Thanks to her comments, the modified phrase, and the title of this informational piece are rightly said as Anonymous is a Woman. Nina Ansary has committed her research in this book to helping women receive the recognition they deserve by delivering statistics to prove her points and recognizing women from history who accomplished amazing feats for their time and received little to no praise. The statistics that Ansary delivers are astounding; even taking into account the statistics from a decade ago, so many countries around the world still practice gender-based discrimination, and by doing this they are degrading women. Even in the area of death, women are underrepresented in obituaries compared to men! Pulling from different worldly theories, Ansary compares gender inequality to the Chinese yin-yang to illustrate how men and women must be able to work together in order to make a successful whole instead of mediocre halves. To break down the barrier of gender inequality will allow for our society to function at its peak performance (which we\u2019ve yet to see) by bringing in more money for the economy and increased self-esteem among all the citizens of the world.

The facts that Ansary presents cannot be ignored, but unfortunately will fall onto deaf ears when heard among most men. The format in which they are presented in this book is pleasing; the facts that promote the issue are presented in the first half, then the lives and contributions of many women from history are briefly discussed. The beginning of each new woman to be addressed includes a gorgeous painting of them, putting a possible face to each name with wispy watercolor strokes of grays, browns, and blacks. The women presented did remarkable things, not just for a woman but for any human being. Some of the occupations of these women include being the first known, or most successful for her time, astronomer, chemist, medic, mathematician, designer of astrolabes, poet, anatomist, resistance leader, philosopher, composer, creator of aquariums, worker on global warming, painter, and surgeon, among many more. Immersing yourself in this book will prove beneficial to your historical knowledge, as well as your appreciation for women. Not only a women\u2019s book, Anonymous is a Woman can be a learning tool for men and women alike, with insightful information galore.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "09-Dec-2019 20:44:47", "publisher": "Revela Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008468019", "title": "Beijing: A Symmetrical City", "author": "Dawu Yu", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 473, "review": "Beijing is one of the most historically relevant antiquated cities in the world. It was built in 1046 BC, around the same time as Rome. In the early part of the first millennium, it became the capital of ancient China and became known as one of the most prosperous cities in the world with people trickling in from all over the globe. Today, it spans six thousand, four-hundred and ninety square-miles and has a population of 21.7 million. While a symmetrical layout is not a requirement for new parts of Beijing, it has kept its central axis as part of its cultural heritage. Constructing symmetrical cities has long been a trademark of Chinese culture and reflects the etiquette, order, and harmonious beauty the Chinese people hold dear.

Dawu Yu\u2019s Beijing - A Symmetrical City focuses on this ancient city and the architecture that defined it during the reign of the Qing Dynasty (1632-1912). Yu walks the reader through the central axis of Beijing, which begins at the Forever Stable Gate in the south and ends at the infamous Bell and Drum Towers in the north. It spans a distance of approximately 4.85 miles with the Imperial Palace, otherwise known as the Forbidden City, centrally located.

Interestingly, the author grew up \u201cin an ordinary alley inside the Stability Gate of Beijing.\u201d As a child, he played around the Bell and Drum Towers and later participated in painting classes at the Youth Palace. It\u2019s clear his knowledge of this archaic site is vast. The facts embedded in this children\u2019s picture book are numerous, and the detailed illustrations are plentiful, spanning nearly every page. Some of them are relatively dull and somewhat difficult to follow, while others are beautifully displayed in pastel hues with well-labeled locales and points of distinction. The material concerning the architecture of the city itself is comprehensive, but the scope outside of that is quite limited. Due to this as well as the style of presentation of the content, only a small, select group of children will likely find interest in this non-fiction work. It may have a wider appeal to adult audiences and those specifically interested in architecture and/or ancient establishments. The fun facts and knowledge tips the author includes do assist in breaking up the monotony of the text to some degree. However, if additional ones are sprinkled throughout the content, along with child-friendly font and a vibrant color scheme, Beijing: A Symmetrical City can be enhanced considerably. Weaving in information regarding the role of children during this time in Beijing\u2019s history may be a worthy inclusion as well. Further, illustrations of youth to accompany the supplementary text may serve to increase its significance to the intended audience. Perhaps Yan Liu, who made adaptations to the content already, may be able to provide more substantial ones, drawing in youth to its appeal.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Dec-2019 05:39:58", "publisher": "1 Plus Publishing & Consulting", "page_count": "42 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008467011", "title": "Four Faces of Femininity: Heroic Women Throughout History", "author": "Barbara McNally", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Cay Wren", "word_count": 129, "review": "The Four Faces of Femininity is an educational and introspective jaunt through the lives and trials of women in the world. Divided into four sections\u2014Mother, Lover, Warrior and Sage\u2014the book mixes short history lessons on impactful women with a grander lesson about what women can accomplish when given proper support. Each section is bookended by a description of what each archetype of women means for us now and can mean in the future, as well as a brief check-in where the reader is asked to connect the archetype and the women profiled to their own life. The result is an informative, engaging and inspiring book that is impossible to put down. The Four Faces of Femininity will teach you something new, and give you hope for the feminine future.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "10-Dec-2019 02:29:44", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008467007", "title": "The Legend of King Arthur-a-tops", "author": "Mo O'Hara, with illustrations by Andrew Joyner", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 191, "review": "Once upon a time, there was a swamp called Camelot where young squires trained to be knights. Arthur-a-tops tries to be a good squire, but he just doesn\u2019t succeed at much until\u2026he pulls the horn from the stone. Because of his lack of skills, the people question whether he should be king until he puts his horn in the stone and pulls it off, revealing golden rings around his horn.

I love this concept, combining King Arthur and dinosaurs. The text seemed too long. I would recommend this for six to eight-year-olds. Mostly, I think the text fell flat. It just did not seem to have the creativity to go with the illustrations.

The illustrations were good. I think the colors could have been brighter. They seemed more reserved, which doesn\u2019t attract children\u2019s attention as much. I really love the cover art.

My six-year-old listened to the book, but didn\u2019t ask me to read it again. He said, \u201cI thought it was going to be super funny, but it wasn\u2019t very funny. I just didn\u2019t like it. I didn\u2019t like the rock from outer space at the end coming to kill all the dinosaurs.\u201d", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Dec-2019 02:21:02", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008465015", "title": "The Chaos Curse (Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond #3)", "author": "Sayantani DasGupta", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 11", "word_count": 182, "review": "The Chaos Curse is Book Three in the Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series. Kiranmala, Tuni, a tiger named Bunty, and a lizard named Tiktiki One travel to her hometown of Parsippany, New Jersey, to free her friend Prince Lal from his imprisonment inside a tree. This quest should be easy, after all; this town is Kiran\u2019s home. But when she arrives, everything is wrong! Her parents are tax accountants, her arch-enemy is now her best friend, her companions have disappeared, and on top of that, a strange boy named Ned claims to know her. As Kiran tries to escape this twisted version of her home, reality around her becomes increasingly complicated. Stories clash together, and the Kingdom Beyond falls into disarray.

Will Kiran and her friends be able to fix this new horror? Or will the Kingdom Beyond and all the universe succumb to the madness that is chaos?

This book weaves a fast-paced story that takes the reader on a thrilling adventure through the Kingdom Beyond and back. With plenty of surprises, twists, and turns, The Chaos Curse is a perfect read.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "07-Dec-2019 22:10:36", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008465011", "title": "The Faking of the President: Nineteen Stories of White House Noir", "author": "Peter Carlaftes", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 265, "review": "The Faking of the President is a collection of vignettes by several authors, some of whom are well-known. The stories all deal with history and politics, but in the vein of historical fiction, fanfiction, and noir. For example, in one story, George W. Bush is an unwitting patsy in a global conspiracy. In another, Eleanor Roosevelt manages to change the course of history by going over her husband\u2019s head regarding refugees in 1939. In another, a researcher finds proof of James Buchanan\u2019s gayness. Each story takes an aspect of real history and gives it a dark spin.

In many ways, the collection is a lot of fun. There\u2019s a schadenfreude aspect to some of it; I imagined the authors smiling and rubbing their hands in delight at the fictional moments they create. I typically enjoy short stories or vignettes, and this timely subject matter \u2013 the state of our Republic, the free press, politicians\u2019 motives, etc. \u2013 is on most Americans\u2019 minds. The Faking of the President offers a comical and twisted version of our history. I enjoyed looking up some of the historical background behind the vignettes, and some of the collection is creative. I smiled quite a bit. However, some of these stories seemed very rushed and incomplete. Some had a silliness to their endings that I felt was a letdown and cringy. It\u2019s a really uneven collection. I found that I had to be in the exact right mood to find the fun in these stories, given the seriousness of our national news and the unevenness of the quality of the stories.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "07-Dec-2019 22:07:12", "publisher": "Three Rooms Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008464003", "title": "The Gobblin' Society", "author": "James P. Blaylock", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 211, "review": "The Gobblin' Society is an exciting, bizarre, page-turning murder-mystery in the beloved Langdon St. Ives series. This time around, Langdon's wife, Alice, is the recipient of a house, Seaward, left by her uncle after his death. Excited and nervous, the couple ventures out to explore their new inheritance. People from her past emerge, as well as others unknown to them. Together, they discover a secret society, aka \"The Gobblin' Society,\" composed of a few men with extraordinary culinary tastes who have other plans for Seaward and who will stop at nothing to keep their plans at large.

This is my first Langdon St. Ives mystery, and will hopefully not be my last. It is fun when you discover a new series, but like in the case of reading this book, I found a few parts to be confusing, probably mostly because I am unaware of these characters and their previous adventures. The adventure in The Gobblin' Society was different for sure: themes of murder, manipulation, cannibalism, and thievery were all touched on and performed very well. The setting is overseas, so there are some cultural differences in the text for readers in America, but if you're familiar with works by Agatha Christie or P.D. James then you'll enjoy this piece of art.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "07-Dec-2019 21:37:49", "publisher": "Subterranean Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008463011", "title": "Struggle: No Obstacle Is Too Great", "author": "Talla Spaul", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": " Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 442, "review": "\u201cWhen I meet new people, the fact that I\u2019m an immigrant leads to all sorts of strange assumptions. People assume that I\u2019m uneducated or that I only got my education once I arrived in the United States, as if this is the only country in the world with universities. They assume that since I was born and raised in Iran that I\u2019m a Muslim. They assume that my marriage must have been abusive relationship. They assume that I grew up poor. And they assume that all of my problems ended as soon as I arrived in the United States. None of those assumptions are accurate.\u201d

So starts Struggle: No Obstacle is Too Great, a memoir of a determined woman who came to the U.S. with her two sons and nearly no material possessions or money.

Her driving force was to escape Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guards and provide a better life for her sons. She left behind a respected and well-paying medical practice, elevated social status and extended family. This succinct memoir illuminates the powerful force of a mother\u2019s love and how curiosity and relentless hard work can overcome nearly any obstacle.

Talla Spaul has a strong, direct voice. Reading her clear, spare prose, I could easily imagine her telling this story to a close friend or acquaintance. She conveys the difficult parts of her story (of which there are several) without lingering or analysis. As a reader, I was rooting for her, while undoubtedly knowing she would prevail. She experienced several wrenching losses before reaching U.S. soil, including the death of her mother and the disappearance of her life savings. I do wish she had explored these losses more, particularly that of her mother, who passed away on the return flight to Iraq.

Once in the U.S., Maryam meets the director of an environmental occupational medicine firm while at a course to gain her medical license in the U.S. He offers her a job, and she leaves the course to pursue the job opportunity. Thus begins Talla\u2019s association with William, who provides her with an income and occupation, allowing her to provide for her sons. William is also responsible for much of Talla\u2019s later pain and illness. In spite of this, Talla manages to travel to China alone, not knowing any Chinese, to learn the principles and practice of Qigong, an ancient system of rhythmic breathing, deliberate movements, and meditation. Talla\u2019s practice of Qigong informs her perspective of her past, present, and future.

Reading this memoir, I could only marvel at this woman\u2019s internal strength. She endured so much, yet she succeeded in many ways and learned to let go of her anger at those who wronged her.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "06-Dec-2019 23:15:08", "publisher": "", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008463007", "title": "Struggle: No Obstacle Is Too Great", "author": "Talla Spaul", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 430, "review": "Struggle is the amazing autobiographical account of a woman who jumps through hoops to secure a better life for herself and her two sons. This is a book for anyone who takes life for granted or wants to see what it\u2019s like for an immigrant who comes over with nothing but a few dollars and the clothes on their back and tries to make a better life for themselves. What I liked most about the main character, or author if you will, is her perseverance. When she leaves Iran, she also leaves behind her husband and the father of her two children. To be honest, I think if I have one major qualm about the author it\u2019s that she does not pick very good spouses. Both her husband in Iran and her new husband in the United States do not give her what I think a husband should give his wife. Both men are disrespectful in their own ways. A doctor in Iran, Talla comes over to the United States to live with her sister to start a whole new life, a better life, since the religious culture in Iran is starting to become quite dangerous. Her two sons are still school-aged, and while reading the book I have to admit that I was so happy that she had her sister, Majin, and her sister\u2019s husband, Sony, to help her through the tough times. She talks about living in a tiny apartment in Harlem so disgusting and dangerous that she sleeps on her own unpacked suitcase and about also in someone\u2019s closet for twelve dollars a day. Humanity was not lost though, as the author finds kind people who help her out while she is going to school in New York. Struggle is a touching story that made me more thankful for all of the blessings I have in my life. The author\u2019s spiritual journey is wonderful, and I was very impressed that she flew to China to learn the art of Qigong under Grand Master Zhu. The author is a constant learner with a never-give-up attitude even when things are in a dire state. Gratitude is something that is best taught through anecdotal stories such as this because it teaches the reader that there are others out there who have less than them and who still push through and create the lives they want against all odds. This would be a wonderful story for high school children to read to gain perspective. I fully enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to all ages all over the world.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "06-Dec-2019 23:15:05", "publisher": "", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008463003", "title": "Learning to Quit: How to Stop Smoking and Live Free of Nicotine Addiction", "author": "Suzanne Harris, Paul Brunetta", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 419, "review": "Learning to Quit: How To Stop Smoking And Live Free Of Nicotine Addiction by Suzanne Harris, RN, NCTTP and Paul Brunetta, MD addresses the concerns, issues, and difficulties associated with the process of quitting smoking. Parts One and Two thoroughly cover in fifteen chapters a variety of topics and questions that typically arise for those looking to quit smoking. Through the words and experiences of the authors and other former smokers, readers will find a sense of community and a support system overflowing with those that know this dependence first hand. Throughout Part One, Harris and Brunetta provide a variety of first-hand accounts that showcase personal insights into the quitting process. The authors thoughtfully set the tone from the beginning, explaining that quitting \u201cis a very personal process. Some people want lots of medical information and explanations. Others get inspiration from true-life stories\u2026 Pick and choose which parts of this book are of use to you, trusting yourself to be drawn to what will be the most meaningful\u2026 This book is a tool, so use it like one.\u201d These experiences illustrate how various individuals have overcome certain obstacles and how to avoid foreseeable missteps. The personal narratives fall within several helpful categories such as \u201cWhat Moves You To Be a Nonsmoker,\u201d \u201cWhat Keeps You Smoking,\u201d and \u201cI\u2019m Already Sick, So What\u2019s The Difference If I Smoke?\u201d Part Two expands on the topics raised in Part One and incorporates the medical portion of the conversation to examine how nicotine impacts cancer and cardiovascular risks. Moreover, Part Two explores highly-advertised alternatives on the market such as nicotine patches and vaping tools, as well as less-familiar options like acupuncture and hypnosis. Harris and Brunetta put together an approachable handbook that supports readers regardless of where they are in the process. Readers can look through individual chapters that speak directly to their circumstances or read the whole thing cover to cover. The \u201cThree Key Points\u201d at the end of each chapter provide reflective topics to encourage journaling and refocusing again and again on your individual intentions throughout this process. However a reader chooses to engage with this book, each will find reassurance and comfort within the pages of/Learning to Quit. It\u2019s exceptional guidance and support throughout the entire process earns this book its rating. You\u2019ll be glad you picked up a copy and took the early steps to quitting smoking. It\u2019s never too early or too late to take a step in the right direction. Take control of your health and life today!", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "06-Dec-2019 22:36:25", "publisher": "Avasta", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008461023", "title": "The Institute", "author": "J.R. Wirth", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 404, "review": "Seventeen-year-old Gabriel Rucker has tried to keep his stepbrother, Michael, out of trouble. When Michael\u2019s bad influence starts rubbing off on their younger brother, Aaron, their parents look to the Serenity Institute for help. The Institute boasts of a new therapy that will transform unruly youth into model teenagers. The place seems too good to be true, with its charming Village community and perfect lawns, but the Rucker family is desperate. They send Michael to the Institute with the hope that it can help control him.

A scientist nicknamed Scarecrow is the creator of this new therapy, which was designed to change violent and antisocial behavior in adolescents. With patient XXIX, the procedure is finally a success. Scarecrow\u2019s seventeen-year-old prot\u00e9g\u00e9, Melissa, understands his passion for the work, but during an experiment with XXIX, the truth behind the new therapy is finally revealed. Scarecrow has been surgically inserting a mind-altering chip into the brain of his patients. When he pushes the buttons on a remote control, it causes them to react with calm or violent tendencies. Although Melissa is disturbed by what she sees, she is torn between revealing the truth and supporting Scarecrow. She believes him to be a man of God who thinks he\u2019s bettering the world with this procedure. His mission is to save humankind, but Scarecrow has been experimenting on patients with the madness of Dr. Frankenstein.

Thanks to his twin best friends, Donnie and Daniel, Gabriel finds out some disturbing things about the Institute. The more he learns, the more he fears he may lose his brother. The twins start digging into the place and discover a link between it and the death of their mother and sister. Gabriel and his friends journey to the Institute to rescue Michael and join up with Melissa. Melissa finally meets the face of the boy she has been dreaming about.

J.R. Wirth\u2019s The Institute is an action-packed story with a little romance thrown in. Told from a multi-character perspective, a group of teenagers must rescue a patient from the Institute before he undergoes a surgery that will likely destroy his mind. Wirth interweaves biblical lore with a suspenseful tale, paralleling the characters\u2019 religious beliefs with the scientist\u2019s moral imperative. Although there is a lot of head-hopping throughout the book as each chapter is written from a different character\u2019s perspective, the quick pace and mystery behind the Institute make it hard to put down.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "08-Dec-2019 21:54:24", "publisher": "undecided no release date yet or decision on publisher", "page_count": "251 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008461011", "title": "You Can't F*ck Up Your Kids: A Judgment-Free Guide to Stress-Free Parenting", "author": "Lindsay Powers", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 264, "review": "Author, editor, and mother Lindsay Powers has spent a long time trying to help parents go easier on themselves, as it sometimes seems like every kid and baby-related topic is loaded with hard choices and harsh judgment. As the creator of the #NoShameParenting movement, Powers has used her influence to help, and her new book, You Can\u2019t F*ck Up Your Kids is the logical next step in that mission. In it, the author dives into some of the most contentious issues in modern parenting, from breastfeeding to sleep training to discipline, and evaluates some of the latest research to help parents understand that truly, we need to make the decisions that are best for our families and understand that most kids will turn out just fine regardless. While the idea behind the book is sound, and nearly every parent can get behind the idea of not judging or shaming one another for the decisions we make, Powers\u2019s tone comes off a bit abrasive at times, and her own personal views make it pretty clear that she doesn\u2019t think much of \u201cgentle\u201d or \u201cattachment\u201d parenting practices\u2026or the people who follow them. The book also loses some credibility based on some of the sources she cites (specifically former OBGYN Amy Tuteur, who is well-known for openly attacking people she disagrees with over the internet) and how heavily she draws on the work of others (one chapter spent a surprising amount of time rehashing the work of statistician Emily Oster, already detailed in Oster\u2019s own book). The book has good intentions but ultimately fell short of expectations.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "07-Dec-2019 21:47:54", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008461003", "title": "Lost Hills (Eve Ronin)", "author": "Lee Goldberg", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 219, "review": "Lee Goldberg has graced us with yet another masterfully-written detective series. In Lost Hills, the first book of the Eve Ronin series, we follow this heroine as she ventures to solve her first case after being promoted to the homicide division. Ronin has a reputation preceding herself thanks to a YouTube video that gained much popularity. Now in her new role, she must work with her partner to solve a murder that has left a house looking like blood should be the pattern for the wallpaper and carpet, with a mother and two children as potential victims. With each new clue to the case, Ronin is discovering parallels from the single mother\u2019s life to her own life with a single mother, all of which are not pleasant to deal with. Ronin must resolve with her own personal issues if she can hope to solve this complicated murder.

Goldberg has completed another realistic detective novel that makes the reader feel as if they are working alongside Ronin and witnessing her kick-butt attitude toward everything in life. I had read Goldberg\u2019s Ian Ludlow series, so I was excited to start his newest one \u2013 and he did not disappoint. The story gets straight to the point and allows nothing to get in its way as you sit tight for the ride.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "06-Dec-2019 18:23:56", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008460031", "title": "Witches of Ash and Ruin", "author": "E Latimer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 196, "review": "Dayna cannot wait to become a witch with all the powers that it brings once she identifies with a god. For now, she is trying to appease her father, the Reverend, and avoid classmates as they continue to torment her, since someone outed her as bisexual. Her coven of witches, which includes her best friend, Reagan, is the best thing in her life right now. When Meiner and Cora arrive with their grandmother to help end the Butcher\u2019s serial reign of terror against witches, Dayna is distracted by Meiner and concerned with whispers of dark magic while trying to ascend and become a full witch. As the group of women get closer to the force behind the Butcher\u2019s slayings, their lives will be in danger by a power they fear may only be stopped with a sacrifice they cannot give.

Based on Celtic mythology but using modern witchcraft, the story is dark and violent. Chapters alternate between characters, so readers know the direction of the story and don\u2019t have to wait for secrets to be revealed. While some characters and storylines are not fully fleshed out, the plot moves quickly and makes for good discussion afterward.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2020", "date_added": "07-Dec-2019 22:14:05", "publisher": "Freeform", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008459031", "title": "Flipping ADHD on Its Head: How to Turn Your Child's Disability into Their Greatest Strength", "author": "Jim Poole, MD, FAAP", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 199, "review": "Being a parent is hard. Your mindset about how you think your child should behave will determine how you will deal with your child if it so happens that they get diagnosed with a \"disability\" such as ADHD. But is ADHD really a bad thing? Dr. Jim Poole wrote the book Flipping ADHD on its Head to drive it home to everyone that no, it's not. Having personal experience with ADHD, Dr. Poole knows what it is like from the perspective of the child as well as from the parent. Working with parents and professionals, he created a company named FastBraiin. FastBraiin is a holistic approach that works through the mindset of positivity and understanding how a fast brain can affect and be affected by different areas of your body.

The way that Dr. Poole writes is very professional and makes complete sense. For those who don't have a fast brain, it's harder to understand what others are going through, but it is a blessing that Dr. Poole is around to see the good, potential, and necessity in people through FastBraiin. His research and presentation are thorough, and it is clear that he cares deeply for the people he helps.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "08-Dec-2019 03:05:06", "publisher": "Greenleaf Book Group Llc", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008459027", "title": "Major Impossible (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #9)", "author": "Nathan Hale", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Henry Blum", "word_count": 188, "review": "Overall, I think that Nathan Hale: Major Impossible is a good book. It is about a person named Major John Wesley Powell and his love for adventure. He decides to go on an expedition to the great unknown to find new places and claim the land. He gathers a group of people, boats, and supplies and sets out. On the journey, food is scarce, the terrain is rough, and the rushing waters can rip a boat into splinters. There is a lot of rain, making the expedition harder. The rapids get harsher as they go on. The weather is getting as hot as one hundred degrees Fahrenheit, and the walls of the canyon get even steeper and more vertical, making it harder to climb to get a good view of where they are going next. Some of the travelers are brought into a camp to wait until the South wins the Civil War, which is going on at the time. I loved the book personally, and I would recommend it to my friends, and everybody. I think it is a great, highly educational book that everybody could love.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "08-Dec-2019 03:03:03", "publisher": "Amulet Books", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008459019", "title": "Mananaland", "author": "Pam Munoz Ryan", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - age 13", "word_count": 177, "review": "This is an amazing book about a boy going on a quest to see what the future holds. Mananaland is about a boy named Maximiliano. He is almost twelve and will soon be able to try out for Santa Maria's f\u00fatbol team. After discovering a family secret, he embarks on a journey to see the future. He hopes to learn about his mother and find out if he will make the f\u00fatbol team. I really enjoyed this book, and it is now one of my favorite books. I like that Maximiliano decides to help Isadora, even though he doesn't really know what he's doing. I think he made a pretty good guardian, and I liked that his dog helped out on the journey as well. My favorite location was the stronghold La Reina Gigante, a place where the Hidden Ones would rest before moving on to the next safe place. I also liked the kitten, named Churro, and the Dog, named Lola. I would recommend this book to kids ages 9 to 13 who like adventure novels.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "07-Dec-2019 22:00:01", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008455007", "title": "Mia Mayhem vs. the Mighty Robot (6)", "author": "Kara West", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Clementine - Age 8", "word_count": 196, "review": "Mia Mayhem goes to her friend Eddie\u2019s house and discovers he has built a handy robot. Later, when she goes to Saturday class at PITS, her superhero school, she is practicing how to use two new gadgets, the Maximizer and Minimizer. Back at Eddie\u2019s house, the Maximizer falls on the robot\u2019s head and he starts to grow and destroy things. Can Mia Mayhem stop the robot and shrink him back down?

Mia is just a kid who learns she is a superhero, but that happens in an earlier book. This is the sixth book in the series, so you may want to catch up on the earlier ones. Or you can just enjoy this one! I like books about schools that are different than normal, like in Harry Potter. There are different things to learn about than at regular schools, like gadgets. I also like the comic book style illustrations. Not many books do that. You can really see the action. They even have action lines showing throwing and flying. The print is large so this might be a good book for early chapter book readers. If you like robots and superheroes, you\u2019ll like this book!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "05-Dec-2019 23:10:17", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008455003", "title": "Firefly Original Graphic Novel: The Sting", "author": "Delilah S. Dawson, with illustrations by Pius Bak", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 184, "review": "The crew of Serenity is on the planet Carolan to do their usual brand of work when they unexpectedly find themselves impounded. While Mal tries to sort things out, Inara takes the rest of the women on the crew to a local spa for some girl time. But things take a surprise turn when Saffron turns up with the offer of a sting operation\u2014and she\u2019s willing to blackmail them as needed to get their assistance. Inara, Zoe, Kaylee, and River team up to help Saffron steal a giant diamond, but can they really trust her?

Fans of Firefly will rejoice at the arrival of a new story from the \u2018Verse, told in comic form that helps readers really get into the details. The ladies of Serenity are fan favorites, and it\u2019s exciting and fun to see them teaming up like this for their own adventure in The Sting, even if it did take a questionable character like Saffron to make it happen. The story is a blast to read, and the sudden but inevitable betrayal of Saffron will keep readers engaged to the very end.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "05-Dec-2019 23:05:26", "publisher": "BOOM! Studios", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008454015", "title": "Bright in the Night", "author": "Lena Sj\u00f6berg", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - Age 6", "word_count": 133, "review": "The book Bright in the Night is about light. It talks about lots of things in nature that have light, like Venus. I especially liked when it talks about mushrooms\u2014some can glow! It was mostly about things that glow in the dark. I loved the pictures because they were really detailed. The cover was glow-in-the-dark; that was fun. The book moves from one kind of thing to another. I thought it was boring for me because I do not like books where it does not flow together. But people who like books that do not flow together might like it. It had a lot of facts. I do not recommend it for fun, but it would be good for studying things about light. Teachers or libraries would love it to look things up.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "05-Dec-2019 23:43:31", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000008454007", "title": "Remembering Ethan", "author": "Leslea Newman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 250, "review": "Sarah loved her older brother with all her heart. He towered above her in height. He was handsome and able-bodied, but now that he\u2019s gone and she so desperately wants to remember him, no one wants to listen.

The only one who seems to miss Ethan as much as she does is Buttons. She has found her feline comfort on Ethan\u2019s bed, where she soundly sleeps with her tail gently wrapped around her body, his white and blue sock never far from her side. She\u2019s become one of Sarah\u2019s greatest comrades in the midst of her despair.

Then, one day, after finally realizing how deeply Sarah needs them, her parents decide it\u2019s time to celebrate the vibrant life her brother had and the sacred memories that will always be part of their lives.

Remembering Ethan is a timely story concerning the loss of a loved one and the grief a young child and her parents inevitably experience. It is a valuable contribution to the seemingly limited body of children\u2019s literature on the topic. It\u2019s an ideal picture book for young people aged from five to nine who have experienced a recent loss.

Additionally, Leslea Newman\u2019s touching story is perfect for educators to employ as a curriculum addition promoting understanding and empathy within the classroom. Therapists may find it a worthy resource for youngsters impacted by loss who are otherwise hard to reach. The warm illustrations throughout this poignant text bring it to life, adding emotion and realism to the contents.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "05-Dec-2019 23:21:18", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008453023", "title": "Sidney Lumet: A Life", "author": "Maura Spiegel", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozarro", "word_count": 223, "review": "Sidney Lumet shined a light on humanity with his camera lens. His six-decade body of work graced the small screen, big screen, and the stage. He knew the human condition and left a piece of himself with every foot of film. His attempt to write his own history to be shared was sadly unfinished. Show business was ingrained in Sidney from the beginning, his father Baruch was an actor on the stage. Sidney received two educations in his impressionable years, school and stage. Life at home was dysfunctional, Baruch absent from his wife and children. Sidney\u2019s mother battled mental health issues, while Baruch gallivanted with other women. Sidney and his sister attempted to run away but were unsuccessful. Sidney\u2019s true escape would be to the army. The army provided Sidney with another education, particularly with respect to intolerance. After his service, the theater beckoned, but Sidney viewed being behind the scenes and directing as his calling. The wealth of work and quality proved this vision as prophetic.

Sidney Lumet: A Life marks what makes biographies endearing to readers. Maura Spiegel pens a moving, fascinating book about a true auteur. No stone is left unturned, the personal life mixed in with professional hits and misses. The impact of the late director and his legacy is displayed for all to view and appreciate. A+ read.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "05-Dec-2019 23:27:13", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008453015", "title": "A New World Begins: The History of the French Revolution", "author": "Jeremy Popkin", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 202, "review": "The issues surrounding the French Revolution were very complex, and there were multitudes of different players with competing passions and motivations\u2014only some of which overlapped. The extremely rapid changes that took place over the course of only a few years are hard to follow, as power shifted from one group to the next, although always with the result of less power to the monarchy. From our vantage point, it is easy to think that the results of the Revolution were a foregone conclusion, but there were many inflection points where things could have turned out quite differently. The author here presents an all-encompassing explanation of those brief years in a weighty tome that nevertheless reads like a novel. Characters who, at first, seemed minor or merely illustrative, become major protagonists; ideas that, at first, were fringe, become seminal; and events race forward, snowballing to the death of the Republic and the rise of Napoleon. There is so much more to the French Revolution than the meager facts that confused you in school, and it is worth knowing. It is said that those who don't learn history are doomed to repeat it. Those willing to look may find uncomfortably salient parallels to today.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "05-Dec-2019 23:23:27", "publisher": "Basic Books", "page_count": "640 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008453003", "title": "Struggle: No Obstacle Is Too Great", "author": "Talla Spaul", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 589, "review": "Talla Spaul shares her tumultuous and captivating life story in her new memoir Struggle: No Obstacle Is Too Great. She begins her chronicle as a young mother and wife who is planning an exodus out of the country, in the early years following the Iranian Revolution. She yearns for her sons to grow up in a land of liberty instead of tyranny, where women are honored as equals and education is thought paramount. Due to Iranian law, she\u2019s prohibited from exiting the country with the amount of money she\u2019ll need to successfully make her voyage. She bravely formulates a plan to deposit money for safe-keeping into her cousin-in-law\u2019s bank account in Turkey where she can later extract it, obtain a visa, and head onward to the United States with her kin. A myriad of unfortunate events prevents them from reaching their destination without losing much of what Talla has worked years to achieve. Once there, with much trepidation, she decides to leave her sons in school and in the safety of her sister\u2019s home, while she pursues a six-month program in New York that will enable her to practice medicine in her new homeland. Just short of completing the program, she\u2019s offered a well-paying job by one of her instructors that changes the course of her and her son\u2019s lives considerably. Over the next several years, Talla is able to regain much of what she lost financially. She weathers the storm of divorce and later remarries. Though she never quite captures the essence of true love in her marriage, this Iranian-born woman of courage travels the globe, furthers her educational studies, and uncovers new dimensions of herself. Through her journey to find freedom, she is able to find an inner peace that previously she could only imagine.

Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution and its aftermath, millions of Iranians fled the country, seeking refuge in lands with greater freedom. Talla was far from alone in her quest, and her memoir sheds notable light on how, in a matter of months, Iranian citizens could no longer traverse the streets without fear of arrest for exposing more of themselves than deemed appropriate by those appointed with authority. The author describes a time in which a member of the Revolutionary Guard tells her that her life will be threatened if she doesn\u2019t cover her hair in public. The guards frequently visited her medical practice, demand it be shut down, for a woman was no longer allowed to see a man\u2019s bare skin in public. In respects such as these, Talla\u2019s story parallels that of many others who have written on the subject. However, it is unique in that once she and her children settle in the United States, she begins to chronicle her everyday life experiences and goals, often to the exclusion of others. Much of her story focuses solely on her and her own perceptions; while it could be enriched considerably by enlarging the scope. By including the feelings and perceptions of others around her, more depth could be bestowed upon her story. Additionally, although it may be unintentional, the negative tone she exudes at times casts a shadow of unnecessary darkness across the pages. Much to her credit, though, she does conclude her memoir on a positive and enlightening note, sharing with readers insights and knowledge she gained throughout her quest for liberty that may inevitably someday help them in their own lives. She also writes in a simplistic manner, making her narrative easy to follow and a relatively quick read.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "05-Dec-2019 19:08:19", "publisher": "", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008452011", "title": "Under the Broken Sky", "author": "Mariko Nagai", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Natsu is twelve and lives with her father and younger sister on a tiny farm in a small village in Manchuria. It is deep in World War II, and this little village is Japanese while surrounding villages are populated by the Chinese, Russians, and others, Manchuria having been settled by many nations. Natsu\u2019s father is conscripted into the Japanese army, leaving the girls on their own with only an old aunty in the village to watch over them. Soon, everyone is driven from the village and must make a harrowing journey to a city where the girls lose the aunty to illness and face starvation. Natsu is forced to sell her sister to a Russian woman. Will she ever get her sister back, find their father, and make their way to Japan?

Author Mariko Nagai has written a story few young people (in fact, few adults) may know about. Her writing in verse is lyrical and beautiful, yet in no way softens the power and pain of this incredible slice of history. This is a terrific way to introduce readers to the story of Manchuria, which will engender research and more reading. This book is not to be missed.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "05-Dec-2019 23:51:39", "publisher": "Macmillan Children's", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008452007", "title": "Grow Kind", "author": "Jon Lasser, PhD and Sage Foster-Lasser, with illustrations by Christopher Lyles", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 126, "review": "Grow Kind is a story by Jon Lasser and Sage Foster-Lasser, illustrated by Christopher Lyles. This is a story all about Kiko and her garden. She uses her garden to help people. She helps her sister, her neighbors, and even a hungry lady. She also shares garden snacks with all of her school friends.

Kiko grows a garden to grow kind and teaches us how to be kind to others and grow kindness too. As my little sister says, \u201cit\u2019s a helping book.\u201d And my mom likes how there are resources and how-tos for parents in the back and how even though the book is teaching a lesson, it\u2019s still a story that makes you feel warm and fuzzy, and want to go walk through a garden.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "05-Dec-2019 23:22:22", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008450039", "title": "Concussion Rescue: A Comprehensive Program to Heal Traumatic Brain Injury", "author": "Kabran Chapek", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 206, "review": "The human brain is one key item in our body that is vital to our behavior and survival. Thinking of the phrase \"out of sight, out of mind,\" our brain is covered by our skull and doesn't get as much sympathy from anyone as it should when it gets bumped or hurt. Dr. Kabran Chapek, a doctor for the Amen Clinics who specializes in traumatic brain injuries, has written Concussion Rescue for people such as parents, teachers, and coaches to gain more knowledge when it comes to brain injuries. To show that this is a real problem, Dr. Chapek gives many examples throughout the chapters of real people who took a fall, didn't think anything of it, and then either died shortly after or began experiencing neurological symptoms.

Dr. Chapek writes with a passion for this subject, providing his readers with information such as first aid for your brain, natural treatments for chronic traumatic brain injury, and the importance of nutrition, exercise, and sleep for a healthy brain. I did not know too much about TBIs before reading this book, but after reading this worthwhile information, I am more optimistic that there are options for everyone involved to prevent brain injuries from being a permanent problem.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 22:53:20", "publisher": "Kensington Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008450031", "title": "Scourged Souls", "author": "Keith Niles Corman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 401, "review": "The time of the Civil War was devastating for everyone. Scourged Souls, is aptly named because of the turmoil and fear that fell upon the people across the United States during the time, between the parents, families, and the men themselves who chose bravely to fight for their respective side. In this real and honest portrayal of the Civil War, readers glimpse emotions and life-changing actions made both by soldiers and their families waiting back at home. Characters from both the North and South have prominent roles. Their backstories all prove to be similar in the fact that they portray patriotism to their respected sides and choose to fight for the cause that they hold dear. Throughout the story, the characters all become intertwined, even if only for a moment, but the one thing they continue to have in common is the war. Corman has presented a story for us to be able to get an idea of what war entails for everyone physically, mentally, and spiritually. While at times hard to read and think about, especially since the time of the Civil War is so much different from our own, it is necessary to have available and reviewed so that we won\u2019t take our current time and situation for granted.

Corman\u2019s story plays on all of our emotions. The reader is sure to feel pride for the young men who volunteer their lives for their country, love for the relationships among families and significant others, worry for when you start hearing not-so-great news in their letters to each other (even though we readers already know the outcome), and sorrow for when not everyone arrives home after playing their part in securing our country\u2019s correct stance on human slavery. Scourged Souls is very well written and easily understood as a fictional story, despite being a war story, which I\u2019ve found tend to be dry and very factual. The length made it enjoyable to have as an option for a quick read. It was fun learning about the characters' daily lives and their drive for their country. Corman introduces a freed slave that is able to earn his freedom from his master. This character was interesting to read about because his freed status made him more a rarity in the South at the time. Corman is a talented writer who should be on everyone\u2019s lists, especially those who enjoy a good war story.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 21:37:50", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "126 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008450027", "title": "Lily to the Rescue", "author": "W. Bruce Cameron", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 179, "review": "Lily to the Rescue by W. Bruce Cameron is a phenomenal first-person volume about a rescue dog. The dog finds a crow with a broken wing, helps it heal, and teaches it tricks. The story shows an overriding friendship and how free friends can love and give back more than trapped ones can. The book is well written and captivating. It seems that Lily is real. The words are easy to read yet interesting. The book is a great read-aloud and fits all ages. The way the book is written, it seems like a realistic fiction book. It is good for reading for fun and as an early reader. The book is great as first-person books for young people and is intuitive. If you have trouble reading books this is helpful. If you like books such as Owl Diaries this is a good book for you. It is a great book for all ages of animal lovers and people who find animal smarts interesting. The book is clever and easy to read. Every animal lover should read this book.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 21:15:44", "publisher": "Tor", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008450007", "title": "Glorious Boy", "author": "Aimee Liu", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Margo Littell", "word_count": 238, "review": "Bound by ambition and a sense of adventure, Claire and Shep Durant journey to the Andaman Islands, a remote part of colonial India, in 1936. They dive deep into their work: Claire, an anthropologist, is studying the language and customs of the Biya tribe; Shep, a surgeon, is collecting orchid specimens, hoping for significant medicinal applications. Claire\u2019s plans change when she becomes pregnant and gives birth to Ty, whose ability to speak never materializes and whose bond to Claire and Shep seems weaker than his attachment to Naila, a household employee. When the war escalates, the Andamans become a target, and the Durants prepare to evacuate--but Ty goes missing. Against her will, Claire goes on without her son and husband. The search for Ty is fraught with more danger than Shep could have ever imagined, and Claire must figure out how she can help from her new post in Calcutta. As the war churns on and hope dwindles, the entire family\u2014biological and otherwise\u2014will be forced to question their allegiances and obligations, and to determine what place is, for them, truly home.

With a mesmerizing setting and transporting detail, Glorious Boy balances tropical beauty with raw, physical risk, and dives deep into grim truths about parental love and the power and limitation of language. This is a page-turner, sometimes violent but always revelatory. Readers won\u2019t easily forget the trials this young couple faces, or the landscape that changes them all.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 20:25:06", "publisher": "Red Hen Press", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008450003", "title": "Greythorne (The Bloodleaf Trilogy)", "author": "Crystal Smith", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jessica Ramirez", "word_count": 212, "review": "When I first read Bloodleaf, I was left in awe. It was intriguing, romantic, and written beautifully. The only problem was that I had to wait a whole year for the next book to come, which brings us to now. I just finished Greythorne a few minutes ago, and my mind is reeling! It was everything I could want in a book and more. Aurelia has grown so much from the first book until now. I loved her in Bloodleaf, but in the sequel, my love for her grows. She\u2019s strong and so independent! It\u2019s hard not to look up to her. This story takes place a few months after the events of Bloodleaf. As we all know, Aurelia\u2019s younger brother, Conrad, is now set to be King. But, of course, nothing could ever be that easy\u2014especially with others trying to take over the kingdom. There are so many plot twists\u2014some you see coming and some you don\u2019t. It doesn\u2019t take away from your enjoyment of reading, though.

The only thing I\u2019m going to have a little bit of a complaint about is that ending! I cannot believe it ended like that. Fair warning, it\u2019s a MAJOR cliffhanger. I\u2019m surprised I even survived the fall. Come on third book, I need you!", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 19:27:32", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008449011", "title": "Privilege: A Novel", "author": "Mary Adkins", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 982, "review": "Popular Reads\n\nThe best seller lists can be a great source of new reading material, pointing interested readers toward popular, award-winning, and worthy books. The five titles included in this roundup have all won a heap of praise and sold incredibly well, and they are all highly recommended. \n\nThe Silence by Don Delillo\n\nDon Delillo\u2019s The Silence is a frighteningly prescient novel about an all too plausible global catastrophe. On Super Bowl Sunday in 2022, a retired physics professor and her husband are preparing to host a dinner party at their Manhattan apartment. One of the guests is a former student and, as kickoff looms, the three of them await the arrival of a couple who are due to fly in from France. Then, during the last commercial before kickoff, an unexplained disaster strikes: digital devices worldwide cease working, leaving people with no electronic means of communication and connection. Unfortunately, for those at the dinner party at least, the inability to rely on digital communication seemingly reflects a lack of interpersonal communication skills, although Delillo ensures that they have weighty monologues and plentiful internal strife to share. It\u2019s an unusual take on a post-apocalyptic situation as the characters embrace the mundanity of societal collapse rather than seeking out the cause and solution.\n\nThe Phone Booth at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina\n\nEverything in Yui\u2019s life reset on March 11, 2011\u2013\u2013the day a devastating tsunami hit Japan. It was the day she lost both her mother and her daughter. Sometime later and still consumed by grief, she hears a rumor about a disused phonebooth that bereaved people have started to visit so that they might talk to and about their lost loved ones and, it that way, begin to heal their pain. Yui decides that she will chance visiting the phonebooth, but once she gets there, she feels unable to actually lift the receiver and start talking. Instead, she meets a grieving widower whose daughter has stopped speaking in the wake of his wife\u2019s death. Yui\u2019s journey through heartbreak and loss is deeply moving and, ultimately, uplifting as it portrays how those touched by tragedy have to live with the resultant feelings forever, while the rest of the world is able to move on. Laura Imai Messina\u2019s The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World is a beautiful exploration of grief and healing. Its meditative tone makes for a quiet yet profound read.\n\nStolen Things by R.H. Herron\n\nWhat do you do when it appears that everything you have always believed in might just be founded on lies? That\u2019s the question that Jojo Ahmadi has to face in Stolen Things by R.H. Herron, a crime story based on real-life events. Jojo\u2019s dad is the chief of police in her California hometown while her mom is a 911 police dispatcher, so it\u2019s no surprise that she\u2019s always considered the members of the police department to be her family. It\u2019s also no surprise that when Jojo is found drugged and in pain in the house of Kevin Leeds, a professional football player, the whole police department rushes to investigate. Also in the house is the dead body of Leeds\u2019 trainer, while Jojo\u2019s best friend Harper is missing from the scene. Leeds seems the most likely suspect but Jojo is convinced he would never hurt her. She embarks on her own investigation and, in the process, learns far more than she bargained on. The crime and Jojo\u2019s subsequent investigation make for a shocking thriller that certainly packs a punch as a host of secrets and lies are revealed. \n\nBefore You Go by Tommy Butler\n\nTommy Butler\u2019s debut novel, Before You Go, is a life-affirming work of speculative literary fiction. It follows Elliot Chance from childhood through to adulthood as he gets ever closer to understanding why he has never felt that he belonged to this world. Although he doesn\u2019t know it yet, the answers he seeks lie back in the time beyond memory, when humans were created with a hole in their heart and their creators didn\u2019t realize their mistake. In the present, he finds a pair of unlikely allies in his quest for understanding in Sasha, a young woman who is compelled to send coded messages out into the ether, and Bannor, a man who knows far too much about the future. With the support of his new-found friends, Elliot at last feels able to get on with the business of living, but the problem of the hole in humanity\u2019s heart will not be so easily solved. Elliot\u2019s journey through depression and disenfranchisement to awakening to the beauty and possibility of life is uplifting, while the sense of magic realism that characterizes his world elevates the story to something really special.\n\nPrivilege by Mary Adkins\n\nA timely tale of campus life and both gender and social politics in the #MeToo era, Mary Adkin\u2019s Privilege is set in Carter University, allegedly the \u201cHarvard of the South.\u201d Annie Stoddard was a big fish in the small pond that was her Georgia high school, but now she\u2019s enrolled at Carter, she realizes just how marked she is by her economically underprivileged upbringing. Similarly, Bea Powers is wondering if she made a mistake by putting aside her fears of being a biracial student in the South and deciding to attend Carter, especially as everyone seems to have a different idea of what justice and equality mean. Meanwhile, Stayja York works at a campus coffeeshop and has to cope with serving Carter students all day as she attempts to save for her own education. The lives of the three women unexpectedly intersect when Annie accuses a male student of sexual assault, and they will all be profoundly changed by their encounters. Told from the alternating perspectives of all three women, the story is thought-provoking and surprisingly tense, mixing contemporary real-world concerns with campus fiction tropes.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 19:25:57", "publisher": "Harper", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008448003", "title": "Missions", "author": "Marc McGuire", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 430, "review": "Unexpected and just a little bit (okay, a lot of bits) exciting. Missions is an international thriller that starts out at a steady pace, giving the reader bits and pieces of information from two sides of a story. Set in France, a realistically horrible depiction of disaster is described when there is a large explosion left with bodies, rubble, and pieces of peoples\u2019 lives scattered all over the sidewalk. Christine DuPont, a French investigator for French intelligence agency DST, has to dig through all of the debris and paperwork to find out what, or rather who caused this massive destruction. Working with the CIA, she is careful to not give up too much information or to take information that would be illegal for the DST to obtain. This makes the relationship between the two agencies very untrusting. As the author inserts character after character into the complex web of a story, the reader also learns about the terrorists and what they have done to prepare for this day. The induction of a man who wants to do right by Allah, the mechanics behind getting the cars needed for that day, and of course, the fact that there are messages that will be transmitted to throw the authorities off the beaten path. DuPont and her team hit what seem to be dead end after dead end. The author does a great job of implanting pieces of information that seem irrelevant to the main plot but bring everything together in the end. Missions is a well-written book with all of the elements needed in a suspenseful thriller. There were even a few bits of humor written in, such as the naming of the different SIM cards and their owners. They were nicknamed Big Mac, Fromage (cheese), and Pommes Frites (French fries). The one aspect of the book that I would have improved on is the number of characters. There were a few characters that could have been left out altogether. Keeping track of all of the characters was a bit difficult at times unless that character has a lot of interaction with the other characters. Alas, this book would not be complete without a major twist towards the end. The author saves the best for last as what seems like an easy ride turns into an unexpected turn of events. The end makes a person want to reread the story because it changes the point of view of the reader and does a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn. Slow and steady with a fabulous twist at the end. Just how I like my thrillers.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 19:12:02", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008447055", "title": "The Sweeney Sisters: A Novel", "author": "Lian Dolan", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jessica Ramirez", "word_count": 176, "review": "The Sweeney Sisters is a story of secrets, books, and sisterhood. The sisterhood aspect of the novel was probably my favorite part. Three sisters grow up as close as any sisters can get, only to be thrown a wrench in their lives when they find out that they may have more than they bargained for: another Sweeney sister! After the death of their acclaimed literary father, the sisters will be put to the ultimate test. Will they be able to trust this new sister? While I enjoyed this very much, some of the characters were less than likable, at least in my book. I thought that the father being a literary master was an interesting storyline. I also enjoyed how the sisters each handled problems. They were all so much alike, yet so different in many other ways. My favorite character was the \u201cother\u201d sister. She is intelligent, kind, and definitely somebody I could see myself being friends with. Overall, I think this would be a great addition for readers who take pleasure in character-centered books.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 22:50:33", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008447051", "title": "The Mountains Sing", "author": "Nguyen Phan Que Mai", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Grace Utomo", "word_count": 191, "review": "Who is really the enemy? Huong Tran lives with her grandmother while her parents fight for North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and alternates between fleeing bombs and imagining her family\u2019s idyllic future once the Americans withdraw from her homeland. But her mother staggers back traumatized, her father remains MIA, and her uncle returns severely maimed. In an effort to assuage Huong\u2019s disillusionment, her grandmother narrates the Trans\u2019 dramatic escape from the Viet Cong during the Land Reform of the early twentieth century. She hopes that helping Huong understand the horrors her relatives suffered twice in thirty years will convince her that forgiveness is the only way to heal as well as to prevent future bloodshed.

The compelling characters and realistic plot in The Mountains Sing make it difficult to remember it\u2019s not a memoir. The novel is also Que Mai\u2019s first major English work; while the dialogue is generally well-executed, certain exchanges may seem a bit awkward. These moments don\u2019t affect the novel\u2019s larger value, however. Que Mai opens a window into the other side of a controversial war, and we would do well to consider the lessons her characters teach.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 22:48:56", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008447039", "title": "Ray By Ray: A Daughter's Take on the Legend of Nicholas Ray", "author": "Nicca Ray", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 237, "review": "In a time so far removed from the 1950s masterpiece film Rebel Without A Cause starring James Dean, the genius of film director Nicholas Ray may have melted into a digital age which cannot truly appreciate the history underscoring the movement that launched the 1960s. Nicca Ray, the youngest of the famed director's children and perhaps the most neglected, personifies the raw emotions capsulized in both the movie and the rage of the sixties with its mantra, \"Sex, drugs and Rock-n-Roll.\" With every ounce of her passion, Nicca echoes the hollowness of a lifestyle typically portrayed in Hollywood.

Unabashed, Nicca strips away everything fashionable and glamorous about the behind-the-scenes Hollywood big-screen to reveal the stark naked truth about the devastating effects of drug addiction, alcoholism, and free sex. Try as she did with all her energy, these poor substitutes never filled her need for family, particularly her longing for a relationship with her absentee father.

Much of the book reflects so painfully on the familial dysfunction perpetuated by Nicholas Ray revealing his madness that the reader, especially readers struggling with their own family dysfunctions, become exhausted. Nevertheless, the story Nicca weaves in fits and starts with a few rare snatches of genius compels the reader to turn page after page in the hope of some resolution. For if this victim of abandonment and abuse can find redemption and reconciliation, it seems within reach for the rest of us, too.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 20:47:23", "publisher": "Three Rooms Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008447035", "title": "Dragon Hoops", "author": "Gene Luen Yang", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 237, "review": "Bishop O\u2019Dowd High School\u2019s basketball team, the Dragons, is headed for the California State Championship. Gene Yang a.k.a. Mr. Yangster teaches computer science at Bishop O\u2019Dowd and hated sports as a kid. As the Dragons fight their way to the state championship, even Yang gets swept up in the excitement of the basketball season. He documents the Dragons' phenomenal season as they fight for each win and interweaves the history of basketball into the story, including women\u2019s basketball. But this multi-layered graphic novel is about so much more than basketball. Yang includes the trials and tribulations of the varsity players and their head coach and adds his own personal struggles to take the next big step in his teaching and comic book career.

Dragon Hoops is a graphic novel and part memoir from Gene Luen Yang, the 2016 MacArthur fellow and former ambassador for young people\u2019s literature. Yang gives readers the intense frame-by-frame plays of each major game that gets the Dragons to the next level in the state championship. He also gives us a story with a lot of heart about identity, perseverance, and taking risks in life. Bishop O\u2019Dowd and its legacy is a character in the story, too, and Yang doesn\u2019t shy away from the sport\u2019s ugly past. The book challenges young adult readers to consider the type of legacy we all leave behind, and to understand what it truly means to be a champion.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 20:44:08", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008447031", "title": "Karen's Witch (Baby-sitters Little Sisters #1)", "author": "Ann M. Martin, with illustrations by Katy Farina", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - Age 9", "word_count": 180, "review": "A six-year-old girl named Karen Brewer believes that her neighbor, named Mrs. Porter, is a witch named Morbidda Destiny. She\u2019s not supposed to spy, but she and her friend, Hannie, always spy on Mrs. Porter and her cat, Midnight. As Karen spies, she hatches a plan. Will she be brave enough to face Mrs. Porter and cast her away? Will her parents be mad if she does? This book is really great! It\u2019s like the Babysitters Club graphic novel books, but it\u2019s about Kristy\u2019s little sister, Karen. I\u2019ve already read the whole Babysitters Club graphic novel series. The illustrations are so cute too! I like how big their eyes are as well! Karen is very cute and brave and she is very determined to prove that Mrs. Porter is a witch that is going to have a witch meeting with witches. My favorite part is when Karen and Hannie pretend to be witches to practice spells with Mrs. Porter\u2019s herbs. I recommend this book to anyone who likes cutesy books and to anyone who likes the Babysitters Club graphic novels.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 20:35:56", "publisher": "Scholastic", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008447027", "title": "Naked Came the Florida Man: A Novel (Serge Storms)", "author": "Tim Dorsey", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 199, "review": "Serge A. Storms and his sidekick Coleman decide to take a road trip in Serge's 1969 Plymouth Satellite. Although a hurricane is approaching, they have decided to embark on a grand tour of Florida's forgotten cemeteries hoping for the best. Along the way, Serge will examine the local history and meet residents who are trying to find hidden treasure from the great hurricane of 1928 along with a high school student working hard to make it on the local football team. And when necessary, Serge will sort out a few injustices in unique and creative ways.

While I found some of the lines in this story amusing, I could not get into the characters and their juvenile pranks. Initially, I wasn't sure where the story was going. It seemed to ramble along, shifting back and forth in time, which made it seem like it went on forever. On a positive note, it was filled with action, and the author's style is unique, but overall this was a tossup for me. While I can see that Serge and Coleman likely have a large following of fans, I hate to say that, based on this story, I'm probably not one of them.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 20:27:50", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008447011", "title": "The Little Book of Game Changers: 50 Healthy Habits for Managing Stress & Anxiety", "author": "Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 215, "review": "We know that too much stress is detrimental to our health, but especially in uncertain times we frequently turn to unhealthy strategies to cope. This book offers a better alternative: fifty suggestions for new habits you can implement to develop your resilience and calm. The book addresses the three areas of mind, body, and spirit. The largest section is for body-focused habits, such as how to deal with being \"hangry\" or getting proper hydration. Another section focuses on mental habits, like using positive visualization; the last section gives ways to nourish your spirit as well. None of these are really new, but it is nice to have them collated into one small volume that you can dip into as needed. Each has a great introduction reminding you why it is so important, then more details about how to implement the habit in an effective way. The author uses personal examples and anecdotes that are interesting and relevant, so it is easy to relate and feel how these would help you in your own life. Try one or a few and see how they work, then maybe try to incorporate a few more. Soon you will have a set of behaviors already in place to keep you feeling sane no matter what life throws your way.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 19:11:10", "publisher": "Viva Editions", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008447007", "title": "The Little Bookshop on the Seine", "author": "Rebecca Raisin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 193, "review": "Sarah Smith leaves a quiet, sheltered life in her small town. She owns a used book shop and spends most of her time lost between the pages of a good book. Her steamy boyfriend, Ridge, is like a real-life romance novel. When he\u2019s in town, that is. He\u2019s a freelance reporter and spends more time jetting around the world covering stories than being with Sarah. When her friend in Paris, who also owns a bookshop, proposes swapping lives and running each other\u2019s shops, Sarah takes the plunge.

The premise and setting were delightful, but the story lost me early on when I just couldn\u2019t root for Ridge and Sarah as a couple. The few interactions they had seemed over the top in a suspicious rather than romantic way. The narrative flow was slow, and new characters and a subplot were introduced halfway through that didn\u2019t have much of an impact on the story.

Some of the characters were really great, and I would have liked the narrative to dive deeper into Sarah\u2019s friendship with them, especially Oceane, TJ, and Luiz. It was a great idea with some heartwarming scenes, but overall I wouldn\u2019t recommend it.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 19:09:00", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008447003", "title": "Greta's Story: The Schoolgirl Who Went on Strike to Save the Planet", "author": "Valentina Camerini", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 184, "review": "Greta\u2019s Story shows that no matter how young you are, you can do something big that changes the world. This book is a very well written and detailed account of Greta Thurnberg\u2019s climate strength movement. It follows her from a nervous young school girl, who gets depressed about climate change, to a world speaker, leading strikes of millions of people. It flows perfectly with good descriptive words. It makes you feel as if you are actually there following along with Greta. It explains hard truths in a way that captures your attention and makes you want to take action. The book develops the characters in a way that makes you feel like you know and care about their goals and causes. I would recommend this book to someone who is picking a book to read with schools because it teaches you the basics of climate change and what we need to do now. I also would recommend this for children who are interested in social protest, so they can join the strike. I think this book is right for first grade through high school.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "04-Dec-2019 19:07:08", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Children's", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008446059", "title": "Katie and Kenny Tour the Railroad", "author": "Keith Niles Corman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Tamara South", "word_count": 351, "review": "Katie and Kenny, along with their father, are taken on a tour of the local railroad yard by an engineer with the railroad. The basis of the book is to introduce children to the role railroads play in our lives, their importance, and to stress safety around railroads and their equipment: No railroads!

I could appreciate books that teach kids how to be responsible. When I picked this book and I saw what it was about, I knew this was a book I wanted my kids to read. Living in an urban city, children we do ride the subway system, which is different than the rural railroad, which runs on the street level. The NYC subway system runs above-ground or below-ground. I did notice that the same rules do apply, though.

Kenny and Katie\u2019s father is a railroad engineer. The first thing he teaches them is safety, as they have to wear safety goggles, and it also acknowledged that girls, too, can be engineers. He teaches them about how the wheels turn. I enjoyed this book because it teaches kids that they can look outside of just being a doctor or a lawyer. They even got to see a female as the daytime operator. Through this book, children get the opportunity to see that trains not only take people from one place to another but also helps businesses carry their goods. They left being able to tell their friends that railroads are no joke and are to be taken seriously. He even teaches them about railroad crossings.

This was a fun, entertaining, and educational book that I give 5 stars and is a great book for kids storytime. I also love the pictures. They are great, and the storyline is amazing. My daughter, who is six, read the book with no problem. This was a great way to show how important trains are in the lives of other people. I also appreciate the way in which they also tell children how to cross railroad tracks. Every aspect of the book was a teaching moment. This has truly been a great read.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "05-Dec-2019 00:38:39", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "34 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008446055", "title": "Katie and Kenny Tour the Railroad", "author": "Keith Niles Corman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 459, "review": "Katie and Kenny Cat and their dad are excited to take a tour of the railroad yard! With engineer Timothy Tabby, they get ready to start their tour and first learn about the safety involved. \u201cSafety first!\u201d is the motto of the story, and at the beginning of the book, the kids learn they must wear hard hats and safety goggles for their protection. On the tour, they appropriately learn first about the engine and its intricate control panel. From there, they go to the control tower and learn how the operator controls the cars on the tracks to avoid collisions. Then, they go to the containers and learn how almost everything we use will have come from a container on a train, having traveled long distances to get to us. It\u2019s now starting to get late, so the kids, their dad, and Timothy hitch a ride with a fellow worker to get them back to the office. Along the way, they crossed over several railroad crossings; each time the vehicle was sure to stop and check for an oncoming train. At the last crossing, the lights were on and the crossing signs were down, so they had to stop and wait until the train had passed, then they looked both ways again and made it to the office. Throughout the tour, Katie and Kenny learned a lot about trains and the whole operation involved to run them properly, efficiently, and safely.\nCorman has brought to us a much-needed safety book on the inner workings at a railroad yard and the safety needed to ensure maximum productivity and health. Due to the length, the information presented, and the format in which the information is given, I would say this book is better suited for older elementary kids, such as second grade and older. The subject of trains is one that kids of all ages seem to gravitate toward, but for the younger ages, I have found it helpful to have more pictures available with fewer words instead of one picture with lots of words. My five and four-year-old agreed with this. However, the pictures that are presented are colorful and represent the correct scene taking place. In the end, the formatting of the text was slightly off, with words appearing as if they were too close together and could be read as one word instead of multiple. Also, from a personal standpoint, I didn\u2019t appreciate (although I\u2019m aware it happens) the fact of Kenny calling Katie dumb, and Katie sticking her tongue out. This is not language or actions that we promote in our home, so I would have to skip over that when reading the story to my children to not expose them to this behavior too young.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "05-Dec-2019 00:38:25", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "34 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008446051", "title": "Katie and Kenny Tour the Railroad", "author": "Keith Niles Corman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 409, "review": "Katie and Kenny are a couple of kittens who visit a railroad yard in Catville. Their neighbor, Engineer Timothy Tabby, works at the yard office and gives them a tour. Before stepping out into the yard, Katie and Kenny must don hardhats and safety goggles. Safety first! It\u2019s the railroad\u2019s slogan and railroading is a serious business.

On their tour, Katie and Kenny see huge locomotives and powerful engines. The kittens are the size of ants next to the massive locomotives. They learn about the mechanical workings of an engine and even get to step inside one of the cabs, with all its buttons and levers. These are not their grandfather\u2019s steam engines; trains today run cleaner and faster than ever before.

Katie and Kenny also meet the workers at the yard. There is the Superintendent of Motive Power, who is in charge of all the engines. The Daytime Operator controls the yard, and they meet the cat in charge of the Intermodal Yard, where they take big containers and truck trailers off the trains. Throughout the tour, Katie and Kenny hear tips about how to keep safe around trains and railroads from each of these workers. Railroad tracks run throughout the country, with train containers hauling goods to many cities. It\u2019s okay to watch from a safe distance, but they should never play around trains or on the tracks. The kittens even learn about safety whenever they drive over railroad tracks. Cars should slow down and look both ways before crossing, and they should stop whenever they see the red flashing lights to signal an oncoming train. Safety first becomes the kittens\u2019 mantra as they visit all the parts of the railroad yard.

Katie and Kenny Tour the Railroad by Keith Niles Corman is an important informational book about trains and railroad safety. Through Katie and Kenny\u2019s kitten eyes, young readers take a comprehensive and instructional tour of the new and improved railroads, and how important they are to us all. Young children, girls and boys, will discover a new fascination for trains if they don\u2019t already have one, and some fun facts about the modern locomotive. The end of the book does a great job of summarizing what Katie and Kenny learned on the tour of the railroad yard. But the most important thing the story focuses on is safety, emphasizing the dangers of playing around trains and railroad tracks. Safety first! It should be everyone\u2019s mantra.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "05-Dec-2019 00:38:11", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "34 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008653003", "title": "Courting Mr. Lincoln: A Novel", "author": "Louis Bayard", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 198, "review": "Louis Bayard has presented a fictional account of the life of Mary Todd and her beau, Abraham Lincoln. The story is set in Springfield, Illinois in the mid-1800s. Mary Todd is traveling to her sister's to find herself a suitor. A spunky and bright lady, Mary knows her standards and is fine waiting until the right man comes along. Unfortunately, Mary is running out of time. Through acquaintances, she meets Abraham Lincoln at a party. The two find themselves running into each other regularly. With help from friends, the two find themselves in each other's arms, but not without their hardships and trials.

The story is presented between the alternating voices of Mary and Lincoln's best friend Joshua Speed. As in real life, both points of view are more helpful to an audience; the same can be said of this story. Knowing that the time in which the story takes place was much different from our present-day makes it both frustrating and enjoyable to read, depending on your personal beliefs. Courting Mr. Lincoln makes you feel as if you are with Mary Todd and Joshua Speed, simultaneously, and able to gather a better understanding of our nation's sixteenth president.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "30-Jan-2020 19:18:41", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008649003", "title": "Music: A Fold-out Graphic History", "author": "Nicholas O'Neill", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 103, "review": "Music is a big fold-out graphic history book about different types of music and where they came from. One section talks about how the first violin was made and other sections talk about rock bands. It looks like it\u2019s for kids, but probably only adults would find it interesting unless you\u2019re studying the history of music in high school or college. I really like that all of the text has a picture to explain it better. The book is made of good quality thick paper and feels very durable. It is the kind of book you will read a little at a time.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "29-Jan-2020 19:51:55", "publisher": "What on Earth Books", "page_count": "22 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008648003", "title": "Planet SOS: 22 Modern Monsters Threatening Our Environment (and What You Can Do to Defeat Them!)", "author": "Marie G. Rohde", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 197, "review": "Planet SOS is all about the various monsters that are causing the Earth harm, destroying our clean air, and harming the environments we live in. There are twenty-two environmental monsters that focus on different factors of harm, like the trash, global warming, plastic pollution, ocean oil spills, smog, and noise just to name a few. This book tells how each of these environmental problems are harming the earth and what we can do to help heal our planet Earth and make the world we live in a better place. The brightly colored illustrations help the youngest reader to understand how each of these factors are making an impact on the Earth and how they can make a difference. The illustrations portray each of the environmental factors in a way that I had never imagined, such as trash and how quickly and easily it can pile up. Not only will humans be impacted by the various types of damage we are doing to the planet with roads and other pollutants, but we are also impacting other ecosystems, including those that belong to endangered animals. Eco-heroes unite to make a difference for the Earth and all her living things!", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "29-Jan-2020 19:50:43", "publisher": "What on Earth Books", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008644007", "title": "Literally: Amazing Words and Where They Come From", "author": "Patrick Skipworth", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 118, "review": "Literally is about words and what they meant originally as well as what they have come to mean today. The idea of what a word means is more interesting than the book itself.

There are 12 words featured in the book, each with a lovely illustration. One word that was unexpected is \"ukulele,\" which we know as a Hawaiian instrument, but which meant \u201cjumping flea\u201d originally.

Readers may wish to read just a few pages at a time and probably won\u2019t read it over and over again because there\u2019s not really a story, just a different word on each page. Those interested in words may also enjoy the books Max\u2019s Words and The Alphabet Tree by different authors.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "29-Jan-2020 19:49:49", "publisher": "What on Earth Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008644003", "title": "Heart of Black Ice: Sister of Darkness: The Nicci Chronicles, Volume IV", "author": "Terry Goodkind", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 253, "review": "Heart of Black Ice is the recent volume in Terry Goodkind's Nicci Chronicles. It is a wonderful continuation and conclusion of the adventure, and it is also a perfectly self contained piece of high fantasy. It would serve as a wonderful starter book for those looking to enter the fantasy genre, and it can keep the attention of fantasy fans. Perhaps the most captivating feature is Goodkind's masterful abilities at world building. It is effortless for the reader to be transported in this richly created literary world.

Goodkind's book has some of the most creative and fully flushed out characters in modern fantasy. Nicci, Bannon, and Nathan battle bravely against an all-consuming dark menace, and it's impossible not to root for them. Our trio of main characters are all largely separated, which allows an extra layer of suspense for the reader.

The dialogue is both genuine and striking, never forced. The descriptive details in the general flow of the book all add to a profound sense of immersion for the reader. It is all so believable and often reads like an aged historical scroll of some distant global conflict.

Part of this book's charm is that its trio of heroes are as engrossing separately as they are united, and it makes their eventual reunion all the more rewarding. The Norukai, barbarian raiders, and slavers are the perfect manner of evil antagonist.



Goodkind is commanding with his writing, and this now complete series will continue to prove engrossing and enchanting for years to come.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "29-Jan-2020 19:21:23", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "528 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008643015", "title": "Natalie's Gold", "author": "D. W. Drake", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 77, "review": "A magnificently sweeping tale, Natalie\u2019s Gold is multigenerational, multinational, and multicultural. Innocence, persecution, tragedy, and triumph parade through a story that is obsessively gripping. Characters are not static, but evolve, their actions interacting in developments that are believable and sometimes heartbreaking.

The many faces of war and the many ways they scar all who encounter them are a rare exploration. Hatred as a cauldron for revenge is a theme, as is the surmounting of horror. Earnestly recommended.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jan-2020 22:30:54", "publisher": "Savanat Press", "page_count": "342 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008643011", "title": "Animal Tracks and Traces", "author": "Mary Holland", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 185, "review": "Youngsters love animals and books about animals. This book about animals will give little ones a fresh look at some of nature\u2019s interesting woodland denizens. First, youngsters will learn about nocturnal animals and why they are seldom seen. Next, they will learn about how to look for the tracks and traces nocturnal animals leave behind that youngsters would be able to find in the light of day. There is information about the kinds of footprints different animals leave that can help identify them. It goes on to discuss the other kinds of markings animals leave, such as marks left by moose pulling bark from trees, and the kinds of habitats they build for their families. All the well-written text is accompanied by beautiful, full-color photographs of the animals and close-up photos of the tracks and traces that the animals leave behind. Back matter includes several pages of excellent teaching materials with quizzes and further information about specific animals. This is a book little ones will want to read over and over, studying the beautiful photographs and learning more with each reading. This is a winner.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "29-Jan-2020 19:55:07", "publisher": "Arbordale Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008642007", "title": "The Night Country: A Hazel Wood Novel", "author": "Melissa Albert", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 325, "review": "The Night Country is the sequel to Melissa Albert's masterful debut, The Hazel Wood.\u00a0It is a richly detailed journey into a family's darkest legacy and the premise unfolds with startling grace. It has to be stated immediately just how wonderful Alice Proserpine is as a protagonist; she strikes a delicate balance between naive curiosity and muted sadness.

Alice carries with her many of her experiences from the first novel, which at times gives her a haunting and damaged quality.\u00a0Similarly, Ellery Finch is a wonderful character who carries with him a determined and charming positive masculinity, making him more compelling than his many \"Prince Charming\" counterparts.

A large part of this book also deals with a complicated manner in which the legacies of your family members can cast long shadows over your life. It concerns the realization that the uniformity of day-to-day life and the habitual tendencies of your family unit are sometimes just a thin veneer over something much darker.

There are shades of Poe throughout the story, while the closing chapters are reminiscent of the darkest elements of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Much darker than its predecessor, this book has still retained the first volume's finest qualities. In fact, it should be noted that Albert has managed to avoid all the pitfalls that have plagued authors for centuries as they move from installment to\u00a0installment, as the overall narrative becomes either watered down or a pale shadow of its past quality. The Night Country works so well as a book because it is its own book filled with its own merits and not just another in a series.

No episodic fatigue can be found in this dreamlike, strange, and lovely novel. In fact, there are moments where you are struck by how comforting and spooky the narrative is; it\u2019s like a long, gorgeous, and gloomy dream. A dream that you never want to end. It\u2019s a complex literary experience worth having.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "29-Jan-2020 19:22:23", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008641007", "title": "Learning to Quit: How to Stop Smoking and Live Free of Nicotine Addiction", "author": "Suzanne Harris, Paul Brunetta", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 419, "review": "Learning to Quit: How To Stop Smoking And Live Free Of Nicotine Addiction by Suzanne Harris, RN, NCTTP and Paul Brunetta, MD addresses the concerns, issues, and difficulties associated with the process of quitting smoking. Parts One and Two thoroughly cover in fifteen chapters a variety of topics and questions that typically arise for those looking to quit smoking. Through the words and experiences of the authors and other former smokers, readers will find a sense of community and a support system overflowing with those that know this dependence first hand. Throughout Part One, Harris and Brunetta provide a variety of first-hand accounts that showcase personal insights into the quitting process. The authors thoughtfully set the tone from the beginning, explaining that quitting \u201cis a very personal process. Some people want lots of medical information and explanations. Others get inspiration from true-life stories\u2026 Pick and choose which parts of this book are of use to you, trusting yourself to be drawn to what will be the most meaningful\u2026 This book is a tool, so use it like one.\u201d These experiences illustrate how various individuals have overcome certain obstacles and how to avoid foreseeable missteps. The personal narratives fall within several helpful categories such as \u201cWhat Moves You To Be a Nonsmoker,\u201d \u201cWhat Keeps You Smoking,\u201d and \u201cI\u2019m Already Sick, So What\u2019s The Difference If I Smoke?\u201d Part Two expands on the topics raised in Part One and incorporates the medical portion of the conversation to examine how nicotine impacts cancer and cardiovascular risks. Moreover, Part Two explores highly-advertised alternatives on the market such as nicotine patches and vaping tools, as well as less-familiar options like acupuncture and hypnosis. Harris and Brunetta put together an approachable handbook that supports readers regardless of where they are in the process. Readers can look through individual chapters that speak directly to their circumstances or read the whole thing cover to cover. The \u201cThree Key Points\u201d at the end of each chapter provide reflective topics to encourage journaling and refocusing again and again on your individual intentions throughout this process. However a reader chooses to engage with this book, each will find reassurance and comfort within the pages of/Learning to Quit. It\u2019s exceptional guidance and support throughout the entire process earns this book its rating. You\u2019ll be glad you picked up a copy and took the early steps to quitting smoking. It\u2019s never too early or too late to take a step in the right direction. Take control of your health and life today!", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "29-Jan-2020 00:20:02", "publisher": "Avasta", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008641003", "title": "Learning to Quit: How to Stop Smoking and Live Free of Nicotine Addiction", "author": "Suzanne Harris, Paul Brunetta", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 419, "review": "Learning to Quit: How To Stop Smoking And Live Free Of Nicotine Addiction by Suzanne Harris, RN, NCTTP and Paul Brunetta, MD addresses the concerns, issues, and difficulties associated with the process of quitting smoking. Parts One and Two thoroughly cover in fifteen chapters a variety of topics and questions that typically arise for those looking to quit smoking. Through the words and experiences of the authors and other former smokers, readers will find a sense of community and a support system overflowing with those that know this dependence first hand. Throughout Part One, Harris and Brunetta provide a variety of first-hand accounts that showcase personal insights into the quitting process. The authors thoughtfully set the tone from the beginning, explaining that quitting \u201cis a very personal process. Some people want lots of medical information and explanations. Others get inspiration from true-life stories\u2026 Pick and choose which parts of this book are of use to you, trusting yourself to be drawn to what will be the most meaningful\u2026 This book is a tool, so use it like one.\u201d These experiences illustrate how various individuals have overcome certain obstacles and how to avoid foreseeable missteps. The personal narratives fall within several helpful categories such as \u201cWhat Moves You To Be a Nonsmoker,\u201d \u201cWhat Keeps You Smoking,\u201d and \u201cI\u2019m Already Sick, So What\u2019s The Difference If I Smoke?\u201d Part Two expands on the topics raised in Part One and incorporates the medical portion of the conversation to examine how nicotine impacts cancer and cardiovascular risks. Moreover, Part Two explores highly-advertised alternatives on the market such as nicotine patches and vaping tools, as well as less-familiar options like acupuncture and hypnosis. Harris and Brunetta put together an approachable handbook that supports readers regardless of where they are in the process. Readers can look through individual chapters that speak directly to their circumstances or read the whole thing cover to cover. The \u201cThree Key Points\u201d at the end of each chapter provide reflective topics to encourage journaling and refocusing again and again on your individual intentions throughout this process. However a reader chooses to engage with this book, each will find reassurance and comfort within the pages of/Learning to Quit. It\u2019s exceptional guidance and support throughout the entire process earns this book its rating. You\u2019ll be glad you picked up a copy and took the early steps to quitting smoking. It\u2019s never too early or too late to take a step in the right direction. Take control of your health and life today!", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2020", "date_added": "29-Jan-2020 00:14:41", "publisher": "Avasta", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008639007", "title": "The Passover Mouse", "author": "Joy Nelkin Wieder", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 226, "review": "Everyone in the quaint Jewish village is fastidiously preparing for Passover. Villagers are feverishly cleaning their homes, removing every remnant of leavened bread from sight. A small, unseemly creature threatens to ruin everyone\u2019s preparations and celebration when it steals a piece of chometz from the widow\u2019s pile of discarded crumbs. As the mischievous mouse scurries from house to house, the townsfolk wonder if the rabbi will require them to re-search their houses. If so, how will they ever be ready for the long-awaited Seder? They soon discover that by banding together as a community of helpers they can accomplish more in a day\u2019s time than ever imagined.

This unique tale has its origins in the Talmud, a collection of Jewish laws. The Passover Mouse shows how amongst giving, generous spirits, togetherness and cooperation can override deep fear and frustration. It also illustrates the significance of this sacred holiday to the Jewish people. For those who are less than familiar with Jewish customs and terminology, the author includes a glossary of terms in the back of the book after concluding her story with an unpredictable and fun twist. This enlightening picture book will be a welcome literature addition for educators of young children wishing to cover holiday celebrations with richness and diversity. It may serve as a special family heirloom for those of the Jewish faith as well.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Jan-2020 23:35:56", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Kids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008639003", "title": "A Story About Afiya", "author": "James Berry", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 115, "review": "A Story About Afiya is about a little girl who wears a white frock everyday. At nighttime, she washes it so that it is all clean and new for the next day. It is not just an ordinary outfit, as the readers will soon see.

Even though it doesn\u2019t have many words, this book has a very creative story and captures your imagination. It is good for children who are just learning how to read. The artist did a really clever job of illustrating it. The pictures show exactly what it happening and even more than the words say in some cases.

A Story About Afiya is different from any other books I have read.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Jan-2020 23:31:41", "publisher": "Lantana Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008638019", "title": "Colors de la Runway", "author": "Clarence Ruth", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 200, "review": "For people who like fashion and colors, Colors de la Runway will be a good book for you. The cover looks like it's camouflaged, but it's actually a mixture of a bunch of colors in different shapes. Inside the book, each page shows a different color in both English and French. My mom said it's in French because that's where the clothes in the book were shown in their fashion shows. For each color, the thing shown will be a jacket, a shoe, a dress, sunglasses, or even makeup on the models. There aren't just solid colors, either; there are patterns also, like polka dots and stripes.

Some of the clothes shown in the book look kind of strange to me, but I like all of the colors of the clothes and accessories. I am old enough that I already know all of my colors, but this book will be good for kids of any age because if you already know your colors, then you can learn how to spell them. If you are old enough to spell them, then you can learn them in another language. If you like fashion and colors, then this book is worth having with you.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Jan-2020 23:53:41", "publisher": "Schiffer", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008638015", "title": "I'll Believe You When . . .: Unbelievable Idioms from Around the World", "author": "Susan Schubert", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 5", "word_count": 97, "review": "I\u2019ll Believe You When is a very weird and silly book. If you\u2019ve never heard of idioms you should read this book because it is full of them. After you read it you will have fun making up more silly sentences. The pictures go well with the words. One page says \u201cI\u2019ll believe you when a crow flies upside down,\u201d which is a saying they have in India, and the picture is hilarious. My sister and I like to be silly coming up with more things like I'll believe you when. Five-year-olds will like the book best.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "28-Jan-2020 23:34:47", "publisher": "Lantana Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008638011", "title": "Taking Time", "author": "Jo Loring-Fisher", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 225, "review": "Taking Time, which is written and illustrated by Jo Loring-Fisher, is a picture book featuring children from all across the globe taking the time to notice the beauty, mystery, and wonder of this great Earth. While one young child from India listens closely to the song of a nearby bird, another gathers the fallen petals of a Japanese cherry blossom. Still another watches with reverence as a spider builds her home in Nepal, and a little girl in Norway contemplates the enormity of the magnificent night sky. Others share their own glorious wonders from Egypt, Tanzania, China, and more. Each one taking the time to notice the majesty around them.

This is a gorgeously written and illustrated book. It\u2019s written in poetic form and captures the amazing beauty that we can find in our world if we just take the time to observe it. The author creatively weaves authentic keepsakes across the pages of this culturally rich masterpiece. Children can search for them throughout and match them to the corresponding countries on the map enclosed.

While the reading level of Taking Time is approximately second grade, this beautiful picture book is likely to appeal to little ones as young as five and as old as nine or ten. Elementary school teachers and librarians will find this text a wonderful addition to their classrooms and libraries.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "23-Jun-2020", "date_added": "28-Jan-2020 23:33:58", "publisher": "Lantana Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008638007", "title": "Boundless Sky", "author": "Amanda Addison", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 5", "word_count": 86, "review": "I liked the whole book Boundless Sky. It\u2019s really nice. It\u2019s about a bird who is nice and flies really far. It\u2019s fun to think about all the places birds can see, like the desert, the ocean, and the jungle. The pictures are really beautiful and you will enjoy looking at them even without hearing the story. Five-year-olds will really like this book. No one else, except maybe six-year-olds, should like it too. It might make you wonder what it is like to be a bird.", "issue": "Rejected", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "28-Jan-2020 23:32:50", "publisher": "Lantana Publishing", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008637007", "title": "TREASURE FEVER: The Hunt for El Dorado", "author": "James McPike", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 216, "review": "Action, suspense, and espionage are just a few of the thrilling themes covered in James B. McPike's Treasure Fever: The Hunt for El Dorado. Not unfamiliar with the action scene, McPike has delivered another excellent thriller, which this time is based on the infamous legend of the lost city of El Dorado.

The story begins with some backstory taking place in Peru in the year 1533 AD. Shortly after, we fast forward to the present day and learn about American spy Max Finley. The typically rugged and conniving spy is sent on a mission overseas to capture illustrious archeologist and old flame, Lexa, who is sought after due to the theft of a rare 16th century manuscript. With a Friar as her partner, she believes she has the clues necessary to find the mythical city of El Dorado. When Max catches up with Lexa, it will be imperative that she convinces him that her work is necessary for the betterment of not only themselves but also of the world.

Throughout the story, there is non-stop action and adventure, which makes the pages fly by. I appreciate the many references made to appetizingly foreign food. McPike's writing places the reader at the center of the action so they can experience the adventure with all of their senses.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "28-Jan-2020 18:46:46", "publisher": "Rogue Phoenix Press", "page_count": "146 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008636007", "title": "Lulu the One and Only", "author": "Lynnette Mawhinney, with illustrations by Jennie Poh", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 175, "review": "There's a girl named Lulu. She's mixed and looks different from her parents. People keep asking her what she is, and she hates that question. She has a brother, Zane, and he has a special phrase to tell people when they ask him that question. Zane helps Lulu by telling her it's more important about who you are, not what you are. Lulu tries to think of her own phrase. Will Lulu be able to think of a phrase to tell people about who she is? I don't like how people tease Lulu and Zane because they don't look like their parents. I like how the story shows kids can think of a phrase if they get asked that question. It's funny how Lulu solves her problem with Zane's help. I like how the story shows the kids like who they are even though they get teased. I'm glad Lulu makes a new friend at the end. I recommend the book to kids in mixed families because they might understand what Lulu is going through.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "28-Jan-2020 23:26:14", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008630007", "title": "Forever", "author": "Geoffrey M Cooper", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 70, "review": "Espionage, perilous international affairs, and cynicism can all be found in the thrilling novel, Forever. Medical researcher Brad Parker is assigned to work with the FBI to prevent a Chinese scientific takeover that could permanently alter our lives through the microscopic cells that live within us. With the brains and experience to back it up, Cooper has delivered another riveting novel to keep you on the edge of your seat!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 23:58:13", "publisher": "Maine Authors Publishing", "page_count": "220 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008627067", "title": "The Big Book of Superpowers", "author": "Susanna Isern", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 207, "review": "The Big Book of Super Powers is what it says it is: a big book full of superpowers. The book is big in size and length. On the cover, there are three kids; one kid is playing the violin, another is thinking of space, and the other is holding a book. Each of these kids is showing a superpower that is talked about in the book. The kid holding the book has the power of storytelling, reading, and/or memory. The kid with the violin has the superpower of music. The kid dreaming of outer space has the superpower of math. There are eighteen different superpowers talked about in this book; each one is a good thing that someone may do, and we probably don't think of it being a superpower. If we do something that helps ourself or others, it can be considered a superpower, because each of us is in our own way a superhero. The world can be scary with mean people and scary things happening, so when we think of ourselves as superheroes, we can help ourselves and others get through scary times. I liked looking through the pictures in this book because they are pretty watercolors and are calming and fun to see.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 21:04:01", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008627059", "title": "Aging with Agency: Building Resilience, Confronting Challenges, and Navigating Eldercare", "author": "Sandi Peters", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 164, "review": "This reader has a bit of advice for those writing books on aging. It is advisable to check the size of the type for readability. In this small volume, the type is much too small to be readable for anyone past sixty-five. The information given is a compendium of psychological theories about aging. The book has neither page numbers nor indices. The back of the book does feature resources for seniors and a bibliography for further reading. The subtitle of this book is Building Resilience, Confronting Challenges, and Navigating Eldercare, although these topics are secondary to a review of mostly Jungian thinking. Inexplicably, the back of the book features instructions for a ritual collage. This is the only suggestion of this type found in the book. Much of the book, like this ritual, seems tacked together without unifying principles. Aging is a hot topic these days, although the book is as much about personality development and individualization. The topic deserves a more cohesive approach.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 20:41:54", "publisher": "North Atlantic Books", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008627051", "title": "The Highly Sensitive Parent: Be Brilliant in Your Role, Even When the World Overwhelms You", "author": "Elaine N. Aron Ph.D.", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 232, "review": "I first read Elaine Aron\u2019s The Highly Sensitive Person when I was about fourteen. I recognized after reading a few chapters that I was a highly sensitive person, but it took me years to accept that about myself. So when I saw that Aron had written a book called The Highly Sensitive Parent, I immediately wanted to read it. Especially since the pandemic was creating a new level of stress, and my emotional and mental margin for my family was rapidly decreasing.

Aron has a very matter-of-fact writing style that cuts through all the muck that parents, especially sensitive mothers, often feel about addressing their own needs. Basically her philosophy is this: \u201cYou are going to feel everything more, so you have to take care of yourself more. Otherwise you will suffer.\u201d I found the last two chapters that focus on sensitive parents and their partners especially helpful. Aron gives practical recommendations for better listening and working through conflict with your partner, why HSP and non-HSPs have some value differences in parenting, and how to work through those.

I also appreciated that her book was short. At 245 pages, it was very manageable and easy to read. It\u2019s fairly jargon-free, and if jargon is used, it\u2019s explained well. Ultimately, this book helped me give myself permission to do what I needed to do, and my whole family feels better in the process.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 20:24:48", "publisher": "Kensington Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008627043", "title": "The Mother Code", "author": "Carole Stivers", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahhtega - Age 16", "word_count": 209, "review": "This book uses action, adventure, and science fiction to explore the meaning of motherhood and humanity itself. This book takes place on an earth decades in the future. There are advances in every sort of technology. Some of these advances, however, are very dangerous. \nThe book is about a disease that ravages the world, infecting almost everyone, leading to lots of death. To make sure humans don\u2019t go extinct, babies are genetically engineered to survive the disease. To raise these children, robots called \u201cMothers\u201d are made. Later on, however, the mothers begin to act strangely. The government wants to destroy them, but the children work to protect their mothers.

The plot was very interesting. This is because Stiver regularly switched between characters\u2019 perspectives. In addition to this, the language flowed well and was easy to follow. I think there are multiple messages in this book. One of them is the importance of family. Stiver made this point very effectively. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I think others will, too. I think this book is best for older readers because it incorporates advanced scientific concepts. All in all, this was a fun book to read. If you enjoy Science Fiction, adventure, and suspense, this book is definitely for you.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:24:42", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008627039", "title": "Kent State", "author": "Deborah Wiles", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 171, "review": "The war on intellectualism and dissent in this country needs no more demonstrable proof than the killing of four unarmed students at Kent State University in 1970. Two of the murdered students were merely walking to class that day when the National Guard opened fire on assembled students. There had been incidents in the nearby town in the week preceding the governor\u2019s overreaction in calling for riot police.

This book is astonishing in that it records the voices of witnesses to the events of that day. Students, demonstrators, townspeople, and bystanders narrate the events that transpired. Because of the horror of those events, the voices are compelling. It is a complete narrative, giving this reader a more thorough understanding of what happened on that Spring day. The country became fearful of the passionate protests against the Vietnam War. \u201cOutside agitators and communists\u201d were thought to infiltrate peaceful protests in order to incite mayhem. This book shows what irrational fear can lead to in this country. This is a valuable book to read.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:20:05", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "132 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008627027", "title": "Confundo et Transfiguro", "author": "Myn Aunsoo", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 562, "review": "Confundo et Transfiguro is a very unusual book. The blurb refers to two young vampires, Volod and Aurel, who decide to turn their backs on their bloodthirsty, amoral kin and seek a new way of life, or perhaps undeath. This suggests that the story will follow a paranormal romance and journey of self-discovery direction; however, there\u2019s an awful lot more going on in the book than that.

The book begins with an introduction to the Theogony of Amma, the Many Breasted Goddess, as told to the Prophetess Jane Doe following a shooting incident at a Buddhist retreat. This introduction describes the creation of the universe and everything in it, including the Moroli, better known as vampires, and humans. The humans, generally hairless and weak as they are, were favored by Amma, but they fell from grace due to the machinations of Hybris during a decidedly R-rated reimagining of the fall of man. Meanwhile, as a result of numerous shenanigans involveing gods, demigods, and even Amma herself, the Moroli eventually began to prosper under the leadership of Gilgaham.

A lot of thought has gone into the world building and backstory to Confundo et Transfiguro. Using alternative versions of Bible stories and mythology from various cultures of the ancient world, a vivid and interesting history is established. The information here is set out in \u201cTestaments\u201d that have been unearthed in different ways, and their discovery forms something of a story within a story. The series of episodes that explain the mythology of the Confundo et Transfiguro world are related in a traditional way, although the events depicted and the language used are colloquial and contemporary. While certainly not outright mocked, established religious norms and ideas are not really treated with reverence, which is something that prospective readers should probably bear in mind.

During the grand tour through time, Volod and Aurel eventually appear among the Moroli, possibly as new versions of Gilgaham and Tasm, possibly as entirely new characters \u2013 this section of the mythology is not particularly clear. They are young compared to the rest of the immortals, and they still have to perform the series of quests and rituals that will mark their full commitment to the Moroli way of life. Before doing so, however, they realize that they want something more and so embark on a journey to become more human.

Volod and Aurel\u2019s search for enlightenment takes them to many strange places, and they encounter many strange folk along the way, including a plucky American girl named Britney, who is pretty into the whole vampire thing. In many ways, Confundo et Transfiguro is a story about stories as the two vampire lads hear many tales on their travels, each of which has some bearing on their desire for humanity. It\u2019s all very peculiar, and the meanings behind events are often highly opaque, but taken together the story is so unusual that it is quite compelling. It\u2019s never really clear where everything is going and how the various threads will come together, which prompts the reader to continue with the story. This book isn't for everyone. The explicit sexual content makes it definitely unsuitable for under readers younger than eighteen years old. But for readers who are looking for something different from the regular paranormal romance and are willing to venture deep into the peculiar, it might just be a winner.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 21:57:58", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008627023", "title": "A Hero Comes Home: A Bell Sound Novel", "author": "Sandra Hill", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 414, "review": "After three years of being a widow, Sally Dawson might finally be ready to move on. Losing her husband was hard, but both of them knew the risks when he went out for another tour of duty in the Middle East. (And the fact that they both knew is part of the reason why she was so angry with him the last time they saw each other.) Still, things are going all right for her. She\u2019s got her own bakery, she\u2019s able to look after her three sons on her own, and she might just have a new boyfriend in a treasure-hunting former SEAL. There\u2019s just one snag: her husband is still alive.

Even after three months in a hospital in Germany, no one is entirely certain Jake Dawson is ready to come home, not even Jake himself. Still, home he comes, where he finds a wife who\u2019s moved on with her life and sons who have been growing up without him. Sally finds her husband has changed as well, and not just because he was badly injured. He\u2019s been suffering from PTSD, which is only made worse by the fact that he isn\u2019t allowed to tell anyone that he wasn\u2019t really MIA for three years but was held prisoner and tortured. He wants nothing more than to leave and let his family carry on without him, as he\u2019s sure they can.

The people of Bell Cove, however, have other ideas, and they aren\u2019t letting either of the two escape without a chance to fall in love all over again.

Sandra Hill has a tricky line to tread in A Hero Comes Home due to placing a wounded veteran in a small town wacky enough to set up a pirate-themed Labor Day celebration. There\u2019s always the danger the book will grow too serious or won\u2019t take the issues it presents seriously enough. For the most part, she does wonderfully, balancing sensitive topics with light-hearted antics in a way that feels real and doesn\u2019t clash. My one complaint wasn\u2019t with the few times the tone didn\u2019t work but with how heavy-handed the exposition could be at times. Aside from that, I was won over completely by the quirky personalities in town.

Even though this is the first novel I\u2019ve read in the Bell Sound series, I found myself feeling right at home. I\u2019ll definitely have to pick up the other two this summer to see just what else the people find themselves getting up to.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 20:33:48", "publisher": "Avon", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008627015", "title": "Harvest the Vote: How Democrats Can Win Again in Rural America", "author": "Jane Kleeb", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 218, "review": "There is no disguising the fact that for a Democrat to win against Trump, or really against any other Republican candidate, they will need to win back a number of white rural voters who used to vote for the Democratic party but did not do so in 2016. This issue has been the topic of many books by Democratic party members when looking at the election and what went wrong and what can be done about it.

Jane Kleeb now joins this growing list with her latest book. She is the Chairman of the Nebraska Democratic party and so is somewhat perfectly placed to explain how to win voters back in the Midwest, something that will need to happen in 2020. However, her techniques and suggestions for how to do things, from the ground up and really listening to the rural voter, might not work everywhere. Midwestern farmers were early backers of the Populist movement during the early 20th century, but they now feel betrayed by all sides due to ongoing trade tensions with other countries and feeling like the only way to survive is to go big.

Kleeb is trying to make a name for herself on the national stage with this book and to show that one can be a Democrat and live in the Midwest.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 20:07:47", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008627011", "title": "The Runaway Princess", "author": "Johan Tro\u00efanowski", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lena - Age 11", "word_count": 193, "review": "The Runaway Princess is a long comic book. The princess Robin is always running away into adventures. It\u2019s a fun and easy-to-read book, and probably best for elementary-age kids (like my little brother, who is in second grade). There are cute instructions for the reader to do things like turn the book upside down and shake it so the princess can escape from a wolf in the forest\u2014when you shake the book, all the trees fall down and the wolf gets dizzy! There are three stories or chapters in the book, and each one starts with a map. In the first chapter, the princess finds four boys who were abandoned by their poor parents. They all become friends, and they are given magic seeds by the ogre who lives in the forest. The princess helps the boys find their way home, and the boys plant the magic seeds and grow food for their family. The boys help her in the next adventures when she meets the Autumn Witch and takes a trip in a flying boat. At the end of the book is a blank map for you to draw your own adventure!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 19:58:47", "publisher": "Random House Children's", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008627007", "title": "The House of Madame M", "author": "Clotilde Perrin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 205, "review": "The House of Madame M is spooky and like something you would read at Halloween time. The story starts with you at the house of Madame M, and a bird-like creature lets you in the house. On all of the pages are flaps and things to pull up, down, and across. Each of the flaps shows something spooky about the house or the \"things\" inside the house. I didn't understand what all of the pictures meant or were, but I got them explained to me. Each page shows a different room of Madame M's house; you start at the front door of her home and then go into her kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. In each room, you learn a little more about Madame M and how you're glad she isn't home right now.

My four-year-old brother loves this book because of the flaps and things to pull on. I like these things too, but I think I understand the story a little better than he does and how it's scary, but not too bad. Younger kids won't be scared either since they'll probably just like the flaps and not understand the story. The pictures are dark and spooky, and it reminds me a lot of Halloween!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 19:45:52", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "10 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008627003", "title": "Go Get 'Em, Tiger!", "author": "Hello!Lucky", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Karter - Age 8", "word_count": 134, "review": "A book about encouragement.

A tiger gets encouraged to go out and be cool and awesome. I really enjoyed the part that says that you're going to make mistakes and things will go wrong and, when they do, you\u2019ll carry on. Seeing the tiger in many different situations and being encouraged out of each of them was very relatable because I can remember some of those things when I am in a situation. The book also has some really cool pictures. I liked the color choices, and the drawings were awesome and tied the store together. They did a really good job with this book, and I will be reading it more and more. I think that parents should read this book to their kids because both parents and kids could use this for encouragement.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 19:41:34", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008625035", "title": "Eunice and Kate", "author": "Mariana Llanos", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahminneh - Age 14", "word_count": 230, "review": "Eunice and Kate is a simple, educational story about two young girls whose friendship is put to the test. It starts with an introduction to Eunice and Kate. We learn about them and how close and deep their friendship is. But when they are told in class to draw a portrait of each other, they stop and think. Then they both proceed to draw the other in their preferred style. When they show their portraits they both say, \u201cThat\u2019s not me,\u201d and they walk home separately for the first time. When they each reach home, their mothers say that they know you well. The mothers saw \u201cthe laughter she drew\u201d on her face and \u201cthe lovely color she used\u201d for her heart. Both mothers were able to see the good, almost unseen qualities that each had drawn for each other, not the overcoming \u201cconflict\u201d of their preferences. As a result of their mother's wisdom, Eunice and Kate were able to effectively express their appreciation for each other and their friendship. This is why I recommend this book to young kids. They may not understand yet that some people see them differently and that they need to accept everyone for who they are. This book does this in the simplest way I\u2019ve ever seen. To conclude, this is a great, educational story for younger kids that teaches them vital life lessons.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 20:30:38", "publisher": "Penny Candy Books", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008625027", "title": "Primer", "author": "Thomas Krajewski and Jennifer Muro, with illustrations by Gretel Lusky", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 214, "review": "Primer tells the story of a girl named Ashley in Washington, DC. Her father is a criminal in jail who taught her how to crack safes. Ashley meets new foster parents and goes to live with them. Her foster dad is an artist, and her foster mom is a geneticist. Ashley is about to turn thirteen. Her foster parents promise her a birthday surprise, so Ashley looks for her birthday present. She opens their safe and finds a boring briefcase full of paints. She sprays an air mister in her face, and then she opens the tubes of paint. She thinks they are body paints, so she rubs them on her arms. Her friend Luke asks why she\u2019s floating. The paints are super-powers! Each paint has a different power, like super strength, super stretch, fire, and ice. If the paints get into the wrong hands, they might be very dangerous. A soldier who knows about the super-power paints finds out who Ashley is and wants to get the paints back so he can take over the world. Ashley needs to trust her new foster parents, but her birth father wants her too. This is an exciting comic book about a girl superhero trying to get through middle school and fit into her new family!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:30:24", "publisher": "DC Comics", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008625011", "title": "Echoes Between Us", "author": "Katie McGarry", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 239, "review": "Veronica has a relatively close-kept secret: she has a brain tumor, and while it\u2019s always been small and benign, the recent worsening of her migraines makes her wonder if things might be changing. After all, her mother had a tumor too, and it killed her. Worse, Veronica is now seeing the ghost of her mom. She believes she\u2019s accepted her fate, and now her focus is on proving ghosts are real. Meanwhile, her new downstairs tenant is popular boy Sawyer, whose cheerful, easygoing exterior hides an addiction to adrenaline and some dark family secrets. In the course of working on a school project together, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another. Can they help one another fight off the dark shadows of their lives? Or will their secrets drive them further into the darkness?

Katie McGarry has written an amazing young adult novel here, a story with such depth and feeling that teens, young adults, and even older readers will fall in and be unable to emerge until the end. Veronica\u2019s worsening tumor is a deadly secret, and her determination to push others away and keep her pain to herself is an idea that many will identify with. Meanwhile, Sawyer\u2019s addiction\u2014and his struggles as the son of someone else with an unacknowledged addiction\u2014will resonate with far too many readers. Echoes Between Us is beautifully written, the story is complex, and the characters are far too realistic. An outstanding read.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "23-Jun-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 19:57:38", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008625007", "title": "Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots", "author": "Michael Rex", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 142, "review": "Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots, written and illustrated by Michael Rex, is a good book. It\u2019s about facts and opinions and how they are not the same thing. Facts you can argue about but not opinions because you can change opinions but you can\u2019t change facts. The book helps you figure out facts and opinions and how they are different in many different ways. The robots don\u2019t understand facts versus opinions either, so it\u2019s fun to learn with them. The robots really help you understand facts versus opinions. It\u2019s a nice, nice book. The yellow robot made me happy; it was my favorite. I really like the pictures in the book; they are very silly and helpful. I think this book is great for someone who needs to understand facts and opinions better. It\u2019s a good book, but that\u2019s just my opinion!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 19:44:39", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Kids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008625003", "title": "Hattie", "author": "Frida Nilsson, illustrated by Stina Wirsen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zara M", "word_count": 174, "review": "A story about a curious six-year-old Swedish girl and her life in kindergarten.

The book explores Hattie\u2019s year, from the first day to her last day in kindergarten. She makes new friends and gets into trouble. Hattie often jumps to conclusions and likes to hide and run away from her parents. Although she is troublesome, she often realizes when she does something wrong, and she feels bad about it.

The story was well written and gives you a good visual of the setting and characters. Some parts skip to a totally different topic, so they didn\u2019t make much sense and were confusing to me. But some chapters had lots of suspense which were intriguing and interesting.

Hattie seems relatable to younger kids. She is troublesome but also fun and loves playing with her friends. The illustrations were well done and match the story, but maybe there could have been more.

I would recommend the book Hattie for younger kids and an easy reading level. It has fun stories they would enjoy.

Overall, a good story but confusing at times.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 19:37:56", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008624067", "title": "Things You Would Know if You Grew Up Around Here", "author": "Nancy Wayson Dinan", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 242, "review": "Set in Texas in 2015 during record flooding that mimicked, for some, the stories of biblical times, Things You Would Know If You Grew Up Around Here is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking.

Boyd Montgomery, an eighteen-year-old empath, feels the pain of others so deeply that she can track her best friend Isaac when he is stranded during the floods. As she searches for Isaac, other parallel searches occur. Her mother and father, divorced, find their way back together to look for her; their neighbor, Carla, discovers a haven in women running an off-grid commune that has returned to simpler ways of living off the land, and Isaac\u2019s schoolteacher father, Mr. King, has fallen into a mine shaft in search of a treasure no one is sure exists. These searches, rendered in startling detail and interspersed with moments of supernatural occurrences\u2014scarecrows that walk, ghosts of people lost centuries before\u2014converge in the rush and terror of a rising river during storm season that threatens to destroy all in its path.

Perhaps the most remarkable element of the novel, though, is the intercalary chapters that feature one character\u2019s explanations for how life works in this part of the country. Much like similar chapters in The Grapes of Wrath, these chapters give context and definition to a world gone mad. This is easily one of the best books I\u2019ve read in the last five years. It has stayed with me long after I finished reading it.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:36:58", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008624063", "title": "My Video Game Ate My Homework", "author": "Dustin Hansen", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 202, "review": "I would hate to have to say that My Video Game Ate My Homework! But while I wouldn't want that to happen to me, it was fun to read about it happening to the four characters in the book. I like that the book is like a comic book, as it makes the story go quickly and makes it easy to follow.

The story starts with the main character, Dewey, needing to make sure his science fair project is special because if he doesn't, then he'll end up in summer school. Dewey's friend Ferg accidentally breaks the prize for the winner of the science fair and comes to Dewey to help fix it. Dewey fixes it, but then Dewey, Ferg, Dewey's sister, and another friend end up competing inside the prize: the newest AI video game. The gang must work together and beat bosses and learn about themselves.

This is a cool book with a neat storyline that had me hooked. The drawings are bright and clear. The storyline is exciting and something that I know kids my age will want to read about since they, like me, like playing video games at home. Kids of all ages will like this story!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:31:48", "publisher": "DC Comics", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008624059", "title": "A Happy Catastrophe: A Novel", "author": "Maddie Dawson", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 198, "review": "In this sequel to Matchmaking for Beginners, readers pick up with Marnie and Patrick, who are still living in Blix\u2019s brownstone in Brooklyn. Marnie is still matchmaking, and she drops the bombshell on Patrick that she \u201cneeds\u201d to have a baby with him as soon as possible. He believes he\u2019s grown and changed as much as he ever can and he\u2019s certain fatherhood is not for him. However, Marnie and the universe have drastically different plans.

Maddie Dawson is an extremely gifted writer. She\u2019s a genius at nailing quirks and details to really make a story come to life. Despite the excellent writing, this story lacked the charm and wonder that made the first book so appealing and unforgettable. This story is steeped in darkness. While Marnie is concentrating on love sparkles, babies, and frippery in her Frippery, Patrick journeys into a depressive mental vortex. Marnie sort of notices, but chooses to ignore it, preferring to let Patrick come back to reality on his own. She\u2019s painted as the victim of his bad mood. Because of the way they handled this seriously dark time in their relationship, the ending fell flat. Beautiful writing, but the storyline left me unsatisfied.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:28:53", "publisher": "Lake Union Publishing", "page_count": "380 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008624055", "title": "Baloney and Friends (Baloney & Friends)", "author": "Greg Pizzoli", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Andrew - Age 11", "word_count": 157, "review": "Baloney and Friends is the first graphic novel in the series of the same name. Written and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli, this 85-page book is extremely funny from start to finish.

The book introduces a pig named Baloney, his friend Peanut, who is a horse, a bumblebee named Bizz, and Krabbit, a purple rabbit. This volume includes three stories and some mini-comics as well. At the end of the book, Mr. Pizzoli teaches you step by step how to draw his characters.

My favorite story is The Magic Trick. Baloney decides to host a magic show and his friends are unconvinced of his tricks. Though the mini-comics are only one-page spreads, they are the funniest parts of this book.

I highly recommend this book for anyone. New readers will love this book because of the limited words on each page and the fact that there are plenty of pictures. Parents should buy this book for their kids!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:17:10", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008624051", "title": "The Wizenard Series: Season One", "author": "Wesley King", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahtega - Age 16", "word_count": 242, "review": "Bryant and King spin an enthralling tale of the journey of a basketball player as he grows from the player who looks to greatness to the embodiment of greatness. The Wizenard Series: Season One is the second book in The Wizenard series. The book follows Reggie and his basketball team, the West Bottom Badgers as they strive to become a better team and possibly major contenders. Throughout the story, Reggie\u2019s struggles, and successes are used to drive the plot of the story. This book follows a similar structure as other sportsbooks. What makes this book unique how Bryant and King incorporate an element of magic into the story. The book focuses mainly on Reggie, the principal character. Reggie is the most developed character and is crafted in a way that makes him interesting, relatable, and engaging. Bryant and King use descriptive language very. Their choice of words, and the structure of their sentences, makes it easy to visualize the scenes. The message that Byrant and King are trying to portray the importance of hard work and patience. In the book, Reggie needed determination and patience in order to achieve his goals. What was also stressed was staying calm, collected, and maintaining confidence in the work that was put in. Anyone can, and everyone should, read this book. Athletes and sports fans, particularly basketball players and fans, will appreciate this book. This book was a great read and left me itching for more.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:15:52", "publisher": "Granity Studios", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008624047", "title": "Superman Smashes the Klan", "author": "Gene Luen Yang", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 189, "review": "For fans of Superman and his adventures, Superman Smashes the Klan is sure to be a story you'll enjoy. The story, set in sequential art format (a.k.a. comic book), introduces the reader to Superman in 1940s Metropolis and also takes the reader back to the 1920s when Clark Kent was growing up and navigating his life. The main storyline follows a Chinese family, the Lees, as they move from Chinatown to Metropolis because of Dr. Lee's new job at the Metropolis Health Department. The entire family, Dr. and Mrs. Lee and their two children Tommy and Roberta, are struggling with the move\u2014each family member for their reasons. Along with their unease are other citizens of Metropolis, namely the Klan of the Fiery Kross. This group is similar to our Ku Klux Klan, with their motto of unity among \"one hundred percent Americans.\" Themes of bigotry, self-discovery, and self-acceptance are all present in this coming-of-age story involving a beloved and highly-thought-of superhero. This story shows how even people with superhuman powers deal with the same baggage and concerns as everyone else. Overall, a fun and quick read with colorful illustrations.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:12:05", "publisher": "DC Comics", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008624039", "title": "The Bright Side of Going Dark", "author": "Kelly Harms", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 178, "review": "Mia is a big-time social media influencer. Going from a small-time yoga instructor to having over a million followers, Mia has made quite a name for herself. Her next adventure will be live-streaming her wedding for all her followers to enjoy. But two days before the big day, her fianc\u00e9 sends her a text to call off the wedding. With big corporate sponsorships riding on this event, what's a girl to do?

Meanwhile, Paige works for a social media company and reviews flagged content. She misses a flag, from her own sister, that completely changes the trajectory of her life, as well as Mia's life too.

This book gives the impression of being a lighthearted summer read, but it is decidedly not that in all the best ways. This book has heart, substance, and a dark side. It provides plenty of food for thought about grief, anxiety, and the reality of social media in our lives. This would make a powerful book discussion title. This is both an entertaining, fast-paced read, and an insightful work that delivers an emotional punch.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 18:54:56", "publisher": "Lake Union Publishing", "page_count": "348 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008624035", "title": "The Midnight Hour", "author": "Benjamin Read and Laura Trinder", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lana - Age 10", "word_count": 225, "review": "In The Midnight Hour by Benjamin Read and Laura Trinder, we find a thrilling story that jogs imaginations and weaves a wonderfully adventurous tale that leads Emily to the Midnight Hour. Emily and her companion Hog, a \"hedgepig,\" and her friend Tarkus have to keep the Noctorne from destroying the Great Working and stealing all its magic for herself while attempting to save her parents and figure out her life.

Emily stumbles into the Midnight Hour misinformed and afraid while looking for her missing parents, she finds the people of the Night Post strange and (some of them) difficult. After escaping the Night Post she runs into a young police officer who tries to arrest her until she tells him of the creature that brought her there. He doesn\u2019t believe her until the monster that Emily is calling \"the bear\" comes after them. The police officer, known as Postlewhite, is knocked unconscious while \"protecting his charge,\" Emily. In a turn of events, a Pooka known for bringing an omen to the night folk comes out and saves them from the Bear and his Colleague.

This story tells of an entirely different world with different people. The characters have stunning attributes and personalities. This story takes its readers on an adventure of a lifetime that you can only hope to dive into when looking for a good book.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 18:53:16", "publisher": "Scholastic", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008624027", "title": "Freedom Bird: A Tale of Hope and Courage", "author": "Jerdine Nolen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 97, "review": "Freedom Bird is an interesting book but it\u2019s also a little sad. Two children and their parents are slaves and made to work on a plantation. This book is mainly for older kids, like nine and older because it\u2019s sad and younger kids would probably cry when they read it. I think the author wrote this book to help people have more hope and courage for what their life might hold for them. The pictures are very interesting. They show the plantation and the people doing lots of different things. A sad book with a bittersweet ending.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 23:55:01", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Children's", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008624019", "title": "Not-Quite-Supermodel", "author": "Kathy Tong", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 413, "review": "What a fun, albeit unreal story! This \u201ccoming-of-age in your twenties\u201d story that, according to the author, has some very real parts in it reads like a book from the Shopaholic collection but at the same time is almost messier. And by messier, I mean, very, very what-happens-in-Vegas-stays-in-Vegas.

Alex Emmerson is a fish slicer in Canada at a Safeway. Scouted by a woman named Robin one day, she finds herself thrown into a world of mean girls, name dropping, and girls with staples in their heads (what?). Alex is uncoordinated, doesn't know fashion from the back of her hand, and really doesn\u2019t know what she\u2019s in for. The one thing that saves her from having a complete mental breakdown is the friends that she meets at La Brasserie. It is at La Brasserie that yes, she blacks out in drunken fits, but she is able to finally be herself and be accepted for it. Her friends Virginie, Tyler, Dante, and Laurent know how to make her feel better after a disaster on the runway. Alex is starting to think she\u2019ll never get to supermodel status.

I truly enjoyed reading Not-Quite-Supermodel because the plot was fun and lighthearted and the character was realistic. Little did I know while reading the book that the author had modeled the main character after herself. This made the book even better. One of the funniest, quirkiest parts of the main character\u2019s personality is that she says she has a fear of plumbing, as in \"plumbaphobia.\" I looked it up, I admit it, and could not find it anywhere but in this book. And the whole time I was wondering how she got clean if she was wrapping herself in Saran Wrap in the yucky shower. Read the book, people. Alex ends up answering that very question. I also thought the Linus towel was a nice touch. Alex\u2019s security towel is just one more thing for people to make fun of. As the author drops several brand names in the book such as Jimmy Choo, Frette, Christian Louboutin, Bergdorfs, and Cavalli, this book bleeds fashion. Alex does end up spending eight thousand dollars to revamp her wardrobe, so of course we want to know what she ends up getting. Right, ladies? Alex\u2019s transformation from start to finish is a wonderful thing to witness. Sometimes I forgot that this character was only twenty-one years old. Overall, Not-Quite-Supermodel was whimsical with a little bit of \u201coh-no-she-did-not-do-that\u201d thrown in. Perfect for lovers of chick-lit.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 20:11:21", "publisher": "SWP", "page_count": "396 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008624015", "title": "I Feel Bad About My Dick", "author": "Darryl Ponicsan", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 201, "review": "I blush to reveal this title which is a parody of Nora Ephron\u2019s 2008 book, I Feel Bad About My Neck. After the death of Ms. Ephron, it was not appropriate to publish a take-off of her book, but twelve years later is the right time. While Nora Ephron\u2019s book lamented the age-related problems of the woman, Mr. Ponicsan\u2019s book is from an older gentleman\u2019s point of view. Broader than that, the book is a collection of the author\u2019s random and hilarious thoughts about the movie business, the Watts\u2019 riots, and the life of a Hollywood writer. The author has a number of novels and film credits, among them Cinderella Liberty and The Last Detail. As one might suspect, this book is laugh-out-loud funny, particularly for one who knows a bit about movie business hierarchies. Not limited to his screenwriting experiences, however, the author muses on his father\u2019s perspectives vis a vis his own, women\u2019s unnecessary grooming, his color blindness and its ramifications, and the Women\u2019s Day Cookbook (don\u2019t we all have them?). This is an enjoyable and frivolous book, and that is this reader\u2019s prescription for the current times. This book will make you laugh a little or a lot.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 19:39:43", "publisher": "Pleasure Boat Studio", "page_count": "143 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008623075", "title": "How to Tie a Shoe: & Other Big Adventures (Penny Candy Handbooks)", "author": "Penny Candy Handbooks, with illustrations by Skip Hill", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 233, "review": "This book is not what I expected at all. I expected it to be a book on how to tie a shoe, not how it feels to tie a shoe in poetry form. It is a good how-to poem book for students, but I think that needs to be specified on the cover that that is what this is. I might have bought it to teach my children to tie their shoes and been extremely disappointed.

I like that the book is about something every kid must learn to do. It is a good example of poetry and how to use feelings in poetry. I think it would be a good example to read in a third-to-fifth-grade class.

I think the illustrations are an interesting style, being black and white. It has an older child vibe, but I am not sure seven-to-eleven-year-olds will be engaged with the pictures. It is not my favorite style of pen and ink. Some of the pages just seem a little jumbled without color. The characters lack emotion. I honestly just did not enjoy it.

I read the book to my six-year-old and he did not seem very engaged. He just told me he didn\u2019t like the book.

In conclusion, I think this book needs some work on specifying what type of book it is, and the illustrations need a bit more work if it is going to be engaging to children.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 20:29:14", "publisher": "Penny Candy Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008623071", "title": "A Little Called Pauline", "author": "Gertrude Stein", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 180, "review": "The eye is drawn to the stubborn looking girl with the stringy hair in a blue coverall that adorns the cover of this book. The vivid pen and ink-wash images by poet/illustrator Bianca Stone breathe life into the poetic words of Gertrude Stone. The words themselves seem mystifying at first, but Stein seems more concerned with the sounds and rhythms of the words rather than their sense. Let the young reader mouth the letter symbols and translate them into their own language. Meanwhile, look at the colorfully illustrated figures that relate the story of an obstinate independent youngster and her caring, patient parent. Watch as she voices her opinions that can translate into tantrums when her wishes are not granted then rejoice as this vulnerable young lady takes to adventure and requires rescuing by her accepting, loving mother. Watch how love is reciprocated between parent and child in this warmly embracing story. The wonderful brilliant colors illuminate this poem with its notes of chimeric characters harmonized with its own intrinsic music and each reader will find its own unique refrain.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 20:26:39", "publisher": "Penny Candy Books", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008623051", "title": "To Fly Among the Stars: The Hidden Story of the Fight for Women Astronauts", "author": "Rebecca Siegel", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zara M", "word_count": 235, "review": "A great non-fiction story about how women became astronauts in outer space. It was set after World War II (between 1940 and 1960) in the United States.

It starts with seven male pilots training to become astronauts. American pilots are trying go to space first before the Soviets, so NASA started training male pilots to see who could become astronauts in an effort to beat the Soviets to space. There were thirteen women pilots who were mad that NASA would not take women pilots. NASA thought women pilots wouldn\u2019t be able to last in space for several reasons. One is that they thought women had children to take care of. These women wanted to prove that they can go into space because they were really good and better than most men so they started training in secret. In their secret training, they took the same test that the NASA pilots took (for example strength, and how much oxygen their lungs could hold). The book was well written and it made me feel as if I was actually there during the time of the story. I learned women were discriminated against even though they were some of the best pilots. The book really is about gender discrimination and sexism.

[There are some parts in the book that talk about women and some steps in puberty, so I would recommend this book for tweens or kids over age ten.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:23:28", "publisher": "Scholastic Focus", "page_count": "282 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008623047", "title": "Glitch Kingdom", "author": "Sheena Boekweg", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Benjamin - Age 13", "word_count": 195, "review": "The story begins in the times of kings and castles but is everything real? Ryo is the prince, and there have been some strange happenings around the castle. When a stranger comes and poisons the court during dinner things start to change. After being poisoned Dagney has a vision, she sees herself in a hospital bed and speaks with Ms. Takagi who warns her that there has been a glitch in the video game. Dagney starts to remember her life from before but then is sent back. With her new knowledge that this is all a video game and that they are all in danger, Dagney must help Ryo and Grigfen complete the game without dying. But do they really want to return to the real world with all their real problems or stay in this fantasy?

This is an exciting story to read, especially if you are interested in RPGs (role-playing games). Many people use video games as an escape from the real world but these characters truly have been transported to another world. While the characters may not have gotten along in the real world they must work together to win the game.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:21:52", "publisher": "Macmillan Children's", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008623043", "title": "The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter (The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter (1))", "author": "Aaron Reynolds", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 205, "review": "More than anything else in the world, Rex Dexter wants a dog, but his parents don\u2019t think he\u2019s ready for one yet. So when they get him a \u201cstarter\u201d pet for his birthday, a chicken, Rex is ready to prove how responsible he really is.

Unfortunately, Rex\u2019s life quickly takes a turn for the worse; within a few hours, the chicken is dead and Rex himself has been cursed with the ability to see and talk to dead animals. Before he knows it, Rex has a menagerie of ghosts from the zoo living in his room, waiting for him to solve the mystery of their deaths. Can Rex and his best friend Darvish crack the case before any more zoo animals meet their deaths?

The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter is the beginning of what promises to be a fun new series by best-selling author Aaron Reynolds. Readers will love the funny, sarcastic voice of Rex as narrator, and his adventures in solving supernatural crime are hilarious. The twists and turns of the story make for a fun read, and many will be surprised at the end upon learning who the ultimate perpetrator is. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "23-Jun-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:18:36", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008623039", "title": "Hacking Planet Earth: How Geoengineering Can Help Us Reimagine the Future", "author": "Thomas M. Kostigen", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 193, "review": "The past has ruined our planet. Can futuristic technology fix it for the next generation? Hacking Planet Earth portrays the problems resulting from global warming as well as how technologies can fix them. It has good references at the back and is very authoritative.

The author is a journalist for major newspapers on the subjects of climate change and being prepared for it in the future. The book shows the serious problems that can and probably will occur in the future if the human race does not take precautions. Thomas Kostigen is skilled at using descriptive language to make points, and he employs a wide variety of resources.

Hacking Planet Earth describes enough technical details to be a rich resource for investigating the topic and it is also very reputable. It is technology-centered and showcases expensive solutions to global warming. A lot of the topics are very possible and sad, but as books on the subject go, this one is pretty hopeful, portraying it as a large engineering problem with a solution.

This is a genuinely good but technical book on real-world topics, futuristic technologies, and the future of our environment and humanity.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:10:19", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008623035", "title": "Banana Republic", "author": "Eric Rawson", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Cay Wren", "word_count": 227, "review": "Banana Republic by Eric Sean Rawson is about the comedic struggle of William Sydney Porter during the banana wars of the early 20th century in the fictional Coralio. Porter gets in over his head when he lands in Central America and establishes a newspaper. As he gets settled amid the conflict between the US and native interests, he faces opposition from Walter Whitaker, who is seeking to advance US commercial interests in the area, particularly for his fruit business.

Historically, military interventions, as depicted in the novel, were most often carried out by the US marines and robber barons, which Porter fights using his paper at his own peril. As Whitaker plots against Porter and uses his power to influence the local government, the situation is reminiscent of US actions in Honduras.

While those conflicts were real, Rawson paints an interesting proxy that feels real and compelling. Banana Republic mirrors the historical realities of the time as contracts between local governments and US companies most often involved exclusive rights to a piece of land in exchange for building railroads.

A fun and interesting historical snapshot, Banana Republic is an easy read that will transport you to a fraught tropical paradise, with compelling, curious, and witty characters. In this surefire page-turner, follow Rawson\u2019s Sydney Porter as he struggles against authority to eventually become the legendary writer, O. Henry.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:02:17", "publisher": "Del Rey", "page_count": "261 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008623031", "title": "Treasure of the Blue Whale", "author": "Steven Mayfield", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 190, "review": "Connor O\u2019Halloran is just ten years old on that auspicious day in 1934 in the small California coastal town of Tesoro when he outraces the old lighthouse keeper, Angus MacCallum, to a smelly mass washed up on the beach. Little does Connor know how much this will change the town. It is ambergris, a disgusting mass vomited by whales, prized by perfumers, necessary to make fine perfumes. It is worth its weight in gold \u2014 literally. Connor decides the whole town should share in this good fortune. When Cyrus Dinkel, the richest (and most despicable) man in town hears of it, he offers to loan everybody $10,000 against their share. What could possibly go wrong?

Author Steven Mayfield chooses to tell this depression-era story in first-person point-of-view in the voice of a ninety-year-old Connor O\u2019Halloran looking back on his youth. This is pretty effective, but Connor seems often to wander into the territory of an omniscient narrator, knowing things there is no way he could know. The story is compelling though overly-long and in need of a good trim, but the writing is good and the characters interesting and well-rounded.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 18:57:40", "publisher": "Regal House Publishing", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008623023", "title": "E-I-E-I-ART", "author": "Mari Tzikas Suarez", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 187, "review": "E-I-E-I-ART is a story that is like the song \u201cOld MacDonald.\u201d When, at the end of the song, you sing \u201cE-I-E-I-O\u201d, you switch it with \u201cart\u201d because that is what the animals on Young MacDonald\u2019s farm become good at doing. The story begins with us learning that Old MacDonald has died, and his grandson, Young MacDonald now has the farm. Young MacDonald doesn\u2019t know how to run a farm because he is from the city. Young MacDonald then takes all of the farm animals to the city and gives them new artist names. The animals learn to paint like old artists and make pretty pictures with paint.

The pictures in this book are pretty to look at! The pictures that the animals make are colorful, and some of them are strange-looking. I like this book because I like art and drawing pictures myself, and after reading this book I know a little more about older artists, too. I think kids of any age will like this book because if they can\u2019t read the words themselves, someone can read to them, and they can look at the colorful pictures.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 23:18:32", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008623019", "title": "Tell Me: What Children Really Want to Know about Bodies, Sex, and Emotions", "author": "Katharina von der Gathen, with illustrations by Anke Kuhl", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 206, "review": "Children have tons of questions about their bodies. Adults may be uncomfortable with some of them, or may not even know the answers themselves; others try to address children's questions head-on but talk about what they think children want to or should know, but really don't answer what the children themselves wonder about. This book answers those questions. The author, a sex-education professional from Germany, asked nine- and-ten-year-old children their questions about sexuality, puberty, pregnancy, and more, and compiled almost a hundred of them into this frank, factual book that presents the answers in a science-based and age-appropriate way. Each question is accompanied by humorous cartoons that reach to the heart of the question. The cartoons may give some audiences pause, so parents will definitely want to preview this book before giving it to their children. They are quite open and candid, showing external genitalia and nude and semi-nude individuals and couples. Although The drawings are neither gratuitous nor titillating, but if they don't align with parents' sensibilities the questions and answers could still be read aloud and be extremely helpful. Either way, this is a great book of questions and answers that will spur discussion and help start or continue essential conversations about growing up.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 20:11:52", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008623015", "title": "The Lucky One: A Novel", "author": "Lori Rader-Day", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 214, "review": "Alice is The Lucky One. At the age of three, she was kidnapped, but her father was able to track her down within a couple of hours. Years later, Alice is volunteering for a website that tries to help find missing people. One day a picture pops up, and she recognizes the man who kidnapped her. She can\u2019t help but follow this trail wherever it goes. In the end, Alice has to accept that we all tell lies to ourselves and that sometimes the truth is harder to believe.

I have read a couple of Lori Rader-Day\u2019s books, and I usually enjoy them more. This one wasn\u2019t my favorite. The storyline sounded very intriguing, but I think it was a bit oversimplified. Right off the bat, it was fairly obvious what was really going on. The only real mystery was what was happening behind the scenes that led to all this. The storytelling itself was okay, but again it was not the author\u2019s best that I\u2019ve read. I actually found the information at the end of the book about why she chose to write this story to be the most interesting. Overall, this book was fine if you need something to do, but I would definitely recommend you check out her other titles instead.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 19:55:54", "publisher": "William Morrow Paperbacks", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008622095", "title": "Taking Time: Conversations Across a Creative Community", "author": "Azzedine Ala\u00efa", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Cay Wren", "word_count": 221, "review": "Taking Time is Azzedine Ala\u00efa\u2019s love letter to a slower life. At times a philosophical text about the nature of modern living and at other times a buoyant collection of interview soundbites, Taking Time spins a tale of an infinitely curious man digging into the way people live their lives. In 2014, Ala\u00efa began holding salons to bring friends he knew and creatives he admired together to exchange impressions on how they impacted and interacted with time. As the thoughtful moderator of these salons, Ala\u00efa bolstered these voices, creating a unique and cross-generational discussion about something that few dedicated effort to dissecting: time.

Azzedine Ala\u00efa lived his life with a creative and thoughtful use of time. As a couturier, Ala\u00efa resisted the path of speed: ever-increasing efficiency or mass profits. What interested him more was quality and true creative expression. Toward the end of his life, he saw the value in curating such expression in a new way, in discussions between contemporaries about methodical living, their pasts, and how they create in such a world that devalues a slow and thoughtful pace. Though Azzedine Alaia passed away a mere three years after these conversational experiments began, the conversations he created in this book will, much like his intricate and one-of-a-kind clothing pieces, continue his lasting legacy to a deliberate way of living.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 20:58:28", "publisher": "Rizzoli Ex Libris", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008622083", "title": "Star Wars: Queen's Peril", "author": "E. K. Johnston", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 180, "review": "Queen Amidala is more then she seems. In fact, she\u2019s not just one person. When fourteen-year-old Padme Naberrie wins the election for the queen, she leaves her family and safety to live in the palace and serve her people. Five girls are picked for their skills to be her handmaidens, assistants, confidants, defenders, and decoys. It won\u2019t be easy; tensions arise and it\u2019s up to Padme to pull them together, but can she do it before they face a challenge bigger than any of them are prepared for?

Padme\u2019s story begins before The Phantom Menace then skims over the events at the end, telling the story of what was going on behind the scenes. The perspective bounces around some to other characters we know from the movies, making it confusing at times. All the handmaidens, including Padme, are different from each other yet similar enough that it\u2019s realistic that they all are friends. As much as I loved this book I had a hard time remembering what name goes to which character, especially the handmaidens, as they all have similar names.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:41:40", "publisher": "Disney Lucasfilm Press", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008622071", "title": "Daughter of the Reich: A Novel", "author": "Louise Fein", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 226, "review": "As the dutiful daughter of a high-ranking Nazi officer, Hetty Heinrich is keen to play her part in the glorious new Thousand-Year Reich. But all she believes and knows come into stark conflict when she encounters Walter, a Jewish friend from the past, who stirs dangerous feelings in her. Confused and conflicted, Hetty doesn\u2019t know where she can turn or whom she can trust, especially when she discovers that somebody has been watching her. With the rising tide of antisemitism, Hetty and Walter must take extreme measures to hide their secret love affair. Will the steady march of dark forces destroy Hetty\u2019s universe, or can love ultimately triumph?

By far, Daughter of The Reich is one of the most unique World War II stories that I have read, and in full honesty, I couldn't help but love the story; from the aspect of forbidden love between Hetty and Walter to the setting (especially since the story takes place in the two years leading up to the war), which shows the reader a glimpse into how humans, during dire times, can be pushed into horrible things, thinking that what they do is good. Daughter of the Reich is a beautifully written story, filled with some hard to swallow pills, but nonetheless, it is a beautiful story\u2014a story in which you wouldn't want to put down until the end.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:33:26", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "560 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008622067", "title": "In the Role of Brie Hutchens...", "author": "Nicole Melleby", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 11", "word_count": 172, "review": "Eighth-grader Brie Hutchens is a soap opera lover and aspiring actress at her Catholic school. Her mom nearly catches Brie looking at inappropriate pictures of her favorite soap opera actress, so Brie says that she\u2019s been given the honor to crown Mary for the May Crowning ceremony. Her mom believes this lie, and (as intended) is no longer interested in what Brie was looking at. Her mom will be disappointed if she doesn\u2019t crown Mary, as well as curious why Brie lied in the first place, which is not something Brie wants to explain. Desperate to crown Mary, Brie elicits the help of star student Kennedy Bishop. What she doesn\u2019t expect are the growing romantic feelings she has for Kennedy. Brie must untangle the web of expectations, sexuality, and lies, and along the way discover who she really is.

I thought this book was the perfect blend of dramatic and entertaining. It is a good read for anyone who enjoys stories about finding yourself and having the courage to accept who you are.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 19:27:39", "publisher": "Algonquin Young Readers", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008622055", "title": "The Secret of White Stone Gate", "author": "Julia Nobel", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Patricia - Age 13", "word_count": 183, "review": "The Secret of White Stone Gate was a very intriguing mystery. It's the sequel to The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane.

The main character, Emmy, goes to a boarding school in England. She and her friends found medallions that are keys to a secret ruin deep under the school. An evil secret society, the Order of Black Hollow Lane, thinks the medallions have been destroyed, so it's up to Emmy to keep it that way. Her father, who she thought was dead, is instead working against the Order, but he still never talks to Emmy or even visits her, because he thinks it's too dangerous. On top of all this stress, the Order thinks she knows the location of her father and so threatens Emmy\u00b4s best friend, Lola.

Emmy responds to the threat in a way that seems very realistic. She doesn't just throw herself into dangerous situations, as some action heroes are prone to do. In fact, it takes her the entire book to get over her fear of the Order and save her friend. This book was very entertaining and realistic.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "25-Jan-2020 00:17:27", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008622027", "title": "The Stone Giant", "author": "Anna Hoglund", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 159, "review": "This cool little book tells such a good story! It is a kind of fairy tale with terrific illustrations.

A girl, called only \"the child,\" is left behind on an island when her father, a knight, goes to fight a giant. She waits for him, but he doesn\u2019t come home. The child decides she will have to rescue him, so that is what she does. First, she has to swim to the land of the giant. She takes her knife and a mirror. She walks into the forest and finds an old woman who gives her an umbrella to protect her from the giant\u2019s eyes. The child finds the giant\u2019s land. It is full of boulders. Nothing grows there, and there aren\u2019t even any birds.

Do you think the girl will defeat the giant? Will she save the giant\u2019s victims? You will have to read this exciting book to find out! I only wish it was a longer story.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 19:38:42", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008622023", "title": "The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story", "author": "Aya Khalil, with illustrations by Anait Semirdzhyan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Karter - Age 8", "word_count": 137, "review": "I like this because I started to learn Arabic, and I understood some of the words that were written in Arabic. Being a new kid is hard, and being different is harder. I like how the teacher makes her feel better and asks her to bring the quilt to class to make her feel comfortable. That was a great idea to teach the students something about Arabic. This helps them understand who Kenzi is which inspires another teacher in the school to have her students who speak Japanese to write their students\u2019 names in Japanese. I give this book five stars because it gives us an example that although someone may be different it is still a good idea to get to know them and what makes them different because it might just teach us something cool.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 19:35:13", "publisher": "Tilbury House Publishers", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008622015", "title": "Night Spinner", "author": "Addie Thorley", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 199, "review": "Enebish longs to return to her old life as a warrior and forget about Nariin, where she lost control of the darkness and massacred a caravan. Only Serik makes life bearable at the monastery, and his crazy ideas are what get her into trouble. Not all is lost, though, when her sister offers her a chance to redeem herself: capture Temujin, the leader of the rebel band reaping havoc on the kingdom. But as Enebish hunts him, she finds he is the only person keeping the shepherds from starving, and she has to decide who to trust: her sister or the rebels.

Nothing is as it seems, no one is who you think, leaving me unable to stop until the book was finished. The characters are well defined, and Enebish is relatable, longing for something only to find it may not be what she truly wants. Night Spinner is well told with a vast world and many different nations with different beliefs, traditions, and cultures. As a retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, it starts with a familiar setting and similarities are woven throughout the story, but by the end, it has taken on a life of its own.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 19:20:42", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008622003", "title": "Clean Getaway", "author": "Nic Stone", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 13", "word_count": 179, "review": "Clean Getaway is a great story about a boy who goes on a road trip through the south with his grandmother. William lives with his dad and is always getting into trouble. He ends up grounded, so when his grandma offers to take him on a road trip, he can't wait to leave. William thinks it will be fun, but when his grandma starts acting strange, he thinks something might be wrong. His grandma takes him to various towns in the South and shows William places that she and William's Grandpa visited. I really enjoyed this book because it was well written and kept me interested. There were a few illustrations scattered throughout this book. They helped to show some of the locations in this book. I really liked looking at the state pictures, which showed important places, and had a few fun facts. I think that William is a pretty realistic character, he is bold, curious, and cares for his family. Overall, I really liked this book, and I would recommend it to kids from nine to thirteen.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 19:05:22", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Kids", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008621019", "title": "Mindy Kim and the Lunar New Year Parade (Book 2)", "author": "Lyla Lee, illustrated by Dung Ho", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb Manansala", "word_count": 219, "review": "This book is the second book of the series and is about Mindy Kim going to the Lunar New Year Parade.

Mindy is sad about Lunar New Year coming up because she doesn\u2019t think it will be as much fun with just her and her dad, and without her mom. She gets her friend Sally to go with her to the festival in Orlando, Florida. They see Pikachu and run after him and then got lost.

They get scared and try to call Sally\u2019s mom on Sally\u2019s phone, but the phone dies. They are looking for Mindy\u2019s dad in the crowd and are scared. They find Mindy\u2019s dad, and he has a friend from his work with him named Julie. Mindy thinks Julie was nice. They stay for the rest of the festival to see Korean dancing. Mindy thinks it would be more fun back in California. Mindy\u2019s dad says they can go home and have their own festival. Then they go home and have their own festival and play games they would play in Korea. They have a fun time.

I like this book because the Korean cookies and soup seem yummy. It was fun to read and good to learn about Korea and their culture.

\u201c\u2018Hmm, I\u2019m not quite sure how Pok\u00e9mon is related to Lunar New Year\u2019 Mindy's dad said.\u201d", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 00:00:38", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008620031", "title": "The Girl Beneath the Sea (Underwater Investigation Unit)", "author": "Andrew Mayne", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 222, "review": "Sloan McPherson is The Girl Beneath the Sea. She\u2019s a diver for Lauderdale Shores PD, their go-to for evidence recovery. She\u2019s worked hard to make a name for herself, considering her uncle is currently serving time for drug smuggling and her father is a treasure hunter.

While on a dive, Sloan discovers a body and it turns out she has ties to the victim. Unfortunately, those ties put her in the path of some very dangerous people, some of them within law enforcement and government black-ops. The only person she can trust to help her with this mess happens to be the one she despises the most: the person who put her uncle behind bars. Sloan will do whatever it takes to protect herself and her daughter as well as to fight the corruption around her.

Andrew Mayne continues to astound me. I have enjoyed every Theo Cray story and this new story featuring Sloan McPherson was just as amazing. Thrilling adventures under the waves are found around every corner. I couldn\u2019t put it down and cannot wait for the next installment. I don\u2019t know how much research Mayne does for his books, but his knowledge base is incredible.

I highly recommend you check this series out. I look forward to reading about the next case that the Underwater Investigation Unit solves.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 00:24:16", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008620023", "title": "Churchill: A Graphic Biography", "author": "Vincent Delmas", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 249, "review": "England\u2019s best-known prime minister, already the subject of more than a thousand books, would have surely enjoyed the latest: Churchill: A Graphic Biography. This comic-book of a different sort is a rare treat translated from the French series Ils ont fait l'Histoire with text by Vince Delmas and engaging illustrations by three artists.

Known for less-than-stellar accomplishments as a schoolboy, Churchill turned to politics after penning five books about his battlefield experience on three continents as the Nineteenth Century advanced into the Twentieth.

He was appointed Lord of the Admiralty, a vitally important office, for which he was alternately admired and resented, dismissed then reappointed. His provocative approach to the challenges of World War I included shocking the establishment by demanding that reconnaissance planes be armed and urging the production of more weaponry.

In the following years he served as a member of parliament for a northern constituency and held several governmental posts. When Hitler took center stage in the early 1930s, Churchill predicted the catastrophe that became World War II and warning which fell initially on willfully deaf ears. In 1940, as the war gathered momentum, he was elected Prime Minister, fulfilling an ambition he had declared as a teenager.

Churchill met repeated resistance from the military and political personnel of the early 1940s as they tried to repress their leader\u2019s proposals. Many of their names are long forgotten. Without a chronology or introduction, the book presupposes prior knowledge of the period, serving to reinforce and remind rather than teach the history.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 00:12:14", "publisher": "Dead Reckoning", "page_count": "120 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008620011", "title": "Bubble in the Sun: The Florida Boom of the 1920s and How It Brought on the Great Depression", "author": "Christopher Knowlton", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 233, "review": "Florida was a Southern state brimming with promise and possibility. The ocean adjacent and swamp pervaded land remained undeveloped until the turn of the century. By the end of the 1920s, Florida served as a focal point for the economic catastrophe that was the Great Depression. The story of Florida\u2019s meteoric rise and fall in the boom and bust nature of business is complex and multilayered. The business visionaries who helped construct the towering edifices that dotted urban skylines and sought to create oases for the affluent never seemed to see a downside. Henry Flagler took his profits as an oil tycoon and found a second act in producing and promoting a luxury hotel. His hotels were successful, yet his railroads wound up in the red. The other gentleman who dominated the narrative, from George Merrick to Addison Mizner lived and died by their creations, offering future prosperity to investors, yet history would prove bleak. A lesson to be learned the hard way.

Bubble in the Sun fascinates the reader with multiple biographies of movers, shakers and prominent voices in the Florida land boom. From Flagler to Marjory Stoneman Douglas, each persona proves immensely interesting. The author takes the reader for a trip back to a time where rich was admirable, ignorance was bliss and intolerance entirely too predominant. The author remains impartial in opinions, but the results speak loud. Grade A History!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "23-Jan-2020 23:12:54", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008619043", "title": "I Am Not Your Enemy: Stories to Transform a Divided World", "author": "Michael T. McRay", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahminneh - Age 14", "word_count": 242, "review": "An inciteful, timely story about finding reconciliation and forgiveness in such a divided world. McRay takes us through his journeys in Israel and Palestine, Northern Ireland, and South Africa. In Israel, we meet Ali, then in Tel Aviv, we meet Dr. Zoughbi Zoughbi. In West Jerusalem, we meet Moran, again in Israel we meet Robi Damelin. In Bethlehem, Abdullah and Rushdi; then, in Ireland, P\u00e0draig and later Jo. Finally, in South Africa, we meet Eleanor du Plooy, Themba Lonzi, and lastly Rami Elhanan. McRay takes us through his journey around the world to find answers about reconciliation.

The reader is able to take away eye-opening and critical lessons. One such being learned from Robi Damelin that Michael writes down: Without understanding, your empathy lacks comprehension and honor. This is just one of the ten lessons that can be learned from this book. That is why I recommend it to everyone, though personally I struggled reading this book because as an avid reader I tend to prefer and lean towards fantasy/fictional books or literature. Michael T. McRay writes his journey so that it reads differently. He is telling his memoir story but it doesn\u2019t feel like literature. This can make it hard to fully understand the things that are occurring on the page.

To conclude, this is a great book that covers many things that a number of people are afraid to talk about, but it can be hard to follow with the language used.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 00:02:29", "publisher": "Herald Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008619011", "title": "House on Fire: A Novel", "author": "Joseph Finder", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 225, "review": "Nick Heller is a private investigator whose loyalty is fierce and tangled with righteousness. His life is thrown for a loop when a good friend and fellow soldier, Sean, is found dead of an opioid overdose. While attending the funeral, he is approached by Sukie Kimball. Kimball is the daughter of the head of a powerful pharmaceutical company. Sukie wants Heller\u2019s help in unmasking her father\u2019s role in burying a study relating to the addictive nature of opioids. Heller accepts the job and soon accompanies Sukie to the palatial estate of Conrad Kimball. Nick poses as Sukie\u2019s boyfriend, where he is witness to the simmering tension of the dysfunctional siblings, most jockeying for favored status when Conrad retires or passes on. Nick witnesses the youngest Kimball\u2019s date, and his senses are alert. The date is his former flame, Maggie. When Nick conducts a covert document retrieval, he runs into her. They seek different information, however, everything changes when she is found dead. All bets are off as the danger mounts.

House on Fire stands as an apt title for a thrill ride of a mystery. Joseph Finder continues his fine work with his new release. The specter of soldiers and addiction is a harrowing subject but a must-read nonetheless. The tough nature of addiction is written deftly and with compassion. Another surefire hit for Finder.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "23-Jan-2020 21:01:39", "publisher": "Dutton", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008619007", "title": "The Two Eleanors of Henry III: The Lives of Eleanor of Provence and Eleanor de Montfort", "author": "Darren Baker", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 171, "review": "The Two Eleanors of Henry III is a dual biography of two Eleanors, one who married Henry III and one who became his sister-in-law. The two Eleanors are good friends in their own way, but also strong personalities in a time when women were not typically appreciated for being notable. They contributed a great deal to their husbands\u2019 careers and made names for themselves in the process.

Darren Baker is an engaging writer and talks about history in a relatable and readable way. He brings the two Eleanors and their time alive to readers and thoroughly engrosses you in a story hundreds of years past. That, in this reviewer\u2019s opinion, is the mark of the talented historical writer. Baker seeks to understand the truth of these women, in their actions as opposed to how they have been painted by biased historians. Whether the middle ages are your thing or not, these two strong women are highly readable in this account and capture the imagination with this talented writer\u2019s handling of their story.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "23-Jan-2020 20:48:11", "publisher": "Casemate", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008618043", "title": "The Magical Yet", "author": "Angela DiTerlizzi", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 216, "review": "The Magical Yet makes a lot of sense to me. Being little, there are things that I do or try to do that don't go as I want the first time around. This is frustrating and has made me upset many times. I had not heard of \"the magical yet,\" but after reading this story, it might help me when I try to do something from now on.

Within this story is a little girl who wants to learn how to ride her bike, but she keeps making mistakes and falling. She wants to quit, but then finds out about her magical yet. Even with her magical yet she still makes mistakes and falls, but she can now keep trying until she gets it right. Her magical yet has been with her since she was a baby, and it stays with her when she grows up. This little girl can do anything with her magical yet!

The pictures in this book are bright and show kids of different skin colors wearing different types of clothes. I like how the magical yet can make you braver because that's something that I want to be, and probably everyone else does, too. I think that kids of any age will like this book and want to keep reading it.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 00:18:40", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008618039", "title": "Fred's Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers", "author": "Laura Renauld, with illustrations by Brigette Barrager", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 239, "review": "Who can imagine Mister Rogers as anything other than the affable host from Mister Rogers\u2019 Neighborhood? Can you believe he was once a shy child who had trouble making friends? It\u2019s true, boys and girls. Freddy Rogers was once a very lonely boy who had asthma and was teased about his weight. He found solace in playing the piano, which helped him express his sadness and anger. But it was his Grandfather McFeely who helped him the most, telling Freddy, \u201cI happen to like you just the way you are.\u201d Fred eventually found friends and the confidence to become a leader. He was determined to give others those positive feelings, too, through a new platform called television. Fred created Mister Rogers\u2019 Neighborhood and even named one of the characters after his grandfather: Mr. McFeely, the speedy delivery man. Fred created a world of make-believe to help children understand their very real feelings, and he didn\u2019t shy away from addressing them all.

Laura Renauld\u2019s Fred\u2019s Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers, shines a spotlight on Mister Rogers for a new generation. After more than thirty years and nearly nine hundred episodes, Mister Rogers\u2019 Neighborhood is an amazing accomplishment from a man who taught children how to express their feelings in healthy ways. With the richly colored illustrations of Brigette Barrager, Mister Rogers comes alive again and fills up the reader\u2019s heart with his message of love and compassion.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 00:16:43", "publisher": "Atheneum Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008618035", "title": "Dinosaurs Can't Roar", "author": "Layla Beason", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 192, "review": "Dinosaurs are an all-time favorite for kids, and kids think they know all about these ancient creatures, but scientists are learning more about dinosaurs all the time. Author Layla Beason has written a well-researched text set all in rhyme and chock full of theories and newly-discovered facts about several popular dinosaurs. It begins with a cute, cartoon T-Rex meeting a nice paleontologist who starts to dispel commonly-held beliefs about the T-Rex such as that he really isn\u2019t tall but more horizontal than vertical. More than that, while he has some scales, he also had quite a lot of feathers! The paleontologist goes on to talk about Triceratops, Stegosaurus, and Brontosaurus and their differences from what is commonly believed, but most surprising (especially if one has ever seen Jurassic Park) is that dinosaurs rumbled and hissed, but did not roar. The writing is charming and fun. The illustrations by Mariano Epelbaum are bright and cartoony and lots of fun. Two pages of back matter have more comprehensive information about the facts covered in the main text. This book will fascinate youngsters and really get them thinking about facts they probably didn\u2019t know before.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 00:13:48", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Wonderland", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008618031", "title": "Young Captain Nemo: Quest for the Nautilus", "author": "Jason Henderson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 170, "review": "Young Captain Nemo: Quest for the Nautilus by Jason Henderson is an adventure story about three twelve-year-old ordinary kids who are not so ordinary after all. Nemo\u2019s mother is kidnapped. He and his friends have to find a hundred-year-old shipwrecked submarine to save his mom. The plot is entertaining. The most interesting part was when the kids had to board a nuclear submarine. The characters are easy to relate to, engaging, and realistic. I liked Gabriel Nemo the most. The story is well written and it kept my interest. However, there was a little too much \u201che said, she said\u201d in the story. The moral of the story is that family matters more than anything else. There are no pictures in the book. I would recommend a book to ten-year-olds and older, anyone who likes action, adventure, and mystery. This book would make a good series. I would recommend this book because there are submarine battles in it. This was a great story and I had a blast reading it.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "23-Jan-2020 23:58:17", "publisher": "Feiwel & Friends", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008618015", "title": "The Longing for Less: Living with Minimalism", "author": "Kyle Chayka", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 175, "review": "The Longing for Less: Living with Minimalism is an interesting read for both what it is and what it isn\u2019t. It isn\u2019t a how-to manual for practicing minimalism. It isn\u2019t a critique of minimalism. It isn\u2019t a lament about where minimalism went wrong. It involves all of these, but also digs into the heart of what minimalism is meant to be, at its core, and reveals this to the reader in a beautiful and spare way, much in the spirit of minimalism itself. It examines the historical context of the movement as well as key figures involved and the core tenets of what people believe minimalism involves. Chayka looks beyond the appealing emptiness of a kitchen counter and instead exposes the origins of our longing for less clutter in our lives and the drive to achieve that. Instead of emptiness, Chayka looks at what humans are really looking for in minimalism and the ways in which they seek to fill space. This is a powerful voice in the minimalist movement and a beautiful, insightful title.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "23-Jan-2020 20:57:04", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008618011", "title": "Thump Goes the Rabbit: How Animals Communicate (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1)", "author": "Fran Hodgkins", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 102, "review": "Thump Goes the Rabbit is a book about how different animals communicate. Some animals can communicate by rubbing their scent on trees to let others know it\u2019s their territory. The book is about many more animals besides rabbits. The illustrations are very wonderful, and you can tell exactly what the illustrator was trying to draw to go with the author\u2019s writing. This book would be good for kids interested in science, especially eight and younger. Even if you already know a lot about animals you\u2019ll still probably learn new things from Thump Goes the Rabbit. A book that really captures readers\u2019 attention.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "23-Jan-2020 20:50:32", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008618003", "title": "In Cold Chamomile: A Tea and a Read Mystery", "author": "Joy Avon", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 345, "review": "It\u2019s Valentine\u2019s Day in Heart\u2019s Harbor, which means an exciting event is to take place in Haywood Hall. But all is not sweet in Callie\u2019s quaint community. Tensions are high as her aunt reconnects with an old acquaintance and she has no idea where she stands with the charming Deputy Falk. While she deals with her own relationship drama, she also finds herself meddling in the past flame of her aunt\u2019s and into the drama that has found its way into the life of Falk\u2019s sister which puts her into a few predicaments. When someone close to them is suspected of the murder, Callie once again steps into sleuthing to find the killer herself, which puts her at odds with the handsome deputy. In Cold Chamomile is the third book in A Tea and a Read Mystery series.

Joy Avon delivers another fun and charming mystery that brings Callie into some new trouble, just in time for Valentine\u2019s Day. Valentine\u2019s Day is the theme of the mystery, so various relationships are explored throughout. Callie\u2019s relationship with Deputy Ace Falk faces a few ups and downs when she maneuvers her way into embarking on her own investigation. The two are still navigating their relationship, which gives a humorous and romantic element to the mystery. Callie gets drawn into the relationship problems of those around her with her great aunt Iphy facing her own dilemmas when she runs into an old flame and the tension that arises with Falk when Callie tries to help his sister with her budding relationship. The various relationships provide a fun, tangled web of drama and humor that invades Callie\u2019s life that is driven out of the Valentine\u2019s Day motif. The community of Heart\u2019s Harbor is one that is loving and sincere, the type of small-town that makes you want to visit and solve a murder alongside Callie and her aunt. The mystery has a charming tone, delightful humor, and endearing characters that make In Cold Chamomile the perfect cozy that pairs well with a cup of tea that is warm and inviting.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "23-Jan-2020 20:37:42", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008617043", "title": "One of Us Is Next: The Sequel to One of Us Is Lying", "author": "Karen M. McManus", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 202, "review": "Simon\u2019s death casts a dark shadow over Bayview High. Now, months later, Maeve is reluctantly trying to decide on her future. Knox has an internship at the organization Until Proven, helping the founders get jobs for convicted criminals. Phoebe is a waitress at the local hangout. All three are expecting things to wind down, now that the copycats are bored with the game. However, right when they let down their guard, a new game has started, and each player has a Truth or Dare option. No response means a Truth will be revealed, and Phoebe is the first to find its bite. \"Tick-tock,\" says the game master, \"always take the dare.\" Who will be next?

This sequel to One of Us is Lying is different from the first in that this is a steady burn to the finale rather than an immediate blast. The story builds with revelations and daring tasks to a final explosion that winds down with several unexpected sparks for an unforgettable conclusion. Like the previous book, this one alternates viewpoints to build suspense. Readers will love this new installment as they get to know side characters from the first and see into the lives of familiar ones. Excellent read.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 00:26:02", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Children's", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008617039", "title": "The Roxy Letters: A Novel", "author": "Mary Pauline Lowry", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 179, "review": "Readers of Bridget Jones\u2019s Diary will also like this book because it is in much the same vein. The main character writes letters to her ex-boyfriend who also lives with her. She is candid in her day-to-day angst and inability to form a permanent attachment. In spite of her college education, she is also in a rut with a low-level job. She is barely keeping it together. She has one friend who is as ambitious and forward thinking as she is not. Another friend is sketchy and unpredictable. They both lead her down the road to a happier and more fulfilling career. This is a pleasant, well-written book guaranteed to pass the hours. It is the author\u2019s second novel. Her first novel was based on her experiences fighting wildfires in the West. Her current novel is based in Austin where the author grew up. There is a secondary story about the gentrification of Austin and the main character\u2019s ruefulness about old places and the way things were formerly in the city. For pleasant reading, the author does not disappoint.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "24-Jan-2020 00:10:58", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "309 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008617035", "title": "The Bear", "author": "Andrew Krivak", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 257, "review": "An unnamed girl and her father are the only humans left on earth. The father teaches his daughter the ways of survival: how to hunt and fish and forage, how to make warm clothes and shoes, how to make arrowheads and bows. He tells her about her mother and shows her where she is buried: at the top of a mountain shaped like the head of a bear. Needing a new store of salt, the father leads the girl to the ocean, far from the home they know. Too soon, the girl is left alone. The desire to return home is all that sustains her as she searches for food and faces the freeze of winter. With intelligence and courage, she voyages relentlessly, relying on what she\u2019s learned but also accepting the help she\u2019s given from the natural world. Danger is always a blink away, and the girl lives easily alongside it. She has lived a life of loss, but loss does not define her.

Written in spare, beautiful prose that evokes the richness of the mountains, ocean, river, and forest through which the girl travels, The Bear is a fable that centers the earth and its inherent generosity toward those who treat it with respect. Life in the wilderness is brutal, the death of creatures essential so the girl can live, but the girl brings reverence to each kill, sometimes even leaving pieces of meat for other creatures to find. In a world drowning in careless excess, The Bear suggests another way, and the rewards are great.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "23-Jan-2020 23:42:45", "publisher": "Bellevue Literary Press", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008617019", "title": "The Majesties: A Novel", "author": "Tiffany Tsao", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Mandy Nevius", "word_count": 217, "review": "Tiffany Tsao\u2019s The Majesties is wholly captivating from the first frightening scene to the final surprising twist. Gwendolyn\u2019s sister, Estella, has just poisoned her entire family as well as herself during a celebration. Gwendolyn is the only survivor. While in a coma, she recounts the history leading up to her family\u2019s demise. She begins dissecting Estella\u2019s and her life together, looking for clues that may point to Estella\u2019s decision to commit mass murder and suicide. She recalls their time at university studying entomology, Estella\u2019s failed marriage to an abusive man, and their trip to California to visit their aunt whom they had been led to believe was dead. In her grief, Gwendolyn grapples with her family\u2019s lies and her own identity.

Written in the first person from a self-reflective comatose state, The Majesties examines the dark secrets of a wealthy Chinese-Indonesian family that hungers for power, money, and a good reputation at whatever cost. Although best classified as a mystery, The Majesties transcends the genre with affecting prose that is both quiet and contemplative. Even still, the novel\u2019s very few thrilling moments will haunt every reader. Tsao explores race and domestic abuse with sincerity, proving Tsao\u2019s proficiency as a writer. The Majesties is perfect for anyone who finds the search for motive as interesting as the crime itself.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "23-Jan-2020 21:04:14", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008617015", "title": "Pinkalicious and the Merminnies (I Can Read Level 1)", "author": "Victoria Kann", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 195, "review": "Pinkalicious and the Merminnies/ is a really fun book to read. If you watch the show on TV, you'll like reading books about Pinkalicious, too. The story starts with Pinkalicious and her brother at the beach with their friend merminnie, Aqua. A merminnie is a little merperson. Aqua shows them her cousin, Splash. Splash is a boy merminnie and likes to do tricks in the ocean. One of his tricks is on some sea turtles, and another one is on a pink whale. Splash jumps in the air, but then falls in some kelp and gets stuck! The sea turtles line up to help Pinkalicious, her brother, and Aqua get across the water to where Splash is trapped. They get to him and then help him out. This story is lots of fun to read because it would be cool if there really are merminnies in the ocean. I like how they all worked together to help Splash, especially since Splash does some fun, but scary tricks. I like how Pinkalicious became not afraid at the end of riding on the water from the whale because she had her friend to help her do it.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "23-Jan-2020 21:02:46", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008617011", "title": "Lost Heirs of the Medieval Crown: The Kings and Queens Who Never Were", "author": "J F Andrews", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 202, "review": "As we all know, history is written by the victors, and it can be difficult to determine \"the other side of the story.\" But the stories of the might-have-beens are fascinating and well worth searching out, as is brilliantly illustrated in this volume of little-known history by author J.F. Andrews.

The book tells the stories of ten of England's rulers, and those who lost their regency for one reason or another, from tragic accidents (like the sinking of the White Ship, resulting in the drowning of England's heir-apparent) to treasonous uncles (King John, anyone?) and everything in between.

This exploration between the lines of your standard English history text provides you with a much greater understanding of how and why English history unfolded and developed as it has \u2013 and it's a great read, too. Andrews' writing is brisk and wry, frequently sardonic, as he exposes the foibles and follies of those nobles whose unfortunate choices had an even more unfortunate effect on the innocent citizens of the kingdom they ran (sometimes into the ground).

Although we can't change history, we can at least try to understand it; this book makes sure we will have a lot of fun along the way.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "23-Jan-2020 20:46:44", "publisher": "Casemate", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008617003", "title": "Forever", "author": "Geoffrey M Cooper", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 56, "review": "\"Complete with science, espionage, and action, Forever is a book that will keep you on your toes. As genomic scientist, Brad Parker finds himself falling deep into a plot of espionage and lies, he realizes things aren\u2019t always what they seem. This is a page-turner from start to finish!\" \u2014 Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Jan-2020 21:00:02", "publisher": "Maine Authors Publishing", "page_count": "220 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008584007", "title": "The Prized Girl: A Novel", "author": "Amy K. Green", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alissa Smith", "word_count": 269, "review": "This was one of the most interesting and suspenseful books I have ever read. It had more hairpin turns than the Road to Hana in Hawaii. This book is about a broken town with broken people all too proud to show how broken they really are, but these things will come out on their own after the town\u2019s most perfect specimen is murdered in cold blood.

When Jenny, a former pageant queen, is found dead, police arrest the most obvious suspect, but that is never a good idea and naturally, Jenny\u2019s half-sister is suspicious. Virginia has seen first-hand the horrors of this town and won\u2019t stop at anything to see if something similar happened to her sister. This book shows Jenny\u2019s life right before she died and Virginia\u2019s life after. When you start to uncover the secrets of the two sisters you find out the town is not as picture-perfect as it may seem at first. A plan to run away, not one but two perverts, psychotic parents, forbidden love, a passionate murderer, SO. MANY. SECRETS. And two girls at the center of it all. The Prized Girl is a true thriller.

This book had the most amazing characters with insane histories. When I got to the end, I could not put it down. The storyline and writing were both phenomenal. This book is a great reminder that when something is bad it can always get worse. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers, but I\u2019m warning you this is not for the light-hearted. It is the type of book I thank God is not a true story.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "17-Jan-2020 19:11:12", "publisher": "Dutton", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008584003", "title": "You Are Mine, Porcupine", "author": "Helen L. Wilbur, with illustrations by Stephanie Fizer Coleman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 213, "review": "Mama Porcupine lovingly introduces her little one to the world by taking him on a tour of the forest at night. She warns him about the dangers that lurk when the sky is no longer lit. With sweet nurturance, she emboldens him with the knowledge he has an original coat of protection. Mama Porcupine shows her porcupette the array of delicious treats that will help him grow. Together, they climb branches of a nearby tree and roam the grounds for more adventure and lessons to be learned. Before the sun begins to shine and a delightful night of fun and exploration concludes, Mama Porcupine reminds her offspring just how deeply he is loved.

You Are Mine, Porcupine is a truly precious story that beautifully elucidates a mother\u2019s love for her kin as she prepares him to face the world of the outdoors. It\u2019s filled with gorgeous, first-rate illustrations that pulse with warmth and comfort. Even the cover is soft to the touch and pulls the reader into the tenderness locked inside it. The words are creatively displayed across the pages in concave and convex assortments, adding a unique and youthful quality to the text. Children as young as three and as old as eight will likely find this picture book one to be cherished.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "17-Jan-2020 18:55:47", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008583007", "title": "You Can Have It All, Just Not at the Same Damn Time", "author": "Romi Neustadt", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 193, "review": "You Can Have It All, Just Not at the Same Damn Time is the follow-up title to Neustadt\u2019s previous book, Get Over Your Damn Self. It's fiery, sassy, and funny, but loses it when it comes to the actual advice.

In summary, Neustadt advises readers to know their worth (good), stop wasting their time/selling themselves short (again, good), and hire out anything you don\u2019t want to do in order to free up time to run your business (wait, what? Pay someone? When I\u2019m struggling already?). While this sounds like good advice, for readers dealing in hundreds of dollars, not hundreds of thousands of dollars, it doesn\u2019t seem financially feasible.

This book does a good job of encouraging women to live a more authentic life by saying no, cutting out toxic relationships, and practicing personal forgiveness. Neustadt is incredibly motivating to read, with her sassy, girlfriend-y style, and has some good practices to help readers dig deep, but I feel the meat of her message isn\u2019t practical.

You Can Have It All, Just Not at the Same Damn Time means well and is well-written, engaging, and funny, but it misses the mark for the rest of us.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2020", "date_added": "17-Jan-2020 19:13:36", "publisher": "Portfolio", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008582027", "title": "Cape Mediterranean: The Way We Love to Eat", "author": "Ilse van der Merwe", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 201, "review": "Here is an incredibly beautiful book that you will certainly enjoy having in your cookbook collection. It gives an enticing overview of the types of foods eaten in South Africa. This is a new, just-waiting-to-be-discovered cuisine that combines the fresh, flavorful and healthy ingredients typical of the Mediterranean, such as fish, fresh vegetables, and legumes, with the heartier fare of more northern climes, including lots of bread and meats. It is a brilliant combination, and the gorgeous photos, which accompany each recipe, transport you there. The recipes themselves are not difficult to follow, they are written very clearly with both standard and metric measurements. Readers will appreciate the clear directions which walk you through some trickier places. Some of these recipes do become quite complicated and will require a significant time commitment, and can feel intimidating at times, especially as they ask for ingredients that are, apparently, common in South Africa but may be more difficult if not impossible to find in other areas. Even so, there are plenty of amazing recipes here that take only a little time and effort, with easy-to-find ingredients, that will give you a delicious taste of Cape Mediterranean food and leave you hungry for more.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "18-Jan-2020 20:52:37", "publisher": "Casemate", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008582023", "title": "The Magic of Sleep: A Bedside Companion", "author": "Michael Acton Smith", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 194, "review": "Sleep is a crucial part of our everyday lives. Many people may be familiar with the Calm app on your smartphone or tablet. The book The Magic of Sleep: a Bedside Companion is by the co-founder of Calm, Michael Acton Smith. In the pages of this book, he thoroughly discusses four issues dealing with sleep: the science of sleep, sleep problems, \"The Dream World,\" and \"The Magic of Sleep.\" At the end of each section, there is either a part for journal pages, a quiz, a dream diary, or checklists, all for your benefit to help yourself achieve a good night's sleep.

With how much sleep affects our daily routine, it's great that there is something available to help millions of people achieve restful sleep and increase productivity and moods. There is a plentiful amount of information available to us in this book. I love that the information is given in bite-sized portions on each page, as well as the fact that each page is engaging to look at with its bright, bold, and calming illustrations. I recommend this book to anyone; you will find this scholarly information useful for yourself as well as others.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "17-Jan-2020 19:15:17", "publisher": "Harper Design", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008582015", "title": "Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives", "author": "Daniel J Levitin", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 176, "review": "This is the authoritative book on aging, written by a neuroscientist. While having proper academic notes and indices, the book is highly readable and interesting. For example, to learn that infancy and childhood care can be a determinant of resilience to the aging process was fascinating. The author goes on to say that the effects of childhood trauma can be mitigated, giving hope to those many of us who had less than a perfect start in life. Societal and cultural issues such as drug addiction and alcoholism are not given much attention because the effects of aging on the brain are the main focus of this book.

This is a very hopeful book. While the current model of aging mandates retirement at a certain age, this author recommends finding meaningful work as an antidote to the aging process. In addition, the author covers diet, exercise, relationships, emotions, and coping skills in an exhaustive instruction in healthy and successful aging. This is one of the best books I have seen on this subject, and it is highly readable.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "14-May-2020", "date_added": "17-Jan-2020 18:59:19", "publisher": "Dutton", "page_count": "528 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008582007", "title": "Star Scouts: The Invasion of the Scuttlebots", "author": "Mike Lawrence", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 187, "review": "Avani, a girl who has joined the star scouts instead of the flower scouts, has made a new friend named Pam. Pam is a methane-breathing alien from the methane scouts while Avani is an oxygen scout like the rest of her friends. Oxygen breathers and methane breathers are supposed to get along, but it\u2019s not easy. Luckily, Avani and Pam are friends and can get along easily. However, when both scouts get into groups, Mabel, an alien who has just pupated, feels jealous of Pam and Avani's friendship because Avani has been best friends with Mabel since before she met Pam. Mabel accidentally sends a scuttlebot, a type of robot, to destroy Avani and Pam's friendship. Avani and her friends go back to Earth to stop the scuttlebots and save the people. A book like this is an awesome book because it's very funny and spunky. I feel bad for Mabel, but invading Earth is pretty bad. My favorite part is when the team combines into a robot at the end. My favorite character is Avani. I recommend this book to anyone who likes aliens and teamwork.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "17-Jan-2020 18:25:51", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008582003", "title": "Lily the Thief", "author": "Janne Kukkonen", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 175, "review": "Lily is a thief. She steals relics, keys, and other things. Seamus is also a thief, and Lily learns from him. Many people did not think that Lily would make a good thief, so she wanted to prove to them that they were wrong.

There is an evil Lord who wanted Seamus to steal a special key, but he refused. The Lord wanted to torture Seamus, but Lily saved him. She agreed to find the key for the Lord in exchange for a prize.

I like Lily because she's nice, brave, and tough. She does things like stealing that most girls would not like to do.\u00a0

The story is more serious, definitely not a light-hearted story. The illustrations are more dark and bloody, especially toward the end. There was a good amount of killing in the end of the story.

I think this book should be read by older kids like pre-teens or teenagers because of the bloody scenes. I recommend this book to older kids who like to read stories about believing in yourself.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "17-Jan-2020 18:22:22", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008581015", "title": "Among the Lost", "author": "Armand Croft", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 478, "review": "The closest the identical Snead twins, Vera and Tamara, ever were was at birth. From that point on, because of circumstances and personalities, they grew apart.

Since \u201cthe pair lacked even the tiniest of character traits that might have compensated for their unfortunate appearance,\u201d they both fell upon desperate times, but Tamara, being \u201ca much more convincing ass-kisser,\u201d inherited their father\u2019s seven-million-dollar estate.

So, when Tamara\u2019s husband, Thomas Padgett, contacts Vera suggesting he has a lucrative proposition for her, she\u2019s surprised and interested.

Thomas has learned his wife is planning to divorce him and leave him penniless. However, there is a way to make it right for both the long-suffering spouse and the disinherited sister. If Tamara should meet with an \u201cunfortunate accident\u201d, Vera could assume her identity and, after a suitable period of time, file for a divorce from Thomas, and they could split Tamara\u2019s fortune as the settlement.

The plan is agreed upon and Tamara is dispatched in San Juan, a destination on the cruise she and Thomas are taking. Vera is waiting there and accompanies Thomas back to the ship in her new role as Mrs. Padgett.

Andrew and Karen MacCrimmon are on the same cruise, and when Karen tells her husband the woman with Thomas is someone other than his wife, he\u2019s intrigued. An \u201cincurable meddler,\u201d Andrew tricks Vera into revealing her true identity, and well-laid plans begin to go awry.

Among the Lost begins with promise. The motive for murdering Tamara, Thomas\u2019s wife and Vera\u2019s identical twin, is believable, even though the plan to carry it out has obvious flaws.

For example, the cruise seems unnecessary and risky when Thomas could have murdered his wife at home, got rid of the body, and he and Vera could have gone to some foreign destination where no one knew them. Once Vera had assumed her sister\u2019s identity and shed her own, they could have proceeded with the divorce and split the assets.

Despite my misgivings with this early failing in the plot, I continued on because of the originality of the two antagonists and the professional quality of Croft\u2019s writing. The introduction of Andrew and Karen, appealingly flawed protagonists, added an interesting dimension.

The story begins to unravel for me when Karen notices Vera is not Tamara and Andrew decides to investigate. It seems incredulous that Karen would notice innocuous things about a stranger and that Andrew would care. When Vera and Thomas overreact to Andrew\u2019s unsubstantiated inquiries their credibility is destroyed along with the rationality of the plot.

As Among the Lost progresses, Andrew takes on the traits of an ubermensch while the villains evolve into bumbling stooges. Both characterizations are extreme and unrealistic, and though Croft includes a few twists they only surprise because they are so out of character.

Many scenes including the denouement are exaggerated and overly long, and despite meticulous detail building up to the climax, Croft disappoints rather than delivers.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jan-2020 14:44:56", "publisher": "Author Central", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008580007", "title": "The Bedtime Book", "author": "S. Marendaz, with illustrations by Carly Gledhill", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 188, "review": "Frank the dog is just about asleep when he is startled by Mouse asking for help. Mouse had left her favorite bedtime book next to her flowerpot but now it is gone. She just can\u2019t fall asleep without it. Frank follows Mouse home and finds there is no book there. But Frank can sniff a trail which they follow to Bella\u2019s house. Bella says she thought the book was lost and had left it near Owl\u2019s house. When they arrive, Owl admits to giving the book to Baby Hedgehog because Owl thought Baby Hedgehog would like to have a bedtime story. When Frank suggests getting the book from Baby Hedgehog, Mouse thinks it wouldn\u2019t be right to take the bedtime story from Baby Hedgehog. Can Mouse and Frank find a way to get Mouse to go to sleep?

This is a cute bedtime story that will help little ones quiet down and get ready for their own sleeping time and will reinforce the comfort that can be found in a quiet bedtime story. The sweet illustrations almost look like cut-paper pictures and seem a good complement to the story.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "17-Jan-2020 19:45:06", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008578039", "title": "The Ultimate Book of Scavenger Hunts", "author": "Stacy Tornio", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - Age 8", "word_count": 221, "review": "This was such a fun book! We printed it (received an e-book) because it was way more fun to have a clipboard on the hunt than a cell phone! I love pictures and these were very cool. They look so realistic! The facts about each animal or find were great, it was the perfect amount of information to keep me and my sisters interested and excited to find the next thing!

We took our book to the zoo and it gave us a reason and a purpose to visit! We had fun going around to spot different characteristics of different animals. My sisters and I are very competitive and we had fun trying to get to each animal first to figure out how many points we go when we spotted something on the list!

My grandparents live in West Virginia and we had so much fun doing the tracts and scat hunt in the woods! My cousins came on that one with us and we all giggled so much when we found scat! We think this will help us when we grow up and go deer scouting.

I think this book would be a great gift for kids of all ages! My baby sister who is two loved going with us and my oldest cousin who is ten loved it too!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "16-Jan-2020 21:30:16", "publisher": "Rowman & Littlefield", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008577007", "title": "Father of Lions: One Man's Remarkable Quest to Save the Mosul Zoo", "author": "Louise Callaghan", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 238, "review": "A tame lion cub, a city under lockdown, and a community invaded by terrorists. This hardly sounds like a tale about a zoo. But read on\u2026Louise Callaghan\u2019s account of the jihadists who take over the city of Mosul in Iraq is compelling. The title, Father of Lions, veils the purpose of the book: to relate the effect of the destructive jihadist presence from the perspective of a single family.

Abu Laith, co-hero in the drama, is an exuberant middle-aged extrovert with a passion for animals fueled by the National Geographic television channel. He is rebellious, unused to being bossed around or imprisoned in his home with his wife and close to a dozen raucous children underfoot. As the world around him collapses, his thoughts reach constantly to Zombie, his lion cub, unsafely caged and underfed on the other side of the city, his other animals savaging and devouring each other.

At first, when the Americans arrive to liberate the city, their bombing and shooting prolongs the peril. But then, almost magically, a second hero arrives. Dr. Amir is an Egyptian veterinarian whose passion for animals is geographically more extensive and more practical than Abu Laith\u2019s. Together they must spirit Zombie to safety across the border, a mission fraught with danger.

To the very end the story is grim, but the author, a British journalist, has mitigated the horror with frequent dabs of black humor making the unreadable and unthinkable totally compelling.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "16-Jan-2020 01:25:32", "publisher": "Forge Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008575015", "title": "No Bad Deed: A Novel", "author": "Heather Chavez", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 204, "review": "No Bad Deed starts out innocently enough with a woman named Cassie who is married to Sam and has two children, Leo and Audrey, with him. Their relationship has fizzled out a bit mostly due to Cassie\u2019s busy work schedule as a veterinarian. One day when driving home, she sees a man arguing with a woman. The argument turns violent and Cassie, without thinking, gets out of her van. The man warns her to stay away. And with the one decision Cassie makes to get involved, her life is turned upside down in the most unexpected way. This book was like a flower with its petals being plucked off one by one. The pages were full of clues as to the disappearance of Sam and whether they are related to the people who were fighting that night Cassie pulled over. I did not expect the story to take the turns that it did and it seemed like just when you figured out one thing, another clue would turn up. This book was definitely a page-turner that would have any lover of suspense and thrillers going mad by the end of the story. A fabulously written story with a juicy plot and some intimidating characters.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "16-Jan-2020 01:26:50", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008575011", "title": "Daughter from the Dark: A Novel", "author": "Maryna and Sergey Dyachenko", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 201, "review": "For a book about supernatural beings, a protective teddy bear that can kill, and music, this book moves at a fairly lethargic pace. DJ Aspirin is walking home late from another one of his famous parties when he rescues ten-year-old Alyona from some ruffians on the street. Next thing he knows, she is getting into his life, claiming to be his daughter, while she is on the search to play the perfect tune to find her brother who came down to our world hundreds of years ago and has never come back. While at the same time different supernatural forces are trying to stop her from playing the tune.

It takes a long time for really anything to happen, and nothing really much happens besides a lot of arguments until the final part of the book. There are a lot of self-musings, which often get repeated, and a teddy bear that is not a teddy bear, though after the first few attacks he calms down. The idea that an angel coming to Earth to find her brother and must play a tune might be interesting, I just wish it was not told this way as it is a bit slow and ponderous.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "14-May-2020", "date_added": "16-Jan-2020 01:17:09", "publisher": "Harper Voyager", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008575007", "title": "Long Story Short: 100 Classic Books in Three Panels", "author": "Lisa Brown", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 160, "review": "Short is the operative term for this synopsis of classic books. While the illustrations are very good, the three-panel limitation of this book proves that summaries are inadequate when it comes to telling a good story. Most of the strips failed to capture this reader\u2019s imagination, however, the strip of Jane Eyre is laugh-out-loud funny. This may be the perfect book for those who take their literature a little too seriously.

For this reader, the illustrations are the best part of the book because, for the most part, the panels fail to capture the essence of the classic story. The illustrator was too limited in the three-panel restriction. Because of her skill, it would be interesting to have a longer take on some of these books\u2014or another subject like classic movies. In Mad Magazine their comics usually were around eleven panels, and that managed to cover the subject nicely. An expanded take would be great given the talent of this illustrator.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "15-Jan-2020 18:41:03", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008573019", "title": "Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation", "author": "Octavia E. Butler, adapted by Damian Duffy, with illustrations by John Jennings", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 214, "review": "Octavia E. Butler\u2019s novel Parable of the Sower, first published in 1993, is a science fiction tale of a bleak near future. A young woman survives her harsh environment, violence, and loss, and founds a new religion that offers solace and hope for the new world. I really enjoyed it. Aspects of the original novel can seem a little underdeveloped, but overall it offers interesting relationships and a unique story.\nThis is the graphic novel version of the book adapted by Damian Duffy and John Jennings. The artwork has many highlights, and the editorial choices in the story make sense. The emotions on the faces of the characters are beautifully drawn, and the differences between the protagonist\u2019s notebook writings and thoughts is clear. These are clearly talented artists. Some of the book is quite dark and monotone in color choices, but other parts are colorful. The panels are heavy with text and are very busy and tightly packed, so I spent my time reading instead of enjoying the artwork to tell the story for itself. The Los Angeles landscape, the walled neighborhood, the highways of the West Coast didn\u2019t grab me visually in this graphic novel version. But, for fans of the medium of graphic novels, it is an inspired addition to Butler\u2019s story.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2020", "date_added": "16-Jan-2020 01:22:07", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008573015", "title": "The Life Below", "author": "Alexandra Monir", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah Hurley", "word_count": 188, "review": "A great science fiction novel full of adventure and excitement. In The Life Below, Naomi and five other astronauts begin their journey to Europa. They are a group called the Final Six and will be starting a colony when they arrive at Europa. Back on Earth, Leo, who is Naomi's friend, prepares for a journey of his own. Dr. Greta will be sending him to join the Final Six and help them survive their journey. Although the long journey to Europa is dangerous, it may be nothing compared to what awaits the group on Europa. This story was well written and full of suspense. It was so good that I read it in one night. I really enjoyed the part where Leo takes off in the WagnerOne, the space ship given to him by Dr. Greta. I also thought it was interesting when the Pontus, the ship flown by the Final Six, receives a strange transmission while approaching Mars. I recommend this book to young adults who enjoy sci-fi and adventure. If you want to read an amazing science fiction novel, then you should read The Life Below.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "16-Jan-2020 00:46:48", "publisher": "HarperTeen", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008573011", "title": "5 Rules for Tomorrow's Cities: Design in an Age of Urban Migration, Demographic Change, and a Disappearing Middle Class", "author": "Patrick M. Condon", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 237, "review": "External forces are precipitating a significant change in urban planning. The image of leafy suburbs, gaunt high rises, and even luxury mansions are being dislocated by the three forces responsible for putative transformation. As a professional city planner and professor at the University of British Columbia, author Patrick Condon directs readers\u2019 attention towards massive rural-to-urban migration, a demographic shift as women want fewer children, and recognition that the rich are growing richer often through investment in valuable urban land. These factors, he points out in 5 Rules for Tomorrow\u2019s Cities, are occurring against the background of climate change.

With Vancouver as an example, Condon shows how land in parts of the city is tenfold more valuable than the houses standing on it. Rather than demolish the property, he recommends the practice of modifying houses either by \u201chiving,\u201d adding extra space skywards, or \u201cbarnacling\u201d by attachments and supplementary structures on the site.

He describes with photo images coping styles in cities outside of North America. A district in Seoul, South Korea has seen the removal of a freeway built over an ancient river to reveal and provide access to the river below. Another innovation shows Medellin in Colombia where \u201cski lift\u201d transportation across town takes care of traffic problems. In Houston, the city offers space for thirty vehicles to accommodate every automobile, not a practical system. The book\u2019s exemplary organization, readability, and convincing message deserves more attention than most novels.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "15-Jan-2020 18:36:55", "publisher": "Island Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008573003", "title": "The Scarlett Mark", "author": "Abby Lane", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 425, "review": "Abby Lane says, in her about the author blurb at the end of the book, that Sleeping Beauty and Song of Ice and Fire are her inspirations. The former is very strongly at play, for the novel opens with a wicked witch swooping into a party so she can curse people. Rather than just being miffed she wasn\u2019t invited to a baptism for being evil, however, Cynara is angry because the party is a betrothal celebration for a man who had claimed to be in love with her. In true \u201cwoman scorned\u201d fashion, she curses him to transform into a black panther every time he feels attracted to a woman. Years later, Cynara is queen, and the fairy tale touches continue. She has three stepdaughters, all of whom consider her wicked and untrustworthy. They have even more reason to when she manipulates her oldest stepdaughter into contriving her own execution. Even when the execution becomes banishment, it is no less a death sentence, for the princess is to be sent to the manor where Cynara\u2019s cursed ex-lover resides.

The Scarlett Mark is the sort of book which would have swept me off my feet back in high school, and reading it now makes me nostalgic for all those old epic fantasies that first got me interested in writing. It has strong ties to fairy tales that many readers will recognize, but it isn\u2019t a strict retelling of any. Rather, it stands on its own, with a richer backstory than most fairy tale retellings and with powerful, fascinating characters. As the start of a trilogy, it does a fine job introducing the world and its rules without giving too much exposition, and I\u2019m fascinated by all the characters, even the wicked, ruthless Cynara.

Unfortunately, I wish the book could have delved deeper into everything. It\u2019s short enough to be a quick read, and sometimes that\u2019s what I want most, but this time around I found myself thinking something must have been left out. Especially in the last third, the book felt rushed, which is a shame. Lane does an excellent job painting pictures for the reader and making the world she creates feel as alive as the characters. I would have loved to see it fleshed out more.

That said, I do recommend the book, especially to readers like I once was. Anyone who thrives on fairy tale tropes and young women trying to shoulder through their own troubles to help others solve theirs will eat this book up, along with the rest of the trilogy.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "14-Jan-2020 20:13:51", "publisher": "SPK Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008572011", "title": "Aster and the Accidental Magic", "author": "Thom Pico", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 181, "review": "Aster has to move to the country, which is boring to her. Her mom knows a lot about birds and is trying to fix the migration problem. Aster meets a granny who gives her a dog named Buzz. Buzz can talk like humans. Aster takes the granny's place by becoming the new Queen of Summer. Aster needs to defeat the Chestnut Knights and their Fox boss, who kidnapped her father. Will Aster succeed?\u00a0

There is a glossary of characters at the back of the book. I didn't realize that it was there until after I finished reading the book. It would have been better if the glossary of characters was in the beginning of the book.

I think the illustrations are very cute, especially the Chestnut Knights. The illustrations remind me a little bit of the Hilda series. The story was funny, too. I really like stories with a heroine, and it is up to the brave heroine to save the day.

I highly recommend this book to any graphic novel fan. I'm happy to add this to my library collection.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "16-Jan-2020 01:15:46", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Kids", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008572003", "title": "Olympic Pride, American Prejudice: The Untold Story of 18 African Americans Who Defied Jim Crow and Adolf Hitler to Compete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics", "author": "Deborah Riley Draper, et al. ", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 229, "review": "The 1936 Summer Olympics have gone down in popular lore for when athletic powerhouse Jesse Owens bested the world. Coverage of Owens\u2019 four Gold medals overshadowed the accomplishments of his fellow African American teammates. The US Olympic team competing in Berlin consisted of eighteen African Americans. Their climb to the summit of amateur competition varied in background, education, triumphs and travails. The Jim Crow racism that held an iron grip on the deep South led to the relocation of families, however, discrimination still reared its ugly head up north and out west. Overcoming of these obstacles steeled the athletes\u2019 resolve in competition. Men such as Ralph Metcalfe, Mack Robinson, James Luvalle, and women such as Tidye Pickett and Louise Stokes, competed at superior levels. The talents developed and races won by the individuals are paralleled by the march to infamy of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. The two unlikely groups soon met up in Berlin, where Hitler had assumed superiority, but he was destined for the surprise of a lifetime.

Olympic Pride, American Prejudice is a poignant account of strength despite adversity. The paths to the Olympic games are relayed to the reader in a fine fashion, each athlete\u2019s journey building interest by chapter. The tension of the times is tangible, the reader gripped with nervous anticipations for every result. This is a history/sports book that is engrossing and powerful.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "14-Jan-2020 18:14:10", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008571003", "title": "Mirror Magic (Star Friends)", "author": "Linda Chapman", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 186, "review": "Mirror Magic is a simple book for six-to-seven-year olds. The storyline is based off of magical animals that fight bad magic. There is a magic mirror that has a bad magical creature imprisoned in it. The animals and their companions fight the bad spirit and banish it. The plot is too quick-paced and is almost an outline of a novel. There are too many similar books. The book does not have a complex plot and almost says \u201cthey did this, they did that.\u201d The characters are too simplistic and have no personality. The artwork is the best part of this book. It is pretty and realistic with lots of detail. The imagery is so detailed it looks alive. If the author elaborated on the story and expanded the plot it could be easily a better book. The types of magic were creative, and the worlds are decent. The books Dr. Kitty Cat, The Owl Diaries, and Kitty\u2019s Magic might be better for kids of this reading level. While the book has some good bits, it is too short and does not live up to its title.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "13-Jan-2020 23:17:28", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000008570011", "title": "The More We Get Together", "author": "Celeste Cortright, with illustrations by Betania Zacarias, performed by Audra Mariel and Kena Anae", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 186, "review": "The more we get together, together, together, the more we get together, the happier we\u2019ll be. This book takes a classic song and adds new lines reminding us to be kind to others, the earth, work together, get exercise, sharing ideas, and sharing food together.

My six-year-old and three-year-old both loved this book because it is a song. They liked the detailed and colorful pictures. They enjoyed seeing people doing good things for others and the earth.

This was a beautifully done book. I love this song so much, and I think the added verses were excellently done. I am in awe of how wonderful the text flows. I love that they are promoting kindness, hard work, and all the good things everyone should do together.

The illustrations showed great detail and wonderful cultural diversity. I loved the colorful spreads and care taken in each character and scene.

The great bonus that came with this book is a CD you can play from computer or CD player. It was a great way to make the book even more interactive. You need to put this one on your list to read.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Jan-2020 23:57:23", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008570007", "title": "When the Earth Shook", "author": "Lisa Lucas, with illustrations by Laurie Stein", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 125, "review": "When the Earth Shook is a story about how the earth shakes because it is crying and all the cars and buildings and everything falls down. The people don\u2019t know how to take care of the Earth but by the end of the story they do.

The king and the two stars get a little frustrated. The two stars love nature. But the king is mean and he doesn\u2019t. The king is not nice to the earth or to the girl. I think the king is doing something wrong and should be listening to Axion. The king never learns his lesson, but we can learn. We can take care of nature too, and this books helps us know how. The pictures by Laurie Stein were cool.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Jan-2020 23:55:17", "publisher": "Tilbury House Publishers", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008570003", "title": "Changing the Equation: 50+ US Black Women in STEM", "author": "Tonya Bolden", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 167, "review": "This is a great STEM job summary. It has a page about each person and half of it describes their job. The book seems to be about the impact of the black women mentioned, but it is really a job overview. If you are searching to get interested in the different jobs to find out which one to research this makes a great reference, but it is dryly written and that makes it somewhat unappealing. It is super boring if you are reading it all the way through. It is great if you want an intro to black women in stem. It is also a good resource for writing a paper because it is written plainly with only the most important bits included. If it were titled something like Jobs in STEM: 50 Amazing Black Women and their Jobs it would have been five stars, but due to the mistitle it is harder to read. It should be in a school library, to be read by eight-to-eleven-year-olds.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "13-Jan-2020 22:42:50", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008569003", "title": "The Anatomy of a Spy: A History of Espionage and Betrayal", "author": "Michael Smith", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 230, "review": "Espionage is a messy business, not meant for the faint of heart, or those lacking requisite skills. What motivates the man or woman undertaking missions often at their mortal peril? Anatomy of a Spy pursues the answer to this, with multiple examples of spies and their varied motives. Money, ideology, and ego are among the main reasons, yet many times there is more beneath the surface. The utilization of sex as a lure in gaining valuable information from a spy\u2019s target dates back to the Bible. Sex is also used in recruiting agents, especially in the \u201cHoney Trap.\u201d Intelligence agencies from the CIA to Mossad dabble in employing femme fatales to entrap vulnerable targets. The intelligence world tends to get murky and messy when the trap fails, leading to murders. Profiled spies range from efficient to bumbling, scrupulous to sociopathic, their gains touted, their losses swept under the rug. One intelligence service\u2019s victory is another\u2019s tragic setback. The great game of deception soldiers on.

Anatomy of a Spy captures the gritty and dirty world of spycraft in all phases. Michael Smith seizes the narrative and never lets up, providing assorted snapshots of numerous spies and their reasons for working for or against their countries. The stories are engrossing and fascinating, the only negative being the now erroneous Russia-2016 election narrative. However, this is mostly a footnote in an overall fun read.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Jan-2020 22:40:48", "publisher": "Skyhorse Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008568003", "title": "Big Mamma Cucina Popolare: Contemporary Italian Recipes (Food Cook)", "author": "Big Mamma", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 206, "review": "This new cookbook will broaden your imagination about what Italian food is and can be through recipes from the innovative chefs at the Big Mamma restaurant group, who make traditional Italian dishes with a modern flair. Everything is here for recreating a splendid Italian meal at home, from appetizers to desserts, interspersed with helpful tips from the chefs on such topics as \u201cHow to Choose and Serve Fish\u201d or \u201cThe Real Tomato Sauce\u201d (which is surprisingly simple to make, but an essential component of many dishes). Every recipe is accompanied by a gorgeous, mouth-watering photo, which makes it really difficult to decide whether you should make burratelli (tortellini with burrata and tomatoes) or saltimbocca alla Romana (veal rolls with cheeses). Or maybe go straight for a dessert of profiteroles Napoletani. Pour yourself one of the many cocktails while you try to make up your mind. These are not speedy recipes; although many take less than an hour to prepare (some much less), several have quite a long cooking time to meld the flavors, but they are not particularly intricate or tricky for anyone with some kitchen experience. Italian food is a labor of love, so lean into it and enjoy the process and the delicious results.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Jan-2020 22:38:09", "publisher": "Phaidon Press", "page_count": "378 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008565003", "title": "The Wedge: Evolution, Consciousness, Stress and the Key to Human Resilience", "author": "Scott Carney", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 252, "review": "Investigative reporter Scott Carney enjoys examining and partaking in the extremes of our environment. In The Wedge, he vigorously reports on his crusade to find techniques that can be used to adjust the body\u2019s normal reactions to debilitating stimuli. He tries to deceive the sympathetic nervous system and manipulate its normally prescribed functions in order to avoid physical stresses such as depression, or past traumas. For this purpose, he engages in and describes a series of techniques derived from past cultural practices and current recorded accounts that involve exercises in sensory deprivation, meditation, breathing exercises, both hypo- and hyperthermia, and psychedelic plant consumption. Travel with him as he volleys with kettlebells, getting into a concentrated flow that ignores other mental pressures, follow his breathing exercises which may release chemicals that assuage nervous tension, watch as he sustains his cool through a sweat-inducing roasting sauna, or relaxes in ice chilling submersions. Buoyancy in water allows his mind to float with free associations while taking hallucinogenic drugs appears to alter his mental perceptions while his consciousness becomes more porous to deeper insights. The author believes in challenging the nervous system by taking risks and recounts his own reactions to these mind and body stressors, but the reporting is sparse on details of how other populations have reacted to these environmental pressures and whether the benefits are worth the risks. While it is interesting to read about these mind manipulating techniques, the author\u2019s ego predominates in the bombastic writing and his ego blurs the message.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Jan-2020 21:08:02", "publisher": "Foxtopus Ink", "page_count": "310 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008562007", "title": "The Brightest Place in the World: A Novel", "author": "David Phillip Mullins", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahminneh - Age 14", "word_count": 243, "review": "This is a self-reflecting story based upon the true events of the PEPCON disaster. The book starts with the death of Andrew, who dies in the WEPCO nuclear explosion. He is a close friend to Russell, a father to Maddie, an employee to Simon, and a lover to Emma; Andrew dies in the WEPCO nuclear explosion. Russell sees the smoke coming from the nuclear plant while driving home and worries about the safety of his wife, Emma, and Andrew\u2019s wife and daughter. Inside Andrew's house to meet him after work, Emma feels the explosion. Simon drives away from the plant to escape the final explosion; he sees Andrew running in his rearview mirror, but Simon doesn\u2019t stop to save him. After the explosion, Maddie jumps out of the office window and runs home, unaware of what has happened to her father. The story then follows the four characters as they each grapple with Andrew's death.

I would recommend this book because of its originality and depth in character development. This book was able to effectively portray the depth of effect that one person\u2019s death could have so many people. The character development was very thorough and constant. There are a few intimate scenes in the book, so I would recommend this for ages 16 and up.

This is a good self-reflective story about people dealing with the death of a close friend, father, husband, lover, and employee; however, it requires a mature audience.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "12-Jan-2020 21:01:32", "publisher": "University of Nevada Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008561003", "title": "Dragon Head", "author": "James Houston Turner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 416, "review": "A man in Hong Kong attempts to flee a group of assassins who are after him. Hong Kong is the perfect city to make his escape, where someone can hide in plain sight: One does not seek what one does not see. But he is being chased by a crime boss named Dragon Head, a white man who has earned his reputation for killing his rivals. Dragon Head is seeking something that this man has and has sent his best assassin after him, a woman with a dark past named Xin Li. It is a game of cat and mouse\u2014who will win out?

In another part of the world, former KGB colonel Aleksandr Talanov is being interrogated by the House Intelligence Committee. His best friend and former CIA handler, Bill Wilcox, has brought Talanov to Washington D.C. to apply as a potential consult for the CIA. But trouble always seems to follow Talanov, and things go badly from the start. Burned out and emotionally drained, he heads to San Francisco for some much-needed R&R with his mentor, Zak Babikov, who runs a community center in Chinatown. Soon after Talanov arrives, Dragon Head\u2019s assassins do, too.

He does not know it yet, but Talanov has something Dragon Head desperately needs. The crime boss has sent his own daughter and Xin Li, two amazing fighters, to bring Talanov to Hong Kong. But Talanov is distracted by Zak\u2019s new family. His mentor has three newly adopted children and has built a happy life for himself, proving that Talanov may someday leave his dark past behind, too, and have a very different future. But Xin Li is on the hunt for him, and she has a plan of her own, one that defies Dragon Head and links to her troubled past\u2014a past that includes Talanov.

James Houston Turner's latest book Dragon Head is another action-packed thriller that traverses the world. From DC to San Francisco and Hong Kong, Turner gives readers a diverse set of characters with changing loyalties and international intrigue. He does not shy away from tackling the complexities of cybercrime and international law, nor does he stop at giving us the action alone. His characters are funny and emotionally driven. They face tragic losses as well as hard-fought victories that connect to readers. This book has it all: action, emotional drama, and even a little romance. Another impressive thriller from the Aleksandr Talanov series. No need to have read any previous books in the series to enjoy this latest one.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Jan-2020 23:08:13", "publisher": "Regis Books", "page_count": "274 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008560003", "title": "Death Do Us Part", "author": "J. L. Salter and Charles A. Salter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 443, "review": "Death Do Us Part is a collection of ten short stories. Many can be compared to The Twilight Zone and the writings of Alfred Hitchcock, with subtle references to semi-recent works of film. Each story is either filled with suspense, wariness, or action, sure to appeal to a large audience.

In the first story, \u201cBuddies Forever,\u201d a PFC in the Vietnam War wakes up in a hospital with his eyes blindfolded after an explosion in his barracks. The doctors keep calling him by his buddy\u2019s name, but he finds out later that that\u2019s not all he has in common with his friend. In \u201cA Lousy Way to Rye,\u201d a man comes back into consciousness but can\u2019t remember who he is, let alone if he is the good guy or the bad guy. In \u201cAs His Excellency Wishes,\u201d a couple is overseas in a foreign city, with the wife working in the education department of the government. When the current leader gets overthrown, the couple will discover what is to become of them. In \u201cThe Room,\u201d the reader discovers what the human body is capable of in extreme distress. \u201cMurder on Her Mind\u201d features a housewife who is trying to be persuaded by her best friend that more husbands than not are wife-killers. The wife turns a blind ear, but when things start happening around her, is she so sure that she is correct? \u201cThe Herndon Street\u201d introduces aspects of pagan worship and the idea that when you follow pagan traditions in a sacrificial ceremony, you can achieve god-like status. \u201cTime Conscious\u201d features a bedroom clock that allows old Elizabeth a glimpse into the future. \u201cThat ASMR Girl\u201d reminds me of the film \u201cThe Ring\u201d because an FBI agent is sent to examine the scenes in which two leaders are discovered dead in their seats while watching an \u201cASMR\u201d video. \u201cBlade of Grass\u201d informs us of the dangers of a leader who endorses socialism in the country: peril runs amok, and it\u2019s up to the few \u201cgood\u201d people left to defend what is theirs (by any means necessary) from those who think otherwise. \u201cThe Caves of Lonesanne Blu\u201d follows a crippled war hero who has discovered a woman who is sentenced to death because of an outstanding debt accrued by her parents. Is she worth saving?

Personally, I believe all of these stories are worth reading. The stories flow so smoothly, and they each give something to think about that pertains to our own lives today. Short stories are fun to read because they get straight to the point of the story, and still include action, adventure, suspense, etc. Keep an eye out for these authors!", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "09-Jan-2020 22:15:32", "publisher": "Dingbat Publishing", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008559007", "title": "Hope in the Mail: Reflections on Writing and Life", "author": "Wendelin Van Draanen", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jewel - Age 12", "word_count": 224, "review": "Hope in the Mail is about Wendelin Van Draanen, the writer of the book, and how she became an author. From coming up with the source of your book to publishing it. Wendelin Van Draanen is an author of thirty books, including a book which was converted to a film, Flipped. Hope in the Mail gives advice for young writers on how to create good characters, a good plot, and how not to give up hope. It also contains backstory to how she came up with the plot for each of her books, like how her Sammy Keyes and the Sisters of Mercy was dedicated to a homeless woman she met once, or how her first book she wrote was about revenge on the arsonist who burned down her family\u2019s business.

I absolutely loved Hope in the Mail. I had started to write my own stories and it helped a lot on how I should construct it. It also helped with constructing a non-boring plot. It\u2019s definitely a book I would read over and over again. Also, it was cool to learn where the stories I have read came from and how she used her life to develop them. I would recommend Hope in the Mail to kids and teens, around nine to fourteen, who are interested in writing or are writing their own book.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "09-Jan-2020 19:20:21", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Kids", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008557007", "title": "Target Operating Model 2025: 10 Design Choices Every Company Must Make to Facilitate Agility, Ignite Innovation, & Outperform Everyone", "author": "Randall Scott Rogers", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 218, "review": "As businesses spread their operations across different countries, they need to leverage their analytical tools to help them manage by aligning their goals across all platforms. Given an organization\u2019s complexity, this is not a small task in today\u2019s business environment. This book focuses on operational excellence, specifically using Target Operating Model (TOM) as a basis to increase efficiency and create competitive advantage.

The book starts with where it views organizations are today (these are organizations that need transformation). It enumerates the various syndromes that keep organizations from succeeding and briefly outlines why that approach will not work. The next chapter details the consequences of loss (of operational excellence) at several levels. The perspective is that loss permeates not only to the organization, but also the employees, the industry, and society at large.

After describing the current state, the narrative outlines the ten operating models along which organizations need to make progress. These are mutually reinforcing principles, hence progress along each vector requires and supports progress along other vectors. The last two chapters discuss strategies for shepherding organizational change. The book assumes readers are familiar with the Business Model Canvass (BMC) and TOM, which derives from BMC. Those readers who are will find a lot of the same concepts here, but with the focus on directing and managing how organizations change.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "09-Jan-2020 19:19:05", "publisher": "Henosis Partners, LLC", "page_count": "116 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008557003", "title": "Dragon Head", "author": "James Houston Turner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 619, "review": "Wu Chee Ming thought he had chosen well when he decided to disappear into the backstreets of Hong Kong after pulling off an audacious theft, but he had severely underestimated his adversary. Crime boss Dexter Moran \u2013 better known as Dragon Head \u2013 is the supreme leader of the Shi bei organized crime family, and he\u2019s definitely not someone to take the theft of one and a half billion dollars lying down. Wu Chee Ming doesn\u2019t live long after Xin Li, Dragon Head\u2019s girlfriend and top enforcer, tracks him down, but he does at least manage to end things on his own terms, which poses a big problem for Dragon Head.

Wu Chee Ming\u2019s death is going to pose an even bigger problem for Aleksandr Talanov, former KGB colonel and potential new consultant for the CIA, although he doesn\u2019t know it yet. The missing money is hidden in an old bank account that the KGB opened in Talanov\u2019s name, and now that Wu Chee Ming is dead, and his access codes having perished with him, Dragon Head believes that Talanov is the only one who can get his money back for him\u2014money that he intends to use to fund a massive wave of cyberattacks. While Talanov is somewhat reluctantly going along with his friend Bill Wilcox\u2019s plan to get him a job with the CIA, Dragon Head, Xin Li, and a host of Shi bei fighters are on their way to the US to \u201cpersuade\u201d him to assist them\u2026

Dragon Head is the fourth book in James Houston Turner\u2019s Aleksandr Talanov series. Although you don\u2019t have to have read the previous books to enjoy this one, doing so would help to fill in some important background detail, particularly concerning the death of Talanov\u2019s wife and his relationship with former hooker Larisa. This latest outing for Talanov is another thrilling, action-packed story of truth and lies. The world of the spy is a murky one, and although Talanov has turned his back on the KGB and certainly done his best to protect the interests of the United States, people are still not sure where his loyalty truly lies. And can he really trust those around him?

Convinced that his past condemns those close to him to fear, danger, and perhaps even death, Talanov generally shies away from relationships, whether romantic or platonic, but encountering an old acquaintance during the events of Dragon Head prompts him to consider that maybe there could be another kind of life out there for him, maybe even a family. Yet, Talanov has a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and with both the Shi bei and the US government keen to get their hands on the stolen money, it seems that his self-imposed isolation might not have been such a bad idea after all. It seems that whichever side ultimately secures the money, someone that Talanov has hesitantly grown to care about will get hurt.

Dragon Head is an explosive story packed with plenty of action and excitement. Like all good spy stories, it\u2019s unclear exactly what everyone is up to and who can actually be trusted. Dragged into the business of the missing money against his will and facing threats on all sides, Talanov encounters dangers and deception at practically every turn. He\u2019s a great hero to follow, tough and quick to dive into the action, but also smart and more than capable of outmaneuvering his enemies, which is just as well really because the bad guys are particularly bad this time round. Dragon Head is a fast-paced and exhilarating story that tackles a number of important contemporary issues. It\u2019s a top-notch thriller that\u2019s sure to entertain espionage fans.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "09-Jan-2020 13:44:00", "publisher": "Regis Books", "page_count": "274 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008555003", "title": "Say Goodbye and Goodnight", "author": "David Ruggerio", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 432, "review": "Say Goodbye and Goodnight is the story of Anthony, an Italian teenager living in Brooklyn in the 1970s with his parents and older brother. In an Italian household, there are many family traditions followed and expected to be honored compared to other nationalities. This concept shows itself in various circumstances throughout the story. Anthony is a boxer, working his way up the ladder as he quickly gains experience. Boxing is a big part of his life, but out of nowhere, a special girl becomes an even bigger part. In this story, Anthony experiences his most heartfelt summer thus far. Heartbreak, love, lust, and revenge all play a role in his life. After the senseless death of a loved one, he joins forces in the communal hatred directed at a rival gang to prove that, especially with Brooklyn Italians, nobody messes with their people in their neighborhood. Meanwhile, a murderer is running rampant close to their stomping grounds. Amid everything happening, Anthony will need to use his willpower to keep his love from dictating important parts of his life.

It's the 1970s in Brooklyn, New York. Many things are different in this decade than in our present time. For one, PC (politically correct) terminology is not as common, but people's thoughts and actions are the same throughout the decades. In the story, there are many parts when cursing and the usage of politically incorrect words are present. There are also scenes of violence and sexuality. The author makes it clear that Italian girls/women know just how to dress to make themselves the eye of every man around. The violence is from the boxing matches as well as other random fights that are inevitable with testosterone and pride raging. It's not surprising that there are scenes of sex and sexual tension given the characters' ages. The story reads well; it's easy to follow what's happening and immerse yourself in the characters, especially the main one, Anthony. There are some select Italian words included in the text, as well as some from other nationalities; I found this enjoyable, to learn the authentic way in which different nationalities speak. The story is told from Anthony's perspective; Ruggerio realistically writes Anthony's narrative by including Anothony's thoughts alongside his words and actions. Anthony seems like the type of person you would want to know in real life, and the romance he experiences during this particular summer is one that every individual will wish to experience in their lifetime. This story will be enjoyed by romantics as well as readers who like a good story including a likable Italian boxer.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "08-Jan-2020 23:04:50", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "204 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008551007", "title": "What It Seems", "author": "Emily Bleeker", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 267, "review": "What It Seems, the fifth novel by Emily Bleeker, is a solid thriller centered on the ideas of family and belonging as well as on the lies people will tell to keep their lives and lifestyles secure.

Twenty-year-old Tara has been raised by Mother, her criminal and seemingly deranged foster parent, since she was eight. Mother has done a number on Tara: cowed into shyness and compliance by the brutal regime at home, although not totally defeated. Tara has a secret escape in the form of the Feelys, a successful family of YouTubers, whose videos she watches whenever she gets a chance.

The Feelys represent family, acceptance, and normality\u2014everything Tara craves\u2014but when she has the opportunity to break free of Mother as an intern on their show, she finds her new life has its fair share of complications and dangers. Tara discovers the Feelys are not quite the perfect family in their videos, and she also has to keep her wits about her in case Mother makes an appearance.

There\u2019s a tense atmosphere hanging over the events of What It Seems as Tara strives to escape from, and perhaps better understand, her past by forging a new future. The overall setup, moving from near-captivity with Mother to working on a major YouTube channel, is perhaps rather implausible, and some of the characterizations a little inconsistent, but the story still manages to be suspenseful and intriguing in places. Emily Bleeker conveys a real sense of unease as the story progresses and it becomes clear the past and the present will collide in a startling and potentially deadly way.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "07-Jan-2020 19:45:29", "publisher": "Lake Union Publishing", "page_count": "299 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008550003", "title": "Willow the Wildcat", "author": "Lynne Rickards", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 5", "word_count": 135, "review": "A hundred smiley faces! I loved the whole book Willow the Wildcat. The kittens are looking for a new home and they try lots of different places. I like that the story rhymed. It\u2019s a long story to have so many rhymes!

At first the two kittens don\u2019t get along but then they do because they love each other and want to stay safe. The pictures are really sweet. There are pictures of kittens doing different things on every page. On one page, the kitties are being chased by a dog and then they have to find a new home.

The story has some scary parts but the pictures make it sweeter. Kids who are 5 and older would like the story a lot and younger kids would like the pictures because they\u2019re so cute.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "07-Jan-2020 18:49:06", "publisher": "Kelpies", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008549007", "title": "Niam! Cooking with Kids: Inspired by the Mamaqtuq Nanook Cooking Club", "author": "Kerry McCluskey", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 176, "review": "Niam: Cooking with Kids boasts great recipes that can be a little sticky in the making but turn out yummilicious. The recipes produce about twice what a normal recipe would, which makes this book perfect for a cooking club or class. Its recipes work well for many different skill levels, but some of the more difficult ones may need adult help. I made the pizza recipe and the no-bake surprise cookies recipe. Both of them were hard to shape and took more effort than I expected. The cookies had a remarkable taste and turned out well, but they were hard to shape. The pizza came out delicious but needed more flour than the recipe said. The pizza sauce was excellent, much better than store-bought, because of its combination of chunky and creaminess. Overall, the instructions were a bit too basic. It would have been better if they had pictures of each step and/or more description of each step. I would recommend this book for clubs and families where parents like to cook together with their kids.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "08-May-2020", "date_added": "07-Jan-2020 18:51:24", "publisher": "Inhabit Media", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008547007", "title": "Death Do Us Part", "author": "J. L. Salter and Charles A. Salter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 420, "review": "Death Do Us Part, by brothers J.L. Salter and Charles A. Salter, is an anthology of the unusual. This short story collection is comprised of ten imaginative and tautly written page-turners, reminiscent of The Twilight Zone but with a new and fresh take. The stories contain well-drawn characters that keep readers rooting for them. Some have surprise endings or a mystery to solve, while others drop readers into strange and unfamiliar worlds. Each story is a carefully conceived wire-mesh gate that leads into a world where the bizarre and unpredictable happens. One cannot help but turn the page and be all in.

The book opens with \u201cBuddies Forever,\u201d a story about an American soldier in Vietnam. Everyone keeps calling him by his best buddy\u2019s name. Their names are similar; Donahue vs. Donague (pronounced Don-ah-GHEE), but the men are polar opposites. What at first may seem like a simple mix-up turns into a mind-bender. In another military-themed story titled \u201cThat ASMR Girl,\u201d an FBI agent is assigned a case on an Army base where leaders are dying under strange circumstances. But is he the right man for the job? \u201cThe Herndon Secret\u201d is a well-paced thriller that amps up the tension. Two men must race against the clock to rescue an agent\u2019s wife, and their back-and-forth banter provides some much-needed comic relief. \u201cA Lousy Way to Rye\u201d and \u201cThe Room\u201d keep readers guessing who is the hero of the story. In \u201cMurder on Her Mind,\u201d an attentive husband is accused of attempting matricide by his wife's best friend. \u201cAs His Excellency Wishes\u201d provides a different kind of twist when a husband is surprised to learn that his wife already knows the leader of a violent coup. \u201cTime Conscious\u201d is a touching story that slows down the pace. An elderly woman relays an important incident that allowed her to see events in the future, thanks to her bedroom clock. \u201cBlades of Grass\u201d is set several years in the future and told from the point of view of an octogenarian farmer. When a stranger arrives on his remote farm, the farmer must determine whether he is a friend or foe. The book closes with \u201cThe Caves of Lonesanne Blu,\u201d a fantasy tale with a crippled war hero who rescues a young woman marked for death.

The Salter brothers bring us a familiar style of fiction that imparts new wisdom to its readers. But proceed at your own risk. For those whose interests run weird, Death Do Us Part is a hard book to put down.", "issue": "February 2020", "date_posted": "15-Feb-2020", "date_added": "08-Jan-2020 03:15:35", "publisher": "Dingbat Publishing", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008545003", "title": "After Loss", "author": "Linda Donovan", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 417, "review": "The loss of a spouse/partner is something totally incomprehensible for a person who has not gone through the experience. The advice from another person, no matter how educated or well-meaning, will never be taken entirely to heart because the widow(er) will always think \u201cbut you can\u2019t truly understand.\u201d That is why this book is so good and why it is so very necessary. Linda Donovan, in After Loss, speaks from a place of knowledge. She, too, has felt that deep crushing loss. Her words of advice and comfort will reach those grieving like no one else\u2019s possibly can because she was where they are now and is proof that they can, and will be, in a better place in their own time.

In the introduction, Donovan discusses how she suddenly came to the realization that it was time to begin rebuilding her life after the loss of her husband. After her daughter left for college, she was living alone for the first time in her life. While Donovan sat at the table with her Jack Russell Terrier, Roxy, in the chair across from her, placing her paw on the table when she was ready for another helping of chicken, she knew it was clearly the time to seek human interaction once more. This moment was the catalyst for writing this book.

Before Donovan begins the work of the book, she tells the reader early in her introduction to read the index to her book\u2014 first if their loss has been recent\u2014because there are specific strategies that she found necessary for getting through that first year. Then, Donovan begins with a chapter called \u201cWorking through the Tasks of Grief,\u201d which gives the reader some tools, like journaling or mood diaries for self-care, which can help them deal with emotional issues that are unresolved. She then moves into chapters that deal with strategies for moving forward and taking control of finances, decluttering, and travel, eventually even tackling the possibility of pursuing a new romantic relationship in time.

Though it is laid out like a \u2018how-to\u2019 for grieving, it reads like a letter from a good friend. Imagine sitting in a coffee shop with someone you trust, because you know that they have been through exactly what you are going through now. Donovan may not be able to immediately take that terrible pain away, because that isn\u2019t possible, but she can sit with you, give you some solid advice, and help you see that you have a positive future ahead.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "06-Jan-2020 21:40:36", "publisher": "AuthorHouse", "page_count": "156 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008542007", "title": "Amethyst Pledge", "author": "Leonie Rogers", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 439, "review": "In the dawning, we find ourselves with Kazari, a fifteen-year-old girl, as she carves expertly upon a belt made by her leathercrafting father and metalworking mother. It is an act of farewell. Kazari is determined to declare herself in the service of the Lady this day, despite both parents\u2019 opposition. Her calling is central to her being. This establishes an underlying conflict for the entirety of the tale.||Immersive religion is central here, in a world beset by perilous otherworldly intrusions, and in which the singular deity is real. She manifests in mental communication, in physical signings, dreams, and ceremonies. The Lady is at the core of the culture and society itself.

Rogers makes the choosing hat from Rowling\u2019s stories seem simplistic. There is, in deistic engagement with the every day, similarity to Bujold\u2019s world of five gods. But service to the Lady is more\u2026warm and fuzzy\u2026except when it is not and involves combat against horrors. The suckers, least of the invading menaces, manifest as physically viscous emotional destroyers, recalling the Dementors from the Potter books. In fact, so much of this tome is rich with concepts familiar to fans of the fantastic that it felt like a homecoming to read it.||I must emphasize that there are elements of motherly consideration by this author that make her offering most attractive. The religion does not entail life without family or without the possibility of taking a life partner. Septs, or callings within the Lady\u2019s service, are embracive of each dedicant\u2019s true character. No entrapment into service is practiced, and indeed it is explicitly avoided. There is a warmth of belonging and achievement quite well expressed.

One is swept along, as a reader, in an unrelenting current of effort, startlement, and emergency that simply does not allow beaching.

Kazari finds herself in a sept that involves personal danger and the all-too-real possibility of death. This is precisely the imagined scenario that occasioned her parents\u2019 opposition to her declaration of service.

In training and testing the girl\u2019s gifts are revealed, and those expose her to more peril. She is engaged in seeking eldritch intrusions whilst still very much a neophyte. Great danger and struggles ensue.

With just the difficulty of overcoming unnecessary modesty in coed housing and hints of becoming aware of the niceness of some men, there is nothing here that would preclude my handing this story to my thirteen-year-old granddaughter. But there is enough undercurrent of nascent sexual awareness that this adult reader felt no sense of prudish censorship.

I\u2019ve seldom found myself so smoothly engaged by such intimately detailed and professional-level writing. Hoping we see much more from this author!!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "06-Jan-2020 01:17:04", "publisher": "Hague Publishing", "page_count": "266 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008542003", "title": "The Vancouver Sketchbook: Lush Landscapes, Vibrant Streetscapes, Soaring Skyline", "author": "T.K. Ng", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 989, "review": "This vivid collection of books is perfect for architecture lovers with amazing works that feature stunning photography and ventures into stunning places. Check out iconic houses by famous architects that changed the American landscape then take a trip to Vancouver to learn about its spatial richness before stepping into the cultural intensity of Chinatown. These stunning books are perfect for the urban curious and fans of the /99% Invisible/ podcast. \n\nThe Vancouver Sketchbook: Lush Landscapes, Vibrant Streetscapes, Soaring Skyline \u2013 TK Ng\n\nThe beauty of Vancouver comes to life off the pages of this stunning book which features the beauty of the city from various locations including Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, snow-capped mountains, Stanley Park, False Creek, and UBC. Check out the rich history of Vancouver in this book that's half travelogue and half guidebook. /The Vancouver Sketchbook/ is a celebration of the city shown through vivid and colorful sketches by Ng which are paired with vibrant text to create the ideal pairing that shows the spatial richness and diverse culture of Vancouver. Ng's plan is to do more than creating an art book, but create a book that explores the city through its identity through pictures by focusing on Vancouver's history and Ng's own observations. \n\nThe Iconic American House: Architectural Masterworks since 1900 \u2013 Dominic Bradbury \n\nCheck out over 400 photographs that feature influential and groundbreaking innovations from architects over the last 120 years. These architects featured include Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, in addition to Richard Neutra, Peter Eisenman, Philip Johnson, and Thomas Gluck. Houses from these various architects range in style but maintain similar local appreciation, experimentation with style as well as materials, and understanding what the clients need. /The Iconic American House/ features fifty homes that are considered some of the most important in house design since 1900. The book has rich text paired with vibrant illustrations that show an array of masterpieces. The book also contains commissioned photographs, drawings, and floor plans along with biographies for the architects which makes this the perfect resource for students and professionals alike. \n\nThe 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design \u2013 Roman Mars; Kurt Kohlstedt\n\nConsidered fresh and imaginative, /The 99% Invisible City/ is the bible for the urban curious with each entry providing a surprising story that's thought-provoking. This beautifully designed guidebook shines the light on the unnoticed parts of our cities which is an idea that stems from the /99% Invisible/ podcast. This podcast pegs questions that will have you wondering where graffiti comes from, why metal isn't on fire escapes today, and perhaps even the purpose of inflatable figures used by car dealerships. This podcast is noted for having big ideas to reveal the stories in the buildings, streets, and sidewalks around us. Celebrate design and architecture in all its wonder and absurdity in this book from Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt to take a hard look at what makes our cities work. Explore origins behind what we consider mundane such as drinking fountains, power grids, fire escapes, and street signs. The entries featured in this book are well-researched and paired with beautiful line drawings that will leave readers captivated and make them look closer at their surroundings. \n\nModern Architecture: A Critical History \u2013 Kenneth Frampton \n\nThis revised and updated edition from Kenneth Frampton comes from the highly acclaimed survey which focused on the subject of 1980 modern architecture. Cultural developments drove the modern movement in 1750 which led to the creation of architecture we have today. Exploring the effects of globalization and the phenomenon that celebrity architects have brought into the field, /Modern Architecture/ contains a look at the rich history. The work has been thoroughly revised with the addition of new chapters that provide a deeper look at the modernist tradition. Frampton takes an honest look at the need society has to build more sustainably with structures that can handle climate change. The redesigned interior includes an updated bibliography and 500 illustrations. \n\nSan Francisco's Chinatown \u2013 Dick Evans and Kathy Chin Leong\n\nWith an amazing appreciation of color and adventurous perspectives, /San Francisco's Chinatown/ provides an amazing contribution to the community. Striking imagery paired with a historical narrative, see Chinatown through its stunning streets and festivals that bring to life its local flavor and culture. The median household income for Chinatown is about a quarter of San Francisco's average income. This book will take you into the heart of Chinatown through breathtaking images which show the beauty that has attracted tourists. Take a stroll through this lush district for some dim-sum and spot some red lanterns as you observe the stunning apartments and outdoor games. A stunning blend of American and Chinese architecture pairs with the blend of cuisine and culture in this lucid text from Kathy Chin Leong. /San Francisco's Chinatown/ focuses on the tight-knit community of the district which captures the thriving neighborhood through stunning images that highlight the unique and authentic Chinese traditions. \n\nDreamers & Designers: The Shaping of West Vancouver \u2013 Francis Mansbridge \n\nVancouver is a city defined by its geography with a border that has an ocean, mountainous wilderness, ravines, and creeks creating the perfect backdrop. This stunning landscape creates a unique personality for the city which lures people from all around the globe who come to explore the outdoor activities provided. Mansbridge explores how this city went from a beachfront cottage community to a location where only a select few could afford it. /Dreamers & Designers/ highlights the tension that has grown between the desires of West Vancouverites and the goal to maintain. The land of West Vancouver helped to shape the area through the fight of the less marginalized which Mansbridge captures through a stunning assortment of photography. Through the lens that Mansbridge provides, you can see how the unique setting created the community and defined the area for what it's known today.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "04-Jan-2020 18:23:40", "publisher": "Whitecap Books", "page_count": "158 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008539015", "title": "More Than Evil", "author": "Bil Richardson", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 42, "review": "\"Richardson has a flair for gore! More Than Evil is good, cheesy horror fun in the vein of Hunter Shea with a clever take on genre tropes. Definitely gonna keep this author on my radar.\" \u2014 J. Aislynn d'Merricksson, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "05-Jan-2020 02:45:46", "publisher": "Mountain Media", "page_count": "254 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008539003", "title": "Ashlords", "author": "Scott Reintgen", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 201, "review": "Racing phoenix horses is the pinnacle event of each year. This year proves no different, but three racers from different backgrounds have different reasons for racing...and winning. Pippa, a member of the dominant Ashlords and the daughter of two Race winners, wants the winning crown to keep up her family tradition. Imelda, a Dividian whose ancestors tried and failed to conquer the Ashlords, wants to use her scholarship entry to win against those who keep her people in fear. Adrian, a Longhand whose ancestors were hunted by the Ashlords, wants to start a war. Prepared with their horses and their alchemy to raise a phoenix horse to match the race course, they enter The Races knowing that each night could be their last.

In alternating chapters, Reintgen has created a world in which gods interfere with the lives of privileged mortals and mortals fight for their freedom on the backs of horses that turn to ash. The phoenix horses are exciting and original, the mix of riding and alchemy adding an unexpected competitive edge to The Races. This mix of The Hunger Games and The Scorpio Races will keep readers turning pages in a fiery frenzy to find out what happens next.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "04-Jan-2020 18:16:15", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Kids", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008538007", "title": "Buy the Avocado Toast: How to Crush Student Debt, Make More Money, and Live Your Best Life", "author": "Stephanie Bousley", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 208, "review": "Debt is an all-too-common misery in many people's lives, more commonly among Millennials who have finished school and have acquired mounds of student debt. The topic of student debt is a hot one in our current society, finding those dealing with it praying for forgiveness and those who aren't not understanding the stress and burdens it makes in many aspects of others' lives. Stephanie Bousley's Buy the Avocado Toast: How to Crush Student Debt, Make More Money, and Live Your Best Life is her professional advice for anyone dealing with debt, but especially student loans. Bousley discusses many aspects of your financial life to make it the best and easiest guide possible. She has lived on both sides of the coin and knows how to lead you in the right direction.

I enjoyed reading Bousley's advice for becoming debt-free quicker, or at least quicker than I would have before learning some new tricks. She includes many tips for making more money, buying a home, finding legitimate side-jobs, and realizing that your debt should not define you. I like that she made this not just about making more money, but also about learning to love yourself through anything and increasing your self-worth. Her advice is realistic and easy to execute.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "04-Jan-2020 18:17:25", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008537003", "title": "What Color Is Night?", "author": "Grant Snider", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "The night is dark with a sky of black and a moon that is white. Or is it? If one looks closely, there are colors to be seen. The sky is really a very dark blue, with clouds and tree limbs that look black in the night. And the moon, as it rises, is more of a yellow than white, changing as it rises higher and higher. Golden fireflies fill the night sky and a train streaking by shines silver. Yellow street lamps and brown moths and red neon signs and green-eyed night visitors and the soft glow of a moonbow bring more colors to the night. Children sleep and dream colorful dreams.

Author and illustrator Grant Snider has created a very quiet story in his debut picture book that is destined to lull little ones to a quiet state as they prepare to fall asleep. The simple, dark-as-night illustrations emphasize the quietness of the story as readers are carried through the city and out into the country, each place with a night sky, moon, and stars made up of colors of the night. Children will enjoy this book, and adult readers will enjoy the quieting result.", "issue": "January 2020", "date_posted": "22-Jan-2020", "date_added": "04-Jan-2020 00:19:16", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008535003", "title": "One-Day DIY: Modern Farmhouse Furniture: Beautiful Handmade Tables, Seating and More the Fast and Easy Way", "author": "JP Strate and Liz Spillman", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 172, "review": "Are you ready to transform your home in just one weekend? With the design style and expertise of JP Strate and Liz Spillman, founders of The Rehab Life, anyone can create that perfect modern farmhouse project. With the ability to deliver simple, achievable designs, Strate and Spillman will guide any reader through customizable plans with ease and confidence.

No need to be a skilled woodworker; this book includes projects for the entire home that are geared for the beginner. With twenty-one projects ranging from small wine and coat racks to large dining room tables to changing the aesthetic of an entire room, readers can makeover their living space with a sense of accomplishment pride and a uniqueness that is all their own.

No matter which room you want to transform, the authors will take you on a design journey with detailed instructions complete with full-color photos of every step. Discover your unique style, and ditch the high-priced furniture tags. One- Day DIY is your one-stop guide to showcasing your own unique farmhouse style.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2020", "date_added": "02-Jan-2020 23:16:19", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008534007", "title": "Exploding Stars and Invisible Planets: The Science of What's Out There", "author": "Fred Watson", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 226, "review": "At this point, we've learned so many amazing things about the universe around us that it's hard to capture all of it in a single book and feel like you're giving each mind-blowing cosmic wonder a fair shake. From the birth of our solar system and the origins of the moon to mysterious radio signals and how light can both inform us and deceive us, the universe is an incredible playground of ideas, and Fred Watson manages to capture delicious little tidbits, samples from all sorts of wonders, for readers to enjoy.

Exploding Stars and Invisible Planets is a buffet-style exploration of space, never lingering on one topic for too long before neatly segueing into the next, whetting the reader's appetite and then offering a new flavor to complement what they've just experienced.

The rich, full-color imagery and photography that accompany the entries only serve to tickle the imagination further, making you wish your teacher had spent more time on the weird weather patterns of Saturn or how planetary ring systems \"rain\" down material on the planets. How cool is that?

Exploding Stars and Invisible Planets is accessible science done right, providing the solid fundamentals for understanding, never overwhelming the reader with too much jargon, and sparking the interest and awe that could send new readers off to learn more on their own. It's terrific stuff.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "03-Jan-2020 00:24:36", "publisher": "Columbia University Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008534003", "title": "The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read", "author": "Rita Lorraine Hubbard", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Chloe - Age 8", "word_count": 97, "review": "The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read was kind of an exciting read. I thought it would be like other similar stories about slavery, but I was wrong. This story was engaging, and I was able to read it alone. I loved reading about all the stuff she did. And I liked how she vowed to be able to read one day and she did it, even though she was old when she learned to read. I will remember Mrs. Mary Walker because of this book.

I would recommend this book to kids age 8-10.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "02-Jan-2020 23:14:36", "publisher": "Random House Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008533007", "title": "Real Pigeons Fight Crime (Book 1)", "author": "Andrew McDonald", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 185, "review": "As A Pigeon would say, \"real pigeons are coo!\" This is a funny and cool book that is sure to make readers laugh out loud. My favorite part about this book is how the author and illustrator note in the back of the book that all the characters are modeled after real-life pigeons, like Homey is a homing pigeon. It is fun to learn something while reading a funny book. The book did have some awkward parts, like a pigeon wanting to eat a sausage, but it was kind of funny. If I had one suggestion to the illustrator, it would be to add color to the illustrations. Real pigeons are silly. Real pigeons like bed crumbs. Real Pigeons Fight Crime is a fun chapter book with easy-to-read chapters and multiple stories in the book. Follow the pigeons when they are trying to be helpful in their local parks and help bring back humans and animals to the park, or when they are battling the evil Monster Crow and Mega Bat. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Real Pigeons series.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "02-Jan-2020 23:15:42", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008533003", "title": "The Rabbit Hunter: A Novel", "author": "Lars Kepler", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 180, "review": "There is a killer on the loose wanting revenge for something that happened to his mother thirty years ago. That is the basic plot for a novel that starts off interesting and intriguing, diverges into passages that take forever to explore and kind of derail the book, and ends in a finale so rushed and incomprehensible that it basically has no point except to up the body count. This is not the best work by Lars Kepler.

We follow the Security Police as they investigate the death of the Swedish Foreign Minister and find a living call girl at the crime scene. As they struggle to piece together the clues and to hide the minister's real life, the Security Police follow a series of dead ends. After that, we follow talented celebrity chef Rex Muller trying to get his life back together. Then there is the disgraced and jailed cop who solves the case almost instantly after being free for one day. Other side characters in the book are forgettable and do not add much other than increasing the page count.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "14-May-2020", "date_added": "02-Jan-2020 23:11:27", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "528 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008531003", "title": "After Loss", "author": "Linda Donovan", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 61, "review": "\"Part 'How-To' manual, part virtual hug, this book gives those who are grieving some practical, yet comforting, advice. Donovan's writing is friendly and conversational and puts the reader at ease, validating the widow(er)s feelings and behaviors and helping them to move forward into the next phase of their life with a bit more hope.\" \u2014 Tamara Benson, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "01-Jan-2020 01:06:10", "publisher": "Authorhouse", "page_count": "156 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008777011", "title": "The Nation City: Why Mayors Are Now Running the World", "author": "Rahm Emanuel", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 226, "review": "The author of this book presents himself as a kinder, gentler Rahm Emanuel. Yes, the man who once terrorized power brokers through his use of epithets, has very little, if any, strong language in this book. The author was once known as \u201cRahmbo\u201d for his toughness, but he now wants to be known as the patron saint of education in the city of Chicago. Emanuel was Mayor of that city for eight years after an impressive career in D.C. Rahm Emanuel does not need a publicist\u2014he is more than capable of touting his accomplishments. That being said, he has written an interesting, readable and topical book.

The thesis of the book is that because of partisanship and infighting, we have no more national will to do what is necessary. This leaves a void that is filled by imaginative and resourceful mayors of the U.S. and international cities. Although Emanuel cites many examples, the major star of innovation and resourcefulness is himself. Regardless that half of Chicagoans held him in disfavor, Emanuel believes he brought Chicago into a new era of fiscal strength and innovation. If it is indeed the case that the nation\u2019s cities are acting locally to install good government, this is a welcome and positive book. An index would be a helpful addition to this book so that readers could look up their favorite mayor.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "28-Feb-2020 23:40:00", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "237 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008777007", "title": "Where the Sun Rises", "author": "Suzanne Strong", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 400, "review": "Where the Sun Rises is a novel told from alternating viewpoints of two childhood friends: Karin and Roza. The story begins in 2014 when the Islamic State, ISIS, or Daesh, as some choose to call them in protest, begin to invade the city of Kobane, in the Kurdish region of Syria. It\u2019s a heartwrenching story of two women who give up everything to protect their families and the land that they love. Both Karin and Roza individually join the YPJ (Women\u2019s Protection Unit) of the YPG, the Kurdish people\u2019s militia to fight against ISIS. They reunite at a training camp for the YPJ.

Both women face heartbreaking losses and choose to fight for the YPJ out of fierce love for their families and the place they call home. Karin is studying to be a doctor, and Roza is a former English teacher and mother to a six-year-old. This novel traces the journey two highly educated young women take to become tough, skillful militia fighters. It also provides insight into how the women fighters are trained and how they are as fierce fighters as the men.

The civil war in Syria has many facets, and Where the Sun Rises opens a door to the perspective of the Kurdish people living in Syria. Reading it helped me realize how little I know about Kurdistan, Syria, and the geopolitics of the region. Although Karin and Roza\u2019s story is fictional, I can easily imagine how many real-life women have similar stories. Karin and Roza\u2019s courage will catch you and make you wonder at their ability to persevere. They are ordinary women who respond to extraordinary circumstances.

I cried throughout this story, and what I took from the ending was that we all have the ability to fight for what we love when the situation demands it, though the cost we pay is very high.

The alternating perspective format of the novel was at times repetitive because the same events were reviewed by both main characters. However, I appreciated that the language and the tone of this story were very accessible and conveyed the stark circumstances and jarring reality that Karin and Roza experience.

Because of the rich complexity of this story, it would have benefited from a glossary of Arabic and Kurdish words and expressions and a map of the geographic area referenced in the novel. Background on the different religions and sects would also have been extremely helpful.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "28-Feb-2020 22:03:20", "publisher": "Green Acre Publishing", "page_count": "271 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008775003", "title": "The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism", "author": "Katherine Stewart", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 190, "review": "For the past several years there have been many books published about the rise of the religious right and its role in the modern Republican Party, especially after the fall of Nixon and the rise of Reagan. While there have been many excellent books, a few duds, this one falls squarely in the middle of the pack. Where most of them fall and belong. Not great, but not terrible. It does not offer more than general insight as Katherine Stewart works to talk to leaders, in generally Baptist churches, about the role that religion plays in their voting for one particular party no matter who the candidates are. Most of her reporting takes her to smaller towns in the Deep South, though she does work at providing some backstory, though if people already know the story it is generally a rehash of the major points and the rise of Jerry Falwell. Maybe the best thing about it is the interviews she conducts, though she is experienced as an investigative reporter and that shows in her interviews. Though sometimes her big-city bias about small towns does appear from time to time.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "28-Feb-2020 20:21:24", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008773007", "title": "Apartment", "author": "Teddy Wayne", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Mandy Nevius", "word_count": 226, "review": "In 1996 while pursuing an MFA at Columbia University, Teddy Wayne\u2019s unnamed narrator in Apartment quickly realizes that his knowledge about writing far outweighs his actual talent. In his first writing workshop, his professor and peers\u2019 comments regarding an excerpt from his novel are demoralizing; however, one student, Billy Campbell, comes to his defense. He believes that Billy\u2019s critiques could help him become the writer he wants to be. In an effort to strike up a symbiotic friendship with Billy, he offers the spare bedroom in his rent-stabilized apartment in Stuyvesant Town, which he has been illegally subletting for six years from his great-aunt to Billy in exchange for a weekly cleaning and the occasional home-cooked meal. Given that Billy is broke and has been living in the basement of the bar he works at, Billy accepts. Their arrangement works out for a while, but jealousy and unspoken feelings erupt. What follows are miserably cringy moments that are surprisingly enthralling and sobering.

Despite its slow-moving plot and annoyingly pretentious and desperate protagonist, Apartment manages to provide a nuanced look at masculinity, sexuality, and class. Wayne\u2019s strength lies in his characters, which he writes with impeccable clarity; the narrator\u2019s thoughts and actions are consistently believable, and the tension between characters is always painfully palpable. Though not a pleasant read, Apartment still has a lot to offer its readers.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "28-Feb-2020 20:24:39", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008773003", "title": "Benjamin Norton Bugbey, Sacramento's Champagne King", "author": "Kevin Knauss", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 502, "review": "This is a work of meticulous research, excruciatingly detailed and careful.

Bugbey came to California in search of gold with the famous forty-niners. As a member of the Hampden Mining and Trading Company, he set sail from New York, landing on Brazos Island, and undertook to cross Mexico for another voyage. Traversing Mexico, his company endured, and some died of, cholera and malaria. Several chose to journey to California by land, splitting the company, but young Benjamin sailed. He stayed briefly in Sacramento before placer mining on the American River. Then, realizing that those who supplied the miners inhabiting the more-than-wild California of that time were more successful than the miners at gaining wealth, he embarked on a career of remarkably varied enterprise.

Bugbey was involved in furniture selling, law enforcement, tax collection, politics, agriculture, wine and raisin making, distilling, marketing, and real estate speculation; he was typically in several of those endeavors at the same time. He was, apparently constantly, buying and selling real estate, and seemingly always \u201chad a foot\u201d in agriculture. He was constable of Granite Township, then sheriff of Sacramento County, which made him tax collector as well, later a US commissioner, an undersheriff, and at one point a tax collector again, which involved his having to go to the courts to have that function split off from the Sheriff\u2019s office, (which he had unsuccessfully tried five times to regain).

Production of grapes for raisins in the granite rubble and slate soil of the uplands of Natoma led to the production of wines for which the man became famous. During the period he was growing and marketing wines he was rich. His wife died from a riding accident\u2026in his arms. Remarrying within four months, furiously busy, he overinvested or misinvested, losing his primary vineyard. He scrabbled to regain his prosperous financial position. Falling into a mental breakdown and severe alcohol abuse, he drove his wife away and experienced a depth of despair that turned him to teetotalling and deep religiosity. His recovery is a story in itself.

This review is in danger of being a synopsis and cannot even approach the detail necessary for that. It\u2019s incumbent on me here to defer to the biographer\u2019s fine summing up at the end of this book: Bugbey evolved politically and philosophically, arriving at a socialist/egalitarian position utterly at odds with his own earlier behavior.

On the character of this read: It seems that every page-turn entails another endeavor, another set of players, more legal detail, and more knowledgeable speculation on the author\u2019s part. There are constant side-histories of interacting people, political background, and many, many quoted legal decisions and journalistic excerpts. Because of its length, this 6\u201dx9\u201d trade book employs small font, which is diminished to the point of vanishing for quotes, opinions, and excerpts. References follow each chapter. An admirable exercise in scholarship and insight.

I noted that the author\u2019s back cover photo shows him seated in a rocker, wearing an open-necked dress shirt and blazer\u2026atop colorful shorts. The man obviously values a leisurely approach.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "28-Feb-2020 16:37:43", "publisher": "Self-published", "page_count": "318 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008770039", "title": "Critical Point (Cas Russell)", "author": "S. L. Huang", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Michael Shulman", "word_count": 194, "review": "Critical Point the third entry in S.L. Huang's Cas Russell series, starts off with a bang. Literally. As Cas is in her office finally trying to settle down and calm down after the events of the previous novel, there is a powerful explosion. Cas later learns that an old enemy is behind the explosion and she was the one who was targeted. When her friend goes missing, Cas is reluctantly drawn back into the action to save her.

As in the previous two novels, the author continues to develop her characters. Throughout the book, the reader witnesses the protagonist's constant transformation and maturation and commiserates with her. In addition, the story is told in the first person, making it easier to get inside of Cas's mind and see what is driving her.

Since this is the third book in a series, it is helpful to read the first two in order to understand how the protagonist got to where she is now and there are references to the previous book interspersed all throughout the novel.

If you enjoy a good swashbuckling sci-fi story starring a kickass heroine, then you will certainly not be disappointed in Critical Point.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 23:52:46", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008770031", "title": "Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom", "author": "Louis Sachar, with illustrations by Tim Heitz", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 185, "review": "The students of Wayside School and Mrs. Jewls' class are back, and they are trying to collect a million toenail clippings. Dr. Pickle was hypnotizing DJ and somehow hypnotized Kathy too. After walking out of Dr. Pickle's office, Kathy is no longer mean because now she is nice to everyone. The students need to prepare for the Ultimate Test. The students are tested on Spelling and Jump Rope Arithmetic and the Stairway Quiz . Will the students be able to collect one million toenail clippings? How will the students do on the Ultimate Test? Read on to find out what happens.

This book is still zany and funny. The characters are still just the same, except for Kathy who is now nice, which is weird. There is a lot of hijinks involved just like the previous books in the series. This book has come out more than forty years since Louis Sachar wrote the first Wayside book. I highly recommend this book to kids who like wacky and funny stories. Anybody who is a fan of the previous Wayside School books will enjoy this new story.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 23:44:53", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008770027", "title": "Strike Me Down: A Novel", "author": "Mindy Mejia", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 195, "review": "The world of competitive kickboxing and mixed martial arts, long dominated by men, has a new queen in Mindy Mejia\u2019s latest novel Strike Me Down. Logan Russo is the champion at the heart of Strike, a full gym experience designed to turn every day people into world class athletes. Logan and her husband, Gregg Abbott, began the business twenty years ago and are ushering in its largest event yet\u2014Strike Down\u2014a battle royale of the best fighters with a twenty million dollar prize, but the prize money has gone missing.

The forensic accountant on the case, Nora Trier, is also a member of Strike, and her life is tied to the case in other more personal ways as well. As she sifts through Logan and Gregg\u2019s financial history, she uncovers more than the stolen money and involves herself in the case in a way that may prove deadly.

Mejia\u2019s descriptions of the corporate world are clear and compelling as are her renderings of the world of dedicated athletes. There are some missteps in the thriller\u2014a few twists are foreshadowed too much to really be surprises\u2014but overall this is a fun page turner for those who like modern mystery.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 23:32:55", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008770015", "title": "The Brownsville Texas Incident of 1906: The True and Tragic Story of a Black Battalion's Wrongful Disgrace and Ultimate Redemption", "author": "William Baker", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 229, "review": "Lt. Col. William Baker was a young boy when he encountered a discharged soldier from the First Battalion, 25th Infantry US Army. The soldier was passing through town, down on his luck. Baker was told about the injustice inflicted on the group of African-American Soldiers. A night of mayhem in Brownsville, Texas erupted in August 1906. The unit would be implicated through flimsy circumstantial evidence heightened by a mostly intolerant city. Lt. Col. Baker would be tasked with re-examining the night in question and the subsequent actions taken by the Government in 1972.

Lt. Col. Baker wanted to ensure that the discharged men received the justice denied them decades ago. Baker examined transcripts of court-martials and written records. Baker would need to overrule higher-ups in the Pentagon if he found enough exonerating material. He would also be condemning the actions of President Theodore Roosevelt, who dishonorably discharged one hundred and sixty-seven men. This was no easy task.

The Brownsville Texas Incident of 1906 is a tragic narrative of injustice. A night marred by confusion and violence and seen through bleary eyes and prejudice led to one hundred and sixty-seven men being stripped of honor and dignity. The work done by Lt. Col. Baker, then and now, is herculean in scope, and well conveyed for the reader now. This is a stellar work that should be read by as many as possible.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 22:38:06", "publisher": "Red Engine Press", "page_count": "504 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008770003", "title": "Blacktop Wasteland: A Novel", "author": "Shawn A. Cosby", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 231, "review": "Following in his father\u2019s footsteps, Beauregard \u201cBug\u201d Montage was once one of the best getaway drivers on the East Coast but left that behind when he realized that was not the way he wanted to live his life. Bug has left his troubled past behind him and is a family man, devoted to his wife and children and the owner of a small garage. However, since a competitor has opened in town, Bug\u2019s business is barely hanging on and he is struggling to make ends meet. Enter an associate from his past who dangles an easy job that Bug, feeling he has no alternative and despite his reservations, agrees to do. The heist does not go as planned and now Bug has to find a way to make things right.

When you\u2019re not reading Blacktop Wasteland, you will be thinking about it. Author S.A. Cosby has written a character-driven and gritty crime noir that touches on race, poverty, and family relationships. Throughout the story, the reader cannot help but empathize with Bug\u2019s struggle as he tries to understand a past that, for the most part, he is trying to forget, while at the same time recognizing that the past may be his chance to change his present and future. While not your typical thriller, readers that enjoy the genre will not be disappointed and should be prepared to enjoy the ride!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 21:41:51", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008769015", "title": "Blindsight: The (Mostly) Hidden Ways Marketing Reshapes Our Brains", "author": "Matt Johnson", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 212, "review": "The two authors, one a psychologist (Matt Johnson) and the other a marketer (Prince Ghuman), have delightfully described how our supposedly hardwired brain can so skillfully be manipulated by the media, merchants, and other mercenaries.

Products strive to cement their names into consumers' memories so that this relationship dominates choice selection. By associating products with heroes, charm, beauty, happiness, and other desirable attributes, the buyer usually identifies these alluring features with themselves. Price specials, fantastic discounts, manufacturer's suggested retail price, and other markdowns tell nothing of the actual cost of an item.

The book chapters examine how branding and anchoring influence choices, where color contrasts, sound changes, and pricing variations modulate the buyer\u2019s conceptions. Recent MRI brain studies display how the brain operates under different choice conditions, studies that advertising firms surely follow for tactics to better lure the customer. To view how marketing influences our brains, the authors engagingly guide the reader through the neuroscience of perception, memory, and addiction and show how neurons and neurochemicals regulate pleasure, empathy, logic, and how we think.

If you are concerned about how the media controls the mind, here is a readable resource to help see how companies and social media use brain and behavior research to manipulate viewers and thus achieve their objectives.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 23:44:34", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008769003", "title": "The Orphans of Raspay", "author": "Lois McMaster Bujold", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 177, "review": "Penric doesn\u2019t have to wait to be captured for this adventure. He is thrown out of his shipboard bunk by impact with, of course, a pirate ship. Pen\u2019s chaos demon partner Desdemona helps him discern these pirates are from a region where they not only recognize Penric\u2019s Bastard God but also persecute his followers.

Penric\u2019s cabin is invaded and he is bound, dragged across the deck (not without encountering a couple of recent ghosts) and thrown into \u201cthe virgins\u2019\u201d hold.

He finds himself with two young girls. This is probably one of the White God\u2019s left-handed \u201cblessings,\u201d because Lencia and Seuka are daughters of a deceased prostitute and thus among the Bastard God\u2019s Protected.

Transported as potentially valuable slaves, the girls and Pen (and of course Desdemona) engage in inquiry and some healing. Subject to slave block treatment, the girls are frightened, but Pen and Des are made furious. They achieve limited (they are on an island) escape, and whilst attempting to gain sea transport, Penric\u2019s anger is unleashed.

A wizard\u2019s rage makes for a sinking feeling. Well worth the read.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 21:29:48", "publisher": "Subterranean", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008768003", "title": "Premeditated Myrtle (A Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery)", "author": "Elizabeth C. Bunce", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 233, "review": "Premeditated Myrtle is A Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery, that takes place in England 1892.

Four years after Jack the Ripper stalked the streets of England, young Myrtle is more intelligent than most female children. She has a telescope for viewing stars, birds, and other forms of nature, but instead she uses it for spying on her neighbor, a bitter old lady called Mrs. Wodehouse. Myrtle has been studying Mrs. Wodehouse\u2019s garden for a while and knows her gardener's schedule, but on the eventful day, the gardener isn't there. More events unfold, and Myrtle watches Mrs. Wodehouse\u2019s maid peek out the door looking extremely worried. Myrtle decides to investigate. Not telling anyone where she is going, she enters her neighbors house and discovers a most frightful scene: Mrs. Wodehouse dead in her bath tub. The police arrive, and they suspect Mrs. Wodehouse died of a heart attack, though Myrtle suspects otherwise. Along with her governess Mrs. Judson and Mrs. Wodehouse\u2019s old cat Peony, Myrtle starts to uncover the truth about Mrs. Wodehouse\u2019s death.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. It's frightfully intense and exciting with lots of twists and turns throughout the plot, and the ending really surprised me. Though the book has no illustrations, the author uses words that make the story vivid and easy to imagine. I recommend Premeditated Myrtle for ages 10 and up.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 21:24:45", "publisher": "Algonquin Young Readers", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5 Stars !! Loved it !"} {"id": "425035000008767035", "title": "Equipment", "author": "Hesse Caplinger", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 424, "review": "I should have put more stock in the foreword, where the editor said this novel doesn\u2019t fit neatly into any particular genre. Is it literary fiction? A thriller? Espionage? There is no easy answer, because it\u2019s easily all of these. The protagonists are spies, the book opens with an explosion, and the author\u2019s tone throughout makes it clear this isn\u2019t your standard genre novel. It\u2019s something far more compelling. Luckily, the question of how to categorize Equipment didn\u2019t bother me for long. By the time I was a quarter of the way through, I was hooked.

Summarizing the plot of the novel isn\u2019t easy. The narrative goes back and forth between various characters, shifting through time and space to reveal rich interior lives. Some chapters are no more than two or three pages; others are easily five times as long. None, however, are unnecessary. Even those chapters in which little action occurs reveal some new facet of a character. As the foreword says, each character is flawed in his own way, but these flaws weren\u2019t the egregious sort too often seen in modern fiction. Rather than being flawed as a half-hearted attempt to make them more interesting, or just because that\u2019s how characters \u201cshould be,\u201d the flaws offer a chance to explore these characters and the world they live in. From isolation to a sense of superiority, the flaws are presented in compelling, three-dimensional ways.

Some might have noticed that I specified \"his\" own way when mentioning the characters. That was no oversight on my part. The vast majority of the characters in this book are men, and the women offer little to the narrative. I wouldn\u2019t say they\u2019re inconsequential, but the book is very firmly male-focused, and various descriptions (including a very memorable one of the Saint Louis Arch) reinforce that. This is not entirely to the book\u2019s detriment, but it may slightly alienate some readers.

Again I must turn to the foreword, where the editor says the book is like jazz. It\u2019s an apt description. Like jazz, the book is experimental. Sometimes the melody (in this case, the plot) takes the focus; other times the sound of the words predominates. Also like jazz, the book will not be to everyone\u2019s taste. While I appreciated both what the author was doing and the bits of subtle banter tossed into the dialogue, Equipment is not the sort of novel I would ordinarily be drawn to. I do know plenty who would, however, which is why I am happy to give this book four stars.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "28-Feb-2020 00:55:11", "publisher": "Carl Reinhart", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008767031", "title": "A Broken Queen (The Nine Realms)", "author": "Sarah Kozloff", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 168, "review": "Princella Cer\u00falia has many names and many faces, but it\u2019s time for her to find out whom she\u2019s supposed to be. Piecing herself back together in a recovery house after being saved by the spirits, she must help the other wards just as they help her, but she soon learns that not all scars are visible and some take longer to heal then others. With time she heals, but Cer\u00falia must once again determine if she has what it takes to be queen.

Unlike the first two books, A Broken Queen is much more character-driven, giving the Princella time to develop and become more than the person she was at the start of the series. Other familiar characters make a return alongside new ones; most of them are different from each other and bring their own voice to the story. The world is vast, with several countries and unique cultures. I like how Cer\u00falia has to travel through many of them to get home. There is heavy cussing throughout.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 23:55:33", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008767015", "title": "World's Wackiest Animals (Lonely Planet Kids)", "author": "Lonely Planet Kids", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 204, "review": "There is not much in the world that interests kids more than animals, but this book takes it one step further and tells readers about 100 weird and wacky animals from around the world.

Each spread in this compact book (7 x 7 inches and nearly an inch thick) features a short description \u2014 two to four sentences \u2014 on the left and a close-up full-color photograph on the right. These animals are very interesting, and some are so strange looking that it will leave readers breathless.

Take the Meishan Pig, for example. If you can imagine a cross between a Shar-Pei and a pig, you will be imagining something like this animal. It looks like it has way too much skin for its face, and its covered in loose wrinkles. Also, the Glaucus Atlanticus, also known as the Blue Dragon, is a most amazing and unusual sea slug that looks like it\u2019s all dressed up.

The included animals are arranged by continent or designated as ocean animals. Some act in unusual ways, while some just look strange. All are fascinating. The writing is fun and accessible for kids, but adults will also enjoy this book. Perfect for a car trip or bedside table.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 23:36:19", "publisher": "Lonely Planet", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008767011", "title": "Raybearer", "author": "Jordan Ifueko", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 14", "word_count": 176, "review": "Raybearer is a great fantasy book for young adults. It is about a girl named Tarisai, who has grown up in Bhekina House, a building created by her mother. When Tarisai comes of age, she is sent to the capital of Aritsar, so that she can have a chance to be chosen by the Crown Prince to be part of his Council of Eleven. She joins the council and is bonded with the other members through the ray, however, her mother has made a magical wish for her to kill the Crown Prince. Tarisai must choose to protect the prince, or give in to her mother's wish and then be free of it. I really liked all of the different characters and their hallows, and I also liked Woo In's leopard. I also liked that the kingdom of Aritsar is made up of separate realms, each with their own culture. Each realm also had a different climate and landscape. This story was very well written, and I recommend it to young adults who like fantasy stories.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 23:03:48", "publisher": "Abrams Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008764043", "title": "Salvation Canyon: A True Story of Desert Survival in Joshua Tree", "author": "Ed Rosenthal", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 229, "review": "Sixty-four-year-old Ed Rosenthal went for a Friday afternoon hike in the desert in California\u2019s Joshua Tree National Park. He took a wrong turn, followed the wrong path on the trail, and got lost. He was miraculously rescued seven days later. Maybe he should have ignored a friend\u2019s suggestion to tell no one where he was going if he took off sometimes. Maybe, if he left his car for five minutes, he still should have taken his water supply. And was his cell phone loaded to the max? Mistakes happen, and a fairly humdrum hike became a harrowing experience. Despite the hostile, intensely lonely environment, Ed looked back with clarity on childhood and later memories that enabled him to stay emotionally, if not physically, cool. Besides his thoughts, his only companion was a large fly, persistently following him from one to another shaded spot, escaping the worst of the sun\u2019s intense heat.

Persistent search parties hunted for footprints near the parked car but there were no clues. Then, on the seventh morning, Ed awoke from a deep sleep to the whirr of a helicopter hovering nearby and the voice of deliverance, \u2018Are you the Rosenthal that\u2019s out here?\u2019

The writing is marvelous, the language wholly appropriate, with snatches of humor defying the reality. Salvation Canyon is a wondrous cautionary tale, enjoyable because of what can only be termed \u2018a happy ending.\u2019", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "28-Feb-2020 00:12:00", "publisher": "DoppelHouse Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008764039", "title": "I Love You With All My Heart", "author": "Jane Chapman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 250, "review": "When Little Bear is playing passionately and accidentally shatters her mommy\u2019s flowerpot, leaving her favorite sunflower plant in ruins, she collects its remains and solemnly greets her with sadness in her eyes. She apologizes relentlessly and fears her mommy will be angry and no longer love her. Instead, Mommy Bear responds by saying that she will always love Little Bear. \u201cPut your paw on my heart, and you\u2019ll feel my love beating on and on forever,\u201d she tells her little one. With the confidence of her mother\u2019s love, Little Bear runs off to school, and in the end, her mother\u2019s kind message is returned to her by Little Bear at a time she needs it most.

I Love You with All My Heart is a treasurable tale about the immeasurable gift of unconditional love from a parent to a child or an offspring. It will be cherished by children as young as four and as old as nine. This tender story will serve as a perfect gift of endearment from a parent or a grandparent to a child or grandchild who is deeply loved. The book is relatively large in size and quite durable. So, for even the youngest ones, it will undoubtedly be a safe pick. The illustrations throughout are plentiful and vibrant as well. They bring Chapman\u2019s heartwarming tale to life. The detail and emotion depicted through them are acute and illuminating. They will leave readers with a feeling of awe and contentment up through the last page.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 23:51:48", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008764027", "title": "Great State: China and the World", "author": "Timothy Brook", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 249, "review": "How best to tell the eight-hundred-year history of China, if not concisely, then in a coherent and absorbing way, multiple dimensions colored and argued by readers\u2019 perceptions? Timothy Brook sustains interest through a series of stories, told chronologically and in detail almost sufficient to be called a series of books. In each, he presents two lead players: \u201cThe Pirate and the Bureaucrat,\u201d \u201cThe Eunuch and His Hostage,\u201d \u201cThe Castaway and the Horse Trader.\u201d Every title, alluring in itself, presents background detail to enhance the core of the narrative. \u201cThe Lama and the Coolie,\u201d for instance, shows how the lama\u2019s pattern of succession is as unexpected as that of the emperors.

Brook\u2019s message is how China and the world beyond its borders have been linked throughout this lengthy period, not only since European incursion in the nineteenth century. Trade, politics, and religion have been key elements throughout. Nowhere is this more evident than in \u201cThe Missionary and His Convert,\u201d when the arrival of the Jesuits, edging into China in the closing years of the sixteenth century, raised a red flag. Confucianism was not unhappily challenged by Daoists, Buddhists, or the Muslims, \u201cdespite their theological errors,\u201d but the Jesuits were viewed as a threat to the emperor\u2019s hegemony and seen as likely spies.

Chinese inventions, culture, and art are manifested in the book\u2019s gorgeous color plates. Great State will be welcomed especially by the those familiar with the author\u2019s Vermeer\u2019s Hat, which demonstrated the extraordinary links between the eastern and western worlds.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 23:38:40", "publisher": "Harper", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008764023", "title": "The Gift You Give Yourself: Surgical and Other Choices That Enhance Your Appearance, Confidence, and Health", "author": "E. Gaylon McCollough MD FACS", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 195, "review": "The Gift You Give Yourself is very relevant to our modern society where, if given a choice, people want to look younger and feel more lively. The way our bodies work is one outcome of naturally aging and gaining wrinkles (from smile marks or otherwise) and also an outcome of unexpected accidents that affect our appearance and self-esteem. When we believe that we don't look attractive, it is scientifically proven that we won't feel good physically or emotionally. Dr. McCollough has decades of experience helping his patients to achieve the \"look\" they have always wanted, for a variety of reasons. Dr. McCollough doesn't just speak as a plastic surgeon, but also as a regular doctor who cares about his patients and his readers.

I enjoyed the honesty of Dr. McCollough; it would have been easy to merely promote his business and then be on his way. Instead, he goes into every detail about why your body might be appearing to age quicker than others, and many times it is because of a vitamin deficiency. I like that he discusses surgical and non-surgical choices and lifestyles for even the average person to feel and look beautiful.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 22:27:37", "publisher": "Brown Books Publishing Group", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008764019", "title": "Marshmallow Malice (An Amish Candy Shop Mystery)", "author": "Amanda Flower", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 223, "review": "It\u2019s time for a wedding in Ohio\u2019s Amish Country! Bailey King has a lot of work to do for Juliet and Reverend Brook\u2019s big day. Everything goes off without a hitch with even Jethro looking his piggy best until the wedding is disrupted by a mysterious woman who harbors a secret from the reverend\u2019s past. When the woman shows up dead on the church\u2019s steps, Bailey is drawn into investigating another murder, and when the reverend becomes a suspect she\u2019s determined to prove his innocence. With her best friend down from New York, the two dig up some clues and uncover a moonshine still and secrets from the past that won\u2019t stay buried.

Juliet has finally seen her dream of marrying Reverend Brook come true only for her perfect day to become disrupted by the visitor. This provides a nice level of drama throughout which balances against the romance between Aiden and Bailey. Their connection is sweet and riddled with humorous moments that make them ideal for a romantic comedy. Several fun moments between Bailey and Cass are woven into the story as they go about town searching for clues, running into the woods, interrogating suspects, and causing some trouble for Bailey\u2019s sheriff\u2019s deputy boyfriend. Amanda Flower succeeds once again with a witty, charming, and delightful mystery with the next Amish Candy Shop Mystery.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 21:39:07", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008764015", "title": "Rain Will Come", "author": "Thomas Holgate", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Paul Czarcik has been a cop for a long time, and he is very good at his job with the Illinois Bureau of Judicial Enforcement. They have great tools, including a supercomputer that allows Paul to make a connection between two murders that probably no one else would have spotted. That connection sends him on a journey tracking a vicious serial killer. The journey takes some interesting twists when the killer\u2019s wife contacts Paul and they find themselves in a relationship. Added to that, the killer is targeting people who, frankly, deserve to be killed in slow and horrific ways. Paul tracks the killer across the country, but he seems to always be a step or two behind and never in control.

Author Thomas Holgate has written a real page-turner of a thriller. It is unlike other books in this genre in that readers know a whole lot about all the characters and their motivations due to somewhat jarring point-of-view shifts, so the only mystery in this book is the chase and the outcome. No need for red herrings here. Still, it is a gripping read and quite well written. Fans of thrillers should like this one.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 21:32:56", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "301 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008764007", "title": "Blue Skies", "author": "Anne Bustard", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia - Age 10", "word_count": 182, "review": "When Glory Bea was a little girl, her dad left her family to go to the army. He was in World War II. It had been a really long time since they had heard from her dad. Glory Bea was happy with her life until a person named Randall Horton came. Randall was one of Glory Bea\u2019s dad's friends from the army. Glory Bea\u2019s father and Randall Horton made a promise to each other that each other would visit the other person's family when they got home from the war. Glory Bea found out that the Mercy Boxcar was coming to Gladiola Texas from France where Glory\u2019s dad had last been seen. Glory Bea thought for sure her dad was coming. Would her dad return from war?

I thought this book was good because it tells the story of girl and her family in a time when the world was very separated. Men joined the army and ended up being away from their families for a long time. Eighty-five million people died in World War II and even more people got hurt.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 21:15:51", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008764003", "title": "Darkened", "author": "Daniel Sacketos", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 407, "review": "Danny is a high school student living in the quiet town of Sherbrooke, once the scene of a violent witch burning back in the 1600s. Some residents believe that the woods are still haunted to this day. Danny is haunted by his own past, having experienced tragedy at a very young age. His mother died years ago in a horrible accident, and he now lives with his alcoholic father, who never recovered from his wife\u2019s death, in a mobile home. But things have started to look up for Danny. He has been working at the school and saving up his money, and he has nearly enough to leave town. There is nothing he wants more than to escape Sherbrooke and all the bad memories associated with it.

When Danny and his childhood friend Jessica start to grow close again, his life becomes more complicated. Jessica has a boyfriend named Keith, who has always hated Danny, and he doesn\u2019t appreciate Danny spending so much time with his girlfriend. Keith also has two buddies who are willing to do whatever it takes to help Keith put the fear of God into Danny. To complicate matters further, Danny has been seeing an older woman on the side, and he may care more about her than he realizes.

When Keith and his friends head out of town, Jessica invites Danny on a date. The date is going well until Jessica suggests that they head to Witch\u2019s Creek, the haunted place in the woods. That is where Keith and his buddies turn up unexpectedly. When they find the couple, Jessica pleads for Danny\u2019s life, but Keith ignores her. The three boys take the payback too far and leave Danny for dead at Witch\u2019s Creek. But something saves Danny in the woods that night, something supernatural and dark, and it gives Danny the power to take revenge.

Darkened is Daniel Sacketos\u2019s debut novel, and it offers a bloody, terror-filled ride through the haunted woods of Sherbrooke. Even as Danny begins to change into something monstrous and frightening, he is still sympathetic and someone whom readers can root for, having been wronged by those around him. There is also the essential comic relief from a cranky, trash-talking janitor, a minor character with too small of a part. Aside from some confusing head-hopping and a few forgettable bully tropes, the story is fast-paced and well-plotted. It is a page-turner that leads to a satisfying conclusion.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 16:58:33", "publisher": "D.A.S Book", "page_count": "236 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008763003", "title": "Camp Spirit", "author": "Axelle Lenoir", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Cay Wren", "word_count": 131, "review": "Camp Spirit is a fun lark in the woods. This graphic novel follows anti-hero Elodie as she is dropped off at summer camp for her first year as a counselor. At times melancholy, but always sharp-witted, Elodie quickly connects with her ragtag group of redheaded hyper-intense campers and manages to avoid the rest of the camp staff. However, as Elodie gets used to camp and being stuck in the woods, she begins to notice strange happenings afoot at Camp Bear Lake, particularly with the Camp Chief.

Camp Spirit has everything a growing kid needs: random facts about beavers, supernatural intrigue, and queer representation. This is a fun coming-of-age summer tale with a bit of a twist. You will not be able to put it down once you read the first page.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "27-Feb-2020 07:12:33", "publisher": "Top Shelf Comix", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008762011", "title": "Pretty Evil New England: True Stories of Violent Vixens and Murderous Matriarchs", "author": "Sue Coletta", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "When one thinks of serial killers, one might think of Ted Bundy, or the Green River Killer, or even Jack the Ripper. It is not likely, though, that one will think of any women. But there are several female serial killers among the American pantheon of criminals, and Sue Coletta, an absolute master of the true-crime genre, brings to bear her brilliant writing and stellar research in this marvelous treatise by taking a hard look at female serial killers in New England during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

She tells the stories of Jane Toppan, Lydia Sherman, Nellie Webb, Harriet E Nason, and Sarah Jane Robinson, even using their own words at times to really give readers the whole story. She has accessed interviews, newspaper articles, court transcripts, and more to bring readers into the times and places about which she is writing. Her writing is accessible and focused, appropriate for the topic, and the stories of these women are very compelling. She has chosen great subject matter for fans of true crime writing. Readers will still be left with questions unanswered, but they will be fully satisfied with these fascinating stories. Don\u2019t miss this one.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "28-Dec-2020", "date_added": "26-Feb-2020 15:27:42", "publisher": "Rowman & Littlefield", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008762007", "title": "We Will Rock Our Classmates", "author": "Ryan T. Higgins", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Penelope, her classmates, Mrs. Noodleman, and Walter the ferocious goldfish are back. The children don\u2019t seem to realize that Penelope loves to do all the things they do. She likes to read and draw and play, but to them, she is just a dinosaur. But then there is an announcement. Mrs. Noodleman tells the class there is going to be a talent show. Penelope is very excited. She knows she wants to be a rock star. She signs up right away, even though the sign-up sheet is dangerously close to Walter. But when the first rehearsal comes, Penelope freezes. She can\u2019t play. She can\u2019t sing. She is frozen. Can she find the courage to go on?

Readers meet Penelope the kindergarten T. Rex in We Don\u2019t Eat Our Classmates, a laugh-out-loud funny and very memorable book. This book is more message-driven and sweet, but every bit as engaging with terrific writing and absolutely charming, detail-filled illustrations. A new book by Ryan T. Higgins is always cause for a celebration, and this is no exception. Children will be fully engaged with both story and illustrations and may well find their own courage through this wonderful book.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "26-Feb-2020 15:14:35", "publisher": "Disney Hyperion", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008761027", "title": "All the Pretty Things", "author": "Emily Arsenault", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 200, "review": "Ivy is reeling after returning from a family trip. Her best friend Morgan found one of their classmates at the bottom of a trestle bridge apparently dead from the fall. Ivy talks Morgan down from a ride at the theme park her dad owns where a lot of the kids from town are employees. While Morgan is mending at the hospital, Ivy does her own investigation when the police write the fall off as an accident. However, her interviews have unintended repercussions, leading to a publicly humiliating face-off, a suicide attempt, and more. The only thing her investigation is leading to is more questions and a resolution she may not be able to face.

Many mysteries are infused with humor\u2014this is not one of them. It is a serious tale focused on finding the cause of Ethan\u2019s death and is similar to stories by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Megan Miranda. Seemingly unimportant discussions and observations return to haunt Ivy\u2019s findings. Ivy is very dogged in her determination to find the answer, and sometimes the reason for the focus is forgotten. Patience is indeed a virtue, and when everything is wrapped up, the ending is a satisfying gift, well worth the wait.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 23:36:23", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Children's", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008761023", "title": "The Woman of a Thousand Names: A Novel", "author": "Alexandra Lapierre, translated by Jeffrey Zuckerman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 210, "review": "Born into the Russian aristocracy, Moura never had any reason to worry. But in the upheaval of the Russian Revolution, her entire world crumbles. As her family and friends are persecuted by Vladimir Lenin\u2019s ruthless police, she falls into a passionate affair with British secret agent Sir Robert Bruce Lockhart. When he\u2019s abruptly and mysteriously deported from Russia, Moura is left alone and vulnerable. Now, she must find new paths for her survival, even if it means shedding her past and taking on new identities. Some will praise her tenderness and undying loyalty. Others will denounce her lies. But, all will agree with one point: Moura embodies life. Life at all costs.

The Woman of a Thousand Names starts off in 1910s Russia, which itself is such a fascinating time period, given that it was something that, as the reader, you never got to live through. Although I have read many historical fiction novels based on World War II, The Woman of a Thousand Names provided something new and unique. While I personally enjoyed reading The Woman of a Thousand Names, I felt as if it were a long read, and at times I couldn't help but think that some passage/pages could have been skipped without missing what was going on.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 23:35:31", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "640 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008761019", "title": "Big Nate: Blow the Roof Off! (Volume 22)", "author": "Lincoln Peirce", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Henry - Age 12", "word_count": 196, "review": "Overall, I think the book Big Nate: Blow the Roof Off! is a great book. It is sometimes hard to find the theme in some Big Nate books, but this one was one of the easier ones. It is about Nate going back to another boring year of school, but he meets the girl that he met at the fair in one of his other books. Nate liked her; they rode a ride together, and that is how they came to meet. However, after the ride, the girl, (Trudy) walked away, and Nate lost her. The book is about how Nate tries to warm up to Trudy, realizes that she is a seventh-grader, and finds it hard to hang out with Trudy\u2019s friends. Nate goes to Halloween parties, picnics, and all sorts of other things with Trudy and her seventh-grade friends. Nate wants to start dating, but Trudy is not having it because Nate is a sixth-grader. Eventually, they come to the agreement that it doesn\u2019t matter how old they are, they should keep dating. Overall, I recommend this book to anybody who likes a good, quick read, and anyone who likes a good, hilarious comedy.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 23:34:49", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008761011", "title": "Arlo Finch in the Kingdom of Shadows", "author": "John August", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 13", "word_count": 185, "review": "An amazing story about a boy trying to bring his family back together. Arlo lives in Pine Mountain with his mother, and his father lives in China. Arlo is determined to bring his father home, so he and two of his friends travel through the long woods to reach him. When they return to Pine Mountain, they discover that Hadryn is back and he wants Arlo's spirit knife. Arlo knows that Hadryn has an evil plan, so he won't give him the knife. He later finds that the Eldritch, beings from another realm, are hunting Hadryn. Soon, Arlo is forced to make a choice that will change his life forever. Arlo Finch and the Kingdom of Shadows is very well written. I really liked the idea of the Long Woods, which is a dimension that connects all wild places. There are many interesting places in the Long Woods, and there are also many spirits. I would recommend this book to kids from fifth to eighth grade, and to kids who like adventure. If you want a great adventure story, you need to read this book.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 23:24:30", "publisher": "Roaring Brook Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008761003", "title": "Precious You: A Novel", "author": "Helen Monks Takhar", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 206, "review": "Precious You is a thoroughly engrossing book that sucked me in from the very beginning. Katherine Ross and Lily Lunt are the main characters and the chapters are written from the alternating points of view of each character in the most pleasant prose.

Katherine, the editor of the publication Leadership, meets her new intern, Lily. Lily just so happens to be the niece of the lady who just purchased Leadership. From day one, the two characters seem to be obsessed with one another in both good and bad ways. It seems as though Lily really looks up to Katherine. And for Katherine, Lily displays the long-gone spirit of her youth. It is not until Katherine finds her life being pulled into a tornado of lies and deceit that she realizes maybe Lily is behind all the madness.

This book had surprises around every corner. It was thrilling and at times completely unbelievable and vulgar. And yet, I kept reading. I had a feeling this book would have a twist at the end like so many of my favorite books do. Precious You certainly did not disappoint. An excellent read from cover to cover. I would recommend this book to all lovers of thrillers and suspense novels.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 23:00:33", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008760019", "title": "Pearl the Magical Unicorn", "author": "Sally Odgers, with illustrations by Adele K. Thomas", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - Age 6", "word_count": 166, "review": "Can you imagine fighting monsters?!

My book is Pearl the Magic Unicorn. It is about a unicorn. Pearl has two best friends. She goes on adventures with her two best friends, Olive and Tweet. One of her best friends is an ogre, and her other of her friends is a firebird. They even fight a monster! The adventures are exciting. Each book has a different adventure. I like finding out what the adventure is in each book. The writing is exciting! The pictures are amazing. They add a lot of energy to the book.

The book is by Sally Odgers. It is Illustrated by Adele Thomas. It is a good book for kids ages five to eight years old. Or for kids who like unicorns. I think teachers would like using it to teach kids how to write fiction books. It is a very good example on how to write using good language. I read it two times the day I got it. It is a good book.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 23:25:25", "publisher": "Feiwel & Friends", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008760015", "title": "The First Conspiracy (Young Reader's Edition): The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington", "author": "Brad Meltzer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Benjamin - Age 13", "word_count": 207, "review": "George Washington is one of the most easily recognized Presidents of the United States but not everyone knows how he came to be the first president. George Washington had joined the army after his brother\u2019s death and had served for the King. When the people of America are getting sick of the King's rule and decide to separate from England and become their own country. This is the start of the Revolutionary war. George had been in the army for many years by now, however now he is leading one of the army groups into war but this makes him a target. George gets a message from a man saying that someone he knew was planning on killing him, so now George is going into the war while someone is trying to assassinate him at the same time.

This book is good for people who like learning about the stuff in America's history. It is also something interesting because this event in America's history is not frequently talked about the way some other conspiracies in our history are. Another good thing is that the story will help you fully grasp what's going on in the story. All and all it's a good well-rounded book about America\u2019s history.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 23:22:21", "publisher": "Roaring Brook Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008760007", "title": "Goldie Vance: The Hotel Whodunit", "author": "Lilliam Rivera", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Abigail - Age 8", "word_count": 191, "review": "Goldie Vance is a girl who really wants to be the \u201chouse detective\u201d at the hotel that her dad runs The Cross Palms Resort. Right now Goldie is just a valet at the hotel, it is not as exciting as house detective but even with her job as valet she still gets to help people by finding their lost things. Goldie has a chance to help solve the biggest mystery the hotel has ever seen when the Mermaid Crown was stolen. Now she has a chance to help Walt (the real hotel detective) but there is one problem, the main suspect the police have is Goldie\u2019s mom. Will Goldie and Walt be able to figure out the mystery of the missing Mermaid Crown and show that her mom is innocent?

This is an exciting book to read. There are a lot of very interesting characters since The Cross Palms Resort has a lot of famous visitors. It is nice that Walt lets Goldie help him too and doesn\u2019t just ignore her because she is a kid. It shows that no matter how old you are you can work toward your dream.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 23:03:41", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008760003", "title": "Last Couple Standing: A Novel", "author": "Matthew Norman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 187, "review": "Being married in middle age can be tough, especially if you married young and have children. A routine sets in that slowly feels like a rut that you are unable to get out of. In this novel, a core group of friends that have known each other since college and all live near each other start to divorce. The last couple standing, before they are sucked into the maelstrom, decide to re-enliven their relationship by forming rules to have one night stands with complete strangers and to be honest with each other about it. What transpires is a mess as the nice rules in theory break down in practice and that really a shot in the arm was all that was needed.

Similar to many books that cover middle-class suburbia life, this takes a look at white middle-class couples and their issues. The man, who is a self-proclaimed nerd and English high school teacher; feels unmoored by what is happening with his friends and his wife. Even when his wife encourages him to go for it, it backfires. The side-story with the two high school kids was unneeded.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 22:56:50", "publisher": "Ballantine Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008758003", "title": "Charles II and his Escape into Exile: Capture the King", "author": "Martyn R Beardsley", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 235, "review": "It's hard to imagine in this day of public obsession with all things royal that there was a time when the very institution of the English monarchy was so tentative. This was the case during the start of King Charles II\u2019s reign as sovereign of Great Britain. This excellent book covers the perils this young man had to undertake to reclaim his kingship, the desperate escapes he would make after aborted attempts, and the indignity of living in exile.

This book goes to great pains to place the reader in the heart of the action and almost always succeeds masterfully. We read Charles not as a dull historic figure, long removed from modern life, but rather as a real, impatient, and daring youth. A man who quietly mourns the loss of his father and kingdom. The trying tale of a man who was not born into working-class poverty and has to adapt to survive it.

There is a struggle between two different forces seeking to control the people of England during one of the nation's most revolutionary moods. Charles is a king without a kingdom and a man without direction. He is grasping at whatever straws he can to preserve his identity. He uses every inch of his long frame to escape and reclaim his homeland.

This is a marvelous historical adventure of one man born into power, raised without guidance, with profound determination to reclaim his destiny.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 22:50:31", "publisher": "Pen and Sword History", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008757019", "title": "A Galaxy of Sea Stars", "author": "Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jewel - Age 12", "word_count": 204, "review": "Izzy Mancini\u2019s life had changed. She was living in a different neighborhood and she hadn\u2019t seen her mother much this summer because she was working. Middle school was coming up and she didn't know if the Sea Stars, a group made up of Izzy and her best friends, Piper and Zelda, were going to be separated. Also, her father\u2019s friend and his family had just moved into the apartment above. They had a daughter around Izzy\u2019s age, Sitara. Izzy was unsure of Sitara, she was different from the other kids, like how Sitara wore a scarf around her head called a hijab and she would only eat the food her mother made. Yes, she may be different, but maybe they could be friends.

I loved A Galaxy of Sea Stars. It is definitely one I would read repeatedly. I didn\u2019t expect I would like the book as much as I did. My favorite character was definitely Sitara because of her outgoing personality. The book was a great story that showed friendship and that some things change but good things come from it. I would recommend A Galaxy of Sea Stars to girls in middle school because it is around the age of the main characters.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 23:26:27", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008757015", "title": "Pearl the Flying Unicorn (Pearl the Magical Unicorn)", "author": "Sally Odgers, with illustrations by Adele K. Thomas", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - Age 6", "word_count": 194, "review": "Pearl the Flying Unicorn by Sally Odgers is about a unicorn named Pearl, an ogre named Olive, and a fire bird named Tweet who go off on adventures to find magic glitter feathers that fall off of Olive\u2019s hat. I think the book is called Pearl the Flying Unicorn because, in it, Pearl learns how to fly. The book is pretty interesting but somewhat like the other book in the series. It would have been more interesting if it had been less like the other book. It was interesting because they go on different adventures and do different magic and she does struggle but struggles differently from the last book. Her struggle in this book is that she had flown once but cannot not remember how. But in then end she flies again. After that she flies up to grab Tweet who has one of Olive\u2019s feathers but can\u2019t get back. The book was well written and easy to read. I like the pictures by Adele Thomas. But I think if they use pink they should use every other color too. I think that mostly girls from four to eight would like this book.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 23:25:53", "publisher": "Feiwel & Friends", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008757011", "title": "Ultimate Veg: Easy & Delicious Meals for Everyone [American Measurements]", "author": "Jamie Oliver", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 9", "word_count": 176, "review": "I was so excited to start cooking from this book. My family is not strictly vegetarian, but we do enjoy eating vegetarian food occasionally. Initially flipping through the book, I was enthusiastic about trying a large number of the recipes. They seemed flavorful and creative. Some of them even had ingredients I have never heard of before!

The first recipe I tried to cook had directions that were very clear and easy to follow. The recipe itself had multiple steps and took a long time to complete. It was worth the wait, because the dish was savory and delicious!

The only thing I would have liked to see that I did not is a section on desserts! I plan to cook more of these delicious-looking recipes very soon, including crispy-bottom steamed dumplings and stuffed mushrooms. I think other people would enjoy this cook book because it has so many different varieties of vegetarian recipes from around the world. For anyone looking for a bit of inspiration in the kitchen to liven up dinner time, this book is perfect!", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 23:15:31", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008755011", "title": "Child of the Universe", "author": "Ray Jayawardhana", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 115, "review": "This book is a great bedtime story for children aged 7-9, although it\u2019s appropriate for all ages.

It\u2019s very sweet how the dad describes his daughter\u2019s beauty in such big terms. He talks about how special she is and how she\u2019s an important part of the whole universe and the history of time.

The reader\u2019s level of captivation will depend on their age, reading level, and interests. The whole thing may not make much sense to younger readers.

The illustrations are lovely. You can definitely tell what the illustrator was trying to say and what the writer was going for. A very talented artist must have done the beautiful illustrations in Child of the Universe.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 23:33:42", "publisher": "Make Me a World", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008755007", "title": "You Are So Wonderful", "author": "Jacqueline J. Lewis, with illustrations by Jeremy Tugeau", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 189, "review": "We are all unique. God created us to be individuals. This book celebrates all our differences and how coming together makes the world a brighter place. It reminds children how special they are to God.

The text in this book is sparse. I feel like it is something that I have seen in Christian picture books before, so it was not unique in that aspect. I felt like the author could have gone much more in depth on the subject of God\u2019s unique design. I did like the use of scripture to begin the book.

The illustration style was interesting, with bright colors but not very well defined lines. It\u2019s a bright and calming style at the same time. I LOVED the diversity in this book. We need many more picture books with diversity in the Christian section of the bookstore. The illustrations showed what a wonderful community we have when we get together no matter our color or culture.

My six-year-old son did not like the book. He did not like illustrations or text. My three-year-old daughter really enjoyed the beautiful illustrations. I would recommend this book for three- to five-year-olds.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 23:05:32", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008755003", "title": "The Hairbrush and the Shoe", "author": "Jeanne Stanton", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 414, "review": "Jeanne D. Stanton\u2019s The Hairbrush and The Shoe: A True Ghost Story is an eerie and intriguing probe into the supernatural realm through the author\u2019s research and first-hand experiences. Over the span of several chapters, Stanton explores the plausibility and mysticism around the paranormal world. Things begin, coincidentally enough, with a hairbrush disappearing for a few months and reappearing in an unexpected location. Before long, things occur less by chance and far more persistently. Stanton admits from the beginning, \u201cghosts and belief in them are generally regarded as the realm of charlatans and crackpots\u2026 Before we moved into our 1875 house, I hadn\u2019t thought much about ghosts, but if asked, I would have said that ghosts are a possibility.\u201d At one time or another, we have all stepped back to consider the probability and plausibility of the paranormal. Like any of us, she begins her inquiry with related books and television shows before guardedly meeting with a psychic. Stanton\u2019s narrative is a familiar one that will resonate with readers' curiosity and inquisitiveness. She explores familiar terms surrounding the supernatural from \"ghost,\" \"spirit,\" and \"medium\" to \"fraud,\" \"charlatan,\" and \"con artist.\" As Stanton continues to probe into the paranormal, her initial perceptions evolve as she begins to consider the possibility of a stronger connection existing between science and the supernatural then we initially perceive despite the lack of support and assistance from within the scientific community. She bases these conclusions on conversations and publications of scientists studying in and around paranormal activity. Her exploration foregrounds the blatant ostracizing of any academic that dares to explore the supernatural in any concrete, sound studies regardless of evidence or conclusions. Through further investigation, we stand to garner a better understanding of this relationship, but thus far this avenue remains thwarted. Stanton provides insightful, supportive references to her study that enhance her analysis and bring a sense of authenticity to the investigation. Readers will find her process genuine, thoughtful, and receptive to the possibilities of this inquiry regardless of believability. It is one of authentic study and earnest inquiry. Those interested in additional details have the option of exploring her citations and learning added information from her sources on related subtopics. Her authenticity and organic exploration garner this work five stars. Readers will thoroughly enjoy Stanton\u2019s journey and feel inspired to pursue their own inquiries into the supernatural world. Begin your expedition into the paranormal today with Jeanne D. Stanton\u2019s The Hairbrush and The Shoe: A True Ghost Story.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "25-Feb-2020 20:28:51", "publisher": "SparkPress", "page_count": "204 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008753007", "title": "Ferret: The Reluctant King", "author": "L.K. Samuels", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 422, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

Sean O\u2019Neil is a young boy living in Ireland in the late 1600s. When his father is killed in front of him, however, he embarks on a journey that will take him not only to the Netherlands and the New World but also into a new identity: Ferret, a reluctant but inevitable king.

In the preface, Samuels mentions how many years he has worked on this book and how much research went into it. Even without reading that, it would have been obvious. The historical detail shines through in every page. Each chapter, no matter the setting, is rich enough to seem real, and the world is populated with compelling and fascinating characters. Ferret is far from the only exciting person in the book. There\u2019s Strongbow, a trickster with his own agenda, Maureen, a strong-willed Irish woman, and Heather, a fey child with powerful passions. Each has a dry realism about them which makes them not always likeable but ever intriguing.

Unfortunately, the historical detail doesn\u2019t always ring true. The Gaelic and Dutch phrases thrown in for flavor are at times distracting and at least on one occasion blatant gibberish. When compared with other moments in the book which show strong attention to detail and a clear love of accuracy, it\u2019s disappointing.

Aside from that, I was completely sucked into the book. Ferret\u2019s growth as a character from scrappy and strong-willed to the titular reluctant king shows the changes brewing at the turn of the eighteenth century and the contradictions in the world and society at the time. Europe was on the brink of the philosophical revolution now known as the Enlightenment, but many people still held onto the old ways. Old monarchies and fledgling democracies were prepared to clash, and people everywhere were choosing sides, whether they knew it or not. In Ferret, the conflict plays out in miniature, making him the perfect pair of eyes to see the story through.

For those who want more than philosophy in their historical fiction, don\u2019t worry. There\u2019s plenty of action, too, for these were violent times. The conflict between the English and Irish plays out from the very beginning, touching every part of Ferret\u2019s life, but other battles play out closer to home, and closer to his heart. He clashes with friends and allies. In a world torn by both philosophy and war, sometimes it\u2019s impossible to trust anyone at all.

Ferret: The Reluctant King is a book heavy (sometimes too heavy) with history. For any who love this period as I do, it\u2019s an intriguing read.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "24-Feb-2020 21:21:20", "publisher": "Freeland Press", "page_count": "393 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008750003", "title": "STAZR The World Of Z: The Dawn of Athir", "author": "Dr. Anay Ayarovu", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 409, "review": "*Trigger Warning: This book includes torture, cannibalism, racism/slavery, depictions of graphic sex, and graphic rape*

Dr. Anay Ayarovu's STAZR The World of Z: The Dawn of Athir is like The Chronicles of Narnia meets Candid on drugs. It is a humorous read that doesn't hesitate to poke fun at typical tropes, such as 'chosen one' and 'epic quest.' Lael is a writer who lives alone. When a prophecy literally names him as the one capable of reopening the Stazr gates to allow travel between worlds, Lael embarks on an adventure that will challenge how he sees himself and how he sees others.

This story has elements of sci-fi and fantasy both, but overall, its tone is fantasy. The Greats can use magic of a sort. In some ways, they seem like a Fae race, Daevas or Unseelie Sidhe. There are talking animals in the book. Many of the animals were normal, brought to the planet by humans long ago, but they have since evolved due to exposure to stazr. My favorite of these animals was the little shnail that took a liking to Lael.

I loved the cultural essays insterspersed throughout the book, and the encyclopedia entries helped flesh out the world Lael lives in. I enjoyed that the story prompted me to think about society, status quo, and why change can be hard. The book also teaches the lesson that book knowledge isn't everything and that reality can shake up inculcated beliefs. This book makes use of many world-specific words; though context oftentimes provides enough to suss out meaning, a glossary ends each chapter to help the reader along.

Unfortunately I didn't find most of the characters to be all that likable. The Greats come across as entitled morons. Lael is naive and quite ignorant in many ways. He seems more interested in how he looks to others, and he's indoctrinated in the unhealthy thinking of the Greats. He believes the 'lesser races' were put there to be slaves to the Greats. Lael often doesn't think for himself, but instead he lets his actions be guided by what he thinks others want him to do or by what the prophecy dictates. Kharis gives off an emo vibe. Both Lael and Kharis are manipulative and willing to kill to achieve fanatic goals.

There were scattered scenes of unnecessary sex, violence, and violent sex that felt out of place in the overall story. Also that cover is terrifying. Just saying.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Feb-2020 16:11:32", "publisher": "STAZR", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008749027", "title": "Healing by His Spirit", "author": "Geraldine D. Bryant", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 454, "review": "Healing By His Spirit by Geraldine D. Bryant is a powerful autobiographical story of faith and perseverance. It is an honest and open expression of the hardships one may endure and overcome through prayer and devotion. Bryant\u2019s narrative proves everyone encounters hardships but how we respond determines the impact and outcomes of those adversities. As a young woman, Bryant became pregnant as a result of a brutal rape. This violent attack could have destroyed her. Instead, she embraced her child and committed to loving her child every day in spite of the biological father\u2019s actions. From terrifying health scares to an abusive marriage, Bryant repeatedly confronted and overcame difficulties by leaning on God\u2019s love. Through her devotion, she has come to see some of the most incredible miracles this world has to offer. From raising a beautiful, healthy daughter to sharing intimate moments with her mother to traveling extensively around the world, Bryant has come to see and do so much through the love and guidance of God. Through this story, Bryant reveals \u201cthe amazing experiences that ultimately happened to me\u2026it is my responsibility to share my Christian faith with anyone who is open to it; however, it is up to each individual to choose the path which they believe to be relevant in respect to their own spiritual journey.\u201d Bryant\u2019s story and testimony are personal and authentic. It is through her openness that readers really have the opportunity to connect with the author and obtain a deep understanding of her struggles and strength. Through her personable writings, Bryant connects with readers in a profound and sincere way as if to simulate a warm conversation in her home over a cup of hot tea. In this manner, Bryant achieves a level of comfort and tranquility with readers as she discusses a variety of difficult topics, including rape, abortion, marital affairs, cancer, and abuse. Amid these heartaches, Bryant shares her professional accolades and trips to Aruba, Indonesia, and Japan, as well as warm bouts of laughter with friends. Her story is more than pain and sorrow. It\u2019s a lifetime of hills and valleys where she has and continues to walk by faith. Throughout this period, she loves those in her life passionately and fearlessly, pouring out resources whenever she can to uplift and inspire a friend or family member. Bryant\u2019s story is one of living your best life regardless of the cards that have been dealt. It\u2019s deciding to live a life full of abundance. Her narrative is inspiring, and through her book readers will get to know Bryant in such a real way. Geraldine D. Bryant\u2019s Healing By His Spirit is well worth the read and will quickly become a favorite of many readers.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "24-Feb-2020 18:25:38", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008749023", "title": "Healing by His Spirit", "author": "Geraldine D. Bryant", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 400, "review": "Healing By His Spirit is the wonderful raw autobiography of a woman named Geraldine Bryant, known as Gerri to her friends and family, in which she shows how even through the toughest of times her faith never faltered and her relationship with God became even stronger.

The book starts off with Gerri describing her childhood. Growing up in Philadelphia, Gerri\u2019s father was an alcoholic and her mother worked hard to keep the family afloat. Gerri does not talk much about her two older brothers in her book and this may be because they are much older than her and had moved out by the time Gerri reached her teen years.

The book follows Gerri through one relationship after another, her first being with a boy named Sidney, who seems nice enough at first but then shows his true colors when Gerri denies him sexual relations when she is only fourteen years old and he sixteen. This relationship, along with a horrible rape scene shortly after, was very hard to read. This young, innocent girl becomes pregnant after being raped and goes on to have another abusive \u201crelationship.\u201d My heart broke as Gerri\u2019s decisions led to hurt, heartbreak, and uncertainty. In one part of the book, she becomes extremely ill. It seems as if nothing will help cure her and the doctors cannot figure out what is wrong with her. She goes to her church where her pastor gives her something to wear close to her heart and has her do an at-home ritual of putting a glass of red wine on a Psalms passage and a twenty-minute bath. The results are nothing short of a miracle.

What struck me most is that Gerri never gave up. She lived her life despite all of the setbacks. She got hired at the Postal Service and with the help of her mom raised her daughter Janel. Gerri\u2019s perseverance and strength are very admirable. The one thing I would have liked to hear more about was Gerri\u2019s relationship with Janel. She has many adventures, but not too many that include Janel as she is growing up.

Healing By His Spirit will be an inspiration to those who read it. With easy to read chapters that flow chronologically, it is easy to read this book in one sitting as you become entranced by what is going to happen next. An excellent book by an amazing woman.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "24-Feb-2020 18:25:26", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008749019", "title": "Healing by His Spirit", "author": "Geraldine D. Bryant", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 644, "review": "In Healing by His Spirit, Geraldine Bryant shares her tumultuous, yet inspiring life journey with readers. Her earliest years are relatively happy and stable, and though her father is an alcoholic, her memories of him during her formative years are not marked with negativity, but mostly with love and laughter. Geraldine\u2019s mother is kind, nurturing, and a woman of strong faith. When Geraldine is fourteen, she and her family move in with her grandfather, who recently became blind, resulting in the need for greater family assistance. It is then that her battle with loneliness begins. Countless days are spent in the solitude of her room and in yearning for human companionship. She falls deeply in love with a boy two years her senior and is devastated beyond imagine when their courtship suddenly ends.

On a seemingly normal, hot day in August, Geraldine decides to ride the trolley to her best friend Dee-Dee\u2019s house for a visit. Little does she realize it will be one of the most harrowing days of her young life. After Dee-Dee\u2019s father innocently insists she take a cab home, she slips into the seat next to a man who holds her captive for six horrifying hours. When she\u2019s finally released to the comfort of her home, her sense of self is shattered beyond recognition. She unwittingly becomes the target of this man\u2019s evil threats, the mother of his precious child, and a woman in desperate search of herself. Though she later marries, divorces, and becomes involved in a number of relationships, she never quite finds contentment and stability in her relationships. What she does find, though, through her travels to other lands and a relationship with the Lord she\u2019s always known and trusted, is a life with greater purpose and one of which God is at the center.

Healing by His Spirit is written with some eloquence, though it is generally very easy to understand, making it suitable for those who are not voracious readers and/or scholarly types. It is written for everyday people who take comfort in knowing they are not alone in their struggles. For those who have been victimized in any way, this memoir may be especially appealing and cathartic. They may find a part of themselves in Geraldine\u2019s story and draw hope from its positive and resolute message. Additionally, her unwavering faith and the gracious attitude she exudes despite the travesties she endears may provide them with an example of admirable mention. Conversely, for those seeking a challenging read and a genuinely unique storyline with unexpected twists and turns, this autobiography may not be the right choice. It\u2019s a quick read with short, concise chapters that unfold with predictability. It should be stated with unquestionable clarity that victimization is never warranted or deserved by any human being, though precautions in uncertain circumstances are often wise to take. Along those lines, some readers may be struck by the naivety of the author at times throughout her voyage. It may be attributable, at least partially, to the free and accepting spirit that defines who she is. She remains untainted by the hardships she endures. To some this might be heartening; while to others, it might seem troubling.

The author shares the story of her daughter\u2019s birth and some glimpses into her early years, but so much is left untold. It\u2019s as though this significant part of her life slowly fades out of existence, leaving many questions left unanswered. Does her daughter simply fade into the backdrop of her life? How does she cope with and respond to the array of events that unfold during her teenage years? Does she ever discover how she was ultimately conceived, and if so, how does this impact her? By allowing the reader greater insight into this part of her life, the author could widen the scope and depth of her own story.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "24-Feb-2020 18:25:13", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008749003", "title": "The Earth Family Smith", "author": "Chun-Tien Leung", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 333, "review": "The Earth Family Smith is an entertaining novel about a family escaping a climate-changed Earth. It is mostly told from the point of view of Cameron Smith, the oldest child. When she and her siblings awake from space sleep, their mother and father are missing. They worry that they won't ever see them again, yet they eventually explore the crash site where they landed. The siblings find a group of the planet's dominant species, and they are taken to their well-established city. The kids, Cameron (oldest daughter), Barry (middle child and son), and Amilee (youngest child and daughter) meet a nice woman named Quetu. She takes them in and fosters them until they can find their parents.

Meanwhile, the kids adapt to the new planet and learn about the native community; they turn out to be mostly telepathic and/or telekinetic people. The planet, Tumuera, is also facing the start of climate change. The planet's natural cycle is being upset and the politics, which have become corrupt, aren't doing much about it. They stay for a while, but a series of surprising events force them to migrate to a different city. It turns out that the government dislikes the immigrant aliens, not just the humans, like the Smiths, but other species as well and wants to send them away from their planet.

Join The Earth Family Smith as they adapt to a new world and challenges, so different from Earth's.

I really enjoyed this book. It actually talks a lot about how politics work in a community, how climate change can affect us and the environment, that, yes, it's real and that there are things we can do to stop it from getting worse. This novel was really fun to read, although it took a bit getting used to all the alien terms spoken here and there. It was also immersive and described the planet and all of its features and inhabitants quite vividly. I would recommend this to kids and teens 12 and up.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "24-Feb-2020 15:56:47", "publisher": "", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008748003", "title": "Giacomo's Daughter", "author": "Rosanna Savone and Diana Savone", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 401, "review": "I will always have a soft spot for well-researched historical fiction, and that was exactly what I found with Giacomo\u2019s Daughter. Rosanna and Diana Savone (publishing simply as the Savone Sisters) have created a Prohibition-era story of the Italian Mafia in Detroit that feels as though it could have really happened. As the authors' note states, some of the events did occur, showing that once again the best historical fiction draws deeply from history.

Sofia Denaro is the young wife of Max Denaro, who is possibly the most dangerous man in Detroit, and he has given her everything: fine clothes, a good house, and a way out of her old working-class life. He has also, unfortunately, traumatized her and made her short marriage hellish. Over dinner on a boat, Sofia confronts her husband and tells him everything he has done to her, sparing no detail. Though the frame of the narrative takes place over a single night, the story itself spans much more, showing every moment of her lost innocence.

The Savone Sisters certainly know how to craft a narrative. The story moves smoothly between \u201cpresent-day\u201d on the boat and Sofia\u2019s explanation of what happened to her and how. The unflinching detail, while at times difficult to read, is a necessary part of the story, and many Mafia wives were abused by their husbands. The Savone Sisters have not tried to create a romance but to illustrate part of the past, and in that, they have done a remarkable job.

It isn\u2019t only in the darker details that their research shows. Every setting feels true and believable, as do the characters. Even the secondary ones have their own agendas and wishes, all of which come through clearly in the narrative.

Unfortunately, the amount of detail proves to be the novel\u2019s undoing. The authors spell out things that the readers could infer for themselves, and some backstory elements were completely unnecessary or had been mentioned two chapters earlier. In addition, the dialect of some characters feels forced and awkward.

On the whole, however, the story is a strong one, and compelling. Sofia\u2019s character has depth and humanity beyond the traditional \u201cbattered woman\u201d narrative, and I don\u2019t think it\u2019s much of a spoiler to say I gasped in delight at the end. Giacomo\u2019s Daughter is the first book in a trilogy, and I look forward greatly to reading the next two books to see how Sofia evolves next.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "24-Feb-2020 02:21:16", "publisher": "Liv Luhv Rahyt Inc.", "page_count": "373 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008747003", "title": "Giacomo's Daughter", "author": "Rosanna Savone and Diana Savone", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 223, "review": "I love Prohibition-era historical fiction and was quite interested to read Giacomo's Daughter by the Savone Sisters. Unfortunately, for me, it felt like reading a second or third draft. There's still a lot of work to be done. Both adverbs and adjectives need a good culling. (One can only read that a woman did something 'sweetly' so many times.) Tense and POV need reworking for greater consistency.

Another thing that kept breaking my engagement was the myriad of dialogue tags. Some variation is good. Too much variation can be distracting. I found the scattering of vulgar imagery to be out of place in this story, and completely unnecessary, as the story in no way struck me as \"romance\" or \"erotica.\" These few scenes felt so out of place.

This story is billed as mafia fiction set in the 1920s, and yet it felt too generic, with little rich historical detail. The characters came across as cardboard cutouts that could quite literally be dropped into any time frame with little change to the majority of the story. Greater context-driven elements would be nice. I want something *only* likely to happen because of the era or occupation.

As a story about a woman's revenge against her oppressor, this book has a lot of potential. It just needs one or two more edits in the cutting and drafting phases.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Feb-2020 22:18:58", "publisher": "Liv Luhv Rahyt Inc.", "page_count": "373 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008745003", "title": "His Secret Mistress: A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women Novel", "author": "Cathy Maxwell", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 176, "review": "Brandon Balfour is back in the small town in England that he ran away from to make it rich in colonial India. Now he is back to oversee the estate and prepare his nephew to inherit so that he might leave again. But Kate Addison, the main reason he left, is back in his life and disrupting his plans as a member of the Logical Men\u2019s Society, which only men who are not married may join. Addison throws his life upside down, but can the two come to terms, or will they destroy each other and all they have worked for? Will jealousy rule the day?

This has a fairly simple plot, as halfway through you can basically guess the ending for these two people. The idea of a young duke falling in love and wanting to marry someone who is old enough to be his mother is a little odd. While not terribly original, and at times not exactly steamy either, people looking for a more chaste love story might find this an endearing enough read.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "21-Feb-2020 22:41:25", "publisher": "Avon", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008742019", "title": "Healing by His Spirit", "author": "Geraldine D. Bryant", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 430, "review": "Geraldine Bryant has shown us that when it comes to trauma and misfortunes, healing by His spirit is the best option. Gerri's autobiography is written to show what can happen when you keep your faith and take it seriously. Starting at age eight, Gerri had her standards high and was not okay with giving into anything less. The church was her life, and surrounding herself with church-goers was important to her. She matures and becomes a teenager, and her morals get a little skewed when a boy becomes involved. Still attempting to stay true to her morals, Gerri can't help but find her life spiraling out of her control. The one constant she has is her faith in Jesus Christ, and even that seems to falter more or less throughout the years. Drugs, sex, and abuse are some of the dangerous themes that show up in Gerri's life\u2014obstacles that she believes she can overcome, but it will become apparent if she is capable without divine guidance. Gerri has since come to terms with her life and her actions; she now focuses her efforts on the Lord because of the blessings he has bestowed upon her in her time of need.

Gerri has lived an exciting life, evident by the many stories she has to tell. Unfortunately, many of her stories don't end with a happy ending before leading to the next one. Reading Gerri's account of her life is heartbreaking but hopeful at the same time. Gerri has gone through many trials, and through them all, she came to understand that God had not forsaken her but used everything for His good. While reading about her life, I was shocked at the disregard for human life that was shown by both Gerri and others. While writing from a background in mental health treatment, it is evident that many of her actions and feelings appear normal for a person who has suffered from a traumatic situation, yet her actions will cause some doubt for me. The impression I got while reading her story is that it is written with more facts presented instead of emotion. This can be understandable, given the situations in which Gerri found herself, but still surprising given that emotions are hard to ignore for a woman. Overall, the story flows beautifully and is a quick read because of the ease of the text. Advice to the reader: don't be scared away by the spirituality in the book, but instead keep an open mind and discover if it can help your life at all, much like it did Gerri's.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "22-Feb-2020 00:18:01", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008742015", "title": "Discover Your Best Keto Now", "author": "Mike Wessels", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 51, "review": "\"An interesting look into the world of Keto diets and their variations. Who knew that mayonnaise and marbled meat are considered 'good fats'? This book is a great breakdown of how to do Keto and includes some delicious recipes. Perfect for people interested in the ketogenic lifestyle!\" \u2014 Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Feb-2020 19:45:12", "publisher": "Westchase Prime Publishing", "page_count": "193 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008742007", "title": "Vegetable Kingdom: The Abundant World of Vegan Recipes", "author": "Bryant Terry", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 197, "review": "Bryant Terry is a chef, an activist, and an educator, and he has long made it his mission to bring his own unique vision of vegetable-based cooking to the masses through his shows, documentaries, and books. His newest offering is Vegetable Kingdom: The Abundant World of Vegan Recipes, and it\u2019s an outstanding addition to any home cook\u2019s library, vegan or not. Terry has divided the book up by ingredient, allowing readers to find ideas based not just on what\u2019s in season but also by what\u2019s actually available in their nearby stores, markets, and farms. Many of the recipes build on one another; readers will learn some versatile basics that can be used to create more complex dishes further down the road. Terry definitely does not rely on meat substitutes but instead mixes flavors and spices to create unique dishes that will satisfy even the most critical eaters. This is not an easy cookbook, and it\u2019ll take time and effort to master the recipes within, not to mention a bit of money and a well-stocked pantry, but anyone who is looking to expand their palate and their cooking abilities would do well to give this book a try.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "21-Feb-2020 19:14:15", "publisher": "Ten Speed Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008742003", "title": "The Earth Family Smith", "author": "Chun-Tien Leung", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 642, "review": "The Earth Family Smith is a science fiction novel set in the not-too-distant future, where the Earth has been all but destroyed by pollution and climate change while its population has been decimated by an illness known as the Red Plague. Humanity has been left with no choice but to flee the Earth and escape via wormhole to New Terra, a planet capable of supporting human life.

Among those heading for New Terra are teenager Cameron, her younger brother, Barry, her little sister, Amilee, and her parents. As the story opens, the family is spending their last night on Earth at Away Station, a sort of selection/preparation center for soon-to-be emigrants, which shares many similarities with the poorly equipped asylum centers currently used in many countries to house immigrants/asylum seekers. The family\u2019s preparation for departure on the shuttle and their subsequent settling in aboard Ark III for deep-space hibernation and the two-year journey to New Terra are well thought out and realistic \u2013 even when fleeing from planetary collapse, there\u2019s no escaping bureaucracy.

The real action begins when Cameron and her siblings awake to discover that their severely damaged capsule has landed on a strange planet. It can\u2019t be New Terra, which is supposed to be a tundra planet, as the planet they\u2019re on has a temperate or even tropical biome. What\u2019s more, their parents are missing. The three venture out of the capsule in search of answers and soon encounter a group of aliens who identify themselves as Arap-Musoogums and explain that they are on the planet Tumuera. While most of those they initially meet prove friendly, especially Qetu, who ends up acting as a kind of foster mother to them, the Smith children discover that Tumuera has its own problems. The population seems split into factions, with one group being in favor of allowing foreign species to settle on the planet, while the other group believes that all emigrants to Tumuera should be expelled back to their home worlds \u2013 there\u2019s even talk of building a wall to keep rival native species out.

Chun-Tien Leung has clearly put a lot of effort into the worldbuilding for The Earth Family Smith. The planet of Tumuera, including its cities, wider environment, flora, fauna, and populations, is described in clear detail. The Smith children experience everything as alien yet also as slightly familiar \u2013 the same kinds of rivalries, jealousies, and friendships are seen on Tumuera as are seen on Earth, and that includes the real contemporary Earth as well as the fictional one. The conflicts between the different native species, the distrust and fear of immigrants, and the damage done to the environment are clear echoes of what is going on in real life right now. There\u2019s also a nice amount of humor to be found in some of the differences between humans and Arap-Musoogums, including the different ways of eating and of going to the bathroom.

The Earth Family Smith follows Cameron and her siblings as they adjust to life on Tumuera, attempt to fit in to their new society, and become embroiled in the conflict between the factions. They make friends and allies with many Arap-Musoogums as well as with individuals from other species (Qetu\u2019s aged father-in-law Quigo and the robot Am-lam are particular favorites), and they also encounter a number of bigoted enemies who don\u2019t think that they belong on Tumuera. All the while, they are left to wonder what happened to their parents and the others aboard Ark III. The story is packed with detail and intriguing descriptions of life and living things on Tumuera, and there\u2019s a fair bit of action and adventure, too.

As The Earth Family Smith is the first book in Chun-Tien Leung\u2019s Tumuerian Dream series, it will be interesting to see what the author has in store for Cameron and the others next.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "21-Feb-2020 06:58:32", "publisher": "", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008741003", "title": "Franklin & Washington: The Founding Partnership", "author": "Edward J. Larson", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 227, "review": "George Washington and Ben Franklin were a crucial pair of the larger Founding Fathers of the United States of America. Franklin and Washington were decades apart in age, hailed from different backgrounds and locations, and yet shared strong views on liberty and when to fight. Their friendship, often accentuated through correspondence, spanned four decades. Benjamin Franklin possessed a brilliant mind; his skills shined as a printer, publisher, and inventor. His innovative ways bought him an early retirement, yet he was also dedicated to public service.

George Washington was born in Virginia. His wealth emanated from the inheritance of his family estate. He gravitated toward service as a surveyor, evaluating prospective lands for investment in the vast wilderness of the west. Conflict was imminent with the colonists\u2019 desire to expand out west. Washington had a front-row seat to the looming fracas and would witness triumph and tragedy in military campaigns from 1754 on. Washington and Franklin would be present and all in for battling the French in a unified Colonial campaign.

Franklin and Washington is a fresh view of the lives of Ben Franklin and George Washington. Their contributions to the birth of the United States and also their divide on the topic of slavery provide depth and moving narrative to a great read. This is a solid piece of history writing, where the reader can re-examine the past. A-plus.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 20:52:35", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008740007", "title": "The Queen of Raiders (The Nine Realms)", "author": "Sarah Kozloff", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 177, "review": "The story continues as the Princella of Weirandale, Cer\u00falia, escapes those who search for her, only to find herself in the center of a war. She joins Thalen, a scholar-turned-solider, on his one-way mission into the enemy country. The Princella uses her gift to help the raiders while trying to keep her true identity secret and become the warrior she needs to be to take back the throne. But war comes at a cost, and she\u2019s about to find out if she\u2019s willing to pay the price.

In this second installment of the Nine Realms quartet, the Princella has to learn what it means to be a warrior and queen. War is brutal, and The Queen of Raiders doesn\u2019t sugar coat it, yet it\u2019s written in a way that the violence is not too graphic, leaving most of it to your imagination. Characters who were in the first book return as well as a large cast of new characters. Thankfully, there\u2019s an appendix, but I still had some trouble keeping track of everyone. There is heavy cussing throughout.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 21:01:02", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008740003", "title": "The Eighth Girl: A Novel", "author": "Maxine Mei-Fung Chung", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 186, "review": "Reading debut works of fiction can be a tricky business: either it is really good and the beginning of a prosperous writing career or it falls pretty flat, and prospects dim that there might ever be another book by the author. This book falls into the latter category. It is written in such a way as to leave the reader lost, confused, at times bewildered, and wondering why we should even care for the main character. Maybe the author, a psychotherapist, wanted to explore the world of multiple personalities without wanting to write an academic work.

The story follows Alexa Wu, who suffers from multiple personality disorder that only three people know about. One of those is Ella, an enigmatic friend who gets a job at a fairly seedy gentlemen\u2019s club. When things turn south and a rescue mission must occur, it is up to Alexa to lead the way into the underbelly of London, with all of her issues and personalities, while maintaining a facade that everything is normal. Frankly, it is fairly flat, and I am not sure the author\u2019s strong point is writing fiction.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 20:44:59", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008738015", "title": "The Voice that Won the Vote: How One Woman's Words Made History", "author": "Elisa Boxer", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 178, "review": "There was a time when women could not vote. Only men can vote. Women wanted to vote, but men always told them they could not. Even some women didn't think that women should have an opinion when it was politics. Even though women could not vote, one woman helped change that. Her name was Febb Burn. She was smart and she loved to read and learn. Since only men could vote, Febb wrote to her son Harry Burn because he could vote. Febb wrote to her son and told him to be a good boy. With his vote he broke the tie, and women were able to vote.

I like the story. I did not know about Febb Burn and how she helped women vote. I liked how the book included a real picture of her. This is a very educational book, and this is a good picture book to learn a little bit about women's right to vote. This is a great book to read for National Women's Month! I think kids and parents will enjoy this story.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 23:09:22", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008738011", "title": "Travel Guide for Monsters", "author": "Lori Degman, with illustrations by Dave Szalay", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 6", "word_count": 175, "review": "In Travel Guide for Monsters, the monsters go on trips to lots of cities and places. The monsters are having fun traveling all over the US, and they are happy. One monster goes to San Francisco and rides the cable car. Another monster goes to Los Angeles to see famous people. Other monsters go to Arizona, Wyoming, South Dakota, Tennessee, Illinois, Florida, Washington D.C., and New York. The monsters get to visit and see many famous places like Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, the White House, and Disney World.

I thought the book was cute and silly. I liked how the illustrations are very colorful. I like the monster who is sitting on the tea cup ride in Disney World because it's a girl monster with purple pigtails. I also like the blue monster who is licking the kid on the screen in Illinois. I recommend this book to kids who like monsters and kids who like to travel and see places because this book is educational and teaches kids about states.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 23:08:08", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008737015", "title": "break your glass slippers (you are your own fairy tale)", "author": "Amanda Lovelace", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 205, "review": "Amanda Lovelace continues her legacy of thoughtful feminist, poetry turning tropes on their head. In this book, she takes on the \u201cCinderella\u201d fairytale. The narrative is told in a series of poems that start with a pair of glass slippers given to the daughter by her father. But this isn\u2019t the Cinderella story you know from childhood. This story is modernized and attempts to expose the systemic reality modern women face: silently teaching girls to stay quiet, pleasant, and pleasing to others. The Cinderella in Lovelace\u2019s story goes on a long, difficult, journey until she finally finds herself in a place of power, self-love, confidence, and fulfillment.

One of the most powerful lessons in the book comes from the voice of the \u201cfairy godmother\u201d when she says, \u201cthere is nothing in this world like the relief of/knowing that you owe answers to nobody &/nobody owes answers to you in return.\u201d

This book is a powerful journey and a very empowering read for women. Even if you don't think you\u2019re a poetry lover, this accessible and emotional volume may make a convert out of you. It will definitely provide a lot of food for thought and encourage you to start, or continue, your own unique journey of self-love.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 22:48:41", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008737011", "title": "Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster", "author": "Jonathan Auxier", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 208, "review": "Young Nan follows a sweep around the London area, helping him clean chimneys and resting on roofs at night. One morning, she wakes up and finds that the sweep has gone. All she has left of him is a rock, a small ember of warmth that she carries everywhere.

After waiting and searching, she joins the crew of another sweep. Crudd is not a kind sweep, but rather a monster of a boss who controls the lives of several children, most under the age of ten, who sweep chimneys each day and curl up lost and lonely each night. When Nan awakes, unharmed, after a chimney fire, she meets her golem, a gift from the original sweep, who helps her to build a new life, so different from what she expected.

An eye-opening testimony to the hardships of children from a bygone era, this is a beautiful story that explores friendship, first love, family, and loyalty. Being based on the lives of chimney sweeps in London during the 1870s, it will shatter the misconception that all sweeps were like those in Mary Poppins. Nan is a sweet, patient girl and her golem is a great friend in a world that doesn\u2019t believe in such things. So, so sweet.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 22:46:47", "publisher": "Amulet Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008737003", "title": "The Genius of Women: From Overlooked to Changing the World", "author": "Janice Kaplan", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 236, "review": "Journalist and TV producer Janice Kaplan writes passionately and appealingly on the issue of the continuing bias against women outside the confines of the home or marriage. In searching for the factors that have stifled or extinguished the talent of so many remarkable women throughout the ages, she finds that underlying pressures from belief systems, cultures, and traditions have long sustained the dogma declaring women to be the weaker and insignificant sex.

In this absorbing narrative, the author shares the stories of many outstanding females working in fields in which men have long held tenure. Female college presidents, robotic engineers, astrophysicists, AI scientists, mathematicians, musicians, artists, among others in the arts and sciences relate how their passion for their craft along with their upbringing shaped their future. The majority of these award-winning women nurtured children alongside pursuing their outstanding careers.

Part of the algorithm necessary for genius recognition is having the basic talent with the grit to pursue its fulfillment along with collegial support and finally being recognized for this ability. This was the recipe that failed to acknowledge the genius of Lise Meitner and Rosalind Franklin. The reader is encouraged to realize how bias and cultural conditions from infancy onwards shape our values, limit our potential, and serve as a revolving door for possibilities.

A timely topic, brilliantly presented, a must read for girls with their parents, and an educational primer needed for imperious males.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 20:31:37", "publisher": "Dutton", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008736007", "title": "Mr. Nobody: A Novel", "author": "Catherine Steadman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 198, "review": "Mr. Nobody is a rather handsome man who washes up on the beach one day. The thing is, Mr. Nobody does not speak. Is this just a game or can he really not talk? Dr. Emma Lewis is a specialist in neuropsychology brought in on the case by a colleague she has looked up to for a long time. The only problem? The case is not in London where Emma lives, but rather a place that Emma and her brother and mother escaped from long ago with secret protective identities. Needless to say, as Emma works on finding out more about Mr. Nobody, she is always looking over her shoulder to make sure no one recognizes her. But then, the oddest thing happens: Mr. Nobody speaks to her. And he calls her by her old name. A name she hasn't heard for fourteen years.

Mr. Nobody will have you wanting more as the author slowly feeds you more and more clues as to who Mr. Nobody is and what happened to Emma those many years ago. This book has an excellent cast of characters, action, and carefully researched medical terminology regarding the brain and how it works. Very satisfying.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 20:40:21", "publisher": "Ballantine Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008736003", "title": "Dragon Fire (The Unwanteds Quests #5)", "author": "Lisa McMann", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 174, "review": "Dragon Fire is the fifth installment in The Unwanteds Quests series. It's about the Stowe family, the Island of Dragons, and a magical world called Artime. An evil dragon lady has taken over the Island of Dragons, and Artime is in the middle of a civil war. The Stowe family has lost Alex, their brother, who was the head maje of Artime. Now their lives are being threatened by the new maje in charge. Will the Stowe family survive? Will they be able to save their beloved home and rescue their world?

Dragon Fire is an action-packed book with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader turning pages all the way to the end. This is a great story for anyone who loves fantasies and adventure. I recommend this to story to young readers who love to get swept up into magical worlds as their imagination takes flight. It is a great book to read together with children at bedtime or anytime. So grab a copy, and let your mind take flight!", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 20:30:35", "publisher": "Aladdin", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008735023", "title": "Black Leviathan", "author": "Bernd Perplies", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jahhtega - Age 16", "word_count": 185, "review": "Black Leviathan is a gripping tale about the struggles between man and nature.

This book follows Lian as he joins a dragon hunting ship that is captained by Adaron. On his journey, Lian helps to hunt dragons, makes new companions, and loses a dear friend. All of this is in an effort to aid Adaron\u2019s search for the Firstborn Gargantuan.

I really liked the characters and got to know them quite well. Every character seemed real and relatable. My favorite character was Ialrist. This book was actually translated from German. The translator did a great job, and the language flowed really well. The dialogue was very realistic and aided in the understanding of the story.

I think anyone can read this book; however, because of the length, I think it would be better for older or more advanced readers. I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you\u2019re a fan of fantasy fiction. If this book were made into a series I would definitely read it.

This was a great story full of action, adventure, and a little bit of magic. You should read it!", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 20:58:17", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008735015", "title": "They Said This Day Would Never Come: Chasing the Dream on Obama's Improbable Campaign", "author": "Chris Liddell-Westefeld", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 211, "review": "The phrase everything old is new again lens itself to the nostalgic tendencies of millennials. The vast amounts of money and time they lavish on all the various trinkets, brands, and of course television shows of their youth. But as this election cycle has revealed, there is also a deep longing to relive past campaigns, to revisit beloved figures, and gain new insight into crowning moments of our national identity.

They Said This Day Would Never Come: Chasing the Dream on Obama's Improbable Campaign by Chris Liddell-Westefeld is the perfect vehicle for such a pursuit.

A compelling volume of oral and anecdotal history about \u00a0Barack Obama's first presidential campaign. Told in great detail by numerous volunteers and campaign staff. It's the kind of Presidential history that many want and rarely get.

A glittering showcase of over two hundred interviews including David Axelrod, David Plouffe, and President Obama himself. To say nothing of the hundreds of young volunteers, many who would go on to serve in the Obama administration, who dropped everything, and worked tirelessly to see the underdog candidate make history.

The definitive book on the Obama years has yet to be written, and as the partisan tensions of the era slowly pull back, this book may very well be it.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 20:56:28", "publisher": "PublicAffairs", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008735011", "title": "Citizen Reporters: S.S. McClure, Ida Tarbell, and the Magazine That Rewrote America", "author": "Stephanie Gorton", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 217, "review": "The Gilded Age was ground zero for materialism and greed, where ethics and morality took a back seat. A shadow of doubt about the future direction of the country loomed. The corruption and greed and willful disregard for the public needed to be reined in. The majority needed a voice; McClure\u2019s Magazine became that voice. S.S. McClure hailed from Ireland where he emerged from a humble background possessing a stubborn perseverance that colored his eventful life. His determined nature pushed him in pursuit of education, love, and owning his own publication. Ida Tarbell inhabited a more luxurious life in Pennsylvania, the discovery of oil playing a large role in family fortunes. The negative turn in her family\u2019s monetary situation amongst many others was due to the ever-expanding Rockefeller empire. McClure and Tarbell were restless in their initial publishing forays until McClure discovered Tarbell\u2019s work and hired her. McClure\u2019s was founded in 1893, barely surviving a financial panic and McClure\u2019s free-spending ways, yet the finished work published spoke volumes.

Citizen Reporters recounts the heady days of progressive journalism with a flourish. Stephanie Gorton provides a lush narrative of the magazine alongside the biographies of two crucial pieces in the magazine\u2019s growth: founder and star reporter. The successes and trials along the way make for an engaging book. A must-read.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 20:44:19", "publisher": "Ecco", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008735007", "title": "Agency", "author": "William Gibson", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 206, "review": "Verity Jane is a thirty-three-year-old tech genius grasping for a reboot in life. Recently she ended a long-term and high-profile relationship with a business impresario. She has an enticing employment offer from a large tech firm. She has been tasked with testing a new product, but mustn\u2019t reveal anything about the product until she next meets with her prospective employer for her opinion. The product slowly unveils itself to Verity. Eunice is AI technology with scary potential; she talks to Verity and with her budding self-awareness. Verity is intrigued yet worried. Eunice is making moves, alerting Verity only moments before the action. Meanwhile in London, plans are being hatched; Eunice and Verity\u2019s progress are being monitored. The world is unsafe, hanging on a precipice, and the use of AI in human hands might make all the difference.

William Gibson writes the cyber world in an elaborate yet obtainable way. The characters are complex, the action cleverly sketched. There is an overarching paranoia as a theme of the story, but this makes the story even more readable. Gibson\u2019s take on the ever-expanding tentacles of technology and its capacities captivate the reader and may keep more than a few awake at night. A stellar release from an accomplished author.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 20:37:15", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008735003", "title": "The Queen's Assassin", "author": "Melissa de la Cruz", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 192, "review": "The only thing Shadow wants is to join the guild, but her mother and aunts have other plans; they want her to serve as a lady of the court. Caledon Holt is the Queen\u2019s assassin. He wants nothing more than to complete his father\u2019s vow and be free to have his own life. After saving Shadow\u2019s life, for better or for worse, they are thrown together as assassin and apprentice. Together they search for the truth before it\u2019s too late and a war begins.

By the time I got to about the tenth chapter I was finally starting to enjoy The Queen\u2019s Assassin. The plot itself is intriguing and good, but the characters start off shallow, and information is repeated only a couple pages after it was said the first time. Shadow and Cal fall in love in about two days while hating each other at the same time. Some people may like this kind of romance, but I didn\u2019t enjoy it and have a hard time believing they can truly love and respect each other. The ending plot twist was not very surprising, but it also wasn\u2019t foreshadowed or hinted at all.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 20:24:29", "publisher": "G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008734003", "title": "The 10 Greatest Gifts We Give Each Other: A Memoir on the Magic of Marriage Vows", "author": "Barbara Lynn-Vannoy", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 71, "review": "\"The 10 Greatest Gifts We Give Each Other is raw, honest, humorous, and brings about so many emotions. Here is the fairy tale between a single, divorced mom, and a man who made his empire on knowing and sharing how to help others respectably parent their children. The priorities of this couple will have you feel that your faith in humanity has been restored!\" \u2014 Rachel Dehning, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 07:44:25", "publisher": "Admont Press", "page_count": "225 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008733043", "title": "Cactus Jack: A Novel", "author": "Brad Smith", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahtega - Age 16", "word_count": 200, "review": "Cactus Jack is a wonderfully written novel that follows Billie Masterson, an untried colt named Cactus Jack, and a motley crew as they work to change the landscape of Kentucky thoroughbred racing.

Billie Masterson is a thirty-something-year-old woman from Kentucky. As she drowns her underachievements in alcohol and bad relationships in Ohio, her father, whom she hasn\u2019t seen since she graduated college, struggles to make ends meet on the family farm. His sudden death brings Billie back to Kentucky where she finds that she now owns a truckload of debt and an untried colt. With the help of a horse-crazed little girl, a washed-up horse trainer, and her father's ex-girlfriend, Billie and Cactus Jack turn the racing scene on its head.

I liked everything about this book, from the characters, the flow of the words, and the plot. I think many readers will like this book as well. I do think, however, that this book is better suited for more mature readers, as it discusses mature topics.

All in all, I think there are many more readers out there who will enjoy this book. If you are a mature reader who enjoys realistic fiction, this book is definitely for you.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 02:57:48", "publisher": "Arcade", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008733039", "title": "Chirp", "author": "Kate Messner", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 11", "word_count": 176, "review": "Mia moves back to Vermont and is excited to help her grandmother with her cricket farm. She has some unpleasant memories from Boston that she would rather forget. Prompted by her parents to choose two extracurricular activities for the summer, Mia enrolls in Warrior Camp and Launch Camp for young entrepreneurs. While she doesn\u2019t think she will love either camp, at least they are not gymnastics.

It is surprising to Mia that she makes new friends immediately. Anna and Clover pull Mia out of her shell and remind her what it is like to act like a normal middle school girl. When her grandmother\u2019s cricket farm is repeatedly sabotaged, her new friends jump in to help Mia investigate right away. The investigation reveals surprising findings, and Mia must expose the villain before the cricket farm is forced to close forever.

I liked this book because it encourages young people to find their voice and speak out against wrongs, even when it seems impossible. It is also about being strong and courageous and finding your joy and motivation again.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 02:55:17", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Children's Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008733031", "title": "The Girl and the Dinosaur", "author": "Hollie Hughes", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 194, "review": "The Girl and Dinosaur is a sweet luminous story about the power of make believe. Marianne digs up a skeleton on the shore; the worried fisher folk look on, concerned that she isn\u2019t spending enough time with other kids. But Marianne awakens the dinosaur with a promise of friendships, and at night it comes to transport her to an island where she meets lots of other children.

Hollie Hughes\u2019 rhyming story is charming as her previous book The Tide, and the illustrations by Massini are a perfect complement. Done with watercolor, pencil, printed collage, and photoshop, the drawings are rich and varied. They range from up close, panoramic views, and full spreads. The drawings also convey motion very well. The color palette of oranges and yellows with the green of the dinosaurs that contrasts the blues and grays of the magical, mysterious night create a nice flow and setting for the story.

My two preschoolers enjoyed this story very much. It\u2019s universal that children like to have secrets from grown ups, and this one is delicious. How silly grown ups are to not see what is on the beach or up in the sky.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 20:21:57", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Children's Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008733027", "title": "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder", "author": "Holly Jackson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 195, "review": "Pip has decided that her senior project will be delving into the death of Andie Bell by her boyfriend Sal, who later killed himself, that occurred five years earlier. Pip has always believed that the case wrapped up too easily, too cleanly, because Sal was nothing but nice to everyone. She starts by talking to Andie\u2019s friends and researching police procedure and news articles. When she contacts Sal\u2019s brother, she finds a comrade-in-arms, someone who wants to find the truth even more than she does, and who will follow her into dangerous situations. Together, they discover that many people have hidden secrets they don\u2019t want to come out and will stop at nothing to make sure those secrets stay secret.

This debut novel has more twists than a candy cane. This is a mystery novel through and through, and one that matches One of Us is Lying and Come Find Me in style. Pip is a caring, determined heroine, always a good find in YA literature. The romance is light and sweet and develops through the book, but takes a backseat to the unfolding plot. Excellent news: this is the first in a series of four.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 20:20:36", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Children's", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008733023", "title": "Goodnight, Veggies", "author": "Diana Murray, with illustrations by Zachariah OHora", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 184, "review": "It is springtime, and that means it is about time to get our garden ready! My family plants a lot of different vegetables in our garden. The plants in Goodnight, Veggies are many of the same ones that we plant, too. This story is fun to read because I know what a lot of the vegetables are in this book. I have read a story similar to this one, called Goodnight, Moon. This other story is kind of the same as Goodnight, Veggies because when you're reading this story, you are saying goodnight to the different vegetables in the garden.

I like the pictures in the book because they are pretty and easy to understand. I also like the worm in each picture; he is always digging somewhere or doing something silly throughout the book. The pages don't have a lot of words, but there are some big and different ones on the pages than what I normally use. These words are ones to describe things about sleeping or getting ready to fall asleep. I know that kids of all ages will like this book!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 00:59:23", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008733019", "title": "Pete the Cat: Five Little Bunnies", "author": "James Dean and Kimberly Dean", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 5", "word_count": 128, "review": "There are five little bunnies jumping on the bed, and then one falls off and bumps his head. Pete calls the doctor and we already know what the doctor says. There are no surprises, it\u2019s just like monkeys. The bunnies don\u2019t listen to the doctor. The pictures have bunnies hopping on the bed on every page. They are hilarious. My little brother was laughing so much when he saw the bunnies\u2019 expressions. I like Pete the Cat: Five Little Bunnies even more than Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes because it is so funny. Kids who are five, two, six, or eight years old will like this book. It would be good if the book were longer. I hope Pete has more adventures with the bunnies.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:20:46", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008733015", "title": "The Keeper: A Novel", "author": "Jessica Moor", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 226, "review": "I truly enjoyed reading The Keeper because of its serious subject matter of women experiencing domestic abuse. I found each woman\u2019s story to be interestingly different yet with a common thread throughout. The story toggles its chapters between then and now. In it, the main character Katie Straw is either alive or dead. In the chapters that she is alive, she is dating a man named Jamie, and the book takes you from the day she meets him until she is in a rather unhealthy relationship with him. Ironically, her life parallels the lives of many of the women she works with at the domestic abuse center. This part of the book is quite frustrating as you want her to see Jamie for who he really is and to throw him to the curb. As Detective Whitworth and his partner work gather the information that starts to lead to Katie\u2019s case being considered a homicide rather than a suicide, they interview all of the women at the clinic where Katie worked. The book was written well but at times fell a bit flat and then picked up again. The end has a major twist, so if you decide to pick up a copy, just know that it is one of those books that has thrown you for a loop for the duration of the entire book.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:01:12", "publisher": "Penguin Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008733011", "title": "Sons of War (The Sons of War Series, Book 1)", "author": "Nicholas Sansbury Smith", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Michael Shulman", "word_count": 233, "review": "Nicholas Sansbury Smith's Sons of War is a post-apocalyptic tale of America fractured by an economic collapse worse than the Great Depression and the resulting anarchy and unrest that threatens to spark a second Civil War. At the center of the plot is Marine Sergeant Ronaldo Salvatore who, along with his platoon, returns home from his tour of duty in Afghanistan. As he steps off the plane and is briefed on the current situation, he is shocked and realizes that while he left the war, the war never left him. Soon, he is thrust in the middle of the action trying to get to Los Angeles where his son has taken up arms in order to save his city and his country. Now, Salvatore must battle enemies both domestic and foreign, as an Italian crime boss has made the United States his new gang turf.

Smith delivers a great story that hooks you from the first sentence and is impossible to put down. There is plenty of action, and the characters are dynamic and multidimensional. The author who works in emergency management delivers an authentic plot with no BS. Post-apocalyptic books are somewhat of an irony these days given the fact that we are in the middle of the worst pandemic since the Spanish flu. Nevertheless, Sons of War is a great pulse-pounding read that will leave you breathless until the very last page.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 21:57:42", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008733007", "title": "A Bound Woman Is a Dangerous Thing: The Incarceration of African American Women from Harriet Tubman to Sandra Bland", "author": "DaMaris Hill", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julie Blum", "word_count": 181, "review": "A Bound Woman is a Dangerous Thing: The Incarceration of African American Women from Harriet Tubman to Sandra Bland is a collection of soul-wrenching poetry, each poem inspired by and dedicated to a black woman who was kept in captivity, whether it be by slave owners, or abusive lovers, or imprisoned, or wrestling with the ongoing issue of white supremacy. DaMaris Hill educates us about well-known women, such as Eartha Kitt, Ida B. Wells, and Harriet Tubman, while introducing us to women who were just as fierce but are less well-known like Ida Howard and Laura Williams. A Bound Woman is a Dangerous Thing also celebrates ways in which these women are strongly tied to their ancestors, their families, and their communities. The format is innovative: the poet provides informative and intriguing short biographies of each woman, followed by poems that evoke anger, sorrow, love, and strength. A Bound Woman is a Dangerous Thing is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more not just about the myriad struggles of women of color, but also the always-inspiring fierceness and triumphs.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 21:49:47", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "159 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008733003", "title": "Before Familiar Woods: A Novel", "author": "Ian Pisarcik", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 246, "review": "Ruth\u2019s son Mathew and his friend William were found dead in their tent three years ago. Everyone in town blamed Mathew, turning Ruth into an outcast. Now her husband as well as William\u2019s father have both gone missing, and it\u2019s too much for Ruth. She\u2019s going to find the answers no matter the cost. As this is developing, Milk has come home from deployment to find that his wife has abandoned their eight-year-old son. He now has to find a job and a home while readjusting to being a father and a civilian. He turns to Ruth for help. There\u2019s something about Milk\u2019s son that reminds her of her own and Ruth begins to feel that she is before familiar woods.

This book was fairly dark and somewhat depressing. It seemed like more of a drama than a mystery or thriller. The characters were pretty rough and had more of a Southern feel to them then I would have thought New Englanders have. If you enjoy dark, gritty dramas, you will enjoy this book. It is more about character development than mystery. Even though the book wasn\u2019t one of my favorites, there was a quote I really enjoyed that I\u2019ll leave you with:

\u201cWe fill our pockets with our worries. That\u2019s different than men. They don\u2019t let go of theirs exactly, but they keep them hidden somewhere and come back to them now and again. We carry ours with us. Into every room and then into our graves.\u201d", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 21:31:03", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000008732043", "title": "By Force Alone", "author": "Lavie Tidhar", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 206, "review": "Before starting with the praising pejoratives, I must state that this is a masterwork of startling and brutal perspective.

I urge adult readers to acquire it as quickly as possible and to immediately sequester it, locked away from their children or conventional parents. There is Philosophy, and there is Filthosophy (yes, I just invented that word\u2014reviewer\u2019s prerogative). We have here a prime example of the latter.

Perception tinged by the distressing realization of probable/possible reality shocks within pages; immersion on exceedingly personal levels persists throughout. Nothing is as you probably imagined, and what the author imagines so perversely is no less than brilliantly limned.

Arthur as the product of slum grift, Guinevere as highwaywoman, the questing beast as incestuous tragedy; there is no beloved aspect of the long-elaborated Arthurian mythos that Tidhar does not skew in ways grippingly memorable. That is a fair warning. You will be unable to forget glimpses into the tawdry realities of Faerie, of Leprechaun gold, of why Sir Kay needed kneepads.

In straightforward praise, this unique treatment of the legends of the round table, of the storied locations and personae of the old tales, is an exhibition of scholarly thoroughness on the part of the writer. With the precautions above, this deserves purchasing.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 02:47:29", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008732039", "title": "I'd Give Anything: A Novel", "author": "Marisa de los Santos", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 174, "review": "This story had me immersed from the very beginning. With Marisa de los Santos\u2019 beautiful descriptions of the settings and her vivid characters who, you'll feel, are just like your friends growing up, I\u2019d Give Anything is a piece of art. Zinny/Ginny and her three best friends Kirsten, CJ, and Gray are inseparable until a fire at their high school is started and Gray\u2019s firefighter father ends up dying. Twenty years later and Ginny is married with an intelligent, sweet teenage daughter Avery. The only friend she stayed in touch with is Kirsten. As her life evolves, scandal, truth, and lies start to erupt. Her mother\u2019s death and her husband\u2019s behavior all bring Ginny\u2019s life to a screeching halt and somehow brings her back to twenty years ago when the fire happened. I especially loved Ginny\u2019s daughter Avery. She was so mature for her age yet so sweet especially when it came to her relationship with Ginny. This book is a wonderful read that will have you falling in love with its characters.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 02:39:20", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008732035", "title": "Queen of Storms: Book Two of The Firemane Saga (Firemane Saga, The)", "author": "Raymond E Feist", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahtega - Age 16", "word_count": 154, "review": "The second installment in the Firemane Saga, Queen of Storms is a wonderfully written story full of fast-paced action, wrenching plot twists, and intergovernmental espionage. Queen of Storms follows Hatushaly and his wife Hava as they work to reopen a burned down inn. On the surface, they seem like a simple young couple, but they both conceal secret pasts. They were raised on the secret island of Coaltachin, to be spies, assassins, and secret agents of the Kingdom of Night. On top of that, Hatushaly is the last remaining member of the legendary Firemanes. Despite how hard he works to conceal his identity, there are those who are seeking him, for better or for worse.

I really liked this book and will definitely look out for any subsequent books in this series. I would recommend this book to any fantasy fiction fan. It\u2019s got everything a reader could want in a book and more.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 02:32:28", "publisher": "Harper Voyager", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008732031", "title": "Ember Queen (Ash Princess)", "author": "Laura Sebastian", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alissa Smith", "word_count": 233, "review": "This is a powerful book about people who have lost so much but are the stronger for it. I have been a fan of this amazing series for a long time, so I was very excited to read this book and it did NOT disappoint. I was intrigued to the very end.

Theodosia is queen of Astrea, one of many countries conquered by the Kalovaxians. Astrea is special, though: there are mines that hold gems containing magic from the gods, one mine for each of the four classical elements. Theo has gathered troops to take back her country. She has already taken over the Fire Mine, and in this book she continues through the mines to the capital where she faces the Kaiserin. Theo was once friends with the Kaiserin, but now there is so much hate between them they can never go back. After the war, one of them will come away victorious and the other dead.

There are many things I love about this book. There is no way to name them all, but I\u2019ll try. The characters seem like real people and are always consistent in their personalities. The book is very well written, and I enjoyed the inclusion of some Astrean words. I love the theme of perseverance in the story. This book is perfect for anyone who likes stories of magic, friendship, betrayal, love, hate, and most of all strength.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 20:11:49", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Children's", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008732023", "title": "Hooray for Lolo", "author": "Niki Daly", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - Age 6", "word_count": 165, "review": "I like this book because in many books it seems as though they have unrealistic lives. Hooray for Lolo by Niki Daly actually has things that could happen. The book is about a little girl named Lolo, who loves libraries, and she babysits a baby. The book has good writing and is easy to read. I also liked Lolo. I liked that even when things that she did not want to happen do happen, she keeps trying. For example, at the beginning of the book her best friend Lulu starts to show off. Lolo keeps trying to make it right, and they stay good friends. The book has pictures. I liked that the pictures were the same. Lolo always looked like the same child, only the background changed. This book would be good for little girls if five to eight, especially if they like reading books about little girls their own age. It has a good moral that whatever happens, you should not give up.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:21:08", "publisher": "Catalyst Press", "page_count": "90 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008732019", "title": "Rory Branagan: Detective #1", "author": "Andrew Clover, illustrations by Ralph Lazar", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 172, "review": "Rory Branagan is a kid detective. He is trying to find his missing father. Rory's father was pushing him on the swings, then he went missing. He is tired of people (especially his mom) not telling him anything. His mom seems to be hiding something from him because Rory finds a never-been-seen photo of his father. His friend, Cassidy Callaghan, is helping him find his father. Also, there is another mystery. Someone tried to poison guinea pig Gilligan. Will Rory and Cassidy get to be real detectives and solve the mysteries? Will they find Rory's father before it's too late?

I thought the book was pretty funny. Especially the part about Donald Trump's hair. I thought the illustrations were silly. Rory and everyone all don't have any hands. Rory's brother looks like a pencil. There will be a sequel to this book since you find out that Rory's father is alive. No one knows though. I recommend this book to kids who love mystery stories where the kid gets to be the detective.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:18:54", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Young Readers", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008732011", "title": "A Death in Chelsea: A Mayfair 100 Mystery", "author": "Lynn Brittney", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 212, "review": "It\u2019s 1915 and England is in the midst of World War I. Although women are being employed in jobs normally performed by men, the higher reaches of professions and forces remain strictly male. Except, that is, for Chief Inspector Beech\u2019s special team of amateur female detectives. Operating below the radar, they tackle cases for which their feminine skills may be especially suited. One such case is the apparent suicide in Chelsea of Lady Adeline Treborne. Her mother insists her daughter was murdered, and Beech and his team are called in to investigate. Lady Adeline, it turns out, was a well-known and vicious society commentator for a London newspaper. Her columns revealed acutely embarrassing secrets about some of society\u2019s most prominent figures. Plenty of suspects there. And how did she get her scuttlebutt? That, though, is not the only puzzle thrown up by Lady Adeline\u2019s death. The investigators uncover a blackmailing scheme, fraud, drug addiction, and much darker crimes\u2014baby-farming and murder\u2014before they find the truth. The ladies in Beech\u2019s team are perhaps too plucky, too cheerful, and too caring to be really interesting, and the plot moves along at a labored pace rather than a swift sprint, but the surprising interactions among the various suspects make A Death in Chelsea an enjoyable read.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 21:40:11", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008732007", "title": "The Elephant", "author": "Peter Carnavas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 6", "word_count": 196, "review": "Olive lives with her Dad and Grandad. Olive's Dad is constantly with an elephant when he is sad. Olive tells her best friend Arthur about the elephant. Olive sees imaginary animals following people around when they are sad. She's seen a tortoise for Grandad, an elephant for her Dad and Freddie the dog for her. Olive hatches a plan with Arthur to make the elephant go away. Olive sees all the pictures of her when she was little in the shed and realizes her Dad loves her. When her plan works and the elephant leaves, Olive says good-bye to Freddie because she doesn't need him anymore. Olive invites her Dad to the Jacaranda tree for a breakfast, and then they decide to get a dog as a pet. Olive wants to name it Freddie.

This was was an interesting story. I like how Olive sees imaginary animals whenever people are sad. This is a sweet story, but also sad sometimes. I'm glad Olive will get a real dog, and she's going to name it Freddie. I think kids who like animals and kids who like sweet stories will enjoy this book. It is a good read-out-loud book.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 21:33:32", "publisher": "Pajama Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008732003", "title": "Unfollow Me: A Novel", "author": "Charlotte Duckworth", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 194, "review": "Charlotte Duckworth\u2019s Unfollow Me is a crazily relatable and modern story. Violet, a YouTube influencer for a mommy blog, goes missing, with all her accounts on social media platforms having been erased over the course of an evening. As an influencer, her immediate disappearance comes as quite a shock. What happened to Violet? Some of her devoted viewers begin to speculate about her husband having something to do with it, but is that true? The reader will follow the alternating accounts of four main characters to gain maximum understanding through multiple viewpoints.

Unfollow Me shows the good and bad of social media as well as how easy it is to get carried away with issues in our lives. There could be possible triggers for women reading the book; the main problem with the female characters relates to children, both trying to conceive them and trying to raise them successfully. Duckworth continuously gives the reader more information as the story progresses, and the reader will experience a slap in the face at the end with the final reveal. I would liken this book to thrillers such as The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 21:29:45", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008731043", "title": "Under the Lilacs", "author": "E. B. Goodale", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 186, "review": "Under the Lilacs is about a little girl called Katie who builds a playhouse under a lilac bush. Everyone is busy, so Katie runs away with her cat to her backyard and builds a playhouse. I like that the cat's name is Mango. While she is playing and eating strawberries, Katie decides that she needs to make room for her mom and her sister to move in. So she lets everyone into her playhouse.

The illustrations of plants in the book are very pretty and very calming and soothing. They look like water color paintings. It looks like it is autumn in the story because the leaves are yellow. I also think Katie is funny because she builds the whole playhouse and then she leaves after making room for her family. The lilac bush looks more like a tree than a bush, so lilacs must get really tall. Reading the book makes you want to have a lilac bush in your yard.

I recommend this book to people who like stories about kids going on an adventure and to people who enjoy stories with pretty pictures.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 20:26:39", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008731039", "title": "Twinkle Thinks Pink!", "author": "Katharine Holabird", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 113, "review": "//Twinkle Thinks Pink// is about a little fairy who absolutely loves pink so much that she accidentally turns all of the fairy godmother\u2019s roses pink. It's really funny! You\u2019ll already know by the cover that the illustrations are exquisite. The story is so captivating that readers will wish the book were much longer. It\u2019s similar to Rainbow Magic because it\u2019s about fairies and Cinderella because of the fairy godmother, but mostly readers will be reminded of the amazing Angelina Ballerina series, which is by the same author and has the same sense of wonder. This book, Twinkle Thinks Pink, is even more magical. Girls and boys of all ages will love this book.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 00:55:50", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Children's", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008731035", "title": "The Dog Patrol: Our Canine Companions and the Kids Who Protect Them", "author": "Rob Laidlaw", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb - Age 6", "word_count": 128, "review": "The book gives all types of facts about different types of dogs. A fact that I liked, was when they wrote about wolves and dingoes.

The Dog Patrol tells you how to be responsible and care for a dog, the history of dogs, people who help dogs (finding homes & adopting strays), and much more!

Did you know that all dogs are allergic to chocolate and grapes? I learned that from the book! I also learned that the first dogs may have come from the Middle East! Super cool right?!

If you like to learn about dogs, or want to get one, you would love The Dog Patrol. It is just right for all ages!! I would definitely recommend the book, and I hope you will read it.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 00:53:50", "publisher": "Pajama Press", "page_count": "52 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008731031", "title": "House of Trelawney: A novel", "author": "Hannah Rothschild", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Cay Wren", "word_count": 151, "review": "House of Trelawney by Hannah Rothschild introduces you to a hilariously dysfunctional family of old fortune and current misfortune. The story of three Trelawney women, Blaze, Jane, and Anastasia, is set against the curious backdrop of the Trelawney estate. Now in immense disrepair, Rothschild does a wonderful job weaving the ornate past of Trelawney into the complicated now. The eccentric family members interact with the space on their own unique terms, and every Trelawney player gets their moment in the story. The overall affect is a charmingly discordant family coping with their resplendent past and wholly muddled future. Rothschild effectively weaves an engaging tale of redemption and family bonds that comes off as both utterly untranslatable, but emotionally connective to the reader at the same time. It is a delightful escape and will leave you mentally roaming the halls of the house of Trelawney long after the last page has turned.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 00:46:31", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008731027", "title": "The Drudge Revolution: The Untold Story of How Talk Radio, Fox News, and a Gift Shop Clerk with an Internet Connection Took Down the Mainstream Media", "author": "Matthew Lysiak", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Wenger", "word_count": 249, "review": "Matthew Lysiak\u2019s The Drudge Revolution tells the story of unorthodox media mogul, Matthew Drudge, and gives an intriguing history of the press in the United States. Lysiak\u2019s style is fast-paced and never dry as he delves into the Drudge himself, framing him as a unique individual whose rise to fame lines up with recent changes in American mainstream media. Beginning with his early life, the story follows Drudge through his coverage of the Lewinsky Scandal, up to his involvement in Trump\u2019s election.

This book\u2019s strength lies in its balance between Drudge\u2019s biography and the larger narrative of US media regulation, censorship, and the debate over freedom of the press.

Lyisak manages to give a relatively unbiased look at a controversial, and politically charged subject and figure, both of which have increasingly been at the center of public debate. The debate: what is the responsibility of the media to deliver truth and how do we get the most objective truth without preventing the possibility of multiple political and social narratives? The answer to the question is complex, and this book does not shy away from that complexity nor does it make an attempt at any definitive solution. Instead, it presents the facts and allows the reader to come to their own conclusion.

In a time when the U.S.'s political climate is so polarized, this book will give readers a different lens through which to examine power, the nature of truth, the owning of narratives, and politics in the US today.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:13:56", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "230 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008731015", "title": "Ingredients: The Strange Chemistry of What We Put in Us and on Us", "author": "George Zaidan", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 212, "review": "George Zaidan is a recognized science TV communicator and also a featured writer for national magazines. This is his first book about the chemicals we apply to our bodies and ingest. It is chock full of information, most of it interesting, however unfortunately not coherently organized. In his chapter on processed foods, the question of what actually defines a processed food, whether whatever it is, or if it is healthy or not, remains ambiguous. In his excoriating manner, he tosses out all sorts of questions about chemicals seeded with pungent puns. He delves into the process of photosynthesis and the operations developed by aphids into securing food with great detail, along with descriptions of the plant mechanisms developed for defense. So much interest is devoted to poisons such as cyanide, formaldehyde, and nicotine; best to whet morbid interest in such lethal substances. Much space is devoted to smoking danger, and then a look at vaping, to show the nasty ingredients and their potential hazards. Interest in ultraviolet rays and sunscreen ingredients follows. Written in a hyperactive style reminiscent of a TV script where science is shown to be fantastical miraculous fun, this book is a challenging read where science becomes transformed into a circus act rather than a contemplative and fascinating theme.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:04:43", "publisher": "Dutton", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008731011", "title": "The Twin", "author": "Natasha Preston", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 258, "review": "The Twin is the next thriller you've been looking for. This book was an absolute page-turner. Ivy and Iris are twin sisters. Ivy lives with their dad, while Iris lives with their mom, since their parents are divorced. One day, the twins' mom is involved in a fatal running accident and so Iris goes to live with Ivy and their dad. What happens from there onward is a nightmare.

Ivy is the tomboy of the twins and loves her jeans and rock 'n roll vintage tees. I pictured Iris to be more of the mean girl type with her high heels and skirts. Regardless of their differences, Ivy makes an effort to help her twin through tough times. But Iris has not shed one tear for their mother. As one bad thing after another happens to Ivy, she realizes that Iris is trying to not only sabotage her life but also to take all the good things she has going for her away.

This book was a quick read because the storyline flowed so well. I wondered the whole time what would happen next. I also couldn't understand how it wasn't obvious to the people around the twins just how manipulative Iris was, especially to their dad, who was really close to Ivy. The ending was a bit disappointing and I wish the story had a bit more closure to allow readers to foresee what would happen to the characters in the future. Overall, it is a fun and exciting read for fans of suspense and domestic thrillers.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 21:56:24", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Children's", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008731007", "title": "The Cost of Loyalty: Dishonesty, Hubris, and Failure in the U.S. Military", "author": "Tim Bakken", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 238, "review": "West Point stands as the gateway to military service and potential leadership. A long line of distinguished generals have attended the famed academy. However, as the glory of past victories has dimmed, the declining qualities of its education and values have tainted the legacy of the institution.

As the stalemate of Korea and the loss in Vietnam lingered, the lessons that should have been learned were too quickly forgotten. The futility of fighting an ideological/civil war didn\u2019t resonate. The importance of counterinsurgency was dismissed as the subject disappeared from classrooms. The power of the bombastic general and his proclamations overtook strategy, style over substance. Dissent or even slight disagreement is verboten, leading to the exclusion of valuable opinions in battle.

West Point is not the sole target of scrutiny in this book, as the US Air Force and Navy face criticism for downplaying misbehavior and criminal activity by their men and women. There is a disturbing tendency to disregard sexual assaults and even war crimes. The problems stem from the top down, a system that may be irreparably broken, unless changes come soon.

The Cost of Loyalty strikes hard at the military establishment. The author\u2019s condemnation of the idea of loyalty above all else is not without stark examples. The author has been a target of reprisals for espousing contrary views, yet a steely resolve led him to fight. The power of persuasion is present throughout this work.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 21:22:21", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008731003", "title": "The Stars We Steal", "author": "Alexa Donne", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 236, "review": "Princess Leonie \u201cLeo\u201d is forced to attend this year\u2019s Vlag season, basically a month of events encouraging the royals and rich to become romantically attached and engaged by the end. Leo could care less for the finery, food or being romantically involved with anyone for that matter\u2026 until Elliot arrives. Elliot Wentworth, AKA the boy Leo was engaged to but broke it off with. The one she let get away.

The stakes rise as she finds out Elliot is also going to be involved in the Vlag events. As their time together increases, Leo begins to realize that she is falling in love with Elliot again despite convincing herself otherwise. But will the love continue between the lies and past regrets?

I enjoyed The Stars We Steal. It was quite the page-turner. I thought the hate-to-love concept was very well executed. I love Leo and Elliot\u2019s characters and many of the side-characters. The world-building was well done; I loved the description of the different events they go to. However, I often forgot that we were in space on a luxury spaceship.

My main issue with the book is that it\u2019s a young adult book promoting the risky behavior of drinking to get drunk. It was an easy plot device to get the characters to say what they wanted, but it happened throughout what seemed to be half the book. I think this would be appropriate for eighteen and up.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 21:20:32", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008730047", "title": "Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed", "author": "Laurie Halse Anderson, with illustrations by Leila del Duca", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 202, "review": "On the hidden island of Themyscira, home of the Amazons, Diana has been eagerly awaiting her sixteenth birthday, when she hopes to become a true warrior. Instead, Diana\u2019s birthday finds her people dealing with holes in the barrier that protects them from the outside world. When Diana leaves Themyscira through one such hole, her only thought is to save the refugees who need temporary shelter on her island\u2019s shores. Instead, Diana finds herself trapped on the outside, a refugee in her own right. Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed gives readers a glimpse into the superhero\u2019s teenage years. In a story that is all too relevant to modern times, this graphic novel delves into issues of love, strength, and activism. Bestselling YA author Laurie Halse Anderson brings Diana to life, building a strong personality for her and creating a story that many readers can relate to on one level or another. And artist Leila del Duca\u2019s illustrations truly do the character and the story justice, visually showing the characters and the setting in a perfect blend of classic comic art and modern style. This book is both deeply enjoyable for long-term Wonder Woman fans and a fantastic introduction to the character for newer readers.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 02:46:45", "publisher": "DC Comics", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008730039", "title": "Kamik Takes the Lead", "author": "Darryl Baker", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 113, "review": "This is a very sweet story about a boy who loves his dogs and takes care of them every day, even if he doesn\u2019t feel like it. He\u2019s training to run a dogsled race.

The book offers a glimpse of what it\u2019s like to live in another place and culture, so kids who want to learn about that kind of lifestyle will love this story. The font is a little hard to read and the pictures are simple but do a good job of complementing the words.

Kamik Takes the Lead reads like a journal without any major plot, so it\u2019s a quick read. It's a good book about the love of dogs.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 20:27:36", "publisher": "Inhabit Media", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008730035", "title": "Up On Bob", "author": "Mary Sullivan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 200, "review": "Up on Bob is the funny story of a dog that just wants to take a nap. Bob wants to take a nap on someone\u2019s bed, but that bed is full of pillows and blankets. Finally, Bob gets the bed as he wants it and lays down on the pillow to fall asleep, but Bob can\u2019t fall asleep because someone is watching him! He tries closing his eyes really tight and pretending like no one is there. Too late, the someone watching him pounces up and bothers him. Now the someone messes with the bed to get it how she wants it so she can take a nap too. Both Bob and the someone work hard to get the bed how they want it, and then they both get to enjoy their work with a long nap.

I like Up on Bob because I like animals and the words were kind of easy for me to read. There aren\u2019t a lot of words on each page, and the pictures on each page show what is happening if you have trouble reading the words. I don\u2019t like taking a nap too much, but I like the story where Bob the dog does.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 01:00:51", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008730031", "title": "Princess Adventures: This Way or That Way? (tabbed find-your-way picture book)", "author": "Sylvie Misslin, with illustrations by Amandine Piu", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 201, "review": "Princess Adventures is a really fun storybook for kids of any age! I normally don't have an easy time making decisions, but with this book, it doesn't matter which thing I choose because all of the answers are exciting. The story is about two princess sisters, Rose and Josephine. The two sisters want to go on an adventure, but right at the start Rose wants to go one way and Josephine wants to go another. As the reader, you choose if you want them to go \"this way\" with Rose or \"that way\" with Josephine. Depending on which way you choose, your adventure with the princesses will go different ways. There are small decisions, like deciding whether they should put their feet in some water or take a nap, and bigger, like if they should sneak into a castle through an open window or a secret tunnel. There isn't really a wrong choice, but with some of them they'll send the princesses straight back to the castle, but if you choose a different way, then it might keep them there and they learn something cool. I had a lot of fun with this book and know that everyone else will too!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 01:00:11", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008730027", "title": "Small Mercies: A Novel", "author": "Bridget Krone", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Willow - age 10", "word_count": 181, "review": "Small Mercies by Bridget Krone is about an adopted eleven-year-old girl and her struggles to fit in. She has two foster mothers, Aunt Flora and Aunt Marry. Aunt Flora has a disease called Alzheimer's which messes with her memory. At school, her problems just get worse. She does not participate in almost any public speaking activities and her teacher and principal want her to talk to a social worker. Mercy is extremely scared of social workers. She thinks they will want to relocate her to a \u201csafer home.\u201d

Watch the journey unfold as she makes new friends, stands up for what's right, and finds her voice. I think ages nine to fourteen should read this book. Small Mercies would definitely make a great series. There are a lot more things she could accomplish and discover. This book reminds me of books like The One and Only Ivan by Kate DiCamillo and Bob by Wendy Mass. I would definitely recommend this book because it kept me interested and wanting to read more at every part of it. I couldn\u2019t put it down!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:21:38", "publisher": "Catalyst Press", "page_count": "162 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008730003", "title": "Miss Impossible (Best Babysitters Ever)", "author": "Caroline Cala", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Julia - Age 10", "word_count": 191, "review": "The Best Babysitter Ever is about how three girls have a babysitting business and struggle. The girls' names are Dot, Bree, and Malia. They have to work together to babysit a ton of kids. Will it get easier on them or will it get harder to work with these kids? It all went down when they went to their current babysitting job and to find out that they got replaced by three French girls and the kids' mom said they wanted a babysitter who can teach a different the kids a different culture. The girls need to find a way to add more stuff to their resumes, like tutoring and more.

I thought this book was so good because I love babysitter books because I love to babysit so I feel like I can relate to the girls because any time my cousins need babysitting, if no one else can, then they ask me, and I feel like it relates to me like that. And it also can get hectic but you have to try to make any bad situation into a positive situation and always have as much fun as possible.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 21:18:25", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008729059", "title": "Other People's Pets", "author": "R.L. Maizes", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 237, "review": "Ever since being abandoned by her mother Elissa, La La has relied on her father Zev for everything. Zev is both protective and reckless, allowing La La to accompany him on burglaries starting when she is eight years old. Zev, a locksmith by trade, has made a career out of what he sees as harmless theft, and La La, his apprentice, proves to be a valuable partner. La La is an animal empath, able to both feel an animal\u2019s physical and emotional pain and communicate with animals to calm and support them. With La La able to soothe barking dogs in target houses, Zev is able to expand his success. It all goes wrong, however, when a homeowner has a stroke in Zev\u2019s illicit presence. Forced to earn money for Zev\u2019s legal fees, La La finds herself going deeper into a world she thought she\u2019d left behind, and she risks losing everything she values in life\u2014including veterinary school and her relationship with her fianc\u00e9.

Told with humor, irreverence, and warmth, Other People\u2019s Pets is a story about unconventional choices, great loss, and the dangerous hold the past has over the present. Zev and La La operate in a shadowy area where right and wrong have different shades of meaning, and though there are consequences for every action, their love for each other and their open-throated search for happiness will have readers rooting for their freedom all the way.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 02:38:22", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008729055", "title": "The Queen's Secret: A Novel of England's World War II Queen", "author": "Karen Harper", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 202, "review": "Adolf Hitler once called Queen Elizabeth (the current queen\u2019s mother) \u201cthe most dangerous woman in Europe\u201d for her effect on English morale. Karen Harper\u2019s new novel shows that side of her, but also a softer side. Readers get to see the queen awkward around her husband, affectionate with her children, and vulnerable. It\u2019s a touching portrayal that brings humanity to a woman who could easily be nothing more than coolly unflappable and queenly.

My enjoyment of the book was somewhat marred by the narration at times going too far in the opposite direction. Elizabeth\u2019s bemoaning her weight as the result of too many \u201cchocs\u201d and \u201cdrinky poos\u201d felt rather flippant, especially given the oncoming war. Unless something happened which immediately affected her or London, the war felt very far away, despite the book spanning the full length, from the Phoney War at the beginning to V-E Day. The titular secret at times felt overblown.

What you get out of The Queen\u2019s Secret depends a great deal on what you look for in it. If you want a serious novel about the home front, you\u2019ll be disappointed. If you want a breezier novel that humanizes an often unknown queen, you\u2019ll enjoy it a great deal.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 02:31:29", "publisher": "William Morrow Paperbacks", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008729051", "title": "I Am Goose!", "author": "Dorothia Rohner", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 190, "review": "Chicken, Turtle, Fox, Pig, Dodo, and Rabbit are having a rousing game of Duck, Duck, Goose in the meadow one day while some opinionated squirrels look on, commenting on the action. Goose comes upon them and asks if he can join the game. Rabbit, who is running the game, welcomes Goose, but the first time one of the animals taps someone to be the goose, Goose gets quite upset. Rabbit tells Goose to wait his turn, but Goose simply doesn\u2019t understand how Turtle or Pig or any of the other animals can be the goose. With fun comments by the squirrels and the frustrating misunderstanding by Goose, this is the goofy kind of humor very young children will love.

Author Dorothia Rohner has written a really clever text that will keep little ones giggling all the way through. The beautiful illustrations with plenty of fun details will keep youngsters engaged with the text. There are plenty of surprises in both the text and illustrations and a great twist at the end. This book is a real winner and will be a great addition to any library \u2014 personal or school.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 20:26:03", "publisher": "Clarion Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008729047", "title": "We Are Together", "author": "Britta Teckentrup", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 5", "word_count": 89, "review": "Don\u2019t be expecting a book that\u2019s pages with just pictures. The book We Are Together also has holes in it! People are peeking through the holes, and the group of friends gets bigger and bigger.

The pictures are beautiful and colorful, and there are lots of interesting things to find in them. The story is about people who are being nice.

It is a nice story that makes you feel happy because there aren\u2019t any mean people. They are all working together. All kids will probably like this book.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 20:23:01", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008729035", "title": "Here Comes Lolo", "author": "Niki Daly", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - Age 6", "word_count": 181, "review": "Here Comes Lolo is about a girl named Lolo and her everyday life. It is very easy to understand her life because she does the same things real people do like go to school and make friends. You get to know Lolo, who and what she likes. What I like about Lolo is that when things happen that she doesn\u2019t like, she gets over them quickly and goes on knowing that it is not the end of the world. It makes me feel proud of Lolo. Here Comes Lolo makes you feel like you are really part of the book and friends with Lolo. The pictures are really detailed, which is good, but sometimes it is hard to tell the people apart in the pictures. If you like the Betsy and Tacy or Ramona books, you might like Lolo. I think girls and boys about five to nine would like this book. It is a good book for kids who have just learned to read to themselves. It is a good book to show how to write a realistic, non-adventurous fiction.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:20:19", "publisher": "Catalyst Press", "page_count": "78 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008729023", "title": "The Familiar Dark: A Novel", "author": "Amy Engel", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 214, "review": "The small and impoverished Ozark town of Barren Springs is reeling after twelve-year-old best friends Junie and Izzy are found at the playground with their throats slashed. While the police conduct their investigation and the parents appeal to the public, Eve, Junie\u2019s mother, decides to take matters into her own hands and will stop at nothing to find out who is responsible and get justice for her beloved daughter. Although Eve had a rough upbringing with a drug-dependent and abusive mother and was determined to raise Junie right and while she shielded her from the troubled life she led, she realizes that the life lessons taught to her by her own mother are just what she needs to bring the person responsible for her daughter\u2019s death to justice.

Author Amy Engel has written an atmospheric mystery that also explores family relationships, class, and lost opportunities. As is so often the case with the residents of fictional small towns, many have secrets that are slowly revealed and are essential to the reader\u2019s understanding of the personalities and motivations of the characters. While the murders are the beginning of the story, the heart of The Familiar Dark is the dark and disturbing journey of a woman trying to understand, and come to terms with, who she is.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:03:28", "publisher": "Dutton", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008729019", "title": "Weather: A novel", "author": "Jenny Offill", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 210, "review": "Lizzie works in a university library and answers mail for a former mentor, whose work inspires questions from people who are \u201ceither crazy or depressed.\u201d At home, Lizzie navigates the social trickiness of Brooklyn parenting, strategically avoiding other mothers, and trying to quell lingering regret over having only one child. Lizzie\u2019s brother Henry, with whom she is very close, is a new father and determined to stay sober and stable. As the reverberations from the 2016 election upend every aspect of society, Lizzie becomes fascinated and then obsessed with doomsday preppers and their safety- and survival-conscious worldview. There is little about her life that she can predict or control, and she isn\u2019t at peace with any of it\u2014despite her half-hearted attempts at meditation.

These and other slices of Lizzie\u2019s life build in short bursts of observation and reflection. Though Offill does create a resonant portrait of this not-so-young woman facing family strife, the true heart of this novel is the buzzing, constant, shimmering unease that unsettles even the most ordinary social interactions. The world is almost literally on fire; the effects of climate change will crash upon our children\u2019s heads; maybe the preppers have the right idea after all. The question Offill demurs from answering is whether anywhere is truly safe.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:03:02", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008729015", "title": "Everything's Not Fine", "author": "Sarah Carlson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 198, "review": "Rose Hemmersbach is a seventeen-year-old artist biding her time until she finishes high school, when she can escape her small town to learn art at a real college. But her dreams--and her life--are shattered the day her little family secret breaks free in a huge, scary way. Rose\u2019s mother is a heroin addict, and an overdose leads to a whole new series of life complications, including eviction, Child Protective Services, and younger siblings struggling to process the trauma. Is this the end of Rose\u2019s dreams of art school? Does she even want her mom to come home again?

Sarah J. Carlson\u2019s new novel breaks into some scary topics, but this story reflects real life for far too many young adult readers, making it more important than ever for subjects like this to be explored. Rose is a complicated character: struggling artist with big dreams, older sister who has taken on the role of \u201cmother\u201d for far too long, dutiful daughter who helps hold the family together, and teenager with all the same types of hopes and dreams as any other child her age. This book is not an easy read, but it\u2019s compelling and hard to put down.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 21:56:20", "publisher": "Turner", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008729011", "title": "The Story Pirates Present: Quest for the Crystal Crown", "author": "Story Pirates", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Benjamin - Age 13", "word_count": 214, "review": "There once was a race of people called the Lysors. They were like normal people, but they had magical powers, given to them by their most prized possession, the crystal crown. But one day the crystal crown was stolen by these creatures called Hexors, at least that's what the Lysors believed. Many years later, the Lysors went into hiding in a town called Hillview where a girl named Laura lives. Laura is a young girl who wants to see what life is like outside of Hillview. Hillview was a normal town, but one day everything changed. Two Hexors found the village and ransacked it. Why? Because the Hexors believed the Lysors had the crystal crown. After not being able to find the crown, the two Hexors leave, threatening to come back with an army and destroy the Lysors. After that, Laura decides she has to leave Hillview to search for the crystal crown to save the Lysor kind.

This book is an action fantasy that will make you want to keep reading. The book has a great story that is easy to understand. Also the characters in the story are really good, especially the main character. All in all it is a great book for people who love a good story and climactic moments.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 21:46:32", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008728071", "title": "The Ghosts of Sherwood", "author": "Carrie Vaughn", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 232, "review": "Robin of Locksley and his one true love, Marian, are married. It has been closing in on two decades since they beat the Sheriff of Nottingham with the help of a diverse band of talented friends. King John is now on the throne and Robin has sworn fealty in order to further protect not just his family, but those of the lords and barons who look up to him - and, by extension, the villagers they protect. There is a truce, an uneasy one, but a truce nonetheless. But when the Locksley children are stolen away by persons unknown, Robin and Marian are going to need the help of everyone they\u2019ve ever known, perhaps even the ghosts that are said to reside deep within Sherwood.

The Ghosts of Sherwood is a wonderful novella - from the wonderful setting, wonderful plot, to the descriptions of nature surrounding the Locksley manor and fast (yet enjoyable) pacing of the story, there is a lot that drew me into the story; though one of the things that I couldn't help but love the most about The Ghosts of Sherwood is that it reads like a fairytale. Though, as much as I loved this novella, at times, I couldn't help but feel as if the story was going by a bit too fast for my liking, most likely due in part to how short the story was.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2020", "date_added": "20-Feb-2020 02:50:17", "publisher": "Tor.com", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008728055", "title": "Weasel Is Worried", "author": "Ciara Gavin, with illustrations by Tim Warnes", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 209, "review": "Different things make different people scared. In this book, a storm makes sure that Weasel is worried. Weasel doesn't like getting so wet or getting cold from the wind. When the thunderstorm doesn't stop, he starts building a wall from rocks to keep himself safe. Weasel gets the whole house built and feels safe at last. One day, Weasel is enjoying being safe and dry when he finds a mole sitting on his couch. Weasel gets worried when Mole is there; he remembers how scared he was of the storm before Mole arrived and doesn't want to have to go back out into the thunderstorm. Mole helps Weasel to calm down; they become friends.\nI like this story because it has a happy ending and teaches us a good lesson in the end. Thunderstorms can make me scared sometimes, too, especially when there is heavy rain and hail. Weasel does the right thing when he builds himself a house at the beginning, and he does it right at the end when he trusts Mole. I think kids of all ages will like this story because the story is fun to read, and the pictures are colorful. I have my mom read this to me many times throughout the days!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 20:23:56", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008728051", "title": "Thank You for Coming to My TED Talk: A Teen Guide to Great Public Speaking", "author": "Chris Anderson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Kate - Age 12", "word_count": 218, "review": "Thank You for Coming to My TED Talk: A Teen Guide to Great Public Speaking by Chris Anderson was very helpful and full of public speaking tricks! I\u2019m a seventh grader and my school has us do a lot of presentations, so I wanted to improve my skills. The things I learned in this book will definitely be helpful for next year.

Chapter 13, which is called \"Scaring Off Mountain Lions (and Other Hacks to Help You Feel Less Anxious),\" was especially helpful to me because I always get really nervous when I have to talk in front of people. Some tips I got from it were to read your lines in a funny voice before you have to talk or to scrunch your toes to release some anxiety. These are things that I think will work.

The author shares different ways to structure your presentations whether you\u2019re using PowerPoint, flash cards, or just having to memorize your talk. He shares things to avoid using in PowerPoint, such as bullet points and multiple fonts in the same line. The author also shares advice based on things he has noticed from watching other TED speakers.

Overall, these tips will help me with my presentations and I\u2019d say this is a good book, especially since it\u2019s written just for teens.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 20:18:32", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008728047", "title": "The Fabled Life of Aesop: The extraordinary journey and collected tales of the world's greatest storyteller", "author": "Ian Lendler", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 207, "review": "Lessons learned through colorful stories can be the best teachers. This lovely book recollects the famous fables credited to Aesop. Exactly who Aesop was remains a mystery, yet the wisdom emanating from these parables has been used as a set of guidelines for moral behavior through the ages. The author has invented a background story about a slave named Aesop who through guile has crafted messages that would answer his master\u2019s requests, but at the same time offer no offense or complaint. These replies using animal characters become transformed into the moral tales that have survived through the ages. How wonderful for children to be reminded of the goose and the golden egg, the fox and the grapes, the tortoise and the hare, these among other fables that teach about steadfastness, greed, and disappointment. Among my favorite tales, one oft recited to me as a child when attempting some minor deceit is the story of the boy who cried wolf. To be believed, one must be truthful. While the illustrations are sumptuously beautiful, their richness conflicts with the basic message inherent in the stories. This is a colorful, educational, and delightful reading that will introduce children to moral principles in a language they can understand and appreciate.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "19-Feb-2020 00:58:33", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008728039", "title": "The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water", "author": "Zen Cho", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 160, "review": "A fateful encounter at a coffeehouse leads a young woman named Guet Imm to lose her job and join a group of bandits. Of course, not everything is as it seems. There are secrets to be uncovered and some things that should stay hidden. Now that Guet Imm has found herself in the middle of a situation far more complicated then she knew, she has to decide what\u2019s right.

I was disappointed by the heavy language throughout and several adult subjects are brought up a few times. Other than that, I adored this book. The bandits are an odd group of misfits that make up a family, and Guet Imm fits right in. At times it was difficult to remember who was who, mostly because some characters are called more than one name. The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected on Water is a sweet story centered around family and faith with just the right amount of action thrown in.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:17:24", "publisher": "Tor.com", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008728035", "title": "Legendary Children: The First Decade of RuPaul's Drag Race and the Last Century of Queer Life", "author": "Tom Fitzgerald and Lorenzo Marquez", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lynn Marlowe", "word_count": 168, "review": "RuPaul, Divine, The Werk Room, lip synching drag queens, pop culture, Paris is Burning\u2014if this list makes your eyes grow wide wanting more, then this is your book. Legendary Children by Fitzgerald and Marquez is partly a history, partly a social commentary, partly a book of mini-essays/vignettes. It is the kind of book that you read a few pages of, learn something new, maybe laugh or cry (or emphatically nod) and then put down for a bit. It doesn\u2019t read like a novel, which is not a criticism. It reads like a series of little histories, woven together through RuPaul\u2019s Drag Race and its history. LGBTQ+ history, specifically drag history, is explored through everything from the Stonewall Riots to John Waters to The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. It is helpful if the reader has watched at least a couple of episodes of RuPaul\u2019s Drag Race before reading it. Otherwise, the reader doesn\u2019t need to have any background knowledge in order to thoroughly enjoy the book.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:09:19", "publisher": "Penguin Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008728023", "title": "The Whispers of War", "author": "Julia Kelly", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 211, "review": "Often, war is the province of men. I\u2019ve been pleased to see that in recent years, there has been a shift in historical fiction toward examining the role of women during war, from those who find a way to be involved in combat to those looking after the home front. The Whispers of War falls right in the middle in its presentation of three women at the very beginning of World War II.

Nora, Hazel, and Marie have been friends since they first met at school, and though they come from very different backgrounds, they are certain nothing can tear them apart. In ordinary times, this might be true, but Marie was born in Germany, which is now step by step becoming England\u2019s enemy. As public opinion turns against those Germans living in England, Nora and Hazel must do all they can to shield Marie from the worst of their nation\u2019s prejudice.

The Whispers of War is not a novel about combat. It is nevertheless a war novel, showing the effects of war on ordinary women and illustrating how even those uninvolved in battles can nevertheless take a stand. Julia Kelly has created a touching tale of female friendship, one that I was very glad to have a chance to read.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 21:36:25", "publisher": "Gallery Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008728019", "title": "Death on the Page: A Castle Bookshop Mystery", "author": "Essie Lang", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 249, "review": "Shelby Cox is getting Bayside Books ready for visiting true-crime author Savannah Page, who has come to the castle to do research for her upcoming book about the previous mobster owner. Little does Shelby know this trip will quickly turn deadly. Savannah Page soon goes missing only to be found dead. She seeks to uncover the secret Savannah\u2019s fianc\u00e9 is keeping, the motives of two writers, and what the murder may have to do with the island\u2019s caretaker. As Shelby navigates rocky waters in search of a killer, she navigates her budding relationship with the handsome coast guard Zack Griffin and uncovers a few surprising secrets that could rock the island.

The mystery has several surprises in store for Shelby as she explores Savannah\u2019s life and the connection between her death and the death of the mobster who once owned the castle. The romance Shelby has with Zack continues to be sweet as they\u2019re still working on how to define their relationship, which has a few complications when Shelby discovers someone from Zack\u2019s past on the island. The story is grounded in Shelby\u2019s various relationships with the lives of her friends woven into the background through Edie\u2019s knee replacement and Taylor\u2019s trouble with her mother-in-law and her pregnancy. Her friends help her throughout the mystery with various clues and suspects, which puts her into a little conflict with Zack. Death on the Page is charming, funny, and clever with an addicting mystery that pulls you in right from the beginning.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 21:32:26", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "330 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008727039", "title": "The Becket List: A Blackberry Farm Story", "author": "Adele Griffin", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 224, "review": "The Becket List: A Blackberry Farm Story is a short but very fun story about a city girl named Rebecca Branch who is starting a new life with her family in the country.

Rebecca, her twin brother Nicholas, her older sister Caroline, her mom and dad, and their trusty dog Mr. Fancypants are moving to the country. Rebecca makes a list of how to become a country kid. First, she gives city life the official goodbye and then she decides to change her nickname to Becket!

Once they get to the country, they move in with their grandmother. Becket starts to take responsibility for all the animals and other chores on the farm. She wants to work toward the new country dog her parents are thinking of getting her. Becket also wants to make friends but soon discovers that making new friends in a new place is hard! Jealousy strikes when her younger, usually shyer, brother makes more friends than her!

This was a lovely book. The illustrations were kind of like a kid was drawing out the story while telling it. The illustrator was the same person who illustrated the Princess in Black series, which I used to like a long time ago. I would recommend this book to kids aged 8-12, and to any kids who might move to the country soon!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:18:10", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4 "} {"id": "425035000008727035", "title": "The Crow's Call: Amish Greenhouse Mystery - book 1 (Amish Greenhouse Mysteries)", "author": "Wanda E. Brunstetter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 203, "review": "Amy King would tell you that she has a nearly perfect life: family, relationships, and a loving Savior. But in the blink of an eye, she finds that she struggles to say this about two of the three things mentioned. An accident takes the lives of Amy's father, brother, and brother-in-law, and thus turns everyone's lives upside down.

The Crow's Call is an Amish mystery about the King family, who has just lost half their family members to an accident, but it's not just the lives of the family members that are lost, but also some of their faith in God. While the women left in the family work at staying afloat with their greenhouse and personal lives, mysterious things are happening that seem too coincidental to be unrelated.

The Crow's Call is the first Amish story I've read by Wanda E. Brunstetter, and I was pleased by my experience. The ending left me wanting more, but I suppose that might be what book two reveals.It read differently to me than other books; the characters were unique, yet held much symbolism if you looked hard enough. Fans of Brustetter will enjoy her newest creation and leave the reading session feeling refreshed and revived.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:12:41", "publisher": "Shiloh Run Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008727031", "title": "The Year 1000: When Explorers Connected the World_and Globalization Began", "author": "Valerie Hansen", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 195, "review": "In The Year 1000, Yale University historian Valerie Hansen argues that trade increased in numerous regions throughout the world around the year 1000 due to surplus agricultural production. This increased production allowed some people to stop farming and produce goods for markets. They were then able to become merchants who traveled old and new trade routes near and far to exchange not only physical products but also information and ideas, making the world more connected at that time than we might at first assume. Each chapter in the book focuses on a different region of the world, ranging from the Viking invasion of Greenland, and their travels to North America, to China, which by 1000 had flourishing trade routes and a considerable population.

This book is perfect for historians and history buffs alike. It clearly shows us that globalization is nothing new. Humans have been exchanging ideas and goods that have shaped the world in numerous exciting and interesting ways throughout the past. The information the author presents in this work might make readers look at the world in a whole new light once they see what was happening around the globe in the year 1000.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 22:06:01", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008727003", "title": "Star Trek: Picard: The Last Best Hope", "author": "Una McCormack", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 244, "review": "Captain Picard is thinking back to where it all went wrong. The Romulan star is going to supernova. His superiors are asking him lead a mission to help relocate the Romulan people, but that means leaving the Enterprise and taking up the rank of admiral. After a little debate, Admiral Picard begins work right away.

They solve some problems and must convince others that it\u2019s the right thing to do since the Romulans have been their enemies for years. There is also the question of trying to help a culture that does not like them much either. Things go well for a while, but when an extreme problem near Earth comes to pass, will Starfleet do the right thing or abandon the mission completely?

I love Star Trek. I think Captain Picard is one of the best characters. I think the author did an excellent job with descriptions and characters feeling like the real Picard, Geordi, and others. The settings were beautifully written.

It took me a long time to get into this book. I\u2019m normally a fast reader, but with long chapters and little action I really had to push myself to read more than one chapter in a setting. I also didn\u2019t love the back-and-forth between six-plus places going in and out of different characters\u2019 thoughts and feelings, it was too much, and I honestly had to look back to see what setting I was in and who the story was about in that section.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 19:25:41", "publisher": "Pocket Books/Star Trek", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008723003", "title": "The Red Lotus: A Novel", "author": "Chris Bohjalian", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 232, "review": "When ER doctor Alexis visits Vietnam for a bicycling tour with her boyfriend Austin, she believes they are there to see the countryside and to allow Austin to mourn an uncle who died in the Vietnam war. As the plot of Chris Bohjalian\u2019s The Red Lotus develops, Austin\u2019s real motivations are revealed and Alexis is forced to confront all she did not know about him while also uncovering a scheme that could result in millions of deaths.

Austin disappears within the first few pages of the novel and Alexis, along with a private investigator she hires, spend the bulk of the book unraveling the mystery of what happened. Along the way, research related to pathogens tied to the plague keeps Alexis intrigued not only by what really happened to her missing boyfriend but also by the strange and terrifying science at the heart of the story.

The book takes a few predictable turns, and an event late in the novel seems somewhat implausible given other similar moments earlier in the book, but the suspense is consistent throughout. If you have an aversion to rats, this won\u2019t be the book for you, and in the middle of a pandemic, it may be a difficult read for some. However, if you are a fan of Bohjalian\u2019s other work or are looking for an engrossing mystery, you are sure to enjoy The Red Lotus.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 00:32:03", "publisher": "Doubleday", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008721011", "title": "Ballast Point Breakdown", "author": "Corey Lynn Fayman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 420, "review": "Rolly Waters, a part-time musician, and part-time private investigator, is approached by a young woman who asks him to investigate the death of Janis Withers. Janis once ran the fan club of Rolly's old band, The Creatures. She died after crashing a boat into the admiral club on the Navy base in San Diego. Police claim it was a suicide, but there may be more to the story. Before her death, Janis claims to have seen Arion. Is Arion a spy, or is he Butch Fleetwood, a man who has been dead for over twenty years. Rolly decides he owes it to Janis to find out. But he might not be prepared for where the case leads him.

Ballast Point Breakdown begins with a bang, or more precisely, a spectacular crash at the boat club. It was the excellent first chapter that drew me into the story. It hinted at exciting things to come, and it set the stage for the rest of the story. I also liked the fact that it was filled with enough action and twists and turns, which kept me glued to the page. Interestingly, the story didn't always play out as I was anticipating.

The San Diego backdrop filled with water scenes and dolphins made this story a very scenic one for me. I appreciated the author's ability to make me feel like I was on a journey with Rolly. I couldn't help but feel I was looking over his shoulder experiencing everything he noticed.

Rolly was a character that I enjoyed getting to know, especially his complicated past. And I like that he was always straightforward, ready to put his cards on the table whether he was dealing with a suspect or the police. The other characters in the book were also interesting and well-developed. I found I had a soft spot for Rolly's dad, Dean. The author did a good job of making his characters come alive. They felt like more than just people on a page.

Another thing that I found particularly enjoyable about this story was the author's moments of comic relief. I am thinking specifically about chapter forty-two where Rolly tells Tammy at a critical point in a scene that he does not own a gun. I nearly laughed out loud. It is probably the mix of dark spots, good dialogue, and unpredictable events that make this an entertaining read and a book that I enjoyed. Getting to know Rolly Waters made me want to read more of his adventures.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 00:21:46", "publisher": "Konstellation Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008721007", "title": "Ballast Point Breakdown: A Rolly Waters Mystery", "author": "Corey Lynn Fayman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 445, "review": "A party is going on at the Admiral\u2019s Club with live music in the background when a boat crashes through the glass wall, landing in the middle of the party. A woman stands on the boat shouting about saving the dolphins. Another woman tells her to get down, but the woman on the boat is having none of it. She seems determined to get attention for her cause and does so by shooting herself in the head with a flare gun, setting off a huge fire as people escape through every egress. A few days later, Roland \u201cRolly\u201d Waters, a part-time musician and a part-time private investigator, is accosted in a bar after playing the last set of the night. Melody Flowers, a pretty young thing, says Janis Waters, the woman who killed herself days earlier, gave Melody some dog-tags and told her to get Rolly to find the man whose name, Butch Fleetwood, is on the tags. Rolly takes on the job even though Molly doesn\u2019t have much money. Janis, it turns out, had been the president of the fan club for a band Rolly had years before, so he does it out of affection for her. He has no idea what a jumbled mess he has stepped into. The police and the FBI are also interested in Janis\u2019s death and the connection to Bruce Fleetwood, a man who supposedly died a long time before, and some undercover dolphin work. It\u2019s a good thing Rolly has a good relationship with Bonnie Hammond, a local cop, and works with her sharing information, or things could get really bad for him. But nothing in this book is as it seems, and the more Rolly gets into the case, the more dangerous things are for him. An old friend, Harmonica Dan, keeps popping up as a person of interest in the case and in Rolly\u2019s life, making things even more muddled. Everything seems anchored to dolphins, and it all comes to a head, a very dangerous head for Rolly, on a small Mexican island. Some people aren\u2019t whom they seemed to be, and Rolly is in the crosshairs.

Author Corey Lynn Fayman has written an engaging mystery with more red herrings than readers can shake a stick at. Rolly is an affable character who bumbles his way through the case and seems to spend more time introducing himself and handing out his business cards than doing very difficult or creative detective work. The writing is good, although it could use a good trimming, the characters are interesting, quirky, and fully-developed, the dialogue is snappy and believable, and there are enough mystery and tension to keep readers turning pages.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "18-Feb-2020 00:21:30", "publisher": "Konstellation Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008719007", "title": "Everything Here Is under Control: A Novel", "author": "Emily Adrian", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julie Blum", "word_count": 204, "review": "I won\u2019t lie: I chose to read and review Everything Here is Under Control because, well\u2026, nothing is under control these days, and the title made me smile. The book follows two lifelong yet estranged friends, Carrie and Amanda, who are thrown together again after Amanda has a new baby and feels like she doesn\u2019t quite know what she is doing.

Amanda returns to her hometown, where she seeks the comfort and advice of Carrie, who became a mother when she was very young. Everything Here is Under Control expertly weaves together the narratives of these friends as they figure out their relationships with each other, their children, their lovers, and themselves.

This book was a delight to read. The author seems to really understand the true sense of what it is like to be a new mother, with all the self-doubt, worry, and pure love that come along with that role. The relationship between Carrie and Amanda has depth and strength that lend even more complexity and nuance to their friendship. The book is easy to read, because you want to know and understand the characters better. In the end, you do understand them, and maybe understand yourself a bit better as well.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "16-Feb-2020 18:17:41", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008718011", "title": "Churchill's Shadow Raiders: The Race to Develop Radar, World War II's Invisible Secret Weapon", "author": "Damien Lewis", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 214, "review": "In 1941, Great Britain had their backs against the wall in their battle against Nazi Germany. Their combined forces had yet to achieve a victory. Their cities were bombarded by Germany\u2019s powerful Luftwaffe. A mass evacuation from Dunkirk was successful, but it was still a defeat. Operation Colossus, the first nighttime raid behind enemy lines, aimed to turn the tide. The objective was to sabotage an aqueduct in Italy with commandos undertaking the mission. The dicey reconnaissance photographs along with sporadic word of mouth evidenced a failure, yet the opposite was true. The mind of the British Government churned with ideas of how to thwart the Nazi war machine. The British Air Force had been stymied in efforts to attack Axis power positions, and the German Radar proved superior in pinpointing British planes. A plan was hatched to steal the Wurzburg radar and access its secrets. If successful, the momentum would be altered.

Churchill\u2019s Shadow Raiders engages the reader immediately in detailing the British strategy to strike at the Axis powers. The tension depicted in the stealth actions of the Special Air Service is electric and palpable. Author Damien Lewis reignites the past with a passion and eye for detail in this spellbinding narrative. This is a notable inclusion in World War II literature.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-Feb-2020 18:23:16", "publisher": "Citadel", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008718007", "title": "Mercy House: A Novel", "author": "Alena Dillon", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 244, "review": "At first glance, the mid-sixties woman in her Mets sweatshirt and blue jeans may seem out of place in the roughest parts of Bedford-Stuyvesant, but for the locals who know Sister Evelyn, her presence is common. Along with three other nuns, Sister Evelyn runs Mercy House, the home for abused women at the heart of Alena Dillon\u2019s novel.

Women who have been beaten, assaulted, intimidated, and broken have found their way to Mercy House for over twenty years, and the nuns who run the house have ministered to them in the ways they see fit: counseling them, praying with them, and, occasionally, going against the edicts of the Catholic church. But, in 2010, the long arm of the church comes to investigate Mercy House in the form of Bishop Hawkins, a man who shares a violent history with Sister Evelyn. Her protection of Mercy House, and the women it serves, becomes a battle of wills between herself and the bishop, and no one she cares about is safe as he seeks to bring her down.

The elemental nature of mercy is at the heart of this story: who grants it, who denies it, and who deserves it. While the book is fictional, the stories within it ring honest and true. Much of Dillon\u2019s dialogue feels like eavesdropping, and the characters feel alive on every page. For fans of Ann Patchett\u2019s The Patron Saint of Liars or Maile Meloy\u2019s Liars and Saints, Mercy House is a must-read.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "15-Feb-2020 00:38:52", "publisher": "William Morrow Paperbacks", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008718003", "title": "The Illness Lesson: A Novel", "author": "Clare Beams", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 244, "review": "Samuel Hood has a vision: girls should be educated with the goal of becoming more than wives and mothers. In the Massachusetts of 1871, this is a revolutionary idea, though Samuel has lived his values by raising his daughter, Caroline, with all the education usually bestowed on boys. Now grown, Caroline helps Samuel and his acolyte David create an all-girls school called the School of the Trilling Heart, named after the rare and remarkable red birds that have begun appearing on the grounds with surprising frequency. Soon, the new students arrive, including a girl named Eliza who has a complicated relationship with Caroline\u2019s family history. When Eliza begins suffering from odd symptoms that seem to be connected to the trilling hearts, and the other girls seem to fall ill by suggestion, Samuel\u2019s best intentions are tested\u2014and the girls are subject to cruelty beyond anything Caroline could have imagined.

Dread suffuses The Illness Lesson, and the trilling hearts\u2014though gorgeous\u2014glow on the page with a dangerous shimmer. The question of whether Eliza and the other girls\u2019 strange symptoms are real or imagined recedes as other questions\u2014of agency and weakness, knowledge and denial, loyalty and self-deception\u2014pull readers into a fictive dream as uncomfortable and unsettling as what goes on within Trilling Heart\u2019s walls. The past\u2019s pull on the present is harrowing, Caroline finds. But it is more insidious to blindly accept that we are unable to push the past aside and move forward with strength and new vision.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "15-Feb-2020 00:35:40", "publisher": "Doubleday", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008717007", "title": "Red Hood", "author": "Elana K. Arnold", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 203, "review": "Bisou has lived with her grandmother since the fateful day her mother was killed. She\u2019s happy with her quiet life, until one night with her boyfriend James, and she finds herself running through the woods, over roots and between trees, claws and teeth tearing at her back. As Bisou stumbles home with the wolf\u2019s blood on her hands, more questions arise. Then more come in the following days, about her past, her grandmother, and what comes with the full moon.

I found myself hooked within the first couple of pages. Red Hood is told through second person as if you are Bisou, it\u2019s weird at first, but once I got used to it, it really drew me into the story. Each character is different yet at the same time simple and relatable to a degree. I am disappointed that at several points Bisou and James have intimate moments with too much detail. There is some heavy cussing sporadically, and some adult themes are brought up. The adult themes do add to the meaning and theme of the story, though some of them could have been left out. I would not recommend this for anyone under sixteen, and even then you have to be careful.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "15-Feb-2020 00:28:39", "publisher": "Balzer + Bray", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008716015", "title": "The Heartbeat of Iran: Real Voices Of A Country and Its People", "author": "Tara Kangarlou", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 211, "review": "Since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, Iran has been politically isolated by its neighboring countries and the rest of the world. Political developments (such as the Iranian hostage crises, Iran-Iraq war, economic sanctions in 1995, more sanctions in 2010, and the nuclear deal in 2015) have only deepened Iran\u2019s isolation. As a result, most people who live outside Iran have no idea of how everyday Iranian people live, the cultural heritages that Iranians share, and the diversity within Iran.

This book (written by an American journalist who grew up in Iran) profiles the lives, aspirations, regrets, and hopes two dozen everyday Iranians. Each chapter profiles one individual, and through that individual readers gain a sense of what life is like in Iran, the various textures of Iranian life, and the many facets of its society. Readers meet Amir Saneei, a teacher whose life is very different from those living in the West, but whose desires (and complaints) are eerily similar to his American counterparts. Also profiled is Pedram Safarzadh, a former drug addict. His experiences, regrets, and hopes are not that different from those of other former addicts. In the end, the collection of narratives shows that even though we live in very different worlds, our struggles and aspirations are the same.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "16-Feb-2020 18:58:40", "publisher": "Ig Publishing", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008714003", "title": "All the Way to the Top: How One Girl's Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything", "author": "Annette Bay Pimentel, with illustrations by Nabi Ali", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Avery - Age 10", "word_count": 213, "review": "All the Way to the Top is a true story about a girl named Jennifer, who has a walking disability. When Jennifer is old enough to go to school, she is so excited and can\u2019t wait, but the school says that she can\u2019t go because of her wheelchair. Her mom finds a different school, but Jennifer is only able to come to that school part of the day. Jennifer\u2019s family finds a group of people who have different types of disabilities and they start protesting all over the country for disability rights. Jennifer is only a girl, but she went all the Washington to protest for congress to pass the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act.

I really liked reading All the Way to the Top because I love reading stories that are based on real people. I learned that there used to be a time when kids with disabilities couldn\u2019t attend school, and if they did they couldn\u2019t do things like each lunch in the cafeteria with the other kids. I really liked the illustrations and the photograph of the real Jennifer crawling up the steps in Washington. I would recommend All the Way to the Top to kids who might have a disability or to kids who like to learn about real people.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "14-Feb-2020 23:26:00", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008713023", "title": "The Joyce Girl: A Novel of Jazz Age Paris", "author": "Annabel Abbs", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 221, "review": "Lucia Joyce wants nothing more than to be known for her independent spirit, exceptional dancing, and remarkable clairvoyance. Unfortunately, she is The Joyce Girl, daughter of James Joyce, one of the most renowned writers of all time. To make a name for herself, she will have to carve out a space that hasn\u2019t been touched by her father; no small feat in 1930s Paris.

Annabel Abbs relates the tragic and beautiful story of Lucia Joyce with precision and heartbreaking detail. As Lucia pursues a dancing career, she begins to achieve real success, only to have it thwarted by her selfish and shortsighted parents. As she begins a secret infatuation with one of her father\u2019s greatest admirers, the Irish writer Samuel Beckett, she also becomes entangled with other men who would have her as their wife. The pull of her own talents and ambitions is so strong that there is cause for alarm as her mental health deteriorates and she is sent to work with Carl Jung, a psychoanalyst who\u2014at the request of her father\u2014is tasked with helping the girl. But what help can there be for a young woman who only wants to live her own life?

The Joyce Girl is a delicate and destructive joy to read. While your heart breaks for Lucia, you will also be inspired by her.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-Feb-2020 19:08:38", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008713019", "title": "Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices", "author": "None", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 160, "review": "Eid is the most festive of all Muslim holidays. There are two Eid holidays: one at the end of the month of fasting, and the other to celebrate Abraham\u2019s willingness to sacrifice his son. Both holidays are celebrated with roughly the same level of gusto. This book is a collection of short stories, poems, and a graphic story relating to Eid.

While most stories center around Eid-al-Fitr (celebrations after the month of fasting), a small number focuses on Eid-al-Adha (celebrating Abraham\u2019s willingness to sacrifice his son). The themes center on the spirit of generosity, stresses that surface with large family gatherings, Shia-Sunni differences, challenges of wearing a hijab, and the diversity of customs related to Eid celebrations. Stories seamlessly incorporate blended and new traditions that arise from families that bring multiple cultures together.

While the stories are intended for middle school readers, adults would enjoy them as well. Recommended for readers who would like an insider\u2019s perspective on Eid celebrations.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "16-Feb-2020 18:44:50", "publisher": "Amulet Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008713015", "title": "The Girl with the Louding Voice: A Novel", "author": "Abi Dare", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Mandy Nevius", "word_count": 227, "review": "A stunning debut from Abi Dar\u00e9, The Girl With a Louding Voice tells the traumatic story of a 14-year-old Nigerian girl, determined to overcome her wretched circumstances to achieve her lofty aspiration of becoming a teacher. Following her dear mother\u2019s death, Adunni is forced by her father, desperate for money, to marry a man with two other wives and a handful of children, the oldest the same age as Adunni. One of the wives attempts to help Adunni acclimate to their cruel husband\u2019s treatment. But a devastating event sends Adunni on the run for her life. Hoping to find safety, she only stumbles into another miserable trap: domestic slavery. The mysterious disappearance of the unpaid house-girl she replaced looms heavy over her, and the abuse she sustains while working in the home threatens Adunni\u2019s ambition. But perhaps with the help of an unsuspecting friend, Adunni can finally acquire the western education to become a teacher that she\u2019s always dreamed of.

Written in broken English, this first-person narrative is tedious to read at first; however, readers will eventually become acquainted with its cadence. Though incredibly bleak throughout, there are glimmers of hope that stand out as the true strength of the novel. Dar\u00e9 manages to highlight social grievances in a way that calls for action. It\u2019s astonishing that this is Dar\u00e9\u2019s first book; hopefully there will be more.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "26-Aug-2020", "date_added": "15-Feb-2020 00:30:33", "publisher": "Dutton", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008713003", "title": "Ballast Point Breakdown", "author": "Corey Lynn Fayman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 405, "review": "A soiree at a club is suddenly interrupted by an uninvited party crasher. After a short argument with two guests, the woman lights herself ablaze. The conflagration runs its course throughout the club, word quickly spreads throughout the town. Rolly Waters is a musician who does occasional investigative work. He is soon approached by a young woman who tasks him with locating an individual. The young woman is connected to Rolly\u2019s past, as she was friends with the woman who set herself on fire. Rolly knew her in his glory days when he was on the road to fame and fortune in a band. The road took a fork when Rolly was involved in a fatal car accident, which killed the lead singer of the band. Rolly benefited by a skillful defense from his lawyer, which led to Rolly doing some work for him as well as giving up the bottle. The new case threatens to open up old wounds. As Rolly initiates his query, he starts to draw attention from various corners of law enforcement. The missing person was a diver involved in a covert operation utilizing dolphins. The dolphin program is set to be closed down, the dolphins are to be utilized in a new amusement park. However, animal rights groups are descending on Ocean Beach, protesting the captivity and treatment of the dolphins.

The FBI gets wind of Rolly\u2019s missing person case. They are overlapping connections between the missing diver, another local musician and the possibility of the animal rights group engaging in terrorism. Rolly runs afoul of bigwigs and musicians in his search. As he approaches people of interest, bodies start to fall. Danger creeps in on Rolly and others connected. Rolly desires answers and to extricate himself from the perils of the case, yet he feels compelled to see things to the bitter end. Atonement for past sins is his ulterior motive. Sometimes the past is better left in the rearview mirror.

Ballast Point Breakdown is a high-speed mystery that picks the reader up and never lets down. The protagonist is absorbing in his quest, worth following down the rabbit hole as questions and occasional dead ends pile up. The dialogue is snappy, evoking frequent laughs but also interspersed with the dramatic narrative wending its way. This is a book in the continuing series with lead character Rolly Waters, one that will make new fans and please the already familiar.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "14-Feb-2020 19:02:11", "publisher": "Konstellation Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008712011", "title": "Boats Will Float", "author": "Andria Warmflash Rosenbaum", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 179, "review": "There are a lot of different kinds of boats, everything from canoes to tugboats, from fireboats to dragon boats, from sailboats to cruise ships and so many more. Each kind of boat has its own special purpose. Some speedboats pull kites that take people up in the air. Fishing boats drop nets to catch many fish. Tug boats help to guide big ships into port. And where there are boats, there are lighthouses and beaches and all kinds of sea life to be seen. There are even divers and a submarine deep in the ocean.

Author Andria Warmflash Rosenbaum has written a sweet text all in rhyme that will have little ones rocking to the perfect meter and guessing the coming rhymes. Illustrator Brett Curzon has filled every page with bright colors and lots and lots of fun details that will keep little eyes on the pages searching for all that illustrated fun. These drawings are the perfect complement to Rosenbaum\u2019s cute text. This book is sure to become a fast favorite and will have youngsters pleading, \u201cRead it again!\u201d", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 20:21:30", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008712003", "title": "Amazing Islands: 100+ Places that Will Boggle Your Mind (Our Amazing World)", "author": "Sabrina Weiss", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 204, "review": "There are thousands of islands on our planet \u2014 some very large, such as Greenland, and some not much bigger than several football fields. Each has its own unique flora and fauna, or an unusual history, or a different way of coming into being.

Readers (kids and adults alike) will be fascinated to discover some islands have one species reigning supreme, as the animal has no natural predators there. For instance, an island in China is overrun by venomous pit vipers, while one in Japan is overrun by cats.

There are several islands around the world that became prisons, each with an interesting history. There are even man-made islands, including floating islands in Peru made by the Uros people from reeds. There are island nations and island cities and more.

Each spread in the book tells the story of one to several islands and what is unique about the subject. All are illustrated with stylized illustrations in muted tones that indicate what one might see there. The back matter includes a glossary, a pronunciation guide, an index, and an extensive list of sources.

This is a book that will engender curiosity and further research, and it would make an excellent addition to any library.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 20:16:42", "publisher": "What on Earth Books", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008711007", "title": "Witchy Things", "author": "Mariasole Brusa", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 185, "review": "Another of Witch\u2019s potions has gone horribly wrong, and Witch\u2019s hair is now an awful fairy blue. Blue is meant for happy and good things, instead of a color that resembles things like ash, boogers, or blood. Too bad the only thing that Witch can do to make everything right again is to snatch a naughty child. When she spies a little boy playing with dolls in the park, she knows she has found the right child. Is he really the naughty boy that has stolen his sister\u2019s dolls, or is he going to teach her a lesson in perceptions?

An unpredictable turn takes this book from another bad behavior witch to a truly delightful life lesson. Witchy Things will appeal to younger readers and will make them fall over in fits of giggles because of the witch\u2019s silly antics and her angry exclamation: \u201cstinking skunk farts!\u201d Mariasole Brusa knows how to write to her exact audience, keeping a child\u2019s attention throughout the entire book. Marta Sevilla\u2019s simple, colorful illustrations are fun and engaging lending just the right amount of over-exaggeration needed for the story.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 20:20:42", "publisher": "NubeOcho", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008711003", "title": "A New Chance", "author": "Kevin E Ready", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 574, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

A New Chance is a remarkable tale of new beginnings, unlikely connections, and bright futures. Kevin E. Ready does an amazing job of character development and creating realistic military scenarios.

Ex-Army operative Mark Kelleher is on his way to a date with a girl he met in his online dating app when a drunk driver in a Ford truck on the Bay Area highway is headed right for Mark in his BMW. Mark has nowhere to go, and as the emergency team tries to get him out of his car with the jaws of life, there is a massive explosion. Mark screams as he burns to death.

Eighteen-year-old Naomi Donnelly has been in a coma for three months after finding herself in a situation that ended up with her swallowing several baggies of different narcotics. Those narcotics seeped into her system, and the nurses call her Sleeping Beauty, expecting her to pass at any time.

At the exact moment Mark dies in the explosion, Naomi wakes up with Mark\u2019s memories. She remembers nothing about how she ended up in the hospital, and even as the medical staff monitor her vital signs and perform tests on her, there is no sign of her body deteriorating except for the fact that she is underweight after being in a coma for so long.

This is where I thought the book would take a supernatural or religious turn. But instead, the two characters seem to mesh seamlessly the more the story progresses. With Mark\u2019s memories and Naomi\u2019s gorgeous physical features, it's as if the perfect person has been created. Although this part of the book was very unrealistic, it sparked my interest, and I was very pleased when Naomi moves on to become a nurse and then enlists in the Army. Before enlisting, she meets Jesse who was also in the Army. They fit together perfectly, although they both have some very big secrets that they are keeping from one another.

A New Chance is filled with exciting military scenes while we follow Naomi as she uses Mark\u2019s knowledge to become a super nurse. The description of warfare, battle scenes, and medical set-up were so realistic that it is obvious these details were collected firsthand by the author himself. These scenes were the most exciting parts of the book.

On the other hand, there were a few random parts where the author was describing something not hugely relevant to the storyline, and the dialogue seemed to drag on a bit. For example, when Naomi went to put things in a locker, she asks someone if the locker was taken, and so on and so forth. Or when Naomi and Jesse were sitting on the couch, there was a whole paragraph on the remote control and how Jesse turned the TV off and Naomi snuggled with him. I felt there were certain parts that could have been summed up a lot quicker.

Another thing that was odd was how Naomi and Jesse spoke to one another in the third person sometimes. Naomi would be talking to Jesse, and then she would say something like, \u201cI see Jesse got a new car\u201d or \u201cI know this about Jesse.\u201d Instead of saying the word you. It read very strangely in those parts.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I felt it was put together and planned out very well, had amazing characters, and was very exciting during the military scenes.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 20:08:49", "publisher": "Saint Gaudens Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008710015", "title": "Cosas de Bruja (Spanish Edition)", "author": "Mariasole Brusa", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Neela - Age 11", "word_count": 135, "review": "Everyone has something about themselves that they wish to change. In Cosas de Bruja, the witch is unhappy with her \u201cblue fairy\u201d hair. Nobody will believe she is a witch with that appearance. She would much rather have a \u201cblood red\u201d or \u201csnot green\u201d color. When countless color-changing potions fail, the witch must find a different way to prove she can be witchy.

Mariasole Brusa most likely intended this book to appeal to younger children or any age novice Spanish readers such as myself. With the occasional help of google translate, this short picture book should be fairly easy to get through.

In the end, the witch realizes that her natural features are beautiful and she doesn\u2019t need to prove her worth. An important lesson for all ages told along with funny and vivid pictures.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 20:19:57", "publisher": "NubeOcho", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008710011", "title": "A Wave of Stars (Nubeclassics)", "author": "Dolores Brown, with illustrations by Sonja Wimmer", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 177, "review": "The sky darkens and rain begins to fall as Mimbi and Kipo suddenly realize the night is closing in on them. When the storm clears, the two glance up and discover a majestic moonbow resting above the horizon. They quickly transform from a beautiful white seal and an enormous, green sea turtle into mere humans. Though legend had foreshadowed this occurrence, they find themselves unprepared and fearful they will never return to their former selves. As fate has it, the two meet a kind and gentle fisherman who unveils the secret of their return to the sea.

A Wave of Stars is a high-quality picture book with an intriguing and creative storyline. It is sure to keep young children\u2019s interest and is one they will want to read again and again, uncovering and sharing new insights and observations with each new read. The illustrations are strikingly gorgeous, illuminating each page with their vibrancy and colorful allure. The text is written at the second- or third-grade reading level but will undoubtedly appeal to a wider age range of children.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 20:18:54", "publisher": "NubeOcho", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008710007", "title": "Echo North", "author": "Joanna Ruth Meyer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 180, "review": "When Echo\u2019s father journeys to the city only to disappear, her life is turned upside down. Weeks pass with no sign of him before Echo runs away to the woods only to find her father half-frozen in the snow. To save him she strikes a deal with a white wolf: live in his castle for one year. The castle is falling apart, every room needing to be sewn together to keep from unraveling. Untold secrets unfold as she finds a library of mirrors and meets a mysterious boy named Hal. As the year ticks by, Echo is no closer to rescuing Hal or the wolf from enchantment, and if she doesn\u2019t, Echo, the wolf, and Hal may be lost forever.

Echo North is a fantastic retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I love the characters; some are shallow but still intriguing, whereas others are relatable in different ways. The beginning was a little hard to get into because of the way it\u2019s written, but later on in the book it makes since the way it\u2019s told and I really liked it.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 20:06:35", "publisher": "Page Street Kids", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008710003", "title": "How to Hold a Grudge: From Resentment to Contentment-The Power of Grudges to Transform Your Life", "author": "Sophie Hannah", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 156, "review": "In 2014, the writer Anne Lamott, in an essay in her book Small Victories, wrote about holding onto grudges and the power of forgiveness. I don\u2019t know if the author was inspired by this essay, but it rings very familiar. Spoiler alert: of course, the author really can\u2019t hold a grudge and struggles to find forgiveness. So, in that sense, this book reads like so many others. Chapter four is devoted to rating grudges as to their power. Similarly, there is a quiz at the end of the book for deciding if grudges are forgivable or not. Again, this reader could not relate to the questions. The scenarios seem very specific to the author and may not hold much relevance for the reader. In all, the book feels very personal to the author. This book has a very amusing premise, and this reader had hoped that the book itself would have been more humorous and relatable.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 20:03:47", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008709003", "title": "Something That May Shock and Discredit You", "author": "Daniel Mallory Ortberg", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 194, "review": "In his newest book, Daniel Mallory Ortberg brings characteristic humor and depth to his contemplation of gender and religion. Something That May Shock and Discredit You resists easy categorization, with satirical poems, moving personal essays, and thoughtful critical analyses fruitfully bumping up against one another. With an artful hand, Ortberg also brings a wide array of texts into conversation with one another, considering the Bible alongside the The Golden Girls and taking on the voices of both Marcus Aurelius and Regina George.

Ortberg\u2019s skilled exploration of wide-ranging topics and genres results in a book that delivers delightful surprises again and again\u2014one is never sure what cultural reference will next reveal itself as a jumping-off point for a funny or stirring reflection on Ortberg\u2019s gender transition or his relationship to his faith. While I was most drawn to the sections of the book that reflected on literary texts or cultural figures I was already familiar with, Something That May Shock and Discredit You is never boring. Each page buzzes with Ortberg\u2019s energy, humor, and perspective, conferring readers with the sense that deep meaning can be found even in things that are seemingly silly, archaic, or mundane.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 19:48:33", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008708011", "title": "Dragonslayer (Wings of Fire: Legends)", "author": "Tui T. Sutherland", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 253, "review": "Dragonslayer is an adventurous story about how humans survive in a land full of dragons. The story follows the lives of three children as they grow up in a time where they have been taught to fear the dragons that fly overhead.

One girl's town tries to sacrifice her to the dragons but she escapes and forms an unlikely bond with a dragonet. Her brother returns home from a hunting trip to the news that his little sister has been captured by dragons and he makes it his mission in life to become a dragonslayer with the help of his older sister. Another girl from a different town, born the daughter of the well-known dragonslayer grows up in awe of the dragons that her town fears so much and wonders about her father and the treasure that he has hidden from everyone. Each child learns valuable lessons as truths unfold and they make their own destiny despite what others may think is best for them.

Dragonslayer is the perfect tale for anyone who enjoys the Wings of Fire series or who loves dragons. It is a Legends book, which helps to answer a lot of the questions left unanswered in the Wings of Fire series. This story gives you the perspective of humans during the time of dragons and makes you feel as if you could survive despite the dangers. As a fan of dragons myself, I could not put this book down. It is a definite \"must read\" for any dragon lover!", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 20:12:11", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008708003", "title": "Snapdragon", "author": "Kat Leyh", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Kate - Age 12", "word_count": 126, "review": "Snapdragon is a great graphic novel! The characters are fun and their growth throughout the story is great to watch!

Snap is an awesome protagonist, determined, accepting, and protective of the people she cares about. Lulu\u2019s character development is also amazing. I loved watching her find out who she wanted to be; she's so nice and friendly. The flashbacks from the past really help to connect the story, and the action scenes and world building are really well done. The comedy also makes the characters more relatable.

I can't say I\u2019m a big fan of scary movies but I loved watching Snap and Lu watch them together in this book. And don't worry Snap, I\u2019m sure your family will realize that you caught the casserole soon!", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 19:45:58", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008707015", "title": "Binkle's Time to Fly", "author": "Sharmila Collins, with illustrations by Carolina Rabei", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 223, "review": "Since the beginning of his existence, as an itty-bitty egg, then a furry caterpillar, a magnificent cocoon, and at last a unique butterfly, Binkle has dreamed of flying. With deep despair, he quickly realizes his wings have unusual holes in them, are strikingly weak, and have a pale, unseemly hue. Even the ravenous, black crows think better than to eat him, for he will surely be nothing more than a mere scrap. However, when two cheery butterflies approach him offering to help, Binkle finds himself surrounded by silkworms and spiders who fortify his wings and bees who inject them with vibrant colors. With this unfailing aid and some courage of his own, he spreads his wings and at once begins to fly.

This is a gorgeously illustrated, heartwarming story that will touch the lives of many young children. It\u2019s ideal for those who feel a little different than the rest as well as those who struggle with life-altering conditions. It\u2019s a noteworthy resource as well for preschool and early elementary school teachers to use for creating empathy, community, and bravery in their students. Sharmila Collin\u2019s story demonstrates that with perseverance, love, and assistance miracles are possible. Her daughter served as the inspiration for writing this endearing picture book because she lives with a chronic and debilitating skin disease yet exudes admirable hope and resilience.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 21:05:57", "publisher": "Flyaway Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008707011", "title": "Winged Wonders: Solving the Monarch Migration Mystery", "author": "Meeg Pincus", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Andrew - Age 11", "word_count": 166, "review": "This picture book is all about the people who tried to crack the mystery of monarch butterfly migration. Gardeners, scientists, and butterfly lovers were stumped as to where monarchs went in the winter. Why did they migrate?

Canadian scientist Fred is a prominent character in the book. He spent 30 years studying the mystery of the monarch. He drove all over the US with his research partner and wife, Norah. After placing an ad in the newspaper, Fred and Norah got help from a Spanish-speaking man named Ken. He traveled to Mexico and discovered the keys to unlocking the butterfly mystery.

If you want to learn more about this fascinating quest for knowledge, you\u2019ll need to read Winged Wonders: Solving the Monarch Migration Mystery. The illustrations in this hardcover volume really tie the book together with a specific feel and color palette.

I recommend this story to nature lovers of all ages and anyone who has ever wanted to know how to help the butterfly population.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 20:44:43", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008707007", "title": "Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier", "author": "Jim Ottaviani, with illustrations by Maris Wicks", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 188, "review": "Astronauts is a graphic novel about famous female astronauts like Mary Cleave and Valentina Tereshkova and Sally Ride. Valentina was the first women in space. It talks about how hard it was for women to join the space program back many years ago. Women had to go through lots of crazy difficult tests to be accepted into the space program. A lot of it was unfair because men treated the women unfairly. They didn't think women were smart enough, strong enough, or good enough to be astronauts compared to men. The dedicated women had to keep trying and pushing and proving that they belonged in space along with men astronauts.

This is the first book I've read by Jim Ottaviani, but I am a big fan of Maris Wicks' illustrations and her books. The pictures help make the book read easier because there's some different stories going on the same time which make it a little confusing. This is definitely a very educational graphic novel about the true stories of some of the famous astronauts. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books about space and astronauts.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 19:46:29", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008706019", "title": "Every Second: 100 Lightning Strikes, 8,000 Scoops of Ice Cream, 200,000 Text Messages, 1 Million Gallons of Cow Burps ... and Other Incredible Things That Happen Each Second Around the World", "author": "Bruno Gibert", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 202, "review": "A second is such a tiny moment in time, as every youngster knows, so what could possibly happen of any importance in that amount of time? Well, if one takes a true world view, it seems that quite a lot can happen in one second. While only one wedding happens every second somewhere in the world, two hundred thousand texts are sent and three million emails are sent. While only one airplane takes off every second, forty-seven thousand gallons of oil are extracted from the earth, but only one-third of an ounce of gold is taken. Kids will be fascinated to discover how much gas cows produce each second (it\u2019s a HUGE number) and how much human poop piles up (also a pretty big number) and much more. This book will really put into perspective just how much impact humans have on the planet and also some of the amazing things nature does. Each page has some fun information overlaying a highly stylized illustration in muted tones, and each fun fact is just the sort of thing that will make youngsters want to know more, sending them off to the library or internet. This will be a great addition to any library.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 20:15:50", "publisher": "What on Earth Books", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008706007", "title": "Low & Slow Cooking: 60 Hands-Off Recipes That Are Worth the Wait", "author": "Robyn Almodovar", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 190, "review": "Each of these sixty recipes is thoughtfully and carefully composed to make sure layers of flavor marry during the long slow cooking of the ingredients. Although most don't take an extraordinary amount of time to prep, they are a labor of love where the pleasure comes from crafting a delicious. Some use an electric slow-cooker and a dutch oven. Either way, they all take a significant amount of time to actually cook. All the recipes are delicious, although very little here is vegetarian-friendly. Most of the dishes are meat-centric main dishes from Pot Roast or Chicken Tacos, to Brisket and Cassoulet. There are several recipes for soups and stews, several appetizers or party fare recipes, and even a few long-cooked desserts, like Chocolate Pots de Creme or Gooey Monkey Bread. Condiments and side dishes round out the fare. With a few exceptions, the ingredients can be easily found in a well-stocked supermarket, and instructions are clear and easy to follow. Each recipe is accompanied by a mouth-watering photo; while you wait for the slow cooking to do its work you can browse with pleasure and dream about your next creation.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 20:13:10", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008706003", "title": "Lying Bastard", "author": "Clint Margrave", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 59, "review": "\"A life of quiet desperation examined with well-crafted cynicism, insight, and humor. This clever exploration of existential angst manifests in a character who epitomizes the axiom that those who can do and those who can\u2019t teach. Margrave asks the question, 'Can one get by faking a purpose in life, and the corollary\u2014is the idea of purpose in life fake?'\"", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 13:39:50", "publisher": "Run Amok Books", "page_count": "258 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008705003", "title": "A Leg in Oklahoma City", "author": "Greg Hoetker", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 480, "review": "A Leg in Oklahoma City is a heart-wrenching story about a boy named Tris Killian who meets the love of his life and narrates the story about he about how he loses her. As he retells the story about the Amish girl who moved to California from Oklahoma, he refuses to give the reader her name. That is something that he keeps for himself. What we do know about her is that she has a duffel bag full of money she inherited, her parents and grandparents have passed away, and she lives inside a redwood tree. The chapters alternate between Tris telling the story of how he and his love met and became close in a short period of time and with chapters that described the death penalty being carried out for the man convicted of the Oklahoma City bombing. What I thought was interesting was how the tone of the story changed from chapter to chapter. The chapters that involved Tris and his girlfriend are full of love and tenderness and caring. The chapters that have to do with the death penalty and people who have come to witness it being carried out are full of hate and rightfully so because these people have also have lost their love ones to this horrible man.

One thing I like the most about this book was that there were not too many characters. It was very simple\u2014 much like the girl in the book who only need a handful of things to live and survive. I think this is what attracted Tris to her immediately. Her sweet demeanor made the story beautiful and innocent like a first true love would be. It was also the little details that made this book great, such as the chip in her tooth or the description of the art that she painted. Although the reader knows that something bad is going to happen, we don\u2019t know exactly what or how Tris loses his love. We only know that it has something to do with the Oklahoma bombings.

Because the characters are in California, we can only make assumptions until Tris tells us what happened. This book is a page-turner that I could not put it down. It's a book that you could read over and over again because of the beautiful prose the author uses when describing the relationship between Tris and the girl. The author knows how to build up the climax of the story and, although we can feel the happiness of both Tristan and the girl, there is a sense of dread as the book comes to a close. But even then the reader hopes that there is some way or somehow the characters defeat the odds. This book was unlike any other book I've ever read. It was a love story, lessons learned, and the gathering of those who have lost.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "13-Feb-2020 00:07:21", "publisher": "TRANS(form)ed Press", "page_count": "245 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008704003", "title": "The Great Rift: Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, and the Broken Friendship That Defined an Era", "author": "James Mann", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozarro", "word_count": 223, "review": "Friendships are defined by more than longevity. They are strong when they can weather turmoil. The friendship of Dick Cheney and Colin Powell seemed built to last but was frayed by ideological differences and bureaucratic warfare. The two men were on divergent career paths as Cheney buckled down after youthful indiscretions to work in government and Powell worked his way through the Army from scrappy beginnings. Their paths intersected during the second term of the Reagan Administration. Cheney would write the minority report of the Iran-Contra affair, while Powell took the position of national security advisor, which carried its own stigma in the wake of the scandal. The friendship began there but would blossom during George H. W. Bush\u2019s administration, where Cheney was secretary of defense and Powell was chairman of the joint chiefs. The men were thoroughly in sync on policy and practice, but as they went their separate ways during the 1990s, a change set in that would have both men on opposing sides during the George W. Bush Administration.

The Great Rift is a thoroughly enjoyable narrative exploring the lives of two powerful men. The reader may know the end of the story going in, but the journey leading up proves fascinating. James Mann carves a niche in biography/history with his latest release, a book not to be missed this year.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 23:06:10", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008701003", "title": "A Delayed Life: The True Story of the Librarian of Auschwitz", "author": "Dita Kraus", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alissa Smith", "word_count": 247, "review": "This is a beautiful story of hope, love, pain, and most of all endurance. My favorite part was when Dita Kraus explains her job in the Auschwitz concentration camp working as the librarian there. Because she kept literature alive in such a foul place, Dita Kraus is my hero.
\n
Kraus grew up in a fair, middle-class area, but that all changed. Jews weren\u2019t allowed to do things like go to school and wear non-branded clothing. Dita was sent to the Terez\u00edn ghetto, where there was a lack of food. After Terez\u00edn, she was deported to Auschwitz, where her father died. Luckily, Dita was able to get a job working in the children\u2019s school as the librarian. She kept watch over the books and gave them to the teachers. After six months, she left her job to be taken to do hard labor like filling holes made from bombs and making bricks. Her final destination was Bergen-Belsen, a concentration camp where food was almost non-existent. After liberation, Dita\u2019s mother died. She later married Otto Kraus, who was a teacher in Auschwitz, and left the communist-ruled Czech Republic for Israel. Both worked hard to earn money for their growing family. All this work paid off in the end, and they were able to live happy lives together.

Everyone should read this book, and its sister novel, The Librarian of Auschwitz . It is absolutely astounding what some people can go through and come out all the stronger for it.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 22:56:47", "publisher": "Macmillan Children's", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008698019", "title": "Fire & Wine: 75 Smoke-Infused Recipes from the Grill with Perfect Wine Pairings", "author": "Mary Cressler", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 221, "review": "Explore the fine art of pairing wine with wood-fire smoking and grilling in, Fire & Wine.

Pitmaster Sean Martin and sommelier Mary Cressler elevate the art of backyard grilling into a level of sophistication that can be expected from any fine dining restaurant. This book is a one-stop guide for anyone truly interested in elevating their BBQ experience into a culinary work of art. With the proper foundation, readers will learn about equipment, cooking methods, grills, smokers, charcoal, and how to manage the heat of a perfect flame. Fundamental elements behind pairing the smoke-infused recipes with wine take a beloved flavor profile and elevate it by using the wine\u2019s complementary and contrasting flavors along with its acidity and sweetness.

From first sight, the Grilled Cedar Plank Brie and Strawberry Balsamic Glaze leap off the page, while the Smoked Salmon Crostini will leave you craving a nice crisp chardonnay or sparkling wine. Stunning, rustic style photographs grace the pages, displaying recipes that will make any reader want to delve right in. Dip your fork into the perfect sauce, then take flight with \u201cBirds on the BBQ,\u201d while moving onto the \u201cKing Of Meat,\u201d and \u201cPorklandia,\u201d, as well as seafood and vegetarian dishes. Whether you are craving pork belly burnt ends or delectable Grilled Scallops with Honey Butter, this book delivers it all.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 23:07:53", "publisher": "Sasquatch Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008698011", "title": "Things Seen from Above", "author": "Shelley Pearsall", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 192, "review": "Sixth grade isn\u2019t an easy time for anyone, but April is having a particularly hard time. Her best friend has changed a lot, but April really hasn\u2019t changed at all. In an effort to escape the sixth-grade drama, she volunteers to be the Bench Buddy, a person whom kids can come to for companionship, during the fourth-grade lunch. Soon after April takes this on, a new volunteer, Veena, a recent immigrant from India and in fifth grade, joins April. They notice a pale boy who keeps to himself, dragging his feet through the woodchips on the playground. But they discover the shy boy, Joey Byrd, is actually making huge pictures that can only be appreciated from above. Everything changes.

Author Shelley Pearsall has found a most interesting set of characters to tell the story of some kids who don\u2019t seem to fit in and one who has an unusual talent. Told in two points of view\u2014April\u2019s and Joey\u2019s\u2014this lovely story will speak to kids who see themselves as living on the fringes and help them to find their own strengths. The writing is beautiful and the story is compelling. Don\u2019t miss this one.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 23:04:12", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Kids", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008698007", "title": "When It Was Grand: The Radical Republican History of the Civil War", "author": "LeeAnna Keith", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 213, "review": "The birth of the Republican party in the mid-1800s came on the back of a fracturing of the Democratic party, which was being split along sectional lines, and the death of the Whigs. With few places available for people who were against slavery and who advocated for abolition, they needed a new place to go, which led to the formation of what would eventually become, in 1856, the Republican party.

This book looks at the more radical Republicans, although they did not get that name until after the Civil War, and the influence they had on the movement. All the characters were active in politics, albeit for other parties and political factions. They only really came together so they could find the strength to go against the slave-holding oligarchy.

Trying to tell this entire story in one book is almost impossible, as there are so many names, characters, and organizations spread across the North and parts of the South. LeeAnna Keith tries her best, but often gets bogged down in focusing on one specific part of the United States before moving on to another and, at times, completely ignoring large areas. Also, most of the book is not about the Civil War, but rather about the lead up to it, including Bleeding Kansas.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 23:00:15", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus & Giroux", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008697019", "title": "The Scapegracers (1)", "author": "Hannah Abigail Clarke", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 261, "review": "Sideways Pike uses her unique skills to do magic tricks for other students, which catches the attention of three popular girls that pay her to do a spell at their party. Their town always gets into the Halloween spirit, and this year Sideways is getting more than she bargained for. Sideways and her three new friends form their own coven, which takes Sideways on an unforgettable journey as she discovers the value of friendship, tries to catch the attention of a mysterious girl, and fights to stay a step ahead of dangerous witch hunters.

Sideways has carved her place out as a witch loner that does magic tricks for other students until her whole life is shaken after the popular girls to do a spell for Halloween. She soon forms a bond with them that is built upon female empowerment, support, and encouragement to be true to themselves. The Scapegracers balances out the witch elements against the teenage angst through the carefree spirit of youth and the bond between the girls. Hannah Abigail Clarke presents a fun teenage tone through the girls' relationship as they plan parties, hang out, and get to know each other deeper than what's on the surface. The story weaves romance throughout as Sideways tries to catch the attention of the lovely Madeline who is a mysterious and alluring presence that keeps appearing in her life at unexpected moments. Clarke breathes new life into the supernatural genre, giving a new voice to teenage witches and shining a light on the growing pains of getting older and magic.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 02:43:13", "publisher": "Erewhon", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008697015", "title": "The Burden of Truth", "author": "Neal Griffin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 230, "review": "Omar Ortega is an 18-year-old with a promising future. High school is soon to be a memory. A hitch with the Army guarantees him a trip away and some extra money to aid his struggling family. Omar looks after his younger siblings, as his mother works long hours. Omar has been working, setting aside money to help secure an apartment for his kin. One fateful night, all these plans are torn asunder.

Travis Jackson relocated from Wisconsin to Southern California with an eye toward climbing the police hierarchy. The early results haven\u2019t been stellar, his work hours are brutal, and his wife is unhappy and oldest son is rebellious. Travis wants to serve the public and put the bad guys away. One day he is teamed with a new partner. A raid on budding gangsters proves fruitful, yet Jackson and his partner are lectured for moving too soon and spoiling a bigger bust. Omar and Travis are on a collision course, yet they possess no foreknowledge of this. A deadly shooting will tear into both of their worlds.

The opening salvo of The Burden of Truth rips into the reader's consciousness with intensity. The emotional roller coaster refuses to slacken as the tension-packed world inhabited by citizens and police officers clashes. The current climate provides an even more poignant backdrop for this harrowing novel. This is an excellent, moving story.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 02:33:51", "publisher": "Forge Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008697011", "title": "I Love My Teacher", "author": "Giles Andreae, with illustrations by Emma Dodd", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahhtega - Age 16", "word_count": 239, "review": "A charming story written to celebrate teachers. The book is about a young boy\u2019s fun-filled day at school. From show-and-tell to reading and math to recess, the book shows how much fun the boy enjoys at school. Finally, he says how awesome his teacher is. As this book is written for young children, the plot was fairly simple. But this is good because simple plots are better for younger kids who are just starting to read. The language used was simple and easy to understand; everything was straightforward. The message being conveyed by the author was made very clear: school is fun, and good teachers are awesome. This book is full of illustrations. The illustrations give the book special significance to young readers. They hold the attention of the reader; they tie into the words and the overall story very well. They were very well done. This book is definitely for younger children who are new to reading. This book is best for kids around three to five years old. This book reminded me of Dr. Seuss books. From the rhymes to the illustrations, it\u2019s clear that there was some inspiration from the \u201cgreat doctor.\u201d I would certainly recommend this book for older kids too, whether they are reading it themselves or reading it to a younger sibling. All in all, this book was quite enjoyable to read, and you can\u2019t/won\u2019t help but think about your own inspiring/wonderful teachers.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 02:17:14", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008696027", "title": "The Jane Austen Society: A Novel", "author": "Natalie Jenner", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 207, "review": "A chance meeting makes all the difference for the future. Adam is a quiet farmer who has lost his home and lives with his bitter mother, escaping by reading Jane Austen on cold winter nights based on the recommendation of a stranger. His quiet comment to Dr. Gray leads to a discussion with Adeline, a school teacher who is expecting after finding out her husband will not be coming back from war. Based on a common interest in Jane Austen, who actually lived in one of the cottages in their village, they create a society for saving her home, inviting a solicitor, a possible heir, a world-renowned actress, and an art dealer to help. But things like family, finances, and fame may keep the group from accomplishing their goals.

This story. Oh, this story. It invokes memories of long ago, not because it was a simpler time but, like in Jane Austen\u2019s beloved stories, a time of real people living real lives with real problems who are not perfect. It is epic like Jeffrey Archer\u2019s tales and touching like Ruta Septys\u2019s histories. It examines the way literature touches our very souls and makes us more than we are because we\u2019ve explored a world away from our own. Fantastic.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 02:35:32", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008696023", "title": "The Girl Who Wasn't There", "author": "Vincent Zandri", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alissa Smith", "word_count": 227, "review": "This is a story that will shake you up a little and then throw you back down. The Girl Who Wasn't There is about a man by the name of Sidney 'Doc' O'Keefe who just got out of prison after being involved in a murder. He had his reasons. For ten years, he kept his mouth shut so that his wife and daughter would be safe from those \"reasons.\" But after a while, he'd had enough, so he sang. Not a week after he was released, his little girl went missing and his world crumbled.

I believe the moral of the story is that people have many sides, all shaped by their experiences. The book was intriguing to be sure. Once you thought you knew the characters, things changed; once you thought you knew how the book was going to end, that also changed. However, the good attributes aside, the book has its fair share of bad ones as well. The book has an average storyline, a fairly interesting beginning, and a couple of surprises at the end to shake things up. The writing itself could have used some spice. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, but it\u2019s a fine book if you like a mystery that has a few secrets. All in all, it\u2019s a good book, but I doubt it will be awarded any prizes.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 02:32:04", "publisher": "Oceanview Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008696003", "title": "The Curse of the School Rabbit", "author": "Judith Kerr", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 186, "review": "Tommy\u2019s little sister, Angie, brings the school classroom rabbit home to take care of when the teacher has to be gone for a while to visit her mother. The rabbit\u2019s name is Snowflake, but maybe it should really be named Trouble because this rabbit is nothing but trouble. Snowflake seems to take great delight in peeing on people and in escaping its confines. When Angie gets sick, all the work of Snowflake falls on Tommy. Meanwhile, their father is an out-of-work actor trying to find a new job, and his friend is visiting and trying to help. Things get pretty crazy, and Snowflake is at the center of all the craziness, dragging Tommy into it all.

Author Judith Kerr has written a really fun story with interesting, well-rounded characters. It is told in first-person from Tommy\u2019s point of view. The voice is pitch-perfect for a young British boy. American kids will have a good time seeing what an old-fashioned British children\u2019s book is like, with lots of cute line drawings to carry them through. This will be perfect for emerging readers in first or second grade.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 00:30:51", "publisher": "HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008695027", "title": "The Deck of Omens (The Devouring Gray (2))", "author": "Christine Lynn Herman", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 226, "review": "The sequel picks up following the harrowing events in The Devouring Gray as a new threat gathers in strength through a corruption spreading from the Gray and slowly devouring the forest as it makes its way into town. Two shocking returns come with surprising family secrets that could change everything for May, Justin, and Isaac. As the five teenagers uncover a startling secret from the past, they must come together to face their own abilities and battle against the Gray once and for all.

Christine Lynn Herman excels at building honest and real relationship dynamics which are explored as the group fights against the corruption. Isaac and Justin have gone through some rocky waters since Isaac\u2019s confession, which finds the two embarking on separate journeys that could heal the rift between them. Violet and Harper are a sweet point in the story as their support and confidence in each other provide strong moments of female empowerment. The angsty dynamic between Harper and Justin is explored as they finally confront the friction and buried feelings between them. Herman weaves genuine struggles into the teenagers\u2019 lives such as trauma, betrayal, and family. The Deck of Omens is a thrilling sequel that hits all the right notes to build a thrilling battle against the Gray with angsty romance, complicated family dynamics, healing friendships, and the complex struggle of personal healing.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 02:41:33", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008695023", "title": "Penric's Travels (World of the Five Gods: Penric & Desdemona)", "author": "Lois McMaster Bujold", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 196, "review": "Again, as in Penric\u2019s Progress we are gifted with a trio of, previously, separately published novellas. And again, read as a continuous whole, they become a most moving and nigh-seamless tale.

Penric is on his first, simple diplomatic mission. Of course that mission is immediately subverted and our sorcerous, scholarly friend is put in the gravest peril.

How he and his chaos demon Desdemona extricate themselves from a\u2026sinking\u2026situation is a chilling manifestation of sorcerous ingenuity. Penric is undeterred by cold feet.

Then follows a long and complex sequence of healing, pursuits, and combats both physical and magical.

When it would appear that our duo has reached safe haven with their charges, a re-entry into danger with the most profound of motivations ensues. Penric is in love.

In fact, this entire triad constitutes, and is linked by, a love story.

Bujold\u2019s lyrical evocations of beauty, profound emotions, and happily salacious humor are as engaging as ever.

Conflict, whether the life-imperilment kind or emotional, is a constant, gripping the fortunate reader relentlessly.

As on the earlier compounded trio, cover art by Daniel Dos Santos is singularly well derived from the tale and makes this another book you will display face out on your shelf\u2026between loving re-readings.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 02:33:08", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008695015", "title": "Hannah's War", "author": "Jan Eliasberg", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 216, "review": "There have been so many books out recently about women in World War II that we might well be seeing the birth of a new genre. It\u2019s one I thoroughly enjoy, but also one that brings with it certain expectations. I opened Hannah\u2019s War thinking that I knew exactly what I was getting into. I\u2019ve never been more glad to be surprised.

Dr. Hannah Weiss fled Germany when she found that even her work as a scientist and her identity as an Austrian weren\u2019t enough to keep being Jewish from putting her in danger. Seven years later, she wound up in Los Alamos, continuing her work on nuclear physics, ever closer to perfecting a bomb. She also wound up with suspicious eyes on her, but this time for being from Germany.

In her first novel, Jan Eliasberg deftly navigates shifting timelines, moving smoothly from New Mexico to Germany, from Dr. Hannah Weiss to Major Jack Delaney, the man investigating her. It\u2019s no exaggeration to say that this book blew me away. I started it thinking I would give it a chance and probably enjoy it well enough; halfway through I was literally gasping at every chapter in amazement.

If you want something stronger than run-of-the-mill World War II historical fiction, this book is a must read.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 01:14:40", "publisher": "Back Bay Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008695011", "title": "Brother & Sister: A Memoir", "author": "Diane Keaton", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 156, "review": "This must have been a very difficult book for actress Diane Keaton to write. Her younger brother was mentally ill, alcoholic, and unreachable. Keaton details the upsets and anguish of trying to deal with behaviors as they spiraled out of control. One can also sense some guilt as Keaton built her career in isolation from her family and the brother whom she grew up with. From the photographs and poetry excerpts, one can tell that her brother Randy was blessed with family good looks and talent. He even managed a somewhat stable relationship for a time. Ultimately, however, mental illness took hold. Keaton tells about using her influence to jump the line for her brother to receive a liver transplant. It is a brave and honest book and is sure to resonate with so many families who struggle to understand the complexities of brain chemistry. Even very blessed individuals have struggles we may not know about.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 00:53:40", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "157 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008695007", "title": "The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh", "author": "Candace Fleming", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Charles Lindbergh had an enviable childhood, with a doting mother and grandparents, and a father who wasn\u2019t often present yet gave Charles incredible freedom to explore and try new things. Formal education seemed an afterthought with these people. He was a bright and inventive young man, and aviation was his passion. But the celebrity that came with his famous flight was a horror for him. His naivety and lack of historical perspective made him an easy recruit for the eugenics movement, of which he became a devotee. This dark side is not often revealed, but author Candace Fleming does not shy away from telling the whole story of Lindbergh\u2019s life, warts and all. And there are warts aplenty that will surprise and fascinate readers. Fleming is a terrific writer, and her impeccable research shines throughout the book. While this is being marketed as a young adult book, it will be equally fascinating for adult readers and accessible enough for sophisticated middle-grade readers. Over twenty pages of photographs and drawings are a great addition, especially for younger readers who probably know little about this hero of the early twentieth century. As biographies go, this is among the very best.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 00:30:05", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008695003", "title": "Everything Chocolate: A Decadent Collection of Morning Pastries, Nostalgic Sweets, and Showstopping Desserts", "author": "America's Test Kitchen", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 209, "review": "America's Test Kitchen can always be counted on for solid, delicious recipes that work, and this lovely cookbook doesn't disappoint. From the decadent cover image of thick slices of cake beneath a waterfall of silky chocolate glaze to mouthwatering photos of every recipe, detailed instructions and ingredient lists, and right up to the nutritional information tables at the very end, you are sure to have everything you need to not only succeed but also enjoy every moment of the process. And while this collection includes many bakery favorites, such as cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and brownies, bakers will really enjoy branching out into chocolate brioche buns, white chocolate panna cotta, chocolate-peanut butter cr\u00e8me br\u00fbl\u00e9e, and lots more. Each recipe has been extensively tested to make it easy to follow and is sure to meet the high standards of perfection\u2014and they explain exactly what you can expect and why the recipe works, as well as why it has been developed as it has, in a thorough introduction to each recipe. The recipes rarely call for exotic ingredients or equipment; these are all developed with ease for the home cook in mind, so you can dive right in. The hardest part about cooking for this book is deciding what to make first!", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 00:25:10", "publisher": "America's Test Kitchen", "page_count": "376 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008694003", "title": "Mom Babble: The Messy Truth about Motherhood", "author": "Mary Katherine Backstrom", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 203, "review": "Mary Katherine Backstrom is not afraid to be blunt when it comes to parenting. Being a professional mommy blogger and founder of \"Mom Babble,\" she also has the experience of being a professional mommy to back herself up. I say \"professional\" mommy because evident by her stories in Mom Babble, she has experienced so much physically, mentally, and spiritually during motherhood that there probably aren't too many situations that she can't offer advice. To fellow mothers, her stories and words of wisdom will give you all of the feels; you'll find yourself smiling, laughing, crying, and reminiscing, no matter what stage of motherhood you are conquering. Backstrom covers a wide variety of topics that all pertain to motherhood and its lovely craziness from not only a secular viewpoint but a Christian one.

Backstrom speaks from the heart with her advice and stories. I don't usually read about other people's parenting when I struggle with it myself daily, but her writing comes across effortlessly, yet the emotion in her situations is evident. I would recommend this book to any of my \"mom\" friends as it has so much relevant information, not just about parenting but also about taking care of yourself in the process.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 00:23:09", "publisher": "Abingdon Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008693031", "title": "The Falling Woman: A Novel", "author": "Richard Farrell", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 235, "review": "Erin Geraghty has been through a lot\u2014a cooling marriage, being a mother to twins, a passionate affair, and, horrifically, a cancer diagnosis that she knows will cut her life grotesquely short. Needing time and space to reflect, she heads to a cancer-survivors group. Then the impossible happens: Erin\u2019s plane explodes in mid-air, and Erin survives, falling to the ground and landing in a barn in Kansas. Nearby, a group of aviation investigators are desperate to determine the cause of the crash\u2014and to find the falling woman to debunk what they see as a sensational and damaging story that\u2019s just making it harder for families to grieve. Charlie Radford, an investigator determined to make a name for himself in the agency, is given the task of finding this woman\u2014an assignment that brings ridicule and resentment from his colleagues. What Charlie doesn\u2019t know is that the falling woman has more to offer him than simply answers to his research questions\u2014his encounter with her will change his life.

The novel opens with Erin\u2019s fall, and the breathless introduction sets Farrell\u2019s propulsive, emotional story in motion. Though Erin\u2019s choices may not immediately align with societal expectations, it\u2019s her commitment to her own beliefs\u2014and her deep instinct to do what\u2019s best for her family\u2014that will pull readers into her corner. Both Erin and Charlie have so much to lose, but their empathy ultimately leads them to gain more than they risk.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 02:38:00", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008693027", "title": "Hieroglyphics", "author": "Jill McCorkle", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 205, "review": "Married for so long, Lil and Frank don\u2019t always connect as they once did. Their relationship began with the shared bond of losing a parent in childhood, her mother in a fire at a nightclub, his father to a train accident. They grew to love one another and make a family, and now, retired in northern Carolina after a life in Boston, Lil sorts through their memories, reading the hieroglyphics that illustrate the life they\u2019ve made.

Jill McCorkle has long been a voice of honesty; her characters are so real at times that you feel you\u2019ve known them, or been them in some cases. This latest novel is no exception. As Frank tirelessly revisits his childhood home, hoping to be allowed in by Shelley, the new resident and single mom trying to keep her head above water, he also begins to forget things. At one point, Lil writes him a note reminding him never to leave her. And this sentiment, that need for someone else and the love that ties you to them, is at the heart of Hieroglyphics.

For anyone who has ever considered how they became who they are, or wondered what it takes to make a life worth living, this book is a must-read.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 02:23:35", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008693023", "title": "The Barefoot King: A Story about Feeling Frustrated", "author": "Andrew Jordan Nance, with illustrations by Olivia Holden", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 210, "review": "The Barefoot King is the story of a young man who is the king of his town where all of the people don't wear shoes when they walk around. The king hurts himself a lot; he doesn't like this and tries to think of something that can be done. He has people sew leather together and put it on the ground everywhere. The king is now happy, but his people are not: they tell him that they don't like the leather everywhere. The king asks one of his helpers to help him think of something else. His helper helps the king to pay better attention where he's walking so that leather isn't needed on the ground to cover rocks, and if he does still trip sometimes, he will learn to not get angry as easily.

I like this book because it teaches me where the idea of shoes maybe came from. The king acts like a kid at the beginning when he gets mad and wants something changed right away, but then I like that he starts thinking of others and changes things back right. I like the pictures in the book because they're colorful and fun to look at. I think that kids of any age will like this book.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "12-Feb-2020 02:22:02", "publisher": "Bala Kids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008690039", "title": "Bohemian Manifesto: A Field Guide to Living on the Edge", "author": "Laren Stover and Paul Himmelein, with illustrations by Izak", "category": "F13 Special Interest", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 409, "review": "Bohemian Manifesto: A Field Guide To Living On The Edge is a whimsical, informative work overflowing with intricate language and imagery. Through the study of a thoughtful selection of themes and factors, Stover and Himmelein explore the contrasting personalities and quirks of Bohemians. The Bohemian personality is one known to embrace the unusual, the avant-garde, and the unconventional through assorted facets, demonstrating idiosyncrasies and imagination in the face of standards and the orthodox. Stover and Himmelein probe the distinctive and in some ways comparable Bohemians known as The Nouveau, The Folkloric, The Beat, The Zen, The Dandy, and The Zen Dandy, as well as their subgroups, including The Fairy Folk and The Romantigoth. In addition to outlining the variances between Bohemians, the authors discuss these different types across environments and eras. From Duchamp to Game of Thrones, Bohemians are represented and analyzed over a range of influences. These descriptions are captured in vivid illustrations that showcase elaborate details. Ornate outfits and stunning hats artfully adorn chapters bringing additional vibrancy and splendor to the text. Unfortunately, the array of Bohemians is not entirely rendered in the illustrations. Although the text describes Bohemians from a variety of demographics, the illustrations lack diversity. Despite this shortcoming, the work overall is incredible and will resonate with readers from a variety of backgrounds. Although a fascinating read from beginning to end, readers can easily jump into this book anywhere and appreciate the analysis shared. Each section and subject is engaging, informative, and stunning. From art and music to nudity, dust, and stationary, the authors cover a variety of relevant and insightful areas to study The Bohemian. Because of the extent of the content, readers will find this book a pleasing and constant resource for years to come. Stover and Himmelein\u2019s language is purposeful and complex, which requires a seasoned reader with an extensive vocabulary or curious mind. Those up to the challenge will appreciate the elaborate descriptions exploring each theme. Readers will find themselves serenaded with descriptions such as \u201cThe Bohemian is a connoisseur of sensation, so there will be smoke\u2026It swirls the atmosphere with a foggy fever, an Olympian, cloudlike fairy-fire haze, the smoke of the underworld, the residue of unwholesomeness and mind altering acts, the poetic blanket that softens hard edges.\u201d Stover and Himmelein\u2019s work easily earns four stars and a steady position on your favorite\u2019s list. Readers will be thankful they picked up and thoroughly enjoy their copy of Bohemian Manifesto.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "11-Feb-2020 03:00:43", "publisher": "Echo Point Books and Media", "page_count": "305 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008690035", "title": "Bohemian Manifesto: A Field Guide to Living on the Edge", "author": "Laren Stover and Paul Himmelein, with illustrations by Izak", "category": "F13 Special Interest", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozarro", "word_count": 421, "review": "The life of a bohemian is unfettered from materialism, a freedom from the luxuries others take for granted. The Bohemian is an agent for change as opposed to a run of the mill oddball. The lack of rules indicates a free-spirited nature, encumbrances cast aside. The Bohemian possesses deep courage of conviction, even in the face of ostracism from polite society. The Bohemian is no wallflower. Many bohemians chafe at authority, some are revolutionary in nature even to their detriment. Bohemian Manifesto elaborates on a culture consisting of many layers of individuals who choose non-conformity and their adherence to an outsider perspective.

The book is multi-layered featuring the various subsets of bohemians, quotes indicative of the bohemian life, along with individual bohemians living in their world. The various bohemians consist of The Nouveau Bohemian, who utilizes newly found wealth for altruistic purposes. The Folkloric Bohemian tends to be a wanderer earning a living as a skilled craftsperson. The Beat Bohemian is a well-read artist type. The Zen Bohemian has a rebel streak running deep inside their soul along with a heavy spirituality. The Dandy Bohemian seeks status, yet lacks proper resources to attain them, and projects an image more than anything else. The scents worn by bohemians are strong, sometimes distractingly so, but distinct. The Bohemian makes use of the garden variety household items most wouldn't consider, yet preps them for a night out. Bohemians are remarkably in touch with the animal kingdom, particularly with respect to keeping outlandish choices for pets. Their romances may be many, mainly because they are fleeting. The longer-term relationships tend to fray at the edges. The bohemian life may not be for everyone, yet that's what marks them as a rare breed. Bohemians such as Jack Kerouac, Norman Mailer, and Frida Kahlo left their impression on the world. A majority of Bohemians are content with just living in the moment and being themselves, judgment be darned.

The life of a bohemian individual is explored with a fine-tooth comb in Bohemian Manifesto. The reader receives an extensive education in the world of bohemians. The authors delve deeper than the fictional portrayal of the carefree individualists seen in \u201cRent.\u201d Each chapter brims with factoids about the habits of bohemians, their creature comforts, their motivations. The book is a mix of biography, encyclopedia and social scientific study. The book captures the reader from the introduction to the quiz at the end which shows what type of bohemian one might be. A fun read about those with a zest for living.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "11-Feb-2020 03:00:23", "publisher": "Echo Point Books and Media", "page_count": "305 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008690031", "title": "Bohemian Manifesto: A Field Guide to Living on the Edge", "author": "Laren Stover and Paul Himmelein, with illustrations by Izak", "category": "F13 Special Interest", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 442, "review": "The lifestyle of being a bohemian is one-of-a-kind. Depending on your personality and thoughts, it may seem like more or less of a burden. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the bohemian lifestyle, or have read the first edition and are interested in learning more in this second edition, then Bohemian Manifesto: A Field Guide to Living on the Edge will answer all of your questions and more. This book contains a plethora of information about everything having to do with the bohemian lifestyle. The authors suspect that there may be more bohemians in the world than we know. They intend to inform the public of nearly every aspect of the bohemian lifestyle and stress that even if your actions don't align like any of the types of bohemians listed if you have the same values and thoughts, then that counts too. The book starts with a nice preface and introduction to the material about to be presented. Bohemian psychology is first defined, followed by their identification, their love of names for things and people. A breakdown of their lifestyle covers a large part of the book, then is followed by lists of must-read literature, depending on the \"type\" of bohemian with which you identify. The sum it up, bohemians live a different lifestyle than others, but their beliefs in the environment and the overall betterment of things is nothing to scoff about.\nNot having much knowledge of the bohemian lifestyle, I found this book to be informative and the authors to be knowledgeable about what they are presenting. The format of the text is easy to read and includes proper headings and titles to avoid confusion. Within the sections of the book there are aspects of this lifestyle that I agree with and others that I disagree, but so goes life. I was surprised by the many things that this group disagrees with, and the ways in which they make their feelings known. I was also surprised by their lack of modesty! It seems to me that when you see someone who is cool with \"letting it all hang loose\" all of the time, there's a good chance that this person would, or should, consider themselves bohemian. I also appreciate their stance on recycling and keeping Mother Earth healthy. Within the various \"types\" of bohemians, it seemed to me that there were some things that contradicted each other. In that respect, the book confuses me, but other than that, what is presented makes sense. I believe that anyone will gain some knowledge from this book, whether you expect to or not, and find some entertainment in it as well.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "11-Feb-2020 02:59:57", "publisher": "Echo Point Books and Media", "page_count": "305 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008690011", "title": "The Opium Lord's Daughter", "author": "Robert Wang", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 419, "review": "The Opium Wars. You\u2019ve likely heard about it in some shape or form, have some vague recollection that it involves China and the British Empire from long ago, and possibly you studied it a little in your class. What you probably didn\u2019t know is that Britain\u2019s evil, nefarious plan is to ensure they would have a continued supply of their precious tea by supplying and then addicting a nation to the devastating opium drug and leaving them with no recourse or chance of escape.

It is the mid-nineteenth century and Lady Su-Mei is our indomitable protagonist: stubborn from a young age, born into a culture and family where it is most important to follow tradition and protocol. From a very young age, she was to be subjected to the horrific but supposedly honorable practice of the agonizing foot-binding, which according to tradition is the only way she will be able to find a noble, rich, and upstanding husband worthy of her stature. But Su-Mei fights tooth and claw at every attempt by her parents and servants to be subjected to this horrible practice. As a punishment, she is sent to a convent to learn English from Pai Chu, who eventually comes to live with this family with the goal of spreading religion to Canton. Su-Mei\u2019s father, Shao Lin, is one of the largest opium dealers in the region and soon runs into some serious trouble, setting Su-Mei on her own series of tumultuous events.

Then there is Higgins, a man born in England who spends little time in his native country, traveling the world and working to ship opium for the British and make exorbitant amounts of money, following in the footsteps of Jardine and Matheson who have proven it is possible to be set for life in this trade and industry. In time, the stories of Higgins and Su-Mei will be brought together and interwoven, as the events\u2014both tragic and adventurous\u2014of the first opium war unfold.

Robert Wang has written a debut novel that tells not just a compelling, enlightening, and riveting story but also a very educational one in the genre of historical fiction. In the style of James Clavell\u2019s Shogun and Ken Follett\u2019s Pillars of the Earth, The Opium Lord\u2019s Daughter balances the ongoing plot with the history and historical details to make a fascinating book that will be a pure delight to any fan of the genre, and especially to those looking to educate themselves about the Opium Wars and enjoy a good story at the same time.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Feb-2020 23:35:30", "publisher": "The Opium Lord's Daughter, LLC.", "page_count": "308 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008689007", "title": "The Opium Lord's Daughter", "author": "Robert Wang", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 399, "review": "The Opium Lord\u2019s Daughter by Robert T. Wang is a gripping tale of corruption, addiction, and conviction in the face of insurmountable odds. Wang\u2019s novel explores the contentious trade relationship between England and China during the Nineteenth Century that lead to the First Opium War. Through personable characters, Wang provides well-rounded insight into the actions and objectives of the two nations. His characters emerge from all walks of life and effortlessly weave into his tale. Although an in-depth historical fiction piece, Wang brings personality and understanding to this complex topic. His incorporation of photographs and drawings in the back of the book bring his chronicle to life. As Wang explains, \u201chistory is more than academic theories\u2014it is the stories of real people affected by events put in motion by other real people.\u201d The novel follows the family of Lady Lee Su-Mei, the daughter of the largest opium trader in China during this time. Through Wang\u2019s retelling we come to know not only Su-Mei and her father but also her brother Da Ping, who becomes addicted to the rampant drug in his struggle to step into the shoes and responsibilities of his father. We also come to know other members of the family\u2019s community, as well as some of the English men associated with the opium trade. These individuals include Su-Mei\u2019s adopted sister Pai Chu and the English sailor Travers Higgins, who both ultimately fall in love with Su-Mei. When the time comes, only one will earn her eternal love and affection. Within each nation, we find supporters and opponents of opium, following England\u2019s delivery of the drug and China\u2019s reliance on the addictive substance. Moreover, within both countries we witness stereotypes and intolerance based on surface interactions, previous experiences, and propaganda circulated in the media. Wang\u2019s descriptions and antidotes bring the narrative to life and capture the complexities of this time. Wang has crafted a spellbinding tale of love, endurance, sorrow, history, and strength. This is ideal for a mature audience given the dense historical analysis and explicit romantic liaisons. Those seeking a captivating, romantic historical novel will find themselves right at home between the pages of Wang\u2019s book. Despite the complexity of the content, readers across the board will be glad they picked up Wang\u2019s latest publication. Robert T. Wang\u2019s The Opium Lord\u2019s Daughter is an exceptional work of fiction that will capture readers from cover to cover.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "10-Feb-2020 18:14:12", "publisher": "The Opium Lord's Daughter, LLC.", "page_count": "308 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008689003", "title": "Bohemian Manifesto: A Field Guide to Living on the Edge", "author": "Laren Stover and Paul Himmelein, with illustrations by Izak", "category": "F13 Special Interest", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 456, "review": "If you consider yourself to be a fearless follower of your own path, pursuing your dreams and ideas with a passion at the expense of standard rules, then Bohemian Manifesto is a must. This is the second edition of this book, the first one now out of print. Although I did not get a chance to read the first one, I'm so glad I was able to get this second edition. The authors break down five types of Bohemians: the Nouveau, Folkloric, Beat, Zen, and Dandy, describing the lifestyle and mindset of each with an eye for detail that is magical and entertaining. There are also glimpses into the past, examining artists, poets, and musicians who defined the bohemian lifestyle and set some strict standards.

Not only is this a well-written book, but it is also both wonderfully and beautifully presented, full of wit and charm, inspiring me to be a little more bohemian in my outlook. It reminded me that there is more to life than consumerism if only we take the time to enjoy the experience of life. Whether that be finding enjoyment in the texture, color, or sensations around us, there are numerous ways to incorporate feeling into life. The Bohemian has taken life to a new level, and we could all benefit from their incredible journey.

My favorite chapter in this book was entitled \"Dust.\" It gave me the freedom to let go and view things from the Bohemian's perspective. Now, I will no longer feel guilty for neglecting to tidy the cobwebs and dust since they may be \"remnants of the stars or powder of the saints\". This pearl of wisdom alone made this book for me. The nine case studies of bohemian types and characters were not only funny and entertaining but often reminded me of people I've known. And the quiz at the end that allows the reader to determine which bohemian category they fall into was a fun addition. I was a mishmash, which was no surprise to me, but I'm not fretting; I'm sure there is a wild Bohemian inside somewhere waiting to escape.

The velvety feel of the hard cover and the delightful illustrations both inside and out make this a book I want to display and share with friends. Frankly, it's the next best thing to fairy dust. I think it's not too far off to say that this book contains a lot of food for the inspired soul. And I'm afraid that it is so good that nothing I could say could really do it justice. So, for those who want to live on the edge, just go and get a copy of this field guide and let the authors shine a light onto a new path.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Feb-2020 15:31:30", "publisher": "Echo Point Books and Media", "page_count": "305 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008686007", "title": "Half: An Novel", "author": "Sharon Harrigan", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 240, "review": "Sharon Harrigan\u2019s novel Half is delivered from two voices that are often difficult to distinguish. Twin sisters Artis and Paula\u2014female equivalents of Greek gods Artemis and Apollo\u2014narrate the story of their childhood with a passionate, and at times violent, father and a mother who couldn\u2019t resist him.

After much time apart the sisters reunite at their father\u2019s funeral. There, they make their way outside to a snowy winter day that returns them, though memory, to all that made them who they are. Once so inseparable that they were able to fool lovers after trading places, the distance between them is as wide as the sky on the day their father is buried. The novel is structured in fragments of memory, beginning when they are five years old. They witness their parents tumultuous ardor alongside their father\u2019s philandering and their mother\u2019s willful ignorance, they grow into young adulthood and sexual maturity alongside one another as symmetrically as they had in the womb. When a rift develops between them, and they turn their back on their father, neither knows when they\u2019ll ever return home.

The funeral that brings Paula and Artis home doesn\u2019t only commemorate the death of their father; it is a return to who they were and the doorway to who they will be now that he is gone. While the novel has some challenging sequences in terms of voice, Half is wildly creative in conception and engaging in execution.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "08-Feb-2020 20:51:51", "publisher": "University of Wisconsin Press", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008685043", "title": "ABCs of Golden Gate Park", "author": "Marta Lindsey", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Karter - Age 8", "word_count": 58, "review": "I really enjoyed this book. The artwork is amazing. I love books that I can share with my little brother and my mom takes it a step further and shares things on the internet with us. We went online and saw the park and we pointed out different things in the pictures. I recommend this book to everyone.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "09-Feb-2020 20:28:23", "publisher": "West Margin Press", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Board Book", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008685039", "title": "Bo the Brave", "author": "Bethan Woollvin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 188, "review": "Bo has been left behind by her two older brothers, who have gone out monster hunting. Bo wants to catch monsters, too, and so sneaks out of Alpine Castle to go in search of a monster of her own. She meets a variety of creatures that she assumes are monsters due to their strange appearances. She meets a griffin, a kraken, and a baby dragon. But they each, in turn, prove to be too helpful, or nice, or caring to be monsters. So they become Bo\u2019s friends instead. They set off together in search of a real monster. Bo eventually finds some monsters, but they aren\u2019t what she expected.

In Bo the Brave, Bethan Woollvin takes readers on a journey with Bo through the Alpine Kingdom to learn that monsters are defined by how they behave and not by how they look. The illustrations include some fun details. The map of the Alpine Kingdom at the beginning illustrates Bo\u2019s assumptions about the types of monsters she will find. The map shows up again at the end of the book, with some hilarious edits that reflect Bo\u2019s newfound friends.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "09-Feb-2020 19:58:12", "publisher": "Peachtree Publishing Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008685019", "title": "Shills Can't Cash Chips", "author": "Erle Stanley Gardner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 194, "review": "Bertha Cool, a business partner in the 1950s Los Angeles detective agency of Cool and Lam Investigators, is trying to move the firm away from Lam\u2019s usual type of case\u2014seat-of-the-pants investigations, harum-scarum dealings with cops and crooks alike, and last-minute escapes\u2014to something more respectable and better paying. An excellent opportunity presents itself when the head of the Claims Department of Consolidated Interinsurance asks the firm to look into an apparently straightforward adjustment claim. Perfect, as far as Bertha is concerned, but nothing the pint-sized, sharp-witted, snappy-talking Donald Lam touches is ever straightforward, and he soon suspects there is more involved than a routine car accident. Lam slowly puts the pieces together, or so he thinks, but not before being bashed on the head, cuffed by the police, and, on the brighter side, encountering more than his fair share of shapely-legged women. The well-paced plot provides plenty of twists, the last of which turns Lam\u2019s theory about the crime on its head. Shills Can\u2019t Cash Chips is a fast, pulsing read, as you would expect from Erle Stanley Gardner (writing under the name of A. A. Fair), the famed author of the Perry Mason books.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "08-Feb-2020 19:21:53", "publisher": "Hard Case Crime", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008684071", "title": "Lone Wolf", "author": "Sarah Kurpiel", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 181, "review": "Lone Wolf is a sweet story about a dog wanting to find her pack. Maple is a Husky but it seems many people think that she is a wolf. Since so many people ask if Maple is a wolf, she begins to wonder if she is one herself. She loves to hunt, play, and go for long walks. So one day Maple decides to explore the forest and find out if she is a wolf. Being a wolf is lonely, will her family be able to hear her howls? When it is getting late Maple is afraid she will miss her daily walk with her family, and then she realizes she is part of a pack and it is the perfect pack for her no matter what anyone else thinks. The dazzling illustrations remind me of my pet dog, and I hope that he believes our family is his pack too! This is a very sweet book and it shows how much pets need to be treated like family because we are not just family to them, we are their pack!", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "09-Feb-2020 21:00:47", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008684067", "title": "The Ocean in Your Bathtub", "author": "Seth Fishman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 198, "review": "The Ocean in Your Bathtub is a kids\u2019 book all about the ocean. It is confusing at first when the book says that the oceans are everywhere because I think they're only in their certain spots. The rest of the book explains how even if you don't live near an ocean, like me, the ocean is around us through the clouds and water cycle. The book then tells what happens to the water after it's in the clouds and how it helps people and plants. You get to learn about animals and really, really small things that are in the ocean water and other facts about the ocean. Last, you learn how throwing things in the ocean and flushing things that don't need to be flushed down the toilet are definitely not good for the ocean or the animals swimming it its water.

I have read other books about the ocean, but this one probably has the brightest colors on its pages and is the most fun to look at. I will do my best now to make sure my trash ends up in the trash can and that I recycle things that don't need to be thrown away.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "09-Feb-2020 20:59:08", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008684063", "title": "Cityscape: Where Science and Art Meet", "author": "April Pulley Sayre", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 190, "review": "This is a very cool book. Cityscape shows how you can find shapes in the world all around us, in houses, buildings, clouds, and even in nature. I like this book and think it is unique because the pictures are real-life photographs of things we see every day. This is a fun picture book that inspires me when building. This book is a perfect example of S.T.E.A.M., Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Each component is essential when building structures, one does not realize the amount of time and planning that was used to create a town, each road, sidewalk, and bridge was all planned for. As pictured, a squirrel must plan to build his home in a way that will not only keep him safe and protected from predators but also protected from the rain and other elements outside. This book is really great to use when using building blocks to help build better structures. In the back of the book, there are many questions listed for one to ponder and think about how buildings are made and how they can adapt and be built better in the future.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "09-Feb-2020 20:56:28", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008684059", "title": "The Only Woman in the Photo: Frances Perkins & Her New Deal for America", "author": "Kathleen Krull", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Andrew - Age 11", "word_count": 221, "review": "Frances Perkins was a shy girl for most of her younger life. She saw bad things happening to the people all around her, which hurt her feelings. So Frances decided that she would do whatever she could to prevent harm from coming to people in the USA.

She moved to New York City and began her quest for justice. Frances delivered food to the poor. She insisted that landlords give tenants a break on their rent. She delivered donations to neighborhoods that were going without. She began speaking publicly about a woman\u2019s right to vote and would talk to anyone who would listen. She insisted that factories could be safer for their employees, which gained the attention of New York\u2019s governor, Franklin D. Roosevelt.\n

When Herbert Hoover lost the presidency to FDR, Frances became the first woman ever to join a presidential cabinet. As one of the most powerful advisors in the nation, she became a key part of Roosevelt\u2019s New Deal \u2013 a fresh start for Americans in need. The title of this book comes from the fact that often, when group pictures were taken with the president, she was the only woman present.

This story is certainly inspiring for girls, but also for anyone who wants to make a difference. I recommend this book for ages eight and up.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "09-Feb-2020 20:39:12", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Children's", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008684055", "title": "This Is How I Grow", "author": "Dia L. Michels", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Every animal has a different period of maturation. Youngsters love learning about animals, and the youngest of readers will especially love learning about newborn animals and how they grow.

This charming book follows eight different animals from around the world from birth to maturity, discussing how and what they eat, how they learn about their environment, and other tidbits about their young lives. Each animal has four pages in which to tell its story (all in the first person), with lyrical language and lots of repetition to keep the youngest of readers engaged. The illustrations are beautiful, soft, and filled with wonderful details.

Older readers are not left out. For kids up to eight or nine years old, there is extensive back matter chock full of more fun information about the animals as well as resources for finding even more information.

Author Dia L. Michels's writing is lovely and will capture young readers and listeners with its musical language. Illustrator Wesley Davies\u2019s sweet paintings show his good research and attention to detail. This is a book that will do a lot of teaching of factual information without ever feeling the least bit didactic. This is a real winner.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2020", "date_added": "09-Feb-2020 20:24:40", "publisher": "Science, Naturally!", "page_count": "52 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008684051", "title": "Asteroid Goldberg: Passover in Outer Space", "author": "Brianna Caplan Sayres", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Andrew - Age 11", "word_count": 159, "review": "Asteroid Goldberg: Passover in Outer Space is a story about a young Jewish girl and her family who live on Pluto. She races toward Earth to prepare for Seder night. Sadly, they are told they cannot land on Earth and they have to do Seder in space. Asteroid is tasked with finding all the elements of the meal throughout space. She travels to the planets and the Big Dipper gathering matzoh balls, horseradish, and guests for her family\u2019s celebration.

If you don\u2019t already know about the Jewish holidays or customs, this book might be pretty confusing to you. There is a short glossary at the back of the book to help with words such as kneidel and haggadah. The illustrations are detailed drawings, which are quite fun and give the book a joyful feel throughout.

I recommend this book for younger children who might be of the Jewish faith or who are interested in learning more about Jewish traditions.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "09-Feb-2020 20:19:27", "publisher": "Intergalactic Afikoman", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008684047", "title": "Escape Goat", "author": "Ann Patchett, with illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 183, "review": "There is a goat who behaves like most goats do. He lives in a pen on a farm. He plays with the chickens and sleeps on a bed of hay. After a while, he grows curious about the world outside of his pen, so he decides to escape. He visits the other farm animals and eats from Mrs. Farmer\u2019s garden. But when Mrs. Farmers petunias are ruined, the children blame the goat. Each day, the goat escapes and each day, the goat is blamed for some mischief that occurs on the farm. Mr. Farmer tries to keep the goat locked in his pen, but the goat always finds a way to escape. Only little Nicolette sees what the others don\u2019t: that the goat may not be the one to blame after all.

Escape Goat does more than give young readers a humorous play on words. Nicolette\u2019s perspective mirrors the reader\u2019s as she figures out what is truly going on and tries to stick up for the goat. Glasser\u2019s bright and detailed watercolors are delightful and fun and add to the richness of the story.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "09-Feb-2020 18:51:28", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008684035", "title": "We Are Power: How Nonviolent Activism Changes the World", "author": "Todd Hasak-Lowy", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 211, "review": "Organized human society has undergone change since its inception. Some changes have been gradual, others abrupt. Some militant, others amicable. One usually thinks of non-violence as being amicable, but this book shows the militant side of non-violence; it shows that it is possible to resist and fight without the use of violence.

The book showcases five historical figures---Mahatma Gandhi, Alice Paul, Martin Luther King Jr., Hugo Ch\u00e1vez, and V\u00e1clav Havel---as well as contemporary activist Greta Thunberg. The book\u2019s objective is not one to chronicle history, but to focus on the strategies these individuals used to get their message heard through non-violent means. The chapter on Gandhi, for example, focuses on his fight in South Africa against the Asiatic Law as well as in India against the Salt Tax. The narrative focuses sharply on the tactics he and his supporters used, the sacrifices they made, and the hardships they endured.

Apart from effective use of militant non-violence, the book encourages readers to find their uncomfortable truth and organize to right the wrong. Greta Thunberg is used as a model of someone who confronted a truth of climate change and decided to do something about it through non-violent means. While the book does advocate militant action to combat injustice, it also promotes non-violence.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2020", "date_added": "08-Feb-2020 20:06:29", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008871003", "title": "Charleston Green", "author": "Stephanie Alexander", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 582, "review": "Charleston Green is a mystery story with a difference, a decidedly paranormal difference at that. Recently divorced artist Tipsy Collins is struggling to get back on her feet following an acrimonious split from appalling ex-husband Ayers, so she jumps at the chance to live rent-free for a few months in a house owned by her former brother-in-law Jimmy. It should be the perfect place to recover from the messy divorce and rediscover her purpose in life. There\u2019s just one problem: the house isn\u2019t exactly unoccupied.

For as long as she can remember, Tipsy has been able to see and talk with the dead. Now, as dead people tend to be rather self-involved and annoying, she\u2019s done her best to ignore them (save for her Granna, whose ghost represents a comforting presence), but there\u2019s no ignoring Jane and Henry Mott, former (and, unknown to everyone except Tipsy, current) occupiers of the house. The Motts died in mysterious circumstances back in 1923; Jane maintains that Henry murdered her and then killed himself, while Henry is certain that he would never do such a thing. Unfortunately, as neither of them can remember the fateful afternoon, they have been trapped together ever since. Helping them uncover the truth might be just the distraction that Tipsy needs\u2026

Charleston Green is a charming story with a mystery at its heart. Tipsy is a wonderful main character. Humorous, kind, and gutsy, she doesn\u2019t realize just how brave and resilient she really is. She\u2019s had a lot to put up with in life (and that\u2019s without being a reluctant psychic) and at the start of the book, she has somewhat lost her way. Ayers is a truly awful guy who thinks nothing of maligning his former wife or of getting others to spy on her. Through Tipsy\u2019s post-marriage situation, the book sheds some surprising light on the divorce process and aftermath in South Carolina. With no alimony available and having given up her art career to raise her family, Tipsy is left in a very precarious situation when she leaves Ayers. She\u2019s grateful to have somewhere to live, even if she does have to share it with a pair of bickering ghosts.

As for the ghosts, their strong personalities have certainly endured beyond death. For all their Southern charm and graceful manners, the late Jane and Henry Mott are both pieces of work, although they are very funny as they snipe at each other. Tipsy becomes obsessed with discovering what really happened to them and, aside from talking to their spirits, this involves having visions of their lives during the 1920s. Of course, being sucked out of time and into visions of the past poses its own problems, and Tipsy\u2019s former in-laws become more convinced than ever that she\u2019s a disgrace and an unfit mother. Luckily, she has her children, some good friends, and even a potential new love interest to help her navigate the situation. Wrapping up the mystery of the Motts\u2019 deaths should help her to rediscover her self-belief and to wrap up a few loose ends in her own life, too.

With Charleston Green, Stephanie Alexander has crafted a delightfully cozy mystery that, despite not being without peril, is a fun and pleasurable read. The baddies are nicely awful, while the goodies are warm, funny, and resourceful. There\u2019s an intriguing puzzle to be solved as well as life lessons to be learned, and it\u2019s very entertaining to follow the escapades of the various characters, both alive and dead.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2020", "date_added": "29-Mar-2020 20:30:22", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc.", "page_count": "362 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": true, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008870003", "title": "After Loss", "author": "Linda Donovan", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 417, "review": "The loss of a spouse/partner is something totally incomprehensible for a person who has not gone through the experience. The advice from another person, no matter how educated or well-meaning, will never be taken entirely to heart because the widow(er) will always think \u201cbut you can\u2019t truly understand.\u201d That is why this book is so good and why it is so very necessary. Linda Donovan, in After Loss, speaks from a place of knowledge. She, too, has felt that deep crushing loss. Her words of advice and comfort will reach those grieving like no one else\u2019s possibly can because she was where they are now and is proof that they can, and will be, in a better place in their own time.

In the introduction, Donovan discusses how she suddenly came to the realization that it was time to begin rebuilding her life after the loss of her husband. After her daughter left for college, she was living alone for the first time in her life. While Donovan sat at the table with her Jack Russell Terrier, Roxy, in the chair across from her, placing her paw on the table when she was ready for another helping of chicken, she knew it was clearly the time to seek human interaction once more. This moment was the catalyst for writing this book.

Before Donovan begins the work of the book, she tells the reader early in her introduction to read the index to her book\u2014 first if their loss has been recent\u2014because there are specific strategies that she found necessary for getting through that first year. Then, Donovan begins with a chapter called \u201cWorking through the Tasks of Grief,\u201d which gives the reader some tools, like journaling or mood diaries for self-care, which can help them deal with emotional issues that are unresolved. She then moves into chapters that deal with strategies for moving forward and taking control of finances, decluttering, and travel, eventually even tackling the possibility of pursuing a new romantic relationship in time.

Though it is laid out like a \u2018how-to\u2019 for grieving, it reads like a letter from a good friend. Imagine sitting in a coffee shop with someone you trust, because you know that they have been through exactly what you are going through now. Donovan may not be able to immediately take that terrible pain away, because that isn\u2019t possible, but she can sit with you, give you some solid advice, and help you see that you have a positive future ahead.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "29-Mar-2020 18:38:12", "publisher": "AuthorHouse", "page_count": "156 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008868003", "title": "The Beasts of Success", "author": "Jasun Ether", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 401, "review": "Despite being competent employees, Dale, Tim, and Jeremy feel they\u2019re not advancing in their careers because their colleagues are better at office politics, better at buttering up to the boss. Rather than remain frustrated failures, they decide the path to success is to make and apply their own rules: sneaky, dirty, illegal ones.

Dale\u2019s pronouncement that \u201cit\u2019s only unethical if you apply a scheme to acquire a promotion that you didn\u2019t deserve,\u201d is justification enough, and results are swift and satisfying, though devastating for their victims.

But is their plan one of their own making or is it part of the spidery web spun by the Masters, an evil, all-powerful, all-controlling subterranean species that uses a psychopath to kill humans to harvest their fear?

The premise of The Beasts of Success is intriguing, but the execution of it is not only disappointing but disturbing.

The schemes the young men devise to gain advancement in their careers by sabotaging their colleagues are ludicrous, contrived, and in reality could be challenged and refuted by any rational person. Of course, for the sake of advancing plot, no one in Jasun Ether\u2019s novel is rational, including the perpetrators, victims, and accusers.

Alternate chapters that don\u2019t involve convoluted schemes, which usually include deviant sexual behavior and human excrement and are so speculative as to be impossible, are given over to individual character portrayals. These quickly digress into mean-spirited diatribes about Chinese restaurants, obese children, waitresses, hipsters(?), seniors, and telecommunicators.

With their whiney sense of superiority and their cynical attitudes and opinions, it\u2019s hard to imagine three more unsympathetic protagonists.

Despite author Jasun Ether\u2019s writing being grammatically precise, the dialogue is unnatural and frequently could be described as lecturing. There is little character development except to portray everyone no matter who they are as vulgar, crude, and anti-social.

Long pseudo-philosophic passages, longer still byzantine details of plots to vanquish opponents, and gruesome details about murders make page-skipping inevitable in an attempt to find something that advances the plot.

The introduction of The Masters takes the novel down another notch while affording the author the opportunity to expound more political ideology. This new element shifts the focus and further undermines the story\u2019s credibility. Ether would have been better off sticking with the promising premise and letting the consequences of his characters immoral and unethical actions play out.

This novel emanates violence and anger, though not convincingly conveyed by the characters, but as a vehicle for the author.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Mar-2020 03:25:10", "publisher": "", "page_count": "440 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008867003", "title": "God*s Will", "author": "Matthew John Echan", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 493, "review": "Young and rebellious fourteen-year-old Sam Snyder packs some of his belongings to go see a godfather he\u2019s never met in Missouri. His mom says it\u2019ll just be the two of them traveling on this excursion, but she doesn\u2019t reveal that she\u2019s driving back alone. When they arrive at Mount Zion Baptist Boarding Academy, he is furious with his mom for deceiving him, and he\u2019s determined to find a way out. So what if he got kicked out of Calvary Baptist for telling the principal he had no desire to be a Christian? How did that, as well as stealing and viewing pornography, make him deserve such a cruel fate? Mount Zion is full of religious zealots trying to preach God\u2019s ways to a bunch of unsaved and troubled souls through endless fire-and-brimstone sermons, hours of forced labor, and arguably dictatorship-like control. Sam befriends some those walking his same path, but he quickly learns to trust no one. It\u2019s every man for himself in this land of survival. After nine seemingly endless months, Brother Bruce, the lead instructor of the house, announces Sam and his sister who joined him weeks earlier will be leaving on a flight back home the following day. Though Sam\u2019s ecstatic to be back in California, a free man, his mind somehow remains at Mount Zion. When he learns a friend has been killed trying to escape the grounds, he vows to uncover what really happened and have the place shut down at last.

Tweens and teens living through adversity will likely be impacted the most by this story. While it may appeal to the mainstream population some, those who have endured similar circumstances to Sam\u2019s will find greater relatability in it. Although there are girls housed in a separate dormitory at Mount Zion, their presence in the story is minimal and is discussed through the eyes of the boys, often related to their physical attraction to them. In light of this, boys may be more drawn to God*s Will. In addition, a plethora of fights take place in the text and are described in full detail. Some vulgar language is used and an act of animal cruelty is portrayed, though in no way is it condoned.

The author is a board-certified behavior analyst and education consultant for emotionally disturbed children and individuals with disabilities. His familiarity with these populations adds an important element of truth and believability to his story. He is gifted in using amusing analogies and hilarious descriptions to shed light on the characters. There are times throughout when the story lingers on unnecessarily, however, the author does a masterful job of tying up the loose ends while injecting some unexpected twists and turns to help keep the reader engaged. The ambiguity at the very end is somehow welcoming, as it is analogous to God\u2019s will in real life. Though one may lack complete understanding of God\u2019s will, some acceptance of it is often necessary for peace to prevail.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "26-Mar-2020 21:44:54", "publisher": "Quoir", "page_count": "366 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008865011", "title": "Healing and Transformation: Moving from the Ordinary to the Extraordinary", "author": "Eric Alsterberg", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 412, "review": "Healing and Transformation: Moving from the Ordinary to the Extraordinary is all about getting back to a more spiritual way of life in order to find the highest version of you. The author sets out three actions that are needed to accomplish this: unconditional love, complete forgiveness, and total non-judgment. By conquering your ego, you can free yourself from fear and worry, thereby opening yourself up to love and acceptance. And with forgiveness, you will be able to live more in the present moment and not be guided by hurt or emotional difficulties of the past. By going inside yourself to look for balance and peace of mind, you will become more aware of your inner wisdom and eventually be able to incorporate more joy in your life and thereby create your heaven on earth.

Several things resonated with me in this book. The focus on finding the true you that allows for more joy and fulfillment in life was one, and also the fact that, if we are willing to make an effort, we can overcome our ego and transform our experiences. But, as a person who is not particularly religious, the focus on Jesus and the author's view that the ultimate means for attaining the higher you is to walk in his path, and therefore acknowledge he is the one true path to God, did not necessarily resonate with me. There were, however, some things I found interesting. For example, the idea that we are spiritual beings in a human form and the idea that we could all benefit from seeing the divine within, which we ideally use to create a more fulfilled life, is something everyone could benefit from, religious or not.

I think I was expecting a few more examples and concrete exercises and ways in which the author could guide one to achieve the steps he sets out. I enjoyed hearing about some of his experiences in counseling others, as well as his visualization techniques presented on page 187. I found the chapter entitled \"The Gifts of Spirit\" interesting. It seems to me that being more intuitive is a gift I would like to develop and become more aware of. And while at times I thought the work was slightly repetitive, I did think it was well written and presented. Overall, I think this is a book best suited to those interested in New Thought Christianity and those who want to learn more about awakening the spiritual divine within.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Mar-2020 18:15:22", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008865007", "title": "Healing and Transformation: Moving from the Ordinary to the Extraordinary", "author": "Eric Alsterberg", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 409, "review": "The first thing anyone should know about this book is that it is about New Thought Christianity. I dove into it just about blindly, thinking I had read the description enough to know what I was getting into, but I found myself at times blindsided by some of the concepts presented. (In fact, the phrase \u201cNew Thought Christianity\u201d does not appear until page seventy-one.) Those who already share Dr. Alsterberg\u2019s beliefs will likely find a great deal worth their time in this book. Those like me who are rather more unfamiliar with it will encounter a mixed bag at best.

In this book, I found many interesting arguments about how, as the title says, people can heal and transform their lives. While I didn\u2019t agree with all of what he said, for the most part, I found myself wanting to use those disagreements to start a discussion rather than refute him outright. Overall, I agreed that people do need healing, and that healing comes from hard, internal work.

Then, on page seventy-six, the book took a sharp left turn with the mention of a Pleiadian fleet waiting to prevent us from using our psychic and spiritual powers to destroy the Earth, the way inhabitants of Maldek destroyed their planet, turning it into the asteroid belt.

That left turn set the tone for the rest of my experience. I alternated between mentioning sections to my friends that I thought would provoke interesting discussions and reading wide-eyed about things I had never heard of and had no prior knowledge of, presented as though I should already be familiar with, say, the Photon Belt or the Indigo Blue Ray. I reread information that had appeared in previous chapters, unnecessarily rephrased. I took note of idiosyncratic hyphenation and misattributed quotes (the notion that those who take up the sword will die by it comes from the New Testament, not the Old). On the whole, I found myself uncertain what to make of the book.

It\u2019s unclear to me who exactly the intended audience for this book is. On the one hand, some passages seem presented as introductions to Dr. Alsterberg\u2019s ideas. On the other, much of the information is baffling to those without certain prior knowledge. I finished the book uncertain whom to recommend it to, or even whether to recommend it at all. In short, if this book intrigues you, feel free to pick it up. Otherwise, I would advise that you spend your time elsewhere.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Mar-2020 18:15:07", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008865003", "title": "Healing and Transformation: Moving from the Ordinary to the Extraordinary", "author": "Eric Alsterberg", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 408, "review": "Healing and Transformation was an eye-opening read into the word of self-awareness. In this book, the author addresses many topics around the idea of becoming one's best self through self-awareness. Stories of each topic are threaded throughout the book which makes it easy to apply to your life or the lives around you. Reconnecting to yourself is the main topic in the book and the author helps give ways to find internal guidance when you are trying to make the right decisions in life. He calls it \"True You.\"

The author teaches the reader to see what is beyond the physical world we live in. The True Self operates with unconditional love, compassion, and forgiveness, which we all know are not the top priorities of most people today. The author teaches us about what the ego is and how having a healthy ego can actually protect us from danger but can also create patterns of fear and anxiety. In extreme cases when the ego takes over a person, anger becomes a product of this fear and can manifest in ways that can affect not only the single person but also all of the people around him or her. One example the author uses is the Nazis and their hatred of the Jews. The egos were so unhealthy and fearful that they attempted to annihilate a whole group of people. This is why it is important to create a healthy ego within ourselves. Some of the methods the author uses for healing are meditation and prayer. Affirmations in the form of prayer allow a person to connect to everything around them, both physically and emotionally. There is much power in thought. He also encourages meditative practices to break down habits of destruction and to let go of limiting beliefs.

What I appreciated about this book was the way the topics were organized into their chapters. With chapters on masculinity, femininity, relationships, and parenting, the author gives real-life examples and gives suggestions as to how to find yourself within your own identity. He addresses both emotional and physical healing in scientific and spiritual terms.

The one thing I would change about this book is to take out some of the parts that seemed repetitive. I think the author would able to convey his message quite easily in fewer words. Overall, I felt this book would be a great read for someone who is looking to better themselves spiritually and emotionally.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Mar-2020 18:14:55", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": true, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008863003", "title": "The Omicron Six", "author": "Endy Wright", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ralph Peterson", "word_count": 374, "review": "Omicron Six by Endy Wright is a very readable book.

In the beginning, two young men become friends. One is strong physically, immeasurably so, and silent. The other is wiry, quick-witted, and brilliant but crippled both physically and emotionally. The development of their friendship, their growing reliance on each other to fill in the gaps of their personalities, their joy and delight as they overcome their seemingly insurmountable deficiencies, and their just genuine friendship are a delight to read. This part of the book concerns friendship as it used to be known. The inclusion of a functional, loving family as a framework for healing is also a refreshing change. Part two introduces an increasingly complex set of characters. There is a doctor, the creator of the genetic wunderkinds, and the question becomes whether he is a Frankenstein or not. That question kind of hangs in the air throughout the book. The genetic results of his tamperings are so good, the only antagonist powerful enough to challenge them is one of their own gone rogue.

The dialogue used in the book, extensively, is good; it is how the characters are developed. You spend a lot of time reading the characters' speech. Not all reactions are given to you from the outside. The action is a little slow in the first half, but it is needed to build up a sympathetic view of the two main characters.

The book also builds the heroes by increasing the difficulty of the adversaries the heroes have to face and defeat. From bullies to abusive adults, and from uncaring caregivers to uncaring institutions, Coupe and Cooper triumph by acting together and helping each other. This is a positive story about the importance of friendship and loyalty. Only late in the book are the powers of the other four genetically altered beings really introduced.

The plotline is a little pat. The use of religious bigots is a bit too convenient\u2014no one cares what happens to them because they are religious bigots\u2014and a little overdone. The ultimate antagonist is unpredictable, which is a plus.

I enjoyed the book. It is obviously going to be the first part of a series. It will be interesting to see how the author creates bigger obstacles for his people to overcome.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "26-Mar-2020 15:02:51", "publisher": "independent", "page_count": "338 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008862003", "title": "Healing and Transformation: Moving from the Ordinary to the Extraordinary", "author": "Eric Alsterberg", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Stacia Levy", "word_count": 331, "review": "This book is in the genre of contemporary spirituality, its major themes of healing and finding the true self. We are living in a unique time, according to the author, a time of increased consciousness, on the verge of a Golden Age. The book, at times, moves into mysticism with topics such as reincarnation and astrology. It also incorporates science fiction, with passages on unknown dimensions and different kinds of human beings. (Those born before 1975 enter the world and function in fundamentally different ways from those born later.) However, there are more predictable passages on finding balance, the power of prayer and meditation, and the effects of gender roles. The book draws from source material as diverse as Jung, the Bible, the Kabala, Native American spirituality, and Freud. The sources are blended in an interesting combination of traditional teachings and new-age spirituality. Healing is dealt with in terms of visualizing peace, meditation, seeking balance, forgiving, and connecting with one\u2019s true self as well as with higher spiritual beings.

The book does take risks with heady topics, such as where the human race really came from, where it is headed, and our ability to control our destiny. However, it sometimes lapses into stereotypes and overgeneralizations, such as what \u201call men\u201d and \u201call women\u201d want and do. There are some specific examples and case studies of healing and transformation. However, the text relies more on description of spirituality from various cultures and perspectives. The topics are interesting and synthesized well. Addressed are such themes as healing romantic relationships, parent-child relationships, and responsibility of adults for all children in their communities. Some of the advice on slowing down, listening to one\u2019s instincts, and communicating clearly are perennially good suggestions. The chapters tend to be overly-long with some repetition, covering many topics and would benefit from better transitions and subheadings. It is clear, however, the author is well-versed on many topics related to religion and spirituality across cultures, and this proves an interesting read.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Mar-2020 20:04:23", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008861003", "title": "How the Deer Moon Hungers", "author": "Susan Wingate", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 404, "review": "It only takes one moment for a life to change irrevocably. MacKenzie Fraser learns this when, as a teen, she sees her little sister Tessa killed by a drunk driver. Charged with neglecting her sister to get high and slammed with a charge of selling drugs to a minor, she\u2019s sent to juvenile detention, doomed to be shut away from her home and family for a year and a half.

The book isn\u2019t just a straightforward tale of crime and punishment, however. It captures the mood not only of Mac but also of the community, beginning with multiple points of view and jumping about in time before narrowing on Mac alone and proceeding in a more linear fashion. The confusion and sharp transitions create a powerful atmosphere, capturing Mac\u2019s shock and grief. As the story goes on and grows darker, it narrows, closing in around Mac like the walls of her cell.

That said, there are moments where the story suddenly bursts out in strange, dreamlike chapters that provide a sharp insight into Mac\u2019s mind. Most of the time, these are marked by a note in the chapter title, letting the reader know that what they\u2019re getting into isn\u2019t a sharp break from reality so much as magical realism. The sudden insertion of a different genre is a bold choice, and I would love to see more teen novels taking chances like this.

The bold choice fits in with a similarly bold story. While YA books have always dealt with heavy subject matter, they don\u2019t always deal with so much all at once. Death, guilt, and grief, on top of incarceration and sexual assault, provide for a novel that starts out strong and doesn\u2019t let up. The author deals with these subjects in a straightforward but respectful way, never making light of them but also never going so far as to use them for cheap drama or shock. Every painful episode was earned and felt necessary to the story. My one wish is that the magical realism chapters had uniformly felt as necessary. While most fit in beautifully and one outright blew me away, others fell flat, and at least one I found myself thinking was simply pointless.

On the whole, though, this book is well worth reading. It shook me to my core, and while some readers will want to proceed with caution, I would strongly recommend this book to people in their late teens and upward.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "24-Mar-2020 19:56:51", "publisher": "Roberts Press", "page_count": "360 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008860003", "title": "The Elements of a Home", "author": "Amy Azzarito", "category": "N10 Home & Garden", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Look around your house and you will see things people take for granted \u2014 stacking chairs, a simple vase, playing cards, a spoon, tile, a dollhouse, wallpaper, and so much more. Our homes are full of items that seem mundane, but many of them have interesting histories. Dollhouses have been around since the mid-1500s, but they didn\u2019t start out as children\u2019s toys, but for an art-loving duke, and later became a teaching tool before ever becoming a toy. And the lowly napkin started out in a most surprising way, not made of either paper or cloth. Even plates were originally made from something today\u2019s diners would never expect. This fun book has the histories of over sixty everyday objects. Author Amy Azzarito has really done her homework and has packed all kinds of fascinating facts and anecdotes into a neat little compendium complemented by nice illustrations and sidebars with even more fun facts. This is a great book to keep on the bedside table for quick, relaxing reads or to take on a car trip for reading aloud. The writing is lively and the subject matter both entertaining and captivating. This is a real winner.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "23-Mar-2020 18:06:14", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008859003", "title": "Rover Throws a Party: Inspired by NASA's Curiosity on Mars", "author": "Kristin L. Gray, with illustrations by Scott Magoon", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 215, "review": "This book is out-of-this-world spectacular! What a great way to take a real story and put a fictional twist on it.

I loved the illustrations in this book. They really gave a feel for Mars being dusty and gritty. The illustrations also gave great depictions of the environment of Mars, from dust devils to dust storms to craters.

I liked the words used about things that Curiosity did on Mars like traveling through craters, scooping up dirt and baking it, firing with its lasers, and taking self-portraits. I love how it was like a journal entry of counting down until its birthday party, but also explaining some of the things he is doing on Mars. The backmatter was very well done. It was great to go from the fictional story to see the real pictures and descriptions of Mars and Curiosity. I would recommend this book for four-to-eight-year-old kids that loves space or science in general. There are so many wonderful descriptions and great information in this book. My six-year-old was engaged the entire time and my three-year-old stayed seated but was in and out of focus.

My kid\u2019s favorite parts:

My three-year-old and six-year-old wanted to see the dust devil page a second time. They thought it was cool that Mars has weather like we do on earth.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "19-Mar-2020 00:15:02", "publisher": "Knopf Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008858007", "title": "To the Moon and Back for You", "author": "Emilia Bechrakis Serhant", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 213, "review": "To the Moon and Back for You is a beautiful representation of what mothers go through to have their children. Through poetic language, this book explains to a young child the trials of infertility. It shows concepts about the long and hard journey in a way that a child can understand.

The writing is very sparse, but the text is meaningful. It hits all the right notes on what being a mother is from the trial of getting there to the joy of becoming a mother. It also explains to the child that the mother would do anything to be with them. I know most mothers absolutely feel this way.

The illustrations are exquisite. I love the beautiful colors and details used on each page. It really shows the journey it takes to become a mother. I teared up reading this book because I lost two children to miscarriage and for a little while wondered if I would ever get to hold and meet my children that I now have.

My kids loved this book. My three-year-old daughter loved the mother and baby at the end and my six-year-old son loved the adventure. I\u2019d recommend this book for ages three to six and for anyone who has gone through a journey to motherhood.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "19-Mar-2020 00:12:58", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5/5"} {"id": "425035000008858003", "title": "Ship of Fates", "author": "Caitlin Chung", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 210, "review": "Ship of Fates is a coming-of-age tale that takes you into a Chinese immigrant community in the time of the Gold Rush. Two young women are forever changed through a series of events that are woven around an enchanting tale of a lighthouse keeper and a curse. The story comes to life throughout generations as the tale of thievery and gold perfectly aligns with the setting of the Gold Rush and the search for a new life. First, you\u2019ll meet Annie, who came to America not knowing what to expect then she meets the charming Jack and everything changes. Then the story weaves in the journey of Juniper, who is thrown directly into the middle of the curse and finds herself in an unexpected place.

Caitlin Chung delivers a stunning read that is a literary treat, with lovely descriptions, and an intricate fairytale that brings the historical setting to life. The stories of these characters interconnect and unfold across generations. The writing is full of beautiful descriptions and metaphors which bring each of these journeys together. This lovely debut will appeal to those who enjoy historical reads, the Gold Rush, fairytales, and coming-of-age journeys. Ship of Fates is the journey of two girls who set out to discover more than gold.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Mar-2020 19:56:57", "publisher": "Lanternfish Press", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008857003", "title": "21 Immortals: Inspector Mislan and the Yee Sang Murders", "author": "Rozlan Mohd Noor", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 206, "review": "Inspector Mislan Latif of Kuala Lumpur Major Crimes is called to the most bizarre crime scene he\u2019s ever seen: three bodies (husband, wife, son) sitting at dinner, formally dressed in their Sunday best, Mona Lisa smiles fixed on their vacant faces, yee sang, an expensive New Year specialty, nicely arranged on their plates. The victims were gassed, but Mislan has no idea how or where. The dead adult male is Robert Tham, owner of a famous designer clothes company. In 1995, Tham, it is widely believed, snitched on the 21 Immortals, a notorious triad, and has never been forgiven. When former triad members like Fatty Mah and Four Finger Loo show up, they become obvious suspects. Meanwhile, Mislan makes progress in discovering how and where the crime was committed, but every lead he unearths seems to dead-end. To make matters worse, internal politics in the police department pressure Mislan to close the case quickly or else lose the investigation to a hated rival, and time is running out. Written in the present tense, this police procedural\u2019s opening promises much with its intriguing tableau of death, but the search for clues is a steady trot rather than a fast sprint, and the conclusion will leave readers hanging.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "18-Mar-2020 19:54:40", "publisher": "Skyhorse Publishing", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008856003", "title": "Unconquerable Sun", "author": "Kate Elliott", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahtega - Age 16", "word_count": 185, "review": "A fast-paced, action-filled, science fiction about a proud princess and a universe full of political intrigue and cutthroat espionage. Unconquerable Sun centers around Princess Sun of the Chaonian Empire. She is the daughter of a young, successful queen-marshal, and is working to get out from under her mother\u2019s shadow. At the same time, the nobles scheme to remove Sun as heir.

The plot was very interesting and was very realistic even though the story is set in a time where space travel is routine. All of the characters were well developed and contributed well to the book. My favorite character was Zizou. The dialogue between the characters was good and helped to familiarize the reader with the personality of the characters.

Due to the length of the book, the advanced vocabulary, and relatively mature language, this book would be best for older readers. I would definitely recommend this book to other readers, especially if they like science fiction. This book is a great read for science fiction fans who want to take a dive into the fast and furious life of the unconquerable Princess Sun.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Mar-2020 19:42:23", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "528 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008855003", "title": "The Sleepover", "author": "Samantha King", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahtega - Age 16", "word_count": 223, "review": "A spine-tingling, electrifying story about a boy\u2019s sudden and mysterious disappearance and the impact it has on the mother. Isobel, the mother, is very protective of Nick, and after he was beaten by bullies and hospitalized from the injuries she moves him into a new school. At this school, Nick joins a book club where he meets Samir, Adrian, and Jason. They become his closest friends, but after he is invited to a sleepover at Adrian\u2019s and is nowhere to be found in the morning, everyone is panicked and agitated. With many twists and turns and dead-ends, this book takes its readers, on the frantic journey of the mother as she searches for her son and the person behind his disappearance.

From the beginning, we knew that Isobel was a caring and protective mother, but throughout the story, we are assured again and again through the thorough characterization. Through her lack of sleep and constant state of angst, the reader is able to see just how deep Isobel\u2019s care is for her son, and how grave the effects of his disappearance are. I eagerly recommend this book to anyone aged thirteen and up who loves suspenseful novels. This book has you on the edge of your seat throughout. This was a great and well-written story, but it may be too intense for some readers.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Mar-2020 19:33:52", "publisher": "Pinnacle", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008854003", "title": "The Doctor of Aleppo: A Novel", "author": "Dan Mayland", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 255, "review": "Syria\u2019s civil war may best be chronicled as a novel. Not simply because the atrocities beggar belief and gain nothing from their nightly graphic screen images on television, but because fiction ultimately delivers facts more intimately. Predictably the names, as the saying goes, may be changed to protect the innocent. But in The Doctor of Aleppo there are no innocents. In 2011, a surgeon must cope with an unceasing stream of hideous war wounds, becoming a hero to his patients and his family. His heroism is matched by Hannah, a young American woman working in Aleppo for an environmental company. Syria is already drawing international censure.

ISIS enters the fray, another front to contend with, and slaughter multiplies and bloodies the pages. Hannah suffers terror and violence, and her Swedish boyfriend is gone. She becomes nanny to the newly widowed doctor\u2019s children, hiding and comforting them while their home, the hospital, and whole districts are bombed. As the years pass and worsen, the chapters integrate two paths. One addresses grisly details of the doctor\u2019s surgery and the lasting enmity caused when a young patient, the son of a military officer, dies. The second involves metaphorical and physical roadblocks to halt attempts as the doctor, Hannah, and the children\u2019s struggle to escape by crossing the border into Turkey.

Perhaps, as the story of the war is sadly familiar, Dan Mayland\u2019s time span could have been reduced without diminishing the impact. The pace is swift and intense, with knowledge of Aleppo\u2019s geography complementing the significant human interaction.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "18-Mar-2020 19:25:45", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "450 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008851003", "title": "The Accidental Hero of the City of Brotherly Love", "author": "Richard J. O'Brien", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 68, "review": "\"When two lives merge to change the reality of what could have been into what now is, those two lives are transformed forever. In The Accidental Hero of the City of Brotherly Love, O\u2019Brien takes readers on a journey of twists and turns, exploring the everyday moments of an aspiring writer\u2019s life, unveiling countless sensual experiences and unforeseen adversities along the way.\" \u2014 Jennifer Padgett, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Mar-2020 10:32:40", "publisher": "Between the Lines Publishing", "page_count": "220 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": true, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008850003", "title": "Root and Branch", "author": "Preston Fleming", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 449, "review": "Roger Zorn is the head of a defense contractor currently working with the United States Government. He is a passenger on a military plane flying to a secure site, when a cargo drop alarms his senses. He aids in the deployment of the cargo, giving a nudge to the now plummeting refuse. His cause for alarm is twofold: They\u2019re throwing bodies out the back, and one was most recently last seen alive before boarding the plane. Events in the preceding months have led up to this shocking denouement. The United States has been the victim of terrorism, attacks that hit the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast. The weapon used to inflict most of the damage was an electromagnetic pulse weapon. The infrastructure of the country has been wounded, casualties high. The armed uprising, or intifada, by militant Islamists has begun.

The US Government wants revenge; the current administration is beset by infighting. What is the best way to handle incarcerated terrorists but also potential terrorists? Where do civil liberties and rights fit in with respect to fighting this new war? Roger Zorn\u2019s firm seeks a contract to aid in the War on Terror. Zorn\u2019s company possesses a test that identifies high-level/risk suspects worthy of detainment. Zorn\u2019s name carries gravitas but also some baggage: his father ran the firm but also had unsavory connections. The anti-terror hawks look to crush the intifada, along with radical elements within the United States. Margaret Slattery is an attorney in the Office of White House Counsel. She is engaged in a foundering effort to have reason brought into the actions taken by the president and his men. She is skeptical of Zorn and his company.

As the fighting continues in major cities, men and women are being seized off the streets. Connections to terrorist groups and/or radical left groups serve as evidence of intent to harm the country. Standing up to the new order merits pushback that could ruin your life. As Zorn\u2019s company\u2019s product becomes the standard for intelligence gathering, Zorn recognizes the cons if it is placed in the wrong hands. Men and women in power with bad intent will run roughshod over civil rights. Will he do the right thing, or will he risk losing his own humanity?

Root and Branch is a powerful book evoking memories of the dark days of post-9/11. The author does a masterful job of conjuring the various feelings of people in the wake of terrorist attacks. The inertia of a crippled government is portrayed deftly, the squabbling among men and women lobbying the president vivid and realistic. Author Preston Fleming tackles a well-trod subject and does well in the process. A book to be read and deeply pondered.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "14-Mar-2020 20:57:52", "publisher": "PF Publishing", "page_count": "369 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008849011", "title": "Eddie's Choice (True-to-Life from Hamilton High)", "author": "Marilyn Reynolds", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 501, "review": "Eddie Barajas is going into his senior year at Hamilton High School. He and his two best friends, Cameron and Brent, spend a lot of time together and have been friends for years. Eddie\u2019s family is a solid home base for him. His older brother, Mario, has already moved out but their mother, Max, is very present in Eddie\u2019s life. Her significant other, William, an African-American man, and his daughter, Imani, moved in when Eddie was in ninth grade. William is a really good guy, although Imani is a bit of a pest. Eddie works for William's house painting business and plans to do that full time after high school. He likes the work and feels like it will be a good career for him. Even though he\u2019s had a deformed right hand since birth, it doesn\u2019t get in his way. His teachers and friends tell him he has too much potential to make house painting his life\u2019s work, but Eddie is unshakable in his belief that satisfying, physical work is what he wants for himself. Even college-bound Rosie, a girl he's getting to know and falling in love with, cannot deter him in his decision.

When Eddie arrives one morning, some terrible racist graffiti is on a wall. Eddie grabs black spray paint from his car and obliterates it before the custodian arrives. Eddie\u2019s action has enraged the people who defaced the wall, a group called the P8riots, and Eddie has a target on his back. The bullying begins online with awful messages about his heritage and his deformed hand, but it doesn\u2019t take long to escalate. One night, Eddie is badly beaten and, when William comes looking for him and finds him shortly before police arrive, William is nearly beaten and arrested until Eddie can speak enough to explain he is his father. Eddie doesn't see who beat him, but he recognizes one voice. Will he rat the person out? It\u2019s a big choice for him to make.

This is a complex novel with a good deal going on. The characters are largely believable in their actions and ways of speaking. The issues they face are realistic and very contemporary. Today\u2019s high school readers will understand and engage with these characters and their problems. The writing, for the most part, is strong and will pull the readers in and keep them turning pages. That said, there is some serious overwriting that slooooows the story down and could be excised making this a stronger book. For instance, it\u2019s enough to know the family is having salad without needing a list of ingredients. It\u2019s fine to know that the principal drove away without knowing the four or five steps he took to get going or that the three boys had lunch together without a list of every item in their lunch bags. There are many instances of this kind of overwriting that should be cut. Fortunately, the story is truly compelling and will keep most readers engaged enough to complete this good story.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "14-Mar-2020 02:07:57", "publisher": "New Wind Publishing", "page_count": "268 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008849007", "title": "Eddie's Choice (True-to-Life from Hamilton High)", "author": "Marilyn Reynolds", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 501, "review": "Eddie Barajas is going into his senior year at Hamilton High School. He and his two best friends, Cameron and Brent, spend a lot of time together and have been friends for years. Eddie\u2019s family is a solid home base for him. His older brother, Mario, has already moved out but their mother, Max, is very present in Eddie\u2019s life. Her significant other, William, an African-American man, and his daughter, Imani, moved in when Eddie was in ninth grade. William is a really good guy, although Imani is a bit of a pest. Eddie works for William's house painting business and plans to do that full time after high school. He likes the work and feels like it will be a good career for him. Even though he\u2019s had a deformed right hand since birth, it doesn\u2019t get in his way. His teachers and friends tell him he has too much potential to make house painting his life\u2019s work, but Eddie is unshakable in his belief that satisfying, physical work is what he wants for himself. Even college-bound Rosie, a girl he's getting to know and falling in love with, cannot deter him in his decision.

When Eddie arrives one morning, some terrible racist graffiti is on a wall. Eddie grabs black spray paint from his car and obliterates it before the custodian arrives. Eddie\u2019s action has enraged the people who defaced the wall, a group called the P8riots, and Eddie has a target on his back. The bullying begins online with awful messages about his heritage and his deformed hand, but it doesn\u2019t take long to escalate. One night, Eddie is badly beaten and, when William comes looking for him and finds him shortly before police arrive, William is nearly beaten and arrested until Eddie can speak enough to explain he is his father. Eddie doesn't see who beat him, but he recognizes one voice. Will he rat the person out? It\u2019s a big choice for him to make.

This is a complex novel with a good deal going on. The characters are largely believable in their actions and ways of speaking. The issues they face are realistic and very contemporary. Today\u2019s high school readers will understand and engage with these characters and their problems. The writing, for the most part, is strong and will pull the readers in and keep them turning pages. That said, there is some serious overwriting that slooooows the story down and could be excised making this a stronger book. For instance, it\u2019s enough to know the family is having salad without needing a list of ingredients. It\u2019s fine to know that the principal drove away without knowing the four or five steps he took to get going or that the three boys had lunch together without a list of every item in their lunch bags. There are many instances of this kind of overwriting that should be cut. Fortunately, the story is truly compelling and will keep most readers engaged enough to complete this good story.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "14-Mar-2020 02:07:37", "publisher": "New Wind Publishing", "page_count": "268 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008849003", "title": "Eddie's Choice (True-to-Life from Hamilton High)", "author": "Marilyn Reynolds", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 501, "review": "Eddie Barajas is going into his senior year at Hamilton High School. He and his two best friends, Cameron and Brent, spend a lot of time together and have been friends for years. Eddie\u2019s family is a solid home base for him. His older brother, Mario, has already moved out but their mother, Max, is very present in Eddie\u2019s life. Her significant other, William, an African-American man, and his daughter, Imani, moved in when Eddie was in ninth grade. William is a really good guy, although Imani is a bit of a pest. Eddie works for William's house painting business and plans to do that full time after high school. He likes the work and feels like it will be a good career for him. Even though he\u2019s had a deformed right hand since birth, it doesn\u2019t get in his way. His teachers and friends tell him he has too much potential to make house painting his life\u2019s work, but Eddie is unshakable in his belief that satisfying, physical work is what he wants for himself. Even college-bound Rosie, a girl he's getting to know and falling in love with, cannot deter him in his decision.

When Eddie arrives one morning, some terrible racist graffiti is on a wall. Eddie grabs black spray paint from his car and obliterates it before the custodian arrives. Eddie\u2019s action has enraged the people who defaced the wall, a group called the P8riots, and Eddie has a target on his back. The bullying begins online with awful messages about his heritage and his deformed hand, but it doesn\u2019t take long to escalate. One night, Eddie is badly beaten and, when William comes looking for him and finds him shortly before police arrive, William is nearly beaten and arrested until Eddie can speak enough to explain he is his father. Eddie doesn't see who beat him, but he recognizes one voice. Will he rat the person out? It\u2019s a big choice for him to make.

This is a complex novel with a good deal going on. The characters are largely believable in their actions and ways of speaking. The issues they face are realistic and very contemporary. Today\u2019s high school readers will understand and engage with these characters and their problems. The writing, for the most part, is strong and will pull the readers in and keep them turning pages. That said, there is some serious overwriting that slooooows the story down and could be excised making this a stronger book. For instance, it\u2019s enough to know the family is having salad without needing a list of ingredients. It\u2019s fine to know that the principal drove away without knowing the four or five steps he took to get going or that the three boys had lunch together without a list of every item in their lunch bags. There are many instances of this kind of overwriting that should be cut. Fortunately, the story is truly compelling and will keep most readers engaged enough to complete this good story.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2020", "date_added": "14-Mar-2020 02:07:07", "publisher": "New Wind Publishing", "page_count": "268 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008847043", "title": "Resistance: A Songwriter's Story of Hope, Change, and Courage", "author": "Tori Amos", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 183, "review": "For over forty years, singer, songwriter, and activist Tori Amos has been producing music that reveals and confronts the social and political inequities in American society. Amos\u2019 latest book, Resistance, is a lesson in observation and expression that seeks to move people to action and understanding.

Amos recounts her beginnings as a teenager singing in gay bars in Washington D.C., a position she secured with the help of her reverend father. Later, she sang in bars frequented by political movers and shakers during the Bush administration. The songs she\u2019s written are discussed from inspiration to execution, and her liberal political stances loom large in the messaging and music of her life.

But, there is a through line regarding Amos\u2019s connection to what she calls the Muses and moments when she writes of communicating with the spirit of her dead mother that may put off readers uncomfortable with these New Age references. If, however, you want to read and revel in the creation of one of the most influential careers in alternative music of the last four decades, Resistance is the book for you.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "14-Mar-2020 00:15:01", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008847035", "title": "Trowbridge Road", "author": "Marcella Pixley", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 223, "review": "June Bug Jordan lost her father to AIDS, and since his death, things haven\u2019t been the same. Her mother is terrified of infection and germs to the point that she refuses to leave the house, cook food, or have visitors. June Bug is hungry, grieving, and alone, until the summer of 1983 when Ziggy Karlo moves in down the street with his grandmother, Nana Jean. Ziggy, too, is struggling\u2014his mother has decided he should live with Nana Jean because she needs time alone to \u201cwork things out\u201d with her verbally abusive boyfriend. In the branches of the trees they climb and in the make-believe world they travel to in their minds, June Bug and Ziggy build a friendship that brings comfort to them both.

June Bug\u2019s narration reveals both her deep vulnerability and her remarkable resilience. The depth of her yearning for a mother who can be there for her and for a life where she is fully taken care of is powerful and arresting, as are the moments where she finds some of the comfort and hope she\u2019s searching for in her friendships with Ziggy and Nana Jean. With vividness and honesty, Marcella Pixley tells a stirring story about mental illness, trauma, and love, a story that shies away from neither the horrors nor the beauties of what it is to be human.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 23:38:00", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008847031", "title": "Indigo: A Valentino Mystery (Valentino Mysteries)", "author": "Loren D. Estleman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 196, "review": "If you are ever in need of a refresher on the great movies and screen personalities of Hollywood\u2019s golden years, this book is for you. Valentino, a self-described \u201cfilm detective,\u201d is given a long lost film\u2014Bleak Street\u2014by a wealthy old man with a very murky history. The crime film was pulled before it ever reached a movie theater when the leading man, Van Oliver, disappeared without trace. That was sixty years ago; Valentino sets out to discover what happened to him. Someone, however, is determined to make sure the film never sees the light of day. Despite this promising premise, the rest of the plot is thin. The motives of those wanting to prevent a public showing of the film are flimsy, and the truth behind Van Oliver\u2019s disappearance emerges fairly easily, with only a few surprises along the way. Rather than the mystery itself, the strengths of this book lie in the author\u2019s extraordinary depth and breadth of knowledge about yesteryear\u2019s Hollywood, his often exquisite choice of words and phrases, and the humor he delivers through his characters\u2019 dialogue. Indigo will be an interesting read for movie buffs but only marginally so for mystery fans.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:44:57", "publisher": "Forge Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008847027", "title": "Lion Needs a Haircut", "author": "Hyewon Yum", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 197, "review": "Little lion lives with his dad, and they both have long hair because they are lions. Little lion and daddy lion are eating some spaghetti when daddy lion says little lion needs a haircut. Little lion says that he doesn't. Daddy lion thinks that maybe little lion is just scared of getting a haircut, so he tells him that the barber is nice and won't hurt him and that the razors that the barber will use won't hurt him either. Little lion keeps saying, \"No.\" Daddy lion keeps trying to tell him that it will be okay and gets mad at the little lion for not wanting to get a haircut. Finally, little lion tells him that he just wants to look like his dad, and then daddy lion feels bad about getting onto little lion about it. Little lion ends up getting a haircut, but not without his dad doing something too.

I like this book because it's about a daddy lion and his little kid, like me and my dad. I don't mind haircuts too much, unlike the lion characters. I think it would be fun to read more books about daddy lion and little lion.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:18:29", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008847023", "title": "Answer Creek: A Novel", "author": "Ashley E. Sweeney", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 221, "review": "First, she loses her adoptive parents. Then she loses her hope. Then she loses herself.

I knew as soon as I started Answer Creek it would be a powerful book. It had to be. Of all historical events to be written into a novel, surely the Donner Party couldn\u2019t be softened and made palatable for a reading public. I was right, but far more than I expected to be.

For those unfamiliar, the Donner Party was a collection of people headed west to California. After taking what they thought would be a shortcut, they became stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains over winter. Without enough food to keep themselves alive, they resorted to cannibalism to survive. Answer Creek doesn\u2019t revel in the gory details, but neither does it gloss over them. It doesn\u2019t gloss over any details. What struck me most as I read it was how openly it showed the grit of westward expansion. There is very little pretty about the lives of the emigrants, but what beauty exists is treasured.

From the brutal first chapter to the denouement, this book captivated me. With its rich sensory details and the varied humanity of its characters, this book is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, and for anyone looking for insight into a period that carved and honed people down to their core.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:16:18", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008847007", "title": "Berkeley Noir (Akashic Noir)", "author": "edited by Jerry Thompson and Owen Hill", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 200, "review": "Berkeley, California is just shy of eighteen square miles, a city within a city. There are countless stories in a city such as Berkeley. Berkeley Noir offers an ample serving of stories. In \u201cHill House,\u201d Mariana is a graduate student with large aspirations housesitting a Professor\u2019s house when new discoveries threaten to spoil everything. In \u201cThe Tangy Brine of Dark Night,\u201d the reader rides shotgun on a fateful road trip with Kaylie and her Alzheimer\u2019s-afflicted grandmother, nostalgia, and love pushing the last wishes of a relative. \u201cLucky Day\u201d witnesses Mason toil as a librarian living life in an orderly way until admitting a desperate vagabond into the library before opening time. \u201cEat Your Pheasant, Drink Your Wine\u201d is viewed from the perspective of a rat, yet that\u2019s only the beginning of the outlandishness. These choice few serve as a microcosm of this anthology.

Berkeley Noir incorporates various tales from different outposts of the legendary city, many fascinating, a couple perplexing. The love of the city is conveyed in its imagery and storytelling. Most of the selections draw you in rapidly, while one or two leave you wanting more. Collectively, the book is a fine work from a talented pool of writers.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 21:48:05", "publisher": "Akashic Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008847003", "title": "Classic Tales from India: How Ganesh Got His Elephant Head and Other Stories", "author": "Vatsala Sperling and Harish Johari", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 191, "review": "This book draws from Hindu mythology and retells seven well-known tales. Here, the Hindu deities come to earth in human form and interact with humans. In some cases, the events take place in the heavens. Two stories are from Ramayana and two from Mahabharata (both classics of Hindu religious thought). The others are akin to creation stories, such as how the Ganges River was formed. The stories do not deviate too far from the classically accepted tales and may need some additional background for those completely unfamiliar with Hindu mythology. The accompanying watercolor illustrations are vibrant and colorful and draw from traditional Indian motifs and styles. In a classroom setting, just discussing the illustrations could make up a lesson.

The narrative is easy to follow, but given the complexity of the stories, this work may be better suited for Middle school or older readers. The space used for notes directed to parents and teachers (found at the end of each story) would be better served if it provided additional background to either the tale or Hindu mythology. Overall, a good read for those interested in an introductory read of Hindu mythology.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 20:07:12", "publisher": "Bear Cub Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008845055", "title": "Libby Loves Science", "author": "Kimberly Derting and Shelli Johannes, with illustrations by Joelle Murray", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 194, "review": "When I think of science, I think of a man in a lab coat creating chemical reactions in a lab, but that is not always the case. Libby Love Science shows us that science does not always take place in a lab but sometimes can take place in a kitchen, where one can have a chemical reaction by mixing and pouring ingredients to make pancakes. Libby wants to host a science booth at the fall festival. She uses many household items to mix and have chemical reactions to make bubbles or have a rocket take off into space for the kids to experiment with at school. Libby finds out that not all chemical reactions go as planned and sometimes they don't work, but you can always try again. I like this book because it has instructions for easy experiments to complete at home with family and friends. My favorite experiment listed from the book is how to make your own homemade ice cream. Using salt and ice can cause a chemical reaction to freeze the milk and turn it from a solid to a liquid. Libby love Science has very fun and colorful illustrations.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "14-Mar-2020 00:39:32", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008845043", "title": "Pete the Cat's Family Road Trip (I Can Read Level 1)", "author": "James Dean and Kimberly Dean", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 192, "review": "This is a book about where Pete the Cat, his parents, and brother travel all around the United States. They go on a family road trip and drive around to some tourist attractions changed to put \u201ccat\u201d in the names. They visit Niagara Falls and ride in a boat called Cat of the Mist. They visit New York, and they get to see the Statue of Liberty. They also stop to look at the mountain with all those faces carved in it: Mount Rushmore. The head of Abraham Lincoln is a cat. They visit the Cat Hollywood Walk of Fame. They join in a parade in New Orleans, when people could have parades like Mardi Gras.

The illustrations are funny. The family drive a van. They pack silly things on top of the van like furniture and sports equipment. I found out that Pete has an older brother named Bob. When they get home, Pete says that his favorite part of the road trip is being with his family. This book is fun to read. It makes me want to have a road trip even more, and go visit places around the country.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 18:32:09", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008845039", "title": "You Are Ready!: The World Is Waiting", "author": "Eric Carle", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 165, "review": "This is a very short book. It is small like Hugs and Kisses for the Grouchy Ladybug, which I received as a gift, so I guess this would be a good gift book. It also reminds me of Oh, the Places You\u2019ll Go!, except that the Dr. Seuss book has way more of a story and is for much older kids or even adults.

You Are Ready: The World Is Waiting has the beautiful pictures you\u2019d expect to find in one of Eric Carle\u2019s books. They are always nice to look at and some of the sayings on the pages are really nice, too. One that seems weird is \u201cthe world is scary.\u201d Maybe it is, but all of the other pages are cheery, so maybe he could have just said \u201cthe world is full of surprises\u201d because it still works with the \u201cyou\u2019re ready\u201d theme.

It\u2019s a nice book, and if you\u2019ve read all of his others, you wouldn\u2019t want to miss this one.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 18:31:36", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008845035", "title": "Frog and Toad: A Little Book of Big Thoughts", "author": "Arnold Lobel", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 172, "review": "I used to read Arnold Lobell\u2019s stories a lot when I was really little. At home, we probably have almost every book he wrote! So I was excited to see what Frog and Toad: A Little Book of Big Thoughts was about.

First of all, I\u2019m not sure it\u2019s really for kids. It isn\u2019t a story. It\u2019s illustrations from different Frog and Toad stories with a quote on one side. On the other page somebody has added comments like \u201cFriends tell you the truth,\u201d or \u201cFriends are there for you.\u201d One page says, \u201cFriends can be sweet,\u201d and the picture shows Frog and Toad sitting in chairs and drinking tea. The quote reads, \u201cFrog made a fresh pot of tea.\u201d

The original stories are so much better. This book just made me want to read our old books again. Maybe this is the kind of book a grown-up person, who used to like Frog and Toad, would give to a friend. It shows you scenes from all the Frog and Toad books.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 18:30:26", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008845027", "title": "Firefighter Zen: A Field Guide to Thriving in Tough Times", "author": "Hersch Wilson", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 251, "review": "I chose Firefighter Zen by Hersh Wilson because I wanted to understand volunteer firefighting better. My husband has been a volunteer firefighter for almost three years, and while I value volunteer service, I also resented the time he was spending away from our family. Part memoir and part self help guide according to firefighters, Wilson\u2019s book is a moving account of love, life, and loss.

Wilson and his wife Laurie became volunteer firefighters nearly by accident. Previously professional ballet dancers, they were recommended to join as volunteers as a way to keep advanced first aid techniques sharp.

Now 30 years later, Wilson reflects on what he has learned from volunteer firefighting. The book is organized in standalone chapters. Each chapter starts with an inspirational quote and a vignette from a \u201ccall,\u201d a fire or emergency response. Wilson then relates the story to larger themes in firefighting and in life. He skillfully explores the murky waters that come with a life of service: judgement, compassion fatigue, and the eternal question \u201cWhy do bad things happen to good people?\u201d

Wilson doesn\u2019t offer any easy answers. He highlights appreciating the simple things in life and coming to terms with your own mortality as pivotal. The themes of acknowledgement and acceptances also play a large role.

There were a lot of layers to this book-with five parts, 28 chapters, and numerous inspirational quotes and field notes; I got a little lost in the organizational structure. However, I know I will be dipping into this book whenever times get tough.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:19:47", "publisher": "New World Library", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008845019", "title": "Garden Alchemy: 80 Recipes and Concoctions for Organic Fertilizers, Plant Elixirs, Potting Mixes, Pest Deterrents, and More", "author": "Stephanie Rose", "category": "N10 Home & Garden", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Cay Wren", "word_count": 105, "review": "Looking to start a garden, expand or enhance a garden, or learn all about neat plant solutions? Well look no further! Garden Alchemy is your one-stop shop on your way to having a bonafide flourishing homestead. Every page is chock full of tips and tricks for how to create happier growth in your garden and how to use every part of that garden to create new and exciting things. All the recipes are easy to follow, and the accompanying pictures are engaging and informative. From soil composition and compost building to pest deterrents and weed tea, Garden Alchemy is truly a home gardener's dream resource.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 22:33:08", "publisher": "Cool Springs Press", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008845011", "title": "American Poison: How Racial Hostility Destroyed Our Promise", "author": "Eduardo Porter", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 255, "review": "Former Wall Street Journal and current New York Times reporter Eduardo Porter delves into the greatest divide in American progess\u2014race\u2014in his latest book American Poison.

\nThe book does not solely examine race, though\u2014it contextualizes it. Part historical primer and part argument, the book studies and discuses race through American history at it intersections with issues of class and gender. Porter explains how stereotypes like that of \u201cwelfare queens\u201d have perpetuated myths that breed racial hostility while also confronting the reality of how these myths have been politicized and weaponized to drive the country apart. The book is not a meditation on the problems, however; it is a call to do better, to live up to the promise of the American dream for all people and to move beyond these myths and stereotypes that hold us back. Porter is particularly interested in the need to improve for the sake of American children. He writes, \u201cregardless of the skin color of American children, the future prosperity of the country depends on them.\u201d

The book has its dry moments--especially when the statistics overwhelm the storytelling. It is certainly necessary and important to include data, but in some cases, it could have been more deftly handled or even abbreviated to allow for more of the powerful narrative Porter is able to craft with personal stories like the ones of his own family in the tapestry of America. Overall, those looking to understand how the country has become so divided along racial lines would be well served in reading American Poison.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 21:39:48", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008844079", "title": "Unbeatable Betty: Betty Robinson, the First Female Olympic Track & Field Gold Medalist", "author": "Allison Crotzer Kimmel, with illustrations by Joanie Stone", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 209, "review": "Betty shows how to persevere when you have a dream, and not to let anything get in your way, even an injury. Betty knew she was a runner, but in 1928 people believed women were too weak to run. Back then, women had not had the right to vote and many still did not think women were as capable as men, but Coach Charles Price knew a runner when he saw one and he wanted to coach Betty, even if she had to run on the men's team. During every race, Betty pumped her legs and was determined to make it her track. She soon headed for the Olympics where she scored a gold medal for the U.S.A. After the Olympics almost a tragedy happened and Betty was severely injured and in a wheelchair, no one thought she would be able to walk or even run again. Betty did not let anyone stop her, and she learned how to walk and run again. She persevered everyday through the pain and grew stronger. This is a great story to show that no matter what anyone else thinks, that you can do hard things, you can overcome any obstacle if you put your mind to it. I loved the brightly-colored pictures.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "14-Mar-2020 00:49:17", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008844075", "title": "A Stroke of Malice (A Lady Darby Mystery)", "author": "Anna Lee Huber", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 223, "review": "In Scotland in 1832, Lady Kiera Darby and her husband, Sebastian Gage, have been invited to an opulent ducal estate for a twelfth night celebration. Not usually one to partake in large festivities, Lady Keira is looking forward to finishing a portrait of the duchess and to spending time with new friends. However, as luck would have it, they stumble upon a dead body, and so begins a murder mystery that requires her and her husband\u2019s investigative experience to solve.

Even though this is book eight in a series, I was in no way lost and I didn\u2019t feel that the information regarding the past experiences in other novels was repetitious or too vague. The beginning was a little confusing because the grand party had a lot of guests, who all had a lot of titles, and I had a hard time keeping it straight, but the author did a wonderful job of reiterating the information throughout the story so that as I kept reading, I was able to follow along.

I really enjoyed this story. There were a lot of twists and turns and the information was artfully revealed a little at a time to really keep you guessing until the end. I would recommend this to anyone who loves historical mysteries and I am looking forward to reading the whole series.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "14-Mar-2020 00:25:40", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008844071", "title": "American as Paneer Pie", "author": "Supriya Kelkar", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 192, "review": "Lekha, an Indian sixth-grader at a nearly all-white Michigan school, has been bullied as long as she has been there. Her parents and her only friend, Noah, are supportive but can do nothing. A new Indian girl, Avantika, moves to the neighborhood, and when she is bullied she stands up for herself. Lekha is shocked and uncomfortable but wishes she could do that. When Lekha makes the swim team, she hopes for acceptance but finds her teammates are cruel and xenophobic. Trying to fit in with the team, Lekha lies to friends and family, making her feel worse. A local politician bases her campaign on xenophobia, opening the door to a stunning act of cruelty. At the same time, a teacher makes an assignment that helps Lekha find her voice.

Author Supriya Kelkar has written an important and compelling story of middle-grade life and what kids face daily while introducing young readers to a rich and fascinating culture. A good glossary and pronunciation guide, perhaps with some drawings, would be a welcome addition. Readers may derailed by so many unfamiliar words, but otherwise this is a beautifully written, terrific story deserving wide readership.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 23:47:30", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008844067", "title": "Pete the Cat: 5-Minute Bedtime Stories: Includes 12 Cozy Stories!", "author": "James Dean", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Gracie - Age 7", "word_count": 160, "review": "Pete the Cat: 5 Minute Bedtime Stories was a really fun book. This book had a lot of different stories in it. Pete has a lot of adventures. In a lot of the stories, Pete uses his imagination with his friends. All the stories were short to read at bedtime and made me smile. There were so many stories, and they were groovy. I liked reading one of the stories at bedtime. It was a fun way to go to bed. One of my favorite stories in the book was when he goes to the library and reads all kinds of books. He pretends he is in the books. I also liked the stories when he has a caterpillar and the treehouse. I love reading Pete the Cat books! I hope there are more Pete the Cat books that have lots of different stories in them. I think a lot of kids will love reading this book with their parents.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 18:35:25", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008844055", "title": "Pete the Cat's Groovy Guide to Kindness", "author": "James Dean and Kimberly Dean", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 176, "review": "I love Pete the Cat, and so do my children. We had never read a Pete the Cat guide before, so my children and I were a little surprised that there was not a storyline, just quotes. I think this is an excellent book for a thought-of-the-day in a classroom or religious class. It would be a great Kindergarten graduation gift. It is an excellent book on teaching children ways to be kind. My six-year-old sat through the entire book, and my three-year-old became uninterested a few pages into the book.

My children\u2019s favorite parts:

My six-year-old liked the page where Pete was wearing sunglasses sitting on a beach and says \u201cKind Cats are Cool cats.\u201d He said that he liked the whole book.

My three-year-old liked the page where Pete is handing his friend a green cupcake and the friend is giving Pete a flower. She really enjoyed the pictures too. She did not like that there was not a storyline to the book, however I think the is book is aimed more towards Kindergarten-to-second-grade students or five-to-eight-year-olds.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 18:31:01", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008844043", "title": "The Book of Longings: A Novel", "author": "Sue Monk Kidd", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 251, "review": "Ana wants to have a voice, but for a Jewish woman in the region of Sepphoris, this was not permitted. She finds her voice, and her heart's truest mate, in Jesus ben Nazareth, later known as Jesus Christ. In The Book of Longing, Sue Monk Kidd has created a character so full of hope that to see Ana's heartbreak is to feel your own.

Her indulgent father allowed for Ana's education, but her mother resents her daughter's literacy and wishes only for Ana to marry. When Ana is presented with a potential husband, a much older man whose political position and land ownership would be a boon to her family, Ana is crestfallen. She does everything she can to stop the marriage from happening, including writing down her own prayers in a sacred bowl given to her by her wise and unorthodox aunt Yaltha. Yaltha's encouragement to know herself helps Ana to pursue the man her heart truly desires, Jesus, and to eventually become his wife.

The story of Ana is one of the longings women face to be more than mothers, more than wives, more than daughters. It is the story of Ana's becoming; as she listens more to her heart and honors who she truly is, the more honest and devastating her life becomes.

The Book of Longings is brilliant as an imagination of the life of Jesus as a husband, but it is Ana's story that makes this novel one of the most important books of the last ten years.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:52:41", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008844039", "title": "Grown Ups: A Novel", "author": "Emma Jane Unsworth", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 204, "review": "This book is written in short chapters, nearly every one with a different style. Some are told in a stream of consciousness, some are text exchanges, like scripts, some are little vignettes. Taken as a whole, they paint a picture of the life of Jenny, a young woman who\u2019s trying to get by in life. She\u2019s quirky, addicted to her phone and social media, and she hasn\u2019t found the right guy yet. Her best friend, Kelly, has a life of her own that Jenny seems none too interested in. Jenny also has a tumultuous relationship with her mother.

The structure of this book is almost like its own character. Not knowing from one chapter to the next how the story will be told is both interesting and aggravating. Jenny herself is relatable, if a little crass. She reads like an edgy comedian telling a self-deprecating story. It seemed like the short chapters and brief writing style would make for a fast read, but it was hard to get grounded in the story and I found my attention waning just as Jenny\u2019s did. I\u2019d expected a funnier, more light-hearted take on the pitfalls of modern adulthood. This was more acerbic and angsty. Not a bad read.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:09:48", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008844035", "title": "A Space for Me", "author": "Cathryn Falwell", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 218, "review": "I enjoyed this book because I relate to the situation very well. I am an oldest child, and I read this to my son who is my oldest. The story is about a boy named Alex who gets tired of sharing his room with his younger brother, so he goes and makes him a fort in the backyard out of blanket. He has some quiet and dreams about dragons and other fun things. He also realizes that he has made his brother sad. When he asks him about it, his brother says, \u201cbut I want to play with you.\u201d So, they figure out a way to make a space for Lucas too. Alex figures out that sometimes it\u2019s okay to play by yourself and sometimes it\u2019s fun to play with others too.

I enjoyed the illustrations. They were full of life, color, and emotion. I appreciated the detail of the pictures from the large trees to the small squirrels and shoes. I appreciated that this book is about a boy because it is sometimes hard to find books for my son these days.

My six-year-old son really enjoyed this book. He liked the idea that there was someone like him who had to figure out when to have his own space and when to share his space with his sister.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:02:43", "publisher": "Lee & Low Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008844031", "title": "A Hundred Suns: A Novel", "author": "Karin Tanabe", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 189, "review": "Historical fiction novels can tend to have trouble fitting fictional characters into real-world events, or if profiling a real person trying to make them sound authentic when not much might be known about them. This book tells the story of Jessie Lesage who is married to Victor who is an heir to the Michelin rubber fortune. They arrived in French Indochina in the 1930s, before war breaks out across the region, so Victor and Jessie can escape scandal back in Paris. Jessie throws herself into the world of colonial Vietnam, as scandal and war break out around her.

This book was confusing at times, and it was hard to follow certain times of what was happening, who was talking, thinking, or doing something. Also, the main characters are not exactly people I would call heroes. Her ruminations frankly almost stop the book cold and do not add much more than more pages to read. Victor is pretty much a non-entity for most of the book, except when it comes to money. Jessie\u2019s look at colonialism is a particularly American view, that it is a civilizing force in the world.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 22:29:23", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008844027", "title": "The Year of the Witching", "author": "Alexis Henderson", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 202, "review": "Bethel belongs to the Father and His light; the Darkwood belongs to the Mother and Her Darkness. These are the truths that everyone in the community knows, and to protect them from the evil of the Mother and the four witches in the wood, everyone follows the Prophet\u2019s every command.

Everyone, that is, except Immanuelle Moore.

Born from an illegal union between her mother and a man from the Outskirts, Immanuelle has always been an outsider within Bethel, even though she has lived there all her life. It isn\u2019t only the people around her who notice: she feels a pull to the Darkwood despite knowing the danger lurking under the trees. When the witches\u2019 magic begins to threaten the community, Immanuelle realizes she may be the only one to save it, though the real danger may well come from within.

I had no idea I was in the mood for this book, but The Year of the Witching blew me away. It\u2019s a masterpiece of Puritan-esque dark fantasy, filled with an air of delirium. Alexis Henderson has created a full, believable world populated with living, breathing people, and nestled within it is the vital lesson to be wary of who we hand power over to.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 22:24:18", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008844023", "title": "Awesome Dog 5000 vs. Mayor Bossypants (Book 2)", "author": "Justin Dean", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 142, "review": "Awesome Dog 5000 vs. Mayor Bossypants is a funny story about a robot dog with an RPG strapped to its back. The book stars three kids, a robot dog, and a three-foot-tall mayor who cries about everything.

The book is very entertaining and hilarious! My favorite part of the book is the mayor. I like all the characters a lot. They are funny, entertaining, and very lively. The language flows really well. The moral of the story is \"Vote wise.\" The book also has plenty of illustrations. They are well done and go well with the story.

Anyone who can read will enjoy this book because it is funny and punny. It would definitely make great series. I would totally recommend this book! I did not like this book, I LOVED it! The story is super funny and I almost died laughing!!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 21:45:39", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008844011", "title": "Seeing Ceremony: A Novel with Recipes", "author": "Meera Ekkanath Klein", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 198, "review": "Meena has always been against the idea of arranged marriage, especially after the one \u201cseeing ceremony\u201d she agreed to attend in order to appease her mother ended in disaster. Instead, she goes to college in America, where she not only develops a greater appreciation for the wider world, but also learns a lot about tea cultivation, knowledge that she brings home with the intention of building up her family\u2019s plantation. On her way back to India, Meena meets Raj, a businessman whom she feels an instant connection with, but she expects she\u2019ll never see him again. Then a financial threat rises against her family, and it seems that the only solution is for Meena to agree to an arranged marriage after all.

Seeing Ceremony: A Novel with Recipes by Meera Ekkanath Klein is a charming story of love and independence, with the delights of food and cooking woven throughout the narrative. Readers will enjoy getting to know Meena, a strong woman with a fierce sense of personal freedom that\u2019s at war with her sense of familial duty. The descriptions of India are gorgeous, and the included tested-and-true recipes make this book a true feast for all the senses.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 19:51:44", "publisher": "Homebound Publications", "page_count": "270 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008844007", "title": "Female Husbands: A Trans History", "author": "Jen Manion", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Cay Wren", "word_count": 244, "review": "An absolutely stunning deep-dive into historical transgressions of gender. Female Husbands: A Trans History is one of the first in a hopefully long and noted trend of research into gender. Author, professor, researcher, and activist Jen Manion has done extensive work for the LGBTQ communities throughout the country during their career, and this latest book serves as an extension of that. Manion takes the readers through an empathetic yet thoroughly researched journey through the lives of historical queers. Female husbands\u2014those that were assigned female at birth but lived their lives as men and married women\u2014were people who defied gender norms in a time when those norms could not have been more suffocating and all-consuming. However, what makes this such a pivotal literary development is that this book contains stories of people who lived full and happy lives as men, sometimes for the entirety of their adult lives.

The predominance of trans history has come from a place of asylum records and violent newspaper headlines. This inherited trauma is still being incrementally rewritten in the LGBTQ community today, and Manion\u2019s literary treatment of the historical figures found in the pages of this book I believe will serve as a crucial continuation of that healing. The importance of knowing that there are also trans stories of success, bounty, and love is one that cannot be measured in real time but I urge you to get the word out about this phenomenally written piece of LGBTQ historical research.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 19:47:27", "publisher": "Cambridge University Press", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008844003", "title": "Charleston Green: A Novel", "author": "Stephanie Alexander", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 209, "review": "Tipsy Collins can see ghosts, but most of the time, that\u2019s just fine. Most of the time, they leave her alone, and she leaves them alone. When she moves into an old house with her three children and a looming divorce, however, things change. The dead in this house, Jane and Henry Mott aren\u2019t content to keep to live and let live, so to speak. They\u2019re glad to have someone who can see them after almost one hundred years of death, and they can\u2019t quite bring themselves to keep out of Tipsy\u2019s way. They also can\u2019t quite leave behind their former animosity or the fact that, as far as anyone knows, Henry killed Jane, then himself.

Despite dealing with such heavy matters as decades\u2019 old murder and failing marriages, Charleston Green is a delightfully cheerful novel, full of all the warmth of a South Carolina summer. Stephanie Alexander finds just the right balance between serious moments and the fun, relatable characters. I\u2019ve always been a fan of fantasy invading what might ordinarily be a completely realistic novel, and Charleston Green is the perfect read for summer. It\u2019s breezy without being vapid, spectral without being creepy, and full of all the right points for fans of fantasy and realism alike.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 18:29:43", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc.", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008843079", "title": "Tad", "author": "Benji Davies", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 234, "review": "Tad has to swim twice as hard as his brother and sister tadpoles to keep up with them. They urge him on, warning of the evil creature that lurks in the deep, dark parts of the murky pond. They say Big Blub is \u201cas old as the mud\u201d and unmatched in his ferocity. Tad decides he\u2019s not going to believe in him but will roam the waters with caution nonetheless. His siblings begin disappearing rapidly. He wonders where they have gone. Then, one day, he\u2019s the only one left. With time, his little body develops and up, up, up he goes to the surface of the water and beyond, all the way to some nearby lily pads. There he finds an amazing surprise: his family.

This is a precious story about growing up the smallest of the lot, having real and imagined fears, and yearning for togetherness from the depths of loneliness. It\u2019s sure to touch the hearts of those late bloomers out there as well as those who feel alone in the world. It\u2019s just as likely, though, to be adored by young children who see themselves as ordinary, because the tale is filled with life and vibrancy, color and allure. Author and illustrator Benji Davies has a unique and welcoming style. Tad is written at approximately a second grade reading level, although it is perfect for all children aged four to nine.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "14-Mar-2020 00:43:49", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008843075", "title": "Katheryn Howard, The Scandalous Queen: A Novel (Six Tudor Queens)", "author": "Alison Weir", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 250, "review": "Katheryn Howard, The Scandalous Queen as she would come to be known, was the fifth wife of King Henry the VIII. Only nineteen when she meets the king, he is immediately taken with her and her family does everything in their power to pursue the match. Even though he is still married to his fourth wife, Anna of Cleves, Henry pursues an annulment with her in order to marry Katheryn. Katheryn learns very quickly the politics involved in the court. Her scandalous past cannot stay buried and she knows it is only a matter of time before she faces a similar fate as her cousin Anne Boleyn.

Out of the six books of the six Tudor queens, this was my second and I think I liked it a bit better than the first. It is a little bit hard to relate to Katheryn, but at the same time, you can\u2019t help but feel sorry for her. I can\u2019t imagine the stress of trying to seem perfect and virtuous all the time as well as knowing your only worth is in producing an heir. At the same time, it\u2019s hard to understand why she made the choices she did when the threat of a beheading was always hanging over her. I don\u2019t doubt Ms. Weir does her research, but I was pretty shocked at how scandalous most of the women were in the book for that time period. Overall, an entertaining look at another poorly chosen wife of Henry the VIII.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "14-Mar-2020 00:34:45", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008843071", "title": "Places I've Taken My Body: Essays", "author": "Molly McCully Brown", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 176, "review": "Known as a gifted poet, Molly McCully Brown shows off her talent for writing illuminating nonfiction as well in her first collection of essays. The seventeen pieces that comprise the book offer a window into Brown\u2019s life as a writer and disabled woman growing up in Virginia, traveling abroad, and moving from place to place. Brown provides a nuanced picture of her complex relationship to her body and to herself as she recounts such experiences as traversing the largely inaccessible streets of Bologna, visiting a Virginia institution that historically sterilized disabled people, and, in a striking final essay, watching a ballet adaptation of Frankenstein.

Brown\u2019s poetic background shines through in her prose\u2014each sentence is musical and feels as though it has been carefully and lovingly crafted. Though Brown writes about pain in many forms, the collection never turns bleak or dark. Instead, with deep humanity and a soft hand, Brown weaves hope and light into her narrative, never turning away from the reality of suffering but also never relinquishing her belief in the beauty life can offer.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "23-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 23:56:11", "publisher": "Persea", "page_count": "224 Pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008843067", "title": "Up and Down Mom (Child's Play Library)", "author": "Summer Macon", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 198, "review": "Sometimes people will act happy, and then at other times, they act sad. Most people don't have a problem with going from happy to sad, but other people do. In Up and Down Mom, a boy is telling the reader about his mom. He says that they can have a lot of fun together and do things like cook together or play dress-up; then other times, his mom stays in bed all day or at least doesn't act very happy throughout the day. The boy's mom's behavior is tiring for him sometimes, but even though this happens to his mom, he still loves her because she's his mom. The boy's mom has bipolar disorder that makes you act super happy when you're in a good mood, and then super sad when you're feeling bad. I did not know about bipolar disorder before reading this book; I don't know anyone that has this, so it's not something with which I'm familiar. I feel better now that I know what it is for if I see someone that acts like this mom. I think this is a good book for anyone because it's a good story and also teaches you.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 18:26:19", "publisher": "Childs Play Intl Ltd", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008843063", "title": "I'm NOT A Mouse (Child's Play Library)", "author": "Evgenia Golubeva", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 213, "review": "Sometimes moms or parents have a name that they like to call their child(ren); sometimes the child likes it, sometimes they don't. For the girl in this book, she knows I'm NOT a Mouse!. This story is about a little girl whose mom keeps calling her \"Mouse,\" when the girl doesn't like being called that because it makes her feel like an actual mouse. When she turns into a mouse, some funny things end up happening to her. The girl never tells her mother though, maybe because she doesn't have time between when she is called \"Mouse\" and when she turns into a mouse! The girl knows that she has to say or do something. She lets her mom know that she doesn't like the nickname or pet name, and then the girl learns that her mother only calls her that because she loves her. The end of the book shows kids called nicknames by their family members, even in different languages! I noticed that the people in the book are all different, with different colored skin and some with disabilities. I think that any kid would like this book because it has a fun story; you can also learn about keeping people's feelings in mind when you want to call them something.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 18:24:42", "publisher": "Child's Play International, Ltd.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008843047", "title": "Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks", "author": "Suzanne Slade", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 102, "review": "Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks is about a young girl who grows up to be a poet and wins the Pulitzer Prize for her amazing poems. The book makes me feel happy for Gwendolyn, who accomplished her goals, just like I hope to do someday. It\u2019s an absolutely inspiring story that all children should read because it will make them work even harder to accomplish their dreams even if they seem impossible. The book is easy to understand and has really detailed pictures. The illustrations are beautiful, and they almost make you feel like you\u2019re right there with Gwendolyn.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:19:22", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008843035", "title": "Writing Wild: Women Poets, Ramblers, and Mavericks Who Shape How We See the Natural World", "author": "Kathryn Aalto", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 230, "review": "The twenty-five women writers Kathryn Aalto introduces share a yearning, a need to be embraced by the natural world. They reveal their poetry and their lives, in individual eloquence, words carefully measured and selected, not serendipitously plucked from the trees and the fields that nourish their messages. She has chosen the celebrate some writers known to us all and others whose voice we meet for the first time, and long-ago voices like Dorothy Wordsworth\u2019s, unrecognized for many years though almost her brother\u2019s equal.

Aalto refrains from mentioning collectively that almost without exception the writers have achieved a PhD, several teaching at colleges and universities, making the collection a singular experience. Like a child trying to decide on a birthday treat, readers will deliberate their favorites. Perhaps the writer\u2019s style will determine the choice, or their background, or the places they recreated, or a parallel lifestyle. I chose without a moment\u2019s hesitation Gretel Erhlich\u2019s passion for the West, for Wyoming\u2019s big sky and the rugged people who belong there. Then, too, the short reminder of Isabella Bird who in the nineteenth century strode alone across the untamed west, rented a horse, tackled the Rockies in winter, then challenged another corner of the world. And standing alone, Rachel Carson, the maverick who became a hero.

Writing Wild is exciting, inspiring, intimidating, bold, a worthy successor to Aalto\u2019s enchanting debut, The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 22:27:48", "publisher": "Timber Press", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008843031", "title": "Village of Scoundrels", "author": "Margi Preus", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Benjamin - Age 13", "word_count": 209, "review": "During WWII the German\u2019s had started taking over other countries in parts of Europe, as people escaped the Germans they moved to safer towns and villages to be safe. Les Lauzes is a small village in a remote part of France, since it was far away the Germans had not come to the town in 1942 and the town had become a safe place for people who had escaped the Germans. Most of the people who have come to Les Lauzes are children, they live in boarding houses and go to school, there are both Jewish and non-Jewish refugees. The kids are also working with the resistance against the Germans. Everything in Les Lauzes changes in the Spring of 1943 when German officers come to Les Lauzes and start to realize that the citizens of the village may be going against the Germans.

Reading about the role of young people during a time like WWII was very interesting, it helps to show you that if you believe strongly in something that you can be an important part even if you think you are too young. It was interesting to learn about each character, their history, what brought them to Les Lauzes, and what their role in the resistance is.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 22:19:42", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008843019", "title": "Raising Boys to be Good Men: A Parent's Guide to Bringing up Happy Sons in a World Filled with Toxic Masculinity", "author": "Aaron Gouveia", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 185, "review": "After the recent #MeToo movement across the globe and current events, parents need to understand the importance of Raising Boys to Be Good Men: A Parent's Guide to Bringing up Happy Sons in a World Filled with Toxic Masculinity. Aaron Gouveia, a father to three young boys, offers parenting advice with the intent of it applied to our modern society. Phrases such as \"man up\" and \"real boys don't cry\" are shown the error of their logic. Through soul searching and revealing life stories, Gouveia discloses how he used to participate in toxic masculinity, but has since seen how this way of living does no good, only much harm.

Gouveia touches on many topics related to raising boys in today's society: the gender wage gap, LGBTQ+, politics, religion, and much more. He starts from the preconceived gender stereotypes people possess of children even before conception and how that can affect the child after birth and works his way up to the child dating and issues related to that (porn, mutual consent, etc.). Reminder: this is one person's point of view, and it is liberal and atheistic.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 19:32:35", "publisher": "Skyhorse", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008842051", "title": "The Hidden Rainbow", "author": "Christie Matheson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 173, "review": "The health of the bee population is critical to our survival, and bright, healthy flowers are critical to the bees' survival. It is never too early for children to learn the importance of the symbiotic relationships between plants and insects, particularly bees. Author and illustrator Christie Matheson has provided a book that will help the very youngest of listeners to see bees with appreciation rather than fear. The interactive story asks youngsters to help the bees find the colorful flowers by brushing snow away, blowing buds dry, or even just pointing the way. At the same time, the bee population grows one by one, encouraging young listeners to count. This is all done with rhyming couplets, although many are broken up on the pages rather oddly. The story also has a rather irregular meter, which makes this a bit difficult for oral reading. The illustrations with bright colors and wonderful details are the real star of this book; they will keep little ones\u2019 eyes on the pages and their attention on the story.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "14-Mar-2020 00:45:03", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008842043", "title": "Power Your Profits: How to Take Your Business from $10,000 to $10,000,000", "author": "Susie Carder", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 196, "review": "Power Your Profits: How to Take Your Business from $10,000 to $10,000,000 is one of the most thorough books on business available today. As an entrepreneur, I am always reading books on business growth, but I feel like so many books on the subject are repetitive and sometimes even outdated. Susie Carder is a business expert. From starting a business to growing a business (as the title says), Carder not only tells you that you can do it, she also shows you how to do it.

What I appreciated the most about this book was the worksheets and spreadsheets Susie includes. There are so many moving parts in a business, and if you don't have your systems in place, it could be a recipe for disaster. Susie teaches you how to create your systems, whom to market to, how to hire employees right for the job, how to do the math, how to prioritize what you should be doing as a business owner, and so much more. This book should be purchased, read, and followed by both new business owners and old. It is one of the best and most relevant business books on the market.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "14-Mar-2020 00:01:38", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008842039", "title": "The Sisters Grimm: A Novel", "author": "Menna van Praag", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Downing", "word_count": 210, "review": "The Sisters Grimm tells the tale of four half-sisters, girls whose only connection is their demon father. Goldie, Liyana, Scarlet, and Bea have not seen each other since their shared dreams of Everwhere some five years ago. During the intervening period, the girls have forgotten their dreams, although a part of them still misses Everwhere and the elemental powers they were learning to control there. Their paths begin to cross again as they near their eighteenth birthdays and the night they will have to prove themselves to their father in battle.

The Sisters Grimm is a twisting story that follows the girls\u2019 journey through magic, family bonds, and romance, as they find their way back to each other. Although mature themes are explored, readers of adult fantasy will love the way that Menna van Praag weaves fairy tales into a thrilling story about the quest for power and love. Fans of Van Praag\u2019s The House at the End of Hope Street, Sara Holland\u2019s Havenfall, and darker fantasy books will love The Sisters Grimm.

With only 33 days to rediscover Everwhere and each other, will the sisters be able to recover their powers in time? Find out in this tale of mystery, love, and magic that you won't want to miss!", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 18:17:50", "publisher": "Harper Voyager", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008842035", "title": "Sky of Bombs, Sky of Stars: A Vietnamese War Orphan Finds Home", "author": "Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jewel - Age 12", "word_count": 385, "review": "Sky of Bombs, Sky of Stars: A Vietnamese War Orphan Finds Home is a non-fiction book about an eight-year-old orphan named Tuyet. In 1975, during the Vietnam War, Tuyet was airlifted out of Saigon and brought to Canada, where she was adopted by the Morris family. Tuyet had polio as a child, and her foot was turned in and she had trouble walking. Sky of Bombs, Sky of Stars: A Vietnamese War Orphan Finds Home is her memories of life in the orphanage, the night she was brought to the plane that transported her and many babies to Canada, the early experiences with her new family and the surgery that she had to help her foot and allow her to walk. Tuyet came to Canada, not speaking English and not always knowing what was happening. We see that everything was so new for Tuyet in Canada, but she was hopeful and grateful to be part of a family.

Sky of Bombs, Sky of Star: A Vietnamese War Orphan Finds Homes was so well written that I pictured it as a movie, playing in my head. I could picture Tuyet, the events, and the feelings she was experiencing like I was watching it all happen. It made me sad to think at first that Tuyet hid food out of worry that her family may forget to feed her, or that when a plane flew overhead, she thought it would drop bombs.

I would say it was an easy read, and I want to share this book with my ten-year-old sister. I thought it was funny that the first time Tuyet saw lans, she thought that every house was surrounded by rice fields because that was what she knew in Vietnam. When Tuyet was alone in the hospital, after her surgery, she didn\u2019t fully understand what was happening since she didn\u2019t speak English, and I felt sad for her. It must have been so hard. But I could also see how strong and determined Tuyet was when she used crutches and got her new brace and shoes to help her walk. I am so happy that I read Sky of Bombs, Sky of Stars: A Vietnamese War Orphan Finds Home and it makes me want to learn more about the orphans who were airlifted out of Vietnam.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 18:12:08", "publisher": "Pajama Press", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008842031", "title": "The Boatman and Other Stories", "author": "Billy O'Callaghan", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 206, "review": "The emotion of grief and feeling of loss weigh heavily in a person\u2019s heart. The coping involved in dealing with loss is unique to everybody. Loss is the running theme in \u201cThe Boatman and Other Stories\u201d. \u201cThe Border Fox\u201d brings the reader on a dangerous mission with the IRA, the lead character dodging bullets, yet not escaping the thoughts of his beloved. The titular \u201cBoatman\u201d shows us family suffering through recent losses while traversing the routine of the day to day existence. \u201cThe Ruins\u201d revisits a prior relationship and how the passage of time may not dim the flames of passion, maturity and responsibility of commitment overwhelm desire. \u201cBeginish\u201d packs a gut punch of love and romantic adventure coupled with foreboding tragedy and crushing loss. \u201cLove is Strange\u201d highlights that love possesses unimaginable depth and feeling, even in the little things.

The Boatman and Other Stories tears at the heartstrings of the reader with each story. Billy O\u2019 Callaghan doesn\u2019t pull punches in evoking profound feelings as each tale reaches its conclusion. Sadness is prevalent throughout, yet doesn\u2019t sully a strong effort of storytelling. The endings vary in each narrative, yet an appreciation for life and love shines through. An excellent body of work to be enjoyed.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:37:02", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008842027", "title": "Saving Tuna Street (A Blanche Murningham Mystery)", "author": "Nancy Nau Sullivan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 310, "review": "A threat has come to the quaint neighborhood of Tuna Street, which includes Blanche's very own home on the beach. These Chicago tycoons have another thing coming when Blanche gets on the case and she's not about to let some land-grabbers buy up her home. After someone close to her is murdered, she dives into her journalist field to catch a killer. What she discovers is beyond anything she expected to find on their small island of Santa Maria. Their idyllic home has been a safe place, but now, Blanche uncovers that even their paradise has secrets when she's thrown into a world that pulls her into greed, drugs, murder, and kidnapping.

Nancy Nau Sullivan delivers a top-notch mystery that has it all: great characters, gorgeous setting, and a thrilling murder. The location of Santa Maria Island creates a brilliant catalyst for storytelling when this idyllic community is flipped on its head when Blanche discovers a growing underbelly of corruption and drugs. Sullivan weaves these darker elements into this island life of peace and tranquility that Blanche adores, which throws it into a murder mystery that finds her world thrown into a storm of drugs, murder, and kidnapping. The mystery has lighter elements that balance out against the darker elements woven throughout. The tycoons provide an excellent villain as they represent greed and corruption, and their presence is what seeps these elements into their small island life and threatens their peaceful existence. Tuna Street is Blanche's paradise and a place that adds to her drive and determination. Blanche has the sharp wit and mind for details of a journalist, which makes for an ideal sleuth and is woven into how she investigates her friend's murder. Saving Tuna Street is a delightful mystery with a charming location, enjoyable characters, and a plot that will have you hooked from the first page.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:27:21", "publisher": "Light Messages Publishing", "page_count": "282 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008842023", "title": "Willow the Armadillo", "author": "Marilou Reeder", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 234, "review": "Willow is fascinated with picture books. The library is her refuge, the place she goes to find peace in the world. Her greatest dream, though, is to be the lead character in one of her own - the admired hero that somehow saves the day. Despite discouragement from those around her, this determined and courageous armadillo enrolls in classes at Picture Book Academy under a revered instructor. She studies feverishly and graduates successfully, but when it comes time for auditions, she fails to meet the expectations of the judges. Terribly saddened by her fate, she sets off for her favorite place. When she arrives, the library is filled with creatures of all kinds. A power outage suddenly occurs, and with skill and kindness, Willow turns chaos into calm. This thoughtful armadillo unexpectedly becomes the hero she\u2019s been longing to become.

This is a noteworthy picture book covering an array of topics pertinent to young children. Willow the Armadillo is about bravery and persistence, disappointment and broken dreams, generosity, and compassion. It\u2019s ideal for classrooms and libraries of elementary school-aged children, and namely children ages five through nine. It has a strong binding and will endure the test of time. It has a precious cover and is masterfully illustrated with vibrant, detailed illustrations throughout its entirety. Additionally, this charming story will likely leave readers feeling inspired inside and ready to overcome their own, unique challenges.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:19:56", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008842019", "title": "The Last Lie (The List)", "author": "Patricia Forde", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Abigail", "word_count": 193, "review": "After the great Melting, John Noa created the city of Ark. One of the rules in Ark is that people can only use 500 words because John believed that language was the downfall of the world. Now John is dead, and his wife Amelia is the new leader. She is even more strict; she wants less language. Letta is a wordsmith who has been secretly teaching words to students. She is part of a group that is trying to save Ark from the strict laws. When babies start to go missing, Letta and her group must try to stop the Ark government and save the babies from a life without any words.

This book is the second in the series; therefore, some of the story was a little confusing until the author explained what had happened to the world and why Ark was created. Although she doesn't think she is strong enough to be a true leader, Letta is a strong character. The way that Letta and her friends work together really shows that anything can be possible as long as you stick together, even if you don\u2019t always agree with one another.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 00:58:10", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Young Readers", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008841031", "title": "Crave", "author": "Tracy Wolff", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 243, "review": "The moment Grace walked through the doors of Katmere Academy, she instantly knew that her life was about to change. With its old-world opulence, Katmere stood out like a gothic fairytale castle. Instantly, she is approached by the terrifying, intense Jaxon Vega who prickles with disdain, and yet she can\u2019t get him out of her head. However, it\u2019s not just Jaxon that she needs to worry about; Katmere has an ancient secret that everyone is bound to protect, and Grace quickly realizes she is the only human in a school of paranormal beings. Now, with their undeniable connection, Jaxon and Grace will have to discover if their love is enough to save Grace\u2019s life and protect them from a hidden enemy.

Crave is the newest, young-adult paranormal romance that everyone has been waiting for, giving readers a new thrilling story of life, death, love, humor, and revenge. By taking the age-old dilemma of forbidden love, Tracy Wolff delicately unfurls the tempting bloom of angst, want, need, and desire and puts them up against betrayal, loss, and duty. This book is filled with authentic, relatable characters that will leave readers divided with whom they believe they should align with as well as a strong heroine that exemplifies strength and perseverance. The tug-of-war between right and wrong, human versus vampire, and vampire versus shapeshifter takes this book on a thrilling tempo that will make readers want to sit and read as fast as they can.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:24:41", "publisher": "Entangled: Teen", "page_count": "592 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008841027", "title": "Good Guys, Bad Guys", "author": "Joanne Rocklin, with illustrations by Nancy Carpenter", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 175, "review": "I liked the book Good Guys, Bad Guys by Joanne Rocklin. The pictures by Nancy Carpenter made me laugh. She draws really well. I liked the doggie in the story and the cowboys and how the kids switch who\u2019s the good guy and who\u2019s the bad guy. The kids look like they are having a lot of fun playing in their backyard. And so does their dog! The whole story was my favorite and the fun-est part was rustling the steers. I also liked when they head to bed and the good guys become the bad guys. That was my favorite picture. It\u2019s a really interesting spin on good versus bad. I liked how the book rhymed, but not too much. I think it would be fun to play like the kids in the book, taking turns being good guys and bad guys. The good guys save the day, but the bad guys sure look like they have fun, especially when they all eat the pizza! Good Guys, Bad Guys is a really fun book.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:20:27", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008841011", "title": "The Glass Hotel: A novel", "author": "Emily St. John Mandel", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Mandy Nevius", "word_count": 196, "review": "Fans of Station Eleven may be disappointed to know that Emily St. John Mandel\u2019s newest book is a complete departure from the post-apocalyptic genre. But rest assured that Mandel\u2019s writing is as captivating and evocative as ever in The Glass Hotel. While bartending at a luxury hotel on a secluded island, Vincent is startled by a threatening message written on a nearby window. She suspects that her half-brother Paul, a recovering addict and wannabe composer who also works at the hotel, is somehow involved. That same night, Vincent meets hotel owner Jonathan Alkaitis; they quickly begin a relationship, which launches Vincent into the realm of the upper class. But a Ponzi scheme will tear them apart, sending Vincent to sea as a cook on a container ship until she falls from the deck and is never seen again, a tragic plot point that bookends the novel.

The Glass Hotel is a stunning tapestry of interconnected stories that explore corruption, alternate lives, haunting pasts, and consequences. The way Mandel gets inside the heads of her characters and puts their thoughts on the page is masterful. Mysterious, philosophical, and intricate, The Glass Hotel is literary fiction at its finest.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 21:42:02", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008841003", "title": "Copy Boy: A Novel", "author": "Shelley Blanton-Stroud", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 421, "review": "Jane Hopper was born with a twin, her brother, Benjamin, but she was the only one to survive. Growing up traveling from Amarillo to Sacramento and scraping to find work and get by during the Great Depression made her lean and scrappy; her father\u2019s genes made her tall. Both would help her make a new life when she had to flee after a fight between her mother and father went horribly wrong. From Sacramento she would flee to San Francisco, where she would wind up making a new life for herself: as Benny Hopper. Her buried twin would live again.

From the very start of Copy Boy, I was sucked in, and Blanton-Stroud didn\u2019t let me out until the epilogue. Jane is a compelling character, all sharp edges and Midwestern grit, and I was thrilled to see just how far she would go to get what she wanted. Jane is not your traditional historical fiction character, who always has a moment when she subtly reasserts her femininity by acting soft. She digs into what she wants and digs in hard. This means she has to make difficult choices, and not everything she does is laudable. Jane is no hero; she\u2019s just a young woman trying to make her way, and that\u2019s why I loved her so much.

In fact, that\u2019s why I loved the book as a whole. Jane isn\u2019t the only tough character. This is the Great Depression, and people scraping by for a living can\u2019t afford to be delicate. Even people in the city don\u2019t have that liberty. Blanton-Stroud has created a picture of the past that feels as real as any book set today, one where every detail feels necessary. The one complaint I have might well have been my fault; the climax felt rushed, but that could have easily come from my being wrapped up in the narrative as from any fault of the author. If I\u2019m enjoying a book so much that I find myself losing track of everything, it might not really be a problem. If anything, it means I\u2019m due for a reread sooner rather than later.

Copy Boy is, in short, a wonderful read and an intriguing look at a protagonist who is, as the epigraph says, a brave man and a good woman. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, and even many who don\u2019t. Blanton-Stroud brings California in the 1930s to life in a way that doesn\u2019t require scads of detail. It only requires humanity, which this book has in spades.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 17:53:05", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008840071", "title": "Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep: Baaad Hair Day", "author": "Eric Barclay", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 543, "review": "Sheep loves to put her wool in different hairstyles until it gets too long for her to be able to see. She figures out she needs some help when she starts falling into things. Sheep Dog tries to help out but ends up going on the hunt to find Sheep Sheep. Eventually, she finds out that getting sheared doesn\u2019t mean her wool is gone forever, but that it simply just get shorter and grows back.

This book is fantastic! From the end papers to the story inside, this was a treat to read to my children multiple times. My kids loved that Sheep Sheep calls the ducks \u201cwater chickens.\u201d My daughter really loved Sheep Sheep\u2019s hairdos. They both thought her stepping into the cow poop and when Sheep Dog got underwear stuck to his head after Sheep Sheep is looking for something to keep her wool out of her eyes was hilarious. This was also very appropriate for them because they needed haircuts and couldn\u2019t get them during the Covid-19 for several weeks past our appointment. So, they really felt like Sheep Sheep.

I think the characterization is fantastic. I love Sheep Sheep\u2019s personality. She is outspoken, joyful, and just fun to read. The play back and forth between the serious dog and spunky sheep was fun. I laughed when the sheep blames the dog for not watching out where she was going when she couldn\u2019t see. I feel like that dog has to be the most patient sheep dog in the world.

The illustrations depicted the text so well. They are detailed but have great spacing at the same time. Sheep Sheep and Sheep Dog\u2019s personalities shine through so well in the pictures. Starting the end papers with Sheep Sheep\u2019s hairdos was my favorite. My favorite scene is when she is wearing the Texas-sized cowboy hat and takes if off, revealing her wool to be in the exact shape of the hat. I appreciated the subtle details of the Texas license plate and the paper Sheep Dog is holding that says \u201cShearing Day: Today.\u201d

The text was sparse but meaningful. It powerfully conveyed exactly what the author/illustrator wanted the character to say and sound like. Sheep Sheep and Sheep Dog\u2019s voices come through very clearly. \u201cHoly begonias\u201d and \u201cwater chickens\u201d are my two very favorite lines.

The social, emotional, and educational value of this book is taking something that kids are familiar with and turning it into a fun lesson. It answers the following fun questions: How does a sheep get a haircut? What does the sheep think about getting a haircut? Is she scared about the haircut like kids are about haircuts? Does hair grow back when it is cut? What is it called when a sheep gets a haircut? Does she like it in the end? I think this is important because many kids do get anxiety about haircuts. They do need fun characters to go through the experience and find out it is okay.

In conclusion, I loved this book and I think everyone should buy it for their kids because it is fun, funny, and teaches us that haircuts are okay. I would recommend it for three- to eight-year-olds. I think every age will find something they love in this book. Very well done.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "14-Mar-2020 00:46:25", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": true, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008840067", "title": "The Night Is for Darkness", "author": "Jonathan Stutzman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 205, "review": "The Night Is for Darkness describes nighttime as a multitude of things. It\u2019s beautifully mysterious and full of creatures of all sorts -- some seen and some delicately hidden amongst the shadows. Night is for traveling by streetlight and for discovering the vast unknown. It\u2019s for stories by candlelight and special bedtime kisses. The night is for long kept secrets and heartfelt prayers. It\u2019s for restful sleeping and entering the land of dreaming. All these things make nighttime a unique and sacred time of adventure and restoration.

Written in prose, this is a lovely bedtime story for young children. It\u2019s written at approximately a second grade level, but will likely be enjoyed by children as young as three or four. It contains many of the things youngsters hold dear -- animals in the midst of the forests and among the enormity of the skies, read aloud tales illuminated by bright candlelight, and treasurable time with loved ones. Children will be drawn to the illustrations throughout this sweet story. They\u2019re filled with dark, nighttime hues and lively, nocturnal critters. They are plentiful and add richness to the text. The brevity and content of this original picture book make it an ideal pick for a bedtime treat.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "14-Mar-2020 00:38:23", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008840059", "title": "Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist", "author": "Linda Skeers, with illustrations by Marta \u00c1lvarez Migu\u00e9ns ", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 203, "review": "Dinosaur Lady is about one of the first lady paleontologists, although during her time women were not thought to be as smart as men and were not allowed to go to college like men or have jobs. Mary Anning was determined to learn about the curiosities she found on the beach to sell at the market. Mary loved to walk on the beach to find buried secrets from long ago. Mary rushed home to find out more about the fossilized trinkets she had found. Mary would research and take notes on everything she found. One day on the beach after a storm, Mary found an entire skeleton of an animal. Mary researched, and many geologist and archaeologists came to view her incredible find. Mary continued to learn about the fossils she would find one the beach. I enjoyed this book because, like Mary, I like to find fossils and things of the past so we can learn about the creatures that used to roam the earth. This book was very informative and funny. I enjoyed the illustrations of the fossils of the creatures that was found. I hope to someday find a fossil of a creature and can name it on my own.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:41:17", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Explore", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008840051", "title": "The Final Deception (New York Confidential)", "author": "Heather Graham", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 251, "review": "Psychologist Kieran Finnegan has an enviable life. She is close with her brothers who run Finnegan\u2019s Pub, home of the finest Irish brunch in New York City, her work is interesting, and her handsome fianc\u00e9 Craig Frasier is as dedicated to her as he is to his job with the FBI. Lately, though, her work life and home life are entangled as she and Craig both pursue the case of the Fireman, a violent criminal who murders and sets his victims on fire.

Heather Graham\u2019s latest novel The Final Deception is gripping from the very first page. As Craig and Kieran hunt for the Fireman, they discover he may not be working alone. After his initial arrest, more bodies begin to stack up and everyone is a suspect. Is the Fireman truly so brilliant that he could have orchestrated these new murders, or is someone framing him for crimes he didn\u2019t commit? Kieran strongly suspects the latter, especially as she comes to know the Fireman, a devoutly religious man whose convictions are as disturbing as they are singular. She\u2019s certain someone else is to blame for the more recent crimes, but it will be hard for her to find the answers as she becomes a target herself.

As Craig tries to keep the city of New York and the woman he loves safe, he must question everything he knows. An engrossing page-turner from beginning to end, The Final Deception is a wildly taut thriller for any fan of mystery and intrigue.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "13-Mar-2020 01:09:20", "publisher": "MIRA", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008840047", "title": "Nonsense! The Curious Story of Edward Gorey: The Curious Story of Edward Gorey", "author": "Lori Mortensen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 192, "review": "Edward Gorey was one of the most creative and unique authors/illustrators of modern times. Few who have seen his work will ever forget it. He had the wisdom and foresight to trust children to \u201cget\u201d what he was writing and drawing and to understand what the phrase \u201ctongue in cheek\u201d means.

Author Lori Mortensen has decided to give young readers the gift of learning about this fascinating man. Illustrator Chloe Bristol does not copy Gorey\u2019s signature style, but instead magically and brilliantly evokes his art in a fresh way. The text is lively and friendly in tone, and children, whether reading it themselves or having it read to them, will find this a fun and interesting book. The author\u2019s note fills in some gaps that can\u2019t be addressed in the text, and it is equally accessible for youngsters.

This book would be great read aloud during class as well as read one-on-one, and it belongs in every classroom and school library. Author biographies in picture book form are difficult to do well, but Mortensen and Bristol have partnered to make this one as good as it gets. Do not miss this book!", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 22:16:20", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008840043", "title": "The Story of Olympic Diver Sammy Lee", "author": "Paula Yoo", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 187, "review": "This is a story about a boy who has a dream about becoming a diver. Sammy Lee loved to dive, but he couldn't use the public pool unless it was Wednesday because only white people could use it whenever they wanted. Still, he was determined to learn how to dive.

Sammy eventually got a coach to help teach him, but they had to use a sand pit in the coach's backyard to learn how to dive. Sammy's father wanted him to become a doctor because he wanted people to respect him. Sammy wanted to go to the Olympics. Will Sammy become a doctor and give up his dream of diving? Will Sammy be able to go to the Olympics?

This non-fiction book was very interesting. I did not know who Sammy Lee was before reading this book. This is a very educational book, and I learned about some of the prejudice and discrimination Asians had to go through in the US. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a story about Sammy Lee, who made his dreams come true against all the odds.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 22:11:37", "publisher": "Lee & Low Books", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008840035", "title": "For Love and Country: A Novel", "author": "Candace Waters", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 237, "review": "When Lottie Palmer runs away the day before her wedding to join the Navy WAVES program, she leaves behind not only a fianc\u00e9 but also the pampered lifestyle that she has known as the daughter of one of the most important manufacturers in Detroit's auto industry. Spurred by a desire to contribute to the war effort, Lottie pours all of her focus into becoming the best airplane mechanic in the division, working harder than she\u2019s ever worked before. Her grit and sheer talent impress her instructor, Captain Luke Woodward. But when the war ramps up, and she is assigned to Pearl Harbor, she must fight her growing feelings for Luke and navigate her role as the only female mechanic among a group of men.

For Love and Country is a wonderful book, focusing on strong female characters doing everything they can to defend their county and their families\u2014despite having to leave them behind. By far, I enjoyed reading about the Navy WAVES and all that they did during the war effort; especially since the Navy WAVES, and all those serving in WAVES ranks, don\u2019t get as much spotlight as they deserve. Although there are many more things that I loved about For Love and Country besides the strong female characters and learning a bit more about the WAVES program, I could not help but feel as though there were times in which the story was a bit predictable.", "issue": "Rejected", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 22:04:06", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008840011", "title": "Ollie's Backpack (Carefree Ollie Book 1)", "author": "Riya Aarini, with illustrations by Virvalle Carvallo", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Crozier", "word_count": 207, "review": "Ollie\u2019s Backpack is the first book in the Carefree Ollie series. Ollie is a little boy who collects things in the backpack that he carries around daily. Ollie picks up anything from drawings and crayons to trying to carry an igloo. Ollie encounters multiple situations throughout his day in which he adds cares to his backpack. These cares are both positive and negative. The story focuses on the weight of the cares that Ollie carries with him and how they eventually weigh him down. Ollie has to learn how to let these cares go in order to feel lighter and happier. As a teacher, I like to find stories that focus on the social and emotional well-being of children in order to teach skills. However, Ollie\u2019s Backpack may create some confusion with children since the story includes positive experiences as weight we carry throughout our day. I believe this story can be used as a tool for children to learn about not letting the weight of their worries to bring them down. I also believe parents and teachers need to add some teaching to let children know it\u2019s okay to hold onto the positives a little longer, but not to let them overshadow other aspects of life.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "12-Mar-2020 18:45:59", "publisher": "Riya Aarini", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008838003", "title": "What Can I Do When I Grow Up?: A young person's guide to careers, money - and the future", "author": "Life of School The", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 206, "review": "People are always asking the same question: What do you want to do when you grow up? It is a hard question for someone such as myself because there are many things I would like to do when I grow up. This book is fascinating because it has so many different kinds of jobs in it, some of which I didn't know existed, such as a cloud chief architect, which is nothing like it sounds like and actually has to do with how computers store information. This book has twenty job profiles that tell about each job and what you have to do for each. This book also has information on how to get a job and why a job and money are important. It also asks the question, \u201cwhat do you enjoy?\u201d which I think is important for a job. This book has some colorful illustrations and some very interesting information on jobs. I especially like the small journal entries or questions that are asked at the end of every chapter. I think this is a fun book to read to learn about what I would like to do when I get older. Game designer and safari guide are on the top of my list.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "11-Mar-2020 18:45:34", "publisher": "The School of Life", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008836011", "title": "The Pursuit of the Personal Renaissance Experience: Finding Opportunities for Happiness in the Ever-Present Now", "author": "Peter Justus", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 639, "review": "In The Pursuit of the Personal Renaissance Experience: Finding Opportunities for Happiness in the Ever-Present Now, author Peter Justus, shares insights into how to capitalize on the here and now, living each moment to its fullest. For him, it begins with what seems like a self-defeating journey to improve his continually declining dental health. No matter what he tries, what effort he puts forth to improve the condition of his oral hygiene, the reports he receives are nearly always the same: You have excessive tartar build-up and need to return for frequent scrapings and cleanings. One day, after visiting a new hygienist and feeling especially discouraged from their interaction, Peter decides to try another approach - to go back and carefully read the manual for his Sonicare. Perhaps, he thinks, he\u2019s missed something important. After following the instructions for several weeks, trying to focus intently on the task at hand and only that, the tartar on his teeth lessens substantially for the first time in years. From this seemingly simple discovery, he decides to apply this concept - that of which he coins \u201cpersonal process development\u201d to other areas of fundamental importance to his life. He begins with his professional life, honing in on his role, with its various sub-roles, as a physician. He tries to maximize his personal interactions and communications with his patients, treating each one as capable and informed individuals. As he continues to apply the concepts of mindfulness and personal process development to more and more areas of his life, he finds something remarkable - that his contentment with life increases markedly and the \u201cexistential voids\u201d that existed before have narrowed considerably. He experiences one personal renaissance after another.

There is an inherent desire to increase one\u2019s sense of personal happiness in life, especially today in the fast-paced society in which we live and in which contentment is often lacking. Through telling his own story, the author offers readers a model of which to follow in order to find greater meaning in their lives. The concepts he introduces are not unique in and of themselves, but the depth to which he covers them and from the angle of which he approaches them is. The necessity of carefully identifying the roles and sub-roles that define one\u2019s identity and the activities associated with them is critical to his approach. He provides detailed diagrams to illustrate how to complete such an analysis. To elucidate his points throughout, he often refers to beloved sports, well-known movies, and persons of admirable quality. These references aid in adding meaning and points of connection to the text as are several of the analogies that are made. \u201cWhen we improve ourselves as an operator of any process, we essentially become an artist who, working with elements of his or her own thoughts and actions, changes oneself in a very specific way, from a state of relative chaos to one of the Opportunities for Happiness in the Ever-Present Now relative order. And we, as the controllers of these processes, experience the same sense of fulfillment that the artist experiences when he converts a block of stone into a stunning representation of a person.\u201d This is just one example of a plethora of them.

In summary, The Pursuit of the Personal Renaissance Experience: Finding Opportunities for Happiness in the Ever-Present Now is a helpful guide to learning how to immerse oneself at the moment, while continually trying to improve upon oneself. There is a considerable amount of science, namely in the form of biology and human physiology, that is included and used to further delineate concepts the author introduces. He is philosophical in his approach and describes things in microscopic detail which may lend to a narrower audience. However, those who appreciate scholarly, philosophical works will likely find him to be well-written, thought-provoking, and thorough.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Mar-2020 17:52:56", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "91 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008836007", "title": "Imagine Me (Shatter Me)", "author": "Tahereh Mafi", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 231, "review": "Juliette Farrars. Ella Sommers.

Which is the truth and which is the lie? Now that Ella knows who Juliette is and what she was created for, things have only become more complicated. As she struggles to understand the past that haunts her and looks to a future more uncertain than ever, the lines between right and wrong - between Ella and Juliette -- blur. And with old enemies looming, her destiny may not be her own to control. The day of reckoning for the Reestablishment is coming. But she may not get to choose which side she fights on.

First off, I would like to say that Imagine Me is apart of a series, and I would suggest that you read all previous installments of the series before you read Imagine Me; but if you're into reading series out of order, feel free to go ahead and read this book. Imagine Me was beautifully written - from the wonderful characters, the well-built world, and even down to the plot. Although I have many positives about it, I couldn't help but feel as if the ending was a bit rushed, and in all honestly, I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed because of that - especially since the events of the last chapter left me with so many questions that were brought up due to the events of the last chapter.", "issue": "Rejected", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Mar-2020 17:49:06", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008835019", "title": "The List of Things That Will Not Change", "author": "Rebecca Stead", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 217, "review": "Bea is ten and in fifth grade when her dad tells her that he and Jesse are going to get married. A couple of years earlier, Bea\u2019s parents had told her that they were divorcing because Bea\u2019s dad is gay, although certain things would never change. They made a list and kept that promise.

Now Bea not only has to get used to having Jesse as a parent, but also to the fact that he has a daughter, Sonia, who lives across the country. She will be coming to visit and she will be Bea\u2019s sister! Bea loves that idea. But with the wedding coming soon, Bea discovers that not everyone is as happy about the marriage as she is. Some kids at school say mean things and act differently. Also, Bea finds out that Jesse has a brother whom he hasn\u2019t seen in years. She decides to do something about that and learns some hard lessons about families.

Author Rebecca Stead seems fully in touch with her inner child. This book is told from a first-person point of view. Bea\u2019s telling of her story perfectly reflects a ten-year-old girl in terms of the language, feelings, frustrations, and more, which are all spot on. This is a moving story, an important story, and it deserves wide readership.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "11-Mar-2020 18:52:01", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Young Readers", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008835015", "title": "Help Yourself: A Guide to Gut Health for People Who Love Delicious Food", "author": "Lindsay Maitland Hunt", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 223, "review": "The main reason to buy cookbooks is to get new recipes that one can try and enjoy. The first criterion is that readers can make the intended dish. If the recipes are not duplicated or contain ingredients that the reader does not consume, then the book\u2019s utility increases. If those recipes are from faraway lands or provide a health benefit, so much the better. This book contains original recipes that promote healthy living and are quick and straightforward to prepare for the average reader.

After a long introduction, the recipes start with the breakfast category. Categories include snacks, three main sections (vegetable, seafood, and meat and poultry), sides, soups, and desserts. The recipes are clearly laid out and coded to help readers determine, at a glance, which (health) category the recipe fulfills. Unfortunately, not all recipes have a picture of the finished product (useful for those making the dish for the first time). Nutrition labels for each recipe would be helpful for those readers combining these recipes with other diets, as would preparation time.

Overall, the book is useful for those looking for a change from everyday recipes, but looking for dishes that are delicious and slant towards the healthy side. It is geared towards readers who like to cook, but need simple and quick recipes with ingredients that can be found in most supermarkets.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "11-Mar-2020 18:48:22", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008833007", "title": "Yosemite Wildflowers: A Field Guide to the Wildflowers of Yosemite National Park (Wildflower Series)", "author": "Judy Breckling and Barry Breckling", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 180, "review": "Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Besides having spectacular waterfalls and cliffs, it is filled with wildlife and amazing plant-life. For those who love wildflowers\u2014and really, who doesn\u2019t?\u2014this book will be a real treasure. It includes native and non-native plants as well as trees and shrubs that have conspicuous flowers. After a good introduction and a how-to-use section, the main part of the book is broken into six sections arranged by colors: white to cream; yellow; red and orange; pink, rose, and magenta; blue, purple, and lavender; and green and brown flowers. The tops of the pages are colored to make finding the sections easy. There are two flowers on each page with a gorgeous close-up photo, common name, scientific name and family, description flowering time, habitat/range, and comments and/or similar plants. Back-matter includes an excellent glossary, a family index, and a general index. There is even a handy little ruler on the back cover. For those who appreciate wildflowers and those who enjoy visiting Yosemite, this book will be an invaluable guide.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "11-Mar-2020 18:43:17", "publisher": "Falcon Guides", "page_count": "392 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008833003", "title": "All We Buried: A Sheriff Bet Rivers Mystery", "author": "Elena Taylor", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 200, "review": "Small-town sheriff Bet Rivers has big city dreams. Having spent some time as a cop on the streets of LA, coming home made her hometown seem small and boring in comparison. That is, until she finds herself at the head of a murder investigation, her first. She had plans in the city, moving up in the ranks of the LAPD, but she was called home to finish some family business. Little did she know that the town that was so familiar to her was full of secrets, and the people she thought she knew she didn\u2019t really know at all.

The first third of this novel was full of great character development and background info, but then it becomes extremely hard to put down. The cliffhangers at the end of the chapters were fantastic. The author does a great job of building the suspense. Even though the plot is intricate it was easy to follow, and don\u2019t worry, all the questions you have will be answered as the story unfolds. The end of this novel definitely leaves you wanting more. I would love to read more about Sherriff Bet Rivers\u2019 adventures and would recommend this to anyone who loves mystery thrillers.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "11-Mar-2020 17:42:56", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008832003", "title": "Dog Town", "author": "Debbie L Richardson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ethan - Age 9", "word_count": 179, "review": "Dog Town is a story about big dogs who live in Big Rover as well as little dogs who live in Little Rover. A little dog named Harry discovers something incredible. Everyone thought cats were extinct, but they were wrong. Harry accidentally discovers that Cat World really exists. But many dogs living in Dog Town want to destroy Cat World. In order to save Cat World, Harry must win a race swimming across the bay, but there is just one problem: Harry is afraid of water.

I loved this story. It was a little slow at the start, but then very quickly was full of action. The story has no boring parts like other stories. Harry is tons of fun and loves to race, and he can be daring and he will do anything to protect his friends.

This book would make a great series because it is an action-packed adventure that you don\u2019t want to end. This story is good for people who love cats and dogs. I would recommend it because it\u2019s fun and full of action.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 20:00:34", "publisher": "D L Richardson", "page_count": "151 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008830019", "title": "Anthropica", "author": "David Hollander", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 202, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

David Hollander's Anthropica is a collection of stories between characters that intertwine with each other in unusual ways. The word Anthropica that Hollander uses is from the word anthropic, which means: relating to human beings or the period of their existence on earth; the Anthropic Principle sums up the premise of Anthropica. Included in this book are characters such as novelists, philosophical thinkers, robots, mole-people, and Ultimate-frisbee players. Each of these characters develops higher thinking throughout the story and seeks to discover the truth of our existence.

Honestly, I was confused during much of the story. The audience should be mature adults who enjoy and are familiar with the style of writing from Hollander. I didn't appreciate the continuous use of foul language and sexual dialogue included in nearly every character's story; I understand that this is a style of writing that is familiar and normal to some readers, but not for me. There are many references to God and religion throughout the story; it was unclear to me whether the characters (the author) were for or against Him. I felt the text was wordy, but I understand that for readers who appreciate descriptions and detail, they will enjoy this book.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 22:55:03", "publisher": "Animal Riot Press", "page_count": "493 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008830007", "title": "I Know Jesus Christ Is Real", "author": "Melinda Deir-Boyette", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 202, "review": "I Know Jesus Christ is Real is Melinda Deir-Boyette's testimony to the love, security, and overall goodness in her life that have come from having Jesus Christ in it. Through stories relating to key points in her life that revolve around Jesus and accepting Him into her life, Melinda shows His power over everything worldly and spiritual. Melinda speaks of spiritual blessings that were bestowed on her since she's been a young girl; we have no way of knowing if these are true or not, but her testimonies are still working to strengthen the case of God's mercy and His word through the Bible. Melinda lived a rough life when she was younger, living on her own in Jamaica for most of it. Through her writing, we see how God had compassion on her, even when she failed to \"act like a Christian.\"

Melinda's book is encouraging and uplifting. Readers from any background will benefit from reading her book; Melinda came from the bottom (like many others) and was moved by God\u2019s blessing to the top. She writes humbly and makes it clear that all of the glory and praise go to God for the way her life (and now eternal life) goes.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 19:54:43", "publisher": "-", "page_count": "166 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008829007", "title": "The Next Beethoven", "author": "Harry Magnet", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozarro", "word_count": 415, "review": "David Green is a talented pianist dwelling in the large shadow of his late father. David lost his father in his early years and became a piano prodigy shortly thereafter. A normal life was not in the offing, as he was homeschooled while he perfected his talents through competitions. David has his sights set on composing modern music to perform. The music of the Romantic period holds great aesthetic value to him, to the point of his shunning any other period. He is in a long-term relationship with Heather. Heather is involved in psychology studies, with an eye towards evaluating suicidal behavior. David clashes with Heather\u2019s father over the path of David\u2019s career, as David doesn't want to sell out in order to achieve fame and fortune. This, along with David\u2019s irascible feelings towards modern musicians, has strained his relationships.

Determined to start a second renaissance, David looks for other like-minded artists to form a group. He puts the word out and is soon joined by Jeff, Tyler, Dan, and Shelly. They each bring their own talent and single-mindedness towards eschewing modernity in favor of true artistry. Poetry, architecture, and design are among the skills showcased by David\u2019s new confederates. They meet and discuss common ground and look to collaborate on a project. The pall cast over New York in the first years after 9/11 is still noticeable, and this becomes the first project of the group. However, the cohesiveness of the group begins to fall apart as Jeff becomes obsessed with the literature and philosophy of Ayn Rand. Her world narrative captivates formerly shy Jeff and alienates him from others. He is soon gone from the group. David\u2019s disdain for sell-outs, alleged or otherwise, leads him to cast Dan out once he sees a design Dan created for an art gallery. As the Second Renaissance concludes in acrimony and failed dreams, David spirals into an emotional abyss.

Heather witnesses David becoming unglued, drinking too much and disregarding everything. He attempts to get help, but a psychologist rebuffs him for an unknown reason. The mind of a prodigy risks complete unraveling, where will he turn? Can he find redemption?

The Next Beethoven strikes a deep and distinct chord with the reader. The topic of mental illness is explored in all complexity and emotion. David is not always an easy person to like, yet the reader sympathizes with his plight. The author writes his characters deftly and compassionately. This is an emotional roller coaster of a read. A-plus work.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 22:05:02", "publisher": "Harry Magnet", "page_count": "422 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008828003", "title": "Lulu & Rocky in Nashville (Our City Adventures)", "author": "Barbara Joosse, with illustrations by Ren\u00e9e Graef ", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 198, "review": "Lulu and Rocky love to travel, just like me. Lulu and Rocky Fox go to visit Uncle Sparky in the capitol of my home state: Nashville, Tennessee. There are so many fun landmarks to visit in Nashville! Lulu and Rocky visit some of my favorite places, like the Adventure Science center and the Carillon Bells. Lulu and Rocky explore Music City and learn all about famous musicians that have played at the Ryman Auditorium. I like the clever illustrations that show the beauty of Music City and the many landmarks one can find when visiting. The illustrations of the many animals are adorable, and I love how they have been brought to life in a big city. Each page seems to have a different animal friend hidden on each page. This would be a fun book for anyone who wants to visit Music City or for readers who live local and love Nashville and all the many things to do and see. There were a few landmarks Lulu and Rocky visited that I haven't been to and would love to go visit. I can't wait to see what other adventures Lulu and Rocky go on in this series.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 18:56:18", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008827003", "title": "Fly, Firefly", "author": "Shana Keller", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 224, "review": "A single firefly is driven out to sea by glorious winds. There it witnesses a strikingly alluring bioluminescent light. In its quest to join others of its kind, the firefly plunges into the deep blue sea. The innocent creature fails to realize that the glow is not cast by other fireflies but by creatures native to the sea.

With completely saturated wings, the firefly will never be able to escape the ocean. A kind child who saw what happened decides to rescue it from near certain death. She gently lifts it from the surface and thoughtfully carries it home to a place in which an army of fireflies roam the skies.

This magnificent story is sure to capture the hearts of young children whose love for nature runs deep. Interestingly, it's based on an occurrence in nature observed by ecologist and author Rachel Carson in which a lone firefly tried to unite with its \u201cfamily\u201d in the sea.

Science and reading teachers will likely be drawn to this beautifully and magically illustrated picture book. It\u2019s ideal for children aged 5-9 and is filled with vibrant, detailed pictures that bring the story to life. They are truly unique and will fascinate all those who read it. Many will long to read it again and again, taking in new insights and observations with each new glimpse.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 18:55:41", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008826007", "title": "Montale: Poems (Everyman's Library Pocket Poets Series)", "author": "Eugenio Montale, edited by Jonathan Galassi", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 233, "review": "This reader had not been familiar with the poetry of Eugenio Montale, although apparently, he is quite famous and acclaimed. I am happy to get to know his poetry in this beautiful and collectible edition by Everyman\u2019s Library Pocket Poets. The publisher presents poetry in beautifully bound and beribboned editions. Even the paper and typography make reading a sensual pleasure.

While the themes of Montale\u2019s poetry eluded me much of the time, his images are striking and elegant. When I learned that Montale had been trained as a singer, the songbook nature of his poetry was explained. He writes in the Italian tradition of poets stretching from Dante, in much the same style. Like Dante\u2019s Beatrice, Montale writes in honor of the perfect woman. In \u201cIn the Greenhouse\u201d this woman calls to mind \u201cthe dark idea of God.\u201d He goes on: \u201cRapt, weightless, I was drenched with you.\u201d This poem exemplifies the poet\u2019s mastery of images which form perfect stories. Although \u201cLunchtime Letter\u201d is included in the appendix, I felt that this was one of the best of his poems. The hills were \u201cdressed in scant lace,\u201d and he writes of believing in a pact between himself and another. Clearly, the poetry of Montale as evidenced in this volume brings us closer to this wonderful mastery of poetry. The book also includes a chronology of Montale\u2019s long life and an explication of the poems.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 18:57:27", "publisher": "Everyman's Library", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008825007", "title": "At Crossroads with Chickens: A \"What If It Works?\" Adventure in Off-Grid Living & Quest for Home", "author": "Tory McCagg", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 176, "review": "A chicken lady and her flock find their home in rural New Hampshire.

At Crossroads with Chickens by Tory McCagg is a thoughtful memoir about the author and her husband as they search for and create various homes, seeking the place where they, and their chicks, really belong. It skims the surface of various otherworldly issues\u2014climate change, animal cruelty, confinement, and use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers\u2014but at its core, the book is about a search for home: where it is, what it means, and who belongs there with you.

McCagg\u2019s transformation from weekend gardener to chicken lady and off-grid extraordinaire is an entertaining read with some really good one-liners, a lot of anxiety, and oh so many chickens. Readers familiar with the Rhode Island/New Hampshire area will be able to appreciate the geography, and chicken aficionados will empathize with aggressive roosters and the need for good fencing. McCagg\u2019s journey from daughter to caregiver is equally poignant as she processes her mother\u2019s battle with Parkinson\u2019s disease. At Crossroads with Chickens is off-grid, off-beat, and a very satisfying read.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 20:36:29", "publisher": "Bauhan Publishing", "page_count": "236 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008824015", "title": "Sondheim: Lyrics (Everyman's Library Pocket Poets Series)", "author": "Stephen Sondheim", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 169, "review": "I have discovered what I have been missing by not seeing Stephen Sondheim musicals. What I missed was the context of the story which is advanced so brilliantly by the libretto composed by Sondheim. By having this lovely book of Sondheim lyrics, one can appreciate the extraordinary talent that Sondheim has brought to the modern musical. Many of the musicals which I grew up with featured a collection of sing-able songs which were somewhat connected by story. With his lyrics, Sondheim tells the story and advances it seamlessly. It is quite an art and thanks to this beautiful book, the songs can be appreciated down to the lines that are sometimes thrown away in the singing of them. It is no coincidence that Sondheim began his career writing television scripts; it is clear that storytelling is a predominant part of his art. For forty-nine years, Sondheim has created a remarkable range of stories. From West Side Story to Bounce, Sondheim songs have enriched the landscape of Broadway and beyond.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 18:58:01", "publisher": "Everyman's Library", "page_count": "217 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008824011", "title": "Mae the Mayfly", "author": "Denise Brennan-Nelson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 244, "review": "Mae\u2019s mom holds her tight and then let\u2019s her go with a few words of lasting wisdom. On that warm and sunny day, Mae learns she will likely only have a day to live. After hearing her mother\u2019s words encouraging her to bask in the moments that remain, she flutters off to explore. Early in her journey, she narrowly escapes being devoured by a famished trout. She seeks refuge in the hollow of a nearby tree, but despite her fear, she courageously travels on, witnessing the array of miracles the world and nature have to offer. By the time day has turned into night and the stars have illuminated the sky, this newborn mayfly is ready to drift off to sleep, whether for a night or for eternity.

Mae the Mayfly is a truly enjoyable read with its soft, yet brilliantly vibrant illustrations and rhythmically flowing text. Its message is beautifully rich and poignant and it will bless those who read it. Parents and teachers alike will be able to share with young children the importance of living life to its fullest as well as many notable facts about mayflies, as they are highlighted at the end of the book. There is an additional lesson gently woven through the pages of this sweet story as well. Near the end, Mae saves the life of the one who deceitfully tried to take hers. This simple act of forgiveness and compassion speaks volumes about her character.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 18:53:08", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008824007", "title": "The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another (The MIT Press)", "author": "Ainissa Ramirez", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 198, "review": "There are several books on how humans changed their world through innovation. The reverse \u2013 how human innovations in turn shaped human society \u2013 is not as much written about. It is this aspect that this work explicitly sets out to explore by focusing on eight mundane objects.

Chapters read more like stories, with a focus on the lesser-known personalities. Edison, for example, does get a mention, but most of the narrative is devoted to William Wallace. After describing the birth of the invention, the chapter outlines its adaption and impact on society. The focus is on how human society changed partially due to innovation. In some cases, this connection is strong (as in the case of Polaroid), but in other cases, it is more tenuous.

The text is not footnoted, instead, an appendix lists page numbers and bold text from that page followed by the reference. This is annoying as looking for references takes more effort, and some areas are not footnoted. An annotated bibliography not only lists but also provides a brief description of references that may interest some readers. This book is likely to appeal to those interested in the intersection of technology and culture.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 18:20:36", "publisher": "The MIT Press", "page_count": "328 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008823007", "title": "Henry Knox's Noble Train: The Story of a Boston Bookseller's Heroic Expedition That Saved the American Revolution", "author": "William Hazelgrove", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 243, "review": "Students of American history already familiar with George Washington ascending the Dorchester Heights above Boston during the frozen night of March, 1776, may be equally familiar with the cannons of Fort Ticonderoga, which pushed the British from Boston and out of the harbor. This book focuses primarily on how those sixty tons of cannon, known as Knox's Noble Train of Artillery, got from the wilderness of the Canadian border, a journey of more than three hundred miles over mountains and rivers, in the dead of winter.

Hazelgrove writes with novel-like flare as opposed to a high school textbook approach. He sometimes goes to extremes to bring these historical characters back to life within the narrative while employing the use of letters and journal entries to weave the events together. Nevertheless, the repetition stretches the story out as if the author were under a quota. A more concise rendering might trim the book to something less than two hundred pages and greatly improve the telling. By the time the fabled guns reach their destination, the reader is exhausted from the journey.

Hazelgrove drums home several redeeming points that we need to remember these days, including the fact that our Continental Army was an integrated fighting force that offered freedom to the slaves a century before the Civil War. Hazelgrove also reminds us that American ingenuity is not limited to the well-born, but more often than not originates from those who find themselves most disadvantaged.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 00:17:48", "publisher": "Prometheus", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008823003", "title": "I Was Told It Would Get Easier", "author": "Abbi Waxman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 163, "review": "Jessica is a forty-five year old single mother who has grown apart from her sixteen year old daughter, Emily. Jessica puts in long hours as a lawyer and is partner at her firm. She knows she\u2019ll have to work even harder to afford the sky-high college tuition that is looming in her near future. In addition to being efficient, Jessica books a college tour to scope out potential colleges and, hopefully, reconnect with her daughter. The week-long trip brings both ladies a lot more than they bargained for, but it\u2019s exactly what they needed.

This book is fantastic. It\u2019s witty, funny, emotional, honest, and real. Told in alternating viewpoints between Jessica and Emily, each has an authentic voice that moves the story along. Fast-paced and realistic, this book makes for a quick, engrossing read. It would be a very good book for mothers and daughters to share together as it provides relatable motivations, fears, and desires that both age groups can connect with.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 23:58:19", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008822023", "title": "Attack of the Stuff", "author": "Jim Benton", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 189, "review": "Attack of the Stuff by Jim Benton is a fun story about a duck named Bill who can talk to and hear items around him. Bill sells hay for a living. The weird thing is that Bill can hear his furniture and random stuff talk. He gets tired of listening to them and goes to live in the wild. He gets attacked by snakes, but later they make him their king. The book is entertaining. The funniest part of the book is when Bill tells Dog the Scientist to go fetch a pencil and a piece of paper. The main character is very funny and other characters make the story more fun. The story is well written and kept my interest. I could not put it down. This is a comic book with color illustrations. They are silly and go well with the story. \nThis is a good book for eight-year-olds and up who like silly stuff. It could make a good series. I would recommend this book because it was really good and I like it. If you are into silly stuff, you won\u2019t regret reading this book.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 01:17:57", "publisher": "Papercutz", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008822015", "title": "Hood", "author": "Jenny Moke", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 223, "review": "Hood is a thrilling novel about Isabelle, a young woman who joins the Merry Men for the adventure of a lifetime. When we meet Isabelle, she\u2018s been arrested for defending villagers from a royal soldier. Her mother helps her escape and gives her instructions to find her father, who happens to be Robin Hood.This is news to Isabelle! She finds an inn where she meets the Merry Men and ends up joining their ranks. She soon finds out that King John\u2019s right-hand man, the Wolf, is after her family. Readers follow Isabelle as she learns to switch from the life of a sister at a priory to the life of the Merry Men. She must find Robin and rescue her mother from the Wolf.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. It was exciting and had historical accuracy as well. I loved the personalities of the members of the Merry Men. My personal favorite was Helena. She was a fierce archer and had a spunky, sarcastic personality. The plot was very well written and I appreciated that the romance of the story was tied in with the rest and not the center of attention. I would recommend this book to people who like tales of Robin Hood or re-told fairy tales and history. I would suggest this book for readers aged 13 and up.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 00:07:04", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4 "} {"id": "425035000008822011", "title": "Of Literature and Lattes", "author": "Katherine Reay", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 217, "review": "Alyssa had a job at a start-up that was recently shut down for possible illegal activity. Without a job, she has no other option than to return to her hometown, Winsome, Illinois, which is the last thing she wants to do.

Jeremy needs a fresh start. He needs a new job and a chance to be near his daughter so he can be a good father. He takes over a coffee shop in Winsome with dreams of a bright new life ahead of him.

This book sounded cozy and delightful but it didn't deliver. The story itself is good, but the narrative style is distracting and confusing. It's hard to get your bearings starting right from chapter one. The narrative kind of flits around from character to character without warning. I found myself frustrated often, not realizing that the narrative had shifted perspective again until the character said something that didn't make sense. Then I'd go back to figure out which character had taken over. As I result, I was constantly knocked out of the story and never found myself really immersed in it or connected to any of the characters. If that kind of writing is your style, you'll be rewarded with a cute story. If not, it may be a frustrating read for you too.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 23:56:38", "publisher": "Thomas Nelson", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008822007", "title": "Death Waits in the Dark", "author": "Mark Edward Langley", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Arthur Nakai\u2019s first love, Margaret, calls him while he\u2019s attending the funeral of a man from Arthur\u2019s time in the Marines in Iraq. Margaret\u2019s two boys had been killed, and she wants Arthur to look into it. What he finds sends his thoughts to the sharpshooters the Marines trained. Since the shooting took place on the reservation, Navaho police, led by Jake Bilagody, take on the investigation. What Arthur and Jake uncover have them looking at a wide range of suspects \u2014 a strong-arm security guy, the people from a high-powered oil company who want Margaret\u2019s land, and even a member of Arthur\u2019s unit from Iraq. A bullet tears through Arthur\u2019s truck nearly killing him, leaving Arthur injured and shaken and his wife scared. Can Jake and Arthur figure this out before anyone else dies?

Mark Edward Langley has written a compelling second book in his Arthur Nakai detective series. The writing is good, although the amount of description and detail sometimes gets in the way of and slows the story down in several places. The characters are well-rounded and intriguing, and there are plenty of red herrings to keep the mystery under wraps until the very end.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 23:49:32", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "207 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008822003", "title": "Deep Gossip: New and Selected Poems", "author": "Sidney Wade", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 212, "review": "The natural world, with a focus on birds, in particular, is the heart of much of the work in Sidney Wade\u2019s latest poetry collection Deep Gossip. While the subject matter is universal and the imagery at times quite beautiful, the repetitive nature of the rhyme scheme in many of the poems keeps this collection from being fully successful.

In the first poems in the collection, the new work, lines are short, images sparse, and the effect is limited. Many of these poems feel dashed off, unpolished, and uncentered. \u201cNature Poets,\u201d for instance, could be a glorified diary entry. However, the star of the most recent work is \u201cSeeing the Ophthalmologist,\u201d a poem so perfect the final lines develop the visceral feeling of having one\u2019s eyes puffed at the eye doctor. The latter work of the selected section contains rhyme that distracts from a greater idea rather than adding to it, but the finest poem in the book, \u201cBeatrice Rising,\u201d makes wading through the lesser poems worth it.

For those who haven\u2019t read Wade\u2019s work before, the book does have merit. It is an excellent primer on a writer who has an uncanny ability to render nature so tangibly that you can nearly hear the birdsong and smell the bougainvillea in her poems.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 23:45:14", "publisher": "Johns Hopkins University Press", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008821015", "title": "The Dark Fights", "author": "Alexandra Vinarov", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Madelynn Scowden", "word_count": 198, "review": "Sasha is an uchi-deshi at a martial arts dojo where she learns the honor and technique of a true martial artist. That is until she finds her brother Danilo horribly injured after an underground fight run by a brutal Russian criminal. She does one dark fight to help out Danilo, saying this will be the first and last time. That is until things start to go wrong in her life and she is sucked into the chaotic life of these underground flights. Being drawn in by drugs, money, and violence, can she escape before it's too late?

This book has romance, action, betrayal, and redemption. I also like how, even though it is centered around an aggressive topic, it shows real emotion from Sasha. It also teaches you about accepting and learning from your mistakes. The author made the book very exciting and intriguing, which made me want to keep reading more. I also liked how the author explains the fighting and martial arts in a way to make it easy to understand. It does have mature parts, so I do not suggest this for young audiences. Other than that, I do recommend reading this compelling and powerful book.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 23:55:36", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008820039", "title": "Brave Talk: Building Resilient Relationships in the Face of Conflict", "author": "Melody Stanford Martin", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 273, "review": "I avoid conflict at all costs, but I value authentic conversations. As 2020 and all its stresses wore on, conflicts were popping up more and more in my daily life. Because it was harder to run or hide like I usually do, I realized I needed to find a different approach. Brave Talk by Melody Stanford Martin is based on the concept that we don\u2019t need to agree to have an authentic and meaningful conversation, and that impasse, deep, and unresolvable conflict can actually be the foundation for resilient relationships. This goes far beyond the\u201d we\u2019ll just agree to disagree\u201d maxim. According to Stanford Martin, this involves reckoning with your own feelings around conflict and the subject at hand; being curious about the other person\u2019s perspective; asking great questions; and assuming no ill intent.

One of the best concepts of the book was the \u201cpotluck of ideas\u201d and determining if the \u201cdish\u201d or idea that someone one brought was merely not to your taste or truly \u201cpoo.\u201d

Given the current climate in the United States, I found this framework refreshing and rigorous. It made me realize that I have gotten lazy in my discourse. A particular relevant question brought up in the book is \u201cDoes this idea resist harm and it is well meaning?\u201d

This book broke down communication theory into easy to understand graphics and summaries. Stanford Martin also relates relevant stories from her own life and current examples. Overall, I felt this truly was a book for our times. It also has an online training/discussion component. I think I will be referencing both the book and online program for a long time to come.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 01:15:38", "publisher": "Broadleaf Books", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008820031", "title": "Rockhounding Northern California: A Guide to the Region's Best Rockhounding Sites (Rockhounding Series)", "author": "Montana Hodges", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "Anyone who has ever picked up a pretty rock and admired it has the makings of a rockhound in them. This book will be invaluable for those who are true rockhounds, but it is so accessible and beautiful that it will be of interest to nearly everyone.

The book opens with a geologic introduction to Northern California, followed by sections specifically concerning rockhounding in that region, collection regulations and etiquette, how to use this book, safety, and map legend. All this good information is followed by write-ups on 85 sites. Each of these details the land type, GPS coordinates, best season, land manager, material, tools needed, vehicle most appropriate, accommodations, finding the site, and text describing the rockhounding experience.

The writing is lively and fun and shows author Montana Hodges\u2019s love for the subject matter. There are beautiful full-color close-up photographs of some of the material found at the sites and sometimes also beautiful photos of the area. Maps are interspersed throughout. There is even a handy ruler on the back cover.

This book is a real treasure trove of information for anyone living in or visiting Northern California who enjoys the outdoors and learning about geology. Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 00:14:33", "publisher": "Falcon Guides", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008820027", "title": "Tigers, Not Daughters", "author": "Samantha Mabry", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 186, "review": "Jessica does her best to be Ana. Iridian reads the books Ana left. Rosa tries to find out why Ana came back. A year after Ana Torres fell from her window, the three sisters she left behind are still trying to cope with their grief. When odd things begin happening\u2014laughter with no voice, writing on the walls, things found where they weren\u2019t left\u2014the sisters know Ana has come back. They haven\u2019t seen her, but they know she\u2019s trying to give them a warning. Or a message. Or both.

Despite what it sounds like, this isn\u2019t a ghost story. Life hasn\u2019t been easy for the Torres sisters, and after their desperate attempt at escape, things only get worse. The story is well told, fast-paced, and engaging. Each character is different, but some felt overdone and dramatic at points. Jessica is in an abusive relationship and she knows it, yet can\u2019t seem to get out of it. It\u2019s uncomfortable to read about, but a good insight to how it really is. Tigers, not Daughters is a story about what it means to be family. There is heavy cussing throughout.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 22:06:00", "publisher": "Algonquin Young Readers", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008820019", "title": "Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem", "author": "Jude Isabella", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 177, "review": "Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem is about exactly that. If you go to Yellowstone National Park, the park rangers like to talk about the wolves because it is an interesting story. This book has way more details in it than the park rangers share in their talks. If you love animals you may or may not love this book. It is all about the food chain and who eats who, and you may not like to read about it so much. There is a lot of information in this book and it is very well written. The pictures and charts are nice. It\u2019s definitely a book for older kids who are interested in nature and don\u2019t mind reading about predators and prey. If you like this book and have not been to Yellowstone, you should definitely go because it will be a really good experience to see how big and amazing the park is in real life, and maybe you\u2019ll even see a wolf. You\u2019ll probably be more likely to hear one.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 22:00:48", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008820015", "title": "What Grew in Larry's Garden", "author": "Laura Alary", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 131, "review": "What Grew In Larry\u2019s Garden is a heartwarming tale about a little girl and her neighbor friend\u2019s garden. He teaches her all about plants and a whole lot more. The story shows how creativity and kindness can go a long way and make the world a better place, one person and plant at a time. This book is based on a real person who\u2019s a teacher and uses gardening to teach his students. Everybody should read this book. And it would be great if everybody had a teacher like Mr. Larry. This book is so sweet and inspiring, and the pictures are really beautiful. Even the pictures all by themselves without a story would make a good book. It will make you want to grow a garden and write thank-you notes.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 22:00:09", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008820011", "title": "A Portrait in Poems: The Storied Life of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas", "author": "Evie Robillard, with illustrations by Rachel Katstaller", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 176, "review": "A Portrait in Poems: The Storied Life of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas was a good book. It was written by Evie Robillard. I learned a lot about Gertrude Stein, like that she wrote lots of books and poems, and that in Paris, she lived at 27 rue de Fleurus. I like how she called poems \u201cword portraits.\u201d Her friendship with Alice B. Toklas was really special. The puppet show part was neat and my favorite part was their dog named Basket. It\u2019s such a silly name for a dog!

The pictures in the book were good too. The illustrator was Rachel Katstaller. My favorite picture is of the room with all the paintings. It\u2019s, like, really good. You look down at the room from above, and I just love that. I love how this book combined art and poetry. Gertrude Stein even met Picasso! He painted her, and it took a very long time.

A Portrait in Poems was a really good book, and I learned a lot about both Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 21:59:40", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008820007", "title": "Canadian Women Now and Then: More than 100 Stories of Fearless Trailblazers", "author": "Elizabeth MacLeod", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Avery - Age 10", "word_count": 278, "review": "Canadian Women Now and Then is about a whole bunch of Canadian women who have done great things. It is a nonfiction book that teaches you about the lives of over 100 famous Canadian women. There are journalists, astronauts, servicewomen, artists, activists, actresses, and authors. Each career category shows a woman from the past and a woman from right now who are making a difference. Each page of the book covers a different woman, so there is a lot to learn about. The beginning of the book has a table of contents and the end has an index to help find what you are looking for. I read about women who I had already known like the astronaut Roberta Bondar, the author Lucy Maud Montgomery, and Olympic swimmer Penny Oleksiak. I also learned about so many women that I had never heard of before, like Emily Stowe, who was the first female doctor, The Famous Five, and Shaunawdithit, who was the last woman of her tribe and was dedicated to teaching about her culture before she died. My favorite woman to read about was Lucy Maud Montgomery because she wrote Anne of Green Gables. I read Anne of Green Gables this year, and my family is planning a trip to Prince Edward Island to visit the real Green Gables. The illustrations are not real photographs, but instead drawings of what each woman looks like. I wish there had been some real photographs of the women to see. I really like learning about real people and things they have done, and Canadian Women Now and Then gave me the chance to learn about over 100 women in one book.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 21:58:33", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008820003", "title": "Why Do We Cry?", "author": "Fran Pintadera, with illustrations by Ana Sender", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 206, "review": "My mom read to me Why Do We Cry? Before I heard this story, I could not tell her all of the reasons why people cry; I have only experienced crying when I am sad. After being read this story, I learned that there are many reasons why a person may be crying. You can cry when you're sad, scared, frustrated, mad, confused, and even when you are happy! There are so many reasons for crying; my mom says that I cry when I'm tired, too. The story in this book is about a boy named Mario asking his mom about why we cry, and his mom tells him in the pages of the rest of the book.

The pictures in the book are a mix of dark, spooky, and sad, but I think that is just because when we cry, it's not usually because we're happy, although sometimes it is. The pictures are still fun to look at; they do a good job of telling the story. I feel like I learned a lot after being read this story. I like that, at the end of the book, the author tells us more about crying and tears and shows us how unique tears are to everyone.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 21:51:01", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "34 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008819019", "title": "Solve This! Forensics: Super Science and Curious Capers for the Daring Detective in You", "author": "Anne Ruppert and Kate Messner", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 9", "word_count": 184, "review": "I love this book! It sets up different scenarios in which a crime has been committed. The reader is presented with the evidence and must use forensic science to find the culprit. The cool thing about this book is that it explains different forensic science techniques, both how they are used and the science behind why they work.

One example is how fingerprinting works. The dust used to show the fingerprints is made of aluminum, which carries a positive charge. So, the aluminum dust is attracted to the negative charge in human skin and sweat and \u201csticks\u201d to it!||It\u2019s interesting to learn about the evidence in the cases, and how a real scientist would analyze that evidence. I love how this book walks the reader through each step to analyze each piece of evidence. Then, the reader gets to guess the culprit based on all the analyzed evidence.

I think other people would love this book because it\u2019s a mix of educational information as well as fun to solve the crimes! This book is fun, interesting, and informative. All my fellow sleuths should definitely read it!", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 00:58:07", "publisher": "National Geographic Children's Books", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008819011", "title": "Another Life Is Possible: Insights from 100 Years of Life Together", "author": "Clare Stober, photographs by Danny Burrows", "category": "N10 Home & Garden", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 220, "review": "Celebrating a century of Christian communal living, this oversized volume is filled with photo-essays describing the lives and contributions of past and present residents of Bruderhof, which translates to \u201cplace of brothers.\u201d This now international community was first started in the early 1900s by one Eberhard Arnold, a German philosophy student, and gradually gained adherents in Germany, England, Paraguay, and Australia. The members practice Christian pacifism, do not own private property, share communal meals, and have other Christian-compatible practices. Photographer Danny Burrows illustrates ten chapters with images of society participants organized by the goals of this movement. A Korean family expresses their joy at leaving their possessions and busy work-life to follow a lifestyle that money can\u2019t buy. Colorful photos of other participants, each framed in the communal setting, highlights the pages. And so, the photos beautifully play on the basic tenets of this Christian setting showing how they work for a purpose, seek peace, share their faith, practice charity, work together in sickness and health, and indulge in other societal functions. The photographs of the participants and the communal backdrops convey the impression of a contented and happy Christian society representing members of all ages and from varying backgrounds. It is a laudable centennial presentation for this community that also serves to introduce this group to the general public.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 23:47:13", "publisher": "Plough Publishing House", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008819007", "title": "A Stopwatch from Grampa", "author": "Loretta Garbutt", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 245, "review": "He savored every minute with Grampa. They were the closest of companions, and the little boy still knows exactly how long it took Grampa to eat three oatmeal raisin cookies -- a mere five minutes. He knows how long it took the creepy caterpillar to crawl up his leg while he and Grampa sat in the park. Together, they timed everything. It was their fascination, their joy. The young boy finds himself alone with Grampa\u2019s stopwatch resting gently in his hands. Without Grampa, it\u2019s meaningless to him. He shoves it in a drawer away from sight until one day he finds it underneath a sweater and decides it\u2019s time to try to beat Grampa\u2019s cookie eating time.

A Stopwatch from Grampa is a magnificent story that captures a young boy\u2019s enduring love for his grandfather and the immense loss he feels when he passes. At first he is angry, as many are when experiencing tragedy in their lives. Then he moves to indifference and finally on to acceptance, a place in which he is ready to create new memories and reclaim the old. His experience, though portrayed as fiction, appears vividly real. With its subtle but strikingly alluring illustrations, this picture book is ideal for children ages 5-9. Though the topic can be a difficult one to breach with youngsters, this story will likely make it easier and serve as a springboard for fruitful discussion as well as restorative healing for those experiencing similar losses.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 21:59:07", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008819003", "title": "The Boreal Forest: A Year in the World's Largest Land Biome", "author": "L. E. Carmichael, with illustration by Jos\u00e9e Bisaillon", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 201, "review": "The Boreal Forest is the largest land-based biome in the world, stretching around the northern hemisphere across Alaska, Canada, northern Europe, and Russia. In geologic terms, it is relatively young, about eight thousand years old, coming into being after the Ice Age. This huge forest not only supports a wide variety of animal and plant life but also contains more fresh water than any other place on Earth. Canada alone has more than six hundred thousand lakes! This beautiful book takes readers through the year, looking at how many kinds of flora and fauna live in the forest in each of the seasons. Fascinating notes are found throughout the book about how things like fishermen leaving unused worms behind is threatening the survival of the forest or how the Saami, the indigenous people of Scandinavia and western Russia, protect the reindeer population. Author L. E. Carmichael writes authoritatively; his research shines through. His style is conversational and comfortable for his young audience. The illustrations by Jos\u00e9e Bisaillon are soft, lovely, and filled with wonderful details. This is not a picture book for very young readers, but it will enthrall middle-graders and keep them engaged and learning. Don\u2019t miss this terrific book.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 21:50:28", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008818015", "title": "A Forgotten Murder", "author": "Jude Deveraux", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 205, "review": "A Forgotten Murder has all the ingredients for an intriguing English-country-house mystery: a small group of guests; a reunion at Oxley Manor; and a secret from the past -- the unsolved disappearance of two persons some twenty years earlier. Amateur detectives Sara Medlar and her two sidekicks have come to Oxley Manor to find out if the two missing persons are alive or dead, and, if dead, whether or not they were murdered. Of the other attendees, four were present at the time of the disappearance, but they have not seen each other since.

After a promising start involving the discovery of a skeleton in an unused well, the story moves into a slow-paced account of the interactions among the main suspects and their histories over the last twenty years. Also, a sub-plot budding romance between the two assistant detectives evolves. All of this leads up to an intricately woven solution, which plays out in a much magnified variant of the Poirot, everyone-in-the-drawing-room denouement that is too contrived to be convincing. Nonetheless, A Forgotten Murder is a comfortable, entertaining read, especially for those who enjoy the interplay among characters. This is a story that keeps its surprises, and there are several, right to the end.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 00:21:06", "publisher": "MIRA", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008818011", "title": "Wanted! Criminals of the Animal Kingdom", "author": "Heather Tekavec, with illustrations by Susan Batori", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 203, "review": "I love learning about animals of all kinds. Reading Wanted! Criminals of the Animal Kingdom taught me a lot about animals in a fun way. The story is written like the animals are bad guys and the polar bear is the police officer telling us about them. There are many different kinds of animals in this book. I didn't know that some of them were real at first. There are animals from different environments, such as the ocean, rain forest, marsh, ruins, jungle, desert, grassland, woods, and even our flowers!

I liked the information about the animals, even though I didn't understand all of it. I think kids older than kindergarten will probably understand all of it. I think that some of the things that the animals do that are \"bad\" are kind of funny, like sticking flower pedals around themselves as a disguise or laying their eggs in someone else's nest. Other things are kind of mean though, like pretending to be a different animal so that that animal will show up and they can catch them and spitting on people and other animals just because you're angry. I think that any kid will like reading this book and looking at the pictures.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 21:52:00", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008818007", "title": "David Jumps In", "author": "Alan Woo", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 176, "review": "It's the first day of school for David, and he doesn't know anybody. David has no friends at his new school. It's recess time, and he wants somebody to play with. He watches a lot of kids playing games. Some kids are playing hide and seek. Some are playing on the monkey bars. Other kids are blowing dandelions on the grass. David wants to play elastic skip. Will David be able to find friends to play with? This story is about friendship and children playing. I think it's funny that I know how to play the same game as David, but I call it Chinese jump rope instead. I also think it's funny that they show the kids playing video games during recess, and they don't look up; they are sucked in. I like the illustrations, and how the illustrator used watercolor\u2014it is very pretty. When I look at the pictures, I remember me playing the same games as the kids in the story. I recommend this book to kids who love to play with friends.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 21:51:31", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008818003", "title": "I Dream of a Journey", "author": "Akiko Miyakoshi", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 5", "word_count": 131, "review": "I Dream of a Journey is a nice book. The pictures are kind of hard to tell what\u2019s going on and there is not very much that happens in the book. Some of the pictures are colorful, and others are black and white. It looks different than other books you might have seen before. The story is about a person who works at a hotel and meets lots of people who come to stay there, but he dreams of going somewhere someday on a journey. If you like every kind of book then you will like this one. If you like books that are funny or silly then you probably will not like this one as much. There are not very many words, but maybe older kids would like it better.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 21:42:16", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008817075", "title": "The Gretchen Question", "author": "Jessica Treadway", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 182, "review": "The Gretchen Question is a beautifully written story told from the first-person perspective of the main character, Roberta Chase. Roberta has just found out that her cancer has come back and is at a crossroads to tell her college-aged son Will, whom she has a very rocky relationship with recently due to the fact that she will not give him information on who his biological father is. This, along with her relationship with her best friend Grettie, makes up the plot for this book as we follow Roberta through the last days of her life.

I found the writing to be easy to follow and digest. The story, although not complex, was very raw and heart wrenching. The main character is likable enough, however, some of the scenarios she gets herself into are quite strange, and it would be easy to question her sanity throughout the book. There were some really great stories and details such as her mother's Christmas letter and her son's fear of throwing up in public. This was an excellent read that I had a hard time putting down.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "23-Jun-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 01:20:09", "publisher": "Delphinium", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008817071", "title": "All About Anxiety", "author": "Carrie Lewis", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 200, "review": "I didn't know about anxiety before I read the book All About Anxiety. The chapters start by telling you what this is and the different types you can have. The book explains what is happening in your body when you feel anxious. Then lots of things that can make a person anxious are talked about and how you can deal with these problems. Another chapter is about how anxiety affects you in different parts of your life (with friends, school, family, etc.). There is more written about how your body and brain are connected, which shows why we usually don't feel well when we're nervous or worried. The last chapter is about ways of getting better\u2014or coping skills, for when you aren't feeling well, and how you should talk to a counselor if you don't think you can handle it on your own.

This book has a lot of information that can be useful for anyone dealing with anxiety. There is a lot of information for someone my age, but older kids or even adults can use this information to make themselves or someone else feel better. The pictures are fun to look at and help tie the whole book together.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 01:19:03", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "88 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008817067", "title": "Found (House of Night Otherworld)", "author": "P. C. Cast", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 213, "review": "Fog rolls into Tulsa, and with it comes Darkness. Zoey knows something is up and that the something involves Neferet, but Neferet can\u2019t possibly be freed, right? Other Neferet and her companion, Lynette, arrive in Woodward Park to set this world's Neferet free from her grotto prison, and discover there may be those who would sympathize with their cause. Meanwhile, other Kevin and Other Stark are hot on their trail, but how can the new friends travel to this world without invoking Old Magick and paying a costly, perhaps deadly, price?\n\nRight off the bat, I couldnt help but enjoy the whole alternative world theme throughout //Found//, and it seemed to flow throughout the novel - and mixed in with fascinating humans, immortals, and other supernatural beings - //Found// was an amazing read; and to be completely honest, I love the lore surrounding many of the supernatural beings (mainly the vampyre lore), and I cannot help but think that, all things considered, it was completely refreshing. Despite not having read the previous installment in the series, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was able to pick up where the story was at, due in part to how the plot of //Found// would bring up reminders of the core elements of plot.", "issue": "Rejected", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 01:14:03", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008817063", "title": "Repair Revolution: How Fixers Are Transforming Our Throwaway Culture", "author": "John Wackman", "category": "N10 Home & Garden", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 209, "review": "We've only got one world, so let's use it appropriately! Wackman and Knight have teamed up to deliver information on ways of repairing our items instead of disposing of them. In their Repair Revolution: How Fixers are Transforming Our Throwaway Culture, you will learn about a relatively new concept that is hoping to catch on throughout the nation, called Repair Cafes. In a Repair Cafe, volunteers help public citizens to fix their appliances, clothing, etc. to give it new life and to keep it away from the mysterious beyond of our trash cans. In this book, you'll learn about everything to do with repairing, including its role in history. Historical and scientific facts help the authors drive home their points, with enjoyable illustrations throughout the pages are included as well. \nI've always been one that cares about the environment, but I have not been up-to-date with the latest push for not even recycling, but straight to repairing. Everything in the book makes complete sense, and the authors present the information in an organized and professional manner. The information presented in the text is helpful, and the resources given at the end are credible for the reader to have no excuse for repairing an object instead of throwing it away.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 01:12:50", "publisher": "New World Library", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008817055", "title": "Virusphere: From Common Colds to Ebola Epidemics--Why We Need the Viruses That Plague Us", "author": "Frank Ryan", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 231, "review": "Viruses are the most abundant of biological entities, with an enormous range of genetic diversity, and are packaged in such minute sizes as to require the power of the electron microscope to visualize them. Physician and evolutionary biologist Frank Ryan from the University of Sheffield makes visual many of the familiar viruses that plague us in the form of viral diseases. The poxes, influenza, AIDS, Ebola, SARS, polio, Zika, rhino, and other notorious viral infections are aptly described along with their accompanying treatments. Vaccines are strongly advised as preventive measures. Unfortunately, the book came out before the Corvid-19 pandemic arose, but coronaviruses are noted. Viruses are ubiquitous, living symbiotically in the cells of all forms of life, and evolve with their hosts. Monkeys, mice, and bats host scores of viruses causing no harm to their hosts, but when introduced into a new species this formerly quiescent virus may cause havoc. Humans have an entire range of helpful viruses within their bodies and within the enterobacteria of the gut. The diversity of viruses now being identified is enormous, and the question of whether to include them within the realm of life or to designate them as an independent domain still resonates. The book cogently illuminates the domain of viruses within our biosphere. The average reader may become confused by the variety of virus types described; charts and illustrations would have been helpful.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 00:22:21", "publisher": "Prometheus", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008817051", "title": "The Lucky Ones", "author": "Liz Lawson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 206, "review": "May survived a school shooting but suffered the loss of her twin brother in the tragedy. A year later, she still hates herself for hiding in that closet. She knows people expect her to have dealt with it, but she can\u2019t. She\u2019s tried, but she just can\u2019t. She has so much guilt and anguish over that day and the few days before it, and it\u2019s too late to fix it. Surprisingly, she agrees to go to a band audition with her best friend Lucy. There she meets Zach, who seems like he might get it, and her. As the son of the defense attorney for the shooter, he\u2019s the last one likely to help, but May needs saving, and he just might be her last hope.

Like Jennifer Brown\u2019s The Hate List, The Lucky Ones takes a close look at the shattered lives left behind and what it means to be a survivor of a school shooting. Heart-breaking and poignantly beautiful, this one goes straight for the gut as May wrenches with her guilt for her self-perceived part in the event. Told in alternating chapters and painfully brutal honesty, this story is hope in the darkness of some of the worst events in human history.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 00:10:36", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Children's", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008817047", "title": "The Secret Messenger", "author": "Mandy Robotham", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 509, "review": "Venice, 1943. Stella Jilani is a member of the Venetian Resistance, helping to type up an underground newspaper by night. By day, she works under Klaus Breughel as a translator, keeping up the image of a collaborator. It\u2019s a delicate line to walk, and any wrong step could mean arrest, torture, and death. Her fear won\u2019t stop her, though. She has a necessary job, funneling information to the Resistance, and the promise of a free Italy is enough to make her risk anything.

In a parallel storyline, Luisa Belmont finds an old typewriter in her attic. As she lives in Bristol in the twenty-first century, a typewriter is more a fun curiosity than a necessary tool for a writer. However, she also finds photographs of her grandmother from decades before, along with a mysterious man known only as C. With her mother recently dead, this is her only chance to learn more about her grandmother\u2019s mysterious past. As soon as she has her mother's affairs dealt with, she travels to Venice, searching for any clues to find out who her grandmother was and what secrets she kept.

While I was touched by Luisa\u2019s determination, I found Stella\u2019s part of the narrative far more compelling. Her stakes were much higher, involving not only her own life and death but that of her family and friends. The setting didn\u2019t play as strongly into Luisa\u2019s chapters, but it was a rich world in Stella\u2019s. I could visualize it, but Mandy Robotham did so much more than just present sensory details. I could feel its spirit as well, constrained by the Nazi regime but nevertheless determined to break those bonds. Great and small actions alike felt powerful, each one a cry of defiance. I was enthralled by Stella\u2019s courage, but also by her humanity. She isn\u2019t a symbol or a larger than life figure. She\u2019s a woman, doing what she can for the home she loves, even if sometimes that\u2019s nothing more than writing a subversive story.

In the author\u2019s note, Ms. Robotham mentions that the Venetian part of World War II is often considered a soft war. That couldn\u2019t be further from the truth. Not only is every war hard for those who must live through it, but the people of Venice fought and suffered against the Nazi regime as bravely as anyone could ask. The Secret Messenger brings light not only to a part of the war often overlooked but also to the role women played in subversion and resistance.

On the whole, I enjoyed this book a great deal. There were times when I wished the narration was a little more subtle because some of Stella's thoughts were stated outright even though they seemed clear from the text. Conversely, I would love to have seen more of Luisa's thoughts; some of her conclusions, especially early in her search, seem more like lucky intuitive leaps than anything backed by evidence. Even so, this was a worthwhile read, and one I would recommend to any fan of fiction set in this era.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "10-Mar-2020 00:08:02", "publisher": "Avon", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": true, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008817035", "title": "The Two Lives of Lydia Bird: A Novel", "author": "Josie Silver", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 196, "review": "Lydia Bird is engaged to her teenage sweetheart and ready to start a promising new life. When her fiance, Freddie, is killed in a car crash on the way to her birthday dinner, Lydia\u2019s life is changed forever. Wracked with grief, Lydia discovers that she has a rare connection to an alternative reality in which Freddie is still alive. Torn between two worlds, Lydia has to make a choice between the worlds in order to hold on to both her sanity and those she loves the most.

Josie Silver is an incredible author and this, her second novel, is another strong book. She nails the complicated emotions and reactions to grief as well as love. Lydia was a genuine and likeable character, and the premise will resonate with many readers. Who doesn\u2019t wish they could spend time with lost loved ones? This wasn\u2019t a five star read for me because some parts lagged and I felt the book went on longer than necessary. Silver is able to write raw emotion and grippingly portray the human experience. For that reason, readers looking for an emotional, quiet read will enjoy slipping into the two worlds of Lydia Bird.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 22:10:29", "publisher": "Ballantine Books", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008817031", "title": "Alien Nate", "author": "Dave Whamond", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 202, "review": "I like Alien Nate; it\u2019s a really funny comic book. The story is about an alien, a kid, and pizza! NASA scientists left a pizza on the Voyager 1 with a golden record from Earth, and the Vegans found it. All the aliens love pizza. Nate is from Vega. He was sent to Earth to get pizza. Nate crashed his spaceship, then he saw a creature coming toward him. It looked like a person from the golden disc, but it had a furry head and was short. Nate tripped and fell in front of the creature, which turned out to be Fazel, a kid in a snowsuit. Unfortunately, the Men in Beige from the government saw the spaceship crash. Fazel doesn\u2019t trust them, so he and Nate make a run for it.

I like the pictures because the cartoons are great. The cover is so funny! It\u2019s also very funny at the end when Nate says, \"I think I\u2019ll take some pizza to go,\" and he takes it from the Men in Beige. Kids of all ages, except teenagers, will like this book. It\u2019s probably one of my favorite books because it\u2019s funny AND it\u2019s about pizza, because I love pizza too!", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 22:04:17", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4 1/2"} {"id": "425035000008817027", "title": "The Slave Who Went to Congress", "author": "Frye Gaillard", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 172, "review": "This book is the biography of Benjamin Turner, who was a slave for most of his life but over time persevered and taught himself to read. Being a slave is hard work, and Benjamin worked for many different masters as he was bought and sold at the market. Benjamin found a wife and had a son, but the Civil war began and he started thinking about freedom. In 1863 President Lincoln signed the Emancipation proclamation and Benjamin was a free man. Benjamin worked hard to make a living, no matter what happened. Over time, he used his power and wages to help others, as well as learn about politics. He knew he could help even more people if he served in congress and could help others\u2019 views and thoughts be seen and heard better. He believed in equality for all. This was a very interesting book with nice illustrations. I think it is important to know the history of our nation, so that we can all grow and learn from the past.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 22:03:27", "publisher": "NewSouth Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008817023", "title": "What Do the Plants Say?", "author": "Lois Wickstrom", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 122, "review": "What Do the Plants Say? is a book about a little girl who wants to understand the way the plants talk, so she uses a microphone and her mom\u2019s recorder and figures out how the plants can talk. Mostly she hears a lot of \u201cpop pop bop.\u201d The illustrations are very lovely, and you can tell exactly what\u2019s happening. The book\u2019s title tells you what it\u2019s about, but there are still some surprises. The writing quality is beautiful and the language is really descriptive. Anybody can enjoy reading these but those who will enjoy it the most are probably between five and ten years old. Children who like inventing things or are interested in gardening will be especially drawn to the book.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 22:02:06", "publisher": "Look Under Rocks", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008817011", "title": "Nature All Around: Plants", "author": "Pamela Hickman, with illustrations by Carolyn Gavin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 188, "review": "Nature All Around: Plants is a beautifully illustrated book. The illustrations look like real-life plants. The book explains how a plant can protect itself as well as how it can grow. The diagram of the plant shows the many parts of a plant. Who knew plants were so complex? There are many plants that live all over the world in many different climates. Plants grow and change throughout each season. The best part of this book is the plant-watching pages that help reader to identify plants in their very own yard. You can tell a lot about plants by the shape of their leaves, their flowers, and their stems, but readers should be careful to watch out for poisonous plants. Readers should never taste any plants or fruit from plants. I found the insect-eating plants very peculiar, and that they get their energy from insects while other plants make their energy using the sun and water. Readers are sure to love learning all about plants. I know I did. The book also has a section with instructions on how you can grow your very own microgreens! Happy plant-watching!", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 21:44:11", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008817003", "title": "Going Up!", "author": "Sherry J. Lee", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 5", "word_count": 124, "review": "Going Up! is a fun book. You see lots of people who live in the same building and they\u2019re all going up. It would be good if there were more of a story about each of the people so that you could know more about them. You learn something very little about people like what they\u2019re bringing to the party. You can kind of make up stories but each person is only really on one page and they are all waiting to get on the elevator. You would only want to read it once in a while because there is not much of a story. The pictures are happy and it is a nice book. It is a good story for very little kids.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "09-Mar-2020 21:41:25", "publisher": "Kids Can Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008815003", "title": "The Now-And-Then Detective (Jack Starkey Mysteries)", "author": "William Wells", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 250, "review": "As luck would have it, I may have just found my new favorite detective. Jack Starkey is one fun guy to follow around as he sets out to solve the case. In The Now-and-Then Detective, the attraction is not so much the case itself but how Starkey goes about getting his way throughout the book. This guy really has a pair and is not afraid to do things \u201coff the record\u201d in order to solve the case. The story starts out by introducing us to the murdered philanthropist Henry Wilberforce, who seems like the nicest elderly man. The whole town seems to love him and is really sad when he turns up dead. Starkey sets out to find Henry\u2019s heirs: two nieces, their husbands, and one nephew. Interviewing on the verge of harassment seems to be Starkey\u2019s style, but he sure does get the job done. Telling a little fib here and there to get people to talk was one of his finer skills as well. I also enjoyed the bit of action that closed out the case as it was no more than a plan, albeit a dangerous one, put in place, but it was also a great way to end the case. Knowing that there are two other Starkey mysteries out there, I will have to go hunt them down and give them a read as well. This is a fantastic book with a great main character. A winner for those who are fans of realistic detective novels.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-Mar-2020 18:12:53", "publisher": "Permanent Press", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008813011", "title": "Blood and Money: War, Slavery, and the State", "author": "David McNally", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 208, "review": "The rise of standardized, and readily accepted, money is often a confusing tale full of stops and starts. Generally, it is conceived that some of the first paper bills accepted as currency were in Europe during the late 1600s and that it slowly spread as the state consolidated its power and capitalist industries started to sprout up.

Professor David McNally takes a completely different view of the rise of money and how we went from exchanging goods for other goods to using coins and paper bills. He believes that a combination of slavery and its trade and war are the main reasons for the rise of a common currency that could be exchanged across borders. Sadly Professor McNally makes leaps of logic that often do not make sense and often feel like they are forced. Jumping from ancient Athens, Corinth, and other places into the ancient world. To England during the late 1500s really does not make much sense. Also by almost exclusively focusing on England during this time, McNally tends to ignore the rest of the world, sometimes giving them a few pages before going back to England. Never acknowledging that England was a third rate power with no navy. His argument falls flat and feels dull.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-Mar-2020 18:20:03", "publisher": "Haymarket Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008813007", "title": "The Next Beethoven", "author": "Harry Magnet", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 482, "review": "The Next Beethoven is a well-told story about protagonist David Green, a twenty-three-year-old composer whose life slowly starts to go downhill as he becomes more and more obsessed with his idea of starting the Second Renaissance. David is consumed by the fact that today\u2019s modern art and music are completely useless and considers them to be trash compared to the beautiful works from the Romantic era. He believes he can become the next Beethoven and bring back such styles as that of Schubert, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninoff. He scoffs at the music of modern composers Marcel Laurens and Mike Albin. David decides to start a group of creatives who can help him launch the second Renaissance. Although this group seems like a great idea and the group starts off with only a few members, it is soon clear that David does not want anyone else in the group to have a say in who can be in the group and who can\u2019t. One member, Dan, designs a modern piece of art that David discovers, and David goes off the deep end even though, Dan explains, he only designed the piece because he needed to make some money to live. David shuns him from the group. The other members are uncomfortable with the lack of democracy and the group slowly crumbles.

What I liked the most about The Next Beethoven were the multiple themes. Not only is this book a discussion of modern versus past art and its subjectivity, but it also has a huge underlying theme about mental health and, in particular, suicide. The psychological aspect that ties together the creative mind and the part of the brain that deals with anxiety and depression is a topic I find quite interesting. David is consumed with being a non-conformist, so much so that he can\u2019t handle anyone else being a conformist in any way, and this pull on his emotions throughout. This is a painful part to read about. Harry Magnet does a wonderful job of tying together the intricate story about one man whose life is so complex and full of hurt. The one thing that I felt could have been improved upon was the relationship between David and the women in the story. I would have liked to have seen a bit more into how he became a man who felt like he could step all over the women in his life, including his mother, his girlfriend, and the female member of the Second Renaissance group. The way he treats the women is disturbing, from his outbursts to almost raping his ex-girlfriend. I would have liked for the psychology dissection of the book to include a little about David\u2019s psyche regarding this aspect and how or if it was connected to his dominant right brain. This book would be a great read for someone who enjoys the psychology of the creative mind.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "07-Mar-2020 17:56:29", "publisher": "Harry Magnet", "page_count": "422 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008811003", "title": "The Horse of the River: A Camp Canyon Falls Adventure", "author": "Sari Cooper", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Willow - age 9", "word_count": 204, "review": "The Horse of the River by Sari Cooper is definitely a 5-star book. Gillian is going to Canyon Falls summer camp. She had always wanted to go there, but actually going there was a whole different story. All of the girls at the camp wanted to ride Beauty. Guess what? Gillian got to ride her! Maybe this would not be such a bad summer. One day on the trail, Katrena causes an accident that hurts Gillian's best friend and Beauty! Gillian is forced to switch to another horse, Beast. Beast is a horse even the stronger riders have a hard time controlling. When Beast leaps into the water with Gillian in the saddle, danger starts to occur. Gillian is far away in the wilderness with only Beast. Can they find their way back? Or more importantly, will they survive? I thought the plot of the story was amazing. This book kept me interested the whole time I was reading it. I loved the characters. I love how they all reacted to situations differently. I could really relate to all the characters in different ways. I think ages 9-13 would enjoy this book. Go read this book. I couldn't take my eyes off the pages.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "07-Mar-2020 03:04:52", "publisher": "Harbour Publishing", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008810003", "title": "Spindle City", "author": "Jotham Burrello", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 278, "review": "On June 23, 1911, a summer day so magnificent it seems as if God himself has smiled on the town - Fall River, Massachusetts, is reveling in its success. The Cotton Centennial is in full spring as Joseph Bartlett takes his place among the social elite in the parade grandstand. The meticulously planned carnival has brought the thriving textile brown to an unprecedented halt, rich and poor alike crowd the streets, welcoming President Taft to Americas \u201cSpindle City\u201d. Yet as he perches in the grandstand nursing a nagging toothache, Joseph Bartlett straddles the divide between Yankee mill owners and the union bosses who fight them. Bartlett, a renegade owner, fears the town cannot long survive against the union-free South.

Spindle City delves deep into the lives, loves, and fortunes of real and imagined mill owners, anarchists, and immigrants, from the Highlands mansions to the tenements of the Cogsworth slum, chronicling a mill town's, and a generation's, last days of glory.

I would like to start off with saying that I found \u201cSpindle City\u201d to be a bit confusing, at least starting out - due in part to how they are way too many characters in the story - and while few were well throughout and developed, the others are just a bit\u2026 underdeveloped, and to be honest, it was difficult to keep track of the characters as the story progressed. But, even with that, I was impressed with the setting of Spindle City, and all things considered, I found it to be unique especially since I haven't really found any other books that have been written about cotton mills, and about people that have worked in cotton mills.", "issue": "Rejected", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "07-Mar-2020 03:01:56", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008809007", "title": "Keys to Bitcoin: Understanding the technology of digital money", "author": "Raphael Meyer", "category": "N04 Technology", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 59, "review": "\"The best explanation of Bitcoin I\u2019ve read yet! From mining to farming to applying it to everyday transactions, Bitcoin is the amazing digital currency of today. Easy to understand with in-depth \u201chow-to's,\u201d Raphael Meyer does a thorough job of showing the reader all of the possibilities that Bitcoin gives today\u2019s technology-based culture.\" \u2014 Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "08-Mar-2020 14:35:44", "publisher": "-", "page_count": "87 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008809003", "title": "The Journey Home", "author": "Michael J. Sullivan", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 401, "review": "Without reading the first book in this trilogy, I felt as if this book was still a great standalone and I would love to go back and read the first book in the series. I really enjoyed reading The Journey Home because of the way the story flowed well all throughout the book. There were never any dull or boring moments which I really appreciated. Within this book there are a few stories taking place, however, they are all related because of the way the characters are introduced. Daniel and Jane are in their early fifties living in Charleston, South Carolina. It is at Magnolia Gardens, an assisted living facility, that they met. Madeline Orsini is the retiring executive director of Magnolia Gardens. We learn that Madeline and Jane have become quite close, and their relationship grows throughout the story. In The Journey Home, there are three separate stories that are intertwined. First is the relationship between Dan and Jane. Second, is Madeline and her long-lost love Eddy whom Madeline\u2019s friend Kristin and Kristin\u2019s daughter Kayla try to find. Third, there is the story of Marie Gordon, a young girl who is volunteering at Magnolia to help with Jane\u2019s research of the genealogy reports for the residents of Magnolia.

My favorite part of the story is when Marie tracks down the foster children of Sally and George Gunderson. With some help from her Aunt Flo, she is able to track down the long-lost paperwork with information on Sally\u2019s many children. They throw a wonderful party for Sally (George is sadly deceased and Sally has dementia), and she sees the love that her children have for her as they each kneel down and share memories with her. This part of the book is so lovely and heartwarming.

I also really love the part where Kristin and Kayla track down Madeline\u2019s long-lost love who was in the Navy. This part was also very touching and that the two women work so hard to find the information is admirable.

As stated in the prologue though, this is a book that is an emotional and tragic saga. As we, the readers, take the journey with the characters of the book, there is a great amount of emotional attachment that we may have. This makes the end of the book especially heart-wrenching. Overall, I enjoyed reading The Journey Home with its well-written prose and amazing characters.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "07-Mar-2020 01:04:57", "publisher": "PublishAuthority", "page_count": "267 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008808003", "title": "Epicedium", "author": "Helene Alexandra J\u00e6ger", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 64, "review": "\"A beautiful collection of free-flowing thoughts and adventures. This spiritual journey is surreal and full of exotic energy. It is wonderful how the author intertwines fantasy with vivid stories of real-life as if it is one thought. The feelings this book evokes, from fear to love to happiness to hurt and back again, will have readers mesmerized.\" \u2014 Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "06-Mar-2020 06:33:22", "publisher": "-", "page_count": "90 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008807023", "title": "This Is Big: How the Founder of Weight Watchers Changed the World\u2014and Me", "author": "Marisa Meltzer", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 190, "review": "Weight is a subjective and controversial topic, but if it weren't for leaders like Jean Nidetch, we all might be a lot worse off. In Marisa Meltzer's This is Big, the history of Weight Watchers comes to light. The book is part biography of Nidetch, part weight loss journey of Meltzer. The chapters about Nidetch are fascinating to readers, full of facts about her life growing up and becoming established with Weight Watchers, as well as facts about other influential things that happened during those respective years. The people, situations, and items that we still know and love are fun to read about and discover when they made their appearances.

The chapters about Meltzer are equally as important, but more so for people needing reassurance about the struggles of weight loss as told by a person living in today's world. Meltzer writes of her experiences regarding weight loss: her successes and failures. Overall, this is an informative book about two highly successful ladies who started their lives fat and thought they had no hope, but one of whom figured out a key to success she decided to share with the world.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "06-Mar-2020 00:14:54", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008807019", "title": "The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch", "author": "Miles Harvey", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 231, "review": "Joseph Smith knew his time was coming to an end on this earth. A mob was coming to kill him, and the confines of incarceration couldn't protect him. Smith had been leading the Church of Latter Day Saints, and a successor hadn\u2019t been designated. At least, a successor hadn\u2019t been publicly named. James Jesse Strang laid claim to the title, alleging that Smith had picked him to helm the church in a letter Smith sent pre-assasination. Strang\u2019s claim was dubious at best, the mid-point to a lifetime of schemes and cons, which left him fleeing from creditors and law enforcement. Strang possessed an idealistic nature that was overshadowed by a corrupt soul. His early life consisted of failures in career and marriage. He relocated to Illinois and soon gravitated to the Mormon faith, which had established a foothold in Nauvoo. Strang established a post in Beaver Island, Illinois, where he proclaimed himself \u201cKing.\u201d His grip on the reins of the Mormon Church was ironclad, yet his avarice and lust for power destined him for a catastrophic fall.

The King Of Confidence reads akin to the best of thriller fiction. The true nature of the book renders the events all the more shocking and makes for an impactful read. Miles Harvey has done a masterful job bringing the past to life, narrating the whirlwind rise and fall of a true confidence man.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "06-Mar-2020 00:09:00", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008807015", "title": "The House at the End of the Moor", "author": "Michelle Griep", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 218, "review": "After being imprisoned for nine months for a crime he didn\u2019t commit, Oliver Ward has escaped Dartmoor Prison. Wounded, desperate, and on the run, he flees into the moors, where he finds Maggie Lee, herself on the run from her past. Alone, they can do nothing but manage to survive, but together they can truly live.

I should say, together and with the help of God, for Christian faith pervades this book, even reaching the antagonists. At its best, it was charming and inspirational, but at times I felt as though I was being constantly reminded of the book\u2019s message.

That sentiment sums up my feelings about the book as a whole. At times, it was a thrilling read, full of twists and turns and narrowly-escaped danger. At others, it was overdone, a historical soap opera with more pathos than plot. Few of the characters were anything but one-dimensional, and when the narration switches to their perspective, I found myself thrown from my previous immersion.

The House at the End of the Moor will certainly suit some readers. If you\u2019re looking for a Christian historical romance that revels in its swift pace and intense plot, it will be exactly what you\u2019re looking for. That it didn\u2019t suit me was as much a matter of my taste as of the book itself.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "06-Mar-2020 00:05:18", "publisher": "Barbour Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008807011", "title": "Love Sold Separately: A Novel", "author": "Ellen Meister", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 198, "review": "Dana wants to be an actor, so when she's fired from her less-than-fulfilling job at Hot Topic, her best friend/manager gets her an audition at the Shopping Channel. She gives the audition of a lifetime and lands the job. But it's not all happily ever after once the ink is dry on the contract. In fact, that's the moment when the most famous Shopping Channel host of all, Kitty Todd, is found dead in her office. Dana meets a string of gossipy and shady co-workers, all with a potential motive for getting rid of Kitty. But who really did it and are they after Dana now too?

This book was so much fun. From Dana's snarky, underachiever personality, to the details of television shopping networks, and even some romance, this was a fast-paced page-turner from page one to the end. Chapters were fairly short and punchy and made me want to repeatedly read 'just one more chapter.' As a result, I had to finish it in two days because I needed to know how it would all turn out. This is a great, escapist, read for anyone who likes contemporary murder mysteries with a healthy side of romance.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "17-Oct-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 23:48:37", "publisher": "MIRA", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008807007", "title": "Slouching Towards Los Angeles: Living and Writing by Joan Didion's Light", "author": "None", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 215, "review": "It\u2019s interesting to read a book of essays about an author\u2019s work you have never read. I enjoy doing this because it allows me to sample the work without a long-term commitment. I also get an idea of which specific pieces I might like best to read.

Slouching Towards Los Angeles: Living and Writing by Joan Didion\u2019s Light, did not disappoint. Although I have read little of Didion\u2019s work, I feel I have absorbed a lot of it by cultural osmosis. It was impressive to see the length and the variety of her career, from Slouching Towards Bethlehem in the late 1960\u2019s to South and West: From a Notebook in 2017. All of the essayists live in and love Los Angeles, which is a focal point of much of Didion\u2019s writing. The collection is as much as love letter to the City of Angels as it is to Didion. I haven\u2019t been to Los Angeles, but the essays transported me to a place that is both luxurious and gritty, wide-open and hemmed in, welcoming and exclusive. The city seems to be full of contradictions as Didion is herself. I found all of the writing interesting in terms of style and how each of them viewed Didion and Los Angeles. I would highly recommend this book.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 20:39:47", "publisher": "Rare Bird Books", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008806015", "title": "The Silence: A Novel", "author": "Susan Allott", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 174, "review": "The Silence will keep you wondering what happened thirty years ago in 1967 when Louisa Green decided to leave her husband Joe and take their young daughter Isla with her back to England. It is now 1997, and the police have opened up a case of a missing person named Mandy who was a neighbor to the Greens thirty years ago. What entails is a story of heartbreak and deceit in which all of the characters are involved. Joe Green is being looked at as a possible murder suspect, but his daughter Isla is set on defending him and does some research of her own. Some of this might have to do with the fact the Isla herself is a self-proclaimed alcoholic. The secrets that are finally unveiled as the story comes to a close are haunting.

The Silence is a beautifully written story told in alternating chapters set in 1967 and 1997. The characters are real and vulnerable in every way. This book is a must-read for fans of domestic thrillers and mysteries.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "06-Mar-2020 00:25:28", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008806011", "title": "Such a Library!: A Yiddish Folktale Re-Imagined", "author": "Jill Ross Nadler", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 193, "review": "The story opens in a shtetl. A man seeks advice from his rabbi because his house is too noisy and tiny. The rabbi encourages him to fill the house further with all his farm animals, but the situation just becomes worse. His relief comes when the rabbi tells him to take out all the animals, and his house is as quiet\u2014or loud\u2014as before.

The re-imagined tale then opens on a modern library setting with a boy named Stevie. He finds the noises in the library too distracting to read his book. Stevie complains to the librarian, Miss Understood, but instead of quieting everyone down, she opens up the books and out leaps zoos and circuses. The library is louder than ever before.

Such a Library!<.em> by Jill Ross Nadler is a modern twist on a Yiddish folktale. Esther Van Den Berg\u2019s pictures add to the texture of the story. They are colorful and bright in the modern library, and sepia-toned in the old folktale. An author\u2019s note at the end of the book gives readers more information about the distinctly Jewish story. The story contains a wonderful message about appreciating what you have.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "23-Jun-2020", "date_added": "06-Mar-2020 00:21:32", "publisher": "Intergalactic Afikoman", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008806007", "title": "The Patient", "author": "Jasper DeWitt", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 191, "review": "As debut works go, this one is fairly good, though not perfect. It's a fairly quick read that really only bogs down in a couple of places. This falls under two categories: the found narrative and the unreliable narrator tropes. This was supposedly written as several posts on a now defunct message board in the mid-2000s. The Board was archived and was later discovered by other people, who have been unable to track down information about the real names and what really happened. It follows a young doctor, fresh out of school, who is wanting to change the world. He gets a job at a state asylum and is told not to go near a certain patient who has driven several people to death and others insane. When the doctor does, he starts to question the asylum\u2019s policies and whether the man himself might be sane.

The scene with the patient is decent, though honestly it is better told through the notes, the audio recordings, and other ways. The final few chapters are fairly good, though one is a bit of a letdown; overall, however, it is a good first shot.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "06-Mar-2020 00:13:43", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008805011", "title": "Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure", "author": "Sherry Ellis", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - Age 6", "word_count": 170, "review": "What an adventure! Time travel with Bubba and Squirt back to the olden days in Mexico. You can go into the jungle and explore, make friends with Esperanza and the archeologists, and solve the mystery of the stolen artifact.

Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure is a well-written story. It is a very exciting book; it is very suspenseful. I like how in each chapter Bubba and Squirt take turns talking so we get to see how everyone feels. It is fun and easy to read. All kids aged 5 to 10 would like this book. It is right for middle-grade readers who aren\u2019t advanced but aren\u2019t just starting reading chapter books.

Even though it is set in Mayan time, it is not an educational book; you don\u2019t learn much about the Maya. But it is good recreational reading. Kids who like the Time Jumpers and Magic Treehouse series will probably like this book. I think that libraries and families should buy this book. Sherry Ellis is a very good author.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "06-Mar-2020 00:01:46", "publisher": "Dancing Lemur Press", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008805007", "title": "Mermaid Moon", "author": "Susann Cokal", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 246, "review": "Sanna has so many questions, about what she is and more importantly who her mother is. She learns the magic to form legs and goes to the Thirty-Seven Dark Islands to find her mother. She finds a landish village home to the time witch Baroness Thyrla. The white flowers she falls into become red, making what the landish people call a miracle. Thyrla, sensing something unusual with Sanna, takes her to her castle by force to see if she has magic. Thyrla finds Sanna\u2019s magic extraordinarily strong and betroths her to her son Peder. Will Sanna escape her captor and succeed in her mission or be stuck doing Thyrla\u2019s bidding forever?

The writing in this book is extraordinary. The descriptions take you to another world that is full of wonders and dark things as well. This book is not action-packed, but it tells a beautiful story of the landish and the seaish. I love how the author goes from person to person in each chapter. I never was lost because of how well she weaved everything together. The short chapters were a great choice.

The characters are so well done. They remind me exactly what I think people of this time period would be like: a mix of suspicion and religion. My favorite character is Thyrla; she is truly the evilest of evil. How she gets her powers is just so sinister.

I recommend this book for ages sixteen and up because of some sensual conversations and heavy themes.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 23:34:26", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008804031", "title": "Fantastic Hope", "author": "Laurell K. Hamilton", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 133, "review": "Between everything happening in the world right now, a bit of hope is well needed. Sometimes it\u2019s found amidst heartache or in the shadows where you never expect to find it. Fantastic Hope endeavors to show that hope is found everywhere, as long as you look for it.

As with any book of short stories with multiple authors, some stories are better than others. All are science-fiction/fantasy, and some have a bit of horror if you look close enough while others are goofy and fun. I had a hard time getting into a couple of them, mostly because they weren\u2019t my cup of tea, but none are badly written. Overall I enjoyed most of the stories and would recommend this collection to teens and adults who are looking for a spark of hope.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "06-Mar-2020 00:17:47", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008804027", "title": "John Muir's Grand Yosemite: Musings & Sketches", "author": "Mike Wurtz", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "John Muir was probably the foremost naturalist in the history of our country. We would surely not have such a marvelous, robust national park system were it not for him. In his day, before ubiquitous cameras, people commonly kept journals including sketches of natural wonders they encountered. Muir was no exception. Mike Wurtz has clearly done a great deal of research with John Muir\u2019s journals as his central focus. This slim volume opens with a nice introduction letting readers know a bit about Muir, how Wurtz went about his work, how to use the book, and safety precautions. A map of Yosemite showing the twenty-five sites included faces the table of contents. Spreads of the twenty-five sites have a copy of a page from Muir\u2019s journal which shows Muir\u2019s rendering of the place. Facing that is a description of the location including GPS coordinates, a passage, almost always from Muir\u2019s journals with a couple exceptions, and commentary by Wurtz, who clearly has great passion for his subject. Wurtz is both an exceptional writer and researcher. This book will be a delight for any who love Yosemite or who have an interest in history.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 23:55:20", "publisher": "Yosemite Conservancy", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008804023", "title": "Final Cuts: New Tales of Hollywood Horror and Other Spectacles", "author": "Ellen Datlow", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 277, "review": "For fans of all things film\u2014especially those that skew dark\u2014Final Cute: New Tales of Hollywood Horror and Other Spectacles is a must read. Editor Ellen Datlow has assembled a wildly different but equally engaging set of 18 stories centered on the things that entertain us most. From television to movies to streaming media, each genre is represented by chilling thrillers that are best read with the lights on.

One of the shortest stories in the collection, \u201cSnuff in Six Scenes\u201d by Richard Kadrey, is written in a style more typical of screenwriting than fiction, but it is the spareness of the language that adds suspense to the plot. The characters, Ward and Jenny, engage in violence on a level that is so visually rendered, it is no surprise to learn Kadrey himself is a photographer as well as a writer. The scenes are graphic and terrifying, and the twists come on nearly every page.

The final work in the collection, and the longest\u2014truly more of a novella than a short story\u2014is John Langan\u2019s \u201cAltered Beast, Altered Me.\u201d The story exists on two levels; in part it is an exchange of articles and emails between writer Gaetan Cornichon and his friend Michael Harket. The rest of the novella includes a work created by Cornichon, inspired by the movie prop the Dracula Ring from the film The House of Frankenstein, and the mystery of both men becoming ill as they exchange emails. This work, comprising a full 80 pages of the book, is too uneven to be fully satisfying.

However, the general fun and fear of the book as a whole makes it worth reading for those looking to be happily terrified.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 23:53:41", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008804019", "title": "She's Faking It: A Novel", "author": "Kristin Rockaway", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 205, "review": "Bree Bozeman is not living her best life. At twenty-five years old, she\u2019s working as a food deliverer in Pebble Beach, California. Her deadbeat boyfriend dumped her seven months earlier, leaving her with insurmountable college debt and a possibly illegal apartment with rent she can hardly afford. She definitely needs a change. Her older sister, Natasha, urges her to read a self-help guide by \u201clifestyle guru\u201d Demi DiPalma. Demi urges readers to harness the power of positive thinking to manifest their hearts\u2019 desires. Within hours, things are starting to turn around for Bree, or are they?

This book is so much fun! Bree is a deeply flawed character who rings true. Her struggle to find her way in the world is honest and refreshing. The supporting characters are a warm, realistic cast who are also trying to find their way and encourage each other to grow and evolve. The writing is tight and conversational, making this a fast, enjoyable read. There are a lot of funny moments that will have readers laughing out loud, but it's balanced with an inspiring positive message. If you\u2019re looking for a book with a quirky heroine who doesn\u2019t have herself together, you will love this book. I definitely recommend it.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 23:40:27", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008804007", "title": "The Wife and the Widow", "author": "Christian White", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 206, "review": "As I read this book, I felt like the alternating chapters flowed really well. That is, until I realized that some chapters were actually set in a different timeline. Kate's husband, John, has been lying to her about his job and his business trips. In fact, when she does some investigating, she traces him back to the vacation home on an island that was given to them by John's parents. What she finds there is deeply unsettling. As the story continues, we meet a widow, Abby. Yet, Abby and Ray are married with two children.

It is not until more than halfway through the book that the reader realizes that some of the chapters are set in the past and some are set in the present. This confused me quite a bit and I would have loved there to have been some sort of marker telling me that it was a chapter from the past. The story itself is riveting and as it unfolds there are secrets that both families are hiding that are truly unspeakable. I did not expect the ending at all but it closed up the plot very well. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of suspense, thriller, and mystery stories.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 20:23:32", "publisher": "Minotaur Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008803035", "title": "Hungry: Avocado Toast, Instagram Influencers, and Our Search for Connection and Meaning", "author": "Eve Turow-Paul", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 249, "review": "Although I liked the topic of this book, I felt that it dragged on quite a bit while I was reading it, and I ended up skimming most of it. In Hungry, Eve Turow-Paul addresses the topics of influencers, foodies, and today's technology from the perspective of Millennials. She addresses how times have certainly changed, but in some instances, this could be a good thing. I found the chapters on food to be particularly interesting. She describes how there has been a big boom in food delivery, the way many retailers are focusing on having a small number of (or even one) products available versus embracing the superstore model, and restaurants people are taking to gimmicks such as eating naked or in the dark. She also addresses veganism and vegetarianism and for what reasons people are deciding to give these a try. In a world where everything is go, go, go, it was refreshing to read the chapter on the couple who moved from San Francisco to Sonoma to start a farm, something neither of them had experience with. The author explains how getting back to nature and our roots may be a true source of happiness that people are finding out about more and more.

Hungry had some great topics in it, and there was a lot of research put into the book. I personally think it would have been better broken up into two or three volumes instead of a single book because of the dense material.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "06-Mar-2020 00:23:07", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "270 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008803031", "title": "Deeplight", "author": "Frances Hardinge", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 14", "word_count": 194, "review": "Deeplight is a great fantasy story about a fifteen-year-old boy trying to save his friend. Hark lives in an ocean kingdom where the gods are dead. Nobody knows why, but the gods turned on each other. Hark and his friend Jelt live on the streets and take care of each other. However, while they are doing a job for a smuggler, Hark is captured and sold as an indentured servant. Now he must take care of the old priests, who once kept the peace between the gods and the people of Myriad.

Jelt eventually finds Hark, and they attempt to salvage some godware, the leftover remains of a god, but Jelt nearly dies. Hark discovers one thing that could save him: the heart of a god. It works, but Hark notices that the heart changes people and that others are trying to find it. However, he is determined to save his friend, and he won't let anything get in his way.

This book is very well written, and I really enjoyed it. I really liked all of the different submarines and diving bells. I recommend this book for young adults who like fantasy stories.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 23:47:12", "publisher": "Amulet Books", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008803019", "title": "Waste Tide", "author": "Chen Qiufan, translation by Ken Liu", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 249, "review": "Coltsfoot Blossom is trying to get ahold of a container of recyclables before it reaches Silicon Isle. Scott Brandle is coming to the isle to make a deal for the company TerraGreen Recycling. To his translator Kaizong, the isle is the home that has become much more polluted since he left. Kaizong meets a girl name Mimi who shows him there is still beauty in the polluted island and the waste people who live there. Will she be able to prove waste people are worth something or cause her own demise trying to take down those who treat them like filth?

The writing was very well done. I was impressed with how clear what was going on was to me even though it\u2019s a translated book from a different culture. The descriptions were great. The characters were very well thought out. It was sometimes hard going from one character\u2019s perspective to another, but by the same token it worked well because it made you want to keep reading to find out what happened to the character who was about to be stabbed with a knife.

Silicon Isle is a chilling place because you know that it\u2019s a made-up place but certain aspects make it seem so real to life, like this could really be the future. I love the tech of the mecha, augmented-reality glasses, and robotic prosthetics, although I could see people changing out their mechanical look more often. This would be a great read for adults who like sci-fi.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 20:29:23", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008802027", "title": "The Other Bennet Sister: A Novel", "author": "Janice Hadlow", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 215, "review": "Anyone who has read Pride and Prejudice knows which Bennet sister they would most like to be. Most popular, of course, are beautiful Jane, brilliant Elizabeth, and laughing, feckless Lydia. But what of Mary? Her intelligence is often overlooked, perhaps because of her overbearing sense of morality.

No longer. The Other Bennet Sister is a touching redemption of one of the least-liked characters in Jane Austen\u2019s novels, following Mary through the events of Pride and Prejudice and beyond as she attempts to discover what sort of woman she is and claim her place in English society.

The novel is at its best when it steps away from Austen\u2019s work. It follows the events of Pride and Prejudice faithfully, but it (and Mary) are only truly given a chance to shine when Lizzy is not present. She and Austen are both powerful forces which steal focus, and while Hadlow is loyal both to the text and flavor of the work which inspired her, some chapters come across as a rehash of what most readers will already be very familiar with.

Luckily, those chapters are few and easily finished with. Once Lizzy becomes Mrs. Darcy, Mary\u2019s story can truly begin. It\u2019s a sweet, tender novel that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to any fan of the original.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 23:58:30", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008802019", "title": "Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen", "author": "Anne Nesbet", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Patricia - Age 13", "word_count": 143, "review": "Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen was a thrilling tale. It's about a girl named Darleen Darling who is the heroine of her own series of short films. Her studio, which is a small family-owned and operated place, has an idea for a publicity stunt. Since her on-screen persona is an action heroine, the stunt will involve a fake kidnapping. However, it goes wrong and the fake kidnapping is suddenly very real.

Darleen is mistaken for Victorine Berryman, the heiress to a large fortune. The dim-witted criminals take both girls to be safe, but the two form a fast friendship. Soon it seems like Darleen can't tell the difference between her short films and real life, and she and Victorine get up to all kinds of high jinks.

This book was very entertaining and very action packed. There were no slow moments.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 23:39:25", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008802015", "title": "Coop Knows the Scoop", "author": "Taryn Souders", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia", "word_count": 189, "review": "Coop lives in a town that most people think of as a quiet town, that is until someone found a dead body at the park. The people in the town have no idea who the dead person is. Coop along with his friends Liberty and Justice really want to figure out not only who the person is, but also who identity of the killer. The sheriff Tick went to the coffee shop where Coop\u2019s mom works; before he could step foot into the coffee shop, people start to drown him with questions.They found out that the dead person was Coop's grandma, but will they be able to figure out who killed her and why?

I found this book pretty interesting. The mystery behind what happened to Coop\u2019s grandmother and why they never knew she was murdered made me want to keep reading. The reader can relate to Coop because he really wanted to figure out who did it. From the start he wanted to find out every detail and tried to find out who was the murderer. This is a great book for someone who likes a good mystery.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 23:38:16", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Young Readers", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008801015", "title": "How the Penguins Saved Veronica", "author": "Hazel Prior", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 200, "review": "Veronica McCreedy is an independent, opinionated eighty-five-year-old woman. She lives alone with a helper who comes over to take care of the house, a gardener to maintain the outdoors, and that\u2019s all she needs, thank you very much. As she\u2019s reaching the end of her life, she wonders what to do with the millions she\u2019s amassed throughout her life. Surely, she should do something of value with it. A documentary about penguins might be the answer she\u2019s looking for. But she\u2019s going to have to confront the pain of her past in order to move forward with what\u2019s left of her future. Digging into her past may lead her to discover someone she\u2019s closer to than she would ever have imagined.

This book is a poignant, fun, yet powerful read. The style of writing is very easy to read: short chapters in alternating perspectives. There are also diary entries and blog entries that make for a quick read. In a similar vein to Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman, this book does an excellent job of bringing to life an eccentric, cold, old lady and making her the star of a charming and heartwarming story. This book is a pure delight.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "06-Mar-2020 00:16:28", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008801011", "title": "Bee People and the Bugs They Love", "author": "Frank Mortimer", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 208, "review": "This ranks among the best written books I have ever reviewed. This book includes great humor and a use of allegory that reveals tremendous background knowledge. Beginning as a simple recounting of initial inquiry, coupled with personal conflict, this evolves into in-depth learning, great analysis of personalities, and a revealing of information that is masked finely in narrative.

Bee people are a weird and fascinating lot; the author delves deeply enough into their eccentricities to make for fascinating reading. Also the addition of biology was startling even to this former casual beekeeper. I had long believed that smoking a hive caused the bees to fill up on honey preparatory to hive evacuation, becoming so honey-full as to preclude flexing to deploy stingers; here I was disabused. Smoke blocks the pheromones exuded by alarmed guard bees, avoiding the hive-alarming mechanism that would otherwise make for a sting-worthy scenario.

Personal development, familial evolution, and growth within the beekeeping community are displayed with fine precision. Conflict is resolved thereby.

The author is a very good technical writer. I am a former, pre-Varroa Mite beekeeper; perhaps my grasp was augmented by mental imaging, but illustrations would have been helpful. This is worth reading even if you never intend to hear a buzz.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "06-Mar-2020 00:07:25", "publisher": "Kensington Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008799003", "title": "My Best Friend", "author": "Julie Fogliano", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "A little girl has a story to tell. She has a best friend. At least she thinks so, but since she has never had a best friend before, she isn\u2019t positive. But she is pretty sure because everything they do together is just perfect. Her new friend has shiny black hair and laughs at everything. They make their hands turn into ducks and run off quacking. They have quiet times in the shade or hide in the bushes or chase through the gardens. And when the little girl steps on a pretty flower, her new best friend helps her fix it. They draw each other in chalk and draw hearts around them before leaving the park. When they see each other again, the little girl will be sure to ask her new best friend her name.

Julie Fogliano has written a perfectly charming story that captures the magic of children\u2019s play and the discovery of building friendships. Jillian Tamaki\u2019s enchanting illustrations are filled with sweet details and beautiful scenes. Children will love this book, as will the adults who read it to them. The publisher missed an opportunity, however, in choosing not to have racial diversity represented in the book.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 00:29:37", "publisher": "Atheneum Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008798011", "title": "House of Glass: The Story and Secrets of a Twentieth-Century Jewish Family", "author": "Hadley Freeman", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 270, "review": "Jewish family histories are becoming a genre, a fascinating one. The theme becomes more clear with each one read. The beginnings mostly in eastern Europe and the late eighteenth or nineteenth century. The eager, courageous migration from discrimination to safer soil until the Holocaust destroys nascent hopes. But then the phoenix rising from the rubble and at least one family member achieving measurable success. Hadley Freeman, an English author and journalist, a member of the Glahs-cum-Glass family, shares a decade of widely traveled research.

Add her chronicle to those already in the catalog, none better loved or more admired than de Waal\u2019s The Hare with Amber Eyes and Lagnardo\u2019s The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit, both with origins in different lands, both confronting loss before a better day dawned. This cannot be a Jewish \u2018thing\u2019 this retrieval without a boast, with perpetual anxiety, boundless angst. But it is. And as a Jewish reviewer, I recognize Freeman\u2019s ability to glide gracefully from one uncle to another, each one bewilderingly changing his name to establish a new homeland. Lots of family photos to be remembered, images of the glowering great-grandmother Chaya, defiantly ignoring the language of Paris, her home for decades. And Freeman especially rooting for Grandma Sala, unhappily married in America for forty years, always elegantly dressed, a reluctant lady of the old school.

This version of the saga, and a saga it certainly is, is a distanced chronicle written without the familiar ambivalence between sympathy and disparagement, the absence of barely acknowledged love and admiration. It makes for wider appreciation, but to others, perhaps deliberately, it just isn\u2019t heimish.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 00:37:27", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008798007", "title": "Goodnight Moon 123/Buenas noches, Luna 123: Bilingual Edition", "author": "Margaret Wise Brown", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 150, "review": "Spanish this book, Goodnight Moon 123/Buenas Noches, Luna 123: Bilingual Edition, is mostly good for really little kids. If you want to learn Spanish, this book is a really good one to learn some new words. Either way, you should definitely be familiar with the main Goodnight Moon book first or the objects that are highlighted will seem really random, like socks and old-fashioned telephones. Each page has a short sentence in Spanish as well as English, which is good so you can make sure you understand what the picture is trying to say. It\u2019s a pretty short book, but you really pick up quite a few words and have a solid understanding of them. The illustrations are in the same style of the original book, and I think some are new but done really well in the same style so they feel familiar and have a nice, old-fashioned quality.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 00:28:51", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008798003", "title": "Dead on the Vine: A Finn Family Farm Mystery", "author": "Elle Brooke White", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 250, "review": "Charlotte goes from penthouse to produce when she inherits a farm from her late uncle. Her goal is to spend only the time necessary that it takes to fix up the place and ready it for selling, but little does she know that it won\u2019t be an easy job. Her neighbors claim to be the rightful heirs and have been sabotaging the farm at night. To make matters worse, when she\u2019s just barely arrived they discover a mysterious stranger dead among the tomatoes. Determined to find the truth, Charlotte dives into the case, uncovers shocking family secrets, a longtime family feud, and a possible connection to the victim.

This stunning debut has it all: murder, sabotage, a feud, secrets, gossip, and a sleuthing pig. This story feels like stepping into a magical place with lovely animal companions that brighten up the tone. You\u2019ll meet Horse the pig, a soccer-playing horse, and Mrs. Robinson the ladybug, who give the farm a flare of magic and whimsy that makes it come to life. The animals have as much personality as the people and play key roles in the mystery. The other important characters are her two best friends who are her constant support system while she\u2019s thrown into the mystery and working to gain the respect of the farmworkers, including the handsome Farmer Brown. Elle Brooke White breathes new life into cozy mysteries in Dead on the Vine, with a unique voice, an organic setting, and a delicious mystery you\u2019ll want seconds of.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 00:19:11", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008797003", "title": "A Wish in the Dark", "author": "Christina Soontornvat", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 14", "word_count": 198, "review": "This is a great story about a boy helping the people of his city. Pong lives in Nawmon Prison, where he was born, and he longs to escape. However, he can't leave until he turns thirteen. Pong has always been good at noticing small things, such as the small pop of a mango stem before a ripe mango falls.

He escapes from Nawmon and later meets a monk, who gives him many blessings. Pong is pursued by Nok, the prison warden's daughter, who wishes to restore her family's name. Pong flees to the city, where he uses his gift to help the poor, who can only afford the dimmest of orbs rather than the bright gold orbs that the rich have. Pong must choose between leaving Chattana to avoid capture and helping those in need.

A Wish in the Dark is an amazing story. I like that Pong helps his friend when he returns to the city, and that he makes the right choice in the end. I also like all of the different orbs, which are used to cook, power motors, and provide light. I recommend this book to kids in junior high and to young adults.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 00:15:56", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008796015", "title": "The Good Egg Presents: The Great Eggscape!", "author": "Jory John, with illustrations by Pete Oswald", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 192, "review": "Shell, an egg, gets confused where the rest of the eggs are. The other eggs haven\u2019t come back by lunch. He is worried, so he goes to try to find the eggs because they wanted to hide. The eggs are dyeing themselves and playing hide and seek to blend in with the other food. Shell finds most of the eggs, but he doesn\u2019t know where Meg is hiding. Then he finds a note, and they find Meg in the coffee bulk bin. I like the book because the Good Egg is so cute! The Good Egg is my favorite egg! I think it's funny that the eggs are trying to blend in with some food like beets, avocados, cheese, and potatoes, but they aren\u2019t blended in very well. I like the illustrations because it's funny and cute. I really like that the book comes with lots of cute and funny stickers so you can decorate Easter eggs with them. I really like the other books in the series, like The Cool Bean. I recommend this book to people who like Easter books and anyone who enjoyed the other books in this series.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 00:27:11", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008796007", "title": "The Secrets They Left Behind: A Mystery", "author": "Lissa Marie Redmond", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 212, "review": "This was a book I simply could not put down. When I wasn\u2019t reading it, I was thinking about when I could pick it up next for just ONE MORE CHAPTER. Shea O\u2019Connor is a young police officer from Buffalo, New York. When she gets called upon to work undercover for the FBI to find out what happened to three missing girls in Kellys Falls, Shea transforms herself into a college student. As she makes friends with the same girls the three missing girls were friends with, she finds herself deep into the culture of this small town and even finds a love interest. This book was very realistic, and I loved that Shea was not perfect. She had her flaws, but this was what made her fit into the town. The story is gripping and the characters are all very intense, from the lady next door who is experiencing domestic violence to the mean girls at the local college. This book also wraps up well, which I was extremely happy with. The ending was satisfying with no stone unturned. Lissa Marie Redmond does a fantastic job of storytelling, with twists and turns everywhere you look. I recommend this book to any lover of suspense and thrillers. You will not be disappointed.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 00:18:07", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008795007", "title": "The Memory Book: A Grief Journal for Children and Families (Memory Box)", "author": "Joanna Rowland", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 208, "review": "A Memory Book: A Book About Grief is both happy and sad. The story is about a little girl who is sad because someone she knows has died. When someone dies, we don't get them back, but we can remember them and the fun we had with them.

Making a memory box can help us to remember the person who has died. Putting things that remind us of that person or things that you did together into the box is a good idea. In the story, the memory box helps the girl to feel better most days, but she doesn't feel good every day. Having people tell us funny stories about the person who died is another way of remembering them, too. When you do things to remember the person who has died, then you can keep them with you wherever you go.

I haven't had anyone really special to me die yet, but if I do, then I know this book will help me to think of ways of remembering them. Making a memory box doesn't look hard, especially if you like to decorate things or make things colorful. I like looking at the pictures in this book because they are calm and make me feel good.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 00:23:20", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008795003", "title": "Sin Eater: A Novel", "author": "Megan Campisi", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 259, "review": "May is arrested for stealing bread and ends up being sentenced to be a Sin Eater. She is no longer allowed to speak and bears the mark and the collar to let all know what she is. May must hear the confessions of all those on their death bed and eat the food representing those sins so that the confessor will meet the Maker unstained. While performing these rights, she discovers a deadly plot in the Queen\u2019s court, one that costs the life of the sin eater she was apprenticed to. How will May expose this plot and avenge her death, when she is the Unseen and the Unheard?

The more I read about the sixteenth-century, the more I appreciate not living in it. The amount of treachery and backstabbing that occurred in the courts is always astounding. The whole concept of sin eaters is a fascinating one and while this book was fiction, I felt like the author did a great job of bringing that century and its beliefs to life. It is always sad to see how people use religion as a tool for power, but not very surprising. I\u2019m not entirely sure how I feel about May as a narrator, however, I did like that she used descriptions as names for people she didn\u2019t know, such as Black Fingers. That era seems terrifying enough, let alone to be a fourteen-year-old orphan condemned to bear the sins of others and never speak unless it\u2019s at a recitation. Overall, an interesting look into a fictitious sixteenth-century English society.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 00:13:57", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008794011", "title": "The Body in the Garden: A Lily Adler Mystery (LILY ADLER MYSTERY, A)", "author": "Katharine Schellman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 230, "review": "It\u2019s 1815 and Lily Adler is just returning to London society after the mourning period has passed for her husband, who died two years previously. On her first day back, she is invited to a ball thrown by her closest friend where she overhears someone being blackmailed and then a gunshot. Not long after that, the body in the garden is discovered. Aided by Jack, a navy captain who was her husband\u2019s best friend, and Miss Oswald, who was seen with the victim prior to his death, Lily sets out to solve his murder. In a society that frowns on independent women, Lily will have to watch her step in order not to lose her reputation, but she must also watch her step to keep herself from becoming another victim in this murderous plot.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even though it was Georgian era and not Victorian, which is by far my favorite, it was still fantastic. Lily and Jack are endearing characters, and while I want to applaud Lily\u2019s independence, I still fervently hope they end up getting married. The historical details really come alive in this story, with the characters behaving appropriately, or not if the plot necessitates. The mystery was well thought out and came to a fulfilling resolution without being overly simplified. Overall, an incredibly charming debut mystery. I look forward to more of Lily\u2019s adventures.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 00:21:38", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008794007", "title": "Lily to the Rescue: Two Little Piggies", "author": "W. Bruce Cameron, with illustration by Jennifer L. Meyer", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 179, "review": "Like the first of its kind, the second volume of the Lily to the Rescue series is a phenomenal first-person book. The story shows a rescue dog who helps his people find two piglets that are lost in a gas station. The book is harder to follow than the first one because it is a faster-paced, less descriptive book. This is why I did not give it five stars. The rescue dog, Lily has an interesting understanding of the world and it seems that her thoughts are realistic. Like the first book, this book, Lily to the Rescue: Two Little Piggies is a good early chapter book. It also is cleverly written so it seems possible but improbable. The pigs are not shown to be model farm animals; they squeal and chase. This book is interesting in part because Lily gets a taste of jealousy and learns that babies are a lot of work. Most young animal lovers will enjoy this book. This book is of a lower quality but yet very interesting volume compared to the first book.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "24-Apr-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 00:20:03", "publisher": "Starscape", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008794003", "title": "Smoothies & Juices: Prevention Healing Kitchen: 100+ Delicious Recipes for Optimal Wellness", "author": "PREVENTION", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 197, "review": "I love smoothies year-round; I love the creaminess of smoothies, and bonus if they have chunks of real fruit included! When I saw Smoothies and Juices: 100+ Delicious Recipes for Optimal Wellness, I got excited. I am used to making my smoothies at home, whether it's because I'm homebound or because buying them at a store can get expensive, so this is not an issue for me.

True to the title, the ingredients in the drinks are minimal and healthy; each one includes at least one fruit, and some have vegetables or coffee. The book has chapters that pertain to different health benefits; balanced gut, glowing skin, healthy heart, strong muscles, and anti-inflammation.\nI tried the \"Milk\" & Honey Smoothie with cucumber, green grapes, celery, honey, and milk; it sounded refreshing, but overall the celery takes over, and I couldn't get it smooth enough. I also tried the Berry Good Smoothie with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, honey, and lemon juice; this one was better, but still wasn't as creamy as I'm used to with smoothies. I am not disappointed by this book, but I would need to tweak some recipes for my taste; others may be just fine.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "05-Mar-2020 00:04:31", "publisher": "Hearst Home", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008793003", "title": "Mother Land: A Novel", "author": "Leah Franqui", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 228, "review": "On the morning her mother-in-law Swati comes to live with her, Rachel Keller finds herself in Mumbai, newly married and immersed in a culture she doesn\u2019t fully understand. Rachel, a Jewish New Yorker with a passion for food and a deep sense of independence, or so she thinks, has no clue what to do when her new husband, Dhruv, explains that Swati is her to stay.

Mother Land is as much a treatise on what it means to belong to oneself as it is a story of two women from opposing cultures. Where Rachel wants to cook and clean for herself, Swati believes a cook and a maid are necessities. Rachel wants to live in harmony with her husband and equals, and Swati has always lived in the service of her husband Vinood. But Swati has arrived on Rachel\u2019s doorstep because she is leaving her husband; she wants a life of her own, even if she has to take over Rachel\u2019s life to get it.

Rachel and Swati clash as the men in their lives are absent. Dhruv is dispatched back to his home town of Kolkata on a work trip which puts him living in his childhood home with his recently abandoned father. In Mother Land, the women discover they are not so different and learn from one another a secret to happiness that surprises them both.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "04-Mar-2020 00:59:55", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008792007", "title": "Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things, Revised Edition", "author": "Cy Tymony", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Most people have a junk drawer or two or boxes of this and that in the garage or laundry room filled with little things that might be useful someday. Well, someday may finally be here. This little (4.9 x 0.5 x 7 inches) book has nearly fifty projects that can be easily built with things like paper clips, creamer cup lids, the tongue from an old running shoe, twist ties, aluminum foil, old toys, milk, baking soda, lemon juice, and more. All you need is a few simple tools and a little time and patience. The books is divided into five parts: \u201cSneaky Tricks and Gimmicks,\u201d \u201cSneaky Gadgets and Gizmos,\u201d \u201cSecurity Gadgets and Gizmos,\u201d \u201cSneaky Survival Techniques,\u201d and \u201cSneaky STEM Magnet and Motor Projects.\u201d Each project has a quick write-up with instructions, parts and tools needed, and simple drawings to show the way. The writing has a friendly, casual tone and is easy to follow along to successfully complete projects. Anyone who has a child in elementary or middle school facing a science fair or anyone who camps or even just putters around the house will enjoy owning this book and will find it fun and useful.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "04-Mar-2020 01:04:31", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008790007", "title": "Of Mutts and Men (A Chet & Bernie Mystery)", "author": "Spencer Quinn", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 187, "review": "Bernie Little from the Little Detective Agency and Chet, his dog, and trusted partner have a meeting set up with a hydrologist, Wendell Nero. The only problem is, when they get to the RV in the desert where Wendell's working, he's already dead. It looks to the local Sheriff like a case of robbery gone wrong but, Bernie doesn't agree. He thinks the person arrested for the crime is a petty thief for sure but not a murderer. So, Bernie and Chet have to do some digging into Wendell's past if they want to find the real killer.

Of Mutts and Men is an entertaining story that will leave dog lovers wanting more, particularly as its told from Chet's point of view. I can't think of a more delightful duo than Bernie and Chet. The fact that Chet is so thoughtful, lovable, and totally devoted to Bernie is the main reason I think this series works so well. Frankly, it could become something of an addiction for me because, by the time I finished this episode, all I wanted to do was jump right into another one.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "04-Mar-2020 01:18:19", "publisher": "Tor", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008785007", "title": "Explorer Academy: The Star Dunes (Book 4)", "author": "Trudi Trueit", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 13", "word_count": 203, "review": "A great story of adventure and determination, The Star Dunes is the fourth book in the Explorer Academy series. Cruz is a student at the Explorer Academy and has made several new friends. He is following clues that his mom left for him, which will lead to a formula that his mom had been working on. However, he isn't the only one looking for it, and he has already been attacked by an organization called Nebula. With the help of his friends, Cruz attempts to find more clues, even though he must also complete missions for the Explorer Academy. I really like the Explorer Academy ship, which has many state-of-the-art features, such as the CAVE. I also liked the hidden city at the start of the book. There were several illustrations in this book. I think they were very well done and helped to enhance the story. I think Cruz is a great character: he is smart, brave, and a little bit stubborn. He is determined to find his mother's formula, no matter the cost. I would recommend this book to kids from fourth to eighth grade who like adventure novels. If you want an adventure book, this is one of the best.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "02-Mar-2020 21:19:49", "publisher": "Under the Stars", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008785003", "title": "Between The Records", "author": "Julian Tepper", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 253, "review": "Brothers Jules and Adam have music in their blood. Their father is a musician, brimming with both talent and personal torment, and he lives vicariously through the band Jules and Adam form. The life of an indie band is far from glamorous, and the touring they did to promote their first album consisted less of screaming fans than fast food, bad motels, and occasional soul-crushing disappointment. Now they\u2019re on the cusp of a new album--if they can just buckle down and get it done. But again and again, Jules and Adam lose track of the music as they argue violently about their father, each other\u2019s flaws, and the direction the band should go. Drummer Abe does his best to keep the peace, but the brothers\u2019 animosity is intense and deeply rooted. When the band gets a real chance at success, the brothers must confront their family dysfunction or risk losing their shot at the dream entirely.

A work of autobiographical fiction, Between the Records is a raw glimpse at the true cost of a musician\u2019s life, but the grim moments of doubt, loss, and near-misses are balanced with moments of true exhilaration--when the payoff seems within reach, and the music being created surpasses anything they\u2019d thought possible. Still, there\u2019s sadness in imagining what could have been, and yearning for the bright moments that have passed. This is a story about a band, and about making music, and about chasing a dream--but it\u2019s also about confronting adulthood head-on when dreams and cold realities collide.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "02-Mar-2020 21:17:49", "publisher": "Rare Bird Books", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008783007", "title": "Way of the Laser: Future Crime Stories", "author": "Edited by Eric M. Bosarge and Joe M. McDermott", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 426, "review": "Every time you see a law, it\u2019s meant to stop something someone else has already proven can be done (and might well still be done if it weren\u2019t for the law). This is true for everything from murder to providing dangerous work environments to loitering. For a time, people believed that when the future came, we would be beyond such things as crime. This optimism is most famously seen in Star Trek, but it can be found in many shows and books from that era.

Today, people are rather more cynical. Even those who think people are basically good deep down would think it too optimistic to believe in a future entirely free from crime. Where there are laws, there are reasons to keep them in place and people still trying to break them.

The Way of the Laser is an anthology fit for the bridge between today and tomorrow. Here you won\u2019t find the bright-eyed optimism of Star Trek. This is, after all, an anthology of future crime stories. However, it isn\u2019t all echoes of Blade Runner and the more pessimistic side of cyberpunk either. Instead, the various authors present a balance between faith in humanity and knowledge of its dark side that comes as close to realism as anything I\u2019ve seen in other sci-fi.

As I read, I kept my eyes open for various stories I could mention specifically as some of my favorites. Before I was even halfway through, however, I found that was impossible. Each one is a wonder, albeit in a very different way. For some, making a comparison would be more than just comparing apples and oranges; it would be comparing apples and shrimp dumplings. Both are food, but they serve very different purposes, just as each of these stories approaches the matter of future crime from very different angles.

So whether you\u2019re looking for hard sci-fi or something more wildly speculative, you\u2019ll find something to enjoy in this collection. The settings range from Earth in the not-too-distant future to alien planets that present their own problems for human settlers, and the crimes themselves vary from your standard murder and theft to deciding whether to take care of an unauthorized baby. Even the morality of each story varies. Some have the feel of a cop drama, while others question whether the law at the heart of the story is good, and whether the criminal is even entirely bad. I\u2019m very glad I picked this book up to review, and I know any science fictions fans will be glad they picked it up to read.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "03-Mar-2020 00:07:43", "publisher": "Vernacular Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008782003", "title": "Not-Quite-Supermodel", "author": "Kathy Tong", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 413, "review": "What a fun, albeit unreal story! This \u201ccoming-of-age in your twenties\u201d story that, according to the author, has some very real parts in it reads like a book from the Shopaholic collection but at the same time is almost messier. And by messier, I mean, very, very what-happens-in-Vegas-stays-in-Vegas.

Alex Emmerson is a fish slicer in Canada at a Safeway. Scouted by a woman named Robin one day, she finds herself thrown into a world of mean girls, name dropping, and girls with staples in their heads (what?). Alex is uncoordinated, doesn't know fashion from the back of her hand, and really doesn\u2019t know what she\u2019s in for. The one thing that saves her from having a complete mental breakdown is the friends that she meets at La Brasserie. It is at La Brasserie that yes, she blacks out in drunken fits, but she is able to finally be herself and be accepted for it. Her friends Virginie, Tyler, Dante, and Laurent know how to make her feel better after a disaster on the runway. Alex is starting to think she\u2019ll never get to supermodel status.

I truly enjoyed reading Not-Quite-Supermodel because the plot was fun and lighthearted and the character was realistic. Little did I know while reading the book that the author had modeled the main character after herself. This made the book even better. One of the funniest, quirkiest parts of the main character\u2019s personality is that she says she has a fear of plumbing, as in \"plumbaphobia.\" I looked it up, I admit it, and could not find it anywhere but in this book. And the whole time I was wondering how she got clean if she was wrapping herself in Saran Wrap in the yucky shower. Read the book, people. Alex ends up answering that very question. I also thought the Linus towel was a nice touch. Alex\u2019s security towel is just one more thing for people to make fun of. As the author drops several brand names in the book such as Jimmy Choo, Frette, Christian Louboutin, Bergdorfs, and Cavalli, this book bleeds fashion. Alex does end up spending eight thousand dollars to revamp her wardrobe, so of course we want to know what she ends up getting. Right, ladies? Alex\u2019s transformation from start to finish is a wonderful thing to witness. Sometimes I forgot that this character was only twenty-one years old. Overall, Not-Quite-Supermodel was whimsical with a little bit of \u201coh-no-she-did-not-do-that\u201d thrown in. Perfect for lovers of chick-lit.", "issue": "March 2020", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2020", "date_added": "02-Mar-2020 20:08:31", "publisher": "SWP", "page_count": "396 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008781027", "title": " Equipment", "author": "Hesse Caplinger", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 461, "review": "A well-written, thrilling adventure, Equipment takes the reader on a fascinating rollercoaster ride. Two main players, Doctor Howard Charles Foster, CIA agent, and Marek Hussar, a well-connected hitman, find each other in the most advanced game of cat and mouse you could imagine. And although the storyline is intriguing, what I found the most pleasure in while reading this book was the way it was written. The prose felt like a cross between a James Earl Jones narration and a scene out of Tarantino\u2019s Pulp Fiction. The action was exciting, just as it should be, with car chases that not only describe the vehicles but also every detail as the driver shifts gears and the style of road he is on. The reader can literally hear the gears shift as the two vehicles race through the scene.

The characters in Equipment are all very complex. The author is able to describe even the smallest mannerism or move so that the reader can get a full vibe from that character. Being able to be in the heads of each character as they make their move like chess pieces on a board is something that could be difficult to convey, however, Caplinger does an exquisite job of letting the reader feel what each character is feeling in each scene.

The book starts out with four men in a dilapidated apartment building. A bit of dialogue happens between the four, and it\u2019s apparent they are waiting for someone. We just don\u2019t know exactly what. But as one man leaves the room to relieve himself, the action is triggered and although we don\u2019t know who they are or what they are there for, it is very apparent that this is an integral part of the plot. From there, the reader meets Dr. Foster, whose current job it is to use one of his students for coding and programming purposes for the CIA. And then we meet Marek, who in simple terms is just a badass. As players are introduced and then killed off, it is apparent that what the book is leading up to is a standoff between these two powerful players. There are so many excellent characters in this book, including a Russian attorney, a big buff guy from the Special Air Service, the four operatives in the apartment I spoke about earlier, Lilith the Stripper, and Kim, the small Asian girl who seems like she is being used by all sides in this spiderweb of espionage. The book itself is not fast-paced. The author uses his time to describe everything in such minute detail so the reader can sense everything that is going on. I recommend this book for readers of espionage and action who enjoy layers upon layers as the story unfolds.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "02-Mar-2020 01:38:30", "publisher": "Carl Reinhart", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008781011", "title": "STAZR The World Of Z: The Dawn of Athir", "author": "Dr. Anay Ayarovu", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 407, "review": "Stazr: The World of Z is set on another planet called Stazr. Humans don\u2019t currently exist. The Greats have emerged as the dominant race. Other races, which range from evolved animals to human-like creatures, are frequently enslaved by the Greats. These groups also fear being captured and mutilated into a substance called Stazrdust. Stazrdust is an important part of this planet. This magical dust has many healing and mysterious powers associated with it. However, the act of accumulating the right kind of Stazrdust is questionable from a moral standpoint. Storms on the planet also consist of a different type of special dust, which is not as magical as Stazrdust but can still change things quite easily. The language used on planet Stazr is also somewhat different from ours on Earth, reflected in the text by alternate spellings of some words, with various sub-dialects used by creatures of higher and lower societal rank.

The reader will follow the protagonist, Lael, who has wished for nothing more than to be isolated and to follow his dream of achieving the status of a rising author. Out of nowhere, a messenger finds Lael and informs him that through a prophecy, Lael has been identified as \"The Chosen One.\" Unsure of what all that entails, Lael follows this messenger throughout the planet, experiencing intense and dangerous situations all while trying to figure out his way and how he fits into the future of Stazr as \"The Chosen One.\"

I would liken Stazr: The World of Z to situations in the Maze Runner trilogy. Both stories being \"otherworldly,\" they include elements that are fearful and hard to imagine. Scenes of torture and murder for self-gain, racial inequality and the enslavement of \"weaker\" creatures, and the absence of women, except for the scenes including sex, are all features of this novel. One thing to take into consideration is that this is not a book that you can skim. With words purposefully misspelled to distinguish the dialects of characters and emphasize the alien nature of the world, the reader will need to be purposeful about their reading and understanding of the unique words. There are footnotes included that are helpful, but at least in the e-book version they are not labeled at all, making them ultimately more of a bother than help. There were parts of the story that were somewhat difficult to follow and seemingly unnecessary, but then other parts that were exciting and suspenseful.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "02-Mar-2020 00:56:30", "publisher": "STAZR", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008781007", "title": "STAZR The World Of Z: The Dawn of Athir", "author": "Dr. Anay Ayarovu", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 716, "review": "STAZR The World of Z: The Dawn of Athir is the first book in a proposed series of science fiction/fantasy books by debut author Anay Ayarovu. It\u2019s a book that is rich, in terms of its worldbuilding and epic with regard to its plotting, although the character development is somewhat lacking, an issue that might well be remedied as the series progresses.

The story opens on a mundane day on the planet Stazr, as wannabe novelist Lael takes a break from his literary endeavors to enjoy an evening stroll in the nearby countryside. While out, he encounters a nervous shwine (a mutated version of what is known on this planet as a swine or pig) who claims to have a message for him from the Sy-Rak family of Treebarad. A prophecy has apparently been uncovered that names Lael as the \u201cChozen One\u201d or \u201cStazr Fabulist\u201d capable of reopening the gates of Stazr, which had been sealed by the Greats millennia ago. As such, his presence is required by the council of Treebarad.

Thus begins Lael\u2019s quest to understand his role in both the past and the future of Stazr. Along the way, he meets nefarious schemers, deadly villains, fantastical creatures, and even a few allies. And despite previously being something of a hermit, he seems to enjoy every minute of the adventure he never realized he was longing for. Aside from his narration of events, which is a bit stilted in places, the text is interspersed with Lael\u2019s stories, notes, and journal entries, which help to explain the history of Stazr, the planet\u2019s environment, the evolution of its various species, and the mythology of the Greats.

Ayarovu has clearly put a great deal of thought into the Stazr universe and into all that Lael encounters on his quest. The history/mythology that is slowly revealed by and to Lael is really interesting, particularly the role of humans in the development of Stazr as well as the relations between the various species. There\u2019s enough backstory and suggestions of additional strands of plot to make the world seem both compelling and convincing (while still, of course, being firmly rooted in the fantasy genre), and it definitely appears that there are plenty of avenues for Ayarovu to explore in future books in the series.

Unfortunately, the characters aren\u2019t as well fleshed out as the world that they inhabit. Lael is clearly the main character and so carries the success of the story on his shoulders, but he\u2019s neither particularly likeable nor sufficiently unpleasant to be an antihero. It\u2019s nice to see just how much he, as a writer, enjoys the opportunity to engage on an epic quest and to have amazing material for the novel he\u2019s been dreaming of writing. He\u2019s very invested in the world of Stazr and his keen observations help to bring the environment to life. However, he\u2019s a bit too comfortable and complacent when it comes to his own superiority and to how he perceives the lesser species. The mix of his naivety and his overinflated sense of self-importance makes it likely that he\u2019s an unreliable narrator, something that Ayarovu might expand on in the future.

The tone of the story shifts quite dramatically as Lael progresses on his quest. While there\u2019s plenty of humor, satire, and cute creatures to enjoy, there\u2019s also some quite extreme violence and brutality, which might be a bit much for some readers. The darkness could have been a bit less dark, and the story would have been the better for it. That s\u2013\u2013aying, there\u2019s still plenty for readers to enjoy and ponder on when exploring the world of Stazr. Overall, STAZR The World of Z: The Dawn of Athir is a frequently humorous and quite engaging take on the fantasy/quest genre, and it\u2019ll be interesting to see where the series goes next.

One peculiarity with the ebook version: Ayarovu has included endnotes in every chapter explaining the various words, terms, and concepts that she has created to add depth to the world of Stazr, but none of them are numbered, which makes locating a given endnote a bit of a pain. It would enhance the reading experience if the endnotes were numbered and/or if a footnote approach could be used. This might not be an issue with the print version.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "02-Mar-2020 00:56:18", "publisher": "STAZR", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008781003", "title": "STAZR The World Of Z: The Dawn of Athir", "author": "Dr. Anay Ayarovu", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 492, "review": "One could say the story of the prophesied individual who will save the world has been done and done and overdone. So how is one to write a new story in the genre? The key is to write a new and fresh story in such a way that takes the expected facets of the \u201cchosen one\u201d and presents it in a new light, defying and also defeating the clich\u00e9. STAZR: The World of Z does this in a wonderful new way, and readers of the fantasy and science fiction genres will delight in this new and original telling of a familiar trope.

In this first book in the series, The Dawn of Athir, our main character and hero is one Ratadat Lael. Lael has felt the calling to inscribe the printed word his entire life. He lives a simple and, some might say, easy life, but he thrives in the occupation and world he has been thrust into, marveling in the sights and sounds of Stazr and thriving. The story begins as Lael is on his travels, recounting in detail what he is seeing and experiencing, as well as telling of his strange dreams. The similarities to one Bilbo Baggins going on an adventure cannot be missed, but this isn\u2019t Middle Earth, rather the world of Stazr, where things are very different. There are evolved creatures that were originally humans, but also other anthropomorphic beings known as Greats, as Lael is. As the reader follows along with new details of the varied and unique flora and fauna of this world, journal entries break up the ongoing plot with excerpts and accounts of what is being observed, not for the first time by Lael but for the first time by the reader. Juxtaposed with the seemingly idyllic Lael, who wishes little more than to become a renowned author, is the revelation of an ancient prophecy found in the city of Treebarad which will initiate a series of events that will draw this naive writer into a much larger role than he ever could have considered himself worthy of.

The writing is easy to follow and detailed, necessary when being introduced to a new world. Ayarovu uses endnotes for new and strange terms to help define and explain the complexities of this world. These lend the book a more official and perhaps referential feel, but at the same time give the reader the choice to look up the definition at the end of the chapter, or to keep on going with the story knowing they will discover the meaning in subsequent events. The only critique is the e-book edition lacks numbered endnotes, so it\u2019s not always easy to tell which term or word is being defined. Nevertheless, this is a minor hindrance for a thrilling read that draws the reader in from the very beginning with a lovable and entertaining character and takes them on a journey of epic proportions in this new and fresh world.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "02-Mar-2020 00:56:07", "publisher": "STAZR", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008773035", "title": "Saving The Dragons", "author": "Catriona MacRury", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 416, "review": "Tharill and his brother Rory go out to their uncle\u2019s fields to find the cow, Chloe, for milking. On the way there, they are surprised to find a balloon has crashed into a tree and fallen to the ground. The passengers are unhurt, varying between belligerent and apologetic, and are soon on their way after bribing the boys to keep the experience to themselves. On the way back to the house, Rory finds an arrow filled with a green liquid and accidentally stabs himself. He feels faint almost immediately, so his family takes him to Urmi, who prescribes rest and special liquids. Once better, Rory and Tharill help prepare for the trip to Paraic to sell products from the farm and attend the Faire. After helping set up the family booth, Tharill and Rory are given free time, during which they meet Reesa, the daughter of a dragon specialist who likes to explore. Later, the boys and Reesa participate in games of skill with their bows against their continued rival, Prince Rutgar. During their trip, a meeting with the king to discuss the death of a revered dragon leads to the quick getaway of Tharill and Prince Rutgar while Rory informs the family of their whereabouts, not knowing when they will meet again.

Due to the generous number of characters, notes would be helpful for any reader as there is no character glossary. The main characters are likable enough though not fully developed, however, the dialogue was often quick and witty. The names the brothers call each other are humorous and reminiscent of teenage boys, though readers never find out what gnarts actually look like, more\u2019s the pity. The developing romance is subtle but sweet, keeping so far to the background of the main plot as to be virtually forgotten. While the pacing of Saving the Dragons is quick and breezy, the story, in general, has so many unnecessary scenes that don\u2019t contribute to the overall story, which can make the tale confusing. In addition, there was so little focus on the dragons as to make their part in the story irrelevant; they could have been cats or koalas. The change of scenes and characters is sometimes jarring with how often it happens and how short some of the scenes are. Words of Celtic and Spanish origins are splashed into the mix but without explanation or any kind of translation. Many punctuation errors, missing words, and incorrect spelling could make it difficult for some readers to finish.", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "01-Mar-2020 19:46:01", "publisher": "Irish House/5th St. Publishing", "page_count": "258 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008924003", "title": "Dragon Ops", "author": "Mari Mancusi", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 216, "review": "Dragon Ops is about a virtual reality theme park called Dragon Ops that is supposed to reenact the video game Fields of Fantasy. When gamer Ian Rivera gets the once-in-a-lifetime chance to test out Dragon Ops, a fully immersive augmented reality theme park based on his favorite video game, before its release, he leaps at the opportunity, even if he has to share the experience with his sister, Lilli, and cousin Derek, neither of whom appreciate the visit to the remote South Pacific island on which it\u2019s situated. Shortly after the three gear up to begin their adventure, they are trapped inside; Derek is kidnapped, and Ian and Lillia are sent on a quest. They must find and defeat Atreus, the game's end boss, within three days. They have \u201cno save points, no do-overs,\u201d and any game-side fatality will end in their deaths! Luckily, they have the assistance of a guide named Yano and an experienced fellow place named Ikumi to help them. Ian discovers that his in-game experiences haven\u2019t prepared him for the super physical demands of the setting.

Dragon Ops is an awesome story for fantasy lovers and gamers. To find out if Ian and Lilli are successful on their quest, grab a copy of Dragon Ops, and join them on their action-filled adventure.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "29-Apr-2020 23:04:08", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "377 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008923003", "title": "Recognizing Adult ADHD: What Donald Trump Can Teach Us About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder", "author": "John Kruse, MD, PhD", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 420, "review": "Recognizing Adult ADHD aims to bring awareness to issues surrounding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by focusing on the causes of the illness and suggesting coping strategies. The author uses Donald Trump as an example of someone who presents many of the symptoms of this disease. He explains his reason for this diagnosis in Chapter Four, where he further reveals the characteristics involved in determining whether a patient meets the required criteria of ADHD.

This work helped me understand that ADHD results from a biological brain condition, but it is incredibly complex and complicated, likely appearing in childhood. Before reading this, I had assumed patients suffered from being unable to concentrate. I did not realize that they suffered what the authors terms executive dysfunction. As he explains, they are unable to plan effectively and focus on things of importance. Instead, they concentrate on what is of immediate interest. I was also surprised that, because they are often risk-takers, these patients have a higher risk of injury or death. Dr. Kruse does a good job explaining how the patient's condition affects those around them.

Using Donald Trump as a case study, he is able to point out behavior patterns and explain why they might have occurred. As someone who often finds Trump's behavior baffling, I found the focus on him very interesting and useful. He covers instances and issues where Trump seems to lack interest in planning and executing policies. I have also wondered why Trump uses the same simple words repeatedly, and this book went some way in explaining that to me. As Dr. Kruse points out, the behavior patterns of this person affect the nation as a whole. Therefore, understanding this disease is more critical today than ever.

I also found Chapter Seventeen especially interesting. As our brains evolve and make new connections, it is essential to see that we may all be affected by the changes in our environments and should, therefore, mind how we take in information from social media, the press, or television. It certainly made me think I should slow down and be more mindful in the future.

In short, I learned a great deal from this informative study. I felt more sympathetic to those who have ADHD after having read about the condition as a whole and how it affects almost every area of their lives. This easy-to-read, thoroughly researched book is, no doubt a must for those who have ADHD, know someone who suffers from it, or for those who want to know more about this complex disease.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "27-Apr-2020 21:25:50", "publisher": "Authority Publishing", "page_count": "285 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008922011", "title": "Recognizing Adult ADHD: What Donald Trump Can Teach Us About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder", "author": "John Kruse MD, PhD", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Stacia Levy", "word_count": 446, "review": "In this book, Dr. John Kruse explores the topic of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults, as applied to Donald Trump. The author maintains that much of Trump\u2019s publicly odd behavior, such as wandering off topic during speeches, can be attributed to ADHD, a lifelong disorder for most patients. The author writes from the perspective of a clinical psychologist who has made a career of working with ADHD patients and who has diagnosed Trump not, as is usually the case, through a brief office visit and self-assessment, but through hours spent watching his behavior on tape and reading his writings.

The book delves into subtopics such as the diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, and comorbidities of ADHD, relating the topics back to Trump. Kruse maintains that much of the behavior we observe in Trump, which has been attributed to other disorders such as narcissism, is related to ADHD. For example, in the famous incident of Trump pacing behind Clinton while she was talking during a debate, which many have attributed to a narcissistic need for domination, the author sees symptoms of ADHD and loss of focus. Other behavior, such as Trump\u2019s persistent sniffing, might be related to Adderall used to treat ADHD.

The author notes that the times during televised appearances when Trump\u2019s pupils appeared dilated, as if from pharmaceuticals, were also the times he appeared more focused, his speech more intelligible, his hand gestures not as wild. The author also notes factors such as risk-taking that led to some of Trump\u2019s early business success that ADHD would explain. Other topics the author addresses are the impairment of executive function, or the lack of ability to plan and carry out activities, and medical ethics in diagnosing ADHD, the topics all related, again, back to Trump. The author notes the harm to the country caused by its leader\u2019s untreated disorder.

A limitation of the work is, as the author notes, that he has not personally examined Trump, the most recognized and ethical way to diagnose. In addition, something that occurs to me is the issue of confirmation bias: that is, once we have settled on a hypothesis, such as Donald Trump having ADHD, there is a tendency to look for evidence to confirm that hypothesis rather than first ruling out other possibilities. In the matter of pacing around the stage, for example, Trump could really have been trying to dominate Clinton or to draw attention to himself while she was speaking. Other possibilities would have to be ruled out first before determining ADHD to be the only explanation. However, the author does pull together the evidence enough to make his case as well as to hold readers' attention.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Apr-2020 04:05:07", "publisher": "Authority Publishing", "page_count": "285 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008922007", "title": "Recognizing Adult ADHD: What Donald Trump Can Teach Us About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder", "author": "John Kruse, MD, PhD", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Utomo", "word_count": 435, "review": "Celebrities de-stigmatizing their mental health disorders is nothing new. Using celebrities to de-stigmatize their hypothetical disorders is a different matter. While surmises about President Trump\u2019s mental health abound, he has yet to receive a clinical diagnosis\u2014or at least publicize one. But psychiatrist John Kruse is changing all this in his health education book, Recognizing Adult ADHD: What Donald Trump Can Teach Us about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Dr. Kruse\u2019s intention is straightforward: educate us about a misunderstood disorder by highlighting a familiar figure. Execution may be more crucial than intent, however, and Kruse\u2019s personal feelings occasionally contradict his clinical premise.

Kruse is an ADHD specialist, and he showcases this expertise in the book\u2019s educational sections. He draws from decades of clinical practice to depict a range of cases, from struggling college students to career-hopping professionals to volatile romantic partners. We learn to identify the symptoms of adult ADHD through these narratives, perhaps even recognizing ourselves or a loved one in the process. Not only does Kruse persuade us that that adult ADHD is just as real as the childhood disorder, but he also demonstrates that it\u2019s just as crippling if left untreated.

Unfortunately, Kruse\u2019s attempt to de-stigmatize ADHD through President Trump falls short. His argument for diagnosing Trump is strong since ADHD can be diagnosed by observation rather than self-reporting, but Kruse\u2019s ensuing analysis is ambivalent. He best succeeds at softening our criticism of the president\u2014and more importantly other ADHD adults\u2014when he suggests Trump\u2019s brazen behavior isn\u2019t as toxic as it seems. For example, Kruse urges us not to judge Trump too harshly for contradictory tweets or sexist comments since ADHD adults often blurt out fleeting thoughts even if those thoughts don\u2019t represent underlying beliefs. Neither should we be surprised at Trump\u2019s penchant for spectacle, he argues, since ADHD adults prioritize visual imagery above abstract concepts.

But Kruse\u2019s sympathy doesn\u2019t extend much beyond these macro-defenses. He describes Trump\u2019s actions in derogatory terms like \u201cspews\u201d and \u201cantics,\u201d and devotes a chapter to coping with Trump\u2019s presidency before likening our time under his administration to an \u201cancient curse\u201d that condemns someone to live in \u201cinteresting times.\u201d It\u2019s hard to comprehend how portraying an ADHD individual as cursing his community could possibly de-stigmatize the disorder.

And that\u2019s why it\u2019s best to delineate health education and social activism. Dr. Kruse is clearly an expert in his field, but he doesn\u2019t maintain the objectivity necessary to de-stigmatize the disorder for a general readership. We may finish Recognizing Adult ADHD more educated, but we\u2019ll have to exercise some mental gymnastics if we want to walk away unbiased about ADHD - regardless of our political opinion.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Apr-2020 04:04:48", "publisher": "Authority Publishing", "page_count": "285 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008922003", "title": "The Nosferatu Conspiracy, Book One: The Sleepwalker", "author": "Brian James Gage", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 419, "review": "The Nosferatu Conspiracy, Book One: The Sleepwalker, by Brian James Gage, is a well-written, fun book that I\u2019ll call a combination of historical fiction, fantasy, and Rasputin fanfiction. Prior to reading The Nosferatu Conspiracy, I had a basic knowledge of the historical events that took place regarding the Bolshevik Revolution, the gruesome killings of the royal family, and the intrigue surrounding Rasputin. Rasputin was the faith healer who won the trust of the royal family by treating their hemophiliac son, Alexei. In Nosferatu, \u201cdocuments\u201d are used as a new factual interpretation of events, along with diaries and newspaper clippings (all from Gage\u2019s imagination). The plot features Rasputin as a vampire antagonist along with factions that are working, in part, against each other. The protagonists range from Russian royalty to accidental vampire killers.

The backdrop is Bucharest and St. Petersburg, Russia. I don\u2019t think that the reader needs any historical knowledge to appreciate Nosferatu, and a quick reading of events on one\u2019s own could fill in the blanks easily, but part of the enjoyment for me was the revisionist fantasy.

I particularly enjoyed this account of the events of 1916 that explained the \u201creal\u201d reasons for the revolution (vampires, of course). I enjoyed the story, with its intrigue and complexity, and fully developed characters and action. Vampire book authors must develop their own vampire lore because so many vampire archetypes exist. Gage doesn\u2019t stray too far from existing vampire literary culture, except to offer a few twists of his own. Part of what makes the book fun is the seriousness of purpose in the tone.

After reading several novels lately in which I really didn\u2019t care about the characters, I am glad to say that I did care here, especially for Felix and Denis. These are wonderful characters. The action scenes, I\u2019ll add, could have been quite confusing, but they are not. The novel is more than 400 pages long, seemingly long, but reads quickly. At first, I did make a cheat sheet for myself since many characters have Russian names that got confused in my head. But they are developed clearly enough that I stopped needing my notes after a while. The main characters are male, and the females, while relegated to a more minor status in the pages, do not fall into an old-fashioned, anti-feminist trope. This was a relief. I will simply say that stereotypical vampire folklore regarding women isn\u2019t here. I\u2019ll be looking out for the second book in the series (dealing with the \u201creal\u201d reason behind WWI).", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "27-Apr-2020 20:09:57", "publisher": "KDK 12 Press", "page_count": "439 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008920003", "title": "Ice Queen", "author": "Felicia Farber", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 434, "review": "This book should get pushed to the top of everyone\u2019s list. In a world where social media has taken over and everyone has smartphones, there are still rules and regulations that we all have to follow. This book, although told in a story format, touches upon a topic that I feel is not addressed enough: teen sexting. Kids are kids, and sometimes when they do things, they don\u2019t understand the repercussions. Back in the day a game of spin the bottle or seven minutes in heaven were the taboo games kids played without their parents knowing. Now, it\u2019s being taken online.

The main characters in this book, Blair and David, are actually very innocent in this case. David takes a picture of Blair while she is changing clothes and she tells him to make sure he deletes it. He tells her he will but somehow that picture is sent out to several people as well as the police. And that is how David and Blair get arrested on several counts of crime. David didn\u2019t send the picture though. Why would he do that? And Blair is convinced that he was scheming with his ex-girlfriend nicknamed the Ice Queen to do this to her.

The story is excellently written and really makes a person think about things they\u2019ve done that have completely innocent intentions that could be considered illegal child porn or sexting. Where is the line drawn? When a minor sends another minor a picture of themself in a seductive outfit or pose should they get in trouble? These are things we don\u2019t think of because the intent to commit a crime is not there. So are they wrong? Well, they are certainly punishable by law.

This story digs deep. The characters are all well developed and could all be real people. You have the Ice Queen and her Things who are the mean girls. She rules the roost and divides everyone in the school into classes: Class A, B, and C. Blair is obviously Class C, and the Ice Queen is disgusted when Blair starts dating her ex-boyfriend. High school drama is just that. But with the internet in the palm of your hand, the mean girls get even meaner. This is bullying and cyberbullying explained well.

Ice Queen is a book that adults and teens, including preteens, should read. It gathers the right amount of information and makes the readers think about the consequences. I also really liked the discussion questions at the end of the book and found myself answering them even after finishing the book. A great read for many reasons.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "27-Apr-2020 18:30:49", "publisher": "Pyramid Press", "page_count": "327 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008919043", "title": "Thieves of Weirdwood: A William Shivering Tale", "author": "Christian McKay Heidicker", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 158, "review": "Thieves of Weirdwood is a story about two thieves who are in debt. They try to get themselves out of trouble, but it is more difficult than they expect.

The plot was actually kind of entertaining and I liked all the action. I feel like I got to know the characters a little. The characters are quite lively and fun. The story is well written but there is a little too much talking for my liking. I think the moral of the story is to not get into debt. There are some pretty good pictures in the book that went well with the story. I actually wish there were more illustrations.

I would recommend this book for kids who are ten-years-old and older who like murder mysteries and adventure stories. It could probably make a good series. I can recommend this book because I kind of liked it. It was good but also sad because many people died.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "26-Apr-2020 16:35:11", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Company", "page_count": "335 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008919039", "title": "Little Universes", "author": "Heather Demetrios", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 227, "review": "When Mae and Hannah receive the news that their parents have died in a tsunami, their lives are completely upended. They\u2019ve lived in California all their lives, but now they\u2019re moving to Boston to live with their aunt and uncle, who have become their legal guardians. In Boston, both sisters struggle to get their footing. Mae, an aspiring astronaut, finds it difficult to imagine fulfilling her dreams without her astrophysicist father there to see it, and Hannah struggles with her long-distance relationship with her California boyfriend and the reemergence of her opioid addiction in the wake of her grief. Rather than growing closer in their shared loss, Mae and Hannah begin to grow apart as they hide secrets from one another, messily navigate love, and consider where their futures will take them.

Heather Demetrios paints Mae and Hannah\u2019s lives with vivid and realistic complexity. The details of both Mae\u2019s passion for space exploration and Hannah\u2019s drug addiction feel well-researched and ring true, and the vicissitudes of grief are never ignored or oversimplified. In the complex picture she paints, Demetrios leads her characters and her readers to consider a number of questions: How do we forgive? What do we owe the people we love? What do we owe ourselves? These questions have no easy answers, but Little Universes shows the reader that there is beauty in the universe's chaos.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "26-Apr-2020 16:32:28", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Company", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008919023", "title": "Stress-free Math: A Visual Guide to Acing Math in Grades 4-9", "author": "Theresa R. Fitzgerald", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 180, "review": "Stress-free Math is the answer to every frustrated parent/caregiver\u2019s problem: helping their children with math homework. This handy guide is meant to help with math from grades 4-9. This is a helpful guide to have on hand in any family library.

The layout of the book itself is reminiscent of a math textbook, but without the practice problems. It provides definition, examples, and diagrams to explain every math concept a student could need to know. It also explains various methods of arriving at the correct answer. Therefore, regardless of how a child approaches a math problem, this book can help them find the guidance that makes sense.

The back matter is also especially helpful, including explanation of algebraic formulas, factors of numbers 1-100, multiplication chart, measurement conversion tables, and even a fun little trivia table.

As a parent who can use a refresher in assisting with many mathematical concepts for my children, I\u2019ll definitely be pulling this guide out to make sure my children and I both understand how to tackle those tricky math assignments. Thank goodness for this book!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "26-Apr-2020 16:12:10", "publisher": "Prufrock Press", "page_count": "275 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008919011", "title": "Crocodile's Crossing: A Search for Home", "author": "Yoeri Slegers", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 199, "review": "Crocodile once lived in a cool tree house with his family, but one day he had to go on a search for a new home. Crocodile needed a home that could protect his family and that was nearby to food. So he went on a journey across the globe to find the perfect home.

Crocodile found that many others did not care for crocodiles and they did not want him around. Crocodile was just about to lose hope when he woke up to being taken over by a huge colony of mice. The mice were nice and fed him a new food called cheese. Crocodile helped the mice and then he knew this was the place for him, but there was still something missing: his family.

Crocodile's Crossing is a very vibrantly illustrated book with many small details to find on each page. The incredible illustrations are sure to keep readers engaged, because there are very cute details on each page. This is a great book for readers who are moving, as although moving seems stressful at first, it just goes to show that you will find exactly where you belong in the end and that is with family.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "26-Apr-2020 16:04:25", "publisher": "Flyaway Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008919007", "title": "Babbit & Joan, A Rabbit and a Phone", "author": "Denise Turu", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 211, "review": "When the cell phones go on strike, Babbit the rabbit takes a break from technology. He finds that his own phone, named Joan, is exhausted from \u201ctaking pictures and sending texts for Babbit all day, every day.\u201d Babbit decides that he and Joan need some time apart, so he goes out on a solo excursion. Now that he has no distractions, Babbit finds the most wondrous things in the forest. He even finds some new friends, who also have no access to technology. A blue bird ran down his phone battery, while a brown bear lost his phone in the river. Babbit and his friends have a lot of fun together, but they eventually find themselves lost in the forest. Without Joan, will Babbit be able to find his way back home?

Denise Turu\u2019s Babbit & Joan, A Rabbit and a Phone is a tongue-in-cheek tale about discovering what the world has to offer when one looks up from one's cell phone. Turu\u2019s bright forest colors and creatures liven up the pages, and the humor will entertain adult readers, too. Given that children in today\u2019s world are well-versed in technology at such a young age, Turu\u2019s story is an excellent way to encourage young readers toward low-tech adventures of their own.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "26-Apr-2020 16:02:10", "publisher": "Flyaway Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008919003", "title": "All the Acorns on the Forest Floor", "author": "Kim Hooper", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Grace Utomo", "word_count": 217, "review": "Alex and Jake are delighted they\u2019re pregnant \u2013 until they learn the child is at risk for Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. Dina, a childless Labor and Delivery nurse, daydreams about stealing a baby from her floor. Alyssa Delgado is distraught her English professor fathered her unborn child and arranges an adoption. Kim Hooper\u2019s All the Acorns on the Forest Floor weaves a complex web of heartbreak to promote contemporary motherhood. Although most of her protagonists desire children, not all of them achieve \u2013 or are allowed to achieve \u2013 their goal. Hooper may very well achieve hers, however. Her unconventional plot challenges what it means to be a modern woman.

Unlike stereotypical would-be moms, none of Hooper\u2019s protagonists are religious. They\u2019re all independent, and most have successful careers. They represent diverse backgrounds. And yet these empowered women feel empty without children. While several prefer biological children, others adopt. Some try IVF or even use egg donors. Not every woman in Acorns wants a child, however, and these alternative characters expand the novel\u2019s relevance. Hooper invites us to imagine modern women who embrace motherhood \u2013 even obsess over it \u2013 without forcing us to become them. But whether we empathize or only sympathize with Acorn\u2019s yearning mothers, Hooper\u2019s point is unmistakable: A woman\u2019s right to choose works both ways.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "26-Apr-2020 15:59:06", "publisher": "Turner", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008918007", "title": "Hunting Teddy Roosevelt", "author": "James A. Ross", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 209, "review": "J. P. Morgan stood at a window of his Manhattan townhouse and watched his two guests alight from separate horse-drawn carriages. Neither was aware he was about to help plan the assassination of the outgoing president of the United States.

The first paragraph of chapter one told me everything I needed to know about this book: it would be about the Great Men of the turn of the century, it would be at least somewhat ahistorical, and it would be rip-roaring fun. (The last should never have been in doubt; it would be almost criminal for a book about Teddy Roosevelt to not be a fun ride.) I have to say that Jim Ross certainly delivered on all three.

After deciding not to run for a third presidential term, Teddy goes on safari in Africa with his son Kermit, unaware that as he hunts great beasts, he himself is being hunted. While the pace of the book is at times baffling, slowing down for emotional moments in scenes I felt should be fast-paced and skipping ahead a little too far at other times, overall, this book is an exciting adventure. Anyone intrigued by the three things that the first paragraph told me will surely find it an enjoyable read.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "24-Apr-2020 00:44:17", "publisher": "Regal House", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008914019", "title": "Nerve: Adventures in the Science of Fear", "author": "Eva Holland", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 184, "review": "Nerve is an interesting blend of scientific exploration and memoir. Eva Holland suffers from phobias, and the first part of the book discusses her own experiences with terror and the traumas that generated her phobias. The middle part deals with her efforts to treat her phobias. The final part delves into how fear affects the body, how terror leads to irrational reactions, and how emotions fuel responses.

This is a fascinating book about one person taking control back from their phobias. I applaud the bravery that goes into that. I did something similar long ago, developing and carrying out my own phobia treatment for a fear of needles (actually, anticipated pain) and spiders. The final tasks involved donating blood, getting a tattoo, and keeping a pet tarantula. Today, I suffer from demophobia as a direct result of losing an eye at age twenty.

I urge anyone who knows someone with phobias to read this book. It will help you understand them better. Holland does a magnificent job of describing what a panic attack feels like. Once irrationality is triggered, logic goes out the door.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Apr-2020 19:14:26", "publisher": "The Experiment", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008914015", "title": "Hiding in Plain Sight: The Invention of Donald Trump and the Erosion of America", "author": "Sarah Kendzior", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 262, "review": "How could we not have seen him coming is the question humming under the surface of Sarah Kendzior\u2019s latest book Hiding in Plain Sight: the Invention of Donald Trump and the Erosion of America.

Take heed: this book is not for the faint of heart or those on the fence about Trump. It is an out and out dismantling of him from giant ego to false religion, from limited intellect to sycophantic supporters. Kendzior\u2019s greatest strength is in connecting the absolute horror of the Trump presidency to the very real people of America who put him in the White House. A native Missourian, she deftly attends to the people on the margins, those living in flyover country who comprise his base and are often overlooked by pundits and pollsters. As she relates to the creation of Trump as a myth, specifically in his reality TV days, she lays out why such an utter buffoon would be appealing. And, if you love democracy, it is nothing short of heartbreaking.

Kendzior works her way through the revolutionary days that led to trumps election, including the recession and housing crisis in 2009 and 2010 and the racial unrest that still exists today but began in earnest in 2014 in Ferguson, MO. Throughout all of these examples, and with the words of the president\u2019s own advisers and supporters as her backdrop, she explains how Trump is, without a doubt, \u201ca threat more extensive than is widely known.\u201d

If you want to understand how we got here, there is no better book than Hiding in Plain Sight.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "22-Apr-2020 19:11:18", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "273 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008914011", "title": "West Coast Wild Babies", "author": "Deborah Hodge", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 169, "review": "If you love baby animals then you will love this book. West Coast Wild Babies talks about more than a dozen animals that live on the west coast of North America, from Mexico up to the Pacific Northwest in the United States and on to Canada and all the way up to Alaska.

There are babies of all sorts, so you really get a good idea of the types of wildlife that live in this beautiful part of the world. It will make you want to travel to these places in the hope of seeing some of them in person. Each animal has a short description that\u2019s just enough to understand the animal without getting too detailed, so you can really remember a lot of what you read.

The pictures are gorgeous! They\u2019re realistic but also soft and very sweet, and you just want to be right there in nature with the animals. Reading this book will make you want to read more books by this author and illustrator.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "22-Apr-2020 19:08:45", "publisher": "Groundwood Books", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008914003", "title": "Long Live the Queen: 23 Rules for Living from Britain\u2019s Longest-Reigning Monarch", "author": "Bryan Kozlowski", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 206, "review": "Elizabeth II is now the longest reigning monarch in England\u2019s history. Whenever one sees her, she seems quite spry and fairly active. Considering she is now in her mid-90s, that is really something. So how does she do it? What is the secret to her energy and verve at her age?

Author Bryan Kozlowski has certainly done his homework to write this absolutely delightful peek into the life and times of Queen Elizabeth. He breaks the book down into six sections: Eat Like a Queen, Work Like a Queen, Play Like a Queen, Think Like a Queen, Love Like a Queen, and Age Like a Queen. Each of these sections is divided into three to four topics. It is fascinating to read about the pedestrian diet this incredibly wealthy, powerful woman eats and, to a certain degree, why. Plus, ever wondered what happens to a life-long servant who decides to write about the royal family\u2019s private life? It can get pretty chilly in England.

Kozlowski\u2019s writing is top notch. He has a wicked sense of humor and clearly is very fond of his subject. The footnotes are absolutely not to be missed. They add so much to this already fun book. This is a real winner.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "22-Apr-2020 18:57:41", "publisher": "Turner", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008912103", "title": "Kid Quixotes: A Group of Students, Their Teacher, and the One-Room School Where Everything is Possible", "author": "Stephen Haff", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 250, "review": "If holding to stereotypes, young immigrant kids translating into English and interpreting the classic Spanish novel Don Quixote sounds like a highly unlikely project. But author Stephen Haff was unfazed. In Bushwick, Brooklyn, one of New York\u2019s less-than-posh areas, he set up Still Calm in the Storm, an after-school program for disadvantaged, mostly Spanish -speaking kids struggling to cope with a new land and often a new language. His aspirations for the kids and his own education along with teaching experience in different settings brought about a near-miracle.

The program he led, in a room barely big enough to cope with the popularity it achieved, ran for years as the little kids grew bigger, the shy grew bold, the imaginative shared their stories and dreams. They became \u201cKid Quixotes,\u201d exploring words as they translated, sharing memories of difficult times left behind across the border and again sometimes when reviled as immigrants. The stories they developed were about themselves and their families. They wrote sketches and poems, composed songs and staged performances to audiences in venues from the finest to the most humble. They harvested their after-school experience, listening to each other, developing ideas, testing, accepting as they advanced. Not strictly chronological, the book takes time out to follow the paths of kids who entered to the program when they were tiny, just beginning to read, and later blossomed into young teenagers.

Haff\u2019s own recovery from bipolar depression supplied a nourishing sensitivity to his encouragement and challenges and contributed to an outstanding book.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "22-Apr-2020 00:02:31", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "287 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008912095", "title": "The Book of Old Ladies: Celebrating Women of a Certain Age in Fiction", "author": "Ruth O. Saxton", "category": "N25 Books About Books", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 185, "review": "I selected this book thinking that it was an anthology of complete stories. My initial disappointment gave way to delight when I discovered that this was the author\u2019s discovery of fiction which dealt with the aging process in women. Rather than calling these stories \u201ccoming of age,\u201d she calls them \u201ccoming to age.\u201d The author is so deeply erudite; her take on these stories is enlightening and delightful. She laments that fiction nearly always tells a women\u2019s story through the lenses of marriage and family. In addition, the author feels that there are far too few stories of aging women, forgetting that until the recent past, most women died in childbirth. Only recently do we have the opportunity for old age. This reader became troubled when the author, in summary, lauded six protagonists for their independence, seemingly forgetting that one had committed infanticide.

This reader is delighted by being introduced to many stories which I have yet to read. To have these interesting stories encapsulated by a noted English professor gives one an added incentive to read all of the stories summarized in this engaging book.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 23:51:48", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "294 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008912087", "title": "A Stitch in Time", "author": "Kelley Armstrong", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 206, "review": "Bronwyn has inherited the manor that holds conflicting memories from childhood. It is there that she played with William each day and where a ghost murdered her uncle. Between the ghost and the fact that no one ever saw William, Bronwyn spent many years with therapists and hadn\u2019t returned to the house in a couple of decades. Upon her return, not only has that ghost in black accosted her, but she found William, aged as she had, and oh, so yummy. Talking to Freya, a family friend from long ago, about her experiences as a child suggests the possibility that she might not have been mentally ill, but rather open to ghosts and slips in time. Unfortunately, William is sore about his perceived abandonment, but Bronwyn will need his help and some super sleuthing skills to put the ghosts at rest so she can rest.

It is a delicious story, much like Kelley Armstrong\u2019s Women of the Otherworld series and the movie Kate and Leopold. The heat between Bronwyn and William has such history, and it is tastefully written. Their romance is fast-paced, mysterious, sigh worthy. This is a quick read, making it great for beach vacations, quiet rainy nights in, or romantic dinners for one.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 23:45:45", "publisher": "Subterranean Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008912075", "title": "Captain Marvel: Cosmic CAT-tastrophe", "author": "Sam Maggs, with illustrations by Sweeney Boo", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 197, "review": "Captain Marvel and Spider-Woman are enjoying a quiet night in\u2014complete with popcorn and a movie\u2014when breaking news leaks a story about cats swarming markets all over town. When Captain Marvel realizes that the cats may be Flerkens, the most dangerous beings in all the universe, she leaves her cozy living room and checks it out. While trying to make friends with the dangerous animals, she ends up in a pocket dimension where the Flerkens seem to be taking over the galaxy, with a little help from her longtime enemies. Saving the Flerkens and ending their imprisonment turns out more complicated than she expected, but unexpected assistance from a few friends saves her from a cat-astrophe.

The artwork in this short comic is stunning: full color, edge-to-edge graphics liven up a story about one of our newest heroes. The numerous text boxes edge more toward a comic book than a graphic novel and give readers inside information from Captain Marvel\u2019s perspective. Her puns are dad-worthy and throughout the book, leaving readers chuckling (or groaning) often. The arrival of some favorite heroes is icing on the cake. Themes of friendship, cooperation, and humor will leave young readers purring in enjoyment.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 23:36:06", "publisher": "IDW Publishing", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008912071", "title": "Care Bears: Unlock the Magic", "author": "Matthew Erman and Nadia Shammas", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 174, "review": "Share Bear, Good Luck Bear, Cheer Bear, Funshine Bear, and Grumpy Bear go on a mission in the magical silver lining because the evil Bluster wants to turn the silver lining into Blusterland, a fun park of chaos. The Care Bears find Wiffles there, and they seem to be arguing! Share Bear tries to help them feel better, while the rest of the gang go to Blusterland\u2019s funhouse and meet opposite reflections of themselves. But will they succeed in their mission to stop Bluster and his minions and make the Wiffles be friends again?

The book is good, the drawings are very cute, and the story is exciting. My favorite characters are Share Bear (because she\u2019s kind and purple) and Cheer Bear (because she\u2019s confident), but otherwise I like all the Care Bears in the book. I also think the Wiffles are really cute but stubborn. I recommend this book to anyone who likes Care Bears as well as to anymore who might be looking for books a bit like My Little Pony books.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 23:34:07", "publisher": "IDW Publishing", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008912067", "title": "Star Pig", "author": "Delilah S. Dawson", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 9", "word_count": 178, "review": "Vess is on her way to space camp when her ship gets hit and is cut in half. A space pig swallows Vess in order to save her life. Then, an alien space ship captures Vess and the space pig, so the space pig spits Vess back out. But is the new alien a friend or foe? It turns out that he wants to include Vess in a special collection because she is a human. She tries to compromise with the alien saying that she will build him a robot in the form of a human body if he takes her back home.

When Vess unexpectedly gets injured, a doctor is called to help, but it turns out to be an alien that can look like a human. Will he actually help Vess, or be one more foe she has to fight? Will Vess ever get back home to Earth?

This graphic novel was a fast-paced, quickly evolving story. There was so much action in the story that it felt a bit distracting at times. However, the art was fantastic!", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 23:31:57", "publisher": "IDW Publishing", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008912063", "title": "Descendants: Fright at the Museum", "author": "Delilah S. Dawson", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 9", "word_count": 176, "review": "In this graphic novel, Evie is having a party at her starter castle with all of her friends to watch Lonnie\u2019s first R.O.A.R. tournament. The party is interrupted when Celia and Dizzy are found sneaking around. They say that when a blood moon falls during an eclipse, like on this particular night, it causes magical items to come to life. They wanted to go to the Museum of Cultural History to see if the story is true.

Of course this leads to the entire gang going to the museum to check it out. Aladdin\u2019s magic carpet scoops up Jay and Doug and carries them away to a room full of mirrors. Carlos finds his mom\u2019s fur coat, and it pulls him, Ben, and Dude down. The whole museum has actually come to life!

Will the friends find each other again? Will they escape the crazy living museum? This book had a lot of funny parts. In particular, Dude the dog is very funny. I also like that it was a fast and easy book to read.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 23:29:40", "publisher": "Disney Comics", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008912051", "title": "The Phantom Twin", "author": "Lisa Brown", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahminneh - Age 14", "word_count": 191, "review": "A sad, reflective story about the separation of two Siamese twins in a sideshow. After years of being conjoined and together, the Peabody sisters are approached by a doctor who claims he can separate them through surgery. After the failed procedure and the death of her twin, Isabel is forced to live, for the first time, on her own.

This graphic novel does a nice job of balancing the speech with the personal thoughts of Isabel. Through these, we are able to identify the key traits that make Isabel Isabel and make Jane Jane. As we follow Isabel on her journey to find a way to live a life of her own we see her struggle through the loss of her figurative family of the traveling sideshow and her lack of trust in close friends who only want the best for her. This graphic novel will pull at your heartstrings as Isabel embarks on her journey. As a result, I recommended this book to anyone and everyone. This book can connect with all audiences because of its simplicity. To conclude, this was a great story, but it will leave you wanting more.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 23:20:54", "publisher": "FirstSecond Books", "page_count": "206 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008912043", "title": "Northernmost: A Novel", "author": "Peter Geye", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 196, "review": "It is no small feat for an author to weave two separate stories together. For the first three chapters, I was uncertain about reading further\u2014but it was well worth the time to have the stories come together in a thematic way. Peripherally, the story includes the great Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen, who is as much a hero in the setting of Minnesota as in his home country of Norway. The descendent of Nansen is not the main character in the book. He is the spouse of the main character, who also is descended from a Norwegian hero, Odd Einar Eide. Odd Einar\u2019s exploits compare with the Arctic exploits of Nansen, but that is where the similarity ends. The story is about the ice around one\u2019s heart, how generations of tragedy can form a fatalistic family narrative. We do not know why, after a twenty-year marriage, Greta Nansen cannot relate to or admire her adventurous husband. They have two children, who are also peripheral to the story. Greta travels to Norway where she reconnects the disjointed family history and finds herself. We can see how the next novel will tell the story of the husband, Frans Nansen.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 23:15:39", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "335 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008912039", "title": "Wizards & Spells: A Young Adventurer's Guide, Dungeons & Dragons", "author": "Jim Zub", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 168, "review": "This book is perfect for beginning Dungeon Masters such as myself. It is much easier to read than the typical Dungeons and Dragons guidebook. Each chapter breaks down the information into tidbits. The text is very easy to read and the vibrant and intricate illustrations are perfect for helping you to learn more about the many available classes and races that you can make for your character.

This book also has information on the many types of magic and different spells available when your character levels up. Most importantly, the book describes basic weapons, their uses, as well as legendary weapons and what spells they have, such as the many different spells that can be used with a staff.

I really like this book as it is helping me to learn more about how to play Dungeons and Dragons, which will help me to become knowledgeable enough to be Dungeon Master. I recommend this book for young readers who are interested in the magic of Dungeons and Dragons.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 23:13:38", "publisher": "Ten Speed Press", "page_count": "106 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008912035", "title": "Days of Distraction: A Novel", "author": "Alexandra Chang", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 215, "review": "Although this book seemed like it would have an interesting story, Days of Distraction really fell flat as I struggled to finish it.

Jing Jing is a twenty-five-year-old Asian American who is struggling with her identity. As a product writer, she is bored with her job and desires something more, although she does not know exactly what. Now, this may seem like it would be a story that would take off with Jing Jing going on adventures and exploring what is out there, but instead, the poor girl is so confused about what she wants to be versus what she should be versus what other people want her to be instead of just being.

Jing Jing moves to Ithaca, New York, with her boyfriend \"J,\" quitting her job and deciding to be a freelancer. J certainly knows what he is doing with his life and Jing Jing seems to associate that with the fact that he is white. The book goes on and on and really has no good direction. Jing Jing is just a poor lost soul looking up stories about other mixed Asian/White couples and trying to make sense of it. What started out as an interesting read became quite boring as the main character was like a dog chasing her own tail.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 23:10:25", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008912031", "title": "The Operator: A Novel", "author": "Gretchen Berg", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 212, "review": "Vivian is a switchboard operator who loves to eavesdrop. It\u2019s a guilty pleasure that she believes has few consequences...until the day she overhears some scandalous gossip from Betty Miller, the snobby society woman Vivian loves to hate. The gossip, Vivian is horrified to realize, concerns Vivian\u2019s own husband, Edward. And it\u2019s the kind of story that will spread like wildfire.

Vivian is determined to trace the story to its root and find out not only if it\u2019s true, but also how Betty became privy to it. Of course, the story is quickly known by everyone in the small town of Wooster, Ohio, and Vivian, Edward, and their daughter Charlotte must face the stares and whispers. Meanwhile, there\u2019s another scandalous story gaining traction, one that has the potential to shatter the very pinnacle of Wooster society...and it might just be a switchboard operator who puts the pieces together.

Witty and wry, this novel offers a glimpse of 1950s life and society, when women and men were held to different standards and social mores didn\u2019t leave a lot of room for choice. Open-mindedness took a backseat to trenchant ideas about race and belonging, reminding readers that the era was much edgier and more fraught than the lives of the gossiping operators might initially suggest.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 23:07:12", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "342 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008912027", "title": "Front Row at the Trump Show", "author": "Jonathan Karl", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 179, "review": "Generally, books about a living president tend to come out right after they leave office, though with the current president many books are coming out about his administration and style while he is still in office with more and more of them being written by journalists. This book is by ABC News Chief White House correspondent and the times that he has interviewed sometimes successfully, sometimes not, over the past twenty-plus years. Pretty much things are different from the current president than in the past, often knee jerk reactions, off the cuff remarks and denial of things that were said, even after proof of them is delivered. Jonathan Karl's main focus of the book is the election up through mid-2018 right around when Senator John McCain passed away. A good portion of the book focuses on people who worked under Trump, such as press secretaries, Twitter feeds, Chiefs of Staff, and the revolving door that is often the West Wing with people coming and going. Depending on how you feel about Trump will color your view of the book.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 23:04:44", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "340 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008912023", "title": "Giving the Devil His Due: Reflections of a Scientific Humanist", "author": "Michael Shermer", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 194, "review": "Given the current political climate, many of us feel that the opposing viewpoint is evil or satanic. This collection of essays, some dating back fourteen years, represents the author\u2019s thoughtful response to the controversies in our society. For Shermer, the best response to an opinion is to give it air. He is a staunch believer that forums should be open for free expression, regardless of how odious that expression is. Secondly, he carefully listens to and questions the opposing opinion. Thirdly, he researches the topic. Only then does he attempt to posit a thoughtful response. He approaches the topics in a scientific and rational manner.

The author is perhaps best known as the publisher of Skeptic magazine. In that vein, his realism often approaches pessimism. For example, he does not believe that gun violence can ever be eradicated, only reduced. His view of guns is also rather patriarchal as he defines them as representing a father\u2019s desire to protect and defend his family. This view is further shown when he decries that a gay black woman would be elected president over an atheist. Whatever his thoughts are, this book is thoughtful and thought-provoking.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 23:01:43", "publisher": "Cambridge University Press", "page_count": "358 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008912019", "title": "Spacefarers: How Humans Will Settle the Moon, Mars, and Beyond", "author": "Christopher Wanjek", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 199, "review": "Have you ever dreamed of seeing other planets? This book is a trustworthy guide to a possible interplanetary future. It explains the pros and cons of different kinds of settlements as well as how humanity could survive on them. It explores in depth living in space stations or on the Moon or Mars. It touches lightly on the subject of asteroid mining and on living on the moons of the outer planets.

The descriptive writing gives in-depth detail about the different possibilities and it is a great space colonization reference book. It is very informative and has high-quality, understandable writing. The author makes it readable. His expert knowledge makes the book a good read. Even someone who is not a rocket scientist can read and explore the complex ideas in the book.

All the concepts are portrayed clearly and even if they seem far-fetched, they are at least semi-viable. It is up to date but does not mention commercial spaceflight. It mentions a lot of modern technology but omits the majority of commercial spaceflight and instead focuses on the technology, not on who does what.

This book is so good I would give it 10 stars if I could!", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 22:58:15", "publisher": "Harvard University Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008912015", "title": "Seven of Infinities: A Xuya Universe Novella", "author": "Aliette de Bodard", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 157, "review": "V\u00e2n, a scholar, comes from a poor background, a secret that she tries to hide from everyone as she tutors a promising young woman. Sunless Woods is a mindship and a retired thief. When a woman comes to visit V\u00e2n\u2019s student, only to die without telling her what she wants, V\u00e2n and Sunless Woods are pushed together to investigate. They follow a trail of greed to questionable teahouses and the wreck of a mindship, all the while attempting to keep their secrets from one another.

Having never read something set in the Xuya Universe before, some things didn\u2019t make sense, or I was left wondering if I was supposed to know who a certain person is, but most things are explained and the story wasn\u2019t so confusing that it wasn\u2019t enjoyable. The characters aren\u2019t all that deep, making them hard to like. However, the main two characters, V\u00e2n and Sunless Woods, are better developed than the rest.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 22:52:20", "publisher": "Subterranean Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008911019", "title": "Anna's Dance: A Balkan Odyssey", "author": "Michele Levy", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 203, "review": "In the late 1960s, Anna Rossi travels to Europe. What starts as an ordinary trip soon becomes something far more when the friend she was traveling with decides to go home without her and she pushes on alone, diverging from her former itinerary to hitchhike into the Balkans. From there, she finds herself drawn into a history and struggle that were not hers to begin with but which she fits into far too smoothly.

We find out all of this (and most of her past) through her internal monologue and flashbacks, both of which constitute a large portion of the book. Despite her thoughts being presented in loving detail, it was hard for me to figure out exactly who Anna was. I could recite the events of her life, but I couldn\u2019t tell you anything more about her personality than that she is impulsive yet thoughtful and has a great love for and knowledge of the Balkans.

Anna\u2019s Dance is beautiful, with a compelling plot, but despite that, I had trouble connecting to it and understanding why Anna did anything she chose to do. This book is one readers with either enjoy greatly for the heart-wrenching prose or not care for at all.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 19:21:08", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008911011", "title": "King's Blood", "author": "Daniel J. Geisel", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 195, "review": "Thousands of years ago, a young boy accomplished a miracle: he killed a giant to save his people.

Many of us already know the story of David and Goliath. Some know more about what comes after: David\u2019s ascension to the throne and his lust for Bathsheba, for instance. The way we know these stories, however, often feels like the short version, more a myth than something that might have actually happened.

Daniel J. Geisel\u2019s new novel, however, expands the short story that we know into something rich and detailed. King\u2019s Blood is deeply researched, and the effort Geisel put into bringing this book to life shows. David is not just a hero from days gone by, whose story we already know; he is a boy, still learning his place in the world. He is eager, sometimes awkward, and driven by forces within and without himself to something greater than being a shepherd boy.

At times the narration is dry, and the amount of detail the book provides may make it more exciting to those already familiar with the Biblical tale, but even those who know only the basic story will find it an interesting tale.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "21-Apr-2020 17:33:56", "publisher": "LegendmarkPublishing", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008909003", "title": "The Ascension Machine", "author": "Rob Edwards", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 446, "review": "The Ascension Machine by Rob Edwards is kind of the ideal science fiction novel for any fans of the genre. Told in the first person, we know very little about who our protagonist is, but we know the type of person he is, as the book opens with him playing a trick on someone to make a little money to pay for his next meal, but soon gets caught and readers get a thrilling chase which he barely manages to get away from. But the author does a great job of giving a feel for the world with lots of simple details that give shape to everything but doesn\u2019t slow the story down with lengthy complicated made-up words and terminology, though each alien race does have a simple-to-read name that makes it easy to distinguish them, which cannot be said for many other sci-fi novels.

Our narrator, who eventually calls himself Grey, is offered a proposition: to pretend to be Mirabor Gravane, a rich, spoiled brat, board a ship, and attend a school for a little while, and in return, will be paid an inordinate sum of money. Grey thinks it's a deal that is too good to pass up, but also knows there must be a trap involved because this isn\u2019t his first rodeo. He plays his part well, bluffing until he learns where he is truly headed: the Justice Academy. He joins others to begin training to become . . . a superhero. Not what he necessarily bargained for, but Grey is a grifter and knows how to fake his way through anything. He soon makes new friends and begins settling in until he has a meeting with a relation of his friend named Veritas, who is a teacher at the academy because her special power happens to be that those who talk with her cannot lie.

Grey makes it through by the skin of his teeth, as readers get to enjoy some interesting class names, such as \u201cIntroduction to Grapnel Maintenance,\u201d \u201cJetpack Basics,\u201d and \u201cSuperheroics: A History,\u201d to name a few. But then Gravane\u2019s mother calls, and Grey stumbles through a conversation that convinces her enough and gets him on a trip to Bantus, and Grey knows there is more to this than Mirabor\u2019s mother is letting on and gets his friends to come along with him, which is good because it\u2019s time for them all to be superheroes.

The Ascension Machine is a fun and very enjoyable book. Edwards clearly had fun writing it. The characters are engaging, the story doesn\u2019t get too bogged down in jargon or plot, and it\u2019s just a fun read that leaves you with a smile on your face.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "18-Apr-2020 19:11:52", "publisher": "Shadow Dragon PRess", "page_count": "308 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008908003", "title": "Kale is a Four-Letter Word", "author": "Corrales Writing Group", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 398, "review": "A quirky and fun anthology, Kale is a Four-Letter Word will have you giggling like you never knew you could about a cruciferous vegetable. With additions by several different authors and culinary experts, Kale is a Four-Letter Word is one of the most imaginative and creative books I've read this year. Whether you love kale, hate kale, or are indifferent about kale, this book will easily spark your interest.

Kale has been the superfood on a pedestal for some time now. With its different varieties\u2014curly, Russian red, et cetera\u2014the recipe ideas are endless. But for some, kale is just a gritty, bitter, gross, green vegetable that leaves people running from the dinner table.

The stories in Kale is a Four-Letter Word are linked together by memos that are written back and forth between Bella Hart, General Manager of Produce Magic, LLC, and her ad exec Eric after one of her clients yells at her about how kale has slipped in the superfood standings. This sparks Eric to start a marketing campaign called \"Project Resurrect and Illuminate Kale\", or P.R.I.K. These memos, inserted between disturbing stories of everything from disappearing husbands to murder by kale, keep the reader updated on what the group is doing to market kale. I have to say that some of these are really quite funny. Ideas such as kale vaping and using kale as diaper absorbent or as an anti-fungal foot treatment are all attempted and fail.

One of my favorite stories in the book had several parts. It consisted of a husband and wife in which the wife would try to get the husband to try kale in different forms. The first two times he tells her that he thinks he will have a turkey sandwich in order to get himself out of the slimy green predicament in front of him. The third time, however, they are at a guest's house and the hostess serves soup that contains kale in it as the starter. I laughed out loud at how quickly the husband was able to come up with an excuse to not eat it. And this time, he couldn't say he was just having the turkey sandwich instead. Kale is a Four-Letter Word is unexpectedly witty, with some fun recipes to try out (or not) included at the end. Get ready to leaf your stressful day behind with this silly, albeit engaging, book.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Apr-2020 18:47:10", "publisher": "Artemesia Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "146 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008907075", "title": "Wildsam Field Guides: Portland", "author": "Wildsam Field Guides", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Portland is a city that has always taken pride in its quirkiness, so finding a quirky little (6.5 x 0.3 x 4.2 inches) guidebook like this one shouldn\u2019t be a big surprise. Every city guide has lists of restaurants and hotels and sights to see, but this book does things in a different way. For instance, rather than a long list of restaurants grouped by ethnicity or type, it has a recommended place for a wide variety of things. Sections include \u201cChicken & Rice,\u201d \u201cCorner Grocery,\u201d \u201cFood Cart,\u201d and \u201cRamen.\u201d The Shopping section includes things like a drum shop, where to get DIY materials, a cannabis shop while the \u201cAction\u201d section has everything from concert halls to dog parks. There are interviews with locals and stories about the area. Maps and listings will take you to bridges, donut shops, Thai food, wineries, bookshops, and more. A good index and plenty of blank pages for notes finish this off. This is a fun book to read through, but be sure to keep a magnifying glass at hand. This tiny book comes with tiny type and is, for those with older eyes, a bit hard to read.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Apr-2020 21:50:41", "publisher": "Wildsam Field Guides", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008907071", "title": "Fifty-Two Stories", "author": "Anton Chekhov, translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky ", "category": "F02 Classics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 206, "review": "Fifty-Two Stories should be subtitled fifty-two absolute delights from a master of literature. Many of these stories were written under deadline pressure in order to earn money to keep his family afloat financially, however, they each show the great capability that Chekhov demonstrated in his plays: scene-setting, character delineation, and an deep understanding of the human condition. In the story \u201cGrief,\u201d Chekhov makes us hate the main character, so much so that when he receives his just desserts, we are plunged into sympathy for him, which is a total surprise. \u201cExclamation Point\u201d is an homage to grammar police everywhere and aptly demonstrates Chekhov\u2019s ability to find humor even through the distress of his characters. And his characters: Corporal Whompov, Monsieur Shampooing, and a host of other character names with allusions to characters in Russian literature. This book is a feast for anyone who delights in great stories or those of us who can\u2019t get enough Chekhov. Fifty-two stories seem like a drop in the bucket for those dying of thirst for great literature. The book also has wonderful endnotes with great explanations of Russian words and phrases. The credentialed translators have done a wonderful job as have the publishers in rendering a beautiful and collectible volume.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "18-Apr-2020 21:46:26", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "510 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008907067", "title": "Redhead by the Side of the Road", "author": "Anne Tyler", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 220, "review": "Micah isn\u2019t one for surprises. A bachelor in his forties, he\u2019s arranged his life exactly the way he likes it: nothing out of place, nothing unexpected. He has his small happinesses, his small successes, and since he lives alone, he can indulge his eccentricities without facing daily ridicule. His girlfriend, Cass, is content enough meeting Micah on his terms. But when her lease is threatened, Micah misses every hint she drops, and before he knows it, he\u2019s alone, except for a teenager who shows up one day, convinced he\u2019s Micah\u2019s son. Micah\u2019s stumbling actions and reactions are ineffective, and eventually, he starts to realize he might just have to do what he most fears: change.

Micah is a frustrating antihero, and his awkward attempts at human interactions are cringe-worthy and often very funny. In many instances, his ignorance is so total as to almost certainly be deliberate; he\u2019s skated by for years on the assumption that he doesn\u2019t need to expend much effort, and that if he loses relationships, he\u2019s not the one to blame. What humanizes Micah is his affectionate and emotional family, who accept him as he is and love him anyway. Tyler gives us a character rife with unfulfilled potential and it\u2019s a thrill to watch him wake up as his world tremors for the first time.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "18-Apr-2020 21:44:37", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008907047", "title": "My Life as a Coder: My Life series, Book 9", "author": "Janet Tashjian, with illustrations by Jake Tashjian", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 188, "review": "This is an intriguing book for fifth-to-ninth grade coders. It tells the story of a kid who is given a code-able computer with no computer games and he learns to code. His coding partner sabotages the scoop, and he has to solve the problem. This book is properly written with funny cartoon definitions. The book has some mentions to puberty and has mild crush gossip in it, though; the youngest kids who would enjoy it are fifth graders. The book is only mildly substantive so that most teens will not find it interesting. All in all, this is a book for tweens. If you are a tech geek this is terrific. It has coding in it and the characters are well developed. For those who can read code there are some jokes in there. The main character has a vet for a mom, so animal lovers will love this book. There are miniature horses in this book and they add fun. Also, the lead coder plays pranks for the rambunctious boy. All and all, this is a great book for all the tweens who love code and pets.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "18-Apr-2020 21:30:48", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Company", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008907031", "title": "Lost Department Stores of San Francisco", "author": "Anne Evers Hitz", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 225, "review": "San Francisco author Anne Hitz, magically recalls the grand era of the fashionable department stores of San Francisco in this historic gem. Recorded here are the accounts of six former elegant shops that flourished in the early twentieth century. Think of the past images that the names of Gumps, the Emporium, I. Magnum, J. Magnum, City of Paris, and The White House evoke. Such were the times when visiting these shops demanded heels and hose, gloves and hats, and social manners. Started by immigrants during gold rush years, most were razed during the 1906 earthquake, but were revived to become bigger and better, only to be challenged by the depression of the 1930s and finally to succumb in the last half of the twentieth century. The nostalgic story of these magnificent edifices along with descriptions of the unique personalities of the owners along with recognition of their affiliations with staff and customers is delightfully recorded. Memorable photos of the Union Square area and settings from these earlier times highlight the text. Discover the wine cellars and Eiffel Tower at the City of Paris, the Jade Room at Gumps, the ice-show on the Emporium roof, and read the comments of former employees of these establishments. Step back and reminisce about an era that has passed in this revealing and enchanting recapitulation of a world that was.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Apr-2020 18:17:49", "publisher": "The HIstory Press", "page_count": "188 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008907019", "title": "Middle School Misadventures, Operation: Hat Heist!", "author": "Jason Platt", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ayden - Age 11", "word_count": 210, "review": "Middle School Misadventures, Operation: Hat Heist is about a boy named Newell who has a special hat that his dad got him. He and his dad watch their favorite show \u201cThe Captain\u201d together. His dad got him a captain hat from the actor who plays \u201cThe Captain\u201d. Newell loses his hat a lot. Sometimes it\u2019s his fault, but sometimes other people take it.

The principal of his school, Mr. Todd, has a \"no hat\" rule and Newell\u2019s hat gets locked away in the principal\u2019s closet. Newell and his friends come up with a plan, a heist, to get all the hats that were locked in the principal\u2019s closet back. The one hat they don\u2019t get back is Newell\u2019s captain\u2019s hat. Luckily for Newell, it all works out for him in the end.

This is a fun story to read. There is a lot that happens, so you really have to pay attention to what\u2019s going on from the beginning. The illustrator puts a lot of detail into the comic strips, which really makes the book interesting. I had a hard time putting the book down because it was funny and pretty easy to read. I would love to read about more misadventures and would definitely recommend this series to people.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Apr-2020 18:07:33", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "232 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008907007", "title": "Best Hikes San Francisco: The Greatest Views, Wildlife, and Forest Strolls", "author": "Linda Hamilton", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 184, "review": "According to CBS News, San Francisco is the fourth most expensive city in which to live. To rent costs just under $3,000 and houses top $820,000. Given that, the best most of us can do is visit this gorgeous city and learn why living there is the good life.

San Francisco is surrounded by the beautiful Pacific Ocean, has one of the largest parks in the world (Golden Gate Park), and has managed to keep the hills decorated with charming Queen Anne houses. As this wonderful guide shows, San Francisco has great views, wildlife, and forest strolls. Biodiversity of San Francisco is highlighted in the many and varied hikes offered to the reader. This book clearly outlines the difficulty of the hikes and displays enticing photos of them along with an introduction to the area. Each hike is mapped for trail routes. They are all within an hour\u2019s drive of the city. The hikes are located within seven regions proximate to the city, plus there is an honorable mentions section with bonus hikes. The hikes are diverse, like beautiful Angel Island and forest trails.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Apr-2020 17:57:53", "publisher": "Rowman & Littlefield", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008907003", "title": "Take It Away, Tommy: A Breaking Cat News Adventure", "author": "Georgia Dunn", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 205, "review": "//Take it away; Tommy// is the second funny book about the reporters at Breaking Cat news, and their adventures. The reporters see a ghost cat, but the people find a dead cat. This was what made the book four and a half stars instead of all five stars. They combat the infamous robber mice, and help set things right. The reporters find a barn and AV cat that helps link their broadcasts and allows them to report from Tommy\u2019s home broadcast, finding out about an artistic female. At the book\u2019s end there are collectable paper cats and information about the book. Children ages five through twelve could enjoy this book as long as they like comics, and cats. The book has a lot of funny parts where cats get confused about what is best for people and try to help but make things worse or miscommunicate. The kitties also have a habit of making spelling and wording mistakes that are funny. For instance, Puck says \u201cdate night\u201d is \u201cDay-night\u201d and he is sort of afraid of the baby sitter. If you love cats and comics take this book and enjoy (as long as you are not as afraid as I am about the dead cat).", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "03-May-2019", "date_added": "18-Apr-2020 17:53:10", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "138 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008906047", "title": "Seasons of War (Skulduggery Pleasant, Book 13)", "author": "Derek Landy", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 100, "review": "Seasons of War is a book about a girl who has magic and her friend who is a living, talking skeleton. I did not like the book because the characters seemed boring. There was some bad language in the book, and I did not like that either. There is too much dialogue in the book and \"he said, she said\" is used too often. The book has no illustrations. I think 13-year-olds and older who are into magic might enjoy this book maybe. I can't really recommend this book. I got so bored reading it I could not finish it.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Apr-2020 22:54:38", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "552 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000008906043", "title": "The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s", "author": "Andy Greene", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 201, "review": "I would consider myself a fan of the hit television show The Office. When I watch a television show or a movie, I find myself at some point browsing through IMDB for the trivia about the show. In The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, I found everything I wanted to know and more. This book covers facts and opinions about the entire nine seasons of the show. Key characters, writers, and producers were interviewed by Rolling Stones' Andy Greene with their comments recorded and presented in the appropriate chapters.

Greene presents the information well. There is a plethora of information given. Greene starts from the very beginning, with the original British version of the show starring Ricky Gervais. One thing that I found interesting was that, similar to The Office, there have been many shows made in the United States that were, unbeknownst to many Americans, remakes of British shows. When you read how the show almost didn't happen because of how different it was, it adds suspense for the reader and an urgency to understand how key people turned the show around and made it the success that it is considered to be today.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "17-Apr-2020 22:51:53", "publisher": "Dutton", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008906027", "title": "Lola: A Ghost Story", "author": "J. Torres, with illustrations by Elbert Or and Jill Beaton", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 179, "review": "Lola: A Ghost Story is a story about family, loss, and Filipino folklore. Lola, the grandmother in the family, has passed away. The entire family goes to the Philippines to attend the funeral. Jess, Lola's grandson, possesses the ability to see ghosts. He is haunted by ghosts everywhere he goes, and he's especially haunted by his cousin JonJon's ghost. While in the Philippines with his family and his extended family, he hears stories about Lola and her powers. Jess is scared the entire time he is in the Philippines since his family keeps telling him ghost stories about Lola, and he keeps seeing JonJon's ghost. JonJon drowned in the lake behind the house trying to get his favorite car. JonJon's spirit is able to rest when Jess goes into the lake to find his favorite toy car. There are some religious references and moments in the story, and there are some pictures of scary demons so it may be scary for some children. I recommend this book to anyone who likes ghost stories and anyone interested in Filipino folklore.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "17-Apr-2020 20:31:07", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "120 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008906019", "title": "The American Duchess: The Real Wallis Simpson", "author": "Anna Pasternak", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 215, "review": "The American Duchess, one Bessie Wallis Warfield Spencer Simpson Windsor, created one of the biggest scandals in the British royal family before such scandals were so highly publicized. She was vilified for stealing King Edward away from his royal duties and into the jet set lifestyle in which she shined. In this biography, Anna Pasternak has attempted to cast Wallis Simpson in a better light. In doing so, she paints Wallis as one being ensnared by the bright lights and accoutrements of royalty. The problem with this approach, however, is that it takes more than a reader\u2019s willing suspension of disbelief to feel sorry for one who lives a life of high society with jewels, free rent in palatial villas, unlimited spending ability, and very little concern for the ramifications of her actions. The author does mention that Wallis was a volunteer in World War II during the war effort. She cannot totally explain, however, Wallis\u2019 friendship and solicitous behavior toward Hitler and the German Reich. One would have to be particularly dense not to see the global ramifications of a state visit to the Third Reich.

If anyone emerges from this story as heroic, it is Wallis\u2019 second husband who endured her social climbing, philandering, and royal adultery with aplomb, if not noblesse oblige.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "17-Apr-2020 20:25:16", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "340 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008906011", "title": "How to Think Like Shakespeare: Lessons from a Renaissance Education", "author": "Scott Newstok", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 183, "review": "How to Think Like Shakespeare: Lessons from a Renaissance Education by Scott Newstok attempts to capture what education really is, as well as what it ought to be, while also arguing where our modern system falls short, creating a disconnection from a life that is well-ordered and well-lived.\u00a0

While relatively few of us can achieve anything close to the Bard, we can learn from the education and practices that formed him and influenced his work. It is not enough just to think, as we ought to strive to understand what we think and why we think it. It is the processing and ruminating on knowledge that leads us to true education.\u00a0

This is a meaty book, albeit not a very long one, and it ruminates on lessons from Shakespeare\u2019s day, linking them to modern-day equivalents, with frequent quotes along the way. It\u2019s a dense read, meant to be chewed over and pondered, not hurried. In an age of so much technology and lack of time for thoughtfulness, a conversation with the past might prove helpful, or at the very least expand our vocabulary.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "17-Apr-2020 20:09:54", "publisher": "Princeton University Press", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008906007", "title": "The Big Finish", "author": "Brooke Fossey", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 245, "review": "Duffy Sinclair is a grumpy eighty-eight-year-old resident at Centennial, an assisted living facility. He\u2019s carved out a peaceable life for himself amongst the other residents, and his roommate, Carl. His regimented schedule gives him predictability to see him out for his remaining days. But, as life tends to do, it still has a curveball in store for Duffy. One day, as he and Carl are preparing to head down to the dining room for breakfast, a young woman comes in through their bedroom window. She\u2019s barefoot, dirty, has a black eye, and says she\u2019s looking for Carl.

This book is one, big, heartfelt surprise. Given the cover art and the narrator\u2019s sarcastic manner, I expected the book to be humorous, but I didn\u2019t expect it to have the depth and heart that it also has. The absurdity of Duffy\u2019s life is not lost on him, but it\u2019s also entertaining for the reader. As things keep happening and Duffy finds himself the victim of circumstance more than once, he also has the opportunity to make choices for his remaining days. All of the characters were interesting and realistic. I especially liked Duffy. The book kept me wondering right up to the very last pages. I didn\u2019t think Fossey was going to end the book the way she did, and while it was quite a surprise, it was also a good way to finish. A Big Finish indeed. This would be an excellent choice for book clubs.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Apr-2020 20:07:20", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008904003", "title": "Anna's Dance: A Balkan Odyssey", "author": "Michele Levy", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 500, "review": "It\u2019s 1968, the year following the Summer of Love. \u201cThere\u2019s a whole generation with a new explanation.\u201d Anna Rossi is one of them, a twenty-three-year-old woman from a middle-class family who describes her life as \u201ca set of random chromosomes adrift in a meaningless life. Useless, weak, a creature of clashing impulses.\u201d Anna is also conflicted. She\u2019s Jewish, though loath to reveal or accept it, the anti-Semitic incidences in her life leaving her feeling \u201cisolated, insecure, and vulnerable.\u201d

After college, her parents pay for a summer in Europe. She heads for the continent with a friend, but when her friend bails on her in Greece, Anna has a decision to make: head home or continue on by herself.

A young man suggests they hitchhike together and her decision is made. A few days later, when they\u2019re offered a ride by Max, a charming, attractive German with obviously more means than her backpacking partner, she decides he would make a more suitable traveling companion. Besides, Max is heading to Yugoslavia, and the Balkans have always intrigued Anna.

Though affable and unthreatening, Max has an agenda other than playing guide to an American tourist. He reveals he\u2019s a smuggler and that his contraband is the Mercedes he\u2019s driving. Anna will make a good foil when dealing with suspicious border officials if she\u2019s willing. Without hesitation, or consideration of the consequences, Anna agrees. Traveling with Max through Yugoslavia, she\u2019s introduced to Spiro and a cabal of associates and soon finds herself seduced by the rich culture and passionate people of this chaotic region of Europe. As she tries to reconcile her own identity and understand that of Spiro's, her lover, she becomes embroiled in the intrigue and violence spawned by ethnicity, politics, personal jealousy, and centuries of tortured history.

Despite the author digging deep into the dark machinations of the land and its people, I was not able to understand why Anna was so interested, especially considering the anti-Semitic undertones and her anxiety about being Jewish. Characters in the novel are well-drawn through dialogue and action. In the case of the protagonist, it isn\u2019t flattering. The reader comes to know a young woman who lacks initiative and is passive, impressionable, irresponsible, and incredibly na\u00efve for her age. Living in the countryside with Spiro, Anna readily takes on the subservient role of his peasant wife doing domestic chores and gardening, but I got the impression once she tired of it, which she no doubt would, she\u2019d simply buy a ticket and fly back to her privileged life in America. Unfortunately, events overtake her before boredom does.

Anna\u2019s Dance: A Balkan Odyssey is an ambitious undertaking. It\u2019s part tragic love story, part history lesson, and part travelogue with well-written descriptive passages evoking a simple people living in rustic villages amidst brooding mountains. Rich with drama and passion, it\u2019s a poignant story of love and misadventure, the clash of culture and attitudes, and how, as much as we\u2019d like to think otherwise, we\u2019re all captives of our personal and collective history.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "17-Apr-2020 18:10:58", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008903003", "title": "From Here to There: The Art and Science of Finding and Losing Our Way", "author": "Michael Bond", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 241, "review": "The mind has its own map mapping potential, a study that is gaining new momentum as scientists isolate and recognize the workings of place cells, boundary cells, head direction cells, grid cells, and other brain units yet to be identified. This is an engrossing area of study that science writer Michael Bond so deftly describes in this engrossing story of how we find our way and the overriding panic that engulfs those who get lost. Navigation skills are learned, perhaps like language, through exploration when young. Travel maps can be embedded through directional markers, using compasses, the stars, or by memorizing familiar settings as the Eskimo and Indians did. Through practice, navigation skills can be honed as evidenced by the British cabbies memorizing the baffling geography of London streets. This feat demonstrably showed increased growth in the brain hippocampus. The reader is taken on the Polynesian voyages, where the winds, ocean swells, and migrating birds served to chart the route. Unfortunately, the use of GPS systems now reduces the modern user\u2019s navigational skills. Also, aging and dementia diminish the ability to find one\u2019s way. Stories of the terror that seizes the lost individual may remind the reader of their own feelings of anguished helplessness when lost while skiing, hiking, or in the midst of a strange city. This is a mesmerizing book engagingly written about the science, history, and importance of gaining the skills of learning how to find our way.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "17-Apr-2020 00:16:58", "publisher": "Harvard University Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008899003", "title": "How Can A Man Die Better", "author": "Roy V. Gaston", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozarro", "word_count": 403, "review": "Lyman is a teenager in London caught robbing his former boss/tormentor. He avoids the prospect of jail by beating his boss to death and finding sanctuary in the military. Lyman is transferred to the Middle East, bearing witness to the barbaric brutality of territorial wars in Afghanistan. The great game of colonization makes an impression on Lyman, not necessarily positive. A new beginning across the sea calls out to him. Devol is a tormented youth getting by in Louisiana. He suffers a clubbed foot and the abuse of parents along with local neighbors. He nurses a grudge that explodes in a murder spree leaving both parents and others dead by his hand. Devol forms a partnership with the doctor who heals his foot. Devol embarks on a life of grave-robbing and kidnapping while employed by a sadistic murderess. Devol takes out his prior frustrations on any woman unlucky enough to cross his path. Ashok is the son of a tribal leader, soon to inherit the martial mantle of a warring empire. Manhood approaches, but so does mortal peril. At his father\u2019s insistence, he flees home and emigrates to the United States. He is soon taken prisoner by Comanche Indians. Ashok doesn't intend to be a victim for long, exacting grisly retribution against his Indian captors.

Meanwhile in Ohio, Ardent is an abolitionist who lives with her dear uncle. Ardent is surprised by his associations with sadistic Devol and his racist brood of thieves. Ardent is offended by Devol\u2019s manners and intolerance. Ardent is in love with Carew, who shares her feelings on slavery and the divided country. Soon, Ardent is found dead in a savage attack, Carew wants revenge on the murderer. The Civil War brings just such opportunity, as the murderer has joined the Confederacy. As the war splits the country along ideological then military lines, Devol, Ashok, Lyman, and Carew each grab a musket and assume a post, their destinies as uncertain as that of the United States.

How Can A Man Die Better hooks the reader in its inceptive pages. The shock of the violence wears off, yet the circumstances surrounding them reverberate throughout this powerful story. The protagonists and antagonists elicit countless feelings, whether sympathy to happiness, shame to loathing. The author interlaces the characters flawlessly among the epic clashes and historical footnotes dotting the landscape of the nineteenth century. This is a historical fiction epic enjoyable from start to finish.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "16-Apr-2020 18:32:41", "publisher": "Amazon Kindle", "page_count": "293 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008898003", "title": "Pyrrho's Way: The Ancient Greek Version of Buddhism", "author": "Douglas C. Bates", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 493, "review": "Pyrrho, an ancient Greek philosopher, is known to have traveled to India while in the service of Alexander the Great. During that visit, he encountered Buddhism and brought some of the concepts back to Greece, incorporating them into his philosophy. In Pyrrho's Way, Bates explains those concepts and how they can still be relevant today.

The author discovered Pyrrho after becoming dissatisfied with his Zen practice. Pyrrho's teachings offered him a more rational approach to achieving what in Greek is termed \"eudaimonia.\" Eudaimonia is akin to Nirvana in Buddhist teachings and is best described by Bates as a happy or flourishing life. Throughout this book, the author highlights Pyrrho's teachings as well as those of his contemporaries. His meticulous research opened my mind to a new way of thinking. Notably, the idea of suspending judgement was something that I found appealing. Not accepting dogma as fact or truth seems to be at the heart of Pyrrho's work. By not allowing ourselves to get caught up in such concepts, we can free our minds and focus on things that are evident to us.

I think Book V, which ended with ways one could practice Pyrrhonism today, seemed a more logical conclusion to the book than Book VI, which appeared to be tacked on without reason. Nevertheless, I did not, as the author feared on page 190, want to hurl the book at the wall because it suggests that I should suspend judgement on long-held beliefs. I found the idea refreshing. Especially with regard to politics, which I thought he covered well by asking if the drama we encounter in this field adds value to our lives.

I think it should be said that this is a book to be studied. Yes, one can read through and get an idea about Pyrrhonism and what it is all about, but I think the ideas presented deserve more than a cursory view. I agree with the author that those who have had trouble following Buddhism, or who find Zen Koans vague and frustrating, will likely benefit from this more Western and rational approach of seeking eudaimonia by looking outward rather than inward. By examining Pyrrho's way, they may come to understand more about Buddhism as well. Also, the author gives some good examples of how readers can put into practice what they learn. Since meditation was not something that Pyrrho brought back from India, the author suggests long walks or other activities in nature that allow one to think and practice self-argumentation.

Overall, I think this is a well-written book. The author has been able to take a complex subject and present it in a manner that will benefit others. I think I will take away several things from this work. First, I should suspend judgement more often than not. Second, I should spend more time seeking without concluding. For me, this book offered a lot of food for thought, much of which will stay with me.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-Apr-2020 14:58:48", "publisher": "The Sumeru Press", "page_count": "322 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008896151", "title": "The Safe Place", "author": "Anna Downes", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 222, "review": "Emily is a mess. Her acting career is going nowhere, she\u2019s at odds with her parents, and she's has just been fired. And then her ex-boss offers her a job as a housekeeper on an isolated estate in France where his wife and daughter are living. Without much thought, Emily accepts the job. What could go wrong?

This is a case of a book where the marketing team have missed the mark. The beautiful cover and mysterious tagline give the false impression that The Safe Place is a page-turning thriller that will draw readers in with plenty of twists along the way as Emily discovers the secrets of the Denny family. Sadly, despite the many clues that something dark and perhaps dangerous is going to happen, so much is left unexplored.

First-time author Anna Downes creates an idyllic setting, but readers are well aware that the beautiful location is not all it seems. Flawed characters, even when unlikable, must be well-developed so the reader has strong feelings about them. However, the three main characters in The Safe Place are not unique or interesting. The story is very slow with little payoff, which is unfortunate since there were many opportunities to steer the plot in a different direction.

The Safe Place will satisfy those readers looking for a light and somewhat predictable mystery.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-Apr-2020 00:19:56", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000008896147", "title": "The Girl and the Witch's Garden", "author": "Erin Bowman", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 205, "review": "Atticus Peavey is going through another round of chemo, so his daughter, Piper, is packed off to her grandmother\u2019s house, where her mother is currently living, the same mother who hasn\u2019t talked to her since she left years ago on a wild goose chase seeking something more important than family.

When Piper arrives, only her mother is there, with firm rules on where Piper can go in the house, the chores that must be done, and the childhood behaviors that will be tolerated. What Piper doesn\u2019t expect are the foster children who her mother has taken in and their talk about affinities or magic powers. With their help, she may be able to uncover a magical item that will help her father to get better and the children to find forever homes, but only if they can get past her mother.

Witches and magic abilities and secret potions combined with love and loss create an unforgettable tale. Add in friendships and parental relationships and this story has the staying power of similar favorites, such as the Charlie Bone and Percy Jackson series. The conclusion is open-ended and the story so compelling that many readers will be hoping for a sequel. This one is magically delicious.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "16-Apr-2020 00:17:57", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008896143", "title": "The Kraken's Tooth", "author": "Anthony Ryan", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 194, "review": "The Kraken's Tooth is the second book in The Seven Swords series. Readers of the first book, A Pilgrimage of Swords, will enjoy the same style of adventure and intrigue from Guyime and his partners as they continue on their journey to attain the legendary Seven Swords. After returning from their intense mission to destroy the Mad God, they learn about the continuation of their journey where they must embark on Carthula to collect blade number two: the Kraken's Tooth. They discover that The Kraken's Tooth is associated with the well-being of a beloved girl, meaning there is more pressure to find and retrieve this sword than ever.

Having read the first book, I found the second one simple enough to slide into; however, I believe that if you haven't read the first book, you could still understand and enjoy this one. I appreciated the extra information that Ryan provided about Guyime's mysterious history. Ryan has created in-depth characters that are exciting and enjoyable to read. The action presented in the book jumps at you from the beginning and doesn't stop until the end when you're begging for the next book to be released.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "16-Apr-2020 00:16:02", "publisher": "Subterranean Press", "page_count": "136 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008896135", "title": "Can You Smell the Rain? Poems", "author": "Patricia Cleary Miller", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 174, "review": "While I don\u2019t normally pick up imprints from the University of Missouri, in this case, I am so very happy that I did. This reader is aware that there are many wonderful but undiscovered poets, so I am so happy to personally find an amazing one. I hadn\u2019t previously been aware of Patricia Cleary Miller, but her poems are superb and unique. They form a memoir of sorts. The poem \u201cHow Long\u201d beautifully expresses a lost love affair in sensual detail. A poem about Chinese foot binding again conveys the pain of accommodating ourselves to love. A Burberry raincoat becomes a poor substitute for youth and love affairs. \u201cMother is Scrubbing Her Floors\u201d brings us back (as many of her poems do) to the roles assigned to women, the immersion in those roles, and the subsequent loss of self. I think that most women will see themselves and their families in these poems. The poems hold just enough cleverness and humor to mitigate the bite that is found in such acute observations of living.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-Apr-2020 00:12:45", "publisher": "BkMk Press", "page_count": "120 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008896131", "title": "Growing Sustainable Together: Practical Resources for Raising Kind, Engaged, Resilient Children", "author": "Shannon Brescher Shea", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 188, "review": "It\u2019s hard enough to raise kids, but to raise them while still \u201cliving green\u201d and with twenty-first-century parenting being so tied up in consumerism, waste, and All. The. Plastic, is infinitely harder. How can parents \u201cdo it all\u201d and still be sustainable and involved in their community?

In Growing Sustainable Together: Practical Resources for Raising Kind, Engaged, Resilient Children, Shea attempts to answer this quandary and show how green living isn\u2019t just another box to check on the to-do list but actually an essential element in raising children. In her chapters, she discusses how to cultivate kindness, connect with our food, travel, handle waste, and so much more to engage as a family in growing a more sustainable future. She includes tips, advice, and hands-on activities for children of various ages. She reminds us that there is no magic bullet here, but the journey toward sustainability, and the various relationships we cultivate on the way, are just as important as reducing fossil fuels and eating locally. She has a gentle and empowering voice that encourages families on their way toward caring for the home, the planet, we all share.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "16-Apr-2020 00:10:18", "publisher": "North Atlantic Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008896127", "title": "What You Wish For", "author": "Katherine Center", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahminneh - Age 14", "word_count": 182, "review": "What You Wish For is a story highlighting the importance of joy in the face of difficulties. This realistic fiction book follows school librarian Samantha Casey as she deals with challenges new and old. She works through the loss of their beloved principal, fights to preserve his legacy, and helps an old friend to deal with the traumas of the past. The characters were all very realistic, contributing to a good, solid plot for this book. The language also flowed well, buoyed by the well-placed dialogue between the characters. The moral of the story is clear: Joy is a choice, a choice one should make in the face of difficulties. This is emphasized through the characters\u2019 dialogue. This is a really good book that I would recommend to many other readers. I think this book is best for older readers because it talks about mature issues and uses mature language. If you enjoy realistic fiction, you\u2019ll really like this book, and even if you don\u2019t read realistic fiction very often, like me, this is a great book that almost anyone can enjoy.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-Apr-2020 00:08:30", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008896099", "title": "Welfare for the Rich", "author": "Phil Harvey and Lisa Conyers", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 278, "review": "Brace yourself for depression. Not the economic variety, but the emotional downswing that comes from analyzing what you already know about the gross waste of our federal government when it comes to doling out your hard-earned tax money. The key points of this book are certainly nothing new.

The problem with this book and others like it has nothing to do with what the authors advocate. In fact, what they advocate is something that every American taxpayer should consider. But a book such as this becomes dated far too quickly for lasting impact. Indeed, all the facts referenced by Phil Harvey and Lisa Conyers are well researched and valid for the time being. However, in less than five years an array of new facts will render them obsolete.

Up until the turn of the last century, long before there was such a thing as income tax or an Internal Revenue Service, America generated its revenue from tariffs. Robber barons such as J. P. Morgan, Dale Carnegie, J. D. Rockefeller, Andrew E. Mellon, and others lobbied Congress to shift the burden of financing the government to the general public through taxation. Thus, when the topic of reform is seriously discussed, one must consider how far back into the century of entangled lobbying we must go and what the net consequences and repercussions will ensue.

The taxpaying American public desperately needs an easy-to-understand lesson in the totality of the breakdown if real grassroots reform is to take hold, but someone must educate the public more thoroughly than this book delves. Harvey and Conyers may just be the authors to write such a book. This one makes a good starting place.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "15-Apr-2020 23:47:27", "publisher": "Post Hill Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008896095", "title": "Watermark: A Novel", "author": "Elise Schiller", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 207, "review": "The Kennedy swim team is made of Sports Stars, at least that what coach CJ calls his players, and his biggest star is Angel Ferente. At eighteen, she is the strongest swimmer on the team with interest from colleges, and she is a natural leader. When she disappears, the swim team and Angel\u2019s family are put under a microscope to determine what happened to her. \n\n

Elise Schiller\u2019s novel Watermark, book one in the Broken Bell series, captures the rhythms and realities of teen life. From Angel to her younger sister Jeannine, a reclusive bookworm, to Angel\u2019s best friend Alex who isn\u2019t as strong a swimmer but who loves the team and the chance to compete with her friend, Schiller\u2019s young female characters are pitch-perfect. There is, perhaps, more detail about swim teams and competitions than are ultimately necessary to tell Angel\u2019s story, but for those with a background in swim, those details will most likely add authenticity to the book. \n\n

The true standout of the book is Angel, a rebellious and sexually empowered young woman who tries to hold her broken family together in the face of her mother\u2019s addiction and stepfather\u2019s violence. Schiller's Watermark is a perfect start to what will surely be a compelling series.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "15-Apr-2020 23:45:40", "publisher": "Sparkpress", "page_count": "282 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008896091", "title": "Sugar and Vice", "author": "Eve Calder", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 181, "review": "\u201cThe reasons people come here haven\u2019t changed in 400 years\u201d Kate McGuire, part-owner of The Cookie House bakery, has found herself in the middle of another murder mystery. A skeleton was found in the yard of her friend, could it be a long lost pirate? Or something more sinister? Kate and her friend Maxi investigate, plus run their businesses and research the history of the famous pirate Gentleman George, Just another interesting day in Coral Cay.

Multiple mysteries unfold in this wonderful Summer read. Smartly written, funny, and full of baked goods, make this the perfect book to read on vacation. Even though this is part of a series it made for a pretty good stand-alone novel, there were only a few references that I felt weren\u2019t fully explained but nothing integral to the plot or characters. I really enjoyed the characters and the vivid descriptions of Coral Cay. The story kept me guessing, but I do feel that the resolution unfolded a bit too quickly. Overall this was very enjoyable and I would recommend it to anyone who likes Cozy\u2019s.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "15-Apr-2020 23:41:41", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008896083", "title": "Dispersion", "author": "Greg Egan", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Crozier", "word_count": 186, "review": "Dispersion is heavily filled with scientific data references. Alice is a young woman hoping to save everyone from the dispersion (a disease). Alice lives in a world where individuals come from factions associated with different scientific properties. The dispersion is infecting the population of each faction and has created a sense of blame and hostility between them. In her attempt, Alice encounters tragedy and makes drastic decisions for the sake of the greater good. For individuals who like to consider alternative scientific theories for various life forms and/or theoretical life, this book would likely be in their wheelhouse. However, I personally was left feeling bogged down by the \u201ctheory\u201d presented in the story. Furthermore, my personal preference is to read a story start-to-finish and have closure once finished. Dispersion was not able to offer that to me personally. Individuals who love all things in the hard science fiction genre, this book might be for you. Individuals who love well-known science fiction may have a difficult time settling in to this book. I would recommend this book for those who like to explore alternative ways of thinking.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "15-Apr-2020 21:59:53", "publisher": "Subterranean Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008896075", "title": "Dead Air: A Novel of Suspense", "author": "Michael Bradley", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahminneh - Age 14", "word_count": 224, "review": "A tension-filled chiller about someone\u2019s blood-thirsty revenge for Kaitlyn Ashe. Kaitlyn Ashe strives to bury her past and let no one know about what she did at the Shallows, but when she receives the letters she realizes someone must have found out. Through the switching narratives and points of view, Michael Bradley is able to craft a story that leaves you guessing and in the unknown. Only until the last page is turned will the reader be able to fully grasp and understand the contents of the story.

Through the dialogue, the reader is able to fully grasp the severity of the stress caused by Kaitlyn\u2019s past as she tries to desperately keep those she loves and cares for away from her past as best she can. The language flows from the thoughts of Kaitlyn to her speech to other vital characters. All of this conveys the well-hidden moral of the story: The past is there for us to learn from, not run away from or hide. This lesson is one that needs to be taught to everyone. Throughout all of this, the plot shines through. Original, entertaining, and intriguing, it holds you until the last sentence. This story confounds and twists the reader throughout; it is a great story. However, it is a chiller and can be too intense due to its graphic descriptions.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "15-Apr-2020 21:32:19", "publisher": "CamCat Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008896071", "title": "Mapping Humanity: How Modern Genetics is Changing Criminal Justice, Personalized Medicine, and our Identities", "author": "Joshua Z. Rappoport", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 202, "review": "To fully appreciate Mapping Humanity, one must invest time and substantial concentration. The book promotes advanced science accompanied by \"everyone\" analogies in an attempt to simplify complexity.

Some 20,000 genes make up the genome of the human body. From this starting point, Joshua Rappoport explores the intricacies of science, showing how the distribution of genes impacts genealogy, criminology, health, and other areas. The book is a challenge, gathering, organizing, and sharing information beyond popular knowledge.

The author's technique of relating what is easily recognized to advanced science concepts is not wholly satisfactory. The gulf between beginners and those with an advanced scientific background is too deep to reconcile.

The book is exciting but demanding, the details not readily absorbed. Without at least two years of college, most of the pages present a challenge. But the challenge is worthwhile for those eager to learn and to become familiar with significant information concerning different specializations.

Terms and acronyms such as aneuploidy, GWAS (genome-wide association studies), and CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) do not make for leisurely reading. But then, that is likely not the author\u2019s intent. Instead, he offers a well-considered opportunity to become more familiar with the concept of mapping humanity.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "15-Apr-2020 21:30:31", "publisher": "Ben Bella Books", "page_count": "323 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008896063", "title": "The Beginning or The End: How Hollywood Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb", "author": "Greg Mitchell", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 214, "review": "Soon after atomic bombs exploded over Japan, thereby ending World War Two in 1945, America entered the atomic age. Like most fascinations in popular culture, the movie industry was ready to capitalize on it. MGM set out to produce a\u00a0big-budget dramatization of the Manhattan Project, as did Paramount Pictures. What followed was a power struggle between the chief symbols of power in 1940s America: the ever-expanding post-war federal government and the public's favorite utility, motion pictures.

It was to be Hollywood's most expensive miscalculation and one of humanity's most tragic experiments. With careful research, important names, and colorful events, this book covers a fantastic forgotten chapter in American entertainment.

Greg Mitchell's\u00a0writing is nuanced and breezy. The book's visuals are compelling and revealing. The defining conflict is presented with haunting clarity. Many of the long-deceased characters are presented as detailed and fully formed human beings.Perhaps the greatest honor that can be given to this book is that it is a nonfiction book that places you so deep in the action, that you forget it is a tale of the past. It all feels so real and so current.

This book is a literary experience that any fan of American history should undertake with great speed, an experience that I didn\u2019t want to end.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "15-Apr-2020 21:25:58", "publisher": "The New Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5 "} {"id": "425035000008896055", "title": "Under Pressure: Living Life and Avoiding Death on a Nuclear Submarine", "author": "Richard Humphreys", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 242, "review": "Being extremely claustrophobic, I have often wondered how others overcome the dread of enclosed spaces, which is why I selected this book for review. Enduring confinement within a metal-encased, cigar-shaped submarine further embedded within the bowels of the sea is a nightmarish sensation for some, yet Richard Humphreys aptly describes his recollections of his years in the submarine service during the 1980s.

As part of the crew on a nuclear submarine armed with ballistic missiles, the young submariner learned the operation of the extremely compact and complex vessel. Along with details about the ship's mechanics, he describes the mental and physical challenges faced due to being isolated in confined areas devoid of natural light, where the oxygen concentration is electrically regulated, water desalinated and rationed, carbon dioxide carefully controlled, and waste accumulated until the stench becomes overwhelming. Add to that the awareness that any mishap is likely to prove fatal. Mentally, each crew member must learn how to gain emotional control, and this last feat led to the young, cocky adventurer turning to books and pursuing his more adult vocation as a bookseller.

Although there is much repetition, the details he describes of life during secret Cold War submarine maneuvers are revelatory and the reader can observe the slow maturation of this youth during his training period. The writing is straightforward, the text is filled with information about submarines, and the book provides insights into the frustrations and challenges that face servicemen.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "15-Apr-2020 21:20:40", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008896051", "title": "Soul Riders: Jorvik Calling", "author": "Helena Dahlgren", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 9", "word_count": 189, "review": "Lisa relocates to Jorvik City with her dad when he gets a job transfer. She is heartbroken because her mom died in a horse-riding accident. Lisa used to love horses\u2014they were her whole world. Now, she can\u2019t stand to be near them. Fate intervenes when she meets Alex and her horse, Tin-Can. That meeting leads to Lisa going to the stables, becoming reacquainted with horses, and eventually making new friends. A meeting with Starshine, the horse from her dreams, changes her life forever. Lisa realizes her bond with Starshine gives her magical powers. Along with her other Soul Rider friends and their horses, Lisa goes on a quest to reclaim Starshine from the powers of evil.

I liked the overall storyline of this book, but I feel like it could have been expanded in a better way. In my opinion, there was a bit too much character development and not enough action or adventure to the story. Their quest is limited to approximately the last thirty pages of the book. I understand there is a sequel to this story, but I feel the first book could have been better paced.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "15-Apr-2020 21:18:28", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008896043", "title": "A Door Between Us", "author": "Ehsaneh Sadr", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 239, "review": "The wedding of Sarah and Ali is a joining of two hearts and two families; it should be a joyous occasion, but the families are feuding and the unrest in Iran 2009 keeps the couple apart just as they are beginning their lives together. Their story is at the heart of Ehsaneh Sadr\u2019s beautiful novel A Door Between Us. As Sarah and Ali are separated, the backstories of their two families begin to take shape. Sarah\u2019s cousin Sadegh, a loyal government supporter is as direct odds with Ali\u2019s sister Azar, a lawyer whose loyalties lie more to the truth and the people than to the cover-ups and lies of the Iranian estate. The split loyalties to the Iranian regime aren\u2019t the only secrets and intrigues of these two families. Sadegh, the adopted son of matriarch Mrs. Mehri, is also torn between loyalty to the family he has always known the birth mother and sister, Mrs. Tabibian and Leila, who enter his life just as the political situation in Iran becomes even more complicated. And, connecting these two families is the terrifying General Heydari, a man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

A Door Between Us is an intriguing and detailed read that explores the culture and a pivotal political moment with which many Americans are not familiar. The book tells a tale of truth, family, and justice with a beautiful love story at its heart.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "15-Apr-2020 21:13:29", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008896027", "title": "Flying Free: My Victory Over Fear to Become the First Latina Pilot on the US Aerobatic Team", "author": "Cecilia Aragon", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 211, "review": "The poet Mary Oliver once asked, \u201care you breathing just a little, and calling it a life?\u201d

Cecilia Aragon\u2019s memoir, Flying Free, is a story that begins with such a life. The daughter of a Chilean father and a Filipina mother, Cecilia is taunted and bullied throughout her childhood in a small Indiana town during the 1960s. Her teachers dismiss her because of her ethnicity, even though she excels academically and shows a strong aptitude for math. Not surprisingly, Cecilia grows into an insecure and frightened young woman. She is afraid of heights and can barely ride an elevator, and by her mid-twenties, has dropped out of her Ph.D. program for fear of not being good enough. Until she discovers how to fly.

Flying Free reads like a true underdog story in the little-known and dangerous sport of aerobatic flying. From her first flying lessons, to purchasing a plane and performing at air shows, flying becomes like breathing to Cecilia. Her ability to overcome her fears is inspiring as she struggles with finances, her marriage, self-doubt, and being one of the few female pilots\u2014and only Latinx pilot\u2014to attain a place on the US Aerobatic Team. Her story is an inspiration for all of us to take that full breath of life.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "15-Apr-2020 21:04:39", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008896015", "title": "A Field Guide to Getting Lost", "author": "Joy McCullough", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Ten-year-old Sutton is a nerd who loves working with her bot. Her parents are divorced, and Sutton lives with her musician dad, Martin. Her mother has an apartment in the same building, but she spends most of her time in Antarctica studying penguins. Luis, who lost his father to cancer when he was two, lives with his mother, Elizabeth. He\u2019s creative and suffers from severe allergies. Sutton and Luis meet when Martin and Elizabeth are seriously dating and clearly thinking about a future together. Sutton and Luis couldn\u2019t be more different from each other, but how they find ways to appreciate and respect their differences and ways to work together is a great story.

Joy McCullough tells this wonderful story in first-person, alternating chapters between Sutton and Luis. This is no easy task, but McCullough handles it deftly with pitch-perfect middle-grade voices of these two very different children. This is a story so many kids will relate to \u2014 having to meet and get along with step-siblings and step-parents \u2014 and is a welcome addition to any library or classroom. Strong writing, well-rounded, credible characters, and a compelling story add up to a winner of a book.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "15-Apr-2020 20:55:47", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "213 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008896007", "title": "Dead West: A Novel", "author": "Matt Goldman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 188, "review": "Beverly Mayer asks Nils Shapiro of Stone Arch Investigations to find out if her grandson, Ebben Mayer, is throwing away his inheritance from his father on a questionable show-business venture. This seemingly simple task takes Minnesotan Nils to Los Angeles. There, he attends the funeral of Juliana Marquez, Ebben\u2019s fianc\u00e9e, and quickly learns that Ebben is indeed investing in the movie business, just as Beverly feared.

His task accomplished, Nils is free to return to Minnesota\u2026except for his gut feeling that Juliana was murdered. His investigation obliges Nils, a film-industry innocent, to sort his way through the glamor, the snobbery, and the skullduggery of Hollywood\u2019s screenwriters, producers, and agents, several of whom find their way onto his list of suspects. With the help of a six-foot, seven-inch former football player, Nils follows a money trail to the murderer, relying occasionally on hunches but mostly on clever detecting.

The story\u2019s ending is the least satisfying part of the book, but the witty dialogue and the lively descriptions of the locations, action, and characters along the way more than compensate for it and make Dead West>/em> a highly enjoyable read.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "15-Apr-2020 20:49:31", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008894039", "title": "The Oddmire, Book 2: The Unready Queen", "author": "William Ritter", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 13", "word_count": 185, "review": "The Unready Queen is an amazing book about a group of friends trying to protect the Wild Wood. It is the second book in a series, and although I haven't read the first book, I really enjoyed this one. Fable is the daughter of Reina, the Queen of the Deep Dark. Her mother wants her to prepare for life as a queen, but she would rather spend time with her friends in the human town of Endsborough. Her friends, the human and goblin brothers Cole and Tinn, are trying to return to their normal lives. However, a newcomer disturbs the peace between the people of Endsborough and the creatures of the Wild Wood. The friends must stop the fighting before it becomes an all-out war. One of my favorite things about this book was that it seemed to be set in the 1800s, but it is also a fantasy story, with many mythical creatures. It was a fun read that made me laugh, and also kept my interest. I would recommend this book to kids in middle school, and to kids who like fantasy stories.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "14-Apr-2020 21:57:33", "publisher": "Algonquin", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008894035", "title": "Escaping Dreamland: A Novel", "author": "Charlie Lovett", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahminneh - Age 14", "word_count": 227, "review": "A compelling story that jumps the gap between generations. After many happy months with his girlfriend and recent success with his debut book, Robert Parrish\u2019s life takes an unexpected turn. This turn leaves his relationship on thin ice and reaching into the past to fulfill a childhood promise. This promise takes him on a journey through the history of the twelve books that changed his life. In turn, his odyssey takes him back to 1906 Manhattan, but every discovery leads to more questions. Robert\u2019s quest is intertwined with the stories of three young people trying to define and create their own place in the world at the start of a new century. The parallelity between their journies creates a story that is crafted with expertise and an ode to children\u2019s series books.

The back and forth nature of the book allows the reader to put the pieces in the puzzle themselves and solve the mystery along with Robert. It also allows the audience to relate the three young authors to the young Robert Parrish. Throughout the novel, the audience can see Robert blossoming and getting out of the shell that he had put himself in because of his past. Robert is able to break free and face his past and conquer it. I highly recommend this book as it is good-natured and can be enjoyable for many.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "14-Apr-2020 21:53:53", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "398 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008894031", "title": "Searching for Family and Traditions at the French Table, Book Two (Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Normandy, Brittany, Loire, Auvergne)", "author": "Carole Bumpus", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 208, "review": "Inspired to learn more about French cooking and traditions, Carole's friend Josiane agrees to be her tour guide as they try to uncover French home cooking secrets and recipes. They are both inspired by the tales told by Josiane's mother, Marcelle, of growing up in Brittany. With a sense of adventure and the hope of uncovering more of Marcelle's family history, they travel through Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Normandy, Brittany, Loire, and Auvergne. Along the way, they stay in farmhouses, hotels, and family-owned Chateaux where Carole, welding her trusty notepad and recorder, is keen to investigate the lifestyle and history of those they encounter as well as indulge in the region's cuisine.

There are some wonderful descriptions throughout about food, markets, and local celebrations. Plus, readers will be happy to know that some of the recipes mentioned and collected along the journey are included at the end of the book. This warm and inviting memoir will appeal to food lovers and history buffs alike. The two women examine how it was to live during a time of war, especially the Second World War, and how families managed to keep traditions alive even during tough times. As this book points out, family traditions help keep French home cooking entwined in everyday life.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "14-Apr-2020 21:49:08", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "340 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008894027", "title": "Slowing Down to Run Faster: A Sense-able Approach to Movement", "author": "Edward Yu", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 193, "review": "Slowing Down to Run Faster: Sense-able Approach to Movement is a part self-help guide to life and part lessons about the act of running. Too many people around the world run to get to the next activity or beat their bodies down because of daily stress, but Edward Yu tells us, through science and experience, that this is not necessary. While running fast is what every runner strives to do on the running course, when you are running through life, slowing down can get you places much quicker than speeding through. Yu breaks his book up into three sections, about life, practical matters, and more of life; then lessons at the end to help those who have picked up this book to learn about the physical aspect of running.

Yu packs a lot of helpful information in his book. I like how the text doesn't just pertain to physical running (which is still informative), but it includes mental aspects of our run through life, such as dealing with anxiety and fear; I believe that both coincide and are needed to be together. Readers who enjoy self-help and actual running will enjoy this book.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "14-Apr-2020 21:47:59", "publisher": "North Atlantic Books", "page_count": "328 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008894023", "title": "The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers", "author": "Eric Weiner", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 177, "review": "There are so many reasons to love this book; the author takes us along on his train travels; he speaks to us simply about complicated life issues; he introduces us to philosophical thinkers without being pedantic, and he unwinds the academic pomposity that often surrounds introductions to philosophy. This is a delightful book. The chapter headings alone are a worthwhile read, including \u201cHow to Get Out of Bed like Marcus Aurelius\u201d and \u201cHow to Have No Regrets like Nietzsche.\u201d Also, the author has a great way of discovering along with us new insights about philosophical thought.

The only discordant note was in Chapter Six when the setting suddenly jumps from a train from a Portland-bound train leaving Chicago to Athens. That being said, most of the travel and settings add depth and interest to the narrative. The rest of the book is remarkably balanced and even. We learn interesting and peculiar things about the chapter subjects, not just the honorifics. If you are planning summer travel or a staycation, this book will take you places intellectually and humorously.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "14-Apr-2020 21:46:00", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008894019", "title": "Up All Night: Ted Turner, CNN, and the Birth of 24-Hour News", "author": "Lisa Napoli", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 231, "review": "In the space race which morphed into the Information Age, a quiet war raged over the flow of news that ultimately reached TV screens. If not for Lisa Napoli's fantastic sense of humor and remarkable skills as a writer, this peek into high-tech history might be a yawner for the average reader; or worse, a story only industry insiders could appreciate. Graciously, Napoli rescued this documentary of the wrecking-ball fashion in which Ted Turner and company forever shifted the spoon-feeding that the Mega Media doled out in continuous, flowing, fire-hose style reporting.

Napoli writes from an insider's perspective as a teenage intern at CNN's New York bureau. Since then her career as a journalist bloomed with experience at The New York Times, Marketplace, MSNBC, and KCRW. She has also written two other books: Radio Shangri-La and Ray and Joan: The Man Who Made the McDonald's Fortune and the Woman Who Gave It All Away. Napoli, displaying a rare genius by capsulizing human interest stories with the dramatic event of a little girl falling into a well, invoked sweeping changes in reporting that evolved over half a century. Whether you are old enough to recall the antics of America's Cup defender, Captain Outrageous a.k.a. Ted Turner, or grew up with a phone in your hand, you will laugh out loud at the comedy of errors that got us hooked on the news.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2020", "date_added": "14-Apr-2020 21:43:40", "publisher": "Abrams Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008894015", "title": "Humankind: A Hopeful History", "author": "Rutger Bregman", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 310, "review": "The Danish author and internationally renowned historian, Rutger Bergman, reverses some of his own previously held beliefs in his latest contribution to the pool of knowledge. In what is sure to be a best-seller, Bergman makes himself vulnerable to a host of naysayers as he boldly proclaims that, contrary to popular consensus, most people are basically good and trustworthy--even our worst enemies.

Pitting the work of Hobbs against that of Rousseau, Bergman theorizes that if only we gave strangers the benefit of the doubt instead of robbing us blind, we might discover new friendships or at the very least better relationships. Some will quickly point out that one of the by-products of Rousseau's work was the French Revolution and the bloody aftermath of the Reign of Terror that stained the streets of Paris red. Lest we forgot the lessons of history and end up echoing them afresh, let the reader be forewarned that Bergman is not advocating we all drop our weapons, join hands and sing \"Kum-by-ya\", but almost. If we are to take seriously his proposals, workers don't really need managers, students don't really need conventional schools, and governments could do without politicians.

If the author were some crackpot the entirety of Bergman's theory would be dismissed by the whole publishing industry. It would have never made its' way into print or electronic media. But here is the author of the best seller Utopia For Realists, a book translated into thirty-two languages, advising us that we will be happier, more productive, and better citizens of the planet if we learn to trust one another enough to treat each other as humans and that our inhumanity is based on a false perception. It is the kind of book you hope someone else will read before they judge you for some embarrassing trace left floating in the ether of social media.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "14-Apr-2020 21:38:36", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "408 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008894011", "title": "People of the Canyons", "author": "Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 178, "review": "People of the Canyons is number twenty-six (!) in the Gears' sweeping forays into North America's epic deep past. Canyons visits the American Southwest, whose tribes dwell amidst cave and canyon. As always, the trademark spirituality of the series shines through.

Blessed Sun Leather Hand- a Powerful witch cursed by an even more Powerful shaman- is approaching the end of his long life. If he cannot break the curse, he will not be able to Travel to his Ancestors once he dies. Leather Hand forces and coerces two Powerful people- Tocho and Maicoh- to seek out an artifact charged with the energy of the one who cursed him in order to break it.

I love this series! The Gears' are both archaeologists, and their love and respect for the cultures they bring to vibrant life show in the attention to detail. The continuity of ancestral memory and the blurred lines between the mundane world and the spiritual world tugs this poet's heart, this philosopher's soul.

Highly recommended, especially if you enjoy historical fiction, speculative fiction, or enjoy archaeology, anthropology, or philosophy.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "07-Aug-2021", "date_added": "14-Apr-2020 21:34:43", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008894003", "title": "What I Like About You", "author": "Marisa Kanter", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 206, "review": "Halle never has the right words to say. Kels, her online persona, is a popular book blogger who pairs cupcakes with books. Halle has trouble making friends; Kels has supportive online friends, but none more than Nash. When she moves in with her grandfather to stay in one place for senior year, she ends up in the same high school as Nash. She knows, as Halle, she cannot compete with cool, collected Kels, so she hides her identity, until she finds out that she will be presenting on a panel with other book bloggers and cannot stay hidden. Just as she is prepared to tell Nash who she is, especially as he has given up on Kels and started liking Halle, Nash figures it out. How will she ever make it up to him and put their relationship back together?

Halle needs a boost of confidence, which grows throughout the book, but some readers may find her annoying, especially as the author really doesn\u2019t provide a good reason for this. Even still, it is a cute romantic story, featuring good friends and bookish notes. Her Jewish background helps build the relationship with her family and with Nash, which provides a hint of diversity to the story.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "14-Apr-2020 21:27:19", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "412 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008893039", "title": "Runaway Blues", "author": "Pete Fanning", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 227, "review": "Runaway Blues is a beautiful book that deals with a difficult subject, Alzheimer's. We follow Caleb and his grandfather (referred to as Papa) on their journey to Arkansas. Caleb lives in Virginia with his mom and visits Papa often in a nursing home.

When we first meet Papa we learn that he loves to play blues, rather grumpy, and suffers from memory loss. Caleb is rather shy, has a strict mom, and would like to learn guitar. One day Papa won\u2019t stop talking about an old family heirloom, Robert Johnson\u2019s harmonica. Johnson was a blues player and taught someone in the family music. It was then passed down, but a different part of the family has it. Papa has a wicked idea and plans to escape with Caleb wanting to find it. They wind up catching a bus to Arkansas. Their journey is full of adventure and sometimes danger, they end up in new places, panhandle, and discovering amazing things.

I enjoyed reading this book, the creative characters, and a large amount of musical influence. The novel was sad at times when Papa forgets Caleb for a few minutes due to his memory loss. Otherwise, it was an exciting, richly embellished story that made a beautiful connection between family and music. I would recommend this novel to kids who love music and who are eleven and older.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "14-Apr-2020 17:46:47", "publisher": "Immortal-Works Press", "page_count": "177 pages ", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008893035", "title": "Along Came a Soldier", "author": "Brenda Davies", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 391, "review": "In early nineteenth century Cornwall, two young people find themselves in love. Charity Perrow and Jethro Ennor could be the protagonists of any historical romance were it not for one thing: Jethro\u2019s father is suspected of having killed Charity\u2019s mother years ago. Despite this, Charity still finds herself drawn to the young man she meets in the forest, even after she learns his name. It would be easy to turn this story into a standard rehash of Romeo and Juliet, but Brenda Davies goes a step further by including a killer lurking in the background. Even as Charity and Jethro find themselves drawn closer together, someone is out in the nearby woods, killing villagers one by one. Together with the town bonesetter, Charity and Jethro must unmask the killer before it is too late.

On the whole, the book was fascinating. It struck an excellent balance between romance and suspense, and the central trio of Charity, Jethro, and Henry were very well portrayed. Charity has an excellent combination of sweetness and fierceness. Jethro, our tortured hero, has a shadowy backstory that is spun out with precision. Henry is a mysterious young man who toes a fine line between terrifying and sympathetic. The secondary characters all had their own defining characteristics, though they didn\u2019t have quite as much depth. I thought some of them could have benefited from a little more subtlety in their characterization, but not one was forgettable.

The plot is likewise a mixed bag. While I enjoyed the way the separate plotlines of love and murder gradually drew together rather than being entangled right from the start, it was occasionally difficult to tell what was going on. What exactly was the supposed accident that killed Charity\u2019s mother? What is Henry\u2019s connection to the town? Over time, those questions are answered, but I would have preferred the answers to come a little sooner, and some of my questions partway through remained unanswered even at the end. It wasn\u2019t quite frustrating, but it did mar my enjoyment of the book.

Overall, Along Came a Soldier was an enjoyable read. It did have its downfalls, but for those who love historical suspense with a strong element of romance, it will be a worthwhile read. I\u2019m certainly glad I came across it, and I\u2019m curious to see what Brenda Davies will write next.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "14-Apr-2020 17:36:31", "publisher": "BHC Press", "page_count": "244 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008893015", "title": "Daddy's Fishing Buddy", "author": "Melondy Roberson and James Ural, with illustrations by Ambadi Kumar", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 202, "review": "It\u2019s time for James to wake up and go fishing with his Daddy. James is so excited as he helps his Dad pack all the gear for their special day together. When James gets to the tackle box he finds slimy stinky worms inside and decides to be helpful and dump them out. Will James\u2019 helpfulness ruin the trip or will he learn the patience and love of his father after his mistake?

The writing in this book is very well done. I love the whimsical heartfelt story of a son and father going fishing. I also appreciated the author\u2019s solution to the problem of the bait being allowed to crawl away to freedom.

The illustrations in this book were well done for the most part. The background was great, and the son\u2019s facial expressions were well done. I noticed the father never changes his expressions. He had the same smiling face on every single- page. This was a turn off for me because it doesn\u2019t show me quality artwork making the character relatable. For me if the father\u2019s expression were changed this would be a four-star book.

My three-year-old wanted to read this book over and over. She liked the story and colorful illustrations.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "14-Apr-2020 17:10:24", "publisher": "James Ural, LLC.", "page_count": "30 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008893011", "title": "The Road to Gesualdo", "author": "Erika Rummel", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 369, "review": "Leonora d\u2019Este is preparing to marry Prince Carlo Gesualdo, but it is not entirely the happy occasion it might be. Her lady-in-waiting, Livia Prevera, is worried for her mistress because of rumors spreading about the prince. People say he murdered his first wife. People say she was a witch. People say he is mad, or perhaps cursed. Leonora has no choice, however. Until she has a husband, she belongs to her family, and her brother has decided she will marry the prince.

Even though Leonora\u2019s marriage is what launches the plot, the book is not just her story. In fact, most of it is told through the eyes of Livia or Livia\u2019s would-be lover, Pietro Paci, and the story of their shattered romance has just as much focus as the story of Leonora\u2019s marriage and her growing worry about her husband.

Even that is not the whole story. The book features murder, deceit, popes (well, one pope), and witchcraft: in short, everything you could ask for in sixteenth-century Italy. I was swept up in the action and intrigue, fascinated by each storyline and in love with the setting. Rummel is widely traveled and has taught history at two universities, all of which informs the rich detail she provides. Italy of ages past comes to life in her hands, showing just how strange and fascinating its culture was.

The only complaints I have about the book are that it sometimes took me a while to catch up to the action when the narrative switched points of view and that at times the descriptions made it feel like a costume drama, with so much attention paid to making sure readers can see everything about the characters that we miss out on what they\u2019re doing. I could always follow the story, but at times, it seemed drab compared to the various folk beliefs presented.

On the whole, though, I enjoyed the book. The Road to Gesualdo is at times too understated, but at its best, it is subtle and real. The characters never descend into operatic melodrama; the stakes are real enough without that. This is a wonderful example of historical fiction, and I would love to find more books like it.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "16-Jul-2021", "date_added": "14-Apr-2020 16:59:40", "publisher": "D. X. Varos, Ltd.", "page_count": "310 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008892167", "title": "The Llamacorn Cookbook", "author": "Barbara Beery", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 175, "review": "This fun and colorful cookbook will have you feeling like you\u2019re in Candyland! With beautiful illustrations of deliciously sweet confections on each page, you\u2019ll want to give all of your favorites a try. What I liked most about these recipes was that they were fairly easy to make. There wasn\u2019t a crazy number of steps to follow. I also really liked the author\u2019s tips on things like how to make your own self-rising flour. Another nice feature of this book is that even though most people will buy it simply for the sweets and the fun illustrations, it also has savory and salty recipes to try. I especially loved the bitsy bacon and cheese rolls (the winner amongst the kids!) and the rainbow cupcakes (because doesn\u2019t rainbow always taste better than plain?). I can\u2019t wait to try more recipes out of this book. I recommend this cookbook to anyone who has small children and/or has birthday parties to either throw or attend. Your baked goods will be the talk of the party! Cute and fun!", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 23:07:56", "publisher": "Gibbs Smith", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008892163", "title": "The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America's 16th President and Why It Failed", "author": "Brad Meltzer", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 222, "review": "The Presidential election of 1860 was fraught with uncertainty for the direction of the United States. The polarizing issue of slavery, whether it would expand or be abolished loomed. The violence contained with the arguments played out even on the Congressional floor. The Republican party nominated Abraham Lincoln to challenge the Democratic party. Lincoln would run against Senator Stephen Douglas, a worthy adversary whom Lincoln ran against for a Senate seat in 1858. Lincoln\u2019s upset win set in motion a chain of events where the South began secession from the Union. As the months elapsed to Lincoln\u2019s inauguration, some unsettled Southerners hatched plans to insure Lincoln would never sit in the White House. Men of a secret order clung tight to the institution of slavery and would kill to defend it. The plot would need to be defeated, and an intrepid investigator named Pinkerton with an eclectic group of investigators would shield Lincoln from mortal peril in 1861.

The Lincoln Conspiracy springs forth with lightning-quick speed. The life of Abraham Lincoln has been exhaustively chronicled, yet this early plot has mostly been a mere footnote. Authors Meltzer and Mensch bring the compelling past for a wide audience to view and be intrigued by the real-life heroes and villains. This is a must-read, a worthy addition to the Lincoln and Civil War library.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 23:05:02", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008892159", "title": "Miss Austen: A Novel", "author": "Gill Hornby", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Crozier", "word_count": 229, "review": "In Miss Austen: A Novel we experience the life of Cassandra Austen as imagined by Gil Hornby. Cass is unconditionally devoted to her family and, most importantly, to her sister, Jane Austen. Cass and Jane have an unbreakable bond that spans their lifetimes, even after the passing of one sister.

Miss Austen: A Novel leads us through Cass\u2019s quest to forever protect the legacy of her sister. Hornby transitions us from 1840, when Cass is seeking out her sister\u2019s letters in order to hide any controversy they may contain, to her earlier life and experiences that the letters reference. Hornby\u2019s imagined story of Cassandra Austen is a powerful representation of loyalty.

After reading Miss Austen: A Novel I was left wanting to read more about the Austen family. Although this book is a work of fiction, it is very much intertwined with what is known about the life of Jane Austen. Hornby portrays Cass as having so much affection toward her sister and her work that the reader is left loving Jane Austen's novels even if they have not read them yet.

From beginning to end, I was charmed by Cassandra Austen. This is a wonderful and heartwarming story that will allow your imagination to fill in the gaps in Jane Austen\u2019s life with intriguing detail. However, I would caution readers to remember it is a work of fiction.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 23:02:19", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "270 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008892151", "title": "Poems to See By: A Comic Artist Interprets Great Poetry", "author": "Julian Peters", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 181, "review": "These poems are illustrated as if they were comic strips. One artist illustrates the whole book, but he uses different styles for each poem. The poems are written in the frames, just like comic strips, but can be hard to read, so they are also printed normally after each comic strip. Illustrating poems seems like a really good idea, but other people may imagine different characters and scenes. All the different drawing styles are interesting, but the drawings don\u2019t always fit the poems. Maybe some poems don\u2019t make pictures. I didn\u2019t like all the pictures\u2014some are really annoying and cartoony (and I love cartoons!). I didn\u2019t like all the poems, either. My favorite is the last poem, \u201cConcientious Objector\u201d by Edna St. Vincent Millay. All the military men are drawn as skeletons, and that is very creepy. I think this book is probably best for kids older than I am. These poems are maybe more interesting for older people\u2014maybe grown-ups. Some of the cartoon interpretations are about how boring and dull grown-up life is, and I\u2019m not worried about that yet!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 22:57:50", "publisher": "Plough Publishing House", "page_count": "159 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008892143", "title": "How to Bee", "author": "Bren MacDibble", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Willow - Age 10", "word_count": 199, "review": "In this book, Peony lives with her grandfather and her sister Magpie. Her dream is to become a bee. There are no more bees at the farm, so humans have to do the pollinating. Her mother lives in the city. She thinks it would be a really good idea to take Peony with her to make more money. She tries to take them against their will multiple times and finally manages to grab them. Peony is stuck at the Pasquales mansion as a maid. Her friend Ez and her come up with a plan to help her escape. Will they succeed? Read this book to find out. My favorite characters are Peony and her best friend AJ. I like them because of how loyal they are to each other. Even when Peony is upset about not being a bee, she tries to hide that so AJ will not be upset. AJ and Peony would do anything to help each other. This friendship is really a friendship I want to be part of. I think ages nine to twelve would enjoy this book. I would definitely recommend this book because it kept me entertained every minute I was reading it.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 22:50:48", "publisher": "Groundwood Books", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008892127", "title": "It Sounded Better in My Head", "author": "Nina Kenwood", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 201, "review": "Natalie finds out, on Christmas Day, no less, that her parents decided ten months ago that they are separating. While it is a friendly divorce, Natalie can\u2019t help but feel hurt and forgotten. This is on top of the fact that her two best friends, Zach and Lucy, have decided they are a couple, making Natalie the third wheel. Growing up with extreme acne has dropped her self-esteem so she has zero confidence in herself when she and Alex, Zach\u2019s brother, start dating. There is so much to dating that involves exposing the real self, but there is so much to Natalie that she would prefer to keep hidden, even as she begins to trust Alex. However, friends and ex-girlfriends and parents complicate things, as if a low body image and self-hatred wasn\u2019t enough.

Natalie is an original character, dealing with extreme acne coupled with introversion, whose internal monologues and astute observations makes the debilitating experience, both physically and emotionally, real. Her frank conversations with Alex about sex and her body are refreshingly honest, bypassing the usual lack of communication that leads to typical stories of angst. Set in Australia during their summer season, this not-so-light-hearted romance will pull on the heartstrings.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 22:41:19", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008892115", "title": "The Inner Child: A Book for Kids About What It's Like to Be an Adult", "author": "Henry Blackshaw", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Soha - Age 11", "word_count": 151, "review": "The Inner Child is a page-turner about adults and how they release their inner child. With each word I realized the story's truth, and I couldn't help but fall deeper into the story. The moral was the best part; I loved how they described how each thing an adult did released their inner child. Instead of straight harsh lines, the drawings are very blobby and colorful. This is one of the many things I like about the book. It should be read by all ages. It has a funny family feeling to it. The Inner Child is an awesome, fun read-aloud book as well. This book would make a great series because kids have an inner adult, and cats have inner dogs. This book is great for anytime like when you're relaxing, reading in school, or even traveling. If you like to read funny books, then this book is for you.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 18:33:50", "publisher": "Cicada Books", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008892111", "title": "The Dubrow Keto Fusion Diet", "author": "Heather Dubrow \u2022 Terry Dubrow", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 216, "review": "There\u2019s an earlier book by this husband and wife team, The Dubrow Diet: Interval Eating to Lose Weight and Feel Ageless. They have a line of products that are derivative of that work, which get some promotion in this one.

They mention a motivating revelation from Google that their diet concept was scoring behind only Keto diets for classes of sales on Amazon. Here, they have attempted a fusion of ketogenic dieting and their own interval/intermittent fasting. The good Dr. does eat some low-carb crow regarding his earlier put-downs of ketogenic methodologies; admirably, he consumes the entire bird. But he reneges repeatedly, pointing out how difficult ketogenic regimens are, how they involve ingesting spoonfuls of oil, etc.

There is a bald statement that fasting is many times more efficacious in attaining a ketotic state than simple carbohydrate restriction. So what is offered appears to be something very like the induction Atkins diet, though with more focus on good fats, and a schedule of eating and fasting that purports to facilitate entering ketosis sufficiently for rapid weight loss and other benefits.

The recipes read like a Beverley Hills high-end market\u2026tempting. They are presented for four persons. Exercise plans and some mindfulness advice are also offered. The exposition is chatty and short on references. It's an easy read.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 18:29:02", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008892107", "title": "The Plastic Problem: 60 Small Ways to Reduce Waste and Save the Earth", "author": "Aubre Andrus and Lonely Planet Kids", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 201, "review": "The Plastic Problem tackles a very important problem; what plastic is doing to the planet and how to help. This book introduces the concept of microplastics and explains the different kinds of plastics. It is colorful and explains all sorts of good concepts. It has good tips on how to make a household environment-friendly. However, it is a list-like book. It is a LIST of ways you can help the environment and reduce plastic. It is not well written but has good content. It is dry and boring. If you want a reference it is okay, but it is NOT a book for a family to buy. It might be okay for a library, but it is WAY too dry for home use. It is written like notes and it is not fluid. The graphic design of the book is fun. The illustrations have personality and are cute. I like the colors and style of this book\u2019s illustrations. It seems homier and is less glossy then most books. I like the fact that the illustrations are all over, and I like how it is short and sweet. This is a good library book, but it is not great for the home.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 18:28:28", "publisher": "Lonely Planet", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008892103", "title": "The Living Presidency: An Originalist Argument Against Its Ever-Expanding Powers", "author": "Saikrishna Bangalore Prakash", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 197, "review": "Many conservative lawyers have been writing about the expansion of federal powers, and the role of the presidency and how it has changed, especially post-1933. This book follows that similar path and tries to provide responses and ways to constrain those powers back to more of an original reading of the Constitution. Professor Prakash\u2019s best part of the book is when he is examining how the powers of the President have expanded over the decades, while those of Congress has seemed to regress, and the courts playing a larger role than envisioned. He kind of cherry-picks from the Framers, focusing those that more agree with his arguments. Though at times he ignores when people like Thomas Jefferson expand their powers, even though they might have written against the expansion of powers. Mr. Prakash believes that we are living in a very monarchical style presidency and that unless things change, the President will become more and more powerful. His solutions are doubtful about if and how they will work. Often they read like solutions that were put forth years ago by every President since Reagan. His heart might be in the right place, but his solutions are not.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 18:26:23", "publisher": "Harvard University Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008892091", "title": "When You Look Up", "author": "Decur", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 227, "review": "Little Lorenzo seems lost as he moves to a new house while clutching his cell phone as his link to the past. Argentine cartoonist, Decur, captures the desolation that children feel when separated from their homes. Fortunately, forlorn and bug-eyed Lorenzo discovers a hidden notebook in a huge old desk in his new room.

The drawings and stories in this notebook transport him into a dreamlike environment where he wanders and wonders. The surrealistic scenes are dramatically caricatured in intense color on craft paper, with bizarre chimeric figures representing the characters. The various stories that Lorenzo hungrily consumes so totally absorb him that he makes a parallel notebook of his own. Later, he discovers that the original journal was authored by a senior living in a retirement home and that it related events from his life. Lorenzo shyly gives his own version of this history to the original author.

This colorfully illustrated story attempts to capture the sorrowful state of a transplanted child who dreams of finding a companionable dog, or of saving a beautiful girl whom he can love, along with other fantastic scenes that befuddle the mind in times of distress. The vibrant colors capture the eye, while the reader roots for this strange, lonely, little boy. Young readers might dare to enter this mystical world with Lorenzo and share some of their fantastical dreams.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 18:13:22", "publisher": "Enchanted Lion Books", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008892083", "title": "The Little Book of Living Small", "author": "Laura Fenton", "category": "N10 Home & Garden", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "\u201cAfter years of a \u2018bigger is better\u2019 mentality toward homes, people are realizing that extra square footage does not equal greater happiness.\u201d This line from the introduction of this fine book really sets the stage for what is to come and exposes the mindset of author Laura Fenton. The rich introduction includes a definition of what it means to live small, reasons to do it, and small space commandments. This is followed by twelve case studies \u2014 the smallest is 312 square feet and the largest is 1200 square feet \u2014 with gorgeous photographs by Weston Wells and excellent notes by Fenton that fully illustrate how small space living doesn\u2019t have to mean denying oneself beauty and luxury. Most of the case studies are in or near New York City, but several are other places. Beyond the case studies is a \"Solutions\" section that has answers to many questions of how to maximize spaces for different needs and how to downsize and declutter. Resources and further readings finish things off. The writing is fun and not the least bit didactic. For anyone considering small space living, this is a great place to start for ideas and information.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 18:00:23", "publisher": "Gibbs Smith", "page_count": "214 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008892079", "title": "Sparrow: A novel", "author": "Mary Cecilia Jackson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 197, "review": "Sparrow has a promising life ahead of her as a ballerina, but that changes when she starts going out with Tristan King. Her friends worry about her. They know something\u2019s wrong, but they don\u2019t know how to help before it\u2019s too late. After being assaulted by her boyfriend, Sparrow has to find a way to piece herself back together and face what happened, not only with Tristan, but with her mother as well.

At first I really got into Sparrow, but before long I started to get bored. It picked up some in the third part of the book. The characters are flat, and I didn\u2019t care what happened to them in the end which, for this kind of story, made it loose some of its meaning. Sparrow\u2019s abusive relationship was well done in how she reacts and feels. The pace is very fast. The narrative skips months at a time and events are told much later in the book from another point-of-view. Sparrow\u2019s mother was abusive as well, but I was left wondering what she had to do with the story till the end and why characters in the story seemed to know except for me.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 17:57:08", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008892071", "title": "What is the Grass: Walt Whitman in My Life", "author": "Mark Doty", "category": "N25 Books About Books", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 243, "review": "In 1856, Walt Whitman asked, \u201cWe understand then, do we not?\u201d in his poem \"Crossing Brooklyn Ferry.\" In his latest book, What is the Grass, celebrated poet Mark Doty expands on that understanding in his own life. Part memoir, part celebration, and part poetic study, this new book is a revelation for fans of Whitman and Doty alike.

Separated into five sections, which Doty labels \u201cSources,\u201d the book moves through Whitman\u2019s poetic style and his personal entanglements (romantic and professional), and it didactically deconstructs the masterworks and lesser-known poems of the great Walt Whitman. A clear inspiration to Doty, the book documents the relationship he feels with Whitman on the poetic and personal levels\u2014a distinction that is nearly imperceptible as one is part of the other. As gay men, Whitman and Doty both navigated worlds that attempted to close them in. But their art and will and pure need to live authentically rendered them free. Doty draws the lines of that freedom with clarity and grace in What is the Grass.

As a teacher who has taught Whitman for nearly twenty years, and as a poet who loves both him and Doty, this book is a pure joy. But even those who have not read either writer can find something of themselves in Doty\u2019s latest. It articulates the understanding we all share, the clear and direct connection between each of us that Whitman lived and breathed, and of which Doty now reminds us.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 17:51:57", "publisher": "Norton", "page_count": "278 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008892067", "title": "The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power", "author": "Deirdre Mask", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 206, "review": "The Address Book includes references to history and the present day to help us to understand the reasoning behind street names. Deidre Mask researches this topic through locations around the world to explain the power that a proper street address will provide to people. Based on historical events, a \"legal\" street address (one that is observed by the government) will allow a person many privileges that a person living in the slums will not receive. Mask breaks the book down into the categories of development, origins, politics, race, and class and status. Under each heading, the author explores the topic through a different city around the world.

The information that Mask presents is informative and worthwhile. If you have any interest in history throughout the years, you will enjoy this book. For many people, merely reading a street sign may come across as a simple task that should receive no further attention. But when you read about the suffering, turmoil, and all-around discomfort that street names have caused an unknown amount of people, the act of reading a street sign might become more significant. Whether you're in the business of buying, selling, or researching homes, understanding the origins of street names will be of tremendous help.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 17:50:05", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008892063", "title": "Megabat Is a Fraidybat: Megabat #3", "author": "Anna Humphrey, with illustrations by Kass Reich", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 192, "review": "Megabat has a best friend that is a human, Daniel! Megabat and Daniel are off to camp for the summer. Everyone thinks camp will be fun but Daniel. Megabat slips away in Daniel's pocket, and on the bus to camp they make a new human friend who just happens to like the exact same comic book as they do. After they get to camp, Megabat meets a new bat friend! Maybe camp won't be so bad after all, even if the woods are scary! Megabat is ready for all the adventures that summer camp holds and tries to encourage Daniel to join in on the fun. Daniel just might be able to tell the bus driver ten fun things he did during camp.

This book has funny black-and-white illustrations that show how zany Megabat can be! I really enjoy the story, however it is hard to read the text when Megabat speaks because he talks in a very weird way, and sometimes says words or sentences out of order which can make it very confusing. I look forward to see what other adventure Megabat and his new friends go on in the series!", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 17:44:53", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000008892059", "title": "Otaku", "author": "Chris Kluwe", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Ellie Woods", "word_count": 230, "review": "Ditchtown. A city of skyscrapers, built atop the drowned bones of old Miami. A prison of steel, filled with unbelievers. A dumping ground for strays, runaways, and malcontents. Within these towering monoliths, Ashley Akachi is a young woman trying her best to cope with a brother who is slipping away, a mother who is already gone, and angry young men who want her put in her place.

Ditchtown, however, is not the only world Ash inhabits. Within the Infinite Game, a virtual world requiring physical perfection, Ash is Ashura the Terrible, leader of the SunJewel Warriors, loved, feared, and watched by millions across the globe. But Ash is about to stumble on a deadly conspiracy that will set her worlds crashing together, and in the real world, you only die once.

Right from the start, I fell in love with the world building in Otaku, from the washed out Miami, where the sea levels are always rising, with whatever land remaining being split into spaces for the rich and the poor, to the ever-present technology, especially with regard to the Infinite Game. Even the action scenes within Otaku were wonderful, tying in nicely with the pacing of the story. However, the one thing I couldn't help but dislike was how some characters felt as if they were a little\u2026 flat, due in part to the lack of character development throughout.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 17:41:58", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008892055", "title": "My Panda Sweater", "author": "Gilles Baum, with illustrations by Barroux", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 183, "review": "This book is about sharing clothes and being kind to others. The little girl's panda sweater doesn't fit her anymore, so her Mom tells her she should give it to someone who needs it. Another little girl in her school ends up with the panda sweater. The little girl makes a new friend. It's funny that the girl wears her favorite panda sweater in the summer. The little panda hood is so cute. I liked how she doesn\u2019t mind when other kids laugh at her. The little girl wonders about things a lot. She wonders about other people's stories. The little girl's new friend who wears the panda sweater is cute. I think this is a nice book. At the back of the book, it tells you you can donate clothes or toys that you don't use anymore. I think it is nice to reuse clothes and toys because it helps our planet and it helps other people who can't buy clothes or toys. I recommend this book to people who like sharing, and I also recommend it to people who like pandas.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 17:38:52", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008892043", "title": "What a Masterpiece!", "author": "Riccardo Guasco", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 204, "review": "What a Masterpiece! is about the title: it's a book filled with masterpieces from artists in the past. The book is a story about a little boy who wakes up in the morning, and it follows him until the end of the story. The whole story has zero words in it. There is one \"word\" shown in the story, but it isn't a real word, but more like a sound the boy makes when he wakes up. Depending on the person reading the book, or in this case, looking, they will either like the story because they can add their own words to what is happening or not like it because there are no words to read.

I think I am more like the reader who wishes there were words on the pages so that I can know the story better. My mom told me that on each page of the book there is a famous painting made by an artist put in the book. The pictures don't make a lot of sense to me now, but I think that maybe when I get a little older they will. However, I like the colors in the book and how the pictures are fun to see.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 17:32:27", "publisher": "Eerdsmans Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008892031", "title": "The Weaver's Surprise", "author": "Tom Knisely", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 5", "word_count": 141, "review": "The story The Weaver\u2019s Surprise is so sweet that we just loved it. There are mice who secretly make a home in a weaver\u2019s beautiful rug. If you want to learn about how weaving is done and about the big looms, you will learn about all that in this book. The story is really long and there are also a lot of pictures.

Kids who have gotten to see weaving done in real life will especially like this story because they will understand how big the looms are and how many strands of yarn it takes to make a big rug or something.

The pictures in this book are really nice. They have lots of detail so you can find lots of things in the pictures. The story is mostly for older kids who can pay attention to the whole book.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 17:24:47", "publisher": "Rowman & Littlefield", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008892023", "title": "Daddy Loves You!", "author": "Helen Foster James, with illustrations by Petra Brown", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 179, "review": "Daddy bunny and little bunny are going on an adventure together. Daddy bunny teaches, protects, and plays with his child. They see ducks and birds. They swing and play games. The daddy shows and tells his child how much he enjoys and loves him.

The writing flowed well. It was beautiful rhythm and rhyme. I loved the fun and active text. It gave a since of love and encouragement for the child. I love that this is a book about dads because so often dads are overlooked in their importance in a child\u2019s life.

The illustrations are breathtaking. I love the beautiful paintings of the bunny, father, and scenery. The landscape gives you a sense of joy and happiness. The whole book reminds me of a perfect day with your child. This would be the perfect gift for Father\u2019s Day or a dad\u2019s birthday.

My three-year-old daughter loved the bunnies eating carrots, the colors of the pictures, and the words. My six-year-old son liked that it is a book about a daddy and child.

This is a perfect story for three- to eight-year-olds.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 16:12:29", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008892019", "title": "Where'd My Jo Go?", "author": "Jill Esbaum", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Karter - Age 8", "word_count": 94, "review": "I really enjoyed this book. The illustrations were really cool and I loved the relationship that Big Al has with his human. He is traveling the road with her and the worst thing that could happen happened, they were separated at a rest stop. Big Al was determined to not let anything get in his way of staying put because he knew that Jo would come back for him. It wouldn't be easy with so many distractions. This is such and fun and joyful book with a little sadness to it. Very well done.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 16:04:08", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008892015", "title": "The Heart of a Whale", "author": "Anna Pignataro", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 5", "word_count": 143, "review": "I like the pictures in this book more than the pictures in pretty much all of the other books I've read. They are so nice. You see the ocean in so many colors and get to see different things the whale might be doing. The story makes you happy.

The Heart of a Whale is a book that everybody should read because everybody will like it. You will want to find more books by the same person who wrote the book and did the pictures because it is very beautiful. All ages of kids from babies to big kids and also adults will really enjoy the book. There are not very many words because the pictures are so nice that the story is simple.

You will be glad you read this book and you will want to read it over and over again.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 16:01:42", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008892007", "title": "Share: Delicious Boards for Social Dining", "author": "Theo A. Michaels", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 213, "review": "The art of sharing boards has now been elevated to sophisticated finery. Theo A. Michaels exposes readers to the world of sharing and displaying food for the ultimate visual and social dining experience. He opens the door to a new dining experience while explaining how tapping into the primal human instinct to hunt and gather food allows diners to create new experiences and to try new cuisines.

These boards can be prepared for a romantic picnic for two, an intimate gathering of a few couples, or set along a banquet table for hundreds. No matter what the occasion, the concept behind sharing boards is all the same: beautifully crafted and prepared artisan cuisines, intricately set up for maximum visual appeal and interaction.

Breaking a meal down to a rudimentary concept and building it back up into the elegant, Share: Delicious Boards for Social Dining brings the idea of \u201cedible treasure\u201d to life. From the very start of building a board with big items and clusters of foods, and then filling in colors and small items, to arranging meats and cheeses, every avenue is carefully explored.

Broken up into simple chapters such as Brunch, Garden, Picnic, Ocean, Harvest, and Sweets, after reading this book anyone will be able to create a show-stopping, culinary masterpiece.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 15:56:16", "publisher": "Ryland Peters & Small", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008891055", "title": "Traitor", "author": "Melissa Ragland", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 199, "review": "Elivya, the only heir to the House of Lazerin, should have been born a boy. She wants strength, respect, and the right to wield a blade, something girls don\u2019t get. It\u2019s her duty is to go to court and find a husband, but she will do so in her own terms. Elivya spends her childhood roughhousing with the boys, stealing horses to ride as far as she can before getting caught and learning every art of secrecy from her mother, but all of this can only prepare her so much for the impossible task set out before her. One that, if she should fail, means the fall of her house and even her country.

With a strong heroine who learns and grows throughout the story, Traitor has a lot of promise, yet I found myself getting bored as the middle dragged on and on, but there really isn\u2019t much that can be taken out that isn\u2019t important to the plot. The characters have their own voices, even the ones that have minor parts and only show up for a page. If you can get through the boring parts, it really is a good read. There is heavy cussing throughout.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 20:12:56", "publisher": "", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008890007", "title": "The Nosferatu Conspiracy, Book One: The Sleepwalker", "author": "Brian James Gage", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 416, "review": "The Nosferatu Conspiracy, Book One: The Sleepwalker is the first book in a new series by author Brian James Gage. Set mostly in Russia\u2019s St. Petersburg, and in the days leading up to the Bolshevik uprising, December of 1916, readers are introduced to a new mythology surrounding the family of Tsar Nicholas II, the last monarch of Russia.

Grigori Rasputin, a self-proclaimed mystic, has arrived in St. Petersburg to offer assistance to the tsar and tsaritsa\u2019s sickly son, Alexei, who suffers from hemophilia. Nicholas II and his wife, Alexandra, trust Rasputin and bring him into their royal inner circle. But Rasputin is planning the rise of something dark and evil. Something foretold in the vampire bible: the Bloodchild.

Fortunately, there are other characters working against Rasputin, some of whom have fought him once before and a few who do not yet understand their role in the grander scheme of things. Felix, Alexei\u2019s godfather, is unwittingly drawn into Rasputin\u2019s gruesome plan after his fianc\u00e9 is killed under strange circumstances and Felix is accused of her murder. Rurik, a coroner, is working with a telepathic seer and knows that the worst is yet to come. He has been preparing for this battle, and he teams up with Felix to clear his name and save the royal family. But can they prevent the Sleepwalker from awakening the Bloodchild before it is too late?

Gage takes readers on a journey through the cold and beautiful landscape of the Carpathian Mountains, crossing borders into Bucharest, Romania, and even into the magical realm of Vlad Draculea\u2019s haunting citadel. The story is told through a large cast of characters. There are seers as well as vampires, witches and warlocks. Rurik and Felix are our unlikely heroes, humorous and bumbling at first, but also very likable. They are characters who readers want to root for as they fight scary vampires and very large bats.

The book also includes several different sources that run parallel to historic record: newspaper clippings and Alexandra\u2019s diary entries, to name a few. There are even mysteriously suppressed documents from a vampire bible that provide us with an insight into the history of Vlad Draculea and the Black Hundred, a mystical group in service to the prophecy.

A well-researched work and a thrilling read, The Nosferatu Conspiracy is a gruesome retelling of Grigori Rasputin\u2019s influence over the family of Tsar Nicholas II. It is a fascinating tale that offers gothic horror fans a new vampire story with a classic feel.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 04:34:05", "publisher": "KDK 12 Press", "page_count": "439 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008890003", "title": "The Future of Leadership in the Age of AI: Preparing Your Leadership Skills for the AI-Shaped Future of Work", "author": "Marin Ivezic and Luka Ivezic", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 516, "review": "Humanity is currently living through the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a time characterized by the widespread implementation of artificial intelligence (AI). Although, in many ways, it still seems like a concept to be found in a science fiction novel, AI is already here, although it\u2019s often so well integrated into the processes in question that people don\u2019t realize its role. In The Future of Leadership in the Age of AI, Marin Ivezic and Luka Ivezic briefly take readers through the massive changes that resulted from the first three industrial revolutions before introducing the multifarious applications of AI in the modern world and explaining the three main perspectives on its future impact: the dystopian (AI will doom us all), utopian (AI will bring about a golden age of peace and prosperity), and organic (AI will be just another step in humanity\u2019s evolution) perspectives.

After providing this valuable background and theoretical information, the authors dedicate the greater part of the book to discussing the likely impacts\u2014both positive and negative\u2014of AI on the economy in general as well as on businesses at the organizational and individual levels. There is no doubt that AI, and the various technologies it is able to connect (the Internet of Things, cryptocurrencies, robotics, augmented reality, etc.), will have staggering effects on the business environment and, as such, the authors explain how managers will need to serve as the instigators and drivers of change. They elucidate how managers can address the impacts of AI by acting as motivators, initiators, facilitators, assimilators, and risk managers. In relation to each of these roles, the authors provide concrete examples and behavioral suggestions intended to help managers function to the best of their abilities.

Despite the clear challenges associated with the encroachment of AI into an ever-increasing number of facets of daily life, and into innumerable aspects of business in particular, The Future of Leadership in the Age of AI offers a decidedly positive evaluation of the situation. The authors clearly set out the potential pitfalls of overreliance on, or blind adherence to, AI and make recommendations for how best to adapt to the changing business environment, but they also highlight the many beneficial impacts of AI as well as the ways in which human ingenuity and creativity will always be required. Change is definitely going to be required, but it can be change for the better, so long as it is planned and managed correctly.

Given the latter half of the book\u2019s focus on the skills that business leaders will need to develop if they are to keep pace with the growth of AI, as well as the skill sets that they will have to encourage in their employees, it should prove an invaluable resource for organizations and professionals looking for a roadmap to follow throughout the change process as businesses move toward the increasing integration of AI. Additionally, as the book is written in a very clear and accessible way, it should also appeal to laypeople with a general interest in the current roles and future uses of AI both in the world of business and more generally.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-Apr-2020 16:46:20", "publisher": "", "page_count": "183 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008888059", "title": "A Reasonable Doubt", "author": "Phillip Margolin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 207, "review": "Robin Lockwood, a former MMA fighter and a gifted attorney, finds herself embroiled in a murder case full of twists and turns. Her client, a renowned magician who was trying to restart his career, was found dead and only she can put the pieces together to solve the mystery.

For the most part, this book was an easy read. I liked the characters; most were well rounded and well developed. Although the story bounced around the timeline and I found that to be a bit confusing at times. Also, the author referred to people by their first names, and then by their last names which were also confusing and lacked continuity. It would have been better to pick one when referring to the characters. The mystery itself was multifaceted and definitely had me guessing until the end, but I found the big reveal to be a bit anticlimactic. A few of the characters lacked some detail and the storylines surrounding them were a bit choppy. Since the main character was touted as an MMA fighter in the description I was expected more fight scenes, so I was a bit disappointed. Overall it was good, and I would not be opposed to reading the rest of this series.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "11-Apr-2020 23:03:37", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008888055", "title": "Gudetama: Love for the Lazy", "author": "Wook-Jin Clark", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 169, "review": "Gudetama, a lazy egg, is helping people look for love and giving good advice with his buddy, Nisetama. However, Gudetama just wants to sleep and be lazy. But he does it anyway. He encounters a loud woman who can\u2019t make any friends, a guy who can\u2019t decide what to wear for his blind date, and many more. I really enjoy reading this book, and it\u2019s a good and very funny book. The ideas were funny and clever and the drawings are unique and unusual but good. However, some of the pictures look a little weird, like how they cry or how they sweat. Gudetama is funny but doesn\u2019t really help all that much. Nisetama looks weird, but he\u2019s determined to help. Gudetama, however, is pretty much too lazy. I like how Gudetama rests on the egg white while he\u2019s the lazy egg yolk. My favorite part is when a guy who loves video games got a wrong, bad date. I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates humorous cartoons.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "11-Apr-2020 23:01:29", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008888047", "title": "Welcome to Buttermilk Kitchen", "author": "Suzanne Vizethann, photography by Angie Mosier", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 184, "review": "Farm-to-table is all the rage in cooking these days. This gorgeous cookbook takes a fresh look at comfort food and traditional breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes by using healthier, fresher ingredients. After a nice introduction, there are two sections: one for what you should have in your pantry as basics, and one for all the equipment that a modern cook should have. Then, because what is life without music, you may ask, there is a page with three recommended kitchen playlists. You won\u2019t find that in any other cookbook. Ten sections of recipes follow: \u201cStaples,\u201d \u201cBiscuits,\u201d \u201cThe Chicken Biscuit,\u201d \u201cPimento Cheese,\u201d \u201cFrom the Griddle,\u201d \u201cClassics,\u201d \u201cSides and Snacks,\u201d \u201cPastries and Desserts,\u201d \u201cLeftovers,\u201d and \u201cDrinks.\u201d Each recipe has a little story about the recipe as well as the usual ingredients list and cooking instructions. Many of the one hundred recipes also have beautiful close-up, full-color, mouth-watering photographs of the finished product. Author and chef Suzanne Vizethann has a nice, breezy style to her writing and has done a great job choosing dishes for this. Don\u2019t miss the truffled potatoes or the blueberry-basil jam. Great stuff!", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "11-Apr-2020 22:50:21", "publisher": "Gibbs Smith", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008888043", "title": "Beatrix Bakes", "author": "Natalie Paull", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 186, "review": "Beatrix Bakes is the elevated cookbook of every baker\u2019s dreams. Each elaborate and scrumptious recipe highlights the beauty that can come from following the basic principles of a well-crafted skill. This book breaks down the principles of baking basics along with the philosophies of a woman who was born to bake. With chapter titles that include doughs and crusts, cakes, tarts, pies, yeasted bakes, fruit, creams, custards, and cookies, no baker is left behind. Every classic recipe is explored, discussed, and elevated including mascarpone roulades with cocoa meringue, Calamity Janes coated in chocolate, cheesecakes that will make you stop everything, and the buttercreams and custards that will set any cake apart.

Natalie Paull highlights her cooking philosophy, where baking is a celebration, a gift, and a pleasure. The full-color photo\u2019s accompanying each recipe speak volumes all on their own, showcasing not just a portrait but also a lifestyle. Beatrix Bakes is not your typical cookbook; it is filled with recipes that are reminiscent of childhood memories, family time, sitting in your grandmother\u2019s kitchen, or the times eating a frozen dessert while binge-watching your favorite television series.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "11-Apr-2020 22:44:09", "publisher": "Hardie Grant Publishing", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008888039", "title": "My Pinewood Kitchen, A Southern Culinary Cure", "author": "Mee McCormick", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 258, "review": "My Pinewood Kitchen is part memoir, part recipe book. The first section is Mee McCormick\u2019s story, the second is her guidelines for preparing beans, grains, and sea vegetables, and the third section offers recipes.

Due to hereditary health conditions, McCormick suffered digestive and inflammation issues most of her life. After the birth of her daughters, her health got so bad, she was advised to undergo a substantial intestinal surgery, but she wasn\u2019t sure she would make it. Instead, she went back to the basics of food and figured out what she could tolerate. From there, she joined the Culinary Institute of America to take classic cooking training and turn it into good food for people suffering from food allergies as well as digestive and autoimmune diseases like herself.

McCormick\u2019s husband\u2019s family had roots in the Pinewood area, a small village, about an hour outside of Nashville. When they bought property there, her husband bought the restaurant next to the ranch, and as they say, the rest is history.

I appreciated how McCormick\u2019s story breaks the stereotype that food allergies and digestive disease are merely upper class invention and preoccupation. McCormick grew up very poor, and her own mother suffered much from many of the same conditions McCormick did, eventually passing away when McCormick was eighteen.

I appreciated McCormick\u2019s rules about cooking beans and how they have always wanted to eat more beans, but struggled with digesting them. Her guidelines have really helped. I can\u2019t wait to try the raspberry lemonade muffins, buckwheat pancakes, and key lime avocado pie.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "11-Apr-2020 22:40:07", "publisher": "HCI Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008888035", "title": "A Feel Better Book for Little Poopers", "author": "Leah Bowen and Holly Brochmann, with illustrations by Shirley Ng-Benitez", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 220, "review": "Let\u2019s get stinky, literally! I love the illustrations and writing in this book. The writing develops and maintains a great rhythm and rhyme and also tells a great story about helping kids learn it is okay to go when they need to poop. I really appreciate the page that discusses how everyone from superheroes to princesses to presidents have to go potty. I think it really relates to kids well to know this is a normal thing that everyone does.

I love that the illustrations include boys and girls of many races. I like that they chose to show a variety of kids needing to go potty. My favorite illustration is the page where they show scenes of home, a friend\u2019s house, and school by painting on a roll of toilet paper. I think the illustrator was very clever.

As a mother in the midst of potty training, I think this is a spectacular book that I love to have to help my daughter know going potty, specifically going poop, is a part of life and it\u2019s not scary. Both of my children, three and six, paid attention to the entire book. They first thought it was funny because of the title being about poop, but soon realized the book was about learning how to go potty.

My Kids\u2019 Favorite Part: the title.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "11-Apr-2020 22:28:42", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008888031", "title": "Ani's Light", "author": "Tanu Shree Singh and Sandhya Prabhat", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 230, "review": "Ani misses his mom terribly and wants more than anything to have her home again. Since she left, his world has been filled with nothing but darkness, even when the moon illuminates the sky and the early morning sunlight glistens through his bedroom window. No one seems to be able to penetrate his sadness, not even cheerful Nani or his gracious friends. Then, one night, his world begins to change. The headlights approach, and his anticipation builds. As Mama steps into the light, he embraces her with every fiber of his being. Never mind that her hair is gone, or her days may sadly be numbered. All Ani cares about is that right now, in this very minute in time, she is there with him.

With brevity and richness, Tanu Shree Singh beautifully describes a young boy\u2019s journey throughout his mom\u2019s battle with cancer in Ani\u2019s Light. Through thoughtful words and eye-catching illustrations, readers can feel Ani\u2019s pain and the darkness that fills his heart while Mama undergoes treatment for cancer. She conveys to him the importance of always accepting others\u2019 love in his life whether she is present or not, due to it being paramount for happiness. That message is one of incredible value for a child of any age, and it\u2019s one that is likely to touch many of those who read this unique and heartfelt picture book.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "11-Apr-2020 22:26:51", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008888015", "title": "Hike", "author": "Pete Oswald", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 206, "review": "Hike is a wordless picture book that follows a father and child on a day they decided to go on a hike. You see them getting ready, going for a drive, getting their gear, and walking through the forest. They look for animals, overcome fear, and plant a tree to give back to the earth.

My six and three-year-old really enjoyed this book. They liked to see the adventure the father went on with the child. My son thought the child was a boy and my daughter thought it was a girl, which was clever making both see themselves in the illustration. They really enjoyed seeing the different animals the duo found.

This is a beautiful book Pete Oswald did\u2014and excellent job with the illustrations. I love the variety he used, from small panels in the spreads to one big spread to one or two panels. The color scheme seems perfect for a calm and peaceful time of exploration. I appreciate that both my kids can see themselves in the pictures even though they are boy and girl. The book made me think of the hikes and exploration I went on with my own family as a child when we camped or rented a cabin in the woods.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "11-Apr-2020 22:15:31", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008886167", "title": "Amish Family Recipes: A Cookbook Across the Generations", "author": "Lovina Eicher", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 209, "review": "I seldom start a review with the book\u2019s title, but here is the delicious exception. Amish Family Recipes: A Cookbook Across the Generations is indeed a familial collection of recipes and personal recounting that spans generations of cooks, includes ingredients known to all Americans, and does not preach any kind of dietary regimen. That alone makes it a relief to read.

Recipe originators or modifiers are identified not only by name, but also by generation and relationship. There are endearing tales, like the nine year old girl who, seeing her first cake\u2019s recipe calling for a whole egg, asked if that included the shell.

Good photographic illustrations are not only of appealing foods, but also of Amish homes, country, and environment, both indoors and out. The book would be worth reading just for those glimpses. Recipe feedback is usually from husbands, which one would expect from a culture where womenfolk typically maintain the home. These recipes are generally for family dining. However, on arriving at the section titled \"Family Reunion Meals,\" we encounter recipes like the one for Baked Beans that begins with \u201c4 gallons of Pork \u2018n Beans\u201d and ends with \u201cServes 100.\u201d

Not for the dieting inclined, this is nicely and kindly done and showcases fine writing.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 01:17:13", "publisher": "Herald Press", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008886163", "title": "On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: The Wingfeather Saga, Book 1", "author": "Andrew Peterson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 196, "review": "On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: The Wingfeather Saga, Book 1 is the story of a magical land which was once peaceful and beautiful until ghastly creatures and serpent-like humans known as Fangs took over. In a small, cozy cottage a small family made up of a grandfather, a mother, and three children, live peacefully. These children do not know their importance as they are the jewels of Anniera and when they get unknowingly dragged into a confrontation with the Fang, it begins an adventure that they never imagined they would go on. Will this family be strong enough to survive the leader of the Fang, Gnag the Nameless? Will they survive long enough to help restore the beauty and splendor of their once magical world?

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: The Wingfeather Saga, Book 1 is wonderful story to help spark the imagination of readers who love magical, mythical adventures. Filled with quirky creatures and never-before-heard of games, each page will capture and keep your attention. It was an interesting read and I can't wait to grab the next book in this series. You should get yours too!", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 01:14:05", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "286 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008886159", "title": "Raphael: Painter in Rome, a Novel", "author": "Stephanie Storey", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 196, "review": "Fans of world-renowned artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo are sure to enjoy Storey's historical fiction story of Raphael: Painter in Rome set in the early 1500s, when many famous artists were working and competing against each other. Told from the voice of Raphael, the story recounts his life from being orphaned at a young age to striving for artistic perfection as an adult. His goal in life is to be called a master at his craft; he feels he may be close, but then he's pitted against the new man in town, Michelangelo. Seeing Michelangelo's David sets Raphael all aquiver and causes him to work harder than ever to prove himself. Not just a \"pretty boy,\" Raphael struggles with internal demons to be the best artist ever.

Storey has written her story with beauty and grace; she makes her characters realistic with their struggles and temptations and has included references to the beautiful work created by these characters. I enjoyed reading Raphael's commentary on his life while discovering the source of the internal fire for his craft. Who knows, Storey might have hit it on the head on accuracy for these characters\u2014the story is worth the read!", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 01:11:01", "publisher": "Arcade Publishing", "page_count": "322 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008886155", "title": "Mastering the Process: From Idea to Novel", "author": "Elizabeth George", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 179, "review": "Elizabeth George writes books that are loved by her readers. She has written twenty-four novels and two short story collections. This is her very worthwhile book on how to write. Unlike books on writing such as Brenda Ueland\u2019s If You Want to Write, which emphasizes the creative and unique spirit of each individual and their outpouring as original, George takes a more realistic approach. In this valuable book, she talks about the process of writing as a craft and discipline. She likens it to a sculptor who must be trained in order to carve a masterpiece. She emphasizes exhaustive research, background study, and exhaustive character development. The best part of this book is at each chapter\u2019s end, George gives us writing exercises which are right on point. In short, this book emphasizes perspiration over inspiration, and who can argue with such a successful and masterful writer.

In this book, she uses her novel as a blueprint for her process. One does not have to be familiar with this book in order to profit from the lessons. A very good book.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 01:04:25", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "318 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008886147", "title": "Broken", "author": "Don Winslow", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 227, "review": "Broken consists of five original short stories from the inventive mind of Don Winslow. The first entry, appropriately named Broken, centers around the McNabb family of New Orleans. The McNabbs have served the city in law enforcement for decades, but fate alters their lives when Detective Jimmy McNabb raids a drug shipment and humiliates a burgeoning drug lord. The drug dealer exacts grisly retribution and Jimmy must respond in kind. In Crime 101, Davis has robbed a trail up and down the coast, getting away clean and without resorting to violence. A final score to set him up for retirement tempts him, but a hardened and clever Detective may be onto him. A couple of characters in Crime 101 set up the next story Sunset where a surfing legend has withered to a drugged-out bail jumper and his retrieval is a must for Bail Bondsman Duke. The final two stories Paradise and The Last Ride are stand out stories making powerful statements in their own right.

Broken is a pleasant deviation from the previous works from Don Winslow as there is more to enjoy in each entry of this new release. The appearance of familiar faces from previous novels is a gift for fans of Winslow\u2019s previous work. The newcomers to his work will find a path to Winslow\u2019s excellent oeuvre. A pleasurable and rollicking joy ride.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 00:57:09", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "338 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008886143", "title": "The Ancestor", "author": "Danielle Trussoni", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 216, "review": "When Bert Monte receives a packet of mysterious legal documents all written in Italian, she\u2019s shocked to discover that she\u2019s the sole heir of an enormous fortune in northern Italy. The catch: she must travel immediately to Italy to learn the terms of the inheritance, and to claim it. Accompanied reluctantly by her soon-to-be-ex-husband Luca, she travels by private plane to exquisite accommodations in Turin, which offers more luxury than she has ever before experienced. But a falling out with Luca leads Bert to make the next part of her journey alone: to the Montebianco family castle deep in the Alps. What she finds there will forever change her understanding of her family and herself. She finds the most basic question of her life suddenly unanswerable: not who am I, but what?

The book jacket reveals little about Bert\u2019s journey, and this review, too, will stay clear of spoilers. Part of the fun of this novel is the surprising turns it takes and the expectations that are and are not fulfilled. The setting here is a highlight: the remote, mountainous terrain holds great mystery and darkness, and the extreme and endless freeze gives the Montebianco family secrets the kind of dread that keeps the pages turning. This is an entertaining read that will leave a lasting impression.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-Apr-2020 00:53:42", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "349 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008886139", "title": "The Acadia Files: Book Four, Spring Science", "author": "Katie Coppens", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Willow - Age 10", "word_count": 160, "review": "The Acadia Files: Spring Science by Katie Coppens is about Acadia\u2019s experiments. This is the fourth book in the series. Acadia has done experiments in summer, autumn, winter, and now spring! Watch as her, her mom, and her friends grow and explore as they learn about meteors, mass extinctions, Rachel Carson, bugs, and signs of seasons changing. I learned new things and was very interested and wanted to keep reading. Another part of the book I really liked was the illustrations. All of them were so bright and colorful. They really helped me understand her experiments and what she was thinking. Some of the pages with lots of pictures taught me loads of new things! I would recommend this book because I learned many new things, and it got me thinking about other experiments I can do. I think ages 7-10 should read this book. If you are looking for an educational fun book, this is the book for you.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Apr-2020 22:18:28", "publisher": "Tilbury House Publishers", "page_count": "88 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008886135", "title": "I Got This: New and Expanded Edition: To Gold and Beyond ", "author": "Laurie Hernandez", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 292, "review": "I Got This is a story of hard work and dedication. It tells how Laurie Hernandez stayed strong to achieve her goal of becoming an Olympic gymnast and accomplish so much more beyond that.

In 2013, Laurie was practicing handsprings on the beam when she slipped and landed on her wrist. After having her injury x-rayed, Laurie and her family were told that she had a distal radius fracture. As a result, she could not use her hand while she recovered and had to go to physical therapy. Rather than let this injury stop her, Laurie continued her leg exercises and refused to give up hope. About six months later, Laurie sustained another injury: this time she landed incorrectly while doing her vault and twisted her knee. When she tried to stand up, her leg fell out from underneath her. Laurie had to have surgery and physical therapy, but she did not give up. In 2016, Laurie competed in the Rio Olympics as a member of the Final Five. The team won gold, and Laurie even won silver on beam individually! She did not let injuries or disappointments stop her from recognizing her dream, and she has gone on to accomplish so much more since Rio.

As a competitive gymnast myself, this story reminds me that hard work and a positive attitude can yield great results. Doing something you love is not always easy, but it is always worth it. This is a great read for all the dreamers and to those who have been tempted to give up. This book tells us to stay strong through thick and thin, follow our dreams, and remember to be fully committed to achieving our goals. Your dreams are only as distant as your doubts make them.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 20:05:41", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "259 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008886127", "title": "Enemy of All Mankind: A True Story of Piracy, Power, and History's First Global Manhunt", "author": "Steven Johnson", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 279, "review": "Everyone likes a good swashbuckler, but Steven Johnson goes well beyond the mere action on the high seas. With artful narration the historian who brought us The Ghost Map does it again, turning the subject on its' axis to view every facet before shifting the whole mystery in a whiplash twist at the end.

This story of the seventeenth-century pirate, Henry Every, brings together a body of scholarship typically reserved for the experts and lays it out in a fast-paced page-turner for the rest of us armchair historians. Johnson shows how a single event--the ransacking of a Mughal ship with women aboard--came with the unexpected timing of sensitive trade negotiations between two countries, sparking the very first global manhunt.

The sidebars of Johnson's main thrust hold just as much interest as the central thread. His Emmy winning PBS/BBC series \"How We Got to Now\", foreshadows his penchant for little details seemingly unrelated. For example, the word \"strike\" came to be applied to working men in solidarity; or when and how did cotton fabric originate. Johnson's writing is peppered with these side notes without ever dwelling long enough to lose focus on the primary target: a mutiny, a race in the fastest ship on the high seas, an Indian princess who escapes with a pirate, the most wanted man in the whole world, the round-up of pirates, and the trial and shocking verdict amid a nation of pirates.

Johnson does not declare Every a hero or a scoundrel. This pirate pushes the edges of both ideals to their limits. Instead, he leaves us conflicting evidence to sort through for our own verdict just in time to watch the pirate disappear.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 19:58:47", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008886123", "title": "Weird Pig", "author": "Robert Long Foreman", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 212, "review": "Weird Pig by Robert Long Foreman is a book about a pig who talks and has interests and desires like that of a human; it's anthropomorphic to the extreme. The story is humorous, yet ironic. Readers follow Weird Pig from being adopted and living with a family, to New York City, the Army, Las Vegas, and more. He worries about things like the neighbor sheep being turned into a condom. There are lots of references to Melville and Libertarianism, which are interesting at times. There are funny one-liners about driving a Prius and people staring at their phones. Death is looming throughout the book, and it has a sad end.\nI see how Weird Pig is clever; however, I felt that the book was a long inside joke, and one that I didn\u2019t get. It has very dry humor, but I didn\u2019t find it funny. Lines about how Captain America gave Weird Pig a hand job at a movie theatre are shocking, but not interesting or funny. There\u2019s little context throughout the humor, which is why it felt like there was an inside joke that I wasn\u2019t privy to. The tone is flat and odd throughout. I have a hard time recommending this book, but perhaps the right reader would love it.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 19:56:36", "publisher": "Southeast Missouri State University Press", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008886119", "title": "An Heiress to Remember: The Gilded Age Girls Club", "author": "Maya Rodale", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 402, "review": "An Heiress to Remember is like no other historical romance I\u2019ve ever read. The prologue shows us Beatrice Goodwin, American heiress, leaving the assistant manager of her father\u2019s department store for a duke who will sweep her off to London. Sixteen years later, she\u2019s back, divorced, and ready to take New York City by storm. First, though, she\u2019ll have to save the store; after her father\u2019s death, it passed to her brother, whose mismanagement has just about run it into the ground. To make matters worse, across the street is a new department store, run by the very man she left all those years ago: Wes Dalton.

I\u2019ve read plenty of historical romances where the hero and heroine start off disliking one another, a trope that is difficult to pull off, as there must be a balance between dislike and attraction. In making an enemies-to-lovers plot, Maya Rodale skips that for something altogether more exciting: sizzling loathing. For a good part of the novel, Bea and Wes aren\u2019t caught up in a question of \"will I or won\u2019t I?\" It\u2019s more a question of \"how can I?\" Namely, \u201chow can I win this competition and prove my store is the best?\u201d The tension between them makes their inevitable liaisons all the more satisfying, because we\u2019ve already seen the fire stoked between the two of them. Those liaisons are worth the wait, for the characters and the readers.

The other thing which surprised and delighted me was how unabashedly feminist the book is. Romance has always been female-led and female-centred, but one chapter begins with \u201cNevertheless, she persisted.\u201d Bea doesn\u2019t just improve her store to make money or to show Wes up; Goodwin\u2019s becomes a haven for women, a place that even today is hard to find. Unfortunately, then as now, a woman working for herself and others faces stiff opposition. Not only are there people who outwardly say what she wants cannot be done, but someone begins to sabotage her store.

Nevertheless, to paraphrase chapter ten, she persists. Reading about Bea was the sort of cathartic thrill I love to find in books. I\u2019ve enjoyed Maya Rodale\u2019s books for years, and An Heiress to Remember is no exception. I was blown away by the freshness of her voice, and especially the freshness of Bea\u2019s voice. The series as a whole is excellent, and I can\u2019t wait to see what she does next.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 19:50:03", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "358 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008886111", "title": "The Earl Takes a Fancy A Sins for All Seasons Novel", "author": "Lorraine Heath", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 218, "review": "Matthew Sommersby, Earl of Rosemont, has disguised himself as an ordinary man to avoid remarriage. Fancy Trewlove, though born out of wedlock, was raised with the expectation that she would marry well. After so many of her siblings have, she surely has no excuse. The two meet at her bookshop and are instantly drawn to one another. One chance encounter leads to another, and soon the two are making excuses to find each other again and again.

I jumped into this book without having read any others in the series, and it only made me eager to read more about the Trewlove siblings. So many historical romances are about those already rich and wealthy, and it\u2019s refreshing to find a book which comes closer to showing how the other half lives. Fancy herself has not struggled overmuch, but she works with those who have, which gives delightful depth to her romantic nature. Matthew\u2019s cynicism about love makes him the perfect complement, and the interactions between the two are downright delicious.

I will say the attraction between the two at times seems forced, and I would have preferred to see it grow more naturally over time, but that\u2019s a matter of personal taste. Overall, this was a wonderful book to sink into, and it left me eager for more.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 19:44:57", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008886107", "title": "The Fabulous Exphrastic Fantastic: Essays", "author": "Miah Jeffra", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Wenger", "word_count": 250, "review": "Miah Jeffra\u2019s collection is notable not only for its style but also for its range. It is about the nature of memories, gender, truth, and place. The essays come together as something of a self-exploration, something like art-criticism, and something like a family saga. Jeffra traces their life back to a difficult youth, leads the reader through relationships, break-ups, and a marriage, and details several moves around the U.S.

Though we learn much about Jeffra\u2019s personal life, the book isn\u2019t simply an autobiography. It pushes the essay form in a way that calls to mind David Lazar\u2019s \u201cQueering the Essay\u201d in which Lazar writes, \u201cQueer and essay are both problematic, escapable, changeable terms. Both imply resistance and transgression, definitional defiance.\u201d

In a similar vein Jeffra writes, \u201cAnd what about this book? Memoir. A book of memories. And, also, subsequently, a book about false memories.\u201d What one can say about the book is that the memories it contains, whether false or true, rose-colored or traumatic, are all written with stunning honesty. Throughout, pictures of Jeffra at various ages track their progress through time and self-understanding. We see the essayist as a child, an adolescent, and even get a glimpse of them with their wedding party.

Reminiscent of Michelle Tea in subject and humor, and of T. Fleischmann\u2019s poeticism in style, this collection continues the work of modern queer essayists. It is irreverent at times and reflective at others, but throughout should keep the reader\u2019s interest as they reflect alongside Jeffra on what memories mean.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 19:44:09", "publisher": "Sibling Rivalry Press", "page_count": "140 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008886103", "title": "Hoot and Howl Across the Desert", "author": "Vassiliki Tzomaka", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 200, "review": "Hoot and Howl Across the Desert is a colorful and fun book. There are over fifty pages of information on animals that live in the deserts around the world. First, you learn the definition of a desert. Next, you learn about animals and plants that live in the deserts and about the environment. Some deserts are hot, while some are cold, so the animals and plants will be different in each desert. The information about everything is found beside, under, or above each picture on the pages. The illustrations of the animals and plants are pretty, colorful, and usually have a pattern on them.

I feel like I learned a lot from being read this book because it has a lot of information given in it. It did take me a couple of sittings to get through the book, mainly because there is a lot to read in it. I enjoyed looking at the pictures because of their patterns and designs. I knew about some of them already, but not about them all. I think kids a little older than me (maybe at least aged eight) will enjoy it more because it doesn't have much of a story, but mainly facts.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 19:38:52", "publisher": "Norton", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008886087", "title": "Little Wonders", "author": "Kate Rorick", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 186, "review": "Quinn Barrett has her life together. A pediatric surgeon husband, a picture-perfect house, a fulfilling career at an upscale design company, and a three-year-old son at a prestigious preschool. She even manages to be the president of the school's parent group. But all that comes screeching to a halt when an unflattering video of her goes viral. As she becomes \"Halloween Mom,\" Quinn's life completely changes overnight and she has to learn who she really is and who her true friends are.

This book was slow to get into, although the writing style was very conversational and natural. Things really took off around the half-way point when Quinn really started to transform and another mother, Daisy, starts a transformative journey of her own.

It was refreshing to see how a mom like Quinn, who comes across as a hard, fake, monster of a person in the beginning, became a regular human being on her own journey of growth and change.

It's worth sticking with this book as it morphs into a tale of the power of female friendship and allies. This is definitely an enjoyable read.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 19:25:28", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "362 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008886083", "title": "Laughter Yoga: Daily Practices for Health and Happiness", "author": "Madan Kataria", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 242, "review": "In 1995, Dr. Kataria started a laughter yoga club with five other people in order to bring some happiness and joy back into his life and to help him cope with the stress of everyday life. Since then, the movement has grown around the world, and now many are enjoying the health benefits of laughter.

Research shows that laughter can change the biochemistry of the brain, leading to positive changes in mood. Combining laughter and elements of yoga, Dr. Kataria's program encourages people to practice ten to fifteen minutes of laughter yoga a day. He likes to start by clapping, stretching, and using phrases such as 'HoHo' and 'HaHaHa' to warm up, especially if one has difficulty laughing at the beginning. And don't worry if you don't feel like laughing, apparently forced or fake laughter is just as good. The brain can't tell the difference.

Laughter Yoga provides exercises that can be done in a group setting or alone. Anyone who can laugh can benefit from this book. Dr. Kataria also encourages smiling more to help bring more laughter into your life. Frankly, before reading this book, I was unaware that the simple act of laughing could have such great health benefits. Whether it is improving mood, lowering blood pressure, or decreasing stress, this is a cost-effective way to do something good for the body and mind. Considering all the benefits, I don't know why everyone isn't already laughing all day long.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 19:23:26", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "230 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008886059", "title": "Hike the Parks: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: Best Day Hikes, Walks, and Sights", "author": "Scott Turner", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks live in the shadow of Yosemite, one of the most popular and famous national parks. Sequoia & Kings Canyon don\u2019t get nearly the attention they deserve. But this little pocket-sized guide (4 x 0.5 x 6.8 inches) is the perfect way for hikers to discover these two great parks. It opens with a map and a list of the forty hikes covered with basic information: name, distance, elevation change, high point, and difficulty. An introduction includes an overview, geology, human history, flora and fauna, and must-see sites and activities. Information to help plan your trip includes camping and lodging, climate and weather, safety and outdoor etiquette, and suggested itineraries. Forty suggested hikes are written up with all the information one would need to have a successful and fun experience. Each hike has from two to six pages dedicated to it. Each contains the name, distance, elevation change, high point, difficulty, trail surface, maps information, GPS, and notes followed by a section called \"Getting There\", what one will find on the trail, and \"Going Farther.\" Maps and beautiful, full-color photographs are included for most of the listings. This is a spectacular hiking guide\u2014useful and beautiful.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 19:00:07", "publisher": "Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008886055", "title": "Overcoming Dyslexia: Second Edition", "author": "Sally Shaywitz", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 204, "review": "Reading is an important skill to learn and master. It's so important that it can make or break you in school and the years ahead. For many people, this is no problem once they start learning the basics in kindergarten, but for others, they never seem to get the hang of associating the letters on the page to mean actual words in their head. Dr. Sally Shaywitz, a world-renowned pediatrician and expert on reading, has given us the second edition of Overcoming Dyslexia, which is full of scientific studies and the latest information. Broken up into seven parts, Overcoming Dyslexia covers how dyslexia affects people by its nature, diagnosing, teaching, choosing the correct school, and succeeding in life during college and beyond.

Overcoming Dyslexia is packed with excellent information that can be utilized in various situations. The information is presented clearly and concisely, and it covers nearly every aspect of dyslexia. The people who will get the most information out of this book will be parents who have children or relatives who struggle with dyslexia. Teachers and educators should also pay close attention to its information. Here lies an important book for workers in many different fields, but the information is useful for everyone.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 18:59:26", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "596 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008886051", "title": "A Strange Country", "author": "Muriel Barbery", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 196, "review": "The magical world of Muriel Barbery\u2019s latest book, A Strange Country is so intriguing, you may find yourself hours into the novel and feel like no time has passed at all. \n\n

Broken into three separate sections set in different times, the plot returns readers to the world of Barbery\u2019s previous book, The life of the Elves. But, this novel is highly readable even if you aren\u2019t familiar with the prior book. \n\n

In A Strange Country soldiers Alejandro and Jesus have been fighting a war for six years when they meet an elf named Petrus who takes them to his homeland of Nanzen. It is filled with elves and good wine and wonder, but the people there are also suffering as their land, too, is in crisis. \n\n

The novel could be read as an allegory for the challenges that face our modern world, from the controversy surrounding our borders to climate change. Or, it may be seen as a strange and poetic fantasy similar to the work of Tolkien. In either case, it is a beautiful book about what it means to be brave and how we all must work to save ourselves and each other.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 18:56:40", "publisher": "Europa Editions", "page_count": "328 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008886047", "title": "Snoopy: First Beagle in Space", "author": "Charles Schulz", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 183, "review": "Snoopy sets off to the moon while Charlie Brown gets lost in the snowy woods trying to help Woodstock find Snoopy and the other Beagle Scouts. All the while, Marcie and Peppermint Patty try to find Charlie Brown. And Lucy yells at her brother a ton, and Sally tries to deliver a valentine to \u201cher sweet babboo.\u201d This book is a very funny and clever book, a good read, and I got sucked into reading this book. I liked a lot of the comic strips in the book because they are funny and are my favorites. It's interesting that, at the beginning of the book, the drawings are different because they're older comic strips. Woodstock is one of my favorite characters because he\u2019s so cute! So are Woodstock\u2019s friends: Bill, Conrad, Oliver, and Harriet, who all look the same like Woodstock. Snoopy is also very funny, brave, and an impressively smart beagle to be able to blast off to the moon (in his imagination). I recommend this book to anyone who likes the Peanuts comics and to anyone who likes funny comic books.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 18:54:18", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008886035", "title": "Aria", "author": "Nazanine Hozar", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 202, "review": "In Iran in 1953, an army driver finds a baby girl abandoned in an alley. Moved by pity, he brings her home with him, though his much older wife Zahra is angry with his choice. The driver names the girl Aria and he is determined to love her and raise her as his daughter.

The book follows Aria\u2019s early years culminating in the Iranian Revolution. Hints of what is to come appear through the pages and readers familiar with Iranian history may recognize certain names and events. For the most part, the book is centered on Aria\u2019s growth and her relationships with the three women who raise her: the cruel Zahra, the wealthy Fereshteh, and the mysterious Mehri.

With a few exceptions, I found the women and their stories more interesting than Aria\u2019s. Though she does gain more agency as she grows from an abused child into a young woman, it often feels that the most interesting actions occur around her rather than to her or because of her. The connections between her three mothers, on the other hand, were fascinating and could have been their own novel. While some may enjoy this book, I have to confess I found it wanting.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 18:42:28", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008886023", "title": "The Royal Governess: A Novel of Queen Elizabeth II's Childhood", "author": "Wendy Holden", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Andrea Huehnerhoff", "word_count": 210, "review": "There was a time nobody imagined young third-in-line Lilibet succeeding to the throne, least of all the central character in this story, a young, idealistic, and politically-minded woman: Marion Crawford, the royal governess.

Marion Crawford is an actual character from history, infamous at one time but now rarely mentioned and virtually scrubbed from history texts. Through this fictionalized re-telling of her story, the reader will be introduced to many historical and royal personages, ideas, and moments, and some sympathetic speculation about why Crawford did, at the last, what she did. While at times our protagonist seems to make some rather incredible leaps of rationale, and sometimes her idealism is overwhelmingly insistent, the author has made a very honest attempt to stay true to Crawford\u2019s apparent beliefs and concerns.

Readers familiar with Crawford\u2019s story or fans of The Crown will read eagerly as they unravel this rarely followed thread of an erased life. It is the perfect easy-reading summer novel for anyone looking for an imaginative, casual book to slip into their beach bag, drift away into a moment in history not really all that long ago, and peek into the lives of people who, while they may have lived very differently to us, were not really so different after all.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 18:19:16", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008886019", "title": "The Beauty in Breaking", "author": "Michele Harper", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 186, "review": "Most of us have had an unfortunate visit to the Emergency Room (ER), however, behind-the-scenes remains a mystery. What are doctors thinking as they stitch up patients and how do they deal with the stresses that must come with the job? This book is written by an ER doctor who has attended many of the busiest and most chaotic ERs in the country. In this doctor\u2019s case, her early life in a chaotic household prepared her for the chaos in her chosen profession. As she witnessed the domestic abuse inflicted on her mother and the resulting injustices, her mind was made up: she wanted to be in a helping profession. Because of her brilliance, she graduated from medical school, only to suffer the dissolution of her marriage and the destruction of the dreams she had relative to that married life.

We travel with her to new places, new hospitals, new patients and new stories of suffering, illness, and the loss of life. At this time in the throes of the pandemic, this makes for fascinating reading because it is compelling as well as being well written.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 18:16:31", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008886015", "title": "Clean: The New Science of Skin and the Beauty of Doing Less", "author": "James Hamblin", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 192, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

Clean: The New Science of Skin and the Beauty of Doing Less by James Hamblin is the book to have when weighing your options or wanting some research done on soap and skincare. Hamblin's skincare routine is practically non-existent, which will be a shock to some, but if you take the time to read what he has presented, some of his reasoning may make sense. Clean isn't just a soapbox for Hamblin; it contains many credible sources about every aspect of soap and skincare imaginable. Each chapter is labeled something that pertains to skincare and contains historical facts and scientific figures to inform readers of the truth.

I enjoyed this book for all of the historical information about soap, of which I had no idea beforehand. Information about how many well-known brands got their start in the soap industry and how their marketing ploys would make or break them is sure to fascinate the reader. I appreciated the way that Hamblin wrote this book, which is simple to follow and presents many angles to the act of good hygiene. It will give the reader something to contemplate about their personal routines.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 18:14:41", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008886003", "title": "Hitler, My Neighbor: Memories of a Jewish Childhood, 1929-1939", "author": "Edgar Feutchtwanger", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 180, "review": "This book joins the growing chorus of books of people who experienced life around Adolf Hitler. Some have chronicled being a driver, flying the private plane, and more. Most of them have been reprints or new translations. This one is neither, instead it is recollections from growing up in Munich as Hitler was starting his rise to power. Unlike many of the others, it does not chronicle World War II, instead, it looks at life in Germany from the fall of the economy to the rise of the Nazi Party.

There is not much of a narrative thread, other than Hitler, and anti-Jewish laws and the break out of petty violence against the Jews. It is really a bunch of short vignettes around those common themes, there are no exact dates and sometimes the chapters are short. Though it is often easy to tell around what time of the year events are taking place. In a way, this is for the author to remember their childhood, and maybe overemphasize some events and thoughts, and possibly not know about other things.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 18:01:46", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "210 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008885167", "title": "Derailed: A Kelly Pruett Mystery", "author": "Mary Keliikoa", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 254, "review": "In the last year, Kelly Pruett\u2019s life has been derailed. She got divorced, her dad passed away, and she inherited his PI business, all while trying to raise her eight-year-old daughter. Kelly is determined to make it though, so when a woman walks into her office asking her to investigate the death of her daughter, Kelly takes the case.

The young woman was struck by a train, seemingly an accident since she was drunk and a witness says she fell in front of it. The more Kelly digs, however, the more she finds that the young woman had a double life that her family didn\u2019t know about. The number of suspects continues to grow. There is more at stake than just preserving her father\u2019s legacy. Kelly has to decide how far she wants to go to solve this case, even if it means putting her life on the line.

My only complaint about this book was that for the amount of characters in it, it was far too short. Not enough time was spent on getting to know the people, while a bit too much was spent on all the suspects and red herrings. It was hard to feel too attached to Kelly or any of the other characters because they kind of just breezed by. It would have been worth an extra hundred pages to get to know them better and feel more sucked in. Overall, the story was good and I hope the next Kelly Pruett mystery has a bit more depth.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "10-Apr-2020 02:28:11", "publisher": "Camel Press", "page_count": "236 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008885147", "title": "Frankenstein Doesn't Wear Earmuffs!", "author": "John Loren", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 186, "review": "Frankenstein Doesn't Wear Earmuffs! is a story about a little boy who is getting ready to go trick-or-treating on Halloween night. The little boy is dressed up as Frankenstein. He is all ready to go out trick-or-treating with his friends and get some candy, but each time he tries to walk outside, he gets stopped! The first time is by his parent saying it might rain, so he needs to wear some rain boots. Another time it's by his parent saying it's going to be cold, so he'll need to wear a scarf and earmuffs. After each time he gets stopped, he realizes he can't be Frankenstein with all of this stuff on!

I thought this story was funny and fun to read. I like how the boy was dressed up as Frankenstein and he thought he was him, but then you know that he's still just a little boy. At the end of the book, there are more kids like that, dressed up as a ghost, mummy, and wolf. This is a story that any kid will like to read at any time of the year.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:43:57", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008885143", "title": "Eenie Meenie Halloweenie", "author": "Susan Eaddy", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 189, "review": "It's Halloween time, which means you need to start thinking about what you want to dress up as. For the little girl in the story, she does Eenie Meenie Halloweenie to make her choice. The story is about her deciding which Halloween costume she should make this year to be able to dress up as one of her favorite stuffed animals. Every stuffed animal is her favorite, so she tries out outfits to look like a penguin, an elephant, and other animals. She ends up coming up with a neat idea for a Halloween costume that I haven't seen before.

I usually think about dressing up as a character from something or a princess, but dressing up as an animal is a good idea too. I like how she did \"eenie meenie\" to try to help her make her decision because I use that too sometimes. The story is a fun one for kids of any age, but maybe more so younger kids than older ones. The pictures are bright and help the reader to know what's going on in the story. This book makes me excited for Halloween!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:42:20", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008885139", "title": "Cookie Boo", "author": "Ruth Paul", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 181, "review": "In Cookie Boo, it is Halloween and a group of little Monster's sugar cookies comes to life from the Halloween moonlight. The book is about the cookies exploring around the neighborhood and saying \"boo\" to everything they meet. Later in the story, the cookies are at the park and go down the slide; they don't see someone there, hiding to scare them. The cookies end up getting scared themselves instead of scaring other things. They think they are being chased and end up rushing back to little Monster's house before they get caught. On the way back, they see the things they tried to scare on the first way and make a few good changes to the things they pass.

This story will be fun to read at Halloween and at any other time. My younger brother and I requested to have it read multiple times after we got it. The different sugar cookie characters are fun to watch throughout the story. The pictures are fun to look at because they help tell the story and get me excited for Halloween!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:41:04", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008885135", "title": "The Bookstore Cat", "author": "Cylin Busby", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 188, "review": "The Bookstore Cat is the story of a cat who lives in a bookstore. Each page follows the cat and says something about the cat based on a letter of the alphabet. For example, the first page says that the cat is adorable, for the letter A. Then the next page says that it is a bossy cat, for the letter B. Each word describes the cat and seems real to how cats are. The pictures are helpful and show what the alphabet word used on the page means. I like for the letter S when it says that he's a sleepy cat, and the pictures show him sleeping in a box and funny positions around the bookstore. Then the letter Z shows him zig-zagging around the store, which is what my cats do all of the time!

I like this book because I like cats; this book has taught me new words to use to describe my cats. The end of the book tells about a word game you can play- it is fun to play with your family. Kids of all ages will like this book!", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:38:48", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008885131", "title": "Can We Be Friends? Unexpected Animal Friendships from Around the World", "author": "Erica Sirotich", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 193, "review": "In Can We Be Friends? Unexpected Animal Friendships from Around the World, you get to learn about animals that you wouldn't think would be friends, but are. The animals in the book include \"wild\" ones such as the hippo, cheetah, elephant, gorilla, and dolphin. The other animals include \"normal\" ones such as the turtle, sheep, dog, and cat. Each set of animals has a fun rhyme about them before there is a page about how and why they became friends.

I like all these animals and found it interesting that they became friends with their respective animal friends. My mom says that they're like people - different, but still able to be friends and friendly toward each other. The pictures are pretty with some similar colors between the animals and the landscapes. There are five sets of animals shown in the book. Each set includes two animals that might seem like they'd eat each other, but it's always a happy ending with them being friends.

I think that kids of any age will enjoy this book; there are fun pictures for little kids and facts about the animals for older kids to enjoy.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:37:33", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008885127", "title": "Ty's Travels: All Aboard!", "author": "Kelly Starling Lyons", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 189, "review": "Ty wants his family to play with him, but everyone is busy. So, he gets a box and makes an imagination train that is going all around the town and country. As his family finishes their jobs, they become a stop for the train to pick up new passengers. They all have a wonderful time imagining and playing together.

The writing was great! It was an I Can Read Book with lots of great repetition. The author did a great job of making sure there was a good plot to the story. I loved that Ty decided to be a train conductor, my oldest loved playing with trains when he was little. \nI loved the illustrations. So colorful and beautiful. I loved the way the illustrator\u2019s style of drawing and representing a beautiful black family. It\u2019s wonderful to see the family enjoying each other and having the best time playing an imagination game. In the illustrations, the details of the imagination are my favorite.

My three and six-year-old loved this book. My six-year-old remembered to his love of trains and my three-year-old loved the imagination of Ty. Fantastic story.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:35:55", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008885123", "title": "Sun Flower Lion", "author": "Kevin Henkes", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 236, "review": "Highly acclaimed author and illustrator Kevin Henkes captures simple beauties of nature in his new picture book Sun Flower Lion. In the first couple of chapters, he introduces the sun with its radiant rays and calls attention to a flower in bloom with its lion-like appearance, its yellow petals a glorious mane. In chapter three, a male cub surges up a hill to take in the sweet essence of the flower. In four, he dreams he\u2019s surrounded by a field of magnificent flowers, of which he discovers are actually cookies instead. When he awakes from his slumber in chapter five, he has a ravenous appetite and quickly races home for supper. Then, in the final chapter, he cuddles alongside his family, at peace with the world.

This short, concise chapter book is ideal for young children learning to read. It\u2019s written at a kindergarten to first grade reading level, featuring a limited number of words on each page. Each chapter is only two to three pages in length, just enough to excite little ones exploring their first book of this sort. The illustrations, which feature an array of basic shapes, have a sweet simplicity, appearing in white, black, and yellow hues only. Sun Flower Lion is easy to comprehend and features common things of interest to children ages four to seven, making it a perfect addition for homes and classrooms of preschool and early elementary school-aged students.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:32:51", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008885119", "title": "Friendsgiving", "author": "Nancy Siscoe", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 181, "review": "Stuffed animal friends are enjoying autumn by bike riding, meeting new friends, and picking apples. They decide to celebrate the harvest and friendship by having a feast they call Friendsgiving.

The writing is off. I feel like sometimes it rhymes and sometimes it does not. It\u2019s fine having the character say things, but how the story is written I feel like it should be separate from the main text somehow. The flow is not great and difficult to read out loud. The characters seem to do fall things, but the plot doesn\u2019t feel cohesive.

The illustrations are interesting. I didn\u2019t love having real-life looking stuffed animals in the pictures. The background is fine, but the stuffed animals themselves don\u2019t really make the story appealing to me. I really had high hopes for this being a cute story and it just didn\u2019t seem to work well.

My three and six-year-old didn\u2019t enjoy this book because of the odd illustration choice and the flow becoming difficult to read. It was not a book they asked to read again. Age recommendation: Three to Five", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:28:03", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008885115", "title": "Thesaurus Has a Secret", "author": "Anya Glazer", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 194, "review": "Thesaurus is a dinosaur who lives with his dinosaur friends a long time ago. He does dinosaur things with the rest of them, like eating, playing games, playing sports, and arm wrestling. He does these things with his friends, but Thesaurus also has a secret that he doesn't want anyone to know. He keeps his secret quiet for a long time until he gets too excited about it, and the other dinosaurs hear him. Thesaurus is afraid that the other dinosaurs will make fun of him or at least not understand his secret. Thankfully, they are not mean to him about it, and they want to join him!

I like Thesaurus's secret because I like to do it too. The story is funny to read about Thesaurus trying to act like a normal dinosaur, but also having trouble because he uses big words, talks differently, and doesn't play things the same way as the rest of them. Thesaurus Has a Secret is a fun kids' story with colorful pictures that are soft and calm. The reading level would be a little higher than a first-grader, but kids of any age will like to hear it.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:26:10", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008885111", "title": "Peppermint Post", "author": "Bruce Hale", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 230, "review": "Peppermint Post is functioning at a frantic pace this Christmas season with letters arriving from all over the world with expressions of children\u2019s greatest wishes. Just as the postmaster declares the job complete, he discovers a card, lost in the fray. After scrambling to create one last gift order, the penguin postal workers fly Santa\u2019s rusty, old, dilapidated sleigh all the way to the residence of the little girl who sent the card. They make it just in time to hand-deliver the present to Santa. As Postmaster Buck passes it to Santa, standing in the distance, the child\u2019s eyes sparkle with delight. Now that her wish has been granted, every child can wake up to a holiday filled with dreams come true.

Peppermint Post is a creative tale of making sure one young child\u2019s dreams are fulfilled at Christmastime. With hard work and determination, her wishes are realized. Postmaster Buck and his many penguin post workers add a unique twist to an otherwise traditional holiday theme. They liven up the story with their quick wit and humorous antics. Illustrator Stephanie Laberis\u2019s vibrant, animated pictures nicely complement the text. The detail and emotions illuminated by them will likely capture the intrigue of youngsters. The text is at a reading level suitable for most second and third graders, but the target age range for this holiday picture book is five to nine.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:24:18", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008885107", "title": "Sharko and Hippo", "author": "Elliott Kalan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb - Age 6", "word_count": 147, "review": "Sharko and Hippo is a funny book about a shark trying to go fishing, but his friend gives him all the wrong things he needs.

A part that I found funny, was when Sharko said \"Hold the phone, why did you give me boat now?\". I liked that part because Hippo gave Sharko a boat when he asked for bait, and gave him a goat when he asked for a boat. EVERYTHING GOES WRONG!!

I liked the characters because they are hilarious and they are best friends. The book is also rhyming, so that makes it even better! The illustrations are neat, and the colors go well together (eg. Blue & Orange, Green & Orange).

I would recommend Sharko and Hippo to kids that like rhymes and like funny stories. It also teaches about apologizing, and friendship. I would definitely want this book to be a series!!", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:22:57", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008885103", "title": "My Words", "author": "Grant Snider", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Ava loves words. There are all kinds of words\u2014some are bright, some are tiny, some are big, some are even prickly. \u201cWords are ideas that break free and take flight.\u201d But, Ava wonders, what was it like for her before she had words, when she was very little? She knew she had a lot to say, but the sounds that came out of her mouth weren\u2019t words. Over time, as she listened to lots of words and began to understand each word had its own use. She began to imitate the word sounds until they became words and she understood how to use them. Once started, this process seemed to flow like a river, more and more words becoming her own. Ava learned and learned new words and loved them all.

Grant Snider is both author and illustrator of this cute picture book. The youngest of readers will relate to Ava\u2019s story as they are going through the process of acquiring words themselves. The simple, cartoony, bright illustrations are the perfect complement for this subject. They support the story without distracting from the words and the message of this cute book. Little ones will love this picture book.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:21:36", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008885099", "title": "The Big Book of Modern Fantasy", "author": "Ann and Jeff VanderMeer", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Kate - Age 13", "word_count": 205, "review": "The Big Book of Modern Fantasy is a great book if you are a fan of short stories! It is perfect for a story before bed or if you are just in the mood for a quick fantasy read. This is definitely a great book to have; with over 90 stories, it has something for everyone, whether you are a fan of dragons and trolls or talking animals, magical kingdoms or daring adventures. It is good for kids and adults of all ages and would be great to read out loud to a group or just enjoy by yourself. I would recommend this for all ages, though one of the stories (\u201cState Secrets Of Aphasia\u201d) does have some cursing. Most of the stories do not have pictures to go with them, but a few, like \u201cThe Last Dragon In The World,\u201d have small pictures that are really cute and add a lot to the story! Overall, the stories are ones you probably have not heard before, but are very intriguing to listen to. It includes a variety of writing styles including the more traditional storytelling, some diary entries (like in \"Longing For Blood\u201d), and fast paced adventure! I am sure you will love this book!", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:18:58", "publisher": "Vintage", "page_count": "864 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008885087", "title": "Vanishing Falls", "author": "Poppy Gee", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 234, "review": "The small town of Vanishing Falls is quiet and mostly peaceful, and though there are rumblings of unsavory happenings in the rough farmhouses on the outskirts, most of the residents coexist uneventfully. One night, however, a woman named Celia Lily disappears; her husband, Jack, is the obvious suspect. As the mystery intensifies and more time passes without finding Celia, other possible suspects emerge. There\u2019s Cliff Gatenby, a local chicken farmer, whose meth addiction and dire financial circumstances provide ample motives. There\u2019s Keegan and Karen from Marsh End, who end up with a valuable painting belonging to Jack--a painting that could alter their lives substantially. And floating amid the different groups is Joelle Smithton, whose personal history was marked by a traumatic, violent event that not everyone knows much about. Joelle might not seem like the sharpest knife in the drawer, and people tell her things. Things that connect in ways that other people who aren\u2019t as observant as Joelle might not realize.

The mystery at the heart of this novel--what happened to Celia Lily?--launches in the prologue, and the novel goes back in time to showcase the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and to establish how very many people in Vanishing Falls might be to blame. The isolation and depravity of the area keep the questions alive through four hundred pages, and even readers as astute as Joelle will be kept guessing until the end.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:09:01", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008885083", "title": "Thunder Run (Dactyl Hill Squad, Book Three)", "author": "Daniel Jose Older", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 14", "word_count": 178, "review": "This is a great historical fantasy story about a young dinowrangler fighting in the Civil War. Thunder Run is about Magdalys, who is a dinowrangler and a member of the Dactyl Hill Squad. She rescues her brother from an old mansion, then learns of a new threat to the Union. She must travel to Mexico and use her connection with the dinos to defeat Emperor Maximilian's forces, or else the Union will face a war on two fronts.

I really liked that the cavalry and artillery on both sides of the war used dinosaurs. There were many fun and unique characters in this book, including a few dinos. Magdalys is brave, determined, and protective of her friends. She is also good at making friends, especially with dinosaurs. I think Magdalys's connection with the dinos is awesome, and I like that she is trying to overthrow the Knights of the Golden Circle.

I would recommend this book to kids aged 9 to 13. If you like dinosaurs and the Civil War, then this is the perfect book for you.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:05:19", "publisher": "Scholastic ", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008885079", "title": "Llama Unleashes the Alpacalypse", "author": "Jonathan Stutzman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 197, "review": "Llama Unleashes the Alpacalypse is hilariously funny. Who knew that one little Llama could cause so much trouble. This is a book about a fat, lazy llama, named Llama who does not like to clean but does like to eat. Llama has a friend that is an Alpaca named Alpaca that does love to clean. Llama has an idea for an invention and brings it to life. He then thinks the solution to his messy house can be fixed by having not just one Alpaca to clean his house but many. Lots of Alpacas try to clean the whole world, but then things get messy, and by second lunch the world is crazy. In the end, Llama figures out what his invention is best used for and that it would be best to only have one Alpaca friend. The illustrations in this book are colorful, bright, and full of funny details. I like looking at the pictures and finding the hidden funny pictures of Llama and Alpaca. I laughed the whole time I read this book and I highly recommend it to all my friends. I can't wait to read the other books in the Llama series.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 21:00:49", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Company", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008885075", "title": "The Candy Mafia", "author": "Lavia Tidhar", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ayden - Age 11", "word_count": 175, "review": "In The Candy Mafia, the new mayor in town starts a Prohibition Act to ban candy. The kids in town form gangs and sell candy illegally. Nelle is a kid private detective who has been hired by Eddie to investigate the so-called theft of a teddy bear from his office. Eddie is the head of the biggest candy gang in town.

During her investigation, Nelle experiences a lot of strange events, including her office getting broken into and a shop being burnt down. Nelle finds help from another gang leader in order to find the owner of the candy factory so that she can save it from being torn down.

The story was entertaining, but there were some details that I didn\u2019t follow. I wish the author would have given more information about why candy was banned. Also, I didn\u2019t understand why the shop was burnt down or why Nelle\u2019s office was broken into. I think other kids would like the book because it has some mystery and keeps you wondering what\u2019s going to happen.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 20:56:37", "publisher": "Peachtree Publishing", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008885071", "title": "Meet Your Maker", "author": "Matthew Mather", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Michael Shulman", "word_count": 226, "review": "Matthew's Mather international spy thriller Meet Your Maker follows the story of Delta Devlin a cop who becomes an Interpol officer due to circumstances. Del, as she's called in the book, accompanies her father, a retired cop to the United Nations to help provide security for the president of Ukraine. However, chaos ensues when a shooter targeting the Ukrainian president hits Del's father instead, critically wounding him. Determined to get to the bottom of it all, Del joins the Interpol and is assigned to a senior more senior officer Jacques Galloul, who closely. Del, wanting to become more independent of Jacques, launches her own investigation into the shooter, an ex-KGB office named Yuri Korshunov. As she follows his trail throughout the former Soviet Union, he calls her out of the blue wanting to speak to her in private. However, as Del arrives at the arranged place, she finds Korshunov dead. Now she must unravel an international conspiracy in order to get answers and save her father.

Matthew Mather weaves in a fast-paced deft plot along with a well-developed, strong female protagonist in order to engage the reader and keep them in suspense. The plot gets sometimes convoluted due to various forces all with their own agenda. However, the mystery unravels at the end and the conclusion is quite satisfying, making the complex plot all the more worthwhile.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 20:52:44", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "358 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008885059", "title": "The Shadows: A Novel", "author": "Alex North", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahminneh - Age 14", "word_count": 196, "review": "This is a conflicting, enigmatic story about Paul Adams confronting the past he sought so hard to put away. The Shadows takes readers to the past, to the cause of Paul\u2019s apprehension toward his hometown. It describes the journey from his house to the police station and the stop at the crime scene. He describes his feelings of fear and uncertainty as they near the police station. Despite Paul\u2019s innocence, the police officers were convinced that he was responsible, until the evidence proved their theory wrong. Then, we jump to the present day where we are introduced to Detective Amanda Beck. She has a killing case that matched exactly what happened twenty-five years ago in Gritten, Paul\u2019s hometown. The novel then takes off from there with many twists and turns as well as moments of tensions that leave the reader conflicted and thirsting for more.

One of the most dominating qualities that this book possesses that makes it such a joy to read is the in-depth detail of the characters. Alex North allowed the reader, through details, to empathize and understand Paul and Amanda. This closeness to the characters makes it almost impossible to put down.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 20:41:49", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008885055", "title": "The New Wilderness", "author": "Diane Cook", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 273, "review": "In an unspecified future time, humans are forced to live in a cramped area called The City, where the air quality is abysmal and the last shreds of nature are cordoned off. For Bea and her daughter, Agnes, life is intolerable; Agnes is ill, and her only hope for survival is to leave The City completely. Beyond the city limits is the Wilderness, an untouched expanse of nature where everyone except the Rangers are forbidden to go. But Bea\u2019s husband, Glen, secures them spots in a group of twenty people who are given access as part of a study, and Bea finds herself mothering in a landscape that is more brutal than anything she could have imagined. Death comes suddenly; mourning is beside the point, and the Rangers dictate their movements and their fates. The Community, as the group is called, must struggle not only against the environment but against their own worst impulses\u2014and acknowledge that the youngest among them may be the most adept at navigating this strange new world.

This remarkable novel does not provide extensive backstory or explanation for how The City came to be, and in this way, it\u2019s somehow more sinister, as though suggesting that our current path of environmental neglect leads logically and inevitably to such a state. The Wilderness is beautiful but not for the weak; loyalty and love are fluid, and power goes to those who claim it. When pieces of the old world appear\u2014a vending machine, a bathroom\u2014they seem as faraway from normalcy as the moon. The Wilderness is not a refuge. There is, as The New Wilderness portends, no longer any refuge at all.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 17:57:05", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008885047", "title": "The Stepdaughter", "author": "Debbie Howells", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 205, "review": "A top-notch psychological thriller, The Stepdaughter immerses the reader in the unhappy family life of the Buckleys: Elise, the neglected, down-trodden wife; Andrew, the cold, domineering husband; and Niamh, the daughter who knows too many secrets. The death of Holly, Niamh\u2019s highly strung friend, opens up a sorry tale of affairs and abuse, and casting a shadow over several lives, the threat of blackmail linked to child abuse images.

Set in the peaceful yet insular village of Abingworth, near Chichester, this well-written story is told in the present tense, a devise that adds atmosphere, and from the alternating perspectives of Elise, Niamh, and Nicki, the investigating detective, herself an abused wife. The reader will feel Elise\u2019s growing fear of her husband; will puzzle over what Niamh knows but cannot tell; will sympathize with her as she watches her family disintegrate; and will struggle alongside Nicki as she investigates the villagers who might be engaged in pornography, tries to find out what really happened to Holly, and looks for links between the two cases.

Blurbs often claim that readers will be kept guessing to the very end, but in the case of The Stepdaughter, the reader really will be kept guessing until the very last page.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 17:33:08", "publisher": "Kensington Books", "page_count": "279 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008885043", "title": "Blossoms in Snow: Austrian Refugee Poets in Manhattan", "author": "Joshua Parker", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 207, "review": "The term refugee conjures up crowds desperately on the move, hungry, bewildered, often poor, and carrying all their possessions. The Austrians, whose poems are recorded in Blossoms in Snow risked their lives to get to the United States. They did not fit this pattern. Many were intellectuals, educated professionals, fleeing from the Nazi regime as it gathered momentum in the late 1930s, targeting Jews and other minorities.

Man and woman of Manhattan,

keep the Bible always nearby,

in leather, gilt-edged, Technicolor,\nor simply pocket-sized. (Alfred Gong)

They left behind possessions, careers, relatives whom they would not see again. Many came to Manhattan, established themselves, attempted to pick up the pieces\u2026and wrote poetry, Joshua Parker has selected their poems, translated them from German.

A fly\u2019s buzz

At the window, monotone

If I spoke to it a bit,

Would I feel slightly less alone? (Maria Berl-lee)

They were energized or enervated, overwhelmed, driven. Words reflect their emotions and the images of buildings they beheld:

This is a dream, fantastic as a dream,

When the giants light themselves up at night,

\nTowers with a thousand dungeon cells so bright

Drowning in light\u2026 (Ernst Waldinger)

Created mostly when the experience of migration was new, the poems are not only eloquent but also poignant and disturbing, above all memorable.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 17:28:27", "publisher": "University of New Orleans Press", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008885039", "title": "Of Bears and Ballots: An Alaskan Adventure in Small-town Politics", "author": "Heather Lende", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 234, "review": "Author Heather Lende found a new challenge. Her service on the school board, the planning commission, and the hundreds of obituaries written for the Chilkat Valley News held her in good stead to be elected to the borough assembly in Haines, a small town on the Alaska panhandle, \"a remote rural borough the size of a small state.\" No member hesitated to speak and opinions were clearly and often predictably divided on many issues, drawing in the mayor to cast the deciding vote.

With delicious humor and the more frustrating times well cloaked, she recounts her three years in office. Of Bears and Ballots boldly names real people and chronicles disputes over local concerns, funding requests granted or denied, how to resolve conflicting harbor extension plans, and the wastewater or library issues. A small town reduces commuting to about zero time, allowing Lende to keep a finger in many pies, daily walks on the beach, long cycle rides, and time to write her fourth book.

Her heart is generous, her ear keen, as she writes about the people of Haines, who are like everyone\u2019s neighbor in their own home town. The book is a treat for everyone keen to see how being closely involved in a community makes life a joy as well being at times vexing and worrisome. She is a splendid writer showing to all who are unsure how every voice counts.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 17:24:26", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008885035", "title": "The Collaborator", "author": "Diane Armstrong", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 252, "review": "To some, Miklos Nagy was a hero; to others, he was The Collaborator. Sixty years later, Annika decides to find out the truth for herself. She doesn\u2019t have much information to go on, since her grandmother refuses to speak of her time in Nazi-occupied Hungary. Annika leaves Sydney and embarks on a journey that takes her to Budapest and Tel Aviv as she seeks to discover more of her history and about the mysterious man who helped save thousands of Hungarian Jews from death camps by putting them on a special train to Palestine. Not only will Annika discover the truth about her past and her grandmother, she will also discover more about herself and what she wants in life.

Although this is a work of fiction, it is based on real events and I was very glad to read it. I have read quite a bit about the Holocaust, but I didn\u2019t know much about it from the Hungarian Jewish perspective. The things that people do to each other are horrifying without even fictionalizing them. The reasons people offer to justify hate towards each other are ridiculous. Everyone matters. This story, in particular, was a great example of how atrocious those acts were, but also of how there can be forgiveness and how sometimes we don\u2019t have the whole story and our anger is misplaced. The ending was tragic, but also very human. I recommend you read this book to delve into the world's history as well as into human nature.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 17:15:53", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008885027", "title": "Raven's Witness: The Alaska Life of Richard K. Nelson", "author": "Hank Lentfer", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 258, "review": "A one-year research job in Alaska changed the career direction Richard Nelson had intended. As he entered college, after a less than stellar high school record, his plan to study desert reptiles was transformed into life in Alaska. His year in Wainwright is arguably one of the best sections of Hank Lentfer\u2019s Raven\u2019s Witness. Right away, Nelson began to absorb the essential, complex skills needed to live in a remote region of the United States, among these how to build a sled and a boat and how to train a team of dogs and hunt caribou and seals. These he learned from a community whose daily life was entrenched in the indigenous culture.

He returned to the lower forty-eight, earned two advanced degrees and as a cultural anthropologist headed back to the far north, to live in a series of small towns and rural settings where over the years he penned a succession of well-received natural history books. Often in lyrical style, they drew together down to earth details and fascination for traditional Alaskan lifestyles and philosophy He recognized the significance of tribal taboos and beliefs, learning from friends who followed the pattern of their forbears. In particular, one elderly chief showed him the importance of luck, how it supplied an inherent advantage, but how its absence could be responsible for failure, even disaster.

Hank Lentfer has enriched his narrative with lines from Nelson\u2019s books and journals. As a result, the reader may enjoy a double blessing, a fine biography, and a memorable introduction to an exceptional man.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 17:05:33", "publisher": "Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008885019", "title": "All the Right Mistakes", "author": "Laura Jamison", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Ashley Horning", "word_count": 196, "review": "Laura Jamison\u2019s debut novel, All The Right Mistakes, is a delightful read. With chapters that take turns telling the story between five best friends, Jamison explores the notion of life events and timing in one\u2019s own life and what happens when those events may or may not occur in what we feel is at the appropriate time.

Friends since college, Heather has published a book of advice using her friends\u2019 lives as fodder. As the book takes off, Sarah, Elizabeth, Carmen, and Martha feel at first gutted at Heather\u2019s words, but then begin to reflect on their own lives; if they had taken Heather\u2019s advice, would their decisions have been different, and would their lives have taken a different route?

All the Right Mistakes asks questions women ponder themselves day in and day out. Career or children? And if you try to have it all, how do you balance being a devoted mother and have a thriving career at the same time? Would you have been bypassed for a promotion if you didn\u2019t have children? But most importantly, realizing that no matter where life took you and what decisions were made, things will work out in the end.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 16:53:44", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "316 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008885011", "title": "Think Big", "author": "Kat Kronenberg", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Gracie - Age 7", "word_count": 131, "review": "Think Big was about animals that had to learn how to be brave. They had to work together so they could be safe and not get in the fire. They worked together to save other animals in the fire, too. The animals learned they were brave. They would say \u201cI am brave.\u201d When they said it, they felt stronger. I like when they said the good things they were because it makes people feel good and learn to say good things. I like this book because of the animals. I liked it when the giraffe learned to be brave because he grew bigger. Even though baboon wasn\u2019t always nice, they made him be a little funny in the story. If other kids like animal stories they would probably like Think Big.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 16:43:53", "publisher": "Greenleaf Book Group Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008885003", "title": "Farm the City: A Toolkit for Setting Up a Successful Urban Farm", "author": "Michael Ableman", "category": "N10 Home & Garden", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 249, "review": "While running a city farm demands more energy and commitment than a community garden, the concerns and problems are similar: location, finance, crop selection and production, post-harvest disposal. In sub-titling Farm the City a \u201ctoolkit,\u201d this introduces (forgive the pun) a down-to-earth approach. Michael Ableman, an old hand at city farms, lays out an encouraging sequence of steps, never hesitant to describe early mistakes and their remedies.

A key element in the Sole City Farm, the project described in his book, has been establishing a second, complementary organization, a charity to oversee fundraising. Together, fundraising and harvest sales supply the income for running the farm, which has been organized to \u201cempower individuals with limited resources\u201d through jobs and training.

A city farm demands, first and foremost, a comprehensive mission statement and an understanding that it takes three to four years before the farm is truly viable. The successive steps and guidance are clearly written: seeking a farm site on unused or derelict spots within a central high-price zone, experimenting with soil type, using unperishable plastic containers rather than wooden ones. He suggests popular, easy vegetables to begin with rather than exotic ones and describes an orchard with almost five hundred fruit trees, the spaces between each filled with varieties of herbs.

A later section discusses the pros and cons of farmers\u2019 markets, retail sales, and further harvest alternatives. Throughout, images show production design and the \u201cfarmers.\u201d This is a grand book, an essential primer for anyone with aspirations to follow Ableman\u2019s lead.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "09-Apr-2020 16:19:58", "publisher": "New Society Publishers", "page_count": "108 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008880007", "title": "Doctor Faustroll and other Philosophical Tales", "author": "Kenneth Weichel", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 605, "review": "Dr. Faustroll and Other Philosophical Tales is a non-fiction work comprised of several different, unconnected stories, though there are some commonalities among them. All five of them refer in some manner to abstract thought and the relationship of it to the creation and continuation of the world and those that inhabit it. The Velazquez Revelation is especially ripe with content focused on abstract thought. It tells the story of Fernando Velazquez, a medical doctor from Buenos Aires, who caught a horrible disease that\u2019s treatment ravaged his body and mind, resulting in temporary blindness as well as inducing a catatonic state for a short duration. Upon his recovery, he began to view life through a more complex lens. He believed that all objects derived from an initial thought and stated that \u201ca man\u2019s thoughts create the image of the world he lives in. He is surrounded by reflections of his deepest thoughts and dreams.\u201d He believed that human thoughts can produce images.

Another central theme throughout this book is that of materialism. The author expresses a deep disdain for the way in which many in modern society live their lives. He speaks of the ills of commercialism, mass media, and entertainment, arguing that the effects of these on the western world can only lead to devastation and the continued degradation of society as a whole. Further, he concludes that the only way authentic living can be achieved is by halting one's engagement in the world to take time to see oneself in pure form. Otherwise, he says, \u201cwe become spectators in our own world.\u201d

The topic of love exists as another commonality among the author\u2019s tales. He speaks of love in complex terms and refers to the mystery of it and all that is associated with it. He writes of it as if he is in a dreamy state of mind, feeling the array of emotions accompanied by love but not quite able to grasp the full flavor of it before it has dissipated. His words are at times romantic and poetic, yet convey a sense of yearning and gloom.

This work of fiction is full of paradoxes. It is dark, yet enlightening; it\u2019s pessimistic, yet hopeful. It\u2019s condemning, yet condoning. To describe it is perhaps as challenging as it is to understand it in its entirety. To say it is philosophical is true. It has elements of neuroticism as well. Some parts of it are non-tangential and frayed, leaving the reader feeling a sense of confusion and discontentment. As the last page is traversed, closure is undiscoverable. The strongest features of Dr. Faustroll and Other Philosophical Tales is unquestionably its literary ones. The author has a remarkable gift for using figurative language of all types. The text overflows with similes, metaphors, personification, and more. Further, they are not just simple ones but are unique and rich in literary value. For example, when he describes the light gleaming in the darkness over the sea he writes: \u201cIt was as if the Milky Way had dropped into the sea, and we were sailing through it.\u201d When he highlights the seashells his friend admires, he says: She spreads out her treasures before her like a queen examining her jewels, reveling in their multitude and beauty.\u201d

Though the audience for this book may be narrow due to the aforementioned drawbacks, it will likely appeal to those who live on the fringe of society, those who aren\u2019t keen on following the norms and customs of modern life. Middle and high school English teachers may also find it an amazing resource for instruction on the elements of language, namely figurative language.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "06-Apr-2020 22:29:56", "publisher": "Androgyne Books", "page_count": "204 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008880003", "title": "In the Land of the Salmon", "author": "Joshua Keil", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 50, "review": "\"Stars to In the Land of the Salmon has a reflective tone looking back at an impactful relationship that explores a poignant love story about loss and change in a setting that provides an unfiltered look at the stunning and dangerous landscape of Alaska.\" \u2014 Elizabeth Konkel, Portland Book Review", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "06-Apr-2020 21:58:15", "publisher": "Todd Communications", "page_count": "131 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008879003", "title": "In the Land of the Salmon", "author": "Joshua Keil", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 69, "review": "\"A decision to speak out against a mega-mining project that threatens the pristine Alaska wilderness forces Wildlife Trooper, Jim Leberg, to revisit a painful episode from his past. The harsh reality of the north underpins this thrilling, poignant story that examines the mysteries of life, love, and spirituality. Written from the heart, In the Land of the Salmon resounds with authenticity and emotion.\" \u2014 Rod Raglin, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "April 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "06-Apr-2020 17:56:56", "publisher": "Todd Communications", "page_count": "131 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008878003", "title": "Doctor Faustroll and other Philosophical Tales", "author": "Kenneth Weichel", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 438, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

Doctor Faustroll and other Philosophical Tales is a collection of five works. The book starts with the longest piece, entitled \u201cDoctor Faustroll.\u201d Unfortunately, I felt that this particular story would have benefited from some professional editing. The changing tenses throughout the story interrupted the flow for me. And more importantly, I'm still not sure what the author wanted to convey, especially in the subsections, or \u201cepisodes.\u201d These often didn't really connect to each other and, therefore didn't make sense to me.

I did, however, enjoy \u201cThe Velazquez Revelation,\u201d \"De-coo-da,\u201d and \u201cRose of the Wind.\u201d They seemed more fully developed. In \u201cFiction of Words,\u201d I enjoyed the first tale, \u201cBack to Nature,\u201d especially when the main character falls into the water but is still looking back at himself standing on the bridge. But once again, some of the tales within this section didn't seem connected to each other, and I was once again unsure about their meaning. Also, at times the tales seemed more descriptive than evolving.

I didn't think the author was a bad writer because, in a few stories, he showed he could take me away on a journey to another place and time, but I did not feel that way about the first and longest story. It might have helped if there had been a visual description of the character before page thirty-three. Plus, I was struck by some inconsistencies. In one episode, it was mentioned that the doctor was blinded as a child, but in a later episode, it is said that he had a motorcycle accident in his youth. At this point, I found myself questioning whether a blind person would be riding a motorcycle. Also, I was not too fond of the fact that some of the episodes ended abruptly, making it seem like they hadn't been fully developed.

Overall, I sensed a vague theme running through the book about redeveloping consciousness to find something humanity has lost along the evolutionary road. But, I think an overview or introduction at the beginning of the book would have been helpful. Then I would have had a better idea about what the author wanted to convey through these tales. Without that, the book was at times confusing, and I often didn't understand why some stories didn't seem to have a beginning, middle, or ending or why they were grouped together. I also think the stories would have benefited greatly by using the \"show don't tell\" method of writing. That way, readers would feel more connected to the tales, especially Doctor Faustroll. As it was, I found myself asking too often, what is the point of the story.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "06-Apr-2020 05:33:34", "publisher": "Androgyne Books", "page_count": "204 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008877003", "title": "The Sun Casts No Shadow", "author": "Mark Richardson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 379, "review": "The Sun Casts No Shadow by Mark Richardson is a dark and twisted tale of a city\u2019s underbelly. Richardson\u2019s work is a complex and intriguing account that will captivate readers from beginning to end.

The story follows Wellington Thorneycroft, a pickpocket who survives on Ambrosia, the realm\u2019s equivalent to the sweetest drug. Each recipe for Ambrosia produces a different reaction, a different high, but always a sweet surrender to a vacation from reality. Up to this point, our protagonist\u2019s reality, like many of the city\u2019s inhabitants, consisted of corruption, crime, prostitution, and cynicism. Thorneycroft is lost in this world until a mysterious female figure, who he comes to know as Lilith, appears one night.

Thorneycroft states, \u201cWe\u2019ll escape together\u2026I knew right then that I\u2019d follow her, wherever she might lead, no questions asked.\u201d Haunted by her life force and what her spirit promises, Thorneycroft bets it all on escaping this dark world with Lilith. The more he learns about her, the more Thorneycroft comes to realize Lilith comes with a complicated history intricately tied to the Wall and everyone trapped inside the city. In order to break free, Thorneycroft and Lilith will need to find a way past the Wall and a host of malicious characters bent on dragging down anyone who dares to escape or aspire.

Those appreciative of futuristic, science fiction works such as Total Recall will thoroughly enjoy the sordid tale of illicit behavior that Richardson weaves. Due to the sex, drugs, and array of expletives, Richardson\u2019s work is intended for a mature audience capable of appreciating the narrative. That said, Richardson\u2019s modern take on this familiar science fiction theme is a refreshing and welcome approach. Readers will find themselves hopeful with Lilith searching for a way out in one scene and morose with Thorneycroft believing there is no point in trying in the next. Only time will tell if the pair will make it past Felix and his crew and over the Wall to a brighter future.

The journey past Richardson\u2019s literal and figurative wall is one that will resonate with readers. A fascinating yarn that will captivate readers, The Sun Casts No Shadow easily earns five stars. Richardson has produced an exceptional work that readers will relish and avidly share for years to come.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "23-Jun-2020", "date_added": "05-Apr-2020 20:57:16", "publisher": "New Pulp Presss", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5 "} {"id": "425035000008876003", "title": "Miss Havilland, A Novel", "author": "Gay Daly", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 434, "review": "Evelyn has had a protected and mostly wonderful childhood growing up in San Jose, California, at the beginning of the twentieth century. Her backyard backs up to her aunt and uncle\u2019s house, where her cousin and very best, best friend Billy and his sister Alice live. Evelyn is the light of the life of her father, a sweet man confined to a wheelchair. The only fly in the ointment is Evelyn\u2019s sharp-tongued, demanding, distant, and often cruel mother. Evelyn and her father spend a great deal of time together, he teaching her math, something Evelyn loves. Billy is headed for Stanford for college, but Evelyn\u2019s mother insists the local teacher\u2019s college is the right choice for Evelyn. Her high school math teacher arranges a full scholarship for Evelyn to Stanford, and off Billy and Evelyn go. World War I starts raging in Europe, and although America hasn\u2019t yet joined the war, Billy heads to Europe and volunteers. Soon Evelyn is lured to Washington D.C. to work on breaking enemy codes. It is there she meets Arthur, a wealthy professor from Boston also working in Washington. They fall in love and both end up in Europe through the end of the war, though not together. Evelyn is able to find Billy and visits with him, only to find a man shattered by the experiences he has had. When the war finally ends, when the bombs stop falling and shots stop ringing out, the life Evelyn has been expecting and hoping for is far out of her grasp. She has much she has to do for others before she can reach for what she wants and needs in her life.

Author Gay Daly has written a compelling piece of historical fiction that is based on the true happenings in the life of a relative. Her passion for the subject of her relative\u2019s story is clear, and her careful and extensive research shines through. Told in first-person through Evelyn\u2019s voice (with occasional lapses into other points of view) has a very personal ring. It is much like sitting and listening to an elderly relative tell the story of life. The old writing adage of \u201cshow don\u2019t tell\u201d doesn\u2019t seem to apply here, and that is the one drawback in this otherwise stellar novel. Rich characters with complex lives, characters that will stay with readers for a long time, populate this engaging and memorable story and make for a terrific read. The period around World War I is a fascinating time and not written about with great frequency, so this is a welcome addition for fans of historical fiction.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "02-Apr-2020 21:49:05", "publisher": "The Sager Group LLC", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008873019", "title": "The Girls at 17 Swann Street: A Novel", "author": "Yara Zgheib", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 166, "review": "Anyone concerned with their body image (and who isn\u2019t?) should read this masterful story about a deadly struggle with self-image. The facility located at 17 Swann Street is a place where women come together to learn about themselves and to face the perils of life-threatening body dysmorphic disorder. The main character is a former ballet dancer who tackled the drastic requirements of that extremely competitive profession to mold herself into the perfect prima ballerina regardless of the cost.

It is only through seeing the losses suffered by the other residents that the heroine, Anna Roux, is able to face the reality of her obsessions\u2014not overcome them, but heroically battle them. Unlike the other residents, she has a loving husband who faithfully supports her recovery.

This book is a realistic yet hopeful novel about the gruesome results of a cultural obsession with bodily perfection. The disease is oftentimes hidden from view and little suspected, even while it devastates the sufferer. This is a brave and compelling book to read.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "01-Apr-2020 21:58:08", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008873015", "title": "Girl Gone Viral: A Novel", "author": "Alisha Rai", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 233, "review": "Readers first met the character Katrina, an ex-model and angel investor, in Alisha Rai\u2019s The Right Swipe. In Girl Gone Viral, the romance is all hers. Katrina is a fierce lover of privacy; her bodyguard and friend, Jas Singh, is there to protect her at any cost. When a chance encounter at a beach caf\u00e9 results in viral social media scrutiny, Katrina needs to get away. So Jas Singh takes her to a place where no one can find them: his family\u2019s farm in Northern California.

While tucked away from the world, Katrina and Jas learn more about each other\u2019s backgrounds and why each of them is so guarded. The Right Swipe also explored how betrayal and manipulation can make it very difficult for people to have loving and trusting relationships. But Katrina and Jas both want that with each other despite the rocky road to get there.

As usual, I appreciate that the male protagonist has as rich of an emotional inner life as the female protagonist, and equal attention is given to their backgrounds and families. While Katrina is \u201crescued\u201d by protective figures a couple times throughout the story, she is able speak out and break free of the forces that once controlled her. Her independence is as exciting as her developing romance. I really enjoyed the agricultural setting for this story and learning about immigrants from India becoming fruit farmers.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "01-Apr-2020 21:54:33", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008967079", "title": "Swashby and the Sea", "author": "Beth Ferry", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 187, "review": "Swashby loves the sea, and he lives near the sea all on his own. He doesn't want to be bothered by anyone. One day, a little girl and her granny come to play near Swashby's deck. Swashby finds them to be annoying and wants them to go away. He writes a message to the little girl in the sand, but the sea changes the message a little bit. The little girl dances and sings while playing on Swashby's deck. He finds the little girl loud and nosy. Will Swashby be able to get rid of the little girl and her granny?

I like this story. I thought it was very cute and smart how the ocean changed the messages from Swashby. Of course, Swashby was unhappy with the ocean for doing so, but it's like the ocean wanted Swashby to have a friend. I really like the illustrations because they make me want to visit the beach after reading this book. I like how the little girl has giant glasses, it makes her look so cute. I recommend this book to anyone who likes stories about friendship.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "29-May-2020 20:06:29", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008967075", "title": "Hard Cash Valley: A Novel", "author": "Brian Panowich", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 230, "review": "Arnie Blackwell is halfway home from a high-end looting, putting the finishing touches on a clean getaway. He checks into a local motel, hoping to settle down when trouble knocks at his door. Arnie is brutally interrogated and subsequently murdered by Filipino gangsters. The gangsters emerge with a lead to pursue. Dane Kirby, a former fire chief and law enforcement agent, is requested to investigate a charred corpse in Florida. Kirby has been summoned by the top brass in the FBI, but not greeted with enthusiasm by other Federal agents. Dane\u2019s associations with certain unsavory types in the Georgia mountains prove invaluable as Arnie\u2019s death connects to underground gambling. As Dane\u2019s investigation expands, the body count climbs as two groups seek the remainder of the money won by Arnie and his friends. At the heart of the investigation is a young boy who is the key to unraveling everything. Dane and his partner must find him before malevolent forces get to him first.

\u201cHard Cash Valley\u201d is the latest entry from the talented Brian Panowich. The mood is set with the first page, as the frayed nerves of the character grip the reader full throttle. The action never lets up, as the drama unfolds almost untamed. Dane Kirby is a flawed hero worth backing and empathizing with, clinging to a loyalty and code uniquely his own. A thrilling and engaging book.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "29-May-2020 20:04:19", "publisher": "St. Martins Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008967071", "title": "Wow, No Thank You: Essays", "author": "Samantha Irby", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 214, "review": "In this essay collection, Samantha Irby recounts the surprises and indignities of entering middle age and uneasily settling into a new home in Kalamazoo, having left her beloved Chicago to move in with her wife. Unprepared for making new friends and dealing with relentlessly challenging health problems, Irby navigates this new terrain with both unabashed horror and a willingness to be surprised.

She recounts the difficulty of gearing up for a night out as a late-thirties adult, the tricky balance involved in step-parenting, and the serendipity that often presents itself as little more than annoying extra work. She is forty, but she has as many questions about life as she always has. She gets recognized for her work, and she\u2019s humiliated when she assumes someone recognizes her for her work. Nothing is too personal to be addressed in a Samantha Irby essay. Her talent for self-deprecation and self-examination is limitless.

Any review of Irby\u2019s work will talk about how laugh-out-loud funny it is, how cutting and perfect her cultural observations are, how boldly she shares her worst moments and finds the humor in her lowest points. All of this is true. These essays are smart, hilarious, raw, depressing, and uplifting. It\u2019s impossible not to like Samantha Irby. This collection will leave readers wanting more.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "29-May-2020 20:01:17", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008967055", "title": "Christopher Pumpkin", "author": "Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 179, "review": "A witch wants to have a scary party, but there is too much work to do. So she casts a spell on her pumpkins to turn them into workers. She names the pumpkins Gnarly, Grizzly, Grunty, Roar, Snaggletooth, Stink Face, and Christopher. Christopher isn't like any of the other pumpkins, who are scary and mean. Christopher is nice, lovey, and happy. The witch gives Christopher a chance to make ghastly decorations. He has until the morning to decorate and work harder, or else she will turn him into pumpkin soup. Will Christopher Pumpkin be able to plan a frightful party?

This book was cute. I thought the part where the pumpkins make some stinky food was funny, especially the part about the green cheese made from old underwear. I like how Christopher Pumpkin is different, and in the end, how he did his best. I recommend this book to kids who like Halloween stories and to those who like stories about being yourself even though you are different. Don't worry, this Halloween story is not scary for little kids.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "29-May-2020 19:50:35", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008967051", "title": "Memoirs of a Tortoise", "author": "Devin Scillian", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 238, "review": "Oliver and Ike delight in each other\u2019s company, enjoying the beauty of the hibiscus-filled gardens and engaging in hours of playful fun together. They are an unbreakable team, one a tortoise and one a man, both eighty years young. When fall approaches and Oliver discovers that the baby pool hasn\u2019t been stored away for the season, and that the homemade meals he savors have ceased to be delivered, he can\u2019t help but notice Ike\u2019s absence. When November arrives and he discovers that people have come to pay their respects to the family, an overwhelming sadness and confusion envelops him. It\u2019s only after seeking his mother\u2019s wisdom that he understands it was simply Ike\u2019s time to go, and every precious moment he spent with him was a gift to be treasured.

This is a beautiful story about love, companionship, life, loss, grief, and acceptance. The story is told from the tortoise\u2019s perspective, adding a unique warmth and ingenuity to it. He captures a full calendar year of his life on paper with a short but meaningful entry for each month. The reading level of the text is approximately second to third grade, although the audience is considerably more broad, namely children aged five to ten. This book will undoubtedly touch the hearts of young children, sparking laughter, contentment, and even a few tears. With each additional read, they will likely uncover new insights into the brilliance of this masterpiece.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "29-May-2020 19:48:10", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008967047", "title": "Otis P. Oliver Protests", "author": "Keri Claiborne Boyle", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 181, "review": "Otis absolutely hates taking baths! What is a kid to do when your parents want you to take baths four times a week. Otis loves to play with mud and often gets grubby, so his parents insist that he take baths more often because they think he stinks. So Otis has an idea! He gets all his friends and they protest and refuse to take baths. Otis's mother sends out notes to Otis asking him what the is protest is about. Otis writes back saying he doesn't want to take baths anymore. Will Otis win the bath battle?

I think this story is funny and silly. Each time his mother writes a note, she keeps mentioning dinner and dessert. I think it's funny how Otis and his mom writes notes back and forth trying to solve their problem. I like how they reached a compromise together. I recommend this book to kids who hate taking baths and to kids who know what it feels like when your parents tell you you have to do something even when you don't want to.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "29-May-2020 19:46:38", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008967043", "title": "Letters from My Tooth Fairy", "author": "Brooke Hecker", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 187, "review": "The loss of Natalie\u2019s first tooth, a bottom central incisor, begins a funny and poignant correspondence between her and her dutiful tooth fairy. The tooth fairy leaves a letter and money in exchange for each tooth, and often writes about her journey to reach Natalie. Sometimes Natalie writes her back.

As the years go by, readers gain an insight into the major changes Natalie experiences in her life, such as the arrival of her new baby sister (tooth #7) and the family\u2019s move to a new house (tooth #10). Natalie loses teeth in a variety of settings. She loses tooth #17 at Camp Timberwood, which has its own tooth fairy. Through it all, Natalie\u2019s tooth fairy never lets her down, even when she needs to find a last-minute replacement.

Letters from My Tooth Fairy by Brooke Hecker is a clever take on the magical and loving relationship between a tooth fairy and her child. Natalie faces her life\u2019s milestones with pluck and silliness, and the tooth fairy is utterly devoted to her. Deborah Melmon\u2019s illustrations are rich with color and reflect the life of a child perfectly.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "29-May-2020 19:44:34", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008967039", "title": "Unicorn Yoga", "author": "Gina Cascone and Bryony Williams Sheppard", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 174, "review": "It\u2019s time for every unicorn and person to come and learn the peaceful, relaxing practice of yoga. This is the time to come together, to connect to the universe. First, let\u2019s sit in an easy pose and become relaxed by breathing in and out. Then move onto the wonderful body stretching poses from cobra, cow, planks, and upward facing dog. Don\u2019t forget to breathe in and out! Grab your mat; it\u2019s time to finish with a quiet mind seeking peace.

Take a delightful, unicorn guided journey through the beginning poses of yoga in Unicorn Yoga. Gina Cascone and Bryony Williams Sheppard guide young readers through the mind-and-body practice of clearing their minds while energizing and refreshing their bodies. Delightful and colorful illustrations will keep even the busiest mind\u2019s attention, while also sparking a little laughter. Complete with full detailed instructions, unicorn demonstration, and information in the back, this is the perfect start-up guide. Unicorn Yoga is the ideal kid-friendly book for any yoga teacher or family ready to bring this practice into their home.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "29-May-2020 19:42:33", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008967027", "title": "Cat Dog Dog: The Story of a Blended Family", "author": "Nelly Buchet", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 205, "review": "I hadn't heard of the term \"blended family\" before my mom read me the book Cat Dog Dog: The Story of a Blended Family. In Cat Dog Dog, one of the dogs lives with a man, while the other dog and cat live with a woman. The one dog lives a little differently than the other dog and cat, but that's because he is by himself, while the other dog and cat are together. The man and the woman get married and are together now. Now all of the animals will be together, too.

I have two cats at my house, but at one time I only had one and then we got our second one later. The way that these animals act around each other is like how my two cats acted around each other- not very nice. Thankfully for the animals in the book and my animals, they all end up getting along and learning to like each other. This book is easy to read, as it doesn't have too many words, and they are the same words throughout the book. Younger kids will be able to read it by themselves and probably be able to tell what is happening by the pictures.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "29-May-2020 19:34:46", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008967023", "title": "The Legend of the First Unicorn", "author": "Lari Don", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 171, "review": "If you like unicorns, you will love The Legend of the First Unicorn, and even if you are not necessarily a fan of unicorns, you should still read it because it is really well written.

It is a magical story of friendship, faith, and finding joy in life. The main characters are a boy and a girl who go on an adventure together, and one of them has planned it to cheer the other one up.

Unlike many other books about unicorns, this one is inspired by a Scottish legend, so it feels authentic and not cheesy like many other books on the subject. Readers who like fantasy, who are drawn to folk tales, or who have Scottish heritage will be especially excited about this book.

The book has beautiful illustrations that make you feel like you\u2019re right there in the magical forest looking for the unicorn. It is a good book for all ages because there is a good story but it\u2019s short enough to keep even young readers\u2019 attention.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "29-May-2020 19:30:57", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008967015", "title": "White Trash Warlock (The Adam Binder Novels, Book One)", "author": "David R. Slayton", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 382, "review": "Adam has spent his life feeling cursed by what makes him different. Now, he's chosen to embrace the Sight and what only he can see: spirits and magical sorts that draw him into another world. As he tracks down a warlock he thinks could be tied to his missing father, he's detoured by an unexpected text he receives from his brother Robert, whom he hasn't spoken to in years. The missing artifacts he's been tracking and his brother's plea for help lead in the same direction. Robert's wife has been taken hold of by a spirit so dangerous that some of the most powerful beings Adam knows are afraid of it. When the spirit sets its eyes on him, it sets things into motion that he could never have predicted and puts him onto the path of a handsome cop whom he risks his own life to save.

David R. Slayton knocks this debut out of the park with a brilliant, emotional, clever, and original story that will tug at your heart, tickle your funny bone, and send you on a whirlwind journey. The differences between the brothers are vast as Adam embraces the craziness of magic and a true belief in the unknown, while Robert shed his accent and small-town life for a so-called perfect life as a doctor and husband. Slayton dips into Robert's perspective to allow you to understand what led him to where he is and puts a more empathetic light on him. At the core of this story is the bond of a family which, for Adam and Robert, is a connection wrought with past sins, secrets, pain, and estrangement. Underneath the pain of the past and the scars it left on the characters is an air of humor and the lightness of blooming romance, past love, and hope. The cast of characters is spot-on with a range of delightful sorts such as a strong-willed queen, a charming fairy prince, and a genuine cop. This highly emotional debut puts a fresh spin on urban fantasy, magic, and fairies with this unique world that Slayton draws you into. White Trash Warlock is a must-have book that will make you savor every moment spent with Adam, addicted to a rich world of magic, and enjoy time spent with the characters.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2020", "date_added": "29-May-2020 19:23:56", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "307 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008967007", "title": "The Night Portrait: A Novel of WWII and Da Vinci's Italy", "author": "Laura Morelli", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 210, "review": "The ambitious mistress of the Duke of Milan. A German art conservator. An Italian-American working to keep priceless art and artifacts from the Nazis. Leonardo da Vinci. Each one of these people could merit a novel of their own, but in Laura Morelli\u2019s hands, their narratives weave together to create a seamless, compelling whole that proves greater than the sum of its parts.

In quick, tantalizing chapters, the novel takes us from the late fifteenth century to World War II, dipping us into the lives of its four protagonists one by one. As each chapter ended, I found myself wanting more of what I had just had, but it wasn\u2019t long before I was engrossed in the next. Unlike some books with multiple points of view, there are no slow points, no characters whose perspectives I would have gladly skipped past. Morelli has a knack for giving only what might interest the reader, making for a tight, fast-paced novel.||With so many recent novels set during World War II, it would be easy to pass this one by. You shouldn\u2019t. The Night Portrait blew me away, and it stands far and above the rest for its blending of time and settings. I fell in love, and I know you will too.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "29-May-2020 18:55:03", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008966003", "title": "Doodleville", "author": "Chad Sell", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 178, "review": "A nine-year-old girl named Drew loves to doodle. But her doodles are alive and sometimes cause mischief. So she draws them a home and calls it Doodleville. Drew also joins art club at school, where she has friends who like to draw as well. However, when Drew creates a friendly leviathan, she accidentally makes Levi a monster. Can the art club and the doodles stop Levi and save him from destroying the art club\u2019s doodles?

Doodleville is a great book! The drawings and the doodles are so creative! I liked The Cardboard Kingdom, also by Chad Sell, so I couldn\u2019t wait to read this book! It may not be like The Cardboard Kingdom, but it\u2019s still a great book! Drew is a good character and draws clever doodles. I also like TJ\u2019s and Zenobia\u2019s doodles too because one has witchery and other has magical butterfly princes that link magic together. My favorite doodle is Panja (ninja + panda) because he\u2019s so cute! I recommend this book to anyone who loves graphic novels and who likes creative ideas and drawings.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "28-May-2020 22:35:36", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "286 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008965043", "title": "Stress-Free Science: A Visual Guide to Acing Science in Grades 4-8", "author": "Laurie E. Westphal", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 197, "review": "In a sleek, glossy colorful paperback edition, science educator Laurie E. Westphal has packaged together what looks like a dictionary of science. The book is separated into sections dividing the sciences into life science, earth science, physical science, and space science. There is a module on scientific equipment showing such items as a bunsen burner, a ring stand, a telescope, and stoppers used as plugs. The scientific process includes such terms as variables, and the scientific method. Each label is followed by a curt summary definition and where possible a colorful inked drawn diagram is added. There is a unit that includes measurements such as joule, liter, light year but unfortunately none of these terms includes exercises to provide facility with using these terms. The terminology defined in the separate science sections reads like a glossary at the end of a functional science book. The format of the pages is strikingly attractive, but. unfortunately, without tactile contact with the described equipment or guided activities to engage the reader with the terminology, this book is nothing more than a science dictionary with some pleasant pastel illustrations. Without stories or provided interactive activities. science terminology may actually induce stress.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "27-May-2020 19:07:16", "publisher": "Prufrock Press", "page_count": "150 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008965039", "title": "Wildsam Field Guides: California", "author": "Wildsam Field Guides", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 200, "review": "When a Californian picks up a field guide to her state published by Texans, she is immediately skeptical. For those readers and travelers, like me, let me put your fears to rest. Ignore the poorly written welcome and dive into the rest of this amazing book. A brief giveaway that this book is by Texans is that they call our laws sclerotic, but I could get past this. While this book does not cover all my favorite spots, it does an excellent job of introducing even me to delightful and unexpected California landmarks, interesting places, and brilliant writing. In short, there are a variety of things to learn from this guide,and it is well worth your time to read it cover to cover and discover more than one could expect. The lexicon of redwood terminology was enlightening. A short caveat: some of the planners in the book seem like advertisements, but trips must be paid for, I suppose. Also, like Disney\u2019s California Adventure, there is little mention of the state capitol of Sacramento. There is a brief blurb about the Sacramento Delta, but not the interesting city many of us call home. Even so, this is a nifty little book.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "27-May-2020 18:51:56", "publisher": "Wildsam Field Guides", "page_count": "138 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008965031", "title": "Wicked As You Wish (A Hundred Names for Magic - Book 1)", "author": "Rin Chupeco", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 203, "review": "Tala lives in the heat of Arizona, located in the Royal States of America, where magic is only permitted if it is attached to an item. Her Filipina family shields Alex, the king of Avalon, who hides until his homeland can be released from the Snow Queen's ice spell. When the Firebird shows up, a creature of legend that hasn\u2019t been seen in decades, Tala and several friends escape to help Alex restore his former country and his crown. Their journey is far from easy, as Tala discovers secrets and powers that are best left hidden. None of them will be the same, even if they survive long enough to end the curse and save Alex\u2019s home.

This is not a lazy book to read; the worldbuilding is extensive and complicated, but the characters are likeable and the dialogue witty at times. There are many political statements, some more blatant than others, that arise as characters battle dark creatures or even while enjoying dinner. However, this book is still lighter than the author\u2019s Bone Witch series and incredibly creative as beloved fairy tales are woven into the thread of the tale. The diverse characters, both racially and sexually, will appeal to diverse readers.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "27-May-2020 18:45:30", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008965023", "title": "The Last Stargazers: The Enduring Story of Astronomy's Vanishing Explorers", "author": "Emily Levesque", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 261, "review": "In her first book, Emily Levesque's enthusiasm trumpets the industry of astronomy with profound salesmanship for a young scientist. Indeed her contagious excitement carries the reader through what might otherwise be a bombardment of facts about our universe that most of us are perfectly content not knowing. Very few astrophysicists share their discoveries with the rest of us earthlings, and when they do it seems to be in a language of its own. The exceptions can be counted on one hand---Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking. And now Emily Levesque.

In this circuitous narrative about how computerization and women in the industry have changed the way we gather data from the universe, Levesque invents a word, \"roboticize,\" to describe the newest methods of remote viewing telescopes that only a few decades ago had to literally be manhandled. She includes pictures of people and observatories, and writes in a language anyone can all understand about dying stars and black holes in the universe that sometimes collide and produce a slight chirp all the way across the expanse of space. She shares not only the triumphant gains, but also the embarrassments that come at the cutting edge of science. She ends with an uncertainly of what the future holds for astronomers and the rest of us.

Like most first-time authors, Levesque tries to cram too much into a book with too broad a focus. But her bubbling personality shines through the pages. Most assuredly, Levesque will write more books because she has a lot to say, and we still have a lot to learn.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "27-May-2020 18:19:06", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008965019", "title": "Adventures of a Dwergish Girl", "author": "Daniel Pinkwater", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zara M", "word_count": 215, "review": "Adventures of a Dwergish Girl is a super fun story that is about a half-dwarf (called a dwerg) that has an adventure in New York. The story was funny, entertaining, and so well written! To be honest, even though this was a fantasy book, it felt like a history one because it shared lots of information and facts about the history of New York. All of the characters were amazingly put together, and if they were real, I would love to be friends with them.

On the first page of each chapter, there is an illustration. They are black & white, but they give you clues about what will happen in the upcoming chapter, and what some characters look like. A small thing I didn't like, was that it was mostly narration; but it didn't take away from me loving it!

I think that people ages from seven to one hundred and one could read Adventures of a Dwergish Girl. It is a great book for everybody! Also, if you like fun adventure books, along with some humor and fun facts! I would definitely recommend this book, so go buy it!!

\"It's pretty balanced. I get something from the wheat group, sauce group, and cheese group every day.\" -Molly O'Malley talking about living on Pizza.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "27-May-2020 18:08:12", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008964019", "title": "The Girl and the Cathedral: The Story of Notre-Dame de Paris", "author": "Nicolas Jeter", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 175, "review": "The Girl and the Cathedral: The Story of Notre-Dame de Paris is a great book for older kids, maybe aged 9 or 10 and up. It is a very touching book about a girl who plants whatever she can, wherever she can. She plants love, kindness, and a special seed that grows into the cathedral of Notre Dame. Part of the story is a true story, and it is a real treasure for the heart.

The illustrator did an absolutely wonderful job with the pictures. They\u2019re very direct and exact pictures but also full of imagination. Readers will happily find themselves entranced in a different world. It feels a bit like a living history book, but there\u2019s so much story that you don\u2019t realize you\u2019re learning about history. It\u2019s different from any book I\u2019ve ever read before. Readers will love learning about the history of Notre Dame as well as about what happened to the little girl. Inside the book covers there are details about important things and times that happened throughout the cathedral\u2019s history.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "25-May-2020 21:39:30", "publisher": "Bushel and Peck Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008964015", "title": "Ocean! Waves for All", "author": "Stacy McAnulty and David Litchfield", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 181, "review": "Ocean! Waves for All is an educational book about our ocean. The ocean makes up about 71% of the Earth. This book has many facts about the ocean, such as how the ocean has been here for about four billion years.\u00a0Without the ocean and water, nothing can survive on Earth. Right now, the ocean is in trouble, and we need to protect it. This book teaches kids educational facts without being boring. I liked seeing the Mariana Trench mentioned in the book because I had learned about that before.\u00a0

There are other books in this series, such as Earth, Moon, and Sun. I think I prefer the other books in the series over this ocean one. I thought it was odd that the ocean was talking like a surfer. Though I thought it was funny when the ocean said, \"Dude, I'm Ocean!\" This is a very educational book all about the ocean and how we need it. I recommend this book to kids who like non-fiction stories, kids who love the water, and kids who want to help the planet.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "25-May-2020 21:37:04", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Company", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008964011", "title": "Alien Oceans: The Search for Life in the Depths of Space", "author": "Kevin Peter Hand", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 186, "review": "Many people believe that life exists outside of our planet Earth. Kevin Peter Hand is one such person. Hand is a scientist for NASA; his main area of expertise is up in space, but he has had experience down below in the dark ocean depths as well. Based on his discovery of life on the ocean floor, he concludes that life is possible in the underground oceans on certain moons in our solar system. Throughout Alien Oceans: The Search for Life in the Depths of Space, Hand explains why he believes that there are hidden oceans on moons such as Europa, Titan, and Enceladus.

This book would make anyone excited about space. The research presented is thorough and the pictures included are amazing. Hand dives into every aspect of life imaginable. Written from an evolutionary viewpoint, Hand believes that if we succeed in finding life elsewhere, we will also succeed in discovering our origins. There is plenty of in-depth research presented, so those best suited to reading this book will have an interest in space, biology, and cellular activity, and enjoy a lesson in it all.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "25-May-2020 21:33:04", "publisher": "Princeton University Press", "page_count": "281 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008963023", "title": "Credible Threat (Book 15, Ali Reynolds Series)", "author": "J.A. Jance", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 201, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR
Credible Threat knows the killer from the start, so the interest lies in the tension created by the race between Rachel\u2019s attempt to kill the archbishop and Ali\u2019s efforts to protect him. This works from Rachel\u2019s side: her determination to right the wrong, her mental deterioration as she gets closer to her goal, and her uncaring coldness as she frames a local homeless man are well told. Not so for Ali\u2019s side: a secondary theme, an overseas emergency involving one of her firm\u2019s clients, distracts from the main story, and a significant part of the detecting is done by Frigg, a super powerful artificial intelligence program, although Rachel puts the pieces together. Credible Threat is skillfully written and will appeal to the many fans of J. A. Jance.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "24-May-2020 18:24:55", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008963003", "title": "The Grass Library: Essays", "author": "David G. Brooks", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Wenger", "word_count": 225, "review": "David G. Brooks\u2019 The Grass Library details his life on a farm in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. On some land he and his partner share, they form an impromptu animal refuge, taking in sheep, dogs, and goats, and living alongside the various animals that populate the area. We get to know the animals as one would good friends. Even visiting ducks and unwanted rats become characters whose lives hold deep meaning and whose trials, joys, and deaths are esteemed in Brooks\u2019 eyes.

Brooks\u2019 writing is poetic. His language has a certain curious clarity to it. The book itself is not only an exploration of animals and nature, but also a mission and exercise in living in the most ethical harmony with them. At times, though the animals are the book\u2019s focus, we are also allowed into the mind of Brooks himself, a man so strictly concerned with the well-being of animals, his life begins to curve around theirs. In a particularly poignant yet humorous chapter, Brooks and his partner stress over the removal of a rat that has made its home in their kitchen.

This book is excellent for anyone interested in animal rights, ethics, and nature writing at its most insightful. It will prompt the reader to turn inward and examine their own relationship with the living things all around them.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "24-May-2020 18:14:49", "publisher": "Ashland Creek Press", "page_count": "218 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008962059", "title": "Gullible's Travels: A Comical History of the Trump Era", "author": "Marvin Kitman", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 181, "review": "Humorist and author Marvin Kitman is a Republican who strongly dislikes current POTUS Donald Trump. In this satirically scathing review of the president, he follows the progression of the President\u2019s rise to this office, along with a diary of his daily misadventures while in office. For those who are morally and physically disturbed by the daily actions or inactions of the commander-in-chief, this is the book for them. The shortcomings of the President are lengthily exposed, his brilliant vocabulary exposed, his misogyny described, his bone spurs examined, his innumerable falsehoods uncovered, along with further aspects of his uncouth behavior.

The Trumponicles cover in eight sections the events that took place between the year 2015 up to early 2020. Unfortunately, it does not include the disastrous lack of leadership displayed from the Floyd death and the Corona Virus Attack. Those who like the acidic wit of this pundit author will enjoy the mocking comments. For myself, I find these flashy write-ups irritatingly annoying. Books like these maintain Trump on the central stage. We need to demand a return to decency and competence.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "22-May-2020 21:36:11", "publisher": "Seven Stories Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008962055", "title": "Bernie: Updated 2020 edition", "author": "Ted Rall", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lena - Age 11", "word_count": 200, "review": "My parents are big Bernie Sanders fans, so that\u2019s why I read this book. The cartoon on the cover is a little creepy looking! Some of the photographs in the book are creepy, too. Why do politicians always make that face, with their lips sticking out? I guess they are shouting. This book covers Bernie's career from the mayor of Burlington, Vermont, in 1981 through his sixteen years as US Representative. In 2006, Bernie was elected U.S. Senator, and in 2016 he campaigned as a Democratic presidential candidate. This book uses long words that I didn't know (like 'capricious') and some other long words that I know but don't really understand (like 'capitalism'). I think this is a good book if you want to understand why politics is important. It covers history that I'm too young to remember and that we are not taught in school. Mostly, this book wants to show an alternative to the political mess that we have right now (my parents\u2019 opinion). In school, we're told we can do anything if we work hard enough. Maybe we can work to make things better. I\u2019m only twelve, but it sure looks like adults could use some help.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "22-May-2020 21:34:01", "publisher": "Seven Stories Press", "page_count": "232 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008962039", "title": "Tree Story: The History of the World Written in Rings", "author": "Valerie Trouet", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 245, "review": "Dendrochronology, an imposing word, is defined as the scientific study of tree rings. At an early age, tree trunks provide young children with an exercise counting the rings. Later, the rings are a gratifying resource for studying human history and climatic change. Each ring represents a year\u2019s growth, and the varying widths of the rings indicate the intensity of recent rainfall and the consequent rate of the tree\u2019s growth. A wealth of information is broadly attributable to the impact of changes in the Earth\u2019s orbit, solar radiation, and volcanic activity in the past.

This starting point can solve many questions. The study of tree rings supplies a clear answer, for example, to why buccaneers and pirates were so successful in the Atlantic Ocean between 1495 and 1825. Additionally, they demonstrate how volcanic activity led to the intermittent failure of the Nile\u2019s annual flooding, which is understood to have caused seasons of starvation in Egypt during Ptolemaic times and thus to political consequences.

Valerie Trouet\u2019s academic career has taken her across the world researching answers to such questions. Tree Story is the result of a sabbatical spent gathering the results of dendrochronological findings in regions as discrete as Tanzania and Easter Island, Siberia and the West Coast of the United States. The chapters spill over with information and would be overwhelming were it not for the book\u2019s organization, the images and digital illustrations, and the author\u2019s ability to share her scholarly adventures with such evident enjoyment.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "22-May-2020 21:22:22", "publisher": "Johns Hopkins University Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008962031", "title": "Caller of Lightning (Arcane America Book 3)", "author": "Peter J. Wacks and Eytan Kollin", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahtega - Age 16", "word_count": 254, "review": "This is a twisting tale following Ben Franklin as he is thrust into the mysterious world of magic. This book begins with Ben Franklin\u2019s experiment with a kite, a key, and a storm. In an attempt to pull lightning from the sky and capture it in a bottle, Ben is imbued with the power to command electricity. Soon his forays into the arcane world lead him to discover that he is not alone in his abilities. In fact, he is quite the novice in the field of spell casting. His new abilities attract the attention of multiple powerful figures, and who he decides to align with may decide the fate of the world itself.

I enjoyed the plot very much. It was fast-paced, intriguing, and very realistic, apart from the magic of course. I liked how the authors told the story from multiple perspectives; this really helped hold my attention. My favorite character was Polly, but all of the characters were well developed and perfectly fit their roles in the story. The language flowed well and was easy for me to understand. The dialogue, and the language in general, felt quite modern, despite the book being set in Colonial America.

The language, scenes, and tone of the book may not be suitable for younger or less advanced readers. Readers who enjoy fantasy books will definitely enjoy this book. This book was a joy to read. If you\u2019re an older or advanced reader, you should totally give this book a read. You won\u2019t regret it.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "22-May-2020 21:17:27", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008962019", "title": "Members Only", "author": "Sameer Pandya", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 216, "review": "Raj Bhatt is having a week. It begins during a membership committee meeting for the Tennis Club, when his excitement over meeting potential new members who are Black\u2014sparking his longstanding desire to make the club more diverse\u2014leads him to make a racist comment, jeopardizing his own club membership. At the university, where he is a lecturer in anthropology, he delivers one of his favorite lectures, but his passionate conclusions offend a group of students who decide his views are anti-Christian. When a video of Raj\u2019s teaching goes viral, igniting campus protests, his job security disappears. In a matter of days, Raj\u2019s entire world spirals out of control--and he sees his life with new eyes. How has so much ambition, pride, confidence, and adventure led to this middle-aged status quo?

Pandya\u2019s novel begins with what amounts to a whole-body cringe, and Raj\u2019s missteps are often excruciating to witness. Though Raj is a devoted teacher, husband, and father, he gives himself little of the generosity he offers others, finding failure wherever he looks. Even the Tennis Club, his beacon of success, frays as Raj struggles with anger and regret. Filled with insight and humor, Members Only is a moving account of one man\u2019s stark accounting of where he is and how he got there--and what might lie ahead.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "22-May-2020 21:10:25", "publisher": "", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008962011", "title": "Splash! 10,000 Years of Swimming", "author": "Howard Means", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 244, "review": "Author and swim enthusiast Howard Means steers the reader through a historic review of man\u2019s navigational feats in the aquatic world. What is now the arid Sahara, in prehistoric times was a wet lake bed with relics of mollusks and cave paintings of swimming figures. Readers will pursue the wave of a swimming culture through Greek and Roman chronicles and observe the aquatic mastery of island and coastal natives. They will learn about the fear of water that infected European civilization during the middle ages as well as the swimming marvels who defied cultural water phobias to swim the Bosphorus, the English Channel, and even the Antarctic waters. We live in a world that is three quarters water; our limbs are related to piscine fins, so swimming should come naturally to us. Yet too often an uncanny fear of water prevents too many from learning to float or swim, leading to untold numbers of drownings.

Splash! tells the absorbing story of the joy of swimming and the personalities who have shone in this sport. It also describes the change in bathing attire from the nude Greeks, to the prim coverups demanded in the 19th and early 20th centuries, to the now common bikini and speedo gear. Readers will recall names such as Annette Kellerman,, Gertrude Ederle, and Olympic champs like Mark Spitz, Michael Phelps, and so many others. Full of delightfully detailed information, this entertaining book submerges the reader into the subject of swimming.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "22-May-2020 20:50:10", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008962007", "title": "Axiom's End", "author": "Lindsay Ellis", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 244, "review": "The aliens actually arrived decades ago, but the government kept that a secret. Now, they are warring with each other and the public is aware that something is amiss because of a whistleblower. That is the subject of Axiom\u2019s End, but Lindsay Ellis.

Set in 2007, protagonist Cora is the daughter of the whistleblower, living in the LA area. She gets reluctantly involved, not only in the CIA\u2019s dealings with these aliens but also personally involved as a helper to one of the aliens, nicknamed Ampersand. The pace of the nearly four hundred page novel is fast at first. In the first few chapters, instead of itching for the plot to move forward, things happen quickly. Cora is believable, smart, and likable, and the action is clearly written.

The book slows down quite a bit about two-thirds of the way in. The infighting, cultural, linguistical, and physical attributes of the aliens are quite complex, including complexities between types of aliens. Their social hierarchy and relationships between each other are also quite complex. Cora\u2019s relationship with Ampersand left me feeling a little uncomfortable. There is a genre of writing devoted to stories between humans (usually women) and aliens or mythical creatures, and I became concerned that Ellis dips her toe a little too far into this genre. But others might love that aspect of the book. I really enjoyed the opening few chapters, but the last part of the book left me wanting something different.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "22-May-2020 18:31:21", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008962003", "title": "The Hour of Fate: Theodore Roosevelt, J.P. Morgan, and the Battle to Transform American Capitalism", "author": "Susan Berfield", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 234, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

In September 1901, President William McKinley is attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, NY. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt is hiking in the mountains of the Northeast. JP Morgan is in Manhattan, awaiting news regarding further consolidation of his business empire. The bullet fired by castoff Leon Czolgosz muddles the world. McKinley succumbs to his wounds within a few weeks, and a stunned Roosevelt becomes the new President. Roosevelt was born into wealth, yet never took it for granted. He possessed an unquenchable work ethic along with a strong moral compass. His various positions in municipal and federal government witnessed his efforts at reform.

JP Morgan was the beneficiary of his father\u2019s wealth, but Morgan possessed an even greater eye for business. He was a titan, buying competitors or pricing them out of business. Viewing Morgan and his confederates with skepticism, Roosevelt desired transparency in their deals and operations. A progressive movement led by Roosevelt and others would usher in lawsuits attempting to dismantle behemoth railroad concerns attempting to push out competition.

The Hour of Fate is a masterful work of nonfiction. Events occurring more than a century ago come alive in an almost prescient sense of current affairs. Susan Berfield profiles her two subjects adeptly, conveying their value to the world, yet contrasting that with their foibles that made them just as human as the rest of the populace. This is A+ work.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "22-May-2020 18:27:21", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "394 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008961003", "title": "Swamp Creatures", "author": "Graham Daily", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 450, "review": "Swamp Creatures is a funny political satire on the Trump administration. Remember when Trump said during his election campaign that he would drain the swamp in Washington? Well, this book reminds us that not only did Trump not fulfill his election promise. Instead, Trump infested Washington by filling his administration with right-wing zealots and some of his most corrupt and greedy cronies. This book lists just some of Trump's most notorious swamp friends and family members. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are mentioned in the book as Miss Complicit and Swamp Leech. My favorite is Mitch McConnell as a swamp slug! Most cartoon depictions of McConnell is him as a turtle because frankly, he looks like a turtle. You don't usually think of slugs as evil, but I liked the slimy chin and neck jowls of McConnell as a slug. Daily saved the best for last with Trump as the swamp turd. Pee-ew! The artwork there was lacking though. Trump didn't look gross enough as a piece of turd overflowing the toilet.

The past four years, the Trump administration has been filled with so much lying and chaos and dysfunction that I had forgotten about some of the things that have happened under the current administration. This book is a funny read of all the crazy, corrupt, greedy, deceitful, illegal messes Trump has put America through. For me, this book is a clear reminder of all the lies he's told America and all the shady back door dealings he's done to enrich his own pockets while America suffers. There were some swamp creatures I had completely forgotten about. There has been such a high turnover rate in the current administration that it was difficult to keep track of all those coming and going. I had forgotten about the swamp slob (who's supposed to be Matthew Whitaker), and the cartoon depiction of him is pretty gnarly and grotesque. Though I think he looks more like a blob than a slob. I forgot Matthew Whitaker was AG before William Barr since he only held the position for four months.

I don't really like politics, and I generally don't like reading about politics because a lot of it can be boring. However, I enjoyed this book and found it entertaining. Especially during this time of unrest and uncertainty, I wanted to read something that would make me laugh a little. The book was a fast and easy read, and it was incredibly funny seeing some of our elected officials depicted as slugs, snakes, and zombies. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes politics and dislikes Trump. And if you don't like politics, but enjoy some lighthearted satire, definitely give this book a try.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "22-May-2020 18:18:01", "publisher": "", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008960003", "title": "Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings", "author": "Gabriela Marie Milton", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 456, "review": "Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings is a wonderful collection of beautiful poetry about love, desire, memories, fear, etc. The collection of poems is broken up into three sections. The first part consists of eighty-four love poems. The second part consists of poems that are translated into Italian. Finally, the third part consists of prose poems. Milton writes with such succinct beauty. Her use of luscious words and brilliant imagery can paint such a vivid picture in your mind with just a few simple sentences. It is a difficult task to do as a writer, and Milton does it masterfully. Her poetry is evocative; it transports me to that place under the glistening moon with cicadas chirping and the scent of lilacs blossoming.

My favorite poems are the love poems that have floral notes and sweet images. I can just picture the beautiful roses and oleanders blooming, and I can smell the sweet scents of these flowers while reading the poems. I enjoyed Milton's love poems more than the prose poems. Some of the prose poems read more like short blurbs or thoughts written on a page. For example, the prose titled \u201cReplied\u201d reads, \u201cIf I could suck the very image of you from each word you say and stick it in the clouds, I would do it.\u2019 I replied. \u2018Oh, how mesmerizing and desecrated the sky will look then. Yet, who could stop you?\u2019\u201d That prose poem seemed lacking and unfinished compared to her more illustrious love poems.

There were a number of references in the love poems that I didn't understand, like the ghost of Maja and Goya and messianic Nazareth, just to name a few. A number of them are religious references, so if the reader is not religious or isn't well versed in religion, it makes it difficult to understand the poem. I'm not religious and don't understand a lot of the religious references, so the meaning was completely lost on me. I also noticed a number of the poems take place in Spain and Greece and there are a number of Spanish and Greek references. I've been to Spain and other parts of Europe, but I can't say I know much about Spain or Greece, so I didn't understand all the references. It's obvious Milton has spent a great deal of time in Spain and Greece.

I think poetry fans will enjoy reading and savoring Milton's collection of poems. While I enjoyed the love poems the most, I wish there were more poems without the religious references. For a good number of the poems, I feel readers need to have a deep understanding of religion, Spain, and Greek in order to fully understand Milton's poems. I recommend this collection of poems to poetry lovers.", "issue": "Rejected", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-May-2020 22:13:42", "publisher": "Vita Brevis Press", "page_count": "140 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008959003", "title": "Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings", "author": "Gabriela Marie Milton", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 400, "review": "Gabriela Marie Milton\u2019s new collection of short poems and flash fiction offers a series of contemplative and intimate writings about the shifting landscape of love.

In the foreword, editor Brian Geiger describes Milton as a poet of condition versus one of profession. Her poems are unleashed as if she has exorcised them. As Milton describes in the poem \u201cBefore you came: the day of the fallen saints,\u201d the poet becomes a traveler \u201cinto gestating dreams of no constraints.\u201d She writes of love in all its many facets. For example, in the first poem, \u201cThe Miracle of You,\u201d there is the exquisite transformation love can have on its subjects: \u201cwithin the loneliness of you / my heart / rotates five equinoxes on a wooden spindle / your eyes pour flesh into my soul / my body germinates the sounds of growing leaves\u201d. In the poem, \u201cWith this ring I promise you,\u201d the poet describes love as a healing balm: \u201cI will erase the shadows of the slave trade / locked in the heat of samba in the nights of carnival / coins put on the eyes of dead at funerals.\u201d Then there are the poems that describe love with resentment. \u201cWhat I want\u201d describes the pain that love brings as much as it does pleasure: \u201cwhat have you done to them to fall in love with you? / I rip my pain / I throw it to the waves / I raise my head / and speak to you / what do I want?\u201d But better to be with love than without it. The poem \u201cLovers without love\u201d describes them thus: \u201cempty hearts expecting to be slaughtered.\u201d

The poet\u2019s dazzling images dance across the globe. There is \u201cLove in Venice,\u201d and from the poem, \u201cSelf-sacrifice\u201d there are bodies \u201cflaming mightily in the Aztec sky.\u201d There is a \u201cNordic Play,\u201d where there are the glaciers within the soul and without in the Nordic Sea. Milton imaginatively describes the space between Samos and Crete and their melting shores, and the violet sunsets lamenting the city of Granada. Readers will also get lost in love through Milton\u2019s writings. For example, in the poem \u201cDid you say you love me?\u201d \u201cThe pendulum of the earth goes astray. / The North Pole disappears.\u201d

The series transports us on a journey of love as much as it delivers us a thematically diverse set of emotions. This is a superb collection.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "21-May-2020 21:53:55", "publisher": "Vita Brevis Press", "page_count": "140 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008957003", "title": "The Aqua Human", "author": "J. Elizaga", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 43, "review": "\"A wonderful fable about a young girl who finds her calling both on land and in the sea. Young Amaya is a superhero in her own right. A quick read that is both inspiring and adventurous.\" \u2014 Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-May-2020 01:32:59", "publisher": "Self-published", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008956043", "title": "The Scam List", "author": "Kurt Dinan", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 203, "review": "The son of a con man currently in jail, Boone worries he\u2019s becoming just like his dad. When he loses fifteen thousand dollars from his mom\u2019s flea market business, he knows the only way to get that kind of cash quick is to open his dad\u2019s book full of the best scams. He brings in friends from the flea market and his ex-girlfriend, Darby, to help. Darby, however, has rules. They can only con those who deserve it, like the owners of the competing karate studio, those who take advantage of kids online, and other equally offensive people. When Boone finds out that his mom has decided to sell Garbage Mountain, he knows he has to set up his biggest con yet...but he\u2019s gonna need some help.

Sarcastic and unapologetically irreverent, Boone is every guy: a little rude, a little self-centered, but deep down he believes he\u2019s a good guy. His views on life are brutally honest and his self-examination and enlightenment are to be applauded. The banter is quick and witty and his final con is one of utter genius. Fans of Jeff Strand will enjoy this and should pick up the The Con Artist Dates for more tales of Boone\u2019s genius.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "20-May-2020 00:59:16", "publisher": "Crime Spree Books", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008956039", "title": "Vampires of Portlandia", "author": "Jason Tanamor", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 234, "review": "Portland, Oregon is a place harboring many myths: hipsters, Sasquatch, absurdity, and weirdness converge in a city where rain is abundant, and monsters lurk. It is the perfect setting for the family of aswangs in Jason Tanamor\u2019s Vampires in Portlandia. Were-beasts, ghouls, viscera-suckers, and witches of Filipino lore make sense of their identities not only as young Filipinos, they are also managing internal conflicts within the pantheon.

Tanamor\u2019s infatuation with Portland is obvious, as he incorporates prominent places in the city\u2019s inner core. Quirky Portlandia, proud of its unique vibe, is alive and well in places like Hobo\u2019s, the Shanghai Tunnels, and the Lovecraft Bar where the cool aswang hang out, but in an ironic way.

As diverse authors locate and leverage the richness of their heritage and culture, readers expand their knowledge of mythology beyond the Eurocentric and/or Westernized worldview that often produces familiar characters and predictable plotlines. Tanamor\u2019s attempt to bring mythology from his ancestral Philippines to a mainstream audience is laudable. Percival, his siblings, and the other aswang are hyphenated Americans who bring their culture to the already complicated scenario of surviving as creatures masquerading as humans in the wet and cold streets of Portland.

Anyone with an interest in how fear and fright manifest in different cultures would enjoy this book. It also holds a special appeal among young people in the global Filipino diaspora: eager for representation, shape-shifting notwithstanding.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "20-May-2020 00:54:51", "publisher": "Parliament House Press", "page_count": "422 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008956023", "title": "Creating Equality at Home: How 25 Couples around the World Share Housework and Childcare", "author": "Francine M. Deutsch, Ruth A. Gaunt,", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 291, "review": "Creating Equality at Home was a very interesting read. I always enjoy the opportunity to be a fly on the wall in people\u2019s daily lives. Case studies about family life are an excellent way to indulge this desire, and Creating Equality at Home has 25 of them. The book takes the reader to Switzerland, Indonesia, Croatia, Honduras, and the USA. It breaks the reader from the dangerous perception that equal gender parenting roles can only be achieved in first world western countries. This collection of case studies makes it clear that equal gender parenting roles are a concern and struggle the world over.

This book is primarily written for an academic audience; however, it is very readable, with each chapter describing a family in a different country and how the adult couple divides household management, professional work, and caring for children. A \u201cday in the life\u201d description comes first, followed by each adult\u2019s perspective on their roles, what\u2019s important to them and why. Each chapter also contains some information about the country and their policies toward women, men, and family life. It was really fascinating to see how national policies varied, but how across cultures it was the norm for men to do less housework and less care for children. I also found the perspectives and background that the couples brought to make home equality a priority really interesting. Most often both members of the couple had to agree it was a priority and frequent communication was important. Usually both adults also had influence or perspective from their background that made quality important as well. There was something about reading the daily life description, recorded first without interpretation, that made me think about how my family life is divided without judgment.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "20-May-2020 00:15:29", "publisher": "Cambridge University Press", "page_count": "408 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008956019", "title": "Feeding the People: The Politics of the Potato", "author": "Rebecca Earle", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Ralph Peterson", "word_count": 266, "review": "Feeding the People the Politics of the Potato by Rebecca Earle is about the development, history, and spread of the potato. From its beginnings in the Andes to a worldwide food source, this is a dynamic story. The author does a scholarly exploration of how the fortunes of the potato have risen and fallen with the fortunes of enlightened, despotic, subversive, or desperate nations. Potatoes are easy to grow, therefore it sneaked into gardens of common people, unnoticed by the seeking eyes of the tax collectors. Until they noticed it. Nations saw how strong enemy armies, who subsisted on potatoes, had become. Needing strong well nourished soldiers, whether to fight Napoleon, the Kaiser, or Hitler, the British government was motivated to push the cultivation and eating of potatoes as a patriotic duty. Starvation and poverty motivated the Irish to plant potatoes in every plot. Concern for the benighted masses energized enlightened thinkers to push for societal utopia by extolling the virtues of potato eating. Opposite those positives are the historical famines of counting too much on even the potato, the perception that only poor would eat them, and the general distrust of doing anything any government propagandized as good.

This is a well documented work with several old prints emphasizing the authors points. It even has historical to modern recipes of potato dishes. At the end we are left with the uncomfortable thought that governments are still pushing potatoes, nutritionists are out of favor with the potato, for whatever reason, and most people still eat potatoes because they like them, regardless of government, popularity, or history.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "20-May-2020 00:04:03", "publisher": "Cambridge University Press", "page_count": "306 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008955071", "title": "The Nothing Man", "author": "Catherine Ryan Howard", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 248, "review": "Eve Black was the only survivor after her family was attacked and killed by the Nothing Man when she was twelve. Her family was the last of his victims, but he was never caught. Now, eighteen years later, in an attempt to move on with her life and find closure, she decides to write a book about him. Her hope is that the book will generate new interest in a case long gone cold and also in a way to provoke him because they have no way of catching him without a confession since he never left any evidence. The Nothing Man knows he\u2019ll have to stop her and should never have let her live in the first place, a mistake he plans on rectifying soon.

This is probably one of the best books I ever read. I really enjoyed the fact that they tell you who the killer is from the first page and you are reading Eve\u2019s book with him as he tries to discover how much she actually knows. You get to see him unravel with each new revelation as well as hear the story of each of his victims from Eve\u2019s point of view. I don\u2019t know why, but I absolutely loved the book within a book format and that you only ever hear from Eve when it\u2019s written in her book. The author did a fantastic job, and if you are a fan of Meg Gardiner, which I am, you will love this book.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "19-May-2020 19:55:43", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "323 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008955067", "title": "The Final Child", "author": "Fran Dorricott", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 249, "review": "Erin thinks she was The Final Child to be abducted by the Father, a serial killer who abducted pairs of siblings. She is the only one who ever got away, with her brother Alex never seen again and only some of the previous children\u2019s bodies being found. She can\u2019t remember any of what happened to her eighteen years ago, but then she meets Harriet, whose cousins were the first victims, and who is writing a book about all the children. Erin and Harriet begin to work through the abductions and Erin\u2019s memory begins to come back. As Erin begins to feel like she is being followed and gifts are being left for her, she wonders if the Father is really dead as she had always believed. Will her nightmare ever stop or will she finally get answers to all her questions?

Having two small boys who share a room, I definitely was somewhat freaked out while reading this story. The author\u2019s ability to create suspense and make you question everything you know was spot on. I don\u2019t know if it was on purpose, but I felt like this book dealt with the topic of nature vs. nurture. How different would things have been if a child was raised in a different environment? The author also wrote in such a way that you could understand why the Father was doing what they were, as twisted as it was. Overall, a thriller that you should read after carefully checking the locks.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "19-May-2020 19:53:36", "publisher": "Titan Books", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008955063", "title": "The Book of Malachi", "author": "T.C. Farren", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 237, "review": "The Book of Malachi opens with Malachi, a thirty-year-old mute man, being recruited to work at an off-shore oil rig. This rig, however, isn\u2019t for oil, but is owned by Frasier Pharmaceuticals and is where they are farming organs from criminals. Malachi is promised a new tongue in exchange for a six-month stint of cutting the nails of the prisoners. At first, he assumes all the people there deserve their fate, growing organs for others to then be sent back to prison. As he hears their stories, he begins to question the morality of it all. He also discovers how far Frasier will go to keep their project a secret and questions everything they\u2019ve told him. Now he will have to decide what kind of man he will be and whether the ability to speak is worth not being able to tell what he\u2019s seen.

I am more used to a linear type of writing style, so I struggled to sift through and separate the present, the past, and Malachi\u2019s imagination. The plot is captivating, but is more about the human-interest side than the actual science fiction part of it. There were a lot of parts I wish I could unread, graphic descriptions of masturbation and prevalent strong language. The best part of this book was hearing everyone\u2019s stories and how trauma shapes us as people. I\u2019m sure this will be a hit, but it wasn\u2019t for me.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2020", "date_added": "19-May-2020 19:50:52", "publisher": "Titan Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000008955059", "title": "Dark Skies", "author": "Danielle L. Jensen", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 209, "review": "Lydia is a pawn in her father\u2019s political career. To achieve his political goals, he organizes her betrothal to Lucius Cassius, which will grant her a comfortable future but little love. When Lucius no longer needs her to achieve his own political goals, he arranges for her murder. She escapes using the Xenthier, a set of pathways to other places, some of which are unknown. She ends up far from home and meets Killian. Killian is Marked with the favor of the war god, but has recently lost a battle against the Corrupted. As punishment, he is sworn to protect Princess Malahi, a nursemaid role at best. When Lydia is Marked, Killian must protect her from those who would abuse her power and save his land from invasion by the Corrupted.

Dark Skies, the second book in the Dark Shores series, follows the same timeline as the first book. While Killian is a new character, Lydia returns. She is a caring girl who gives without thinking. Most of the action takes place during the last third of the book, although the world building at the beginning sets up the action that runs until the last page. Unfortunately, the next book in the series won\u2019t be available until March 2021.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "19-May-2020 19:31:56", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008955055", "title": "The Burning", "author": "Laura Bates", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 202, "review": "Moving hundreds of miles away was her mother\u2019s idea. Anna is starting at a new school to try to become a new girl, far away from the pain and humiliation of what happened before. As things are going great and Anna is making new friends, the rumors startup, the pictures show up, and the insults ramp up. Thankfully, a school project about a local historical figure helps Anna pass the time researching the life of Maggie, a local girl accused and tried of witchcraft centuries before. However, even distractions are just that, and Anna must find her voice in order to avoid following in Maggie\u2019s footsteps, though centuries separate them.

The parallels of the witch burnings and Anna\u2019s ruined social life provide a backdrop for social commentary on the misogyny that is still alive and well today. Unfortunately, it is all too familiar to girls everywhere but never discussed. This story helps to expose this attack on girls using Anna\u2019s journey as she comes to understand her role and responsibility, or lack thereof, in the assassination of her character. This is an excellent statement that shows that girls are more than the sum of their parts, or what others think of them.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "19-May-2020 19:29:04", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "332 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008955043", "title": "Killer, Come Back to Me: The Crime Stories of Ray Bradbury", "author": "Ray Bradbury", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 205, "review": "Most people know Ray Bradbury either for his bestselling novels, like Fahrenheit 451 or the Martian Chronicles, or his numerous short story collections such as I Sing the Body Electric or the October Country, but did you know the prolific author also penned a number of mystery and crime stories? Yeah, I didn\u2019t either. Thankfully, the great people at Hard Case Crime have brought all these stories together in Killer Come Back to Me.

The collection opens with a man on a train who confronts his future, older self, only to learn that at some point he will murder his wife, and his future self has come back to attempt to right this wrong. But can you change the events of the past, or are they set in stone, forever to play out as they have? In another story, a kid hears the screams of a woman trapped and buried beneath the ground, but none of the adults are able to hear her, the question is whether the boy will be able to find the killer before it\u2019s too late.

Twenty stories show a new side of Ray Bradbury, in his mastery of the crime genre. Fans will be caught up in these gripping stories.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "19-May-2020 19:20:34", "publisher": "Hard Case Crime", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008955039", "title": "Our World is Whole", "author": "Gail Bush, Jennie Poh", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 182, "review": "Our World is Whole is a story about a little girl who is part of her family and of the whole world. The little girl's uncle sends her a late birthday card on a turtle's back, which seems silly. Her neighbor, Mrs. Turner, likes to go grocery shopping so that she can chitchat. And then there's her cousin Jerry, who doesn't think you can cook too many tamales. Jerry must really like tamales. There's never enough tamales. Jerry has a cat named ObiCat, and ObiCat likes to nap on books. The little girl's dad likes to play baseball, while her mom thinks that families spin together like the whole world. The little girl likes how everyone is together.

The story is okay, but I don't really get it. I think it's silly that ObiCat naps on books. Books are for reading, not for napping on. The drawings of some of the animals look interesting because I don't know if they are bunnies, or hedgehogs, or hedgehogs with bunny ears. I recommend this book to kids who like to read stories about family.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "19-May-2020 19:17:55", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008955035", "title": "Kindness Grows", "author": "Britta Teckentrup", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 216, "review": "In Kindness Grows, author and illustrator Britta Teckentrup highlights how human actions and reactions color the world. Through her pictures and words, she illuminates the stark contrast that lies between planting seeds of anger and hostility and those of kindness and encouragement. The former often leads to hurt and division; while the latter produces healing and growth. Hate is all-consuming; while love is life-giving. Even a simple smile or a kind gesture, she says, has the power to kindle a new friendship or touch the heart of another. So, children spread your positivity to the world and watch it grow.

The uplifting message Teckentrup weaves through the pages of this book is poignant and timely. When so much negativity and hurt are pervasive in society, much of which young children are sadly not immune and optimism and guidance for fostering it are sorely needed. If youth learn to treat one another with tenderness and care, their lives and the lives of those around them will shine brighter. Seeds of kindness do indeed have the potential to spread their goodwill. The author beautifully demonstrates this with a creative collage of cut-outs, the first one taking on the resemblance of a tiny crack or stem, and nearly the last, evolving into a solid trunk of a well-nourished tree.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2020", "date_added": "19-May-2020 19:15:14", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008955031", "title": "Along Came a Fox", "author": "Georgiana Deutsch and Cally Johnson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 230, "review": "Bramble the fox and Hazel the hedgehog are friends in search of a night adventure of looking for fireflies. Twig the owls suggests that they try the lake. They go along, and fox thinks he sees another fox in the water. The fox scares Bramble. He calls him a very rude fox and begins getting very loud. He goes back to tell Twig about the rude fox. Twig tells Bramble they should ask the fox why he\u2019s upset. He comes back, and the fox in the water has disappeared. Bramble is so upset until the moon peeks out and he sees the fox again. He tells the fox, \u201cLet\u2019s be friends.\u201d What do you think the other fox is going to say?

The writing was average in this book. I enjoyed it, but it did not wow me. I would have liked to see a little more depth of words and attention to the flow. I did not love the plot; it was too predictable, even for kids.

The illustrations were okay. It seemed like each panel pretty much had the same background. I would have liked to see more variety in the pictures. However, the animal characters were well done.

My kids, three and six, liked the book okay, but it was not one they wished to read again. I would recommend this book for ages five to seven.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "19-May-2020 19:12:42", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3/5"} {"id": "425035000008955027", "title": "It's Only One!", "author": "Tracey Corderoy, Tony Neal", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 202, "review": "It's Only One! is the story of some animals who live happily in a town together being nice to each other. One day, Rhinoceros throws a wrapper onto the ground without putting it in the trash can. He doesn't think it's a bad thing because it's only one wrapper. But when everyone else also thinks that they can throw one piece of trash on the ground, it begins to pile up. Neighbor Giraffe doesn't like seeing all the garbage outside his house, so he goes and picks just one flower from the park to put in his window. After that, the animals forget how to be nice to each other and do whatever they want. Can anyone help them become nice again?

It's Only One! is a fun book to read because it teaches about being nice to each other and the earth. When we make our home dirty or any place that we enjoy, then it can make us grumpy. I like that there are some helpful tips on ways to be nice to other people and our parks at the end of the book. The story has colorful pages and will be a fun read for any age of kids.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "19-May-2020 19:10:06", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008955019", "title": "Boyfriend Material", "author": "Alexis Hall", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Ashley Horning", "word_count": 178, "review": "Boyfriend Material by Alex Hall is a light-hearted rom-com of a novel. Set in England, Luc and Oliver couldn\u2019t be more different. Luc is the son of famous rockstar parents, used to being in the spotlight at what seems to be his worst moments. Oliver is a reserved lawyer who is also a vegetarian, doesn\u2019t use Uber, and tries to make the most ethical decisions possible at all times. When do Luc and Oliver realize that faking a relationship with one another would solve some of their own personal issues, what could go wrong?

Hall\u2019s Boyfriend Material is a fresh take on a will-they, won\u2019t-they love story. Two unlikely people meet, strike a deal, and start falling for one another. But falling in love is the easy part. When two people and their two lives vary so differently, is it possible to overcome such differences? Not only do readers root for Luc and Oliver throughout the story, Boyfriend Material is sprinkled with a hilarious cast of characters that will keep you turning the page until the very end.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "19-May-2020 18:59:25", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008955011", "title": "From Arsenic to Zirconium: Poems and Surprising Facts about the Elements", "author": "Peter Davern", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 232, "review": "How appropriate that Peter Davern, a chemistry lecturer at the University of Limerick in Ireland, has composed a poetic treatise featuring the basic ninety-two elements of the periodic table along with a condensed glance at the ephemeral transuranic constituents. Each of the elements is gifted with a six-line rhyming poem that exposes basic features of that component. Hydrogen starts the series labeled as \u2018rocket man\u2019 and its relevance is exposed as the bonds that sustain the genetic code and its connections in allowing water to flow. Check out element number twenty-two, titanium which helps mend our buckled bodies It is found implanted in the knee and hip joints, making up your eyeglass frames, and even contributes the whiteness to toothpaste and cosmetics. Try some Pepto Bismol for gastric discomfort, the bismuth might help. Find those elements that serve as therapeutics or as a poison depending on the dose. This elegantly constructed poetic version of the periodic table and the attributes of its elements serves as a numeric alphabet guide to the basic makeup of our world. It should be a required text from grade school to the home library. Kudos to the author for presenting the elements as the legos, the building blocks of nature in such an entertaining and fascinating manner. Some color pencils could enhance the radiance of the verses and a spiral binder would help to flip the pages.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "19-May-2020 18:53:57", "publisher": "No Starch Press", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008955007", "title": "The Last Flight: A Novel", "author": "Julie Clark", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Crozier", "word_count": 212, "review": "The Last Flight is a riveting tale of two women desperate to escape their lives. For different reasons with underlying similarities, Claire and Eva make a plan and set the course to change their lives drastically. Claire\u2019s need to escape her abusive husband and Eva\u2019s need to escape a dangerous lifestyle leads to an encounter in which the two women intertwine their lives forever. Clark finds the perfect balance between vulnerability and resiliency for her female characters. During the #metoo era, where women are standing up against mistreatment and abuse, Clark is able to subtlety address the barriers faced by women while telling an enthralling story of escape. In addition, the author smoothly moves from each woman\u2019s experiences and lives to create a cohesive presentation of the characters. From the prologue, I became engrossed in the lives of Claire and Eva. Fearing for them, cheering for them, and hoping they finally get the lives they deserve. I felt both emotion and fear of each character. It was easy to pick up The Last Flight and get lost in the story. It ready easy enough to not consume me. This book is well worth the read for any reader who likes suspense and not being bogged down with irrelevant and overly descriptive details.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "19-May-2020 18:48:37", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008953095", "title": "Bunnies on the Bus", "author": "Philip Ardagh, Ben Mantle", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 187, "review": "It is a summer's day in Sunny Town, but the elephant bus driver is too busy giving directions to notice a group of bunnies boarding his bus. With Little Bunny behind the wheel, they take off and leave the elephant behind. The bunnies are on the bus! They are racing through Sunny Town causing such a fuss. They whizz by a turtle with no sign of stopping. They swerve around corners and fly through the air as they pass pandas at the crossing and lambs swinging by the library. The bunnies on the bus are happily reading or piling in the aisles. They\u2019re even on top of the bus. Will the bunnies get caught before they embark on another bunny journey? Naughty bunnies beware!

Bunnies on the Bus, written by Philip Ardagh and illustrated by Ben Mantle, is a crazy romp through Sunny Town with some mischievous bunnies. Ardagh\u2019s fun rhymes and lyrical refrain stick with you long after you close the book. Mantle\u2019s illustrations are hilarious, and details like the bumper sticker on the back of the bus are a fun discovery: \u201cAm I driving well?\u201d", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 21:32:01", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008953091", "title": "Art Young's Inferno", "author": "Art Young", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 186, "review": "Fans of Dante's time when he visited Hell will enjoy Art Young's Inferno. Slightly different from Dante, but on the same topic, Young created a book with text and cartoon pictures to lead the reader with him on a once-in-a-lifetime experience through Hell. Young was an established cartoonist in the early 1900s, mainly political and socialist; his Inferno showcases his thoughts on the inhabitants of Hell, its atmosphere, and the inner workings of this mysterious place. Inferno was written in a time when people were starting to become skeptical that Hell was a real place. Art Young's work is a unique experience that will stick with you.

I like that Inferno isn't just a sequential art book, but that it also contains a story to accompany the cartoons. In my opinion, there are only a few mildly disturbing cartoons, but the majority of the pictures do include naked people, though not anatomically correct. I am impressed at the detail that Young put into imagining Hell's atmosphere; exercise, marital issues, banking, disease, politics, schooling, and amusement parks are a few of the many topics in this book.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 21:27:57", "publisher": "Fantagraphics Books", "page_count": "188 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008953087", "title": "A Book for Escargot", "author": "Dashka Slater, Sydney Hanson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 190, "review": "There's a snail named Escargot, and he thinks he's very beautiful. He wants to find a French cookbook because he doesn't want to eat salad, and he also wants you to kiss him because he wants to try something new.

Escargot is sad because books never have any daring snails in them, so he's going to make his own book about a very beautiful snail. He goes on a journey to find a French cookbook, and he has to jump down and he thinks he can fly. I think Escargot is really cute with his little flight mask. He eventually finds the cookbook and figures out that people eat him, so he eats the cookbook instead.

I think Escargot is really cute with his giant eyes and his French beret. It is hard to make a snail look cute, but the illustrator did a good job of making this one look so cute. It's also cool how Escargot can draw and write in the story, and I like his glittery slime trail. He is so silly and funny! I recommend this book to kids who like cute stories and characters.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 21:25:30", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus & Giroux", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008953083", "title": "Someone Like You: A Novel (The Baxter Family)", "author": "Karen Kingsbury", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 206, "review": "Although I was very excited to read this book because of its simple yet sweet plot, I found that Someone Like You really just fell through the cracks for me. Maddie West is approached by a stranger named Dawson Gage only to find out that her embryo had been adopted by the people she calls Mom and Dad. Somewhere out there are her biological parents and her biological sister, London, who is Dawson\u2019s best friend. Within the first few chapters of the book, London is tragically killed. Somehow, Dawson does the research after London says on her death bed that she thinks she has a sister and Brooke, London\u2019s mom, is overheard saying that she never should have given up the embryos.

Also, nowhere does it mention that this book should be shelved under Christian fiction, but it really should be as there is a lot, and I mean a lot, of reference to God and Jesus because both families are very religious. I didn\u2019t mind this, however it would have been nice to know that this was an underlying theme throughout the book. Overall, the story was nice but it really was summed up in the summary on the book jacket. Don\u2019t expect any surprises.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 21:20:12", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008953075", "title": "Smug Seagull", "author": "Maddie Frost", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 181, "review": "Smug likes to swipe snacks from people on the beach all day long. He\u2019s one of the best swipers around and he lets everyone know it. But when a crab swipes something from Smug will he lose his swiping abilities forever or find new ways to get food from people?

The writing style is wonderful in this book. I like all the onomatopoeia words when Smug swipes something. The humor is so well done that he had my children laughing and wanting to read it over and over again. I do like that Smug found a new way to get food.

The illustrations are perfect for a book set at the beach. I liked how some illustrations were lots of small panels and others were a large spread. I could feel the ocean breeze and imaging myself sitting on the beach with seagulls coming after my snacks, which has happened to me in real life.

My six-year-old liked the book because it was funny and my three-year-old thought the seagull swiping things was great.

I would recommend this book for ages three to eight.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 21:13:10", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008953071", "title": "The Truth According to Blue", "author": "Eve Yohalem", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 240, "review": "The Truth According to Blue is about a 13-year-old diabetic girl named Blue Broen, her diabetic alert dog Otis, and a rich girl named Jules, a child of a movie star.

It's summer vacation and one of Blue\u2019s biggest wishes is to find buried treasure, an adventure she started with her grandfather long ago. But after he died last year Blue decided to find it in his honor. Blue wants to find the treasure by herself, but her mother asks her to hang out with Jules, a bratty-know-it-all rich kid. Blue's parents don\u2019t know about the treasure hunt and sure wouldn\u2019t let her search for it if they knew. Blue finds that she will have to take Jules along in her adventure, but they learn to work together, especially when professional treasure hunters come to compete. Blue gets to know Jules better and learns that she has had some hardships herself; her parents divorced, her dad is remarrying, and she hates the woman that he's marrying. Eventually, Blue and Jules end up being great friends who help each other get through hard times.

Join Blue, Otis, and Jules on their adventure to find a sunken treasure, and you\u2019ll find yourself sinking into their story! I liked this book because it was adventurous, it was funny, and most of all it was engaging. I recommend this book to ages 9 and up, or any kid who loves adventure and sunken treasure.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 21:02:12", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008953067", "title": "Once Upon a Space-Time!", "author": "Jeffrey Brown", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 172, "review": "Petra and Jide, two human kids living in the future, are headed into space with Tobey, an alien whose world is full of Tobey clones, and Commander G, an advanced astronaut who is known to do cool things. Petra and Jide\u2019s friends, Narleen, Spencer, and Jens, work in mission control. As Petra and Jide explore through space, they meet other alien kids, float in zero gravity, and try to stop some annoying adult astronauts from trying to replace the child astronauts. Will Petra, Jide, and their friends succeed in stopping the selfish adults from boarding the spaceship?

This book is a good read and a funny read! Tobey is silly, and I like how silly it is to have a spaceship called the POTATO, even though its an acronym. I like how this book has humor and is educational about science. My favorite character is Petra, even though she hates vegetables. But otherwise, I like all the good characters. I recommend this book to anyone who likes space, science fiction, and humor.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 20:58:39", "publisher": "Random House Children's", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008953063", "title": "The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in Pictures", "author": "Noelle Stevenson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 201, "review": "It can be tough at times to live in today's world. For Noelle Stevenson, there is no exception. For fans who are aware of her literary work, such as her book Nimona, as well as her fan art, they may not be aware of her internal struggles. The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in Pictures is Noelle's way of explaining and helping others like her. Her memoir is different from others because she stays true to her talent by making the majority of the book a comic. Because of this, her story can be a quick read for some, but for others, they can internalize her struggle to help themselves.

Some life lessons happen, and the reader is allowed into a deeper part of Stevenson's life than what they see through her drawings. Noelle's life has looked perfect on the outside, with a great career and accomplishments to show\u2014but inside, her pain was fierce. I appreciate the spotlight on mental health, as it's a hot topic right now and one that needs to be more familiar to the public. Overall, this is a fun and quick book (because of the pictures), but still holds seriousness and life lessons for us all.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 20:40:20", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008953059", "title": "Seven Endless Forests", "author": "April Genevieve Tucholke", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 182, "review": "In one night, Torvi loses almost everything to a plague. It\u2019s only the beginning. When Torvi\u2019s sister is kidnapped, there\u2019s only one thing for her to do--set out on a quest with a group of bards to rescue her sister, find vengeance, and pull a sword from a silver tree. Their quest takes them to night markets and villages built with trees. With danger lurking around every corner, can Trovi do what she has to do before it\u2019s too late?

The vast world is wonderful and full of intriguing places that I\u2019d love to visit. Other than that, Seven Endless Forests was rather hard to get into. The plot itself was good but boring. If anything can go wrong, it goes right. The bards spend most of the time traveling and drinking. The characters are flat and all best friends within a page. None had very distinct voices. Information is repeated often, making sure you don\u2019t forget what happened two pages ago. The world really is quite good, though, it has many different cultures, everywhere Torvi goes to is unique and fascinating.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 20:35:18", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus & Giroux", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008953055", "title": "All Boys Aren't Blue", "author": "George M. Johnson", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 282, "review": "George M. Johnson\u2019s Young Adult memoir All Boys Aren\u2019t Blue is an honest and authentic depiction of a young man growing up the intersection of his race and sexuality. As a gay, black man, Johnson illustrates how those two identities shaped him in this fresh book.

As he writes, Johnson grew up in an accepting family, unlike many of his peers. While he did not come out until later in life, the signs of his homosexuality were present early. He references coining the term \u201choneychild\u201d in grade school and using mannerisms, like \u201cswitching\u201d when he walked and a \u201csassiness\u201d in his physical presence that he recognizes as performances derived from his friendships with girls. Though later in life he displayed an appetite and talent for sports\u2014a traditionally masculine endeavor\u2014in his younger years, he describes himself in more feminine terms. It is these descriptions that make the case for the title, \u201call boys aren\u2019t blue;\u201d Johnson clearly and directly recounts a life that cannot be defined by one binary idea\u2014in this case, the traditional connection of the color blue to boys. For Johnson, his own life is a study in how a boy can be anything, defined by anything, and determined by the specific boy in question and his experiences.

The book includes stories of several important people and moments in Johnson\u2019s life. His sexual abuse at a young age, as well as the loss of his virginity, is rendered honestly, though readers under the age of fourteen may be too young for this content. In any event, All Boys Aren\u2019t Blue is an emotional and true portrayal of one young man\u2019s life; the writer\u2019s bravery to tell this story cannot be lauded enough.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 20:32:22", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus & Giroux", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008953051", "title": "Lucy Crisp and the Vanishing House", "author": "Janet Hill", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lena - Age 11", "word_count": 245, "review": "This book is probably intended for kids in high school or maybe older. I\u2019m twelve, but I really enjoyed it. With this coronavirus, I\u2019m not even sure what I\u2019ll be doing next year, so I liked reading a story about somebody who doesn\u2019t have her life all planned. In school, we have to make a six-year-plan (as if we were factories in the Soviet bloc), but I don\u2019t know what I\u2019ll be doing in six years! Instead of going to college, Lucy Crisp has taken two gap years, working odd jobs and living with her dad in New York City. After she is hired by a florist, she is encouraged to apply to Ladywyck Lodge. She is accepted into the floral artistry program, and her dad is so happy he drives with her upstate to look at the town. Since Lucy will need a place to live, they visit a realtor, who sells them a beautiful, spacious, and surprisingly affordable house. That house turns out to be the vanishing house in the title, but the story is so good, and so fun to read, that I won\u2019t ruin your fun by telling you any more. If you like magic, but maybe found Harry Potter to be too precious, try this book. It\u2019s really charming! Every illustration by the author is a beautiful painting that gives you a feeling instead of a cartoon. Lucy is the kind of character you wish you knew in real life!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 20:27:11", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008953035", "title": "All Together Now", "author": "Hope Larson", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 183, "review": "Bina and her friend Darcy start a band, but they need a drummer. When Darcy recruits classmate Enzo, Bina still isn\u2019t too sure their band needs a drummer. They were doing just fine on their own, weren\u2019t they? But when Enzo officially joins the band, things start going downhill for Bina. First, Enzo changes the band name from Fast Fashion to The Candids. What was wrong with the original name?! Second, Darcy and Enzo start dating, leaving Bina in the dust. Darcy says she has room in her heart for an evil twin and a boyfriend, but Bina isn\u2019t so sure.

Life has even more surprises for Bina. For some reason, her best friend Austin has started acting weird, and on top of all that, she seems to be drifting away from Darcy. As Bina\u2019s life starts to spin out of control, she must figure out how to keep it together, when everything is falling apart. I really liked this book because it was dramatic without being over the top, and perfectly real. I readily await the next book about Bina and her friends!", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 19:45:35", "publisher": "Macmillan Children's", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008953031", "title": "The Mysterious Messenger", "author": "Gilbert Ford", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Patricia - Age 13", "word_count": 173, "review": "The Mysterious Messenger by Gilbert Ford is a highly entertaining story. Maria Russo lives with her supposedly psychic mother. They make a living by scamming widows out of their jewelry, money, etc, by saying it's what their deceased significant other would have wanted. However, Maria has a secret. She can actually communicate with the dearly departed, at least with a ghost named Edward. Then one day, a widow comes to communicate with her dead husband. Edward sends Maria clues about a treasure that is hidden in the widow's home, and soon Maria finds herself in a mystery that has everything to do with Beat poets, jazz, and art.

I really enjoyed the writing style of this story and how it progressed. It wasn't boring, and it didn't fit into a mold like some other stories. The protagonists were likable, and the antagonists were realistically evil while at the same time exciting. I liked that the mystery was heavily influenced by the Beat poets, art, and music, as it was both informative and entertaining.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 19:42:43", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Company", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008953027", "title": "The Daughters of Ys", "author": "M.T. Anderson and Jo Rioux", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 204, "review": "Queen Malgven of Ys has just died. In his grief, King Gradlon recounts a grisly tale to his two daughters, Dahut and Rozenn, that ends with murder and marriage. It is the story of how he first met Lady Malgven and made her his wife and how she used sorcery to push back the sea and build the city of Ys. Dahut and Rozenn have inherited their mother\u2019s legacy of taming the monsters under the sea. Rozenn is the oldest, a dark-haired beauty, who rebels against it. She spends most of her time in the moors, preferring to \u201clie out in a field, watching the stars turn in the sky.\u201d Dahut is beautiful, too, with red hair. Her anger at her father\u2019s lust takes her down a darker path, using powerful spells to maintain the wealth and privilege of Ys. But that kind of power comes with a price.

M.T. Anderson\u2019s graphic novel, The Daughters of Ys, is a modern retelling of an ancient Breton folktale. It is the story of love, loss, and intrigue. Both sisters are powerful characters and follow their clashing destinies to its tragic end. Jo Rioux\u2019s art is Celtic in design, with images as ghostly and haunting as the tale.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 19:37:38", "publisher": "Macmillan Children's", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008953023", "title": "A Ritchie Boy", "author": "Linda Kass", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madelynn - Age 15", "word_count": 211, "review": "Eli Stoff, a Jew, escapes from Vienna and finds sanctuary in the United States of America. To help his new country, he later joins the United States military to fight the Naizs who forced him to leave his home. He becomes part of an undercover intelligence unit known as the Ritchie Boys. This book explains how Eli got involved in the military and his time during it. This story has personal triumph and the power of family and friends. The author made the book very interesting by making every chapter a different point of view from each character. This definitely helped the book move along and changed things up. It also was very detailed and described very well, so it was very easy to imagine the story and characters. It also was intriguing because it helped me learn more about World War II and how the United States was involved. Eli is a very relatable character, he has to deal with moving to a whole new country and not knowing anyone. Which people can relate to having to move around so much and making new friends. This book does consist of 224 pages, so it did not take long to read. All in all, I do recommend reading A Ritchie Boy.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 19:34:29", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008953019", "title": "Even More Fantastic Failures: True Stories of People Who Changed the World by Falling Down First", "author": "Luke Reynolds", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 176, "review": "Even More Fantastic Failures showcases an important lesson: Try, Try Again. It portrays famous figures that failed majorly and then got up and kept trying, after some failures they wind up succeeding. For instance, Teflon stated as a scientific mistake, that created a material that is 4 TIMES stronger than STEEL. With Yelp, a small, last-minute ADD ON became the focus of a profitable company that Google offered to buy. In Even More Fantastic Failures, Luke Reynolds expertly shows that the road to succeeding requires failures.

Even More Fantastic Failures is a reference book. It has lots of different types of people each that fell down and recovered. I would recommend this book to second through sixth graders. I believe that schools should buy it and it is a really good first source for when you are researching. This book is fantastic. It briefly summarizes many stories of failure; from stories of actors to politicians and precedents to engineers. This book shows that failure is no big problem; just get up and Try, Try Again.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 19:29:35", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Children's", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008953015", "title": "The Mountains of Mumbai", "author": "Labanya Ghosh", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 229, "review": "When Doma goes to visit her dear friend in Mumbai, India\u2019s largest metropolitan city, she yearns for the mountains of Ladakh. She\u2019s bewildered when Veda offers to show her the mountains of Mumbai. Though they might be different in color and shape than the ones Doma is used to seeing, she assures her that they\u2019re tall indeed. As the girls navigate their way through the booming city, they approach a skyscraper of magnificent height. Together, they scale the spiral staircase inside all the way to the very top and walk out onto the rooftop. Doma is mesmerized by the visual and how the breeze blows cool air against her soft skin, just as it does from the mountains of Ladakh.

The Mountains of Mumbai is a unique picture book full of beautiful colors and a poignant message --- that beauty can be found anywhere if only one dares to search for it and allow for alternate and imaginative perspectives. It captures friendship at its best and shows young children a glimpse of daily life in this fascinating city. Though many featured in the story have little resemblance to those with Indian heritage, the overall quality of the watercolor illustrations is amazing. Additional facts about Mumbai are included at the end of the story, making it a perfect pick for early elementary school teachers in the United States and elsewhere.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 19:27:53", "publisher": "Karadi Tales", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008953011", "title": "Sion's Misfortune", "author": "Chen Jiafei, with illustrations by Wang Ran", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 198, "review": "This book takes place in an ancient kingdom along the Great Wall of China. In that kingdom lives a man named Sion, and he is a very widely-known fortune teller. He is widely known because he is never wrong about his predictions. One day when his horse crosses the kingdom's border and gets lost, he says that losing his horse may not have been such a bad thing. His friends think that he is crazy because they think losing the horse was a very bad thing, but when the horse comes back with other horses, the people see that Sion was right. While at the moment something may not seem like a good thing, sometimes if you wait you can understand why something bad happened, maybe for something better to happen. This book teaches us that sometimes our outlook and perspective on the world around us can be completely different. Sometimes things happen for a reason, just like in this book. Sion has faith that even though bad things happen, that everything will work out for the best. I really love the muted colors in the illustrations of this book. I especially like the pictures of the horses.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 19:25:32", "publisher": "Karadi Tales", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008953007", "title": "Sadiq Wants to Stitch", "author": "Mamta Nainy", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 221, "review": "A young Indian boy watches as his mother stitches a gorgeous multicolored rug. He\u2019s just returned from milking and grazing the sheep, a job he inherited soon after his Abba\u2019s passing. To his delight, sometimes Ammi lets him thread the needle and sew a few stitches into the corner of her rug. However, when he offers to help her with an order she has little time to produce, she tells him, \u201cin our community, it is the women who stitch.\u201d Inspired by a dream, Sadiq begins his own masterpiece, despite his mother\u2019s resistance. Each night, after Ammi falls asleep, he works feverishly on it. Once Ammi discovers his remarkable talent, she relents and allows him to pursue his dream.

Sadiq Wants to Stitch is a tale rich with cultural content, from the gorgeous, exquisitely detailed, watercolor illustrations through to the warm noon-cha Sadiq sips before heading off into the vast hills of Kashmir with his sheep. The text is laced with truths about the Bakarwals, the nomadic community to which Sadiq and his mother belong. Its message of love, passion, responsibility, and cultural norms is clear, and while the reading level is approximately third to fourth grade, children aged seven to eleven will likely feel fondness for it. Further, it\u2019s ideal for classrooms across the globe in which culture is illuminated.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 19:23:07", "publisher": "Karadi Tales", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008953003", "title": "Highway 101: The History of El Camino Real", "author": "Stephen H. Provost", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 220, "review": "Full disclosure: I grew up a mile north of the 101, just west of Santa Barbara, and have traveled it over many years. Those years included a couple when I drove long-distance buses ranging from Los Angeles to San Francisco and Oakland. Also, the Marine Corps years when I hitchhiked or even walked long stretches between San Diego and Santa Barbara. I thought I knew the highway. I have now been comprehensively disabused in that regard.

This is a work of serious historical and geographical research. Sites I only remember passing in childhood, such as the streetcar diner north of Buellton, others I spent entranced days roaming, such as Jungleland in Thousand Oaks, have taken on depth and luster I would never have suspected. Development, investment, and the personalities and financial quirks of the founders are all meticulously explored. Communities and businesses, roads and realignments, are all laid out superbly well. The sheer detail, revealing painstaking and even loving research, is awe-inspiring. Everything from the old red line trolleys to the plethora of service stations is covered, with their evolution clearly laid out.

The illustrations are crisp black and white photos, with the exception of a more modern \u201cCalifornia in Color\u201d segment. The book is professionally and entertainingly written, and it took me two days of concentrated reading; a bargain!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "24-Sep-2020", "date_added": "16-May-2020 19:19:52", "publisher": "Linden Publishing", "page_count": "248 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008951003", "title": "Foreign Affairs: Male Tales of Lust & Love", "author": "Daniel M. Jaffe", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 359, "review": "Details of exotic locales, antisemitism, gay rights and sensibilities, and poignant, sometimes explicit, intimate encounters are meshed together in Foreign Affairs: Male Tales of Lust & Love, a collection of eleven short stories by Daniel M. Jaffe.

\u201cThe Importance of Being Jurassic\u201d is set in Dublin and examines the public vote on gay marriage as well as the influence the Catholic Church had on suppressing the rights of this community.

A trip to discover one\u2019s roots expands into a history of part of the Holocaust, as experienced by Jews in Terezin. This underpins \u201cThe Cobblestone Elegy,\u201d a story set in Prague.

In \u201cGift Wrapped,\u201d an exploration of prejudice, the author peels back layers to conclude that what you believe has a lot to do with where you came from and who your influences were.

The desperation of a sophisticated woman to escape the economic, political, and spiritual repression of authoritarian Russia is the heartbreaking theme of \u201cInnocence Abroad.\u201d

Other stories in the collection present a history of antisemitism in Spain, a compassionate look at transgender people and the process of sexual reassignment, the economic realities behind prostitution, and even a glimpse into the mind of a pedophile. They are all challenging as well as entertaining.

As a travel writer, Jaffe introduces his destinations as one would a friend, with intimacies known only to a close acquaintance. He suffuses the location with personality by including local history, architecture, and frequently, regional delicacies.

His characters are imbued with wit, warmth, and whimsy, and despite some of their sexual proclivities, they are all human and relatable. Empathy is created through the author\u2019s use of self-deprecating humor and insightful reflection.

A fine writer, Jaffe has a command of language and the difficult medium of the short story. His use of magic realism in some of the work allows for a broader exploration of characters, settings, and themes. Though some might consider the stories bold in subject matter, Foreign Affairs: Male Tales of Lust & Love is an insightful collection of finely crafted stories. One has to wonder why the author chose a cover image and title that depict the book as gay porn.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "14-May-2020 16:40:05", "publisher": "Rattling Good Yarns Press", "page_count": "157 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008949075", "title": "Meet Me at Midnight", "author": "Jessica Pennington", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 207, "review": "Sidney and Asher have known each other for years. Their mothers are best friends from college who still go away with their families to neighboring beach houses each summer. The two months on the lake should be spent lazily relaxing, but Sidney and Asher do not like each other at all. They are civil enough around their parents, but their pranks keep getting bigger and bigger. When the latest prank causes damage to one of the bedrooms, Nadine, the house owner, kicks them out. Sidney and Asher end up sharing the same house and bathroom. When a truce is called to avenge their misfortune against Nadine, something sweet begins to grow between them as they spend time together. But is it enough to get past years of dislike and spite?

Asher is a self-assured kid while Sidney lacks confidence in herself; these characterizations sometimes make the story repetitive. Detailed and dense, this story builds not on action, but rather the development of the main characters. Unfortunately the secondary characters are not as well developed. While not as good as Jessica Pennington's other novel, Love Songs and Other Lies, this is a good read for those who are waiting for the next Sarah Dessen or Kasie West book.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "13-May-2020 20:55:25", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "329 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008949055", "title": "The Remarkable Life of the Skin: An Intimate Journey Across our Largest Organ", "author": "Monty Lyman", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 247, "review": "Weighing in at twenty pounds, more or less, our skin is the largest organ in our bodies. It is responsible for our appearance, but its importance has often been overlooked. In this remarkable book reminding us of the significance of this integumentary body, English dermatologist Monty Lyman takes the reader on a revelatory inspection of this structure.

While the skin envelops the body, it is also host to multitudes of microbes and insects that live symbiotically on the substrate, and some can become overly annoying, such as mites causing the horrid itch of scabies. Think of the senses provided by your skin, the sexy feel of touch, the pressure of pain, the warning of heat, and more.

Your identity is found in your fingerprints, although a very few individuals lack this defining imprint. The difference between a blush and a flush is clearly described, while wrinkles take some discussion, with the advice being that they reflect part of our character. Pigments in skin are natural, but the lack of them can be dangerous in parts of Africa, while too much melanin may be associated with negative feelings.

The skin works with the immune system and also reflects our mental states. For instance, psoriasis has been shown to be effectively treated by recent medical advances, but it can also be cured by hypnosis and meditation.

The reader is exposed to the wondrous world of the skin through the delightful stories, descriptions, and explanatory diagrams presented in this book.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-May-2020 20:33:34", "publisher": "Grove Atlantic", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008949051", "title": "Alphamaniacs: Builders of 26 Wonders of the World", "author": "Paul Fleischman and Melissa Sweet", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 207, "review": "I would liken Alphamaniacs: Builders of 26 Wonders of the Word to Guinness World Records as well as to Ripley's Believe it or Not. Fleischman includes twenty-six \"word enthusiasts\" who have had an impact on our language for decades. Examples include a man who has rewritten famous works of art (Shakespeare, the Bible) using only vanity license plates registered in the state of California. Another is the man who invented Star Trek's Klingon language. While most of the individuals are men, there are a few women included as well. One is a woman who restored an extinct language from only a vision and perseverance. One could say that the individuals had a drive for competition, knowledge, and creativity, and an overall drive to improve the human race.

Alphamaniacs was an informative read, as I had never heard of the people included in this book. Honestly, I first thought I was getting a book about twenty-six wonders of the \"world\" because of not reading clearly, but I'm thankful for that mistake and find it amusing that my reading error fell in line with the point of the book. Those who enjoy history are sure to like this book, but really, everyone should know the facts given in it.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-May-2020 20:29:00", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008949047", "title": "The Age of Witches: A Novel", "author": "Louisa Morgan", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 199, "review": "Annis Allington doesn\u2019t live up to her stepmother\u2019s expectations. She loves horses and is a blunt, independent spirit. Frances Allington wants her stepdaughter to be demure, socially situated, and married to a man with a title so that Frances can have the access to the New York high society she has always coveted. Frances is willing to do anything, including using dark magic, to make her dream come true, even if it means hurting Annis in the process. Louisa Morgan\u2019s latest novel, The Age of Witches, is as much a family drama as it is a fantastical tale of witchcraft. Tracing her history back to the legendary Bridget Bishop\u2014one of the first witches hanged during the Salem Witch Trials\u2014Frances comes from a long line of powerful women. So does her cousin, Harriet, who vows to protect Annis at all costs from Frances\u2019s evil intentions. The Age of Witches is also a masterful love story that spans generations. Morgan illustrates the importance of loving someone for who they truly are as well as the dangers of manipulating love for your own personal gain. The novel is fun, intriguing, and a perfect fit for fans of Deborah Harkness or Alice Hoffman.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-May-2020 20:23:47", "publisher": "Orbit Books", "page_count": "437 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008949043", "title": "The Book of Koli (Rampart Trilogy, 1)", "author": "M.R. Carey", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 190, "review": "Graphic novel writer turned novelist M.R. Carey, following the success of his previous novels The Girl with All the Gifts and The Boy on the Bridge, returns with The Book of Koli, the first book in a proposed trilogy.

The story begins in a post-apocalyptic world where everything has changed and appears to be not too bad, but as more details are revealed, it is clear there is something much greater going on here. Koli has lived in Mythen Rood all his life and spends the first few chapters explaining how things are and how they came to be as such. He also talks about what is beyond Mythen Rood: great forests filled with choker trees and deadly seeds, and those known as shunned men. It is a place you do not want to go, but it is also a place Koli must go.

Carey has a knack for creating a unique world that immediately grabs the reader\u2019s interest, and he also tells the story in language that feels as if it were penned by someone from a distant, broken future. Fans will be thrilled with The Book of Koli.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "13-May-2020 20:21:10", "publisher": "Orbit Books", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008949039", "title": "Matylda, Bright and Tender", "author": "Holly M. McGhee", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 184, "review": "Fourth graders Sussy and Guy are best friends. They do everything together and tell each other everything. One day, they decide they need a pet. But what to get? There are so many options. A guinea pig? A bird? When Guy suggests a leopard gecko, Sussy reluctantly agrees. They decide to name her Matylda and give her a cool origin story. In the story, Matylda was a warrior lizard held in captivity by an evil king who made the lizards fight to the death for his entertainment. When Matylda won her fiftieth duel, she was allowed to go free and have a wish granted!

A few weeks later, tragedy strikes. Sussy must find a way to go on with Matylda while coping with the hole in her heart that Guy left behind. For Sussy, life will never be the same. Sussy starts stealing treats and toys for Matylda in order to make the gecko happy. Maybe if she keeps Matylda happy and makes Matylda love her, she can hold on to Guy.

This book was a sweet and beautiful story about going forward despite tragic losses.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-May-2020 20:17:46", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "210 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008949035", "title": "Jasmine Green Rescues: A Piglet Called Truffle", "author": "Helen Peters", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 169, "review": "Jasmine Green Rescues: A Piglet Called Truffle is the story of a little girl named Jasmine Green who lives on a farm with her mother and father. Her mother is a veterinarian and her father is a farmer; this means that Jasmine has to help take care of animals a lot. Jasmine and her mother travel to another farm so that her mother can help with the birth of a calf. While there, Jasmine discovers a tiny piglet that is barely alive. She secretly takes it back home to her farm and nurses it back to health. She keeps the tiny piglet hidden in her room as she cares for it. What will happen to Jasmine and the tiny piglet if her parents find out?

As a lover of all animals, this story made me smile. I enjoyed reading about Jasmine Green and her love for animals. Maybe I can convince my mom to let me get a pet pig while you grab a copy of this sweet tale!", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "13-May-2020 20:14:59", "publisher": "Walker Books US", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008949027", "title": "Dumpster Dogs", "author": "Ann Colbertson Schiebert", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 189, "review": "Dumpster Dogs is about a pack of neglected, mistreated dogs who have vowed to never, ever get close to a human again. Riley, the leader of the pack who calls themselves the \"Dumpster Dogs\" teaches them everything he knows about surviving on his own. Then he breaks the pack's most sacred rule and becomes friends with Emily, a human, and her dog Sophie. Despite this, his pack still allowed Riley to be their leader and agree that he should learn more about this human. When Riley's pack needs him, he has to make a choice. Does he leave Emily and Sophie? Should he reveal his pack to them in the hopes that they may be able to help?

Dumpster Dogs is the story of how neglect and mistreatment do not have to shape your life in a negative way. There is always hope for redemption and you can determine your own future if you are just willing to try. This story is a wonderful read for anyone who has ever felt like they were down and out but refused to give up and chose to find a brighter future!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-May-2020 20:06:20", "publisher": "Andrew Benzie Books", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008949015", "title": "Gallimaufry: A Collection of Essays, Reviews, Bits", "author": "Joseph Epstein", "category": "N25 Books About Books", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace Utomo", "word_count": 225, "review": "Gallimaufry. For readers like me who haven\u2019t encountered the term, it means \u201ca confused jumble or medley of things.\u201d The noun does capture the style of Joseph Epstein\u2019s anthology, but it misses its social significance. Gallimaufry: A Collection of Essays, Reviews, and Bits showcases the essayist\u2019s finest pieces, many of which analyze our nation\u2019s current crises. These essays are subversive, witty, occasionally offensive \u2013 and more relevant now than when Epstein penned the final few. His \u201cBits\u201d are entirely the opposite. In them we discover an elderly Jewish gentleman enamored with cats, Chinese food, and Chicago, a man who isn\u2019t afraid to analyze racial prejudice but who still takes himself with a grain of (kosher) salt.

If Epstein\u2019s decades as literature professor and critic have taught him anything, it\u2019s that discussions blending \u201ccritical\u201d and \u201ccontroversial\u201d should begin by establishing common ground. He explains that his nonpartisan stance stems from his childhood as a member of a stigmatized minority in 1950\u2019s Chicago. Unlike news reports, magazine articles, and political campaigns, his analysis isn\u2019t masking either a liberal or conservative agenda.

Epstein\u2019s \u201cBits\u201d would have softened the book if he\u2019d interspersed them with his essays, and the sanest way to tackle the anthology may be to mix and match the pieces ourselves. Gallimaufry was not penned by a faint-hearted author. But we aren\u2019t reading in faint-hearted times.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "13-May-2020 19:34:38", "publisher": "Axios Press", "page_count": "472 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008949011", "title": "Frankie and the Gift of Fantasy", "author": "Ruthy Ballard", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 155, "review": "Frankie and the Gift of Fantasy by Ruthy Ballard is a fun story about a kid who goes on amazing adventures.

Frankie is a kid with a big imagination. The plot was original and it made sense. The story is about survival in the wild, and I like survival books. I did not feel like I got to know the characters very well, but I did enjoy reading this book. The language flowed pretty well and the story was very well written. The book has some pictures in it that went well with the story, although it could probably use more pictures.

I think kids ten years old and older who enjoy a good sci-fi story would enjoy this book. It might even make a good series because you can have more imagination adventures. I think this is a great book to read because there is so much imagination in it and I love it!", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "13-May-2020 19:28:48", "publisher": "Whipsmart Books", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008947003", "title": "Optics: A Novel About Women and Work and Midlife Muddles", "author": "Gail Reitenbach", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 392, "review": "Kris is tired of working for Roger. He\u2019s just the worst. He can\u2019t seem to see her contributions to the eyewear business he recently bought, or envision the suggestions many of the smartest employees offer for updating their web offerings. Roger is seemingly dead set on sinking the company, clearly lacking the vision needed to run an eyewear company. He\u2019s also mean-spirited, as evidenced by his snide remarks to Diana, one of Kris\u2019s closest friends, about her weight, size, and meals.

However, Kris loves her job at Klassik Eyewear, so she wants to stick to her retirement plan and keep the company rolling. While representing Klassik at an eyewear convention, she receives a call from Sandy in HR about the reorganization of the company...a reorganization that means she no longer has a job. Faced with unemployment in her mid-fifties, Kris is desperate to find another job. When an unexpected windfall comes her way, the timing couldn\u2019t be more perfect, as Roger is looking for a buyer. With the help of her husband, daughter, and friends, she just might pull off the coup of a lifetime.

This debut novel features a strong-willed woman who pushes through hardships created by others\u2019 views of both age and gender. There is a tendency for society to overlook women who have passed middle age, but this tale illustrates how they should not be taken lightly. Setting this contemporary story in the eyewear industry is a stroke of genius, as the characters must all take a closer look at their strengths and goals to determine what they want from life.

Readers can envision Kris and her group of similarly aged girlfriends as their favorite actresses, such as Diane Keaton or Meryl Streep, enjoying a bottle of wine as they catch up on each other's families and jobs while doing their best to keep their work lives intact. Their monthly get-togethers serve as a great platform for Kris to work through her woes with the support of those who understand her best. While the book is told mostly from Kris\u2019s perspective, Diana\u2019s point of view, though infrequent, adds more background to the story, especially as readers find out what Roger has been up to.

This book is a solid effort and a perfect beach read. I hope it will not be the last title I read from this author.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "11-May-2020 20:17:57", "publisher": "Moonsong Press", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008946051", "title": "All the Broken People", "author": "Leah Konen", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 245, "review": "Woodstock, New York seems to be where All the Broken People end up. It\u2019s where Lucy finds herself while trying to outrun her past. While there, she meets Vera and John who have their own problems. They have a plan to make John disappear: fake his death. They ask Lucy for her help, but everything goes wrong when John turns up actually dead. All the evidence points to Lucy and in this small town where she\u2019s a stranger, she doesn\u2019t know whom to trust. Was someone after John or has Lucy\u2019s past come back to haunt her? Everyone has secrets and no one is really whom you think they are.

It wasn\u2019t the worst book I\u2019ve ever read, but I didn\u2019t super enjoy it either. I had a hard time liking Lucy and I thought her relationship with John and Vera was fairly odd. Don\u2019t even get me started on Rachel or Davis. I think the moral of the story was don\u2019t ever agree to help someone fake their death on the off chance that they actually die and you look pretty suspicious. I\u2019m sure there is a very specific group of people who will enjoy this book, but I don\u2019t include myself in it. You would have to like murder mysteries with lots of broken people, multiple suspects, but no suspense. If you don\u2019t have anything else to read right now, then have at it, but you might want to wait for something better.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "11-May-2020 19:04:33", "publisher": "G.P. Putnam's Sons", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008942003", "title": "The Orphan's Daughter", "author": "Jan Cherubin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 612, "review": "The Orphan's Daughter is a story set in the Depression-era and is about a young and impressionable seven-year-old boy named Clyde whose father gives no notice of his upcoming departure nor exhibits warning signs. He just leaves, never to return to his wife and young children. Clyde\u2019s mother is left with only one option\u2014to take him and his little brother, Harry, to the nearby orphanage to live until she can save up enough money to care for the two them on her own. She promises the boys their stay will be brief. The years trickle by one after another, and though she sometimes attends Visiting Sundays, she fails to take them home. The two endure countless episodes of beatings with the Colonel\u2019s cane and swats across their heads and backsides. Demerits are tallied for all manner of things the higher-ups deem unacceptable for young Hebrew boys. The harshness of the environment festers brooding fights and essential friendships. Though the pair desperately long for home, Clyde and Harry both fall prey to institutionalization by the time they finally find freedom from the Hebrew National Orphanage Home, ten long years after their mother left them.

In her youth, Joanna never feels fully accepted by her father, Clyde. He\u2019s never hidden the fact he always wanted a boy, though he adores her older sister Susan. As a budding teenager, Joanna, Susan, Clyde, and one of Susan\u2019s friends go on a camping trip that results in an even deeper divide between Joanna and her father. She says that after it \u201cthe castle gate slammed shut and that was it for him.\u201d By crossing the unsavory boundaries he did, her trust in and respect for her father is shattered. Time passes, and they both go their own disparaging ways until her father suddenly becomes deathly ill. Joanna is living in California at the time, miles away from his home in Baltimore. Despite her stepmother\u2019s volatile disposition, let alone her father\u2019s ungrateful nature, she discards her own responsibilities in order to be there for him until his dying day. Once that day comes to pass, Joanna yearns to uncover her father\u2019s past. She knows much of it is detailed in an old book he started before he left the Hebrew orphanage as a 17-year-old. She finds it as well as some of his old letters and battles her stepmother over her rights to what she knows are key to unlocking the secrets of the past that will allow her the closure she needs to move toward a future of hope.

Debut Author, Jan Cherubin, intricately weaves the stories of Clyde and his daughter, Joanna, together in The Orphan\u2019s Daughter. She alternates between the two in her descriptions of their lives, which appear as two separate tales that gradually come together as one. Their existences are linked by blood and common experience, yet their paths are so divergent. However, when their journeys intersect later in adulthood, at a time when desperation calls, what unfolds is both noteworthy and heartwarming. The twists and turns that take shape make the novel more indelible, urging the reader to continue on through the last page. The events that present themselves spark an array of emotions. Frustration and angst accompany sadness and disillusionment. Joy and healing coexist with relief and resolution. Foresight and hope coupled with understanding and faith. All-in-all, The Orphan\u2019s Daughter is a worthy read, and those who have experienced difficult and unsettling relationships with their fathers, in particular, will likely be drawn to this text. Additionally, readers who have longed for acceptance from a parent of either gender or any other significant role model in their lives will likely find this story relatable.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "07-May-2020 22:27:54", "publisher": "The Sager Group LLC", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008941015", "title": "Life in the Chastity Zone", "author": "Holly Brandon", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 398, "review": "Chastity is a drama queen, but there\u2019s no wonder why. Her perfect fianc\u00e9 has called off their perfect wedding, her doctoral degree is in jeopardy of never being completed, and she\u2019s suffered a loss like none other. All she really wants is a job in earthquake engineering and design, a hot and romantic husband, and a home of her own, maybe eventually filled with children. When her parents tire of her laying around on the couch, watching daytime TV, and mourning her lost reality, they push her to finish her degree by seeing her doctoral advisor. Her best friend and cousin pushes her to date again with abandon. Her new neighbor\u2019s daughter Daphne has some suggestions for her as well, seemingly from a psychic perspective. Her grandmother, even, has suggestions for dating that she shares from her own TMI experiences. It won\u2019t be easy at all\u2014Chastity is thirty years old, still a virgin, and unable to find a man worthy of her and a long life together. When she finally realizes what defines her dream life, she has a laundry list of things to do to achieve it. She must face the faculty member who controls the fate of her degree, daringly date again at thirty from New York to Paris with a brief trip to Idaho, and realize what she wants in order to get her life back on track.

Chastity is overly dramatic. There are so many phrases in capital letters and so many exclamation points that they start to lose their emphasis because Chastity is having trouble focusing her life. Her many romantic daydreams contrast sharply with her frustrated desires to have sex and love together, adding to her confusion and building up to her realization of her own personal dreams. The story reads as a stream of consciousness, more like an extremely long diary entry than a cohesive story, but there are many instances of quick wit and funny dialogue or experiences that help to move it along. Even so, the characters are great\u2014everyone wants a cousin like Roxie or an all-knowing psychic like Daphne\u2014and readers will be swept up in the drama quickly. While the ending doesn\u2019t provide resolution for most of what ails poor Chastity, it is worthy of a beach or bedtime read. Hopefully, many of the questions that linger at the end of this one will be addressed in the sequel.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "06-May-2020 23:12:52", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "460 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008941011", "title": "The Pursuit of the Personal Renaissance Experience: Finding Opportunities for Happiness in the Ever-Present Now", "author": "Peter Justus", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 529, "review": "For Peter Justus, the first step on the path to lasting happiness was a mortifying visit to the dentist. He had long been aware that, despite otherwise having teeth that would be ranked as above average, he had a tendency toward excessive plaque formation. As a result, he invested in a top-of-the-line sonic toothbrush and always took pains to clean his teeth thoroughly at least twice per day. However, trips to the dentist still involved lengthy tooth cleaning sessions and, during the fateful visit, a new dental hygienist implied that his teeth were in such a bad state that he must not care for them at all.

Thoroughly embarrassed by the suggestion of poor dental hygiene and perplexed by the state of his teeth despite the care he took, Justus examined his teeth-cleaning routine and even finally read the manual for his fancy toothbrush. The next time he cleaned his teeth, he gave the process his full attention and ensured that he was being as efficient as possible. To his surprise, Justus found that knowing he had done a good job with his teeth brought him a degree of happiness that he had not associated with a mundane task before. He speculated that this revelation (i.e., the satisfaction derived from a job well done) could be applied to other areas of life and so started to apply the same level of thoughtfulness to all facets of his daily activities.

This idea of thoughtfulness (or, as it might more commonly be termed, mindfulness) represents the core of the thesis that Justus sets out in The Pursuit of the Personal Renaissance Experience. He believes that living in the moment and fully committing to any task that one engages in represents the key to achieving happiness in daily life. It\u2019s not a unique insight, but it is a convincing one. The process begins with an examination of the individual\u2019s roles in life and then the appropriate proportioning of time/effort to each role. Aside from the teeth-cleaning example, Justus highlights how mindfulness helped him to improve his game in his role as a golfer and to improve his communication with patients in his role as a physician. He uses these examples from his own life to explain how readers can apply his ideas in their daily lives.

The book\u2019s thesis becomes less convincing when Justus considers biologic imperatives and suggests that people are inherently driven by the pursuit of both physical immortality and spiritual immortality. The ideas seem sound, but they\u2019re not developed enough. As the book is fairly short, it would have benefited from the inclusion of either more scientific data and examples from other authors (making it more of a general self-help book) or more personal reflections and anecdotes from Justus\u2019s life (making it more of a personal account of the benefits of mindfulness). Given the interesting asides that Justus offers, particularly concerning his family history, the latter approach might have worked best.

Justus has a friendly and engaging writing style, and the ideas he presents in The Pursuit of the Personal Renaissance Experience are likely to spur readers on to discover more about the benefits of living in the moment.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "06-May-2020 23:04:19", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "91 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008941007", "title": "The Pursuit of the Personal Renaissance Experience: Finding Opportunities for Happiness in the Ever-Present Now", "author": "Peter Justus", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 411, "review": "In The Pursuit of the Personal Renaissance Experience, author Peter Justus sets out to examine how we can live more in the moment, rather than just living through time. After making a discovery in his personal life, he realized that one could find meaning and fulfillment in everyday activities. In his case, it was dental hygiene that set the ball rolling. As he explains, due to our biological makeup our purpose is to seek immortality in the physical and spiritual areas of our lives. He suggests that by examining the leading roles in our lives and dividing them into useful categories, we can find areas where we can focus attention and improve our capabilities. Once we have made some changes and improvements in our physical activities or social interactions, we will acquire new skills or simply experience more enjoyment or a sense of accomplishment. And from this, we will be able to create more meaning, fulfillment, and by extension, happiness in our lives. We will be spending less of our time in mindless motion, merely passing the time.

I found this to be a thought-provoking work that was actually a lot more in-depth than I had anticipated. I think anyone who reads this is likely to think differently about the meaning of happiness and how to go about achieving it. I have to admit the author provided me with a new framework for examining things I do daily. The examples he showed about how he applied his principles to his game of golf and his efforts to improve communication with his patients were interesting and useful. Before reading this, I hadn't stopped to think about how much we do in our lives every day that could be improved or done more mindfully to make it more meaningful.

I like that the author provides a good opening to the book, and I thought the summary was excellent. Throughout, he uses humor where appropriate and presents his ideas clearly and thoughtfully. I especially enjoyed the chapter on spirituality, where he discusses his thoughts about the transcendent consciousness and how having a link to this should be a positive experience. Basically, I think he provides useful and helpful advice for those who want to find more ways to improve and experience their own personal renaissance. By giving the reader tools to accomplish this, those who do so will likely find they are able to spend more time living in the present and enjoying it much more.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "06-May-2020 23:03:58", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "91 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008941003", "title": "The Pursuit of the Personal Renaissance Experience: Finding Opportunities for Happiness in the Ever-Present Now", "author": "Peter Justus", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 410, "review": "Can the process for overcoming an unsatisfactory experience with dental hygiene provide opportunities for happiness in more significant areas of your life?

For Peter Justus, it did. In this book, he defines this experience and illustrates how it can be applied to your career, your personal life, even your golf game.

Despite cleaning his teeth regularly, he was always disappointed and embarrassed when he visited the dental hygienist:

\u201c\u2026 The two minutes spent twice daily [cleaning his teet] had lost their meaning because the ultimate goal was not being achieved ... the time spent in the activity felt prolonged and unpleasant ... it became a state of suffering.\u201d

Eventually, after yet another humiliation with the hygienist, Justus came home and read the directions on how to properly use his sonic care toothbrush. He diligently began to apply the new-found knowledge resulting in better oral hygiene and high praise from the dental professionals. As a result, he \u201cwas experiencing happiness,\u201d and although this wasn\u2019t the first time in his life that he felt happy, it was \u201cthe first time I thought I knew why.\u201d

His conclusion was that if one focused on perfecting a technique, they would master a procedure while at the same time finding it enjoyable, and achieve a positive outcome, all of which would result in happiness.

I think.

I write \u201cI think\u201d because Justus complicates his theorems with the use of philosophical references and pseudo-scientific language, perhaps to convey profundity for basic truths. I was looking forward to seeing how the author applied this happiness technique expounded in the first few chapters to his career, marriage and as a parent, areas he identified as consuming the majority of his time. However, he provides no evidence, even anecdotally, as to how successful this was in his personal life. He seemed to fare better professionally when he used it to listen to his patients and socially engage with his colleagues. Apparently, his golf game improved as well.

With chapters entitled \u201cThe Biological Imperatives\u201d and \u201cThe Evolution of Biologic and Social Organisms,\u201d the author shifts away from the promise of the book to the speculative theorizing of biological data and personal views on money, possessions, citizenship, morality, and spirituality.

Despite a lot of high-minded rhetoric, The Pursuit of the Personal Renaissance Experience is little more than the old adage that a job worth doing is worth doing well. The presented corollary is that you\u2019ll derive pleasure in a job well done, an understanding that is self-evident for most people.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "06-May-2020 23:03:43", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "91 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008939099", "title": "Bohemians West : Free Love, Family, and Radicals in Twentieth Century America", "author": "Sherry L. Smith", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 233, "review": "Love can surpass boundaries of time, age, and even reason. Three decades separated their age, however, a spark lit when Charles Erskine Wood met Sara Bard Field. A relationship commenced enduring thirty years. Yet, there was nothing simple in this pairing. Both were married, both had children. Wood was involved in other extramarital relationships. Sara Field married young, yet Wood\u2019s passion and open-mindedness made her smitten with the older gentleman. The background of the two seemed to have destined them for escapism. Wood was the son of a military man who desired Wood to follow in his footsteps. Wood chafed at military life, eventually going into law and excelling. He was a budding poet. Sara originated from a strict religious background, married a pastor, yet had misgivings about her path. Wood and Field started working together. An affair soon began, both Wood\u2019s and Field\u2019s spouses feeling aggrieved. Sara longed for Wood, but would enthusiastically lobby for Women\u2019s right to vote as her other passion when Wood was off on his own ventures.

Bohemians West is not your typical biography, reading comparable to a romantic dual history of two extraordinary individuals. The author captures the spirit of the atypical romance, reflecting on the times in which they played out. The protagonist pair are seen as free-spirited, but also human in their prejudices and hypocrisies. But their downsides don\u2019t detract from their contributions. Superb work.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "08-May-2020 23:08:05", "publisher": "Heyday Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008939091", "title": "Read or Alive (Bookmobile Mystery 3)", "author": "Nora Page", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 250, "review": "Cleo Watkins is back and more excited than ever thanks to a fair by the Georgian Antiquarian Book Society. Her excitement is quickly threatened by a smooth-talking snake-oil salesman making his way around the fair and conning good book-loving folk out of rare editions. When the con man is found dead, those closest to Cleo are at the top of the suspect list, her cousin Dot having been conned out of a first edition and her gentleman friend Henry being eyed as guilty by the sheriff. She knows both are innocent, but can she prove it before either gets arrested?

Nora Page delights yet again with Read or Alive, which blends the love of books with an intriguing murder mystery and a sassy sleuth. Cleo is a delight in every way, with her vocal personality, caring nature, her dedication to books, and the way she speaks her mind. This mystery is a book lover\u2019s dream, with literary references all throughout. This latest mystery has two of her loved ones at the top of the suspect list which drives her more than ever to solve the case. The community is at the center of the story with its town gossip but also its heart as they rally together in defense of those closest to them. Page delivers another addicting mystery with Read or Alive which is humorous, charming, and a complete joy to read. Each new mystery in the series is even better than the last as Cleo Watkins continues to shine.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-May-2020 22:55:36", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008939087", "title": "A Study in Murder", "author": "Callie Hutton", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 331, "review": "The place is Bath, England and the year is 1890 where you encounter the fiery and independent Lady Amy Lovell who has a surprising secret: she writes murder mysteries. She never wished to marry in the first place, but when she receives a surprising note that her fianc\u00e9 has been dabbling in the opium trade, she sees an opportunity to break the engagement. She doesn\u2019t expect him to show up a few nights later unannounced only to be found quite dead. To top it off, the authorities seem to think she\u2019s the guilty party. She knows more than they do about how to solve a murder and with the help of her good friend Lord Wethington, she stirs up the high society of Bath to uncover her ex-fianc\u00e9\u2019s shady dealings which catches the attention of the killer and puts their lives on the line.

Historical cozy mystery lovers are in luck! A Study in Murder is a breath of fresh air with a heroine that is smart, clever, and brazen. Callie Hutton excels at capturing the finer details of this era through their mannerisms, dialogue, and the setting which brings the time period to life. Amy will be one of your favorite cozy sleuths from the moment you meet her thanks to her strong-willed personality that breaks the mold of Victorian women. She\u2019s a delightful lady that has a dual identity as an author of murder mysteries which comes in handy when she takes up the case of solving her ex-fiance's murder. Amy and William are the ultimate duo with banter, a respectful partnership, and dazzling chemistry that brings humor, sparks, and fun every time they\u2019re together. The story is humorous with their dynamic and her strong personality pushing back against the society around them. Hutton breathes new life into the era and into historical mysteries with a cozy read that has heart, charm, and a dazzling female sleuth that redefines what it means to be a Lady of the 1800s.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-May-2020 22:52:57", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008939083", "title": "A Spell For Trouble", "author": "Esme Addison", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 258, "review": "Alex is heading to Bellamy Bay to get some good ole family therapy by helping her aunt and cousins at their herbal apothecary. As she gets to know her estranged family, she\u2019s shocked when a customer turns up dead and her aunt tops the suspect list. When she digs deeper into the dark secrets of the town, she uncovers a shocking revelation about her family. Settling into the town isn\u2019t easy as she butts heads with a handsome cop and ends up in the middle of a rivalry with another family after she reunites with an old friend. Alex is determined to find the truth, but when she gets a little too close to finding the killer, her life may be in danger.

This is a magical cozy mystery that puts a unique spin on the supernatural while blending in the complications of a reporter and a rival family. Alex\u2019s life has been turned upside down after quitting her job and losing her father, so she heads to her parents\u2019 hometown. The mystery offers her a chance to explore a different side of herself by learning more about her mother\u2019s heritage and discovering the magical world available to her. Relationships are complicated as Alex has friction with a handsome cop and also reunites with an old friend from a rival family. This sets the scene for a potential love triangle.

A Spell For Trouble is a smashing start to an enchanting new series that has humor, heart, and magic in a tale of self-discovery, new beginnings, and family.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-May-2020 22:50:05", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "331 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008939067", "title": "Dust", "author": "Kara Swanson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 452, "review": "Claire is living a life of sadness and survival as she cares for herself and searches for her brother, Conner, who disappeared six years ago. Claire also has a secret. When she feels emotions, dust comes streaming out of her hands. She feels like her dust is a curse.

Peter Pan is stuck in London away from Neverland along with the Lost Boys, Tiger Lily, and Captain Hook. He is desperate to get back and knows Claire is the key to unlocking the way back. When Claire finally gets some information on where Conner was last seen, she travels to London to search for more clues. She goes to the police and gets a name from Officer Darling. She looks for a man named James Hocken, who may know about her brother. She finds more clues leading her to a pub the Siren\u2019s Song, which takes her to Officer Darling, aka the Guardian, who guides her to find someone who can help her in Kingston Gardens.

In Kingston Garden, Claire finds a very handsome boy by the Peter Pan statue. They talk a bit, but she tells him she hates Peter Pan because he took her brother. The boy, Peter Pan, figures out that she\u2019s the one he\u2019s been looking for and decides to tell her his name is Ben and that he is a lost boy to get her to trust him so he can get back to Neverland. As the lies Peter tells begin to unravel, Claire begins to see a choice between the boy that lied and never grew up or Captain Hook, who has, so far, told her the truth. The question is which one will she help get back to Neverland?

Characters: I loved Peter and Claire was okay. I think Claire was a hard character for me to like because she was so depressed at the beginning and very introverted. It made her not super likable, but it gave her great character growth. Peter was very beautifully written. I liked the play on what a teenage boy Peter, who still shirked responsibility, would look like. I hated that he lied, but I also understood it was necessary for the plot.\nWriting Style: I liked the premise. The beginning was a bit slow\u2014especially the Claire chapters. The descriptions were absolutely stunning. \nI loved the scenes where Claire is out of control and her dust is dark and acidic. I think it is a great show of what mental struggles can do to a person and those closest to you until you can come back to see the good in yourself. It truly reminded me of how fragile our self-worth can be. I really loved the ending!

Age recommendation: 14 and up.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "08-May-2020 22:16:28", "publisher": "Enclave Publishing", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008939035", "title": "Expand the Power of Your Subconscious Mind", "author": "C. James Jensen and Joseph Murphy", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 212, "review": "In Dr. Murphy's original book, The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, published in 1963, he set out to explain how the subconscious sphere of the mind could help one achieve goals and dreams or change behavior. In this current book, Expand the Power of Your Subconscious Mind, Jensen has decided to include the original manuscript and expand on it with his commentary and ideas.

The main idea presented in both versions is that your mind's thoughts help create your outer world. I found that the book explained much about the subconscious mind and how it can improve your life with the aid of affirmations and visualization. One important thing that I took away from reading this is the importance of stopping negative thoughts mid-sentence and replacing them with something positive.

I'm quite pleased to have found this work because I had heard that the best time to meditate or practice visualization is before sleep, but I wasn't sure why. Murphy and Jensen explain that this is when the conscious mind has less influence on the subconscious mind. And they include many affirmations and tips to help control this part of the mind. If you are interested in improving your meditation or the effectiveness of visualization or affirmations, this book should prove useful.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "07-May-2020 22:34:21", "publisher": "Beyond Words Publishing and Atria Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008939027", "title": "Swift", "author": "R.J. Anderson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 460, "review": "Ivy is preparing for her first lighting. A time of feasting, stories, and to soak in the light that lets the pickeys glow in the dark tunnels underground. Everything is going well until Ivy\u2019s mother disappears and all that is left is a bloody shawl. Everyone believes her mother was taken by the spriggans, an ugly creature that catches piskeys.

Six years later, Ivy is caring for her family, cleaning, and fixing meals. Her father has been nonexistent since they lost their mother. One day, Keelve, another one if the piskeys, is lost and the clan believes the spriggans are again to blame. A search party goes out looking for him and captures the spriggan. \nIvy is troubled by something her brother says about their mother and goes for a walk to discuss it with her father. Instead of finding him, she finds where the spriggan is being kept. They began talking and she finds out he has been looking for her and he\u2019s not a spriggan, but a faery who calls himself Richard and has been sent to find her by her mother. \nThey make a deal: she will let him free if he will take her to her mother. They practice the magic of shapeshifting so Ivy can become a swift and be able to travel faster. After some time, they are ready. Everything goes well until the other swifts realize that Ivy is not a bird and attack. Richard heals her and they get help from a human girl named Molly. \nRichard disappears before Ivy is well enough to travel. So Molly and Ivy take a bus to find Ivy\u2019s mother Marigold. Ivy is excited to see her mother again but also concerned that she is not telling her the whole truth. Then when some mysterious statues begin showing up around the city, Ivy isn\u2019t sure whom she can trust and who is putting her people in danger. Figuring out who may cost a lot of lives.

The writing of this book was absolutely amazing. I loved it from beginning to end. The climax was awesome. The weaving of descriptions and pacing were spectacular. I didn\u2019t love the ending, and I think it could have been drawn out a bit more and woven together a little bit better. I wanted a little more from the wrap-up. The characters were well-done and fleshed out. Ivy was spectacular. I loved Richard and Molly. I liked the way Mica and Mattock were written too. The true villain in the story was a bit surprising and I liked that.\nMy favorite parts were when Ivy learned how to take swift form and the climax. I loved how she went from being told what to do to taking initiative herself.

Age recommendation: 10 and up.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "07-May-2020 00:25:07", "publisher": "Enclave Publishing: Enclave Escape", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008939015", "title": "Ergonia, Land of the Giant Ants", "author": "M.G. Crisci and Vladimir Alenikov", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 186, "review": "Ergonia, Land of the Giant Ants is a story written by a Russian author Vladimir Alenkov and translated into English by M. G. Crisci. This is a fascinating story about a couple of teenagers exploring Antarctica along with Professor Peter and several of his coworkers. The team goes to Antarctica to investigate if there is any life there. They encounter giant ants and get attacked by them. It turns out the ants are intelligent. Fighting off the ants is hard and Basil, one of the teenagers, has to be taken to the hospital with a leg injury. The main characters, Basil and Peter, have crazy imaginations. Masha is a serious and smart high schooler. The characters are realistic and likable. The story is well-written and kept my interest. The book has some pictures. They were drawn by a twelve-year-old girl and are pretty good. They go really well with the story. Any kid aged nine-years-old and up who like adventures will enjoy this book. It would make a good series. I recommend the book. It is full of adventure and very imaginative. I really enjoyed it!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "06-May-2020 22:46:02", "publisher": "Orca Publishing Company", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008938131", "title": "The Death and Life of Aida Hernandez: A Border Story", "author": "Aaron Bobrow-Strain", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 231, "review": "The life of an immigrant involves burdens and challenges that can seem insurmountable, such as rabid discrimination. An illegal immigrant faces even more challenges. The immigrants who come to the United States seek a piece of the American Dream for themselves and, in some cases, their family.

For Aida Hernandez, her dream dissolved into a nightmare. Her life had been lived on the border between two countries, Agua Prieta in Mexico and Douglas, Arizona. Her father was a Mexican revolutionary who split with her mother when Aida was only eight years old. Aida and her siblings crossed the US border with her mother. Two violent acts would alter her world. An act of self defense would find her deported to Mexico, while a ferocious attack at twenty years old left her clinging to life yet also gained her re-admittance to the US for optimal medical care. Aida\u2019s life spans tragedy and triumph, her resolve and character providing a true beacon for others.

The Death and Life of Aida Hernandez is a harrowing tale of a young woman caught between two countries. The country of her birth has become perilous, while the United States promises opportunity yet doesn\u2019t seem welcoming. The author does an admirable job of contrasting Aida\u2019s tale with the schizophrenic immigration policies of the United States. This book will challenge your perceptions while reaching for your heart. Excellent storytelling.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "08-May-2020 23:53:36", "publisher": "Farrar Straus Giroux", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008938123", "title": "The Habsburgs: To Rule the World", "author": "Martyn Rady", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 187, "review": "The Habsburgs were one of the most incestuous and, at times, disastrous dynasties to ever rule in Europe. With their combined Austria-Hungary and Spanish holdings, their empire crossed most of the world, although saying that they actually had any control over the particularly far-flung regions would be a lie.

This book offers a general examination of the dynasty from its earliest origins, which are often shrouded in mystery since the records concerning many early lineages have been lost or destroyed, onward. A little over half way through the book, after following a certain chronology between Spain and Austria, the author switches approach so that he spends half a chapter examining a certain European trend, such as Rococo or the Enlightenment, before spending the other half covering the reign of a particular Habsburg, which really slows the book down immensely.

This is a fairly general book, probably decent for someone needing a quick overview or perhaps a chapter dedicated to a specific ruler. Its good up until the 1700s, at which point it really losses focus and meanders in directions in which it does not need to travel.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "08-May-2020 23:46:12", "publisher": "Basic Books", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008938115", "title": "Arlo the Lion Who Couldn't Sleep", "author": "Catherine Rayner", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 239, "review": "Despite his best efforts, poor Arlo can\u2019t sleep. He tries and tries, but nothing seems to work. While his family slumbers soundly beside him, he begins to wonder if he will ever sleep again. A wise creature of the night swoops down and graciously shares some sage advice with the lion. She sings him a song of relaxation meant to soothe one to sleep, and as he imagines strolling up mountains and scaling the trees, he slowly drifts off to sleep. He awakes with a newfound freshness and excitedly wakes owl to share the good news with her. Discovering he has now awoken her, the tables turn, and the lion gently sings her song to ease her back sleep.

Arlo the Lion Who Couldn\u2019t Sleep is a sweet and embracing picture book perfect for young children who struggle to fall asleep at night. It\u2019s soothing rhymes, soft flow, and encouraging message will help lull them off to sleep. It\u2019s just the right length --- 40 pages --- for a quick bedtime read. The audience best suited for this lovely story is children ages three to seven. They will likely be mesmerized by the unique illustrations. They resemble detailed sketches that sweep across each page with allure. Of additional note, the compassion displayed by the thoughtful owl sets a strong example for little ones. Arlo\u2019s act of reciprocity does as well, only adding to the value of this timely tale.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "08-May-2020 22:15:45", "publisher": "Peachtree Publishing", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008938111", "title": "Peter and the Tree Children", "author": "Peter Wohlleben", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 246, "review": "Peter resides in a quaint cabin deep in the forests of Germany and loves to tell children stories about the creatures that inhabit the land. In this story, he tells of an adventurous but lonely squirrel named Piet. One day, as Peter is enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to the magnificent sounds of nature, Piet visits him with tears in his eyes. He expresses the deep sadness he feels due to not having a family. Peter offers to take him to see the tree children. During their quest, they discover that only the stumps of ancient trees remain in the unprotected areas of the woods. They journey further and enter the shaded grounds where the beechnut trees grow. There they find new life: the children of the antiquated trees that remain, dwelling right there beside them.

This is a precious and timely story that emphasizes the beauty of nature when it\u2019s carefully preserved, if not by humans then by the laws that govern them. Peter and the Tree Children is also about togetherness and the innate need of nearly all living creatures to be part of something bigger: a family. Peter\u2019s compassion for Piet and the isolation he feels is depicted with lasting resonance, not only through masterfully chosen words but through detailed illustrations ripe with emotion and energy. They are unique and colorful, leaving an indelible impression. This high-quality picture book will likely become a favorite treasure of many children, parents, and educators.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-May-2020 22:13:20", "publisher": "Greystone Kids", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008938107", "title": "Stay, Little Seed", "author": "Cristiana Valentini", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 199, "review": "This book follows a seed that isn\u2019t quite ready to leave his mother tree. He asks to stay for a while, and eventually it become too hard for her to let him go. Trouble ensues when a magpie knocks the little seed off and the tree does not know where her little seed has gone. Will the tree ever get to see her little seed again?

The writing in this book is a little long. It seems to be more geared for an older child, but ironically my younger child liked the story better than my older child. The story gave me a strong feeling of attachment towards the seed. I was impressed how much sorrow I had when the seed gets knocked off the tree.

The illustration style is unique. Some color, but mostly a tan fill to the pictures with colorful lines. My kids tend to gravitate towards more colorful pictures, so I was interested to see what they had to say. My six-year-old son said he did not like the book, and my three-year-old daughter liked the trees seeing each other at the end. I think it might be a difference between a boy and a girl\u2019s perspective.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-May-2020 22:11:43", "publisher": "Greystone Kids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008938087", "title": "Duck and Penguin Do Not Like Sleepovers", "author": "Julia Woolf", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 219, "review": "Maud and Betty are best friends. They are so excited to have a sleepover and bring their stuffed animals Duck and Penguin to enjoy the evening. It\u2019s evident from their facial expressions that Duck and Penguin are less than thrilled to be there. Everything from Duck throwing Penguin to Penguin tripping Duck plus more shenanigans happen throughout the night until Betty and Maud go inside for a long time. Duck and Penguin decide to adventure off to get to their beloved humans until something begins following them. Will they team up and survive the night or leave the other one as collateral?

The writing is simple and clever. It shows how sometimes you might have to be with someone you don\u2019t like very much, but something might ultimately bring you together. I loved that it was the girls that were friends and the stuffed animals having the problems.

The illustrations truly showed the story of Duck and Penguin from enemies to friends. I appreciated the mini illustrations at the beginning and end of the book showing how the relationship was at the beginning and how it changed at the end. The illustrator is gifted. I appreciated the unique style.

My three-year-old, who wanted to read it over and over, and my six-year-old thought this book was belly laughing hilarious.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "08-May-2020 21:56:46", "publisher": "Peachtree Publishing", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008938083", "title": "Geese Are Never Swans", "author": "Eva Clark (created by Kobe Bryant)", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 13", "word_count": 187, "review": "This is a good story about a swimmer trying to prove that he isn't like his brother. Geese are Never Swans is about a teenager named Gus. Gus loves to swim, and he is out to prove that he is different from his brother, who committed suicide after failing to make the national swim team. Gus is angry at almost everyone and everything, and he uses his rage to fuel him as he works to his goal. I liked that Gus was determined to reach his goal, and I also like that he gets along with his mother later in the book. The setting of the book mostly takes place at swim practice and at Gus's home. Most of the interactions are between Gus and his coach. This is a book about a young swimmer trying to prove himself through hard work and determination. Overall, I found the book kind of boring, and I didn't care for the foul language throughout the book. The story lacked excitement and didn't keep my interest. This book may relate to competitive athletes, and I would recommend it to young adults.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-May-2020 21:54:31", "publisher": "Granity Studios", "page_count": "271 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008938071", "title": "The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly", "author": "Jamie Pacton", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 246, "review": "Kit is a serving wench at a knight dinner show. She desires so much more in life, specifically being able to be a knight in the show. When company policy determines only males can be knights, she chooses to change the course of modern medieval history.

Along the way she faces other challenges: getting into college, paying for school, dealing with a jerk father, and figuring out things between her and her best guy friend Jett. Will Kit be able to shout to the world, \u201cI am no man,\u201d or get thrown in with the horse dung?

I cannot say enough great things about this book. First, being a total nerd, I especially loved her Lord of the Rings references, and I am a huge fan of Renaissance fairs and Medieval Times, so this book was right up my ally.

The writing was amazing. Kit is a brilliant rendering of a poor teen trying to work her way to a better life who happens to be a history and fantasy nerd as well. I think the pacing was well done. I believe Kit rises to meet her challenges valiantly. I love Jett and really all the Castle family you meet, a fantastic cast of characters. I could see how every teen girl who reads this would have a total crush on Jett. He is amazing.

I loved the girl power Kit shows changing something unfair in her company. I think a lot of young adults will take power from this.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-May-2020 21:38:15", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "377 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008938063", "title": "Costume and Fashion: A Concise History (World of Art)", "author": "James Laver", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 205, "review": "Costume and Fashion starts its exploration of fashion in the years of mighty kingdoms (Babylonians, Romans, Egyptians, etc.), and follows the trends through our modern-day fashion shows of 2019. The author explores the evolution of fashion from its origin as a necessity to how we view it today as a statement. This book seems lengthy in appearance, however the text is accompanied by a number of pictures. The illustrations are gorgeous and show realistically how the fashions have changed over the decades and even millenniums. It is evident through the details and mass of information that what is present has been lovingly and thoroughly researched for the readers' knowledge and pleasure.

Costume and Fashion is a knowledgable book that could have a dual purpose of both leisure and work; for some readers, they may only find it one way or the other. For being a more scholarly book, I was pleasantly surprised that the text is understandable for the layman and does not need a prerequisite to read. Since fashion styles have changed so much and so drastically over the years, it's nice to look back on how things used to be to judge if our current style has been for the better or worse.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "06-May-2020 18:02:08", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008938059", "title": "Stuff Every Tea Lover Should Know", "author": "Candace Rose Rardon", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 220, "review": "If there is anything you want to know about tea, chances are this slim book covers it. From a short history of this popular beverage to how to host a tea party, Ms. Rardon explains the many aspects of tea culture. I particularly enjoyed learning about the different tea varieties. There are six of them: white, green, yellow, oolong, black, and dark. But they are all derived from the same plant species, Camellia sinensis, first discovered in China.

One of the interesting facts about tea is that it contains less caffeine than coffee, and an amino acid known as theanine in the leaves slows down the caffeine's absorption rate. For this reason, it does not cause the same jolt of energy one often experiences with coffee. I appreciated the information provided on teabags versus loose tea. After reading this, I will likely now focus on purchasing better-quality, loose tea.

The author also gives a wonderful glimpse into tea culture around the world. And while I did wish the book had been a bit on the larger size to make it easier to read, I nonetheless enjoyed it. I felt inspired to go out and try something new. And with tips on how to make the perfect brew, I think this would make a great little gift for any tea lover.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "06-May-2020 17:58:51", "publisher": "Quirk Books", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008938047", "title": "Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life", "author": "Jane Sherron de Hart", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 202, "review": "Ruth Bader Ginsburg continues to make history as cases still command the attention of the Supreme Court, but this biography covers the beginning of her life up to last year in 2019. As an unauthorized biography, the author still, however, had access to her personal files from her ACLU years and also personal interviews with the subject, family members, and associates. Woven together is an iconic legend of how a young Brooklyn girl, daughter of an immigrant father and of Jewish background could command the role she has played in making legal history. This hefty book of more than seven hundred pages portrays the history of an outstanding legal expert known and applauded for her advancement of gender equality and civil rights. It is an American story that should be read as an example of what is possible when one has family support, internal grit, moral certainty, and scholarly expertise. Read about Ginsburg\u2019s role in the ACLU, look into case histories, watch her as a college professor, look at the political wrangling, and examine her performance as a judge in the Appeals Courts and as a Supreme Court Justice. This is a wondrous tale, recorded well, that resounds as an American epic.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "06-May-2020 17:44:34", "publisher": "Vintage", "page_count": "752 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008938019", "title": "Spark and the League of Ursus", "author": "Robert Repino", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 9", "word_count": 171, "review": "Spark is a cuddly teddy bear by day and a strong, fierce warrior by night. One night, a monster attacks, but Spark saves everyone. It is Spark\u2019s job to protect Loretta and her family. Later, the monster kidnaps Loretta\u2019s brother, along with other children. Spark realizes she needs help, so she asks for help from the League of Ursus, which is a group of bears dedicated to protecting their humans.

The bears set traps for the monster, but the monster gets away through portals to its fortress. Spark has to bravely follow the monster and try to rescue the children before it is too late. Will Spark succeed in her mission, or will the children remain in the monster\u2019s grasp forever?

I liked this book because it had an engaging storyline. It was just the right amount of suspenseful without being too scary. The story was exciting to follow, so I could read it quickly. I would recommend this book to other people because it was fun and easy to read.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2020", "date_added": "06-May-2020 15:53:48", "publisher": "Quirk Books", "page_count": "205 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008938007", "title": "Mostly Dead Things: A Novel", "author": "Kristen Arnett", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 182, "review": "Jessa-Lynn Morton grew up happily at her father\u2019s hip. Alongside him, she tanned hides, slit sinews, and stuffed sacks of once vibrant creatures until they became taxidermy-ed works of art. But her father\u2019s suicide, her own drinking, and her mother\u2019s recent interest in creating illicit art have turned Jessa-Lynn\u2019s world upside down.

Kristen Arnett\u2019s latest novel Mostly Dead Things is a dark and intricately detailed look at the grief of one woman. Jessa-Lynn mourns the loss of her father, the decline of her business, and the absence of Brynn, the one woman she ever loved who happens to also be her brother\u2019s ex-wife. As Jessa-Lynn processes these losses, she also grapples with her own emerging identity as a woman on her own, without her father\u2019s influence and without ties to Brynn. There are a few heavy-handed moments in the text, but for the most part, Jessa-Lynn\u2019s journey is as surprising as it is sad. While she may work with mostly dead things in her shop, the relationships she forges ultimately bring Jessa-Lynn back to life and make Arnett\u2019s novel so worth reading.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "06-May-2020 15:42:06", "publisher": "Tin House Books", "page_count": "372 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008937023", "title": "Mop Rides the Waves of Life", "author": "Jaimal Yogis", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Karter - Age 8", "word_count": 166, "review": "This book was really good. I like reading books that talk about feelings and emotions. This book shows Mop dealing with the frustrations at school and at home but all the things that get to him are left behind when he is at the beach and his mom tells him that he can learn to surf too. She then begins to show him how to breathe in and out and let the bad things out and ride good things like the waves when he surfs. I was able to relate to Mop because I have some of the same frustrations as he does. It seems like nothing goes right and everything is just a bust. I like how his mom told him that he can learn to ride the waves of life. We can use the thing that we love the most to escape all of the bad days that we are having. He used surfing and I can use basketball or reading. That's really cool.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "05-May-2020 23:33:00", "publisher": "Parallax Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008937019", "title": "The Princess Will Save You", "author": "Sarah Henning", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 217, "review": "When Princess Amarande\u2019s father suddenly dies, she is left with the horrible reality that she must marry in order to rule her kingdom. Now every neighboring kingdom\u2019s eligible prince has come vying for her hand in marriage, each with their own ulterior motive. When one of the princes realizes that her heart can\u2019t be swayed, he does the only thing he knows how: taking what he wants by force by kidnapping the one person who holds her heart. But Princess Amarande will not let anyone make up her mind for her, so she sets out on an epic adventure to retrieve her love and save her kingdom.

In an epic battle of pirates, power, greed, love, and sacrifice, The Princess Will Save You is this summer\u2019s fantasy adventure. Inspired by the movie Princess Bride, the storyline takes the classic tale and turns it on its head. This time the princess gets to do the saving. This story is filled with obstinate rulers, a dutiful stable boy, a band of thieves that aren\u2019t quite sure where their honor lies, and a princess who will let nothing stop her quest; readers will want to grab their swords and stand up and cheer as they root for a princess to defy the odds as she fights for love and honor.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "05-May-2020 23:27:09", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008935055", "title": "One Drum: Stories and Ceremonies for a Planet", "author": "Richard Wagamese", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 206, "review": "In One Drum, Richard Wagamese shares stories, ceremonies, and teachings from the Ojibway people of Northwestern Ontario. All are concerned with our spiritual journey on this planet. As he explains, we are all part of Creation, living on one sacred breath. This is the first ceremony he shares, allowing one to connect with one's feelings in order to recognize the sacred breath of Creation within. The second ceremony, the Tobacco Offering, focuses on being thankful. The third ceremony is a Vision Quest, which allows one to be brave and to recognize being a part of everything. The fourth and final ceremony is entitled Acting Outwardly. This one is intended to make one aware of the nature of sacrifice.

In between the ceremonies, Wagamese presents tales of humility, discovery, bravery, and harmony, all of which remind us to walk gently upon the Earth and do no harm to one another. He also shares his personal story about how he came to learn the importance of these teachings and what they meant to him as he became reacquainted with his traditional roots. One Drum is one of the most moving, powerful, and profoundly spiritual books that I've ever read. I feel honored to have found this beautiful gem.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "05-May-2020 19:35:35", "publisher": "Douglas & McIntyre", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008935039", "title": "The Prepper's Medical Handbook", "author": "William W. Forgey", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 192, "review": "This book is intended to help people live off the grid, with no help from the medical institutions we usually rely on. The author is a trained physician, so there is little in the way of herbal medicine or natural remedies in the book, and the medical kit (last chapter) recommends over-the-counter medications.

The first third of the book is devoted to assessment, which is important for a correct diagnosis and treatment. After that, the chapters are divided according to the care required. The first discusses radiation (in case of a radiation-related disaster). The next concerns dental care, followed by orthopedics. Bites and stings are next, followed by bioterrorism and infectious diseases. Afterwards, there is a chapter on environmental injuries that covers heat and cold stress, lightning, and high-altitude illness. Finally, there is a chapter on what to include in a medical kit.

The book is well written and clearly organized. However, unless one is preparing for something akin to a doomsday scenario, large portions of it will not be applicable. The book tries to cover all areas, and in the process, limits itself in terms of the depth of its coverage.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "05-May-2020 18:58:59", "publisher": "Rowman & Littlefield", "page_count": "311 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008935035", "title": "The SAS Guide to Tracking, 3rd edition", "author": "Bob Carss", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 224, "review": "My first impression was \u201cwordy.\u201d After the preface and introduction, I substituted \u201cconversational.\u201d Just unhurried reminiscences that pace you for the book as a whole.

The author is writing for potential trackers and their trainers. As this reference may be all those persons have for ongoing fallback, it is thorough. Chapter summaries are complete and concise, lest a time-constrained teacher lacks a quick review of course material. Following the book proper, is a Tracking Aide-Memoire a feature I\u2019ve seen nowhere else (of course I\u2019m a Yank) that serves as an entire book overview/review. That is not redundancy but completeness. Leave no spoor unnoted or unresearched; no inferences, even blatantly obvious inferences, escape unfollowed. No matter how elusive, Bob Carss tracks them down and writes them out.
>
Lest I lead you away from this monumental piece of work and research, let me emphasize positives. Page layout, sketch illustrations, and proofing/editing are excellent.

If you want insight into the illuminating world of tracking for yourself, or are setting up a complete course for birders, hobbyists, scouts, this belongs on your shelf and in your pack.

For military and police trackers emphasis is laid on our own species being the most dangerous to follow. Mention is made of the safari hunters who are mollycoddled by having to track relatively innocuous lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and Cape buffalo.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "10-Dec-2020", "date_added": "05-May-2020 18:56:15", "publisher": "Rowman & Littlefield", "page_count": "375 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008935007", "title": "Brides of Rome", "author": "Debra May MacLeod", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 243, "review": "The Priestesses of Vesta are known as the Brides of Rome. When entering the order, they take a thirty-year vow of chastity that if broken, will be punished by having them buried alive. Priestess Pomponia gets caught up in the political intrigue of Julius Caesar, Octavian, Marc Antony, and Cleopatra. While watching these figures tear each other apart, she attempts to fulfill her sacred duty to the goddess Vesta while not acting on her forbidden love because of the dire consequences. Violence, wars, assassinations, accusations and poisonings are the everyday normal to those in ancient Rome. Pomponia will have to decide how far she\u2019ll go in order to survive in this world of gods, goddesses, curses, and blessings.

Overall, this was a fantastic book with excellent research done into the history of Rome. It is fiction and the author has taken some liberties with the storytelling, which she admits, but it was very well done. My only complaint is how each chapter moves to another year or even two. It\u2019s like getting a glimpse at one moment out of thousands before it moves to another entire year. Even if it meant the book was longer, I would have appreciated it being on a smaller scale. Those famous figures really came to life, as does everyday life in ancient Rome. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in historical fiction, and I look forward to the next book in The Vesta Shadows Series.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "05-May-2020 18:19:49", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "314 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008935003", "title": "My Kind of People", "author": "Lisa Duffy", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 275, "review": "Ten-year-old Sky was abandoned and then adopted as an infant. Later, a tragic car accident took both her adoptive parents. Now she\u2019s the ward of Leo, her father\u2019s best friend, who\u2019d never planned on having children and whose husband, Xavier, is ready to call it quits if Leo doesn\u2019t find someone else to care for Sky. But Leo has no intention of giving her up and instead settles into a new life on Ichabod Island, the remote New England island where he grew up.

Most people on Ichabod are supportive of Leo, but as one of the only Black people on the island, he\u2019s always felt like an outsider. Agnes, snobby and nosy, believes she knows what\u2019s best for Sky, and she arranges for Sky\u2019s grandmother to move to Ichabod, setting up a clash that will test loyalties between even the closest of friends. Meanwhile, teacher Maggie grows closer to Sky and Leo and to her neighbor Joe as she wrestles with marital problems, while an unnamed woman skulks in the background, mysteriously linked to them all.

Duffy nicely weaves this large cast of characters into a community that is both flawed and supportive. The people of Ichabod experience small troubles and big troubles, regrets and triumphs, and their distance from the rest of the world in no way shields them from the social issues of the day. There are a lot of balls in the air here plot-wise, a lot of relationships to break and mend, but readers who enjoy a deep-dive into multiple storylines will find a good summer read with many threads tied up in a satisfying, if perhaps too tidy, conclusion.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "05-May-2020 18:17:55", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "324 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008934003", "title": "Flight 3108", "author": "Sharon Mikeworth", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 62, "review": "\"Just when you think you\u2019ve figured out what will happen next, what new, uncanny obstacle will ignite another flame in Mason\u2019s path, you discover how very wrong you were. The unknown and the known intersect to form new realities in this unique and unpredictable sci-fi thriller in which the past and the future are nearly indecipherable.\" \u2014 Jennifer Padgett, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "05-May-2020 16:55:47", "publisher": "River Nation Publishing", "page_count": "229 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.0"} {"id": "425035000008932003", "title": "Don't Tear Us Apart", "author": "A. Kelly", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 406, "review": "Summer Rideau has married Joseph (more often called Scipio) Russo and hyphenated her last name. She has become an adored stepmother to Cornelia, Scipio\u2019s daughter from his previous marriage. Her dangerous and abusive ex is now behind bars, leaving her free to begin her new life. However, her troubles are not over yet. Don\u2019t Leave Me Breathless was only the first book of three. In this second volume, Summer faces two new adversaries: Scipio\u2019s stepson from a previous marriage, Carlton, and a struggle to become pregnant.

Abused by his biological father, Carlton resents Scipio for not being able to save him, and this resentment has opened up a rift between the two men, with Scipio seeing him as a curse. Scipio even calls Carlton that multiple times, making it difficult to see how the two could ever reconcile. Summer pities him, despite his attempts to manipulate her, and the relationship between the two is touching and fascinating.

It is, unfortunately, more touching and fascinating than the relationship between Summer and Scipio. I enjoyed reading the first book in this trilogy, but the second showed me just how traumatized Summer\u2019s childhood has left her. Some chapters were downright painful to read, while others seemed to present a wholly different woman. It didn\u2019t feel like Summer authentically either growing out of her trauma or weathering the shifting severity and complexity of painful emotions and memories. It only felt jarring. When it makes the most sense was when it affects how Summer and Carlton relate to one another, but it does little for her relationship with Scipio except give him chance after chance to show he cares. Some of these scenes are touching, particularly one at the beach, but more often I found myself uninterested, and occasionally worried about the children the two of them might have.

I also found myself rather lost by the passage of time in the book. People go from one place to another with hardly a transition, and though two years pass over the course of the book, I found it hard to notice any time passing at all. An important secondary character\u2019s death is all but skimmed over.

I really wish I could have enjoyed this book more, especially considering how promising the first one was. Fans of A. Kelly may have a different opinion, but overall, I was unimpressed, and the parts of the book I enjoyed didn\u2019t make up for the rest of it.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "05-May-2020 07:22:20", "publisher": "", "page_count": "366 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008931003", "title": "How the Deer Moon Hungers", "author": "Susan Wingate", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 404, "review": "It only takes one moment for a life to change irrevocably. MacKenzie Fraser learns this when, as a teen, she sees her little sister Tessa killed by a drunk driver. Charged with neglecting her sister to get high and slammed with a charge of selling drugs to a minor, she\u2019s sent to juvenile detention, doomed to be shut away from her home and family for a year and a half.

The book isn\u2019t just a straightforward tale of crime and punishment, however. It captures the mood not only of Mac but also of the community, beginning with multiple points of view and jumping about in time before narrowing on Mac alone and proceeding in a more linear fashion. The confusion and sharp transitions create a powerful atmosphere, capturing Mac\u2019s shock and grief. As the story goes on and grows darker, it narrows, closing in around Mac like the walls of her cell.

That said, there are moments where the story suddenly bursts out in strange, dreamlike chapters that provide a sharp insight into Mac\u2019s mind. Most of the time, these are marked by a note in the chapter title, letting the reader know that what they\u2019re getting into isn\u2019t a sharp break from reality so much as magical realism. The sudden insertion of a different genre is a bold choice, and I would love to see more teen novels taking chances like this.

The bold choice fits in with a similarly bold story. While YA books have always dealt with heavy subject matter, they don\u2019t always deal with so much all at once. Death, guilt, and grief, on top of incarceration and sexual assault, provide for a novel that starts out strong and doesn\u2019t let up. The author deals with these subjects in a straightforward but respectful way, never making light of them but also never going so far as to use them for cheap drama or shock. Every painful episode was earned and felt necessary to the story. My one wish is that the magical realism chapters had uniformly felt as necessary. While most fit in beautifully and one outright blew me away, others fell flat, and at least one I found myself thinking was simply pointless.

On the whole, though, this book is well worth reading. It shook me to my core, and while some readers will want to proceed with caution, I would strongly recommend this book to people in their late teens and upward.", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "27-May-2020", "date_added": "04-May-2020 23:55:32", "publisher": "Roberts Press", "page_count": "360 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008929003", "title": "The Rich in Public Opinion: What We Think When We Think About Wealth", "author": "Rainer Zitelmann", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 207, "review": "The Rich In Public Opinion is a thoroughly researched book that not only dissects the prejudices that occur towards the wealthy in America, but is also determined to show how people from countries such as Germany, Britain, and France also view the wealthy. Rainer Zitelmann does an outstanding job of defining the word \"prejudice.\" In everyday terms, we think of being \"prejudiced\" as being negative. In reality, prejudice can also be positive with good intentions. It is simply creating a judgment on something before having all the facts. Which is really not saying much, since who has all of the facts on anything? Zitelmann uses several polls to produce the answers to how people are influenced and what they think about how the rich obtain their money, what is fair and not fair, and people's general stereotypes of a wealthy individual. Children are also included to see what their views of money are at very young ages. This book also covers how the media and movies portray the wealthy and how that may influence those stereotypes. The Rich In Public Opinion is an eyeopener to what others think of the rich. An excellent read for anyone who is looking to understand more about prejudice, envy, and stereotypes.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "03-May-2020 14:23:16", "publisher": "Cato Institute", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008927003", "title": "Tokyo Traffic", "author": "Michael Pronko", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 401, "review": "When violent intruders interrupt a film shoot in a Tokyo pornography studio, they brutally murder three people, but overlook a young actress hiding in the cavernous building.

Sukanya is an illegal Thai immigrant who was smuggled into Japan and lured into the business with the promise of big money and transit to the United States. She makes her escape with cash from the dead director\u2019s wallet and a leather bag containing a computer and iPad. Penniless and friendless, she wanders aimlessly through the streets of the megalopolis; though she\u2019s lost, she\u2019s not undetected. Unknown to her, the digital devices she\u2019s taken contain sensitive information as well as trackers that reveal her location.

Kenta, a shady businessman and loan shark wants those devices back. The information they hold could compromise him and his relationship with Yoshitaka Kirino, the ruthless mastermind of the criminal enterprise he\u2019s involved in. Kenta assigns three street punks the task of recovering the priceless data as well as the only person who witnessed the crime.

Detective Hiroshi Shimizu was trained as an accountant in America. Now he\u2019s a Tokyo detective specializing in deciphering the finances of criminal activities by examining bank records, statements, spreadsheets, and cryptocurrency. Money trails extend \u201clike spokes from every murder,\u201d and Shimizu has the expertise to grasp their implications.

As Sukanya tries to elude the men sent by Kenta, she\u2019s assisted by Chiho, a young Japanese woman who empathizes with were predicament. Together they manage to stay one step ahead of their pursuers. But for how long? It\u2019s a race to see if Hiroshi and his colleagues can unravel the motive and identify the murderer(s) before they catch up with Sukanya and the evidence in her possession.

While being a tightly plotted, well-structured murder mystery, Tokyo Traffic provides insights into criminal activity surrounding pornography, the sex trade, human trafficking, and to some extent how organized crime uses cryptocurrencies to transfer and conceal profits from illegal activities. Equally engaging is author Michael Pronko\u2019s knowledge of contemporary Japanese culture including food, fashion, entertainment, and the environs of the world\u2019s largest city. Pronko\u2019s characters are fully developed, his dialogue is authentic, and his writing is clear and concise.

An ambitious novel, Tokyo Traffic at times feels bogged down with the excessive Tokyo travelogue, a confusion of characters, and plot minutiae; however, realistic detective work, action, romance, and even humor make for an overall entertaining and enlightening story.", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2020", "date_added": "01-May-2020 07:30:16", "publisher": "Raked", "page_count": "341 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008926007", "title": "Tribulation (Cops Planet #1)", "author": "Jaydeep Shah", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 77, "review": "\"The wonderful part of Tribulation is that Shah takes you straight to the climax at the beginning of the story to experience the suspense and paranormal activities throughout the pages. We can learn much about perseverance from his characters, and Shah concludes with an ending that will leave you dumbfounded. Within the pages of Tribulation, Shah gives us enough to whet our horror appetite and want more of his work. \u2014 Rachel Dehning, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "May 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "02-May-2020 15:43:13", "publisher": "Jaydeep Shah", "page_count": "121 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009012007", "title": "The Wars Among the Paines", "author": "John M. Millar", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 397, "review": "Robert Treat Paine, Jr., is the last of a long family line. (Very long; the family genealogy extends back to the 1730s.) The family history is marked by the sons\u2019 experiences in various wars through American history, which provides a handy framework for marking out each generation. The novel focuses primarily on the two world wars and the Vietnam War, showcasing the family\u2019s descent from upstanding American citizens to a drug-addicted mother, an overly stern father, one monstrous son, a saintly (if overzealous) daughter, and the narrator.

Robert (often called Treat, to help differentiate him from the various other Robert Paines in the family) presents the story of his family to his new wife, Susan, as a way to show her where he has come from and who he is as a man. Interspersed with the accounts of his grandfather\u2019s and father\u2019s generations are tales from his own life, from his high school days to his Cornell years to his time in the army. Through this, Susan and the reader are to learn what sort of man he is and see a portrait of a changing America and a changing family.

It\u2019s an ambitious endeavor, and impressive in its scope. Multigenerational novels have always held an appeal for me, and I was eager to see the shifts and changes in the Paine family as their time went on. While the novel does accomplish what it sets out to do, I felt it did so in a rather lackluster way. I would have loved to see more dialogue, more in-depth interactions between the characters. As it was, it felt like a six hundred page summary. Part of this is due to the format of the story; it\u2019s unlikely a family history written out by members of the family would have the same amount of dialogue and description as an ordinary novel. However, The Wars Among the Paines is still a novel, no matter its conceit. For a novel, it was dry and at times uninteresting.

Overall, I enjoyed the story a great deal. The novel takes place in an era I don\u2019t often read about, and the 1960s and 1970s were a refreshing change from my usual historical interests. However, I don\u2019t think this will appeal to many beyond those interested in military history and books about young men coming of age. I felt it offered little beyond those two areas.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "29-Jun-2020 21:46:28", "publisher": "Koehler Books", "page_count": "599 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009012003", "title": "NOT SO DONE: A Sam Sunborn Novel", "author": "Charles Levin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 64, "review": "\"The third of the Sam Sunborn books, //Not So Done// is a fast-paced thriller that follows perfectly in the footsteps of its predecessors. A spy technothriller for the modern age that you won't be able to put down until you see how Sam and his team can handle not just one, but two threats facing the world.\" \u2014 Jo Niederhoff, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jun-2020 14:32:41", "publisher": "Munn Avenue Press", "page_count": "411 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009011003", "title": "Evil in Technicolor", "author": "A. C. Wise, E. Catherine Tobler, Molly Tanzer, Nick Mamatas, Craig Laurance Gidney, Adam Gallardo, Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam, Rhiannon Rasmussen-Silverstein, and Haralambi Markov, edited by Joe M. McDermott", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 500, "review": "2020 has been and continues to be the year from hell. So how does one create new and fresh art in this climate? Joe M. McDermott is looking to do just this with his new anthology, Evil in Technicolor. The goal of the collection is to call back to the days of classic horror, the days of Bela Lugosi, Nosferatu, and Christopher Lee at his Hammer Horror best. McDermott sums it up brilliantly in the first line of his introduction: \u201cIn the spring of 2020, we all woke up in a horror movie.\u201d He also requested novelettes as opposed to regular short stories. The result is a collection that has more \u201cmeat on the bone,\u201d giving the reader more story to lose themselves in and forget the fact that, outside their window, the COVID-19 virus is possibly waiting for them.

The opening story of the anthology is \u201cForgiveness is Warm Like a Tear on the Cheek\u201d by Stina Leicht, which plays on the classic haunted house story. The old mansion known as Maufrais House that has been around for as long as anyone can remember. After having problems with his band, Jason visits the nearby graveyard where he meets someone who isn\u2019t of the living, and that\u2019s when everything begins to change. In the next tale, \u201cBlue Hole, Red Sea\u201d by E. Catherine Tobler, Helen is in the balmy Mediterranean waters with others looking for relics from the library of Alexandria. It doesn\u2019t take her long to make a discovery that crosses into the supernatural and impossible. In A.C. Wise\u2019s \u201cA Thousand Faces Minus One,\u201d one of the strongest stories in the collection, a man wants to record a cover of a Kate Bush song, along with an interpretive dance video that calls back to his short, poignant, and tragic relationship with another man that began with a meeting at the top of Notre Dame in Paris. But as he progresses with his art, his mind appears to be slipping, and there is much more going on than a broken heart and loss.

Rhiannon Rasmussen\u2019s \u201cThe Maidens of Midnight\u201d depicts the filming of a bodice-ripping horror movie in Eastern Europe at the site of an old castle, only the tenants appear to be more interested in what is going on than expected, and they also may not be human. Then, members of the crew start turning up dead. In the final tale from Nick Mamatas, \u201cThe Thunder, Perfect Mind,\u201d we take to the stage for a new and fresh performance of Frankenstein set in the early days before film, where Gerald Wallace is once again playing the monster, but this time wants more for this role than something that is hated and looked down upon by audience and cast alike.

Evil in Technicolor is a fun and engaging collection of varied stories that certainly hearken back to the classic film days but at the same time feel new and at times quite terrifying. Fans of the genre will revel in this anthology.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 21:47:37", "publisher": "Vernacular Books", "page_count": "372 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009010007", "title": "Life Behind Bars Vol. I", "author": "Julian Starks", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 509, "review": "In Life Behind Bars Vol. 1, author, photographer, and first-time documentary filmmaker Julian Starks takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the wild to explore the dangers that lurk for some of the most magnificent creatures on earth. Through countless photographs and thoughtful words, he allows readers a rare glimpse into what makes surviving in the wild a sometimes impossible task. He views sanctuaries as \u201ca necessary evil\u201d in order to preserve the few that remain of the vulnerable, threatened, and endangered species. In captivity, they can be protected from poachers who want their extravagant pelts to sell, their bones to use in traditional Asian medicine, and their sacred tusks for ivory. They can also be shielded from unmitigated abuse and suffering. Habitat loss due to deforestation, increased human populations and settlement, and the devastating effects of climate change pose further danger to the livelihood of a startling number of wildlife. Gorillas, for example, he writes, have decreased in population over the last three generations, each one spanning 22 years, by an unsettling 80%, landing them in the critically endangered category. It\u2019s thought that approximately 180 or fewer Marcgrave capuchin monkeys remain in the wild, posing a significant threat to the survival of their kind. Even the African lion population, according to Starks, has decreased over the past 21 years by 43%, causing them to be considered among the vulnerable population. A considerable amount of research is laced through the pages of the text to support his plea that all \u201cmust love and keep safe all the beautiful creatures in this world,\u201d even if that means holding them behind the walls of captivity for the betterment of their species.

This is the first of Stark\u2019s fine art photographic studies and is masterfully written. It\u2019s crafted with distinct originality. The photographs included capture animals in unique form: two cheetahs running with eight paws off the ground simultaneously, a male and female lion intimately standing together under a brilliant sunset, a gorilla elevating her middle finger to showcase her displeasure with being photographed, and a gorgeous giraffe gently resting its chin on the neck of another.

The vast area of coverage, from North and South America to Asia and the arctic regions of the earth, is impressive. The extensive travel and well-documented research that went into the makings of this amazing volume are unquestionable. The value and overall quality of the book is elevated considerably as a result. Further, the classification system used throughout to assign risk levels to those featured is helpful in outlining the data. It also makes the information more comprehensible to the layman. Though Life Behind Bars Vol. 1 is targeted to an adult audience; however, older children, teens, and young adults will find it both fascinating and thought-provoking. Its scope and presentation will appeal to multiple generations. Additionally, it\u2019s an ideal text, with its gorgeous photographs and enticing cover, for a coffee table centerpiece. It\u2019s likely to become a conversation starter and a family treasure.\n\n\n

\n", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 19:47:51", "publisher": "Dorrance Publishing", "page_count": "110 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009010003", "title": "Man of War", "author": "TJ London", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 629, "review": "It\u2019s June of 1755 and war is once again brewing between the English and the French. For some, however, the fight has already begun. Somewhere in the North Atlantic, approximately twenty nautical miles off the coast of Newfoundland, the British naval vessel HMS Boudica is engaged in a furious battle against a ship of French pirates. There\u2019s death and destruction on both sides, culminating in the scuttling of the French ship but also in the death of Captain Berrington, skipper of the Boudica.

The unexpected death of the captain leads to a battlefield promotion for Lieutenant Dane Merrick, although that\u2019s not the most surprising outcome the battle will have for him. When the newly appointed Captain Merrick and a party of his men move to secure the French vessel, they easily capture the remaining crew members and discover that they have a number of hostages aboard, two women and a young boy, survivors of the missing English ship the Queen Bess. Just in time, Merrick learns that there is another woman being kept chained in the ship\u2019s hold. He\u2019s able to rescue her and return safely to the Boudica, but in the heat of the moment, he makes a rash promise to help her gain vengeance\u2026

T.J. London\u2019s Man of War is a thrilling historical adventure story from the get-go. Starting with the initial naval battle between the Boudica and the pirates and then continuing throughout the book, London has packed plenty of action and intrigue into an intricately plotted tale of political maneuvering, personal suffering, and world-changing events. The story whizzes along at breakneck speed as lies and double-crosses are revealed at every turn and Merrick realizes just how deep the conspiracy he has found himself in runs.

Yet, despite being a tale of derring-do, Man of War is very much grounded in reality. The characters and the main events of the story are fictional, but London has clearly dedicated a great deal of time to researching the era, both the significant events of the period and the way that ordinary people (in admittedly extraordinary times) would have lived. From the plans of the vessel included at the start of the book through to the detail of life aboard ship and the recreation of New York City during the 1750s, everything rings true. It can be difficult to strike a balance between scene-setting and storyline in historical fiction, but London has done a great job of making the book a historically accurate and still hugely exciting read.

The central characters are very believable, too. Captain Merrick desperately wants to be a hero, so much so in fact that he somehow fails to notice just how heroic he really is. He had no desire to be a warrior, but he was pressganged into the navy and finally found his place in life aboard the Boudica. He may have risen to become the ship\u2019s (possibly temporary) captain, but he\u2019s not viewed as a gentleman. There are secrets in his past as well as a family disgrace that he would do anything to overcome. That\u2019s the main reason he agrees to help secure vengeance for Lady Caroline (or India, as she wants to be known), a woman who has a fair number of secrets herself. They have both suffered great wrongs, but they might just be able to find solace together.

Man of War is a sometimes bloody and violent tale of jealousy and vengeance, but it is also a story of loyalty and honor. It\u2019s an exciting and entertaining book with an intriguing plot packed with twists and turns. Readers looking for further action-packed naval adventures could go on to read the first three books in London\u2019s Rebels and Redcoats Saga, which Man of War serves as a prequel to.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 19:38:10", "publisher": "Tracey Lasak", "page_count": "643 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": true, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009009107", "title": "Juli\u00e1n at the Wedding", "author": "Jessica Love", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 184, "review": "Juli\u00e1n is going to be in a wedding, and he is so excited. It is fun to get dressed up and celebrate those who love each other, even with their dog, Gloria. \"A wedding is a party for love.\" Julian meets Marisol, who is also in the wedding. The grandparents get to eat and celebrate while Juli\u00e1n and Marisol play outside, until Gloria gets them all dirty. Julian thinks he can save the day, because you can't be dirty at a wedding! Juli\u00e1n uses some spare table cloth and shares his clothes with Marisol, then they can dance with their family. This book has a great message that love is love, and every family is unique and that is ok, because all that matters is the love in the family. My favorite part of this book is Juli\u00e1n and Marisol dancing with their moms to celebrate their wedding. The illustrations are brightly colored and very detailed. My favorite part of this book is when Gloria gets Marisol dirty because puppies are silly. Juli\u00e1n saves the day when he creates a new outfit for Marisol.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "29-Jun-2020 19:03:11", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009009095", "title": "Dinosaurs Are Not Extinct", "author": "Drew Sheneman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 196, "review": "I usually like to read about dinosaurs and play with them, too. I think that dinosaurs are neat creatures that lived a long time ago. I was excited to read Dinosaurs are NOT Extinct to find out how they are not extinct, or if that was just a silly title for a fiction book. After reading the story, it said that dinosaurs aren't actually extinct because they changed into another type of animal that we see all of the time nowadays. The animal they have turned into has helped them to live a long time since they were supposedly extinct, except it's not actually a dinosaur anymore, but a relative of them.

I don't know if I believe this book because of what it says about dinosaurs. My mom said you have to agree with evolution to believe what this story says. Besides not being sure of the story, I did like the pictures since they are colorful and big. It is fun to see what people think that dinosaurs looked like so long ago. So like I said, there might be lots of kids that will like this story, but I'm not a big fan.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 20:40:10", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009009091", "title": "How to Be a Person: 65 Hugely Useful, Super-Important Skills to Learn Before You're Grown Up", "author": "Catherine Newman", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Willow - Age 10", "word_count": 183, "review": "How To Be a Person by Catherine Newman is a book that teaches many life skills such as how to clean things, outdoor and camping skills, how to take care of living things, and much more! This book taught me many skills I might need. My favorite parts were the parts when I learned how to read a map and start a campfire and other things about the outdoors. I think the author did a good job of adding humor to an educational book. If she were to write a second book about more helpful skills you might need, I would definitely read it. There so many skills you might need that it's impossible to cover them in one book. I think ages 9-12 would enjoy and learn from this book. One of the best things about this book is that it relates to many circumstances. From people skills to how to wash laundry, you can easily find an answer related to your needs. I would recommend this book because I think these skills will help me for the rest of my life.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 20:36:14", "publisher": "Storey", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009009087", "title": "Catch That Chicken!", "author": "Atinuke", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 195, "review": "Lami lives in a community compound with many of her family members. Each member contributes to the community with their own special skills. Lami's brother is brave with the bulls, her sister is a fantastic speller, but Lami is the fastest chicken catcher. As Lami runs faster and faster to catch the chicken many people in the village tell her to \"Sannu, Sannu,\" or slow down. Lami is determined to do whatever it takes to catch the chicken when she makes some poor choices and follows the chicken up a tree and then falls. Lami gets injured and the chicken goes free. Lami's grandmother reminds her that fast feet don't catch a chicken but a sharp mind does. Lami gets creative trying to catch chickens while injured. \n

This book has very detailed and bright illustrations. However, some of the illustrations leave me asking questions such as why is the school outside the compound? I would think it would be inside the compound to keep the children safe. Why is Lami catching chickens? are they her pets? or does she catch them to cook them for dinner? I like this book but it left me thinking.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 20:32:04", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009009079", "title": "Ripped from the Headlines! The Shocking True Stories Behind the Movies' Most Memorable Crimes", "author": "Harold Schechter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 202, "review": "Want to know the true stories behind the crime movies and murder mysteries supposedly based on a true story? This is the best place to start. Indeed, for every heart-pounding thriller and chill-inducing pursuit, there's a story behind it that's probably wilder, more unsettling, and deeper than you ever suspected.

Ripped from the Headlines manages to cut a surprisingly huge swathe through Hollywood, pulling back the curtain on films as varied as The Hills Have Eyes, Arsenic and Old Lace, Psycho, Murder on the Orient Express, and To Die For.

Some of these stories are incredibly well-known (Burke and Hare once again get a chance to shine), but even for a film buff and amateur historian like myself, there's plenty of unfamiliar material here to uncover. I had no idea that Scream was inspired by a series of murders in Florida, for instance.

Although the book does occasionally drift a little heavily into the lurid details of certain crimes, you always get the sense that it does so with disgust, intentionally drawing a connection between the cartoonishness of movie violence and the hard truth of real-life violence. Ripped from the Headlines provides enlightening, but not always pleasant, context to some cinematic classics.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "17-Feb-2022", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 20:24:31", "publisher": "Amazon", "page_count": "374 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009009075", "title": "Truthtelling", "author": "Lynne Sharon Schwartz", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 233, "review": "Truthtelling, novelist Lynne Sharon Schwartz\u2019s latest book, is subtitled Stories, Fables, Glimpses, and that is exactly what you get in this slim volume: more than two dozen vignettes, some of them quite brief. All the contents are set in New York and they sometimes remind me of extended versions of the New York Times\u2019 Metropolitan Diary entries. A too-close encounter on a city bus; a woman who borrows her ex-husband\u2019s car and then fails to return it, ever; an elderly neighbor leaves everything to a narrator who finds it more burdensome than not. Former lovers and partners meet again, possibly by chance. The author evidently unearthed the stories from her files (one is titled \u201cfragment discovered in a charred steel box\u201d and claims that the first fourteen pages have been lost) and each one has an almost other-worldly aspect to it as if the narrators are not quite grounded in reality. Somehow, despite when they were written, many of them hit home during these strange morose months of 2020. As Schwartz writes in the story \u201cNear November\u201d: \"We cling to our stories, we take root in our stories like the nymph took root in a tree and became its prisoner. Unlike her, we will regain our shapes\u2014almost.\" Some of these stories will continue to cling to me while others disappear from memory soon after reading, leaving only a sense of loss or bewilderment.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 20:20:27", "publisher": "Delphinium Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009009071", "title": "Cover Your Tracks: A novel", "author": "Daco S. Auffenorde", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 233, "review": "Margo is eight months pregnant and traveling by train from Chicago to Spokane. She\u2019s heading back to her childhood home, hoping to mend some relationships. As the train is passing through the Rockies, an unexpected blizzard hits with an avalanche descending upon the train. Former Army Ranger Nick, tells everyone they need to move to the last car. Only Margo goes with him and after he uncouples the car from the rest of the train, they watch as the train is swept down a ravine with no possible survivors. Now both are fighting to survive, but there might be more than just an avalanche that brought them together. Both have secrets and a desire for this child to live.

This was a great story about the will to survive and how far we will go to protect those we love. Both Margo and Nick were interesting characters and I enjoyed watching their story unfold. The parts in the wilderness escaping avalanches, fighting off coyotes, and trying to find shelter was intense. You can definitely label this as a thriller. Even the parts detailing Nick\u2019s service in Afghanistan felt intense. I think, if you enjoy survival stories as well as psychological thrillers, then you will want to add this book to your reading list. It was hard to put down and I didn\u2019t really want it to end. I think you\u2019ll feel the same.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 20:18:09", "publisher": "Turner Publishing", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009009063", "title": "Ghosting: A Love Story", "author": "Tash Skilton", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 203, "review": "Zoey is a ghostwriter for an online dating site. She\u2019s a recent New York transplant after her mentor and friend abruptly fired her from her script doctoring position in LA and told her to write her own material and get out into the world. Zoey hates big city life and anxiety prevents her from exploring at all. She\u2019s lonely, but when she breaks one of the cardinal rules of her ghostwriting job, falling for a man she\u2019s supposed to be wooing for her client, things start to get interesting at last.

This fun and funny story is written in alternating POV between Zoey and Miles, who work at rival ghostwriting services for online daters. Everything about this book is entertaining, from the ridiculous emails from their bosses that preface nearly every chapter, to the banter, and the geeky fandom the characters share.

The only downside is that the ending felt a little abrupt with a lot of big emotional work just sort of happening overnight and mostly off the page, but isn\u2019t that also the beauty of a romcom? Ghosting: A Love Story, is a highly entertaining romp with likable, unique, characters and well worth reading if you enjoy light, fun, happy-ever-after stories.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 19:27:10", "publisher": "Kensington Publishing", "page_count": "340 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009009055", "title": "The Chile Pepper in China: A Cultural Biography", "author": "Brian R. Dott", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 278, "review": "Chinese food without chile pepper is almost an anomaly, but the plant is not native to China. It arrived in the 16th century courtesy of sailors, pirates, smugglers, and merchants. Chile took hold quite soon, spreading its welcome across the country. Adaptable to the climate in all regions, chile became a feature in vegetable gardens, widely enjoyed by the \u2018nonelite,\u2019 and not solely reserved for the upper echelons of society. Before settling on \u2018spicy pepper,\u2019 the chile acquired almost 60 regional names. The cuisine tended to be less flavorful before chile joined the gastronomic inventory, and the recipes included on these pages attest to the variety of dishes it has impacted, including a tribute to the inventor of General Tso\u2019s Chicken.

As Brian Dott writes in this scholarly biography of the pepper\u2019s place on the cultural spectrum, the chile has been valued for its medicinal properties. By the 18th century, its value had expanded, and it was regarded as a medical miracle, a remedy for a range of conditions, among them diarrhea and dysentery, digestive problems, malaria, snake bite and hemorrhoids.

The Chile Pepper in China is a compendium of scientific information and anecdotes, complemented by a series of mouth-watering color plates. Chiles have become a familiar element in contemporary art. Travelers and tourists can even purchase shiny red glass replicas as mementos, personally inscribed by hand. Due to their shape, they are known to complement prayers to the blessing of a son or grandson.

Dott\u2019s familiarity with the Chinese language enabled him to explore historical gazetteers as a primary source for detail. There are numerous footnotes, maps, black and white images, two appendices, and a lengthy bibliography.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 19:20:26", "publisher": "Columbia University Press", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009009051", "title": "Last Summer: A Novel", "author": "Kerry Lonsdale", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 252, "review": "Ella Skye has a seemingly perfect life. She\u2019s a successful journalist for a popular lifestyle magazine and she has a handsome, wealthy, also successful husband who loves her more than anything. Things begin to get complicated when she wakes up one day in the hospital. They tell her she was in a car accident and that she lost her unborn child as a result. The problem is she can\u2019t remember ever being pregnant or the crash. She remembers everything else in her life, that is until she is tasked with interviewing Nathan Donovan, a celebrity adventurer. Apparently, she had interviewed him last summer but canceled the story and Ella can\u2019t remember speaking to him at all. As she interviews him again, she can tell there is history between them and secrets she needs to discover. Ella has to decide if she wants to know what happened Last Summer, no matter the cost.

I found the idea of motivated forgetting in this story to be very interesting, as well as, the human part of us that wants to forget but when we do, we seem to stop at nothing to remember. The fascinating topic that is explored exponentially in this tale is whether honesty really is the best policy. The theme of how far would you go to keep the one you love happy is prevalent in this book, as well. The secrets make you keep reading, as you try to discover along with Ella what really happened. A great summer read overall.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 19:13:15", "publisher": "Lake Union Publishing", "page_count": "306 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009009043", "title": "No Man's Land: The Trailblazing Women Who Ran Britain's Most Extraordinary Military Hospital During World War I", "author": "Wendy Moore", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 263, "review": "No Man\u2019s Land tells how women's suffrage, the demand for women\u2019s rights, was temporarily back-burnered during the years of the First World War. Her book draws together the accomplishments of a military hospital London operated almost exclusively by women and chronicles the successive battles in France that sent thousands of wounded soldiers from the battlefield to the hospital. The author highlights the two doctors, serving as Commanding Officers, known to their staff simply as the \u2018COs:\u2019 Louisa Garrett Anderson, responsible for surgery on hundreds of patients, many who arrived severely injured, and Flora Murray Flurry, charged with multiple tasks to keep the hospital running smoothly.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth-century women\u2019s battle to achieve the right to vote and further parity with men was no less intense and physically violent than sectors of the community that were reviled in the intervening year against people of color, blacks, gays, and immigrants. Murray and Anderson were active suffragettes, their cause ultimately more rewarded than some others.

Women were accepted at very few medical schools. As doctors, when most who graduated were permitted to care for only women and children in a hospital setting, Murray and Anderson were pioneers. The book describes the persistent conflicts with military and political opponents who were unable to accept women\u2019s ability to carry out all necessary medical, administrative, and clerical roles.

Moore provides a rewarding conclusion telling how the two doctors became life partners, and what befell others whose services were valued. The book is riveting no matter whether one admires or even despises the causes it depicts.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 18:48:28", "publisher": "Basic Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009009039", "title": "I Want to Sleep Under the Stars! Unlimited Squirrels", "author": "Mo Willems", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sophia - Age 5", "word_count": 122, "review": "I want to Sleep Under the Stars by Mo Willems is another great book by this author. I love these stories and the characters in the book. Most of the characters are squirrels. These books always make me laugh and I enjoy reading them aloud to my family. This book is about friends not giving up on friends and being encouraging. There is also a second part to the book that tells funny jokes called \"acorny\" jokes. The book is more like a graphic novel than a story but it is fun to look at all of the pictures and captions to follow the story. If you like to laugh and enjoy funny animal characters this is a great book for you!", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 18:44:04", "publisher": "Disney", "page_count": "88 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009009035", "title": "Oliver the Curious Owl", "author": "Chad Otis", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sophia - Age 5", "word_count": 123, "review": "Oliver the Curious Owl by Chad Otis is a sweet book about a cute owl who is always asking questions. Oliver the Owl constantly asks \"who? where? why? and his questions take him on an adventure that is fun but sometimes a little scary since he flies far away from his home. Luckily Oliver and his friends find their way back. The best part of the story is that in the end his family and friends learned to be curious too and joined him for the next adventures beyond the tree. I loved the drawings and pictures of all of the animals in this book. I enjoyed reading it aloud to my family. I would recommend this book to my friends for sure.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 18:41:02", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009009027", "title": "Daring and the Duke", "author": "Sarah MacLean", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 214, "review": "Grace Condry has been living her best life. She\u2019s the queen of Covent Garden, the owner of a selective club for ladies, and a successful businesswoman. All that changes, however, when the Duke of Marwick reappears in her life. As her sworn enemy, he cannot be allowed to walk away unscathed. As Ewan, the boy she once loved, she is still drawn to him.

As the third book in a series, there is a lot of history to Grace and her adoptive brothers, the Bareknuckle Bastards. Because I (oops!) grabbed this book before the other two, I sometimes found myself lost and trying to catch up on a plot already in motion. Luckily, Sarah MacLean\u2019s vibrant, lively writing meant that most of the time I hardly noticed at all. I was too caught up in the fire burning between Grace and Ewan to worry much about the background, but it did fascinate me, and I\u2019ll be catching up on the other Bastards and their stories just as soon as I can.

It\u2019s a tangled, thrilling story, navigated wonderfully as the book slips between past and present in a way I\u2019ve never seen a romance do. Daring and the Duke is as bright and brash as its brilliantly yellow cover, and it utterly enthralled me.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 18:21:02", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "371 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009009023", "title": "Traitor: A Novel", "author": "Amanda McCrina", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 198, "review": "1944. Poland. The city of Lw\u00f3w remains a battleground between Poland and Ukraine. Tolya Korolenko is half Polish, half Ukrainian, and does whatever it takes to stay alive. But when he not-so-accidentally shoots a political officer in the Soviet Red Army, and Ukrainian freedom fighters rescue him, he has to find out whose side he\u2019s really on. Tolya doesn\u2019t trust them, with good reason, especially Solovey, who seems to have an agenda of his own and plenty of secrets on top of that. When a betrayal sends Tolya and Solovey on the run, they have to trust each other; as much as one traitor can trust another traitor.

Where can I start? Tolya and Solovey go through a heartbreaking journey that will stay with me for a long time. There are actually two storylines, which switch about every ten chapters between Tolya and Aleksey, a young man trying to escape Lw\u00f3w in 1941. It was odd, though, that the point-of-view switched from first to third. In the back is a list of characters, but, even more helpful, a list of military and paramilitary forces. In the end, I was left with some questions that I wish were answered.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 18:16:05", "publisher": "Macmillan Children's Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009009015", "title": "Rise of ZomBert", "author": "Kara LaReau, Ryan Andrews", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 10", "word_count": 186, "review": "Mellie and her friend Danny are filming a horror movie behind the YummCo Foods factory when she finds a stray cat in a trash can. Mellie names the cat Bert and hides him in her room at home, knowing that her parents would never agree to let her keep a stray. Bert won\u2019t eat the cat food that Mellie provides, but when she comes to check on him, he\u2019s removed the heads of her stuffed animals! Just when she thinks things couldn\u2019t get worse, Bert starts leaving Mellie \u201cgifts\u201d of headless animals that he has hunted on her front porch. Based on Bert\u2019s brain-eating behavior, Danny is convinced that Bert is a zombie cat!

Is there a connection between Bert\u2019s zombie behavior and YummCo factories? Will Mellie be able to keep Bert a secret from her parents? Read to find out!

I liked this book because it was entertaining and easy to read. There are pictures throughout the chapters, and they are great! My favorite picture is when Mellie first discovers Bert under her bed with a stuffed animal\u2019s head in his mouth. It\u2019s so funny!", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 18:09:21", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009009011", "title": "You Betrayed Me: The Cahills, Book 3", "author": "Lisa Jackson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 198, "review": "You Betrayed Me is one of those books that has a great plot and a great cast of characters, but the length of the book is completely unnecessary. The third book in Lisa Jackson\u2019s Cahill series is about James Cahill, who is good-looking, wealthy, and clueless. The reader learns about James\u2019 many escapades as he hops to and from the beds of his many lovers, all seemingly quite obsessed with the man. Things go a little too far when he ends up in the hospital with amnesia and his girlfriend Megan is missing.

There are many characters in the book which is confusing at times; however, the main characters are easily discernable, and the plot is easy to follow. This book did not need to be over four hundred pages to be a good read. There were several paragraphs I glided over that did not affect the storyline at all. The cast of characters was well thought out. Several of the female characters such as the reporter, Charity, and the pushy new girlfriend, Sophia, are very annoying, although they are an important part of the story. Overall, this book was a really good read for fans of suspense.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 18:04:52", "publisher": "Kensington Publishing", "page_count": "444 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009009007", "title": "Kings County: A Novel", "author": "David Goodwillie", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 211, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

Don\u2019t give up on this book. The halfway mark will bring you a suspenseful story with full-blown interesting characters. The first part of the book seems like it is going nowhere. There are some minor factual errors, like calling Benton Harbor, Michigan, \u201clakefront\u201d and its Sisterlakes School, Sister Lakes. Although Benton Harbor has a river running through it, the St. Joseph River cannot be confused with Lake Michigan, which fronts a much wealthier city.

Stay with this story of trailer park NASA groupies, a Wall Street money man, a literary editor, and a tough, tattooed rock \u2018n roller named Audrey. Both Audrey and her best friend are go-at-it heroines. The men who love them love their quirkiness and would do anything to protect them. This will be necessary because three of the characters share a dark secret. When all this comes together, the story really rolls and justifies the time the author took to build characters and set up the story. Three of the characters come from wildly dysfunctional homes and the fourth wishes he was not so normal and rich. The story, for the most part, is set in New York, and the author\u2019s love of the city is evident in his name places homages. Fun and exciting to read.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "26-Jun-2020 18:01:42", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "420 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009008003", "title": "The Entitled", "author": "Nancy Boyarsky", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 85, "review": "\"Another fast-paced thriller starring P.I. Nicole Graves in which she is hired by a wealthy family to bring their daughter from school in London to their Los Angeles residence. When Nicole\u2019s charge is arrested for a crime she claims she did not commit, Nicole goes above and beyond to clear the girl\u2019s name. The Entitled combines themes of adoption, wealth, and the meaning of happiness with the underground crimes of London and meshes them into one exciting story.\" \u2014 Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jun-2020 20:09:43", "publisher": "Light Messages", "page_count": "246 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009007007", "title": "Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings", "author": "Gabriela Marie Milton", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 389, "review": "I would expect a collection of love poems to be lush and indulgent. Certainly there may be some which are terse and to the point, but in my experience, the best love poetry seems to enjoy itself. It lingers in sensation and emotion, inviting the reader to feel what the writer has in creating the work.

Gabriela Marie Milton\u2019s collection, Passions, is no exception. Though each poem is short\u2014most are no longer than a page\u2014each is also a glimpse into a moment of beauty. Some poems are passionate, heat felt between every line. Others are more sedate, showing a calmer aspect of love. Still others are yearning, either for a love to come or for a love that has passed. No matter what mood you\u2019re in, you\u2019re sure to find something that will suit your need within these pages.

Where Milton really shines is in her imagery. These are no Keats-style odes, with stanza upon stanza to describe a single vase. Her descriptions come out in briefer segments: one line here, another there. She doesn\u2019t paint details so much as she paints a feeling, with just enough precision that it becomes real nevertheless. Her words are chosen precisely, showing a distinct shade of blue or a particular floral scent. There is no laziness in her lines.

The one place where I felt the poems fell short was that some didn\u2019t feel like love poems until the end. From time to time, I would find myself reading along eagerly, enjoying the descriptions and the lyricism, only to find the last two lines referring to a lover who had been not been mentioned anywhere else in the poem. I don\u2019t mind at all poetry having a twist at the end, but these felt tacked on, as though at the last moment she had wanted to make it into a love poem. Had this been an ordinary collection of poetry, with some poems about romance and some not, I feel it would have been stronger.

Overall, this book is a delightful collection to have and a beauty to dip in and out of, whether on lonely nights or with a loved one. Not all the notes ring true, but those that do stand out and left me with echoes of them for the rest of the day. Fans of modern poetry will definitely enjoy this book.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "25-Jun-2020 19:52:47", "publisher": "Vita Brevis Press", "page_count": "140 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009007003", "title": "Ice Queen", "author": "Felicia Farber", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 434, "review": "This book should get pushed to the top of everyone\u2019s list. In a world where social media has taken over and everyone has smartphones, there are still rules and regulations that we all have to follow. This book, although told in a story format, touches upon a topic that I feel is not addressed enough: teen sexting. Kids are kids, and sometimes when they do things, they don\u2019t understand the repercussions. Back in the day a game of spin the bottle or seven minutes in heaven were the taboo games kids played without their parents knowing. Now, it\u2019s being taken online.

The main characters in this book, Blair and David, are actually very innocent in this case. David takes a picture of Blair while she is changing clothes and she tells him to make sure he deletes it. He tells her he will but somehow that picture is sent out to several people as well as the police. And that is how David and Blair get arrested on several counts of crime. David didn\u2019t send the picture though. Why would he do that? And Blair is convinced that he was scheming with his ex-girlfriend nicknamed the Ice Queen to do this to her.

The story is excellently written and really makes a person think about things they\u2019ve done that have completely innocent intentions that could be considered illegal child porn or sexting. Where is the line drawn? When a minor sends another minor a picture of themself in a seductive outfit or pose should they get in trouble? These are things we don\u2019t think of because the intent to commit a crime is not there. So are they wrong? Well, they are certainly punishable by law.

This story digs deep. The characters are all well developed and could all be real people. You have the Ice Queen and her Things who are the mean girls. She rules the roost and divides everyone in the school into classes: Class A, B, and C. Blair is obviously Class C, and the Ice Queen is disgusted when Blair starts dating her ex-boyfriend. High school drama is just that. But with the internet in the palm of your hand, the mean girls get even meaner. This is bullying and cyberbullying explained well.

Ice Queen is a book that adults and teens, including preteens, should read. It gathers the right amount of information and makes the readers think about the consequences. I also really liked the discussion questions at the end of the book and found myself answering them even after finishing the book. A great read for many reasons.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "25-Jun-2020 19:42:00", "publisher": "Pyramid Press", "page_count": "327 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009006007", "title": "Man of War", "author": "TJ London", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 425, "review": "July 14, 1755. We find ourselves in the thick of a sea battle between the English ship, Boudica, and the French ships, Chevalier and Culloden. When the day is done, not only is there a new captain aboard the Boudica, but also four rescued passengers with a multitude of secrets. \nLieutenant Merrick assumes the role of captain following the valiant death of Captain Berrington during the battle. Merrick, originally press-ganged into service, has risen in the ranks. Many feel he is not worthy of the rank he has been given, none more so, it seems, than Merrick himself most days. He is a man with a difficult past, whose present is about to get even more complicated, thanks to the arrival of the mysterious hostage, Caroline/India. Not much is as it seems, and it takes a careful and attentive reader to keep up with the plots and twists.

J.T. London\u2019s novel Man of War is the prequel to her Rebels and Redcoats Saga that is comprised of The Tory, The Traitor, and The Turncoat. I, however, must judge this novel on its own merits for the simple fact that I have not read the other books. Honestly, I am unlikely to carry on past Man of War. Though I cannot fault London\u2019s writing style or character development, there are a few issues that I have with the book which I find difficult to get past.

First, though, you may call it personal preference, I found it hard slogging through all the technical ship terms. Are they necessary? Perhaps. Do I enjoy it? Definitely not. No more than I enjoyed wading through the countless chapters of whaling bits in Moby Dick. The most serious problem I have with this novel is with the character of Caroline/India. How can a woman who is so horrifically brutalized and physically and mentally assaulted move so quickly into a sexual relationship with a man? It just begs belief. I loved the chemistry between her and Merrick. I really did. I just thought it moved entirely too fast to be believable or remotely realistic. Perhaps in the later novels, their romance makes more sense.

\tHaving taken care of the negatives, the best part of the novel was certainly the depth of London\u2019s research. I cannot fault her there. Her facts are accurate, and the historical fiction that she builds around them is realistic and seamless. The world these characters exist in, and their place within, is entirely believable. That is truly a mark of a great writer of historical fiction.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jun-2020 20:03:47", "publisher": "Tracey Lasak", "page_count": "643 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009006003", "title": "Beyond The Utmost Bound", "author": "Joseph Clinton", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 81, "review": "\"Pulse-pounding adventures, true and tested friendships, and exotic locales are all part of a young man\u2019s quest for enlightenment in this coming of age story. Seeking answers to age-old questions, our sardonic narrator ultimately discovers the journey is within and achieved by understanding and balance, rather than mind-expanding drugs. This well-conceived narrative is fast-paced and told with humility, humor, and just the right amount of irony, to make it entertaining, as well as insightful.\" \u2014 Rod Raglin, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jun-2020 18:01:31", "publisher": "Cup O' Joe Press", "page_count": "322 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009005003", "title": "The Kingdom", "author": "Jo Nesbo", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 225, "review": "If you are a fan of author Jo Nesbo\u2019s Harry Hole series and are expecting the same type of read, The Kingdom will come as a surprise to you. To say that this is a dark book would be an understatement. At its heart, this is a story about two brothers, Roy and Carl, abuse, and the lengths one brother will go to in order to protect the other. As the plot unfolds and more light is shed on the motives of Roy and Carl, the reader is likely to find themselves uncertain of each man\u2019s likeability. Carl\u2019s wife, Shannon, is the wild card with goals of her own.

Coming in at just over 550 pages, this is a slow burn of a book where the characters\u2019 backstories are revealed one layer at a time and often your suspicions are wrong. The Kingdom is a heavy read because Nesbo\u2019s writing enables the reader to feel the regret, guilt, and burden of its main character. Full disclosure, the copy given for review was rough, which could have been the result of the translation. That being said, the pacing is uneven and there are several parts that could have been shortened or even omitted.

Readers who enjoy plots involving families and their long-buried secrets and who are not easily triggered by difficult content will enjoy The Kingdom.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "24-Jun-2020 22:42:10", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "560 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009004035", "title": "Countdown 1945: The Extraordinary Story of the Atomic Bomb and the 116 Days That Changed the World", "author": "Chris Wallace", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 200, "review": "Not everything falls easily into a political camp, as the sordid history of the atomic bomb attests and as Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace demonstrates in this fast-paced book. His interviews with the few remaining witnesses offer a fresh look through a weathered window in time. Rather than focusing on an unwittingly produced bomb-grade radioactive material, the top-tier scientists find themselves torn between the excitement of new revolutionary discoveries and the blood-guilt associated with what those discoveries may mean in terns of destruction.

After the fall of Nazi Germany, international tensions grew between an unseasoned American President, British Prime Minister Churchill, and Joseph Stalin. Churchill lost the election just before the Potsdam Declaration was broadcast to Japan, and Stalin was gobbling up as much of Europe as he could. Wallace reminds us that nothing was certain: there were so many untested, unanswered questions about whether or not to even use the first weapon of mass destruction, and if so, how to deliver it to the enemy.

Peppered throughout the pages are photographs, some previously unpublished, and copies of letters that turned the tide of history. Well researched, beautifully concise, and exceptionally fast, this book will leave you wanting more.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "23-Jun-2020 18:08:53", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009004031", "title": "America's First Female Serial Killer: Jane Toppan and the Making of a Monster", "author": "Mary Kay McBrayer", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 211, "review": "This is the first that I\u2019ve heard of Jane Toppan or as originally named Honora Kelley, tried in the beginning 1900s for the murder of a family and by her own admission of too many others but the title piqued my interest. There have probably been other similar female serial killers, but this one is loudly proclaimed and a novel produced from the skimpy evidence available. As a nurse, Jane Toppan had ready access to morphine and atropine, drugs that were used on her patients with deadly results. The author attempts to recreate the events that influenced this orphaned child along the path that eventually resulted in her death in a lunatic asylum. Unfortunately, her characters come across as two-dimensional wooden figures, there is much repetition about the subject being orphaned at a young age, and her father is perceived as an unbalanced Irish drunk. This sociopath murderess is said to have been jolly, charming, hard-working, industrious, intelligent, but unfortunately, she was born Irish and on the wrong side of the tracks which led to her perverse behavior. The sequence of events running through this \u2018true crime\u2019 novel is often confusing and contradictory, there is too much repetition of incidents, and none of the characters display any vitality dead or alive.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "23-Jun-2020 18:06:30", "publisher": "Mango", "page_count": "214 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009004027", "title": "Garden of Monsters", "author": "Lorenzo Pieri", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 179, "review": "For this book, you will need a spreadsheet, a long memory, and the ability to quickly get used to many similar-sounding names. Overall, the concept of the book is not a bad idea, a changing landscape in late twentieth Century Tuscany, Italy. Family codes, morals, and political allegiances all changing as those at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder start moving on up, and those who families by virtue of blood stood at the top not wanting others coming up. The story follows fifteen-year-old Annamaria, who not only struggles with her name, which she dislikes but struggles to find her place in society. She encounters artist Niki de Saint Phalle, who is creating an outdoor sculpture garden near where her family lives and which provides an escape for Annamaria.

This book makes so many digressions into the past, into other families, and the like that it is difficult from one chapter to the next whose story we are on. It might have been better just to read the chapters of each character instead of reading it in normal order.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "23-Jun-2020 18:03:20", "publisher": "Europa Editions", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009004019", "title": "Zombie, or Not to Be", "author": "Kyle Sullivan, Derek Sullivan", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 177, "review": "Edda is a zombie who lives in the state of Deadmark. Recently, her mom, who is the Lead Scientist, went missing. Oddly, her evil Aunt Agonista has become the new Lead Scientist. Aunt Agonista is the owner of several environment-destroying businesses, and she only cares about making money. Could Edda\u2019s aunt have a part in the mysterious disappearance of her mom?

When Edda\u2019s friend, Bram, tells her about a mysterious phone call he\u2019s been getting, he and Edda look at it together. The image is grainy, but it looks like\u2026 Edda\u2019s mom!? And she\u2019s human!! What wicked magic could this be? Edda decides to try and kick her Aunt Agonista out of the Lead Scientist position, but that\u2019s not going to be easy. Will Edda and her friends be able to restore the rightful Lead Scientist and save the environment? Or will they all be forced to live with the desolate land that pollution brings?

Although the storyline seemed exciting, I did not really connect with this book, and I had a hard time getting through it.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "23-Jun-2020 17:58:48", "publisher": "Hazy Dell Press", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009004011", "title": "When No One is Watching", "author": "Alyssa Cole", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 228, "review": "People are disappearing and Gifford Place is changing When No One is Watching. Well, Sydney Green is and she was born and raised in this Brooklyn neighborhood that seems to be gentrifying overnight. There seem to be much darker undertones to this gentrification than what people would have you believe it means. She finds an unlikely ally in Theo, who is one of the few white people willing to help her get to the bottom of the disappearances. All they know is this is their neighborhood and they\u2019re not going without a fight.

I didn\u2019t realize how uneducated I was until I actually had to look up what gentrification is. Even though this is a work of fiction, I understand that there were a lot of truths about Black history and it was very informative. It is incredibly sad that things that human beings will do to one another, regardless of skin color, but is even more heartbreaking when that is the reasoning for it. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the situation from both Sydney and Theo\u2019s perspective. There is a lot of swearing and some graphic sex scenes, which I\u2019m sure I should have expected since the author often writes romance stories. I would recommend this if you would like more information on gentrification and redlining, but would also like to read a thriller at the same time.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "23-Jun-2020 17:51:55", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009004007", "title": "Sleeping Beauties: An Inspector Tom Reynolds Mystery", "author": "Jo Spain", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 204, "review": "Another edge-of-your-seat thriller from Jo Spain, Sleeping Beauties stars main detective Tom Reynolds as he searches for a local serial killer. After the discovery of the body of a young woman, more bodies are found at the site. Meanwhile, another young girl, Fiona Holland, goes missing and it doesn't take long for the police to connect the cases.

Tom, Ray, Laura, and Michael are back as the unstoppable team who put their lives on the line to find the killer. As they go through the interview process, they piece together the lives of the young women and try to figure out how they are connected. Everyone is a suspect and they must determine who is lying and who is telling the truth.

One of the things I love about Jo Spain's Tom Reynolds series is that the main characters are all so likable. If you've read any of the other books in the series, you'll notice that there are storylines that are threaded through the main mystery, such as the relationship between Ray and Laura as well as Tom's amazing relationship with his wife and daughter.

This book is a winner from start to finish for fans of Jo Spain and suspenseful detective novels.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "23-Jun-2020 17:49:50", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "353 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009004003", "title": "Hurry Home", "author": "Roz Nay", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 251, "review": "In Hurry Home, Alex is surprised by a visit from her sister, Ruth, whom she hasn\u2019t seen in ten years. Alex definitely isn\u2019t happy to see her, when she has caused so much trouble in the past and especially when she finds out Ruth\u2019s pregnant. She decides to let her stay, if for no other reason than to protect the baby, as long as Ruth promises not to ever discuss the past. It is hard to keep the past buried and as the months wear on, pieces begin to come out. Lies and secrets abound and those closest to these two sisters will have to unravel the web and discover which sister is telling lies. After the safety of a child is at stake.

I hammered this book in a couple of hours, it was that good. You start off thinking one sister is in the right, but as the story progresses you begin to question everything and put the pieces together. Chase and Sully, who are minor characters at first, begin to push through and have more influence on the decision in the end than it seemed they would at the start. This was a fantastic read that sucks you into family drama and the lies we tell each other and ourselves thinking we are protecting those we care about. The amount of manipulation one sister employed was incredible in order for her to get what she wanted. I highly recommend you add this book to your summer read list.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "23-Jun-2020 17:47:23", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009003003", "title": "Life Behind Bars Vol. I", "author": "Julian Starks", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 447, "review": "A coffee table book, exhibiting superlative photography; glossily hard-covered and glossy throughout. It is nine inches high, eleven inches wide, about a half-inch thick. Full-page photographs bleed to the edges of pages, lending impact to exhibited plates when the book is open. The binding allows open display.

Of course, emphasis is on confined creatures; though the text does make it clear that some are confined for emergency breeding of imperiled species, some for rescue purposes. The work is dedicated to PETA Business Friends, and each presentation of a species details the current extinction threat it is under. For example, the Chinese alligator is classified as critically endangered. (Full revelation: I never knew there were any alligators outside the Americas!) polar bears and African lions are tagged as vulnerable. Meerkats, prolific and vigilant little critters, rate under \u201cleast concern,\u201d as do Japanese macaques, flamingoes, and, happily, grey wolves. The book obviously intends to Increase sensitivity to the plight of constrained beings.

And that intent is accomplished repeatedly and masterfully. Most telling are the shots that show us other intelligences in captivity, enduring constrained existences. Many elicit pity: a grey wolf striding, golden eyes observing, but with the shadows of chain link dappling its fur; an adult, lactating gorilla with her young one, seated in obvious boredom; a chimpanzee, our closest relative, staring soulfully through more chain-link fencing.

Returning to the photography itself, I must praise the texture, color/contrast, and immediacy of this presentation. As stated, full plates bleed to page edges, and where smaller illustrations occur they are most often bordered in black. This has some exceptions: giraffe faces are quite fittingly shown against the sky. The volume overall is a dark presentation.

This leads me to some negative technical observation necessary to mention in an honest review. The text is all too often a tiny white font on black. It\u2019s obvious that its purpose was to avoid competition with the photo art, but It is difficult to make out what is written at the distance demanded by the photos, and, because of the glossiness of the pages, is very difficult to read under a reading lamp even with a lens. Where text is black on white it is, whilst similarly minuscule, much easier to read. This is the first of multiple volumes. Some editing would be helpful in future commentary/text. On pages 14 and 15 are wonderful pictures of African lionesses against a rock, but the accompanying text conflates African lions, which are of the genus Panthera, with American mountain lions, which are large cats descended from (Pleistocene?) small cats. That is why cougars retain the hyoid structure for sustained purring.

All negatives are trivial in this magnificent work of photographic art.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "23-Jun-2020 02:10:24", "publisher": "Dorrance Publishing", "page_count": "110 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009002015", "title": "Guns Under the Bed: Memories of a Young Revolutionary", "author": "Jody A. Forrester", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 427, "review": "In the 1950s, parenting had not become the new age endeavor it is today, and \u201cspare the rod and spoil the child,\u201d was a popular child-rearing philosophy, along with \u201cchildren should be seen, but not heard.\u201d Most parents weren\u2019t their children\u2019s best friends and that went both ways.

Such was the case in Jody A. Forrester\u2019s family, and to condemn her parents would, in part, be to not understand the era. However, from that family dysfunction was planted \u201cthe earliest seeds of a self-destructive sense of shame that would become my [Forrester\u2019s] lifelong shadow companion.\u201d

Forrester emerged as a teenager in the late 1960s when America was in turmoil. The war in Vietnam was as futile as it was unpopular. American youth were rebelling against the morals and lifestyles of their parents.

In college, Forrester found her \u201crebellious, defiant, and impulsive\u201d personality was a perfect fit for the anti-war movement. When introduced to the more radical Revolutionary Union by her boyfriend, she was \u201crelieved to find what I believed to be straightforward solutions to the complicated challenges of capitalist exploitation.\u201d

But what appealed to Forrester the most was that \u201cI found a family with whom I fit, a family who didn\u2019t care whether my hair was straight or curly, or teased me for laughing too loudly. Nobody commented on my height, nobody looked askance at my teeth or feet. For the first time, I was forging my own way, definitively leaving behind my parents\u2019 expectations and my erratic self-destructive past.\u201d

For a while, Forrester felt she had found her niche. On campus, she gained a reputation as a persuasive speaker. \u201cFor the first time, I was proud of being big and loud, unchecked by the constraints of self-loathing. It felt good to identify the enemy and expose them for the tyrants they were. I had a sense of belonging to something bigger, being on the inside of a community of my own making, on my own terms.\u201d

But gradually, the author became disenchanted with the clandestine meetings, the weapons training with live ammunition, the strict doctrine that prevented friendships outside the Party, and the guns under the bed \u2013 the real threat of deadly confrontation with authorities.

Guns Under the Bed: Memories of a Young Revolutionary is informative and entertaining. The story is well structured, the writing is seamless, and Forrester\u2019s voice is authentic. The memoir is filled with pain, honesty, humility, and ultimately hope.

They say if you remember the sixties you weren\u2019t there. Jody Forrester was there, and her recollection is of a vivid, intense, and turbulent time for herself and America.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "22-Jun-2020 18:58:22", "publisher": "Odyssey Books", "page_count": "214 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009001011", "title": "A Journey To UltraDimensions", "author": "Kourosh Naziri", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 440, "review": "Journey to the UltraDimensions is a science fiction adventure story between Captain Houshmand and the Xinterrians and Mej-jazians. The story begins with Captain Houshmand's fianc\u00e9e, Delaram, being kidnapped by the Xinterrian leader, Zieman Kahn. Captain Houshmand will need to rescue Delaram and save planet Earth from the Xinterra and Mej-jazian invasion. On his way back to Earth after he learned about the kidnapping, Houshmand ended up in a different dimension that resembled Earth. General Sherner, the leader of the UltraDimension station, explains to Houshmand why he is there. Houshmand, who possess special qualities, must right a wrong from the past. Houshmand returns back to Earth equipped with some great advice from General Sherner. An epic battle will ensue. Can Captain Houshmand save Delaram and Earth from an evil invasion?

The author obviously knows a lot about electronics and it is evident in the story. I like how feisty Delaram was, speaking incoherently when they beamed her out of the robot. Surprisingly, she then slaps Houshmand for taking so long to rescue her. However, that was really all the romance in the story, despite it being billed as a sci-fi novel with romance and comedy. I also found the comedic parts of the story lacking. I was hoping for more romance and humor, but it just wasn't there.\u00a0I felt like the story and the characters needed to be more developed. The story is fairly short, with only 18 pages, so it felt rushed to me. I didn't really know the characters and I had a difficult time getting invested in them. The idea of the story is very interesting and sci-fi lovers would enjoy it, but the story and the characters need\u00a0to be more fleshed out. Since the story was so short, I felt the introduction of all the Lieutenants and Commanders and Engineers was overwhelming. I felt like the author kept throwing new characters in the story, but they didn't really serve a purpose to the story.

At times, the story felt as if I'm reading a summary of the story. Instead of letting the reader experience the events in the story, the author tells the reader directly what is happening. For instance, the author tells us something is funny instead of letting us experience the humor, which is counter productive.\u00a0Unfortunately, the book needs additional formatting and editing. The book reads like one long paragraph. There's barely any quotation marks and proper spacing, so it made reading the story very difficult and harder to follow. Proper formatting would help organize and make reading the story easier. Overall, the story has a lot of promise, but it needs some work.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Jun-2020 01:41:24", "publisher": "Readers Magnet", "page_count": "18 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000009001007", "title": "A Journey To UltraDimensions", "author": "Kourosh Naziri", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 499, "review": "A Journey to UltraDimensions is a decidedly odd beast. Billed as a science fiction/adventure novel featuring romance and a touch of humor, it actually reads more like a treatment for a television series or as the preface or first story in a space opera collection. At under twenty pages in length, the story offers only a whistle-stop tour of the author\u2019s many interesting ideas, although the overall plot and some characters do show promise.

The backdrop to the story is a war raging between humanity and the diabolical Xinterrians. Fearful that humanity are preparing to deliver a knock-out blow to his planet, Zieman Khan, the leader of the Xinterr, hatches a plot to disrupt humanity\u2019s plan: he kidnaps Delaram, the beautiful fianc\u00e9e of Earth hero Captain Houshmand. This prompts Houshmand, accompanied by his loyal crew and his robot sidekick Ryaneh, to venture into space in search of Delaram. Unfortunately, Houshmand is unaware of the existence of ultra-dimensions and of the powerful alliance that Zieman Khan has forged.

This brief outline will likely seem familiar to science fiction fans, and that\u2019s no bad thing. Intergalactic warfare, deadly rivalries, thwarted romance, and the coexistence of multiple dimensions are all interesting and popular aspects of the genre. The issue with A Journey to UltraDimensions, however, is one of execution rather than of concept. The story is simply far too short to do justice to the many ideas the author tries to pack in. For instance, the background to the war needs to be made clearer if readers are to really care about it.

More importantly, the existence of ultra-dimensions and the potential to travel between them, which really should be central to the story, are not considered in sufficient detail. The concept of ultra-dimensions could be the novel idea that differentiates this story/universe from the rest of the genre, but only if the author expands on it considerably. If this was combined with a change in the structure of the story and in the way it is told (i.e., if readers get to witness the action rather than just hearing about it as one character informs another), it would really enhance the reading experience.

Captain Houshmand has the potential to be an interesting character, but again, more background detail and real-time action sequences are required to make readers care about him. Ryaneh seems to be the author\u2019s favorite character, and he\u2019s certainly the best developed of the book\u2019s cast, but most of the attempts to use him to add humor to the story fall rather flat. Less explanation of why the robot should be considered funny would help here. To use the dreaded phrase: show, don\u2019t tell. There are numerous supporting characters, but unfortunately, none have the opportunity to shine. This is another issue that could be resolved by lengthening the story.

A Journey to UltraDimensions is based on an intriguing concept and packed with many potentially interesting ideas, but it doesn\u2019t quite work as an entertaining story in its current form.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Jun-2020 01:41:10", "publisher": "Readers Magnet", "page_count": "18 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1.5"} {"id": "425035000009001003", "title": "A Journey To UltraDimensions", "author": "Kourosh Naziri", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 418, "review": "I began this book with high hopes. I\u2019ve been in love with science fiction since I was a kid, watching Star Trek and playing with blocks on commercial breaks. A book dealing with other dimensions (or, as this book calls them, ultradimensions) sounded very promising, especially when I read the author had a background in studying electronics. Surely such a combination could only lead to an intriguing look at dimensional travel.

Unfortunately, at eighteen pages, the book reads more like a poorly translated synopsis than a novel. It\u2019s even begun with a synopsis; all the action that follows is screamed at the end of the first paragraph by a robot named Ryaneh. Captain Houshmand\u2019s fianc\u00e9e, Delaram, is kidnapped by the Xinterrians; he leads a specular battle against them; and in the end, they lose and surrender to Earth. It\u2019s a similar story to many other space operas, but those tend to be much longer than eighteen pages (sixteen, if you remove the introduction and preface). They delve into the action, introducing subplots and complications, and have a vast array of memorable characters. While this book does have many characters, most are mentioned once, and their defining characteristic tends to be their nationality rather than any aspect of their personality. The action, too, is lacking. While there is a climactic battle just outside of Earth\u2019s atmosphere, most of the action is told to us rather than shown through the narration. Overall, the book left me not so much wanting more as wondering where everything was.

Even the comedy was lackluster. In theory, the most comedic moments come from Ryaneh, but most of those are physical comedy, which would translate much better to a TV show than to a book. The rest is made up of comments on the accents of various minor characters, a type of humor which is, at best, hit-or-miss.

By the end, the book reminded me of nothing so much as the episodic science fiction shows of the 1970s. It has action, characters who are larger than life, and a robotic sidekick who shows up only for comic relief or to make the protagonist look good. However, there is a reason those were TV shows rather than books. They\u2019re two completely different mediums, and it\u2019s all but impossible to capture the energy from a show and bring it to a book. In the end, I think this is where the book failed.

(Oh, and those ultradimensions? They hardly show up at all, even as set dressing.)", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Jun-2020 01:40:55", "publisher": "Readers Magnet", "page_count": "18 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000009000043", "title": "The Time of Your Life: Poems", "author": "J.R. Solonche", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 157, "review": "This book is a collection of about eighty poems. Most are short, and most are written in verse (although always strict verse). They typically read as musings written carelessly without a second thought. However, the structure reveals the toils of the travails. Most poems focus on the mundane aspects of like (such as counting lilies in the garden), or the minutia of living. Focusing on the very mundane has its perils as readers may appreciate the novel aspect, or discard the musings as simply blathering. Indeed, the poems here are likely to strike readers as going from end to another (depending on the reader\u2019s point of view).

Overall, the author does try to present mundane aspects in a new light, but some insights are more opaque than others. Most though, are a fun read \u2013 especially when one is tired at the end of the day and is looking for something that is simultaneously erudite and relaxing.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "20-Jun-2020 22:56:31", "publisher": "Adelaide Books", "page_count": "103 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009000035", "title": "Stepping Stones ", "author": "Lucy Knisley", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 187, "review": "Jen, a girl who moves from the city, never wanted to move to a farm with her mom, her mom\u2019s new boyfriend, Walter, and her new stepsisters, Andy and Reese. She never wanted those things. In the city, she would always read comics and eat Chinese food and draw. At the farm, she has to deal with counting the change at the farmers market, an annoying stepsister and stepdad, and some mischievous baby chicks. Life is hard for Jen right now, but eventually, things might just change her relationship with her new sisters.This book is really good! It is a very funny, heartwarming, and sweet graphic novel with great art, and a fun and clever story about Jen\u2019s relationship with Andy and Reese. I also like how they run a stand at the farmers market in the book. I think Walter is mean to Jen because he calls her \u201cJenny\u201d all the time even though Jen hates that he calls her that. its amazing how its based on a true story about the author. I highly recommend Stepping Stones to anyone who likes farm and/or relationship stories.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "20-Jun-2020 22:45:55", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009000031", "title": "Witchlight", "author": "Jessi Zabarsky", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 174, "review": "Sanja meets Lelek, who is a witch, at the marketplace where she was selling what looks like turnips. A customer accuses Lelek of cheating by selling a fake amulet to him. Bumping into Sanja, Lelek kidnaps Sanja to force her to teach her how to fight with a sword. A friendship forms between Lelek and Sanja. The two decide to go on a journey to find Lelek's witch teacher so she can collect the other half of her spirit. While on their journey, they come across some problems that can be dangerous. Will Lelek be able to find her teacher? Will Sanja be willing to help Lelek? Witchlight is a fantasy graphic novel about love and friendship. The illustrations have a darker mood which is very fitting for the magical setting. But, I could not figure out what witch power Lelek has. It looks like maybe Lelek can blow flames. Some parts of the story was a little confusing--especially the parts of the past.\u00a0Fans of magic and witches will enjoy this graphic novel.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "20-Jun-2020 22:43:55", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009000023", "title": "Space Maps: Your Tour of the Universe", "author": "Lara Albanese", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 145, "review": "Space Maps: Your Tour of the Universe by Lara Albanese is a picture book about space, universe, planets, and history of space explorations. The book is full of interesting facts, short information paragraphs, and lots of pictures. It is a large book with excellent illustrations. The lunar exploration page was my favorite. I also learned about Ceres being a dwarf planet (which I did not know). Did you know that if Betelgeuse turned into a supernova, we would see the explosion six hundred years later? This book is very well done with just enough information to keep your attention but includes everything you want to know about, from constellations to planets to moon phases to deep space. Anyone who is interested in space would enjoy this book, especially kids. I loved reading this book because of the pictures and new facts I learned about space!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "20-Jun-2020 22:37:57", "publisher": "What on Earth Books", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009000019", "title": "Weird But Normal: Essays", "author": "Mia Mercado", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 193, "review": "Those of us seeking to escape through laughter have a gift in this wonderful book. The author has written this book to make herself and the reader laugh at life\u2019s follies. The joke is often at her expense, but the incidents are very relatable. The author muses about what it feels to be normal. What is normal about her musing is that we all muse about the same thing. Unusual in this bi-coastal literary world, the author lives and writes in the Midwest. While recognizing that most people choose to \u201cfly over\u201d these states, she wittily shares the best reasons why she lives there. She manages to be both laudatory and sarcastic. Also, the author shares what it is to be bi-racial in an ignorant and blunt world and gives the rules for inquiring about race. Quick answer: don\u2019t. She also gives her attention to what it means to be a woman, given that the rituals of womanhood are patently absurd.

For the mostly female readers who are seeking a laugh-out-loud book from a talented writer, look no further. Weird But Normal will give you an enjoyable time escaping into a world of wit.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "20-Jun-2020 19:36:32", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009000011", "title": "Historically Inaccurate", "author": "Shay Bravo", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alissa Smith", "word_count": 240, "review": "Historically Inaccurate is about a girl who boards the roller coaster ride that is life and, by the end of her journey, finally finds out who she is. I love how Shay Bravo went into detail about the characters; you get to know each of them. Although the people weren\u2019t my favorites, I really admire the main character's strength. The book was well written, everything flowed nicely, and I loved the inclusion of Spanish throughout the dialogue.

The story is about Soledad Gutierrez, whose life has been quite unpleasant since her mother\u2019s deportation. To keep from thinking about everything, she joins her college\u2019s history club. This comes with a questionable initiation process involving doing whatever dare the club assigns you. While doing her dare, Sol meets someone who changes her life, Ethan. They develop a trusting relationship that\u2019s shattered when Sol discovers Ethan was part of the group who called the police about the initiations. This could ruin any chance her mother has to get back to America.

The storyline was interesting, even though it did seem a bit flat at times. I think the message Shay Bravo wanted everyone to hear from this book is to be yourself and follow your conscience. I think this is great for anyone interested in social justice mixed with a bit of teen drama. It was not my favorite read, although it shows a different perspective, which could be helpful to many people.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2020", "date_added": "20-Jun-2020 19:32:00", "publisher": "Wattpad Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008999003", "title": "A Journey To UltraDimensions", "author": "Kourosh Naziri", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 228, "review": "Journey to UltraDimensions is a self-published book (via ReadersMagnet) by Kourosh Naziri. It has a preface and four chapters and is about eighteen pages long. The author is a former electronics lecturer who also worked for the World Bank as a data network support specialist. He has a passion for concepts like ultra-dimensions.

Characters in this story include Captain Houshmand, his kidnapped fianc\u00e9 Delarem, a robot, a leader of the monsters named Zieman Khan, a chief engineer named Carolyn Sanchez, Lieutenant Chang, and others. The plot deals with ideas like an imminent attack on Earth, hidden bombs on Earth, and a love story. It covers many dimensions and references to some historical figures back in time. It\u2019s a multicultural story, as it includes references to the Punjabi language and features both male and female leads.

I\u2019m sure that the author spent a lot of time thinking of these ideas and writing this story. I would recommend that he spend some time developing it further. He could try fan-fiction and other writing websites to workshop his ideas and to get feedback. The story has a confusing array of concepts. It has a ton of grammar issues like sentence fragments, spelling errors, and other errors throughout. The concepts are rushed, and the characters are not developed. The author can improve on all of this by editing and writing and furthering the story.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Jun-2020 20:54:03", "publisher": "Readers Magnet", "page_count": "18 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000008996031", "title": "Grandpa Nick's Bump", "author": "Lynda Daniele", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 459, "review": "The children love their Grandpa Nick, who spends special time with each of them, tending to their own unique interests and personalities. Joseph, the gentle one, who is the youngest of the four, loves for Grandpa to tease him, threatening to drop him upside down into the metal trash can. Grandpa knows that if he does, he will simply roll out, pleading for just one more time. Joseph\u2019s brother, Sean, has a tricycle with a broken petal. Grandpa Nick performs his magic and it\u2019s all fixed. With Margaret, Grandpa draws endearing pictures of hearts, trains, and bridges. Then, he takes her outside and puts her in a nearby tree before engaging her in a game of \u201cCatch Me.\u201d With Emma, the oldest of the four, he is cautious to not upset her need for order and cleanliness. Together, they read stories and giggle all the while. The siblings have such memorable moments with Grandpa Nick, but one day, their lives change unexpectedly. They notice an unusual bump on the side of Grandpa\u2019s head. Before they know it, he is headed to the hospital to have it removed. Mom and Dad soon share with them that he has sadly passed but has Jesus beside him up in heaven. The tears trickle down their solemn faces. Later, Sean informs his siblings that in heaven everyone has a castle of their own and that Grandpa Nick\u2019s must be a glorious rainbow one. They all color an array of rainbow pictures and design a card for their beloved, realizing he\u2019s at peace now.

In Grandpa Nick\u2019s Bump, Lynda M. Daniele tells a story that parallels the experiences of countless children across the globe. It is one so many can relate to in some way or another. A tremendous number of lives have been lost to cancer, leaving doting grandchildren behind with only memories to carry forward into the future. Literature from which young ones can glean hope, understanding, and comfort is paramount in helping them deal with loss, grief, and healing. Ani\u2019s Light by Tana Shree Singh, A Stopwatch from Grandpa by Loretta Garbutt, and Dear Moon by Stephen Wunderli are all beautifully written children\u2019s books about such matters. They\u2019re filled with touching, heartfelt stories of great loss and impact, yet are brilliantly brought alive by gorgeous, compelling illustrations and words of hope. While Grandpa Nick\u2019s Bump has a poignant message of faith, and the endearment of his grandchildren shines bright, it\u2019s overall quality falls short of the others. The illustrations lack the ascetic nature and vibrancy young children desire. Additionally, throughout the text, some lines rhyme; while others do not, interrupting the flow of the words. The conclusion is abrupt as well, making closure feel unattainable, which holds great importance for young ones.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 20:18:33", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing, Inc", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008996027", "title": "Grandpa Nick's Bump", "author": "Lynda Daniele", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 442, "review": "We always need a reminder that God is with us in all situations, because too often we forget; Grandpa Nick's Bump is a useful reminder of that. Written as a children's book, it tells the story of a family of four siblings and their energetic and lovable Grandpa Nick. It is heartwarming to read about the interactions that Grandpa Nick has with each of his four grandchildren, who each have unique personalities but are equally captivated by their time with Grandpa Nick. As the story title implies, Grandpa Nick develops a bump on his head that needs removing. Through prayer and pleasant thoughts of their time spent together, the family gets through this time. The family can reflect on their knowledge of God to turn a sad situation into a bearable one. Through creativity, the family can discover ways of keeping his memory alive for now and always.

For such a big and potentially life-altering subject for kids, Lynda Daniele created a children's book that is appropriate and contains the correct message that needs conveying in a time like in the book, as well as in our current situations. At the beginning of the book, the author gives the reader the challenge of finding the Holy Spirit active in the illustrations; when searching through the pictures, the Holy Spirit makes its appearance in the appropriate ones. I found that on some of the pages, it took an extra second to find the Holy Spirit. I found this comparable to our everyday lives and how we should know that the Holy Spirit is always with us, as is the rest of the Triune God and our guardian angel, but that doesn't take away from the fact that we get so involved in earthly matters that we forget. Loving and caring for our family members seems crucial to us here on earth, but our overall focus should stay on God and on our eventual eternal lives centered on love and caring.

I felt that the illustrations were appropriate for the amount of text given in the story, and they played a role in telling the story themselves through the emotions shown on the characters. The pictures of the real-life Grandpa Nick and his grandkids at the beginning of the story are heartwarming and help the reader visualize the story characters. This book is appropriate for any child, but especially for one who has dealt with the worry associated with a relative having a \"bump.\" It would be a bonus for everyone if they already had the faith shown in this story, but it would also be miraculous if they developed their faith because of this book.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 20:18:21", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing, Inc", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008996023", "title": "Grandpa Nick's Bump", "author": "Lynda Daniele", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 484, "review": "Here's a story about fun-loving Grandpa Nick who loves to spend time with his four grandchildren. Grandpa Nick makes it a point to spend individual time with each of his grandchildren, doing the things that they each love. He spends time goofing off with Joseph, fixing Sean's bike, drawing with Margaret, and being attentive with Emma. Unfortunately, Grandpa Nick eventually develops a bump on his head and goes to the hospital for treatment. The children try to cheer him up with games and laughter. Tragically, Grandpa Nick does not survive. The children are sad, but they are comforted by the fact that he is living in a castle with Jesus.

This seems to be a biographical story about love, family, loss, and faith. I suspect there is a real Grandpa Nick since, at the beginning of the story, there is a photo of (presumably) a grandfather and his grandchildren. I wish the author had included a blurb about the real Nick in the back of the book or in a notes section. The idea of the story is very sweet. Grandpa Nick is obviously a loving and devoted grandfather to his grandchildren. I love how Grandpa Nick spends time doing what each of his grandchildren wants to do. It just shows you how selfless and loving he is, and how much he loves his grandchildren.

The writing and the flow of the story was a little choppy. I was confused by some parts of the story because the beginning of the story did not rhyme. Then, all of a sudden, some parts of the story started to rhyme. It was a little confusing, and I wish the author had decided between rhyming or not. The story also felt very abrupt at times. I think it's because the story is very short. Standard children's picture books are typically thirty-two pages, and this story is only twenty-eight pages from cover to end, with only fourteen pages of actual text. The author spent a lot of time showing Grandpa Nick's relationship with each of his grandchild. Then suddenly, a bump shows up and he dies. It just felt very sudden, and I wish the story spent more time discussing the loss and the emotions that kids go through. The illustration of the four grandchildren saying \"Grandpa Nick died?\" felt odd and out of place, and it dominated the page. The reader learns about Grandpa Nick's death through the illustration before even reading about it.

This is a religious book, published by a Christian publishing company. Children dealing with the loss of a loved one might appreciate this book. While this book does not deal with the many emotions of a child when dealing with grief and loss, I think a religious family facing a potential loss would enjoy this book. I recommend this book to religious families looking for a book to help them talk about faith, loss, and death.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 20:18:09", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing, Inc", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008996015", "title": "Beyond Barriers", "author": "Anne Davey Koomans", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 603, "review": "Beyond Barriers is the biography of humanitarian and disability rights activist David \u201cDave\u201d M. Davey, as related by his wife, Anne Davey Koomans. It is the inspirational story of a man who had absolute faith that God had a plan for him and who never wavered in his desire to help others.

A polio epidemic swept the United States during the 1940s and 1950s, with outbreaks causing more than 15,000 cases of paralysis every year. Davey was just twelve years old when he was struck down with the disease. Despite being rushed straight to hospital, he had to spend more than five months in an iron lung and then another four months undergoing rehabilitation therapy. When he was finally able to leave hospital, he did so in a wheelchair. At this point, it seemed that the medical profession and much of wider society had given up on him.

Fortunately, Davey was blessed with an abundance of grit and positivity and this, coupled with the immense support he received from his family, meant that he wasn\u2019t ready to give up on himself. He worked extremely hard at his home study program and then at a special school. Eventually, the principal of the local high school agreed that Davey could complete his junior and senior years there. It was the fact that Davey did so well at school that persuaded education officials to change the policy that prohibited children who used wheelchairs from attending public school in the Detroit area. He was already helping people simply by living his best life.

Davey went on to attend Wayne State University. His roommate, Dick Wooten, also used a wheelchair, and the two of them spent many hours discussing the fact that God must have had a plan for them and strategizing about the training, knowledge, and equipment that would help disabled people to achieve their full potential. After college, Davey worked for Goodwill Industries, where he helped both the company and its clients. He also dedicated his time to raising awareness of the barriers faced by disabled people and to identifying ways of overcoming those barriers. This led to him working on a number of nationally important projects, including serving on the National Architectural Barrier and Transportation Board alongside Senator Bob Dole. Davey really helped to change the world for the better.

As noted in the introduction to Beyond Barriers, Davey \u201cwas concerned for anyone whose life circumstances are a barrier to work and a normal life.\u201d He recognized his purpose very early on in life and then never wavered in pursuing it. It\u2019s clear from reading the book that innumerable people\u2019s lives were improved by Davey\u2019s work, and further, that his personality impressed and inspired nearly everyone he met. His achievements were certainly remarkable, but it is his character that comes across most memorably in the book. It seems that he was just a really great guy who had time for everyone and who really wanted to help people. He also had a super sense of humor, which comes across both in the chapters written by him and in people\u2019s recollections of him.

Beyond Barriers is a moving, inspirational, and informative book, and it is a marvelous tribute to Dave Davey, a truly remarkable man. It\u2019s written in a very engaging and accessible style, and Anne Davey Koomans\u2019 love for her husband shines through on every page. Davey\u2019s story might prove particularly inspiring for people with physical disabilities and for those with a strong Christian faith, but Beyond Barriers would be a great read for anyone seeking to learn about a truly exceptional life well lived.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 19:39:28", "publisher": "Page Publishing, Inc.; Anne Koomans 8984 ed. edition", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008996011", "title": "Beyond Barriers", "author": "Anne Davey Koomans", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 519, "review": "Beyond Barriers details the life of David (Dave) Davey, a remarkable man who, in 1948, at the age of twelve, was diagnosed with polio. After spending nine months in hospital, he was able to return home, albeit in a wheelchair. But he didn't let that stand in his way. He believed God had a plan for his life. With the help of a very supportive family, he was able to finish high school and attend Wayne State University. Along with his college roommate Dick Wooten, who was also in a wheelchair, Dave dreamed of helping others with disabilities to live fuller lives. Later, Dave worked at Goodwill Industries, where he was able to use his skills to create the kinds of programs that he and Dick had thought so much about.

This book was an interesting look at Dave's life, as presented by his loving wife, Anne. It was peppered with so many amusing and memorable details that I felt like I knew them both personally by the end of the book. It's clear that being in a wheelchair did not stop Dave from pursuing his dreams of helping others and traveling to Hawaii and Alaska. I loved the details included from these family trips, especially the episode where Anne decided to use reverse psychology on the bus driver in Denali. My mother was a wheelchair user while battling cancer, so I know that travel is not an easy task, especially if you are not sure there will be easy or barrier-free access available.

I gather from this account that Dave didn't let such things stop him. In fact, he seemed to enjoy life to the fullest, making the most of its many challenges. Plus, his work at Goodwill and being invited to serve with Senator Bob Dole on the National Architectural Barrier and Transportation Board helped lead to the Americans with Disabilities Act. I think this is one of his best legacies. Anyone who has ever had to negotiate a wheelchair on a sidewalk curb where there is no easement knows how challenging this can be. We have Dave to thank for pressing for the changes that may seem small to some but mean a world of access to others.

I loved the fact that the book included many family photos. It made the story seem more vivid and personal. I wish the author had mentioned a bit more about the history of polio and the spread of this disease. Some of us are too young to remember that time and the fear that must have existed before a vaccine was widely available. I also wish there had been a little bit more information at the beginning about the mission and structure of Goodwill Industries. I am aware of Goodwill stores and the fact that they employ people with disabilities, but that is the extent of my knowledge. I was unaware that each state has a separate chapter and that they seemingly act independently.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book, and Dave's story will undoubtedly be an inspiration to those who want to continue his work breaking down barriers.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 19:39:14", "publisher": "Page Publishing, Inc.; Anne Koomans 8984 ed. edition", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008996007", "title": "Beyond Barriers", "author": "Anne Davey Koomans", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 428, "review": "Beyond Barriers is the heart-warming story of the late David Davey by his loving wife, Anne Davey. When Davey was a young boy, polio struck him and he found himself in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Always the optimist, he and his family made the best of his circumstances and relied heavily on their Heavenly Father to provide. Beyond Barriers shows how Davey grew up to change the world for everyone previously labeled as \"handicapped\" because of their wheelchair or disability. While growing up, Davey noticed that businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, restrooms, churches, etc., were not built to accommodate the extra width or challenges that come with a wheelchair, thus causing this population to be unwelcome there. Shortly after college, Davey became involved with the notorious Goodwill company; he was able to keep it afloat, help it improve, and allow it to give back to the community in a variety of ways. Through Davey's determination and ingenuity, he sat on many boards in his community to improve the environment for the \"handicapped,\" received many grants, and made things thought impossible, possible. Anne talks Davey up into a loveable, likable, and overall great guy. His love for the Lord is something that she stresses in many of their stories.

One of my favorite places to shop at is Goodwill; there are many things to enjoy about these stores, the variety of merchandise is pleasing, and the prices are great as well. I had heard about the help that Goodwill provides for others, but didn't know much about it all. It is astounding that one human man had such an impact on a variety of areas. The stories of every time he improved a human's life are heartwarming; all of the other stories of his life with Anne are incredible as well, he lived a life that was loved by so many. The people that he knew who also had a connection to Goodwill are surprising and are sure to be envied by the reader.

I like how this story shows that anyone and everyone has the potential to make a difference, no matter their physical strength. The Lord sure had a plan in mind when David Davey was born. I appreciated the attention that Anne brought to this. However, for a non-believer who is reading this, it is not overpowering. Overall, this is a lovely story to read and will find enjoyment by readers who like learning about influential people and their personal lives; you will be surprised at both the public and personal facts presented!", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 19:39:01", "publisher": "Page Publishing, Inc.; Anne Koomans 8984 ed. edition", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008996003", "title": "When Lions Roar", "author": "Karen Leigh Gruber", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 501, "review": "Maggie loves her child Hannah and husband David, but drinking has consumed her life to help her stay in a loveless marriage. Her husband is becoming more occupied with his work than with her or their daughter unless there is something he wants to control. David has an opportunity to go photograph the funeral procession of Nelson Mandela as well as other places in Africa. He jumps at the chance but insists that Maggie and Hannah come along for the month. Maggie doesn\u2019t understand the logic, but to keep the status quo she agrees to go.

While at a campsite, Hannah is enjoying getting to know the African people and the daily safaris they take to see the wildlife. She seems to have a presence with the animals that their guide has never seen before. Then things go crazy and Hannah disappears. Will she ever be seen again?

The story shifts to a tale in the Maasakai Kingdom about lions Prince Numbalo and Prince Loki. They are trying to win the heart of Princess Kazi. Before one can truly be king, there must be a fight to determine who is the strongest. Kazi falls in love with Numbalo before the final challenge. Loki wanting Kazi for himself makes a deal with YOLO the snake to make sure Numbalo will not be able to fight.

Loki\u2019s plan succeeds and he is declared the winner. The land becomes dry and desolate so Kazi and Loki flee to make their kingdom in another land. Unfortunately for Kazi her beautiful secret she wished to tell Numbalo is now a curse. She is pregnant with Numbalo\u2019s child and must hide it from Loki or she fears she or the cub will be killed. Will the land be desolate forever? What has become of Numbalo?

The writing is excellent. I truly felt every feeling along with Maggie and Princess Kazi. Descriptions are amazing. I knew exactly where I was in each scene. It truly showed the problems alcoholism and the abuse that a totally in control spouse can cause.\nThe only issue I had was the switch from Maggie\u2019s perspective to the story about Princess Kazi. I would have liked to see a separation such as Part One and Part Two because the switch was very jarring. I was lost in trying to figure out why we had switch to something totally different. I loved the intertwining of stories once I caught on to how they were related.

Maggie is an excellent character. I really enjoyed seeing her going from wishing what could have been to facing reality and making a change. I think she will speak to women who feel they are being controlled and that it is their fault that emotional and physical abuse happened to them. Sweet Hannah is a jewel. Controlling David and how he escalates to the ultimate abuse was hard to read but excellently written. I loved the character of Akilah being a true friend and showing Maggie she has worth.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 19:09:59", "publisher": "Silk Dragon Press", "page_count": "223 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008995051", "title": "Selling the Farm: Descants from a Recollected Past", "author": "Debra Di Blasi", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 176, "review": "Childhood is both heaven and hellish in this poetic memoir by Debra Di Blasi, who uses her grief and memory to reconstruct the eight hundred and eighty acres she grew up on. Her book, Selling the Farm: Descants from a Recollected past, is an ode to her grief at the loss of that childhood home, a farm in Missouri, and the twin losses of her sister and father. Part memoir, part poem, the two meet in a lyrical explosion of words and emotion that touches the heart and satisfies the word-palate. Not only does Di Blasi explore grief, but also the slippery nature of memory, examining it as she and her siblings examined rocks and birds and insects\u2014inspected and decimated. This long lyric essay reads quickly and is beautifully rendered, at once gorgeous and heartbreaking. She examines nature and love and loss, never sentimental but always real. These mediations bring that placetime she speaks of to life, bringing the reader into this \u201cplace [she] happened to,\u201d and helps us understand ourselves, our places, in different ways.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 20:29:39", "publisher": "C & R Press", "page_count": "142 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008995039", "title": "The Split: A Novel", "author": "Sharon Bolton", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 221, "review": "An outstanding, intricate story with excellent characters, the description of this book does not do it justice. The Split is the story of a glaciologist named Felicity Lloyd. It starts off with her on an island with her crew in the Antarctic. The author gives us character names, but it is not until the story is backtracked that we realize how crucial each and every person on the island is. Back in Cambridge, Felicity is asked to see a therapist in order to make sure she is fit to go on the trek to the island. What the therapist uncovers is so surreal that even he gets confused at the whos and whats that are happening around him. His new patient, Felicity, has been having blackout episodes that prove to not only be dangerous for her, but possibly to him as well.

The book's chapters alternate points of view between Felicity, Joe, and another character named Freddie. Things are not what they seem. People are not whom they seem. And until the reader knows what the missing pieces are, the verdict is out on a newly discovered serial killer.

Having read The Split, I am excited to check out the author's other books. This is the perfect thriller, complete with action and tons of suspense. It'll keep you guessing until the end!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 20:18:31", "publisher": "Minotaur Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008995027", "title": "The World Eats Here: Amazing Food and the Inspiring People Who Make It at New York's Queens Night Market", "author": "John Wang and Storm Garner", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 212, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

Since 2015, Queens Night Market has hosted independent vendors who sell food, art, and merchandise from all over the world. This book showcases some of these vendors' foods and stories. It is as much a cookbook as it is a collection of migration stories and the hardships migrants face as they settle in a new country.

The book\u2019s forty-three chapters are divided by geographic region. Each chapter is only a couple of pages long and features a vendor along with one or two recipes. Their stories tell about their experiences, mostly about the challenges they faced while initially making America their new home, and about their foods. While a lot of the recipes have been inspired from street foods, some of them hark back to family traditions. The accompanying color pictures and clipart enhance the narrative. Some of the recipes are easier to prepare, but there are others that require more than a couple trials to look and taste as the book describes.

While the experiences are unique, a common thread is the dedication each vendor has to family and food\u2019s role in cementing familial bonds. It is heartwarming to realize that all these vendors are in Queens and that they willingly share their culture, weaving it into the American tapestry.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 20:09:57", "publisher": "The Experiment", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008995023", "title": "Poems from the Wilderness", "author": "Jack Mayer", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 241, "review": "When poems are seductive, they can conceal more than they reveal. Jack Mayer\u2019s Poems from the Wilderness is a memoir culled from twenty-five years of creativity at first straightforward:

When I was twelven

I mailed a comic book coupon,

hoping against hope

that I would be the kid

to win an electric Ford Thunderbird.

Mayer\u2019s son returns from summer camp bringing more memories: fingernail dirt lines, grime encrusted socks, clothing stiff from sweat, and an over-used high school gym locker scent.

And then\u2026. and then \u2026. the lyricism of his poetry reaches out, the secular becomes spiritual as the wilderness embraces, evolving from the prosaic details of his world view, he catches

\u2026a glimpse.

\nof the ineffable, the ephemeral, the everlasting,

trying to reckon which is which.\u2019

The forests and the mountainsides provide a sanctuary, not an escape, for although reluctant to hear hikers\u2019 tales he is too courteous to ignore them as he seeks solitude. Nature has carried him from youth to age yet he feels himself part of a greater scheme:

I am a God to the birds

flocking to my feeder in winter.

\nA forgiving God.

The birds are foremost until the poem\u2019s ending,

I revel in the mystery, the prayer that a God

behind the window loves me enough

To feed my soul.

The poems explore, sometimes delight or comfort. But I was fearful all along that Poems from the Wilderness was not exaltation, but a lament.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 20:06:25", "publisher": "Proverse Hong Kong", "page_count": "100 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008995019", "title": "The True West: Real Stories About...", "author": "Mifflin Lowe", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 126, "review": "The True West by Mifflin Lowe is a historical book about the Wild West cowboys, cowgirls, sharpshooters, and more. My favorite part was the story about Annie Oakley, a woman sharp shooter. She was able to hit dimes thrown in the air. Then there is William Cody, known by Buffalo Bill. He was the best entertainer in the wild west. There are twenty-four Wild West short stories about heroes in the book, and each has a page of the story and a great full-page picture. Every biography also comes with quick facts, quote, and \u201cdid you know?\u201d facts. I think ten-year-olds and older would enjoy this book if they like the history of the Wild West. This hasn\u2019t been just a good book, it\u2019s been great!", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 20:01:54", "publisher": "Bushel and Peck Books", "page_count": "66 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008995011", "title": "Fun and Games: Everyday Play", "author": "Celeste Cortright", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 164, "review": "Fun and Games is all about what different kids do for fun. You can play dominoes or maybe a hoop-rolling game, and there are many other ideas, most of which you probably haven\u2019t heard of before. The illustrations in this book are clear enough that you know what\u2019s happening, but they\u2019re not exactly detailed. The author did an excellent job of finding different games to put into the book to give kids good ideas about fun games they can play.

This book is great for kids of all ages; no specific age will like it more than another because all ages of kids can play the included games together. It\u2019s kind of a like a trivia book because you\u2019re learning about different games while reading a story with the games woven into it. It\u2019s clever, creative, and so different from any other books I\u2019ve read. It does remind me of a deck of cards called Global Kids, which also has great ideas for playing.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 19:55:35", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008995007", "title": "The Bread Pet: A Sourdough Story", "author": "Kate DePalma and Nelleke Verhoeff", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 185, "review": "Cora is excited when her Uncle JB comes for a visit. He is on his way west and needs Cora to take care of his fish and his bread pet. He explains that his bread pet is a sourdough starter that must be fed twice every day because it is a living organism. But Uncle JB forgets to tell Cora a couple of very important things: how much the bread pet will grow and that keeping it in the refrigerator could help to control that growth. But Cora, her mom, and her mama all learn a good deal about the bread pet, baking bread, and how sometimes it really does take a village.

Author Kate DePalma has written a fun text that will not only engage youngsters but also teach them some important science as well. Illustrator Nelleke Verhoeff has a fun and very original cartoony style that conveys a lot of movement and activity. It\u2019s the perfect complement to DePalma\u2019s story. The bread-baking lesson and recipe at the end make this book more of an experience than just a story. Kids will love it.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 19:53:58", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008995003", "title": "Behind the Red Door", "author": "Megan Collins", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 215, "review": "Twenty years ago, Astrid, a teenage girl, was kidnapped and then returned under mysterious circumstances. Now Astrid has disappeared again. Fern is an anxious wife who had a less than ideal childhood. Although both parents were detached, her father often used Fern as a subject for his theories about fear, gauging her reactions to his cruel \u201ctests.\u201d While Fern does not remember anything about Astrid\u2019s first disappearance, she is convinced that she knows more than she can recall. When Fern returns home to help her father pack for a move to Florida, she attempts to find out not only what happened two decades ago, but also how she is connected to Astrid.

It is evident that Behind the Red Door author Megan Collins did her homework when researching memories and the impact of trauma. She sets the stage for what should be a truly creepy story. Unfortunately, while the plot is intriguing, the book fails to deliver the much anticipated thrills. While it was interesting to see Fern\u2019s growth as the book progressed, many of the elements in the story were a little too far-fetched, and the somewhat predictable ending made this one just an okay read. Behind the Red Door would be a quick read for someone who enjoys mysteries involving messy family relationships.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 17:22:10", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "305 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000008994003", "title": "The Snow Raven", "author": "Connie Dial", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 197, "review": "Detective Josie Corsino working the streets of Hollywood during the 1980s. When one of the narcotics team informants ends up dead, she and her partner need to solve the crime and try and save the reputation of their Hollywood division. The facts that point to a dirty cop as a possible suspect make their job even tougher.

This book reads like a gritty episode of a TV police drama. Although set in the 1980s there really is nothing in the book that sets it apart from a current novel. A good stand-alone novel, I didn\u2019t feel I was missing anything not reading the rest of the series. I liked the characters but felt the cadence of the book was a bit choppy. There was a lot of build-up, but not much surprise when it came to the climax. Josie\u2019s struggle to balance work and home life did not make it easy to like her character but did give it an air of realism. The police procedural descriptions and information in this book were realistic but dry. Overall this was a good book. If you are a fan of PI mysteries or police mysteries I would recommend it.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "18-Jun-2020 00:52:12", "publisher": "The Permanent Press", "page_count": "254 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008993003", "title": "When Lions Roar", "author": "Karen Leigh Gruber", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 406, "review": "Karen Leigh Gruber\u2019s When Lions Roar opens with a mother\u2019s worst nightmare. Set in the United States and South Africa, the story begins in Johannesburg at the moment Maggie\u2019s child goes missing.

Maggie has a privileged life and a perfect marriage to the handsome and successful David, a famed photojournalist. Her eight-year-old daughter, Hannah, is a sweet and charming girl who attends an expensive private school. On the outside, Maggie\u2019s life is like a fairy tale, and yet, she spends most of her days drinking. Through Maggie\u2019s flashbacks, readers learn about her whirlwind romance with David and the birth of their daughter. David seems like a wonderful man, but his angry demeanor and constant criticisms eventually drive Maggie to drink in order to calm her nerves. David is as critical of Hannah, too. When David announces the trip to South Africa, Maggie has reservations about it, but he insists that she and Hannah join him.

The family travels to Johannesburg during Nelson Mandela\u2019s funeral. Maggie and Hannah are left to their own devices while David photographs the funeral and the events held during the ten-day mourning period. Maggie and Hannah spend precious time together, just the two of them. Johannesburg is a different world from what Maggie has ever seen before, and she experiences it through her daughter\u2019s eyes. Hannah is very special. She has a bond with the animals they see on safari, and Maggie isn\u2019t the only one who notices. Their safari guide, Christiaan, also sees it. There is an African woman named Akilah who works at the hotel. Her daughter befriends Hannah and sees something special, too. What starts as a simple acquaintance between the two mothers, Akilah and Maggie, inevitably evolves into a deeper friendship after Hannah goes missing. During a night of heavy drinking, Maggie passes out in her hotel room. She awakens the next morning to Akilah pounding on her door, shouting, \u201cLittle Miss is gone!\u201d

When Lions Roar is more than a mother\u2019s emotional ride to find her lost daughter. She must also reclaim herself. Gruber weaves a larger a story about all women finding empowerment in their struggle, and includes a parable at the end of the book that is a part of this magical journey. It is told from a different perspective, and is a little jarring at first, but captures the beauty of the savannah as well as the heartache it evokes, adding a different dimension to the story.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "17-Jun-2020 17:19:10", "publisher": "Silk Dragon Press", "page_count": "223 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008992003", "title": "Fulcrum, Lever, Sport: A Handbook of Biomechanics for Improved Performance and Injury Prevention", "author": "Michael Ross DC, CSCS, DACRB", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 409, "review": "Fulcrum-Lever-Sport is the perfect handbook for anyone working in the health and fitness industry. Written with easy-to-understand explanations, Michael Ross, DC, CSCS, DACRB does an excellent job of describing the main fulcrums and levers of the human body and how one affects the other and vice versa. He explains the biomechanical systems that make the human body stable and mobile, with drawn diagrams to help illustrate these principles. The book is written in a way that one explanation leads to another. For example, the first part of the book describes what fulcrums and levers are, and illustrates their presence in the human body. Ross then explains how an imbalance in the body results from an imbalance in these fulcrums and levers. He then explains the pattern of stable and mobile joints in the human body and why it is so important for our stable joints to maintain stability. In the book, he states, \"In order to move and function properly, our biomechanical system needs to first be stable, then mobile, then functional.\" Dysfunctional movement occurs when our bodies need to compensate for instability, so the body must be made stable in order to perform safely and optimally.

As a personal trainer, I really loved the detailed explanations of the foot, lower back, and shoulder fulcrums, how they work, how to assess instability, and how to improve stability. Hip, lower back, and shoulder dysfunction are things I see with clients on a daily basis, and being able to help my clients gain more stability by using the exercises included in the book will be extremely helpful.

Overall, this book did exactly what it was intended to do. The condensed format makes it easy to refer to again and again. Being able to prevent injury and keep the human body functioning at its optimal levels is something that is important on a daily basis. The research the author did to create this book is immense, as shown by all of the books and reviews he has included in the reference section of the book. As I said before, anyone working in the health or fitness industries would most definitely benefit from this book, however, anyone who is interested in the human body and how to have optimal performance should also pick up a copy. Whether you're an athlete, a bodybuilder, a part-time gym-goer, or a coach or trainer, this book will greatly improve your understanding of the biomechanics of the human body.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Jun-2020 15:52:21", "publisher": "Amazon", "page_count": "139 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008991043", "title": "B*Witch", "author": "Paige McKenzie and Nancy Ohlin", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 10", "word_count": 179, "review": "Iris Gooding didn\u2019t expect to find other witches like her at Sorrow Point High, but shortly after arriving, she meets Greta, Ridley, and Binx. All are secret witches too.

For Iris, everything is fine until a sinister threat emerges from the shadows. The threat is a group called Antima, and their goal is to exterminate the witch population forever. Faced with this new horror, the girls have to do something about it, but what? They turn to the other coven in town for help, the Triad. The Triad and Greta\u2019s coven have been enemies since junior high, but they must find a way to work together and defeat the malicious Antima group.

This was an awesome book, and I recommend it to everyone! It has a great mystery element and plenty of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to keep reading. There are a cast of endearing characters that I really connected with, and I could not put it down. I highly recommend this book to any fan of mystery/suspense stories!", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "16-Jun-2020 23:28:02", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "322 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008991035", "title": "The End of White Politics", "author": "Zerlina Maxwell", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 508, "review": "By 2045, a majority of the U.S. population will be people of color. This will change the electoral makeup and enable people of color to have a transformative political impact.

In Zerlina Maxwell\u2019s, The End of White Politics - How to Heal Our Liberal Divide, the former staffer for Hillary Clinton\u2019s 2016 campaign explains this is not a movement, it\u2019s not a theory, it\u2019s a demographic fact. To take advantage of this shift, the Democratic Party has to listen to the people of color and diverse groups, promote them to positions of power within the party, and let them lead the way. According to Maxwell, when you\u2019re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression, and that applies to all white males, including those in the Democratic Party. Maxwell takes aim at the Bernie Bros, calling them \u201ca manifestation of white male privilege,\u201d and the \u201csame as Trump supporters responding to the same perceived loss of privileges.\u201d She claims whitelash, increased racial solidarity among white people with the shared perception that they were losing status, rights, and privileges they had traditionally enjoyed, was the reason for the Trump win.

Maxwell endorses identity-based politics explaining, in reality, it is politics saying there is more than one experience to consider. That means embracing identities other than those that are white, male, and heteronormative and accordingly running political campaigns based on the needs and experiences of African Americans, Latinx, and the LGBTQ+ communities and women. Though women currently are a majority of the U.S. population, their numbers don\u2019t reflect that in elected officials.

Critical of Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, she suggests he has a \u201clong history of telling the black constituency he can be trusted, while simultaneously authoring and implementing policies that would hurt them.\u201d This includes supporting Bill Clinton\u2019s 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act that has resulted in the current crisis of mass incarceration.

Maxwell identifies with The Squad\u2014four young women of color recently elected to Congress, saying \u201cthere is no group more representative of how the next generation of leadership will look than The Squad.\u201d She\u2019s a supporter of their outspoken candor on public policy, saying that lived experiences make better-informed policymaking. To Maxwell, the impulse of most Democrats to be moderate \u201cfeels like a manifestation of the white privilege that has plagued us for so long. Moderation does not pull us toward progress.\u201d

The book is dense with facts and then some because Maxwell has a tendency to repeat the same arguments in different contexts. She\u2019s also fond of political jargon and memes, ostensibly to enhance her insider credibility, but which frequently sent me on an internet search to understand what she was talking about. As an analysis of the current state of America\u2019s political system, The End of White Politics - How to Heal Our Liberal Divide is an important book that reads like the future, like an awakening, like common sense. Written with passion and commitment, Zerlina Maxwell presents her argument persuasively and unapologetically, and with enough anecdotes to lift it above the political thesis.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-Jun-2020 23:23:01", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5 stars"} {"id": "425035000008991031", "title": "Dot Con: The Art of Scamming a Scammer", "author": "James Veitch", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 204, "review": "Summed up in a single word, Dot.Con is hilarious! James Veitch does everything that I'd never think to do when it comes to spam emails. I would think that something bad would happen, but in reality, I would probably have an enjoyable time. Readers should recognize these emails; they are sent to us asking for money and sometimes to invest in an amazing deal, one that seems too good to be true. Rather than delete these emails, Veitch decides to see what happens if he were to reply. The responses he receives are humorous; it is a fun read to see where Veitch takes the scammers in their conversations. He messes with the scammer's emotions with his witty replies and sees how far he can get them to go with their charade before they give up on him.

Dot.Con brings to light the potentially life-changing repercussions that these scammers can have on an innocent person's life due to their insistence for the responder to stay on task with sending their money. English teachers will probably hate this book because of the misuse of the English language by these scammers. This book is educational, as well as humorous, which adds up to a great read.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "16-Jun-2020 23:19:07", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008991027", "title": "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes", "author": "Suzanne Collins", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 189, "review": "A prequel to the popular Hunger Game trilogy, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakestells the story of Coriolanus Snow as a young man and his rise to power in Panem. Born into a wealthy family, Snow's family suffered and lost their wealth during the rebel war, but he is determined to get a scholarship and a good education to secure a promising future for himself. During the reaping, he is assigned Lucy Gray Baird from District Twelve (Katniss' district), the \"joke district\" with the weakest tributes. Snow will stop at nothing to ensure that Lucy is the winner of the tenth Hunger Games. While I loved the Hunger Games series and devoured the books, I really struggled with this book. It is told from the third-person point of view which is a shift from the Hunger Games trilogy. This story is way too long with over five hundred pages, and I thought the same story could be told in a much shorter fashion. I still recommend this book to Hunger Games fans because it was nice to see what was the catalyst that turned Snow into who he is.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "16-Jun-2020 23:17:18", "publisher": "Scholastic", "page_count": "520 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008991015", "title": "Piranesi", "author": "Susanne Clarke", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 202, "review": "Susanna Clarke took the literary world by storm with her immensely successful and decidedly lengthy debut Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, and since then she has released a short but very entertaining book in The Ladies of Grace Adieu, which is now followed up with her next short but still delightful book, Piranesi.

We begin the story with our main character, Piranesi, who is a man who has always lived in the House. He spends his days traveling the many hundreds of halls and documenting what he finds in each one. There are halls where it is cold as well as halls where the tide rises and it becomes very wet and dangerous. But Piranesi knows only of the House and how to keep himself safe, how to get food, and where it is safe to rest. There are skeletal remains of others in the House, which Piranesi pays homage to, talks to, and leaves food. There is also The Other within the House, who Piranesi meets once a week to discuss plans to find the Great and Secret Knowledge.

Piranesi is a book that draws you in with its complexity and curiosity and then keeps you hooked until the very end.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "16-Jun-2020 23:10:05", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008990003", "title": "Beyond Barriers", "author": "Anne Davey Koomans", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 471, "review": "Like countless others of his generation, David Davey\u2019s body was ravaged by polio at a young age, but the footprints he left behind are of unquestionable value. He was a pioneer in his own right, laying some of the early foundations of awareness and equality for the disabled. His loving wife, Anne Davey, pays tribute to his life and legacy in her book, Beyond Barriers. She shares the details of his boyhood and the devastating diagnosis that changed his life immeasurably. She writes of their courtship and the marriage that bound them. Their travels were vast, from the Hawaiian islands to Washington D.C., Alaska, and a variety of other intriguing destinations. She highlights the role these places played in their lives.

The couple embraced life to its fullest, savoring every moment God granted them. Their faith permeated every caveat of their lives, including their professional ones. Anne outlines many of her late husband\u2019s greatest successes. She describes the determination and passion that propelled him. He spent 40 years serving Goodwill Industries of America, holding an array of leadership positions in cities across the Midwest. He served on nearly every board imaginable, helped to write state and national accessibility laws, and aided Fred Meijer, the owner of a reputable grocery store chain, in identifying ways to make his stores more wheelchair accessible. Davey retired in 2000 and died from respiratory failure associated with pneumonia just five short years later. However, his powerful story is kept alive through the words etched in this heartfelt account.

Anne Davey paints a beautiful portrait of her late husband. Her writing style is simple and engaging, allowing this biographical piece to be absorbed with ease despite its length. Additionally, a plethora of pictures of family, friends, and colleagues are dispersed throughout the pages. They nicely compliment the text and provide readers with a more intimate view of the Daveys. Some of the love letters her dearest friend and soulmate wrote are included as well as a serene goodbye letter to his loved ones, written just before his passing. David\u2019s words express the intensity of his adoration for his wife and are deeply touching to read, as is his final message of closure.

The optimism Anne and David showed for life and living, in addition to their unwavering faith and belief in a better world, are both refreshing and inspiring. Despite the difficulties that exist for those living with disabilities as well as those close to them, neither one of them expressed a semblance of pity for themselves or their circumstances. They faced life with gratitude and acceptance. In a world in which blame is so often cast and negativity frequently conveyed, their story is a welcome addition. May it serve as a springboard to action for those who also wish to make a difference in the world.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Jun-2020 21:01:41", "publisher": "Page Publishing, Inc.; Anne Koomans 8984 ed. edition", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008989003", "title": "What a Way to Live! A Professional Environmentalist Lives at a Breakneck Pace", "author": "Michael J. McCloskey", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Wenger", "word_count": 374, "review": "Michael J. McCloskey has made important strides in environmental and conservation movements throughout his long career. In this, his second memoir, he set out to detail the moments that shaped him. And detail them he does. The book contains accounts of crucial events in his career and personal life, ranging from his time in the army to finding good real estate in San Francisco.

The problem with this book is that at times it reads like a resume, listing the author\u2019s accomplishments and travels rather than really painting the picture of a life lived, as the subtitle goes, \u201cAt a Breakneck Pace\u201d. Stylistically, McCloskey\u2019s career as a lawyer and his upbringing as the son of an English professor who impressed on him the importance of \u2018speaking properly\u2019 makes the prose rather dry.

Further, the organization is not quite chronological, nor is it very well divided in terms of theme or topic. A section on \u201cwildlife\u201d is in reality just a list of animals the author has seen. This does little to engender environmental passion in a reader. In other sections, he catalogs trees, flowers, monarchs, and birds. While these may be of interest to some readers, they would do better to read books with various flora and fauna as their subject rather than this autobiography.

There is also perhaps an excess of sections that list the author's accomplishments both big and small. Unfortunately, impressive accomplishments do not always make for the most riveting reading. That said, McCloskey has immense experience as a professional environmentalist that could help readers who aspire to pursue a similar career. For those readers, I recommend chapter nine, and a few other sections that offer good advice on organizing, lobbying, giving speeches, and changing public opinion and policy.

They\u2019d do best to skip over sections like \u201cSearching for the Best Ice Cream\u201d and \u201cCredit Card Mix-Up,\" to name just a few, which would have done well to be cut. McCloskey\u2019s focus on quotidian aspects of life makes for a lovely journal, but unfortunately fails to capture and keep a reader\u2019s attention.

McCloskey has created a memoir that will be a great resource for environmental historians doing research on early conservation efforts. But for a fast-paced or moving book of nature writing, readers should look elsewhere.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Jun-2020 20:18:49", "publisher": "Envirogram", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000008988003", "title": "Clan", "author": "Sigmund Brouwer", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "Atlatl lives with his Clan at the end of the Ice Age. He broke his leg when very young and walks with a bad limp. He will never be a great hunter, but he can tell stories, and the children love listening to them. Atlatl\u2019s father, who hates having a crippled son, is head of the Clan, his uncle is the shaman, and his cousin, Powaw, is mean as a snake to Atlatl. When Atlatl takes in an orphaned saber-toothed cub, the Clan is not happy, and Powaw finds a way to use Cub against Atlatl, getting him banished from the Clan. Atlatl, on his own in a harsh environment, sees a flood wash through the valley, and he thinks everyone is dead. Now, it seems, he is truly alone. Can he survive?

Not many middle-grade novels are set in prehistoric times. This coming-of-age, survival story is a great one that middle-graders will love. Author Sigmund Brouwer\u2019s writing is terrific. The story is compelling, the characters are well-rounded and believable, and the problems the characters face are relatable to that audience. One can only hope there are more like this coming from Brouwer.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "12-Jun-2020 17:12:02", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008987043", "title": "The Midnight Circus", "author": "Jane Yolen", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 180, "review": "If stories are a circus, then Jane Yolen is the ringmaster to rule them all. In her latest story collection, The Midnight Circus, readers are treated to a showcase of the strange, the obscure, and the dark musings of the author\u2019s mind. This collection of short stories and poems is pleasing and greatly entertaining. From haunting angels to origin stories of unforgettable characters, and plenty of ocean and sea life, The Midnight Circus has something for everyone. Yolen is her descriptive and wild self, taking the reader on an experience they won\u2019t soon forget. In these sixteen stories, we see the author at her unnerving best, with a polar explorer with a dark secret, a boy stripped of all he loves by a hated father, a wife who will face the depths of the ocean for her man, and much, much more. These are the fairy tales we know or think we know, told in ways that will surprise, amaze, and, ultimately, entertain us. Always beautiful, dark, and imaginative, but never sentimental, these are fairy tales for a new age.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "12-Jun-2020 17:34:21", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008986031", "title": "Dino Dana: Dino Field Guide", "author": "J.J. Johnson, Christin Simms, Colleen Russo Johnson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 185, "review": "This is the perfect book for avid dinosaur fans. Dino Dana's Field Guide is packed with facts and statistics about dinosaurs. Each dinosaur's name is listed as well as what it's name means; also included is the type of dinosaur it is called. This book is so full of information like where the dinosaur used to live, what era the dinosaur lived in, what they ate, and colorful pictures. This fun book also includes Dino Dana's Dinosaur experiments. Each experiment has a question Dana has asked; she is eager to research and test different hypotheses to find the answers to her questions. This guide is great for readers to follow along and have their own dinosaur adventures just like Dino Dana. I really like the colorful pictures of the dinosaurs. My favorite part of the book is the dinosaur experiments. Each dinosaur experiment is different, but each has steps to help set up a trap to capture dinosaurs or to collect information on how to investigate and find out more about what dinosaurs might have been like by studying their relatives, like birds and lizards.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "11-Jun-2020 19:46:14", "publisher": "Mango Publishing", "page_count": "230 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008986019", "title": "I'm Sticking with You", "author": "Smriti Prasadam-Halls and Steve Small", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 203, "review": "Bear and Squirrel stick together through the good and the bad. Or so Bear thinks. Bear vows to be there for Squirrel. \u201cEven if sometimes it goes a bit wrong.\u201d And does it ever. Bear sincerely tells young readers that he and Squirrel fit, \u201cLike peas in a pod.\u201d But the illustrations tell a different tale than the text. Squirrel scowls after Bear cracks his favorite cup. Bear squishes Squirrel whenever they share a space. Do they fit? Squirrel believes, \u201cThere\u2019s bearly any room.\u201d Squirrel reaches his breaking point in an igloo and finally tells bear, \u201cI think I need to be on my own.\u201d

I\u2019m Sticking with You, written by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and illustrated by Steven Small, is a funny and poignant story about the ups and downs of friendship. In fantastic rhyme, Bear\u2019s sentiment is sweet and also painful as readers realize it is one-sided. Small\u2019s illustrations convey Squirrel\u2019s frustrations and regret in an hilarious manner. Squirrel\u2019s dark night of the soul quite literally arrives on a black background as he chases Bear down and admits, \u201cMe without you? It just doesn\u2019t work. Me without you? I\u2019d just go berserk.\u201d Because who is Squirrel kidding, where would he be without Bear?", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "11-Jun-2020 19:27:54", "publisher": "Henry Holt", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008986015", "title": "The Purpose Playbook: Design Your Life Around What Matters Most", "author": "Alexandra Cole", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 228, "review": "This book sets out to help readers find their purpose, and then help them develop a lifestyle that will keep them \u201con purpose\u201d (i.e. live their lives in line with their individual purposes). It acknowledges that we are all different, and hence our purposes will be different. The chapters are divided into three main parts: the first tries to define \u201cpurpose\u201d, the second focuses on finding one\u2019s purpose, and the third explores living on purpose. The narrative is easy to read, and some chapters have exercises that are supposed to help readers discover their own purpose.

Like other books of this genre, this one draws primarily from anecdotal evidence. In this case, most of the examples come from the author\u2019s life experiences. The narrative acknowledges that all of our purposes are different, but does not adequately show that following the path outlined will work for all readers. The introduction states that the methodology used in this book has been adopted from that used to help organizations articulate their purposes. Individual and organization purposes have several differences. An overall methodology that works for organizations may not work for individuals (who change more frequently and have a richer array of qualities and ambitions than do organizations). While the book is an easy and interesting read, it does not adequately make the case that its methodology will work for all readers.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "11-Jun-2020 19:22:40", "publisher": "Wise Ink", "page_count": "226 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008986011", "title": "Valuing Nature: A Handbook for Impact Investing", "author": "William J. Ginn", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 196, "review": "There has been an increasing awareness that to help solve the climate issue, it is going to take the deep pockets of investors who are willing to invest in projects rather than just pure philanthropy or government regulation. In his new book, William Ginn looks at how The Nature Conservancy developed investing models, its own investment fund, and other ways of investing to solve some of the biggest environmental issues that the planet is facing, while at the same time delivering returns to investors. While it might be harder for smaller groups to follow the same model, since The Nature Conservancy is a behemoth, Ginn provides some suggestions for investors who wish to make a difference and might struggle to know how.

The book is not perfect. It really just focuses on The Nature Conservancy, specifically the projects that Ginn worked on. There is really no talk of how this could work through individual investors, whether they buy individual stocks or mutual funds, though pension funds and other national funds could invest in these projects. It often feels to much like a press release for The Nature Conservancy and not too much digging beneath the surface.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "11-Jun-2020 19:16:44", "publisher": "Island Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008986007", "title": "The White Man Who Stayed: A Biography Remembered", "author": "James A. Autry", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 220, "review": "Back in the decades following WW2, Doug Autry\u2019s championing of the African American community where he lived in Benton, Mississippi, was rare. He recognized improvement could come only with better education opportunities. His dedication was not a reflection of his family\u2019s attitude. Indeed, racial discrimination was not a topic of family conversation and a favorite uncle was a member of the Klan.

James Autry, his cousin, a retired Fortune 500 executive and author of several books, has chronicled the portrait of the man whose tenacity spelled a legacy of achievement.

Douglas Autry was raised long before the 1954 law mandated the racial integration of schools and he became involved in pursuing his mission. Ten years later he was appointed County Director of the Neighborhood Youth Corps, a wing of the Community Action Program, \nBut something went wrong. He was accused of embezzling $630 from the Corps funds and served eighteen months of a seven-year sentence before receiving a full pardon then struggling to restore acceptance and respect in his community. Eventually, he became Superintendent of the Benton County Schools, a position he held for many years.

The book is short, the writing spare, appropriate for the tale Autry tells. The White Man Who Stayed is both enlightening and humbling, a reminder of a past that regrettably is still with us.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "11-Jun-2020 19:14:31", "publisher": "Ice Cube Press", "page_count": "180 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008986003", "title": "The Creation of an Artist: Grant Wood's Boyhood Story", "author": "Barbara Feller", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 196, "review": "This is an American story, birthed from the toil demanding earth in the agricultural centered mid-west. It is a tale of the growth of one of our iconic artists, Grant Wood, whose name reflexly brings to mind the image of the long admired and often parodied painting \"American Gothic.\" Recalling the words of a youthful Grant (named after the civil war general) with the memories of those who knew him, Barbara Feller knits together the account of how the early childhood influences of poverty, farming chores, and an encouraging mother served to mold the views and outlooks of this art-loving Quaker child. Recognizing his talents, teachers encouraged his drawing aptitude through grade school and college. Even while studying in Europe and picking up skills from European artworks, he identified with the American mid-west and his home in Iowa. He often stated that his best ideas came while he was milking cows and that his most comfortable attire was just a plain pair of overalls. Fitting for both younger and older readers, the viewer is returned to a bygone American era in this simple yet uplifting story of how background and character shaped this mature regional artist.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "11-Jun-2020 19:11:55", "publisher": "Ice Cube Press", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008985003", "title": "Grandpa Nick's Bump", "author": "Lynda Daniele", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Utomo", "word_count": 404, "review": "No one lives forever. This is troubling enough for adults bombarded with rising death tolls during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it\u2019s even more unsettling for those encountering death for the first time. More than ever, children need age-appropriate content that portrays death as part of the human experience, and Lynda Daniele targets this need with Grandpa Nick\u2019s Bump. She addresses children who have lost a grandparent to cancer, but her book could also inspire broader discussions about death, grief, and even the afterlife.

Daniele lightens her book\u2019s weighty subject with an endearing cast of characters. Grandpa Nick is a jovial do-gooder who is a match for everything from broken bikes to (literally) spilled milk. Young readers may also identify with one of his grandchildren, even if their genders are a bit stereotyped: Joseph is gentle, Margaret is quiet, Emma is ladylike, and Sean is the troublemaker. They enjoy playing with Grandpa Nick each time they visit \u2013 until one day they spot a bump on his head.

The children make Grandpa Nick cards. He prays for the bump to disappear, then he disappears on mysterious trips to the hospital. Grown-ups tell them that \u201che\u2019s doing well,\u201d until one day they come home from school to learn that Grandpa Nick has passed away. The children aren\u2019t sure how to respond, but they\u2019re told \u201cit\u2019s okay to be sad\u201d and that he\u2019s with \u201cJesus and His Dad.\u201d They finally decide that drawing pictures will help them feel better and the book ends on a happy note.

While Christian families will appreciate Daniele's depiction of Heaven, the book under-delivers on its more universal content: coping with grief. \u201cIt\u2019s okay to be sad\u201d is an important message, but children should learn that different people feel sad in different ways. Even more importantly, they need to understand that grieving is a unique process without a time limit. Drawing pictures may help some people, but others might want to do something else. Some people may feel better soon, but others might be sad for a very long time.

Nevertheless, these thematic weaknesses don\u2019t necessarily preclude Grandpa Nick's Bump from educating children about death. Adults who prefer a more universal Heaven and aren\u2019t comfortable leading additional conversations about grief might favor different options, but others will appreciate Lynda Daniele\u2019s optimistic exploration of loss. What\u2019s undeniable is that we should be equipping children to face our changing world, now more than ever.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Jun-2020 18:49:10", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing, Inc", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008983003", "title": "The Secret of Rosalita Flats", "author": "Tim W. Jackson", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 437, "review": "Cal Batten receives the news of his father\u2019s passing and heads down to Blacktip Island. His relationship with his father was estranged from an early age. His father\u2019s death was untimely, and his wish was for Cal to assume ownership of the house. Cal views this as more akin to an imposition, as his life on the mainland is problematic. Cal\u2019s business is flailing, the ink on the divorce papers still fresh, and bills are piling up. His hopes are pinned to a quick sale of the home, the last tie to his relationship with his later father severed. Yet, things don\u2019t always go as planned.

The homestead of his late father resembles a slipshod puzzle, organization not being a priority. He makes the acquaintance of Rosie, his father\u2019s maid/lover. She refuses to vacate the premises, as she has been compensated for her services for the immediate future. Cal is troubled by the desolate location of the home. If he needs to get any supplies, he must hitch a ride into town. His father\u2019s car, nicknamed \u201cThe Thing,\u201d needs repairs and still remains capable of falling apart under normal conditions. The demise of Cal\u2019s father has perked up the heads of many denizens of Blacktip Island. Curiosity about Cal\u2019s intentions towards the property abound.

Cal\u2019s father, Rhodes, was viewed as an eccentric figure. What was he doing at his estate? A few suspect that he was working on an elixir for eternal youth. Others suspect his home was utilized as a CIA base. Untangling the varied remnants and detritus of his father\u2019s world proves problematic as the house becomes a target for break-ins. Sleep proves near impossible for Cal as strange noises rouse him every night, in addition to a proliferation of mosquitoes. What has Cal gotten himself into?

As Cal seeks out the least corrupt individual to straighten out his father\u2019s intentions, he runs into his friend Marina. After getting off to a stumbling start, their friendship rekindles. However, complications at home and the intrigue around his father\u2019s actions threaten to destroy Cal. Will he ever get to sell the house and the problems that come with it?

The Secret of Rosalita Flats is a humorous, slow-burn mystery that will consume the reader with its opening chapters. Cal is a hard-luck but amiable guy attempting to reconcile past wounds while staying afloat financially. His troubles are relatable yet occasionally absurd. The dialogue is sharp and clever, the action intermittent but timely. The supporting characters are eclectic but add much to the overall flow of the story. The Secret of Rosalita Flats makes for an excellent, enjoyable time unraveling a mystery.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "10-Jun-2020 18:10:36", "publisher": "Devonshire House Press", "page_count": "285 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008981003", "title": "The Torch of Hope and Inspirations", "author": "Annalyn Rasul", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 78, "review": "\"A beautiful collection of personal poems and quotes, The Torch of Hope and Inspirations illustrates many different scenarios in the author\u2019s life. Descriptive and spiritual, these poems range from love to despair to hope to happiness. Also included are many uplifting inspirational quotes from some of the world\u2019s most respected people. A book that you will come back to time and time again when your heart needs a little pick-me-up.\" \u2014 Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 19:56:40", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008980131", "title": "Mundunur: A Mountain Village Under the Spell of South Italy", "author": "Michele Antonio DiMarco", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 194, "review": "Montenero is a village in the mountains of South Italy. It lies about 90 miles east of Rome and is the homeland of the author\u2019s family. Yet it is not until at least two-thirds of the way through the book that the reader is invited to visit the village. Before these pages, the whole history and pre-history of Italy are unrolled. This is a bonus, an unexpected chance to read about a country seen from a perspective beyond the customary highlights of magnificent age-old cities, Renaissance art, fine wine, and opera rather than life in an ancient, simple village.

The author expresses disappointment that when starting to explore his heritage, local leaders appeared to show little interest in is research, a situation likely similar in any place where an outsider, unknowingly, seems intrusive.

Mundunur, as the village is known, has attractions depicted in both words and visual images. The book displays glorious color images sharing space with all manner of information, and numerous family photos supporting the author\u2019s unvoiced contention that the past should be re-introduced in the present. This present offers attractive features to visitors, a modern overlay to a lengthy, varied past.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 21:45:37", "publisher": "Via Media Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008980119", "title": "When We Vanished", "author": "Alanna Peterson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 184, "review": "At first he was in frequent contact, but as time goes on he stops responding, and Andi overhears details about harmful research her dad is involved in. She begins to worry. With unlikely new friends, Andi sets out to uncover the truth. But everything goes wrong when they\u2019re caught. Their search takes them to a confidential research facility where they learn that there\u2019s more to the truth then they could have imagined.

When We Vanished is a search for the truth, not just in a fictional world, but ours as well. The characters are each unique with their own voices. Eight-year-old Roya gets her own time to tell the story in a way that\u2019s believable because she\u2019s telling it from the point-of-view of a child. The three siblings are Middle Eastern, and Andi is part Taiwanese; we\u2019re given little glances into their cultures and how other people treat them. I love the crows, except it felt like they were a lazy way out of some things, but because of the way it\u2019s written, it\u2019s hard to imagine it differently. There is heavy cussing throughout.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 21:29:29", "publisher": "Rootcity Press", "page_count": "332 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008980111", "title": "More Than Marmalade: Michael Bond and the Story of Paddington Bear", "author": "Rosanne Tolin", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Michael Bond wasn\u2019t much of a student. In fact, he stopped going to school when he was only fourteen. But he wasn\u2019t lazy. He simply wasn\u2019t interested in what was being taught. He was much more fascinated with mechanical things and spent time fixing radio transmitters before joining the army. It was in the army he began writing, and one thing he\u2019d learned from his grandfather was to never give up. Michael began collecting rejection slips, as most writers do, but he kept on. One Christmas, he bought a lonely-looking stuffed bear for his wife, and this became the inspiration for a new book. Michael and his wife named the bear Paddington, and that little bear changed Michael\u2019s life. He built an extremely successful writing career on that character.

Author Roseanne Tolin started her writing career as a journalist, and that training in research and fact-finding is apparent in her work here. Her writing is lively and age-appropriate for middle-graders without talking down to them. Youngsters will find it interesting to see a writer develop through perseverance and dedication to his craft with the help of a healthy imagination. This is an excellent biography.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 21:08:52", "publisher": "Chicago Review Press", "page_count": "130 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008980099", "title": "The S.S Officer's Armchair: Uncovering the Hidden Life of a Nazi", "author": "Daniel Lee", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 199, "review": "Historians have been working at digging deeper into World War II Germany, trying to move away from the major figures and trying to look at how the more average person interacted, lived, and worked in Nazi Germany. This book takes a look at one such person; while a member of the SS, he was not well known and never really advanced his career before his death at the end of the war. Historian Daniel Lee was told the story of Nazi German records found in the lining of a chair. Wanting to know more, he started to research who was this person, how did his family react to him being in the SS, and whether he was a die-hard believer or someone who mostly wanted to maintain a steady life, family, and paycheck. What follows is an interesting look into how people remember the past, how countries remember the past, and if it is at all possible to take a look at the average person. It is hard to reconstruct the lives of average people even in modern day, let alone after a country destroys most of its records. This is a welcome addition to German Twentieth Century history.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 19:22:58", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008980095", "title": "Cat Person and Other Stories", "author": "Kristen Roupenian", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 214, "review": "Cat Person and Other Stories, by Kristen Roupenian, is a republication of twelve stories previously published as You Know You Want This. It also includes one new story. This collection\u2019s stories are packed with tension. Cat Person is the most famous short story in the collection. I was dismayed to discover the controversy regarding it, as I thought it was extremely well written. The insights in that particular story are unlike others that I\u2019ve read, Roupenian captures something that people (women especially, I think) find very hard to explain in relationships. The first story, Bad Boy, is disturbing. The weirdness of sexual relationships and power/control dynamics is developed in that story. The Good Guy left me a little empty. I wasn\u2019t sure if Roupenian meant for the protagonist to have a skewed vision of himself and the way others perceive him, or not. Sardines has an element of magical realism and some observations about being a preteen. While some of the stories are dark and depressing, they all take a hard look at a piece of the human condition that only a writer of a certain self-consciousness can describe. Roupenian's insights have real value, but that doesn't make the collection enjoyable, at least for me. The collection is uneven.. But it is never boring.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 19:16:53", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008980087", "title": "On the Horizon: World War II Reflections", "author": "Lois Lowry", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 225, "review": "On the Horizon is a reflection of Lois Lowry\u2019s experience living in Hawaii and Japan during and after World War II. She combines this with research and experience from others and putting them in poem form. I love the care she took in not only talking about Pearl Harbor, but also how the atomic bomb and the war affected Japan.

The writing is phenomenal. Lowry writes poetry with the beauty and flow that she has in her novels. The poems cover a variety of topics from her spending time as a child on the beach, to the band on the ship, to the soldiers. It also covers people that saw the atomic bomb from far away, a child that dies, and how the life of the people were drastically changed.

The illustrations in this book are amazing. They are black and white paintings. They help set the mood for each poem and present the main idea. My favorites are the sailors and the planes.

I think it gives the reader a good perspective that terrible things happened both in Pearl Harbor and in Hiroshima. People made mistakes and hurt and killed a lot of people. It\u2019s also important to remember these mistakes so we don\u2019t repeat them again.

I would recommend this for middle school and up because of the content being difficult to process.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 19:09:37", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin", "page_count": "76 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008980079", "title": "Poppy (American Dog)", "author": "Jennifer Li Shotz", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 10", "word_count": 185, "review": "Hannah recently moved to California from Michigan. She has a giant birthmark down the side of her face. People assume that there is something wrong with her just because she has a visible birthmark. She knows exactly how it feels to be judged before someone knows her.

Poppy is a pit bull. Just because of Poppy\u2019s breed, everyone assumes she is a vicious dog. Hannah\u2019s neighbor, Mrs. Gilly, owns Poppy, and Poppy has way too much energy and needs to be trained. Otherwise, she will have to be returned to the animal shelter. Mrs. Gilly is a senior citizen and doesn\u2019t have the energy to keep up with Poppy, so Hannah decides she will take on the task. Hannah wants to show everyone that Poppy can be a sweet girl, even though she is a pit bull.

I liked this book because it was so sweet how Poppy came to adore Hannah, who saw the good in her before anyone else did. I think this book encourages people to see the good in animals and other people, too, no matter what their outward appearance is.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 18:55:52", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008980075", "title": "Brave (American Dog)", "author": "Jennifer Li Shotz", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 193, "review": "When Dylan finds a lost puppy, he knows they are meant to be. He names the dog Brave. His mom says Dylan must train Brave before they can keep him. The agreement is that Brave can stay for two weeks, and then he will be taken to the shelter so his owner might reclaim him. If the owner does not come forward, Dylan might be able to adopt Brave.

Dylan asks his classmate Grace to help train Brave. She agrees, but only if Dylan helps her clear the ranch she lives on of debris from the recent hurricane. He agrees; after all, who cares about a little debris cleaning if it means he might get to keep Brave? The training starts, and Brave responds magnificently. Except for one thing: the kids just cannot help Brave get over his fear of sounds. As soon as he hears a loud noise, he goes into full panic mode. Dylan really wants to keep Brave, but can he train the dog in time?

I liked this book because it was entertaining and sweet. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves books about dogs and friendship.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 18:55:45", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008980067", "title": "Don't Stop", "author": "Christine McVie, with illustrations by Nusha Ashjaee", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 171, "review": "Don\u2019t Stop is a pretty cool book. I read it, and it was pretty cool. It\u2019s even based on a song! (My mom says it\u2019s by a band called Fleetwood Mac.) There\u2019s a rabbit in the story who is sad, but he sees a flower and knows that spring is coming. But it\u2019s still windy and cold outside of his cozy little house in a tree. There are other animals in the forest where the rabbit lives. The other animals help the rabbit when he\u2019s having a rough time and getting blown around. Together, their tomorrow will be better than before.

I think it\u2019s really cool that this book is based on song lyrics. We listened to it afterward, and I really liked it. I like the rabbit too. He doesn\u2019t give up and knows that things will get better. Overall, this book is pretty cool and I liked reading it. The song lyrics are by Christine McVie, and the illustrations were done by Nusha Ashjaee. She drew a really good bunny.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 18:41:54", "publisher": "Akashic Books", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008980063", "title": "We're Not Gonna Take It", "author": "Dee Snider", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 245, "review": "You know the song; now We\u2019re Not Gonna Take It is a hilarious book following three toddlers trying to outwit their parents who are attempting to have some adult conversation during a play date. From trying to steal cookies, to sneaking outside, to climbing out of their crib, these kids aren\u2019t wanting to do anything their parents say. Will the toddlers win or be outwitted by their parents who aren\u2019t going to take it anymore?

I love the song, and I really loved the way that the illustrator took the words and made it into a hilarious book that parents and kids will enjoy. Each delightful page shows what trouble the kids will get into next. It\u2019s a battle to see who is going to get their way. I loved seeing the things the kids get into because I remember my kids doing similar things when they were little too. My six-year-old and three-year-old have asked to read this book no less than five times since we read it a few days ago. It\u2019s hilarious and fun because you can sing it. The repetition of the song had my kids singing right along with me. My three-year-old loved the words to the song; she thought it was hilarious that they dumped their food and went for the cookies. My six-year-old loved that the kids were mowing the lawn outside because they weren\u2019t supposed to, and he loves to sing the song over and over again.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 18:40:34", "publisher": "Akashic Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5/5"} {"id": "425035000008980059", "title": "Patriotic Dissent: America in the Age of Endless War", "author": "Daniel A. Sjursen", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 173, "review": "The idea of patriotic dissent in American history has had a long and tangled past. Oftentimes people who have dissented against the majority, especially during a time of conflict, were seen as traitors, fifth columnists, and worse. They were often treated harshly, and many sacrificed careers to believe in their opinion. Daniel Sjursen takes us through his story about a model solider that is now considered a dissenter against the military and the seemingly endless wars that the United States is facing. This slim book is part history of dissent across America\u2019s history from the Revolutionary War to modern times and part memoir as Sjursten grapples with the decisions that he made and the ramifications. I would not consider this a true history book, but more of a memoir that also offers a call to arms for those who speak out against the endless wars and who are willing to raise a voice against the increasingly conservative jingoism in the United States and groupthink, which is often threatening to tear apart small communities.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 18:38:02", "publisher": "Heydark Books", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008980043", "title": "Miss Iceland: A Novel", "author": "Audur Ava Olafsdottir", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 214, "review": "In 1960s Iceland, poets are revered. They squeeze into cafes and are treated as celebrities--and they are almost exclusively men. Women are not meant to be writers, and those who do insist on writing are excluded from the cafes and other elements of the writing community. For Hekla, moving to Reykjavik is how she attempts to find a place for herself as a woman writer. Yet she meets obstacles right and left. Her roommate Jon, a gay man struggling to define the shape of his own life, ultimately moves away to work on a fishing boat. Her old friend Isey is swiftly building an absolutely conventional life with her husband and children, though she can\u2019t ignore her own creative urges. And Hekla\u2019s boyfriend, an ambitious writer named Starkadur, had no idea she\u2019s a writer--and reacts outrageously when he finds out.

As Hekla endures her coworkers\u2019 insistence that she enter the Miss Iceland competition, she tries to stay focused on her writing, shutting out the noise of a society not ready for a woman like her. She may not be welcome among the male poets in the cafes, but Hekla trusts she has something worthwhile to say. Her workaround to the era\u2019s sexism may be frustrating, but her determination and commitment are to be admired.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 18:27:48", "publisher": "Grove Atlantic", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008980039", "title": "Act (A Click Graphic Novel)", "author": "Kayla Miller", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 189, "review": "Olive Branche, a sixth-grader, finds out that there's a school policy that makes it so some students in the school can't go to the school field trips. Olive decides to run for the student council to make things right for her friends. But it's hard for Olive to run against her two friends, Trent and Sawyer. Trent and Sawyer are both running for student council to bring back chocolate pudding from their old elementary school instead of apple slices in a bag at lunchtime. Olive is very busy and it's tough because she\u2019s interested in doing a protest and a bake sale for the school. Will Olive Branche win the vote for the student council and make things right?

The book plot is really good. I like how it\u2019s about protests and elections and voting. I liked the drawings very much and my favorite character is Olive. I like the name Olive Branche because it's a cute name that fits. I would definitely vote for her because she would make the school a better place. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in activism and voting.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 18:24:57", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008980035", "title": "You Talkin' to Me? How to Write Great Dialogue", "author": "Linda Seger and John Rainey", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Dialogue takes on a lot of jobs in all kinds of writing \u2014 screenplays, novels, short stories, plays, and more. It can help define characters, advance the story, express themes, and explore conflict. In order to do so many jobs, dialogue must be lean and very specific. Dialogue in writing can\u2019t be like everyday conversation. It has to not just carry what is spoken, but it must carry subtext as well. Word choice, to indicate that subtext, is incredibly important. This book, written by a successful screenwriter and a script consultant, gives writers ways to look at dialogue for the different jobs it has to do through the use of excellent examples with suggested rewrites. This structure is highly instructive and useful for writers of any genre and at any level of experience. The writing is accessible and lively, as one would expect, making this not only a necessity for writers to add to their libraries but something of a joy as well. It is a fun book to read. Studying the lessons laid out in this book can take writers to the next level and help them make their writing polished and professional.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 18:21:11", "publisher": "Michael Wiese Productions", "page_count": "254 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008980027", "title": "Band Together", "author": "Chloe Douglass", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 209, "review": "A ukulele-playing duck is sometimes overwhelmed when making new friends. He is used to being by himself. One day, he comes across a band stranded on the beach. Bear, Fox, and Seagull\u2019s van has broken down, and they ask him to \u201clend a wing.\u201d Duck takes a risk and helps the band fix their van. He also has fun playing music with them. They invite Duck to their concert the next evening, and when Seagull gets sick, Bear and Fox ask Duck to play with them instead. Duck wants to, but he has doubts. Why would anyone want to be friends with a duck like him? If Duck can\u2019t find the courage to join the band, the concert will be cancelled.

Chloe Douglass\u2019s Band Together is a story about navigating the challenges of making new friends and finding self-confidence. The sparse text and emotive illustrations help young readers to see themselves in Duck and his social-emotional struggles when wanting to belong. For children who struggle with shyness, it is especially helpful to see Duck confront his fears and overcome them. Douglass also tackles this serious subject with humor. She includes endpaper illustrations of rock albums with an animal twist: \u201cKitty Perry\u201d and \u201cJustin Beaver,\u201d to name but a few.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 18:15:03", "publisher": "American Psychological Association", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008980023", "title": "The Friendship List", "author": "Susan Mallery", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 241, "review": "The Friendship List is the wonderful story about two best friends since childhood, Ellen and Unity, who have gone through life ups and downs with each other by their sides. Now in their mid-thirties, Ellen\u2019s son, Coop, is ready to go off to college, and Ellen overhears him worrying about leaving her. As a single mom who had Coop when she was only seventeen, this makes Ellen sad since she doesn\u2019t want to hold him back. Unity, on the other hand, is childless, mainly because she the love of her life, Stuart, was killed in the line of duty three years ago, and she has never let go. The best friends decide to make a list of things they would like to accomplish and call it the friendship list.

I absolutely loved the story in its entirety. It was not lost on me, however, that halfway through the book there really wasn\u2019t too much mention of the so-called list and both friends were up to their knees in emotional drama. The characters in this book are all very lovable including the Coach, the gorgeous Thaddeus, Coop, Coach\u2019s daughter Lissa, and Thaddeus\u2019 meddling but oh-so-wonderful aunt Dagmar. I also loved the creativity when it came to the names. Overall, this book had many life lessons we could all learn from. A beautiful story with a bit of laughter, a pinch of sorrow, and a squeeze of uneasiness as the characters all work together.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 18:10:15", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008980011", "title": "The Suicide House", "author": "Charlie Donlea", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 195, "review": "Two prep school students are brutally murdered during a secret ritual but the case is considered closed when the suspected killer, a faculty member, is left in a vegetative state after attempting suicide. Since that time, three students have committed suicide and now a podcast is not only revisiting the deaths but also hoping to unearth new details. In need of an expert\u2019s knowledge, the podcast hires psychologist Lane Phillips, who entices his partner Rory Moore, a forensic reconstructionist specializing in solving cold cases, to help figure out what really happened.

Let\u2019s start this review by saying that there is a lot going on in The Suicide House, with various timelines to follow, a lot of characters to keep track of, and plenty of secrets to uncover, but it all works and all the loose ends and questions are answered. This is the second book in the series but, while the reader would benefit from reading Some Choose Darkness first, The Suicide House reads well as a stand-alone novel. Author Charlie Donlea is a superb psychological suspense writer, and the book has a fast-paced plot and main characters unlike any typically found in this genre.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 18:02:02", "publisher": "Kensington Publishing", "page_count": "356 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008980007", "title": "The Orphan Collector", "author": "Ellen Marie Wiseman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 200, "review": "This is the story of a 13-year-old girl as she navigates her way through the 1918 pandemic and faces loss, discrimination, and life in an orphanage all the while longing to find her missing twin baby brothers. At the same time a bitter, miserable, grief stricken woman takes it upon herself to rid the city of immigrant children and \u201csave\u201d babies by kidnapping them.

The description for this book was misleading and does not do this book justice. I was expecting more of a cat and mouse game with suspense as the main character tried to find her missing twin brothers. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author masterfully conveys empathy for the characters. I cried, I laughed, and it was an emotional roller coaster that was eerily similar to today\u2019s events. I felt Pia\u2019s strength, courage, guilt, and grief come through the pages clear as day. At first I was sympathetic to Bernice Groves, but then realized she was just evil and full of hate. I felt the ending was a bit rushed, but overall I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical dramas. Although this could be a trigger for anyone currently experiencing grief and loss.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 17:58:35", "publisher": "Kensington Publishing", "page_count": "380 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008980003", "title": "The Mockingbird's Song: Amish Greenhouse Mystery - book 2 (Amish Greenhouse Mysteries)", "author": "Wanda E. Brunstetter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 192, "review": "In the second book of the Amish Greenhouse Mystery series, the King family is where we left them after the first book. Belinda, Sylvia, Amy, and Henry are still coping with the loss of their loved ones from a sudden and tragic accident, but each family member is dealing with it in their own way. The Mockingbird's Song focuses on Sylvia and how she is coping with the loss of her husband while she is also trying to raise two boppli amidst constant reminders of her past life. The identity of the one who was vandalizing the greenhouse isn't known, but when further acts of vandalism happen, the Kings learn more. A mysterious man also shows up in Sylvia's life; is he to be trusted, or should the Kings go with their gut feeling?

Again, I loved reading this book as much as the first one. Brunstetter stayed true to all of the characters, and it felt like nothing more than a continuation in the storyline. I am happy with how things ended up turning out at the end of this book, and I can't wait for the third and final installment!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "08-Jun-2020 17:52:14", "publisher": "Shiloh Run Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008979007", "title": "Soulstealer", "author": "Shane Boulware", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi", "word_count": 483, "review": "Nythan was just a regular guy, living life like most of us. He was a cadet in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Central Florida, had a job, and made plans for the future. Little did he know that he would be chosen by a powerful entity to be its host and become the Soulstealer. In the beginning, he couldn\u2019t comprehend what that entity was, but later on, he finds out that it\u2019s one of many names. Throughout the centuries it searches for a host, lives by feeding with souls, and tries to ascend and be free. It was present when the Roman Empire rose, it fought in the Trojan War, was a Chinese emperor and was worshipped by the Aztecs. Some call it, Shiva, some The Great One and most know it as Satan. At first, Nythan desperately searches for a way to get rid of it, but they have become one, so he understands that the solution is to accept it and coexist. For the time being, they try to stay in the shadows and in order to accomplish that, they look for the Raptors, the Unas and the Sanhe, mystical organizations that can provide Nythan and the Great One with what they need like money, power, protection, loyalty, a place to hide and the time to complete their plan. But time is running out because a group called Ordo Solis, the Order of the Sun, is breathing down their neck and is getting closer, much closer than anticipated. Now it\u2019s up to Nythan to orchestrate a successful plan, fight the enemy and manage to stay alive in the process.

Nythan is a very interesting character. At the beginning of the story he\u2019s a young man, who just worries about school and money but throughout the story, he evolves into someone who literally has to carry the weight of the world upon his shoulders. He matures extremely quickly, he makes wrong decisions and he will be forced to make tough choices but that\u2019s exactly what keeps him human. The book is basically a dialogue between Nythan and Bane, the Great One. They are completely different characters. Nythan is young and inexperienced, while Bane is old, wise and has his own sense of humor. Together, they make an unusual couple that is the base of the story. The pace is not the same throughout the story. It starts fast, then slows down and as we get closer to the end picks up in the final chapters. In his debut novel, Shane Boulware delivers a beautifully written story with unique and authentic characters and plot twists with religious and supernatural elements that make the reader keep reading until the end! These are the reasons why it is highly recommended to urban fantasy fans. Soulstealer ends with a cliffhanger, and I am looking forward to the next chapter.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "07-Jun-2020 01:48:35", "publisher": "THEORYbee", "page_count": "406 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008979003", "title": "A Ghost for a Clue (Immortology, Book 1)", "author": "C.L.R. Draeco", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 404, "review": "The story begins with the death of Bram Morrison\u2019s friend, Franco, in a tragic accident. Bram has little time to dwell on his loss, however; his work must go on, and soon he isn\u2019t just designing robots to assist astronauts on deep space missions but also has the chance to go on one himself. Even as the plot moves along at rocket-like speeds, the narrative never entirely loses the theme of death and loss. If anything, it\u2019s the space travel that gets lost. As Bram considers a one-way trip to a distant constellation, he realizes he wouldn\u2019t want to leave Earth without Torula Jackson, his childhood friend and long-time crush. As he tries to get up the nerve to ask her to accompany him, however, he finds himself embroiled in a mystery: Torula thinks she has found a ghost.

That description is only a taste of what the first book in the Immortology series has to offer. Though it is comparatively short, it packs a lot in, meaning a proper synopsis would be at least a thousand words. For those who love their science fiction jam-packed with intellectual action and more than a little taste of the weird, this is a very promising start. There may not be any high-speed chases or laser guns firing, but in my opinion this book has something better: intelligent people making intuitive leaps, and science that feels real without getting too bogged down in being hard sci-fi. There are a few moments where the technobabble feels a bit much, but for the most part, I loved how in-depth the explanations could be. It helps that all the protagonists are scientists. You can\u2019t avoid in-depth explanations there.

The book isn\u2019t just fascinating experiments and madcap theories that might or might be true. Draeco makes sure to flesh out the characters and the world. These characters have foibles and failings, but more than that, they have quirks that feel organic rather than tacked on for flavor. There are also little hints and clues sprinkled throughout for readers to catch onto, half-disguised as slips of the tongue. I wouldn\u2019t go so far as to call A Ghost for a Clue a mystery, but there are plenty of mysteries in it to solve. As the first in a series, not everything is wrapped up by the end, but enough is that I didn\u2019t feel unsatisfied. I only felt curious about what would come next.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "06-Jun-2020 01:46:47", "publisher": "", "page_count": "489 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008977051", "title": "Fresh from Poland: New Vegetarian Cooking from the Old Country", "author": "Michal Korkosz", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 202, "review": "Many of us think of pork dishes and sausages when we think of Polish cooking, but this marvelous new cookbook will change minds with nearly ninety delicious vegetarian recipes based on recipes handed down by author Michal Korkosz\u2019s mother and grandmother.

He starts with an introduction to his story and a Polish kitchen as well as a section on what one needs in a Polish pantry. This is followed by sections on Breakfast; Soups; Breads and Baked Goods; Main Dishes; Side Dishes; Pierogi and Dumplings; Desserts; and Preserves, Jams, and Pickles. Each section begins with a short essay about the Polish heritage of that group of foods.

Most recipes include a paragraph on Michel\u2019s personal feelings about the dish. The recipes are well written and easy to follow, and they are of great variety and unexpected for a typical American audience. The book is filled with glorious, mouth-watering color photos of the finished dishes and also some instructive photos where needed, such as the section on pierogis. Do not miss the recipes for creamy sauerkraut soup or stuffed tomatoes with millet, cinnamon, and almonds.

There is something for everyone in this book, and even the most ardent carnivore will find satisfaction here.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 19:17:52", "publisher": "The Experiment", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008977043", "title": "The Book of Awesome Women Writers: Medieval Mystics, Pioneering Poets, Fierce Feminists and First Ladies of Literature", "author": "Becca Anderson", "category": "N25 Books About Books", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 161, "review": "The Book of Awesome Women Writers is exactly that. There are a lot of women authors out there, past and present. Some, like Maya Angelou and J.K. Rowling, are names everyone\u2019s heard of. This book covers them and many more that aren\u2019t such household names. For instance, the first poet to win the Pulitzer Prize was Sara Teasdale in 1917. Readers can also learn of contemporary poet Lang Leav, who was born in a Thai refugee camp.

This book doesn\u2019t get bogged down in great detail, but it allows readers to dip and out as they have time and interest to learn a little about the life of a woman writer. Some of the stories are tragic, some uplifting, but all of them are interesting and help bring to life some of the great women authors from across the globe.

This is a great book for anyone who's interested in learning more about women authors and finding more books to read.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 19:06:07", "publisher": "Mango", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008977035", "title": "No Matter What: A Foster Care Tale", "author": "Josh Shipp with David Tieche", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 242, "review": "Grace is determined to find Josh a home, a place he can finally feel he belongs. She carries the tearful squirrel on her wings to visit the pelicans, porcupines, and kangaroos. When one of the kangaroos suggests he must learn to climb, Grace soars Josh over to where the leopards reside. When they discover his intense fear of the dark, they taunt him relentlessly. In his angst, he vows, \u201cI\u2019ll crack them before they crack me.\u201d While they lay in deep slumber, he mischievously paints designs on their coats. When, at last, Grace introduces him to the elephants, he learns that unconditional love and acceptance are possible and that having a family is an invaluable gift.

Josh Shipp's heartwarming book parallels his own story as a child through the lives of these precious, and at times hilarious, creatures. Even some of the names of the characters match those of people from his own life. The squirrel represents him as a child, and the two forgiving and compassionate elephants depict his foster parents, Rodney and Christine Weisenmaier, whom he refers to as \u201cthe strong, immovable, and loving family that pulled me out of my own rushing river.\u201d This narrative is a remarkable contribution to literature for young children. It\u2019s unique and reflective of the lives of youth who grow up not having a place to call home. It sends a beautiful message of hope to those who may yearn for it the most.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 18:49:07", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008977031", "title": "The Runaway Shirt", "author": "Kathy MacMillan, Julia Castano", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 189, "review": "When my mom does laundry, my favorite part is when she folds the clothes; I can sometimes get her to throw the clothes on me and cover my whole body with warmth. My favorite part of laundry is kind of like the kid in the book The Runaway Shirt. In this book, a lady is folding clean clothes. She finds a shirt that needs folding, and she puts it on the bed to fold. It gets folded, but it doesn't stay! The lady must catch the runaway shirt and try folding it again on the bed. The lady and the shirt have fun together with the not-fun job of doing laundry.

I like this story because it's silly to see the lady chasing a runaway shirt around the house. It's goofy when she thinks about hanging up the loose shirt in her closet and then she wants to wear it herself! The characters are different-looking than me, but that's okay, and fun to see in books. I think that kids of any age will like this story because it is one that is relatable and just fun to read.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 18:47:52", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008977027", "title": "Florence and Her Fantastic Family Tree", "author": "Judy Gilliam, Laura Addari", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 192, "review": "When Florence\u2019s teacher assigned the family project, what she wanted from the children was a family tree. Florence\u2019s best friend, Sonji, had a pretty simple family tree with a mom, a dad, a brother, and Sonji. But Florence has a different kind of family tree, one with lots of branches and roots, stickers, and leaves. Florence has four... no, wait... six parents and step-parents and, while she only has one brother, she has a passel of half-brothers and half-sisters. It\u2019s a lot to remember and a lot to get right, and she really has to wonder if she can fit it on the wall in the classroom. It\u2019s a big, messy, complicated family, but it is Florence\u2019s, and she wants to show her class.

Author Judy Gilliam has tapped into the blended family that many youngsters can relate to and may feel shy or uncomfortable talking about. This book will help them realize most people have messy families and will help them become more comfortable with their own situations. Laura Addari\u2019s sweet illustrations in gentle colors with lots of fun details complete the story. This book belongs in classrooms and homes everywhere.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 18:46:37", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008977023", "title": "Santa.com", "author": "Russell Hicks and Matt Cubberly", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 176, "review": "Santa has modernized his shop. He made a mistake long ago and he wants to make sure it doesn\u2019t happen again. But what happens when Santa\u2019s workshop gets hacked? Will the elves be able to figure out a way to save the day and restore the workshop before Christmas is canceled entirely? I love the idea of this book, but I feel like the text needed a little bit of cutting. It seems really long at some points. The illustrations are well done. I like the Christmas spirit throughout with the red and the green. I also feel like it put too much into the plot for a picture book. I also found it difficult to believe they had to go find Santa instead of him being there around Christmas. I love Yo-Yo and his bravery. Santa seems great. The hacker Cyber Scrooge was a great addition. My three and six-year-old liked the book okay but didn\u2019t ask for it to be read again. My three-year-old liked the elves and my six-year-old liked the technology components.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 18:45:17", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008977019", "title": "Dear Moon", "author": "Stephen Wunderli, Maria Luisa Di Gravio", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 250, "review": "Max and Ely are best friends. The time is quickly approaching for Ely to go to the hospital, something both boys are utterly determined to delay. Together, they devise a plan to halt the moon in its rotation. If it no longer moves then neither will time; they decide. The two eagerly construct a rocket to launch into space to capture the moon. After a couple of failed attempts, Max promises Ely he will never give up, \u201cnot even \u2018til the end of the end of the very end of the world,\u201d he says. The inevitable day arrives, and they sadly say their goodbyes. After the passage of time, Ely returns, and though his hair is gone and his body is weak, the two spend one last, treasured day together before the heavens call Ely home.

This is a beautiful, poignant story about friendship, adventure, loss, grief, and acceptance. Author Stephen Wunderli does a brilliant job addressing a difficult subject in a thoughtful, unique way that will touch the hearts of young children and adults alike. Maria Luisa Di Gravio\u2018s illustrations bring the text alive with their detail and subtle but darkened hues. The plethora of emotions this masterful story evokes are palpable, ranging from joy to sadness and then on to acceptance. The underlying message that life is sprinkled with unexpected twists and turns, many of which are uncontrollable, bleeds through the pages with clarity, as does the idea that every moment spent with loved ones should be cherished.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 18:35:35", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008977015", "title": "Snoozapalooza", "author": "Kimberlee Gard, Vivian Miniker", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 184, "review": "Snoozapalooza follows ten animals trying to find warmth for winter. So, their solution cuddle together in an animal heap. Everyone is sleeping nicely until they hear a ROAR, which they fear until they figure out where it is coming from.

The text has a wonderful use of rhythm and rhyme. I love the repetition. It flowed well and is easy to read aloud. The text was just the right length of a picture book.

The book feels like The Mitten, but without the boy or mitten. I did appreciate a little different take on the story because I love The Mitten so much. The pile of animals at the end is fun.

The illustrations are adorable. I love the style and how it makes the animals look so cute. Perfect to go with the fun text. I liked how the text moved with the pictures. The background is very similar throughout but works well with the animals piling on.

My kids loved the animals and listening to the rhythm and rhyme. My three-year-old liked the bear and my six-year-old liked the red fox.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 18:33:15", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008977011", "title": "The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope", "author": "C.W. Grafton", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 241, "review": "In The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope, attorney Gil Henry doesn\u2019t know what he\u2019s gotten himself into when Ruth McClure walks into his office asking him to look into the value of the stock her father left her. It seems like such a small thing, but within hours of taking the case he\u2019s had his tire shot out, been punched in the face, hit over the head multiple times and come across a few dead bodies. The case keeps getting bigger and ends up involving the most prominent family in town, who have more than a few secrets to hide. Gil might not be a looker, but he is determined and will follow these threads wherever they lead.

I feel bad that I had never heard of C.W. Grafton before because, although this is an old mystery story written in 1943, it is fantastic. Gil Henry is perfect. He\u2019s self-deprecating and sarcastic, dogged and smart. You can\u2019t help but like him. Grafton\u2019s ability with metaphors is spot on, and he perfectly captured the hard-boiled detective story that makes instant classics. I am so glad that the Library of Congress is reprinting these crime classics so that they won\u2019t be forgotten. With such an unusual title, I wasn\u2019t sure myself what I was getting into, but I am so happy I read this. This book is the perfect addition to anyone\u2019s mystery library, and I highly recommend you meet Gil Henry yourself.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 18:30:59", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008977007", "title": "They Threw Us Away (The Teddies Saga)", "author": "Daniel Kraus", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Willow - Age 10", "word_count": 172, "review": "They Threw Us Away by Daniel Kraus is a story about Teddy bears thinking and moving like humans. Buddy the bear woke up in a trash dump without a box. He saved four more teddies from their boxes. Their mission is to find children to love them. Will they all make it, or will some of them be left behind. I would rate this book three stars because the plot at the beginning was a bit slow. I loved the ending parts of the book though. I loved the characters in the story. I liked how they all developed different personalities throughout the book. The illustrations that were in the book made me understand more of what was happening. I think ages nine to twelve should read this book. People who like imaginative adventures would like this book. I would recommend this book because the ending made me want to read more. If you are looking for a fun adventure with amazing characters then this is definitely the best book for you.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 18:29:30", "publisher": "Macmillan Children's Publishing Group", "page_count": "239 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000008976003", "title": "The Secret of Rosalita Flats", "author": "Tim W. Jackson", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 408, "review": "The Secret of Rosalita Flats is about a man named Cal Batten who is called back to Blacktip Island, where his childhood memories await him. His father, Rhodes, has just passed away and Cal has inherited a monstrosity of a house appropriately named Batten's Down. Cal just wants to find his father's will and get the heck off the island so he can go home to his clock shop and his life as a newly single guy. What Cal doesn't know is what the island has in store for him.

With a colorful cast of characters, The Secret of Rosalita Flats has adventure and surprises around every corner. Cal learns that his dad was in a relationship of sorts with the maid, Rosie, who won't leave Cal or Batten's Down alone. She says it's because she has been paid in advance to clean the house and doesn't want to let Rhodes down. Then there are Rafe, the local constable, and Marina, the scuba diving instructor. Both are childhood friends of Cal's but for some reason, Rafe seems to dislike Cal being back.

What I enjoyed about this book was that there was always something happening so that Cal could not get off the island. From getting his house ransacked just about every time he or Rosie left it, to getting chummed while diving with Marina, poor Cal gets a run for his money as he finds out that his dad had more secrets than Victoria. I also really liked the characters. Although several of them were very seedy, the main characters were well described and really came to life on the pages of the story. The relationship that develops between Cal and Marina is also very endearing, as she repeatedly tricks him into diving in places that he is less than comfortable with so she can get a good laugh out of it.

What I would have loved to have read more about was Cal's life back when he was a kid. I would have also liked to read a bit more about his mother and the backstory concerning when Rhode and Cal's mother separated. This would have given a little insight into Cal's behavior and personality throughout the book.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Secret of Rosalita Flats. With an easy-to-follow storyline, interesting characters, and a tropical island backdrop, I think anyone who enjoys mysteries in the form of a treasure hunt would enjoy this story.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 17:58:10", "publisher": "Devonshire House Press", "page_count": "285 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008975023", "title": "Dishonor Thy Father", "author": "Mike Robinson & M.J. Richards", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 415, "review": "Dishonor Thy Father by Mike Robinson and M. J. Richards is a powerful, thrilling book that will capture readers from beginning to end. Together, the two authors have constructed a rousing mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very last page. The well-rounded characters and thought-provoking plot twists bring together an unforgettable narrative saturated with romance, mystery, perseverance, and commitment in the face of complete uncertainty. More than a murder mystery, Robinson and Richards have webbed an intricate tale of the consequences we face when deep sacrifices and dark secrets threaten to unravel everything we hold dear. A murder in a hospital uncovers years of deceit and transgressions of an illicit affair and inappropriate workplace relationships. Upon further inquiry, it is discovered the murder has far broader implications, as one young woman\u2019s desperate attempts to hide from her vengeful family come to the surface. A breeding ground for disease, the hospital provides a graphic backdrop to the story as \u201ca throbbing nexus of life and death, a paradigm that could easily open people, exposing a questionable, even wretched, core.\u201d It is within these walls one evening that Dr. Marika Javid is murdered by a new patient, one carrying deep, ruthless motives. The investigation dives deep into the secrets and private lives of the doctor\u2019s competitors, colleagues, lovers, and complicated pursuers to track down her assailant. Everyone on the list of suspects has a motive, but enough to kill? Detective Tucci cannot rest until the truth is discovered. Through twists and turns, he remains dedicated to the answers, regardless of the paths it leads down. In the midst of the investigation, romance and lust flair, one often standing in for the other. Through the haze of passion, he will discover what really happened to Dr. Javid. Could his new love interest hold the key to this mystery, or do personal insecurities obscure reality? Robinson and Richard\u2019s work is not overtly graphic; however, the innuendos and descriptions encourage reading by a mature audience capable of appreciating the deeper implications of the relationships. Those that take a chance on this book will thoroughly enjoy the elaborate tale Robinson and Richards weave. Dishonor Thy Father is an exceptional read that undoubtedly earns five stars for its originality and command of language. The story is entertaining, the characters are refreshing, and the words stylishly bring the whole picture together. The consequences of one individual\u2019s actions have returned for retribution, and only time will tell who will pay the bill.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 06:45:35", "publisher": "Potpourri Books", "page_count": "299 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008975007", "title": "Poetry With Reason II", "author": "D.L Winters", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 198, "review": "This book is a collection of poems written in verse that are meant to uplift the reader\u2019s spirit. Despite all our trials and tribulations, these poems remind us that there is a higher being that is guiding us through love. The imagery is highly Christian, and there are constant references to God and Jesus. Some poems even contain references to the prophets of the Old Testament (specifically Joseph, Noah, Abraham, and Moses).

Some of the themes are religious, and strictly Christian, such as accepting Christ as a personal Savior, being born again, etc. Other themes are more contemporary, such as racism, injustice, COVID-19. The answer to all our ills is faith in God and adherence to His will. While the situations described can be heartbreaking, the tone is positive and the narrative is uplifting. Part way through the book, the resurrection story is told through the eyes of a rabbit, as it witnessed the events leading up to and including the resurrection. Woven into the story is also the egg.

The poems call on readers to be grateful for what they have, to be considered blessed, and to have faith. A message we can all benefit from in these times.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 05:55:17", "publisher": "Amazon", "page_count": "130 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008974071", "title": "The Reindeer Girl (Winter Journeys)", "author": "Holly Webb", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 174, "review": "The Reindeer Girl is spectacularly good at showcasing an ancient lifestyle while providing a kid-friendly story. The main character, Lotta is on a visit to her family. They used to be reindeer herders who led the deer to the calving grounds to find food. They lived with the reindeer and got many things from them: clothes, food, tents, and they always use all of every reindeer they kill. When she wakes, Lotta found herself in the land of her ancestors. She is responsible for a reindeer calf and his mother. When the mother goes missing, Lotta has to find her in order to save the calf.

Holly Web is a children\u2019s writer who writes first-person books about kids with animals. This book is good for schools to buy. It is for elementary kids in kindergarten through second grade to listen to and for first graders and second graders to read to themselves. It is a little simple for kids in third grade and up. This first-person adventure is good for most young animal lovers!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 00:27:20", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008974063", "title": "Secret Spell (Star Friends)", "author": "Linda Chapman", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Mia, Sita, Violet, and Lexi are very best friends, and they each have received a Star Animal, magical creatures that can help the girls develop and use their own special, magical powers. But there are powerful forces afoot in the village that use dark magic and want to defeat the girls and their Star Animals. Soon three of the four girls are acting strangely, seemingly beset by their greatest fears. But what could be causing this odd behavior? It isn\u2019t until Mia\u2019s younger brother is also haunted by his greatest fear that Mia thinks she knows what is causing the problem. While all this is going on, a new neighbor is acting suspiciously, and the girls think she is using dark magic. Can Mia and her Star Animal get things back on track?

Linda Chapman has quite a fun fantasy franchise going that is perfect for emerging readers and might help reluctant readers become regular readers. The characters and stories are fun and a little mysterious without being too scary for young readers. The cute illustrations by Lucy Fleming really add to the stories and will help readers connect to the stories and stay engaged.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 00:23:42", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008974059", "title": "Before She Was Helen: A Novel", "author": "Caroline B. Cooney", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 216, "review": "A teenage girl is raped by her high school basketball coach. Fifty years later, a man vanishes from a retirement community. The link between these two events is a semiretired Latin teacher: Clemmie then, Helen now.

Helen lives in one of three adjoining units in Sun City, South Carolina, and apart from playing cards and hiding her identity, she watches out for her neighbor, Dom, an unpleasant but harmless old man, until he disappears. Helen soon finds herself in the middle of a drug trafficking network, ever fearful that her past will catch up with her. Clemmie\u2019s fifty-year-old story emerges gradually, starting with her rape, moving through the adoption of her baby boy and her desperate attempt to fashion a new life as Helen, and culminating in the re-opening of the investigation into the murder of her rapist.

Before She Was Helen captures well Clemmie\u2019s terror as the basketball coach continues to torment her right up to his death as well as Helen\u2019s struggle to defend herself as the drug dealers circle, and all this set against the amusing, everyday life of the elderly residents of Sun City. This book is highly recommended. A word of warning: do not move into a retirement community if there are old people already in residence, it's much too dangerous.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "04-Jun-2020 00:22:58", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008974051", "title": "Chocolate Milk, Por Favor! Celebrating Diversity with Empathy", "author": "Maria Dismondy", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 196, "review": "This book reminds me of when I had a new kid in my class. It is scary going to school, and even scarier being a new student in a new school with lots of new faces. Chocolate Milk, Por Favor is a good book that shows how when people choose kindness and think positively about others that you can make friends and make a difference in how that person feels. Johnny first thinks Gabe is crybaby, but then he realizes what it feels like to be alone. So, Johnny decides that even tho the new kid Gabe doesn't know much English, one this is for sure, they can bond over a carton of chocolate milk, and learn about each other's differences and find similarities. Johnny hopes to learn cool soccer moves from Gabe, and Gabe hopes to make new friends at his new school. The fun illustrations portray the many feelings students can have both as a new student in a classroom and as a student in a classroom when a new child is introduced. My favorite part of the books is when Johnny brings Gabe chocolate milk and Gabe has learned to say \"Thank you.\"", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "03-Jun-2020 23:56:35", "publisher": "Cardinal Rule Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008974043", "title": "Raja's Pet Camel: The Magic of Hope", "author": "Anita Nahta Amin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 207, "review": "When Raja finds a scared and lonely calf, he wants to help. Raja\u2019s leftover lunch cements a bond of trust and friendship between the two. The calf follows Raja home, and Raja pleads to keep it as a pet, as most children would. But it is no ordinary pet \u2013 it is a camel! Bapu, Raja\u2019s father, is against the idea, especially as in Rajasthan animals are kept for work, not as pets. Kamal, as Raja names the calf, is destructive and has an unusual fondness for consuming dates. Bapu says that Kamal has to go, but Raja has grown attached to it. Each side tries to work with the other to find a mutually agreeable solution.

The exotic setting of Rajasthan, which is located in the Thar desert in northwest India, exposes readers to a different culture. The pictures accurately depict life in Rajasthan, but there is one small exception: Raja is always dressed in his school uniform (white shirt, navy shorts, and dark tie). He is even dressed that way when they go to the fair, presumably on a day when school is out. Barring that small oversight, this read-together book shows readers that people from different cultures have strikingly familiar emotional and familial similarities.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "03-Jun-2020 23:51:51", "publisher": "Cardinal Rule Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008974039", "title": "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", "author": "Gerda Muller", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 259, "review": "Oliver is all alone, but he is determined to find a place where he feels useful and won't be lonely anymore. After being a goatherd for a cruel farmer, Oliver decides it is time to run away. He packs a small bag and sets off looking forward to new adventures. Weary after traveling for a while, Oliver comes to a house where a man lets him in and feeds him. Oliver then finds out the man is a Sorcerer who then tells him he could use an apprentice to help him. Oliver is eager to become the sorcerer's apprentice, and he does everything as Alfred the great sorcerer tells him to. It is a lot of work being an apprentice. Oliver works hard to be a good apprentice. One day Oliver asks Alfred if he would teach him some magic. Alfred reluctantly agrees, but tells him he must never use the magic without him there. One day when Alfred leaves, Oliver decides to use the spells he was taught to bring brooms to life so that they would help him complete chores around the house, but then he realizes he was never taught a spell to make them stop. Oliver knows Alfred will be disappointed. How will he ever earn Alfred's trust back? This fun book tells the story of a mischievous boy. The illustrations are beautifully sketched, and they show exactly how I would picture a sorcerer's home. I love the hidden animals in the book. The Sorcerer's Apprentice has a great lesson in it for all readers.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "03-Jun-2020 23:48:48", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "30 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008974031", "title": "The Sudden Loss Survival Guide: 7 Essential Practices for Healing Grief", "author": "Chelsea Hanson", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 215, "review": "There are situations in a person's life that can change them for the better or the worse. The loss of a loved one, whether expected or unexpected, is one such situation. The pain is hiding behind every moment spent without the person in your life. In our Western culture, death is not a hot topic, making it more difficult for those grieving their loved ones to be able to talk about what they are feeling and experiencing.

In Chelsea Hanson's The Sudden Loss Survival Guide: Seven Essential Practices for Healing Grief, she outlines and explains practices that a grieving individual can work on to allow themselves the best chance of \"healing.\" The misunderstood five stages of grief are a myth when it comes to overcoming your sorrow. With Hanson's advice, you can work through your grief at your own speed and allow yourself the knowledge and resources necessary to rediscover yourself.

The practices in the book are all doable. Some of them seem like common sense things, but when you're deeply hurt, they aren't. I appreciate that Hanson is writing from a place of personal understanding, and it's obvious that she really cares about helping others. She is thorough about all of the aspects of grieving, and the book is a helpful and worthwhile resource.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "03-Jun-2020 23:43:30", "publisher": "Mango", "page_count": "276 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000008974023", "title": "Bibbit Jumps", "author": "Bei Lynn", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahminneh - Age 14", "word_count": 184, "review": "A simple, innocent story that follows the adventures of Bibbit\u2019s life, and the lessons he learns from them. One such adventure Bibbit and Little Frog go to the city, but before they go Bibbit refuses to go. This leads Little Frog to go on her own. Then Bibbit finally works up the courage to go because he wants to make sure that Little Forg is safe. Once he arrives, he realizes that the city isn\u2019t so bad, and finds Little Frog in a tall orange-colored building. Once they're in the city, they take in the spectacular view and eventually go home.

This book is a good way to start to read chapter books, as it is simple and easy to understand. The vital, and common lessons, such as not giving up, are heavily present throughout the book allowing young children to grow and mature. It also makes these lessons very fun and this also helps them be easy to understand for younger children. This book is perfect for young children at the age of four to six as it is very easy to understand.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "03-Jun-2020 23:31:48", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "78 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000008974019", "title": "All's Happy That Ends Happy", "author": "Rose Lagercrantz and Eva Eriksson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahtega - Age 16", "word_count": 123, "review": "A short children\u2019s novel by Rose Lagercrantz, All\u2019s Happy That Ends Happy follows two friends as they experience the full range of human emotions\u2014from happiness to sadness.

This book wasn\u2019t too bad. The plot, language, and characters were quite plain and simple. But this simplicity isn\u2019t a bad thing, as this book is geared toward younger readers would get lost in a complex plot, multi-dimensional characters, and complicated language. The illustrations were good and served the same purpose as the simple language, characters, and plot. Overall, I think this book is a good read for younger readers. I would certainly recommend it for younger kids to read on their own and, it would make a great book to read aloud with a child.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "03-Jun-2020 23:27:45", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000008974015", "title": "The Last Train to Key West", "author": "Chanel Cleeton", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 210, "review": "Helen, Mirta, and Elizabeth could not be more different, yet all three women find themselves in Key West over Labor Day weekend in 1933 just as the Great Depression is ravaging in the United States and a hurricane is headed for the small island. Chanel Cleeton\u2019s The Last Train to Key West weaves these women\u2019s stories together in a narrative that is as intriguing as it is descriptively luscious.

Helen\u2019s pregnancy and abusive husband are a threat at home just as the hurricane begins to approach the island. Mirta, on her honeymoon to a man she barely knows, must determine if her new husband\u2014and his infamy as a criminal with potential mafia ties\u2014can be trusted. Elizabeth, a former debutante on the run from a dangerous man, is desperate to find the one man she believes can save her. All three women meet at Ruby\u2019s, the diner where Helen works, and their lives twine together like the wild mangroves that cover the island. Their future happiness is as bound up in the coming storm as it is in the sacrifices they are willing to make.

Cleeton\u2019s book is the perfect escape into another world where the stakes are high, the women are strong, and the chance for redemption is right around the corner.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "03-Jun-2020 23:24:33", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008974003", "title": "The Mist: A Thriller", "author": "Ragnar Jonasson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 246, "review": "The Mist is the third installment in the Hidden Iceland series focusing on one of Hulda\u2019s earlier cases that she is assigned on returning to work after a family tragedy. Multiple bodies are found at an isolated farmhouse that has been there for months. As Hulda investigates, she discovers that the couple who lived there had a stranger visit who is connected to her case right before she left work. What was he doing out there, so far from the city and could he be responsible for the horror she now sees? Hulda will learn that some will go to extreme lengths to avenge those they love.

Ragnar J\u00f3nasson has a masterful way of writing. Even though this is the third book, the story is told in reverse, with book one being Hulda\u2019s last case and this being one of her earlier ones. It is so interesting to read a story where you already know how it ends, but not how it got there. The author does an amazing job unfolding the story slowly keeping you in suspense for all three books even though from the beginning it\u2019s clear who will be dead. You find yourself reading on hoping for a different outcome, knowing that can\u2019t possibly happen as you\u2019ve basically read the end at the beginning. I also love how the author gives you a glimpse into everyone\u2019s perspective, not just Hulda\u2019s so that it\u2019s not your typical police procedural. I highly recommend this series.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "03-Jun-2020 23:16:38", "publisher": "St. Martins Publishing", "page_count": "302 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008973003", "title": "Minor Sketches and Reveries (Stories)", "author": "Alberto Balengo", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 418, "review": "Minor Sketches and Reveries, written by Alberto Balengo and illustrated by Brittany Bethurem, is an eclectic array of short stories meant to regale and absorb readers. From \u201cThe Breakfast Taco\u201d and \u201cThe Earthworm\u201d to \u201cThe Deletionist\u201d and \u201cThe Grandparents,\u201d Balengo\u2019s tales bring a sense of dark humor and unconventional whimsicality to our daily interactions. These works will encourage readers to stop and reconsider their everyday activities and interactions in a new, more satirical light.

His pieces are thought-provoking and intriguing, yet also lighthearted and good-natured. Although discussing routine topics, Balengo\u2019s descriptions and perspectives bring a simultaneous sense of simplicity and complexity to each theme. The \u201cLosing the Apartment Key\u201d chapter will prompt readers to rewrite their own key experiences in more vivacious, daring language that better captures the perilous nature of the incident. Balengo\u2019s \u201csketches\u201d encourage readers to pause and think again about the little pieces that make up our days. In describing the simple act of deleting old messages from an ex-girlfriend, Balengo expresses, \u201cWith a simple mouse click, I could delete digital remnants of this relationship. So I did this and savored the accomplishment, until I realized that I still hadn\u2019t gotten rid of the photos or handwritten notes\u2014that would take a lot more time.\u201d

His words, honest and poignant, capture the magnitude of emotions and words left unsaid. Between these pages, readers will explore loss, frustration, and unconventional closure. Many of Balengo\u2019s chapters, or \u201csketches,\u201d leave the reader roughly where the story started\u2014in the middle of an object\u2019s journey, without conclusion or sense of resolution. The book simply continues on to the next concept or theme, much like life. As readers, we hope for a comprehensive ending, but Balengo shows us that this is neither necessary nor absolute. Balengo includes an additional chapter toward the end of the book that expands on the sketches, providing insight and implication to the works, despite the point typically being to share an anecdote without background or conclusion.

Given the tone and syntax of the work, this book requires a mature audience capable of appreciating and comprehending Balengo\u2019s intention and meaning. Balengo\u2019s book earns four stars for its originality and perspectives on the ins and outs of life. This is the type of book that readers will return to again and again, eager to revisit Balengo\u2019s descriptions and outlook on life. Minor Sketches and Reveries is an exceptional work that will entrance and challenge readers to rethink the ordinary and perceive the bizarre and outlandish in their everyday lives.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "03-Jun-2020 13:32:53", "publisher": "Personville Press", "page_count": "190 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4 "} {"id": "425035000008972003", "title": "Panorama: The Missing Chapter", "author": "Ross Victory", "category": "N16 Relationships & Sex", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 77, "review": "\"An exquisite autobiographical account of the author\u2019s bisexual experience that starts on a trip to Korea. This, followed by a deep analysis covering sexuality, relationships, and prejudices, exhibits the author\u2019s self-awareness of the world around him and how we are all connected to one another. A spiritual book that will spark topics of conversation one after another, Panorama: The Missing Chapter is an eye-opening look into the world we live in.\" \u2014 Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "03-Jun-2020 02:53:56", "publisher": "VFTC Universe", "page_count": "122 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008971003", "title": "Dishonor Thy Father", "author": "Mike Robinson & M.J. Richards", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 56, "review": "\"From beginning to end, //Dishonor Thy Father// is an intuitive and riveting novel that will challenge and strengthen readers. Robinson & Richards\u2019 murder-mystery explores sexism, racism, and bigotry through a fresh lens that probes far beyond simple themes and played out storylines. Readers will struggle to put it down!\" \u2014 Jessica Tingling, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "June 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "02-Jun-2020 21:21:34", "publisher": "Potpourri Books", "page_count": "299 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000008970003", "title": "The Time of Green Magic", "author": "Hilary McKay", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Abi finds herself in the middle of a new family with two brothers \u2014 Max, a little older, and Louis, younger by six years \u2014 when her father, Theo, falls in love and remarries. It\u2019s hard. They need to find a bigger place to live in. They find an odd, ivy-covered house that Abi thinks is magical, but magic isn\u2019t always fun. Theo and Polly have to work more, often leaving the kids to their own devices. Abi has a couple of scares while reading books she found in the house, but things get terribly frightening when Louis invites a creature called Iffen into his room. Iffen grows and becomes demanding and threatening. Can the kids come together and save the family?

Author Hilary McKay has written a perfectly enchanting story with beautifully developed characters readers will love and root for, and she has put them in danger that is, at moments, heart-pounding and palpable. All this magic is embedded in very real problems young people face with blended families, sharing parents and space, and learning to live together. The writing is splendid and the story a real page-turner. This book deserves readership beyond the intended middle-grade audience.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "02-Jun-2020 15:33:05", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008969007", "title": "Home Baked: My Mom, Marijuana, and the Stoning of San Francisco ", "author": "Alia Volz", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 225, "review": "Home Baked is well written, meticulously researched, and verified with interviews, but not at all academic or stuffy. Alia Volz paints beautiful portraits of the times, the city she loves, and her mother, Meridy, the Brownie Lady, who has never conformed or \u201cgone straight\u201d. Meridy is a fascinating character. Although she baked and peddled magic brownies for years, she can barely cook. An artist with a strong personality, she yielded to her husband\u2019s (wrong-headed) vision that she would bear him a son. And she throws the I Ching before making any decision.

Memoir readers will enjoy this book, although it is not exactly a memoir. The author wasn\u2019t even alive for more than half of its content. History buffs may also like it and, in today\u2019s environment of edibles, decriminalization, and medical marijuana clinics, many readers will be astonished at how many years of imprisonment one could face for having even small amounts of pot.

No history of San Francisco in the 60s, 70s, and 80s can be told without including gay liberation, Harvey Milk, Dan White, Jim Jones\u2026They\u2019re all here, along with vivid descriptions of the city in the days before Fisherman\u2019s Wharf became a tourist mecca, before AIDS ravaged the Castro, and before tech bros made every coffee shop their satellite office.

Warning: you may become hungry as you gobble up this book!", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "01-Jun-2020 19:49:15", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000008968003", "title": "The Trouble with Love in the Movies", "author": "Rob Harris", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 589, "review": "Hollywood marriages are notorious for being short-lived, but are they really any more likely to end in divorce than regular marriages? While celebrity marriages might have more complications than most (in addition to being of far more interest to the paparazzi), what about the relationships of other people (directors, writers, designers, publicists, etc.) involved in the movie business? Early on in The Trouble with Love in the Movies, Rob Harris suggests that the reasons movie marriages fail are probably not too different from the reasons regular marriages fail, just more extreme. He even offers an equation to crystalize matters: \u201clong separations times long hours times long distances equal short marriages.\u201d

Harris has plenty of experience working in the movies, and he also has a fair bit of experience with love and marriage, too. He lost his first wife to cancer when he was thirty-five and she was just shy of thirty. In the year after her death, he worked on as many movies as possible, staying as far away from the home they had shared as he could. During that time he met Margaret, a singer, who became his second wife. They had been together for eighteen years when the relationship became truly rocky, and that is the point at which Harris begins to consider The Trouble with Love in the Movies.

Of course, it\u2019s his story and his spin on the troubles that plagued his marriage, but Harris seems to be quite even-handed when it comes to who was at fault. He makes it clear that the pair of them ended up wanting different things \u2013 he wanted to travel, she wanted to settle into the family home; he spent too much time away, she didn\u2019t seem to be emotionally available when he was home \u2013 and that they had stayed together for so long due to their enduring friendship and their love for their sons. However, it\u2019s Harris who has an affair and then, after the couple separate, enters into a longish-term relationship with a demanding new girlfriend. Margaret is the one who gets the ball rolling on the divorce.

Harris writes quite frankly and sometimes rather movingly about his romantic trials and tribulations. He makes clear the loneliness he felt while working on location during the filming of Troy and how, despite being desperate to see his wife and children, even when he was with them, he felt somehow estranged from the family unit. Harris doesn\u2019t always come across in a sympathetic fashion (and his girlfriend Nicola definitely doesn\u2019t), but his account is always interesting and engaging. There\u2019s also plenty of humor to be found in both his account of his personal life (the mind boggles that the Psychic Masseuse and Ghostbuster are real people) and his observations of Hollywood life.

As Harris has worked in the entertainment industry for several decades, it\u2019s no surprise that the biographical aspects of the book are structured around his work on movies. The Trouble with Love in the Movies covers his time working on Troy, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Hotel Rwanda, Serenity, Syriana, Jarhead, Blood Diamond, and more. It\u2019s fascinating stuff, and every bit as eventful as his romantic life. Harris also has tales to tell about his dealings with celebrities such as Meryl Streep, Will Smith, Billy Connelly, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and other big names. There are lots of entertaining stories for movie buffs to enjoy. In fact, the book should be a big hit with those who enjoy biography/memoir and those who love the movies.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2020", "date_added": "01-Jun-2020 17:38:00", "publisher": "Pop Communications Campaigns", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009068083", "title": "Ocean Speaks: How Marie Tharp Revealed the Ocean's Biggest Secret", "author": "Jess Keating, Katie Hickey", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 209, "review": "This informative biography shows how Marie Tharp, a woman who persevered during a time when women were not viewed as smart enough to be a scientist, made her discoveries known and showed that she was a real scientist. Marie Tharp always loved the ocean and the mysteries it held. During the war when many men were drafted she saw an opportunity to be the scientist she had always wanted to be but there were still limitations for her just because she was a woman. Marie had to chart and plot the data in her office that her male colleagues collected out in the ocean and she made the most amazing discovery. Sadly, no one believed her because she was a woman and she was told to re-check her work. She checked her work again and again and grew to know the bottom of the ocean well. Her work was correct, now if she could just get someone to believe her work, sadly for anyone to invest in her work, a man had to present her work. Once they saw what she had found out they were astonished. This book is beautifully illustrated with bright hues of blues and yellows to capture the beauty of the ocean and the land.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 19:34:34", "publisher": "Tundra Books", "page_count": "34 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009068079", "title": "Post-Apocalypto", "author": "Tenacious D", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 931, "review": "Looking for something cheerfully depraved? Or something hyper-cute and grotesque? Look no further than these killer comics which feature a range of delightfully dark stories that span the absurd, the post-apocalyptic, and the disturbing. Take an adventure with four robots bound together through a kill lock then explore the origins of Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo, and then follow June Branch as she tries to rescue her boyfriend and escape an island with the help of a cursed Viking axe. \n\nHell Was Full \u2013 Branson Reese\n\nBranson Reese delivers a work that features alt text and has new material that's delightful and absurd while also being called bitingly satirical, depraved yet cheerful, and eye-scractchingly humorous. This collection features moments that are insane, including God's fallen head being chewed on by a raccoon, a man having driven a Transformer out of a funeral, and a toaster that turns against its owner. /Hell Was Full/ stems from the webcomic which has been commented on for its bleak style that weaves into the absurdity and creates dadaist cocktails. Everything you love about the webcomic can be found in this collection with a variety of comics that range from a man using his wish to wish the genie dead to absurd characters that include M&Ms and hornets. \n\nPost-Apocalypto \u2013 Tenacious D.\n\n/Post-Apocalypto/ was a film, an album, and a tour. Now the graphic novel has arrived with audio included. Tenacious D (the musical styling of Jack Black and Kyle Gass) have branched out their universe with this new graphic novel. This humorous and genre mash-up stems from the minds of Black as an illustrator and Gass as a writer. The movie is available on YouTube. An atomic bomb drops and now Tenacious D is cast into a world of chaos after they survive the apocalypse in true cinematic style by hiding inside of a 1950s refrigerator. The Tenacious duo quickly learns that a new kind of evil has developed as a side effect of the bomb which can only mean one thing. In order for humanity to survive the brewing evil, this duo will have to save the world. In this crazy tale of post-apocalypse, you'll follow this duo as they venture to the White House, use a time machine, and even take an adventure into space while working through daddy issues. /Post-Apocalypto/ is described as being hilarious yet political while also being brilliant and multi-faceted with colorful illustrations. \n\nThe Kill Lock \u2013 Livio Ramondelli\n\nThis science-fiction adventure finds these four robots cast away from their homes after committing horrible crimes and are now facing a big problem. They're bound together through a kill lock that will activate if one of them dies and kill the other three. Their only choice is to rely on each other. The journey bands a soldier, a murderer, an addict, and a child together in a search for a cure that will ensure all of their survival. Only one clue steers them in their search. A bot called the Axial is supposedly the creator of the Lock and the only one that has the answers they need. \n\nUsagi Yojimbo Origins Vol 1 Samurai \u2013 Stan Sakai \n\nThis colorful edition delves back into the beginnings of rabbit ronin Miyamoto's journey. Usagi started as a student where he trained under the guidance of a mountain hermit called Katsuichi-Sensei. This journey takes place in a time well before he was a samurai without a master. His training under the hermit provides him with the first steps toward becoming a warrior and closer to the battle of Adachigahara. This serves as a catalyst for the incredible tales he is set to venture upon. Discover the origins of Stan Sakai's fan-favorite character in a story set long before the decades-long epic that fans love. This stunning collection follows the /Samurai/ storyline in an edition that includes full color for the first time since it was released in 1987. This volume includes /Blind Swords-Pig/, /A Quiet Meal/, /Kappa/, and /Lone Rabbit and Child/.\n\nJunko Mizuno's Hell Ladies \u2013 Junko Mizuno \n\nThis stunning collection is a compilation of Junko Mizuno's works from the beginning of her career which highlighted powerful female characters which had a transgressive twist. These characters come to life through this colorful fantasy world that has been a fascination of Japan since she created them. Mizuno's art has been described as delicious, distinctive, and disturbing. The works in /Hell Ladies/ range from 1998 to 2001 which introduce a variety of manga-inspired girls that wear rattlesnakes and play with butcher knives as well as razor blades. Known for her psychedelic flair, Mizuno's style mixes sweet and horror with female sexuality which creates a juxtaposition between tones of hyper-cute and grotesque. This is a collection for mature readers. \n\nBasketful of Heads \u2013 Joe Hill \n\nWhat other choice does June Branch have when she's trapped on Brody Island, but try to find a way out, no matter the risk. To make matters worse, her boyfriend was kidnapped and she has escaped convicts out for her blood. The only thing June has in her defense is a mysterious Viking axe that comes with the power to behead people while allowing them to continue talking. June's only option to save herself and rescue her boyfriend is to use the axe's power while trying to keep herself calm and perhaps even seek help from a basketful of heads. This collection is spine-tingling and features artwork by Leomacs from /Lucifer/. The entire seven-issue miniseries is featured within /Basketful of Heads/ with special features that include character designs and sketches from behind-the-scenes.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "03-Nov-2020", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 19:31:33", "publisher": "Fantagraphics", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009068047", "title": "Florida Man: A Novel", "author": "Tom Cooper", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 221, "review": "Heidi Karavas and Reed Crowe should have had a lifelong love for the ages. They fell for each other hard in high school, had a daughter, and began to work through growing up together. But the loss of their child split them apart and left Reed alone, mostly, on Emerald Island to manage a seedy motel and sideshow amusement park with little to look forward to. An aging hippie with a streak of sadness that borders on destructive, Reed Crowe is the Florida Man of Tom Cooper\u2019s latest novel.

Reed\u2019s story could be one-note, but Cooper\u2019s deft mix of detail and description, and flair for creating some of the most outlandishly bizarre characters ever written saves the story. One character, Catface, a crack added refugee looking for revenge, sews several stories together\u2014Reed\u2019s own, and the one of Seminole Indian Henry Yahchilane, dope dealer and all-around scumbag Wayne Wade, and the poor unfortunate soul running Big Gorilla Fireworks. Catface, and Reed, are all woven together in the weird and wild Florida landscape to tell a story of losing and finding or resignation and redemption that is more complex and beautiful than it should be.

If you are looking to lose yourself in a world that feels nothing like your own, shepherding by characters for feel infinitely familiar, Florida Manis the book for you.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 18:09:01", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009068043", "title": "Where Dreams Descend: A Novel (Kingdom of Cards (1)) ", "author": "Janella Angles", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 205, "review": "Magicians young and old gather in the odd city of Glorian to compete for the top spot in the Conquering Circus. Kallia has long dreamed of running away and rising to the top in this world. Although she has the talent, there are many things standing in her way: judges set on not accepting her, a new world to explore, and more than anything, Jack, her mentor, who has kept her away from the world. As the stakes grow higher and relationships blossom, Kallia has to learn who she can trust, who she can\u2019t, and to never trust what she sees in the mirror.

Dark, romantic, and set on the stage, Where Dreams Descend is one of my favorite reads of this year. The cast isn\u2019t large and the book focuses only on the characters who are important, to the extent that the main characters note that they don\u2019t remember the names of other characters. The romance is a bit over-dramatic, all based on miscommunication, which makes sense due to their personalities and the plot, although it felt a little lazy to keep them apart. There is a lot left hanging and unexplained that will hopefully be explained in the next book in the series.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 18:06:42", "publisher": "St. Martin's", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009068027", "title": "What Rose Forgot: A Novel", "author": "Nevada Barr", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 233, "review": "This book was an utter disappointment. Rose is an elderly lady who finds herself escaping from a medical facility by saving up her pills and poisoning the nurse on duty. I should have known the level of realism was going to be extremely low at that point. Once she escapes, Rose finds her thirteen-year-old granddaughter, Mel, and somehow Mel gets Rose back to her house, where an intruder tries to kill Rose. Rose, of course, chops off the intruder's hand, thus stopping him from killing her. She then creates a plan with Mel and her sixty-eight-year-old sister, Marion, to find out what is going on and why she was in the hospital.

As the story progresses, we meet more odd characters who are either just plain crazy, or stupid, or weird. I couldn\u2019t wait for this book to end. Another thing that was annoying about this book is that the author felt she had to put her opinion of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in it. Both of these snippets were so unnecessary and had absolutely nothing to do with the plot. I tend to read fiction so that I can escape from today\u2019s political charade, not be reminded of it. More points docked for that.

What Rose Forgot ended up being a dud of a book and I\u2019m glad I got through it fairly quickly. Lame characters and an even lamer plot.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 17:47:00", "publisher": "St. Martin's", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009068023", "title": "Selected Poems", "author": "Oksana Zabuzhko", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Andrea Huehnerhoff", "word_count": 185, "review": "Zabuzhko, contemporary Ukrainian writer, poet, essayist, and author of the most controversial and influential works of her time and place, radiates forward in pulsating glory in this pocket-sized collection of poetry.

While much of her work famously illuminates Ukrainian self-identification and post-colonial issues, her prodigious writing spans the universe of ideas. Her incredibly broad and scholarly reading informs and enlivens her writing, and with the diverse literary themes in her work recognizable by different readers from different traditions, her heartbeats strike home around the globe. Zabuzhko is a philosopher, a cultural critic, a philologist, and a linguist. With her unique ability to transmute abstract ideas into crystalline language, she pierces our hearts with her crushingly accurate narration of the threads of identity we are all yearning to satisfy.

The skilled translators of this novel bring her precise words to us in vivid English. Every piece leaves the reader hungry for more, every path sends the traveler back to retrace their steps. Readers who enjoy peeling back layer after layer of a poem will find themselves richly rewarded as they read and re-read this thoughtful anthology.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2021", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 17:42:24", "publisher": "Arrowsmith Press", "page_count": "67 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009068019", "title": "A Very Punchable Face: A Memoir", "author": "Colin Jost", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 264, "review": "An ode to Colin Jost\u2019s A Very Punchable Face:\nWhy would I read this book, isn\u2019t he young for a memoir?\nIt\u2019s well written and quite funny. He has led an interesting life.\nHow much of the book is about Scarlett Johansson?\nVery little! The book is about his childhood in Staten Island, time at Harvard, as a student in Russia, his early experiences at SNL, and the last few years as head writer and on-air talent on the show. It\u2019s full of cool revelations, like his mother\u2019s role as chief medical officer of the NYC Fire Department. He\u2019s extremely self-deprecating and geeky, which makes him endearing and kind of adorable.

But is the book actually funny?

It is! He\u2019s got great observations about himself which reminded me of people I know and myself. Some of his SNL stories are hilarious and he\u2019s got oddball footnotes on most pages that are also funny. It\u2019s a smart book, too, and is very much like his Weekend Update newscast.\nI don\u2019t watch SNL, will I like it?

Maybe not. I am a fan of the show. My teen and I watch it together religiously, so the parts of the book that deal with behind the scenes, SNL culture, etc., were especially interesting to me. There\u2019s a section about which iconic sketches he wrote, and if you\u2019ve never seen the show, it might not connect with you.\nI like pictures, are there any?

There are many pictures, many unflattering but humorous. All in all, I really enjoyed A Very Punchable Face and recommend it to SNL fans.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 17:39:56", "publisher": "Crown", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009068015", "title": "Where Memory Leads: My Life", "author": "Saul Friedlander", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 249, "review": "Saul Friedlander, a much-acclaimed political historian, takes readers from the disturbed and disturbing childhood years of his earlier When Memory Comes through his extraordinary career in Where Memory Leads. The Holocaust, which took his parents, led to Catholic protection and schooling until an emerging Jewishness as a teenager directed him to Zionism and active participation as the State of Israel was established. As a young man, he was appointed \u2018political secretary\u2019 to Nahum Goldmann, then the President of the World Jewish Congress and the World Zionist Organization.

A well-respected and popular professor, Friedlander has taught in universities in Europe, Israel, and the U.S., sometimes concurrently, held positions in high-power international academic and political organizations, mingled with leading scholars, not always amicably, and on first name terms with the early Israeli leadership. His writing has been recognized with numerous awards, the Pulitzer Prize awarded for his meticulous account, The Years of Extermination: Nazi Germany and the Jews:1939-1945, a culmination of international academic exploration and his commitment to German Jewish relations in the mid-twentieth century.

While the narrative of Where Memory Leads is enthralling, Friedlander\u2019s style and humanism are equally beguiling. He discusses without reservation several years of mental setbacks, his depression and stress, the medication that he recognized allowed him to stay on top of an unusually complex lifestyle. Not least, the book is suffused with humor. Familiar with some half a dozen languages, Friedman chides himself, even with the book\u2019s opening line, \u2018How do you say \u2018aubergines\u2019 in Hebrew?\u2019", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 17:31:42", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009068011", "title": "When Memory Comes: The Classic Memoir", "author": "Saul Friedlander", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 228, "review": "When Memory Comes, first published in 1978, is a memoir that has become a classic. Saul Friedlander\u2019s boyhood coincided with the Holocaust. His family fled from Prague to France. His parents were later taken away and killed at Auschwitz, while he, a small Jewish boy, was taken from one sanctuary to another, mostly in Catholic surroundings. With each move, his language, his name, even his status changed so that he acquired a series of new identities.

Later, he realized that he had passed over to Catholicism body and soul. At his first Passover seder with Russian-Jewish guardians in Paris, he was urged to eat the meat course, the highlight of the meal, but he could only refuse. The Catholic years, which he never disparages, gave way to the restoration of his Jewish heritage. He recognized \"how authentic the familiar, informal side of Jewish prayer can be.\"

In 1947, he was gripped by the spirit of Zionism and joined Betar, the youth division of Irgun, widely termed a terrorist organization, which was striving for Israel\u2019s independence. He has since achieved renown for his writing on Israel\u2019s history and has taught history at several universities.

When Memory Comes demonstrates a distinctive style. Friedlander\u2019s skill in moving fluidly and coherently back and forth across the years, as \"memory came back in waves,\" is a pattern that fosters a wholly human empathy.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 17:29:00", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009067023", "title": "Magic: A History from Alchemy to Witchcraft, from the Ice Age to the Present", "author": "Chris Gosden", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 265, "review": "Magic has been part of human civilization since its earliest beginnings. Some believe that religion and science were off-shoots of magic as human society evolved. This book takes the view that all three strands are ancient and enduring characteristics of society, and have influenced each other through the ages. Its objective is to trace the history of magic and explore where magic can be relevant in today\u2019s society (where magic is used for entertainment, or shunned by mainstream academic discourse).

After the introductory chapter, the narrative delves into a history of magic with the intent of covering magic across all cultures and time periods. The initial chapter starts with prehistoric times (40,000 BC to 6000 BC). Most of the narrative focuses on societies where we have primarily archeological evidence (and hence the guidance of a skilled archeologist). The areas covered include ancient civilizations, China, Eurasia, and Europe. One chapter covers magic in Africa, Australia, and the Americas. Another chapter covers Jewish, Greek, and Roman magic. The last chapter discusses modern times and tries to plot future trajectories of the role magic could play in contemporary society.

The work has such a broad scope that it is bound to come under criticism for errors of omission. The work is also bias towards anthropological evidence \u2013 sometimes at the expense of other techniques of historical verification. The discussion on the future of magic is very brief and reads more like an opinion than an analysis. The text is academic, and in some places dry. A useful book for those who want to explore the history of magic.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 20:35:03", "publisher": "Farrar Straus Giroux", "page_count": "453 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009067019", "title": "Santa Monica: A Novel", "author": "Cassidy Lucas", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 214, "review": "In Santa Monica, the people who frequent Color Theory\u2019s workout classes are wealthy and beautiful, fixated on their looks and concerned primarily with their own best interests. People like housekeeper Lettie exist on the margins of this exclusive society, all but invisible to haughty employers such as workout-fiend Regina and subject to frequently overt racism that barely raises an eyebrow.

Brooklyn transplant Mel sees herself as different (less skinny, more liberal, more cultured) and eases her loneliness by befriending Lettie. But even Mel can\u2019t fathom the extent of Lettie\u2019s troubles. She\u2019s about to be deported, fears leaving her young son, and relies on the money provided by her wayward half-brother, Zach (the sexy fitness guru of Santa Monica\u2019s elite). What Zach and his adorers don\u2019t know is that in a matter of weeks, he will be murdered inside the very gym that defines their lives... and it seems possible that any one of them is to blame.

Told from multiple points of view and opening with a murder that fuels the tension and mystery from page one, Santa Monica is a literary thriller and highbrow beach read that pokes fun at wellness culture gone haywire. This is a smart, page turner of a novel that hits home with every bit of its delicious snark.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 20:32:21", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009067015", "title": "Driftwood", "author": "Marie Brennan", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 179, "review": "While quite a departure from what readers might expect after appreciating her Lady Trent novels, Driftwood has an allure all its own. Author Marie Brennan introduces readers to Driftwood, a land in the middle of its apocalypse. In this chaotic world, where entire lands and peoples disappear, with the Crush at the life-sucking center of it all, the only stable thing most people know is a guide called Last. But who is this strange one-blood who seems to be everywhere and nowhere, who might be a liar or a god? The Drifters struggle within their understanding of him as they come together to commemorate his reported death; whatever death means to someone who most consider immortal.\u00a0

From the lived-in feel of the world to the mysteries surrounding Last, let alone the creatures from all the worlds emerging from the Mist, Brennan is at her most creative with this work. From religious zealotry to loners trying to save their little stretch of earth or memory of their people, Driftwood is as diverse as the Shreds themselves. Definitely worth a read.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 20:21:54", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009067003", "title": "Bright Precious Thing: A Memoir", "author": "Gail Caldwell", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 306, "review": "I loved Caldwell\u2019s earlier award-winning memoir,Let\u2019s Take the Long Way Home, which focused on her deep and abiding friendship with the deceased writer Caroline Leavitt, for whom she grieves to this day. This new memoir, Bright Precious Thing, surpasses even that. It is one of the best memoirs I have read in years and one of those rare books that I allow myself to mark up, underlining one beautiful sentence after another.

Women of a certain age will resonate with Gail\u2019s account of what it meant to come of age during the height of feminism and how that movement continues to affect our lives. Caldwell was moved to write this book following the 2016 election and the surge of the Me Too movement, and she says this book is for the women who were stalked, abused, and demeaned; for those who stood up, who wrote and imagined, and \u201cfor the boys, too. The good sons who are learning how to be good men.\u201d She had relationships with some of those good men, and with some not-so-good ones as well.

Every reader will enjoy how she intersperses memories of growing up in Texas, hitch-hiking across the country, and young love affairs with the most delightful anecdotes featuring her five-year-old neighbor, a magnificently self-assured little girl.

Gail writes of her relationship with her therapist, and of becoming sober many decades ago, and always, always, about her beloved dogs. She kept a journal (what a boon for a memoirist, to have those written records to mine), which sometimes is \u201cdifficult for me to read, the scrawl of someone in peril.\u201d

You won\u2019t find nostalgia or self-pity in these pages\u2014rather the clarity that comes with perspective, given to us in gorgeous writing. As Caldwell writes, \u201cyou must love what is in front of you, rather than only what is behind.\"", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 16:08:15", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009066003", "title": "Outside Looking In", "author": "Vivian M. Lumbard", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 83, "review": "\"If you're a parent or a teacher, chances are you'll wind up caring for a child with autism at some point. Because it can present so differently in every child, it can be hard to know what to do. Vivian's book doesn't give all the answers\u2014no book can\u2014but it's a heartfelt and plain-spoken story of one parent's journey and an excellent place to start for people who can feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information available.\" \u2014Jo Niederhoff, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 14:40:33", "publisher": "Catalyst Publishers", "page_count": "190 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009065015", "title": "New America: Awakenings", "author": "Tyler Davis", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 481, "review": "2020 is a year that will be remembered in infamy for a long time; it will become a chapter or multiple chapters in future history and science books. The November election will also be historic, and perhaps also infamous, and what happens after will set the stage for the future of America as a country. New America: Awakenings by Tyler Davis is one possible America that five years ago would\u2019ve been seen as dystopic science fiction and impossible to actually happen. Nowadays, we\u2019re not so sure. New America: Awakenings makes 1984 look rather tame.

Colt is a teenager, but he doesn\u2019t get to be a normal teenager doing normal teenager things, because he lives in a very different America, where a fascist dictator is in full reign, with the supposed backing of God and the Christians who blindly and unquestioningly follow him. Sound familiar? \u201cOf course, things like privacy, cell phones, and the internet were things of the past in New America.\u201d In this alien country, those suspicious of others not following the rule of the President and his authority and decree can call on the red phone and expose them. If their suspicions are confirmed, then those accused are rounded up and taken for public execution by guillotine. Because traitors and rebels will not be tolerated. The atheists, homosexuals, and many other groups have already been persecuted. The Muslim population is currently under attack, as the government looks to eradicate them from American soil.

\u201cAs all the heads collected in the bin, the cheering erupted, and the chanting, \u2018God Bless America,\u2019 started.\u201d

Colt lives with his parents and eight-year-old sister, Eliza, in a rundown house. They struggle to get by on protein bars, their sole food doled out to them by the government. They do their best to keep low and unnoticed, especially from that woman Katherine who lives nearby, always preaching and proselytizing, and looking to turn someone in and get them executed. Colt\u2019s father, Kyle, wants to help his friends who are Muslim, but knows it will not be an easy task. Colt wants to help too, but must make his own decisions and choices as he is considered his own man now, not always in agreement with his father about what they should do, and more importantly, how they should best protect their family.

Davis does a great job of painting a sad, horrific picture of a destroyed America, where there seems little else but suffering. But he also provides hope through his characters. While there are a few typos, they actually work for the story, as Colt is recounting his story in this harsh world, and it isn\u2019t always accurate and correct. The result is a sobering tale that pushes the limits of the reader's senses and emotions, but at the same time, keeps them reading on, wanting to know what will happen next, and how they will survive.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "10-Dec-2020", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 00:50:54", "publisher": "Fulton Books", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009065011", "title": "New America: Awakenings", "author": "Tyler Davis", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 433, "review": "In recent years, there has been a surge in a particular sub-genre of speculative fiction. As far back as 1935 and the release of Sinclair Lewis\u2019s It Can\u2019t Happen Here, people have pondered what might happen if fascists came to power in America. New America: Awakenings is only the latest inspired by recent events.

The first in a series, the book opens on America as a shattered country. Colt Jenkins and his family live in New Bethlehem, a walled city which once seemed a paradise but has now become a hellhole. They rarely have enough to eat, his little sister Eliza is constantly sickly, and worst of all, they live across the street from Katherine, a Bible-thumper in charge of keeping law and order in the community. The conflict with a Muslim community, Broken Mecca, has been growing steadily worse, but Colt soon learns not all is as it seems in New Bethlehem, or even in America, and this knowledge may well prove dangerous.

As a concept, it\u2019s intriguing, but the execution went quickly from \u201cenjoyable but without much depth\u201d to \u201clacking.\u201d The timeline of recent history felt shaky, for one thing; I couldn\u2019t tell how long America had been New America. The societal structure and how widespread its acceptance was made me feel that it must have been at least a decade, but Colt\u2019s knowledge of pop culture and modern conveniences like smartphones and Facebook implied it had only been a few years. The size of New Bethlehem also left me confused; at times it seemed to be a small town, but others I was sure it had to be a large city. I also felt the author had little grasp on how America\u2019s government works. Naturally, the system of government would change under a dystopia, and I didn\u2019t question that there were ministers in power. What I did question was how often Congress had to ratify the Constitution instead of simply amending it.

Of course, that part could have been simply overlooked. From details like that to misspellings and changing names (Katherine has two different last names over the course of the novel, and one character is referred to at different points as Haseem, Hazem, and Abaan), the book felt heavily in need of an editor.

At its best, a dystopia presents a chilling example of what could be, whether by showing a possible near future like Lewis did or, as in The Hunger Games, taking current societal trends to an extreme. New America does neither of these. The dystopia presented is uninspired and uninteresting, especially with a glut of similar books on the market.", "issue": "Postponed", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 00:50:20", "publisher": "Fulton Books", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000009065007", "title": "New America: Awakenings", "author": "Tyler Davis", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 461, "review": "Morning has dawned on New America. The sounds of gunfire and bombs greet the bleary eyes of Colton Jenkins. This is a near-daily occurrence. He and his family live in a settlement named New Bethlehem. The government has been consumed by a totalitarian dictatorship, where Christianity is the religion espoused and embraced, conformity is stressed, and differences are not tolerated. A civil war has torn the country asunder, now wars of race and religion have spread to the small towns. The towns are distinguished by their beliefs; now they more closely resemble ghettoes. Food is scarce, nutrition coming mainly from Protein bars. The town\u2019s residents, such as Colton and his family, are overseen by a religious zealot named Catherine Shay. Catherine cloaks her true sadism within her pious faith.

New Bethlehem is subject to the new rules of New America. Religious observance is compulsory, and resistance can lead to arrest and execution during a televised \u201cCeremony of Peace.\u201d A snitch culture pervades daily life, as do-gooders looking to curry favor with the government are apt to rat out their enemies. Colton\u2019s father, Kyle, is a resistor who is on Catherine\u2019s radar. After an attack allegedly carried out by opposing forces on their settlement, Colton searches for supplies to secure the windows of the family apartment. He is aided by Marshall, who resembles the local law enforcement. However, soon, Catherine\u2019s hackles are raised, Kyle is accused of theft, and is about to be hauled away. Colton reacts quickly and incurs the ire of Catherine. Colton saves his dad but has committed an infraction meriting brutal punishment.

The punishment is severe and publicly humiliating. Colton has now assumed the role of a non-conformist troublemaker. He is now squarely in the sights of Catherine. Colton awakes to find the town has changed for the worse, and Catherine has consolidated her stranglehold on power. A plague has swept through the town; some are blaming Colton. His mother and sister are on the brink of death. The danger is mounting by the day, and a daring escape seems the only way out. Is resistance futile when it appears all forces are in alignment against you?

New America: Awakenings is a powerful new release that goes for the jugular and refuses to release its grip. The tension is palpable with every winding turn in this book. The sympathy with Colton and his family\u2019s plight expands with each peril they face. The book bears a close resemblance to aspects of our current world, which will strike a resonant chord with the reader. Yet, the author illustrates the perils of a divided world and the futility of endless war. This book is a shot fired at the heart of the Orwellian surveillance state and has the makings of a dystopian classic.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 00:48:56", "publisher": "Fulton Books", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009065003", "title": "New America: Awakenings", "author": "Tyler Davis", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 47, "review": "\"2020 is a year unlike any other, and with election season upon us, our future is anything but certain. Davis's \"New America: Awakenings\" gives us a possible future we really don't want, even if we can't stop ourselves from reading it.\" \u2014Alex C. Telander, Portland Book Review", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jul-2020 00:48:23", "publisher": "Fulton Books", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009062055", "title": "Firebird", "author": "Kythe Heller", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lennart Lundh", "word_count": 194, "review": "Kythe Heller\u2019s collection, Firebird, is an intriguing read across five sections that might, in fact, be five single poems, or perhaps sequences of poems. There are no individual titles, the page breaks could just as easily be thought-sequence breaks, and only the section titles (The Burning Girl, Mattress Under the Overpass, The Spirit Neither Sorts Nor Separates, Runaway, and That Heart) provide clues.

This vagueness of form leaves it to the reader to interpret a landscape in part common, in part dreamscape or nightmare, populated by what is likely a single person plagued by multiple personalities and personas. The narrator speaks in both first and third person of a breakdown, of being alone to mend herself, drawn to fire for re-creation. She wants to feel and fears not feeling, at the same time seeing both her being and future negated. At the center lies, not a glorification of pain, death, and loss, but acceptance by way of normalization. Recognizing this while trying to become a single entity means her struggle to return to an earlier, safer state is not guaranteed to succeed.

Be prepared to be haunted by your journey with the burning girl.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 19:31:49", "publisher": "Arrowsmith Press", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009062047", "title": "This Is My America", "author": "Kim Johnson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Paloma - Age 14", "word_count": 188, "review": "Tracy\u2019s dad was wrongly convicted for murder and is on death row. He\u2019s running out of time. She writes to organizations asking for help. She leads Know Your Rights workshops. Her father\u2019s supposed crime has taken over her life. Then she faces more disaster. Her classmate is found dead. Her brother is the suspect. Can Tracy use her knowledge of the law to find the real murderer and save her family? Because her family is Black, the system will be against them. Will justice be enough to go against racism, or will they be silenced like many before them?

This novel was moving and powerful. It\u2019s an important book, particularly now. It helped me realize that I am comfortable with the police, but not everyone has the luxury of knowing the system will work for them. Some of the hatred demonstrated by some characters did seem unrealistic, but I don\u2019t know if I can judge this. Obviously, this is for teenagers (murder, sad topics, and a plethora of swear words.) It\u2019s very thrilling, with suspense and mystery. Overall, this is a nail-biting, empowering book, and a worthwhile purchase.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 19:28:11", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009062043", "title": "Street Food: Mouth-watering recipes for quick bites and mobile snacks from around the world", "author": "Ryland Peters & Small", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 10", "word_count": 181, "review": "I love the idea of street food. This book is full of fun, flavorful, fulfilling recipes, from countries around the world. Most recipes are made with ingredients that are easily accessible here in the States. The recipes are easy-to-follow, straightforward explanations for how to prepare each meal. There are no complicated techniques that only a chef would know how to perform.

It was also useful to have a brief description of each meal at the top of the page. Using that tool, it was easy to decide if that recipe was one I would like to try.

As for the taste, every recipe I taste-tested was absolutely delicious. The flavors were unique to the continent from which they originated. I liked the opportunity to cook food from places I have never traveled to. Some of my favorite recipes were jerk chicken, pork tamales, crispy garlic chive chicken wontons, ramen with tempura prawns, and bbq pork-belly skewers. I would highly recommend this cookbook to any food enthusiast who would like to add a little bit of variety to his or her menu.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 19:20:26", "publisher": " Ryland Peters & Small", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009062039", "title": "The Little Kitten (My Little Animal Friend)", "author": "Nicola Killen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 238, "review": "When Ollie and her beloved cat, Pumpkin, trek outside to play, they discover a delightful kitten underneath a pile of autumn leaves. Ollie swoops it up and holds it close to warm its shivering body before engaging it in a game of hide-and-seek. After a quick, restful sleep, the kitten awakes, ready for more adventure. They run deep into the woods, and on the surrounding trees, Ollie discovers posters of a missing kitten. A path leading to the kitten\u2019s home is uncovered underneath the windswept leaves. Though Ollie is sad to lead it home, she knows someone there must love it deeply. She rushes back to find Pumpkin alone in the darkness buried underneath a pile of leaves. With great relief, they are reunited once again.

Author and illustrator, Nicola Killen, brings readers a sweet and engaging story designed for children ages four to eight. Little ones will fancy Ollie\u2019s adorable cat costume she wears throughout the tale, blending in nicely with her surroundings. They, as well as their older peers and siblings, will be drawn to the glistening, gold leaves scattered throughout the story. They have a sleek, soft texture and illuminate the pages with their brightness. Unique cut-out windows are scattered throughout the text as well that add intrigue and originality to it. Killen\u2019s simple, yet distinguishable style is perfect for early readers. /The Little Kitten/ will be an ideal pick to add to their collection.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 19:17:48", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009062023", "title": "Survivor Song: A Novel", "author": "Paul Tremblay", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 187, "review": "Masterful storyteller Paul Tremblay hits close to home with his latest, Survivor Song, a tale of resilience and tenacity in a world rampant with a human virus resembling rabies. With woven perspectives, we follow Natalie, a pregnant woman whose husband was suddenly killed by a rabid human only a month before her due date. Natalie herself sustained a bite in the altercation, and turns to her friend Rams, a pediatrician at the local hospital, to help her get the vaccine she desperately needs to save herself and her child.

In classic Tremblay form, our characters defy expectations through their choices and their most personal thoughts navigating the disease-torn world. We may not feel emotionally close to them (in a pre-2020 world, I might have said this is because we cannot relate to their experiences), but Tremblay\u2019s talent is keeping readers just distanced enough from the leads that we can still empathize with them without losing sight of the consequences and overall implications of their thoughts and actions. Survivor Song leaves us with much to consider in many regards, making it a thrilling read in these pandemic-driven times.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 18:59:21", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009062019", "title": "The Hunting of Hillary: The Forty-Year Campaign to Destroy Hillary Clinton", "author": "Michael D'Antonio", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 192, "review": "Hillary Clinton has endured more than thirty years of vilification and slander. She is no saint, but probably no worse than any other politician. This book is not an indictment of her persecutors. It is a remarkably fair-minded account of Clinton\u2019s life in politics and the enmity she has provoked. It is chilling to relive the many Clinton scandals. The author writes of prosecutor Brett Kavenaugh obscenely slurring Mrs. Clinton and demanding lurid details of her husband\u2019s intimate foibles with Monica Lewinsky. So, Mrs. Clinton has endured intimate pain from political foes and more deeply from her spouse. We all may remember her I\u2019m no stand by your man woman speech and how it is belied by her deep continuing connection with her husband. In like manner, the more abuse she endures, the stronger her fight to remain politically relevant and aspiring. We think of her eleven-hour ordeal at the hands of Senate Republicans and what inner strength she must have. In a strange way, the fact that she has been so targeted, must mean that she presented the greatest threat to the existing political order. A fascinating woman and interesting account.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 18:56:12", "publisher": "Thomas Dunne Books", "page_count": " 352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009062015", "title": "Forest of Souls", "author": "Lori M. Lee", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 305, "review": "Sirscha Ashwyn is secretly training under Kendara to become the queen's Shadow, but everything that Sirscha has worked for unravels following an attack by shamans that results in the death of someone she loves. Before she has time to mourn, she discovers she possesses a unique ability when she resurrects Saengo. As she works to understand this new power, she makes another shocking discovery: she's a soulguide, something that hasn't existed in years. This newfound status gets her summoned by the Spider King. He requests her help to control the Dead Wood, which has slowly grown out of control and threatens to destroy the peace between it and Sirscha's kingdom.

The plot is fast-paced and, following the various threats, Sirscha's dream of becoming a Shadow is put into perspective as she finds herself stepping into the role of a soulguide, which marks her as a rare and extraordinary being and as the hero that the two kingdoms need. The story introduces a variety of unique characters, including the Spider King, Kendara, and Saengo. At the heart of the story is the relationship between Saengo and Sirscha, which grows from loyalty, respect, and love to create a genuine sisterhood. This is the driving force for Sirscha, and it is at the core of her character. Their relationship adds a layer of emotion to the plot and brings out the lighter side of Sirscha while providing her with an underlying strength due to having someone to fight for. The book also explores her journey to become a soulguide, which helps her learn about her own power, strength, and courage as she faces saving her friend, conquering the Dead Wood, and proving herself as a hero.

Forest of Souls is a \"must read\" for fantasy lovers who will enjoy its tale of empowerment, courage, friendship, and inner strength.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 18:50:15", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009061087", "title": "The Montague Twins: Volume 1, The Witch's Hand", "author": "Nathan Page & Drew Shannon", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 217, "review": "Three amateur teenage detectives begin a thrilling adventure to uncover long-buried secrets in their sleepy New England town circa 1969. Twin brothers, Al (Alistair) and Peter Montague, have recently solved the case of the Bradford\u2019s missing dog. Their guardian, David, orders them to take a day off from sleuthing. David and his wife, Shelly, took the boys in after their parents disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The twins set out to enjoy the summer day along with Charlie, the couple\u2019s daughter when they suddenly encounter a strange storm and a mysterious robed figure. Later that evening, three girls go missing, including Mr. Bradford\u2019s daughter. As Al, Peter, and Charlie go in search of the missing girls, they discover magical forces that will change their lives forever.

The Montague Twins: The Witch\u2019s Hand by Nathan Page and Drew Shannon is an exciting new graphic novel. Page and Shannon give a nod to the Hardy Boys series, even setting the story in the summer of \u201969. But they have modernized the classic teen mystery format by including an LGBTQ+ lens. The story has depth and humor and is also a page-turner. It includes magical characters and spooky settings as well as the classic cemetery showdown. The ending hints at future mysteries still left to be solved by the Montague twins.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 16:27:44", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009061079", "title": "These Are the Voyages: Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek in the 1970s. Volume 3 (1978-1980)", "author": "Marc Cushman", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 203, "review": "It took years of hard work, perseverance, and jumping through private, public, and professional hoops to return Star Trek to the screen... but this time around, it was the silver screen, not the small screen. And if you thought it was a war to get the film greenlit, just wait for the battle to get it into theaters.

The third volume in Cushman's These Are the Voyages is the most engrossing yet, exploring the chaotic and combative journey from script to cinema. The author takes the reader deep into the trenches, watching along as key figures battle over plot, presentation, motivation, special effects, budget, casting, and virtually every other aspect.

Cushman's exhaustive research makes for a compelling read, and observing creative people overcoming obstacle after obstacle was a draining but worthwhile experience. The brief respite exploring how the music was created for the film was a personal highlight, a beautiful glimpse of professional collaboration for the greater good.

Closing out a trilogy of books with one great victory (the return of Star Trek) and one great defeat (the beginning of the end for Gene Roddenberry) gives this tome a weight and atmosphere befitting a historical text, and indeed, it absolutely fits the bill.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 16:17:42", "publisher": "Jacobs Brown Press", "page_count": "460 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009061075", "title": "These Are the Voyages: Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek in the 1970s. Volume 2 (1975-1977)", "author": "Marc Cushman", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 178, "review": "It's kind of amazing that you can write over 600 pages about the time between the original series of Star Trek and the first feature film, but you can. Cushman painstakingly chronicles the many attempts by Gene Roddenberry to resurrect, reboot, or otherwise revive and reinvent the show.

But that's not the real story here.

The real story is how the fans and conventions saved Star Trek, and that's where These Are the Voyages shines. Lovingly exploring how fan investment, dedication, affection, and enthusiasm showed the cast and crew, and then the world, exactly what Star Trek meant to the fandom... now that's the story worth telling.

Honestly, the Roddenberry bits are mostly boring, paling in comparison to the baffling, brilliant rise of convention fandom and how it changed perceptions of the show. Don't get me wrong, this is still a terrific read, a true history of Star Trek's fallow period in exacting detail. But trimmed down or split into two parts (Roddenberry and the fans on parallel journeys), this could have been a barnstormer of a read.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 16:17:37", "publisher": "Jacobs Brown Press", "page_count": "650 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009061063", "title": "Kerry and the Knight of the Forest", "author": "Andi Watson", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 191, "review": "A young boy named Kerry is lost in the forest and has to return a special medicine to his very ill parents back at his home. So Kerry has to travel and ask for directions. It\u2019s not easy, but he\u2019ll manage. Kerry encounters a living rock knight and many other mysterious creatures. The rock knight is called Waystone and guides him through the forest. The spirit of the forest appears and Kerry unlocks many questions. Kerry has to figure out whom to trust, return home, and survive all the way with the help of Waystone.

It\u2019s a lot in a book! Fantasy, forests, spirits, and lost children. A good book to recommend for people who like forests and fantasy, and lost children! This book is good, with a detailed but slow plot, but it's not one of my favorites. The art is very interesting and cool. I like how some pages in the book are in one color, and some are another! It\u2019s very interesting. Also, I noticed that the speech bubbles are different too! I like Kerry because he\u2019s very caring and very brave, considering he\u2019s lost in the forest.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 15:49:00", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009061059", "title": "The Vegenaise Cookbook: Great Food That's Vegan Too", "author": "Bob Goldberg", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 177, "review": "Vegenaise is perhaps the most popular vegan mayonnaise alternative out there, and now the original creator has released a delicious cookbook filled with recipes that use the spread as well as other alternative products from the Follow Your Heart company. The Vegenaise Cookbook is no health food cookbook, but the recipes inside all look and sound delicious, a collection of classics and comfort dishes that will delight any home cook, whether they follow a plant-based diet or not. The book starts with an introduction to vegenaise, and the story of how the company that now makes it, Follow Your Heart, was born. You\u2019ll find recipes for soups, like Roasted Red Pepper and Corn Bisque; sandwiches, like Double-Decker Spicy Chipotle M-L-A-T Sandwich; main courses, like Classic Lasagna; and even desserts, like Strawberry Scone Cake with Lemon Whip. The recipes are all easy to follow and, aside from the Follow Your Heart Products (which may have limited availability in nearby stores), ingredients are easy to source. Many recipes are accompanied by mouth-watering photography. Get ready for some plant-based comfort!", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 15:43:35", "publisher": "W W Norton", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009061055", "title": "The Kindness of Strangers: How a Selfish Ape Invented a New Moral Code", "author": "Michael E. McCullough", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 205, "review": "Take a look here at the evolution of altruism, the development of compassion, the regard for kindness as it emerged from the selfish ape to the sometimes self-sacrificing human. As seen through history, man has not been programmed for unselfishness, but external factors seem to be able to modify this deficiency Psychologist Michael McCullough dissects the theories of evolutionary psychologists and biologists seeking evidence of benevolence as a genetic component of behavior. Apparently, the seed of altruism is not an adaptation from natural selection, rather the author argues that kindness developed from the notion that aiding others would result in a reciprocal return, and on the idea of pursuing glory; both rather selfish thoughts themselves. Over the past millennia, through cruel military, social, and infectious crises; subsequent reason and social demands molded more benign behaviors. This is the story that is patiently and clearly delivered in this thoughtful analysis of the factors that influence humans towards more altruistic and caring habits. The author emphasizes the importance of reason as the factor promoting unselfishness as he agrees with Charles Darwin that generosity and altruism are found, not in the genes, but in the lessons taught. A timely topic that the author clearly focuses on the reader.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 15:41:12", "publisher": "Basic Books", "page_count": "358 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009061047", "title": "Tune It Out", "author": "Jamie Sumner", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 195, "review": "For as long as she can remember, Lou has been performing with her mom on the street corners. She has always been afraid of people touching her and sudden noises, which makes performances a complete nightmare. True, they have a hard life living in their truck and barely being able to afford clothes and food, but it is cozy with just the two of them.||One day after a driving accident, Lou is separated from her mom and sent to live with her aunt and uncle. Separated from everything she knows, Lou is terrified. To add to the drama, Lou learns that she has a sensory processing disorder. Lou begins to make friends and settle in with her aunt and uncle, and even help in the school play!

Putting a name to what she fears may give Lou a sense of control over her differences and give her the strength she needs to become whom she was meant to be.

This is a sweet story with endearing characters. It would be a great book to share so people can learn more about sensory processing disorder, and to be more compassionate towards people who suffer from it.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "07-Oct-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 15:33:32", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "278 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009061043", "title": "Addis Ababa Noir", "author": "Maaza Mengiste", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 202, "review": "A violent general turns his sights to his son's lover. A man confesses to an expat-turned-tourist. Freedom fighters find themselves lost in the ever-shifting miasma of war, power, and ideals. The stories in Addis Ababa Noir are relentlessly dark and often unpleasant, exploring a land warped by war as well as people trapped between the challenges of modern life and religious/cultural traditions that still hold great sway. But they are also a fascinating lens through which to study an unfamiliar place.

I've read many Akashic Noir collections. As the series has expanded, spiraling outward into increasingly interesting and unlikely parts of the world, it has stretched the boundaries of what's considered noir, often allowing non-noir crime stories or slice-of-life narratives into its pages. Addis Ababa Noir strays the furthest from the original concept thus far, enough so that many of the stories didn't feel like they fit.

Maybe I'm clinging stubbornly to an outmoded idea of what noir is, maybe I'm nitpicking. These stories are challenging, heartrending, and worthwhile. They taught me a great deal about a place I know very little about, both in light and in darkness. But crime fans and noir fans may come away disappointed. Enlightened, but disappointed.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 15:30:34", "publisher": "Akashic Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009061031", "title": "You Can Keep That to Yourself: A Comprehensive List of What Not to Say to Black People, for Well-Intentioned People of Pallor", "author": "Adam Smyer", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 200, "review": "With everything going on in recent news stories, racism is still a hot topic that weighs on many people's minds. Being a white female, I cannot speak for any African Americans. Apparently, given that this book has been produced, some people feel that they can speak for others. You Can Keep That to Yourself is a compact guide of alphabetical terms that are NOT okay for white people to say to Black people. Each one includes short, humorous commentary to explain the importance of refraining from using the phrases, including \"slavery,\" \"Fam,\" and \"Voted for Obama.\" Disclaimer: many of the explanations include some adult language, so be aware of this if you are a sensitive reader.

At 135 pages, the book covers many terms that I would not have thought to be problematic otherwise. However, I may not be \"with it\" because there were some terms that I had no clue as to their meaning or context, and it seemed that I should understand. I like the book cover; it reminds me of the dictionary, which is helpful because it is a dictionary in its own category. For its purpose of education and enjoyment, I say it met the mark.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 15:24:24", "publisher": "Akashic Books", "page_count": "136 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009061027", "title": "William Still and His Freedom Stories: The Father of the Underground Railroad", "author": "Don Tate", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 191, "review": "William was the youngest child of his very large family. William was very lucky as his parents and siblings had been slaves, his parents had escaped and were free. William's oldest brothers were still enslaved. William was destined to help slaves find freedom. One day, as a young boy he helped an escaped man find his way through the woods to freedom. William worked hard on the homestead, but he wanted to go to school. When William was finally allowed to go to school he was a diligent student and worked hard. He worked many jobs over his life barely earning money when he wanted to work at an Anti-Slavery Society to help those to freedom. During this time, he met many people and guided them to safe houses to lead them to freedom. He realized, in order to help those find their families that he needed to make records. William recorded each person's information that came through the underground railroad and helped reunite families. He was even able to reunite his older brother with their family. William made history with his record-keeping and helped countless families reunite. A great story!", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 15:18:59", "publisher": "Peachtree", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009061023", "title": "Literature: The Book, the Place and the Pen--A Teaching Resource Book", "author": "Andrea L. Ambler & Jerald E. Klocek", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "The study of literature is an important part of all young people\u2019s education. In these times of a worldwide pandemic, teaching is more challenging than ever. This book will help teachers \u2014 traditional school or homeschool \u2014 of middle school and high school students to find fresh ways of looking at literature and lessons to ground the learning with tasks and projects. The various chapters look at fiction \u2014 both short stories and novels, non-fiction, poetry, drama, and even one on fables, fairy tales, and folktales. Some introductory material includes a good outline of the writing, revising, and editing processes. Each chapter has a good list of suggested readings from which the teacher might choose. These chapters all lay a good foundation while still leaving plenty of room for creative additions and expansions of the lessons. There are basic lessons for students in reading strategies, note-taking, and journal keeping to help build good skills. There are plenty of writing exercises and fun projects to keep students engaged. There is only one rubric included, and more might be a helpful addition for those teaching. This is a book middle and high school teachers will appreciate.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 15:17:31", "publisher": "Ambler Publishing", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009061019", "title": "God's Shadow: Sultan Seilm, His Ottoman Empire, and the Making of the Modern World", "author": "Alan Mikhail", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 244, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

In the late fifteenth and early sixteenth century, the Ottoman Empire almost doubled its size and became a superpower in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. This book traces the life of Sultan Selim, who was responsible for the Ottoman Empire\u2019s expansion and declared himself caliph of the Muslims \u2013 bringing together (at least in protocol) the secular and religious authority after centuries of separation.

This book chronologically narrates Selim\u2019s life, but the narrative digresses to explore other world events. For instance, it discusses the empires\u2019 levels of tolerance of populations under their rule that adhere to religions different from the ones endorsed by the ruling empires. The narrative concludes that non-Christian empires were more tolerant of religious minorities under their rule than were Christian empires. A substantial portion of the narrative discusses the discovery of the New World. Here, the narrative\u2019s aim seems to show that the expansion of the Ottoman Empire was among the impetuses that spurred the Atlantic Voyages in an effort to avoid the Ottoman monopoly on trade routes. Some of these digressions tie into the overall narrative, but the connections with others are more opaque.

The text flows easily and is easy to read. The narrative attempts to help readers see familiar historical themes from a different lens, hence it engages in alternative historical narratives. Some of the historical connections it makes are clear, but others need more clarification. Overall, an interesting read \u2013 especially for readers interested in Ottoman history.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 15:11:33", "publisher": "W W Norton", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009061015", "title": "American Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey through the Artisan Cheese World", "author": "Joe Berkowitz", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 624, "review": "Time to Eat!\n\nPeople who love to eat may be considered to always be the best people (here\u2019s looking at you, Julia Child), but people who also love to read about eating are arguably just that little bit better. Whether dedicated to the appreciation of one particular foodstuff (cheese!), to the preparation of one menu classic (pie!), or to the creative recreation of a magical food legacy (Disney!), the following books have something tasty to offer to foodies and readers alike.\n\nAmerican Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey Through the Artisan Cheese World by Joe Berkowitz\n\nWith all due respect to Homer, what better odyssey is there than a cheese odyssey?! As Joe Berkowitz notes, \u201cCheese is literally heaven. It\u2019s what happens after milk sheds this mortal coil and ascends to a higher plane of existence.\u201d Although he\u2019d always been a fan of the cheesy stuff, it wasn\u2019t until a chance encounter with a cheesemonger that Berkowitz started on the journey to being a true turophile, particularly when it comes to the often-overlooked American varieties. In American Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey Through the Artisan Cheese World, he relates the highs and lows of that journey, including attempts to understand theory and technical matters concerning cheese, epic cheese conventions, rare and artisan varieties, global trends, and his own attempts at making cheese. Berkowitz\u2019s book is a gleeful globetrotting account of one man\u2019s love for all things cheese. It\u2019s by turns amusing and insightful, and it leaves you in no doubt that cheese is \u201cthe evergreen cheat code for improving any meal.\u201d\n\nThe Book on Pie: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Perfect Pies by Erin Jeanne McDowell\n\nWho doesn\u2019t love a pie? Well, there\u2019s bound to be someone, but even that person would probably be convinced of the joys of pies by Erin Jeanne McDowell\u2019s The Book on Pie: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Perfect Pies. Starting from the basic information that all would-be bakers need to know, including the required equipment, methods of storage, and technical terms, McDowell explains how and why to make the different types of dough, form them into pie crusts, and select the most appropriate toppings. She then presents around 140 delicious-sounding recipes that range from classics such as Apple Pie, to savory specials like Avocado Galette, and on to unique combinations such as Caramel-Chai Custard Pie in Shortbread Crumb Crust. The clear and straightforward baking instructions are written in McDowell\u2019s trademark friendly and engaging style, and the recipes are accompanied by a host of photographs guaranteed to make readers\u2019 mouths water.\n\nThe Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook: From Delicious Dole Whip to Tasty Mickey Pretzels, 100 Magical Disney-Inspired Recipes by Ashley Craft\n\nEvery Disney fan knows that one of the most delightful aspects of the \u201cHappiest Place on Earth\u201d is the range of delectable and often one-of-a-kind foodstuffs on offer in all of the Disney Parks. In The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, lifelong Disney fan Ashley Craft presents 100 recipes for food, drinks, and snacks inspired by what is available in the Disney Parks. The book is divided into sections covering the recipes of relevance to each Park (for example, Peter Pan Floats at the Magic Kingdom and Corn Dogs at Disney California Adventure), meaning that it can be used to plan a tasty trip to Disney as well as to inspire a host of Disney-themed meals. The included recipes range from classics such as Micky Sugar Cookies and Gaston\u2019s Giant Cinnamon Rolls, to newer arrivals like Pongu Lumpia (to be found in the World of Avatar), and on to more dubious sounding delicacies such as Blue Milk (inspired by Bantha milk from Star Wars). This book will surely bring a little Disney magic into readers\u2019 homes (and stomachs).", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "16-Nov-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 15:08:07", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009061007", "title": "Radical Belonging: How to Survive and Thrive in an Unjust World (While Transforming It for the Better)", "author": "Lindo Bacon", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 223, "review": "In Radical Belonging, author Lindo Bacon applies a socially just and intersectional lens to analyze the systems of oppression that lead to othering and the stigmatization of certain types of bodies and gender, racial, and ethnic identities. The author grounds important lessons in their own experiences as a Jewish child who struggled to find belonging in their own body and gender identity. It was a long road marked by years of eating disorders and substance abuse. Bacon highlights the trauma of genderqueer and nonbinary people who bear the burden of educating others about their lived realities while enduring shame and exclusion for existing outside the \u201cmythical norm.\u201d

In the journey toward self-love, Bacon challenges us to examine our complicity in buying into and perpetuating harmful narratives. Throughout the book, Bacon intersperses observations, anecdotes, and data about the lived realities of, and racial trauma among, Black, Native American, and other diverse communities.

From their vantage point as a therapist, scholar, and advocate, Bacon melds the latest knowledge and research about neurobiology with damaging cultural and societal attitudes toward differences. Neuroscience offers evidence that pain from exclusion leads to poor mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical outcomes. Bacon stresses the importance of being trauma-informed for our own healing, to be cognizant of the ways that intergenerational and historical trauma may be hindering our path toward wellness.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "10-Dec-2020", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 13:55:57", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009061003", "title": "The Marble Bed", "author": "Grace Schulman", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 314, "review": "In a long marriage, time surely comes when one resolves not to call it quits, but to pursue the relationship to its natural, regrettable close. All small annoyances will have been accepted, bigger issues put aside, acknowledged if no longer disputed. In her new poetry collection, The Marble Bed, Grace Schulman mourns for her marriage partner of almost 60 years. The poems are redolent with grief, but edging as are intimate, treasured memories\u2014a trip to the conservatory garden in Central Park where

\n\u2018\u2026. I raised my hand
\nTo give him a mint stem I\u2019d snipped, illegally.
\nHe offered me a stolen fern. Partners we were
\nin the only misdemeanors there at day.\u2019

\nThe collection falls into two parts, with a third woven between the other two. Early pages draw together an elegy and a eulogy\u2014a paeon to the happiness, but grief at the sadness meriting equal space. Tucked in, a series of images of Italian marble statuary. The images enhance rather than break the spell of the poems, not a lament nor yet a joyful reminder of the times admiring them together.

\nThe later pages have an added dimension. The language is less commonplace, more poetic, leaving readers a little out in the cold, unsure of the direction the words are taking. And this uncertainty identifies poetry, separates it from prose. The poet offers, but the reader must take it in discriminately.

After her partner\u2019s death, Schulman found introspection exacerbated the sadness:

\n\u2018When the medics lifted your lean body
\nThat once loped over hot sand to the sea,
\nI wanted them to keep you on our bed.\u2019

\nThe emotions appear in technicolor, then the color diminishes as Schulman strives to fill the lonely patches with music, nature, maybe family and friends, or maybe not. Perhaps delving into her private memories is better held until the intensity of the loss begins to ebb.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 13:51:50", "publisher": "Turtle Point Press", "page_count": "136 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009060003", "title": "The Fountain Of My Destiny", "author": "Trevian J. Hunter Brannon", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 79, "review": "\"A compilation of the author\u2019s greatest works dedicated to those he admires and looks up to. A raw and ready set of work that illustrates life as he knows it. Vivid and full of energy, Brannon holds nothing back as he tells it like it is growing up amongst friends in the hood and what his opinion is of society and those in it. A hybrid of rap and poetry for your enjoyment.\" \u2014 Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jul-2020 00:53:57", "publisher": "Lulu.com", "page_count": "126 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009059003", "title": "A Prison Without Locks", "author": "David Ruggerio", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 414, "review": "A Prison Without Locks by David Ruggerio begins with the fateful words, \u201cWhat frightens you?\u201d They are spoken by Marlene Bourke-White, a journalist relaying a story told to her by her colleague Tammy from the small town of Wawarsing. Tammy has told Marlene a story that sent chills down her spine, and Marlene must write it down.

Located in upstate New York and near the place where The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is set, Wawarsing is a strange town with a high number of anemia cases and odd disappearances. The story begins with a local fisherman named Bobby, who finds a small boy standing under a waterfall. The boy seems lost, but the sounds coming from the pale and ghost-like figure frighten Bobby so much that he flees back to town to tell the sheriff. From this jumping-off point, Ruggerio introduces a cast of characters with all the quirks and personalities of a small town. There is Father Shea, the local priest, who lives in Martha Breadwell\u2019s boarding house. There are Theo and his wife, Barbara, who is having an affair with the sheriff. Everyone in Wawarsing seems to know about the affair except for Theo. The list of characters goes on and on, from the creepy to the funny, and they all help bring Wawarsing to life.

It soon becomes clear that Dr. Pretorius is the one who brought the evil to the small town. Originally from the Appalachians, Dr. Pretorius came to Wawarsing by way of Haiti, where he learned more about the dark arts than about healing medicine. The doctor lives in a haunted mansion, and he is a trusted yet mysterious figure in the town. He has secretly been experimenting on his patients, something he did in Haiti. When the sheriff and Father Shea find the pale boy in the falls, they bring him to Dr. Pretorius, thinking that he could help the boy. But Dr. Pretorius is the reason the boy is a monster...

Ruggerio gives us a scary and hair-raising story about the thin division between life and death in his new horror novel, A Prison Without Locks. He gives a nod to classic tales such as Dracula and Frankenstein. The plot is fast-moving and easy to follow, although there are a number of quick-changing perspective jumps due to the large number of characters. However, the characters are likable and the plot comes to an exciting and satisfying conclusion involving a showdown between good and evil on Halloween.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "28-Jul-2020 20:44:27", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "205 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009058023", "title": "Sounds of the Wild", "author": "Moira Butterfield", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 189, "review": "This beautifully illustrated book takes readers on a journey across the globe to learn about some amazing animals. The book has a wide variety of animals inside, including my favorite, the Komodo Dragon. The book not only has beautiful illustrations but also durable and thick pages, making it great for young readers learning how to be gentle with books, or for readers of varying abilities.

The book features interactive push buttons that make the sounds of the wild that could be heard in each biome. The turn of each page whisks you away to a different ecosystem and some of the most amazing animals that can only be found in each particular area, such as the Galapagos Islands and the fierce Marine Iguana, or Sumatra and the amazing Sumatran Tiger.

I really like this book because it is fun to read, has life-like animal sounds, and is filled with bite-size chunks of information. The interactive push-button sound features, the vivid illustrations, and the easy-to-read story and information make this book perfect for a wide range of readers with varying abilities. This is a great book for the whole family.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "28-Jul-2020 23:06:33", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009058019", "title": "Sounds of the Sky", "author": "Moira Butterfield", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 195, "review": "This beautifully illustrated book takes readers on a journey across the globe to learn about some amazing animals who live in the treetops. This book has a wide variety of animals inside, including my favorite, the Red Panda. This book not only has beautiful illustrations but durable thick pages, great for young readers learning how to be gentle with books, or with readers of varying abilities. This book also has interactive push buttons to make the sounds of the wild birds that could be heard in each ecosystem. With the turn of each page whisks you away to a different eco-system with some of the most amazing animals that can only be found in each particular area, such as the Tawny Owl in the Black Forest in Germany or the fastest bird on two legs, the Ostrich in the Tanzania Serengeti. I really like this book because it is fun to read, and filled with bite-sized chunks of information. The interactive features, the vivid illustrations, and the easy to read story and information make this book perfect for a wide range of readers with varying abilities. This is a great book for the whole family.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "28-Jul-2020 23:06:09", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009058015", "title": "Prospects of a Woman", "author": "Wendy Voorsanger", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 227, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

\n\nElisabeth Parker and her husband Nate move out west to California, ready to meet up with her father on his land claim and strike it rich, like so many prospectors have before them. When they arrive, however, they find that her father has taken up with another woman and done nothing with the claim. From there, things only grow more difficult for Elisabeth. Life out west isn\u2019t necessarily better than life in Massachusetts; it\u2019s just a struggle in different ways.

As the quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson and John Muir interspersed through the book illustrate, however, the struggle doesn\u2019t mar Elisabeth\u2019s life. If anything, it shapes her, sculpting her out of the rough clay she had been before into a woman who can stand on her own two feet. Prospects of a Woman is a tale of a woman coming into her own, not only as an adult and American but as a human being.

I greatly enjoyed this book, though there were times when I wished the author had been a little more subtle in the narration, allowing the characters\u2019 actions and words to speak rather than illustrating so much. Despite this, I think anyone with an interest in women\u2019s roles in history (and any fans of the work put out by She Writes Press) will find Prospects of a Woman a worthwhile read.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "28-Jul-2020 23:01:57", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009057015", "title": "Hidden Lessons from History", "author": "Peter Chronis", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 427, "review": "Hidden Lessons from History is Peter Chronis's attempt to educate readers who are ignorant of the backstory of many well-known buildings and landforms around the world. To the naked eye, these wonders are merely beautiful, but when the owner of said eyes does some digging into the past, they will find that there is more of a story to that location than they realize. Unfortunately, the stories don't always show people in the best light; but when compared to events of today, it does show that humans haven't changed too much since the beginning of time. \nChronis includes pictures and short three-paragraph text of thirty-two wonders of the world. They include but are not limited to, the Colosseum, Pantheon, and St. Peter's Basilica in Italy, Mount Jimmy Simpson in Canada, the Notre Dame in France, Old San Juan in Puerto Rico, Anse du Gouverneur in Saint Barthelemy, Buckingham Palace in England, The White House and Castle Geyser in America, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Greece. In his introduction of the book, Chronis explains that he has visited each of these sites but, at the time of arrival, had never previously known their history, aka what makes them extra special. The backstory of these attractions contains historical, and sometimes saddening facts about the location; interestingly, many of the spots had a history with Christianity, for better or worse.

The pictures included in the book are professional and show-off the location's beauty; I love their colors and angles. I appreciate what Chronis is doing with this book; too many people (myself included) don't even know about all of the sites in his book, let alone their backstory. When people are made more aware of the beauty that lies within their grasp, there becomes a deeper appreciation for what we have available to us. By learning the backstory, we as a whole can work toward not making the same mistakes as those in the past to ensure a better future for ourselves. I can understand the number of sites included in other countries, especially with their rich history; maybe someday we can see a book of sites just in the United States to be able to understand our own country better. Being in the History category, this is a shorter book; however, I don't feel like much is missing in its content. For readers who like short, concise history lessons, this is the right book for you. I would liken Hidden Lessons from History as an educational and conversation-starting coffee table book that can be displayed year-round.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "27-Jul-2020 18:45:18", "publisher": "Eonia Press", "page_count": "104 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009057011", "title": "A Proper Weight Loss Program And Improving Health", "author": "Kourosh Naziri (Cyrus)", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Seattle", "Portland"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 591, "review": "A Proper Weight Loss Program and Improving Health is designed to help regular people aged 9-99 to lose weight and thus improve their health. However, from the outset, it should be borne in mind that the author is not a medical professional, nor is he a researcher in a medical/biological field. As such, the book is based on anecdotal data rather than on verifiable scientific data, meaning that caution should be applied when implementing any of the author\u2019s ideas.

The book is divided into two sections. Section One sets out the principles that the author believes will lead to a healthier life and more active lifestyle. These principles include the importance of eating the same amount at the same time each day, exercising more after eating more, and replacing high-sugar and high-fat foods with alternative options. Some of the principles are accompanied by examples from the author\u2019s life, others by practical exercises that readers could try for themselves. Section Two contains a number of annexes, some targeted toward certain sections of the population (those aged 50 and above; children; men and women aged 20-25), some that reiterate information from the main body of the book, and others that briefly introduce new concepts, such as the utility of drinking tea and coffee.

Some of the information provided in the book is well-known, common-sense stuff, for example, the fact that weight loss can force type 2 diabetes into remission. Some is much more outlandish and hard to verify, for example, the notion that calcium pills could help a regular person to grow taller if they desired to do so. Furthermore, there are a number of outright errors. For instance, when discussing fat storage within the body, the author claims that \u201cthe vegetable group as a general rule are not nutritious.\u201d Of course, vegetables are actually an important source of many nutrients, meaning that the consumption of vegetables is associated with many health benefits. The author makes this highly inaccurate claim very early on in the book, and from that point onward it is hard to consider his statements authoritative.

Being very much based on the author\u2019s personal philosophy regarding health, A Proper Weight Loss Program and Improving Health contains a lot more opinions than facts. The author regularly mentions talking to doctors about his ideas and researching health-related matters in books, but in the absence of detailed footnotes and a thorough bibliography, there is still a distinct lack of substance to his claims. There are no startling insights to be found in the book, as much of what is contains is either very obvious (the importance of eating a balanced diet and regularly exercising) or very dubious (growing taller, stopping the ageing process, alternative perspectives on the skeletal system), which means that it will likely only appeal to those readers who are looking for a more autobiographical take on health.

Unfortunately, the majority of readers, even those who just wish to know more about the author\u2019s own experiences, will probably be put off by the book\u2019s lack of editing. There are numerous spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors throughout the book, and they really do detract from the validity of the text. Saying that, the book is written in an easygoing, conversational style, and the author\u2019s personality and strong desire to help improve readers\u2019 health do shine through. A Proper Weight Loss Program and Improving Health is a very quick read that may appeal to readers looking for an individual take on the weight loss issue who are able to look beyond the many errors within the text.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Jul-2020 18:31:46", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": true, "star_count": "1.5"} {"id": "425035000009057007", "title": "A Proper Weight Loss Program And Improving Health", "author": "Kourosh Naziri (Cyrus)", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 439, "review": "I honestly don't know where to start with this book. I absolutely love books about health and fitness because that is the industry I work in. This book broke my heart from page one. It was easy to tell that the author's first language was not English. This would not have been a problem except for the fact that incorrect words were used throughout the book to describe what I can only call an anecdotal story. Yet, the author claims over and over again that he knows many medical doctors and has over one hundred of them in his family.

This book is FICTION! After reading just a few pages I thought it was a joke. When I realized that it wasn't and that the author was being serious, I felt great embarrassment for him. This book should absolutely not be published. It is completely negligent and could hurt people who actually take what this author is saying to heart.

Let's talk a bit about some of the odd information in the book, shall we? The book starts out with principles of \"tell your body not to store fat/sugar and consume it too.\" What does that even mean? In the part in which he talks about exercising, he says \"You should feel that you are pressuring the muscles.\" What? He also states that, in his opinion, the back has five parts, although everything he has read says the back has three parts. That's because it HAS THREE PARTS! It's called science.

The author goes on to say that \"the vegetable group as a general rule are not nutritious\" (page 4), that \"naturally, a smart person will avoid [eating] fat\" (page 9), and that when he wants sweets he gets a tall glass of milk and a muffin and turns it into a meal that is \"nutritious and very satisfying\" (page 16). The author also makes up something called \"cold stricken,\" which really just sounds like a common cold. He teaches the reader how to walk in a special way, by throwing your foot forward and planting on your heel, rolling to the ball of the foot, and then repeating with the other foot. My question to the author is, isn't that just basic walking? Do people plant on the ball of their foot unless they are wearing high heels? No, they do not.

The author repeatedly tells the reader to ask a doctor if they have any questions about anything throughout the book, just as a precaution. Maybe because he knows that he doesn't know what the heck he is talking about. This book is absolutely inaccurate and absurd.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Jul-2020 18:31:35", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000009057003", "title": "A Proper Weight Loss Program And Improving Health", "author": "Kourosh Naziri (Cyrus)", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 437, "review": "Depending on your level of enthusiasm toward losing weight and learning ways to exercise better, reading Proper Weight Loss Program and Improving Health might or might not be for you. For people serious about dieting and exercising, you would be better to consult a professional in this field, whether that be a doctor, dietician, or fitness trainer. However, if you're on the fence about the whole subject, at least you'll be reading something that might motivate you to get started.

The book has two sections. The first is about diet and exercise, while the second contains annexes that cover questions related to health. The author makes it clear in the introduction and preface that his purpose is to create a book that is easily understood and accessible for people aged 9-99 years old. He makes it known that the information is his opinion, advice, and thoughts, and that readers should consult their doctor before trying anything he has to offer.

Kourosh Naziri (Cyrus) appears to mean well with the information he has provided. He claims that he has personally tested many of the pieces of advice offered, consulted a doctor, attended seminars, read articles, and learned about dangers related to being overweight and unhealthy as well as how certain foods can play a role. At times, the text is hard to read because of either the improper use of the English language or the lack of commas to help the sentence structure flow.

Being a reader who also places a value on healthy(ish) eating and exercising to improve one's overall health, I appreciate his attempt to make the topic better known. However, I would have given it more credibility if he had maybe written the book differently so as to have it read more professional or scholarly with studies or actual doctors' quotes present. I understand that he states at the beginning that he is not a dietician or fitness instructor, but based on his advice and interest in the subject, my advice is that maybe he should look into a new job, or at least some additional learning.

When I read false statements, like him claiming that the human back has five parts, but acknowledging that professionals say it has only three, is when I start to get worried. I worry that some people might take him too seriously and digest false information from someone not trained in this area of expertise. I don't believe that the author will do much harm with this book, though, and at least you'll read about some truths like how sugar in excess is harmful and how exercise is good.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Jul-2020 18:31:20", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009056027", "title": "Dear Emmie Blue: A Novel", "author": "Lia Louis", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Grace Glover", "word_count": 254, "review": "Emmie Blue has a problem. She\u2019s in love with her best friend, who has just asked her to be his \u201cBest Woman\u201d at his wedding.

Emmie Blue has spent her life feeling second rate. Her mom is rarely home and wants nothing to do with her. She\u2019s never met her dad. Her friends at school turned against her. In a moment of deep loneliness, she puts her email address in a red balloon and releases it hoping a future friend will respond.

Lucas\u2019s family has recently uprooted his life from England to France and he is desperately homesick for his homeland. One day he finds a red balloon that managed to float across the ocean. Inside he finds an email address. The rest is history. After a series of letters and emails, Lucas and Emmie meet in person and soon they are inseparable. Emmie becomes part of the family, a family like she\u2019s always dreamed of.

But now with Lucas preoccupied with his wedding, Emmie finds herself spending more time with Eliot, Lucas\u2019s older half-brother. The three used to be close but on her nineteenth birthday, Eliot told everyone her most private secret. Still, she finds herself rekindling their relationship.

Emmie is so fixated on her feelings for Lucas that she loses track of herself. She stops looking for a job, gives up on finding her father, and is putting all her friendships on the backburner. And just as she is about to get what she wants; she realizes maybe she wants something else.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 20:01:52", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009056011", "title": "Relentless Moon (Lady Astronaut 3)", "author": "Mary Robinette Kowal", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 206, "review": "We last left our Lady Astronauts with our main character from the Calculating Stars and the Fated Sky, having changed history forever and well on her way to the distant planet Mars. In the third book, Relentless Moon, we join another Lady Astronaut in Nicole Wargin, the wife of the governor of Kansas, who has big plans to run for president in the next election. But while her husband is dealing with his growing campaign, Nicole makes the easy choice to step out of the political limelight and help out doing what she loves most: piloting, flying, and doing monumental work on the moon.

But as soon as the crew gets ready to land, problems ensue that soon turn to sabotage. Then things go from not so good to much worse. The couple hundred people on the moon find themselves under some sort of terrorist attack likely from the Earth First cult fringe looking to make the world focus on the people suffering from the effect of climate change due to the meteorite, and to divert attention from sending more people to the moon. In this longer book, Kowal is at her best with the action and the science research, thrilling readers to the final page.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 19:52:46", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009055003", "title": "Hidden Lessons from History", "author": "Peter Chronis", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 425, "review": "Imagine if you will that you have a beloved, well-read and well-educated uncle or aunt who had spent years traveling the world with a well-worn leather-bound journal in hand and a fine single-lens-reflex camera slung about his or her neck. Then imagine that this sweet relative sends you a box full of stunning photographs each accompanied with pithy quotes from famous people and writings from the journal that amplify the photograph. The writings are short, but they are filled with wonderful details about the place depicted, explaining its history and highlighting important events that took place there sometime in the past.

Wouldn\u2019t that be a wonderful gift, especially if you are:

1. stuck at home due to a world-wide pandemic that doesn\u2019t allow for any foreign travel and, in some cases, not even much in the way of domestic travel

2. a history buff who loves to learn about things new to you that will trigger more research.

That is pretty much what you will find in this beautifully crafted book. One can wander through the pages to find such a variety of places to visit from the spectacular Matterhorn in the middle of Europe to what some may think is a real fountain of youth on an isle in Costa Rica, from the Hallsgrimkirk, an amazing church in Iceland that is many stories tall and would look like a mountain from afar to the turquoise waters of Lake Moraine in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, from places everyone would recognize such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the White House in Washington D.C. to places few know about such as Livingston Field in Puerto Rico or the top of the Ixmoja Pyramid in Coba, Mexico. This is not a very long book. One could certainly read it all in a long afternoon, but you will not want to do that. You will want to linger on each beautiful photograph and savor the text that accompanies them. And, very likely, you will want to dig a little deeper into the subject matter \u2014 find out a little more history, a few more juicy facts about these fascinating places. There are only a bit more than thirty places to visit in the book, but you will want to spend some leisure time in each one. The writing is lively, friendly, and really quite personal, so reading this is rather like having a conversation with an old friend. Books such as this are rare and should be treasured, enjoyed, and kept handy for recurring visits.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 17:57:07", "publisher": "Eonia Press", "page_count": "104 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009054091", "title": "The Invisible Life of Addie Larue", "author": "V.E. Schwab", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 200, "review": "In the style of The Time Traveler\u2019s Wife, from bestselling author V. E. Schwab comes The Invisible Life of Adie Larue, a haunting tale spanning centuries that is, at its heart, a story of a wish come true that has left a girl incredibly lonely in the world.

Adeline Larue is a young girl in early seventeenth century France who has an independent streak that cannot be satiated. She wants to see everything and be free to go where she wishes, but now she is a woman grown and is expected to find a husband and settle down as a dutiful wife, which she doesn\u2019t want. Having sought advice for years to remain her own, she makes sacrifices to the old gods, but always during the day, as instructed. But now she is betrothed to someone she doesn\u2019t like and makes a final sacrifice, only it is past nightfall. The night gods are not so forgiving.

Adie now finds herself immortal and incredibly alone, living through the decades and centuries as young girl, and is not treated well by history or society. Schwab has written a moving, powerful tale of what it\u2019s like being immortal, but also a woman in our world.", "issue": "Gift Guide 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 20:44:46", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "442 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009054087", "title": "Beetle & the Hollowbones", "author": "Aliza Layne", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 181, "review": "Twelve-year-old goblin witch Beetle just wants to fulfill her dream of becoming a sorceress, but for the moment she is stuck living with her Gran in the town of \u2018Allows. Beetle splits her time between her homeschooling and hanging out with her best friend Blob Ghost at the mall. It is the only place she can hang out with Blob Ghost because Blob Ghost cannot leave the mall.

One night, Beetle gets surprising news: her old best friend Kat Hollowbone is coming back to town. Kat comes with her Aunt Hollowbone, whom Beetle\u2019s Gran does not trust at all. Kat and Beetle reignite their friendship, and just when everything is going on track, Aunt Hollowbone\u2019s evil schemes finally come to light. Beetle and Kat must find a way to save the mall and find the unseen force that keeps Blob Ghost there; otherwise, Blob Ghost might meet a very unpleasant end.

I enjoyed this graphic novel because it was very entertaining and full of magic and fun. I also liked the pictures and thought the book had a very engaging story.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 20:41:20", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009054083", "title": "Bottled Goods", "author": "Sophie van Llewyn", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 210, "review": "The harsh realities of communist Romania in the 1970s coupled with magical realism are the subjects of Sophie van Llewyn\u2019s Bottled Goods. The focus of the novel is Alina, a teacher who becomes a target of the Secret Service after her brother in law defects to the West. The reader gets to know her through her marriage, her relationships with her aunt and mother, and her professional life. She\u2019s someone with self- consciousness, bravery, and intelligence. She endures a hardship that those of us raised in the United States have a hard time fathoming, but van Llewyn shows us that world with realism and care.

The novel is told in short bursts, flash fiction style. Some sections are told in the third person and some in the first person. There are lists and other techniques that break up the novel, but in a natural, engaging way. It\u2019s a very quick read and feels authentic. There is a tense, dreamlike quality to story, the reader isn\u2019t always sure exactly what reality is. The magical realism is an Eastern European folkloric magic, not unlike Cuban and Caribbean writings, that interweave between reality and unreality. I enjoyed Bottled Goods, even if parts of Ceau\u0219escu\u2019s Romania are unsettling to see in the eyes of Alina.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 20:35:20", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "180 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009054075", "title": "Catching Thoughts", "author": "Bonnie Clark", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 188, "review": "I really liked this book because I can relate to it. Catching thoughts is something everyone does, some days, you have those unwanted negative thoughts that remind you of a loved one you lost or an unpleasant time in your life. It feels like the more you try to get rid of the thought the more it grows, just like the black balloon in the book. Finally, when the girl takes the time to change her mindset and focus on a different thought, a positive thought by catching a colorful balloon, is when the worry starts to shrink, as the black balloon in the story. I think this book has a good message for all readers. Sometimes we need to focus on the positive thoughts, and things we have in life, rather than spending our energy on focusing on getting rid of the bad/negative thoughts. The simple illustrations in this book are perfect to showcase the balloons as our thoughts. I love the simple colors in the book that really help me to visualize exactly how I feel when I have different thoughts. Everyone should read this book!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 20:27:13", "publisher": "1517 Media", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009054067", "title": "A Quiet Girl", "author": "Peter Carnavas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "Mary is a very quiet girl. Her voice is quiet. She even walks quietly. Because she is so quiet, she hears things that others don\u2019t hear, such as a firefly flying by or the big tree at the end of the street creaking in the breeze. But because she speaks so quietly, it seems that nobody hears Mary. She tries to speak up, but nothing changes, so she decides to be even quieter. It seems that she not only hears things nobody else hears, she is also able to see and smell things others don\u2019t notice. She becomes so quiet that she seems to disappear. It takes a while, but finally, her family notices Mary is nowhere to be found. They call and call, but eventually stop. It is then that something happens for the family.

Peter Carnavas has written a sweet story that will show youngsters that there is a lot be gained from being quiet and seeing and hearing all the beauty that is around us every day. The writing is simply lovely. His enchanting illustrations are the perfect companion to the story, with soft, soft colors and wonderful details. This is a winner. Do not miss it.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 20:21:06", "publisher": "Pajama Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009054063", "title": "Benjamin's Blue Feet", "author": "Sue Macartney", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 213, "review": "I can't imagine not knowing what I look like, but for animals, this is normal. Benjamin is a Blue-Footed Booby who lives on the Galapagos Islands. Every day, Benjamin finds something new on the beach to add to his collection, things that have washed up from the ocean. Benjamin has funny names for the things he finds- kind of like the pelican named Scuttle on \"The Little Mermaid.\" One day, Benjamin finds what we would call a mirror, but he calls it a \"twink-um-doodle.\" Benjamin stares at himself in the mirror and notices different things about his body, and he compares them to other animals on the island, like the Warbler, Penguin, and Iguana. He thinks they are wrong because they are different from the other animals until he finds himself in a situation where Benjamin has to use his body parts the way they are for him, or he won't succeed. \nI have never thought of how my body looks compared to other people, but it sounds sad when that happens. I am glad that Benjamin realized that they are all different animals and need to use their body parts differently to survive. I liked this book for the story and the pictures, and I think that any kid will enjoy it.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 20:18:48", "publisher": "Pajama Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009054055", "title": "Filthy Beasts", "author": "Kirkland Hamill", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 176, "review": "The filthy beasts in the title refer to the three boys raised in an affluent but alcoholic home. Filthy Beasts is the sobriquet conferred on them by their mother who went from cocktail party happiness among the wealthy to single-parent status in Bermuda. To the casual reader, Bermuda doesn\u2019t sound like such a bad exile, but we learn that the house was shabby, the food was scarce or non-existent and the parental care was sporadic. In many such homes, the care of the younger children falls to the eldest who is often unprepared for such responsibility. Life with a beautiful, glamorous parent can have a downside when that parent becomes a narcissistic drunk. The author of this book, seemingly embarrassed by his social register status nonetheless uses it as a trump card to try to fit in and gain friends. To compound matters, the question of his sexual identity is confused, unresolved, and isolating. A true story that money and privilege is not a paved road to happiness, but can be a lonely and sterile existence.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 20:13:03", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009054051", "title": "Road Out of Winter", "author": "Alison Stine", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 224, "review": "Winter has come and stayed too long again. There is no spring for the second year in a row, and where there is no spring, there is no new life. Nothing will grow, no green shoots will emerge with the promise of better days. There is only cold and colder and even more cold unless you can find the Road Out of Winter.

Alison Stine\u2019s novel centers on Wylodine, a poor girl with a thumb greener than all of the Appalachia. She learned the art of growing from a man she can\u2019t legally call her stepfather, Ludo, known from states away as the best weed farmer around. Ludo has long since left Ohio and taken Wyl\u2019s mother with him. Somewhere in California, they are supposedly making a life, and when the snow comes and doesn\u2019t stop, Wyl knows she, too, must leave the mountains.

She picks up strays along the way, people as lost and desperate as she is, and she loses someone, too; a best friend who chooses a group known only as The Church over her. What Wylodine needs is unclear, but she knows she won\u2019t find it unless she keeps moving.

If Cormac McCarthy\u2019s The Road, Daniel Woodrell\u2019s Winter\u2019s Bone, and Tom Perotta\u2019s The Leftovers had a book baby, it would be Alison Stine\u2019s brilliant Road Out of Winter. I couldn\u2019t put it down.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 20:11:20", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009054047", "title": "The Way Past Winter", "author": "Kiran Millwood Hargrave", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 13", "word_count": 183, "review": "This is a great book about two sisters going on a quest to rescue their brother. Mila lives in a world of snow, where it has remained winter ever since her father left five years ago. She lives with her two sisters and her older brother, until a strange man arrives and takes him away. Mila and Pipa, with the help of Rune, who is a mage, go on a quest to find the island of Thule and save their brother.

The Way Past Winter is an amazing book. It is very well written and kept my attention. The island of Thule was a very interesting place, and the way to get there was also pretty cool. I really liked the chase scenes and the part with the waterfall. Most of the characters were well developed and realistic. Mila was fearless and determined to bring her brother back home. Pipa was younger, but she was just as determined. Overall, this was a great book. I would recommend it to kids in junior high and high school, and to anyone who likes fantasy stories.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 20:07:44", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009054043", "title": "AstroNuts Mission Two: The Water Planet", "author": "Jon Scieszka, illus. by Steven Weinberg", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 197, "review": "The AstroNuts are blasting off on a mission to find the Goldilocks Planet. It has to have a lot of water and not be too hot or too cold but rather just right for human life. Why are they looking for this planet? Because Earth is under threat from human activities causing climate change. The ice is melting, the sea is rising, algae are growing out of control, and fish are becoming extinct. This new planet has the potential to be the new Earth. But will it fit the bill? Only a scientific investigation will tell if it qualifies or not.

I thought the plot was well done. I enjoyed the new planet having clam inhabitants, which was highly creative. I also liked that the book made the reader question what the truth was and what it was not. I loved the way the book was formatted. The characters were creative and the settings were really neat. The speech bubbles and banners were awesome. I thought the characters were fleshed out very well. I liked Alpha Wolf especially, and P.T. Clam was also very well done.

I would recommend this book for kids aged eight to twelve.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 20:00:17", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "228 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009054039", "title": "Wanda Seasongood and the Almost Perfect Lie", "author": "Susan Lurie", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 10", "word_count": 186, "review": "Wanda Seasongood and the Almost Perfect Lie is a sequel to Wanda Seasongood and the Mostly True Secret. In the first book, Wanda lifted a curse from her parents. In this sequel, Wanda must rescue her sister, Wren, from the evil witch Raymunda. Wren is supposedly being held captive in the Scary Wood, so Wanda and her talking bluebird, Voltaire, must go and save her.

When they find Wren, she is reluctant to go home with Wanda, no matter how hard Wanda tries to convince her. What on earth is going on?! Why would Wren not want to come home? Wanda must figure out the actual nefarious plot before it is too late!||I liked this book because it was entertaining and an enjoyable read. There are plenty of cute pictures in the book that add to the story. In particular, I enjoyed the character Voltaire, the bluebird. He was a very entertaining character because he has a terrible memory, which leads to a lot of funny situations. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun, interesting story that is also an easy read!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 19:55:50", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009054035", "title": "Court of Lions: A Mirage novel", "author": "Somaiya Daud", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 263, "review": "The Court of Lions is about a girl named Amani who was kidnapped and made a body \"double\" for Princess Maram. The princess is next in line, behind her father King Mathis, to be the queen of Amani\u2019s country. A country that has been conquered, enslaved, and drastically changed by King Mathis. Princess Maram is cruel and hard like her father but Amani is able to find some kindness in her and both Amani and the Princess are able to form a relationship. Amani is hopeful that Maram will one day make a great queen and be a better ruler than her father, perhaps even help restore the country one day to its former greatness. Meanwhile, King Mathis is cold and cruel. He rules the Vath and the Kushaila people but he breaks the Kushaila people with terror. Amani, a captive Kushaila, does what she can to support the rebellion while remaining a true friend to the princess but will her life ever be her own again. Will Princess Maram truly become the great queen that Amani knows she has inside of her? Can love and friendship truly win over such evil? Grab a copy of The Court of Lions to find out what this tale has in store for Amani, Princess Maram, and the Kushaila people?

I absolutely love this story! It has adventure, mystery, and even a little bit of romance. Court of Lions is definitely a great read and I think that it appeals to a wide audience. I highly recommend this book to people ages ten years and older.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 19:55:34", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009054031", "title": "The Girls Weekend", "author": "Jody Gehrman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 251, "review": "June hasn\u2019t seen her closest friends from college in ten years, except for Em. Then Sadie, the group\u2019s self-appointed ring leader, invites them all to her estate on Fidalgo Island for her cousin Amy\u2019s baby shower. Em convinces June to go, so they head up from California for The Girls Weekend. It takes about five minutes for everything to go wrong, as there are so many tensions and secrets, it\u2019s hard to enjoy anything. That night they all party a little too hard and wake up to find Sadie is missing and there is blood on the wall. Everyone has a motive for getting rid of Sadie, but it looks the worst for June who dated Sadie\u2019s husband before they were married. June is going to have to untangle this web of lies if she doesn\u2019t want to go to prison for a crime she didn\u2019t commit.

I began this book with a little trepidation since the plot is very similar to Ruth Ware\u2019s In a Dark, Dark Wood. After reading it, I will admit that it is very close but this story is far better and more worth your time. I could possibly be biased, though, since I live where this story takes place and there is nothing like reading a mystery taking place in an area you know and love. However, I think Gehrman\u2019s writing style and characters were much more nuanced and had a depth to them I did not find in Ware\u2019s work. I highly recommend this.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 19:52:15", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "310 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009054023", "title": "Operation Vengeance: The Astonishing Aerial Ambush That Changed World War II", "author": "Dan Hampton", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 266, "review": "For the armchair historians of World War ll, especially those attuned to aviation, the hunt for Yamamoto, the architect of the attack on Pearl Harbor, is nothing new. However, Hampton demonstrates that the real credit for shooting down Yamamoto's transport plane and killing him should rightfully go to one of America's unsung heroes, Rex Barber.

Superbly researched and documented with layer upon layer of eye witness-based testimony to verify the facts, Hampton begins with the realization that often times the history handed down is flawed, and in some cases the real heroes are missed. All those witnesses are dead now, but their testimony and the corroborating forensic science still speaks from beyond the graves.

Hampton, an aviator himself, puts us in the cockpit of a P-38G Lightning in the warm Pacific spring of 1943, to transport us through time and space in the hunt for Yamamoto. Few writers are capable of capturing the sheer thrill of flying, bind it with words, and unleash the adrenaline rush on an open page with the sensations Hampton generates.

Originally recommended for the Congressional Medal of Honor for his gallantry, Rex Barber was instead punted aside without just cause when a media hound almost blew the cover off of the most top secret decoding team at the center of military intelligence. Hampton picks up the torch for justice in making a long overdue case to award the men of Operation Vengeance posthumously.

In spite of the narrative's historical value in correcting an egregious error, you will find the suspense irresistible. In this book, when the dead speak, you won't be able to pull away.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 19:48:08", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009054019", "title": "A Desperate Place: A McKenna and Riggs novel", "author": "Jennifer Greer", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 251, "review": "Whit McKenna and Katie Riggs are in A Desperate Place. Three bodies have turned up, all with a similar medical condition, but no leads. Whit is a reporter for the local newspaper, returning to work after the loss of her husband while they were on assignment in Afghanistan. She\u2019s still struggling with the trauma of that and her fall from grace as a reporter in LA. She immediately makes friends with Katie, the local medical examiner detective. Katie\u2019s dealing with her own struggles as she recovers from cancer. These two friends will have to work together to solve this case, with more bodies turning up and no visible connection between them. The killer is getting desperate himself, which puts both Riggs and McKenna in danger.

I highly recommend this book if you like police procedurals, strong female leads and are interested in the medical field in any way. It\u2019s very well written and hard to put down. When they arrest someone near the end, you think it\u2019s finished, but ask yourself why are there still so many pages left? The twists just keep on coming. McKenna and Riggs were both strong women in their own ways with their own issues and the author does a great job walking you through how each cope with them. I also enjoyed Panetta\u2019s character and I hope he features more in subsequent McKenna and Riggs novels. The plot is unique and fascinating, while still being realistic and informative. I can\u2019t wait for the next one!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 19:45:22", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009054015", "title": "The Monsters We Make", "author": "Kali White", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 251, "review": "Paperboys are going missing: two in the last two years, working their route and then never seen again. Crystal hears the about the most recent on the police scanner and immediately is concerned for her brother, Sammy who is a paperboy. She finds him, but something isn\u2019t quite right with him. Crystal pursues this story as she sees the makings of an award-winning article, one that will help her win a scholarship to college. As she digs deeper into the secrets her brother is hiding and what could have happened to those other boys, she learns that sometimes we see only what we want to believe. We ignore warning signs and people become The Monsters We Make.

This is a gut-wrenching novel, even more so knowing how realistic it is, despite it being a fictional story. This story will have you super emotional, especially if you have little boys like I do. I hugged them a little bit tighter after. What a powerfully poignant display of the differences between generations. I\u2019ve grown up in the \"don\u2019t ever talk to strangers or be unsupervised\" generation, completely different from when my parents were children, and the rules for my kids are even more strict. While it was sad and scary, this was a great novel portraying how many secrets we keep from each other and even our selves in order to survive. I hope that it will also encourage anyone reading it to have the courage to speak up and protect those we love.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 19:42:37", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009054003", "title": "Sleep Donation", "author": "Karen Russell", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 229, "review": "Trish Edgewater isn\u2019t comfortable with what she\u2019s doing. Her sister Dori was one of the first to die during the Insomnia Crisis, and now Trish uses Dori\u2019s story to recruit clients to Slumber Corps. In Karen Russell\u2019s recently reprinted novella, Sleep Donation, time is running out for Trish to do the right thing.

At first, working for Slumber Corps feels like the right way to honor Dori\u2019s memory. By convincing people to donate their good sleep to those who cannot sleep at all, she feels she is on the side of right. After all, if Dori had managed just one night of sleep, her condition could have reversed, her body reset, and her life returned to normal. But the sleep donation process hadn\u2019t existed to help Dori, so now Trish does what she can to help others. This includes frequent communication with the Harkonnens whose daughter, Baby A, has the purest and most universally accepted sleep collected to date.

Trish\u2019s employers, twin brothers whose joylessness seems matched only by their faith in her, are thrilled with Baby A\u2019s donations. A little too thrilled for Trish\u2019s taste. When she uncovers what is really happening at Slumber Corps, she\u2019ll have to decide where to direct her loyalty once and for all.

Twisted, strange, and beautiful, like all of her other work, Sleep Donation from Karen Russell is not to be missed.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 16:04:16", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009053003", "title": "Dollops Of Dreams", "author": "Rajshri Rajasekaran", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 70, "review": "\"A book about life and all of the wonderful things it is made of. Starring a vibrant cast of characters, Dollops Of Dreams is a book about budding romance, beautiful friendships, and the family that holds it all together. With a dash and a splash of medical scenes, cultured cuisine and traditions, and playful banter, this book with have you clapping by the end.\" \u2014 Kristi Elizabeth, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jul-2020 03:43:36", "publisher": "RSR PUBLISHING LLC", "page_count": "235 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009052003", "title": "A Proper Weight Loss Program And Improving Health", "author": "Kourosh Naziri (Cyrus)", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 421, "review": "A Proper Weight Loss Program and Improving Health by Kourosh Naziri (Cyrus) is an enjoyable read overflowing with valuable bits of information. The author has crafted a well-organized, approachable book to support and guide readers through their individual health quest. This is not a book written by a medical professional laden with clinical jargon that will overwhelm and discourage readers. Every section provides thoughtful recommendations related to diet, exercise, and overall wellbeing to improve an individual\u2019s quality of life. With that said, Naziri (Cyrus) encourages readers from beginning to end to discuss any health-related changes or ideas that come to mind prior to introduction with a healthcare professional. The author is not a doctor or scientist in the medical field, he has simply acquired invaluable information that he willingly shares with his readers. His suggestions are not easy but they are simple. Drink more water. Practice consistency in your diet and exercise. Listen to your body. Seek the guidance of specialists and advocate for yourself. Through these actions, a number of ongoing and future health concerns will be eliminated. He breaks these principles down between two sections, the main part of the book and the annexes. The main part of the book contains information that is beneficial across age groups and capabilities. This section covers principles to live by that range from regular exercise to dietary standards for harmful elements typically ingested in high amounts, such as fat, sugar, and salt. Naziri (Cyrus) encourages readers to focus on enjoying the proper amount of all food groups, particularly proteins and fiber-rich vegetables that tell your body what to expel, what to consume, and how best to operate. The annexes expand on these subjects with additional detail and provide demographic-specific recommendations, related to gender, age, and pre-existing medical conditions. Together these pieces create a comprehensive program that will aid in weight loss and a person\u2019s overall improvement of health. Kourosh Naziri (Cyrus) has assembled an effective, informative resource that readers will find accessible, helpful, and engaging. The information is far from overwhelming and builds on our common sense knowledge. The author describes the book as \u201ceasy reading for ages of nine to ninety-nine,\u201d which demonstrates the approachable nature of the work. With that said, the author urges young readers to enjoy the book under the direct guidance of a parent or teacher who can offer additional instruction and explanation. A Proper Weight Loss Program and Improving Health stands as an exceptional example of health and wellness information presented in a simple, user-friendly manner.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Jul-2020 21:22:52", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009050003", "title": "Temple of Eternity", "author": "R. Scott Boyer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 577, "review": "In Bobby Ether and the Jade Academy, following kidnapping and forced enrollment at a secret Tibetan monastery, sixteen-year-old Bobby Ether discovered that he was one of a number of gifted students capable of accessing their anima, that is, the universal energy that connects all living things. His special powers were soon the least of his worries, though, as there were plenty of other mysteries for him to unravel at the Jade Academy. The book was an action-packed and intriguing start to Bobby\u2019s adventures, which now continue in the equally exciting Temple of Eternity.

This time around, Bobby and his loyal young cousin, Jinx, are shocked to learn that their fellow students at the Jade Academy have all been spirited away during the night by the Core, the dastardly organization that had previously been using the academy and its students to conduct genetic experiments. Rumors soon surface that the missing children have been spotted being led into the Guatemalan jungle by Core soldiers, so Bobby, Jinx, and Chief, who acts as a sort of spiritual mentor to the boys, set off in pursuit of their friends. After rendezvousing with Bobby\u2019s grandfather and his melancholy former companion Cassandra, the trio decide to make for a fabled Mayan temple said to be located in an area of the jungle known as the Green Death\u2026

Unsurprisingly, the search for their friends leads Bobby and Jinx into plenty of peril and dangerous situations, which makes for a gripping read. Their hike through the jungle is realistic and atmospheric; Bobby might have magic powers, but he still has to trudge on through the heat and humidity like everyone else. The warning signs left by the jungle people urging travelers to turn back add to the sense of danger and also lend something of a supernatural tone to the story. There are certainly strange things lurking in the wilderness. R. Scott Boyer has a clear interest in the natural world and its relationship with both life and spirituality, which is reflected in the characters\u2019 encounters with the Guatemalan flora and fauna.

Alongside Bobby and Jinx\u2019s adventures in the temple, Boyer has also woven the tragic tale of a love triangle from the days of the Maya. Although the parallels between the two stories might not be apparent at first, the fates of Maximon, Lingya, and Ek Chuaj are closely bound to those of Bobby and his friends. It\u2019s lucky that Bobby\u2019s powers have grown since his days at the Jade Academy, as he is going to need all his strength to travel to the spirit plane, communicate with ghosts, and right wrongs both modern and ancient. And it\u2019s not just paranormal forces that he must face, because there are also Core mercenaries led by the nefarious Sandman as well as deadly beasts standing between him and his fellow students.

Temple of Eternity is an engaging adventure story with an appealing main character. Bobby Ether is a hero from the same mold as Percy Jackson and Darren Shan; he has fantastical powers, but he still seems very much like a real teenager doing his best in a decidedly difficult situation. This second installment in his adventures is an exciting, rip-roaring tale combining magic, mythology, and action. As Boyer provides a number of handy recaps throughout the book, it is not necessary to have read Bobby Ether and the Jade Academy to understand and enjoy Temple of Eternity, although doing so would enhance the reading experience.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "17-Oct-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 21:20:28", "publisher": "Main Street Read Publishing", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009049019", "title": "The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life", "author": "Dr. Allen Lycka & Harriet Tinka", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 425, "review": "If you're looking for a novel about inspiration, positivity, and overall betterness for your life, The Secrets to Living a Fantastic Life is a sure read for you. Dr. Allen Lycka and Ms. Harriet Tinka present a lifetime of knowledge and wisdom that they've learned in a short amount of time in their respective lives. The two authors joined together after they each experienced trauma in their lives, and they created this book to show others that it shouldn't take a traumatic event in your life to cause you to appreciate life, yourself, and others.

Dr. Lycka is a world-renowned doctor who has helped countless people in his career. His story is that he lived with a life-changing diagnosis of ALS that would ensure that he lived no longer than six months. To understate it, dealing with that diagnosis was difficult. But, through sheer willpower and determination, he discovered the truth. The truth set him free to do even more good for others and to appreciate what he still has even more.

Harriet Tinka was a fashion model who decided to put that career on hold while she furthered her education at a university. While attending school, she dealt with low self-esteem, though this didn't hinder her from making friends. Unfortunately, she experienced trauma through attempted murder and painful recovery from that, both physically and mentally.

Coming together to share their stories, they also share the thirteen golden pearls of wisdom that they've discovered. If you were like me while reading about golden pearls, you might think they are false, so the information about to be presented could be as well. I believed they weren't real because I had never heard of them before; the proof was in the text when the authors explained that golden pearls are real, but are rare and unique finds. The idea of golden pearls is a beautiful metaphor for the thirteen life skills that present themselves because many of them can be rare to find in the majority of the population.

As a worker in the mental health field, I found this book to be informative, educational, and pleasant to read. I love the quotes interspersed throughout the text; the stories at the beginning of each \"pearl\" that contains a moral are helpful as well. Not forgetting or downplaying the trauma the authors endured, they both currently live extraordinary lives; I feel that because of the lives they are living, it showcases each \"pearl\" even better. The advice and resources presented will help enhance people's lives to do better for themselves and others.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 23:19:26", "publisher": "SLAFL Holdings Inc", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009049015", "title": "The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life", "author": "Dr. Allen Lycka & Harriet Tinka", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 539, "review": "In her late teens, Harriet Tinka was attacked and stabbed by an obsessive ex-boyfriend. A former runway model, she couldn\u2019t accept what had happened. She became bitter, depressed, and attempted suicide. At the height of his career as a cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Allen Lycka was diagnosed with ALS and told he had six months to live.

In their book, The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life - Two Survivors Reveal the 13 Golden Pearls They've Discovered, authors Dr. Allen Lycka and Harriet Tinka, reveal the psychological, emotional and spiritual tools they claim enabled their recovery. Not only have these \u201cpearls\u201d allowed them to live fulfilled and happy lives, but in sharing them they \u201cguarantee\u201d that \u201cwithin as little as thirty days, if you genuinely apply these principles, your life will be transformed.\u201d If this sounds to you a lot like a television infomercial or a \u201cmiraculous cure\u201d internet video you\u2019re not alone. But I digress.

\u201cIt\u2019s not what happens to you; it\u2019s what you do with what happens.\u201d This quote by the ancient Greek philosopher, Epictetus is the basis for Lycka and Tinka\u2019s life transformations. The maxim that \u201cadversity poisons some and strengthens others\u201d could be applied positively to their lives, though one has to consider that misdiagnosis in the case of Lycka, and a single violent incident of which Tinka recovered fully from (at least physically), are relatively minor on the trauma scale as compared the millions of migrants who are forced to flee their country in the face of devastation, starvation, rape, and murder. Of course, some of us have better coping skills than others.

So, what about the secrets they reveal and how can you apply them to transform your life? Well, they\u2019re hardly secrets, in fact, they\u2019re age-old truisms like love, forgiveness, attitude, gratitude, enthusiasm, and twice as many that are more or less spin-offs of these fundamentals for being a decent human being. Ideals most of us know and at least try to embrace. To explain the profundity of these self-evident principles, many of the chapters begin with childish allegories that either just miss the point or miss it altogether only to be reinforced by quotes by such acclaimed thinkers as Jon Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney and the authors themselves.

And how do the authors suggest you apply these life-transforming principles? One way, according to Tinka is to surround yourself with people who love and support you. Of course, if you had people like that in your life you wouldn\u2019t need Tinka\u2019s advice. Are you a chronic complainer? The solution is easy according to Harriet. Just tie an elastic band around your wrist to make you aware of when you complain. Oh yeah, and maybe make your kitchen table a complain free zone.

To further enhance the impression of an infomercial, the book uses the format of folksy banter between the two authors, one supplying the approved questions, the other replying with profound, extensive, prepared answers. The dialogue is complete with lame jokes, scripted laughter, and even facial expressions

The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life has no secrets, not even any original advice, but only a collection of self-care mantras and a re-hash of positive-thinking platitudes delivered in a self-aggrandizing manner.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 23:18:42", "publisher": "SLAFL Holdings Inc", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000009049011", "title": "The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life", "author": "Dr. Allen Lycka & Harriet Tinka", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 414, "review": "This book shows that life is not about what happens to you but how you respond to the things that happen. Both authors experienced events that changed their lives. Dr. Lycka was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and given only a short time to live, and Harriet Tinka was kidnapped and beaten by a stalker. By examining their lives and thinking about how they could make the most out of their experiences and challenges, they have come up with thirteen golden pearls that they feel could help others lead a wonderful life. These golden pearls cover a range of issues, from letting love into your life to finding inspiration and purpose, as well as feeling grateful for what you have now.

I enjoyed the section about non-negotiables because that is an important area we sometimes neglect. I also found the chapter on intention very useful, especially Harriet's questions for finding purpose. By following the thirteen pearls, the authors hope that readers will learn how to deal with life's challenges and find meaning and fulfillment every day.

The authors use their own stories and others to inspire readers to slow down a little and see what life has to offer. What makes this book a bit different from other self-help books that I've read recently is that it is structured in the form of a conversation between Dr. Lycka and Harriet. This made the book seem more personal and engaging, and I got the feeling almost immediately that they were genuinely hoping to help their readers. They weren't interested in just their own stories. They incorporated many others, along with engaging and inspiring quotes as well. The story of Amber was particularly moving. I think this is a book that readers, myself included, will want to consult again or return to when they need a specific golden pearl.

I enjoyed the book and the message that you don't have to accept life as something that happens to you. You can choose what you do with the life you have. I appreciated Harriet's idea of empowerment being a desire, plus confidence, plus action. Believing in yourself can be the best kind of empowerment. Overall, the positive tone and warm, friendly feeling that came through made this a useful book. And I don't remember reading one that encouraged readers to send their own stories for the next book the authors intend to write incorporating more golden pearls.

\n", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 23:15:23", "publisher": "SLAFL Holdings Inc", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009049007", "title": "Temple of Eternity", "author": "R. Scott Boyer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 470, "review": "In the style of James Rollins\u2019 Jake Ransom young adult series, along with a healthy dose of the Percy Jackson series, R. Scott Boyer returns with his second book featuring Bobby Ether after his first appearance in Bobby Ether and the Jade Academy, in Temple of Eternity. The adventures continue, with more mysteries to be solved in the land of the mystical and enigmatic.

After his previous escapades, Bobby Ether barely has enough time to get settled and collect his thoughts together before he\u2019s called back to the Jade Academy for more training and learning, as well as to better control his newfound abilities. Joining his cousin Jinx, they soon discover some friends have gone missing, been kidnapped in fact - which the reader learned of in the gripping prologue - and must now travel deep into the jungles of Guatemala. Their friends are spotted near the Temple of Eternity, so Bobby and Jinx are quickly on their trail while also finding themselves a part of an ancient prophecy of the Maya. They quickly find themselves dealing with much more than basic kidnapping as they confront all manner of beasts, both of the tooth and claw kind and the supernatural. But these are not the same kids who barely knew what they were doing before; they have some experience under their belts, and have some idea of what they are now facing. They will also learn and adapt along the way, working together, even as they find themselves very much alone. This time they find themselves deeper than they might\u2019ve expected and the question is whether they will be able to do what needs to be done to avoid becoming a part of the history and myth of the Temple of Eternity.

Boyer certainly has a knack for bringing to life a story about a couple of teenagers getting up to mischief. The pages are filled with the perfect balance of detail and action, drawing the reader all the deeper into the story with history and legend. There is magic alive and well in these pages, but also spirituality and faith, pulling on the author\u2019s own interests, which adds all the more the story as well as giving it a stronger sense of realism. The characters aren\u2019t one-dimensional but complex and interesting, and it is not always clear where their allegiances lie, or where the lines of good and evil truly lie for that matter.

Temple of Eternity, even though it is a sequel, brings the reader up to speed with a summary of events from the previous book and hits the ground running with constant activity and conflict, keeping the reader glued to the next chapter, wanting to know what will happen next. While it is called a young adult novel, there is plenty within this book to be enjoyed by adults.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 21:33:49", "publisher": "Main Street Read Publishing", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009049003", "title": "Purged Souls", "author": "Kagan Tumer", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 631, "review": "A catastrophic and near-apocalyptic event has altered the course of Lori Rose\u2019s life forever. Now, twenty years after the Purge hit and eclipsed the world around her, wiping out nearly everything and everyone she loved, her life holds a meaning of a different kind. Time and experiences have naturally hardened her over the years, making her seem callous, even wanton. As the head of Special Forces of Marin military headquarters, her calculating, logistical mind serves her well in a world still filled with violence, death, and uncertainty. When called upon to protect and fight for Marin against those in bordering territories, she accepts the call of duty and ends up at odds with her own. She reaches out to an old friend of hers, one that saved her life many years ago when he pulled her from the remnants of a devastating blast. Together, she and Mika strive to determine how a young, fatally wounded soldier manages to survive, escaping from the hospital in which she was treated with no trace of ever having existed. What they find is alarming; she\u2019s apparently not the only one. It becomes clear that enemy forces may be at work. In fact, they discover there are \u201cPuries\u201d in their midst, using biological weapons to decrease birth rates among the citizens of Marin and Kern, in order to further decrease their populations. They\u2019ve also been injecting AHtX into mortally wounded soldiers in order to boost their immune systems enough to render them indestructible. With a significant amount of aid from others, Lori and Amy Chipps, the governor of New Cal, are able to neutralize the surrounding threats and save Mika from impending death after a gut-wrenching fall. They\u2019re finally able, too, to look to their futures with some semblance of hope.

This science fiction thriller is masterfully and articulately written. The cast of characters is thoughtfully diverse. Some are cold and deceptive, power-hungry, and willing to do anything to prevail. Others are courageous and determined, passionate, and in search of a better life. Still, others are angry and methodical, vengeful, and goal-driven to the end. They add intrigue and diversity, peaking readers\u2019 interests. The storyline itself is complex and filled with elaborate details. There are more twists and turns throughout than displayed in an intricately woven spiderweb. The majority of the chapters end with a new caveat being introduced, enticing readers to read on to the very last page.

The author does a remarkable job of weaving a couple of endearing relationships into what is otherwise an action-packed thriller. For example, Lori\u2019s closeness to Mika, her only childhood friend who survived the Purge, is palpable and even perplexing at times, given their personality dissimilarities. Additionally, the love that grows between Mika and Amy, over the course of happenstance in many respects, is intriguing and humanizing as well. When Mika finally awakes from a comatose state, the words draw the reader in and capture the essence of their bond: \u201cShe\u2019d stared at his vacant face for three weeks, imagining it springing to life and saying something endearing. This hadn\u2019t been what he\u2019d uttered in those daydreams, but it wasn\u2019t eloquent words she\u2019d missed. It was that mischievous smile, the exuberance escaping from the gap between his teeth and filling the room. She leaned and kissed his cheek.\u201d

This futuristic story is timely with respect to the world facing a pandemic of unconscionable magnitude right now. Though the Purge and it\u2019s effects on humanity are in stark contrast with the effects of the Coronavirus, as are its origins, but the parallels that exist add a confounding element to the tale. They certainly both illuminate the unpredictable nature of life on earth. It\u2019s likely this book will appeal to readers of various genres, given some of its unique attributes.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 20:50:30", "publisher": "Luminare Press", "page_count": "418 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009048139", "title": "When My Dad Went to the Jungle", "author": "Gusti", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 245, "review": "Theo\u2019s father traveled to Amazonia to participate in a project on harpy eagles, who the indigenous people believe are protector spirits. In this unique story, Theo shares his father\u2019s experiences by describing his own re-enactments of them. Once he hung a kingfish out the car window, hoping to \u201csmoke it\u201d with the surrounding exhaust fumes. Another time, he and his friends brought some earthworms inside to make oil for fried potatoes. He had learned how much the natives love tucus (big worms), both to eat as well as to use for creating oil. His mother nearly fainted at the sight of the disgusting creatures. From his father\u2019s lessons, Theo decides he\u2019ll express his love for the \u201cprotector spirit\u201d and delight him with some churros and hot cocoa if he ever visits Amazonia.

When My Dad Went to the Jungle is a tale in which cultural truths and environmental awareness are blended with hyperbole and hilarity. The author notes at the end he indeed traveled to Amazonia, specifically to an area called Conambo, where the Sapara people live. He, as well as the scientist overseeing the project, share interesting facts about the region and the sacredness of the land there. The story itself offers children a glimpse of this massive region. The humorous twists woven into it will likely ignite the intrigue of young readers, specifically children ages five to nine. They will laugh hysterically as they read about Theo\u2019s emulations of the father he admires.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "24-Jul-2020 00:47:56", "publisher": "Greystone Books", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009048135", "title": "Little Bear's Treasures", "author": "Stella Dreis", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Little Bear is a finder of treasures. He goes through his day finding wonderful things such as a button, a very useful clothespin, a pretty feather, a wad of fluff, a cozy hidey-hole, and more. It seems everywhere he goes, he finds a new treasure. But when Little Bear tries to show his treasures to his woodland friends, none of them seem to understand what great treasures they are. In fact, they all seem to think his treasures are just junk. But Little Bear knows they are treasures. He just wants someone who shares his vision, and that is when he meets Little Bird. Little Bird appreciates the treasures Little Bear finds, and they enjoy finding treasure together. They find a tree bark boat, crown for each other, a furry rock, but most of all, they find friendship.

Stella Dreis has written an enchanting story little ones will love listening to and adults will love reading aloud. The messages of using imagination and making friends are lovely. Dreis\u2019s illustrations in the softest colors are delightful and will keep children engaged with all the sweet details. Kids will ask for this one again and again.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "24-Jul-2020 00:45:43", "publisher": "Greystone Books", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009048131", "title": "Turtle Walk", "author": "Matt Phelan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "It is spring and everything is in bloom. The turtle family is embarking on a walk. A nice slow walk, a long slow walk, but that is how turtles travel. They travel all through the spring, through the day and night, and on into the hot summer. Are we there yet? No! They walk slowly on through summer and right into autumn. It takes a long time, but that is how turtles travel. And on they go, walking slowly, through autumn with all its beautiful colors and into winter. Are we there yet? Yes! Winter is just what the turtle family has been heading for, for a very special reason.

Matt Phelan is both author and illustrator of this absolutely enchanting picture book for the very youngest of listeners. The text is very sparse, but perfect for this sweet story. Little ones who don\u2019t have much patience will see that being patient can have its rewards after hearing this story. The illustrations are delightful with lovely, soft colors representing all the seasons beautifully and leading to a fun surprise at the end. This is a book that will have children begging to have it read again and again.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "24-Jul-2020 00:43:12", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009048123", "title": "Women in Biology", "author": "Mary Wissinger", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 187, "review": "Framed in brilliant blue, glowing green, eggplant purple, and even earthy. brown pages, the restless but overly curious gangly girl wearing oversized spectacles and carrying a magnifying glass seeks some answers about nature. She asks what biology is, what makes a butterfly, what cells are, and questions other curious things. In reply, she learns about female scientists that have been active across history such as Maria Sibylla Merian from the seventeenth century, Hildegard of Bingen from the eleventh century, Barbara McClintock from the twentieth century, among a few others. The reader is encouraged to learn about cells and their contents, such as DNA, genes, and transposons; while the story introduces some basic scientific concepts such as learning to ask questions. It starts the young reader on the road to forming hypotheses, testing guesses through experiments, and valuing research. The illustrations are brilliantly stunning, however, some of the depicted female biologists need more age receptive descriptions. Bringing more current female biologists into view might relate better to the youngsters. Talking about jumping genes and transposons demand some building blocks for these terms to resonate with this age group.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "24-Jul-2020 00:35:50", "publisher": "Platypus Media", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009048111", "title": "The Preserve: A novel", "author": "Ariel S. Winter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 209, "review": "In a Blade Runner-meets-Westworld style world, Police Chief Jesse Laughton oversees the Preserve, one of the last remaining pieces of land where humankind can live. The rest of the world has been overtaken by AI robots after a plague wiped out most of the human population. For the most part, the two species are able to live without much conflict until a robot turns up dead on the Preserve. Jesse and his former robot partner, Kir, team up to solve the crime and prevent the rising tensions between humans and robots from spilling over before it\u2019s too late.

I\u2019ve been avoiding plague/dystopian-related reads these past few months---I usually read those books to escape reality, not relive it---but this one was too intriguing to pass up. The Preserve is a quick and enjoyable read that treats the AI concept with originality. It surpasses the tropes of typical dystopian novels by drawing readers into mystery rather than the hopelessness of the human race. And the easy, caring relationship between Jesse and Kir remains at the forefront of the story, adding a layer of complexity by evoking sympathy for both sides of the conflict. Even though the execution fell a bit flat toward the end, I relished my time reading The Preserve.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "24-Jul-2020 00:24:48", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009048103", "title": "Finders Creepers (Half Past Peculiar, Book 1) ", "author": "Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kilian - Age 13", "word_count": 191, "review": "Twin siblings Esmerelda and Atticus Fetch find lost pets. They\u2019re the best (and only) pet finders in Thorns Hollow, a strange little town with almost as many pets as people. There has never been a pet they couldn\u2019t find, except their own beloved dog Dunnsworth. Nothing seems out of the ordinary when a search for a missing pet takes them to an old house across town. But the next thing they know, the twins are hurled into a dangerous world full of dragons, unicorns, and manticores. How will they ever get back and prevent these dangerous creatures from coming back with them?

This book is amazing because it\u2019s very unique. It\u2019s a mix of traditional text, comics, letters, newspaper clippings, maps, and illustrations. The black and white illustrations and comics help bring the story alive. It\u2019s also cool because even though the twins are total opposites, I can relate to both of them; Esmerelda is adventurous and bold, while Atticus is cautious and bookish. This book is full of suspense, excitement, and magical creatures. So if you like all those things (and really, who doesn\u2019t?) then this book is for you.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "24-Jul-2020 00:17:56", "publisher": "Scholastic ", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009048099", "title": "Framing a Family: Building a Foundation to Raise Confident Children", "author": "Robin Marvel", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 193, "review": "Raising a family is tough. Some would argue that it's one of the toughest jobs around, mostly because it has such a life-changing impact on not just the individual but the entire family. Robin Marvel can and does attest to the toughness of family life. She has written Framing a Family as a way of \"building a strong foundation to raise confident children.\" It's important to remember that when kids are young, they are continuously learning, with the most influence in their life coming from their parent(s). Marvel has much experience on this topic, having started her family at a young age and lived through many tough situations in her home and personal life.

I appreciate how throughout Framing a Family, the information that Marvel provides is on point and concise. The book is not lengthy, but the information provided in it covers what is needed to build a solid foundation for your child(ren) for their future. Much of the information pertains to the parent and how they need to understand themselves before they can fully understand their child. The advice is relevant to current events and more than helpful for any parent.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "24-Jul-2020 00:13:04", "publisher": "Marvelous Spirit Press", "page_count": "92 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009048095", "title": "We Are Not From Here", "author": "Jenny Torres Sanchez", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 185, "review": "We Are Not From Here is the story of three teens: Pulga, Chico, and Pequena from Guatemala who are family by choice. It tells their story as they try to survive in their Barrio and eventually decide to head out on their own in an effort to get to the United States. In doing so, they must leave behind their families and head towards an uncertain future. Their journey is not easy and along the way, they meet great tragedy that will change their lives forever. Will they be strong enough to endure the journey? Will they get to a better life? Will they ever belong?

We Are Not From Here made me feel the plight and pain of immigrant children and better understand the things they are running away from. There is some strong language in the story that makes it better suited for high school students. I think that it was a little too advanced for me but I appreciated how it helped me to see the world through their eyes. I recommend this tale to children and adults over fourteen years old.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 23:33:49", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009048091", "title": "I Love You More Than Christmas", "author": "Ellie Hattie", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 202, "review": "I Love You More Than Christmas is the story of a bear family with mama bear, papa bear, and little bear. This bear family is getting ready for Christmas, and they are so excited! They all love Christmas and all of the activities that go on this holiday, and they each feel the same way about the thing that they love more than Christmas. The members of the bear family keep trying to tell each other what they love more, but then they get interrupted. To get interrupted can be frustrating, but this is happening to them by someone doing something Christmas-y, so it's okay. Finally, at the end of the story, the reader finds out what they each love more than Christmas, and the mystery is gone.

This story will be fun to read at Christmas time, but also any other time- like I am reading it now in summer. This story isn't one that I agree with personally and would say that they are forgetting the main thing that people should be celebrating at Christmas. However, the story was fun to read, and the pictures are pretty. This story is for kids of any age, at any time of year.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 23:30:35", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009048087", "title": "One Christmas Wish", "author": "Christina M. Butler", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 226, "review": "The baby mice desperately want to build snow mice for Christmas. Little Hedgehog invites Badger, Fox, Rabbit, and the mice over the day after the first flurries fall, and though the snow has mostly melted, they set off to search for any remnants. They collect some from nearby branches and discover a plethora of it up to Rocky Ridge. Once they gather as much as Little Hedgehog\u2019s hat will hold, they begin to journey home. On their way, they offer some of their glistening flurries to decorate Grandpa Squirrel\u2019s tree. They share kindly with the beavers and then use what remains to make a cold compress for Fox\u2019s injured foot. As Christmas morning approaches, Little Hedgehog decides to create a special gift for the little mice who so generously gave up what they wanted most of all.

One Christmas Wish is an adorable tale about friendship, kindness, and community. It\u2019s a sweet storyline and precious characters are sure to captivate young children\u2019s interests. Little Hedgehog\u2019s snow hat is featured on nearly every spread. With its velvety soft touch, this added feature will awaken children\u2019s senses and seize their intrigue and attention. The appeal of this story is likely to be broad. Very young children, namely three- and four-year-olds, will treasure holiday readings from Grandma and Grandpa; while older youth will cherish reading it on their own.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 23:28:40", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009048075", "title": "Goldilocks and the Three Bears (revised, 2nd edition)", "author": "Gerda Muller", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 183, "review": "The traditional story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears is retold with gorgeous illustrations. The book gives a little bit of background as to why Goldilocks is in the woods. It also clears up where she goes after she leaves the bears' house.

I like the clarification of where Goldilocks is from. I think having her be a child with the traveling circus, going to pick wildflowers in the woods, and getting lost was the perfect beginning. I appreciated that the bears taught Goldilocks something instead of just growling or chasing her off like in other versions.

Wow! What gorgeous illustrations! There are such exquisite details and comforting colors that I feel are perfect for this classic tale. My favorite scene is the three chairs. I love that the illustrations show Mama Bear\u2019s chair is wobbly because it has been fixed. I can tell the illustrator took great care in getting the scenes just right.

My kids, three and six loved this book. My youngest really liked the bears and Goldilocks. She really liked the details on the chairs. Age Recommendation: three to eight-year-olds.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 23:21:20", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009048067", "title": "5-Minute Really True Stories for Bedtime", "author": "Britannica Books", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Bedtime is a great time to do some quiet reading with little ones. They often want more than one story, and this wonderful book not only gives readers 30 different options, but they are about true things that will fascinate the young (and probably the adults who are reading, too).

Non-fiction isn\u2019t often considered to be bedtime reading, so this makes for a very nice exception. All children are curious, and they all love animals and nature. The stories in this book will not only settle youngsters down for the night but also teach them a lot. There are stories about why we need to sleep, what dreams are, how different animals sleep, beds from all over, what people who work nights do, things about the night sky and all that is found there, and so much more.

The writing is lively and fun, the subject matter is varied and about things kids care about, and each story is just right in terms of length. Every page has wonderful illustrations that support the stories, with plenty of details to keep little ones engaged with the book. This will be a welcome addition to any bedtime book collection.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 23:05:58", "publisher": "Britannica Books", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009048055", "title": "William Shakespeare's The Merry Rise of Skywalker: Star Wars Part the Ninth", "author": "Ian Doescher", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 198, "review": "After nine books, miles of meter, and rhyming couplets galore, Ian Doescher's Shakespearean take on the most famous saga in science fiction has come to a close. But how does it all end for Rey, Leia, Finn, Poe, Chewie, R2-D2, C-3PO, and the citizens of the galaxy at war with the sinister First Order?

It seems impossible that someone could write nine books that are not only a treat for Shakespeare fans but also a treasure trove of inventive joy for devotees of Star Wars, but Doescher has done precisely that with The Merry Rise of Skywalker. It's perhaps the best stick-the-landing moment in sci-fi and humor in a long time. Where other authors could have coasted on their previous hard work, Doescher doubled-down with callbacks, references galore, and expansions on the subject matter that are simultaneously hilarious, brilliant, clever, and thoughtful.

From R2's global overview of the events of the saga to the wonderful insights into Chewie's mind (not to mention the brilliant artwork that evokes stage performance even as ruffled collars meet space helmets), you'll need to read this book three times over to get every delightful little detail, easter egg, and mint-worthy moment tucked inside.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 18:58:10", "publisher": "Quirk Books", "page_count": "170 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009048051", "title": "Bronte's Mistress", "author": "Finola Austin", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 211, "review": "You won\u2019t find Lydia Robinson mentioned much in the historical record. Most who have heard of her will know her as no more than a caricature made by Anne Bront\u00eb in a novel after a disastrous affair with Anne\u2019s brother Branwell. What if she were more than a caricature, though? What if she were a living, breathing woman, with her own desires and failings.

This is the question Finola Austin asks, and she more than delivers on the promise of a novel about a woman who never wrote one in defense of herself. Lydia is not always likable, but she is always compelling as a forty-something woman in the mid-nineteenth century. Bront\u00eb\u2019s Mistress is reminiscent of the novels of the Bront\u00eb sisters, but with a modern sentiment and enough subtlety that I needed to have it pointed out in the author\u2019s note. (Speaking of which: read the author\u2019s note. It was as fascinating as the rest of the novel.).

Austin breathes life into a figure I had never heard of, and into an era so many of us view as stiff and prudish. There is a good reason for that, but those wicked women of the era were humans as well and deserve to be remembered as such, Lydia Robinson included.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 18:48:21", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009048047", "title": "Ever Cursed", "author": "Corey Anne Haydu", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 207, "review": "Reagan, a witch determined to right a wrong, casts a Spell of Without on the princesses of Ever, taking away something integral to living - food, sleep, love, memory, or hope - as each one turns thirteen. When the youngest turns thirteen, the princesses learn how to break the spell to keep it from being True and lasting forever. Jane, the oldest, leads the way to find the things they need, but her father refuses to help, even to save his wife and daughters from the spell\u2019s effects. Jane painfully realizes she has been doing without more than just food. She has been seeing without understanding and accepting without knowing for years. To save her kingdom she must break all the rules, work with the enemy, and learn her kingdom\u2019s true history.

Hope without hopefulness and memory without remembering to make this a story in opposites and contrasts. Though often ignored or covered up in lies and platitudes, the exploitation of people and especially women by men in power is addressed sensitively and powerfully. Readers know of the situation but not the particulars. Told in the alternating viewpoints of Reagan and Jane, Ever Cursed is a feminist fairy tale with implications and comments on today\u2019s patriarchal society.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 18:45:58", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009048039", "title": "Dead Doubles: The Extraordinary Worldwide Hunt for One of the Cold War's Most Notorious Spy Rings", "author": "Trevor Barnes", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 233, "review": "British Intelligence has uncovered a possible spy in their midst. A letter containing anti-Semitic imagery was sent to an employee at the Underwater Detection Establishment. The sender was soon under scrutiny: a clerk at UDE named Harry Houghton. Houghton was a drunken lout who was living beyond his means. A previous tip-off about his suspected treachery had been forwarded by his ex-wife, but was promptly ignored. This was coupled with intelligence being sent by a Polish spy code-named Sniper. Houghton was followed to a meeting with an unknown fellow named Gordon Lonsdale. The officers of MI5 were intrigued by Lonsdale, and he was soon being followed. The evidence was circumstantial at first, but soon a surreptitious entry of Lonsdale\u2019s safe deposit box netted incriminating evidence to bring down a moderately sized spy ring. The rampant paranoia and danger inherent in the Cold War and protection of secrets led to the harsh sentences meted out to all parties involved. Yet, this would not be the end of the story, just the beginning.

Dead Doubles is an absorbing view of an investigation of a spy ring and the personalities embedded in the ring. The danger of the times is conveyed in a tangible way, where the reader is engrossed in the triumphs and pitfalls of the investigation. The author does an admirable job in his portrayal of the spies and their motives. A most enjoyable read!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 18:39:14", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009048027", "title": "Grave Secrets: The Lavington Windsor Mysteries", "author": "Alice James", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 246, "review": "Toni Windsor has Grave Secrets. As in, she can raise people from the dead and only her brother knows about it and sometimes uses it to help him solve his police cases. Turns out zombies aren\u2019t the only dead people around as a whole bunch of vampires have moved into the neighborhood. Vampires and necromancers don\u2019t get along great which makes the fact that Toni is dating one of the vampires real tricky. But you can\u2019t help who you are or whom you fall in love with right? Toni also discovers she stumbled into the middle of a vampire war and she will need all her powers to help protect herself and those she loves.

This was just an overall fun book. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s entirely accurate to label a mystery as that took up about four pages in the whole thing. However, I don\u2019t think that detracts from its charm at all. Toni is perfectly hilarious and the zombies are delightful. If you enjoy stories about women who won\u2019t take crap from anyone, vampires, zombies, and British humor then I highly recommend this book. There are some sex scenes and it\u2019s mentioned often, but I don\u2019t think it was nearly as erotic as the author intended. The characters are great and I look forward to more installments in this series to get to know Toni, Peter, Benedict, and Bredon better. I also look forward to seeing what other trouble Toni can get herself into.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 18:27:30", "publisher": "Solaris Books", "page_count": "306 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009048015", "title": "Little Falls: A Novel", "author": "Elizabeth Lewes", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 204, "review": "After leaving the service, Camille Waresch returned to her small home town in Eastern Washington, Little Falls. She found a job with the county as a property inspector. On a routine inspection of an isolated property, she discovers a horrific scene. A body, hanging in a dilapidated shed. The murder brought back fragments of memories from her time in Iraq. As she struggled to remember she continues to investigate, even though she was warned not to.

This story is dark and gritty, filled with tension throughout. At first, I found this story a little hard to get into, the writing style is a bit choppy, but after a few chapters, I found myself engrossed in the story. The first person narrative was OK but I felt that the main character needed a little more likability. The characters are well rounded with an authenticity that only a veteran could write and I was really able to feel her inner turmoil. The author does a great job building suspense, however, there was no big reveal or resolution that felt satisfying, so the ending fell a bit flat. Overall I think this was a good debut novel, I will watch for the next release by this author.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 18:15:26", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009048011", "title": "Somewhere in the Dark: A Novel", "author": "R.J. Jacobs", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 249, "review": "Jessie Duval grew up Somewhere in the Dark. She lived through years of neglect including one whole year in a closet, kept there by her foster parents. In order to survive that ordeal, she retreated into a world that she created, one with Owen and Shelly James at the center. Once she was free, she followed them on tour until it ended with her arrest and a protection order placed against her. She served her time and is working as a caterer\u2019s assistant when she ends up working at a party at the James\u2019 house. Then Shelly winds up murdered and Jessie is the prime suspect. She has to figure out who really did it before she ends up back in a place she really doesn\u2019t want to go.

You cannot help but feel for Jessie in this story. Her life is so tragic and it seems a bitter blow to be framed for a murder she didn\u2019t commit. I loved that this was written by a psychologist because so much more time was spent on trying to understand Jessie as well as the motivations of the other characters, then just solving a murder. This book was a great example of how we underestimate people and what they will do to survive and I\u2019m not just talking about Jessie. The other characters might have had less therapy and acknowledged issues, but they were fighting for what they had as well. Overall, a great and emotional read worth your time.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 18:13:57", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009048007", "title": "Booked for Death: A Booklovers B&B Mystery", "author": "Victoria Gilbert", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 327, "review": "Charlotte has given up her life as a teacher in exchange for running the B&B she inherited from her aunt and things are going well. She even has a celebration for an amazing mystery author, which brings several guests to stay, including a book dealer and his family. But things aren't so sweet with this family. When the book dealer turns up dead, it goes from bad to worse after his daughter points the finger of blame in Charlotte's direction by claiming her father found a scandalous secret about Charlotte's aunt. It doesn't help that her closest friend ends up in the middle of the investigation with a secret of her own. Now Charlotte must prove herself innocent, find proof that clears her friend's name, and catch the killer before they have a chance to strike again.

The mystery contains several threads that involve Charlotte uncovering the secrets of her aunt, investigating the murder, and uncovering the identity of her friend Julie's mystery boyfriend. Each of these threads is interconnected and the truth behind them all comes out as Charlotte uncovers more clues that lead to the identity of the killer, which involves a thrilling reveal. The setting has a true community tone as Charlotte interacts with a variety of characters who all cross her path in a way that feels like she really belongs in the town. The friendship between her and Julie is what makes finding the killer personal, as she's not only proving her own aunt innocent but also helping show her friend's innocence. Julie is her outgoing friend who she's living vicariously through while healing from the loss of her husband and mending her broken heart. The B&B provides a new beginning for her while creating a brilliant beginning for a cozy series.

Booked for Death will book you into a delightful mystery that brings to life a charming town with a genuine feeling of community, the strength of friendship, and delightful characters.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 18:12:19", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "314 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009048003", "title": "Peachy Scream: A Georgia B&B Mystery", "author": "Anna Gerard", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 314, "review": "In true Shakespearean fashion, tragedy finds its way to Nina Fleet and her B&B. Nina's small town is putting on a Shakespeare festival, and the acting troupe has a two-week stay already booked with her. Normally this would be just what she needs for her B&B, though she hesitates to accept the booking when the leader of the troupe is exactly the person she doesn't want to see: Harry Westcott. They didn't get off on the right foot when he challenged her claim to her home, but after deciding to let them stay, she never could have predicted how horribly wrong it could go, or how deadly. After one of the troupe members is found dead, she teams up with Harry to dig into the pasts of the other members and catch a killer.

Anna Gerard delivers a delightful follow-up to Peach Clobbered, with Nina taking in her nemesis and his acting troupe for a Shakespeare festival. The back and forth between Nina and Harry is riddled with friction and bickering that stems from their first encounter, which had them immediately butting heads over her house. Despite the bickering, the relationship between them is humorous and adds to the light tone of the story. The mystery revolves around the troupe and has several funny moments involving Nina sneaking around on the sly to uncover the secrets the troupe has hidden. In a delightful twist of events, Nina is thrown together with Harry to solve the murder by sneaking around together and still finding the time to argue. The overall themes have a distinctly Shakespearean flavor, with a mystery that centers upon secrets, identity, poison, and family drama.

Peachy Scream is a delightful read that is perfect for lovers of Shakespeare. It delivers a lighthearted cozy read, a suspenseful murder mystery that keeps you guessing, and a bickering duo who will have you immediately charmed.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "23-Jul-2020 18:10:10", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "309 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009046011", "title": "The Half Sister", "author": "Sandie Jones", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 242, "review": "One Sunday afternoon, Jess drops in on Kate and Lauren when they are having their usual lunch with their families and their mom. Jess claims she is The Half Sister that no one knew about. Lauren embraces her while Kate sets out to prove she\u2019s lying and their mom is in complete denial, refusing to acknowledge her at all. As Kate investigates, she does discover that Jess isn\u2019t being entirely truthful about who she is, but she discovers that the those closest to her aren\u2019t either. There are quite a few secrets in this family and it looks like one person is going to expose them all.

I thought this book was a mystery, but it was more of a drama with a small amount of mystery thrown in. A murder is casually mentioned about halfway through and the perpetrator hinted at near the end. Most of the story was about the relationship between Lauren and Kate and how they each thought the other had a better life, only to realize it\u2019s not as glamorous as it seemed. If you enjoy family dramas and watching sisters work out their problems to become closer than ever, you will enjoy this book. I don\u2019t recommend it if you are looking for a mystery or a thriller. There were only about three pages in the whole thing that came close to meeting that definition. Overall, not bad but it certainly wasn\u2019t hard to put it down.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "22-Jul-2020 19:44:21", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009046007", "title": "One Last Lie", "author": "Paul Doiron", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 212, "review": "Mike Bowditch, an investigator for the Maine Warden Service, is on assignment in Florida when he receives a phone call from the wife of Charley Stevens, the man Mike considers as close to him as a father. Charley has gone off without a word to anyone. Mike returns to Maine to search for him. He finds a letter from Charley warning him not to look for him, but Mike perseveres. He learns that Charley, just before he disappeared, found an old warden\u2019s badge at a flea market. He comes across a photograph of the man Charley killed in the line of duty, and he hears about the young undercover warden who blew his cover and paid the price. All of this convinces Mike that Charley is out to right a wrong from the past. Mike\u2019s search takes him through the unincorporated townships, woodlands, and rivers of northern Maine, which are described in great detail, as he interacts with past and present wardens as well as poachers, all of whom seem to withhold as much as they reveal. The reader of One Last Lie will enjoy this well plotted and expertly written mystery and learn enough about the flora and fauna of Maine \u2013 muskelunges, boreal chikadees, puckerbrush \u2013 to last a lifetime.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "22-Jul-2020 19:39:33", "publisher": "Minotaur", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009046003", "title": "Unicorns Are the Worst!", "author": "Alex Willan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 192, "review": "This is the funniest book I have ever read! Do you get tired of people talking about unicorns and how great they are all the time? Everyone thinks unicorns are so great, so pretty with their rainbow colors. I am so glad to see a book where someone else thinks unicorns are the worst! The grumpy little goblin points out that goblins have many magical powers but no one wants to decorate with goblins or throw goblin parties just because goblins are an ugly shade of green and not rainbow-colored. Goblin does not like his new Unicorn neighbors and thinks they are just the worst, but he soon finds out that there are neighbors worse than Unicorns if you can believe that. This story has a message that perhaps one should not judge others based on their physical appearance, because once you get to know them, they might be better than you imagined. Goblin realized that the unicorns were much better than he thought and he realized that he should be kinder. This book is filled with colorful illustrations that are absolutely hilarious. This may be the best and funniest book ever!", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "22-Jul-2020 19:29:42", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009045003", "title": "Purged Souls", "author": "Kagan Tumer", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi", "word_count": 374, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

\nTwenty years ago, a comet crashed on Earth, and with it brought a mysterious alien virus that wasn\u2019t supposed to interfere with human DNA, but somehow it did, and it cost the lives of billions of people. For four long, agonizing years, the virus halved the world population every six months, and birth rates hit a new low. Now, two decades later, the virus is the only thing humanity doesn\u2019t have to worry about.

People do what they know best in catastrophic events, and history repeats itself. In this case, people don\u2019t unite, they are divided in their own self-made societies. Lori, a Special Forces Colonel, belongs to the Marin, a well-organized military society. Her job is to train new recruits and to make them the best possible soldiers in order to defend their society and protect them from the people that belong nowhere. They live in the streets, move a lot, and have nothing left to lose.

When a soldier is wounded during an exercise that turned out to be a death trap and she disappears from the hospital, along with her medical records, and it\u2019s like she never existed, Lori is determined to find her and uncloak the mystery behind dozens of disappearances involving Marin soldiers the past few months. In her quest, Mika, her best and only friend, accompanies her. Their bond is a particularly strong one, and they will do everything to keep each other safe. What they discover will put them and the remaining humanity in grave danger.

Lori is a very complex and multidimensional character, and that\u2019s exactly what makes her so unique, real, and appealing to the reader. She may look tough on the outside, but she hasn\u2019t forgotten that once, a long time ago, she was a little, fragile girl who got a glimpse of what life with its blue sky, colorful nature, and adorable kittens used to be.

Purged Souls is set in a dystopian futuristic wasteland that used to be America. It\u2019s well-written, action-packed, and full of twists. Conspiracies and lies can deceive, secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested, and self-doubt takes over. Purged Souls is a hauntingly atmospheric debut novel by Kagan Tumer about an apocalyptic world that makes you question humanity\u2019s fate.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "22-Jul-2020 18:17:47", "publisher": "Luminare Press", "page_count": "418 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009044003", "title": "Grammar for a Full Life: How the Ways We Shape a Sentence Can Limit or Enlarge Us", "author": "Lawrence Weinstein", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 418, "review": "Can a grammar book enhance the human spirit or help promote greater mindfulness?

Grammar for a Full Life: How the Ways We Shape a Sentence Can Limit or Enlarge Us by Lawrence Weinstein is a collection of essays that explore the various elements of grammar and how language can adapt ways of thinking and being. Each of the seven sections in the book are filled with Weinstein\u2019s personal anecdotes that give readers grammar mechanics with an existential lens: \u201cGrammar to Take Life in Hand,\u201d \u201cGrammar for Creative Passivity,\u201d \u201cGrammar for Belonging,\u201d \u201cGrammar for Freedom,\u201d \u201cGrammar for Morale,\u201d \u201cGrammar for Mindfulness,\u201d and \u201cGrammar for the End.\u201d

Weinstein starts with a sense of agency\u2014the ability to make things happen\u2014which is a good beginning for a book about writing. He compares a writer without agency to a driver who \u201csits frozen at his wheel for an eternity, crawling out into the intersection only after others have passed him on the left.\u201d The energy of language is suffused with a strength or weakness, depending on how the writer wields it. But can grammar choices allow for greater control of one\u2019s life?

With nods to Lynne Truss\u2019 Eats, Shoots & Leaves and William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White\u2019s The Elements of Style, Weinstein tackles the sophisticated punctuation and grammatical choices writers make and celebrates the culture of words and the voices of those behind them. He helps readers learn\u2014or relearn\u2014the writing tools of the trade through accessible concepts, but also argues in the essay \u201cDoing What Works\u201d that the rules must sometimes be ignored in favor of linguistic instinct. There is more to grammar than etiquette or what the computer\u2019s grammar spell-check program highlights for correction.

Through his own flare and wit, Weinstein advocates for balance\u2014in grammar as in life. Words have the ability to surprise readers and reflect humanity\u2019s own dichotomies and contradictions. For example, he \u201cresuscitates regard for the passive voice\u201d without taking away from the active voice championed earlier. He puts forth a Cross-out Therapy, allowing writers to be wrong as many times as need in order for them to eventually be right. The word \"they\" can be adapted for a changing culture, and there are positive nuances in using the word \"but.\" Grammar can even promote immortality: \u201cNever place a period where God has put a comma.\u201d

In Grammar for a Full Life, Lawrence Weinstein shares his own poignant and funny life lessons to help demonstrate a richer way of communicating, one that is intentional, flexible, and promotes well-being.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Jul-2020 18:39:25", "publisher": "Lexigraphic Publishing", "page_count": "247 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009043003", "title": "Somewhere in Persia", "author": "Dward Lee Greenbird", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 511, "review": "In Somewhere in Persia, Dward Lee Greenbird shares his late father\u2019s story as well as his publications as a war correspondent in Iran during WWII. Sam Greenberg served in the United States Army with the Motor Transport Services, a division involved with logistics, and specifically, with sending lend-lease supplies to Russia on behalf of the United States in order for Russia to fortify itself against an anticipated German attack. Sam served as a clerk at Camp Amirabad and was responsible for documenting the time his unit spent in Iran. Arguably, this was his most critical and influential role. He was a morale builder who helped humanize the war and the experiences of the soldiers during a time of desolation in their lives. His fellow comrades looked forward to reading his publications; they were a form of valued entertainment to them. Sam incorporated some of their writings into his work which was cathartic and gratifying for them, knowing someone else out there somewhere in the world was viewing their perspectives. Included also in this memoir are short poems, photographs of celebrities like Myrna Loy and Rita Hayworth, and letters Sam wrote to his family. When he returned home from the war, he accepted a position as a writer for The Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus, Georgia. There he was able to continue his love of labor.

Somewhere in Persia offers readers a different kind of read - a collage of writings, photos, musings, and more. They\u2019re pieced together to make a sacred whole. The author even includes images of inventions his father had intended to turn into the National Inventor\u2019s Council in Washington D.C. after checking with the U.S. Patent Office. Though he never did this, his ingenuity is intriguing, and his creative mind is unveiled.

The photographs of various regions of the Middle East that are featured throughout are fascinating. One entitled \u201cRebuilt Palace of Queen Ester - 25 miles south of Andimeshk\u201d is amazing as is the history behind it. Another remarkable one is of the Falak-ol-Aflak Castle in Iran. It\u2019s simple, serene beauty is striking. Several detailed photos of The Old City of Jerusalem are exhibited and described as well.

Older generations may be especially fond of this book. They will be able to relate to some of the vernacular used and smile as they read it, remembering the way things used to be, like when people referred to servicemen as \u201cJoes\u201d and used terms like \u201cpesky, \u201cgeezer,\u201d and \u201choodwinked.\u201d They may recall, too, when prices were incredibly low like beer for \u201csix cents a can at the PX station.\u201d

Somewhere in Persia is a meaningful read and a thoughtful tribute to a father deeply loved by his son. The author sadly reveals that his father suffered from bipolar disorder and committed suicide when Dward was still a young boy. The role he played during the twelve years they had together on earth was one of great magnitude, and through his son\u2019s words and the collections of his father\u2019s work captured in this memoir, his story can live on throughout history.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Jul-2020 15:49:27", "publisher": "Surreal Primitive", "page_count": "229 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009042011", "title": "The Living Dead", "author": "George A. Romero, Daniel Kraus", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 233, "review": "The end of the world has been speculated about for centuries. The form of our demise remains open for debate. In The Living Dead, re-animated bodies begin to wreak unspeakable havoc upon our world. The hellish landscape is seen from various perspectives, from a government agency in Washington monitoring vital statistics to a trailer park in Missouri to a Medical Examiner\u2019s office in San Diego where a John Doe begins to stir during the postmortem. The circumstances facing each character differs, yet the horrid sight of the recently deceased arising and attacking them and their fellow citizens alarms them to their very core. Luis and Charlie seek refuge from the brethren of John Doe in Luis\u2019 house. Greer must fight tooth and nail to survive in her corpse-strewn trailer park. Etta Hoffman, an asocial office drone logs the growing death count while resigning herself to the confines of the government building. The unraveling of the situation is relayed by vapid news anchor Chuck Corso in Atlanta, whose time to shine has begun.

The Living Dead is the swan song of legendary filmmaker George Romero. His final work developed and finished by Daniel Kraus is a shocking yet brilliant horror masterpiece. The reader may know what they\u2019re getting, but each chapter illustrates the exact opposite. The action never slows, the emotions run from terror to dark humor to sadness, yet there is beauty throughout.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "21-Jul-2020 16:47:06", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "656 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009041003", "title": "Patchwork: Conversation Between Generations", "author": "Carol Wilson-Mack", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 406, "review": "Patchwork: Conversation Between Generations is an exquisite collection of real-life stories about a group of black women who meet together for support, love, and help. They would sew together quilts, and that quilt would go to the one woman whom they were all praying for that month. The quilt not only symbolizes a physical piece, but also an emotional one in which their lives were patched together by one another. The group spans over a forty-year period and is led by the author's two grandmothers, Anna and Carrie. The group is started when one of the ladies, Mary, is at odds with the fact that the love of her life, Prince, is nowhere to be found. He was unofficially discharged from the Army and, upon coming home to visit, did not make it to see his own family. This storyline is threaded throughout the book as the members of the group pray for Mary and her niece, Trudy, whom she is raising. Each chapter is dedicated to the story of one of the ladies in the group. And each story is so unique and thought-provoking. The way black women and men were treated back during the times of slavery is appalling. The women were raped by white men even though they were married to their own spouses. And one of the women conceived a child, which made life hard for the whole family since the daughter was clearly different from the rest of the children in the family. Another woman came from a family in which murder was the main theme. Her older sister is a monster of a bully and everyone is scared of her. Like the other women in the group, this one asks the group to pray for her family and their safety.

I really loved how the book was organized and included several pictures of the women. It was easy to keep track of each member of the group and what was going on. The only thing I think this book needs would be a good copy editor. There were several paragraphs where the grammar was incorrect, making it difficult to read. I had to read these paragraphs a few times to understand who was speaking. For example, there were missing quotation marks so some of the sentences just ran on.

Overall, Patchwork is a beautiful memoir that should be shared around the world as the stories each have something we can learn from.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Jul-2020 22:31:16", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009040019", "title": "Patchwork: Conversation Between Generations", "author": "Carol Wilson-Mack", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 403, "review": "For forty years, multiple generations of black women come to Ma Anna\u2019s house, getting together to make quilts to help keep their families warm in the winter. As they sew, they discuss life\u2019s most difficult topics from concern about a granddaughter to loss to the horrors of what white men had forced them to do.

Ma Ann reminds the women that God has a plan for them all. They will make it through all with his help. Through this time of sewing together, there is healing and hope from the many hurts that life and cruel people bring on them. These women became patched together as much as the quilts they were working on.

I enjoyed the honesty of the women\u2019s stories. Sometimes the story was hopeful and sometimes horrifying. I could truly see these women come to life on the page. Each one having different characteristics and concerns. The introduction items were a little bit long, but otherwise a well-paced story.

I had a problem with the editing. Punctuation was missed in many places making a beautiful story exceedingly difficult to read. Quotation marks and commas were the most missed items. This made me sad because I think a book like this is needed in the discussions of today. I feel like if this is not corrected many will give up reading the story, which I feel needs to be told.

I am inspired by these women. Despite some terrible circumstances, most of them carried on with their lives and worked through it. For some, healing from grief came much later and I am glad to see it portrayed so truthfully. I loved the pictures of the women at the beginning of each of the chapters, showing us these real, strong, and beautiful women.

I loved the Biblical aspect of the story. I appreciated all the great advice Ma Anna gave through the scriptures to encourage the women. I loved seeing them talk, pray, and discuss the Bible together.

As a white woman, this story was really eye-opening to what the black community is trying to convey to those who have not lived through this. Their ancestors being treated unfairly and brutally. I am heartbreaking for the horrors that people do to each other, but I am also glad for the understanding of what these black women have been through. I hope this generation can do better at treating each other well and equally.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Jul-2020 23:59:59", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009040015", "title": "Patchwork: Conversation Between Generations", "author": "Carol Wilson-Mack", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 442, "review": "Patchwork: Conversations Between Generations is a sentimental story featuring a group of African-American women from 1939 through 1959 who meet periodically to patch quilts and, more importantly, to \"patch\" their lives back together. Ma Anna is the main character and founder of the Patchwork quilting group. Anna was a devout, God-fearing woman who believed that everything happens for a reason, and equally, that there was a scripture verse and prayer to go along with any situation. And situations there were. Take into account that the six founders are all African-American women who lived in South Carolina with slavery abolished but racism and its privileged beliefs still running rampant among the Whites.

In 1939, what started as a group of women seeking to help make quilts for a needy woman before winter turned into a life-changing experience for them all. The quilts included not only love but sorrow turned to joy through the prayers laid on each unique quilt. The situations brought to light include topics that are still problematic in today's culture: murder, racism, physical and sexual abuse, and education. What needs remembering is that these women and their stories are all real. With the book read from that perspective, their situations are sad and unfair. What also needs remembering is that bad wasn't the only emotion mentioned in the story, as love, relief, and comfort from knowing that their burdens won't be so heavy on their hearts kept them coming back.

Agreeing with Ma Anna's religious beliefs and loving her overall pleasant personality, I enjoyed reading of the kindness shown by her and, of course, the emphasis on God, which was welcome and needed then and now. Being less than one hundred pages, Patchwork is on the shorter side for books, although the reader will discover that nothing is missing from its enjoyable story. However, some of the text was hard to read, with missing quotation marks, commas missing or in the wrong places, and a few other grammatical errors. While this made the reading go somewhat slower in parts, the overall story was not lost and was still understood.

I think Patchwork is a smart idea for a book. The topics mentioned show how change is hard to find throughout history with regard to the treatment of people of any color, race, etc. Working in the mental health field, I love the idea of sharing your inner-most burdens with friends and the fact that God is so well-received among this group of women, as it should be for the entire public. Readers who enjoy learning about the past, racism, friendship, and genuine care for each other will love this book.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Jul-2020 23:59:43", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009040011", "title": "Patchwork: Conversation Between Generations", "author": "Carol Wilson-Mack", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 433, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

Patchwork was an organization founded by the author's grandmother Anna around 1939. Ma Anna, as she was known, had a big heart and wanted to help her neighbors. For this reason, she decided to create a group that focused on making quilts. By inviting local women to her group, she aimed to provide not only material comfort from quilts but also a place for women to meet, talk, and find spiritual guidance. Ma Anna had a firm belief that God would lead the way and provide insight on how they should conduct themselves and lead their lives.

The story focuses on a group of women within the patchwork group who connect by sharing their problems in an attempt to find peace and support. They all had unique, moving, and memorable stories to tell. These stories unfold throughout the chapters until we discover just how devastating and trying some of their lives had been. Aunt Mary's story was a particularly sad one. She disappeared without a trace from the group for many years. The group was aware that her friend Prince had disappeared after visiting her. When his body was later found, Mary didn't seem to connect anymore. I was moved to tears by the time I got to the end of the book when Mary returned to reveal what happened years earlier.\nI found Eleanor's story also rather sad. I can't imagine how one would feel if family members moved away without ever trying to make contact. I was glad to find out she ended up with a loving family of her own.

I loved the fact that the author included photos of the women. And the picture of Prince was especially appreciated. It made me feel like I had a special connection to all of them. But as much as I liked the overall story and what the author wanted to convey, I think it would have benefited from some editing. Sentences were sometimes long and wordy. Quotation marks were often missing or not used when necessary. And I was bothered by changes in tenses within paragraphs and sometimes within a sentence. I felt that this affected the flow for me. I also think it needed a little more development to make the meeting more vivid to the reader. Probably using the \"show don't tell\" method would allow for this.

I do think that one cannot help but be moved by the circumstances these women faced. And Ma Anna must have been an amazing woman with a lot of faith in God. She always seemed to focus on the positive, even during trying times.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Jul-2020 23:59:23", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009040003", "title": "The Sandman", "author": "Neil Gaiman", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 200, "review": "Fans of bestselling author Neil Gaiman may not know that the series that gave him his start and launched him to fame was in fact a graphic novel series known as The Sandman. The series has been optioned numerous times for the big screen, but never actually made it to production and release. But now fans are in for a treat with this wonderful audiobook adaptation released exclusively through Audible, which collects the first three volumes of the series in a ten-hour audio production.

It is the story of the Endless: Dream, Death, Destiny, Despair, and Delirium, but most importantly of Dream and his world of dreams. The story begins with Dream being captured by a nefarious spell that leaves him trapped for over 70 years, the havoc that is wrought in the world of dreams as well as in reality, and how upon escaping Dream must put things right once again.

The series is adapted by Dirk Maggs, and features the talents of James McAvoy as Dream, Kat Dennings as Death, and Michael Sheen as Lucifer, as well as many more stars. It is narrated by the one and only Neil Gaiman. Fans will delight in this great adaptation.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "17-Jul-2020 20:10:52", "publisher": "Audible.com", "page_count": "", "format": "Audio", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009039111", "title": "Girls Garage: How to Use Any Tool, Tackle Any Project, and Build the World You Want to See (Teenage Trailblazers, STEM Building Projects for Girls)", "author": "Emily Pilloton", "category": "N10 Home & Garden", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 188, "review": "If you identify as a girl, and you love to build things, then Girls Garage is a must-read! Can you relate to having a love of creating objects with your own hands, but when there are boys around, you get pushed aside or not taken seriously? Emily Pilloton, the founder of Girls Garage located in California, has created this book to allow girls everywhere to have no excuse when it comes to \"intimidating\" tools or building terms around men. She has divided the book into sections about safety, tools, essential skills, and building projects to tackle on your own. In the section on tools, there are pictures available with arrows and labels, and then added fun facts about specific tools. There is a plethora of information included that will help you in many areas of your life! \nNot having much experience in building things, but loving the idea of it, I feel more informed about the construction world now. I appreciated the pictures to give me a better idea of the tools that my husband uses. I am excited to show off my new knowledge to the world!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "20-Jul-2020 00:58:29", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009039107", "title": "Over and Under the Rainforest", "author": "Kate Messner", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 208, "review": "A child and her companion, Tito, go on a hike in the rainforest where they discover the hundreds of animals that make it their home. They first hear a symphony of sounds up in the trees and find another world of animals and insects. They spot toucans and oropendolas, who make their nests up in the trees. There are bats asleep during the day, and poison dart frogs and capuchin monkeys. On the forest ground, they watch agoutis search for food, and ants get eaten up by an anteater. Tito leads the child across a bridge, where crocodiles swim in the river below and a funny basilisk races over the water. There is so much to see in the rainforest, but the pair stop to snack and rest. It is nearly dark and the night creatures will come out soon. Tito and the child must get home in time for supper.

Over and Under the Rainforest by the award-winning duo of Kate Messner and illustrator Christopher Silas Neal, is part of the acclaimed Over and Under series. This educational and beautifully illustrated story brings the diversity of the rainforest to young readers. An Author\u2019s Note and endnotes with more information about the animals are included in the back.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "20-Jul-2020 00:55:38", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009039103", "title": "The Times Machine! Learn Multiplication and Division...like, Yesterday!", "author": "Danica McKellar", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - Age 6", "word_count": 157, "review": "The Times Machine! is a very good book. It is well written and there are good comic book style pictures with funny characters. It would be good for kids who are learning multiplication and division. In the book, the characters Mr. Mouse, Ms. Squirrel, and Danica teach and learn different math tricks. Like for multiplying 12s they teach that it is the same thing as 10xX+2xX.

The Times Machine! is good when used at home or at school. In each chapter, there are five or six activities. Most of the activities are math problems using what you've just learned. It is a book that is good for reading by yourself. You don\u2019t need a teacher to help you.

The Times Machine! is a book that is best read for fun learning. It teaches the multiplication tables, the distributive and associative properties, multiple digit multiplication, and long division. Kids in second through fifth grade should read this book.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "20-Jul-2020 00:52:47", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "232 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009039099", "title": "Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation", "author": "Kritin Kobes du Mez", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 186, "review": "The story of how evangelicals, especially white southern evangelicals, became involved in politics and have since been a force, whether if the reader thinks for good or ill, has been retold countless times over the past several years and gets aa new retelling by professor Kristin Kobes Du Mez. Du Mez starts roughly eighty years ago when evangelicals were more concerned with saving souls than being involved in politics. But as Americans began to move away from organized religion, the evangelicals were at first not quite united but over time started throwing their weight behind Republican candidates, no matter how much corruption and bad the candidates were. Over time, according to Du Mez, the Evangelicals basically sold their soul to a party that does not care about them, as the Republican party knows the Evangelicals will vote for them no matter who the person is. What is more unique is that Du Mez moves beyond President Reagan, and the idea of rugged masculinity and individuality, no matter how much it might contradict sayings from the Bible. She goes up through the election of the current president.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "20-Jul-2020 00:49:46", "publisher": "W W Norton", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009039075", "title": "The Long Tail of Trauma: A Memoir", "author": "Elizabeth Wilcox", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace Utomo", "word_count": 213, "review": "Elizabeth Wilcox has a lot she doesn\u2019t understand. Why does her mother buy Ferragamo shoes after she goes bankrupt? Why won\u2019t her grandmother ever discuss the past? Why does Elizabeth feel so disconnected from her own children? Wilcox\u2019s memoir, The Long Tail of Trauma, uses her family\u2019s unique history to explore the inter-generational effects of childhood trauma. Her grandmother, Violet, was displaced during World War I at age six, while her mother, Barbara, was separated from her parents during World War II at age three. Unfortunately, Wilcox has trouble depicting Violet\u2019s and Barbara\u2019s stories and integrating them with her own.

Wilcox relates her own dysfunctional relationship with Barbara in the first person \u2013 no doubt why the book is classified as \u201cmemoir\u201d \u2013 but narrates Barbara\u2019s and Violet\u2019s stories in the third person. She admits she\u2019s fictionalized parts of Violet\u2019s childhood, and we suspect some of Barbara\u2019s might also be imaginary, given what Wilcox reveals about her mother\u2019s tendency to exaggerate and conceal. While all these threads could be intriguing if developed separately, they\u2019re jarring when combined in a single book and labeled \u201cnonfiction.\u201d The Long Tail of Trauma may interest some readers patient enough to untangle its winding narratives, but most would be better served looking for purely psychological or historical memoirs.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "19-Jul-2020 20:52:10", "publisher": "Green Place Books", "page_count": "266 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009039067", "title": "A Royal Affair", "author": "Allison Montclair", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 224, "review": "The Right Sort Marriage Bureau, owned and operated by Iris Sparks and Gwendolyn Bainbridge, two ladies in their late twenties, is a daring venture in post-World War II London. Their latest client, Lady Matheson, works in \u2018some capacity\u2019 for the Queen of England. She wants the agency to look into the background of a suitor to a young lady, not an unusual assignment, except that the suitor happens to be a Greek prince and the young lady is Princess Elizabeth, heir to the throne.

Her request has been prompted by the arrival at the palace of an anonymous note demanding payment for letters missing ever since a member of British Intelligence helped spirit the Greek royal family away from a villa in Corfu shortly after World War I. It soon becomes apparent that the assignment is entangled with efforts to restore the former King of Greece, and the deeper that Iris and Gwendolyn dig, the more they realize no one is to be trusted.

The ensuing investigation provides ample intrigue and adventure, although what really carries the reader along is the irreverent banter between Iris, Cambridge graduate and wartime spy, and Gwendolyn, society lady and war widow. Drawing on their respective sets of contacts \u2013 London gangsters for Iris, minor royalty for Gwendolyn \u2013 the pair make A Royal Affair a most entertaining mystery.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jan-2024", "date_added": "19-Jul-2020 20:46:13", "publisher": "St. Martins Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009039055", "title": "Charmian Kittredge London: Trailblazer, Author, Adventurer", "author": "Iris Jamahl Dunkle", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Jacobs", "word_count": 195, "review": "An Interesting Woman I\u2019ve Never Heard Of...

I thoroughly enjoyed Iris Jamahl Dunkle\u2019s biography of Charmian Kittredge London. The book bills Mrs. London as a trailblazer, author, and adventurer\u2026really though only trailblazer and adventurer deserve much credit in this work.

The book spends plenty of time discussing the writing of Mrs. London however it is noted that her work is often lengthy and sometimes difficult to read and that she really benefited from having her husband Jack edit her work. After his death, she had a much harder time publishing her work and receiving the same time of praise her early work received.

The most interesting parts of the book were the descriptions of her life. I was fascinated and completely pulled in when the author would describe Charmain\u2019s early life or trips that the London\u2019s took and I found that I couldn\u2019t put the book down and just had to know \u201cwhat happened next.\u201d

You don\u2019t have to know anything about Jack or Charmain London to read this book as the author gives you a complete and well-researched history. I would recommend this to my friends and family as it was a very enjoyable biography.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "19-Jul-2020 20:35:54", "publisher": "University of Oklahoma Press", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009039039", "title": "You'll Find Me", "author": "Amanda Rawson Hill", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 265, "review": "A book about remembering, whether a treasured parent or other loved one, a dear friend, or a precious pet, You\u2019ll Find Me assures readers there are many ways to hold others in their hearts forever. A little girl\u2019s mother tells her that in her absence she will be able to find her in the sweet sounds of a familiar song or the delicious taste of a warm drink. She will be there, too, in the sudden burst of energy her daughter has when she sprints across the finish line as well as in the twinkle of the candlelight at dinner time and the gentle laughter that surrounds her. If only she will look with more than her eyes alone can see, her mom\u2019s loving presence will never cease to be there.

This is a thoughtful tale that reminds young children that even when others they deeply endear are physically away, their presence still exists in the simple, everyday occurrences that parallel those they once performed together. If they remain in memory, then they will be etched in their hearts for eternity.

The illustrations that stretch across the pages of this heartwarming picture book add a special tenderness. The soft pastel hues intermingled with shades of deeper color are alluring, and the realistic images of children not appearing as sad and alone but engaged and content set an ideal tone for this compelling read. Children will enjoy the mysterious aura cast by the author leaving much left unsaid. The location and exact identity of the one offering her reassurance throughout the book is never really identified.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "19-Jul-2020 20:26:10", "publisher": "American Psychological Association", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009039035", "title": "Let's Never Talk About This Again: A Memoir", "author": "Sara Faith Alterman", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 200, "review": "At first, when starting this book, I thought the story more appropriate for the tween set and their compulsion to unfold the mystery of sex; but reading further into this family memoir emotionally tied me to the content. It is a beautiful story, filled with poignancy, compassion, frustration, and humor crisply describing parental and filial love flooding across and drowning discomforting questions or embarrassing activities. The reader can identify with all the uncomfortable memories of a parent\u2019s behavior, in this case, it\u2019s the secret pornographic publications of the author\u2019s strait-laced father, a fact carefully hidden from the children. Only as the beloved father succumbs to early-onset Alzheimer\u2019s disease does this salacious characteristic again emerge. Describing her own maturation over the years, the author fondly and with biting humor chronicles the exasperating, yet loving relationship between her father and herself. Yet the thought of the crafty sex manuals authored by her dad secretly during her childhood and now reopened by the dementia is a riddle that plagues her memories. This is a compellingly relatable memoir that rouses memories of absurdities within our own families and life problems that can only be managed with a strong potion of love tempered with humor.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "19-Jul-2020 20:24:32", "publisher": "Grand Central Publishing", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009039027", "title": "The Bookweaver's Daughter", "author": "Malavika Kannan", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 213, "review": "The Bookweaver\u2019s Daughter is about a girl named Reya who lives in a world where magic and mages are banished but her father is the Bookweaver, the only mage that can make his words come true. Reya tries to protect and take care of her father as best she can but one day when she is out with her friend she feels that her father is endangered. She goes to help him but when she gets home, her father's house is already burnt with her father in it. The only things Reya has left are her father's book, her new powers, and her best friend Nina. She is forced to run. Can Reya survive the battle between the king\u2019s army and the rebels? Buy a copy of the book to find out what happens to Reya in this action-packed book.

The Bookweaver\u2019s Daughter is a great read for all ages from pre-teens to adults. The people that I recommend this book to the most are fantasy or action lovers and dreamers: those people who have a way with words but are often too afraid to say them out loud. This book is one of the best books I have ever read! It is a definite must-read and a great addition to my library!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Jul-2020 01:29:14", "publisher": "Tanglewood", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009039011", "title": "The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne", "author": "Elsa Hart", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 234, "review": "The year is 1703 and The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne are all anyone in London is talking about. Collectors from all over are asking to tour it or trying to obtain pieces from it. Cecily comes to the Mayne house to pursue her passion for plants. What starts out as a nice, peaceful tour ends with the murder of Sir Barnaby. Even though his curator confessed, Cecily is convinced he didn\u2019t do it. It will take all her powers of observation and her keen intellect to discover the true murderer before he decides to end her too.

I don\u2019t know how else to describe this than as atmospheric. You are completely immersed in the time period as well as the world of collectors. The research the author must have put into this book is obvious from the beginning. She takes great care to preserve the names of plants and artifacts, as well as the behavior and dress of the characters in 1703 London. It was a bit of a slow build as you work your way towards the actual solving of the murder. The summation was satisfactory, though. If you enjoy time-period dramas as well as strong female leads, you will enjoy this journey into the past. There is nothing overtly thrilling about it, but it still a fascinating look into the lives of collectors and what they will do to complete their collections.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Jul-2020 01:20:10", "publisher": "St. Martins Publishing", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009039003", "title": "The Darkest Evening", "author": "Ann Cleeves", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "DCI Vera Stanhope is on her way home in a terrible blizzard. She sees a car on the edge of the road with the door open and a baby inside, the driver gone. Vera takes the baby and goes to a big house nearby, a country manse owned by an estranged cousin where a party is going on. Later in the evening, a tenant farmer coming to pick up his daughters finds the battered body of the missing driver, a young woman, mother of the child. Vera gets her crew of inspectors with DS Joe Ashworth and DC Holly Jackman leading the way on the case in this country village with families intertwined. While the case is ongoing, a close friend of the deceased disappears. This really ramps up the case, and it isn\u2019t long before another body is found.

Fans of Vera, either from prior books or the popular TV show, will be well satisfied with this rich, complex mystery containing red herrings galore. Author Ann Cleeves is a clever writer who really knows how to set scenes, build characters, and create a lot of tension in her very smart mysteries. This is a terrific story.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Jul-2020 01:12:16", "publisher": "St. Martins Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009038007", "title": "The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life", "author": "Dr. Allen Lycka & Harriet Tinka", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 59, "review": "\"Can near-death ordeals be the catalyst for transforming your life for the better? In //The Secrets of Living a Fantastic Life//, the authors share age-old truths and wisdom they discovered in their personal healing journeys. \u201cWhat does not kill me makes me stronger,\u201d and in this life-affirming book, happier and more fulfilled.\" \u2014 Rod Raglin, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Jul-2020 17:47:32", "publisher": "SLAFL Holdings Inc", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009038003", "title": "Neither Officers Nor Gentlemen", "author": "Jake Lanum", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 49, "review": "\"//Neither Officers Nor Gentlemen// is a detail-rich novel filled with touches suited for a modern audience. Immersive and imaginative, Lanum takes the readers across the seas from Spanish-settled Panama to Elizabethan England. This is easily the best sea-faring adventure I've read all year!\" \u2014 Jo Niederhoff, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 21:56:47", "publisher": "", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009037155", "title": "Missing Middle Housing: Thinking Big and Building Small to Respond to Today's Housing Crisis", "author": "Daniel Parolek", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 174, "review": "Shifting demographics and lack of affordable housing are only two of the reasons that communities must implement housing choices that fit the needs of householders while integrating these residences within the neighborhood with its amenities. This is the message that architect Daniel Parolek delivers as he expounds about middle housing types and the construction of duplexes, multiplexes, mansion apartments, bungalow courts, and a variety of other multi-habitable dwellings in a walkable urban living environment. Through a generous series of photographic views of housing types, explanatory drawings, evidential data, case studies, legal policy issues, and other aspects; the problem of offsetting deficient and insufficient housing through non-single-family housing is thoughtfully examined here. This message is published by Island Press, a publisher committed to environmental protection and dealing with crucial issues and seeking solutions. This is a book that should be read by residents, builders, architects, policymakers, zoning supervisors, and everyone who is interested in creating communities for an increasing population that is environmentally fitting, financially affordable, and which foster communal neighborliness with a congenial ambiance.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Jul-2020 17:13:48", "publisher": "Island Press", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009037143", "title": "Stranger in the Lake", "author": "Kimberly Belle", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 248, "review": "Charlotte has lived in this town all her life and knows everybody, and everybody knows her. She\u2019s moved up from living in a trailer park taking care of her baby brother to now being married to rich widower Paul. His wife died four years earlier in the lake they live on. She\u2019s ignored the rumors surrounding his first wife\u2019s death because she loves Paul, but she starts to question everything when another woman ends up dead in the same spot and she saw her husband talking to her the day before. He lies about ever knowing the stranger in the lake. Even in a small town where everyone knows everyone, there are some who still have their secrets and will do anything to protect them.

I have read a couple of other of Belle\u2019s books, and I would say this one is on par with her previous novels. There\u2019s nothing absolutely astounding to her writing: the mystery is fairly easy to decipher with uncomplicated characters. However, there is still something fun about reading a domestic suspense novel over the summer. So, I would still recommend it as a fun summer read to add to your list or as something to check out during quarantine. My one question is, how come it never works out perfectly to marry a rich widower? They always have dark secrets and mysteries surrounding them. If only real life was this dramatic, well, hopefully with less murder. Dive into this enjoyable departure from real life.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Jul-2020 17:05:55", "publisher": "Park Row Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009037139", "title": "Day Hiking North Cascades: 2nd edition", "author": "Craig Romano", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 201, "review": "The North Cascades is a huge area covering about one quarter of the state of Washington. This nifty little (5 X 7.4 inches) guide is packed with terrific information that will take hikers of all levels to the perfect day hikes for them. The table of contents is followed by a general map of the area covered with each hike marked and a handy table that includes the distance (round trip in miles), degree of difficulty, expected crowds, whether the trail is open all year, whether the trail is kid-friendly and dog-friendly, if camping is nearby, and more for all one hundred and thirty-six hikes. The introduction tells what permits are required and what regulations are in place, weather, road and trail conditions, wilderness and trail ethics, and other concerns. A short section explains how to use the book. Each of the one hundred thirty-six trails has its own section, two to four pages in length, with the difficulty rating, length, elevation gain, season, a good map of the trail, directions how to reach the trailhead, what one will see along the way, and some beautiful photos of the views. The writing is lively and the information is succinct and useful.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Jul-2020 17:01:30", "publisher": "Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009037135", "title": "Day Hiking Mount Hood: A Year-Round Guide", "author": "Eli Boschetto", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 203, "review": "Anyone looking for a good hiking guide for the Mount Hood area need look no further. This handy little (five by seven inch) guide is chock full of all the information one might need to choose just the right trail to take.

The book opens with a good overall map and a list of all 85 hikes covered in it. The list includes the distance, rating, elevation gain, difficulty, whether or not there are views and waterfalls, and more. An extensive introduction follows, with information about permits and fees, the weather, trail etiquette, wildlife, foraging for food, the apparel and gear needed, trail safety tips, and more.

Each of the 85 trails has its own section of a few pages in length that includes good, clear directions to the trailhead, the rating and length of the trail, the elevation gain, photographs of the views, an excellent map with plenty of detail, the best season to access the trail, and more.

The writing is lively and interesting to read. Highlighted sections for some of the trails provide interesting history about the names of features, changes in the trails, things that happened at the sites, and other facts. It really is a perfect hiking companion.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Jul-2020 16:59:49", "publisher": "Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009037131", "title": "Underground: Subway Systems Around the World", "author": "Unijung Kim", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 202, "review": "Underground is a charming, fact-packed, seek-n-find book. It has fact pages about ten major subway or train systems. Each system has a fact page with five to ten illustrated facts. The fact page shows the outside of the train. Flip a partial page to see the inside of the train and a seek and find. This book is suitable for two through six-year-olds. The words are very readable and making this a good book for train-obsessed kindergartners and first graders. The illustrations are bold and colorful with an Asian feel. The facts include things such as \u201ctwo hundred and fifty miles \u2013 length of the network (London),\u201d and \u201cone point six six two billion passengers per year (Mexico City).\u201d The pages are designed to be easy to explore and can be read individually. The seek and find feature is well designed so that younger kids can be easily entertained for a few minutes. Toddlers and preschoolers are well suited to seek and find pages. The items that are to be found are special to the city. For example, the page on Sydney, Australia makes you find a Koala, Boomerang, Surfboard, and more! This book is good for young train lovers among us.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Jul-2020 16:57:05", "publisher": "Cicada", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009037123", "title": "Scruff", "author": "Alice Bowsher", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 170, "review": "No one wanted the dog from the shelter because he was scruffy. A guy with a scruffy beard took him home and named him Scruff. Then he figured out his dog didn\u2019t run and play like the others. The dog jumps in the bathtub and the owner figures out he just wanted to be pampered. After a haircut Scruff decided that he wanted to enter a dog show. With some extra sprucing they enter the dog show. Did they do enough to win. The text is minimal which works well. I think it also fits for a book for a young child. This is a good depiction of a scruffy dog. The style is more simplistic with lots of wide lines. From a parent's perspective though, I\u2019m not sure if the plot quite works. It seems to be a little disjointed somehow and has me asking what the point of the story is. This seems like a nice quick story for a smaller child. \nAge Range: Three to six years", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "17-Jul-2020 16:53:49", "publisher": "Cicada", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009037111", "title": "My Words", "author": "Grant Snider", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 207, "review": "Did you know that there was a time when you didn\u2019t know any words at all? When you were a baby you began by babbling, then putting sounds together, then saying a full word, then more words until you were saying all sorts of things. Then after you learned to talk you learned how to write words and then learned to put those words together to make a book. As you grow you learn lots of ways to communicate with others.

The text is simplistic, but it really fits well with the mood of the book. It talks about a child learning to communicate so it\u2019s expected to see lots of simple words.

The illustrations are simplistic as well, but it fits right along with the text. Together they blend to make a fantastic story. My favorite panel is the girl reading her book she created to her stuffed animals.

My three-year-old loved this book. She thought the little girl was cute and loved having someone look like her. My six-year-old was amused by the process of learning to communicate. He enjoyed the baby talk at the beginning of the book and reading a few of the words himself.\nI recommend this book for babies to six-year-olds.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 17:55:51", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009037107", "title": "If You Come to Earth", "author": "Sophie Blackall", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 208, "review": "How would you introduce the Earth to a visitor from space? It's a big question to ask a small child, but young Quinn has ready answers. He starts with our place in the universe and then drops the focus to the different kinds of homes found in deserts, within cities, on water, in trees, and in all other sites found in our world. He stresses the diversity of our populations, different appearances with body types ranging from tall to short, rotund to thin, tall to short, and our varying skin colors.

Marvelous soft-colored illustrations portray the characters, regional foods, the creatures found in the bodies of water, and animals found on land and seen in the air. Wonderful, tactile representations of common objects that have size differences fill colorful pages and invite the young reader to identify these articles as they try to pick them off the pages. Beautifully illustrated, the pastel-toned drawings pull the reader into the story, while the engaging text displays the richness of our world, emphasizing its diversity.

This is a book that embraces an international audience with the message that the reader and everyone else is represented in our world and we all need to look after one another and our fascinating planet.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 17:53:32", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009037103", "title": "Little Creeping Things", "author": "Chelsea Ichaso", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 200, "review": "Cassidy has been trying to forget her past since she was seven years old. She was in a fire that killed her friend, though she cannot remember the specifics. However, some of the girls in town, the bullies, won\u2019t let her forget, especially Melody, who has a deeply personal reason to hold a grudge and make sure Cassidy never forgets. Cass is in the woods when she hears Melody talking to someone. Melody turns up missing the next day. The worst part is that it seems that Melody\u2019s disappearance follows a plan Cass had written in her little notebook, which is now so inconveniently missing. Scared that she\u2019ll be blamed or that no one will believe her, Cass decides she\u2019ll do her own snooping, but it may cost her her best friend or even her life.

This twisted debut has the edge-of-the-seat terror that is the hallmark of great horror, including a character who can\u2019t always see that the best way to help is to run away from trouble. Cass\u2019s inability to pin down the killer brings her reliability into question until the surprise conclusion. Readers who enjoy April Henry and Megan Miranda should add this to their TBR pile.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 17:51:46", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009037099", "title": "Rebel Spy", "author": "Veronica Rossi", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 202, "review": "Diving deep to find hidden treasure for Sewel, her abusive stepfather, Francisca uses her time below the ocean\u2019s surface to dream. Her mother suddenly dies, and Sewel makes her an offer she can\u2019t accept: become his new wife. When a shipwreck washes the body of a young girl onto the beach, Francisca sees it as her opportunity to hide as Emmeline Coates. She confides in Asa Lane, a young man on board the ship, and he helps her become a lady in both dress and manner. Several years later, she realizes she wants to do more with her posh life, while also growing sympathetic to the Americans\u2019 cause against the British. Realizing she can hide as a fragile and forgotten woman, she begins ferreting out secrets for the rebels, but how long will she be able to hide her past?

Rebel Spy is a speculative novel based on the few stories concerning 355, a lady spy during the American Revolution. Using what little is known about the character from primary sources and other reference materials, Rossi has spun a compelling tale about the spy\u2019s contribution to the British defeat. Weaving in adventure, intrigue, and romance, this historical novel really has it all.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 17:48:28", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009037087", "title": "Little Green Donkey", "author": "Anuska Allepuz", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 202, "review": "The Little Donkey loves to eat grass. He thinks grass is tangy, sweet, and so, so juicy. Try as she might, Little Donkey\u2019s mother cannot get him to try other foods. Grass is all he\u2019ll eat. When he goes to the pond to get a drink of water, he sees his reflection and has quite a shock. His ears are green. His legs and arms are green. His tummy is green. Even his tail is green. He tries to hide his greenness, but he can\u2019t. His mother insists he try some new foods. He tries oranges \u2014 no. He tries watermelon \u2014 no. Broccoli, apples, grapes \u2014 no, no, no. But carrots? They taste good! Sweet, juicy, carrots are all he wants. But what a surprise he has when he goes to take a drink and sees his reflection.

Author and illustrator Anuska Allepuz takes on the problem of being a picky eater. This is a cute way to combat that problem with kids by using the old adage that we are what we eat as a fun platform. The cute cartoony illustrations have lots of fun details to keep little eyes on the page and the text is imbued with humor.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 17:33:17", "publisher": "Farrar Straus Giroux", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009037083", "title": "Pearl Goes to Preschool", "author": "Julie Fortenberry", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Pearl\u2019s mother runs a dancing school, and Pearl is the youngest of her dancers. Even though she is so little, she can keep up with the other dancers and count her positions. Pearl loves to dance and loves her school. One day her mother tells her it\u2019s time for Pearl to go to preschool, but Pearl says she already goes to school and doesn\u2019t see any reason to change that. Her mother tells her all the things she can learn at preschool and all the different things she can do there. Finally, Pearl decides to give it a try. There are lots of other children at the preschool; along with them, Pearl paints, builds, plays music, dresses up, and more. But is it enough to make Pearl want to stay?

Julie Fortenberry has written a perfectly charming story that little ones will be engaged by. Her illustrations are absolutely enchanting, completing this sweet story in the best possible way with soft colors and lovely details that will keep youngsters' eyes on the pages while listening. This book is the perfect read-aloud to comfort the smallest ones who might worry about the new experience of going to preschool.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 17:29:54", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009037079", "title": "Skunk and Badger", "author": "Amy Timberlake", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 202, "review": "Badger thinks his life is perfect. He lives in a big house loaned to him by his aunt. He has a room to sleep in, a kitchen to keep his cold cereal and milk in (that is all he eats), a room to keep his boxes in, and a room to do him very important rock work in. But he\u2019s surprised when Skunk shows up and says that Aunt Lula said he could also stay in the house.

Badger is not happy, and he gets more unhappy as Skunk cooks delicious but messy food, takes over the box room, invites 100 chickens in for story hour, and then does what skunks do. It\u2019s all too much. Badger throws Skunk out. But soon Badger realizes that he misses Skunk and the chickens and the mess. Is it too late to make things right?

Amy Timberlake has written a laugh-out-loud funny book for younger middle graders that puts a fresh spin on the old trope of learning the importance of friendship. The writing is terrific and so funny. The delightful illustrations by Jon Klassen are a nice addition to the story. Kids will love this one, as will anyone who gets hold of it.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 17:26:36", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009037067", "title": "You're the Only One I've Told: The Stories Behind Abortion", "author": "Meera Shah", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 193, "review": "Abortion is an incredibly divisive issue in the United States, but for the people that undergo the procedure, it\u2019s far from black and white. There are many reasons why someone might choose to terminate a pregnancy, from medical complications issues of body dysmorphia to a pregnancy happening at the wrong time or with the wrong person. The stories in You\u2019re the Only One I\u2019ve Told encompass these reasons and more, giving readers a nuanced view into an extremely complex topic that politicians often showcase in terms of simple morality. Readers will get a sense of how abortion laws impact average people, of the complicated emotions that surround the procedure, and of how life-changing it can be for someone to have the simple ability to decide what\u2019s right for their own body and their own life. The stories have been compiled and edited by Meera Shah, a doctor who specializes in sexual and reproductive health, which includes providing abortions. Told with insight and compassion, and a firm grasp of respect, readers will walk away from this thoughtful book with a better understanding of exactly why abortion access is so crucial to so many people.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 17:20:06", "publisher": "Chicago Review Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009037059", "title": "Big Girl, Small Town", "author": "Michelle Gallen", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Grace Utomo", "word_count": 219, "review": "Majella O\u2019Neill loves Dallas reruns, fish and chips, and her oversized burgundy duvet. She hates cracked nail polish, chatty customers (she works in the town diner), almost everything about her mother, and\u2026.Well, the list of things Majella hates is so long it has subdivisions. Big Girl, Small Town is unique mostly because Majella is not. Author Michelle Gallen\u2019s twenty-seven-year-old heroine bumbles through life in her claustrophobic town to a beat that feels surprisingly familiar, even if the novel\u2019s set in Northern Ireland.

Big Girl\u2019s appeal lies in its universality, especially when so many twenty-somethings find themselves (like Majella) sleeping in their aging high school bedrooms. Even if her Irish slang challenges us Americans (Big Girl was originally published in the UK), we can still identify with Majella\u2019s failure-to-launch angst. The same is true with her earthy physique. She may be obese by Hollywood standards, but she glories in her fish and chips and weekend pints. Still, why should we read almost three hundred pages about daily life in Ireland when the plot seems so, well, daily? Isn\u2019t fiction supposed to be remarkable in some way? I found myself asking the same question. On the final page, we discover Big Girl Small Town is a coming-of-age story. Until then, Majella\u2019s meandering foibles keep us interested in tinier twists and turns.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "10-Dec-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 17:14:48", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009037051", "title": "Girlhood: Teens Around the World in Their Own Voices", "author": "Masuma Ahuja", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 11", "word_count": 182, "review": "Girlhood tells the stories of kids around the world in a fun and easy fashion. From nomads that hunt with the help of an eagle, to children in urban centers this book gives you a taste of the lives of girls around the world. This book includes questions answered by these girls and their replies as well as information about them and their family and a couple \u2013 usually two to six, diary entries. It is exceedingly well written and gives you a real taste of everyday life in different places around the world. I would defiantly recommend it to libraries and schools because it is really good to use with research. However, it is not a very good book to own, because it is not very exciting and slightly dry. I would only read it once. This makes it valuable to libraries because people don\u2019t keep the book forever. This is good to use with researching for essays about places, as it is a good source about daily life. This is a great source for girls and teens around the world.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 17:10:58", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009037047", "title": "Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy", "author": "Kelly Jensen", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Neela - Age 11", "word_count": 156, "review": "Bodies. Everyone is different and unique. We\u2019re stuck with them. Whether we like it or not. Body Talk explores what it really means to have a body and what society does to shape them.

In this multi-narrative chapter book, thirty-seven voices share their stories and experiences. Each chapter is from a different perspective making this book suitable for all readers no matter their body time, gender identity, or who/how they chose to love.

All ages need to be informed about their bodies, but this book focuses on mainly teenage to young adult perspectives. Parents could pick out key information to share with younger children, but this book was probably directed at teenagers.

Although each body and everyone\u2019s experience with one is different, readers will most likely relate to at least a few viewpoints from the book. I can see this book in teenage and up reading lists and maybe even used in science or health classes.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 17:08:58", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009037035", "title": "Impersonation", "author": "Heidi Pitlot", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 229, "review": "Professional ghostwriter Allie Lang has a big problem: her new project, which had promised financial stability for at least the short term, has fallen apart thanks to sexual assault allegations against its celebrity subject. Easing the sting, however, is an exciting new collaboration with Lana Breban, a feminist icon Allie admires. Allie\u2019s task is to help Lana convey warmth and softness in a book about parenting. When Lana refuses to offer the kind of personal anecdotes readers will want, it\u2019s up to Allie to fill in the blanks with stories from her own life as a single mother. Allie\u2019s stories strike a nerve--and Allie finds herself in the uneasy position of giving away her own life, for questionable return. Meanwhile, Allie\u2019s deadbeat boyfriend sets off on a road trip, and Allie\u2019s mother grows increasingly frantic about learning who exactly Allie\u2019s new book subject is. The choices Allie makes about her work will impact her life in ways she could never imagine.

Impersonation is a witty and unnerving glimpse behind the pretty pages of celebrity autobiographies, and it\u2019s entertaining to see Allie tailor her voice and perspective to mirror her subjects. But her ability to lose herself is ultimately harmful, and Allie must learn to give voice to her own needs. Only by defining and harnessing her own ambition will Allie become the person and mother she wants to be.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 17:02:08", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009037031", "title": "With or Without You", "author": "Caroline Leavitt", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 231, "review": "Stella and Simon are at a crossroads in their relationship. Stella wants stability and a child; Simon wants another chance at fame with his band. Years ago, Stella relished the touring and excitement, but now, on the cusp of a lucky break for Simon\u2019s band, she finds that she doesn\u2019t want to join him in L.A. for a career-changing concert. They argue; they drink; they get high. And when Stella has a bad reaction to the drugs, she goes into a coma. Forced into the role of caretaker, Simon must shift his priorities, and over the many weeks that follow, he grows close to Stella\u2019s doctor friend, Libby. When Stella emerges from her coma, absolutely nothing is the same as it was before. Stella, Simon, and Libby must all reconsider who they are, what they want, and what\u2019s worth fighting for.

Leavitt deftly portrays Stella\u2019s mindset both before and during her coma, and the dreamy netherworld in which Stella finds herself eventually gives way to an almost miraculous opening up of talent and possibility. The changing points of view give each character a chance to wrestle with questions of identity, loyalty, regret, and hope. Although no character is blameless in the sharply shifting tale of love and affection, Leavitt shows that sometimes it\u2019s enough to simply do the best you can and take responsibility for the consequences, whatever they may be.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 16:59:34", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009037027", "title": "Down Along with that Devil's Bones: A Reckoning with Monuments, Memory, and the Legacy of White Supremacy", "author": "Connor Towne O'Neill", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 287, "review": "Debates about the significance and symbolism of monuments to the Confederacy evoke wildly divergent points of view about Southern history and legacy, often underscoring deep gulfs between the experiences and realities of Black and white Southerners. Philadelphia native Connor Towne O\u2019Neill traveled to Alabama and Tennessee to document the duality of present-day challenges to persistent efforts to commemorate the legacy of Confederate Army General Nathan Bedford Forrest: slave owner, slave trader, and first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.\n

The author merges narratives from the past to the present, reflecting upon the intents and impacts of revisionist Civil War history. O\u2019Neill talked to activists on both sides of the divide and puzzled over the meaning of Forrest\u2019s legacy to Southern whites who put up their own money and resources to enshrine the memory of a man who killed fellow Americans to assert his right to keep slaves and supported white violence against Blacks during Reconstruction. He learned that whites who support Forrest view his rags-to-riches mythology as part of white Southern white history. Meanwhile, Black residents in Selma, Murfreesboro, and Nashville, share the torment of generational pain while living in the constant shadow of white intimidation and terror.

Whose history matters? The most poignant parts of the book showcase the author\u2019s personal musings about his social location and complicity in an oppressive system, perfected in a country that prospered from imposing racial hierarchies. O\u2019Neill, who traces his ancestry to Europeans who descended upon Plymouth Rock, contemplates how his identity and heritage as a white Northern man upholds the ideology of white supremacy. Amid the renewed sense of urgency toward a racial reckoning, O\u2019Neill models how one might consider unintended abetment and reproduction of destructive racial ideologies.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 16:58:09", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009037023", "title": "We Saw Scenery: The Early Diaries of Merrill Markoe", "author": "Merrill Markoe", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 243, "review": "Noted comedy writer Merrill Markoe makes her debut as a skilled cartoonist in this graphic portrayal illustrating her evolution from childhood through adolescence as recollected from writings in her early diaries. These drawings accompanied with gruff explanatory reminiscences, which handily, have been stored in her hippocampus, relate the story of an awkward petulant preteen who clashes with parents, squabbles with an annoying brother, is a nuisance in school, suffers the indignities of coded behavior with the girl scouts, and sorely demands the security and social acceptance of teen-age groupies. As age progresses, a boyfriend becomes an essential appendage for social recognition. But with stubborn grit and self- belief, this constantly questioning rebellious teenager finally falls in love with the radio and TV media. Like all of us, she describes the highs and lows of growing up, the pain of trying to be yourself and still be part of the crowd, rebelling against accepted conformity, and taking on the defensive skills of salving humor or wry irony when confronted with irritating social challenges. The angst endured while metamorphosing from a toddler to an adult is duly captured in these animated caricatures which so readily display the raw emotions of the participant and her associates. All readers will be able to relate to the trials and tribulations of this awkward adolescent, so vividly portrayed here, because we have all endured or witnessed its various aspects and recognize the changing moods in the eye-absorbing scenic drawings..", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 16:55:57", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009037015", "title": "Under Your Skin", "author": "Rose McClelland", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 238, "review": "In Under Your Skin, Kyle\u2019s wife, Hannah, goes missing. He calls the police and begins organizing search parties, which is where he meets Julia. While the search continues and the police are following leads, Julia and Kyle are getting closer. Julia can\u2019t help but wonder why this man, whose wife has been missing for only two days, is spending so much time with her. Someone knows where Hannah is and Julia is starting to see a side of Kyle that makes her question how much he really knows. It begs the question; how well do we ever really know a person? And what do we do when we find out the worst?

I wouldn\u2019t say this book was terrible, but it wasn\u2019t super great either. It was obvious where Hannah was by chapter five and that\u2019s not saying much since each chapter is two pages long. The book is so short with so many characters that it keeps switching back and forth between that you can\u2019t really get to know any of them super well. The plot is also very similar to at least five other books that I\u2019ve read. The most similar being Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris which I would highly recommend. Overall, if you are running out of books to read as summer ends, then by all means check this one out. Otherwise, I would recommend the same plot, but with some better storytelling.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 16:48:22", "publisher": "Dark Stroke", "page_count": "219 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009037007", "title": "Radical Intuition: A Revolutionary Guide to Using Your Inner Power", "author": "Kim Chestney", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 167, "review": "Chestney's Radical Intuition is a light to help plumb the depths of your own soul and reawaken (or strengthen) a gift that is your own birthright. We are all born with it. Call it your sixth sense. Or better, call it your master sense, for it can speak to you through any of your other senses. Chestney identifies four different paths intuition can follow. Through the exercises in this book, you will learn the primary way your own intuition naturally speaks to you, and how to begin using the other pathways as well. I had no idea that intuition could be thought of in this way. Each section following the introduction has its own \u201cworkshop\u201d for some of the skills associated with intuition. I enjoyed going through the book, and found many new tools and tricks for working with my own intuition. Packed with tips, tricks, exercises and more, this book is a must-have for anyone seeking to strengthen their relationship with their own intuition! Highly recommended.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "16-Jul-2020 16:42:40", "publisher": "New World Library", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009036003", "title": "Replicon, Run", "author": "E.E. Solarys", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 38, "review": "\"//Replicon, Run// reminds me of sci-fi from decades past but with plenty of modern twists. Full of rich details and riveting characters, this book will keep you hooked from page one!\" \u2014 Jo Niederhoff, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jul-2020 21:53:25", "publisher": "", "page_count": "327 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009035011", "title": "I'm Afraid Your Teddy is in the Principal's Office", "author": "Jancee Dunn, with illustrations by Scott Nash", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 216, "review": "Your teddy is in trouble. He\u2019s made quite the mess, from making a meatloaf masterpiece, to body painting, to setting traps and tying up the P.E. teacher. What is the principal going to do with him?

My kids, three and six, thought this book was hilarious. They loved the stuffed animals writing their names with condiments to the sticky glue trap for the art teacher. It was definitely one they wanted to read over and over again.

The writing was excellent. I could really play up the principal\u2019s voice in the book. It was just perfection. The combination of that and the humor was so great.

The illustrations really captured the details of the gigantic mess the stuffed animals made. My favorite panel is when the stuffed animals were squirting condiments to sign their names.

My only issue with this book was the ending. I agree that we should be loving with kids or stuffed animals when they misbehave, but the principal allowed them to leave with a hug and a warning. I would have liked to see the stuffed animals apologize or clean up their mess. In life you won\u2019t just get away with something like this, even if it\u2019s fantasied. My thoughts: funny, but needs a little tweak to the ending to be relevant.

Age recommendation: Three and up", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "15-Jul-2020 00:28:44", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009035007", "title": "The Starkeeper", "author": "Faith Pray", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "LOCAL AUTHOR

A young girl lives in a lonely, dreary place. She would really like to have a different life, one with light and warmth. One day, as she is feeding the fish at the fountain, she makes a wish that the dark and loneliness would be gone. A star appears. It is warm and beautiful, and she wants to keep it, but it doesn't want to be hidden.

The girl decides to take it to a place high up in the town. She asks several people for help, but no one will help her. The star becomes gloomy and starts to shrink. But when the little girl finds someone who needs her help, she breaks off a piece of star and shares it. The star gets bigger and brighter each time she shares it with someone in need. Soon, things in the gloomy town begin to change.

Faith Pray has written a sweet allegory that will show little ones the importance of sharing without being didactic about it. The illustrations are soft and absolutely enchanting, with lovely details that will keep children engaged. They are the perfect accompaniment to the story. This book is a real winner.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "15-Jul-2020 00:25:22", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009034003", "title": "Recognizing Adult ADHD: What Donald Trump Can Teach Us About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder", "author": "John Kruse, MD, PhD", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 420, "review": "Recognizing Adult ADHD aims to bring awareness to issues surrounding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by focusing on the causes of the illness and suggesting coping strategies. The author uses Donald Trump as an example of someone who presents many of the symptoms of this disease. He explains his reason for this diagnosis in Chapter Four, where he further reveals the characteristics involved in determining whether a patient meets the required criteria of ADHD.

This work helped me understand that ADHD results from a biological brain condition, but it is incredibly complex and complicated, likely appearing in childhood. Before reading this, I had assumed patients suffered from being unable to concentrate. I did not realize that they suffered what the authors terms executive dysfunction. As he explains, they are unable to plan effectively and focus on things of importance. Instead, they concentrate on what is of immediate interest. I was also surprised that, because they are often risk-takers, these patients have a higher risk of injury or death. Dr. Kruse does a good job explaining how the patient's condition affects those around them.

Using Donald Trump as a case study, he is able to point out behavior patterns and explain why they might have occurred. As someone who often finds Trump's behavior baffling, I found the focus on him very interesting and useful. He covers instances and issues where Trump seems to lack interest in planning and executing policies. I have also wondered why Trump uses the same simple words repeatedly, and this book went some way in explaining that to me. As Dr. Kruse points out, the behavior patterns of this person affect the nation as a whole. Therefore, understanding this disease is more critical today than ever.

I also found Chapter Seventeen especially interesting. As our brains evolve and make new connections, it is essential to see that we may all be affected by the changes in our environments and should, therefore, mind how we take in information from social media, the press, or television. It certainly made me think I should slow down and be more mindful in the future.

In short, I learned a great deal from this informative study. I felt more sympathetic to those who have ADHD after having read about the condition as a whole and how it affects almost every area of their lives. This easy-to-read, thoroughly researched book is, no doubt a must for those who have ADHD, know someone who suffers from it, or for those who want to know more about this complex disease.", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2020", "date_added": "13-Jul-2020 22:33:31", "publisher": "Authority Publishing", "page_count": "285 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009033003", "title": "Starving Men", "author": "Siobhan Finkielman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 406, "review": "It\u2019s unusual for me, as I read quite a bit, to be surprised by a book. I typically see the formula, the plot is obvious, or the current trends in writing are super evident in most of the books that I read. Starving Men surprised me. It\u2019s an interesting read and a fun one.

Siobhan Finkielman\u2019s novel is about an Irish psychiatrist who seeks revenge. The cover mentions \u201c800 years of revenge,\u201d so I\u2019m not giving anything away by saying that he seeks revenge for some of history\u2019s darker sins. The sections of the book that are told from the point of view of the psychiatrist are told in the first person, while the other sections, focusing on the police officer\u2019s account, are told in the third person.

I didn\u2019t know very much about Irish history before reading Starving Men. Of course, I\u2019d heard of the Troubles and remembered news stories about the IRA. I\u2019ve recently watched some British historical dramas and learned about the wars and tensions between the Danes, Scots, Irish, Saxons, and British. Upon starting the book, I was concerned that it would have too much detail about the historical background. I\u2019ve read too many books with a lengthy chapter of history that deviates from the plot. Instead, Finkielman adds just the right amount of background. History lessons and Irish/British politics are sprinkled throughout the book, but in an enjoyable and informative way. The novel made me want to learn more about Irish history.

There are a lot of characters in Starving Men, but it is well focused on the protagonist, Michael. He\u2019s got depth to him. The reader watches him struggle emotionally and psychologically, and he feels very real. There are some great action scenes involving him, too. Maggie is a police officer, and while she didn\u2019t come alive for me in the same way Michael did, she is a good character to root for. She stands in opposition to Michael\u2019s goals. There are several other IRA-associated characters and law enforcement characters. I did find myself needing to go back and forth and make some notes to remember who was who. The only thing that I really struggled with was some of the dialogue, when it was assumed that the reader knew who was talking.

I can see a future movie of Starving Men, and it would be a great one. Finkielman has done a wonderful job with this ode to Ireland.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "13-Jul-2020 21:48:40", "publisher": "", "page_count": "475 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009032015", "title": "Fresh Water for Flowers", "author": "Valerie Perrin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 203, "review": "A chance meeting with a man visiting a cemetery in France leads to the remembrance of one fateful night and a lifetime of regret. In Fresh Water for Flowers, her debut novel, which really goes to show how debuts can be great works, Valerie Perrin plumbs the depths of motherhood, life on the streets, and regret when telling her story.

Violette Toussaint is a cemetery keeper in France. Her husband left her one day and never came back, while her only child died in a tragic accident, involving a shocking twist that I will not give away here. All this comes crashing back when a mysterious stranger shows up one day with a strange request: to place the ashes of his mother on the grave of a complete stranger. Will Violette be able to live once more or will she continue to hide herself among the sorrows?

Even though it is thoroughly French, and it often mentions locations and life in France, it is an extremely well-written book that was frankly difficult to put down. Moving back and forth through time, location, and character, we get to see a troubled first marriage that should not have happened, and finally, the chance of redemption.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "12-Jul-2020 21:29:04", "publisher": "Europa Editions", "page_count": "476 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009032011", "title": "Parakeet: A novel", "author": "Marie-Helene Bertino", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 204, "review": "With wedding plans in place and the big day just a week away, a hesitant bride encounters a parakeet in her hotel room. It isn\u2019t just a wayward bird, however: the bride is certain it is her grandmother, who instructs her to call off the wedding and find her brother. Estranged for years, the bride searches for her brother, and their reunion is different from the bride\u2019s expectations in every possible way. As the wedding gets closer, the bride finds herself spiraling through past and present, revisiting traumas from her past that are as immediate and searing as the day they happened. The line between reality and dream blurs, and the bride loses track of who she is and isn\u2019t--and questions whether a full understanding of identity is really necessary at all.

Parakeet is a novel as hard to pin down as the wandering imagination of the protagonist, and, like the bride herself, it takes readers to glorious places of possibility and potential. If the past is never really past, then what is the present? Time is slippery; intentions, desires, and expectations twine together in uncomfortable ways. The novel\u2019s portrayal of the wrenching challenge of true intimacy, along with incandescent prose, make Parakeet unforgettable.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Jul-2020 21:26:24", "publisher": "Farrar Straus Giroux", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009032007", "title": "True L1F3 (Book 3 in the Lifel1K3 Series)", "author": "Jay Kristoff", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 196, "review": "A nuclear explosion is headed to New Bethlehem. At the last moment deviates Grimm and Diesel swoop in to save the day along with Abraham. A city wants to wipe them out. Ezekiel shows up along with Faith. The squad is together again, for a moment.

Lemon Fresh becomes a captive of BioMass, and Eve is captive of Daedauls Technologies. Both companies are trying to beat the other to becoming the corporation controlling it all. The squad of lifelikes and Deviates separate to try to rescue Eve and Lemon. Will they be able to stop the war and end the corporations for good?

Jay Kristoff does it again with his amazing storytelling and description skills. I am amazed by the talent Mr. Kristoff has in weaving together characters and plot. I was impressed with the detail of each character. It\u2019s very difficult to make everyone have their own voice especially with a cast of twenty-plus characters. I really love Lemon Fresh\u2019s personality and how she uses the pains of her past to still strive for the future. Cricket was another favorite as he always tries to do what is right the best he can.

Age Recommendation: Sixteen and up.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "12-Jul-2020 20:57:25", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009032003", "title": "Disability Visibility: First-person Stories from the Twenty-First Century", "author": "Alice Wong, editor", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 210, "review": "One of the many hard lessons people learned during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis is how much we could be doing for disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent individuals, but we just don't. Companies that claimed for decades that workarounds and working-from-home were simply not viable options suddenly figured them out pretty damn quick when lockdowns demanded that people isolate.

And it's frustrating. It shouldn't take knowing someone with a disability to make you care about the health, wellbeing, and day-to-day struggles of the disabled. But if you don't know someone (or even if you know many), you should still read Disability Visibility. This collection of blog posts, personal essays, and other writings brings people\u2019s experiences home in truly stark fashion. \"Lost Cause\" by Reyma McCoy McDeid, in particular, was brilliant and heartbreaking in equal measures.

Don't get me wrong. This isn't just a book of misery porn, or complaints, or testimonials collected to shame people into action. It is a book rich in determination, in triumph, in hope. These essays show the community being built by disability activists, and they make you want to do more to help. It makes these authors part of your family, your circle of friends. It's a hard read at points, but an incredibly worthwhile one.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "18-Feb-2022", "date_added": "12-Jul-2020 20:13:53", "publisher": "Vintage", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009031031", "title": "Falastin: A Cookbook", "author": "Sami Tamimi and Tara Wigley", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 212, "review": "The Middle East has been at the crossroads of civilization since the age of empires. It is hence no wonder that its cuisines have been influenced from several parts of the world and its dishes are layered with rich flavors. This book features Palestinian recipes which range in origin from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River and from Egypt to Lebanon \u2013 reflecting cuisines from the diverse lands and peoples that came in contact with the Palestinians.

The book is divided into nine chapters that cover breakfast, main dishes (three chapters focusing on veggies, fish, and meat), soups, snacks, veggie sides & salads, breads, and sweets (desserts). Most recipes have an intro that provides some cultural insight into the dish. In addition, some recipes have either \u201cplaying around\u201d (alternatives to the recipe), or \u201cgetting ahead\u201d (pre-prep to save time during prep) added to their introductions. Most recipes can be prepared by home cooks (although some may be more challenging). All the recipes are delicious. Best of all, the stories of the people featured in the book\u2014these narratives really give a sense of being there. The pictures (of the places and finished recipes) are stunning and enhance the narrative for a more immersive experience. Highly recommended for those who love Middle Eastern food.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "12-Jul-2020 00:26:37", "publisher": "Ten Speed Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009031027", "title": "Bonnie", "author": "Christina Schwarz", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 204, "review": "Thanks to footage of the real Bonnie Parker and her associate-in-crime, Clyde Barrow, and Warren Beatty\u2019s film masterpiece, this reader thought she knew everything of interest about the two. Also, generally, I eschew historical fiction, but somehow this book landed on my desk. I remain grateful that it did. Christina Schwarz\u2019s Bonnie is an original, beautifully imagined creature at once down to earth and totally out of it.

The author brings her Bonnie to life. Rather than a glamorous image, the author details the life of criminals on the run from the law; going without food, sleeping outside, wearing the same old clothes and making quick escapes leaving all their possessions behind. In this novel, we meet Bonnie as a young girl who loses her father and lives in abject poverty in a grey industrial town. Yet she has an adventurous spirit and a longing for refinement. She channels that yearning into her poetry. With a romantic nature, she quickly found romance. She married disastrously and was soon on her own with just her good looks to recommend her. The Clyde Barrow in this book is much different from the well-known film version. Ultimately, this is a love story between the two murderous criminals.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "12-Jul-2020 00:07:16", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009031023", "title": "The Lost and Found Bookshop", "author": "Susan Wiggs", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 204, "review": "Natalie Harper has a dream job working for a Sonoma County wine company\u2014great money, travel, all the good wine she can drink\u2014but it may not be her dream job. Susan Wiggs\u2019 latest novel The Lost and Found Bookshop unveils Natalie\u2019s search for new happiness in an old place.

Growing up, Natalie worked with her mother in the family bookshop. Their days were filled with quirky customers and financial worries and always, always the perfect book for the occasion. When tragedy strikes, Natalie leaves her job at Pinnacle Fine Wines to run the store and care for her ailing Grandpa Andrew. It is in this familiar place on Perdita Street that Natali begins to rediscover who she is and what she really wants.

The shop is in need of repairs, and help arrives in the form of Peach Gallagher, an ex-marine who intrigues Natalie far more than he should. When handsome, wildly successful children\u2019s author Trevor Dashwood enters the picture, Natalie has more to worry about than just how to save the store.

The Lost and Found Bookshop is filled with the kind of surprises you stumble across in your favorite bookstore; it is fun, sweet, a little bit sad, but always worth returning to.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "12-Jul-2020 00:04:34", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009031019", "title": "Beneficence", "author": "Meredith Hall", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 324, "review": "In the late 1940s, the Senter family enjoys an idyllic, if isolated, life in rural Maine. Parents Tup and Doris love each other and dote on their three children, all of them laboring together to keep their farm running, the family fed, and to still have time for occasional respite. As Tup says, \u201cThe farm is a bulwark\u2026This world, and then the world outside. We are safe on this land, in this home.\u201d

The novel is crafted in three parts: Before, During, and After, and the story is told alternately by three members of the family over nearly twenty years time. Before: Life on a working farm is hard: the work is unending, physical, demanding. In a time before television, the family entertains itself in quiet ways: reading aloud in the evenings, telling stories, playing the piano. Death is often nearby: \u201cThere are rhythms here and we are part of them. You never take a life needlessly. But if a deer is eating my apples and trampling my hay, I have a natural right to protect what\u2019s mine.\u201d

During is when tragedy strikes and the family shatters, splinters, spirals into individual eddies of grief and guilt. \u201cTo everything now, there is the before and the after. The before feels like a dream, the now and the tomorrow demanding something we don\u2019t yet possess.\u201d It seems impossible for the Senters to overcome this burden but author Meredith Hall carefully leads them\u2014and us\u2014to a new future in which forgiveness is possible, and grace is still available. As Dodie, the daughter, says, \u201cWhile I stood at the kitchen sink looking out on our land, I felt for the first time in a very long time the simple and perfect beauty of our lands, its beneficence, and I said yes\u2026\u201d

Beneficence is one of the best novels I\u2019ve read all year, the perfect antidote to troubled times, beautifully composed and lyrically told. I cannot recommend it strongly enough.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "12-Jul-2020 00:01:15", "publisher": "David R. Godine", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009031015", "title": "You Exist Too Much: A Novel", "author": "Zaina Arafat", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 236, "review": "The unnamed young woman who narrates You Exist Too Much craves love and attention, bouncing from one intense relationship to another while simultaneously welcoming other lovers and infatuations. She accepts her bisexuality but meets with rage and disapproval when she attempts to come out to her mother, an angry, mercurial Palestinian whom the narrator both pushes away and yearns for. The narrator\u2019s life is lived in both the United States and the Middle East, and the cultural and geographical dislocation she often feels plays out in the landscape of her romantic relationships. Intent on controlling what she can, she battles an eating disorder and mental illness, and she ultimately finds hope in an unlikely place: a treatment center called The Ledge. As a patient, the narrator wrestles with her diagnosis of \u201clove addiction\u201d and tries to define the undefinable: what she wants, who she is, and who she desires to be.

You Exist Too Much is a raw and unsettling exploration of a young girl\u2019s shifting foundations. Arafat\u2019s sure hand draws readers across time periods and places, weaving the narrator\u2019s past formative experiences with her present-day choices and questions. The narrator is heartbreaking in her precarious teetering between extreme self-awareness and naivete, but Arafat steers clear of easy answers and pat solutions. The narrator may know best: life is messy, love is messier, and finding one\u2019s place in the world may just be an impossible dream.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "11-Jul-2020 23:58:43", "publisher": "Counterpoint", "page_count": "263 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009031007", "title": "Once You Go This Far: A Mystery", "author": "Kristen Lepionka", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 208, "review": "Once You Go This Far is the first book I've read by Kristen Lepionka, although it is the fourth book in the PI Roxane Weary series. Roxane is getting ready to go for a hike when she meets a woman named Rebecca and her dog for a quick second in the parking lot. They exchange pleasantries and then Rebecca and her dog go on their way. Several minutes later, the woman's dog is found, as is the woman's body. Roxane is soon on the case, as she is hired by the woman's daughter to find out what happened. She does not think it was an accident.

I really enjoyed this book. The plot was engaging and I couldn't wait to find out who was behind Rebecca's murder. Roxane was also a tough chick, which I really liked. I did feel that there were a few too many characters in the book, which made things confusing at times. If these characters were necessary to the plot it would be one thing, but many of them only showed up once or twice and I couldn't remember who they were sometimes. Overall, this book is great for fans of good thrillers and suspense novels without too much blood, gore, or sex.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "11-Jul-2020 23:49:19", "publisher": "St. Martins Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009031003", "title": "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books that Changed Their Lives", "author": "Nancy Pearl & Jeff Schwager", "category": "N25 Books About Books", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 208, "review": "Seeking the ingredients that make a successful writer, librarian Nancy Pearl and playwright Jeff Schwager scripted interview questions for about twenty prize-winning novelists. Familiar names such as Amor Towles, Michael Chabon, Viet Thanh Nguyen, and many more speak about the influences that have directed them in their chosen field. Several recount parents who read to them as children, others found deliverance in their local libraries, while some had both inspiring and encouraging teachers.

These successful writers come from diverse backgrounds; Asian and African immigrants, indigenous Americans, from the affluent to the impoverished. All of them had a love of words, a hunger for literature, and subsequently, found stories they wanted to tell. From being youngsters teething on the Nancy Drew series, science fiction, and fantasy to feed their imagination, all had a love of reading that emerged and matured at various ages and in different stages.

The writers share the motives and objectives for their novels, and they very generously reveal the readings that have sustained and enriched them over the years. Their lists and comments about influential books that have impacted their thoughts will likely elicit reflective and provocative comments from readers. If you love books, then this is an appealing confection that you\u2019ll devour with relish.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "11-Jul-2020 23:45:25", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "348 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009030027", "title": "A Girl Like You", "author": "Frank Murphy and Carla Murphy", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 231, "review": "There is a special place in the world for every girl, and each child\u2019s uniqueness is what makes her valuable. Bravery and boldness can lead to new discoveries and the ability to protect oneself from ridicule and harm. When disagreements occur, these attributes can allow young girls to learn from others as well as stand their own ground. The authors assure readers that mistakes and failures are also part of success and aid in building character. Thoughtfulness and empathy, they write, are critical to lasting friendships, and nurturing of the heart and body are essential for resilience. Each young girl, they conclude, is needed in this universe, and her own, individual actions and words can show others the beauty that lies within her.

A Girl Like You is a noteworthy picture book that sends a powerful message to young girls around the globe: Each and every one of them holds significance and splendor. No matter what their physical appearance, ethnicity, or talent, they matter, and their capabilities are unlimited. With dedication, courage, determination, and strong friendships they can be propelled to make great achievements. At a time when gender is often at the forefront of discussions, this book encourages young generations to realize their own potentials. It\u2019s ideal for children ages five to ten and will be an asset to elementary school teachers who address gender and equality in the classroom.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "10-Jul-2020 18:37:17", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009030023", "title": "Truth & Honor: The President Ford Story", "author": "Lindsey McDivitt", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 277, "review": "President Ford was America\u2019s thirty-eighth president. He is most known for taking over after President Nixon was impeached from office, but that is just a tiny part of his story. He had a great childhood following three rules: \u201ctell the truth, work hard and be on time for dinner.\u201d Gerald worked hard in high school and went on to college playing football at the University of Michigan. Gerald decided instead of playing professional ball he wanted to make a difference as a lawyer and eventually run for congress. America entered WWII and Gerald\u2019s plans were put on hold so he could serve his country in the Navy. Gerald ran and won becoming a member of the house of representatives and stayed in Congress for twenty-five years. The President and vice president were accused of breaking the law and the vice president stepped down. President Nixon asked Gerald if he would step in as Vice President. Gerald said yes. Later, President Nixon was forced to leave office and President Gerald R. Ford took his place.

The writing was well done. I thought the text was just long enough to give a child good information without making it go on forever. The illustrations were well done. I liked the style and the colors used throughout. My six-year-old thought it was interesting that President Ford almost fell off the ship during WWII. My three-year-old liked he had his dog in the Oval Office.

I thought this book was interesting and am glad to know more about President Ford. I appreciated the authors doing research by talking to President Ford\u2019s children about what he was like. Age Recommendation: Six and up", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "10-Jul-2020 18:35:42", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009030019", "title": "The First to Lie", "author": "Hank Phillippi Ryan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 187, "review": "For those who do not know, author Hank Phillippi Ryan has won many awards for both her novels and her investigative reporting (37 Emmys!) in Boston. All these skills are on display in The First to Lie as the characters investigate and attempt to uncover the truth about a pharmaceutical company touting a drug that can allegedly help women with fertility issues. They discover that not only has the drug not been approved for this purpose, but the company is also employing underhand and deceptive tactics as they push the drug onto women desperate to have a child.

While The First to Lie is a multilayered mystery full of twists and turns, readers may find that it starts off a bit slow, but as the story continues, readers will be drawn in. The First to Lie has elements of betrayal, smart women with an agenda, and an interesting plot that touches on ethics and morality. Best to go into this one blind because there are some entertaining surprises in store for the reader. Pick this book up if you\u2019re looking for an intelligent and tightly written story.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "10-Jul-2020 18:32:24", "publisher": "Forge Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009030007", "title": "Promised Land: How the Rise of the Middle Class Transformed America, 1929-1968", "author": "David Stebenne", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 198, "review": "I am not entirely sure what his audience is or what kind of point he was trying to prove, but this book is full of anachronisms, something that a professional historian should know to avoid. Plus, he often failed to address the nebulous, and often race-based, idea of the middle class in general. Professor David Stebenne looks at how the middle class, whatever that means since he spends no time defining it, helped to transform, his word, America between 1929-1968; though there is really no explanation of why those two dates. He mainly focuses on the efforts made by the Federal government to provide relief to those less fortunate, whether it was through Social Security, job programs, or the expansion of the bureaucracy.

I am not sure if Professor Stebenne really had a point other than to score points with the radical left. As he often mentions that many of these programs did little to support women or minorities, and acts like it is a surprise; when someone with a history degree already knows that to be the truth and not really shocked. In the end, this was a confusing wayside that was unnecessary in the larger literature.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "10-Jul-2020 18:21:02", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000009029003", "title": "Finally Thirteen and Almost Fourteen", "author": "Richard Read", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Katie - Age 13", "word_count": 426, "review": "This book hit me a little harder than the others. As a student who had just gone through her first year in middle school, I found myself relating to many parts of the books: the excitement that these students felt, the anxiety, and many other things. This book was a great follow up to the others. It gives the readers a sense of what happened after the exciting events in the previous books. It shows the readers how life has progressed a year later after capturing the monkey. A special way of writing that Mr. Read gives, I find myself enjoying it because he shows the views of many people. As Calista and Skyler go into junior high, they find themselves surrounded by many more people more than just themselves. Some were in the previous books, some not. He shows the views of these new characters and really introduces the reader to them without formally doing so. With all the concerns that middle school brings to students, there is also a lot of concern among the parents. To show this concern, he not only shows the thoughts of the kids, but also shows the thoughts of the parents. This gives you a great perspective about how parents think through this change and also brings a lot of irony into the book. The story focuses on a group of teenagers struggling and trying to survive junior high. The story involves two previous characters and some new ones. The book shows the struggles of getting schoolwork done. It also shows the struggles of these middle schoolers going through relationships, one of these being Cali and Sky. These two best friends found that their feelings for each other went a little deeper than just friends. In the story, you get to follow their adventures as a new couple and what dangers they might go through. This book incorporates the adventures from the previous story and mixes it with some romance. The balance between the two is perfect. Not only do you get to follow Cali and Sky's relationship, you get to follow their friend group's potential relationships and struggles. It really gives the book dimension. Overall, the book is like a reality TV show on paper. You get to follow a group of new middle schoolers and what their life goes through. Mr. Read made sure that no page was boring or without action. This book ties together young romance and action perfectly. Every tiny aspect that Mr. Read added made the book have so much character and dimension.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "10-Jul-2020 02:33:37", "publisher": "Createspace", "page_count": "638 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009028003", "title": "Valiance", "author": "Vanessa Caraveo", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 442, "review": "Being born deaf and with a rare congenital anomaly that makes him unable to produce sounds with his vocal cords, Diego Herrera would be by most estimations considered handicapped, disabled, or a person with special needs. As the child of undocumented Mexican immigrants who are constantly at risk of being deported, he also faces prejudice and discrimination.

From the time he is four years old growing up in Sacramento, California, Diego has been passionate about soccer, practicing with cans and bottles until his family can afford to buy him a soccer ball. His dream is to be a professional soccer player, but as he gets older, despite being as good or better than his peers, he is turned down by many teams.

But as well as having an indomitable spirit of his own, Diego also has the fierce support of his mother. Together they are a formidable team; him excelling on the field and in the classroom and her facing down the ingrained and systemic prejudices that often limit the advancement of people with disabilities.

The Herreras never play the pity card. His mother insists her son grow up like any other boy, no special needs class for Diego. And as for Diego, he takes the taunts and insults in stride, never letting the insensitivity or blatant bigotry get the better of him.

In Valiance, author Vanessa Caraveo hits all the high points in a young man\u2019s life including a best friend, first date, first heartbreak, and first love, and though she portrays it from the perspective of a deaf person, it feels authentic. What\u2019s missing and would enhance the story are exciting details about the protagonist actually playing soccer. Considering the sport is the sole motivation for Diego, the few game scenes are without detail. During the first game of the 2018 CONCACAF tournament, Diego says he \u201cfumbled a lot,\u201d and that he \u201cwas only glad and relieved my few minutes of mistakes didn\u2019t cost us much.\u201d How did he fumble (a term not usually associated with soccer) and what mistakes did he make? In the final against Mexico, his team \u201cemerged victors for the second time running.\u201d The author doesn\u2019t even tell the reader the score or what feats on the field won Diego the coveted Golden Ball for best player in the tournament.

Valiance is not a fairytale, it\u2019s a real-life depiction of the lives of undocumented immigrants and their children, and not all of the Herrera family succeed. It could have been a novel about despair, anger, and injustice, and indeed, the story does have these moments. But instead, Caraveo wrote a story about hope, dreams, and courage that is uplifting and inspiring.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "10-Jul-2020 01:30:24", "publisher": "Vanessa Caraveo", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009026135", "title": "Sacred Cow: The Case for (Better) Meat", "author": "Diana Rodgers and Robb Wolf", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 198, "review": "Meat consumption has been demonized.

From beef to seafood, eggs to chicken, (all of which the authors say should be called meat or simply animal protein) the claim here is that we are not eating enough of it.

Humans will continue eating until they achieve satiation. Satiated, they will stop eating. Hence the weight losses associated with the famous Atkins and Paleo diets? Animal protein is not only very satiating but the most nutrient-dense macronutrient.

Rodgers and Wolf make the cogent point that so-called studies of the deleterious effects of meat are all too often either ignoring associative factors (humorously, hot dog eating associated with big buns, chips, beer, or big sodas). Or they are simply attempting to validate current popular biases!

Both authors have nutrition clients in their practices. They concur on the idea that dietary solutions should be tailored to the individual. And they offer sober consideration of historically prejudicial trends, quasi-scientific and political. Sadly, funding for research has frequently been directed by food industry lobbyists.

Happily noticeable in this thorough treatment is its objectivity. Where no evidence manifests for something the writers personally advocate, they say so.

Every parent, dietician, and metabolically challenged person should own and read this book!!", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "08-Jul-2020 20:23:35", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "328 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009026119", "title": "A Thousand No's", "author": "DJ Corchin, illustrated by Dan Dougherty", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 199, "review": "This book may leave you pondering how a thousand \"no's\" can equal one \"yes!\" This book shows how the main character has a brilliant idea, but yet she is faced with many no's. As she works on her idea and perseveres past all the no's, her idea grows and changes. Sometimes, our ideas grow so big we need help, and so did hers. She asked for help from friends, and when working together and persevering through all the obstacles and challenges they change their idea from one big dull no...into a beautiful, colorful idea. This delightful book has a wonderful message for all readers: no matter the obstacles in the way of your idea, if you work hard, and continue to overcome obstacles in your way, you can be successful. Sometimes, to be successful, you can't do it all alone, and sometimes mistakes have to be made in order to succeed. This book has the most interesting and peculiar illustrations, which include well-detailed black-and-white drawings with hidden details, but what is most peculiar is the characters in the book do not have noses. This book is definitely one-of-a-kind with a great message to keep following your dreams and ideas.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "08-Jul-2020 20:11:25", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009026111", "title": "How Do You Make a Baby?", "author": "Anna Fiske", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 196, "review": "The question most parents dread the most from their child is likely the baby question: Where do babies come from? While more and more modern parents acknowledge the importance of answering this question factually, many struggle with how to do so. What words and language are appropriate? How much information is enough, without being too much?

This book by Anna Fiske is an excellent teaching tool and conversation starter for this tricky topic. How Do You Make a Baby? starts off with love, just like babies do. Fiske explains that there are many types of love: platonic love between friends and for pets, romantic love between two adults. From there, Fiske delves into the basics of sexual intercourse, which leads to how babies are actually made, pregnancy, and birth.

This book is fantastically inclusive: relationships between both opposite-sex and same-sex couples are included; the pictures depict a wide range of body types, shapes, and colors; IVF and assisted reproductive technology are touched on; and while it sticks to the standard line of all births occurring in hospitals (the inclusion of birth centers and home birth would\u2019ve been great!), it helps to normalize surgical/cesarean birth as well.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "08-Jul-2020 20:03:14", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009026103", "title": "The Inkberg Enigma", "author": "Jonathan King", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 222, "review": "This comic book is about a boy and a girl who find a sea monster and a book written in magical ink. Miro loves books. One day, when his dad goes to work, Miro sells an old-fashioned scuba diving helmet and uses the money to buy books. On his way home, two bullies start bullying him. A girl takes a picture of them, but since the bullies don\u2019t want their parents to see what they did, they run off. Then the boy and the girl, Zia, became friends.

That day on the wharf, they see a fisherman carried off his boat with a tentacle wrapped around his leg. Zia takes a picture, but the mayor chases them away. Later, the mayor comes over to Miro\u2019s house to threaten him and Zia not to say anything about what they saw. Miro lies and tells him he doesn\u2019t know Zia or where she lives. Zia comes to Miro\u2019s house to show him the photo she took of the fisherman. The next day they show the photo to a marine researcher, who tells them that the waters around Aurora are unique. And that\u2019s just the beginning of the mystery!

Kids of any age can read and enjoy this book. The art is good and the story is exciting. Miro and Zia make an incredible team!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "08-Jul-2020 19:58:31", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009026087", "title": "The Hidden Hours", "author": "Sara Foster", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 211, "review": "To escape the mysterious traumas of her past, Eleanor leaves her home in Australia to take a temp job in London. The transition proves more difficult than expected, but Eleanor pushes herself to get out and decides to attend her office holiday party. But the next morning, Eleanor realizes she has no memory of most of the night. All she can remember is interacting with one of the company\u2019s marketing executives, Arabella Lane -- who was just found dead in the Thames. As Eleanor struggles to recall what happened that night, more of her past traumas start to resurface, unraveling everything she thought she knew about herself.

Sara Foster treats the classic unreliable narrator trope with originality, painting Eleanor as enigmatic yet intriguing. The flashbacks between Eleanor\u2019s past and present are never discombobulating and instead are weaved perfectly to create layers of storyline that all add up to one suspenseful yet satisfying ending. Adding to these swirling tensions is the stark contrast between the two settings of the rural Australian outback and bustling London, both described so eloquently that readers can vividly imagine being in each place. The Hidden Hours is evasive yet approachable, making it the perfect thriller to breeze through and then ponder about long after putting it down.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "08-Jul-2020 19:47:21", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "334 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009026079", "title": "Queen FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Britain's Most Eccentric Band", "author": "Daniel Ross", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 193, "review": "Queen is an iconic rock band that is well-known around the world. Some people may only know them for their hit songs. In Queen: All That's Left to Know About Britain's Most Eccentric Band readers get an in-depth look into the group's members' lives and interests. For die-hard fans of the group, they might know quite a bit already, but Daniel Ross has compiled information he has gathered from his research, as well as the work already done by other fans into a complete book. Ross dives into many aspects of the group- topics such as their music videos, their lives before joining the group, and the artists who influenced Queen. The reader will end the book with useful knowledge for their pleasure or a successful trivia night.

For readers who are familiar with the band, the information may or may not be new, however, for readers (like me) who only knew their music and learned a little from watching Bohemian Rapsody, the information included will be useful and welcome. Probably only fans of Queen will enjoy this book to its full potential, but any reader will gain knowledge of the band full-circle.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "08-Jul-2020 19:41:27", "publisher": "Rowman & Littlefield", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009026067", "title": "The Reader's Room", "author": "Antoine Laurain", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 204, "review": "Violaine LePage is the editor and manager of the readers' room for a French publishing house. She has decided to publish a book entitled Sugar Flowers, but no one seems to know who the author is. Violaine gets some messages that suggest the author is aware of her past. If that isn't bad enough, events in the book, particularly several murders, begin to look like real murders. The police now want to know who wrote the book, and if he or she is a serial killer. But is Violaine really in the dark? Does she know who the author is? And how much does the author know about Violiane's past?

I love Antoine Laurain's work, and The Readers' Room is no exception. It is beautifully written and cleverly told. The story has a little bit of everything including a love story, a mystery, and enough about the literary world to entertain the most discerning reader. His characters are always so much fun, and the way he draws on the world of books in this one is marvelous. He never fails to add a touch of magic to his work. After this riveting story, I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "08-Jul-2020 19:26:44", "publisher": "Gallic", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009026059", "title": "The Unadoptables", "author": "Hana Tooke", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 211, "review": "Five babies are abandoned at Little Tulip Orphanage within months of each other, and they are left in the care of a cruel matron named Elinora Gassbeek. Lotta, who has an extra finger on each hand, was the first to arrive. The second baby was Egbert, or Egg, wrapped in a once-colorful but now coal-blackened shawl. Fenna was the third baby, named after the fennel seeds found in her hair. Sem was the fourth, found in a wheat sack with the words \"Semolina Flour\" printed on it. Finally, there was the baby who arrived in a coffin-basket, clutching a cat puppet. She already had a name: Milou. After enduring twelve years of Gassbeek\u2019s abuses, the matron eventually declares Lotta, Egg, Fenna, Sem, and Milou \u201cunadoptable.\u201d But Milou is determined to find her birth parents, and she has many theories about why they abandoned her. She leads the other four on a daring escape, but they are in danger of being adopted by a sinister man named Rotman.

Hana Tooke\u2019s The Unadoptables is an adventurous romp through the frozen canals of 1880\u2019s Amsterdam, complete with spooky and mustache-twirling characters. The children are in danger at every turn, but their loyalty to one another and brave spirit helps them discover their real family.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "08-Jul-2020 19:15:02", "publisher": "Viking Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009026043", "title": "Last Call on Decatur Street", "author": "Iris Martin Cohen", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 278, "review": "Growing up poor in New Orleans with an alcoholic mother could grind any kid down, but luckily for Rosemary, she had Gaby. The two girls supported each other and grew up together sharing everything, though Rosemary\u2019s white skin and Gaby\u2019s black skin caused rifts along the way. When Iris Martin Cohen\u2019s novel Last Call on Decatur Street opens, those rifts have opened so deeply that Rosemary fears there may be no coming back.

After a failed attempt at college Rosemary has returned to New Orleans to work as a burlesque dancer in the French Quarter. She feels empowered on stage and strong in the sisterhood she shares with her fellow dancers, but the lifestyle of drinking too much and staying up too late has taken its toll of late. On this particular night, she\u2019s also grieving the loss of her chihuahua Ida, the one constant kindness that has kept her centered over the last few years. As she roams the city in pursuit of Jonah, an on again off again fling she wonders if could be more, the novel flashes back to moments with Gaby that led her here. The most memorable, the night the two girls tried to set their high school principal\u2019s lawn on fire, becomes a central moment in her life she hasn\u2019t fully unpacked yet.

Last Call on Decatur Street has a few too many hip references to be called an effortless book. Rosemary\u2019s story is familiar\u2014a girl with promise falling apart after a loss\u2014but there is more to it that makes the book worth reading, especially in the heartbreaking way Rosemary wants to save someone else even as she struggles to save herself.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "08-Jul-2020 19:01:04", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009026039", "title": "Big Summer", "author": "Jennifer Weiner", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 218, "review": "This may have hit my top spot in favorite books of 2020. Jennifer Weiner does it again in Big Summer as she tells the story of Instagram influencer Daphne Berg. Daphne has always been the big girl since she was little. One day, she gets a call from an old friend, Drue Cavanaugh, whom she had a falling out with several years back. Drue is and always has been the popular rich girl. She uses people and throws them away like yesterday's garbage. Drue is calling Daphne because she is getting married and would love for Daphne to be in the wedding because she doesn't have any friends. Daphne reluctantly agrees but makes sure to keep her guard up because you never know what Drue is up to. Plus, it will be great for Daphne to be at the wedding of the year to show off her new digs on her Instagram account.

What happens during the course of the story is both unexpected and heartfelt at the same time. Without giving it away, it does seem that Weiner has crossed over a bit into the realm of mystery, which I absolutely loved. This book is a must-read for fans of popular fiction, chick lit, and mystery and suspense. Excellent characters, amazing plot, and the best ending imaginable.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "08-Jul-2020 18:58:32", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009026031", "title": "1957: The Year That Launched the American Future", "author": "Eric Burns", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 213, "review": "The year 1957 brought about change in the United States as innovation bred limitless possibilities. The launch of the Sputnik satellite sparked fears of Soviet domination of space, which spurred the US into action. The Cold War burned with apocalyptic fever in literature and movies. The brazen criminal machinations of Organized Crime and their tentacle like grip on industry was exposed by the McClellan Committee. Dogged investigators interrogated labor barons with tenacity. Turmoil in the underworld, highlighted by the shooting of Frank Costello and the daring assassination of Albert Anastasia, led to the disastrous Apalachin meeting raided by New York State troopers.

The desire to connect the country smoothly spurred the construction of the Interstate Highway System. The population made a cross-country trip, perhaps in the popular Chevy Bel-Air while listening to the transcendent sound of rock & roll, maybe Elvis, possibly Little Richard. This became a year of promise despite upheaval.

1957 offers a candid view of an eventful year in a decade of ups and downs. From mad bombers to mad hatters, the book maintains a consistency of captivating chapters. The chapters relating to organized crime suffer from a few minor inaccuracies, but overall it's thrilling to read. The past is reanimated with a passionate fervor for the masses to enjoy.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "08-Jul-2020 18:50:21", "publisher": "Rowman & Littlefield", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4 1/2"} {"id": "425035000009026023", "title": "The Port of Missing Men: Billy Gohl, Labor, and Brutal Times in the Pacific Northwest", "author": "Aaron Goings", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 196, "review": "The early 20th century was one of battles between labor and capital, which were often brutal and demeaning as workers fought for rights and unions fought for power. This book tells the story of one of those union leaders at a port city in Washington, Billy Gohl, and his life and times in Aberdeen. This book is more than just a straight biography, as details about most of Gohl\u2019s life are lost to time. Instead, it interweaves Gohl\u2019s life, including his arrest and trial for murder, among class, caste, and conflict. It Explores how the role of class and race played in the rise and demise of the unions, and how owners of ships and mills used race and class to fight against those looking for rights. Overall, it is a fairly interesting work looking at early 20th century Pacific Northwest history, especially the role of the sailing, shipping, and logging. and how they built large communities and then, when no longer viable, they left. Author Aaron Goings does a good job interweaving all the different groups men like Gohl would have been a part of, and how those groups had an impact on daily lives.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "08-Jul-2020 18:41:14", "publisher": "University of Washington Press", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009026019", "title": "The Hardhat Riot: Nixon, New York City, and the Dawn of the White Working-Class Revolution", "author": "David Paul Kuhn", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 230, "review": "The shock and horror generated by the shootings at Kent State was still fresh. Student activism had reached a fever pitch, Universities were besieged by sit-ins or being shut down. The militant Weather Underground had firebombed ROTC buildings among other buildings. The Vietnam War was still ongoing, the tide turning since the Tet offensive in 1968. President Richard Nixon had promised to end the war, but his bombing of Cambodia had infuriated a portion of rebellious youth. As college kids took the streets in masses to protest, they hadn\u2019t expected to awaken the Silent Majority.

The college kids and the movements that spurred them on were looked on with disdain by the blue collar world. The blue collar workers, such as the construction workers in New York City, toiled long hours at back breaking labor. Many of them had fought for their country in World War II, Korea, or even Vietnam. The doves infuriated the hardhats with their rebellion. Mayor Lindsay\u2019s sympathy with the protesters further stoked the fires of discontent. The stage was set for a pitched battle.

The Hardhat Riot is an engrossing work of history. David Paul Kuhn captures the moment with his vivid detail and description of a dark day in New York and U.S. history. The different perspectives, including the workers, the Lindsay administration, and the Nixon administration, add more color to a fantastic read.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "08-Jul-2020 18:35:39", "publisher": "Oxford University Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009026015", "title": "Happy, Healthy Minds: A Children's Guide to Emotional Wellbeing", "author": "The School of Life", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 196, "review": "Everyone struggles with their mental health sometimes, including (and perhaps especially) kids. But sadly, many kids don\u2019t really have the tools or even the language needed to understand why they struggle with these things. Children may not be able to fully articulate what anxiety is, or why their changing body makes them uncomfortable, or how anger makes them feel and why it\u2019s such a struggle to control it.

Happy, Healthy Minds is an excellent book for kids, starting at perhaps age eight or nine, which delves into a wide range of important topics and breaks them down for easier comprehension. Kids will get a better understanding of why their minds work the way they do; why school can feel so challenging, even beyond math or reading; why they love screens but their parents do not; why it can feel so difficult to make and maintain friendships; why bullies might act the way they do; and numerous other ideas.

These are all subjects that kids might not feel comfortable discussing with an adult, and all things that are important to understand in order to build a strong, healthy mind. This fantastic book belongs on every child\u2019s bookshelf.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "08-Jul-2020 18:31:42", "publisher": "The School of Life Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009026011", "title": "Dozens of Doughnuts", "author": "Carrie Finison", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 213, "review": "Dozens of Doughnuts is the story of a bear named LuAnn, her love for doughnuts, and friendship. LuAnn is getting ready to hibernate for the winter, but before she does, she bakes herself a dozen yummy doughnuts. These doughnuts are all different colors and flavors, but all are the same size. She pulls out the doughnuts and gets excited to eat them so she can sleep well with a full tummy, but then she hears her doorbell. It's a friend who asks if LuAnn can share some of her doughnuts. LuAnn is a good and thoughtful friend, so of course she does. More and more friends keep showing up at her house when they smell the doughnuts from outside. Now LuAnn has a problem. Will she keep sharing or get fed up?

This book is a new favorite for me. I love all of the doughnuts shown at the beginning of the book; they are colorful and look so good to eat. The rest of the pictures in the book are also bright, and the story is easy to follow and understand. I like the end of the story when LuAnn's friends realize they weren't the nicest to LuAnn, but they do something about it to make it better for them and her.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "07-Jul-2020 22:18:44", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009026003", "title": "The Lost Fairy Tales (Pages and Co. #2)", "author": "Anna James, illus. by Paola Escobar", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 203, "review": "Tilly and Oskar are book wanderers, a special group of people who can travel into stories. Tilly lives with her mom and grandparents in the family\u2019s bookstore, called Pages and Co. Their lives are peaceful until something startling happens. The Head Librarian of the British Underlibrary is being replaced! The new Head Librarian, Melville Underwood, is fishy, especially the fact that he seemed to appear out of nowhere. Even more shocking, Melville wants to bind books so that no one can book wander in them! Tilly and Oskar decide they must stop this wicked deed, but as usual, Tilly\u2019s grandparents want her to leave things to the adults. Tilly could help if anyone would let her.

Tilly and Oskar are sent to Paris for Christmas where they learn surprising secrets. After a stunning betrayal leaves them in deeper trouble than they bargained for, Tilly and Oskar must find a way to stop Melville and his sinister allies, because the future of book wandering depends on it.

I liked this book because it was an unpredictable read with plenty of fun! There were a lot of twists and turns, with a sweet, imaginative story. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves fairy tales.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2020", "date_added": "07-Jul-2020 22:08:07", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009025019", "title": "You Matter", "author": "Christian Robinson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 163, "review": "This book is about no matter what size you are, you matter. Every problem that you're in, everybody matters. I agree that everyone matters. From the ants to the young and the old. The story is sort of repetitive though. I like the book because it's true that everybody matters. I like the drawings because there are different looking kids playing together. I also like his drawings because they are very colorful and some of the drawings look tropical. I also like how the little fishes look in one of the drawings. They look different, but all the fishes are very cute! In one of the drawings, the kid is sad when he has to say good-bye. I feel the same way just like the kid in the book. The author also wrote another book with a cute little girl with the baubles on her hair. She is also in this book! I recommend this book to anyone who feels they don't matter.", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "06-Jul-2020 19:35:02", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009025007", "title": "How to Save a Life", "author": "Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 259, "review": "How to Save a Life is a cross between the movies Groundhog Day and Final Destination. Dom Suarez is reunited with his ex-fiancee Mia ten years after he broke off their engagement. A successful news reporter who lives with his best friend, Lance, Dom has never been able to find anyone quite as special as Mia. Although her wildly outgoing personality had him on edge at times due to his rather introverted nature, he knows that he will never find love with someone like Mia again.

The date is Thursday, June 11th. Dom is excited to meet up with Mia and agrees to go to the fair with her, even though he hates the fair and its crazy rides. As fate would have it, Mia meets an early and violent death while at the fair with Dom. The next day, Dom wakes up and it's as if he is reliving the same day.

The premise behind the story is not a new one; however, Fenton and Steinke do a great job of making each Thursday more and more progressive as time goes on. Dom gets smarter and tries to figure out how to save Mia's life by taking her on different dates that he feels are \"safe.\"

I really enjoyed reading this book and was very much anticipating an amazing ending. I felt the ending was a little disappointing after going through all the days with Dom. To be honest, it was a bit exhausting. Overall, this is a great read but don't expect anything fancy at the end.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "06-Jul-2020 19:23:10", "publisher": "Amazon", "page_count": "290 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009025003", "title": "The White Coat Diaries", "author": "Madi Sinha", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 221, "review": "Norah Kapadia\u2019s first day of medical residency isn\u2019t all starlight and songbird-filled euphoria; in fact, it\u2019s the exact opposite. All of her studies and social isolation and sleepless nights have led her to what she thought was the job of her dreams, but this one may be more like a nightmare.

Madi Sinha\u2019s book White Coat Diaries is a funny, smart, and personal look at the life of one woman trying to make her mark in an industry dominated by men while trying to live up to the legacy of her late father. Add the first blushes of intimacy and dating to the mix and a mother whose health issues are only slightly less concerning than her laser focus on Norah getting married and you have a novel that is both familiar and sad and joyful. Like many twenty-somethings, Norah is determined to make her life useful, but along the way she learns that there are lines in the professional world she is expected to cross, lines that make her uncomfortable, and there are people who expect her to bend to their will.

Norah\u2019s growth into her own person, her discovery of what she truly wants and what most matters to her, and her involvement in a mistake that costs someone\u2019s life all converge in the highly readable White Coat Diaries.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "06-Jul-2020 15:56:54", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009024003", "title": "Luli & the Northern Lights", "author": "Anthony Santa Teresa", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 78, "review": "\"Join a boy named Luli as he sets out to find the parents he\u2019s never met. Luli & the Northern Lights gives us the magical journey of a boy with strong will and perseverance. The beautiful scenery and talking animals set the scene for a story full of excitement and adventure. From sea witches and shamans to talking seals and lemmings, Luli & the Northern Lights will captivate audiences of all ages.\" \u2014 Kristi Elizabeth, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "July 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "05-Jul-2020 20:10:46", "publisher": "", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009023135", "title": "My Country 'Tis of Thee: Reporting, Sallies, and Other Confessions", "author": "David Harris", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 305, "review": "During the Vietnam War, a Student Deferment (2S) from the Selective Service draft was the gold standard in terms of escaping from conscription into the army. Imagine then, if you will, someone who voluntarily, because of his conscience, gave up his deferment to protest against the war. He gave up a lot since he was Stanford Student Body President. At Stanford, he was overcome by fraternity members who shaved his head in bullying opposition to his policies.

David Harris, the author of this book of essays, not only gave up his deferment, he enlisted other young men to give up theirs, encouraged defiance of the draft, and so was singled out to pay a penalty. The government could not possibly charge the numerous protesters, so they made an example of key figures who opposed the draft. Harris was among the most high profile, having married singer Joan Baez. He was sentenced to two years in a Texas jail away from his wife and infant son.

Harris has had a long career as an author of both articles and books. This book is a collection of notable essays that serve as a history of the movements and episodes from the author\u2019s long life. The reading is emotionally difficult, since it ranges from the treatment of farm workers, the elimination of family farms, the death of a small child, Mexican justice horrors, to the reticence of an honorable man to put himself forward in the race for the presidency. The author is idealistic in that he believes that the more Americans know about themselves, the better we would be as a people. This idealism is tonic to the common ignorance in American life today.

This book would be good reading for those seeking the hard life of an activist and involved citizen. Harris is a fine writer.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "05-Jul-2020 19:31:17", "publisher": "Heyday Books", "page_count": "337 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009023091", "title": "Nomad", "author": "R.J. Anderson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 534, "review": "Ivy has been banished from her home in the Delve. She has found her mother and brought her sister above ground, but now must find a place to stay. A first, she decides to travel with Martin to learn about the world, to find income and a way of survival. Meanwhile, Ivy finds out some of her own weakness, fears, and dreams that are maybe about the past Martin can\u2019t remember.

After deciding to help Molly and her family by renting Molly\u2019s house, Ivy makes a plan to get the people to leave the Delve, which is increasingly becoming more poisoned. Martin decides to leave Ivy to enjoy life with her family. Her mother and Cicely enjoy a good life living in the rented house. Ivy works with Matt and Jenny to get the plan rolling on telling others of the danger to the piskey\u2019s health. Ivy learns from Nettle what The Joan\u2019s plan is to help the Delve. Tensions rise as Ivy tries to help her family by selling the treasure she and Martin found. She\u2019s about to get the money for rent when finds her mother to be severely injured. Ivy will stop at nothing to make things right, even if it means selling the hoard of treasure, traveling all the way to London, and having an awkward encounter with Martin to save her mum.

Plot: The set up seemed a little slow at first. When I looked back, I could see all the seeds the author was planting to make it an epic story. I loved seeing Ivy grow and learn that she had to think of others before herself, even when choosing that is difficult. I liked the slow-burn romance and Ivy having to sort through her feelings. I loved the incorporation of the dreams Ivy has. It makes Martin\u2019s backstory so cool. I loved that Molly was still a part of this story. I was intrigued by who Ivy fell in love with and I\u2019m still thinking about how I feel about it.

Text: The writing was beautiful and descriptive. I felt genuinely like I was in a magical world in the real world. I wish I could go look in nature and see these gorgeous creatures.

Characters: Ivy is a great. I love how she is learning about herself and her power over others.

Martin is a fun character because even the reader isn\u2019t sure what to think about him at times. However, I think the point is he has a good heart despite what he\u2019s done.

Mattock is one of those characters that would be the best and sweetest friend.

Jenny is such a good and brave friend. I love all the ways she gets out of her comfort zone and helps Ivy.

Nettle is such a great character and special to Ivy too. I loved her input to help Ivy\u2019s cause.

Molly is a beautiful human that does great things to help out her magical friends even after how things turned out in book 1.

The Joan is an excellent antagonist, because she\u2019s like the people who enjoy power and don\u2019t want to rock the boat so they do what has always been done, even if it\u2019s not good for the people.

Age Recommendation: Thirteen and Up", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "05-Jul-2020 19:09:40", "publisher": "Enclave Publishing", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009023027", "title": "Safe: A novel", "author": "S. K. Barnett", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Jahminneh - Age 14", "word_count": 147, "review": "A chilling, suspenseful story about a missing child\u2019s return home after being kidnapped and held for twelve years. After finally escaping the grasp of her kidnappers, Jenny Kristal returned home. However, after a few days, the safe feeling of home was quickly evaporating.

This novel was and is a great read, and I highly recommend it to anyone. Especially those who enjoy genres similar to a murder mystery. It is full of unexpected twists and turns that leave the reader in a bamboozled state. The way that the author is able to lead and mislead the reader, and take the reader on a winding path blinded with no sense of where the story is going to go is unmatched. This novel has everything you could possibly want from a thriller, the emotional storytelling coupled with perfect pacing that all help with the twisting journey of the story.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "04-Jul-2020 19:36:19", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009023023", "title": "Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life", "author": "Christie Tate", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 202, "review": "Christie Tate is stuck. She\u2019s first in her class in law school and on track for a promising legal career, but her love life is unfulfilling. Though she frequently attends twelve-step meetings to help her with her eating disorder recovery and has tried a handful of therapists, Tate feels hopeless. When her friend suggests group therapy with a psychologist named Dr. Rosen, Tate\u2019s life slowly transforms. In Group, Tate recounts this transformation, reflecting on her personal journey in Rosen\u2019s therapy groups over the years.

Group is incredibly readable\u2014there\u2019s something both touching and addictive about getting to sit in on group meetings and witness the superficial details and the deeper, more painful vulnerabilities of Tate and her group members. With candor and humor, Tate lifts back the curtain on the complexities of personal growth. At times, though, the book is missing a deeper examination of Dr. Rosen\u2019s unconventional group therapy format\u2014the groups are not confidential, and Dr. Rosen attends his patients\u2019 weddings and invites them over for dinner. While Tate sometimes acknowledges this unconventionality\u2014and acquaintances\u2019 taken-aback responses to it\u2014she doesn\u2019t dig deeper into its ethical implications. One can\u2019t help but wish that more reflection on the therapy format made its way into the book.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "04-Jul-2020 19:30:38", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009023019", "title": "Luster: A Novel", "author": "Raven Leilani", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 244, "review": "Edie is very young, creatively blocked, and about to lose her job and her apartment, but her connection to the much older Eric is a beacon of hope. However, his interest is muted; he\u2019s married and cautious, and when he exhibits occasional fervor, he does so by punching Edie in the face. Searching for a foothold in her life, Edie shows up at Eric\u2019s house in suburban New Jersey, where she meets his wife, Rebecca. Reserved and watchful, Rebecca invites Edie to move in temporarily, hoping she\u2019ll be a good influence on Rebecca\u2019s unhappy adopted daughter, Akila. Edie pushes aside the inherent strangeness of their living arrangement, happy enough for some stability--and inspired, for the first time in a long time, to paint again. The images she calls forth hint at past traumas, though Edie accepts her troubled past with a kind of radical clarity, her eyes trained on the future. Always precarious, her membership in Eric\u2019s open marriage inevitably falls apart, and Edie must figure out what\u2019s waiting for her on the other side of this inscrutable episode in her life.

Told with dark humor, Luster offers a stark and moving view of what it\u2019s like to be young and black and female, and Leilani\u2019s prose is electric with wit, cultural critique, and social observation. Edie\u2019s relentless eye for hypocrisy and absurdity make her good company, and readers will be sad to part ways when this raw, powerful novel comes to a close.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "04-Jul-2020 19:26:58", "publisher": "Farrar Straus Giroux", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009023007", "title": "Cool for America: Stories", "author": "Andrew martin", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 194, "review": "This is a collection of stories about characters who are, in fact, too cool for school. They are an highly educated sort, seeking new experiences, having decided opinions, no real affiliations and no anchors. Will the love and caring between a brother and sister as they endure the Christmas holiday slide them into deeper drug addiction or can they rescue each other? Does the spontaneous trip that a bored beautiful girl takes with a stranger end up in adventure, love or no connections at all? And what is up with the strange veterinarian whose reputation in town cannot even compete with the weirdness of his real character?

The author has written a first novel humorously called Early Work, which is predated by many of these stories previously published in literary magazines. This book is a brilliant collection and finely crafted by this gifted storyteller.

Cool for America has a cast of characters who could comfortably fit into the beat generation. One gets the sense that they may drink beer, but would not watch television. They are cool, detached and adrift. The reader knows these people who have lost their sense of place geographically and emotionally.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "04-Jul-2020 19:14:06", "publisher": "Farrar Straus Giroux", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009020003", "title": "Valiance", "author": "Vanessa Caraveo", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 413, "review": "Valiance, by Vanessa Caraveo, is a book about a deaf/mute boy who loves and becomes successful at soccer. The reader watches him grow from the ages of about four to eighteen. This novel has an easy writing style, just a handful of characters, and is simple to follow. It is a quick, straightforward read. The protagonist, Diego, is from a Mexican American family and resides in Sacramento. He was born deaf and doesn\u2019t speak. He is bullied in school and is a gifted athlete. The reader roots for him as he grows up attends high school, develops relationships, and has family tragedies to deal with. Later in the story, the reader watches his soccer career begin and how he handles newly acquired fame and attention, while never turning away from his family and friends. Diego is a likable, honest character, as are several of the other characters in the book.

The book\u2019s strengths are its attention to disabilities, its likable protagonist, the caring immigrant family, and the inspirational message. There are weaknesses. The book doesn\u2019t read true to life in several ways. Diego\u2019s mutism isn\u2019t explained, and his ability to use ASL so efficiently, without formal education in ASL, is glossed over. There is a lack of realism about a deaf child understanding the complex language that the mother uses, in scenes when Diego is very young. There are issues with how he would be understood without speech therapy to help him mouth words, or without his family formally learning ASL. Some of the legalities and lifelike actions of teachers, coaches, and a principal are problematic. The negativity towards \u201cspecial needs\u201d schools could read as offensive when the book tries to be \u201cwoke\u201d regarding disability issues. Lastly, the book doesn\u2019t read true to life regarding soccer. Ms. Caraveo uses terminology that a sportsperson or soccer person wouldn\u2019t use, and while a boy in a soccer uniform is on the cover of the book, there is little about the sport itself or the complexities of becoming good at it. For example, in high school sports, there would be the talk of division championships, not cups. The word fumble is used, which doesn\u2019t belong in soccer, and there are numerous other examples.

Valiance could be strengthened. I would encourage Ms. Caraveo to workshop the book with various audiences. She could get feedback from the deaf/ASL community regarding some of the subtleties and details of that community, as well as feedback from the soccer community. \n//", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "03-Jul-2020 18:54:03", "publisher": "Vanessa Caraveo", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000009124003", "title": "Wolf Time: A Novel", "author": "Barbara J. Moritsch", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 334, "review": "In 2018, wildlife biologist Sage McAllister opens the door to her small log cabin and finds two wild wolves, an uncommon sight in the Yosemite National Park region, where gray wolves were eradicated in 1924. Sage is frightened at first, but she has spent her whole life talking to animals and nature. The wolves, Issa and Tish, begin speaking to her telepathically. They are siblings and the only ones left of their pack. They have come to ask Sage to help them tell their story. They relay their memories to Sage through Wolf Time, a dreamlike state where Sage is able to move back in time and relive memories as if they were her own. Sage experiences their life as rollicking and playful puppies, their losses as their large family is reduced in numbers due to hunters, and their long journey to escape certain death by traps, snares, or the hunter\u2019s gun.

The chapters about Sage, Issa, and Tish alternate with a story set in 2010 about siblings Blue and Sunny who adopt an abandoned wolf pup. In their region, wolves are hunted by Wildlife Services and ranchers, including their Uncle Marshal. Blue and Sunny name the pup Tierra and convince their uncle to allow them to keep her. The children successfully nurse Tierra back to health, but they soon learn that they are moving to Wyoming and cannot bring Tierra with them. They eventually come together with Sage in a surprising connection and an exciting adventure to save the wolves.

Wolf Time by Barbara J. Moritsch weaves fact and fantasy to tell a story about the plight of wolves in the United States. Readers experience the wolves\u2019 tragic losses and learn about the unfair propaganda put out by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services in order to lift the federal endangered species act protections and remove wolves from the endangered species list. But Moritsch gives readers hope with this tale about nature\u2019s strength and resilience as well as the beauty of human kindness.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "30-Aug-2020 20:08:31", "publisher": "Bear Clover Books", "page_count": "302 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009123023", "title": "The Seduction", "author": "Joanna Briscoe", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 197, "review": "This book might win for the biggest waste of my time this year. The Seduction is about a woman named Beth who is unstable and unlikeable from the get-go. Her extremely nice husband, Sol, gets her to go see a therapist who can help her with her anxiety. Beth's mother, Lizzie, left her when she was a little girl. The story often goes from present to past in flashbacks that Beth remembers. Beth goes to see Dr. Tamara Bywater at Sol's suggestion and ends up becoming very obsessed with the therapist. Dr. Bywater tries to keep things professional, but towards the end of her sessions with Beth, she allows a sexy picture of herself on her computer to be seen by Beth \"accidentally.\" This is when the scandalous relationship between patient and doctor begins. It seems that while Beth was obsessing over Tamara, Tamara was also obsessing and flirting with Beth to lure her in. During the therapy sessions, Tamara seems like a normal, helpful therapist, but little do we know that she is even more of a freak than Beth is.

This book was disappointing due to its lack of interesting characters and boring go-nowhere plot.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "29-Aug-2020 21:23:48", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000009123019", "title": "My Hero Academia: Smash!!, Vol. 5", "author": "Hirofumi Neda", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 99, "review": "With quirky side effects, alternate dimension, and unconventional training, My Hero Academia, Smash! is full of short stories and adventures from class 1A, the League of Villain\u2019s and others. The stories are goofy, fun, and light-hearted. The art style is detailed; each character is drawn differently, so it\u2019s easy to tell them apart, and each panel adds a lot to what\u2019s going on. There are references to the previous Smash books, but they don\u2019t all need to be read to understand what\u2019s going on. If you\u2019re a fan of My Hero Academia this parody series is a must read.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "29-Aug-2020 20:32:08", "publisher": "Viz Media", "page_count": "136 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009123011", "title": "Princesses Versus Dinosaurs", "author": "Linda Bailey, Joy Ang (Illustrator)", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 193, "review": "This is a Princess book. No, a Dinosaur book. No, a dragon and T-rex book. No, a ducky book. Wait who\u2019s book is this? In Princess vs Dinosaurs, it is a competition to see whose book this really is. That is until the characters decide to build a wall and make it about neither. After looking over the wall and seeing they like what the other group is doing, they decide to join forces and make it a book to include everyone. The text was fun and lively. I appreciated the silliness and bickering back and forth. There were a couple of phrases that did not seem age-appropriate for a picture book. This book felt it was aimed at six to eight-year-olds.

The illustrations were well done. I appreciated the two vastly different styles for the princesses and the dinosaurs. The illustrations were showed lots of great diversity.

My kids, three and six, both loved this book. They thought it was hilarious and fun and wanted to read it over and over again. A note to parents: You might want to read through this one before you read it to your young children.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "29-Aug-2020 19:55:35", "publisher": "Tundra Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009122123", "title": "The Mulberry Leaf Whispers", "author": "Linda Thompson", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 176, "review": "The Mulberry Leaf Whispers takes the reader on two intersecting storylines; one is the perspective of a Japanese soldier in WWII and the other is of sixteenth-century feudal royalty. Both of these perspectives are not often explored in American Literature and I commend the author for bringing them to life in such detail.

Akira and Lady Sono, are both members of the house of Matsura, although they are separated by about four hundred years. Each of them makes courageous decisions despite difficult circumstances and are guided by their Christian faith.

I found Lady\u2019s Sono\u2019s story to be more engaging, the author wove in beautiful descriptions of nature along with biblical allegories. However, Akira\u2019s story brought in how the Japanese were treated during and after WWII, which is not widely talked about. I appreciate this new look at history, however, I found this novel focused more on the Christian faith than it was about Japanese culture and history. I would have appreciated a historical note about the role of Christianity during the time periods of the novel.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2021", "date_added": "27-Aug-2020 23:31:45", "publisher": "Mountain Brook Ink", "page_count": "431 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009122087", "title": "Charity Cases", "author": "Jane Shoup", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 191, "review": "In the late 1800s, it was far from easy to be a woman. They were often at the mercy of their fathers and husbands, and while some were good men, many were cruel. That was the case with Louisa Heyer, a wealthy woman whose husband has committed her to an insane asylum under suspicious circumstances. It falls to Tom Kassel, a private detective, and a pair of female doctors to set her free and uncover the truth behind her husband\u2019s motives.||Historical thrillers are possibly one of my favorite subgenres, and I found the plot of Charity Cases to be well-knitted together, with not a loose end in sight. Jane Shoup does an excellent job at crafting a narrative, and I was swept along for a thrilling, fast-paced ride. The only reason I can\u2019t rate this higher is that I found the characterization lacking. So much of the book was plot and dialogue that I found myself some chapters in and realizing I couldn\u2019t quite tell one character from another. On the whole, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it, but with the caveat that it is only good, not great.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "27-Aug-2020 20:57:07", "publisher": "J Super", "page_count": "235 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009122079", "title": "Your Personal Journey with Food, A Guide for the Confused and Frustrated Dieter", "author": "Lauw & Schroeder-Cromwell", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 202, "review": "Written by two highly qualified women, Your Personal Journey with Food is made available to save lives worldwide. Speaking from personal experience and drawing on information from the book, food has so much power over our lives. The authors state that food is more than something that tastes good; it is nourishment for our bodies and is something with which we form an emotional connection. Too many of us don't know the correct way to live with food, so we overindulge either purposefully or accidentally. Food controls the physical and emotional aspects of our lives, such as our weight and emotions. Authors Lauw and Schroeder-Cromwell have had personal experience with both these aspects and have lived through them to tell us that there is hope for us still.

I love how this isn't just another diet book and how they are open about every aspect of dieting, including the literal definition of the word. These ladies have nipped the issue in the bud by explaining the biological, mental, and physical dangers associated with the wrong kinds of food. Their writing is understandable and makes for a quick but necessary read. I also love the cover; it's colorful and direct to the point.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "27-Aug-2020 20:41:19", "publisher": "Tanzanite Books", "page_count": "209 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009122071", "title": "Timeline Science and Technology: A Visual History of Our World", "author": "Peter Goes", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 212, "review": "Plop the reader down on the floor to turn the pages of this oversized book recording the evolution of science and technology over time. Brilliantly portrayed in striking colors and spaced out in a graphic fashion that forces the eye to roam over the page and target in on specific figures and facts that pique the imagination. Where does language start, and how did the wheel change transportation. Continue on and discover the scientists and inventors of the different ages, find where Hippocrates fit in or what Madame Curie is noted for. Trace the gap between the taming of fire to the development of robots and the internet. Belgian illustrator, Peter Goes, has produced an amazing pictorial assemblage of historical happenings from civilization's beginning up to the present time. The viewer glances at the march of science and technology spanning the eras from the stone age, through the first civilizations including the Greeks and Romans, along with the Islamic caliphates, European development, up through the twentieth century and into the emerging 21st century. The stunning colorful format with the intriguing figures illustrating illuminating events in the history of our world is a book that will capture the interest of young readers and enrapture mature viewers as they reminisce through these historical images.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "27-Aug-2020 20:31:00", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009122067", "title": "No Reading Allowed: The WORST Read-Aloud Book Ever", "author": "Raj Haldar and Chris Carpenter, Illustrated by Bryce Gladfelter", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 184, "review": "What happens when you say things that sound the same but are spelled differently? You get the same sentence with a totally different meaning thanks to homonyms. But the book lives up to its name because it is weird to read the same sounding sentence twice.

What a clever idea to use homonyms in this way. If you get the meaning this book is hilarious. If you do not you will soon. I think this is an awesome, funny teaching tool for children learning about homonyms.

The pictures are laugh out loud hilarious. Example: The hero had supervision. A panel of a superhero with supervision. The hero had supervision. A panel of a boy overlooking a giant hero sub sandwich. Sir Francis Bacon. A picture of Sir Francis Bacon the man. Sir, France is bakin\u2019! A picture of a hot day in southern France at the beach.

I think kids will be into this because of the funny nature of the illustrations. The age range for this book is six to eight years old and maybe older if using this as a teaching tool.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "28-Dec-2020", "date_added": "27-Aug-2020 20:22:12", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009122063", "title": "The Kiosk", "author": "Anete Melece", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liliana - Age 10", "word_count": 286, "review": "Kiosk is a book about a woman who is stuck living in her kiosk and dreams of living on the beach and when her kiosk is swept away by a river she ends up making her dream a reality. I think the plot was very original and entertaining. I\u2019ve never heard of a story like this and I was always wondering what would happen next. I think the characters are each unique in their own way but also very relatable. I especially got to know Olga, the main character. She had an interesting life story and I could empathize with her because she wanted to get out and see the world. I think the moral of the story is that everyone can pursue their dreams no matter the situation. There were many pictures in this book and I think they were very beautiful. They looked as if they were painted right onto the book.

There were many colorful details and that\u2019s one of the reasons why I recommend this book to younger kids. There wasn\u2019t any figurative language but some good adjectives. Most sentences were brief but still flowed together into a well-written page. I recommend this book for kids ages five to ten years old. I don\u2019t think that this book would make a great series because it would be too repetitive, and the story ended on a good note. This book is very unique and I\u2019ve never heard or seen anything like it. I would definitely recommend this book for your kids because the characters were funny and relatable, and it\u2019s a unique book. Overall, I think this book was original and had a beautiful ending. \u201cShe dreams of distant seas and splendid sunsets.\"", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "27-Aug-2020 20:16:51", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009122059", "title": "Migrants", "author": "Issa Watanabe", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 181, "review": "A group of animals dressed in human clothing begin a trek through the dark forest, walking upright and carrying bundles of their belongings. The forest is dying and they must leave. Following behind them and urging them on is a skeleton-like creature\u2014Death\u2014dressed in a colorful flowered robe. He rides a blue ibis with an orange bill. The animal migrants travel toward the sea, stopping to eat and rest, and then continuing on until they reach a boat. They climb aboard, but the rough sea destroys the boat. Not all of them make it ashore. The migrants mourn their losses and continue on, courageous and determined, until they reach their new home.

Peruvian artist Issa Watanabe\u2019s new book, Migrants, is a wordless picture book that conveys the struggle and emotional hardships of migration. Watanabe\u2019s richly colored drawings are touched with shadows and set against a black backdrop. The images are somber and expressive; the refugees are grief-stricken and dignified in their struggle. The artist has delivered her message. There is the harsh reality, but there is also hope. Words are not needed.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "27-Aug-2020 20:13:27", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009122055", "title": "Devastation Class", "author": "Glen Zipper and Elaine Mongeon", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 202, "review": "In the far future earth takes the leap to space, but finds more than they bargained for. JD Marshall and Viv Nixon have been best friends since ever. Together they trained to be the best of the elite cadets chosen to serve on a mission of science and exploration aboard the spaceship California. It\u2019s supposed to be an easy mission, hardly more than a training exercise. An attack from an old enemy changes that. JD and Viv have no choice but to take control and try to keep the crew alive. A simple plan for an impossible task.

The plot is enjoyable, even though it wasn\u2019t the story I expected from the dust jacket. The characters don\u2019t have distinct voices. The flaws they have seem more of an afterthought and aren\u2019t shown very well. Half the time characters are called by their first name the other half they're called by their last making it confusing at times. Some of the characters are only there to die and I didn\u2019t care enough about them when they did. I\u2019m not sure why others are even there, they never do anything. The romantic subplot is annoying; it doesn\u2019t affect the story and isn\u2019t told well.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "27-Aug-2020 20:09:37", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009121019", "title": "Paper Bullets: Two Artists Who Risked Their Lives to Defy the Nazis", "author": "Jeffrey H. Jackson", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 271, "review": "The opening segment of Paper Bullets is exciting. The two protagonists, Claude and Marcel, get on a bus in Nazi-held Jersey but are then forced off to show their papers. The reader knows they could be arrested if the soldiers look hard. It\u2019s a gripping way to begin the novel.

Paper Bullets is about Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore, who were figures in the art and resistance movements in the 1940s. I\u2019m avoiding calling them both women because it seems that Claude would probably identify as non-binary if the term had existed at the time. I\u2019ll refer to them as the artists and I\u2019ll use their adopted names. They were stepsisters but more importantly, lovers and soulmates.

This is a very moving story. I became quite attached to both of the artists and ended up spending time, after reading Paper Bullets, looking for even more about their lives, work, and deaths. I think that anyone with an interest in art, resistance to Nazism or fascism, and LGBT history would really enjoy reading about these figures\u2019 lives.

Paper Bullets is a beautifully written book by Jeffrey H Jackson, professor of history at Rhodes College. He clearly researched thoroughly and empathizes with the artists. The book is an ode to them, without being overly fawning. It is full of photographs, which I loved. My only criticism is that the novel style gives way to more dry explanations at times, instead of sticking more of a novel format. It is a hybrid history book/novel, which has both its strengths and drawbacks. I highly recommend Paper Bullets and hope it is used in history curricula.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 20:15:15", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009121015", "title": "The Endangereds", "author": "Philippe Cousteau and Austin Aslan", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 282, "review": "The Endangereds is about a group of endangered animals that were taken by humans from their natural habitats and put in a facility where some of the animals go hyper and become as smart and as able as humans. The animals that go hyper form a group called \"the Endangereds\" and they help other endangered animals around the globe. Nukilik, a polar bear, was taken away from her mother when they were separated and brought to the facility where she becomes hyper, but she doesn't want to join the Endangereds. She just wants to get back home. Arief, an orangutan, who is head of the Endangered society wants Nukilik to join the group but she refuses. Wangari, a pangolin, really wants Nukilik to go but she doesn't know where Nukilik is from. Murdock, a narwhal, wants to be friends with everyone but is pretty annoying. When Hobbs and Jill, the black-footed ferrets in the Endangereds society, get taken away from the facility the other Endangereds plan a rescue. Will they be able to work together to get Hobbs and Jill back? Read the story yourself to find out what happens in this adventurous tale.

I would recommend The Endangereds to animal lovers and anyone who likes adventure and a little bit of mystery. This book is amazing! I love it because the Endangereds have to hide that they are hyper from the humans. They have to make sure that nobody notices they are gone when they go on secret missions. I wonder if animals can really do this in real life and we just don't know because they have outsmarted us. I really liked this book and plan to read it again.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 20:13:11", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009121007", "title": "Tales from the Ant World", "author": "Edward O. Wilson", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 230, "review": "In this charming collection of ant stories, the reader is fortunate to learn both about ants and also about their naturalist observer, famed myrmecologist E.O. Wilson. Not only does one learn about the diverse routines of these social insects, but also about the character of the scientist and the nature of science itself. In twenty-six engrossing and colorfully compact chapters, different species of ants, located in different parts of the world are described. Fascinating line drawing sillustrating the different caste members of their entomological population such as the workers, the queen, the winged males, and the soldiers of different species display the elegant specializations designed for specific life styles. Glance at fire ants, leafcutters, warrior ants, trap jaw ants and so many others. The studied behavior of ants evokes wonder at how these creatures are programmed, they elicit and respond to pheromones that activate taste and smell reactions, in contrast to larger animals that rely on sight and sound for survival. Looking into the ant world\t and their specialized routines is like wandering into another fantasy world, one that belongs in science fiction.\tOutside of the challenging Latinized genus species names which are difficult to pronounce, this introduction to part of the fauna of more than 15,000 species more ancient than us, will give the reader an appreciation for both the complexity of ants and the attentiveness of their investigators.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 20:08:07", "publisher": "W W Norton", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5+"} {"id": "425035000009121003", "title": "Tree: A Gentle Story of Love and Loss (Lessons of a LAC)", "author": "Lynn Jenkins", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 245, "review": "Loppy, one of the LACs (Little Anxious Creatures) who lives in the tiny village on the mountaintop is studying for an exam. His anxiety soars, so he decides to console in his dear friend, Tree. As Loppy confides in Tree, a strong wind sweeps through the area, scattering a plethora of his leaves. Though it\u2019s not the time of year for Tree to shed his foliage, Loppy doesn\u2019t realize this until his pal Curly says, \u201cI\u2019m afraid our precious friend is starting to leave us, Loppy.\u201d Together they mourn the inevitable and reminisce about the special times they\u2019ve spent with Tree. The other villagers come to pay tribute, and upon his passing, they memorialize him in the park.

This is a gentle, thoughtful story about love and loss, grief and healing. The unique characters and adorable, touching illustrations provide a bridge of connection to which young children can relate. Loppy\u2019s deep endearment for Tree as well as the terrible sadness he feels when he learns Tree\u2019s life is fading are palpable. His sheer determination to never forget his loyal friend is just as powerful, too.

This heartwarming tale is an ideal choice for youth who may soon lose someone they love as well as for those who have already faced significant losses. It\u2019s also a worthy read for those who enjoy tender-hearted stories of all types. The target age range for Tree: A Gentle Story of Love and Loss is children ages five to nine.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 20:05:07", "publisher": "EK Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009120115", "title": "Invisible Girl: A Novel", "author": "Lisa Jewell", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 210, "review": "Cate Fours has forgiven her husband Roan, and herself, for the troubles in their marriage and is trying to put the pieces back together as Valentine\u2019s Day approaches. She and Roan and their children, Georgia and Josh, are living in a rental flat in Hampstead while their house in Kilburn is rebuilt after subsidence damaged it. The temporary space has brought them into closer quarters with one another, their neighbors, and the invisible girl whose life will touch them all.

Lisa Jewell is known for her intricate and timely thrillers; her latest is no exception. As a string of sexual assaults plagues the neighborhood, the Fours family is in the thick of the crimes. A former patient of Roan\u2019s, Saffyre, goes missing and the search for her leads to a Hampstead neighbor, Owen Pick. Cate Fours watches and wonders through the entire investigation if her family is perhaps more involved than she thought. And Owen, a lonely virgin at 33, becomes the focus of a scandal rooted in incel culture.

With an eye for contemporary detail and a clear understanding of the sexual politics that can lead to violence, Jewell presents a taut and thought-provoking cautionary tale in Invisible Girl that will entertain as much as it haunts the reader.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 20:27:19", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009120111", "title": "Confessions on the 7:45: A Novel", "author": "Lisa Unger", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 177, "review": "If every thriller I picked up for the rest of my life was as eye-popping and indulgent as this one, I would be one happy camper. Lisa Unger does it again in Confessions on the 7:45.

Married to husband Graham and with two little boys, Oliver and Stephen, Selena thinks her life is going pretty well. Of course, she is the (temporary) main breadwinner right now as Graham is between jobs. But she is just happy enough. Until, that is, she starts suspecting Graham of cheating on her with the nanny. Selena meets a stranger named Martha on the train one day, and in a few short minutes, the ladies have traded secrets. What Selena doesn't know, though, is who Martha really is.

Confessions on the 7:45 has characters that are so smart, so imperfect, yet so delicious to spy upon that you too will feel like a voyeur feeding into this story about manipulation, fraud, extortion, and blackmail. Exciting, fast-paced, and toe-curling, this book will have you reading it into the wee hours of the night.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 20:25:11", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009120103", "title": "The Echo Wife", "author": "Sarah Gailey", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alissa Smith", "word_count": 226, "review": "The Echo Wife teaches that sometimes, in order for you to really know yourself, there has to be another one of you. The plot, though not the most realistic, was enough to hold my attention. This is a well-written story, with a unique style of writing which was quite intriguing. More interestingly, it explores the depths of human character. It provides its own perspective on the topics of cowardice and courage, correctness and incorrectness, victory and defeat.

Evelyn Caldwell is a brilliant scientist who holds much respect for her work with clones. Evelyn\u2019s life away from her lab, however, is much less rosy. She is recently divorced from a cheating husband, but her husband wasn\u2019t keeping just anyone as a mistress. He was cheating with Evelyn\u2019s clone which he developed with her own research. His work comes back to bite him though when he is murdered. This, however, means Evelyn and her clone, Martine, must figure out a way to cover up his death and clean the mess he\u2019s made.

All in all, this is a good book, although it does include some controversial topics such as abortion and cloning. People who have strong views on these subjects should be warned before picking up this book. I believe this book is best for adults who are interested in the topic of cloning-or any aspect of science-and enjoy thrillers.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 20:18:01", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009120091", "title": "In Case You Missed It: A Novel", "author": "Lindsey Kelk", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 159, "review": "Ros has returned to London after a three-year stint as a literary podcast producer in the United States. She\u2019s happy to get back to her family and friends and to pick up right where they left off. The only problem is that everyone has grown and things have changed over the three years she has been away. However, when a mistaken group text prompts a reply from the one who got away, Ros decides that she\u2019ll get things back to the way they were, but better.

This book is a pleasant romantic comedy. The characters are likable enough. Ros\u2019s new job was a little less than exciting to read about. (She gets a new job as a podcast producer for a fourteen-year-old gamer who only goes by the name \u2018Snazzlechuff.\u2019) The real treat in this story is the rekindled romance between Ros\u2019s parents now that both their children are grown and gone. Overall, this is a light, enjoyable read.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 20:08:21", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009120087", "title": "Don't Move", "author": "James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 231, "review": "Megan\u2019s family died in a freak accident and nine months later, she is still grieving and struggling to move on. She joins a church group going on a camping trip in the West Virginian national forest. The trip starts off with some hiccups, as some of those on the bus are at each other\u2019s throats and the guide doesn\u2019t actually seem to know where he\u2019s going. They end up in an untouched part of the forest and once their group starts disappearing one by one, it becomes clear why. There is a prehistoric arachnid alive and well in this part of the forest and it is hungry. It can track their vibrations, making it difficult to escape. Those who are left have to work together and their only choice is Don\u2019t Move.

I\u2019ve read other books by these authors and I\u2019ve always enjoyed them; this one was no exception. The accident at the beginning was the scariest part because it seemed more probably than a prehistoric arachnid, but the scene in the lair and the hospital were pretty terrifying as well. There is nothing too deep going on here, just a fun, thrilling horror-filled ride. Sometimes that is exactly what you are looking for. As if I didn\u2019t hate spiders enough. I highly recommend it if you enjoy creature horror stories. You might think twice about camping in an unknown region.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 20:02:56", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009120083", "title": "Kits, Cubs, and Calves: An Arctic Summer", "author": "Suzie Napayok-Short, Illustrated by Tamara Campeau", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 149, "review": "Kits, Cubs, and Calves talks about what Arctic summers can be like and what you can do during that time. You can see different animals and enjoy boat rides. This book is really good for children aged six and older, but all ages can read it and older kids might be able to understand it a little better. The story is very detailed and really paints a picture of life in the Arctic. You definitely get more depth and information than you get from a typical picture book.

I like the illustrations because they\u2019re quite detailed and you really get a sense of what\u2019s happening as you flip through the pages. The illustrations are not very similar to those in most books I\u2019ve read before, which makes them more interesting, although they definitely feel like many of the other books by the same publisher, so it\u2019s a good addition.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 20:00:30", "publisher": "Inhabit Media", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009120079", "title": "The Killings at Kingfisher Hill: The New Hercule Poirot Mystery (Hercule Poirot Mysteries)", "author": "Sophie Hannah", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 230, "review": "World-famous detective Hercule Poirot has been called to investigate The Killings at Kingfisher Hall. He\u2019s been summoned by the son of the wealthy Devonport family to find out who really killed his brother. His brother\u2019s fianc\u00e9e has been convicted of the crime and is about to be hanged for it. She confesses readily to the crime, but there are those who doubt what she says. Poirot must discover why she would confess if it were not true, and it seems that everyone has a motive or is at least lying about something. Another woman ends up murdered, adding more questions to an already baffling case. Good thing Poirot is famous for his little gray cells and his determination to solve every puzzle.

I could just be incredibly biased, but these extra Poirot novels don\u2019t have the same feel as the original Agatha Christie stories. He seems different and a little bit off. The crime and its resolution I also found to be a bit unsatisfying and I have never had that with an Agatha Christie original. Poirot is by far my favorite of her characters, and I just don\u2019t feel like this author does him justice. I\u2019m sure there are plenty of people out there who will love these additional stories, but my recommendation is maybe don\u2019t read the originals first and perhaps you will enjoy the new stories more.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 19:55:36", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009120075", "title": "All the Devils Are Here: A Novel (Chief Inspector Gamache Novel (16))", "author": "Louise Penny", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 205, "review": "Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, of the Surete du Quebec, and his family are in Paris. His daughter Anne is awaiting her second child. Unfortunately, Armand's godfather, billionaire Stephen Horowitz, is hit by a van while crossing the road on the way to dinner. The Gamache family is sure it was no accident and, Armand is determined to find out what's behind the incident. He just doesn't know he's stepping into something much bigger than even he could have imagined. Can Armand trust his old friend Claude Dussault, the Prefect of Police in Paris, to help find answers, or will his friend betray his trust? Luckily, he has his son-in-law, Jean-Guy, who was recently his second in command at the Surete in Montreal on his side.

Fans of Penny will not want to miss this one. The setting has moved from Three Pines deep in the Quebec forest to the City of Lights. Her eye for detail and atmosphere means this one leaves the reader feeling that Paris is at their fingertips. Frankly, to my mind, this author gets better with every book she writes. If you are like me, you will be glued to every page. I can't wait to see what she does next.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 19:53:10", "publisher": "St. Martin's", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009120067", "title": "Don't Look for Me: A Novel", "author": "Wendy Walker", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 245, "review": "One night, Molly Clarke disappears. It looks like she walked away from her life, the note at a hotel saying Don\u2019t Look for Me seemed to close the case. Her family life was not going well, not since the death of her youngest daughter five years before. Her husband didn\u2019t seem to love her anymore and her other two children despised her, especially her oldest, Nicole. But as broken as their family is, Nicole knows her mother would never just leave them. She heads to the town where Molly disappeared from and begins to look for clues herself. Nicole said terrible things to her mother before she disappeared and she will do whatever it takes to find her and repair their broken relationship. However, there are people at work behind the scenes actively trying to keep her from finding the truth or to make her disappear as well.

This is my second Wendy Walker book and I have to say I liked it a lot more than the first. It was easy to relate to both Molly and Nicole and the strained relationship that mothers and daughters can have. They were probably the only two characters to have much depth, but it was enough. The plot was interesting and telling the same story in the same timeline from both of their perspectives added extra layers of suspense. If you enjoy mysteries and especially those with strong female leads, then you should check this book out.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 19:40:39", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009120063", "title": "The Silver Arrow", "author": "Lev Grossman", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Clementine - Age 9", "word_count": 199, "review": "Kate lives a boring life with her annoying little brother Tom and their parents, who mostly just work and stare at their phones all day. But then on her eleventh birthday, her uncle Herbert, whom she had never even met, sends her a giant black steam engine named The Silver Arrow. Despite her uncle Herbert\u2019s warning, off they go on a crazy adventure through forests, under water, and even on the clouds, delivering a ton of talking animals at their stops. They also make friends with a mamba, a heron, a fishing cat, a porcupine, and an adorable baby pangolin.

I loved this book! It is totally amazing, plus it\u2019s one of my new favorite books! I recommend it to older kids and younger kids alike. But I think it would be even more amazing as a read-aloud. Kate, the heroine of the story, does say some things to her parents and Tom that are not very nice, but other than that, the story is amazing. The art and the descriptions are something that every book needs, and this book covers that check box perfectly. But even if it didn\u2019t have that quality, it would still be perfectly inspiring.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 19:36:54", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009120059", "title": "A Field Guide to a Happy Life: 53 Brief Lessons for Living", "author": "Massimo Pigliucci", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 182, "review": "It turns out that a happy life is won through the ancient teachings of Epictetus. It also turns out that Pigliucci can ably write about Epictetus\u2019 teachings of stoicism in a most readable and entertaining way. Whilst any teaching of philosophy can be difficult to understand, most of the book is accessible and straight forward. The emphasis to a happy life, it turns out, is to rely on oneself for comfort and also the source of harm. Looking to externals for happiness and fulfillment are ultimate sources of pain and anxiety. This is the heart of the stoic philosophy: to learn what is proper to desire and what to avoid. It is a lesson quite relevant to the materialism which pervades the dominant culture. To quote the author: Whenever externals are more important to you than your own integrity, then be prepared to serve them for the remainder of your life.

To add to his field guide, the author has crafted a chart of his new ideas which augment the basic philosophy of stoicism. This is a wonderful writer and a great book.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 19:31:55", "publisher": "Basic Books", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009120055", "title": "Artistic License to Kill: A Fine Art Mystery", "author": "Paula Darnell", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Benjamin - Age 14", "word_count": 235, "review": "Artistic License to Kill is a mystery novel starring the suspect Amanda Trent. After she was divorced by her husband. Amanda Trent, an artist, wants to enroll in the Roadrunner Gallery in Lonesome Valley. After the day she is accepted into Roadrunner Gallery she is given a mentor named Susan. They head into the gallery to learn that Janic Warren, the gallery director, was killed. Both Amanda and her mentor Susan are accused. Even worse, the detective is more focused on arresting someone than resolving the crime.

I really love a good mystery novel. This book was very interesting and enjoyable to read. There were many plot twists and red herring throughout the reading.

The author introduced us to new characters very well throughout the book. I don't think this story should have a series. I\u2019m not saying this book was really bad, it\u2019s just that somehow making the main character, Amanda Trent, end up in every mystery sounds weird. If she was a detective that changes everything but her role is just a suspect.

I would definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy mystery novels. This book could be readable to all ages (depends on their reading skills). Although the cover of this book is very misleading. On the cover, we see two animals and a bunch of painting behind these animals. The cover has no meaning and it\u2019s all about the book itself.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 19:27:50", "publisher": "Campbell and Rogers Press", "page_count": "258 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009120051", "title": "Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers: The Ultimate Frugal Reference Guide for Avoiding Word Trippers and Crafting Gatekeeper-Perfect Copy, 2nd Edition", "author": "Carolyn Howard-Johnson", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Writers face a lot of challenges in their chosen profession, not the least of which happens when it is time to begin revising the manuscript. It is always nice at that stage of the game to have a little help from a good editor. Having this little (only forty-two pages) book on one\u2019s shelf can be like having a good editor handy to help with one of the big problems for writers \u2014 word choice. Author Carolyn Howard-Johnson has a long list of words and phrases many people confuse when writing. This isn\u2019t just a list of homophones, but it includes words that have a similar sound or words that have similar uses, but really act differently in writing. For instance, podium and lectern. They are really two very different things, but people often confuse them and use them incorrectly, or lose and loose \u2014 in the top-ten one-word edits she has made in her editing career. The writing has a breezy, conversational quality to it and includes a lot of humor. Howard-Johnson includes some resources in the back of the book with some great blog addresses. This is a terrific book every serious writer will want.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 19:25:22", "publisher": "Modern History Press", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009120047", "title": "Presidents Play!", "author": "Jonathan Pliska, Illustrated by John Hutton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 172, "review": "What does the President do when he is not working? Play of course. The presidents like to do many sports from swimming to golf to basketball to making up their own game. There were some unique sports like fishing and horseshoes. Some do activities to stay in shape while others like to attend sporting events.

The text was fun and very kid-friendly. It gave the right amount of information without being too much. I loved that this book really humanized the presidents for kids.

The illustrations were so much fun. They kind of reminded me of caricatures, but more refined. It made it a real treat for my kids to look at. I loved the drawing of all the presidents on the endpapers. What a great learning tool to help kids memorize the presidents.

My three-year-old and six-year-old liked learning about what the Presidents like to do for fun. It made the Presidents seem real instead of some high-ranking government official that make laws. It gave Presidents a fun side for kids.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 19:15:01", "publisher": "White House Historical Association", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009120043", "title": "A White House Alphabet", "author": "Arioth Harrison Smirne and Rocco Smirne, Illustrated by John Hutton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 187, "review": "Have you ever wondered what is in the White House? This book shows you all the awesome things in the home of the President of the United States. It covers everything from the Green Room to the West Wing. It also tells about some unique things that adults might not even know about some of the rooms, gardens, and valuables on the property.

This is a great informational book about the White House. I think everyone from adults to kids could learn from it. The length is perfect for preschool to second-grade age. I loved that the information was short, sweet, and to the point. The words chosen for the book are active and fun. I also loved the illustrations. They really match the feel of a book about our government that is aimed at kids. I also felt it was respectful and lively all at the same time. The cover is particularly fun, with the different presidents holding the letters that had their name on them. The Truman Balcony was a personal favorite of mine.

I would recommend this book for children aged three to seven.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 19:12:25", "publisher": "White House Historical Association", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009120039", "title": "Iron Empires: Robber Barons, Railroads, and the Making of Modern America", "author": "Michael Hiltzik", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 206, "review": "A burgeoning country seeking unity as it expands finds a way to connect disparate lands. The railroads were just the next step in the evolution of travel, finding a way to get people and cargo from one point to another. The idea was just the beginning, implementation would be the rub. The steamboat was the most recent innovation, yet the clogging of the waterways by large boats caused problems. The funding of rails that connected the departure and arrival points would need to be extensive. Business titans like Cornelius Vanderbilt saw the potential for the new innovation and would engage in a war for supremacy over the iron rails. Vanderbilt, Morgan, Gould, Fisk, and Harriman emerged as household names, while fortunes were made and squandered in attempting to bring together the people of the young United States.

Iron Empires fascinates from start to finish in regaling the reader with the behind the scenes machinations of the modern railroad. The complex personalities who could make or break a rail project are profiled with the aplomb of an investigative journalist. Author Michael Hiltzik revives past history in a forthright manner, making for a stellar read. Iron Empires is a History book to be treasured for 2020 and beyond.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 19:02:52", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009120035", "title": "The Language of Ghosts", "author": "Heather Fawcett", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 187, "review": "The Language of Ghosts is a middle-grade fantasy novel about three orphaned siblings, Noa, Julian, and Mite, who try and take back the throne from King Xaiver, who killed their parents and also stole Julian's throne and the kingdom...

Noa has always been the logical one of the siblings, but Julian is the true heir to the throne since he is the oldest. Mite, their little sister, is the innocent one. All three children seem to have special talents and Julian's use of nine magical languages seems to be especially important. When they find out that Xaiver, their mean uncle, has discovered two new magical languages, the race to save the kingdom begins. The children have to learn to fight against all kinds of evils and to overcome sadness, but in the end, they create a truly magical sibling bond.

This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I could not put it down! I caught myself rooting and cheering for the characters from start to finish. I give this book five stars and I recommend it to ages nine and up!", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 18:37:23", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5 "} {"id": "425035000009120027", "title": "Brain Fables", "author": "Alberto Espay and Benjamin Stecher", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 200, "review": "There are few things more controversial in the world of science than overturning a long-accepted hypothesis. And yet, oftentimes, this is the only way for that particular field to move forward. It takes brave souls to step up and challenge the narrative, hoping to blaze a new, more successful path ahead.

Brain Fables is about two such individuals who endeavor to upend the accepted thinking behind Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases, facing down the status quo in the hopes of making genuine progress battling these poorly understood and debilitating conditions.

But this book is more than just a captivating explanation of the contradictions that prevent the study of Parkinson's from progressing. Along the way, you'll learn the difference between diseases, conditions, and syndromes, and marvel at the complexity of the brain and the unbelievably hard work it takes for us to puzzle out even the smallest portion of its wondrous functionality.

Whether Espay and Stecher are effective in changing how scientists approach neurodegenerative conditions, I cannot say. But they represent the best of modern science: a willingness to question what we know, the bravery to return to the drawing board, and the dedication to keep pushing forward for the benefit of everyone.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "06-May-2021", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 18:23:38", "publisher": "Cambridge University Press", "page_count": "174 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009120023", "title": "Women in the Kitchen: Twelve Essential Cookbook Writers Who Defined the Way We Eat, from 1661 to Today ", "author": "Anne Willan", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 201, "review": "Women in the Kitchen highlights women throughout time who have contributed to the success of cooking and making a positive name for women. Anne Willan, an award-winning author and founder of La Varenne Cooking School, and a collector of vintage cookbooks, writes of twelve women who helped create the vast success of the cooking industry. From Hannah Woolley's success in England in 1661 to Alice Water's success in America around the 1970s, each of the twelve women brought something new and innovative to the table. After each woman's life is detailed, a select number of her recipes are included at the end of the chapter to showcase their skills as well as the evolution of cooking. \nReading about these women is fascinating, especially the women who lived so long ago and had to fight harder than we do now to make their name in society next to men. I admire each of them, as well as Willan for writing a book that is so easy to follow and grabs your attention so quickly. It is amazing to think about the changes that cooking has made over the years, but Women in the Kitchen show that it is all for the better.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 18:19:37", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009120015", "title": "Being Lolita: A Memoir", "author": "Alisson Wood", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 181, "review": "It\u2019s all about language. It\u2019s all about story.\u00a0It\u2019s all about telling your own story and not becoming trapped in the one someone else is telling.\u00a0These are the themes in Alisson Wood\u2019s deeply personal memoir, Being Lolita.\u00a0

Victim or whore? Seducer or seduced? In this fantastic book, Wood explores this dichotomy as she shows all her vulnerabilities as a seventeen-year-old high school student, when she became involved with her English teacher. Throughout the book, her story and Lolita\u2019s are entwined, but this is his version of the story. It\u2019s important, we realize, who is telling the story. Wood\u2019s story spans the years her relationship lasted, and she explores the strange and dark places life can go when a person becomes part of another person\u2019s story. Deeply rich in language and perspective, Being Lolita is a haunting page-turner that puts readers on the edge of their seats, much like the original Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. Wood is a talented writer and engaging narrator, bravely sharing her story in the most eloquent of ways.\u00a0 You will never read Lolita the same again.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 18:11:33", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009120007", "title": "In a Midnight Wood: A Jane Lawless Mystery (Jane Lawless Mysteries (27))", "author": "Ellen Hart", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Jane Lawless, a crime podcaster and private detective, and her best friend, Cordelia, are visiting an old friend, Emma, in Castle Lake for the annual art festival. It is happening the same weekend as Emma\u2019s class reunion, and the day Jane and Cordelia arrive, bones are found in the churchyard. It is one of Emma\u2019s classmates, her old boyfriend, who disappeared during high school. The town police, to Jane\u2019s thinking, seem pretty incompetent, so she starts her own investigation and hopes to use her work on her podcast. She begins to uncover some terrible secrets involving several of Emma\u2019s classmates and even the man in a troubled liaison with Emma in the present. Of course, it wouldn\u2019t be a Jane Lawless mystery without a little romance, a whole lot of great meals, and Cordelia being outrageous.

Author Ellen Hart has a wonderful franchise with the cozy mysteries of Jane Lawless. This book will not disappoint her faithful readers, nor will it disappoint any new to her writing. There are red herrings aplenty to keep readers guessing. Everything is woven together into a tight piece with well-developed characters, snappy dialogue, and excellent writing. This is a perfect autumn read.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "26-Aug-2020 18:05:23", "publisher": "St. Martin's", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009118003", "title": "Stockboy Nation", "author": "Thomas Duffy", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 417, "review": "Stockboy Nation is the present-day story of a forty-year-old man named Phillip Doherty. Phillip is a bit of a lost soul who is trying so desperately to find himself. Phillip and his girlfriend Melissa decide to move from New York City to San Diego to explore new avenues. Melissa has always supported Phillip\u2019s desires to be a writer and a teacher and finds herself disappointed when Phillip gives up and goes to apply to become a stock boy at a store called Milton's World of Fun that sells books, candy, keychains, and other novelty items. He had worked at Milton's World of Fun in New York and had written an autobiographical account of his experiences there which was very successful. Phillip's second project was a work of fiction, a fantasy novel, that did not have the same success as his first book. Throughout the book, we follow Phillip as he finds himself in one dilemma after another because he is extremely indecisive and the decisions he does make are not well thought out.

Overall, the story started out promising, with Melissa being Phillip's biggest support system and Phillip really trying hard to figure out what it is that he wants for himself and his future. As the story moves forward, Phillip seems to become more and more of a loser, and this is also proven in the writing when the author seems to dictate Phillip's juvenile way of thinking. I felt bad for Phillip, but he was such an oddball misfit that it was hard to empathize with him because at times he would just say the most awkward and stupid things. When he goes on job interviews I could almost imagine the interviewer rolling her eyes at him because his answers are so overthought and obvious that it made him seem like an imbecile.
Stockboy Nation would have been a lot better if the writing was a little more mature. It could have used some description of the two contrasting cities, New York and San Diego, as well as not stating so much of the obvious and instead painting a picture for the reader of what is going on inside the heads of the characters. The dialogue between characters seemed to repeat itself over and over which became boring. I think the author has a good baseline for a story, but the descriptions and true feelings of the characters really need to be dealt with better. A good story that needs to be rewritten to be great.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "25-Aug-2020 22:03:18", "publisher": "Amazon Digital Services", "page_count": "261 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000009117023", "title": "When Life Was Like a Cucumber", "author": "Greg Wyss", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 453, "review": "When Life was like a Cucumber is a work of historical fiction by Greg Wyss. Jeff, the protagonist, is a young man who is trying to find himself. The book is told in the first person and has a style like an autobiography. In the opening scene, 1972, at the age of twenty-four, he\u2019s living in upstate New York. He goes on an acid trip and, essentially, meets God. It\u2019s a cool beginning. Over the course of the next two years, he has many adventures. Some of these are sexual adventures, some life-threatening, some travel-oriented, and some simply mischievous. He does a lot of drugs, starts and loses many jobs, and has a few important romantic relationships with women and friendships with men.

The years of the early \u201970s are a good backdrop. Jeff hitchhikes, talks politics, and is free to travel and live in ways that are long gone. Over the course of the 600+ page novel, he travels to Boston, the Bay Area, Florida, Amsterdam, Switzerland, Greece, Austria, and more. The section that focuses on his European travels has some interesting travel writing details. The reader does get a sense of what it would be like to travel in these countries in the 1970s. There are some good passages about the Vietnam War and authentic-sounding sections about doing drugs. The sexual scenes are written in detail, but a bit unrealistic from a woman\u2019s point of view.

When Life was like a Cucumber could be revised and edited so that it works better as a novel. The prose tells readers on the occasion that something big is about to happen with phrases like \u201cI would regret this\u201d or \u201cthis would change my life,\u201d but nothing really happens in the plot to substantiate it. There are no real turning points or a denouement. It reads like a diary, instead of like a well-developed story. Jeff doesn\u2019t grow spiritually, morally, or otherwise and, unfortunately, he\u2019s not very likable. There are lost opportunities to create more than a one-dimensional character. For example, the mentions of religious experiences don\u2019t develop into anything, and Jeff\u2019s sudden land ownership could have been a great plot device, but it goes nowhere. For another example, when Jeff has to return briefly to his parents in Florida towards the end of the book, it would be an opportunity to show the reader some depth about Jeff or to answer the question of why he is how he is. But, that opportunity is lost, as well. Towards the end of the novel, Jeff realizes that he is a \u201cbum.\u201d It would be helpful for the reader to have understood the entertainment or value in reading about his bum for six hundred pages.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Aug-2020 23:52:47", "publisher": "Page Publishing", "page_count": "606 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000009117019", "title": "bLU Talks Presents: Business Life and The Universe", "author": "Corey Porier, Dr Allen Lycka, et al", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 51, "review": "\"Poirier has assembled an exceptional array of authors who bring a wealth of knowledge from each of their fields and personal experiences to share concise, thoughtful perceptions that expand the reader\u2019s understanding and challenge traditional theories in bLU Talks Presents: Business, Life and The Universe. \u2014 Jessica Tingling, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Aug-2020 23:45:22", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009117015", "title": "The Pillars of Success", "author": "Jack Canfield, Nick Nanton, Dr Allen Lycka, Harriet Tinka, et al", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 51, "review": "\"Packed full of positivity, this collection of stories and essays urges you to dream big, set goals, find mentors, be grateful, and, most importantly, take action. Included are practical, emotional, spiritual, and fact-based success formulas, all presented to help you become a \u201cpositive thought warrior.\u201d \u2014 Rod Raglin, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Aug-2020 23:44:19", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "198 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009116003", "title": "When Life Was Like a Cucumber", "author": "Greg Wyss", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 428, "review": "When Life Was Like a Cucumber is the fictional story of Jeffrey Hesse and his journey of highs and lows in the 1970s New York. Hesse lives a questionable lifestyle: the success of each day is dependent on getting high and/or laid. Drugs and sex are major activities in the story like it was for certain people back in the '70s. Despite this, Hesse's life experiences are enjoyable to read about; Greg Wyss is a talented author. Each chapter is another experience in Hesse's life; there are a hundred and forty-seven chapters, so lots of life experiences. Hesse is a hippy with hippy friends who enjoy the simple life with minimal money, possibly no job, but all the time in the world to get high on drugs during the day to solve their life problems. At night it isn't uncommon for them to get drunk or laid, not only for the fun of it but also to have a place to sleep for the night.

When Life Was Like a Cucumber chronicles Hesse's life starting from age twenty-four in New York. Major life events take place throughout the book: a house fire, marriage separation, dodging the draft, meeting many beautiful women, and the three times that Hesse sees God throughout the story while on intense highs. Hesse's experiences are very personal; only a specific demographic of people can fully relate to his sexual and drug experiences, but any person can enjoy the stories. Disclaimer: there is plenty of nudity mentioned and strong sexual language spoken throughout the story. This reviewer would liken many of the sexual encounters to soft porn played in your mind. Reading about Hesse's experience with drugs and women sounds all good and exciting when it's on paper but could potentially be a problem if younger readers read only the positive affects of their lifestyle.

When Hesse ventures around the world, he comes across the phrase that works as the title of his story. The phrase \"life is like a cucumber\" is an appropriate analogy for the story, for as the saying goes, \"one minute it's in your hand, and the next it's up your...\" I felt that Wyss's writing flows and is easy to read; you'll speed past each chapter. To me, each chapter seemed about the same as the one before and after it; the characters are found getting high or laid in very graphic detail. The story is composed of many ideas and experiences in a single person's life; if you can relate or enjoy reading about these topics then you'll enjoy this book.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "24-Aug-2020 20:26:40", "publisher": "Page Publishing", "page_count": "606 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009115051", "title": "Goodnight Beautiful: A Novel", "author": "Aimee Molloy", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 158, "review": "As an avid reader of mystery and suspense, this psychological thriller by Aimee Molloy takes the cake. Goodnight Beautiful had me in a headlock from the start. The chapters alternate between two different characters' points of view.

Dr. Sam Statler is a psychologist who is newly married to Annie Potter. After a whirlwind romance in New York, the two decide to get married and move to the small town where Sam grew up to be closer to his mother who lives in a nursing home. Sam tends to his patients, but someone else in the house is listening. The book has a creepy vibe to it as we realize the voyeur has secrets too.

Each and every character in this book is fantastically sculpted by the writer. The plot is fast-paced the whole way through with a completely satisfying ending. I recommend this book to fans of books such as Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "17-Oct-2020", "date_added": "24-Aug-2020 19:54:23", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009115047", "title": "Christmas Cupcake Murder (A Hannah Swensen Mystery)", "author": "Joanne Fluke", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 189, "review": "It's Christmas time in Lake Eden, Minnesota and Hannah Swensen is busy trying to bake enough cupcakes and cookies to keep the town happy. But, when an injured homeless man is found in a vacant shop that Hannah's mother wants to rent, Hannah wants to help find out what happened to him. Surely he has a home somewhere. It won't be easy to discover his past since he's lost his memory and the local doctor thinks he's been hit on the head. Was he the victim of a crime? Hannah isn't sure. But, she may find some clues as he begins to help out around the bakery and in her mother's antique store.

If Christmas Cupcake Murder doesn't put you in the mood to bake and eat cupcakes all day, I don't know what will. Personally, I found this one to be more centered on Hannah's cooking than on solving a mystery. But I liked that it brought all her friends and family together in a good cause just in time for the holiday season. Fans of this series will be happy to know that recipes have been included.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "24-Aug-2020 19:47:11", "publisher": "Kensington Publishing", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009115043", "title": "How I Built This: The Unexpected Paths to Success from the World\u2019s Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs", "author": "Guy Raz", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 189, "review": "If you have ever wondered about starting a business or are an entrepreneur yourself, this is the book for you. In How I Built This Guy Raz, creator of the podcast with the same name, explains the woe versus the extreme excitement that may be felt when a business either fails miserably or wildly succeeds. There are subjects in this book that most people don't ever think about, things such as venture capitalist money, working with a business partner, how to finance your business, how to create buzz, and how to create a culture. Some businesses are so good at creating a culture that the consumer doesn't even realize they are a part of it.

The best part of this book is that Guy tells the stories behind many of the successful companies we know of today. Companies that started from dining-room tables or while working a full-time job. Companies like Netflix, Dippin' Dots, and Airbnb were all just a thought bubble at one point. This book is the perfect book if you are looking for the inside scoop, tips, and tricks about starting a business of your own.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "24-Aug-2020 19:37:28", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009115039", "title": "How to Draw a Reindeer and Other Christmas Creatures with Simple Shapes in 5 Steps", "author": "Lulu Mayo", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "The holidays are coming, and with that people harken back to days of yore when holidays were a time for making cookies, pies, and handmade decorations to brighten family celebrations. But many are artistically challenged, something with which this reviewer is all too familiar. Most people can eke out something that vaguely resembles a Christmas tree, but wouldn\u2019t it be fun to make cute drawings of elves or maybe a gingerbread house that people would actually recognize without broad hints? This cute book shows the steps to draw twenty-five different Christmas-related images in five steps using simple shapes as the basis for each. With everything from wreaths to reindeer, from Santa Claus to stockings, this book offers drawing lessons for enough cuteness to decorate a home with original art from youngsters and adults alike. The steps are laid out with example drawings for each step and good, clear instructions as well as full-color finished drawings and, in many cases, examples of simple changes to turn one idea into several forms. This is a perfect how-to drawing instruction book that will give wanna-be artists good success and will build confidence to try one\u2019s hand at other projects.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "24-Aug-2020 19:32:44", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009115035", "title": "Big Nate: The Gerbil Ate My Homework (Volume 23)", "author": "Lincoln Peirce", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 168, "review": "Another great and new collection of the hilarious comics starring Big Nate.\nNate Wright is going through middle school with some exciting and interesting things going on in his life, like trying to get rich and famous by directing a movie, finding out that the school secretary has something unexpected, breaking up with his girlfriend, talking in detention about comics in the newspaper, and more. Most importantly, Nate can\u2019t finish his social studies homework, so he\u2019s going to try to make the class gerbil shred his homework for him as an excuse. Summer is starting, unfortunately. Can Nate survive this chaos at school until summer?\nThis is so funny! As always, Nate is going through some hilarious things and problems through each strip. And this particular Big Nate collection contains some of the Big Nate comic strips from 2016. Every panel is definitely and truly delightful. I would recommend this book to people who like funny comics, and to fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "24-Aug-2020 19:29:02", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009115031", "title": "Churchill's Hellraisers: The Secret Mission to Storm a Forbidden Nazi Fortress (World War Two)", "author": "Damien Lewis", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Jacobs", "word_count": 168, "review": "Churchill\u2019s Hellraisers was absolutely captivating. The book starts out with history on the key figures and then moves through the entire process of organizing and carrying out their mission to storm a Nazi fortress.

The author, Damien Lewis, spares no details and makes you feel as if you are with the men and women as they are going on this campaign. It is like reading a movie, and it just absolutely ensconces you in the tale. The end of the book was maybe my favorite, with Mr. Lewis detailing what happened to each of the key figures and how they lived out their life and what became of them after the war.

Mr. Lewis delivers a well-rounded and thoroughly researched account. I was unaware until I read this book how harrowing it was for these boys, and I say boys because they were nineteen and twenty years old at the time, and learned about all the atrocities that they had to go through and the hardships they endured.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "24-Aug-2020 19:25:22", "publisher": "Kensington Publishing", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009115027", "title": "Displacement", "author": "Kiku Hughes", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 185, "review": "Kiku is visiting San Francisco with her mom to see the home that her grandmother had lived in. Due to the fog, Kiku is sent back to 1942, when the US is gathering all Japanese Americans into internment camps. At the camp in Tanforan, Kiku meets a young Ernestina Teranishi, who is Kiku's grandmother. Kiku never got an opportunity to know her grandmother growing up.

She comes to realize and experience how unfair the US is treating Japanese Americans. Kiku makes friends and makes a life for herself at the camp, although she eventually gets transported back home to Seattle. She tells her mom about her experience being displaced, and her mom tells her that the same thing had happened to her, too. Kiku and her mom decide to protest so that the US does not repeat its own history.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I did not know about the internment camps at all, and it was interesting to learn about them. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about history through reading a graphic novel, which makes learning less boring.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "24-Aug-2020 19:20:48", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009115023", "title": "The Treehouse Joke Book (The Treehouse Books)", "author": "Andy Griffiths, Illustrated by Terry Denton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 12", "word_count": 142, "review": "The Treehouse Jokebook by Andy Griffiths is a hilarious book full of jokes about pirates, birds, cows, chickens, and more. It is a really fun book. I really enjoyed it!

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good joke. My whole family laughed out loud at some of these jokes, so any age group can enjoy the book, although I would say third to fourth graders would like this book especially. There are lots of pictures in the book to go with the jokes.

Here is one of my favorite jokes: How much does it cost a pirate to get their ear pierced? A buck-an-ear.

Here is another one: What cup can you never drink out of? A hiccup.

But you would do better to read this book yourself and get a good laugh out of all the classic jokes.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "24-Aug-2020 19:17:19", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009115019", "title": "Agent Moose (Agent Moose (1))", "author": "Mo O'Hara, Illustrated by Jess Bradley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 191, "review": "Agent Moose (or Anonymoose) is a peculiar creature who likes to investigate and solve crimes, even though he isn't the greatest at it. Anonymoose was about to solve his 100th case, but Camo Chameleon beat him to it and had a celebration instead. Interestingly enough, Camo Chameleon may be one of the last witnesses to see Agent Moose's missing victim on his next case. Anonymoose will need the help of his trusted sidekick Owlfred to find the missing turtle. It seems Camo Chameleon may be hiding something from Agent Moose. Agent Moose is on a mission to solve his 100th case, no matter what it takes.

This is a very colorfully illustrated graphic novel. The illustrations depict the peculiar Agent Moose and his odd sidekick Owlfred perfectly. I like this book as the illustrations are funny and the text is easy to read and interesting, but I find the characters in the book to be strange. The storyline is a bit confusing, too. I would recommend this book to other kids who like colorfully illustrated graphic novels. I am curious to see what adventures Agent Moose and Owlfred go on next.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "24-Aug-2020 19:14:42", "publisher": "Feiwel & Friends", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000009115015", "title": "For the Best", "author": "Vanessa Lillie", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 241, "review": "Jules\u2019 wallet is found next to the body of someone she was working with on a project; the man murdered just a couple of blocks from her home. Things look even worse for Jules when she was the last person he was with and they were seen arguing. She is the police\u2019s only suspect. Unfortunately for her, she was blackout drunk and can\u2019t remember anything. Everyone thinks she did it, so she\u2019ll have to look for clues herself if she wants to clear her name. Finding out the truth might be worse than not knowing. Perhaps her inability to remember is For the Best.

|A lot of authors I respect reviewed this and claimed it was amazing, but I just didn\u2019t have that reaction at all. I didn\u2019t really enjoy Jules\u2019 character and while I think there was supposed to be a bigger theme at play, mainly restorative justice, it felt like it was more about how badly excessive drinking can ruin our lives and the lives of those around us. The ending wasn\u2019t too much of a surprise seeing how the rest of the story was going. The whole light therapy bit seemed a bit excessive, as Jules only had to go to one session and she remembered everything she had ever buried. Characters without much depth, shaky plot, and an unclear message make for a book that it might be for the best that you never pick it up.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "24-Aug-2020 19:11:35", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "319 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009113043", "title": "You Lucky Dog", "author": "Julia London", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 216, "review": "Carly's life is falling apart. She lost her job and is struggling to afford her rent by freelancing as a publicist for two difficult clients. Her newly divorced parents have a more rocking love life than she does. And she ended up with a depressed basset hound. When the dog walker mixes up Carly's basset with another, hijinks and romance ensue.

This book took a little time to get into. For a rom-com, I was expecting a faster-paced book, but this had a lot of expository passages including descriptions of places that I wasn't expecting. For example, in one scene, Carly looks around her house and describes some of her furniture. \nBut after a few chapters, I became accustomed to the writing style and got sucked into the plot. The leading man, Max, is a \"brain scientist\" who studies similarities in dogs and human brain function. He got into it because of his autistic brother, Jamie.

The basset hounds, Baxter and Hazel are delightful characters and provide a lot of great moments in the story. The attraction between Carly and Max is cute and it was easy to root for these two to work everything out.

If you like a rom-com that has a little more heft to it, You Lucky Dog is a solid choice.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "22-Aug-2020 19:27:14", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009113039", "title": "Soldier Dogs #7: Shipwreck on the High Seas", "author": "Marcus Sutter, Andie Tong", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 218, "review": "Soldier Dogs #7: Shipwreck On the High Seas is about Jack, a boxer, and Julio, his owner, who were living on a merchant ship. Julio is the cabin boy and Jack is the rat hunter; the pair are inseparable. One day while Jack and Julio were locked up in their rooms as a punishment because they had put a rat in the mean old Mr. Chips' thermos, a German U-boat torpedo sank the ship. Julio and Jack escaped in one of the merchant ship's lifeboats, saving some shipmates from the waters. They also saved Mr. Chips. How will Jack and Julio survive, stranded on the ocean with little provisions? Read this tale of survival with a boy and his best friend to find out!

I recommend Soldier Dogs #7: Shipwreck On the High Seas to dog lovers and people who enjoy action and adventure. I really liked this book because no matter how many times they got stuck, Julio and Jack always stayed together. As a dog lover myself, this story made me smile as I could picture the awesome bond that Jack and Julio have. It reminded me that dog really is man's best friend. This is a great book to read at night with your little one and a perfect gift for independent readers to enjoy.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "22-Aug-2020 19:09:38", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009113035", "title": "Every Bone a Prayer", "author": "Ashley Blooms", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 196, "review": "Deep in Appalachia, a girl communicates with crawdads, and all manner of other things, by calling out to them from within herself. Sharing her name, listening to their stories, weaving her own life into the pulse of theirs, Misty tries to hold on to the truest part of herself in Ashley Blooms\u2019 debut novel Every Bone a Prayer.

Misty\u2019s ability is a secret. No one knows what she can do, but there are those who understand she is special. Her sister Penny senses it; her aunts Dolly and Jem tell stories of ancestors who had gifts\u2014though they never name it, they seem to know Misty carries something. And William, the lonely boy in the trailer next door whose single mother tries on men like new cowboy boots, he senses Misty\u2019s power and does something that nearly takes it from her.

An exploration of faith that borders on fanaticism, belief in the unseen wonders of this world, the fear that lives deep in the heart of girls whose innocence is stolen from them, and the resilience built by refusing to be destroyed are all beautifully, heartbreakingly, and magically at work in the brilliant Every Bone a Prayer.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "22-Aug-2020 19:07:09", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009113027", "title": "A Very Big Problem", "author": "Amy-Jill Levine, Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Annie Bowler (Illustrator)", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 241, "review": "In the beginning, God creates land, and the first garden flourishes. The sky and everything in it are also His to claim. Soon, He moves on to supply animals to inhabit the land, and then with children to share the same grounds. These are all magnificent and necessary for life to perpetuate, but conflict arises from the start. Land thinks it\u2019s superior, while Rain argues its value is the greatest. Sun states that \u201ca garden can\u2019t live in the dark,\u201d and says Land would be a \u201cmushy mess\u201d without it. Birds and Earthworms each elucidate why God must love them most. Children boast about their supremacy as well. In response, God smiles and assures them all of their significance and of the omnipresence of His love.

Authors Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso weave a unique twist into the story of creation. Children will learn the general sequence of creation as it\u2019s laid out in the Bible, with earth being created first and then blessed with one form of life after another. They\u2019ll relate to the characters in the story as well, each one believing he or she is more sacred than the rest. The illustrations throughout appear in an array of colorful hues, and the precious critters within them will catch the eyes and admiration of the littlest ones. The reading level of this treasurable text is approximately third grade, with it\u2019s target audience being youngsters aged five to nine.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2021", "date_added": "22-Aug-2020 19:00:26", "publisher": "Flyaway Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009113023", "title": "I Promise", "author": "LeBron James, Nina Mata", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 228, "review": "I Promise, written by NBA champion and national icon LeBron James, is an inspirational treasure. A variety of motivational messages from young children are shared with readers in the hopes of encouraging them to strive for greatness. \u201cI promise to work hard and do what\u2019s right, to be a leader in this game of life,\u201d says one. Another pledges to get up and stand tall when she falls down, trekking on with courage and an attitude of resilience. Others vow to walk with strength in the shadow of defeat, with humility in the aftermath of success, and to believe in second chances. Still more commit to dreaming big and loving larger. All give their word that they will try to be their very best selves.

This is a gorgeously illustrated picture book ripe with meaning and ingenuity. It\u2019s filled with vibrant colors and life-like images of young people of various ethnicities, which contributes to the cultural richness of the text. The sentiments expressed throughout are laced with wisdom, purpose, and positivity. This book shines with brilliance and would make a wonderful addition to any early elementary school classroom or library. The reading level is approximately second grade, although the content is ideal for children aged five to nine. If youngsters internalize even a few of the pledges made throughout this story, the world will be a better place.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "22-Aug-2020 18:56:48", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009113019", "title": "The Night Swim: A Novel", "author": "Megan Goldin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 232, "review": "Crime podcaster and reporter Rachel Krall travels to the town of Neapolis to follow a court case. Unlike previous seasons of her podcast in which the crime has already been to court and a verdict reached, she is reporting the case as it is unfolding in the courtroom. Local swim champ Scott Blair is on trial for raping Kelly Moore. He swears she consented to have sex with him but her bruises may tell another story. Meanwhile, Rachel starts receiving letters from a girl named Hannah Stills, whose older sister died in the same town a quarter of a century ago. Although ruled a drowning, Hannah knows that her sister Jenny was murdered, and she seeks Rachel\u2019s help to find out what happened that horrible day.

The Night Swim is a breathtaking story about family, social status, as well as the horrible crime of rape and how it is, or isn\u2019t, proven in a jury trial. The characters in this book are real and raw, and they are people that any of us might have grown up with, whether in a large city or a small town. As Rachel reports on the Blair trial and the events of that night are pieced together, could it be somehow related to the Jenny Stills case? I sincerely hope there is another book in the Rachel Krall series because this one is a real winner.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "22-Aug-2020 18:50:50", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009113003", "title": "Set Fire to the Gods ", "author": "Sara Raasch, Kristen Simmons ", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 186, "review": "Set Fire to the Gods is the story of two teenagers who have both had to endure some difficult challenges in their young lives. Ash is descended from a long line of gladiators and her mother was killed in a gladiator fight, which has fueled her need to seek revenge. Madoc has spent his life fighting on the streets in a struggle to survive. Yet, he carries a secret with him. As their paths cross and they have to work together, they end up taking on a lot more than they expected. To find out what happens with Ash and Madoc, you will need to read Set Fire to the Gods.

This book was not my favorite. There was a lot going on in the story and, at times, I was confused by it all. It was difficult for me to read this book even though I usually love books about elemental powers and Greek mythology. I think that Set Fire to the Gods would be better enjoyed by older children aged 15 to 19 who enjoy fantasy and battles for the fate of the world.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "22-Aug-2020 18:38:12", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009112007", "title": "Minee Strategy Convincing Courting of the Mind", "author": "Abdulrahman Aloraini", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 82, "review": "\"A brilliant approach to problem-solving, Minee gives the reader an alternative to traditional methods that can be used in full or partially. By stimulating the mind to think and receive clarity before delving into a problem, the Minee strategy makes learning smooth and enjoyable. A well-organized and easy-to-comprehend book for teachers, science, and math professionals, and upper-level students. The Minee technique uses the brain in an efficient way to extract creative methods used for problem-solving.\" \u2014 Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Aug-2020 17:58:04", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "195 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009112003", "title": "The Pillars of Success", "author": "Jack Canfield, Nick Nanton, Dr Allen Lycka, Harriet Tinka, et al", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 409, "review": "Do you ever wonder why some people achieve remarkable success while most of us just manage to get by day to day? What do they know and do that we don\u2019t? Can we learn from them?

In The Pillars of Success, a collection of twenty stories and articles, \u201cthe world\u2019s leading entrepreneurs and professionals reveal their success secrets to help you live a happier, healthier and wealthier life.\u201d The articles, which are written by the likes of Jack Canfield, Harriet Tinka, Dr. Allen Lycka, and other professionals from around the world, provide practical, impractical, emotional, spiritual, and fact-based advice and inspiration intended to help readers achieve the personal and professional success they desire.

The book is packed full of positivity, urging participants to dream big, set goals, find mentors, be grateful, and most importantly, take action. Most of it is common sense, such as the advice of Jack Canfield when he says that \u201cour responses to life\u2019s events are all that stand between us experiencing a negative outcome or a positive one.\u201d He even provides the following formula: \u201cEvent + Response = Outcome.\u201d Other practical suggestions include Dr. Saidmurod Davlatov\u2019s \"Systems Thinking\" concept as well as Nick Nanton and J.W. Dicks' chapter explaining personal branding and how to create \u201ca Persona of Impact.\"

Some of it is nonsense, such as \u201cgenerationDREAM,\u201d a philosophy conceived by Phyllis Porter Turner that is seemingly derived from the theme song of the Disney Hour, Oprah Winfrey shows, and Martin Luther King\u2019s most famous speech. In the same category is Diana Cole\u2019s advice on \u201cBecoming a Positive Thought Warrior.\u201d \u201cTo have true success,\u201d she says, \u201dyou have to decide you\u2019re going to be happy no matter what circumstance you\u2019re in, and then watch what happens.\u201d Similarly, in \"The 21 Day Gratitude Challenge\" Gwen Medved defines gratitude as \u201ca decision to focus on what is right, instead of what is wrong.\u201d

It\u2019s disconcerting to note that most of the success gurus fail to use testimonials from followers who have benefited from their programs and advice, instead quoting others in the motivational industry or offering themselves as examples.

However, if you make your fortune following some of the advice in The Pillars of Success, you\u2019ll find the chapter written by David Gollner and Sherri Marini, two tax experts, particularly useful. They claim they can \u201creduce taxes by 50% almost 100% of the time\u201d allowing you to keep more of the fruits of your success for yourself.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Aug-2020 14:56:13", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "198 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3 "} {"id": "425035000009111007", "title": "bLU Talks Presents: Business Life and The Universe", "author": "Corey Porier, Dr Allen Lycka, et al", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 404, "review": "This book aims to introduce the bLU brand and to provide inspiration, motivation, and hope to others by sharing stories and tips for finding your purpose or changing your life. I am sure that there are many readers looking for comfort and hope during these uncertain times, and they will no doubt benefit from this collection. Every story has a powerful message, and I'm fairly sure that I'm going to reread quite a few of them when I need a little motivation or encouragement.

I especially appreciated Jeff Doyle's story \"A Moment Ago.\" It made me stop and think about how fast time flows and how it is essential to enjoy the present. Mark Nixon's story and experience in a wheelchair was nothing less than inspiring. It made me realize I need to think about how I approach life, as well. And I liked how Sheila Munoz explained that we could all recognize signs of synchronicity if we slow down and listen to our inner voice. Many of the stories encourage readers to find their purpose, accept the real them, and find ways to enjoy life. I appreciated them all.

There were so many wonderful writers showcased in this book who have achieved their dreams and now want to share their stories and help others attain their dreams and goals. That in itself is inspiring to me. I found terrific tips and suggestions throughout that I can use and practice daily to help create a better version of me. And one of the best things was all the information included about each author and the resources that readers can use to connect with them or learn more about their work. I was also excited to see that there is a website mentioned for those, like me, who want to explore more about bLU Talks.

I was a little disappointed that the book didn't have a proper conclusion. Once I finished the last story, that was it, and if I'm honest, I think I wanted a bit more. Even though there was a good introduction, I would have loved a conclusion or some kind of summary at the end that wrapped up the whole package. Maybe a few words of encouragement from Cory Poirier or a message about connecting with bLU Talks again. Nevertheless, I enjoyed every story in this well-written book. Inspiration and motivation are always needed, and this book provides them in spades.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Aug-2020 16:20:26", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009109039", "title": "Three Keys (A Front Desk Novel)", "author": "Kelly Yang", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 187, "review": "Fans of Front Desk will be delighted to read all about Mia's next adventures at the Calivista Motel.\u00a0Three Keys returns with my favorite heroine Mia, along with her supportive parents, her best friend Lupe, and the weeklies. This time not only do they have to keep the Calivista afloat financially, but business gets political this time. They will have to deal with the ramifications of Prop 187 should it become law. When Lupe gets separated from her parents due to their immigration status, will Mia be able to find a way to unite Lupe and her parents?

Set in 1994 and during a divisive time period where California is about to enact a law that will restrict the rights of undocumented immigrants, the events in the book are eerily familiar to what the US is going through today. Mia is such a wonderful character that you want to root for her every step of the way. She is eternally optimistic, and her sense of justice is inspiring. I highly recommend this book to fans of Front Desk or anyone who loves a good middle-grade YA book.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "20-Aug-2020 20:00:24", "publisher": "Scholastic Press ", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009109027", "title": "The Shadow Crosser (A Storm Runner Novel, Book 3)", "author": "J.C. Cervantes", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 183, "review": "After three months of searching for godborns to recruit and take to the Shaman Institute of Higher-Order Magic (SHIHOM), Zane Obispo can\u2019t wait to be finished with his task. But for now, he\u2019s stuck looking for the godborns with a demon named Iktan. The last \u201cone\u201d on Zane\u2019s list is actually twins, and Zane must help them protect a mysterious object with astounding powers from their enemies.

When they arrive at SHIHOM, Zane and his friends receive shocking news: the Maya gods have gone missing! Zane knows it\u2019s up to him and his friends to rescue the gods, but doing that involves a magical calculator, that is almost impossible to find, that can help them travel across time and space. Traveling back to 1987 brings old friends and enemies alike, and the stakes are higher than ever. Even one mistake can disrupt the future, and bring the world as they know it to a fiery end.

This book is my favorite in the series, with nonstop action and plenty of twists and turns! Fans of books about gods and monsters should read this!", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "20-Aug-2020 19:45:15", "publisher": "Disney", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009109023", "title": "Mums and Mayhem: A Magic Garden Mystery", "author": "Amanda Flower", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 390, "review": "Fiona Knox has made a home for herself in Scotland, running her flower shop, dealing with her sister being head over heels in a relationship, dating the handsome Chief Inspector, and having the responsibility of her role as the Keeper of the Garden. As if she wasn't busy enough, she's volunteered to help with a concert with fiddle player Barley McFee as the star, and has to decide which to do first with her visiting parents: tell them her sister's plans to stay in Scotland with her boyfriend, or confront them about the secret she recently learned. When Barley is found dead, Fiona's dad is the prime suspect and Fiona couldn't have predicted all the secrets that would come tumbling out of her parents' past. The garden is placed in jeopardy after someone breaks in and cuts the rose. Now, Fiona is running out of time to clear her father's name, catch a killer, and save her garden and the magic it contains.

Amanda Flower proves once again that it only takes a little to bring a lot of magic to life. The magical touches are realistic and a natural part of the world with the true magic coming out through the belief, faith, and kinship of the characters. The secrets of Fiona's family is at the root of the mystery, with various layers unfolding the more Fiona digs into what her parents are keeping from her, searches for a killer, and struggles to get to the root of why her garden is dying. The previous book found Fiona discovering that her godfather was her biological father, and this story picks up with her searches for how to confront her parents about it. All the secrets soon come to light when she discovers her father has a connection to Barley McFee and he's the prime suspect in the murder. The mysteries surrounding the garden have only just begun as the loss of the rose brings upon its death and pushes Fiona to question more about the garden's history. The role of magic has always been a secret, which has Fiona still learning about how to be the Keeper and how magic fits into her life. Mums and Mayhem is another dazzling mystery in the series with a gorgeous Scotland setting, magical elements, family drama, shocking secrets, and the bond of community.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "20-Aug-2020 19:42:19", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "327 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009109011", "title": "Beneath the Moon: Fairy Tales, Myths, and Divine Stories from Around the World", "author": "Yoshi Yoshitani", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 195, "review": "Fairy tales are the basis of all storytelling for young readers. They don't just introduce us to concepts like narrative, morals, heroes, and villains, but to genres like fantasy, sci-fi, adventure, and horror. Rapunzel, The Snow Queen, and Jack and the Beanstalk are some of the most universal fairy tales in the world. But they're only the tip of the iceberg.

Beneath the Moon should be on every parents' shelf. It scours the globe for fairy tale myths and stories from all over the world, encompassing Asian, European, African, and American (North, South, and Native American) traditions in a beautiful melange of wonder and life lessons from across the centuries.

Each story is accompanied by a full-page artistic rendering of the main thrust of the tale, be it a key character, a crucial moment, or a single image that properly summarizes the entire work. And you could sell this book on the artwork alone. Vivid, beautiful, and mythic all at once, the art feels like it represents the culture of each story while retaining a marvelous, elusive, universal feel.

Beneath the Moon builds a new mythos for all of us, shaped by every culture. It's wonderful stuff.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "05-May-2021", "date_added": "20-Aug-2020 19:29:24", "publisher": "Ten Speed Press", "page_count": "166 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009109007", "title": "Mobile Home: A Memoir in Essays", "author": "Megan Harlan", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lynn Marlowe", "word_count": 258, "review": "Megan Harlan's Mobile Home: A Memoir in Essays is a selection from the Association of Writers and Writing Programs, having won the award for creative nonfiction. There are ten short sections in the collection, which is divided loosely by themes. The essays cover Harlan\u2019s unusual childhood, young adulthood, and parenthood.

As someone who is intrigued by travel, cultures, languages, and exotic places, I was fascinated by Harlan\u2019s childhood, living all over the world, never with a permanent home. She has truly lived a life worthy of a novel. Her insights regarding the history of nomadic peoples, alongside her own experiences of family and nomadism, open the collection. She refers to science and history quite often, and there is a section at the end of Mobile Home devoted to her sources and research.

Each part of the book feels slightly different. For example, she lived in England in 1977 and offers a very cool history of aspects of British culture and also mentions the IRA during that period. She makes great references to popular culture, such as the Sex Pistols, which I really appreciated. Harlan also explores her father\u2019s battle with alcoholism, which is a beautifully done section. I also felt empathy for her desire to ensure that her son has roots in a physical space, even though that is foreign to her. While I enjoyed aspects of the collection, I felt it was uneven. Sometimes the story telling and the history or science exposition didn't match well. However, it is a worthwhile endeavor that many readers will enjoy.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "20-Aug-2020 18:52:36", "publisher": "The University of Georgia Press", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009109003", "title": "The Key Lime Crime: A Key West Food Critic Mystery", "author": "Lucy Burdette", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 296, "review": "Hayley Snow has a lot to juggle as post-Christmas chaos descends on Key West, Florida, when her job forces her to enter a pie baking contest. David Sloan is a wealthy connoisseur of key lime pie and now everyone has key lime on the brain as they set out to win the Key Lime Key to the City. Hayley is newly married to Detective Nathan Bransford and her biggest concerns have involved getting their houseboat livable. That is, until Nathan's mother, who didn't come to their wedding, announces a visit and insists on tagging along with Hayley. A sightseeing venture turns sour when they find a body and her mother-in-law is the one to drag Hayley into solving the case.

This is a highly entertaining read about a delightful trio of women as Hayley has her mother-in-law and Miss Gloria tagging along to help investigate. The story provides plenty of humor, which stems from the dynamics between the three women. Solving a murder creates a unique bonding experience as they sleuth their way through sightseeing and forming a bond between daughter- and mother-in-law. As she searches for a connection with Helen, she uncovers a secret about Nathan's family that will hit home and create emotional trouble. Lucy Burdette has a genuine talent for breathing life into the Key West setting that brings you into the craziness, liveliness, and colorful world that the island offers. This is as true as ever through the various places that Hayley takes Helen to visit, which weaves in the culture of the island and her various friends.

The Key West Food Critic Mystery series gets better with each new installment, and The Key Lime Crime is dazzling, fun, and entertaining. It will have you craving key lime pie by the end!", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "20-Aug-2020 18:47:01", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009105083", "title": "Endings", "author": "Linda L. Richards", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alissa Smith", "word_count": 193, "review": "Endings is a one of a kind story about a woman who may not be as cold-hearted as she thought. The characters were interesting because people like them exist, but they are very extreme. Insane serial killers and unfeeling hit women aren\u2019t really the most normal people. This isn\u2019t necessarily a bad thing though, it just makes the book unique.

In this book, a wife and mother gets pushed to her breaking point by losing both of those titles to a house fire. She has nothing to do with herself so she learns how to use a gun and does just that: uses it. Her broken heart goes into hibernation only to be awoken when she learns of a serial killer hunting children. No one has been able to stop him, but she knows she can, so she will.

This book was written in an interesting way, it has a staccato feeling to it which could be improved upon, but mostly it gave the book a pleasingly unusual attribute. Anyone who is looking for a book that does not hold any type of average story should consider reading Endings for the sheer unusualness of it.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "19-Aug-2020 19:49:35", "publisher": "Oceanview Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009105079", "title": "The Sisters of Straygarden Place", "author": "Hayley Chewins", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Mayhap and her sisters Pavonine and Winnow were left by their parents in the magical Straygarden mansion seven years ago. The mansion takes care of all their needs. All they have to do is ask for what they want, and their wishes are granted; mysteriously food appears, or the very clothes they want are suddenly there. All that\u2019s required is that they stay inside and never go into the tall grass surrounding the mansion. But one day Mayhap discovers Winnow has gone into the grass. She tries to follow her and bring her back, but the grass frightens her, so she has to come back in. Winnow comes back that evening, but she is not the same, and the grass seems emboldened, attempting to get into the house. In trying to help Winnow, Mayhap uncovers very disturbing secrets.

This is a completely unique fantasy with a very strange world. Hayley Chewins has written this unusual and lovely story in lyrical prose that will be a gift to those who read it. The story is incredibly compelling, the characters are well-rounded and fascinating, and the mystery of it all will keep those pages turning. Don\u2019t miss this one.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "19-Aug-2020 19:47:09", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009105075", "title": "The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently", "author": "Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 202, "review": "The Bible with and without Jesus is the discussion of the comparisons and contrasts between Christian Bible readers and Jewish Bible readers. The authors, Levine and Brettler, show how many of the stories found in the Bible are available to members of both religions, except that Jews do not have the New Testament in their Bibles. As Levine and Brettler point out, even though we read the same stories, other factors play a role in how individuals interpret and translate them. The viewpoints of Christianity, Judaism, and Bible scholars show how we can better understand our differences and appreciate our similarities.

The Bible with and without Jesus is a thorough read. I appreciated the commentary by the authors over specific Bible books included in this book. The information presented reads like a textbook for a class, including references to the original Hebrew or Greek language in which the Bible books were written long ago. I lost some respect for the book when I read that the authors claim that the \"story\" in Genesis of Adam and Eve is a myth. This claim made it clear to me that they are not true Christians themselves. Otherwise, the book presents to contain much information.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "19-Aug-2020 19:44:08", "publisher": "HarperOne", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009105071", "title": "Fatal Intent", "author": "Tammy Euliano", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alissa Smith", "word_count": 269, "review": "Fatal Intent is a great story about a brave woman who did everything in her power to keep others from being hurt. Since this book focuses a lot on medicine and the like, it may be assumed that it\u2019s hard to understand without some medical background, but that\u2019s not the case. The author, Tammy Euliano, does a great job making sure everything is easy to follow. The characters also seem like real people, with real, believable lives.

This book was about an anesthetist named Kate Downey. Dr. Downey had been observing multiple patient deaths in her hospital, all of which were linked to at least one of two people she worked with. The deaths continued in a frighteningly similar way. This led Kate to enlist the help of some friends to look for evidence of foul play. They found a lot of information against the people they suspected of killing the patients. Looking for this evidence had a downside though, in trying to do the right thing, she put herself and her friends at risk. Even though this knowledge came at a cost, Kate Downey kept looking and went to her superiors to take action against the suspects so no one else fell victim to the murderer.

One thing I think is important to mention is this book\u2019s suspense factor. Unlike many other books in which the suspense gradually builds throughout the book until it is completely unbearable at the end, the suspense in Fatal Intent remains largely the same throughout much of the book. This is a great pick for older kids and adults that are interested in medical mysteries.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "19-Aug-2020 19:41:21", "publisher": "Oceanview Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009105067", "title": "Hamish Takes the Train", "author": "Daisy Hirst", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Neela - Age 11", "word_count": 156, "review": "Have you ever wondered what the other side of town is like? Of course, you have!

In this medium length picture book, Hamish struggles with the decision of leaving his friend to satisfy his curiosity. Hamish has always wondered where the local train goes, but his best friend Noreen doesn\u2019t seem to have the same desire. After a short argument, Hamish decides to go on his own. Everywhere Hamish goes, he is reminded of Noreen, but when he meets a stranger that needs his help, Hamish can\u2019t resist.

I was surprised with how detailed the illustrations were for a children\u2019s book. They really helped me understand and enjoy the story. Daisy Hirst probably intended this book for six to ten-year-old children, but I absolutely loved it at twelve years of age.

Will Hamish ever leave the glamourous city to go home to Noreen? To find out the answer, you will just have to read the book.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "19-Aug-2020 19:38:31", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009105063", "title": "Once Two Sisters: A Novel", "author": "Sarah Warburton", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 202, "review": "\u201cOnce there were two sisters. The older was a storyteller, and the younger was her favorite story.\u201d

Estranged sisters Zoe and Ava are as different as can be. Ava is controlled and collected and Zoe is emotional and explosive. The only thing they seem to have in common is being raised by two very reserved and logical clinical psychologists. Then Ava is kidnapped and Zoe discovers by watching the news that she is a suspect. She returns to her home state of Virginia to clear her name and try to find out what really happened to Ava. Is this just another publicity stunt, or is Ava in real danger? Zoe and her brother-in-law Glenn are caught in the middle of a conspiracy that makes them look guilty.

This was a real page-turner. I couldn\u2019t put it down. The first person narrative immediately sucked me in. The author did a wonderful job building suspense and developing her characters. I loved the main characters, well rounded, authentic, and wonderfully flawed. They both find the strength they didn\u2019t know they had and discover things about themselves and their relationship that forever changed them for the better. I would highly recommend this to anyone that loves thrillers.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "19-Aug-2020 19:29:25", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "209 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009105059", "title": "Murder Most Sweet: A Bookish Baker Mystery", "author": "Laura Jensen Walker", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 255, "review": "Teddie is looking forward to the book signing at her best friend's bookshop with best-selling author Tavish Bentley onboard. When the author's fiancee is found murdered, Teddie is shocked to discover it was her own scarf that was used to strangle the poor woman. Now, she has to work to clear her own name. When the author invites her to dinner, she's not sure which is more of a struggle: keeping her prying mother out of her business or keeping a deranged stalker of Tavish's from attacking her.

Teddie is a refreshing protagonist being a Breast Cancer survivor which has left her shaken by her own mortality. Walker weaves her recovery and how this impacted her into every aspect of Teddie's character through how she views life, loves her dog, deals with her mom, and how she finds new value for her way of life. Teddie is blunt, out-spoken, wisecracking, and embraces the saying 'a mind of her own' which makes her a breath of fresh air to read. Her voice brings humor and delight to the story which allows you to feel her exasperation when dealing with her old-fashioned mother and her unwavering honesty about being herself. The mystery is a joy for book lovers through the high-level of book love found throughout from Teddie's author status to the charming author Tavish Bentley to her best friend's bookstore. Murder Most Sweet/ delivers a mystery with a humorous and independent protagonist leading an engaging and suspenseful mystery that weaves in a dose of cancer awareness.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "28-Dec-2020", "date_added": "19-Aug-2020 19:26:28", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "289 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009105047", "title": "The Watcher: A Novel (A Kateri Fisher Novel Book 1)", "author": "Jennifer Pashley", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 233, "review": "Kateri Fisher was transferred to a small town in upstate New York. She\u2019s told to go check up on suspicious activity near the woods, finding a rundown house with blood splattered everywhere and a child in the closet no one knew existed. The mother is missing and presumed to be the victim. Kateri takes the little girl to the hospital, where she ends up being checked out by someone posing as her guardian, leaving a cop dead. The case gets stranger by the minute, with new suspects and questionable motives. The mother was clearly paranoid about something since she never left the house, no one knew her daughter existed and there were security cameras everywhere even though she could barely pay for utilities. She felt she was being watched by someone, but who was The Watcher? ||I honestly don\u2019t really know what to make of this story. The plot on the jacket cover sounded interesting, but once I started reading, it wasn\u2019t accurate at all. It felt like the story focused more on Shannon than anyone else, but didn\u2019t go as deep as it could have. Sometimes it also felt like huge chunks were missing as if the reader is just supposed to fill in the blanks and know what the author is thinking. I didn\u2019t really enjoy this story at all and I\u2019m not even sure whom I would recommend it to.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "19-Aug-2020 19:00:48", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "293 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009105035", "title": "Doctor Dealer: A doctor high on greed, a biker gang high on opioids, and the woman who paid the ultimate price", "author": "George Anastasia and Ralph Cipriano", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 214, "review": "On May 10, 2012, April Kauffman was murdered in her home. Her husband, a well-respected endocrinologist named Dr. James Kauffman, was at his office when he learned of his wife\u2019s death. The murder shocked the local community of Linwood, New Jersey. The murder would be the tip of the iceberg in distressing events as the investigation into April\u2019s murder progressed. Dr. Kauffman claimed his marriage was content and that he had no idea of who could have perpetrated this heinous act. April's daughter held a contrary opinion; he believed Dr. Kauffman had April murdered or did the deed himself. One possible reason was that Dr. Kauffman, who posed as a decorated Vietnam veteran despite never having served, was secretly involved in a lucrative pill mill scheme involving opiates and the Pagan Motorcycle Gang. Despite an initial slow start of the investigation as a new prosecutor assumed the case, the pressure would build on Kauffman and his co-conspirators, threatening exposure of the drug operation and the murder.

\u201cDoctor Dealer is the latest release in the stellar work of George Anastasia. Anastasia and co-author Ralph Cipriano have written an intensely absorbing book about the hubris of criminals and how their reckless disregard for life knows no bounds. Doctor Dealer makes for a great true crime read.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "19-Aug-2020 18:44:04", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009105019", "title": "Now You See Me, Now You Don't", "author": "Patricia Hegarty", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 243, "review": "Chameleon relishes his ability to blend in with the environment. It allows him to get away with his mischievous and cunning ways. Lying amongst the flowers, he changes to a matching pink hue. He lashes out with his long and curly tongue, ripping off half of Gorilla\u2019s savory snack. Next, he transforms into a shade of forest green, an ideal complement with the surrounding leaves. He plucks a feather from a bird with a swift flick of his tail. As he continues his journey, Frog observes from a distance. He decides to teach Chameleon by giving him a bit of his own bad medicine, as he too can disguise himself amongst the foliage. Chameleon quickly learns what it feels like to be on the other side of the joke and concedes as a result.

Now You See Me, Now You Don\u2019t is a creative masterpiece. From the sparkly, iridescent letters on its cover to the delicately concealed collages of color and creatures sweeping across its pages, it\u2019s a perfect treasure of delightful appeal. It\u2019s filled with catchy rhymes and child-friendly fond that adds to its discernibility. Young children will love the active participation to which this picture book lends. Additionally, youth who have been ridiculed will be touched by Frog\u2019s salient message to Chameleon. They will find comfort in knowing that it reaches him in the end. Not only is he remorseful for his actions, he decides to be a friend to all.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "19-Aug-2020 18:19:03", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009105011", "title": "Checked Out for Murder: A Haunted Library Mystery", "author": "Allison Brook", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 242, "review": "Carrie Singleton has settled into a routine of romantic dinners with her boyfriend Dylan and her job at the library where she gets to hang out with her favorite ghost, Evelyn. She even makes a good amateur sleuth. When Daphne Marriott walks into the library hoping to hold a psychic program, Carrie couldn't have predicted that she would soon have to investigate the woman's murder or that the woman's brother would task Carrie with finding the mother who abandoned them after the murder of their father. As if a murderer on the loose wasn't enough, Carrie also has to deal with her mother, who is in town with her husband working on his new movie.

Carrie's life is full and happy with a steady relationship, a job she loves, and the ghost that haunts the library. Things have turned upside down due to her uncanny ability to solve murders and her re-connection with her once criminal father, but she's never been happier. Now another murder mystery begins when a psychic is murdered and Carrie ends up helping the family. Relationships with mothers are at the center of the mystery, with Carrie helping her own mother when her husband lands himself in trouble. The relationship with Dylan is sweet and steady, which contrasts with the drama of her mother's relationship. The story incorporates drama, humor, and intrigue into a lighthearted and charming read that cozy mystery fans won't be able to put down.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2021", "date_added": "19-Aug-2020 18:13:59", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009105007", "title": "Little Bookshop of Murder: A Beach Reads Mystery", "author": "Maggie Blackburn", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 237, "review": "Summer Merriweather's ideal life as a Shakespeare professor is steadily falling apart thanks to an incident with her arachnophobia. Running from her problems, she throws herself into researching for a paper by spending a few months in England. Only while she was shutting everything and everyone out, she finds out about her mother's death. Everyone tells her it was a heart attack, but after she finds a threatening note addressed to her mother, Summer suspects more to the story. Soon, she learns that someone was after her mother's bookshop Beach Reads and her house. Summer doesn't know whom to trust so she sets out to investigate her mother's life and finds shocking surprises that could land her in the crosshairs of a killer.

The story has an emotional core as Summer grieves her loss and she's thrown into uncovering different aspects of her mother's life. An eccentricity to the story is derived through the larger-than-life personality of her mother which is vocalized through the various characters and creates a contrast to the more grounded personality of Summer. Though her mother is never met, Maggie Blackburn explores the dynamic of Summer and her mother which puts their relationship at the center of her journey. Little Bookshop of Murder is charismatic and tackles anxiety, guilt, and grieving through a mystery that highlights the relationship between mother and daughter. This is the first book in the >Beach Reads Mystery series.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "19-Aug-2020 18:08:33", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009104023", "title": "Do Not Disturb: A Novel", "author": "Claire Douglas", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 219, "review": "Kirsty, her husband Adrian, and their two girls, Amelia and Evie, are moving to Wales to open a guest house. Along with Kirsty's mother Carol, they are planning on living in the large manor they purchased. Things seem to be going as planned when Carol announces that Kirsty's cousin Selena, with whom Kirsty had a falling out when they were eighteen, will be coming to stay at the guesthouse with her daughter Ruby. Kirsty initially feels that it is a bad omen, but when Serena arrives and settles in, they make amends. Kirsty's brother and sister-in-law come to stay and celebrate Carol's birthday. Dean, Serena's ex-boyfriend from high school, comes by as well and Kirsty starts to get an uneasy feeling again. Then there is the guest with the dog who keeps warning Kirsty that bad things are in the house. Sure enough, within a few days, a body is found at the foot of the staircase. Was the person pushed or did he/she fall?

This book has a great cast of characters with complex yet realistic relationship dynamics. Why is Nathan acting so strangely around Serena? And what is Kirsty's oldest daughter hiding? Do Not Disturb is an excellent mystery thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what happened until the very end.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "18-Aug-2020 17:51:37", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009104007", "title": "Girl Gone Mad: A Novel", "author": "Avery Bishop", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 245, "review": "In middle school, Emily was part of a clique called the Harpies. This group of girls likes to torment others, but none more so than Grace. They brought her into their group, all the while treating her like dirt. Their last unkind act toward Grace, left her to try and commit suicide and the group broke up. They never spoke to each other again. But then, fourteen years later, one of the Harpies kills herself, followed shortly by another Harpy. Emily starts to see Grace everywhere and begins to wonder if it\u2019s her or Grace that\u2019s become a Girl Gone Mad. It seems like Grace might be back for revenge.

This was a great look into the effects of bullying, but also into how little we understand ourselves and others. Sometimes things aren\u2019t quite what they seem and we only see one side of the story. In the beginning, you aren\u2019t quite sure whom to feel bad for when your main characters were bullies. However, all the characters begin to develop more and more until you see that you didn\u2019t know the whole story and begin to understand why things developed as they did. The author did a great job of showing the humanity of even the bullies, as there are always reasons why people do the things that they do. That doesn\u2019t excuse what they did, but when you can understand that, it becomes easier to help them. I recommend you check it out.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "18-Aug-2020 17:30:49", "publisher": "Lake Union Publishing", "page_count": "401 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009104003", "title": "A Map to the Sun", "author": "Sloane Leong", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 211, "review": "A Map to the Sunby Sloane Leong follows five compelling teen girls, who bond when they join their school\u2019s newly-formed girls\u2019 basketball team. Ren, their reluctant leader, and Luna, a surfer girl from Hawaii, become fast friends one summer. But they have a falling out when Luna moves back to Hawaii without saying goodbye to Ren, opening old wounds. Two years later, Luna returns and lands in the same high school as Ren. Luna assumes they can start up where they left off, but Ren avoids her, even after they both join the basketball team. The tension is buffered by three other girls who also join the team: Nell, So-Young, and Jetta. The narrative wanders through each of these young women\u2019s lives. Their issues range from cutting, body shaming, and abusive relationships, among other problems that teens are dealing with today. Basketball becomes the glue that creates a strong support network and true friendships among them\u2014authentic, complex female relationships. The characters are ethnically diverse and the storytelling is raw. Each of the young women has problems that do not get completely resolved by the end of the story. Like real life. The artwork is gorgeous, especially the vibrant color palette, which adds to the mood and the emotions of each scene.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "18-Aug-2020 17:21:59", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009103007", "title": "The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life", "author": "Dr. Allen Lycka & Harriet Tinka", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 436, "review": "I wanted so badly to like this book more than I did. But perhaps The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life by Dr. Allen Lycka and Harriet Tinka only fell flat because of the format it was written in, and not the actual content. Let me explain. First of all, the chapters were neatly set out into thirteen well-organized themes, including love, inspiration, victory, vulnerability, intention (purpose), non-negotiables, forgiveness, attitude, thankfulness, tenacity, laughter, enthusiasm, and empowerment. The book was then summed up in a quick conclusion, followed by some really fantastic quotes that support the information provided in the book. So far, so good. It is understood that both Dr. Lycka and Ms. Tinka had undergone some life-changing epiphanies and decided to collaborate with one another on a book, and even get Jack Canfield to write the foreword for it. This gave the book a fantastic endorsement. Again, a wonderful job, as I don't think I know anyone who hasn't heard of the Chicken Soup series.

Now for the not so great part of the book that, quite frankly, ruined it for me: the dialogue. The bantery, poking fun at-type of humor just doesn't sit well with the topics of the book. The way Harriet and Dr. Lycka speak to one another would have been better suited for a talk show or even a podcast, not a book. Complete with informal \"hahas\" and the two making fun of each other, I just felt like it was a waste of time to even put these parts in the book. The real meat of the book comes from the stories being told and the lessons that people learn from them. I would get engaged in a very good story and then we would be back to the dialogue between Dr. Lycka and Harriet. I do admit I ended up skimming over the dialogue parts towards the end and going straight for the story. This book would have been so much better if it had been written without the two of them trying to out-interview one another.

I've read a lot of self-help books, so many of the chapter topics were not new to me. One of the chapters I liked the most was the one about the \"non-negotiables.\" The \"non-negotiables\" are the principles that are most important to an individual. We may all have different \"non-negotiables,\" but that is what makes each individual special. Writing these down would be an excellent exercise to do in a high school or college class.

Overall, the book was a good read despite the dragging dialogue. Great for those who love a simple self-help book.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Aug-2020 00:26:02", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009103003", "title": "Travels With Hafa", "author": "Nathan Pettijohn", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 476, "review": "This book is about the fantastic adventures of Nathan and his dog Rafael, or Hafa, packing up and driving an RV through the Pacific Northwest. As Nathan takes the reader through California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Oregon, the experiences are one-of-a-kind. Hafa, Nathan's German Shepherd pup, is so excited to be on the trip as well as the author describes him learning what it's like to be able to play off-leash and sniff and poke at whatever he pleases. For the first part of the journey, Nathan's older brother Aaron comes along. It was a great way to start the trip. During the trip, Nathan goes to Bozeman, Montana to meet his friend Nic and his wife and their three-month-old baby. I really enjoyed Nathan's narrative of the scenery and everything that he was going through during the trip. From driving the RV through a snowstorm to forgetting a towel almost every time he showered to meeting a girl on the way whom he spent some real quality time with. It was everything I had hoped for in tagging along on his fantastic voyage.

The whole book was written extremely well, which is probably what we should expect from a contributing writer for Forbes. I loved every part of it up until the part it seems to get a bit dark. Around page two hundred or so, Nathan seems to get in a political tizzy as he is headed on his way back home. I don't know if it was because he didn't want to go back home to his everyday life or if he always gets triggered while listening to NPR. Whatever it is, he starts ranting about the presidential impeachment and how \"showing both sides of a news story is a contrived habit of our media to feign credibility\" and ends it with saying \"Americans elected a con man.\" Now, here's the thing: I have no problem with the author stating his opinion, but this particular part of the book was clearly the author going off on a tangent. The book is about a man, his dog, and his beautiful trek across the Pacific Northwest and their adventures. If I wanted to read about a political opinion I would have opened up my Facebook app. Can we get back to the best burgers and huckleberry milkshakes already?

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There were some funny things that happened along the way, some exciting things, some unexpected things, some scary things, and some super chill things. It would be great to see some pictures of the trip, especially of Hafa having the time of his life. I would recommend this book to anyone who might be interested in taking an RV trip since there are many great suggestions in the book as to how hard or how easy it is to do.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Aug-2020 21:37:34", "publisher": "Cordurouy", "page_count": "244 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009102003", "title": "Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb", "author": "Veronica Chambers", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 194, "review": "There was a woman named Shirley Chisholm, and she was elected as a congresswoman because of her voice. She spoke up for people, and her campaign was \"Unbought and Unbossed.\" She went to Washington D.C., but she was the only Black woman there. It was very lonely for her. The rest of the people there were white men, but Shirley didn't give up. She used her words to fight back. She was on a bunch of television channels, and she announced that she was running for president. Shirley was the first female and the first Black person to run for president. Shirley didn't win, but she never gave up. Barack Obama awarded her the Medal of Freedom. Shirley helped inspire Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and many other people in politics.\u00a0

I thought it was nice of Shirley to do all these things for other people. She was very brave, and she never gave up when things got tough for her. She always spoke up! I like the illustrations because the pictures look like the real pictures of Shirley. I recommend this book to people who like books about history, different people, and strong and brave women.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "17-Aug-2020 18:38:51", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009101103", "title": "The Best Burp: The Nocturnals (Grow & Read Early Reader, Level 1)", "author": "Tracey Hecht", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - Age 5", "word_count": 138, "review": "Burps are SO FUNNY! When I saw this book was available, I knew I had to get it! I like the pictures but wish there were more colors.

I like that there aren't a lot of words on each page. It makes it easier for me to read and I don't get overwhelmed with the number of words. I like that it is a chapter book and it makes me feel like I am reading bigger and older kid books!

I know burps are ok to do but not all the time and where ever we want. I learned a lesson from this book. We shouldn't blame our friends if we decide to do something that isn't right. My favorite part of this book is the back pages. I love learning about animals and fun facts are FUN!", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "16-Aug-2020 19:21:03", "publisher": "Fabled Films Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009101067", "title": "A Little Bit of Karma", "author": "ReShonda Tate Billingsley", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 178, "review": "This is the second book I have read by ReShonda Tate Billingsley, and I absolutely love her writing style. Easy-to-read with a great cast of characters and plot, A Little Bit of Karma tells the story of Jay and Dr. Shannon Lovejoy. This power couple runs a very popular radio show in which they give relationship advice to men and women. When Dr. Shannon discovers Jay has been unfaithful to her, their world starts to fall apart. The first part of the book really develops the characters and their personalities. Shannon's reaction is probably how any woman would react to her husband being a cheater, famous or not. The plot thickens as Jay's mistress is brought into the plot. The story quickly becomes a suspenseful thriller in which Jay and Dr. Shannon race against time to find out the truth behind a major scandal.

This will not be the last book that I read of Billingsley's as her books are very exciting and engaging from cover to cover. This is an excellent read for lovers of romantic thrillers.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "16-Aug-2020 18:45:43", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009101059", "title": "The Forests of California", "author": "Obi Kaufmann", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 212, "review": "Obi Kaufmann, who previously blew readers away with The California Field Atlas and The State of Water: Understanding California\u2019s Most Precious Resource, is back with an other masterful piece of work in Forests of California: A California Field Atlas. The book is ideal for the would-be naturalist, weighty but not so large that it can't be easily slipped in a backpack or large pocket and taken on a trip around the forests of California.

The work that has gone into this book is simply astonishing; every page is a treasure trove of information and beauty. The book is divided into types of trees and regions throughout California, along with many, many illustrations of the trees and places, which have been created with love and care. The book is perfect for anyone on a camping trip looking for some fun and engrossing reading, or for someone needing a thorough guide to Californian trees in order to be able to find an exact species quickly and efficiently.

Forests of California is the first book in a planned trilogy, and it will be followed by The Coasts of California and The Deserts of California. Even if you\u2019re stuck at home right now due to the pandemic, this book is still an absolute delight to read.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "16-Aug-2020 18:39:43", "publisher": "Heyday Books", "page_count": "640 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009101055", "title": "The Brief and True Report of Temperance Flowerdew", "author": "Denise Heinze", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 228, "review": "The winters of 1609 and 1610 were hard for the colonists at Jamestown. With little food and hostile Native Americans, there was every chance they would not survive. Survive they did, however, and their foothold helped to carve out the start of what would become the United States of America.

There at the start was Temperance Flowerdew, who would become the wife of the first two governors of Virginia. She had a maid named Lily. Though both Temperance and Lily struggle to make it through that first winter, the bond between them, which is far greater than ordinary for mistress and servant, gives the two of them strength.

As the title says, the story is brief, just over two hundred pages. While that does make this a quick read, I found myself wishing it were not quite so swift. It\u2019s beautifully written, but it seems cramped at times, with interactions (particularly between Lily and a fiddler named James Owen) skipping ahead to where readers expect them to be rather than progressing naturally and offering chances to surprise the reader.

Being short makes it no less powerful, and it was a delight to watch Temperance\u2019s strength go from sheer bullheadedness to a power necessary to survive. For anyone who has been wishing to see women take center stage in history, with all their flaws intact, I recommend this book.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "16-Aug-2020 17:24:06", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "210 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009101043", "title": "The Inheritance Games", "author": "Jennifer Lynn Barnes", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 192, "review": "When Avery Grambs inherited billions from Tobias Hawthorne, she was confused because she had never met the gentleman. His two daughters and four grandsons were furious at being cut out of the will. Her friends were stalked and harassed, some giving in to sharing lurid details of her life for money. Avery had been living in her car, refusing to live with her older sister and her sister\u2019s abusive boyfriend. Finding out she had inherited the money at first seemed a godsend, but the will stipulated she must live in the house for a year and could not remove the Hawthorne family without evidence. Indeed, being the Heiress placed a target on her back, but she hoped that the puzzle left by Hawthorne would keep the disinherited family distracted enough to figure out what game Hawthorne was playing even from the grave.

Barnes returns with her classic storytelling style, fast-paced and unpredictable, similar to her series The Naturals. No one is who they seem and characters surprise as much as they disappoint. The first in a series, the game has only just begun, and the chess moves are far from a stalemate.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "16-Aug-2020 17:16:21", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "376 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009101031", "title": "Paris Cat", "author": "Dianne Hofmeyr", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 162, "review": "This was a good book. I enjoyed hearing the story of Paris Cat and her adventures.

Paris Cat was in Paris and she was a cat in Paris. She lived with a bunch of other cats\u2014brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and cousins\u2014but she wanted to see more of the world, so she did. She met Josephine Baker and Edith Piaf, who were two amazing women. And Cat was amazing, too. She used snippets of cloth and sewed them together.

I loved how Paris Cat danced the night away with Josephine Baker. If I were Paris Cat, I\u2019d have lots of relatives, but I wouldn\u2019t want to eat fish heads\u2014that\u2019s gross. And the dark alley she lived down was a little scary, but I didn\u2019t mind that too much.

Paris Cat had an amazing life, and I wonder what kinds of other adventures she\u2019ll have. I wish the book was longer. The map of Paris in the front was really amazing.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "16-Aug-2020 17:05:31", "publisher": "Tiny Owl Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009101027", "title": "When Pumpkins Fly", "author": "Margaret Lawrence", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 220, "review": "In When Pumpkins Fly, a young boy describes a Halloween season in the frigid Canadian Arctic. As a plane carrying pumpkins in the cargo descends, his excitement soars. The principal requests delivery to his school, and after carving theirs, the children taste the bitter fruit inside and roast some yummy pumpkin seeds. To his delight, the boy is chosen to take the treasure home. After a fun-filled night of trick-or-treating and participating in all sorts of other holiday festivities, he climbs into bed and centers his thoughts on the tunnaat, the \u201cancient and wise beings\u201d that travel through the Sanikiluaq community at night. He honors their presence by keeping them close at heart.

This creative tale combines cultural tidbits about the Arctic Inuit community with current day beliefs and practices of its people. The knowledge of the author about the Canadian Arctic is considerable. She even provides a pronunciation guide at the end for readers who are unfamiliar with the Inuktitut language.

The text is written at approximately the third-grade reading level, and the target age range for the book is five to nine. The use of non-traditional font makes it a bit difficult to decipher. This may deter some young children from attempting to read it. However, many will enjoy the glossy cartoon-like illustrations that sweep across the pages.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "16-Aug-2020 17:04:05", "publisher": "Inhabit Media", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009101023", "title": "The Secret of the Tattered Shoes", "author": "Jackie Morris", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 202, "review": "The Secret of the Tattered Shoes is a story about a tired man who has just come into the woods after fighting. The man meets a woman who tries to cheer him up, but the man doesn't want to be cheered up. The man doesn't want to live anymore. The woman convinces the man to go into the kingdom nearby and try to solve a riddle by the king. The king has twelve daughters who go to bed in a locked room, and when it's morning, they are very tired, and their shoes are about to fall apart. If anyone can solve the riddle, then they will get a prize from the king.

This story was a little hard for me to understand without having my mom explain what was happening. Some of the words weren't ones that I know, but when it was explained to me, then I understood what was happening, and I liked the story. I liked the secret power that the man had, and I thought that the princesses were very pretty in the pictures. Kids a little older than me will probably like and understand the story more, but it's a sad and fun story to read.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "16-Aug-2020 17:02:05", "publisher": "Tiny Owl Publishing", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009101019", "title": "Twin Daggers", "author": "Marcykate Connolly", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 194, "review": "Magi and Technocrats have been at war for centuries, both believing they\u2019re the ones in the right. That is, until the Technocrates wipe out all the Magi. Or did they? Caught right in the middle of the war are Aissa and Zandria, twins far more powerful than the other Magi believe. When Aissa is assigned a new mission, she\u2019s willing to do anything to accomplish it. It only gets complicated after Zandria is captured and Aissa discovers there is more to her mission then what\u2019s on the surface. Not only that, but everything she\u2019s been told about the war, the Magi, even the Technocrats, may be a lie.

Connolly put effort into the world-building, and it shows. Unfortunately, that makes the pace drag at times. The twins already know magic, so it\u2019s easy to follow how it works. once, the parents aren\u2019t dead. In fact, they\u2019re supportive and love their daughters, but they don\u2019t play much of a role in the story. Some of the plot twists were obvious to me, but that doesn\u2019t mean they are for everyone, except the final twist where there was no warning or foreshadowing, and that felt somewhat abrupt.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "16-Aug-2020 16:59:58", "publisher": "Blink", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009101003", "title": "Ignite the Sun", "author": "Hanna C. Howard", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 167, "review": "The sun is dangerous. Its light is destructive. Thank Queen Iyzabel for shrouding the kingdom in darkness. Siria Nightingale wants nothing more than to make her parents proud. Her chance is the Choosing Ball, the night Queen Iyzabel will choose who will serve in her court. But what Siria discovers instead sends her on an impossible quest across the kingdom with old friends and unlikely allies.

Siria is a stuck up princess. Mostly it\u2019s an act though and once out of the influences of her peers she drops it. That doesn\u2019t change the fact that no one cares that Siria\u2019s whole world was turned upside-down and is shown no sympathy what-so-ever. The romance is there to add drama and I would have preferred they stay friends. Some of the characters are unnecessary, they\u2019re introduced then simply there, not playing a role until they\u2019re needed. The end felt abrupt and short. I was hooked by the first chapter and didn\u2019t want to put it down until I finished.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "16-Aug-2020 16:52:05", "publisher": "Blink", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009099011", "title": "God The Ultimate Superhero", "author": "Alicia Johnson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 197, "review": "Ryan runs up to his Mom to tell her about the book he is reading. It tells him that God is everywhere. He and his Mom have a conversation about how God is and is not like a superhero. God is everywhere and superheroes can only be in one place at a time. God has unending strength, unlike superheroes who get tired. The conversation ensues for Ryan to conclude that God is the ultimate superhero. Ryan figures out because he is made in God\u2019s image Ryan himself is better than any superhero.

I loved the conversations about God being the best at it all and never growing tired or becoming powerless. The text was rather long for a picture book and in many places, it could be trimmed to make it tighter.

I love these pictures. The illustrator did a fantastic job. The style is wonderful, and the characters and scenes are bright and fun. It fits a book about God and superheroes very well.

This would be a book I would pick up in a Christian bookstore especially since my six-year-old son loves superheroes and it would be a great length of a book for him.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "15-Aug-2020 01:23:14", "publisher": "God Centered Family", "page_count": "30 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009098015", "title": "Dark Was the Night: Blind Willie Johnson's Journey to the Stars", "author": "Gary Golio", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 193, "review": "How did the songs of a musician who died penniless end up traveling the cosmos and going farther than any manmade object ever? This incredible story is documented in the heartbreakingly lovely form in Dark Was the Night: Blind Willie Johnson's Journey to the Stars.

This is not a story full of twists and turns. It's a simple recounting of the facts about a blind boy making his way in the world, becoming a legendary musician, and leaving behind a legacy no one in his day could have imagined. And yet, this book is a tour-de-force.

The art alone makes it a must-have. The watercolors bring such warmth and vibrance to the proceedings, and yet, as their soft, hand-touched luminousness bleeds out of each image and out the frame, these intentional imperfections make the entire read spellbinding. You simply cannot look away.

Sure, this is a book for kids -- the information drop at the end reinforces the story they've just learned -- but that doesn't exclude this book from being something adults should cherish. It took less than ten minutes to read one of the best books of the year, and it was absolutely perfect.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "16-Jul-2021", "date_added": "15-Aug-2020 02:31:40", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009098007", "title": "In the Land of the Feathered Serpent", "author": "Richard C. Brusca", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 433, "review": "Reading The Land of the Feathered Serpent during a pandemic is frustrating because it inspired me to want to travel in Central America. It\u2019s a novel that is hard to categorize. There are elements of the plot that make it a spy novel. The protagonist works with the CIA. It has strong elements of magical realism, too, in his meetings with a curandera and the heavy emphasis on spiritual journeys in the last section of the book. Because so much of it takes place in Nicaragua and other parts of Central America, it also works as an interesting travel log. And as Brusca himself and his protagonist, Odel, are scientists, there is much to be learned in the book about natural science. Additionally, as it says on the back of the book, it is a modern (1980s) reimagining of The Odyssey.

It is a long book. There are several lengthy passages about the history of the CIA in Central America, the Mayan culture, the topography of Nicaragua, the Sandanistas, communism in Central America, and other topics. At first, I appreciated this attention to history. I have traveled throughout Mexico and I\u2019ve been to Teotihuacan (the pyramids outside of Mexico City) twice, and I have an interest in Central America. I also remember the Iran Contra hearings and the Reagan era. After finishing the book, I found myself researching travel to places where Odel goes. These lengthy travel/historical passages are quite interesting but do slow down the story quite a bit. A couple of hundred pages into the 450-page book, I started to think that these historical and cultural explanations were a bit intrusive.

The depictions of the science, politics, history, and inner workings of the CIA seem genuine and quite authoritative. Of course, Brusca has written many books on invertebrate zoology and marine biology, but he is also very well versed in Central America, having worked and traveled there extensively. The myth aspect is well handled, as the book is not a copy of The Odyssey but rather a nod to the trials of Odysseus.

I struggled a bit with the character of Odel. He is clever, knowledgeable, and a good, admirable person, but his naivete did seem unrealistic at times. The magical and spiritual aspects of the story build over time and left me interested in their mythology but not quite certain what to think about how the story pulls those aspects together. I enjoyed the trip with Brusca and his central character, Odel, and I think readers with an interest in that part of the world will also enjoy the book.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Aug-2020 20:13:26", "publisher": "Quetzalcoatl Press/KDP Publishing", "page_count": "457 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009098003", "title": "REMOTE iT!", "author": "Michael Brooks", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 46, "review": "\"Brooks has assembled a comprehensive overview for business owners looking to engage the swelling population of talented freelancers. His work covers everything from engagement, assessment, and retention, to timetables and international considerations. This is an excellent resource for employers and freelancers alike!\" \u2014 Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Aug-2020 17:40:23", "publisher": "goLance Inc.", "page_count": "85 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009097003", "title": "Inside Passage", "author": "Burt Weissbourd", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 437, "review": "For Nick Season, the end justifies the means. He wants to become Washington State\u2019s next Attorney General, and he\u2019s not going to let anything stand in his way.

As a youngster, Nick immigrated to America to live with his uncle when his father, a con artist in Greece, was murdered. Nick has a checkered past, and he suffers from anxiety attacks when he thinks about it being revealed, but with the help of his lethal associate, Lester, he\u2019s been able to conceal it while advancing his ambitions. One of his past misdeeds involved a murdered smuggler and fifteen million dollars in Russian diamonds. At the time, he\u2019d enlisted the help of his cousin, Al, which turned out to be a mistake. Al\u2019s indiscretions were fatally resolved with one outstanding loose end, Al\u2019s partner, Corey Logan.

Had Al divulged what he knew to Cory? Nick couldn\u2019t take the chance, so he threatened Corey that her son, Billy, would be next unless she pleaded guilty to a trumped-up drug charge. Once in jail, his plan was to have her murdered as well. But the attempt failed. Cory has responded by informing him she's written down what Al had told her and would release it to the press if anything happens to her or Billy.

Now she\u2019s out of prison and trying to get custody of her fifteen-year-old son with the help of a befuddle psychiatrist, Abe Stein. All she wants is to be reunited with Billy, be left alone, and Nick\u2019s secrets will remain hidden. But when Nick discovers that Abe is the son of Jesse, a political powerhouse whom he\u2019s courting, literally and figuratively, he becomes apoplectic. Corey is no longer a shadow in the background, she\u2019s fully visible and in his face. He can\u2019t take the chance and decides to \u201cset her world on fire.\u201d

Realizing Abe and his associates are connected to her nemesis, shatters Corey. Has her confidant and lover, compromised her life? Her only thought is to escape and to protect Billy at all costs.

Inside Passage is a tightly plotted, contemporary thriller enhanced with politics and police procedure. Unfortunately, it begins flawed, and that deficiency is never adequately addressed, eventually leading to a weak and unconvincing climax. However, the novel is redeemed by the depth and authenticity of author Burt Weissbourd\u2019s characterization, which is exceptional for this kind of plot-driven narrative. Complicated relationships interact with subtly, nuance, and human unpredictability. With his protagonist being somewhat of a mariner, Weissbourd showcases Seattle, the San Juan Islands, and the rugged coastline of the inside passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia as an added bonus.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Aug-2020 16:56:48", "publisher": "Blue City Press", "page_count": "289 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009096011", "title": "Dasher and The Sleigh-Train", "author": "E. Dorinda Shelley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 409, "review": "Santa, the elves, and the reindeer are getting ready for Christmas. Everything is coming together, until Dasher gets sick. Without all his reindeer to help, how will Santa get the presents to the children? He sees a toy train on the shelf. Will it work? The elves do not think so. That is, not until Santa pours his magic dust onto the train, making the sleigh fit perfectly on top. After some practice, they can make the deliveries to the children and still get help from the elves and reindeer. They fly through the night until the presents are given out. Poor Dasher is stuck in the infirmary with reindeer pox. The group comes to see Dasher at the end and sing him his favorite Christmas song, Jingle Bells.

Dasher and the Sleigh-Train reads well as a read-aloud book. I read it to my three- and six-year-old children and they sat still for the whole book. The writing is wordy in some places. A little extra trimming would help the story become stronger. The reader did not need all the descriptive words about the reindeer or the extra information about Dasher\u2019s condition. I like the story concept. I think it is interesting to explore the issue of what Santa would do if the reindeer got sick. It's a great idea to use a train as the solution. Kids love trains. Overall, the plot was well done.

I went back and forth on the illustrations. I liked the style. I liked some of the art. Santa and the reindeer were nicely illustrated. Others I thought were not very professional looking. The nurse especially did not look great. I understand the need to make a train fit a sleigh, but truly, I would not have guessed it was a train at first. Ultimately, I think the artistry could have been better.

My three-year-old daughter loved the book. She thought the adventure was great. My six-year-old child liked it okay but thought the pictures could be better. Neither asked to read it again a second time. As a parent, I appreciate this unique take on Santa delivering his toys. However, I would not have purchased the book based on the illustrations. I feel if I had bought the book, it would not be a story I would keep, which makes me sad because I think the idea is so great.

I would recommend this book for children aged three to five years.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "13-Aug-2020 23:13:04", "publisher": "Readersmagnet", "page_count": "30 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009096007", "title": "Dasher and The Sleigh-Train", "author": "E. Dorinda Shelley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 440, "review": "It's almost Christmas and Santa is inundated with Christmas wishes from children. A little stressed, Santa wonders how he will get all the presents to fit in his sleigh. To make matters worse, Dasher falls ill and is diagnosed with Reindeer Pox. Dasher, who is the strongest reindeer, won't be able to pull the sleigh to deliver the presents. What is Santa to do? The presents must be delivered on time to all the children.

While thinking about the problem, Santa eyes a toy train sitting on the table. With a little help from Santa's magic dust, the tiny toy train grows in size. The toy train is now big enough to fit all the presents on top of it. Everyone is super excited to ride along in Santa's giant-sized toy train. The elves decide to ride along in the caboose that is attached to the train. All the reindeer, except for Dasher, decide to join Santa and the elves, and they ride along in the train, too.

While Santa is out delivering the Christmas presents, Dasher is recuperating in the infirmary. Dasher is sorely missed by everyone. Santa leaves a Christmas present on Dasher's bedside table. When all the presents have been delivered, the reindeer decide to visit Dasher. They sing Dasher a Christmas song to help him feel better, and he promises to pull the sleigh next Christmas.\u00a0

Prior to reading the story, I thought it would be centered on Dasher, but it isn't so much about Dasher really. Dasher is merely the catalyst that forces Santa out of his typical routine and into a little problem solving. I like that the reindeer receive a break this one time for Christmas. Santa doesn't have to rely on their muscle power to pull the heavy sleigh all around the world. Even reindeer deserve a vacation. This time, the reindeer all get to relax in the train and ride along and watch the magical night sky. All except for Dasher, as there's no relaxing for him in the infirmary unfortunately.\u00a0

Dasher and the Sleigh-Train definitely has an interesting plot. Instead of Santa riding his iconic sleigh, he is whizzing around the world delivering presents to children in a locomotive. Children, especially train lovers, will delight in this story in which the train and a little magic will be the answer to Santa's problem. The illustrations are very colorful and Christmas colors abound. I wish the illustrations of the elves had been a little bit more friendly looking. Some of them looked a little scary to me.\u00a0This story would be a fun and magical addition to many families' book collections.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "13-Aug-2020 23:12:54", "publisher": "Readersmagnet", "page_count": "30 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009096003", "title": "Dasher and The Sleigh-Train", "author": "E. Dorinda Shelley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 443, "review": "It's getting close to Christmas, and Santa is worried that he won't have enough room on his sleigh to carry all the presents that the children have asked for. Santa talks to Mrs. Clause about it, but then he hears that Dasher is not feeling well. Santa is very attached to his reindeer, so it's quite sad that Dasher won't be able to make it on the Christmas trip that year. Dasher, on the other hand, isn't too upset about it because he's feeling crummy and needs to rest.

Without Dasher, Santa must think of a new plan, quick. He comes up with the idea of using a train to transport the toys, but the elves are quick to veto that idea. Unfortunately for them, they have forgotten who the boss is. Santa gets his way with the help of some magic dust. The reindeer think that the fun is just for Santa and the elves, but Santa, being the nice man that he is, has them join him on the trip. When they've finished, they all make it back to Dasher, who is still resting, and tell him that they had a great time but missed him all the same.

Dasher and the Sleigh-Train is a cute children's Christmas book, although it could be read at any time of the year. The story is well-plotted, with a storyline that can be understood by readers of all ages. I would question the use of the term \"infirmary\" in a children's book, as I know many young children who would not know what that word means. The illustrations in the book are bright and colorful, especially with the red and green Christmas colors being prominent; however, I wonder if kids would notice or care that on one of the pages, Santa has six fingers. Other than the rogue finger, there are no noticeable mistakes in the story.

The length of the story is just right for a children's book. I believe it helps to keep a child's attention when the length is just right. In the story, Dasher gets sick and has to \"quarantine\" himself from the rest of the reindeer while they go out, which is relevant to the events of today that are affecting kids and adults alike. An argument could be made that Shelley made Santa out to be an optimist and a problem solver, the elves to be pessimists who are then followers, and the reindeer to be poor problem solvers with the mentality of children. However you want to interpret it, though, the story will still read as a cute children's Christmas story that can be enjoyed by all.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "13-Aug-2020 23:12:41", "publisher": "Readersmagnet", "page_count": "30 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009095003", "title": "In the Land of the Feathered Serpent", "author": "Richard C. Brusca", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 746, "review": "Odel Bernini believed he had it all. He was madly in love with (and still wildly attracted to) his wife, Penelope, he relished his position as Chief Curator at a major museum, and his marine biology studies take him all over the world. But on a trip to Central America, everything changed. Now his job is no longer secure, he is plagued by dreams of a strange woman in the jungle, harbors doubts about his wife's fidelity and affection, and finds himself swooning over a fellow world traveler as mysterious as she is alluring. As Odel embarks on an emotional and spiritual journey, confronting long-held beliefs about who he is, he also finds himself wading deeper into the sociopolitical battleground of US/Latin American relations in the 1980s. He will make hard choices, confront his demons and his virtues, and stumble toward a greater understanding of himself and the world around him... if he survives.

In the Land of the Feathered Serpent is author and scientist Rick Brusca's ambitious reimagining of The Odyssey for modern times, embracing the complexity and beauty of Central America as a new Mediterranean for his own Odysseus, Odel. I won't spend too much time comparing the two, because quite honestly, while Brusca's book rests on a framework of The Odyssey, more often than not, it is its own narrative. But to ignore the homage completely would be irresponsible.

Brusca cherry-picks elements from the famous tale\u00b1\u2014character names, symbolic analogs, etc.\u2014as well as the overarching idea of a man changing over time as he struggles to find his way home. (This time, more metaphorically than literally.) And on this basis, In the Land of the Feathered Serpent is a success. It provides intriguing ways for Odel to encounter these famed Odyssean obstacles, steeping them in either the history of Central American or the spirituality and mythology of Mesoamerican cultures. It feels familiar, and yes, there's the occasional heavy-handed metaphor, but it is never boring.

As for the narrative itself, Brusca reframes what could easily be construed as a midlife crisis\u2014particularly Odel's encounters with various women in the novel\u2014as something grander, a spiritual awakening. Instead, it becomes an epic personal growth where Odel's romanticism is at once embraced and stripped away from him, and he begins to see those around him as true, flawed people, not just the archetypes he'd painted them as. The reader takes this journey alongside Odel, often a step or two ahead of him, but always rooting for him. Despite his pedantic nature, his self-congratulatory nature, and his unnecessary tendency to always comment on the breasts of the women around him, Odel is an Everyman worth cheering on. You wish him to find true contentment, to solve the mysteries he has stumbled into.

When Brusca focuses on the man and his journey, the book is incredibly engrossing. Experiencing Central America as a place, a complicated melange of politics, choices, beauty, chaos, and potential, strips away the reader's false images, just Odel's illusions are similarly confronted. We, like him, learn more about our world. Those moments are powerful. And, at times, those moments are more spread out than necessary, because the book is absolutely loaded with unnecessary info and exposition. The politics of Central America and the minutiae of marine biology have their place in the story, certainly, but entire pages could be cut from the manuscript without hurting the reader's experience. That may sound harsh, but, at points, the info-dumping stops adding color to the story and starts hindering it. While it does, in a small way, reflect Odel's inability to focus on what's important\u2014losing the forest for the trees, if you will\u2014it does detract. The first 50 pages, in particular, suffer for it. But, in the long run, that is a quibble, the price of admittance for the ride. Odel's struggles, the labyrinthine threads of his life that tangle and knot in peculiar ways, and the path he takes to the other side is an intriguing one, rich in color and character, vibrantly realized.

In the Land of the Feathered Serpent is quite unlike anything I've ever read, because it is a curious combination of many genres. It is epic, a personal story, a midlife crisis, a coming-of-age journey, a love story, a mystery, a spiritual quest, and a historical drama. All of these elements are strings in a web that rests tenuously, yet eye-catchingly, on one of the all-time classic frameworks. This is a multi-course meal to be savored, not devoured in one sitting.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "13-Aug-2020 23:01:06", "publisher": "Quetzalcoatl Press/KDP Publishing", "page_count": "457 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009094059", "title": "Hot Pot Night!", "author": "Vincent Chen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 189, "review": "Hot Pot Night starts with people asking for dinner, and then a little boy suggests having Hot Pot. Everyone was excited! Then everyone works together to bring all the different ingredients to make the Hot Pot meal. One person brings the pot, someone else brings the broth, another neighbor brings the meat, and one neighbor brings his homegrown vegetables. Everyone in the story really enjoys the Hot Pot meal. The illustrations in this book are very colorful and cute. I like how the dog sneaks some of the Hot Pot food! This story reminds me of another book that is just like it. I like how everyone in the building comes together to share a favorite meal. Right now, we can't do that because of COVID, but I wish I can like the people in the story. I like how there is a recipe in the back of the book to make Hot Pot. It doesn't seem too hard to make, and it makes me want to try Hot Pot one day. I recommend this book to people who like working together, and people who like trying new food.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "13-Aug-2020 19:42:41", "publisher": "Charlesbridge Publishing", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009094047", "title": "The Eighth Detective: A Novel", "author": "Alex Pavesi", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 206, "review": "The Eighth Detective is set on a Mediterranean island, home of Grant McAllister. In the early 1940s, Grant published a private collection of seven short mystery stories in a book called The White Murders, presumably a reference to Elizabeth White who was strangled on Hampstead Heath in 1940. Julia Hart arrives on the island to help prepare Grant\u2019s stories for a second edition. Each of the stories is fascinating in its own right, but it\u2019s what connects them that makes this novel so extraordinary. Based on his research paper entitled The Permutations of Detective Fiction, Grant appended a mathematical framework to the first edition that captured all possible structural variations of mysteries. Each of the seven stories illustrates one permutation. That\u2019s not all. Julia spots a minor inconsistency in each story. Grant acknowledges them but offers no explanation other than to say he doesn\u2019t remember, causing Julia to become suspicious and start probing Grant\u2019s past. The Eighth Detective stands as a unique contribution to the mystery genre. It makes the reader think more generally about mysteries and their structure. And it offers seven mysteries wrapped up in an even bigger mystery. Either component would make this a worthwhile read; both together make it an outstanding one.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "13-Aug-2020 19:28:27", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009094039", "title": "The Tinderbox: Soldier of Indira", "author": "Lou Diamond Phillips", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 187, "review": "Everson leaves everything behind to become a soldier, as all Indiran men should. But when Everson\u2019s parents force him to serve and in his first real battle, everything goes wrong. When a chance meeting with the king\u2019s daughter changes everything, Everson is sent on a quest that could mean he holds the fate of two worlds in his hands. Lost on a strange world full of people who want him dead, Everson finds himself taking on a bigger role than a mere soldier.

Not everything is as it seems, people aren\u2019t who they say they are, and the war isn\u2019t as straightforward as you\u2019re supposed to believe. The story is very much plot-driven, with vast and complex worlds at play, meaning I didn\u2019t feel much for the characters. They were different from each other, and the small cast made it easy to keep track of who\u2019s who. The tinderbox itself didn\u2019t take much of a role, it was there when there was no other way out of a situation, but I would have like to see more of it, especially since it\u2019s what the book is titled after.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "13-Aug-2020 19:18:04", "publisher": "Aethon Books, LLC", "page_count": "278 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009094031", "title": "Bookish and the Beast (Once Upon A Con)", "author": "Ashley Poston", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 199, "review": "Rosie Thorne is a bookworm who recently lost her mother. Her only solace is her mother\u2019s book collection. Vance Reigns is a playboy actor who can\u2019t do anything right according to his parents, which is how he ended up in Nowheresville. Rosie must work to help her father with the bills. Vance should not work right now and instead keep his head beneath the radar of the paparazzi. When Rosie ruins a priceless novel, she must work off her debt, with Vance\u2019s help, by organizing and cataloging the library at his hideaway from the world. Maybe some spent time together will show him the beauty beneath her pain exterior and show her the beast trying to find something real in his bubble of false people and places.

This retelling of a favorite fairy tale follows Disney\u2019s approach more than that of the classic French story. Characters from previous books by Poston make an appearance in this one, much to fans\u2019 delight. References to favorite Beauty and the Beast movies and books are sprinkled throughout the story like glitter, a surprise find while reading. This well-developed story is for anyone who loves a good angsty and fun modern-day fairy tale.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "13-Aug-2020 19:10:16", "publisher": "Quirk Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009094023", "title": "Fetch! A How to Speak Dog Training Guide", "author": "Gary Weitzman, D.V.M., and Aubre Andrus", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 183, "review": "In this book, you can learn all sorts of cool skills and tricks to teach your dog! Whether you have a new puppy or an old dog, there are tricks for every age. This book has everything from simple commands such as sit or stay to more complicated ones like jumping through a hoop or opening a door. This book also gives advice on positive reinforcement, the use of which is very important to develop a healthy, trusting relationship with your dog.

It contains tips to help you train your dog, and a problem-solving section to help you stop your pet\u2019s bad behavior. There are cool sections inside about famous dogs that skateboard, surf with their owners, fight crime, act in movies, hug people, and more! There are tips from a veterinarian throughout the book to help humans understand how their fur babies learn best.

There are beautiful color photographs on nearly every page of adorable dogs. With tons of great content and great tricks for you and your dog to work on together, this book is a must-have for any dog lover!", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "13-Aug-2020 18:57:23", "publisher": "Media Masters Publicity", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009094019", "title": "Pounce! A How To Speak Cat Training Guide", "author": "Dr. Gary Weitzman, D.V.M., and Tracey West", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 212, "review": "Having two cats myself, I have found Pounce! A How to Speak Cat Training Guide a big help with understanding my cats' behaviors. The book covers training your cats to perform basic tricks such as \"come\" as well as some involving toys to enhance playtime. The lessons continue onto intermediate tricks, such as \"shake\" and \"sit,\" and the wearing of a harness for outdoor walks. Then there are the advanced tricks, which look impressive when a cat is capable of performing them, such as \"fetch,\" crawling, and jumping tricks.

Most of the lessons take between four and eight steps, with the basic tricks taking up to two. In addition to the training instructions, there are other chapters about understanding your cat's behaviors as well as tips for addressing issues such as furniture scratching, jumping on the counter, walking on your keyboard, and being up all night.

Pounce! is a quick read but it is effective in terms of the way the information presented is communicated to the reader. There are plenty of cute pictures and interesting facts throughout the book. There's even a quiz at the end that will help you to determine what kind of cat you would be. If you're a cat owner or lover, this is a must-read book!", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "13-Aug-2020 18:51:07", "publisher": "Media Masters Publicity", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009094015", "title": "Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads", "author": "David Rundell", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 221, "review": "In April 2016, Saudi Arabia announced its Vision 2030, which is its strategic roadmap to reducing its dependence on oil, diversifying its economy, and strengthening its public services. The development was seen as a disruption, but this book seems to suggest that reform is necessary if Saudi Arabia is to retain its influence as a regional power and to be a viable voice in the world.

Most of the book covers Saudi history, beginning in the mid-eighteenth century. The last forty pages are devoted to contemporary issues, especially the challenges Saudi society faces as it embarks on its Vision 2030. The narrative outlines how the House of Saud rose and fell (several times) until Ibn Saud, through the use of piety, pragmatism, raids, compassion, charisma, and diplomacy, united most of Arabia into a single nation. Some of the tactics used then still haunt the House of Saud today.

Unfortunately, the book does not address the cooling of relations between Saudi Arabia and the USA following the 9/11 attacks (even though Iran, a common adversary, has grown more menacing). Nor does it address Saudi Arabia\u2019s alleged human rights violations (especially in relation to Khashoggi\u2019s assassination). Furthermore, the narrative does not outline possible future trajectories. In the end, it is more a history of Saudi Arabia than an analysis of possible future scenarios.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "13-Aug-2020 18:47:11", "publisher": "I.B. Tauris", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009094007", "title": "Age of Consent: A Novel", "author": "Amanda Brainerd", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 235, "review": "Despite her artistic parents\u2019 total inability to manage money, Justine Rubin finds herself beginning her sophomore year of high school at the Connecticut boarding school Griswold Academy. It is 1983, everything is accessible in New York if you know the right people, and Justine is ready to become. What she\u2019ll become isn\u2019t clear; but that isn\u2019t what\u2019s important.

Amanda Brainerd\u2019s brilliant Age of Consent isn\u2019t just a coming of age novel, though that can\u2019t be underscored. It is also a gorgeous, rancid, luxurious snapshot of a type in America when helicopter parents didn\u2019t exist and dance clubs in NYC cared more about the fame of the clientele than their age. As Justine befriends wealthy and connected classmates like Eve Straus and Clay Bradley, she\u2019s ushered into a world far removed from her own.

The story is as much Eve\u2019s as it is Justine\u2019s. The wealthier of the two, Eve is also the more troubled. Griswold is the last stop on a tour of boarding schools, all of which she\u2019s left under dubious circumstances. Her parents\u2019 money and clout have gotten her into Griswold, but she has to keep herself there.

A meditation on music and friendship, young love and drug use, the start of the AIDS epidemic and the frenetic pace of the 80s New York art scene, Age of Consent is a dark and beautiful book for anyone who remembers the hope and terror of being sixteen.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "13-Aug-2020 18:39:34", "publisher": "Viking", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009093003", "title": "REMOTE iT!", "author": "Michael Brooks", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 425, "review": "Remote iT!: Winning with Freelancers by Michael Brooks is a survey for business owners looking to secure and retain the burgeoning market of independent contractors. A number of industries are tapping into the exceptional array of workers operating on their own time and terms remotely. The author highlights a number of benefits to hiring freelancers, including \u201cthat they are essentially self-employed and running their own businesses\u2026 they have a level of enthusiasm and drive often unmatched in the traditional workforce\u201d and, in many ways, they can assist business-owners to propel \u201cproducts to market earlier and increase your company\u2019s profitability in many ways.\u201d These workers showcase a variety of skillsets, making them ideal for short-term virtual positions such as designers, writers and developers, assistants, engineers, marketers, and SEO experts. These cover only a few of the many roles available to virtual work, providing both freelancers and business owners with a number of short-term and long-term advantages. These types of contracts afford independent contract workers flexibility in when and where they work. Simultaneously, business-owners experience reduced overhead costs, no longer having to pay for worker-related costs such as insurance and payroll taxes, office space, or infrastructure fees. This structure provides all those involved a healthier working relationship that fosters creativity, intersectionality, and productivity. Brooks shares firsthand knowledge of this model, having employed this structure with a number of freelancers for his expanding global business. Particularly interesting are the insights Brooks offers on remote corporate retreats, 3D virtual meetings, and global currency challenges. The author wraps up his synopsis with relevant, informative case studies, an applicable checklist for new business-owners engaging this structure, and resources to expand on the discussed topics. Apart from the insights this text affords business-owners, freelancers will learn what to expect and how best to perform for their clients to encourage repeat customers and avoid industry pitfalls. Brooks\u2019 section on verifying a freelancer acts as a concise blueprint of materials to prepare in anticipation of a project for independent contractors. Employers and freelancers alike will appreciate the guidance and effectiveness Brooks provides from beginning to end. Brooks\u2019 survey is overflowing with engaging and applicable information great for readers of all backgrounds and levels of experience. His comprehensive overview on a number of relevant areas earns this work a 5-star rating. Michael Brooks\u2019 Remote iT!: Winning with Freelancers is a forward-thinking survey of the infinite options that can unfold when working with independent contractors. Readers will find the discussed themes and additional resources invaluable in expanding and sustaining their business in an ever-growing remote world.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "07-Oct-2020", "date_added": "13-Aug-2020 04:32:08", "publisher": "goLance Inc.", "page_count": "85 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009092003", "title": "Dasher and The Sleigh-Train", "author": "E. Dorinda Shelley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 482, "review": "It\u2019s nearly Christmas, and Santa fears there won\u2019t be enough room in the sleigh for all the children\u2019s toys. The requests he\u2019s received have been countless this year. While he\u2019s sharing his concerns with Mrs. Claus, Dasher approaches, sneezing and announcing that he\u2019s not feeling well. Though Santa desperately needs his help on the busiest night of the year, he sends him off to the infirmary to see the nurse. Santa calls a meeting with the elves to troubleshoot the situation. Though they aren\u2019t in favor of it, he decides to use a toy train to pull the sleigh in Dasher\u2019s absence. He sprinkles the presents with his special dust, and they magically rearrange themselves in the sleigh, fitting perfectly, despite his previous worries. He and his lively green helpers take the locomotive on a trial run and determine it to be fit for the job. Upon their return, the reindeer plead to be a part of the journey. So, Santa agrees they may join the rest of the crew. They set out on their expedition toward the towns and cities. Santa and his crew catch a glimpse of the nighttime sky filled with beautiful stars and the brilliance and flashing of the Northern Lights. Once the gifts are delivered, they return to their homestead. They check on their dear friend Dasher and sing him their favorite holiday song, brightening his spirits just in time for Christmas.

Dasher and the Sleigh-Train is an original festive treat. Unlike many others, it's not a rendition of an already-told tale with a few new twists and turns added; its storyline is unique. The prominent illustrations sweeping across its pages are equally distinctive. They\u2019re filled with brightly colored hues and have a soft, textured appearance, almost like that of velvet. They resemble pictures created from a rich array of markers, blended with a touch of pastel-colored chalk. Young children will likely find them unusual and intriguing. They\u2019re apt to be a topic of discussion.

A sense of thoughtfulness and compassion are woven into the contents of this picture book. Parents and teachers may be especially fond of this aspect of it as they are so often trying to instill these qualities into their children and students. The way Santa, his elves, and the other reindeer respond to Dasher being ill and having to stay behind is touching. The story is written at a second- to third-grade reading level. It\u2019s most suitable for youth ages 5-9, though some even younger, namely preschoolers, might delight in it, too. It\u2019s relatively short, only 30 pages from front to back, making it a quick read. The font is smaller and less kid-friendly than it ideally would be, but this factor alone isn\u2019t likely to detract many readers. The overall quality of the text is good, and the price is extremely reasonable. It will make a great stocking stuffer or pre-holiday surprise.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 21:21:22", "publisher": "Readersmagnet", "page_count": "30 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009091107", "title": "Meditation Station", "author": "Susan B. Katz", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 176, "review": "I really enjoyed the book Meditation Station written by Susan B. Katz and illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyn. What I liked about it was that there\u2019s yoga. And I liked that they used animals. It\u2019s a calming book, with lots of trains and things. And birthday cake for breakfast sounds amazing! (Even though we learned on Sid the Science Kid about why it\u2019s not healthy to eat cake for breakfast.) I like that in the end there\u2019s a picture of the bear with his trains.

This book helped me learn how to think about meditation and calm my busy mind in a yoga pose. It\u2019s easy to feel frustrated or upset, but deep breaths help and that\u2019s it, just that easy, meditation. When my mind gets busy, I like to think about it like a train, like in the book. And when my brain gets too, too busy, I try to remember to take a deep breath and slow it down, like the bear does. This is a really good book and I really liked the pictures.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 21:42:30", "publisher": "Shambhala Publications", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009091091", "title": "A Cloud of Outrageous Blue", "author": "Vesper Stamper", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lena - Age 12", "word_count": 254, "review": "I chose this book because the title appealed to me. After all, blue is my favorite color, and what is 'outrageous blue'? It turns out that the protagonist is a girl with synesthesia. The author explains what that is at the beginning and again at the end of the book. Synesthesia is when somebody's perceptions get mixed so that one sense has a sensation that usually belongs to another sense - like the color blue having a sound, or piano music having a smell. The heroine, Edie, is an orphan. She lives in the Middle Ages, during an outbreak of the bubonic plague. Edie's brother sends her to a priory, like a convent, where she learns to read and write Latin. Edie is an artist, and she learns how to make pigments to color the illuminations (illustrations) in medieval books. The illustrations in this book are so beautiful, and really help you imagine the world of the priory. Unfortunately, the story did not hold my attention. I enjoyed flipping through the book to see all the pictures, but I really had to push myself to read the story. At the end of the book is the author's note about her research. It's interesting and I enjoyed reading that. the author as a person sounds really interesting. So if you do love reading novels set in the Middle Ages, or living in a convent sounds like fun to you, definitely check out this book and its beautiful artwork - the pictures alone are worth it!", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 21:34:56", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009091083", "title": "Frozen 2: One for the Books", "author": "John Edwards", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 200, "review": "Frozen 2: One for the Books is a story mostly about Olaf. Olaf is with Anna, and they are going to the bookstore in Arendale. Along the way, Olaf is telling Anna lots of facts about animals that he knows. When they get to the bookstore, they see that the librarian is getting ready to close it because he is going to be gone; this makes Olaf sad because he loves the library and learning new things from the books. Anna gets the librarian to keep the library open and let Olaf be in charge. Olaf is so happy and makes some changes to the library. When the librarian gets back, will he like the changes?

If you like the Frozen movies, then you'll like this book. When you start the story, you might think that you'll only see Anna and Olaf, but by the end of the book, you'll get to see all of the main characters. The story is easy to understand, even if you don't know the people. The pictures go with the story well, and if they made a short movie about this book, I would watch it! Kids of any age will enjoy this story.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 21:27:08", "publisher": "Disney", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009091079", "title": "The Last Tiger", "author": "Petr Horacek", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 236, "review": "In The Last Tiger, a fable written by author and illustrator Petr Horacek, a prideful tiger roams the jungle grounds. His peers warn him when hunters come near. With arrogance, he ignores their sage advice to hide, for he is the strongest and most powerful of all. After devising a clever plan, the men return to the jungle and capture the tiger. They display him in the city for all to see. Behind the metal stakes of his enclosure, he falls into despair and gradually loses what he savored most - his strength and power. Once his body becomes nearly half the size it was, he squeezes through the bars, escaping to freedom at last. It becomes his most precious commodity.

This is a thoughtful book centered on a timeless message - the blessing of freedom far outweighs that of strength and power. In the end, those mean little in contrast. A secondary lesson can be extrapolated from the text as well: Arrogance often leads to undesirable ends. These valuable truisms taught through simple words and elaborately illustrated pages, provide young children with a rich source of wisdom. This tale will appeal to children ages five to nine. The brevity of it as well as the uniqueness of the illustrations will be likely be their favorite features. Horacek\u2019s style has some resemblance to that of Eric Carle, a beloved author and illustrator of young children\u2019s books.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 21:25:19", "publisher": "Eerdmans Publishing", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009091075", "title": "Pirates Escape Game: A High Seas Mystery", "author": "Eric Nieudan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 193, "review": "This is a cool, fun puzzle game. You wake up on a pirate ship with a bump on the head. The captain is missing, and you don\u2019t know how you got here! This game is really two books in one because it has a main book with the story and the puzzles, and a separate clue book in the back. It also has the answers! This game-book will be good for vacations, maybe while you are driving, or sitting on an airplane. Figuring out the clues and decoding the messages will take a long time, so it\u2019s a great way not to get bored.

Some of the problems are hard. There are mazes, secret codes, math puzzles, a clue book where you find stuff, picture puzzles. The pictures are good, and really bring you the feel of an old-fashioned pirate ship. Some pages look like old maps or old-fashioned letters. The printing looks like it\u2019s written in ink. It\u2019s a good math book, too, because you have to use your brain to get around the clues and solve sequences. Kids who like puzzles and who study cryptography for fun will really like this!", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 21:22:13", "publisher": "Schiffer Books", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009091071", "title": "Geraldine and the Space Bees", "author": "Sol Regwan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 181, "review": "Geraldine and the Space Bees is the second book in the Geraldine series. In Space Bees, the book begins with Geraldine watering her mom's flowers. She notices that there aren't as many bees flying around the plants as usual. The next day at school, her teacher says that they are going on a field trip to the space museum; this is exciting to Geraldine! At the space museum, she learns about different things in space and has a homework assignment to create something to send into outer space. Back at home, she uses her imagination and makes something helpful that will hopefully help save the bees.

I think I will like the books in the Geraldine series! She is close to my age and thinks up exciting things to do and make. I did not know much about bees, besides them being important for plants, before reading this book. I now know how important they are and will remember to not be scared of them. Space Bees is for any age of reader who likes colorful illustrations and a fun story.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 21:20:14", "publisher": "Schiffer Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009091059", "title": "Hawthorn Woods", "author": "Patrick Canning", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 193, "review": "Like so many other sleepy suburbs, Hawthorn Woods is manicured, polite, and social on the surface, but beneath the polished veneer of the picture-perfect community, secrets and scandal rumble in Patrick Canning\u2019s novel Hawthorn Woods.

After her marriage ends, Francine retreats to her sister\u2019s home to recharge and re-evaluate her life. She\u2019s certain she can\u2019t trust her own judgment given the way she\u2019d misread her ex-husband, and the quiet, sun-dappled world of Hawthorn Woods feels like the perfect place to reset. While her sister is traveling in Italy for a belated honeymoon, Francine holds down the fort and mingles with the neighbors. Snotty Lori Asperski and her crew of hens rule the roost while Laura Jean\u2014the best friend of Francine\u2019s sister\u2014adopts and shepherds Francine through all the summer festivities, including a July 4th barbecue and the infamous garage sale day.

But behind all the seemingly mundane moments, there is a current of danger. Something is off with the other summer resident, Michael Bruno, who commands Francine\u2019s attention and her suspicion in equal measure. There is a mystery in Hawthorn Woods that Francine must solve, if only she can determine who she should trust.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 21:06:50", "publisher": "Patrick Canning Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009091047", "title": "A Wild Winter Swan: A Novel", "author": "Gregory Maguire", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 245, "review": "Laura Ciardi can name all the reasons she\u2019s an outcast before she ever gets out of bed in the morning. She\u2019s being raised by her aging grandparents thanks to a father who died before she was born and a mother in an institution. She\u2019d rather read fairy tales to elementary school kids than make friends her own age. And, she\u2019s not allowed to speak to the workmen in the house because her Nonna and Nonno don\u2019t think it\u2019s proper. Gregory Maguire\u2019s A Wild Winter Swan reveals all of Laura\u2019s eccentricities and her gifts over the course of a few snowy days near Christmas in 1960s New York.

Ciardi\u2019s Fine Foods and Delicacies is a staple in Manhattan, but recent competition from another business is affecting their bottom line, so Mrs. Ciardi invites her sister Geneva, and Geneva\u2019s rich new husband, to the Feast of the Seven Fishes. A dinner so opulent, Mr. Corm Kennedy\u2014no relation\u2014will have no choice but to throw in as an investor and help save the business from ruin. It is in the midst of the preparations for this feast, and on the night itself, that Laura is pushed to her limits. A mysterious visitor wings into the house and she must hide him or risk her family losing it all.

As Maguire has so often done before with books like Wicked and Mirror Mirror, A Wild Winter Swan is a delight of fantasy and the grotesquely beautiful in all of us.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 20:57:28", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009091043", "title": "The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X", "author": "Les Payne", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 236, "review": "The dark presence of intolerance took shape early in the life of Malcolm X. Born Malcolm Little, his family battled the racist maneuverings of the Ku Klux Klan in Omaha, Nebraska. His Father Earl and Mother Louis were uncowed by subjugation and resilience. They eventually relocated from Omaha to Milwaukee before settling in Michigan. The Littles were active in Civil Rights, members of the Universal Negro Improvement Association. The fortunes of the Little family were irreversibly altered when Earl Little was killed in a tragic accident in 1931. Louise Little was left to raise a large family during the back-breaking days of the Great Depression. The poverty took a toll, and young Malcolm eventually shirked his education for more lucrative forays in petty crime. As Malcolm matured, his exploits got him jailed, where he found Religion and emerged as Malcolm X. As an early ambassador for The Nation of Islam, Malcolm\u2019s charisma and intellect gained converts and strengthened the organization. Yet as his star rose, internecine conflict, racism, and corrupt government overreach would do their utmost to tear him down.

The Dead are Arising is a powerfully moving book about an oft polarizing figure. Malcolm X was a man who emerged out of turbulent times, gave a voice to the ignored and downtrodden. The research done by the late Les Payne is exemplary and noteworthy. He makes the past come alive for every reader to behold.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 20:53:42", "publisher": "W W Norton", "page_count": "640 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009091039", "title": "Feel Better in 5: Your Daily Plan to Feel Great for Life", "author": "Rangan Chatterjee", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 222, "review": "Feel Better in 5 is all about making small changes in your daily routine that lead to lasting results. The book is divided into three sections: Mind, Body, and Heart. Within each area, Dr. Chatterjee presents what he calls \"health snacks\" designed to make you feel better throughout the day. By devoting five minutes thee times a day to his suggestions and exercises, you an create a new routine that will positively benefit your mind, body, and heart. By finding time in the day that works for you, whether it is before your day begins or at the end of the day, these tips are designed to have a ripple effect in your life. Once you start to feel good, you will want to incorporate more of the exercises into your day; at least, that's the idea. And I'm happy to say that there are many interesting options listed throughout the book. I enjoyed the physical exercise snacks the most.

If, like me, you are one of those people who start diets and exercise programs only to give up a few days or weeks later, Feel Better in 5 presents a new way of addressing health and fitness. It's easy to follow and it doesn't require a lot of time or willpower. As far as I'm concerned, that makes this one a winner.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 20:50:17", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009091027", "title": "For Whom the Book Tolls: An Antique Bookshop Mystery", "author": "Laura Gail Black", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 162, "review": "When Jenna Quinn arrives in Hokes Folly, North Carolina, to stay with her uncle Paul and help out around his antique bookstore, she finds him dead at the bottom of the stairs inside the store. To make matters worse, the police suspect Jenna had something to do with the death. Jenna is already trying to move on from a troubled past so, she doesn't need the police breathing down her neck. On top of trying to find a killer, she also has to decide if she wants to stay in the small town and run the bookstore uncle Paul left her.

For Whom The Book Tolls started a bit slow, but as I read on, the action picked up, and the story turned out to be quiet exciting. It's full of delightful characters and enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing who the murderer could be right up to the end. Hopefully, there will be more to come in this series.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 20:42:43", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "314 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009091023", "title": "Birds of San Pancho and Other Poems of Place", "author": "Lucille Lang Day", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 241, "review": "A book of poems deserves a few quotations, reaching out to garner the sentiment no less than their words and messages. The poet\u2019s grandson declares his love extravagantly demands a response:

\nWhat can I say? Stars are too distant,

Flowers too small, and fragile. Stumped,

I reply, \u2018I love you that much too.'\n

In her new collection, Birds of San Pancho and Other Poems of Place, Lucille Lang Day fits two genres between the covers. The first shares postcard messages, souvenirs of exotic views, restaurants, small setbacks like broken sneakers. They\u2019re likable, but beg the question, are they poetry?

Poetry has \u2018poetic qualities however mentioned, \u2018and \u2018poetic spirit or feeling.\u2019 So even if our schooling left us believing the likes of Keats and Milton defined poetry, we must allow credit to a new world, a topsy-turvy world, where poetry is unafraid to talk to us as equals, in a language we recognize.

Oh, what can we do to save

this world where people fear

a necklace might blow up

Donald Duck, or bring down a plane

Then, a deeper dimension, a lasting memory of Old Bill, a tribute to a dying friend of long ago:

I don\u2019t believe in your death or mine,

but in colors and sky, all the possibilities

reflected in your hazel eyes, which glittered

Like emeralds the night we danced naked.

Should sentiment come later, as it has done here, or perhaps come into the early pages so travels can assuage emotion?", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 20:41:25", "publisher": "Blue Light Press", "page_count": "126 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009091019", "title": "Murder in the Bayou Boneyard: A Cajun Country Mystery", "author": "Ellen Byron", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 199, "review": "It's Halloween in Pelican, Louisiana, and that would be great if Maggie Crozat were a fan of this spooky holiday, but she isn't. Nevertheless, the Crozat family has decided to add some special events at the bed and breakfast they operate in the small town to attract more guests. The Crozat family are also expecting to meet some long lost cousins who are arriving from Canada. But when one of them turns up dead at a Halloween event hosted in a cemetery, Maggie is not only surprised; she's the main suspect. Which means she now has to find out who is behind the killing if she's going to stay out of jail. But it's Halloween and there are far more tricks than treats in this story, and Maggie will have to dig deep to find out what's going on.

Murder in the Bayou Boneyard is a fast-paced, fun, cozy mystery with a great deal of atmosphere. I enjoyed the story and the main characters. I especially like the sense of place in this one. I felt like I was in a Louisiana small town the whole way through. Plus, the author included a few recipes in the book as well.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 20:39:56", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "290 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009091015", "title": "Murder at Hotel 1911: An Ivy Nichols Mystery", "author": "Audrey Keown", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 346, "review": "Ivy Nichols is proud of her job at Hotel 1911 and is determined to keep working at the reception desk despite her panic attacks. The hotel keeps her connected to the family she's long since lost and allows her to work closely with her friend George, whose role is in the kitchen. The hotel receives a new guest when Amalia Swain comes with an attitude and an important warning: she has a severe allergy to shellfish. But when Amalia is found dead, George is the main suspect, with everyone believing that he made a mistake in the kitchen. Ivy knows that George would never make a mistake, but when no one believes her, she has more to fight than panic attacks. She must search for clues and uncover the identity of the real killer to prove her friend innocent.

Audrey Keown delivers a charming debut that is a brilliant kick-off to a series with this addicting cozy, a mystery that surrounds a hotel, and an amazing protagonist. The hotel is an important character in itself as it presents a grand history to the story and gives a connection to Ivy's own familial past. The writing is lovely and gives elegant descriptions of the hotel that take you back to 1911, as Keown has a true talent for capturing the essence of the story. Everyone believes that Ivy's friend George is guilty, which is the drive that pushes Ivy to solve the case herself. Ivy is a charmingly flawed character that captures the voice and struggle of someone living with panic attacks in a genuine and honest way. It's refreshing to see such an honest character at the helms of an investigation and explore a genuine approach to living with anxiety. She's a grounded character that is driven, compassionate, and clever, which adds fun and lightness to the story as she takes the lead. Murder at Hotel 1911 is a great whodunit mystery that has a Clue flare and a charming setting, in a mystery that gives a much-needed voice to the struggles of anxiety and panic attacks.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 20:38:20", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "278 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009091011", "title": "Apocalypse Yesterday", "author": "Brock Adams", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 206, "review": "Many people are nostalgic for days gone by. Fewer people are nostalgic for the four months where civilization collapsed in the wake of a zombie uprising. Rip is one of the few. He thrived during the end times, truly finding a place for himself as a zombie hunter. But when civilization returned, Rip was lost again. How far will Rip go to recapture his glory days?

Apocalypse Yesterday is unexpected. You expect a Zombieland-style romp through zombie hunting, and you do get a little bit of that. But you also get a genuinely empathetic look at what it feels like to not fit in the world and the depression that follows newfound success. You may not get Rip, but you get what he's going through, and you can't help but root for him to find a way forward (even if it's not the insane path he chooses). Not only that, but Adams manages to pepper some poignant commentary on consumerism, climate change, and human nature along the way.

Apocalypse Yesterday isn't as hilarious as some zombie books, but its unique mix of humor, heart, melancholy, and deliciously gory detail helps it to stand out from the pack. In a genre full of groaners, Apocalypse Yesterday speaks.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "17-Feb-2022", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 20:36:56", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009091003", "title": "It Will Just Be Us", "author": "Jo Kaplan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 214, "review": "The Wakefield mansion is haunted by ghosts and memories of both the past and the future. Sam and her mother live there alone until Sam\u2019s sister Elizabeth shows up eight months pregnant. Sam begins seeing a new ghost, a faceless one who harms animals and the other ghosts. He seems to know her and tries to hurt her constantly. There is something familiar about the boy and Sam is horrified when she figures out who he really is. She is going to try to stop it from happening, but little does she realize that you can\u2019t stop the future, only set it in motion. She learns too late that in the end, It Will Just Be Us.

This was a fantastic ghost story. Every part was great. I loved that the house had a mind of its own, as well as the backstories of all the ghosts and the Swamp Witch. It was also interesting how the house would show you memories of the past and the future. You can\u2019t help but feel bad for everyone who has lived in that house. They either die, are tortured, or go mad. I guess haunted houses will do that to you. Overall, a book you should probably read during the day, but definitely worth your time.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 20:33:47", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009090003", "title": "Retrograde: The Darkness", "author": "A.O. Godmasch", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 68, "review": "\"In Retrograde: The Darkness, Godmasch brings us a vividly rendered vision of a far-off planet facing an ancient, supernatural enemy. This book isn't just flights of fancy; however, the characters are all as real as anyone you might meet in your day-to-day life, bringing human strength and vulnerability in equal measure to a world that could only exist in the imagination.\" \u2014 Jo Niederhoff, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 19:04:09", "publisher": "IgramSpark", "page_count": "371 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009089019", "title": "El Camino Drive", "author": "Edward Izzi", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 397, "review": "\u201cA very old vendetta was about to be fulfilled.\u201d Detective John Valentino is haunted by the murder of his father on El Camino Drive when he was six years old. The fact that the murderers were never brought to justice weighs heavily on him. The absence of his father has defined his life and turned him into an angry alcoholic which destroys his family. No one has more reason to avenge the death of his father, or so he thought. That is until his father's killers start turning up dead. Of course, the first suspect is John, but with airtight alibis, the investigators are running in circles. Meanwhile, John is dealing with his own demons.

When we are introduced to the main character, Detective John Valentino, he is suspended for violently assaulting his partner. The only reason he wasn\u2019t fired is that his commander has a soft spot for him. At first, this character is hard to like. He\u2019s angry, mean, and sexist. As the story progresses he does get a bit more likable, especially when he interacts with his sons. The writing style of this author is not typically what I prefer, It\u2019s dry and matter of fact, but the storyline itself was interesting and unpredictable. It reads like a gritty big screen police drama. At first, the story starts a bit slow with a lot of background information but picks up about halfway through. There were many times where I had no idea where the story was going and I like that. Some of the characters I felt were too complicated and there is a secondary storyline that seemed unnecessary but despite that, the story was easy to follow. I did find it fascinating that this was based on a real case, on El Camino Drive. The author did a great job with the \"what if\" scenario in exploring that case. The funeral scene for John\u2019s mother was very well written, definitely evoked empathy for the grief the characters were feeling. The chapter endings had a good impact and made me want to keep reading. The killers reveal fell a little flat and didn\u2019t have the impact a good climax should have. I also felt more was needed to wrap things up so the ending left me a bit unsatisfied. Overall, I thought this was a good crime novel with an interesting plot and characters.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 19:11:28", "publisher": "Cassino Publishing Inc", "page_count": "460 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009089015", "title": "The Algerian Hoax", "author": "Roger Croft", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 466, "review": "Michael Vaux used to be a journalist, but for the past many years he has been working as a part-time rent-a-spy for Britain\u2019s famed MI6. He had been recruited, perhaps against his better judgment, more than twenty years earlier. He is still at it when called upon for special jobs. But now it seems some people at the agency think Vaux has been double-dealing, and they want to catch him in the act. Vaux picks up a woman in a bar, one young enough to be his daughter, and takes her home with him. In the morning, when he needs to leave, she says she would like to sleep a little longer, and seemingly without a second thought, he leaves her there and goes on his merry way. When he returns later, it never occurs to him to check for bugs or anything that might be missing. The people who think Vaux is a double agent decide to catch him in the act and send him to the south of France where they have people ready to surveil him, and they have a phony job for him that is bound to get him to show who he really is. Vaux has some people in his corner though, and it is a good thing he does, but will it be enough to save him?

Author Roger Croft has done his homework on the British spy game and has what should be a very compelling story to tell. But there are some writer's problems that could be resolved with a couple of good rounds of developmental editing, copy editing, and following some tenets of writing in this genre. First, Croft has chosen an omniscient point of view. By letting the readers see everything that is going on and what everyone is thinking, he erases any real chance of building tension, and thrillers really need tension on every page to work well. The old adage of show-don\u2019t-tell seems to have been thrown to the winds. The book abounds with info dumps disguised as memoranda and conversations with phrases like \u201cas you know\u201d (p. 39), \u201cas you may have gathered\u201d (p. 40), \u201cas you already know\u201d (p. 40), and \u201cas you know full well (p. 53) identifying them as info dumps. A good copy editor would find and fix problems such as saying the same thing with different words in the same sentence (\u201cThursfield\u2019s overall ennui and boredom) and details that pull readers out of the story like having Vaux with his gun in an underarm holster on page 168 and pulling the gun from the holster firmly attached to his waistband three pages later or sipping his rum-and-coke then, three paragraphs later grabbing his old-fashioned. This has the possibility to be a pretty good book with some serious re-writing.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 19:03:36", "publisher": "Archwayway Publishing", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009089007", "title": "Crossing the Digital Faultline", "author": "Sri Manchala", "category": "N04 Technology", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 476, "review": "We live in a time where changes are happening in the digital world nonstop, not just month to month, or week to week, but day to day, and sometimes even faster than that. It is crucial for a business leader to be up to date and prepared for these changes as they happen, so they are not caught by surprise and at risk of harming their business. There are those who believe that they\u2019ve crossed the \u201cdigital faultline\u201d by making sure they have a good website and email, and are ready for anything. They couldn\u2019t be more wrong. Fortunately, Sri Manchala\u2019s Crossing the Digital Faultline has the suggestions, advice, and answers you need to be a successful business leader in the digital age.

As someone who doesn\u2019t read many business books, I was expecting the reading to be significant challenge, but was pleasantly surprised. Manchala has a clear and easy-to-read voice throughout the book that doesn\u2019t feel overbearing or overwhelming ever. The reader doesn\u2019t get the sense that they\u2019re drowning in details and numbers because the book is skillfully divided in clear, distinct parts and chapters and sections to make it far easier to digest bit by bit or quickly find a particular subject or detail you\u2019re looking for.

The book is divided into four parts, which are then broken down into further chapters, which are divided into sections with subheadings, all easily indexed and found through an extensive table of contents. The first part, \u201cThe Digital Faultline,\u201d goes into detail explaining this concept, and where the world, and most importantly the business world, stands with regards to the Digital Age. The second part, \u201cThe Privilege of Being a Leader and the Persona for Success on the Digital Faultline,\u201d explains the important of your role as the leader of a business. Without you doing what is needed, your business very well may fail, or at least get left behind in this fast-paced world. In the third part, \u201cThe 10 Rules of Leading and Succeeding in the Digital Age,\u201d the ten rules are explained clearly and thoroughly. Some of them include: Rule #3 - Replace Assumptions with Data Analysis, Rule #7 - Strategize and Execute in Quick Iterations, and Rule #10 - Be Aggressive, But Set Realistic Stakeholder Expectations. The fourth part, \u201cApplying the 10 Rules,\u201d goes into detail on how you apply the ten rules to your business and your success.

Crossing the Digital Faultline is brimming not just with important details and data but also numerous graphs and images explaining the terms and goals and putting everything in perspective. It is a slim but important book that is invaluable to any business leader looking to stay on top of all the changes happening in the Digital World. There is also significant advice on the subject of Covid-19 and how the business world has been changed by this pandemic.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 18:31:20", "publisher": "Trasers", "page_count": "290 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009088035", "title": "The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life", "author": "Dr. Allen Lycka & Harriet Tinka", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 414, "review": "This book shows that life is not about what happens to you but how you respond to the things that happen. Both authors experienced events that changed their lives. Dr. Lycka was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and given only a short time to live, and Harriet Tinka was kidnapped and beaten by a stalker. By examining their lives and thinking about how they could make the most out of their experiences and challenges, they have come up with thirteen golden pearls that they feel could help others lead a wonderful life. These golden pearls cover a range of issues, from letting love into your life to finding inspiration and purpose, as well as feeling grateful for what you have now.

I enjoyed the section about non-negotiables because that is an important area we sometimes neglect. I also found the chapter on intention very useful, especially Harriet's questions for finding purpose. By following the thirteen pearls, the authors hope that readers will learn how to deal with life's challenges and find meaning and fulfillment every day.

The authors use their own stories and others to inspire readers to slow down a little and see what life has to offer. What makes this book a bit different from other self-help books that I've read recently is that it is structured in the form of a conversation between Dr. Lycka and Harriet. This made the book seem more personal and engaging, and I got the feeling almost immediately that they were genuinely hoping to help their readers. They weren't interested in just their own stories. They incorporated many others, along with engaging and inspiring quotes as well. The story of Amber was particularly moving. I think this is a book that readers, myself included, will want to consult again or return to when they need a specific golden pearl.

I enjoyed the book and the message that you don't have to accept life as something that happens to you. You can choose what you do with the life you have. I appreciated Harriet's idea of empowerment being a desire, plus confidence, plus action. Believing in yourself can be the best kind of empowerment. Overall, the positive tone and warm, friendly feeling that came through made this a useful book. And I don't remember reading one that encouraged readers to send their own stories for the next book the authors intend to write incorporating more golden pearls.

\n", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 23:54:23", "publisher": "SLAFL Holdings Inc", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009088031", "title": "The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life", "author": "Dr. Allen Lycka & Harriet Tinka", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 414, "review": "This book shows that life is not about what happens to you but how you respond to the things that happen. Both authors experienced events that changed their lives. Dr. Lycka was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and given only a short time to live, and Harriet Tinka was kidnapped and beaten by a stalker. By examining their lives and thinking about how they could make the most out of their experiences and challenges, they have come up with thirteen golden pearls that they feel could help others lead a wonderful life. These golden pearls cover a range of issues, from letting love into your life to finding inspiration and purpose, as well as feeling grateful for what you have now.

I enjoyed the section about non-negotiables because that is an important area we sometimes neglect. I also found the chapter on intention very useful, especially Harriet's questions for finding purpose. By following the thirteen pearls, the authors hope that readers will learn how to deal with life's challenges and find meaning and fulfillment every day.

The authors use their own stories and others to inspire readers to slow down a little and see what life has to offer. What makes this book a bit different from other self-help books that I've read recently is that it is structured in the form of a conversation between Dr. Lycka and Harriet. This made the book seem more personal and engaging, and I got the feeling almost immediately that they were genuinely hoping to help their readers. They weren't interested in just their own stories. They incorporated many others, along with engaging and inspiring quotes as well. The story of Amber was particularly moving. I think this is a book that readers, myself included, will want to consult again or return to when they need a specific golden pearl.

I enjoyed the book and the message that you don't have to accept life as something that happens to you. You can choose what you do with the life you have. I appreciated Harriet's idea of empowerment being a desire, plus confidence, plus action. Believing in yourself can be the best kind of empowerment. Overall, the positive tone and warm, friendly feeling that came through made this a useful book. And I don't remember reading one that encouraged readers to send their own stories for the next book the authors intend to write incorporating more golden pearls.

\n", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 23:48:43", "publisher": "SLAFL Holdings Inc", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009088027", "title": "The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life", "author": "Dr. Allen Lycka & Harriet Tinka", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 414, "review": "This book shows that life is not about what happens to you but how you respond to the things that happen. Both authors experienced events that changed their lives. Dr. Lycka was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and given only a short time to live, and Harriet Tinka was kidnapped and beaten by a stalker. By examining their lives and thinking about how they could make the most out of their experiences and challenges, they have come up with thirteen golden pearls that they feel could help others lead a wonderful life. These golden pearls cover a range of issues, from letting love into your life to finding inspiration and purpose, as well as feeling grateful for what you have now.

I enjoyed the section about non-negotiables because that is an important area we sometimes neglect. I also found the chapter on intention very useful, especially Harriet's questions for finding purpose. By following the thirteen pearls, the authors hope that readers will learn how to deal with life's challenges and find meaning and fulfillment every day.

The authors use their own stories and others to inspire readers to slow down a little and see what life has to offer. What makes this book a bit different from other self-help books that I've read recently is that it is structured in the form of a conversation between Dr. Lycka and Harriet. This made the book seem more personal and engaging, and I got the feeling almost immediately that they were genuinely hoping to help their readers. They weren't interested in just their own stories. They incorporated many others, along with engaging and inspiring quotes as well. The story of Amber was particularly moving. I think this is a book that readers, myself included, will want to consult again or return to when they need a specific golden pearl.

I enjoyed the book and the message that you don't have to accept life as something that happens to you. You can choose what you do with the life you have. I appreciated Harriet's idea of empowerment being a desire, plus confidence, plus action. Believing in yourself can be the best kind of empowerment. Overall, the positive tone and warm, friendly feeling that came through made this a useful book. And I don't remember reading one that encouraged readers to send their own stories for the next book the authors intend to write incorporating more golden pearls.

\n", "issue": "August 2020", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 23:47:55", "publisher": "SLAFL Holdings Inc", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009088023", "title": "Lovecraft Country: A Novel", "author": "Matt Ruff", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 197, "review": "Now an original series on HBO, this book is getting the reprinting treatment, so that readers have another chance to get the book while the series is in its early run. As I have seen the first couple of episodes of the series I can say so far that the book and series are completely different. Atticus gets a letter that his father has gone missing in a strange place not far from Boston. Determined to find him and possibly have a chance of gaining redemption Atticus and his uncle George, set off to find him. This book is a combination of Freemasonry, Jim Crow in the 1950s, and H.P Lovecraft. Though oftentimes the Lovecraft angle pops up its head every once in a while. Frankly, the chapters feel more like little stand-alone novellas with a single underwriting thread of the threat of a powerful family of natural philosophers and their quest for, well that is never really spelled out as the book is told from Atticus, his family, and friends. Those people watching the series will find past the first chapter that things are completely different. The book does end on kind of a letdown though.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 18:36:01", "publisher": "Harper Perennial", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009088019", "title": "The Sirens of Mars: Searching for Life on Another World", "author": "Sarah Stewart Johnson", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 186, "review": "Other than the moon, there is no celestial body that captures the imagination like Mars. That mysterious red sibling of Earth, tantalizingly out of reach, full of mystery and potential. Mars isn't just the home of extraterrestrial exploration... it's often the inspiration for new journeys.

The Sirens of Mars is really two books in one. It is a chronicle of attempts to scientifically understand the red planet, detailing the incredible amount of work and forethought that goes into every Mars mission. But it is also the story of one scientist and how she came to be.

That mix of styles, tones, and narratives shouldn't work -- and it has failed in the past -- but The Sirens of Mars is a home-run success. Sarah Stewart Johnson doesn't just share her story, her inspiration, and her growth as a scientist, but she manages to distill that intangible essence of scientific wonder that inspires us all, and ladle heaping spoonfuls of it into our mouths as we read.

If only more science books were this informative and heartfelt all at once. We'd probably already be on Mars by now.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "05-May-2021", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 18:26:48", "publisher": "Crown", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009088015", "title": "The Pull of the Stars: A Novel", "author": "Emma Donoghue", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 200, "review": "It\u2019s 1918 and the Spanish Influenza is raging, through Dublin, Ireland, as well as across the rest of the world. But for nurse Julia Power, the world has narrowed to the hospital where she works in the fever maternity ward, caring for expectant mothers who also are fighting off the deadly virus.

While a small story, just one woman and those she meets in a three day period, this story grabs readers by the throat and refuses to let them breathe. An understaffed hospital and a doctor on the run from police. A nurse torn between the hospital and home. And a young volunteer called Bridie Sweeney, who will change how Julia sees the world, as well as herself. By the end of the three days, nothing will ever be the same for Julia.

This is the type of book that seems slow, but keeps you reading on the edge of your seat, heart in your throat. Its breakneck pace, with \u201cthe bone man\u201d always lurking, The Pull of the Stars is tightly constructed suspense from start to finish by a masterful storyteller, Emma Donoghue. Powerful, haunting, disturbing, and eerily timely, this is a fantastic book by a fantastic storyteller.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 18:21:01", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009088011", "title": "Work Mate Marry Love: How Machines Shape Our Human Destiny", "author": "Debora L. Spar", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 248, "review": "We normally do not think of technology changing our social behavior, but both influence each other. The underlying premise of this book is that technological advances influence our most basic human interactions \u2013 our definition of a family. The underlying assumption throughout this book is that invention dictates not only society but also family life. The book is divided into three parts: the first part surveys history and attempts to show how the invention of the plow, the Industrial Revolution, and the proliferation of home appliances influenced our ideas of dating, falling in love, and family. The second part probes contemporary society, specifically in vitro fertilization, contraception, the advent of the internet and online dating, and the use of artificial intelligence in decision-making. The third part envisions the future: more personal human-robot interactions, and extending life by extending consciousness.

While the discussion is intriguing, some aspects need broader consideration, and some of the underlying assumptions need closer examination. For instance, one assertion is that the invention of the plow shaped gender bias, and lead to patriarchal societies. It fails to consider gender roles in societies such as Mesoamerica, and Ancient Persia. The narrative holds that invention influences society, rather than open the possibility that societal norms may also influence innovation. Readers may find other assumptions that need better support. Despite its drawbacks, the book does draw a relationship between areas that are typically regarded as related. For that reason alone, it is well worth reading, questioning, and contemplating.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 18:17:37", "publisher": "Farrar Straus Giroux", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009087007", "title": "I Am Sheffrou", "author": "Cami MIchaels", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 432, "review": "Tamara Walsh is a wife, mother, and physician. In general, she is a perfectly ordinary woman. However, she finds herself in an extraordinary situation when she falls through a wormhole and lands on another planet, a place populated by aliens with unfamiliar biology and even stranger customs. Though she yearns to be back home, there is little chance of her being able to return without another wormhole. So until one appears, she will have no choice but to wait and do her best to acclimate to her new home. Luckily, she finds a close friend in Maashi, the alien who first found her and devoted himself to taking care of her. Somewhat less luckily, her feelings for Maashi soon grow complicated, evolving into an attraction even she cannot understand.

Overall, I Am Sheffrou is a fascinating book and an impressive debut for the author. It reminds me of the classic science fiction stories I read when I was much younger, when explanation was far less necessary than exploration. The aliens (whom Tamara calls Chamis, a shortened version of their true name) have a well-thought-out culture and history, both of which are necessary to the plot. Tamara serves as an everywoman, showing readers the aliens' culture through a human lens, with all the various human biases that entails. Unlike an average everywoman, however, Tamara has more desires than just to get back home, and she acts on those desires. She may not always have full agency (it isn\u2019t easy to when you\u2019re treated as a curiosity and pet) but all the agency she does have, she uses to her best advantage.

But why only four stars, if I\u2019m so impressed? I enjoyed the book a great deal and am excited to see where the trilogy goes next (keep an eye out for book two, Betrayal). However, at times, I found myself underwhelmed. I would have liked to see more introspection from Tamara, especially regarding her shifting attitudes toward the world she was trapped on, and some of the story beats felt oddly placed. Neither of those things bothered me enough to make me dislike the book, though; they were only occasional, nagging annoyances. On the whole, I enjoyed how the story was so different from what I\u2019ve come to expect from science fiction. I said before that it\u2019s heavier on exploration than explanation, and exploration takes up the vast majority of the book. Most of it is also devoted to Tamara learning about the Chamis\u2019 culture, and if you enjoy thought experiments of that nature, I Am Sheffrou is not one to miss.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "12-Aug-2020 21:50:25", "publisher": "Self-published", "page_count": "281 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009087003", "title": "El Camino Drive", "author": "Edward Izzi", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Stacia Levy", "word_count": 437, "review": "This suspense novel, set in a rough-around-the-edges Detroit, is told in two timeframes. We move between the contemporary era of Detective Johnny Valentino and the 1970s of his father, Antonio, who was gunned down on El Camino Drive decades ago. Johnny begins the novel an alcoholic with a violent temper that gets him suspended from his job and divorced from his wife. Left with little but a bare apartment and plenty of time, Jonny begins the process of reviewing his father\u2019s case and bringing his murderers to justice. This takes him on the road to recovery. Many of Johnny\u2019s personal problems are linked to the need to deal emotionally with this murder that the perpetrators never paid for.

Although Johnny lives in the same city as his father, he leads a vastly different life. Johnny chose a life of law and justice, an orderly life with a wife and children, until recently. His father, however, inhabited a world of organized crime that Johnny knows only peripherally. The investigation of his father\u2019s death takes him into a world of gangsters and mob bosses, of decades-long vendettas. It was this community through which Antonio Valentino\u2019s murder sent shock waves that continue to reverberate in the present. Johnny\u2019s mother still grieves; his uncles remain committed to carrying out the vendetta placed on the murderers so long ago. At the same time Johnny begins the process of getting his father\u2019s case reviewed and the perpetrators who had never stood trial brought to justice, a serial killer begins targeting the murderers. In addition, Johnny is drawn into an elaborate embezzlement scheme by a new girlfriend. Detective John Valentino, responsible for helping convict many criminals, finds himself on the other side of the law.

The prose, a little awkward at first, takes off with the suspense of Johnny navigating his broken life as he deals with two crimes. The more he learns about his father\u2019s case, the more determined Johnny becomes to carry out the vendetta even as a serial killer begins targeting the perpetrators.

Some plot points strain credulity. The main one is that the killers all fled town and rebuilt their lives in different places in the United States as if the past can be erased that easily in modern times. In addition, Johnny\u2019s uncles could have easily located them to carry out the vendetta rather than wait forty years for the perpetrators to return to town. Forty years in some places are treated like two or three. There are some editing issues that are distracting at times, but overall this is a satisfying story where all roads lead back to El Camino Drive.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "11-Aug-2020 17:53:39", "publisher": "Cassino Publishing Inc", "page_count": "460 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009086031", "title": "Dreaming of California", "author": "Grant Collier, Illustrated by Stephanie Lowman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 214, "review": "Begrudgingly, Pandora the Pelican flies back to her nest beside the sea. Mother says she must get a good night's rest. She dozes off, and her dreams carry her to an ancient world in which little land exists. The oceans are inhabited by vibrantly colored aquatic life and the Shonisaurs\u2019 that rule the domain. Pandora journeys on to a new capsule in time. She sees animals of all sorts, some familiar, some not, and soon reaches an era closer to her own. The humans are mysteriously clothed in deerskin and build homes out of trees. As the morning nears and before she wakes from her slumber, Pandora travels on to one last era of the past in her homeland, California.

This is a fascinating book in which the author craftily blends historically accurate chronology in California\u2019s history with elements of fantasy and adventure. The illustrations are masterful and were created from sketches carefully constructed from hours of research studying fossils of prehistoric creatures as well as current-day ones. This focused effort contributes to the richness and overall quality. Though the text is not long, spanning only forty pages, the storyline is somewhat complex, making it most suitable for children ages six to ten. They will likely extract more meaning from it than younger ones.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "11-Aug-2020 18:12:32", "publisher": "Collier Publishing", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009086023", "title": "I Love My Fangs!", "author": "Kelly Leigh Miller", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 182, "review": "Dracula loves his pointy, sharp fangs. They are a family trait and make him who he is. His friends know that. But what happens when his fang falls out? Can he tape or tie it back in?

Illustrations: The illustrations were phenomenal. I love the round style of the characters and the color choices for a book about a young Dracula. I loved the family pictures on the wall in Dracula\u2019s room. That his bed was a coffin was one of my favorite things. I loved the tooth fairy and the scuffle between her and Drac. The solution at the end was brilliant.

Words: I loved the word usage. There were not a lot of words, but the words chosen were fang-tastic. They gave you enough to read the story, but also to enjoy them right along with the detailed pictures.

Lessons Learned: Tooth care is shown by Drac, showing how to keep his fangs healthy. Losing a tooth is a different time, but nothing to be afraid of.

Ways to use this book: Halloween, tooth care, talking about loosing teeth

Age Range: 3 to 8 years", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "11-Aug-2020 18:00:10", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009086015", "title": "Snow Day for Groot!", "author": "Brendan Deneen, Illustrated by Cale Atkinson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 193, "review": "When the battle is done, what does Groot do for fun? A snow day of course. Groot hops on a spaceship and heads for New York to meet Spiderman for some great New York fun. They travel across the city swinging, making snow creatures, and seeing the New York sights. Groot notices at the end that Rocket has been following along but feels left out. Groot makes him feel at home and does the last activities with him to remind him that Groot still considers him his best pal.

The text is so much fun to read. Fantastic word choice, rhythm, and rhyme. I loved the care the author took with the text. I also appreciated a great story with the book. Well done!

The illustrations were colorful, fun, and cartoony. This is perfect for kids just being introduced to the Marvel universe. The details were fantastic you could tell right away who the characters were and what location they were at in each panel.

My six-year-old loves Marvel and approved of this clever story including Groot, Spiderman, and lots of other Marvel characters. My three-year-old liked the story and the detailed pictures.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "11-Aug-2020 17:45:08", "publisher": "Marvel Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009086011", "title": "All Our Broken Idols", "author": "Paul M.M. Cooper", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 234, "review": "640 BC-Nineveh lay in the heart of the cradle of civilization. Aurya is a young woman struggling to survive the perils of the day to day world while looking after her older brother Sharo. Their father is a Mason, whose ideas are big, but whose appetite for the bottle is bigger. Sharo and Aurya\u2019s lives are haunted by the untimely loss of their Mother, who was dragged from them by a lion. Aurya and Sharo seek an escape from their daily grind, especially hustling for food. A violent act soon provides just such an opportunity.

2014-Katya is an Archaeologist of Iraqi-English persuasion. Her life\u2019s work involves plumbing the depths of the earth for lost History. The untimely disappearance of her Father has left an indelible imprint on Katya. Her work provides answers to mysteries that still elude her. However, her new assignment in Iraq provides peril, as post-invasion Iraq has succumbed to looting and wanton violence. Katya and her team unearth a spectacular artifact, which might provide answers to the previous History, yet the surrounding violence imperils everything and everyone.

All Our Broken Idols is a gripping Drama from start to finish. The two parallel narratives blend well, as the story shifts between Aurya and Katya. The dangers faced by both protagonists are grave, yet they are distinguished by their strength and resilience. Author Paul M.M Cooper has crafted a thrilling and fascinating read.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "11-Aug-2020 17:41:09", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009085003", "title": "The Algerian Hoax", "author": "Roger Croft", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 429, "review": "The opening scene of The Algerian Hoax is fun. A man brings home a beautiful woman from a bar and she, in turn, lets her associates in to bug his home while he\u2019s out. It\u2019s a great start to a spy novel.

Roger Croft, the British author of The Algerian Hoax, has a lot of personal experience with world events. He was a journalist and, according to his biography, worked in Cairo, Morocco, and Montreal, among other places. When he worked at The Economist, it was revealed that his boss was an MI5 agent. Croft clearly has gravitas when it comes to spies and international intrigue.

In The Algerian Hoax, Croft reprises the character of Vaux from his other novels. Vaux is a good character. Not surprisingly, he is a journalist turned spy, without a lot of polish or pretense. He is being framed for being a traitor and must outwit his framers. The plot involves MI6, Mossad, and many more characters. It\u2019s a complex story.

Craw is the British deputy director of Department B3. He suspects that Vaux is a traitor and so creates Operation Mascara to ensnare him. He also has a personal vendetta against Vaux. Dawson is an Australian who gets accidentally involved in the plot. There are three female characters, one plays an important part in the story and has mysterious loyalties. These females are rather one dimensional, unlike the male characters.

The writing style is easy and quick, without a lot of exposition. This writing style is well suited to a spy novel. The pace of the story is very fast and authentic in its insider look at the world of spies, counter spies, and international intrigue. When Vaux waits patiently to be contacted, for example, his boredom and quiet waiting seem true to the craft and interesting. Croft has a knack for telling readers just enough about a character to give him or her some memorable features, like the Aussie Dawson, without lengthy descriptions that might slow down the pace. The reader feels the urgency of the story.

However, the story is convoluted. There are some elements to it that push the bounds of realism, at least for me. At times, I also felt that the story felt flat, as if the author had a great plot device and ideas, but without the human element needed to make it a great novel. It reads a bit like a report rather than a novel. But, for fans of spy novels and British MI6 intrigue, it is certainly a cool story with a good ending.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Aug-2020 14:16:16", "publisher": "Archwayway Publishing", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009084003", "title": "Cupid is a Psychopath", "author": "R.K. Andris", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 400, "review": "One of the most creative books I've read in a long time, Cupid is a Psychopath is sure to leave readers with many chuckles. I am not a fan of grocery store romance novels; however, the main character in this book, Wetta Vane, absolutely loves them. In fact, she has been reading a book in a series about wealthy billionaires and how women marry them by making the billionaire fall in love with them. Wetta is a very silly girl and, while discussing it with her Aunt Gertrude, she tells her aunt of her plan to woo the man who owns the trailer park they live in so that she can save her aunt's home and become the wife of wealthy billionaire Veego Drake.

Wetta is a virgin and is saving herself for Veego. She has a list of rules that she knows a good lady always follows. But, as Wetta makes her way to Drake, everything that could go wrong does. Drake's assistant/bodyguard has plans to destroy him, there is a mass salmonella outbreak in their city and, on top of that, when Cupid strikes Veego, he has a very comical and delusional reaction to Cupid's arrow. He thinks he is the main character in Wetta's book, Prince Giannis Constantinopoulous, and confuses his cleaning lady for the main character in the book.

The story is easy to follow and features a cast of characters that will keep you guessing. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading it but soon I was hooked into the plot and wanted to see how everyone would end up. Veego Drake is your standard cocky billionaire, and Weeta is the dumbest of all dumb girls. I was laughing out loud while reading this book because the characters were so funny, both in their actions and their dialogue. The author even threw in a group of dwarves to further stir the pot.

Cupid is a Psychopath is a fun adventure that is part fairy tale and part modern-day billionaire versus thug story. The overweight cleaning lady, Myrna, is also quite funny, as she also has her own motive for being involved in Veego's life. It is a book that will have you chuckling until the very end. A great little piece of comic relief when you want to escape the real world. I would recommend it to fans of parody and slapstick.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "11-Aug-2020 13:12:55", "publisher": "Amazon", "page_count": "281 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009082103", "title": "Arlo & Pips, King of the Birds", "author": "Elise Gravel", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 186, "review": "What is the best bird, or King of birds? Arlo the Crow, thinks crows are the best birds in the world. Arlo wants to prove to his friend Pips how great crows are and show him why he is the King of Birds. Crows love shiny things, and can fly and pick things up, Crows are black, shiny, and beautiful, and they sing wonderfully with a KA-KA, but Pips isn't so impressed. The two friends constantly compare one another's talents and each makes a statement on how what they can do is better. Finally, the best part about crows is they can use shiny things like tools to reach food. Most importantly Arlo is kind to his friend Pips and shares his treasures with him. This book is a very fun chapter book! The colorful illustrations show the funny birds and their antics when trying to show one another which is the best bird. Who knew little birds could be so funny! The text is easy to read. I hope to see more books in this funny series. I will tell my friends about this book.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 18:53:51", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009082099", "title": "The Berenstain Bears and the Ghost of the Theater", "author": "Mike Berenstain", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 203, "review": "I have read a lot of Berenstain Bears books, so I was excited to get The Berenstain Bears and the Ghost of the Theater! In this book, Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear go with Mama and Papa to an old theater in town because they need summer jobs, and the theater is hiring. The three cubs get jobs cleaning. When they are in the back with the props, they see things like a big witch's cauldron, statues, and a stuffed bird. When Brother starts playing with the witch's cauldron, the cubs hear a spooky voice repeat what he said. They run to the manager, and he tells them that they just heard the Ghost of the Theater. He takes them backstage, and they get to meet the ghost and realize there's no reason to be scared.

This story is just as good as the older ones! Some of the words in the story I don't know yet, but I'm sure by the end of the year, I'll be able to read it myself. There are fewer words on each page than the older books, and the pictures are colorful. Kids who like reading the Berenstain Bears will for sure like this one too.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 18:50:39", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009082095", "title": "Pea, Bee, & Jay: Stuck Together", "author": "Brian \"Smitty\" Smith", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - Age 8", "word_count": 142, "review": "I really liked the book, it was the perfect length for me. I liked that it was a comic book. The pictures are colorful and they help me picture the story very well. I like how the word bubbles change shape and designs and different font sizes are used. The characters were super clever! Who would have thought you could name something Pea Bee and Jay and it would be names and a sandwich that kids love! HA! I liked how each character has their own part of the story to themselves and then the main part includes them all.

The book was super funny and I REALLY liked it! I really laughed out loud. Thank you for letting me review this wonderful book. I think a lot of kids my age (nine years old) would read this and love it too.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 18:46:15", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009082087", "title": "Jefferson Measures a Moose", "author": "Mara Rockliff", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 182, "review": "What I think about this book (Jefferson Measures A Moose by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by S.D. Schindler Thomas)\u2014 It\u2019s a very moosey book! And it has learning in it. In the end, I really liked how they have questions with answers so you don\u2019t need a grownup to know if you got it right. Thomas Jefferson used numbers to show the Frenchman that he was wrong. The Frenchman hadn\u2019t even seen an American moose! He said nothing was that big. But Jefferson used numbers and proved that was not true and he hadn\u2019t even seen America or measured it. That was so amazing! And there\u2019s a squirrel in the book. That was cool. Jefferson loved asking questions about numbers and figuring the answer. Jefferson loved numbers and so do I. Other kids who like numbers or Thomas Jefferson will probably like this book too. I give it all the stars. He used numbers to prove his point about America to the foolish Frenchman who had never even seen America. It\u2019s a great book about numbers and a little bit of history too.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 18:40:25", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009082055", "title": "The River Home", "author": "Hannah Richell", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 202, "review": "Sisters Eve, Lucy, and Margot Sorrell haven\u2019t been together in ages. So when Eve and Margot receive a message from Lucy requesting their presence at her wedding taking place in a week, they make their way home uneasily. Home is Windfalls, a shabby but beautiful house in England, where their mother, Kitty, still lives. Their father, Ted, lives not far from Windfalls with his new wife, Sibella. The relationships among all the family members have been strained for years, thanks to a shocking betrayal committed by a teenage Margot--who burned down Kitty\u2019s writing studio, destroying an important manuscript. Once the family is together, the old hurts flare, but new heartache is about to touch them all--proving that the time for keeping secrets is over. Only the truth matters now.

Told in alternating points of view, The River Home brings the Sorrell family to life in vivid scenes of reunion as well as episodes from the past. Truths emerge slowly, effectively mirroring the Sorrells\u2019 unwillingness to acknowledge past traumas to others and themselves. Though the sadness in this novel is ultimately unsurprising, the emotional buildup is thoughtfully rendered, and the members of the Sorrell family will stick with readers for a long time.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 17:53:44", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "358 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009082043", "title": "Before You Go", "author": "Tommy Butler", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 982, "review": "Popular Reads\n\nThe best seller lists can be a great source of new reading material, pointing interested readers toward popular, award-winning, and worthy books. The five titles included in this roundup have all won a heap of praise and sold incredibly well, and they are all highly recommended. \n\nThe Silence by Don Delillo\n\nDon Delillo\u2019s The Silence is a frighteningly prescient novel about an all too plausible global catastrophe. On Super Bowl Sunday in 2022, a retired physics professor and her husband are preparing to host a dinner party at their Manhattan apartment. One of the guests is a former student and, as kickoff looms, the three of them await the arrival of a couple who are due to fly in from France. Then, during the last commercial before kickoff, an unexplained disaster strikes: digital devices worldwide cease working, leaving people with no electronic means of communication and connection. Unfortunately, for those at the dinner party at least, the inability to rely on digital communication seemingly reflects a lack of interpersonal communication skills, although Delillo ensures that they have weighty monologues and plentiful internal strife to share. It\u2019s an unusual take on a post-apocalyptic situation as the characters embrace the mundanity of societal collapse rather than seeking out the cause and solution.\n\nThe Phone Booth at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina\n\nEverything in Yui\u2019s life reset on March 11, 2011\u2013\u2013the day a devastating tsunami hit Japan. It was the day she lost both her mother and her daughter. Sometime later and still consumed by grief, she hears a rumor about a disused phonebooth that bereaved people have started to visit so that they might talk to and about their lost loved ones and, it that way, begin to heal their pain. Yui decides that she will chance visiting the phonebooth, but once she gets there, she feels unable to actually lift the receiver and start talking. Instead, she meets a grieving widower whose daughter has stopped speaking in the wake of his wife\u2019s death. Yui\u2019s journey through heartbreak and loss is deeply moving and, ultimately, uplifting as it portrays how those touched by tragedy have to live with the resultant feelings forever, while the rest of the world is able to move on. Laura Imai Messina\u2019s The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World is a beautiful exploration of grief and healing. Its meditative tone makes for a quiet yet profound read.\n\nStolen Things by R.H. Herron\n\nWhat do you do when it appears that everything you have always believed in might just be founded on lies? That\u2019s the question that Jojo Ahmadi has to face in Stolen Things by R.H. Herron, a crime story based on real-life events. Jojo\u2019s dad is the chief of police in her California hometown while her mom is a 911 police dispatcher, so it\u2019s no surprise that she\u2019s always considered the members of the police department to be her family. It\u2019s also no surprise that when Jojo is found drugged and in pain in the house of Kevin Leeds, a professional football player, the whole police department rushes to investigate. Also in the house is the dead body of Leeds\u2019 trainer, while Jojo\u2019s best friend Harper is missing from the scene. Leeds seems the most likely suspect but Jojo is convinced he would never hurt her. She embarks on her own investigation and, in the process, learns far more than she bargained on. The crime and Jojo\u2019s subsequent investigation make for a shocking thriller that certainly packs a punch as a host of secrets and lies are revealed. \n\nBefore You Go by Tommy Butler\n\nTommy Butler\u2019s debut novel, Before You Go, is a life-affirming work of speculative literary fiction. It follows Elliot Chance from childhood through to adulthood as he gets ever closer to understanding why he has never felt that he belonged to this world. Although he doesn\u2019t know it yet, the answers he seeks lie back in the time beyond memory, when humans were created with a hole in their heart and their creators didn\u2019t realize their mistake. In the present, he finds a pair of unlikely allies in his quest for understanding in Sasha, a young woman who is compelled to send coded messages out into the ether, and Bannor, a man who knows far too much about the future. With the support of his new-found friends, Elliot at last feels able to get on with the business of living, but the problem of the hole in humanity\u2019s heart will not be so easily solved. Elliot\u2019s journey through depression and disenfranchisement to awakening to the beauty and possibility of life is uplifting, while the sense of magic realism that characterizes his world elevates the story to something really special.\n\nPrivilege by Mary Adkins\n\nA timely tale of campus life and both gender and social politics in the #MeToo era, Mary Adkin\u2019s Privilege is set in Carter University, allegedly the \u201cHarvard of the South.\u201d Annie Stoddard was a big fish in the small pond that was her Georgia high school, but now she\u2019s enrolled at Carter, she realizes just how marked she is by her economically underprivileged upbringing. Similarly, Bea Powers is wondering if she made a mistake by putting aside her fears of being a biracial student in the South and deciding to attend Carter, especially as everyone seems to have a different idea of what justice and equality mean. Meanwhile, Stayja York works at a campus coffeeshop and has to cope with serving Carter students all day as she attempts to save for her own education. The lives of the three women unexpectedly intersect when Annie accuses a male student of sexual assault, and they will all be profoundly changed by their encounters. Told from the alternating perspectives of all three women, the story is thought-provoking and surprisingly tense, mixing contemporary real-world concerns with campus fiction tropes.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 17:40:26", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009082035", "title": "Grow: Secrets of Our DNA", "author": "Nicola Davies", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 181, "review": "One can only call this book amazing and rave about the text explanations while enthusiastically applauding the skillfully rendered watercolor artistry accompanying the story. Introducing the mystery of the master molecule DNA to youngsters can be challenging, but author Nicola Davies, along with illustrator Emily Sutton, have made this journey into a pleasure trip. Starting out by showing that all living things grow, and how the patterns of growth are determined by the environment, they introduce the concept of adaptation while avoiding that term. They show how bodies change with growth by following a chain of instructions known as a code, which is DNA. Different patterns of the building blocks form genes and, incredibly, about six and one-half feet of DNA, or more than twenty thousand genes, work together to make a human body. The eye-catching artwork invites children to ask questions, and the accompanying storylines generates wonder in this outstanding science book. This mysterious DNA connects all humans, and clearly, the message comes across for the youthful reader that all life has been written in one language: that of DNA.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 17:35:23", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009082031", "title": "Sing Some More!", "author": "Deborah Diesen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 188, "review": "What do birds do all day long? Sing and Sing Some More! A group of birds tell about why they sing the songs and then repeat the phrase, \u201cWe sing some more!\u201d They also use a variety of singing terminology which is great at expanding kids\u2019 vocabularies. Excellently written. The repetitive phrase is so much fun for kids to repeat over and over. My kids were fighting over who gets to say, \u201cWe Sing Some More.\u201d Because they think it is so much fun. I can go on for days at how beautiful the illustrations are. The birds are beautiful and realistic. The people are well done as well, but I think the illustrator shines the most in their drawings and paintings of animals. This is a fun information book. There really is not any conflict.\nMy kids, three and six enjoyed this book so much. They asked to read it over and over again. I think from the text to the illustrations it is worth adding to your collection. This will be a book I will treasure. I recommend it for children three to eight years old.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 17:33:04", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009082027", "title": "Raccoon's Perfect Snowman", "author": "Katia Wish", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 238, "review": "All winter long, Raccoon practices the art of building snowmen, and he\u2019s become a master at his trade. So, one day when he invites his friends to join him, he mistakenly assumes their skills will be as finely attuned as his. When he goes to check their progress, he observes the dirty snow in Rabbit\u2019s and how Fox\u2019s is leaning on its side. Poor Mouse ran out of decorations, so his is quite plain. As Raccoon\u2019s friends start to leave, feeling discouraged by his criticism, he cheerfully invites them to build one last snowman. They all set out to work together, and this time the end product is far from flawless, but the joy of working together far outweighs any imperfections that exist.

Raccoon\u2019s Perfect Snowman is a sweet tale about friendship, acceptance, and togetherness. After building the perfect snowman and critiquing the work of others, Raccoon feels awful as his pals turn to head home. He learns that settling for less than perfect, when it means keeping and building relationships, is far more important than creating an immaculate product. Children can be so critical of one another. So, this lesson is an especially poignant one for them. They will adore the characters of this story and will love the original array of illustrations that sweep across its pages. Author and illustrator Katie Wish uses a unique combination of gouache, watercolor, pencil, and ink to create their colorful displays.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 17:31:40", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009082023", "title": "Bobby Babinski's Bathtub", "author": "Judy Young", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "It\u2019s bath time in the Babinski house, but Bobby does NOT want to take a bath. His father asks what the problem is, and Bobby says he just hates to climb into the tub. Well, Dad has an answer for that. He gets busy and builds an amazing slide so Bobby can slide into the tub. That goes pretty well, but as soon as he is in the tub, Bobby is really unhappy. When Dad asks what\u2019s wrong, Bobby says he doesn\u2019t have anything to play with. Dad has an answer for that as well. He brings a huge pail in, and readers won\u2019t believe what he has for Bobby. But, of course, it brings even more complaining and more reasons not to finish his bath...

Author Judy Young has written a perfectly charming story in clever rhyme with a rocking meter. Young readers will be completely engaged by this silly rhymer. The bright and witty illustrations by Kevin M. Barry are the perfect complement to the story. Loaded with imaginative details, the illustrations will keep your little one's eyes on the pages while they listen. This is a book that kids will ask for over and over.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 17:30:20", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009082019", "title": "Tails from the Animal Shelter", "author": "Stephanie Shaw", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 175, "review": "I loved this book. It\u2019s called Tails from the Animal Shelter and it\u2019s written by Stephanie Shaw and illustrated by Liza Woodruff. This book is all about shelters and the animals that you find there. There aren\u2019t just dogs and cats in shelters, and some animals that you find in shelters may surprise you! It\u2019s a really awesome book and it has pets in it. There are even farm animals! People give pets up because the pets are hard to handle or have health problems or the humans move and some places don\u2019t allow pets. Always make sure you can take your pets with you when you move. Some animals, like parrots, live a long time and outlive their owners!

I\u2019m glad we read this book because it helped me learn about shelters and shelter animals and how we can help. Animals need homes too, and this book helped me learn about all the animals that need homes. The pictures were cute and the dog called Lucky was really funny. He only had one eye!", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 17:27:20", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009082015", "title": "Tip and Tucker Paw Painters (I Am A Reader: Tip and Tucker)", "author": "Ann Ingalls", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Tip and Tucker are a pair of chubby little hamsters that live in a cage in Mr. Lopez\u2019s classroom. The children are having an art day. First, they paint with marbles by rolling them around inside boxes. Then some children build a rocket of cardboard for the hamsters and put it in the cage before going outside for recess. But Tip and Tucker discover climbing the rocket is a perfect way to escape their cage. Tip and Tucker think it would be fun to try their hands\u2026er, paws at making their own art. With paws full of paint, they explore the room and look for something to eat. When the children and Mr. Lopez come back, they are in for quite a surprise.

Authors Ann Ingalls and Sue Lowell Gallion have created a fun set of characters and stories for emerging readers. Delightful illustrations by Andr\u00e9 Ceolin complete this enchanting story perfectly. As youngsters start to become independent readers, they will enjoy having a cute series of books just right for their level of reading that will challenge them and satisfy them at the same time. This first book is a great starting place for them.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 17:19:22", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009082011", "title": "The Appointment: A Novel", "author": "Katharina Volckmer", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 187, "review": "Do you have a friend who likes to monologue? Say shocking things in the midst of her rant to bring you back to attention to her? This long one-sided conversation is such verbal diarrhea. The main character talks through an appointment for a procedure attended by a taciturn doctor. Like the author, the character is German, living in London. Her conversation is blunt, shocking, and unstoppable. Hitler\u2019s sex life features in many of her fantasies which she details as time passes. She muses philosophically about the reparation that every German must make in atonement for the holocaust. She also tells of her adulterous affair and the degradation which is the major part of it. As she transitions through the procedure, the reader waits for her to catch her breath, emotionally collapse, or for the quiet Dr. Seligman to respond to the unbelievable nonstop confession.

If it is true that one is only as sick as one\u2019s secrets, this character has managed to out herself in every conceivable way. This book may fascinate some, but if you do have such a friend, it may prove a long read.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 17:17:07", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009082007", "title": "Lightfall Book One: The Girl & The Galdurian", "author": "Tim Probert", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 193, "review": "In Lightfall a cautious, overthinking girl named Beatrice (\"Bea\") embarks on a journey to find her Grandpa. Cadwallader (\"Cad\") is a very adventurous, fun-loving, fearless and optimistic amphibian. The unlikely duo team up to find Bea's adopted Grandfather. The Grandfather is the famous Pig Wizard who has gone senile in his old age. Cad wants to find Bea's Grandfather so he can translate the Gauldrian language. On their journey, Cad and Bea come\u00a0across various people, a rat thief, and villains. On their quest to find Bea's Grandfather, the duo will most likely end up saving the land of Irpa.\u00a0

I like the book--it's a light read, but it has enough complexity within the story to keep you interested. I felt the story ended too abruptly for me. I know there will be a sequel to this book, but I wish the story ended with a proper ending. The illustrations and artwork are stunning and breathtaking! I absolutely love the artwork and all the interesting fantastical beings in the story! I recommend this book to children or adults who enjoy fantasy with a little bit of magic and a little bit of adventure.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 17:11:59", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009082003", "title": "Mayor Pete: The Story of Pete Buttigieg", "author": "Rob Sanders", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "Pete Buttigieg grew up with his parents, both college professors, in South Bend, Indiana. When in high school, he ran for class treasurer but lost. Next, he ran for senior class president and won. He worked hard and was accepted to Harvard University. There he studied languages and learned French, Spanish, Maltese, and Arabic. He went on to study in England where he learned philosophy, politics, and economics. When he returned to South Bend, he ran for state treasurer but lost. Then he ran for mayor of South Bend and won. His term was interrupted by being called to serve in the war in Afghanistan. But it was during his second run for mayor he made his most important personal decision.

Author Rob Sanders covers a lot of ground in this terrific, well-written, and well-researched biography with perseverance as an important theme. Telling the story for young children of a politician, especially the first openly gay mayor of a large city, is difficult, but Sanders handles it deftly and will keep readers attention. Illustrations by Levi Hastings support the story with lots of good details. This is a wonderful and timely picture book.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "09-Aug-2020 17:06:17", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Company", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009079083", "title": "Birding in the Glass Age of Isolation", "author": "Curtis LeBlanc", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 244, "review": "Beautiful poems! Lovely sentiments! Curtis LeBlanc\u2019s Birding in the Age of Isolation charms from the first narrative episodes to the shorter poems, equally captivating, some undeniably sentimental but never corny, not even slightly.

To begin, he offers a short account of himself, then a tribute to his father, in the poem of the book\u2019s title, a role model inviting the reader\u2019s complicity.

Time plays a role throughout, memories for the most part good ones, The Fair Oaks summer, not a word wrongly placed:
\u2018A part of me\nas still asleep in the spare room of that summer,
\nafraid of the ache of being elsewhere.\u2019

And LeBlanc chases back to Wild Blueberry Pie, set in the few breathless weeks before his wedding. But he\u2019s not so self-absorbed he can\u2019t speak of Old Joel\u2019s long-ago marriage. The old man\u2019s wife who has \u2018misplaced all recollection of her life,\u2019 took the wheel of the truck, drove to the store, lovingly created the pie, then slid it into the oven and returned to bed, a recipe for disaster they were spared.

There\u2019s a sadness, just shy of melancholy, empathy moving swiftly to sympathy,
\u2018Before the beautiful young people I knew
began to accidentally die, I didn\u2019t need
a path to the clearing of my mother\u2019s heaven,
only knowledge of a destination intended.\u2019

Such a collection is more than enough to make the cynical reader, who tends to disclaim modern poetry, retract the accusation and respect a poet able to share the melody of emotion.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 20:01:24", "publisher": "Harbour Publishing", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009079075", "title": "Body Count", "author": "Kyla Jamieson", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 181, "review": "If torment can be translated into poetry, Kyla Jamieson\u2019s Body Count is it. Suffering, perhaps lastingly from post-concussion stress, Jamieson reaches through a series of \"effing and blinding,\" or incautious words, angrily but proudly, a sequence of unromantic sexual encounters taking her from the Physics of Atmospheric Misogyny to a newer stage, Victims of Captology (most likely derived from the Webster\u2019s Unabridged Dictionary entry: \"'captor,\u2019 a person who has captured a person or thing\"), though the identity of the captor is seemingly the accidental circumstance itself sharing the blame for her anguish and entrapment.

The pages express self-indulgence. That is not intended as an accusation, just the very nature of the form. Probably chronologically sequential, the poems lighten a little, and as a contribution to those painfully hiding their own experience, she can admit,

\"With my
Concussion comes tunnel vision
This is not a metaphor.
The periphery disappears.\"

The photo image beside the acknowledgements to those who guided her towards recovery shows an undeniably beautiful young woman, (an irresistible though politically incorrect comment) who belongs to a fistful of minority groups. Some she can resist, others accept.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 19:58:49", "publisher": "Harbour Publishing", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009079071", "title": "Without: Body, Name, Country", "author": "Meg Johnson", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Lennart Lundh", "word_count": 192, "review": "Meg Johnson's Without: Body, Name, Country is her third collection. Touted by its cover and interior blurbs as poetry, it\u2019s split between verse and creative non-fiction.

\"Vaudeville,\" the first of two sections, covers the themes of the collection's title. Free verse focused on Johnson's maladies (canker sores, menstruation, homelessness, under-employment) are balanced against psychic distress (self-loathing, failed relationships). President Trump and Vice-President Pence come under attack, and our world faces societal collapse. Filling the divides are nods to Sasha Velour, Josephine Baker, and Dangerous Nan McGrew.

The second section, \"Diagnosis,\" uses flash non-fiction to continue the memoir format, and focuses entirely on matters of health. First up are a nine-page piece relating Johnson's trials as an early-developing adolescent, \"On Growing Up Too Fast,\" and a shorter companion, \"Breasts.\" These are followed by twenty pieces, on her illness and recovery from Guillain-Barr\u00e9 Syndrome. A \"Final Note\" ends the collection by assuring the reader, and perhaps the author, \"I am not sad about my sadness.\"

This is a well-crafted memoir of pain, physical and emotional, from beginning to end. Heavily weighted with what Johnson calls \"vintage sadness,\" it\u2019s buoyed by the variety and quality of its poems.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 19:56:43", "publisher": "Vine Leaves Press", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009079067", "title": "Willie Nelson: A Graphic History", "author": "T.J. Kirsch", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 272, "review": "Texans see Willie Nelson as one of their own. His profession and his lifestyle are familiar to all. But a new book about him, a graphic history no less, is every bit as welcome as any previous account. In fact, more welcome than many as it is cheerful and well researched with no baloney to fill in the gaps. Well, in fact, there are no gaps. Willie Nelson: A Graphic History, starts with the singer\u2019s childhood, not an easy one, his struggle to get a firm footing exactly where he wanted it, and half a century or more of success, amid only a few setbacks in marriages, marijuana, and disputed taxes. And he\u2019s invariably forgiven by his fans, and here, his readers. A great addition to the Willie Nelson annals reveals an amazing list of his familiar songs, magical haunting songs, with messages to share.

As a young man struggling to find a place as he moved east to Tennessee seeking a niche for his unusual style, to Canada, the West Coast, on the move until eventually, he came to Austin, Texas, our prodigal son. Once he hit the highlights, he was ready to give back and his Farm Aid benefit concert for struggling farmers and the annual Fourth of July picnics delighted vast crowds.

Several artists have banded together to present a coherent portrait, following the story written by T.J. Kirsch, who also took a hand in the illustrating. Even readers unaccustomed to a graphic style will get a kick out of this down to earth and endearing saga of Willie Nelson, an eighty-seven-year-old legend still singing, still drawing the crowds.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 18:25:33", "publisher": "NBM Publishing", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009079063", "title": "It Happened on Sweet Street", "author": "Caroline Adderson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 184, "review": "What happens when a creator of cakes, cookie concocter, and patisserie baker all move their shops to the same street? Chaos. Everyone has their opinion on which one is best and is not afraid to tell you about it. Then when the bakers try to prove their baked good is the best a wonderful thing happens. Check this book out to find out. The text is great. I like its playful nature. There are lots of great vocabulary works throughout. There are one or two places it didn\u2019t flow very well, but other than that, it is a job well done. The illustration choice is odd. The style seems to be fit for an intense or scary book, but not for a book about battling sweet shops. The characters look very clown-like and not super appealing to kids. I did like the odd shapes of the buildings and the coloring was fun.

\nMy kids, three and six, liked the story, especially the food fight, but didn\u2019t ask me to read this book again. I recommend this book for children aged four to eight.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 17:53:00", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009079047", "title": "The Exiles", "author": "Christina Baker Kline", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 198, "review": "A governess turned attempted murderer. A midwife turned thief. A young girl turned human pet. The Exiles is a portrait of these three women and their intersecting lives in mid-nineteenth century Australia. It is melancholy and beautiful, achingly well written and meticulously researched, with detail that shows through on every page.

I call it a portrait because it doesn\u2019t follow the traditional path of a novel. The women do not always have a motivation beyond survival, and at times even that seems hazy. The character arcs are not always resolved in a satisfactory way, or at all. This will not be to everyone\u2019s taste (and when it came to certain characters, it frustrated me a little), but it does feel fitting all the same. History itself and its study can be uncertain and unsatisfying, and the novel\u2019s ending feels fitting, even if it also felt less than it could have been.

On the whole, I greatly enjoyed The Exiles and am eager to look up more of Christina Baker Kline\u2019s work. It is not an easy read, nor is it always pleasant, but it is beautiful and it feels true, both of which are vital to a novel.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 17:40:00", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009079039", "title": "Dress Coded", "author": "Carrie Firestone", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 212, "review": "The entirety of the Fisher Middle School eighth grade hates Olivia Bonaventura. Olivia broke the school\u2019s strict dress code, and now the eighth-grade camping trip is canceled. But Molly Frost witnessed the incident and knows the real story. So Molly starts a podcast to give Olivia and other girls a voice as well as to call out the unfair practice of getting dress coded. Other students begin coming forward who were also unfairly targeted by the dress code, including high schoolers, and Molly soon becomes the school\u2019s rabble-rouser. This costs her some friends and puts a target on her back. What's more, Molly is already dealing with some major problems at home. Her older brother, Danny, is addicted to vaping and has been selling vaping pods to eighth graders. Her parents are fed up and keep threatening to move away.

Carrie Firestone\u2019s latest novel, Dress Coded, gives readers a modern tool\u2014the podcast\u2014for challenging old issues: the objectification of female bodies and gendered policies that unfairly target girls for growing up. The story is timely and empowering, with a diverse cast of characters, including a student with disabilities. Firestone also digs into the complexities of female friendships\u2014the good and bad. This is a book with a powerful and positive message for young women.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 17:34:56", "publisher": "G.P. Putnam's Sons", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009079035", "title": "Will You Be My Friend?", "author": "Sam McBratney; illus. Anita Jeram", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 202, "review": "Little Nutbrown Hare wants to play but Big Nutbrown Hare is busy. Little Nutbrown Hare asks if he can go exploring. She says he can. He finds a puddle and sees a hare in it, but it is just himself. He sees his shadow and tries to race it, but it is just himself. He finds his way to Cloudy Mountain, and there he meets someone, someone who is real! It\u2019s a Cloudy Mountain Hare named Tipps. The two of them chase around in the heather. They dig a hole and build a pile and have a great time together. They race up Cloudy Mountain and decide to play Hide and Seek, but they forget to clearly communicate something very important about the game.

Author Sam McBratney has written a very sweet book about friendship \u2014 finding friends, making friends, and being a friend. This is a quiet book and perfect for any time of day and even bedtime. The real star of the book is the absolutely enchanting illustrations by Anita Jeram. They are all in soft colors and have great details. Little ones will be searching every page for those details. This is a charming story that kids will love.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 17:32:02", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009079031", "title": "Action Presidents #4: John F. Kennedy!", "author": "Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 175, "review": "This graphic novel is all about John F. Kennedy's life before and while he was a President. Kennedy grew up in a very rich family with a dad who pushed him into becoming the President one day. Kennedy wanted to be a writer, but after his older brother died, his dad wanted him to be a President. You learn all about how a sickly child grew up and became the thirty-fifth President of the United States. This non-fiction graphic novel is very educational and fun to read at the same time. Some parts were pretty funny too. I really like the \"Diary of a Wimpy Prez\" part of the story. I like that the author and illustrator tried to make this educational book fun to read for kids. It can be hard finding educational books that are not boring. I didn't know much about Kennedy, but after reading the book, I feel I have learned a lot about him. I highly recommend this book to non-fiction readers, people who like history, and graphic novel fans.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 17:28:27", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009079027", "title": "Action Presidents #3: Theodore Roosevelt!", "author": "Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 177, "review": "This is an educational comic book about Theodore Roosevelt\u2019s life in a funny, cartoon style. Two kids who are scouts are lost in the woods. But when they find a geyser, it shoots up and out pops Noah the Historkey (History + turkey)! Noah tells the kids all about Theodore Roosevelt from beginning to end. Why did Noah tell those lost scouts? Will it help them find their troop? It\u2019s a very funny and fun way to learn about Theodore Roosevelt! It takes a lot of time to read it though because it has a lot of silly drawn facts all at once in each panel. The funny cartoons with funny faces make it a little more enjoyable page after page. I did enjoy learning about President Theodore Roosevelt in detail, like how his first wife and his mother died on the very same day, an hour apart, and how he was an inspiration to the world-famous teddy bear, and more! I recommend this book to people who want to learn about Presidents in a funnier way.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 17:27:11", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009079023", "title": "Champions Day: The End of Old Shanghai", "author": "James Carter", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 275, "review": "It is quite the challenge to focus on a single day throughout a whole book, but James Carter rises to the occasion. Champions Day: The End of Old Shanghai sets the scene for the final showdown at the Shanghai Race Club, joyfully patronized for generations by residents of the International Settlement. Only \u2018foreign\u2019 men though, as neither women nor, believe it or not, Chinese could become members.

The date was November 12, 1941, a point between Sun Yat-sen\u2019s establishing the new order and the bombardment of Pearl Harbor. We are poised for Champions Day and taken back to the beginning of the international presence, as people from far away established themselves on the fringes of Shanghai, geared up for mercantile success with a colonial lifestyle.

Today, with so many options for leisure activities, on and off our electronic devices, we may look back with surprise at the options offered then. Horse and pony racing were the biggest draw, and Carter includes maps of Shanghai during the 1930s showing the location of the race track and the residential quarter, almost insignificant before the city expanded to the north. The three-day race meetings were held twice yearly and drew thousands of spectators.

While the racetrack and the parallel structure built by and for the Chinese to enjoy in the northeast quadrant of the city were the primary attraction, the book delves into so much more, including profiles of many individual citizens and their involvement in the city\u2019s business and social life. The chapters provide an academic history and a striking glimpse of a small, privileged community doubtless unaware they had reached the end of their glory days.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 17:23:22", "publisher": "W W Norton", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009079015", "title": "Failed State: A Novel", "author": "Christopher Brown", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Benjamin - Age 14", "word_count": 244, "review": "Failed State is a dystopian novel. This takes place after the Second American Revolution. Donny Kimoe is our protagonist, our hero, and our main character. He needs to save a young heiress who is also one of his friend\u2019s daughters. Due to this recent event, he switches sides in order to defend her before the trial. If he fails, the country would return to violence and chaos.

I really love many dystopian novels. In this story, we have a green utopia that is being built in the ruins of New Orleans. Dystopian means an imagined state or society in which there is great suffering or injustice. Whoever built this Green Utopia sees that whatever he is building is great and fantastic, while others see it as another broken society. I would also say this novel is a mystery novel. Donny needs to find clues or evidence to win the court in his favor.

The author tells us a lot about Donny and his actions. Every action he does helps us get a better understanding of him and the situation he is in. You shouldn\u2019t get attached to some of the side characters, since Donny is willing to do whatever he wants in order to win that case--betraying his clients, lying, and so on.

I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy dystopian novels and politics. You definitely need to understand law, government, and so much more to understand fully what is happening in this book.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 17:17:41", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009079007", "title": "The Gamesmaster: Almost Famous in the Geek 80s", "author": "Flint Dille", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 191, "review": "In the late 70s and early 80s, popular culture exploded as cartoons became vehicles to sell toys and the modern blockbuster rose to prominence in cinemas. G.I. Joe and Transformers are still influential properties today, but one name that helped craft both franchises (and many others) is probably unfamiliar to you: Flint Dille.

The Gamesmaster chronicles what Dille calls \"The Geek '80s,\" his animation and pop culture heyday, exploring the birth, growth, and tumultuous developments behind Dungeons & Dragons, G.I. Joe, Transformers, the animated Star Wars shows Droids and Ewoks, and more.

As Flint shares his journey through the offices of TSR and the writers' rooms of various animated shows (both seismic and forgotten), you're given what genuinely feels like an outsider's view of Hollywood, a fan's glimpse of behind the scenes. Although Dille's not the most focused or artful storyteller (this feels more like a rambling series of conversations than a traditional autobiography), he is an immensely charming and likable narrator, happily sharing credit, admitting missteps, lamenting the bad luck of friends (the TSR sections are a tough read), and celebrating the legacies he played an influential role in crafting.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "17-Feb-2022", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 17:10:26", "publisher": "Rare Bird Books", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009079003", "title": "The Little Witch's Book of Spells", "author": "Ariel Kusby", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 191, "review": "This is a fun little book! I enjoy this a lot because it\u2019s a perfect spellbook for me because it\u2019s for younger kids. I like how the crafts are cute, the drawings inside the book are beautiful and they describe each spell and symbol that makes the spells and potions inside easy to follow and understand. I like the apothecary index and the spring flower guide at the end of the book. Also at the end of the book, I also really liked the little witch\u2019s reading list because it\u2019s a list of recommended books about witches! And not only does this book show you how to do different spells and potions, but it also shows you how to make a wand, create an altar, give tips for your grimoire, (a diary-like spellbook), and to decorate your room with witchy crafts you can do at home! I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to do spells and potions and is interested in magic. My favorite spells and crafts in this book are: \u201cfive simple good luck spells\u201d, \u201chow to make a magical star\u201d, and \u201chow to make moon water\u201d.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 17:06:15", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "134 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009078007", "title": "Snowflake", "author": "Arthur Jeon", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 423, "review": "Ben has had enough. Mother Earth has taken all she can take from the humans who should be protecting her, and she is about to let us all know about it. The evidence he has collected shows how close humans are to environmental annihilation and extinction. He doesn\u2019t need medicine for his OCD, or a therapist for his anxiety, because he\u2019s finally thinking clearly. Ben knows something must be done, something big, something that will catch the attention of every last person on Earth.

After considering several ideas, he comes to a final chilling conclusion. What else can Ben do but kill the Cretin (his nickname for the POTUS), who does nothing but encourage the exploitation and degradation of every valley and mountain on the planet he loves? Who authorizes waters to be used for oil drilling, cars to belch emissions without regulation, and businesses to run as profitably as possible regardless of the effect on the environment? Thus begins his plan to infiltrate the president\u2019s inner circle and bring attention to the failing health of the world by assassinating the most powerful man in the country. He knows he won\u2019t see his family anymore, won\u2019t walk his dog, won\u2019t go to college, but saving the planet is so much more important, for his family, his pet, and the environment that he loves.

This story touches on everything sleazy about America: consumerism, pornography, alcoholism, drugs, social media, and more. It is quite evident very early on in the story that the Cretin is someone specific and not just a character to fill a role. Readers will understand Ben\u2019s obsession with the Cretin and the disappearing environment as he presents facts, figures, and headlines to support his concern, although they may soon tire of his ranting, which is fueled by his unregulated OCD and anxiety.

There\u2019s no question that the author knows his literature and politics and has a strong opinion about the state of the planet. However, the lack of citations for the included information leaves one wondering where he found the information, regardless of the fact that this is a work of fiction, even as the facts and figures portray a terrifying state of affairs. This really is a case of \"less is more\" because so many of the 400 pages simply cover Ben's meandering thoughts, with very little action taking place to drive the story. The shocking conclusion thoroughly redeems the story, especially in the current charged political climate, but it\u2019s a tough trek through Ben\u2019s redundant and sometimes random thoughts.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 14:42:20", "publisher": "Global Animal", "page_count": "412 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009078003", "title": "Snowflake", "author": "Arthur Jeon", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi", "word_count": 370, "review": "Earth is on fire, both literally and metaphorically. Environmental degradation, including air, water, and soil pollution, and extinction of wildlife and habitat destruction is just the tip of the iceberg. Global organizations, NGOs, nations, and citizens have created a global community fighting for the planet\u2019s fate through awareness campaigns, donations, environmental regulations, and laws, but there are those who believe that more drastic measures should be taken.

Enter Ben Wallace or Benji for short, the story\u2019s protagonist. He\u2019s an 18-year-old scholarship student at a fancy private high school who is dealing with his own personal demons. He\u2019s a loner, isolated from others by choice. In the pages of his journal, he finds solace\u2014even if it\u2019s for a short time. While he watches the other students being completely ignorant of what is going on in the world, as far as climate change is concerned, and reading articles and studies that lead him to dark and darker places, he makes a stunning discovery: killing the President of the United States of America will make the world a better place, according to his way of thinking.

So, for the next weeks, he orchestrates a plan to accomplish his purpose. It may seem like an unorthodox and mentally problematic plan but Ben, during his journal entries, analyzes everything\u2014his decision and actions\u2014and he even provides accurate data to support his cause. Some might describe him as an environmental activist, some a terrorist or a threat to national security, some might call him mentally ill. For him, he\u2019s doing the right thing, and nobody can persuade him for anything less.

Snowflake is a fast-paced Environmental Contemporary Thriller. The writing is impeccable, the plot well organized, and the end stays with the reader long after the book is over. Turning the pages one after the other to find out what happens next is a success that author Arthur Jeon takes all the credit. Ben could easily be any 18-year-old living anywhere in the world. He\u2019s so authentic as a character, and that is exactly what makes Snowflake so unique. It\u2019s a story that speaks of the hard, cold truth. Sometimes we need that in order to see the world more clearly and for what it really is.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 14:42:06", "publisher": "Global Animal", "page_count": "412 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009077051", "title": "Cary Grant: A Brilliant Disguise", "author": "Scott Eyman", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 242, "review": "Cary Grant was a Hollywood icon whose debonair manner and matinee good looks made women flock to see him, while men wanted to be him. His career spanned fifty years, in which he flexed his acting talents in multiple genres. He was beloved by audiences and respected by his peers. Yet, did anyone really know Cary Grant? He was born Archibald Leach in 1904 and was raised in Bristol, England. His family life was unsettled at best; the death of an older brother tore his mother and father apart. His mother smothered him with affection early, while his father drank. At eleven years old, his father had his mother committed. Grant\u2019s father lied to him about his mother\u2019s whereabouts. Grant sought escape in the entertainment field, eventually apprenticing with a traveling revue troupe. A trip to the United States in 1920 made his escape permanent. Grant\u2019s talents would emerge with his work on the vaudeville circuit, which evolved into Broadway and then Hollywood. His fame would reach stratospheric heights, but his past loomed over him, always ready to ground him in some aspect.

Cary Grant: A Brilliant Disguise is a triumph of a biography about a truly complex figure. Scott Eyman has crafted a moving look at a much revered star, attempting to penetrate the veneer his subject so carefully put up. Grant is a fascinating subject, enigmatic in many instances, but human throughout. this is a must-read for 2020 and beyond.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "07-Aug-2020 00:02:15", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "560 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009077047", "title": "The Little Vegan Dessert Cookbook", "author": "Laura Crotty", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "There is something very comforting about taking an old-fashioned cookbook down from the shelf and paging through to find just the perfect recipe. This sweet little book will satisfy those who like a nice, old-fashioned cookbook and those who need to find a collection of great vintage recipes that are remade for those who are vegans. If you have ever needed to buy a vegan cake or other desserts at a specialty bakery, the prices will make you understand what a gift it would be to be able to create such treats at home. After a quick introduction, there is a section that will help you stock your pantry for vegan baking and a section with baking tips. These are followed by five dessert sections: Cookies, Bars, Cakes, Sweet Breads, and Confections. Don\u2019t miss a chance to try the Lemon Cake Bars. They come out sweet and tangy. The Cranberry Loaf is a perfect sweet bread for crisp autumn days. Mouth-watering photographs accompany excellent instructions. The design of the book will take you on a virtual trip back to the 1950s with a look that replicates ladies' magazines of that time. It\u2019s very cute.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "17-Oct-2020", "date_added": "06-Aug-2020 23:58:23", "publisher": "Lincoln Square Books", "page_count": "84 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009077043", "title": "Estelle: A Novel", "author": "Linda Stewart Henley", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 206, "review": "For a few months in the 1870s, Edgar Degas stayed with family in New Orleans. His visit shook up family dynamics, and he left quite suddenly. In a parallel storyline almost one hundred years later, Anne Gauthier, an intern in a museum, has troubles of her own. Her boyfriend is mysterious -- and not always in an alluring way -- and her attempts to restore an old family home keep her brushing up against New Orleans housing politics and her own half-sister, who is eager to move into the house.

The two stories interweave in curious ways, touching and spinning apart in a plot that stands out from other historical fiction. The characters are engaging, and the mysteries Anne keeps stumbling across, whether related to her boyfriend or to family history, are engrossing and layered, keeping the reader guessing until the last page. At times the narration is clumsy or overstates the obvious, but those are rare moments in an otherwise masterful book. Whenever one of them jarred me from the plot, I soon found myself lost in it again, eagerly awaiting whatever would come next. This is a snippet of art history I had little knowledge of, and the author brought it to life beautifully.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "06-Aug-2020 23:55:36", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "286 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009077031", "title": "The Radium Girls: Young Readers' Edition", "author": "Kate Moore", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Faith", "word_count": 183, "review": "The Radium Girls by Kate Moore is \u2018The Scary but True Story of the Poison that Made People Glow in the Dark'. This book is about a time during the early 1900s when girls and women worked in factories. They painted glow in the dark watches with radium paint! The girls didn\u2019t know that the radium was dangerous until people started getting sick. It was sad and scary to read about how so many people suffered because they were poisoned by radium. The book talks about how the girls fought back to get money for their families and to make sure other girls didn\u2019t get poisoned with the radium. This is a long book but it is exciting to read, even if sometimes it is difficult to think about girls getting poisoned at their jobs. I like that this book includes a timeline and a glossary because that makes it easier to follow along with what happened and when. Also, there are many photographs in the book which bring the story to life. I would recommend this book for readers over age twelve.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "06-Aug-2020 23:44:19", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "408 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009077023", "title": "Sanctuary", "author": "V.V. James", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 252, "review": "Dan dies at a high school party and the town of Sanctuary is devastated. He was the star quarterback and loved by everyone. Then his best friend comes forward claiming Dan was killed by his ex-girlfriend using witchcraft, and everyone knows Harper is the daughter of a witch. Death by witchcraft is the only one that allows the death penalty in Connecticut. Sarah knows her daughter doesn\u2019t have the gift, but how can she prove it? The whole town is starting to take sides and lines are being drawn. The nation joins in and it doesn\u2019t take long for paranoia and hate crimes to abound. Sarah has to decide how far she\u2019ll go to protect her daughter, even if it costs her everything else she loves.

This book is described as a mix between Big Little Lies and Practical Magic and I cannot think of a more accurate description. The writing style is so similar to Big Little Lies, with the story told from multiple viewpoints and including notes from interviews and newspaper clippings. I don\u2019t think the ending was as surprising as it was meant to be, but it did not detract at all from the suspense. I could not put this book down, which is saying something because it\u2019s over four hundred pages long. I loved the alternate reality that the author created with witchcraft being accepted but still feared. If you enjoyed Big Little Lies, you should definitely read this book. I hope the author continues to write more.", "issue": "September 2020", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2020", "date_added": "06-Aug-2020 23:38:25", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "452 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009077019", "title": "The Organ Thieves: The Shocking Story of the First Heart Transplant in the Segregated South", "author": "Chip Jones", "category": "N09 History", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 736, "review": "From the first heart transplant to the federal courts of New York City, these four reads take an in-depth look at the death of Bruce Tucker, the transition of America into a one-click society, the groundbreaking work of William Smith, and the callousness of a billion-dollar industry. \n\nThe Districts: Stories of American Justice from the Federal Courts \u2013 Johnny Dwyer \n\nDelve into this comprehensive look into the court system within Manhattan and Brooklyn. The two federal courts of Southern District Court and Eastern District Court keep order in New York City. Johnny Dwyer provides multiple stories as examples that range from a Mafioso in Queens helping depose of a body to a college student caught at the JFK airport with cocaine to a Manhattan hedge fund manager that lies to investors. Dwyer takes an in-depth exploration of the courtrooms through the lives of the judges, attorneys, prosecutors, and defendants. The crimes mentioned in the book include drug trafficking, terrorism, organized crime, and white-collar crime. /The Districts/ takes a hard and honest look at intent, deception, justice, and reasonable doubt.\n\nThe Organ Thieves: The Shocking Story of the First Heart Transplant in the Segregated South \u2013 Chip Jones \n\nChip Jones recounts the horrific events surrounding the first heart transplant which occurred in 1968 when Bruce Tucker, a black man, went to the top hospital in Virginia after a head injury only to have his heart removed and placed inside a white businessman. This book from Pulitzer Price-nominee journalist delves into Tucker's death and how he became a human guinea pig without his family knowing. These events reflect a long history of the mistreatment African Americans have endeared which began over a century ago with horrific actions including cadaver harvesting. The 1960s saw a race for the first successful heart transplants in a book that balances medical history, legal drama, and the issues of life and death told through the lens of racial injustice that has been around for centuries. Also included is a forward from Ben Jealous who is a social justice activist. \n\nStrata: William Smith's Geological Maps \u2013 Oxford University Museum of Natural History \n\nFull-color geological map illustrations, geological cross-sections, strata tables, fossil illustrations, and photographs are included within /Strata: William Smith's Geological Maps/. Also included in /Strata/ is Smith's 1799 geological map of Bath, detailed stratigraphical country maps, and the groundbreaking map of strata. The information is thanks to a variety of sources such as the London Natural History Museum, the Geological Society, and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. This includes the first complete presentation of the revolutionary work of William Smith, a geologist, from the nineteenth century. He's considered the father of English geology. This book illustrates the career of William Smith as he went from an apprentice to a surveyor and collector of fossils and even his imprisonment over debt problems. An introduction from Douglas Palmer describes Smith's work as it relates to structure specifically towards geographical mapping and theories of biostratigraphical. The book is divided into four parts and contains sheets from Smith's 1815 hand-colored map, cross-sections, and fossil illustrations. Between each section are essays commenting on Smith's work in areas of hydrology, mining, cartography, and agriculture. This testament to Smith's career includes a forward from Robert Macfarlane and an awe-inspiring collection. \n\nFulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America \u2013 Alec MacGillis \n\nUpton Sinclair published a novel with the subtitle /A Story of Ford-America/ which called out a billion-dollar company for how it underpaid employees and had dangerous working conditions. Going forward eighty-three years, Amazon.com has well over a trillion dollars while Ford Motor Company is worth around thirty billion dollars. One-click America has intensified under the pandemic of the Coronavirus due to the increase in online shopping. As Amazon grows through deliveries, corporate campuses, and data centers, a separation between winner and loser cities begins to grow. The book focuses on the fabric of society unraveling which is told through stories about those that have succeeded and those that haven't. These examples include high-paid Seattle workers in offices where a black neighborhood once was, Virginia homeowners that work against a data center that could damage their local environment, and an El Paso office supply firm that works against Amazon's governmental procurement. MacGillis also includes in /Fulfillment/ how Amazon become a Washington D.C. force, the growing inequality between the poor and rich, and how every click online is remaking America.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "06-Aug-2020 23:34:46", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "390 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009077011", "title": "Scritch Scratch", "author": "Lindsay Currie", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 229, "review": "Do you believe in ghosts? Scritch Scratch is a pretty cool book! It\u2019s about twelve-year-old Claire who lives in Chicago\u2019s Lincoln Park. Claire\u2019s dad is a ghost researcher who has a ghost tour business. Claire doesn\u2019t believe in ghosts until the night when she has to help her dad on the ghost tour. That night a ghost follows her home! At first, Claire tries to keep everybody else from finding out about the ghost. She is afraid her dad will find out and add their house to his ghost tour. But finally, her brother finds out. At school, the ghost follows her into the bathroom. When her best friend finds her, the ghost turns on all the faucets and flushes all the toilets at the same time. With her friend\u2019s help, Claire starts to solve the mystery of who the ghost is, and what it wants.

So watch out! This book gets scary! But my grandparents live in Chicago, so it is cool to read about places I know. My sister helped me with this book, because it\u2019s pretty long, and it\u2019s really for kids her age (she\u2019s twelve). Scritch Scratch is part ghost story, part self-help for seventh-grade girls. I like Claire and her friends and her older brother Sam, but they are all a lot nicer than real people (I have an older brother, so I know).", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "06-Aug-2020 23:27:31", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "376 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009077007", "title": "Little Blue House Beside the Sea", "author": "Jo Ellen Bogart", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 233, "review": "In Little Blue House Beside the Sea, a young child shares the indelible love she has for a house that rests high up on a hill near the seashore. She describes the lively, yet tranquil environment surrounding it - the flowers that provide nourishing nectar for the bees, the boats that drift slowly by, and the puffins who display their afternoon catch for all to see. She peers at the humpback whales who play out in the distance and the gorgeous glistening of the moon at night. The lighthouse towers shining brightly and the waves rising and falling in tumultuous rhythm both catch her attention, too. There is simply no other place she\u2019d rather be than the little blue house beside the sea.

This is a beautifully illustrated picture book with a welcoming aura of simplicity. The contentment the young girl feels at the special place near the sea is palpable. With the exception of the very first spread, she is alone throughout the story. Nature is her company; in it, she basks. Given she appears to be no older than eight or nine, her solitude adds a mysterious edge, leading readers to question where her parents might be. This text is ideal for lessons involving inquiry as well as those concerning rhyme and other notable literary features. Interestingly, the author shares at the end what inspired her to write this thoughtful story.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "06-Aug-2020 23:22:10", "publisher": "Tilbury House Publishers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009182035", "title": "Minee Strategy Convincing Courting of the Mind", "author": "Abdulrahman Aloraini", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 436, "review": "Minee Strategy: Convincing and \"Courting\" of the Mind will be understandable for physics, chemistry, and math teachers, but the author also explains that others who have a scientific background from high school classes will be able to understand the ideas and benefit from the knowledge presented in the book. The book separates into five parts that explain the why, what, and how of using Minee. The \"Why\" section states the importance of Minee, how it came to be, and a compare/contrast graph of the traditional and Minee strategy. The \"What\" section states its definition, features, and its \"mission.\" The \"How\" section shows how to use Minee's strategy to solve scientific problems using physical, comparison, chemical, and mathematical examples. Part four is about using Minee for students and teachers, and part five is for leaders and specialists.

The purpose of this book is to provide a secondary technique to utilize when having trouble comprehending information; this is helpful when the learner does not benefit from the traditional way of learning. The author highlights its simplicity and flexibility. While explaining the strategy in part three, or \"How,\" a benefit of Minee is that it's customizable to the individual learner by a variety of marks, drawings, and color-coding changes. The \"convincing\" and \"courting\" terms refer to the comprehension of information such as scientific formulas and logical sequence, and examples of them presented phonetically and visually. Keeping the brain stimulated is a vital aspect of this strategy; examples of how to achieve this are in the text.

The author explains how to use the Minee strategy in a user-friendly way; albeit, a learner with a scientific mind will benefit much more than others. The reader should indeed avoid part three when reading through Minee Strategy if you are not familiar with advanced mathematical processes. If the reader is comfortable with such scientific and mathematical procedures, the examples presented show the Minee strategy applied to various types of calculations. This reviewer feels that Minee would be an excellent alternative for students who struggle with the traditional way of learning material in a classroom setting. As the author states, \"Minee is a \"compressed capsule\" of scientific thinking steps in an easy, harmonious, innate style.\" This reviewer appreciates the time and effort from the author that is evident in his detailed examples, instructions, and illustrations; it is clear that this is his \"baby.\" The author covers every aspect of this strategy that this reviewer could think of; it is worth the read to find a way of learning that will stick with the reader for the long-term and ensure success in future endeavors.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Sep-2020 23:29:32", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "195 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009182031", "title": "The Last Lumenian", "author": "S.G. Blaise", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 400, "review": "So many changes so fast may just give Lilla whiplash. Lilla recently suffered through her father\u2019s marriage to her former friend and only begrudgingly earned acceptance into the rebellion to help the refugees her father exploits. She cannot believe his callousness toward the people seeking shelter on Uhna, their home, nor his intention to use them as slaves in his mines, which is his main income as King. On one such rebel mission, her claustrophobia ruins her chances to show how useful she can be, repeating an event in her past. After returning disgraced, her place in the rebellion is challenged but meeting the handsome General Callum may help. However, no matter how she feels toward the general, her father\u2019s marriage contract seems perfectly placed to remove her from her home and end her plans, much to her step-mother\u2019s delight. Meanwhile, magic seems to be gathering in her limbs, but without any guidance, her only outlet is damaging and painful. When a visit from the good Arch-goddess reveals the truth about her heritage, Lilla must decide what role she wants to play in the upcoming Era War: maintaining her spoiled princess upbringing, or following in her mother\u2019s exalted footsteps. It will not be an easy choice to make, as one may end her world but the other may end her life.

If that cover doesn\u2019t cause a double-take, then the last line of the author\u2019s dedication just might: To all of you, dear readers, who took a chance without realizing the dangers of how addictive this story will be. Good news: there will be more to come. Such a confident boast brings with it high expectations, and this novel mostly delivers. The action is fast-paced but the timeline can be confusing, as the flashback at the beginning does not seem best served out of chronological order. Some chapters seem unnecessary and irrelevant to the story\u2019s progress, but Lilla is entertaining if young, quipping modern slang and pop culture throughout her escapades. The combination of fairy tale-feel with the darkness of zombies and possession create a story of contrasts, just as Lilla\u2019s roles contrast as she\u2019s forced to grow up. The romance is sweet, the dialogue witty, and the world building fascinating, while the short chapters make it easy to finish just one more. While not award-winning, The Lumenian is definitely entertaining and good for an afternoon or three of escaping reality.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Sep-2020 22:53:53", "publisher": "Lilac Grove Entertainment LLC", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009182027", "title": "The Last Lumenian", "author": "S.G. Blaise", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 635, "review": "Lilla is a princess whose father has shifted his rule to the one of a tyrant and it only gets worse when he marries, giving Lilla a new stepmother who has her own wicked agenda. The first action her stepmother takes is to convince Lilla's father to sign a marriage contract that will send her far away. But Lilla has a plan of her own. She's not a princess that waits for events to unfold. She's a rebel who's fighting with her people for their freedom. The handsome general Callum arrives with secrets of his own and charms Lilla in a way she never expected. It doesn't help when her life is thrown into the drama between the gods and a war explodes between two archgods that pulls Lilla into the middle, which pushes her into discovering her own magical potential that will have her pushing her abilities to their fullest. To fulfill her destiny she must prepare to come face to face with the Archgod of Chaos and Destruction.

Heralded as a princess with strength and valor, Lilla was given a strong-willed voice and attitude that is woven from SG Blaise delivering a wonderfully dynamic heroine weighed down by her duties as a princess and a rebel. Both sides of her are taken with the same level of detail and with the side given equal precedent as the story progresses. Blaise uncovers various layers of Lilla weaving her between her role as a hero (taking on the Archgod of Chaos)\u2014one as a princess, and one as a rebel. She's fierce and clever with qualities that serve her throughout her journey and guide her into uncovering the different facets of herself. From the first page, you're introduced to Lilla, an established rebel and the crown princess, with the immediate struggle of these two sides driving her. She's torn between the duty she has to her father and her duty to her people, which pulls her to turning against her own crown to become a rebel. Four sides are explored throughout as Lilla is being pulled in these four directions, and each side is an important element for her progression into the hero she's destined to become.

The magic Lilla has within her slowly is revealed with her powers pushing her to a path she never predicted and challenging her to become more than the rebel and the princess. This side of herself is the tug to become a hero that is centered on her destiny to fight against a powerful god. Just as Lilla has various elements to her character, Blaise also weaves in several threads of the genre to breathe life into the world and sets this story apart from others with elements of science fiction, fairytale, and fantasy. Blaise blends these various elements together for a unique and original setting with a vibe of fairytales seen through the actions of a wicked stepmother, with her planet crafted around a science fiction mold, and the magic and mythology akin to a fantasy adventure. Each thread that creates this breathtaking world reflects various aspects of Lilla's own personality.

The story has grand mythology that's rooted within the actions of meddling gods and the war they pull Lilla into, with her destiny fitted to that of a hero of legend. The story weaves in touches of romance though being part of Lilla's story; her romantic options are not the center of her world. Though, the chemistry with Arrov, as two rebels relying on each other, and friction with Callum creates a delightful undertone to the action-packed moments. The Last Lumenian is an exciting read with a complex heroine with a layered and complex story that takes her from princess to rebel to hero through a journey that consists of magic, gods, war, rebellion, betrayal, and romance.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "29-Sep-2020 22:53:38", "publisher": "Lilac Grove Entertainment LLC", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009182023", "title": "The Last Lumenian", "author": "S.G. Blaise", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 600, "review": "Growing up in the Crystal Palace as the heir of the king, Lilla knows what\u2019s expected of her, but she\u2019s a rebel at heart and is determined to forge her own path. She secretly befriends the refugees in Uhna, her homeland and the richest of the Seven Galaxies. They\u2019re being held against their will by the ruling class, facing both oppression and maltreatment. Lilla lost her mother at age of five and yearns to learn more about the woman she once was. She discovers her mother fought for the refugees as well.br>When Lilla and her friend Arrov set out to complete her first official mission, their spacecraft collides into an asteroid, causing devastating damage. They\u2019re rescued by the Teryns, whose empire put more refugees in the camps than any other nation. They\u2019re known enemies but wish to join forces with the inhabitants of Uhna in order to form a strong alliance. They believe it\u2019s the only way forward in fighting the Archgod of Chaos and Destruction. He\u2019s on the verge of starting another Era War, the last of which was a millennium ago, and caused widespread death of destruction.

As time progresses, Lilla receives a visit from the Lady, the Archgoddess of Eternal Light and Order, the mother all Lumenians. She informs Lilla her mother was one of her sacred children, a Lumenian. Now that she\u2019s gone, Lilla is the only one that remains. It\u2019s ultimately up to her to save her planet, as Lumenians are the only ones with the power to destroy the Archgod of Chaos and Destruction. Though she\u2019s hesitant to enter the battle, she knows it\u2019s the only way to preserve what is good and pure. With the artful use of the magical powers she possesses, she and the lead Teryns destroy the Archgod of Chaos and Destruction, saving countless others from certain death.

The Last Lumenian is an intriguing and entertaining story that\u2019s sci-fi and fantasy with a sliver of romance trickling through it. Lilla and Callum, the general of the Teryns, are from disparate sides. Lilla\u2019s from the wealthiest of galaxies, in which royalty and power reign; Callum is from a galaxy whose leaders sent more rebels to refugee camps than any other, and in which dominance is the aspiration. When they first meet as a result of a failed mission, contempt and distrust surrounds them. However, as time progresses, they realize they have more in common than they thought and may desperately need each other in the end. As the frequency of their encounters increase, they begin to fall in love and become the central figures in the tale. Their relationship adds depth to the text, humanizing it and captivating readers as the layers of it unfold.

This book is divided into nice, short, concise chapters, and though it spans just over 300 pages, it\u2019s a relatively quick read. The author, S.G. Blaise, is masterful with her transitions, leaving just enough unsaid to keep readers on edge. She\u2019s creative as well with blending a bit of predictability with an array of unexpected surprises. The ending chapter is satisfying and somewhat conclusive, though a sequel may not be out of the question.

The target audience for The Last Lumenian is adults, and females will likely favor it over males. With the exception of a love scene or two and some mild language, it\u2019s appropriate for teens and young adults. It would be an ideal pick for children ages 10-12 if an adapted version were made available. They would likely find it a stimulating and engaging read and would be enthralled by the sci-fi and fantasy elements in it.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "29-Sep-2020 22:53:20", "publisher": "Lilac Grove Entertainment LLC", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009182019", "title": "The Last Lumenian", "author": "S.G. Blaise", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 419, "review": "Lilla is Ma\u2019hana, a princess, her father being King Uhna. Even while she\u2019s still mourning the death of her mother, her father is marrying Beathag, a young woman about the same age as her. But not only is her father making mistakes in matrimony, but he\u2019s also using the burgeoning numbers of refugees who migrate to the planet hoping for a safe haven as slaves in the crystal mines. Lilla has befriended many of them who serve at the court and when they begin to get arrested and turn up murdered, she seeks answers. Through her investigations, she becomes involved with the rebels who are seeking rights and justice for the refugees. But a mission on behalf of the rebels almost gets her killed only to be saved by Callum a\u2019ruun, second War General of the Teryn Praelium.

The Teryns have come to Uhna to negotiate an alliance with Lilla\u2019s father to stand against the Archgod of Chaos and Destruction who is determined to start an Era War. The Archgod\u2019s victory is assured if only he can find and destroy the last of the Lumenians. He\u2019s narrowed his search down to the planet Uhna, and now, disguised in the body of a mortal, searching for his unwary victim.

Poor Lilla, not only is she falling for Callum, the War General of The Brutes of the Seven Galaxies, she\u2019s also had a visit from the Archgoddess of the Eternal Light and Order who said her mother was a Lumenian, and as her daughter, she is the last of the line. That makes her the missing ingredient in the Archgod of Chaos and Destruction\u2019s recipe for victory. Oh yeah, and she\u2019s got claustrophobia.

The Last Lumenian by S.G. Blaise is a space fantasy-romcom melange that contains an equal amount of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, seasoned liberally with superheroes, plus a hint of Cinderella. Have I forgotten anything? Yes. It\u2019s garnished with zombies.

With nearly every chapter, the author introduces a new plotline and new characters until it becomes almost impossible to follow. And why bother, since all these characters, with the exception of the protagonist, are one-dimensional and not worth the effort. Neither is the convoluted, though predictable, plot where every conflict is resolved by chance interventions or magic, or both. Merit has to be awarded for Blaise\u2019s penchant for fantastical names and her ability to jam all this into one book. But just as too many ingredients can ruin the dish, so this is the case for The Last Lumenian.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Sep-2020 22:53:13", "publisher": "Lilac Grove Entertainment LLC", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009182015", "title": "The Girl From Dark Dakota", "author": "Bryan Devore", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 424, "review": "If there was ever a book meant to be made into an awe-inspiring movie, this would be at the top of the list. The Girl From Dark Dakota is the perfect book as far as paranormal suspense goes.

Rachel is a seventeen-year-old girl who was adopted when she was very young. She and her friends have created a ghost hunting group reminiscent of the team on the television series Ghost Adventures. Complete with EVP equipment and all sorts of cameras, the team seeks the undead. But it is not until Jason, an accountant from Chicago, shows up to do an audit for the local hospital that there is any measurable paranormal activity.

On his first night there, chairs are violently thrust against the walls and he senses a presence. When Rachel's friend Shelley tells her about the activity at the hospital (Shelley's mom works there too), the whole team is ready to bust some ghosts. They believe it is the ghost of Annabel Heller, a young woman who was murdered one year ago on Halloween. Add to the mix Dr. Donovan Graves, a paranormal researcher, and Madam Bovell, a medium who seems to have lost her gift, and you have a team that is sure to find out what the spirit, or spirits, are looking for.

The storyline moved along very quickly but with so much detail for the reader to picture each scene that the book really came to life while I was reading it. One part of the book in which the spirit is warning the kids individually is reminiscent of the movie Final Destination where each person faces death in the face. These parts were extremely creative and exciting. The story was full of action and interesting information about paranormal behavior.

The characters were also all so different yet special in their own way. Where else would you find a team of high schoolers, a medium, a paranormal scientist, and an accountant? But this combination works in The Girl From Dark Dakota.

Overall, this book was exciting and full of action from cover to cover. There was never a dull moment. A testament to how good this book was is the fact that I finished it, although it was close to six-hundred pages, in only two days. I just couldn't put it down. I recommend The Girl From Dark Dakota to lovers of paranormal shows and books who are fans of getting goosebumps while they read. This book will have you looking over your shoulder and sleeping with the lights on.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2021", "date_added": "29-Sep-2020 22:41:30", "publisher": "", "page_count": "561 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009182011", "title": "The Girl From Dark Dakota", "author": "Bryan Devore", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 402, "review": "What do a teen with burgeoning psychic abilities, a professor of parapsychology, a washed-up medium, a skeptic accountant, and a group of young ghost hunters have in common? You will want to read this book to find out! This epic supernatural thriller follows several characters as they investigate paranormal activity in the small town of Williston, North Dakota. As Halloween approaches, they investigate a local ghost story, unravel hidden secrets, and unwittingly reveal an evil that threatens life as they know it.

The cover of this book has an eerie paranormal feel that fits the story. Even though this is a substantial book, it is an easy read. My heart raced and at times my mouth hung open, which my husband thought was pretty comical. There is humor, suspense, action, and lots of paranormal elements. The story flows well and kept me glued to the pages. The length of the chapters is good, with endings that leave you wanting to read more.

I loved the characters; they were well developed and endearing. I was invested in them from each introduction and rooted for them throughout the story. The dialogue between the characters was believable and did not feel forced. Sometimes, when you have multiple storylines, some details get lost; however, that is not the case with this book at all.

I thought the plot of this novel was well thought out, and even though there are lots of moving parts, the author did a great job of weaving them all together. The intertwining storylines keep the reader guessing to the very end. At first, I was afraid that the momentum of the story would slow halfway through, but it did not. The suspense built, then ebbed, then continued to build to the conclusion. The climax of the story did not disappoint and, although I usually enjoy more follow up and resolution, I was pretty satisfied with the ending. An experienced ghost hunter may be able to pick apart some of the details, but as someone who avidly watches ghost-hunting shows, I could find no fault in the descriptions.

I can\u2019t say enough about how much I loved this book. It\u2019s right up there with other thrillers I\u2019ve read by Dean Koontz and Stephen King. I am definitely interested in reading other novels by this author. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal thrillers, ghost hunting, or generally spooky stuff.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "29-Sep-2020 22:41:16", "publisher": "", "page_count": "561 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009182007", "title": "The Girl From Dark Dakota", "author": "Bryan Devore", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 438, "review": "One year ago, on Halloween, Annabel Heller was murdered. Since then, Rachel has been hearing her ghost. Along with her friends in their ghost-hunting club, she\u2019s been trying to communicate with her and obtain proof of life after death in the place Annabel is most often seen or heard, the hospital where she died. Jason has been called to the same hospital to audit their records. While there late at night, he has seen more of Annabel than anyone else. He can tell she has something she wants him to know, but can\u2019t quite figure out the message. Dr. Graves, who has spent his life debunking ghost hunters and mediums, receives a message from his dead son to reunite with Madam Bovell, who he exposed as a fraud years ago. Madam Bovell, who lost her gift to speak to the dead, has recently been having visions that indicate she needs to find Rachel.

With Halloween fast approaching, all these people are drawing together to right a wrong and uncover the lies surrounding Annabel\u2019s death. But there are bigger forces at work and something evil is lurking in the small town of Williston, North Dakota. Rachel is only seventeen, but she may be the only one who can put Annabel\u2019s spirit to rest and save the rest of the town from this unseen evil.

Creepy hospital wings and abandoned farmhouses, ghost sightings, and unseen forces out to do evil, this book has it all! Something I really appreciated about this book was actually it\u2019s length. It is a fairly long book, almost 600 pages. Normally, I wouldn\u2019t say that\u2019s a good thing, but in this case, it was because it allowed the author to expand on the mystery and characters of the ghosts as well as each of the main characters. The exceptional length gave the reader an opportunity to get more deeply involved in the lives of the characters and to try to understand why Annabel\u2019s spirit lingered on.

This story is less of the shock and awe type of ghost story; it has more depth to it than that. Don\u2019t get me wrong, there are still plenty of scary moments, but there is actually a story involved that stays with you when you\u2019re done. It was very hard to put down, with each chapter bringing you one step closer to solving the puzzle. Overall, it is very well-written with relatable characters who have depth to them and a story that sucks you in. If you enjoy ghost stories that lean more toward the realistic than the scare factor, you will enjoy this book. I know I did.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "29-Sep-2020 22:41:01", "publisher": "", "page_count": "561 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009182003", "title": "The Girl From Dark Dakota", "author": "Bryan Devore", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 415, "review": "Bryan Devore's The Girl from Dark Dakota is a delightfully dark paranormal suspense mystery. We, along with the major characters, are drawn into the story of Annabel and Rubin, victims of a Halloween murder-suicide. Nearly a year has passed and, as the anniversary draws nigh, Rachel, a psychic sensitive, and her group of ghost hunter friends carry out a clandestine stakeout at the hospital where Annabel drew her final breath. Here, they stumble across Jason, an accountant called in to conduct an audit. He doesn't want to believe, but ends up neck deep in the paranormal despite himself. The final players are Dr. Graves, a hopeful skeptic, and Madam Bovell, a disgraced medium. Pulled together, at this time and in this place, each has lessons of faith and trust to learn as they unravel the truth behind Annabel's death.

I was immediately drawn in! I enjoy the paranormal, and I am always up for a good mystery. I liked the argument made toward the end, that Lucifer is how he is because there are things God wants done but doesn't want to be responsible for doing. It made me think of Loki and Odin. Also, the notion that, in terms of the Christian religion, the reason there is evil in the world is because that's what God wants because he wants free will in the world. I've always been of the mind that that's pretty messed up. But then, I'm a pagan, and Rokkatru to boot. I know the true value of the Trickster and of the Destroyer, who is, by virtue of destroying, also a consummate Creator. That's not quite how the message was intended here though, and other parts of the story were a bit heavy on Lucifer as the Corrupter.

One point did kick me out of the story. A character fell asleep for twenty minutes and had a nightmare, but said that was impossible because REM sleep is part of deep sleep, occurring ninety minutes into a sleep cycle. REM sleep is the deepest, or fourth level, of sleep, but it is very different from what is properly called \"deep sleep,\" and while *most* dreaming, including nightmares, occurs during REM, that's not always so, and I've had plenty of vivid dreams/nightmares during fifteen- to thirty-minute catnaps. Myriad factors play into this, and we know relatively little about sleep in truth.

This book is perfect for fans of Stephen King and Dean Koontz and shows such as Supernatural, The X-Files, and Dark.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "29-Sep-2020 22:40:55", "publisher": "", "page_count": "561 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009179083", "title": "This Little Light: A Novel", "author": "Lori Lansens", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 195, "review": "In a slightly dystopian vision of a future America, women\u2019s bodies are no longer really theirs: abortion is criminal, pre-marital sex is discouraged in theory (but, unsurprisingly, still rampant in practice), and young girls across the country attend sensationalized \u201cchastity balls\u201d where they dress as virgin brides and promise their daddies they\u2019ll remain chaste until marriage. Rory and Fee never really wanted to attend a chastity ball, but get swept up in the excitement\u2026 until the bomb explodes. Now the girls are the prime suspects and they\u2019re on the run. Rory writes a blog during their time in hiding, determined to tell the truth because she\u2019s not sure if they\u2019ll live through the experience, and it\u2019s vital that the secrets they know to be revealed one way or another.

This Little Light is a fast-paced read that pulls readers in quick. This novel has a lot more depth than readers might initially believe, and this alternate/possible future is fascinating and horrifying all at once. Some parts of the story are a little bit predictable, but others will feel like a punch to the gut, so surprising are the twists and turns. This book is highly recommended.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 20:53:58", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009179075", "title": "488 Rules for Life: The Thankless Art of Being Correct", "author": "Kitty Flanagan", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "Etiquette books are not nearly as popular as they used to be, but that doesn\u2019t mean a person never needs one. The world has changed a lot in the last few years, so older etiquette books are pretty useless. But now Kitty Flanagan, a comedian from down under, has written a very useful book for getting along in today\u2019s world. Feel like telling all the details of a movie or TV show? Rule 98 will remind you that doesn\u2019t make for good conversation. Dining at a buffet? Rule 147 is there to tell you \u201call you can eat\u201d is a marketing tool, not an order. Thinking about proposing at a hockey game on the Kiss Cam? You might want to read Rules 188 and 189. Are you contemplating getting a tattoo? Check out Rules 256 to 262 before you make any decisions. This is a clever book with a lot of common sense, some serious ideas, and a good helping of tongue in cheek advice. It is the sort of book to take on a road trip to read aloud in the car or keep by one\u2019s chair (or perhaps one\u2019s commode) to read in short chunks. Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 20:45:59", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009179071", "title": "The Future of Nutrition: An Insider's Look at the Science, Why We Keep Getting It Wrong, and How to Start Getting it Right", "author": "T. Colin Campbell, PhD", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 203, "review": "If we are so scientifically advanced, how can we also be so sick?

T. Colin Campbell tries to answer this question in The Future of Nutrition: An Insider\u2019s Look at the Science, Why We Keep Getting It Wrong, and How to Start Getting It Right. In this book, he addresses the prejudices in science holding us back as well as how cancer and heart disease continue to affect so many. A follow-up to Campbell\u2019s other groundbreaking works, The China Study, which has been described as \u201cthe most comprehensive study of health and nutrition ever conducted,\u201d and Whole, The Future of Nutrition is a deep dive into the field of nutrition and the pitfalls in science.

Insightful when it comes to \u201cdisease care over health care,\u201d Campbell\u2019s work exposes the flaws in the system and furthers the cause of a whole food, plant-based diet. While it may sound like an radical option, choosing facts over feelings is rarely the wrong choice. This book helps cut through the conflicting and confusing messaging of the diet industry to give readers information to use in their decision making regarding what actually goes into their mouths. It\u2019s our integration with nature that will ultimately lead us to wisdom.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 20:42:40", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009179063", "title": "Weird But True Halloween: 300 Spooky Facts to Scare You Silly", "author": "Julie Beer and Michelle Harris", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": "", "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 189, "review": "Halloween is a favorite holiday of children, and this book will be a favorite of youngsters in the seven- to ten-year-old range. It\u2019s filled with bright photographs, graphics, and illustrations that are all about Halloween time or spooky (but not really scary) things such as the fact that the gargoyles on Notre Dame Cathedral are an architectural device designed to protect it from bad spirits, or that ghost-faced bats were named that because they have a ghoulish face with tiny eyes that seem to be in their huge ears, or the fact that there is a skeleton museum that uses flesh-eating beetles to clean the bones.

It also has a lot of fun facts about Halloween-related things such as the fact that giant pumpkins can grow as much as 60 pounds in one day, or that in the United States over 600 million pounds of candy are sold each Halloween, or that originally turnips were carved instead of pumpkins. There is nothing challenging or profound about this book, but youngsters will find it very entertaining, and it may be a really good way to invite reluctant readers to read.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 20:30:43", "publisher": "National Geographic", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009179059", "title": "Burn You Twice", "author": "Mary Burton", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 236, "review": "In Burn You Twice, it\u2019s been ten years since Joan and her college roommate Ann survived a fire set by an arsonist. Right after that, Joan left Montana and went back home to Philadelphia, leaving the memories and her boyfriend, Gideon, behind. Now a detective, Joan spends most of her time trying to solve arson cases. Then she receives a letter from prison, letting her know that Elijah, the classmate convicted of setting the fire all those years ago, has served his time and is returning home to Montana. On suspension anyway, Joan decides to head back and see what his plan is. Another fire breaks out and a woman ends up dead, but Elijah has an alibi. Joan works with Gideon to find out who set the fire and figure out if Elijah was innocent the whole time. She\u2019s already been burned once; she won\u2019t let it happen again.

This was a great story. It\u2019s classified as romance fiction, but I would say it\u2019s more of a suspense story with some romance thrown in. Much more of the story dealt with Joan and Gideon working the case and trying to solve all the arsons, then focusing on their romance. It\u2019s definitely peppered throughout but isn\u2019t the main focus. Overall, it was an entertaining read and if you enjoy suspense stories, then I think this is one you\u2019ll want to add to your marked to-read list.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 20:24:14", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "337 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009179051", "title": "I Survived The California Wildfires, 2018 (I Survived #20) (20)", "author": "Lauren Tarshis", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 204, "review": "Josh was terrified when he saw the police cars at his house, sure that someone was seriously hurt. He was not prepared to find out his father was accused of a crime. To escape the attention, he and his mom go to California to visit family. His cousin, Holly, shows Josh all around the wilderness by her home and, surprisingly, Josh begins to enjoy himself. When terrible news from home intrudes on his peaceful getaway, he races from the house to try to outrun the storm in his mind. Holly chases after him, but they get caught in a quick-moving forest fire. They must rely on instinct and the fire safety tips they\u2019ve just recently learned if they hope to make it out alive.

This 20th book in the I Survived series does not disappoint. Tarshis has deftly woven a realistic story into a recent disaster of epic proportions. There is terror evident in the characters\u2019 battle for safety, magnified by the fact that these events truly occurred. Facts and research follows the survival story, including an explanation of its conception and an introduction to the people who shared their harrowing personal experiences, giving readers insight into the author\u2019s writing process. Another instant kid favorite.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 20:15:21", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.0"} {"id": "425035000009179035", "title": "How to Get Away with Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery 2)", "author": "Elizabeth C. Bunce", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 171, "review": "Twelve-year-old aspiring detective Myrtle Hardcastle doesn\u2019t want to go to the English seaside on a relaxing vacation with her Aunt Helena. She would prefer to stay at home and keep an eye out for the next mystery to pop up. But alas, Myrtle is forced to leave on a train with her aunt, her cat, and her governess. How will she ever survive?

Myrtle strikes up an unlikely friendship with Ms. Bloom, a detective assigned the job of watching the Northern Lights tiara. When someone is murdered and the tiara is stolen, Myrtle knows that it is up to her to find the murderer and recover the tiara. Every clue leads to a dead end, and Myrtle doesn\u2019t know if she can catch the killer. When Aunt Helena is suspected, Myrtle realizes time is running out.

I liked this book because it was a perfect mystery and featured a spunky heroine in charge. I enjoyed following each clue along with Myrtle, and I eagerly await the next book in this series!", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 19:56:21", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009179031", "title": "At the Edge of the Haight", "author": "Katherine Seligman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 186, "review": "Maddy is a young girl who lives on the streets of San Francisco and sleeps in Golden Gate Park. She has forged a small family of youths like herself who gather together at night to sleep until rousted by the morning police rounds. She cares for a stray dog called Root, who is her companion and protector. A secondary protector is her friend Ash, who has ways charming enough to scrounge for subsistence on the mean streets. The book opens as Root finds a young murder victim in the bushes. In pursuit of Root, Maddy sees the dying boy and his assailant. We see how thin her means of protection become as she navigates through having become a witness to this crime.

LIke many on the streets, Maddy had no real home or family; she is unattached to people and protection. Throughout the story, this reader worried about Maddy and longed for her to find her way off the streets. Unlike many novels, the author does not provide easy answers. The resonant title of this book reflects the edge of a hateful life on the streets.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 19:54:23", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4 "} {"id": "425035000009179027", "title": "Beauty Tempts the Beast: A Sins for All Season Novel (Sins for All Seasons Book 6)", "author": "Lorraine Heath", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 200, "review": "Benedict Trewlove, often called Beast for his ferocity, can be just as rough around the edges as any of his siblings. Just like them, however, he has a heart of gold, and when he meets Althea Stanwick, a duke\u2019s daughter fallen from grace, he can\u2019t help but offer to help her. He offers her a job, and a sizeable amount of money, if she can teach the women in a brothel he owns to move through respectable circles and gain better lives for themselves. She accepts, but on one condition: while she teaches the prostitutes to be respectable women, Beast must teach her how to become a seductress.

What follows is a fascinating romance, a give-and-take that keeps the two sides perfectly balanced. The desire Beast and Althea feel for one another is palpable from the first few chapters, but mixed in with breathless encounters are tender moments that show the humanity beneath the hard shell each carries. I love finding romances where both parties have reasons to be guarded, and in Lorraine Heath\u2019s latest, half the fun is watching as each gradually lets their guard down. I fell in love\u2014hard\u2014at the start, and stayed that way all the way through.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 19:50:55", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "383 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009179023", "title": "The Girl with the Cat", "author": "Beverley Brenna, Illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 257, "review": "When Caroline and her brother discover a local art gallery, a bronze statue of a little girl in a rocking chair grabs her attention. Caroline reaches out and touches the girl, Nina, and her cat, Sammy, who rests upon her lap. They remind her of the things she left behind in Toronto: a cat of her own and friends she adores. With each visit, she shares a little more of herself. The hole in her heart begins to mend. Then, one day, she finds a sign beside Nina and Sammy stating they will soon be gone. Devastated, she writes a letter to the director, hoping the small amount of savings she encloses will make a difference. Her efforts go public, and with the help of the community, the statue is purchased and will remain a fixture in the gallery for years to come.

This is a poignant story about a child who feels vulnerable and alone after leaving a place she deeply loves. With no friends to comfort her, she finds solace in the time she spends with Nina and Sammy. Her passion leads others to contribute, and her dream of keeping them near becomes a reality. Caroline\u2019s legacy is real, and the statue she fought so hard to keep remains in the gallery today.

This is undoubtedly a noteworthy book of magnificent quality. It\u2019s full of rich, figurative language and sends a powerful message to young children. They\u2019ll be touched by its sweetness and will favor the detailed, soft-hued illustrations that bring the narrative to life.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "30-Jan-2021", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 19:46:48", "publisher": "Fitzhenry & Whiteside", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009179019", "title": "My Kind of Earl (The Mating Habits of Scoundrels)", "author": "Vivienne Lorret", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 217, "review": "Jane Pickering is the heroine every other romance-novel protagonist needs: she is writing a book intended to teach the young ladies of London how to deal with the opposite sex, from dull men to scoundrels. Her studies, however, are soon to take on a much more hands-on element. During an exploratory trip to a brothel (for research, of course), she encounters Raven: tall, dark, handsome, and not nearly as good at pretending to be a society man as he thinks. Their chance encounter might be the only time they see one another, but for the fact that Raven\u2019s birthmark reminds Jane of something she has seen before. Raven has secrets in his past, things which even he may not know.

The first book in Lorret\u2019s series delighted me with its unconventional heroine and the genuine emotion that blossomed between the two protagonists. The second certainly lives up to the first, and I\u2019m very much looking forward to the next in the series. Lorret has a knack not only for writing scoundrels (and her scoundrels are certainly delicious) but also for women who not only proclaim to be cut from a different cloth than other romantic heroines but read that way as well. Add to that her witty prose, and you have a winning book in the making.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "10-Dec-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 19:43:24", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009179015", "title": "The Other Side", "author": "Heather Camlot", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 184, "review": "Liam is twelve-years-old and soccer is his whole life. He and his Opa (grandfather) are watching the lead up to the 2014 World Cup soccer games, a bond the two of them share. But Opa is dying. When Liam finds the dead body of a high school girl along the shore near his grandfather\u2019s house, his life is thrown into further turmoil. Was it an accident or was it murder? Liam is overwhelmed and haunted by the sight of a dead body. Opa has also chosen this time to disclose to Liam stories about his experience as a German World War II veteran, fighting on the side of the Nazis. Liam tries to solve what he believes is a murder so he can make sense of his world again.

The Other Side by Heather Camlot is both an intriguing mystery set in contemporary Canada, and a poignant story about a loving family coming to terms with the past. Camlot expertly navigates the themes of death, Jewish identity, and inter-generational relationships. Its dark themes and noir-esque style may skew the readership to upper middle grade.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 19:40:07", "publisher": "Fitzhenry & Whiteside", "page_count": "322 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009179011", "title": "Because of That Crow", "author": "Beverley Brenna", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Harris is ten years old and struggling with guilt over being the sole survivor of a terrible car accident that killed both his parents. He and his older sister, Tessa, and his younger sister, Pinky. live with his grandfather. Grampa seems angry a lot of the time, and sometimes Harris\u2019s behavior doesn\u2019t help, like when he doesn\u2019t do his school work. He has a science project to do. It\u2019s really important to his teacher that all the children in the class do well as these projects are for the science fair. Harris has a poster that is overdue, and he is having a tough time coming up with an idea when a crow shows up. He is intelligent and starts to follow Harris around, distracting him from what he should be doing. That crow changes things for Harris, inspiring his science project and helping him understand his own problems and those of other family members.

Author Beverley Brenna has written a rich, complex story that will help youngsters discover important things about themselves and those around them. The writing is beautiful, the story compelling, and the characters fully developed and engaging. It\u2019s short, sweet, and a real winner.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 19:38:16", "publisher": "Fitzhenry & Whiteside", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009179003", "title": "Protectors of the Planet: Environmental Trailblazers from 7 to 97", "author": "Jamie Bastedo", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 205, "review": "Popular science writer and biologist Jamie Bastedo has movingly portrayed the lives of a dozen Canadian environmentally enthusiastic participants who range in age from nine to ninety-seven. Through lengthy interviews covering their backgrounds, interests, upbringings, passions, and achievements, the stories of these Canadian environmental trailblazers rise from the pages as modern-day luminaries. Many, influenced from childhood, have followed their passions to study and preserve threatened wildlife, endangered ecosystems, vanishing cultures, and to educate the public about the climate change threat. Read the inspiring stories about the lady who loved giraffes, about others studying and championing threatened sea turtles, bees, and even endangered wolves, while another works to preserve Inuit culture, or about the tree lovers who battle to protect Canadian forests. Then there are the activist children and adults striving to make the public and politicians cognizant of the perils that our activities contribute to climate change. These inspiring vignettes describing the positive activities achieved by ordinary individuals serve as exemplars that all readers can follow and partially identify within efforts to maintain a viable and sustainable environment. Each chapter is supplemented with suggestions for individual involvement in these environmental problems. Altogether this modest paperback packs both an amazing adventure story with an educational awakening.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 19:29:48", "publisher": "Fitzhenry & Whiteside", "page_count": "330 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009178015", "title": "Black River Lantern", "author": "Alex Grass", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 480, "review": "You might not know this, but there's a difference between a circus and a carnival. A circus is a traveling affair, bringing its whimsy and wonders along for a brief respite, then continuing onwards. A carnival, on the other hand, stays in place, sometimes for years, and cultivates a relationship with a town. A carnival takes root. And the Marivicos Carnival has deeper roots than anyone suspects.

Run by the ambitious, maniacal, and ruthless Papa Marivicos, the carnival has been part of Kayjigville for generations. Its current star attraction? Papa's son Eddie, who has the gift (and the curse) of reading minds. As Eddie comes to grips with his unique abilities\u2014and the consequences of a hard choice made years ago\u2014he slowly grows beyond the role Papa has cast him in. There are strange forces at work, within and without, and Eddie and his Papa are destined for a showdown.

You see, Papa's plans for the Marivicos Carnival extend much further than Eddie suspects. A local lady of the evening, a friendly doctor and his troubled wife, a predatory businesswoman with an axe to grind...people large and small will soon find themselves woven into the story of the Marivicos Carnival, for better or for worse.

Black River Lantern is a deliciously sinister story, one steeped in all that rural Americana has to offer. It's a tale of family and dark forces, fates and fortunes, a modern myth born at the crosswords of the old world and the new. It's hard to encapsulate what makes this book so electric. There's something grand and mythic about it, while remaining a relatively simple tale of small-town life and its unexpected twists and turns. It's big and small all at once. There is love and loss and violence and family obligation and it's all spun into a rich goulash, overflowing with anger and heartache and desire. These all feel like real characters. They have flaws and make mistakes, they can be selfless and selfish. Even amidst strange supernatural happenings and twisted back-alley dealings with corrupt officials, you believe deep down that the protagonists are good people trapped in a peculiar web spun by circumstance, malicious interests, and dark entities.

Eddie's life is undoubtedly a tragic one, but Grass manages to make it not just relatable, but desperately compelling. You root for him, you hope for him, you suffer alongside him as you learn about what he's endured, past and present, and what he may endure in times to come. Black River Lantern feels like a tale told under a bridge, or in the open boxcar of a train, or on a porch late at night when everyone else has gone to bed. It's almost Biblical in its presentation, but never feels like it has false aspirations of grandeur. It's reach never exceeds its grasp. And its grasp, make no mistake, will hold you tight to the very last page.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 19:29:52", "publisher": "Dickinson Publishing Group", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009178011", "title": "Black River Lantern", "author": "Alex Grass", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 494, "review": "When you hear the word \u201ccircus,\u201d you think of bright colors, amazing acrobatics, high-tops, and impressive pyrotechnics. But this isn\u2019t your usual circus. Oh, no, this is the Marivicos Carnival\u00e9. And here is Papa Marivicos now leading his performers, such as Abakoum, who can eat the flames as if they were nothing, and the star of the act, his very own son, Eddie, performing the magical feats of the mind reader to wow the crowds with his ability. Take no notice of how Papa Marivicos treats his workers. It is just his stern way. And prepare yourself for an annual event like no other, for we are in Kayjigville, and it is almost time for the 47th Annual Marivicos Summerlong Carnival\u00e9 Festival in Alex Grass\u2019s supernatural dark fantasy Black River Lantern.

Eddie Marivicos really does have a special ability: he can read minds. So when he\u2019s brought onto the stage, he asks those in the audience to challenge his ability, and he is never wrong, while they are never disappointed. At least the crowd, as a whole, is not; those audience members having their dark secrets revealed maybe not so much. But the gift is both a blessing and a curse in many ways, as are all things of this sort. It takes Eddie no real effort to use, but he also \u201chears\u201d it wherever he goes and with whomever he sees or is in close proximity to. Papa Marivicos is, of course, over the moon with this, as there are always those who disbelieve and Eddie always proves them wrong, which has led to the great success of the Marivicos Carnival\u00e9 and its growing wealth. It is known that Papa Marivicos is doing very well for himself, as he pays his employees little and treats them like slaves, running things like a labor camp. He also has some very unorthodox and downright illegal ways of adding new members. One might say everything he does is questionable. And there is Eddie, stuck in the middle of all this. But things are coming to a head with the 47th Annual Festival: dark, terrifying things that will change the Carnival\u00e9 and Kayjigville forever.

Alex Grass clearly had a lot of fun writing Black River Lantern, and it totally shows in the strong voice, the gripping plot, and the interesting characters. The reader is skillfully brought back and forward in time as we see Eddie\u2019s history and how he came to join the Carnival\u00e9, and we see how things continue to go not so well for him, as he becomes involved with some very unlikeable characters, including the mafia. The book design is also a lot of fun, with sections laid out as \u201cActs,\u201d and the reader is the sole audience member to one of the strangest shows they\u2019ve ever been introduced to. But just like anything unusual and unexplainable, you can\u2019t turn away, you must keep watching, keep reading, and find out how things play out.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 19:29:10", "publisher": "Dickinson Publishing Group", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009178003", "title": "Einstein's Last Message", "author": "Dr. Rod O'Connor", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 409, "review": "Einstein\u2019s Last Message by Rod O\u2019Connor is a timely piece that expands on Albert Einstein\u2019s final efforts to encourage a more peaceful and thoughtful society. By discussing how we interpret our world, people, self, and the notion of right and wrong, O\u2019Connor seeks to remind readers how we can elevate our thinking and in the process improve our surroundings. In developing our understanding of the world, we stand to foster new ideas and question accepted doctrine. By advancing our perception of people, we will learn to form our own views independent of gut-feelings and biased perspectives. Through improved study of self, we can face all values and outcomes, regardless of our preferences, and seek the best path for generations. The final piece to the puzzle involves upgrading our sense of right and wrong. By cultivating empathy and dynamically promoting values that treasure and preserve nature we can better care for one another. We have the power and ability to eliminate a number of issues that plague our worlds on micro and macro levels. However, this requires all participants to reject selfishness, greed and apathy to achieve cultural, social, and divine transcendence. O\u2019Connor makes the case that we, individually and collectively, must shift our thinking to avoid continued harm to creatures and beings within our ecosystems. The author ultimately makes the compelling argument that \u201cCurrently, we are homocentric. Our view of nature considers only human needs, and largely excludes wild plants and animals\u2026to protect the whole of the living world, we must enlarge our vision.\u201d We can and do need to do more. This begins by raising our moral values and shifting the way we rationalize. In doing so, we become the \u201cQuestioning World Thinker,\u201d \u201cInquiring Mind Reader,\u201d \u201cThorough Time Traveler,\u201d and \u201cInformed Sage\u201d that our worlds need. O\u2019Connor\u2019s theories are complex but he conveys the information in simple terms that many readers would comprehend and appreciate. He makes the path forward clear and accessible. With that said, an adolescent audience should discuss these concepts with an adult to fully grasp O\u2019Connor\u2019s meaning and intention. Novice and seasoned booklovers should consider reading O\u2019Connor\u2019s book in partnership with group or one-on-one discussions as his work lends itself to continued dialogue and deliberation. Einstein\u2019s Last Message is an eloquent, captivating composition that will expand and challenge the mind of readers. O\u2019Connor has constructed an informative narrative that pushes each of us to reach beyond our boundaries and achieve higher forms of ourselves.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "28-Sep-2020 16:33:42", "publisher": "", "page_count": "145 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009174023", "title": "So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience", "author": "Mark Henick", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Stacia Levy", "word_count": 419, "review": "In this memoir, author Mark Henick tells the story of navigating a dysfunctional homelife and struggle with depression while seeming \u201cnormal.\u201d Many of the \u201cso-called normal\u201d people in his life are skeptical of his illness. During his journey from childhood to young adult years, the reader follows as Mark deals with an abusive stepfather, bullying classmates, and persistent thoughts of suicide. The book details his repeated hospitalizations and treatment (or lack thereof) before eventually achieving stability.

This story is well-crafted, so much so that I had difficulty sometimes remembering that it is a memoir, not fiction. Memoirs are often written in a confessional, journal-like style rather than story-like in structure. Fiction is usually better structured, formed into a narrative. The author has taken that care with this work: introducing characters and conflict, building suspense, and leaving cliffhangers. It is, for this reason, a compelling story and difficult to put down. It is structured in four parts named \u201cSummer,\u201d \u201cFall,\u201d \u201cWinter,\u201d and \u201cSpring\u201d to correspond with Mark\u2019s mental status of decline and then rebirth.

The book is critical of the state of mental health care in Canada, the author\u2019s country. The problems, however, are not unique to Canada. Mark\u2019s story could take place in the United States, for example, as far as mental health treatment goes. There are the same tendencies to medicate rather than listen to patients\u2019 anxieties and provide therapy. There is also the stigma and silence surrounding mental health problems.

After a number of setbacks, including a suicide attempt, Mark begins to take control of, and participate in, his own treatment and life. He learns to recognize his \u201ctriggers\u201d\u2014those events that might provoke crises for him. He also writes an article for his high school newspaper detailing his struggle with depression and treatment for it. Rather than being shunned by other students once they knew his \u201csecret,\u201d as he feared, Mark is instead approached by many of his classmates with empathy. Some share their stories with their own struggles with mental health, and Mark begins to see his commonality with other \u201cso-called normal\u201d people.

The article is a life-changing experience, leading to a professional life of speaking and writing on mental health. Meanwhile, Mark\u2019s journey somewhat mirrors his mother\u2019s, who is struggling to gain her own freedom from an abusive relationship. She, like her son, finds a kind of peace at the end, although it is not a storybook happy ending.

This is a strong, well-written book that informs the reader on the topic of mental illness and its treatment.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Sep-2020 19:20:38", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009174019", "title": "So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience", "author": "Mark Henick", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 400, "review": "So-Called Normal is a wonderful yet intense memoir of author Mark Henick's struggle with mental health. Mark gives the reader his story from his point of view starting at a very young age. A young boy growing up in Canada, his parents are divorced and he has two older siblings: a sister and a brother. He tells the reader a little about the history of his parents' families: the Costigans (his mother's side) and the Henicks (his father's side). After Henick's parent's divorce, his mother Brenda, a nurse, strikes up a relationship with a man named Gary. The family dynamic becomes even more complicated as Gary doesn't treat Brenda or her children very well and always puts his children from his first family first. Because Mark is the \"baby\" of the family, he takes the brunt of the abuse from Gary who often tells him to \"be a man.\" The book delves into the extremely sensitive topics of mental health and suicide. The reader can feel the pain in Mark's voice as he describes the helplessness he feels as he attempts suicide many times.

What I really appreciated about this account of the author\u2019s life is that he does not sugar-coat anything. There is a violent scene in the book where a bully beats Mark up, and it is so graphic I could see it happening as I read the passage. My heart broke over and over again for this poor boy who is trying to find some sort of normalcy in his life in which there really is none. Everyone seems to betray him at a certain point, and he can trust no one. His insecurities grow and, although he has doctors and therapists, it still seems like no one is really listening to him. The stigma he talks about relating to mental health is still a big one in society today.

I found So-Called Normal to evoke so many feelings\u2014feelings of hopelessness, sadness, excitement, and happiness all come together in Mark's life. Going through Mark's journey is both beautiful and heart-wrenching, and if it wasn't self-written I would have been wondering if he had made it out alive. I feel that anyone could learn many lessons from reading this book, and perhaps it could help someone who is having the same feelings as Mark did growing up and even save a life. This book is brilliant, raw, and a must-read.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "26-Sep-2020 19:20:21", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009174015", "title": "So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience", "author": "Mark Henick", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 484, "review": "In So-Called Normal, Mark Henick vividly and emotionally recounts growing up in a small town off the coast of Nova Scotia. In his young childhood, he is surrounded by generations of family and feels secure in the bonds of church, school, and his two grandmothers who ruled \u201cone with fury and the other with grace.\u201d But after his parents\u2019 hostile break up, their poverty increases. And when his mother moves her family in with Gary, her new brain-damaged and volatile boyfriend, Mark descends into anxiety followed by depression. His older siblings flee, but Mark is stuck. As an adolescent, he becomes suicidal and the memoir describes his suicide attempts, several hospitalizations, and the often-inadequate responses to his crises by \u201cthe disjointed, inadequate, byzantine mental health system.\u201d Gary is unsympathetic, demanding that Mark \u201cbe a man\u201d; he resents when anyone other than himself receives attention. It is obvious that some of Mark\u2019s mental illness is a direct result of his living situation, but no one seems to recognize that.

Although he couldn\u2019t always articulate it then, the adult Mark is spot-on with his descriptions of how his emotions and rationality were challenged: \u201cNot all my worries were entirely irrational. I just couldn\u2019t tell which ones were [\u2026] I had no way of knowing if my logic had been skewed by the distorted way in which I had started seeing the world.\u201d

I worked in the field of suicide prevention for many years, and this important memoir is unique in that it focuses as much attention on how he got better as it does on the drama of his depression and suicidality. Taking one\u2019s one life is inherently dramatic, but most books gloss over what makes a real difference. In his case, medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and calming techniques all helped, but so did a stranger who stopped, listened, and rescued him from a bridge.

It is my hope that this memoir will be read by everyone who loves someone who is struggling so that they can better recognize what is often so difficult to put into words, and also by professionals who need to do a much better job of effectively helping their clients learn the necessary skills. Most adults \u201cdidn\u2019t notice and so did nothing, or they noticed but didn\u2019t care and so did nothing, or\u2026didn\u2019t know what to do and so did nothing.\u201d

My own quibble was his overuse of platitudes that sound self-evident or trite (\u201cNothing changes if nothing changes\u201d). But these instances stood out because most of the time his language is nuanced, specific, and genuine, such as when he describes the change in Gary\u2019s moods: \u201cwarnings like the first leaves that fall as the days turn darker and colder.\u201d Or when he points out that, when depressed, he would forget the stars and see only the empty black space surrounding them. This much-needed memoir helps us all to recognize the stars and the blackness.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "26-Sep-2020 19:19:57", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009174011", "title": "The Elixirist", "author": "Avraham Azrieli", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 403, "review": "After helping his father, the healer, treat the high priest, Sall has a dream so strong it can only be called a vision: he finds himself before a tall tower, meeting a man who calls himself an Elixirist. Hoping one of the elixirs will help him catch the eye (and heart) of the high priest\u2019s beautiful daughter, Sall sets out in an attempt to understand his dream and find this Elixirist, leaving behind his home of Edom to search the wider world.

If all that sounds rather sudden, it felt so reading the novel. There is little time to settle into anything before the action starts. Persevering, however, led me into a story that felt almost like a fable. The speed with which the story moves and the simplicity of the characters and their interactions give The Elixirist a unique feel, one which took me some time to grow used to but which I fully enjoyed once I got further in. It fits well with the setting. The book has an air of antiquity about it, one which fully serves the story.

Sall\u2019s journey is a fascinating one to read. His world may seem small compared to the modern world, but the author is able to make it expansive as Sall travels from just south of the Dead Sea to Damascus and back. Along the way, he meets with danger and deception, but also wisdom and wonder. At times, the book seems less like a novel and more like a well-engineered clock. Every piece fits exactly where it is meant to. While there less room for surprise than there is in most literature, there are also no loose ends, no jarring twists so out of place they throw the reader from the story. Every surprise that comes up serves as a sudden moment of excitement that then blends seamlessly back into the tale as it had been before.

I\u2019ve had the pleasure of reading Azrieli\u2019s work before, in earlier books about Deborah. In those, I noticed his close attention to detail and the sense that he had done impeccable research. The same is true in The Elixirist. No detail is too small for Azrieli to get right. Anyone who loves this ancient part of history will surely be drawn to the book just as I was, and those who are new to the era will find a great deal to learn and love.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Sep-2020 19:09:18", "publisher": "Avraham Azrieli", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009174007", "title": "The Elixirist", "author": "Avraham Azrieli", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Katharine Maruska", "word_count": 417, "review": "The Elixirist by Avraham Azrieli is hard to beat for sheer creativity. Set circa 1150 BCE in the Levant, the author\u2019s meticulous research shines through with every city and town, every encounter, and every memorable character. In a world where the lines between dreams, religion, and magic are not so clearly defined, the touch of magical realism only enhances the protagonist\u2019s journey. And the triumphant ending makes for an excellent conclusion to his character arc.

Sall, the Edomite healer\u2019s son, is pale and scrawny and easily overlooked. But one day, when accompanying his father during his work, the high priest\u2019s beautiful daughter meets his eyes and knocks him flat with her contemptuous gaze. He has the strangest dream while unconscious: a tower reaching up into the heavens, with men of all nations working together to build it. And a dwarf with a golden elixir, who changes form when he drinks his concoction. Possessed by the thought of becoming tall, dark, and handsome enough to win over the priest\u2019s daughter, he sets out to find the dwarf from his dreams. Sall\u2019s journey is fraught with complications, however. From greedy merchants to duplicitous princes to vengeful Hebrews, he struggles to make his way to the elusive Elixirist. But the Levant holds its share of kindness, too, and each person he meets, for good or ill, helps shape him just a bit more. \u201cImitate until you mutate,\u201d as Ishkadim tells Sall. And by the end of the book, the advice has taken root.

The writing style takes a little time to warm up to, as it\u2019s deliberately old-fashioned to evoke the ancient setting with greater impact. It works to great effect after a few chapters. The style begins to feel evocative and natural, drawing the reader in deeper. Sall, as a character, is wholly believable as a teenager on the cusp of adulthood, caught between childish dreams and practicality. He\u2019s clever but self-doubting, brave and stubborn, oftentimes his own worst enemy. It takes a mirror being held to his face to show him how much he\u2019s changed over his journey\u2014and even then, he still has doubts. As the Elixirist puts it, he\u2019s a Damascus blade: strands of common iron forged together through his trials into something greater. And that Damascus blade goes home to do the impossible.

If you\u2019re interested in stories that blend historical fiction with magical realism, offer a lively cast of characters, and make their heroes earn their happy endings, The Elixirist will likely be a good fit for you.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Sep-2020 19:08:20", "publisher": "Avraham Azrieli", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009174003", "title": "The Elixirist", "author": "Avraham Azrieli", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 421, "review": "The Elixirist is an exceptionally well-written book about a sixteen-year-old boy named Sall from Edom, who is the son of the town healer. Sall finds himself infatuated with the high priest's daughter, An, after she looks at him with contempt; however, she has been promised to her brother. Sall thinks that he must change the way he looks so that she will like him and he seeks out to find an Elixirist who has a magic golden elixir whom he sees in a dream. He embarks on a journey to find this Elixirist and in doing so, encounters many pitfalls.

He meets a Moabite merchant who takes his dog and a handless dream-reader. Sall also becomes enslaved at one point and uses his skills as a healer that he learned from his father to pay back the man he is enslaved by. He meets a brown prince along the way named Li'uli who teaches him to \"Imitate until you mutate.\"

I found that even in today's society, this is a good tip that can be applied to almost anything. As Sall moves forward on his journey to find the Elixirist, he learns many lessons on the way. There are times when he finds himself in trouble and, at one point, has oil poured all over him resulting in the heat of the sweltering sun giving him boils all over his body. The reader is able to see Sall grow mentally and spiritually while on his journey.

I felt this book was written with excellent detail, from the description of the towns Sall visits to the people in those towns and their physical looks, as well as their personalities. The story flowed very well and it was easy to picture Sall moving from town to town and traveling with caravans.

The characters in this book are vivid in their means. Sall learns to not trust everyone after he wakes to find he had been poisoned the night before. After he finds himself in this predicament he starts putting the pieces together in terms of peoples' motives. Sall grows up very quickly in only a few full moons.

The Elixirist is a wonderful story that I would recommend to young adults in high school and adults. It has some very valuable lessons that we can all apply to our lives. The book is interesting and has a fantastic, exciting ending that will have its readers cheering for the main character. Creative, motivating, and full of never-ending action, The Elixirist is a must-read book.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Sep-2020 19:07:24", "publisher": "Avraham Azrieli", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009172007", "title": "Alone in the Woods", "author": "Rebecca Behrens", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Alex and Joss have been BFFs forever, but the summer between 7th and 8th grades bring changes. Alex has to go to Spanish camp, but straight-A Joss doesn\u2019t. Alex makes a new friend at camp and evolves into Lexie while she is gone. When she returns, she spends more time with her new friend than she does with Joss. Things get more and more tense. By the time their two families leave for their annual end-of-summer trip, the two girls can hardly be in the same room. The families take a tubing trip on the Wolf River, the girls get separated from the group, their tube punctures, and they are lost and on their own in the woods of northern Wisconsin. Can they come together enough to save themselves?

Author Rebecca Behrens has absolutely nailed the feelings and voices of 12-year-old girls. She tells this terrific story from two points of view, so readers are immersed in their issues and steeped in their feelings. The girls face grave danger in the woods and must work together to have a chance. It\u2019s difficult and makes a great survivor story with plenty of tension. Don\u2019t miss this.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "25-Sep-2020 22:21:47", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "306 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009171003", "title": "Hope, Faith, & a Corpse", "author": "Laura Jensen Walker", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 253, "review": "Hope Taylor has a new job in a new town, a great opportunity to be the first female pastor of a quaint chapel, which would allow her to share her faith, help people, and be involved in the community. She doesn't start off on the best foot when she finds the body of a church member. It certainly doesn't help her make a good impression when she becomes a suspect in his murder. Searching for suspects gives her a chance to get to know her fellow townsfolk, although the secrets she uncovers will paint the dead man in a not so heavenly light. It turns out everyone in her church had a motive for killing him. To clear her name and win over her parish, Hope must catch a killer before the killer catches her.

This cozy mystery makes for a fun and quirky read. Hope is deeply appreciated as she's the first female preacher at this church and she has a strong personality that is great from the beginning. Laura Jensen Walker explores the mixed reactions and struggles that Hope encounters through her role as a preacher, but never strays from her strength and dedication to her job. The mystery creates a unique way for Hope to get to know the congregation, which creates humorous moments while allowing her to figure out suspects. Hope, Faith, & a Corpse explores the workings of a quaint church from the perspective of its first female pastor, who tackles a murder with faith, humor, and heart.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2020 20:25:21", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009170003", "title": "Street Food: Mouth-watering recipes for quick bites and mobile snacks from around the world", "author": "Ryland Peters & Small", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shreya", "word_count": 181, "review": "I love the idea of street food. This book is full of fun, flavorful, fulfilling recipes, from countries around the world. Most recipes are made with ingredients that are easily accessible here in the States. The recipes are easy-to-follow, straightforward explanations for how to prepare each meal. There are no complicated techniques that only a chef would know how to perform.

It was also useful to have a brief description of each meal at the top of the page. Using that tool, it was easy to decide if that recipe was one I would like to try.

As for the taste, every recipe I taste-tested was absolutely delicious. The flavors were unique to the continent from which they originated. I liked the opportunity to cook food from places I have never traveled to. Some of my favorite recipes were jerk chicken, pork tamales, crispy garlic chive chicken wontons, ramen with tempura prawns, and bbq pork-belly skewers. I would highly recommend this cookbook to any food enthusiast who would like to add a little bit of variety to his or her menu.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2020", "date_added": "24-Sep-2020 18:31:36", "publisher": " Ryland Peters & Small", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009168015", "title": "Agent Sonya: Moscow's Most Daring Wartime Spy", "author": "Ben Macintyre", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 226, "review": "Ursula Kuczynski began to bridle at authority in her teenage years. The dysfunction wrought by the loss of World War I had left Germany open to new forms of aggressive, authoritarian government. A spark had been lit inside the seventeen-year-old, having tussled with police at a May Day parade. Her parents urged caution in her actions, yet their own socialist leanings influenced Ursula as well. Ursula visited America in the run up to the Great Depression, viewing the glaring inequalities between rich and poor. She would see the same conditions when she and her Husband Rudolf moved to Shanghai. The class struggle was just part of the war between Nationalists and Communists. Ursula\u2019s fate would be set when she met Richard Sorge, a legend in espionage circles. Sorge and Ursula\u2019s clandestine world intermingled with a romantic relationship. Ursula, soon known as Sonya, would develop her skills in Asia, Poland, Switzerland, and England. Ursula handled operations with global implications, her dedication near fanatical. As her role became prominent, the danger heightened.

Agent Sonya is Ben Macintyre\u2019s latest noteworthy entry in his growing list of works. Ursula Kuczynski redefines fascinating as a subject, her reality as compelling as her facades. The perils she faced non-stop for years feel palpable decades removed. The Cold War may be three decades past, but Macintyre reignites the past with a dedicated flare.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "24-Sep-2020 00:45:32", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009168011", "title": "Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America", "author": "Maria Hinojosa", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 295, "review": "Many of us have a cause that impacts our life and thoughts. Maria Hinojosa, transposed to Chicago from Mexico with her family as a child, has taken on successive causes in her career as an investigative journalist. She is widely familiar to television audiences for her coverage of news events, with her particular focus on the challenges confronting the rights of women, especially Latinas, immigrants, detained children, and the dispossessed. Over the years, her anger has not abated.

Throughout this extraordinary memoir, Hinojosa, relentless and unforgiving, points the finger at politicians for discriminating policies, leaders who in retrospect did \u2018pretty good.\u2019 Readers\u2019 judgment on those they admired may well be swayed by her writing.

In the early chapters of Once I Was You she lays the groundwork as she describes her childhood, education, and a short internship with NPR that determined her future path. The book leaps to life when she reports her assignments to the country\u2019s devastating tragedies and disasters. Each is covered from a distinctively human perspective, professional and personal together vindicating the reasons for the awards and honors she has received. Her special recognition is dedicated to her ten years as anchor of Latino USA, her Mexican roots always to the fore.

Hinojosa\u2019s commitment to her career meshes with striving to keep her family together, her several intense friendships, and launching her own media company to help stem time away on assignment. Despite her success, she is haunted by the memory of her teenage rape, transferring her recollection to awareness of the plight of women whose suffering does not end when reaching Texas, their nirvana.

The memoir leaves a lingering sadness, fueled by an underlying disrespect for all men, seeing them directly or vicariously responsible for those women with whom she empathizes.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "24-Sep-2020 00:43:01", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009168007", "title": "Christmas at the Island Hotel: A novel", "author": "Jenny Colgan", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Sarah Grace Glover", "word_count": 220, "review": "There is a lot going happening on the small Scottish island of Mure in Jenny Colgan\u2019s fourth installment of the Mure series. A hotel is opening on Christmas day and it has thrown the whole town into a tizzy. Flora is balancing life as a new mom and it is not the happy, rosy picture she imagined. She busies herself with running her brother, Fintan\u2019s new hotel. The opening is only weeks away and they are without staff or head chef for Christmas dinner.

Isla is taking care of her grumpy mum and finding her stride as the new kitchen manager for the hotel. Newcomer Konstantin is hiding a royal secret and learning what it\u2019s like to put in a full day of hard work. His father banished him to this remote island to shed him of his playboy lifestyle. Slowly but surely Konstantin learns the value of hard work and starts to warm up to the tiny island and its strange inhabitants.

Can they all pull together for a successful Christmas dinner, or will the hotel go down as one of Britain\u2019s worst? This book is a true delight, full of holiday cheer and heartwarming characters. Colgan successfully transports the reader to the cozy island of Mure and its quirky community, providing much-needed joy during a stressful holiday season.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "24-Sep-2020 00:40:17", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009167003", "title": "Heirs Apparent", "author": "Thomas J. Thorson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi", "word_count": 398, "review": "Malcom Winters has a very complicated past involving an extremely dangerous job and now, decades after putting his life on the line and almost getting himself killed three times, he\u2019s decided to turn a new leaf and live a normal, stable, and boring life. Little did he know that old habits die hard and no one can escape that easily from their past. He accidentally meets a mysterious woman called Fyre who claims to be on a business trip, and their attraction is instant. So, with nowhere he needs to be and the knowledge that Fyre resides in Chicago, Malcom decides to give it a try and move to the Windy City.

There, he creates a whole new identity where he\u2019s the owner of his own apartment, and becomes a quite lovable by his students as a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. But when he finds his new girlfriend murdered in a pool of her own blood, with a series of numbers and the letter \u201cc\u201d written by Fyre moments before her death as his one and only lead, the skills he obtained in the past come in handy, because that\u2019s exactly what can keep him alive.

All of a sudden, he\u2019s found himself trapped in and targeted by a family secret that\u2019s over a century old, as well as a series of unfortunate, natural deaths that don\u2019t look so innocent after all. Malcom will do everything to get to the truth and avenge Fyre\u2019s death, but the murderer will also do everything to keep Malcom away from it, even killing him\u2026

The plot is well-written, well-orchestrated, and engaging, and it unfolds beautifully throughout the book. The characters are the soul of the book; they add exactly what the reader desires in a story and that is a combination of mystery, thriller, romance, and a little bit of humour when necessary. The pace in the beginning is slow as the reader is introduced to the main character and his story, but after the first chapters it quickly picks up and there is a nice flow that doesn\u2019t tire at all. Then, it\u2019s all about following the story with its twists and turns in every page. Thomas J. Thorson manages to deliver a story packed with mystery elements and secrets so deadly that no one is safe. Heirs Apparent is a thrilling ride into mystery, murder, lies, and greed.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "23-Sep-2020 20:17:42", "publisher": "Austin Macauley", "page_count": "198 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009166019", "title": "101 Rescue Puppies: One Family\u2019s Story of Fostering Dogs, Love, and Trust", "author": "Kathy Callahan", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 180, "review": "The world\u2019s best coffee table book, 101 Rescue Puppies tells tales of sweet and loving fosters, near misses, and practicalities. It is easy to read and stay interested in. Shelters, vets, and rescue groups should keep this book in their waiting rooms, as it provides a real-life image of puppy fostering. I think schools and libraries should have it too, as well as any house or office belonging to or directed toward dog lovers.

The book includes the realities of puppies, including unpleasant things such as poop. It is not a care guide; rather, it tells the short adoption stories of one crazy dog woman. The writing flows well and is causal, meaning that it is not an attention-demanding read. It is very happy, which makes a section of 101 Rescue Puppies a good after-work read. The puppy pictures are adorable and just make you want to smile. It is a book I find good for dog lovers aged eleven and up.

With cute pictures and even cuter stories, 101 Rescue Puppies is a book that all dog lovers should read.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "23-Sep-2020 18:06:41", "publisher": "New World Library", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009166007", "title": "Her Night with the Duke: A Novel", "author": "Diana Quincy", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 196, "review": "Elliot Townsend, Duke of Huntington, is on his way to spend some time with his intended wife and to make their betrothal official. He may not love her, but she is a good woman, and they will do their best to make one another happy, or at least content. On the way there, he stops in an inn and has a single night of passion with Leela, a woman traveling with only a manservant and a knife. Despite sharing an undeniable connection, they part certain they will never meet again and content to be a happy memory for the other.

Being a romance, such a connection cannot be denied, however, and on Elliot\u2019s arrival to his betrothed\u2019s house, he finds that Leela is not only there but also his future wife\u2019s stepmother.

Her Night with the Duke is equal parts dramatic and light-hearted, sliding easily between the strain of this secret on relationships and the fun inherent to the genre. Leela herself is a delight, with a maturity and self-assurance that are thankfully becoming more and more common in romance heroines. I loved every page of this book and am eager to see more of Diana Quincy\u2019s writing.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "23-Sep-2020 17:58:11", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "382 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009165003", "title": "Black River Lantern", "author": "Alex Grass", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 467, "review": "Eddie is a young man with a burdensome life living as a sideshow spectacle with the ability to read minds. The carnival is a dying breed of business, but his father expects Eddie to be on his game when summer arrives in the town of Kayjigville. Eddie\u2019s Father, Papa Marivicos, is a domineering brute who is the master of ceremonies. Eddie\u2019s gift of second sight is a spectacle to behold by the locals, but no one understands the turmoil inside Eddie\u2019s mind and body. His gift is truly a curse. Papa views Eddie as an imbecile, but a lucrative one with his skill. Eddie had previously left the carnival, relocating down south and starting a family. However, this proved to be short-lived, and Pops moved Heaven and Earth to get Eddie back, no matter who he had to hurt.

Eddie buries his demons under a layer of Bourbon. He has a loyal group of friends who look out for him, including Abakoum, a mirthful chum who wants to ease his friend\u2019s sadness, taking him out for a drink and a shot at companionship. On a fateful trip to a local brothel, Eddie collapses and awakens to an enchanting beauty named Lexi. He is reminded of a previous lost love, as she is also unreadable to him. Lexi and Eddie soon begin a friendship with potential.

Meanwhile, Eddie\u2019s mental and physical health are tested as Papa plans larger shows with Eddie\u2019s mentalist capabilities. Consequences do not come into consideration when money is concerned. Eddie is fortunate as he comes under the care and concern of Dr. Chain. The carnival coming to town has changed the current direction of the good doctor\u2019s life, which has been stuck in a rut. Dr. Chain views Eddie as a surrogate son, his concern for him more than Papa\u2019s.

Papa has a hold on the business in Kayjigville. However, local businesswoman Clara Guadali looks to break Papa\u2019s stranglehold on the town. Clara longs to launch a riverboat gambling business that will grab some of Papa\u2019s customers. She underestimates Papa at her peril, because Papa is dangerous, if not downright nefarious. As Eddie\u2019s skills are more in demand, the rivalry between Clara and Pops reaches its apex. Can Eddie find happiness while living with his onerous skill? \u201cThe greatest show on earth\u201d may not be solely behind the big top.

Black River Lantern is a rollicking read from Alex Grass. The story unfolds at a medium pace, but consumes the reader with each chapter. Eddie Marivicos is a supernatural wonder, yet rendered human in his daily struggles. His dual nature, marvel attraction/ordinary Joe, proves transfixing. Eddie is a sympathetic protagonist worth rooting for, while Pops is a villain worthy of unending scorn, yet equally fascinating. Black River Lantern is drama/horror/thriller operating at full speed, one hundred percent enjoyable.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "22-Sep-2020 20:43:07", "publisher": "Dickinson Publishing Group", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009164007", "title": "War Lord", "author": "Bernard Cornwell", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 202, "review": "Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg is an old man now, and all he\u2019d really like to do is spend his remaining days with his family at his home, but, unfortunately, there are still battles to be fought, and now he finds approaching armies from all sides of his beloved Northumbria. To the south, King \u00c6thelstan arrives with his mighty army, with his three united kingdoms of Wessex, Mercia, and East Anglia. One kingdom remains, and to the north there is King Constantine of Scotland, along with the leader of Ireland, looking to make a play. Uhtred with have to choose his allegiance and see if all kingdoms can be united in one country known as Englaland, the dream of King Alfred.

In this concluding thirteenth book of the Saxon Tales, Cornwell delivers history and battle with these characters we have come to love, and while things seem to get solved a little too easy compared to some of the other books in the series, it is nevertheless a satisfying finale. When I got to interview Cornwell over a decade ago, asking him how long the series would be, he said he didn\u2019t know, and now thirteen books later it comes to a close.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2020 23:39:54", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "332 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009162071", "title": "Compassion, Michigan: The Ironwood Stories", "author": "Raymond Luczak", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 184, "review": "Books rarely surprise me, but this one definitely did. I expected some little hokey story about living in Michigan, but Compassion, Michigan: The Ironwood Stories by Raymond Luczak is surprisingly rich, insightful, and beautifully written, something I\u2019d gladly have read in a college literature class.

The book as a whole is a collection of short stories centered on one region of Michigan in the upper peninsula. The atmosphere in the stories has the gritty feel of a Michigan town and a Midwest mindset, with a sense of itself and understanding of people and place that is truly a joy to read. All the characters and stories have distinct voices and tones, so it\u2019s not just a thinly veiled version of the author\u2019s experiences, but rather a panoply of voices and stories.

As I said, few books surprise me, but this one genuinely did, in its depth, breadth, and quality. I\u2019m far from an expert on Michigan authors, but I would argue for this one to be among the best, easily fitting in with Hemingway's early The Nick Adams Stories, which take place in Michigan.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "22-Sep-2020 19:11:30", "publisher": "Loving Healing Press", "page_count": "198 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009162055", "title": "Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons: A TOON Graphic", "author": "James Otis Smith", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Andrew - Age 12", "word_count": 250, "review": "This book, Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons: A TOON Graphic, tells three stories of brave Black people from the late 1800s. Each of these people played an important role in shaping American history as well as popular culture.

These three people were all entirely new to me when I read this graphic novel. They are truly fascinating human beings and I can\u2019t believe I had never heard of them before. One of the most interesting parts of this book was learning that Mary Fields, known as Stagecoach Mary, was such a generous woman that she opened restaurants and bankrupted herself twice giving away her meals. But even that didn\u2019t change how well respected she was!

The stories are amazing, but what really makes this book come alive is the cartoon-style graphics throughout. It makes the hardcover book look like a comic on the inside and the true heroes of the American Wild West are shown as action heroes. The three stories are told separately as different chapters. At the end of the book there are a lot of facts about not only the characters in the book, but also about the Wild West in general.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes action or adventure as well as to anyone who is interested in American history. It is also a good book for people who are not great readers yet, because you can follow the story through the pictures.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2020 18:52:50", "publisher": "TOON Graphics", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009162051", "title": "Expecting Wonder: The Transformative Experience of Becoming a Mother", "author": "Brittany L. Bergman", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 153, "review": "Bookstores and libraries are awash with pregnancy books, but the vast majority of them are primarily technical in nature, offering information about how your baby is growing and guidelines to help you have the best possible pregnancy and birth. But pregnancy is a transformative event, and what many parents-to-be crave most are stories. We want to know the nitty-gritty of the whole pregnancy experience, not just what doctors and parenting experts think we should know of the process. With Expecting Wonder, Brittany L. Bergman offers that experience in a series of essays that explore the anxieties, obsessions, joys, and anticipations of pregnancy, from waiting for the test to the first ultrasound, from the physical transformations and weight gain to the process of writing a birth plan. This beautiful book will be treasured by anyone who is currently expecting, as well as those who already have kids or who want them in the future.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2020 18:47:59", "publisher": "Broadleaf Books ", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009162043", "title": "Frankie Comics", "author": "Rachel Dukes", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 174, "review": "Cat owners and cat lovers will be delighted to read Frankie Comics, a lighthearted slice of life comic compilation of a Siamese cat named Frankie found by the author, Rachel Dukes, and her husband. There's some humor and crazy hijinks and a whole lot of cuteness going on in the comics. One of my favorite comics is \"Morning Routine,\" where a sleepy-eyed Rachel goes to brush her teeth only to find Frankie sitting on her toothbrush. Gross, Frankie! The illustrations exude a very comforting, cheerful, and simple vibe, and I like all the white space that borders the panels. I like how in the illustrations, Dukes included armpit hair and leg hair on her character. I don't think I've seen body hair included in any comics that I have read, so props to her for doing so.\u00a0Frankie Comics is reminiscent of Pusheen the Cat and Sarah's Scribbles. Cat owners will be able to relate to some of the funny happenings in the book, and it will surely put a smile on their faces.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "22-Sep-2020 18:34:40", "publisher": "Oni Press ", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009162027", "title": "Spectral Evidence", "author": "Trista Edwards", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lennart Lundh", "word_count": 195, "review": "The title of Trista Edwards' collection of poetry refers to the stories of out-of-body abominations given as evidence at the Salem witch trials. The epigram is from The Crucible, Arthur Miller's dramatization of the trials. Both are fitting premises. These are serious poems, visions, and recollections of life-altering pain and loss. We are often in the company of perceived witches and deceivers, through whom questions about self-identities taken from what others call us are pressed, and sometimes, left to us for answers long after we finish reading.

Edwards' experience as a wordsmith and editor shows. The poems deliver on the title and epigram. They are well-written, in free verse of varying length as appropriate, without poor word choices, weakness of tone, or textual inconsistencies. Verses are drawn with staccato sentences, truncated as necessary to let the mind catch up with the eyes, to trip the unwary tongue. Honest readers might need to turn to a dictionary or other references for a fuller understanding of a few pieces, but what good is poetry that attempts to illuminate without also educating?

Full marks to the poet and to readers who choose to explore Edwards' visions and words.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "22-Sep-2020 18:01:14", "publisher": "April Gloaming Publishing", "page_count": "92 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009162019", "title": "A Guinea Pig Night Before Christmas", "author": "Clemente Clarke Moore and Tess Newall", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 177, "review": "The story is about these cute, fat guinea pigs and how excited they are for Christmas to come. One guinea pig asked Santa for a big ball and some radishes. At the end of the book, there are the names and pictures of all the guinea pigs that are in the story. Emma is the cutest! I like all the pictures in the story, especially the one with the pretty moon image with Santa Claus flying across it. I like how the author used actual pictures of real guinea pigs for this story. It's cute when they put little bows on the guinea pigs and when they dress up the guinea pig in a Santa Claus suit. I thought it was cute and funny at the start and end of the story there is a cute mouse puppet in the story. This book definitely makes you want a cute guinea pig as a pet and to dress them up in cute little clothes. I recommend this book to kids who like cute little animals and Christmas stories.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "22-Sep-2020 17:55:23", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009162003", "title": "Never Turn Back: A Novel", "author": "Christopher Swann", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 232, "review": "Ethan has a traumatic past. As a teenager, men burst into their house and in the ensuing struggle, they killed both his parents and shot him in the arm as well as shooting his sister, Susannah. His sister is complicated after that night, difficult to handle. Ethan manages to make a life for himself, as a teacher at a prep school. Things get turned upside down when his sister shows back up on his doorstep and a one-night stand with a fellow teacher turns into something ugly. This teacher is making Ethan\u2019s life a living hell and dredging up his past. Ethan has to decide how far he\u2019ll go to help his sister and stop this other woman who is ruining his life as well as the lives of those around him. He\u2019s always thought he would Never Turn Back and face that horrible night, but now he might not have another choice.

What an interesting story full of emotion and drama. As complicated as she is, you can\u2019t help but like Susannah even when you find out what she does. It is also incredibly fascinating to see how both siblings witness the same event and turn out completely different. If you enjoy family dramas with some murder mysteries thrown in, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. For such a short book, the characters are deep and nuanced and worth your time.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "22-Sep-2020 17:43:25", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009161147", "title": "And That's the Tooth", "author": "Terri Fields", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 201, "review": "And That's the Tooth is a fun guessing-game book. On each page is a picture of an animal, but the animal's face is covered up. The animal's face is covered up with a big magnifying glass with a hint written in it to help you guess the animal. The animal is on the back of the page with a fact about it also on that page. Some of the animals include a cat, squirrel, hippo, elephant, giraffe, shark, and anteater; there are thirteen animals in all.

Most of the animals are easy to guess, especially with the hints on the pages. I like looking at the pictures of the animals because they are big and bright. I like the information about teeth that are about both human teeth and animal's teeth. Teeth are cool with all of the different shapes and sizes that they are and the different kinds of food that they chew. At the end of the book, it talks about the different animals there are, like herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, and then you can guess which animal picture matches the food they eat. This book is fun to read for my age and any kids around my age.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 20:58:30", "publisher": "Arbordale Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009161143", "title": "What's the Weather? a What, Why or Where Book", "author": "Editorial", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 191, "review": "Kids are curious about the world around them, asking questions like \u201cWhat makes the wind blow?\u201d or \u201cWhy do the clouds change shapes every day?\u201d It is great to have a well-written, well-researched non-fiction book that is also filled with beautiful photographs and text that is succinct, yet written at a level for youngsters to listen to or read on their own (for emerging readers). This book will not only teach without being didactic but will engage youngsters with the combination of that text with bright, colorful photos that accompany and support the text. The book asks questions as readers go through which will help the adult reading or helping emerging readers to engage youngsters in critical thinking. Four pages of back matter include some activities to do with youngsters such as teaching them to track and chart temperature changes or observe and describe clouds, learning the difference between them, and discovering what kind of weather they might indicate. This is not a science textbook nor does it pretend to be. But it is a really good introduction to the things that make up our weather and how to recognize them.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 20:55:21", "publisher": "Arbordale Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009161139", "title": "River Otter's Adventure", "author": "Linda Stanek", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 5", "word_count": 119, "review": "The whole book is my favorite part. The story River Otter\u2019s Adventure is about an otter who decides to be different animals, like a tiger and a slithery snake, but he learns that he likes being an otter best of all. It\u2019s a very sweet and silly book and it\u2019s my favorite. It\u2019s different from other animal books because it\u2019s about an otter being different than it actually is. I like the illustrations because they\u2019re so detailed and most of the animals look so cute. Eight-year-olds and younger and also every age of people who like animals will like this book because it\u2019s so sweet and you get to learn about lots of animals and what they are like.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 20:52:35", "publisher": "Arbordale Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009161135", "title": "Animal Homes (Animal Anatomy & Adaptations)", "author": "Mary Holland", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 245, "review": "Animal Homes (Animal Anatomy and Adaptations), written by Mary Holland, focuses on how a variety of different creatures in nature build and use their homes. This is a relatively short and concise picture book in which children will learn fascinating facts about what materials animals use to create their places of refuge and protection. Spider silk, saliva, mud, sticks, and twigs are just a few. How tree cavities are naturally formed as well as how they are constructed by birds like wood peckers is described. How dreys are used as temporary homes for flying, red, and eastern grey squirrels is delineated as well. Many more interesting truths about animal habitats are included, as are a plethora of colorful photographs that correspond to them.

This well-written informational text will make a perfect addition to the libraries of elementary school science classrooms around the globe. The intended audience is children ages six to ten. It can be used as a resource guide or for supplemental instruction, student reports, and class projects. Youth will find some of the less ordinary facts intriguing, even mystifying. One such example is that a bald-faced hornet uses its own saliva in combination with chewed wood to make paste to outline the cells in which it will raise its young. Another is that young spittle bugs blow bubbles that fall down, cover their bodies, and serve as protection against insect-eating critters. Readers will conclude how critically important dwellings are to a species\u2019 long-term survival.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 20:50:24", "publisher": "Arbordale Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009161131", "title": "When I Was an Alligator", "author": "Gayle Webre", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 255, "review": "A young girl introduces herself as \u201ca curious Cajun kid\u201d who is fond of peanut butter and crawfish. She quickly drifts off to sleep and transforms into an alligator. As she absorbs the sun\u2019s rays, herons fly overhead, leading her to long for the ability to fly. In the blink of an eye, she becomes a heron in search of a tasty bite to eat, and as she soars across the sky, she spots an opossum scurrying off to her nest of little ones. She then changes into an opossum with babies of her own. As her dream progresses, she transfigures into a catfish swimming in a pond and a beautiful white-tailed deer protecting her fawns. She continues to convert into an array of creative manifestations of her mind until she wakes to find herself just a Cajun kid again.

Children will love this imaginative tale. They will lavish in its predictability and will look forward to seeing what transformation awaits them next. Youth often find animals intriguing, so this story is likely to awaken their curiosity and sequester their attention. The lively illustrations will appeal to their senses. They\u2019re not vivid in color but display earthy tones and subtle hues. Life amidst the light green, brown, tan, and reddish tones is forever changing, evolving into something new.

The target audience for this engaging story is children ages four through eight, and the reading level is approximately second or third grade. It will undoubtedly be read and read again by those who cherish it most.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 20:46:52", "publisher": "University of Louisiana", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009161119", "title": "The Baddest Girl on the Planet", "author": "Heather Frese", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jenna Swartz", "word_count": 189, "review": "Evie Austin is The Baddest Girl on the Planet. Or is she? Told in a series of vignettes, this book tells a story of a young woman dealing with everything from the birth of her son to the death of a mother figure. Author Heather Frese paints visceral pictures of the bright days of North Carolina\u2019s Outer Banks and the dark times within them. The story itself felt jagged and I wondered what the point was. However, Frese\u2019s storytelling really is beautiful. She\u2019s capable of bringing the reader into the pages, breathing in the air swirling around the beaches, and feeling the itching restlessness raising within her heroine. I didn\u2019t feel that Evie was particularly \u201cbad\u201d in any form of the word. She just seemed like a woman on the edge of whatever disappointing decision she made at the time. I didn\u2019t feel like rooting for her although the descriptions of her feelings and surroundings felt so painfully real they bled off the pages. It was enough to carry me through the book but only just. By the end, I was ready to close the covers and walk away.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jun-2021", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 20:31:54", "publisher": "Blair Publicity", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009161111", "title": "Petite P\u00e2tisserie: Bon Bons, Petits Fours, Macarons and Other Whimsical Bite-Size Treats", "author": "Cheryl Wakerhauser", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 236, "review": "Cheryl Wakerhauser has traveled the world and trained in France. Her work has been featured in multiple magazines and she is the executive chef and owner of the award-winning Pix P\u00e2tisserie in Portland, Oregon. Petite P\u00e2tisserie is her second cookbook to date. In this book is everything you need to know to have a classy party or tea time, or just to have some sweet treats for yourself. With over forty recipes, you are sure to find something you like. Each recipe includes detailed instructions, but with the flexibility to make them your own, as well as beautiful pictures of the finished product. Once you\u2019ve completed her confidence builders, you\u2019ll be making treats that are almost too pretty to eat in no time.

French pastries and desserts are my favorite things in the world, so I was very excited to get this book. I\u2019ve always wanted to learn to make macarons but hadn\u2019t found a cookbook that described it well enough for me. Cheryl\u2019s book was exactly what I was looking for. Her instructions are clear and easy to follow as well as her parlor tricks, which make each recipe even simpler. You can tell that she actually wants to teach you how to cook on your own and not just impress you with her skills. The equipment list at the end is also very helpful. I highly recommend this book to all French pastry lovers.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 20:24:23", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009161103", "title": "Jack: A Novel", "author": "Marilynne Robinson", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 203, "review": "\"You Don\u2019t Know Jack\" is a common saying. The reader of this book will definitely not know or understand Jack through this novel. The author\u2019s three previous novels will probably define Jack better, but this reader had not known about the fame of that trilogy set in Gilead, Ohio. Even with my limited understanding of the setting and characters, this book stands alone as an interesting and compelling story about star crossed lovers. The lovers, Jack and Della have identical backgrounds and interests which draw them together. They also have strong societal and familial forces that push them apart. Jack and Della spend the night together in a cemetery after they are locked in by the night gate. They talk all night. They have found refuge among the dead who have no opinions on the propriety of their relationships. Della leads an exemplary life with strong family connections, albeit distant. Jack is a reprobate who cannot forgive himself for his past or come to terms with the present. Yet, this is a courtly love. He leaves roses for Della and keeps her books as talismans of her presence. This is a wonderfully written and compelling love story, especially fitting for the current times.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 20:14:13", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009161091", "title": "My Hero Academia, Vol. 25 ", "author": "Kohei Horikoshi", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Benjamin - Age 11", "word_count": 199, "review": "This story starts off with Tomura Shigiraki sitting outside with his pet dog, nothing too out of the ordinary until the dog begins to whimper and, only a few seconds later, turns into nothing but chunks of meat and bone. Shigiraki, confused and terrified, sits there sobbing. His sister, mom, and grandparents hear the commotion and find Shigiraki sitting next to the dead dog. They all scream and panic while Shigaraki chases after them asking for help, but as soon as he touches them, they die and dissolve into meat chunks. The only member of his family left is his father, who tries to kill Shigaraki, which inevitably fails. Shigaraki is all alone with his dead family. He runs away from home and has nowhere to go until he meets the all-powerful villain All For One, who helps him become a dangerous and feared supervillain.

I think this book is very detailed and well written. We get to know why Shigiraki is a villain and we get to see his tragic backstory unfold right before our eyes. Also, even though it might be a bit graphic, the detail of the art in this book is really good and interesting.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 19:58:13", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009161075", "title": "Why Do Cats Meow?: Curious Questions About Your Favorite Pets", "author": "Lily Snowden-Fine, Nick Crumpton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 171, "review": "This book is about cats! It\u2019s called Why Do Cats Meow? and it's written and illustrated by Lily Snowden-Fine with help from cat expert Dr. Nick Crumpton. Have you ever wanted to know anything about your cat? Well, this book probably has the answer. For instance, cats hate water, but in some instances they are obsessed with running faucets. And then there\u2019s the Turkish Van breed, but you\u2019ll have to read the book to find out more about that!

You might be asking now why DO cats meow? I can answer that! Cats meow to communicate lots of different things. Our cat meows a lot, which means she must have a lot to say! I really liked cats before, and now I understand more about them thanks to this book. If you want to know more about cats, I definitely 100% recommend Why Do Cats Meow. It's a really good book because it\u2019s about cats, it\u2019s even a little bit \u201ccatty,\u201d if you know what I mean! (See the pun there?)", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 18:47:57", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009161067", "title": "Welcome to the New World", "author": "Jake Halpern, Illustrated by Michael Sloan", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 218, "review": "The migration process is highly stressful \u2013 especially for refugees who can\u2019t go back, need to adapt to a culture different from theirs, and need to learn a foreign language. This graphic novel is one such story: tracing a family that leaves Syria and arrives in the US on election day in 2016. The book\u2019s focus is on the family adjusting to life in the US \u2013 learning a new language, adjusting to a new culture, and trying to make a living through low-paying jobs. Layered on the already difficult situation is the social polarization (and hatred) as well as the political hurdles that make it difficult for specifically Muslims to migrate to the US.

The story keeps its focus on the family, and their challenges. The political climate is mentioned, but only as it relates to the family. Illustrations are minimalistic (only black and white) and convey the situation\u2019s starkness. There is a lot covered in a short book, probably as the events covered are synthesized from several events. It also means that the characters are not fully developed, and the story seems to flow quickly. However, the struggles and challenges are well portrayed and conveyed from the perspective of lived experiences \u2013 the best feature of the book. Recommended for students in middle and high school.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 18:42:11", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009161055", "title": "A Little Hatred (The Age of Madness (1))", "author": "Joe Abercrombie", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 206, "review": "Normally I am a fan of Joe Abercrombie\u2019s work and his ability to write far-flung fantasy epics that are told over multiple novels. It is often fun to get lost in the worlds that he creates. Sadly that is not the same for this work, and it is a struggle to get through the language and reading should be fun and not a chore to get through, and sadly this is a chore. I know there are strides being made to represent language being spoken by different groups to be authentic as possible, but when it makes reading fantasy fiction difficult then it is hard to really get lost and enjoy oneself in a book. This follows different people as they all deal with a changing time.

Rikke works with a supposedly mad hill woman, Isern-i-Phail, to control the Long Eye can be a curse and a blessing. Other groups of people are starting off on their destiny such as Savine dan Glokta who will not let anyone or anything stand in his way. Leo dan Brock is trying to do the right thing on the borderlands but is disappointed in Prince Orso. Standard starting, just can\u2019t get past the language and that makes it difficult.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "26-Nov-2020", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 18:28:29", "publisher": "Orbit", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009161047", "title": "See What You Made Me Do: The Dangers of Domestic Abuse That We Ignore, Explain Away, or Refuse to See", "author": "Jess Hill", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 198, "review": "The human brain is amazing; it is capable of doing so much! Unfortunately, it doesn't take a lot for it to betray us. In See What You Made Me Do, Jess Hill provides a well-researched book on everything there is to know about domestic abuse. She includes information about how the term came about and what it took for the world to start taking battered women seriously. Each chapter contains important information about the physical, emotional, sexual, and psychological effects that the perpetrator of domestic violence inflicts on victims. Each chapter also includes real-life stories of women who have escaped an abusive relationship. This book is deep, with dark secrets shared by millions of women around the world.

This book can be hard to read, all the stories are horrific if you consider them deeply, but also liberating. It is heartbreaking to read about women who are going through this abuse, and no one will lift a finger to help. People might offer some advice, but that's it. Hill writes with precision and a true passion for the topic. There is more to domestic violence than physical abuse, and you will learn about it all in this book.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 18:20:36", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009161035", "title": "Fushigi Y\u00fbgi: Byakko Senki, Vol. 1 (1)", "author": "Yuu Watase", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 170, "review": "Fushigi Yugi: Byakko Senki: Volume 1 is a prequel to the Fushigi Yugi series. Suzuno Ohsugi's father, Takao, brought \"The Universe of the Four Gods\" home to Tokyo, but he forbade Suzuno from touching the book. During an earthquake and in order to save her life, Suzuno's father told her to open the book. This sets in motion Suzuno's destiny to be the Priestess of Byakko. Suzuno is transported into \"The Universe of the Four Gods\" and her adventures begin. It's been more than a decade since I've read Fushigi Yugi, but reading Byakko Senki took me right back to my youth. The illustrations are fantastic and in all classic manga style, they are undeniably cute and oh so humorous. I love all the expressions, especially the silly ones which make me laugh. Readers don't necessarily need to read the previous mangas in the series (I didn't) in order to understand and follow along with the story. I highly recommend this series to Fushigi Yugi fans and any manga lovers!", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 18:14:26", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009161027", "title": "Dear Ann: A Novel", "author": "Bobbie Ann Mason", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 227, "review": "Ann Workman, the protagonist of acclaimed writer Bobbie Ann Mason\u2019s first novel in years, Dear Ann, is the kind of woman who doesn\u2019t make a fuss. Married for most of her adult life to a good man, Ann finds herself wondering how different her life would have been had things turned out differently with her first love, Jimmy.

The novel is told in a series of letters and re-imagined past experiences, which is to say Ann isn\u2019t recalling what happened so much as what could have happened. The structure of the book is challenging at first, but once the story of young Ann moves to Stanford\u2014the school she didn\u2019t attend but perhaps should have\u2014it is hard not to get caught up in the energy of the Summer of Love. Ann\u2019s life, as it was and is and could have been, is a perfect cypher for human experience as we age. We question if we have done all we can, reckon with the moments we\u2019ve failed, and agonize over choices that weren\u2019t as brave as we wish.

One of the purest joys of the book, though, is in Ann\u2019s area of study: English. For English majors, or those enamored with their survey courses in college, or the average bibliophile, the literary references and jokes are an absolute joy.

Dear Ann is an engrossing and beautiful book that gives on every page.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 18:09:09", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009161019", "title": "Alice's Farm: A Rabbit's Tale", "author": "Maryrose Wood", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Paloma - Age 14", "word_count": 214, "review": "The farm across the meadow has been empty for years. The rabbits in the meadow, including Alice, are happy. Carl Harvey is also content; he lives in the city, which is a good place for a boy to grow up. But Carl's parents have bigger dreams.

Now the Harveys have moved to the old farm, to Carl and the rabbits\u2019 shock. You would think that neither would cross paths since rabbits and farmers don't get along well. But Alice is not like most rabbits. When both meadow and farm are threatened, she must go against her cottontail nature and work with farmers and foxes, in a hare-brained scheme that will make rabbit history!

What a book! I love the charming characters and elegant writing. I liked that the rabbits and the baby, Marie, can understand each other, while the grownups are clueless. Talk about baby power! It's cool that the book alternates between humans and animals, and it's a satisfying read for young and old. This novel is also funny, thanks to the dog and Carl. The ending is a bit sad, but the bittersweet note finishes the book perfectly.

Maryrose Wood brings her unique writing style and love of animals to this well-crafted story of farms, friends, and a lot of dehydrated fruit.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 18:03:19", "publisher": "Feiwel & Friends", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009161015", "title": "Legendborn", "author": "Tracy Deonn", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 296, "review": "Legendborn is an amazing book about a teenager named Bree who is suffering from trauma after the death of her mother. Bree decides to go to college early with her best friend Alice. When they arrive, Charlotte Simpson, a girl Bree knew from high school, charges into Bree and Alice\u2019s dorm room and demands that they join her at a party. Bree agrees and goes to the party with Alice. She watches teenagers jumping off of cliffs when suddenly a boy with angry golden eyes appears behind her. He seems strange so Bree follows him when he runs off into the forest. When she gets to the center of the party she sees four football players wrestling. Bree looks up and sees a swirling mass of green hovering over the fighting football players. Suddenly a girl yells and tells everybody to get out of there, but Bree stays hidden in the bramble. The girl and the strange boy stay behind and kill the green mass. When the golden-eyed boy turns around and sees Bree, he magically tries to wipe her memory of what she saw. Usually, this works for him, but somehow his magic doesn't work on Bree. She remembers everything. Soon she finds herself in the middle of a war. If you want to find out if Bree can survive the battle and emerge victorious, grab a copy and curl up in your favorite chair.

This book is filled with great battles, a small love story, and a lot of fantasy. I would recommend this story to fantasy or romance-loving teenagers. I would recommend Legendborn to kids thirteen years and older because it has a little bit of mature language, but other than that I really enjoyed the book as it was a great read.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 18:01:00", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009161003", "title": "Monogamy: A Novel", "author": "Sue Miller", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 232, "review": "Such care was taken with the design of this book from the beautiful cover to the deckle edges, which I was absolutely in love with texturally; I knew this book would be special. Annie and Graham are a wonderful couple who, like many other couples, have their flaws. In this case, it is Graham's infidelities. The same infidelities which made his first wife, Freida, leave him. But Graham knows his infidelities are wrong and does his best to make things right again and to devote himself to Annie completely. When Annie wakes up one morning to find Graham has passed away in the middle of the night, she is devastated. This book is about her finding herself as a widow, her relationship with Freida, her relationships with her daughter Sarah and stepson Lucas, and how she deals with grief and picking up the pieces of her life.

Monogamy is an exquisite story with beautiful, raw emotions, which the characters share with the reader throughout. There are happy, sad, and funny memories. There are second thoughts about decisions and choices made. I enjoyed Annie's character because of her strength and loyalty to Graham. I also enjoyed Frieda's character because although she left him, she never stopped loving Graham and by proxy, she becomes close friends with Annie. This book will tug at your heartstrings and have you reanalyzing your own life and relationships.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "21-Sep-2020 17:42:44", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009159003", "title": "Einstein's Last Message", "author": "Dr. Rod O'Connor", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 491, "review": "Einstein\u2019s Last Message is a beautifully written book about how humans can change the state of the environment by changing the way they think. Dr. Rod O\u2019Connor has organized the book into different methods of thinking and the self-awareness those types of thinking may bring to each individual.

The book first explains how Einstein commented that \u201cThe real problem is in the hearts of men.\u201d He also went on to say that humans must change the way they think if the Earth is going to survive. It is self-destructive behavior that will ultimately end it all.

I really enjoyed the way Dr. O'Connor used anecdotal stories to prove a point instead of throwing a bunch of scientific jargon at the reader. This helped me to understand the purpose of each chapter and the message he was trying to convey. In the chapter about linkages, he describes how we learn to problem solve and connect things at a very young age. This sets the foundation for how we learn and tie things together in the future. We learn about feelings and what things cause certain feelings. Emotions can help to drive our decision making, and this could be a good or bad thing depending on the situation.

I also really like the chapter on time travel. The title intrigued me, and once I read it, it really made me think about how I \u201ctime travel\u201d all the time. Time traveling in this case does not entail getting into a Delorean or other futuristic vehicle. In Einstein\u2019s Last Message, time traveling is about forming scenarios that are imaginary versions of possible futures. This might be something that many of us do already when we are trying to make an important decision. The mental process of envisioning the future and potential outcomes is how we \u201ctime travel.\u201d

Through analysis of values, ethics, and other traits that human beings have, and connecting them with the thought processes used to reach conclusions, it is easy to see how mankind has ended up where it is today. As the author states, \u201cWe need to learn about people to understand them, and form an \u2018Applied Science of Humans\u2019 to help us.\u201d By using scientific reports that are not influenced by party politics, then and only then, can we trust and receive the information needed to protect and restore the parts of the world that need it most.

Overall, I found this book to be highly interesting and to include a lot of topics that I would love to discuss with friends, family, and peers. Many of the methods of thinking we already implement. The appendixes in the back of the book are useful and include a checklist as well as activities that can help a person make an informed decision. I recommend this book to anyone who might find themselves at a crossroads when making a decision, or to someone who wants to understand more about humanity itself.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Sep-2020 01:31:06", "publisher": "", "page_count": "145 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009158003", "title": "So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience", "author": "Mark Henick", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 527, "review": "In this captivating and brutally honest memoir, Mark Henick shares his personal journey through depression and anxiety. He lifts the curtain and invites readers into the intimate experiences of his childhood and young adult years in Nova Scotia. His mom is a nurse who loves and supports him, although she\u2019s away at work many of his waking hours and suffers from insecurities of her own. His dad leaves when he is young and desperately in need of a father who loves him. To make ends meet, Mark, his siblings, and his mother move in with a man she\u2019s been dating. He\u2019s vindictive and doesn\u2019t believe little boys should show emotions. Mark feels unwelcome and belittled. Instability churns inside him, and he finds himself in an abyss of darkness.

After months of contemplating suicide, he conveys the depth of his turmoil to a school counselor and is checked into a psychiatric hospital. This marks the beginning of a series of hospitalizations, and although he has intermittent periods of normalcy, his condition remains fragile. At the age of seventeen, he decides suicide is the best option. He walks to a nearby bridge and prepares to jump into the oncoming traffic. As he gathers the courage to let go, a gentleman wearing a brown coat comes and saves his life. From this point onward, Mark\u2019s view of the world, as well as of his existence in it, changes markedly for the better. He starts down the path to recovery and a future full of hopeful possibilities.

So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience is a story of sadness, loss, grief, healing, acceptance, and renewal.\u00a0The author provides readers with direct passage into his experiences as well as the confines of his heart and mind. This enables them to view, through unfiltered lenses, the path that leads him down the road to self-destruction and a horrifyingly close brush with death. He describes in great detail the time he stops and asks a teacher for a knife to cut a cake for his class, and how he chooses just the right one to make a clean cut on his wrist. He also elucidates the care the man on the bridge takes to calmly speak to him, to listen to his story without passing judgment, and to keep him hanging on long enough for aid to arrive. His ability to be introspective about his struggles broadens the window through which readers can see, allowing them a better look at the complexities of depression.

This book is ideal for those interested in learning more about depression, anxiety, and suicide. It may also appeal to those who have always wondered what it might feel like to see the world through the tainted glass of depression. Family members and friends of those suffering, as well as therapists and other medical professionals, are also likely to benefit from this insightful and self-reflective account. Those still in the midst of dark days will want to wait and read this one later due to the descriptions of frequent suicidal ideation. Overall though, it\u2019s definitely a worthy read and a positive contribution to the literature on mental illness.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "19-Sep-2020 13:51:32", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009157019", "title": "Children of Ash and Elm: A History of the Vikings", "author": "Neil Price", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 187, "review": "Children of Ash and Elm: A History of the Vikings by Neil Price is an innovative work on the life and times of the Vikings. Price tries to get inside the minds of these legendary raiders by using an interdisciplinary approach to look at them and their world as they might have seen it themselves.

They were warriors, but also farmers, explorers, traders, and families. Who were the Vikings when they were at home and how did they explain their world? Using the latest research in DNA as well as the sagas and poetic works to explain how the people of 750 to 1050 Scandinavia may have seen themselves and their world, Price captures a new perspective on the medieval Nordic consciousness.

It\u2019s a truly stunning piece of work, and highly readable for something that could easily slip into dull academia. Price weaves a good story along with his scholarship, making even the driest parts of Viking life feel vivid and interesting. This is a \"can\u2019t miss\" read for those obsessed with all things Viking. Hopefully the book will become a new landmark work in the genre.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "18-Sep-2020 22:47:42", "publisher": "Basic Books", "page_count": "624 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009157015", "title": "27 Essential Principles of Story: Master the Secrets of Great Storytelling, from Shakespeare to South Park", "author": "Daniel Joshua Rubin", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 212, "review": "What makes a good story? Offhand, you might list such things as an engaging plot, believable characters, and an interesting setting \u2013 and you would be right. But each of those elements has a lot more to it. Author Daniel Rubin breaks down exactly what stories need to be compelling and memorable, even meaningful, in this wonderful book that is both literary analysis and writer's handbook. Taking those three main elements, he divides each further into nine principles, which he then explains in depth. First, he gives an overview of what the principle entails, then a deeper explanation, followed by a quick synopsis of a story that illustrates that principle well. His illustrations are taken from extremely disparate sources, from classic literature to film and television and even to video games \u2013 showing how a good story uses these same principles no matter in which media it is presented. As you read and work your way through this book (definitely use it as a writer's guide!) you will enjoy the author's synopsis of various masterworks (and probably find many you will want to further explore) and you will delight in your increasing ability to notice how the storytelling masters around you put these principles in practice while honing your own storytelling skills.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "18-Sep-2020 22:43:49", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "372 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009156003", "title": "The Elixirist", "author": "Avraham Azrieli", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 599, "review": "Sall\u2019s father is revered in Bozra as the town\u2019s only healer. At the age of sixteen, Sall accompanies him to the high priest\u2019s house. Unlike all the times in the past, the priest\u2019s daughter, An, enters the room. She\u2019s veiled, slender, and strikingly beautiful. As her eyes meet Sall\u2019s, they glisten with contempt. The hatred radiating through them wounds his soul, throwing him off balance. He falls, strikes his head, and drifts into a state of unconsciousness. He dreams of a dwarf who refers to himself as \u201cthe Elixirist.\u201d Sall confides in him about the young girl and asks if his magical potion can transform her hatred into love. His message is poignant, although it\u2019s importance isn\u2019t fully realized until later: \u201cIf you wish to change how another person feels about you, start by changing yourself.\u201d

Soon after he wakes, Sall decides to search for the Elixirist. He knows his aspirations may result in heartache and anger his father profusely, but he determines that the risks are worth taking. He sets out on a journey, straying far from home and away from the comforts of protection and predictability. His courage is tested, and his will proves unbreakable against the challenges he meets. A Moabite merchant traps him into slavery, a judge brutally tortures him, and just when he\u2019s within reach of his destination, he nearly drowns. At last, he reaches the Elixirist, who generously teaches him his craft. He learns that the power of the elixir lies in the perception of the one drinking it; the trust that person has in it will manifest in change.

This book is immaculately written. Its contents are a mixture of creative energy, historical knowledge, and lessons of moral fortitude. The fantasy elements will likely appeal to readers most. However, the story is also rich in Biblical history. The author, Avarham Azrieli, artfully integrates into his story references, settings, and people from the Bible with precision and intent. The Elixirist is set BCE. Sall\u2019s adventures take him through the lands once inhabited by the Twelve Tribes of Israel. In many respects, Sall\u2019s character resembles that of the apostle Paul (who was formerly known as Saul).

He undergoes tremendous hardships, but in the end, his stamina and belief in his mission lead him to achieve great success and a sense of lasting contentment. Along the way, he matures irreversibly as the remnants of naivety are drained from him one tragedy at a time. He learns the real meaning of sacrifice and becomes a stronger person as a result. In the end, he doesn\u2019t need an elixir to earn An\u2019s love and devotion. His progression into a man of humility, honor, and virtue are more than enough.

While this book is targeted toward an adult audience, it\u2019s appropriate for teens and young adults, too. At times, its depth and perplexity may deter those audiences. However, if ingested a few pages at a time, it may be well worth their time.

The Elixirist overflows with life lessons. \u201cA young man must follow his heart\u2019s journey, or his heart will go without him, lost forever.\u201d These words are spoken by Sall\u2019s mother as he weighs the consequences of his plans. \u201cA good listener opens not only his ears, but also his heart,\u201d says his father. The Elixirist reminds Sall that \u201ccourage is overcoming fear, not the lack of fear,\u201d while Ishkadim, a man who stands by Sall through thick and thin, shares his wisdom by saying, \u201cIt\u2019s better to dare and suffer, than to live with regrets.\u201d These kernels of truth will lead many to gain insight.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "18-Sep-2020 20:51:57", "publisher": "Avraham Azrieli", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009155011", "title": "The Chowderhead Crusades", "author": "J.J. Walsh (John Walsh)", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 547, "review": "Much like Ernest Cline\u2019s Ready Player One, J.J. Walsh\u2019s The Chowderhead Crusades has a love and respect for comic books. Both books deal with the construct of characters who are suffering through a dystopia of sorts, especially for those low on the societal rungs, but they are given a chance to compete with others to achieve riches and notoriety they could never have dreamed of. While Ready Player One hasn\u2019t aged so well, as its simplicity, ham-handed references and in-jokes, and predictable plot have made it a less than enjoyable book, The Chowderhead Crusades deals with the same subject matter in a fresher, more entertaining, and more interesting way that draws the reader in.

Clayton Clayborn is a guy who\u2019s never had it easy. He is an orphan who was basically sold into a form of slavery for Norman Corp because it\u2019s the mid-twenty-first century and when you're down and out and have little worth, there\u2019s not much hope for you. Of course, Norman Corp says they\u2019re doing a good deed by helping these orphans in need and giving them a chance at a better life. Clayton became an \u201cemployee\u201d for Norman Corp at the tender age of nine and has spent most of his life on a deep-space freighter known as The Charon that makes a continuous run from Earth to Mars to mine for the ore Normanium. It's a rough and thankless job, but it\u2019s all Clayton has ever really known. He\u2019s also a Chowderhead: a massive comic book fan. As things became worse in the world, the superhero comics were something to turn to and hope for. They became known as \u201cThe Scriptures,\u201d while the die-hard fans became known as \u201cSupe Heads,\u201d a shortened version of \u201cSuperhero Heads.\u201d It wasn\u2019t long before the term \u201cChowderheads\u201d became part of the lexicon. Life is pretty rough for Clayton, but he does have Cassie, whom he gets to see and eat with sometimes, who he definitely has a crush on, and who is also a fellow Chowderhead. Talking with her about the good times of the superheroes is basically his favorite past time.

Clayton also has a goal: to win Cateklysm's Challenge. On January 20, 2036, an unknown being took over the airwaves and made a proclamation. He called himself Cateklysm Catholicon and had just shown himself at Comic-Con, so naturally, there were those who were distrustful of what he was saying. Nevertheless, he offered humanity salvation and hope for something better with Cateklysm \u2019s Challenge, a three-stage superhero contest. The winner will receive a piece of \u201cunimaginably advanced technology.\u201d So this is what Clayton wants most, but years have passed and the deadline is quickly approaching, with no one professing to have solved the Conundrum.

What\u2019s great about The Chowderhead Crusades is the voice of Clayton. Told in the first person, the book has a great humor about it that makes it easy and quick for the reader to get drawn into the book. It doesn\u2019t take itself too seriously but also features an unraveling and unpredictable plot that keeps the reader turning the page, looking to see what will happen next. I thought I liked Ready Player One but soon realized I was wrong; The Chowderhead Crusades I certainly do like, and it is a far superior novel.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "18-Sep-2020 01:56:49", "publisher": "Severed Press", "page_count": "282 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009155007", "title": "A Story of Karma - Finding Love and Truth in the Lost Valley of the Himalaya", "author": "Michael Schauch", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 587, "review": "The couple has trekked to some of the highest, most notorious peaks in the world. Mountain climbing has, in many ways, become their therapy. For Michael (Mike), it\u2019s thrilling and poses incredible challenges to overcome; it energizes his soul. For Chantal, it\u2019s an escape from the busyness\u00a0and chaos of everyday life, a welcome getaway.

One day, the two of them meet a man who becomes a friend, and though they don\u2019t realize it at the time, Mick ultimately changes the trajectory of their lives. He shares his knowledge of a place located in one of the most remote, inaccessible regions of the world. It\u2019s within the vast confines of the Himalayan mountains and is known as the Lost Valley. After months of planning, Mike and Chantal, and more than a dozen team members, embark on a journey to this captivating domain. They navigate through the Lost Valley and immerse themselves in the Nepali culture. Their diverse and amazing adventures are documented\u2014their visit to one of the most sacred Hindu temples, dinners, and dialogue with the natives, and a trip to a Nepali school in which they become mesmerized with a seven-year-old child responsible for teaching class that day. They see her again later that evening and eventually have the privilege to meet her family. This young girl becomes a central part of their lives. With the aid of Mike and Chantal, she and her sister, Pumba, are able to complete a year of education in America while graciously being taken and accepted as their own. Though the girls return to Nepal, the couple continues to visit them, and the impact each of them has on one another\u2019s lives and the way they see the world becomes irreversible.

A Story of Karma - Finding Love and Truth in the Lost Valley of the Himalaya is an inspiring story about life, love, compassion, and determination. It\u2019s also about sacrifice and humility. While Mike and Chantal\u2019s mountain climbing escapades are paramount to their story, they serve as catalysts to the life-altering relationships they develop with people from a region and a culture so unlike their own. The simple, unvarnished, family-centered way of life they witness in Nepal, along with the poverty, lack of medical care, and gender discrimination they see, will likely affect their world view forever. They continue to be active in helping those who reside in Karma\u2019s village. They also moved away from the bustling city life to which they\u2019d become accustomed and relocated to a quieter, more serene locale.

A Story of Karma depicts beautiful imagery that pulls the reader in, making the scenes come alive. \u201cHow very different it was for me \u2014a living being as fluid as a mountain stream, and as ghostly as the summit we sought to climb\u201d is just one example in which Mike writes about the visible prints of a snow leopard amidst blizzard conditions. His work is also ripe with raw emotion and insight. Soon after arriving in Nepal, Mike delineates Chantal\u2019s reaction to the sharp contrasts she observes in Kathmandu. \u201cChantal broke down, tears streaming from behind her sunglasses. Kathmandu\u2019s contradictions were too much for her. And it was true that one couldn\u2019t help but be horrified by the city\u2019s contrasts, its magnificent temples and begging sadhus, the beautiful silk saris and gold jewelry on many of the women, and the rags on the street beggars, the filth in its rivers and the green of its verdant forests.\u201d Her feelings are more than surface deep; they radiate through the pages.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "17-Sep-2020 23:52:51", "publisher": "Rocky Mountain Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009155003", "title": "A Story of Karma - Finding Love and Truth in the Lost Valley of the Himalaya", "author": "Michael Schauch", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 412, "review": "Karma, predestination, fate. Is the future predetermined or are these imaginings we\u2019ve created in an attempt to understand the unfathomable randomness of life?

Michael Schauch and his wife, Chantal, are financially successful, well-educated, and middle-aged people. They indulge in adventures to enhance and add meaning to their privileged lives. They\u2019re in Nepal, drawn by Michael\u2019s obsession with climbing the perfect peak, which he\u2019s seen in a photograph. As they trek past the remote, impoverished villages searching for their destination, he\u2019s struck by a sense of familiarity and kinship with the place and the people who inhabit it.

Their climb is aborted due to bad weather, but on their trek out, they stop and visit a village school and meet a remarkable child. Karma is a precocious six-year-old girl who is leading the mathematics lesson. Later, she collaborates with Chantal in an impromptu dance. A bond is forged, hearts are captured, and later, this intense attachment is extended to include Karma\u2019s younger sister, Pemba.

From this point, A Story of Karma - Finding Love and Truth in the Lost Valley of the Himalaya details the couple's challenges in trying to improve the two children's prospects by obtaining enhanced education for them.

They\u2019re successful in getting the girls enrolled in the Shree Mangal Dvip Boarding School in Kathmandu, and eventually, obtain student visas for them to study in Canada. But while trying \u201cto reconcile the fundamental imbalances of our world\u201d for the betterment of the two girls, Michael and Chantal are equally concerned that the children retain the Dharma they\u2019ve learned from their schooling in Nepal, that is, the cultivating qualities of mindfulness, spiritual awareness, and emotional intelligence.

Michael Schauch\u2019s memoir is heartfelt and touching, but it is hardly original considering how many people do much the same for children they sponsor in under-developed countries. Schauch\u2019s intimation that these events are a unique manifestation of something pre-ordained is, for him, legitimate, but it hardly makes this story more than an interesting dinner conversation. Deja vu experiences are so common they\u2019ve become a clich\u00e9, as is becoming acquainted with someone with whom you immediately relate to like an old friend.

Certain events become disproportionately important depending on our time of life and our circumstances, which appears to be the case for those involved in this happy encounter. This by no means diminishes the significance of what Michael and Chantal have achieved on behalf of Karma and Pemba, it just doesn\u2019t make it an interesting memoir.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Sep-2020 23:52:35", "publisher": "Rocky Mountain Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009154003", "title": "The Chowderhead Crusades", "author": "J.J. Walsh (John Walsh)", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 417, "review": "Clayton had been given (taken) to the Labor Loaner program since his parents had died (been murdered), so he was now an Orph (short for orphan). He was basically slave labor aboard a spaceship helping Luthor Norman mine Normanium from a far off planet and bring it back to Earth. It\u2019s rough up there, but he\u2019s a Chowderhead sharing a mission with people all over Earth in search of clues to complete a puzzle for riches untold...or at least some great technology. Years before, Cateklysm Catholicon visited Earth during a Comic-Con to urge people to turn to the traits of their favorite superheroes to solve a three-part contest. Clayton hoped to continue the work of his parents after their deaths and solve the puzzle, but there wasn\u2019t much time allowed for personal research, nor does anyone share, because the prize is so coveted. When he and Arthur, another Orph who was hiding a big secret, get caught in an explosion, Luthor Norman himself comes to interrogate Clayton about the crystals formed. Clayton and Arthur figure out that Luthor knows far more than he lets on, so the friends come up with a plan to follow Norman\u2019s progress, but it\u2019s so outrageous and full of holes, it can\u2019t possibly work. However, they have no choice\u2014he cannot be the one to reach the end!

Superhero lore forms the basis for the scavenger hunt\u2014so many references to favorites, like Iron Man, Red Skull, Wonder Woman (yes, the female superheroes are here, too!) and more\u2014will enchant any reader who loves the Marvel and DC universes. Walsh has even created slang for the Chowderheads, with endnotes to explain their origins. It\u2019s a great big nod to the popular superhero movies of late, combined with the idea behind Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Dialogue between Clayton and his friend, Arthur, and between his love interest, Cassie, is funny, witty, charming\u2014all the hallmarks of a great story. Their good-natured arguing and ribbing of each other provide comic relief as the story hits dark moments and strengthens their friendship in times of trial. The conclusion is as shocking as it is ruthless, but satisfying, too, wrapping up subplots that could have been forgotten, providing closure to a well-woven tale. Want romance? Got it. Want firepower and explosions? Got it! Want friends who have each other\u2019s backs? Got that, too! This has something for every reader. Though lengthy, every page is needed for the skillful world and character-building to bring this story to its final conclusion.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "17-Sep-2020 21:32:16", "publisher": "Severed Press", "page_count": "282 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009153023", "title": "The Ravens", "author": "Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 207, "review": "Famous for their exclusivity and beauty, the Kappa Rho Nu Sorority, The Ravens, were the most popular and powerful girls on campus. Yet, they all keep a powerful secret. Their bond of sisterhood isn\u2019t just by happenstance; they are a powerful coven of witches. However, this year there is someone who is out the threaten them, and they are willing to take the Kappa Rho Nu girls down one by one.

Told in two perspectives, The Ravens is a witchy story that delivers hard punches from every angle. While Vivi Devereaux grew up never knowing what she truly is, she did, however, know one thing, she longed to be part of a sisterhood. For Scarlet Winter, being a witch was easy. It was her Legacy, and so was being a Raven. However, one secret could ruin everything for them, and these two will need to learn to work together or watch their coven fall apart.

Danielle Paige and Kass Morgan deliver a refreshing story, fast-paced and full of wicked intent. The Ravens takes readers deep into a secret coven of witches, friendships, relationships, and deceit, but also gives twists and turns that will keep you guessing. A slightly slow build only adds to this book's explosive ending.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "17-Sep-2020 21:23:05", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009153019", "title": "Pinch of Magic", "author": "Michelle Harrison", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 206, "review": "I love this book - it's really good! It's like Harry Potter, but more interesting! The plot is better, like how there's an old curse and a creepy tower. The story goes back and forth in time, and the two parts come together in a really exciting way. I also like how the littlest sister, Charlie, goes back in time to get more food because she was hungry. I would do the same thing! I think Charlie is my hero!

I like this plot better than Harry Potter because it's action combined with mystery combined with magic. The characters are nicer. In spite of the curse, the story is not dark and depressing. I like the sisters\u2019 three magic objects. They\u2019re a traveling bag, a matryoshki doll, and a gilt-framed mirror. I can't tell you how they got their magic, because that would ruin the suspense! I wonder how it would look to travel back in time with the bag? That\u2019s something I would like to do.

Something unusual about this book is that the main characters are all girls. The only bad thing is that there aren't any sequels! I want to read lots more of these books. Get this book, you won't regret it!", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "17-Sep-2020 21:21:59", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009153015", "title": "The Puppet's Payback and Other Chilling Tales", "author": "Mary Downing Hahn", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 184, "review": "The perfect vintage dress leads a young woman into the past. Staying out late has consequences for a delinquent tween. A sickly girl convalesces at a peculiar school. A clumsy aspiring basketball player gets help from a kid who can only play around midnight.

Scary stories are a popular genre for younger readers, teaching them about tension, surprises, frights, and the slow, delicious buildup of horror, but it's a field rife with middling content. It's hard to tell good scary stories for younger readers without going either too cheesy or too dark. Very few writers can walk that tightrope and keep each story engaging.

Mary Downing Hahn's balance of pacing, anticipation, and unnerving uncertainty is absolutely spot-on, and I wish The Puppet's Payback and Other Chilling Tales had been around when I was younger. I would have eaten this book up. There is the inevitable lurking evil, the ghostly mystery, the victim of poor choices, and the well-intentioned Samaritan whose actions lead them astray. These are all perfect for younger readers, offering a terrific doorway into the world of scary thrillers that awaits them.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "27-Jan-2024", "date_added": "17-Sep-2020 21:21:01", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009153007", "title": "No Place for Monsters", "author": "Kory Merritt", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 202, "review": "Levi and his family have recently moved to a suburb called Cowslip Grove. Levi misses the city, and his new neighborhood seems too perfect. His little sister, Twila, has made friends and is adjusting to the move well. The only friend Levi has made is a girl at school who no other student in their right mind wants to work with, Kat Bombard.

One morning, Twila goes missing and no one in Cowslip Grove remembers her except Levi and Kat. The two set out to find Twila and some other kids they notice have gone missing, too. They meet some freakish and terrifying characters, and they learn that Cowslip Grove has a dark side after all. Everyone thinks suburbia is safe, but one monster has managed to survive in the suburbs.

No Place for Monsters, written and illustrated by Kory Merritt, is a creepy good time. It involves a funny and spooky monster hunt with two misfits trying to fit in and a weird suburb where nothing ever seems out of place. The fast pace of the adventure makes it hard to put down. Strong themes of friendship and family, along with some very scary illustrations, make this a perfect middle-grade read.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "17-Sep-2020 21:18:13", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009153003", "title": "The Brass Queen", "author": "Elizabeth Chatsworth", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 178, "review": "Constance Haltwhistle is in control of land, animals, and servants. The only thing she doesn\u2019t have is a husband and, unfortunately, she's in need of one. So, she does the only thing a proper lady would do; throw a debutante ball, but it all goes wrong when the armored exo-suits she designed kidnaps one of her closest friends and her two colleagues. In order to rescue them, Constance must collaborate with J.F, an American cowboy, with a mission of his own. Of course, rescuing three missing scientists is a lot easier said than done, not to mention the invisible assassins and a prince bent on her death.

Constance is not supposed to be a delegate flower; unfortunately, her tough exterior makes her arrogant and unlikeable. I have no idea why anyone puts up with her and can\u2019t imagine why J.F. falls for her. Each character is different with interesting lives and stories, but lack depth. The way Constance seems to thwart every attempt of death is amusing, even if it\u2019s mostly chance and not entirely believable at times.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "17-Sep-2020 21:16:32", "publisher": "CamCat Publishing", "page_count": "450 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000009152067", "title": "Real Pigeons Nest Hard (Book 3)", "author": "Andrew McDonald, Illustrated by Ben Wood", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 186, "review": "This is another hilarious book by Andrew McDonald. What have the Real Pigeons gotten themselves into now? Rock, Homey, Grand Pouter, and the crew are ready to solve mysteries and fight crimes in the local park. The park is certainly scary when a mean evil vulture comes flying in, Beardy Vulture. The Pigeons soon find out that Beardy Vulture is not as evil as they think he is and he has come to ask for their crime-fighting services when his nest was stolen. The Real Pigeons decide to help and track down nest thief, but nothing is ever as easy as it seems. A queen pigeon that uses her claws to pinch and control humans? The Real Pigeons have never had to take on their own kind before, how will they defeat the Queen Pigeon. They work together as a team, with their various superpowers to help Beardy Vulture.

This is a hilarious book full of black and white action illustrations! This is my favorite series because each pigeon has a unique superpower and they are so funny! I recommend this book to all young readers!", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "16-Sep-2020 19:02:00", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009152063", "title": "Whoa, Dog. Whoa! How to Relax: Inspired by P.D. Eastman's Go, Dog. Go!", "author": "P.D. Eastman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 203, "review": "Do you have a child who is constantly on the go? What about you? Do you as an adult know how to relax? This fantastic book gives some suggestions on how to relax and brings in illustrations from Go, Dog Go. I think the text does a great job of making you feel relaxed but also gives you ideas of how to do that. So many Americans are so busy this is very much needed here. The same goes for kids too. The text is simple but powerful. If you loved the classic Go, Dog Go pictures from childhood. I like how they altered them a little bit to fit the text. I think each picture was chosen well for the book.

My favorite page is the one where the dogs stop at the red light and the text says, \u201cYou need to stop!\u201d What a great way to get the reader\u2019s attention. If they liked Go, Dog Go, they'll love this one. I think is a great lesson for kids that sometimes it\u2019s time to have fun and not have some of the crazy busy. This book is great for birth to one hundred plus years. Everyone could learn from this book.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "16-Sep-2020 18:57:18", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009152059", "title": "Millionaires for the Month", "author": "Stacy McAnulty", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - Age 6", "word_count": 160, "review": "Millionaires for the Month is a good book. I like it because it has a lot of children. Millionaires for the Month is about two kids named Benji Porter and Felix Rannells. They find a wallet that belongs to an adult billionaire named Lara Friendly. They give it back and in return, she gives them the challenge to spend five million dollars in a month. I find it exciting to think about having five million dollars to spend in a month. Millionaires for the Month is well written. In all her books, Stacy McAnulty writes about twelve-year-old children well. I think she understands twelve-year-old kids\u2019 problems. If you like The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl or if you like The World Ends in April, then this is the book for you. I think Millionaires for the Month is good for kids seven and up. Grown-ups will love reading it with their kids. Libraries, schools, and families should all buy this book.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "16-Sep-2020 18:50:14", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009152055", "title": "Shark and Bot", "author": "Brian Yanish", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 195, "review": "Shark and Bot is one of the best graphic novels I have read so far. It shows how opposites attract and how in defeating bullies you can make a new friend. It is short and sweet, so it makes a good bedtime story. I think that it is good for people who have read and liked Phoebe and her Unicorn or people who just like friendship stories. I love that it includes funny illustrations at the front and back of the book and how it has cute \u201cHow to Draws\u201d for the main characters, Shark and Bot. It includes funny print-outs that Bot made and cool comics that Shark loves. Shark and Bot are loving characters that will make kids in elementary school laugh and want more! Both characters have fun, exaggerated body gestures, so it is easy to figure out their emotions. I think this book is extremely well written, as graphic novels go, and is easy to read. I think that a first grader could read this even if they have only just finished learning to read. I think that families, schools, and libraries alike should buy this book for elementary school kids.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "16-Sep-2020 18:48:53", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "95 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009152043", "title": "Intimations: Six Essays", "author": "Zadie Smith", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 189, "review": "This slim volume is a hint at the life of a tenured professor living through a pandemic in New York City. We meet neighbors, street people, and a college IT expert. This is my introduction to this author who writes very well, indeed. We may disagree about the status of tulips, but we are in concert about the fact that during this pandemic, the time has expanded without an intimation of how to put it to use. We have lost our structure which had been forged under time pressure; the extra ten minutes we may have for coffee has expanded into a day-long drift. As the author says; the writer learns how not to write, the actor how not to act. Time has been suspended and we ponder our neighbors, our community, and the great suffering throughout the world. Are we learning forbearance? What has this time taught us? The author comically ponders a photo of director Mel Gibson in conversation with the actor as Christ creating a tableau of suffering. Everything has gotten real, except the leader of the free world and the artifice of the human tragedy.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "16-Sep-2020 18:31:04", "publisher": "Penguin Books", "page_count": "38 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009152027", "title": "Purrmaids #8: Merry Fish-mas", "author": "Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - Age 6", "word_count": 144, "review": "I LOVE THIS BOOK SERIES! I was so excited to get my hands on this book. I love the series and I cannot believe I got one to review!

The cover got me excited for Christmas and the cute kitty eyes made me pick it right up and start reading! I like how it uses Fish instead of Christ in Fish-mas. I like that each book in the series has the same characters. I like the storyline, and the book was exciting and I didn't know how they were going to solve the problem. They DID! Coral sounds like my sister. I like how Coral tried her best to get the letter to Santa Paws and how she is a good sister.

I also love that these books include a seek peek at the next book n the series! I want that one too!", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "16-Sep-2020 18:09:30", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009152023", "title": "Star Wars A Jedi You Will Be", "author": "Preeti Chhibber, Illustrated by Mike Deas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 194, "review": "If you are a Star Wars fan, this book is definitely for you to read to your children. The book takes place on Dagobah, the swamp planet. It is told from Yoda\u2019s point of view. Your youngling will follow along with Luke Skywalker as he trains to be a Jedi. The book touches on the values of the Jedi such as hard work, commitment, being brave, and knowing sometimes you will succeed and sometimes you will fail.

I think the plot is excellent. It offers a great introduction to Stars Wars while also teaching life lessons. I love that the author really captured Yoda\u2019s voice. The illustrations are cartoonish, but they fit well with an introduction to the Star Wars Universe. I love the different perspectives of being in a swamp. I think it fits Star Wars and the planet Dagobah so well. I\u2019m impressed. My kids both loved this one. My three-year-old girl loved the Yoda voice. My six-year-old boy loved the whole book with the illustrations because he recognizes the planet from the original Star Wars and the Star Wars shows he watches. I recommend this book for ages 3 to 7.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "16-Sep-2020 18:04:34", "publisher": "Disney", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009152011", "title": "Sugarproof: The Hidden Dangers of Sugar that are Putting Your Child's Health at Risk and What You Can Do", "author": "Michael I. Goran, PhD and Emily E. Ventura, PhD, MPH", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 195, "review": "For the past several decades, the public has been given the distinct impression that the biggest enemy of a healthy diet is fat. But more and more research is showing that while excess fat, and especially the \u201cwrong\u201d kind of fat, is bad for us, perhaps the biggest dietary problem most people face nowadays is actually an excess of sugar.

In Sugarproof: The Hidden Dangers of Sugar that are Putting Your Child\u2019s Health at Risk and What You Can Do, Michael Goran and Emily Ventura take the science we currently know about excess sugar consumption, especially during childhood, and break it down so anybody can understand it.

Sugar can cause weight gain in kids, definitely, but even kids who are active and appear to be healthy can be suffering from sugar-related health problems, such as fatty liver disease and prediabetes, and more and more studies are starting to indicate that sugar may be a major contributing factor to attention and activity problems.

Goran and Ventura offer plenty of practical advice, including several detox programs to help families reduce the amount of sugar in their diets as well as plenty of recipes that kids will love.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2021", "date_added": "16-Sep-2020 17:52:07", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009152007", "title": "Fault Lines: Fractured Families and How to Mend Them", "author": "Karl Pillemer, PhD", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 212, "review": "Families are complicated systems; they include a varying degree of personalities and are expected to get along. Some people try harder than others to make this happen, while others throw in the towel and decide it's simpler if a person isn't part of their life anymore. Dr. Pillemer conducted a nation-wide study on the effects of estrangement on individuals and families as a whole. The results are in Fault Lines: Fractured Families and How to Mend Them. Every aspect of separation is difficult, but it doesn't have to be. Dr. Pillemer offers many therapeutic approaches to estrangement that are proven effective. Dr. Pillemer scoured the country to find individuals who have been, currently are, or had been estranged from a family member; he tells their stories to not only prove his points but also, to show that those who can relate are not alone. \nThe information presented is thorough, well-researched, and well-said. It is beneficial that the first part of the book contains stories and advice on current estrangements but then finishes with stories of people who have since reconciled with advice. This book would be beneficial for therapists, individuals on either side of family estrangement, or those just interested in the topic. Just know you're not alone, and there is hope.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "16-Sep-2020 17:47:32", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009152003", "title": "F*cking History: 111 Lessons You Should Have Learned in School", "author": "The Captain", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 197, "review": "History class only covers so much, and sadly, the curriculum excludes a lot of the most interesting historical tidbits. Unlikely outcomes, incredible coincidences, badasses of every race, gender, and sexuality who deserve to have their stories told...

Thankfully, there are armchair historians out there collecting these untold and lesser-known tales for your enjoyment and enlightenment. The Captain, author of F*cking History, is one of those well-read and informative individuals.

I was torn about how to rate this book, because the information in it is top-notch. I love history, and plenty of these stories were new to me or had greater detail than other sources. And that's terrific. But the writing, which is so Spike TV/The Man Show-esque in its bro-ness can be really off-putting. It suffers from a bit of \"these damn kids today\" old-man-yells-at-clouds voice, as well as too many \"your girlfriend plots to win arguments\" jokes about crappy relationships.

It's honestly a terrific read hampered by comedy and \"edge\" that will fall flat with plenty of readers, although that doesn't mean the stories should be skipped. Even if you have to wade through some bad early-2000s humor to read these stories, it's definitely worth it.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "16-Sep-2020 17:43:40", "publisher": "TarcherPerigee", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009151003", "title": "A Story of Karma - Finding Love and Truth in the Lost Valley of the Himalaya", "author": "Michael Schauch", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 600, "review": "For Michael Schauch, the most influential journey of his life began with a photograph shown to him by a friend while in a restaurant in Vancouver. It was a photograph of a mountain. In Schauch\u2019s mind, it was the mountain: \u201cA perfect pyramid from its southwest aspect, with sheer faces and a striking ridgeline that snaked its way to a spear-tipped summit piercing both cloud and sky.\u201d He had always enjoyed mountain climbing, but this one was different: it won his heart and drew him to it. He was desperate to conquer the mountain and so, accompanied by his wife, Chantal, and a group of friends, he undertook a trip to the Lugula, a sub-range of the Nepalese Himalayas. Unfortunately for Schauch, the weather was against him and he had to abandon the ascent of his dream mountain.

However, that was far from being the end of the story. While staying in the village of Nar, after abandoning his attempt to climb the mountain, Schauch and his group became acquainted with a teacher who told them about the local school and introduced them to its seventeen pupils. One of those pupils was a seven-year-old girl named Karma, who seemed to deputize as the teacher when he could not be bothered to teach. Karma quickly became attached to Schauch and Chantal, and they to her. Recognizing that Karma would never receive the education she both wanted and deserved if she remained in Nar, they offered to fund her education at a boarding school with a Buddhist ethos. And so began a relationship between the Schauchs and Karma and her family that would last for years to come

A Story of Karma is the perfect book for an armchair traveler with an interest in mountaineering and Buddhist philosophy. The first part of the book details Schauch\u2019s discovery of his mountain and then his group\u2019s long, arduous trek through Nepal. From the sights, sounds, and smells of Kathmandu, to the friendly and welcoming resting places they find along the way, to the tragically decaying remote village of Phu, to the mystery and melancholy of long-abandoned Tibetan settlements, Schauch does a great job of bringing the scenery to life and introducing the diverse people he encountered on his journey. His love for the region really shines through.

The second part of the book focuses on the Schauchs\u2019 relationship with Karma and her younger sister Pemba, and on their attempts to ensure that the girls received the education they desired. At first, this involved securing them places at the boarding school, but later, it meant securing visas so that the sisters (with the full approval of their parents) could move to Canada with the Schauchs and continue their education there. There is some interesting information here, and it\u2019s particularly informative to note the differences between approaches to life and education in Nepal and those in Canada, although it is likely of more significance to Schauch than it is to the general reader. Schauch and Chantal clearly had the girls\u2019 best interests at heart, and with that in mind, it would have been nice to know more about the decision that Karma and Pemba should return home and what has happened to them since then.

A Story of Karma is an engaging travel book and an interesting tale of people finding each other in the most unexpected of places. It will prompt readers to consider issues such as tradition vs. modernity, preservation vs. change, and fate vs. destiny. The book also includes a selection of photographs, including some impressive mountain vistas, which serve to enhance the reading experience.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 22:34:00", "publisher": "Rocky Mountain Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009149003", "title": "The Black Market: a guide to art collecting", "author": "Charles Moore", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 78, "review": "\"Charles Moore has assembled a remarkable, informative survey of African American Art conservation and collection. His synopsis of major artists, galleries, museums, and movements within the field is enlightening and engaging. Readers will appreciate the material that is showcased and the conversations the works will prompt. The consideration of artists born in each decade of the 20th century is a much-needed addition to the field and dialogue of Black Art History.\" \u2014 Jessica Tingling, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 03:37:12", "publisher": "Petite Ivy Press", "page_count": "202 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009148123", "title": "Ten on a Twig", "author": "Lo Cole", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 181, "review": "Ten bright, colorful, and progressively sized birds are sitting in a row on a twig, passing the time until one falls off, leaving just nine. Thus begins an unusual counting book, one that counts down from ten instead of counting up. This, of course, is something all children need to learn, but it certainly isn\u2019t the obvious way to write a counting book. That\u2019s one of the things that makes this book so fresh and so fun.

The pages are printed on heavy, glossy stock, and they are cut to incrementally increase in size to hide what is happening to the birds. The writing is clever and fun, using poetic devices such as internal rhyme, alliteration, assonance, and more in a sing-song meter that will have little ones practically dancing. The highly stylized illustrations have a great sense of fun and are sure to keep youngsters guessing what will come next, but no one is likely to guess the sweet ending that is in store. This is a perfect book for those kiddos who are just beyond the earliest counting books.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 20:27:37", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Jabberwocky", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009148119", "title": "Sweet Dreams: A Goodnight Lullaby (Sesame Street Scribbles)", "author": "Sesame Workshop, Illustrated by Marybeth Nelson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 191, "review": "Sweet Dreams is a book about ways to go to sleep. Elmo is tired and trying to fall asleep, but he's having trouble doing that. If we sing him a lullaby, then that might help him to get sleepy. In the lullaby, instead of bed bugs biting, you will tell Elmo to watch out for the twiddlebugs stealing your blanket! You will also tell him to eat a yummy snack before bed, take a bubbly bath, and brush your teeth all white. You will see Elmo count sheep, one to ten, and then watch the Count count to five. There are all of the Sesame Street characters in this book who try to help Elmo to fall asleep.

I like this book because it's a good one to read before you are going to bed. I thought the twiddlebugs were funny to read about. Each one of the ideas on how to fall asleep is a good one, and one that I will be trying if I have trouble. I like the pictures in the story because they have pretty colors and think that most younger kids will enjoy this book.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 20:23:47", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Wonderland", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009148111", "title": "A Cerebral Offer", "author": "Ken Janjigian", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 443, "review": "As a lover of theater, I was excited to read Ken Janjigian\u2019s novel, A Cerebral Offer. Harry Gnostopolos, the protagonist, is an avid Beats poetry fan. He has dedicated his life to his passion for the Beats, making his name when he writes his own screenplay. Harry\u2019s film becomes a roaring success. Opening nationwide in indie theaters and receiving an Oscar nomination, his expectations for the project are far exceeded. Fulfilling these dreams with his longtime girlfriend Dana, the duo are on cloud nine while the fame from his film lasts. Having no desire to create more films, Harry purchases his own theater, the Cabrillo. Dana, not understanding the desire to remain a one-hit wonder, is displeased with Harry, their relationship, and the mounting debt the theater is causing them.

The story continues as Harry and Dana fight to keep their romance aflame, the theater in operation, and their lives in order. Events take a turn in another direction when Harry\u2019s friend Jackson appears on his doorstep. Claiming he has an offer Harry will not be able to resist, Jackson presents a heist to Harry, which he claims will solve all of his financial misfortunes. He also introduces Harry to Nadine, a woman who will go on to turn Harry\u2019s life upside down. The tale continues as Harry battles relationships, debt, and the uncertainty of what to do to escape the horrible plateau his life has fallen into.

From reading the description of this book, I expected a novel that primarily focused on Harry, his theater, and a criminal heist that \u201cwould rewrite history.\u201d As someone who loves mystery and crime novels, I was excited to see the plot play out. However, I was disappointed that this portion of the novel is only a fraction of the main focus, which is Harry\u2019s love affairs. This book is not advertised as a romance; however, the vast majority of it is a sensual anecdote of old and new love coming to fruition. I expected a well-planned heist, but actually, the crime is a minor subplot in relation to the major plot of Harry\u2019s twisted love life.

This novel also references conspiracy theories surrounding the heist that Harry is asked to embark on. I would have loved more non-fictional facts about the theories and a focus on how this affected the plan Jackson presents to Harry, rather than pages upon pages of Harry\u2019s and his lovers\u2019 dilemmas. Overall, I found the plot of this novel to be misleading and the characters\u2019 interactions confusing. If you are a fan of steamy romance novels, rather than of mysteries, then this book could be would be worth your while.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 20:14:23", "publisher": "Livingston Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009148099", "title": "Currents of the World: Poems ", "author": "Quinn Bailey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 186, "review": "Naturalists are cut out for poetry. The ambience of the world of Nature, the opportunity for solitude nourishes the spirit. In Quinn Bailey\u2019s debut collection The Currents of the Worldhe delights in time and space to reflect. His unhurriedness allows \u2018To learn to stand alone knowing that everyone/You\u2019ve ever loved or ever will love has nothing/You can actually keep.\u2019 His emotion recalls Tennyson\u2019s In Memoriam, the memory of his friend Hallam, who drowned: \n\u2018tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.\u2019

\nAnd he admits the universal conflict between the desire for freedom and \u2018the longing for the steady rhythm of settling/For the constant and the reliable\u2026.\u2019

Only in The Desire of the Night and The Laughing Revolution is the reader caught up in poetic mystery, not quite obtuse, but nor wholly simple, and not even a wisp of deception.

Reading poetry, even such mildly cathartic verse as this author\u2019s, urges the reader to commiserate or simply enjoy. \u2018Tideline,\u2019 almost the final poem in the most memorable: \u2018Is there any/Greater healer/Than being licked clean/By the salty tongue of the ocean.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 19:54:45", "publisher": "Homebound Publications", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009148091", "title": "Unplugged Play: Grade School: 216 Activities & Games for Ages 6-10", "author": "Bobbi Conner", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 210, "review": "Unplugged Play is the ideal form of play for children. With two hundred and sixteen activities for children ages six through ten included in this book, there is no excuse for too much screen time or boredom. The activities included in Unplugged Play have been created by kids, so as a parent, you know that these will go over well with your own kids. The activities are divided into solo play, parent & child play, play with others, and party play, with indoor and outdoor activities for each section, as well as water party games and large group games. At the back of the book, Conner includes lists for a well-stocked toy cupboard, household items, and items for arts and crafts, music, and board and card games. This parent found all of the activities to be doable, requiring minimal objects and setup. Many of the games are ones that we already do, such as paper airplanes, drawing, painting, and making homemade cards. We tried fortune teller and that went over well with my six-year-old. I appreciate the obvious enthusiasm that Conner has for this stage of development and the work she put forth creating this helpful guide for parents who might rely too heavily on screens to entertain their children.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 19:45:29", "publisher": "Workman Publishing Company ", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009148087", "title": "Unplugged Play: Preschool: 233 Activities & Games for Ages 3-5", "author": "Bobbi Conner", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Preschoolers, youngsters ages three to five years old, are hungry for ways to keep busy and to learn. They may not express it just that way, but playing is their way of learning, and they want to play, it seems, every waking minute. It can be exhausting for parents and other caregivers, and the easy thing is often to hand the child a tablet or smartphone. But that is a poor solution that builds bad habits. Instead, playing is a much better answer that teaches life-long habits of healthy activity building both physical and mental well-being. But how are caregivers to come up with enough ideas to fill all those hours? This book has over two hundred screen-free activities and games for preschoolers. There is even a list in the back of toys one might want in a well-stocked toy cupboard. Many are things one might have around the house. It\u2019s not necessary to spend a great deal. The activities and games are broken into four sections: Solo Play, Parent and Child Play, Play with Others, and Party Play. So when youngsters say there is nothing to do, this has the answers for that. This book is a winner.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 19:43:45", "publisher": "Workman Publishing Company ", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009148083", "title": "Unplugged Play: Toddler: 155 Activities & Games for Ages 1-2", "author": "Bobbi Conner", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Technology has made life better in a lot of ways, but there are real downsides to the plethora of technology in today\u2019s world. Most people have concerns about such devices in the hands of children. While a tablet can keep a child busy for a while, the downsides of such use are many. Children learn by playing. It\u2019s their job to play, and it is very, very good for them to be actively involved in play. It teaches life-long habits that contribute to health, both mental and physical. But what can one do to keep a toddler busy and learning that isn\u2019t expensive and is known to be good for the child? This wonderful book has one hundred and fifty-five activities and games for the youngest kids, ages one to two. A good introduction includes an action plan, ways to avoid using devices, and what kinds of toys are great to keep around. The four major sections are Solo Play, Parent and Child Play, Play with Others, and Party Play. The writing is casual and accessible, the ideas presented are explained well including why they work. This will be a real asset for parents and caregivers of toddlers.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 19:41:59", "publisher": "Workman Publishing Company ", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009148071", "title": "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King: The Graphic Novel", "author": "E.T.A Hoffman, Illustrated and Adapted by Natalie Andrewson", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 8", "word_count": 182, "review": "This book combines two of my favorite things, Christmas and nutcrackers. On Christmas Eve nothing should be stirring around the house, not even a mouse, but this is not the case in Marie's house. A very curious nutcracker comes to life on Christmas Eve, which eventually leads to chaos. Like most magical fairy tales, the good guys have to defeat the bad guys and the Nutcracker's mission is to defeat the great Mouse King and save Christmas for boys and girls. The Nutcracker will need help from his one true friend to break the curse. He must find out who can help him save Christmas and break the curse of the Mouse King.

This is a hilariously illustrated graphic novel. I love the illustrations of the mice fighting and the chaos that breaks out with the Mouse King. Who knew mice did not like Christmas so much? I like the bright and detailed illustrations. Some of the speech bubbles and text can be challenging to read, but overall this is a great story to read at Christmastime, especially if you like nutcrackers!", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 19:35:14", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009148067", "title": "Santa Baby", "author": "Jonathan Stutzman, Illustrated by Heather Fox", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 201, "review": "Santa Baby is a great book for the holidays, or anytime really. I am excited about Christmas coming after Halloween and Thanksgiving! Santa Baby helps me get more excited about the holiday and for reading a funny book. In this book, Santa is getting ready for Christmas, and he starts to think he's getting old. Santa IS old, but he's feeling older than he actually is because everything hurts on him when he's doing anything. Santa makes a wish, and it turns him into a baby! Can you imagine a Santa that is a baby?! This baby has trouble telling the elves what to do when it's only a couple of days until Christmas. With the elves' help, he learns to talk to them so they can understand and help Christmas still happen; but, will he stay a baby forever? Will he figure out a way to change back?

I laughed at several parts of this book because baby Santa says and does some silly things. I really liked the pictures because they are bright and cover the pages. I liked the story from the beginning to the end and know that kids of any age will enjoy reading Santa Baby!\"", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 19:33:04", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009148055", "title": "World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments", "author": "Aimee Nezhukumatathil", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 220, "review": "Creative writing professor and poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil combines her rhythmic insights with her magical command of language to paint images of the fascinating and sometimes haunting natural world and human relationships that influence us. Astonishing entities such as flickering flies, luminescent comb jellies, red rouged dragon fruit, milkweed fed Monarch butterflies, and caramel eyed cassowaries are just a few of the wonders delightfully evoked and vitalized in this book. Her favorite is the turquoise and jade feathered peacock that \"shrieked\u2026.like cats being dragged over thumbtacks.\" Nezhukumatathil draws from her exposures growing up in different parts of America, her visits to family in India, and a sojourn in Greece; the author depicts how these different environments and people affected her perceptions as she describes her supportive parents, loving husband, and irrepressible children. Being a brown body in a white milieu has increased her sensitivity and widened her vision. These essays are best enjoyed when read slowly at leisure because they are so rich in lyrical language, and the entrancing images will spark the reader\u2019s imagination as they picture the poetic scenery. Matching the magical text, the front cover contains an exquisitely colored representation of all the natural forms described, while the content contains equally enthralling artistic depictions of these forms. These poetic essays are a delightful balm for our troubled times.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 19:24:17", "publisher": "Milkweed Editions", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009148051", "title": "We're Going on a Pumpkin Hunt", "author": "Mary Wilcox, Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 199, "review": "We're Going on a Pumpkin Hunt is similar to the older story of We're Going on a Bear Hunt. In Bear Hunt, the family goes searching for a bear, so in Pumpkin Hunt the group of animal friends goes searching for a big pumpkin. The friends start out wanting to find the biggest pumpkin in town, and none of them are scared. As they move around, they have to go through tall and short grass, a river, and a tree. They can't go over it, and they can't go under it, so they have to go through it all. After each place they go through, they have to check if anyone is scared. The friends eventually find their big pumpkin, and then they make a surprise out of it.

I liked this book because some of the pictures are funny looking. I really like the ending of the book because it's something that I would love to do, too! Pumpkin Hunt has some of the same things in it as Bear Hunt, but it is also a little different. We're Going on a Pumpkin Hunt is a fun book for fall and Halloween or any time of the year!", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 19:20:37", "publisher": "Charlesbridge Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009148047", "title": "Monkey with a Tool Belt Blasts Off!", "author": "Chris Monroe", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - Age 5", "word_count": 172, "review": "I loved that there was a cute monkey as the main character. All the pictures kept me very interested in this book! The colors and the details were great! The short sentences helped me stay focused and kept me guessing what was going to happen next. My mom thinks the playful font also helped to keep me focused. The sizes of the words did too. Some were regular-sized and some were REALLY BIG!

The alien is the CUTEST thing ever! And the language it speaks is so cute. I am so glad that Chico was able to fix the Zootie and send her home. I also loved how the illustrator incorporated a rainbow into the story because who doesn't love seeing rainbows!

I think this book would be good for girls AND boys! If a monkey can be an astronaut anyone can! Even though a monkey couldn't really be an astronaut, I liked that the author picked one to be the main character because it made me laugh right from the beginning!", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 19:18:00", "publisher": "Lerner Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009148043", "title": "Dino-Thanksgiving (Dino-Holidays)", "author": "Lisa Wheeler, Illustrated by Barry Gott", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 184, "review": "It is almost Thanksgiving! In Dino-Thanksgiving it is Thanksgiving, and the dinosaurs are getting ready for a big meal. The dinosaurs are doing different things; T.Rex is making the turkey, Troodon and Minmi are watching the Dino-Thanksgiving parade, and Tricera is making a meal with no turkey. Stego, Allo, Leso, and Compy are going into a corn maze, the Pteros are watching football, Raptor is flying a kite, and then a lot of the dinosaurs are playing football outside together. The whole time Compy is saying that he's hungry, and he's asking if the food is ready yet. When the food is done, then they all eat a yummy Thanksgiving meal together.

I thought that Compy was funny when I found him on several pages saying the same thing; he reminds me of my brother. I also liked the bonfire that the dinosaurs sat in front of at the end of the story. This story makes me hungry for my Thanksgiving meal! I hope that there is a Dino-Easter book that comes out! I liked the story and pictures, and other kids will too.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 19:14:47", "publisher": "Lerner Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009148035", "title": "Letters from Space", "author": "Clayton Anderson, Illustrated by Susan Batori", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 201, "review": "Clayton Anderson is launching off into space to live on the International Space Station. He writes letters to different people about his travels and answers different questions about space in letter form. He covers everything from the launch to adjusting to space to flying around with no gravity to spacewalking. The book contains excerpts from Day 1 to Day 152 when he arrives back home.

This is an informational book about what being in space is like. The facts were interesting, but the letters were long. It\u2019s a picture book definitely aimed at older kids. The text in the letters was very kid-friendly. It offered good descriptions. The letter format was good, too. I think the illustrator's style works great for this book. It gives a whimsical and funny side to some things that happen in space. I loved the addition of the alien to several of the pictures.

My six-year-old son liked this book so much he took it to his room. He thought the space facts were fun and sometimes very funny. My three-year-old didn\u2019t make it though the book, but it is a longer picture book. I would recommend this book for children aged six to eight years.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "26-Nov-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 19:02:52", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009148023", "title": "Deception by Gaslight: A Gilded Gotham Mystery", "author": "Kate Belli", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 201, "review": "During the gilded age in New York, a strong young women makes her own way regardless of society's expectations. As a reporter she has aspirations above her assignments, and she stumbles upon a mystery and a few murders that change her life forever. All of this coincides with meeting a dashing young tough from the slums of Five Points. Her world is turned upside down when the same man turns up at a society ball. They are inexplicably linked as they agree to be partners and investigate together.

This is a fantastic debut novel in the genre of historical mysteries. The novel grabs you from the very beginning. The cover is beautiful and adds to the wonderful story populated by rich, well-developed characters. I do love a story about a strong-willed woman who knows what she wants. The romantic undertones were just right, not too much to distract from the mystery. There are actually multiple mysteries that are unraveled over the course of the book, and they are intertwined marvelously by the author. It is the first book in a series, and I can\u2019t wait to read the next one. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 18:53:44", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "327 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009148019", "title": "A Death Long Overdue: A Lighthouse Library Mystery", "author": "Eva Gates", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 201, "review": "Librarian Lucy Richardson is organizing a fortieth-year college reunion for Bertie James, the library director, to be held at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library on the Outer Banks. Among the guests is the not-well-liked Helena Sanchez, Bertie\u2019s predecessor. After the evening event, the guests, mostly ladies, wander down to the beach and walk out on the pier. It\u2019s dark, people lose contact, and Helena ends up dead in the water, a knife wound to the back of her head. Two items, a letter opener thought to be the murder weapon, and a two-decade-old library card, are missing from the exhibit prepared especially for the reunion. Lucy, not one to ignore an on-her-doorstep mystery, follows up with the guests, each a suspect, innocently chatting with them in hopes of picking up whatever clues she can about Helena\u2019s past and the whereabouts of each lady on the night of the murder. The mystery, though, is complicated by the theft twenty years earlier of the priceless Rajipani Diamond, a local family treasure, and its possible connection to the removed library card. A Death Long Overdue is a well written, cleverly plotted, leisurely paced tale that readers of cozy mysteries will find to their liking.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 18:51:27", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "372 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009148015", "title": "Murder is in the Air: A Kate Shackleton Mystery", "author": "Frances Brody", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 284, "review": "Kate Shackleton finds society changing post-war for the local brewers that are fighting to regain their wealth by choosing an employee to be the face of the business. This year the employee chosen is Ruth Parnaby who invites Kate and her niece to various social events. Things get a little dicey when the drayman is found dead and someone moved the body to cover it up. When taking the case, Kate confirms the murder and the clues she uncovers seem to lead back to Ruth's father who has a supposedly airtight alibi. Nothing thrown in her way will keep Kate from finishing the case and catching a killer.

This is a must-read for those that enjoy historical mysteries and takes you back to 1930 through fine details that accurately capture the time period. The writing is lovely and captures the mannerisms and attitude during this time. Kate Shackleton is a brilliant and independent protagonist that works as a private investigator who stands her own ground with her own company. The mystery weaves through the societal brewery scene with the murder at the center and a variety of characters as suspects. Brody knocks it out of the park yet again with the quick-wit and sharp mind of a daring PI whose voice is intelligent, witty, and clever. This is a series that just gets better with each new installment with Kate rooting herself as a sharp thinking woman that keeps people on their toes. The story is told from a first-person perspective but weaves through various characters which include Ruth Parnaby and Kate's assistant Jim Sykes. Murder is in the Air delivers an exciting new mystery with Kate Shackleton that's charming, humorous, accurate, and engaging.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 18:49:05", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "316 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009148007", "title": "National Geographic Almanac 2021: Trending Topics - Big Ideas in Science - Photos, Maps, Facts & More", "author": "National Geographic", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "A little of this and a little of that with something for everyone. That is what this gorgeous new Almanac from National Geographic has. It has a great many short articles about people, places, creatures great and small, plant life, sea life, outer space, and inner Earth. There are timelines filled with fascinating facts. For instance, the conservation timeline will tell readers humans have been agriculturists for over ten thousand years, developing conservation methods all that time. One can learn how trees talk to each other or learn a bit about mindfulness or get a quick lesson on the history of democracy. Maybe one would like to see a timeline of innovations from the first city built to the International Space Station. The highlights are nicely laid out for readers on a two-page spread. How has our country\u2019s flag changed over time? Readers will be surprised to see the first rendition. The writing is breezy and fun and the photos amazing. This is a great book to take along on a car trip or to keep on the coffee table or for the doctor\u2019s waiting room. Kids and adults will enjoy this beautiful book equally. It is a real winner.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "15-Sep-2020 18:43:52", "publisher": "National Geographic", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009147107", "title": "Shed No Tears: A Novel (Cat Kinsella)", "author": "Caz Frear", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 218, "review": "In the latest installment in the Cat Kinsella series, Shed No Tears, D.I. Cat and her partner, Luigi, are called to the scene of a body being discovered. Everyone is so sure that the body found is the last victim of the spree killer, Christopher Masters, a case from six years ago. He lured several women by putting out a roommate wanted ad and then murdering them. This alleged last victim was never found and it seemed easier at the time to claim her as one of his. But as Cat digs further, she finds that the rock-solid witness putting them together is not so rock-solid and those that were on the case made a lot of mistakes. Mistakes they are willing to kill for to keep covered up. Cat will have to decide if it\u2019s worth career suicide or her life to pursue this as far as it goes.

I really enjoy this series. Cat is a great character and the other supporting characters add just as much to the story. I always look forward to what mess Cat has gotten herself into, whether that\u2019s in her job or her family life. If you enjoy police procedurals with a strong female lead, then I highly recommend you check out the Cat Kinsella series. You won\u2019t be disappointed.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "14-Sep-2020 21:28:20", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009147103", "title": "Separate No More: The Long Road to Brown v. Board of Education", "author": "Lawrence Goldstone", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 255, "review": "Published by Scholastic and intended for young readers, Lawrence Goldstone\u2019s latest release, Separate No More is an important read. During this time of heightened racial reckoning, anyone who needs a refresher and a deeper dive into the 1954 landmark case Brown v. Board of Education would benefit from Goldstone\u2019s exposition of key historical and sociocultural moments that reach back to the 1890s, which eventually led nine white men on the Warren court to rule on the inherent inequalities in separate school facilities for Blacks and Whites.

While Thurgood Marshall and Justice Earl Warren remain central figures of the Brown saga, the book also draws from the long history of intentional and methodical resistance among gifted and well-educated Black leaders and their allies in the courts, and in the court of public opinion. Early in the movement, differing approaches to sustaining Black progress caused tensions, with W.E.B. Dubois\u2019s Black dignity-focused rhetoric winning over Blacks and White abolitionists. Accounts of the brutal lynching of Black men are a grave reminder of the generational violence endured by Black people at the hands of racist Whites.

Goldstone builds the case that the unanimous decision to dismantle the rule of prejudice and segregation was made possible by \u201cchanging hearts and minds,\u201d evidenced by racial integration in other parts of society like sports, the arts, and military service. This book would make an excellent addition to any teacher\u2019s reference list, as it bears significant lessons for all learners to understand the stories of sacrifice and risk-taking that were necessary to ultimately achieve equality.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "14-Sep-2020 21:23:54", "publisher": "Scholastic Press ", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009147099", "title": "Do No Harm", "author": "Christina McDonald", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 158, "review": "Married to Nate, a dedicated detective with a wonderful young son, Emma has overcome her difficult childhood and is now living the perfect life. However, her world is shattered when her son, Josh, is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Doctors advise that Josh\u2019s only chance for survival is an experimental and expensive treatment. Backed into a financial corner, Emma sees no other option than to begin writing phony prescriptions and selling opioids.

Christina McDonald\u2019s Do No Harm has written a complex medical thriller that will have the reader asking themselves what they would do if they were in Emma\u2019s position. In addition, McDonald explores the many perspectives of the opioid crisis with insight and compassion. The story unfolds and the reader is exposed to the opposing viewpoints of Emma and Nate. Readers looking for a fast-paced and emotional story will enjoy Do No Harm and be thinking about it long after the last page is read.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "14-Sep-2020 21:20:36", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009147095", "title": "Poisoned ", "author": "Jennifer Donnelly", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 216, "review": "Too soft, too kind, unfit to be queen. That\u2019s what everyone says about Sophie, heir to the throne. Yet, she\u2019s a threat to the queen and what else can the queen do except send her to the woods with a huntsman. When they stop to rest, the huntsmen draws his knife, and, unlike the story we know, cuts out her heart. But that isn\u2019t the end of this story. With the help of seven dwarfs, Sophie somehow survives, only to learn that not all is as it seems. With no other choice, she sets out on a quest to find the one really behind the attack, a quest that, should she fail, means the end of her life.

Poisoned is a retelling of the classic Snow White fairy tale, and it reads like a fairy tale as well. That doesn\u2019t mean there will be a happily ever after, that you\u2019ll have to find out for yourself. Some of the plot points felt like they were in the story only because they were in the original tale. The dwarfs don\u2019t stick around long, I would have loved to see more of them, but Sophie meets other characters that I can\u2019t help but love. Most of the characters have one or two defining traits but are otherwise flat.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "14-Sep-2020 21:15:18", "publisher": "Scholastic Press ", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009147091", "title": "The Racers: How an Outcast Driver, an American Heiress, and a Legendary Car Challenged Hitler's Best", "author": "Neal Bascomb", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 13", "word_count": 176, "review": "The Racers is a great nonfiction story about a team that challenged Hitler's best cars and drivers. After Hitler rose to power, he wanted to make it clear that Germany was better at everything, including automobile racing. Jews weren't allowed to race for German teams, which left Rene Dreyfus without a good team to race with. Fortunately, Lucy Schell had started a team and had a brand new car for the Grand Prix, the Delahaye 145. Rene joined the team and got a chance at proving that Germany could be beaten. I think this was a great book. It was very well written and was very informative. I liked the pictures, even though most of the maps weren't in the book yet. There was one incorrectly labeled picture of an engine, but other than that everything was great. I definitely learned a lot from this book; before I read it, I hadn't even heard of Delahaye. I would recommend this book to kids in junior high and high school, especially people who like history and cars.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "14-Sep-2020 21:12:41", "publisher": "Scholastic Press ", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009147071", "title": "Ground Zero: A Novel of 9/11", "author": "Alan Gratz", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 13", "word_count": 194, "review": "Ground Zero is a great story of survival and courage. It is a fictional story, but it is partly based on real events. Brandon is in the North Tower when the first plane hits, his father is trapped many floors above him. Brandon meets a man named Richard, and they begin to climb the stairs to the bottom. Then the second plane hits, and Brandon realizes that it's an attack. Reshmina lives in a small village in Afghanistan, where there is a constant fear of fighting between the Taliban and the American forces. In the aftermath of a battle, she brings home a wounded American soldier, Taz. She must hide him from the Taliban until he can be rescued. This was an amazing story, it really showed how the world is still affected by past events. It also gives an idea of just how horrible the attacks on the World Trade Center really were. I think it was really cool that there were two stories being told at the same time, and how they were connected. This book was very well written. I would recommend it to kids from sixth grade to high school.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "14-Sep-2020 20:34:43", "publisher": "Scholastic Press ", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009147063", "title": "Claris: Holiday Heist: The Chicest Mouse in Paris", "author": "Megan Hess", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Claris is back and this time she and her best friend, Monsieur the cat, are with their family on a holiday trip to New York City. While the family is settling into their apartment and getting ready for Christmas, their daughter, the Brat, insists there are not nearly enough gifts for her under the tree, and the family needs to go right out and buy a whole lot more things for her. Claris knows she has to quickly find the perfect outfit to wear. Just as they are jumping into the car, Claris notices some hungry, cold mice living near the street, but she has nothing to give them. At the store, Claris sees a theft, and she and Monsieur chase after the thief. Can they find the thief and return the goods to the rightful owner?

Megan Hess is both author and illustrator of this cute book. Claris is a regular little fashionista, and her outfits are the highlight of this book, along with the bright, glittering holiday illustrations throughout. Youngsters, especially little girls, will love searching through the illustrations for all the delightful details they will find. This is a real holiday winner.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "14-Sep-2020 20:26:08", "publisher": "Hardie Grant", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009147059", "title": "But What I Really Want to Do Is Direct: Lessons from a Life Behind the Camera", "author": "Ken Kwapis", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 230, "review": "The idea to create & set the tone for a motion picture reverberated through the young mind of Ken Kwapis. At ten, he had his first experience, both positive & negative, behind the camera. Despite breaking a camera, he gazed at the salvaged film with wide-eyed wonder and pondered the possibilities. Kwapis threw himself into learning more about directing, despite the lack of available information. Now, five decades forward, he has become an accomplished Director of both Film and Television. He details his on-set work behind the camera during The Office pilot, as well as the topsy turvy world of The Larry Sanders Show. The movies & shows that impacted him emotionally at different parts of his life are followed by the tricks of the craft in directing in subsequent chapters. Kwapis merges the technical aspects with the deeply human, whether infusing his personality into his work or how to tailor notes to actors/actresses to improve their performances.

But What I Want to do is Direct functions as Autobiography/How to/Humor all wrapped into a sublime book. The author segues each chapter in a seamless fashion, going from seeing American Graffiti to instructions on how to take a meeting. Kwapis\u2019 book hits the right tone with the reader and belongs next to the work of Sidney Lumet & William Goldman with respect to the creative world of Show Business. A+ work.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "14-Sep-2020 20:18:08", "publisher": "St. Martins Publishing", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009147055", "title": "To Sleep in a Sea of Stars ", "author": "Christopher Paolini", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 199, "review": "Christopher Paolini may be a name familiar to YA fans as the author behind the bestselling Eragon book and Inheritance Cycle, although he hasn\u2019t had a new book out in almost ten years because he\u2019s been hard at work on a new epic science fiction novel, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. It\u2019s taking him multiple restarts and many drafts, but the big finished product is finally here.

Kira discovers an alien relic, but then has an accident and awakens something that takes over her. She regains consciousness later to find she is encased in an alien suit that can protect her from many things. But this is not what she had in mind with the first contact. Meanwhile, another alien force is attacking humanity across the galaxy and it appears to be up to Kira to use this alien technology to help thwart this attack.

Paolini has created a complex and fascinating world here, and while the book does go on a little too long, the story is gripping and engrossing, and for his first foray into adult science fiction, this is an impressive effort. Paolini fans and science fiction fans will be both surprised and impressed.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "12-Jan-2021", "date_added": "14-Sep-2020 20:16:49", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "880 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009147051", "title": "Blazewrath Games", "author": "Amparo Ortiz", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 247, "review": "Lana Torres, a Puerto Rican-American, is about to embark on the biggest dream of her life: trying out for the Blazewrath Games behind her mom\u2019s back. As she tries to leave for tryout, the Waxbryne wand shop crumbles. Lana, trying to save her cousin Todd, falls below, face-to-face with a Fire Drake dragon and a lost famous Blazewrath player named Takeshi. She has to stop him from hurting the dragon and stealing the crystal heart. After the incident, she is taken to a special Other Place to discuss her being a part of the games based on her heroics. She accepts. Will the games be everything Lana has dreamed, or will she uncover a mystery?

Worldbuilding/Plot: I wanted to love this book, but it was just too similar to other things in the genre.

When I first began the book, it was very Harry Potter-ish in the world building, I felt like we were going to visit this world\u2019s version of Diagon Alley, only with a lot more action happening faster. It felt a bit more Olympic style in the middle, with Hunger Games vibes.

I liked that we got to explore different cultures. I was interested in Lana\u2019s journey of finding where she belongs, being from two different countries.

But I didn\u2019t like the book seemed very preachy on some of the author\u2019s obvious opinions. It took me out of the story, which lost the enjoyment for me.

Overall, I enjoyed some parts, but not enough to recommend it to others.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "14-Sep-2020 20:13:10", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009147027", "title": "Frankenstein", "author": "Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley", "category": "F02 Classics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 242, "review": "Victor Frankenstein has spent years devoted to the study of the sciences, and he is obsessed with the idea of creating life. After months of labor, he does it. He creates life. Instead of feeling accomplishment, however, he is immediately repulsed by his creation and deserts him. This disgust on the part of his creator changes the creature and he sets off on a path of destruction. After the creature searches for years to find someone who won\u2019t be offended by the sight of him, he realizes that he has only one choice. His creator needs to create a bride for him. He finds Frankenstein and tells him that if he does not do so, he will lose everyone he loves. Frankenstein has to decide: now that he knows he can, should he?

I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s just me, but it really seems like books aren\u2019t written like this anymore. I\u2019m talking about the kind that make you think and have clear themes and characters and aren\u2019t just meant to entertain or shock you. This is a piece of history. Shelley states that \u201cmonsters are of our own making.\u201d You can\u2019t help wondering as you read, would the creature have turned out differently if Frankenstein had shown him love and care? Even though it is a classic and you probably already know the story, I encourage you to read this amazing novel written by a woman way ahead of her time.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "14-Sep-2020 18:56:59", "publisher": "Gallery Books ", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009147019", "title": "Wandering in Strange Lands: A Daughter of the Great Migration Reclaims Her Roots", "author": "Morgan Jerkins", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 248, "review": "As more Americans develop a heightened interest in genealogy and ancestry, Morgan Jerkins\u2019 latest release may inspire others to go beyond the cursory DNA service. The complexity of Black identity takes center stage in Wandering in Strange Lands: A Daughter of the Great Migration Reclaims Her Roots. This book may serve as a guide for urbanized Black Americans seeking to align their Northern family backgrounds with their long-abandoned Southern roots. It\u2019s a heartening read for anyone who is on the path to uncovering buried stories of the past.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Jerkins travels to her family\u2019s ancestral homes in Georgia, South Carolina, and Louisiana, talking to residents and gathering oral history, as she embarks on a very personal journey toward a more complete understanding of her people\u2019s history. Jerkins invites us to witness deep introspection in interrogating the meaning of Blackness, how identity is both systemic and personal. At times, the book reads like an instructional volume dedicated to culturally competent anthropological fieldwork.

Jerkins describes her efforts to ensure that she\u2019s entering and engaging communities with respect and reverence. She demystifies spiritual beliefs in magic, \u201croots,\u201d and age-old sources of certain superstitions. There were constant reminders of how Black people nurtured collective resistance by building community and cultivating joy despite oppression, disenfranchisement, and prejudice. Most of the time, the book evokes the weight of intergenerational trauma, as Jerkins wrestles with uncomfortable truths about racial stratification in an America mired in the legacy of White supremacy.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "28-Dec-2020", "date_added": "14-Sep-2020 18:46:25", "publisher": "Harper", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009145019", "title": "Igniting Darkness", "author": "Robin LaFevers", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jessica Ramirez", "word_count": 190, "review": "Igniting Darkness offers political intrigue, romance, and gorgeous writing about assassins that just so happen to be young women. It\u2019s amazing! Robin LaFevers writes a beautiful story in her second book about Sybella and Genevieve. The first book ends with Gen following through with her plan to be with the King. She ultimately ruins everything the convent stands for and puts everyone in danger. I\u2019ll admit, I was very ticked off with Gen and her woe-is-me attitude. Sybella, as usual, is perfection. Her character is everything I want to be and more. I felt like Genevieve could have learned a thing or two from her. If you can\u2019t tell, I\u2019m still not a big fan of her. The story actually lagged in a few places, and at times I had to put the book down because it got stale. Luckily, I was able to find a happy medium with how everything wrapped up and ended. Huge shout out to Beast, who is honorable and loyal as they come. Overall, if you're a fan of Grave Mercy and enjoy historical fiction, you don\u2019t want to miss out on this gorgeous duology!", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "11-Sep-2020 22:00:55", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "560 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009145015", "title": "Cemetery Boys", "author": "Aiden Thomas", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 292, "review": "Yadriel wishes to be accepted by his family for who he really is and to become a real brujo like the rest of the men. If he can do the quinces ritual himself, his family will finally see him for the boy he is. His cousin Maritza sneaks out with him in the night to perform the ritual only for them to be disrupted when they learn cousin Miguel has died \u2013 only no one can find the body and no one knows what happened. To find answers, Yadriel decides to summon his cousin's ghost himself, only the ghost that he brings back is not Miguel. Julian Diaz only wants to make sure his friends are okay and refuses to have his spirit released until Yadriel tracks them down. Time is running out, but the further Yadriel searches for answers, the closer he and Julian become.

Aiden Thomas stuns in this brilliant debut! It's clear that great care and detail went into crafting every moment of this story which brings to life amazingly vivid characters. Yadriel is reserved, used to feeling like an outcast at school and home, The characters are stunning and come to life off the page with Thomas creating each with their own unique self. The story weaves various themes throughout such as deportation, homeless and queer kids, trans issues, and wraps them all up in this beautifully created world. The romance is sweet and derived from the uplifting way Yadriel and Julian build each other up and bring different layers out of each other. Cemetery Boys is an honest and refreshing voice for all those that need it and has a story that is addicting from the first page with humor, heart, remembrance, family, acceptance, self-acceptance, and romance.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "11-Sep-2020 21:58:00", "publisher": "Macmillan Children's Publishing Group", "page_count": "332 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009145011", "title": "Six Angry Girls", "author": "Adrienne Kisner", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 212, "review": "Girls get it done! Raina and Millie are seniors at Steelton High. Raina, an amazing drama student, is happily attached to her long-time boyfriend, Brandon. Millie is planning to make it to state with her mock trial team this year, and she has dreams of becoming a lawyer like her hero, Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

When Brandon suddenly dumps Raina, she quits drama on a whim and writes to an advice columnist, who suggests Raina take up knitting to get over her heartbreak. When Millie gets dumped, too, but from her now all boys\u2019 mock trial team, Raina tells Millie to start a girls\u2019 team instead. Raina and Millie join forces to bring together a diverse group of girls for a new and improved mock trial team. These six girls don\u2019t just go up against the boys\u2019 team, but against misogyny and toxic masculinity, too. With the help of their local yarn store, they take their activism beyond the mock court, one stitch at a time.

Six Angry Girls by Adrienne Kisner is a hilarious and hard-to-put-down story about girls fighting for inclusivity using the strong feminist tradition of knitting protests. Kisner has created some smart, defiant, and very real female characters\u2014girls you\u2019d want to bring with you to a courthouse yarn bombing.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "11-Sep-2020 21:54:48", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009145007", "title": "How to Be a Girl in the World", "author": "Caela Carter", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Natalie - Age 9", "word_count": 181, "review": "This is a good book for tweens. I read it with my mom so I could ask questions when I needed to. This book helped open up conversations about boundaries and friendships. I really looked forward to reading this book every day. Even my mom wanted to know how Lydia was doing!

I think the length of the book is perfect; I would have torn through it in one night because of the suspense had my mom let me! I felt more grown-up reading this book because it had big real-world issues. I loved that Lydia found her voice and was able to speak up at the end. I liked how descriptive each of the situations were; I felt like I was really there and feeling what the characters were feeling. I liked how the author described the characters in depth; I felt like they were kids in my school and their situation was really happening!

This is a great book and I highly recommend it to kids looking for bigger books with realist topics that could happen in real life!", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "11-Sep-2020 21:51:55", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009144047", "title": "Douglas Fir: The Story of the West's Most Remarkable Tree", "author": "Stephen F. Arno and Carl E. Fiedler", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 229, "review": "There can be nothing more stately than the sight of a majestic tree with its branches carrying chlorophyll bearing blades reaching toward the sunny sky. Two retired forestry professors have collaborated to revive the story of a remarkable tree species that are indigenous to the northwest and familiar to forest hikers and commercial lumbermen. The prevalent Douglas-fir is actually a member of the pine family but acquired its name in the 1800s after the Scotch botanist David Douglas transferred seeds he collected in the northwest to London. It took more than a century for botanists to finally settle on a scientific name for this imposing tree that can compete in height with the redwoods and attain diameters of four to eight feet. This hardy tree can attain varying shapes and sizes depending on the demands of its surroundings. But most valued for its wood, the Douglas-fir, became the \u2018money tree\u2019 for the timber industry which originated in Puget Sound.

Read how the California Gold Rush and the shipping trade. spurred the Northwest sawmilling industry. The authors have assembled a remarkable narrative recalling the history and current role of the Douglas-fir as it fits in the ecosystem, its use through the ages, its survival through fires, and how modern conditions will affect the survival of these primeval forests. Historic photographs of the trees in their background further enhance the text.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "11-Sep-2020 20:20:42", "publisher": "Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009144043", "title": "Avengers Assembly: Orientation", "author": "Preeti Chhibber; illustrated by James Lancett", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 191, "review": "Three kids are being invited to join the Avengers, but first they must attend hero school, after regular school, to get to do the superhero things. Did I mention keep the whole thing a secret? Can Kamala, Miles, and Doreen keep up with the load and become the heroes they have always dreamed of being?

Plot: I honestly found the whole story confusing and slow moving. However, I did have an ARC that was missing multiple graphics, so I might have not had some information. It felt like the three main characters were getting told they were going to school for the first third of the book, and then attending said school for the majority of the last two thirds. Which is fine, but it did not seem as exciting as I think it should have for a Marvel book.

Graphics: The graphics I saw were good. I felt like it wandered between a good amount of information and then too much information. It would have been nice to not have so many panels missing.

Kid Appeal: It will sell because it is Marvel and the graphics are cool.

Age Range: 8 to 11 years", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "11-Sep-2020 20:08:53", "publisher": "Scholastic", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5 "} {"id": "425035000009144039", "title": "Breakup Bootcamp: The Science of Rewiring Your Heart", "author": "Amy Chan", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 187, "review": "Breakup Bootcamp is an informative book about the stressful, emotional, and outright sucky thing that is the breakup of a relationship. Too many people to count have gone through breakups, often multiple times in their lives. For many people, the logical thing to do is to mope and possibly go through the twelve stages of grief. Many people are unable to get over a breakup because they might have tried everything, but nothing has worked. Amy Chan and other professionals run an event that has proved successful in healing and teaching people how to be kind to themselves moving forward. When reading this book, you feel as if you are at the event and learn how to love and know yourself again.

I really enjoyed this book! It can be used with so many people after a breakup: consulting/educating a friend, for yourself, or if you're a professional, it can be used with clients. I appreciate the helpful exercises that are provided for the reader. The overall book is easy to understand, and it is one that I would recommend to anyone, regardless of their relationship status.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "11-Sep-2020 20:06:21", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009144035", "title": "Illegal", "author": "Francisco X. Stork", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 201, "review": "Sara and Emiliano have made it across the US/Mexico border but have gone separate ways. Sara hopes to find asylum for her cruel treatment and persecution in Mexico but discovers the guards and wardens have very little compassion, patience, or understanding. Emiliano crosses undetected and goes to live with his father in Chicago, but his accent and dark skin marks him as an outsider, making it difficult to find employment. When they are both separately targeted again for knowing too much about the kidnapping crimes in Mexico, they must decide what that little cell phone full of incriminating evidence is worth. Is it worth a new start in a free country? Is it worth a life? There are difficult decisions ahead.

Readers should devour Disappeared first to get the full experience of how the crime syndicate can reach beyond borders and blood. This sequel is just as nail-biting and dangerous on American soil as the first was in Mexico. It\u2019s a blunt look at racism and asylum in America as experienced by those who have lost everything doing what is right. Eye-opening and heart-wrenching, this blatant commentary on America\u2019s brand of assistance to refugees will bring awareness to a younger generation.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "11-Sep-2020 20:02:57", "publisher": "Scholastic", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009144023", "title": "Waiting for the Night Song", "author": "Julie Carrick Dalton", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 913, "review": "DUN DUN DUN\u2026\n\nAs the nights draw in, there\u2019s nothing better than a chilling, thrilling read to pass the time. While the five books included in this roundup are all quite different from each other, they are united by the suspense and sense of intrigue that permeate them. As long as you don\u2019t want to put your mind at ease, sit back, (try to) relax, and let these stories transport you to another reality, where all manner of nefarious things are possible.\n\nThe Effort by Claire Holroyde\n\nWhen an eight-kilometer comet is detected near Jupiter\u2019s orbit, those who take the time to consider its nearness to the Earth recognize the significant threat it poses to humanity. After all, a similar situation didn\u2019t end well for the dinosaurs, did it? Foremost among those who understand the impending danger is scientist Benjamin Schwartz, who, together with girlfriend Amy Kowalski and an international band of adventurous boffins, decamps to South America to devise a way to save the planet from catastrophe. Simultaneously, the crew of a polar icebreaker struggle to capture the majesty of the Arctic before it is destroyed forever (and by causes other than the comet). Claire Holroyde\u2019s The Effort is the gripping tale of brave sections of humanity as they attempt to find hope and solutions in the face of almost certain disaster. A thriller with a strong environmental message, it stresses the importance of international collaboration and never giving up, however hopeless things may seem.\n\nA Dangerous Engagement: An Amory Ames Mystery by Ashley Weaver\n\nA Dangerous Engagement, the sixth book in Ashley Weaver\u2019s series, sees feisty amateur detective Amory travel to New York to attend the wedding of her best friend, Tabitha Alden. Although she didn\u2019t enjoy the crossing, Amory is looking forward to the wedding, but her husband Milo feels the exact opposite; prohibition-era New York holds little interest for him. Unfortunately, things turn rather more interesting rather quickly when a member of the wedding party is murdered. While the police concentrate on the likely involvement of notorious gangster Leon De Lora, Amory focuses on the possible suspects among the wedding guests, at least some of whom seem to be keeping significant secrets. Ashley Weaver does a great job of recreating the atmosphere\u2013\u2013both the glitz and the danger\u2013\u2013of life during prohibition, wonderfully capturing the dialogue and concerns of the time. The murder mystery itself is nicely convoluted, with the twists and turns building to a somewhat outlandish yet still highly satisfying conclusion.\n\nWaiting for the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton\n\nA coming-of-age story founded on an intriguing mystery, Waiting for the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton follows two former childhood best friends as they reconnect and attempt to deal with a secret from the past that both drove them apart and bound them together forever. Forestry researcher Cadie Kessler has spent years trying to escape from the shadows of her past, but she is forced to confront and reevaluate long-buried feelings and secrets when her former best friend, Daniela Garcia, sends an urgent message that forces her to return to her former hometown. Cadie will have to decide how far she is willing to go to honor former oaths and protect both the people and the forest that she loves. Cadie\u2019s story is a suspenseful tale in which the sense of danger and menace builds slowly as she attempts to uncover truths that have been buried for far too long. Aside from the mystery aspect, the story covers weighty themes such as racism, community erosion, and climate change, which makes for compelling reading.\n\nOld Bones by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child\n\nOld Bones by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child introduces Nora Kelly, a curator employed at the Santa Fe Institute of Archeology, who is about to find herself embroiled in a whole lot of peril and intrigue. She\u2019s seemingly offered the opportunity of a lifetime when historian Clive Benton invites her to lead an expedition in search of the Donner Party\u2019s lost camp. Nora knows that any excavation concerning the infamous Donner Party will lead to traces of murder, madness, and cannibalism, but she has no idea that uncovering the long-buried horrors will trigger violence and devastation in the present day. Preston and Child craft a chilling thriller around real-world history and commonly held speculation, and it leads to an action-packed story that\u2019s brimming with danger and double-crosses. The characters are relatable and the plot exciting, and in true Preston and Child style, there\u2019s a big twist at the end.\n\nThe Man Who Wouldn't Die by A.B. Jewell\n\nYou\u2019ve heard of messages from beyond the grave, but what about tweets from the afterlife? As unlikely as it may sound, Captain Don Donogue, who recently died in mysterious circumstances, appears to still be tweeting despite his notable absence from the mortal coil. Could the Silicon Valley tech bros have finally uncovered the secret to life after death, a secret that allows social media accounts to live on while bodies decay? In A.B. Jewell\u2019s The Man Who Wouldn\u2019t Die, old-school private detective William \u201cFitch\u201d Fitzgerald is hired by Captain Don\u2019s daughter to investigate her father\u2019s possible murder as well as his apparent ability to communicate from the spirit realm. In delightful Raymond Chandler meets Carl Hiaasen style, Jewell unspools a hilarious hard-boiled yarn that mixes noir tropes with tech startup cliches to produce a rip-roaring, mind-bending detective story that takes readers to a whole host of peculiar places.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Sep-2020 19:54:08", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009144019", "title": "Every Last Secret", "author": "A.R. Torre", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 179, "review": "Every Last Secret is a book that I just couldn\u2019t put down. The plot and characters had me hooked from the very beginning. Cat and William Winthorpe are an extremely wealthy couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area town of Atherton, California. Enter Dr. Neena and Matthew Ryder. Neena is hired by William\u2019s company to keep his employees focused during a difficult time. He hires her for her life coaching skills but doesn\u2019t realize she has a personal agenda.

The cast of characters is fabulous and will create a voyeur out of you yet! Neena is conniving and ruthless, and she always seems to get her way. Cat is on to Neena and her womanly wiles though. This is not Cat\u2019s first rodeo. This book will lead you through twists and turns and leave you wondering who did what to whom. It's a brilliant game of \u201cCat\u201d and mouse that will leave you questioning each character. Well thought out and with a superb flow from start to finish, Every Last Secret is perfect for fans of domestic thrillers.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "11-Sep-2020 19:51:37", "publisher": "Amazon", "page_count": "322 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009144011", "title": "The Caretaker: A Novel", "author": "Doon Arbus", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 206, "review": "When a well-known collector named Dr. Charles Morgan dies, the management of his estate, which comprises the museum housing his eclectic, personal collection of objects, is turned over to a caretaker who has long admired Morgan\u2019s artistic philosophy. The museum is filled with an abundance of things that range from priceless to worthless, and the public\u2019s interest is minimal at best. Still, the caretaker treats every object with reverence and sees his role as vital. His professionalism is a mask, however, for a complicated worldview rooted in both guilt and obsession. His intense devotion to Morgan morphs into a kind of physical and spiritual possession. Those who do visit the museum are shocked by what the caretaker asks of them.

With an unnamed narrator, lecture-like descriptions, and a story as quiet as the caretaker\u2019s footsteps in the sacred rooms, The Caretaker is a novel that requires great attention and even greater patience. Yet there are real moments of tension in this slim volume, and the caretaker\u2019s descent into obsession is both mesmerizing and horrifying to witness. Much like the objects in Morgan\u2019s collection, The Caretaker defies easy categorization. Those readers who commit to the journey, to the accumulation of glance and detail, will be well rewarded.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "11-Sep-2020 19:46:53", "publisher": "New Directions", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009144007", "title": "Cormorant Lake", "author": "Faith Merino", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 446, "review": "When Evelyn returns home late at night and finds her roommate's two young girls in a dangerous situation, she finally breaks. She hastily gathers their things and buckles the little girls into the backseat of her '92 Corolla before racing out of California in the dark. The destination is Evelyn's hometown of Cormorant Lake\u2014nearly two thousand miles away, but unfortunately not far enough to escape her demons. It's here that she reunites with her own de facto mother, Nan, who takes to the kidnapped girls like a person lost in the desert would take to water.

Cormorant Lake is a saga of de facto mothers, of women whose suitability for motherhood is measured exclusively by eagerness for the job. They scoop up these neglected, malnourished kids, take them in as their own, feed them, care for them as best they can. Evelyn is as eager as they come, helplessly in love with the girls she's spirited away but so conflicted about what she's done that she experiences brief fits of paranoid horror that seem almost paranormal. Fear of being alone with her thoughts pushes her along, and she barrels toward burnout immediately\u2014two menial jobs, occasional catnaps between, half-eaten meals, long drives on cold, dark roads. On the rare occasion she does sleep, you'd think she'd imbibed the same mysterious liquor as Rip Van Winkle, falling into a slumber deeper than the titular lake. Before long, she views rest as something of a vice\u2014as if she should be working to cure herself of the need.

Meanwhile, Nan is haunted by her own demons, and it\u2019s startling how often her past mirrors Evelyn\u2019s present. She, too, has separated mother from child. She wrestles with the decisions she's made and yearns for absolution that will never come. Author Faith Merino is careful not to linger too long on the characters' perceived iniquities, describing them with tactful prose that is empathetic and never pitying. Even Jamie, an ambitionless, cuckolding swim instructor with a pregnancy fetish\u2014a character who would probably seem ridiculous in any other book\u2014somehow manages to hang onto some dignity because of how Merino presents him. He and the other characters' idiosyncrasies take on an almost fable-like quality.

Flashbacks and off-the-cuff comments along the way eventually reveal that both Nan's and Evelyn's guilt is rooted in much more than simply swooping in and caring for neglected children. The book\u2019s conclusion came as something of a surprise to me. It\u2019s abrupt but deliberate, perhaps illustrating the unfulfilled need for closure the main characters will deal with for the rest of their lives. Faith Merino\u2019s debut novel is engrossing, haunting, and beautifully written. Fans of any genre will find something to enjoy here.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "11-Sep-2020 19:45:03", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009142095", "title": "The Great Realization", "author": "Tomos Roberts (Tomfoolery)", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 233, "review": "In an inspiring poem first published online, Tomas Roberts captures the essence of life before, during, and in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has changed the lives of countless people worldwide. It offers a glimpse of hope during an otherwise dark time.

The poem begins with an older brother sharing what life was like pre-pandemic with his younger siblings. He tells them how chaotic and unbalanced life was, with many working more than living and failing to communicate. But when the virus hit and forced unfathomable changes upon society, people began to reach out with kindness and started to dream again. He says that \"The Great Realization\" is that life is better now, because in the midst of all the tragedy, humans became whole again.

This is a heartfelt tribute to all those who have felt broken and hopeless as a result of the crisis. It shines a light on the goodness and resiliency that can come out of painful and devastating circumstances. It also allows readers the opportunity to reflect on how much meaning can be lost in life when subtleties are taken for granted and days are filled with busyness.

Simple yet radiant watercolor illustrations sweep across the pages of the text in pastel and earthy hues, adding both vibrancy and eloquence. Unlike many picture books, this one is as suitable for adults as it is for young children.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "26-Nov-2020", "date_added": "10-Sep-2020 20:25:24", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009142079", "title": "The End of Everything: (Astrophysically Speaking)", "author": "Katie Mack", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 206, "review": "A lot of time is spent in mainstream media mentioning and talking about the Big Bang and how the universe all got started around thirteen billion years ago, but do you ever hear anything about how the universe is going to end? Or if it will end for that matter? Have no fear, all this and more is explored in The End of Everything by cosmologist Dr. Katie Mack.

The book begins with a number of chapters dedicated to the aforementioned Big Bang and how the universe got from that genesis moment to where we are today. Then Mack launches into her five possible finales for the universe: the Big Crunch, Heat Death, the Big Rip, Vacuum Decay, and the Bounce. Mack explains each possible ending with plenty of detail but also in very clear language and plenty of comparisons and metaphors to make it as understandable and digestible as possible. I can honestly say my mind was blown at one point by an apparent paradox that Mack elucidated brilliantly. Plus, once you understand Vacuum Decay, you also get to know that our universe could wink out of existence at any moment. At only two hundred and forty pages, this book is a great stocking stuffer!", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "10-Sep-2020 19:59:12", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009142071", "title": "What Birds Eat: How to Preserve the Natural Diet and Behavior of North American Birds", "author": "Kim Long", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 226, "review": "To read there are probably some twenty-six million birdwatchers in the United States is a revelation. This \u2018factoid\u2019 accompanies a host of generously illustrated information in What Birds Eat, surely the most appealing and beautiful bird book of the year. Even those not among dedicated ornithologists will enjoy pages chock a bloc with details and complimented by glorious color photos.

Although we may not pay due attention always to the birds that surround us, the book will grab attention. \u2018How many know, for example, that rodents are a major source of food for owls, and see along with this information a page of nine alternative rodent species?

Author Kim Long set out to explain the behavior as well as how to preserve the nutritious natural diet of North American birds, acknowledging that hungry birds will eat store-bought birdseed rather than starve. The alphabetized pages of profiles provide both common and Latin names, places birds choose to find food, such as on the ground, in trees, or in ponds, and preferred types of diet such as omnivorous, mostly granivorous, or mostly insectivorous.

In a short review, one cannot describe every page, but notable details include types of the beak, seed samples, and an aquatic animal menu. The chapters, clearly organized and reader-friendly, recognize the challenges and solutions to ensure the birds\u2019 good health. What a delightful book!", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "10-Dec-2020", "date_added": "10-Sep-2020 19:48:40", "publisher": "Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009142067", "title": "These Bodies", "author": "Morgan Christie", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 664, "review": "Poetry and Short Story Roundup\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for a challenging and insightful read this summer, the following four collections of poetry and short stories, all written by inspiring and innovative women, run the gamut of emotions and experiences and so are sure to fit the bill.\n\nBack to the Light by George Ella Lyon\n\nBack to the Light is a collection of poems that together describe the life and development, both emotional and spiritual, of one woman. From a childhood characterized by uncertainty, fear, and repression through to the dawn of adulthood and a reconnection with both her body and the truth of her past, she grows into her dual role as a wife and a mother, before rejecting such constricting norms and seeking wisdom from great women: writers, singers, teachers, even Mother Earth. She eventually succeeds in attaining a level of self-belief and self-knowledge that helps her to perceive her place within the throng of humanity, which finally allows her to heal from old wounds. In exploring the course of the narrator\u2019s life, George Ella Lyon crafts poems that are by turns tragic and humorous, inspirational and oppressive, puzzling and enlightening. This collection beautifully highlights the healing power of poetry and the strength that each individual carries within themselves.\n\nThese Bodies by Morgan Christie\n\nThrough the eleven short stories contained in These Bodies, Morgan Christie examines the complexities inherent within relationships, focusing particularly on the experiences of people of color. Each story centers on a unique character, and whether that character is a struggling father determined to better himself, a child who wants to be recognized for living as their authentic self, or any other permutation of humanity, Christie succeeds masterfully in making both them and their story seem real and relatable. She strives to highlight the stories of people whose tales generally go untold, and in doing so, she champions the relationships of flawed individuals fighting to reconcile their failings with their hopes. The stories often feature several layers of meaning, causing readers to question if everything is really as it seems and to ponder what the future might have in store for the eclectic cast of characters.\n\nDandelion by Gabbie Hanna\n\nGabbie Hanna\u2019s Dandelion is an unusual collection of short poems, vignettes, illustrations, and snippets seemingly transmitted directly from the author\u2019s unconscious mind onto the pages of the book. Plumbing the depths of Hanna\u2019s psyche, the included works explore the experience of declining mental health in a world in which such matters are all too frequently overlooked, underplayed, and/or stigmatized. Veering between the absurd and the tragic, the poems trigger a roller-coaster of emotions and prompt questions as to what mental health entails and how it should be addressed, both as a concept and as an illness. As a whole, the collection serves almost as a journal chronicling Hanna\u2019s thoughts and experiences of times of emotional turmoil and bouts of stability. The book also includes an impactful selection of personal essays by Hanna, in which she tackles issues stemming from her childhood and prior relationships.\n\nVulnerable AF by Tarriona Ball\n\nVulnerable AF records Tarriona \u201cTank\u201d Ball\u2019s recollections of the experience of mistaking infatuation for love. Perhaps inspired by the host of romance novels she read to while away the time when working in a nursing home, as a young woman Ball believed herself to be in love with a person she barely knew, and unfortunately, it was the \u201ccan\u2019t-eat-can\u2019t-think-can\u2019t-sleep type of love.\u201d To reconcile this non-epic relationship in her mind, Ball has set down her thoughts and feelings in the form of brutally honest poems and short stories that detail the highs and lows of infatuation. Her words flow beautifully, and despite their often weighty subject matter, they are brimming with humor, hope, and strength. Ball lays bare the pain associated with unrequited love and missed opportunities, and she highlights how it is possible to overcome an infatuation in a way that leaves you all the stronger for the experience.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "10-Sep-2020 19:46:05", "publisher": "Tolsun Books", "page_count": "244 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009142059", "title": "Northwest Trees: Identifying and Understanding the Region's Native Trees", "author": "Stephen Arno", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 191, "review": "We can easily recognize animals, but too often forest hikers are confounded by the myriad variety of encircling trees along their route. Coming to their rescue is this concise paperback identifying and amplifying knowledge about trees of the northwest regions which includes southern British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, southwestern Alberta, Idaho, Montana, and the greater Yellowstone National Park of Wyoming. Divided into two sections, the first part covers conifers with the pines, larches, firs, hemlocks, cedars and more. The second half is devoted to broad-leaved trees such as the cottonwoods, Aspen, Alders, Oaks Maples, Dogwood as part of its content. Each tree along with its scientific name is methodically described. clarifying where it grows, its appearance, its ecological role, and its service in human history. Accompanying the described specimens are superbly elegant pen and ink, black and white drawings of the indicated trees, leaves, flowers and cones. The artistry matches the outstanding details for this useful field guide that helps the viewer to identify the trees by their specific features including shapes, size, needles, cones, and seeds. For those venturing into the northwest forest, this is the guide to accompany the venture.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "10-Sep-2020 19:36:43", "publisher": "Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009142051", "title": "Let's Brunch: 100 Recipes for the Best Meal of the Week", "author": "Belinda Smith-Sullivan", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 231, "review": "Brunch evokes the idea of relaxation, leisure, and plenty of food, and brunch recipes can range from simple to elaborate (as do the recipes in this book). Recipes are divided into nine sections, and there are recipes that could fit in more than one section. The first section contains fourteen recipes focusing on bread (eight of these are related to butter, olive oil, and spreads). The next set of thirteen recipes are on starters (appetizers). Some of these starters, when paired with one\u2019s morning beverage, could be a satisfying (although not hearty) meal. There are nine recipes in a section devoted to eggs. The next section lumps soups, salads, and sandwiches together and offers thirteen recipes. Next, is the vegetables and sides section with ten recipes followed by pasta and casseroles with seven recipes. The main courses and meats section has twelve recipes. At the end is a section on desserts (with eleven recipes) and cocktails (with ten recipes).

While the selection may seem large, those who are vegetarians or strictly don\u2019t consume alcohol, will find few recipes of interest. The narrative does encourage altering the recipes to suit one\u2019s pallet (there are three variations on flavored butter). A table of contents of the recipes (even one at the beginning of each section) would be helpful, as would cross-referencing recipes. The book tried to cater to a wide variety of readers.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "10-Sep-2020 19:15:20", "publisher": "Gibbs-Smith", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009142039", "title": "The Witches: The Graphic Novel", "author": "Roald Dahl, Illustrated by Penelope Bagieu", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 178, "review": "Witches are real all around the world. Witches have clawed and wrinkled fingers, wear wigs, and have no toes. Witches are very very dangerous and harmful to children. That is what a boy\u2019s grandmother told him. One day, the boy and his grandmother went on a vacation together to a hotel called: \u201cHotel Magnificent\u201d. Thinking the boy would be bored, the grandmother got him two mice. On that day, the boy couldn\u2019t find a little place in the hotel to train his mice. He found a big place there, so he snuck in. The room was full of witches! he overheard everything they said. He heard that they were going to use a very harmful plan against children. Will the boy think of something to save all the children from the witches?\nThis is a very dramatic and fun read. I really like the cover, too. It's cool that they made one of the characters a girl because it was a boy in the original book. Otherwise, it's great to read The Witches in the graphic novel version.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "10-Sep-2020 18:35:41", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009142035", "title": "The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Riddle of Ages (The Mysterious Benedict Society (4))", "author": "Trenton Lee Stewart", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 175, "review": "It's been nine years since the last book in the series was published. The great MBS children have returned in The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Riddle of Ages, and Reynie, Sticky, Katie, and Constance are all older and more mature. They have to save Mr. Benedict who is being held hostage by his evil twin brother. They have to break Mr. Benedict out of prison to give him the cure. This book in the series has some new plot twists, new puzzles to solve, and some new characters. One new addition in the story, five-year-old Tai Li, who is an interesting and quirky character. It was really great seeing where the MBS children have been up to now that they are all older. Personally, I liked the previous books in the series more, but this book was still a very fun read. There was a nice plot twist at the end of the book which I enjoyed. Fans of the Mysterious Benedict Society and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello will be delighted by this book.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "10-Sep-2020 18:29:46", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "576 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009142031", "title": "Queen of the Nile (Cleopatra in Space #6)", "author": "Mike Maihack", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 185, "review": "Queen of the Nile is the sixth and final installment in the Cleopatra in Space series. Cleo is back to fulfill the prophecy with the help of her friends Akila, Brian, Anthony, Khensu, and more allies. Cleo will need to fight and defend the Nile galaxy against the evil Octavian. Will Cleo be able to succeed and fulfill the prophecy and be the savior? Like the other books in the series, this book has a ton of action and humor. I like how the story has a strong and brave young girl who saves the day. I also like how Akila is so smart. The story tells us a little bit more about Cleo's family history. I like how the story ended but sad that it ended. The illustrations are very well drawn. Since the characters are in the future and in space and with a war going on, the colors are very dark and ominous. Boys and girls will like this book with all the action and a good story with a heroine. I recommend this book to anyone who likes action-packed graphic novels.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "10-Sep-2020 18:21:51", "publisher": "Graphix", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009142027", "title": "CatStronauts: Digital Disaster (CatStronauts (6))", "author": "Drew Brockington", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 192, "review": "Waffles, Pom Pom, Blanket, and Major Meowser gets invited to the new Space Hotel to make sure it is safe. They are joined by their new Kitten pals who follow them around in case they get lost. I thought it was funny when Major Meowser's Kitten pal asks him a lot of questions on the space ship. When they arrive at the space hotel, they meet a hologram name AVA. AVA serves them all dinner, and I like how they are all eating sushi. I love sushi! AVA gets jealous of Cat-stro-bot because he can go anywhere he wants, but she also wants to help the robot to be free from the CatStronauts. The robot starts acting all weird, and AVA's gone missing. The CatStronauts have to save the robot and AVA before they take over the hotel. I like how in this story they give the CatStronauts buddies in case they get lost in the hotel. My favorite character is Waffles because he loves food, and he eats a lot of it! I recommend this book to kids who like graphic novels or kids who like stories about space or cats.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "10-Sep-2020 18:16:53", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009142023", "title": "The Sound of Danger (Mac B., Kid Spy #5) (5)", "author": "Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Mike Lowery", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 241, "review": "Mac B. is sitting in school dreading his Math Minute test. He takes the test and waits for the teacher to tell him if he passed to the next level when he is called to the office. His mother with a British accent has called to pick him up early. Mac smiles because he knows \u201chis mother\u201d is the Queen of England with an assignment for him.

She is bringing him to England for his next mission. His mission involves tracking down the worlds best violins and making sure the rest do not get stolen. So, he spends all night in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford University to protect the violin called The Messiah. Things don\u2019t go quite as he plans, which lead him on an adventure to Italy to finally find out who is behind this horrendous crime.

The book was plotted out well; my only complaint is I thought the end could have been a chapter longer. I love the idea that the spy kid is the author as a child. I thought the descriptions were spot on for a book with lots of illustrations. It read like a young middle grade novel. I could see kids, especially third through fifth grade students, loving this. The illustrations fit the book very well. I love that it is similar to a graphic novel. My favorite scenes were the buildings and the grumpy queen, which I think kids would find hilarious.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "10-Sep-2020 18:14:17", "publisher": "Orchard Books", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009142003", "title": "The Truth About Dragons", "author": "Jaime Zollars", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 7", "word_count": 161, "review": "I love the first lines in this book: \u201cThe stories about dragons are true. Yes, they are. But there\u2019s something funny, it\u2019s that their socks don\u2019t always match.\u201d\u00a0I think it\u2019s really funny. I mean, why do dragons wear socks??!!\u00a0

I also enjoyed that there\u2019s a picture where all these dragons are in a cafeteria. It\u2019s so funny! And there are Cheez-its.\u00a0

I love the girl who believes in dragons in the book because she\u2019s a good narrator and she\u2019s funny and fearless, like my sister (sometimes!). And sometimes my sister is the dragon. I love the pictures in the book and I wish I saw dragons everywhere like the girl does. Her classmates become dragons, but she can see that they aren\u2019t always so fearsome. Sometimes you have to look beneath to see what\u2019s there.

A beautiful book that\u2019s fun to read together. I really enjoyed The Truth About Dragons by Jaime Zollars. And I really laughed about the socks!", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "10-Sep-2020 17:33:30", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009140043", "title": "The Well Plated Cookbook: Fast, Healthy Recipes You'll Want to Eat", "author": "Erin Clarke", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 191, "review": "There is fast food and there is healthy food, and they seldom have much to do with each other, until now. This wonderful cookbook will allow you to get excellent meals on the table in quick order, and the choices are both many (130 recipes) and varied.

Don\u2019t skip the introduction. Author Erin Clarke suggests five ways to instantly be a better cook, make healthy swaps, and add fruits and veggies, and she also lists five kitchen tools you need. A good list to stock your pantry follows. Eight sections of recipes include Good Morning, Sunshine; Let\u2019s Party; Seriously Satisfying Salads; Beyond the Bread: Sandwiches and Other Hand-Helds; Soup\u2019s On; Second-Helping Sides; and Don\u2019t Skip Desserts. Each recipe has a fun write-up, excellent instructions, lots of tips, and mouth-watering photos.

Don\u2019t miss the Buffalo Chicken Burgers with Blue Cheese Sauce. They're spicy and delicious. And the Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Brownies will knock your socks off. There are so many interesting recipes to choose from, and they are quite original and have lots of interesting twists. This is simply one of the most beautiful, well-written, and unique cookbooks to hit the market recently.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "08-Sep-2020 23:01:30", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009140035", "title": "Escape Book: Mystery Island (Volume 2)", "author": "St\u00e9phane Anquetil", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 182, "review": "In this book, the reader is a pirate trapped on an island with a volcano that is about to erupt at any minute! You have to navigate the dangerous island while solving puzzles. You are all alone in a cave with your trusty parrot Harry, but can you find your crew to help you escape before it\u2019s too late?

During the mission, you have to find various objects that will help you on your way. They can be used individually or in combination with other objects to overcome challenges. You have to be careful in finding all the objects, because otherwise you cannot always move forward with the challenges.

My favorite part in the book was exploring Captain Flynn\u2019s ship. It was a shipwrecked pirate ship, so it was very exciting to investigate! The book is full of fun puzzles and challenges that kids will enjoy. Since you can choose different options multiple times throughout the book, you can have a different experience every time you read the book. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an entertaining adventure!", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "08-Sep-2020 22:46:08", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel", "page_count": "98 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009140027", "title": "The Outlaw Ocean: Journeys Across the Last Untamed Frontier", "author": "Ian Urbina", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 188, "review": "Like many books by journalists and reporters, this book really does not cover any new ground, nor does it really go into any great depth. Instead it is a fairly engaging introduction for people who might be new to the world of an ocean that is fairly outside the law, but for people with even a modicum of understanding there is not much new.

Ian Urbina brings his reporter flair for the dramatic turn of phrase along with his observations as he explores the world of the outlaw ocean. He looks at how the high seas have often turned into a place of brutal working conditions, environmental destruction, survival of the fittest, and no holds bar environment. Most often his subjects revolve around environmental issues like fishing by trawlers from Asian countries, Western environmental activists tailing Japanese whaling vessels, and exploring the murder that often takes place, though rarely punished, on boats in the ocean. It is a brutal place, that is often hidden from the more wealthier part of the world. The only issue is that he really breaks no new ground and offers no major revelations.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "08-Sep-2020 22:41:20", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "576 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009140003", "title": "Shadows in Death", "author": "J. D. Robb", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jessica Ramirez", "word_count": 225, "review": "The latest book in the In Death series is fast-paced and immediately pulls you in. A woman has been found dead in the park with a stab wound to the abdomen. It\u2019s there that Roarke sees someone dangerous from his own past. Therein starts the hunt for a man who kills for money. And his next step is getting rid of Roarke and those Roarke cares for. Eve is as bad as they come; a woman who isn\u2019t afraid to hit things head on. While she doesn\u2019t need help from Roarke, he\u2019s her equal in every way that counts. I love their relationship! Lorcan Cobbe is a man that feels he is owed everything that is Roarke\u2019s life. He\u2019ll stop at absolutely nothing in order to get it. Eve and gang do everything in their power to stop this villain at all costs.

Shadows in Death is a story that kept me up until the middle of the night because I had to see what happened next and ultimately how it ended. For those of you on the fence about the series because it\u2019s so long, have no fear. While it is a series, each book has its own conclusions. They\u2019re very fun to read, if not addicting. The only problem is, is that I now have to wait until the next book comes out.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "08-Sep-2020 22:19:53", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009138003", "title": "Timmy", "author": "T. B. O'Neill", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 431, "review": "In December of 1946, Naomi O\u2019Neill leaves her husband Carl and life in a rat-infested shanty in Waycross, Georgia, and with her infant son, Timmy, and his toddler brother, Michael, heads for California. Within a short time, her husband comes west, and they reunite and begin a new life. The new life is much the same as the old one, only with better weather. Carl\u2019s work hanging drywall is spotty, but his drinking isn\u2019t. Life is a grind of poverty punctuated by domestic violence.

This is just the first of the many moves that crisscross America necessitated by either lack of work, marital breakdown, and/or poor choices. Upheavals that have to be endured by Timmy because, as a child, you are at the mercy of parents, and in this case, ones who have neither the character nor intelligence to do or know better.

Told in the third person, Timmy, A Memoir is described as a \u201cfictionalized\u201d memoir. It\u2019s the story of Timmy, the youngest son, and begins at the beginning of his memory, about three-years-old. It chronicles a child\u2019s early life and all the events including adventures exploring surrounding environs, pets, friends, sibling and family dynamics, and later, rites of passage like starting school, being bullied, and the first job. Monumental as these events might be for someone of that age, they\u2019re by no means unique or significant. Unfortunately, neither is growing up in a dysfunctional family plagued by alcoholism.

Though the author\u2019s prose is excellent, Timmy, A Memoir is actually not a memoir, since memoirs are defined as an important event in a person\u2019s life with a distinct beginning and end. They include all the elements of a structured story including an inciting incident that reveals the protagonist\u2019s goal, motivation, and conflicts. Timmy contains none of these elements. There is no story arc, climax, or resolution. Rather, O\u2019Neill has written the first part of an autobiography, the kind of work that\u2019s usually undertaken by a famous person whose early life may shed light on their later achievements. In other words, someone interesting.

Though the reader feels sympathy for the protagonist. this sad, tawdry tale of the early and formative years of a young boy\u2019s life hardly withstands such examination. Anecdotally, there are some interesting historical and social insights like the extent of racial prejudice in the south and how limited the opportunities are for women in the post-World War II era. Hopefully, the writing of Timmy provided O\u2019Neill with some cathartic benefit. As for the reader, it\u2019s a depressing and unrelenting narrative of the leaking away of hope and faith with no redeeming qualities.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "08-Sep-2020 20:01:31", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "390 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009137003", "title": "Going Home", "author": "Nancy Richardson", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 448, "review": "\u201cGood poetry is not solely self-expression, since the reader doesn\u2019t go to the poem because of an interest in the writer\u2019s life\u2026but to find evidence of his or her own life.\u201d

Despite not remembering who said this, it\u2019s why some poems impact with me while others don\u2019t: I find evidence of my own life in them.

In Going Home, Poetry & Short Stories, this evidence is revealed for me in perhaps a quarter of the work. When it hits home, it\u2019s with the significant impact of the right words combining to make meanings beyond themselves. When they miss, sometimes it\u2019s because I have no context for what the poem says, the poem does not transcend the writer\u2019s experience, or they\u2019re not well crafted.

Examples of the latter would be \u201cArson/Youngstown Ohio/1983,\u201d \u201cAn Everyday Thing,\u201d \u201cIll Paralegal.\u201d \u201cThe Swamp,\u201d \u201cShale Play,\u201d \u201cHe Said,\u201d and \u201cFear.\u201d In these, whatever Richardson was trying to achieve has fallen just short and the poems seem ill-conceived.

The contradiction in poetry, as well as fiction, is the more personal your writing the more universal the appeal. However, if the poet describes a specific event in a narrow context this dictum will have limited appeal. I found this to be the case with Richardson\u2019s poems in the section entitled \"They Bent Back the Words\", which relate to her experience with special needs children. This is also the case with the poems about the Kent State Shootings, where the point of reference has been lost to time.

There\u2019s always the exception, that being the poem \"Clarence and Anita On the Way to the Seminar:\"

\u201c...every woman knows, a little fear,\u2028a little anger, halfway wanting to please. Being desired and disrespected\u2028at the same time\u201d. These words are even more relevant today than they were in 1991.

Other poems transcend Richardson\u2019s experience as an individual and are ultimately relatable in their totality, drawing a comparison to the sentiments of Archibald MacLeish, that \u201ca poem should not mean, but be.\u201d These include \"Shades of Love\", \"Lies\", \"In the Photograph,\" and \"Mail Girl.\" A few evoke and present unique perspectives, like the necessary forgetting of caregivers achieved in \"Piercings\", or the line from \"Mothers\": \u201c...the weary things that women say to each other in that violet hour\u201d.

With some, the entire poem manifests in one blunt, brutal phrase to become whole and meaningful:

\u201c...duplexes are gone to boarded\u2028 and secret insides, to copper strippers, mantel busters.\u201d (from \u201cPay Dirt\u201d)

\u201cThe ceiling leaks toilet water.\u201d (from \u201cStreet Money\u201d)

\u201cPatience festers at the edge of the freeway. Resignation waits in long lines.\u201d (from \u201cPatience\u201d)

\u201cOur words fall into the air one by one. Something important or not is being said.\u201d (from \u201cPortland, June 1991\u201d)

Perfect descriptions of things you never thought to describe.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "08-Sep-2020 14:48:05", "publisher": "Kelsay Books", "page_count": "87 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009136031", "title": "The Nazi Menace: Hitler, Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin, and the Road to War", "author": "Benjamin Carter Hett", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 225, "review": "The march to the second World War had been gaining momentum as the 1930s began. The rise of totalitarian regimes in Italy, Japan, and Italy caused unease worldwide. In 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. He wastes little time in unveiling his plans for Germany, including the expansion of living space for Germans(Lebensraum) to combat their economic woes. By 1937, Hitler had ruthlessly consolidated his power. The embarrassment of losses suffered during World War I needed to be avenged. In Great Britain, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain sees careful diplomacy as a bastion against further calamity. Winston Churchill views the German aggression as alarming and needs to be stopped yet he has been marginalized. In the United States, President Franklin Roosevelt is serving his 2nd term, humbled by a relapse of economic problems. He is hampered in getting too involved in the building conflict as Isolationism is strong in America post World War I. A course has been set for which there is no turning back, the dogs of war are reaching their howling point.

The Nazi Menace approaches the inevitable war with a simmering intensity. The outcome is long known, but the circumstances leading up to it are nonetheless hypnotic. Author Benjamin Carter Hett re-energizes long-gone figures and the action reads akin to a modern drama, fascinating on countless levels. A luminescent read.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "05-Sep-2020 21:57:17", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009136027", "title": "Why Visit America: Stories", "author": "Matthew Baker", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 185, "review": "I am so happy to say that we have arrived at a golden age of literature. There are many genius writers delivering the goods in fiction. Among them, and perhaps paramount to them is Mathew Baker. This is his second collection of stories. He has also written a novel that I must seek out. If one marries Aldous Huxley with Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Robbins, and Stephen King, the result would be Baker; because he is so creative. Like King, his stories sparkle with stunning originality and a myriad of new ideas. This collection ranges from empty dead babies, secession, bullying revenge, resistance to euthanasia, self digitizing, memory washes, unnecessary men, craven materialism, branding, maternal rights, immigration, reverse living, and the power of love. At the conclusion of every story, this reader had to take a breath and a break and consider the many ramifications of his forays into uncharted territories.||If you long for suspense and humor within the stories you read, you will find them in abundance in this volume. Yes, I have used too many superlatives, but I loved the writing in these stories.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "05-Sep-2020 19:53:01", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "355 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009136011", "title": "Atomic Love", "author": "Jennie Fields", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 230, "review": "At the end of World War II, Thomas Weaver broke Rosalind Porter\u2019s heart. Now, four years later, he\u2019s back in her life, and he needs her help. As if the heartbreak weren\u2019t enough, another man has asked for her aid: Charlie Szydlo, a Special Agent for the FBI. He suspects Weaver of passing nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union and wants Rosalind to get close enough to find out the truth. As she grows closer to Weaver, however, she finds old emotions rising, along with a new affection for Szydlo. Whom will she choose to help? Where do Weaver\u2019s loyalties truly lie?

I\u2019ve always had a weakness for historical spy narratives, and I was fascinated by the interplay between the three protagonists. However, I found myself far less interested by the sudden jumps back in time to Rosalind\u2019s childhood and her work on the Manhattan Project, and to Szydlo\u2019s time as a POW. While both of these informed whom the characters have become by the time the main narrative takes place, I found myself constantly waiting to return to that narrative.

Those aside, Atomic Love is a gripping, beautifully written tale. Jennie Fields has a way with short sentences that fit together into a melody which gives the book a wistful, at times anxious air that fits perfectly with the story, something even the distractions into the past doesn\u2019t ruin.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "05-Sep-2020 19:18:34", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009134007", "title": "Timmy", "author": "T. B. O'Neill", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 455, "review": "Timmy is an autobiographical account told in the third person about a boy whose life in the 1950s is anything but easy. Timmy lives with his older brother Mike, mom Naomi, and dad Carl (or Curly). As the story of Timmy's life is told to the reader, we learn that they move back and forth across the country several times, Naomi leaving Carl because he is a violent drunk and then going back to him because she has no real place to go. The story takes place across the United States in Georgia, California, Florida, and Nevada to name a few places, and I often wondered how a family with such little money could afford to travel these distances. Naomi seems like an attentive mother at first, one who is looking out for the best interests of her kids, but as the story unfolds she becomes pregnant two more times, starts drinking with her new beau, and not putting the children's' priorities first, and then finally ships Tim and Mike off to their alcoholic father whom they end up calling a family friend to help because Carl is bleeding and vomiting all over the place.

This story is a rather depressing one and leaves the reader feeling the hopelessness of a young boy. There are several important topics the reader addresses as part of the storyline. One is the lack of work available to women at that time. As an interior designer, Naomi seeks work at furniture stores and departments at stores such as Montgomery Wards and Breuners. She is turned down very often and is worried about how she is going to feed the children. Another topic is bullying. Timmy is bullied at several different schools but learns to stick up for himself as a result. In one part, when Naomi is called into the school office, she tells the principal that Timmy always lets the other guy throw the first punch. Meaning that she knows her son gets into fights but knows he is a fair fighter as well and doesn't start the fight. The topic of prejudice in the South also becomes apparent when Timmy tries to go to the beach with his African American friend and they are promptly kicked out because \"colored people\" are not allowed on the same beaches as \"white people.\"

Overall, Timmy was not a book that was very eventful. It was rather sad and there was really no ending to the story. Instead, the author states that there will be a sequel pertaining to what happens after the book and Timmy\u2019s time spent in the war. I feel that this book would have been a bit more engaging had it been written in the first person.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "04-Sep-2020 14:48:46", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "390 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009131123", "title": "Bright and Dangerous Objects", "author": "Anneliese Mackintosh", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 209, "review": "Solvig is a commercial saturation diver, and every few months, her job takes her to the seafloor, where she does underwater welding work on oil platforms and pipelines. Though her dives are highly dangerous, isolate her from her partner James, and require her to stay in the cramped quarters of a submarine, Solvig lives for the work. She even longs for a greater adventure: joining the Mars Project, an initiative to start a human colony on Mars. Unbeknownst to James, Solvig applies for the Mars Project and lands an interview, sending Solvig into a whirlwind as she tries to reconcile her plans to start a family with her dream of going to Mars and living there for the rest of her life.

Solvig\u2019s voice as a narrator is lonely but unfaltering, and her efforts to make sense of her personal life and the details of her professional career are equally fascinating. While the novel is an appropriate length for the story it\u2019s telling, there are some details that seem to beg for greater exploration and elaboration. Though more elaboration on these details may have yielded greater emotional payoff toward the novel\u2019s end, Bright and Dangerous Objects nonetheless offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex choices ambitious women are faced with.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 19:22:06", "publisher": "Tin House", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009131115", "title": "Biohack Your Brain: How to Boost Cognitive Health, Performance and Power", "author": "Kristen Willeumier, PhD", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 195, "review": "The human brain is one of the single-most important organs in our body. In Biohack Your Brain, Neuroscientist Dr. Kristin Willeumier presents ways to eat, exercise, and overall be healthier for your brain. She begins by stating her qualification as an expert in this field, then lets loose with information to keep our brains, and also our bodies, working alongside people at least twenty years younger than ourselves. The most important thing to know is that yes, it is possible to change your brain at any age. It is encouraging for the younger ones to know that based on studies, the best is still yet to come regarding brain benefits in our forties, fifties, sixties, and forward!

The way that the information is presented is done very well, she writes at her audience's level for anyone to understand. The book is formatted by chapters with added pieces of testimonies interspersed. I appreciated the science lesson in the beginning chapters as a reminder of what and where she's talking about regarding the different areas of the brain and their purposes. There is so much packed in this book that it is a great read for anyone.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 19:17:19", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009131103", "title": "T is for Thor: A Norse Mythology Alphabet", "author": "Virginia Loh-Hagan, Illustrated by Torstein Nordstrand", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "There are not a lot of picture books that are going to be interesting for preschoolers as well as elementary students up to middle graders. This is that rare book. Yes, it is an alphabet book and each letter has a sweet little rhyme, but it is also a mythology book, and middle graders, by and large, love mythology. Using Norse mythology is a lovely idea since students are often familiar with Greek and Roman mythology, but Norse mythology will be a nice surprise. Each letter has a rhyme that explains the character or object that will help youngsters who are learning their alphabets to remember the letters. In addition, there is a much longer text for each letter giving a good deal of information about the subject that will engage and fascinate older readers. The writing is perfectly appropriate for both age levels and fun to read. Each letter also has a spectacular piece of art to accompany it and help to tell the story. The illustrations by Torstein Nordstrand are incredibly detailed and beautiful. One can easily imagine an older sibling with a younger sibling enjoying this book together. What a nice thought.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "17-Oct-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 19:04:50", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009131099", "title": "H is for Honey Bee: A Beekeeping Alphabet ", "author": "Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen, Illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 169, "review": "Discover the fantastic world of the honeybee through your ABC's. It all starts with the Apis Mellifera, the honeybee, and delves into their world of nectar, royal jelly, venom, and wax. But let's look even deeper into the most crucial insect on earth and learn how these insects communicate, pollinate, and thrive.

Get ready to take flight into the fantastic world of bees in, H is for Honey Bee: A Beekeeping Alphabet. In this science and nature alphabet book, Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen takes readers deep into the fascinating world of bees. However, this isn't a simple storybook; this is an encyclopedia of bee education. Taking readers through the correct terms and facts, while also educating her readers on how to help protect this species threatened by climate change, habitat loss, and pesticides. With the wonderfully detailed illustrations by Eileen Ryan Ewen, every page of this book shows all the wonderful and miraculous benefits of bees. A perfect addition to any classroom library, or gift for any beginning beekeeper.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 19:02:53", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009131091", "title": "Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos OH MY!: Animal Artwork by Children in Sub-Saharan Africa", "author": "John Platt and Moira Rose Donohue", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 230, "review": "Lions & Cheetahs & Rhinos Oh My!: Animal Artwork by Children in Sub-Saharan Africa is filled with a plethora of interesting facts about animals who inhabit the vast plains of Sub-Saharan Africa. Children will learn about the distinctive and identifying markings of cheetahs, zebras, and giraffes. They\u2019ll also be educated about how amazingly how tall giraffes stand, reaching the height of three basketball players standing on top of each other. Youth will be taught about family lineages as well concerning impalas and hippos. As they read, they\u2019ll be able to see original artwork created by students in Sub-Saharan Africa. Their pictures cover every page of the text, accentuating the words that accompany them.

This is a gorgeously illustrated work of non-fiction. The students\u2019 pictures are exquisitely crafted and add a rich quality to the text. There is a note to readers at the end of the book that delineates the authors\u2019 outreach to marginalized youth in Africa through their How to Draw a Lion Program. The proceeds of the book will be donated to help fund the program, which is likely to grip the heartstrings of some readers. When they discover the children whose artwork is featured in it are all relatively young, they will be touched and awed by their talent. Additionally, teachers of science, social studies, and language arts will find this a valuable resource for their classrooms.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 18:58:11", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009131087", "title": "Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie Starring Indigo Blume", "author": "Kwame Alexander, Illustrated by Tim Bowers", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 202, "review": "Indigo Blume is having a good day cleaning up the city in preparation for the Garden City Community Festival until everything suddenly changes. Indigo learns that the whole school is coming to watch her sing at the festival the next day. She panics and heads home to tell her parents. Her mom and dad believe in her, and she wants to believe in herself, too. But there will be so many people at the festival tomorrow, and Indigo does not know how to be brave. When she falls asleep that night, she dreams of Acoustic Rooster and his Barnyard Band. She joins their band and helps them rally to save their home after it is destroyed in a storm. When Miss Dairy Parton loses her voice, Indigo must step in. Can she find her voice to help save the barn, and to perform at the Garden City Community Festival when she wakes up?

Acoustic Rooster\u2019s Barnyard Boogie Starring Indigo Blume is the second Acoustic Rooster book by Kwame Alexander and illustrator Tim Bowers, and based on the Kennedy Center Musical. It is a fun, lyrical picture book with a cast of silly barnyard characters, who help a young girl find her confidence.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 18:55:25", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009131075", "title": "The Lying Life of Adults", "author": "Elena Ferrante", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 216, "review": "Life isn\u2019t easy for teenage Giovanna. After overhearing her father compare her appearance to that of her reviled aunt Vittoria, Giovanna becomes obsessed with meeting her aunt so she can see Vittoria\u2019s face for herself. Feeling guilty for what Giovanna overheard, her parents agree to the meeting. Though they themselves keep their distance, Giovanna grows close to Vittoria and her neighbors, eventually growing closer to these volatile teenagers than she is to her childhood friends Angela and Ida. Meanwhile, Giovanna\u2019s home life implodes when her father\u2019s affair with Angela and Ida\u2019s mother is revealed. Faced on all sides with adults\u2019 inexplicable, tangled relationships, Giovanna must navigate her own coming of age in a Naples that offers too much raw heartache.

Ferrante, true to form, is unflinching in her depiction of female adolescence, and the title alone is a clear indication of what Giovanna will discover as she journeys to adulthood. Mistakes, grudges, betrayals, heartbreak, infidelity, cruelty--all of these things have been in Giovanna\u2019s life, but only when she casts off her childhood can she see them clearly. Giovanna senses that female friendship are critically important, but even those are mercurial and, sometimes, full of shame. Lying Life is a clear-eyed, evocative reminder that the terrain of adulthood is as fraught as the darkest corners of Naples.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 18:42:14", "publisher": "Europa Editions", "page_count": "324 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009131071", "title": "Little Penguin Rescue (Little Animal Rescue)", "author": "Rachel Delahaye", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 255, "review": "Callie is planning on enjoying the snowy day by having a snowball fight with her neighbors. When she goes to get some items to help her gather snow faster, she is transported from her home to the South Pole. She finds herself in a research station; no one is there, but she finds a radio and gear. Callie decides to go outside and explore after hearing the penguins. She learns they are Adelie penguins. Callie discovers one of the penguins is injured. She decides to help the chick survive, but ice, freezing temperatures, and other dangers are threatening. Will Callie and the penguins be able to survive the harsh Antarctica summer?

I thought the word choice was good for a chapter book. I liked the information about penguins and Antarctica that were intertwined in the story. I liked the subject matter, which was very age appropriate. The illustrations were beautiful pencil drawings. I felt they added a lot to the story. I had to reread the teleportation part a couple of times because I was not sure what had happened. I wish there was a little more clue that she was teleporting in the beginning and end. It seems like magic happens for no reason. A couple of things seemed not very believable. \nI wish that there might have been a different danger because they just seem like they were stuck on the ice for half of the story. I would recommend this book for children who can read basic chapter books, around ages 6-9.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 18:38:08", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009131067", "title": "Little Lion Rescue (Little Animal Rescue)", "author": "Rachel Delahaye", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 10", "word_count": 176, "review": "Little Lion Rescue is a not very good \u201canimal rescue\u201d book. It tells the story of a young girl who is magically transported to Africa and helps a young lion in need. Even though it has a good plot, there are many others in this genre, and this one is not well written. Its descriptions of life on the African plains are fairly good, but the words don\u2019t connect well. If you do want to read it, I think that kids in kindergarten to second grade would enjoy it. And, if you like the Magic Tree House series it might be enjoyable. I think that if you like adventure stories you might like it as it is basically an adventure with an animal rescue twist. If you like \u201canimal rescue\u201d books, then you may also like this one. I think that libraries might want a copy, but it is the sort of book you probably will read only once. This is a book that is for young kids who want a little lion of their own!", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 18:34:31", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009131063", "title": "The Weekend: A Novel ", "author": "Charlotte Wood", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 183, "review": "The Weekend is a poignant tribute to the lives of four older women who have been friends for a lifetime. Jude, Wendy, and Adele reunite at their friend Sylvie's beach house after Sylvie has passed away. Memories are shared around the table as the three women reflect back on their lives. Wendy, widowed by her husband Lance, has Finn, a dog that Sylvie gave to her as a gift. Finn is now old and throughout the book has accident after accident, upsetting Jude at every turn as she just wants things to be perfect for the selling of Sylvie's house. Adele, a retired actress, still acts as if she is young and carefree, not realizing that people may be laughing at her rather than with her.

This book is wonderfully written from all three women's points of view. The descriptions of scenery as well as the expressions of the characters really bring the story to life. The Weekend easily evokes feelings of sadness, happiness accompanied by tears, laughter, and sorrow. Although the plot itself is not complicated, it is a satisfyingly peaceful read.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 18:31:38", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009131059", "title": "Ordinary Hazards: A Novel", "author": "Anna Bruno", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 209, "review": "Ordinary Hazards is a beautiful read that tells us the story of a woman named Emma. The book mainly takes place at the local bar where she and her ex-husband Lucas would hang out with his (and now her) friends. There's Jimmy, Cal, two Petes, and Martin. The book has an underlying feeling of pain that Emma is trying so desperately to drown with alcohol, and yet, at the beginning of the book, we don't know why. It is not until the story unfolds that we realize that an absolute horrible tragedy has struck this woman and that the numbness that she desires is not so unwarranted. The reader wants to know why the perfect couple of \"Lucas and Emma\" has split up because they seem to belong together so very much.

The book was a bit slow to start because it needed to develop the characters and their imperfections and quirks. However, as the story is revealed it quickens the pace and the reader is left wanting to know more. There were parts of the book that flashed from present to future and were a bit confusing, and the chapters were quite long. The book in its entirety is wonderful and heartwarming and heart-wrenching at the same time.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 18:23:49", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009131039", "title": "The Lantern Men (Ruth Galloway Mysteries Book 12)", "author": "Elly Griffiths", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 248, "review": "In Elly Griffiths\u2019 The Lantern Men we join Ruth Galloway two years after the events of The Stone Circle, having made some drastic changes in her life. She has accepted a lecturer position at Cambridge University, rented out her beloved cottage on Saltmarsh, and she and her daughter Kate, now nine, are now living with American historian Frank Barker. Her hopes for a normal life are short-lived however when she receives a phone call from Nelson who asks her to step back into her former forensic archaeologist position. He informs her that the convicted killer, Ivor March, is willing to give them the location of two other bodies but only if Ruth is the one in charge of the exhumation. Why does March insist on her involvement when it will only lead to more convictions? And why is Ruth so willing to rush back into the chaotic life she seemed to want to escape from?

Griffiths does not disappoint with the 12th book in this series. Whether she is bringing back an old favorite such as Clough or introducing a new detective like Tony Zhang, Griffiths gives us believable yet fallible characters who draw us in and settings like the Saltmarsh which have us rushing to book tickets to the UK. Don\u2019t read this book as a stand-alone novel or you will be missing out on a considerable amount of necessary character backstory. That said, why on earth wouldn\u2019t you want to read the rest of the series?", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 18:09:50", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "373 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009131035", "title": "Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio", "author": "Derf Backderf", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 244, "review": "Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio is a graphic novel account of the events that unfolded at Kent State in May 1970. I found it interesting, emotional, and informative. To say that it is moving would be an understatement. To say that it is painstakingly researched and referenced would also be an understatement. I wish I could give all my American history students a copy of this book.

Backderf introduces readers to the four students who were killed, and we get to know them a little bit. We also read accounts of their last conversations with, for example, their parents. We learn about the summer plans that they had, one student\u2019s attempt to rescue a dog, and their thoughts on the Vietnam draft and SDS. The power of the book lies in replacing the names in history books with real lives, personalities, and relationships, not only with those who died, but with their friends, too.

The book analyzes what is known about why the guard killed the students and seriously injured nine others, but it does not fill holes with rumors. Backderf uses conversations that he has had, in addition to all the primary and secondary sources available. He explains the infiltration of the FBI and other agencies on campus, as well as the culture and shortcomings of the Ohio National Guard, local politicians, and campus administration. The story of what happened that day is complicated, but it is served well in this book.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 18:07:16", "publisher": "Abrams ComicArts", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009131031", "title": "Demagogue: The Life and Long Shadow of Senator Joe McCarthy", "author": "Larry Tye", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 230, "review": "Senator Joe McCarthy held the United States spellbound with allegations of Communists run rampant in the United States Government. That spell lasted four years until McCarthy would be censured and began his ignominious retreat which would be blunted by his early death in 1957. His rise and fall were viewed as excessive Cold War paranoia. Demagogue by Larry Tye seeks to clarify the record about past distortions. Joe McCarthy hailed from Grand Chute, Wisconsin, the son of hardworking Irish farmers. Joe possessed a friendly disposition, yet was also hyperactive which led him to take risks without thinking of the consequences. His success in life was on par with setbacks, but his hard work was unmistakable. His war service, which his detractors would use to mock him, was actually exemplary. Embellishment would be his downfall, particularly as he became the grand inquisitor of the Communist Witch hunts which would ruin incalculable lives.

Demagogue is the most recent biography of the controversial Senator from Wisconsin. From the outset, Tye offers up some new information in regards to past allegations hurled about McCarthy in the wake of his efforts to root out Communists. The research done is thorough and well-chronicled, the subject rendered much more complex and tragic. The fine work offered by Tye provides parallels to our current world where one can wield the bully pulpit to incredible harm. A masterful biography.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 18:01:22", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "608 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009131027", "title": "How You Say It: Why You Talk the Way You Do\u2015And What It Says About You", "author": "Katherine D. Kinzler", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 213, "review": "Think of all the phone conversations you\u2019ve had with strangers and the pictures you\u2019ve drawn of the talker\u2019s appearance just from the sound of the voice and how they speak. Psychologist Katherine Kinzler from the University of Chicago claims that it is what we say and how it is said that determines our social status in the minds of the listener. From studies with infants and young children, psycholinguists have found that it is not physical appearance or color differences that provoke favor or disfavor, rather it is the speaking voice that affects emotion. The more similar and familiar, the more comfortable; we tend to shun strange foreign or accented tongues. Those speaking with strange or foreign accents do not rate high on approval scales. Many studies indicate that those who are bilingual show greater empathy for foreigners than monolingual speakers. While learning a second language in youth was formerly discouraged, it has been shown that young children can easily acquire multilingual capability during the early years when the language center is malleable and developing. This is an interesting look at how language and speaking dexterity develop and is filled with many illustrative anecdotes. While it is an easy and quick read, the only complaint is an excessive repetition of the same material.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 17:55:28", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009131023", "title": "Diana and the Island of No Return (Wonder Woman Adventures)", "author": "Aisha Saeed", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 236, "review": "Princess Diana is awaiting the arrival of her best friend Princess Sakina. They are to attend the Chara Festival. Diana and Sakina plan on talking about their big dreams and having a week of fun and learning. Diana wants to train to be a warrior and Sakina wants to be an apprentice at the library.

When Diana finds a boy has stowed away on a ship, chaos begins to ensue from her keeping secrets to misinformation to the boy making everyone on the island fall asleep. Diana must figure out how to rescue her people even if it means traveling to an island she can\u2019t leave.

I loved the beginning with the description of the festival, and I love the battle of the demon and waking everyone at the end. I did not love the middle. I felt less time could have been taken for the characters getting to the island, characters getting through traps, and having a harder time getting the ingredients they need to defeat the demon. It needed a bit more tension.

The style seemed appropriate for the adventure type of book and good for a middle-grade book.

Diana's voice seemed to fit a middle school age well. I felt like the character\u2019s voices weren\u2019t super strong with any character. I know that is hard with it being an already known character. I recommend this book for children ages ten and older.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 17:53:45", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009131015", "title": "The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For", "author": "Alison Bechdel", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 199, "review": "In recent years, Alison Bechdel has become perhaps most widely known for authoring the graphic memoir Fun Home, which was adapted into a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical in 2015. Before the success of Fun Home, though, Bechdel established her career with Dykes to Watch Out For, a comic strip following the trials and tribulations of a community of lesbian women. The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For collects strips from 1987 to 2008 into a single volume, allowing readers to follow along with Bechdel\u2019s cast of characters as they deal with their love lives, career choices, and politics over the years.

Bechdel\u2019s comic is funny and incisive but also warm, her characters sometimes humorously over the top but always deeply relatable. Although we are now decades removed from some of the specific political events Bechdel\u2019s characters were grappling with, the political concerns that The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For explores remain relevant today. Every part of the collection feels true to life and resonant, capturing life as it was at the time of the comics\u2019 publication while also taking on new meaning in the present context. Witty and well-drawn, The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For is essential reading.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "17-Oct-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 17:45:01", "publisher": "Mariner Books", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009131007", "title": "The Craft: How the Freemasons Made the Modern World", "author": "John Dickie", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 234, "review": "A group of individuals gathering in lodges or clubs with mysterious rituals arouse suspicion in Europe. A remnant of the Inquisition remains in Europe, which views groups such as the Freemasons as heretics. A member of the group, John Coustos, allegedly reveals all to his interrogators after threats of torture. The alleged members of the Freemasons compose a hodgepodge of elite and powerful, mixed with members of lower levels of society. The Freemasons emerged in Scotland mainly as craft guilds. The membership and the inherent secrecy evolved as Freemasonry traveled to London. The prevalence of Freemasonry varied with the winds of change in politics, from key positions to convenient scapegoats. The Founding Fathers of the United States, including Ben Franklin and George Washington, were enthusiastic members and proponents. The group faced scrutiny for its doublespeak and hypocrisy on inclusiveness and viewed with skepticism as certain Freemasons surfaced around infamous events, such as Licio Gelli and P2 in Italy. Freemasonry has dwindled in membership but is still around and important to its diehard members.

The Craft is a thorough and probing view of the storied and perplexing Freemasons. Author John Dickie does an admirable job of tracking the evolution of Freemasonry throughout six centuries. Those seeking confirmation of Freemasons\u2019 involvement in cabals may be disappointed, as Dickie remains agnostic on their role in conspiracies. However, this is not a deterrent to an overall excellent book.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 17:38:30", "publisher": "PublicAffairs", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009131003", "title": "In Defense of Looting: A Riotous History of Uncivil Action", "author": "Vicky Osterweil", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 212, "review": "\"The future is ours to take. We just need to loot it.\" That's one hell of a provocative statement, and it\u2019s found in the book's introduction. But it fits. This is a book about provocation, how certain provocative acts are viewed positively while others (rioting and looting) are condemned.

In Defense of Looting incisively explores the history of revolution, breaking down the myths that not only reinforce white supremacy, but also whitewash civil rights struggles and revolutionary acts, removing valuable tools from the arsenals of those who need them most.

I knew this book would challenge my beliefs and presuppositions, but I had no idea how effectively it would do so. I could name any number of examples, but I'll limit myself to one that left me dumbstruck: many books about slavery don't teach us anything new and instead are simply profiting from Black deaths by focusing on the more prurient details.

In Defense of Looting is not merely playing devil's advocate or being provocative for the sake of being provocative, it is full-force challenging everyone to take a hard look at a hard subject, to stare slavery and injustice square in the eyes and not blink. I blinked. You probably will too. But keep looking. Here's a good place to start.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "18-Feb-2022", "date_added": "03-Sep-2020 17:34:45", "publisher": "Bold Type Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009129023", "title": "What They Don\u2019t Teach Teens: Life Safety Skills for Teens and the Adults Who Care for Them ", "author": "Jonathan Cristall", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 220, "review": "It\u2019s hard enough to navigate life, let alone being an adolescent in today\u2019s world. Jonathan Cristall, Esq. has taken some touchy subjects and distilled them into an easy-to-read guide for teens and those who love them. \u2028\u2028Information is broken into one of three sections: dealing with police and street safety, sexual violence and misconduct, and staying safer online.

The information in this book is laid out in clear, easy-to-read, conversational language. The author provides some guidance as to what teens' options might be in the situations. The very end of the chapter offers a brief quiz to make sure readers are comprehending the information. For this reason, the book is a great tool to work through alongside a teenager to talk through the information and real-world situations.

The content is pretty heavy and some of it can be bleak, such as gun violence and how to react if you suspect someone might perpetrate a gun crime, so this would be good to go through with the teen in your life to offer guidance and support. There are multiple information-packed appendices in the back of the book, including tips for parents on how to approach the information in the book with their teens.

This is a very valuable guide to tough topics that are relevant in the lives of young people. Highly recommended.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "05-May-2021", "date_added": "02-Sep-2020 17:59:10", "publisher": "Quill Driver Books", "page_count": "358 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009129019", "title": "Space 2069: After Apollo: Back to the Moon, to Mars, and Beyond", "author": "David Whitehouse", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 190, "review": "We have dreamed about living beyond the Earth's grasp for more than a century, tantalized by space missions and ever-improving photography that tells us more about the wonders of our solar system. But for all that talk, all that pondering, we still haven't even been back to the Moon, let alone deeper into the solar system.

Space 2069 explores one possible path to take us to those lofty goals. Part fictional recounting of a potential future, part history of modern efforts to explore the Moon, Mars, and more, this book marries the hard truths about space travel with the romantic notions that drive us to keep trying.

There are plenty of books out there about space missions, about proposed, postponed, and cancelled projects, and about the many promised great leaps forward in space technology and human achievement to come, but this is the first book in a long time to really make you believe all that is possible. It's a roadmap, a cautionary tale, and a love letter all in one.

Books like Space 2069 are just what we need to kickstart a renewed interest in exploration beyond our atmosphere.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "18-Feb-2022", "date_added": "02-Sep-2020 17:55:17", "publisher": "Icon Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009128003", "title": "Toot Fairy", "author": "Brian Donnelly", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Heidi Rojek", "word_count": 311, "review": "Toot Fairy is an adorably illustrated story about Irma, who is starting Tooth school in order to become a Tooth Fairy. We soon learn that little Irma has a bit of a flatulence problem due to sensitivity to lactose intolerance. Like so many kids in \"regular\" school, she also wants to fit in with everyone else. When her classmates are having lunch together and offer her a glass of milk, even though she knows what will ensue, she decides to drink it anyway. Her tummy rumbles and gurgles, and she lets out an unmistakable toot. Her teacher scolds her for disrupting the class and not being able to be a good Tooth Fairy. Irma put all of her concentration into not farting that her school exams suffered. While her classmates celebrated their graduation, Irma sulked in the hallway. Then came a tooth assignment that only she can fulfill.

I read this to my five-year-old granddaughter, whose father is lactose-intolerant. We first started a conversation about what that means, which led to a discussion about genetics and inheriting certain things from our parents. Toot Fairy is a unique book on a subject I've not seen written about in a picture book. In an era where we preach inclusion to our children, it's nice to not only see a book on a topic such as this but also to see a child wearing rainbow-colored socks. It's a great message about how there is a place for all of us, no matter what our challenges might be. The illustrations are beautifully created and the story has a rhyming flow to it that captivated my granddaughter. My only complaint was that perhaps some of the words chosen will be above the intended audiences' heads. I found myself stopping at those words so I could explain what they meant, which only interrupted the flow of the story.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "02-Sep-2020 01:17:13", "publisher": "Mythographer's Workshop", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009127055", "title": "Anxious People: A Novel", "author": "Fredrik Backman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 260, "review": "This is one of the best books I\u2019ve read this year. Fredrik Backman has a way of taking the most neurotic characters and making his reader feel sympathy for them. In Anxious People, he tells us that it is a story about idiots. Or maybe it\u2019s a story about two policemen. But really, it is a story about a group of people brought together by accident at an apartment showing. There is a bank robber, a real-estate agent, a couple of \u201cStockholmers,\u201d an elderly lady, an older couple, and a snooty bank worker. Everyone is stuck in an apartment trying to figure out what it is the bank robber wants, even though the bank robber doesn\u2019t even know. The two policemen on the case interview the \u201chostages\u201d afterward and are quite funny themselves. They are a father-son team who clearly love one another very much.

The characters are odd, a bit crazy, and although I wouldn\u2019t call them any more idiotic than any other people out there, they all seem to be at extremely different stages of their lives. I especially loved Anna-Lena and Roger, the older couple who were there to try and flip the apartment. They had lots of different little schemes to make the other prospective buyers not want the place so that they could purchase it for less, renovate it, and sell it for profit.

This book brings in themes of suicide, human nature, kindness, and feelings just beautifully. It is a must-read for anyone who wants a good laugh that will also make them cry.", "issue": "October 2020", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2020", "date_added": "01-Sep-2020 19:54:56", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009127051", "title": "Other Poems of Longing", "author": "Juan-Paolo Perre", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 213, "review": "Is it not intrusive to critique poetry? Even when feelings are not revealed, unashamed like a dying blossom from the Rose of Sharon, there is an element of unease. Juan-Paolo Perre is a poet of stature. Other Poems of Longing, his new selection, will gratify all who embraced //Carmina: The Nomad Odes//. A musician, author, an actor, still he is tempted to reach into poetry, the medium of catharsis and angst. \nThe poems invite no profound torment, more like a bitter sweet emotion. Surely the best, if not the most evocative, are those he composed in Rome where the universality of the of the sun\u2019s variation reaches furthest.

\nThe sun is less angry now
\nThe wind blows like balm
\nDaylight is growing far less unreasonable\u2026.

\n\nAnd, more graphically,

\n\nAt plain day there is this sun
\nBut today, too, a haze

\n\nA thick, white sock.
\nAround the sky covering
\nIts wounded foot.

\n\nA handful of the poems strive to baffle: short, unmatching lines with the words like scarves we knitted as children, each row gain one-lose one stitch. The concluding False Alarm leaves a less endearing taste than Infrastructures, \u2018in the form of eulogy,\u2019 on the preceding page:

\n\nToday I was having the most halcyon
\nOf days when suddenly unwilled,
\nI thought of you.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "01-Sep-2020 19:50:09", "publisher": "Siena Press", "page_count": "70 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009127039", "title": "Field Notes from an Unintentional Birder: A Memoir", "author": "Julia Zarankin", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 218, "review": "This memoir tells how a red-winged blackbird infected a talented multilingual professor who has a passion for bird-watching. Julia Zarankin was a Russian child immigrant raised amidst a musically talented family in Toronto and Vancouver. She was endowed with scholastic linguistic talent and was employed as a professor of comparative literature, yet she felt a void in her personal and professional life and ultimately found a soothing relationship with birds. With intrepid courage, she joined birders on their weekly outings and was never shy to admit her embarrassing mistakes in identification. Like any new student, she clumsily ventured into the routine of joining birding excursions, checking aviary references, reveling in correct sightings, and learning by laughing at her bumbling erroneous spottings. Each chapter of these reminisces of bird-watching adventures enchants the reader with its witty, gracefully charming descriptions of how an avocation invoking one with the mysterious migrations, habits, and uniqueness of the avian species can turn into such a satisfying passion. While her own life story remains somewhat elusive, her ardor for the birds and their influence of her own nature are delightfully drawn for the reader. Bird watchers will adore this painting of their craft, while other readers might be tempted to raise their eyes and perk their ears to better see and hear the birds.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "01-Sep-2020 19:30:26", "publisher": "Douglas & McIntyre", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009254003", "title": "Raider of the Scottish Coast", "author": "Marc Liebman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 471, "review": "The bar was set incredibly high for Age of Sail books when Patrick O\u2019Brian created Jack Aubrey and wrote his incomplete twenty-book series that began with Master and Commander, and ended with the author\u2019s unfortunate passing; much as J. R. R. Tolkien set the standard and foundation for the epic fantasy genre, so O\u2019Brian did the same for the Age of Sail genre. There are few authors that take on the challenge to pen an Age of Sail novel and series: you\u2019ve got to get the history right (depending on the time period your series is set in), as well as the many details of these great ships and how the crews do their job, and then have interesting characters and a compelling story. It\u2019s a tall order to be sure, but Marc Liebman does that job and does it very well in this first book of the Jaco Jacinto series, Raiders of the Scottish Coast.

O\u2019Brian\u2019s long series took on the Napoleonic war, while Liebman dives into another familiar and eventful time period: the American revolution; the year is 1775. What makes this story so fun is that we have two main characters on opposite sides, both teenagers: Jaco Jacinto and Darren Smythe. Both are young and relatively new to ships on the high seas. Jacinto is from Charleston, South Carolina, serving as a midshipman in the American navy, looking to forge a new nation. Smythe, from Gosport, England, is also a midshipman, is looking to succeed in the British navy, as the empire is taking on rebellious colonials in the west, as well their old enemy in the east, the French. We get to see both sides of this growing war, as these two climb the ranks and experience naval battle in its many forms. The reader is taken for the far north, frigid coasts of Nova Scotia and Scotland, to the much warmer, balmier climes of Nassau and the Bahamas.

It\u2019s not easy to balance providing details on sailing and the operation of a square-rigger while pushing your plot along, and making sure to provide the historical context; nevertheless, Liebman does a wonderful job with it. The reader comes across a new term or action being carried out, and before they can ask what the word means or what\u2019s going on, the author is there explaining it in as much detail as is necessary to understand, and then the scene continues with the reader now fully understanding what is going on. But it never feels awkward or forced; it all reads in a natural flow that keeps the story going and doesn\u2019t lose the reader. Liebman shows he clearly knows what he\u2019s talking about, and also has a captivating story to tell. Readers will be hooked to the end and eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "30-Oct-2020 17:49:56", "publisher": "Penmore Press", "page_count": "458 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009253003", "title": "Raider of the Scottish Coast", "author": "Marc Liebman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ralph Peterson", "word_count": 418, "review": "I really enjoyed reading Raiders of the Scottish Coast by Marc Liebman. The story is of the coming of age of two young men: one in the Royal Navy of England, and one in the fledgling Navy of the United States. It takes place during the early days of the Revolutionary War, in the sailing ships of the time. Jaco is a southerner who begins by sailing on his father\u2019s merchant ships, and then becomes an officer in the Continental Navy. Darren has always loved the sea and sailing; and joins as a Midshipmen in the Royal Navy. Both love to learn, love to improvise, and want to excel at seamanship. Both rise through the ranks, becoming a captain in Jaco\u2019s case and a second-in-command in Darren\u2019s case. Both have good mentors and bad captains to deal with. Each survives by a combination of honesty, courage, leadership, and luck.

The author\u2019s writing style, especially in the battle scenes between ships, made me feel like I was aboard, shifting sails for the least bit of advantage, bringing my cannons to bear, training my crews to fire faster and more accurately at the enemy, and thinking, always learning, and plotting how to make the most of my ship.

There are many references to sails, rigging, masts, cannon, shot, powder, arms, watches, sails, lumber, and a myriad of other items important to the age of sail. The author details just the right amount of information without bogging down the story with minutiae. The references keep the story informative, and helped to move the story along exceeding fast at the correct time.

What makes this book so delightful is the balance the author manages with the several factors of this genre. These are young men, growing into manhood, and though there is a bit of romance, it is not a focus of their young lives. There is death and destruction; his protagonists accept that fact and move on, as it is part of the life they have chosen. There are bad commanders and injustice from men and circumstances; they deal with it and move on. There are mercies and friendships; they enjoy them and move on. Never does the author let his protagonists stall or wallow in any of it. This is a story of extraordinary boys becoming iron men on wooden ships.

Finally, it is a delight to read of men not burdened with doubt, who dedicate themselves to that which they believe in and strive to excel at the tasks they have set themselves.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "30-Oct-2020 14:23:37", "publisher": "Penmore Press", "page_count": "458 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009252003", "title": "A Story of Karma", "author": "Michael Schauch", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 446, "review": "In 2012, Michael Schauch and his wife Chantal, along with a team of guides, porters, and a musician, artist, and photographer, set out to discover Nepal's lost valley area, near the border with Tibet. Initially, Michael had plans to climb a pyramid-shaped mountain he had seen in photos back in his home town of Vancouver, Canada. He also wanted to explore and document the local culture and customs of the highland people who live in the area.

Once he arrived and found the mountain as alluring as it had been in the photographs, he had a change of heart about climbing it. This decision changed his life because it gave him more time to spend in the mountain village of Nar, far off the beaten track. In this village, he met a seven-year-old girl named Karma, who was teaching her schoolmates in a makeshift school. Michael and Chantal, with the permission of Karma's parents, decided to help her further her education outside the small mountain village where she would hopefully be able to one day return and help others.

A Story of Karma is a heartwarming and touching tale about fate and what happens when you let go and follow your heart into the unknown. By doing this, the author found something special, a connection to a new family and a new culture, both of which meant the world to him. Impressed by the generosity and spiritual nature of the people he met in Nepal, he, in turn, answered with a generosity of his own through the gift of education.

Reading this book, I was struck by the fact that what made it so fascinating was the care and attention to detail. I loved that Schauch shared his views about traveling and his interest in indigenous people. I, too, have often wondered what kind of wisdom and knowledge the world is losing when these people, along with their cultures and traditions, vanish. It's refreshing to know that there are those ready to document these traditions and share them with others. I'm also thankful that he included numerous photos from his journey. It made me feel so much more connected to the people, the area, and the story as a whole.

I'm sure anyone who reads this book will feel as moved as I did. Frankly, this well-written tale of adventure and discovery comes at the perfect time. As most of us are prevented from traveling, this book made me feel like I had been almost to the ends of the Earth. I enjoyed ever bit of the journey, and I hope that Karma and her sister Pemba will continue to thrive and succeed in the future.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "12-Jan-2021", "date_added": "30-Oct-2020 06:50:42", "publisher": "Rocky Mountain Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009251179", "title": "The AFib Cure: Get Off Your Medications, Take Control of Your Health, and Add Years to Your Life", "author": "John D. Day, MD and T. Jared Bunch, MD with Matthew LaPlante", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 184, "review": "The AFib Cure is an excellent book that everyone should read. With so many people experiencing the irregular rhythm in the heart known as atrial fibrillation, it is important to know the options one has when dealing with it. No one wants to be dependent on a bunch of pharmaceuticals, and in this book Doctors Day and Bunch show that there are ways to get off the drugs and lead a healthy life again.

Tracking several markers is crucial to know what your body is doing. There is a list of nine things that everyone should track: EKG using a smartwatch, sleep, exercise, stress, weight, food, meds, blood pressure, and certain biomarkers that are talked about in the book. The book gives several examples of people who have been able to successfully come off of their meds.

The AFib Cure also addresses the procedure of ablation and the risks involved as well as the questions you should ask your doctor before having the procedure done. This book is chock full of information ranging from drugs and supplements to various procedures related to atrial fibrillation.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "30-Oct-2020 00:00:42", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "230 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009251163", "title": "Faithful in Love (Cliff Walk Cousins)", "author": "Cecily K. Wolfe", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 195, "review": "The love story of Faith Davenport, the wealthy daughter of a New England charity family, and Nico d\u2019Amici, a child of Italian immigrants, isn\u2019t just a story of star-crossed lovers. It isn\u2019t just a mystery. It isn\u2019t just a Christian romance. It\u2019s all of these things and a little more, one of those rare books that become more than the sum of its parts.

And I loved it.

I have to confess that Christian romances aren\u2019t usually my cup of tea, but this one hit the balance between the two genres perfectly. There wasn\u2019t so much focus on Faith and Nico\u2019s love for one another that God was all but forgotten, but neither did the story become little more than an attempt to moralize to the readers. Instead, the faith of all the characters gave them depth and maturity often lost in other books. Even innocent Faith was clearly a woman rather than just a hapless girl in the grip of her first affection.

My one complaint is that I wish the secondary characters could have had a little more depth. As it was, they felt like caricatures rather than people in their own right.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 23:36:03", "publisher": "Independently Published", "page_count": "314 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009251159", "title": "The Lovely Haze of Baby Days", "author": "Lindsay Kellar-Madsen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 210, "review": "The Lovely Haze of Baby Days\u201d is a sweet celebration of new motherhood- sweet but not saccharine. It's told from the perspective of a mother narrating her thoughts to her young baby. While there is plenty of adoration, there is also the acknowledgment of blowouts, sleepless nights, and frustration in the rhyming couplets. I also appreciated the diversity of mothers portrayed. The bright and cheery illustrations had me reminiscing of the first days after my babies were born and how everything seemed to be surrounded in a glow, the lows were low but right now I only remember the good. This would make a perfect gift for a new mom. The curving nature of the text and illustrations were a treat for the eye to follow, conveying the rhythm of days with a young baby. The illustrations appear to be done in watercolor, acrylic, gouache and have a vivid richness, almost jewel tone. The mothers are featured in the center of the story with long hair spiraled all around, resembling a nautilus shell. I also appreciate that this story centered on the perspective of the mother, and that her musings were wonderous and pedestrian, and that they allowed the full range of emotion. Not many stories about mothers do that.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "17-May-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 23:27:15", "publisher": "Little Otter Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009251151", "title": "Double Deceit", "author": "Julienne Brouwers", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 208, "review": "Jennifer and her family are on vacation when her husband, Oliver, dies. As shocking as that is, while Jennifer is grieving, she discovers that Oliver had many secrets. She tries to put her life back together, but can\u2019t stop thinking about the woman he was having an affair with. She decides to contact her, and in a weird twist of fate, they discover that their husbands worked for the same law firm and that there were some shady things going on there. They both decide to investigate further, but are met with threatening notes. It\u2019s clear their lives are in danger and that Oliver\u2019s death might not have been an accident.

I wish I could say this was a good book, but I cannot. The characters were disjointed and unrelatable. The storytelling was of the most basic kind, with incredibly short chapters and almost no descriptions. The idea itself was not very original and the storytelling did nothing to make it worthwhile. I hate giving bad reviews because I do understand how much work goes into writing a novel and that the author cares about their story. However, I cannot recommend this book as it is right now. It feels like a first draft, not a finished story.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 22:26:34", "publisher": "JB Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009251131", "title": "Peter, the Paranoid Pumpkin", "author": "Andy Goldenberg", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 204, "review": "There is a pumpkin named Peter who is scared of Halloween. He is scared that the kids dressed up in costumes aren't actually kids but the monsters they are dressed up as. He is afraid that the black cat that walks by him will turn into a witch! He feels anxious about everything. He wishes the other pumpkins around him would smile, and then he might feel better. He is scared of the candy because he might get fat. At the end of the story, he realized that it was all just his imagination. He took some deep breaths and calmed down.

I liked looking at the pictures because they are so pretty; I liked seeing the pages with the black cat on them. I didn't know what anxious or paranoid meant, but after reading this book, I do now. I don't feel anxious very often, but I learned from Peter what to do when I do feel anxious next time. I think that this is a good book to read on Halloween because it has scary pumpkins and monsters. I also think this is a good book to read any other time because it teaches you that you don't have to be scared.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 20:49:56", "publisher": "Independently Published", "page_count": "26 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009251127", "title": "My Monsterpiece", "author": "Amalia Hoffman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 191, "review": "My Monsterpiece is the story about a kid who likes to draw monsters. The kid wants to draw scary monsters, but when he shows his family and his friend the pictures, they were not scared! The kid showed his mom the picture, but mom thought it was a fat cat. The kid showed dad another monster picture, and he guessed an owl. The kid showed his sister and friend different monster pictures, but they were not scared either. He was starting to get upset that he couldn't make a scary monster! He realized that maybe monsters don't have to be scary; maybe they can be fun. He started to wonder how monsters might think of kids if they were drawing them. That helped him to come up with the best monster drawing.

I liked this book because it's about drawing and monsters! The pictures were colorful because they had lots of different colors of paint on them. There were other things on the pictures, like fruit loops and yarn. This book was fun to see how monsters think of us kids, and it makes me want to draw some monsters soon!", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 20:45:50", "publisher": "Yeehoo Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009251119", "title": "The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction", "author": "Neil Gaiman", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kate Marusca", "word_count": 471, "review": "Fans of both Neil Gaiman and at-home exercise will be thrilled with the new release of The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction, which contains fifty-two short stories, novellas, and excerpts written over the course of the author\u2019s career and weighs enough to keep a reader\u2019s arms in shape while they enjoy its contents. The stories, most of which have been previously published in the previous collections \u201cSmoke and Mirrors,\u201d \u201cFragile Things,\u201d and \u201cTrigger Warning,\u201d will be a delight to returning fans and a joy to new readers.

Gaiman\u2019s way of taking the ordinary and shifting it just a little to the left, setting it just a bit askew, makes his works very interesting to read. One of my old favorites, \u201cChivalry,\u201d was voted by readers online for inclusion in this compendium, which made me smile. The way the story treats the fantastical as mundane until one shining, breathless moment that passes all too soon feels just right for the coziness of Mrs. Whitaker\u2019s life. It\u2019s a marvelous contrast to Enn of \u201cHow to Talk to Girls at Parties,\u201d who cannot, for the life of him, see the oddness surrounding him at the party he and his friend have gone to, so determined is he to finally hook up with a girl.

Gaiman's approach to horror is slow and quiet, less jump scares and blood and more just a creeping, gnawing sense that the reader is missing something. That something isn\u2019t quite right. In \u201cClick-Clack the Rattlebag,\u201d reading the story again feels almost necessary with the trick that\u2019s been played, not just on the main character, but on the reader. And in \u201cWe Can Get Them for You Wholesale,\u201d the banality of Mr. Pinter\u2019s interactions with the pest control company always feels just a little off, until the delightfully eerie end.

Lovecraft and Sherlock Holmes both make multiple appearances in the stories here, Lovecraft in four and Sherlock Holmes in two. In one marvelous case, they share the stage in \u201cA Study in Emerald,\u201d set in a world where the Elder Gods conquered Earth seven hundred years before and Queen Victoria numbers among them. In a parallel to \u201cA Study in Scarlet,\u201d the unnamed narrator and his consulting detective friend investigate a death marked only by the bloody word \u201cRache,\u201d but the strange backdrop and the unusual twists revealed to careful readers along the way make it a gripping new take.

This is a collection to devour or to linger over as your reading habits dictate. Read one a week, and stretch out the pleasure for a year, if you like. But no fan of Gaiman\u2019s short stories will want to miss this one. It feels as though it\u2019s being presented as a \u201cdefinitive edition\u201d \u2013 though at only sixty years of age, one can only hope that there are several more definitive editions to come.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "16-Nov-2020", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 20:33:39", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "752 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009251115", "title": "Love is Love: The Journey Continues (Love Around the World, 2)", "author": "Fleur Pierets, Illustrated by Fatinha Ramos", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - Age 7", "word_count": 126, "review": "I really like the colors in Love is Love: The Journey Continues (Love Around the World, 2). That kept making me flip that pages. The information in this book caused me to ask a lot of questions. My mom was able to help me understand what I did not. I thought this would be a fun book but it was more full of information. My older sisters liked the fun facts it had throughout but I wasn't as interested. I think this book should be kept for older kids. I think it is really neat that they are traveling the world and seeing cool places. I want to do that when I grow up. I also like that the pictures show different things from different countries.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 20:22:25", "publisher": "Six Foot Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009251099", "title": "Where I Come From: Stories from the Deep South", "author": "Rick Bragg", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 213, "review": "It is hard to read anything Rick Bragg writes without hearing a slow, deep Southern accent rolling out each word. Where I Come From: Stories from the Deep South is no exception.

Comprised of essays and articles written over the last decade for Southern Living and Garden and Gun magazines, the pieces run the gamut from a love of Tupperware, a hatred of the trend of Hot Chicken in Nashville, and the heartbreaking reality of what it means to watch an old way of life die. Bragg, an Alabaman by birth, writes of old men and women who wake at four in the morning for a jubilee\u2014a phenomenon in which sea creatures beach themselves for an hour or so during hurricane weather. He notes the power of the perfect tomato sandwich, the faulty permanence of an at-home perm, and the moment a child becomes\u2014in theory\u2014their parent\u2019s caretaker.

With every essay and every topic, Bragg makes it clear that the stories he tells from the deep South are, at their heart, the stories of the people who have touched him and created the world he loves so much. Where I Come From has something for everyone, and if you don\u2019t cry at least once while reading it, I do not know if we can be friends.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "06-Aug-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 20:06:55", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009251055", "title": "The Popularity Pact: School Squad: Book Two (The Popularity Pact, 2) ", "author": "Eileen Moskowitz-Palma", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 187, "review": "Ex-best friends Bea and Maisy have a deal: to help one another become popular. When Bea is accepted into the popular club, she feels that trying to keep her position is a full- time job. But it\u2019s totally worth it if she can stay popular, right? Maisy used to think being popular was the only thing she wanted. But when things start to change at home for Maisy, and she feels that being popular isn\u2019t everything, she decides to convince Bea this whole thing was a mistake. After all, they were better off together. Can Bea and Maisy fight their way through the web of drama and lies and rekindle their friendship again?

I thought this was a better book about middle school friendships than most. Throughout the entire book, I was rooting for Bea and Maisy to find their way back to each other and for Bea to realize that she was better off with Maisy than with all her fake friends. I also liked that the book had well-developed, relatable characters. I would recommend this book to any middle-schoolers wading through these types of social dynamics.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 19:23:02", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009251051", "title": "Loved and Wanted: A Memoir of Choice, Children, and Womanhood", "author": "Christa Parravani", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 238, "review": "Loved and Wanted: A Memoir of Choice, Children, and Womanhood reads quickly- as if the author is conveying her story through a coffee date conversation. The chapters are the breaks where Parravani stops to offer her children a snack, wipe someone\u2019s face or answer a question.

This memoir should be celebrated for two reasons: it shares the complexity of motherhood in a very accessible and empathetic way, and explains how women\u2019s reproductive choices are thwarted every day in ways that cannot be ignored.

Parravani is forty years old with two children and one steady source of income when she gets a positive pregnancy test. She is an adjunct professor at a West Virginia college and her husband is financially and emotionally unreliable. This unplanned pregnancy is a nudge to a precarious drop-off. The author and her family are barely scraping by monthly as it is. The tragedy is, Parravani wants to want this baby.

As required by law, she seeks abortion as early as possible but due to administrative bureaucracy and sabotage from healthcare systems, she is unable to. Parravani carries her son to term and he is loved and cherished. But her memoir closes with this \u201cLove is a word not strong enough to describe what I feel. But it\u2019s a word anti-choice laws and activists use to trap mothers\u2026 Choice is complex. I can both want to have had reasonable access to abortion and love and want my son.\u201d", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 19:18:16", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009251047", "title": "Talent: A Novel", "author": "B. Lynn Goodwin", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 181, "review": "High school sophomore Sandee Mason has been living in the shadow of her big brother, Brian, for several months, ever since he disappeared while serving in Afghanistan. Instead of obsessing over when Bri will return (or if he\u2019ll ever return), Sandee decides to step out of the shadows and audition for her school\u2019s spring production of Oklahoma!. She wants everyone to stop looking at her like she\u2019s the girl whose brother went missing, even if she still hears Bri talking to her sometimes.

Talent by B. Lynn Goodwin is a novel about family and identity. With strong, well-written characters, Goodwin takes readers backstage into the life of a fifteen-year-old who struggles to find her place in the world while navigating an overwhelming loss. The behind the scenes making of Oklahoma! is well rendered and a fun dive into a high school production. There are some portions of the plot with scenes that feel incomplete and choppy, but the emotional journey of the main character and her strong voice are a direct through line that makes the book hard to put down.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 19:15:17", "publisher": "Koehler Books", "page_count": "246 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009251039", "title": "Finding Latinx: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity", "author": "Paola Ramos", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 233, "review": "Americans who identify as Latino/x are diverse and dynamic, coming from multiple streams of geographic, linguistic, sociocultural, and faith traditions to create an emerging movement that cannot \u2013and will not \u2013 be contained in traditional racial and ethnic conceptualizations. In her quest to uplift the often untold and unfamiliar stories of Latinx people from all backgrounds through Finding Latinx: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity, journalist Paola Ramos embarked on a cross-country trip to tackle invisibility among new and established Americans who shared their struggles and aspirations.

Narratives of survival and adaptation are interspersed with resistance and resilience amid acts of ostracism, exclusion and violence. Latino/x communities are at once adapting to and changing both the socioeconomic and political dynamics of cities and towns in the West, Midwest, and Southern United States. Ramos challenges the stereotypes about Latinx identity, profiling Muslim Puerto Ricans; Mexican American struggling to overcome addiction in California\u2019s Central Valley; undocumented Afro-Latinx; Mayans who profess their faith in Q\u2019anjob\u2019al; and young people in the Twin Cities asserting pride in Latinidad in English, Spanish, and Spanglish.

Ramos\u2019 prose is both straightforward and heartfelt as she guides us through her own journey of embracing her identity as a queer Latinx. The stories evoke a Whitmanesque feel, unveiling the complex textures of indigenous, Latinx, Hispanic identities as multifaceted, and always rooted in love, pride, and the constant struggle for recognition, respect, and belonging.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 19:08:40", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009251031", "title": "Girl: A Novel", "author": "Edna O'Brien", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 226, "review": "The difficult landscape and the harrowing terror of the abduction of young girls in Nigeria by Boko Haram serve as the foundation for Edna O\u2019Brien\u2019s latest book, Girl: A Novel. Not for the faint of heart, the book chronicles in vivid and sickening detail the tragedies suffered by one character, Maryam, whose first line reads \u201cI was a girl once, but not anymore.\u201d

While Maryam\u2019s story is not universal\u2014the novel makes it clear that her fate is not as bad as the fates of others\u2014it is singular. At different turns, O\u2019Brien offers small glimpses into the lives of other women, but it is Maryam\u2019s story that ties the book together. When she is abducted from her school alongside other girls, Maryam hopes and prays to be returned to her family. These prayers, and so many others, are conflicted and confused as she escapes her tormenters only to be returned to a world that views her as tainted.

In equal measure, the book questions how we can support those who survive if we do not condemn those responsible for the cruelty the survivors suffered. Maryam\u2019s story, so specific to Nigeria and Boko Haram, is analogous to victim blaming and the oppression of women worldwide. While Girl is a brilliant and unflinching novel, it may be difficult for some readers given the graphic depictions of violence within it.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 19:02:26", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux ", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009251007", "title": "Basketful of Heads (Hill House Comics)", "author": "Joe Hill", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 931, "review": "Looking for something cheerfully depraved? Or something hyper-cute and grotesque? Look no further than these killer comics which feature a range of delightfully dark stories that span the absurd, the post-apocalyptic, and the disturbing. Take an adventure with four robots bound together through a kill lock then explore the origins of Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo, and then follow June Branch as she tries to rescue her boyfriend and escape an island with the help of a cursed Viking axe. \n\nHell Was Full \u2013 Branson Reese\n\nBranson Reese delivers a work that features alt text and has new material that's delightful and absurd while also being called bitingly satirical, depraved yet cheerful, and eye-scractchingly humorous. This collection features moments that are insane, including God's fallen head being chewed on by a raccoon, a man having driven a Transformer out of a funeral, and a toaster that turns against its owner. /Hell Was Full/ stems from the webcomic which has been commented on for its bleak style that weaves into the absurdity and creates dadaist cocktails. Everything you love about the webcomic can be found in this collection with a variety of comics that range from a man using his wish to wish the genie dead to absurd characters that include M&Ms and hornets. \n\nPost-Apocalypto \u2013 Tenacious D.\n\n/Post-Apocalypto/ was a film, an album, and a tour. Now the graphic novel has arrived with audio included. Tenacious D (the musical styling of Jack Black and Kyle Gass) have branched out their universe with this new graphic novel. This humorous and genre mash-up stems from the minds of Black as an illustrator and Gass as a writer. The movie is available on YouTube. An atomic bomb drops and now Tenacious D is cast into a world of chaos after they survive the apocalypse in true cinematic style by hiding inside of a 1950s refrigerator. The Tenacious duo quickly learns that a new kind of evil has developed as a side effect of the bomb which can only mean one thing. In order for humanity to survive the brewing evil, this duo will have to save the world. In this crazy tale of post-apocalypse, you'll follow this duo as they venture to the White House, use a time machine, and even take an adventure into space while working through daddy issues. /Post-Apocalypto/ is described as being hilarious yet political while also being brilliant and multi-faceted with colorful illustrations. \n\nThe Kill Lock \u2013 Livio Ramondelli\n\nThis science-fiction adventure finds these four robots cast away from their homes after committing horrible crimes and are now facing a big problem. They're bound together through a kill lock that will activate if one of them dies and kill the other three. Their only choice is to rely on each other. The journey bands a soldier, a murderer, an addict, and a child together in a search for a cure that will ensure all of their survival. Only one clue steers them in their search. A bot called the Axial is supposedly the creator of the Lock and the only one that has the answers they need. \n\nUsagi Yojimbo Origins Vol 1 Samurai \u2013 Stan Sakai \n\nThis colorful edition delves back into the beginnings of rabbit ronin Miyamoto's journey. Usagi started as a student where he trained under the guidance of a mountain hermit called Katsuichi-Sensei. This journey takes place in a time well before he was a samurai without a master. His training under the hermit provides him with the first steps toward becoming a warrior and closer to the battle of Adachigahara. This serves as a catalyst for the incredible tales he is set to venture upon. Discover the origins of Stan Sakai's fan-favorite character in a story set long before the decades-long epic that fans love. This stunning collection follows the /Samurai/ storyline in an edition that includes full color for the first time since it was released in 1987. This volume includes /Blind Swords-Pig/, /A Quiet Meal/, /Kappa/, and /Lone Rabbit and Child/.\n\nJunko Mizuno's Hell Ladies \u2013 Junko Mizuno \n\nThis stunning collection is a compilation of Junko Mizuno's works from the beginning of her career which highlighted powerful female characters which had a transgressive twist. These characters come to life through this colorful fantasy world that has been a fascination of Japan since she created them. Mizuno's art has been described as delicious, distinctive, and disturbing. The works in /Hell Ladies/ range from 1998 to 2001 which introduce a variety of manga-inspired girls that wear rattlesnakes and play with butcher knives as well as razor blades. Known for her psychedelic flair, Mizuno's style mixes sweet and horror with female sexuality which creates a juxtaposition between tones of hyper-cute and grotesque. This is a collection for mature readers. \n\nBasketful of Heads \u2013 Joe Hill \n\nWhat other choice does June Branch have when she's trapped on Brody Island, but try to find a way out, no matter the risk. To make matters worse, her boyfriend was kidnapped and she has escaped convicts out for her blood. The only thing June has in her defense is a mysterious Viking axe that comes with the power to behead people while allowing them to continue talking. June's only option to save herself and rescue her boyfriend is to use the axe's power while trying to keep herself calm and perhaps even seek help from a basketful of heads. This collection is spine-tingling and features artwork by Leomacs from /Lucifer/. The entire seven-issue miniseries is featured within /Basketful of Heads/ with special features that include character designs and sketches from behind-the-scenes.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 18:33:33", "publisher": "DC Comics", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009250011", "title": "Happiness In Quantum Leaps: De-Stressing WITHOUT DRUGS!", "author": "Aura D. McClain", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 510, "review": "Aura D. McClain used to be fixated on all that was wrong with her life. Then McClain spent time learning about the power of positive thinking, harnessing the pure energy of her thoughts and her connection to God to turn her life around. And she believes you can, too!

Happiness in Quantum Leaps: De-Stressing Without Drugs is divided into three sections: God/Universe, Mind, and Body. In the first section, McClain jumps right into one of the most prominent ideas in the entire book, which is the presence of God in everyone and everything. McClain claims that, based on the laws of physics, our thoughts must be a (scientifically unrecognized) form of energy, which makes them quite powerful.

The second section of the book discusses how getting stuck in negative thinking patterns leads to unhappiness, as well as topics like gratitude, and unconditional love. The third section of the book deals with creating happiness in your life and tapping into the spiritual energy of the universe.

Happiness in Quantum Leaps sounds great in theory, but it's hard to not be critical of some of the author's ideas. McClain eschews modern medicine and firmly believes that we are capable of healing our minds and bodies by tapping into \"God's spiritual energy.\" While everyone is entitled to their own personal beliefs about pharmaceutical products in medicine, it's hard to recommend a book that tells readers they can heal cancer simply by believing in God.

McClain also believes that simply embracing positive thinking will lead to lower rates of mental illness, suicide, and divorce. According to her, if you learn to think differently, you can be healed of mental illness. This, quite frankly, is a dangerous assertion. People who are struggling with mental illness often need professional help. McClain's words serve only to contribute to the stigma far too many people already face regarding mental health treatments.

While McClain claims her words are for everyone, non-Christians may struggle with this book. Aside from her assertion that all gods are one God, and that God is in everyone and everything (concepts she pushes forcefully, sometimes even angrily: \"If you want to keep believing and living a lie that you are not part of God\u2019s invisible universal energy and you want to keep being stuck with all your mental craziness in your brain... just keep doing what you're doing\"), she backs up many of her ideas with biblical verses. Some readers will find this encouraging, but others may find it off-putting.

Finally, it's worth noting that this book could benefit from a copyeditor. Grammar and punctuation errors detract from the reading experience, and the book's structure is confusing at times. Additionally, the author's use of images pulled from the internet, including screenshots of articles, is troubling, as it's hard to discern whether she has obtained permission to reprint them.

I wanted to like Happiness in Quantum Leaps, and there were many ideas that McClain discusses that resonate with me on one level or another, but the book's troubling parts outweigh any good, and I can't recommend this book to anyone in good conscience.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 01:31:14", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing, Inc", "page_count": "286 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000009250007", "title": "Happiness In Quantum Leaps: De-Stressing WITHOUT DRUGS!", "author": "Aura D. McClain", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 402, "review": "Happiness in Quantum Leaps seeks to help readers bring together their mind, body, and spirit in order to find peace and happiness. There are some concrete exercises suggested to help achieve this. For example, I liked the commitment chart the author notes on page 260, which seems to be a good way to determine if you are doing things that will bring forth positive energy in all areas. Plus, I think the idea of turning off the news, especially when it is negative, is also a good idea. Simply finding something to do that makes you laugh or relax is a better idea. As this book points out, getting rid of negative energy will help you increase your flow of positive energy and allow you to become one with God or the universe.

This book is probably best suited to those who consider themselves Christians. The author does mention that anyone can follow her path to happiness, but she mostly relies on numerous Bible verses from the King James edition to illustrate her beliefs and views. I liked her overall message that more people should concentrate on finding happiness by focusing on their inner world rather than on the external world. I enjoyed the chapter entitled \"Purpose,\" which gave some helpful tips about writing down goals and making short- and long-term plans to change your life. I also appreciate the useful reading list she included at the end of the book.

However, I was bothered by the numerous grammatical errors throughout the book, and I found a lot of repetition and long, rambling sentences that affected the flow of reading for me. A good editor would have been an asset to this work and would have helped make it sound much more polished and professional. Also, at times the author seemed angry at scientists, doctors, and schools. I didn't think the emotional tone helped get across the positive tone and energy she was aiming for in those parts of the book. This is another area where an editor could be useful.

I did enjoy getting to know about the author and her reasons for wanting to write this book. All in all, the message to practice unconditional love and positively focus on the moment to bring mind, body, and spirit into alignment is a message that I find essential. Moreover, it could help readers to find more peace in their day-to-day lives.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 01:30:52", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing, Inc", "page_count": "286 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009250003", "title": "Happiness In Quantum Leaps: De-Stressing WITHOUT DRUGS!", "author": "Aura D. McClain", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 424, "review": "Happiness In Quantum Leaps has some wonderful information on how to lead a happy life without the use of pharmaceuticals or other outside material sources. In the book, author Aura McClain breaks the chapters down into three parts including God and Universe, Mind, and Body. In the beginning portion of the book, McClain talks mostly about God and the importance of spirituality. This seems to be the major foundation of the book, even though the author claims that one does not necessarily need to believe in God for the book to help you find happiness. There is also a lot of science in this book. She describes how mental thoughts are not included as a form of energy according to science even though \"everything in the universe is made out of invisible energy.\" She goes on to explain that scientists have not yet discovered that thoughts are a form of energy, which is why it is not being taught in schools today. The book delves into the mind, body, spirit connection and gives the reader different ways in which to maintain a positive attitude towards everything in life.

Although I really enjoyed the anecdotal stories the author presents in the book, I felt as though she kept repeating herself over and over again with the same stories. For example, the story about how praying and having positive thoughts seemed to have made cancer go away in people she knew. Although I think it definitely would give someone hope, for the author to tell people that by only changing one's mindset their cancer or other ailments would disappear is a bit misleading and farfetched. The book also has so many Bible verses in it and quotes from other people that I would definitely label it as a religious read. There is nothing wrong with that, of course, I just feel that the book should be labeled for people of faith so they can know what to expect.

Overall, Happiness in Quantum Leaps has many great ideas in it that people can use to lead happier, healthier lives both mentally and physically. I would recommend to the author that the book would be reorganized due to parts of it being redundant and the author rambling on and going off-topic at times. There are also several grammatical errors that need to be corrected. This book could easily be condensed into half the size with the same effect--to help people become happier through self-realization and making positive changes while understanding God, spiritually, and how science fits into the big picture.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2020 01:30:18", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing, Inc", "page_count": "286 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009249067", "title": "One Way or Another", "author": "Kara McDowell", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 208, "review": "Decisions, decisions, decisions. Paige cannot make a decision lest she be riddled with anxiety and nerves, contemplating the things that could happen from even the most mundane choices. When she has to make a choice between accompanying her mom to New York or visiting with her best-friend-but-long-time-crush Fitz at his family\u2019s cabin for the Christmas holidays, she is as indecisive as ever. Her other best friend, Clover, suggests an app that works like a Magic Eight Ball to help. Does she go with Fitz and hope for a chance at love with the boy she\u2019s loved forever, or follow her dream to travel and visit New York? A poorly-timed fall on a slick floor gives Paige a chance to experience both possibilities, but which one leads to forever with Fitz?

The idea is similar to Kasie West\u2019s Pivot Point except Paige does not realize both universes are simultaneously occurring and the story leans more toward rom-com than serious sci-fi. A worthy winter read, readers get a bonus story, as though the author could not choose how to spin Paige\u2019s romantic woes so instead explores both scenarios. While Paige suffers from such anxiety that panic attacks derail her efforts at romance, her suffering makes her more real as a character.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "28-Oct-2020 21:18:37", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009249059", "title": "Nothing in Common", "author": "Kate Hoefler, Illustrated by Corinna Luyken", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 200, "review": "A man and a woman live across from each other. They have little in common, although they both love watching the old man who walks by their houses with his marvelous dog. They notice one day he\u2019s crying and calling out for the dog. The two neighbors now have a common goal. After searching far and wide, they discover the white ball of fluff inside a hot air balloon, a place only they would think to look. They set out to rescue him and begin to notice their commonalities.

Children often notice the differences between them before they acknowledge the similarities that exist. Their disparate ways seem more salient, just as they do to the neighbors before they share a common experience. At first, they don\u2019t want to believe in their alikeness, butl circumstances force them to view things through another lens. Youngsters will find familiarity in this as well as in the loss the elderly man experiences when his dog disappears. They\u2019ll admire the gorgeous watercolor illustrations that are subtle yet so descriptive. They seem to whisper a thousand words. This is unquestionably a unique and touching tale likely to warm the hearts of children aged five to nine.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "28-Oct-2020 21:12:58", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009249055", "title": "The Suitcase", "author": "Chris Naylor-Ballesteros", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb - Age 7", "word_count": 153, "review": "There was a strange animal with a big suitcase. The other animals wanted to know what was in it. The strange animal told them a teacup, a chair, table, and kitchen. The other animals thought it was impossible and did not believe him. When the strange animal fell asleep, they broke into his suitcase. They found a picture.

The strange animal was missing his home, and it made me happy that he found new friends, who made the best gift for him (just so you know...I do not want to give it away).

The Suitcase has a good lesson about trusting and being kind to people even though they look different.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a sweet book and the illustrations were great. I loved the colors they used and how they changed when talking about the past.

I think kids 3 - 7 years old would like this book.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "28-Oct-2020 21:05:43", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009249051", "title": "Becoming a Good Creature", "author": "Sy Montgomery, pictures by Rebecca Green", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 216, "review": "Sy Montgomery, author of Becoming a Good Creature, describes the lessons she\u2019s learned over the course of her life from creatures both large and small. Looking back, her first teacher is a puppy who patiently teaches her how to pay attention. As she grows older and her passion for animals grows, Sy travels to Australia to live among the emus in the wild. There, she observes their ways and discovers a bit about her own as well. The gorillas in Africa bless her with a lesson on respect. From others, she learns not to be afraid and to seek truth, value family, and allow for forgiveness. These amazing wonders offer her hope and change her vision of the world.

This is a true story based on the author\u2019s authentic experiences across the course of her lifetime. Her journey is unique in that she lives among some of the beautiful creatures she studies. Her ingenuity seeps through the pages of this thoughtful picture book that\u2019s filled with eye-catching watercolor illustrations that highlight her expeditions. Children will find them precious and alluring. The target audience is children aged five to nine and the reading level is approximately third grade. In addition to being interesting, this autobiographical account encourages readers to behave with a sense of humanity and acceptance.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "28-Oct-2020 21:03:33", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009249047", "title": "Curious George Votes", "author": "Margret & H. A. Rey", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 191, "review": "Curious George Votes is another adventure where George does some silly things because he is curious. In this book, George and his friend go to school. The man goes to talk to someone and leaves George sitting by himself. George sees some kids walk by and thinks it would be fun to walk in their line. He gets up and follows them to the cafeteria where the kids are voting on a new school mascot. The options are to be the tigers or the owls. George gets excited about these two animals. The kids give him stickers, he gets to paint and draw, and he gets to help the kids until an adult comes in. The adult is not very happy with George, but then a little girl explains what he did and everyone is happy again. I have not read any books about voting, so this one was fun to read. I have voted before at school, but I learned something new about voting in this book, thanks to George. This story is about as long as his other stories, and like his other stories, all kids will like it.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "28-Oct-2020 21:00:52", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009247003", "title": "Happiness In Quantum Leaps: De-Stressing WITHOUT DRUGS!", "author": "Aura D. McClain", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 407, "review": "Audra McClain\u2019s Happiness in Quantum Leaps offers insights and advice to achieving love, joy, peace, and happiness by aligning physical, mental, and emotional healing, guided by faith and spirituality. The author draws upon her personal journey toward defining her own approach to wellness in order to overcome adversity through the most challenging times. It is a book that is relevant for Christians of all persuasions, an invitation to further explore one\u2019s relationship with God by doing the necessary work to achieve mental and emotional peace. For the faithful, it is a guidebook to tapping into one\u2019s personal trove of strengths, guided by one\u2019s faith in the benevolence and forgiving nature of God.

McClain emphasizes her background in engineering, as a woman who has embraced science and technology as her profession. Perhaps this perspective offers her a vantage point to critique the insufficiencies of science\u2014particularly pharmacology\u2014to adequately heal the wounds of the mind, heart, and soul. There are passages in the book that can come off as being anti-science, including rightful indignation against the excessive influence of the pharmaceutical industry in addressing behavioral health issues. The author cautions against wholesale rejection of the wisdom shared in the book due to opinions shared about prevailing scientific knowledge. Science and religion can and should continue to co-exist because humanity derives benefits from both.

McClain shares anecdotes of personal disappointments that are relatable and authentic. Personal narratives bounce from one part of the author\u2019s life to another, and in the end, the reader gets a full picture of McClain\u2019s journey toward redemption. Some lessons focus on everyday coping strategies, while other lessons address significant, life-changing challenges. The author reveals early experiences of isolation from her community of Filipinos following a family tragedy. The sense of exclusion is palpable, and understandably, it has shaped how the author has nourished independence and individuality, while also cultivating a strong reliance on her faith in God to withstand adversity.

The narrative is strongest when the author shares personal reflections on the power of controlling one\u2019s mind, merging her devout Christian orientation with lifelong exposure to science. While McClain draws from the wisdom of other religious traditions, readers who are grounded in Christian-centered values will find the teachings most applicable and relevant. When the author is not quoting Bible verses, the book reads much like other secular self-help volumes that advocate for a holistic approach to health and well-being, one that does not compartmentalize body, mind, and spirit.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 22:26:07", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing, Inc", "page_count": "286 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009246067", "title": "The Beast and the Bethany", "author": "Jack Meggitt-Phillips, Illustrated by Isabelle Follath", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 13", "word_count": 181, "review": "The Beast and the Bethany is a great book about a man recognizing his flaws. Ebenezer Tweezer is a very rich man, all thanks to the beast. The beast lives on the fifteenth floor of his house. It asks him to bring it different foods, and in return, it gives him whatever he wants. When the beast tells him that it wants to eat a child, Ebenezer is horrified. Eventually, he decides to find a bad child and feed it to the beast. He chooses Bethany, but then decides she isn't so bad and attempts to delay the beast.

This was a pretty good book. It wasn't my favorite, but I still enjoyed reading it. It was a lot different than most of the books I've read before. The book had many illustrations, and they helped me get an idea of what the beast looked like. This book was very well written, and it kept my attention. It was also an easy read, although it was still a good book. I would recommend this book to kids aged ten to twelve.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 23:36:40", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009246055", "title": "Odessa (1)", "author": "Jonathan Hill", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lena - Age 12", "word_count": 210, "review": "This graphic novel has a good story. A family lives somewhere north of San Francisco after the 'end of the world.' The world didn't really end, there was a huge earthquake and everything got broken. That might seem pretty far-fetched, but after the year of COVID with no school and empty stores, the end of the world doesn't seem impossible.

Virginia gets a package in the mail from her mother, who left eight years ago. When she asks her dad about why Mom left, he won't talk to her. Virginia gets mad and sets out on the journey to San Francisco. It's not like a journey on a plane or on a highway - everything is broken. It's wilderness, and there are thugs who rob and kill people on the way. But what's worse, is that Virginia's little brothers sneak after her! She has to take care of them, but they are still a family, after all.

At the end of the book are examples of how the artist's drawings evolved. I thought that was really cool because drawing comics interests me too. It's a good story, and I think anybody can relate to it, although some of it is scary. It's about the end of the world, after all!", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 23:24:50", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "328 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009246051", "title": "Kisses and Croissants", "author": "Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Ramirez", "word_count": 239, "review": "There\u2019s something about reading books set in Paris that make falling in love so fun! I\u2019ve never actually been to Paris but I can imagine how romantic and magical it can be. Mia is a dedicated ballet dancer who lands a spot in an elite ballet summer program in France! It\u2019s there she meets the gorgeous and charming French boy, Louis. He goes on to show her that there\u2019s more to life than just ballet. I adored Kisses and Croissants from the very beginning. Mia is down to earth and easy to identify with. I loved the art, the story surrounding Mia\u2019s ancestors, and loved watching Mia and Louis fall in love. The story is so sweet and romantic! I couldn\u2019t put it down. I\u2019m no ballet dancer and I don\u2019t keep up with the latest when it comes to it, but even I know that they work extremely hard to get where they are. It\u2019s such a beautiful form of art; I loved being able to see it from a dancer\u2019s POV. The best part of the whole entire book though is the female relationship. A female character starts off as a sort of nemesis but ends up being so much more in the end. We need that! We need more positive girl friendships in YA. Overall, I\u2019m in love. I need more books set and Paris. Not to mention I need to take an actual trip there!", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 23:20:26", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009246047", "title": "The Cook of the Halcyon", "author": "Andrea Camilleri", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 204, "review": "Inspector Montalbano of the Vigata police station in Sicily has been called to a small factory making ship hulls due to a dispute with laid-off workers. He finds one worker has hung himself after being laid off. The owner Mr. Trincanato isn't particularly sympathetic to the workers, but he's known as a gambler and womanizer. Later, Montalbano notices a large sailing vessel, the Halcyon, in port, and it appears that Trincanato is responsible for some of the ship's supplies. Montalbano suspects this boat is either a casino or a brothel, but he's sent on mandatory vacation before he has time to investigate. If that weren't enough, while he's away, he's fired, and his team of loyal officers disbanded. Montalbano is blindsided but determined to find out what's going on at headquarters and on the Halcyon.

Camilleri has again crafted a fun and memorable mystery that showcases Montalbano in a way we haven't seen him before. It also highlights Sicilian politics and bureaucracy. And of course, wherever we find Montalbano, there is sure to be a profusion of Sicilian culinary delights. With wonderful scenes and descriptions, I think fans of this series will be pleased with the complex, multilayered case of The Cook of the Halcyon.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 23:15:07", "publisher": "Penguin Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009246043", "title": "Everywhere", "author": "Adam Loveless", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 178, "review": "The parents are tucking the children into bed. The children don\u2019t want Mom and Dad to leave so the parents explain to them that even though they aren\u2019t in the room they are still with them. Comforting them before they go to sleep.

The illustrations are fantastic. I loved the paintings giving the book a very calming effect. It\u2019s a great style for a bedtime story. I loved the close-ups of the people and landscape.

The text had good rhythm and rhyme. I enjoyed the comforting words. In some places, the words seemed forced just to make the rhythm work.

The message of the book is wonderful. Kids are scared at night from noises or the dark. There is a timeless idea that will be something children will always relate to. My favorite part was the parents talking about the dog coming into check on the children. I thought that was just spot on.

Parents will love this book too! I know my daughter has been scared of things lately and this is just the thing to help her feel safer.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 23:09:49", "publisher": "Loveless Letters", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009246039", "title": "The Children of D'Hara", "author": "Terry Goodkind", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 180, "review": "Picking up almost exactly where Warheart, the last novel in the main series, left off, The Children of D\u2019Hara continues the story of Richard and Kahlan and their children. Yes, Richard FINALLY gets to be alone with Kahlan, at least long enough for there to be children, but the peace they\u2019ve found will be short-lived if they fail to defeat their latest terrifying enemy.

Originally released in five installments between 2019 and 2020, The Children of D\u2019Hara compiles the story into one surprisingly quick read. The late Terry Goodkind\u2019s unique style and incredible worldbuilding are delivered with his usual skill, and he plumbs the human psyche for incredible and complex tales. He was not afraid to pit his characters against their greatest fears, and this book is no exception. Yet, even as the characters suffer, they rise above it and find greatness, offering a grand display of the triumph of the human spirit.

Filled with Mord-Sith, magic, and monsters, The Children of D\u2019Hara will be the final Richard and Kahlan book released, as Terry Goodkind sadly passed away in 2020.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "16-Jul-2021", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 21:18:36", "publisher": "Head of Zeus", "page_count": "912 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009246031", "title": "A Boob's Life: How America's Obsession Shaped Me\u2015and You", "author": "Leslie Lehr", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 199, "review": "Follow woman\u2019s fashion, check out the entertainment field, look at the ads\u2026 and you\u2019ll find that the media uses female cleavage to catch the eye. In this timely droll memoir focusing on the author\u2019s boobs from budding adolescence, to suckling motherhood, through self-admiring augmentations and finally surviving grievous breast cancer, Leslie Lehr depicts the irrational preoccupation that American culture emphasizes the bosom. The seductive glandular fertile figure draws the male eye, and while this regard may massage the female ego; unfortunately the lust aroused in the male obscures whatever other talent the female possesses. The writer cleverly stitches a memoir along with a historical recount of the female battle to be recognized as individuals with innate talents and not as subservient underlings or sex toys. The dichotomy between women wanting to appear busty-sexy while at the same time demanding to be treated as professional equals appears to be a constant dilemma. This talented lady writes about this conflict with affectionate banter while showing that it takes guts, tenacity, endurance, self-confidence, family support, and a wicked sense of humor to survive in a man\u2019s world. Just open the first pages, and the reader will be drawn into this embracing tale.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "24-May-2021", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 21:01:03", "publisher": "Pegasus Books", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009246027", "title": "Robot Artists and Black Swans: The Italian Fantascienza Stories", "author": "Bruce Sterling", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 176, "review": "Robot Artists and Black Swans is the latest publication by international best-selling author, Bruce Sterling. Originally published in Italy by his alter ego Bruce Argento, Sterling brings his Italian-themed science fiction to his American fans.

Known as the \u201cGodfather of Cyberpunk\u201d Sterling delivers seven thrilling \u201cfantascienza\u201d short stories. In \u201dKilling Moon\u201d, the Italians\u2018 contribution to moon landings comes in the form of a billionaire and his celebrity girlfriend. But unlike the current billionaire space race, the Italian vessel is \u201cthe prettiest manned lunar rocket ever built.\u201d In \u201cEsoteric City\u201d, a venture capitalist and necromancer must face Satan at a garden party. The \u201cBlack Swan\u201d is a computer hacker who creates alternate universes for himself. And in \u201cElephant on Table\u201d the shadow house of an elderly statesman keeps him safe from surveying AI, his thousands of enemies, and his four ex-wives, until it doesn\u2019t.

Cyberpunk fans will enjoy Sterling\u2019s seriously flawed characters combined with the world of high tech. Combined with original artwork by John Coultthart, Robot Artists and Black Swans is an enjoyable book for anyone\u2019s inner nerd.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 20:54:32", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications LLC", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009246023", "title": "Dragon on the Far Side of the Moon", "author": "Douglas J. Wood", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 219, "review": "In the near future, the United States finds itself losing the space race to China. The Chinese rocket Dragon, with her crew of eight taikonauts, makes a successful landing on the far side of the moon. Not wanting to lose in space, the U.S. employs private, profit-driven actors to place boots on the moon. With all that is happening with space exploration right now, I had high hopes for this novel because Wood\u2019s technical aspects are spot on.

It\u2019s evident that Wood did his research on space travel and the plausibility of establishing a human colony on the moon. The downside is that only a third of the novel takes place in space or on the moon. Wood\u2019s approach may be a bit wonky for die-hard sci-fi fans. In quite a departure from action-oriented narratives, much of the novel takes place in meetings, with characters discussing and debating decisions. There\u2019s also quite a bit of anti-Chinese rhetoric, as well as other political commentary. Some of the dialog can be uninspired and, at times, downright awkward.

If you are a fan of space travel novels, particularly moon-based novels, you\u2019ll appreciate Wood\u2019s detailed descriptions of space travel and life on the moon. With our current knowledge about advances in space flight and exploration, readers may recognize possible future scenarios for a moon colony.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 20:09:19", "publisher": "Plum Bay Publishing", "page_count": "332 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009246015", "title": "The Iconic American House: Architectural Masterworks Since 1990", "author": "Dominic Bradbury, Photography by Richard Powers", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 989, "review": "This vivid collection of books is perfect for architecture lovers with amazing works that feature stunning photography and ventures into stunning places. Check out iconic houses by famous architects that changed the American landscape then take a trip to Vancouver to learn about its spatial richness before stepping into the cultural intensity of Chinatown. These stunning books are perfect for the urban curious and fans of the /99% Invisible/ podcast. \n\nThe Vancouver Sketchbook: Lush Landscapes, Vibrant Streetscapes, Soaring Skyline \u2013 TK Ng\n\nThe beauty of Vancouver comes to life off the pages of this stunning book which features the beauty of the city from various locations including Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, snow-capped mountains, Stanley Park, False Creek, and UBC. Check out the rich history of Vancouver in this book that's half travelogue and half guidebook. /The Vancouver Sketchbook/ is a celebration of the city shown through vivid and colorful sketches by Ng which are paired with vibrant text to create the ideal pairing that shows the spatial richness and diverse culture of Vancouver. Ng's plan is to do more than creating an art book, but create a book that explores the city through its identity through pictures by focusing on Vancouver's history and Ng's own observations. \n\nThe Iconic American House: Architectural Masterworks since 1900 \u2013 Dominic Bradbury \n\nCheck out over 400 photographs that feature influential and groundbreaking innovations from architects over the last 120 years. These architects featured include Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, in addition to Richard Neutra, Peter Eisenman, Philip Johnson, and Thomas Gluck. Houses from these various architects range in style but maintain similar local appreciation, experimentation with style as well as materials, and understanding what the clients need. /The Iconic American House/ features fifty homes that are considered some of the most important in house design since 1900. The book has rich text paired with vibrant illustrations that show an array of masterpieces. The book also contains commissioned photographs, drawings, and floor plans along with biographies for the architects which makes this the perfect resource for students and professionals alike. \n\nThe 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design \u2013 Roman Mars; Kurt Kohlstedt\n\nConsidered fresh and imaginative, /The 99% Invisible City/ is the bible for the urban curious with each entry providing a surprising story that's thought-provoking. This beautifully designed guidebook shines the light on the unnoticed parts of our cities which is an idea that stems from the /99% Invisible/ podcast. This podcast pegs questions that will have you wondering where graffiti comes from, why metal isn't on fire escapes today, and perhaps even the purpose of inflatable figures used by car dealerships. This podcast is noted for having big ideas to reveal the stories in the buildings, streets, and sidewalks around us. Celebrate design and architecture in all its wonder and absurdity in this book from Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt to take a hard look at what makes our cities work. Explore origins behind what we consider mundane such as drinking fountains, power grids, fire escapes, and street signs. The entries featured in this book are well-researched and paired with beautiful line drawings that will leave readers captivated and make them look closer at their surroundings. \n\nModern Architecture: A Critical History \u2013 Kenneth Frampton \n\nThis revised and updated edition from Kenneth Frampton comes from the highly acclaimed survey which focused on the subject of 1980 modern architecture. Cultural developments drove the modern movement in 1750 which led to the creation of architecture we have today. Exploring the effects of globalization and the phenomenon that celebrity architects have brought into the field, /Modern Architecture/ contains a look at the rich history. The work has been thoroughly revised with the addition of new chapters that provide a deeper look at the modernist tradition. Frampton takes an honest look at the need society has to build more sustainably with structures that can handle climate change. The redesigned interior includes an updated bibliography and 500 illustrations. \n\nSan Francisco's Chinatown \u2013 Dick Evans and Kathy Chin Leong\n\nWith an amazing appreciation of color and adventurous perspectives, /San Francisco's Chinatown/ provides an amazing contribution to the community. Striking imagery paired with a historical narrative, see Chinatown through its stunning streets and festivals that bring to life its local flavor and culture. The median household income for Chinatown is about a quarter of San Francisco's average income. This book will take you into the heart of Chinatown through breathtaking images which show the beauty that has attracted tourists. Take a stroll through this lush district for some dim-sum and spot some red lanterns as you observe the stunning apartments and outdoor games. A stunning blend of American and Chinese architecture pairs with the blend of cuisine and culture in this lucid text from Kathy Chin Leong. /San Francisco's Chinatown/ focuses on the tight-knit community of the district which captures the thriving neighborhood through stunning images that highlight the unique and authentic Chinese traditions. \n\nDreamers & Designers: The Shaping of West Vancouver \u2013 Francis Mansbridge \n\nVancouver is a city defined by its geography with a border that has an ocean, mountainous wilderness, ravines, and creeks creating the perfect backdrop. This stunning landscape creates a unique personality for the city which lures people from all around the globe who come to explore the outdoor activities provided. Mansbridge explores how this city went from a beachfront cottage community to a location where only a select few could afford it. /Dreamers & Designers/ highlights the tension that has grown between the desires of West Vancouverites and the goal to maintain. The land of West Vancouver helped to shape the area through the fight of the less marginalized which Mansbridge captures through a stunning assortment of photography. Through the lens that Mansbridge provides, you can see how the unique setting created the community and defined the area for what it's known today.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "09-Nov-2020", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 19:58:15", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009246003", "title": "Philip and Alexander: Kings and Conquerors", "author": "Adrian Goldsworthy", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 187, "review": "Alexander the Great is considered to be one of the greatest, and most egotistical, conquerors of the ancient world. He took what was a fairly minor Greek state on the northern edge of modern Greece and turned it into a powerhouse, albeit for a very short period of time. Like all bright stars, his burned bright and brief.

This work is a dual biography of Alexander and his father Philip. The first half covers how Philip laid the groundwork, condensing power in Macedonia, going after Greek city-states that threatened him, and living long enough to be able to allow his son the untold power he would soon enjoy. The story of Alexander is one that has often been told. He disrupted centuries of power relationships in a matter of years and set off events that would reverberate for centuries to come in what we now call the Middle East.

The first part of the book I found to be the most interesting, as the stories about Philip are generally condensed. The author's discussion of Alexander really covers the same well-trodden ground as every other biography of Alexander.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2021", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 19:45:20", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "608 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009245031", "title": "Three Women Disappear: With bonus novel Come and Get Us", "author": "James Patterson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 234, "review": "Mobster Anthony Costello has been murdered. Three women had motive and opportunity, his wife, his chef, and his maid. The day of the murder, all three women disappear. It\u2019s up to Detective Sean Walsh to find out what really happened, but the odds are not in his favor. Sean may or may not be in bed with these mobsters and, unfortunately, his wife was Anthony\u2019s chef. So, Sean has a very vested interest in clearing both his wife\u2019s name and his own before Anthony\u2019s uncle, the mob boss, makes short work of them both. But he\u2019ll have to find these women first.

James Patterson books are usually good for a quick read. There isn\u2019t an overly complicated plot, and the characters aren\u2019t very deep. These are the kind of books you bring on a vacation or when you get tired of reading books that make you think too hard to solve the case. The fact that he was able to fit another novel in this book should tell you how short and to the point these stories are. The lack of character depth made it hard to get to know them or really care what happens, but sometimes you just need that. Sometimes it\u2019s nice to not get stressed out about whether the characters are going to have happy endings or not. This is a great book if that\u2019s what you are looking for.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 18:52:35", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009245015", "title": "Billion Dollar Loser: The Epic Rise and Spectacular Fall of Adam Neumann and WeWork", "author": "Reeves Wiedeman", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 205, "review": "What happens when a creator\u2019s ambitions overshadow his company & its success? WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann forms the crux of this query as he oversaw the rise and fall of his creation over a decade. Adam and his friend Miguel McKelvey believed in the idea of a freed up business space, an office composed of various businesses, resembling the spirit and harmony of a kibbutz or commune, which both men had spent time in their youth. Adam possessed an entrepreneurial spirit that couldn't be tamed. After sputtering in early ventures, Adam met Miguel and they prospered with Green Desk. Green Desk was a precursor to WeWork in real estate speculation followed by leasing to businesses. The pair felt they were onto something, their youthful employees toiled hard in making WeWork appear viable. The future was on the horizon, but nothing is ever definite.

Billion Dollar Loser may appear to be a common tale about rags to riches, but the personality of Adam Neumann dispels that instantly. Author Reeves Wiedeman captures a spirited individual who thought big, spent even bigger and was humbled when his company was taken from him. The narrative offers the best & worst of capitalism and unchecked ambition. A riveting cautionary tale.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 18:31:35", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009245003", "title": "Plain Bad Heroines: A Novel", "author": "Emily M. Danforth, Illustrated by Sara Lautman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julie Blum", "word_count": 182, "review": "Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth follows several young women whose characters are woven in layers of stories from the early 1900s to the present day. The story begins at Brookhants, a Rhode Island school for girls, where strange things are happening, involving apples, yellow jackets, flowers, a mysterious red-covered book\u2026 and some dead girls. Libbie, owner and principal of the school, must figure out what is happening.

When we reach the 2020s, we find that the story of Brookhants has been made into a book, which is now being turned into a horror movie. The book\u2019s author and the movie stars (Merritt, Harper, and Ashley) have to navigate working with an eccentric director, dealing with their own relationships, and coping with the strange things that keep happening on set. Are they imagining things? Are they being set up? Or is Brookhants really haunted?

The characters are cleverly written, the narrator makes me laugh, and I love the representation of LGBTQ+ themes throughout the book. Plain Bad Heroines was a quick, fun read, even though it is over 600 pages long.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "29-Jan-2021", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 18:20:06", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "640 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009244019", "title": "We Got the Beat", "author": "Song Lyrics by Charlotte Caffey, Illustrations by Kaitlyn Shea O'Connor", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 189, "review": "You know the song, and now that song is a picture book. From the Go-Go\u2019s, this original song is a fantastic one to get up and move. Follow along as the characters get the beat as they dance through the pages for some rock n\u2019 roll fun.

Text: I mean, who does not love this famous song from the eighties? It\u2019s a great choice of song to put in a picture book. I liked they made the text colorful and fun.

Illustrations: I got some technicolor vibes. I loved the fun, bright colors and fun usage of the book panels. I love how they thought outside the box when designing each page. The characters are awesome. I love to see them dance through the book. It is a great interactive book for kids and adults alike. The dancing flamingos were perfect, and I loved the vibrant hair pony.

Extras: I loved the QR code on the back so you can find the song on your phone and have it playing while looking at the book. Awesome addition.

Age Range: 3 to 8 years. I have a feeling adults will love this one too.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "28-Dec-2020", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 17:38:14", "publisher": "Akashic Books", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009242183", "title": "One Girl", "author": "Andrea Beaty", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 164, "review": "One night, a lonely girl is sitting on her porch when she finds a book. When she reads the book, all of the knowledge grows in her head. She reads her book to all of her classmates in school,\u00a0so they can all learn too. The girl starts writing her own book, and by reading her book to all her classmates they know the knowledge as well! Now all of her classmates read and\u00a0write and share what they have learned together. Now everyone around the world is reading too! Just because of one girl. One spark. Changed the world. I think the drawings are very realistic and pretty. I like this book and how the girl ends up sharing her knowledge all across the whole wide world. Even the smallest spark can start a fire. I recommend this book to lonely girls and people who like learning knowledge. What I think is that everybody should be able to learn and do art too.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 00:12:07", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009242179", "title": "The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design", "author": "Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 989, "review": "This vivid collection of books is perfect for architecture lovers with amazing works that feature stunning photography and ventures into stunning places. Check out iconic houses by famous architects that changed the American landscape then take a trip to Vancouver to learn about its spatial richness before stepping into the cultural intensity of Chinatown. These stunning books are perfect for the urban curious and fans of the /99% Invisible/ podcast. \n\nThe Vancouver Sketchbook: Lush Landscapes, Vibrant Streetscapes, Soaring Skyline \u2013 TK Ng\n\nThe beauty of Vancouver comes to life off the pages of this stunning book which features the beauty of the city from various locations including Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, snow-capped mountains, Stanley Park, False Creek, and UBC. Check out the rich history of Vancouver in this book that's half travelogue and half guidebook. /The Vancouver Sketchbook/ is a celebration of the city shown through vivid and colorful sketches by Ng which are paired with vibrant text to create the ideal pairing that shows the spatial richness and diverse culture of Vancouver. Ng's plan is to do more than creating an art book, but create a book that explores the city through its identity through pictures by focusing on Vancouver's history and Ng's own observations. \n\nThe Iconic American House: Architectural Masterworks since 1900 \u2013 Dominic Bradbury \n\nCheck out over 400 photographs that feature influential and groundbreaking innovations from architects over the last 120 years. These architects featured include Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, in addition to Richard Neutra, Peter Eisenman, Philip Johnson, and Thomas Gluck. Houses from these various architects range in style but maintain similar local appreciation, experimentation with style as well as materials, and understanding what the clients need. /The Iconic American House/ features fifty homes that are considered some of the most important in house design since 1900. The book has rich text paired with vibrant illustrations that show an array of masterpieces. The book also contains commissioned photographs, drawings, and floor plans along with biographies for the architects which makes this the perfect resource for students and professionals alike. \n\nThe 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design \u2013 Roman Mars; Kurt Kohlstedt\n\nConsidered fresh and imaginative, /The 99% Invisible City/ is the bible for the urban curious with each entry providing a surprising story that's thought-provoking. This beautifully designed guidebook shines the light on the unnoticed parts of our cities which is an idea that stems from the /99% Invisible/ podcast. This podcast pegs questions that will have you wondering where graffiti comes from, why metal isn't on fire escapes today, and perhaps even the purpose of inflatable figures used by car dealerships. This podcast is noted for having big ideas to reveal the stories in the buildings, streets, and sidewalks around us. Celebrate design and architecture in all its wonder and absurdity in this book from Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt to take a hard look at what makes our cities work. Explore origins behind what we consider mundane such as drinking fountains, power grids, fire escapes, and street signs. The entries featured in this book are well-researched and paired with beautiful line drawings that will leave readers captivated and make them look closer at their surroundings. \n\nModern Architecture: A Critical History \u2013 Kenneth Frampton \n\nThis revised and updated edition from Kenneth Frampton comes from the highly acclaimed survey which focused on the subject of 1980 modern architecture. Cultural developments drove the modern movement in 1750 which led to the creation of architecture we have today. Exploring the effects of globalization and the phenomenon that celebrity architects have brought into the field, /Modern Architecture/ contains a look at the rich history. The work has been thoroughly revised with the addition of new chapters that provide a deeper look at the modernist tradition. Frampton takes an honest look at the need society has to build more sustainably with structures that can handle climate change. The redesigned interior includes an updated bibliography and 500 illustrations. \n\nSan Francisco's Chinatown \u2013 Dick Evans and Kathy Chin Leong\n\nWith an amazing appreciation of color and adventurous perspectives, /San Francisco's Chinatown/ provides an amazing contribution to the community. Striking imagery paired with a historical narrative, see Chinatown through its stunning streets and festivals that bring to life its local flavor and culture. The median household income for Chinatown is about a quarter of San Francisco's average income. This book will take you into the heart of Chinatown through breathtaking images which show the beauty that has attracted tourists. Take a stroll through this lush district for some dim-sum and spot some red lanterns as you observe the stunning apartments and outdoor games. A stunning blend of American and Chinese architecture pairs with the blend of cuisine and culture in this lucid text from Kathy Chin Leong. /San Francisco's Chinatown/ focuses on the tight-knit community of the district which captures the thriving neighborhood through stunning images that highlight the unique and authentic Chinese traditions. \n\nDreamers & Designers: The Shaping of West Vancouver \u2013 Francis Mansbridge \n\nVancouver is a city defined by its geography with a border that has an ocean, mountainous wilderness, ravines, and creeks creating the perfect backdrop. This stunning landscape creates a unique personality for the city which lures people from all around the globe who come to explore the outdoor activities provided. Mansbridge explores how this city went from a beachfront cottage community to a location where only a select few could afford it. /Dreamers & Designers/ highlights the tension that has grown between the desires of West Vancouverites and the goal to maintain. The land of West Vancouver helped to shape the area through the fight of the less marginalized which Mansbridge captures through a stunning assortment of photography. Through the lens that Mansbridge provides, you can see how the unique setting created the community and defined the area for what it's known today.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2020", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 00:10:05", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009242171", "title": "In a Holidaze", "author": "Christina Lauren", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jessica Ramirez", "word_count": 180, "review": "Holiday-themed books are my favorite, especially when they have the \u201cGroundhog Day\u201d trope. For those who may not know what that means (how could you not?!), it\u2019s a movie where the same day happens over and over again.

In Holidaze we have the very spunky and very relatable Maelyn as our heroine. One minute she\u2019s in a car crash and the next she wakes up and she\u2019s on a plane headed to the Utah cabin she and her family go to every year. This has everything you could want in a Christina Lauren book. It\u2019s funny, sweet, addictive, and highly romantic. I can\u2019t tell you all the times I swooned.

Maelyn has secretly been in love with their family friend, Andrew, for years. Andrew is everything a hero should be! He made this book fun and sexy. I loved the relationship he had with Maelyn. I loved watching them realize there could be more. I also adore the fact that every single character endeared themselves to me. If you read one holiday book this season, let it be this one!", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 00:05:38", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009242167", "title": "Make It Scream, Make It Burn: Essays", "author": "Leslie Jamison", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 237, "review": "Leslie Jamison, author of essay collection The Empathy Exams, wields the essay form successfully once again in Make It Scream, Make It Burn. In this newer collection, Jamison\u2019s attention turns toward themes of longing, looking, and dwelling, and the subjects of her essays are varied, from users of the virtual world Second Life to Jamison\u2019s own relationships and her grappling with step-motherhood. Jamison\u2019s attention to the details of everyday life and the depths of human emotion drive each essay forward and thread the collection\u2019s fourteen essays into a cohesive whole.

Jamison\u2019s mastery is clear throughout the collection; her essays and sentences have a structure and a rhythm, and she never misses a beat. This is a strength of the collection to be sure, but at times it also verges on becoming a weakness. Well-chosen transition sentences sometimes feel so calculated as to be inorganic, and emotional observations ring less true when the words feel more carefully premeditated than naturally expressed. The more autobiographical later essays escape this problem to a greater extent than do the earlier essays. Jamison also sometimes falls short of truly digging deeper into some of the collection\u2019s ideas, like the limits of human understanding and the relationship between White artists and the non-White subjects of their art. The essays in Make It Scream, Make It Burn are thoughtful and well crafted, but at times they left me wishing for something messier and more complex.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "27-Oct-2020 00:01:40", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009242163", "title": "Find Me in Havana: A Novel", "author": "Serena Burdick", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 202, "review": "Estelita Rodriguez rose from singing in nightclubs in Cuba to becoming one of the Latina stars of 1950s Hollywood. She lived a glamorous and dramatic life, going through four husbands before her death aged thirty-seven. Throughout all this, she only had one child, Nina, who years after her mother\u2019s death would speak with Serena Burdick about their complicated relationship. Out of that conversation would come Find Me in Havana, a novel that weaves together the voices of mother and daughter into a tender narrative, painting a picture of how one woman\u2019s fight to live the American dream cannot be just about that woman but must involve all those around her.

Even though it is a story full of high drama, Find Me in Havana is always tinged by the fact that it\u2019s a remembrance. It is occasionally slow but always beautiful, feeling elegiac even during the first chapters. I was fascinated by both women and found myself sinking into their voices, falling into their lives, and trying to see their relationship from both sides. Serena Burdick did a wonderful job of capturing a time long past and telling a story that at once embraces a whole time and pinpoints one particular relationship.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 23:58:30", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009242155", "title": "Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor, 3)", "author": "Jessica Townsend", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 193, "review": "Morrigan Crow thought she was safe. Surrounded by her friends at the Hotel Deucalion, life is great. She and her friends have completed their first year at the Wundrous Society, and Morrigan has finally gotten to train in the mysterious Wundrous Arts to help her become the Wundersmith she was meant to be. But peace cannot last forever.

After several shocking events, a deadly disease is revealed. It\u2019s known as the Hollowpox, and it causes its victims to attack mindlessly, then fall into a coma with no hope of ever waking up again. Morrigan hopes to help with her newfound skills, but every time there is even a glimmer of hope, it is squashed quickly by the dark waves of despair. When someone close to Morrigan is infected, she knows that she must find a cure, no matter the consequences. Morrigan thinks she knows her friends and foes, but the real danger could be lurking just beneath the surface.

I liked this book because it was entertaining and suspenseful with plenty of action and relatable characters. It was nicely paced with lots of twists and turns, and I also really loved the ending!", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 22:57:39", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "560 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009242151", "title": "Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing Vote (The Questioneers)", "author": "Andrea Beatty", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb - Age 7", "word_count": 154, "review": "Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing Vote is about a class voting for the new class pet. Some students had some crazy ideas for pets, like hyenas, sharks, and yetis.

I really liked how they were voting in an election, just like how we vote for a president!

My favorite character is Iggy, who is a kid architect. I like him because his idea for a class pet was really funny. I also liked the main character, Sofia, and her Abuelo (grandfather). I like Abuelo because he makes yummy cookies like Orejas, and I like Sofia because she teaches me about elections, and she is super smart.

The drawings had so many great details, and I like how in every chapter, they have a picture of what will happen in that chapter.

If you liked The Questioneers: Picture Book Series, you would definitely like this book! I would love to share this book with you!", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 22:53:58", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009242131", "title": "The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel", "author": "Sheela Chari", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zara M - Age 11", "word_count": 210, "review": "\"Do you know about drones? They are good for hunting, finding, and destroying.\"

The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel is the best book ever! It really drags you in the story and has realistic characters. I really want this to become a movie someday. \nThe book is about this group of friends who has to save two of their other friends. The two friends mysteriously and suddenly disappear in the middle of nowhere. Mars and his friends have to save them and find out what happened. But Mars finds out something too that really shocked him.

Each character definitely has their own personality and part in the friend group: which makes them even more realistic. The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel is a super interesting story, with twists in every chapter that make your mind explode from realization.

Some pages had pictures of chat messages from the friend group, and a podcast that Mars listens to. They are really fun to look at and read.

This book is for middle school readers, or ages nine to thirteen. I would recommend this book to people that like tons of mystery, and a little bit of fantasy and realistic fiction. It did end on a cliff-hanger, so hopefully, there is a sequel.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 22:00:31", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009242119", "title": "Dreams of El Dorado: A History of the American West", "author": "H. W. Brands", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 191, "review": "Many survey histories of the western United States all seem to suffer from the same issues such as when to start them, but more importantly where to make the cut-off. This book is no different as it starts really early, but then struggles on when to stop and often struggles with geographic boundaries as well; though most historians often stick to around the Rockies and west in terms of geographic dispersal. This is an all-encompassing book and because of that H. W. Brands only has time to hit the hit points, focusing on the major issues and events and often just at a cursory level before moving on. He does not spend much time in one place and as a reader, you are constantly moving around from one locale to another, with really no rhyme or reason beyond a major event happened. There is little to connect the dots between events, or if they have any true coloration with each other. It is said that history writing about the western United States has struggled in recent years, and this book is further proof that it continues to struggle to this day.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "26-Nov-2020", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 21:50:15", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009242111", "title": "Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky)", "author": "Rebecca Roanhorse", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 196, "review": "Award-winning author Rebecca Roanhorse showed she knows how to tell a great story with her debut novel, Trail of Lightning, and her Sixth World Series, and now she\u2019s back a great new epic series, Between Earth and Sky, with the first book, Black Sun.

The book begins with a prophecy and a barbaric ritual, as the reader is introduced to this unique world. Then we cut to the present day as the winter solstice is approaching and this year coincides with a rare celestial event, a solar eclipse, which the Sun Priest calls an \u201cunbalancing of the world.\u201d What will happen?

Our character from the beginning of the book, Serapio, who has been blind for over a decade now is traveling on a ship captained by the brilliant Xiala, a Teek, who is part human and part something else with magical abilities. The ship has a deadline and with an untrustworthy crew, they must do what is said can\u2019t be done to make it to the city of Tova in time for the eclipse.

Inspired by Pre-Columbian civilizations, Black Sun is a bold and entrancing first book in what looks to be a truly great series.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 21:43:26", "publisher": "Gallery Books ", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009242091", "title": "Lives of the Saints", "author": "Nino Ricci", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 189, "review": "Lives of the Saints took me on a roller-coaster. The writing is well-done, but the content wasn't always my style. I went between not being able to get enough, to skimming pages. Lives of the Saints is the award-winning book set in Italy in the 1960s. It is about a seven-year-old boy named Vittorio Innocente and his mother, Cristina. One day Vittorio sees a snake slithering away from his mother. After a stay in the hospital, she is shunned by the village people and grandfather. In their culture, superstition reigns strong, so Vittorio must live with a depressed and angry mother, a grandfather who is never around anymore, and schoolmates who bully him for unknown reasons. Vittorio endures many hardships throughout the story, yet leaves readers wondering what is to become of him later in his life.

I had trouble following the context of the story; it sounded like they lived in times before the 1960s. The situations that Vittorio found himself involved in were astonishing and difficult to imagine. Overall, I enjoyed the book and believe that having been written in the 1990s, it is still relevant today.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 20:10:29", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Canada", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009242087", "title": "The Eagles of Heart Mountain: A True Story of Football, Incarceration, and Resistance in World War II America", "author": "Bradford Pearson", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 221, "review": "The Eagles of Heart Mountain tells the story of one of the darkest times in American history. In the spring of 1942, 120,000 Japanese Americans were forced from their homes and their lives and relocated into concentration camps. By August of the same year, 14,000 found themselves in northwest Wyoming at the base of Heart Mountain. In their new homes, the \u201cincarcerees\u201d faced harsh winters and an even harsher racist and xenophobic political climate, all while trying to recreate any sense of comfort. In the fall of 1943, the camp\u2019s high school fielded its first football team, the Eagles. For the next two seasons, the Eagles crush the competition against the predominantly white nearby high schools.

Bradford Pearson doesn\u2019t skim over the events and controversies leading up to EO 9066, which was grounded in anti-Asian racist hysteria. The Eagles of Heart Mountain is a great read because it centers on the Japanese American story and illustrates the texture of everyday life in and out of the camps. Against the backdrop of ostracism and hatred, Japanese American families made the best out of a tragic situation. Pearson highlights inspiring stories of triumph and resilience in this well-researched book. Young Japanese American boys found camaraderie and healthy competition in sports to help them survive the pain of exclusion that treats Asians as perpetual foreigners.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 20:04:04", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009242083", "title": "Music Is . . .", "author": "Stephen T. Johnson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Susan Faith - Age 12", "word_count": 223, "review": "Music Is\u2026 is written by Stephen T. Johnson. It not only talks about music, but also about the sounds of music, which are put into words. It describes not only music theory, but also the different styles of music.

Take jazz, for example. Johnson describes jazz as \u201csophisticated rhythms that go up and go down, move left and move right, then jump high and swing low.\u201d Then he writes, \u201cFlip-flop, be-bop, dunk-fizz, plunk-quiz.\u201d You can hear the jazzy sounds beneath the words! It even says it right there on the cover! \u201cWords, sounds, and pictures by Caldecott Honor recipient Stephen T. Johnson.\u201d But at the end comes what I think is the best part. Johnson writes, \u201cMusic is\u2026 YOU! What is your sound? It\u2019s sure to be magical, for you\u2019ve got style and rhythm that\u2019s all your own. Music is free and music is YOU! Oh yeah!\u201d

The illustrations are very abstract, like music moving all over the place. In fact, this book itself is like a piece of music! I love how the book unfolds into a second type of book that gives the names of songs for all the different styles of music. It is an excellent resource for older kids who are studying music (like me) or younger kids who enjoy reading fun books about music (like my little brother).", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 19:46:49", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "52 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009242079", "title": "In the Half Room", "author": "Carson Ellis", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Neela - Age 11", "word_count": 173, "review": "Everyone is searching for their other half. The last piece of a tea set, another shoe, or even a person that you fit with. This book takes a literal perspective of what it really means to find the perfect half.

In this short picture book, Carson Ellis describes a room as being filled with only \u201chalf\u201d things. Such as a \u201chalf chair\u201d or a \u201chalf rug\u201d. This repetitive adventure comes to a close when the \u201chalf girl\u201d and \u201chalf cat\u201d meet their other halves for the first time. Some kids may find the pictures of half a cat disturbing, but it will raise some good scientific questions about what you can cut apart!

Younger kids will enjoy listening to the playful rhyming and will soon catch on the natural flow of the story. I can see this book on a four to eight-year-old reading list. Perhaps read out loud in a classroom or for a bedtime story. If you are searching for something to complete you, then this is the book to read.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 19:39:14", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009242071", "title": "Donut Feed the Squirrels (Norma and Belly) ", "author": "Mika Song", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - Age 8", "word_count": 122, "review": "This book is SO funny! My little sister and I giggled as I read it out loud to her! This seems like something we would try to do if we were squirrels and wanted donuts. I wish the colors were more vibrant though. I loved that it was a comic book - those are my favorite kinds of books. I think this will be a book I read over and over (and my sisters will too!) I thought it was funny when grandpa said he was retired - my grandpa says that to us! When the girls got wet and looked like dandelions HA! This was an easy and fun read that I think I will laugh out loud to a lot!", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 19:27:16", "publisher": "Random House Graphic", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009242067", "title": "Undaunted: My Fight Against America's Enemies, At Home and Abroad", "author": "John O. Brennan", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 334, "review": "This might be called Brennan's Book of Regrets from the dozen or so times he confesses the sins of his misjudgments and mistakes in this revelatory autobiography. He calls it a memoir: however, it contains substantial details of Brennan's formative years, growing up in New Jersey, and the intimate details of his family including the stresses of his career.

Among Donald Trump's most outspoken critics, Brennan offers a defense for his position in some of the most controversial topics and explanations for his decisions while serving in the White House or as Director of the CIA under the Obama Administration. In total, Brennan served the government through six administrations, more than three and a half decades in the intelligence arena. Regardless of party affiliation or preference, the country owes a debt of gratitude to those who have dedicated their entire lives to public service. Now, although a private citizen, Brennan is a human vault of secrets, a prolific fountain of knowledge about foreign governments, particularly in the Middle East.

What to put in and what to leave out? Therein lies the rub. As with all material submitted for publication by anyone who has worked at the CIA, the Agency has the final say about content. In this case, Brennan was denied access to his own notes taken while serving as CIA Director, a handicap that may account for the fact he gives the tragedy at Benghazi only three paragraphs before shifting to the Syrian civil war. As opposed to spending more than twenty-five pages in the quagmire of how a CIA Classified document-The Panetta File- ended up in the possession of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Among the most captivating portions of this book give a play-by-play insider's perspective on the successful hunt for Osama Bin Laden. On the lighter side, Brennan makes himself an easy target to his critics by laying bare his own vulnerabilities. It would be interesting to read more from Brennan now that the 2020 Presidential Election is over.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 19:16:31", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009242055", "title": "When Life Gives You Mangos", "author": "Kereen Getten", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Jacobs", "word_count": 163, "review": "When Life Gives You Mangoes is a captivating and wonderfully enthralling read. It is perfectly written for the middle school age reader and comes with a most wonderful plot twist at the end. You really feel all that Clara is struggling with by losing her memory after a hurricane and her experiencing her best friend, Gaynah, acting a bit strange. You feel her frustration as bits and pieces start to come back to her...all with a backdrop of the beautiful Caribbean, the island is a beacon to those who want an exotic vacation. It is only at the end that everything becomes clear and you receive clarity into what happened during the hurricane. I decided to go back and read the book a second time armed with the knowledge of what the plot twist at the end was...and the book was just as enjoyable. This book was a lot of fun to read and I would very much recommend it to my friends.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 18:49:24", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009242051", "title": "The Emperor's Wolves (The Wolves of Elantra Book 1)", "author": "Michelle Sagara", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 166, "review": "More than two decades have passed since the murders of the Tha'alani, a feared race of people with the ability to read minds. The case is cold, abandoned. Until, that is, Severn Handred is recruited into the Imperial Wolves, the emperor's executioners. Or, as the people call them, assassins. Severn is teamed with another Wolf to hunt, no matter where the investigation takes them. No matter how dangerous it gets.

Despite having not read the other books in this series, I had only a little trouble understanding the world and characters. The \"mystery\" element isn't the main focus, it\u2019s more about the invention. The book is dialogue heavy, with paragraphs of info dumps at times, and quite often I got confused as to who was talking. I had to read slowly and reread frequently, but once I got into the story, I really enjoyed it. Although many characters lacked depth, they all had different backstories and personalities, and I found that I loved most of them.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 18:41:59", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "434 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009242035", "title": "Invader ZIM Best of World Domination", "author": "Jhonen Vasquez, Eric Trueheart, et al.", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 191, "review": "Invader Zim is a gloriously insane franchise. Detailing the adventures of a tiny megalomaniac alien named Zim and his insane, dimwitted robot assistant GIR, these stories feature hilariously grotesque and peculiar attempts to conquer the Earth. Whether it's invading parasitic pants, a godlike space donkey, a burrito-fueled hostile takeover, or the evil plans that happen while you're too busy binge-watching your new favorite show, you have truly never read world-domination plots like these. Basically, these are the plans that came AFTER Plan 9 From Outer Space.

The art style is suitably unhinged, detailing wide-eyed spindly-armed humans affected by Zim's manic attempts at ruling the Earth. Often gross, always weird, and wildly creative, the dark reds, purples, and grays that represent the Invader Zim color palette perfectly complement the mix of childish and sinister tones that Invader Zim stories ricochet between so effortlessly.

This is the perfect introduction to anyone who has never seen Invader Zim or read Jhonen Vasquez's work before. If they enjoy it, it's an honest launchpad from which to explore even weirder adventures. And if they don't, it's the ideal sampling to show them what Zim is all about.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "06-May-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 18:25:40", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "106 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009242031", "title": "Wild Rain: Women Who Dare", "author": "Beverly Jenkins", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 218, "review": "The weather out in the Wyoming mountains can be brutal. Garrett McCray learns this the hard way when, after his horse throws him, he winds up caught in a blizzard. Luckily, he\u2019s found by Spring Lee, a strong-willed rancher determined to make it on her own in the small town of Paradise. Though he came to meet her brother, Dr. Colton Lee, Garrett finds himself far more interested in Spring, while Spring gradually finds herself softening to the stranger and wondering whether sharing her life with another might not be so bad after all.

It\u2019s a trope romance fans know well and yet still can\u2019t get enough of, and I\u2019m no exception. I loved Spring\u2019s pride, and Beverly Jenkins carefully toes the line between softening her enough to accept the possibility of love without making her lose the strength that makes her so compelling. When she\u2019s inside her protagonists\u2019 heads, Jenkins makes the prose sing. It\u2019s loving and luscious, and you can\u2019t help but see how these two could fall for one another. (How could anyone not?) The story feels a bit flatter when other characters start to come into focus, and those scenes often feel more like snippets. It\u2019s a shame, because those shallow scenes are the one thing keeping a great novel from becoming truly wonderful.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "12-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 18:19:30", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009242027", "title": "How to Fly (In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons): Poetry", "author": "Barbara Kingsolver", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Barbara Kingsolver is well-known to her legions of fans for her gorgeously-written, complex, and rich novels as well as her finely-crafted essays. Her poetry, though, is not as well-known, but it is sure to become so. First, the poems are simply beautiful. It is apparent that every word is carefully chosen to bring to life special moments in her life. \u201cLove is not granite boulder, praised/for its size. It\u2019s the water that parts/around it, moving mountains.\u201d She reminds us of the importance of family in her poems about marriage, death, divorce, traveling with family through a foreign country, and the importance of self with poems of being a child, of being untethered, and of being stuck. The writing is, as one might expect from Kingsolver: stunning, raw, moving, lyrical, and real. \u201cThis might be the moment to step one last time/from the bedside to mention that while we spoke kindly,/ mostly, my mother and I did not love one another.\u201d There are no punches pulled, no curtains closed, no secrets hidden. This collection is perfect for quiet reflection on those times, people, happenings, and places in our lives that have meant much to us.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 18:15:31", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009242019", "title": "Snow: A Novel", "author": "John Banville", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 236, "review": "Detective Inspector Strafford has been called to investigate a murder at Ballyglass House, the family seat of the Osborne family. It\u2019s 1957 Ireland, with tensions still high between Catholics and Protestants, so when Father Tom, a Catholic priest, is found murdered at the home of a Protestant family, Strafford hits walls at every turn. The Catholic Church is trying to stop the news from spreading, the Osbornes keep pretending Father Tom just fell down the stairs, and even the winter weather is preventing Strafford from doing his job. As Strafford investigates, he comes to discover there were many people who wanted Father Tom dead. Strafford will need to determine who the murderer is and what should be done, because the more he discovers, the more he begins to realize that maybe justice has been done.

I am not sure how much a Catholic would enjoy reading this particular story, as while it is fiction, it covers quite a few historical and still relevant issues. It is well written, but I found it incredibly sad. The interlude section was probably one of the hardest things I\u2019ve ever had to read. This story definitely causes you to stop and think, considering what you would do if you were investigating this case. I would recommend this book, but warn of some difficult sections to read that could cause some harm to anyone who has gone through such things themselves.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 18:03:22", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009242015", "title": "The Girl in the Mirror: A Novel", "author": "Rose Carlyle", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 239, "review": "When Iris looks at The Girl in the Mirror, she sees, not herself, but her twin sister Summer. They are identical twins but mirror images of each other with their differences reversed, inside and out. Summer asks Iris to help her sail their family yacht home and while on that journey, Summer falls overboard. In a moment of panic, Iris decides to assume her sister\u2019s identity and be wife to Summer\u2019s husband and mother to her stepson. When Iris gets pregnant, she starts to have second thoughts about her new life. Things start to happen around her that make her question how much she really knew about her sister and how long she can really keep this pretense going?

I\u2019ve never been so happy to be an only child. I always thought it would be cool to be a twin, but now I\u2019m kind of rethinking that. The idea of mirror-image twins is fascinating and I have no idea if it\u2019s actually possible or not. The plot was interesting, if not totally original. The book was very short, so there wasn\u2019t a lot of time to get to know many of the characters. I would have definitely liked to hear from Ben more, as he was probably the only likable character in the book. I wouldn\u2019t recommend this if you like happy endings, but if you enjoy family drama and evil sibling thrillers, then you will really enjoy this.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "26-Oct-2020 17:53:34", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009240003", "title": "Adventures of a Pangopup", "author": "Terri Tatchell", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 427, "review": "The first thing you notice about this book is the beautiful illustrations. Warm and inviting, Ivan Sulima\u2019s art creates friendly, accessible images to introduce youngsters to the interesting world of pangolins. His use of light is especially compelling. Each image is a joy to examine and packs in lots of fun details to spur conversations with young readers. (Such as, what other animals do you recognize in the picture? What are the animals eating? What kind of environment does this animal live in?) Of course, pangolins are pretty cute as they are, but the illustrations are adorable without being unrealistic. Coupled with the text, this book really is a pleasure to read.

Terri Tatchell has crafted the best kind of rhyming verse story about a young pangolin pup named Pangopup. The rhymes aren't far-fetched or unnatural. The text has a very strong rhythm, which makes it an excellent choice to read aloud.

Although anthropomorphic, the story subtly imparts facts about pangolins, such as that they are nocturnal creatures that live in burrows, and the amusing ways they protect themselves from predators.

Pangopup is befriended by a dik-dik and they explore their world together, making new friends and having a great time. But the new friends run into trouble too.

The story touches on the danger pangolins face at the hands of humans. Nothing is too graphic for young children, but it provides an excellent springboard for conversation about endangered animals and the way some are hunted by humans.

At the end of Pangopup\u2019s exciting story, end matter provides fun opportunities to learn more. There is a brief explanation of what it means to be endangered and why pangolins are in this category. There is also a list of 10 pangolin facts and 5 dik-dik facts. Finally, the back pages of information conclude with a graphic for kids to draw their own pangolin or dik-dik, and five easy ways to help increase awareness of pangolins and help their plight.

Overall, this is a story with exceptional illustrations that will introduce children to a fascinating animal they may have never heard of before. Interested kids may want to dig further into the lives of pangolins and seek out more informational texts and websites to learn more, but this book provides a nice introduction. Also, there\u2019s a wonderful bonus. As stated on the title page, all proceeds from the sale of this book go to pangolin conservation. Giving this book to a child is another easy way to help endangered pangolins. All in all, you can\u2019t go wrong with Adventures of a Pangopup.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "24-Oct-2020 03:03:26", "publisher": "Fielding House Press Ltd.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009238115", "title": "The Fallen Hero: A Dragon Warrior Novel", "author": "Katie Zhao", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 199, "review": "Faryn Liu had it all. She used to be the Heaven Breaker, an all-powerful warrior who can command dragons with the aid of the spear Fenghuang. She also had her friend Ren and her brother Alex by her side. But Faryn was betrayed by Alex, the one person she thought would with her forever. Alex took over as the new Heaven Breaker, and now he wants to destroy humans. Faryn knows she must stop her brother, so she and Ren turn to a group of warriors called the New Order.

Soon, Faryn learns that only the Ruiyu Jingu Bang can stand against Fenghuang. It should be easy to pick up the Ruiyu Jingu Bang and turn Alex back to their side, right? Wrong. The Ruiyu Jingu Bang belongs to the Monkey King, a known trickster. Faryn goes on a quest to find the Monkey King and his weapon. After a shocking truth is revealed that sends Faryn on a quest to the Underworld, she must complete her mission and save humanity. Can Faryn accomplish the impossible and stop a war? Or will she fail to save her brother and doom everyone she loves to a fate worse than death?", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "23-Oct-2020 23:01:38", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009238111", "title": "Dandelion", "author": "Gabbie Hanna", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 664, "review": "Poetry and Short Story Roundup\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for a challenging and insightful read this summer, the following four collections of poetry and short stories, all written by inspiring and innovative women, run the gamut of emotions and experiences and so are sure to fit the bill.\n\nBack to the Light by George Ella Lyon\n\nBack to the Light is a collection of poems that together describe the life and development, both emotional and spiritual, of one woman. From a childhood characterized by uncertainty, fear, and repression through to the dawn of adulthood and a reconnection with both her body and the truth of her past, she grows into her dual role as a wife and a mother, before rejecting such constricting norms and seeking wisdom from great women: writers, singers, teachers, even Mother Earth. She eventually succeeds in attaining a level of self-belief and self-knowledge that helps her to perceive her place within the throng of humanity, which finally allows her to heal from old wounds. In exploring the course of the narrator\u2019s life, George Ella Lyon crafts poems that are by turns tragic and humorous, inspirational and oppressive, puzzling and enlightening. This collection beautifully highlights the healing power of poetry and the strength that each individual carries within themselves.\n\nThese Bodies by Morgan Christie\n\nThrough the eleven short stories contained in These Bodies, Morgan Christie examines the complexities inherent within relationships, focusing particularly on the experiences of people of color. Each story centers on a unique character, and whether that character is a struggling father determined to better himself, a child who wants to be recognized for living as their authentic self, or any other permutation of humanity, Christie succeeds masterfully in making both them and their story seem real and relatable. She strives to highlight the stories of people whose tales generally go untold, and in doing so, she champions the relationships of flawed individuals fighting to reconcile their failings with their hopes. The stories often feature several layers of meaning, causing readers to question if everything is really as it seems and to ponder what the future might have in store for the eclectic cast of characters.\n\nDandelion by Gabbie Hanna\n\nGabbie Hanna\u2019s Dandelion is an unusual collection of short poems, vignettes, illustrations, and snippets seemingly transmitted directly from the author\u2019s unconscious mind onto the pages of the book. Plumbing the depths of Hanna\u2019s psyche, the included works explore the experience of declining mental health in a world in which such matters are all too frequently overlooked, underplayed, and/or stigmatized. Veering between the absurd and the tragic, the poems trigger a roller-coaster of emotions and prompt questions as to what mental health entails and how it should be addressed, both as a concept and as an illness. As a whole, the collection serves almost as a journal chronicling Hanna\u2019s thoughts and experiences of times of emotional turmoil and bouts of stability. The book also includes an impactful selection of personal essays by Hanna, in which she tackles issues stemming from her childhood and prior relationships.\n\nVulnerable AF by Tarriona Ball\n\nVulnerable AF records Tarriona \u201cTank\u201d Ball\u2019s recollections of the experience of mistaking infatuation for love. Perhaps inspired by the host of romance novels she read to while away the time when working in a nursing home, as a young woman Ball believed herself to be in love with a person she barely knew, and unfortunately, it was the \u201ccan\u2019t-eat-can\u2019t-think-can\u2019t-sleep type of love.\u201d To reconcile this non-epic relationship in her mind, Ball has set down her thoughts and feelings in the form of brutally honest poems and short stories that detail the highs and lows of infatuation. Her words flow beautifully, and despite their often weighty subject matter, they are brimming with humor, hope, and strength. Ball lays bare the pain associated with unrequited love and missed opportunities, and she highlights how it is possible to overcome an infatuation in a way that leaves you all the stronger for the experience.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Oct-2020 21:02:53", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "244 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009238107", "title": "Milk Fed: A Novel", "author": "Melissa Broder", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 186, "review": "Like Portnoy\u2019s Complaint, Milk Fed is a story containing food, sex, Jewish food, Jewish characters, and anxiety. Given all that, it is a very fun book to read. The characters seem fully developed, and as we move through the story with them, we are anxious for the next reveal.

Unlike another powerful novel about anorexia, The Girls at 17 Swann Street, the main charatcer in Milk Fed functions despite her disease. Her obsession with her caloric intake and the numbers that frame her food intake, while obsessive, remains comedic. Even Rachel\u2019s trips to her therapist are treated in a light-hearted way. Rachel doesn\u2019t take herself or her disease seriously until she meets her nemesis: an overweight Jewish girl who seems unconcerned about her body image.

The girl, Miriam, unlike Rachel, still practices her religion and lives with her family. Rachel, on the other hand, has put a continent between herself and her family in an effort to detox from their deleterious effect on her life. In spite of the seriousness of Rachel\u2019s disorder, this is a fun and sexy book to read. It is altogether enjoyable.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "23-Oct-2020 21:00:17", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "289 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4 "} {"id": "425035000009238079", "title": "Empire Builder: John D. Spreckels and the Making of San Diego", "author": "Sandra E. Bonura", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 189, "review": "This book tells the story of the son of the major sugar magnate, Claus Spreckels \u2013 John Spreckels, and the role he played in developing San Diego into what it is today. Claus Spreckels immigrated from German-speaking lands and was able to build up a sugar empire in California and Hawaii in the 1800s. One of his sons, John, helped to start a steamship line in San Francisco and became more and more involved in San Diego after the 1906 earthquake. While, at times a ruthless businessman, even to his own siblings and children, John always had a special place in his heart for his adoptive hometown.

This book, at times, reads like a booster book, elevating the life of a particular man and the city. Nothing is too small to mention or be talked about. One does really get a sense of San Diego history to know much about the man. There is not too much introspection. While John was not a perfect man, at times, it feels like any of John\u2019s enemies are always wrong and that he can only do right. An interesting bit of California history.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "23-Oct-2020 20:19:18", "publisher": "University of Nebraska Press", "page_count": "440 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009238075", "title": "Tecumseh and the Prophet: The Shawnee Brothers Who Defied a Nation", "author": "Peter Cozzens", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 238, "review": "The expansion of settlements in the early United States came at the expense of the Native American tribes. Inequitable deals were cut by enterprising Colonials with tribal chiefs, pushing tribes further westward. Tecumseh, the soon to be legendary Shawnee warrior leader was born in 1768. The Shawnee tribe resided primarily in Ohio, part of the Northwest Territory. Five years after the French-Indian War, the landscape of the young United States was evolving with more territorial exploration. The consequences of the colonists\u2019 land grabs were often bloody warfare. Tecumseh\u2019s father would die in a clash with the \u201clong knives\u201d of the Colonists in 1774.

Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa matured in a world of war. Tecumseh learned English while also becoming adept at hunting, his skills admired by his tribesmen. As time elapsed, the Colonial exploration spread further, a compromise was initially sought by the nascent Americans, yet seizing by force was always a possibility. Tecumseh would defend his tribe against aggression, cool under pressure, while his Brother\u2019s spiritual awakening led him to counsel his peers in ways the tribe could survive and thrive.

Tecumseh and the Prophet is a thorough profile of the notable Tecumseh and his Brother. Author Peter Cozzens sculpts his narrative deftly and compellingly. In relating the barbarity of the frontier wars, the author remains objective yet empathetic. Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa are fascinating figures, capable of greatness and leadership, yet destined for tragedy. A+ work.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "23-Oct-2020 20:15:26", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "560 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009238067", "title": "Gambling with Armageddon: Nuclear Roulette from Hiroshima to the Cuban Missile Crisis", "author": "Deckle Edge", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 234, "review": "Two weeks in October 1962 bore witness to an intense showdown between global superpowers, which nearly ended in world annihilation. The Cold War between East and West had been ongoing since the closing days of World War II. As the 1960s began, the temperature had been rising, and the proliferation of nuclear weapons accelerating. The theatre of war irrevocably changed with the utilization of the Atomic Bomb in Japan by the United States. President Truman was in awe of the potential of this novel weapon and gushed about it to the Soviets. The Soviets were aware of the bomb, and were on their own way towards fashioning their own atomic device. The arrival of the Eisenhower administration and the death of Josef Stalin didn\u2019t deter the simmering hostilities, as mutual suspicions remained. The differences and ideologies between both powers were viewed as too vast to bridge any compromise. JFK took office in 1961 as a hawk seeking no detente with the Soviets, yet the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion and the possibility of mutually assured destruction altered his thinking.

Gambling with Armageddon sums up brilliantly how might doesn\u2019t necessarily equal right. The palpable tension is felt with every turn of the page, as any misstep by men of history could\u2019ve led to doom. This book feels timely in the present day, a lesson to be learned but also a scholarly work to be enjoyed thoroughly.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "23-Oct-2020 20:04:21", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "624 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009238063", "title": "Transcendent Kingdom", "author": "Yaa Gyasi", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 204, "review": "Searching out the causes of addiction, the hero of this book experiments on the brains of living rodents. She has been a good girl her entire life, living in Alabama as a Ghanaian immigrant and suffering the slings and arrows of the population\u2019s ignorance and racism. After her father returns to Ghana, her mother continues her job as a caregiver to an old and cranky bigot. The mother wanted a better life in the United States and she ends up in Alabama, ultimately losing her husband and family under the pressures of that culture. The mother increasingly turns to religion even though it is a half measure to her former spiritual self in Ghana. Her daughter, the aptly named, Gifty seeks out a measure of understanding about what can go wrong in human beings. She has but a shadow existence, living only to achieve solutions to complex scientific problems. She spends her time in her laboratory. She takes her mother into her home and cares for her without being acknowledged for her sacrifices and achievements. To be fully seen is her aspiration like so many in today\u2019s world in the Black Lives Matter movement. We long for her to step out of the shadows.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "23-Oct-2020 20:01:04", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "261 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009238039", "title": "She Come By It Natural: Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs", "author": "Sarah Smarsh", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 181, "review": "This book is as much about all of us women over seventy and the author\u2019s life as it is about Dolly Parton. The author has cast Parton as an everywoman whose life and career was shaped by the anti-feminist forces at work in the sixties. Dolly\u2019s stint as second banana to the country star Porter Wagoner is seen as equivalent to the millions of women at that time who played dumb in order to have any job at all. Parton quickly proved, however, that she was no dumb blonde, striking out on her own and having to buy her freedom from Wagoner\u2019s punitive lawsuit. Parton endured being constantly underrated as she compiled hit after hit and kept writing and building an incredible songbook. She structured an image of being a poor country girl who could sing while meanwhile amassing a great fortune. She has used her fortune to fund literacy programs, Covid vaccine research, and economic development in her home country. The parallels are interesting, but in the end, there is no one like Dolly Parton, an American icon and treasure.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "10-Dec-2020", "date_added": "23-Oct-2020 19:15:06", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "187 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000009238035", "title": "The Silence", "author": "Don Delillo", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 982, "review": "Popular Reads\n\nThe best seller lists can be a great source of new reading material, pointing interested readers toward popular, award-winning, and worthy books. The five titles included in this roundup have all won a heap of praise and sold incredibly well, and they are all highly recommended. \n\nThe Silence by Don Delillo\n\nDon Delillo\u2019s The Silence is a frighteningly prescient novel about an all too plausible global catastrophe. On Super Bowl Sunday in 2022, a retired physics professor and her husband are preparing to host a dinner party at their Manhattan apartment. One of the guests is a former student and, as kickoff looms, the three of them await the arrival of a couple who are due to fly in from France. Then, during the last commercial before kickoff, an unexplained disaster strikes: digital devices worldwide cease working, leaving people with no electronic means of communication and connection. Unfortunately, for those at the dinner party at least, the inability to rely on digital communication seemingly reflects a lack of interpersonal communication skills, although Delillo ensures that they have weighty monologues and plentiful internal strife to share. It\u2019s an unusual take on a post-apocalyptic situation as the characters embrace the mundanity of societal collapse rather than seeking out the cause and solution.\n\nThe Phone Booth at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina\n\nEverything in Yui\u2019s life reset on March 11, 2011\u2013\u2013the day a devastating tsunami hit Japan. It was the day she lost both her mother and her daughter. Sometime later and still consumed by grief, she hears a rumor about a disused phonebooth that bereaved people have started to visit so that they might talk to and about their lost loved ones and, it that way, begin to heal their pain. Yui decides that she will chance visiting the phonebooth, but once she gets there, she feels unable to actually lift the receiver and start talking. Instead, she meets a grieving widower whose daughter has stopped speaking in the wake of his wife\u2019s death. Yui\u2019s journey through heartbreak and loss is deeply moving and, ultimately, uplifting as it portrays how those touched by tragedy have to live with the resultant feelings forever, while the rest of the world is able to move on. Laura Imai Messina\u2019s The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World is a beautiful exploration of grief and healing. Its meditative tone makes for a quiet yet profound read.\n\nStolen Things by R.H. Herron\n\nWhat do you do when it appears that everything you have always believed in might just be founded on lies? That\u2019s the question that Jojo Ahmadi has to face in Stolen Things by R.H. Herron, a crime story based on real-life events. Jojo\u2019s dad is the chief of police in her California hometown while her mom is a 911 police dispatcher, so it\u2019s no surprise that she\u2019s always considered the members of the police department to be her family. It\u2019s also no surprise that when Jojo is found drugged and in pain in the house of Kevin Leeds, a professional football player, the whole police department rushes to investigate. Also in the house is the dead body of Leeds\u2019 trainer, while Jojo\u2019s best friend Harper is missing from the scene. Leeds seems the most likely suspect but Jojo is convinced he would never hurt her. She embarks on her own investigation and, in the process, learns far more than she bargained on. The crime and Jojo\u2019s subsequent investigation make for a shocking thriller that certainly packs a punch as a host of secrets and lies are revealed. \n\nBefore You Go by Tommy Butler\n\nTommy Butler\u2019s debut novel, Before You Go, is a life-affirming work of speculative literary fiction. It follows Elliot Chance from childhood through to adulthood as he gets ever closer to understanding why he has never felt that he belonged to this world. Although he doesn\u2019t know it yet, the answers he seeks lie back in the time beyond memory, when humans were created with a hole in their heart and their creators didn\u2019t realize their mistake. In the present, he finds a pair of unlikely allies in his quest for understanding in Sasha, a young woman who is compelled to send coded messages out into the ether, and Bannor, a man who knows far too much about the future. With the support of his new-found friends, Elliot at last feels able to get on with the business of living, but the problem of the hole in humanity\u2019s heart will not be so easily solved. Elliot\u2019s journey through depression and disenfranchisement to awakening to the beauty and possibility of life is uplifting, while the sense of magic realism that characterizes his world elevates the story to something really special.\n\nPrivilege by Mary Adkins\n\nA timely tale of campus life and both gender and social politics in the #MeToo era, Mary Adkin\u2019s Privilege is set in Carter University, allegedly the \u201cHarvard of the South.\u201d Annie Stoddard was a big fish in the small pond that was her Georgia high school, but now she\u2019s enrolled at Carter, she realizes just how marked she is by her economically underprivileged upbringing. Similarly, Bea Powers is wondering if she made a mistake by putting aside her fears of being a biracial student in the South and deciding to attend Carter, especially as everyone seems to have a different idea of what justice and equality mean. Meanwhile, Stayja York works at a campus coffeeshop and has to cope with serving Carter students all day as she attempts to save for her own education. The lives of the three women unexpectedly intersect when Annie accuses a male student of sexual assault, and they will all be profoundly changed by their encounters. Told from the alternating perspectives of all three women, the story is thought-provoking and surprisingly tense, mixing contemporary real-world concerns with campus fiction tropes.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Oct-2020 19:12:06", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009238027", "title": "Here We Are", "author": "Graham Swift", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 299, "review": "Here We Are. Several of the characters in this slim, elegant novel say at various points. It may be a statement of resignation or a declaration of delight or merely recognizing the obvious. It is also ironic since the novel moves back and forth in time, mostly centered on a trio.\n In the present day, Eve, a widow of one year\u2019s time after a marriage of half a century is still in mourning. She remembers the season in 1959 when she was a magician\u2019s assistant with \u201cPablo\u201d, stage name of Ronnie. And we travel to Ronnie\u2019s youth, evacuated from London during World War II into a safe haven with a loving couple who taught him magic and that the world was much wider than his mother had pessimistically promised. As an adult, Ronnie met Jack who encouraged him to expand his act and then added him to the show of which Jack was \u201ccompere\u201d (master of ceremonies).

Every voice in this novel is told masterfully; we \u201chear\u201d what the characters think and say, each distinctive and enjoyable. Any reader who has experienced the theater firsthand will recognize the backstage drama, \u201cits intricate and precarious webs of connection.\u201d Anyone who has attended a magic show will admire how such a performance is rendered here\u2014describing without revealing too much, never giving away the secrets of how the tricks are done.\n\u201cThere was no magic for some things, it seemed. It couldn\u2019t stop wars\u201d and it can\u2019t prevent heartbreak. At the same time, love is a kind of magic. It may not make rabbits or parrots appear or vanish but what powers it has! It may be the answer to a question raised early in this lovely novel: \u201cHow could you have had one life and then simply exchange it for another?\u201d", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "26-Nov-2020", "date_added": "23-Oct-2020 19:03:44", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009238023", "title": "A Quick & Easy Guide to Consent", "author": "Isabella Rotman", "category": "N16 Relationships & Sex", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julie Blum", "word_count": 207, "review": "A Quick and Easy Guide to Consent by Isabella Rotman is a short yet informative graphic novel that provides a thorough description of sexual consent. It is gender- and sexual orientation-inclusive and discusses/shows all types of romantic relationships, which is very refreshing. Most importantly, it debunks the standard 'no means no' definition of consent, and seeks to reframe the conversation around affirmative consent (or 'yes means yes') - making sure that everyone involved in a sexual activity is not just okay with it, but INTO IT.

While the content can get a bit verbose at times, it is generally explained in easy-to understand terms, and several examples are given to help drive the points home. The book also talks about advocating for yourself and setting boundaries in sexual relationships, all while respecting your partner's desires and boundaries. There is also a very well thought out checklist at the end of the book that can help readers to think about the boundaries, relationships, and activities they desire within their own sexual relationships.

Overall, A Quick and Easy Guide to Consent is a excellent book that describes \u2018yes-means-yes\u2019 consent. It\u2019s a perfect way to start or continue the conversation we should all be having with our children about consent.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "23-Oct-2020 18:50:39", "publisher": "Oni-Lion Forge", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009238007", "title": "Fangirl: The Manga, Vol. 1", "author": "adapted by Sam Maggs from the book by Rainbow Rowell, illustrated by Gabi Nam", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 252, "review": "Fangirl is a wonderful coming-of-age book. This is the first of a four-part manga adaptation of the regular novel. Cath, our main character, begins college. She is a very active fangirl for the Simon Snow series. Things change when Wren, her twin sister, tells Cath that since they are starting college she needs to let go of the fandom they used to share and engage in college activities like parties and meeting new people. They become distant and leave each other alone. At the same time, Cath is writing a lengthy fanfic. She's racing against the original author to write an ending to the series. Along with adapting to a new place, dealing with family issues, and new relationships, she has a lot on her plate.

Reading a manga was a new experience for me. I've read comic books, but this is of course different. I really enjoy the minimalist expressions; there is something about manga-style art that allows it to be very expressive. This book reads left to right, by the way. I really enjoyed this book overall! I finished it too fast. It's encouraged me to read the original. For the parents reading, there is some strong language and the occasional panel with Wren at a party or likewise. As a fangirl myself, I found Cath very relatable when people were saying, \"You know those are kids' books right?\" I think everyone in a fandom can relate to that. I would recommend this book to any fangirl/boy/person ages thirteen and up.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "23-Oct-2020 18:14:32", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009237003", "title": "The Friends of Allan Renner", "author": "Dave J. Andrae", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 441, "review": "Allan Renner, the anti-hero of The Friends of Allan Renner by Dave J. Andrae, is someone we\u2019ve all known. He\u2019s the guy, always a guy, who genuinely thinks he could be or do something great, but just didn\u2019t see the point, because through being smarter than nearly everyone else, or at least anyone alive or that he knows or associates with, he\u2019s figured out there's no point.

In this case, there would be a point, such as working to make a living, if Renner wasn\u2019t the indulged only child of well-off parents who have no problem paying to support him while he lives in the apartment above their garage.

Allan has some friends. Well, at least he has four friends, although one\u2019s a dog. There\u2019s also an alien warrior, but more about him later.

Renner talks with Akhil about the cosmos, with Sadie about his eclectic taste in music, and with Fred about little-known film classics. During these episodes, the reader is apprised of Renner\u2019s deep knowledge of obscure theories, music, and films, which I imagine is supposed to distinguish him as erudite and sophisticated. The other characters are only introduced to break up the landslide of verbiage by reinforcing what the protagonist is saying or to introduce a new topic that initiates yet another torrent of spiel.

The section about his lapdog is goofy unless you\u2019re one of those people who, like Renner, anthropomorphize your pets due to their tolerance of your obnoxiousness.

There\u2019s a section about his parents dying unspectacular deaths after living equally unspectacular lives. Renner inherits the house, which allows him to get close to Carmen, the Portuguese grocery delivery woman whom he befriends by offering her cheap rent. This further marks the character out as a loser and the story as ridiculous, but wait, it gets worse.

Renner and his dog are offered a trip on an intergalactic spaceship by an advanced race of art-collecting aliens who appreciate his superior taste in music and film. Seriously.

This self-indulgent nonsense novel is passively written and reads like encountering an old acquaintance who bores you to near delirium with stories of no significance about mundane people you don\u2019t know. When the writing gets challenging, the author simply switches to another character\u2019s point of view or a third-person omniscient narrator to explain things - a clear indication of his lack of craft, or intellectual laziness, or both.

The title says it all; The Friends of Allan Renner by Dave J. Andrae is an uninspiring story about the friends of Allan Renner, who are slightly more interesting than Allan but not worth writing a book about, let alone reading one.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Oct-2020 12:22:36", "publisher": "Kaji-Pup Press", "page_count": "291 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1 "} {"id": "425035000009236111", "title": "What We'll Build", "author": "Oliver Jeffers", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 218, "review": "A father imagines all the special things he and his daughter can do together. He suggests they gather their tools and set to work building a home. Next, they\u2019ll need a watch to track time and walls to shelter them from harm. A watchtower for viewing the mysterious wonders of the world and a road leading straight to the moon will be among the things they\u2019ll create, too. They\u2019ll even dig a tunnel leading anywhere their hearts desire and engineer a boat to sail across the seas. Then, they\u2019ll add a storage shed for the things they cherish most.

This is a touching, thoughtful tale. It shows the beauty of the love between a father and a daughter and how sacred that relationship can be. It also highlights the importance of having a vision for the future, of dreaming about making tomorrow treasurable. While the words are relatively few, the illustrations compliment them perfectly, and the overarching message is clear.

Young children will love the simplicity and sweetness of What We\u2019ll Build. With each new read, something new can be discovered. There are fun things to search for, such as the precious pig the child carries with her everywhere and the details that are included in the pictures. The vibrancy and uniqueness of them will resonate with many.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 21:58:21", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009236095", "title": "Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All", "author": "Martha S. Jones", "category": "N09 History", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 775, "review": "Historical Roundup\n\nWhether debunking historical fallacies, assessing the more bizarre consequences of a recent history of evil, elucidating the shared and divergent characteristics of well-known figures from history, or situating shamefully overlooked individuals in their rightful place within the historical record, the four books included in this roundup all serve to extend historical scholarship in insightful and enlightening ways.\n\nLies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong by James W. Loewen\n\nThis updated edition of Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong, which examines \u201cinaccuracies, myths, and lies [concerning] monuments, statues, national landmarks, and historic sites all across America,\u201d really packs a punch in terms of debunking pervasive fake news regarding a wide range of sites of national historical importance. James W. Loewen, as the myth-buster extraordinaire, casts a critical eye over how and why American history is traditionally commemorated, and he engages in a whole lot of entertaining muckraking while doing so. Of course, given its remit, there\u2019s a lot of funny material included, but the book also serves a very serious purpose, explaining how inaccurate history has been used to prop up social inequality as well as bringing to light people, places, and events that have been unjustly forgotten. It\u2019s fascinating and a little scary to read about how American history has been blatantly skewed by those with the power to write and disseminate it.\n\nA Demon-Haunted Land: Witches, Wonder Doctors, and the Ghosts of the Past in Post-WWII Germany by Monica Black\n\nAs if World War Two didn\u2019t have devastating and traumatic enough consequences for the national psyche, its aftermath saw a bizarre confluence of paranormal events and belief in the supernatural in Germany. Unlikely though it may seem, in addition to faith healers achieving national prominence and exorcisms becoming almost commonplace, the immediate post-war years saw an explosion in allegations of witchcraft. In A Demon-Haunted Land: Witches, Wonder Doctors, and the Ghosts of the Past in Post-WWII Germany, Monica Black charts a different course to the majority of histories of the period and examines how a national preoccupation with evil characterized Germany\u2019s transition from a Nazi dictatorship into a liberal democracy. Drawing on a host of intriguing and previously unpublished archival materials, Black examines how these highly improbable superstitions resulted from national guilt and a reluctance to talk about and properly analyze events from the Nazi era. In doing so, she provides a sobering account of a little known yet hugely important aspect of Germany\u2019s attempt to reconcile its past with its prosperous seeming future.\n\nLeadership in War: Essential Lessons from Those Who Made History by Andrew Roberts\n\nWar! What is it good for? Well, reputation building (whether for good or ill) for one thing, or so it seems. In Leadership in War: Essential Lessons from Those Who Made History, Andrew Roberts provides a series of nine pen portraits of major figures from modern history\u2013\u2013Napoleon Bonaparte, Horatio Nelson, Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, George C. Marshall, Charles de Gaulle, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Margaret Thatcher\u2013\u2013who are still renowned for their leadership during times of war. Roberts\u2019 central thesis is that each of these leaders fundamentally influenced the outcome(s) of the war their country was involved in, and he sets out to examine the differences and similarities among them in an effort to better understand the qualities that characterize a war-time leader. By necessity, he does not really consider the tens of thousands of other people who contributed to the winning of the various wars, although he certainly does succeed in elucidating how war \u201cdemands and reveals the best and worst in leadership.\u201d\n\nVanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All by Martha S. Jones\n\nAlthough it\u2019s likely destined to be remembered for other things, the year 2020 marked the one hundredth anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, which granted American women the right to vote. It also saw the election of Kamala Harris as the first Black, South Asian, female Vice President of the United States. In recognition of these historic events, Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All, Martha S. Jones\u2019 landmark account of African American women\u2019s political lives in the United States, has been updated to include the vital contributions of Black women during the 2020 election. Jones offers remarkable insights into how a brave and dedicated group of women\u2013\u2013who have all too often been overlooked in mainstream historical/political accounts\u00ac\u00ac\u2013\u2013fought both racism and sexism in order to secure the right to vote and then used their new-found political power to champion the cause of equality for all people.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 21:40:52", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "339 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009236059", "title": "Love in the Time of Cholera: Illustrated Edition", "author": "Gabriel Garc\u00eda M\u00e1rquez", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 190, "review": "Gabriel Garcia Marquez\u2019 timeless classic gets a beautiful remodel in this illustrated edition of Love in the Time of Cholera. As a classic literature enthusiast myself, I love finding publications of old texts that make them feel more modern, and I especially appreciate print versions with larger fonts and spacing. It makes my reading experience feel quicker and smoother. This new print of Love in the Time of Cholera possesses all these wonderful qualities with the added bonus of gorgeous painted illustrations throughout the text. Marquez\u2019 writing is captivating, bringing characters to life on its own, but the illustrations make the rich setting and imagery all the more vivid.

The story itself is, of course, a treasure. Marquez has the gifted ability to transport readers back to a time long ago, in a country few people remember as it once was, and he captures the many different kinds of love in this world so richly. From the strong and lovely Fermina Daza, to the enigmatic Juvenal Urbino, to the unwieldy Florento Ariza, Love in the Time of Cholera asks readers to question what love is through this story spanning a lifetime.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 19:43:29", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "420 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009236043", "title": "The Sun Collective", "author": "Charles Baxter", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 227, "review": "Harold and Alma Brettigan aren\u2019t exactly happy. Exasperation, impatience, and misunderstanding weight their long marriage, and every day is a complicated swirl of devotion and capitulation. They deal very differently with the disappearance of their son, Timothy. Alma actively searches for him; Harold, while denigrating Alma\u2019s determination, thinks he sees Timothy everywhere. The solidity of their daughter\u2019s life is a small comfort in the face of Timothy\u2019s absence. Alma finds herself drawn to a group called the Sun Collective, which, on the surface, seems to be a group of passionate do-gooders set on creating a better world. Also, part of the Collective are Christina, addicted to a drug called Blue Telephone, and her quasi-boyfriend Ludlow. But it turns out that the Collective isn\u2019t all positivity, and Timothy isn\u2019t entirely missing. Once the Sun Collective enters their lives, the Brettigans\u2019 quiet existence will never be the same.

Through alternating points of view, Baxter examines the crooked path people take as they seek meaning and fulfillment, and in these characters, we see the many ways such a quest can go badly awry. Relationships aren\u2019t easy to begin, or to end; families aren\u2019t easy to keep together; and the only certainty, it seems, is that we can never fully know what\u2019s happening beneath the surface of other people\u2019s lives. Baxter\u2019s portrayal of American society is always necessary--perhaps never more than now.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 19:23:25", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009236035", "title": "Iggy Is Better Than Ever", "author": "Annie Barrows", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 10", "word_count": 187, "review": "Iggy and his friends Diego and Arch are playing outside. One of them gets the bright idea to play with gardening tape\u2026 and chaos ensues. They attach the tape to one tree, across a road, then to another tree on the other side of the street. When cars run into it, they stall, scaring the drivers!

One of the victims of their prank is Ms. Wander, their mean school principal. The next day, Iggy tries to fly under the radar to avoid notice. He innocently tosses a basketball toward the goal, but misses, hitting his teacher instead. Iggy gets suspended from school, leading to the ultimate surprise: Iggy flies. Not intentionally, but that\u2019s what happens anyway. I won\u2019t ruin the surprise by telling you HOW Iggy ends up flying.

You should definitely read this book and find out for yourself! I liked this book because it is hilarious and entertaining. There are pictures throughout the book that are very funny and help the reader to imagine the action happening in the story. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good, funny book to read!", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 19:03:39", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009236031", "title": "The Tower of Fools", "author": "Andrzej Sapkowski", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 211, "review": "Depending on how you feel about historical fiction and fantasy weaved together will determine your ultimate enjoyment of this book. This is the most recent translation of a work by Andrezej Sapkowski after the success of The Witcher series on Netflix, now other works of his are being translated into English to take advantage of that fact. The novel takes place in 1425 during the Hussite Wars raging across eastern Europe, and often not mentioned in western European history textbooks, so many people might not be familiar with the area. While there are elements of fantasy such as the use of magic, this is largely a historical fiction novel and trying to find the mythical Tower of Fools, which when used in its original context was where people with mental illness were locked up during that era. Reinmar of Bielawa, a young man who is often distracted by his passion for the ladies, especially married ladies, must leave his home after a poorly timed indiscretion. While on the road he finds his way to the Tower of Fools, as mystical forces begin to gather that will lead to war. I am generally not a fan of historical fiction/fantasy novels, though this one does have its fair share of blood and sex.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 18:36:47", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "549 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009236019", "title": "Grumpy Monkey Up All Night", "author": "Suzanne Lang", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 184, "review": "Grumpy Monkey, Jim Panzee, is back with an all new story about going to spend time with his family. He is bringing his friend Norman along to a family sleepover. Things are going fine until Jim\u2019s little brother Tim shows up. Will Jim and Tim be at odds, or will they be able to find something they agree on?

Text: The text is great. Just the right amount for a picture book. I love the dialogue. Jim and Norman\u2019s character voice are wonderful. I love that most of the text is dialogue. It makes it a lot of fun.

Plot: I like the discussion of family tiffs. It is something kids deal with, with relatives and friends. It\u2019s a great topic to cover. I love how it was done in a fun and funny way.

Illustrations: I love the style of illustrations. It really seems to fit jungle animals well. I like the choice of white backgrounds sometimes, and filled in other times. The expressions of the characters add lots of great humor. I love the foreshadowing in the illustrations even before the title page. Well done.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "12-Jan-2021", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 18:11:19", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009236015", "title": "What a Beautiful Name", "author": "Brooke Ligertwood", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 201, "review": "What a Beautiful Name is the story about a kid named Oliver who heard his mom singing. He wants to find out the beautiful name that his mom is singing about. The first thing he does is make a yellow spaceship with Leo, his monkey friend. Then they blast off into space and see lots of stars and notice how beautiful they are. Then they make a boat and sail off on the ocean and see a lighthouse. Then they stop at a jungle and take a nap. Then Oliver knows where to search for the beautiful name. They go back in their spaceship and blast off back to his house. They find a Bible and know what the beautiful name is.

I like the book because Oliver travels in different things to different places. I also like the book because it's about Jesus and how his name is beautiful, wonderful, and powerful. I like the song that the book is written about because I like what it is about. I like the pictures in the book because they look pretty and they look like pictures from another book I have read. I think that any kid will like this story.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 18:06:57", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009236011", "title": "The Invisible Alphabet", "author": "Joshua David Stein", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 200, "review": "The Invisible Alphabet/ is an alphabet book. Each letter is on a page of the book. Each letter has a word that starts with that letter. Most of the letters have words that could be like the word invisible. Examples are A is for air, H is for hidden, L is for lost, and T is for too late. Some of the pictures are at a bus stop and show people missing the bus for some reason.

I had trouble understanding how all of the words were \"invisible,\" and my mom couldn't understand them all either. I liked the pictures because they are by the same illustrator as Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and I like that book. I like this book too because some of the pictures are silly, like B is for bare, and there is a kid with a bare bottom! The pictures are black and white with just some orange for color. Most of the pictures are on one page, but the ones that cover both pages are the ones that I really like. As an alphabet book, I like it, and I think that older kids might understand it a little better than me.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 18:02:33", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009236007", "title": "New Shoes, Red Shoes", "author": "Susan Rollings", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 184, "review": "A young boy has outgrown his shoes, and it\u2019s time to go shopping. He is very aware of shoes, so he notices all the different kinds of shoes he sees on the way\u2014skipping shoes, hopping shoes, riding on the bus shoes, high shoes, low shoes, strong shoes, tough shoes. Once they get to the store, there are all kinds of shoes to see. Twinkly shoes, lace-up shoes, Mary Jane and boating shoes. Green shoes, purple shoes, red, blue, or yellow shoes.

Susan Rollings released an earlier version of this terrific book twenty years ago, but this new version has new art and a more diverse set of characters. This is a great book to help youngsters learn opposites (up and down, high and low, warm and soft), colors, patterns, rhyming, and more. The text is fun and sweet, and it will engage little ones immediately. The illustrations by Becky Baur are full of fun details that will keep children\u2019s eyes on the pages searching for all those things. This is the kind of book the kiddies will ask to be read over and over.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 17:58:29", "publisher": "Childs Play Inc.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009235003", "title": "Humans, Gods, and Hybrids: Child 19", "author": "Mark L. Marinaccio", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 469, "review": "How many first contact stories have there been, when Earth is finally visited by extraterrestrials and humanity meets aliens for the first time? Yes, many, many stories, but none of them are quite like Humans, Gods, and Hybrids, and we get to see this right from the start in Episode 1: Child 19, in the opening pages from the point of view of the aliens coming to Earth, only these are not your alien garden variety \u201clittle green men\u201d with long faces and big dark eyes; these aliens . . . well, they happen to look just like us.

The book begins from the viewpoint of Kellan, our protagonist, and a member of his alien species he cares deeply for, Tendra. They are two of many alien-human hybrids traveling to Earth to go live with the humans. They are known as Alien Travelers by the Earthlings. They have no memory of their past, their history, and are both quite nervous and excited about beginning this new venture in their lives. From their birth on the ship they have learned of human ways, studying various media and educating themselves in everything human. Kellan is the son of the leader of the Alien Travelers, Ringbak Arr, who has been working with US President Umani to make their arrival as easy and seamless as possible. Their ship was spotted four years ago and the time since has been a period of negotiation and preparation. And now it is time. Only, Kellan doesn\u2019t want to go where he\u2019s expected to; he wants to run away with Tendra and get lost on the planet. They hatch a plan to do exactly this but are thwarted by immigration, and instead find themselves separated and dumped in completely different places on Earth. Then begins their long and hard journey to reunite.

Then there is the subplot of Agent Kate Pierce, who is part of the newly formed Reattachment and Protection Agency. Their main goal is to find and keep children safe, especially the alien-human hybrids who are easily lost in this world. Then there are the terrorist Alien Traveler groups who hate humans, and the Anti-Trav humans who hate the aliens. It is a complex melting pot that makes the story anything but predictable and leaves the reader hooked to finding out what will happen next. Similarities to the X-Files cannot be denied, and it\u2019s almost as if this story continues some of those story-lines begun in the popular show. It also turns the alien story on its head, being from the Alien Travelers\u2019 point of view and how they are seen by humans and hated. There are many emotions and societal realities similar to our own that lead the reader to question and think. It is a story that goes beyond sci-fi thriller to become something more.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 16:57:51", "publisher": "The Strange Story Co.", "page_count": "289 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009234151", "title": "The Measure of Gold", "author": "Sarah Patten", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Willow Greymoor ", "word_count": 199, "review": "The Measure of Gold by Sarah Patten is an eloquently written novel with cadence attuned for emotive descriptions and proses. Reading this novel is poetically soothing with a rich historical tapestry that depicted civilian life during World War II.

Protagonist Penelope, a young woman at the cusp of beholding the power of her burgeoning womanhood, decided to uproot her life from Sweetwater, Tennessee, and moved to Nazi-occupied Paris, France, in 1940, shortly after her father's passing to join her best friend, Naomie. Naturally, she was acquainted with Naomie's brother alchemist Fulcanelli and his cryptic apprentice Lucien who held the uncommon belief that science could end the war. Penelope developed feelings for the dashingly secretive Lucien. To protect her beloved Lucien and the brilliant alchemical discoveries of Fulcanelli, she trained as a spy and surreptitiously infiltrated at the Le Chambrement brothel frequented by Nazis to seduce a nefarious Nazi soldier to save her love, Lucien.

The Measure of Gold provided more than entertaining magical realism for the reader; instead, it imparted knowledge that referenced the alchemistic maturation of life and the undeniable frailties of the human condition and its numerous flaws via the lens of a young American woman in Paris.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 23:52:15", "publisher": "Ashland Press", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009234135", "title": "The Dreaded Cliff", "author": "Terry Nichols", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 194, "review": "From retired National Park Service ranger of thirty years, Terry Nichols, The Dreaded Cliff is about an extraordinary journey from an ordinary packrat named Flora. Flora is always warned by other packrats to beware of the dreaded cliff, but she doesn\u2019t understand why. One day, Flora meets another packrat named Grandma Mimi who tells her about a time when the cliff was home to all packrats, until a beast drove them away. When a couple of humans hit the road in their van\u2014Flora\u2019s home\u2014Flora suddenly finds herself in new territory. She encounters quicksand and the King of all Kangaroo Rats, but will Flora ever return home? Nichols gives readers a charming packrat character, while also providing an accurate picture of packrat behavior in their natural setting of the high desert. The end of the book includes more detailed descriptions of the other animals encountered in the story, including a packrat\u2019s natural predators, the Great Horned Owl and Great Basin Gopher Snake. Odessa Sawyer\u2019s black and white illustrations provide further detail of Flora and her environment. An ideal book for those younger middle grade readers transitioning from early reader to more advanced middle grade books.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 23:27:16", "publisher": "Kinkajou Press", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009234099", "title": "Night Sky: A Falcon Field Guide, 2nd Edition", "author": "Nicholas Nigro", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 200, "review": "This book is a nice introduction to amateur astronomy. It really is for absolute sky-watching beginners, written for a general audience in a friendly, informative tone that gives just enough of an overview of the sky and the process to get you started without being overwhelming. It starts with great tips for beginning your sky-watching journey, like what types of conditions and settings will be most advantageous, and what equipment you may want to consider. One very important point: any light is going to diminish what you will be able to see (as it informs you, your eyes take half an hour or more to fully dilate). It walks you through the different celestial objects, from the moon, to planets, to constellations and individual stars you may want to find; it also covers meteors and comets. The section on the moon is most extensive; the moon is one of the most rewarding places to start to explore, and this book walks you through many places you would enjoy discovering. The photos in this book are grainy and underwhelming, but even the small hint they give you of what is there will excite you to see the sky's wonders for yourself.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 20:25:57", "publisher": "Falcon Guides", "page_count": "104 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009234095", "title": "Make Your Move: The New Science of Dating and Why Women Are in Charge", "author": "Jon Birger", "category": "N16 Relationships & Sex", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretl Wagner", "word_count": 202, "review": "In his previous book, Jon Birger dissected the modern dating pool and its ramifications for highly educated women; in this volume, he presents the how-to solution. Beginning with an argument against the traditional dating game, Birger\u00a0proves women taking the lead is not only acceptable but optimal. He gets into the specifics of finding a good partner, expanding\u00a0one's dating pool, and even dealing with reluctant grooms. For heterosexual female college-educated women searching for a partner and frustrated by the mystery that is modern dating, this book is a godsend \u2013the cheat sheet you've been waiting for. Its breakdowns (and break-aparts) of outdated societal norms and their negative consequences will help you in your search for a companion, especially if playing the game the traditional way hasn't been getting you results. As in his last book, Birger's claims are all well-researched; the constant stream of scientific studies is a lovely reprieve from the vague generalizations of most dating guides. Although at times it felt as though the book's applicable advice was slightly diluted by the number of examples and illustrations, what is supplied is excellent - and entertainingly presented. Overall, Make Your Move is a powerful confidence boost well worth the read.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 20:20:16", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009234071", "title": "Watch Her: A Hester Thursby Mystery", "author": "Edwin Hill", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 188, "review": "Hester Thursby is a Harvard librarian that also helps find missing people. In the third book of this series, we find Hester pulled into a mystery surrounding a prominent family and the local art college they own. The manager of the college enlists her help in finding some missing students which leads to inconsistencies and some puzzling information. Hester\u2019s inquisitive nature won\u2019t allow her to let this one go. Everyone has secrets, and some go back decades. Together with Sergeant Detective Angela White, she\u2019s determined to figure out what this family is hiding. \nWhen I had the opportunity to review this book I was very excited. I had been wanting to read this series for a while and I was not disappointed. A very well-crafted suspenseful mystery. Even though I had not read the other two books in this series, I did not feel lost at all. The characters are well written and I love the growth we see with Hester and Morgan\u2019s relationship and how we learn about her past. I would recommend this to anyone who loves mysteries. I can\u2019t wait to read the whole series!", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 19:43:41", "publisher": "Kensington Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009234067", "title": "A Thousand Little Deaths", "author": "Laura LeMoon", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lennart Lundh", "word_count": 185, "review": "Laura LeMoon\u2019s collection, A Thousand Little Deaths, works on a number of levels. The least important is as a series of poems that could be categorized as anti- and un-love verse presented in a confessional tone with accompanying self-referential angst. Being technically uneven free verse that would have benefited from an editor\u2019s guidance and a proofreader\u2019s eye, it\u2019s fortunate that there\u2019s more to be gained from a thoughtful reading.

The second layer is catharsis and self-therapy. LeMoon\u2019s biography refers to her as a sex worker, and it\u2019s not a stretch to see her words as autobiographical. More importantly, though, is her ability to make the personal universal, offering guideposts to those sharing her experiences. Too often, this is lacking in poetry born in pain.

The third layer carries this farther. LeMoon\u2019s advocacy work as an advisor to the United Nations gives this collection greater weight and value. It provides if we\u2019re willing to move beyond first impressions, an opportunity to understand the reality behind the need for change.

A Thousand Little Deaths isn\u2019t always an easy or pleasant read, but it\u2019s always a necessary one.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 19:26:27", "publisher": "Weasel Press", "page_count": "47 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009234051", "title": "Fae Child", "author": "Jane-Holly Meissner", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 217, "review": "Abbie has always been a curious child, so when she discovers a reflection of a boy in the water, she can't resist reaching out, only to be pulled through into the Otherworld. She discovers a magical place where her most trustworthy guide is the boy from the water, and she is brought into the middle of a truce between the Winter and Summer Courts. While Abbie is gone, she's unaware that a changeling has taken her place with her parents. Only her father is skeptical as to her true identity, which leads to a surprising secret being revealed.

The story comes to life through the adventure and wonder of a child who tends toward solitary flights of fancy versus playing with real friends. Abbie's curious nature is the catalyst for her falling through a watery portal and into an epic journey in the Otherworld. She ends up caught between the truce between the courts. The story weaves between Abbie's journey and her father's discovery of the changeling, which delves into secrets about her father's true history. The book is a magical exploration that delves into the fae courts, magical beings such as the Cat, the lore of changelings, and the adventure Abbie embarks on to get home, which makes Fae Child a magical tale for all ages.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "31-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 19:12:05", "publisher": "Inkshares", "page_count": "220 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009234031", "title": "Close Your Eyes, Sleep", "author": "Grace Smith", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 186, "review": "Close Your Eyes...Sleep is the third installment in Grace Smith's Close Your Eyes series. Her first two books helped many people through their struggle with freedom and weight. Now in Sleep, Smith is doing the same thing- helping people worldwide to beat their subconscious and get the sleep they deserve without the aid of medicine. Smith presents many real and scary facts relating to the harsh outcomes that we experience internally and externally when we don't get enough sleep. When we do receive an adequate amount, we experience increased energy and success in life. Since hypnosis is still largely thought of as portrayed in the movies, Smith explains their differences in her books.

I found it reassuring to learn how Smith and everyone else performs hypnosis and how it is simpler and safer than one would think. I loved Smith's explanation of it: it is meditation with a purpose. If you read any of Smith's books, you'll realize that her writing is informative and persuasive. If you're experiencing a problem that you can't seem to kick, give hypnosis a try, it might be what you need.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 18:48:31", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009234007", "title": "For the Love of Emma", "author": "Starr Ayers", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Stacia Levy", "word_count": 207, "review": "Everyone loved Emma. Her daughters, Kate and Caroline, learn how beloved she was when they sort through their mother\u2019s belongings after her death. They discover a bundle of old letters and find their father was not their mother\u2019s first love. We learn as the story progresses, shifting into Emma\u2019s point of view, that she was beloved of many. But she remained faithful to one man.

Finding Emma\u2019s love letters, along with a mysterious rose left at her gravesite, turns the two sisters into detectives. They interview older townspeople and visit gravesites to solve the mystery of their mother\u2019s secret love. As the story shifts into the past, the reader learns of Emma\u2019s fateful meeting with Sergeant Noah Anderson at the Rainbow Diner, where she waitressed. Noah is recovering from a service-related back injury and must return home miles away to heal. They keep their love and dreams of marriage alive through their correspondence.

The story has religious undertones, with frequent references to scripture and prayer. Church plays a large role in the social life of the main characters, as is true of many towns in the South. At times, just how loved Emma is strains credulity, but the story makes a bittersweet romance for a lazy, warm Southern day.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Oct-2020 18:05:36", "publisher": "Mountain Brook Ink", "page_count": "332 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009232039", "title": "Be The Refuge: Raising the Voices of Asian American Buddhists", "author": "Chenxing Han", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 271, "review": "Be The Refuge explores the invisibility and erasure of Asian Americans in contemporary spaces of Buddhist sangha (community) in the United States. Through interviews with young Asian Americans who study and practice Buddhism from various cultural and spiritual orientations, author Chenxing Han centers the narratives of diversity and inclusion \u2013 or lack thereof \u2013 among multi-generational, multi-ethnic Asian Americans. While there are differences in the challenges shared by second-generation and convert Buddhists, there are also many similarities in the constant struggle to define Asian American Buddhist identity in the U.S..

Han analyzes the internal spiritual lives of dharma seekers and highlights the historical and current experiences of racism among diverse Asian American communities. The practice of Shin Buddhism, brought over by newly arrived Japanese workers in the early 1900s, became one of the casualties of racist and xenophobic policy that imprisoned Americans of Japanese descent during World War II. Han discovers that fifth-generation Japanese-Americans \u2013 whose families endured incarceration \u2013 are proudly bringing back the rituals and traditions that define Buddhism as practiced by their immigrant forebears.

\nThe practice of Buddhism requires a nurturing sangha. In Be The Refuge, Buddhists from all backgrounds will find truth in the words of like-minded people from various Asian streams, dealing squarely with the complexity of \u201cbetwixt-and-between\u201d racial identities and life experiences. While reclaiming traditional Buddhist rites in their practice, Asian American Buddhists are also defining engaged practice by incorporating social justice advocacy and action in their commitment to faith. Han\u2019s analysis is cause for celebration and hope: both of enduring cultural heritage and the power of unifying and empowering experiences, rooted in equanimity.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 21:25:16", "publisher": "North Atlantic Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009232003", "title": "The Roach", "author": "Rhett C Bruno", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 259, "review": "The Roach, once known as the Haunt of the Horton River, sent shivers into the hearts of Iron City\u2019s underworld, but not anymore. Reese Roberts, the once-feared vigilante, is now living in the past and at the bottom of a bottle. Shot in the back while making his last rescue, Reese now lives his life in a wheelchair. While he pities himself because he is paralyzed, he doesn\u2019t want others to define him by his disability. Reese\u2019s identity was stolen while he was in a coma, and a new killer is leaving messages for The Roach. With the help of the only two people who can stand him, Reese must once again save Iron City from a killer.

Bruno\u2019s The Roach is a look into a \u201csuperhero\u2019s struggle with the dark side of reality,\u201d and the author demonstrates great skill in writing the sympathetic character. The Roach is not your typical superhero: he\u2019s a self-pitying drunk recluse with no people skills. Yet, for all his flaws, one can\u2019t help but root for The Roach. He always wants to do the right thing, as he shows his deep care and concern for people, even as he struggles to fit in society.

Bruno also excels in describing place and defining mood. The stench of dead fish along the harborside or the feel of the smooth marble of the Aurora Tower seem all too real. The Roach is a masterful blend of thriller, mystery, and dark comedy. This character-driven novel will intrigue fantasy fans, as well as those who love gritty superhero stories.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 20:47:51", "publisher": "Aethon Books", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009231151", "title": "Teaching Mrs. Muddle", "author": "Colleen Nelson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "The first day of kindergarten is a hard day for any youngster. Kayla is worried she will miss her mom and cry or maybe get lost in the school. But it isn\u2019t Kayla who is having trouble the first day. It is the kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Muddle, who seems to get lost and be often confused. She hands out the wrong name tags to the children, and they get to know each other while they find the right ones. Kayla helps Mrs. Muddle out. Kayla knows the book Mrs. Muddle is reading by heart and helps her to read it. Kayla is smart enough to ask for directions to all the different places in the school. By the end of the day, Kayla knows her way around and has made many friends.

Colleen Nelson has written a really sweet story that will help young students with their first-day jitters. The writing has a great sense of fun and the story will make the pages fly by. Illustrator Alice Carter amps up the sense of fun with her bright, humorous illustrations, which are filled with delightful details that will keep little eyes on the pages. This is a most charming book.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 23:48:50", "publisher": "Pajama Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009231147", "title": "Duck Days", "author": "Sara Leach", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 212, "review": "Lauren and her dad are discussing the plan for Lauren to go to her friend Irma\u2019s house. They try to plan for every situation they can to help Lauren control her worry and anger from her autism spectrum disorder. Her dad also gives her advice to go with the flow, and tools for calming down. \nHer visit to her friend\u2019s house goes fine until Irma starts talking about her new friend next door. Will Lauren be able to process this and other new things happening around her, or will she have a blow up of emotions?

Text: I think this book is amazing. I love that it is from first person, Lauren\u2019s point of view, and how we can see how she processes things. It is so helpful for me as an adult, and I think also for kids on the spectrum (or not) to be able to understand how they process their emotions. I love how Irma and the teachers help Lauren, but also gently help her challenge herself.

Illustrations: I thought the pictures depicted the scenes perfectly, whether something was happening or whether Lauren was processing emotions. It adds to the text wonderfully.

Age Range: 7 to 10 years. I also think anyone who works with kids would benefit from reading this.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 23:46:33", "publisher": "Pajama Press", "page_count": "104 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009231143", "title": "Fairy Godmothers Inc.", "author": "Saranna DeWylde", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 187, "review": "Lucky feels her first name could not have been more wrong about her. Really, the only thing she seems to be good at is passing her bad luck off to other people\u2014intentional or not. When Lucky\u2019s fairy godmothers ask her to return to the town of Ever After to help them with a mission, Lucky immediately says yes. The mission: Help Ever After with its magic supply problem by faking a wedding to her ex, Ransom. Her godmothers hope to promote Ever After as a wedding destination by having them fake this marriage, and maybe get Lucky and Ransom back together.

Lucky and Ransom manage to rekindle their relationship, but after a few catastrophes, including some rogue cherries, Lucky isn\u2019t so sure they are meant to be together. Her bad luck keeps rubbing off on Ransom, to the point where he might lose his chocolate business because of it. Can Lucky and Ransom navigate their complicated feelings for each other and save Ever After?

I thought this was a cute book with a delightful story. I enjoyed watching Lucky grow as a person, and finally find her happy ending.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 23:43:39", "publisher": "Kensington Publishing", "page_count": "297 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009231131", "title": "Last: The Story of a White Rhino", "author": "Nicole Davies", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 244, "review": "Written and illustrated by Nicola Davies, Last: The Story of a White Rhino tells the tale of Sudan, one of the last Northern White Rhinos in existence. In an attempt to save his kind from extinction, he is captured in 1975 and transported to a zoo in the Czech Republic. Just five years later, all of the Northern White Rhinos outside of captivity have perished.

Sudan remembers the glorious days of freedom when the little ones played, and he walked alongside his mama through the African terrain. He recalls her scent: \u201cShe smelled beautiful.\u201d Twenty-four long years pass before he is finally released into the wild where he joins the only other two Northern White Rhinos left alive. He dies in 2018, but through this story, his legacy remains.

This is a magnificent book. It speaks of the beauty these creatures behold and shows how profoundly human selfishness and cruelty can affect the survival of a species. Uniquely, many of the illustrations have advertising slogans and words from environmental speeches sketched within them. Though young children may not fully understand them, they are likely to generate curiosity and appear in a variety of different languages. The content of the story will be of relative ease for those who read at a second-grade level to decode. The target audience for this captivating narrative is children ages five to nine, and youth whose hearts go out to animals, and the preservation of them will cherish it.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 23:35:17", "publisher": "Tiny Owl", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009231127", "title": "Shape Up, Construction Trucks!", "author": "Victoria Allenby", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 6", "word_count": 135, "review": "Shape Up Construction Trucks is a good book for very little kids. The book is bigger than a basic board book. The pictures are better than a lot of books like this but the words are kind of boring so we made up our own silly poems to go with the pictures and my little brother liked that. It\u2019s really easy for little kids to see the shapes in each picture because there is a color line where the shape is. The book says \u201coval\u201d instead of \u201cellipse,\u201d for that shape but you can read it however you want to read it. If you like going to watch construction sites and want to see pictures of lots of big machines you will probably like this book. It would be good for giving to a toddler.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 23:33:14", "publisher": "Pajama Press", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009231119", "title": "Field Trip (Mr. Wolf\u2019s Class #4)", "author": "Aron Nels Steinke", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Natalie - Age 10", "word_count": 154, "review": "I think this book was really great and entertaining. The comic book layout gave it some depth so I really knew what was going on, in contrast to the novel layout with no pictures. The illustrations had a nice, playful style and were very detailed. One thing I didn't like was that I couldn't really tell whether the characters were girls or boys. Other than that I really liked the plotline of the story and how the story evolved more over time. There is one thing: The story of the headless miner in the story doesn't really help the plot go along. It does create a nice campfire image, but it just seems to be useless to the story. I think this book goes well with the other ones. All and all, this book was a great book and I recommend it to anyone looking for a book that will be entertaining and great.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 23:24:01", "publisher": "Scholastic ", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009231115", "title": "Surviving Genocide: Native Nations and the United States from the American Revolution to Bleeding Kansas", "author": "Jeffrey Ostler", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 206, "review": "The relationship between Native Americas and settlers from Europe has been a long and conflicted process. From forced removals to attacks to drive native Americas off of their land in an effort to claim it for itself. Even though this book would have you think otherwise it was often a time of cultural exchange between the European settlers and the different native groups; sadly this book just paints a picture of constant war and death. Professor Jeffrey Ostler uses several anachronisms and focuses almost entirely on war that one is left thinking that is all that happened was constant conflict and that nothing else defined the native experience. Ostler does look at the myth of smallpox being spread through blankets, and make the argument that by the time certain colonists attempted that the natives already had the sense to isolate those sick and to create distance. But it is the use of the word genocide, a completely modern word, that really troubles me. He uses it in such a way that is being used by more and more historians to make us worry about the future of historical thinking. Making the claim of genocide is difficult and putting it on things in the past is troubling.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 23:21:37", "publisher": "Yale University Press", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009231111", "title": "Dying is Easy", "author": "Joe Hill", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 207, "review": "Stand-up comedy was the next best thing for Syd Homes after leaving the police force. After all, he has plenty of material, even if it is dark and sordid in tone. After his routine, he and a couple of the other guys take turns complaining about Carl Dixon, another comic who has been offered spots on shows like Leno and known to steal jokes from other performers. Syd sees Carl out back and gives him a beating to remember, though Syd left Carl very much alive. When Carl is found dead the next morning, Syd is on the move to clear his name. He tracks down several leads from the club, leading him to a pawn shop, then a movie set. Unfortunately, this murder will not be an easy one to solve as Carl was disliked by many, almost as many as Syd himself.

Syd is not likable, his police skills bumbling and his comedy brash, making him a refreshing main character for a dark murder mystery. While some of the characters are drawn similarly, which can be confusing, there\u2019s enough of Hill\u2019s storytelling to follow along. It probably won\u2019t appeal to most of Hill\u2019s fans, but it\u2019s a decent distraction while waiting for the next release.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 23:18:23", "publisher": "IDW Publishing", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009231095", "title": "Life Lessons on the Sierra Trail: 40 Years\u2019 Experiences in the John Muir Wilderness", "author": "Allen Clyde", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 193, "review": "A self-described parable, this travelogue draws on the author\u2019s forty-plus years of experience leading packhorses through the John Muir Wilderness in the Sierra Mountains. In it, a young man named Pablo takes a summer job with a horse packer to get away from his directionless existence before going off to college and his future. His childhood love of horses, and his mother\u2019s aching feet, get him a job with Dr. Clyde, wherein Pablo finds himself far from the city and immersed in the natural world, horses, and rhythms of life. Long monologues from Dr. Clyde along the trail illustrate all kinds of life values to Pablo, and the reader experiences it along with him as he, and they, settle into life along the trail, taking in generous descriptions of the terrain and regional history, as well as rambling yet pertinent stories about life, preparedness, and self-reliance. This is a short read with lots of depth, clever line drawings, and a truly stunning number of life lessons. Pablo, along with the reader, finds his way over the course of the summer, and how to go through life \u201cslow, easy, and lead with a smile.\u201d", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 22:59:40", "publisher": "Linden Publishing", "page_count": "180 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009231091", "title": "The Princess in Black and the Giant Problem", "author": "Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, with illustrations by LeUyen Pham", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 168, "review": "If you already like the Princess In Black series, you will absolutely love this book. The illustrator has done an amazing job with all her pictures in all of her books because she puts in a ton of detail and good expressions so you feel like you\u2019re in the book. The author is amazing because you never know exactly what\u2019s going to happen and even if you think you know, you\u2019re not always right because it\u2019s full of mysteries. The Princess In Black and the Giant Problem is an adventure with a giant looking for a Squashy. He picks up some of the friends and tries to eat them with his toothless gums but he can\u2019t eat them without teeth. All of the friends, including some new ones, try to battle the giant together. They try all sorts of things to defeat the giant but nothing works until the new friends bring new ideas and everyone makes a plan together to solve the problem of the giant.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 22:56:22", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009231075", "title": "This Is Your Time", "author": "Ruby Bridges", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Andrew - Age 12", "word_count": 206, "review": "This Is Your Time is the autobiographical story of Ruby Bridges. Ruby was the first Black student to enroll in an all-white elementary school. She was six years old when she lived in New Orleans, Louisiana, and she was the center of a lot of media attention. This book is her way of telling, from her own perspective, what it was like to be yelled as a little kid.

Ruby, who is now sixty-six years old, writes about what it was like before and after the school day as well as how she had to be escorted by four U.S. Marshals because it was unsafe for her family to be the ones to take her to school. It doesn\u2019t stop in 1960, as the book takes us through some of what has happened in Ruby\u2019s life over the last six decades.

This short read is quite inspiring. It is full of black and white pictures from the 1960s through to 2020. I recommend this book to everyone who wants a truly united nation and hopes to eliminate the racial divide in America \u2013 that might mean you\u2019re ten years old or it might mean you\u2019re fifty years old, but either way this book is for you.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 22:08:27", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009231067", "title": "Bread Therapy: The Mindful Art of Baking Bread", "author": "Pauline Beaumont", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "For quite a while after the pandemic hit, it was nearly impossible to buy flour and yeast. Bread making had a resurgence of popularity, and people who had never made a loaf of bread in their lives suddenly were growing sourdough starter and kneading dough. It turns out there is a really good reason for this, and this book will help you understand why this happened and give you some great recipes as well. Pauline Beaumont is a therapist, and she saw the beauty of bread baking as a tool to help people relieve the stress of living through this pandemic. The real beauty of bread baking is that it slows things down. It takes time. It is physical. It is meditative. When stressed, it\u2019s nice to be able to squeeze a stress ball. Kneading bread dough is that and so much more. Quiet contemplation and learning patience are practically built into the process. And the aromas of rising bread and baking bread are soothing. This book will help readers realize all these helpful tricks and give them several great bread recipes to warm up their lives. A good glossary and suggested readings finish it.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 22:02:02", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009231063", "title": "Twins", "author": "Varian Johnson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 197, "review": "Twin sisters, Francine and Maureen Carter, do everything together. Francine is the outgoing and articulate twin. Maureen is the straight-A student and shy twin. When it was time to enter middle school, everyone mistook them for the other. The twins ended up in separate classes so they can have some independence from each other. Having some space from each other was proving difficult. Problems arise when both Maureen and Francine decide to run for Student Body President. Competition gets ugly and dirty politics causes some tension in the Carter family. It's difficult when siblings excel in an area which can cause some jealousy and sibling rivalry. The problems between Francine and Maureen could have been avoided if they had communicated with each other better. The parents also decided to hide certain things from Maureen which I didn't understand. They could have easily just talked with Maureen to help her understand that Francine needed some space to herself. Instead, they decided to lie to Maureen and kept secrets from her which made her misunderstand Francine. Twins is a wonderful graphic novel about sisterhood. Graphic novel enthusiasts will love this story about sibling rivalry and finding your own identity.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 21:59:57", "publisher": "Scholastic ", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009231047", "title": "A Pretty Deceit (A Verity Kent Mystery Book 4)", "author": "Anna Lee Huber", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 218, "review": "Verity Kent is back in Anna Lee Huber\u2019s A Pretty Deceit and peacetime seems to have brought very little in the way of rest for her. Her husband, thought dead for a year, is now back, and she is trying to settle into a normal, espionage free life. She is asked by her father to check in on her aunt who is considering selling her estate. She soon learns that her aunt has been less than truthful about the state of things when she discovers forged artworks and missing valuables. Even worse, a body turns up on the estate as well. There is a definite connection between the murder and the neighboring airfield and Verity must discover it before she becomes the next victim.

This book is not successful as a stand-alone novel and should be read with the others in the series. There are too many character relationships that the reader misses out on otherwise and the recurring villain theme makes little sense without the knowledge gained by reading books one through three. Speaking of relationships, I found the charisma between Verity and her former lover much more interesting than that of her and her husband. I have read other Huber books and enjoy her work; however, I will not be picking up another Verity Kent novel.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 21:41:24", "publisher": "Kensington Publishing", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009231023", "title": "Keep Moving", "author": "Maggie Smith", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 164, "review": "The poet, Maggie Smith (not the famous actress) has built a motivational book page by page as she recovered from the loss incurred by her divorce. While one tires of the nagging Keep Moving on every page, one can also be buoyed by the relentless understanding and optimism of the messages in the book. Whilst this book was undoubtedly created for those suffering losses or transition, given the year 2020, this book will be of help to all of us in getting through this difficult time. It is indeed wise advice to Keep Moving. The author bases this advice on uncertainty: no one knows what will happen next, but it is important to get oneself to the next stage.

This book is perfect for a daily jolt of inspiration and hope. The author acknowledges that she herself used pessimism as protection: if one forecasts the worst eventuality, then one can always be pleasantly surprised at better outcomes. This is a perfect little bedside book.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 20:34:15", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "214 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009231019", "title": "Timo the Adventurer", "author": "Jonathan Garnier", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 178, "review": "Timo has read all the books in his village. He can no longer resist the call of adventure, so he leaves home. He documents everyone he meets and everything that happens to him in his journal. He meets a mushpuff in the mysterious forest surrounding his village. His run-in with a thieving scampermunk proves to be worthwhile. But when he saves Broof, a magical beast locked up in a temple, they must go on the run from the mysterious shadows. Timo is finally put to the test and given the opportunity to become like the heroes he has read about. Timo has the soul of an adventurer, but does he have what it takes to become a true hero?

The graphic novel Timo the Adventurer, written by Jonathan Garnier and illustrated by Yohan Sacr\u00e9, is an enchanting and fun-filled adventure. Timo is an inquisitive boy who has yet to learn that a smithy-forged weapon is not what makes someone a hero. Sacr\u00e9\u2019s muted color palette turns monsters and beasts into adorable, magical creatures, making this a real page-turner.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "28-Dec-2020", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 20:30:51", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009231015", "title": "The Invasion (Animorphs Graphix #1)", "author": "K. A. Applegate", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 10", "word_count": 188, "review": "This is a graphic novel based on the original Animorphs series. While walking home from the mall, five friends cut through a construction site and encounter an alien ship. The alien gives the friends the power to morph into animals at will, so long as they have touched the animal to absorb its DNA.

In addition to their new powers, the alien shares information with the friends that changes their lives and gives them a mission: to defeat the yeerks, a parasitic alien race that takes over human minds. Their best chance of defeating the yeerks is to find them in yeerk pools, where they go to absorb minerals they would get on their home planet. In order to soak themselves, they have to leave their hosts, which leaves them vulnerable to attack.

I liked this book because the story was very entertaining. This fast-paced story kept me turning the pages! Although it was easy to read, the story and pictures kept me engaged until the final page! This introduction to the world of the Animorphs makes me want to put the original series on my reading list!", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 20:23:02", "publisher": "Scholastic ", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009230003", "title": "Scam-Proof Your Assets", "author": "Garrett Sutton", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 420, "review": "Scam-Proof Your Assets is a book that everyone should read simply because scams can happen to any of us. Garrett Sutton, Esq. is an asset protection expert and, in this Rich Dad Advisor book, he provides a plethora of scenarios in which regular people such as you and I get scammed by smooth talkers. In fact, there are so many scams out there that it is guaranteed that each and every one of us has been hit up by one of these deceptive people at some time or another. The book teaches the reader that we are all a target of scams. It doesn't matter who you are, where you live, or how much money you have or don't have.

Scam-Proof Your Assets describes how each scam works in detail and catalogs them all from the infamous Ponzi scheme and Frank Abagnale's counterfeit check scheme to today's Nigerian princes and princesses who need your bank account information so that you can help them claim millions of dollars. Some scams are not quite so obvious though. This book tells the reader what to look for to distinguish between a real deal and a fake.

In one story, a lady received a phone call from the Publisher's Clearing House. She recognized the caller's name as someone who was, in fact, a representative of the company and so when the lady asked her to send money to claim her prize money for taxes and fees, she felt comfortable doing so. Unfortunately, this one-time payment became one of many and, before she knew it, she had paid thousands of dollars only to realize that her \"Big Check\" from Publisher's Clearing House would probably never arrive. She had been taken.

The sad part of all the stories in the book is that there are so many scams out there that wipe out people's life savings. Take, for instance, real estate scams. In one scenario, a payment was redirected by email to be sent to another address. Neither realtor involved in the transaction had sent the email and so the person buying the house lost this large sum of money that wouldn't be replaced.

If there's anything you learn from this book, perhaps it is to not trust anyone. Check things once, then double check them. And don't make hasty decisions because you are being pressured to do so. This book is an excellent read that should be passed on from person to person to stop those people who are in the business of scamming others.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 15:58:17", "publisher": "RDA Press, LLC", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009229003", "title": "Strawberry Roan: Growing Up in the Shadow of Hermit's Peak", "author": "Judith Beil Vaughan", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 76, "review": "\"A girl and her horse have made many a story, but here it is only the beginning. This moving memoir carries readers from the 1950s and a small mountain town in New Mexico to a life where the dream to return to that ranch life drives the author. The journey is filled with drama, love, heartbreak, growth, and change, all told in a straightforward voice of a true storyteller.\" \u2014 Rosi Hollinbeck, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Oct-2020 10:35:43", "publisher": "Irie Books", "page_count": "274 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009224003", "title": "The Fiddler in the Night", "author": "Christian Fennell", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 400, "review": "Sixteen-year-old Jonathan McLean\u2019s father is slowly dying, and their sheep are sick with the pox. Jonathan is ordered by his parents to kill and burn the sheep while his mother takes care of his father. Not far from the McLean\u2019s farm live an elderly couple who are murdered by a cold-blooded killer named Leonard. Thus begins Christian Fennell\u2019s debut novel, The Fiddler in the Night, a story of one young man\u2019s journey in an unforgiving rural landscape to find his kidnapped mother. That is the novel at its surface, but within its depths, it is about the showdown between good and evil, and the battle with darkness and despair: \u201cin the night, evil begets evil\u2026it knows no alliance, not even to its own self\u2026\u201d

Jonathan\u2019s house is broken into on the same night as his father\u2019s wake. His mother is missing, and their \u201962 Ford truck seems to also have been taken. Jonathan sets out on his horse, Destiny, unwittingly following the violent trail left by Leonard, a dangerous man with a taste for blood. In a world as real as ours yet as imaginary as Alice\u2019s Wonderland, Jonathan meets a unique ensemble of characters as he follows Leonard. These characters are the core of the novel, some desperate and cunning, a few of them innocent. A ten-year-old girl named Rachel mourns the loss of her mother who recently committed suicide. There is Wakefield and his truck full of circus freaks, and the fiddler in the night named Charlie. An old man at a diner mistakes Jonathan for a hunter, advising \u201cIf it was me, I\u2019d treat this like I was huntin\u2019 wild cats.\u201d There are Leonard\u2019s victims, most of them women: a snake hunter with plans to leave for France; a young woman dragging around part of a chain, escaping abuse; and even a nun. Jonathan\u2019s journey is part mystery and part search for self. It is worth the read not only to discover his mother\u2019s fate but also to find out who is left standing by the end.

Fennell\u2019s haunting and poetic prose take readers through the Godforsaken terrain of rural America with a reluctant hero in Jonathan\u2014reluctant hunter\u2014who is in turn hunted by Leonard, the man leaving behind a path of destruction. Fennell\u2019s novel challenges readers with its non-traditional structure and form and its head-hopping perspectives and takes them on a wild ride to its stunning and heartbreaking conclusion.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "20-Oct-2020 14:16:35", "publisher": "Firenze Books", "page_count": "230 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009222099", "title": "This Thing Called Life", "author": "Christian Borstlap", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 208, "review": "Noted designer and illustrator Christian Borstlap has undertaken the challenge to explain what life is to youngsters ranging from preschool to the early grades. But this is an engrossing read that will also appeal to the adults. Using few words, but with illustrations that capture a myriad range of the readers\u2019 imagination, the writer manages to distill the essence of what passes for life as we humans view this phenomenon. Using the earthen, colors of browns, greens, blues, corals, and sunflower yellow; the hatched rounded glob-like creatures delineated in the pages will find children\u2019s fingers tracing the shapes and voicing their personal interpretations of the figures. Starting from the galaxy and unknown origins, the story continues to list some characteristics of life such as reproducing, moving, breathing, eating, surviving. Life consists of all sizes from the invisible to creatures such as giant whales. And continues onto some deep philosophical thoughts that children should face, such things as the finite time life allows us and the inequities that are part of the journey but emphasizes that working together is the glue that binds all living things. This is a soulful book that carries an important message to youngsters using the simplest words and vitalized by the amazing appealing illustrations.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "19-Oct-2020 19:33:22", "publisher": "Prestel", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009222095", "title": "How to Spot an Artist: This Might Get Messy", "author": "Danielle Krysa", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 188, "review": "How to Spot an Artist is about art and knowing what an artist does and how they look. An artist can be found anywhere and can make anything into art. You learn about what an art bully is and how to get rid of them. Examples of things to paint, write, and draw are given, and they all look like fun. Also, there are lots of jobs that people who like art can do, at least when they are eighteen!

This book is fun to read because I really like art and want to do something with art when I grow up; I particularly like the end of the book because of this. The pictures in the book are fun to look at because they are colorful and almost look real. The story is easy to understand, but not easy enough for me to read all on my own just yet. I like all the different materials shown in the book that you can make art with, such as string, buttons, and macaroni noodles. Kids my age will like this book, and anybody else will like it too.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "19-Oct-2020 19:25:07", "publisher": "Prestel ", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009222091", "title": "The Little Dancer: A Children's Book Inspired by Edgar Degas (Children's Books Inspired by Famous Artworks)", "author": "Geraldine Elschner, Illustrated by Olivier Desvaux", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Soha - Age 11", "word_count": 295, "review": "The Little Dancer is an inspiring story about a young dancer, Jeanne. Jeanne auditions at Oprea Garnier, in hopes of getting into the prestigious ballet school. Jeanne succeeds and her schedule becomes filled with rehearsal. Every day at rehearsal a man watches them and carefully draws the dancers. One day, he approaches Jeanne asking her to fill in for his model who is out sick. The next day she arrives at Monsieur D\u2019s studio. Jeanne tours the studio looking at every corner and painting. He tells her to stay still and begins to shape the clay. Jeanne continues to come to the studio and balance her dance schedule. Finally, the end of the year has come and it is time for the final performance. The artist has finished the sculpture and invites Jeanne back to his studio to dress the figure. She hands the artist her old tutu and slippers. This story intrigued me and made me believe I was there. I loved the part when Jeanne gives her sculpture her old tutu and slippers. Though Jeanne wasn\u2019t described, her life was and that was just enough to know a little about her and her struggles. The authors worded the story elegantly and it was easy to read. The illustration portrayed a slightly abstracted way of painting and wasn\u2019t very bright but a little dull. I would recommend this to kids age seven and above. It is not only fun to read but also because tells the story of Edgar Degas, a famous sculpture. This book inspired me while I read it because of Jeanne\u2019s perseverance while she danced and modeled. She never gave up or lost sight of her goal even when things got tough. \u201cFall seven times and stand up eight.\u201d- Nana Korobi", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "19-Oct-2020 19:22:37", "publisher": "Prestel ", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009222071", "title": "The Tiny Baker", "author": "Hayley Barrett", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 9", "word_count": 100, "review": "//The Tiny Baker// is a long story about what it means to be true friends. You don\u2019t realize the point of the story until the very end, though, so most of the story is kind of sad and kind of funny to see what happens at the bakery. There are lots of surprises in the book. The pictures have a lot of detail in them so younger kids will like looking at the scenes to see different details for a long time, which is good since there is a long story. This book is good for kids of all ages.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Oct-2020 19:08:53", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009222067", "title": "The Joy in You", "author": "Cat Deeley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 234, "review": "A mommy koala holds her little one close and shares words of comforting inspiration. She says, \u201cIn this wonderful world, you can do anything!\u201d You can sing with all your might and dance to your own unique rhythm. You can paint with a perspective no one else possesses and wonder about miracles waiting to unfold. You can wander to places unknown and fly high into the mysterious skies. It\u2019s only when you try that you unleash your full potential, and by discovering what you love, you will find joy, she says. She\u2019ll be there with open arms when the tides flow in, threatening to cause destruction. She\u2019ll never stop believing \u201cin the wonder that is you.\u201d

This is an adorable, sweet, and inspirational text that sends a vital message to young children: be your true self and search for happiness until you find it. Know that someone out there--whether it\u2019s a parent, a friend, a teacher, or someone else of influence--loves and believes in you and will catch you if you fall. This is a perfect story to share with youth across the globe in classrooms and homes alike. They\u2019ll cherish the precious watercolor illustrations of koalas sweeping across the pages with subtle vibrancy. Those who read at a second grade level will be able to read The Joy in You independently. The younger ones will be able to treasure the tale as a read-aloud.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "19-Oct-2020 19:05:28", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009222063", "title": "Plymouth Rocks!: The Stone-Cold Truth", "author": "Jane Yolen, Illustrated by Sam Streed", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 178, "review": "What happened to the rock famously known as Plymouth Rock? Well, the rock is here to tell you the stone-cold truth. Well, at least what he thinks is the truth. The trusty researcher is here to make sure we get the history straight.

There is a lot of text for a picture book. Especially in relation to the researcher, I felt it was a bit overwhelming for a kid unless they were older. The illustrations were good. I enjoyed the style. I kind of felt they were overpowered by the amount of text on the pages, though.

I think if the child is older and likes history this book would be great. It would be a good book for a research project. I don\u2019t think a kid would find it particularly fun to read otherwise. This book would be great for use in a unit on the truth about Thanksgiving and what really happened. I would love to see it encouraging kids to do their own research.

I would recommend this book for kids aged seven to nine.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2021", "date_added": "19-Oct-2020 19:00:49", "publisher": "Charlesbridge Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009222055", "title": "Busy Little Hands: Food Play!: Activities for Preschoolers", "author": "Amy Palanjian", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 184, "review": "Do you want to show your preschooler they can cook? This book is for you! It has simple fun recipes that they can do in the kitchen with a little help from and adult. The recipes are centered around healthy foods for kids.

Recipes: The instructions seemed simple and clear. I thought they were very age appropriate. Everything was fun and great for kids to learn about making themselves food. I personally thought the bread swirls were a fun creative activity to help my child learn how to cut, spread, and roll something into a fun shape. When the adult cuts it, it is just a cool looking snack.

Photographs: The pictures were great. It also helped non-readers to understand the instructions as well. They were bright and fun.

Kid Appeal: My three-year-old took the book and told me we are going to make watermelon juice. She liked cutting the watermelon and the squishing them in a baggie.

Parent Appeal: I loved that my child could learn to make something for themselves.

Age Range: 3 to 6 years. I think older kids could benefit from using this book, too.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "19-Oct-2020 18:47:10", "publisher": "Storey Publishing", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009222039", "title": "Wild Rituals: 10 Lessons Animals Can Teach Us About Connection, Community, and Ourselves", "author": "Caitlin O'Connell", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 176, "review": "A short book with a big message, Wild Rituals: 10 Lessons Animals Can Teach Us About Connection, Community, and Ourselves by Caitlin O\u2019Connell is the kind of engaging, immersing read many of us could use this year. Over more than thirty years of studying wild animals, O\u2019Connell has drawn some amazing parallels between animals' behavior and our own. In this work, she explores ten rituals lost to modern society that can teach us to be more connected to one another and to the world around us. She argues that this is critical to society and the planet.

A consummate storyteller, O\u2019Connell paints a vivid picture of the natural world, enough to make you want to throw down and do some ritual dancing on the spot. Her keen observations of animal behaviors are delightful and insightful, drawing captivating parallels with the natural world. Whether its through greeting rituals, mating rituals, or grieving rituals, O\u2019Connell makes you recognize the importance of these lost aspects of society and clearly articulates the need for such interconnectedness in the modern world.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "19-Oct-2020 18:28:17", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "248 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009222035", "title": "The Hidden Habits of Genius: Beyond Talent, IQ, and Grit\u2014Unlocking the Secrets of Greatness", "author": "Craig Wright, Ph.D", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 228, "review": "What ingredients make up a genius? These are the key features that Guggenheim Fellow and Yale professor Craig Wright seeks to uncover as he examines the qualities of past and present notables. In these engrossing and fascinating studies of tycoons such as Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Steve Jobs, and others, self-learning triggered their interests rather than confinement to programmed higher education studies. Musicians such as Mozart, Beethoven were driven by their internal musical wiring. Tesla and Edison were propelled by their inner drives. Determination, single-mindedness, which is labeled as grit served to power these geniuses to their goals. Child prodigies frequently fizzled out into wilted adulthood, and factors such as poverty or wealth did not insure greatness; however, recognition of talent helped. Due to the patriarchal culture, too few female talents are recognized, but Madame Curie radiated above many and the majestic Elizabeth I demonstrated brilliance during her rule of the British Empire. Read the fascinating backgrounds of the evolution icon Darwin and his genetic inheritance, or gasp at the wondrous works of Da Vinci, Picasso; the science of Newton and Einstein. Finally wonder if many of the mental giants might be diagnosed as possible autists as their social skills reflect disturbed processing. Written in a flowing, entrancing meter, the author brings these remarkable characters to life as he engages the readers fascination with these amazingly remarkable personalities.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "19-Oct-2020 18:21:07", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "333 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009222019", "title": "The Package", "author": "Sebastian Fitzek", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 176, "review": "This psychological thriller kept me guessing until the end. The Package tells the story of Dr. Emma Stein, who has had mental health issues since she was a child. The book starts with the introduction of a ghost named Arthur who she \u201cmeets\u201d when she is six years old. Fast forward into adulthood and Emma is married to Philipp. Then, one fateful day, she is raped and her hair is cut off. But it seems like no one will believe her. Emma takes matters into her own hands and there are a few violent, bloody scenes in the book that really make the reader lean into the fact that Emma is quite unreliable as a protagonist. A mysterious package shows up in the middle of it all and then disappears. This adds a lot of suspense to the storyline.

Although The Package does not have a lot of characters, it is written just right so that the reader questions the validity of each character\u2019s story. It is a masterfully written thriller that will give you goosebumps.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "19-Oct-2020 18:09:33", "publisher": "Head of Zeus", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009222015", "title": "Show-How Guides: Knots: The 20 Essential Knots Everyone Should Know!", "author": "Keith Zoo", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 208, "review": "Knots are used for several purposes and are traditionally classified by function. This book has roughly four common knots in each of the five classifications covered. However, not all major classifications are covered. Each knot is presented in a double-page spread. The left side shows the finished knot, its name, and possible uses. The right side shows how to tie the knot. The Double Fisherman\u2019s Knot is the only exception, spanning two double-pages as it has more steps.

This book is aimed at beginners wanting to master knots. It is small and able to fit in a backpack. If used outdoors, the book does not lay open flat, and the pages are not designed to withstand moisture or the outdoors. The double-page spread per knot is a good idea, but the left page could be made more useful. As only one page is dedicated to actually tying a knot, tips to tightening or fairing a knot are lacking. Those who have not practiced tying and testing a knot under safe conditions may find their knots slipping or becoming undone after following the book\u2019s instructions. Having a foundational knots reference at the ready is essential for novice hikers, this book may not be the best method for that purpose.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "09-Jan-2021", "date_added": "19-Oct-2020 18:04:13", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009222007", "title": "Show-How Guides: Paper Airplanes: The 11 Essential Planes Everyone Should Know!", "author": "Keith Zoo", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 199, "review": "Show-How Guides: Paper Airplanes is a great resource for passing the time. Included are the instructions for eleven classic airplanes to provide at least an hour of entertainment, if not more, depending on the enjoyer's attention-span. Each plane includes a minimum of seven directions and up to sixteen for the more unique ones; their statistics cover speed, airtime, distance, acrobatics, and uniqueness. There is even a bonus plane attached at the end! The book size is appropriate to transport easily; it is small enough to take it in an overnight bag, purse, or backpack. During this time of COVID, parents will appreciate activities like Show-How Guides that are screen-free, utilize cognitive and motor skills, and provide free entertainment.

I attempted to make about half of the paper planes in the book. I didn't have the \"right\" type of paper to use, but I was pleasantly surprised to find many of them worked great. When I attempted some of the more unique ones, I ran into some difficulty comprehending the folding instructions. I was pleased with what I could do for my kids, and they enjoyed the planes regardless of their appearance, speed, etc. This book is one worth remembering.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "19-Oct-2020 18:00:29", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009222003", "title": "Show-How Guides: Hair Braiding: The 9 Essential Braids Everyone Should Know!", "author": "Keith Zoo", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 193, "review": "I have never been one to be able to do cute hairstyles on anyone, let alone myself. I love having a daughter, but when it comes to fixing her hair, I do about as well as she would. Show-How Guides: Hair Braiding has helped me tremendously with her. I have something (the braid) to fall back on when a ponytail might be too chilly, but a braid would still cover her neck. There are instructions for nine braids in Show-How Guides, including the basic braid, as well as the milkmaid and french. There are also others that I had never heard of before, such as the fishtail, waterfall, rope, and infinity braids.

The picture instructions are simple to follow, and each set of instructions will start with the necessary items needed to complete each braid successfully. Keith Zoo created a user-friendly, optimally-sized book to help every struggling woman. The size is perfect for keeping in your purse, backpack, or bag. This book is essential as a go-to resource when you're having a bad hair day or notice your girl is too. The book is also inclusive, as it includes instructions to do cornrows.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "19-Oct-2020 17:57:55", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009221003", "title": "Arrival Mind", "author": "Louis Rosenberg", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 416, "review": "How can a book that seems so simple have so much to say about the future of humankind? Arrival Mind is a picture book for adults that is written much like a children's book. With one sentence on each page and full-color mixed-media illustrations, at first glance, one might think that this is simply a book written for children. But I assure you, Arrival Mind is so much more than what it seems.

Written as a warning, this book tells the story of a new being, or beings, that are set to inhabit the Earth. But instead of talking about aliens from another planet, these lives are created right here, on our very own planet. They are created to make the lives of humans better - to give us more leisure time, to cure diseases, to make the world a better place. But at what cost?

Arrival Mind is a reminder that although we are creating artificial intelligence (AI) in technology labs, we must remember that these AI beings are not human. They are not meant to replace humans. Author Louis B. Rosenberg states, \"The fact is, we train AI systems to know humans, not to be human\". The algorithms that are used to create the AI systems will automatically adjust and become so intelligent that humans may end up losing control. It's not as simple as just pulling the plug if the AI can outsmart us.

Arrival Mind is a book written for anyone who has ever touched a piece of technology. From smart TVs and smartphones to the little device that adds things to your shopping list, these are all things that have been integrated into our world that we have welcomed with open arms. What was life like without these items and what would happen if they were taken away one day? In fact, what would happen if these devices took over our lives because they could predict what we were going to do before we even did it? Our smart devices are recording everything we do, from the path we travel to and from work to what we are eating at the local sushi restaurant.

Arrival Mind raises awareness of the important facts about AI that we might not want to hear. We may not realize how dangerous AI is until it's too late. Insightful and alarming, I recommend Arrival Mind to everyone. It's a simple read yet the author indicates the seriousness of the matter in the notes after the story.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "19-Oct-2020 13:09:02", "publisher": "Outland Pictures Publishing", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009219059", "title": "The Call Me Ishmael Phone Book: An Interactive Guide to Life-Changing Books", "author": "Stephanie Kent", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 212, "review": "The Call Me Ishmael Phone Book is one of the most ingenious ideas for a book I've learned about this year. The concept is simple: anyone can call the number listed on the cover and multiple pages throughout the book. The \"welcome\" message will direct you to either leave a review of your favorite book or else listen to a review already left by an anonymous reader. To listen to a particular review, the caller will dial an extension for a specific book. The phone book is your resource to know the extension numbers as well as ideas for new books to read. Like a real phone book, there are ads spread throughout the pages for different novels. Bookstores found across the country are categorized by state in order to allow the reader to explore some new reading territory.

This is such a neat concept for a book and it should appeal to avid readers everywhere. I haven't stopped telling people in my house about it, and they genuinely seem interested! I noticed that for each category of book, there are only maybe six titles listed; I'm curious as to how they could keep it that short. Regardless, check out The Call Me Ishmael Phone Book for some interactive fun with books.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "17-Oct-2020 23:48:56", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009219035", "title": "Harrow Lake", "author": "Kat Ellis", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 220, "review": "Daughter of a celebrity director, Lola Nox's life has been anything but typical. Whisked from movie set to movie set, Lola's life has been carefully carved out by her overbearing, controlling, movie director father. So, when Lola is sent to live in the town where her father filmed the famous horror movie, her life is turned upside down. A town is frozen in time, Harrow Lake is like living inside a movie set, but the town isn\u2019t just obsessed with the movie; it's also frozen within its terrifying past. Haunted by the legend of Mr. Jitters, the town will do anything to keep his hunger at bay.

In the fragile world of Harrow Lake, Lola Nox must decipher the difference between urban legends, hidden secrets, and a town trapped within a movie set. While this story is set up to have a thrilling undertone, the battle of a mind's delicate psyche takes the forefront, delivering a powerful blow about perceived realities, the effects of urban legends. Kat Ellis delivers the perfect atmospheric read, giving readers a town that should neighbor Sleepy Hollow. A psychological tale that will have your mind reeling with every twist and your lungs gasping for air. As Mr. Jitters claws his way to the surface, readers will need to dig their own path to the truth.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "17-Oct-2020 23:16:50", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009219027", "title": "Where Is Our Library?: A Story of Patience and Fortitude", "author": "Josh Funk", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 229, "review": "Patience and Fortitude, the lions of the New York Public Library, are spending a usual night in the Children\u2019s section of the library. But to their despair, all the books have disappeared. They travel to Times Square to try to find them, then to Central Park to talk to the wise man about where the books have gone. Finally, they meet Hans Christian Anderson, who gives them a list of other libraries around the city to check. They enjoy the trek, but still can\u2019t find the books at their library. Will they be able to have the right perspective to find the books in time?

Text: I loved the rhythm and rhyme. Josh Funk is a master at doing this. He does both very well. The word choice is excellent, with just enough there to give us a good amount but not so much that the illustrator doesn\u2019t have room to work. I loved the solution of the story.

Illustrations: The illustrator was very creative. I\u2019m sure it was a challenge having the book set at night. He did a great job making it darker without losing the integrity of the illustrations. I love the perspective of them running around Central Park. I think the buildings of the other libraries in different parts of New York City were great.

Age Range: 5 to 8 years, because the text is a little longer.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "17-Oct-2020 22:57:56", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009219023", "title": "Sometimes a Wall...", "author": "Dianne White", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 199, "review": "This is a very interesting book. It is hard to imagine what a book will be like when it is about a wall. This book is a great metaphor to show how our actions to others can make them feel. Our actions can either make others feel like we have built a wall to keep them away from us or we can use our actions to invite others over the wall to build a friendship. I like how the children eventually find kindness and are able to work together from building a wall between them to building and decorating a fun castle to play together in. Friendship is hard, and everyone needs to make an effort to choose kindness when playing with others. Kind words and actions can make all the difference in one's day. I like the colorful illustrations of the book as the kids in the book begin to color and decorate the wall and turn it into a friendly, inviting castle, where friends can have imaginary adventures together. The book is easy to read and spreads a great message to all readers that we should always choose kindness. Kindness is key to building friendships and forts.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "17-Oct-2020 22:47:31", "publisher": "Owlkids ", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009219019", "title": "The Paper Boat: A Refugee Story", "author": "Thao Lam", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 197, "review": "In this wordless book, a girl is eating breakfast with ants, and she rescues one out of her soup. The girl and her family packs to leave as refugees. They split apart, and the girl goes with her mother to hide. While the girl eats a bun, her mom folds the buns wrapper into a boat so it can be a toy for the girl. They follow a trail of ants to their grandmother's boat. The ants find the dropped paper boat, and they sail on after the girl. Seagulls surround the ants and kill some. The ants start eating the boat, and thunder sets the boat on a wild ride. The ants are safe, and they see the girl at the table, a new table in a new apartment.

I like this story and how the ants find the boat. I don't usually like wordless books, but I really liked this book because it had ants and an interesting story. I think the girl and the ants are very brave. I also liked the drawings and how they look like they were made out of paper. I recommend this book to lonely refugees and ant lovers.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "17-Oct-2020 22:44:15", "publisher": "Owlkids", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009219015", "title": "Farm Crimes: Cracking the Case of the Missing Egg", "author": "Sandra Dumais", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - Age 8", "word_count": 216, "review": "I saw the cover and I knew I would like this book. I thought the cover made the book look like it was going to be really entertaining. Some of the words are hard to pronounce and I didn\u2019t know what they meant \u2013 I think this book would be good for someone who is learning to read but not quite ready for chapter books. My dad is a police officer so I thought it was very neat that this was a book about a detective doing work! Someone stole the hen\u2019s egg and the detective came in to find out who stole the egg. The hen accused a lot of people because she was really worried about her egg. A really funny part was when the detective told the dog to go sniff around and then he sent the pig with him to make sure the dog didn\u2019t fall asleep! I thought he wouldn\u2019t solve the crime but then they realized it HATCHED!

I loved the colors of the pictures and the details of all of them I also loved that it was a comic book because it helps me read longer books when they are set up this way. It keeps my attention and keeps me moving through the book while keeping me interested.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "17-Oct-2020 22:41:04", "publisher": "Owlkids", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009219011", "title": "I Do Not Like Stories", "author": "Andrew Larsen,Carey Sookocheff", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 201, "review": "This is the story of a boy who doesn\u2019t like stories, or at least that\u2019s what he claims \u2014 over and over and over. Everything that happens to him reminds him of the kinds of stories he doesn\u2019t like. He doesn\u2019t like stories about waking up or any kind of transportation, be it planes or trains or buses or bikes. He doesn\u2019t like stories about things that happen in school, or that he is given to eat, or even about going home. Nope. There are no kinds of stories he likes.

As we watch the boy go through his day complaining and complaining about every kind of story imaginable, we also watch his cat go through the day having adventures about the very things the boy complains are no good in a story. Everything is represented in simple illustrations in tones of gray with pops of yellow and red. This is a clever idea for a story, but it may well be too subtle for young readers to really get the point. It has some humor at the end, but by then most readers will have been put off by the negativity of the boy whining about not liking any stories.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "17-Oct-2020 22:36:15", "publisher": "Owlkids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009217003", "title": "The Chowderhead Crusades", "author": "J.J. Walsh (John Walsh)", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett ", "word_count": 566, "review": "The Chowderhead Crusades paints a grim picture of Earth in the not-too-distant future of 2054. When a hyper-efficient fuel is discovered on Mars, all humanity needs is a workforce to extract, refine, and transport it back to Earth. Enter teenage orphan Clayton Clayborn, one of the many wards of the state who toil away aboard enormous interplanetary freighters. The working conditions are poor, the living quarters are slightly less cramped than a coffin, and bland sludge is only thing on the cafeteria menu. Clayton\u2019s one and only comfort at the end of each grueling day is access to a digital database of comic books, which he studies before passing out from exhaustion.

To understand why Clayton would study comic books rather than simply enjoy them, we must rewind to the year 2036. Right around the time Clayton was born, a bizarrely dressed space alien crashed the San Diego Comic-Con and declared to those in attendance that the human race is mostly garbage. Mostly. Our saving grace, it turns out, is our superhero comics, which exemplify greatness so well that it\u2019s practically a crime more humans aren\u2019t familiar with them. So the alien presented a challenge to the people of Earth: solve my series of comic-book-themed puzzles and I\u2019ll give the winner access to a technology more advanced than anyone could possibly imagine. After laying out the terms, he waved goodbye and disappeared.

On the freighter where he serves, Clayton and a few other \u201cChowderheads\u201d (a nickname derived from \u201csoup-heads,\u201d which is itself derived from \u201csuper-heads,\u201d the original nickname for comics fans obsessed with the mysterious puzzle) stumble onto a breakthrough after years of stagnation. And after he and his friends blink away their confusion and realize what they\u2019ve done, the book\u2019s pace goes into a frenzy that doesn\u2019t let up until the very end. Almost every stop the characters make is memorable and action-packed.

Right away, any reader familiar with Ernest Cline\u2019s Ready Player One is bound to draw a few comparisons. After all, aside from swapping 1980s culture for comic book superheroes, the premise sounds almost identical. The book even uses the same naming convention for its main character. But don\u2019t be deterred by these superficial similarities, as The Chowderhead Crusades blazes its own trail with panache and is sure to entertain both comic book enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

One of the most impressive features of the novel is how it avoids relying on pop culture references. That\u2019s a difficult task in a story in which so many characters spend their free time studying famous superhero comics. These famous superheroes are never used as a crutch; they\u2019re simply a means to an end in a twisty plot more concerned with human behavior, interstellar travel, and a series of fictional superheroes created specifically for this book.

It is a bit of a shame that the challenges themselves rely almost entirely on simple trivia tests (crossword puzzles, multiple choice questions, fill-in-the-blank lightning rounds), but the book moves at such a breakneck pace, juking this way and that, that it\u2019s quite hard to notice. And while the big reveal near the end might strike some readers as trite, it\u2019s effective and it hits hard. It\u2019s fun, it\u2019s action-packed, and it\u2019s well written.

Whether you\u2019re a diehard comic book fan or you\u2019ve never touched a comic book in your life, The Chowderhead Crusades is most definitely worth your time.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "17-Oct-2020 17:24:54", "publisher": "Severed Press", "page_count": "282 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009216003", "title": "Nine Lives", "author": "Dr. Siegfried Kra", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett ", "word_count": 402, "review": "As I reached the last page of Nine Lives, I wondered how the book's title was meant to be interpreted. The common saying that cats have nine lives could certainly apply to author Siegfried Kra, a man who has escaped death more than a handful of times. But perhaps a more interesting interpretation of the title is the way Dr. Kra's life has changed so often, so completely, on his path from scrappy kid to accomplished doctor.

Dr. Siegfried Kra is unrecognizable from one chapter to the next, the differences in his life stages made even more stark by the achronological order in which he wrote this memoir. Readers will first meet Dr. Kra in his elegant referral office as he reminisces about the life he and his family had in Danzig, before the Nazis invaded. A moment later, Kra is a young greenhorn in New York, picking up whatever odd jobs he can to support his family. In a flash, Dr. Kra is treating tuberculosis patients in the Swiss Alps. Next thing you know he's a young teenager helping his mother prepare a hotel for Polish and German refugees from Danzig, and before you can say \"cardiology,\" he's an elderly man fighting for his life in a hospital.

Kra is a natural storyteller and an obvious contender for most interesting man in the world. He effortlessly delivers his life story in a series of vignettes, some of which are many pages long while others are only a handful of words. It gives the book a wonderful train-of-thought vibe, as if Kra can\u2019t make up his mind which part is his favorite. Each chapter is shared with such unabashed honestly and romantic nostalgia that I sometimes felt like the author was talking to me directly over coffee and cake. These personal, intimate moments\u2014some of which read almost like unintentional slips\u2014were among the best parts of the book. I would have appreciated something to tie all these vignettes together at the end, something to bring it back around to the passing of Dr. Kra\u2019s father. As it is, the book ends somewhat abruptly and feels more like a shuffled collection of essays than a memoir. Still, I greatly enjoyed my time with Dr. Siegfried Kra. Even during the darkest moments, the author\u2019s rapier wit and good humor made every word captivating. Anyone who enjoys a good story will find something to love in Nine Lives.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Oct-2020 21:38:14", "publisher": "Pleasure Boat Studio", "page_count": "122 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009215047", "title": "Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents", "author": "Rod Dreher", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 200, "review": "In this book, Rod Dreher posits that a rise in totalitarianism is coming to the United States. He states that the threat comes from progressives, the left, woke culture, and social justice warriors. He believes that true Christians (firmly in the political right) must organize now to resist and eventually defeat this dangerous foe.

The best part of this book is the interviews with survivors of Russian communism. The hardships and torture they went through are a painful reminder of the horrible things humans can do to one another when they disagree. Their stories are deeply moving, profound, and well-worth telling.

Another interesting warning concerns the nature of what social media is doing to society. Set in the context of other prophetic books such as Orwell's 1984 and the theories of Marx, it really paints a troubling picture of what social media is capable of and has already done to our culture.

Although the book describes itself as \"a manual for Christian dissidents,\" there is a surprising lack of substance in the call to action. There are no clear action points to take away from the book, but it's definitely a thought-provoking read, regardless of which side you align with.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "15-Oct-2020 20:20:35", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009215043", "title": "Logan Likes Mary Anne! (The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novel #8)", "author": "Ann M. Martin, Illustrated by Gale Galligan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 172, "review": "Mary Anne has just started eighth grade with her friends, Claudia, Dawn, Stacey, Kristy, and Mallory. Mary Anne doesn\u2019t know what to expect from the eighth grade, but when she meets Logan Bruno, she starts to fall in love with him, thinking he looks like Cam Geary, a celebrity from a sixteen magazine. Mary Anne and the Babysitters Club think he and Jessi Ramsey, Mallory\u2019s new friend, might be interested in joining their club. To make sure Logan is good enough for babysitting, the BSC sends Mary Anne with him for a trial run. She and Logan do an amazing job, however, Mary Anne and Logan are getting to know each other, and maybe Logan might like Mary Anne too. Gale\u2019s amazing art and brilliant colors make this story seem real. I get sucked in right away. It\u2019s as good as the other books in the series. It\u2019s worth the wait. I also really like the details in the art, like the shading and the wrinkles on the clothes and so on.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "15-Oct-2020 20:12:21", "publisher": "Scholastic", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009215039", "title": "Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women", "author": "Kate Manne", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 261, "review": "Privilege based on ethnicity or gender, and its natural extension \u2013 entitlement \u2013 have been at the forefront of public discussion since Trump\u2019s election four years ago. While most of us recognize entitlement in its most pernicious forms, most of us haven\u2019t clearly defined it, and hence fail to recognize its more subtle, and more common manifestations.

This book aims to classify and demonstrate the forms of male entitlement around us and cites references to support their existence. The first chapter starts with Kavanaugh\u2019s Supreme Court proceedings and introduces the overall framework. The last (concluding) chapter is more meaningful in that it frames ideals of the type of society the author wishes for her new-born daughter. Each chapter deconstructs a specific facet of entitlement. The list includes consent, access to education, domestic labor, access to power, medical care, and others. Chapters start with a true and well-known encounter that serves as a reference for a deeper dive into that facet. As new aspects are discussed, examples are brought in to make that facet real, and understandable. The point that hits home is that these are not theoretical discussions \u2013 they have real-world implications. The narrative also reveals the large gulf between our egalitarian ideals and our lived reality.

This book is certainly an eye-opener. It will leave most readers with a sense of out-rage and may help some readers realize the (unconscious) ways they have been perpetrating entitlement (either as assailant or victim). While readers may not agree with every viewpoint, the book is worth reading for the dialogue it creates.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "15-Oct-2020 20:07:41", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009215019", "title": "The Lawyer Says: Quotes, Quips, and Words of Wisdom", "author": "Jan Cigliano Hartman", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 190, "review": "It is fun to have books of quotes around, and this book is a nice addition to that group of books. Lawyers are largely well-educated, thinking people who have a lot of opinions and are happy to share them. This little book is handy to carry in a purse or a briefcase or to keep on one\u2019s desk to pick up and open to any page to find an interesting little nugget of wisdom or wise-cracking. Most of them have a political bent to them---after all, many politicians have a legal background---or are representative of the courtroom, but some simply refer to life in general or are good common sense. \u201cDon\u2019t write so that you can be understood, write so that you can\u2019t be misunderstood\u201d is some good advice from William Howard Taft. Another good example is \u201cWhen I tell lawyer jokes to a mixed audience, the lawyers don\u2019t think they\u2019re funny and the non-lawyers don\u2019t think they\u2019re jokes\u201d from John. G. Roberts, chief justice of the supreme court. The only thing missing is a good index by topic; that would be a welcome addition. This is a fun book.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "15-Oct-2020 19:19:04", "publisher": "Princeton Architectural Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009215015", "title": "The Flip Side: A Novel", "author": "James Bailey", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry ", "word_count": 213, "review": "Josh is twenty-eight and ready for the next step in life. When his proposal on the London Eye does not result in becoming engaged, he also loses his job and moves back home with his parents to regroup. Since his decision-making skills haven't gotten him anywhere in life, he decides to spend the next year flipping a coin to make all his choices. Surely, it can't go any worse than what he's done on his own.

The first chapter of this book is absolutely delightful. Vivid, witty, and funny, it set the bar high for the rest of the book. Unfortunately, those heights were never really seen again. While there are fun scenes and moments in the book, the overall narrative felt a little disjointed. Time passed abruptly and seemed more like popping in and out of scenes in Josh's life, rather than moving toward a specific climax and resolution.

For being marketed as a rom-com written by a male, the love interest doesn't appear until nearly 60% through the book. This is more a tale of a bumbler who's doing a haphazard job of getting his life on track, with a little romance thrown in for good measure.

Overall, the book didn't quite hit the mark, but it was a fairly amusing read anyway.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "15-Oct-2020 19:13:43", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009215007", "title": "The Women of Chateau Lafayette ", "author": "Stephanie Dray", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 207, "review": "Through the French Revolution and two world wars, Ch\u00e2teau de Chavaniac has stood firm. Though it is the house of one of the most famous Frenchmen known to American history, the Marquis de Lafayette, during those three wars, it was protected not by men but by women.

The Women of Chateau Lafayette, a richly detailed and lovingly written novel, tells the story of three such women: Marthe Simone, a schoolteacher trying to survive the Nazi occupation; Beatrice Chanler, a New York socialite who travels abroad to help French soldiers and children during World War I; and Adrienne Lafayette, the marquise herself, facing danger at home even as her husband fights in America. All three women are powerful figures in their own way, with strength far beyond what any of the men expect of them. What blew me away was not their strength -- I\u2019ve read more than enough novels and seen enough of the world to know how strong women are -- but how distinct they are. They aren\u2019t just any three women; Stephanie Dray has breathed life into her protagonists, making them far more than just flat figures on flat pages. I loved sinking into this book, and anyone who enjoys historical fiction will as well.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "15-Oct-2020 18:54:54", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "576 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009215003", "title": "And Now She's Gone: A Novel", "author": "Rachel Howzell Hall", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 172, "review": "And Now She's Gone is the story of a private investigator named Grayson Sykes who is on a case in which she is trying to find a woman named Isabel Lincoln, who has seemingly disappeared into thin air. As Gray digs deeper into the case, she finds her own past identity is catching up with her. In fact, only her best friend, Nick Rader, who owns the company she works for, knows Gray's true identity.

This book became juicier and juicier the more I read it. It seemed like Isabel had run away from her doctor boyfriend, Ian; however, as Gray did her detective work, she found that Isabel was no innocent angel herself. In fact, it became hard to tell who was telling the truth and who wasn't in this book. And Now She's Gone is a well-written suspense novel with some very tense moments that will make the reader hold their breath. It's a page-turner from start to finish, with a great cast of characters and an even better plot.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "15-Oct-2020 18:50:52", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009214183", "title": "The Nightmare Thief", "author": "Nicole Lesperance", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 197, "review": "Maren\u2019s family is in the business of dreams. They have several pre-made dreams ready to soothe one\u2019s sleep and even some nightmares to frighten those who love a good thrill. They can even make dreams by request. Maren hopes one of the great flying dreams will awaken her sister from a coma caused by a terrible car accident, even if it means Maren could lose her place in the family business for giving someone a dream or nightmare without consent. She is caught in the act by a dark, mysterious woman, Ms. Malo, who blackmails her into stealing the scariest nightmares in the shop. When Maren refuses to cooperate anymore, things go from very bad to even worse, and those she loves most are in terrible danger.

Lesperance explores friendships and family ties in this sweet story in a world of magic and wonder. Even though the conclusion seems to come without fanfare or tension, the characters are easy to love and the world one in which many would love to visit. Readers who loved Astrid Law\u2019s Savvy series or Shelby Bach\u2019s The Ever Afters series will surely love Maren and her dreams to save the world.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "12-Jan-2021", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 23:26:30", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009214179", "title": "Adverse Effects (The Memory Thieves series, Book 1) (Memory Thieves Series, 1)", "author": "Joel Shulkin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 231, "review": "Cristina Silva is a psychiatrist who specializes in helping amnesiac patients recover their memories. Her patients are achieving memory recovery at an incredible rate after she prescribes an experimental drug called Recognate, which is in early trials. Because of these results, Cristina decides to take the drug herself, as she lost her memory two years earlier in a car crash. One of her patients on this drug kills himself and another kills someone else before being killed by the police. A man contacts Cristina and tells her she isn\u2019t whom she thinks she is and that the memories she does have are not her own. He tells her that the drug actually gives people new memories of someone else\u2019s life. Cristina needs to figure out what\u2019s going on before the Adverse Effects cause her to lose her mind and hurt someone or before those in control of the drug hurt her to keep their secret.

Although this is labeled a medical thriller, I would like to point out that there is a lot of espionage as well in case that helps you make your decision to pick it up or not. The premise is interesting and it is very action-packed. I\u2019m not quite sure how it will be a series, as the author wrapped things up nicely at the end. However, I look forward to hearing more about Cristina and Wilson.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 23:18:36", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009214167", "title": "Anonymous: A Madison Kelly Mystery", "author": "Elizabeth Breck", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 179, "review": "Someone has left a threatening note nailed to the door of Madison Kelly, a San Diego private investigator, warning her to stop her investigation or \u201cI will hunt you down and kill you.\u201d Strange thing is, she\u2019s not investigating anyone at the moment. The only clue is the true-crime podcast she\u2019s been listening to and tweeting about. Two girls have gone missing after a night spent clubbing. If she is to find out who left the note in the first place, Madison will have to do exactly what the note tells her not to do: investigate. Madison is damned if she does and damned if she doesn\u2019t.

Elizabeth Breck\u2019s debut novel, Anonymous, is the first installment in a new mystery series. As a real-life licensed private investigator, Breck\u2019s prose rings true of someone who has walked the same San Diego streets and taken similar steps to her main character when solving a mystery. The book features a strong mystery and plot, and it's something to add to your reading list if you are a fan of Sue Grafton's mysteries.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 22:55:08", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009214159", "title": "Everybody's Tree", "author": "Barbara Joosse, Illustrated by Renee Graef", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 8", "word_count": 136, "review": "Everybody\u2019s Tree is the kind of book that you\u2019re hoping will be amazing because it definitely has potential, especially if you like trees. Unfortunately, it is just not that interesting. Comparing it to a book like Apple Tree Christmas, which is really well done because you get to know and love the tree like the characters in the story before anything happens to it, Everybody\u2019s Tree just doesn\u2019t capture your heart or imagination. Before you have a chance to really care about the tree, you find out that it\u2019s going away, and then the rest of the story is just about a big tree that\u2019s, as the title implies, for everybody. It\u2019s good as a library book, but not the kind of story you\u2019d want to read over and over again. The pictures are nice, though.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 21:57:02", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009214147", "title": "His Dark Materials: Serpentine", "author": "Philip Pullman", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 10", "word_count": 189, "review": "Serpentine is a sequel to Philip Pullman\u2019s His Dark Materials, featuring Lyra and her daemon, Pantalaimon (Pan for short). In this book, Lyra is desperate to speak with the consul of witches.

During their previous adventures, it was necessary for Lyra and Pan to separate. This may not seem like a big deal, but for most duos, a human separating from her daemon is all but impossible. They are practically the same being. Neither one knew what was happening with the other during their time apart. It becomes an elephant in the room, and Lyra does not know how to talk about it with Pan, or even if she should.

When secrets threaten to divide them, who can Lyra turn to for advice? Will this gulf always be between Lyra and Pan? Or will they find their way back to each other and reclaim the special relationship that exists between all humans and their daemons?

This story was interesting to read, but difficult if you have not already read His Dark Materials. I loved reading about Lyra and Pan, and found myself cheering for their relationship to work out.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 21:22:01", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009214139", "title": "Agatha Arch is Afraid of Everything: A Novel", "author": "Kristen Bair", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 217, "review": "Agatha Arch never thought her life was perfect, but she\u2019s still taken completely by surprise when she discovers her husband screwing the neighborhood dog walker in their backyard shed. Now she\u2019s suddenly separated and only a part-time mom, left far too much to her own devices. Unable to focus on writing a new book, Agatha instead gets herself a pair of spy pants and an array of potentially useful tools and decides to spy on her husband and his new girlfriend. And also on a suspicious (to Agatha) young woman begging in a busy intersection. While continuing to nettle the other moms in her local Facebook group, annoy her neighbors by refusing to clean up her now-broken-down shed, and confound her therapist with her many anxieties. But maybe along the way, Agatha will also find a way to start picking up the pieces and rebuilding her life.

This delightful novel by Kristin Bair stars a fun protagonist in an unbelievably believable situation. Agatha Arch is Afraid of Everything is quirky and fun, and readers will see aspects of their own personalities reflected in the pages. Agatha is far from perfect, but she\u2019s earnest and righteously angry and it\u2019s impossible not to root for her as she sorts out the current mess of her life. Such a fun story!", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 21:08:50", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009214135", "title": "Tales by Moons-light: Stories From Before the Great Melt", "author": "Ruthy Ballard", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 10", "word_count": 185, "review": "This is a collection of seven stories based on a world called Urth before the Great Melt, which was when the polar ice caps melted and flooded the entire planet, except for mountain tops and tall mesas.

The first story is about a witch who kidnaps children named Margie and Hal so they can work for her in her castle. Inside the castle lives a nerva (the word raven, scrambled), a bird-like animal, who asks riddles. If the children can answer three riddles correctly, then all captives at the castle would be freed. This story has a very unexpected ending, but I won\u2019t ruin it for you!

In another story, a boy named Bai must save his village from the overpopulation of wocs and gips (cows and pigs) which reside in The Land for All.

These tales spin magic and science together. It is the job of the reader to unscramble the clues! I enjoyed this book because it is easy to read, entertaining, and unique. I would recommend this book to other young readers who enjoy captivating tales that take you to another world!", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 21:05:43", "publisher": "To Press and Beyond", "page_count": "182 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009214123", "title": "On Deadly Tides: A Penny Brannigan Mystery ", "author": "Elizabeth J. Duncan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 182, "review": "Penny's retreat in North Wales is going swimmingly, until she discovers a body on the shore anyway. She's well versed in solving mysteries and she knows murder when she sees it, so when the death is ruled an accident, she doesn't believe it for a second. She sets out on another mystery-solving expedition that coincides with a surprising romance blooming with a handsome photographer.

Penny has developed quite the knack for getting to the truth, so it should come as no surprise that even on her peaceful retreat, she stumbles upon another murder. She's driven by her instincts and her ambition with a strong determination to find answers. Her holiday is turned upside down, and the mix between murder and holiday in a wonderful location is achieved through the seamless writing Elizabeth J. Duncan uses to create a vivid mystery. The mystery itself is woven with suspense and intertwines with romance when Penny finds a connection with a handsome photographer who sweeps her off her feet. On Deadly Tides is charming, elegantly written, clever, and features the stunning backdrop of North Wales.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 20:29:22", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009214115", "title": "Natalie Portman's Fables", "author": "Natalie Portman, Illustrated by Janna Mattia", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Natalie - Age 9", "word_count": 154, "review": "This was a great book! I loved the modern spin on these classic stories. My mom says this feels like a book she could keep for her grandkids and it will be nostalgic when she opens it up to read to them. I loved that there were three short stories in one book. The pictures are beautiful. They are so detailed. You can tell the illustrator is a true artist. I love that the story flows and rhymes. It also teaches really good life lessons! My favorite part of this book is that it sounds SO good when you read it out loud! My little sisters loved this book when I read it to them and my littlest sister keeps asking for it again and again! This would be the perfect gift for a new baby - something a mom or dad could read over and over to their baby as they grew up!", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 20:05:12", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009214111", "title": "After All I've Done: A Novel", "author": "Mina Hardy", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 226, "review": "After All I've Done is the domestic suspense and thriller fan's dream book. Complete with a cast of possibly unreliable characters and missing pieces that must be fitted together, this book will keep readers guessing as they turn page after page.

Diana Sparrow can't remember what happened in the months leading up to her almost fatal car crash. Her cherry-red Camaro was totaled in the crash, and she is left with only hints of her memories and a recurring nightmare about burying something. A body perhaps? As Diana starts to piece together the clues, she figures out that her husband is cheating on her with her best friend, Val. Who can she trust and how could her best friend betray her like that? Diana knows she doesn't love her husband, Jonathan, anymore, but how did Val get mixed up in the situation?

This book gets better and better, like a bottle of fine wine. The ending is like an explosion of fireworks that left me with my jaw dropping. As the book is written from the alternating points of view of several characters, the reader is able to get a good look at the situation as a whole, but it's not until the very end that everything makes complete sense. After All I've Done is a \"must read\" book for lovers of mystery, thriller, and suspense.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "26-Nov-2020", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 19:50:38", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "310 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009214099", "title": "Blockchain Chicken Farm and Other Stories of Tech in China's Countryside", "author": "Xiaowei Wang", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 268, "review": "The alluring title, Blockchain Chicken Farm, gives little hint of the extraordinary story of how industrialized agriculture has swept across rural China. Even with impressive attention to infrastructure and architecture, traditional images of villages are not destroyed, but they are assuredly redefined.

The term blockchain, fast gaining ground, describes the multiple databases feeding, into each other to supply unalterable permanent records of information and transactions.

Five billion chickens are consumed annually in China and the complexity of their farming-related in detail. The birds are delivered butchered and vacuum sealed, identified by their intact ankle bracelets that display a photograph, the weight, and the number of steps as identification to demonstrate authenticity and food.

Advances in pig farming are similarly impressive showing the change from earlier productivity. The option of raising numerous breeds has been reduced in a move towards conformity, where pigs are becoming designer animals. Fear of disease is one motivator, spread from snout to snout and transmitted even after death and through processed pork meat. Pork is the preferred meat and pigs receive exceptional treatment and care in the industry\u2019s vast operation.

A third \u2018story focuses on the extensive use of drones. Among several interviews the author conducts, one especially illuminating is with a young man whose rural education and community satisfaction with his community have prepared him for a responsible, and satisfying career.

Xiaowei Wang is a talented writer. The book is a joy to read, not only for her excellent account of industrial progress but also for describing the age-old custom of street food where people can still relax and enjoy each other\u2019s company.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "28-Dec-2020", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 19:36:54", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009214095", "title": "The Puppetmaster\u2019s Apprentice", "author": "Lisa DeSelm", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 10", "word_count": 181, "review": "When the Margrave of Tavia commands The Puppetmaster and his daughter, Pirouette, to create one hundred wooden soldiers, they cannot refuse. If they do, the Puppetmaster will be imprisoned. Pirouette is worried because she began life as a puppet, so she knows better than anyone that these soldiers can be brought to life. But for what nefarious purpose?

When they fail to meet their deadline, the Puppetmaster is kidnapped. Pirouette is then tasked with creating an assassin. She is told that her father will be freed if she completes this task. Is there a way for Pirouette to do what she must, without sacrificing her father

I liked this book because it had an interesting and engaging storyline. The author does a wonderful job of creating relatable characters. It made me empathize with Pirouette\u2019s situation and wonder what I would do in her set of circumstances. Will Pirouette be able to create an assassin that will clearly hurt someone else, just to save the person she loves most? This book is a must-read, and I recommend it to all older readers!", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 19:27:31", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009214083", "title": "The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop: A Novel", "author": "Fannie Flagg", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 196, "review": "I picked up this book without expecting much of it. The most I could think of would be that it would be a quick read and a diversion. What a surprise that I was thoroughly charmed by the stories, characters, and writing in this book. It was a happy homecoming to again visit Whistle Stop and learn that people are ultimately good and so end up in exactly the right places. Flagg is a gifted storyteller. She accomplishes a bit of prestidigitation in this book by shifting time, place, and characters without losing the narrative flow. The main character is a one-armed boy named Buddie, Jr. from Whistle Stop who is raised by the proprietors of the Whistle Stop Cafe. The cafe is known for its cook, Lizzie\u2019s fried green tomatoes, and the generous spirit of the cafe\u2019s owners. Bud grows to be a good family man and father, but as he ages, he longs to return to Whistle Stop and see it once again. It is a magical place where small-town people forge a family together. Particularly, at this time in our nation\u2019s history, it is a good time for us to revisit Whistle Stop.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 19:10:58", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "283 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009214075", "title": "They're Gone: A Novel", "author": "E.A. Barnes", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 199, "review": "Deb is shocked to find out that her husband has been shot and murdered. What she doesn't realize is that there is a lot more to the story and she is about to get trapped in the eye of the storm. Cessy is a bartender whose abusive husband has also just been killed. As she digs deeper, she finds out that her so-called unemployed husband was very much employed and by some very dangerous men. Two women who would most likely never have crossed paths find themselves working together to figure out who is behind the two murders.

They're Gone is a book that I could see being made into an action film. With a cast of shady, crooked characters and the innocent bystanders they prey on, the plot moves with urgency as the game of cat and mouse has been one-upped. Deb finds that she is able to be brave for her daughter Kim's sake, while Cessy finds out that her violent side could have positive results in times of urgency. This is a must-read book for fans of suspense and thriller books, and it will have you holding your breath waiting to find out what happens next.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "10-Dec-2020", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 19:01:05", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009214071", "title": "Silent Bite: An Andy Carpenter Mystery (An Andy Carpenter Novel, 22)", "author": "David Rosenfelt", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 280, "review": "No vacation could be complete without a frantic call from Andy's partner Willie who's in desperate need of his help. Now Andy is taking on a new case as a favor to Willie whose former cellmate Tony Birch has been arrested for a murder he claims he didn't commit. On the bright side, he can return to the Tara Foundation to help dogs in need although quality time with his own canine best friend is cut short. Without even time to unpack after his family's vacation, Andy has a full workload trying to prove Tony isn't a murderer and trying to determine who could pull off an elaborate frame job.

David Rosenfelt rings in the Christmas spirit with a Silent Bite which finds Andy ready to put family vacation behind him and get back to work. The latest case has Andy doing a favor for Willie who believes that his former cellmate is innocent of murder even when the evidence piles up and another body is found. The story follows the format of a legal mystery that revolves around Andy representing Tony in court. The mystery has an open appeal for anyone who enjoys any genre of mystery with Rosenfelt blending the suspense of a legal mystery with humor, heart, and the love of dogs. Rosenfelt weaves in the importance of rescuing dogs through the presence of the Tara Foundation which is at the heart of the series and of Andy. The latest case brings a new dog needing help which is Zoey whose the dog of Andy's client. Silent Bite is highly recommended and is proof that each new installment in the Andy Carpenter Mystery series is a winner.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 18:55:33", "publisher": "St. Martin's", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009214059", "title": "Amazing Treasures: 100+ Objects and Places That Will Boggle Your Mind (Our Amazing World)", "author": "David Long, Illustrated by Muti", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - Age 8", "word_count": 202, "review": "WOW! This book is FULL OF INFORMATION! I wish the text was written in a more fun font. It gets overwhelming to look at the pages with this much text. My favorite animals are artic animals so right away I was flipping through and looking for all those treasures and stories.

My grandpa and I like to trade fun facts. So we read this book together and I loved that some of the treasures in the book brought up stories he told me. We went to Mammoth Cave a few years ago - I can't believe it's in this book!

I think it's very interesting that there are so many treasures all over the world. I like that this book is filled with so many cool, short stories. I get to pick a vacation spot with my parents when I am older and I might use this to start the planning process. I think it would be neat to go on a treasure hunt. The map in the middle makes it really cool to think about this! I have some treasures of my own and I like that this book defines a treasure as anything that is important or valuable to someone.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 18:38:59", "publisher": "What on Earth Books", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009214055", "title": "Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light", "author": "Apryl Stott", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 244, "review": "Bear and Coco are best friends. When Coco learns the other animals don\u2019t care for bear because of his enormity, she comforts him. She knows Bear\u2019s kind and thoughtful and wants to help him change others\u2019 perception of him. When life is filled with darkness, \u201cshare some kindness, bring some light\u201d is what her grandmother says. So she and Bear decide to give gifts to those who fear Bear. Sadly, when they make their first delivery, they\u2019re rudely turned away by Badger. Rabbit accuses Bear of trickery, and Hedgehog and Skunk are no more welcoming than the rest. On their way home, they save Baby Deer from a snow drift, returning him to his mother. This leads the others to see inside Bear\u2019s heart and to realize he\u2019s a brave and gentle creature.

This is a precious story about the power of friendship and kindness. It\u2019s also about the value of compassion and reaching out to others in need. When Coco witnesses Bear\u2019s sadness, she feels for him and does everything she can to alleviate his pain. When the two of them discover Baby Deer\u2019s troubles, they provide him with aid and ensure he arrives home safely. Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light illuminates the effect misconceptions have on others. Young children will benefit from witnessing this through the characters\u2019 interactions, and they\u2019ll celebrate with Bear when the others\u2019 change their mind about him. Youngsters will delight in the colorful, detailed illustrations as well.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "28-Dec-2020", "date_added": "14-Oct-2020 18:32:55", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009300003", "title": "Invincible Ink", "author": "Don Gutteridge", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 416, "review": "Invincible Ink, Poems by Don Gutteridge is a witty collection of work that will amuse and enflame every reader. Gutteridge writes with a whimsical style on a variety of topics from church and God to young love and the nonsensical happenings that accumulate throughout the day. He takes readers on a journey through his thoughts, encapsulating emotions and encounters in embroidered language long forgotten and overlooked. Readers will adore how he writes \u201c\u2026 and though I have no heart/ for what Winter brings,/ I remain steadfast/ in my belief that Spring will glide/ into bloom on welcoming wings.\u201d His words carry such meaning and elicit a memory with a movement or sign. Some pieces bring a beauty to the mundane, a whimsy to the simplistic. Other writings intend to capture an emotion and make the reader smile or ponder. Each piece speaks to a moment or person that is almost familiar, like a dream that slips just beyond our reach after we wake. Readers will find themselves imagining Mrs. Bradley on her front stoop marooned and wondering about the unfortunate end to Gutteridge\u2019s poor dog Mooch. His poems are succinct and engross the reader in this other world. Seamlessly, the author pulls readers into his world of quirkiness and quaintness. There we explore an amusing and at times befuddling interpretation of daily interactions and encounters. An inspired world described by a thoughtful eye with imaginative language. There is a timeless quality to the work that makes it fitting across occasions. Gutteridge\u2019s writing style allows readers to pick up reading at any point in the book. In this manner, the works operate independently and collectively, speaking to one another and yet standing all on their own. It is work readers will enjoy in an instance or throughout a quiet afternoon. Given the varying, and at times mature, topics Gutteridge explores, this work is ideal for an older audience capable of appreciating the nuances and implications of different situations. It is certainly a work to revisit over the years, as time and again it will thoughtfully capture the reader. At different times of our lives, it will reappear and enrapture us once more in its splendor and agreeable sense. The ease with which Gutteridge draws the reader into his words and world earns this work 5 stars and a steady position on a number of bookshelves. Invincible Ink, Poems by Don Gutteridge is an exceptional collection of work that will inspire and charm readers for years to come.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2021", "date_added": "28-Nov-2020 21:14:54", "publisher": "Hidden Brook Press", "page_count": "105 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009299003", "title": "Who", "author": "Nanette L. Avery", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 432, "review": "When Goldie Hildebrant, Mr. Wolfe, and Norman, all individuals who have previously been imprisoned, are invited by a law firm to a free weekend getaway on a private island, they are reluctant to attend. The hostess, Ms. Rosebud, is eager for them to appear and promises that their past hardships and grievances will be addressed. In the end, they all decide to go. In fact, they quite like the idea of compensation and the hope of finding justice. But justice may prove elusive at this retreat.

Ms. Avery has created a fun and highly entertaining novel which brings together famous characters from fairy tales and classic novels. I loved how she incorporated all the classic scenes that readers have come to expect from authors like Agatha Christie. For instance, there is the invitation to a large house on a secluded island, the obligatory storm that knocks out communication and travel possibilities, a seance with an Ouija board, which results in a death, the poisoned drinks and, the gun that appears in one scene and quickly used in another.

What made this such an enjoyable parody of a murder mystery for me was not just the superb dialogue she created but the excellent mannerisms of each character. She has a terrific talent for creating characters by merging fictional characters that readers will recognize but making them thoroughly her own by giving them all some unique twists. As I was reading, I couldn't help but think what a fun play this would make if someone wanted to stage it. Perhaps this is because it all seemed so visual. On the one hand, it felt very familiar, except the author was able to keep the reader engaged by adding elements to characters and scenes that weren't quite expected.\nI think my favorite moment was in Chapter One when Goldie was on the train. I kept getting images of Miss Marple in my mind due to her mannerisms and her tea drinking habits. But when she snatched the money off the emissary's table and walked out of the dining cart, I had to laugh out loud. I also loved the ending. It was spot on, even though it hadn't occurred to me even as I neared the end that it would be so.\nIn short, I found Who to be utterly enjoyable and highly original. This is a book I will remember for a while and one I might just have to read again. I'm sure mystery lovers will appreciate this author's style, wit, and humor. I know I would love to read more like this.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "28-Nov-2020 17:28:02", "publisher": "Bookbaby", "page_count": "154 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009298003", "title": "The Beginning & End of All Things: Stories of Man", "author": "Alex Ganon, Turi T. Armstrong, K.E. Barron, et al.", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 409, "review": "In Just Another Wild Thing, Wells is a soldier of advanced age, possibly no longer completely human, engaged in an endless war when his ship crashes on unknown terrain. The surviving crew is soon the target of a rampaging beast capable of tearing its prey in two. Eventually, Wells is the sole survivor. He encounters an android who provides shelter from the emerging threat of the beasts, yet he soon realizes nowhere is completely safe in his new environment. In The Park, a class trip is mesmerized by rare finds and exhibits that seem more fitting for a circus sideshow. Valhalla Interrupted relates the tribulations of Orm, a warrior of many millennia, attempting to train the next generation of warriors to defeat his enemies. However, he is chagrined to learn those cherry-picked for the battlefield might lack the true skills. The sacrifices made for love and the magnetic pull for revenge form at the heart of The Legend of Bucaris in which Jasa is a warrior tasked with the protection of the emperor. The destructive nature of greed and its ramifications run roughshod in The Devil on Your Shoulder.

Repudium relates the story of Jasmat, a spokesperson for teleportation technology. Her willingness to go out on a limb to save her job and the company she works for has unintended consequences. A man escaping a rampaging horde of cyborgs finds an ally along the way in Todd. Surrealism is the name of the game when tyrants and dictators vie against each other in Dictator Dome. Professor Daniel Vesta becomes the subject of arrest, interrogation, surveillance, and experimentation in From Light. The Zero summons terror when a search and rescue mission turns disastrous as a malevolent presence summarily hunts the rescue team. Adam rounds out the book with an existential dialogue between creator and son (Project).

Science fiction is a genre that proves adept at providing flights of fancy that still unsettle its audience. The possibilities written appear outlandish, yet a portion of the truth lies just under the surface. The Beginning and End of All Things provides eleven tales that mystify and entertain. Each story is a stand-alone work, some brief (The Park) some mini-epics (Repudium). The powerful factor of the unknown and the fear and wonder it provokes in us provide a common link in the stories. The stories within are an eclectic bunch provoking thought as well as providing chills and the occasional laugh. A fun and engaging read.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "28-Nov-2020 06:41:06", "publisher": "Foul Fantasy Fiction", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009296003", "title": "ShBeep the Unique Sheep", "author": "T. E. Antonino", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 499, "review": "One morning, Poppy (aka Pop) is heading to the bus stop when she notices something peculiar: a sheep with a checkerboard on his lap. Not only does he not have checkers for his checkerboard, but he's also wearing a bandana and hat. Pop chats with him, saying it\u2019s impossible to play checkers without actually having any. The sheep disagrees and affirms anything is possible if one imagines.

Pop believes the strange creature is a sheep, although he assures her that he\u2019s a ShBeep, making it clear there is a difference. Pop is quite unusual herself. For Hat Day, she wears an oatmeal pot on her head. On Pajama Day, she dons a fancy ballgown with a Santa hat. The kids at school make fun of her. As she gets to know ShBeep, he becomes her very best friend. He appreciates her uniqueness, how she skips, hops, and zigzags everywhere, how she\u2019s set apart from others. With him, she doesn\u2019t feel judged. Together, they go on all sorts of adventures, some real and some imagined.

One day, Pop can\u2019t find ShBeep anywhere. After he\u2019s been missing for three days, she pleads for him to show himself if he\u2019s hiding. ShBeep slowly comes out from behind a tree. His sadness is palpable. He describes the farmer shaving his wool and confiscating his bandana and hat, taking away the things that made him unique. Pop ensures he understands that none of those things really matter. What she likes best about him is how he makes her feel; that\u2019s what matters in the end.

This is a precious story about friendship, acceptance, and originality. It\u2019s also about the gift of imagining and the powerful impact it can have on the lives of those who dare to dream, transporting them to another dimension where they can escape the here and now. It expands children\u2019s minds and opens up a world of possibilities in which resources no longer matter. All that does is the willingness to engage. ShBeep teaches Pop this, and it ends up being the glue that strengthens the bond of their friendship. Their journeys help Pop flee from the worries of her everyday life. They bring meaning and novelty, while for ShBeep, they break up the monotony. They are the spark that ignites and fuels both their lives. When youngsters read this heartwarming tale, they\u2019ll be able to travel along with Pop and ShBeep, if only in their minds.

Author T. E. Antonino is masterful in his use of figurative language in this book. He laces the chapters with similes, metaphors, personification, alliteration, and even hyperbole. They\u2019re noteworthy elements of the text, making it an ideal resource for teaching second and third graders these fundamental components of speech. Within the narrative, they enable young readers to envision the setting, characters, and more. An additional quality of the text children will enjoy is its hilarity. They will be equally touched by the sweetness within it as they will by the laughter it provokes.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "25-Nov-2020 03:01:37", "publisher": "", "page_count": "88 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009294003", "title": "The Gorge", "author": "Ronald M. Berger", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 548, "review": "Richard Carlyle, a seasoned professor of criminology, returns each spring to the territory he knows best - the tumultuous waters of the Hudson Gorge. Years ago, he worked in the rafting business for nearly a decade as a whitewater raft guide. Now, during the season, he helps groom those awaiting licensure. His first trip out this year with a young guide, Sanders, turns fatal when his raft unexpectedly slams into a rock, and Sanders is thrown into the frigid waters. His feet lodge under a boulder, and he slowly drowns. After another guide\u2019s fate turns deadly, Carlyle is certain chance is not to blame; someone is meticulously setting traps meant to harm. However, he proposes, the perpetrator\u2019s intended target is Ryan Marshall, the owner of the business.

The head of the DEC (the licensing authority) insists Carlyle supervise all future expeditions due to his expertise and status. As the season progresses onward, two serious injuries occur. Through observation and research, collaboration with authorities, and clinical knowledge, Carlyle uncovers the mystery behind the madness: The one whose guilty of the recent savagery is a former employee of Marshall\u2019s whose grandfather was killed as a result of a land dispute with Marshall\u2019s father. With the aid of local law officials, Carlyle tracks the killer down and attempts to negotiate with him, hoping to avoid a blood bath of unnecessary proportion. The cabin he\u2019s sheltering in, ignites in flames, taking him with it, intended collateral that concludes a violent spree of vengeance.

Author Ronald M. Berger has some published works, but this is his first novel. It\u2019s well written and is a relatively quick read. He enables readers to create vivid images of the landscape, the crime scenes, and the city in which it all takes place by his detailed descriptions, many of which include magnificent imagery. For example, in highlighting an entrance location to the woods, Berger writes: \u201cThe area had no trails, not even a decent footpath. It was too remote for the snowmobile guys, people who cruised half-sober all night in terrain that sane people would not approach. There were no houses, backwoods cabins, or ranger outposts where a man could hide or layover in case he got in trouble. Even hunters, afraid of getting lost in the dense woods south of the river, stayed clear of the region.\u201d His delineations bring life and clarity to the story.

Suspense is woven throughout this murder mystery. There\u2019s plenty of action to keep readers interested and turning the pages, and it\u2019s challenging to determine who the perpetrator is. Not until close to the end, does it become evident.

The author\u2019s depth of knowledge regarding specific types of crimes and those who engage in them is vast. The psychological profiling of the antagonist and the investigational aspects of the atrocities he commits are fascinating components of the story. Additionally, the author was a licensed whitewater raft guide on the Hudson River for five years, which adds depth and real-life experience to his work.

This is a solid fictional narrative that will appeal to a variety of audiences, young and old alike. Readers need not have a liking for or an interest in whitewater rafting to enjoy and relate to the story. The characters are well developed, and the plot is intriguing.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "24-Nov-2020 20:37:16", "publisher": "Bublish, Incorporated", "page_count": "232 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009292003", "title": "F*cking Argentina and 10 More Tales of Exasperation", "author": "Gregg Greenberg", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 516, "review": "It\u2019s Not You, It\u2019s BFJ, one of the eleven humorous short stories in Gregg Greenberg\u2019s collection, F*cking Argentina and 10 More Tales of Exasperation, has the protagonist breaking up with the love of his life because he can\u2019t abide she\u2019s a huge fan of Billy Joel. The author cleverly works seven of the artist\u2019s hit song titles into the story for emphasis.

This is only one example of Greenberg\u2019s whacky wit that will have you chuckling with relatable moments. \u201cYou may be right, (he) may be crazy\u201d, but since \u201c(I) Didn\u2019t Start the Fire\u201d, I\u2019m using the occasional lyric or title from a Joel song where appropriate in this review.

\u201cHonesty is something seldom heard\u201d, but it rings true in Weinberger\u2019s Back-to-School Night, a tortuous tale of a father attending back-to-school night for parents of children in kindergarten.

In F*cking Argentina, the South American country is anthropomorphically depicted as a deadbeat trying to hit up a wealthy acquaintance for a loan. Historically it appears that\u2019s \u201cJust the way (they) are.\"

Greenberg is \u201cOnly Human\u201d and \u201callowed to make (his) share of mistakes\u201d and he does. You have to be a Broadway buff to understand the significance of Officer Krupke Strikes Back and even then it\u2019s not funny.

Likewise, it\u2019s a double fault for A Journeyman Tennis Player\u2019s Prayer. A very select audience may enjoy this but not being one of them I can\u2019t attest to their sense of humor.

Malodor on the Number Five Express is also a bit off. The whiff of intolerance and elitism emanating from the protagonist isn\u2019t appealing.

But Greenberg recovers with The Last Couples Dinner. It\u2019s about the guy we all know, the \u201cBig Shot\u201d, who has to have \u201cthe last word, last night \u2026 know(s) what everything's about\u201d.

A dutiful son accompanies his elderly mother to a stage performance only to discover upon leaving the theatre she\u2019s forgotten her handbag. You may have \u201cSeen the Lights Go Out On Broadway\u201d, but it\u2019s nothing compared to the pandemonium created by a lost purse, effectively conveyed in Panic in Shubert Alley. A Side of Exasperation on the NJ Turnpike could be described as a high-maintenance-family, fast food fiasco exacerbated by the \u201cPressure\u201d of \u201cyou never-ever-ever stop the car when you are making great time\u201d.

In Back Off Baxter! the author missed the opportunity to develop this frustration into a \u201cKaren\u201d pet confrontation. Instead, it\u2019s the protagonist\u2019s daughter who challenges the pet owner and \u201cTell(s) Her About It\u201d.

Little Timmy\u2019s Birthday Battle is presented as texts between parents, one at home and one in the car with his son trying to find the location of Timmy\u2019s birthday party. Not being a rabid texter like the rest of the world, I had to go on online to look up the meaning of the text abbreviations and acronyms. Suffice to say, that kills the spontaneity of humor. BOMEI (But others might enjoy it).

The stories in F*cking Argentina are flawlessly written, well-structured, and a welcome respite. Something I haven\u2019t seen \u201cFor the Longest Time\u201d. The perfect anecdote if you\u2019re taking yourself and your circumstances too seriously.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "22-Nov-2020 21:43:39", "publisher": "", "page_count": "100 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009291127", "title": "The Divine Feminine Tao Te Ching: A New Translation and Commentary", "author": "Rosemarie Anderson, Ph. D", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 226, "review": "The translator\u2019s work is to deliver context and convey meaning to the resulting medium, staying close to the intent of the creator, maintaining its integrity. In translating Lao Tzu\u2019s Tao Te Ching \u2013 a collection of poems written in 3 BC \u2013 Dr. Rosemarie Anderson offers a contemporary feminist read of the Tao in the The Divine Feminine Tao Te Ching. Because previous translators of the esoteric text have all been men, Anderson notes that the patriarchal perspective missed the allusions to the \u201cdark womb,\u201d the mother and virgin, which all point to the role of the divine feminine as the creator. Anderson invites the reader to consider the lessons of humility and tenderness of the Tao, traits often ascribed to the feminine.

One might wonder about Anderson\u2019s intention and place as a White American woman in translating the Tao. Questions about cultural appropriation and co-optation are valid. By Anderson\u2019s own account, it\u2019s clear that the translator did the requisite work of becoming fully immersed in Chinese culture, spending years abroad to understand its history in order to deeply embody the language. Her practice of contemplation was guided by the Tao\u2019s essential lesson of \u201cwei wu wei:\u201d act without acting, know without knowing. By listening and feeling deeply, Anderson allowed the ancient text to reveal timeless lessons to unveil a feminist perspective for Western seekers of wisdom.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Nov-2020 20:50:24", "publisher": "Inner Traditions", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009291123", "title": "The Nation of Plants", "author": "Stefano Mancuso", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 262, "review": "In this remarkable representation of the plants\u2019 eye view of the world during this current geological age, noted Italian plant neurobiologist Stafano Mancuso (University of Florence) takes on the voice of the botanical domain attempting to arouse man to the importance of photosynthesis for global life. Taking on the role as representative of a Nation of Plants, the author addresses the General Assembly of the United Nations citing the disappearing world resources, loss of plant life, effects of climate change, increasing emission of carbon dioxide, over-consumption related to overpopulation, desertification and other problems associated with human self-interest. The reader is constantly reminded that plants enable the energy sustaining life by harnessing the solar power through photosynthesis which provides survival food and respiratory oxygen. Through a series of short descriptive passages, the author contrasts the role of plants versus the human strategies in attempting to control nature. Introducing biologic control methods to eliminate introduced species of cacti only derailed the ecosystem, massacre of sparrows and rodents in China resulted in increased insect problems. Plants migrate freely through the dispersal of seeds as climate changes, unfortunately, humans are not allowed this freedom as their arable land vanishes. Top-heavy civic bureaucracies appear to rise to a level of ineffectiveness prior to crashing, plants use other organizational techniques. Symbiosis and cooperation are the hallmarks for plant survival, the practice that helps the survival of this kingdom. These are just a few of the Anthropocene issues seen from the plants\u2019 visual field, but these problems are poised in a novel and engrossing manner in this timely book.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Nov-2020 20:45:16", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009291115", "title": "Ink: A Novel", "author": "Jonathan Maberry", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 199, "review": "Patty is a tattoo artist. Mike is a bond enforcement agent. Diana reads tarot cards. Crow and Mike work on the police force. And Gayle is a school administrator. When their lives intersect in a vicious game of cat and mouse, their memories are compromised as well. There is someone, somehow, taking tattoos, and memories, from people. Patty knows him as Owen Something. Diana can\u2019t remember the reading but sees his name in her appointment book. The theft is subtly violent in its unexpected assault, leaving each empty with loss and confusion. It will take all of them together to find the one responsible for their missing memories and indelible ink.

This contemporary horror preys on our most precious possessions, our memories, and reads like a Stephen King novel, building a story character by character until it explodes with evil. The contemplation of specific memory loss feeds a terror that is usually associated with Alzheimer\u2019s and dementia. The climax introduces a fantastical element that may seem out of character for the story but, hey, if someone can steal tattoos with the associated memory, then surely other things of fantasy could happen too. That beautifully dark cover delivers spine-tingling, spooky fun.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Nov-2020 20:39:09", "publisher": "St. Martin's", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009291099", "title": "Lazarus", "author": "Lars Kepler", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Nicole Rosen", "word_count": 160, "review": "Lazarus is the seventh book in the Joona Linna series and in it past behaviors and people are having an impact in the present. When some of the most despicable criminals are brutally murdered, the police are hesitant to investigate. However, soon a connection between the victims and Linna is discovered. It is up to Linna, with help from Saga Bauer, to catch the killer while at the same time minimizing the cost to themselves and others.

Lars Kepler has done it again. What a treat it would be to witness this husband and wife writing duo during their work sessions because they create some of the most interesting detectives, intriguing cases, and frightening fictional serial killers that you will find in the popular thriller genre. Although Lazarus can be read as a stand alone novel, the reader will be missing out on build up and character development that cannot be adequately summarized in this gritty, gripping, and shocking instalment.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "22-Nov-2020 20:26:45", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009291087", "title": "Perestroika in Paris", "author": "Jane Smiley", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 174, "review": "If anyone had told me that I would be totally immersed and captivated by the story of a racehorse, dog, ducks, crow, and rats, I would not have believed it possible. However, this book by the prolific author, Jane Smiley is a great fairy tale for all ages. The quartet has their adventures in Paris, where they are taxed at fitting into the everyday life in the central city. They are fortunate to find supportive humans who overlook the fact that normal animals do not transact shopping errands. Luckily, they have the benefit of the racing prize purse that Perestroika had captured. Their adventure continues when they meet a lonely isolated boy and his aged grandmother in a walled and ancient manor house.

The only downside to this book is the cover art, which clearly features a male horse, not the filly, Perestroika. It also does not include the rats from the manor house. That is the only criticism I can make of this totally delightful and wonderfully escapist literature. Prepare to be enchanted.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "09-Jan-2021", "date_added": "22-Nov-2020 20:15:49", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "265 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009291055", "title": "The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World", "author": "Virginia Postrel", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 208, "review": "In The Fabric of Civilization, Postrel traces the history of textile development back to its earliest roots. As readers will discover, fabric and cloth have not only changed the world but when they have been altered or improved, the world has also changed with them. Fabric touches our lives in so many ways. It might be via the garments we wear or the trade links and technological inventions they helped to develop. Even though we often take it for granted, there is no way to imagine our society without it.

In this fascinating, well-written, and researched work, Postrel examines how fibers were first used with the development of thread, and how that led to the development of different types of cloth and the dyes that make them attractive. She also traces the role of traders who opened up routes for the exchange and dissemination of ideas that resulted in new technologies worldwide. I found her section on current and future textile development especially interesting. With work going on to improve textiles and their performance, we will undoubtedly see more innovations in the future that could change how we use fabric. Anyone interested in the untold story of cloth will no doubt find this book both interesting and educational.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "22-Nov-2020 19:42:51", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009290135", "title": "Counting Creatures", "author": "Julia Donaldson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 186, "review": "How many babies do different types of animals have? Find out in this gorgeous book that combines counting, interactive liftable flaps, and education about animals.

The text is minimal, which is perfect for a lift-the-flap book. The word usage is great. The illustrations are the star of this book, though. The detailed illustrations and liftable flaps match the environment of the animals, be it leaves, tree trunk, or the animal itself. The details are phenomenal, making this the most gorgeous counting book you will have in your collection.

Both my three-year-old and seven-year-old kids loved this book. They loved the art and the interactive nature of the book. They really loved finding the hidden spiders throughout the story. We read it and then went back through to count all the spider babies hidden on the pages.

This book is great on so many levels, I think it is a must to add to your home library. Not many books combine beauty, interaction, and educational value as well as this one does. This is an excellent book that I would recommend for children aged three to eight.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "22-Nov-2020 21:13:55", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "58 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009290131", "title": "Space Encyclopedia: A Tour of Our Solar System and Beyond, 2nd edition", "author": "David A. Aguilar", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 131, "review": "Space Encyclopedia: A Tour of Our Solar System and Beyond by National Geographic is all you ever wanted about space in one pretty awesome book. This book is full of fun facts, really cool large photos and illustrations, jokes, and information about all things space. My favorite part of the book were jokes and awesome pictures. It has a diagram of the lifecycle of the star, how black holes form, types of stars, and lots more. It also talks about every planet in detail and universe exploration. I definitely recommend this book. Ten-year-olds and up would enjoy this book and learn lots of interesting information about space. Even if you were never interested in space, this book can change that. All the pictures were so fascinating, I couldn\u2019t put it down!", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "22-Nov-2020 00:04:29", "publisher": "National Geographic", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009290119", "title": "The Sisters, Volume 6: Hurricane Maureen", "author": "Cazenove & William", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 11", "word_count": 161, "review": "The clever, energetic, crazy, Maureen constantly annoys her calm, secretive, sister, Wendy. In Hurricane Maureen, you can watch the two squabbling sisters drive one another crazy. A new cause of trouble is Wendy\u2019s tree. The elder sister always says, \u201cGet away from my tree! Get away from my tree!\u201d Similar to the first in the series, this graphic novel is mediocre. It is really funny but doesn't have much substance. It is mainly short stories, riddled with silly fights. I think it is badly written, even for a graphic novel. The book is good for all ages, especially siblings that fight. I think libraries could stock it as part of a series, but alone it is nothing special. It is not educational and is no good for early readers. People who like comical books might like it, but I would not recommend it. If you want a book in this genre, I think you would do better with Raina Telgemeier\u2019s work.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 23:58:23", "publisher": "Papercutz", "page_count": "98 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000009290111", "title": "Geronimo Stilton, Reporter: Paws Off, Cheddarface", "author": "Geronimo Stilton", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 192, "review": "My older brother really used to like Geronimo Stilton books, so I grew up with them. This graphic book from Papercutz is called Geronimo Stilton Reporter with a different format. The title is different and the pages are bigger with a comic book layout. The normal Geronimo Stilton books are way thicker than these. This Geronimo Stilton book is really cool, short, and quick to read. Some of the story is about the old books, with the same characters and of course jokes about cheese. The plot of this story is there is a Geronimo Stilton imposter who frames Geronimo for bad things. There\u2019s something funny about the drawings because the Geronimo mask doesn\u2019t have ears, but when the imposter (who is gray) puts it on, his whole head turns orange including his ears and you can\u2019t see the string in the back. Then Geronimo has to solve the mystery of the imposter! Geronimo gets an idea from his cousin Trap pranking him with fake rubber cheese. He replaced the chef\u2019s cheese with fake cheese. It\u2019s a funny book and I want to read the first five books of Geronimo Stilton Reporter!", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 23:54:33", "publisher": "Papercutz", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009290107", "title": "Weird World War III", "author": "Sean Patrick Hazlett", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Benjamin - Age 14", "word_count": 298, "review": "Weird World War III is a series of stories about this future \u201cWorld War Three\u201d. In the first two chapters, we don\u2019t know if they are apart of World War III but context clues allow us to infer that these characters are apart of the war in every chapter. These stories are also realistic even though these events take place in the future.

There are multiple stories contained in this book. Each story introduces the reader to different characters and stories. Due to this factor, it\u2019s very hard to understand and learn about every character that appears in every story. Although some of the chapters were intriguing or interesting to read.

Most of the stories that were written were short. The reader won\u2019t be able to understand the characters that were used but have to understand the plot instead. Although we won\u2019t be able to understand the character well the plot or event in each story is very interesting. Since this takes place in the future and war is involved we get to see the many strategies used, new technology being used, competition between countries, NATO, and so on.

This book is very interesting but it may be confusing or the plot may be dull to many viewers of readers. Those who aren\u2019t engaged in politics, a slice of life, or some action. This book may be a waste of time. I would normally recommend this book to those who are older and who are drawn to science fiction.

This was a great book, each story was interesting since each event may even happen in the future (if there was a war). I wasn\u2019t able to understand the character that appeared well, which was a bummer. I was mostly interested in the events that lead to this war.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 23:49:54", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009290087", "title": "The Midnight Library: A Novel", "author": "Matt Haig", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 206, "review": "The Midnight Library is quite possibly my favorite book of the year thus far. Beautifully written with life lessons to be learned throughout, Matt Haig does an exquisite job writing about Ms. Nora Seed. Nora is ready to take her own life. Her life isn't what she wants it to be and she finds herself depressed and ready to throw in the towel. During her attempted suicide, she finds herself in the Midnight Library. This library is different from any other library because each and every book contains a different version of Nora's life. It is there that she meets the one person whose shoulder she cried on when her father died, the only person in her life who gave her a kind of unconditional love, Mrs. Elm. She is guided by this version of Mrs. Elm to give different versions of her life a try. What would have happened if she had become an Olympic swimmer? Or an arctic explorer?

The Midnight Library is a creative wonder and will make anyone think, \"What if I had made a different choice in life?\" With brilliant characters who surround Nora and dramatically different backdrops, this book is a must-read novel if only for the fun and adventure.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 23:34:04", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009290083", "title": "Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-up and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House", "author": "Rachel Maddow and Michael Yarvitz", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julie Blum", "word_count": 253, "review": "Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House is the book by Rachel Maddow and Michael Yarvitz based on their popular recent podcast. I had not listened to the podcast and admit that I opened the book thinking that it was based on\u2026 some other White House occupant who shall not be named. What I found instead was the story of Spiro Agnew, who went from being a small-time elected official as county executive in Baltimore, to governor of Maryland, to being Richard Nixon\u2019s vice president \u2013 all while accepting cash bribes in exchange for awarding local, state, and federal contracts.

This fascinating book details the case brought against Agnew by a stellar team of young prosecutors from the US Attorney\u2019s office in Baltimore, as well as Agnew\u2019s bitter fight against them that included trying to discredit the press and committing obstruction of justice. (Sound familiar?) What makes the story even more interesting is that the Agnew scandal was happening in the background just as Watergate was playing out for his boss. Ultimately, the lawsuits and decisions made in the case against Agnew have had bearing on other impeachment proceedings in more recent memory.

Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House is a timely, well-written, riveting account of the scandal that brought down a vice president, but that was ultimately all but forgotten in the shadows of all that happened soon after.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 23:30:17", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "290 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009290071", "title": "Nerdlet: Animals", "author": "T.J. Resler", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 157, "review": "Nerdlet Animal by National Geographic Kids is a very fun book filled with interesting facts about all sorts of animals. From the tiniest water bear to a massive blue whale, this book has it all! Every page has color photographs of actual animals. This book also has a couple of fun tests. Have you ever hear of a hairy frog? Did you know that a short-horned lizard can squirt blood out of its eyes for up to six feet to scare off predators? Atolla jellyfish is normally glowing red but when it\u2019s attacked by predators, it starts flashing blue to attract even bigger predators to take care of the smaller predator and gets away. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone eight years old and up who is interested in animals. And if you are not interested in animals, you just might be after reading this book! It is a great book because I like animals!", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2021", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 23:20:13", "publisher": "National Geographic", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009290055", "title": "Infernal: The Chronicles of Stratus, Book One", "author": "Mark De Jager", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 254, "review": "Stratus awakes in a strange land unable to remember who \u2013 or what \u2013 he is. All he knows is that his name is Stratus and that he possesses great strength and the power of sorcery. As he travels through the war-torn lands of Krandin, Stratus stands out. He does not look or behave like the others, but his differences help guide him on a journey of self-discovery and vengeance. Along the way, Stratus makes a few friends and many enemies as he battles forces of dark magic and his inner demon.

Mark De Jager leads the reader through an action-packed saga full of twists and turns. De Jager\u2019s Stratus is a dark and deeply disturbed protagonist. Infernal is full of action, drama, and dark humor. Stratus, as his name suggests, is a character of many layers. He is clever and witty as well as na\u00efve about his new surroundings. He will do anything to help a friend and stop at nothing to take down his enemies \u2013 if only he can tell them apart. Every brush with danger reveals more of his past while also unveiling more of his powers.

Like many fantasy novels, De Jager takes his character on an action-packed odyssey featuring many battles and much bloodshed. If you are a fan of other troubled heroes such as Sandman Slim or Harry Dresden, then you will appreciate the way Stratus moves through the world relying on his fists and an occasional fire ball while barely able to contain the beast within.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 23:11:13", "publisher": "Rebellion", "page_count": "450 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009290051", "title": "Instant Karma", "author": "Marissa Meyer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 151, "review": "Prudence Daniels has her life planned out before her, from her summer to college she\u2019s ready for anything. Except for Quint Erickson, her lazy, easy-going, lab partner who can't even bother to be on time. When a failed grade forces them to work together once more at an animal rescue center, Prudence finds that maybe she doesn\u2019t know as much as she thought about Quint, and maybe he isn\u2019t so bad after all.

After a minor accident, Prudence finds that she has the ability to cast instant Karma on the people around her, and all though this isn\u2019t the main focus of the plot, the story wouldn't work without it. And Prudence is the perfect person to receive this gift. From the first page, I didn\u2019t like Prudence, but as she grew and changed, I didn\u2019t mind her so much. Instant Karma is a fast-paced, sweet, romance that's not too cheesy.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 23:03:38", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "388 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009290027", "title": "Spin a Scarf of Sunshine", "author": "Dawn Casey and Stila Lim", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 5", "word_count": 120, "review": "Spin a Scarf of Sunshine is a book that our whole family absolutely loves. It is a new favorite for all ages, from my two-year-old brother to my nine-year-old sister, my parents, and me. In this book, you learn about how a girl named Nari cares for her baby sheep and spins its wool to make the yarn. And then she makes a scarf with it. Nari knits the scarf and enjoys wearing it and decides one day to let the scarf turn into compost. The book is nice and big and the pictures make you want to live in the country as that family does. It may also make you wish you had your own little lamb to snuggle.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "04-May-2021", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 20:21:32", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009290023", "title": "Now That Night is Near", "author": "Astrid Lindgren", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 9", "word_count": 86, "review": "The pictures in //Now That Night Is Near// are really pretty. There is a very short story to go along with the pictures so it is a book that is good for bedtime. The pictures are all of a quiet farm and the animals that live there are all going to sleep. If you ever have trouble going to sleep then you can read this book and it might help you feel more relaxed, especially if you read the pages really slowly in a drowsy voice.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 20:19:26", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009290019", "title": "Evie and the Strawberry Surprise (Evie the Strawberry Fairy)", "author": "Stefanie Dahle", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 5", "word_count": 127, "review": "This is a really sweet and silly book about a little fairy named Evie and her adventure to discover something. She and her friends went adventuring and were surprised by what they found. The pictures are really silly and do a good job of explaining what is happening in the story. The story is a surprise and even though you might have an idea about the mystery it will be surprising to find out. Evie and the Strawberry Surprise is a series and this is the third book. If you have read the others you will like this one too, but even if you haven\u2019t read them, this one still makes sense and you will want to read the others next. Everybody will probably like the book.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 20:16:21", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009290015", "title": "The Night Walk", "author": "Marie Dorleans", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 201, "review": "Two young children awake to the familiar sound of their mother\u2019s voice. She urges them to get up and get dressed quickly. Still half asleep, they and their parents creep out under the darkness of the midnight sky. The sweet sounds of nature welcome them as they make their way through the serene countryside and then through the whispering forest. They approach a clearing and are transfixed by the reflection of a full moon on the lake. They trek up a hilltop where they await the climactic moment of the sun peeking out over the horizon, signaling the beginning of a new day.

This is a uniquely illustrated and thoughtful book that youngsters will embrace with open arms. The dark shades of black and blue contrasted against the bright hues of yellow and white will intrigue little ones. They\u2019ll wonder why no other colors appear. Older children will recognize the captivating value of their exclusion.

Imagery is artfully woven throughout this masterful text. A house with \u201cone eye open\u201d and a train that \u201csliced through the darkness\u201d are but two examples of this. Rich literary elements such as these make The Night Walk a perfect pick for early elementary school classrooms.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2021", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 19:25:52", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009289079", "title": "Proustian Uncertainties: On Reading and Rereading In Search of Lost Time", "author": "Saul Friedlander", "category": "N25 Books About Books", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 340, "review": "The monumental saga In Search of Lost Time, by Marcel Proust, translated also as Remembrance of Things Past, is unequivocally a front-runner for the title of best French novel. Yet to add another question to the enigmatic seven volumes and more than 4,000 pages, why has Saul Friedlander, a celebrated historian of the Holocaust, become so captivated?

His essay, akin to an academic dissertation of manageable length, meets personal reasons dating back to World War 2, As a child born in Prague then displaced by the War, he was raised in hiding in France and feels himself to be French. Moreover, the novel awakens intensely sad memories of the last time he saw his parents before they were murdered in Auschwitz. Proustian Uncertainties cynically underscores the perplexity that prevails throughout: an autobiography that isn\u2019t quite, a Narrator whose version is similar, but not precise, and Friedlander who isn\u2019t exactly telling his own story. One after another, as Friedlander follows the interpretations of Proust\u2019s biographers, nobody knows just what Proust was about or how he has kept his readers enthralled over several generations.

Is it a modern novel? The first volumes, launched in French from 1913, are often viewed as a bildungsroman, a coming-of-age novel, and although transplanted to a different setting, comparable with present-day behaviors.\nIn Search\u2026 has no definable plot; much of the action takes place in the surroundings of French high society dinner parties. Two themes do persist intermittently\u2014the Jewishness, which is close to Friedlander\u2019s keenest interests, and homosexuality, which is not. Psychological trappings are interwoven; Proust and the Narrator\u2019s obsessive need for his mother\u2019s goodnight kiss, his father\u2019s conflicting personality traits, and a fascination for the host of friendships and romances made and broken.

Friedlander\u2019s career has crossed Continents in an international ride between universities, think tanks, and authorship, He has read In Search\u2026 not once but repeatedly, so one is tempted to see as an enigma in itself. Readers who have enjoyed his charming memoirs will not be disappointed but may not be tempted to delve into Proust.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 01:30:43", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009289071", "title": "The Lost Village: A Novel", "author": "Camilla Sten", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 215, "review": "Alice has been obsessed with The Lost Village since she first heard her grandmother\u2019s stories. In 1959, her grandmother\u2019s family and the entire village simply disappeared, everyone except for a body left in the square and an abandoned newborn. Alice takes four friends with her to visit this village and make a documentary, hoping to discover the truth. The silence is unnerving but even worse is when they begin to realize they are not actually alone. Suspicious things begin to happen and they start to doubt each other, until it becomes clear that someone is hunting them. Alice will eventually discover the truth of what happened to her family, but at what cost?

The suspense in this book is off the charts. You begin to question your own sanity along with the characters. I thought the explanation of how the whole village disappeared was actually very plausible and fitting. Even though she has a small role in this story, Elsa was by far my favorite character. It\u2019s not a supernatural story, but I enjoyed the elements of the supernatural subtly woven in. Overall, a very entertaining read if you enjoy light horror. Nothing too graphic or disturbing, with some mystery and drama mixed in. I wouldn\u2019t read it right before visiting any abandoned villages, though.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 01:21:34", "publisher": "St. Martins Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009289055", "title": "Twisted: A Cookbook--Bold, Unserious, Delicious Food for Every Occasion", "author": "Jungle Creations Limited", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 265, "review": "I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of Twisted: A Cookbook. With an eclectic approach to food, this book is the ultimate food-lover's dream. This hardcover book has bright, beautiful pictures of the recipes that are staged so the food actually looks like it has a personality. The backdrops are fun and creative, with everything from gameday to picnic to candlelight dinners. The recipes use ingredients that one might not think go together; however, the flavors magically come together. With bold, exciting flavors, the recipes in this book will wake up your taste buds!

The two recipes I made from the book were the Sriracha Devilled Egg BLT and the Grilled Loaded Potato Skins Salad. I chose these not only because they sounded delicious but because they were two of the shortest recipes in the book. Many of the recipes have very long ingredient lists, which may be intimidating to some, while others require making another recipe in the book to make that recipe. The BLT was phenomenal. The added touch of mint was just delightful. The salad was more like a spread of potato skins. They didn't have any off-the-wall ingredients in them but the mixture of ingredients are ones that are extremely savory, including bacon, chives, and double Gloucester cheese, which I did purchase at a local gourmet grocer.

The next recipe I'd like to try from the book is the milk buns, which are used in several of the recipes, including the Cheeseburger-Stuffed Dough Balls. This is a fun book for those who enjoy cooking and trying new things.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 01:06:51", "publisher": "Hodder & Stoughton", "page_count": "270 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009289051", "title": "Radiant: The Dancer, the Scientist, and a Friendship Forged in Light", "author": "Liz Heinecke", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 203, "review": "How wonderful that science populariser Liz Heinecke has commendably combined art with science in this engrossing story of two determined and indefatigable women who followed their passions, one in dance and the other in science. While the name of Marie Curie is carved in history, the story of the innovative dancer Loie Fuller has faded with time. Both names are associated with luminescence, the first with radioactivity and radium and the latter with phosphorescent light displays in choreographic performances. This feature of radiant energy emanation ignited their friendship. The stories of these two remarkable, radiant women who endured the prevalent anti-feminine bias of their culture grips the reader as one learns how the dancer innovated stage lighting, manipulated projectors, and used her chemical salts to create mesmerizing magical theater images. While the narrative of Madame Curie remains familiar, it is vital to review the development of radium. Noted individuals such as Edison, Rodin, Einstein, Saint-Saens, Isadora Duncan, Becquerel, Eiffel, Queen of Romania and many others embellish this story. Based on historical facts, the author seams the data together to produce an inspiring story that revives the memory of how barriers can be broken by intrepid individuals, in this case, two very extraordinary women.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 01:02:32", "publisher": "Hachette", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009289047", "title": "Game Changer", "author": "Neal Shusterman", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 196, "review": "Hard hits are part of football, and football is part of Ash. His father was a great player in high school, and Ash hopes to surpass his dad and make him proud. During one aggressive play, Ash makes a particularly hard hit. Later, while driving home, he almost causes an accident by running a blue stop sign. Surreptitiously asking about the color change leads him to wonder if maybe stop signs have always been blue. When another hard hit at football changes his mascot, he starts to worry, but this is just the beginning of the changes that happen as his universe shifts, each one more alarming than the last.

Shusterman took America\u2019s favorite sport, football, and used it as a vehicle for examining racism, sexism, prejudices of all kinds, to cause discomfort not only to Ash but to readers as well. It is not subtle as Ash\u2019s world changes to include segregation and blatant sexism with each concussive hit on the football field. While it may play into the theme of the white male hero, it may be the message that some still need to hear as Ash comes to terms with his own unintentional ignorance.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "21-Nov-2020 01:00:30", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009289039", "title": "The Moth and the Mountain: A True Story of Love, War, and Everest", "author": "Ed Caesar", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 186, "review": "It's the 1930s, and World War I is happening in England. There is a family known as the Wilson's who have four boys; their third boy will grow up to make a name for himself. At the age of twenty, Maurice Wilson is a war hero with recognition to prove it. After various life circumstances afterward, his dream is to climb Mount Everest. Unfortunately, due to political reasons, he is denied - ha! says Wilson. The Moth and the Mountain is the story of Wilson's journey over several years as he proves that determination can get you far in life.

I never thought I would be as interested in Mount Everest as am I now after reading The Moth and the Mountain. Not counting Wilson's human faults, he is an encouragement to many to chase their dreams and think of every possible way around a pitfall to achieve success. Caesar wrote beautifully, he wove years and multitudes of facts together to make a story that is worthy of a heroic man and equally entertaining. Even if you assume you won't like it, check this book out anyways.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "06-May-2021", "date_added": "20-Nov-2020 23:05:44", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009289027", "title": "The Divines: A Novel", "author": "Ellie Eaton", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 209, "review": "I certainly received my fill of snobby, boarding school girl drama in The Divines!. Now, don't get me wrong, this book was extremely engaging in a way that brings you back to high school. Josephine, or Joe, is a Divine. St. John the Divine is an elite English boarding school that breeds girls just like Joe. Girls who have their noses up in the air, flip their hair, and smoke like chimneys.

In The Divines, the chapters alternate between Josephine, now a married woman who is expecting a baby with her husband Jurgen, to memories of the days back when she was a Divine. Skipper had been her best friend whom she had slowly drifted apart from and Lauren was a townie that she met by circumstance and whose brother she had her first crush on. Then there was Gerry Lake, Joe's roommate, who starts off the whole story by being found on the ground next to her ice skates in a contorted fashion.

The Divines is an excellently written book that will suck you into its storyline. I loved each and every one of the characters and the author did an exemplary job of developing each one. A must-read for fans of the movies Heathers and Mean Girls.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "20-Nov-2020 22:59:07", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009289023", "title": "The Push: A Novel", "author": "Ashley Audrain", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 204, "review": "The Push tells us the story of a woman named Blythe. Born into a family in which the women all seem to be mentally unstable, as an adult Blythe finds herself married to Fox and giving birth to their daughter, Violet. The relationship between Blythe and Violet is volatile from the beginning, and Blythe feels there is something very wrong with her daughter from day one. As the family grows, baby Sam is born and Blythe feels a connection with her baby boy like no other. He is her pride and joy. But then something awful happens and Blythe just can't stop herself from going down the rabbit hole. There is something wrong with her daughter. She can feel it in her bones.

In this brilliant psychological thriller, readers find themselves trying to figure out if the main protagonist is reliable or if she's simply making things up. Blythe takes risks that perhaps only a desperate mother would take, but she is extremely likable as well. The way her husband treats her is absolutely atrocious and so I don't blame Blythe at all for the steps she takes to find out the truth in this book. A fantastic read for lovers of domestic suspense.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "09-Jan-2021", "date_added": "20-Nov-2020 22:55:00", "publisher": "Viking Press", "page_count": "306 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009289003", "title": "The Women's History of the Modern World: How Radicals, Rebels, and Everywomen Revolutionzed the Last 200 Years", "author": "Rosalind Miles", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 162, "review": "Joan of Arc, Florence Nightingale, and Marie Curie are lucky enough to be included in most history books \u2014 but oh my, you should read who has been left out. Women have been rulers of dynasties and empires, soldiers, scientists, writers, artists, and pioneers. This is a wonderful book that is bound to raise every woman\u2019s self-esteem. To see who came before us and were willing to sacrifice and struggle to forge heroic but unappreciated lives. For example, Olympe de Gouges turned out over sixty essays, novels, plays, and pamphlets \u2014 who knew?? Unfortunately, she was guillotined for turning away from the French revolution which she had helped found. Small payment, indeed! Quick, in 2300 BCE, who was the first poet? I can see an entire category of trivial pursuit in the woman genre. This is a must-read for anyone who would like to resurrect the names and fame of these great women. It was fun reading this well-written and informative book.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "15-Jun-2021", "date_added": "20-Nov-2020 22:41:44", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "417 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009288003", "title": "In Light of the Summit", "author": "Jamie McGillen", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 81, "review": "\"Turn of the century social conventions come in conflict with a determined young woman\u2019s desire to climb Mt. Ranier in Washington State. Anna must make a choice, to be true to herself or \u201cknow one\u2019s place\u201d and conform to avoid conflict within her family and society at large. Author, Jamie McGillen, explores this and other social injustices historically imposed on women, many that still resonate a century and a half later \u2013 mountains yet to climb.\" -- San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Nov-2020 19:27:27", "publisher": "The Evergreen Bookshelf", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "Blurb"} {"id": "425035000009286031", "title": "Hidden: Animals in the Anthropocene", "author": "Jo-Anne McArthur and Keith Wilson", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 219, "review": "Photographs deliver a message louder than words can project. Seeing these images of animal suffering caused by human self-interest, greed, gluttony, and indifference, the viewer must ask why and how we have come to this degree of complacency regarding the barbaric animal cruelty practiced in our so-called modern world.

There are photos of animals crammed into feeding pens on family farms, within live transport, standing in slaughter yards, imprisoned within holding tanks, and restricted from natural light or land. The animals are being prepped to appear on the dining table. Check out the photos of horses and other beasts of burden in their miserable stations, or look at how primates, elephants, dolphins, and other creatures are primped and forcibly trained to elicit laughs from the viewer.

Scientific research requires uncountable numbers of rodents, rabbits, and primates. This age of human dominance also has cultural traditions that demand sacrifices of goats and snakes, whale hunts, and other rites. Animals are sentient creatures yet man has abused that quality of compassion and mercy when dealing with those critters that share the planet with us. Blood, gore, and misery flow from these images, which record the wretched relationship between man and non-human life. This shocking and illustrative display is the educational evidence necessary to prompt an impassive public to demand corrective actions.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 22:11:18", "publisher": "Lantern Publishing & Media", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009286027", "title": "The Eagle and the Viper: A Novel of Historical Suspense", "author": "Loren D. Estleman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1113, "review": "Mystery Roundup\n\nThere\u2019s nothing like a good murder mystery to help you while away the hours and perhaps even cause you to question the characters and motivations of those nearest and dearest to you. Whether you\u2019re in the mood for a gentle mystery, an action-packed thriller, or a shocking example of real-life crime, the following new releases have got you covered:\n\nThe Unkindness of Ravens: A Greer Hogan Mystery by M.E. Hilliard\n\nGreer Hogan might be a librarian with a fondness for murder mysteries, but she has no desire to become embroiled in anything death-related herself. Unfortunately for Greer, both murder and mystery seem to be taking center stage in her life. First, her husband was murdered, which prompted Greer to start afresh in the idyllic community of Raven Hill, where for a time she was happily employed in the town\u2019s library. Things take yet another turn for the worse, however, when she finds her best friend dead in the library. There have been two other suspicious deaths in Raven Hill in recent times, although the police deem them to be accidental, but Greer is starting to think that there is something seriously amiss in the seemingly tranquil community. Could there be a serial killer on the prowl in Raven Hill? How are the recent deaths related to a murder from decades ago? And perhaps more importantly, how is any of it related to the death of Greer\u2019s husband? The Unkindness of Ravens is an intriguing murder mystery packed with plenty of red herrings and loads of fun references to crime fiction from the golden age. \n\nA Lonely Man by Chris Power\n\nA chance encounter in a bookshop\u2013\u2013two strangers reaching for the same book at the same time\u2013\u2013should be a minor incident at most, but in Chris Power\u2019s A Lonely Man, it changes the course of a writer\u2019s life. Struggling to write that difficult second book, currently eighteen months overdue, Robert Prowe spends his time wallowing, avoiding writing, and occasionally attending readings at bookshops near his Berlin home. During one such event, he meets a drunk and belligerent fellow named Patrick, another Brit adrift in Berlin, who he later has to save from a beating. The two end up going for a drink and, to Robert\u2019s surprise, Patrick ends up being good company. They actually find a lot to talk about, and that\u2019s before Patrick mentions that he was working as the ghostwriter for a Russian oligarch who has recently been found hanged. Patrick claims that he is being followed and maintains that his own life is in danger due to his association with the oligarch. It all seems a bit unbelievable to Robert, but since he has been struggling for months to come up with a storyline for his new book, he decides to use Patrick and his story to get his own writing started. This kick-starts a thrilling game of cat and mouse in which Patrick can never be sure what is real, what is fiction, and whether the distinction really matters.\n\nThe Eagle and the Viper by Loren D. Estleman\n\nOn Christmas Eve in 1880, an attempt was made to assassinate Napoleon Bonaparte, who had recently been appointed First Consul of the French Republic. It wasn\u2019t the first such attempt, although it did cause more devastation than more, resulting in buildings in Paris being destroyed and civilians killed. This much is historical fact, but in The Eagle and the Viper Loren D. Estleman crafts an explosive story around what might have happened if pro-royalist plotters had been inspired by the Christmas Eve assassinate attempt to launch their own conspiracy to bring down Napoleon. In Estleman\u2019s alternative reality, the plotters are led by Georges Cadoudal, a former French military offer who fled to England following the birth of the Republic. Cadoudal hires a mysterious assassin known as the Viper, who seems to have his own deep-seated reasons for wanting to kill Napoleon. Mixing history with fiction, real people with intriguing characters, gives rise to an action-packed story of assassins and spies that whizzes along at a cracking pace as the Viper heads toward Paris and his fateful encounter with Napoleon.\n\nAll That Fall by Kris Calvin\n\nWhen best friends Emma Lawson and Kate Doyle decide to give up their careers in the cut-and-thrust world of Sacramento politics in order to open a preschool, they have no idea just how dangerous their new endeavor will prove to be. Things seem to be going well when the Governor of California\u2019s three-year-old daughter Vivian is enrolled in their preschool, but when both Vivian and Kate\u2019s fifteen-year-old son Luke are kidnapped during a tour of the preschool, events take a turn for the deadly. Kate is shot and seriously wounded during the kidnapping, leaving Emma to puzzle out what the kidnappers are after and where they could have stashed the children. Despite the dearth of clues, Emma\u2019s tenacity means that she makes more progress than the authorities, linking the kidnapping to long-buried secrets with serious implications for those at the highest level of Sacramento society. Kris Calvin\u2019s All That Fall is an intriguing and suspenseful story of corruption and murder that grips readers from the outset and holds their attention throughout as Emma Lawson seeks to unravel the most complex of political scandals. \n\nAt Any Cost: A Father\u2019s Betrayal, a Wife\u2019s Murder, and a Ten-Year War for Justice by Rebecca Rosenberg and Selim Algar\n\nIn At Any Cost, Rebecca Rosenberg and Selim Algar relate the shocking story behind the real-life murder of Shele Danishefsky by her former husband Rod Covlin. Danishefsky had already accumulated considerable wealth through her job with Merrill Lynch by the time she married Covlin, who was eleven years younger and worked as both a stockbroker and a professional backgammon player. Although the couple initially seemed well suited, cracks soon began to appear in their relationship. In addition to frequent affairs, Covlin enjoyed gambling and the finer things in life, and he expected Danishefsky to pay for them. Despite the fact that they went on to have two children, Covlin didn\u2019t change his ways, and the couple eventually separated. This proved to be the tipping point for Covlin, who wanted to hang on to Danishefsky\u2019s money at any cost, even murder. As Rosenberg and Algar explain, Covlin was initially able to get away with his wife\u2019s murder due to her death being ruled accidental, although he was finally brought to justice ten years later. The authors clearly and respectfully set out all that happened leading up to the murder and in the years before Covlin was charged, including his bizarre schemes to murder his parents. It all makes for a disturbing read.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 22:07:13", "publisher": "Tor", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009286015", "title": "An Unexpected Peril (A Veronica Speedwell Mystery)", "author": "Deanna Raybourn", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 222, "review": "Veronica Speedwell and Stoker have once again found themselves embroiled in intrigue and An Unexpected Peril. In their newest adventure, they are tasked with designing an exhibit to the late Alice Baker-Greene, who recently perished while mountain climbing. During the course of their work, they discover that she was actually murdered and set about finding the culprit. Their case ends up involving Veronica posing as a princess who has gone missing in order to broker peace, with death threats, kidnappings, and a near chance of meeting her father. Will Veronica\u2019s and Stoker\u2019s luck hold out or is cheating death six times too many for Fate to allow?

|I cannot get enough of Veronica and Stoker\u2019s adventures. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves mysteries, sassy female leads, and anything related to Victorian England. You cannot help but love both Veronica and Stoker and the ridiculous situations they find themselves in. The author writes with such confidence that it isn\u2019t until you read her notes at the end, that the places and people she writes about are figments of her imagination. As you read, you enter a whole new world full of interesting people that takes place in my favorite time period. I cannot wait for the next installment to see what kind of trouble they will get themselves into next!", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 21:50:42", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009286003", "title": "HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style", "author": "Elizabeth Holmes", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 222, "review": "Fall into the illustrious world of royal fashion with this book. Author Elizabeth Holmes takes her readers on a heartfelt and emotional journey through the decades, starting with Queen Elizabeth II and taking them to the present. Through hundreds of photographs, historical references, and style commentary, Elizabeth Holmes demonstrates the power that fashion has on the world.

Highlighting the unique style, each reader will be able to see Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales; Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge; and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex; as their individual style unfolds, relates to the time, and becomes their own personal brand. While, Her Majesty\u2019s royal fashion statement of long coats, hats, and pearls blended with a love of color is memorable and timeless, Princess Diana\u2019s bold style and personal message became her own legacy. Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex have been today\u2019s fashion icons pulling an individual style that reflects who they are, as well as a representation of women and fashion today. Whether it is subtle cues, a nod towards world events, a representation of the changing times, or relaying a personal message, one thing holds true, all of their chosen styles exemplify grace and duty to the crown. Readers will be able to fall into the allure of decoding royal fashion while also watching how history unfolds.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 21:25:38", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009285135", "title": "Lucky G and the Melancholy Quokka: How Play Therapy Can Help Children with Depression", "author": "Amy Willinski-Lyman, illus. by Leela Green", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 193, "review": "Lucky G and the Melancholy Quokka is the story of a raven named Lucky G who helps other animals feel better when they are sad, mad, or just not feeling right. Lucky G gets a call from his friend Drew in Australia. He flies over there and finds out that Blue the Quokka is feeling very blue. He is not happy, but is sad. Lucky goes and talks to Blue to find out what is going on with him. He learns that Blue is feeling sad but doesn't know why. Lucky talks and plays with Blue to figure out the reason why. He knows that Blue has depression. By talking, playing, and getting a new friend, Lucky helps Blue's depression to go away.

I like the rhyming in this book because it made it easier for me to understand what was happening. I like the pictures in the story because they are bright and colorful. I like how Lucky G was able to help Blue, and I think it is cool that he helped him just by playing and talking. This is a good book for other kids who are feeling sad or depressed.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "20-Nov-2020 00:22:14", "publisher": "Loving Healing Press", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009285107", "title": "Fossil Men: The Quest for the Oldest Skeleton and the Origins of Humankind", "author": "Kermit Pattison", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 208, "review": "In 1994 a research team headed by University of California, Berkeley Professor Tim White discovered ancient fossilized bones in the Afar region of Ethiopia that were believed to be our oldest ancestor. Ardipithecus ramidus, who came to be known as Ardi, was a female who lived 4.4 million years ago. What made the find so impressive was the fact that Ardi was one million years older than the now-famous Australopithecus afarensis known as Lucy, who was discovered in 1974.

Not everyone agreed with the team's findings at first. And Pattison's brilliant account highlights the numerous conflicts resulting from jealousy, personal animosities, scientists with huge egos, changes in the institutional and academic environments, and resentments caused by the fact that outsiders were often not allowed to see the fossils in question. All of this was compounded by the team's challenges working in a politically volatile region, beset with civil war, tribal war, and bureaucratic difficulties.

If you have ever been interested in the origins of humankind, Fossil Men is a must-read. It's a brilliant multi-layered account that showcases the history, politics, and the people who make it their business to search for our elusive ancestors. It is by far the most informative and insightful book I've read this year.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 23:59:00", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "534 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009285103", "title": "Red Hands: A Novel", "author": "Christopher Golden", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 193, "review": "Fans of Christopher Golden first got to meet Ben Walker in the bestselling Ararat, and now Walker is back for his final tale in Red Hands.

In a brutal opening chapter, the reader is taken to a Fourth of July parade, which is ripped asunder when a car speeds out of control. A disoriented man gets out and begins reaching out to people with his hands. Every person he touches undergoes some strange attack in less than a minute and then, after a few more minutes, falls to the ground dead. Somehow, his strange and deadly affliction is passed to a local woman, Maeve Sinclair. She flees the scene in terror while the survivors are left in shock as people in hazmat gear arrive who seem to know a lot more about what\u2019s going on.

Ben Walker is brought in to find Maeve before anyone else does. It\u2019s a race against time and survival for him, for Maeve, and for those who want to get hold of her. Golden does what he did in the previous two Walker novels, keeping readers glued to the page, both wondering and dreading what will happen next.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 23:55:15", "publisher": "St. Martins Publishing", "page_count": "310 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009285099", "title": "The Bright Book of Life: Novels to Read and Reread ", "author": "Harold Bloom", "category": "N25 Books About Books", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 180, "review": "Isn\u2019t it great to find a friend who has treasured all the books that you love and shares insights with you that reflect and confirm your own? Harold Bloom, in this book, becomes such a treasured friend. The title underlines how, to Bloom, books are life itself. Bloom finds joy in all aspects of the novels within this book: the characters, the surrounding milieu, other books or writers who have opined on these novels, and his own delight in reading and reflecting upon them. My son and I fought over who would get to read this book. He would snatch it away and I would have to search to recover it. You may find similar wars within your own household; everyone will want possession of this magnificent book. Unlike other volumes of this kind, which may list the \u201cmust-reads,\u201d this book is so much deeper and more entertaining. Through Bloom\u2019s command and understanding of great literature, I congratulate myself on sharing his opinion of those I have read and look forward to reading others he has recommended within this book.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 23:53:43", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "516 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009285087", "title": "People Who Love to Eat Are Always the Best People: And Other Wisdom", "author": "Julia Child", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Andrea Huehnerhoff", "word_count": 200, "review": "\u201cThe only time to eat diet food is while you\u2019re waiting for the steak to cook.\u201d Wise words from Julia Child, the name eponymous with transforming home cooking into culinary dedications of love and perfection. Witty, humorous, and sometimes intentionally controversial in her kitchen opinions, Child has long been recognized as a quotable legend, and this beautifully bound hardback booklet collects some of those priceless gems for our enjoyment. Collected by the Julia Child Foundation, these are her authentic statements, and Child\u2019s abundant personality shines through. With scattered artwork throughout, the book collects such firm statements as, \u201cA cookbook is only as good as its poorest recipe,\u201d and frameable lines like \u201cThe pleasures of the table are infinite.\u201d This book makes the perfect gift for the cuisinier in your life, professional or amateur \u2013 paired with a nice dish, a Julia Child cookbook, or a basket of ingredients, your favorite chef can\u2019t help but agree with the sentiment in the title. It would also be an appropriate gift for a graphic artist or designer creating lettered signs, cards, and wall-hangings. It may help us, in Julia\u2019s own words, to \u201cFind something you\u2019re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.\u201d", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "17-Jul-2021", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 23:46:28", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009285075", "title": "The Baburnama", "author": "Babur", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 182, "review": "It's always interesting to see how memoirs and autobiographies have come since the time this work was originally written by the first Mughal Emperor, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan. This translation helps bring to life this work for modern readers, though some people not used to this writing style might have trouble getting through it.

Babur ascended the throne of a small Central Asian kingdom and invaded northern India, founding the Mughal Empire, which would go onto rule the area for a long time until the British came. He began this self-portrait not long after becoming the Mughal ruler and continued to work on it until he died. The work is part poetry, which might be familiar to some readers who know classic texts from that era. It is also part battlelouge as well, as he recounts various battles and other escapades that he was involved in. The book is split into major parts, with the longest part being the work itself. Then followed by appendices and with an introduction by a scholar placing in its proper place and time.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 23:37:26", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "1032 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009285071", "title": "Slanted: How the News Media Taught Us to Love Censorship and Hate Journalism", "author": "Sharyl Attkisson", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 212, "review": "In a Gallup poll run through September 2020, trust in the media was found to be down to a 40-60 split toward the negative. Sharyl Attkisson is a journalist and on-air personality who has chronicled the reasons for the media\u2019s downturn. In Slanted, she examines how the \u201cnarrative\u201d is spun so that opinion outshines facts in mainstream journalism.

Attkisson\u2019s career has spanned forty years, her work being honored with Emmy Awards and nominations. However, the bottom line of the corporate-backed media and the conflicts of interest led to scuttling of stories or editing of investigative work resulting in a puff piece. Attkisson tells of her battles with superiors at CBS Evening News in terms of getting stories on air, such as the CDC\u2019s reporting of cases during the H1N1 pandemic of 2009 or being nudged toward a negative spin on Steve Forbes\u2019 tax plan if he won the 1996 presidential election.

Slanted is an unsparing account of the corruption of journalism. Attkisson relates her opinions with a refreshing honesty, her view on the trends in journalism blunt but without snark. Attkisson\u2019s comprehensive listing of the media miscues and falsehoods during the Trump administration may make the reader look twice at their daily news. As such, Slanted serves as a exemplary history lesson.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 23:33:18", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009285055", "title": "Music Therapy: An Introduction with Case Studies for Mental Illness Recovery", "author": "Alfredo Zotti", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 175, "review": "Music is like receiving a gift on Christmas, but not knowing the full extent of its capabilities. It's great to have the music and use it for what we think it's meant for, but if we knew of its power, we'd appreciate and use it a whole lot more. The famous musician Alfred Zotti has written Music Therapy: An Introduction with Case Studies for Mental Illness Recovery to diminish our ignorance in this area and start using music in a positive, life-changing way. Zotti discusses the real-life benefits of music with Alzheimer's, bipolar disorder, autism, schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression.

Zotti writes about mental illness from personal experience; this is helpful to know when the reader wants to learn information that is tried and true. I appreciate the case studies that are included; they drive home the points that he makes in each short chapter and shows it applied to a person. The way he writes is simple to understand, and the information and facts that he presents are eye-opening. Any reader can benefit from this book!", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 18:41:01", "publisher": "Loving Healing Press", "page_count": "98 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009285023", "title": "This Time Next Year: A novel", "author": "Sophie Cousens", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 191, "review": "Minnie Cooper was born on January 1, 1990, just a couple of minutes after midnight. Her mother, Connie, had hoped she\u2019d be the first baby of the new decade and win the $10,000 prize that came along with it. The family could sure use the money. But the woman Connie helped through labor, Tara, ended up giving birth just a minute before her\u2026she also stole the name Minnie was supposed to have, Quinn. Thus, Minnie was born under the shadow of Quinn Hamilton and his name-stealing mother.

This is a brilliantly written story about love, redemption, friendship, and self-empowerment. The story has perfectly executed flashbacks of Minnie and Quinn\u2019s lives over the years leading to the day they finally meet, their mutual thirtieth birthday. What a warm, lovely, cast of characters\u2026from Minnie\u2019s best friend Leila and the quirky assortment of people they work with, to the parents of both Minnie and Quinn, you\u2019ll love spending time in their world. \u2028\u2028This book is an absolute delight, both because it\u2019s a lovely story and it\u2019s so well written. I\u2019m so glad I read this book. Definitely, a feel-good tale to cozy up with.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 18:09:48", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009285019", "title": "I'm Gonna Say It Now: The Writings of Phil Ochs", "author": "Phil Ochs", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1290, "review": "Biographies & Memoirs Roundup\n\nAs the great novelist and short story writer Franz Kafka noted in The Trial, \u201cIt's sometimes quite astonishing that a single, average life is enough to encompass so much...\u201d If the biographies and memoirs included in this list are anything to go by, it certainly seems that the average life is really very far from average.\n\nEasy Crafts for the Insane: A Mostly Funny Memoir of Mental Illness and Making Things by Kelly Williams Brown\n\nAs its title suggests, Easy Crafts for the Insane: A Mostly Funny Memoir of Mental Illness and Making Things is a highly unusual book that combines basic crafting tutorials with moving and amusing biographical aspects in an effort to help readers tackle mental health issues. Kelly Williams Brown was riding high in life after writing a bestselling book, launching a lucrative speaking career, and having a fairy tale wedding, but she was brought crashing down to reality by a series of misfortunes, including physical injuries, family illness, and divorce. In fact, things became so bad that she had to spend time as an in-patient in a mental health facility. Her own experience of the positive impacts of crafting, which helped her get through her darkest days, inspired Williams Brown to write this highly autobiographical, undeniably practical, and very entertaining self-help book. She found that a range of crafts, none of them particularly complicated, helped to motivate her and provide a sense of accomplishment, such as embroidery, lettering, block printing, origami, and making tiny stars, thousands of tiny stars. Aside from relating events from her own life, both the good and the decidedly not good, in an effort to help and inspire those in similar situations, she also provides straightforward guidance on how to do a number of the crafts that helped her quieten her mind and cope with difficult times. \n\nLittle and Often: A Memoir by Trent Preszler\n\nTrent Preszler had been estranged from his father for so long that he had given up any hope of reconciliation between them and reconciled himself to the lack of a relationship, which is why it came as a major shock when his father telephoned and invited him to spend Thanksgiving at the family home in South Dakota. Busy in his new role as CEO of a wine company based on Long Island, Preszler was doubtful about the wisdom of accepting the invitation, although he ultimately agreed to make the trip. That Thanksgiving turned out to be the last time he saw his father, who subsequently died of cancer, leaving Preszler a legacy in the form of an old wooden toolbox and a mass of unanswered questions. At first puzzled by the gift of the toolbox since he wasn\u2019t renowned for his DIY or building skills, Preszler decided that he would learn how to use his father\u2019s tools and build a wooden canoe, which he would launch to make the first anniversary of his father\u2019s passing. Little and Often: A Memoir is a moving account of Preszler\u2019s time spent working on the canoe and mulling over the events of the past in an attempt to better understand his father and their (lack of a) relationship. It\u2019s a tale of self-discovery and of the complex relationships between fathers and sons, and by telling it, Preszler manages to achieve a sense of acceptance through channeling his creativity toward something that signifies hope.\n\nI'm Gonna Say It Now: The Writings of Phil Ochs by Phil Ochs\n\nWhile best known as a songwriter, Phil Ochs was also an immensely talented short story writer, poet, journalist, diarist, political commentator, critic, and travel writer. In fact, when it came to words, he was a something of a polymath. I'm Gonna Say It Now: The Writings of Phil Ochs is a treasure trove of exquisite and insightful writing that collects Ochs\u2019 non-musical works from his early days as a student at Staunton Military Academy and then Ohio State University, through to his heyday and political awakening as part of the folk scene of New York during the 1960s, and on to the more melancholic and polemic pieces that characterized his later years. Over the course of his lifetime, Ochs produced numerous stories, poems, essays, articles, and reviews that expertly addressed their topics while also revealing his thoughts, hope, and concerns for individuals and for society at large. A truly extensive collection, the book includes many rare pieces as well as previously unpublished works held in the Phil Ochs Papers at the Woody Guthrie Center, in addition to reproductions of journals and notebooks, which shed light on Ochs\u2019 thought and writing processes. It also features a host of never-before-published photographs that serve to augment the impact of the text.\n\nNora: A Love Story of Nora and James Joyce by Nuala O'Connor\n\nThe delightfully named Nora Barnacle was just twenty years old when she first met famed Dubliner James Joyce, then a medical school dropout who had so far failed to launch a career as a writer, and embarked upon a complex and decidedly unconventional relationship that would see the pair of them travel among Europe\u2019s greatest cities, enjoy the highs of celebrity, wealth, and literary success, and endure the lows of mistrust, poverty, infidelity, and mental illness. Their desire for each other was intense but while they both sought a life bigger than that on offer in their native Ireland, they were fundamentally quite different. While Joyce was happy to endure poverty so long as he had sufficient company, booze, and time to write, Nora was troubled by the instability and precarious nature of their lives, particularly the impact that those factors had on their children. Although success did come to the pair, so too did tragedy, and while they remained together until Joyce\u2019s death, their intense relationship was not always a happy one. In Nora: A Love Story of Nora and James Joyce, a truly impressive work of biographical fiction, Nuala O'Connor pens a powerful and incisive account of the life of Nora Joyce, who despite being remembered as \u201cIrish literature\u2019s greatest muse\u201d was really a far more complex, commanding, and intriguing individual than her lasting reputation suggests.\n\nShooting Out the Lights: A Memoir by Kim Fairley\n\n Shooting Out the Lights: A Memoir recounts the early years of Kim Fairley\u2019s marriage to Vern, a man more than thirty years her senior. Fairley considered that she lived a rather solitary life before her work at the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office caused her to meet Vern, the owner of a hardware store in her adopted hometown of Hillsboro, and she was quick to embrace married life after the two moved from being friends to being romantically involved. When Fairley finds that she is pregnant just a few months after their marriage, everything seems to be going well for the pair of them\u2013\u2013although the specter of tragedy remains in the house following the death of Vern\u2019s fourteen-year-old son Ben some years before he met Fairley. However, things get difficult very rapidly when Vern agrees that Stan, the young son of his recently deceased friend, can come and stay with them for a couple of weeks while his mother sorts out probate issues. As the length of Stan\u2019s stay increases and his behavior becomes increasingly troubling, Fairley struggles to cope with the strain on her marriage, the taxing nature of pregnancy, and the secrets that lurk in her and Vern\u2019s pasts. Kim Fairley excels at building up tension as she relates her recollections of the period in question, suggesting that events are building to a crescendo and that secrets are about to be revealed. It\u2019s a compelling memoir peopled by real-life characters who are both very real and, often, very strange.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 18:04:50", "publisher": "Rowman & Littlefield", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009285015", "title": "Blood Gun Money: Firearms Trafficking Along America's Iron River", "author": "Ioan Grillo", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 204, "review": "The trial of Joaquin \u201cEl Chapo\u201d Guzman was high profile and filled with salacious details from his escapes to his extravagances to the murders carried out at his behest. A pivotal moment of the case against him was the revealing of various weapons possessed and utilized by his cartel. The narco republic that has ensnared the soul of Mexico is the frequent customer of the gun traffic, as drugs flow north and guns flow south. As Mexico is plagued with the internecine wars of the various cartels, the US has witnessed all too common gun violence and horrific mass shootings. Attempts to control the gun trade are met with fierce resistance, but mainly by the hardcore of gun enthusiasts. The arguments are not over, but there is hope for compromise.

Blood Gun Money cuts to the chase in its multifaceted portrayal of an enduring battle. Author Ioan Grillo (\u201cEl Narco\u201d, \u201cGangster Warlords\u201d) charts the flowing pipeline of the gun trade, from the inner cities of Baltimore to the factories in Eastern Europe. Author Grillo writes an even-handed portrayal of the often frustrating pervasiveness of the gun traffic, interviewing scores of individuals who are on both sides. Investigative Journalism has never felt so palpably poignant.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 17:59:32", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009285007", "title": "A Lady Compromised: A Rosalind Thorne Mystery", "author": "Darcie Wilde", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 218, "review": "Miss Rosalind Thorne is someone other women come to for help when they have nowhere else to turn. As she traveled to the country to help her friend, Miss Louisa Winterbourne, with her upcoming nuptials, she was contacted by Miss Helen Corbyn. Helen asked for a meeting to discuss a matter she needed help with, although she did not say what the matter was. Rosalind finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery she was not prepared for. To further complicate matters, she was invited to the country by the Duke of Casselmaine, Devon Winterbourne, with whom she was previously betrothed before the Thorne family scandal thwarted those plans. Now she must try to plan a wedding, see if there is anything left of her relationship with Devon, and try to solve a murder without completely disrupting her life.

Even though this is the fourth book in a series, I did not feel lost and was able to enjoy it as a stand-alone novel. The imagery of the pomp and circumstance, gowns, and lavish homes transported me to a time long ago. The characters were well rounded and the story, with all its twists and turns, was well thought out and unpredictable. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the rest of the series.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 17:33:57", "publisher": "Kensington Publishing", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009284007", "title": "Oslo, Maine: A Novel", "author": "Marcia Butler", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 149, "review": "Set in a failing lumber town, this imaginative and unexpected novel opens in the point of view of a moose! But this is no fable or talking animal fantasy: the pregnant moose is understandably wary of any humans she encounters.

The humans themselves are a fascinating bunch: a musically talented boy struggling with memory problems and his battling parents, who love to hate and hate to love each other. There is also the couple \u201cfrom away\u201d who are still regarded as newcomers despite having lived in Oslo for two decades, a childlike oaf of a man, and his adoring grandmother.

Each character closely guards secrets from the others, but in a small town, secrets\u2014like treasure\u2014are worth pursuing. The town itself and its rural Maine setting are almost characters themselves in the adept hands of this novelist, who draws upon her own musical background to bring the story to life.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "19-Nov-2020 01:32:24", "publisher": "Central Avenue Publishing", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009283007", "title": "Tropical Deception", "author": "David Myles Robinson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 78, "review": "\"This time around, Pancho McMartin has taken Wayson Takei as a client, a man accused of murdering his neighbor Peter Roosevelt. As he dives into the evidence, with the invaluable assistance of his private investigator, new secretary, and medical examiner lover, Pancho quickly comes to realize this is far from an open and shut case. Tropical Deception is an exciting murder mystery that will have readers on the edge of their seats. ---Jessica Tingling, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Nov-2020 22:23:47", "publisher": "Terra Nova Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009283003", "title": "Still Moving", "author": "Linda Durham", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 66, "review": "\"Written as a beautiful memoir, Still Moving places us into the life of author Linda Durham, artist, world traveler, and visionary. From climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to working with orphans in Africa, Durham\u2019s spirit shines through even in times of hardship. Candid, eye-opening, and written with deep emotion, Still Moving will make you laugh and cry at the same time. \u2014 Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Nov-2020 20:51:48", "publisher": "", "page_count": "252 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009282003", "title": "Journey to Jumbalot", "author": "Ryan Wakefield", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 9", "word_count": 442, "review": "Journey to Jumbalot, written by Ryan Wakefield, follows the tale of a young house cat: Alby. Alby was saved from the streets by his kind friend, Professor Wizoom. When Wizoom creates a strange, multi-colored, triangular door and disappears the next day, Alby must gather his courage to enter the doorway. As he walks through, he hears a voice talking to him and telling him \u201cyou can save them all\u201d. When Alby walks out on the other side of the doorway, he finds himself in a magical world with grass that glimmers and strange creatures with even stranger names like froguars, vipanthers and pandowls. These exotic creatures are hybrids of the animals in the natural world. While he makes his way through the magical world in search of the Professor, Alby makes many friends like Fremmy, a froguar, and Troonix, a Tricerafox. Alby finds himself in the midst of a war to protect Jumbalot from Rozer, a wolveraptor-rex who is set on getting revenge on Queen Lola, the kind and fair ruler of Jumbalot. Alby must stay strong and use his imagination and wits during his journey through Jumbalot.

On Alby\u2019s journey he faces many foes to save his dear friend Professor Wizoom. He also makes a lot of new friends who prove to be loyal and good as they stick with him through thick and thin. Alby learns that with his friends by his side, there's nothing he can't do. He learns how to use his imagination and discovers that he is stronger than he thinks he is. Alby helps the people fight the war of Jumbalot and retrieve and return their most precious relic to its rightful place. With the lessons learned and the assistance of the brave people of this strange land, Alby helps defend the beautiful land of Jumbalot and saves Professor Wizoom. He never gives up hope even though he doubts himself sometimes. Alby realizes that nothing is impossible. Buy the book to uncover the secrets of Jumbalot with Alby and his friends.

I would recommend this story to all genders who love fantasy and who are nine years or older. This story is filled with adventure, bravery, and strength. It was made to entertain and it truly made me want to jump into the book and explore this fascinating fantasy land. Journey to Jumbalot is an exciting book that you will be sure to never forget. It definitely is a great addition to any library as it is one of those books that you will want to read over and over again. Grab a copy of this fantasy adventure and buckle in for the Journey to Jumbalot!", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "18-Nov-2020 18:20:37", "publisher": "", "page_count": "204 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009280155", "title": "Ghost Letters: Poems", "author": "Baba Badji", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Willow Greymoor ", "word_count": 221, "review": "Ghost Letters captured the multifarious aspects of life via its rawest manifestations\u2014beauty, death, heartbreak, human survivorship, ghostly ancestorial presences, and poverty, are interwoven by a collection of letters and poems gathered from a time capsule, recently revealed to the world.

Author Badji breathed life into the letters that told the tragic tales of distance, death, and the African diaspora. The letters held space for the motherland left behind; each entry was penned with fortitudinous reverence for Mother Africa.

The topography of Senegal was represented by realism interwoven with earthy archetypes and several Arabic verses from the Koran. Islamic hallowed beliefs and traditions are an integral part of the ethereal tapestry of the letters' poetic reflections.

Surrealism and metaphorical references are delicately woven through each poem, correlating the demonstrable effects of French Colonialism in Senegal. This eventuated with the tragic loss of culture, adaption of the French language, and the French influence that squelched the authentic spirit of the people of Senegal. Many of the poems are terribly alive with the traumatic pain of loss that the readers could feel the pain within their own souls.

Ghost Letters provided the readers with a glimpse into the African soul and the scarring effects of diaspora. Moreover, a newfound appreciation for African culture could be fostered from this poignant book---a literary experience for mind, heart, and soul.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "27-May-2021", "date_added": "17-Nov-2020 22:41:00", "publisher": "Parlor Press", "page_count": "116 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009280139", "title": "Here City: Poems", "author": "Rick Snyder", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lennart Lundh", "word_count": 176, "review": "From the deceptively simple Relapse to the surrealist personal history of Field Notes, the thirty-seven poems of Rick Snyder\u2019s collection, Here City, deserve and demand repeated readings. They are compelling, observant, and provocative. Focused on Southern California and the earliest years of the twenty-first century, the poet's visions and their words, their personal and cultural specificity, succeed in creating a reliable description of the time, place, and person behind their creation. On that basis, they deserve the reader's full attention and this reviewer's full marks.

At the same time, it's because of that focus that these poems largely fail to meet a crucial demand placed upon mature poets and poetry: longevity. There is little of the universal in time, place, or experience, of a consistent ability to share the visions and transform their words for a wider audience. That universal element is present at the start but lost in the distance long before the journey is finished. As a result, as with a good meal, be satisfied by Here City, but expect to be hungry again soon.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "17-Nov-2020 22:25:22", "publisher": "Parlor Press", "page_count": "76 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009280135", "title": "Afraid of the Light: A Story About Facing Your Fears", "author": "Albert Strasser; illus. by Flavia Sorrentino", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 176, "review": "Ditter von Dapp liked his home in a cave. He couldn\u2019t stand going in the light so he always stayed in the shade. Then one day he loses his shoe and he can\u2019t find it anywhere. Will he dare create some light to find it or keep search around in the dark?

The text is long. This is a book for an older audience for sure. I liked that it rhymed. The illustration style was unique, and I think it worked well for when the Ditter was in the cave and the dark. However, when he makes the change, I would have liked to see some change in the character\u2019s appearance as well. As far as the plot, while there is a conflict, it felt like a long book for what it is. I do understand the imprint is trying to show the fundamentals of light and dark in Buddhism. I like the message of this book and going toward the light. My kids thought the pictures were unusual.

Age Recommendation: six to eight years old.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "17-Nov-2020 22:23:19", "publisher": "Shambhala Publications", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009280131", "title": "Oona", "author": "Kelly DiPucchio, illus. by Raissa Figueroa", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 9", "word_count": 126, "review": "Oona is about a little mermaid who searches for treasure and finds a crown! It is so pretty to see her underwater world and you can imagine why she wants the treasure. She can\u2019t quite reach it, so she perseveres and tries to think of a way to reach it. After lots of tries and fails she finally figures out a way. This book is good for people who are feeling really frustrated with something and struggling to find a way to finish it. The illustrations are sweet and will make the book interesting even to young readers who may not understand the full meaning of the story. It\u2019s the perfect read-aloud, especially when you or one of your kids is feeling really frustrated about something.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "17-Nov-2020 22:21:33", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009280123", "title": "Raider (A Miranda Chase thriller)", "author": "M.L. Buchman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 197, "review": "This action thriller marks the eighth installment from Buchman in the Miranda Chase brand which is gaining more and more traction. The popularity is due in part because of the short, character-driven chapters which alternate point of view at a maddening pace. Loaded with the latest techno-wizardry, the individually flawed characters each bring something to the table.

Miranda Chase herself is an autistic genius who happens to be the top investigator at the NTSB, the National Transportation Safety Board. She surrounds herself with other geniuses who each in their own right have something broken within them. In this story, a rogue hacker is bringing down aircraft by monkeying around with the GPS system. When the Vice- President's plane crash lands in Turkey, it almost starts a war.

Although heavily researched, if there is a flaw with Buchman's writing style, it shows in the sometimes exasperating group conversations with the easily distracted main character, suffocating all the suspense and breaking the rhythm of the storyline. Nevertheless, the characters themselves compel the reader to push through such frustrations. As a genre, Buchman is to be applauded for bringing something fresh and exciting to the table of mostly misunderstood people.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "17-Nov-2020 22:14:44", "publisher": "Buchman Bookworks", "page_count": "360 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009280119", "title": "Last Gate of the Emperor", "author": "Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 192, "review": "Last Gate of the Emperor by Kwambe Mbala is a cool story about a boy, a girl, and a robot lioness. The boy, Yared, played an augmented-reality game that caused an attack on his city. His uncle Moti disappeared and then all the stories that he heard came true. Now Yared has to find his uncle and make sense of everything that is happening, but he cannot do it alone. His pet robot lioness joins him on the quest, as does his competitor in the game, a girl named Ibis.

The plot of the story was entertaining and made plenty of sense. It always got interesting when the main characters made a daring escape. I got to know the characters very well and I liked them. They didn't seem very real but they were easy to relate to. The language of the story flowed well and it was easy to read. There were no illustrations in this book, unfortunately. Kids aged ten and older who love science fiction would enjoy this book. I think it could actually make a great series. I would absolutely recommend this book! I couldn't stop reading it!", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "17-Nov-2020 22:12:23", "publisher": "Scholastic", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009280111", "title": "Poems from the Wilderness", "author": "Jack Mayer", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 241, "review": "When poems are seductive, they can conceal more than they reveal. Jack Mayer\u2019s Poems from the Wilderness is a memoir culled from twenty-five years of creativity at first straightforward:

When I was twelven

I mailed a comic book coupon,

hoping against hope

that I would be the kid

to win an electric Ford Thunderbird.

Mayer\u2019s son returns from summer camp bringing more memories: fingernail dirt lines, grime encrusted socks, clothing stiff from sweat, and an over-used high school gym locker scent.

And then\u2026. and then \u2026. the lyricism of his poetry reaches out, the secular becomes spiritual as the wilderness embraces, evolving from the prosaic details of his world view, he catches

\u2026a glimpse.

\nof the ineffable, the ephemeral, the everlasting,

trying to reckon which is which.\u2019

The forests and the mountainsides provide a sanctuary, not an escape, for although reluctant to hear hikers\u2019 tales he is too courteous to ignore them as he seeks solitude. Nature has carried him from youth to age yet he feels himself part of a greater scheme:

I am a God to the birds

flocking to my feeder in winter.

\nA forgiving God.

The birds are foremost until the poem\u2019s ending,

I revel in the mystery, the prayer that a God

behind the window loves me enough

To feed my soul.

The poems explore, sometimes delight or comfort. But I was fearful all along that Poems from the Wilderness was not exaltation, but a lament.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2020", "date_added": "17-Nov-2020 04:07:54", "publisher": "Proverse Hong Kong", "page_count": "100 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009280107", "title": "Poems from the Wilderness", "author": "Jack Mayer", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 241, "review": "When poems are seductive, they can conceal more than they reveal. Jack Mayer\u2019s Poems from the Wilderness is a memoir culled from twenty-five years of creativity at first straightforward:

When I was twelven

I mailed a comic book coupon,

hoping against hope

that I would be the kid

to win an electric Ford Thunderbird.

Mayer\u2019s son returns from summer camp bringing more memories: fingernail dirt lines, grime encrusted socks, clothing stiff from sweat, and an over-used high school gym locker scent.

And then\u2026. and then \u2026. the lyricism of his poetry reaches out, the secular becomes spiritual as the wilderness embraces, evolving from the prosaic details of his world view, he catches

\u2026a glimpse.

\nof the ineffable, the ephemeral, the everlasting,

trying to reckon which is which.\u2019

The forests and the mountainsides provide a sanctuary, not an escape, for although reluctant to hear hikers\u2019 tales he is too courteous to ignore them as he seeks solitude. Nature has carried him from youth to age yet he feels himself part of a greater scheme:

I am a God to the birds

flocking to my feeder in winter.

\nA forgiving God.

The birds are foremost until the poem\u2019s ending,

I revel in the mystery, the prayer that a God

behind the window loves me enough

To feed my soul.

The poems explore, sometimes delight or comfort. But I was fearful all along that Poems from the Wilderness was not exaltation, but a lament.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "17-Nov-2020 04:06:25", "publisher": "Proverse Hong Kong", "page_count": "100 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009280103", "title": "Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America", "author": "Ijeoma Oluo", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 224, "review": "Ijeoma Oluo follows her best selling book So You Want to Talk About Race? with an equally compelling and unflinching critique of the intersections of race, gender, and power in Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America. Well-researched, thoughtful, and unapologetic, Oluo\u2019s latest release addresses the fragility of white masculinity, which threatens communities and institutions.

Oluo directly addresses gendered and racialized power by offering historical and contemporary examples. She argues that in an individualistic and patriarchal society, women are expected to be above reproach, while men can be \u201cmediocre.\u201d She highlights white male entitlement and frustration over the perceived advantages of women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and members of other marginalized communities, critiquing the troublesome trend of anti-intellectualism and the rise of hateful rhetoric and violence among right-wing white men.

Oluo has encapsulated the Trump era, memorializing the anti-racist acts of resistance by political newcomers Ilhan Omar and Alexandra Ocasio Cortez and sports icon Colin Kaepernick. She adopts a balanced approach in her critique, pointing out flaws among the political left. She discusses how whiteness tends to be central in social justice movements that focus on socioeconomic issues, ignoring the deleterious impacts of race.

Oluo\u2019s analysis advances the discourse about dismantling white male supremacy, or perhaps more accurately, mediocrity. It\u2019s an important read during this time of reckoning about equity and justice.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "09-Jan-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 21:14:54", "publisher": "Basic Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009280099", "title": "Made in China: A Prisoner, an SOS Letter, and the Hidden Cost of America's Cheap Goods", "author": "Amelia Pang", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 219, "review": "The little girl opened the box of Halloween decorations and gave Julie, her mother, folded paper she found inside. It was a letter, pleading for help, the ha ting English spelling interspersed with Chinese characters. Was it fake? Was it a joke in poor taste? Julie treated it seriously. In vain she begged one international aid organization after another to try locating the writer and do something about it. Years later, she learned the story.

Amelia Pang takes this introduction as the starting point for Made in China. a chilling account of prisoners and addicts committed to abusive fifteen-hour working days in Chinese labor camps. Their mandate is to produce gewgaws and holiday accessories and miscellaneous components to enable western customers to buy Chinese-made products at falsely low prices.

When Pang identifies, Sun Yi she chooses him to represent millions of similar victims. She chronicles living conditions for the political and addicted prisoners as repetitive starvation, torture, and minimal medical treatment.

Sun Yi\u2019s crime as a member of Falun Gong was punishable in China, whether recognized as a cult or religion. His family life was threatened and his wife refused to be interviewed for the book.

Pang\u2019s writing is controlled, she neither rants nor over-dramatizes. Her tone suggests \u2018Once upon a time\u2026..\u2019 but readers will not view Made in China as a fairytale.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 21:11:56", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009280083", "title": "So Embarrassing: Awkward Moments and How to Get Through Them", "author": "Charise Mericle Harper", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 175, "review": "So Embarrassing by Charise Mericle Harper is a comic book about ways to deal with embarrassing situations. A boy and a dog teach the reader how to avoid getting embarrassed in public. For example, what to do when you blush, how to not be embarrassed by your parents, and how to deal with the situation when someone tells your secret to everyone.

The boy and the dog explain everything in a funny way with plenty of jokes. I couldn't help laughing as I read the book. Because it is a graphic novel, the book is full of pictures. They are simple and make the story fun to read. My favorite part of the book was when the dog gives examples of all the things he does that he is not embarrassed about. Anyone who gets easily embarrassed will be able to find ideas to help them in this book.

I recommend this book for eight to twelve year olds. I give this book five stars because it teaches you useful things while also being hilarious.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 20:56:55", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009280075", "title": "How To Become a Planet", "author": "Nicole Melleby", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zara M.", "word_count": 155, "review": "\"Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, these are the planets near our star.\"

How to Become a Planet is an outstanding book about a girl named Pluto who has depression and anxiety and is in love with space. Pluto is supposed to \"fix herself\" to be able to make it to eighth grade.

Pluto makes some new friends along her journey: adults and kids. I really loved each and every character in the book, and pictured a mini-movie inside my head while reading!\nHow to Become a Planet also does show what makes planets, planets. There are three criteria in the book for how to be a planet, and facts in the book about space.

There aren't any illustrations, but I don't think there needs to be. The book is already so good by itself!

How to Become a Planet is for tweens and ages ten to fourteen. I hope people enjoy it because I sure did!", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "04-May-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 20:52:58", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009280071", "title": "The Constituion Decoded: A Guide to the Document That Shapes Our Nation", "author": "Katie Kennedy, illustrated by Ben Kirchner", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 148, "review": "The Constitution Decoded: A Guide to the Document That Shapes Our Nation by Katie Kennedy is basically a book with the U.S. Constitution on the left pages and the simple translation of the meaning on the right-side pages which makes it easy to understand. The book has a Vocabulary of terms to help understand the text, lots of helpful illustrations, diagrams, and Did You Know facts. This book includes the complete Constitution, Preamble, all the Articles, and Amendments, as well as The Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation. If you are learning about the U.S. Constitution in school, you need this book! It will help you without a doubt! And if you are just curious about what the U.S. Constitution is all about, this is the book for you! I would think ten-year-olds and older would enjoy this very useful and educational book. I definitely did!", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 20:50:30", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009280063", "title": "Competitive Grieving: A novel", "author": "Nora Zelevansky", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 700, "review": "Popular Fiction\n\nSometimes finding a good book to read can be hard, because there are so many books in the world! So what if you limit yourself to just new books, so those released in the last year or so? That can be tricky too. Every Tuesday is special because it\u2019s book release day, which means a bunch of new books are released to the world. Well, let me make it a little easier for you: here\u2019s a list of recently released popular fiction to give you something to sink your teeth into and enjoy.\n\nPack Up the Moon\nIn what starts our as a kind of sad story turns into something beautiful and unique in Kristan Higgins\u2019 //Pack Up the Moon.// Joshua and Lauren are happily married and love each other very deeply and cannot image life apart, but then Lauren is diagnosed with a terminal illness, but she has a plan after she is gone. A series of letters and instructions, one for every month of the year after her death, which he has to carry out. The stories, adventures, and experiences make him miss her all the more, but also love her in a whole new way.\n\nThe Secret Keeper of Jaipur\nHailed as one of the best summer reads of 2021, //The Secret Keeper of Jaipur// is a story of intrigue and mystery. It is the summer of 1969 and Malik has just earned himself an internship at the Facilities Office of the Jaipur Royal Palace. Their most recent project is an impressive cinema, but on opening night tragedy strikes as the brand new balcony collapses and obvious blame is assigned, but Malik has suspicions something else is going on here and decides to investigate. He grew up in this city and knows its hidden alleys and secrets well.\n\nOne Two Three\nThe Mitchell triplets live in the quaint and idyllic town of Bourne where nothing ever really interesting happens. Mirabel is smart and likes making things, like a cool voice app; Monday knows everything about books, even that one you didn\u2019t know you were looking for; and Mab just wants to get good grades, head to college, and most importantly, get out of Bourne. But there is a dark history with the town, from an event that occurred seventeen years ago, and a new student has enrolled at Bourne Memorial High who happens to be the nemesis of the Mitchell family. Now things are about to become anything but boring.\n\nAbsolutist\nIt is the fall of 1919 and young Tristan Sadler is traveling to Norwich to deliver a collection of letters to the sister of Will Bancroft, an incredible man whom he fought beside in the Great War and who he has immense respect for. In addition to the letters, Tristan must tell the story of himself and Will and the war, starting from the beginning with their meeting at Aldershot to end of their friendship in the trenches of France. A moving tale that is also filled with jealousy and betrayal.\n\nUnder the Wave at Waimea\nGet lost in the warm waters of Hawaii with //Undet the Wave at Waimea// by Paul Theroux. Joe Sharkey, a renowned surfer known of course as \u201cthe Shark,\u201d is now in his sixties and losing his popularity and sponsors, but is still respect by young surfers. In a freak accident, Joe kills a stranger and finds his life forever changed. But his girlfriend Olive, helps in learning the identity of the victim and discovering the dead man\u2019s life, and in so doing, helps Joe get his life back together again.\n\nCompetitive Grieving\nStewart Beasley, a rising TV star, dies suddenly of an aneurysm. To Wren, Steward was her rock and her anchor, so now she must live her life without him and move on. But first she must plan the funeral to end all funerals. She is also surprisingly assigned the duty of disseminating Stewart\u2019s possessions, and in so doing finds herself investigating his life and learning things she never knew about him. With a healthy balance of both laughter and tears, Competitive Grieving casts a new light on tragedy and grief that so many must go through.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 20:38:43", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "376 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009280059", "title": "Fans: How Watching Sports Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Understanding", "author": "Larry Olmsted", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 191, "review": "It can be hard to come by a person who is not a fan of some kind of sports team. In Fans: How Watching Sports Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Understanding, Larry Olmsted is on a mission to convince his colleague of the importance of being a fan of some time of sport's team. His colleague is on the other end of the spectrum, assuming that being a fan is a waste of time. Olmsted argues for the importance of being a fan by explaining how and why sports fans are happier, how sports are entertainment, how sports alter our brain, and the superstitions that accompany the whole thing. Olmsted backs up his information with case studies, real-life events, and quotes from influential people.

Fans was educational and an enjoyment to read. I expected the book to be kind of dry, but Olmsted's writing is fresh and catchy. The results of case studies and real-life events made complete sense, it's just not something I had ever pieced together. Each chapter discusses a new way that sports are helpful and necessary, and each chapter leaves me wanting the next one right away.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 20:36:54", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009280035", "title": "Ellie's Dragon", "author": "Bob Graham", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 185, "review": "Ellie finds a dragon at the grocery store and names him Scratch. She can see its beautiful rainbow colors, but her mother can\u2019t. She brings it to pre-school with her and the other students can see the dragon, but the teacher can\u2019t. Over the years, Ellie\u2019s dragon grows, but as she gets older the dragon is becoming less and less apart of her life. What will become of Scratch now?

The text is perfect for a picture book of great length. Word usage is good. I love how the words show the different ways both the girl and dragon are growing up. I think the style of the illustrations fits the book very well. I love the way the pictures of the girl and the dragon growing up. I love the diversity showing in the illustrations. From a parent's perspective, this book almost made me cry thinking about my kids growing up. I think it\u2019s a sweet story. I love that it has an imaginary friend as one of the main characters. Choosing a dragon was a perfect choice.

Age Range: Birth to eight years", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 18:56:43", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009280027", "title": "One Life", "author": "Megan Rapinoe", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 209, "review": "Megan Rapinoe is recognizable worldwide as an activist, an Olympic gold medalist, and a two-time World Cup champion. Her brilliant book, One Life, tells the story of how she became this figure and why the causes she has championed are so important to her.

Rapinoe relates how she was raised to believe in equality\u2014in her house, on the field, and in the world. When she and her twin sister Rachel wanted to play soccer, it was in part due to their elder brother Brian\u2019s success in the sport. There was never a suggestion that he could do something they couldn\u2019t, and his encouragement, along with their parents\u2019 support, propelled Megan and Rachel into adulthood as athletes.

For that reason, the foundation of equality in Rapinoe\u2019s life was set early. Later, when she came out as a lesbian, supported marriage equality, knelt during the national anthem\u2014inspired by Colin Kaepernick\u2014and stood up for pay equity for the women\u2019s national soccer team players, it became clear that her activism would be lifelong.

The fabulous One Life is equal parts sports memoir, activist\u2019s journal, and feminist\u2019s call to action. It asks the reader, through an epigraph from Mary Oliver, \u201cWhat is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?\u201d", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 18:49:46", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009280015", "title": "Sneeze: Naoki Urasawa Story Collection", "author": "Naoki Urasawa", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 224, "review": "Sneeze is a collection of short stories by award-winning manga artist Naoki Urasawa. The stories range from a mobster take with a moral to a slapstick-styled cat-and-mouse chase. Urasawa combines fun and unique storytelling with outstanding artistry. Sneeze showcases Urasawa\u2019s breadth as a storyteller: a departure from the sci-fi adventure and psychological suspense stories that have defined his work for decades.

The artist devotes much of the book to combining his love of music with his love of manga, at times even reaching back into his childhood for inspiration. As a child of the \u201860s and \u201870s, Urasawa brings in his love of music by honoring both Japanese and Western folk musicians, taking the reader on a musical nostalgia trip. Some stories are purely nonsensical, while others highlight the artist\u2019s takes on Kaijiu (giant) monsters and superheroes. The graphic short stories in Sneeze move quickly, without sacrificing plot and character development. Whether man or mouse, Urasawa\u2019s characters convey purpose and human frailty.

Sneeze is a delightful read for any manga fan, especially followers of Urasawa\u2019s previous work. As the artist puts it, as a \u201cshort work,\u201d Sneeze \u201ccan make even the most beautiful person look momentarily ugly.\u201d The book is a joy because it reflects the storyteller\u2019s joy in sharing the love for the moments that defined his childhood and ultimately shaped his life\u2019s work.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 18:41:18", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009280011", "title": "Hot to Trot: An Agatha Raisin Mystery (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, 31)", "author": "M.C. Beaton", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 205, "review": "Agatha Raisin doesn't want to admit that the marriage of her friend and once-lover Sir Charles Fraith is getting her down. She might be over him romantically but she can't stand the bride-to-be. An obnoxious upstart as far as she's concerned. After an unsuccessful attempt to crash the wedding, she tries again to attend a masked ball uninvited. The only trouble is, as she's leaving, albeit, after an altercation with the new wife Mary, that very same woman is found dead in the stables. Now both Agatha and Charles are suspected of murder. It will be up to Agatha to get them both out of another mess. But before she can do that, she'll have to confront her feelings about he ex-husband James who's recently returned to the village as well.

I absolutely adore this series. And I loved Hot to Trot. Agatha is her usual cranky self in this installment, but she's also lovable, vulnerable, and loyal to the core where her friends are concerned. Mrs. Beaton had a writing style that brought new meaning to the cozy novel with fun, compelling mysteries full of enticing, charming settings, and a raft of characters you couldn't help but love. Sadly, Mrs. Beaton passed away in 2019.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 18:38:03", "publisher": "St. Martin's", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009280003", "title": "Champion of the Titan Games (Dragonwatch)", "author": "Brandon Mull", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 14", "word_count": 188, "review": "Champion of the Titan Games is a great adventure story about a boy trying to reclaim his lost memories. This is the fourth book in the Dragonwatch series and is very well written. In this book, Seth, one of the main characters, is working with some of his friends to try to get his memories back from the demon Humbuggle. At the same time, Kendra, who is Seth's sister, along with more of Seth's friends are looking for him and trying to find a way to stop a dragon army, led by Celebrant. Seth decides to learn more about the Titan Games, a dangerous gladiatorial competition that is run by Humbuggle. After making some new friends, Seth must decide if getting his memories back is worth what it might cost.

I really enjoyed this book, it was very interesting. It was filled with many different types of giants, dragons, and trolls. The way that the magical world is set up in this book was also really cool. I would recommend this book to kids in junior high and high school, especially if they like fantasy or adventure stories.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 18:32:11", "publisher": "Shadow Mountain", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009279003", "title": "The Loathing", "author": "Wilder Nash", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 433, "review": "A mercenary is viewed as a soldier for hire, a man of questionable loyalty. However, this is a misconception, as many times a mercenary is often seeking a new kind of battle. Maddox Hunter is a brawny Aussie with the steely nerve that served him well in the service and now in his employ with a Private Military Contractor. He and a motley assortment of soldiers of fortune are stationed in Pakistan, waiting for the next assignment, big on danger, bigger on plausible deniability. Hunter is loyal to the mission, and to his friends. He reveals his strength and loyalty when he comes to the aid of a squirrely CIA asset named Zander Butowski. He disarms armed men intent on ending Butowski. Unfortunately, this leaves Butowski free to double deal and put others at risk, unbeknownst to Hunter. Hunter and his team are tasked with the escorting of a high-value prisoner to the airport when an ambush frees the prisoner and results in the shaming of Hunter and his crew. The only way out of the doghouse is for Hunter and his wildcard friend AJ to embed with a WHO crew in Afghanistan and recapture the target.

Their task is fraught with danger, but the adrenalin runs deep within Hunter and AJ. They thrive on risk and ask for seconds. Hunter is slightly more cautious now, as he is involved in a serious relationship with a Doctor named Stella. She works for Doctors without Borders in Liberia, where she faces danger on a near-constant basis. Hunter and AJ are embroiled in a firefight when they attempt to take their prisoner back, their quarry being very important to the local terrorist leader. AJ is caught by enemy forces and is facing his own end when Hunter guns down the terrorists and they quickly escape with their lives and the elusive prisoner. However, one of the casualties sprawled out in the firefight is the young son of the terror scion. Revenge has been vowed, and Hunter is pinpointed to suffer. Soon, the gathering clouds of the war on terror will rain a fiery hell on the soldiers and others. Who will survive?

The Loathing is a pulse-pounding action thriller that rips into the reader from its inception. Author Wilder Nash carves a niche for himself with this well-plotted novel that entertains on all levels. The characters are many, but each page provides a laugh or a thrill that proves compelling. The book excels with a combination of thrills, dark humor, heart-rending moments that will have the reader ready for more. A great read for 2021.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 04:58:34", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "560 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009278075", "title": "Every Vow You Break: A novel", "author": "Peter Swanson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 229, "review": "Abigail Baskin is a woman with a dilemma. She is soon to be married to Bruce, a successful tech entrepreneur who became enamored with Abigail in their first meeting. He promised her security when she needed it the most. A whirlwind courtship results in their engagement. However, a chance encounter on her bachelorette party weekend results in a one night stand. She is overcome with guilt, but elects not to tell Bruce. Abigail is quickly troubled when she spots her fling in a coffee shop, but she chalks it up to randomness. Then she receives an email from the gentleman. Suddenly, the world seems smaller. She loves Bruce, and lets the other man down gently. Bruce and Abigail get married and embark on their honeymoon to an island in Maine. Yet, all is not right with the world, and Abigail is in for a rude awakening. Mistakes are easy to forget, but can they be as easily forgiven?

Every Vow You Break is the latest nail-biter from Peter Swanson(Eight Perfect Murders). The action and drama develop quickly, but the compelling nature of the book lay with its ability to shock and surprise the reader with its turns and chills. Any time one thinks they know the direction the book is headed, Swanson takes the fork in the road and the mystery deepens. An A++ work for the new year.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 00:08:56", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009278067", "title": "The Fortunate Ones: A novel", "author": "Ed Tarkington", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 219, "review": "Plucked from the wrong side of the tracks, Charlie is given the chance to attend Yeatman, a boys\u2019 school where the best families of Nashville send their sons. This is where Nashville society\u2019s future power-brokers get their start, and though Charlie feels out of place, handsome, charming Arch Creigh takes him under his wing. Arch, along with uber-wealthy Jamie and Vanessa Haltom, give Charlie access to a side of Nashville he\u2019d never seen before. His cozy inclusion gets complicated, however, when Mrs. Haltom hires Charlie\u2019s mother as an assistant and installs them both in the family carriage house. New alliances form, and when an explosive secret comes to light, Charlie sees no choice but to flee. But his connection to Arch and the Haltoms isn\u2019t so easily severed.

Arch\u2019s fate is gloomily sealed from page one, but Tarkington builds tension and intrigue as he lays out just how the upward trajectory of society\u2019s golden boy went so badly awry. Charlie\u2019s helpless love for both Arch and Vanessa shapes his own life path, and although readers might want Charlie to cut and run sooner rather than later, his magnetic draw to the people who made his life different from how it might have been is ultimately understandable. It\u2019s not only unwise to bite the hand that feeds us--but also, sometimes, impossible.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 00:04:30", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009278059", "title": "The Liar's Dictionary: A Novel", "author": "Eley Williams", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 160, "review": "A shy, lisping lexicographer in the 19th century falls hopelessly in love. A closeted intern in the 21st century is tasked with ferreting out \u201cmountweazels\u201d: false words that her predecessor may have created and inserted into the dictionary. Peter Winceworth grapples with pelicans and the humiliating secret that his lisp is a feint, designed to keep others at bay. Mallory must contend with anonymous phone calls threatening that the dictionary staff (all two of them) will burn in hell for having expanded the definition of \u201cmarriage\u201d to accommodate all gender partnerships.

The Liar\u2019s Dictionary is a novel for lovers of language, full of puns and wordplay and words you will have never heard of, which will send you to the dictionary to discover for yourself whether the author has made them up or not. Her vocabulary dazzles, her syntax seduces, and the plot\u2014alphabetized and alternating between the two time periods\u2014will carry you along throughout this delightful, unexpected book. Highly recommended.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "16-Nov-2020 00:01:00", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009278055", "title": "Exploring the White House: Inside America's Most Famous Home", "author": "Kate Andersen Brower", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zara - Age 11", "word_count": 131, "review": "Exploring the White House is a really interesting book about the house on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave in Washington DC, called the White House!

I learned so many facts about the White House that I would have never guessed. Sometimes the author would write in 1st person and tell stories about the events she attended while she was journaling about the Obamas!

On most pages, there is a little fun fact. One fun fact I found interesting is that Nancy Reagan was always pushing the staff to make everything perfect: even if that meant taking over 24 hours to work constantly. Did you know that the White House is about 814,572 square feet? Wow!Exploring the White House is a book for all ages, and I would totally recommend it to them all.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "15-Nov-2020 23:58:14", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009278051", "title": "A Deadly Edition: A Blue Ridge Library Mystery", "author": "Victoria Gilbert", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 194, "review": "With her upcoming wedding, Amy Webber is celebrated with a party thrown for her and Richard by their good friend Kurt. Even an art dealer named arrives to give his congratulations much to the dismay of Kurt who despises the man and the feeling is mutual. When Amy and Richard find Oscar's body, Amy is pulled into another mystery that could derail her wedding day. When Kurt is considered the likely suspect, Amy refuses to believe he's capable of murder and becomes more determined to find the real killer.

The mystery gives Amy two main reasons to make her search for the killer: to learn how her brother connects and to prove Kurt's innocence. Her wedding day is woven throughout as she continues to plan and doesn't let catching a killer keep her from trying on her wedding dress. Relationships are naturally explored through different connections such as her best friend who is her main accomplice. The relationship elements show what grounds her as a character. A Deadly Edition is another win for the series by Victoria Gilbert who delivers layered characters, a solid mystery, complex clues, and complicated relationships in an addicting read.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "15-Nov-2020 21:26:38", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "356 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009278047", "title": "Grounds for Murder", "author": "Tara Lush", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 218, "review": "Lana Lewis is excited to enter the Sunshine State Barista Championship which is all thanks to her highly skilled and highly sought-after employee. Until in a blink of an eye, he goes to work for a rival cafe. Lana soon discovers Fab's body behind her cafe and then labeled the ideal suspect with plenty of motive. Lana digs into the skeletons in Fab's closet and uncovers plenty of motive for murder from everyone he surrounded himself with.

Lana is a strong-willed person who has taken a new chapter in her life after losing her job as a reporter and divorcing her cheating husband. Owning a cafe gives her a second chance to take a new path in her life which takes her from chasing down killers to making coffee. Her previous life is seen consistently throughout the mystery in a similar way to how ghost haunts and makes its presence known when she least expects it such as the arrival of her ex. Her previous job as a reporter is part of who she is so Fab's murder creates a rejuvenation within her as she's able to get back into investigating. Grounds for Murder is a must for every cozy mystery fan to have on their shelves as it's a charming and addicting blend of humor and mystery.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "15-Nov-2020 21:25:08", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "294 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009278031", "title": "D (A Tale of Two Worlds): A Novel", "author": "Michel Faber", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 200, "review": "Dhikilo is a young girl from the small independent nation of Somaliland, located within the country of Somalia. Few people know about and Dhikilo is pretty much used to this and not fitting in much with school and life in the little town of Cawber, close to the cliffs of Dover and the Channel. But suddenly the letter D disappears from the world and only Dhikilo seems to know it\u2019s happened. Everyone around her talks with the \u201cD\u201d missing, then signs and places change with the \u201cD\u201d removed, and finally, things using the letter \u201cD\u201d like dogs start to disappear.

Fortunately, a history teacher Professor Dodderfield whom she thought dead is in fact alive and knows what\u2019s going on. Dhikilo must go on an adventure to the wintry land of Liminus where there are many strange creatures and save and return the letter \u201cD.\u201d

Told in a whimsical style with hints of Narnia and Dickens, D is a fun fantasy story thirty-five years in the making that takes readers on an adventure into a world controlled by the monstrous Gamp. The book is unpredictable and nonstop fun, as the reader is kept hooked to the end of this strange tale.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "15-Nov-2020 21:16:24", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009278019", "title": "Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World", "author": "Simon Winchester", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 260, "review": "Simon Winchester purchased 123 rocky, acres in New York State. The dimensions and viability of the terrain were less significant than the status he acquired. He had become a landowner. As he considered this new departure, he recognized land ownership was universally important in the modern world. Contemplating further, he saw this factor had prevailed throughout history. He undertook a meticulous study seeing how the thirty-six international borders in the world were numerically a mere fraction of the boundaries and borders globally dividing tribes, nations, even countries.

Chapters reveal the uniqueness of each history from Andorra to New Zealand, the Netherlands to Texas often displacing communities, even populations. The quest for land ownership has caused internecine wars and fractured relationships, on occasion formed profitable alliances. Many of the newer national boundaries were drawn during nineteenth-century colonial land-grabs.

Land is steeped in detailed information, it isn\u2019t a quick bedtime read. Rather, it is to be savored, digested, enjoyed over a generous allocation of time. Readers will choose their favorite chapter, each seemingly more compelling than the previous one. I halted at the Ukraine, a country still in the headlines after generations, maybe centuries, of strife and change. But how to rate this more intriguing than North America\u2019s tragic Indian displacement, the cross-cultural destruction of sub-Saharan Africa?

Few authors share Winchester\u2019s ability to explore land\u2019s intrinsic value, move from one sequence to the next so the chapters can be read discretely. Even without the continuity of earlier books like Krakatoa and The Man Who Loved China, this new one is lastingly absorbing.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "15-Nov-2020 21:01:00", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009275007", "title": "In the Land of the Feathered Serpent", "author": "Richard C. Brusca", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 746, "review": "Odel Bernini believed he had it all. He was madly in love with (and still wildly attracted to) his wife, Penelope, he relished his position as Chief Curator at a major museum, and his marine biology studies take him all over the world. But on a trip to Central America, everything changed. Now his job is no longer secure, he is plagued by dreams of a strange woman in the jungle, harbors doubts about his wife's fidelity and affection, and finds himself swooning over a fellow world traveler as mysterious as she is alluring. As Odel embarks on an emotional and spiritual journey, confronting long-held beliefs about who he is, he also finds himself wading deeper into the sociopolitical battleground of US/Latin American relations in the 1980s. He will make hard choices, confront his demons and his virtues, and stumble toward a greater understanding of himself and the world around him... if he survives.

In the Land of the Feathered Serpent is author and scientist Rick Brusca's ambitious reimagining of The Odyssey for modern times, embracing the complexity and beauty of Central America as a new Mediterranean for his own Odysseus, Odel. I won't spend too much time comparing the two, because quite honestly, while Brusca's book rests on a framework of The Odyssey, more often than not, it is its own narrative. But to ignore the homage completely would be irresponsible.

Brusca cherry-picks elements from the famous tale\u00b1\u2014character names, symbolic analogs, etc.\u2014as well as the overarching idea of a man changing over time as he struggles to find his way home. (This time, more metaphorically than literally.) And on this basis, In the Land of the Feathered Serpent is a success. It provides intriguing ways for Odel to encounter these famed Odyssean obstacles, steeping them in either the history of Central American or the spirituality and mythology of Mesoamerican cultures. It feels familiar, and yes, there's the occasional heavy-handed metaphor, but it is never boring.

As for the narrative itself, Brusca reframes what could easily be construed as a midlife crisis\u2014particularly Odel's encounters with various women in the novel\u2014as something grander, a spiritual awakening. Instead, it becomes an epic personal growth where Odel's romanticism is at once embraced and stripped away from him, and he begins to see those around him as true, flawed people, not just the archetypes he'd painted them as. The reader takes this journey alongside Odel, often a step or two ahead of him, but always rooting for him. Despite his pedantic nature, his self-congratulatory nature, and his unnecessary tendency to always comment on the breasts of the women around him, Odel is an Everyman worth cheering on. You wish him to find true contentment, to solve the mysteries he has stumbled into.

When Brusca focuses on the man and his journey, the book is incredibly engrossing. Experiencing Central America as a place, a complicated melange of politics, choices, beauty, chaos, and potential, strips away the reader's false images, just Odel's illusions are similarly confronted. We, like him, learn more about our world. Those moments are powerful. And, at times, those moments are more spread out than necessary, because the book is absolutely loaded with unnecessary info and exposition. The politics of Central America and the minutiae of marine biology have their place in the story, certainly, but entire pages could be cut from the manuscript without hurting the reader's experience. That may sound harsh, but, at points, the info-dumping stops adding color to the story and starts hindering it. While it does, in a small way, reflect Odel's inability to focus on what's important\u2014losing the forest for the trees, if you will\u2014it does detract. The first 50 pages, in particular, suffer for it. But, in the long run, that is a quibble, the price of admittance for the ride. Odel's struggles, the labyrinthine threads of his life that tangle and knot in peculiar ways, and the path he takes to the other side is an intriguing one, rich in color and character, vibrantly realized.

In the Land of the Feathered Serpent is quite unlike anything I've ever read, because it is a curious combination of many genres. It is epic, a personal story, a midlife crisis, a coming-of-age journey, a love story, a mystery, a spiritual quest, and a historical drama. All of these elements are strings in a web that rests tenuously, yet eye-catchingly, on one of the all-time classic frameworks. This is a multi-course meal to be savored, not devoured in one sitting.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "14-Nov-2020 19:51:44", "publisher": "Quetzalcoatl Press/KDP Publishing", "page_count": "457 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009274059", "title": "Prepped", "author": "Bethany Mangle", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Ramirez", "word_count": 244, "review": "Prepped is as unique as it is interesting. I\u2019ve always been fascinated with those that are prepping for the apocalypse\u2014considering it would cause too much anxiety and fear if that\u2019s what I chose to think about. Becca is your relatively normal senior girl, trying to make her way through school to get a scholarship. That scholarship to college is everything that Becca wants because living the life she lives now, just isn't going to cut it. She wants out and she wants out fast! On top of the doomsday community she lives in, she\u2019s also \u201cunofficially\u201d engaged to a fellow doomsday boy, Roy. Roy represents everything she doesn\u2019t want. But when a tragedy happens, everything changes. Things she thought she knew and people she wrote off as a lost cause, it all comes tumbling down. Becca\u2019s life will never be the same. I enjoyed this\u2014from the beginning until the very end and I wanted to know what happened next. My only complaint was that at times I felt the characters were someone of a cardboard cutout of whom they were meant to be. I felt so much for Becca and everything she had to endure with her family. At the end of the day, she didn\u2019t choose to be born to a family that preached fear. Who wants to live that way? Overall, I thought this was a great debut with a promising career for Mangle. I look forward to reading more from her.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "13-Nov-2020 00:36:04", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "310 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009274047", "title": "City Monster", "author": "Reza Farazmand", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 186, "review": "The city monster used to be a forest monster, but then he moved to the city and that\u2019s his life now. He has a ghost for a roommate and a vampire, Kim, for a neighbor, and he wants to get his life together but just\u2026 can\u2019t. But one day he finds new purpose in helping his ghost roommate solve the mystery of his origin. Will they discover who the ghost used to be? Will their new mummy friend have a happy birthday? What exactly is up with that cat?

City Monster is the new graphic novel from Reza Farazmand, best known as the creator of the Poorly Drawn Lines web comic. This new offering lives up to everything Farazmand\u2019s fans could have hoped for: memorable characters, a ridiculous plot, and that dry sense of humor that has made the creator\u2019s prior works such a success. The illustrations have just the right amount of detail to tell the story and hold readers\u2019 attention. Farazmand\u2019s first full-length graphic novel is fantastic, definitely worth picking up and sharing with everyone you know who might enjoy a silly supernatural mystery.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "28-Dec-2020", "date_added": "12-Nov-2020 21:13:01", "publisher": "Penguin", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009274027", "title": "Manga Classics Anne of Green Gables", "author": "L.M. Montgomery, Crystal Chan and Kuma Chan", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 113, "review": "The classic story Anne of Green Gables is here presented for the first time in a manga form. The art is beautiful and captures Anne, Gilbert, Diana, and all the other characters wonderfully. They even age and grow on the page, turning from children into adults.

The story is, of course, based on the original book, although it is an abridged version that includes only the best parts and so is missing much of the story. There is so much to miss if you haven't read the original Anne of Green Gables before, but any fan of the classic would be glad to have this Manga Classics version to add to their collection.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "12-Nov-2020 19:09:56", "publisher": "Manga Classics", "page_count": "308 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009274019", "title": "Manga Classics Frankenstein", "author": "Mary Shelley, M Chandler, Linus Liu", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 200, "review": "The story of Frankenstein, the obsessive young man who creates a monster, is very familiar, but in its many tellings and retellings and various interpretations, details have been changed and shifted until the popular conception may be quite far from the original (Frankenstein is the man, not the creation!). This Manga Classics adaptation returns to Mary Shelley's first text and introduces a new generation of readers to the original intent of this revolutionary horror story. In connection with Shelley's exploration of profound themes of humanity, compassion, morality, hubris, and more, the author and the illustrator of this adaptation, M. Chandler and Linus Liu, have crafted a book that is much more accessible to modern audiences, while hewing carefully to the details that make the original so compelling. Thoughtful editorial choices such as making the monster's speech distinct from that of the humans, modernized speech and text, and the deliciously horrifying design of the various characters (the monster, for example, is horrific yet also sympathetic in appearance, as well as personality; while Frankenstein frequently gives in to his rage, showing his own monstrous aspects) make this a delightful adaptation where both Frankenstein and his monster are once again brought to life.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "12-Nov-2020 18:58:08", "publisher": "Manga Classics", "page_count": "324 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009274015", "title": "Alright, Alright, Alright: The Oral History of Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused", "author": "Melissa Maerz", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 227, "review": "Nostalgia is a powerful feeling which brings people together. However, not everyone feels the same about the past. Memory tends to be distorted, where mediocre becomes great and uneventful becomes spectacular. Richard Linklater wrote Dazed and Confused as anti-nostalgia, but time has proven that the public clings passionately and wistfully to what he has shied away from. Linklater hailed from Huntsville, Texas where the prison loomed for some as a home or future employment. As a teenager, the nights provided an escape from the dreary routine. Linklater utilized this as a backdrop for the focus of his cinematic big break. Linklater used locals and friends for his Indie Sleeper Slacker, but now with backing from Universal, he was able to cast on a grander scale. Soon \u201cDazed and Confused\u201d would bring in actors from Los Angeles, New York, and Texas to star in his adolescent roman a clef. The stage was set for a buzzworthy release with an impact still being felt nearly thirty years later.

In Alright, Alright, Alright, Author Melissa Maerz brings together countless crew & personalities to relate the fun, occasionally dangerous, frustrating filming of a beloved film. Maerz provides a well-written background to each chapter where she elicits the laughter, sadness, memories of many of her interviewees. The friendships made, the grudges held, the excessive partying all make for a fantastically endearing read.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "12-Nov-2020 18:52:08", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009274011", "title": "Surrender the Dead: A Novel", "author": "John Burley", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 235, "review": "Erin never wanted to come back to Wolf Point, but her father\u2019s deteriorating health makes it necessary. There are too many painful memories. Almost twenty years have gone by since people disappeared from Wolf Point, including Erin\u2019s mother and her friend Angela, among others. Erin\u2019s best friend Robbie was there for her during that time, but she hasn\u2019t seen him in the fifteen years she\u2019s been gone. Bodies have been discovered on her father\u2019s property and it\u2019s not looking good for him. Erin knows he didn\u2019t do it, but small towns have a tendency to mete out their own justice. Erin is going to have to figure this out on her own, and maybe if she\u2019s lucky, Robbie will be there for her again. Secrets don\u2019t stay buried and the ground will eventually Surrender the Dead.

This story is accurately described as a psychological thriller. Sometimes I had a hard time following the threads, with the multiple viewpoints and timelines, but overall it was a compelling story. The author did a great job of giving each of the victims, as well as the perpetrator, a voice. It made it a much more emotional tale that pointed out how we can all play a part in evil acts, even by simply justifying or ignoring the poor treatment of others. Family drama, mystery, and friendship are all highlighted well in this story. I recommend you check it out.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "29-Jan-2021", "date_added": "12-Nov-2020 18:45:15", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009274007", "title": "Best American Mystery Stories 2020 (The Best American Series \u00ae)", "author": "C.J. Box", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Short stories are a special art form, often under-appreciated, but seldom disappointing. The form works particularly well for mysteries \u2014 compact, little stories with a puzzle to be solved. C. J. Box, who edited this collection, knows a thing or two about mysteries and about short stories. He has written twenty-seven mystery books as well as a collection of his own short stories and is a New York Times best-selling author. Box describes the difference between novels and short stories as, \u201cthe difference of stringing a series of dissimilar pearls on a string and calling it a necklace and being the oyster who creates a single perfect pearl.\u201d He then goes on to describe the stories in this collection as twenty perfect pearls. The authors of these little gems will be familiar to mystery readers and include such names as Pamela Blackwood, John Sandford, and Jeffrey Deaver. Every story is worth your time, but don\u2019t miss Home Movie and Girl with an Ax. They are terrific. This is a perfect book to keep next to your reading chair or on your bedside table, where you can pick it up and fill a short period with a glorious story.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "12-Nov-2020 18:38:41", "publisher": "Houghton Miffllin Harcourt", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009273003", "title": "Book Endings - A Call Numbers novel: Loss, Pain, and Revelations", "author": "Syntell Smith", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 440, "review": "Book Endings - A Call Numbers novel: Loss, Pain, and Revelations is centered on college and work colleagues who are actively exploring life and discovering some things about themselves, albeit dampened by explosive secrets, restrictions from parents, and emotional problems. The protagonist, who loses what he believes makes life meaningful, is left with two options: to give up or to keep trying.

When Robin finds his grandfather on the floor because he collapsed, he fears he will be left alone in the world. Apparently, being a college student and a part-time library clerk is not enough to keep the loneliness demons away. However, a beautiful Japanese woman called Shinju Hasegawa could change things for him, but only if he stops missing his chances. Follow Robin in Book Endings - A Call Numbers novel: Loss, Pain, and Revelations as he tries to make sense of life while he navigates through shocking revelations, his chaotic relationships with his coworkers and college friends, and loss in the 1990s.

Boom bap fans would love this book as it contains several references to Hip-hop names like Wu-Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest. Apart from the '90s music references, some movies and games from the period are mentioned, bringing back good memories of an influential time in entertainment history as the story develops. The characters appear completely genuine and are easy to like: Robin is sweet at times but embarrassed about it in public, Shinju is proud of her Japanese heritage, and the other characters are equally distinctive and entertaining. The book has a calm pace, and it is packed with many surprises and interesting conversations you would want to join in. I connected with the characters in different ways. For example, the protagonist's need for someone reminds me of the times I've felt the same way. I liked how lifelike and relatable the story was.

One aspect of the book I didn't like was the great number of characters. The story starts with several shifts between the different characters, and only a few pages are dedicated to each character. Before I could fully assimilate a character's information and get to know them well, I was introduced to another one. Consequently, the plot felt somewhat complex.

Syntell Smith's book is recommended to readers who seek an endearing and compelling narrative; a story that explores some social and psychological issues with some hard-to-forget characters. The elaborate narrative is filled with different themes, including jealousy, disagreement, fraud, racism, pain, sexual assault (nothing explicit), culture, pregnancy, romance, vengeance, violence, and more. Prepare for a wild, bumpy ride as it's hard to tell where the story will take you.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jun-2021", "date_added": "12-Nov-2020 04:16:39", "publisher": "Syntell Smith Publishing", "page_count": "422 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009272027", "title": "Wreck This Picture Book", "author": "Keri Smith", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "According to this book, books really don\u2019t have any reason for being unless they are interacting with someone. Books aren\u2019t meant to simply sit on the shelf and be tidy, even though some adults have made up a whole lot of rules about books and how they must be treated. The book speaks directly to the reader and has many suggestions about good ways to interact with it. Of course, there is reading. That is the first way, but there are lots and lots of other ways. The book can be flung through the air or touched with different body parts or have the pages flipped to make sounds, or the reader can smell the book or add smells to the book or fold the pages or roll them up or even dress it up. The ideas of what should be done to a book are all over the place and many are somewhat destructive, which is perhaps fine if it is one\u2019s own personal book, but librarians and a lot of parents certainly won\u2019t be fond of these ideas. The art is creative and a lot of fun to look at though, which should keep littles ones entertained.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "12-Nov-2020 00:39:42", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009272023", "title": "Smoking Meat Made Easy: Recipes and Techniques to Master Barbecue", "author": "Amanda Mason", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "There is not much better to eat than moist, tender meat, fish, or poultry that has been smoked until it\u2019s ready to fall off the bone. This terrific book will give you all the information you need to successfully smoke anything you want to perfection. There is a good discussion of the different types of smokers, with the pros and cons for each; a list of the different kinds of woods to use, what flavors they add, and which food it\u2019s best for; what other equipment one will need; what dry and wet ingredients one should keep in the pantry; and a table with estimated times, cooking and done temperatures, and more. This is followed by chapters of recipes for Pork; Beef and Lamb; Poultry; Fish and Seafood; and Sides, Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades. Each recipe has an introductory paragraph along with Prep Time, including the time to marinate or brine the meat, smoking time, and recommended wood. Some of these are accompanied by mouth-watering photos of the finished products. Don\u2019t miss the Candied Barbecue Smoked Bacon or the Applewood Smoked Chicken. Yum! This is sure to become a favorite with its 70 tasty recipes.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "12-Nov-2020 00:37:32", "publisher": "Callisto Media", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009272019", "title": "Dutch Oven Dinners: A Cookbook for Flavorful Meals Made in Your Favorite Pot", "author": "Janet A. Zimmerman", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Jacobs", "word_count": 176, "review": "I would have given Dutch Oven Dinners: A Cookbook for Flavorful Meals Made in Your Favorite Pot five stars if they had included a section on desserts with all of the savory contributions it seems a shame to not include some sweet dishes as well...if for nothing else to further show the versatility of the dutch oven.

The book is really well laid out covering a variety of topics from thirty-minute dinners to eight ingredient showstoppers to side dishes. The pictures of the dishes included in the book are mouth-watering...it is literally the reason I made the author's butter chicken as my first dish in my dutch oven. The steps in Dutch Oven Dinners: A Cookbook for Flavorful Meals Made in Your Favorite Pot are easy to follow and include well-written explanations of each step and there are even substitution suggestions or suggestions of items to serve with the dish...which is very helpful.

Overall I have really enjoyed this cookbook and I can see that it will easily become a go-to for family meals every week.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "12-Nov-2020 00:34:36", "publisher": "Callisto Media", "page_count": "140 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009272015", "title": "The Complete Guide to Pickling: Pickle and Ferment Everything Your Garden or Market Has to Offer", "author": "Julie Lang", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 197, "review": "Take the mystery out of pickling with this friendly and accessible guide. Pickling preserves food while creating unique, delicious flavors. Many pickles can be made and eaten quickly using a vinegar brine, such as spring asparagus pickles; others take a little longer and can be canned for longer storage, like kosher dills or cocktail onions. There is a section on sweet and fruity pickles \u2013 try pickling blackberries! \u2013 and an extensive section on condiments such as chutneys and mustards. Salt fermenting is another delicious technique, and there are recipes to try your hand at sauerkraut, kimchi, and several different vegetables.

The recipes are very clearly written and easy to follow even if you have little experience. Many of the recipes come from the author's world travels, so make sure you have all the ingredients you need before beginning. Although more photos would be lovely, the few included offer a tantalizing hint of the deliciousness to come. There is no table of contents, but each chapter has an initial list of recipes, while the index is extensive and will help you find recipes easily.

Whatever your pickling experience, you will find something to love in this book.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "12-Nov-2020 00:31:56", "publisher": "Callisto Media", "page_count": "218 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009272011", "title": "Avocado Obsession: 50+ Creative Recipes to Take Your Love of Avocados to the Next Level", "author": "Lauren Paige Richeson", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 192, "review": "Avocados have been growing in popularity in recent years, between dietary trends and simple growing awareness for how darn yummy they are. Avocado Obsession, a new cookbook by recipe developer and photographer Lauren Paige Richeson, is a great place to start for readers who love these creamy green fruits but aren\u2019t sure what to do with them outside guacamole and avocado toast. Readers can dig into breakfast recipes like Creamy Banana-and-Avocado Overnight Oats, salads like Creamy Avocado Coleslaw, main courses like The Best Avo-Bean Burgers, and desserts like Avocado, Date, and Nut Truffles. Many of the recipes in this cookbook are vegetarian- and vegan-friendly, and the wide variety of options means there\u2019s something for everyone. In addition, readers will learn how to pick the perfect ripe avocado at the store, how to cut them open, and how to store any that goes unused at first. There are no photographs, but the illustrations splashed across every page are vibrant and fun. This is a delightful cookbook that is sure to appeal to a wide range of home chefs, no matter what cooking style they embrace or what kind of diet they generally consume.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "12-Nov-2020 00:30:00", "publisher": "Callisto Media", "page_count": "146 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009271219", "title": "Miss Benson's Beetle: A Novel", "author": "Rachel Joyce", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 179, "review": "Margery Benson and Enid Pretty make one of the oddest friendships that could come from 1950s England. Margery is a teacher with a passion for entomology, weary of her work and of the children who mock her for her size. Enid has bleached-blonde hair, bright pink clothes, and horrendous spelling, along with a brilliant sense of fun. Together, the two of them set off to New Caledonia in search of a golden beetle.

The book starts out as a high-flying, humorous adventure, darting from high point to high point. Theft! An obsessive man! Enid\u2019s mysterious past! The tone keeps up its consistently eager pace as Margery and Enid travel to the other side of the world, but the stakes grow ever higher as the pair grow ever closer to their quarry.

Miss Benson\u2019s Beetle was a delightfully fun read. Where the characters lacked depth (or their depth seemed tacked on), they made up for it in vivacity. I had a great time reading it, and anyone who wants to see a friendship blossom out of the most unlikely circumstances will too.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "11-Nov-2020 00:18:49", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009271207", "title": "World Wild Vet: Encounters in the Animal Kingdom", "author": "Dr. Evan Antin", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 221, "review": "Captivated by snakes and lizards as a youth, and as the world further opens up to him, veterinarian Evan Antin finds a love for all the animals he encounters. Searching out wildlife isolated within remote habitats, he travels throughout the world filming and describing the animals he encounters. His spellbinding descriptions and enthusiastic affection for the fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals he interacts with make a compelling read. Travel with him through Australia, the jungles of central and South America, Southeast Asia and gasp as he communicates with giant snakes, colorful vipers, massive crocodiles. Follow through to the Tahiti where he swims with humpback whales and collects their shed skin fragments for genetic studies or dives with sharks in the Bahamas. Tag along as he works with Asian elephants, African rhinos, and giraffes in efforts to protect and preserve these endangered species. Join in his efforts to inform the world of the threatened species and the need for preservation and conservation. Once started, the reader becomes entranced by this attractive and engaging animal lover who shares his respect for the dignity of all animals with the public through his appealing educational videos that try to familiarize this audience with the living creatures that share our planet. Inclusion of the animal photos together with drawings would further have enhanced this animated tale.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "11-Nov-2020 00:10:50", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009271199", "title": "Inventing Equality: Reconstructing the Constitution in the Aftermath of the Civil War", "author": "Michael A, Bellesiles", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 197, "review": "This book is at times an anachronistic mess, that I hope is not the future of historical academic writing. Because if it is, then I truly worry about historical writing. The idea of equality is a modern concept, yet Michael Bellesiles looks at the creation of the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments to the United States Constitution, often called the Civil War amendments, in a larger equitable context. Besides the talk of equality, which would have been foreign to the ears of Americans living in the 1800s, is his use of terms that ring more true in a college campus than society back then. Bellesiles takes to task the role of women, or more specifically the lack of any role they truly had. He also faults oftentimes the Radical Republicans for not going far enough. Yet in his search to be modern-day politically correct, he often ignores the fact that many people who wanted to end slavery did not necessarily want them to live equally in America. Many of them supported sending them to Africa, or somewhere else. This book sadly hides an interesting story with modern-day lingo and ideas that had no place in the 1800s.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "10-Nov-2020 21:25:39", "publisher": "St. Martin's ", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009271167", "title": "Among the Beasts & Briars", "author": "Ashley Poston", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 205, "review": "Cerys knows her place as the gardener\u2019s daughter. However, being Princess Arwen\u2019s best friend and hiding a secret ability to build forests with just a drop of her blood is difficult, even if no one knows about her special talent. There has been peace among the kingdoms for generations due to a deal between their king and the Lady of the Woods, but it seems something is stirring, as evidenced by the loss of Arwen\u2019s brother to the woods years before. When the coronation of the princess is interrupted by those from the woods, leaving many transformed into monsters, Cerys must flee into the forest to find the Lady of the Woods and a way to save Aloriya. With just a fox and a bear for company, Cerys places all her hope in a quest she never expected to face.

The stunning cover of this book is an author\u2019s dream, offering readers the chance to escape into a creative fairy-tale world. Slyly hidden references to other fairy tales, clever world building, and witty banter amongst the characters help to lighten the dark and somber mood of the quest while keeping the focus on its impossibility. This is an excellent fantasy to warm a winter\u2019s evening.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "10-Nov-2020 20:29:24", "publisher": "Balzer + Bray", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009271147", "title": "A Duchess a Day: A Novel (Awakened by a Kiss Book 1)", "author": "Charis Michaels", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 204, "review": "Declan Shaw, who is known as \u201cThe Huntsman,\u201d has had enough of wealthy women after his last job, which involved escorting a noblewoman to France. His next job, however, has him managing Helena Lark, a willful earl\u2019s daughter, before her marriage to the Duke of Lusk. Helena, for her part, wants nothing to do with the duke and would rather live in her orchard in peace. Naturally, the tension between the two of them will come to a head. Just as naturally, that tension will blossom into romance.

What I loved most about this romance, more even than the sizzling tension, was the fact that it isn\u2019t just Declan who changes over the course of the novel. Very often it\u2019s the man who grows to meet the woman, but in A Duchess a Day, Helena has a marked revelation about her actions partway through the book. I loved seeing a heroine whose flaw isn\u2019t just something that makes her unmarriageable for her time but is an actual character flaw that doesn\u2019t ruin her for the reader but colors her. I fell head over heels for Declan and Helena, and I expect to do the same for the rest of the couples in this series.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "28-Dec-2020", "date_added": "10-Nov-2020 19:53:42", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009271139", "title": "Chestnut (American Dog)", "author": "Jennifer Li Shotz", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 199, "review": "Meg has always wanted a dog. When she finds a stray dog that she names Chestnut caught on the fence of her family\u2019s property, Meg knows this dog is the one for her. Meg\u2019s family owns a Christmas tree farm that is already tight on money, so she knows her parents will never let her keep Chestnut. With the help of her friend Colton, she manages to smuggle Chestnut into an abandoned shed on the farm. Meg knows she\u2019ll have to keep Chestnut a secret until she can come up with a genius plan to save the farm and convince her parents to let her keep Chestnut. Should be easy, right?

Meg\u2019s life is turned upside down when most of the trees are stolen and it looks like Chestnut\u2019s owner might be found. Meg knows that together, she and her dog can save the farm. Do they have what it takes to save the farm? Or will the farm close, and Meg will lose her life\u2019s work and Chestnut along with it?

I liked this book because it was a sweet story featuring relatable characters and an awesome dog! I hope more books in this series come out soon!", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "10-Nov-2020 19:39:30", "publisher": "Houghton Miffllin Harcourt", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009271135", "title": "The Princess Diaries", "author": "Meg Cabot", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 11", "word_count": 205, "review": "The Princess Diaries is a fun book for younger teens about an ordinary girl, Mia, who turns discovers she is royal. When Mia, your average, unpopular teenager, finds out she is a princess, she is NOT delighted. Mia is cause-devoted and normal; being a princess causes turmoil in the every-day life of a teen, even if the cutest boys like you more. A great novel for young teens or preteens this funny novel goes over important things for middle-high school children. Some of these things include the fact that the cutest boys are not the best boys, friends may fight, but you can still make up, and that friends with different ideas still can be friends. Written like a diary, The Princess Diaries is very informal complete with homework notes and Mia\u2019s algebra notes. It is not good to read aloud, but I think it belongs in a school library. It makes sense for libraries and families to purchase it. I think most middle school and younger high school children would enjoy it. I think that if you like stories about teens such as the Goddess Girls or Dragonsong you might like it. I hope that you like this book, it is a fun read.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "10-Nov-2020 19:37:45", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009271131", "title": "One Time", "author": "Sharon Creech", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Gina Filomena has quite an imagination and a great sense of style, but some kids make fun of her. New neighbors move in next door and they have a boy, Antonio, who is Gina\u2019s age. They will be in the same class. Their new teacher, Miss Lighthouse, is very creative and fun. She doesn\u2019t have a lot of rules, and she gives the class interesting writing assignments that won\u2019t be graded. It\u2019s a very different classroom, and soon all the students seem to be having a better time than they have ever had in school before. Antonio is a favorite in the class, but one day he doesn\u2019t show up. Because Gina is his neighbor, everyone expects her to know what happened, but she doesn\u2019t know anything. Another day, Miss Lighthouse is gone and a sub comes in. That is when the children really learn to appreciate what a wonderful teacher they have.

Author Sharon Creech has written a sweet, highly imaginative book that will delight young readers. Her writing is gorgeous, the characters are well-developed and engaging, and the story is unique and compelling. This book deserves to be read well beyond the designated middle-grade audience.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "10-Nov-2020 00:57:05", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009271123", "title": "The Magic Fish", "author": "Trung Le Nguyen", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 191, "review": "In Trung Le Nguyen's debut graphic novel, we meet Tien, a poor Vietnamese boy, struggling with coming out to his mother. Tien reads fairy tales to his mother to help her learn English.\u00a0Since Tien and his mother understand two different languages, they struggle with opening up to one another. With the power of storytelling through fairy tales and family stories, they try to express their feelings to one another. I love how\u00a0Nguyen weaves various Vietnamese fairy tales and Tien's family history into Tien's story.\u00a0The artwork is absolutely stunning and breathtaking! I love the illustrations, especially the artwork of the fairytales and all the beautiful gowns and dresses. The gowns all look so luscious and gorgeous as they flow. I'm usually not a fan of stereotypical long princess hair, but I have to admit that I love the uber-long medusa-like hair. I especially love how Nguyen is able to depict the long flowy gowns and hair to show movement because it's especially difficult to do in a book. I highly recommend this book because it is such a beautiful immigrant and LGTB+ story about family and love and acceptance.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "10-Nov-2020 00:38:20", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009271119", "title": "Love & Olives", "author": "Jenna Evans Welch", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madelynn - Age 15", "word_count": 198, "review": "Teenager Liv Varanakis hasn't seen her Atalatis hunter father since she was eight years old. Then one day out of the blue she gets a postcard from her father inviting her to Santorini, Greece to help out with his documentary on his theories of Atlantis. When she arrives she is awed by what Santorini has to offer, but she can't shake her mixed feelings about her father. On top of that, she has to deal with her father's charming protege, Theo. This is a perfect book for someone who loves adventure, romance, and drama. This makes the book very compelling to read. The main character Liv is a relatable character because it also talks about her struggles being an up-and-coming adult. The author did a really good job of describing Santorini and everything Liv was seeing. It felt like you were right there next to her. The author also did very well in describing the characters, making this book even more intriguing. The story was never boring or slow making it very hard to put down. This book is five hundred words so it does take time to read. All in all, I do recommend reading this book.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "10-Nov-2020 00:35:15", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009271115", "title": "Woody Guthrie: An Intimate Life", "author": "Gustavus Stadler", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 176, "review": "Since the story of Woody Guthrie\u2019s life, travels and books are not well known, this is a very timely book which has been well received. Those who have not read Guthrie\u2019s House of Earth, posthumously published in 2017, may be shocked and surprised by the gusto with which Guthrie embraced life and loving. The author of this book seems genuinely shocked at the earthiness of Guthrie\u2019s sexual appetite.

Many of us only know that Guthrie inspired and was worshipped by Bob Dylan, that he was the father of Arlo, that he wrote folk songs such as This Land is Your Land and that he was a victim of Huntington\u2019s disease. The truth is that Guthrie was a genius, an original and true believer in the promise of a better democracy.

Like Guthrie\u2019s freight hopping and travel bug, this is not a chronological biography but rather a musing upon the vagaries of Guthrie\u2019s life and loves. For this read, it seemed somewhat disconnected and hard to follow, but the author\u2019s credentials as a music scholar are impeccable.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "10-Nov-2020 00:24:08", "publisher": "Beacon Press", "page_count": "232 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000009271031", "title": "Edie's Little White Lie: A Horace & Nim Story", "author": "Chantal Bourgonje & David Hoskins", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 218, "review": "When Edie Duck discovers her best friend, Kay, is in tears, she wonders why. Polecat Mac has just unleashed cruel words of degradation. He\u2019s told Kay the truth about her singing, that it\u2019s terrible. Edie comforts her and unwittingly gives her the confidence to enroll in the talent show. Edie fears she\u2019ll be the brunt of public ridicule and reaches out to others for help. Horace pleads with the judges to exclude Kay from the event, but they agree to go to no such effort. When the day of the show arrives, the outcome is as expected, but Kay\u2019s response is not. She\u2019s enlightened by the wisdom that trying something adventurous in life takes courage.

Edie\u2019s Little White Lie: A Horace & Nim Story is about friendship, loyalty, half-truths, and risk-taking. Nearly all children and adults have told a \u201cwhite lie\u201d at some point in their lives, and the outcome is often inconsequential. In this timeless fable, when a slight mistruth is told, a chain of events is triggered, resulting in misperception and hurt. Edie\u2019s words have unintended consequences. However, the animals\u2019 unbreakable bond of companionship enables them to propel through unfortunate circumstances and grow stronger in the end - a valuable lesson for youth. Those between the ages of four and seven will especially enjoy this meaningful text.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "09-Nov-2020 20:13:39", "publisher": "Hubble & Hattie", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009269003", "title": "The Animal Squad and the Mystical Topax Amulet", "author": "Jan Sier", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 12", "word_count": 62, "review": "\"A frog, a rhino, and a fox set out on a funny, thrilling adventure to stop a rogue agent from stealing an amulet and becoming invincible. Unexpected plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat. You'll not want to miss this one! With lots of action, this exciting story will keep you reading!\" \u2014 Zayne - Age 12, Kids' BookBuzz", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "07-Nov-2020 12:25:32", "publisher": "Jan Sier", "page_count": "175 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009268003", "title": "Finding George Washington: A Time Travel Tale", "author": "Bill Zarchy", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 512, "review": "The cover is what caught my eye first with Bill Zarchy\u2019s Finding George Washington: you\u2019ve got our founding father front and center, with crossed baseball bats and baseball, a baseball field in the background with the crowd, and an Amtrak train in the top right corner. Yes, it\u2019s a little simple and \u201cPhotoshoppy,\u201d but it also immediately grabs your attention. You want to find out what\u2019s going on here and how all these things are linked. Plus there\u2019s the subtitle, \u201cA Time Travel Tale,\u201d that really seals the deal for me.

The book begins on a cold night in 1778, when General George Washington observes the aurora borealis and then disappears from his reality, only to find himself traveling on a train car across the country. He ends up, after being offered some food by some fellow \u201ctrain travelers,\u201d on the other side of the country in a dog park in Oakland. He\u2019s wearing his uniform and his sword and looks very out of place in 2014. Tim, who\u2019s walking his dog, Nevada, takes pity on the general and gives him the benefit of the doubt, bringing him to his home in Berkeley. As time passes, and more details and facts are confirmed, it appears that the stranger is, in fact, George Washington, who has somehow been ripped from his own time and brought to 2014. Meanwhile, Washington is learning a lot about this twenty-first century America, with its diversity, new technology... and the wonderful American pastime, baseball, especially since we\u2019re in the Bay Area, and the San Francisco Giants make into the postseason with a wild card win and get to the World Series. And if you\u2019re already a baseball fan, then you know how that story ends.

But things are also starting to change. Little details at first: a store or restaurant changing names, looking different; things are appearing more Spanish and colonial, a clear indication that something is not right in the world, and that Washington not being back in his time and doing what he needs to do is having an effect on reality and time. Then some people show up looking for Washington: they know who he is and they intend to cause him harm. So now, it\u2019s up to Washington, Tim, and his friend Matt to get the general back to Valley Forge on the other side of the country, and somehow get him back to his time, before the country is changed forever and is no longer the United States of America.

The book is well written, with a compelling plot. As a Bay Area resident, I loved all the local details. And as the characters follow along with the Giants winning games, I was right there with them, remembering that special season. The book doesn\u2019t fall into the almost cliche plot lines of time travel stories, but plays with changes in the past affecting the future in new and interesting ways. The characters are interesting, and the story never gets predictable, so I was kept hooked to the end, wondering how things were going to get resolved.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "24-Dec-2020", "date_added": "07-Nov-2020 05:34:43", "publisher": "Roving Camera Press", "page_count": "387 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009267019", "title": "Finding George Washington: A Time Travel Tale", "author": "Bill Zarchy", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 402, "review": "In 1778, by Valley Forge, George Washington looks up to see a very misplaced aurora borealis. The earth shakes beneath him. Then, before he can understand what is happening, he is two hundred thirty-six years in the future, on a train racing west.

The train will take him to California, where he will run into Tim Morrison, a modern day San Francisco resident who at first doesn\u2019t believe he\u2019s meeting the George Washington. Even after he accepts who he\u2019s found, the situation doesn\u2019t seem entirely real to him until he realizes that, without George Washington to lead the Continental army, the American Revolution won\u2019t happen as Tim remembers, and may not succeed at all. He and his friend Matt must somehow bring the general back to Valley Forge before the America they know completely falls apart around them.

The book has an intriguing premise, and the story itself is exciting. Unfortunately, it fell short more often than it impressed. A lot of the exposition felt as though it had been pulled right out of a history book when it came to George Washington or the sports column when it came to the baseball. (Baseball, specifically the Giants, plays a large part in this book. How enjoyable that part is will depend on individual readers. I personally enjoyed it, when it didn\u2019t remind me of sitting in a sports bar with a man who felt the need to narrate everything.) The humor made me smile, but I never found myself laughing out loud. The slow descent of America from a great country into a collection of various colonies was interesting, but I found the explanation behind it flimsy. In short, the book had all the parts I wanted it to have, but they weren\u2019t put together as smoothly as I had hoped.

And, for just a moment, let\u2019s talk about what America might have been without Washington. I\u2019m not a trained enough historian to do in-depth speculation, but it smacks a little too heavily of American exceptionalism to say that it took one man to spark the global struggle against colonialism.

Finding George Washington is, despite its flaws, a fun book. With baseball, time travel, and George Washington discovering the twenty-first century, how could it not be? It fell flat for me, but those looking for a breezy read reminiscent of a reverse Bill and Ted\u2019s Excellent Adventure will surely find it enjoyable.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "07-Nov-2020 22:29:54", "publisher": "Roving Camera Press", "page_count": "387 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009267015", "title": "Book Endings - A Call Numbers novel: Loss, Pain, and Revelations", "author": "Syntell Smith", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 421, "review": "Book Endings - A Call Numbers novel: Loss, Pain, and Revelations centers around a group of people working at the 58th Street Branch Library in Manhattan. The main character, Robin Walker, is a college student and works at the library as a clerk. He was abandoned by his mother and raised by his grandfather, Jon David Walker, a military Veteran. The story begins with Robin finding his grandfather on the floor, not breathing. He knows his grandfather, his one support system and the person who has raised him his whole life, does not have long to live. Robin starts to lose direction after his grandfather passes shortly after. His job at the library is full of drama. There are secrets between co-workers, an ongoing power struggle between two of his supervisors, a much-too-young girl who has a crush on him, and very catty young girls who don't like Robin. Robin goes back and forth in a mental struggle with himself. Is he the good guy who saves a naive girl from being raped? Or the bad guy without boundaries who will fight anyone in his path? It is during this struggle that he meets a beautiful, strong, amazing Japanese woman by the name of Shinju. Robin feels that his life is finally headed somewhere positive and is no longer lonely when he is with Shinju. But are things really this easy and does Robin get his happily ever after?

I found Book Endings - A Call Numbers novel: Loss, Pain, and Revelations to have an amazing, colorful cast of characters. Although there were a lot of them in the book, the author was kind enough to create a character index at the beginning of the book for the reader. It came in very handy as new characters were introduced. I also really enjoyed the different storylines in the book, however, I felt that the book could have been separated into smaller stories. As I was reading Book Endings - A Call Numbers novel: Loss, Pain, and Revelations I could visualize it being made into a television program with the different episodes one after another. As I was reading, there was so much information that I felt I could have been missing some important details along the way. Another fantastic part of the book was the references to the different places in New York as well as pop culture including music and video games. Overall, this book was a welcome flashback to 1994. I recommend this book to fans of real-life drama books.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2021", "date_added": "07-Nov-2020 20:15:29", "publisher": "Syntell Smith Publishing", "page_count": "422 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009267011", "title": "The Printer and The Strumpet", "author": "Larry Brill", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 398, "review": "Leeds Merriweather is a newsman to his core. His goal is to bring newsworthy items to the people of the colonies, primarily those in the Boston area. He feels hugely fortunate to have had a chance to purchase his previous employer\u2019s press from the employer\u2019s son, Jacob Addison, to be repaid over several years. Even with the discontent broiling among the colonists and soldiers, he still hopes to bring an objective view of the actions of both sides of the conflict to readers. When Jacob drunkenly gambles away the printing office in a game of cards, Leeds\u2019s hopes seem dashed as he is forced to use the paper to present a one-sided view from the governor\u2019s desk and assist in discovering who is undermining the Crown in the anonymous publication, the Watertown Times Forger, or WTF for short. Meeting Sally Hughes through this exchange might have been enough, except that Leeds knew that the possibility of retribution may mean the loss of his printing press and office, maybe even his life, so he confronts the governor and his representatives about the dangers of continuing with such inflammatory news. His predictions prove too true, and his life and business are irrevocably altered. However, the possibility of war is still seething under a thin veneer of British and American patience. Furthermore, this is not the time to fall in love, especially because Sally has secrets of her own.

This droll tale set in the beginning of the American Revolution is delightful fun. Witty dialogue, unexpected reactions, and close calls line the story from beginning to end. The interjection of modern slang, contemporary ideas, and innovative products surprise and entertain as these references are as unexpected during this time in history as they are fitting in each given situation. There are so many clever moments, weaving the life of today with that of the past. This second installment in The Misadventures of Leeds Merriweather does not require the reading of the first book for full enjoyment but may provide a strong background for Leeds. This story really could have been two books, as there are the dual issues regarding the governor\u2019s use of Leeds\u2019s printing press, which is cleverly concluded, followed by the later explosive events that led to the Revolution; it seems readers get two stories for the price of one! A fun, historical read with a thoroughly likable main character.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2021", "date_added": "06-Nov-2020 22:58:12", "publisher": "Black Tie Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009267007", "title": "The Printer and The Strumpet", "author": "Larry Brill", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 408, "review": "Boston,1773. Leeds Merriweather is a printer trying to do the impossible: tread a narrow line of rationality between the Patriots and the Tories. His push for rationality isn\u2019t easy, and it\u2019s made all the harder by the fact that, due to a game of cards gone horribly wrong, Governor Thomas Hutchinson winds up owning two-thirds of his newspaper. As if all that weren\u2019t bad enough, a radical-minded young woman keeps waltzing into his shop, inflaming him with her opinions and her bright laugh.

If you pick up The Printer and the Strumpet looking for a serious take on the American Revolution, you will probably be disappointed. Luckily, from the very first page, Brill tells us exactly what the tone of this book will be. It\u2019s a wonderful cross between irreverent and tongue-in-cheek, tossing in modern references with a devil-may-care attitude that is wonderfully refreshing. Even in 2020, I burst out giggling at the phrases \u201cfake news\u201d and \u201calternative facts.\u201d I wouldn\u2019t go so far as to say it\u2019s escapist, but if it does provide an escape, it\u2019s from the seriousness so many of us have felt (and felt forced into). I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever laughed so much over a historical book, much less one about a topic usually treated with such reverence.

The book isn\u2019t all humor all the time, though. Trying to be a centrist in such a divided era is rife with danger, and Merriweather faces peril from both sides of the aisle. The Sons of Liberty are angry that he\u2019s working with Hutchinson, even under duress, while Hutchinson and his cronies aren\u2019t too thrilled about the radical opinions that somehow keep finding their way into his paper. When the anonymous Watertown Times Forger appears on the scene, it only adds more powder to the keg.

It\u2019s hard to find lots of impressive words to describe The Printer and the Strumpet because the word that works best is also one of the simplest I could use: it\u2019s fun. It\u2019s also fast-paced, clever, and just a little wicked, but most importantly, it\u2019s a lot of fun to read. I read the whole thing over the course of a morning, and I have little doubt I\u2019ll be back again. I recommend this most for people stuck in lockdown with too much time on their hands, or for stressed essential workers who can only get through a few short chapters at a time. This winter, we\u2019ll all need a good laugh.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2021", "date_added": "06-Nov-2020 22:57:50", "publisher": "Black Tie Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009267003", "title": "A Story of Karma", "author": "Michael Schauch", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 587, "review": "The couple has trekked to some of the highest, most notorious peaks in the world. Mountain climbing has, in many ways, become their therapy. For Michael (Mike), it\u2019s thrilling and poses incredible challenges to overcome; it energizes his soul. For Chantal, it\u2019s an escape from the busyness\u00a0and chaos of everyday life, a welcome getaway.

One day, the two of them meet a man who becomes a friend, and though they don\u2019t realize it at the time, Mick ultimately changes the trajectory of their lives. He shares his knowledge of a place located in one of the most remote, inaccessible regions of the world. It\u2019s within the vast confines of the Himalayan mountains and is known as the Lost Valley. After months of planning, Mike and Chantal, and more than a dozen team members, embark on a journey to this captivating domain. They navigate through the Lost Valley and immerse themselves in the Nepali culture. Their diverse and amazing adventures are documented\u2014their visit to one of the most sacred Hindu temples, dinners, and dialogue with the natives, and a trip to a Nepali school in which they become mesmerized with a seven-year-old child responsible for teaching class that day. They see her again later that evening and eventually have the privilege to meet her family. This young girl becomes a central part of their lives. With the aid of Mike and Chantal, she and her sister, Pumba, are able to complete a year of education in America while graciously being taken and accepted as their own. Though the girls return to Nepal, the couple continues to visit them, and the impact each of them has on one another\u2019s lives and the way they see the world becomes irreversible.

A Story of Karma - Finding Love and Truth in the Lost Valley of the Himalaya is an inspiring story about life, love, compassion, and determination. It\u2019s also about sacrifice and humility. While Mike and Chantal\u2019s mountain climbing escapades are paramount to their story, they serve as catalysts to the life-altering relationships they develop with people from a region and a culture so unlike their own. The simple, unvarnished, family-centered way of life they witness in Nepal, along with the poverty, lack of medical care, and gender discrimination they see, will likely affect their world view forever. They continue to be active in helping those who reside in Karma\u2019s village. They also moved away from the bustling city life to which they\u2019d become accustomed and relocated to a quieter, more serene locale.

A Story of Karma depicts beautiful imagery that pulls the reader in, making the scenes come alive. \u201cHow very different it was for me \u2014a living being as fluid as a mountain stream, and as ghostly as the summit we sought to climb\u201d is just one example in which Mike writes about the visible prints of a snow leopard amidst blizzard conditions. His work is also ripe with raw emotion and insight. Soon after arriving in Nepal, Mike delineates Chantal\u2019s reaction to the sharp contrasts she observes in Kathmandu. \u201cChantal broke down, tears streaming from behind her sunglasses. Kathmandu\u2019s contradictions were too much for her. And it was true that one couldn\u2019t help but be horrified by the city\u2019s contrasts, its magnificent temples and begging sadhus, the beautiful silk saris and gold jewelry on many of the women, and the rags on the street beggars, the filth in its rivers and the green of its verdant forests.\u201d Her feelings are more than surface deep; they radiate through the pages.", "issue": "November 2020", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2020", "date_added": "06-Nov-2020 22:47:45", "publisher": "Rocky Mountain Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009262007", "title": "The Hype Machine: How Social Media Disrupts Our Elections, Our Economy, and Our Health--and How We Must Adapt", "author": "Sinan Aral", "category": "N04 Technology", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 430, "review": "Leading up to and following the 2020 presidential election, it seems blatantly obvious the influence that social media and \"news sources\" have on the public's opinions on matters. It has seemed that \"news sources\" have always been under attack for being too liberal, conservative, or just down-right incorrect in their messages. Studies performed throughout the years show how quickly \"fake news\" can spread and its supposed believability to the audience\u2014the way information, true or false, reaches the most amount of people is social media, aka \"The Hype Machine.\" \n

Author Sinan Aral, the director of the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy and head of the MIT's Social Analytics Lab, has put together a thorough book about the Hype Machine and how it has infiltrated itself into our lives. One could say, given the amount of influence that social media has on our everyday decisions, that it is not far-fetched to believe that it can disrupt our elections, our economy, and our health.

Along with text consisting of research, some graphs and figures prove the validity of the proposed claims. Events, such as the current Corona Virus pandemic and both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, are included. The Hype Machine's contribution is discussed in detail, including how the spread of \"fake news\" contributed to their outcome. Everything related to \"the Hype Machine\" is discussed and analyzed with no stone left unturned.

There is so much information presented in this book; it's crazy how detailed and precise everything is. Facebook is the platform discussed most, with its many algorithms and stance on current and past events, but other social media platforms are not left out. Algorithms, loops, triangles, and visual cortexes are all at the core of Facebook, but what is most scary (or astonishing, depending on how you view it) is Facebook's eventual release of mind-controlled software; you will learn about this and much more. Aral presents the information in a manner that is consistently between a general-knowledge audience and an intelligent one. Aral did an excellent job explaining all of the concepts applied to the presented studies in partial layman's terms, but it makes sense that he can't keep the \"sciency\" tone out of his writing. The text is lengthy, but it covers a variety of information.

Given the topic of his book, the audience could likely be not just \"smart\" people but also those who like to be informed about the inner-workings of public platforms of which they may or may not participate. I would recommend it to anyone even with an inkling of interest in this subject.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "04-Nov-2020 17:38:45", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009262003", "title": "The Printer and The Strumpet", "author": "Larry Brill", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 409, "review": "This historical fiction novel with political themes focuses on the events leading up to the Revolutionary War, and specifically the effect the press has on public opinion. It is written from the point of view of our main character, Leeds Merriweather, editor of the New England News Journal. Semi-conservative, he has a great passion for the printed word and for reporting the facts. Unfortunately poor decisions made by his business partner and best friend have put him in a precarious position: print the facts and lose his business; print the alternate facts and lose his dignity. Meanwhile, an underground news publication called the Watertown Times Forger has created quite a stir by exposing the truth about the political corruption surrounding the governors office. The information in the publication was provided by a madam, Sally Hughes, with whom Merriweather is quite smitten. The brothel served as a well of information for the Watertown Times Forger, and the identity of the Forger seems to be the worst kept secret in town. Tensions mount as loyalists and rebels retaliate against whomever they feel is too loyal to the other side. After several unfair incidents, his loyalty leans toward the Americans with whom he has built friendships and, in the words of Merriweather, \u201cthe whispers of rebellions seemed more reasonable everyday.\u201d Throughout the building conflicts, Merriweather remains determined to print the facts while being at the frontline to witness it all.

A thoroughly enjoyable read. A clever comical narration full of pop culture references, as well as references to Dickens and Shakespeare, while also poking fun at the current political climate. Danger, adventure, secrets, and romance: what else could you want in a novel? Even though this is the second book in a series, it is a good stand-alone novel, and I didn\u2019t feel like I was missing anything by having not read the first one. I love the historical prose; it set the tone for the story, and the insults were quite amusing. Flog the frog is one that I definitely think should be used more in real life. It would be helpful to brush up on your history, specifically regarding the Whigs and the Tories, prior to reading this novel. Since I grew up in Massachusetts, I\u2019m particularly fond of all the local references in this book, especially that of Robert Treat Paine, as I grew up near the Paine estate. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "03-Nov-2020 22:41:56", "publisher": "Black Tie Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009260243", "title": "It Will Be OK: A story of empathy, kindness, and friendship", "author": "Lisa Katzenberger, Illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 210, "review": "Giraffe and Zebra always go to the watering hole together, but today Giraffe can\u2019t go. Zebra looks everywhere for him and finally finds him up in a tree. Giraffe is scared of a spider. Zebra tries to convince him that he\u2019s bigger and stronger than the spider, but Giraffe is still scared. So Zebra waits and waits by the tree until Giraffe is ready to come down. Giraffe thanks Zebra for waiting for him. Then the spider comes down from the tree. Will Giraffe be able to face his fear or will he end up in the tree again?

The text of this book is sparce but immensely powerful. I love Zebra\u2019s encouraging words to Giraffe. I appreciate the fact that both animals are male because it is something that is lacking in children\u2019s literature. In terms of the illustrations, Zebra and Giraffe are both adorable. I love how they are depicted in a bright but soothing way. The spider is cute, too.

Anyone who has ever been worried, fearful, or anxious will enjoy this book. I think teaching empathy is especially important for our kids. I love this book. I will recommend it to others. I think this book could speak to adults just as much as to kids.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "05-Nov-2020 00:39:21", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009260231", "title": "Freiheit!: The White Rose Graphic Novel", "author": "Andrea Grosso Ciponte", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Breanna - Age 11", "word_count": 114, "review": "FREIHEIT is a book about a group of people working on sending a specific document to people and trying to stop the Nazis. The main idea of the story is about how a group of people is trying to go and stop the Nazis from punishing innocent Jews.

This book makes me feel like it\u2019s a mission to destroy the Nazis and save the Jews population from getting killed by the Nazis. I think this book is good for kids that like historical books and is interested to learn about Jews and the Nazis which is pretty interesting.

I would rate this book three stars because I had some difficulties in understanding the story.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "05-Nov-2020 00:28:25", "publisher": "Plough", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009260219", "title": "The Mystery of Mrs. Christie", "author": "Marie Bendict", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 212, "review": "A good mystery author writes mysteries. A great mystery author creates them. While this may not always be true, it definitely is in the case of Agatha Christie. For several days in December 1926, Christie disappeared from her home, leaving behind her husband and young daughter. When she was found, she had no memory of the days she was gone. What happened during those days has been explored in various media, from other books to Doctor Who. It\u2019s possible we may never know what really occurred.

That doesn\u2019t mean people will stop speculating. The Mystery of Mrs. Christie looks at the matter from two angles: Agatha\u2019s point of view during the years of her unhappy marriage, and her husband\u2019s in the days after her disappearance. It doesn\u2019t solve the mystery so much as illustrate it. In some chapters, the novel feels slow, but at its best it is poignant and quietly aching. When a woman vanishes into the life that early twentieth century England expects for her, as a wife and mother and nothing else, is it really any surprise when she vanishes completely?

Marie Benedict\u2019s novel is beautiful and sympathetic, a far less traditional look at mysteries and a fresh look at one of the most famous writers in the world.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "04-Nov-2020 22:23:19", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009260215", "title": "A Girl Like You", "author": "Cari Scribner", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 193, "review": "One of the most endearing books I have read to date, A Girl Like You follows single mom Jess Gabriel into the world of online dating and gives the reader much more than he or she bargains for. Jess is newly single and has just divorced her second husband Bryan. Even though she still loves him, she knows she has to move on. She has two amazing adult children, Madison and Ian, and the perfect companion in her little dog Penny.

What I really loved about this book is the way Jess interacts with her children. They are both really supportive and are also attempting to date online like Jess to find \"The One.\" She is so close to both of them and they all check in on one another. Almost all the men Jess goes on dates with are weird. Frighteningly weird. The story is very entertaining and funny at times, while it is sad at other times. Jess's adventures in dating made this book hard to put down. It's a fun read for anyone who may be single and venturing in the dating pool or for fans of humorous chick lit.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "04-Nov-2020 22:19:20", "publisher": "Circuit Breaker Books", "page_count": "324 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009260211", "title": "The Seagull", "author": "Anton Chekhov, Translated by Anton Korenev", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 182, "review": "Every actor and actress should have a copy of this classic play in their library. The six main characters in the play have been portrayed by virtually every famous thespian. The play itself is known for its realism, which was unusual in 1896 when it debuted. It was not initially a great success, which is anticipated by Chekhov within the play itself as two main characters are struggling writers.

The play is an adaptation of Hamlet. It is Oedipal in tone. Arkadina is a famous actress who is universally worshipped. Her narcissism and demands for love and attention alienate her from her gifted son, whose maturity belies Arkadina\u2019s youthful demeanor. As the play opens, her son has written a futuristic surrealistic play, which is interrupted by Arkadina\u2019s demands for attention. There are also many demands for love within the play as the three couples spurn or yearn for their beloved. It is a play in four acts. It is the second play written by Chekhov, one of the world\u2019s greatest writers, and it is a joy to read his words and stories.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "04-Nov-2020 22:12:02", "publisher": "Anton Korenev Entertainment", "page_count": "139 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4 "} {"id": "425035000009260151", "title": "Little Dancer Aged Fourteen: The True Story Behind Degas's Masterpiece", "author": "Camille Laurens, Translated by Willard Wood", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 239, "review": "In 1881, when Edgar Degas presented his masterpiece at the Salon des Independants in Paris, the response was astonishing. He may not have expected plaudits, but surely the mocking and the abusive reviews were unforeseen. The \u2018unfiltered reality' of the sculpture \u2018provoked disquieting sensations.\u2019 The Little Dancer Aged 14 drew all manner of criticism, but since then the tables have turned. At first displayed in wax and protected in a glass cage, it has since been cast more durably in bronze and graces over a hundred museums and galleries across the world.

Marie van Goethem, the young model, was one among many underfed and underpaid \u2018Rats\u2019 who danced at the Paris Opera. She spent hours each day at rehearsals, and after that she posed for Degas, standing immobile to supplement her slim wages. She left no suggestion that she saw herself as artistically important. What were her thoughts? Or was she too exhausted to think? Did she recognize Degas\u2019 fame? Could she have imagined how many would see an ugly creature with simian features?

French author Camille Laurens describes Marie\u2019s life in a seamy, unglamorous neighborhood of late nineteenth century Paris. She confesses her own entanglement as she explored archives and wide-ranging records to supplement the known fragments of the poised young teenager. Almost obsessively, she learned all she could of the little dancer\u2019s physical and social surroundings. Together, the two segments blend into a memorable and, above all, delightful book.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "04-Nov-2020 20:44:23", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009260143", "title": "Cozy", "author": "Jan Brett", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 195, "review": "Cozy is the story of a musk ox who lives in Alaska. Cozy the musk ox was walking with his family in their herd when he got lost. Now Cozy is sad and doesn't know what to do. It isn't long before some animals come and try to get warm or safe in his long, thick fur. Cozy doesn't mind until lots of different kinds of animals start using him as their home. Cozy makes up \"house rules\" so that none of them are mean to each other. The animals include a lemming family, rabbit, owl, wolf, and more. Later, Cozy starts losing fur; what does this mean for Cozy and the animals?

I really like looking at the pictures in this book; they are colorful and very pretty. I like how the pictures on each side of the page show what will be happening next in the story. I learned about musk oxen from Cozy, as I didn't know much about them before I read it. I like that the book has a happy ending for all the animals. I think that anyone would like to read Cozy at any time of the year.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "04-Nov-2020 20:19:35", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009260131", "title": "Pity the Reader: On Writing with Style", "author": "Kurt Vonnegut and Suzanne McConnell", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 170, "review": "This book is ostensibly a \u201chow-to\u201d book about how to write with style from the master of stylish writing, Kurt Vonnegut. It is, however, a compilation of thoughts, ideas, and excerpts from the writing and instructions of Vonnegut by one of his students, the author. This reader felt that nothing new was advanced about the art of writing or about Vonnegut\u2019s approach to that subject. The reader will be well served by going to the source and reading any of Vonnegut\u2019s masterful fourteen novels or other writings. Vonnegut\u2019s sharp humorous books were shaped by unique experiences. As a soldier in World War II, he was captured and put to work in Dresden after the calamitous firebombing. After the war, his knowledge of bureaucracy and technocracy was deepened at General Electric. This experience provided fodder for his unique take on the world as it increasingly became a world of corporate power. Ultimately, I would think that Vonnegut\u2019s take on writing would be to see the world in your own unique way.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "04-Nov-2020 20:07:58", "publisher": "Seven Stories Press", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000009260127", "title": "Malcolm and Me: A Novel ", "author": "Robin Farmer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 227, "review": "Taking place in 1973, Malcolm and Me is a novel about Roberta Forest, a black eighth-grader who\u2019s wise beyond her years. Roberta is top of her class at her catholic school, a rebel, and a poet. At school, her rebellious, social activist side is not always appreciated and one day she gets into a fight with one of her teachers, Sister Elizabeth, over the hypocrisy of Thomas Jefferson having owned slaves. Things only go downhill from there. Her birthday is ruined by her parents getting the call from the school, her parents fight, and school only gets worse. Roberta starts to notice racist things about her religion and teachers and takes a stand. This book is a fantastic glimpse into Philadelphia in the early \u201970s, the topic of the book is heavy but Roberta is a very strong and persevering character. There are lots of references to pop culture back then, music, dance, and television. One of my favorite parts was when Roberta\u2019s mom says \u201cI\u2019d like to think future presidents will fall in love with the truth instead of power and corruption.\u201d. Another one of my favorite things is all of Roberta\u2019s poetry throughout the book, it really brought the book to life. I would recommend this book to people who are interested in social justice, the 70s, or rebellious characters who are thirteen and up.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "04-Nov-2020 20:01:10", "publisher": "SparkPress", "page_count": "259 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009260119", "title": "Royal Rescues #3: The Snowy Reindeer", "author": "Paula Harrison, Illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - Age 6", "word_count": 168, "review": "I loved this book. I like that they acted like I do \u2013 I love playing in the snow! This seems like something that could happen to me. The kids found a cat but then they realized the cat found a reindeer! (I would love to do that in real life!) I love that the reindeer got to go inside the house and his name is Marshmallow (that\u2019s my favorite food!) I was so sad when Marshmallow was lost. I think it was really nice of Great Aunt to be ok with a reindeer in her house in a cozy bed. Then when they released Marshmallow I was sad again but I know wild animals belong with their own kind. I loved that this was a chapter book but it had some pictures that made it super fun and easier for me to read because I sometimes get distracted. I love adventure books and picturing myself in them! This was a great story and I highly recommend it!", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "04-Nov-2020 19:48:30", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009260115", "title": "Roxy the Last Unisaurus Rex", "author": "Eva Chen, Illustrated by Matthew Rivera", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - Age 5", "word_count": 137, "review": "This is my favorite book! I love that it is unicorns and dinosaurs! The colors make me want to keep turning the page. I like that the words are in regular text and in fun big text. By making words like that, it helps me know when I should be talking in my normal voice and when I can talk in a big loud voice! I like that there aren't a lot of words on each page and I can really enjoy the pictures. I thought it was funny that her mom was the dinosaur ad the sparkle came from her DAD! I was sad when she couldn't find a friend, everyone should have a friend. Then she met the Brontocorn! That made me SO happy and they look like they are having so much fun together!!", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "04-Nov-2020 19:44:50", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009260111", "title": "This Is All Your Fault", "author": "Aminah Mae Safi", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 201, "review": "Eli could see the signs pointing to the slow spiraling death of Wild Nights Bookstore and Emporium. When he finds proof, he decides to use the store\u2019s petty cash, without permission, to purchase some Air\nJordans to turn a quick profit. When he finds out they are fakes, he realizes that his mistake, on top of his priors, could lead to worse consequences than just unemployment. Enter his co-workers: Rinn, the happy and carefree one; Daniella, the closet poet; and Imogen, the depressed one. No one would say they are friends, exactly. However, saving the bookstore, with the help of their manager, Jo, pulls the unlikely group together in surprising ways to find a solution that will beat the owner at his own game.

For those who love bookstores and the peace and freedom found within their walls, this diverse cast, the sarcastic dialogue, the building relationships - all are fantastically written. Moments of happiness and moments of tears bring together unlikely characters who find their differences lead them to a shared purpose. Heartfelt and touching, this summer story touches on love of all kinds and how the only way to win is to embrace the differences (strengths) in us all.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "04-Nov-2020 19:39:21", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009260107", "title": "My Weirder-est School #6: Mrs. Bacon Is Fakin'! (My Weird School Special)", "author": "Dan Gutman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Natalie - Age 10", "word_count": 170, "review": "This is a good book. I enjoyed the storyline (and the jokes at the asterisks). The book was funny and I laughed a lot. I think this book is as good as all of the other books in this series. Maybe even better! I like that the story is told from a kid's point of view. It makes the story seem more childish than most books told by teenagers or adults. The illustrations in this book are remarkable and creative. It gives a new understanding of what is happening in the book. I was entertained reading this book. I laughed a lot and I overall enjoyed it. It is good light reading material that kids who are into shorter chapter books would like. I like the chapter titles and how the author made them seem from a child\u2019s point of view. I learned some new facts about the band too! Like the \u2018spit valve!\u2019 and hot cross buns. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good laugh.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "04-Nov-2020 19:32:13", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009260103", "title": "A Cat Story", "author": "Ursula Murray Husted", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 11", "word_count": 210, "review": "The heroes of A Cat Story, Cilla and Betto, are on a quest to find paradise. Cilla, the leader, hears a story about a \u201cquiet garden,\u201d causing the two best friends to search for it. Cilla is sure it is real. They realize two important truths upon finding the garden. The first truth, brought to them by a wise cat, is that \u201cthere is a measure of truth in all good stories.\u201d This gives reason to myths and legends. The second relies on the first, and it is that not all of these truths are good. The final, implied moral is that the adventure matters more than the result.

The writer of this story is a master at feline expression and realistic feel. She modifies and copies real paintings to show the telling of a story, and the book really hammers home the morals. It is a little slow to start, but it has beautiful artwork inspired by a real place. I think most middle-school children would enjoy Ursula Murray Husted\u2019s work. I think public and middle-school libraries should stock a copy. It is more of a one-time read than a buy-and-read-a-couple-dozen-times book. I recommend that those who wish to try it get it from the library. Animal lovers, enjoy!", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "04-Nov-2020 19:28:31", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009260099", "title": "Great Adaptations: Star-Nosed Moles, Electric Eels, and Other Tales of Evolution\u2019s Mysteries Solved", "author": "Kenneth Catania", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 195, "review": "Immensely curious as a child, fascinated by wildlife, and studying animals while employed in a zoo, MacArthur Fellow and Biology professor at Vanderbilt University Kenneth Catania congenially tours the reader through several aspects of his fifty years of research in animal behavior. With a delightful storytelling talent, the reader is introduced to the little known star-nosed moles who possess amazing sensory structures hidden within these strange protuberances. Follow the tentacled snake capturing its prey or check out a boxing match between a jeweled wasp and a cockroach, beware of the charge from an electric eel which can detect every movement made by its prey. Learn about worm grunters who quiver and shiver worms out from the ground. These are delightful tales of how simple curiosity led to scientific research into discovering and interpreting how animals' features adapt and hone their predatory powers in this race to survive. Historic names such as Darwin, Humboldt, Faraday, and others tie into several beginnings of these studies. With dry humor and infectious enthusiasm for these awesome creatures, this author skillfully transmits the wonder and excitement that is found in unlocking some of the scientific secrets within these remarkable creatures.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "03-Nov-2020 23:14:19", "publisher": "Princeton University Press", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009260047", "title": "Jabari Tries", "author": "Gaia Cornwall", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb - Age 7", "word_count": 232, "review": "Jabari Tries is a book is about STEM. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Jabari is a boy that wants to build a flying machine. He likes to think about himself being an engineer like other African-American scientists.

Jabari wanted to build a flying machine. He kept trying but it would not work and he did not want any help. His sister, Nika, kept saying \"Me,\" wanting to help. But he did not want her to. His dad told him to have his sister help. But it still did not work. His dad told him to take a deep breath and try again.

So Jabari and his sister tried again and it worked!!!

Jabari Tries teaches a great lesson on accepting help, even if you don't want to. It's good to try fixing a problem with help. At first, he didn't want help, but then he needed it because when he tried, he didn't get it right. But, that is okay! Because mistakes happen. It also teaches a lesson on taking breaks and trying again.

I liked the graphics. They have lots of details. They showed exactly what was happening in the story.

I really like this book. After reading it, I wanted to make an airplane myself! I would recommend this book to young kids three through seven years old. It is a fun book to read during storytime!", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "03-Nov-2020 21:30:46", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009260043", "title": "Pretty Tricky: The Sneaky Ways Plants Survive", "author": "Etta Kaner", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 193, "review": "In Pretty Tricky: The Sneaky Ways Plants Survive, award-winning author Etta Kaner introduces readers to plants\u2019 amazing adaptation capabilities. They use camouflage and imitation and even fake their own deaths as means of surviving in the wild. As the boquila vine coils around its host, its leaves mimic those of its host in color and texture, allowing it to blend in perfectly with its surroundings. Longwing butterflies favor passion-flower vines for egg laying. To deter them, this crafty plant species grows its own pretend eggs that appear as tiny yellow spots on its leaves. As readers journey through this text, they will uncover an array of fascinating facts such as these.

This non-fiction book is ideal for general science and biology classrooms everywhere, and it is perfect for designing student projects and in-class discussions about wildlife adaptations. It\u2019s full of interesting content as well as gorgeous and intriguing illustrations, and it features child-friendly text bubbles, a bold font, and bright color blocks. An index and a glossary are included at the end, and although the target audience is children aged six to ten, younger ones may find it a treasure trove of wonder.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "03-Nov-2020 21:28:00", "publisher": "Owlkids", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009260039", "title": "The Grinny Granny Donkey", "author": "Craig Smith, Illustrated by Katz Cowley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - Age 5", "word_count": 124, "review": "I love this book series! I love reading this book to my little sister. My great aunt has false teeth and loved to show them to us (out of her mouth) this book reminded me of her! I love the colors in the drawings in the book and that the font is a boring one but a fun one! I also love the play on all the words - its fun to read it fast! I love that the book repeats the words from the page before - it helps me read the words better and better each time. I think this would be a great book for an early reader like me! But you better buy the whole series because its THAT good!", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "03-Nov-2020 21:23:38", "publisher": "Scholastic ", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009260031", "title": "How to Remember Everything: Tips & Tricks to Become a Memory Master!", "author": "Jacob Sager Weinstein, Illustrated by Barbara Malley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 6", "word_count": 185, "review": "I have been telling my mom lately that I have trouble remembering things. My mom said that she isn't sure if it's because I'm actually having trouble or just not trying. Then she showed me How to Remember Everything.

The book has a colorful cover and isn't too long, so I'm okay reading it. We don't read it straight through because it's not a story. We read it a chapter at a time, learning new ways of remembering things more easily. The author says to do some things that seem a little hard for me, but my mom says they'll work for her. My favorite is imagining crazy pictures so that you can remember two or more words together.

I like looking through the book because the pictures are bright and colorful, especially with each chapter page full of pictures. I can understand most of what the author is saying to do. I like that he talks about him and his family a little bit. I think that kids a little older than me would learn more, but I still enjoyed learning from the book.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "03-Nov-2020 21:13:11", "publisher": "Odd Dot", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009260027", "title": "7 Good Reasons Not to Grow Up", "author": "Jimmy Gownley", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 188, "review": "Graphic novels have become quite popular with the middle-grade set. Let\u2019s face it, they are more like long comic books, in many cases, than anything else. The artwork in this one is bright and very busy, often not laid out in typical panels, but in a wide variety of shapes, some overlaying other spaces, giving the idea of urgency. Some of the type is extremely small or in light colors on dark backgrounds, making parts very hard to read. The story is not unusual for young people\u2019s books \u2014 the kids must resist the evil adults and make things right in this topsy-turvy world of middle school (although a lot of this seems more appropriate for high schoolers than middle schoolers). The kids in the story are clever and smart, able to fool and trick the teachers and administrators, the evil and mean-spirited adults who seem to have no job other than to make the kids' lives a long, terrible misery. Some young readers will enjoy this kind of story and most will certainly like the fun artwork, so this may be just the ticket for reluctant readers.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "03-Nov-2020 21:10:40", "publisher": "Scholastic ", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009260019", "title": "Inside Story: A novel", "author": "Martin Amis", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 198, "review": "I have three arguments with this book. Firstly, its length; it is a tome. The second and the third are perhaps broader arguments against a type of literature that has recently emerged. The new books are what seem to be journal entries that have not been shaped into a significant memoir, novel, or history. In this book, we learn a great deal about the main character\u2019s sexuality and his famous friends. It purports to be a novel, but if it is a novel, it also has the author\u2019s name as the main character and his friends. The third argument is a portrayal of women who are nothing more than sexual props for the male characters. As Martin unchivalrously recounts his sexual exploits to Christopher Hitchens, this reader cringes with embarrassment for the women so involved. And, Hitchens, as a friend and character doesn\u2019t say much. The lack of chivalry goes even further in the case of Hitchens as the author depicts him in his failing last days. Martin Amis has written fifteen other novels and is the son of the writer, Kingsley Amis. With such a pedigree, this reader hoped for something that held together a bit more.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "03-Nov-2020 21:04:44", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "538 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000009260015", "title": "Cobble Hill: A Novel", "author": "Cecily von Ziegesar", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Sarah Grace Glover", "word_count": 273, "review": "Cecily von Ziegesar is back! And this time instead of lavishing us with the Upper East Side\u2019s elite, she takes us to the affluent Brooklyn neighborhood of Cobble Hill. Less glamorous than the crew in Gossip Girl, the novel takes us through the more realistic, but still exhilarating, dramas of four intertwining families.

Mandy is bored with her life and can\u2019t seem to get out of bed; her husband, a retired famous musician, thinks she is suffering from an illness and is also distracted by their son\u2019s school nurse.

Peaches gave up her dreams of being a famous musician to be a mom and school nurse. She can barely control herself when she finds out Stuart Little of the Blind Mice is a parent at her school.

Roy Clarke and his family recently moved to the neighborhood from London. He is a famous novelist who hasn\u2019t written a book in six years and his wife hopes the move will inspire him.

Tupper is a shy inventor who sometimes lives with his avant-garde artist wife, Elizabeth. She frequently comes and goes from their home, leaving art displays to announce her arrivals and departures and leaving Tupper in a near-constant state of anxiety.

New York City may be a metropolis but Cobble Hill is just like any small town with quirky neighbors, karaoke nights, and the occasional disaster.

This book is a quick, fun read. It is full of the drama and sophistication that you expect from NYC with a side of Brooklyn quirkiness. Cobble Hill is perfect for those who love the Gossip Girl series but are looking for something a little more grown-up.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "03-Nov-2020 21:01:34", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009260011", "title": "Why Didn't We Riot?: A Black Man in Trumpland", "author": "Issac J. Bailey", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 207, "review": "Author Issac Bailey has been in the trenches of the struggle against White supremacy throughout his decades-long career in journalism. As a black man who has persevered to assert the truth and uphold integrity in his work, Bailey offers an unflinching perspective about the ongoing dialogue about racism and racial justice in America.

Bailey critiques his peers in the media for the corrosive effects of centering and prioritizing the comfort of white, working-class people in discourses about race relations and the impacts of racism on the everyday lives of black and brown people. Bailey directly challenges the role of white Evangelical Christianity \u2013 and the media\u2019s complicity \u2013 in propagating racist and bigoted beliefs.

Throughout the book, Bailey shares many examples of how black folks become unnecessarily ensnared in the justice system, where they are unfairly treated, and suffer a higher likelihood of state-sanctioned violence and death. The author notes episodes throughout history that upheld the racial status quo, to the detriment of the black community.

While Trump is now out of office, this book is as relevant as ever. While the Trump era exposed the persistent undercurrent of racism embedded in institutions and systems, the author notes that race in America continues to be an \u201cemotional, complex\u201d topic.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "03-Nov-2020 20:53:38", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009260007", "title": "Wool", "author": "Hugh Howey", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 186, "review": "In a world where the outside is deadly and the air can kill, where birth is determined by a lottery and stairs run the length of the world, the choices people make are everything. This is the story of Jules and her search for justice and answers in a world that seeks to keep those very things buried. Inside the Silo, the choices of a few can cost everything.

No less amazing than it was upon its release, the e-book to rule them all, Wool by Hugh Howey remains amazing and absorbing. Jules is a relatable, intelligent heroine who is caught in a web of circumstances beyond her control, making the best of a system stacked against her. Featuring a claustrophobic atmosphere and political machinations that are truly diabolical, Wool stands strong as a new classic. The story draws readers in and keeps them hooked.

Wool is a truly epic book that remains relevant today, reaching far beyond its original cult following to become a cornerstone of the genre and as much of a household name as Ender\u2019s Game and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "03-Nov-2020 20:50:39", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "592 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009259131", "title": "Odd Gods: The Oddlympics", "author": "David Slavin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - Age 7", "word_count": 193, "review": "The Odd Gods and the Oddlympics is a good book. It is part of a very good series. Odd gods are fiction. The Oddlympics is good to read for fun; though, it can be read at any time. Easy to read, Odd Gods and the Oddlympics is good for five-year-old people and up. It is about people based on the Greek gods and there is a whole other group called the odd gods. The main character is named Oddonis. His best friend is named Gaseous. His brother Adonis, the god, thinks because he is a god that he is superior to Oddonis. His dad Zeus is provoked into betting their home. Jupiter the Roman great god and Zeus chose for the Greeks and Romans to play against each other in athletic events. But the kids do not want to play. Instead, they and the adults chose to play with each other. I like how the author makes the book feel so real. I also love the characters because they are interesting. I really like the pictures. I like them because they are so detailed. I think libraries and families should buy this book.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "02-Nov-2020 23:19:51", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009259095", "title": "Class Act", "author": "Jerry Craft", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 177, "review": "His whole life, eighth grader Drew Ellis has heard his grandmother saying, \u201cYou have to work twice as hard to be just as good.\u201d Drew goes to Riverdale Academy, a privileged school, but isn\u2019t privileged. So he\u2019s been thinking: if he works even harder than expected, will he even have the same opportunities as some of his privileged classmates? After he and his friend Jordan find out that their friend Liam is rich, Drew starts to wonder if Liam might be one of those privileged kids at school. This causes the friends to slightly drift apart, and even Jordan can\u2019t pull the group back together.

I love this book. It\u2019s as good as the first one. I like how the chapters are based on graphic novel titles instead of books for adults like in the first book. I also think that the author has a very cool and realistic drawing style. My favorite character is Jordan because he\u2019s the most like me. Highly recommended to all different people. I can't wait for another book in the series.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2021", "date_added": "02-Nov-2020 22:31:48", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009259071", "title": "How to Hold Animals", "author": "Toshimitsu Matsuhashi", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 9", "word_count": 217, "review": "How to Hold Animals is full of photographs of interesting animals. Some are cute pets. Others are dangerous, and should only be handled by people who are experts. This book comes from Japan. It\u2019s interesting, because some pets that are common in Japan are unusual here in the United States, like chipmunks or prairie dogs. The author encourages children and their parents to learn about animals - even wild animals - and how to hold them safely. Holding an animal can be dangerous for the animal, but sometimes it is dangerous for the person trying to hold the animal, too! Animals can be hurt if you drop them or squeeze them too hard. On the other hand, some animals can bite or scratch! Some have venom, like monitor lizards or scorpions\u2019 stings. Sometimes I disagree with the author\u2019s advice, like when he suggests holding butterflies or dragonflies with their wings held flat between your second and third fingers. I have to admit that I haven\u2019t tried to hold butterflies that way! Every page has suggestions for holding an animal, and every page has photographs showing how people can hold that animal. The author is a photographer who specializes in animals, but he also gets a veterinarian and a reptile dealer to show their methods of handling animals.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2020 22:10:14", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009259059", "title": "El Deafo: The Superpowered Edition", "author": "Cece Bell", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 191, "review": "Newberry Honor Book author Cece Bell has a new superpowered edition of her 2014 graphic novel memoir El Deafo, in which she has added forty additional pages of childhood photographs, early sketches, and more. At age four, Cece suddenly comes down with meningitis and is rushed to the hospital. She and her parents soon learn that Cece can\u2019t hear, she\u2019s deaf. She is given a Phonic Ear, a hearing aid that is a little box with cords that attaches to her ears. Cece tries to hide the hearing aid under her overalls and worries that kids at her new school will treat her differently when they see it. Cece struggles to fit in and navigate new friendships in a hearing world. Bell\u2019s illustrations, bright colors, and rabbit characters are funny and whimsical, and the story of her childhood is dramatic and inspirational. El Deafo not only teaches young readers about a facet of deaf culture but also teaches them that one\u2019s difference is their superpower. The superpowered extras include early sketches and outlines of El Deafo, along with photos of Cece\u2019s childhood friends, including the real-life inspiration for her crush Mike.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2021", "date_added": "02-Nov-2020 21:43:55", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009259055", "title": "Battle Ground (Dresden Files)", "author": "Jim Butcher", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 199, "review": "It's the end of the world and now Chicago needs wizard Harry Dresden more than it ever has before. Harry's no stranger to facing off against enemies that seek to destroy everything good in his life and he's no stranger to nearly dying in the process. The Last Titan has marked Chicago for her destruction and has brought an army to do it. To go up against a being this powerful will require every ally Harry has as Chicago transforms into a battleground. This ultimate battle will change everything Harry knows.

The story opens directly into the chaos as the city becomes a battleground, putting Harry and his friends dead in the center. The fight against the Titan pushes them to make sacrifices that can't be undone and will change everything. The style of the story detours from previous novels which exchanged a crime procedural and supernatural thriller for a bloody war over the fate of mankind. The humor that is well-known in Butcher's style is still present among the chaos with Harry never losing his trademark wit and sarcasm. Butcher succeeds in making Battle Ground action-packed, heartbreaking, thrilling, explosive, and funny story that is hard to put down.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "02-Nov-2020 21:39:35", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009259051", "title": "The Dirty South: A Thriller (18) (Charlie Parker)", "author": "John Connolly", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 224, "review": "Charlie Parker can\u2019t escape the shadows of his dark past. His Wife and Daughter were brutally murdered, his survivor\u2019s guilt gripping him tighter than a vise. In 1997, Parker was on a mission, find the man who took everything from him, and destroy him. Parker has been receiving tips concerning murders with a possible connection to his suspect. He travels down to Arkansas and begins asking questions, and by doing so runs afoul of local law enforcement. The deaths, one of which was declared an accident, are inconvenient to a town with aspirations as a local contractor seeks to build there. However, not everyone with a badge discounts the deaths and asks Parker for help. Cargill, Arkansas is a town with a sordid past hoping to blot out their sins with wealth, some truths are best kept buried. But they never counted on someone like Parker.

The Dirty South is the latest in a long line of absorbing books by John Connolly. The journey of Charlie Parker has been long and winding, interspersed with terror, humor, and heart, but this newest addition serves as a perfect prequel to the Parker narrative. The characters are many but prove interesting in their own way, the story moves gracefully and builds with intensity until the powerful climax. Connolly provides an exclamation point to this year in Fiction.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "23-Dec-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2020 21:33:39", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009259035", "title": "Winter, White and Wicked", "author": "Shannon Dittemore", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 536, "review": "Sylvi lives on the Island of Layce, which is cursed by an eternal winter by the magical spirit of Winter. Winter is her only true friend that has stayed by her side. Sylvi\u2019s grown up adopted by not one, but two different families. Now she has found her niche by running loads in her rig, the Dragon. Her goal in life is to keep her head down and make some coin without much trouble from the Majority.

However, when her adopted sister Lenore disappears, going off to join the Rebels, Sylvi must take a chance to take a load that could cost her and her employer their lives. In exchange, she will learn the location of the rebel camp.

Now she's joined up with the notorious smuggler Mars Dresden and his entourage; a giant warrior named Hyla; and Kyn, a boy with skin like stone. Sylvi must keep her wits about her as she goes through dangerous roads and a tight cab of untrustworthy companions. But the weather and company will not be the worst of what she meets on the road of danger, mystery, and magic. Will Sylvi be able to put her first impressions aside and learn to trust her company in times of crisis?

Text: This book is expertly written. The descriptions are gorgeous. You feel every bump, crash, and fight. The worldbuilding is phenomenal. I totally was transported into the world of Layce, and the history was amazingly done. I also love the use of magic in the book; it was woven into the world beautifully. The different peoples and cultures are interesting and unique. I mean, people with made of rock and people with elements in their eyes is so creative. There are beautiful lessons of finding who you are and how to handle some things that happen that you can\u2019t control.

Plot: This book has it all. It hits all the right notes for things progressively getting worse for the characters throughout the story. It has elemental, emotional, and magical challenges. I love the depth put into Sylvi and the other characters. The author gave you the information you were wondering about at just the right moment. I feel like it ends just at the right place, and makes me ready for a second book in this world (Which I am very hopeful will happen.)

Characters:

Sylvi: She is rough and tough. She\u2019s learned to rely on herself and no one else. When she gets to ride with the trio of trouble, she will learn that sometimes you have to rely on others, even when it is not your preference.

Mars Dresen: The perfect smuggler. He has magic. He has the wit. He\u2019s never failed.

Kyn: Mars\u2019 best friend, lookout, and second driver. He\u2019s of the Kerce ethnicity, which means he\u2019s made of the elements.

Hyla: She\u2019s a warrior of Paradyian decent. She\u2019s got at debt to pay to Mars and is willing to pay it with her life, if necessary.

Winter: the spirit of the Island has free reign over it, causing not only an eternal winter, which causes ice and snow, but also dangerous monsters such as giant wolves and wicked scary monsters like Abaki.

Age Recommendation: 16 and up, or a teen that can handle some mature content.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "28-Dec-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2020 21:11:41", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": true, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009259031", "title": "Willa the Wisp (The Fabled Stables Book #1)", "author": "Jonathan Auxier, Illustrated by Olga Demidova", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - Age 8", "word_count": 168, "review": "I think this book was okay. It didn\u2019t keep my interest. The plot was sort of unfocused, and I had trouble keeping up with the amount of information the book was giving me. I felt kind of overwhelmed reading this. On the bright side, the illustrations were wonderful, and I felt like they added a depth to the story that we wouldn\u2019t really have just reading the story. The characters were likable and not too overpowering. The idea of a bunch of mythical animals living in a stable is good, but I feel like the author could have added a few more things to make the story make sense. The idea for this book, that the wisps could only live for a day was great, but kind of sad.

In conclusion, there are some things that the author could fix, this is an ok book, but not my first choice off the shelf. If this is a series, I don't think I would read the next book or beyond.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "02-Nov-2020 21:08:32", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009259027", "title": "The Wizards of Once: Never and Forever (The Wizards of Once, 4)", "author": "Cressida Cowell", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 198, "review": "Xar and Wish escaped from the Kingwitch and both their parents carrying the ingredients for the spell to expel the witches forever. The only thing they still need is the Cup of Second Chances, which was given to Xar\u2019s brother, Looter, by their father, before they can give the potion to the Kingwitch at the Lake of the Lost. Unfortunately, Looter was captured and taken to the Mine of Happiness, a place where children are put to work in a dark, damp, depressing place. However, the map leads them astray and they are lost, deep within the mine, far from anyone else, and within the territory of the evil Tatzelwurm, which loves the sweet taste of fear. And they are all afraid\u2026

The only disappointing thing about this series by the author of the How to Train Your Dragon series is that there are only four books as compared to the twelve-plus with Hiccup. The things that her readers love - the daring escapes, the witty characters, the silly antics, and, of course, the illustrations - are all found in this fourth book. The message of hope and love hidden behind this final adventure is not to be missed.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "02-Nov-2020 21:04:50", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009259019", "title": "A New History of the Future in 100 Objects: A Fiction", "author": "Adrian Hon", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Glenn Dallas", "word_count": 208, "review": "I'm a sucker for fiction that can tell a story (or several stories) in a non-traditional way. Whether it's the weird horror inventiveness of the Thackery T. Lambshead collections or Sylvain Neuvel's Themis Fil books, where everything is told through transcripts, reports, and other non-narrative methods, it takes a unique level of attention to detail and a heap of creativity to build a world without the usual tricks.

Adrian Hon hasn\u2019t just built a world. Hon has built an entirely plausible century of history out of brief snippets disguised as a compendium of influential objects. Putting a fictional spin on one of the latest literary history fads is an ingenious idea, and Hon executes it brilliantly. Providing commentary on social media, artificial intelligence, space exploration, interpersonal communication, and more, Hon discusses how inventions and innovations change us as much as they change the world.

Moreover, Hon trusts the reader to assemble this curious jigsaw of the world to come, building on context clues and references to future events, constructing a straightforward timeline with numerous little bits of backstory to fill in some of the other entries. It's an absolute blast to read, appealing to both the sci-fi fan and the history lover in the reader. What a treat.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2022", "date_added": "02-Nov-2020 20:38:43", "publisher": "The MIT Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009259007", "title": "My Very First Cookbook: Joyful Recipes to Make Together! (Little Chef)", "author": "Danielle Kartes", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - Age 7", "word_count": 131, "review": "My Very First Cookbook is a very good book. It has many recipes for breakfasts, lunches, snacks, beverages, dinners, sides and desserts. I tried overnight oats, sheet pan fajitas, cheesy Mexican rice, tomato soup, sizzling beef and broccoli, veggie fried rice and double chocolate brownies. Most of them were delicious - except for the fried rice. The best of the lot was the brownies - though all of them were good. This delightful recipe book is good for ten and up alone or five and up with help. The recipes I tried were easy for children except for using a stove and oven. And the instructions were very clear. But they still did have problems; most of the recipes had too much sugar or onion and one was hard to eat.", "issue": "December 2020", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2020", "date_added": "02-Nov-2020 19:21:34", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Kids", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009350087", "title": "Influence", "author": "Sara Shepard", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 175, "review": "If you\u2019ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of your favorite TikToker or YouTuber\u2019s life, Influence is the thriller for you. The novel follows the lives of different teen influencers in LA as they navigate blackmail, jealousy, and scathing social crowds. The girls are each at different stages in their influencer careers, but they share one thing in common: they have secrets that would destroy their perfect reputations forever. And their secrets are so deadly that someone might just end up murdered. Co-written by the author of Pretty Little Liars and an actual social media influencer, Influence is a fun and topical mystery full of drama, murder, and glam. It\u2019s a quick read that will suck you into the mystery, only to leave you hanging at the end of each chapter. Each character is complex, interesting, and far more than meets the eye from their various social media channels. It will definitely make you wonder what the lives of your favorite influencers are really like, and what secrets they may have lurking.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "15-Jul-2021", "date_added": "30-Dec-2020 23:44:15", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009350083", "title": "The Diplomat's Wife: A Novel", "author": "Pam Jenoff", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 184, "review": "Bestselling author, Pam Jenoff, author of //The Lost Girls of Paris// and //The Ambassador\u2019s Daughter//, again delivers with her novel //The Diplomat\u2019s Wife//. The story of Marta Nederman began in //The Kommandant\u2019s Girl// and concludes here with astounding consequences. \nMarta has barely escaped the Nazi prison camps when she meets Paul, an American solider who has been part of the liberation of prisoners. They fall rashly and madly in love, but when Paul is shot down, Marta, alone and pregnant, is forced to make some tough decisions, including marrying a British diplomat. When the British government seeks her help in routing out a Communist spy, Marta becomes involved with far more than she bargained for. \nThis book is fast-paced from beginning to end, but also takes special care to invest the reader in the characters. Fast-paced where it matters, and takes its time where it needs to. Marta is a wonderful heroine, both strong and easy to identify with. Paul is the American solider we all want to have fallen in love with. And the intrigue never stops, making this an all-consuming, stay-up-well-past-your-bedtime read.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2021", "date_added": "30-Dec-2020 23:41:23", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009350067", "title": "Tales from the Hinterland (The Hazel Wood)", "author": "Melissa Albert", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 212, "review": "A story that reads like lost pages from Grimm\u2019s Fairy Tales, Tales From the Hinterland mixes dark fairy tales with fantasy, death, and mystique. Each tale is intricately illustrated with a cover illustration and border art that looks like it was drawn with a quill dipped in ink and blood, making them feel like they were ripped from an old leather-bound book.

Dark and haunting, Tales From the Hinterland gets under your skin in a good way, winding its tales like ice in your veins and pouring from the pages like blood from a pricked finger. Melissa Albert captivates her reading audience with stories of death, marriage, greed, enchanters, fools, and tempting fate. Where girls believe if they sacrifice a drop of blood to the Wicked Wife, they will dream of their husbands, and a woman who sheds her skin warning readers of death\u2019s many games. Creepy and delightfully, disturbing tales this collection of stories is everything fans of The Hazel Wood have been asking for. However, do not be fooled by the light and cheerful fairytales we know today; these resemble the dark stories that were once used to warn children of the dangers that lurk in the shadows, warning girls to be careful of whom they trust their bodies to.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "30-Dec-2020 20:53:32", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009350063", "title": "Into the Heartless Wood", "author": "Joanna Ruth Meyer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 17", "word_count": 206, "review": "At the edge of the woods stands a cottage where an astronomer and his children live. Owen has charted the stars with his father for years, sending the findings to the king each month. One day, his little sister is drawn into the woods, where a witch and her siren daughters are luring men and women to their deaths. While searching for her, Owen meets the youngest of the tree sirens, a monster. Or is she? With war on the horizon and a past that could be their undoing, they must choose: family or who they're meant to be?

The witch is more than she seems, the king is not who he says, and caught up in their war are two people on opposite sides. The main characters are unique, but most of the rest of the cast are a bit flat. Into the Heartless Wood is more than just a story about a boy falling in love with a monster, it\u2019s about family and the fact that sometimes, what we think is true is not what is actually true. The writing style is like a fairy tale most of the time and sometimes, especially with one character's point of view, it is almost like poetry.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "30-Dec-2020 20:48:38", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009350059", "title": "Deep into the Dark: A Mystery", "author": "P.J. Tracy", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 195, "review": "I have been a fan of PJ Tracy for quite a while. Getting my hands on Deep in the Dark proved to be as exciting and heart-pumping as I had imagined! The characters have depth, the story comes to life, and it is certainly dark at times.

Sam is a war hero who served two tours in Afghanistan but came back a different person. Melody has her own baggage and likes to keep to herself. The couple knows each other from work, but their familiarity will reach a new level in a matter of days. There is a serial killer on the loose in LA, the media have named him \"the Monster.\" Throughout a couple of days, Sam will face internal and external battles with his PTSD, Melody must work through her past, and an LA homicide detective will figure out her life personally and professionally.

Tracy's writing flows so smoothly that even though the story is over three hundred pages, you will notice yourself flipping page after page. I appreciate the focus that is put on mental illness, especially since this is a taboo topic for many people. I recommend this book to any mystery lover.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2021", "date_added": "30-Dec-2020 20:45:22", "publisher": "St. Martin's", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009350043", "title": "Fractals: On the Edge of Chaos (Wooden Books)", "author": "Oliver Linton", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 199, "review": "Fractals are an incredibly beautiful way to visualize the complexity that can occur with relatively simple inputs. This book takes you on a lovely little journey deep into the world of fractals, explaining what they are and how they can be created, as well as the beauty that lies behind them. Fractals are a visual representation of mathematics, and this book does not shy away from mathematical explanations although the explanations are very clear and worthy of a reader's attention; putting in the work to understand what is going on yields great dividends in appreciation. The author is a consummate expert as well as a great fan and guides you along with fractal developments, from relatively simple to increasingly complicated ones, all illustrated by gorgeous wood-cut illustrations that are magnificent works of art on their own whether you understand the mathematics or not. The text of the book is a great explanation and (tiny) introduction to fractals and chaos theory; the illustrations make this book one you want on display. Although it is so small, every time you dip into it you will find more to discover, leading to deeper levels of understanding and appreciation --just like fractals themselves.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "30-Dec-2020 20:32:54", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009350031", "title": "It Only Happens in the Movies", "author": "Holly Bourne", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 202, "review": "If Audrey has to watch one more romance with her mom, she will scream. She doesn't know how her mom does it - she\u2019s been divorced for a while and her ex just asked to sell the house so he can pay for his new family! Audrey\u2019s own boyfriend dumped her just a week after a botched moment of intimacy, forcing her to forsake drama club so she could completely avoid him. When her media teacher asks students to complete a research project, she knows that she will attack the absurd notions in romance movies. Working at the movie theater might help avoid her mom and do research if she can guard her heart against Harry, who needs her acting expertise in his zombie movie. However, avoiding heartache may be more difficult than killing zombies.

While Audrey may be young to be so cynical, her life\u2019s experiences lead to great insight about the movie trope, opening many paragraphs with her insight, sometimes hilarious, sometimes depressing. The progression of her self-confidence and her love life builds to a strong conclusion, ironically following a movie plot but with a pleasant surprise ending. It\u2019s realistic, honest, and sincere, and the girl power is subtle but brilliant.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "30-Dec-2020 20:20:46", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009350027", "title": "Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2020 (The Best American Series \u00ae)", "author": "Edited by Diana Gabaldon", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 237, "review": "The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2020 is edited by Diana Gabaldon (she wrote the Outlander series) and John Joseph Adams. The stories come from a variety of publications, Lightspeed, New Suns, Amazing Stories, and The New Yorker among them. As with any \u201cbest of\u201d, a reader will enjoy some more than others. But, in total, I thought these were excellent picks.

My favorite selection is by Elizabeth Bear, entitled Bullet Point. In this story, Bear\u2019s protagonist is the last person on earth, or so she believes and is in Las Vegas. She thinks in bullet points of all the things on earth that she no longer worries about after all the people have disappeared. Bear manages to have quite a bit of depth in this story, as the female protagonist has a history of domestic abuse. The ending of the story is terrific.

A second selection that I really enjoyed is the first one in the book, Life Sentence, by Matthew Baker. It reminds me quite a bit of Kurt Vonnegut\u2019s Harrison Bergeron, which I am fascinated by and have read many times. In this story, Wash, the main character, has had his memory wiped as a punishment, instead of the old-fashioned notion of a prison. It has a dreamlike, surreal yet horrifyingly plausible tone.

I will continue to enjoy these stories and will re-read many of them. It\u2019s a fun collection for science fiction and fantasy fans.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "30-Dec-2020 20:17:41", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009350023", "title": "Light for the World to See: A Thousand Words on Race and Hope", "author": "Kwame Alexander", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 166, "review": "This is a small but mighty book. It is a very powerful litany against the toll of white supremacy, everything from taking a knee to taking a bullet. It is a miracle that the poet in just one thousand words can be so incredibly moving. The graphics are beautiful and add impact to the words. The book was designed by Sindiso Nyoni who underlines the power of the words without distraction. These poems are, by design, a meditation into the dynamics of race. They literally take my breath away in their forcefulness. He says the names of the murdered young people. His words are like a church refrain or a hymn crying out for justice.

This is the first time I have read this poet and I look forward to learning more about his work and his publishing unit, Versify, which attempts to change the world, one word at a time. This is well worth adding to one\u2019s library and reading it through many, many times.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "30-Dec-2020 20:14:27", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009350019", "title": "The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars", "author": "Shivaun Plozza", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 183, "review": "The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars by Shivaun Plozza is a magical story about a boy and his pet fox, who go on a quest to find the stars that the wolf ate. The moon ran away in fear because the wolf ate the stars. The Shadow Creatures came out to attack people in the utmost darkness. The boy\u2019s dead guardian told him to go find the stars to defeat the evil.

The plot is great and it made sense. Any part with magic held my interest. I got to know the characters very well and liked them. They did seem real and were pretty lively. The language of the book flowed well and the dialogue was natural. I enjoyed reading it. There are no illustrations in the book, but I wish there were. I think kids aged ten and older who love adventure would really enjoy this book. It would possibly make a good series. I totally recommend this book because I loved it! It is a great book, although at the end the story got sad and then happy again.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "30-Dec-2020 20:12:08", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009350003", "title": "Strata: William Smith\u2019s Geological Maps", "author": " Oxford University Museum of Natural History", "category": "N09 History", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 736, "review": "From the first heart transplant to the federal courts of New York City, these four reads take an in-depth look at the death of Bruce Tucker, the transition of America into a one-click society, the groundbreaking work of William Smith, and the callousness of a billion-dollar industry. \n\nThe Districts: Stories of American Justice from the Federal Courts \u2013 Johnny Dwyer \n\nDelve into this comprehensive look into the court system within Manhattan and Brooklyn. The two federal courts of Southern District Court and Eastern District Court keep order in New York City. Johnny Dwyer provides multiple stories as examples that range from a Mafioso in Queens helping depose of a body to a college student caught at the JFK airport with cocaine to a Manhattan hedge fund manager that lies to investors. Dwyer takes an in-depth exploration of the courtrooms through the lives of the judges, attorneys, prosecutors, and defendants. The crimes mentioned in the book include drug trafficking, terrorism, organized crime, and white-collar crime. /The Districts/ takes a hard and honest look at intent, deception, justice, and reasonable doubt.\n\nThe Organ Thieves: The Shocking Story of the First Heart Transplant in the Segregated South \u2013 Chip Jones \n\nChip Jones recounts the horrific events surrounding the first heart transplant which occurred in 1968 when Bruce Tucker, a black man, went to the top hospital in Virginia after a head injury only to have his heart removed and placed inside a white businessman. This book from Pulitzer Price-nominee journalist delves into Tucker's death and how he became a human guinea pig without his family knowing. These events reflect a long history of the mistreatment African Americans have endeared which began over a century ago with horrific actions including cadaver harvesting. The 1960s saw a race for the first successful heart transplants in a book that balances medical history, legal drama, and the issues of life and death told through the lens of racial injustice that has been around for centuries. Also included is a forward from Ben Jealous who is a social justice activist. \n\nStrata: William Smith's Geological Maps \u2013 Oxford University Museum of Natural History \n\nFull-color geological map illustrations, geological cross-sections, strata tables, fossil illustrations, and photographs are included within /Strata: William Smith's Geological Maps/. Also included in /Strata/ is Smith's 1799 geological map of Bath, detailed stratigraphical country maps, and the groundbreaking map of strata. The information is thanks to a variety of sources such as the London Natural History Museum, the Geological Society, and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. This includes the first complete presentation of the revolutionary work of William Smith, a geologist, from the nineteenth century. He's considered the father of English geology. This book illustrates the career of William Smith as he went from an apprentice to a surveyor and collector of fossils and even his imprisonment over debt problems. An introduction from Douglas Palmer describes Smith's work as it relates to structure specifically towards geographical mapping and theories of biostratigraphical. The book is divided into four parts and contains sheets from Smith's 1815 hand-colored map, cross-sections, and fossil illustrations. Between each section are essays commenting on Smith's work in areas of hydrology, mining, cartography, and agriculture. This testament to Smith's career includes a forward from Robert Macfarlane and an awe-inspiring collection. \n\nFulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America \u2013 Alec MacGillis \n\nUpton Sinclair published a novel with the subtitle /A Story of Ford-America/ which called out a billion-dollar company for how it underpaid employees and had dangerous working conditions. Going forward eighty-three years, Amazon.com has well over a trillion dollars while Ford Motor Company is worth around thirty billion dollars. One-click America has intensified under the pandemic of the Coronavirus due to the increase in online shopping. As Amazon grows through deliveries, corporate campuses, and data centers, a separation between winner and loser cities begins to grow. The book focuses on the fabric of society unraveling which is told through stories about those that have succeeded and those that haven't. These examples include high-paid Seattle workers in offices where a black neighborhood once was, Virginia homeowners that work against a data center that could damage their local environment, and an El Paso office supply firm that works against Amazon's governmental procurement. MacGillis also includes in /Fulfillment/ how Amazon become a Washington D.C. force, the growing inequality between the poor and rich, and how every click online is remaking America.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Dec-2020 19:59:36", "publisher": "University of Chicago Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009349007", "title": "The Singularity Transfer", "author": "Dan Grant", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 449, "review": "The powers of the human mind are vast, their potential still being explored. Scientists seek to unlock humanity\u2019s mysteries often by looking at the human mind. In the case of the Phoenix Consortium, their intent is strictly nefarious. They are hellbent on retrieving neural technology and will stoop to blackmail and murder to achieve their goals. Dr. Thomas Parker is a marked man, his past creeping up on him. Assassins are ransacking his home, looking for him and his new technology. Parker\u2019s paramour, FBI Special Agent Kate Morgan, is called to investigate a charred body at Parker\u2019s house. She is overcome with worry about Thomas\u2019 fate. Meanwhile, Dr. Rikona Tanaka faces a life & death dilemma as she is ordered to perform a modern resurrection on another Doctor. Her own life along with her daughter hangs in the balance, as she must be successful in her endeavor. A process of cell replacement in the brain, rejuvenating dead cells holds the key to her work.

Kate receives a phone call from a mysterious figure. This figure is a cold-blooded assassin whom Kate would rather put a bullet in than engage in conversation. However, the assassin dangles Parker\u2019s life as bait for Kate\u2019s cooperation. Parker is a wanted man, both by the Criminal Justice System and the Federal Government. If Kate can convince Parker to continue his work, then Parker will receive a quid pro quo from the government. Parker is reluctant, being wracked with guilt over previous events involving similar experiments, betrayal, and death. He is also loath to trust Kate, their relationship having ended abruptly.

The unknown factor is that there is an ongoing war between opposite factions. Both sides want to use singularity for their own purposes, controlling the mind leads to easier manipulation of the populace. Parker wants no part in science being weaponized, but the consequences for resisting are severe, yet the price for success may just be along parallel lines. Parker is on a deadline to complete his project, as a dual one is being undertaken by the recently revived doctor. Trust is at a premium as the war edges closer and closer to home.

The Singularity Transfer hits a bullseye with its opening salvo, the action consistent throughout the book. The characters are profuse, but each offers intrigue beneath their surface. Parker and Morgan provide complexities in their roles, neither being perfect, yet they stand for the good in humanity. The antagonists, whether amoral female assassins, scheming politicians, or mad scientists, provide dark humor mixed with cringeworthy horror. Author Dan Grant has carved a niche for himself with his latest mystery, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "29-Dec-2020 21:33:58", "publisher": "MindScape Press, Inc", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009349003", "title": "The Singularity Transfer", "author": "Dan Grant", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 531, "review": "After the events of The Singularity Witness saw Professor Thomas Parker, an expert on artificial intelligence and brain mapping, tricked into helping the diabolical Phoenix Consortium with research into mind control and then co-opted into helping the FBI track down a missing senator, it seemed unlikely that he\u2019d be able to return to a quiet life teaching at Princeton. However, despite all the nefarious activities he ended up mixed up in, Parker was still unprepared for what he would have to face in The Singularity Transfer.

Dan Grant opens the second book in his Singularity Series with a bang, several bangs in fact. First, there is Dr. Rikona Tanaka, a veteran of the Advanced Neurological and Cybernetic Research Institute, who is being forced to reanimate/resurrect the villainous Stewart Richards, the principal antagonist from Thomas Parker\u2019s first outing. Then there\u2019s Parker himself, who is rudely awakened by a group of well-armed home invaders searching for his cutting-edge research: a neurological interface with the human mind. Parker initially manages to evade his attackers, but he\u2019s left for dead when they set fire to his home. Finally, one of the investigators assigned to look into the fire is FBI Special Agent Kate Morgan, Parker\u2019s more-off-than-on-at-the-moment girlfriend, who quickly realizes that there\u2019s another conspiracy afoot.

There\u2019s so much going on in the first twenty-five or so pages of The Singularity Transfer that the reader is immediately gripped by the story and interest is maintained for the remainder of the book. Grant has cracked the art of thriller writing: punchy sentences, snappy dialogue, short chapters, and plenty of cliffhangers. The book races by as the characters lurch from one explosive situation to the next. It is a medical/techno-thriller, so there\u2019s a fair bit of realistic techie talk mixed in with the dialogue and general exposition, but only rarely does it detract from the pace of the plot. Grant has clearly put a lot of thought into his world-building and the ideas behind the singularity concept, despite being firmly within the realm of science fiction at the moment, certainly ring true. Saying that, maybe it won\u2019t be too long before everyone is plugged into a \u201ccommon collective\u201d\u2026

Thomas Parker is a solid, stoic hero. He\u2019s both a man of action and a mega brain, and he doesn\u2019t really get fazed by anything that befalls him. In fact, he\u2019s a bit MacGyver-ish in terms of his skillset. Kate Morgan is an equally capable hero who doesn\u2019t let international assassins, corrupt politicians, or any other flavor of villain distract her from her investigation. She\u2019s a tenacious sleuth who will do everything it takes to get to the truth. The dynamic between the two of them works well, meaning that their relationship (or lack thereof) seems plausible throughout the book, even when it\u2019s adversarial.

The Singularity Transfer is an exciting book that motors along at breakneck speed. It\u2019s a cracking read for fans of Dan Brown, Steve Berry, and other writers of conspiracy theory/cutting-edge-technology-laced thrillers. While it\u2019s not necessary to have read The Singularity Witness in order to understand and enjoy The Singularity Transfer, doing so would provide valuable background detail and help to flesh out the various characters\u2019 motivations.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "29-Dec-2020 21:33:44", "publisher": "MindScape Press, Inc", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009348191", "title": "In Search of The Color Purple: The Story of an American Masterpiece (Books About Books)", "author": "Salamishah Tillet", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 241, "review": "In Search of the Color Purple is Salamishah Tillet\u2019s elegy of appreciation of Alice Walker\u2019s genius through the Pulitzer prize-winning novel The Color Purple, which tells stories of redemption and triumph over gendered and racist violence. Exploring the long and complex arc of the Black literary legacy that came alive in Walker\u2019s prose, Tillett notes influences from the Black oral tradition to the writings of Zora Neale Thurston.

Tillet highlights her renewal as a writer and researcher, enveloped in the process of uncovering the roots of Walker\u2019s masterpiece. It was enlightening to learn of Tillet\u2019s journey toward her own racial and feminist identity. Tillet brings to light the controversies surfaced by the book\u2019s critical reception. She writes about how accusations against Walker divided the Black community, particularly regarding the book\u2019s depiction of violence perpetrated by Black men. Walker\u2019s brand of feminism \u2013 which prominently featured the author\u2019s friendship with Gloria Steinem \u2013 was also seen as a threat to Black solidarity.

\nThe book highlights interviews with movement leaders and celebrity icons who were awakened and inspired by the power of Walker\u2019s prose, from Oprah Winfrey to Quincy Jones, from Scott Sanders to Steven Spielberg. The Color Purple inspired legendary collaborations to elevate the stories from the page, to film and the stage. This is a joyous read for anyone who has been touched and transformed by the experience of knowing Celie, Shug, Sofia, and other undefeated Black women in Walker\u2019s American classic.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "29-Dec-2020 19:49:08", "publisher": "Abrams Press", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009348187", "title": "Nophek Gloss (The Graven Book 1)", "author": "Essa Hansen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 206, "review": "Sometimes a debut author's work is a shining beacon of a new literary voice, other times it is a work that is overly ambitious and lacking focus, though there can be seen a gloss of ability. This work falls more into the second category, as the story structure needed more work, along with plotting and other things to make it not only clearer but also for the reader to care about the hero. At some point in the future young Caiden, who questions everything like every teenager ever, is questioning his father about when the cattle the planet he lives on raises will return and what life is like away from home when it is violently attacked and only Caiden is left standing after beings from another world destroy it. Caiden joins a misfit crew to survive, roam the galaxy and get revenge on the people that not only enslaved him but also killed them all as well. This book needed probably another review, it is hard to follow at times, and hard to really get into as it moves a bit slowly. The quick chapters try to give it that extra movement, but the constant change of scenery makes it hard to follow at times.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "29-Dec-2020 19:45:44", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009348179", "title": "Eyes That Kiss in the Corners", "author": "Joanna Ho", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 213, "review": "Some of the other little girls\u2019 eyes are sapphire, and their lashes are long and frilly like lace, but hers \u201ckiss in the corners and glow like warm tea.\u201d They\u2019re like Mama\u2019s who blesses her with love and acceptance, confidence and self-assurance. Mama is her world. Amah\u2019s eyes don\u2019t have the acuity they once did, but they see into her heart and connect with her thoughts. In them, are stories that carry her away to far-off lands. Mei-Mei has eyes like hers, too, that disappear when her smile threatens to engulf them. They envision things real and imaginary, and they are unique and beautiful, just like hers.

This story has delightfully rich illustrations and gorgeous language woven together by similes, imagery, and prose. It\u2019s about the beauty of diversity as well as family and the positivity parents and grandparents can cast on their children\u2019s lives and the way they see themselves in the world at large. Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is a contribution to literature in its celebration of identity and culture. It\u2019ll appeal most to children ages six to nine, but may also be a valued gift for youth ages four to five. Teachers of early elementary education will find it a treasurable addition and a wonderful resource for their classrooms.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "29-Dec-2020 00:39:26", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009348171", "title": "Jinxed (Jinxed, 1)", "author": "Amy McCulloch", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 203, "review": "Lacey has always wanted to work for Moncha as a companioneer, someone who builds bakus. Bakus are the newest in technology, a cross between a smartphone and an animal. Her first step is to get into Profectus, the academy that will help her accomplish her goal. But then she\u2019s rejected, and her dream shatters.

After a baku shopping trip gone wrong, Lacey finds a heap of metal she realizes is a baku. Once she repairs the cat baku that she names Jinx, her life changes for the better. Jinx gets Lacey into Profectus and helps her win new friends and many a baku battle.

Slowly, Lacey begins to realize Jinx isn\u2019t like other bakus. He doesn\u2019t always listen to her commands, and he appears to have a personality. Lacey realizes that Jinx is part of a secret that could destabilize everything Moncha stands for and that there are people out to destroy him.

Can Lacey and Jinx find their happy ending? I thought this book had a fun, engaging, and unique storyline. I also liked the characters and relationships, along with the cliff-hangers that always make you want to know what happens next. I am eagerly anticipating the final book in this series!", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "29-Dec-2020 00:31:34", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009348167", "title": "Unleashed (Jinxed, 2)", "author": "Amy McCulloch", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 14", "word_count": 175, "review": "Unleashed is a great novel set in a world in which most pets have been replaced by Bakus, robotic animals that help with people's everyday lives.

Lacey Chu wakes up in a hospital, unable to remember what happened to her. All she knows is that her level-three cat Baku, Jinx, is gone. Without a level-three Baku, she must transfer to a different school. One day, when her mom comes home from work, Lacey notices that she is acting differently. She is about to leash her level-one Baku for an update when Jinx returns. He tells her about a plot by Eric Smith to remove everyone's ambition, forcing them to be happy with what they have. With the help of their friends, Lacey and Jinx attempt to find Monica Chan and undo the update.

I really enjoyed this book. It was filled with cool technology and interesting locations. I really liked reading about all the different Bakus. It was also very well written. I would recommend this book to kids from sixth grade to ninth grade.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "29-Dec-2020 00:28:57", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009348155", "title": "A Mother is a House", "author": "Aurore Petit", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 159, "review": "A Mother is a House by Aurore Petit is a deceptively simple book about all the things a mother is and all the things a mother does. \u201cA mother\u2019s a shell, a moon before dawn/a mother is gentle, the port in a storm.\u201d The words are quiet but deeply meaningful- starting with the phrase \u201ca mother\u2019s a house\u201d, and ending with \u201ca mother\u2019s a home\u201d. The gentle text is paired with bright charming illustrations that start with an expectant couple and end with the baby learning to walk. Originally published in French, this translation captures the essence of the original while creating a melodic poem.

This book is a lovely chronicle of a baby\u2019s first year- the early days, separation anxiety, first foods, the good moments, and trying ones. A Mother is a House would make a great baby shower gift. It\u2019s different from other baby books, and a great way for mother and baby to see their journey together.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "29-Dec-2020 00:14:57", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009348147", "title": "Life-Size Animals: An Illustrated Safari", "author": "Rita Mabel Schiavo", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 191, "review": "Youngsters are crazy for animal books, and this big (15.25 X 11.5 inches), beautiful book is sure to capture the interest of anyone who gets their hands on it. The gorgeous illustrations, in many cases, are life-size. But it isn\u2019t just pictures of animals, it is illustrations of different animal parts. One spread compares the long, long tongues of seven different animals while other spreads compare claws, strange teeth, the size of eggs, unusual tails, different kinds of bats, giant insects and moths, frogs and toads, big and small spiders, sizes of eyes, and more. Each illustration has a short text block with excellent information about the illustration. The only caveat is some of the measurements don\u2019t indicate just how they are made \u2014 i.e., what are the starting and ending points and direction of the measurement, and some measurements are off. Readers will find this confusing, especially when in comparative illustrations. This is particularly glaring on the eggs spread. Readers who measure the illustrations will find many are incorrect. That said, this is a book that will get young readers involved and learning and will be read over and over.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 23:57:16", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009348139", "title": "Life Among the Terranauts", "author": "Caitlin Horrocks", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 171, "review": "From the opening short story \u201cThe Sleep\u201d to the closing title story, Caitlin Horrocks\u2019s latest collection Life Among the Terranauts is a brilliant and dazzling look at the deepest ways we are flawed and how we try to cope with our brokenness.

Horrocks\u2019s characters are imperfect in honest ways and achingly familiar. In \u201cTeacher\u201d, a woman comes to terms with being unsurprised that her former student turned out to be violent. \u201cChance Me\u201d sees a father attempting to reconnect with his son only to realize the boy\u2019s strengths lie in all of what the father has lost. For people who grew up in the 1980s, \u201cOn the Oregon Trail\u201d is as hilarious as it is heartbreaking. And that intersection of humor and pain is, ultimately, the gift of this collection.

Life Among the Terranauts is the kind of book you want to start over the minute you finish the last page and you want to gift to everyone you know so that you can talk about it. It is a truly exceptional book.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 23:43:44", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009348135", "title": "Goldie Vance: The Hocus-Pocus Hoax", "author": "Lilliam Rivera", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 191, "review": "Introducing Goldie Vance, part-time detective! Goldie is excited about the newest event being hosted at the Crossed Palms Resort, the League of Magical Arts Convention. She sees this as the perfect opportunity to make new friends and solve exciting mysteries. Goldie also has big plans for her first date with Diane, her crush.

The only blot on the occasion is Derek Von Thurston, the son of one of the most famous magicians. Goldie finds him more than a little bit annoying, but he becomes an asset in solving the resort\u2019s newest mystery: some of the magicians\u2019 most valuable props are going missing! Goldie knows this is more than simple misplacement; this is sabotage! Can Goldie and her friends uncover this tricky fiend before all the acts are ruined, along with the magicians\u2019 reputations?

I liked this book\u2019s charm and humor, along with the characters. I had a great time reading along with Goldie as she solved clue after clue and was pleased with the big reveal at the end! It was fun for me to mentally run through who might have done it, and I will definitely be reading more Goldie Vance books!", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 23:41:09", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009348123", "title": "A Stranger at the Door (A Rachel Marin Thriller Book 2)", "author": "Jason Pinter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 203, "review": "Rachel Marin is doing well in her new life. Since catching a killer in the previous book, her new relationship is going great, as is her new career as a forensic consultant to the Ashby PD. In her family life, things aren\u2019t so great, mostly due to her teenage son, Eric, who is struggling to deal with his problems. To make matters worse, one of Eric\u2019s teachers is brutally murdered right after he sends an email to Rachel expressing the desire for her help with an issue involving some of his students. As she\u2019s investigating, Eric gets recruited by a shady businessman and an old acquaintance shows up, threatening to expose her secrets. It could mean the end of the life that Rachel has built and also spell danger for all those she loves.

I loved the first Rachel Marin story; I liked this one less. Rachel is a great character, with her toughness and sarcastic manner, but she came off as a little bit less likable this time around. The actual plot was not explained very well. Overall, this book is an okay edition to the series, although readers should maybe stop at book one or just hope the next one\u2019s better.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 23:31:13", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "362 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009348119", "title": "Tasty as F*ck: Easy Recipes for When You're Really F*cking Hungry", "author": "Zoe Giifford", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 876, "review": "Foodie Roundup\n\nWhether you\u2019re looking to host a sophisticated soir\u00e9e, brew up a hearty one-pot stew, take a walk on the culinary wild side, rush through some complex-looking fare, or craft the perfect hangover cure, these five cookbooks have everything you could possibly need to succeed in your gastronomic endeavors. \n\nThe Official Downton Abbey Night and Day Book Collection by Weldon Owen\n\nThe Official Downton Abbey Night and Day Book Collection, which includes The Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook and The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Cookbook, shows readers how to recreate some of the delectable food and drink featured in the hit Downton Abbey television series and film. Featuring over a hundred and forty recipes for delightful afternoon treats as well as sophisticated night-time beverages, the books have something to offer every palate, whether the preference is for sweet or savory. The afternoon tea cookbook includes recipes for pastries, buns, and biscuits; cakes, tarts, and puddings; sandwiches and savory bites; and preserves and spreads; while the cocktail cookbook covers stirred and after dinner drinks; refreshing drinks; party drinks; pre-dinner drinks and hangover helpers; and everyday drinks. Aside from the mouth-watering recipes, both collected books include historical information and etiquette lessons for every occasion, in addition to images and quotations from Downton Abbey.\n\nTasty as F*ck: Easy Recipes for When You\u2019re Really F*cking Hungry by Zoe Gifford\n\nZoe Gifford\u2019s Tasty as F*ck: Easy Recipes for When You\u2019re Really F*cking Hungry is dedicated to amazing food without all the bullsh*t, which means there\u2019s no need for weird ingredients, outlandish techniques, or Instagram-ready presentation. It\u2019s a refreshing take on filling and comforting food that can be as unhealthy as desired or as healthy as required, and it\u2019s pitched at a level that should suit new cooks through to time-pressed cooks and on to lazy but experienced cooks. The recipes include easy to make yet tasty dishes such as tuna poke bowls, hangover brunch blat, deliciously f*ck-up-free baked fish, lazy-ass loaded nachos, and a big-ass buddha bowl with spicy chickpeas. The instructions are clear and conversational, and the plentiful accompanying photographs make it easy to visualize what the final product should look like.\n\nOne Pot of the Day by Kate McMillan\n\nWith a focus on healthiness, freshness, and seasonality, One Pot of the Day features three hundred and sixty-five recipes (that is, one for every day of the year) that can be made or finished in just a single pot. In addition to detailed instructions and helpful illustrations, Kate McMillan provides a colorful calendar at the beginning of each chapter that explains which meals are most appropriate for the ingredients, occasions, and weather that characterize the month in question, making it possible to stay both local and seasonal when planning meals. The included recipes range from slow-cooked favorites such as stews to quick and easy dishes such as stir-fries and paellas, which means readers can also mix and match in terms of the amount of time and effort they want to commit to cooking on a given day. The wide range of dishes covered, including vegetarian options, as well as the suggestions for garnishes and side dishes, guarantee that the book has something to satisfy every craving and suit every skill level.\n\nCoconut & Sambal: Recipes from My Indonesian Kitchen by Lara Lee\n\nIn Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from My Indonesian Kitchen, Lara Lee transports readers to the tropical and bountiful islands of Indonesia, where the food features complex flavors, unique ingredients, and captivating spice mixes. Through clear explanations of straightforward techniques and introductions to lesser-known ingredients (as well as warnings about spice levels!), she elucidates how Indonesian cookery can be mastered in stages, meaning that even the most complicated-looking dishes are achievable with a little practice. Among the included recipes are classic Indonesian dishes such as nasi goreng, beef rendang, sop buntut, and nasi uduk, as well as a host of different sambals, all of which offer flavors that are not commonly experienced outside of Indonesia. The wonderfully illustrated book presents a tempting culinary tour of the different Indonesian regions, highlighting popular dishes and signature ingredients and interspersing the appealing recipes with engaging tales of island life.\n\nMilk Street: Cookish: Throw It Together by Christopher Kimball\n\nIt\u2019s clear from the outset that Christopher Kimball\u2019s Milk Street: Cookish: Throw It Together is concerned with making food and cooking both fun and achievable. The recipes are limited to six ingredients (excluding salt, pepper, oil, and water), and the majority require the use of simple techniques and only one piece of cookware. Time is also a key concern, meaning that none of the recipes require hours and hours of preparation and cooking time. In fact, most of the recipes take only around thirty minutes to complete. Rather than concentrating on any particular cuisine, the book includes recipes from around the world, ranging from Indian-spiced seared and steamed green beans to ginger-hoisin roasted whole cauliflower, arugula and avocado salad with jalapeno vinaigrette to pan-seared broccolini with pork and oyster sauce. Although the global nature of the included recipes means that some feature unusual and sometimes difficult (and relatively expensive) to acquire ingredients, Kimball offers alternatives where possible, which means that the book should suit cooks from every location and with every budget.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 23:27:49", "publisher": "St. Martin's", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009348115", "title": "Bionic", "author": "Koren Shadmi", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 790, "review": "This selection of comics and graphic novels deliver a variety of entertainment that ranges from a coming-of-age story to a dark comedy to a collector's edition of /Star Wars/. Stories that take you behind the scenes of /The Mandalorian/, into the early days of the internet, and various escapes from daily life. These creators will send you into the near future, the digital world, and into our anxieties with plots that introduce you to a girl with robotic parts, a book tour that becomes a nightmare, and escapism from real life through the digital world. \n\nBionic \u2013 Koren Shadmi\n\nA coming-of-age story that targets the digital generation, /Bionic/ comes from the creator behind /Love Addict/ and /Highwayman/. The story takes place in the near future where Victor (known for his geekiness) has a quest to win the heart of Patricia. But this won't be an easy love story after Patricia gets in an accident and robotic parts are used to save her life. Now everything has changed for her and Victor. The story comes from Koren Shadmi with hypnotic illustrations that provide stunning visuals to a tale about cold metal and warm flesh. An expected and emotional love story weaves in themes of rebellion, loss of innocence, trauma, and the anxiety of what you want not being enough. \n\nThe Book Tour \u2013 Andi Watson\n\nDelve deep into this Kafkaesque dark comedy and explore its retro tone through the story of a man trying to keep going even when it all falls apart. G.H. Fretwell is embarking on a book tour to promote his latest work but his tour quickly falls apart and becomes a nightmare. The trip was supposed to be about his book but now he's being questioned by the police and a suspect in a disappearance. That's only the start of his newfound troubles. The acclaimed cartoonist brings to life a writer's anxieties and turns those anxieties into a comedic work that is clever, surreal, and keenly observant. \n\nStar Wars: The Mandalorian: The Art & Imagery Collector's Edition Vol 1 \u2013 Titan \n\nFans of the Disney+ series /The Mandalorian/ will adore this collector's edition which delves deeper into the realm that the series has added to the /Star Wars/ universe. Art from the first four chapters highlights the characters you've come to know in the series as well as the various creatures, enemies, and landscapes that the Mandalorian experienced throughout his first adventures. Illustrations and photographs are included which feature a variety of names including Anton Grandert, Nick Gindraux, Doug Chiang, Brian Matayas, Erik Tiemens, John Park, Seth Engstrom, Jama Jurabaev, Ryan Church, and Christian Alzmann. \n\nCrisis Zone \u2013 Simon Hanselmann\n\nSimon Hanselmann put a plan into action when the world went into lockdown in March 2020. The goal was to give the world free and accessible entertainment which led to the creation of the acclaimed webcomic that was greatly anticipated. /Crisis Zone/ was released as a daily comic on Instagram and was aimed at keeping the world amused as COVID escalated. Fans have come to love the Megg and Mogg Universe and all its characters. This uncensored and unabridged edition has extra content with more pages, deleted scenes, and commentary from Hanselmann. The stories included within /Crisis Zone/ are Megg's escape into a digital world, Owl's transition from timid worrywart to a leader, Werewolf Jones's journey from erotic performer to star on TikTok and Netflix, and Mogg's spiral into the paranoia of conspiracy theories. /Crisis Zone/ weaves in elements of action, comedy, horror, and soap-operatics in this tale that goes full speed ahead straight from the beginning. \n\nIncredible Doom \u2013 Matthew Bogart \n\nIt's the time of the internet as Allison channels a way of escapism from her manipulative father that works as a magician. When she gets the family a computer for the first time, she's given an introduction to a world that offers her a way out from her dreary existence and to Samir who shares similar thoughts as her. Together, they make the agreement to run away. Meanwhile, Richard has left everyone behind to move to a new town. He receives a note from an anonymous source that provides him with instructions that will connect him with \u201cEvol BBS.\u201d This system introduces him to Tina who shakes the way he perceives the world. In this debut from Matthew Bogart, expect to find surprising alliances, a journey in falling in love for the first time, and slight crime-related sprees set against the connections you make when you feel like everything is falling apart. This graphic novel captures the feeling at the beginning usage of the internet, delivers a story that's compelling and authentic, and provides a reminder that technology can bring together those that are lonely.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 23:22:16", "publisher": "Top Shelf Productions", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009348095", "title": "The Dangers of Smoking in Bed: Stories", "author": "Mariana Enriquez", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 161, "review": "Loss, violence, delusion, fear, and horror exist within the pages of Mariana Enriquez\u2019s first collection of short stories, The Dangers of Smoking in Bed. Set in modern Argentina, the characters who populate these stories are broken or in the process of breaking. Sexual assault, cannibalism, possession by evil spirits, and hauntings are commonplace in this world, and their renderings are graphic. \u201cMeat,\u201d in particular, contains the kind of description that will disturb your sleep and make you look sidelong and lovesick teenagers you pass on the street, terrified of their secret desires.

There are also beautiful moments of poignant observation; as Mechi, in Kids Who Come Back tirelessly searching for answers about missing children, there is a through-line of deep honesty. What are we willing to do to find the truth? Whom will we believe? Whom will we try to save? But, while gorgeously crafted, the stories may prove too macabre for average readers. Simply, these are stories you can\u2019t unread.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 22:52:03", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009348087", "title": "Portrait of Peril: A Victorian Mystery", "author": "Laura Joh Rowland", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 206, "review": "Sarah Bain, a crime scene photographer, is finally marrying Detective Sergeant Thomas Barrett. But will a murder investigation threaten their marriage before it even gets started? A dead man is discovered in the crypt of the church where their nuptials just took place. Sarah recognizes him as a fellow photographer with whom she had previously done business. Rumors circulate that a ghost is the murderer. As the case unfolds Sarah finds herself at odds with the man she thought she knew and secrets that are revealed, but who the murderer is, is an even greater mystery. S. Bain Photographer and Company are led into the underworld of spiritualists and fraud as they work to solve this case.

This is the fifth installment of the Sarah Bain Victorian Mystery series, and it does not disappoint. A great stand-alone novel with an ending that is left open for the next book, but also has a satisfying resolution for the case at hand. I love the characters in this series and the twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. Also, the evolution of the characters' relationships and the internal conflicts that Sarah endured was well written. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes historical mysteries.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 22:41:47", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "293 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009348083", "title": "The Mask of Mirrors (Rook & Rose Book 1)", "author": "M.A. Carrick", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 206, "review": "Mask of Mirrors is the delightful product of a collaboration between fantasy authors Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms. I was a bit wary going in. I love Brennan's work, but was unfamiliar with Helms. Some collabs are great. Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child, for instance. Others fall short.

The story centers on Ren, a young grifter trying to con a noble family. She ends up entangled in a much bigger, darker game that puts her loyalties to the test and dredges up a spectre from her past.

I enjoyed the rich cultures and the way magic was used. Basically, unique takes on astrology, tarot, and ceremonial/sigil magic. Being someone who uses runes and oracular decks, the concept of pattern resonated with me, as did the Vraszenian concept of a deity with two aspects: Face and Mask.

I must admit, for all that he was a scoundrel, Vargo was one of my favourites. I'd hate to play that man at chess! At times, he seems only out for himself; at others, more altruistic, putting his life on the line. It's a great example of the Vraszenian duality of deity. I'm looking forward to learning more about his mysterious companion, Alsius. Overall, this was an excellent start to the trilogy.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 21:21:32", "publisher": "Hachette", "page_count": "672 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009348079", "title": "A Curious Incident: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery", "author": "Vicki Delany", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 207, "review": "This is an enjoyable and clever cozy mystery! Gemma Doyle owns the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, and though she says that she is not a consulting detective, it seems that mysteries have a way of finding her. It began with the mystery of a lost cat, and ended with a murder. Try as she might, she could not stop her involvement in this one, much to the dismay of the detectives on the case. Although one particular detective will forgive her involvement since they are romantically involved...

All in all, this was a very enjoyable book. It is a great summer or beach read, since it takes place during the summer on Cape Cod. It is well written with a well-thought-out plot line that has many moving parts that work seamlessly together. Even though this is the sixth book in the series, I did not feel lost. It was a good stand-alone novel. There are many Sherlockian references, but don\u2019t worry, you do not need to be a fan of Sherlock Holmes to enjoy this one. I love a strong female lead character, and any story that features pets, so this book did not disappoint. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good cozy.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 21:16:36", "publisher": "Crooked Lane ", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009348075", "title": "Shiver", "author": "Allie Reynolds", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 185, "review": "Fantastic debut! Five former friends, and competitive snowboarders, are invited for a reunion to the exact place where they forged their friendships ten years ago. They were friends until one of them vanished from the same mountain on the morning of a competition. After that, they each went their separate ways. The invitations to the reunion are mysterious, when they arrive each of them feels as if something is not right. What secrets are they each keeping, is someone responsible for Saskia vanishing, or was it a terrible accident? Whom can they trust?\nThis aptly named thriller will keep you riveted in your seat. This is a great example of write what you know, and turn it into a story that will keep you guessing. This author skillfully weaves her knowledge of snowboarding with a mystery full of twists and turns. As someone who has very little knowledge of winter sports, I had no problem following this story. The characters were well developed and the storyline builds the right amount of suspense until the end. A winter thriller must-read for anyone who enjoys this genre.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 21:13:23", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009348071", "title": "Glamour Girls: A Novel", "author": "Marty Wingate", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 191, "review": "World War II was an all-encompassing war for many of the nations involved. While English women may not have flown for the RAF, some still managed to become pilots, working for the Air Transport Auxiliary to ferry planes across the country. One of these, Mary Wilkins, inspired Marty Wingate\u2019s protagonist Rosalie Wright.

Glamour Girls follows Rosalie\u2019s wartime career from her first attempts to join up to V-E Day. By turns tender and fierce, the book is always well-written and captures the spirit of the times well, when women were suddenly granted more freedom than they\u2019d experienced for generations but were still hobbled by strict societal expectations. At times, the book seems less like a story about Rosalie than a story about the ATA, as seen through Rosalie\u2019s eyes.

That isn\u2019t why I gave the book four stars rather than five. (In fact, it\u2019s party why I gave it four rather than three.) What I found lacking in the book was depth in the side characters\u2014especially the two men pursuing Rosalie. If the love triangle had either been more fully explored or made less prominent, I think I would have truly loved this novel.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 21:11:14", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009348059", "title": "Love Songs for Skeptics: A Novel", "author": "Christina Pishiris", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 216, "review": "Zoe Frixos is the editor of a music magazine in London. She\u2019s a successful career woman and hasn\u2019t cared much for dating since her childhood crush, Simon, got married and moved to the United States. Now, Zoe finds that her magazine is in deep financial trouble unless she can get an exclusive interview with a musician who hasn\u2019t done anything in public for a decade. Add to that that Simon is now divorced and moving back to London and Zoe might be able to find love after all.\u2028\u2028

This book has it all. First, Zoe is a strong, likable heroine who isn\u2019t afraid to assert herself, except when it comes to confessing her feelings for Simon. Her job confidence, heart for her friends and co-workers, and her musical knowledge make her so much fun to read about. The other characters are well-drawn and all of the sub-plots are not only intriguing in their own rights, but they also combine to advance the main plot. \u2028

This is one of those special books that makes you want to read as fast as possible so you can see how it all turns out, but you also want to savor it because you don\u2019t want it to end. The book is fresh and fun and an absolute joy to read.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 21:01:34", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009348047", "title": "The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook: From Delicious Dole Whip to Tasty Mickey Pretzels, 100 Magical Disney-Inspired Recipes (Unofficial Cookbook)", "author": "Ashley Craft", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 624, "review": "Time to Eat!\n\nPeople who love to eat may be considered to always be the best people (here\u2019s looking at you, Julia Child), but people who also love to read about eating are arguably just that little bit better. Whether dedicated to the appreciation of one particular foodstuff (cheese!), to the preparation of one menu classic (pie!), or to the creative recreation of a magical food legacy (Disney!), the following books have something tasty to offer to foodies and readers alike.\n\nAmerican Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey Through the Artisan Cheese World by Joe Berkowitz\n\nWith all due respect to Homer, what better odyssey is there than a cheese odyssey?! As Joe Berkowitz notes, \u201cCheese is literally heaven. It\u2019s what happens after milk sheds this mortal coil and ascends to a higher plane of existence.\u201d Although he\u2019d always been a fan of the cheesy stuff, it wasn\u2019t until a chance encounter with a cheesemonger that Berkowitz started on the journey to being a true turophile, particularly when it comes to the often-overlooked American varieties. In American Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey Through the Artisan Cheese World, he relates the highs and lows of that journey, including attempts to understand theory and technical matters concerning cheese, epic cheese conventions, rare and artisan varieties, global trends, and his own attempts at making cheese. Berkowitz\u2019s book is a gleeful globetrotting account of one man\u2019s love for all things cheese. It\u2019s by turns amusing and insightful, and it leaves you in no doubt that cheese is \u201cthe evergreen cheat code for improving any meal.\u201d\n\nThe Book on Pie: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Perfect Pies by Erin Jeanne McDowell\n\nWho doesn\u2019t love a pie? Well, there\u2019s bound to be someone, but even that person would probably be convinced of the joys of pies by Erin Jeanne McDowell\u2019s The Book on Pie: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Perfect Pies. Starting from the basic information that all would-be bakers need to know, including the required equipment, methods of storage, and technical terms, McDowell explains how and why to make the different types of dough, form them into pie crusts, and select the most appropriate toppings. She then presents around 140 delicious-sounding recipes that range from classics such as Apple Pie, to savory specials like Avocado Galette, and on to unique combinations such as Caramel-Chai Custard Pie in Shortbread Crumb Crust. The clear and straightforward baking instructions are written in McDowell\u2019s trademark friendly and engaging style, and the recipes are accompanied by a host of photographs guaranteed to make readers\u2019 mouths water.\n\nThe Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook: From Delicious Dole Whip to Tasty Mickey Pretzels, 100 Magical Disney-Inspired Recipes by Ashley Craft\n\nEvery Disney fan knows that one of the most delightful aspects of the \u201cHappiest Place on Earth\u201d is the range of delectable and often one-of-a-kind foodstuffs on offer in all of the Disney Parks. In The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, lifelong Disney fan Ashley Craft presents 100 recipes for food, drinks, and snacks inspired by what is available in the Disney Parks. The book is divided into sections covering the recipes of relevance to each Park (for example, Peter Pan Floats at the Magic Kingdom and Corn Dogs at Disney California Adventure), meaning that it can be used to plan a tasty trip to Disney as well as to inspire a host of Disney-themed meals. The included recipes range from classics such as Micky Sugar Cookies and Gaston\u2019s Giant Cinnamon Rolls, to newer arrivals like Pongu Lumpia (to be found in the World of Avatar), and on to more dubious sounding delicacies such as Blue Milk (inspired by Bantha milk from Star Wars). This book will surely bring a little Disney magic into readers\u2019 homes (and stomachs).", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 20:43:11", "publisher": "Adams Media", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009348039", "title": "Star Wars: The Mandalorian: The Art & Imagery Collector's Edition Vol. 1", "author": "Titan", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 790, "review": "This selection of comics and graphic novels deliver a variety of entertainment that ranges from a coming-of-age story to a dark comedy to a collector's edition of /Star Wars/. Stories that take you behind the scenes of /The Mandalorian/, into the early days of the internet, and various escapes from daily life. These creators will send you into the near future, the digital world, and into our anxieties with plots that introduce you to a girl with robotic parts, a book tour that becomes a nightmare, and escapism from real life through the digital world. \n\nBionic \u2013 Koren Shadmi\n\nA coming-of-age story that targets the digital generation, /Bionic/ comes from the creator behind /Love Addict/ and /Highwayman/. The story takes place in the near future where Victor (known for his geekiness) has a quest to win the heart of Patricia. But this won't be an easy love story after Patricia gets in an accident and robotic parts are used to save her life. Now everything has changed for her and Victor. The story comes from Koren Shadmi with hypnotic illustrations that provide stunning visuals to a tale about cold metal and warm flesh. An expected and emotional love story weaves in themes of rebellion, loss of innocence, trauma, and the anxiety of what you want not being enough. \n\nThe Book Tour \u2013 Andi Watson\n\nDelve deep into this Kafkaesque dark comedy and explore its retro tone through the story of a man trying to keep going even when it all falls apart. G.H. Fretwell is embarking on a book tour to promote his latest work but his tour quickly falls apart and becomes a nightmare. The trip was supposed to be about his book but now he's being questioned by the police and a suspect in a disappearance. That's only the start of his newfound troubles. The acclaimed cartoonist brings to life a writer's anxieties and turns those anxieties into a comedic work that is clever, surreal, and keenly observant. \n\nStar Wars: The Mandalorian: The Art & Imagery Collector's Edition Vol 1 \u2013 Titan \n\nFans of the Disney+ series /The Mandalorian/ will adore this collector's edition which delves deeper into the realm that the series has added to the /Star Wars/ universe. Art from the first four chapters highlights the characters you've come to know in the series as well as the various creatures, enemies, and landscapes that the Mandalorian experienced throughout his first adventures. Illustrations and photographs are included which feature a variety of names including Anton Grandert, Nick Gindraux, Doug Chiang, Brian Matayas, Erik Tiemens, John Park, Seth Engstrom, Jama Jurabaev, Ryan Church, and Christian Alzmann. \n\nCrisis Zone \u2013 Simon Hanselmann\n\nSimon Hanselmann put a plan into action when the world went into lockdown in March 2020. The goal was to give the world free and accessible entertainment which led to the creation of the acclaimed webcomic that was greatly anticipated. /Crisis Zone/ was released as a daily comic on Instagram and was aimed at keeping the world amused as COVID escalated. Fans have come to love the Megg and Mogg Universe and all its characters. This uncensored and unabridged edition has extra content with more pages, deleted scenes, and commentary from Hanselmann. The stories included within /Crisis Zone/ are Megg's escape into a digital world, Owl's transition from timid worrywart to a leader, Werewolf Jones's journey from erotic performer to star on TikTok and Netflix, and Mogg's spiral into the paranoia of conspiracy theories. /Crisis Zone/ weaves in elements of action, comedy, horror, and soap-operatics in this tale that goes full speed ahead straight from the beginning. \n\nIncredible Doom \u2013 Matthew Bogart \n\nIt's the time of the internet as Allison channels a way of escapism from her manipulative father that works as a magician. When she gets the family a computer for the first time, she's given an introduction to a world that offers her a way out from her dreary existence and to Samir who shares similar thoughts as her. Together, they make the agreement to run away. Meanwhile, Richard has left everyone behind to move to a new town. He receives a note from an anonymous source that provides him with instructions that will connect him with \u201cEvol BBS.\u201d This system introduces him to Tina who shakes the way he perceives the world. In this debut from Matthew Bogart, expect to find surprising alliances, a journey in falling in love for the first time, and slight crime-related sprees set against the connections you make when you feel like everything is falling apart. This graphic novel captures the feeling at the beginning usage of the internet, delivers a story that's compelling and authentic, and provides a reminder that technology can bring together those that are lonely.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 20:30:43", "publisher": "Titan Comics", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009348035", "title": "The Book on Pie: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Perfect Pies ", "author": "Erin Jeanne McDowell", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 624, "review": "Time to Eat!\n\nPeople who love to eat may be considered to always be the best people (here\u2019s looking at you, Julia Child), but people who also love to read about eating are arguably just that little bit better. Whether dedicated to the appreciation of one particular foodstuff (cheese!), to the preparation of one menu classic (pie!), or to the creative recreation of a magical food legacy (Disney!), the following books have something tasty to offer to foodies and readers alike.\n\nAmerican Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey Through the Artisan Cheese World by Joe Berkowitz\n\nWith all due respect to Homer, what better odyssey is there than a cheese odyssey?! As Joe Berkowitz notes, \u201cCheese is literally heaven. It\u2019s what happens after milk sheds this mortal coil and ascends to a higher plane of existence.\u201d Although he\u2019d always been a fan of the cheesy stuff, it wasn\u2019t until a chance encounter with a cheesemonger that Berkowitz started on the journey to being a true turophile, particularly when it comes to the often-overlooked American varieties. In American Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey Through the Artisan Cheese World, he relates the highs and lows of that journey, including attempts to understand theory and technical matters concerning cheese, epic cheese conventions, rare and artisan varieties, global trends, and his own attempts at making cheese. Berkowitz\u2019s book is a gleeful globetrotting account of one man\u2019s love for all things cheese. It\u2019s by turns amusing and insightful, and it leaves you in no doubt that cheese is \u201cthe evergreen cheat code for improving any meal.\u201d\n\nThe Book on Pie: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Perfect Pies by Erin Jeanne McDowell\n\nWho doesn\u2019t love a pie? Well, there\u2019s bound to be someone, but even that person would probably be convinced of the joys of pies by Erin Jeanne McDowell\u2019s The Book on Pie: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Perfect Pies. Starting from the basic information that all would-be bakers need to know, including the required equipment, methods of storage, and technical terms, McDowell explains how and why to make the different types of dough, form them into pie crusts, and select the most appropriate toppings. She then presents around 140 delicious-sounding recipes that range from classics such as Apple Pie, to savory specials like Avocado Galette, and on to unique combinations such as Caramel-Chai Custard Pie in Shortbread Crumb Crust. The clear and straightforward baking instructions are written in McDowell\u2019s trademark friendly and engaging style, and the recipes are accompanied by a host of photographs guaranteed to make readers\u2019 mouths water.\n\nThe Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook: From Delicious Dole Whip to Tasty Mickey Pretzels, 100 Magical Disney-Inspired Recipes by Ashley Craft\n\nEvery Disney fan knows that one of the most delightful aspects of the \u201cHappiest Place on Earth\u201d is the range of delectable and often one-of-a-kind foodstuffs on offer in all of the Disney Parks. In The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, lifelong Disney fan Ashley Craft presents 100 recipes for food, drinks, and snacks inspired by what is available in the Disney Parks. The book is divided into sections covering the recipes of relevance to each Park (for example, Peter Pan Floats at the Magic Kingdom and Corn Dogs at Disney California Adventure), meaning that it can be used to plan a tasty trip to Disney as well as to inspire a host of Disney-themed meals. The included recipes range from classics such as Micky Sugar Cookies and Gaston\u2019s Giant Cinnamon Rolls, to newer arrivals like Pongu Lumpia (to be found in the World of Avatar), and on to more dubious sounding delicacies such as Blue Milk (inspired by Bantha milk from Star Wars). This book will surely bring a little Disney magic into readers\u2019 homes (and stomachs).", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 20:18:25", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009348031", "title": "Yoga Where You Are: Customize Your Practice for Your Body and Your Life", "author": "Dianne Bondy and Kat Heagberg", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 202, "review": "Yoga is a beautiful practice, for exercise, balance, wellness, and serenity. Have you ever felt intimidated, though, that maybe you don't fit in or won't be able to do the poses, that somehow, although you wish it was, it just isn't for you? This book shows you that it is! Yoga is for everyone! And the instructors in this book offer you a friendly, encouraging, and welcoming guide for your own practice, wherever you are right now. This guide is amazing for beginners -- it's for all types of bodies, and poses and instructions are shown through clear explanations and helpful photos for many ways to adjust them for your personal needs. This isn't only for beginners, though; even more experienced practitioners, including instructors, will find much value here. The authors are absolutely inclusive and emphasize the beauty in everybody and every person, and how yoga is for growth and connection for everyone, for perfect acceptance and love. Poses from basic to advance are included, as well as several suggested possible sequences and even ways to incorporate these ideas into classes for instructors. You will love the way this book helps you make yoga part of your life --right where you are!", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 20:08:21", "publisher": "Shambhala Publications", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009348003", "title": "San Francisco's Chinatown", "author": "Dick Evans and Kathy Chin Leong", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 989, "review": "This vivid collection of books is perfect for architecture lovers with amazing works that feature stunning photography and ventures into stunning places. Check out iconic houses by famous architects that changed the American landscape then take a trip to Vancouver to learn about its spatial richness before stepping into the cultural intensity of Chinatown. These stunning books are perfect for the urban curious and fans of the /99% Invisible/ podcast. \n\nThe Vancouver Sketchbook: Lush Landscapes, Vibrant Streetscapes, Soaring Skyline \u2013 TK Ng\n\nThe beauty of Vancouver comes to life off the pages of this stunning book which features the beauty of the city from various locations including Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, snow-capped mountains, Stanley Park, False Creek, and UBC. Check out the rich history of Vancouver in this book that's half travelogue and half guidebook. /The Vancouver Sketchbook/ is a celebration of the city shown through vivid and colorful sketches by Ng which are paired with vibrant text to create the ideal pairing that shows the spatial richness and diverse culture of Vancouver. Ng's plan is to do more than creating an art book, but create a book that explores the city through its identity through pictures by focusing on Vancouver's history and Ng's own observations. \n\nThe Iconic American House: Architectural Masterworks since 1900 \u2013 Dominic Bradbury \n\nCheck out over 400 photographs that feature influential and groundbreaking innovations from architects over the last 120 years. These architects featured include Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, in addition to Richard Neutra, Peter Eisenman, Philip Johnson, and Thomas Gluck. Houses from these various architects range in style but maintain similar local appreciation, experimentation with style as well as materials, and understanding what the clients need. /The Iconic American House/ features fifty homes that are considered some of the most important in house design since 1900. The book has rich text paired with vibrant illustrations that show an array of masterpieces. The book also contains commissioned photographs, drawings, and floor plans along with biographies for the architects which makes this the perfect resource for students and professionals alike. \n\nThe 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design \u2013 Roman Mars; Kurt Kohlstedt\n\nConsidered fresh and imaginative, /The 99% Invisible City/ is the bible for the urban curious with each entry providing a surprising story that's thought-provoking. This beautifully designed guidebook shines the light on the unnoticed parts of our cities which is an idea that stems from the /99% Invisible/ podcast. This podcast pegs questions that will have you wondering where graffiti comes from, why metal isn't on fire escapes today, and perhaps even the purpose of inflatable figures used by car dealerships. This podcast is noted for having big ideas to reveal the stories in the buildings, streets, and sidewalks around us. Celebrate design and architecture in all its wonder and absurdity in this book from Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt to take a hard look at what makes our cities work. Explore origins behind what we consider mundane such as drinking fountains, power grids, fire escapes, and street signs. The entries featured in this book are well-researched and paired with beautiful line drawings that will leave readers captivated and make them look closer at their surroundings. \n\nModern Architecture: A Critical History \u2013 Kenneth Frampton \n\nThis revised and updated edition from Kenneth Frampton comes from the highly acclaimed survey which focused on the subject of 1980 modern architecture. Cultural developments drove the modern movement in 1750 which led to the creation of architecture we have today. Exploring the effects of globalization and the phenomenon that celebrity architects have brought into the field, /Modern Architecture/ contains a look at the rich history. The work has been thoroughly revised with the addition of new chapters that provide a deeper look at the modernist tradition. Frampton takes an honest look at the need society has to build more sustainably with structures that can handle climate change. The redesigned interior includes an updated bibliography and 500 illustrations. \n\nSan Francisco's Chinatown \u2013 Dick Evans and Kathy Chin Leong\n\nWith an amazing appreciation of color and adventurous perspectives, /San Francisco's Chinatown/ provides an amazing contribution to the community. Striking imagery paired with a historical narrative, see Chinatown through its stunning streets and festivals that bring to life its local flavor and culture. The median household income for Chinatown is about a quarter of San Francisco's average income. This book will take you into the heart of Chinatown through breathtaking images which show the beauty that has attracted tourists. Take a stroll through this lush district for some dim-sum and spot some red lanterns as you observe the stunning apartments and outdoor games. A stunning blend of American and Chinese architecture pairs with the blend of cuisine and culture in this lucid text from Kathy Chin Leong. /San Francisco's Chinatown/ focuses on the tight-knit community of the district which captures the thriving neighborhood through stunning images that highlight the unique and authentic Chinese traditions. \n\nDreamers & Designers: The Shaping of West Vancouver \u2013 Francis Mansbridge \n\nVancouver is a city defined by its geography with a border that has an ocean, mountainous wilderness, ravines, and creeks creating the perfect backdrop. This stunning landscape creates a unique personality for the city which lures people from all around the globe who come to explore the outdoor activities provided. Mansbridge explores how this city went from a beachfront cottage community to a location where only a select few could afford it. /Dreamers & Designers/ highlights the tension that has grown between the desires of West Vancouverites and the goal to maintain. The land of West Vancouver helped to shape the area through the fight of the less marginalized which Mansbridge captures through a stunning assortment of photography. Through the lens that Mansbridge provides, you can see how the unique setting created the community and defined the area for what it's known today.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 19:47:12", "publisher": "Heyday", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009347003", "title": "Roller Rink Starlight: A Memoir", "author": "William Hart", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 392, "review": "Despite the title and preface, Roller Rink Starlight doesn\u2019t have a whole lot to do with competitive speed skating. Sure, there's some skating action in here\u2014several chapters are chock full of arcane skating lingo, race times, and second-by-second retellings of pivotal races. But speed skating is merely the thread that ties together the various essays and short stories of this memoir. Author William Hart makes clear he was only particularly skilled in one area\u2014the sprint\u2014and he gradually becomes aware in his final year on the team that even there he was losing his competitive edge (not to mention, his interest in the sport).

Readers will more often be treated to the inner thoughts of teenage Hart as he navigates high school, religion, and personal relationships in the early 1960s. Although he's as mercurial, impulsive, self-centered, and hopelessly aroused as the next young man, his experiences are colored by a much older William Hart\u2014a man who has gained valuable insights into his younger self's thoughts and ambitions. Evaluations of his teenage years are so frank and honest that I sometimes felt like I was sneaking a peek at Hart's private diary.

He spends his formative years at his local rink, hanging out with friends and participating in myriad skating activities. Couples skates, playing limbo, things like that. Over time we get to know his friends, the DJ, the owners, his skating team coach, and many other rink denizens. It's sure to bring fond memories to anyone who spent any number of childhood weekends at a skating rink. As soon as young William Hart strapped on his skates and rolled onto the oval, my own long-dormant memories resurfaced like a basketball suddenly released underwater. The disco balls, the loud music. The circular, carpet-covered benches. That suffused smell of popcorn and sugar and deodorizers. It's surprising how little skating rinks have changed since the 1960s.

William Hart's memoir is as captivating as it is well written, with rich, evocative prose and intriguing snippets of historical events of the 50s and 60s. Anyone who picks this up is bound to be pleasantly surprised by the poignant, coming-of-age tale under its somewhat garish cover. The ending is especially surprising, and I can't help but wonder whether the final revelation occurred to Hart at the very same moment he typed the last words. This book is highly recommended.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "28-Dec-2020 17:29:09", "publisher": "Epigraph Books", "page_count": "255 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009345071", "title": "All the Colors of Night (Fogg Lake Book 2)", "author": "Jayne Ann Krentz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 202, "review": "North Chastain, a seasoned investigator who tracks down dangerous psychic criminals, and Sierra Raines, a black market go-between who is an expert on paranormal artifacts, team up to solve a paranormal crime. The stakes are high for North, as this one involves a personal vendetta against his family. As they both struggle with histories that they are striving to overcome and try to find their true place in life, they find that they work well as a team. It all leads back to Fogg Lake, the site of a government experiment on paranormal energy that went horribly wrong. Here, they unearth secrets that were buried long ago and may hold the answers necessary to save North\u2019s father from certain death, but will they find those answers in time?

This is an exciting paranormal mystery with romantic undertones. There are twists and turns that leave you guessing until the very end. It is a great stand alone novel. I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline was very interesting, which made it an easy read. The end of the book had a satisfying resolution but also left things open so that there could be more to this series, which I would definitely love.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "27-Dec-2020 20:48:01", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009345067", "title": "TinkerLab Art Starts: 52 Projects for Open-Ended Exploration", "author": "Rachelle Doorley", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 200, "review": "How easily children get bored. Here is a valuable resource with simple materials that adults can easily find and arrange to channel children\u2019s curiosity and imagination into rewarding handiworks. Art educator, Rachelle Doorley, has assembled a series of fifty-two projects to engage the youthful participants and encourage their individual expressiveness. Beginning with instructions for the adult on how to create a stimulating working space for youngsters to indulge their fantasies, along with a limited supply of art materials that along with encouragement should engage the desire to experiment with the provided materials. A long list of easily accessible materials point out what can be used in the activities that may involve paints, water, and sponges; or paper scraps, felt, and glue to piece together collages; or building materials using blocks, beads, and toothpicks; and of course working with the always essential coloring crayons. Each activity is colorfully illustrated and the project clearly. outlined as to the materials needed, how to proceed, and varieties of ways to encourage the engaged child to approach the project. This collection of open-ended explorations along with the superbly organized instructions provide a valuable framework for adults and educators to reference when seeking enriching children\u2019s activities.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "27-Dec-2020 20:43:49", "publisher": "Roost Books", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009345063", "title": "The Ickabog", "author": "J.K. Rowling", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 11", "word_count": 253, "review": "The Ickabog by J.K. Rowling is a fun book about two kids who lose their parents in different circumstances and a king who isn\u2019t really ruling. One of the children makes the king aware of his selfishness and the king wants to change to be a better person. However, his lords are happy with the way things are and continue manipulating him and ruling the country behind his back. An unfortunate accident occurs and kills the father of one of the kids. Everyone is told that the vicious Ickabog killed the man, but only a few know the truth.

The plot was entertaining and made sense. I really like the chapters that had the king in them. I got to know the characters fairly well and liked a few of them. The language flowed well and the story kept my interest the whole time. The dialogue was believable and there was just the right amount of it in the book. There were illustrations and they were done by eight- to twelve-year-old kids. Some were quite impressive.

Kids aged ten and older who enjoy a good mystery would like this book. It could make a great series in my opinion. It reminds me a little bit of Harry Potter books with all the imagination and suspense. I would highly recommend this because it is an outstanding book. If I could, I would give this book a rating of eleven out of five! This was such a surprising book that it started surprising the surprises!", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "27-Dec-2020 20:41:48", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009345059", "title": "Beat the Odds Survival Manual: Real-life Strategies for Surviving Everything from a Global Pandemic to the Robot Rebellion", "author": "Tim Macwelch", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lena - Age 12", "word_count": 220, "review": "If you are one of those people who wakes up in the night, wondering what would happen and how you would survive if your car broke down in a remote place without cellphone service, this is the book for you. Its fun-to-read scenarios are taken from historical events. Every page lists statistics for the frequency of risks (of, say, a tsunami), and it offers great advice on topics you may not have considered before, like uses for toilet paper (did you think there was only one?!).

While there is a lot of good advice in this book (like don\u2019t scavenge from a crash scene if there\u2019s a chance of leaking fuel exploding), the entertainment value is in the crazy scenarios. Asteroid attack? Shower of golf balls? Rain of spiders? I guess it just proves that anything can happen at least once!

You\u2019ll find good advice here for survival kits. I learned to prioritize shelter and water. The weed plantain makes a good emergency poultice, although it\u2019s not easy to find where I live. However, I couldn\u2019t find anything on dog bites. Aggressive dogs seem at least as likely as a terrorist attack on a city bus, right? But next time you wake up worrying in the middle of the night, this book can help you plan your emergency survival kit.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "27-Dec-2020 20:35:54", "publisher": "Weldon Owen", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009345055", "title": "One Pot of the Day: | Healthy Eating | One Pot Cookbook | Easy Cooking | Recipe A Day (365 Series)", "author": "Kate McMillan", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 876, "review": "Foodie Roundup\n\nWhether you\u2019re looking to host a sophisticated soir\u00e9e, brew up a hearty one-pot stew, take a walk on the culinary wild side, rush through some complex-looking fare, or craft the perfect hangover cure, these five cookbooks have everything you could possibly need to succeed in your gastronomic endeavors. \n\nThe Official Downton Abbey Night and Day Book Collection by Weldon Owen\n\nThe Official Downton Abbey Night and Day Book Collection, which includes The Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook and The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Cookbook, shows readers how to recreate some of the delectable food and drink featured in the hit Downton Abbey television series and film. Featuring over a hundred and forty recipes for delightful afternoon treats as well as sophisticated night-time beverages, the books have something to offer every palate, whether the preference is for sweet or savory. The afternoon tea cookbook includes recipes for pastries, buns, and biscuits; cakes, tarts, and puddings; sandwiches and savory bites; and preserves and spreads; while the cocktail cookbook covers stirred and after dinner drinks; refreshing drinks; party drinks; pre-dinner drinks and hangover helpers; and everyday drinks. Aside from the mouth-watering recipes, both collected books include historical information and etiquette lessons for every occasion, in addition to images and quotations from Downton Abbey.\n\nTasty as F*ck: Easy Recipes for When You\u2019re Really F*cking Hungry by Zoe Gifford\n\nZoe Gifford\u2019s Tasty as F*ck: Easy Recipes for When You\u2019re Really F*cking Hungry is dedicated to amazing food without all the bullsh*t, which means there\u2019s no need for weird ingredients, outlandish techniques, or Instagram-ready presentation. It\u2019s a refreshing take on filling and comforting food that can be as unhealthy as desired or as healthy as required, and it\u2019s pitched at a level that should suit new cooks through to time-pressed cooks and on to lazy but experienced cooks. The recipes include easy to make yet tasty dishes such as tuna poke bowls, hangover brunch blat, deliciously f*ck-up-free baked fish, lazy-ass loaded nachos, and a big-ass buddha bowl with spicy chickpeas. The instructions are clear and conversational, and the plentiful accompanying photographs make it easy to visualize what the final product should look like.\n\nOne Pot of the Day by Kate McMillan\n\nWith a focus on healthiness, freshness, and seasonality, One Pot of the Day features three hundred and sixty-five recipes (that is, one for every day of the year) that can be made or finished in just a single pot. In addition to detailed instructions and helpful illustrations, Kate McMillan provides a colorful calendar at the beginning of each chapter that explains which meals are most appropriate for the ingredients, occasions, and weather that characterize the month in question, making it possible to stay both local and seasonal when planning meals. The included recipes range from slow-cooked favorites such as stews to quick and easy dishes such as stir-fries and paellas, which means readers can also mix and match in terms of the amount of time and effort they want to commit to cooking on a given day. The wide range of dishes covered, including vegetarian options, as well as the suggestions for garnishes and side dishes, guarantee that the book has something to satisfy every craving and suit every skill level.\n\nCoconut & Sambal: Recipes from My Indonesian Kitchen by Lara Lee\n\nIn Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from My Indonesian Kitchen, Lara Lee transports readers to the tropical and bountiful islands of Indonesia, where the food features complex flavors, unique ingredients, and captivating spice mixes. Through clear explanations of straightforward techniques and introductions to lesser-known ingredients (as well as warnings about spice levels!), she elucidates how Indonesian cookery can be mastered in stages, meaning that even the most complicated-looking dishes are achievable with a little practice. Among the included recipes are classic Indonesian dishes such as nasi goreng, beef rendang, sop buntut, and nasi uduk, as well as a host of different sambals, all of which offer flavors that are not commonly experienced outside of Indonesia. The wonderfully illustrated book presents a tempting culinary tour of the different Indonesian regions, highlighting popular dishes and signature ingredients and interspersing the appealing recipes with engaging tales of island life.\n\nMilk Street: Cookish: Throw It Together by Christopher Kimball\n\nIt\u2019s clear from the outset that Christopher Kimball\u2019s Milk Street: Cookish: Throw It Together is concerned with making food and cooking both fun and achievable. The recipes are limited to six ingredients (excluding salt, pepper, oil, and water), and the majority require the use of simple techniques and only one piece of cookware. Time is also a key concern, meaning that none of the recipes require hours and hours of preparation and cooking time. In fact, most of the recipes take only around thirty minutes to complete. Rather than concentrating on any particular cuisine, the book includes recipes from around the world, ranging from Indian-spiced seared and steamed green beans to ginger-hoisin roasted whole cauliflower, arugula and avocado salad with jalapeno vinaigrette to pan-seared broccolini with pork and oyster sauce. Although the global nature of the included recipes means that some feature unusual and sometimes difficult (and relatively expensive) to acquire ingredients, Kimball offers alternatives where possible, which means that the book should suit cooks from every location and with every budget.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Dec-2020 20:33:15", "publisher": "Weldon Owen", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009345039", "title": "A Wealth of Pigeons: A Cartoon Collection", "author": "Harry Bliss and Steve Martin", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Andrea Huehnerhoff", "word_count": 191, "review": "Transforming imaginative humor and sly wit into single-frame cartoons as a duo, Bliss and Martin have created a genuine page flipper that leaves the reader laughing and shaking their head at the same time. Cutting to the heart of the matter in a way we only allow comedians the privilege of doing, the humor lands somewhere between tongue-in-cheek puns and blistering social commentary. With true humorist finesse, they clock us between the eyes and then smack us on the back just enough to keep us from choking on our own pretension. Some self-satirizing also appears scattered panels throughout the book depicting their journey of creation and, at times, disagreement. The book itself is of remarkable quality, made to be read and re-read many times. Each panel takes a full page and is clear and easy to read, but whether the reader finds them easy to understand or not is art outside the cartoonist\u2019s hands. Keep this book on the coffee table and you won\u2019t have to speak to your dinner guests for at least half an hour, which should give you enough time to go hide before they notice you\u2019re missing.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "27-Dec-2020 20:20:05", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009345035", "title": "The Official Downton Abbey Night and Day Book Collection: | The Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook | The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail ... Fans of Downton Abbey | Downton Abbey Cookery", "author": "Weldon Owen", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 876, "review": "Foodie Roundup\n\nWhether you\u2019re looking to host a sophisticated soir\u00e9e, brew up a hearty one-pot stew, take a walk on the culinary wild side, rush through some complex-looking fare, or craft the perfect hangover cure, these five cookbooks have everything you could possibly need to succeed in your gastronomic endeavors. \n\nThe Official Downton Abbey Night and Day Book Collection by Weldon Owen\n\nThe Official Downton Abbey Night and Day Book Collection, which includes The Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook and The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Cookbook, shows readers how to recreate some of the delectable food and drink featured in the hit Downton Abbey television series and film. Featuring over a hundred and forty recipes for delightful afternoon treats as well as sophisticated night-time beverages, the books have something to offer every palate, whether the preference is for sweet or savory. The afternoon tea cookbook includes recipes for pastries, buns, and biscuits; cakes, tarts, and puddings; sandwiches and savory bites; and preserves and spreads; while the cocktail cookbook covers stirred and after dinner drinks; refreshing drinks; party drinks; pre-dinner drinks and hangover helpers; and everyday drinks. Aside from the mouth-watering recipes, both collected books include historical information and etiquette lessons for every occasion, in addition to images and quotations from Downton Abbey.\n\nTasty as F*ck: Easy Recipes for When You\u2019re Really F*cking Hungry by Zoe Gifford\n\nZoe Gifford\u2019s Tasty as F*ck: Easy Recipes for When You\u2019re Really F*cking Hungry is dedicated to amazing food without all the bullsh*t, which means there\u2019s no need for weird ingredients, outlandish techniques, or Instagram-ready presentation. It\u2019s a refreshing take on filling and comforting food that can be as unhealthy as desired or as healthy as required, and it\u2019s pitched at a level that should suit new cooks through to time-pressed cooks and on to lazy but experienced cooks. The recipes include easy to make yet tasty dishes such as tuna poke bowls, hangover brunch blat, deliciously f*ck-up-free baked fish, lazy-ass loaded nachos, and a big-ass buddha bowl with spicy chickpeas. The instructions are clear and conversational, and the plentiful accompanying photographs make it easy to visualize what the final product should look like.\n\nOne Pot of the Day by Kate McMillan\n\nWith a focus on healthiness, freshness, and seasonality, One Pot of the Day features three hundred and sixty-five recipes (that is, one for every day of the year) that can be made or finished in just a single pot. In addition to detailed instructions and helpful illustrations, Kate McMillan provides a colorful calendar at the beginning of each chapter that explains which meals are most appropriate for the ingredients, occasions, and weather that characterize the month in question, making it possible to stay both local and seasonal when planning meals. The included recipes range from slow-cooked favorites such as stews to quick and easy dishes such as stir-fries and paellas, which means readers can also mix and match in terms of the amount of time and effort they want to commit to cooking on a given day. The wide range of dishes covered, including vegetarian options, as well as the suggestions for garnishes and side dishes, guarantee that the book has something to satisfy every craving and suit every skill level.\n\nCoconut & Sambal: Recipes from My Indonesian Kitchen by Lara Lee\n\nIn Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from My Indonesian Kitchen, Lara Lee transports readers to the tropical and bountiful islands of Indonesia, where the food features complex flavors, unique ingredients, and captivating spice mixes. Through clear explanations of straightforward techniques and introductions to lesser-known ingredients (as well as warnings about spice levels!), she elucidates how Indonesian cookery can be mastered in stages, meaning that even the most complicated-looking dishes are achievable with a little practice. Among the included recipes are classic Indonesian dishes such as nasi goreng, beef rendang, sop buntut, and nasi uduk, as well as a host of different sambals, all of which offer flavors that are not commonly experienced outside of Indonesia. The wonderfully illustrated book presents a tempting culinary tour of the different Indonesian regions, highlighting popular dishes and signature ingredients and interspersing the appealing recipes with engaging tales of island life.\n\nMilk Street: Cookish: Throw It Together by Christopher Kimball\n\nIt\u2019s clear from the outset that Christopher Kimball\u2019s Milk Street: Cookish: Throw It Together is concerned with making food and cooking both fun and achievable. The recipes are limited to six ingredients (excluding salt, pepper, oil, and water), and the majority require the use of simple techniques and only one piece of cookware. Time is also a key concern, meaning that none of the recipes require hours and hours of preparation and cooking time. In fact, most of the recipes take only around thirty minutes to complete. Rather than concentrating on any particular cuisine, the book includes recipes from around the world, ranging from Indian-spiced seared and steamed green beans to ginger-hoisin roasted whole cauliflower, arugula and avocado salad with jalapeno vinaigrette to pan-seared broccolini with pork and oyster sauce. Although the global nature of the included recipes means that some feature unusual and sometimes difficult (and relatively expensive) to acquire ingredients, Kimball offers alternatives where possible, which means that the book should suit cooks from every location and with every budget.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Dec-2020 20:17:11", "publisher": "Weldon Owen", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009345015", "title": "The Story of China: The Epic History of a World Power from the Middle Kingdom to Mao and the China Dream", "author": "Michael Wood", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 254, "review": "The clearest introduction to this inclusive history of China appears on page one hundred thirty-three: \u2018It is an extraordinary fact, \u2026. that in the modern Western world an idea has taken root that China has been a monolithic and unchanging civilization, inward-looking and resistant to outside influence.\u2019 Michael Wood chronicles the saga of China\u2019s cultural, political, economic, and social history, launching the account with a series of rulers, natural disasters, and wars.

By any definition, The Story of China is beyond a sourcebook, but rather a gestalt, a collection of remarkable features unified in a single text. So how do we delve into this treasure chest? A \u2018Once upon a time\u2026\u201d approach does no justice to the giants and so-called ordinary people, men and women both, whose contributions in politics and poetry, invention, and trading defy any attempt to pigeon-hole.

The series of maps prefacing the book shows how in 221 BCE, under the rule of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, the country took a single identity and the geography of the country expanded. Three series of illustrations assemble traditional paintings and photographs, images from the distant past to the twenty-first century.

In 1974, an extraordinary army of terracotta soldiers introduced a China beyond the Yellow River and the Yangtze, to the transformation from successive dynasties to a Republic. Wood recounts chapters to be enjoyed in limited doses or risk the old cartoon where a teacher is declaiming to his class and a young boy raises his hand to protest: Sir, my brain is full!\u2019", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2021", "date_added": "27-Dec-2020 19:52:46", "publisher": "St. Martin's", "page_count": "624 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009344003", "title": "The Singularity Transfer", "author": "Dan Grant", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 491, "review": "After the momentum and success of The Singularity Witness, the first book in the series, tensions are ratcheted up and matters are brought to a whole new level in the sequel, The Singularity Transfer. Like its predecessor, the story grabs you by the throat on the first page and doesn\u2019t let go. Faced-paced, intense, concise; it\u2019s a book that is the epitome of a race to the finish, only you have no idea how exactly things are going to end, as you hang on the edge of your seat, nerves frayed.

Thomas Parker\u2019s world has turned upside down (after the events of The Singularity Witness) but all he really cares about is FBI Special Agent Kate Morgan whom he thinks is his girlfriend. Having recently spent a very memorable and out-of-this-world vacation together, he just wants to be with her, but once they returned to their lives it was like she ceased to exist. No matter what he does to get in touch with her, he receives no response. But Parker has bigger problems right now with intruders invading his home looking for his research. The Singularity Transfer explodes with a nail-bitingly intense home invasion that ends in a great cliffhanger.

Things go from bad to worse for Parker as he is kidnapped, then thinks himself rescued, only to find it more a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire, as he is given an ultimatum to agree and help using his revolutionary research because of what he did, or disappear from the world and become a pawn for the US government where he\u2019ll probably never see the light of day again if they so decide. Fortunately, he does have Morgan back in his life and learns she had her reasons for shutting him out, and it\u2019s going to take their working together to get through this, as clandestine groups from around the world are involved, and it goes as high as the vice president of the United States.

Dan Grant definitely knows what it takes to write a \u201cthriller\u201d: the chapters are nice and short; the plot complex, featuring numerous subplot tendrils; the characters are engaging and interesting; and the reader never knows where the story is going to go next, keeping them guessing. At times it seems like Grant might be playing with the reader a little, after an especially intense scene, there\u2019s a breather with the end of the chapter, and then with the start of the next one it\u2019s like he\u2019s saying: \u201cYou ready for this?\u201d

It is not required to have read the previous book to enjoy The Singularity Transfer, for Grant does a great job of cluing the reader in on what they\u2019ve missed and how it relates to what\u2019s going on, the story becomes so interesting that the reader ends up wanting to read the first book anyway. For fans of the thriller genre, this one is a pure delight.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "26-Dec-2020 18:27:27", "publisher": "MindScape Press, Inc", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009343003", "title": "Roller Rink Starlight: A Memoir", "author": "William Hart", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 381, "review": "A nostalgic tour down an unforgettable moment in time, filled with compelling characters and charming remembrances, all forming a memorable literary experience. Roller Rink Starlight written by William Hart, tells the story of his coming of age and the sometimes painful, yet always entertaining life lessons that come with it.

With great courage he describes the exhilaration and frustrations of first love. The Alaskan landscape in which the Roller rink takes place is a lovingly detailed feast for the imagination. The youthful social structure is presented with great effect and his first love Katy Linsey, is a charming aspect to the overall narrative.

Teenage life is generally an odyssey of tiny failures, exciting triumphs, and great embarrassments. Hart is perfectly at home in each of these defining elements of his youth. Parents are starting to pull away or rather allowing the kids to build their own identities. New friends and girls become important influences and we see Hart blossom from his newfound freedom.

Roller Rink Starlight is a compelling memoir that succeeds where many similar works within the overstuffed genre fail. In fact, Hart masterfully steers the book over all the usual pitfalls that stifle lesser authors as they set out to recall their past. He never comes off as self-important or self-serving. There is a fresh and lively atmosphere that permeates throughout the whole book. The author uses commendable moderation and restraint in his descriptions. Sentences never felt too flowery nor do the sections drag.

Readers in today\u2019s world have many avenues in which to indulge their appetites for biography, nonfiction, or memoirs. In this overabundance of content, the common criticism of lesser memoirs is that many are merely uninteresting. The narrative of a person\u2019s life fails to move the indifferent reader and the book suffers. When an engaging memoir like this one does rise above the crowd it can be reviving to the reader.

This lovely book achieves this lofty goal and then some. It perfectly captures that essential need and desire for storytellers to share their experiences. For a life story to take flight and separate itself from its primary participant. This book is an experience, a rich, colorful, charming, and elegantly crafted experience. One that any reader would be pleased to take part in and which many similar books strive to duplicate.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "24-Dec-2020 06:18:59", "publisher": "Epigraph Books", "page_count": "255 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009342003", "title": "No Birds Sing Here", "author": "Daniel V. Meier, Jr.", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 415, "review": "Beckman is a writer running away from his father who wants him to go to law school and join his Washington law firm.

He\u2019s working as a dishwasher in a rundown diner somewhere in the southeastern United States. He thinks using psychokinesis may be the solution to control Herschel, a mentally handicapped co-worker from his habit of ritually urinating on him. Beckman goes to a local bookstore to see if he can find a book on the subject, psychokinesis not ritual urinating on people, and has a conversation with Malany, a poet who uses the premises to try to sell her self-published book.

Despite never having met before, Malany asks Beckman if she can stay with him and he says yes. They drive to his apartment above the diner. She says no to sex with him but \u201cI won\u2019t object to masturbating you, if you want.\u201d

They're mutually disagreeable to one another for a couple of days until Herschel appears, attempts to urinate on them and they flee thus beginning a disturbing journey of self-discovery.

From there the book gets really weird.

On their way to California (where else) they encounter a paraplegic bookstore proprietor with the hots for Malany, a good ol' boy redneck with a predisposition for prostitutes, a predatory homosexual professor with the hots for the good ol' boy, his salacious wife with the hots for Beckman, and a psycho-hillbilly.

One gets the impression author Daniel V. Meier, Jr., imagined a bunch of gross, distasteful, and sexually perverse scenarios, put them in a bag, added a dozen or so stereotypical cliched characters, plus hackneyed philosophical musing about the nature and purpose of art, shook it all up and emptied it all on a table, or more appropriately into his computer. No Birds Sing Here is an attempt to take these sordid contents and somehow cobble them into a story. The protagonist has no goal or motivation nor do any of the other characters. Neither is there a cohesive plot; themes are presented and abandoned.

Meier\u2019s attempt at profundity includes passages like this: \u201cBeing lost, to Beckman, was not simple disorientation. It was continued existence continued. Life after death, and he didn\u2019t know what made him think of that. Was existence continued without meaning or purpose? If there was life after death, then it must be like being eternally lost.\u201d

The one and perhaps the only thing that rings true and deserves praise in this literary misadventure is the title, No Birds Sing Here.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Dec-2020 21:03:03", "publisher": "BQB Publishing", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "ARC", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000009341003", "title": "Victories Greater Than Death", "author": "Charlie Jane Anders", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Natalie - Age 10", "word_count": 158, "review": "This book is great. I enjoyed the originality of the storyline and the uniqueness of the characters. I definitely think that the rating \u2019thirteen and up\u2019 is a good one because it says a lot of cuss words and some inappropriate things. I liked the front cover art because it really captured how Tina looked and I thought the style was glorious. I like how I could feel what was happening and it was almost like I was there. The characters weren\u2019t boring and they seemed real. The book is definitely for older readers and not for children. It is a reasonable length and I wasn\u2019t disappointed. The back summary doesn\u2019t give away too much information and it makes me want to read the book. This was a great read and I recommend it for anyone looking for a great science fiction book. The book is an action-packed, amazingly real story, and an amazing example of science fiction.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Dec-2020 23:37:42", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009339003", "title": "The Immortal Serpent", "author": "K.E. Barron", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 463, "review": "I feel when I start reading a new fantasy book it has to have a number of qualities that guarantee I\u2019ll keep reading and not get me so annoyed I\u2019ll just quit reading the book entirely. Spoiler alert, The Immortal Serpent has these qualities, which kept me reading and made me really enjoy the book. A good story is a must for any book to keep the reader interested, but compelling characters that help drive the story forward and work well together are also a must. Also, when it comes to fantasy, I need to be able to read the character names without tripping upon them every time and throwing me out of the story. In the Immortal Serpent, we have Jeth, Anwarr, Vidya, and our resident baddie, the Overlord of Herran. See, easy to read and say names, but they\u2019re also different because you know this is fantasy and a whole new and interesting world. Maps are also a plus, as they help show where your characters are and where they\u2019re going; Immortal Serpent has two easy to read and well-detailed maps to enjoy.

The book begins with a prologue of sorts as we meet one of our main characters, Vidya, going through her transformation, though we don\u2019t really know what\u2019s going on or why, but the details, description, and imagery paint a strong and clear picture so that even if we don\u2019t fully understand, we\u2019re left wanting to learn more. Then we switch to our other main character, Jeth, and through a series of chapters we learn he\u2019s not really happy where he is, he doesn\u2019t fit in, he\u2019s insulted and ridiculed for being \u201cfae,\u201d and just wants to be somewhere else. And just when it seems like things aren\u2019t going to change and the story is at risk of becoming boring, a big event happens, and everything gets kicked up to a whole new level. The pacing increases and the reader is now firmly hooked, wondering what\u2019s going to happen next, where are things going to lead, and how they are all going to come together.

Branded as in the style of George R. R. Martin and Brandon Sanderson, Immortal Serpent does duty to these two epic fantasy writers with a compelling story, good writing, interesting characters, and an intriguing world. I also learned there are references and links to a previous book, Eye of Verishten (also by Barron), that I\u2019m now intrigued about. But this book goes further than Sanderson does, and in a different way to Martin, with graphic language and sex and gory description that just makes the story feel more visceral and real. If you\u2019re a fan of the fantasy genre and non-humans going on interesting quests, then The Immortal Serpent is the book for you.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "20-Dec-2020 21:21:14", "publisher": "Foul Fantasy Fiction", "page_count": "442 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009338003", "title": "The Best of Me", "author": "David Sedaris", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julie Blum", "word_count": 191, "review": "Although I am not usually a fan of compilations of old work or \u201cclip shows,\u201d The Best of Me by David Sedaris has me alternately laughing out loud and feeling both uncomfortable and melancholy. These feelings of discomfort and bittersweet sadness are not bad feelings in this context, because they come from a place of empathy and evoke a desire to learn more as Sedaris takes me through his \u201cold work.\u201d Even though I have read and listened to much of his work before, this compilation provides a fresh perspective of what Sedaris believes to be the best of him.

Sedaris\u2019s classic wit and weirdness (again, not using this pejoratively; the lines are blurry between these descriptors) come through in every short essay. His observational skills and his ability to describe those observations are second-to-none. It is always a pleasure to read or hear anything from Mr. Sedaris.

From Me Talk Pretty One Day to Nuit of the Living Dead, you\u2019ll be laughing, or maybe crying, but I can guarantee you\u2019ll be feeling like a member of humanity and enjoying yourself when you read The Best of Me by David Sedaris.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "20-Dec-2020 19:22:34", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009337139", "title": "Stupid Baby", "author": "Stephanie Blake", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "Simon likes to build things with his blocks. He has built a tall rocket, a very, very tall rocket, which then explodes. Ka-boom! Mommy tells Simon he has to play quietly. There is a new baby, a tiny new baby, in the house. Simon is not very happy about this new baby. He wishes the stupid baby would go back to where it came from. Simon worries about how long the stupid baby has been there and wonders if it will ever go away. It cries and takes up Simon\u2019s parents' time. He asks when the stupid baby will go back to the hospital, but his parents say he is Simon\u2019s new baby brother and he\u2019s there to stay. What is Simon to do?

Stephanie Blake has written a perfectly charming book about how an older sibling often feels about the new interloper who has come to disrupt his or her perfect life. The text has a lot of humor and a lot of heart. The cute, cartoony illustrations add to the sense of fun. Little ones will get the message and will fall in love with this sweet book. Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "18-Dec-2020 20:40:40", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009337115", "title": "It's a Mitig!", "author": "Bridget George", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 200, "review": "An array of lively creatures and things of Mother Earth are introduced in the Ojibwe language in this original picture book. Children discover that the bright yellow sun that rises high in the sky is called giizis and ashigans are the scaley critters residing in the deep, blue sea. They learn that the creepy, crawly, slithery reptiles are referred to as ginebigs in Ojibwe, and the acorn-loving, tree-dwellers are ajidamoos. The tall, leafy, bark-covered giants are mitigs, and even the bumblebees that swarm around the brilliant-colored flowers in the summertime have a special name in Ojibwe - aamoos.

This is a creative feast of language, learning, and playful illustrations. Children will love trying to pronounce the tricky, authentic words, and they\u2019ll thrive on the challenge of guessing what the descriptions represent before viewing the pictures that accompany them.

Words are thoughtfully chosen, with just a few scattered here and there, making it a perfect bedtime story. The target audience is children ages four to eight, and the reading level is approximately second grade with the exception of the Ojibwe words. It\u2019s a Mitig! will likely become a favorite in the households of many. It\u2019s unique and offers youth an adventurous read.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "18-Dec-2020 20:19:17", "publisher": "Douglas & McIntyre", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009337111", "title": "Lilliana and the Frogs", "author": "Scot Ritchie", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liliana - Age 11", "word_count": 213, "review": "Lilliana and the Frogs is a cute story about a little girl and her frogs. Lilliana loves to catch Chorus frogs, but she soon realizes they can escape. They jump everywhere and are very loud! They run all the way back to the pond. Lilliana realizes that the frogs need their own space.

I found out that this book was based on the author's childhood, and a pond called the Lily Pond. The pond is now a protected site for frogs. I thought Lilliana\u2019s character was very adventurous and fun-loving.\nThe pictures really helped me see inside Lilliana\u2019s world. The frogs were kind of funny because they wanted to get out and go back home. \nThis story was written well, but the author could've made up for the unoriginal storyline with some fun adjectives or more sensory details.\nI think the moral of the story is that reptiles are living beings just like us and need their own habitat, and routine. I feel the illustrations were unique and modern. I thought the illustrator could have added more colorful details, but there was a lot of green which I guess made sense because the story was about nature and frogs.

I think this is definitely a book for younger kids ages three to six.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "18-Dec-2020 20:16:39", "publisher": "Harbour Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009337099", "title": "Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball", "author": "Jen Bryant", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 512, "review": "Elgin Baylor was raised in Washington D.C. He and his friends would play stickball in the street because the parks were for whites only. At night, he and his friends would tunnel under the fences and go play basketball on a real court. When he was a teenager, there finally was a hoop for him and his friends to play. They had to play with other balls until they finally got a basketball. Elgin let his body do the talking on the court. He had moves like no one had ever seen before.

After high school, Elgin went to college at the College of Idaho and then later transferred to Seattle, where he led his team to the college championships. While there Rosa Parks, sat down and wouldn\u2019t give up her seat, making the dawn of change. In 1958, he was chosen by the Minneapolis Lakers. Things were hard then because the NBA didn\u2019t sell a lot of tickets. At the same time, another group was practicing sitting down at a counter in a white-only restaurant waiting to be served.

Elgin had a problem in West Virginia where they barely had a place to stay and then there were no restaurants that he could eat in. So, that night, Elgin sat out of the game, letting people know \u201cI\u2019m a human being. And I want to be treated like one.\u201d Showing that sometimes you have to sit down to stand up. People noticed, and the NBA made a rule that they wouldn\u2019t stay anywhere that practiced discrimination. In 1959, Elgin made rookie of the year, and two years later, the Lakers moved to Los Angeles. Elgin continued to do what he always did: show what he could do on the court.

Text: The text is longer, but it\u2019s a non-fiction biography so it's just right. I think Elgin Baylor is depicted very well. It was interesting to know some of the details of the struggles Elgin went through because he wasn\u2019t white.

Illustrations: The illustrator outdid himself. These spreads are stunning. I love the feel of the book as a style that feels like a biography of an athlete, but also someone from the 1950s. They are detailed and bright.

Parent Perspective: I think this book is a must-have in the home or school library. It is a great book on showing how people were treated wasn\u2019t right and needed to be corrected and how a great man and several others handled the situation to make it right. I also love how they handled the situation by sitting down to stand up.

Kid Perspective: My son likes basketball. He thinks it\u2019s terrible that someone wouldn\u2019t be allowed to play because of the color of their skin. He\u2019s glad that Elgin Baylor helped changed the way he and others were treated.

Educational Perspective: This is an excellent biography of Elgin Baylor, but it also has great information on other historical aspects of ridding the United States of discrimination. I think it would be a great study for a unit or student project.

Age Recommendation: 6 to 12 years.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "18-Dec-2020 20:10:28", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009337087", "title": "Off to See the Sea!", "author": "Nikki Grimes", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "It is bath time and Mom whispers it into her little one\u2019s ear, only to find that the child disappears. It isn\u2019t time for hide-and-seek, but that seems to be what the youngster decides to play. Anything to put off the bath. But after a little convincing, they are in the bathroom, and when Mom turns on the faucet, it becomes a roaring waterfall. Mom slip-slides the child into the tub and there is now a soft-scented sea filled with monsters (in the form of a yellow rubber ducky) and glistening soap bubbles, the water smacking the distant shore (or bathroom floor). Take a deep dive, read your floating book, and watch the ocean swirl away after Mom pulls the plug. Then off to bed.

Author Nikki Grimes and illustrator Elizabeth Zunon have created another sweet picture book that will remind readers of their earlier work, Bedtime for Sweet Creatures. The charming illustrations in fun, bright colors, mostly cartoon-like with realistic faces, are quite memorable, and seem like the right background for Grimes's imaginative, lyrical text. This is perfect to settle youngsters down for bed and has \u201cread it again\u201d written all over it.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "18-Dec-2020 20:01:26", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Kids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009337079", "title": "Lost in Nowhere (Legacy in Legend Book 3)", "author": "Barbara Pietron", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 190, "review": "When Jeni Stonewall begins to hone her spiritual abilities, she doesn\u2019t expect to attract the ghost of a pioneer girl. The girl, Marielle, requests Jeni\u2019s help to save the soul of her true love. Jeni agrees to help in exchange for knowing more about her family\u2019s mysterious past.

As soon as Jeni begins her quest, she is haunted by mysterious visions of Marielle\u2019s past in which she is in Marielle\u2019s body. However, Jeni realizes she is going back in time in these visions, and rewriting history. Intent on saving Marielle\u2019s love, Jeni strays too far into the spirit world. But this time, it\u2019s not giving her back. Desperate to get home, Jeni encounters danger, witches, and a strange man who has ominous plans for her. Will Jeni be able to save herself and her mission, or will she fall prey to a powerful force she has no hope of defeating?

I thought this book was very entertaining. It was a delightful read with spooky elements, plenty of action, cute romance, and mystery. I also loved the thrilling cliff-hanger. It makes me want to read the entire next book in one seating!", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "18-Dec-2020 19:48:00", "publisher": "Scribe Publishing", "page_count": "348 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009337067", "title": "Black Buck", "author": "Mateo Askaripour", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 194, "review": "Darren Vender (apt name for a salesman) is a happy-go-lucky supervisor at Starbucks. His crew likes and respects him. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of his products, the names of his customers and their preferences. He lives with his Mom in Bedford Stuyvesant in their co-op they share with an aged friend. He is at home in the neighborhood and satisfied with his life and love. Those around him, however, know that he has greater potential despite only a high school degree. One day, he meets a king maker at the coffee shop and is given a rare opportunity to achieve status, wealth, and a place in a high functioning team.

Like many corporate training sessions, they break Darren down in order to build him back up and initiate him into the team. His name is changed to the humiliation of Buck, short, they say for Starbucks. He is the only black person in the firm. Darren learns and masters sales techniques which are summarized in this book. The essential question of this well-written novel is how much humanity are we willing to sacrifice in order to attain success? An apt theme for our time.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "18-Dec-2020 19:35:15", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009337063", "title": "Ghosted", "author": "Michael Fry", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zara - Age 11", "word_count": 124, "review": "Hey, any ghosts here??

Ghosted is a short and easy read about two friends having to finish their to-do list before one of them moves on to their other life. Larry is a quiet boy who just wants to live in the shadows without any drama. He meets Grimm, who well, wants the opposite!

The book Ghosted has small doodles throughout pages that help you visualize what happens. Other than that, I don't think the illustrations are that fun.

I would think this book is for younger children who like Timmy Failure and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but probably not for anybody older than ten. I don't recommend this book overall, but again, maybe it just wasn't for the right age group.

\"Yep, Grimm is STILL here.\"", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "17-May-2021", "date_added": "18-Dec-2020 19:32:35", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009337059", "title": "Escape Pod: The Science Fiction Anthology", "author": "Edited by Mur Lafferty", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 219, "review": "To celebrate its fifteenth year anniversary, the Hugo Award-nominated podcast Escape Pod published its first anthology of science fiction short stories. Editors Mur Lafferty and S. B. Divya curated Escape Pod: fifteen stories from fifteen authors, award-winning writers who contributed their craft to the podcast. Highlighting the differences in oral versus written fiction, only one of the stories has been featured in the podcast.

Many stories take a serious tone, touching on social issues like classism and racism. Characters vary from time-traveling midwives to space-traveling theater geeks, to teddy bear spiders. Sarah Gailey\u2019s Tiger Lawyer Gets It Right is an alien planet court drama about the struggles of taking on big corporations but with an actual tiger as the defense attorney. Greg Van Eekhout\u2019s Spaceship October, Escape Pod episode 775, takes place on a generational spaceship where the privileged have all the advantages and the have-nots will do anything to survive.

Diverse authors highlight the evolution of the sci-fi genre. Anyone who survived 2020 would find common ground with N.K. Jemsin\u2019s heroine and pet dragon, as they battle the lazy, mediocre leaders of The Towers.

Podcast fans will undoubtedly enjoy this book, as they experience stories written by their favorite \"escape artists.\" For the uninitiated in the Escape Pod universe, consider this anthology as an invitation to the new fiction revolution.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2021", "date_added": "18-Dec-2020 19:26:14", "publisher": "Titan Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009337035", "title": "Dark Tides: A Novel (2) (The Fairmile Series)", "author": "Philippa Gregory", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 205, "review": "Having read Philippa Gregory\u2019s very underwhelming first novel in the Fairmile Series, Tidelands, I was hesitantly hopeful that her second installment, Dark Tides, would be an improvement. Unfortunately, that is not the case. When we left the main characters at the end of the last book, the mother and daughter team had decided to head to London and away from the horrible treatment they had faced in Sussex. The author begins Dark Tides twenty years later, where Alinor, still fragile from the drowning incident, and Alys, now run a small warehouse for receiving ships on the Thames. Alys\u2019 twins, Sarah and Johnnie are both apprenticed and contribute as much as possible as well. Their calm lives are suddenly turned upside down by the appearance of three people: James Avery, the man who deserted Alinor when she was pregnant, Livia da Ricci, proclaimed widow of Rob, Alinor\u2019s son who went to Venice to become a doctor, and Matteo, Robert\u2019s apparent son.

Philippa Gregory is a wonderful writer of historical fiction, particularly when the stories involve the monarchy. Perhaps she should steer clear of the writing of those who lead \u2018little lives\u2019 out of the public eye. She does not seem to have the same love for them.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2021", "date_added": "18-Dec-2020 18:59:10", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009337031", "title": "The Complete Guide to Drawing Dynamic Manga Sword Fighters", "author": "Natsuo", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Raif - Age 12", "word_count": 213, "review": "This is an interesting and useful book. In terms of applying what you have learned after reading it, it is useful for trying to draw the poses that the book describes, but it is not very useful for extending what it says to drawing other types of poses.

It contains ways to focus on the feet and on the head, and it features different aged swordfighters wielding different weapons. It also describes how to draw the various accessories and hairstyles of the different swordfighters, although it is somewhat limited on the hair and accessories it teaches you to draw.

Some of the things are limited to use in only the specific situations that you are drawing, like there are images for \u201cin fire\u201d or \u201cunderwater,\u201d but those are details for very specific scenes and the information about what is needed to create those details in those scenes is not given a lot of instruction. Some instructions are given for using computer-aided drawing tools.

The clear instructions given for the drawings that are provided, and those for drawing humans, are really helpful, especially because they can be used in all your drawings. The descriptions of weapons are also useful and interesting, and they can be used for drawing in any format, not just manga.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "18-Dec-2020 18:55:51", "publisher": "Tuttle Publishing", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009336047", "title": "Ella's Night Lights", "author": "Lucy Fleming", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 240, "review": "Ella, just a tiny, delicately winged, young girl, wishes desperately she could see the sunrise. Her fragile wings can\u2019t withstand the bright light. So, she flutters about in the darkness, collecting light from the twinkling stars and from reflections of the moon. She shares her light with anyone who has lost their way in the dimness of the night like the fox who is cold and lonely and the owl who is huddling in a nearby tree, frightened and alone. In return, they protect her from the luminescence of the coming dawn, making sure she reaches home before its arrival. As a gift for her kindness, they construct a tent of darkness around her home, enabling her to watch her first sunrise.

This is a precious story about hope and dreams, caring and friendship. Ella\u2019s size is no mistake; her daintiness allows her to blend in perfectly with her animal friends. She\u2019s a creation of brilliance - a unique little girl with brittle wings that allow her to fly but not be exposed to the sun\u2019s damaging rays. Children will find her enduring and otherworldly. They\u2019ll join in her sadness when the morning sun takes her fun away and rejoice in her excitement when her dream turns into reality. Additionally, youth will love the brilliantly crafted illustrations that bring the tale to life. The gorgeous hues and vivid details will allure them. This will likely be a favorite for many.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "17-Dec-2020 18:37:24", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009335003", "title": "How My Brain Works: A Guide to Understanding it Better and Keeping it Healthy", "author": "Dr. Barbara Koltuska-Haskin", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 96, "review": "The compassionate therapist\u2019s voice reverberates like a trusted source, offering wise and thoughtful counsel on maintaining a healthy brain. With more than thirty years of clinical experience, Dr. Koltuska-Haskins demystifies the process of neuropsychological testing, breaking down its benefits for anyone who is concerned about memory, cognitive, and emotional functioning. People in recovery from brain injury will glean insights on the healing effects of diet, exercise, sleep, meditation, and gratitude practices. Check out photos from the author\u2019s own herb garden, an additional salve to an already healthful and healing read. ---Maileen Hamto, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Dec-2020 05:15:46", "publisher": "Golden Word Books", "page_count": "152 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009334003", "title": "Shine Until Tomorrow", "author": "Carla Malden", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi", "word_count": 435, "review": "Tamara, or Mari as she prefers it, Caldwell is ready for summer but not for the reasons we would expect. She has a full schedule of workshops, community service hours, and an internship in order to fill her application for her Early Decision to Yale. It\u2019s her dream, and she\u2019ll do anything to make it true. But she\u2019s also missing simple stuff like going to parties or even the beach. So when she sees in her transcript, in her Photography class to be specific, instead of 4.0, the word \u201cIncomplete\u201d, she can\u2019t accept it. She confronts her teacher who informs her that taking photos isn\u2019t just clicking a button; it\u2019s about living the moment and becoming emotionally involved in it. So, he tells her she has the entire summer in order to bring him back the perfect photograph.

That incident in addition to the fact that her dad is too busy with his work and can\u2019t have her over his house for the weekend is more than she can handle. So she takes her bike and starts pedaling to a destination unknown. All of a sudden, a car appears in front of her, and she loses control of the bike and her senses. When she opens her eyes, a couple approaches her and helps her to her feet but she immediately notices that the way they are dressed is not something from the 2000s fashion. After meeting with the rest of the gang turning out to be a music band in the early stages of their career, she has to deal with the fact that she\u2019s not in 2007 anymore but somehow she's traveled four decades in the past and she\u2019s found herself in the middle of the Summer of Love where the flower children have converged in San Francisco.

Mari knows that this is a mistake and she must find her way back to the present. But is this real or just a figment of her imagination?

Shine Until Tomorrow is a delightful story about a girl, a summer romance, the power of finding your true self, and hippies! It\u2019s a fun, fast-paced, read-in-one-sitting book that will make you want to live in the \u201860s. The plot is clear and orchestrated beautifully; the characters and the setting transport us in a time where the world was a completely different place. Mari, the protagonist, emotionally evolves throughout the story, from a closed-to-herself girl, she becomes someone who is ready to face the world and make a difference. These are the elements that make Shine Until Tomorrow a highly recommended Young Adult book by Carla Malden!", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Dec-2020 02:06:43", "publisher": "Rare Bird Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009333019", "title": "Adventure Girl: Dabi Digs in Israel", "author": "Janice Hechter", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 192, "review": "Dabi\u2019s a natural-born explorer of the Earth, just like her Doda Gili was as a child. Her Ima and Abba take her to Israel to visit her grandparents, and she has the opportunity to spend time with her Aunt Gili. She calls her an \u201cadventure girl\u201d and takes her to a place Dabi will likely hold in her heart forever. At the Beit Guvrin National Park, Dabi participates in an archeological excavation. She unearths an ancient artifact: a ring that\u2019s 3,500 years old. To her and her parents\u2019 delight, she\u2019s honored with a certificate for her discovery.

This is a unique book about a young, adventurous girl who favors plunging into the world of creepy crawlers and sculpting homemade mud pies. She\u2019s by no means a girlie girl, and with her Doda Gili she can be her authentic self. Children will celebrate the trip they take together during which Dabi\u2019s efforts lead her to a successful find. They\u2019ll be heartened by the encouragement her aunt gives her and struck by the life-like, multi-dimensional\u00a0illustrations that grace the pages. The target age range for this original text is youth aged five to nine.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "05-May-2021", "date_added": "17-Dec-2020 01:04:42", "publisher": "Alazar Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009333011", "title": "Alaina and the Great Play", "author": "Eloise Greenfield", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aidyn - Age 6", "word_count": 113, "review": "This story is about Alaina. Alaina is in kindergarten, so she is younger than me. But she was doing a play with second graders! She really did good when she practiced her words with her mother. I remember the time I had to get on the stage like Alaina. I was sooo nervous! Alaina wasn't nervous at all and it made the book so fun, even though it didn't happen until the end.

I wish we could have seen more of the play. Alaina seemed like she really enjoyed the play. And then she even did a flip, just like me! I also liked that the people in the book looked so real!", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "03-Dec-2021", "date_added": "17-Dec-2020 00:58:49", "publisher": "Alazar Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009333007", "title": "The Newcomer: A Novel", "author": "Mary Kay Andrews", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 194, "review": "The Newcomer is an exciting, well-written story that takes the reader into the lives of Letty and her four-year-old niece, Maya. When Letty discovers her sister dead in her New York apartment, she grabs Maya and runs. Tanya, Letty's sister, had told Letty that if anything ever happened to her, the guilty party would be Maya's father/Tanya's ex, Evan. Not knowing where to go, Letty finds a magazine in Tanya's bag that features an adorable little motel called the Murmuring Surf. The book mainly takes place at this quaint and very special motel run by Ava and her son and daughter, Joe and Isabelle. Joe is local law enforcement, which really helps when things start to get crazy at the Murmuring Surf.

The Newcomer has the best characters anyone could ask for as they are all full of personality and color. In fact, they start to become family to Letty and Maya as the story moves forward. Letty even accepts Ava's offer of a job to run the front office at the motel. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Mary Kay Andrews and light mystery and action storylines.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "06-May-2021", "date_added": "17-Dec-2020 00:53:35", "publisher": "St. Martins Publishing", "page_count": "579 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009332007", "title": "The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be", "author": "Joanna Gaines", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 238, "review": "Children gather on a lush hilltop. Supplies are circulated and construction begins on what will soon fill the sky with brilliance. With hard work, originality, and resourcefulness, they are well on their way to manufacturing a collage of majestic hot-air balloons. Each one labors at a different pace and has preferences of his or her own, but all their contributions are significant. The creativeness of one, the extravagance of another, they\u2019re both meaningful and needed. It\u2019s these differences, that when celebrated and pulled together, make the world a better place and fill the horizon with hope and magnificence.

This is a splendid, thoughtful picture book that emphasizes the beauty of togetherness, the gift of ingenuity, and the value of each individual. No one is insignificant; each person has his or her own role to play in this vast universe with, no one being more necessary or important than another.

The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be will appeal to youth ages five to nine. The realistic, detailed illustrations will awaken their senses and tap into their curiosity. The images are unique and perfectly compliment the text; the two combine to produce masterful work.

Educators will find this a wonderful resource for teaching cooperation and kindness. The characters are diverse in ethnicity, creating an overall aura of inclusiveness. Additionally, the depth of the message conveyed makes it prime material for extrapolating purpose and meaning from the narrative.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "15-Dec-2020 22:20:54", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009330107", "title": "The Royal Ranger: The Missing Prince", "author": "John Flanagan", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 131, "review": "Will Treaty and his apprentice Maddie are once again summoned to Castle Araluen on an urgent mission. Only this one will send them past Araluen boarders to Gallica, a country full of conflict, to rescue a prince held prisoner by a powerful Baron. Soon Will and Maddie find themselves on their way to Gallica disguised as jongleurs. But the journey won\u2019t be easy and once there, the adventure is only beginning.

The adventure continues in the fourth Royal Ranger novel. Will and Maddie run into trouble all the way to Gallica, only the trouble didn\u2019t add to the plot, instead, it delayed them for no seeable reason and took up two-thirds of the story. The book ends with a continuation, a cliff hanger that left me impatient for the next one.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 22:11:48", "publisher": "Penguin Group", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009330095", "title": "I Cook in Color: Bright Flavors from My Kitchen and Around the World", "author": "Asha Gomez", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 210, "review": "Migrants bring not only their culture and cuisine to their adopted country, but they also infuse their cooking with culinary traditions from both cultures. This book infuses culinary flavors from several different cultures including South Indian, American Southern, Spanish, American Chinese, and Creole. Most recipes have notes that help with finding substitutes and other useful tips and observations.

The book is divided into nine parts that divide the recipes into drinks, salads, soups, vegetables, seafood, poultry, meats (pork, goat, and lamb), meats (been and venison), and dessert. Each part contains roughly a dozen recipes (ninety-two total). Color pictures of the finished product help the reader to visualize what it should look like, but not all recipes are accompanied by pictures. Some recipes are easy to prepare, but others may need a couple of attempts before the finished dish is as intended. The notes help with finding suitable ingredient substitutes but depending on where readers shop, some of the substitutes may not be easy to find.

As the title claims, the dishes are full of flavor and colorful. Depending on the reader\u2019s pallet, some recipes may need modification to suit (as expected for recipes that cut across several cultures). Overall, a great book to have as a reference for innovative meals.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 21:39:09", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009330087", "title": "Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain", "author": "Lisa Feldman Barrett", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 191, "review": "Distinguished neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett lyrically diagnoses the elusive mystery of that three-pound mass of gel crowned within the cranium that is the remarkable brain. The first chapter looks at possible ancestral relationships among the vertebrates from the anatomy of the primitive aquatic amphioxi or lancelets which possess a dorsal nerve tube and notochord. Using metaphors and analogies, the developing communicating nervous system is compared to air traffic systems where connections for effective usage required hubs for centralization and directed traffic thus indicating how the brain functions as a network. The popularized version of the three-tiered brain modeled on the evolutionary construction of a reptilian base for fundamental needs, then embraced by an emotional limbic layer and finally topped by the thoughtful cerebral cortex is labeled a myth. Read through these thought-provoking images of the tuning and pruning by environmental influences on the myriad early neurons which ultimately sculpt the wiring within the brain. Differentiate between the process of allostasis and homeostasis and its role within the body. This short, concise, readable, thought-challenging view of the complex brain will pique the reader and puzzle the mind wondering what reality really is.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 21:31:26", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009330083", "title": "A Long Road on a Short Day", "author": "Eugene Yelchin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "It is a cold winter day when Samuel\u2019s mother announces she wishes they had a brown-eyed cow to give them milk for Samuel\u2019s baby sister. Father takes down his best knife and asks Samuel to come with him. They must travel a long road on a short day. They visit a nearby farm, where the neighbor\u2019s collie makes Samuel wish his mother wanted something other than a brown-eyed cow. There, Father trades his knife for a pair of lanterns. They walk toward town and visit other members of their community, Father trading each thing he gets at the last place for something better. He even trades for a pony and cart that Samuel thinks is pretty neat, but they have one more stop to make, where Samuel gets a wonderful surprise.

This sweet story will give young readers a taste of old-fashioned country life and how simply people can live. The writing by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney is terrific with a refrain that will carry readers through, and the story and lovely art by Eugene Yelchin will transport young readers to another time and place. This is a great book for young middle-graders.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 21:28:24", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009330067", "title": "Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations", "author": "Melville House", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Jacobs", "word_count": 204, "review": "Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations is a terrific collection of interviews given by Justice Ginsburg. The interviews provide you with some candid conversation with the famed Justice and some very cerebral insight into how she crafted her opinions for the court. The book doesn't earn five stars because some of the interviews provide repeated information which makes the book a little less enjoyable as I felt I wanted to continuously wanted to learn new things about this amazing woman. The author did a nice job of pulling interviews from many decades of Justice Ginsburg's life and they even made sure to include an interview that included Justice Scalia, who was often on the opposing point of view professionally BUT was a terrifically close friend personally. I think my favorite story that was shared involved Ruth's love of opera and her long-held desire to become an opera diva...alas that was not to be as she was monotone (her own words). However, the next best thing is that an opera was written about her and Justice Scalia, who shared Ruth's love of opera, This book is an easy read and gives a wonderful quick glimpse into Justice Ginsburg's long and venerable life.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 20:44:55", "publisher": "Melville House ", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009330055", "title": "The Midnight Fair", "author": "Gideon Sterer", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 209, "review": "This wordless picture book asks what happens after the county fair closes for the people. Who should notice but a group of woodland animals? The animals come in and turn on the power and get ready for an evening of fun. They eat treats ride rides and have the time of their lives until dawn. Will the people know of their fun or will the animals get away with it? The illustrations are gorgeous. Which being a wordless picture book they are the star. Beautiful fair colors. A great depiction of this being at night. I loved the feeling of movement of the rides. It made me laugh to see the porcupine come away with candies of all kinds. I liked that the illustrator used everything from the endpapers to the title page to put illustrations on it.

From a parent's perspective, this book will help your kids' imaginations take flight with the question of what would happen if? I think this is a great book to help children learn the art of storytelling. From a child's perspective, I read this to my baby niece, and she seemed to enjoy it. My three-year-old daughter liked the pictures too. My age recommendation for this book is baby to eight years.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 20:33:37", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009330023", "title": "The Monster in the Hollows: The Wingfeather Saga Book 3", "author": "Andrew Peterson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 13", "word_count": 221, "review": "The Monsters in the Hollows is the third expansion from the beloved Wingfeather Saga, where Janner, Kalmar (Tink), and Leeli fight for the freedom of their countries Skree and Anniera. Join them as the fight for their home continues, as the war, has only just begun.

The Igibys have been voyaging across the sea for days on end, as they finally arrive where Anniera, their home country, once stood, they are shocked to see that after nine years it is still burning.

As they cannot settle there they go over to the Hollows, where Nia, their mother, grew up. A past mistake comes to haunt Kalmar, as he was turned into a gray Fang.

As the people of the Hollows know what the Fangs look like, they think the Wingfeather's betrayed them. Nia manages to convince them that Tink will do nothing wrong. Or will he? As the Igibys journey on, they enroll in the local school, Nia says even the Jewels of Anniera need schooling, with their Schooling and their T.H.A.G.S. they are starting to think they have their plate full, but it can be piled a bit higher. The war is starting.

I enjoy this series, each plot has been exciting and well written, a real page-turner. I recommend this book to kids ten and up who like fantasy and sibling adventures.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 19:26:02", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009330007", "title": "Goosebumps: Creepy Crawly Comics ", "author": "Jen Vaughn", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 179, "review": "Just when readers thought they knew every bump in the night, supernatural creature, or a monster hiding in their closet, three new stories are unearthed to give you those spine-tingling chills you've been searching for. Three all-new original Goosebumps tales are all combined into one large graphic novel. Revisit the land of terror, Horrorland, with Mia and Ginny when they visit their grandma for the summer. Watch what apps you download; your phone might turn against you in, Download, and Die. See what happens when someone finally buys the old haunted house in Beaver Creek. Is the new neighbor more than meets the eye?

It's time for a new generation of readers to get scared in a whole new collection of Goosebumps tales. Modified for today's readers' Goosebumps Creepy Crawly Comics blends new technology, current terms, updated artwork, and an entire new diverse cast. However, fans of the Goosebumps series never fear these three frightful tales still keep a nod to the classic, bringing back some of the familiar Goosebumps elements. After all, Slappy is never too far away.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 18:57:45", "publisher": "IDW Publishing", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009329135", "title": "Down World", "author": "Rebecca Phelps", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 167, "review": "There is a portal under the school. A portal to the past, present, and future. Marina is still grieving for her brother, who was hit by a train several years ago, but there was no body found, he simply vanished. Marina goes through the portal and finds him there, setting off a chain reaction that could destroy the world she knows.

Marina falls head over heels for a boy a couple years older than her, only he has a girlfriend. Unfortunately, there is no change of pace from other YA novels, so he initially seems to return the feeling. It doesn\u2019t last and she moves on in about a day. None of the relationships seem real, like they're together for the sake of being together. Marina comments several times that she wishes others would stop treating her like a child, but they're not. They're being sensible. Toward the end, the story really starts to pick up, only to lead to what I felt was a disappointing ending.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2021", "date_added": "15-Dec-2020 00:52:26", "publisher": "Wattpad Books", "page_count": "360 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000009329131", "title": "Of Women and Salt: A Novel", "author": "Gabriel Garcia", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 221, "review": "When people hear the terms immigration, asylum, or deportation, they often have a single story in mind to justify their feelings on the topic. But as Garcia\u2019s novel Of Women and Salt achingly shows us, these stories are more complicated and tragic than we will ever understand in a two-minute sound bite.

Jeanette, a young woman battling addiction, briefly takes in a young girl, Ana, when her mother is deported. Jeanette\u2019s mother, Carmen, herself an immigrant from Cuba, encourages Jeanette to turn the girl over to the police. What follows are alternating stories from each woman and some of their family members on the choices they had to make to survive and hope their children could thrive. Tracing journeys from Cuba and El Salvador to the United States, the reader learns of all their sacrifices\u2013\u2013how much they loved their children, how they helped them so much and also helped them so little.

Garcia\u2019s prose is descriptive but spare. She presents each character\u2019s situation without judgement and allows the reader to grapple with the ramifications. In many ways, this approach is more powerful than using a lot of editorializing. This book has stayed with me for a long time and I think it will with any reader. It asks the questions that are the hardest to answer, but we must answer them.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "06-Dec-2021", "date_added": "15-Dec-2020 00:50:21", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009329119", "title": "Nora: A Love Story of Nora and James Joyce", "author": "Nuala O'Connor", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 1290, "review": "Biographies & Memoirs Roundup\n\nAs the great novelist and short story writer Franz Kafka noted in The Trial, \u201cIt's sometimes quite astonishing that a single, average life is enough to encompass so much...\u201d If the biographies and memoirs included in this list are anything to go by, it certainly seems that the average life is really very far from average.\n\nEasy Crafts for the Insane: A Mostly Funny Memoir of Mental Illness and Making Things by Kelly Williams Brown\n\nAs its title suggests, Easy Crafts for the Insane: A Mostly Funny Memoir of Mental Illness and Making Things is a highly unusual book that combines basic crafting tutorials with moving and amusing biographical aspects in an effort to help readers tackle mental health issues. Kelly Williams Brown was riding high in life after writing a bestselling book, launching a lucrative speaking career, and having a fairy tale wedding, but she was brought crashing down to reality by a series of misfortunes, including physical injuries, family illness, and divorce. In fact, things became so bad that she had to spend time as an in-patient in a mental health facility. Her own experience of the positive impacts of crafting, which helped her get through her darkest days, inspired Williams Brown to write this highly autobiographical, undeniably practical, and very entertaining self-help book. She found that a range of crafts, none of them particularly complicated, helped to motivate her and provide a sense of accomplishment, such as embroidery, lettering, block printing, origami, and making tiny stars, thousands of tiny stars. Aside from relating events from her own life, both the good and the decidedly not good, in an effort to help and inspire those in similar situations, she also provides straightforward guidance on how to do a number of the crafts that helped her quieten her mind and cope with difficult times. \n\nLittle and Often: A Memoir by Trent Preszler\n\nTrent Preszler had been estranged from his father for so long that he had given up any hope of reconciliation between them and reconciled himself to the lack of a relationship, which is why it came as a major shock when his father telephoned and invited him to spend Thanksgiving at the family home in South Dakota. Busy in his new role as CEO of a wine company based on Long Island, Preszler was doubtful about the wisdom of accepting the invitation, although he ultimately agreed to make the trip. That Thanksgiving turned out to be the last time he saw his father, who subsequently died of cancer, leaving Preszler a legacy in the form of an old wooden toolbox and a mass of unanswered questions. At first puzzled by the gift of the toolbox since he wasn\u2019t renowned for his DIY or building skills, Preszler decided that he would learn how to use his father\u2019s tools and build a wooden canoe, which he would launch to make the first anniversary of his father\u2019s passing. Little and Often: A Memoir is a moving account of Preszler\u2019s time spent working on the canoe and mulling over the events of the past in an attempt to better understand his father and their (lack of a) relationship. It\u2019s a tale of self-discovery and of the complex relationships between fathers and sons, and by telling it, Preszler manages to achieve a sense of acceptance through channeling his creativity toward something that signifies hope.\n\nI'm Gonna Say It Now: The Writings of Phil Ochs by Phil Ochs\n\nWhile best known as a songwriter, Phil Ochs was also an immensely talented short story writer, poet, journalist, diarist, political commentator, critic, and travel writer. In fact, when it came to words, he was a something of a polymath. I'm Gonna Say It Now: The Writings of Phil Ochs is a treasure trove of exquisite and insightful writing that collects Ochs\u2019 non-musical works from his early days as a student at Staunton Military Academy and then Ohio State University, through to his heyday and political awakening as part of the folk scene of New York during the 1960s, and on to the more melancholic and polemic pieces that characterized his later years. Over the course of his lifetime, Ochs produced numerous stories, poems, essays, articles, and reviews that expertly addressed their topics while also revealing his thoughts, hope, and concerns for individuals and for society at large. A truly extensive collection, the book includes many rare pieces as well as previously unpublished works held in the Phil Ochs Papers at the Woody Guthrie Center, in addition to reproductions of journals and notebooks, which shed light on Ochs\u2019 thought and writing processes. It also features a host of never-before-published photographs that serve to augment the impact of the text.\n\nNora: A Love Story of Nora and James Joyce by Nuala O'Connor\n\nThe delightfully named Nora Barnacle was just twenty years old when she first met famed Dubliner James Joyce, then a medical school dropout who had so far failed to launch a career as a writer, and embarked upon a complex and decidedly unconventional relationship that would see the pair of them travel among Europe\u2019s greatest cities, enjoy the highs of celebrity, wealth, and literary success, and endure the lows of mistrust, poverty, infidelity, and mental illness. Their desire for each other was intense but while they both sought a life bigger than that on offer in their native Ireland, they were fundamentally quite different. While Joyce was happy to endure poverty so long as he had sufficient company, booze, and time to write, Nora was troubled by the instability and precarious nature of their lives, particularly the impact that those factors had on their children. Although success did come to the pair, so too did tragedy, and while they remained together until Joyce\u2019s death, their intense relationship was not always a happy one. In Nora: A Love Story of Nora and James Joyce, a truly impressive work of biographical fiction, Nuala O'Connor pens a powerful and incisive account of the life of Nora Joyce, who despite being remembered as \u201cIrish literature\u2019s greatest muse\u201d was really a far more complex, commanding, and intriguing individual than her lasting reputation suggests.\n\nShooting Out the Lights: A Memoir by Kim Fairley\n\n Shooting Out the Lights: A Memoir recounts the early years of Kim Fairley\u2019s marriage to Vern, a man more than thirty years her senior. Fairley considered that she lived a rather solitary life before her work at the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office caused her to meet Vern, the owner of a hardware store in her adopted hometown of Hillsboro, and she was quick to embrace married life after the two moved from being friends to being romantically involved. When Fairley finds that she is pregnant just a few months after their marriage, everything seems to be going well for the pair of them\u2013\u2013although the specter of tragedy remains in the house following the death of Vern\u2019s fourteen-year-old son Ben some years before he met Fairley. However, things get difficult very rapidly when Vern agrees that Stan, the young son of his recently deceased friend, can come and stay with them for a couple of weeks while his mother sorts out probate issues. As the length of Stan\u2019s stay increases and his behavior becomes increasingly troubling, Fairley struggles to cope with the strain on her marriage, the taxing nature of pregnancy, and the secrets that lurk in her and Vern\u2019s pasts. Kim Fairley excels at building up tension as she relates her recollections of the period in question, suggesting that events are building to a crescendo and that secrets are about to be revealed. It\u2019s a compelling memoir peopled by real-life characters who are both very real and, often, very strange.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 23:26:14", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009329107", "title": "The Four Winds: A Novel", "author": "Kristin Hannah", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 188, "review": "Kristin Hannah\u2019s latest novel explores the tenacity and grit of a woman who fights for her family\u2019s survival in the midst of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Elsa Martinelli has spent her whole life in El Paso, working alongside her loving in-laws to keep their land thriving despite the heat and dust that engulfs them. After her husband abandons the family and her son contracts pneumonia, Elsa faces an impossible choice: leave their cherished land behind and start a new life in California, or stay and risk losing everything.

Not only does The Four Winds tell a gripping tale of one woman\u2019s strength, it also highlights some lesser-known details about the Dust Bowl and the destruction it caused. People slept in gas masks to avoid getting dust in their lungs at night, but even still, thousands died from dust buildup that led to pneumonia. And even if folks made the harrowing journey to California to find work, they faced discrimination and classism that made life just as difficult. In The Four Winds, Kristin Hannah has woven a story that is as heartbreaking as it is important.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jun-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 23:16:05", "publisher": "St. Martins Publishing", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009329091", "title": "The Woman Outside My Door", "author": "Rachel Ryan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 180, "review": "The Woman Outside My Door is a tantalizing psychological thriller that will leave you with hairs standing up on the back of your neck. Georgina's son, Cody, starts turning up with sweet wrappers one day, telling his mom that his grandmother gave them to him. The only problem? Both of Cody's grandmothers are deceased. As Georgina tries to get to the bottom of it, she feels as if someone is watching her and her family. On top of it all, she and her husband, Bren, are having marital problems, and it seems as if Bren thinks she's going crazy. He keeps making excuses for the sweets that Cody has as well as a note that they find with the sweets.

I could not put this book down and read it all in one day. It is fantastic all the way through. Although the main character seems like she could be unreliable, I felt like she made some good decisions to get to the bottom of it all. This is a perfect read for fans of authors such as K.L. Slater.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 23:00:05", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "274 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009329083", "title": "While I Was Away", "author": "Waka T. Brown", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Waka is twelve and enjoys being a sixth-grader in her home state of Kansas. She has two best friends, a great teacher, and life is good, and her parents suddenly announce she will miss the last couple weeks of sixth grade and the first several weeks of seventh grade because she is going to live with her grandmother in Japan for over five months. Her parents want her to improve her knowledge of the Japanese language and of her cultural background. She already speaks and writes some Japanese, but going to a Japanese school is going to be very hard. And she will miss her family and friends. And she really doesn\u2019t know her grandmother!

There are few memoirs in the middle-grade category. This should be a very welcome addition to the canon. Waka T. Brown\u2019s story is very compelling, reads like a novel, and is extremely well written. Readers (kids and adults) will be fascinated to read the differences and similarities between American and Japanese schools, cultures, and families. The relationship is so telling between Waka and her grandmother, and watching how they change over time is brilliant. Don\u2019t miss this wonderful book.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 22:53:10", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009329079", "title": "The Good Sister: A Novel", "author": "Sally Hepworth", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 170, "review": "Sally Hepworth does it again in this oh-so-satisfying psychological thriller about twin sisters who couldn\u2019t be more different from one another.

All her life, Rose has tried to protect Fern. Fern has always been a little bit different from the other kids in the way she thinks and does things. But there are secrets their family hides and, as the two girls grow up, those secrets are finally revealed, leading to something that is so unexpected you\u2019ll never guess the ending. The chapters alternate points of view from the main characters, and partway through reading, it is clear that one of the characters is unreliable. But which one?

The Good Sister is a fantastic read featuring some very interesting characters, including Fern\u2019s \u201cboyfriend,\u201d who turns out to not be what he seems. I had a hard time putting this book down. This is not the first book by Hepworth I have read and I have enjoyed each one of her books so far. I'm looking forward to the next one!", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 22:50:32", "publisher": "St. Martins Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009329071", "title": "Too Good to Be True: A Novel", "author": "Carola Lovering", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 192, "review": "Too Good To Be True is a book that I found myself unable to put down. With its complex characters and twisted plot, this book held my interest from page to page.

Burke and Heather have been married since they were just kids. As childhood sweethearts, they always had each other. Burke, however, seems to be able to find himself in trouble wherever he goes, with Heather desperately trying to pick up the pieces while raising their three children. Then one day, Burke meets Skye. Skye is young, beautiful, and rich. Burke creates a plan to woo Skye and get just enough money to keep his family afloat after losing his job. What ensues is a story of madness, heartbreak, and revenge.

This book is deceptive in the best way possible. Written in alternating points-of-view between Burke, Heather, and Skye, it is unclear who is telling the truth and who is not quite reliable in their storytelling. The way the author crafted this story is pure genius. The twists in this book are realistic and unbelievable at the same time. I recommend this book to fans of Shari LaPena, Lisa Jewell, and Fiona Barton.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 22:33:38", "publisher": "St. Martins Publishing", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009329067", "title": "The Hunting Wives: A Novel", "author": "May Cobb", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1219, "review": "Check out these exhilarating fiction reads that will introduce you to a selection of wickedly funny, riveting, and suspenseful stories. The list includes stories with a mother and son duo as they commit a series of crimes, an ambitious young writer drawn into a sinister world, and a hard look at toxic masculinity after a social media darling hits rock bottom. \n\nBurn It All Down \u2013 Nicholas DiDomizio \n\nJoey Rossi is eighteen and has dreams of becoming a comic. All should be good in Joey's world, except that his boyfriend has been cheating on him for nearly a year. He shouldn't be surprised since he has his mother's toxic taste in men. His Italian-American mother is Gia Rossi who's lovable, wise-cracking, a mess, and a spitfire. She also happens to be Joey's best friend. In time with Joey's heartbreak, Gia's own non-relationship ends in doom and the duo can't fit their anger in their New Jersey apartment. Their plan for revenge takes a turn after they end up committing various crimes and have no choice but to go on the run. The only person they can trust is Gia's one good ex - Marco. In the seclusion of Marco's lake house, Gia and Joey are forced to face the bad choices that got them here and now must accept responsibility for their actions. \n\nThe Stars We Share: A Novel \u2013 Rafe Posey\n\nSet against War World II, /The Stars We Share/ is a story about being ambitious, the commitment between two people, and the sacrifices they make for each other. Alec and June were children when they first met in a 1927 English village. Alec was an orphan who spent his nights using the sky as an anchor for his desire to one day embark on adventures while June used her time learning maps and timetables for the railway as a basis for a future where anything is possible. As the war approaches, Alec and June are separated with Alec joining war efforts as a Royal Air Force pilot while June becomes a codebreaker working at Bletchley Park. June must keep her activities with the war a secret from everyone, even Alec. The war keeps them apart for several years. Alec faces imprisonment in various POW camps after the war where he copes with the loss of his career and healing from injuries sustained after being shot down. June struggles with leaving behind a thriving career for a domestic life with Alec. The war has turned them into different people which pushes the couple to make hard decisions about what to share with each other and what dreams to let go of. The story spans forty years with a variety of locations including Indian ports, Edinburgh gardens, and a Kenya horse farm. \n\nThe Audacity of Sara Grayson: A Novel \u2013 Joani Elliott\n\nSara Grayson writes greeting cards and she's now receiving her biggest assignment following the death of her suspense novelist mother. Three weeks later, Sara discovers that her mother's final wish was for her daughter to finish her final book. Her husband left her with the Pro Double Waffle Maker in tow and successfully shattered her confidence, leaving her with just her dog Gatsby to keep her company. The only thing she's managed to accomplish since has been changing the clock on the microwave. How is she supposed to write a fulfilling final story for millions of fans? Sara is taken by surprise with her decision to fulfill her mother's last wish, but she has her work cut out for her when she goes up against an insane deadline and a sabotaging publisher. The further she gets in the writing process, the more secrets she uncovers that could put an end to the legacy her mother left behind and to the book she's trying to write. \n\nYes, Daddy \u2013 Jonathan Parks-Ramage\n\nA young man with great ambition is charmed by an older playwright who draws him into a world of wealth and darkness. Jonah Keller had big dreams when he moved to New York City but his plans get derailed and he's currently living in a Bushwick sublet that he can barely afford even with his job at a restaurant. But Jonah has developed a plan after discovering a photo of a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright. If everything goes according to plan, he'll have all the fame he came to New York City seeking. He just needs to meet Richard Shriver. Their meeting quickly becomes a steamy affair. After Richard invites Jonah to spend the summer in the Hamptons, he's taken in by the idyllic lifestyle but the paradise quickly becomes a nightmare when he discovers that Richard and his artist friends use the lavish estate for more than entertaining and dinners. Jonah begins to notice bruises on the waitstaff which consists of gay men that are attractive and young. Jonah sees a darker side to Richard when he's cast out of the older man's graces which leads to various violent transgressions that spark Jonah's desire for revenge. /Yes, Daddy/ explores themes such as class, power dynamics, complicity, and victimhood centered around the idea that stories inspire healing. \n\nThe Hunting Wives: A Novel \u2013 May Cobb\n\nA tale of seduction, murder, and obsession, /The Hunting Wives/ is unpredictable and riveting. Sophie O'Neill trades her city life in Chicago for a quiet life in a small Texas town with her husband and son. She gives up a career that everyone was envious of and the stress of Chicago for a seemingly idealistic existence in a rural community. But her new quiet life leaves her restless and bored. Everything changes when she's drawn into the life of Margot Banks, a socialite that is a member of a secret group called the Hunting Wives, which pulls her into target practices late at night and dangerous partying. Her curiosity quickly becomes an obsession when as she delves further into Margot's world and further away from the safety her family provides. Matters only worsen when a teenage girl's body is found where the Hunting Wives hold their meetings. Sophie is drawn into the center of a murder investigation which sparks her life to spiral. \n\nThe Atmospherians: A Novel \u2013 Alex McElroy\n\nWokeness, wellness, and toxic masculinity are a few themes explored in /The Atmospherians/ which finds Sasha Marcus striving to pick herself up from rock bottom in this wickedly funny story. She was once successful as an internet sensation and darling of social media thanks to her wellness brand for women. Then an abusive troll takes everything from her following a confrontation that ends her career. Now she's hiding away in her apartment while protesters gather together over men's rights. Her childhood friend with former body issues, Dyson is now a failed actor that has devised a plan to help regain her reputation by making her the face of his new business. The Atmosphere will be a rehabilitation center directed at men and located within an old summer camp. On the surface, it's a program for job training, but underneath its goal is to cleanse toxic masculinity out of men. Sasha's only option is to accept her friend's offer but this leads her to wonder what he really wants from her and how being the only female leader in an all-male environment will present.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 22:27:13", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009329059", "title": "Nobody Ever Asked Me About the Girls: Women, Music and Fame", "author": "Lisa Robinson", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 185, "review": "Lisa Robinson is a music journalist who traveled within the rock \u2019n roll world and kept up with the boys therein. What stories she must tell. And clearly, in this book, she is fed up with bad boy stories and wishes to bring the focus on the talented and much-overlooked women in music. The book is entertaining without being too gossipy. The author has written about most musicians and is friend to incredible performers/writers like Patti Smith, Cyndi Lauper, and Bette Midler. The book manages to steer away from glorifying the life of a rock journalist while bringing us into the green room scenes and interview settings. While she praises the huge talents of her friends and interviewees like Patti LaBelle, Mavis Staples, and Whitney Houston, she is incredibly hard on Madonna, whom it is clear that she intensely dislikes. The chapters are arranged by the problems women in music must face: touring, hair and makeup, family life and children, and of course, sex, drugs, and rock \u2019n roll. It is an interesting and well-written book that gives talented female composers and musicians their due.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 17:39:56", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009329039", "title": "Bear Meets Bear", "author": "Jacob Grant", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 187, "review": "Bear is back, and this time he has a new friend. When Bear orders a new teapot, he doesn't expect that a charming mail lady, Panda, will deliver it. Stunned into silence, Bear does the only thing he can do: order another teapot so he can see Panda again. Once again, Bear finds himself speechless. So, Bear orders another teapot, and another, and another. Luckily Spider is there to help and invites Panda to tea. Will Bear be able to get over his fear of talking to Panda? And what will he do with all those teapots?

This is a delightful and charming story of meeting someone you like for the very first time. Bear Meets Bear celebrates all those strange and wonderful feelings of liking someone, while also exploring what to do with those emotions. The perfect next step in the Bear series, readers will love how Bear takes his readers from learning about friendship, facing fears, and now liking someone. A darling journey of friendship paired with the adorable, familiar illustrations makes this book an excellent addition to the Bear series and any library shelf.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "14-Dec-2020 17:21:30", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009329019", "title": "First-Time Home Buyer: The Complete Playbook to Avoiding Rookie Mistakes", "author": "Scott Trench and Mindy Jensen", "category": "N10 Home & Garden", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 196, "review": "Being a first-time homebuyer this year, I found First-Time Home Buyer: The Complete Playbook to Avoiding Rookie Mistakes extremely helpful. Having rented my whole life, I had no clue what the whole house-purchasing journey would entail. And it really is a journey. Thankfully, Trench and Jensen have laid every aspect out, meaning that readers will be better informed regarding anything to do with money or people. The advice and information are easy to read and understand, especially due to the addition of puns throughout.

The authors talk about every detail related to buying a home. The first section of the book advises on what to do before buying a house, such as knowing your financial numbers. The second section advises on what to do during the process of buying a house, such as information about mortgages, lenders, and agents. The third section advises on the process of purchasing the house and what happens after you close, which includes how to start your search, make an offer, the home inspection, while under contract, and after you close. There is so much information in this book that it is well worth a first-time home buyer's time to read.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2021", "date_added": "13-Dec-2020 22:43:10", "publisher": "BiggerPockets Publishing", "page_count": "162 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009329015", "title": "Easy Beans: Simple, Satisfying Recipes That Are Good for You, Your Wallet, and the Planet", "author": "Jackie Freeman", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Andrea Huehnerhoff", "word_count": 216, "review": "Beans, beans, the magical fruit, the more you eat, the more you can\u2019t believe all these delicious recipes are made with them! Jackie Freeman has pulled together a compact, masterful collection of forty recipes that go beyond simple directions \u2013 they\u2019re vibrant ideas, methods of preparation that can be modified and delighted in for a lifetime. Freeman challenges the notion that beans are just for soup! Starting with indulgent breakfast dishes, she easily convinces us to prepare a big batch of Lentil and Oat Granola. What could be more obvious? We wonder why we never had lentils for breakfast before. She reveals that beans as a snack topic have been widely underrated \u2013 don\u2019t look for seven-layer bean dip in here, nobody has time for yesterday\u2019s news like that when they are scooping up rabid mouthfuls of Lentil and Mushroom Caviar, shoveling Marinated Black-Eyed Peas and Olives onto rustic slices of bread, and filling jars with Spicy Black Bean Snack Mix to take in the car. Hearty soups, herbaceous sides, and fulfilling main dishes complete the tableaux. Finally, a well-organized appendix gives straightforward directions on how to cook a variety of nutritious legumes. Come home to old traditions with a kettle of soaking beans, and serve up something new that satisfies the senses and the soul.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "13-Dec-2020 22:40:21", "publisher": "Sasquatch Books", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009329007", "title": "Truly Like Lightning: A Novel", "author": "David Duchovny", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 235, "review": "Bronson Powers grew up in a world of fantasy, living in Los Angeles. His Father regaled him with tall tales, masking his own failures and resentments. Bronson\u2019s paternal Grandmother disinherited Bronson\u2019s Father from a large estate. Bronson never let his Father\u2019s resentments become his own, making his mark as a stuntman in a slew of films. His hard work had left him battered and substance addicted. Things changed when he inherited his Grandmother\u2019s estate. The only caveat being that he must become a Mormon. At first, Bronson was skeptical, however as time passed, he embraced doctrine and the faith. The life of Joseph Smith reached him.

In the present day, Bronson presides over an extensive tract of land in San Bernardino, which includes a large portion of Joshua Tree National Park. He is the patriarch of a large family with two wives and ten children. The family lives off the land, hunting, and farming, the children taught by Wives Mary and Yalulah. Their bucolic existence is soon to be threatened by an enterprising businesswoman named Maya. The Powers\u2019 family will never be the same.

Truly Like Lightning is an emotionally captivating tour de force from start to finish. David Duchovny fires on all cylinders in penning a modern-day fish out of water tale. The culture clash played out in the book provides humor, heart as well as deep philosophical questions. A true must-read for 2021.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "13-Dec-2020 22:36:56", "publisher": "Farrar Straus Giroux", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009328091", "title": "The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can", "author": "Alan Logan", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 871, "review": "According to court documents and personal interviews, Frank W. Abagnale Jr. has made his living, and a good one, from petty theft, fraud, and lying for over fifty years.

In The Greatest Hoax On Earth, Catching Truth, While We Can, author Alan C. Logan, has meticulously researched the claims and the life of this imposter and in a well-written and entertaining story presented the facts, verified by documentation, records, and personal interviews.

It\u2019s all lies, despite being endorsed by appearances on The Tonight Show, The Today Show, To Tell the Truth, portrayed in book form as well as in the major motion picture Catch Me If You Can that spawned a Broadway musical by the same name and most recently legitimized with Talks at Google. There is no evidence Abagnale ever perpetrated the grand hoaxes he claims, indeed, in some cases, it was impossible because at the time he claims to have carried out these shenanigans records show he was in jail.

Almost as shocking as these revelations is how inept media allowed and indeed, advanced this career of chicanery.

Though Abagnale and his many media enablers portray his crimes and lies as victimless, interviews Logan conducted indicate they have been anything but. Ordinary, honest people have been hurt both financially and emotionally by Abagnale\u2019s crimes and duplicity.

As an example of a thorough and exhaustive investigation, The Greatest Hoax On Earth, Catching Truth While We Can, is exemplary, but one should not mistake Logan\u2019s reporting as journalism.

By failing to conceal his contempt for his subject and his admiration for his two main sources, Paula Parks Campbell and Mark Zinder, the author compromises his objectivity and diminishes the veracity of his findings.

Paula was a flight attendant during the era of Abagnale\u2019s phony airline pilot hoax and though she saw through him, strangely her parents didn\u2019t. They let the con man move in with them even when their daughter told them that \u201cshe loved them dearly, but so long as Mr. Abagnale was in the house, she wouldn\u2019t be returning to Baton Rouge. She couldn\u2019t even bear the idea of a visit.\u201d The author never questions the parent\u2019s choice of a virtual stranger over their daughter.

Mark Zinder was Abagnale\u2019s booking agent during the 1980s and responsible for much of con man\u2019s success at that time. Frank lured him away from a similar job with a large company with the promise of a better cut and a grand lifestyle. He boasted he had a fleet of vehicles, dozens of employees, and corporate offices, but what Zinder discovered was Abagnale was operating from his kitchen table; no cars, no other employees.

Despite the litany of lies told to him, Zinder maintains he believed Frank\u2019s story. It wasn\u2019t the money, or \u201cAdoring crowds. Limousines. Clubs. Only the best hotels. All the jumbo shrimp you could eat.\u201d, he was naive and trusting. Trusting until investigations threatened to derail the gravy train which precipitated in a hasty parting of ways.

Logan\u2019s inability or reluctance to take a hard look at his sources is only one of his departures from objectivity. He is all too ready to assume the worst of his subject. He spends a disproportionate amount of words on Frank\u2019s flagrant infidelity never drawing the apt comparison to the sexual misconduct of other entertainers including rock stars or, for that matter, politicians including numerous American presidents.

His attempts to expose a dark, violent side to Abagnale amount to supposition including a claim by Jan Jackson that \u201cHe physically threatened us. He had something in his hand (?) and I thought he was going to lash out with it,\u201d she added. (Apparently, he didn\u2019t). \u201cYou don\u2019t know who you are messing with,\u201d Abagnale growled at them.\u201d

When investigations into Abagnale began to result in canceled bookings, Zinder confronted Abagnale who said, \u201cIt will only cost me about ten thousand dollars to make this problem go away.\u201d which,\naccording to Logan, \u201cIt went far beyond the obvious threat.\u201d

What obvious threat? The author knows that kind of generic statement does not constitute a legal threat and when Zinder contacted the police they respond accordingly.

Logan falls short in two other areas with The Greatest Hoax. The first is his premise that Abagnale\u2019s ascension as a populist figure at the time had to do with the lack of American heroes partly because of the demise of Evil Knieval. Really? I guess that depends on whom you consider a hero.

The other is using Abagnale\u2019s tawdry tale of lies upon lies as a contemporary cautionary tale to underscore \u201cthe importance of separating fiction from fact\u201d.

\u201cUnderstanding the ways and means by which grandiose narcissists and authoritarians disrupt well-being at the community, institutional, national and planetary levels\u2014how they spread lies and hoaxes\u2014is an urgent mission.\u201d

Though I applaud Logan's unmasking of men like Abagnale one might have thought a more urgent mission would be helping people discern fact from fake on mediums like social media. Today, computer bots post millions of messages containing false information across the worldwide web at warp speed. And I dare say, they do far more to \"disrupt well-being at the community, institutional, national and planetary levels\", than speeches delivered by a con man.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "13-Dec-2020 22:34:50", "publisher": "Alan C. Logan w/ Glass Spider Publishing", "page_count": "471 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": true, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009328087", "title": "The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can", "author": "Alan Logan", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 520, "review": "Catch Me If You Can, the 2002 film directed by Steven Spielberg, is a semi-autobiographical thriller based on the life of Frank Abagnale Jr., a self-confessed conman. The film depicts the extraordinary exploits of Abagnale from the launch of his criminal career through to his impersonations of various professionals and onto his eventual imprisonment. According to the film, he was so good at check fraud he was recruited by the FBI. But what if Abagnale\u2019s confession is the real con?

In The Greatest Hoax on Earth, Alan C. Logan exposes Abagnale\u2019s greatest deception and proves that while he was certainly a conman, he was not the master criminal he pretends to have been. What\u2019s more, rather than being a loveable rogue who limited himself to victimless crimes, Logan asserts that Abagnale was always out for what he could get, never caring who got hurt along the way.

In addition to mining court records, newspaper accounts, and other documentary evidence, Logan\u2019s key informants when writing the book were Paula Parks and Mark Zinder, both of whom were well placed to know the \u201creal\u201d Abagnale. Parks is a former Delta Airlines flight attendant who knew Abagnale before he started publicizing his life, while Zinder served as Abagnale\u2019s booking agent during the late 1970s/early 1980s. The motivation for Parks and Zinder to expose Abagnale is clear, and the reasoning behind Logan\u2019s interest in Abagnale and the post-truth world is equally interesting.

In terms of Abagnale\u2019s alleged cons, Logan explains how journalists have been exposing the exaggerations and outright lies since he first started telling his tall tales. Yet the truth failed to stick. Part of Abagnale\u2019s success is likely due to the fact his self-publicizing heyday occurred prior to the advent of the Internet, which meant information was shared much less widely. Still, after numerous expos\u00e9s, it\u2019s strange that Abagnale was able to keep peddling his stories. Perhaps people just didn\u2019t want to know the truth?

The information presented in The Greatest Hoax on Earth is mindboggling. In many ways, Frank Abagnale was a terrible conman, and Logan certainly provides evidence that Abagnale\u2019s grifts were grubby rather than glamorous. Abagnale did pass dodgy checks, did have some limited experience masquerading as a pilot, and did once escape from a jailhouse, but the rest is pure flimflam. Abagnale exploited the trust of good people, and his actions definitely had consequences. Given the similarities between Abagnale\u2019s supposed escapades and the life of Ferdinand Demara, he also seems to have stolen much of his biography. It\u2019s not even clear how much of that con was Abagnale\u2019s own work since it seems more in keeping with the style of Stan Redding, the coauthor of the original Catch Me If You Can.

The Greatest Hoax on Earth is a compelling and shocking read. Abagnale is still making a lucrative living based on claims that can and have been easily disproved. His success doesn\u2019t seem to be down to any particular skill, but rather to the media\u2019s appetite for a good story and the public\u2019s desire for an (anti)hero, which is probably the saddest aspect of the whole story.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "13-Dec-2020 22:34:12", "publisher": "Alan C. Logan w/ Glass Spider Publishing", "page_count": "471 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009328083", "title": "The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can", "author": "Alan Logan", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 446, "review": "If you've ever seen the movie Catch Me If You Can, the name Frank Abagnale should ring a bell. In The Greatest Hoax on Earth, author Alan C. Logan describes to his readers just how fake the movie and all of what Abagnale says is. In fact, the line between fact and fiction still seems to be unclear in many cases. Frank Abagnale, admittedly conned many people, but the extent to which his antics went and the number of people they affected may never truly be known. Even with his extensive research, Logan has a hard time finding out the truth.

The foreword of the book is written by two people who were directly affected by Abagnale. Paula Parks and her mother and father were all taken advantage of by him. However, Paula was uneasy around Abagnale from the get-go and let her parents know so. Why they let him into their home is really beyond me. Mark Zinder was Abagnale's public relations guy who booked his speaking gigs. Zinder knew Abagnale was a con man and although he had told everyone that he had stopped conning people, clearly his behavior showed that he was still up to no good. Zinder was manipulated by Abagnale for many years and was even fired and then rehired. Why Zinder kept coming back to Frank was also strange.

The story told in The Greatest Hoax on Earth albeit interesting, didn't seem to prove too much of what Logan was trying to. All of the bits and pieces of information he gathered just added to the already told story instead of disproving the movie. Of course, most people realize that Hollywood glorifies its characters and in this case, it's no different. In fact, Abagnale was so good at telling his story and making everything sound so believable that no one thought about fact-checking any of it. We also have to remember that during the times covered, there was no Internet and so it would be easy for Abagnale to travel from state to state reinventing himself without anyone knowing that he was on parole or in any sort of trouble. Only the people involved knew the truth. He was able to trick his closest acquaintances and gave up only the information he wanted.

Overall, this book told an interesting viewpoint of the story of Frank Abagnale but it was repetitive at times and new information was added instead of the Catch Me If You Can story being disproved with fact. The timeline that was given showing the difference between what was portrayed in the movie versus what Logan found out was interesting, yet the fact-checking behind it was still uncertain.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "13-Dec-2020 22:30:34", "publisher": "Alan C. Logan w/ Glass Spider Publishing", "page_count": "471 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009328079", "title": "Fortune and Glory: A Novel (27) (A Stephanie Plum Novel)", "author": "Janet Evanovich", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 209, "review": "The search for treasure didn\u2019t end in Twisted Twenty-Six. Evidently the La-Z-Boys still think they can find their treasure, even if the group is dwindling due to ill-timed deaths. After a fight with Morelli about the legitimacy of the treasure, Stephanie looks to Ranger to help safeguard Grandma Mazur and possibly do some not-so-legal breaking and entering and safe cracking. Helping George Potts, a bail skip, earns Plum a half-hearted guard and some unexpected comic relief. When Gabriela Rose enters, an unknown entity in the treasure hunting business who has been seen talking with Morelli, Stephanie must pull out all her best moves to find the treasure so she can help Grandma Mazur get what is rightfully hers.

Though predictable and ridiculous, book twenty-seven is just as quick and fun as the previous twenty-six installments. Readers can expect the usual tension between Morelli and Ranger, crazy laugh-out-loud antics from Grandma Mazur and Lula (see the first chapter!), and multiple bombs and car explosions. This is not the last we\u2019ll see of Stephanie Plum, as book twenty-eight is slated for November, nor Gabriela Rose, who will have her own spin-off in June with The Recovery Agent, which are sure to appeal to those who haven\u2019t tired of the series yet.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "13-Dec-2020 20:49:22", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009328043", "title": "My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 8 (8)", "author": "Hideyuki Furuhashi", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 17", "word_count": 145, "review": "Not everyone is cut out to be a hero. Some are cut out to be villains. And others don\u2019t want to follow the rules laid out for the heroes, preferring to use their powers to serve the people without legal sanction. They\u2019re not quite heroes, but they\u2019re not quite villains either, rather they\u2019re vigilantes.

You don't need to be familiar with the My Hero Academia world to read the Vigilantes spin-off series, but I don't recommend jumping in the middle of the series as I did. The exception to this if you just want to read the Aizawa back-story that starts at the end of vol. 8 and will continue into vol. 9. The characters are easy to tell apart, each has unique characteristics that make them different. They also have their own voices, though a few felt like they were copied from the main series.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "13-Dec-2020 20:24:05", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009328011", "title": "First Principles: What America's Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans and How That Shaped Our Country", "author": "Thomas E. Ricks", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 177, "review": "When many people think about the Founding Fathers, they think of the Enlightenment ideas and ideals that influenced their thinking and writing and formed the foundations for republican forms of government. This book looks at four of the Founding Fathers and focuses more on how Ancient Greece and Rome influenced their thinking and the many different ways that they used their classical education and learning to shape a new nation.

This book looks at the major players, never really delving into more critical areas with any real depth. It is mostly a surface inspection of the thoughts of four of the major players in early American history. If you are looking for a critical examination, then this is probably not the book for you. However, if you are looking for a surface explanation and something that is not too convoluted, detailed, or complicated, then this book will likely suit you. Thomas Ricks does not break new ground, look at things differently, or even examine the thinking of other Founding Fathers; he seems fixated on the major ones.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "13-Dec-2020 19:54:39", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009328007", "title": "Saving Freedom: Truman, the Cold War, and the Fight for Western Civilization", "author": "Joe Scarborough", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 237, "review": "The United States, its people returning to normal life after WWII, must be convinced that military and economic support for Greece and Turkey is warranted. Truman, Marshall, and Acheson create a new foreign policy to keep Soviet influence at bay. America as a world power replaces Great Britain, with Truman, an unlikely president, at its helm.

This is the basis for Joe Scarborough\u2019s Saving Freedom: Truman, The Cold War, and the Fight for Western Civilization. The book presents these events in an easy to follow, easy to read format, with humor and care. Readers learn how the foreign policy that aligned with American economic, security, and even moral goals, came to be. He describes the first few moments of Truman\u2019s presidency after the death of FDR, the limitations of Truman\u2019s personality and his strengths in leading a bipartisan effort to secure the Truman Doctrine.

Scarborough has a knack for giving context and specifics yet not bombarding the reader with details. There is some background regarding WWII and American isolationism, FDR\u2019s choice of Truman as Vice President, and brief mentions of events like Truman\u2019s support for Israel, but mostly the book is narrowly focused on the events leading up to the Marshall Plan and Truman Doctrine. For me, this made it a better read, to be so clearly focused. Overall, fans of American international policy and the Cold War history will get a lot out of Saving Freedom.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "13-Dec-2020 19:50:03", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009327003", "title": "The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can", "author": "Alan Logan", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 463, "review": "Shakespeare aptly wrote \u201cAll the world\u2019s a stage\u2026\u2026.And one man in his time plays many parts.\u201d Frank W. Abagnale Jr. personifies this quote. He began his grifts at 16, forging checks from PanAm while passing himself off as a pilot and cheating airlines on fares as he hitched rides on planes. He would bilk PanAm out of $2.5 million and continue various cons around the United States, posing as a Doctor, Attorney, and various other personas until he was arrested in Europe in 1970. This is what Abagnale says happened. There are individuals who view Abagnale\u2019s claims as outright flights of fancy, even more fraudulent than the crimes Abagnale has served time for. The Greatest Hoax on Earth gives a voice to the unheard victims.

Paula Parks worked as a Flight Attendant for Delta Airlines when she met Frank Abagnale in January 1969. He was deadheading on a flight Parks worked. She sensed something off about the young man. She brushed off his attempts at courtship, but soon he inserted himself into her family after dropping Paula off at her house in Baton Rouge. Soon, he was charming her parents into letting him stay at their house. His career as a pilot seemingly stalled, he told the Parks Family that he wanted to find a job working with kids. The concerns about Abagnale never seemed glaring until his scheming got him arrested. He had been cashing checks under the Parks Family\u2019s account along with a local business. Paula\u2019s parents were devastated at the betrayal. Abagnale promised reform and professed remorse, he received a slap on the wrist and soon left the state.

Mark Zinder was an impressionable college student when he heard Frank Abagnale\u2019s story. He was awestruck with Abagnale\u2019s exploits and taken in by his charm and generosity. Soon Zinder was representing Abagnale and booking him at various colleges to relate an incredible true story about crime and redemption. As the years passed, Zinder noticed certain oddities about Abagnale, but never truly questioned his client\u2019s veracity until a College Professor did exactly that. Allegations were made that put Abagnale\u2019s past in a whole new light, showing his crimes involving suffering victims, not victimless as claimed.

Despite the experiences of Parks and Zinder and the exposes of intrepid journalists, the lovable rogue portrayed in Catch Me If You Can is what the public embraces.The Greatest Hoax on Earth entrances from the opening and doesn\u2019t let go of its hold until the very end. Author Alan Logan has assumed a Sisyphean task in attempting to untangle a web of deception that has endured for over four decades. After finishing this fine true-crime work, the conclusion is that Logan with the help of Parks and Zinder has done an admirable job in debunking a legend.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "09-Jan-2021", "date_added": "13-Dec-2020 13:54:16", "publisher": "Alan C. Logan w/ Glass Spider Publishing", "page_count": "471 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009326003", "title": "Fast and Low: An Engineer's Approach to Health and Wellness", "author": "Nasir Khan", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 62, "review": "\"Goal-driven and action-oriented folks who are serious about improving their well-being will appreciate Nasir Khan\u2019s scientific approach to adopting healthy habits. From his perspective as an engineer, Khan dispenses evidence-based insights on diet, fasting, and exercise. No two bodies are alike, and Khan\u2019s metrics-focused approach emphasizes measurable goals and self-experimentation techniques to effectively achieve individualized results.\" ---Maileen Hamto, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "13-Dec-2020 06:01:44", "publisher": "FourFold, LLC", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009325003", "title": "This is a Prison", "author": "Ana Maria Medici", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 91, "review": "This Is a Prison captures the ins and outs of the criminal justice system in words young children can comprehend. They\u2019ll find the simplicity through which it\u2019s written appealing, and as they thumb through the pages, they\u2019ll be taken through the process, from beginning to end, of exactly what happens when someone commits a crime.\u00a0 Perhaps most importantly, what they\u2019ll discover - the loss of freedom and happiness a convict often faces - will deter them from ever entering the system in the first place. ---J. Padgett, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-Dec-2020 19:06:10", "publisher": "Medici Inc.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009324003", "title": "The Cornerstones of Happiness", "author": "Jeremy Taylor", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 404, "review": "I don't think I've read a book quite like The Cornerstones of Happiness. The story of guidance and self-destruction revolves around twenty-six-year-old Lindsey, a former stripper and current seeker of happiness. Lindsey has some baggage from birth and her past that she carries throughout her life, unsure of how to let it go. The theme of abandonment is strong throughout the story.

Lindsey is now an adult living on her own in New York with three roommates. Through a plethora of self-help books, she has discovered the common factor between them all\u2014the four cornerstones of happiness. Because of her past decisions, she is needing to feel \"right\" again, and not become absorbed in the aftereffects of her past trauma. She thinks she has it figured out: she quits her live-in nanny job and rediscovers an assumed lost co-worker while shopping for a new bed. They rekindle an old connection, Lindsey obtains a new job, and she is on the verge of living out the cornerstones of happiness. This is the seemingly sweet first half of the book.

The second half is when things get a little crazy. Drugs, sex, control, punishment, and the desire for forgiveness are themes seen throughout this half. Lindsey's life choices become questionable, and it won't be uncommon for the reader to experience bewilderment over what is happening. Questions like, \u201cwill Lindsey make it out of this?!\u201d and \u201cwhy?! were going through this reader's mind. The character's true colors show with a surprise ending that evokes mixed feelings.

I appreciated the educational aspect of this book. When Lindsey is aware of her problems; she conducts research and presents her findings to her audience. Facts about mental health are prevalent throughout the book, which makes this story applicable to a diverse audience. The correlation between mental health and drug use is eye-opening. The way that the author described Lindsey's highs and lows are descriptive. Everything in the story, including her various relationships, is descriptive and has a way of pulling the reader into the text. While reading about Lindsey's life, I felt all of the feels. I even noticed myself feeling disappointed and proud of her, much like a parent reading about their child. This is very much a coming-of-age story for a girl with no proper upbringing, who ends up, after a long, hard road, discovering herself. In the process, her audience learns the key goals to strive for happy lives for themselves.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "12-Dec-2020 08:12:40", "publisher": "Andean Publishing", "page_count": "302 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009323003", "title": "The Essence of Nathan Biddle", "author": "J. William Lewis", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 43, "review": "\"A mesmerizing book that follows the life and evolution of Kit Biddle. Lewis's poetic and philosophical interjections are provocative and ingenious. His writing is captivating and will draw readers into the complex mind of our protagonist.\" \u2014 Jessica Tingling, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "10-Dec-2020 17:07:48", "publisher": "Greenleaf", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009321019", "title": "Bone Canyon (Eve Ronin Book 2)", "author": "Lee Goldberg", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 199, "review": "Bone Canyon takes place shortly after the climax of Lost Hills in the thrilling Eve Ronin series. Eve has found herself back in the spotlight after solving a triple homicide and becoming a hero once again, living up to her \"Deathfist\" name. Her fame is not highly viewed by all people who claim political deception at play. After the fires of Lost Hills die down, Eve is called on the scene to investigate some human bones that may or may not have been caused by murder. During Ronin's investigation, she'll uncover dark secrets within the police department that will send you chills and come within an inch of death on several occasions.

Once again, Lee Goldberg did not disappoint; he brought his readers action, romance, and an appreciation for those of us with non-psychotic mothers. The writing is fast-paced and dives deep into the topic of rape and whether certain women are \"asking\" for it. As a woman reader, I could sympathize with Eve and her emotional reactions to the responses given by her male colleagues. The theme of the book is relevant to our current drive for women's equality while ensuring justice is served no matter the outcome.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "17-May-2021", "date_added": "10-Dec-2020 00:54:55", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009321007", "title": "No One Asked for This: Essays", "author": "Cazzie David", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 184, "review": "Cazzie David has written some interesting essays albeit they are filled with angst. If she weren\u2019t such a good writer, the pain she has suffered in becoming an adult would be difficult to get through. I selected this book based on reading some of her writing, not knowing that she had inherited writing talent from her famous father, Larry David. I was also ignorant of her tabloid-worthy break up from an also famous boyfriend. I really need to read more pop culture.

While relating painful and self-deprecating details of her life, the author readily admits that she is living a life of rare privilege. Her writing is so very interesting and yes, entertaining, that one forgets that she has everything in her life of material nature. That would suppose that the privileged never suffer, feel embarrassed, or feel less than. From knowing some women of famous fathers, I see that the road can be difficult in determining a separate and worthy identity. One would hope that this book is just the beginning of many more. She is readable and talented in her own right.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "10-Dec-2020 00:44:02", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "331 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009321003", "title": "How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America: Essays", "author": "Kiese Laymon", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 228, "review": "Kiese Laymon\u2019s collection of essays reaches the pinnacle of truth-telling that only essayists with this author\u2019s candor and depth can achieve. Laymon shares his contemplations on the impacts of the pandemic on Black Americans, the insistence of white nationalist symbols in Mississippi, and ponderings on racialized realities and identities in the South. He is writing about himself, his family, and his friends. What binds the narratives together is Laymon\u2019s immense care and concern for his Grandmama, for hiphop, for the people.

It would be an oversimplification to state that trauma is a primary theme of the essays. Yes, Laymon lays bare generational pain that manifests in betrayals of self and others; thoughts and actions that slowly kill self, dreams, and relationships. At the same time, the author summons the reader to feel and inhale the breadth and intensity of his love and pride for the culture.

Most of us don\u2019t deserve the honesty that Laymon serves on the page, but it\u2019s what the reader receives: plain truth, often painful, thoroughly unvarnished. Harsh truths explore angst and frustration that cannot be fully grasped without walking in the shoes of a Black male Mississippian. Laymon engages the reader intellectually about collective pain emanating from various streams of violence against Black life: systemic, structural, and interpersonal. More importantly, his prose evokes a visceral reaction: one that inspires empathy, underscoring great love for humanity.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "10-Dec-2020 00:23:49", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009319003", "title": "Please Don't Tell Cooper He's a Dog", "author": "Michelle Lander Feinberg", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 423, "review": "The dog has been called man\u2019s best friend, and archaeological evidence suggests that dogs were domesticated and used as pets at least 15,000 years ago, and possibly as long as 22,000 years ago. They often go beyond just being pets and become a loved and respected member of the family. As we continue to live through this pandemic, many people and families across the world are acquiring dogs from shelters to add more companionship and love in their lives. There is a way a dog can look at you as its owner that no other animal can. //Please Don\u2019t Tell Cooper He\u2019s a Dog// is a children\u2019s book about the world\u2019s most popular pet and how he is more than just an animal.

Cooper is the family dog. He\u2019s big and brown and fluffy. He has five siblings and two parents. \u201cAlways treated like family,\u201d yes, Cooper is basically \u201chis parents\u2019 sixth child,\u201d except he doesn\u2019t act like your usual dog. \u201cPlease don\u2019t whistle or ask him to do a few tricks as he thinks it\u2019s beneath him to chase balls or sticks.\u201d Cooper doesn\u2019t bother with dog bowls but sits at the table and eats from a plate like everyone else. \u201cAt the dog park, he watches those silly pups play. He\u2019d rather be skiing or at a ballet.\u201d He doesn\u2019t bother with dog beds but shares the couch with the family, and unless his food has steak sauce he won\u2019t take a bite. Cooper uses the toilet like everyone else, and even decided to go on a trip and travel Europe, \u201cbut as head of the family, of course, he came home.\u201d

Don\u2019t Tell Cooper He\u2019s a Dog is short and quick, ideal for nighttime reading or when you have a ten-minute break with the kids to read something. Each page shows a different facet to the world of Cooper, always with a fun rhyme which makes it great to read out loud and the kids will love it. The illustrations are done by an Italian illustrator, Anna Mosca, and while they are a little simple and amateurish, they are nevertheless entertaining, especially for scenes like Cooper sitting on the toilet reading a newspaper, sitting with the family watching the ballet, or traveling Europe visiting the Eiffel Tower, art galleries, and eating Swiss cheese.

Don\u2019t Tell Cooper He\u2019s a Dog is a fun picture book for both parents and kids to read, together or apart, and tells a valuable lesson in the importance of adopting pets from shelters and rescue groups.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "07-Dec-2020 20:51:58", "publisher": "Cooper The Dog Books", "page_count": "30 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009318071", "title": "Pretending: A Novel", "author": "Holly Bourne", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 239, "review": "April is fed up with the world of dating. Every time she thinks she has found a man who might be long-term relationship material, something happens and the relationship fizzles and dies. April hates men, she really does, and she hates even more that she seems to need one so badly. In a moment of frustration, she initiates a twisted experiment: she creates for herself the persona of what she believes is the ideal date. Gretel, as she calls herself, is beautiful, low-maintenance, breezy, not clingy at all, and free of drama and problems. April finds it fun and strangely liberating, but then she starts to actually fall for Joshua, who knows only Gretel and very little about the real woman hiding inside.

Holly Bourne\u2019s novel Pretending initially seems like it\u2019ll be a fun, flirty read about a woman catching a man by pretending to be something she\u2019s not. And it is, but really this book is so much more. It should probably come with a trigger warning somewhere in the description, as April works for a nonprofit that regularly assists victims (and perpetrators) of sexual assault, and as a survivor herself, April really struggles at times with flashbacks and an intense amount of (unwarranted) guilt and shame. Darker subject matters aside, Gretel really is a fun character, and it\u2019s delightful to see April getting to live outside herself a bit. This is a great story and is highly recommended.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "08-Dec-2020 20:42:13", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009318067", "title": "Our Only Home: A Climate Appeal to the World", "author": "Dalai Lama", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Nikolay Shargorodsky", "word_count": 192, "review": "His Holiness the Dalai Lama, said to be the happiest man in the world, faces Earth\u2019s most hopeless devastation in Our Only Home: A Climate Appeal to the World. The apocalyptic fate of humanity is a certainty, that much is known. Journalist and friend of the Dalai Lama, Franz Alt speaks dutifully alongside the great religious leader.\u2028\u2028

Spoken with clarity and lacking totally in hypocrisy, this manifesto lauds renewable energy as a source of the reversal of humanity\u2019s ethical plight. It is crystal clear that the hopelessness emanates from the opposing faction, as the many tributes to young political leader Greta Thunberg (in many ways, this book is an ode to her actions) prove: there is worthiness in this calamitous fight.

\u2028\u2028Testament to the prophecy of this book is the increasing rapidity of inaction regarding climate change. Mere months after its publication, the British Public Accounts Committee (PAC) regarding global warming release a statement saying that leaders have \u201cno plan\u201d to meet the targets they set to reduce and remove carbon emissions. Having read this book, I now know that this comes as no surprise, except of course to the leaders themselves.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "08-Dec-2020 20:37:47", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009318063", "title": "Before the Coffee Gets Cold", "author": "Toshikazu Kawaguchi", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 188, "review": "Before the Coffee Gets Cold will leave the reader with feelings of hope, happiness, and sadness all in one swoop. There is a little cafe in Japan associated with an urban legend that one can go back in time if one sits in a particular seat. There are rules, however, including the fact that you must not get up from the seat and you must not let your coffee get cold. Going back in time cannot change the present. You also cannot travel more than once.

This book had me mesmerized from the very beginning. All the characters in the book are closely intertwined, and each one has a special story as to why they want to sit in the chair and whom they would want to visit. The characters are all very endearing and sweet. Even after finishing the book, it left me with thoughts about what I would do if I could go back in time. This is a must-read for lovers of time travel and life lessons. It is a beautifully written book with prose that will speak deeply to the heart of the reader.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "08-Dec-2020 20:34:56", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009318059", "title": "Spirit of the King", "author": "Amy Hay", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 471, "review": "After thirteen grueling years under the tutelage of an evil spirit named Kerrigor, main character Aria finally works up the courage to run\u2014she throws off her weapons and darts through the open gates of Kerrigor\u2019s compound. Although she\u2019s immediately overwhelmed by an outside world she hasn\u2019t laid eyes on since she was six, she eventually acclimates and embarks on a fantastical journey of self-discovery and redemption.

Spirit of the King delights in the simple pleasures of life\u2014of nature, soft fabrics, the smells of savory foods, the sounds of music. Freed at last from the shackles of the murderous Kerrigor, Aria eagerly soaks up these experiences like an alien come to Earth, and it's hard not to get swept up in her joy. You'll wish you were there with her in the Corrinian marketplace, shopping for outfits and learning about maps. She\u2019s adaptable, quick to make friends, eager to learn, and always willing to listen.

Refreshingly, the book eschews the typical \u201cchosen one\u201d clich\u00e9 so common in books of this genre, and instead, Aria is targeted by forces good and evil simply because she\u2019s a kind person with a good heart.

Readers who enjoy novels like Safe Haven or Rose Madder will notice some familiar story beats: a woman who escapes from an abusive situation finds comfort and safety elsewhere, but must prepare for a showdown with her past. The formula works well in Aria\u2019s tale, but the faith-based plot proved to be something of a stumbling block for me.

Spiritual entities such as Kerrigor and Eli (the eponymous King) inhabit Aria's world but are so loosely defined that it's never clear what they are or what they're capable of. Even murkier are the motivations of these entities; what stake they have in this world and their desires for its inhabitants are lost in vague assertions and half-formed allegories.

There are many nods to the Bible, which help to fill in some gaps. The framework for the whole story, in fact, reads like an homage to the book of Job. Kerrigor and Eli, stand-ins for Satan and God respectively, discuss whether Aria will take to Kerrigor\u2019s teachings before he abducts her. But the context is missing. And without that, Eli and Kerrigor feel like typical magicians\u2014not creators or gods worthy of reverence. Eli comes off as aloof and oddly flirtatious, even sensual, when he speaks to Aria.

Despite these gripes, I mostly had a good time with Spirit of the King. The book is generally well written, with a snappy pace that really moves things along. The large and varied cast of characters never stay in one place for more than a few pages, and each location is larger and more elaborate than the last. Readers who enjoy stories of redemption and don\u2019t mind filling in a few gaps themselves are sure to find something to like here.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "08-Dec-2020 01:24:49", "publisher": "Independently published", "page_count": "178 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009318039", "title": "Three Ordinary Girls: The Remarkable Story of Three Dutch Teenagers Who Became Spies, Saboteurs, Nazi Assassins and WWII Heroes", "author": "Tim Brady", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Ralph Peterson", "word_count": 251, "review": "Three Ordinary Girls takes place in the Netherlands just before and during WWII. Truss and Freddie, sisters; and Hannie are all actively engaged in leftist causes before war comes to their land. Pre-war they hand out flyers, pamphlets, and learn the very basic skills of organizing underground cells although before the war the punishments are not nearly as dire as they later face.

After the Nazi takeover of The Netherlands, they learn how to sabotage, disrupt and kill both Nazi soldiers and countrymen collaborators. The book is filled with true accounts of hair-breath escapes, daring escapades, luck-filled and ill-fated missions. The three young women start with trepidation, fear, and trembling, though they are bolstered by their pre-war political passion. The author details their development into deadly assassins and saboteurs as he recounts their many missions. Young and pretty, they are able to get close to many persons that no one else could, and kill them; escaping because no one would suspect a pretty girl of shooting someone. Their natural intelligence and unwavering dedication to the Netherlands results in their being sent on increasingly dangerous missions. The author skillfully does not make them monsters, he does not editorially pass judgment on the girls or the Dutch people that are killed. The book is exciting to read and moves very rapidly. There is a growing sense as you read that the girl\u2019s time is going to run out. In all, a very good inside look at the Dutch Resistance in the Second World War.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "21-Jul-2021", "date_added": "07-Dec-2020 23:21:04", "publisher": "Kensington Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009318011", "title": "Listen Mama", "author": "M.S.P. Williams", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 596, "review": "In Listen Mama, M.S.P. Williams shares his fears, joys, and the most poignant moments of his childhood through his early adult years via a collection of letters to his mother. He describes his youth as plagued by poverty and riddled with sadness, loneliness, and an overabundance of responsibility. His father is a man he\u2019s never seen and for whom he longs to know. By the time Manny enters high school, he has four younger siblings who have a different dad than his own. Manny\u2019s devastated when he passes away his sophomore year.\u00a0With the exception of his maternal grandmother, Mama Dear, he had been the only constant in his life for the duration of his youth.

His mother Selita\u2019s mental condition declines significantly over the years, affecting him and his siblings immeasurably. He recalls the times she insists they sleep in a closet because her paranoid delusions cloud her sensibilities and the times she refuses to drink the milk he purchased with his own money because she\u2019s certain it\u2019s laced with poison. He continues to care and provide for her despite the frustrations that mark his days.

Over the next several years, Manny completes college, falls in love, and moves to California. The weight of the burdens he\u2019s carried for much too long lightens, though the thought of returning home never dissipates completely. One day, he heads that way and makes it halfway. He pulls into a parking lot and completes his final letter to Selita. In it, he expresses his need to finally let go, to allow her to live her life, and he his. He refers to her by a name he\u2019s never used - \u201cMama.\u201d He gains the closure he needs and voyages back to California, ready to start the next chapter of his life.

Listen Mama reads much like a diary written as a form of therapy. The letters contain both the intimate as well as the mundane happenings in the author\u2019s life. Through them, he uncovers his insecurities and delineates what it feels like to discover his father went to the same church as him when he was too little to remember and never once acknowledged his presence. He highlights his struggles financially and writes of the times he loses hope and tries to end it all. He elucidates all the times Selita fails to express gratitude for his help. His discontent is palpable and omnipresent. He writes, \u201cWhen I was around fifteen, I told Mama Dear that I wished I was \u2018normal.\u2019 This was one of the few times I was not referring to my face...I wished that I was not a semi-intelligent person and that I did not \u2018know better.\u2019 That I did not feel moved by other people\u2019s pain.\u201d

The aforementioned things hold meaning and significance. However, a notable proportion of the book contains musings about the author\u2019s favorite movies, shows, song artists, and sports figures. He includes details about who won the recent ballgame or what happened on an episode of Buffy the Vampire. For example, on September 23, 2008 part of the entry reads, \u201cJust saw the premiere episode of The Mentalist. One of the best shows ever. Main guy is a great actor, and the lead actress and the rest of the team play well-off each other. Great premise, great dialogue, great everything.\u201d This type of commentary spans pages at times and is often inserted in the middle of unrelated content. It frays readers\u2019 attention and detracts from the heart of the narrative. Unfortunately, the quality of the text is compromised considerably by these shortfalls.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "07-Dec-2020 19:57:35", "publisher": "Amazon", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000009318003", "title": "Murder On The Metro", "author": "Jon Land", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 456, "review": "While Lia Ganz, a retired and highly decorated member of the Israeli army, stands holding her three-year-old granddaughter tightly against her, drones spray the beach in Caesarea, Israel, taking countless lives. Thankfully, the water shields them from imminent danger, and they survive.

A woman at the Washington Metro exhibits emblematic behavior of someone about to pull the cord of a suicide vest. Robert Brixton follows her closely as the memories of his late daughter whose life was taken by a suicide bomber, haunt him. He vows this time will end differently, and his courageous actions ensure that.

Kendra Rendine, Vice President Stephanie Davenport\u2019s Secret Service Security lead, witnesses the sudden death of the Vice President. Devastated, she begins to methodically retrace her steps and the events that led up to this day. What she discovers leads her to believe the death was no accident, but instead, the result of a premeditated act of murder.

What becomes evident is these seemingly unrelated incidents are intricately linked. Ganz, Brixton, and Rendine uncover horrifying truths, the worst of which is yet to come. An event of unconscionable proportion is about to take place. Without their intervention a significant percentage of the population will be eliminated. Together, they mastermind a plan to stop the President\u2019s wife from setting off a chemical attack that will rip apart the nation.

Murder on the Metro has a cast of complex and well-developed characters. The stories run parallel, beginning on desperate planes and eventually meeting at an intersection of undeniable interconnectedness. The mystery of how the drone attack in Israel is related to the Vice President of the United States\u2019 death is confounding, but what the reader learns is that in order to ensure her husband never loses his position of authority, the President\u2019s wife will do anything, including using the Israeli\u2019s like a scapegoat for her own atrocities. She plans the minute details of the medical intervention that results in the Vice President\u2019s demise. She is ruthless, and her deceitful, evil ways are intercepted in the end, leaving the reader with the satisfaction of knowing that justice prevailed.

Jon Land writes with precision. It\u2019s evident he dedicated due diligence to the research needed to accurately depict the characters, scenes, and events in the text. His use of foreshadowing and figurative language are impressive. They aid in bringing his narrative to life.

At times, the pace seems slow, and the reader awaits the next thrill, hoping it will quickly come. However, the speed picks up as does the suspense, especially towards the latter part of the book. Piecing together the clues of whose responsible for the savagery is challenging and adds to the quality and enjoyment of the read. Overall, it\u2019s a worthy endeavor.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "07-Dec-2020 19:10:45", "publisher": "Forge Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009314003", "title": "The Last Lumenian", "author": "S.G. Blaise", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 635, "review": "Lilla is a princess whose father has shifted his rule to the one of a tyrant and it only gets worse when he marries, giving Lilla a new stepmother who has her own wicked agenda. The first action her stepmother takes is to convince Lilla's father to sign a marriage contract that will send her far away. But Lilla has a plan of her own. She's not a princess that waits for events to unfold. She's a rebel who's fighting with her people for their freedom. The handsome general Callum arrives with secrets of his own and charms Lilla in a way she never expected. It doesn't help when her life is thrown into the drama between the gods and a war explodes between two archgods that pulls Lilla into the middle, which pushes her into discovering her own magical potential that will have her pushing her abilities to their fullest. To fulfill her destiny she must prepare to come face to face with the Archgod of Chaos and Destruction.

Heralded as a princess with strength and valor, Lilla was given a strong-willed voice and attitude that is woven from SG Blaise delivering a wonderfully dynamic heroine weighed down by her duties as a princess and a rebel. Both sides of her are taken with the same level of detail and with the side given equal precedent as the story progresses. Blaise uncovers various layers of Lilla weaving her between her role as a hero (taking on the Archgod of Chaos)\u2014one as a princess, and one as a rebel. She's fierce and clever with qualities that serve her throughout her journey and guide her into uncovering the different facets of herself. From the first page, you're introduced to Lilla, an established rebel and the crown princess, with the immediate struggle of these two sides driving her. She's torn between the duty she has to her father and her duty to her people, which pulls her to turning against her own crown to become a rebel. Four sides are explored throughout as Lilla is being pulled in these four directions, and each side is an important element for her progression into the hero she's destined to become.

The magic Lilla has within her slowly is revealed with her powers pushing her to a path she never predicted and challenging her to become more than the rebel and the princess. This side of herself is the tug to become a hero that is centered on her destiny to fight against a powerful god. Just as Lilla has various elements to her character, Blaise also weaves in several threads of the genre to breathe life into the world and sets this story apart from others with elements of science fiction, fairytale, and fantasy. Blaise blends these various elements together for a unique and original setting with a vibe of fairytales seen through the actions of a wicked stepmother, with her planet crafted around a science fiction mold, and the magic and mythology akin to a fantasy adventure. Each thread that creates this breathtaking world reflects various aspects of Lilla's own personality.

The story has grand mythology that's rooted within the actions of meddling gods and the war they pull Lilla into, with her destiny fitted to that of a hero of legend. The story weaves in touches of romance though being part of Lilla's story; her romantic options are not the center of her world. Though, the chemistry with Arrov, as two rebels relying on each other, and friction with Callum creates a delightful undertone to the action-packed moments. The Last Lumenian is an exciting read with a complex heroine with a layered and complex story that takes her from princess to rebel to hero through a journey that consists of magic, gods, war, rebellion, betrayal, and romance.", "issue": "Gift Guide 2021", "date_posted": "10-Dec-2020", "date_added": "06-Dec-2020 00:41:03", "publisher": "Lilac Grove Entertainment LLC", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009313027", "title": "Women in Chemistry", "author": "Mary Wissinger", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 173, "review": "Women in Chemistry is a book about women around the world and from different times in history who have worked in chemistry and have made a difference. Chemistry is a part of science where you learn about things around you. The ladies in the book have taught us all a lot about things around us. The ladies are teaching a girl in the book about different things about our world, like DNA and our cells. When you read the book, you will find out if you are a scientist, too.

I found the book very interesting. The material in the book was a little hard for me to understand, but I had my mom explain it to me. The part about electrons, neutrons, and protons was neat to learn about. The pictures were drawn well and I thought that the book was made well, too. I think that this book is a good one for kids of any age to listen to, but it might be better to understand with kids older than me.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "05-Dec-2020 18:17:11", "publisher": "Science Naturally", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009312035", "title": "Black Canary: Breaking Silence (DC Icons Series)", "author": "Alexandra Monir", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hannah - Age 14", "word_count": 296, "review": "Black Canary: Breaking Silence is a young adult novel which takes place in an DC alternate universe and is filled with action, superheroes, romance, and mystery.

In a DC universe where Bruce Wayne is dead along with his parents, Batman is just a legend, and the court of Owls rules Gotham, the women have lost their ability to sing. Except for one high school student, Dinah Lance, the daughter of a police officer and the late, former Black Canary, Dinah Drake.

Dinah Lance's life could be called average for Gotham, but she wants a change, she wants to be able to sing, to make her voice be heard. She stumbles upon her mother\u2019s old sheet music and records, and she listens and sings, all while keeping one eye open for the talons that lurk on every corner.

Then a new student catches her eye, Oliver Queen, who had just moved to Gotham. His parents, who died in a tragic accident, were supportive of the Talons, so Dinah had been prepared to hate him, but turns out, he is on her side.

Oliver and Dinah join the resistance and the two teens have to go on a daring rescue mission. After one of Dinah's friends gets taken, Barbara Gordon, who is one of the main leaders of the resistance, is there to help them.

With some familiar faces and some new, this book was a great addition to my bookshelves. Though the book itself had no illustrations, the writing had no problem painting detailed pictures into my head. It had a great story, and I would recommend it to long-time DC lovers, people new to DC, feminists, and mature eleven year olds and up.

I give this book 5 stars, as it was an extremely captivating story.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "02-Feb-2024", "date_added": "04-Dec-2020 22:28:27", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5 "} {"id": "425035000009312015", "title": "Acts of Desperation: A Novel", "author": "Megan Nolan", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Marta Paraschiv", "word_count": 228, "review": "When Nolan\u2019s protagonist meets Ciaran for the first time, she thinks he\u2019s the most beautiful man she had ever seen. Besides his looks, she\u2019s stricken by his wholeness, so unlike her inadequacy \u2013 something that becomes an ever-present motive of the book. Ciaran is always composed and unaffected by his surroundings while our narrator is drinking too much, sleeping around, and having huge issues with figuring out what she wants to do with her life. She perceives him as superior to her in every instance, inhumanly perfect, and she makes it her life purpose to please him and make him fall in love with her. What ensues is a distressing and intense account of an on-and-off toxic relationship that leaves the reader wondering at times how much a person can endure in the name of love.

The unnamed narrator is unapologetically messy and needy and most of it springs from her insecurity, the ambivalence she feels towards her body and her people-pleasing tendencies. The monologues about female desire and the patriarchal pressures, the analysis of how learning from a young age that her looks and her weight were measures for her worth impacted her body image and made her love and hate food at the same time were incredibly insightful and moving. Acts of Desperation is a powerful story about abuse, desire, toxic relationships, and growing into yourself.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "04-Dec-2020 22:07:58", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009311003", "title": "Spirit of the King", "author": "Amy Hay", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 405, "review": "Kerrigor roams in the dark shadows searching for vulnerable prey. He selects people in and around his kingdom to serve him while he harvests their souls. His orders are carried out by a group known as the shadowers. Kerrigor sees something special in Aria, and he quickly abducts the young girl and enslaves her. For thirteen years, Aria is held captive, her life force slowly being siphoned from her. Any desire to run is deterred by the mark Kerrigor placed on her. Kerrigor also possesses a charisma that lulls the unsuspecting to his side. All of this changes when Aria lets King Eli permeate her thoughts. King Eli is the antithesis to Kerrigor, the bane of Kerrigor\u2019s existence. Eli places his mark on Aria\u2019s forehead and the rejuvenation of her mind and body begins. She has escaped the clutches of total enslavement, fleeing with a chameleonic King Eli.

Uncertainty beckons as Aria wanders foreign territory. She is soon met by a group of soldiers from a rival kingdom. They are led by a brave man named Daven. The mark left by Eli distinguishes Aria as a possible ally, but the soldiers don\u2019t trust her initially. Aria is taken to their kingdom of Corrinia. Aria is restless as she is living under restrictions in her new surroundings, forbidding her from carrying weapons or moving about freely. She is still vulnerable to Kerrigor\u2019s charms, but now he must compete with Eli for her soul. Aria bridles at authority, she yearns to show her skills on the battlefield. She is a warrior in her heart. Kerrigor seeks to expand his empire, but Corrinia stands in his way. Kerrigor\u2019s only desire is for control, gaining what he wants at the expense of anyone. No one will thwart his plans. At least, that\u2019s what he tells himself. Yet, he underestimates Aria and her will at his own peril.

Spirit of the King aims to thrill with its opening salvos and succeeds on impact. The story skillfully weaves its narrative from start to finish with flights of fantasy interspersed with drama, humor, and romance. Aria distinguishes herself as a heroine in her deep resolve and strength. The battle for supremacy between King Eli and Kerrigor serves as a transfixing backdrop, from both an individual and larger spectrum. Fantasy fiction has a new worthy addition with Amy Hay\u2019s wonderfully pleasing book. A literary escape worth taking in this year or the next.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2021", "date_added": "03-Dec-2020 04:27:42", "publisher": "Independently published", "page_count": "178 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009309087", "title": "Robobaby", "author": "David Wiesner", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 8", "word_count": 182, "review": "Robobaby is a funny and short picture book about a family of robots - mother, father, and big sister Cathode. The names are all machine and electrical parts, like Diode and Flange. A box with a new baby robot is delivered, and the robot parents are having trouble following the directions and assembling the baby. Cathode\u2019s mother isn\u2019t letting her help build the baby. After Cathy\u2019s uncle came along to help build it, he and her parents still don\u2019t listen to Cathy about the program updates. They turn on the baby and it goes wild! Then Cathey makes Sprockit the robo-dog fetch the baby and take it to her room. For a while everyone is looking for Sprockit and Cathy. when they find her she has already built the whole baby. Then she looks into the box and sees something else - a bonus robo-baby - twins! And then the book ends. The end is pretty funny and surprising when they find out that they got twins. Kids will like this picture book, especially if they like robots and drawings of machines.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "03-Dec-2020 00:47:58", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009309083", "title": "Lana's War: A Novel", "author": "Anita Abriel", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 198, "review": "Paris, 1943. After losing her husband to Nazi cruelty and her unborn child to the shock of witnessing his murder, Lana Antanova may as well be lost to herself. For a few months, she works in a convent until a man approaches her, offering her something she can do with her life: fight back against the men who killed her husband. She will infiltrate a group of Russians sympathetic to or actively supporting the Nazi regime, and from there she will do whatever she can to save Jews from certain death.

The description of the plot thrilled me -- women at war! espionage! Russians! -- but the execution didn\u2019t impress me as much as I had hoped it would. The contrast between the glitz and glamor of the Riviera and the horrors of the French occupation often errs too much on the side of the former, leaving the author to remind the readers at least once per chapter that Lana is desperately worried about the plight of the French Jews.

Lana\u2019s War was an enjoyable book, but all the same, I couldn\u2019t help hoping for more from it. It never quite reached the heights I hoped for it.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "03-Dec-2020 00:45:30", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009309079", "title": "How to Fail at Flirting: A Novel", "author": "Denise Williams", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 233, "review": "Naya\u2019s had a dry spell for a few years now. After getting out of an abusive relationship, she\u2019s quietly putting the pieces of herself back together and clinging to her career as a college professor. Trouble starts when her college is undergoing an audit and Naya knows her entire department is in danger of being cut. Her best friends recommend that she get out there and live a little to help her get some perspective. \u2028The first night Naya loosens up and goes out, she meets Jake. Cute, charming, and full of cheesy jokes, he might be just what Naya needs.\u2028\u2028

First, the chemistry between Naya and Jake is just adorable. Once these two meet, the story just zipped along. The biggest surprise for this book, however, is that it\u2019s not the feel-good rom-com the cover and blurb imply. A very large component of this book is Naya confronting her abusive ex and trying to recover from the scars of physical and emotional abuse. Those themes were much darker than expected, but they worked with the overall story. Naya isn\u2019t the only character with a past, although Jake\u2019s isn\u2019t really delved into that much. He has a huge bombshell but the two of them don\u2019t really discuss it. \u2028

Overall, Denise Williams has put forth an engaging and well-written debut. As long as readers are aware of the abuse subplot, it\u2019s worth a read.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "03-Dec-2020 00:43:58", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "342 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009309071", "title": "Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine", "author": "Olivia Campbell", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 187, "review": "Women doctors, while not overrunning the profession, can hardly be termed rare or unusual today. Yet in the middle decades of nineteenth-century America and Europe, they were just coming on stage. Olivia Campbell\u2019s Women in White Coats chronicles the story of three ambitious, motivated women.

Elizabeth Blackwell, one of two physician sisters, became the first credentialled woman doctor in the United States. Her path was fraught with challenges as she traveled from the US to Europe to seek training, then open a dispensary and become a practitioner. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was an English dynamo, ready to confront whatever objections she met on her chosen path. The third, assertive and brash young Jex-Blake, unflinchingly contested lengthy legal opposition in Edinburgh.

As doctors, their status and sensitivity were a boon to women unwilling or embarrassed to detail their symptoms to male doctors. They were indeed pioneers.

While the book\u2019s main thrust is medical, and acknowledges the sorry state of pre-modern treatment, the pages reveal the doctors\u2019 dramatic, gossipy personal lives, humanizing their unswerving professional efforts. Campbell handles the saga clearly, readably, vividly. Readers assuming inevitably decorous Victorian behavior will be pleasantly startled.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "03-Dec-2020 00:39:56", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009309067", "title": "Slough House: A Novel", "author": "Mick Herron", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 221, "review": "A young woman is on the run from a menacing figure shadowing her every step, her apparent shelter from harm turns into her demise. A dormant Cold War has been roused from its slumber. Slough House is the last refuge for the disreputable, a safe house for the soon to be permanently disavowed. The inhabitants have all come to congregate and cohabitate there for various reasons, but their commonality is the dangling of redemption. Jackson Lamb is the cynical curmudgeon overseeing the personnel and operations of Slough House. He displays a passive hostility towards his wards, but he\u2019d protect them at any cost. He reports to Diana Taverner, who is an Intelligence Chief at Regent\u2019s Park. Diana has recently overseen an off-the-books operation that was based on revenge but now has deeper ramifications. A list has been leaked, the agents at Slough have been greenlit for assassination, the hunt has just begun.

Slough House elicits the bang needed for a new year in Fiction. Espionage has proven a tried and true genre for well over a hundred years, but Author Mick Herron reinvigorates it with his gripping plot, crisp dialogue, and engaging characters. The gray area inhabited by his characters doesn\u2019t give way a bit, but the reader will find themselves choosing sides by the close of this fascinating and entertaining novel.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "03-Dec-2020 00:38:04", "publisher": "Soho Press", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009309063", "title": "Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War", "author": "Jessica Donati", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 327, "review": "Jessica Donati deserves a Pulitzer Prize for this extraordinary book about America's continued behind the scenes fighting in Afghanistan's \"Forever War.\" After spending four years in Afghanistan, much of it as \"The Wall Street Journal\" Bureau Chief, Jessica Donati offers us insights into the quagmire of the longest war in our country's history. Exactly like her gutsy journalistic style to stay close to the action, Jessica writes with such courage about the havoc political indecision and corruption have wreaked.

The centerpiece of this documentary focuses on the 2015 attack that held the city of Kunduz in the balance, scales tipped by the fearless action of an outnumbered band of U.S. Special Forces. Unfortunately, the devastating aerial attack by an AC-130 gunship on an international hospital operated by Doctors Without Borders, claimed the lives of forty-two patients and staff. The attack on the hospital revealed to the world that America was still very much engaged in a war despite all previous claims of the President and his Administration to the contrary.

Aside from the official reports, Jessica Donati's interviews with key members of the U.S. Special Forces Groups actually engaged in combat reveal that politicians have still not learned the lessons from previous failed military campaigns where the government sent America's sons into battle without a plan or proper support. The hard truth born out by extensive research for this book is that our government still has no long-term plan for Afghanistan that might offer American's even a modicum of assurance that the breeding ground for terrorists will not sprout a fresh crop of attacks on us at home. Even worse, it unveils the ugly reality that we are sacrificing America's finest in secret without any clear goal for ultimate victory, a madness all too reminiscent for Vietnam veterans and their families.

The take-away from this book kick-starts the discussion of the \"Forgotten War\" by assigning responsibility to the politicians who have been politely changing the subject far too long.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "03-Dec-2020 00:35:49", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009309059", "title": "After Happily Ever After: A Novel", "author": "Leslie A. Rasmussen", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry ", "word_count": 205, "review": "Forty-five year old, Maggie, has more than enough to worry about. Her only child will be heading off to college in six months, leaving her with her husband as empty nesters. That might not be so bad except she really misses the career she left to be a full-time mom. There\u2019s also the nagging problem that her husband is pulling away from her and becoming distant. And yet, that still isn\u2019t all Maggie has to deal with. Her beloved father has recently moved into assisted living because of his decline with Parkinson\u2019s disease, leaving her anxious mother alone in the home they\u2019d shared for their entire married lives. Throw in a flirtatious younger man at the gym and Maggie\u2019s entire life is in a perfect storm. \u2028

This book takes a very real look at the complex lives of forty-something women who are torn between their duties to all family members while still trying to fulfill their own desires. The characters ring true, and although there are heavy themes, the book manages to be very funny at times and also a fast, easy, read. Many women will see a lot of themselves in Maggie and will enjoy seeing how her circumstances and decisions will play out.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "03-Dec-2020 00:33:27", "publisher": "Spark Press", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009309035", "title": "Golden Gate: City Spies #2", "author": "James Ponti", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 14", "word_count": 179, "review": "City Spies: Golden Gate is an amazing book about a team of young spies. At the start of the book, Sydney and Brooklyn are undercover onboard a marine research vessel. They successfully foil a kidnapping and prevent the ship from being destroyed. However, Sydney is jealous that Brooklyn did most of the work. Then, when they meet up with the rest of the team, they investigate the death of a former spy, who may have been close to uncovering the identity of the mole known as Magpie. Their search leads them to San Francisco, where they attempt to find a notebook that could help with their mission.

This was a very good book. It was well written, and it kept me interested throughout the whole story. I really liked that they visited a few different national parks and national monuments during the story. I also liked that the team worked well together, despite coming from different backgrounds. I would recommend this book to kids from sixth grade to eighth grade, especially if they enjoy adventure stories and/or spy novels.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "02-Dec-2020 21:42:05", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009309031", "title": "This Golden Flame", "author": "Emily Victoria", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 16", "word_count": 144, "review": "For centuries the automatons have stood still, dormant waiting for someone to awaken them. But the secret to waking them disappeared when their heart was destroyed. All Karis wants is to escape from the Scriptorium and find her brother. Her chance comes when she finds Alix, an automaton unlike any other. This one is very much alive and very much human. Together they cross the sea, meet pirates and join a rebellion, all while finding out what family really is.

The cast of characters isn\u2019t large, but there are more than a few to remember, each different in their own ways. The villain is a bit two dimensional, and he doesn't appear till the last quarter of the book. The magic system is different, they write runes in a ledger that, depending on what it means and how it's written, can do many things.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "02-Dec-2020 21:38:37", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009309023", "title": "Zanna's Gift: A Life in Christmases", "author": "Orson Scott Card", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 193, "review": "Zanna\u2019s Gift: A Life in Christmases by Orson Scott Card is a sweet story that mostly takes place in the 1940s and 1950s. It is a short book of about one hundred pages long and a quick, easy read. It is about family, loss, grief, and continuity. Zanna\u2019s gift is a drawing, meant to be given to her brother, who dies. The drawing and its meaning to the family stay in the family for generations. The character of Zanna is full of innocence and love, even as she ages in the book. The other family members, especially her niece, Betty, are good-natured, well-meaning people. My favorite character is Betty, an energetic child and then young woman, struggling with polio and post-polio symptoms. There isn\u2019t a lot of plot or action but is a quiet tale. It seems to me that the story would have worked really well as a short story instead of a novel. And although it\u2019s a sweet story, it fell a little flat for me. It felt two dimensional. There is an afterward, running several pages long, that offers interesting Card family history and some background on the novel\u2019s ideas.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2021", "date_added": "02-Dec-2020 21:34:17", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "122 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009309015", "title": "Goodbye, Lark Lovejoy: A Novel", "author": "Kris Clink", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 677, "review": "Gimme a Kiss\u2026 Roundup\n\nAs the saying goes, the course of true love never did run smooth, and these three contemporary romance novels certainly indicate that to be a truism. From rediscovering love after a bereavement to rediscovering themselves after a relationship breakdown, the heroines of all three books finally seem to find that love may, after all, be worth the effort. \n\nThe Enlightenment of Bees by Rachel Linden\n\nAt twenty-six years old, apprentice baker Mia West rather smugly thought that she had everything important in life\u2013\u2013career, home, and relationship\u2013\u2013nicely sorted and neatly arranged. In fact, she had just secured a promotion at the artisan bakery where she was training, was convinced that her long-term boyfriend Ethan was about to propose, and had a detailed picture of their quaint future home in mind. However, when Ethan\u2019s attempt at proposing goes awry and he admits that he needs some space, Mia\u2019s perfect world quickly crumbles. In need of a distraction, she agrees to participate in an around-the-world aid project with her friend Rosie. Of course, working with an eclectic bunch of folks in far-flung and troubled locations has a profound affect on Mia and causes her to question if what she thought she always wanted is actually what she really needs in life. The Enlightenment of Bees, Rachel Linden\u2019s latest novel, is a charming romance novel in which the lead character\u2019s love life frequently takes a backseat to her journey of self-discovery. Mia finds herself transforming as she works to transform the lives of those involved in the aid project, and she ends up better off for all the troubles she experiences.\n\nGoodbye, Lark Lovejoy by Kris Clink\n\nGoodbye, Lark Lovejoy, the first book in Kris Clink\u2019s Enchanted Rock series, follows the eponymous Lark as she finally deals with the aftermath of losing her husband and acknowledges that her family life is far from the idyll she has been pretending it to be for so long. Finally realizing that enough is enough, Lark moves her children back to her Texas hometown and decides to pursue her long-paused dream of running a vineyard. Once settled, aside from learning a new trade, Lark also finds herself learning to fall in love again, this time with Wyatt Gifford, an injured army vet who has his own problems to overcome. Lark\u2019s inspirational story is one of rejuvenation and the importance of recognizing and seizing second chances. The decision to leave everything she and her husband had built behind was not an easy one, but finally choosing to pursue her dream of becoming a winemaker proves to be the making of the Lark and, it seems, her family. The Texas wine country setting is delightful, the characters warm and inspiring, and the story itself is romantic, humorous, and uplifting.\n\nA Lot Like Adi\u00f3s by Alexis Daria\n\nFormer best friends are brought back together after years apart in A Lot Like Adi\u00f3s and the sparks soon start flying. Michelle Amato has focused on building a successful career as a graphic designer at the expense of her love life, much to the chagrin of her marriage-obsessed family. She\u2019s happy with her choice, however, as there has only ever been one man she considered to be marriage material: her childhood best friend Gabriel Aguilar. As for Gabriel, he left New York as soon as he turned eighteen so that he could escape the weight of his family\u2019s expectations. Now the co-owner of a hugely successful celebrity gym in Los Angles, fate is about to intervene in his happy exile and force him to return to New York. Once back in the same city, Michelle and Gabriel find that they have to work together and work out where they stand with each other. This second book in Alexis Daria\u2019s Primas of Power series is a steamy romance in which the lead characters have to navigate their own messy feelings, as well as the overly burdensome feelings of their respective families, in order to decide whether the pursuit of love is really worth all the heartache and confusion.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "02-Dec-2020 21:28:35", "publisher": "Spark Press", "page_count": "366 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009413007", "title": "Jack Sterling and the Spear of Destiny", "author": "Ray Griggs", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 58, "review": "Catch this modern-day Indiana Jones in his exciting debut. Marine archeologist Jack Sterling may be a \u201cmagnet for trouble\u201d but he won\u2019t stop at anything in this underwater adventure. Join Jack as he searches for Nazi treasure and explains the Spear of Destiny\u2019s legacy. Action and danger await you in this suspenseful escapade. \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jan-2021 05:37:20", "publisher": "RG Entertainment, Ltd.", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009411011", "title": "A Special Place for Women", "author": "Laura Hankin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 564, "review": "As the seasons turn, we all need a selection of good books to read while basking in the remains of sunlight or recuperating after an autumnal walk. These novels are chock full of intriguing friendships, family drama, mysterious societies, sibling secrets, and corporate misdeeds. Each of these current novels will transport you to another time and place, and provide you with great recommendations to share with your own family and friends. Try them!\n\nEmily's House - Amy Belding Brown\nThe house belongs to an eccentric young woman named Emily Dickinson and the tale is told by her maid, Margaret. The two women form a relationship of sorts, despite their disparate backgrounds and personalities. Maggie was a real person: an Irish immigrant who took the job temporarily but ended up staying for thirty-five years. Instructed by Emily to burn her poems after her death, it is to Margaret\u2019s credit and our benefit that she disobeyed. This novel brings both women vividly to life.\n\nA Hand to Hold in Deep Water - Shawn Nocher\nLacey was lovingly raised by a stepfather after her mother, May, vanished so it makes sense that when her daughter is seriously ill, Lacey goes home for his support. Told both through her point of view and through her mother\u2019s diary entries, we learn the truths that have been hidden from Lacey for thirty years. As she copes with her young child\u2019s medical crisis, she explores what truly matters when it comes to family\u2014whether it was created by biology or by choice.\n\nDamnation Spring - Ash Davidson\nIn rugged northern California in the 1970s, the Gundersens have long been a family of loggers. The risks that Rich takes in cutting down the huge redwoods are as frightening as the miscarriages and birth defects that his wife and other local women suffer. The toxic pesticides that the logging company uses seem to be to blame. But if the environmentalists win their battles to save the forest, the Gundersens and their neighbors will lose their livelihoods, their way of life. With beauty and danger, tension and heartache, this novel deftly presents the dilemmas that arise in a fiercely independent region.\n\nA Special Place for Women - Laura Hankin\nThe special place of the title is \u201cNevertheless\u201d: a women\u2019s only secret club in New York City rumored to be expensive, exclusive, and elite. Freelance journalist Jillian needs a juicy story and decides that working her way into the secret society will give it to her. But she soon learns that powerful people don\u2019t take kindly to being mocked, questioned, or infiltrated! They\u2019ll go to great lengths to protect the darker secrets in their society. A witty novel with a twist that you won\u2019t see coming.\n\nWe Are the Brennans - Tracey Lange\nIf you like family dramas\u2014the secrets they carry and the support they offer even after estrangement\u2014//We Are the Brennans// is for you. When Sunday Brennan is involved in a drunk-driving crash, one of her brothers brings her home to recuperate. She needs more than mending her body though: she hasn\u2019t been back for five years\u2014not since she abruptly left then-boyfriend Kale. Now married, her return creates problems for Kale. Brother Denny owes money to the wrong people as he struggles to open a bar while the other two brothers add their own bits to the family dynamics at work in this uplifting read.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Jan-2021 18:49:53", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009411003", "title": "The Summer Job", "author": "Lizzy Dent", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1847, "review": "Beach Reads to Kick Off Summer Roundup\n\nIf you\u2019re lucky enough to be escaping lockdown and COVID-related chaos and heading to a beach this summer, then you might just be in need of a few good reads to help you while away the time and relax. Fortunately, there are eleven recent fiction releases that would all make for excellent beach reads.\n\nThe Inland Sea by Madeleine Watts\n\nA nameless young woman who dreams of being a writer abandons her plan to study for a doctorate in the aftermath of a messy breakup. She intends to leave her native Sydney and travel, but first she decides to spend a last summer reading novels while sitting on the rocks at Gordons Bay. With her student maintenance funds dwindling, she takes a job in an emergency services call center. Despite the ennui that has been plaguing her, she finds herself becoming increasing affected by the emergency calls that she takes. More worryingly, the emergencies themselves seem to be increasing in magnitude as the summer progresses, ranging from dogs trapped in cars to women hiding from violent partners to raging wildfires. Madeleine Watts skillfully links the overarching failure of authorities to tackle the dangers associated with climate change to the plight of women who seem destined not to be believed in this impactful novel.\n\nThe Northern Reach: A Novel by W.S. Winslow\n\nAs Edith Baines stares out to sea and visibly mourns her son, it is unclear how much of what she sees is real and how much is a grief-induced hallucination. The Baines family has lived in the small town of Wellbridge, Maine, for generations, and as Edith\u2019s memories of her son drift in and out of focus, so to do the memories and stories of her ancestors and of the other families that have called Wellbridge home for decades: the Moodys, the Martins, and the Edgecombs. Despite the town seeming like the sort of place where everyone knows everything about everyone else, all four families have tragedies, triumphs, secrets, and lies that have been transmitted down through the generations. W.S. Winslow uses a series of interconnecting stories, spanning the period 1904 to 2017, to bring the history, nature, and population of Wellbridge to life.\n\nThe Path to Sunshine Cove by RaeAnne Thayne\n\nJessica Clayton has spent most of her adult life ensuring that she has as little baggage as possible, whether that baggage be literal \u201cthings\u201d or people she has met along the way. A professional declutterer by trade, Jessica focuses her energies on helping other people to shed their burdens, and she does whatever it takes to stay in the present, reluctant to even think about her past in the small town of Cape Sanctuary. However, when a new client requires her help to downsize ahead of a move to that very town, Jessica is forced to revisit her past, including her relationship with younger sister Rachel. RaeAnne Thayne is a prolific and hugely popular romance writer, and this time round, she has crafted a charming and heartwarming tale about second chances and the importance of family.\n\nThe Woman in the Sun Hat by Daniel Damiano\n\nDespite being accustomed to being the envy of her friends and neighbors in Cold River, Long Island, Peggy Bubone is forced to recognize just how fragile her life and social position are when her husband is arrested. Almost overnight, she goes from being the rich and rather smug toast of the town to being practically a pariah. With her money and her home suddenly inaccessible, and with no one willing to step in and help, Peggy finds herself and her two children homeless and in dire need of assistance, a situation that causes her to reflect on her past and her difficult start in life. While Daniel Damiano could have turned Peggy\u2019s tale into one of misery and desperation, he has instead crafted a humorous and uplifting story of perseverance and struggle against the odds. Peggy finds a sense of determination that she thought she\u2019d lost, and she does her utmost to build a new and better life for her and her family.\n\nIt Happened One Summer: A Novel by Tessa Bailey\n\nWhen spoiled Hollywood socialite Piper Bellinger causes yet another scandal that is recorded and transmitted far and wide by the paparazzi, her stepfather finally washes his hands of her. After cutting off their allowances, he leaves Piper and her equally spoiled sister with no option but to head to the rural town of Westport, Washington, and run the dive bar that they inherited from their late father. Despite having no head for business and having an almost pathological fear of sleeping in the bunk beds in the only apartment they can afford, Piper is determined to make a success of her exile, particularly after she encounters handsome local sailor Brendan, who makes it clear that he doesn\u2019t think she\u2019ll last five minutes in Westport. Tessa Bailey\u2019s latest novel is a fabulous romcom that gently pokes fun at wannabe star Piper but also allows her to blossom in her new environment.\n\nIsland Queen: A Novel by Vanessa Riley\n\nHaving been born into slavery on her Irish father\u2019s plantation on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, Doll vows to rise above her circumstances and secure the freedom and prosperity of her mother, her sister, and herself. A remarkably enterprising individual with grit, determination, and a clear understanding of how the world works, Doll leverages whatever potential advantage comes her way and rises up through the social ranks as an entrepreneur, a merchant, and a planter. As she progresses in terms of amassing wealth, she also amasses the attention of a series of men, which leads her to even more exotic locations and exceptional situations. Vanessa Riley has really excelled with this fictionalized account of the extraordinary life and achievements of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, a remarkable woman who forged her way from poverty and life as a slave to being one of the richest landowners in the West Indies. Not many people can be said to have truly left their mark on history, but Dorothy certainly did.\n\nThe Summer Job by Lizzy Dent\n\nDreaming about living someone else\u2019s life can be a pleasant form of escapism, but not many people would go the whole hog, commit a spot of identity theft, and run away from their own life. However, that\u2019s just what Birdy Finch does when she decides to assume her best friend Heather\u2019s identity and take a job at a posh hotel in Scotland. To complicate things, Heather is a world-renowned wine expert, which means Birdy\u2019s new job is going to involve a lot of bluffing about wine-related matters. And to complicate things even further, while in Scotland, Birdy might have finally met a man that she\u2019s romantically interested in, only he thinks she\u2019s Heather. Birdy\u2019s plan might be bonkers, but she\u2019s a pleasant and engaging central character. Lizzy Dent has woven a warm and relatable story around Birdy, and there are plenty of laughs to be had while following her (mis)adventures.\n\nThe Bookstore on the Beach: A Novel by Brenda Novak\n\nAfter her husband disappears while on an assignment for the FBI in Ukraine, Autumn Divac spends eighteen months waiting for him to return home to Tampa, Florida. With the official investigation into his disappearance having stalled and the private detective she hired unable to find any additional information, Autumn is nearing the end of her tether when she decides to take her two teenage children and decamp to her hometown of Sable Beach, Virginia, for the summer. She starts working in the bookstore jointly owned by her mother and her aunt, and she finds herself reconnecting with her first love. A tale of friendship and love with a mystery at its heart, Brenda Novak\u2019s novel follows three generations of women (Autumn, her mother, and her daughter) as they confront past mistakes, make their peace with the present, and look toward the future with hope and humor.\n\nSeven Days in June by Tia Williams\n\nWhen Shane Hall and Eva Mercy first met as teenagers, they were two damaged individuals who rapidly fell in love and then enjoyed a whirlwind one-week romance before everything they had crumbled. When they meet again, some fifteen years later, they are both successful writers; Eva is a bestselling author of erotic fiction, while Shane is an award-winning author of literary fiction. After they reconnect at a literary event in New York, where they both take great pains to pretend they don\u2019t know each other, the sparks fly once again and they find themselves embroiled in another passionate week-long romance. Eva wants Shane to return to his home so that her life can return to normal, but before he does so, she wants answers to questions about what happened fifteen years previously. Tia Williams\u2019 latest novel is a thrilling romcom that is darker than most. The story shifts between the past and the present as it explores Shane\u2019s and Eva\u2019s pasts and the reasons why their romance burned out so quickly.\n\nThat Summer by Jennifer Weiner\n\nDaisy Shoemaker seems to have it all: a picture-perfect family, a gorgeous home in the suburbs of Philadelphia, a thriving business, and a fulfilling volunteering project. However, appearances can be deceptive and Daisy is far from content. Just as she\u2019s reaching her lowest ebb, Daisy starts receiving emails intended for a woman named Diana Starling, who has an email address almost identical to her own. Diana\u2019s life seems much more exciting than Daisy\u2019s, and when fate throws them together, Daisy relishes the opportunity to form a friendship with Diana. But did they really become acquainted through pure chance? Diana might not really be who she seems, and if that is the case, what does she want with Daisy? This is definitely not a light and frothy read from Jennifer Weiner, but it certainly is a page-turner. Reflective of the #MeToo movement and the importance of accountability, it\u2019s a thought-provoking and timely book.\n\nBookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter\n\nHaving dedicated her youth to caring for her bedridden mother and raising her two siblings, Sophie Lawson has had to give up on following her dreams, particularly her goal of opening a bookshop in the quaint town of Piper\u2019s Cove. However, with her siblings now able to support themselves, Sophie may have the opportunity to pursue her own endeavors, starting with visiting Piper\u2019s Cove again to attend her sister\u2019s wedding. There\u2019s a surprise in store for Sophie though, as the best man turns out to be Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart, who dumped her without explanation and then vanished from her life. Thrown together by circumstances, it seems that Sophie and Aiden might get the chance to rekindle their romance, but can she really trust him to stick around this time? Denise Hunter\u2019s novel is set in the quintessential seaside town and the story is packed with endearing characters and heartwarming situations. There\u2019s a romance to root for and the hope that things will work out better for Sophie in the future.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Jan-2021 18:32:51", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009410011", "title": "One Day All This Will Be Yours", "author": "Adrian Tchaikovsky", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 214, "review": "Adrian Tchaikovsky's One Day All This Will Be Yours begins at the end of time, where a lone man tends to his farm and his pet dinosaur. Or, more accurately, his fleet of robots tend to the farm. The man's real job, it turns out, is to wait around for hapless, desperate time travelers to show up on his doorstep. This is where the time travelers always show up, you see, at time's bottleneck, the farthest a time machine can take a person. The delightfully misanthropic main character (who remains nameless) cleans up his guest, plays host, feeds, entertains, learns what he can about the poor time traveler's past... and then feeds said time traveler to the aforementioned pet dinosaur. As he puts it, \"The place literally does run itself.\"

Tchaikovsky's latest work continues in the footsteps of his previous Solaris-published novellas, combining out-of-this-world setups with plenty of sharp wit and dark humor. The story evolves quickly, sending the reluctant main character on his own adventures through time and space, pestering ancient philosophers, attending legendary concerts, and arguing with himself in meetings. The book is mercifully light on technobabble, relying instead on bombastic scenarios to keep things moving. Science fiction fans are sure to blast through it in no time, laughing all the way.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "28-Jan-2021 19:19:58", "publisher": "Rebellion", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009409007", "title": "How to Kidnap the Rich: A Novel", "author": "Rahul Raina", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 209, "review": "Ramesh Kumar works in his father's tea stall in Old Delhi, his life nothing but frequent beatings and long days grinding spices and learning the ways of a low-caste Indian \u2013 lying, cheating, bargaining. His chance to move up in the world comes when Sister Claire semi-adopts him and introduces him to an otherwise inaccessible world of knowledge. He takes to it like a duck to water but, after her death, (mis)uses his talents to sit examinations for the lazy or stupid sons of Delhi's middle class. His life changes forever when one of his fraudulent submissions earns first place in the All Indias, the national university entrance exams. This paves the way for an outrageous scam in the form of a top-rated TV show, soon followed by multiple kidnappings and a love story. The escapades, surely possible only in Rahul Raina\u2019s marvelous rendering of India, pit the haves against the have-nots, with the would-be haves, like Ramesh, stuck firmly in the middle. What makes How to Kidnap the Rich such an enjoyable read is not only Ramesh\u2019s adventures but also the riotous way his story is told \u2013 comical accounts of incidents, self-deprecating quips, telling put-downs of fat-cat politicians, and numerous disparaging comments about Westernized Indians. Great fun.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "15-Sep-2021", "date_added": "28-Jan-2021 23:21:54", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009408003", "title": "The Inland Sea: A Novel", "author": "Madeleine Watts", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1847, "review": "Beach Reads to Kick Off Summer Roundup\n\nIf you\u2019re lucky enough to be escaping lockdown and COVID-related chaos and heading to a beach this summer, then you might just be in need of a few good reads to help you while away the time and relax. Fortunately, there are eleven recent fiction releases that would all make for excellent beach reads.\n\nThe Inland Sea by Madeleine Watts\n\nA nameless young woman who dreams of being a writer abandons her plan to study for a doctorate in the aftermath of a messy breakup. She intends to leave her native Sydney and travel, but first she decides to spend a last summer reading novels while sitting on the rocks at Gordons Bay. With her student maintenance funds dwindling, she takes a job in an emergency services call center. Despite the ennui that has been plaguing her, she finds herself becoming increasing affected by the emergency calls that she takes. More worryingly, the emergencies themselves seem to be increasing in magnitude as the summer progresses, ranging from dogs trapped in cars to women hiding from violent partners to raging wildfires. Madeleine Watts skillfully links the overarching failure of authorities to tackle the dangers associated with climate change to the plight of women who seem destined not to be believed in this impactful novel.\n\nThe Northern Reach: A Novel by W.S. Winslow\n\nAs Edith Baines stares out to sea and visibly mourns her son, it is unclear how much of what she sees is real and how much is a grief-induced hallucination. The Baines family has lived in the small town of Wellbridge, Maine, for generations, and as Edith\u2019s memories of her son drift in and out of focus, so to do the memories and stories of her ancestors and of the other families that have called Wellbridge home for decades: the Moodys, the Martins, and the Edgecombs. Despite the town seeming like the sort of place where everyone knows everything about everyone else, all four families have tragedies, triumphs, secrets, and lies that have been transmitted down through the generations. W.S. Winslow uses a series of interconnecting stories, spanning the period 1904 to 2017, to bring the history, nature, and population of Wellbridge to life.\n\nThe Path to Sunshine Cove by RaeAnne Thayne\n\nJessica Clayton has spent most of her adult life ensuring that she has as little baggage as possible, whether that baggage be literal \u201cthings\u201d or people she has met along the way. A professional declutterer by trade, Jessica focuses her energies on helping other people to shed their burdens, and she does whatever it takes to stay in the present, reluctant to even think about her past in the small town of Cape Sanctuary. However, when a new client requires her help to downsize ahead of a move to that very town, Jessica is forced to revisit her past, including her relationship with younger sister Rachel. RaeAnne Thayne is a prolific and hugely popular romance writer, and this time round, she has crafted a charming and heartwarming tale about second chances and the importance of family.\n\nThe Woman in the Sun Hat by Daniel Damiano\n\nDespite being accustomed to being the envy of her friends and neighbors in Cold River, Long Island, Peggy Bubone is forced to recognize just how fragile her life and social position are when her husband is arrested. Almost overnight, she goes from being the rich and rather smug toast of the town to being practically a pariah. With her money and her home suddenly inaccessible, and with no one willing to step in and help, Peggy finds herself and her two children homeless and in dire need of assistance, a situation that causes her to reflect on her past and her difficult start in life. While Daniel Damiano could have turned Peggy\u2019s tale into one of misery and desperation, he has instead crafted a humorous and uplifting story of perseverance and struggle against the odds. Peggy finds a sense of determination that she thought she\u2019d lost, and she does her utmost to build a new and better life for her and her family.\n\nIt Happened One Summer: A Novel by Tessa Bailey\n\nWhen spoiled Hollywood socialite Piper Bellinger causes yet another scandal that is recorded and transmitted far and wide by the paparazzi, her stepfather finally washes his hands of her. After cutting off their allowances, he leaves Piper and her equally spoiled sister with no option but to head to the rural town of Westport, Washington, and run the dive bar that they inherited from their late father. Despite having no head for business and having an almost pathological fear of sleeping in the bunk beds in the only apartment they can afford, Piper is determined to make a success of her exile, particularly after she encounters handsome local sailor Brendan, who makes it clear that he doesn\u2019t think she\u2019ll last five minutes in Westport. Tessa Bailey\u2019s latest novel is a fabulous romcom that gently pokes fun at wannabe star Piper but also allows her to blossom in her new environment.\n\nIsland Queen: A Novel by Vanessa Riley\n\nHaving been born into slavery on her Irish father\u2019s plantation on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, Doll vows to rise above her circumstances and secure the freedom and prosperity of her mother, her sister, and herself. A remarkably enterprising individual with grit, determination, and a clear understanding of how the world works, Doll leverages whatever potential advantage comes her way and rises up through the social ranks as an entrepreneur, a merchant, and a planter. As she progresses in terms of amassing wealth, she also amasses the attention of a series of men, which leads her to even more exotic locations and exceptional situations. Vanessa Riley has really excelled with this fictionalized account of the extraordinary life and achievements of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, a remarkable woman who forged her way from poverty and life as a slave to being one of the richest landowners in the West Indies. Not many people can be said to have truly left their mark on history, but Dorothy certainly did.\n\nThe Summer Job by Lizzy Dent\n\nDreaming about living someone else\u2019s life can be a pleasant form of escapism, but not many people would go the whole hog, commit a spot of identity theft, and run away from their own life. However, that\u2019s just what Birdy Finch does when she decides to assume her best friend Heather\u2019s identity and take a job at a posh hotel in Scotland. To complicate things, Heather is a world-renowned wine expert, which means Birdy\u2019s new job is going to involve a lot of bluffing about wine-related matters. And to complicate things even further, while in Scotland, Birdy might have finally met a man that she\u2019s romantically interested in, only he thinks she\u2019s Heather. Birdy\u2019s plan might be bonkers, but she\u2019s a pleasant and engaging central character. Lizzy Dent has woven a warm and relatable story around Birdy, and there are plenty of laughs to be had while following her (mis)adventures.\n\nThe Bookstore on the Beach: A Novel by Brenda Novak\n\nAfter her husband disappears while on an assignment for the FBI in Ukraine, Autumn Divac spends eighteen months waiting for him to return home to Tampa, Florida. With the official investigation into his disappearance having stalled and the private detective she hired unable to find any additional information, Autumn is nearing the end of her tether when she decides to take her two teenage children and decamp to her hometown of Sable Beach, Virginia, for the summer. She starts working in the bookstore jointly owned by her mother and her aunt, and she finds herself reconnecting with her first love. A tale of friendship and love with a mystery at its heart, Brenda Novak\u2019s novel follows three generations of women (Autumn, her mother, and her daughter) as they confront past mistakes, make their peace with the present, and look toward the future with hope and humor.\n\nSeven Days in June by Tia Williams\n\nWhen Shane Hall and Eva Mercy first met as teenagers, they were two damaged individuals who rapidly fell in love and then enjoyed a whirlwind one-week romance before everything they had crumbled. When they meet again, some fifteen years later, they are both successful writers; Eva is a bestselling author of erotic fiction, while Shane is an award-winning author of literary fiction. After they reconnect at a literary event in New York, where they both take great pains to pretend they don\u2019t know each other, the sparks fly once again and they find themselves embroiled in another passionate week-long romance. Eva wants Shane to return to his home so that her life can return to normal, but before he does so, she wants answers to questions about what happened fifteen years previously. Tia Williams\u2019 latest novel is a thrilling romcom that is darker than most. The story shifts between the past and the present as it explores Shane\u2019s and Eva\u2019s pasts and the reasons why their romance burned out so quickly.\n\nThat Summer by Jennifer Weiner\n\nDaisy Shoemaker seems to have it all: a picture-perfect family, a gorgeous home in the suburbs of Philadelphia, a thriving business, and a fulfilling volunteering project. However, appearances can be deceptive and Daisy is far from content. Just as she\u2019s reaching her lowest ebb, Daisy starts receiving emails intended for a woman named Diana Starling, who has an email address almost identical to her own. Diana\u2019s life seems much more exciting than Daisy\u2019s, and when fate throws them together, Daisy relishes the opportunity to form a friendship with Diana. But did they really become acquainted through pure chance? Diana might not really be who she seems, and if that is the case, what does she want with Daisy? This is definitely not a light and frothy read from Jennifer Weiner, but it certainly is a page-turner. Reflective of the #MeToo movement and the importance of accountability, it\u2019s a thought-provoking and timely book.\n\nBookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter\n\nHaving dedicated her youth to caring for her bedridden mother and raising her two siblings, Sophie Lawson has had to give up on following her dreams, particularly her goal of opening a bookshop in the quaint town of Piper\u2019s Cove. However, with her siblings now able to support themselves, Sophie may have the opportunity to pursue her own endeavors, starting with visiting Piper\u2019s Cove again to attend her sister\u2019s wedding. There\u2019s a surprise in store for Sophie though, as the best man turns out to be Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart, who dumped her without explanation and then vanished from her life. Thrown together by circumstances, it seems that Sophie and Aiden might get the chance to rekindle their romance, but can she really trust him to stick around this time? Denise Hunter\u2019s novel is set in the quintessential seaside town and the story is packed with endearing characters and heartwarming situations. There\u2019s a romance to root for and the hope that things will work out better for Sophie in the future.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Jan-2021 18:12:36", "publisher": "Catapult", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009404003", "title": "The Simushir Island Incident", "author": "Marc Liebman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 422, "review": "Most of us know little to nothing about North Korea. In The Simushir Island Incident, the totalitarian leadership of that nation is intimately connected to a massive drug cartel, operating in an atmosphere of political ambition and desperate bids for survival. This book offers a sweeping action story set in the mid-nineties, featuring Josh Haman, an ambitious Navy officer who aims to reach the rank of Admiral before he retires. (Haman is also featured in several other novels by the same author.) His perilous path intersects with an immense North Korean heroin smuggling operation based from Simushir Island in the Sea of Okhotsk. To reach as many customers as possible, the smugglers make arrangements with Chinese and Mexican operations to distribute their \u201cAsian pure\u201d. But who can truly be trusted when dealing with thugs and thieves?

The two North Koreans who came up with the idea of using the island as their base have a brilliant plan in mind. By freeing themselves from the confines of their nation, they just might be able to safely defect. But only if they can continue to wield just the right amount of power\u2014enough to carry out their scheme, and not so much that a jealous rival will wipe them out.\nAs I read, I kept picturing how this book could be an action movie starring Tom Cruise as Haman. And there is plenty of action here: assassins bearing swords and guns, missiles, submarines, helicopters, jets, North Korean defectors who may or may not be spies, drug deals gone wrong, torpedoes\u2014along with episodes of political double-dealing as characters strive to improve their own circumstances or bring down their rivals. Like in many Hollywood films, some of the female characters are here primarily to spice up the proceedings with a bit of sex. However, the Navy wives and families are portrayed with sympathy and a more well-rounded approach, showing how they must endure the extended absences of their husbands and fathers.

To aid the reader, a few maps and photos are included, as well as a brief history of how North and South Korea came to be divided and another of the Soviet submarine base that once operated from the island. The drama unfolds through seventeen gripping chapters, with a healthy mixture of dialogue, newspaper accounts and other documents, and an abundance of action.

The author is clearly familiar with Navy operations and combat, along with understanding this particular slice of history. This fast-paced page-turner is sure to please readers who enjoy military action tales that contain loads of intrigue.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "27-Jan-2021 00:49:40", "publisher": "Penmore Press", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009403003", "title": "Girl A: A Novel", "author": "Abigail Dean", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 203, "review": "At fifteen, Girl A, Lex Gracie, escaped from a hellish child abuse situation in which she and her six siblings were restrained in their bedrooms, starved, and abused by their parents. Once Lex escaped, her siblings were liberated by the authorities, and each was adopted by a different family. Now a successful lawyer, Lex has managed to overcome her sordid childhood with the help of an unconventional therapist, though not all of her siblings managed to transcend their roots so successfully. Lex is summoned from her home in New York back to England when her imprisoned mother dies, naming Lex as executor of the estate. The family house is still standing--and Lex must figure out what to do with it. Revisiting that house of horrors, and reconnecting with her siblings, shakes Lex\u2019s core, and the darkest demons of her life reemerge.

Girl A is structured as a dizzying back-and-forth between past and present, which feels correct for a book about childhood trauma: memory triggers are everywhere. The specific abuses that the Gracie children suffer are never spelled out entirely, and they\u2019re all the more horrific for being left to the imagination. Novels don\u2019t get much darker and more disturbing than Girl A. It\u2019s unforgettable.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 22:30:06", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009402015", "title": "Find You First: A Novel", "author": "Linwood Barclay", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 198, "review": "Linwood Barclay just might be one of my new favorite authors. Find You First grabbed me from the very beginning. Miles Cookson is a tech millionaire who has just found out that he has an awful disease. Remembering that he donated sperm many years ago to a sperm bank, he sets out to find his biological children. The problem is, it seems like someone else is looking for them as well, and now they are disappearing one by one.

The book is written in chapters according to where certain events take place. Although it is written in the third person, the reader is given the viewpoints of the kidnappers/killers; Miles and his daughter Chloe; Caroline, Miles's evil sister-in-law; and Doctor Gold from the sperm bank. It is obvious how all these characters are connected; however, other chapters are about a man named Jeremy Pritkin, an eccentric who enjoys the company of young girls, which is extremely creepy.

I loved how Barclay developed all the characters so well and did not rush the storyline. The story was intricate yet realistic, and I was left guessing until the very end. It's an absolute must-read book for fans of Harlen Coben.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "05-May-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 22:07:02", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009402007", "title": "Cathedral of Bones", "author": "Steiger, A. J.", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - Age 10", "word_count": 187, "review": "Simon is working at the Foundation sorting mail when he receives a letter requesting aid from the small village of Splithead Creek. They say a fearsome beast has taken up residence in the mountains, and they need someone to help rid them of the nuisance. The Foundation is unwilling to help, but for Simon, it is exactly the challenge he has been looking for!

Although Simon is not technically an Animist, he feels up to the challenge of taking on the shape-shifter. But all is not as it seems. Simon finds out the shape-shifter, Alice, does not remember anything about her past, except that she was once a normal human. Who or what is creating these monsters, and for what purpose? Can Simon solve the puzzle and find justice for Alice and others like her?

I liked this book because it was entertaining and had an interesting storyline. The setting was written in such a way that reading this book was an immersive experience. I felt like I was traveling through the hamlets with Simon. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, fast-paced, easy-to-read adventure!", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 20:45:39", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009402003", "title": "42 Today: Jackie Robinson and His Legacy (Washington Mews Books)", "author": "Long, Michael G.", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 227, "review": "On April 15, 1947, Jackie Roosevelt Robinson stepped onto the field as the first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers, forever changing baseball. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, becoming the first Black athlete in America\u2019s pastime, single-handedly integrating the sport.

42 Today: Jackie Robinson and his Legacy dives into the unvarnished truth about the legendary athlete, beyond his impact on baseball. Editor Michael G. Long curated thirteen essays written by insightful writers who explore critical moments from Robinson\u2019s youth and career, as they explicate Robinson\u2019s long-lasting impact on the ethos of American sports. The book explores Robinson\u2019s faith, politics, and civil rights activism, making it an enlightening read for anyone who values the lessons of hard-fought racial integration in American society.

Renowned sports writers, journalists, professors, and activists who contributed to the volume do not breeze over the racism that Robinson endured during his career. Howard Bryant explores the legend\u2019s \u201cuncompromising sense of equality\u201d in \u201cThe Owner.\u201d Yohuru Williams examines Robinson\u2019s contributions to the Black freedom movement in \u201cI\u2019ve Got To Be Me.\u201d Jonathan Eig\u2019s \u201cTelling it the Right Way\u201d dispels the myth that Robinson was wholeheartedly welcomed and supported by his White teammates. Collectively, the essays offer an intimate and complex portrait of Jackie Robinson as a sports legend and a political actor: an outspoken voice in the civil rights movement, practicing nonviolence, and advocating for racial justice.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 20:25:01", "publisher": "NYU Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009401007", "title": "A Crooked Tree: A Novel", "author": "Una Mannion", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 224, "review": "A Crooked Tree, Una Mannion's debut novel, is a beautifully written book about a family of Irish-American children who set out to find the man who kidnapped their sister. Ellen is acting up in the car one day when her mother decides to let her out at the side of the road. Siblings Marie, Thomas, Libby, and Beatrice are in shock when their mother does this but say nothing as they drive home, leaving Ellen behind. When they find Ellen, she is badly bruised and cut up, and she tells them that she hitchhiked and got into a man's car. The man started touching her leg and even though she asked him to stop the car, he wouldn't. She ended up jumping out of the car, getting herself bloodied in the process.

The story is seen through the eyes of Libby Gallagher as she and her siblings and a bad boy named Wilson set out to find the man they call the Barbie Man. The reader follows Libby through a first kiss, uncovering information about some of the parents she knows, and other coming-of-age happenings. At times, it seems like the book veers from the main storyline of finding Ellen's abductor because there is so much going on with the family in their daily lives.

Overall, this is a wonderful read with engaging characters.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 23:17:06", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009400019", "title": "George Washington: The Political Rise of America's Founding Father", "author": "David O. Stewart", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 211, "review": "In 1757, George Washington was at a fork in the road in his career and life. He helped lead militias in bloody skirmishes against French and Indian troops but had been on the losing end. At twenty-five years of age, he was in ill health(dysentery) and his momentum was stalled. He decided to leave the battlefield behind and return home. His maturity as a leader grew when he undertook a career in politics. By the time he assumed leadership of the Continental Army in 1775, George Washington emerged as a different person.

He not only led his soldiers but watched over them and fought for their rights. Washington\u2019s victories and defeats often followed in lockstep, yet his perseverance defined him. His resolute leadership stood out for the rest of America to view and later seek as a leader.

George Washington\u2019s life has been written about & at times mythologized for hundreds of years, which often downplays his trials and tribulations. Author David O. Stewart remedies this with his outstanding biography. Washington\u2019s life is never dull, whether weathering frigid Valley Forge or blocking internal coup attempts. He is enigmatic as he fought for liberty while running a farm with slave labor. Washington remains a transfixing figure. This is a biography not to be missed.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 22:55:00", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "576 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009400011", "title": "Stella's Stellar Hair", "author": "Yesenia Moises", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 10", "word_count": 200, "review": "Stella\u2019s Stellar Hair is about a young girl who wants her hair to look perfect for the Big Star Little Gala. She doesn't want her mom to fix it like she normally does. Her mom tells her one of her aunts can probably help so Stella hops on her hoverboard and travels to Mercury where Aunt Ofelia gives her a poofy smooth style. Stella loves the style but it is just not her. She travels to her aunts on all the planets to get her hair done in many different styles but all the styles she gets are just not her. Finally, she travels to an aunt who lives closest to the sun and gets some advice that lets her be herself. Buy the book and join Stella on a cosmic adventure exploring the many planets of our galaxy to discover that it is okay to try something new and always be true to you. This is a good book for kids ages two to nine who enjoy cosmic adventures. It teaches an important lesson about self-discovery and accepting yourself just as you are. Stella\u2019s Stellar Hair is a perfect bedtime story for that special little person in your life.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 20:21:09", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009400007", "title": "Laziness Does Not Exist", "author": "Devon Price, PhD", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 207, "review": "The coronavirus pandemic has given us a lot to worry about: getting sick, managing relationships from a distance, taking care of kids while working from home. With all of these things to juggle, people are running into another worry, too: the worry that they\u2019re not being productive enough, and that this lack of productivity makes them lazy and worthless. Social psychologist Devon Price terms this the laziness lie\u2014the notion that our worth is tied up in our productivity, that our limits aren\u2019t to be trusted, and that there\u2019s always more we could be doing. In Laziness Does Not Exist, Price reveals all the ways these beliefs are misguided and offers suggestions for how to free oneself from the hold of the laziness lie.

Drawing on social science research and interviews with mental health professionals and former believers of the laziness lie, Price unpacks the ways that feelings of laziness can signal that we need rest or boundaries, encouraging people to listen to their limits at work and in relationships. Price appropriately attends to the role of structural factors of capitalism while also offering individual-level suggestions that readers can implement immediately. Laziness Does Not Exist advocates for compassion in a world that keeps asking more and more of us.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 20:12:35", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009400003", "title": "Lincoln's Mentors: The Education of a Leader", "author": "Michael J. Gerhardt", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 268, "review": "The book is largely a disappointment. Gerhardt, of all the constitutional scholars today, possesses the license and certainly the knowledge to write the bold truth about the advice Lincoln chose not to take--advice that might well have saved the lives of 880,000 Americans and the most devastating economic disaster in our nation's history.\n\nInstead, like so many other well-meaning books about Lincoln, Gerhardt glosses over the fact the United States is the only nation in the civilized world that required a war to abolish slavery.\n\nAn example of Gerhardt's misleading presentation is the attack on Fort Sumter, which is generally accepted as the start of the Civil War. Although Gerhardt mentions General Winfield Scott's letter recommending that the Fort be abandoned without a fight, the author fails to mention the rest of General Scott's advice for avoiding the Civil War, known as the Anaconda Plan. This strategy would have strangled the South economically and brought the Confederacy back to the Union peaceably.\n\nIronically, Lincoln tries to emulate Jackson, the man he labeled King Mob, as soon as he is faced with a crisis as President. Jackson put down South Carolina's attempt to secede in 1832, but Lincoln lacked the military moxie of Old Hickory. Even though Gerhardt lays out these facts, he does not explain how Lincoln's refusal to listen to the Union's commanding general escalated the war by compelling four more southern states to secede.\n\nAll of this begs the question: Did Gerhardt rush the writing of this book, or did he lack the courage to reveal the true ugly history of political science at its' worst?", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 20:04:45", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009399015", "title": "Sisters of the Resistance: A Novel of Catherine Dior's Paris Spy Network", "author": "Christine Wells", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Jacobs", "word_count": 181, "review": "Sisters of the Resistance: A Novel of Catherine Dior's Paris Spy Network was an enjoyable book if you were looking for romantic chick lit, but as far as historical fiction goes it was a little lacking. The book is just over four hundred pages long and I don\u2019t feel that the author scratched the surface of the activities of the members of the resistance. Instead, much time was spent reading about how the characters feel and how frightened they were that they might be captured, tortured, and killed. I feel that the triplicate of fear was repeated far too many times in the book and as the reader, you can remember that they feared getting caught. The most intriguing part of the book was the author\u2019s write-up about the book and the research she went through. It\u2019s a shame she wasn\u2019t able to use it in a way that made the book more interesting and inclusive of the resistance activities. The book is a good read for the beach, or poolside, but overall not a very interesting work of historical fiction.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "15-Jun-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 22:23:10", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009399007", "title": "Wolfboy", "author": "Andy Harkness", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "The moon is full and Wolfboy is HUNGRY! He walks through the woods calling for the rabbits. \u201cRabbits, rabbits! Where are you?\u201d Wolfboy splashes through creeks, and he climbs up an old oak, calling for the rabbits at every turn. He is hungry and huffy and drooly. Wolfboy slogs through a soggy bog and leaps over a ravine, calling for the rabbits with each step. He is hungry and huffy and drooly and growly and fussy. And then, in the light of the full moon, he sees a pair of long ears and a cottony tail. Has he found the rabbits at last? What does this mean for the cute little fluffy rabbits?

Andy Harkness has created quite the picture book experience for little ones. They will love the tension the text builds and the humor throughout. The clever illustrations\u2014a combination of painted backgrounds and clay art\u2014will keep kiddies' eyes on the pages, and they will love finding the hidden rabbits. This is the kind of book that will become a favorite and be asked for over and over, but it is so much fun, the adults reading the book won\u2019t mind repeating it.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 21:10:23", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009398019", "title": "Anonymouse", "author": "VanSickle, Vikki", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 179, "review": "Someone is transforming the city with some unusual art, and the city residents have taken notice\u2014not the people, but the animals. A city mouse and a colony of bats, the birds and dogs, raccoons and squirrels, and even the ants. This new street art is everywhere, making all the city animals think about their environment in a new way. The only clue is a name: Anonymouse. Then, one day, there is no further sign of Anonymouse, and the city animals are worried. \u201cAfter all, the city can be dangerous for animals.\u201d

Vikki VanSickle\u2019s charming and mysterious Anonymouse finds beauty in the crowded, industrial skyline as well as in the sewers and the littered streets below. Anna Pirolli\u2019s sandy-colored tones and dark browns highlight Anonymouse\u2019s bright pink creations, which pop off the page. She also adds humorous details, such as Batman in pink polka dot boxers. With a nod to Banksy, VanSickle gives young readers some beautiful themes to ponder. It's a fun story about how art can inspire and unite and, sometimes, even change our perspective on the world.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 22:43:13", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009398015", "title": "Black Widows: A Domestic Thriller", "author": "Cate Quinn", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 195, "review": "Black Widows is an intriguing story about three women who are married to the same man, Blake Nelson. Living in an off-the-grid ranch house, Rachel, Tina, and Emily are sister wives. Blake has gone against his family and the laws of the Mormon elders and decided to be a polygamist. Then one day, he turns up dead. What seems like a rather simple mystery to solve, given that only his three wives and the realtor who sold Blake the house know where the house is, turns out to be twisty and complicated.

Black Widows is narrated by all three wives and it is hard to tell who is lying and who is telling the truth. Rachel is the first wife, and she has a very strict regiment for the household. Tina is a rather loose Vegas girl trying to reform herself. And Emily is the sweet, creative, naive, young one.

This book will have you wondering all the way through as to who killed Blake. With police clues thrown in here and there, it is still difficult for the reader to solve the mystery. It is an engaging read for fans of suspenseful mystery/crime thrillers.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 22:08:48", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Landmark", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009398011", "title": "What to Eat When You Want to Get Pregnant: A Science-based 4-week Program to Boost Your Fertility with Nutrition", "author": "Nicole Avena", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 219, "review": "Getting pregnant seems like it should be such a straightforward thing, but for many people, it\u2019s not. While there are many factors that can affect fertility (age, body weight/makeup, personal habits such as smoking), less well known is how the foods we eat impact our chances of attaining pregnancy.

In What to Eat When You Want to Get Pregnant, doctor, scientist, and nutritional expert Nicole Avena explores just this subject, breaking down the most recent science on which foods boost fertility and which ones can be a hindrance. Readers (female and male) will learn about which nutrients they should be emphasizing in their diets to increase their chances of getting pregnant as well as what foods can be a good source of those nutrients.

Avena also includes a specially designed four-week eating program to help anyone boost their own fertility, which focuses not only on the best foods to eat but also on helping develop and maintain a healthy attitude towards food and eating in general. Readers will appreciate the many recipes offered to help implement this plan, including delicious-sounding options like Easy Turmeric Turkey, Sweet Potato, and Zucchini Bowl; Buffalo Cauliflower \u201cWings\u201d with Avocado Aioli Dipping Sauce; and Salmon and Yukon Gold Potato Hash.

This book is an excellent resource for anybody who wants to be a parent!", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 22:01:40", "publisher": "Kensington Publishing", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009398007", "title": "The Downstairs Neighbor", "author": "Helen Cooper", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 193, "review": "Emma is The Downstairs Neighbor to the seemingly perfect family of Steph, Paul and their teenage daughter Freya. Freya goes missing and the police begin to question everyone in the building. Emma, Steph, Paul and the other tenants have their secrets. The question is which secret is the one related to Freya\u2019s disappearance. How far would you go to protect those you love? How many secrets and lies would you tell? What would you do when it all begins to come crashing down around you?

I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional debut by Helen Cooper. I would have loved to describe it better, but I don\u2019t want to give anything away. I loved the multiple points of view. It allowed you more insight into each of the characters and what their secret was, as well as why they thought it was best that they keep it. While this is a mystery, I would describe it as more of a drama. It powerfully displays how we often think secrets are the best way to protect those we love, but they often cause more damage than good. I highly recommend you read this story for yourself.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 20:27:20", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "379 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009397007", "title": "F*cking Argentina and 10 More Tales of Exasperation", "author": "Gregg Greenberg", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 516, "review": "It\u2019s Not You, It\u2019s BFJ, one of the eleven humorous short stories in Gregg Greenberg\u2019s collection, F*cking Argentina and 10 More Tales of Exasperation, has the protagonist breaking up with the love of his life because he can\u2019t abide she\u2019s a huge fan of Billy Joel. The author cleverly works seven of the artist\u2019s hit song titles into the story for emphasis.

This is only one example of Greenberg\u2019s whacky wit that will have you chuckling with relatable moments. \u201cYou may be right, (he) may be crazy\u201d, but since \u201c(I) Didn\u2019t Start the Fire\u201d, I\u2019m using the occasional lyric or title from a Joel song where appropriate in this review.

\u201cHonesty is something seldom heard\u201d, but it rings true in Weinberger\u2019s Back-to-School Night, a tortuous tale of a father attending back-to-school night for parents of children in kindergarten.

In F*cking Argentina, the South American country is anthropomorphically depicted as a deadbeat trying to hit up a wealthy acquaintance for a loan. Historically it appears that\u2019s \u201cJust the way (they) are.\"

Greenberg is \u201cOnly Human\u201d and \u201callowed to make (his) share of mistakes\u201d and he does. You have to be a Broadway buff to understand the significance of Officer Krupke Strikes Back and even then it\u2019s not funny.

Likewise, it\u2019s a double fault for A Journeyman Tennis Player\u2019s Prayer. A very select audience may enjoy this but not being one of them I can\u2019t attest to their sense of humor.

Malodor on the Number Five Express is also a bit off. The whiff of intolerance and elitism emanating from the protagonist isn\u2019t appealing.

But Greenberg recovers with The Last Couples Dinner. It\u2019s about the guy we all know, the \u201cBig Shot\u201d, who has to have \u201cthe last word, last night \u2026 know(s) what everything's about\u201d.

A dutiful son accompanies his elderly mother to a stage performance only to discover upon leaving the theatre she\u2019s forgotten her handbag. You may have \u201cSeen the Lights Go Out On Broadway\u201d, but it\u2019s nothing compared to the pandemonium created by a lost purse, effectively conveyed in Panic in Shubert Alley. A Side of Exasperation on the NJ Turnpike could be described as a high-maintenance-family, fast food fiasco exacerbated by the \u201cPressure\u201d of \u201cyou never-ever-ever stop the car when you are making great time\u201d.

In Back Off Baxter! the author missed the opportunity to develop this frustration into a \u201cKaren\u201d pet confrontation. Instead, it\u2019s the protagonist\u2019s daughter who challenges the pet owner and \u201cTell(s) Her About It\u201d.

Little Timmy\u2019s Birthday Battle is presented as texts between parents, one at home and one in the car with his son trying to find the location of Timmy\u2019s birthday party. Not being a rabid texter like the rest of the world, I had to go on online to look up the meaning of the text abbreviations and acronyms. Suffice to say, that kills the spontaneity of humor. BOMEI (But others might enjoy it).

The stories in F*cking Argentina are flawlessly written, well-structured, and a welcome respite. Something I haven\u2019t seen \u201cFor the Longest Time\u201d. The perfect anecdote if you\u2019re taking yourself and your circumstances too seriously.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 05:14:32", "publisher": "", "page_count": "100 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009397003", "title": "Rumspringa", "author": "Lee Maguire", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 403, "review": "In this sequel to Closer Than You Think, we find psychologist Bryce Davison trying to self-heal from past trauma while also helping his patients. His practice is growing and he is enjoying his newfound fame. Flawed but caring and compassionate, he works hard to rebuild his life with the support of family and friends and of course, his Basset Hound, Maxine.

A young Amish man, Josef, whom he has crossed paths with, develops an unhealthy obsession with him that escalates into violent behavior. He decides to take a Rumspringa, a rite of passage in some Amish communities where adolescents get to experience life outside of their community. Even though this is frowned upon in his community and he is much too old, he decides to do it anyway. We follow his journey to CA and back and his descent into madness and murder.

I would recommend reading the first book in this series before this one. Although the author did a good job catching the reader up on past events, I still felt like I was missing something. This is a nail-biting psychological thriller with intense scenes. There were points in the story where I gasped out loud. Not a dull moment to be had in this one. The short chapters made the story seem a bit choppy, but it also kept the pace moving and made it an easy read. The simultaneous storylines were well written and kept you guessing. I enjoyed seeing both the point of view of our villain and hero. Dr. Davison is a well-rounded and endearing character; I was completely invested in his story from the beginning. In contrast, Josef is a bomb waiting to go off. He has an inflated sense of self-importance and believes he is God\u2019s gift to everyone. Then the suspense builds until the two storylines finally intersect. This book is full of great psychological insights and offers a unique perspective from a clinical standpoint rather than most books that give us a profiler\u2019s point of view. Though mostly a thriller, there are uplifting points in this story\u2014not all the minds Dr. Davison works with are broken. Dr. Davison also has a great sense of humor, so there is much-needed levity throughout. Of course, the real star of the story is Max; I enjoyed her antics. I can\u2019t wait for the next book in this series. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves thrillers.", "issue": "January 2021", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 04:57:09", "publisher": "Dead End Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009396179", "title": "Last Stands: Why Men Fight When All Is Lost", "author": "Michael Walsh", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 203, "review": "What makes last stands memorable? Is it the loyalty of the forlorn soldier digging in despite impossible odds? Last stands have been waged throughout history, usually resulting in a rout of the defeated force. Yet, the loss of the battle has not necessarily meant the end of the war. One of the primal instincts men possess is to wage war. War is an equalizer, balancing the chaos in humanity. Throughout history, empires have dominated throughout the world, from Ancient Greece to Rome to France and Britain. The overwhelming dominance of these empires has been checked with key battles where the last stand has been a factor. A line in the sand might seem hopeless but often appears noble and galvanizing. Whether fighting to stave off aggression (Thermopylae), resisting mortal enemies (Masada), or miscalculating your opponent (Little Big Horn), the waging of a penultimate battle resonates throughout time.

Last Stands provides a thought-provoking timeline of the evolution of man\u2019s belligerent nature. Author Michael Walsh waxes nostalgic on the past where war defined manhood. The author encapsulates the past with each battle cited, illustrating the pros and cons of each side\u2019s strategy and giving the reader grist for the mill. This is a truly enjoyable read.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 23:44:44", "publisher": "St. Martin's ", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009396151", "title": "Fulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America", "author": "Alec MacGillis", "category": "N09 History", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 736, "review": "From the first heart transplant to the federal courts of New York City, these four reads take an in-depth look at the death of Bruce Tucker, the transition of America into a one-click society, the groundbreaking work of William Smith, and the callousness of a billion-dollar industry. \n\nThe Districts: Stories of American Justice from the Federal Courts \u2013 Johnny Dwyer \n\nDelve into this comprehensive look into the court system within Manhattan and Brooklyn. The two federal courts of Southern District Court and Eastern District Court keep order in New York City. Johnny Dwyer provides multiple stories as examples that range from a Mafioso in Queens helping depose of a body to a college student caught at the JFK airport with cocaine to a Manhattan hedge fund manager that lies to investors. Dwyer takes an in-depth exploration of the courtrooms through the lives of the judges, attorneys, prosecutors, and defendants. The crimes mentioned in the book include drug trafficking, terrorism, organized crime, and white-collar crime. /The Districts/ takes a hard and honest look at intent, deception, justice, and reasonable doubt.\n\nThe Organ Thieves: The Shocking Story of the First Heart Transplant in the Segregated South \u2013 Chip Jones \n\nChip Jones recounts the horrific events surrounding the first heart transplant which occurred in 1968 when Bruce Tucker, a black man, went to the top hospital in Virginia after a head injury only to have his heart removed and placed inside a white businessman. This book from Pulitzer Price-nominee journalist delves into Tucker's death and how he became a human guinea pig without his family knowing. These events reflect a long history of the mistreatment African Americans have endeared which began over a century ago with horrific actions including cadaver harvesting. The 1960s saw a race for the first successful heart transplants in a book that balances medical history, legal drama, and the issues of life and death told through the lens of racial injustice that has been around for centuries. Also included is a forward from Ben Jealous who is a social justice activist. \n\nStrata: William Smith's Geological Maps \u2013 Oxford University Museum of Natural History \n\nFull-color geological map illustrations, geological cross-sections, strata tables, fossil illustrations, and photographs are included within /Strata: William Smith's Geological Maps/. Also included in /Strata/ is Smith's 1799 geological map of Bath, detailed stratigraphical country maps, and the groundbreaking map of strata. The information is thanks to a variety of sources such as the London Natural History Museum, the Geological Society, and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. This includes the first complete presentation of the revolutionary work of William Smith, a geologist, from the nineteenth century. He's considered the father of English geology. This book illustrates the career of William Smith as he went from an apprentice to a surveyor and collector of fossils and even his imprisonment over debt problems. An introduction from Douglas Palmer describes Smith's work as it relates to structure specifically towards geographical mapping and theories of biostratigraphical. The book is divided into four parts and contains sheets from Smith's 1815 hand-colored map, cross-sections, and fossil illustrations. Between each section are essays commenting on Smith's work in areas of hydrology, mining, cartography, and agriculture. This testament to Smith's career includes a forward from Robert Macfarlane and an awe-inspiring collection. \n\nFulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America \u2013 Alec MacGillis \n\nUpton Sinclair published a novel with the subtitle /A Story of Ford-America/ which called out a billion-dollar company for how it underpaid employees and had dangerous working conditions. Going forward eighty-three years, Amazon.com has well over a trillion dollars while Ford Motor Company is worth around thirty billion dollars. One-click America has intensified under the pandemic of the Coronavirus due to the increase in online shopping. As Amazon grows through deliveries, corporate campuses, and data centers, a separation between winner and loser cities begins to grow. The book focuses on the fabric of society unraveling which is told through stories about those that have succeeded and those that haven't. These examples include high-paid Seattle workers in offices where a black neighborhood once was, Virginia homeowners that work against a data center that could damage their local environment, and an El Paso office supply firm that works against Amazon's governmental procurement. MacGillis also includes in /Fulfillment/ how Amazon become a Washington D.C. force, the growing inequality between the poor and rich, and how every click online is remaking America.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 22:07:45", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009396147", "title": "Everyday Mojo Songs of Earth: New and Selected Poems", "author": "Yusef Komunyakaa", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 164, "review": "Redolent with references and deep with imagery, Everyday Mojo Songs of Earth, the latest collection of poems from Yusef Komunyakaa is the kind of rich and challenging work readers have come to expect from the internationally known poet.

The newest poems traffic beautifully in the language of the body, of blood and sweat and what it means to work, the toll labor takes, and the lives we construct as time passes us. Walt Whitman is echoed in \u201cA Prayer for Workers,\u201d and the deep South rings out through \u201cThe Soul\u2019s Soundtrack\u201d: \u201cwords / follow the river through pine / & oak, muscadine & redbud, / & the extinct Lord God bird.\u201d

But, if you are considering this publication solely for new work, the book has little to offer. The majority is comprised of poems that have appeared in collections published in the last twenty years. If you are new to Komunyakaa, though, this is an excellent primer on one of the most important working American poets.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 21:52:01", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009396143", "title": "Escape: One Day We Had to Run", "author": "Ming and Wah, Illustrated by Carmen Vela", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 207, "review": "Escape: One Day We Had to Run tells the courageous stories of those who defied the odds and escaped from unfathomable conditions in order to find safe refuge. Their plights span a one hundred and seventy-one-year time period, beginning with the remarkable voyage of Harriet Tubman and those she aided who risked their lives and separation from their families to escape the reigns of slavery. In 2015, Yusra and Sara Martinis\u2019 extraordinary efforts carried them from the war-torn city of Damascus to Turkey, Greece, and on to Germany where Yusra competed in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games. These are just two of a plethora of extraordinary exodus\u2019s highlighted by Ming & Wah.

This is a compelling and inspiring book that contains an array of personal accounts of heroic value, many of which aren\u2019t included in elementary school textbooks. These individual stories provide a rich historical lens into the past. They\u2019re marked by acts of determination, bravery, and fortitude and are likely to provoke heartfelt dialogue and questions from young children. The material is ideal for upper-elementary and middle school classrooms, and because each narrative can stand alone, the text can be divided for group projects. This will undoubtedly be an invaluable resource for educators and students alike.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "05-May-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 21:40:38", "publisher": "Lantana", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009396139", "title": "The New Baby Revised Edition: An activity book for soon-to-be big brothers and sisters", "author": "Lie Dirkx", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 196, "review": "The New Baby Activity book is perfect for preparing children to be a big brother or sister. This book has many great activities to color such as what will be baby be like and information about our family now. It is stressful becoming a big brother and this activity book has helped me to navigate the changes that will be happening in my family soon. I get to learn and read fun facts about how the baby is growing and changing every month. I also like getting to draw myself and what I think my baby sister might look like, or what kind of hair or eyes she will have. My favorite activity in the book is completing the family tree. This is a fun way to see how our family has grown and changed as time goes on. This is a great book to help kids get excited and learn how to be a better big brother or sister. I like the tips in the book, like how to hold a baby, feed the baby, and swaddle the baby in a blanket. I recommend this book for all parents to buy for the older sibling!", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "07-Jun-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 21:37:33", "publisher": "Cicada Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009396135", "title": "I Am Loved", "author": "Mary and Kevin Qamaniq-Mason", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 199, "review": "As he wonders what may lie ahead, Pakak holds on mightily to his teddy bear. He\u2019s just moved in with a foster family and feels afraid of the unknown, although he soon discovers that it isn\u2019t so terrible after all. He spends a day sledding in the snow and munches on delicious Chinese food for dinner. When darkness does threaten to overcome him, he remembers the words of his anaanattiaq (grandmother) when she whispered in his ear: \u201cNaglingniq qaikautigijuannaqtuq maannakautigi!\u201d In their native Inuit language it means \"Love can travel anywhere in an instant!\" These words assure him he\u2019s loved, even if from a distance.

This is a thoughtful tale about a young boy who longs for home. He deeply misses his mother, whose picture sits beside his bed, serving as a reminder of the life he knew before their separation. Youngsters who\u2019ve experienced loss will be touched by his story. Children aged five to nine who are empathetic as to the adversities of others will be profoundly heartened by it too. I Am Loved is an ideal book for promoting meaningful dialogue in early elementary school classrooms as well as providing insights into the Inuit culture and language.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "05-May-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 21:33:55", "publisher": "Inhabit Media", "page_count": "30 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009396111", "title": "Black Lives Matter at School: An Uprising for Educational Justice", "author": "Edited by Denisha Jones and Jesse Hagopian", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 177, "review": "This book really depends on where a teacher is teaching to really make an impact. The importance of teaching about minorities and their experiences is important for more urban school districts but might not find as much traction in rural school districts, which might face pushback from parents. This book looks at how educators, students, and community leaders can make the lives of black students and black historical figures matter at school and to put them into the curriculum. Something the editors of the volume say has not been the case for decades, as the American educational system is designed to talk about great white Americans, but not to talk about anyone else. Depending on what side of the political divide one stands on, and what part of the country one lives in, will really determine how one will approach this work. This collection builds on the Black Lives Matter movement, which has been reaching out to the schools to impart change for the next generation, while at the same time, fighting for social justice for all.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 21:03:44", "publisher": "Haymarket Books", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009396107", "title": "Red Island House: A Novel", "author": "Andrea Lee", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 2173, "review": "The best plans take you to stunning places around the world and this summer you can take the perfect trip all without leaving your home. From a sexy adventure in Italy to a suspenseful journey in Greece, these amazing authors will take you on thought-provoking and compelling journeys. You can traipse to the city of Barcelona in a tale of longing, meet a man that doesn't exist on Frick Island, lose technology in Lincolnwood, and even dip back in time to the 2008 financial crisis. Each of these literary reads would make for the perfect summertime treat. \n\nThe Weary God of Ancient Travelers \u2013 Jessica Stilling\n\nA suspenseful read that follows a woman with no memory except for her arrival in Santorini with a man she's drawn to trust. How can she trust this mysterious man if she doesn't even remember his name? She navigates her own mind in search of her past and identity which is a journey derailed by memories of a life that wasn't hers. Jessica Stilling sets the story among a backdrop of stunning scenes of Greece described as being almost visceral with a unique compilation of romance, mystery, and self-inspection. /The Weary God of Ancient Travelers/ is considered compelling as the story weaves between her past life to her present one and set upon descriptions of Greece that come to life off the page.\n\nThe Invisible Husband of Frick Island \u2013 Colleen Oakley\n\nFrick Island is where Piper Parrish has made home, living what's considered an almost idealistic life. The only downside to the beauty of her life is the fact that her husband Tom is dead and has been since his boat capsized. You wouldn't know such sadness has rocked Piper's life as the widow has carried on as if her husband was still alive and well. Not only does she act as if he's present for meals, taking walks to the docks with him, and keeping their regular meetings, but the entire town indulges her by pretending that nothing has changed. Enter Anders Caldwell who thought he would be a podcast star by now, instead, he's stuck writing fluff news stories. Then he gets an assignment that brings him to Frick Island where he'll cover yet another fluff piece. While he's writing about the joys of a Cake Walk fundraiser, he discovers that the entire town pretends that a dead man is still alive. This strange behavior draws him back to the island to investigate where he meets Piper and discovers more than just a story.\n\nMy Year Abroad \u2013 Chang-rae Lee\n\nTiller is what you'd considered being a normal student in college and is known for being good, but he has one problem. He's bored and has no interest in what college has to offer then Pong Lou enters his life. Pong is a successful Chinese American entrepreneur who quickly takes him under his wing and even takes him on an incredible trip throughout Asia. This delivers a story that is ripe with darkness, humorous, and possesses a suspenseful journey that transforms Tiller from a common student to a protege excited to see the world. His experiences throughout his vacation open his eyes to another side of himself and change how he sees Pong while crafting a new way for him to understand the world. Lee's prose is considered to be precise and elliptical, told through alternating narratives which weaves between Tiller's year abroad, his reflection upon how the trip affects his future, and the domestic life that he settles into upon returning home. His year abroad is described as riveting with a deep emotional complexity that delivers a brilliant commentary that Chang-rae Lee implores about Western attitudes and Eastern stereotypes. The story covers themes such as mental well-being, capitalism, parenthood, global trade, and being a mentor while also delving into the effects of cultural immersion through Tiller's experiences being American in China and Pong's experiences being Chinese in America.\n\nShaky Town \u2013 Lou Matthews \n\n/Shaky Town/ is a timeless story that focuses on the working-class residing within Los Angeles and told in the writing style of Lou Matthews who uses his time as a street racer and mechanic reflected within the prose. The plot is told through a panoramic style that revolves around the various characters residing within a Los Angeles neighborhood and is explored through individual tales about tragedy and glory. Each of the characters is driven by their environment which features a shaky faultline with an assortment of personalities including a girl caught up in a gang war and a priest caught in the middle of a crisis of faith. The characters are connected to each other by the bond they have within the neighborhood which is brought to life through their complications and conflicts. \n\nBarcelona Dreaming \u2013 Rupert Thomson \n\nJourney back to 2008 where you'll find yourself on the eve of the financial crisis in a tale of three stories that feature a rich assortment of personalities and a connection by time. The story weaves throughout three distinct stories that interlock. Get to know a gift shop-owning English woman, a jazz pianist that suffers from alcoholism, and a translator tormented by love not returned. Each of these individuals faces a journey that changes everything they know and each of their stories is centered around a Moroccan immigrant that has suffered at the hands of a crime. Themes featured in /Barcelona Dreaming/ include immigration, self-delusion, racism, addiction, and longing. Rupert Thomson delivers a book about those longing for something out of reach and the nostalgia that we have for what we've lost. This stunning summer treat also serves as a love letter to the stunning city of Barcelona. \n\nA Not So Lonely Planet \u2013 Karina Kennedy\n\nMarina Taylor is a writer that has big dreams to write her dream book /Italian Women of Influence/ which is in the works with an incredible journey ahead of her and a ticket that will send her on vacation to Rome. Her plans quickly veer thanks to her knack for finding disaster and her attraction to a handsome stranger. Marina takes a note from actress Regina Lombardi as she's inspired to master the art of the sexual gaze while she weaves her focus between research for her book and an assortment of alluring characters from footballers to scholars to Sicilian twins. She embarks on an adventure that takes her throughout the nightclub scene to a masquerade ball while she finds herself longing for a handsome photographer in a game of catch the stranger. Her escapades send her from one thrill to the next and leave her wondering about her sweet ex back home while she indulges in the sexy adventure that awaits her in Italy's amazing cities.\n\nSpinning to Mars \u2013 Meg Pokrass\n\nThis is a collection of linked stories that will create the feeling of being immersed within the literary worlds that Meg Pokrass has delivered. The assortment of stories provided will take you off to Mars thanks to the language of the writing that creates biting insight with each one. /Spinning to Mars/ consists of what is considered to be Micro stories and is considered to be a short read with experiences that are illuminating and notable. The stories are chilling as well as humorous with a focus on human relationships through the gifts, surprises, and unfairness they can bring. Pokrass has written several collections of flash fiction including \u201cThe Dog Looks Happy Upside Down,\u201d \u201cAlice in Wonderland Syndrome,\u201d and \u201cThe Loss Detector.\u201d \n\nRed Island House \u2013 Andrea Lee\n\nJourney to the island of Madagascar through the eyes of a Black American woman in an epic tale that explores the dangers of love against the backdrop of paradise. Shay is a professor that finds love with the handsome Italian businessman named Senna and soon the two get married. The next character of her life takes her far from home when they leave Milan for life in Madagascar where they settle down in an idyllic life on the beach. They build a gorgeous vacation villa and Shay soon finds herself in charge of a household that puts her between the idealistic life she had grown up in America and the bond she feels with the continent that belonged to her ancestors. As she becomes captivated within this world, she begins to question if she can hold onto both her identity and her marriage against the wild surroundings still haunted by colonial sins.\n\nLights Out in Lincolnwood \u2013 Geoff Rodkey\n\nThe Altman family is your typical family consumed with their individual routine, work, and school as they live a mundane life in Lincolnwood, New Jersey. You'll get to know each of the family members: Dan the former lawyer who now writes screenplays and is consumed by the demands of his boss, Jan who gave up a career to raise kids and now waits for the moment she's alone so to pour herself a drink, daughter Chloe who's consumed by upcoming college essays and semifinals for state tennis, and son Max who has a vape addiction and in midst of planning revenge against a classmate. Just as the family starts their regular days, the world comes to a stop. With Dan on the train to work, children at school, and Jan at home, everything around them stops with the technological infrastructure coming to a crashing halt which plunges this normal family and everyone else into chaos as they struggle to deal with a life without technology. The story takes place over the course of four days as this family adapts to a water shortage, paramilitary in the neighborhoods, and looting while trying to solve the mystery unfolding around them.\n\nIsland Charm \u2013 Audrey Wick\n\nAnna Worthington embarks on an unexpected journey after her twin sister is left by her fiance. She comes up with the ultimate plan to cheer her sister up. They're going to transform her should-be honeymoon into a fun vacation to Key West. Things don't go according to plan when her sister doesn't show up on the plane and she's left to take the trip on her own. Her vacation quickly becomes the romantic getaway that she never would have predicted. Gunnar Lockhart has the know-how in island tourism that makes him the perfect partner for Anna to complete her to-do list for this vacation. The two form an undeniable connection that steers her into sorting through her feelings to decide if this connection is real or if it's the result of paradise. Could her vacation romance be doomed like her twin's own relationship?\n\nSummer in the City \u2013 Lori Wilde\n\nVenture into summertime in the city with three sizzling stories. Start with /Night of the Museum/ by Lori Wilde which follows Ria Preston, an art restorer who knows all about beauty. When she and her Wall Street advisor crush are stuck in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she sees her chance at admiring more than just the art. Priscilla Oliveras delves into the romance of a blackout in /Lights Out/ about two theater troupe rivals whose high school competitions transition into their adulthood. Mateo Garza is aiming to achieve of his dreams of being a Broadway star while facing the scathing reviews of his former rival Vanessa Rios who now works as a critic. A perfectly timed blackout creates the perfect opportunity for the two to be alone at Mateo's New York apartment which will allow their friction to turn into chemistry. The last story is /Mind Games/ by Sarah Skilton which is a tale of romance and revenge. Alison is still nursing a grudge carried over from her college days against the most popular guy in school who happens to now be a magician. She enacts the perfect plan of revenge. When his upcoming show takes place, she'll sabotage it and ruin him, but a power outage provides her with an opportunity she never expected.\n\nThe Road Trip \u2013 Beth O'Leary \n\nWhat happens when two exes take a road trip? There was a time when Dylan and Addie were completely in love. Dylan was a wealthy Oxford student when he spent his vacation his friend Cherry's French villa at the same time carefree Addie was working as the caretaker. That was four years ago. Their relationship lasted two years before they broke up. Now Cherry's getting married and the exes have a literal run-in with each other which is the first time they've spoken since they've broken up. Dylan's car is too banged up to drive to the wedding in rural Scotland, so the only option is for the two exes to make the journey together. To add to their discomfort, they pack into the car with Dylan's best friend, Addie's sister, and some random guy they met on Facebook for a humorous trip across Britain. The close quarters push the exes to confront the tension between them and to finally address what broke them apart two years ago which will lead them question if they were hasty in their break up.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 21:01:17", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009396099", "title": "The Age of Wood: Our Most Useful Material and the Construction of Civilization ", "author": "Roland Ennos", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 206, "review": "While civilization is divided into different ages such as the stone age, the bronze age, the iron age and so forth, history neglects to include the vast resource that wood from the myriad forests provided for primate and human development. In this almost encyclopedic description of the contribution trees and their products played in human evolution, English Biologist Rolland Ennos combines science and history in his recounting the role that wood played and continues to play in the history of man. From the use of wood as the earliest tool, to the control of fire and wood burning permitting heat release from wood, to the production of charcoal which yielded higher temperatures. Wood use led to smelting and the rise of the copper, bronze, and iron periods. Due to the intricate mechanical properties inherent in the different tree structures, this resource is valuable for complex building and household constructions. Remarkably, the early navies and shipping trade demanded solid tall tree poles for the masts of sailing ships which led to wars for access to the source of these gigantic trees. The author has engagingly recounted the value of wood in our historical development, along with its intrinsic mechanical designs that makes it such a versatile material.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 20:56:02", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009396095", "title": "Mirrorland: A Novel", "author": "Carole Johnstone", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 210, "review": "This book started off very slowly with a description of something I couldn't grasp right away. Two girls, twins, are running away from something bad. Then it fast-forwards to adulthood for the girls and Cat, the younger of the twins, has been in L.A. for the past twelve years, leaving her sister, El, behind in Edinburgh. The story is a bit choppy at times and goes back and forth from past to present and back again. What we know is that Cat has come back to Edinburgh because El is missing. She is presumed dead, but Cat knows deep down inside that she would feel it in her gut and her soul if El was dead.

Mirrorland has an air of horror about it. It is in Mirrorland that El and Cat are \"safe\" from Bluebeard and the Witch and other monstrous characters. It's hard to tell if these characters are real or not due to Cat's unreliable memory. I enjoyed reading this book starting about two-thirds of the way through when things became really creative and interesting. Carole Johnstone does a fantastic job of bringing Mirrorland to life and giving the reader a story with excellent twists and turns. I recommend it for fans of light horror and suspense.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 20:53:36", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009396091", "title": "The Unusual Suspect: The Rise and Fall of a Modern-Day Outlaw", "author": "Ben Machell", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 200, "review": "A young man is arrested after attempting to purchase a gun in Vermont. He utilized fake identification and fled once his ruse failed. After hitting a vehicle on his escape, he was soon spotted by a police officer and pulled over. At this point, Stephen Jackley assumed this was a minor problem. Authorities in Vermont reached out to England...And from there the plot thickened.

Stephen was an unknown subject in multiple crimes perpetrated from September 2007 until early 2008. They ranged from an attempted robbery and burglary to actual robberies committed under disguise and with weapons. Once British Police searched Stephen\u2019s room at his University, the puzzle pieces started to come together. What possessed a seemingly normal young man to engage on a crime spree, leaving trinkets at scenes, branding himself a modern-day Robin Hood? Were his motives selfish or more altruistic?

Author Ben Machell has written a moving biography/true crime narrative where he speaks to Stephen about his life, crimes, and motives. The reader may not agree with Stephen\u2019s actions but will emerge with a deeper understanding of him than any newspaper blurb. The missed opportunities for Stephen and his life strike the most poignant notes. An animated human interest book.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 20:51:13", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009396087", "title": "Unsinkable: Five Men and the Indomitable Run of the USS Plunkett", "author": "James Sullivan", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 199, "review": "Sullivan's extraordinary intimacy with the families of the men who served on the World War II era destroyer the USS Plunkett pulls readers rapidly into the book and holds their attention page after page. Although there have been other books about this ship, which saw action in every single European endeavor, this book goes beyond the action itself and shows us the ripple effects of the generations that followed those brave souls.

For Sullivan, the USS Plunkett is more than a ship of historical interest, and Anzio is more than just another battle of World War II. Among those cut down in the prime of life was Sullivan's great uncle, John J. Gallagher. The fact that his old neighborhood sports a square named in his honor, while stories keep his memory alive generations later, attests to something remarkable about the sacrifices made by these men and their families.

Sullivan gives voice to those lost to us now. More than merely reporting the grisly events and the heartbreaking tragedies, Sullivan captures the defining essence of something enduring but elusive. In grappling with the unspoken horrors of war, Sullivan brings out a strength that sustains those willing to tap into it.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 20:47:50", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009396083", "title": "Run for Cover: A Novel", "author": "Michael Ledwidge", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 800, "review": "I hear that sleep is overrated, said no one ever. Nevertheless, sometimes you need to stay up late into the early morning hours, watching a young one; perhaps you have the night shift at a creepy hotel; or you\u2019re a security officer at a new building complex where someone was murdered; or maybe you\u2019re the hired help for a family in a safe house, and it\u2019s up to you to stay awake no matter what. Sure, there\u2019s coffee and other fancy heart-racing drinks to stave off the sandman, but one tried and tested method is a gripping murder mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat, and your senses on high alert for any strange sounds. Here are six murder mysteries guaranteed to help you do the job.\n\nGirl in the Walls\n\nElise\u2019s parents were taken from her in a horrific car crash and now she remains hidden in her home and knows it like the back of her hand: every nook and cranny, crawlspace, crevice and hideout. Eddie enjoys living in the house with his family, except for the girl he sees out of the corner of his eye every once in a while. Is she really there? Is she real? Is he just imagining things? But when she\u2019s also seen by his brother, they have to do decide to what to do about the girl who might or might not exist.\n\n\nThe Captive\n\nBrooke Holland has a sedentary, peaceful life with her family on a rural farm. Times are hard, and sometimes they barely scrape by, but she\u2019s happy to be away from everything in the peace and quiet, where her past cannot come back to haunt her. But then Stephen Cawley, an escaped criminal, attacks them at the farm and Brooke does what she needs to to protect her family with her hidden talents and skills. Then she needs to bring Cawley to justice so she can get the reward to help her family and keep her dark and bloody past buried.\n\n\nRun for Cover\n\nIn the second installment of the series, Michael Gannon is hiding out on a friend\u2019s ranch deep in the heart of Utah where he hopes no one will find after his previous dealings. But when his friend\u2019s brother is found murdered near Grand Teton, he has to decide whether to keep a low profile, or help out his friend, and see if the murder my be linked to the strange killings happening at various national parks around the country. Gannon finds himself teaming up with FBI agent Kit Hagen to get to the bottom of it all.\n\n\nHide in Place\n\nLife seems to finally be going well for Laney Bird in the haven of Sylvan, New York. Three years ago after her cover was blown in a racketeering case that involved the Russian mafia, Bird had to flee with her son with her life in peril. Now she\u2019s finally starting to relax, but then her son suddenly goes missing and she knows her demons have come back to haunt her. The police are dismissing it as a runaway, but she knows there\u2019s more to it. As she digs deeper into her son\u2019s disappearance, she discovers he and a friend were meeting with a stranger who has also gone missing. As a snowstorm sweeps through, Bird will need to keep working to find out what happened to her son if she has any hopes of getting him back alive.\n\n\nIf I Disappear\n\nSera loves podcasts, in particular true crime podcasts. She can\u2019t get enough of them, and on some level, she feels she has been in training after listening to them for so long. Then one of her favorite podcast hosts named Rachel goes missing, and she takes this as a sign for her true calling. Sera begins to investigate, combing through the true crime episodes for clues and details and pieces of evidence that will lead her somewhere. They do eventually, to an old ranch near her hometown, but as she digs deeper she discovers that Rachel may not be the first woman to disappear.\n\n\nThe Mitford Trial\n\nIt is the summer of 1933 and Louisa Cannon is joining the Mitfords on a wonderful cruise, where she gets to rub elbows with the rich and famous. What more could anyone want? Except Louisa has made a deal: on her wedding day she was approached by someone incognito and told to spy on Diana Mitford and confirm her supposed illicit affair with Oswald Mosley. The cruise it brought to an abrupt halt when a man is found murdered, and the case is taken up back in London by Tom Mitford. Louisa will find her honor and emotions rent asunder as she must decide what is the right thing to do.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 20:43:29", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009396071", "title": "Mary Engelbreit's Little Book of Love", "author": "Mary Engelbreit", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 178, "review": "Love is perhaps the most important thing in life, maybe even in the entire world, and people everywhere have been doing their best to capture that importance in words for time eternal. This lovely little book pairs famous (and not-yet-but-should-be-famous) quotes about love with beautiful and heartfelt illustrations by famous artist Mary Engelbreit. The quotes come from people like former president Woodrow Wilson, inventor Albert Einstein, writer William Blake, and activist/humanitarian Mahatma Gandhi. Most everyone is familiar with Engelbreit\u2019s work, even if they don\u2019t know her name: her unique style has its roots in the vintage storybooks of past generations, and her illustrations can be found in numerous books as well as on calendars, mugs, and various other gift items. Mary Engelbreit\u2019s Little Book of Love is a charming edition that would make a wonderful gift for family or friends, would look perfect gracing your coffee table for guests to peruse, or would be ideal to keep next to your bed for a bit of early morning or late night inspiration. It\u2019s a must-have for fans of Engelbreit!", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "07-Jun-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 20:29:09", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009396051", "title": "The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sherlock Holmes and the Crusader's Curse", "author": "Stuart Douglas", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 17", "word_count": 190, "review": "Sherlock Holmes is back with Dr. Watson at his side, narrating their latest adventure. Thorpe Manor holds its share of secrets from a legend of a missing diamond to the more recent disappearance of family paintings. Now, the last Lord Thorpe has died and Holmes and Watson are invited to the auction of the estate, in hopes they can find the missing diamond before it\u2019s sold. However, the case isn't that simple when one of the bidders is found dead in the cellar.

There are three mysteries surrounding the manor, the missing diamond, missing paintings, and a murder. The first two are hardly mentioned until the end and none of them has much to do with each other. I couldn't solve any of the mysteries, the clues weren't there or so subtle I couldn't figure it out. All the clues to where the diamond is are there, I couldn\u2019t see them until I knew the answer. The other mysteries aren\u2019t given enough clues to be able to make the right connections until the answer is given, but even then it wasn\u2019t one of those moments where everything suddenly clicks into place.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 20:03:18", "publisher": "Titan", "page_count": "228 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009396047", "title": "Do Animals Fall in Love?", "author": "Katharina Von Der Gathen, Illustrated by Anke Kuhl", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 211, "review": "The animal world is full of wonderous creatures which leads us to many questions, one of which is do animals fall in love? In this fun colorfully illustrated book I can learn about many different kinds of animals and how they love one another and reproduce to keep their kind from going extinct. Some animals mate for life, while others do not. Some animals take care of their young after they are born or after they have hatched from eggs, while others leave their babies on their own to survive the cruel world against the many predators looking for a snack. I found this book to be very interesting, as many animals have their very own unique mating rituals or dances, some of the males are brightly colored to attract females, and some species of animals will fight to the death to see who can win the heart of a female to breed with. I really enjoyed this book and all the information in it. I like how the table of contents is broken down so I can look up a specific animal or topic. This book has colorful illustrations, HOWEVER, I will warn that there are graphic illustrations of various animals' genitalia, while it was interesting, it was very unexpected.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 19:53:41", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009396043", "title": "I'm On It! (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!)", "author": "Andrea Tsurumi", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 163, "review": "Frog thinks that he has to be \"on it\" too, like Goat. Then Goat is on it and beside it; Frog follows him. Goat becomes on, beside, along, between, inside, across, above, through, around, near, far, and into things. It is funny to watch Frog try to do the same as Goat but have much more trouble. In the end, Frog gets the final say on Goat, which is neat to see.

I'm On It! had me laughing throughout the story. I am a fan of the Elephant & Piggie books by Mo Willems, and I'm On It! is similar to those. I like that Frog didn't get too upset when he had trouble keeping up with Goat and that Goat wasn't a show-off because he could do things easier than Frog. I like that Goat was friendly and decided to do what Frog did at the end. The story is easy to understand and I will tell my friends to read it.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "04-May-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 19:46:43", "publisher": "Hyperion", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009396039", "title": "Chasing Harvest", "author": "Kevin O'Connor", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 484, "review": "With summer just around the corner, experience the world of traveling without leaving the comfort of your bedroom. Dive into these books complete with journals and photographs. From architecture to food, spend some time in a place you\u2019ve never been before and find your own passion through vivid images and description. \n\nBookstores: A Celebration of Independent Booksellers- Stuart Husband \n\nTravel through time by unlocking the magic of architecture and the history in bookstores. Experience the differences throughout various cultures and marvel at the commonalities that they share through text: knowledge and imagination. Stuart Husband\u2019s book allows readers to travel the world and meet new people without leaving the comfort of their seats. Through anecdotes and lively photography, Husband spotlights the importance of variation while capturing the sheer purpose of bookstores and sellers. This book is ideal for readers who find comfort or productivity in the quiet of bookstores and desire to experience this feeling again without leaving their homes. \n\nChasing Harvest- Kevin O'Connor \n\nKevin O\u2019Connor journals his encounters working in kitchens at a young age in this memoir. Accompanied with photographs and accounts of his experiences, O\u2019Connor divulges his love of cooking to readers as he searches for a greater purpose. Learn about what it means to chase your dreams even after finding a passion at a young age and how that led the author on an adventure around the world. O\u2019Connor\u2019s love of food reminds readers how to reclaim hope in their lives and allow it to guide their futures. Don\u2019t miss out on this one-of-a-kind story. \n\nChihuly and Architecture- Eleanor Heartney \n\nDive into the works of American glass sculptor Dale Chihuly as captured by Eleanor Heartney, art-critic based in New York. Chihuly is a world-renowned artist with commissions all over America and internationally. This publication captures Dale Chihuly\u2019s commitment to detail in his pieces by detailing the variety of installations from walls to entire rooms and how they have impacted humanity on a global scale. Whether it be Italy, Ireland, or Israel, Heartney compiles the similarities in Chihuly\u2019s artwork across the world and how each piece is tailored to shine light on many different cultures. \n\nFrom Wandering to Illumination: The New Eleusinian Mysteries- Ryan J. \n\nBush Fine art photographer Ryan J. Bush is back with his new book that captures the photography of nature and trees accompanied by the Eleusinian Mysteries, the stories of ancient Greeks. Bush\u2019s manipulation of color invites viewers to consider the idea of awakening and blossoming in nature. The symbolism in each piece challenges the viewers to consider the mysteries each photograph holds, waiting to be unlocked. Just like Bush\u2019s other works, From Wandering to\nIllumination: The New Eleusinian Mysteries allows reflection and meditation on each piece before turning a page and seeing the evolution that is present within ourselves. The book keeps readers engaged and leaves them wanting more while contemplating the order of the natural world.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 19:41:29", "publisher": "Hardie Grant", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009396035", "title": "They Only See the Outside", "author": "Kalli Dakos", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 177, "review": "Kalli Dakos\u2019s newest collection of children\u2019s poems in They Only See the Outside is driven by those experiences that children feel on the inside, but are sometimes hidden from view to those watching from the outside. The poems cover a range of topics, some humorous like the poem, I Called My Teacher Mommy and A Fire Drill in my Underwear. Other poems explore death and bullying, such as J.T. Never Will be Ten, about a child grieving his nine-year-old friend who died today. The simplicity of On the Day My Dog Died hits home. Were You Ever Fat Like Me? is about a girl who wants to ask her teacher if she had been a child like her, hoping that if so, then she will grow up to be an adult like her. Dakos\u2019s poems help children navigate some of life\u2019s challenges with humor and compassion. Jimothy Oliver\u2019s black and white illustrations are sprinkled throughout the book and add an element of silliness and fun, while also delivering tension and heart-wrenching sadness to the more poignant poems.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 19:28:06", "publisher": "American Psychological Association", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009396031", "title": "The Friendship Book", "author": "Wendy Moss", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 208, "review": "The Friendship Book is about finding, making, and keeping friends. At the beginning of each chapter, there is a quiz made up of five questions that, when you score it, shows how well you'll do with friends. It means something different if you mark mostly As, Bs, or Cs. The nine chapters cover how to look for a friend, make a friend, be a good friend, deal with disagreements, have best friends, and lots more. Each chapter has tips and a story about a real kid who has dealt with friendships either good or bad.

Some of the things in the book were a little hard for me to understand because I would need to be a little older to understand them. At age seven, I do not have to worry too much about some of the things in the book, like the popular kids, but I feel that when I get older and notice popular kids, I'm going to handle the situation better. I am moving soon; I feel that this book will help me when I get to my new school and meet new kids to make friends with. I think that any kid can use help with making friends in a good and happy way.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 19:20:41", "publisher": "American Psychological Association", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009396015", "title": "Elephant's Music", "author": "Monika Filipina", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 191, "review": "Elephant's Music is about an elephant and his jungle friends who play instruments. Edward the elephant likes listening to his friends play, but whenever he tries to play an instrument, he ends up breaking it. This makes Edward sad because he can't do what his friends are doing. Edward listens to all of their concerts and is their biggest fan. The animals play some neat instruments, like the monkeys who play horns, the zebra who plays the keyboard, the warthog who plays the harmonica, and the owl who plays the accordion. Edward can only make a terrible noise. One day, the animals find an instrument that works for Edward, and then everyone is happy and can play music together.

This is a fun book to read about being nice to people, even when they mess things up. The animals never yelled or complained about Edward when he messed up their time playing music. This book also shows how when you work together, you can make things better for everyone. I liked reading this book because it is at my reading level and all the pictures had bright colors on the pages.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 19:08:47", "publisher": "American Psychological Association", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009396011", "title": "That Missing Feeling", "author": "Amy Ludwig VanDerwater", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 204, "review": "Mia has a cat, a dog, a mom who sings and tells jokes, and a dad who cooks and rides bikes. Then, one day, everything changes. Mia\u2019s mom and dad divorce. Mia\u2019s cat lives with her mom and her dog lives with her dad. Mia now has two homes to move back and forth between, but she is always missing something. When she is with her dad, she misses her mom\u2019s singing and her cat. When she is with her mom, she misses her dad\u2019s cooking and her dog. But one day, when she is visiting her grandpa, he gives her a new blue notebook and shows her how she can use it to help with her feelings, just as he has done for years.

Amy Ludwig VanDerwater has written a sweet text that will help youngsters find ways to deal with a lot of their feelings, good and bad, and keep their memories safe. Her writing is sparse and lyrical, and the story is sweet. Morena Forza\u2019s cute illustrations are bright and filled with fun details that support the story really well. There is back matter that will help youngsters set up their own journals. This is a terrific book for all kids.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 19:04:29", "publisher": "American Psychological Association", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009396007", "title": "Lobe Your Brain: What Matters About Your Grey Matter", "author": "Leanne Boucher Gill", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 171, "review": "Written for the younger set ranging from kindergarten to the third grade, psychology professor Leanne Boucher Gill, tries to make the brain meaningful to the beginning student. Showing the central nervous system to be composed of the brain and spinal cord, the focus is then placed on the brain lobes. The four lobes, the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal areas are then assigned their roles in the body\u2019s functioning. Each of these sections is accompanied by strikingly almost garishly colored images of children happily performing these assigned activities. Each page contains an outline of the exposed brain with the labeled anatomical section and ends with a brief peek at the exposed buried limbic system. The book here reads like an anatomy text directly translated down for children. The mystery of our extraordinary brain would have been better relayed to kids by more experienced children story writers who can more aptly capture their interest through whimsy and a narrative story using children\u2019s language. This just reads like a boring, simplified anatomy text.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "26-Jul-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 19:02:07", "publisher": "American Psychological Association", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000009395023", "title": "As The Road Narrows", "author": "James Anhalt", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 63, "review": "An engaging narrative from beginning to end, As The Road Narrows will enthrall readers. The story begins with Jeremy Pipkins and his wife Alicia, the night a little adventure turns into substantial trouble. With his back against the wall, there seems to be no hope for Jeremy. Is there any path that leads back to his safe world? --Jessica Tingling, City Book Review", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 19:35:42", "publisher": "James Anhalt", "page_count": "365 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009395019", "title": "Twilight of Empire", "author": "WH Wisecarver", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 511, "review": "W.H. Wisecarver\u2019s Resurrection Saga comprises a series of political thrillers in which real-life events are merged with conspiracy theories, alternative histories, bureaucratic intrigues, and death-defying action sequences to generate thrill-a-minute stories in which no one is safe and next to no one is to be trusted. The first two books in the series introduced the clandestine organization known as The Order and explored how corruption both on Wall Street and within Congress has led to war and financial collapse that has crippled the ordinary American while lining the pockets of a wealthy elite. A select group of characters, both within and outside the establishment, sought to expose the truth and some paid for that goal with their lives, and in Twilight of Empire, the danger is ramped up to an even more deadly level.

Traumatized army veteran Paul Henry has lost his faith in the military leadership as well as in the bureaucrats who think nothing of sitting safely in Washington while sending soldiers to fight and die for dubious causes on foreign soil. The ineptitude of those in charge finally caused him to leave the army, but he\u2019s still plagued by nightmares about his time in Iraq. He knows something about Deep State conspiracies and about how the truth behind the corruption at the heart of power is actually far more unpalatable and far less deeply buried than conspiracy theorists believe. Henry shares his mistrust of the authorities with girlfriend Leila Freyan, whose work investigating the origins of the financial crisis for Senator Andi Jackson has given her reason enough to trust his theories.

Meanwhile, political insider and champion of justice Kirk Danner has been whisked out of the country to recuperate in Germany following an unexplained health crisis. While there, he learns startling insights into his own past as well as into the lengthy history of the secrets that are threatening to tear apart democracy in the United States. As he recovers his strength, he also recovers long-lost memories of his protracted life as a warrior fighting the evil machinations of The Order. But the battle is still far from over and all those who believe in the importance of truth are going to be required to combat the latest plot by those who want to sacrifice democracy for profit.

Twilight of Empire is an action-packed thriller that combines realism and all too plausible conspiracies with fantasy and alternative timelines. Financial corruption and political plotting give rise to deadly danger, both for the central characters and for the American public, as the gap between the \u201chaves\u201d and the \u201chave nots\u201d is artificially widened in an effort to secure power for the few. There are secrets within secrets, as well as plenty of crosses and double-crosses, which makes for an exciting story that whizzes along at breakneck speed. The characters are well-rounded and believable, and the set-up is both realistic and deeply troubling. While it is not necessary to have read the first two books in the series to enjoy Twilight of Empire, doing so would enhance the reading experience.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 19:28:02", "publisher": "Guardian Archives", "page_count": "361 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009395015", "title": "Twilight of Empire", "author": "WH Wisecarver", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 407, "review": "Does history repeat itself? Do the incidents that unfold over our shared history occur by chance or are they engineered by agents of good or evil? Twilight of Empire explores this in depth. Paul is a war veteran whose scarred memories replay the battlefield chaos on a nearly nightly reel. During his tours in Iraq, he witnessed the chronic ineptitude of government bureaucracy that served to derail the mission and prolong the war. He shares his jaded views on the current world with his girlfriend, Leyla. The democracy of the United States has been disintegrating before the public\u2019s very eyes, an agenda enabled and guided by unseen actors of a \u201cDeep State.\u201d Leyla has seen some of Paul\u2019s theories with her own eyes, as she works as an adviser for Senator Andi Jackson, who currently seeks answers on the precariousness of the broken financial system.

The 2007-08 financial disaster is still fresh in the minds of reformers such as Senator Jackson. The \u201cToo Big to Fail\u201d mentality was propped up as the reason for the exorbitant bailout granted to the banking system after the explosion of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations and carefree risk-taking done by financial institutions. Jackson wants to question both sides of the financial imbroglio, the regulators and the regulated. However, the culprits behind the scenes want to derail Jackson and fight dirty in their methods.

Kirk Danner is a man on a mission, dwelling in the nether-regions of politics and government. He imbues the spirit of reform that Senator Jackson is looking for as an ally. Kirk is felled by an apparent stroke or aneurysm and is spirited to Germany for rehabilitation. As Kirk is recuperating, he speaks with Helen and Rose, who clue Kirk into truths about his forgotten past. Kirk is a long-lived warrior engaged in a constant battle with a group called \u201cThe Order,\u201d who have had their fingers in everything nefarious or untoward for centuries. Helen and Rose help Kirk in viewing the various timelines where he has interacted with their henchmen. The recent events in the United States are a culmination of the cabal\u2019s attempt at domination. The question is open as to whether they can be stopped.

Twilight of Empire is a wonderful thrill-packed book mixing history with science fiction. The pace steadily intensifies as a fight for the future progresses. Author WH Wisecarver has paved his way for a successful future as a writer with his new work.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "26-Jan-2021 19:27:12", "publisher": "Guardian Archives", "page_count": "361 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009395011", "title": "Tempest: Poems", "author": "Ryan Meyer", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 444, "review": "You can\u2019t expect in a book of fifty poems that each one is going to speak to you. If the majority do then I would suggest the poet has done a very good job.

In Tempest: Poems, poet, Ryan Meyer didn\u2019t make the cut, but there still are a good number of poems in this collection that are nothing short of astonishing.

Meyer is at his best when he comes at a subject obliquely, understanding coming as a satisfying surprise. Examples, where this is best achieved, are with Flamingo, the weekend, and drinking and dreaming of being somewhere, anywhere else. And again in Straight Bs, \u201cStill, the lights guide me, Inch by inch, to the dance floor, Where glances have evolved Into lower back rubs \u2026 It\u2019s dim enough for anyone To be a dance partner.\u201d

Good poets have a way of saying what you already know or have experienced but saying it with originality. Meyer taps into this secret to universal appeal in Somewhere Else, that \u201c\u2026ends up just as disappointing as right here.\u201d And again, in Cavernous where \u201cEven my dreams leave me An anxious mess, feeling as if I\u2019ve missed something, that I Have reason to be worried.\u201d

This originality can also be illustrated in a unique perspective as is the case in On Evolution, where the poet compares his own purpose to that of a caterpillar and worries, \u201cI hope growing wings doesn\u2019t have to hurt\u201d. And then with Long, Long After, a unique reflection of the past \u201cThe way everything was Before pie tins on the kitchen table Became ashtrays beneath wrinkled faces\u201d.

Sometimes it\u2019s diction, cleverly choosing the exact words. This is exemplified in A Melancholy Album Cover for a Coffee Shop Artist where Myer nails the affectations of an amateur. He achieves it again in Come Around, with this description \u201c\u2026 the women who wouldn\u2019t have Let this go any other way, who stood, Arms crossed, one foot tapping, Eyes staring daggers, unmovable, In the way of all other outcomes.\" Unique imagery that resonates on the periphery of your consciousness.

His success is with poems that are not momentous, but just moments, like the heartrending description of the death of a sparrow in No Science to Loneliness.

However, themes of relationship angst, reminiscences of misplaced or wasted youth and existential anguish are too often revisited. They\u2019re accompanied by a lack of intensity along with lots of garden analogies and weather metaphors. A few resemble the self-indulgent verse of adolescents using clich\u00e9d phrases like \u201ctear-stained pillows\u201d and \u201cYou leave me speechless.\u201d

But despite the shortcomings, Tempest: Poems by Ryan Meyer is worth the read for a handful of jaw-droppers that provide personal poetic epiphanies.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 16:56:33", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "82 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009395007", "title": "The Rose Not Taken", "author": "K.T. Barnett", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 414, "review": "The Rose Not Taken by K.T. Barnett is a sensual romance that will seduce and enchant readers from beginning to end. Barnett has woven together an enjoyable read filled with passion, lust, and intimacy designed for mature audiences capable of grasping and appreciating the adult content. Our story follows Estera Hornbrook, an elite sex worker, who captivates her clients as smoothly as she enthralls readers. Across the chapters, we attend appointments and obtain insight into our main characters day-to-day. As she visits with friends and goes about her life, we gain tremendous, well-rounded insight into the complexities of our main character and her field. But when a new client captures her interest, Estera can\u2019t help but consider leaving the industry altogether. Barnett has constructed a well-rounded, sensual narrative that captures the excitement of Estera\u2019s industry, while accurately portraying the complex emotions surrounding this field. More than just this new client pulls Estera to consider a new field of work. The complexities of the field, such as the closeness developed with clients, cause Estera to step back and wonder if it is time to step into something new. However, this is far from an easy decision as her appointments and pleasant lifestyle illustrate. Readers\u2019 mouths will water as they read the description of Estera\u2019s feline performance, a true full-body presentation. Barnett\u2019s words paint a tantalizing picture explaining, \u201cEstera next prowled toward Richard, slowly, moving with ballet-like precision and grace, the sheerness of her suit sensuously exhibiting Estera\u2019s musculature and femininity with each of her long-drawn-out movements.\". Through the chapters, readers will travel on this journey with Estera and come to appreciate the multifaceted nature of sex work. Estera\u2019s ultimate decision may resonate with some but not others but with that said, everyone will step back and consider what they would do in Estera\u2019s shoes. Would you leave the industry for love? For a deeper love and appreciation of yourself? Barnett\u2019s work captures the depth of this field and the complexities of these relationships. Estera\u2019s decision ultimately has less to do with her new client and so much more with a deeper understanding of herself and her own personal journey. Barnett\u2019s exceptional storyline and complexity of character earn this read five stars, as readers will return to her pages again and again. K.T. Barnett\u2019s The Rose Not Taken will entice, charm, and captivate readers across pages, beyond chapters, and certainly over time. This is an exceptional work to add to your bookshelf and share with friends.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "16-Jul-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 16:29:52", "publisher": "Koehler Books", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009395003", "title": "Stealing the Holy Grail", "author": "S.M. Perlow", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 431, "review": "The reason the Arthurian myth has become such a popular tale since the fifth century is because there is so little evidence of it and that period in time. We\u2019re pretty sure there was someone named Arthur, who may have been a king or some sort of leader or warlord. And the Saxons definitely invaded the country that would one day come to be known as England during this time, led by two brother leaders, Hengist and Horsa. There are sources centuries later that tell a little, but nothing is certain, making it prime fodder for storytelling. Stealing the Holy Grail by S. M. Perlow is a wonderful example of Arthurian work, as we see many familiar characters we have come to know over the centuries, but in a completely new and original story.

The year is 523, and in Francia Princess Cera is one of the special few tasked to protect and keep the Holy Grail from being found. There are many who have searched for this sacred relic; many valiant knights, including Sir Perceval, who has tried and failed the test, but wishes to try again, to remain honorable, true, and valiant. But the world has changed; the Knights of the Round Table are no longer. The great King Arthur has died through mysterious means, while there are rumors that Arthur\u2019s most trusted companion, the magnificent Merlin the Magician, is no longer a trusted ally of Camelot, but is now working for Hengist and the Saxons invading Briton. Princess Cera has had enough of the old ways and of continuing to keep the Grail from everyone, so she has a plan to steal it. But she hopes to use Perceval to help, presenting a dilemma to the valiant knight: can he remain honorable to achieving the Holy Grail and help Cera, whom he has become quite smitten with. Meanwhile, there is the Saxon warrior Roan the Relentless, who has gone through his own battles and tragedies and appears unable to be killed, and now also has interests in seizing the Grail.

Stealing the Holy Grail is a fun, adventurous work of historical fiction with a cast of familiar characters in new settings, conflicts, and circumstances. Perlow does a great job of throwing in the history when necessary, but not overloading the reader with details, which keeps the momentum of the story going. We get to see the likes of Sir Perceval and Merlin cast in new and at times unusual lights. The result is a book that isn\u2019t just another Arthurian retelling, but something new and fresh and different.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2021", "date_added": "25-Jan-2021 16:24:20", "publisher": "Bealion Publishing", "page_count": "331 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009393119", "title": "ShBeep the Unique Sheep", "author": "T. E. Antonino", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 403, "review": "ShBeep is a one-of-a-kind sheep that likes to use his imagination. One day he meets a girl with a pot on her head that tells him he can\u2019t play checkers because he\u2019s a sheep and there are no checkers on the checkerboard. He responds that he can, and it doesn\u2019t matter he can use his imagination. So begins the friendship of Poppy and ShBeep.

The characters are interesting. I like that ShBeep is his own kind of sheep. I love that he wears silly clothes, I love his hat and long wool. The fleas he had were a bit much for me. Poppy is so cute she has her own style. I love the different outfits she wears to school. She has a beautiful big imagination. I love that we met her wearing a pot on her head. The Ringmaster was a good antagonist to having things go wrong at the circus. Poppy\u2019s mother was interesting because she seemed to not be worried about Poppy even though she was gone a long time.

The illustrations were cute. The style is one that I haven\u2019t seen before. I liked the drawings of Poppy the best. The dialogue between characters was a little strange. I felt if the author was trying to sound modern, but it didn\u2019t quite translate into how kids would talk. It took me out of the fantasy world a little too much. The plot starts with ShBeep and Pop talking about the farmer and school. They go on adventures in their imagination at first. Then they decide to go on a real adventure to the circus. After the circus, the plot starts to unravel as they jump from one random thing to another making the storyline pretty hard to follow.

As a parent, I like the message of the book that we are all unique. I think more kids need to be reminded that it\u2019s okay to have their own style and do what brings you joy. I think that Poppy and ShBeep showed the reader that aspect in a big way. As an educator, I liked the message of the book, but I would question if this book is something a chapter book reader could process. The plot is hard to follow and the dialogue very different might be hard for a young reader. It would be a book that a teacher would need to read aloud or read along with the child.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 22:24:36", "publisher": "self published", "page_count": "87 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009393115", "title": "ShBeep the Unique Sheep", "author": "T. E. Antonino", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 449, "review": "Being unique can sometimes make you an outcast but it can also draw together the best of friends such as Poppy and ShBeep. Two quirky souls find acceptance and encouragement in each other. ShBeep may be fenced in but his imagination knows no bounds allowing him to do anything that he can dream of. One day he meets a girl wearing a pot for a hat and together they go on adventures which includes finding Queen of Sheba's treasure, making a spaceship, and even joining the circus. The two friends embrace their uniqueness in this charming and humorous story.

Can sheep play checkers? You might be surprised at that answer. T.E. Antonino delivered a story about a little sheep and a girl with a pot on her head by using their adventures to teach children about embracing their own uniqueness. ShBeep and Poppy are quirky examples of not taking life too seriously, having fun, and making the most of our different qualities. The story is a creative lesson in being unique by soaring imagination to life through the wondrous outlook of a child. Their imagination will take you along on their adventures which takes place entirely within the boundaries of the field. Each amazing adventure is driven entirely by their imaginations which takes to extraordinary places such as planting magical acorns in the garden to swimming to Hawaii to joining the circus as a sheepcorn.

The characters both possess charming quirks which balance each other out with a sheep in a top hat and bandanna, and a girl wearing a pot on her head. ShBeep is completely at ease with who he is and this confidence helps Poppy embrace her own unique traits. The catalyst of the story is when Poppy meets ShBeep who teaches her about being unique by never denying his vivid imagination. The bond between them is a great example of how important friendship is through how ShBeep reinforces Poppy's creativity when the children at school try to dampen it by telling her that a pot can't a hat and make fun of her pajamas. The writing style matches the quirky and whimsical tone with words such as noggin, and phrases like worth more than gobs of fleas.

The story is aimed at all ages and is one that can be shared between parents and children by providing a way for parents to venture back into their own imaginative youth. Antonino uses laughter and a playful tone to teach a message about being yourself and embracing uniqueness. /ShBeep the Unique Sheep/ is a charming story with a quirky sense of humor and a whimsical message that's full of heart and encourages children to embrace their unique qualities and imagination.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 22:24:07", "publisher": "self published", "page_count": "87 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009393107", "title": "Toaster Oven Perfection: A Smarter Way to Cook on a Smaller Scale", "author": "America's Test Kitchen", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 192, "review": "This book aims to use the toaster over to cook meals for primarily two people. As the recipes have been tested, readers will have fewer issues with scaling recipes or adapting them for toaster ovens.

The recipes cover a wide variety of meals including main dishes for dinner, breakfast, sides, sandwiches, and desserts. Most of the savory recipes are not purely vegan. Each recipe spans a double-page and has a color picture of the finished product. In addition, each recipe has a header titled \u201cWhy This Recipe Works\u201d which provides insight into the recipe\u2019s intent or methodology. This section is helpful \u2013 especially for those readers who feel the urge to modify recipes \u2013 as it holds suggestions for which modifications may (or may not) work. A useful addendum is a section that ranks salient performance characteristics of several popular toaster ovens \u2013 something like the ranking one expects from Consumer Report.

Most of the recipes are fairly standard ones, and can be prepared easily. The utility is that America's Test Kitchen has tried these recipes giving readers a viable starting point. I recommended this book for those cooking for one or two people.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 22:08:16", "publisher": "America's Test Kitchen", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009393099", "title": "Let Me Tell You What I Mean", "author": "Joan Didion", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 154, "review": "This book of essays is a scan of Didion\u2019s work over forty years of her magnificient career. Those of us who eagerly await any of her writing are very excited to read this collection. Why are we so eagerly awaiting any of her books? Didion\u2019s powers of observation and succinct writing style are masterful. Like many journalists turned novelists, she has learned to perfectly convey a mood, attitude, or cultural shift in a shorthand developed through painstaking craft. All of the essays in this volume are relevant and interesting. The foreword, written by Hilton Als, is a perfect summation of Didion\u2019s relevancy and power. Als states that this power comes from her nonfiction reading like fiction: that is to say, it has metaphorical power. I, for one, live with Watch out for the snake eyes from her novel Play It as It Lays.

For writers, her Why I Write essay is a master class.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 21:36:06", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "149 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009393095", "title": "Geraldine and the Anti-Bullying Shield", "author": "Sol Regwan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 191, "review": "Geraldine and the Anti-Bullying Shield is the third book about Geraldine and her inventions. In this story, Geraldine is mad and wants to help her friends. There is a bully at her school named Jimmy who is making her friends sad. Geraldine wants to help her friends and make Jimmy see the mean things he is doing at school. Jimmy teases her, too, but Geraldine goes home and comes up with an idea. She finds things to use in her garage and with help from her dad and her friends, they create an Anti-Bullying Shield and take it to school. They use it on Jimmy and then there is a happy ending for everyone.

Geraldine and the Anti-Bullying Shield is like her last story of the Space Bees that has her dealing with a problem and then coming up with an invention that will solve the problem. I like that Geraldine solved a problem on her own and with help from others. I like the story because it is easy to understand and it is helpful for kids to read who might be dealing with bullies or know of someone who is.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 21:31:38", "publisher": "Schiffer Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009393091", "title": "The Moonsteel Crown: Dominion, Book I", "author": "Stephen Deas", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 194, "review": "Street thugs Myla, Fings, and Seth don\u2019t care about the Emperor\u2019s death. Even though the entire empire is in chaos, they spend their days pilfering money and food for the Unrulys, a gang they belong to. Until the day a mysterious man walks in and asks for their help acquiring an even more mysterious object. Now, all three find themselves on the run and in possession of one of the world's most dangerous objects. But, they find themselves pursued by old enemies as well as the empire. Myla is being hunted by a man from her past she\u2019d rather forget. Fings just wants to get money for his mom and sisters, and maybe even some for himself. Seth is bombarded by visions of a dark future in which he finally holds the power. Against all odds, will Seth, Fings, and Myla be able to save their own skins and maybe even the empire? I thought this was a good book. It was fast-paced, with a lot of action. I liked the unusual cast of anti-heroes and the cliffhanger promise of another good book. I really liked all the adventure and await the next book.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 21:17:49", "publisher": "Angry Robot", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009393079", "title": "Island Queen: A Novel", "author": "Vanessa Riley", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1847, "review": "Beach Reads to Kick Off Summer Roundup\n\nIf you\u2019re lucky enough to be escaping lockdown and COVID-related chaos and heading to a beach this summer, then you might just be in need of a few good reads to help you while away the time and relax. Fortunately, there are eleven recent fiction releases that would all make for excellent beach reads.\n\nThe Inland Sea by Madeleine Watts\n\nA nameless young woman who dreams of being a writer abandons her plan to study for a doctorate in the aftermath of a messy breakup. She intends to leave her native Sydney and travel, but first she decides to spend a last summer reading novels while sitting on the rocks at Gordons Bay. With her student maintenance funds dwindling, she takes a job in an emergency services call center. Despite the ennui that has been plaguing her, she finds herself becoming increasing affected by the emergency calls that she takes. More worryingly, the emergencies themselves seem to be increasing in magnitude as the summer progresses, ranging from dogs trapped in cars to women hiding from violent partners to raging wildfires. Madeleine Watts skillfully links the overarching failure of authorities to tackle the dangers associated with climate change to the plight of women who seem destined not to be believed in this impactful novel.\n\nThe Northern Reach: A Novel by W.S. Winslow\n\nAs Edith Baines stares out to sea and visibly mourns her son, it is unclear how much of what she sees is real and how much is a grief-induced hallucination. The Baines family has lived in the small town of Wellbridge, Maine, for generations, and as Edith\u2019s memories of her son drift in and out of focus, so to do the memories and stories of her ancestors and of the other families that have called Wellbridge home for decades: the Moodys, the Martins, and the Edgecombs. Despite the town seeming like the sort of place where everyone knows everything about everyone else, all four families have tragedies, triumphs, secrets, and lies that have been transmitted down through the generations. W.S. Winslow uses a series of interconnecting stories, spanning the period 1904 to 2017, to bring the history, nature, and population of Wellbridge to life.\n\nThe Path to Sunshine Cove by RaeAnne Thayne\n\nJessica Clayton has spent most of her adult life ensuring that she has as little baggage as possible, whether that baggage be literal \u201cthings\u201d or people she has met along the way. A professional declutterer by trade, Jessica focuses her energies on helping other people to shed their burdens, and she does whatever it takes to stay in the present, reluctant to even think about her past in the small town of Cape Sanctuary. However, when a new client requires her help to downsize ahead of a move to that very town, Jessica is forced to revisit her past, including her relationship with younger sister Rachel. RaeAnne Thayne is a prolific and hugely popular romance writer, and this time round, she has crafted a charming and heartwarming tale about second chances and the importance of family.\n\nThe Woman in the Sun Hat by Daniel Damiano\n\nDespite being accustomed to being the envy of her friends and neighbors in Cold River, Long Island, Peggy Bubone is forced to recognize just how fragile her life and social position are when her husband is arrested. Almost overnight, she goes from being the rich and rather smug toast of the town to being practically a pariah. With her money and her home suddenly inaccessible, and with no one willing to step in and help, Peggy finds herself and her two children homeless and in dire need of assistance, a situation that causes her to reflect on her past and her difficult start in life. While Daniel Damiano could have turned Peggy\u2019s tale into one of misery and desperation, he has instead crafted a humorous and uplifting story of perseverance and struggle against the odds. Peggy finds a sense of determination that she thought she\u2019d lost, and she does her utmost to build a new and better life for her and her family.\n\nIt Happened One Summer: A Novel by Tessa Bailey\n\nWhen spoiled Hollywood socialite Piper Bellinger causes yet another scandal that is recorded and transmitted far and wide by the paparazzi, her stepfather finally washes his hands of her. After cutting off their allowances, he leaves Piper and her equally spoiled sister with no option but to head to the rural town of Westport, Washington, and run the dive bar that they inherited from their late father. Despite having no head for business and having an almost pathological fear of sleeping in the bunk beds in the only apartment they can afford, Piper is determined to make a success of her exile, particularly after she encounters handsome local sailor Brendan, who makes it clear that he doesn\u2019t think she\u2019ll last five minutes in Westport. Tessa Bailey\u2019s latest novel is a fabulous romcom that gently pokes fun at wannabe star Piper but also allows her to blossom in her new environment.\n\nIsland Queen: A Novel by Vanessa Riley\n\nHaving been born into slavery on her Irish father\u2019s plantation on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, Doll vows to rise above her circumstances and secure the freedom and prosperity of her mother, her sister, and herself. A remarkably enterprising individual with grit, determination, and a clear understanding of how the world works, Doll leverages whatever potential advantage comes her way and rises up through the social ranks as an entrepreneur, a merchant, and a planter. As she progresses in terms of amassing wealth, she also amasses the attention of a series of men, which leads her to even more exotic locations and exceptional situations. Vanessa Riley has really excelled with this fictionalized account of the extraordinary life and achievements of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, a remarkable woman who forged her way from poverty and life as a slave to being one of the richest landowners in the West Indies. Not many people can be said to have truly left their mark on history, but Dorothy certainly did.\n\nThe Summer Job by Lizzy Dent\n\nDreaming about living someone else\u2019s life can be a pleasant form of escapism, but not many people would go the whole hog, commit a spot of identity theft, and run away from their own life. However, that\u2019s just what Birdy Finch does when she decides to assume her best friend Heather\u2019s identity and take a job at a posh hotel in Scotland. To complicate things, Heather is a world-renowned wine expert, which means Birdy\u2019s new job is going to involve a lot of bluffing about wine-related matters. And to complicate things even further, while in Scotland, Birdy might have finally met a man that she\u2019s romantically interested in, only he thinks she\u2019s Heather. Birdy\u2019s plan might be bonkers, but she\u2019s a pleasant and engaging central character. Lizzy Dent has woven a warm and relatable story around Birdy, and there are plenty of laughs to be had while following her (mis)adventures.\n\nThe Bookstore on the Beach: A Novel by Brenda Novak\n\nAfter her husband disappears while on an assignment for the FBI in Ukraine, Autumn Divac spends eighteen months waiting for him to return home to Tampa, Florida. With the official investigation into his disappearance having stalled and the private detective she hired unable to find any additional information, Autumn is nearing the end of her tether when she decides to take her two teenage children and decamp to her hometown of Sable Beach, Virginia, for the summer. She starts working in the bookstore jointly owned by her mother and her aunt, and she finds herself reconnecting with her first love. A tale of friendship and love with a mystery at its heart, Brenda Novak\u2019s novel follows three generations of women (Autumn, her mother, and her daughter) as they confront past mistakes, make their peace with the present, and look toward the future with hope and humor.\n\nSeven Days in June by Tia Williams\n\nWhen Shane Hall and Eva Mercy first met as teenagers, they were two damaged individuals who rapidly fell in love and then enjoyed a whirlwind one-week romance before everything they had crumbled. When they meet again, some fifteen years later, they are both successful writers; Eva is a bestselling author of erotic fiction, while Shane is an award-winning author of literary fiction. After they reconnect at a literary event in New York, where they both take great pains to pretend they don\u2019t know each other, the sparks fly once again and they find themselves embroiled in another passionate week-long romance. Eva wants Shane to return to his home so that her life can return to normal, but before he does so, she wants answers to questions about what happened fifteen years previously. Tia Williams\u2019 latest novel is a thrilling romcom that is darker than most. The story shifts between the past and the present as it explores Shane\u2019s and Eva\u2019s pasts and the reasons why their romance burned out so quickly.\n\nThat Summer by Jennifer Weiner\n\nDaisy Shoemaker seems to have it all: a picture-perfect family, a gorgeous home in the suburbs of Philadelphia, a thriving business, and a fulfilling volunteering project. However, appearances can be deceptive and Daisy is far from content. Just as she\u2019s reaching her lowest ebb, Daisy starts receiving emails intended for a woman named Diana Starling, who has an email address almost identical to her own. Diana\u2019s life seems much more exciting than Daisy\u2019s, and when fate throws them together, Daisy relishes the opportunity to form a friendship with Diana. But did they really become acquainted through pure chance? Diana might not really be who she seems, and if that is the case, what does she want with Daisy? This is definitely not a light and frothy read from Jennifer Weiner, but it certainly is a page-turner. Reflective of the #MeToo movement and the importance of accountability, it\u2019s a thought-provoking and timely book.\n\nBookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter\n\nHaving dedicated her youth to caring for her bedridden mother and raising her two siblings, Sophie Lawson has had to give up on following her dreams, particularly her goal of opening a bookshop in the quaint town of Piper\u2019s Cove. However, with her siblings now able to support themselves, Sophie may have the opportunity to pursue her own endeavors, starting with visiting Piper\u2019s Cove again to attend her sister\u2019s wedding. There\u2019s a surprise in store for Sophie though, as the best man turns out to be Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart, who dumped her without explanation and then vanished from her life. Thrown together by circumstances, it seems that Sophie and Aiden might get the chance to rekindle their romance, but can she really trust him to stick around this time? Denise Hunter\u2019s novel is set in the quintessential seaside town and the story is packed with endearing characters and heartwarming situations. There\u2019s a romance to root for and the hope that things will work out better for Sophie in the future.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 20:56:33", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "592 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009393059", "title": "One Jar of Magic", "author": "Corey Ann Haydu", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 10", "word_count": 262, "review": "One Jar of Magic is a story about a soon-to-be twelve-year-old girl named Rose whose father is the most magical man in their little town of Belling Bright. Rose\u2019s dad expects her to catch a lot of powerful magic and follow in his footsteps. She doesn\u2019t want to disappoint him; she has a legacy to uphold. But on a special day, her first day when she is allowed to catch magic, Rose only catches one jar of magic that isn\u2019t even full. That is the least amount of magic anybody has ever caught! Her father stops talking to her and her best friend becomes her biggest bully. Rose starts hearing rumors about people not meant for magic. When her relationship with her father begins to crumble and she loses her best friend, Rose starts to wonder if it is possible that she is not meant for magic. Her father is the most magical man and she was born on the day he caught the most magic; shouldn\u2019t that mean she is destined to be magical too? To find, out Rose begins to investigate her family and she uncovers many secrets. Grab a copy of One Jar of Magic and settle down to find out the secrets as the story unfolds while Rose uncovers the truth about her father and her family in this magical book.

I recommend this story to fantasy and mystery lovers. Children ages eight and older will get drawn in with Rose as they read and there is no limit on the age of adults who would enjoy this story.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 20:16:31", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009393047", "title": "Martha Stewart's Very Good Things: Clever Tips & Genius Ideas for an Easier, More Enjoyable Life", "author": "Martha Stewart", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 162, "review": "This book claims to offer clever tips and ideas for a more enjoyable life. What would a household be without the help and advice of Martha Stewart? During a time when the word \"housewife\" became a pejorative, Martha bravely made the management of a household and its mundane tasks into an art form. Now we know she has a sizable staff to make this all happen, but her grace and resilience in charting this territory\u2014sometimes through hostile television segments\u2014is deserving of admiration, if not emulation.

Martha has made \"good things\" into her brand, and there are over five hundred good things in this book. I look forward to making a pine cone bird feeder with my great niece, and I am happy to know that I can make button closures on cardigans that come without them. There is a helpful index at the back of the book. The photographs are beautiful and in keeping with Martha\u2019s standards. This is a wonderful book.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 19:57:54", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt ", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5 "} {"id": "425035000009392047", "title": "No Buddy Like a Book", "author": "Allan Wolf, illus. by Brianne Farley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "What is it that a book does for us? Well, we learn to speak and to think, we learn how to bake and cook, read and write, or play instruments. Yet, a book is really nothing but ink without the reader\u2019s mind and the imagination they bring to it. Hop on the Book Express. It can take you to the greatest place in the world: your own imagination. You can learn anything from books. You can learn the names of the planets and how far away they are. You can even learn how to build a telescope so you can see them more clearly. What is it like to climb a mountain? Books can help you understand. What animals live in Africa? How many birds are there and where do they live? Books can help you learn all these things, and your imagination can take you there.

In sweet, rhyming verse, author Allan Wolf sparks the imagination of youngsters and helps them find their way to the joy of reading and books. The gorgeous, colorful illustrations by Brianne Farley are the real stars of this book, with fun details aplenty to keep youngsters engaged. This is a real winner!", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 18:17:54", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009392043", "title": "Kids vs. Plastic: Ditch the Straw and Find the Pollution Solution to Bottles, Bags, and Other Single-use Plastics", "author": "Julie Beer", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Andrew - Age 11", "word_count": 132, "review": "Kids vs. Plastic: Ditch the Straw and Find the Pollution Solution to Bottles, Bags, and Other Single-use Plastics has an amazing wealth of information regarding the pollution problem and how it is affecting our planet. The book has lots of facts and figures that you could use in a research project or if you want to discuss the pollution problem with your friends you can have solid information at hand. In addition to having information on the plastic pollution problem options for ways to help are provided. With action steps being provided you can feel like there is something you do and you aren't left feeling helpless. I would recommend this book to all kids as we all have something to learn and we can all take action against the pollution problem.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 18:15:28", "publisher": "National Geographic", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009392019", "title": "Instant Pot Miracle Healthy Cookbook", "author": "Urvashi Pitre", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Instant pots have become incredibly popular, and there are good reasons for that. People are so busy that the ability to make a delicious, hot meal quickly is a real gift. But if there is anyone in the family with food issues \u2014 gluten, dairy, nut problems, etc. \u2014 it may be hard to find a cookbook that will be really useful. This is the cookbook that will solve those problems. A well-written introductory section, including FAQs, will help those who are new to instant pots feel comfortable. With over one hundred recipes all made with fresh, healthy ingredients and most meeting the needs of those with food issues, this is a real winner. Each recipe begins with a descriptive paragraph, how much time it takes, which function will be used, which food issues it avoids, and how many it serves. The recipe follows along with information on calories, total fat, saturated fat, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, sugars, and protein per serving. Most recipes also have a full-color mouth-watering photo. Seven sections cover Vegetables; Poultry and Eggs; Beef, Pork, and Lamb; Seafood; Lentils, Beans, and Legumes; Rice and Grains; and Sauces and Spice Mixes. Don\u2019t miss the Beef Daube!", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 17:03:42", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin", "page_count": "236 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009392015", "title": "Peterson Field Guide to Mushrooms of North America, Second Edition", "author": "Karl B. McKnight, Joseph R. Rohrer, Kirsten McKNight Ward & Kent H. McKnight", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 181, "review": "In Maine, a botanist laid out all the mushrooms she had collected that morning for our inspection. She had collected over fifty different mushrooms with a disparate array of colors and shapes. She cautioned us that even an expert cannot always tell which variety is edible.

That comment brings me to the fun of this guide; as I paged through the beautiful illustrations, it was so much fun to play the guessing game: edible or poisonous? Needless to say, this reader did not establish a good track record of identifying safe mushrooms. It is wonderful to be aided by cautionary names such as Deathcap, Destroying Angel, and Sickener. But there is so much more in this comprehensive field guide published by the leader and authority in such books.

A major disappointment to me, however, was that my very favorite portobello mushroom (Agaricus bipods) was only listed as a button mushroom. Portobello was not to be found in the index, and I was left puzzled as to why. Despite that omission, this is a beautiful guide and an essential to any library.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 17:00:59", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5 "} {"id": "425035000009392007", "title": "A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal", "author": "Sarah Bessey", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 182, "review": "Anyone searching for a way to pray will find this book most helpful. Prayers of gratitude are included, but given the current global situation, many of the prayers are those of supplication. The book includes prayers from different denominations, although most are within the Western Christian tradition. As a result, anyone, no matter what tradition they follow, could appreciate the wisdom in each of these selections. The prayers are not exaltations, but can be as simple as gratitude for homemade chicken soup.

This reader particularly likes the breathing meditation found at the end of part one. The book is divided in three parts: Orientation, Disorientation, and Reorientation. In the last section, there is a prayer for those of us who have lost our way again, which, given the turbulent times, may be most of us. Best of all, the reader will not find judgements or calls for repentance in this book. The editor of this collection prays to the God of parking spots and prisons. With her conception of an ordinary approachable power, the prayers become relevant to a spirituality for today.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 16:56:30", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "152 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4 "} {"id": "425035000009390035", "title": "Blades of Freedom (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #10)", "author": "Nathan Hale", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 9", "word_count": 198, "review": "It\u2019s really cool that at school we were just learning about sugar when I got this book, Blades of Freedom. Sugar was so expensive and so popular when it first came to Europe, people who participated in the sugar trade could get really rich. Sugar growers got rich, too, but they needed somebody to do the actual work of planting, growing, harvesting, and milling the sugarcane. It was horrible work. The people who did that work were African slaves, carried across the Atlantic in European slave ships.

Blades of Freedom is a really good book, even though it\u2019s disturbing in places. The book centers on the French colony of Saint-Domingue, which is called Haiti today. President Thomas Jefferson\u2019s dreams of expanding power to New Orleans came together with Napoleon\u2019s thwarted attempt to subdue the revolution of Toussaint L\u2019Overture and his need for money. Napoleon was a hero of the French Revolution. The new French government supported the rebels in the Caribbean, until Napoleon needed money from the sugar colonies to pay for his military adventures.

It is a super interesting story about people all mixed together with money and big geo-politics. And the comics are really good, too!", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "21-Jan-2021 23:46:36", "publisher": "Abrams", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009390015", "title": "Explorer Academy: The Tiger's Nest (Book 5)", "author": "Trudi Trueit", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - Age 14", "word_count": 181, "review": "The Tiger's Nest is an amazing story of adventure and excitement. It is about Cruz Coronado's quest to locate the remaining pieces of a cipher for his mother's cell regeneration formula. With help from his friends at the Explorer Academy, Cruz must find the remaining pieces before Nebula can get their hands on them. However, he isn't sure whom he can trust, because he has been told that Nebula has two spies on board the Orion, Explorer Academy's ship.

This book was awesome. It was filled with interesting locations and cool technology. I really enjoyed reading the parts about the various robots, such as Mell and EggsTend. There were a lot of nice illustrations in the book, all of which were in full color. They helped me get an understanding of exactly what places looked like. This book was also very well written. At the end of the book, there are a few pages about the real-life people that inspired parts of the book. I recommend this book to kids from eleven to fourteen, and to kids who enjoy adventure stories.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "21-Jan-2021 23:13:12", "publisher": "National Geographic", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009390007", "title": "Hide in Place: A Novel", "author": "Emilya Naymark", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 800, "review": "I hear that sleep is overrated, said no one ever. Nevertheless, sometimes you need to stay up late into the early morning hours, watching a young one; perhaps you have the night shift at a creepy hotel; or you\u2019re a security officer at a new building complex where someone was murdered; or maybe you\u2019re the hired help for a family in a safe house, and it\u2019s up to you to stay awake no matter what. Sure, there\u2019s coffee and other fancy heart-racing drinks to stave off the sandman, but one tried and tested method is a gripping murder mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat, and your senses on high alert for any strange sounds. Here are six murder mysteries guaranteed to help you do the job.\n\nGirl in the Walls\n\nElise\u2019s parents were taken from her in a horrific car crash and now she remains hidden in her home and knows it like the back of her hand: every nook and cranny, crawlspace, crevice and hideout. Eddie enjoys living in the house with his family, except for the girl he sees out of the corner of his eye every once in a while. Is she really there? Is she real? Is he just imagining things? But when she\u2019s also seen by his brother, they have to do decide to what to do about the girl who might or might not exist.\n\n\nThe Captive\n\nBrooke Holland has a sedentary, peaceful life with her family on a rural farm. Times are hard, and sometimes they barely scrape by, but she\u2019s happy to be away from everything in the peace and quiet, where her past cannot come back to haunt her. But then Stephen Cawley, an escaped criminal, attacks them at the farm and Brooke does what she needs to to protect her family with her hidden talents and skills. Then she needs to bring Cawley to justice so she can get the reward to help her family and keep her dark and bloody past buried.\n\n\nRun for Cover\n\nIn the second installment of the series, Michael Gannon is hiding out on a friend\u2019s ranch deep in the heart of Utah where he hopes no one will find after his previous dealings. But when his friend\u2019s brother is found murdered near Grand Teton, he has to decide whether to keep a low profile, or help out his friend, and see if the murder my be linked to the strange killings happening at various national parks around the country. Gannon finds himself teaming up with FBI agent Kit Hagen to get to the bottom of it all.\n\n\nHide in Place\n\nLife seems to finally be going well for Laney Bird in the haven of Sylvan, New York. Three years ago after her cover was blown in a racketeering case that involved the Russian mafia, Bird had to flee with her son with her life in peril. Now she\u2019s finally starting to relax, but then her son suddenly goes missing and she knows her demons have come back to haunt her. The police are dismissing it as a runaway, but she knows there\u2019s more to it. As she digs deeper into her son\u2019s disappearance, she discovers he and a friend were meeting with a stranger who has also gone missing. As a snowstorm sweeps through, Bird will need to keep working to find out what happened to her son if she has any hopes of getting him back alive.\n\n\nIf I Disappear\n\nSera loves podcasts, in particular true crime podcasts. She can\u2019t get enough of them, and on some level, she feels she has been in training after listening to them for so long. Then one of her favorite podcast hosts named Rachel goes missing, and she takes this as a sign for her true calling. Sera begins to investigate, combing through the true crime episodes for clues and details and pieces of evidence that will lead her somewhere. They do eventually, to an old ranch near her hometown, but as she digs deeper she discovers that Rachel may not be the first woman to disappear.\n\n\nThe Mitford Trial\n\nIt is the summer of 1933 and Louisa Cannon is joining the Mitfords on a wonderful cruise, where she gets to rub elbows with the rich and famous. What more could anyone want? Except Louisa has made a deal: on her wedding day she was approached by someone incognito and told to spy on Diana Mitford and confirm her supposed illicit affair with Oswald Mosley. The cruise it brought to an abrupt halt when a man is found murdered, and the case is taken up back in London by Tom Mitford. Louisa will find her honor and emotions rent asunder as she must decide what is the right thing to do.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Jan-2021 23:05:38", "publisher": "Crooked Lane", "page_count": "278 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009390003", "title": "If I Disappear: A Novel", "author": "Eliza Jane Brazier", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 800, "review": "I hear that sleep is overrated, said no one ever. Nevertheless, sometimes you need to stay up late into the early morning hours, watching a young one; perhaps you have the night shift at a creepy hotel; or you\u2019re a security officer at a new building complex where someone was murdered; or maybe you\u2019re the hired help for a family in a safe house, and it\u2019s up to you to stay awake no matter what. Sure, there\u2019s coffee and other fancy heart-racing drinks to stave off the sandman, but one tried and tested method is a gripping murder mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat, and your senses on high alert for any strange sounds. Here are six murder mysteries guaranteed to help you do the job.\n\nGirl in the Walls\n\nElise\u2019s parents were taken from her in a horrific car crash and now she remains hidden in her home and knows it like the back of her hand: every nook and cranny, crawlspace, crevice and hideout. Eddie enjoys living in the house with his family, except for the girl he sees out of the corner of his eye every once in a while. Is she really there? Is she real? Is he just imagining things? But when she\u2019s also seen by his brother, they have to do decide to what to do about the girl who might or might not exist.\n\n\nThe Captive\n\nBrooke Holland has a sedentary, peaceful life with her family on a rural farm. Times are hard, and sometimes they barely scrape by, but she\u2019s happy to be away from everything in the peace and quiet, where her past cannot come back to haunt her. But then Stephen Cawley, an escaped criminal, attacks them at the farm and Brooke does what she needs to to protect her family with her hidden talents and skills. Then she needs to bring Cawley to justice so she can get the reward to help her family and keep her dark and bloody past buried.\n\n\nRun for Cover\n\nIn the second installment of the series, Michael Gannon is hiding out on a friend\u2019s ranch deep in the heart of Utah where he hopes no one will find after his previous dealings. But when his friend\u2019s brother is found murdered near Grand Teton, he has to decide whether to keep a low profile, or help out his friend, and see if the murder my be linked to the strange killings happening at various national parks around the country. Gannon finds himself teaming up with FBI agent Kit Hagen to get to the bottom of it all.\n\n\nHide in Place\n\nLife seems to finally be going well for Laney Bird in the haven of Sylvan, New York. Three years ago after her cover was blown in a racketeering case that involved the Russian mafia, Bird had to flee with her son with her life in peril. Now she\u2019s finally starting to relax, but then her son suddenly goes missing and she knows her demons have come back to haunt her. The police are dismissing it as a runaway, but she knows there\u2019s more to it. As she digs deeper into her son\u2019s disappearance, she discovers he and a friend were meeting with a stranger who has also gone missing. As a snowstorm sweeps through, Bird will need to keep working to find out what happened to her son if she has any hopes of getting him back alive.\n\n\nIf I Disappear\n\nSera loves podcasts, in particular true crime podcasts. She can\u2019t get enough of them, and on some level, she feels she has been in training after listening to them for so long. Then one of her favorite podcast hosts named Rachel goes missing, and she takes this as a sign for her true calling. Sera begins to investigate, combing through the true crime episodes for clues and details and pieces of evidence that will lead her somewhere. They do eventually, to an old ranch near her hometown, but as she digs deeper she discovers that Rachel may not be the first woman to disappear.\n\n\nThe Mitford Trial\n\nIt is the summer of 1933 and Louisa Cannon is joining the Mitfords on a wonderful cruise, where she gets to rub elbows with the rich and famous. What more could anyone want? Except Louisa has made a deal: on her wedding day she was approached by someone incognito and told to spy on Diana Mitford and confirm her supposed illicit affair with Oswald Mosley. The cruise it brought to an abrupt halt when a man is found murdered, and the case is taken up back in London by Tom Mitford. Louisa will find her honor and emotions rent asunder as she must decide what is the right thing to do.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Jan-2021 23:03:23", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "294 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009389095", "title": "Oliver for Young Readers: The True Story of a Stolen Dog and the Humans He Brought Together", "author": "Steven J. Carino and Alex Tresniowski", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 10", "word_count": 204, "review": "Oliver for Young Readers: The True Story of a Stolen Dog and the Humans He Brought Together is the story of a \u201cShorkie\u201d (Shihtzu mixed with Yorkie) and his owner, Steven. Steven developed a love for dogs when he was young, and his bond with dogs got stronger as he grew up. As an adult, Steven became a driver in New York City. One Valentine\u2019s Day, Steven didn\u2019t have much time to spend with Oliver so he asked a client if he could bring Oliver on the drive. She agreed. After dropping her off, Steven went into a mall strip and left Oliver in the car. He thought he locked the door when he went into the restaurant, but when he came out, Oliver was gone! Steven was heartbroken. He asked his family to help; he posted pictures online and asked people to look for Oliver. Many people saw his post and were moved. Steven received a lot of support from people around the world. Buy a copy of this beautiful true story and find out what happened! If you're an animal lover, this book will make you shed tears. I am happy to have read this book. I think you will be too!", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 00:58:04", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009389083", "title": "Friendshipping: The Art of Finding Friends, Being Friends, and Keeping Friends", "author": "Jenn Bane and Trin Garritano", "category": "N16 Relationships & Sex", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 188, "review": "When you're a kid, making friends can seem like second nature. When you're an adult, not having friends can seem like second nature. For some people, they are perfectly fine with this arrangement; for others, Friendshipping: The Art of Finding Friends, Being Friends and Keeping Friends will help. Within the pages, Jenn and Trin offer personal advice that can also be heard on their podcast, Friendshipping. The girls cover every aspect of being and making friends. The advice is modern and up-to-date with lessons on proper etiquette on making friends, being friends, and keeping the friendship, such as the importance of identifying your pronouns, social media, and being precise with every detail.

Those who can relate to the struggles involving friendships will want to check out this book. Much of the information includes communication, not reading into things on social media, and being upfront and honest about feelings and everything. The advice given is explained well for anyone to understand and implement in their own lives. The questions submitted by listeners are helpful for real-life examples of friendship dilemmas and the pictures interspersed add color to the colorful commentary.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 00:44:39", "publisher": "Workman Publishing Company ", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009389079", "title": "In Case You Get Hit by a Bus: How to Organize Your Life Now for When You're Not Around Later", "author": "Abby Schneiderman, Adam Seifer and Gene Newman", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 198, "review": "In Case You Get Hit By A Bus is a book that every human being should read. This is a book for planning in case something happens to you, either now or later. Organized in easy-to-follow chapters, the book starts with the most pertinent tasks one should do and later on gives some optional \u201cwould be nice to have\u201d suggestions. From having your passwords updated and stored in one place for easy access to creating a will to planning your own funeral and even writing your own obituary, this book covers just about everything in one fell swoop. It even suggests writing letters to your loved ones.

As I read this book, I made sure to take notes, writing down the things I need to do to make things easier on my kids. There can be so many choices to get lost in that it would be easy to throw in the towel and just do nothing. But as this book explains, you don\u2019t want to do nothing. The ease of use of this book was what was most attractive. Readers can use it as a checklist for all of the important future planning they need to accomplish.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Jan-2021 00:42:51", "publisher": "Workman Publishing Company ", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009389063", "title": "The Mission: A True Story", "author": "David W. Brown", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 201, "review": "Are we alone in the universe, or is there life out there somewhere other than Earth? In The Mission, David W. Brown tells the story of a group of scientists whose work has the potential to shed light on just that question. Readers may already be familiar with scientists\u2019 attempts to investigate whether there\u2019s life on Mars, but Brown follows scientists with a different focus: Europa, one of Jupiter\u2019s moons. Battling NASA\u2019s preoccupation with Mars missions and numerous bureaucratic barriers, the scientists Brown follows advocate over many years for a mission to Europa\u2014a mission with the potential to answer questions that mystify planetary scientists and laypeople alike.

The Mission is incredibly detailed and well researched, and while this level of detail is a strength of the book, it is also one of its weaknesses. With such a large cast of characters, many described in detail, it was sometimes hard to keep track of who was who or form a strong connection with any one of the book\u2019s key players. Though the book seems like it could have been streamlined, the clarity of the book\u2019s science communication and the scope of its story are impressive, and The Mission is well worth a read.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "21-Jan-2021 23:36:50", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009389059", "title": "Mars (Kosmos)", "author": "Stephen James O'Meara", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 685, "review": "Take a trip to Mars to learn about the Red Planet then learn about birds and their behavior. These four reads include planned missions to Mars, a look at the hivemind of our society, and ways to combat climate change. \n\nMars (Kosmos) \u2013 Stephen James O'Meara \n\nIt's no secret that Mars has a reputation for being the mysterious planet that has fascinated mankind since it was discovered. The planet is known for volcanoes that are larger in size than Mount Everest, canyons large enough that they would engulf America and a landscape that is suspected to have contained water. /Mars/ is a detailed resource that provides a vast history on the planet which includes dating back to the first that discovered the planet and those currently obsessed with Mars from filmmakers to radio broadcasters. O'Meara also includes the most recent information from the /Curiosity/ rover, Mars mission plans, and critique on if the chances of these plans succeed. \n\nWhat is a Bird? An Exploration of Anatomy, Physiology, Behavior, and Ecology \u2013 Tony D. Williams \n\nBirds can be found all over the world with over 10,000 species that cover a wide variety which creates one of the most diverse groups in the animal kingdom. Among the species included in this book are the ostrich and the small species of bee hummingbird. This book explores every aspect of birds through an up-close look at their morphology, anatomy, behavior, and ecology. Hundreds of illustrations are provided which include common birds such as sparrows and exotic species such as birds of paradise. This is a must-have for birders and naturalists with a stunning exploration of bird history, a look at their ecology and behavior, and an insight into human connections with birds. \n\nHivemind: The New Science of Tribalism in Our Divided World \u2013 Sarah Rose Cavanagh \n\nThis provocative read takes a look at the way communities have shared ideas and learned their viewpoints from the groups we've selected for ourselves. As humans, we define ourselves through our social groups who are people that share our commonalities with such as shared tastes, faith, and heritage. This book takes an honest look at what happens when people only socialize with those like them which could create a point where we can't socialize with those outside our common interests and what could occur when our chosen communities define our views versus expanding it. Human beings have always been a social species and this nature has given us the benefits of us being able to ward off the emotional and physical upheavals of being alone. Topics found within /Hivemind/ include the Charlottesville riots, zombies, Facebook boardrooms, honeybees, and neuroscience. Cavanagh is a specialist in psychologist and emotion regulation who explores through /Hivemind/ how the way we socialize has been reshaped through social technology. This book explores online tribalism as well as how our panic has dimmed towards using screens and our mental health and delves into our understanding of community. \n\nThe New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet \u2013 Michael E. Mann\n\nThis book tackles the elephant in the room: climate change. Fossil fuel companies have spent years shifting the blame of their actions so /The New Climate War/ tackles this topic with hard-hitting honesty while introducing ways to save the planet. Also included are examples of going against climate change by doing things such as eating less meat, flying less, and recycling. Current companies have deflected their actions and greenwashed as a way of handling their role in climate change. Mann delves into how companies have found ways to block efforts to regulate carbon emissions while discrediting PR campaigns and choosing to not accept responsibility for their role in the greater problem. A battle line has been drawn between the side of the people and the side of the various polluters which include in addition to fossil fuel companies, petrostates, and right-wing plutocrats. The plan outlined within the book shares an attainable approach to carbon pricing along with a look at renewable energy, discredited false narratives, and going up against the idea of doomism in regards to climate change.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Jan-2021 22:51:22", "publisher": "Reaktion Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009389043", "title": "Finding Home", "author": "Estel\u00ed Meza", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 207, "review": "When a fall wind blows a gigantic rabbit\u2019s house away, he\u2019s left feeling distraught and afraid. As Conejo\u2019s hope fades, he sees his wolf friend, Lobo Lobito, in the distance. Together, they cross valleys and drive over mountains, and though they don\u2019t find Conejo\u2019s home, his spirits are uplifted. He continues his search and runs into Perezoso the sloth who comforts him with kindness and a gift. When he arrives in a small town, Buhita the owl offers him tea and entertains him with music and stories. Finally, Conejo allows himself to grieve. Soon, he\u2019s able to begin afresh to create a new home filled with special memories from his voyage.

This is a unique story inspired by the devastating events of Hurricane Maria and a 2017 hurricane in Mexico City. Similar to the survivors of these tragedies, Conejo\u2019s resiliency and determination enable him to persevere, along with the consolation and assistance of others. Children will be touched by the thoughtfulness of his loved ones. Their curiosity will be stimulated by the authentic illustrations sprinkled through the text. Additionally, they\u2019ll be enriched by the cultural content and influences within it. The target audience is youth ages five to nine, and the reading level is approximately second grade.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "21-Jan-2021 22:34:27", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009389039", "title": "Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good", "author": "Tina Turner", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 188, "review": "The rock \u2019n roll legend turns philosophical in her third book. It is an introduction to Buddhist chanting. She attributes all of her success and much-storied escape from domestic abuse to the enlightenment she received through chanting. A cynic may change up her famous song and ask \u201cWhat\u2019s chanting got to do with it?\u201d If one is as talented and charismatic as Tina Turner, arguably, one would need no divine intervention to have a successful life. As the author, Tina may rebut: she has faced her share of challenges in life. Recently, she has had several life-threatening conditions. And still, she remains, in this book and in her appearances, a force of happiness and joy. So much so, that she is a source of inspiration for many of us. She relates how she began chanting occasionally and saw it working and creating miracles in her life. Her argument might be: what have we got to lose? Tina Turner is legendary. Her energy in performance ignites a response in all of us. If the cause of that eternal happiness is chanting, then we all could use more of it.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "21-Jan-2021 22:27:53", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009389007", "title": "In Search of a Kingdom: Francis Drake, Elizabeth I, and the Perilous Birth of the British Empire", "author": "Laurence Bergreen", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 209, "review": "What does it take to build an empire? Money, power, and the willingness to undertake risks. In the 16th Century, England was in transition. Queen Elizabeth, Daughter of Henry VIII had a precarious grip on power. The imposing empire commanded by Spain had its eye on England. Elizabeth was intent on England making its mark in the New World. Enter Francis Drake. In 1577, Drake began a circumnavigation of the globe with silent assent from Elizabeth. Elizabeth desired not to incur the ire of Spain, as Drake sailed across the world, stopping to plunder every now and then.

Elizabeth was unaware of Drake\u2019s almost pathological hatred of Spain, which stemmed from their homicidal inquisitions of religious persecution. The two countries' differences were stark as Drake sailed off on his journey. England was Protestant and cash strapped, Spain was staunchly Catholic and obscenely wealthy. Drake\u2019s raids on his voyage would forever alter both countries' paths.

In Search of a Kingdom engages the reader with the meteoric rise of the British Empire in the late 1500s. The David & Goliath struggle between Spain and England is written with breathtaking prose by Author Laurence Bergreen. The daring of Drake is contrasted with the wily leadership of Elizabeth, a duo forging a fortuitous future.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "21-Jan-2021 20:45:22", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009387003", "title": "The Simushir Island Incident", "author": "Marc Liebman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 367, "review": "The Simushir Island Incidentis the new book by author Marc Liebman. It is a\u00a0military thriller rich in technical detail and compelling drama. The book is the latest in the Josh Haman Book Series and it can serve as an engaging introduction to the overall narrative, while also rewarding returning fans.

In The Simushir Island Incident, Admiral Kim Sun Pak and General Chun Lee Jang, both in the service of\u00a0North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il,\u00a0operate a massive production of high-grade heroin that they sell to the United States.

The main goal is to weaken the United States by feeding this powerful addiction. Yet, all those around Kim Jong-II are rightly paranoid about their own futures.\u00a0This will only further the stakes and the high-flying drama as the narrative unravels.

After basing their operations in an old Soviet sub-base along the island of Simushir, they\u00a0use assassins to begin eliminating potential competitors. Eventually, the United States Government catches on and they send into the fray, the dangerous and courageous\u00a0Josh Haman.

Josh Haman the book's protagonist\u00a0has done it all,\u00a0 combat search and rescue and special operations missions during the Vietnam War; hunted terrorists in Germany; rescued POWs. He has even\u00a0chased a spy in the Pentagon; he is now thrown in the middle of the complex web of foreign schemes and none stop thrills.

The technical details which bogged down many Clancy books of a similar nature are here transformed into rich background detail. Liebman maintains a strong sense of both pace and the various physical surroundings. Despite a complex plot, nothing ever\u00a0feels confusing or overly busy.

Unlike other books, the villains are never portrayed\u00a0as Sunday morning cartoon characters. These Communists are a threat to national security within the U.S., yet they are not written as primitive, sneaky, or subversive. They are human, with real fears that ultimately make them feel more dangerous. Likewise, there is a theme in this series that the U.S. is flawed, but ultimately a force for good and hope in the world.

This book is an experience-a rich, colorful, charming, and elegantly crafted experience. It is one that any reader would be pleased to take part in and which many similar books strive to duplicate.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Jan-2021 22:08:12", "publisher": "Penmore Press", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009386015", "title": "Flight of the Pawnee", "author": "Marc Liebman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 440, "review": "As Mohammed Haag surveys the rubble that was once his apartment building, he understands why the Israeli\u2019s retaliated. The recent rocket attacks from the Lebanese PLO and Hezbollah inflamed them. Regardless, the loss of his family and home devastates him, leaving him deeply unsettled and vulnerable. When he\u2019s introduced to Hanifa, the niece of an Al-Qaeda leader, he falls in love. He becomes the perfect prey - just what Al-Qaeda has been searching for - a chemical engineer known for his successes in the field to help in carrying out the mission to kill 10,000 Americans. Under a new identity, Harun Al-Rashid, he\u2019s sent to the United States to begin 'fighting for the cause.\u2019

Upon returning home from Iraq, Derek Almer, a Naval Aviator, and CIA contract pilot, discovers his wife has left him. He\u2019s dispirited and determined to pour his energy into his work. As time passes and his wounds heal, he meets Eileen, someone for whom he cares deeply. She and her mother are involved in a car hijacking, and their lives are put at risk. Enraged, Almer vows to find the perpetrators. What he learns is alarming; members of the Mexican Brotherhood and the Sinaloa Cartel were involved, and there\u2019s a confounding connection between them and Al-Qaeda. They\u2019ve been harboring Al-Rashid in their safe houses. Against the wishes of the CIA and other top government officials, Almer plans for their demise, and in the end, they come face-to-face with him in a shoot out of significant proportion, and only one side wins.

This is an intriguing book about right and wrong, crime and punishment, love and deceit. The storylines are parallel, though they merge together and become intricately woven. The characters are as complex as they are diverse. Al-Rashid chooses corruption and violence in the aftermath of loss. Almer perseveres in his fight for justice, despite the risk of putting himself and his career in peril.

Enthusiasts of psychological thrillers, especially those involving terrorism, the military, and special services will enjoy /Flight of the Pawnee/. Marc Liebman is technical in his descriptions of military and aviation-related matters, but his clarity and style make comprehension untroubled. The text is sprinkled with romance and humanity in general. Relationships and family matters are given the spotlight nearly as often as crime and combat are. Liebman is gifted in his ability to combine these elements in a way that maximizes his audience of readers. It\u2019s evident by his depiction of characters and references to historical matters, he devoted noteworthy time to research. With more concentrated effort on editing, the overall quality would increase. However, that aside, it\u2019s certainly a worthy read.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Jan-2021 22:12:31", "publisher": "Crossroad Press", "page_count": "269 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009386011", "title": "Your Next Big Idea: Improve Your Creativity and Problem-Solving", "author": "Samuel Sanders", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 410, "review": "Your Next Big Idea is the perfect book for anyone who wants to tap into their creative mind. The author does a wonderful job of breaking down how ideas are formed and giving the reader exercises and activities throughout the book to spark new ideas and encourage them to step out of their comfort zone.

The book is divided into six sections, each building one on top of the other. The first section is about identifying problems that our ideas can solve. The section on stigma may be my favorite chapter of all because many times people do things or think a certain way because of the stigmas that are ingrained in their lives. They may not even know why they do something a certain way, because it's just the way they've always done it and the way their mother or father before them has done it as well. Being able to identify the stigmas in our lives and get past them can open up new doors for creative ideas. The author teaches the reader how to identify stigmas and how to erase them.

The activities the author includes in the book are fun and creative. One of the activities that I will be going back and doing is the one in which the author says to invent \"The Worst Company Idea.\" His examples include \"smelly, used underwear outlet\" or \"mattresses made of bee nests.\" This is such a great way to get the reader to really think outside the box. In the next part of the activity, the reader is to exchange their favorite \"worst company\" idea with a partner and present it to an investor for a new company. This activity could easily turn very silly and I can even imagine it turning into a board game one day.

Your Next Big Idea is not just for people who are looking for ideas on how to start a business, although the author does include a section on that. Many of us do the same thing day in and day out. This book is a breath of fresh air in letting people let their creative minds run wild. Your Next Big Idea has fabulous suggestions for both adults and children. I would recommend this book to people of all ages who want to feel that spark of an idea again, no matter how unrealistic or silly it may seem. You never know what your mind will come up with!", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "20-Jan-2021 22:00:43", "publisher": "Heard Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009386007", "title": "Your Next Big Idea: Improve Your Creativity and Problem-Solving", "author": "Samuel Sanders", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 511, "review": "As Samuel Sanders notes in his introduction to Your Next Big Idea, everything starts with an idea. Indeed, in every facet of life, every successful endeavor originated as an idea in the mind of a person who, for example, spotted a problem that needed to be overcome or an opportunity that was waiting to be seized. But where do ideas come from? And, perhaps more importantly, is it possible to train yourself to come up with more and better ideas? Fortunately, Sanders is able to provide the answers to these and other questions, in addition to offering practical examples to back up his theory.

Since his college days, when he took a class that focused on generating feasible business and startup ideas, Sanders has dedicated himself to understanding the process of ideation and identifying ways of developing increasing numbers of innovative and meaningful ideas. This practice has led to him achieving great success as an entrepreneur and as a curious individual, and he has also been able to share his insights with various business leaders, celebrities, and sportspeople. Sanders believes that enhancing your idea-generation and problem-solving skills represents the key to high attainment in both your personal and your professional life, and he is keen to stress that everyone has the potential for improvement in these areas.

Written in a friendly and conversational fashion, Your Next Big Idea is intended to help everyone, wherever they happen to be on their journey toward enhanced ideation, creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. The book is divided into six sections, which walk the reader through the process of questioning and identifying problems, needs, and wants; erasing stigmas; solving problems; checking the feasibility of ideas; sharing ideas as volubly and broadly as possible; and turning ideas into reality. Taken together, the information presented in these sections, as well as the practical tasks and activities that they prompt you to engage in, serve to brain your brain in such a way as to foster creativity and deduction.

While all of the sections are insightful from a theoretical perspective, the section on erasing stigmas is particularly interesting and useful from a practical perspective, and Sanders notes that it is also the most difficult section of the book. In this context, stigmas are \u201crules or guidelines that we feel the need to follow, even though they may not apply to our present situation or may not be true at all.\u201d It\u2019s commonly the belief in stigmas that holds people back from pursuing innovation and experimentation. Among the practical exercises suggested to help readers overcome the influence of stigma is a logic puzzle (the fox, chicken, and grain that need transporting across a river), a set of problem statements, and a picture to color in \u2013 Sanders\u2019 approach is varied and engaging.

Whether you\u2019re interested in developing your business, enhancing your artistic inventiveness, improving your communication skills, or some other important endeavor, reading Your Next Big Idea is a great way to get your creative juice flowing (even if you don\u2019t quite make it to one hundred meaningful ideas per week!).", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "20-Jan-2021 22:00:37", "publisher": "Heard Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009386003", "title": "Your Next Big Idea: Improve Your Creativity and Problem-Solving", "author": "Samuel Sanders", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 416, "review": "Would you like to learn how to come up with new ideas? Do you struggle with figuring out how to do things better for your business or creative endeavors? Then Your Next Big Idea is the book for you. Learning this method, with practice, will help you get up to having over one hundred new ideas a week.

This book takes you on a journey to teaching you how you get from an idea to the best ideas. It includes a variety of methods, tons of ready-to-go exercises, and wonderful information on how to get started on your journey or creating new ideas. Each exercise was immensely helpful and well worth the time.

The author seemed to have done the research and used the methods that he discussed in the book. I loved that he used kids as a good example of their brains being wide open to not stigmas. I think the idea of using play as adults to help free their minds is brilliant.

An example of one exercise is to identify your problems. This began with just what is going wrong with you today. Then the author moved to things that we hate. Lastly, things that we find annoying.

Later in the book, there were some great exercises about stigmas and exercises to help you see past the walls they built for certain situations. The first was finishing pictures that looked like they were scribbles and make them into anything. The next one what are some stigmas that are causing you problems. What are the solutions in your life?

I found this book not only helpful in my pursues of becoming an author, but also in other parts of my personal life. It helped me figure out some ideas for time management. Solutions for some things that I have been wanting to do better like communicating with others, spending more quality time with my kids, and husband. I enjoyed the chapter about finding problems that need a solution and the circle exercise where you just draw in and around the circles and let your mind wander.

The materials in this book could be put to use anywhere from a business to a non-profit organization to a single person trying to decide what they want to pursue next. The formatting is very professional. It was one of the best practical books that I have read. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is trying to get better at anything from business practices to make your personal life better.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "20-Jan-2021 22:00:31", "publisher": "Heard Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009385003", "title": "Flight of the Pawnee", "author": "Marc Liebman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 442, "review": "How do you find your way back from a war without an end? How can a slowly crumbling and divided America successfully defeat a faceless foe? The short answer is that you look towards those that are struggling to come to terms with their past to defend you and give their lives a purpose.\u00a0Flight of the Pawnee is the first of a proposed four-book novel series based on a new character named Derek Almer.

In the book terrorist group, Al Qaeda has grown frustrated\u00a0at the west's ability to kill off their leadership structure and the continued conflicts in the region. They\u00a0ambitiously\u00a0form a new goal - to kill three times as many Americans in one attack as died on 9/11. The main villain in the story devises\u00a0a\u00a0plan to kill upwards of 20,000 people. With or without the help of the CIA and the FBI, Almer undertakes to investigate the\u00a0group's actions\u00a0and it quickly leads them along with our protagonists\u00a0Almer and his partner former cop\u00a0Jack Bertram down a harrowing path across two continents. Society in the book is slowly being overrun with darkness and a single solitary man and a \"Pawnee\". This is the consuming chess match of our times and he finds himself at the forefront of the book's events. His attempts at uncovering the truth, force his own government to view him as a threat, and they seek to silence him.

The main characters of the book are indeed figures of heroic gallantry and complex natures. But they are largely people caught up in the affairs of their betters. The game of cat and mouse between the cultural impulses of the times and the terrorists are the\u00a021st-century equivalence of the sport of kings. The kind of mind games that important figures play on one another that carries low risk and high reward. However, for\u00a0people like Almer, their tasks are a matter of life and death.\u00a0It is effortless for the reader to be transported in this richly created literary world. We can see as the curtain slowly falls even more and spins a complex web of secrets and revelations that keep the audience engaged throughout. The book has some of the most creative and fully flushed out characters in modern fiction. The book's narrative is both nuanced and breezy. The book\u2019s visuals are compelling and revealing. The defining conflict is presented with haunting clarity.

Author\u00a0Marc Liebman, himself a veteran, is commanding with his writing, and this book will continue to prove engrossing and enchanting for years to come. This is a great triumphant book! A spectacular literary experience and a refreshing, suspenseful\u00a0thriller.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "19-Jan-2021 23:31:18", "publisher": "Crossroad Press", "page_count": "269 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009383059", "title": "Les Miserables: An Engaging Visual Journey", "author": "Terri and Jim Kraus", "category": "F02 Classics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 206, "review": "This is the great classic of human redemption by Victor Hugo. A reader may be more familiar with the movie, The Fugitive which liberally borrows the plot lines from this novel. Of course, there was also a movie musical, but reader, do not be deterred from picking up this book; the original is much better than any other retelling. Jean Valjean, the protagonist is of the criminal class who is trusted and redeemed by the goodness of a village priest. As he repents for his crimes, he is hounded by the obsessed inspector who wants to see justice done at any price. Can a good man escape his past misdeeds and devote himself to others \u2014 and at what cost?

The illustrations in this book are alone worth picking this book up to peruse. It is illustrated by incredible artists who bring the story to life. The back of the book collects all the illustrations so that one can better appreciate their artistry. Victor Hugo as a writer had a unique sympathy for the poor and oppressed. This volume is published by a religious ministry because of the redemptive nature of the story. The reader should not be deterred by the religiosity therein. The story is universal.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "15-Jul-2021", "date_added": "19-Jan-2021 22:14:33", "publisher": "Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009383043", "title": "Stranger Than Kindness ", "author": "Nick Cave", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 217, "review": "An internationally celebrated rock star, Australian-born Nick Cave examines his transitions as he ages through this collection of memorabilia starting from childhood and leading to the present. Coming from a sheltered loving home, this precocious youth displays his rebellious nature during school years, goes on to form bands, indulges in a drug habit, and continues to write songs, books, and movie scripts that garner awards. Darcy Steinke pens an essay that catches glimpses of this talented performer and his anguished search for identity and meaning. Most of the pages are filled with photos of notebook pages, drawings, icons that he has saved over the years and will be meaningful to his trove of idolatrous fans. Almost a compulsive writer, the replicas of the writings from his copious notebooks are filled with scribbled lyrics, corrected scripts, self-designed dictionaries with difficult words to be used in his stories, and his chronic habit to doodle naked women. He has a fondness for Elvis and Johnny Cash and wrestles with religion and the messages he extracts from biblical readings. This book captures the display mementos used for a recent Danish exhibition of his work, these keepsakes will be recognized and revered by his devotees; unfortunately for the casual reader, this book does not reveal the inner workings of the actual superstar.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "06-May-2021", "date_added": "19-Jan-2021 21:52:21", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "276 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009383039", "title": "Herbarium: The Quest to Preserve and Classify the World's Plants", "author": "Barbara M. Thiers", "category": "N10 Home & Garden", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 208, "review": "Plants have a history and their stories can be recorded and preserved within a herbarium which contains a systematically arranged collection of dried plants. This may sound dull, but in this impressive book, author Barbara Their (director of the Lynda Steere Herbarium at the New York Botanical Gardens) superbly and radiantly recounts the history of plant collecting through fascinating historical data, interesting anecdotes, collection references, relevant details of scientific practices, and illustrates these chronicled features with stunning images of pressed plants along with engrossing photos of botanists and study sites. Opening with an introduction to the Italian physician named Luca Ghini who is credited with founding the first Herbarium in 1500AD, the riveting narrative continues with the physicians and naturalists who followed his methods. Her stories are engrossing as familiar names such as Linnaeus, Banks, Darwin, James Cook, Humboldt, and so many others crop up in this chronicle of Herbaria establishments across the world. The importance of herbaria which records the occurrence of plants and fungi is stressed, while the information they contain is important for maintaining ecosystems, detecting pollution, examining stresses to biodiversity. This magnificent tale of plant preservation should engross the attention of all readers interested in history, adventure, science, and the world we live in.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "19-Jan-2021 21:43:47", "publisher": "Workman Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009383035", "title": "The World's Most Magnificent Machines", "author": "David Long", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 197, "review": "Have you ever wondered what machines are considered the greatest on Earth? If so, The World\u2019s Most Magnificent Machines is the perfect book for you. From early cars, airplanes, and ships to more modern construction equipment and aircraft, this book has it all.

The illustrations are amazing. Each machine has a larger than double page spread showing what it looked like. Smaller illustrations surround the text as well as pages of schematics showing length, height, weight, speed, etc.

The text is fantastic. It gives the reader just enough information to be knowledgeable, but not so much that it\u2019s overwhelming. I appreciated the fun stories about how the inventors tried and failed to achieve success or, sometimes, how the invention just didn\u2019t work in the world we live in.

My seven-year-old son had this to say, \u201cI liked the pictures a lot and the text was good too.\u201d

As a mom, teacher, and librarian, my opinion is that this is a \"must have\" book if you have a child who likes any type of machinery. I think a child could spend hours soaking it all in and then read it over and over again. It's a fantastic book!", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "19-Jan-2021 21:40:21", "publisher": "Faber & Faber", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009383031", "title": "People We Meet On Vacation", "author": "Emily Henry", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 206, "review": "Poppy and Alex, best friends since college, are a living example of the adage \u201copposites attract.\u201d Alex is a creature of habit, with dreams for the most normal of futures. Volatile Poppy is happiest when she\u2019s traveling, surrounded by strangers and facing one unpredictable situation after another. The friends have a tradition: every summer, they take a vacation together. Poppy knows she can always count on Alex--until a disastrous vacation in Croatia results in two years of them not speaking. When we meet Poppy, she\u2019s floundering and unhappy, and she knows that her rift with Alex is at the root of her sadness. She plans a vacation, and Alex agrees to go with her. Poppy has one last chance to save their friendship--and take the wildest romantic risk of her life.

Like Henry\u2019s novel Beach Read, People We Meet is a delicious, big-hearted examination of two people who maddeningly overlook the perfect partner who\u2019s been right in front of them all along. This is a contemporary romance, light by design, but Henry doesn\u2019t make it easy for her characters; she gives them real flaws and allows them to cause harm and make mistakes. The happy ending, always assumed, is wholly earned. This is a perfect beach read.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "05-May-2021", "date_added": "19-Jan-2021 20:57:55", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009522003", "title": "Writ In Water: A Novel of John Keats", "author": "James Sulzer", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 487, "review": "My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains
My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk,
Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains
One minute past, and Lethe-wards had sunk:
'T is not through envy of thy happy lot,
But being too happy in thine happiness,\u2014
That thou, light-winged Dryad of the trees,
In some melodious plot
Of beechen green, and shadows numberless,
Singest of summer in full-throated ease.

The book Writ in Water: A Novel of John Keats by James Sulzer begins with his perhaps most well-known poem, \u201cOde to a Nightingale,\u201d which is important to the book for a number of reasons. Poetry is at the heart of this novel and breathes life into it throughout; the nightingale plays an important role in this story; and the reader gets an idea and a sense for the writer behind the poem, with his word choice, his rhyme scheme, and his sense of imagery, which again all play a very intentional part in the book that was carefully crafted by Sulzer to reflect this.

Writ in Water is a fictional story of John Keats's life told in a most unique and wonderful way that makes perfect and perhaps even obvious sense once the reader understands what\u2019s going on here. While the book is divided into chapters, we also have sections within those chapters subtitled either \u201cN\u201d or \u201cJ.\u201d It is not a hard code to crack: \u201cN\u201d stands for nightingale and \u201cJ\u201d for John. We have parts of the story told from the viewpoint of, yes, the nightingale, a bird; told through unique and colorful prose, giving it a very different sense to prose from a human character. We see it in the careful word choice and in the poetical nature of the writing:

\u201cA young woman, clothed in the color of leaves, flickered up to the dripping young man and perched near him. Her face was long and smooth, and her mouth was the red of berries.\u201d

Or:

\u201cSummer. A fat, round word like a juicy beetle, full of warmth and goodness. Fever. A skinny and troubled word, as worrisome as a hawk circling overhead.\u201d

There is a little getting used to the language and point-of-view at first, but once understood, the reader gets fully pulled into the story with this unusual and unique character, as well as getting an ongoing story from John Keats\u2019s point of view, the emotions he was feeling at the time, and the life he chose to lead, with those he cared for deeply, and those not so much.

While the book is prose, it really feels like an extensive work of poetry. Sulzer has worked hard at choosing certain words and phrasings, researching the life and works of Keats, and making the whole book a very special journey, as we live through the highs and lows of Keats\u2019s life and ultimately his sad death, with the words etched upon his gravestone at the poet\u2019s request: \u201cHere lies one whose name is writ in water.\u201d", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "26-Feb-2021 15:22:59", "publisher": "Fuze Publishing", "page_count": "210 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009521003", "title": "Outsider Rules", "author": "Roger Fleming", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 441, "review": "In 1996, Nick Taft is a lobbyist for American Communications Coalition (ACC) in Washington, DC. His job, spun as positively as possible, is to be an intermediary between his client organization and the lawmakers in Congress: to explain to legislators what his organization wants and explain to his client what obstacles elected officials face in doing their bidding.

The life of our protagonist is one of breakfast meetings, power lunches, drinks at trendy bars culminating in full-blown functions later in the evening. The trick is to pretend to know more than anyone else while sharing very little of what you actually do know, in hopes of learning something of value. Your access and invite are dependent on your ability to bolster the coffers of the host\u2019s campaign fund.

It's little wonder Nick is becoming disillusioned and thinking he \u201c\u2026should have stayed to help his party where he could have fought for what was best for his country rather than what was profitable for a few corporations.\u201d

While in Montana advocating on behalf of a client, he has a crisis of conscience and in a discussion with his best friend declares that \u201c\u2026 this process has become so ridiculous. We deliver money as an industry in order to persuade or pressure Members of Congress to introduce, co-sponsor or vote on legislation that will help our clients. Our opponents don\u2019t have one-tenth the political money or manpower we do. We outraise and outspend them ten-to-one and run over them like roadkill.\u201d

His answer to this moral dilemma is to is get involved with the re-election campaign of the local congressman.

As far as I can make out, that\u2019s the central plot of Outsider Rules as presented in endless cell phone conversations and countless meetings and social gatherings with dozens and dozens of forgettable characters. Also included in this overkill of verbiage are several drunken heart-to-hearts among earnest colleagues.

Author Roger Fleming introduces several interesting plot threads including illegal fundraising, Mexican drug cartels, the mafia, corruption, infidelity, romance, even murder but fails to follow through on any of them. They just dissipate like the rumor and innuendo that permeate the political atmosphere.

The story is presented in two different time periods and places: Washington, DC, 1996-97 and Montana, 2006. One would expect the storyline to converge but like the plot threads, it never happens. The protagonist has no real goal, thus no motivation, and accordingly the story has no climax.

Fleming has written an insider\u2019s novel and though it may be immensely interesting to an elite group it is dense, plodding, and boring to the rest of us. Inevitably, Outsider Rules ends the same way a politician does, defeated and forgotten.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2021 21:44:19", "publisher": "Elderberry Pres", "page_count": "347 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009520003", "title": "To Be Enlightened", "author": "Alan J. Steinberg", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 421, "review": "Professor Abe Levy has been looking for enlightenment since he first discovered Transcendental Meditation. As he contemplates his life and relationships, he feels the need to attend a meditation retreat in Iowa to further his goal of achieving enlightenment but his wife Sarah is not keen on the idea. She needs him around so that she can overcome her panic attacks. Luckily, before Abe makes his decision to travel, he experiences the enlightenment and cosmic consciousness he's been seeking. But the unique feelings and sensations he's having make him aware that his college students may notice he's different. What would happen if they report this back to the college administration? Then unexpectedly, his sense of enlightenment disappears, and he wants to do whatever he can to experience re-enlightenment. But what happens if his wife is able to do so before he does?

It was a pleasure to read To Be Enlightened which was both clever and appealing. I love how the book's character mentions he wants to write a novel about Vedic teachings that will be both entertaining and informative, just as the author did. The descriptions of Abe's cosmic consciousness were terrific, as was the way the author took the Vedic principles and incorporated them into the story. The most memorable one is where Abe discovers his Self and is able to describe his multi-dimensional world, where he is watching himself and looking out at the world at the same time. The story of his relationship with Sarah and his college students was also well written. The tension he created between these different characters, mainly his unpredictable student Tom, and their difficulties made this story very engaging. The ups and downs Abe had in his relationship with Sarah were fascinating, and I loved how she was transformed within the story as well. Especially, since she was a character, I didn't like or somehow couldn't manage to feel a lot of empathy for, at the beginning of the story.

To my mind, this is the best kind of book. On the one hand, it's a novel with a fun and delightful story. But it also covers the fascinating topic of Vedic thought and Transcendental Meditation that provides one with a lot to think about both during the story and afterward. I particularly appreciated how he was able to make Vedic thoughts and ideas applicable to the lives in the story but explain them in a way that all readers can understand. It was one of those books that I didn't want to end.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "25-Feb-2021 21:37:25", "publisher": "Adelaide Books", "page_count": "340 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009519007", "title": "Iron Butterfly", "author": "Andrew Eustace Anselmi", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 441, "review": "Tomorrow Edward Bennett leaves to enroll in the London School of Economics but he has one more thing to do before he goes. He wants to have sex with his high school sweetheart, Celeste Del Nero. Celeste is only too willing to accommodate his desires, but even before they get their clothes off a butterfly flutters in the open window, lands on the dashboard clock revealing it's past curfew, and Ed wilts at the thought of Mama Marie\u2019s fury.

Back home, Marie is waiting inside the garage door. Sobbing, she heads to her room accompanied by an aria from Madame Butterfly. Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, Ed and his father, Guy, share a glass of homemade vino while the latter scoffs down a prosciutto, mozzarella, and pepper sandwich while suggesting Marie\u2019s eccentric personality stems from an episode that happened back in the old country in the little town of Lavenna where she was born.

Ed decides that would be a great adventure to undertake during spring break, to hop over to Europe and check out his mother\u2019s hometown. After a series of insignificant interruptions and mishaps, Edwards arrives in Lavenna, where after another series of insignificant interruptions and mishaps he finds his family history, which is insignificant. Once he gets back home, his mother is less than enthusiastic about his visit to Lavenna and the relatives he has connected with. One revelation leads to another until Marie divulges the tragic history that has made her shut down her past unwilling to share the circumstances about her childhood, her relatives, and hometown.

Iron Butterfly is a passionate, intense, and tragic love story, encased in a cocoon of pretentious dialogue, abandoned story threads, unsympathetic characters, and symbolism so blatant you trip over it on every other page. Momentary glimpses of story clarity emerge, flutter briefly then are swept away to make room for travelogue, opera as a clumsy metaphor, and philosophical tangents that neither serve the plot nor enhance the characters. The frequent use of passages of dialogue in Italian, sometimes translated, sometimes left for the reader to guess at, serves no purpose other than to let the reader know that author Andrew Eustace Anselmi can indeed read and write in this language.

In the commentary at end of the book, Anselmi divulges that Iron Butterly was the result of \u201ca college prompt to use psychoanalysis to interpret a piece of art\u201d. One has to wonder why the author chose to reveal this since it makes no difference to the merits of the story. However, it would have better served the reader if he would have been forthcoming with this at the beginning before time was invested.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2021 15:34:32", "publisher": "Level Best Books", "page_count": "317 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009519003", "title": "Iron Butterfly", "author": "Andrew Eustace Anselmi", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 448, "review": "Iron Butterfly follows the rise of the Bennetts, an Italian-American family. The family patriarch, Guy Bennett, has built a successful construction company and has given his wife and three children a privileged life in the suburbs. While the family has heard all about Guy's side of the family, they've never heard much from their mother about her Italian relatives or why she doesn't talk about her family's village back in Italy. In an attempt to learn more, her son Edward decides to take a trip to the small town while he is studying abroad. He finds the original village has been destroyed by an earthquake but he manages to meet some of his cousins. It is only later back at home that he discovers the horror and terrors of his mother's childhood and why she has never been able to return.

I like this story about searching for the past even though it might lead to discovering unexpected events and emotions. I think it's something all families can relate to on some level, even if their stories aren't defined by war or secret histories. I knew right away that there would be something interesting to discover about Marie's past. Although I have to admit, after Edward's first visit to Lavenna, I was perhaps a tad bit disappointed because I had expected Edward to discover some scandal. Instead, he assumed the fact that Marie's mother had been deported back to Italy from the United States due to her illness was the reason she avoided the topic of her past. As I read on, I discovered a much more layered and intricate story of a traumatic and horrifying history of war and destruction and how it shaped not only Marie's life but also a whole village.

I loved the way the author created lively dialogues between family members in this tale. It sometimes felt like I was sitting at a kitchen table with people I knew. The description of Marie's ordeal as a child was also well depicted. There was only one area in the story where I wondered what the author wanted to convey. That was when Edward started hallucinating at the cemetery in Lavenna. The commentary at the end shed some light on the meaning of this event. I did, however, have mixed feelings about the commentary. I would have preferred it to be part of an introduction. As a reader, I would rather be prepared for the story than told afterward how I was supposed to interpret it. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the Bennett family's journey into the past, and this book did more than enough to make me interested in the books that are to follow in this trilogy.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "25-Feb-2021 15:34:06", "publisher": "Level Best Books", "page_count": "317 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009518003", "title": "The Doctors Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine", "author": "Janice P. Nimura", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 196, "review": "Today, while women doctors are not quite two a penny, they are far from a rarity. Back in the earlier decades of the nineteenth century, in both America and Europe, women seeking medical degrees found ambition and training were unendingly challenging. In The Doctors Blackwell, two sisters, Elizabeth and Emily, were dissimilar except in their determination.

Author Janice Nimura\u2019s primary research material was personal letters, a treasure trove indeed. The letters were obviously unintended for public scrutiny so perhaps it is not quite fair to judge Elizabeth as unpleasant, disparaging of other women, and someone you wouldn\u2019t want to deal with professionally or socially. Emily, when \u2018met\u2019 through the letters and additional sources, was more human, even endearing. Both sisters were motivated by recognizing that many women died prematurely through unwillingness or embarrassment to reveal their illnesses to male doctors.

Where much energy is expended now on finding an appropriate medical school, the options were far more limited and necessitated exhausting travel from one country to another seeking the wherewithal to set up a practice.

The book is exhilarating, full of medical descriptions, some quite harrowing, as well as photographs and details showing medical advances over almost two centuries.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "25-Feb-2021 01:43:12", "publisher": "W. W. Norton & Company", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009517007", "title": "The Essential Guide to Hiking with Dogs: Trail-Tested Tips and Expert Advice for Canine Adventures", "author": "Jen Sotolongo", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 9", "word_count": 196, "review": "My family hikes with our dogs all the time, so I wanted to see this book. The photos are the best part. About half of the pages are beautiful photos of dogs in wild places. That\u2019s the greatest advertisement for hiking with your dog! The book\u2019s organization is a little weird. Instead of diving into the hiking part (which is why you got the book!), the first chapters are about where to get a dog. It discusses the pros and cons of adopting from shelters and buying from breeders. And then the author reminds you that puppies won\u2019t be ready for long hikes until their bones\u2019 growth plates have fused!

Overall, this book seems really long. It\u2019s repetitive and a little boring. At the back, there are different kinds of packing lists for people and dogs - day hikes, backpacking, and car camping. There are dog-friendly hikes organized by region of the US, but there\u2019s only one listed in Texas, where I live. Lucky that we can find dog-friendly trails on our own. I wish the author had told more stories about the hikes and connected stories to pictures, to inspire my future trips to wild places!", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jun-2021", "date_added": "24-Feb-2021 20:27:48", "publisher": "Rowman & Littlefield", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009517003", "title": "5 Ingredient Semi-Homemade Meals: 50 Easy & Tasty Recipes Using the Best Ingredients from the Grocery Store (Heart Healthy Budget Cooking) (FlavCity)", "author": "Bobby Parrish", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 793, "review": "On the search for delicious vegan dishes? Wishing to create a weekend inspired by farmhouse favorites? These delicious recipe books will introduce you to a variety of dishes from country treats to vegan delights to five-ingredient dinners. You'll go from learning about food webs to the history of veganism to thought-provoking essays about food in these great reads that will be sure to spice up every night in the kitchen. \n\nBuilding Community Food Webs \u2013 Ken Meter\n\nFarm production in America continues to increase while the net farm income is now considered lower than when the Great Depression began. Statistics say that one out of eight Americans struggles with hunger which is why /Building Community Food Webs/ focuses on the civic networks that are made up of grassroots food and farming leaders. These leaders band together to activate a plan that will engage farmers, organizations, and residents with low incomes. The aim of these networks is to create communities that are stronger and a food web that will inspire the community to empower themselves. Ken Meter will show how these food webs will provide opportunities to build connections between each other, better farming practices, achieve better health, start a new path for the future, and how to strengthen economic trade. This book will address the challenges the leaders and activists striving to create these food webs face.\n\nCalifornia Vegan \u2013 Sharon Palmer \n\n/California Vegan/ is a delicious book that consists of vegan recipes from Sharon Palmer with each one focusing on local produce. This unique recipe book will showcase the culture and history of California while also delving into what Palmer calls plant-based pioneers. /California Vegan/ delves into the origins of veganism which started within the state of California and will explore the innovations that have been discovered. This stunning history that Palmer explores delves into the beginnings of veganism in the 1970s to modern startups in the Silicon Valley with all the fun of veggie trends that are savory, delicious, and healthy. Palmer delivers a dream book for vegans seeking new recipes while also serving as an introduction for those new to veganism. The book consists of 100 recipes that are all plant-based and even consists of original photography as well as including nutritional information.\n\n5 Ingredient Semi-Homemade Meals \u2013 Bobby Parrish \n\nThe goal of the recipe book is to allow you to keep meals simple as Bobby Parrish delivers easy and quick recipes for any kind of cook in the kitchen. The recipes you'll find in the book include only five ingredients and options that range from snacks to dinner dishes. Not only are these recipes said to be delicious but they're also healthy for you and your family. A perfect quick solution for those that don't have much time to spare in the kitchen after and can cook up something easy in no time. The prep work for the recipes takes place right in the grocery store with the book telling you how to go about smarter grocery shopping. You will learn how to pick the best ingredients for your meals with 50 delicious recipes that make/5 Ingredient Meals/ the best book to turn to for advice on cooking and insight into smarter grocery shopping.\n\nFarmhouse Weekends \u2013 Melissa Bahen \n\nThis recipe book is for everyone that loves country life and wants to invoke that feel-good lifestyle in the kitchen. These recipes create what Melissa Bahen calls the perfect farmhouse weekend with each recipe coming straight from Bahen's own experiences. These country experiences influenced the delicious meals and tasty treats within the recipe book from apple picking in the fall to picking berries in the summer with treats that range from apple cider doughnuts to a buttery cobbler. The recipes found within the pages of the delicious recipe book include white bean chili, biscuits, and homemade strawberry freezer jam. You'll find these recipes and more in /Farmhouse Weekends/ which consists of 65 recipes that are perfect for every season. \n\nCook, Eat, Repeat \u2013 Nigella Lawson\n\n/Cook, Eat, Repeat/ is a combination of delicious recipes and thought-provoking essays about food from Nigella Lawson. The writing style is engaging and insightful with wisdom that comes straight from Lawson's experiences with food and life. The recipes are perfect for every season and for every taste with dishes that include Burnt Onion and Eggplant Dip, Cherry and Almond Crumble, Beetroot Yogurt Sauce, Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce, Rhubarb and Custard Trifle, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake. The recipes range from solo suppers to family meals to vegan dishes with Lawson weaving in personal favorites. Whether you're looking for a savory snack, a healthy meal, or a delicious dessert, /Cook, Eat, Repeat/ is perfect for the cook looking to try something new in the kitchen.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Feb-2021 19:57:00", "publisher": "Mango", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009516003", "title": "Cosmic Queries: StarTalk's Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We're Going", "author": "Neil DeGrasse Tyson", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 508, "review": "The beauty of a good science book is that you can feel after reading it that you\u2019ve just got a PhD in a whole new subject you barely knew anything about when you started reading. That is the whole point of this behind the science list, giving you a deeper insight on subjects you maybe just had some vague ideas or knowledge about, and after any or all of these books, you\u2019ll have plenty of science facts and details to share at you\u2019re next party now that we\u2019re starting to hang out again.\n\nCosmic Queries:\n\nWe all like to think we know a lot about the universe and our galaxy and how everything got started, but do we really know the specifics? Do we have them in the right order? Also are we up to date on them? Because science is constantly changing and advancing as we learn knew things, and this is no more true than with astronomy. Thankfully, there\u2019s a great book to provide answers to all your questions and more. //Cosmic Queries// from renowned astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson covering topics like how the universe got started, how we got here, and what the future holds for us.\n \n\nEinstein\u2019s Fridge: \n\nThe subtitle for //Einstein\u2019s Fridge// gives you just a taste of what to expect: how the difference between hot and cold explains the universe. We\u2019ve all heard about the laws of thermodynamics and how they basically allows the universe, our galaxy, Earth, us to keep on existing at a constant rate and keep on doing the things we love to do, and now we get to find how these incredible scientists spent over two centuries learning about and eventually understanding the powers and complexities of fire and ice to come up with and develop these laws of thermodynamics that help us understand everything from individual cell biology to distant black holes. \n\nStrange Bedfellows:\n\nDr. Ina Park has spent decades educating everyone she can on sexual health and trying her best to push the boundaries on what we know about STDs, and in Strange Bedfellows she brings it all together covering everything from AIDS to Zika and giving readers a complete picture on sexually transmitted diseases so that we can know the facts and feel more confidant in our sexual escapades. Park brings a mixture of great storytelling with fact-based science, along with interviews, historical tales, and amusing real life STD stories. \n\nFighting Chance:\n\nAfter the year we\u2019ve had, in 2021 it is more important than ever that we help each other and try our best to help those who are having mental health problems. Depression is suffered by many people throughout the world, but it is still shrouded in mystery. Fighting Chance seeks to change that, providing many stories from people who suffer from depression, as well as the science and the medical knowledge behind it. It is still not clear always what causes depression or how it can go away for some. Fighting Chance gives you both the research from scientists and the personal stories.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Feb-2021 19:52:00", "publisher": "National Geographic", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009514019", "title": "Astronauts Zoom!: An Astronaut Alphabet", "author": "Deborah Rose", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 203, "review": "Astronauts Zoom!: An Astronaut Alphabet is an ABC book about things that astronauts do when they're in space. With each of the letters, there are pictures of them doing things up in space like people do here on Earth, like brush their teeth, exercise, kick soccer balls, sing, and play music. Astronauts also do things that we can't do here on Earth, like float, go on space walks, and hang upside down! Each of the things they do is explained more at the end of the book. I found out that it would be easier to play some sports up in space than down here on Earth. Also, at the end of the book is information about the International Space Station and how the astronauts practice being there.

I like the bright colors in the pictures in this book. I like that I can read this book by myself and understand what it all means. I like books about space because it is different than how we live on Earth. I like that the book isn't too long; it is just the right length to enjoy it and also learn something, too. Astronauts Zoom! is a good book for kids of any age.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2021", "date_added": "24-Feb-2021 21:21:22", "publisher": "Persnickety Press/WunderMill Books", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009514015", "title": "The Lost Samurai: Japanese Mercenaries in South East Asia, 1593\u20131688", "author": "Stephen Turnbull", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 216, "review": "The samurai were a hereditary military nobility caste in medieval and pre-modern Japan. Their high social rank conferred prestige and special privileges. It also imposed great social responsibility: they lived by the bushido code (comparable to the European notion of chivalry). This book\u2019s timeline coincides with the early Edo period, which was characterized by economic growth, strict social order, isolationist policies, and peace. However, with peace came a problem for the warrior class as they had nothing to do. This book explores what some of the samurai did during that time.

The term \u201csamurai,\u201d as used in this work, does not refer to the classical samurai. It includes traders-turned-pirates and leftover warriors from earlier campaigns. These samurai were hired as mercenaries\u2013\u2013not an uncommon practice in Southeast Asia\u2013\u2013and employed as soldiers, bodyguards, and garrison defenders. The European presence in Southeast Asia provided the samurai with additional avenues of employment. They served the Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch powers in addition to local principalities. Fierce and extremely loyal, the samurai were feared by their enemies and distrusted by their employers.

The book\u2019s eleven chapters are largely self-contained and focus on samurai (or possible samurai) in service of the various non-Japanese powers (either European or other South Asian ones). Definitely a book that explores a little-known area of Japanese history.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "03-Dec-2021", "date_added": "24-Feb-2021 21:10:28", "publisher": "Frontline Books", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009514007", "title": "The Kid's Guide to Camping", "author": "Eileen Ogintz", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ellis - Age 9", "word_count": 197, "review": "The Kid\u2019s Guide to Camping is a long book. It has some activities in it like mazes, codes, and word finds. It has packing lists and checklists for things like first aid kits. Kids are reminded to know the environment where they are and to take bear spray if there are bears and water shoes if there is water. But what do you do with the bear spray if you actually see a bear?

There are tips on how to take better pictures. The author recommends LeafSnap to identify leaves that you find on your hikes. She recommends National Geographic Kids, which has a geology page with some pictures of rocks. I think the point of this book is to get kids excited about camping. The advice seems useful, but it seems a little overwhelming. It might have helped to organize the book differently.

Some of the book reads like an advertisement for KOA. I\u2019ve never stayed at KOA, so I don\u2019t have an opinion. The author says some KOA campgrounds have pools and waterslides, even zip-lining and mini-golf! If you haven\u2019t taken family camping trips before, there is a lot of information here to think about.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jun-2021", "date_added": "24-Feb-2021 20:19:07", "publisher": "Rowman & Littlefield", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4 "} {"id": "425035000009513023", "title": "The Ones We're Meant to Find", "author": "Joan He", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi", "word_count": 198, "review": "The author has created a unique world not so far ahead from ours, where climate change is here and natural disasters are the natural consequence. The environment people used to call home and thrive throughout the centuries has turned against them and threatened their existence. Humanity's response was to build eco-friendly cities where non-toxic air and soil would be provided in order to continue surviving.

That's where Kasey resides, with the hope that one day the planet will welcome them back. Her sister Celia is presumed dead, her body somewhere in the deep depths of the ocean where she drowned. But Celia is far from dead and her sister can't let her go. So Kasey embarks on a journey to find her but their secrets will be revealed and everything will change.

Joan He delivers a tale of two sisters and one of the most intriguing, page and mind-turner YA books of the year. When you least expect it, there comes a twist and when you expect it, it's not the twist you thought of. A masterfully built world, with two dynamic female protagonists and a well-orchestrated plot, make The Ones We're Meant to Find your next YA read!", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "15-Sep-2021", "date_added": "24-Feb-2021 23:48:10", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009513007", "title": "A little sunshine and a little rain: A Poetry Journal", "author": "Sabina Laura", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "People write poetry for a lot of different reasons \u2014 for pleasure, to hone writing skills and many others. For some, this is a brand new endeavor while for others, they have been at it for years. But this book is perfect for everyone who wants to write poetry, no matter the level of experience or the reason for writing. It begins with a good introduction to the art of poetry as well as a list of several poetic devices such as assonance and metaphor and a few notes about structure. The rest of this lovely book is a writing journal defined by the four seasons. Writing prompts such as \u201cWrite a poem that contains the words \u2018fire,\u201d \u2018earth,\u2019 \u2018water,\u2019 and \u2018air\u2019\u201d or \u201cWrite a piece of prose about letting go\u201d are interspersed every few pages with poems by the author Sabina Laura and occasional simple drawings. The pages are lined and encourage the luxury of taking the time to handwrite whatever is sparked by the prompts, pictures, and poems. Everything is printed in a calming shade of blue on thick, creamy-white pages. This is the perfect gift for anyone interested in writing or even for oneself.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "24-Feb-2021 19:47:35", "publisher": "Quarto Knows", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009512031", "title": "Like No Other Boy", "author": "Larry E. Center", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 420, "review": "Tommy looks like an ordinary child with \u201csymmetrically aligned features on porcelain skin, curly, honey-wheat hair.\u201d At eight, he\u2019s adorable with his angelic appearance and tip-toe walk, but underneath the surface, there\u2019s a troubled boy who lives inside a prison of his own. He doesn\u2019t like to be touched and gnaws on his knuckles. His speech is fragmented, spoken in broken syllables, and expressed through unrecognizable sounds.

Ever since they received the diagnosis of autism, his parents have tried everything conceivable to help him, but nothing seems to work for long. One day, Tommy\u2019s father takes him to the zoo, and he notices something extraordinary. Tommy\u2019s fascinated with the chimpanzees and connects with them in a way his father has never witnessed. After a second visit, they travel to the Weller Institute, a primatological research center at which Tommy can interact directly with chimps. He\u2019s asked to participate in a research study, and despite his mother\u2019s reservations, his father accepts the invitation eagerly. He embraces it, and over time Tommy\u2019s linguistic abilities progress; his walls of protection begin to break away one piece at a time. His interactions with the chimps fundamentally change him and his prognosis, and his work with researchers leads to possibilities neither he nor his parents could have ever imagined.

This is a beautiful story about the remarkable transformation of a young boy. When circumstances and love come together, the outcome is nothing short of miraculous. The foundation, linguistically and emotionally, he builds with these brilliant animals is confounding, and the relationships that fester are life-altering.

The intricate descriptions of Tommy\u2019s behavior, reactions, and growth enable readers a telescopic view of his world, and often that of his parents. For example, when referring to a chimpanzee who\u2019s sick and distraught, he tells his father, \u201cI cage too, just like Awbert, Daddy. Hurt. Hurt bad sometimes. I know now, Daddy. Now. No like . . . back. No want front. Just want . . . Now! Can\u2019t talk. Like other peoples.\u201d He\u2019s essentially explaining how trapped he feels being unable to relate to and communicate with others the way most do. In another circumstance, he says to a chimp, \u201cBall red. You good chimpie, Obo. You like play ball. I do too. We play together. And we have fun here. With my daddy too.\u201d These brief, but rich inclusions of dialogue grant extensive insight into Tommy\u2019s persona. Though a work of fiction, Like No Other Boy will enlighten readers and mark their hearts with compassion and their minds with understanding.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2021 01:12:22", "publisher": "Splitrail Publishing", "page_count": "351 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009512023", "title": "White as Frost: A Dark Elf Fairytale (The Darkwood Trilogy Book 1)", "author": "Anthea Sharp", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland", "Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 197, "review": "When Rose\u2019s mother takes her away to become the princess of a foreign land, she is not at all excited. Everything she has ever known is gone, and she awaits the day she can go back to Parnese. When they arrive, Rose is thrilled to find the promise of friendship in the king\u2019s daughter, Neeve. However, Neeve is annoying, and she has magic, much to Rose\u2019s jealousy. Rose soon realizes that there is more to her new sister and her strange powers than she thought. One day, she follows Neeve into the Darkwood, the mysterious forest that surrounds the castle. The Darkwood soon becomes Rose\u2019s refuge, and a source of friendship when she meets the guardian of the forest, Thorne. But there is more to Thorne and Neeve than meets the eye, and Rose might be a key player in the Darkwood\u2019s future.

Will Rose be able to hold on to the Darkwood and her dreams of magic? This book was an interesting and imaginative approach to a well-known fairy tale. It was full of adventure, magic, and delicate hints of romance, and I liked the characters. I will look forward to reading other books in the series!", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2021", "date_added": "24-Feb-2021 23:40:29", "publisher": "Fiddlehead Press/Blackstone Audio", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009512015", "title": "Lead with Hospitality: Be Human. Emotionally Connect. Serve Selflessly.", "author": "Taylor Scott", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": "", "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 194, "review": "Poverty, down to the last dollar poverty, is unimaginable to most of us. In The Hospital, subtitled Life, Death, and Dollars in a small American Town, such reality offers a disturbing revelation. Brian Alexander spares no punches as he describes the independent hospital in Bryan, a town in northwest Ohio where medical, economic, and social challenges never let up. Across the country, such hospitals are scooped up by large medical consortiums making it increasingly difficult to retain nonprofit independent status.

Alexander draws attention to the problems on all fronts. He draws on national statistics to demonstrate what costs are confronted. Phil Ennen draws special attention as CEO who has been responsible for keeping the hospital afloat for over 20 years.

But this is not all. The book unflinchingly describes the suffering in a community where obesity, diabetes, suicide, sickness, and terminal disease are increasing, where too many cannot afford treatment, nor foresee a future without debt. Keith is among several individuals the author befriends, a man whose health and personal life persistently deteriorate but who always insists, \u2018Doin good, buddy. Doin\u2019 good.\u2019\nThis is an awesome book, hopefully in the running for a well-deserved award.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "13-May-2021", "date_added": "24-Feb-2021 21:36:47", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009512011", "title": "Cracking Up: Black Feminist Comedy in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Century United States (Studies Theatre Hist & Culture)", "author": "Katelyn Hale Wood", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 233, "review": "Katelyn Hale Wood\u2019s treatise to the dissenting and deconstructive power of Black feminist comics and their craft is an important read, especially during a time of increased awareness of racial and gender justice issues. This book is designed for audiences in academia and those interested in the history of Black performing arts. Cracking Up analyzes and evaluates the legacy of pioneering comic Jackie \u201cMoms\u201d Mabley and anti-racist and queer feminist comedic styles of contemporary artists, namely Wanda Sykes, Mo\u2019Nique, Amanda Seales, Sam Jay, among others.

As a queer white feminist, Wood was up-front in identifying the limitations of her own vantage point and social location in conducting a thorough analysis of the complexities of Black art. Their critique of gender and racial power dynamics with a keen understanding of the history of Black feminism and the utility of comedy to critique, i.e. speak truth to power against interlocking systems of oppression.

\nBlack feminist comedy is the realness, and Wood makes the case for the genius of Black stand-up comedians in confronting anti-Black racism, misogyny, and heteronormativity. Even as the author quotes bell hooks, Patricia Hill Collins, Michel Foucault and other intellectuals, their writing adequately captures important moments of truth-telling and audience engagement. As Wood described jokes that deal with threats of rape, the experiences of women in prison, and the trauma of coming out, I laughed out loud and cried at the same time.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "24-Feb-2021 20:05:19", "publisher": "University Of Iowa Press", "page_count": "204 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009512007", "title": "The Nature of Witches", "author": "Rachel Griffin", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 199, "review": "The natural world is in turmoil: wildfires rage, once in a lifetime storms occur regularly, and temperatures soar or plummet out of season. These anomalies have always been remedied by the magic of witches, but as the stakes get higher and the weather gets worse, Everwitch Clara Densmore finds herself at the center of a battle she isn\u2019t ready to fight in Rachel Griffin\u2019s The Nature of Witches.

Everwitches are rare; they are in touch with their magic through all four seasons. Unlike other witches who are strongest and most in control in one season, an Everwitch can practice and feel all year long. But there is a price. There is a mortal danger that comes with that kind of power; the kind of power that can consume its host and destroy everything and everyone in its path. Clara knows this and is terrified of losing even more people she loves if she works to harness and control her ability.

Until she meets Sang, the gifted Spring witch and botanist charged with helping her. Their relationship gives Clara strength and eventually brings her to an understanding of The Nature of Witches that can save not only the world but Clara herself.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "24-Feb-2021 20:03:13", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009512003", "title": "Dirty Gold: The Rise and Fall of an International Smuggling Ring", "author": "Jay Weaver", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 340, "review": "Learn more about the illegal gold trade from South America and the need to reimagine our politics to provide a sustainable future economy through honest and thorough books. These take a harder look at the world through the lesser-known criminal underground of illegal gold mining and the denialism that has taken place within sources of power.\n\nDirty Gold: The Rise and Fall of an International Smuggling Ring - Jay Weaver \n\nJay Weaver broaches the subject of the South American illegal gold trade and the businessmen that profited from it. In March 2017, federal agents apprehended a group known as the three amigos \u2013 Juan Pablo Granda, Samer Barrage, and Renato Rodriguez \u2013 who had gotten rich off a scheme to illegally acquire metals, primarily Peruvian gold which was mined out of the rain forest. They saw a profit of $3.6 billion dollars. The arrest of this trio shined a light on the scheme of a large illegal international business and criminal underworld that has provided more money than drug trafficking. Latin American drug money has been infused into illegal gold mines with the materials sold to sources such as metals traders and unknowing Americans. \n\nOverheated: How Capitalism Broke the planet \u2013 and how we fought back \u2013 Kate Aronoff \n\nThis book focuses on the denialism that has taken place within sources of power which has stemmed out of neoliberal policies and goes back to the 1980s when Republicans and Democrats allowed industries to proceed with business as usual. Executives in the oil and gas industries have been provided with a voice in creating policies that should have put an end to their business models. This approach Kate Aronoff highlights as driving our planet deeper into emergency. The book focuses on an alternative vision that details how society can overcome the power of polluters, provide millions of union jobs that are well-paid, put climate reparations into place, and create an economy that will be more sustainable. To provide a better future, it will require radical action such as reimagining our politics.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Feb-2021 19:27:27", "publisher": "Hachette", "page_count": "316 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009508007", "title": "Love and Other Moods", "author": "Crystal Z. Lee", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 406, "review": "Love and Other Moods is the story of a young woman named Naomi who was raised in the United States but whose heritage spans to both Japan and Taiwan. Naomi finds herself moving to Shanghai with her fiancee Seth and is ready to start a new life with him there. Upon finding some unsavory photos on Seth's phone from another woman, Naomi makes the difficult decision to leave Seth. But what will she do now? Working for the Shanghai World Expo in the fashion industry, Naomi finds that she loves her work. Although her mother is almost absent from her life, Naomi finds comfort and solace in her friend Joss and some of her work colleagues. She meets playboy restauranteur Logan and strikes up a friendship with him. She also meets a man named Dante whom she enjoys spending time with the more she gets to know him.

Love and Other Moods takes the reader into the world of Shanghai. With its competitive fashion industry, beautiful scenery, and delicious cuisine, Shanghai sounds like a wonderful place to visit.

What I enjoyed most about Love and Other Moods is the way the author took the reader through the daily routine of Naomi. When I was reading the book I could feel what Naomi was feeling during each scene-whether it was at a noisy bar or club or while working at the Expo during stressful moments. The characters in this book were easy to remember as was their relationship to Naomi. Although Naomi is the main character, the author also did a fantastic job of explaining both Joss and Dante's background stories as well. The dynamic behind Asian family relationships may seem complicated to an outsider, however, Crystal Z. Lee was able to explain some of the reasons for the behaviors in the book. I found this to be truly interesting and the Chinese culture to be very bold. Of course, as a Chinese-American, I have heard of many of the customs but it is still a bit jarring to hear about parents setting up their children via social status.

Overall, Love and Other Moods is a heartwarming and satisfying story about making life decisions-both big and small-while living in a fast-paced world. I would recommend this book to anyone who is planning to visit or move to Shanghai or who would like to know a little bit more about Chinese culture in this part of the country.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2021", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 19:40:40", "publisher": "Balestier Press", "page_count": "324 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009508003", "title": "Hidden: Animals in the Anthropocene", "author": "Jo-Anne McArthur and Keith Wilson", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 219, "review": "Photographs deliver a message louder than words can project. Seeing these images of animal suffering caused by human self-interest, greed, gluttony, and indifference, the viewer must ask why and how we have come to this degree of complacency regarding the barbaric animal cruelty practiced in our so-called modern world.

There are photos of animals crammed into feeding pens on family farms, within live transport, standing in slaughter yards, imprisoned within holding tanks, and restricted from natural light or land. The animals are being prepped to appear on the dining table. Check out the photos of horses and other beasts of burden in their miserable stations, or look at how primates, elephants, dolphins, and other creatures are primped and forcibly trained to elicit laughs from the viewer.

Scientific research requires uncountable numbers of rodents, rabbits, and primates. This age of human dominance also has cultural traditions that demand sacrifices of goats and snakes, whale hunts, and other rites. Animals are sentient creatures yet man has abused that quality of compassion and mercy when dealing with those critters that share the planet with us. Blood, gore, and misery flow from these images, which record the wretched relationship between man and non-human life. This shocking and illustrative display is the educational evidence necessary to prompt an impassive public to demand corrective actions.", "issue": "February 2021", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2021", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 02:59:04", "publisher": "Lantern Publishing & Media", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009507035", "title": "A Deadly Chapter: A Castle Bookshop Mystery", "author": "Essie Lang", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 202, "review": "Shelby is loving her life in the scenic Alexandria Bay, where she has found peace on a houseboat and among the locals. But when she finds a body, she finds herself falling headlong into another mystery. The body belongs to a mysterious stranger who had been searching for a woman who once lived on Blythe Island. The mystery deepens the closer Shelby comes to the truth, which results in surprising twists and could put her in the killer's crosshairs.

Life is going good for Shelby as she's found happiness in Alexandria Bay and with Zack Griffin, but another murder lurks around the corner. Their relationship is a strong component within the mystery as events put her face-to-face with questions about her future and ghosts of the past. Essie Lang captures the joy of sleuthing with a heroine who is clever, smart, and courageous, driven to find answers even if she goes up against a killer. The mystery is one that will be hard to put down until you reach the end and discover who the killer is.

Lang delivers another entertaining mystery in A Deadly Chapter, which is humorous, witty, and entertaining, with a stunning setting, an addictive story, and delightful characters.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 20:27:10", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009507027", "title": "Wings of Ebony", "author": "J. Elle", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 10", "word_count": 190, "review": "Wings of Ebony is the coming of age story of Rue, a normal teenager growing up in the tough neighborhood of East Row in Houston with her mom, sister, and play aunties and cousins. Life is not easy, but they make it work because their mama is raising diamonds. Until the day that Rue\u2019s mother is gunned down on their doorstep, her little sister Tasha is taken away and Rue herself is kidnapped by a man who claims to be her father but whom she has never really met. But then it all goes wrong and Tasha\u2019s life is in danger. Rue has to make a choice between following the rules or saving her sister. Want to know what she chooses? You will have to grab yourself a copy of Wings of Ebony to find out what happens with Rue, Tasha, Bri, and the land of Ghizon.

Wings of Ebony was a great read. It started off a little slow but picked up as the characters began to come to life. This story is definitely meant for teenagers fourteen years and older but I think adults would like it too.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 20:18:39", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009507023", "title": "The Plot", "author": "Jean Hanff Korelitz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 201, "review": "Jacob Bonner teaches writing at a small college after having written one successful book. One student tells him that he doesn\u2019t need to be taught because his story is so good. He tells Jacob The Plot and Jacob knows immediately that this will be a best seller. When the student dies before publishing anything, Jacob takes it on himself to tell the story. Then come the anonymous notes that he is a thief and the story doesn\u2019t belong to him. The plot was too good to be true, or so he thought. It\u2019s possible that the student based the plot on real life and the subject isn\u2019t happy about it and will do whatever it takes to stay hidden.

Jacob is an interesting character and as you grow to like him, it\u2019s painful to watch the downward spiral he takes as the anonymous person messes with his mind. The plot within a plot and a book within a book was a fun and new experience in world where a lot of psychological thrillers are beginning to look more and more alike. Some thought-provoking topics were included about whether or not you can steal a plot. Put this book on your list.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2021", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 19:47:45", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009507015", "title": "Ancient Remedies: Secrets to Healing with Herbs, Essential Oils, CBD, and the Most Powerful Natural Medicine in History", "author": "Dr. Josh Axe", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 196, "review": "Cures for ailments have been around since the dawn of civilization. These have primarily been based on a combination of magic, religion, and science. This book embraces the principles of holistic medicine and uses Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as its basis for diagnosing and curing various ailments. The book is divided into four parts: Part I (five chapters) makes the case for holistic medicine (specifically TCM). Part II (five chapters) provides an overview of the various aspects of TCM. Part III & IV seek to apply the principles by providing an overview of the five basic elements, prescription for some common ailments, and recipes.

The book is easy to read, well organized, and the chapter subsections make it easy to reference. However, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence, and references to scientific studies virtually disappear later into the book. The book\u2019s tone is positive, so positive that some portions may come across as hype. It also makes the assumption that modern medicine cures the symptom and not the cause of the ailment. Some readers may take issue with these aspects. Overall, a good introductory text for TCM, but some of its claims may go too far.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 21:56:31", "publisher": "Little, Brown Spark", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009507011", "title": "Tell No Tales: Pirates of the Southern Seas", "author": "Sam Maggs", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Andrew - age 12", "word_count": 208, "review": "The book Tell No Tales is about the pirates of the southern seas - particularly female pirates. It is a partially fictional book. Some characters were real, like Anne Bonny and Calico Jack, while other characters in this book were made up. It is a comic/graphic novel book which makes it more fun to read. Unfortunately for me, the book was a little confusing on where I should start. Because all the words in each different square tied in to one specific argument or conversation it made it difficult to follow, but I got the hang of it after a while. The illustrations are really good. Reading through this graphic novel visually is like I am watching a movie. The book does have the \u201cH\u201d word in it, so if you\u2019re the kind of person who doesn\u2019t want your kids seeing that in books, then this is not the book for you to grab for them. But if you do not mind that word, then it doesn\u2019t really matter.

I would recommend this book for kids twelve and up because it is a much longer graphic novel and a little difficult to follow because of the layout. Overall it is a pretty good book and I liked the story.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 21:54:19", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009507007", "title": "Goodnight, Little Bunny (Baby Animal Tales)", "author": "Amanda Wood", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 174, "review": "Bunny is scared to leave the cozy burrow. Thanks to the help of the mouse, she learns all she needs to know about being a bunny and how to keep herself and others safe. Will she remember her training when the fox comes to chase her?

This is a bedtime storybook, but I don\u2019t know that a bunny trying to escape from the fox is soothing. I mean you probably know how it ends, but it seems like the plot doesn\u2019t fit the title or illustrations. I also found it a bit strange that a mouse was the mentor telling the bunny how to be a bunny. Why wasn\u2019t it an older bunny? The illustrations/pictures are the stars of this book. The photos of the bunny are so adorable, and I love how the illustrations compliment her. I do feel a great soothing tone by the majority of the illustrations. I hope that pictures/illustrations become commonplace because I liked them a lot. My four-year-old liked the cute bunny. Age Recommendation: Three to five year olds.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 20:48:42", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009507003", "title": "The Portrait of a Mirror: A Novel", "author": "A. Natasha Joukovsky", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 213, "review": "Wes and Diana are ambitious, ill-suited spouses rattling around a showy but poorly designed loft in New York City. Dale and Vivien, in Philadelphia, are an engaged couple more in love with the idea of their upcoming wedding than with each other. It seems fated that the couples\u2019 lives will intersect: Wes and Vivien went to the same prep school, and Vivien is in NYC for work; Dale and Diana are both consultants on the same project in Philadelphia. Attractions, flirtations, risks, and genuinely terrible decision-making lead all four parties to an inflection point. They must reassess their requirements for happiness\u2014and ask themselves who they really are when not in the direct line of others\u2019 adoring gazes. These wealthy, privileged, beautiful millennials are as in love with themselves as they claim to be with one another, and no one will escape the entanglements entirely unharmed.

Billed as a retelling of the myth of Narcissus, Portrait is as funny as it is tragic; the arch-intellectuality, painful self-consciousness, and exquisitely strict codes of conduct give these characters slim room to maneuver as they move about their urban, urbane lives. Their desire for happiness is, perhaps, the only truly genuine thing about them\u2014but happiness, like Narcissus\u2019s watery reflection, proves to be an illusion, always out of reach.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 20:43:34", "publisher": "Abrams ", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009506015", "title": "The Lady of the Library", "author": "Angie Karcher", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 172, "review": "How do you save a library from demolition? More challenging still, how do you save it when you are the ghost of a former librarian who continues to haunt its halls? You start by teaming up with a very determined young girl, of course.

Angie Karcher has written an entertaining story that follows the various obstacles the ghost and the girl must overcome to save their beloved library. Karcher\u2019s evident skill with rhyme, rhythm, and alliteration makes this story a delight to read aloud and also pairs well with Rachel Sanson\u2019s illustrations of the Victorian lady librarian and her library.

Inspired by the haunted Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana, this book not only contains additional information about the role of community libraries today, but also about other haunted libraries. For those seeking to inspire an interest in libraries, learning, and books, The Lady of the Library makes a good choice. Just don\u2019t be surprised when your listeners peek around corners and glance at the rafters on their next trip to the library.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 20:53:03", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4 "} {"id": "425035000009506011", "title": "City on the Edge", "author": "David Swinson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1296, "review": "These thrilling reads will take you up against an outbreak in Greenland, on a journey through the Middle East in search of a missing man, and into a Post-Trump/Biden nation struggling under new leadership. The stories are authentic, action-packed, and full of surprises around every turn. \n\nPhase Six: A Novel \u2013 Jim Shepard \n\nAn eleven-year-old, from Greenland, and his friend steal from a mining site and take the objects back to their village. Little do they know that the thawing permafrost in the mountains has caused exposure and creates the catalyst to Aleq's journey to becoming one of the first survivors of an outbreak. His experiences as the index patient lead to isolation which adds to Aleq's guilt over being the source but his story isn't without hope as he searches for answers. Epidemic Intelligence Service Investigators arrive from the CDC to help. Epidemiologist Jeannine and M.D. Danice work to put an end to the outbreak. Jeannine transfers locations from Greenland to the Rocky Mountains where she enters a Level 4 facility to help Aleq. Taking a direct look at the political, biological, and cultural structures that go into place when a disaster occurs, the story highlights the bonds formed during an outbreak while the various characters come to understand what it means to support loved ones during a crisis. \n\nProof of Life: Twenty Days on a Hunt for a Missing Person in the Middle East \u2013 Daniel Levin\n\nDaniel Levin's life was normal as he worked in his office when a phone call changes everything. He leaves New York to take a mysterious meeting in Paris which puts him on the trail of a missing man in Syria. No agency offered their assistance so it's up to Daniel to take a brutal journey through the Middle East over the course of twenty days. As Daniel evolves from a lawyer to an arm-conflict negotiator, he tracks down leads while encountering a variety of dangerous people including sheiks, drug lords, and sex traffickers. The story also provides a study on how leverage can be used for people to get what they want from someone else. A cinematic thriller, /Proof of Life/ is fast-paced and intriguing with an adventure that goes inside a hidden world.\n\nThe Executive Order: A Novel \u2013 David Fisher\n\nIn a time after Trump and Biden, a new president has been elected and charged with fixing the friction within the nation. Ian Wrightman was an independent senator who is now tasked as president to create normalcy which citizens like Rollie Stone and his co-workers happily accept. Stone works as a journalist who spent his career reporting the chaos at the White House. Everything changes following terrorist attacks that shook the nation. Wrightman and his administration release executive orders under the guise of keeping the people safe while steadily declining their constitutional freedom. Stone is a wounded warrior who, along with his Mighty Chair which assists during his investigations, discovers surprising evidence behind the terrorist attacks. His only hope is getting the evidence to the right people but the president's war on journalists and anyone who fights back forces him to make a run for it. An underground resistance movement springs into action to help Stone as he works to stay alive, to tell the truth to the nation. This is inspired by the Sinclair Lewis novel /It Can't Happen Here/. \n\nThe Vanishing Point: A Novel \u2013 Elizabeth Brundage \n\nRye Adler and Julian Ladd are both studying photography when they cross paths in a Brodsky Workshop. The two soon become roommates when Julian moves in with Rye but it's not long before Julian becomes envious of Rye's success. The two roommates fall for the stunning Magda who stands out in the class due to her unique photographs taken in her Polish neighborhood. A romantic entanglement begins with each man though only one of them will be able to love her. The story then jumps twenty years later where Rye has achieved fame for his celebrity photos but he's removed himself from the downtrodden subjects that sparked his career. Rye is thrust back into a broken world of addicts and street people when Magda reappears in his life requesting his help which pushes him on a dark path in search of a missing boy. He's forced to look at the artist he was in the past as he engages in his own battle for survival. The months that follow find Julian stumbling across an obituary for his former roommate. Rye's death has been ruled a suicide and despite how they ended things, Julian goes to the funeral only to find no casket or body. He soon begins to question his own life and the circumstances around Rye's death.\n\nArctic Storm Rising: A Novel (Nick Flynn Book 1) \u2013 Dale Brown\n\nNick Flynn has been exiled from the CIA after a covert mission went sideways and is now tasked with being a guard in Alaska's Arctic frontier where he's assigned to protect a remote radar post. The assignment is meant to end his career but he refuses to let go easily. As freezing storms sweep through Alaska and Northern Canada, an opportunity is created for a Russian aircraft to make its move. Is this a rehearsal leading to a strike or is there another reason behind these actions? A collision between an American F-22 and a Russian craft leads to missiles fired and no survivors. Flynn and a team parachute into the site despite the weather in a desperate attempt to reach it before the Russians. The Pentagon and CIA are keeping information from them, forcing Nick and his team to risk the jump which unfolds into a deadly game between them and Spetsnaz commandos secretly working in the United States. As they discover other aircraft have disappeared, the Kremlin searches for a prototype that disappeared with missiles armed and onboard. Nick is tasked with finding the bomber and saving the world from a nuclear holocaust. \n\nCity on the Edge \u2013 David Swinson\n\nGraham is thirteen years old when a tragedy causes his family to move to the coast of Beirut, Lebanon, live on the border of cataclysmic violence. Graham soon comes to the assumption that his State Department father actually works for the CIA and that his family's life is merely a front for the American efforts taking place on the Israeli border. As 1972 evolves, Graham faces a series of challenges including his parent's marital problems, two murders, and along with ex-pat friends, discovers forces beyond his understanding. The story is authentic and atmospheric, unfolding a journey about the plights innocents face in American espionage. Compared to /The Body/ by Stephen King and /A Perfect Spy/ by John le Carre, /City on the Edge/ is transformative and tells the story of the children caught beside the dangerous turns of history. \n\nScorpion: A Novel \u2013 Christian Cantrell \n\nQuinn Mitchell strives for balance in her life working as a nine-to-five spy and as a mom in her off time. After she loses her daughter, Quinn strives for normalcy through a new assignment which puts her on the path of assassinations that have occurred across the globe. The victims were found with numeric codes that were burned, carved, or tattooed on them. The trail of the killer takes her on a harrowing journey, keeping her a step behind until she makes an unsettling connection that she has with the murders. She's closer to understanding the encrypted message, called the Epoch Index, found in the Large Hadron Collider archives. She struggles to find the connection between the murders, the killer, a physics prodigy, and her own past. A shocking discovery leads her to a surprising twist that threatens everything she believed about her past and could impact her future.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 20:47:11", "publisher": "Hachette", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009506007", "title": "Poems for Time Travelers in Love", "author": "Robert Anbian", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lennart Lundh", "word_count": 196, "review": "Robert Anbian\u2019s Poems for Time Travelers in Love is a marvelous antidote to the trendy, confessional work promoted in a world where so much writing is self-therapeutic social media. These are love poems that can be read as both personal and universal in the same voice. They are by turn pensive and celebratory, tenderly innocent and knowing, and sexual without resort to profanity or gratuity. Like any honest relating of love, there are nostalgic elements as well as lasting regrets.

Anbian\u2019s work is equally delightful in its technique. These are free verse pieces, unmarred by unintentional rhyme or form-dictated constraints. They work well on the page as well as when read aloud. If there is a conceit, it is the abandonment of periods, relying throughout on capitalization for sentence breaks. The language is consistently strong and considered throughout, with word choice and imagery that reflect intent rather than hurry. Throughout, we are offered poems that are conversational, intelligent, sometimes challenging, but never elitist.

Not all time travelers are in love, but all lovers are time travelers, as evidenced by these mature poems that fully occupy both past and present while unapologetically believing in, and tangibly visualizing, a future.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 20:41:18", "publisher": "Night Horn Books", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009506003", "title": "Scoundrel of My Heart (Once upon a Dukedom)", "author": "Lorraine Heath", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 216, "review": "In order to inherit her grandmother\u2019s cottage by the sea, Lady Kathryn Lambert must marry a titled gentleman. Unfortunately, the man she has obvious chemistry with, her old friend (and former annoyance) Lord Griffith Stanwick, is a second son\u2026 and the son of a convicted traitor. Once he is cast from polite society, she has no reason at all not to marry the Duke of Kingsland.

Except for the fact that Griffith is still in London, and Kathryn still feels the pull that began shortly before meeting the duke. Caught between two desires, Kathryn must decide which is more important to her: her inheritance or her passions.

I was introduced to Lorraine Heath through her A Sin for All Seasons series, and this new series, Once Upon a Dukedom, is a delightful spinoff. Kathryn and Griffith are an enticing couple, the classic pair that can\u2019t stay away from each other despite having every reason in the world to do just that. My one wish is that the reasons had been stronger, at least at the start of the book. Kathryn\u2019s desire for the cottage seemed like a candle compared to the sun of her attraction to Griffith. I greatly enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to the next, featuring none other than the spurned Duke of Kingsland.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "17-May-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 20:08:53", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009505043", "title": "Revenge Cake", "author": "Skyler Mason", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 398, "review": "Revenge Cake is a love story between the main characters Logan and Leilani that is anything but perfect. Told in alternating viewpoints of the main characters, the reader is given both the past and present to compare. Logan is a serial dater and hops from one girlfriend to another, checking out of the relationship before it is completely dismantled and finding another girl to date. He falls in love easily which his best friend Armaan makes fun of him for throughout the book. Leilani is an intelligent girl who has an addictive AND vindictive personality. As she tries to control her anxiety and panic attacks she starts to overmedicate with Ativan that she is prescribed by her doctor. This, combined with drinking alcohol makes for a dangerous cocktail and turns Leilani into a different person; a person who flirts with other guys in front of Logan and who is a sloppy mess.

I was first drawn to Revenge Cake by its cover and title. I love the watercolor picture of the cake and the title gives the book an air of vindictive sweetness. At the beginning of the book, Leilani and her best friend, Brenna, make a cake for Logan for closure of his relationship with his last girlfriend, Brittani. Brenna is Armaan's girlfriend and this is how Logan meets Leilani and falls in love with her. They call the cake \"Closure Cake\".

The book deals with several underlying issues that the characters are dealing with. The main one, the one that may be most important, is that of mental health. As written in the author's note to the reader at the end of the book, the author herself has struggled with anxiety and panic disorder and was able to integrate the seriousness of these into the plot of her book through the character of Leilani. There are many people who will be able to relate to Leilani's character. The other issue in the book is codependency. Logan's character felt so lonely at times that this turned him into a very desperate character. Despite having a supportive best friend and a twin sister he is very close to, I felt that Logan's childhood and the way his mother treated him created this need for love that he couldn't seem to fulfill in his relationships.

I really enjoyed reading Revenge Cake and recommend it to fans of romance, heartbreak, and beautiful endings.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2021", "date_added": "24-Feb-2021 02:06:07", "publisher": "Skyler Mason", "page_count": "301 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009505039", "title": "Girl in the Walls: A Novel", "author": "A. J. Gnuse", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 800, "review": "I hear that sleep is overrated, said no one ever. Nevertheless, sometimes you need to stay up late into the early morning hours, watching a young one; perhaps you have the night shift at a creepy hotel; or you\u2019re a security officer at a new building complex where someone was murdered; or maybe you\u2019re the hired help for a family in a safe house, and it\u2019s up to you to stay awake no matter what. Sure, there\u2019s coffee and other fancy heart-racing drinks to stave off the sandman, but one tried and tested method is a gripping murder mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat, and your senses on high alert for any strange sounds. Here are six murder mysteries guaranteed to help you do the job.\n\nGirl in the Walls\n\nElise\u2019s parents were taken from her in a horrific car crash and now she remains hidden in her home and knows it like the back of her hand: every nook and cranny, crawlspace, crevice and hideout. Eddie enjoys living in the house with his family, except for the girl he sees out of the corner of his eye every once in a while. Is she really there? Is she real? Is he just imagining things? But when she\u2019s also seen by his brother, they have to do decide to what to do about the girl who might or might not exist.\n\n\nThe Captive\n\nBrooke Holland has a sedentary, peaceful life with her family on a rural farm. Times are hard, and sometimes they barely scrape by, but she\u2019s happy to be away from everything in the peace and quiet, where her past cannot come back to haunt her. But then Stephen Cawley, an escaped criminal, attacks them at the farm and Brooke does what she needs to to protect her family with her hidden talents and skills. Then she needs to bring Cawley to justice so she can get the reward to help her family and keep her dark and bloody past buried.\n\n\nRun for Cover\n\nIn the second installment of the series, Michael Gannon is hiding out on a friend\u2019s ranch deep in the heart of Utah where he hopes no one will find after his previous dealings. But when his friend\u2019s brother is found murdered near Grand Teton, he has to decide whether to keep a low profile, or help out his friend, and see if the murder my be linked to the strange killings happening at various national parks around the country. Gannon finds himself teaming up with FBI agent Kit Hagen to get to the bottom of it all.\n\n\nHide in Place\n\nLife seems to finally be going well for Laney Bird in the haven of Sylvan, New York. Three years ago after her cover was blown in a racketeering case that involved the Russian mafia, Bird had to flee with her son with her life in peril. Now she\u2019s finally starting to relax, but then her son suddenly goes missing and she knows her demons have come back to haunt her. The police are dismissing it as a runaway, but she knows there\u2019s more to it. As she digs deeper into her son\u2019s disappearance, she discovers he and a friend were meeting with a stranger who has also gone missing. As a snowstorm sweeps through, Bird will need to keep working to find out what happened to her son if she has any hopes of getting him back alive.\n\n\nIf I Disappear\n\nSera loves podcasts, in particular true crime podcasts. She can\u2019t get enough of them, and on some level, she feels she has been in training after listening to them for so long. Then one of her favorite podcast hosts named Rachel goes missing, and she takes this as a sign for her true calling. Sera begins to investigate, combing through the true crime episodes for clues and details and pieces of evidence that will lead her somewhere. They do eventually, to an old ranch near her hometown, but as she digs deeper she discovers that Rachel may not be the first woman to disappear.\n\n\nThe Mitford Trial\n\nIt is the summer of 1933 and Louisa Cannon is joining the Mitfords on a wonderful cruise, where she gets to rub elbows with the rich and famous. What more could anyone want? Except Louisa has made a deal: on her wedding day she was approached by someone incognito and told to spy on Diana Mitford and confirm her supposed illicit affair with Oswald Mosley. The cruise it brought to an abrupt halt when a man is found murdered, and the case is taken up back in London by Tom Mitford. Louisa will find her honor and emotions rent asunder as she must decide what is the right thing to do.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 20:26:02", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009505031", "title": "The Wolf and the Woodsman: A Novel", "author": "Ava Reid", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "\u00c9vike and G\u00e1sp\u00e1r are The Wolf and the Woodsman, enemies due to the conflict between pagans and those of the Patrifaith. Every couple of years, a wolf-girl, one with magical powers, is brought to the king to be sacrificed. G\u00e1sp\u00e1r is the Woodman chosen to bring \u00c9vike to the king. He\u2019s also the prince, the one true heir of the king. Betrayed by her people because she has no magic, she begins the long journey to the city with G\u00e1sp\u00e1r. The forest is dangerous and they will face many obstacles, including G\u00e1sp\u00e1r\u2019s zealous brother trying to seize power, \u00c9vike finding some of her own, as well as the affection growing between them. The world that Reid creates is full of intrigue and danger, as well as Jewish history and pagan magic. The story itself, including each chapter, is somewhat anti-climactic. You can feel the build and then it just kind of peters out. The Hungarian history aspect was not clear and came across as a made-up world. If you enjoy the retelling of folktales, you might enjoy this book. However, I would recommend reading Katherine Arden\u2019s work instead. Reid\u2019s work so far lacks the same panache but shows some promise.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 20:08:50", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009505011", "title": "The Mediterranean Wall: A Novel", "author": "Louis-Philippe Dalembert", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Nikolay Shargorodsky", "word_count": 183, "review": "Three women of various ages and family backgrounds must cross the Mediterranean Sea from the Middle East to Europe. Their situations require it. These women will be labeled refugees upon their arrival.\u2028\u2028

During the journey, aboard the trawler Torm Lotte with its maniacal captain (who, unlike Ahab, does not know the names of his cargo), there is only one certain destination, and that is the unknown.\u2028\u2028

Along the way, we encounter desperate people, broken people, and people who capitalize on the uncertainty and violence bringing so many strangers into such a crowded port.

The Mediterranean Wall is epic in scope and ruthless in the details of the journey all immigrants face physically and emotionally. Louis-Philippe Dalembert has created living, breathing characters with legs and made us suffer and empathize with them. Not every young reader has a steady beau, a tenacious reputation, or dreams of family life (and this book is all about dreams) but every reader young or adult can relate to the bitterness in the hearts of those who are wronged by society at every turn, only searching for a better life.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 22:30:55", "publisher": "Schaffner Press, Inc.", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009505003", "title": "A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: Murder in Ancient Rome", "author": "Emma Southon", "category": "N09 History", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 402, "review": "With summer just around the corner, you may be looking for some good history books to get lost in while you\u2019re enjoying the sun on the beach, or a shady spot by the pool, or some beautiful mountain vistas in an Adirondack chair. Here are three books that will suck you into their incredible historical retellings and make you forget for a moment where you even are.\n\nA Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum:\n\nTake a journey back to ancient Rome where there were the gladiatorial games, the impressive senate, and a civilization like no other; but where there was also murder most foul. Remus was murdered by his brother Romulus to found the city, and I don\u2019t need to tell you about Cesar\u2019s assassination to save the Republic, because everyone knows some detail about it. In A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Emma Southon takes you back to the notorious and numerous murders of Rome, who the victims were, who the perpetrators were, and what the vox populi thought of it all. \n\n\nSpymaster\u2019s Prism\n\nIt seems like each month we wait to hear of a new hacking incident that has breached United States security and given criminals access to places you would never want prying eyes to be able to see, and more often than not Russia is the one behind it all. As tensions continue to heat up between Biden and Putin, one can\u2019t help but wonder how we got to this point? Spymaster\u2019s Prism brings you the story, going into detail with the history of intelligence agencies and our national security. What has the CIA been up to? How about the KGB? And perhaps most importantly: where do things stand now?\n\nReturn to Victory\n\nLet James P. Duffy take you back to an important moment in US history when two and a half years earlier in 1942 General Douglas MacArthur had promised the people of the Philippines that they would return. It has been said that the key to taking down the Japanese Empire were the 7,000 islands. Duffy goes into immense and wonderful detail covering the commanders, sailors, and airmen, as well as the regular soldiers; covering the entirety of the campaign from both a tactical and strategic perspective. No matter where you are, Return to Victory will have you gripped to the page, even when you already know the outcome.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 18:47:40", "publisher": "Abrams Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009503043", "title": "A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 5)", "author": "Sarah J. Maas", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1098, "review": "Enjoy reading about threats from an alien race, journeying to Mars, and a political epic fantasy while you explore this selection of fantasy and science fiction reads that will take you into another world. Check out the sequels to /The Salvation Sequence/ and /Wake the Dragon/, a spin-off from Gregory Maguire that expands the /Wicked/ world, and the next book in the /Court of Thorns and Roses/ series. \n\nSalvation Lost \u2013 Peter F. Hamilton \n\nBook two of /The Salvation Sequence/ explores the encounter that utopian earth has with a visiting race of aliens that are quickly discovered to be among the worst threats that mankind dealt with. The Olyix plan to convert the residents of earth into their belief system under their own god. But the aliens didn't expect mankind to fight back. As the Olyix try to take power, humanity is more determined than ever to stop them before they're the ones destroyed. \n\nThe Brides of Maracoor \u2013 Gregory Maguire \n\nKicking off a new series, this spin-off from Gregory Maguire features Rain, the green-skinned granddaughter of Elphaba. It was ten years ago when the fourth and final volume of /Out of Oz/ was released. Rain washes ashore on a strange island where she's saved by a women community that uses devotional practices considered more obscure. A mysterious navy attacks the mainland which causes the civil-servant overseer over the island to wonder how an alien could put a whole nation under threat. This new trilogy will follow Rain's journey as it takes her from an outpost on the island to the uncharted Maracoor badlands as she works to find her way home again where she'll return to her family and lover. The beauty and suffering of Oz come to life through the mystery, injustice, and possibility of this story that serves as a reminder of the sacred terrain found in our lives. \n\nA Court of Silver Flames \u2013 Sarah J. Maas \n\nNesta is known for how slow she can be to forgive and how quick she can be toward anger. Ever since she became High Fae by force through the Cauldron, she has worked to fit into her new role. Cassian is the best at making her angry and she can't avoid him thanks to his own role in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court. The friction between them is just the beginning as the two have an undeniable chemistry that draws them closer when they're near each other. As if this wasn't enough, the human queens have joined forces and this proves to be a threat against every realm. To stop them, Nesta and Cassian each have to confront the pasts that have haunted them which is a journey set against a background of war and uncertainty. Together find healing and acceptance as they battle monsters and inner demons.\n\nThin Air \u2013 Richard K. Morgan\n\nHakan Veil is a killing machine after he received body tech that's military-grade and once a corporate enforcer, he's now been abandoned by his former employers. He's been left on Mars where overlords that are earth-based engage in a fight for profits and power despite the growing independence movement. Harkan quickly grows tired of life on Mars and searches for a way to return home which leads him to accept a position from the Earth Oversight organization. The job makes him a bodyguard for an EO investigator. It's easy to work until his charge looks into what happened to a lottery winner that suddenly vanished. The deeper he's drawn into this world, the more secrets reveal themselves and push him up against enemies that he must take down \u2013 no matter what. \n\nVengewar \u2013 Kevin J. Anderson \n\nThe second book in the /Wake the Dragon/ series continues with war unfolding between The Three Kingdoms and Ishara. For over a thousand years, the two sides have been at war until an outside threat made itself known. An ancient race awakened which brought the two continents together and had them put aside their feud to form an alliance against this common enemy. Book one led to the awakening of a dragon which created events that set the two continents against each other. Now in book two, the Three Kingdoms is facing serious consequences thanks to having a king that is inexperienced. The king is receiving encouragement from a regent, with a lot of ambition, to not take threats made by the Wreths seriously and to instead choose a vengewar with Ishara. His brother and uncle spot the danger that lies within the Older Race. Meanwhile, the Ishara queen lies comatose which provides the opportunity for a priest to take power only to fail the country when he doesn't have the experience to effectively it. \n\nThe Wood Wife \u2013 Terri Windling \n\nMaggie Black has left the fashion of her old life behind on the West Coast in exchange for a new life in the Southwestern desert. She's determined to pursue her dreams even if this means starting over. Her mentor, the poet Davis Cooper, died under mysterious circumstances and left his estate to her. Now it's up to her to figure out the mystery of his life and the cause of his death. Maggie is drawn into this new life she discovers and is captivated by the people she meets \u2013 including Fox. He's unlike any man she's met before and he has a deeper understanding of the power the desert possesses. Maggie uses Cooper's letters as a way to understand his life and soon this search draws her to the ancient spirits residing within the desert. \n\nThe Blue-Spangled Blue \u2013 David Bowles \n\nOver a hundred years ago, the Aknawajin came to a planet called Jitsu where they were forced to serve as workers. Despite their oppression, they've won their independence and have gotten freedom from the corporate owners of the world. The planet has started to allow humankind to enter which allows for an architect, that also serves as a leader to a religious reform group, named Tenshi becomes acquainted with Brando D'Angelo who left earth to work as a teacher on Jitsu. Tenshi shares about her faith in the Path with Brando and guides him on his own journey which inspires him to say goodbye to his identity and to reform under the guidance of Tenshi so he can obtain a soul. Tenshi's enemies create obstacles for the couple while the growing struggles on Jitsu cover up the plans of a dangerous mind. They'll be guided along a new path that will inspire the creation of a movement that will have effects on history.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 20:36:34", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "768 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009503035", "title": "The Brothers Silver", "author": "Marc Jampole", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 462, "review": "This story opens to introduce a family in the midst of a divorce. The parents are at each other at every turn, and the two boys, Jules and Leon (Lee), are having to deal with that. We are hearing the story at first from Jules's point of view, and it is not a pretty story. Jules's father, Ed, is a gambler and womanizer and mean as a snake to his wife, Ethel. She is clearly unstable, but how much of the blame for that belongs to Ed is yet to be seen. The boys fight with each other and treat each other badly. It\u2019s clear they have learned the lessons of their parents. We are introduced to the extended family of cousins and aunts and uncles and the father\u2019s girlfriend and are given stories along with the introductions making it hard to focus on the story of the main characters. The story is many, many years long, and it feels like it to the reader. None of the characters are particularly likable, making this a tough slog.

There are paragraphs laden with a description detailing every sight, sound, smell and filled with internal rhymes and consonance (\u201cA muggy ocean breeze teases with its wheezes. It glides between the buildings, reminding me the seas are near. It fills the streets with sticky nuzzles and the puzzle of the clouds: will it drizzle, will it drench?\u201d). In a paragraph about family photos, the author describes nearly thirty photos when three or four would give the reader enough. One paragraph of stream-of-consciousness description goes on for four pages! Chapters are told from different point-of-view characters, but it sometimes takes pages of reading to discover who the point-of-view character is. One chapter is a long conversation between two people with identical voices and speech patterns and no dialogue tags, repeating things they both know well, another chapter is told by Jules emotions at a hysterical pitch, and another is a letter, and so on. All are information dumps with virtually no action. One chapter is all questions. One might be a prose poem. Some seem to be stuck in just to experiment with language and don\u2019t add to the story. This book is badly overwritten and could use some rounds of serious editing to get the writing out of the way of the story, not that the story is very compelling. Readers really don\u2019t need all the detail \u2014 what Ed\u2019s girlfriend's breasts look like, how moldy the dishes are over and over, every thought Ethel expresses, every jarring thing family members do. It is exhausting to read. The last interminable chapter (half the book) tells the tale of a road trip that introduces a great many unlikable characters without really illuminating readers in any meaningful way.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 19:59:10", "publisher": "Owl Canyon Press", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009503027", "title": "Iron Butterfly", "author": "Andrew Eustace Anselmi", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 425, "review": "What is it about the past that lures the curious like a moth to the flame? Edward Bennett is intent on exploring the past. Edward is a young man, college-educated, about to begin time abroad. Edward is currently seeing Celeste, a young woman he\u2019s been friends with since childhood. However, there is another woman who has a predominant presence in his life: His Mother Marie. The possibility of skirting curfew rules leads Edward to abruptly end an intimate moment with Celeste. Marie loves Edward but is overprotective at best. Edward seeks to placate his Mother but also bristles at her set ways. Before Edward is due back at school, he and his friends are traveling to Italy. Edward plans a side trip to Lavenna, the town where Marie was born and raised. Marie explicitly warns him away from any such tomfoolery. Edward decides to display independence and ignore his Mother.

Edward wants to learn more about his Mother and her heritage. Lavenna is a town that is off the beaten path, yet Edward eventually finds it. The town was leveled by an earthquake a few years back and still displays ruinous evidence. Edward eventually finds records relating to his Mother\u2019s birth but finds more questions than answers. Fortune is on his side when after an inquiry into his Mother, he is introduced to a cousin. Edward is both enchanted and intrigued by his Mother\u2019s homeplace.

Marie has kept her life in Italy close to her. Her father served in World War for the United States and eventually relocated there. He planned to send for his family once enough money had been saved. Maria was watched over by her Mother and Grandmother while in Lavenna. Three generations living under the roof, the older women are strong role models for their ward. Her childhood was marked by two troubling events: World War II and the mental breakdown of her Mother. Both are interconnected and form the reason for Marie\u2019s reticence about her past. Marie wished that Edward didn\u2019t make the trip to Lavenna, as his journey into nostalgia threatens to open old wounds.

Iron Butterfly is an affecting drama about love and family. The family dynamics are well written and relatable as personified by the Bennett Clan. The main focus is Edward and Marie, but Father (Guy) and siblings (Albert and Lisa Marie) make a lasting impression as your tight-knit, semi-dysfunctional family. Author Andrew Eustace Anselmi writes with a keen grasp of his character's emotions, never feeling over the top in the display. An emotionally satisfying and overall enjoyable read.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 15:42:50", "publisher": "Level Best Books", "page_count": "317 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009503019", "title": "Marching for Change: Movements Across America (SBP Learning)", "author": "Joyce Markovics", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 211, "review": "Marching for Change focuses on three movements that have happened across America. Sometimes when we believe in something strongly, we must take a stand to stand up for what we believe in. As the past has taught us with Dr. Martin Luther King, a peaceful march can show the world what we believe in and get our point across without violence. The 1963 March on Washington did just that and showed the world just how many people wanted equal rights for all Americans regardless of their skin color or other attributes. Sadly, today there is still racism and Black people are not always treated equally, just like the terrible treatment that led to the death of George Floyd. George Floyd's death led to the most recent March in 2020 to show that black lives matter, and no one should be killed as he was. Hopefully, society can learn and grow to treat one another with kindness no matter the differences. This book also covers the Women's March. It is sad today that in our society not only people of different colors but also females are treated differently than males. This book was very informative and hopefully will help people to think differently about each individual's human right to be treated equally!", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 20:56:23", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009503011", "title": "Old Enough to Save the Planet", "author": "Loll Kirby", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 177, "review": "Every day we are bombarded with negative messages about the environment. This dire situation can be overwhelming for adults, let alone children, who may feel as though they are powerless to change the world they will soon inherit. Old Enough to Save the World provides a powerful antidote, however. Here, author Loll Kirby tells the true-life stories of twelve children from all over the world who saw a problem and set out to make a difference. For example, Felix in Germany became passionate about reforestation and created Plant-for-the-Planet, while Himangi in India reduced the effects of traffic pollution outside of her school, and Adeline in Indonesia reintroduced native plants and animals after severe flooding. Kirby writes and Adelina Lirius illustrates each of these stories to provide a wealth of knowledge about environmental issues. Aptly, Kirby also offers additional information on ways to help save the planet and make your voice heard, along with a list of websites for those who wish to learn more. This book both encourages hope and action in children, and maybe even adults.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "12-May-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 20:50:40", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009503007", "title": "Husna and the Eid Party: An Eid Story", "author": "Fawzia Gilani", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 213, "review": "Husna and the Eid Party is a tale about a child wanting to be invited to a friend\u2019s party, not getting an invitation, experiencing a series of misunderstandings, and then finding resolution. I appreciate that the author and the Islamic Foundation have used this universal experience to introduce Muslim culture from a child\u2019s perspective.

Husna is just like any other girl; she goes to school, spends time with her family, and wants to be with her friends. She just happens to wear a head scarf and attend an Islamic school. I appreciated the opportunity to learn a lot of Arabic words and Islamic terms in this book. However, it was difficult to figure out the intended audience\u2013\u2013was it aimed at all children so they can learn more about Islam and Muslim culture? Or was it geared more toward Muslim children, to give them representation in literature?

As there are comparatively few books featuring diverse characters, they need to be accessible and enjoyable. I want to acknowledge that while I didn\u2019t find this story particularly engaging, I think it serves an important purpose. Sometimes there are more important things than the quality of the story\u2013\u2013and I think this is one of those times. Although the illustrator wasn\u2019t named, the illustrations were vivid and engaging.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "30-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 20:14:02", "publisher": "The Islamic Foundation", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009502055", "title": "Slime for Dinner (Geronimo Stilton Graphic Novel #2)", "author": "Geronimo Stilton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 183, "review": "Geronimo Stilton, a mouse who loves writing adventure stories, his sister Thea, and his cousin Trap are invited to solve a mystery at Cacklefur Castle. Geronimo hates creepy stuff, and there will be clues in both a terrifying mystery dinner and the castle. The winner gets to go with the host, Creepella, to Transratania. Will Geronimo solve the mystery and get out of Cacklefur Castle? Read how Geronimo and the others experience Werewolf slugs, slime, disco boots, and something to do with a coffin.

I loved this sequel! It makes me want to try reading the original novels. I like the art because it is messy, scribbly, and funny. I love how some of the words written in the book are written in a unique font based on the word, for example, if the word was \u201cmoon,\u201d the font would look like a moon. I also like that each character has their own color word bubble, so it\u2019s easy to tell who's speaking. This book also helped me learn about different cheeses. I recommend this book to people who are Dav Pilkey fans.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 20:10:01", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009502047", "title": "Hard Reboot", "author": "Django Wexler", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 626, "review": "It\u2019s pretty bleak out there right now. You\u2019re gonna want to avoid the news at all costs in fact. Why not get lost in a good book? And regular fiction ain\u2019t gonna cut it; it\u2019s time to get lost in the worlds of speculative fiction. I\u2019m talking about a healthy dose of science fiction and fantasy, so here are some great new and forthcoming stories to take you away from all the bad stuff.\n\nLight Chaser\nFrom scifi master Peter F. Hamilton and Gareth F. Powell comes a fun little novella that packs the same epic story power of a long novel. Our main character is Amahle who is one of the eponymous light chasers and spends her time traveling the universe, all alone except for her accompanying AI, as she trades trinkets for memory collars and getting the most she can vicariously from these past lives. But there is a voice she hears more than once that appears to be talking directly to her somehow.\n\nShadow & Claw\nFrom bestselling author Gene Wolfe comes the first two books of the tetralogy collected in //Shadow & Claw//. In //The Shadow of the Torturer//: on the world of Urth there is the Guild of Torturers where a young man named Severian is apprenticed to them, but his world is completely upended when he commits the ultimate wrong of the guild by showing mercy to a victim. In the second book, //The Claw of the Conciliator//, Severian continues with his banishment when he learns of an ancient relic he must find because it is his destiny.\n\n The Starless Crown\nJames Rollins has delighted mystery thriller readers for over a decade and now he returns to the fantasy world he used to write in with //The Starless Crown//. There are four characters mysteriously drawn together: an imprisoned thief, a drunken prince, a broken soldier, and a gifted student who predicts an oncoming apocalypse. How can they stop? Will they be able to? And who will claim the starless crown?\n\nPaper & Blood\nAl MacBharrais is a magician of ink and sigil magic who can cast powerful spells, but he is also one of a number of sigil agents to seek to protect those in need from demons and monsters across the world. When a fellow agent goes missing, it\u2019s up to Al to leave the comfort and familiarity of Glasgow and travel down under to Australia to pick up the trail and see if he can find out what befell his comrade and solve the mystery behind the disappearance. \n\nReset\nAris is a scientist living in a world very different than ours. The Last War destroyed most of her planet and what remained was able to rebuild a little in four cities across the globe. But their goal is never to repeat the mistakes of the past and so every four years everyone undergoes \u201ctabula rasa\u201d where there minds are wiped and they begin life anew. Aris is a huge supporter of tabula rasa and looks forward to her new existence each time, but she keeps having this recurring dream that seems like it might be something from her distant past, so she must begin her quest to find what it is all about.\n\nHard Reboot\nHard reboot can mean a couple things: it can be something you do to your computer when you are having problems and everything crashes; or it can mean state-sponsored battle-droid prizefights. The book from Django Wexler is fortunately the latter. Kas, through ignorance and some bad choices, has ended up wagering a large some of not her money on the result of an arena battle featuring manned robots, and she soon finds herself pulled into a world she never intended to get into.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 19:50:23", "publisher": "Tordotcom", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009502039", "title": "The Hospital: Life, Death, and Dollars in a Small American Town", "author": "Brian Alexander", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 197, "review": "Poverty, down to the last dollar, is unimaginable to most of us. In //The Hospital//, subtitled //Life, Death, and Dollars in a small American Town//, such reality offers a disturbing revelation. Brian Alexander spares no punches as he describes the independent hospital in Bryan, a town in northwest Ohio where medical, economic, and social challenges never let up. Across the country, such hospitals are scooped up by large medical consortiums, making it increasingly difficult to retain nonprofit independent status.

Alexander draws attention to the problems on all fronts. He draws on national statistics to demonstrate the costs that are confronted. Phil Ennen draws his special attention as the CEO who has been responsible for keeping the hospital afloat for more than 20 years. \nBut this is not all. The book unflinchingly describes the suffering in a community where obesity, diabetes, suicide, sickness, and terminal disease are increasing, where too many cannot afford treatment nor foresee a future without debt. Keith is among several individuals the author befriends, a man whose health and personal life persistently deteriorate but who always insists, \u2018Doin good, buddy. Doin\u2019 good.\u2019\nThis is an awesome book, hopefully in the running for a well-deserved award.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "09-Aug-2021", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 19:42:55", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009502019", "title": "The Stringer", "author": "Ted Rall", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 551, "review": "Kick Off a New Graphic Novel Series\n\nYou know that feeling when you find a new comic book or graphic novel and it just totally sucks you in, and you love the story and you love the characters and the artwork just blows your mind. You\u2019re hooked on every page and when you make it to the very end you feel like reading it was one of the best experiences you\u2019ve ever had, and you\u2019re left hoping for one wish: that there will be more. Well, the beauty of this graphic novel list is that they\u2019re all the first volumes of a series, so if you fall in love with the story, you\u2019re guaranteed to get more.\n\n\nThe Stringer by Ted Rall\n\nMark Scribner has spent years doing what he does best as a war correspondent. Traveling the world in harm\u2019s way to get to the truth and nothing but the truth and reporting on it. But as the world changes and things like layoffs and budget cuts become everyday occurrences, Scribner thinks his time has come and he\u2019s ready to call it quits and retire. But then he stumbles upon something that might just save his career. It\u2019s going to be difficult, with many twists and turns and surprises along the way, but he thinks he might just be able to do it. \n\n\nAsadora Vol 1 by Naoki Urasawa\n\nAsa has always felt left out and ignored, being part of a huge family, but when her mother is about to give birth she must rush into a dreadful storm to find a doctor. What started out as a huge undertaking becomes even more insurmountable when she runs into a burglar who mistakes her for another kid and decides to kidnap her, and so begins a new and unique journey for Asa fand for the burglar, who has his own interesting story and history.\n\n\nLemonade Code by Jarod Patt\n\nRobbie Reynolds is like ordinary kids, he actually not even like ordinary genius kids, but that\u2019s because he\u2019s a super SUPER genius. He also has a secret master plan that\u2019s going to change the world, he just can\u2019t talk to anyone about it, yet. He also needs some serious funds to make it happen, so he comes up with a plan to setup a lemonade stand, only this will be like no other lemonade stand in the world. It will be the best, featuring an automatista where he can make any flavor of lemonade you could want. The only problem is Daphne Du-Ri has just set up her lemonade stand across the street and now there\u2019s some serious competition.\n\n\nGodzilla by Duane Swierczynski\n\nUnlike the graphic novels mentioned about, this one is special. This Godzilla title was originally released as a thirteen issue series, but is now wonderfully collected all in this one volume, and in full color! Godzilla is terrorizing the world, destroying buildings left and right and leaving civilizations in ruin; populations traumatized. Boxer is a tough guy who has an ax to grind with just about everyone, but now he\u2019s been giving the opportunity to take on the biggest problem facing the world. He puts together a crack team and sets out to take on Godzilla once and for all, along with keeping the $7 billion bounty in mind.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 21:07:49", "publisher": "NBM Publishing", "page_count": "152 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009502015", "title": "Summer of the Tree Army: A Civilian Conservation Corps Story (Tales of Young Americans)", "author": "Gloria Whelan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Charlie is nine years old and lives with his parents in northern Michigan. He spends his summers exploring the dense woods around his home, but in his ninth year, he finds rows of cabins being built in his woods. His parents tell him that because of the depression, President Franklin Roosevelt is putting young men to work all over the country in the Civilian Conservation Corps building roads, bridges, public buildings, and more as well as planting trees, working on parks, and fighting fires. When Charlie is out in the woods, he meets a young man, Luke, working for the CCC who is lost. Charlie leads him back to his camp, then invites him to go fishing and come home for dinner. They become friends and Charlie learns about the important work the CCC does.

Gloria Whelan has written an interesting text that will give youngsters a good introduction to the CCC and all the wonderful work they did. Back matter supports the story. Kirby Fagan has filled the pages with lush illustrations in saturated woodsy colors with lots of excellent details to help youngsters connect to the story and stay engaged. This is a lovely book.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 20:57:27", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009502003", "title": "The Girls I've Been", "author": "Tess Sharpe", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 203, "review": "The Girls I've Been tells the story of Nora, a girl who is the daughter of a con artist mother whom she helped put behind bars. Her saving grace is her older sister, Lee, a private detective. Nora, her girlfriend Iris, and ex-boyfriend Wes go to the bank to deposit money, but it is held up by two men, Red Cap and Grey Cap. The two guys don't know what they're in for because these kids are smarter than most. Growing up as part of her mother's cons, Nora knows how to deceive people like it's a normal everyday thing. She shows little fear even though she is scared and pushes forward the whole book.

This book is supposedly going to be made into a Netflix movie starring Millie Bobbie Brown and I can't wait to see it. It is told in alternating chapters set in the past (Nora as many different girls helping her mom con people) and the present (the bank robbery). With the theme of domestic and child abuse at its forefront, The Girls I've Been is an epic tale that will have you biting your nails and cheering for the good guys (and girls) every step of the way.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 18:42:46", "publisher": "Penguin", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009501023", "title": "The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing", "author": "Mark Kurlansky", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 254, "review": "A large number of fly fishers fall into one of two groups: first, those who read about fly fishing when not in the rivers fishing and second, those who write about fly fishing. Admittedly, I fall in the first group, while Mark Kurlansky, award-winning and bestselling journalist, author, and fly fisher falls into the second. The New York Times bestselling tackles the subject of fly fishing in his latest release The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing. This is not your typical fly-fishing book, because it\u2019s not a \u201chow-to\u201d nor does it document the author\u2019s fishing adventures. It truly is a book of virtues, a refreshing blend of autobiographical, scientific, and historical angles to a sport that continues to gain popularity. We learn what led to Kurlansky\u2019s enviable fly fishing exploits, who has had the chance to fish all over the globe, including Japan and Russia. He covers the science of fish of the Salmonidae family: trout and salmon. Most of the book is dedicated to the history of fly fishing across the world and in the United States. He explores the history of the flies themselves, as well as rods and reels. He also writes of the writers who fish and write of fishing. We learn of Rudyard Kipling and Zane Grey fished for Steelhead in Oregon and William Butler Yeats fly fished and wrote poems about it. If you are looking to read and learn about \"the what and whys\" of fly fishing and less about \"the how\" this is a great book.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "12-May-2021", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 19:44:23", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009501019", "title": "Churchill's Band of Brothers: WWII's Most Daring D-Day Mission and the Hunt to Take Down Hitler's Fugitive War Criminals", "author": "Damien Lewis", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ralph Peterson", "word_count": 224, "review": "Churchill\u2019s Band of Brothers by Damien Lewis is a true account of an SAS operation during World War II. It is a story of real people, in real situations, who were killed or faced death. The SAS were behind-the-lines operatives. Their mission was to sabotage, disrupt, stall, and confuse the German war effort. The SABU-70 team, who the book is about, created mayhem and confusion and twice returned successfully after the D-Day invasion. Their third parachute jump was into the waiting guns and personnel of the Gestapo. Against all the rules of war, some who were dressed in civilian clothes were killed. After the war, their murderers faded back into the general populace.

The book is well written and moves along rapidly. The backgrounds and personalities of the SAS members, and the German officers, are detailed as they become pertinent to the story. The author does a good job of making them appear real people to the reader. He details the conundrum of an order from Hitler to shoot all commandos. The order contravened the rules of war. This fact sets up the last half of the book: the identification, capture, and execution of the German officers who carried out the order. It is an exciting and very thought-provoking book. I heartily recommend it to those curious about the situation in Europe after D-Day.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 22:29:40", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009501011", "title": "Don't Call Me Fuzzybutt!", "author": "Robin Newman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 189, "review": "Bear is tired. It is time for his long winter nap. He will sleep for 243.5 days. But Bear is a very light sleeper. The slightest thing will disturb him, so he knits ear muffs and posts signs and even chops down trees to make a sturdy front door for his den, and then he goes to sleep. Meanwhile, Woodpecker is working on the houses he builds, but he notices several of the houses have disappeared. He sees bits of them scattered on the ground and follows the trail of bits to the new front door Bear built for his den. That is where the houses went. Woodpecker tap-tap-taps on the door. Bear wakes up and is not happy about having his nap disturbed. The two get into a shouting, name-calling match. Can they resolve their differences?

Robin Newman has written a laugh-out-loud story that little ones will want to hear over and over. It is funny, sweet, and hopeful. The illustrations by Susan Batori are so much fun and filled with details that will keep little eyes on the pages. This is a real winner. Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 21:01:57", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009501007", "title": "Sock on the Loose", "author": "Conor McGlauflin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 188, "review": "Sock on the Loose is the story of the blue sock that left his partner. In the drawer, there are two of every color of sock that sleep, get wet, and get used together. One day, the blue sock was getting ready for bed and noticed that its partner sock wasn't around. The one blue sock started getting worried, thinking of what could be going on with its partner. The blue sock didn't know that its partner was having a fun time at the beach and doing different things by itself instead of together with the other blue sock. In the end, the blue sock decides to come back because he missed his partner.

Sock on the Loose is a funny story about things that socks might do. My mom told me about socks going missing in the laundry, so maybe this is what they do when we can't find them?! The story is easy to read and understand and the pictures are bright and colorful. Any kid will like reading about their socks and then thinking up things that they might be doing when the kid isn't looking.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 20:21:47", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009501003", "title": "Sweet & Bitter Magic", "author": "Adrienne Tooley", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 190, "review": "For years, strict rules have been placed around magic\u2019s use. When Tamsin, a powerful witch, commits an unspeakable crime, she is punished by not being able to love. Reduced to stealing love from others in exchange for magical favors, Tamsin awaits the day she may, if ever, be forgiven and return to her home in the land of witches.

Wren has a secret. She is a source, someone who is made of magic. By law, Wren should have gone to the coven to train, but she has stayed at home to care for her father. Stuck in her village, Wren yearns for the day she will be free. When a new plague sweeps through the land, Wren and Tamsin form a shaky alliance. But there are more dangers than either reckoned for and a dark secret waits that may destroy the queendom.

I really liked this book! It has an interesting plotline, sweet romance, and relationships I rooted for the entire book. I especially enjoyed the vivid descriptions that made me feel like I was in the story. I liked the character development, and will look for more books by this author!", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 18:35:31", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009500031", "title": "Overheated: How Capitalism Broke the Planet--And How We Fight Back", "author": "Kate Aronoff", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 340, "review": "Learn more about the illegal gold trade from South America and the need to reimagine our politics to provide a sustainable future economy through honest and thorough books. These take a harder look at the world through the lesser-known criminal underground of illegal gold mining and the denialism that has taken place within sources of power.\n\nDirty Gold: The Rise and Fall of an International Smuggling Ring - Jay Weaver \n\nJay Weaver broaches the subject of the South American illegal gold trade and the businessmen that profited from it. In March 2017, federal agents apprehended a group known as the three amigos \u2013 Juan Pablo Granda, Samer Barrage, and Renato Rodriguez \u2013 who had gotten rich off a scheme to illegally acquire metals, primarily Peruvian gold which was mined out of the rain forest. They saw a profit of $3.6 billion dollars. The arrest of this trio shined a light on the scheme of a large illegal international business and criminal underworld that has provided more money than drug trafficking. Latin American drug money has been infused into illegal gold mines with the materials sold to sources such as metals traders and unknowing Americans. \n\nOverheated: How Capitalism Broke the planet \u2013 and how we fought back \u2013 Kate Aronoff \n\nThis book focuses on the denialism that has taken place within sources of power which has stemmed out of neoliberal policies and goes back to the 1980s when Republicans and Democrats allowed industries to proceed with business as usual. Executives in the oil and gas industries have been provided with a voice in creating policies that should have put an end to their business models. This approach Kate Aronoff highlights as driving our planet deeper into emergency. The book focuses on an alternative vision that details how society can overcome the power of polluters, provide millions of union jobs that are well-paid, put climate reparations into place, and create an economy that will be more sustainable. To provide a better future, it will require radical action such as reimagining our politics.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 20:16:01", "publisher": "Hachette", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009500027", "title": "Her Dark Lies: A Novel", "author": "J.T. Ellison", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "Artist Claire Hunter is about to marry Jack, one of the sons of the wealthy Compton family, in a beautiful villa on an idyllic island off the coast of Italy. However, things begin to go wrong the day before they reach the island and increase once they set foot on it. Remains are found, Claire\u2019s wedding dress is ruined, and bodies start to turn up. The Compton family has many enemies due to the nature of their business; Jack\u2019s first wife, Morgan, died under mysterious circumstances; and Claire has secrets of her own. This weekend, lies will be exposed, but will they be Claire\u2019s or Morgan\u2019s?

The plot of this book had promise and was interesting at the beginning, but things started to fall apart in the middle. It ends with a lot more questions than answers, and not in a good way. There are quite a few storylines with holes. Most of the characters lack depth, making it hard to mourn them when they are killed off. If you enjoy the typical mystery you find on the best seller lists these days, you\u2019ll love the shock and awe attempted here. I personally miss the days of mysteries with substance.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "23-Feb-2021 20:07:50", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009500019", "title": "Death by Chocolate Snickerdoodle (A Death by Chocolate Mystery)", "author": "Sarah Graves", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 175, "review": "Jake and Ellie are the owners of the Chocolate Moose, which has made them experts in all things chocolate, but they're also no strangers to murder. Jake thought her biggest obstacle was getting her daughter-in-law back into the baking mood until a detestable local is found dead and a friend of the family is quickly considered the prime suspect. To help their friend, Ellie and Jake dive into another mystery that puts them on the path to discovering surprising secrets and catching a killer.

This story has such warmth to it. It is welcoming and lighthearted, with an emotional core about family. The inviting setting makes you want to go to the Chocolate Moose for a treat and to spend time solving mysteries with Jake and Ellie. The community tone within the story provides a long list of suspects and allies as the duo searches for a killer.

Death by Chocolate Snickerdoodle is perfect for your sweet tooth as well as being a charming read that hits all the right notes for a cozy mystery.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 22:38:04", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009500011", "title": "Headstrong Hallie!: The story of Hallie Morse Daggett, the First Female \"Fire Guard\"", "author": "Aimee Bissonette", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Avery - age 11", "word_count": 195, "review": "This story is about a woman named Hallie Morse Daggett and how she became the first female fire guard. It is based on a true story. When Hallie was a little girl, there was a forest fire near her house and she decided to be a fire guard to help fight fires. But, in the early 1900s, the US Forest Service did not allow women to work for them. In 1913, Hallie finally got a job as a fire lookout. Many men did not think Hallie was strong enough and thought she would quit. Hallie would prove them wrong.

I really like reading books that are based on true stories. It helps me learn about people and events that I might never have heard of otherwise. The illustrations are really nice. I especially like the illustration of the old phone that Hallie would have used to call for help in 1913 and the one where Hallie is feeding a chipmunk out of her hand. In the back of the book, there are photographs and more information on Hallie Morse Daggett. I would recommend this book to kids who like to learn about women in history.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 20:51:52", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009500007", "title": "A Dark and Hollow Star", "author": "Ashley Shuttleworth", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 192, "review": "Since the beginning of time, faeries and other mystical beings have peacefully lived among humans. This all changes the day strange murders begin in the city of Toronto. Four teens, each with ties to the magical world, must combine their knowledge and talents to find the murderer. Nausica\u00e4: a temperamental ex-Fury, Arlo: a shy half-fae girl who is not what she seems, Vehan: a fae prince desperate to earn his mother\u2019s approval, and Aurelian: Vehan\u2019s bodyguard, with a secret of his own, choose to form an alliance driven by their urges to find justice for the dead. But the truth may be darker than any of them anticipated, and it may just unveil the beginnings of a war. Will Aurelian, Nausica\u00e4, Vehan, and Arlo find the killer and stop the brewing tide of destruction? Or will they fail and doom both human and faerie worlds to destruction?

I loved this book! The cast of characters was awesome, inclusive, and original. The plot was wonderfully imaginative and unique, with perfect combinations of mystery and romance. I enjoyed the sharp twists and turns I did not see coming. I thoroughly look forward to the sequel!", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 18:39:54", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009500003", "title": "The Widow Queen (The Bold, 1)", "author": "Elzbieta Cherezinska", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 199, "review": "The Widow Queen by Elzbieta Cherezinska is the tale of one of the many remarkable women that history has forgotten. Swietoslawa is the third daughter of the ruthless Duke of Poland and in 984 A.D. he has begun the search for a husband for her. Like those of her two sisters and her brother, Swietoslawa\u2019s marriage will be used to forge strong alliances that will make the Duke\u2019s empire grander. She, however, desires power and a crown of her own, without the traditional husband by her side.

Though I was desperate to like this story of an unsung female hero rescued from history\u2019s dark depths, sadly, I could not. Perhaps it is a problem with translation, in that words or emotions sometimes simply don\u2019t translate well from one language to another, or the fact that the novel is too episodic and jumps from section to section too often and without seamless transitions. Whatever the reason, I found myself struggling to hold the plot together on one hand, and totally unengaged with the characters on the other.

Though not a book I would read again, it is still wonderful to see writers rediscovering fabulous historical women. That certainly is worth praise!", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Feb-2021 18:33:09", "publisher": "Forge Books", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009497031", "title": "Mornings with Monet", "author": "Barb Rosenstock", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Andrew - age 12", "word_count": 181, "review": "The book Mornings with Monet is about what the famous painter, Claude Monet, did every morning. It was a very beautiful book from beginning to end. From the illustrations, which look like Monet painted them himself, to the beautiful scenery in the book, everything that the illustrator, Mary Grandpr\u0113, did was amazing. I liked this story because it was about what a real person\u2019s life consisted of, but it was like poetry almost. To quote the book, \u201cIt is magic.\u201d This picture book is short and it has a picture on every page, so this is a good book to read to young children. People who like painters, painting, or art would really love this one. I would recommend this book for kids of all ages because what kid doesn\u2019t like a lot of pictures in a book? It would also be recommended for people who are fascinated with the famous artist Monet. This is a good choice and I enjoyed reading it. I read it to my eight-year-old little sister and she LOVED it and we think you would, too.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "19-Feb-2021 01:34:37", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "30 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009497023", "title": "The Incredible Hulk: My Mighty Marvel First Book (A Mighty Marvel First Book)", "author": "Marvel Entertainment", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb M.", "word_count": 142, "review": "The Incredible Hulk: My Mighty Marvel First Book is such a fun book to read.

It\u2019s a good book for beginners who like Marvel superheroes. Toddlers and little kids who can't read will like it because the illustrations are very exciting and colorful. It's also a board book with pop-outs and fold-out pages. I like how they have a lot of onomatopoeias because they describe what is happening, and you can picture all the actions. They make the book more fun. My favorite is \"He can clap his hands so hard, he sends out a huge Shock Wave! WHOOMP!\" I can tell how strong he is from this.

Hulk is the strongest superhero and the graphics make him look the strongest. The Incredible Hulk: My Mighty Marvel First Book is an okay book and I think most toddlers and younger kids would like it.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "27-May-2021", "date_added": "19-Feb-2021 01:20:52", "publisher": "Abrams Kids", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009496055", "title": "Amelia Unabridged: A Novel", "author": "Ashley Schumacher", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 205, "review": "Amelia never thought that in an instant her whole world would shatter and she would have to live in a world without her best friend. The only thing that ever made sense in Amelia\u2019s life was Jenna and the magical book-world of Orman. When a rare first edition of the Orman Chronicles mysteriously arrives, she knows it has to be a message from Jenna. Taking fate into her own hands, Amelia decides to track the package\u2019s origin, which takes her on a journey that might open the door to more than just answers.

Heart-wrenching in its raw emotion and sadness, Ashley Schumacher writes a story so captivating it will leave her readers breathless and gasping for air through a veil of tears. Amelia Unabridged is an invitation for grief, for longing, and for allowing yourself to let go. With some of the most heartbreaking and honest writing, this story creates a tie so strong that readers will be unable to break its hold. With almost too much emotion for one heart to hold, this book is for the soul who is wandering or searching. This book is your whale in the clouds guiding you to a place where acceptance is possible and fate is miraculous.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2021", "date_added": "21-Feb-2021 19:48:27", "publisher": "St. Martin's ", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009496047", "title": "What About X? An Alphabet Adventure", "author": "Anne Marie Houppert", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 204, "review": "What About X? is the story of the letters of the alphabet at Alphabet Academy getting ready to go camping. X is excited about the trip until Question Mark asks him what they should all bring along. All the letters show what they have picked out to bring, things that start with their letter. A is bringing an apple, F is bringing a fishing pole, G is bringing some graham crackers for s'mores, K is bringing a kite, and U is bringing an umbrella. X is getting worried because he can't think of anything good to bring for a camping trip that starts with his letter. Finally, the other letters find something for him that makes everyone happy.

I like this book because it shows friends who think of ways to help their friends when they're upset. X was feeling sad and didn't think his friends would notice that he wasn't around because he was still looking for something. X became happy when his friends said they weren't going to leave without him, but I think that if X had talked to them before then he wouldn't have been upset. I liked this book because it's happy and the pictures are bright and colorful.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "19-Feb-2021 01:32:11", "publisher": "Abrams Kids", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009495035", "title": "Treemendous: Diary of a Not Yet Mighty Oak", "author": "Bridget Heos", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 172, "review": "A small acorn drops from a big oak tree. It waits to sprout and grow tall. Read about the journey of a tiny acorn to a mighty oak. In the story, I liked when the acorn said the walnuts in the forest are a bit nutty, the florals have a certain buzz to them, and the pines go overboard with Christmas decorations. I also liked when the acorn said she has an average family of ten thousand oak trees. I thought it was funny when she called her brothers and sisters her \u201ctwigmates,\u201d and when she thought a squirrel was playing hide-and-seek but it was actually trying to eat her. I loved it mostly because it's educational, but also because it is funny and cute. The book includes lots of facts about oak trees and lists other books and websites for you to check out.\u00a0I recommend this book to people who love nature. If you want to read an educational book about oak trees then this is the book for you.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "18-Feb-2021 23:25:11", "publisher": "Random House Books Kids", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009495023", "title": "Wench", "author": "Maxine Kaplan", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 844, "review": "Summertime is a great time for tweens to take adventures and to stretch their imaginations to new heights. These five great reads will allow you to ride with dragons, enter fantastical places, take to the stars, and exploring chilling mysteries. From space adventures to feminist treats, this list has something for every tween to enjoy.\n\nLegend of the Dragon Slayer \u2013 Brandon Mull\n\nThe edition breathes life into the origin story behind the legendary Dragonwatch from the /Fablehaven/ series. Brandon Mull delves into the Dragon War by exploring the events that brought Dragon Slayers together and sent dragons into sanctuaries. The story of the first Dragon Slayer is brought to life in /Legend of the Dragon Slayer/ through a time when monsters terrorized the land and the kingdom needed a hero. Konrad wants to prove that he's more than just a cobbler's son and is willing to do whatever it takes even if it brings him up against dangerous creatures. None of the monsters compare to the threat that the Dragon brings which is a threat that will push Konrad to face his greatest quest. The edition comes with amazing features such as stunning illustrations from Brandon Dorman, a catalog of Dragon Slayers, and a map that will let you explore the kingdom of Selona. \n\nWinterkeep \u2013 Kristin Cashore\n\nThe /Graceling Realm/ series receives another dazzling installment from Kristin Cashore that delivers another charming tale. Bitterblue has spent the last few years as Queen rebuilding the nation with the determination to give her people a second chance after taking the throne from her father. The land of Torla is now on her radar which inspires her to send envoys to Winterkeep which is the nearest nation. Winterkeep is a wondrous place with telepathic foxes, bonds formed between foxes and humans, and amazing airships, but all is not as it seems when she learns that her envoys drowned which raises questions about the nation's intentions. Bitterblue takes it upon herself to investigate by venturing to the nation with her two most trusted allies but their journey is quickly derailed by a tragedy that has severe repercussions. Elsewhere, Lovisa Cavenda from Winterkeep could be just the key that Bitterblue is searching for but Lovisa has her own choice to make about whom to become. The books in the series can be read in any order. \n\nThe Stitchers \u2013 Lorien Lawrence \n\nIn the thrilling first book in the series /Fright Watch/, Lorien Lawrence embodies everything you love about frights, chills, and ghost stories. Quinn Parker has neighbors down the street that she's convinced are strange as they've been long-time residents on Goodie Lane and never seem to age which has earned them the nickname: the Oldies. Before her father died, he used to her come up with crazy theories about the Oldies that ranged from aliens to vampires and now she has her heart set on keeping the investigation going in his honor. She turns to her crush (and fellow neighbor) for help digging into the secrets that the Oldies hold. Their search takes a surprising turn when they discover the local pond has its own secrets and comes with shocking answers after the Oldies catch onto their investigation. \n\nWench \u2013 Maxine Kaplan\n\nThe tavern has been Tanya's home since she was a child, and by the time she reached eleven, she even had mastered how to kick out the drunkards. The bar has provided her with a home and allowed her to grow into an empowered confident teenager. She learned to not let anyone take advantage of her and has even come to know how to run the tavern inside out, but the death of her guardian could change everything. Now she may have to watch everything she loves slowly slip away from her and she'll do whatever it takes to get the bar in her name even it takes a visit to the queen. She embarks on an epic quest where she takes on guards, thieves, and even the presence of a magical feather. /Wench/ is a stunning feminist read that is original, funny, and charming. \n\nTrouble in the Stars \u2013 Sarah Prineas \n\nTrouble is a shapeshifter with a problem. They're running from something that they can't remember and doing everything they can to stay a step ahead of the StarLeague. Trouble changes their form from blob to puppy to the eventual form of a human boy. They soon find their way onto the ship /Hindsight/ where they find safety even under Captain Astra and learn how to be a human boy. That safety soon comes to an end when a StarLeague cadet enters the ship in search of them which pushes Trouble into an unexpected shapeshifter. Trouble will do whatever it takes to find freedom and a place to call home which leads to a chase across the galaxy in an adventure about finding a family. Sarah Prineas delivers an epic journey about a band of misfits with an unlikely hero at the heart and an adventure that pulls you in from the beginning.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Feb-2021 21:18:13", "publisher": "Abrams", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009495019", "title": "Get a Clue: A Bookish Boyfriends Novel", "author": "Tiffany Schmidt", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 212, "review": "Huck gets a chance to talk to his Knight Lights mentor's brother and it goes better than he could have predicted. Win is interested! But their attempt to become boyfriends hits a snag when Win's chance at transferring to Hero High is sabotaged. It gets worse when they discover a fake account online under Win's name that has been posting mean comments about other students. Huck knows Win isn't responsible for it, but can he prove it? If he's to crack the case, he will need to channel Sherlock Holmes.

Tiffany Schmidt incorporates Sherlock Holmes' flare into the Bookish Boyfriends world through Huck being assigned to read the mysteries and his personality reflecting the great detective's. Huck has an analytical mind, eccentricities in the way his brain works, and an addiction to caffeine that creates a fun new detective. The mystery is set in the modern day, with cyberbullying, sabotage, and scandal mixed against a backdrop of romantic comedy. Huck and Win face hurdles in their attempt to get to know each other, as Huck must dig into his possible boyfriend's mistakes to find the suspect. Get a Clue is a sweet and charming romantic comedy that pays homage to Sherlock Holmes in a story that everyone needs to brighten their day.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "18-May-2021", "date_added": "18-Feb-2021 21:16:26", "publisher": "Abrams", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009494055", "title": "My Year Abroad: A Novel", "author": "Chang-rae Lee", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 2173, "review": "The best plans take you to stunning places around the world and this summer you can take the perfect trip all without leaving your home. From a sexy adventure in Italy to a suspenseful journey in Greece, these amazing authors will take you on thought-provoking and compelling journeys. You can traipse to the city of Barcelona in a tale of longing, meet a man that doesn't exist on Frick Island, lose technology in Lincolnwood, and even dip back in time to the 2008 financial crisis. Each of these literary reads would make for the perfect summertime treat. \n\nThe Weary God of Ancient Travelers \u2013 Jessica Stilling\n\nA suspenseful read that follows a woman with no memory except for her arrival in Santorini with a man she's drawn to trust. How can she trust this mysterious man if she doesn't even remember his name? She navigates her own mind in search of her past and identity which is a journey derailed by memories of a life that wasn't hers. Jessica Stilling sets the story among a backdrop of stunning scenes of Greece described as being almost visceral with a unique compilation of romance, mystery, and self-inspection. /The Weary God of Ancient Travelers/ is considered compelling as the story weaves between her past life to her present one and set upon descriptions of Greece that come to life off the page.\n\nThe Invisible Husband of Frick Island \u2013 Colleen Oakley\n\nFrick Island is where Piper Parrish has made home, living what's considered an almost idealistic life. The only downside to the beauty of her life is the fact that her husband Tom is dead and has been since his boat capsized. You wouldn't know such sadness has rocked Piper's life as the widow has carried on as if her husband was still alive and well. Not only does she act as if he's present for meals, taking walks to the docks with him, and keeping their regular meetings, but the entire town indulges her by pretending that nothing has changed. Enter Anders Caldwell who thought he would be a podcast star by now, instead, he's stuck writing fluff news stories. Then he gets an assignment that brings him to Frick Island where he'll cover yet another fluff piece. While he's writing about the joys of a Cake Walk fundraiser, he discovers that the entire town pretends that a dead man is still alive. This strange behavior draws him back to the island to investigate where he meets Piper and discovers more than just a story.\n\nMy Year Abroad \u2013 Chang-rae Lee\n\nTiller is what you'd considered being a normal student in college and is known for being good, but he has one problem. He's bored and has no interest in what college has to offer then Pong Lou enters his life. Pong is a successful Chinese American entrepreneur who quickly takes him under his wing and even takes him on an incredible trip throughout Asia. This delivers a story that is ripe with darkness, humorous, and possesses a suspenseful journey that transforms Tiller from a common student to a protege excited to see the world. His experiences throughout his vacation open his eyes to another side of himself and change how he sees Pong while crafting a new way for him to understand the world. Lee's prose is considered to be precise and elliptical, told through alternating narratives which weaves between Tiller's year abroad, his reflection upon how the trip affects his future, and the domestic life that he settles into upon returning home. His year abroad is described as riveting with a deep emotional complexity that delivers a brilliant commentary that Chang-rae Lee implores about Western attitudes and Eastern stereotypes. The story covers themes such as mental well-being, capitalism, parenthood, global trade, and being a mentor while also delving into the effects of cultural immersion through Tiller's experiences being American in China and Pong's experiences being Chinese in America.\n\nShaky Town \u2013 Lou Matthews \n\n/Shaky Town/ is a timeless story that focuses on the working-class residing within Los Angeles and told in the writing style of Lou Matthews who uses his time as a street racer and mechanic reflected within the prose. The plot is told through a panoramic style that revolves around the various characters residing within a Los Angeles neighborhood and is explored through individual tales about tragedy and glory. Each of the characters is driven by their environment which features a shaky faultline with an assortment of personalities including a girl caught up in a gang war and a priest caught in the middle of a crisis of faith. The characters are connected to each other by the bond they have within the neighborhood which is brought to life through their complications and conflicts. \n\nBarcelona Dreaming \u2013 Rupert Thomson \n\nJourney back to 2008 where you'll find yourself on the eve of the financial crisis in a tale of three stories that feature a rich assortment of personalities and a connection by time. The story weaves throughout three distinct stories that interlock. Get to know a gift shop-owning English woman, a jazz pianist that suffers from alcoholism, and a translator tormented by love not returned. Each of these individuals faces a journey that changes everything they know and each of their stories is centered around a Moroccan immigrant that has suffered at the hands of a crime. Themes featured in /Barcelona Dreaming/ include immigration, self-delusion, racism, addiction, and longing. Rupert Thomson delivers a book about those longing for something out of reach and the nostalgia that we have for what we've lost. This stunning summer treat also serves as a love letter to the stunning city of Barcelona. \n\nA Not So Lonely Planet \u2013 Karina Kennedy\n\nMarina Taylor is a writer that has big dreams to write her dream book /Italian Women of Influence/ which is in the works with an incredible journey ahead of her and a ticket that will send her on vacation to Rome. Her plans quickly veer thanks to her knack for finding disaster and her attraction to a handsome stranger. Marina takes a note from actress Regina Lombardi as she's inspired to master the art of the sexual gaze while she weaves her focus between research for her book and an assortment of alluring characters from footballers to scholars to Sicilian twins. She embarks on an adventure that takes her throughout the nightclub scene to a masquerade ball while she finds herself longing for a handsome photographer in a game of catch the stranger. Her escapades send her from one thrill to the next and leave her wondering about her sweet ex back home while she indulges in the sexy adventure that awaits her in Italy's amazing cities.\n\nSpinning to Mars \u2013 Meg Pokrass\n\nThis is a collection of linked stories that will create the feeling of being immersed within the literary worlds that Meg Pokrass has delivered. The assortment of stories provided will take you off to Mars thanks to the language of the writing that creates biting insight with each one. /Spinning to Mars/ consists of what is considered to be Micro stories and is considered to be a short read with experiences that are illuminating and notable. The stories are chilling as well as humorous with a focus on human relationships through the gifts, surprises, and unfairness they can bring. Pokrass has written several collections of flash fiction including \u201cThe Dog Looks Happy Upside Down,\u201d \u201cAlice in Wonderland Syndrome,\u201d and \u201cThe Loss Detector.\u201d \n\nRed Island House \u2013 Andrea Lee\n\nJourney to the island of Madagascar through the eyes of a Black American woman in an epic tale that explores the dangers of love against the backdrop of paradise. Shay is a professor that finds love with the handsome Italian businessman named Senna and soon the two get married. The next character of her life takes her far from home when they leave Milan for life in Madagascar where they settle down in an idyllic life on the beach. They build a gorgeous vacation villa and Shay soon finds herself in charge of a household that puts her between the idealistic life she had grown up in America and the bond she feels with the continent that belonged to her ancestors. As she becomes captivated within this world, she begins to question if she can hold onto both her identity and her marriage against the wild surroundings still haunted by colonial sins.\n\nLights Out in Lincolnwood \u2013 Geoff Rodkey\n\nThe Altman family is your typical family consumed with their individual routine, work, and school as they live a mundane life in Lincolnwood, New Jersey. You'll get to know each of the family members: Dan the former lawyer who now writes screenplays and is consumed by the demands of his boss, Jan who gave up a career to raise kids and now waits for the moment she's alone so to pour herself a drink, daughter Chloe who's consumed by upcoming college essays and semifinals for state tennis, and son Max who has a vape addiction and in midst of planning revenge against a classmate. Just as the family starts their regular days, the world comes to a stop. With Dan on the train to work, children at school, and Jan at home, everything around them stops with the technological infrastructure coming to a crashing halt which plunges this normal family and everyone else into chaos as they struggle to deal with a life without technology. The story takes place over the course of four days as this family adapts to a water shortage, paramilitary in the neighborhoods, and looting while trying to solve the mystery unfolding around them.\n\nIsland Charm \u2013 Audrey Wick\n\nAnna Worthington embarks on an unexpected journey after her twin sister is left by her fiance. She comes up with the ultimate plan to cheer her sister up. They're going to transform her should-be honeymoon into a fun vacation to Key West. Things don't go according to plan when her sister doesn't show up on the plane and she's left to take the trip on her own. Her vacation quickly becomes the romantic getaway that she never would have predicted. Gunnar Lockhart has the know-how in island tourism that makes him the perfect partner for Anna to complete her to-do list for this vacation. The two form an undeniable connection that steers her into sorting through her feelings to decide if this connection is real or if it's the result of paradise. Could her vacation romance be doomed like her twin's own relationship?\n\nSummer in the City \u2013 Lori Wilde\n\nVenture into summertime in the city with three sizzling stories. Start with /Night of the Museum/ by Lori Wilde which follows Ria Preston, an art restorer who knows all about beauty. When she and her Wall Street advisor crush are stuck in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she sees her chance at admiring more than just the art. Priscilla Oliveras delves into the romance of a blackout in /Lights Out/ about two theater troupe rivals whose high school competitions transition into their adulthood. Mateo Garza is aiming to achieve of his dreams of being a Broadway star while facing the scathing reviews of his former rival Vanessa Rios who now works as a critic. A perfectly timed blackout creates the perfect opportunity for the two to be alone at Mateo's New York apartment which will allow their friction to turn into chemistry. The last story is /Mind Games/ by Sarah Skilton which is a tale of romance and revenge. Alison is still nursing a grudge carried over from her college days against the most popular guy in school who happens to now be a magician. She enacts the perfect plan of revenge. When his upcoming show takes place, she'll sabotage it and ruin him, but a power outage provides her with an opportunity she never expected.\n\nThe Road Trip \u2013 Beth O'Leary \n\nWhat happens when two exes take a road trip? There was a time when Dylan and Addie were completely in love. Dylan was a wealthy Oxford student when he spent his vacation his friend Cherry's French villa at the same time carefree Addie was working as the caretaker. That was four years ago. Their relationship lasted two years before they broke up. Now Cherry's getting married and the exes have a literal run-in with each other which is the first time they've spoken since they've broken up. Dylan's car is too banged up to drive to the wedding in rural Scotland, so the only option is for the two exes to make the journey together. To add to their discomfort, they pack into the car with Dylan's best friend, Addie's sister, and some random guy they met on Facebook for a humorous trip across Britain. The close quarters push the exes to confront the tension between them and to finally address what broke them apart two years ago which will lead them question if they were hasty in their break up.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Feb-2021 01:03:10", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009494039", "title": "The Princess Spy: The True Story of World War II Spy Aline Griffith, Countess of Romanones", "author": "Larry Loftis", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 1380, "review": "History Book Roundup\n\nIf you\u2019re interested in expanding your non-fiction reading to include more history this springtime, here are a selection of recently published books covering both national and international events, mass and niche interests, famous and lesser known individuals, to whet your appetite for learning something new.\n\nThe Princess Spy: The True Story of World War II Spy Aline Griffith, Countess of Romanones\n\nDespite initially seeming an unlikely spy, literature graduate and former model Aline Griffith proved to be a dab hand at espionage during World War II. A chance encounter at a dinner party provided the New York native with an opportunity to fulfill her ambition of contributing to the war effort by joining the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and working as a coder in Madrid. From there, her excellent networking and social skills led to her forming connections that were the envy of the more archetypical spies dispatched to Europe by the OSS. Her nose for intrigue and her ear for gossip allowed her to ferret out information from members of the Spanish upper classes that proved vital to the allies. Although it\u2019s clear that some controversy still surrounds Griffith\u2019s war record (there exists documentary evidence concerning her career as a code clerk and an agent runner, but her recollections of more exciting exploits may well have been embroidered), The Princess Spy, Larry Loftis\u2019 account of her extraordinary wartime career, is a work of solid and meticulously researched history. Griffith\u2019s story is an exciting and sometimes almost unbelievable one, but she certainly proved to be a valuable asset for the OSS. Her work as a spy differed significantly from that of the majority of other spies stationed in Europe during World War II, which means that this book provides an insightful account of a unique career in decidedly high-class espionage.\n\nQueens of the Crusades: England\u2019s Medieval Queens Book Two\n\nAlison Weir is among the foremost public historians in the United Kingdom. She is particularly well known for writing histories of female royalty, and in Queens of the Crusades: England\u2019s Medieval Queens Book Two, she turns her attention to the first five Plantagenet queens: Eleanor of Aquitaine, Berengaria of Navarre, Isabella of Angoul\u00eame, Alienor of Provence, and Eleanor of Castile. Of the five, Eleanor of Aquitaine is arguably the most (in)famous, so it\u2019s no surprise that the story of her life and times accounts for more than a third of the book. However, the reigns of the other four queens were also characterized by remarkable events, and the book as a whole covers a truly fascinating period of history (1154\u20131291). Alongside her history books, Weir is also known for writing historical fiction, and her flair for dramatic writing (coupled with the fact that some larger-than-life people and events featured prominently during the period in question) renders this history as sensational and action-packed as a good novel. The characters and exploits of the five queens are brought to the fore and they are finally given the recognition that has been denied them in most prior histories. In addition, considering things from the perspectives of the queens provides Weir with a new lens for examining major events such as the signing of the Magna Carta and the murder of Thomas Becket.\n\nTrailblazing Women! Amazing Americans Who Made History\n\nIn Trailblazing Women! Amazing Americans Who Made History, Deborah G. Felder provides potted histories of the lives and achievements of around one hundred and twenty extraordinary American women. The women included in the book come from different times, a wide range of backgrounds, and different spheres of life, but they have all made their mark on the world in amazing and long-lasting ways. For example, from the world of politics, Felder includes brief biographies of Madeleine Albright and Michelle Obama, while from the legal sphere, she features Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Leading lights from the music and entertainment industries are also included in the book, such as Marian Anderson, Billie Holiday, and Lucille Ball. Biographies of some great writers are featured too, including Louisa May Alcott and Maya Angelou. While many of the women included in the book remain famous today, some are now far less well known than their achievements warrant, for example, Jane Addams (a pioneering social reformer) and Hattie Elizabeth Alexander (a groundbreaking physician). Trailblazing Women! Amazing Americans Who Made History provides really interesting and insightful accounts of the lives and works of some truly extraordinary women, and reading it will likely prompt readers to seek out further information about the featured women.\n\nThe World Turned Upside Down: A History of the Chinese Cultural Revolution\n\nYang Jisheng\u2019s The World Turned Upside Down: A History of the Chinese Cultural Revolution provides a definitive account of one of the most tumultuous periods in modern China\u2019s history, a period during which changes occurred that still have repercussions today. The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966\u20131976) marked a turning point in the history of both China itself and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and it had devastating social and economic consequences for the Chinese people. Based on both his own experiences and his extensive research, Yang Jisheng ultimately contends that, rather than being a true mass movement that spiraled out of control, the Cultural Revolution was a deliberate attempt to deflect the Chinese public\u2019s discontent toward sources other than the CCP. An exhaustive yet highly readable work, the book is the result of eleven years of research, including sources unavailable to historians outside of China. The scholarship involved in researching and writing The World Turned Upside Down: A History of the Chinese Cultural Revolution is all the more impressive given the potential dangers that Yang Jisheng faced due to the criticisms of Mao Zedong, the Cultural Revolution, and the CCP contained within the book.\n\nA Time of Fear: America in the Era of Red Scares and Cold War\n\nArguably, from both the popular perspective and the political, the greatest enemy that the United States faced during the twentieth century was the Soviet Union. The ideologies of the two countries were diametrically opposed, and many within the United States feared that Soviet forces were intent on destabilizing democracy and freedom and so bringing an end to the American Dream. Such fears and the hysteria engendered by them gave rise to so-called Red Scares, including the Rosenberg spy network trial and the McCarthy witch hunts. In A Time of Fear: America in the Era of Red Scares and Cold War, his account of a uniquely paranoid period of American history, Albert Marrin brings the ideas and fears of the time to life and, in doing so, highlights lessons that are still of relevance today. He examines both the prevalent hostility toward the Soviet Union and the aspects of communism that appealed to certain sections of American society, thereby striking a balance between exposing conspiracies and highlighting the truth. It all makes for a very interesting read. The impact of the book\u2019s text is further enhanced by the inclusion of numerous black and white photographs.\n\nThe History of Tennis: Legendary Champions, Magical Moments\n\nRichard Evans\u2019 The History of Tennis: Legendary Champions, Magical Moments offers a comprehensive history of tennis from the birth of the sport through to the major matches and top players of the present day. Packed full of facts, figures, and glossy photographs capturing key events and personalities associated with the game, the book is sure to appeal to both die-hard tennis fans and those interested in learning a bit more about the sport. The history of tennis is a long one, dating back to the time of Henry VIII, and there has seemingly always been great rivalry, controversy, and camaraderie involved in the sport. As a result, there are plenty of intriguing and, sometimes, downright surprising stories to be told. Evans\u2019 clear passion for tennis shines through in his writing about the technicalities of the sport, the famous moments, the infamous faces, and various bits of behind-the-scenes information that he has gleaned during his long career as a tennis journalist. While the book will probably most strongly appeal to those who already have a great deal of interest in tennis (beyond watching the finals of the major tournaments, that is), there is also plenty for the more casual follower of the sport to enjoy.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Feb-2021 00:32:27", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "381 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009494027", "title": "Rule of Threes", "author": "Marcy Campbell", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 203, "review": "Maggie is an only child, which is just how she likes it. She doesn't have to deal with siblings who take her stuff or pull her hair. Her parents are great, but it\u2019s her grandmother who understands her best, as they share a love of interior design. In fact, Maggie and her best friends, Rachel and Olive, have developed an interior design business. So when their school announces a decorating contest, Maggie knows she and her friends have it covered, but her rule of threes is about to be obliterated when she learns she has an older brother (so there are now four in her family), her grandmother is forgetting things (even her own name!), and her best friends have changed (boy crazy, for sure). Middle school is so tough!

This book weaves together three different issues facing children today: drug abuse, infidelity, and aging health problems. However, it does so in a way that is safe for middle grade children. Maggie reacts to many issues as though younger than a sixth grader, but her relationship with her unexpected sibling is refreshing in its lack of rivalry. As a result, it is predicted that this book will top many state award lists soon.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "18-Feb-2021 23:20:04", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009494023", "title": "Blankie (A Narwhal and Jelly Board Book) (A Narwhal and Jelly Book)", "author": "Ben Clanton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 197, "review": "For Christmas, I got my first Narwhal and Jelly book; I hadn't heard about it before then. While driving home, my mom read it to me, and between me and my brother, we requested it a lot. I was excited to read Blankie: A Narwhal and Jelly Board Book! Blankie is a little shorter in length than the other ones in the series and is a board book instead of a paperback. This book doesn't have chapters as the others do but is one story. The story is about Narwhal and how he has something like a blankie. Jelly guesses that it's a blankie when he sees him, but then Narwhal tells him lots of other uses for it.

The story is rhyming and easy for me to read and understand. The pictures don't have a lot of colors other than the yellow blankie, blue Jelly, and grey Narwhal. This is okay because it is like the other books. I liked reading this book because I could read it by myself or listen to one of my parents read it to me. I know that anyone who is a fan of Narwhal and Jelly will like this book.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "18-Feb-2021 22:31:55", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "22 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009494019", "title": "The Lonely Century: How to Restore Human Connection in a World That's Pulling Apart", "author": "Noreena Hertz", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carringer", "word_count": 220, "review": "Maybe it\u2019s the pandemic or the last year spent teaching mostly online, but this book was a tough read. Meticulously researched and insightfully crafted, Noreena Hertz\u2019s is an absolutely brilliant book that takes great fortitude to read.

Hertz spends the majority of the book outlining the various ways we are lonely. At home, at work, sitting behind screens all day\u2014all of these add up to a crisis of loneliness that threatens not only our interpersonal relationships but our physical health. From heart disease to dementia to mental health struggles, the symptom of loneliness can lead to a host of life-threatening diagnoses.

She writes of people who pay for companionship, soldiers who treat robots as members of the team, workers who must be trained to recognize facial cues after too much time interacting only with AI or people on the other end of emails or faceless digital chats. These exhaustive and detailed examples more than make the case for the loneliness crisis. And, while there are some suggested solutions along the way, concrete solutions to the problem aren\u2019t explicitly outlined until the last chapter.

As a sociocultural study of loneliness and why so many of us experience it, the book is exceptional. If you\u2019re looking for an upbeat, hopeful approach, you may want to skip ahead to page two hundred twenty-eight.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "12-May-2021", "date_added": "18-Feb-2021 21:28:39", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009494015", "title": "The Quantum Weirdness of the Almost-Kiss", "author": "Amy Noelle Parks", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 11", "word_count": 205, "review": "This phenomenal story for the geek is a very special first romance. In The Quantum Weirdness of the Almost Kiss, you meet one technology-loving, ordinary boy and his romantically naive, physics genius of a 'girl-space-friend'. The story chronicles the first kiss and crush of a young woman in the sciences, conquering emotional troubles and finding her heart along the way. I really think it is well written, with a healthy sprinkling of physics, especially quantum mechanics, references. Both romance and science are well-mixed, due to the fact that the majority of the physics comes from the setting, a selective, private school. The book is written in a neat fashion, alternating between the girl and the boy. This element means that girls and boys both would enjoy it. However, the fact that Evie, the girl, is center-stage might mean that girls may prefer the book. Most STEM prodigies aged eleven or older would enjoy the book. Every middle-school physics geek should read this to dip into the sea of romance. Although the book will be most appealing to science oriented kids, other middle schoolers will enjoy it as well because it is a very well written young romance. Every middle school and library needs a copy.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "18-Feb-2021 21:14:20", "publisher": "Abrams", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009493055", "title": "Painting the Past: A Guide for Writing Historical Fiction", "author": "Meredith Allard", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 428, "review": "Have you ever thought it would be great to write a book, specifically one that is historical fiction? If so, this is a book you should really consider adding to your library. True historical fiction lands more specifically on the \u201chistorical\u201d than on the \u201cfiction.\u201d In other words, one can\u2019t simply make stuff up. The story must be grounded in a particular time and place with references to specific historical events as well as having a setting, technology, fashion, language, etc. that clearly places the story in that time and place. And this means research. Some find that daunting, but most writers find the research to be exciting and really fun. And to have a guide such as this book will make the process of writing a historical fiction book not only possible but really quite doable.

Author Meredith Allard is an award-winning writer of historical fiction with several published historical novels, and she is the editor of The Copperfield Review, a highly respected literary journal for readers and writers of historical fiction. With credentials such as these, using this book as a starting point for those who want to write historical fiction is really an easy decision. And this is a book those new to fiction writing can use with chapters on Creative Inspiration and How to Write a Story. That said, more experienced writers who may be moving into the historical fiction genre for the first time will not be disappointed. There is plenty of meat on the bones for experienced writers with several chapters on Research and Consider your Sources as well as Language and Dialogue in Historical Fiction and so much more.

Allard\u2019s writing is lively and conversational. Reading this book is much like having coffee with a friendly mentor (bring your own coffee) who imparts a lot of wisdom through anecdotes, examples, and inspirational quotes. The reader needs to do work, though, as Allard asks a lot of questions to nudge readers into introspection and critical thinking. She suggests a lot of exercises, such as studying screenplays as a way to learn to write dialogue or filling out an extensive character questionnaire to make sure you fully understand your character, and she has homework assignments at the ends of many of the chapters. Allard has a companion workbook available on her website that will be particularly helpful to those beginning their writing journey in the area of historical fiction. She also has included links to many helpful sites for research. This book is a must have for any writer thinking about working in this genre.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "20-Feb-2021 00:20:28", "publisher": "Copperfield Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009493047", "title": "This Is the Glade Where Jack Lives: Or How a Unicorn Saved the Day", "author": "Carey F. Armstrong-Ellis", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 184, "review": "Who doesn\u2019t love the delicious play of language in a child\u2019s nursery rhyme? Here Armstrong-Ellis has updated The House that Jack Built to include a quirky assortment of mythic creatures including gnomes, fairies, imps, mermaids, dragons, and a particularly eye-catching, sparkly unicorn named Jack. In a departure from the original nursery rhyme, some of these creatures create ever-increasing chaos. Can Jack bring peace to his glade? Yes, he can with something as simple and sweet as a kiss.

Told with delightful rhythm, rhyme, and alliteration, Armstrong-Ellis\u2019s story is simply good fun to read aloud. It is very possible that adults will enjoy the fun of this story as much as their young audience. Furthermore, it probably won't take too many readings for the listeners to begin reciting the story with the reader. In the meantime, the illustrations hilariously capture the story while providing tiny background details for the listeners to explore. For those who know of someone who can\u2019t resist the allure of a sparkly, rainbow-tinted unicorn or the hilarious antics of misbehaving creatures, This is the Glade Where Jack Lives cannot be missed.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "19-Feb-2021 01:26:18", "publisher": "Abrams", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009493035", "title": "Do Better: Spiritual Activism for Fighting and Healing from White Supremacy", "author": "Rachel Ricketts", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 243, "review": "Amid the plethora of intellectual discourse about confronting the ills of racial stratification, Rachel Ricketts\u2019s Do Better: Spiritual Activism for Fighting and Healing from White Supremacy is a welcome change of tone and authenticity. As a racial justice educator, Ricketts cuts through the noise around well-intentioned \u2013 often scholarly \u2013 approaches to dismantling racism by focusing on the necessary \u201cspiritual soulcare\u201d to combat racial bias and injustice. Drawing from \u201ca lifetime of pain\u201d as a queer, Canadian-born, multiracial Black woman, Ricketts uses the power of personal testimony in explicitly acknowledging that anger grounds her narrative in naming the emotional, mental, and psychic harms caused by Whiteness.

While Ricketts clearly states that she wrote the book for Black and indigenous womxn of color, a reader who does not identify with either identity will find revelatory and liberatory solutions to the insidious problem of everyday racism. Ricketts specifically names everyday bouts of ostracization and marginalization leveled by white womxn on Black and indigenous womxn and offers concrete examples of acting in allyship and disrupting microaggressions.

The author offers journal prompts that get to the heart of internal, introspective dialogue required to arrive at a level of openness required for deep change. Ricketts\u2019s focus on antiracist practices ensures that actions match professed commitments to justice and equity. Awareness is no longer enough; fighting white supremacy requires consistent intent and action. It\u2019s a timely and excellent call-to-action for each of us to do better and to get better.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "19-Feb-2021 00:29:27", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009493023", "title": "Bubbles (A Narwhal and Jelly Board Book) (A Narwhal and Jelly Book)", "author": "Ben Clanton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 162, "review": "Bubbles! Did you know there are lots of bubbles in the ocean? Come on an adventure with Narwhal and Jelly to discover the different bubbles in the sea. Join in their bubble-tastic adventure.

The text is hilarious. I love how much fun and humor the author put into this book with his word choices. A fun read for kids and adults, I can\u2019t wait to add more Narwhal and Jelly books to our collection. The illustrations are mostly very simple, with a lot of white or solid color space. There is a pattern of panels from white to solid to more detailed. Because this is a humorous and quick read, it works so well.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone from birth to six years old, but I think even older kids and adults would appreciate the fun nature of this fantastic book. It is very clever and creative. I am so glad I was introduced to Narwhal and Jelly.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "18-Feb-2021 22:29:55", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "22 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009493019", "title": "365 Days to Alaska", "author": "Cathy Carr", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 207, "review": "Rigel lives with her two sisters and her parents in the wilderness of Alaska. They are pretty self-sufficient and don\u2019t need to go into town, which is located miles away, very often. The girls are home schooled and really love their life. But tension between their parents is growing, and they eventually announce they are divorcing. The girls\u2019 mother will take them to Connecticut where they will live with her and her mother. Their dad promises Rigel that she can come back in one year. Rigel has trouble adjusting to her new school, but eventually finds ways to cope. As the year goes on, communications from their dad trickle down to nothing. A phone call to a friend in Alaska and news of her father changes everything for Rigel.

Author Cathy Carr has written a terrific story that perfectly captures the angst of a middle-school girl torn from a home and father she loves and all she has to go through to navigate a new home, school, and life. Readers see her grow and change as she figures out what is really important in life and what it is that truly makes a family. The writing is great and the story compelling. This is a real winner.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "18-Feb-2021 21:25:03", "publisher": "Abrams", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009493015", "title": "A Bright Ray of Darkness: A novel", "author": "Ethan Hawke", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Nikolay Shargorodsky", "word_count": 177, "review": "Ethan Hawke is becoming a new man. To reinvent himself, he has taken up a role in a new production. To reinvigorate himself, he parties with new friends. He even changed his name to William Harding, the name of the philandering protagonist in his first novel in nearly twenty years, A Bright Ray of Darkness. Hawke deftly reimagines himself as Harding weaving through parallel but opposite scenarios that Hawke himself faced in his early career. But whether or not this blistering novel is a form of self-therapy is up for debate. For one, there is neither redemption nor retribution for the hot, sticky affairs in which Harding charges head-first.

\u2028Hawke\u2019s reflective personality and dubious charm invites the reader to revisit their old haunts and wares, in a genuine submissive display of exposing his own truths. Most men would be embarrassed to compare themselves to their parallel ego, but Hawke has a fondness for it, much as an actor might for the character they have chosen to play and whose soul they have pored through like a book.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2021", "date_added": "18-Feb-2021 21:06:24", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009492039", "title": "Fairhaven Rising (Saga of Recluce, 22)", "author": "L. E. Modesitt Jr.", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 188, "review": "It has been sixteen years since the founding of Fairhaven, thanks in part to the efforts of the mage Beltur. Fairhaven has rapidly found success in its white magic-driven methods, to the extent that countries and rulers across Candar view them as a threat. Taelya, Beltur\u2019s adopted niece, is now a mage herself, and an under captain in the Fairhaven Road Guards. As she works to find her place in the city and in her life, she finds herself drawn into a conspiracy that threatens to destroy everything she cares about. Will she be able to stop it?

The latest volume in fantasy author L.E. Modesitt, Jr.\u2019s The Saga of Recluce holds true to the themes and character-driven style that have made the entire series such a longstanding success. Readers spend much of the story diving deep into the daily life of Taelya, which some might find dull but others will appreciate as essential to the well-rounded depth that makes these books what they are. The story is fascinating and far-reaching, the characters interesting and insightful. Fans of Recluce will find Fairhaven Rising an essential addition to the series.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2021", "date_added": "21-Feb-2021 20:03:01", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009492031", "title": "A Year of Everyday Wonders", "author": "Cheryl B. Klein", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 180, "review": "What are important things that happen in a year? First snow? Fights with your siblings? First swim? How about first hot chocolate and ice cream? Let\u2019s celebrate the firsts and more of each year.

The text of this book is simplistic, but it has a big meaning with a small number of words. My personal favorites are the first valentine, first umbrella, three hundredth fight with your brother, first giving, and first getting. This is truly a beautiful celebration of the wonderful things that happens to a child during a year.

The illustrations complement the text beautifully. I love how the simple words were taken to make a breathtaking illustration that shows each part so beautifully. The first haircut and second haircut cracked me up from personal experience with my kids.

My four-year-old daughter enjoyed this book. She liked the first ice-cream truck day, and the first splash battle was awesome. She thought that the fights with the big brother were funny and that the older brother was a bit mean. My daughter can very much relate since she has an older brother.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "19-Feb-2021 01:28:41", "publisher": "Abrams Kids", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5/5"} {"id": "425035000009492003", "title": "Quiet in Her Bones", "author": "Nalini Singh", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 199, "review": "Quiet in Her Bones tells the story of famous author Aarav, who has recently moved back in with his father and stepmother after a car accident. After a few weeks of being back, a car with remains is found in the forest near their exclusive Cul-de-Sac. The remains end up being those of Aarav\u2019s mother, who disappeared ten years ago with a quarter of a million dollars. Everyone assumed she had run off, tired of the way her husband treated her. Turns out that she never made it further than the forest, as she was most likely murdered that night. Aarav is determined to discover what really happened to his mother, but there are so many secrets under the beautiful fa\u00e7ade of this Cul-de-Sac. Some will do anything to keep them that way.

Excellent writing and characters. You can\u2019t quite make out with Aarav\u2019s head injury and his lapses in memory, whether he\u2019s a reliable narrator or not. Aarav\u2019s character was well developed throughout the book and you spend most of the time getting to know him from his perspective as well as others. We really are our own worst critics. It\u2019s not fast-paced, but thrilling all the same.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "18-Feb-2021 19:43:21", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009491047", "title": "Go and Do Likewise! The Wisdom of Jesus", "author": "John Hendrix", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 191, "review": "Jesus spoke of a lot of parables when he was on earth. Sometimes they are hard to understand, but Go and Do Likewise helps explain them to kids like me, along with some help from my parents. Some of the parables were ones I had heard before, like the wise man building his house on the rock, the Good Samaritan, leaving the ninety-nine sheep for the one lost, and the Prodigal Son. Each one of Jesus's parables has a meaning, but sometimes Jesus says people won't ever understand it because they don't believe in him. I just need to be a little older to understand some of them myself.

I liked having this book read to me because the pictures are colorful but showing Jesus looking a little differently than I had imagined. There is a lot of artwork on the pages, sometimes with pictures inside of letters throughout the book. The words are a little hard for me to read, but the pictures do a good job of showing what is happening. I think that any kids who are Christians will like this book for themselves or in Sunday School.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "19-Feb-2021 01:49:26", "publisher": "Abrams Kids", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009491039", "title": "The Stitchers (Fright Watch #1)", "author": "Lorien Lawrence", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 844, "review": "Summertime is a great time for tweens to take adventures and to stretch their imaginations to new heights. These five great reads will allow you to ride with dragons, enter fantastical places, take to the stars, and exploring chilling mysteries. From space adventures to feminist treats, this list has something for every tween to enjoy.\n\nLegend of the Dragon Slayer \u2013 Brandon Mull\n\nThe edition breathes life into the origin story behind the legendary Dragonwatch from the /Fablehaven/ series. Brandon Mull delves into the Dragon War by exploring the events that brought Dragon Slayers together and sent dragons into sanctuaries. The story of the first Dragon Slayer is brought to life in /Legend of the Dragon Slayer/ through a time when monsters terrorized the land and the kingdom needed a hero. Konrad wants to prove that he's more than just a cobbler's son and is willing to do whatever it takes even if it brings him up against dangerous creatures. None of the monsters compare to the threat that the Dragon brings which is a threat that will push Konrad to face his greatest quest. The edition comes with amazing features such as stunning illustrations from Brandon Dorman, a catalog of Dragon Slayers, and a map that will let you explore the kingdom of Selona. \n\nWinterkeep \u2013 Kristin Cashore\n\nThe /Graceling Realm/ series receives another dazzling installment from Kristin Cashore that delivers another charming tale. Bitterblue has spent the last few years as Queen rebuilding the nation with the determination to give her people a second chance after taking the throne from her father. The land of Torla is now on her radar which inspires her to send envoys to Winterkeep which is the nearest nation. Winterkeep is a wondrous place with telepathic foxes, bonds formed between foxes and humans, and amazing airships, but all is not as it seems when she learns that her envoys drowned which raises questions about the nation's intentions. Bitterblue takes it upon herself to investigate by venturing to the nation with her two most trusted allies but their journey is quickly derailed by a tragedy that has severe repercussions. Elsewhere, Lovisa Cavenda from Winterkeep could be just the key that Bitterblue is searching for but Lovisa has her own choice to make about whom to become. The books in the series can be read in any order. \n\nThe Stitchers \u2013 Lorien Lawrence \n\nIn the thrilling first book in the series /Fright Watch/, Lorien Lawrence embodies everything you love about frights, chills, and ghost stories. Quinn Parker has neighbors down the street that she's convinced are strange as they've been long-time residents on Goodie Lane and never seem to age which has earned them the nickname: the Oldies. Before her father died, he used to her come up with crazy theories about the Oldies that ranged from aliens to vampires and now she has her heart set on keeping the investigation going in his honor. She turns to her crush (and fellow neighbor) for help digging into the secrets that the Oldies hold. Their search takes a surprising turn when they discover the local pond has its own secrets and comes with shocking answers after the Oldies catch onto their investigation. \n\nWench \u2013 Maxine Kaplan\n\nThe tavern has been Tanya's home since she was a child, and by the time she reached eleven, she even had mastered how to kick out the drunkards. The bar has provided her with a home and allowed her to grow into an empowered confident teenager. She learned to not let anyone take advantage of her and has even come to know how to run the tavern inside out, but the death of her guardian could change everything. Now she may have to watch everything she loves slowly slip away from her and she'll do whatever it takes to get the bar in her name even it takes a visit to the queen. She embarks on an epic quest where she takes on guards, thieves, and even the presence of a magical feather. /Wench/ is a stunning feminist read that is original, funny, and charming. \n\nTrouble in the Stars \u2013 Sarah Prineas \n\nTrouble is a shapeshifter with a problem. They're running from something that they can't remember and doing everything they can to stay a step ahead of the StarLeague. Trouble changes their form from blob to puppy to the eventual form of a human boy. They soon find their way onto the ship /Hindsight/ where they find safety even under Captain Astra and learn how to be a human boy. That safety soon comes to an end when a StarLeague cadet enters the ship in search of them which pushes Trouble into an unexpected shapeshifter. Trouble will do whatever it takes to find freedom and a place to call home which leads to a chase across the galaxy in an adventure about finding a family. Sarah Prineas delivers an epic journey about a band of misfits with an unlikely hero at the heart and an adventure that pulls you in from the beginning.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Feb-2021 00:43:21", "publisher": "Amulet Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009491027", "title": "We Run the Tides: A Novel", "author": "Vendela Vida", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 199, "review": "Eulabee is a young girl growing up in the 1980s in San Francisco. We Run the Tides tells her coming-of-age story as she makes friends, loses friends, experiences puppy love, and starts to understand the dynamics of her own family as well as the families of her friends, Julia and Maria Fabiola, who come from very different families.

One day, Eulabee and her friends walk past a white car and the man in the car asks them the time. As they walk past, Eulabee's friends say that they think they saw the man doing something inappropriate in the car. It is at this point in the story that we reach a turning point because Maria decides to unfriend Eulabee because she won't say that she thought this was what happened with the man in the car.

I really enjoyed this story. Eulabee is an interesting girl who is carefree and has.a very inquisitive personality, which is likable. She seems very mature for her age. I didn't expect the story to fast forward at the end to 2019; however, I really enjoyed this aspect of the book and actually wished the author had made this part of the story longer.", "issue": "March 2021", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2021", "date_added": "18-Feb-2021 22:45:00", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009491023", "title": "Notes from a Dead House (Everyman's Library Classics Series)", "author": "Fyodor Dostoevsky", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 209, "review": "This is a beautiful beribboned volume from Everyman\u2019s Library in keeping with their respect for great literature. Even the page paper is a sensual delight. In the foreword, the translators continue the respectful presentation; even without speaking a word of Russian, I trust them to be true to the original writing of Dostoevsky.

Like Victor Hugo, contemporaneous with Dostoevsky, these authors witnessed uprisings by the downtrodden and sympathized with their plight. Both authors were exiled for five years for their writing in political opposition to their ruling governments. Dostoevsky so enraged the Tsar, that the Tsar personally arranged that the writer is condemned to death and orchestrated the sham execution which he could commute at the very last minute to a transfer to Siberia. Imagine, if you will, one of the most beautiful and sensitive natures of our culture sent to a house of hardened criminals where hard work was the only reprieve from their mutual locked chamber of deprivation. Even in such a place, such was his nature, that the writer found beauty and humanity in the most desperate of men. As oppressed as he was, the writer found the characters for many of his most famous novels; the cruelness of crime and the injustice sometimes found in punishment.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "26-Jul-2021", "date_added": "18-Feb-2021 22:26:11", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "343 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009654003", "title": "Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters #2", "author": "Chris Samnee , Andy Suriano , Laura Samnee", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Natalie - Age 10", "word_count": 157, "review": "Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters was a really great book. The drawings were realistic, but in a more cartoon way, and the details and shading on the 3-D objects were really well-drawn. The plot was a bit tricky to understand, but when you did, the plot was great, intriguing, and I would definitely read the continued part. I liked how there were flashbacks throughout the book, it really added an in-depth explanation of how the characters were feeling. This book is good for readers who like graphic novels, and an interesting story. It may also be good for readers eight to ten years old, as it is a short but amazing book. The monsters\u2019 designs were in detail and seemed like something that would legitimately be terrifying in real life. But since it isn\u2019t, we can just enjoy them. I feel like this book could have been longer, but even so, it was a great book nonetheless.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2021", "date_added": "30-Mar-2021 20:34:00", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009653011", "title": "No One Will Miss Her: A Novel", "author": "Kat Rosenfield", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 192, "review": "A story that will completely throw you for a loop just when you think you know what's going on, No One Will Miss Her is an expertly written book with characters you'll find so interesting and a plot that is equally intriguing.

Lizzie Ouelette is dead. Lizzie and her father, Earl, are the trash of the town of Copper Falls. The story is written from alternating points of view. One is from Lizzie herself, while the others are written in the third person. Lizzie and her husband, Dwayne, cross paths with a wealthy couple from out of town who just want to disappear from their lives for a month. Adrienne and Ethan Richards rent Lizzie and Dwayne's Airbnb cabin to get away and Lizzie is in awe of the persona that Adrienne carries. The two talk through many bottles of wine. What happens next is both insane and admirable.

Without giving anything away, I will tell you that you will not see what is coming. I was so blown away by the way author Kat Rosenfield was able to twist the story around. This is a thriller you won't want to miss.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "09-Aug-2021", "date_added": "30-Mar-2021 19:46:43", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009653007", "title": "Castle Shade: A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes", "author": "Laurie R. King", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "J. Aislynn d'Merricksson", "word_count": 194, "review": "Following right on the heels of Riviera Gold, Castle Shade finds Mary and Sherlock in Romania at the behest of none other than Queen Marie herself. A plague of folkloric fiction come to life seems to follow in the queen's wake, and there have been threats against her daughter Ileana. Much to her disgruntled amusement, Sherlock has Russell accompany him partly to gain insight into the world of young women. She doesn't get to partake in that so much with the princess, as the queen didn't allow Ileana to return to Castle Bran, but Russell does grow close to castle staff who are Ileana's friends. With increasing evidence of strigoi, witchcraft, and other dark dealings piling up, time is running out for the pair to solve this most curious case.

Castle Shade has become my third favorite of Mary's memoirs, behind Justice Hall and Island of the Mad. This pair are the epitome of \u201ccurious cats.\u201d This story, unlike the last, had more of Holmes and Russell together, and Holmes is changing. Admitting to flaws must be so hard for the man. But it's a good change. I look forward to seeing it continue.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "31-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Mar-2021 19:44:27", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009652007", "title": "I Love You as Big as a Rainbow", "author": "Joan Summers", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "Small Bear is prancing along the river when a big raindrop falls on him, followed by lots more raindrops. Small Bear is sad until Big Bear points out a beautiful rainbow streaked across the sky. When the rain stops, the rainbow melts away. Small Bear is disappointed. He wanted to keep the rainbow, but Big Bear says they can make their own rainbow. The two bears search through the forest for just what they need. First, the red flowers that Big Bear says are as deep and strong as her love for Small Bear. Next, they find orange and yellow leaves that represent Small Bear\u2019s sense of fun. Green grass seems boring to Small Bear until Big Bear points out it is always growing, just like her love for Small Bear. They go on to find blue, indigo, and violet.

Joan Summers has written a sweet story of a parent\u2019s love for a child and ways parents might convey that love. Illustrator Alberta Torres completes the story with charming, expressive characters and backgrounds that are filled with fun details and bright, beautiful colors. This is a book youngsters will ask for over and over.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "07-Jun-2021", "date_added": "30-Mar-2021 19:37:18", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009652003", "title": "Colors of Habitats (Nature's Wonderful Colors)", "author": "Stepanka Sekaninova", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "This is not a little children\u2019s picture book, but one for children who are a mature age ten and up, and who have a real interest in art and prose poems. This is a beautiful and unusual guide for people interested in working in any kind of colors for drawing or painting subjects from nature. Twelve habitats are featured on a spread apiece: Polar regions, Taiga, Peatbog, Deciduous forest, Lake, Meadow, The Mediterranean, Coral reefs, Desert, Savannah, Rainforest, and Cave. Each spread has a dozen circles across the top showing the color palette used in that habitat. There is also a prose poem about the habitat and the flora and fauna living there, as well as many illustrations of the flora and fauna, many more than mentioned in the poem. In the back of the book, there is a spread with a color wheel and some instruction about how to combine colors, which are warm and cool colors, and how to look to nature for guidance in the use of color. This is a perfect book to engender experimentation in color and illustration for young people and even adults who are dipping their toes in drawing and painting.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "09-Aug-2021", "date_added": "30-Mar-2021 19:22:11", "publisher": "Albatros Media", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009651011", "title": "The Coldest Case: A Bruno, Chief of Police Novel (Bruno, Chief of Police Series)", "author": "Martin Walker", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 202, "review": "When Bruno, Chief of Police in St. Denis, France, is at a museum viewing a facial reconstruction of our ancient ancestors, he gets an idea for solving a cold case. A skull from thirty years ago has remained unidentified, and Bruno thinks a reconstruction might help identify the victim. It turns out to be a complicated case, and only one witness can be found. The possible perpetrator may also have a past that connects him to former East Germany. But before the case can be solved, French bureaucracy may intervene.

On top of a case that is taking unexpected turns, Bruno's cousin has come for a visit, and his beloved basset hound has just sired a batch of pups. If that weren't enough, forest fires threaten the area giving Bruno even more work to attend. But thankfully, he has friends to lend a helping hand, and there is sure to be a tasty meal and good wine at the end of the day.

Coldest Case is richly detailed and full of history, which makes it a great read. More than that, Walker has a way of making me feel like I'm part of the charming French community and countryside that Bruno loves so much.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "09-Aug-2021", "date_added": "30-Mar-2021 19:50:25", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009651003", "title": "Animal Helpers", "author": "Stepanka Sekaninova", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - age 9", "word_count": 130, "review": "You know about dogs, cats, horses, pigs, and other animals, and you may even have some as pets. But, did you know that some of these animals helped humans in big ways? Well, in this book, you read about just that! It wasn't only dogs, cats, horses, and pigs, it was also cheetahs, geese, and even pigeons!

I learned so many things from this book! For example, dolphins often rescued people from ships that had sunk. There was even a dolphin who helped ships find what they were looking for! I also learned that in ancient Greece, instead of using barbells to exercise, people simply picked up cows! The illustrations in this book were very fun. Overall, I had an awesome time reading this book, and I was surprised a lot!", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "30-Mar-2021 19:14:22", "publisher": "Albatros Media", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009650011", "title": "The Queen Will Betray You (Kingdoms of Sand and Sky Book 2)", "author": "Sarah Henning", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 191, "review": "Princess Amarande and Luca are both monarchs without a kingdom. Though their love is true, they reluctantly part to save their ailing countries. However, Ama is taken unawares when she is introduced to the brother she didn\u2019t know she had by the mother she hasn\u2019t seen in years, then promptly locked in a tower. Her efforts to push past the patriarchy and rule in her own right are stalled again. Meanwhile, Luca must go to the Torrent, his country by birth, and rally his people from the Warlord who has terrorized the area for so many years. As secrets are shared and battle lines are drawn, Ama and Luca do not know whom to trust, but they hold to the truth that their love will bring them back together.

Action is quick, characters are cruel, and cliffhangers are brutal, switching scenes and abandoning characters in perilous positions. The beautiful cover hides more references to The Princess Bride to readers\u2019 delight. A review or re-read of the first book would be helpful as this one builds on previous events and characters. The King Will Kill You will complete this series in August 2022.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2021", "date_added": "30-Mar-2021 20:15:06", "publisher": "Tor", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009650007", "title": "Amazing Animals of the World", "author": "Sabina Konecna", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "This is a book that will keep youngsters (first through fifth grade) entertained and learning for days. It is arranged into seven chapters \u2014 Animals with Resplendent Colors, Animals that Remember Old Times, Animals that Disguise Themselves as Other Animals, Animals that Get Their Food in a Special Way, Animals that Grow Something Unexpected, Animals with Their Own Lamp, and Animals that Defend Themselves in Wonderful Ways. Each chapter has an introductory paragraph for the group and several examples of animals, each with a good write-up that has fun facts written in very conversational language with a lot of humor. They cover such things as where they live, how they move, what they eat, or whatever is special about them. These are accompanied by a cartoonish illustration of the animal in a personified form. Perhaps the hope is children will be curious enough to do some research to find photographs that will show what the real animals look like. The write-up gives just enough information about the animals to whet young readers\u2019 appetites and send them searching for more. This could never be mistaken for a science book, but there is science information embedded in the humorous paragraphs.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "01-Dec-2021", "date_added": "30-Mar-2021 19:16:52", "publisher": "Albatros Media", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009650003", "title": "Atlas of Dogs", "author": "Stepanka Sekaninova", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zayne - Age 12", "word_count": 147, "review": "Atlas of Dogs by Stepanka Sekaninova is a pretty cool book about dogs for anyone who loves dogs or wants to learn more about man\u2019s best friend. The book lists all kinds of dog breeds by categories and gives good descriptions, so if you are choosing a dog for a pet, it could be helpful. They also rate dog breed groups by intelligence, obedience, activity level, guarding skills, and barking. There are also a lot of stories about hero dogs, dogs of famous people, and famous dogs in history. You can also find some fun facts, tips on how to take care of your dog, and how to interpret dog body language. The book is full of fun pictures (even though they aren\u2019t photographs). I think this is a really fun book and I love just flipping through the pages and learning about all the cool dogs!", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jun-2021", "date_added": "30-Mar-2021 19:08:32", "publisher": "Albatros Media", "page_count": "104 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009649007", "title": "The Sister-in-Law: A Novel", "author": "Pamela Crane", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 183, "review": "The Sister-In-Law is a fast-paced whodunnit kind of novel. As characters Harper, Candace, and Lane weave their way through the most complicated of situations, catfights ensue, people die, and secrets come out. Harper and Lane have always been very close siblings. So close, in fact, that when Harper finds her husband, Ben, dead on their couch, she calls Lane to help make it seem like homicide and not a suicide so that she can collect the life insurance money. She and her two children end up living with Lane, only to find out that he has married his girlfriend, Candace. Candace has secrets. Big ones. Although Harper is distraught and distracted due to her husband's death, she knows there is something not right with Candace.

The Sister-In-Law is a fantastic book with characters who seem to be reliable at times and very unreliable at others. It kept me on my toes the whole time I was reading it and trying to guess the twisty ending of what really happened. Fans of thrillers, suspense, and mystery novels will not be disappointed with this book.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "16-Aug-2021", "date_added": "30-Mar-2021 19:40:14", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009648003", "title": "Chihuly and Architecture", "author": "Eleanor Heartney", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 484, "review": "With summer just around the corner, experience the world of traveling without leaving the comfort of your bedroom. Dive into these books complete with journals and photographs. From architecture to food, spend some time in a place you\u2019ve never been before and find your own passion through vivid images and description. \n\nBookstores: A Celebration of Independent Booksellers- Stuart Husband \n\nTravel through time by unlocking the magic of architecture and the history in bookstores. Experience the differences throughout various cultures and marvel at the commonalities that they share through text: knowledge and imagination. Stuart Husband\u2019s book allows readers to travel the world and meet new people without leaving the comfort of their seats. Through anecdotes and lively photography, Husband spotlights the importance of variation while capturing the sheer purpose of bookstores and sellers. This book is ideal for readers who find comfort or productivity in the quiet of bookstores and desire to experience this feeling again without leaving their homes. \n\nChasing Harvest- Kevin O'Connor \n\nKevin O\u2019Connor journals his encounters working in kitchens at a young age in this memoir. Accompanied with photographs and accounts of his experiences, O\u2019Connor divulges his love of cooking to readers as he searches for a greater purpose. Learn about what it means to chase your dreams even after finding a passion at a young age and how that led the author on an adventure around the world. O\u2019Connor\u2019s love of food reminds readers how to reclaim hope in their lives and allow it to guide their futures. Don\u2019t miss out on this one-of-a-kind story. \n\nChihuly and Architecture- Eleanor Heartney \n\nDive into the works of American glass sculptor Dale Chihuly as captured by Eleanor Heartney, art-critic based in New York. Chihuly is a world-renowned artist with commissions all over America and internationally. This publication captures Dale Chihuly\u2019s commitment to detail in his pieces by detailing the variety of installations from walls to entire rooms and how they have impacted humanity on a global scale. Whether it be Italy, Ireland, or Israel, Heartney compiles the similarities in Chihuly\u2019s artwork across the world and how each piece is tailored to shine light on many different cultures. \n\nFrom Wandering to Illumination: The New Eleusinian Mysteries- Ryan J. \n\nBush Fine art photographer Ryan J. Bush is back with his new book that captures the photography of nature and trees accompanied by the Eleusinian Mysteries, the stories of ancient Greeks. Bush\u2019s manipulation of color invites viewers to consider the idea of awakening and blossoming in nature. The symbolism in each piece challenges the viewers to consider the mysteries each photograph holds, waiting to be unlocked. Just like Bush\u2019s other works, From Wandering to\nIllumination: The New Eleusinian Mysteries allows reflection and meditation on each piece before turning a page and seeing the evolution that is present within ourselves. The book keeps readers engaged and leaves them wanting more while contemplating the order of the natural world.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Mar-2021 18:53:35", "publisher": "Abrams", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009644031", "title": "The Road Trip", "author": "Beth O'Leary", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 2173, "review": "The best plans take you to stunning places around the world and this summer you can take the perfect trip all without leaving your home. From a sexy adventure in Italy to a suspenseful journey in Greece, these amazing authors will take you on thought-provoking and compelling journeys. You can traipse to the city of Barcelona in a tale of longing, meet a man that doesn't exist on Frick Island, lose technology in Lincolnwood, and even dip back in time to the 2008 financial crisis. Each of these literary reads would make for the perfect summertime treat. \n\nThe Weary God of Ancient Travelers \u2013 Jessica Stilling\n\nA suspenseful read that follows a woman with no memory except for her arrival in Santorini with a man she's drawn to trust. How can she trust this mysterious man if she doesn't even remember his name? She navigates her own mind in search of her past and identity which is a journey derailed by memories of a life that wasn't hers. Jessica Stilling sets the story among a backdrop of stunning scenes of Greece described as being almost visceral with a unique compilation of romance, mystery, and self-inspection. /The Weary God of Ancient Travelers/ is considered compelling as the story weaves between her past life to her present one and set upon descriptions of Greece that come to life off the page.\n\nThe Invisible Husband of Frick Island \u2013 Colleen Oakley\n\nFrick Island is where Piper Parrish has made home, living what's considered an almost idealistic life. The only downside to the beauty of her life is the fact that her husband Tom is dead and has been since his boat capsized. You wouldn't know such sadness has rocked Piper's life as the widow has carried on as if her husband was still alive and well. Not only does she act as if he's present for meals, taking walks to the docks with him, and keeping their regular meetings, but the entire town indulges her by pretending that nothing has changed. Enter Anders Caldwell who thought he would be a podcast star by now, instead, he's stuck writing fluff news stories. Then he gets an assignment that brings him to Frick Island where he'll cover yet another fluff piece. While he's writing about the joys of a Cake Walk fundraiser, he discovers that the entire town pretends that a dead man is still alive. This strange behavior draws him back to the island to investigate where he meets Piper and discovers more than just a story.\n\nMy Year Abroad \u2013 Chang-rae Lee\n\nTiller is what you'd considered being a normal student in college and is known for being good, but he has one problem. He's bored and has no interest in what college has to offer then Pong Lou enters his life. Pong is a successful Chinese American entrepreneur who quickly takes him under his wing and even takes him on an incredible trip throughout Asia. This delivers a story that is ripe with darkness, humorous, and possesses a suspenseful journey that transforms Tiller from a common student to a protege excited to see the world. His experiences throughout his vacation open his eyes to another side of himself and change how he sees Pong while crafting a new way for him to understand the world. Lee's prose is considered to be precise and elliptical, told through alternating narratives which weaves between Tiller's year abroad, his reflection upon how the trip affects his future, and the domestic life that he settles into upon returning home. His year abroad is described as riveting with a deep emotional complexity that delivers a brilliant commentary that Chang-rae Lee implores about Western attitudes and Eastern stereotypes. The story covers themes such as mental well-being, capitalism, parenthood, global trade, and being a mentor while also delving into the effects of cultural immersion through Tiller's experiences being American in China and Pong's experiences being Chinese in America.\n\nShaky Town \u2013 Lou Matthews \n\n/Shaky Town/ is a timeless story that focuses on the working-class residing within Los Angeles and told in the writing style of Lou Matthews who uses his time as a street racer and mechanic reflected within the prose. The plot is told through a panoramic style that revolves around the various characters residing within a Los Angeles neighborhood and is explored through individual tales about tragedy and glory. Each of the characters is driven by their environment which features a shaky faultline with an assortment of personalities including a girl caught up in a gang war and a priest caught in the middle of a crisis of faith. The characters are connected to each other by the bond they have within the neighborhood which is brought to life through their complications and conflicts. \n\nBarcelona Dreaming \u2013 Rupert Thomson \n\nJourney back to 2008 where you'll find yourself on the eve of the financial crisis in a tale of three stories that feature a rich assortment of personalities and a connection by time. The story weaves throughout three distinct stories that interlock. Get to know a gift shop-owning English woman, a jazz pianist that suffers from alcoholism, and a translator tormented by love not returned. Each of these individuals faces a journey that changes everything they know and each of their stories is centered around a Moroccan immigrant that has suffered at the hands of a crime. Themes featured in /Barcelona Dreaming/ include immigration, self-delusion, racism, addiction, and longing. Rupert Thomson delivers a book about those longing for something out of reach and the nostalgia that we have for what we've lost. This stunning summer treat also serves as a love letter to the stunning city of Barcelona. \n\nA Not So Lonely Planet \u2013 Karina Kennedy\n\nMarina Taylor is a writer that has big dreams to write her dream book /Italian Women of Influence/ which is in the works with an incredible journey ahead of her and a ticket that will send her on vacation to Rome. Her plans quickly veer thanks to her knack for finding disaster and her attraction to a handsome stranger. Marina takes a note from actress Regina Lombardi as she's inspired to master the art of the sexual gaze while she weaves her focus between research for her book and an assortment of alluring characters from footballers to scholars to Sicilian twins. She embarks on an adventure that takes her throughout the nightclub scene to a masquerade ball while she finds herself longing for a handsome photographer in a game of catch the stranger. Her escapades send her from one thrill to the next and leave her wondering about her sweet ex back home while she indulges in the sexy adventure that awaits her in Italy's amazing cities.\n\nSpinning to Mars \u2013 Meg Pokrass\n\nThis is a collection of linked stories that will create the feeling of being immersed within the literary worlds that Meg Pokrass has delivered. The assortment of stories provided will take you off to Mars thanks to the language of the writing that creates biting insight with each one. /Spinning to Mars/ consists of what is considered to be Micro stories and is considered to be a short read with experiences that are illuminating and notable. The stories are chilling as well as humorous with a focus on human relationships through the gifts, surprises, and unfairness they can bring. Pokrass has written several collections of flash fiction including \u201cThe Dog Looks Happy Upside Down,\u201d \u201cAlice in Wonderland Syndrome,\u201d and \u201cThe Loss Detector.\u201d \n\nRed Island House \u2013 Andrea Lee\n\nJourney to the island of Madagascar through the eyes of a Black American woman in an epic tale that explores the dangers of love against the backdrop of paradise. Shay is a professor that finds love with the handsome Italian businessman named Senna and soon the two get married. The next character of her life takes her far from home when they leave Milan for life in Madagascar where they settle down in an idyllic life on the beach. They build a gorgeous vacation villa and Shay soon finds herself in charge of a household that puts her between the idealistic life she had grown up in America and the bond she feels with the continent that belonged to her ancestors. As she becomes captivated within this world, she begins to question if she can hold onto both her identity and her marriage against the wild surroundings still haunted by colonial sins.\n\nLights Out in Lincolnwood \u2013 Geoff Rodkey\n\nThe Altman family is your typical family consumed with their individual routine, work, and school as they live a mundane life in Lincolnwood, New Jersey. You'll get to know each of the family members: Dan the former lawyer who now writes screenplays and is consumed by the demands of his boss, Jan who gave up a career to raise kids and now waits for the moment she's alone so to pour herself a drink, daughter Chloe who's consumed by upcoming college essays and semifinals for state tennis, and son Max who has a vape addiction and in midst of planning revenge against a classmate. Just as the family starts their regular days, the world comes to a stop. With Dan on the train to work, children at school, and Jan at home, everything around them stops with the technological infrastructure coming to a crashing halt which plunges this normal family and everyone else into chaos as they struggle to deal with a life without technology. The story takes place over the course of four days as this family adapts to a water shortage, paramilitary in the neighborhoods, and looting while trying to solve the mystery unfolding around them.\n\nIsland Charm \u2013 Audrey Wick\n\nAnna Worthington embarks on an unexpected journey after her twin sister is left by her fiance. She comes up with the ultimate plan to cheer her sister up. They're going to transform her should-be honeymoon into a fun vacation to Key West. Things don't go according to plan when her sister doesn't show up on the plane and she's left to take the trip on her own. Her vacation quickly becomes the romantic getaway that she never would have predicted. Gunnar Lockhart has the know-how in island tourism that makes him the perfect partner for Anna to complete her to-do list for this vacation. The two form an undeniable connection that steers her into sorting through her feelings to decide if this connection is real or if it's the result of paradise. Could her vacation romance be doomed like her twin's own relationship?\n\nSummer in the City \u2013 Lori Wilde\n\nVenture into summertime in the city with three sizzling stories. Start with /Night of the Museum/ by Lori Wilde which follows Ria Preston, an art restorer who knows all about beauty. When she and her Wall Street advisor crush are stuck in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she sees her chance at admiring more than just the art. Priscilla Oliveras delves into the romance of a blackout in /Lights Out/ about two theater troupe rivals whose high school competitions transition into their adulthood. Mateo Garza is aiming to achieve of his dreams of being a Broadway star while facing the scathing reviews of his former rival Vanessa Rios who now works as a critic. A perfectly timed blackout creates the perfect opportunity for the two to be alone at Mateo's New York apartment which will allow their friction to turn into chemistry. The last story is /Mind Games/ by Sarah Skilton which is a tale of romance and revenge. Alison is still nursing a grudge carried over from her college days against the most popular guy in school who happens to now be a magician. She enacts the perfect plan of revenge. When his upcoming show takes place, she'll sabotage it and ruin him, but a power outage provides her with an opportunity she never expected.\n\nThe Road Trip \u2013 Beth O'Leary \n\nWhat happens when two exes take a road trip? There was a time when Dylan and Addie were completely in love. Dylan was a wealthy Oxford student when he spent his vacation his friend Cherry's French villa at the same time carefree Addie was working as the caretaker. That was four years ago. Their relationship lasted two years before they broke up. Now Cherry's getting married and the exes have a literal run-in with each other which is the first time they've spoken since they've broken up. Dylan's car is too banged up to drive to the wedding in rural Scotland, so the only option is for the two exes to make the journey together. To add to their discomfort, they pack into the car with Dylan's best friend, Addie's sister, and some random guy they met on Facebook for a humorous trip across Britain. The close quarters push the exes to confront the tension between them and to finally address what broke them apart two years ago which will lead them question if they were hasty in their break up.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 20:40:23", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009644023", "title": "Night Shadows (Star Friends)", "author": "Linda Chapman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 205, "review": "In Night Shadows, the newest of the Star Friends series, best friends, Mia, Lexi, Violet, and Sita discover all the plants in the clearing are dying. They wonder if someone has used dark magic to conjure Shades, evil spirits from the Shadow World. When Mia uses her magical powers to look into the past, she sees a woman performing a spell nearby. After the Shades have infiltrated their home front, affecting some of their own parents, together with their Star Animals, they locate the source of the Shades, beckon them out, and send them catapulting back to where they came. At last, their terrain returns to normalcy.

This is a book ripe with mystery and intrigue. It\u2019s about friendship, loyalty, community, and magic. The Star Friends and their favorite furry creatures want what\u2019s best for all, and will stop short of little to achieve it. Youth ages six to nine who enjoy a plethora of twists and turns and magical adventures in a story are perfect candidates for this one. The chapters are short, making it a relatively quick read and ideal for those hesitant to embark on lengthy reading journeys. Additionally, there are adorable illustrations sprinkled throughout, breaking up the content into nice, bite-sized chunks.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "17-Jun-2021", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 19:45:33", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009644015", "title": "How Rights Went Wrong: Why Our Obsession with Rights Is Tearing America Apart", "author": "Jamal Greene", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1101, "review": "Political Roundup\n\nLet\u2019s face it, while it can be pretty hard to understand what\u2019s going on in the world of politics, it\u2019s generally even harder to determine if politicians themselves know what\u2019s happening. The following five books tackle important contemporary political issues and explain the background to them, which should help readers to untangle the mess, see beyond the news reports, and understand why things are happening as well as what can be done to change the situation.\n\nChildren Under Fire: An American Crisis by John Woodrow Cox\n\nAs investigative journalist John Woodrow Cox notes in the opening chapter of Children Under Fire: An American Crisis, gun violence represents a public health crisis in the United States that has long been both drastically underestimated and willfully ignored, and it is having a terrible impact on the nation\u2019s children. In fact, shockingly, on average, one child is shot every hour in the United States, making gunfire the second-leading cause of death among children in the country. Based on a series of articles Cox wrote for the Washington Post, this book examines the tragic effects that guns and gun violence are having on children. Through first-person accounts of those, both adults and children, who have suffered as a result of gun violence, the book highlights how woefully inadequate current gun control laws are and also exposes the individuals and organizations that have a vested interest in keeping them that way. The stories included in the book are heartrending and should prompt even those most committed to the cause of the gun lobby to reflect on what can and should be done to protect America\u2019s children.\n\nWhen America Stopped Being Great: A History of the Present by Nick Bryant\n\nIn When America Stopped Being Great: A History of the Present, Nick Bryant looks back on the major events from the last four decades of American history in an effort to uncover what led to the dramatic and polarizing events that have characterized far more recent history, including the Trump presidency, the Black Lives Matter movement, the storming of the Capital Building, and the (mis)handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through clear prose and powerful imagery, Bryant explains how the optimism that permeated American society following the end of the Cold War was eroded in the decades that followed due to political scandals, economic inequalities, and social immobility, resulting in a society that was more divided than ever before. Bryant argues that this sense of division paved the way for Donald Trump to become president, which led to the further polarization of groups within US society. It\u2019s a deeply personal account that still manages to provide a broad overview of American history, offering suggestions as to what the future may hold.\n\nA Beginner\u2019s Guide to America: For the Immigrant and the Curious by Roya Hakakian\n\nRoya Hakakian fled her homeland of Iran in August 1984 and, after spending months trekking through Europe as a refugee, eventually settled in the United States. In the prologue to A Beginner\u2019s Guide to America: For the Immigrant and Curious, she reflects on how, as a new arrival to the country, she was bombarded with information on the practicalities of being an immigrant to the United States but given next to no advice on how to live as an American, how to fit in, and how to reconcile her old life with the new one. Hakakian notes that while no two immigrants are the same, there are common human experiences and common immigrant experiences, which means that there are understandings, reflections, and puzzlements that could be of benefit to all. She has written this book to elucidate an immigrant\u2019s perspective on life in the United States and so to help both new arrivals and natives expand their understanding of contemporary America. As such, it provides an unflinching, insightful, and sometimes even humorous account of immigrant life from the point of arrival through to naturalization and beyond. \n\nHow Rights Went Wrong: Why Our Obsession with Rights Is Tearing America Apart by Jamal Greene\n\nDespite referencing the existence of certain \u201cinalienable rights,\u201d including \u201cLife, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,\u201d the US Constitution actually says very little about the specificities of rights, most likely because the Founders disagreed as to their nature and necessity. In fact, as Jamal Greene notes in How Rights Went Wrong: Why Our Obsession with Rights Is Tearing America Apart, the Founders preferred to leave the issue of rights to legislatures and juries, not judges, although it was their failure to tackle the issue of racial discrimination that gave rise to the human rights system seen in the United States today. This lack of a structured approach to rights has led to a situation in which the courts will protect the interests they recognize as rights from even the positive interference of democratic politics, while they leave interests that have not been officially recognized as rights to the mercy of the government. The difficulty of determining \u201ctrue\u201d rights from mere interests was compounded by the explosion in rights seeking that characterized 1960s America, and the situation is no more clear today. Greene elucidates the need to reconceptualize rights and to link them more closely to justice before the divisions in contemporary society cause irreparable damage.\n\nThe Spirit of Green: The Economics of Collisions and Contagions in a Crowded World by William D. Nordhaus\n\nIn writing The Spirit of Green: The Economics of Collisions and Contagions in a Crowded World, William D. Nordhaus, who won the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for \u201cintegrating climate change into long-run macroeconomic analysis,\u201d sought to address the challenges posed by economic growth and globalization and the unintended consequences of the two. The consequence of particular interest to him is climate change, and many of the ideas presented in the book are intended to help slow that process. Due to focusing on the issues from an economic perspective, Nordhaus discusses how both public and private institutions can be harnessed to identify effective solutions to the challenges facing industrialized societies. He also seeks to answer a wide range of social, political, and economic questions from what he terms the \u201cGreen\u201d perspective, focusing on issues such as pollution, global warming, and inequality. Nordhaus clearly sets out his Green philosophy and establishes its potential applications in globalized and technologically sophisticated societies. He suggests concrete Green steps that can be taken to help save the planet, ranging from increasing the incentives associated with the use of Green energy to improving ethical norms for both individuals and companies. In doing all this, Nordhaus succeeds in rendering complex discussions highly readable.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 18:51:25", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009644003", "title": "The Living Room: A Lung Cancer Community of Courage", "author": "Bonnie J. Addario", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1332, "review": "Books to Celebrate National Cancer Survivor Month\n\nThe month of June is National Cancer Survivor Month, a time when many reflect on their and their loved ones\u2019 experiences of cancer treatment and survivorship. A diagnosis of cancer raises many questions and concerns, and even after having survived the disease, people are often left with unresolved issues and anxieties. There are numerous books available about living with and treating cancer, and the following titles might be of interest to those looking to expand their understanding of the multifaceted disease that is cancer.\n\nThe Living Room: A Lung Cancer Community of Courage by Bonnie J. Addario\n\nThe Living Room support and education group was launched by Bonnie Addario and her family to help, nurture, and champion lung cancer patients and their caregivers. The group\u2019s remit is a wide one. Indeed, as Addario\u2019s daughter Danielle comments in the introduction to The Living Room: A Lung Cancer Community of Courage, the group provides \u201ca safe place to meet and talk about everything from high-level things like advanced genomic testing to eating mashed potatoes because the drugs you\u2019re taking are not letting you keep anything down.\u201d Addario is herself a seventeen-year survivor of lung cancer as well as being the co-founder and chair of the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer. Her work as an activist on behalf of cancer patients prompted her to recognize the importance of community to those who are suffering, which led to the formation of the support group. Now, in The Living Room, Addario presents the stories of twenty lung cancer patients and survivors who have found ways to both live with the disease and thrive. They are difficult and emotive stories, but they are also uplifting and inspiring. Those featured in the book have found ways to overcome the obstacles put in front of them by cancer and to continue pursing their dreams while fighting the disease.\n\nYour Cancer Road Map: Navigating Life With Resilience by Kim Thiboldeaux \n\nThe Cancer Support Community (CSC) is a professionally led nonprofit network that provides cancer support to individuals worldwide. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that all those impacted by cancer, whether patients, relatives/friends, or caregivers, have the knowledge, help, and support they require on their cancer journey. Kim Thiboldeaux is the executive chair of the CSC and she has written Your Cancer Road Map: Navigating Life With Resilience to explain in a straightforward and user-friendly way all the physical, emotional, financial, and logistical challenges associated with a cancer diagnosis and the subsequent treatment. The book represents an almost exhaustive resource when it comes to the concerns and queries commonly raised by cancer patients, including how to choose from among treatment options, how to talk about fertility issues, and how to go about planning end-of-life care. Thiboldeaux aims to provide readers with all the tools necessary to fully participate in their care and to make informed decisions regarding various cancer-related matters. The book\u2019s impact is enhanced by the inclusion of personal stories by some of those, both celebrities and everyday folks, whose lives have been touched by cancer.\n\nCancer as a Wake-Up Call: An Oncologist\u2019s Integrative Approach to What You Can Do to Become Whole Again by M. Laura Nasi \n\nDr. M. Laura Nasi, a specialist in integrative oncology, has over twenty-five years of experience working with cancer patients in hospitals around the world. Her medical education and her initial years as a doctor provided her with a strong theoretical understanding of cancer and other diseases as well as extensive practical experience of conventional treatment modalities. However, the realization that medical developments depend too heavily on economic concerns and that her own view of cancer treatment, which was fostered by her traditional medical education and training, was overly narrow prompted her to pursue a more holistic approach. In Cancer as a Wake-Up Call, Nasi explains how she sought to integrate the Eastern spiritual worlds that fascinated her with the Western approach to cancer treatment that predominated in the hospitals in which she worked. As part of her desire to understand the disease process, she chose to focus on the cancer patient as a whole (mind, body, and spirit), rather than solely on the physical manifestations of the disease. In the book, Nasi details the various spiritual techniques, such as meditation and visualization, that she has found to benefit cancer patients alongside more conventional therapies.\n\nNovel Approach to Curing Cancer by Jianqing Wu and Ping Zha\n\nIn Novel Approach to Curing Cancer, Jianqing Wu and Ping Zha detail a new methodology for treating all kinds of cancers. Starting from the two traditional pillars of cancer treatment, that is, the use of drugs and the basic treatment model, the authors suggest that so long as anti-cancer drugs have side effects and have to be administered periodically, they cannot be considered true cures. The idea is that no drug can destroy all kinds of cancer cells, and further, that cancer cells reproduce so quickly that any gaps in treatment allow them to take hold once again. The stories of various celebrities who died as a result of cancer are used to illustrate this idea. The authors suggest that the only way to truly overcome cancer is to understand three key factors: speed, number, and multiplication. They base their methodology on traditional Chinese medicine, modern disease theories, recent medical discoveries, and stories of people\u2019s miraculous recoveries from cancer. As such, the book makes for interesting reading, although it is more geared toward the cancer researcher\u2019s perspective than the cancer patient\u2019s experience. It could be a useful and informative book for those looking to expand their theoretical understanding of the different approaches to treating cancer.\n\nThe Write Treatment Anthology Volume I 2011-2016: Writings by Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers from the Write Treatment Workshops at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Beth Israel Cancer Centers, NYC edited by Emily Rubin \n\nEmily Rubin, herself a cancer survivor, runs weekly creative writing workshops for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers at the Mount Sinai Hospitals in New York City. During the workshops, Rubin makes use of writing prompts, photographs, and inspirational quotes to inspire attendees\u2019 writing, and while some do opt to write about their cancer diagnosis and treatment, many choose to let their creativity flow far more freely and imagine things far beyond the world of cancer. The people who participate in the writing workshops are a diverse bunch, with varying lives, beliefs, and experiences, and their writings reflect that diversity. The Write Treatment Anthology Volume I 2011-2016 collects personal essays, stories, and poems written by twenty-three people who attended Rubin\u2019s workshops during the relevant period, and taken together, it is a hugely inspiring body of work. The tales they tell range from the hilarious to the tragic, the sublime to the ridiculous, and there are more than a few thought-provoking moments.\n\nWhole Body Healing: Create Your Own Path to Physical, Emotional, Energetic and Spiritual Wellness by Emily A. Francis\n\nFor those looking to complement their physician-led medical treatment and improve their overall health, Whole Body Healing: Create Your Own Path to Physical, Emotional, Energetic and Spiritual Wellness by Emily A. Francis offers the tools, techniques, and confidence necessary to design and implement an individually tailored holistic treatment regimen. As the title suggests, Francis aims to address every aspect of the individual reader\u2019s wellbeing (physical, emotional, energetic, and spiritual) in an integrated way in order to facilitate lasting positive changes. The book explores both traditional and modern alternative therapy techniques, ranging from homeopathy to Ayurveda to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, meaning that readers have a wide range of options to consider. The goal is to achieve balance in what Francis considers to be an increasingly unbalanced world. Francis\u2019 ideas regarding certain medical conditions and, therefore, the contents of the book are certainly not without controversy, although it does suggest a number of promising and proven avenues that readers might find worthy of pursuing as part of their quest for better health.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 18:17:51", "publisher": "Post Hill Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009643031", "title": "After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond", "author": "Bruce Greyson", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 191, "review": "Dr. Bruce Greyson, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia, began his career wanting to understanding the human brain and what it was that made people tick. His goal was always to help those who needed help, and he found a way to do so which spawned what became known as NDEs, or \u201cnear death experiences.\u201d Originally working and learning of these NDEs with Dr. Raymond Moody, bestselling author of Life After Life, he has spent the last forty years collecting these unique stories from people who apparently died for a little while and then were brought back to life.

Greyson is not religious and approaches the phenomena of NDEs from a scientific perspective, categorizing and grouping them together to try to understand their commonalities. What\u2019s incredible is that cases of NDEs go back to ancient times, and Greyson shares some of these old stories along with a plethora of newer ones he has collected throughout his career. Using what evidence he can, he provides a new perspective on NDEs and discusses possible theories of what death might actually be, and whether there could be anything after.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 20:06:49", "publisher": "St. Martin's", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009643019", "title": "Deceptions: A Helena Marsh Novel (A Helena Marsh Novel, 2)", "author": "Anna Porter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1027, "review": "Ominous Reads\n\nIf you\u2019re looking to escape to a dangerous world populated by sinister characters and characterized by all manner of danger and deception this autumn, then the following six thrillers could be just what you\u2019re after:\n\nDeceptions (A Helena Marsh Novel, 2) by Anna Porter\n\nIn Deceptions, the second outing for art expect, martial arts master, and superb amateur sleuth Helena Marsh, former Budapest policeman Attila Feher thinks he has the perfect ruse to reconnect with his ex-lover: he intends to ask Helena to appraise a painting and determine if it really is a work by the famous artist Artemisia Gentileschi. Unfortunately for Feher, his plans are quickly derailed by the fact that Eastern European gangsters also seem to be interested in the painting, which has the potential to expose corruption at the highest levels of Hungarian society. As the bodies begin to pile up, Feher has reason to be glad that he sought Helena\u2019s help, although maybe not the reason he was initially hoping for. In Helena Marsh, Anna Porter has created an enigmatic and dynamic heroine who really knows how to kick ass and take names. She has a great nose for a mystery, and she\u2019s definitely not worried about getting her hands dirty.\n\nTell Me the Truth (Adler and Dwyer, 2) by Matthew Farrell\n\nJenny Moore might be pleased to finally be leaving for college, but she\u2019s the only one who seems to think it\u2019s a good idea that she leaves the town of Lewisboro, New York and all the memories it holds behind. In fact, there\u2019s at least one person who\u2019s willing to go to any lengths to stop her from going. When Jenny\u2019s mother finds her stabbed and left for dead outside their family home, state police investigator Susan Adler and consultant Liam Dwyer are called in to investigate the attack. They can immediately tell that something is very wrong in the town; they are confronted with a surfeit of suspects and it seems that pretty much everyone is hiding behind lies and deception. Tell Me the Truth by Matthew Farrell is the second crime thriller to feature Adler and Dwyer, and it\u2019s a seriously suspenseful police procedural in which nothing is what it seems and no one seems capable of telling the truth.\n\nHer Last Breath by Hilary Davidson\n\nDeidre is devastated to learn that her sister Caroline is dead, but she\u2019s in for an even greater shock. Some time after hearing of Caroline\u2019s death, Deidre receives a message that her sister had written days earlier, a message that claimed her forthcoming death would be no accident. Despite having been estranged from her family for years, Deidre decides to brave the trip to Manhattan to attend Caroline\u2019s funeral, and while she\u2019s there, to investigate the circumstances behind her sister\u2019s death. A frightening encounter with Caroline\u2019s husband Theo at the funeral raises the possibility that she might have been having an affair, which suggests a possible reason for her death. Deidre decides to dig deeper, however dangerous that might prove. Her Last Breath by Hilary Davidson is a dark and twisted thriller than is permeated by a sense of menace and danger. It\u2019s a fast-paced story characterized by blistering psychological suspense.\n\nVortex (An FBI Thriller, 25) by Catherine Coulter\n\nMia Briscoe\u2019s best friend Serena disappeared seven years ago during a college rave that ended in tragedy when a fire broke out. Now working as an investigative journalist in New York, Mia is covering her regular political beat when she happens upon some photos from the night Serena vanished. Working with FBI Agent Sherlock to track back through the events of that night, Mia soon realizes that powerful figures may have strong reasons for keeping what happened to Serena hushed up. Meanwhile, Agent Savich is working with CIA operative Olivia Hildebrandt to uncover what happened to a missing member of her team and the flash drive he was tasked with protecting. As the two investigations proceed and converge, the danger level rises as the intrigue deepens. Catherine Coulter is on top form with this twenty-fifth installment in her FBI Thriller series, and the events of Vortex are sure to set readers\u2019 hearts racing.\n\nBreeder by Honni van Rijswijk\n\nSometime in the not too distant future, in a world ruled by the sinister Corporation, fifteen-year-old Will Meadows is doing his best to survive in Zone F, the most run-down and deprived ring of the Corporation. Will has to maintain his productivity if he is to avoid being sent to the Rator, but he knows that he\u2019s lucky compared with the Zone F Breeders: they are born into debt and can only escape through participating in the Corporation\u2019s reproduction program. When Will risks traveling to the less restricted Gray Zone, he gains a job from a corrupt Corporation official and finds a friend in Alex, a Breeder who is on the run. Things seem to be looking up for Will and Alex, but when their happiness leads to complacency, they risk losing everything they\u2019ve worked for. Breeder by Honni van Rijswijk is a futuristic thriller set in a dystopian world where everyday life is terrifying and dangerous for the majority. It\u2019s a scary but all too believable story.\n\nArrow\u2019s Rest (The Offshore Novels, 3) by Joel Scott\n\nJoel Scott\u2019s Arrow\u2019s Rest is a nautical thriller that certainly makes a splash. When fisherman Jared Kane sets out to find the perpetrators behind a sadistic assault on a female acquaintance, he ends up discovering far more than he bargained on. It seems that the assault is linked to a particularly dangerous criminal network with links to those in high political office. Events seem to center on an exclusive yacht club, which Jared considers to be the perfect place to moor his own rather more downmarket yacht, Arrow. With the help of his friend Danny MacLean, Jared sets about investigating all of the shady goings-on at the club, eventually embarking on a deadly chase through the Salish Sea that ends in tragedy for the Arrow and her crew. The thrilling storyline and healthy dose of danger make for an excellent slice of crime on the high seas.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 19:18:11", "publisher": "ECW Press", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009643015", "title": "Do Something for Nothing: Seeing Beneath the Surface of Homelessness, through the Simple Act of a Haircut", "author": "Joshua Coombes", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 176, "review": "Transformation. Do Something for Nothing is about nothing less than helping people by transforming their outer appearance. A former punk rock musician, Joshua Coombes was working at a London salon when he began offering shaves and haircuts to people who were \u201csleeping rough\u201d. When he posted the before and after photos on social media, many others were inspired to do something and to see homeless folks as the human beings that they are. The book showcases photographs and vignettes of several dozen people\u2014including some couples and a young family\u2014in cities all over the world. From New York City to Tijuana, Mumbai to Melbourne, Paris to Boulder, Coombes documents the transformation that comes over people when they are given a fresh look, a new perspective, some hope. The photos are inspirational as is every page of this uplifting book. Their smiles show relief as well as happiness. Sure, a haircut alone won\u2019t solve all their problems, but it is a humanizing start. I\u2019m so glad I read this book and urge you to do so as well.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 18:43:25", "publisher": "Akashic Books", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009643011", "title": "Razorblade Tears: A Novel", "author": "S. A. Cosby", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 203, "review": "The loss of a loved one is a hard pill to swallow, even more when it's unexpected. Ike Randolph and Buddy Lee Jenkins are united in grief, having lost their sons to murder. Their sons, Isiah and Derek, were married and had an adopted daughter together. Yet, Buddy Lee and Ike\u2019s intolerance of their Sons led to them not even knowing each other until after the funeral. Ike and Buddy Lee go their separate ways, wracked with guilt over what they said and what more they should\u2019ve done when their sons were alive.

The investigation of their sons\u2019 deaths moves slowly, and Buddy Lee approaches Ike with a plan to investigate on their own. Both men have a past they left behind, but their desire to avenge their sons leads them to take the law into their own hands. The deaths were not random, and the path to answers will be long and winding.

Razorblade Tears is an impressive new entry from S.A. Cosby, which combines mystery, action, and emotional drama in one walloping gut punch. The plot progresses swiftly and never diminishes until the conclusion. The core of this wonderful book lay in its humanity of the protagonists and their desire to get justice.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 18:22:53", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009643007", "title": "Strawberry Love: 45 Sweet and Savory Recipes for Shortcakes, Hand Pies, Salads, Salsas, and More", "author": "Cynthia Graubart", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 194, "review": "If you love juicy, ripe strawberries, then the Strawberry Love cookbook is for you! The book includes forty-five recipes all centered on strawberries. From sweet to savory, this cookbook really has some excellent ideas. I love how the author gives tips in the beginning for cooking with strawberries. She tells the reader a few different methods of hulling as well as how to freeze fresh strawberries. The simple format of the cookbook makes it easy to understand and use for even the beginner baker or chef. The beautiful color photographs that accompany each recipe made my mouth water as I decided which recipes to try first.

The three recipes that I am going to give a try first are the Strawberry Crumb Cake, the Pork Chops with Strawberry-Balsamic Sauce, and the Strawberry, Burrata, and Arugula Salad. Of course, I'll have to go back and pick out some of the refreshing drinks to try this summer. The Strawberry Shrub made with cider vinegar and Smoked Strawberry Smash, which has ginger and basil in it, both sound exquisite. Perfect for a family barbecue! Strawberry lovers will have great fun trying out the recipes in this book.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 18:15:26", "publisher": "Storey Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "104 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009643003", "title": "Fighting Chance: How Unexpected Observations and Unintended Outcomes Shape the Science and Treatment of Depression", "author": "Sarah Zabel", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 192, "review": "Metaphorically the \u2018black dog\u2019 refers to depression, a disorder that drowns its victims in desperate despondency and often drives the sufferer to suicide. In this encyclopedic examination of the studies and research into this problem, science writer Sarah Zabel recaps the investigations, therapies, theories, and some brief case histories of this distressing disorder. Explorations touch upon the drugs such as the monoamines and tricyclic antidepressants that act on the uptake of neurotransmitters. Genetic anomalies are considered as well as the role of cerebral glial cells or possibly malfunctioning mitochondria as suspect agents in causing this mental condition. Factors such as epigenetics, diet, sleep, stress, trauma, and even the makeup of the gut microbiome are studied as conceivable contributors to this mental mood. Therapeutic psychological treatments are described and the threat of suicide is explored. This scholarly probe into the current status of this depressive condition and the numerous studies provides the general reader with insight into its complexity. Helpfully several anatomical descriptions are aided by explanatory diagrams. While this book has a useful glossary and lengthy footnotes, it, unfortunately, lacks an index. Such a text, so rich in detail, demands an index.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "27-Aug-2021", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 18:09:17", "publisher": "Sarah Zabel Enterprises, LLC", "page_count": "422 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009642023", "title": "Stand on Zanzibar", "author": "John Brunner", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 221, "review": "First published in 1968, John Brunner\u2019s Hugo Award-winning Stand on Zanzibar is released with a new forward by Bruce Sterling (who is?)

Based in 2010, the novel centers around the escapades of two New York roommates, a leader of a high-tech company and a spy masquerading as a student. Brunner shares his predictions of social, economic, and technological trends, mixing story-telling with whole chapters dedicated to world-building, along with advertisements, slogans, songs, and snippets of newspaper articles and books.

Brunner does not write about the future as much as where he sees humanity could go in the future. The fun of reading sci-fi written in the future is seeing how much the author got right. Along with imagining the European Union, the rise of China as a global superpower, and the fall of the Detroit auto industry, Brunner\u2019s future also includes banning tobacco and the legalization of cannabis and same-sex marriage. There are laser printers, video calling, and even a \u201cPresident Obomi.\u201d Even in the title, Brunner correctly predicts that the world\u2019s population could stand shoulder-to-shoulder: seven billion people in an area of six hundred square miles.

Stand on Zanzibar remains a timeless classic. If you have read it before, it\u2019s time to reread it. It\u2019s a great read if you are looking for an insight into humanity, past, present, and future.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 20:17:46", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "576 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009641031", "title": "A Chorus Rises: A Song Below Water novel", "author": "Bethany C. Morrow", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 10", "word_count": 223, "review": "A Chorus Rises: A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow is about a magical teenager named Naema Bradshaw. Naema is an Eloko - a magical being blessed with the ability to use music and sound to charm others. She is also a popular teen influencer with a large following of fans. Life is good. That is until Naema tells everyone that Tavia Phillips (another teenager) is a siren, a magical being who when she sings is able to control people with her song. Once she shares Tavia\u2019s secret, almost all of Portland turns on Naema. Not even her boyfriend, a fellow Eloko, understands her anymore. Naema decides to run away from it all so she leaves Portland and goes on a trip to visit family. While gone, Naema truly discovers what being Eloko means and finds her own special melody.

A Chorus Rises: A Song Below Water is a great read for fantasy lovers and music-loving teenagers. The book is filled to the brim with sass, love, joy, drama, and forgiveness. It is a uniquely different book. It intrigued me and captured my attention. My only wish is that the book had some more action to keep the story a little more interesting. I am glad I read A Chorus Rises: A Song Below Water; I am sure you will feel the same.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 20:26:58", "publisher": "Tor", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009641019", "title": "Never Far Away", "author": "Michael Koryta", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 203, "review": "Imagine testifying against a powerful man and his company and then having a price on your head. Imagine the bounty hunters letting you go. This is exactly what happens to Nina. In exchange for her life, Nina must leave her husband Doug and her two young children, Hailey and Nick, behind. She starts a new life in the mountains as a woman named Leah. One day, she receives a message on her pager and uses her satellite phone to make the call. Her daughter tells her that she was told to contact her Aunt Leah if anything ever happened to her dad. It turns out that Doug was in a fatal car crash. From there, Leah struggles with the fact that the evil man, Lowery, may still be after her. She knows it is dangerous to have the kids stay with her.

This book was exciting for the most part. With several bad guys, a guy who was something of a double-agent, and a family on the run in the mountains, there was a lot happening. Toward the end, the story seemed to fizzle instead of building with suspense. All in all, it's an interesting read great for fans of Patterson or Baldacci.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "06-May-2021", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 18:48:29", "publisher": "Hachette", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009641011", "title": "Alien Stories (American Reader Series, 36)", "author": "E.C. Osondu", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 208, "review": "Alien Stories by award-winning author E.C. Osondu is a collection of eighteen short stories about what it means to be an alien, whether foreign or extraterrestrial. Nigerian-born Osondu pays homage to the elders, the storytellers, and the grandmas. Although much of the book reads as science fiction, it is also afro-futurism, and yet, Osondu has a style all his own.

In the stories \u201cAlien Encounters,\u201d \u201cMemory Store,\u201d and \u201cTraveler,\u201d Osondu explores the experience of what it is like to be the alien. We learn what to feed an alien baby in \u201cHow to Raise an Alien Baby.\u201d Through the stories \u201cMars Bars, of course!\u201d and \u201cMark,\u201d we learn about life on the Red Planet through stories told by grandma.

I recommend this book to anyone who feels like the alien or outsider, or to anyone who wants to understand the alien\u2019s point of view. Many of Osondu\u2019s stories look at the aliens as guests, who are shown honor and respect. In a way, Osondu\u2019s stories can be interpreted as mirroring how immigrants are treated compared to how they would like to be treated. Alien Stories is a creative way to tell the stories of outsiders trying to carve out their place in a new world, a new home.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jun-2021", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 18:12:58", "publisher": "BOA Editions Ltd.", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009641007", "title": "The Ladies of the Secret Circus", "author": "Constance Sayers", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 17", "word_count": 198, "review": "A wedding day is supposed to be happy and full of good memories, but for Lara, it turns into a nightmare when her husband-to-be doesn't show up. When his car is found abandoned on a haunted stretch of road, it's clear something worse than him getting cold feet, happened that day. Lara's search for answers leads her to Paris where her great-great-grandmother performed in a spectacular circus surrounded by secrets. There\u2019s more going on than she could have imagined and it's all connected to something that happened long ago.

I didn't start getting into it until about halfway through, and even though I couldn't put it down I also really wanted to be over. Lara starts getting involved with a man ten years older and is unnecessary to the plot, though the character is important the romance felt like it was there only for the sake of having a romantic subplot. Lara has magic, although it holds a large key to the story, it's forgotten until it's useful. There\u2019s also more to the magic than what's on the surface, as Lara learns more about it the story only gets weirder and weirder, diving into the realm of daemons.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "07-Jun-2021", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 17:56:24", "publisher": "Hachette", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009641003", "title": "The Path to Sunshine Cove: A Novel", "author": "RaeAnne Thayne", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1847, "review": "Beach Reads to Kick Off Summer Roundup\n\nIf you\u2019re lucky enough to be escaping lockdown and COVID-related chaos and heading to a beach this summer, then you might just be in need of a few good reads to help you while away the time and relax. Fortunately, there are eleven recent fiction releases that would all make for excellent beach reads.\n\nThe Inland Sea by Madeleine Watts\n\nA nameless young woman who dreams of being a writer abandons her plan to study for a doctorate in the aftermath of a messy breakup. She intends to leave her native Sydney and travel, but first she decides to spend a last summer reading novels while sitting on the rocks at Gordons Bay. With her student maintenance funds dwindling, she takes a job in an emergency services call center. Despite the ennui that has been plaguing her, she finds herself becoming increasing affected by the emergency calls that she takes. More worryingly, the emergencies themselves seem to be increasing in magnitude as the summer progresses, ranging from dogs trapped in cars to women hiding from violent partners to raging wildfires. Madeleine Watts skillfully links the overarching failure of authorities to tackle the dangers associated with climate change to the plight of women who seem destined not to be believed in this impactful novel.\n\nThe Northern Reach: A Novel by W.S. Winslow\n\nAs Edith Baines stares out to sea and visibly mourns her son, it is unclear how much of what she sees is real and how much is a grief-induced hallucination. The Baines family has lived in the small town of Wellbridge, Maine, for generations, and as Edith\u2019s memories of her son drift in and out of focus, so to do the memories and stories of her ancestors and of the other families that have called Wellbridge home for decades: the Moodys, the Martins, and the Edgecombs. Despite the town seeming like the sort of place where everyone knows everything about everyone else, all four families have tragedies, triumphs, secrets, and lies that have been transmitted down through the generations. W.S. Winslow uses a series of interconnecting stories, spanning the period 1904 to 2017, to bring the history, nature, and population of Wellbridge to life.\n\nThe Path to Sunshine Cove by RaeAnne Thayne\n\nJessica Clayton has spent most of her adult life ensuring that she has as little baggage as possible, whether that baggage be literal \u201cthings\u201d or people she has met along the way. A professional declutterer by trade, Jessica focuses her energies on helping other people to shed their burdens, and she does whatever it takes to stay in the present, reluctant to even think about her past in the small town of Cape Sanctuary. However, when a new client requires her help to downsize ahead of a move to that very town, Jessica is forced to revisit her past, including her relationship with younger sister Rachel. RaeAnne Thayne is a prolific and hugely popular romance writer, and this time round, she has crafted a charming and heartwarming tale about second chances and the importance of family.\n\nThe Woman in the Sun Hat by Daniel Damiano\n\nDespite being accustomed to being the envy of her friends and neighbors in Cold River, Long Island, Peggy Bubone is forced to recognize just how fragile her life and social position are when her husband is arrested. Almost overnight, she goes from being the rich and rather smug toast of the town to being practically a pariah. With her money and her home suddenly inaccessible, and with no one willing to step in and help, Peggy finds herself and her two children homeless and in dire need of assistance, a situation that causes her to reflect on her past and her difficult start in life. While Daniel Damiano could have turned Peggy\u2019s tale into one of misery and desperation, he has instead crafted a humorous and uplifting story of perseverance and struggle against the odds. Peggy finds a sense of determination that she thought she\u2019d lost, and she does her utmost to build a new and better life for her and her family.\n\nIt Happened One Summer: A Novel by Tessa Bailey\n\nWhen spoiled Hollywood socialite Piper Bellinger causes yet another scandal that is recorded and transmitted far and wide by the paparazzi, her stepfather finally washes his hands of her. After cutting off their allowances, he leaves Piper and her equally spoiled sister with no option but to head to the rural town of Westport, Washington, and run the dive bar that they inherited from their late father. Despite having no head for business and having an almost pathological fear of sleeping in the bunk beds in the only apartment they can afford, Piper is determined to make a success of her exile, particularly after she encounters handsome local sailor Brendan, who makes it clear that he doesn\u2019t think she\u2019ll last five minutes in Westport. Tessa Bailey\u2019s latest novel is a fabulous romcom that gently pokes fun at wannabe star Piper but also allows her to blossom in her new environment.\n\nIsland Queen: A Novel by Vanessa Riley\n\nHaving been born into slavery on her Irish father\u2019s plantation on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, Doll vows to rise above her circumstances and secure the freedom and prosperity of her mother, her sister, and herself. A remarkably enterprising individual with grit, determination, and a clear understanding of how the world works, Doll leverages whatever potential advantage comes her way and rises up through the social ranks as an entrepreneur, a merchant, and a planter. As she progresses in terms of amassing wealth, she also amasses the attention of a series of men, which leads her to even more exotic locations and exceptional situations. Vanessa Riley has really excelled with this fictionalized account of the extraordinary life and achievements of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, a remarkable woman who forged her way from poverty and life as a slave to being one of the richest landowners in the West Indies. Not many people can be said to have truly left their mark on history, but Dorothy certainly did.\n\nThe Summer Job by Lizzy Dent\n\nDreaming about living someone else\u2019s life can be a pleasant form of escapism, but not many people would go the whole hog, commit a spot of identity theft, and run away from their own life. However, that\u2019s just what Birdy Finch does when she decides to assume her best friend Heather\u2019s identity and take a job at a posh hotel in Scotland. To complicate things, Heather is a world-renowned wine expert, which means Birdy\u2019s new job is going to involve a lot of bluffing about wine-related matters. And to complicate things even further, while in Scotland, Birdy might have finally met a man that she\u2019s romantically interested in, only he thinks she\u2019s Heather. Birdy\u2019s plan might be bonkers, but she\u2019s a pleasant and engaging central character. Lizzy Dent has woven a warm and relatable story around Birdy, and there are plenty of laughs to be had while following her (mis)adventures.\n\nThe Bookstore on the Beach: A Novel by Brenda Novak\n\nAfter her husband disappears while on an assignment for the FBI in Ukraine, Autumn Divac spends eighteen months waiting for him to return home to Tampa, Florida. With the official investigation into his disappearance having stalled and the private detective she hired unable to find any additional information, Autumn is nearing the end of her tether when she decides to take her two teenage children and decamp to her hometown of Sable Beach, Virginia, for the summer. She starts working in the bookstore jointly owned by her mother and her aunt, and she finds herself reconnecting with her first love. A tale of friendship and love with a mystery at its heart, Brenda Novak\u2019s novel follows three generations of women (Autumn, her mother, and her daughter) as they confront past mistakes, make their peace with the present, and look toward the future with hope and humor.\n\nSeven Days in June by Tia Williams\n\nWhen Shane Hall and Eva Mercy first met as teenagers, they were two damaged individuals who rapidly fell in love and then enjoyed a whirlwind one-week romance before everything they had crumbled. When they meet again, some fifteen years later, they are both successful writers; Eva is a bestselling author of erotic fiction, while Shane is an award-winning author of literary fiction. After they reconnect at a literary event in New York, where they both take great pains to pretend they don\u2019t know each other, the sparks fly once again and they find themselves embroiled in another passionate week-long romance. Eva wants Shane to return to his home so that her life can return to normal, but before he does so, she wants answers to questions about what happened fifteen years previously. Tia Williams\u2019 latest novel is a thrilling romcom that is darker than most. The story shifts between the past and the present as it explores Shane\u2019s and Eva\u2019s pasts and the reasons why their romance burned out so quickly.\n\nThat Summer by Jennifer Weiner\n\nDaisy Shoemaker seems to have it all: a picture-perfect family, a gorgeous home in the suburbs of Philadelphia, a thriving business, and a fulfilling volunteering project. However, appearances can be deceptive and Daisy is far from content. Just as she\u2019s reaching her lowest ebb, Daisy starts receiving emails intended for a woman named Diana Starling, who has an email address almost identical to her own. Diana\u2019s life seems much more exciting than Daisy\u2019s, and when fate throws them together, Daisy relishes the opportunity to form a friendship with Diana. But did they really become acquainted through pure chance? Diana might not really be who she seems, and if that is the case, what does she want with Daisy? This is definitely not a light and frothy read from Jennifer Weiner, but it certainly is a page-turner. Reflective of the #MeToo movement and the importance of accountability, it\u2019s a thought-provoking and timely book.\n\nBookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter\n\nHaving dedicated her youth to caring for her bedridden mother and raising her two siblings, Sophie Lawson has had to give up on following her dreams, particularly her goal of opening a bookshop in the quaint town of Piper\u2019s Cove. However, with her siblings now able to support themselves, Sophie may have the opportunity to pursue her own endeavors, starting with visiting Piper\u2019s Cove again to attend her sister\u2019s wedding. There\u2019s a surprise in store for Sophie though, as the best man turns out to be Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart, who dumped her without explanation and then vanished from her life. Thrown together by circumstances, it seems that Sophie and Aiden might get the chance to rekindle their romance, but can she really trust him to stick around this time? Denise Hunter\u2019s novel is set in the quintessential seaside town and the story is packed with endearing characters and heartwarming situations. There\u2019s a romance to root for and the hope that things will work out better for Sophie in the future.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 17:34:20", "publisher": "HQN", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009640047", "title": "Time Villains (Time Villains, 1)", "author": "Victor Pi\u00f1eiro", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 10", "word_count": 206, "review": "Time Villains is a book about three friends named Javi, Wiki, and Brady. Javi was always told that Wiki was the brain, Brady was the brawn, and he was the stomach. This interesting tale proves that you are not always what you seem. When Javi and Brady\u2019s father gets a new antique table, the friends know something weird is going on. Andy, the antique table, acts like a pet and purrs. Definitely not normal!

They get a school assignment where they have to invite three people to a dinner party. Little do they know something magical will happen. Andy the table actually summons the historical people. Wiki tricks Javi into inviting Black Beard and now the three friends have to deal with the most dangerous pirate of all time. They also discover the secret of their school, Finistere. Buy the book and join Javi and his friends in a race to protect their world and find out a bit more about their teachers, who may have a lot more to do with Andy than they thought.

I recommend this book to fantasy lovers, people who like a little mystery, and children who love history. This book was truly amazing. I can\u2019t wait to read it again!", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 20:34:28", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009640031", "title": "The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot: A Novel", "author": "Marianne Cronin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "Roundup", "word_count": 216, "review": "The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot: A Novel \u2013 Marianne Cronin \n\nMarianne Cronin delivers a humorous and fiercely alive debut that is uplifting, bittersweet, and heartbreaking. This story is a tribute to the stories we tell in our lives and a reminder to us all to live every day like it's our last. Cronin explores the legacies that are left behind when we die and how we have the power to inspire others even after death through a story of two women whose friendship transcends time and reminds us of how precious life really is. Lenni Pettersson is dying and is a resident in the Terminal Ward at the Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital. Then she meets an 83-year-old woman named Margot in an arts and crafts class that wears purple pajamas and is a rebel that inspires Lenni in ways the teenager has never experienced before. The two devise a plan with the help of Lenni's care nurse and the hospital chaplain to showcase the one hundred years they share between them through one hundred paintings of the experiences they've had during those years. Paintings that give them the opportunity to share their stories of love, loss, kindness, joy, and courage, and give them a chance to leave their legacy behind before they die.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 19:35:52", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009640015", "title": "The Soulmate Equation", "author": "Christina Lauren", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 198, "review": "Single mom Jess has given up on dating. Even when an up-and-coming genetics company offers her the chance to find her perfect, biologically proven match, Jess is skeptical. But on a whim, she decides to send in her DNA sample\u2013\u2013and she finds out that her match is one of the company\u2019s founders, River. Despite Jess and River\u2019s unprecedented match score, neither can believe it. Jess admits River is attractive, but they couldn\u2019t be more different. She\u2019d be just as happy never speaking to him again, but the company makes Jess an offer she can\u2019t refuse and she soon learns there may be more to River than she thought.

If you love cutesy romances with sweet characters and charming endings, The Soulmate Equation is for you. The concept of a DNA dating test serves as a fun background to a traditional chick lit setup, although the story feels a bit more nuanced, with lively side characters such as Jess\u2019s spunky seven-year-old daughter, Juno; her romance novelist best friend, Felicity; and her spirited grandparents, who live next door. It\u2019s an easy read, but one you won\u2019t be able to put down\u2013\u2013perfect for relaxing by the pool or at the beach.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "29-Mar-2021 18:11:05", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009639007", "title": "The Bounty: A Novel (7) (A Fox and O'Hare Novel)", "author": "Janet Evanovich", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 197, "review": "As a fan of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series and after reading The Big Kahuna, I was excited to pick up a copy of her newest book, The Bounty. Evanovich's writing style is very light and the storylines unrealistic; however, they are entertaining and the best part is always the banter between the characters. In The Bounty, we are reunited with FBI agent Kate O'Hare and con man turned sidekick Nick Fox. It is a wild goose chase as Kate and Nick go on a treasure hunt around Europe looking for hidden ancient maps that will lead them to, yes, the eponymous bounty.

Although this was a fun little history lesson that went to places like the Eiffel Tower and the Swiss Alps, the story was not a new one and I became bored midway through the book, just wanting it to be over. The interaction between the characters was much less playful as they tried to defeat the Brotherhood, who are also after the hidden treasure. Both Kate's and Nick's fathers are also inserted into the story and although both characters are likable, it is just an unnecessary addition to the book. I'd skip this one.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "28-Mar-2021 18:32:10", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009639003", "title": "The Agitators: Three Friends Who Fought for Abolition and Women's Rights", "author": "Dorothy Wickenden", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 208, "review": "The American Revolution was less than a century old when the spirit of change rose anew. The \u201cpeculiar\u201d institution of slavery was being challenged by men and women, primarily in the northern United States. Martha Coffin Wright possessed a rebellious spirit, being born of Quaker parents and from an area that stressed egalitarianism. Frances Miller was the daughter of a judge, and she married a budding politician named William Henry Seward. She learned from an early age to despise the cruelties inflicted on African Americans due to slavery and intolerance. Harriet Tubman was born into slavery and raised on a Maryland plantation. The brutality inflicted on her along with the prospect of her family being divided led to her escape and her role in the Underground Railroad. Together, these three women would form a lasting bond that would usher in a resounding change.

The Agitators is an impressive narrative of three women who were at the center of a burgeoning movement. Their trailblazing path is captured and related deftly by the author, their triumphs and tragedies narrated emphatically for a modern audience. All three women lived and breathed for the freedom of all men and women, selflessly giving as much as they were capable. An A+ historical narrative.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Mar-2021 18:23:00", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009638007", "title": "Return to Victory: MacArthur's Epic Liberation of the Philippines", "author": "James P. Duffy", "category": "N09 History", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 402, "review": "With summer just around the corner, you may be looking for some good history books to get lost in while you\u2019re enjoying the sun on the beach, or a shady spot by the pool, or some beautiful mountain vistas in an Adirondack chair. Here are three books that will suck you into their incredible historical retellings and make you forget for a moment where you even are.\n\nA Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum:\n\nTake a journey back to ancient Rome where there were the gladiatorial games, the impressive senate, and a civilization like no other; but where there was also murder most foul. Remus was murdered by his brother Romulus to found the city, and I don\u2019t need to tell you about Cesar\u2019s assassination to save the Republic, because everyone knows some detail about it. In A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Emma Southon takes you back to the notorious and numerous murders of Rome, who the victims were, who the perpetrators were, and what the vox populi thought of it all. \n\n\nSpymaster\u2019s Prism\n\nIt seems like each month we wait to hear of a new hacking incident that has breached United States security and given criminals access to places you would never want prying eyes to be able to see, and more often than not Russia is the one behind it all. As tensions continue to heat up between Biden and Putin, one can\u2019t help but wonder how we got to this point? Spymaster\u2019s Prism brings you the story, going into detail with the history of intelligence agencies and our national security. What has the CIA been up to? How about the KGB? And perhaps most importantly: where do things stand now?\n\nReturn to Victory\n\nLet James P. Duffy take you back to an important moment in US history when two and a half years earlier in 1942 General Douglas MacArthur had promised the people of the Philippines that they would return. It has been said that the key to taking down the Japanese Empire were the 7,000 islands. Duffy goes into immense and wonderful detail covering the commanders, sailors, and airmen, as well as the regular soldiers; covering the entirety of the campaign from both a tactical and strategic perspective. No matter where you are, Return to Victory will have you gripped to the page, even when you already know the outcome.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Mar-2021 18:41:36", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009637031", "title": "The Castle School (for Troubled Girls)", "author": "Alyssa Sheinmel", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 194, "review": "Moira Dreyfuss has problems. At least, that\u2019s what her parents imply when they ship her to a remote school in Maine. After the death of her best friend, Moira is ready to give up on people altogether. At the Castle School, Moira is miles away from civilization. The only company she has are the other girls, the strange headmaster, and his son, Randy.||One night, she discovers the lock on her window is mysteriously broken, so she and her roommate Eleanor sneak out. They find another Castle School, this one filled with boys: and very different from the dank, desolate girl\u2019s school. The more she discovers about the Castle Schools and the headmasters who run them, Moira comes up with more questions. Will she figure out the mystery surrounding the two castles? And will she be able to confront the pain she\u2019s been avoiding for far too long?||This book was a beautiful story about mental illness. I feel like the author did a good job of describing Moira\u2019s struggles. I liked each of the characters, and I liked the different perspectives in the book. Overall, the book was thrilling and mysterious, and I enjoyed it!", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "07-Jun-2021", "date_added": "28-Mar-2021 19:07:36", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009637019", "title": "Early Morning Riser: A novel", "author": "Katherine Heiny", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 226, "review": "Jane\u2019s boyfriend, Duncan, is loyal and loving, and Jane has more or less accepted the fact that he\u2019s slept with many (or even most) of the women in their small town of Boyne City, Michigan. She\u2019s even developed a friendship with Duncan\u2019s ex-wife, Aggie. Duncan has made it clear to Jane that he\u2019s not the marrying kind, which Jane is determined to accept. She spends her days teaching second graders and hanging out with her friend Frieda, who is never without her mandolin. Jane and Duncan are both fond of their neighbor Jimmy, a developmentally disabled man who lives with his mother and works in Duncan\u2019s woodshop. Kindness comes easily to them. But when a tragic accident for which Jane is indirectly responsible leaves Jimmy alone in the world, life changes for everyone. Closed doors are open again, seemingly answered questions are back in play, and deep-seated beliefs and desires prove to be more mutable than Duncan and Jane could ever have expected.

Witty and big-hearted, Early Morning Riser examines the circuitous paths that lead to happiness. Building a family means more than just getting married and having children, while the definition of love itself is broader than Jane is able, at first, to understand. Love isn\u2019t easy or simple, and heartache is its close companion. Accepting one requires accepting the other, for better or worse.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "18-May-2021", "date_added": "28-Mar-2021 19:02:14", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009637015", "title": "Conquering Jerusalem", "author": "Stephen Dando-Collins", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 197, "review": "The Judean War saw Jews and Romans spend four years early in the present era trying to do away with each other in order to hold Jerusalem. The Jews ultimately lost, though as the author points out, they are still around but the Romans have vanished. Readers are introduced to characters who hold multiple military and political ranks, some with changing names and relationships supplying further challenges.

Stephen Dando-Collins has studied Roman legions for almost twenty years, penning a scholarly series he humanizes with details of dress and appearance, moods and behaviors as well as military prowess. The novices among us will find the book engrossing or feel defeated.

Set in this context, from a perspective of two thousand years, Roman names remembered from Middle School history are restored to life: the evil, probably gay Nero, nephew of the infamous Caligula, Vespasian, the ferocious Roman emperor with a timid personality.

Geographically, the region still holds center stage, places that are no less familiar today for their political and economic situation. Travel, before the jet age, its hard to visualize, but Dando-Collins\u2019 skillful descriptions enable us to see not only how much, but how little the world has changed.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Mar-2021 18:53:32", "publisher": "Turner", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009636027", "title": "It Had to Be You: A Novel", "author": "Georgia Clark", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 12", "word_count": 197, "review": "Liv Goldenhorn is in for a shock when she is informed of her husband Eliot\u2019s death. Even more surprising, the informant is Eliot\u2019s secret girlfriend Savannah. In the blink of an eye, Liv goes from happily running her wedding planning business, In Love in New York, with her husband, to having to share the rapidly failing business with Savannah, who now owns half of it because of her husband\u2019s will. For down-to-earth Liv, this is a professional nightmare. She doesn\u2019t want to work with anyone like Savannah, especially when that person should be her enemy. For optimistic Savannah, this is the perfect opportunity to fit into crazy, cluttered New York. Also, what\u2019s not to love about wedding planning? She\u2019ll do this like a boss.

As Liv and Savannah go through significant changes, both will discover new friends and romances. Will Liv and Savannah get their happily ever after\u2019s? I thought this was a cute book with sweet romances. At the start of the book, I felt there were too many characters. However, as the book progressed, it got better. The romance was a little fast-paced for my taste, but the entire book was a fun read, overall.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Mar-2021 19:42:48", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009636023", "title": "The Box in the Woods", "author": "Maureen Johnson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 215, "review": "It\u2019s summer, and Stevie Bell is fresh off of solving a famous cold case at her Vermont boarding school, Ellingham Academy. The excitement has died down, and she\u2019s back in her hometown working the deli counter for the summer, until she gets a message from Carson Buchwald, the new owner of a camp called Sunny Pines. Sunny Pines isn\u2019t just any camp\u2014it\u2019s the place where another famous cold case, The Box in the Wood Murders, took place in the 1970s, and Carson wants Stevie to come work the case and develop a podcast about it. Soon enough, Stevie and some of her best friends from Ellingham are at Sunny Pines, back in the midst of murder, intrigue, and sleuthing.

Following Stevie and her friends as they work on solving the Box in the Wood Murders is just as thrilling and delightful as following their adventures in the Truly Devious novels. Johnson excels once again at artfully weaving past and present storylines together to create a mystery that will have readers on the edge of their seats. The camp setting offers a new set of challenges for Stevie and her friends, and their characters accordingly deepen. After The Box in the Woods, readers will find themselves hoping once again for more tales of Stevie Bell\u2019s detective work.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Mar-2021 19:41:30", "publisher": "Katherine Tegen Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009636015", "title": "The Red Book (A Black Book Thriller, 2)", "author": "James Patterson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 204, "review": "This is the first James Patterson book I have ever read and now I'm wondering why I haven't picked up one of the bestselling author's books before now.

The Red Book is the second book in the Black Book Thriller series. It stars Detective Billy Harney as the head of an SOS (Special Operations Section) case for the Chicago Police Department. After investigating what seems to be an everyday drive-by shooting, Harney and his crew figure out whodunnit and lay the case to rest. The only thing that keeps nagging at Harney is that fact that there was an unidentified girl with a black lily ankle tattoo killed along with the drug dealers. Harney finds out that the girl is part of a much larger case, a possible sex-trafficking ring. Billy doesn't know whom he can trust on the force and, therefore, does some digging of his own.

The Red Book is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. The plot becomes more and more personal to Billy as he uncovers the truth. It is an excellent story with very real characters. If you like suspense stories mixed with police action, this should be the next book you pick up.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2021", "date_added": "28-Mar-2021 18:58:33", "publisher": "Hachette", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009636003", "title": "Francis Bacon: Revelations", "author": "Mark Stevens", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 710, "review": "Biography Roundup\nby Holly Scudero\n\nIt\u2019s so easy to get caught up in our own day-to-day lives: our jobs, our families, our hobbies. But sometimes we can all benefit by getting a little perspective from the lives of others\u2026 and not just through the glamor of gossip magazines or the stark visions of documentaries. A well-written biography can really open our eyes to the issues others face, issues that may affect us in ways we\u2019ve never considered, issues that may be a reality for people that we love, or issues that may be part of our own futures someday. If you\u2019re looking for some fresh perspectives on others, read on for some of the best new biography releases.\n\n\nThree Dads and a Baby: Adventures in Modern Parenting\nIan Jenkins, M.D.\n\nThe path to parenthood is rarely linear and simple, but it\u2019s often even more challenging for same-sex couples. Add a third partner into what\u2019s traditionally always been a two-parent game and things get even more complex, and yet that\u2019s exactly what Ian Jenkins and his two partners found themselves facing when they decided to embark on their mission to mutual fatherhood. As a polyamorous group, they faced more than the usual scrutiny when it came to finding donors, surrogates, and more. This book chronicles the process for them, and how they ultimately became the first polyamorous family declared the legal parents of a child.\n\n\nI\u2019m Not Single, I have a Dog: Dating Tales from the Bark Side (Dogs in Our World)\nSusan Hartzler\n\nSusan Hartzler is a fixer, both in her overall life and in relationships in particular. Not surprisingly, most of the men she feels drawn to are those she fervently believes she can transform into the perfect partner\u2026 and those relationships never end well. In an attempt to change her usual course, she decides to adopt a dog, one who will help give her life a different purpose. As she learns to finally put herself first, she discovers the meaning of true unconditional love, as well as how to finally put an end to unhealthy relationships.\n\n\nGay Bar: Why We Went Out\nJeremy Atherton Lin\n\nAuthor Jeremy Atherton Lin has spent large portions of his life in gay bars. Whether stateside or overseas, located in tiny towns or in sprawling metropolises, there are certain elements that are consistent between many gay bars, and the author has experienced them all in detail. But the prevalence of gay bars has been declining in recent years, and the covid-19 pandemic hit them really hard. This book is primarily a memoir of the author\u2019s experiences in various bars, over the years and around the world. Readers will enjoy various insightful revelations as the writer explores how these establishments have shaped an entire highly-nuanced group of people, and how so many individual personalities and images have been forever changed along the way.\n\n\nFrancis Bacon: Revelations\nMark Stevens\n\nFrancis Bacon is a well-known twentieth century artist, whose work caught the public eye in a very big and bold way. His unforgettable paintings influenced countless others throughout his life and after his death, but he made huge impressions on popular society in more ways than just art. His sense of humor and his unabashedly openness about his sexuality made him into an unforgettable force of nature, and this biography shows how his legacy lives on in more than just his art. Author Mark Stevens gives readers a uniquely detailed, fully-fleshed-out vision of Bacon that will show just how and why he was so influential during and after his time.\n\n\nAlready Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America\nKate Washington\n\nWhen Kate Washington and her husband, Brad, learned that he had cancer, they had no idea what the future would hold, and just how much her life would end up shifting to accommodate his care. As Brad\u2019s condition deteriorated, Kate gave nearly all her time to him: coordinating appointments, filling prescriptions, administering medications. And she, like millions of other caregivers in the United States, was not paid for any of it\u2026 and the burnout that comes as a result of such selfless devotion is a reality for many. Her book aims to shed light on the crucial role unpaid caregivers play in supporting America\u2019s lopsided medical system.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Mar-2021 18:15:12", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "880 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009635019", "title": "The History of Tennis: Legendary Champions. Magical Moments.", "author": "Richard Evans", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1380, "review": "History Book Roundup\n\nIf you\u2019re interested in expanding your non-fiction reading to include more history this springtime, here are a selection of recently published books covering both national and international events, mass and niche interests, famous and lesser known individuals, to whet your appetite for learning something new.\n\nThe Princess Spy: The True Story of World War II Spy Aline Griffith, Countess of Romanones\n\nDespite initially seeming an unlikely spy, literature graduate and former model Aline Griffith proved to be a dab hand at espionage during World War II. A chance encounter at a dinner party provided the New York native with an opportunity to fulfill her ambition of contributing to the war effort by joining the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and working as a coder in Madrid. From there, her excellent networking and social skills led to her forming connections that were the envy of the more archetypical spies dispatched to Europe by the OSS. Her nose for intrigue and her ear for gossip allowed her to ferret out information from members of the Spanish upper classes that proved vital to the allies. Although it\u2019s clear that some controversy still surrounds Griffith\u2019s war record (there exists documentary evidence concerning her career as a code clerk and an agent runner, but her recollections of more exciting exploits may well have been embroidered), The Princess Spy, Larry Loftis\u2019 account of her extraordinary wartime career, is a work of solid and meticulously researched history. Griffith\u2019s story is an exciting and sometimes almost unbelievable one, but she certainly proved to be a valuable asset for the OSS. Her work as a spy differed significantly from that of the majority of other spies stationed in Europe during World War II, which means that this book provides an insightful account of a unique career in decidedly high-class espionage.\n\nQueens of the Crusades: England\u2019s Medieval Queens Book Two\n\nAlison Weir is among the foremost public historians in the United Kingdom. She is particularly well known for writing histories of female royalty, and in Queens of the Crusades: England\u2019s Medieval Queens Book Two, she turns her attention to the first five Plantagenet queens: Eleanor of Aquitaine, Berengaria of Navarre, Isabella of Angoul\u00eame, Alienor of Provence, and Eleanor of Castile. Of the five, Eleanor of Aquitaine is arguably the most (in)famous, so it\u2019s no surprise that the story of her life and times accounts for more than a third of the book. However, the reigns of the other four queens were also characterized by remarkable events, and the book as a whole covers a truly fascinating period of history (1154\u20131291). Alongside her history books, Weir is also known for writing historical fiction, and her flair for dramatic writing (coupled with the fact that some larger-than-life people and events featured prominently during the period in question) renders this history as sensational and action-packed as a good novel. The characters and exploits of the five queens are brought to the fore and they are finally given the recognition that has been denied them in most prior histories. In addition, considering things from the perspectives of the queens provides Weir with a new lens for examining major events such as the signing of the Magna Carta and the murder of Thomas Becket.\n\nTrailblazing Women! Amazing Americans Who Made History\n\nIn Trailblazing Women! Amazing Americans Who Made History, Deborah G. Felder provides potted histories of the lives and achievements of around one hundred and twenty extraordinary American women. The women included in the book come from different times, a wide range of backgrounds, and different spheres of life, but they have all made their mark on the world in amazing and long-lasting ways. For example, from the world of politics, Felder includes brief biographies of Madeleine Albright and Michelle Obama, while from the legal sphere, she features Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Leading lights from the music and entertainment industries are also included in the book, such as Marian Anderson, Billie Holiday, and Lucille Ball. Biographies of some great writers are featured too, including Louisa May Alcott and Maya Angelou. While many of the women included in the book remain famous today, some are now far less well known than their achievements warrant, for example, Jane Addams (a pioneering social reformer) and Hattie Elizabeth Alexander (a groundbreaking physician). Trailblazing Women! Amazing Americans Who Made History provides really interesting and insightful accounts of the lives and works of some truly extraordinary women, and reading it will likely prompt readers to seek out further information about the featured women.\n\nThe World Turned Upside Down: A History of the Chinese Cultural Revolution\n\nYang Jisheng\u2019s The World Turned Upside Down: A History of the Chinese Cultural Revolution provides a definitive account of one of the most tumultuous periods in modern China\u2019s history, a period during which changes occurred that still have repercussions today. The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966\u20131976) marked a turning point in the history of both China itself and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and it had devastating social and economic consequences for the Chinese people. Based on both his own experiences and his extensive research, Yang Jisheng ultimately contends that, rather than being a true mass movement that spiraled out of control, the Cultural Revolution was a deliberate attempt to deflect the Chinese public\u2019s discontent toward sources other than the CCP. An exhaustive yet highly readable work, the book is the result of eleven years of research, including sources unavailable to historians outside of China. The scholarship involved in researching and writing The World Turned Upside Down: A History of the Chinese Cultural Revolution is all the more impressive given the potential dangers that Yang Jisheng faced due to the criticisms of Mao Zedong, the Cultural Revolution, and the CCP contained within the book.\n\nA Time of Fear: America in the Era of Red Scares and Cold War\n\nArguably, from both the popular perspective and the political, the greatest enemy that the United States faced during the twentieth century was the Soviet Union. The ideologies of the two countries were diametrically opposed, and many within the United States feared that Soviet forces were intent on destabilizing democracy and freedom and so bringing an end to the American Dream. Such fears and the hysteria engendered by them gave rise to so-called Red Scares, including the Rosenberg spy network trial and the McCarthy witch hunts. In A Time of Fear: America in the Era of Red Scares and Cold War, his account of a uniquely paranoid period of American history, Albert Marrin brings the ideas and fears of the time to life and, in doing so, highlights lessons that are still of relevance today. He examines both the prevalent hostility toward the Soviet Union and the aspects of communism that appealed to certain sections of American society, thereby striking a balance between exposing conspiracies and highlighting the truth. It all makes for a very interesting read. The impact of the book\u2019s text is further enhanced by the inclusion of numerous black and white photographs.\n\nThe History of Tennis: Legendary Champions, Magical Moments\n\nRichard Evans\u2019 The History of Tennis: Legendary Champions, Magical Moments offers a comprehensive history of tennis from the birth of the sport through to the major matches and top players of the present day. Packed full of facts, figures, and glossy photographs capturing key events and personalities associated with the game, the book is sure to appeal to both die-hard tennis fans and those interested in learning a bit more about the sport. The history of tennis is a long one, dating back to the time of Henry VIII, and there has seemingly always been great rivalry, controversy, and camaraderie involved in the sport. As a result, there are plenty of intriguing and, sometimes, downright surprising stories to be told. Evans\u2019 clear passion for tennis shines through in his writing about the technicalities of the sport, the famous moments, the infamous faces, and various bits of behind-the-scenes information that he has gleaned during his long career as a tennis journalist. While the book will probably most strongly appeal to those who already have a great deal of interest in tennis (beyond watching the finals of the major tournaments, that is), there is also plenty for the more casual follower of the sport to enjoy.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Mar-2021 18:37:30", "publisher": "Rizzoli", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009635015", "title": "Stuff Every Coffee Lover Should Know (Stuff You Should Know Book 30)", "author": "Candace Rose Rardon", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 186, "review": "Stuff Every Coffee Lover Should Know is packed with an unbelievable amount of coffee-related knowledge. For anyone who is interested in learning more about where coffee comes from, how to make different coffee beverages, how to categorize coffee flavors, and so much more, this little book will tell you. The book is organized into easy-to-read categories such as \"Coffee Basics,\" \"Brewing Methods,\" \"Coffee Traditions Around the World,\" and \"Serving Coffee.\"

As a coffee lover myself, I really appreciated the chapter on the different brewing methods. I had no idea there were so many ways to brew a cup o' joe! From the simple French press method to the newer, popular method of the Aeropress, coffee can be brewed in so many ways to get the perfect cup. My son has a Chemex, which is another method that is explained in the book, and now I know why he wanted a gooseneck kettle to go with it. You can control the pour of the water better and get more even results. Who would have known? This little book would make the perfect gift for any coffee lover!", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "17-Jun-2021", "date_added": "28-Mar-2021 18:35:30", "publisher": "Quirk Books", "page_count": "143 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009635011", "title": "Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual", "author": "Luvvie Ajayi Jones", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julie Blum", "word_count": 178, "review": "Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones is full of straight talk, wisdom, and tips for taking up the space you deserve. The author delivers an important message for women, especially: don\u2019t shrink yourself to fit into anyone\u2019s worldview. Be you, unapologetically. You can\u2019t do big things if you allow yourself to be restricted to the small spaces that other people make for you. Make your own space.

Ms. Jones is an excellent storyteller, and she weaves her stories with truths in a way that is both gentle and empowering as well as clever and poignant. She will have you laughing out loud, shaking your head at the audacity of people, and telling yourself, \u201cYEAH. I AM WORTH IT.\u201d Her unique writing style and hilarious footnotes make this book a quick read, but one that you\u2019ll come back to again and again for the nuggets of wisdom it contains.

When you finish reading this book, you will undoubtedly be a stronger, more fearless, more empathetic badass than you already are. Read Professional Troublemaker, then go make some trouble!", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "16-Jun-2021", "date_added": "28-Mar-2021 18:25:44", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009634015", "title": "Lying for Money: How Legendary Frauds Reveal the Workings of the World", "author": "Dan Davies", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1161, "review": "Lying for Money: Five Books on Business Corruption\n\nAs Ralph Waldo Emerson noted, \u201cmoney often costs too much,\u201d and that cost is all too often borne by those least able to manage it. While the COVID-19 pandemic has paralyzed the global markets and brought the finances of both individuals and corporations to breaking point, the rot at the heart of the economic system had set in long before the pandemic. It\u2019s no surprise then that five recent releases have sought to expose the inequalities of the business and financial sectors and to suggest ways in which society could become fairer.\n\nTax the Rich! How Lies, Loopholes, and Lobbyists Make the Rich Even Richer by Morris Pearl, Erica Payne, and the Patriotic Millionaires\n\nThe Patriotic Millionaires describe themselves as a group of \u201chigh net worth Americans, business leaders, and investors who are united in their concern about the destabilizing concentration of wealth and power in America.\u201d The group aims to help build a more equal and prosperous society by promoting equal political representation, a minimum wage for all workers, and tax reform, and in Tax the Rich! How Lies, Loopholes, and Lobbyists Make the Rich Even Richer, Patriotic Millionaires chair Morris Pearl, founder Erica Payne, and assorted other millionaire contributors explain why the US economy is rigged in favor of the rich as well as how it can be equalized. Through a combination of engaging and often humorous text, cartoons, infographics, and case studies, the authors highlight the problems with the current system and offer justifications for introducing a reformed tax code that builds the middle class, creates good employment prospects, grows the economy, and incentivizes both individuals and companies to act for the good of the country. Given the fact that inequality has never been more pronounced in US society, it\u2019s a timely and important book.\n\nThe Monsanto Papers: Deadly Secrets, Corporate Corruptions, and One Man\u2019s Search for Justice by Carey Gillam\n\nAs a school groundkeeper, Lee Johnson was used to working with well-known brands of weedkiller such as Roundup and Ranger Pro, both of which were glyphosate-based products manufactured by corporate boogeyman Monsanto. After Johnson was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and informed of his poor prognosis, he thought back to that use and to a workplace accident that left him drenched in weedkiller and made the link between that exposure and his subsequent cancer diagnosis. Monsanto had faced a host of similar accusations, but Johnson\u2019s case was the first time the company had been required to defend itself in front of a jury. The Monsanto Papers: Deadly Secrets, Corporate Corruptions, and One Man\u2019s Search for Justice is investigative journalist Carey Gillam\u2019s exhaustive account of the legal battle to hold agrochemical giant Monsanto accountable for its shameful profiteering and flagrant disregard for public safety. Gillam details some horrendously corrupt practices on the part of Monsanto, which were perhaps not as shocking as they should be given the company\u2019s dire reputation, as well as a number of coverups involving regulatory authorities, which highlight the extent to which cash and corporate power can be leveraged to avoid responsibility when the victims are ordinary people.\n \nAntitrust: Taking on Monopoly Power from the Gilded Age to the Digital Age by Amy Klobuchar\n\nSimply put, antitrust laws are intended to encourage competition by limiting the market power of individual companies. This is generally achieved by ensuring that mergers and acquisitions do not result in the concentration of market power or the formation of monopolies, although it can also involve the breakup of firms that have somehow developed into monopolies. However, the era of globalization is certainly not free of monopolies (as evidenced by Google controlling 90% of the search engine market), and as Amy Klobuchar reveals in Antitrust: Taking on Monopoly Power from the Gilded Age to the Digital Age, the concentration of market power has actual characterized the capitalist business system since the late 1800s. Klobuchar, who is currently the senior US senator from Minnesota as well as the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, is a firm advocate of the need to dismantle monopolies and so to ensure a fairer society for all. She takes readers through the history of monopoly formation in the United States (from the days of the robber barons to the passing of the Clayton Act and on to the current situation of Big Pharma), which has largely proved disastrous for average people, and highlights the problems that a lack of market competition is causing today. It\u2019s eye-opening stuff.\n\nLying for Money: How Legendary Frauds Reveal the Workings of the World by Dan Davies\n\nAs Dan Davies explains in Lying for Money: How Legendary Frauds Reveal the Workings of the World, there are various kinds of white-collar crimes, including insider trading, Ponzi schemes, identity theft, embezzlement, counterfeiting, and money laundering. All these crimes involve the criminals exploiting the trust for their victims, whether they be individuals or organizations, and as modern economies rely on trust, fraud in all its various flavors represents an insidious crime. Davies provides overviews of famous frauds and fraudsters (such as Leslie Payne, accountant for the Kray twins; Tino De Angelis, perpetrator of the great salad oil swindle; and Alves des Reis, the man who stole Portugal) and also explains the structures and trust mechanisms that they exploited. His aim is to help readers understand how frauds work (and how to recognize an honest commercial system) so that they are better placed to manage the risk to themselves and their businesses. Davies\u2019 use of case studies and schematics helps to clearly explain the often complex and convoluted processes behind frauds, and his text is both informative and entertaining.\n\nFed Up! Success, Excess and Crisis Through the Eyes of a Hedge Fund Macro Trader by Colin Lancaster\n\nAccording to Wall Street macro trader Colin Lancaster, the COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to the greatest market panic seen since the Great Depression, and in Fed Up! Success, Excess and Crisis Through the Eyes of a Hedge Fund Macro Trader, he takes readers through the heyday of the recent financial bubble, the experience of the catastrophic crash caused by the pandemic, and the early shoots of grow that signalled the slow resurgence of the market. It\u2019s a great book for those interested in the workings of the stock market and those interested in working in the stock market, as well as for those seeking to understand why the global stock market is subject to such volatility, as Lancaster details the situation on the ground and explains what the life of a trader is really like. From Lancaster\u2019s perspective, it\u2019s a taxing but lucrative life, and he explains the difficulties of keeping pace with the market environment while also keeping up with family and friends. In addition to his personal take on the stock market, Lancaster also considers the policy issues currently facing the US as well as the next generation of traders.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Mar-2021 18:43:31", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009632003", "title": "The Ping-Pong Champion of Chinatown", "author": "James Hanna", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 397, "review": "The Ping Pong Champion of Chinatown follows a young girl named Gertie McDowell across the United States as she digs herself into trouble and then magically gets out of her predicaments. Gertie is from Kentucky, and wanting to be famous, as you know we all do, she finds herself working with a man she calls \"The Nose\" who turns her into an Internet sensation, that is, turns her feet into the famous feet of \"Little Miss Twinkle Toes.\" Perverts from all over flock to her YouTube channel to see her do different weird things with her feet like putting mustard on them and then sliding them into hot dog buns. Oy vey! When Gertie decides she has had enough of this, she finds herself making dresses for a \"fashion\" company. She makes the dresses and then ships them to the company where they adorn the dresses with lace and other fancy things and then ship the dresses back to her to deliver to the local customers. Sound a bit fishy? Well, it is. Gertie finds herself in prison, but meets friends there, the kind of friends you meet in prison, that is. When she gets out she is put in the Witness Protection Program and shipped off to San Francisco. And this is where the title comes from.

The Ping Pong Champion of Chinatown is wildly entertaining. In fact, I read it in one sitting. Gertie's southern hick charm comes across in James Hanna's writing as if she were sitting right next to you telling you her story. Gertie is so smart and talented in many areas, but her gullible nature lands her in heaps of trouble. I found each chapter to be well written and engaging. Each and every character has a special place in Gertie's life, and the author takes his time in developing each one and Gertie's feelings toward them. Gertie's naivety will have readers both chuckling and saying \"oh no!\" Throughout the story, Gertie's positive attitude shines through, and maybe this is what keeps her going through life. I would love to read another book starring Gertie McDowell as she is only twenty-three towards the end of the book. A fun, crazy, action-packed roller-coaster ride of a book, The Ping Pong Champion of Chinatown will have its readers feeling completely enveloped in the world of Gertie. Recommended for young adult to adult readers.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2021", "date_added": "25-Mar-2021 01:47:36", "publisher": "Sand Hill Review Press", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009631003", "title": "Design for a Living Planet: The Earth Constitution Solution", "author": "Glen T. Martin, Ph.D.", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 499, "review": "Climate Courage by Andreas Karelas\n\nA book about climate change doesn\u2019t always have to be doom and gloom, but can be something positive and hopeful. //Climate Courage// is one of those books. Author Andreas Karelas makes it clear that we already have all the tools we need to not only combat climate change, but to heal the planet too. Focusing on stories from around the world where small changes lead to big success, along with the immense growth in new jobs in clean energy, //Climate Courage// is an inspiring read that makes the reader realize we not only have a chance, but we can really turn back climate change.\n\n\nAdvocating for the Environment by Susan Inches\n\nWhen it comes to climate change, one can often feel just helpless at the insurmountable odds, and what change can one person do? //Advocating for the Environment// seeks to turn that concept on its head by presenting solutions that are policy-based and with a concentration on advocacy to actually make a change. A first of its kind book with discussions on storytelling with relation to climate change, as well as improving one\u2019s skills with coalition building and communication strategy, and providing plenty of case studies to show it actually works. No matter how small, change can be achieved. \n\n\nDesign for a Living Planet by Glen T. Martin\n\n//Design for Living Planet// is a deep dive into environmental design from an urban philosopher and a mathematician who is also a physicist, but they seek to make it clear and engaging for non-science minded readers. Covering new findings on subjects like fractals, networks, self organization, and dynamical systems to name a few, and even addressing some of the more revolutionary ideas. The authors make it clear a big change is taking place in modern design, and for those interested, this book has the answers.\n\n\nUnder the Sky We Make by Kimberly Nicholas\n\nWe can\u2019t have too many books that give us hope about climate change, and //Under the Sky We Make// is one of those books. Author Kimberly Nicholas draws on her fifteen years of public speaking around the world about sustainability, after realizing that people weren\u2019t getting the right message that there\u2019s nothing the individual can really do to combat climate change. Nicholas shows how it will require a lot of hard work, both societal and cultural change, but it can be done.\n\n\nA Brief History of Earth by Andrew H. Knoll\n\nPlanet Earth has been around for over four billion years. To say that a lot has happened in that time is a vast understatement. And yet telling that four billion year story comprehensively is a gargantuan undertaking. But for someone looking to get a good idea of that immense history there\u2019s //A Brief History of Earth//. Andrew H. Knoll is a renowned geologist who draws on his decades of field research to show just how much has changed on the planet, and perhaps most importantly, putting our current world in poignant perspective.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Mar-2021 19:58:21", "publisher": "Oracle Institute Press", "page_count": "342 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009629011", "title": "Her Last Breath", "author": "Hilary Davidson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1027, "review": "Ominous Reads\n\nIf you\u2019re looking to escape to a dangerous world populated by sinister characters and characterized by all manner of danger and deception this autumn, then the following six thrillers could be just what you\u2019re after:\n\nDeceptions (A Helena Marsh Novel, 2) by Anna Porter\n\nIn Deceptions, the second outing for art expect, martial arts master, and superb amateur sleuth Helena Marsh, former Budapest policeman Attila Feher thinks he has the perfect ruse to reconnect with his ex-lover: he intends to ask Helena to appraise a painting and determine if it really is a work by the famous artist Artemisia Gentileschi. Unfortunately for Feher, his plans are quickly derailed by the fact that Eastern European gangsters also seem to be interested in the painting, which has the potential to expose corruption at the highest levels of Hungarian society. As the bodies begin to pile up, Feher has reason to be glad that he sought Helena\u2019s help, although maybe not the reason he was initially hoping for. In Helena Marsh, Anna Porter has created an enigmatic and dynamic heroine who really knows how to kick ass and take names. She has a great nose for a mystery, and she\u2019s definitely not worried about getting her hands dirty.\n\nTell Me the Truth (Adler and Dwyer, 2) by Matthew Farrell\n\nJenny Moore might be pleased to finally be leaving for college, but she\u2019s the only one who seems to think it\u2019s a good idea that she leaves the town of Lewisboro, New York and all the memories it holds behind. In fact, there\u2019s at least one person who\u2019s willing to go to any lengths to stop her from going. When Jenny\u2019s mother finds her stabbed and left for dead outside their family home, state police investigator Susan Adler and consultant Liam Dwyer are called in to investigate the attack. They can immediately tell that something is very wrong in the town; they are confronted with a surfeit of suspects and it seems that pretty much everyone is hiding behind lies and deception. Tell Me the Truth by Matthew Farrell is the second crime thriller to feature Adler and Dwyer, and it\u2019s a seriously suspenseful police procedural in which nothing is what it seems and no one seems capable of telling the truth.\n\nHer Last Breath by Hilary Davidson\n\nDeidre is devastated to learn that her sister Caroline is dead, but she\u2019s in for an even greater shock. Some time after hearing of Caroline\u2019s death, Deidre receives a message that her sister had written days earlier, a message that claimed her forthcoming death would be no accident. Despite having been estranged from her family for years, Deidre decides to brave the trip to Manhattan to attend Caroline\u2019s funeral, and while she\u2019s there, to investigate the circumstances behind her sister\u2019s death. A frightening encounter with Caroline\u2019s husband Theo at the funeral raises the possibility that she might have been having an affair, which suggests a possible reason for her death. Deidre decides to dig deeper, however dangerous that might prove. Her Last Breath by Hilary Davidson is a dark and twisted thriller than is permeated by a sense of menace and danger. It\u2019s a fast-paced story characterized by blistering psychological suspense.\n\nVortex (An FBI Thriller, 25) by Catherine Coulter\n\nMia Briscoe\u2019s best friend Serena disappeared seven years ago during a college rave that ended in tragedy when a fire broke out. Now working as an investigative journalist in New York, Mia is covering her regular political beat when she happens upon some photos from the night Serena vanished. Working with FBI Agent Sherlock to track back through the events of that night, Mia soon realizes that powerful figures may have strong reasons for keeping what happened to Serena hushed up. Meanwhile, Agent Savich is working with CIA operative Olivia Hildebrandt to uncover what happened to a missing member of her team and the flash drive he was tasked with protecting. As the two investigations proceed and converge, the danger level rises as the intrigue deepens. Catherine Coulter is on top form with this twenty-fifth installment in her FBI Thriller series, and the events of Vortex are sure to set readers\u2019 hearts racing.\n\nBreeder by Honni van Rijswijk\n\nSometime in the not too distant future, in a world ruled by the sinister Corporation, fifteen-year-old Will Meadows is doing his best to survive in Zone F, the most run-down and deprived ring of the Corporation. Will has to maintain his productivity if he is to avoid being sent to the Rator, but he knows that he\u2019s lucky compared with the Zone F Breeders: they are born into debt and can only escape through participating in the Corporation\u2019s reproduction program. When Will risks traveling to the less restricted Gray Zone, he gains a job from a corrupt Corporation official and finds a friend in Alex, a Breeder who is on the run. Things seem to be looking up for Will and Alex, but when their happiness leads to complacency, they risk losing everything they\u2019ve worked for. Breeder by Honni van Rijswijk is a futuristic thriller set in a dystopian world where everyday life is terrifying and dangerous for the majority. It\u2019s a scary but all too believable story.\n\nArrow\u2019s Rest (The Offshore Novels, 3) by Joel Scott\n\nJoel Scott\u2019s Arrow\u2019s Rest is a nautical thriller that certainly makes a splash. When fisherman Jared Kane sets out to find the perpetrators behind a sadistic assault on a female acquaintance, he ends up discovering far more than he bargained on. It seems that the assault is linked to a particularly dangerous criminal network with links to those in high political office. Events seem to center on an exclusive yacht club, which Jared considers to be the perfect place to moor his own rather more downmarket yacht, Arrow. With the help of his friend Danny MacLean, Jared sets about investigating all of the shady goings-on at the club, eventually embarking on a deadly chase through the Salish Sea that ends in tragedy for the Arrow and her crew. The thrilling storyline and healthy dose of danger make for an excellent slice of crime on the high seas.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Mar-2021 21:20:51", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "301 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009629003", "title": "When America Stopped Being Great: A History of the Present", "author": "Nick Bryant", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1101, "review": "Political Roundup\n\nLet\u2019s face it, while it can be pretty hard to understand what\u2019s going on in the world of politics, it\u2019s generally even harder to determine if politicians themselves know what\u2019s happening. The following five books tackle important contemporary political issues and explain the background to them, which should help readers to untangle the mess, see beyond the news reports, and understand why things are happening as well as what can be done to change the situation.\n\nChildren Under Fire: An American Crisis by John Woodrow Cox\n\nAs investigative journalist John Woodrow Cox notes in the opening chapter of Children Under Fire: An American Crisis, gun violence represents a public health crisis in the United States that has long been both drastically underestimated and willfully ignored, and it is having a terrible impact on the nation\u2019s children. In fact, shockingly, on average, one child is shot every hour in the United States, making gunfire the second-leading cause of death among children in the country. Based on a series of articles Cox wrote for the Washington Post, this book examines the tragic effects that guns and gun violence are having on children. Through first-person accounts of those, both adults and children, who have suffered as a result of gun violence, the book highlights how woefully inadequate current gun control laws are and also exposes the individuals and organizations that have a vested interest in keeping them that way. The stories included in the book are heartrending and should prompt even those most committed to the cause of the gun lobby to reflect on what can and should be done to protect America\u2019s children.\n\nWhen America Stopped Being Great: A History of the Present by Nick Bryant\n\nIn When America Stopped Being Great: A History of the Present, Nick Bryant looks back on the major events from the last four decades of American history in an effort to uncover what led to the dramatic and polarizing events that have characterized far more recent history, including the Trump presidency, the Black Lives Matter movement, the storming of the Capital Building, and the (mis)handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through clear prose and powerful imagery, Bryant explains how the optimism that permeated American society following the end of the Cold War was eroded in the decades that followed due to political scandals, economic inequalities, and social immobility, resulting in a society that was more divided than ever before. Bryant argues that this sense of division paved the way for Donald Trump to become president, which led to the further polarization of groups within US society. It\u2019s a deeply personal account that still manages to provide a broad overview of American history, offering suggestions as to what the future may hold.\n\nA Beginner\u2019s Guide to America: For the Immigrant and the Curious by Roya Hakakian\n\nRoya Hakakian fled her homeland of Iran in August 1984 and, after spending months trekking through Europe as a refugee, eventually settled in the United States. In the prologue to A Beginner\u2019s Guide to America: For the Immigrant and Curious, she reflects on how, as a new arrival to the country, she was bombarded with information on the practicalities of being an immigrant to the United States but given next to no advice on how to live as an American, how to fit in, and how to reconcile her old life with the new one. Hakakian notes that while no two immigrants are the same, there are common human experiences and common immigrant experiences, which means that there are understandings, reflections, and puzzlements that could be of benefit to all. She has written this book to elucidate an immigrant\u2019s perspective on life in the United States and so to help both new arrivals and natives expand their understanding of contemporary America. As such, it provides an unflinching, insightful, and sometimes even humorous account of immigrant life from the point of arrival through to naturalization and beyond. \n\nHow Rights Went Wrong: Why Our Obsession with Rights Is Tearing America Apart by Jamal Greene\n\nDespite referencing the existence of certain \u201cinalienable rights,\u201d including \u201cLife, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,\u201d the US Constitution actually says very little about the specificities of rights, most likely because the Founders disagreed as to their nature and necessity. In fact, as Jamal Greene notes in How Rights Went Wrong: Why Our Obsession with Rights Is Tearing America Apart, the Founders preferred to leave the issue of rights to legislatures and juries, not judges, although it was their failure to tackle the issue of racial discrimination that gave rise to the human rights system seen in the United States today. This lack of a structured approach to rights has led to a situation in which the courts will protect the interests they recognize as rights from even the positive interference of democratic politics, while they leave interests that have not been officially recognized as rights to the mercy of the government. The difficulty of determining \u201ctrue\u201d rights from mere interests was compounded by the explosion in rights seeking that characterized 1960s America, and the situation is no more clear today. Greene elucidates the need to reconceptualize rights and to link them more closely to justice before the divisions in contemporary society cause irreparable damage.\n\nThe Spirit of Green: The Economics of Collisions and Contagions in a Crowded World by William D. Nordhaus\n\nIn writing The Spirit of Green: The Economics of Collisions and Contagions in a Crowded World, William D. Nordhaus, who won the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for \u201cintegrating climate change into long-run macroeconomic analysis,\u201d sought to address the challenges posed by economic growth and globalization and the unintended consequences of the two. The consequence of particular interest to him is climate change, and many of the ideas presented in the book are intended to help slow that process. Due to focusing on the issues from an economic perspective, Nordhaus discusses how both public and private institutions can be harnessed to identify effective solutions to the challenges facing industrialized societies. He also seeks to answer a wide range of social, political, and economic questions from what he terms the \u201cGreen\u201d perspective, focusing on issues such as pollution, global warming, and inequality. Nordhaus clearly sets out his Green philosophy and establishes its potential applications in globalized and technologically sophisticated societies. He suggests concrete Green steps that can be taken to help save the planet, ranging from increasing the incentives associated with the use of Green energy to improving ethical norms for both individuals and companies. In doing all this, Nordhaus succeeds in rendering complex discussions highly readable.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Mar-2021 19:07:05", "publisher": "Bloomsbur", "page_count": "404 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009628007", "title": "The Shape of Darkness: A Novel", "author": "Laura Purcell", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 198, "review": "Agnes is a silhouette artist struggling to keep her business afloat. Nobody wants their silhouettes only when the photograph is becoming more and more popular. Things take a turn for the worse when her clients are being found murdered. Who will want to sit for her now? Agnes decides to visit a medium to get some answers. However, Agnes discovers that The Shape of Darkness might come in a more familiar form than she is prepared for.

Set a book in Victorian England and I\u2019m pretty much sold no matter what. Add in ghosts and murder, and it\u2019s a must-read. The relationship between sisters in this story is so interesting. How can you love someone that you also hate? While there are some supernatural elements in this tale, there are also many examples of the power of our mind and how far we\u2019re willing to go to believe in something that is contrary to what we see. If you are anything like me and love anything Victorian, ghost stories, and murder mysteries, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. I\u2019ve never read anything else by this author, but now that I have, I\u2019m going to have to read more.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "24-Mar-2021 20:39:56", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009627011", "title": "How Stella Learned to Talk: The Groundbreaking Story of the World's First Talking Dog", "author": "Christina Hunger", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lena - Age 13", "word_count": 213, "review": "How Stella Learned to Talk is such a cool story! The author, Christina Hunger, is a speech therapist who works with children. This book isn\u2019t just about dogs; it starts with a story about Oliver, one of the children Christina works with. Oliver had a communication device with ten pre-programmed sentences. Christina decided to give him buttons with single words that Oliver could combine himself. It worked! Later, when she adopted a new puppy, she noticed that the puppy, Stella, was using non-verbal communication strategies just like some of Christina\u2019s nonverbal child patients. Christina got the idea to use the word buttons with her dog just like she used with some of the children she works with.

My favorite story, the one that practically makes my head explode thinking about it, is about what Stella did when her \u2018beach\u2019 button stopped working. Stella pushed buttons for \u2018help,\u2019 \u2018water,\u2019 and \u2018outside.\u2019 One day, when Christina ran out of Stella\u2019s regular dog food, Stella refused to eat other food and pushed buttons for \u2018eat\u2019 and \u2018no.\u2019 This book includes tips for assisting your dog\u2019s communication. You have to be both patient and persistent! It\u2019s really cool and a little scary to think what our pets might want to say if we give them a chance.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2021", "date_added": "24-Mar-2021 20:49:55", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009627003", "title": "How to Be Animal: A New History of What It Means to Be Human", "author": "Melanie Challenger", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 693, "review": "Spring Nature Roundup\nby Holly Scudero\n\nFlowers are blooming, trees are awash in fresh green leaves, allergies are going nuts, and suddenly the garden center is a hot spot of activity every weekend: spring has finally arrived. And there\u2019s no better time to develop or renew an interest in the natural world than when the world itself is experiencing renewal! Whatever your interest--whether you\u2019re fascinated by plants or animals, or even the environment as a whole--this spring has brought us a plethora of new books to help you dive in and learn something new. Read on for some of this season\u2019s top picks.\n\n\nNational Audubon Society Birds of North America (National Audubon Society Guide)\nNational Audubon Society\n\nIf you\u2019ve ever wondered what birds show up in your backyard or which species you see when your family is on vacation, then this beautiful, freshly updated bird guide from the National Audubon Society is perfect for you. This book covers more than 800 species of birds found in North America. Each entry includes a physical description, as well as information on what their call/song sounds like, what part of the continent they are found on, and their nesting habits. Birds are presented in a logical fashion--related species are together--and there are thousands of pictures, making it easier than ever to identify any individual bird. \n\n\nThe Eco Hero Handbook: Simple Solutions to Tackle Eco-Anxiety\nTessa Wardley\n\nIt\u2019s nearly impossible to not be aware of some of the many ways humans are negatively affecting our planet, but for many of us, the solutions seem simply overwhelming. Environmentalist and activist Tessa Wardley presents a series of easy-to-implement solutions in this reader-friendly book. Each big subject is tackled one at a time, with the issue broken down into understandable terms and one or more practical solutions that anyone can implement into their own life. The issues are sorted into categories--home, out and about, work, food, activism--and the many colorful illustrations are eye-catching, encouraging you to keep reading and keep changing.\n\n\nHow to Be Animal: A New History of What It Means to Be Human\nMelanie Challenger\n\nHuman beings are technically animals, though we have tried for pretty much our entire existence to separate ourselves from the natural world. We have used our brains to invent all manner of philosophy and ideology to justify the many physical ways we\u2019ve separated ourselves from animals, and to make acceptable the ways we treat animals and the rest of the environment. Melanie Challenger\u2019s new book explores humanity\u2019s complicated relationship with its own animalistic nature throughout history, as well as how the barriers we\u2019ve constructed between ourselves and nature may affect the future of the planet.\n\n\nThe Spirit of Animal Healing: An Integrative Medicine Guide to a Higher State of Well-being\nMarty Goldstein\n\nThe field of medicine is always evolving, and that includes veterinary medicine as well. Dr. Marty Goldstein has been a veterinarian for decades, and for much of that time he has been a pioneer and champion for integrative medical practices for pets. His new book presents readers with the latest, most up-to-date information on how anybody can use integrative medicine to help their pets live their best lives. Readers will learn how they can use nutritional supplements and various therapies to keep their pets healthy, and they\u2019ll also learn about a variety of subjects they may have never thought deeply about before, such as cancer treatment, vaccinations, animal spirituality, and more.\n\n\nNational Audubon Society Trees of North America (National Audubon Society Guide)\nNational Audubon Society\n\nThe National Audubon Society has pulled together a collection of respected experts to compile this gorgeous field guide to the trees on the North American continent. Readers can use this book to identify more than 540 different species of trees; each entry includes information about where the tree can be found as well as its bark, fruit, flowers, leaf shape, and more. And thousands of color photographs combined with a smart, well thought-out organization system seal the deal, making it easier than ever to figure out which trees are in your yard or are along the trail while you\u2019re hiking. Every nature lover needs this guide.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Mar-2021 18:49:54", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009626015", "title": "Sewing Simple Softies with 17 Amazing Designers", "author": "Trixi Symonds", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 757, "review": "DIY Roundup\n\nIf there\u2019s one (non-health-related) thing that the lockdowns of the past year or so have highlighted, it\u2019s the importance of having hobbies and entertaining ways to pass the time. Whether you\u2019re looking to learn a new craft, find a new way to relax, or embark upon a whole new lifestyle, there\u2019s a book out there that can help you get started. Here\u2019s just a small selection of recent publications that could encourage you to start something new:\n\nSewing Simple Softies with 17 Amazing Designers by Trixi Symonds and Deborah Fisher\n\nTrixi Symonds launched the Sew a Softie project with the aim of encouraging people of all ages from all around the world to take up sewing. Now, with Sewing Simple Softies with 17 Amazing Designers, which she has cowritten with Deborah Fisher, she hopes to encourage even more people to pick up a needle and thread and let their creativity run wild. Among the seventeen delightful soft toys that the book teaches readers to make are Pocket Panda, Blossom Bee, Valentina Ballerina, and Yummy Sandwich, and they are all just as cute as you would expect. In addition to the guidance and templates required to complete the various sewing projects, the book also includes information on different stitching techniques and the use of several types of materials. The book is particularly useful for those who are still quite new to sewing, as the instructions are clearly written and accompanied by helpful illustrations while every project can be hand-sewn, which means there is no need to invest in expense gear in order to craft a cute character. After working through some of the included projects, readers should be able to design, plan, and craft their own super-lovely softie.\n\nThe Backyard Homesteader: How to Save Water, Keep Bees, Eat from Your Garden, and Live a More Sustainable Life by Alison Candlin\n\nIn The Backyard Homesteader, Alison Candlin provides a raft of information, tips, tricks, and warnings for those looking to live off the land and enjoy a more self-sufficient lifestyle. Her clear, no-nonsense guidance aims to set people up right from the very beginning of their self-sufficiency journey, which includes obtaining the relevant permits and filing the necessary paperwork, clearing the land, and improving the soil quality. She certainly doesn\u2019t sugar-coat the amount of hard work involved in being a homesteader. She describes how the growing conditions of almost every piece of land can be enhanced by building a greenhouse, installing fencing, and ensuring there is sufficient drainage, and she explains how to make the best decisions concerning planting and crop rotation. She also provides some helpful information on animal husbandry for those seeking to increase their sustainability by raising pigs, chickens, or cows, among other animals. There\u2019s no need to own a smallholding to make use of Candlin\u2019s tips though, as she also provides information for those seeking to cultivate far more modest spaces such as allotments or residential gardens. Candlin\u2019s comprehensive account of how to get started and progress as a homesteader, as well as the hundreds of helpful photographs and illustrations that accompany her text, make this book a \u201cmust read\u201d for those seriously considering off-grid living and those looking to daydream about an alternative way of life.\n\nFragile World: Color Nature\u2019s Wonders by Kerby Rosanes and Imogen Currell-Williams\n\nKerby Rosanes is truly outstanding when it comes to crafting intricate pen and ink drawings and doodles that contain fair more detail and meaning than is initially apparent, and his work is extremely well-suited to being featured in coloring books. When putting together the images for Fragile World: Color Nature\u2019s Wonders, Rosanes turned his attention to endangered and threatened animals from around the world. There are illustrations, either single- or double-page spreads, of fifty-five animals featured in the book, including pandas, cheetahs, and polar bears. Each illustration is amazing in terms of its detail, in addition to being a huge amount of fun to color in. It really is a coloring book for people of all ages, and it will particularly appeal to those who are interested in wildlife, ecosystems, and conservation. Toward the end of the book, Imogen Currell-Williams provides information on each of the fifty-five animals featured, including the degree to which each is endangered, which really enhances the impact of the book and ensures that it both entertains and informs. Plus, royalties from the book are being donated to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, which means that buying it helps to support the foundation\u2019s efforts to conserve animals and their habitats worldwide.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Mar-2021 19:39:53", "publisher": "Schiffer", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009626007", "title": "Goodbye, Again: Essays, Reflections, and Illustrations", "author": "Jonny Sun", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 184, "review": "Jonny Sun, author of everyone\u2019s a aliebn when ur a aliebn too, brings his thoughtful, observant, and funny voice to this collection of essays. These essays take up a number of different ideas: cooking, the implications of living to work, the joys and challenges of taking care of plants, and deepening understandings of oneself, one\u2019s friends, and one\u2019s family. Accompanying many essays are delicate yet expressive drawings that depict everything from a cup of yogurt to the opening leaves of a plant. The effect is a collection that is thoughtful, quiet, and heartfelt.

Sun\u2019s book is filled with moments and observations that beg to be underlined. Reflecting on how he spends his free time, for example, he writes, \u201c[M]y favorite ways to relax are to work, just on something other than work.\u201d His contemplations of obsession with productivity, the ways people come together over food, the slow but visible growth of plants, and dealing with sadness and anxiety come together to create a reading experience that is illuminating\u2014and that inspires the reader to pay careful and loving attention to the things in their own world.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "29-May-2021", "date_added": "24-Mar-2021 19:14:59", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009626003", "title": "The Queen's Secret", "author": "Melissa de la Cruz", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 204, "review": "Though married and queen of both Montrice and Renovia, Lilac wants to keep Cal, the queen\u2019s assassin, as her little secret. Unfortunately, issues in Renovia take Cal away, even though there\u2019s concern about a sinister force at work in the palace. A scribe has warned of a gray monk in the tower, known to belong to a group with ominous plans. When her mother is forced out of the Renovian palace due to a suspicious fire and ends up with Lilac in Montrice, Cal worries about a plot to get the royals together. As the deaths pile up, the people start turning against Lilac, calling her a witch, but there is something much darker overtaking the kingdom and time is running out.

Misunderstandings lead to questions for both Lilac and Cal about their relationship, and rather than approach each other and end the confusion, anger increases the gap between them, although they refuse to give up. Lilac has changed a lot from The Queen\u2019s Assassin, but her take-charge attitude and refusal to fall to the patriarchy of the king\u2019s council is part of what readers love about her strong character and grit. The ending to this duology comes too quickly but is satisfying nonetheless.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "05-May-2021", "date_added": "24-Mar-2021 18:40:30", "publisher": "G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009623003", "title": "Rescuing the Planet: Protecting Half the Land to Heal the Earth", "author": "Tony Hiss", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 182, "review": "Does putting aside fifty percent of the world\u2019s land into preserves sound like a doable method of saving the earth? It seems impossible to this reader, however, the author, Tony Hiss details all of the worldwide efforts to do just that and comes up with a very optimistic prognosis. It is delightful and inspiring to learn about the efforts to put aside land in an effort to save our fragile planet. Those engaged in this line of work are called Half Earthers. It has been known for some time that animals need broad ranges in which to roam, yet urban sprawl intersects migration routes bringing wild animals into dangerous proximity with humans. The author details efforts of individuals and groups who have worked to save wilderness where they can. He further argues for greater coalitions of those groups and new contacts in order to seamlessly work together to make land and forest preservation a reality. While this book has a good index, it would have been a service to have a listing of referrals so that readers could join this worthwhile effort.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "24-Mar-2021 18:09:03", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009622003", "title": "What You Never Knew: A Novel", "author": "Jessica Hamilton", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 197, "review": "After the death of her older sister May, June Bennett discovers that she is now the owner of Avril Island, their family home they left when June was twelve and had always been told had been sold. Struggling with the loss of May, June decides to go home where she discovers nothing was as it seems. The disappearance of her father, which prompted their exodus from the island, might have actually been a murder that was never solved. June starts looking for answers and begins to discover that What You Never Knew can truly hurt you.

This story is told from the perspective of both June and May, after her death, which gave both of those characters more depth as you learned what each was like from themselves and from each other. This was more of an emotional drama full of misunderstood and broken people, than a murder mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though it was not what I expected. If you enjoy stories that showcase how far we\u2019ll go for the ones we love, as well as tales of how one action can have unforeseen consequences that last a lifetime, you will love this book.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2021", "date_added": "24-Mar-2021 17:57:52", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009621019", "title": "The Unkindness of Ravens: A Greer Hogan Mystery (Greer Hogan Mysteries)", "author": "M. E. Hilliard", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1113, "review": "Mystery Roundup\n\nThere\u2019s nothing like a good murder mystery to help you while away the hours and perhaps even cause you to question the characters and motivations of those nearest and dearest to you. Whether you\u2019re in the mood for a gentle mystery, an action-packed thriller, or a shocking example of real-life crime, the following new releases have got you covered:\n\nThe Unkindness of Ravens: A Greer Hogan Mystery by M.E. Hilliard\n\nGreer Hogan might be a librarian with a fondness for murder mysteries, but she has no desire to become embroiled in anything death-related herself. Unfortunately for Greer, both murder and mystery seem to be taking center stage in her life. First, her husband was murdered, which prompted Greer to start afresh in the idyllic community of Raven Hill, where for a time she was happily employed in the town\u2019s library. Things take yet another turn for the worse, however, when she finds her best friend dead in the library. There have been two other suspicious deaths in Raven Hill in recent times, although the police deem them to be accidental, but Greer is starting to think that there is something seriously amiss in the seemingly tranquil community. Could there be a serial killer on the prowl in Raven Hill? How are the recent deaths related to a murder from decades ago? And perhaps more importantly, how is any of it related to the death of Greer\u2019s husband? The Unkindness of Ravens is an intriguing murder mystery packed with plenty of red herrings and loads of fun references to crime fiction from the golden age. \n\nA Lonely Man by Chris Power\n\nA chance encounter in a bookshop\u2013\u2013two strangers reaching for the same book at the same time\u2013\u2013should be a minor incident at most, but in Chris Power\u2019s A Lonely Man, it changes the course of a writer\u2019s life. Struggling to write that difficult second book, currently eighteen months overdue, Robert Prowe spends his time wallowing, avoiding writing, and occasionally attending readings at bookshops near his Berlin home. During one such event, he meets a drunk and belligerent fellow named Patrick, another Brit adrift in Berlin, who he later has to save from a beating. The two end up going for a drink and, to Robert\u2019s surprise, Patrick ends up being good company. They actually find a lot to talk about, and that\u2019s before Patrick mentions that he was working as the ghostwriter for a Russian oligarch who has recently been found hanged. Patrick claims that he is being followed and maintains that his own life is in danger due to his association with the oligarch. It all seems a bit unbelievable to Robert, but since he has been struggling for months to come up with a storyline for his new book, he decides to use Patrick and his story to get his own writing started. This kick-starts a thrilling game of cat and mouse in which Patrick can never be sure what is real, what is fiction, and whether the distinction really matters.\n\nThe Eagle and the Viper by Loren D. Estleman\n\nOn Christmas Eve in 1880, an attempt was made to assassinate Napoleon Bonaparte, who had recently been appointed First Consul of the French Republic. It wasn\u2019t the first such attempt, although it did cause more devastation than more, resulting in buildings in Paris being destroyed and civilians killed. This much is historical fact, but in The Eagle and the Viper Loren D. Estleman crafts an explosive story around what might have happened if pro-royalist plotters had been inspired by the Christmas Eve assassinate attempt to launch their own conspiracy to bring down Napoleon. In Estleman\u2019s alternative reality, the plotters are led by Georges Cadoudal, a former French military offer who fled to England following the birth of the Republic. Cadoudal hires a mysterious assassin known as the Viper, who seems to have his own deep-seated reasons for wanting to kill Napoleon. Mixing history with fiction, real people with intriguing characters, gives rise to an action-packed story of assassins and spies that whizzes along at a cracking pace as the Viper heads toward Paris and his fateful encounter with Napoleon.\n\nAll That Fall by Kris Calvin\n\nWhen best friends Emma Lawson and Kate Doyle decide to give up their careers in the cut-and-thrust world of Sacramento politics in order to open a preschool, they have no idea just how dangerous their new endeavor will prove to be. Things seem to be going well when the Governor of California\u2019s three-year-old daughter Vivian is enrolled in their preschool, but when both Vivian and Kate\u2019s fifteen-year-old son Luke are kidnapped during a tour of the preschool, events take a turn for the deadly. Kate is shot and seriously wounded during the kidnapping, leaving Emma to puzzle out what the kidnappers are after and where they could have stashed the children. Despite the dearth of clues, Emma\u2019s tenacity means that she makes more progress than the authorities, linking the kidnapping to long-buried secrets with serious implications for those at the highest level of Sacramento society. Kris Calvin\u2019s All That Fall is an intriguing and suspenseful story of corruption and murder that grips readers from the outset and holds their attention throughout as Emma Lawson seeks to unravel the most complex of political scandals. \n\nAt Any Cost: A Father\u2019s Betrayal, a Wife\u2019s Murder, and a Ten-Year War for Justice by Rebecca Rosenberg and Selim Algar\n\nIn At Any Cost, Rebecca Rosenberg and Selim Algar relate the shocking story behind the real-life murder of Shele Danishefsky by her former husband Rod Covlin. Danishefsky had already accumulated considerable wealth through her job with Merrill Lynch by the time she married Covlin, who was eleven years younger and worked as both a stockbroker and a professional backgammon player. Although the couple initially seemed well suited, cracks soon began to appear in their relationship. In addition to frequent affairs, Covlin enjoyed gambling and the finer things in life, and he expected Danishefsky to pay for them. Despite the fact that they went on to have two children, Covlin didn\u2019t change his ways, and the couple eventually separated. This proved to be the tipping point for Covlin, who wanted to hang on to Danishefsky\u2019s money at any cost, even murder. As Rosenberg and Algar explain, Covlin was initially able to get away with his wife\u2019s murder due to her death being ruled accidental, although he was finally brought to justice ten years later. The authors clearly and respectfully set out all that happened leading up to the murder and in the years before Covlin was charged, including his bizarre schemes to murder his parents. It all makes for a disturbing read.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Mar-2021 18:29:46", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009621015", "title": "The Sanatorium: A Novel", "author": "Sarah Pearse", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 165, "review": "High atop the Swiss Alps looms a formerly abandoned sanatorium, now turned into a five-star hotel. Elin begrudgingly accepts an invitation from her brother to visit the hotel to celebrate his engagement, but just hours after her arrival, a woman is murdered. Then an avalanche hits, preventing anyone from leaving. Soon more women are found dead, and unless Elin can uncover the killer, she may be next.

The Sanatorium is, truly, an atmospheric read. Blistering winds, snow-capped trees, and eerie remnants of the sanatorium patients create a chilling environment and the perfect tone for an Agatha Christie-style whodunnit. Our leading lady, Elin, has a haunting past of her own that slowly becomes unraveled as she searches for the truth, which makes her less reliable but also more interesting. While not quite as subtle in its red herrings as it could be, and ultimately a little disappointing in its resolution, The Sanatorium is a great read whether it\u2019s a stormy summer night or an icy winter day.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "28-May-2021", "date_added": "24-Mar-2021 18:24:25", "publisher": "Pamela Dorman Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009620003", "title": "Predator/ Nomad: A Novel", "author": "Daniel Micko", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 425, "review": "\"If you're willing to sacrifice life as a way to get what you want, then you're a predator. If you're willing to walk the journey to achieve your goals, then you're a nomad.\" The news of his brother's death leaves freelance journalist Price Laurel destabilized and anxious about the next phase in his life. First, he decides to interview Dr. Roberts\u2014a brilliant genetics specialist\u2014and discovers some shocking secrets. Apparently, human clones are real, and they might have been created unlawfully and by challenging the idea of what is right and wrong. Price is determined to get to the root of it all, either as a predator or a nomad.

Predator/Nomad is an intriguing and unpredictable tale that keeps you eager to discover the next wild event.

The story is wound round several interesting themes: murder, drug dealing, princehood, espionage, mind control, soldiers, politics, LGBTQ+, psychology, rebellion, psychopathy, and more! The first ten chapters alternate between the viewpoints of Princess Saleh Aisha of Saudi Arabia and Dr. Jordan Roberts, albeit in different locations\u2014 like Columbia, California, Yemen, and Italy. It was exciting to find myself immersed in a sporadic tale that is set in different countries and cultures.

I especially liked how educative the book is. I learned about and was reminded of several things, from game theory and cognitive dissonance to the difference between a psychopath and a social deviant. These interesting concepts and more are embedded in the story in a way that it still retains its appeal\u2014with engaging conversations and events. Some ideas are quite profound and thought-provoking, like the fact that creative people are usually more arrogant because \"creativity itself subconsciously travels the paths that subverts social norms\". Daniel Micko's characters are complex and realistic. I could relate to Price's tough situation as he conditions himself to get to work while faced with uncertainty about the future. Also, I was fully immersed in the world of the book as the descriptions are vivid and easy to picture. I could almost feel the \"lush green blades of grass\" and the \"glass windows, through which you can see the pool in the back\".

In Predator/Nomad, Daniel Micko does a great job of combining scientific innovation, intense action, deep revelations, interesting conversations, cultural diversity, political games, psychology, and more. It's the type of book that you can read several times and discover new things every time. You should read Predator/Nomad if you wish to discover several thought-provoking ideas and wish to be yanked away from your reality to another one, with endless possibilities and little consequences.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "24-Mar-2021 15:26:11", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009619003", "title": "Down Comes the Night: A Novel", "author": "Allison Saft", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 17", "word_count": 203, "review": "Disgraced and willing to do anything to get reinstated in the Queen's Guard Wren takes a dangerous and treasonous trip to a neighboring nation to heal a servant of a noble. When she gets there, she finds the servant isn\u2019t a servant but Hal Cavendish, a feared assassin. And the enemy. With nothing left to lose, Wren chooses to stay. But there\u2019s more to the illness than she ever could have imagined, and she and Hal are right in the center of it.

Down Comes The Night is full of description, emotion, and fascinating characters. The prose, at times, is on the verge of being too flowery, the descriptions being too descriptive. Personally, I love it, but it's not everyone's cup of tea. The romance is an enemy to lovers and is well-paced. Wren is in love with someone else at the beginning making it awkward that she falls for someone else so easily, but it comes back at the end and is concluded well. Wren is an emotional character and it shows. All the time. She knows she needs to be detached, but she\u2019s not capable of it and her empathy is what gets her into trouble and makes her so wonderful.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2021", "date_added": "23-Mar-2021 23:19:32", "publisher": "St. Martin's", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009617003", "title": "Living In The Rain", "author": "Ann Ormsby", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 415, "review": "Cassie Pennebaker is a student at Kent Community College, hoping to someday be a foreign correspondent. Joe Baker is her boyfriend with a dream of his own: to finish up his education at Boston University with Cassie by his side. Sally Bishop is Cassie\u2019s grandmother and the only relative she is close to after her mother abandoned the two of them to remarry. Sierra Kole is Cassie\u2019s fast-living coworker at a pharmacy, and Rick Smollett is a neighbor with an unsettling obsession. The dynamic personalities and desperate wants of these five play off one another, escalating into a situation that promises to be untenable for everyone involved.

At least, they would if all five were equally as dynamic. As it is, the three side characters (Sally, Sierra, and Rick) have the most drive, while Cassie and Joe seem content to do little more than go back and forth about their conflicting dreams and responsibilities. Joe wants Cassie to move away to Boston with him. Cassie feels bound to look after her grandmother, who is mentally ill and incapable of taking care of herself. It\u2019s a conflict that many readers may find touches close to home. Being a caretaker for a mentally ill relative can be extremely difficult, and Ormsby doesn\u2019t sugarcoat Cassie\u2019s situation in the least. She\u2019s in a position that calls for sympathy and understanding, both of which would be easier to give if we saw her offering more of them herself.

This brings me to my main struggle with the book: I felt Ormsby expected us to feel more for the characters than she gave potential for. Joe often reflects on Cassie\u2019s empathy and high moral code, but for about a third of the book, we really only see her bitterness and sense of superiority to everyone around her. The three side characters, while given strong motivation and distinct voices, all feel one-dimensional. At times even the conflict itself did. If this were a morality play, I could tell you exactly how it would pan out from the first few chapters. Sally does get some depth, but it comes late and isn\u2019t explored as fully as it could be.

Living in the Rain is not an easy book to read. No book dealing with such heavy topics could be. Unfortunately, it doesn\u2019t quite live up to the ambitions it sets out for itself, leaving it somehow too easy to get through. In the end, I simply wanted more from it than it was able to give.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "16-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 20:44:56", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "289 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009616031", "title": "Hello World!", "author": "Kelly Corrigan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Infantina Thanga Nivetha", "word_count": 210, "review": "Hello world by Kelly Corrigan illustrates the beautiful concept of how being curious about situations or persons may lead to new discoveries outside of what is apparent to the eye.

When we begin to step into the unknown, we might make superficial judgments on the environment and the people involved. We might even write off potential people who could teach us something significant to make our life purposeful and expand our knowledge in the right possible ways.

Through letting go of shyness and embracing boldness and asking the right questions to those around us, we can learn things that are useful and make our life more tolerable than before. Maturity and wisdom come from learning from one's own mistakes and from those of others.

Kelly Corrigan's talent in weaving a feel-good story for all is highly appreciated. This book is recommended for adults. Some of the introverts or the ones who are narrow-minded might find the book a major put-off and criticize it. I wish the author had kept this fact in mind. Asking questions may annoy some folks, however, the right questions asked at the right times can be rewarding. It will be a welcome boost towards an exciting, adventurous, colorful life that opens previously closed opportunities or create brand new ones.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "26-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 22:02:07", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009616023", "title": "Mother May I: A Novel", "author": "Joshilyn Jackson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 184, "review": "Mother May I is the story of a mother's love in two separate scenarios that overlap and become intertwined in a deadly way. Bree is married to Trey and they have three beautiful children, the youngest of whom is a baby boy named Robert. Bree sees a witch lady out the window and again at her daughters' school. She is freaked out but lets it go. Then, one day, she is at the school and Robert goes missing. Left in his place is a note telling her to go home. From there, it is a ticking time bomb to find out why someone took her baby. With her deceased best friend's P.I. husband by her side, Bree takes on the task of playing detective and soon uncovers secrets to do with her husband and his friend Spence's past.

This book will have you biting your nails as you read it, hoping for Robert's safe return. It is a story full of revenge and unstable people who could lose it at any minute. Well-written until the very end, Mother May I is bittersweet and realistic.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 21:03:47", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009616015", "title": "The Medusa Quest: The Legends of Olympus, Book 2 (The Legends of Oympus)", "author": "Alane Adams", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Conner - age 11", "word_count": 201, "review": "Medusa Quest is a magnificent book with an exceptional and imaginative storyline that will keep you turning the pages. I was fascinated while reading it. I would recommend this book to anyone older than ten.

The plot of this story is amazingly enthralling and unique. It is about Pheobe, a daughter of Zeus who is stuck in the modern-day and has to get back to ancient Greece to fix a paradox she accidentally created. If the paradox doesn\u2019t get fixed it could destroy her brother, Perseus, the gods, and Hercules.

It all started with a dream when Pheobe discovers that she needs to get back to ancient Greece to save her brother and the gods. Once they get there, they visit Athena for a plan first as she is the god of wisdom. The plan is they have to make sure Hercules finishes his labors. Not only will it kill him if he fails, but it will cause the gods to die off due to not enough believers. Then, they have to acquire Hades\u2019 helmet and a special sword to give Perseus a chance against Medusa to fix the timeline. This is a unique and exciting storyline that kept me reading.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 20:16:08", "publisher": "SparkPress", "page_count": "211 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009616011", "title": "InvestiGators: Off the Hook (InvestiGators, 3)", "author": "John Patrick Green", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 170, "review": "The InvestiGators go after a criminal, but they\u2019re about to face an even BIGGER villain! Can the InvestiGators, Mango and Brash, put a stop to two villains who are making a horrible wreck of the city? Find out in InvestiGators: Off the Hook! However, when you\u2019re finished with the book, a cliffhanger remains.

I LOVED this book and hope John Patrick Green makes more InvestiGators books. This book contains investigation, words used for different meanings, crackers, a very angry waffle, and alligators. I loved the book partly because it is so funny and the drawings are wacky and hilarious as well. This book has a lot of action words and onomatopoeia.

I recommend this book to people who are interested in evil villains and superheroes. Make sure you read the first InvestiGators book, then the second book, InvestiGators: Take the Plunge, and the fourth InvestiGators book that is coming out soon! I hope you read this book and, if so, I hope you like it as much as I do!", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "11-May-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 20:07:43", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009616007", "title": "What Unites Us: The Graphic Novel (World Citizen Comics)", "author": "Dan Rather", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 188, "review": "Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner's graphic novel What Unites Us comes at a fitting and relevant time when our nation is so deeply polarized. What is normally viewed as a boring and dry subject of history and civics lessons becomes lively and engaging with the art by Tim Foley. In his book, Rather discusses what it means to be patriotic and what our society needs in order to come together. This graphic novel packs a lot of facts, history, and some of Rather's life lessons. Unlike other graphic novels, you won't be able to finish this in one sitting because there's a lot to digest. Rather's views and writing are very thought-provoking, fair, and balanced. Maybe it's because Rather is an experienced and distinguished journalist, but I am amazed that he was able to write about politics but not come off as political. I think this book deserves to be read in every middle school and high school. I also highly recommend the other graphic novels in the World Citizen Comics series to both young teens and adults to learn more about our government and its complex history.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "06-May-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 19:49:46", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009615043", "title": "Reset: A Novel", "author": "Sarina Dahlan", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 626, "review": "It\u2019s pretty bleak out there right now. You\u2019re gonna want to avoid the news at all costs in fact. Why not get lost in a good book? And regular fiction ain\u2019t gonna cut it; it\u2019s time to get lost in the worlds of speculative fiction. I\u2019m talking about a healthy dose of science fiction and fantasy, so here are some great new and forthcoming stories to take you away from all the bad stuff.\n\nLight Chaser\nFrom scifi master Peter F. Hamilton and Gareth F. Powell comes a fun little novella that packs the same epic story power of a long novel. Our main character is Amahle who is one of the eponymous light chasers and spends her time traveling the universe, all alone except for her accompanying AI, as she trades trinkets for memory collars and getting the most she can vicariously from these past lives. But there is a voice she hears more than once that appears to be talking directly to her somehow.\n\nShadow & Claw\nFrom bestselling author Gene Wolfe comes the first two books of the tetralogy collected in //Shadow & Claw//. In //The Shadow of the Torturer//: on the world of Urth there is the Guild of Torturers where a young man named Severian is apprenticed to them, but his world is completely upended when he commits the ultimate wrong of the guild by showing mercy to a victim. In the second book, //The Claw of the Conciliator//, Severian continues with his banishment when he learns of an ancient relic he must find because it is his destiny.\n\n The Starless Crown\nJames Rollins has delighted mystery thriller readers for over a decade and now he returns to the fantasy world he used to write in with //The Starless Crown//. There are four characters mysteriously drawn together: an imprisoned thief, a drunken prince, a broken soldier, and a gifted student who predicts an oncoming apocalypse. How can they stop? Will they be able to? And who will claim the starless crown?\n\nPaper & Blood\nAl MacBharrais is a magician of ink and sigil magic who can cast powerful spells, but he is also one of a number of sigil agents to seek to protect those in need from demons and monsters across the world. When a fellow agent goes missing, it\u2019s up to Al to leave the comfort and familiarity of Glasgow and travel down under to Australia to pick up the trail and see if he can find out what befell his comrade and solve the mystery behind the disappearance. \n\nReset\nAris is a scientist living in a world very different than ours. The Last War destroyed most of her planet and what remained was able to rebuild a little in four cities across the globe. But their goal is never to repeat the mistakes of the past and so every four years everyone undergoes \u201ctabula rasa\u201d where there minds are wiped and they begin life anew. Aris is a huge supporter of tabula rasa and looks forward to her new existence each time, but she keeps having this recurring dream that seems like it might be something from her distant past, so she must begin her quest to find what it is all about.\n\nHard Reboot\nHard reboot can mean a couple things: it can be something you do to your computer when you are having problems and everything crashes; or it can mean state-sponsored battle-droid prizefights. The book from Django Wexler is fortunately the latter. Kas, through ignorance and some bad choices, has ended up wagering a large some of not her money on the result of an arena battle featuring manned robots, and she soon finds herself pulled into a world she never intended to get into.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Mar-2021 23:14:31", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "340 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009615031", "title": "Mindi and the Goose No One Else Could See", "author": "Sam McBratney", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 182, "review": "From the international best-selling author of Guess How Much I Love You comes the beautiful story of a little girl named Mindi who sees a big, scary goose that no one else can see. Her well-meaning parents cannot figure out how to make a goose they can\u2019t see go away, so they seek the advice of a wise, old man, who comes up with an amusing solution.

Sam McBratney\u2019s gentle story exploring a little girl\u2019s anxiety will likely become a much-loved tale quickly. Mindi\u2019s very real fear is not dismissed as silly by the adults around her. Rather, her feelings are respected and addressed with care. Bratney\u2019s spot-on surprise ending will no doubt delight readers. Furthermore, Linda \u00d3lafsd\u00f3ttir\u2019s charming illustrations perfectly pair with this text. Indeed, her depictions of an invisible goose are especially clever and will entertain readers. Although the world lost a wonderful storyteller when McBratney passed away in 2020, his memory will live on in part in this remarkable story. For those seeking a heart-warming bedtime story, Mindi and the Goose No One Else Could See should not be missed.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 23:08:08", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009615027", "title": "Except Antarctica", "author": "Todd Sturgell", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 191, "review": "Antarctica is really cold and not a lot of animals live there, or people! In Except Antarctica, the narrator talks about animals and begins with the turtle. He says some things about the turtle, then says that they live everywhere except Antarctica. The turtle doesn't like hearing that and decides to go there anyway. Then the narrator sees an owl and says some things about it, including that they don't live in Antarctica. The turtle invites the owl on his journey and then they bring along more animals, including a dung beetle. The narrator is partly upset and partly doesn't believe that the animals will make it across the ocean.

Except Antarctica is silly and goofy and fun to read. My favorite part was reading about the dung beetle because of what they do. I like that at the back of the book there are more facts about the animals in the story! The way that the animals make it to Antarctica is smart and silly, and what happens to them when they get there is funny, too. This is a fun story to read by yourself or with someone else.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 23:06:28", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009615011", "title": "California Vegan: Inspiration and Recipes from the People and Places of the Golden State", "author": "Sharon Palmer", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 793, "review": "On the search for delicious vegan dishes? Wishing to create a weekend inspired by farmhouse favorites? These delicious recipe books will introduce you to a variety of dishes from country treats to vegan delights to five-ingredient dinners. You'll go from learning about food webs to the history of veganism to thought-provoking essays about food in these great reads that will be sure to spice up every night in the kitchen. \n\nBuilding Community Food Webs \u2013 Ken Meter\n\nFarm production in America continues to increase while the net farm income is now considered lower than when the Great Depression began. Statistics say that one out of eight Americans struggles with hunger which is why /Building Community Food Webs/ focuses on the civic networks that are made up of grassroots food and farming leaders. These leaders band together to activate a plan that will engage farmers, organizations, and residents with low incomes. The aim of these networks is to create communities that are stronger and a food web that will inspire the community to empower themselves. Ken Meter will show how these food webs will provide opportunities to build connections between each other, better farming practices, achieve better health, start a new path for the future, and how to strengthen economic trade. This book will address the challenges the leaders and activists striving to create these food webs face.\n\nCalifornia Vegan \u2013 Sharon Palmer \n\n/California Vegan/ is a delicious book that consists of vegan recipes from Sharon Palmer with each one focusing on local produce. This unique recipe book will showcase the culture and history of California while also delving into what Palmer calls plant-based pioneers. /California Vegan/ delves into the origins of veganism which started within the state of California and will explore the innovations that have been discovered. This stunning history that Palmer explores delves into the beginnings of veganism in the 1970s to modern startups in the Silicon Valley with all the fun of veggie trends that are savory, delicious, and healthy. Palmer delivers a dream book for vegans seeking new recipes while also serving as an introduction for those new to veganism. The book consists of 100 recipes that are all plant-based and even consists of original photography as well as including nutritional information.\n\n5 Ingredient Semi-Homemade Meals \u2013 Bobby Parrish \n\nThe goal of the recipe book is to allow you to keep meals simple as Bobby Parrish delivers easy and quick recipes for any kind of cook in the kitchen. The recipes you'll find in the book include only five ingredients and options that range from snacks to dinner dishes. Not only are these recipes said to be delicious but they're also healthy for you and your family. A perfect quick solution for those that don't have much time to spare in the kitchen after and can cook up something easy in no time. The prep work for the recipes takes place right in the grocery store with the book telling you how to go about smarter grocery shopping. You will learn how to pick the best ingredients for your meals with 50 delicious recipes that make/5 Ingredient Meals/ the best book to turn to for advice on cooking and insight into smarter grocery shopping.\n\nFarmhouse Weekends \u2013 Melissa Bahen \n\nThis recipe book is for everyone that loves country life and wants to invoke that feel-good lifestyle in the kitchen. These recipes create what Melissa Bahen calls the perfect farmhouse weekend with each recipe coming straight from Bahen's own experiences. These country experiences influenced the delicious meals and tasty treats within the recipe book from apple picking in the fall to picking berries in the summer with treats that range from apple cider doughnuts to a buttery cobbler. The recipes found within the pages of the delicious recipe book include white bean chili, biscuits, and homemade strawberry freezer jam. You'll find these recipes and more in /Farmhouse Weekends/ which consists of 65 recipes that are perfect for every season. \n\nCook, Eat, Repeat \u2013 Nigella Lawson\n\n/Cook, Eat, Repeat/ is a combination of delicious recipes and thought-provoking essays about food from Nigella Lawson. The writing style is engaging and insightful with wisdom that comes straight from Lawson's experiences with food and life. The recipes are perfect for every season and for every taste with dishes that include Burnt Onion and Eggplant Dip, Cherry and Almond Crumble, Beetroot Yogurt Sauce, Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce, Rhubarb and Custard Trifle, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake. The recipes range from solo suppers to family meals to vegan dishes with Lawson weaving in personal favorites. Whether you're looking for a savory snack, a healthy meal, or a delicious dessert, /Cook, Eat, Repeat/ is perfect for the cook looking to try something new in the kitchen.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 20:42:24", "publisher": "Rowman & Littlefield", "page_count": "282 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009615007", "title": "Impostor Syndrome: A Novel", "author": "Kathy Wang", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 205, "review": "When Julia, a plucky Russian orphan, meets a visitor named Leo, she never imagines he\u2019ll actually return for her. But years later, Leo recruits her for a Russian intelligence agency, sending her to California. The plan is for Julia to rise through the ranks of technology companies, make a name for herself at the top, and then begin feeding information to Leo and the organization. Julia excels, becoming COO of the tech giant Tangerine, acquiring a husband and baby daughter along the way. When she begins finding Leo\u2019s orders too extreme, she realizes she has little ability to refuse. Meanwhile, tech support underling Alice discovers some unusual activity on Tangerine\u2019s servers, and her decision to flag the issue sets dangerous consequences in motion.

Wang creates effective portraits of two very different women at turning points in their lives, and she also pokes fun at Silicon Valley\u2019s culture of excess and the often ridiculous demands made of women in tech. Imposter Syndrome is a timely thriller that also raises questions about how much of our lives we\u2019re truly in command of as well as about how much we\u2019re controlled by the people surrounding us, both visible and behind the scenes, jockeying for influence, credit, and connection.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "27-Aug-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 20:09:17", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009614027", "title": "Raid of Souls", "author": "Kalen Vaughan Johnson", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 468, "review": "In many ways writing a good historical fiction novel is considerably harder than writing a normal novel. The author has to be extremely comfortable in describing the setting and having characters interact with each other pertaining to the specific historical period. It also has to feel both compelling and historically accurate, keeping the reader interested throughout the book. As with the first book in the series, in the sequel, Raid of Souls, author Kalen Vaughan Johnson does an incredible job of balancing historical detail with great storytelling.

In Robbing the Pillars we are introduced to the California of the mid to late nineteenth century where the gold rush is alive and well, and we meet the fiery Scotsman James MacLaren, who was forced to flee from his native country. But MacLaren knows the world is changing and it\u2019s no longer so much about the independent miners but about the consortiums who are working to control everything and make the most money. In Raid of Souls, he has to face this reality head on and make big decisions that not only affect him but also his wife and daughter, Emma and Charlotte, whom he obviously cares deeply for. Choosing to move away from working on his ranch and focus more on these miners who now work for the large consortiums, he forms and runs one of the first unions for miners, to give them the help they both need and deserve. Of course, in so doing, he also makes some new enemies.

Johnson does a wonderful job of filling the reader in on the world with rich details but never being overbearing or \u201cfact-dumping\u201d that can turn readers off. She skillfully takes readers to various locations from mines and small farms and ranches, to the growing, thriving city of Sacramento. MacLaren talks in a bit of brogue that\u2019s not over the top, but is there enough to separate him from other characters and create an automatic conflict whenever he interacts with locals; it serves to add a level of authenticity to the story that is there throughout the book. We see a complex world with so much going on, as there are those looking to gain and willing to let others suffer, while MacLaren is caught in the crossfire needing to do what he feels is right for the miners he is representing, and also knowing he is paving the way for the future of mining in California, but also never forgetting he is both a husband and a father. The book does what historical fiction should do: immersing you in a world that educates and entertains, and also has some similarities that can easily be equatable to today\u2019s world. It is probably best to start with the first book, just so that you can enjoy the sequel all the more.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "23-Mar-2021 20:57:59", "publisher": "Five Star Publishing/Cengage", "page_count": "306 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009614023", "title": "Raid of Souls (Empire Barons)", "author": "Kalen Vaughan Johnson", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Willow Greymoor ", "word_count": 428, "review": "Raid of Souls by Kalen Vaughan Johnson is the edition that followed Robbing the Pillars. A vibrant novel alive with beautifully descriptive writing ignited an engaging pulse within each page. The narrative fueled authentic realism to the characters' personalities and the burdens life had placed upon their shoulders. A window to western America's mining towns and ranches examined the struggles of daily life in America's west during the gold rush era without attempting to romanticize America's past.

The early years of the state of California had hundreds of settlers migrating in hopes of securing their piece of the \"California Dream.\" Many with honest intentions and hopes to build a prosperous future for their families. The hope of a better life inspired the journey to the west through endless hardships the raw spirit of perseverance propelled the weary settlers to the American dream.

Raid of Souls carefully examined life in various locations via individual chapters dedicated to Collier Ranch, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Nevada City. The backdrop of dusty streets, stagecoaches, saloons, frightening mines, ranches, and a bird's eye view of the ranch life and the daily lives of mining town dwellers fostered continual wonder for the reader.

The main protagonist James MacLaren was a rugged soul who had endured much to earn this stake in the American dream. He bravely faced the corrupt syndicate cleverly hidden behind the scenes amongst the everyday people of the mining industry who had a nefarious agenda to ruin the towns' livelihoods via corruption, deceit, and greed.

Johnson's portrayal of James's persona was more than a brilliantly written character alive with tumultuous hurdles to overcome. He was a solid depiction of a rugged American man with a heart for justice, a soul riddled with pain, and a mind with a penchant for justice. His character exuded the gritty bravery of a true American man.

In the midst of exposing the villainous syndicate and his attempts to save the miners were paved with endless difficulties. The miners were mere pawns and casualties of the syndicate\u2019s clandestine corruption. James began to lose touch with what truly mattered. His love for Althea and her son Justin. In addition, James' daughter Charlotte's love story turned from heartwarming to a love dismantled by his disapproval of the socio-economic differences with an objectionable suitor.

Raid of Souls is wonderfully entertaining historical fiction with a trained eye for authentic historical details that will surely encourage readers new to the genre to pursue reading additional historical fiction novels in the future. Also, verifiable facts will impress history buffs who could appreciate Johnson's accuracy and impressive research.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2021", "date_added": "23-Mar-2021 20:57:55", "publisher": "Five Star Publishing/Cengage", "page_count": "306 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009614019", "title": "Raid of Souls", "author": "Kalen Vaughan Johnson", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 528, "review": "Robbing the Pillars, the first book in Kalen Vaughan Johnson\u2019s Empire Barons series, introduced James MacLaren, a hot-tempered yet principled and socially conscious man who had been forced to flee from Scotland to the United States. Having settled in California, MacLaren was quick to recognize that the heyday of the independent miners was ending and that consortiums led by greedy and ruthless speculators were seeking to ringfence the spoils of the Gold Rush for themselves. His decision to champion the cause of the miners might have been morally correct, but it led to all manner of trouble and danger for MacLaren and those dear to him, including his wife Emma and his headstrong daughter Charlotte.

In Raid of Souls, Johnson picks up the story of James MacLaren following the shocking revelations and cliffhanger toward the end of the previous book. If anything, despite MacLaren\u2019s best efforts to achieve parity, tensions between the independent miners and the powerful consortiums are higher than ever, as the depletion of the surface gold has made it necessary to mine even deeper, which requires costly equipment and expertise. Such investment rarely pays off for the little guy, and the consortiums are able to buy up failed mines at rock-bottom prices. The collapse of their businesses leads to increasing numbers of miners seeking employment with the consortiums, and it\u2019s dangerous and backbreaking work. Rather than busying himself with his ranch, MacLaren decides to continue fighting the miners\u2019 cause, spearheading the formation of a union and once again risking all that is important to him in an attempt to do the right thing.

Given the detailed nature of the story, as well as the interlinking plotlines and intriguing cast of characters, it would probably be useful to read Robbing the Pillars before tackling Raid of Souls, although Johnson does provide some valuable scene-setting and background information to help orientate readers who are new to the series. The book is rich in historical information and Johnson has done a great job of capturing the tone and atmosphere of California during the mid-to-late-1800s. It is clear that she has done a good deal of research into life during the Gold Rush and her enthusiasm for the period really shines through in the story. From the ranches to the mines to the \u201cbig city\u201d of Sacramento, the locations are well described and authentic, while the characters\u2019 concerns and dialogue generally ring true.

James MacLaren remains a gruff yet appealing lead character. His hyperawareness of the class struggle might sometimes blind him to the minutiae of life, but he is truly committed to helping the miners and exposing the dodgy dealings of big business. He is aware of the danger that his activities bring to those around him and so, this time around, he takes the step of sending daughter Charlotte to safety. Unfortunately, his desire to protect her might just have put Charlotte in the path of a romance that could spell trouble for those on both sides of the mining conflict. Reflective of real life, Raid of Souls is a slow-burning story of good versus evil and all the shades of gray that exist between the two.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "17-Jun-2021", "date_added": "23-Mar-2021 20:57:49", "publisher": "Five Star Publishing/Cengage", "page_count": "306 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009614015", "title": "Raid of Souls (Empire Barons)", "author": "Kalen Vaughan Johnson", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 447, "review": "By 1866 the California Gold Rush has all but ended along with the dreams of the hundreds of thousands who came from all over the world to seek their fortune.

James MacLaren, escaping persecution in Scotland is one of the lucky ones. The wealth he\u2019s dug out of the ground has been reinvested in a horse-breeding ranch, but his heart and conscience are still with the independent miners, who are increasingly going broke.

What\u2019s left of the gold is now deeper and takes more sophisticated equipment to access. Unscrupulous bankers are eager to lend the independent\u2019s money and when they inevitably default on their loans their claims are absorbed by large mining companies.

The majority are now working for these same large mining corporations and to protect their livelihood and safety a union is formed with MacLaren as their leader. He brings a wealth of industry knowledge, strong empathy for the members, and, inherited from experience in his homeland, a deep distrust of anyone of higher ranking in society.

In his acceptance speech, he tells the membership, \u201cThis is na about making demands from an unreachable, unreasonable tyrant, or begging scraps from their table. This is about empowering ourselves ta meet them at the table as men!\u201d

But some see the future from a different perspective and as tensions rise and friendships collapse, James sends his daughter, Charlotte, to Sacramento to protect her. While there, through a serendipitous course of events she falls in love with a man whose very family is involved with suppressing the legitimate interests of the miners.

When the confrontation between workers and owners erupts in violence, MacLaren\u2019s mistrust of wealth and privilege is validated, \u201cThose two families started this nightmare\u2014they\u2019ve swindled the independents of their lands, and now they\u2019re beating down their livelihoods.\u201d

As the conflict of personalities and morals deepens, Charlotte is forced to choose between her father and the man she loves.

Raid of Souls is the second book in Kalen Vaughan Johnson\u2019s Empire Barons series, and one would be well advised to read the first book if you don\u2019t want to spend the first thirty pages trying to figure out who\u2019s who and what\u2019s what. Once up to speed, which is perhaps a misnomer because this novel is anything but a fast read, a believable and engrossing plot begins to unfold.

Long passages of summary tend to densify the narrative and in places, there is a distinct lack of tension. The pace is further impeded when the author occasionally becomes too invested in the history presented as political speeches and the specifics of the early mining industry.

However, strong characters, realistic dialogue, and vivid imagery prevail to make Raid of Souls a compelling read.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Mar-2021 20:57:37", "publisher": "Five Star Publishing/Cengage", "page_count": "306 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009614011", "title": "Cubicles Anonymous", "author": "Brett Pahler", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 384, "review": "Cubicles Anonymous is a timely tale of corporate work in the modern world. It grabbed me from the first page. It explores questions about ethics and the national conversation about finding a sense of purpose. Written by Brett Pahler and self-published, it is an accomplished, enjoyable book that takes place in our current time, and features a protagonist named Silas.

Silas is an accountant who has a plan to bring accountability to the weapons manufacturing corporation that he works for. In just a couple of weeks, the action of the novel centers on this plan, how the plan changes, and his misgivings or renewed sense of purpose regarding his plan. The reader gets to know several characters at the corporation and in Silas\u2019s life. Silas attended Middlebury, has never had a passion for his work, and is scheduled to meet a friend in Budapest in a few days. Genevieve is a hard-working single mom whose son has significant health problems and she is Silas\u2019s closest friend at work. Oliver is a creepy, womanizing coworker who can\u2019t be left alone with a female coworker in a car. Pete is an upper-level manager who really means well but sometimes can\u2019t see the bigger ethical picture. The characters are well written and realistic. The reader gets the sense that Pahler has worked in a setting like this and knows the people whom he is writing about. The passages about the SEC, accounting, and weapons systems seem natural for Pahler to write.

The book doesn\u2019t lose its sense of humanity by giving into stereotypes about the \u201cbad corporation\u201d, which impressed me. It seems like a difficult road- to offer criticism about modern corporate culture (Silas\u2019s impressions of mandatory meetings are quite funny) without becoming a farce. I felt that the middle section became a bit long, and some of the travel passages a bit unrealistic. I wanted the plot to wrap up a little sooner than it did. But otherwise, the novel moves quite effortlessly. It feels original. The protagonist, Silas, is easy to like. He wants to improve the world but weighs who gets hurt in his plan (including himself). Like most far fetched plans, his changes according to reality. The ending was satisfying. I really enjoyed having a true conclusion, an ending that brings the whole novel together.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "28-May-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 19:19:15", "publisher": "Brett Pahler", "page_count": "217 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009614007", "title": "Cubicles Anonymous", "author": "Brett Pahler", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 400, "review": "Trying to ruin the company you work for takes its toll.

As someone who has worked multiple jobs ranging from the mediocre to the downright painful, I could instantly sympathize with Silas, the protagonist of Cubicles Anonymous. Who among us hasn\u2019t wanted to bring some righteous vengeance down on our workplace, even just in fantasy? I was excited by the prospect of a cathartic read, what would hopefully prove to be a darkly humorous look at modern office culture.

That wasn\u2019t exactly what I got.

The book is well-written, and could certainly have been exactly what I was looking for. Unfortunately, it suffers from the problem of not knowing quite what story the reader should be told. Is it a tale of revenge on behalf of Silas\u2019s dead mother? A skewering of the commercial aspects of the military-industrial complex? A Kafkaesque parody of what it\u2019s like to be an accountant for a company that makes missiles? It seemed to want to be each of these things variously, and while it certainly could have been (and I kept hoping would have been), in the end, I didn\u2019t feel satisfied that it was any of those. The humor, unlike the company\u2019s missiles, never quite landed. Plot threads were picked up and set down seemingly at random, and I could never tell whether they would be returned to. Silas\u2019s internal monologue, while illuminating, bogged down the book enough that it felt far longer than two hundred pages, and somehow it all took place over the course of a week, even though I felt the story itself (and the juiciest parts) happened before then and were merely glossed over.

For the most part, the most appealing part of the book to me was the premise. I did keep reading to see how Silas\u2019s grand plan would (or perhaps wouldn\u2019t) be pulled off, but in the end, I found I wasn\u2019t as invested in his story as I had wanted to be. Pahler does have an excellent touch for thoughts and internal monologue, though, and the wistful parts of the book were what caught my eye the most. I will keep an eye out for more of his work for just that reason. In the meantime, if you, like Silas, are an accountant with a heavy grudge against your job, you may well find a touch of catharsis in this book. If nothing else, you might just feel seen.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 19:18:43", "publisher": "Brett Pahler", "page_count": "217 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009614003", "title": "Cubicles Anonymous", "author": "Brett Pahler", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 415, "review": "It is a truly suffocating\u00a0experience, spending hours in a single large room, a windowless open space, covered by cubicles. It's enough to make a person insane or a poet. A sadist or a comic. It's the single most dominant setting of modern adult life and professional development. It traps people, blocks them from creativity, and places them in an adult holding cell until age or health replaces them.

It has become one of the great weaknesses of the global workplace, and it is equal parts tragic and unintentionally hysterical. Cubicles Anonymous by Brett Pahler is a compelling personal appraisal of the workplace, the universal need to make a living, and the steady pull towards a more fulfilling place in the world.

At times this feels like a modern-day revisit to the literary world of the 1900s. When society was in dire need of revision or at least a mild awakening, with ordinary lives playing out over a humorously disconnected world that is being held together with duct tape. With protagonists that are more relatable than noteworthy. Where the villains' are not some black hat-wearing man with over-the-top plots, but rather a series of public ills that are difficult to define. A story about a single, careful, and surprisingly\u00a0engaging person against an unempathetic world.\u00a0\nThe book rushes past the reader in a flurry of dynamic characters\u00a0and scenarios\u00a0told in a charming muted fashion. It's the best kind of humor\u00a0where the characters\u00a0aren't in on the joke and the reader is given subtle hints from the author, almost giving them permission to laugh at the spectacle. Told in an active first person, with a candid openness, the reader can't help but be taken along the author's journey. There is a delightful oddness about many of the characters, they feel so familiar, like people who have populated your life. Yet, they also seem so refreshingly original. As if the reader is meeting the most extreme or muted versions of the people around them.\u00a0

The author\u00a0guides readers through his life and career with\u00a0visual artistry and an inimitable tone. Sometimes it feels like a\u00a0scrapbook of sorts, filled with all the ins and outs of the main character's life sprinkled with his sharp thoughts. Other times it has the feeling of a\u00a0behind-the-scenes breakdown of the modern workplace and the obstacles many have to find their place. The book is a great addition to any library that was clearly a labor of love from its author.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "28-May-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 19:18:05", "publisher": "Brett Pahler", "page_count": "217 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009613075", "title": "Bitterroot Lake: A Novel", "author": "Alicia Beckman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "After her husband passes away from cancer, Sarah heads back to the family lodge on Bitterroot Lake to help her mother prepare the place to put up for sale. However, instead, Sarah finds herself face-to-face with her sister and friends from the past and embroiled in a murder mystery. While trying to figure out the current mystery, Sarah and company also dig into the lodge\u2019s past as well as the accident that forever changed their lives at the same lodge, twenty-five years prior. Sarah and her mother are also having visions, that while mostly vague, send a very clear message that danger is close at hand. ||The best way to describe this book would be how it feels to walk into the middle of a conversation and spend the rest of the time trying to play catch-up. If you enjoy feel-good stories with families who end up working everything out perfectly and a murder that gets solved in two paragraphs, then you will enjoy this book. I prefer stories with more meat in them and infinitely more complicated characters. I also don\u2019t like walking into a story that feels like it started a while ago without it being on purpose.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "23-Mar-2021 23:23:04", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009613071", "title": "A Most Remarkable Creature: The Hidden Life and Epic Journey of the World's Smartest Birds of Prey", "author": "Jonathan Meiburg", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 194, "review": "Penned by a most remarkable writer, Jonathan Meiburg, an avid ornithologist and also a noted musician, who became enthralled with the falcon-like caracara birds he unexpectedly noticed among other antarctic wildlife while hiking in the Falkland Islands. So intrigued was he by such remarkably curious birds that he pursued traces of these dinosaur offspring and continues to follow their evolution and history. Threading throughout the text are the earlier observations of these birds by Charles Darwin and beautifully interwoven are the observations of the Patagonian naturalist William Henry Hudson. As he records the riveting story of these unusual birds over the millions of years of adaptation to climate changes, shifting continents, and the vicissitudes of time, the writer reveals himself to be a master storyteller in detailing the history of these precocious falcon-like birds. Travel through the frigid, foggy shores of Tierra del Fuego through the swampy Guyana lands and the deserts of South America as he pursues the mystery surrounding these unique raptors. Keep your eye on this youthful science writer who has the magical ability to bewitch the reader with his musical flow of words as is evident in this engrossing epic.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "21-May-2021", "date_added": "23-Mar-2021 23:00:20", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009613067", "title": "We Are a Garden: A Story of How Diversity Took Root in America", "author": "Lisa Westberg Peters", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 176, "review": "This is an interesting story about how different people moved to the United States. From the first settlers of Northern Asian and Arctic People to the Apache and Navajo Ancestors. Then comes the Spanish, British, and Enslaved Africans. Eventually, the Europeans, the Chinese, and the Mexicans arrived. And now, modern-day immigrants include Chinese, Indians, and Mexicans, and many others from all over the world.

This is a great book about the migrations of all the diverse people who have come to the United States. The story was very interesting, but also sad because some groups of people were treated so badly. I think this is a great book to read right now because of all the hate that is going on right now. I love how the author describes everyone as a garden. The art was very pretty. I love seeing all the diverse faces of the people and children who moved and live in America. I highly recommend this book to families to learn about all the different people who moved here for a brighter future.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 23:22:41", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009613055", "title": "June Almeida, Virus Detective!: The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus", "author": "Suzanne Slade", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 165, "review": "This is a story about the life of June Almeida, a scientist and a virologist. Affected by her younger brother, Harry's death, June wanted to study science to help people with illnesses like her brother. June was unable to go to college because it was too expensive so she started working in a lab in a hospital. June started examining viruses under a powerful electron microscope. What does June see under the microscope?

This was a very interesting story about a woman scientist who discovered the first coronavirus. This story is very fitting right now due to the Covid-19 pandemic. June Almeida's discovery of the first coronavirus in 1964 helped scientists today with Covid-19. I liked learning how scientists decided to name the virus coronavirus. This is a non-fiction, educational book, and the back of the book includes real pictures of June and more information about her. I recommend this picture book to young girls who love science and anyone who wants to learn about coronavirus.", "issue": "April 2021", "date_posted": "26-May-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 23:18:03", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009613047", "title": "World Record Animals", "author": "Oldrich Ruzicka", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - Age 9", "word_count": 148, "review": "If you think humans are the only ones who can beat world records, wait until you read this book! You will read about world records... involving animals! Did you know that the longest jump record of 45 feet belongs to the white-tailed deer? The human world record is 29.36 feet! And the fastest animal (the cheetah) can reach a speed of 75 mph while the fastest human record is only 27.79 mph!

This book was so interesting! I had a blast reading about world records. I learned so much, like how the fastest dive is 185 mph. That's a lot! The illustrations were very unique and enjoyable. I recommend this book for all ages. My little brother read this book and he really liked it, and my uncle like this book a lot too. My favorite parts to read were the most dangerous animals and the smallest animals.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "13-Aug-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 22:57:42", "publisher": "Albatros Media", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009613035", "title": "The Ledger and the Chain: How Domestic Slave Traders Shaped America", "author": "Joshua D. Rothman", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 196, "review": "Many aspects of the New York Times 1619 Project are starting to get into the academia history community, and that is at times leading to highly anachronistic books that are of poor scholarship and more about trying to score a modern-day political point. This book is an excellent example of sloppy research and poor writing. I was intrigued by the idea: following a family involved in the slave trade within the United States across multiple generations from the founding to the Civil War. It had the making for an excellent project. Instead, the author turns it into a soapbox to denounce slavery at every turn, to denounce the family that got involved in the trade and calling them at times inhuman monsters; even though he does not take the time to explore why they might have gotten into the trade and the circumstances surrounding it. The author uses many words which would not have been understood at the time, and his righteous indignation he uses throughout the book sounds more like he is going after the current situation minorities face, rather than looking at the past as how it was, something historians used to be taught.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 21:22:27", "publisher": "Basic Books", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009613027", "title": "The Firebird Song", "author": "Arn\u00e9e Flores", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 10", "word_count": 205, "review": "The Firebird Song is a book about a beautiful land called Lyrica that was once a beautiful warm land where fire was used freely. It was the time of the Firebird, until one day the Firebird disappeared and the evil spectress took control of Lyrica. Young Prewitt is the son of the bargemaster who is determined to find the lost princess of Lyrica so that they can fulfill the prophecy together. Calliope does not know she is the lost princess because Meredith, her caretaker, had kept her safely hidden and protected from the spectress. Calliope is determined to escape her comfortable prison to fulfill the prophecy with the other half of the moon. She and Prewitt begin an adventure together to do just that.

I would recommend The Firebird Song to people of all ages but children ages seven to fifteen would enjoy this book the most. People who enjoy daring adventures and magical events would also be happy to read this wonderful book. It was an amazing story but it took a little while for the magic to start happening. The Firebird Song is a fantastic story that is a must-read for almost everyone. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 21:13:06", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009613023", "title": "Attachments: A Novel", "author": "Jeff Arch", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 200, "review": "Attachments is a book that it is hard not to be captivated by. Its characters tell a wonderful story in which all their hearts become one. Dean Griffin is head of a private school where he finds himself treating the students much like his own children. He is caring and loving and genuinely takes an interest in their futures. Fast forward eighteen years and Griffin has had a stroke. His last words were asking for Piccolo and Goodman. It seems like an odd request at first; however, as the story unfolds, a family secret is slowly revealed. Sandy Piccolo, Laura Appleby, and Stewart Goodman, who were once stuck in one of the most heartbreaking love triangles, come together again to visit Griffin on his deathbed.

Attachments reveals everything from start to finish, alternating between past and present and using the book that Goodman wrote to narrate the story as well. The book is brilliantly written, with undertones of both happiness and sadness all swirled into one nostalgic ice cream cone. With its endearing characters and fascinating plot, it is a \"must read\" for those who love it when a story sticks will you long after you put the book down.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 20:12:20", "publisher": "SparkPress", "page_count": "337 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009613011", "title": "A Beginner's Guide to America: For the Immigrant and the Curious", "author": "Roya Hakakian", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1101, "review": "Political Roundup\n\nLet\u2019s face it, while it can be pretty hard to understand what\u2019s going on in the world of politics, it\u2019s generally even harder to determine if politicians themselves know what\u2019s happening. The following five books tackle important contemporary political issues and explain the background to them, which should help readers to untangle the mess, see beyond the news reports, and understand why things are happening as well as what can be done to change the situation.\n\nChildren Under Fire: An American Crisis by John Woodrow Cox\n\nAs investigative journalist John Woodrow Cox notes in the opening chapter of Children Under Fire: An American Crisis, gun violence represents a public health crisis in the United States that has long been both drastically underestimated and willfully ignored, and it is having a terrible impact on the nation\u2019s children. In fact, shockingly, on average, one child is shot every hour in the United States, making gunfire the second-leading cause of death among children in the country. Based on a series of articles Cox wrote for the Washington Post, this book examines the tragic effects that guns and gun violence are having on children. Through first-person accounts of those, both adults and children, who have suffered as a result of gun violence, the book highlights how woefully inadequate current gun control laws are and also exposes the individuals and organizations that have a vested interest in keeping them that way. The stories included in the book are heartrending and should prompt even those most committed to the cause of the gun lobby to reflect on what can and should be done to protect America\u2019s children.\n\nWhen America Stopped Being Great: A History of the Present by Nick Bryant\n\nIn When America Stopped Being Great: A History of the Present, Nick Bryant looks back on the major events from the last four decades of American history in an effort to uncover what led to the dramatic and polarizing events that have characterized far more recent history, including the Trump presidency, the Black Lives Matter movement, the storming of the Capital Building, and the (mis)handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through clear prose and powerful imagery, Bryant explains how the optimism that permeated American society following the end of the Cold War was eroded in the decades that followed due to political scandals, economic inequalities, and social immobility, resulting in a society that was more divided than ever before. Bryant argues that this sense of division paved the way for Donald Trump to become president, which led to the further polarization of groups within US society. It\u2019s a deeply personal account that still manages to provide a broad overview of American history, offering suggestions as to what the future may hold.\n\nA Beginner\u2019s Guide to America: For the Immigrant and the Curious by Roya Hakakian\n\nRoya Hakakian fled her homeland of Iran in August 1984 and, after spending months trekking through Europe as a refugee, eventually settled in the United States. In the prologue to A Beginner\u2019s Guide to America: For the Immigrant and Curious, she reflects on how, as a new arrival to the country, she was bombarded with information on the practicalities of being an immigrant to the United States but given next to no advice on how to live as an American, how to fit in, and how to reconcile her old life with the new one. Hakakian notes that while no two immigrants are the same, there are common human experiences and common immigrant experiences, which means that there are understandings, reflections, and puzzlements that could be of benefit to all. She has written this book to elucidate an immigrant\u2019s perspective on life in the United States and so to help both new arrivals and natives expand their understanding of contemporary America. As such, it provides an unflinching, insightful, and sometimes even humorous account of immigrant life from the point of arrival through to naturalization and beyond. \n\nHow Rights Went Wrong: Why Our Obsession with Rights Is Tearing America Apart by Jamal Greene\n\nDespite referencing the existence of certain \u201cinalienable rights,\u201d including \u201cLife, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,\u201d the US Constitution actually says very little about the specificities of rights, most likely because the Founders disagreed as to their nature and necessity. In fact, as Jamal Greene notes in How Rights Went Wrong: Why Our Obsession with Rights Is Tearing America Apart, the Founders preferred to leave the issue of rights to legislatures and juries, not judges, although it was their failure to tackle the issue of racial discrimination that gave rise to the human rights system seen in the United States today. This lack of a structured approach to rights has led to a situation in which the courts will protect the interests they recognize as rights from even the positive interference of democratic politics, while they leave interests that have not been officially recognized as rights to the mercy of the government. The difficulty of determining \u201ctrue\u201d rights from mere interests was compounded by the explosion in rights seeking that characterized 1960s America, and the situation is no more clear today. Greene elucidates the need to reconceptualize rights and to link them more closely to justice before the divisions in contemporary society cause irreparable damage.\n\nThe Spirit of Green: The Economics of Collisions and Contagions in a Crowded World by William D. Nordhaus\n\nIn writing The Spirit of Green: The Economics of Collisions and Contagions in a Crowded World, William D. Nordhaus, who won the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for \u201cintegrating climate change into long-run macroeconomic analysis,\u201d sought to address the challenges posed by economic growth and globalization and the unintended consequences of the two. The consequence of particular interest to him is climate change, and many of the ideas presented in the book are intended to help slow that process. Due to focusing on the issues from an economic perspective, Nordhaus discusses how both public and private institutions can be harnessed to identify effective solutions to the challenges facing industrialized societies. He also seeks to answer a wide range of social, political, and economic questions from what he terms the \u201cGreen\u201d perspective, focusing on issues such as pollution, global warming, and inequality. Nordhaus clearly sets out his Green philosophy and establishes its potential applications in globalized and technologically sophisticated societies. He suggests concrete Green steps that can be taken to help save the planet, ranging from increasing the incentives associated with the use of Green energy to improving ethical norms for both individuals and companies. In doing all this, Nordhaus succeeds in rendering complex discussions highly readable.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 19:44:11", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009612039", "title": "The Sign of Death: A Victorian Book Club Mystery", "author": "Callie Hutton", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 177, "review": "When Lord William Wethington\u2019s man of business is found dead, it is presumed that Mr. Harding has drowned. Until it is discovered that Mr. Harding was not the upstanding man of business he purported to be. Many secrets and enemies are discovered as his web of lies is unraveled. Unfortunately, Lord Wethington is caught in the middle. As the police zero in on Lord Wethington as their main suspect, he and Lady Amy Lovell work desperately to find the real killer. So many suspects and too little time, will they be able to find the real killer before it\u2019s too late?\nThis is the second book in the Victorian Book Club Mystery series but was well written as a stand-alone novel. The author does a great job of working in all the suspects and leaving clues that keep you guessing until the end. I enjoyed getting to know the members of the book club, as well as the evolution of Lady Amy and Lord William\u2019s relationship. I would recommend this series to anyone who loves historical mysteries.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2021", "date_added": "23-Mar-2021 23:21:37", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009612027", "title": "Prohibition Wine: A True Story of One Woman's Daring in Twentieth-Century America", "author": "Marian Leah Knapp", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 169, "review": "This slim volume of personal history is not quite what the title indicates. What\u2019s most interesting is not the brief period of time when the author\u2019s grandmother, Rebecca, made and sold bootleg blueberry wine, nor even the fact that she was arrested and brought to court on related charges, nor even the surprising ruling by the judge. What I most appreciated is the carefully constructed context of Rebecca\u2019s life. Despite scant historical records, we learn how and why her family fled the Russian Empire to find slightly better circumstances in the U.S. Knapp succinctly lets us know the constraints under which Rebecca lived, first as a dutiful daughter and then as a trapped wife and mother. When she is widowed, the family\u2019s perilous existence is placed in even greater jeopardy and she does what she must to help them survive. Readers who are interested in history, especially among Jewish immigrants, will find< em>Prohibition Wine: A True Story of One Woman's Daring in Twentieth-Century America a quick and fascinating read.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "06-Aug-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 21:42:52", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "100 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009612015", "title": "Firekeeper's Daughter", "author": "Angeline Boulley", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 185, "review": "Angeline Boulley\u2019s stunning debut novel, Firekeeper\u2019s Daughter, is a YA thriller and #OwnVoices tale about a biracial teen caught up in an investigation on an Ojibwe reservation.

Eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine is torn between two worlds, those of her white mother\u2019s wealthy community and her late father\u2019s nearby Ojibwe reservation. Daunis isn\u2019t even recognized as a tribal member because her father was left off her birth certificate, although she still feels a strong pull toward her Firekeeper identity. As she starts her freshman year of college, she has an opportunity to get away from the problems of reservation life\u2014poverty, violence, and prejudice. But then she meets the handsome new Native hockey player, Jamie Johnson, who seems to be hiding something. When Daunis witnesses the shocking murder of an Ojibwe teen, she is brought into an undercover investigation that has the potential to either heal the community she loves or tear it apart.

Firekeeper\u2019s Daughter brings something new to the crime fiction genre. Boulley\u2019s powerful and dynamic characters offer readers a nuanced view of tribal communities, weaving Ojibwe traditions and culture into a tense and well-paced story.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 20:02:43", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009612011", "title": "Breakout", "author": "Paul Herron", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 178, "review": "Breakout is the debut thriller from author Paul Herron that will make you feel like you\u2019re in a Jack Reacher book/movie. Jack Constantine is an ex-police officer who is in prison for killing one of his pregnant wife\u2019s killers. After three years in the slammer, there is a hurricane warning for not one, but two, hurricanes that are about to collide. The prison officers go to escape accidentally leaving the rookie, Keira Sawyer, behind. It is up to Constantine, his cellmate Felix, and Sawyer, to find the way to safety. They must do this while traveling through the prison where dangerous criminals lurk everywhere with and without weapons.

Breakout is a rollercoaster of a ride. I could definitely see it being made into an action-packed movie. The author does a fantastic job of describing every move that Constantine makes and why so it feels as if you, as the reader, are right there alongside him as he climbs through flooded cells, dodges bullets, and deals with the mentally insane. A must-read for fans of Clancy, Patterson, and Child.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 19:23:06", "publisher": "Hachette", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009612007", "title": "Tiger Girl and the Candy Kid: America's Original Gangster Couple", "author": "Glenn Stout", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 204, "review": "The \u201cRoaring Twenties\u201d was a decade of post-war ebullience where financial speculation ran unabated. Prohibition led to lawlessness and violence and the media/law enforcement dubbed Public Enemies began to grab headlines across the country. Richard and Margaret Whittemore, known as \u201cCandy Kid\u201d and \u201cTiger Girl\u201d would grace newspaper front pages for their infamy from 1925-1926. Richard was born from a privileged family, but his troublesome nature got him locked up in various institutions in Maryland. Margaret and Richard had known each other since they were children, and Margaret\u2019s family saw menace in Richard.

The straight and narrow life held little appeal to Richard, who desired easy money. His criminal future was set when he met two safecracker brothers named Kraemer in the Maryland State Penitentiary. After a brazen escape involving a fatal assault on a guard, Whittemore and his associates conducted a violent crime spree spanning Maryland, New York, and Ohio.

Tiger Girl and the Candy Kid is an excellent True Crime romp that is consistently compelling throughout its narrative. The brief spell the two Whittemores cast over the public conscience resonates even more a century later, with the glorification of the outlaw. Author Glenn Stout has written a fascinating account of the ill-fated rogues.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jun-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 19:07:17", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "395 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009612003", "title": "A Game of Cones (An Ice Cream Parlor Mystery)", "author": "Abby Collette", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 198, "review": "Bronwyn is living the sweet life, making ice cream and serving treats at her family's ice cream shop until a developer threatens to ruin it. News of a mall shakes locals and results in the murder of the developer which leads Bronwyn to the reality that someone she knows could be a killer. After her friend becomes the likely suspect, she sets out to find clues that will lead her to the real killer. Soon Bronwyn has a whole other problem on her hands when her aunt arrives intent on taking over the family business.

The characters create a close-knit community with the shop owners providing an assortment of suspects as one could be a murderer. Abby Collette has a rich cast of characters including Bronwyn's closest friends and even the presence of Grandma Kay who is felt throughout. The community drives the story as Collette weaves in the idea of a small town versus developmental takeover in the backdrop of the murder investigation. This cozy mystery will leave your sweet tooth wanting a helping of ice cream and an extra scoop of this series.

A Game of Cones is the second book in the Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Mar-2021 19:04:01", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009765019", "title": "The Boy and the Sea", "author": "Camille Andros", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 176, "review": "The Boy and the Sea begins with a young boy who likes to listen to the whispers of the wise, old sea. As the boy grows and faces the new challenges of adulthood and, eventually, old age, he is curious. The boy has questions, some of which he can answer. Others, however, he cannot. At each age, the boy returns to the whispers of the sea, which tells him to dream, to love, and, finally, to be.

Camille Andros has written a beautifully meditative story that touches on the themes of the cycle of life, the importance of curiosity and seeking solace in the natural world, and the need sometimes to simply trust the process of life to find answers. Amy Bates\u2019 illustrations in soft-focused, cool blue tones perfectly complement the tone of this book, while subtly emphasizing the sea as the boy\u2019s mentor. The messages contained in this book would be wonderful for any child to hear, but maybe especially for those who feel a little uneasy or anxious about the uncertainties of growing up.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 21:07:26", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009765015", "title": "Positively Pok\u00e9mon: Pop Up, Play, and Display! (UpLifting Editions)", "author": "Evie Daye", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 185, "review": "My brother and I are big Pokemon fans! When my mom brought us Positively Pokemon, we were both very excited about reading it! My mom read it to us, but I could have read it on my own, too. There aren't very many words on each page. Each page in the book reminds me of other books about how much the mom loves the kid, like \"I love you as much as (blank).\" In Positively Pokemon, the pages are about how special the kid is, like \"you're as playful as Pikachu\" or \"as brave as Bulbasaur.\" Each page has other pokemon from the same category as the main one; on the page with Bulbasaur, there are other leaf-type, and on the page with Pikachu, there are other electric-types.

Besides the fact that this book is about pokemon, I like it because there is a cutout of the main pokemon that you can push up and display like a bookmark when you're reading, or keep them up when the book is closed. I haven't seen a book like Positively Pokemon before, hopefully, I find more like it.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 21:00:33", "publisher": "Harry N Abrams Inc", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Board Book", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009765007", "title": "The Archeo: Personal Archetype Cards", "author": "Nick Bantock", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 199, "review": "This beautiful set includes both a book and a deck of forty cards. Although reminiscent of oracle or fortune-telling decks, these cards are not meant to be prognosticative. Instead, they represent archetypes, or various aspects of the human psyche. According to many traditions, each of these archetypes resides in each of us; while some may be more overt or developed than others, each has something to teach and a way to help us (even the ones you may view negatively).

Understanding all this takes some work, but the book is an excellent guide to how each archetype functions. The descriptions are poetic, mystical, and surreal, and they perfectly match the wondrous drawings that, with their dreamlike quality, remove you from the mundane while opening your thoughts to deeper, more profound perceptions. After studying the cards and book, you are offered several potential ways to use the cards to elucidate subconscious impressions that may have been hidden.

Finally, the author shares a short story for each archetype that exemplifies how these characters may act; use these stories to heighten your awareness of each aspect of your own persona and how they can help you better understand your own inner world.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "20-Sep-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 17:57:02", "publisher": "Llewellyn Publications", "page_count": "204 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009765003", "title": "Dr. Disaster's Guide to Surviving Everything: Essential Advice for Any Situation Life Throws Your Way", "author": "John Torres MD", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 191, "review": "Dr. Disaster\u2019s Guide to Surviving Everything is a book that everyone needs to run out and buy a copy of. As the title states, it is a survival guide that covers everything from basic first aid to Morse code to animal attacks and terrorist attacks. There is even a chapter about how to survive a pandemic, which seems oh-so-appropriate in this day and age.

One of the things I liked best about the book is that it is written in a way that is easy to understand for children who are just starting to read to adults. This book truly could help anyone. One of the most interesting chapters was about shooters and stabbers. The author teaches readers to divide a large room into quarters and search for an escape route in each quarter. He also teaches the art of barricading and to hide with as few people as possible to remain a difficult target.

As an emergency physician and U.S. Air Force veteran, author John E. Torres has firsthand experience in the face of disaster. This book is complete and detailed, and it\u2019s an excellent guide to have on hand.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 17:36:32", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009764055", "title": "The Art of Eric Carle (The World of Eric Carle)", "author": "Eric Carle", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 177, "review": "As a child, I loved the brilliant colors that popped off the pages of my Eric Carle books. Books such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? have such a unique feel to them. This is because of the way Eric Carle uses textures in his tissue paper collages.

In The Art of Eric Carle, the reader learns about the early years of the artist. Eric Carle was born in New York; however, he also lived in Germany when he was a small child during the war. This book describes his life from not only his point of view but also from the points of view of many of the people he worked and collaborated with. From being downgraded at art school from an artist to a typesetting apprentice to touching the hearts of children around the world both in person and through his books, Eric Carle is a household name for many.

This book is a treasure that anyone who has ever opened an Eric Carle book will enjoy.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "29-Apr-2021 19:37:48", "publisher": "World of Eric Carle", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009764043", "title": "The Galaxy, and the Ground Within: A Novel (Wayfarers, 4)", "author": "Becky Chambers", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 192, "review": "Several aliens from different corners of the galaxy cross paths at an interstellar layover and are forced to shelter in place during a catastrophic event. They have very little in common with each other, and the reputations of their species precede them. Those people are aggressive expansionists. Those people are warmongers. Those people are violent, unfeeling scavengers. But within the confines of a humble space station on lockdown, these diverse characters somehow manage to find common ground.

The Galaxy, and the Ground Within, the fourth (and ostensibly final) volume in Becky Chambers' Wayfarer series, feels like her most subtle novel yet\u2014and in my opinion, it\u2019s also her best. That familiar, quiet pulse of fervent optimism is stronger here than ever before, but the emotions of the characters feel more natural, their struggles more real, more believable. The result is something evocative of The Breakfast Club set in deep space, where the curiosity of the small cast, combined with their desire to feel seen and understood, overpowers their preconceived notions about each other. I highly recommend this book, whether as an end to a heartwarming science fiction series or as a standalone novel.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "06-Aug-2021", "date_added": "29-Apr-2021 16:08:53", "publisher": "Harper Voyager", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009764039", "title": "Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars", "author": "Laurie Wallmark", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 191, "review": "Cryptanalysis at first sounds like a scary job, but really, once you learn the meaning, it is not scary at all. Once I found out what a cryptanalyst was, I knew it sounded like a very fun and interesting job! I love to solve mysteries, so learning about the work of Elizabeth Friedman was enjoyable. Who knew someone had the job of decoding messages from others all across the world? It is hard to imagine a time when the world was in such turmoil and people sent secret messages during war to spy on others or plan attacks.

This book shows how important the work of Elizabeth and William Friedman and their helper was. Their perseverance and ability to break codes saved the lives of many and alerted many to planned attacks. I love the detailed illustrations, which show how important her work was to the history of the United States during the world wars. The back of the book includes codes and ciphers for readers to learn about, in addition to a challenge for readers to decode their own puzzle. There is also a timeline and bibliography of Elizabeth Friedman.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 21:10:26", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009764031", "title": "This House Is Home", "author": "Deborah Kerbel", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 205, "review": "Lily\u2019s house has been lived in for generations. Grandma says it\u2019s as \u201cold and steady as mountains.\u201d Located at the end of a lane, it has a quiet, country feel. Then, one sad day, everything begins to change. Knocks at the door are followed by more knocks. Foxes want desperately to purchase their property, and as summer arrives, Lily watches as nearby homes are demolished, one-by-one, until her\u2019s is the only one left. Fear enters her dreams until one night the tide turns, and she becomes a captain, sailing her home to safety across the sea. With the support of her family and a well-drawn-out plan, her dream becomes a reality.

This House Is Home is a sweet and tender tale that will touch the lives of children everywhere. Those who have experienced loss or separation from all they know and cherish will especially find it heartwarming. The main character, a rabbit named Lily, is precious, and the illustrations throughout are full of life, animation, and color. Emotion bleeds through them.

The target audience for this memorable story is youth ages four to eight. It\u2019s relatively short, making it an ideal bedtime treat as well as a great pick for those hesitant to embark on lengthy reads.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 19:29:06", "publisher": "Owlkids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009764027", "title": "THAO: A Picture Book", "author": "Thao Lam", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 170, "review": "People keep messing up Thao\u2019s name. They make fun of her because she\u2019s different. Sometimes she is called Toe or Tail or Tofu or Tao the Cow. Thao would like to change her name to Jennifer. It would be so much easier for her. People wouldn\u2019t mess up her name anymore. Instead, Thao tells everyone how to say her name, her full name. Just don\u2019t misspell her last name, Lam.

I can\u2019t believe people would call her Toe or Tail. They are spelled differently from Thao. I like how in the front and the back of the book, there are pictures of many kids from different countries with different names like Floortje or Jianyu or Awinita. I like how the author/illustrator used cut up paper to illustrate the whole book. It is very cool and creative. I also like how the author/illustrator used actual baby pictures of herself in the book. I recommend this book to kids who are different and who have different names, names people might mispronounce sometimes.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 19:18:40", "publisher": "Owlkids", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009764023", "title": "Carry On: Poetry by Young Immigrants", "author": "Various contributors", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - age 9", "word_count": 147, "review": "If you pick up this book and start flipping the pages, you'll find yourself reading poems from people who came from a different place but live in Canada. There are people who come from the other side of the country! Some come from Iran, South Korea, Moldova, and other places, but even though they aren't similar at all, they are all immigrants.

This book was amazing because you read the changes that immigrants had to go through when they moved. This is a very powerful and meaningful book, and I really enjoyed reading different stories from different and unique people who moved to Canada. The illustrations by Roge were realistic and fun to look at, but I would have liked it better if there were more colors. I recommend this book for people who like reading poems. It is for any age. Now, go read some poetry!", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 19:05:28", "publisher": "Owlkids", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009764019", "title": "The Wind and the Trees", "author": "Todd Stewart", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 206, "review": "A sapling says, \u201chello\u201d to a neighboring tree that stands much taller and stronger than it does. It has the gift of time and experience, and decides to take the little one under its wing, teaching it about the wind - its gentle feel, its ferocity during a storm, its ability to shape, stretch, and even destroy it. The older tree describes how the wind helps scatter its seeds, promoting new growth and how it carries its messages to nearby trees. As the younger tree grows in wisdom, the older one weakens. When it passes on, a new one takes its place, and the cycle begins anew.

The Wind and the Trees is a beautiful tale of resilience, survival, and acceptance. The trees form the only dialogue that exists in the story, and though their conversation is brief, it\u2019s marked with meaning. The older tree cares for the younger one, ensuring it shares the knowledge the sapling will need to survive in the world on its own, just as a parent imparts his or hers to a child before independence is earned. This text is ripe with symbolism, and its pages are laced with vibrant illustrations. It\u2019s a treasurable pick for children ages five to nine.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "15-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 19:02:55", "publisher": "Owlkids", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009764011", "title": "The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War", "author": "Malcolm Gladwell", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 226, "review": "Malcolm Gladwell, author of Blink, Outliers, and Tipping Point, and host of the podcast Revisionist History, turns to one of the most written about periods of history\u2013\u2013World War II\u2013\u2013in his new book, The Bomber Mafia.

The group referenced in the title revolutionized the way airplanes were used in wartime by considering how strategic bomb strikes could improve the allied position and save civilian lives. In theory, this idea would have changed the war effort, but the technology available and the desire to end the war quickly led to carpet bombing, a strategy that was antithetical to the views of the \u201cBomber Mafia\u201d but ultimately led to the end of the war.

While the story is interesting, there are a number of footnotes and so much cited text from other sources that, at times, it feels more like you are reading a Ph.D. thesis than a fully developed book. Perhaps that is because the book began as four episodes from season five of Gladwell\u2019s podcast. The structure of a podcast, which pulls from multiple sources to tell one story, may have added more dimension to this story.

That being said, there is a great deal of historical information here for the military and World War II buff, and Gladwell\u2019s tangents\u2013\u2013particularly on the creation of models of villages to determine the best bombing practices\u2013\u2013are not to be missed.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "01-Dec-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 18:27:57", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009763091", "title": "Black Star", "author": "Eric A. Glover", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Kate - Age 14", "word_count": 175, "review": "Black Star is an amazing graphic novel, with stunning artwork and great visuals. The storytelling is also great. You can really feel the conflict between the characters as they struggle to survive each other and the dangerous planet they have crashed on. If you like stories with morally grey characters, or stories told from the \u201cvillain's\u201d perspective, I would definitely recommend it.

The characterization of Dr. North and Parrish makes them feel like they\u2019re real people, trying to accomplish the original mission or get revenge, or just trying to survive and make it home. The book explores the way humanity can act in times of destruction and the choices we make.

Black Star is a beautiful story with great characters, whether they only appear in flashbacks or are more central. The vibrant colors and great facial expressions drive home the emotions the characters are experiencing. Sometimes the scenes do not feature any words, but they still clearly get the points across to the reader. I'd definitely suggest this book if you need something to read!", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "20-Aug-2021", "date_added": "29-Apr-2021 19:54:45", "publisher": "Abrams ComicArts - Megascope", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009763079", "title": "Harvey the Hippo: A Tale of Good Food Choices", "author": "Abby Pete", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 199, "review": "My mom has been telling me a story like Harvey the Hippo for a long time. She hasn't been telling me the same story, but mostly telling me to watch what I eat. In Harvey the Hippo, Harvey is a hippopotamus who lives in a zoo with his family. Harvey loves getting fed by the zookeepers because he loves to eat and thinks that hippos are supposed to be huge. One day, Harvey eats too much and starts floating away! Harvey floats across the whole world and can't enjoy anything he sees because he is too big to come back down. If Harvey can come down, he will have to learn how to keep himself from floating away again.

There was a lot that happened in this story. I can understand how Harvey likes all of the sweets; there aren't many that I don't like! I can understand how Harvey felt scared when he started floating away because I would too! I like reading about all of the things that Harvey saw on his trip; there were lots. In the end, I like that Harvey changed how he ate to keep himself healthier; I will work on that too!", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "20-Aug-2021", "date_added": "29-Apr-2021 19:44:02", "publisher": "Loving Healing Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009763071", "title": "1001 Bees", "author": "Joanna Rzezak", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Most youngsters find bees to be scary. All they know is that bees can sting them, but it\u2019s important for them to know the wonders of these amazing insects. Author and illustrator Joanna Rzezak has created a gorgeous book that will give children a great deal of information about these wonderful creatures.

Although listings for this book say it is for children aged three to five years old, older readers might well do better with it. It is really text-heavy for that age. Children up to eight years old would really enjoy it. The illustrations are beautiful and filled with so many wonderful details that youngsters' eyes will be engaged whether they are being read to or reading independently.

Readers will learn about the life cycle of bees, how they create honey and wax and build their combs, and the different jobs the worker bees, forager bees, and drones have in the hive. It shows the symbiotic relationship between bees and plants, the importance of bees in the process of pollination, without which plant life would be decimated. There is fun information about many birds and other insects and animals as well. Don\u2019t miss this book.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "07-Aug-2021", "date_added": "29-Apr-2021 18:33:50", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009763055", "title": "Prince Dustin and Clara: Deep in the Black Forest (Volume 1)", "author": "Daniel Lee Nicholson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 11", "word_count": 194, "review": "Prince Dustin and Clara have a mission: to re-imprison the Dark Forces in their own kingdom and defeat the enchantress Serihilda. This book, their adventure, is packed with magic, excitement, and danger. I like how the author incorporates rhyming poetry into the book. It gives emphasis on certain evil elements of the story and adds emotion to the book overall. It clearly started as a Nutcracker twist, then the author kept writing in the same world, to finish the series, and this resulted. Elementary students in first through fifth grade who love dance will enjoy this book. This makes a good read in language arts in elementary school. There are good vocabulary words used in this book and I would recommend using them to find examples for grammar classes. I think every elementary school library could use a copy. Most local libraries and classrooms could use this book, along with families containing young dancers. The only thing missing is a map of the world the characters live in, and there are enough clues to this in the books that most people could draw one! This book is an imaginative, exciting, and descriptive fantasy novel.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 21:36:54", "publisher": "Fossil Mountain Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "317 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009763047", "title": "Horse Power: How Horses Changed the World", "author": "Jennifer Thermes", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 8; Julianne - age 5", "word_count": 178, "review": "Guess what this book is about? It\u2019s called Horse Power: How Horses Changed the World by Jennifer Thermes and it\u2019s all about horses! It talks about the whole time line of horses. There are a lot of horses in the world, lots that I\u2019ve never heard of. For example, the Chinese Guoxia or the Akhal-teke (from Turkmenistan). Horses were used long before the medieval times, in deserts and in mountains too. And also people used to feed apples to horses, most days you don\u2019t usually see that around. Horses can be used for all kinds of things, like horse races. Horses could be used to get bison. We don\u2019t use horses as much now. The book didn\u2019t talk about unicorns, but that\u2019s okay. In the Industrial Age, trains were invented and horses were needed to transport coal to the trains. If horses weren\u2019t there, they\u2019d have to have gotten coal by hand! This book is really good for learning about horses and all the horses in the world and how they\u2019ve been used through history. Horses are awesome!", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 21:15:07", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009763035", "title": "Rivals", "author": "Tommy Greenwald", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 201, "review": "Carter is the star basketball player for Walthorne South and struggling to maintain his grades for playing. Alfie, also a student at South, dreams of being a sportscaster, even though she can\u2019t play any sport well. Austin plays for Walthorne North, the rich kids\u2019 school, where he has big shoes to fill following his father\u2019s career. The first game of the season is a huge event, but an injury changes the line-up, putting Austin at center stage. When Carter\u2019s coach tells him to make sure he passes the math test however he can, Carter hatches a plan that requires a little dishonesty. However, investigative digging by Alfie may threaten the season for both teams when she realizes there is more to sports than what happens on the court.

Like Greenwald\u2019s previous sports book, Game Changer, this one is told through interviews, texts, chats, and news articles. However, this story about the dark side of sports features basketball and addresses other contemporary issues, like trash-talking by teams and poor sportsmanship by parents. These kids are flawed and realistic, bravely facing and understanding their faults. Alfie\u2019s wizened views of sports provide food for thought and a great read for sports fans and mystery readers.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 21:04:30", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009763023", "title": "The Dead Husband", "author": "Carter Wilson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 192, "review": "The Dead Husband is the story of a woman named Rose who finds her husband dead in their bed from an overdose of pills mixed with alcohol. Not being able to make ends meet as a suspense novelist, Rose must face her toxic past and move back in with her father, taking her eleven-year-old son, Max, with her. The eeriness of the book seeps in as we meet Rose's father, Logan, and her evil sister, Cora. Although the death of Rose's husband was marked as an accidental overdose/suicide, there is one detective who thinks that Rose killed her husband. After all, she did write about it in her latest novel.

This book started off really good. The character development was well done, as were the alternating chapters from the points of view of Rose and the detective. I felt that the middle of the book became really boring. Then it picked back up at the end and bam! You're hit with the solution of what really happened to Rose's husband. The book ends so abruptly that if you don't pay attention, you might miss it. A decent read but nothing too great.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 19:53:04", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009763015", "title": "Carmen and the House That Gaud\u00ed Built", "author": "Susan Hughes", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 169, "review": "Carmen Batllo spends her days playing outside with her imaginary salamander, Dragon. But when Carmen\u2019s parents decide to buy a house in Barcelona and hire Antoni Gaudi to remodel the house, she does not want to leave Dragon and her home in the countryside behind. Will Carmen be happy living in Barcelona? And will she ever see Dragon again?

This story was interesting about how Gaudi built the house for the Batllo family. However, the story about Carmen wasn\u2019t memorable or inspiring. I really liked seeing a picture of the famous house in the back of the book. Casa Batllo in Barcelona looks very colorful, imaginative, fun, and magical. The illustrations in the book weren\u2019t as colorful and magical and fun as the real house. The colors in the story were very dull and drab, nothing like the real house. Although the story in the book isn\u2019t really true, I did learn about the architect Gaudi. I recommend this book to readers who like books about artists and architects.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 19:30:29", "publisher": "Owlkids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009763007", "title": "The Bookstore on the Beach: A Novel", "author": "Brenda Novak", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1847, "review": "Beach Reads to Kick Off Summer Roundup\n\nIf you\u2019re lucky enough to be escaping lockdown and COVID-related chaos and heading to a beach this summer, then you might just be in need of a few good reads to help you while away the time and relax. Fortunately, there are eleven recent fiction releases that would all make for excellent beach reads.\n\nThe Inland Sea by Madeleine Watts\n\nA nameless young woman who dreams of being a writer abandons her plan to study for a doctorate in the aftermath of a messy breakup. She intends to leave her native Sydney and travel, but first she decides to spend a last summer reading novels while sitting on the rocks at Gordons Bay. With her student maintenance funds dwindling, she takes a job in an emergency services call center. Despite the ennui that has been plaguing her, she finds herself becoming increasing affected by the emergency calls that she takes. More worryingly, the emergencies themselves seem to be increasing in magnitude as the summer progresses, ranging from dogs trapped in cars to women hiding from violent partners to raging wildfires. Madeleine Watts skillfully links the overarching failure of authorities to tackle the dangers associated with climate change to the plight of women who seem destined not to be believed in this impactful novel.\n\nThe Northern Reach: A Novel by W.S. Winslow\n\nAs Edith Baines stares out to sea and visibly mourns her son, it is unclear how much of what she sees is real and how much is a grief-induced hallucination. The Baines family has lived in the small town of Wellbridge, Maine, for generations, and as Edith\u2019s memories of her son drift in and out of focus, so to do the memories and stories of her ancestors and of the other families that have called Wellbridge home for decades: the Moodys, the Martins, and the Edgecombs. Despite the town seeming like the sort of place where everyone knows everything about everyone else, all four families have tragedies, triumphs, secrets, and lies that have been transmitted down through the generations. W.S. Winslow uses a series of interconnecting stories, spanning the period 1904 to 2017, to bring the history, nature, and population of Wellbridge to life.\n\nThe Path to Sunshine Cove by RaeAnne Thayne\n\nJessica Clayton has spent most of her adult life ensuring that she has as little baggage as possible, whether that baggage be literal \u201cthings\u201d or people she has met along the way. A professional declutterer by trade, Jessica focuses her energies on helping other people to shed their burdens, and she does whatever it takes to stay in the present, reluctant to even think about her past in the small town of Cape Sanctuary. However, when a new client requires her help to downsize ahead of a move to that very town, Jessica is forced to revisit her past, including her relationship with younger sister Rachel. RaeAnne Thayne is a prolific and hugely popular romance writer, and this time round, she has crafted a charming and heartwarming tale about second chances and the importance of family.\n\nThe Woman in the Sun Hat by Daniel Damiano\n\nDespite being accustomed to being the envy of her friends and neighbors in Cold River, Long Island, Peggy Bubone is forced to recognize just how fragile her life and social position are when her husband is arrested. Almost overnight, she goes from being the rich and rather smug toast of the town to being practically a pariah. With her money and her home suddenly inaccessible, and with no one willing to step in and help, Peggy finds herself and her two children homeless and in dire need of assistance, a situation that causes her to reflect on her past and her difficult start in life. While Daniel Damiano could have turned Peggy\u2019s tale into one of misery and desperation, he has instead crafted a humorous and uplifting story of perseverance and struggle against the odds. Peggy finds a sense of determination that she thought she\u2019d lost, and she does her utmost to build a new and better life for her and her family.\n\nIt Happened One Summer: A Novel by Tessa Bailey\n\nWhen spoiled Hollywood socialite Piper Bellinger causes yet another scandal that is recorded and transmitted far and wide by the paparazzi, her stepfather finally washes his hands of her. After cutting off their allowances, he leaves Piper and her equally spoiled sister with no option but to head to the rural town of Westport, Washington, and run the dive bar that they inherited from their late father. Despite having no head for business and having an almost pathological fear of sleeping in the bunk beds in the only apartment they can afford, Piper is determined to make a success of her exile, particularly after she encounters handsome local sailor Brendan, who makes it clear that he doesn\u2019t think she\u2019ll last five minutes in Westport. Tessa Bailey\u2019s latest novel is a fabulous romcom that gently pokes fun at wannabe star Piper but also allows her to blossom in her new environment.\n\nIsland Queen: A Novel by Vanessa Riley\n\nHaving been born into slavery on her Irish father\u2019s plantation on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, Doll vows to rise above her circumstances and secure the freedom and prosperity of her mother, her sister, and herself. A remarkably enterprising individual with grit, determination, and a clear understanding of how the world works, Doll leverages whatever potential advantage comes her way and rises up through the social ranks as an entrepreneur, a merchant, and a planter. As she progresses in terms of amassing wealth, she also amasses the attention of a series of men, which leads her to even more exotic locations and exceptional situations. Vanessa Riley has really excelled with this fictionalized account of the extraordinary life and achievements of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, a remarkable woman who forged her way from poverty and life as a slave to being one of the richest landowners in the West Indies. Not many people can be said to have truly left their mark on history, but Dorothy certainly did.\n\nThe Summer Job by Lizzy Dent\n\nDreaming about living someone else\u2019s life can be a pleasant form of escapism, but not many people would go the whole hog, commit a spot of identity theft, and run away from their own life. However, that\u2019s just what Birdy Finch does when she decides to assume her best friend Heather\u2019s identity and take a job at a posh hotel in Scotland. To complicate things, Heather is a world-renowned wine expert, which means Birdy\u2019s new job is going to involve a lot of bluffing about wine-related matters. And to complicate things even further, while in Scotland, Birdy might have finally met a man that she\u2019s romantically interested in, only he thinks she\u2019s Heather. Birdy\u2019s plan might be bonkers, but she\u2019s a pleasant and engaging central character. Lizzy Dent has woven a warm and relatable story around Birdy, and there are plenty of laughs to be had while following her (mis)adventures.\n\nThe Bookstore on the Beach: A Novel by Brenda Novak\n\nAfter her husband disappears while on an assignment for the FBI in Ukraine, Autumn Divac spends eighteen months waiting for him to return home to Tampa, Florida. With the official investigation into his disappearance having stalled and the private detective she hired unable to find any additional information, Autumn is nearing the end of her tether when she decides to take her two teenage children and decamp to her hometown of Sable Beach, Virginia, for the summer. She starts working in the bookstore jointly owned by her mother and her aunt, and she finds herself reconnecting with her first love. A tale of friendship and love with a mystery at its heart, Brenda Novak\u2019s novel follows three generations of women (Autumn, her mother, and her daughter) as they confront past mistakes, make their peace with the present, and look toward the future with hope and humor.\n\nSeven Days in June by Tia Williams\n\nWhen Shane Hall and Eva Mercy first met as teenagers, they were two damaged individuals who rapidly fell in love and then enjoyed a whirlwind one-week romance before everything they had crumbled. When they meet again, some fifteen years later, they are both successful writers; Eva is a bestselling author of erotic fiction, while Shane is an award-winning author of literary fiction. After they reconnect at a literary event in New York, where they both take great pains to pretend they don\u2019t know each other, the sparks fly once again and they find themselves embroiled in another passionate week-long romance. Eva wants Shane to return to his home so that her life can return to normal, but before he does so, she wants answers to questions about what happened fifteen years previously. Tia Williams\u2019 latest novel is a thrilling romcom that is darker than most. The story shifts between the past and the present as it explores Shane\u2019s and Eva\u2019s pasts and the reasons why their romance burned out so quickly.\n\nThat Summer by Jennifer Weiner\n\nDaisy Shoemaker seems to have it all: a picture-perfect family, a gorgeous home in the suburbs of Philadelphia, a thriving business, and a fulfilling volunteering project. However, appearances can be deceptive and Daisy is far from content. Just as she\u2019s reaching her lowest ebb, Daisy starts receiving emails intended for a woman named Diana Starling, who has an email address almost identical to her own. Diana\u2019s life seems much more exciting than Daisy\u2019s, and when fate throws them together, Daisy relishes the opportunity to form a friendship with Diana. But did they really become acquainted through pure chance? Diana might not really be who she seems, and if that is the case, what does she want with Daisy? This is definitely not a light and frothy read from Jennifer Weiner, but it certainly is a page-turner. Reflective of the #MeToo movement and the importance of accountability, it\u2019s a thought-provoking and timely book.\n\nBookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter\n\nHaving dedicated her youth to caring for her bedridden mother and raising her two siblings, Sophie Lawson has had to give up on following her dreams, particularly her goal of opening a bookshop in the quaint town of Piper\u2019s Cove. However, with her siblings now able to support themselves, Sophie may have the opportunity to pursue her own endeavors, starting with visiting Piper\u2019s Cove again to attend her sister\u2019s wedding. There\u2019s a surprise in store for Sophie though, as the best man turns out to be Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart, who dumped her without explanation and then vanished from her life. Thrown together by circumstances, it seems that Sophie and Aiden might get the chance to rekindle their romance, but can she really trust him to stick around this time? Denise Hunter\u2019s novel is set in the quintessential seaside town and the story is packed with endearing characters and heartwarming situations. There\u2019s a romance to root for and the hope that things will work out better for Sophie in the future.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 18:16:04", "publisher": "MIRA", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009763003", "title": "The Secret Ingredient Cookbook: 125 Family-Friendly Recipes with Surprisingly Tasty Twists", "author": "Kelly Senyei", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 169, "review": "The Secret Ingredient Cookbook: 125 Family-Friendly Recipes with Surprisingly Tasty Twists is a fun book with recipes the whole family will enjoy. With recipes such as the California Breakfast Quesadilla (secret ingredient: Tater Tots), Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs (secret ingredient: cinnamon), and Crisped and Dipped Chicken Thighs (secret ingredient: Orange Marmalade), you will find recipes that sound familiar but with an added flavor kick. The vivid photos in the book made my mouth water. I also really liked the variety of recipes in the book, which contains the following categories: Breakfast, Snacks, Soups and Salads, Pastas, Entrees, Sides, Desserts, and Drinks.

Some of the recipes were short and some were a bit longer, which is something I always look at. There are times when I want to make something quick and delicious and other times when I want to venture out and make a recipe with many ingredients and steps that will make everyone ooh and ahh. This cookbook would be a great addition to any family chef's shelf.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "15-Jun-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 17:33:26", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009762067", "title": "X Troop: The Secret Jewish Commandos of World War II", "author": "Leah Garrett", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 196, "review": "In 1942, hundreds of young Jewish refugees, some still in high school, were co-opted covertly to help destroy the Axis power. They became members of X Troop, a top-secret Jewish commando unit seconded to British regiments.

The primary stipulation for the commandos was fluency in the German language. In a number of locations across Britain, the men received grueling physical training, learned how to recognize and utilize weapons they might use or confront. They became proficient in intelligence techniques, not only for combat duty but as a means of interrogating captured prisoners.

In preparation, they forfeited Jewish practice and personal identity, acquiring new names and \u2018backgrounds.\u2019 If recognized as Jews, death would be immediate. Orthodox religious practice presented a conflict until their duty was seen as a \u2018mitzva,\u2019 a good deed. And with this came pride: \u2018Last year I was a despised, stateless Jewish refugee, now I am a British soldier.\u2019

Leah Garrett has gathered, organized, and elucidated diaries, unpublished accounts, and family recollections to create a book focusing on the story of X Troop. Mortality was significant, and an enduring, lasting sadness was the inescapable failure to identify Jewish graves in war cemeteries, marked with a Protestant cross.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "29-Apr-2021 20:09:44", "publisher": "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009762051", "title": "Emily's House", "author": "Amy Belding Brown", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 564, "review": "As the seasons turn, we all need a selection of good books to read while basking in the remains of sunlight or recuperating after an autumnal walk. These novels are chock full of intriguing friendships, family drama, mysterious societies, sibling secrets, and corporate misdeeds. Each of these current novels will transport you to another time and place, and provide you with great recommendations to share with your own family and friends. Try them!\n\nEmily's House - Amy Belding Brown\nThe house belongs to an eccentric young woman named Emily Dickinson and the tale is told by her maid, Margaret. The two women form a relationship of sorts, despite their disparate backgrounds and personalities. Maggie was a real person: an Irish immigrant who took the job temporarily but ended up staying for thirty-five years. Instructed by Emily to burn her poems after her death, it is to Margaret\u2019s credit and our benefit that she disobeyed. This novel brings both women vividly to life.\n\nA Hand to Hold in Deep Water - Shawn Nocher\nLacey was lovingly raised by a stepfather after her mother, May, vanished so it makes sense that when her daughter is seriously ill, Lacey goes home for his support. Told both through her point of view and through her mother\u2019s diary entries, we learn the truths that have been hidden from Lacey for thirty years. As she copes with her young child\u2019s medical crisis, she explores what truly matters when it comes to family\u2014whether it was created by biology or by choice.\n\nDamnation Spring - Ash Davidson\nIn rugged northern California in the 1970s, the Gundersens have long been a family of loggers. The risks that Rich takes in cutting down the huge redwoods are as frightening as the miscarriages and birth defects that his wife and other local women suffer. The toxic pesticides that the logging company uses seem to be to blame. But if the environmentalists win their battles to save the forest, the Gundersens and their neighbors will lose their livelihoods, their way of life. With beauty and danger, tension and heartache, this novel deftly presents the dilemmas that arise in a fiercely independent region.\n\nA Special Place for Women - Laura Hankin\nThe special place of the title is \u201cNevertheless\u201d: a women\u2019s only secret club in New York City rumored to be expensive, exclusive, and elite. Freelance journalist Jillian needs a juicy story and decides that working her way into the secret society will give it to her. But she soon learns that powerful people don\u2019t take kindly to being mocked, questioned, or infiltrated! They\u2019ll go to great lengths to protect the darker secrets in their society. A witty novel with a twist that you won\u2019t see coming.\n\nWe Are the Brennans - Tracey Lange\nIf you like family dramas\u2014the secrets they carry and the support they offer even after estrangement\u2014//We Are the Brennans// is for you. When Sunday Brennan is involved in a drunk-driving crash, one of her brothers brings her home to recuperate. She needs more than mending her body though: she hasn\u2019t been back for five years\u2014not since she abruptly left then-boyfriend Kale. Now married, her return creates problems for Kale. Brother Denny owes money to the wrong people as he struggles to open a bar while the other two brothers add their own bits to the family dynamics at work in this uplifting read.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Apr-2021 16:17:17", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009762043", "title": "The Other Side of Luck", "author": "Ginger Johnson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 10", "word_count": 228, "review": "The Other Side of Luck is the story of two kids who have very different lifestyles. One is a princess and the other is a pauper. They are complete opposites but somehow find a way to become friends as they go on an amazing journey.

Una is the daughter of a Magister. She has everything she wants except a father that loves her and is willing to spend time with her. Her dad sends a message that anyone who finds Una a silver flower for her twelfth birthday will receive a great prize, Una sets out to find the silver flower to prove her worth.

Julian and his father, Baba, are very poor. When Baba gets put in jail Julian knows he has to find a silver flower for princess Una so that he can win the great prize promised by the Magister and his father can be set free. As these young kids set out on the journey of a lifetime, they find true friendship and learn that love is more valuable than gold, or a silver flower.

The Other Side of Luck is full of adventure and most importantly: the magic of love. This story is a mix of courage, curiosity, and a bit of luck. It is an awesome read. Go ahead and get yourself a copy. I promise you will be happy you did!", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 21:52:19", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Children's Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009762031", "title": "The Ship of Stolen Words", "author": "Fran Wilde", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 201, "review": "Sam thinks he knows the power of words. After all, any time he\u2019s in trouble, he just utters his favorite get-out-of-jail-free word, Sorry, and he\u2019s off the hook. When he throws his trusty word out there after hurting a classmate, he finds that he can\u2019t say the word at all. This is shortly followed by the loss of two more words that worked almost as well. Sam discovers that goblins have stolen his words, which are like gold in their world. Sam offers to trade Tollver, the goblin responsible for taking Sam\u2019s favorite words, for enough words to save Tollver\u2019s home in return for Sam\u2019s missing utterances. Unfortunately, time is running out as there are other fierce goblins whose greed knows no bounds and who will stop at nothing to make their fortune.

This story is a little bit fantasy, a little bit steampunk, and a whole lot of fun. The fast-paced race between worlds for stolen words puts a fresh face on adventure and crosses several literary genres. A very creative look at the cost of casual speaking, Sam will leave readers with a renewed sense of the importance of what we say and how we mean the words we use.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 20:50:39", "publisher": "Abrams", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009762003", "title": "The Darkness Outside Us", "author": "Eliot Schrefer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 181, "review": "In literature produced during the last century, space slowly replaced the sea as the popular setting of adventures that explored human nature. This compelling story places two individuals of very different backgrounds on such a journey. The void and silence of space serve as the perfect balance to their inner struggles.

Ambrose Cusk of Fe\u0301de\u0301ration is a marvel, a being with Alexander the Great\u2019s DNA, and an intense longing to earn his distant mother's love. Kodiak Celius is the second member of this space mission, he is an orphan with a sharp and thinly buried chip on his shoulder.

They both come from different lands that have marked them as enemies at birth with a history of aged hostilities both boys are far too young to remember or understand. The two seventeen-year-olds are paired on a mission to find Ambrose\u2019s long-lost sister, Minerva, who disappeared while attempting to colonize the distant Titan. This is one of the rarest of books, in which once it was completed, I wanted more! This is an engrossing fictional world and a grand treat for any reader.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 17:21:09", "publisher": "Katherine Tegen Books", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009761047", "title": "Plague, Pestilence and Pandemic: Voices from History", "author": "Peter Furtado", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 187, "review": "I will be honest I was a bit disappointed in this book when I cracked it open, as I expected more primary sources and less commentary. With the world see-sawing between a pandemic and getting over one, there has been a rush to publish books about the history of pandemics and the impact they have had on society. This book is purported to tell the story of pandemics of the past through the eyes of the people who lived through them. If done properly a gold mine of primary sources, a thing historians and history students love especially if they are in a collection. Instead, much of the book is taken up by commentary by the editor. As he explains each of the global pandemics throughout recorded history while providing short snippets. This book would have been much stronger, more entertaining, and better for scholars if it featured more primary sources and less commentary. Instead, this book is a mishmash, where the voices from the past feel like they are playing second fiddle to his linking it all together, and the authors continuing voice is not needed.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2021", "date_added": "29-Apr-2021 18:30:14", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "379 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009761043", "title": "Bird House", "author": "Bianca G\u00f3mez", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "A little girl and her abuela are taking a walk around the city on a snowy day. They find a little yellow bird that is injured. The grandmother decides to take it home to her apartment to keep it safe and to help it get well. There they keep the bird in a cage until it is well enough to fly around the room a little bit. As time goes on, the bird becomes stronger until, at last, it is time to set the little bird free in the great outdoors. When springtime comes, the little bird comes back to visit. The little girl wants to keep it, but her abuela explains how important it is for the bird to live free in the wild. But they put up a small birdhouse on the balcony so the little bird can visit whenever it wants.

Blanca G\u00f3mez has written a sweet little story with a spare, lyrical text that deserves to be read slowly and savored. The illustrations are simply enchanting with rich colors and wonderful details that will engage little listeners. Little ones will ask for this book to be read over and over.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 21:13:36", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009761039", "title": "Grandpa Across the Ocean", "author": "Hyewon Yum", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 171, "review": "A little boy visits his grandpa in Korea for the summer. At first, the little boy doesn\u2019t understand his grandpa, not his bows, or his language, or his food. When the little boy accidentally breaks his grandpa\u2019s vase, he feels really bad. Instead of yelling at his grandson, the grandpa comforts him. Will the two be able to understand each other and have a fun summer together?

I think this is a very sweet and cute story about a grandson and his grandfather. The grandson and grandfather have to find a way to understand each other and to spend time together. It is very sweet how the grandfather is so caring and loving towards his grandson. I like seeing how they go about their day going shopping, eating ice cream, and playing at the beach together. The illustrations are very comforting and joyful. I recommend this picture book to kids who miss their grandparents or to grandparents who miss their grandkids. I hope you are able to see each other soon!", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 21:05:29", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009761031", "title": "Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica's Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night", "author": "Julian Sancton", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1044, "review": "History Roundup\n\nAs Carl Sagan (1980) noted, \u201cYou have to know the past to understand the present,\u201d and all five books included in this roundup can help you to develop just such an understanding. Examining subjects as diverse as an apparently doomed expedition to the South Pole, art portraying the American Revolution, the history of emotion, libraries from around the world, and the legacy of slavery in contemporary US society, these fives books are sure to both educate and entertain.\n\nA Human History of Emotion: How the Way We Feel Built the World We Know by Richard Firth-Godbehere\n\nIn A Human History of Emotion, Richard Firth-Godbehere sets out to answer a couple of very weighty questions: How have emotions shaped the course of human history? How have humanity\u2019s experience and understanding of emotions evolved with them? A major distinction that is often drawn between humans and other living creatures concerns the fact that humans are said to be rational beings, capable of reasoning and calculating in order to survive. However, even the quickest glance back at human history reveals events and situations that appear to disprove this apparent rationality, clearly hinging on emotions rather than on facts. In light of this, Firth-Godbehere guides readers through the highly important yet often overlooked roles that emotions have played in human societies across both time and geography. Drawing on fields of research as diverse as psychology, art, neuroscience, and theology, he explains how the understanding and experience of emotions have changed over time as well as how human beliefs regarding emotions have shaped both the species and the world in which people live.\n\nMadhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica\u2019s Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night by Julian Sancton\n\nWhen the Belgica set sail in August 1897 hopes were high for the voyage and the crew were looking forward to being the first scientific expedition to reach the snowy wilderness of the South Pole. However, hope fairly quickly turned to despair when the ship became stuck in ice in the Bellinghausen Sea, making it likely that the crew would have to endure an Antarctic winter and the associated months of endless polar night. Things managed to get even worse when an unidentified illness swept through the crew and, coupled with growing fears about the numerous rats that were attacking supplies in the hold of the ship, took an extremely heavy psychological toll. In Madhouse at the End of the Earth, Julian Sancton explains how two officers\u2013\u2013Frederick Cook, the ship\u2019s doctor, and Roald Amundsen, the first mate\u2013\u2013hatched a daring plan to free the Belgica from the ice, a plan that would either save them or doom them all. Sancton draws on diaries, journals, and the ship\u2019s logbook to bring to life a perilous Antarctic adventure worthy of a thriller.\n\nThe Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen\n\nWith The Library: A Fragile History, Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen offer the first major historical investigation of the library as both a concept and an institution (and perhaps as an obsession, too). Libraries nowadays come in all shapes and sizes, from former phone boxes to brutalist 1950s structures to glorious conversions of historical buildings, and they cater to a wide range of tastes. They also now fulfill many functions that would cause the librarians at Alexandria to scratch their heads. However, the quiet and thoughtful atmosphere that typically characterizes libraries belies their turbulent and sometimes controversial history. Pettegree and der Weduwen explore that fractured history, taking in famous collections from the ancient world, personal archives, cash-strapped contemporary resources, and everything in between. In doing so, they introduce some of the famous and infamous individuals who have contributed to compiling the world\u2019s greatest book collections, track changing trends, and reveal the sometimes extreme lengths people have gone to in order to secure particular manuscripts.\n\nLiberty: Don Troiani\u2019s Paintings of the Revolutionary War by Don Troiani and the Museum of the American Revolution\n\nAmerican artist Don Troiani is famed for his historical paintings, which principally focus on the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the American Civil War. Known for being highly detailed and realistic, his oil and watercolor works have been featured in numerous history books, art compilations, and military and government exhibitions. His most famous paintings portray crucial moments from American history, such as the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill and the American and French victory at Yorktown in 1781. Liberty: Don Troiani\u2019s Paintings of the Revolutionary War serves as the catalog for the exhibition of Troiani\u2019s work currently being held at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, which runs until September 5, 2022. Highlighting key moments from America\u2019s revolutionary history and elucidating Troiani\u2019s research and artistic processes, the exhibition matches forty of his paintings with forty artifacts from various collections, which are all beautifully reproduced in the catalog. The book also features Troiani\u2019s latest work, a painting of African American sailor James Forten watching as Black and Native American Continental Army troops march past Independence Hall on their way to Yorktown. \n\nThe 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones\n\nWhen an unprepossessing ship carrying enslaved people from Africa arrived in the British colony of Virginia in August 1619, it marked the start of the barbaric practice of human chattel slavery in America, which would continue for around two hundred and fifty years. This practice has been described as America\u2019s \u201coriginal sin,\u201d and its impacts are still being felt today. The New York Times Magazine launched the \u201c1619 Project\u201d in an effort to reframe understanding of American history by situating slavery and its ongoing consequences at the heart of the narrative. The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story expands that initial project by collecting eighteen essays that explore the legacy of slavery in contemporary American society alongside thirty-six poems and narratives that portray instances of struggle and resistance. Together, these works speak directly to the present moment, situating long-standing systems of race and oppression in the context of daily life today. They shine light on overlooked moments from the birth of the country as well as on upspoken issues within the constitution, and they elucidate how the legacy of slavery continues to cast a shadow over American life.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 20:06:04", "publisher": "Crown", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009761019", "title": "Snooze-O-Rama: The Strange Ways That Animals Sleep", "author": "Maria Birmingham", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 202, "review": "While a child covers herself in a warm blanket, sea otters wrap themselves in seaweed to help anchor them in place before dozing off for a bit. When a little boy pulls on his pajamas, a parrotfish shields itself from head to tail in slime, creating its own sleeping bag and a layer of protection, and while a youngster slumbers late on the weekend, painted turtles burrow into the soft sand at the bottom of lakes, ponds, and rivers to hibernate until the spring warmth gently wakes them. Walruses, meerkats, orangutans, and more all have their own unique ways of putting themselves to bed each day or night.

This fascinating book will undoubtedly capture the interests of children ages five to nine. It\u2019s full of fun tidbits about the sleeping habits of a variety of creatures, some tiny but resilient and efficient, others large and resourceful. The illustrations are filled with brilliant colors and patterns, life, and activity. Clues are embedded in them, guiding readers to determine which critters will be featured next. For example, on the page preceding the sea otters, there is a child snuggling up in a seaweed-colored comforter. This aspect of the text adds a unique richness to it.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "16-Jun-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 19:25:33", "publisher": "Owlkids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009760035", "title": "One Two Three: A Novel", "author": "Laurie Frankel", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 700, "review": "Popular Fiction\n\nSometimes finding a good book to read can be hard, because there are so many books in the world! So what if you limit yourself to just new books, so those released in the last year or so? That can be tricky too. Every Tuesday is special because it\u2019s book release day, which means a bunch of new books are released to the world. Well, let me make it a little easier for you: here\u2019s a list of recently released popular fiction to give you something to sink your teeth into and enjoy.\n\nPack Up the Moon\nIn what starts our as a kind of sad story turns into something beautiful and unique in Kristan Higgins\u2019 //Pack Up the Moon.// Joshua and Lauren are happily married and love each other very deeply and cannot image life apart, but then Lauren is diagnosed with a terminal illness, but she has a plan after she is gone. A series of letters and instructions, one for every month of the year after her death, which he has to carry out. The stories, adventures, and experiences make him miss her all the more, but also love her in a whole new way.\n\nThe Secret Keeper of Jaipur\nHailed as one of the best summer reads of 2021, //The Secret Keeper of Jaipur// is a story of intrigue and mystery. It is the summer of 1969 and Malik has just earned himself an internship at the Facilities Office of the Jaipur Royal Palace. Their most recent project is an impressive cinema, but on opening night tragedy strikes as the brand new balcony collapses and obvious blame is assigned, but Malik has suspicions something else is going on here and decides to investigate. He grew up in this city and knows its hidden alleys and secrets well.\n\nOne Two Three\nThe Mitchell triplets live in the quaint and idyllic town of Bourne where nothing ever really interesting happens. Mirabel is smart and likes making things, like a cool voice app; Monday knows everything about books, even that one you didn\u2019t know you were looking for; and Mab just wants to get good grades, head to college, and most importantly, get out of Bourne. But there is a dark history with the town, from an event that occurred seventeen years ago, and a new student has enrolled at Bourne Memorial High who happens to be the nemesis of the Mitchell family. Now things are about to become anything but boring.\n\nAbsolutist\nIt is the fall of 1919 and young Tristan Sadler is traveling to Norwich to deliver a collection of letters to the sister of Will Bancroft, an incredible man whom he fought beside in the Great War and who he has immense respect for. In addition to the letters, Tristan must tell the story of himself and Will and the war, starting from the beginning with their meeting at Aldershot to end of their friendship in the trenches of France. A moving tale that is also filled with jealousy and betrayal.\n\nUnder the Wave at Waimea\nGet lost in the warm waters of Hawaii with //Undet the Wave at Waimea// by Paul Theroux. Joe Sharkey, a renowned surfer known of course as \u201cthe Shark,\u201d is now in his sixties and losing his popularity and sponsors, but is still respect by young surfers. In a freak accident, Joe kills a stranger and finds his life forever changed. But his girlfriend Olive, helps in learning the identity of the victim and discovering the dead man\u2019s life, and in so doing, helps Joe get his life back together again.\n\nCompetitive Grieving\nStewart Beasley, a rising TV star, dies suddenly of an aneurysm. To Wren, Steward was her rock and her anchor, so now she must live her life without him and move on. But first she must plan the funeral to end all funerals. She is also surprisingly assigned the duty of disseminating Stewart\u2019s possessions, and in so doing finds herself investigating his life and learning things she never knew about him. With a healthy balance of both laughter and tears, Competitive Grieving casts a new light on tragedy and grief that so many must go through.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Apr-2021 19:57:45", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009760023", "title": "The Peculiarities", "author": "David Liss", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 186, "review": "The Peculiarities by David Liss explores a world of magic and modernity. Much in the same way as his previous novel, The Twelfth Enchantment, Liss delves into the idea of magic as real in this alternative history. The setting is London during the Victorian era. Proper society brushes off the idea of magic, but the dense fogs of London seep into their homes and businesses, transforming people into something \u201cpeculiar.\u201d When Thomas Thresher discovers his brother could be sabotaging the family bank, mysteries sprout up around Thomas like the leaves on his skin, and he\u2019ll need to turn to help in the most inappropriate occult places.

The Peculiarities is a rich, engrossing novel with an unusual hero. The pacing is quite Victorian in that the story unfolds by degrees, a slow burn starting out, but once it kicks into gear, it picks up momentum to a spectacular finish. Cerebral and fun, Liss\u2019 book challenges and explores notions of family, Victorian ideas of propriety, and of what is and is not magic. Liss executes this novel gracefully and believably, giving readers an excellent experience along the way.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 21:44:29", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009760015", "title": "Not Now, Cow", "author": "Tammi Sauer", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "All of the farm animals know how to get ready for the seasons. In spring, Duck is busy watering the new plants, Sheep is flying a kite, Goat has his slicker, galoshes, and umbrella, but Cow seems a little confused. Cow has mittens, a muffler, and a woolly hat! The heat of summer has Chick, Goat, and Pig all having fun at the beach and in the water, but Cow has his sweater on and his sled out ready for snow. In fall, Horse is busy raking up fallen leaves, Chick munches on a crisp, autumn apple, and Sheep makes a fun jack-o-lantern. But Cow is ready for snowy slopes with all his ski gear on. Will Cow ever figure out the seasons?

Author Tammi Sauer has written a cute, rhyming story that will have little ones trying to figure out what is coming and giggling at the surprises. Illustrator Troy Cummings has completed the story with bright, cartoony pictures filled with fun details and silly expressions. Youngsters will keep their eyes on the pages finding all the humor embedded in the illustrations. This is a very cute book for the youngest of listeners.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 21:08:40", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009760011", "title": "Upstaged", "author": "Diana Harmon Asher", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Seventh-grader Shira Gordon is painfully shy. She hardly says a word during school, but when she is alone in her room, she sings and dances as if she were a Broadway star. When her music teacher announces that everyone in the class will be auditioning for the musical The Music Man, Shira is terrified, but also secretly hopes she will get in. When she gets the part of a member of the barbershop quartet, she finds herself with some new supportive friends, a new crush, and a mustache to hide behind. Shira and everyone else discover she has perfect pitch and a beautiful voice, but that doesn\u2019t sit well with the female lead, the petulant and full-of-herself Monica, especially when Shira is assigned to understudy the role of Marion. Drama ensues.

Diana Harmon Asher is clearly in touch with her inner child, creating a middle-grade story that is pitch perfect with voice and pre-teen angst. Youngsters, especially those who gravitate toward the arts, will be completely engaged with this fun story. The characters of Monica and her mother were a little over the top, having unbelievable power at the school, but otherwise, this is a terrific book.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 21:02:02", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009760003", "title": "Both Can Be True", "author": "Jules Machias", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - age 9", "word_count": 138, "review": "Ash doesn't really have a gender. Somedays she feels more like a girl, and others like a boy. When Daniel, a guy who's in her photography class asks Ash if they could help her save a dog named Chewbarka, Ash is willing to help. But will she be able to keep the secret that she isn't a girl or a boy?

Daniel is used to being told that he's too sensitive. When Chewbarka, a dog he saves, needs help, Daniel is willing to hide her in the forest in a tent. Will he and Ash be able to save Chewbarka?

I thought this book was funny, enjoyable, and interesting because you want to read what Ash and Daniel do next. It was fun to read the two character's points of view, but it was a little too romantic for me.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2021", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 17:17:51", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009759003", "title": "Swan Song of My Era", "author": "Elsie Swain", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 61, "review": "\"The coming-of-age story of a bold and tenacious teen trying to figure out her true self and find her way. Spes\u2019 rough edges and pompous personality are balanced out by her intellect and vulnerability. Clever banter and emotional relationships dress this book up and set its reader up for some wonderful scenarios. Beautifully philosophical and entrancing.\" --Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Apr-2021 14:45:27", "publisher": "UKIYOTO PUBLISHING", "page_count": "415 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009756015", "title": "Sun Wolf (Book 2, Space Unbound series)", "author": "David C Jeffrey", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 475, "review": "Having proven himself on the planet Silvanus, Aiden Macallan has been given command of the titular Sun Wolf, a newly minted interstellar spaceship equipped with a mysterious device that enables travel at an incredible ninety-two percent the speed of light. Even more mysterious are the \"voidoids\" discovered in 2169 that allow spaceships instantaneous passage from one star to another. With access to this naturally occurring phenomenon, the Sun Wolf effortlessly traverses light-years in the time it takes most of us to drive to the grocery store.

When these voidoids begin intermittently disappearing, Aiden and his crew are tasked with investigating. And thanks to an intelligent and capable cast of characters (reminiscent of the crew from Star Trek: Voyager), their investigations bear fruit quickly. The alarming discovery that the voidoids may actually be the glue holding the universe together coincides with the equally alarming discovery that their sporadic outages are purposefully engineered by a terrorist group called Green War.

Elsewhere, brilliant scientist Elgin Woo works out how to travel beyond the outermost voidoids and discovers a planet one hundred and twenty-seven light-years from Earth teeming with colorful, mind-boggling alien life. It is here that Elgin's most far-fetched scientific theories are developed and reinforced, making him the only person alive capable of restoring the voidoids to proper working order. The question is, can Aiden and his crew connect with him across that unimaginable space before it's too late?

In book two of his Space Unbound series, author David C. Jeffrey shows boundless imagination, especially when it comes to alien life. There's also a lot of heavy technospeak on space travel and engineering, all of which is somehow engaging and easy to follow. The astrophobic politics and misleading rhetoric that gain popularity on Earth feel well developed and disconcertingly realistic, though, in my opinion, the caricature politician who gives voice to these ideas is a little too on-the-nose (at one point going so far as to declare he wants to make Earth great again).

Like Sun Wolf's predecessor, my favorite chapters were those that focused on planetary exploration. In Through a Forest of Stars, we got to know Aiden on the planet Silvanus as he interacted with a sentient, planetwide, mycelial lifeform called the Rete. Here, Elgin Woo absolutely steals the show on the planet Sh\u00e9nm\u00ec. As he explores, readers are treated to a hodgepodge of strange animal life and even botanical space travelers launched from fast-growing beanstalks. Fans of Arthur C. Clarke and Andy Weir will fall head over heels in love with Jeffrey's creativity and non-humanoid extraterrestrials.

The climax is surprisingly heavy on dramatic military tropes, and the Sun Wolf's coup de gr\u00e2ce against its diabolical, somewhat campy adversary made me smirk. But even at its most over-the-top, Jeffrey's follow-up was hard to put down. All told, Sun Wolf is an immensely enjoyable page-turner with action and exploration galore.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2021", "date_added": "27-Apr-2021 18:39:07", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "405 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009756003", "title": "Deteriorate", "author": "Michelle Marie Jacquot", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 383, "review": "Michelle Marie Jacquot's DETERIORATE, a book of poetry critiquing the inflated importance of social media in big cities like Los Angeles, works well enough when taken as a whole. If read cover-to-cover, the book is suffused with the dispiriting notion that one's value as a human being is proportional to the amount of one's Twitter followers. Breadcrumbs spread throughout add up to the assertion that to comply with these ephemeral rules is to chip away at our true selves. But despite some insightful morsels here and there, DETERIORATE's twenty poems (some as long as a couple of hundred words, some as short as seventeen, and altogether fewer than sixteen hundred) are lean on content, and readers looking for substance will likely come away hungry.

A surprising number of the book's thirty-four pages are blank. Others have only a few words scattered about. One short poem spread across two pages asserts that it\u2019s sparse on purpose, all but requesting that I come up with something myself, asking \"What do you think?\" Others have about as much impact as an internet meme or are incognizable, though in a book purportedly about a disdain for social media, that may be intentional. At one point, I thumbed back to the table of contents because I wasn't sure if I was starting a new poem or continuing the last and realized that the book's introduction is actually one of the titled poems. Intentions be damned, much of the content in this barebones offering feels like filler.

Highlights include Your Advantage, reassuring indie artists out there that, in this critical time when no one knows you exist, it is the perfect opportunity to make mistakes and to experiment and learn that failure isn't fatal. Sing Along and The Blue Light carry light Orwellian vibes. The most personal poems, Rules of Engagement and Personal Best, are also the hardest hitting, briefly exploring the apprehension of terraforming one's self to fit the generic mold of an L.A. artist. But overall, DETERIORATE lacks depth; perhaps the strongest observation in Michelle Marie Jacquot's collection of poems about Los Angeles and life on the Internet can be found in Sunset & Crescent Heights, quoted here in its entirety: \"It's hard to write about life when you're only ever surrounded by people trying to imitate it.\"", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2021 15:24:33", "publisher": "Michelle Marie Jacquot", "page_count": "46 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000009753011", "title": "Balloons for Papa: A Story of Hope and Empathy", "author": "Elizabeth Gilbert Bedia", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 189, "review": "Ever since Arthur\u2019s mom has been in the hospital, his dad has been depressed and unable to smile. Arthur really wants a balloon because it makes him smile, and he wants to cheer up his dad. Every time Arthur asks for a balloon, his dad brushes him off and rushes to the hospital to see his mom. One day, Arthur is determined to get a balloon on his own, but to his surprise, some balloons end up in his front yard. Arthur realizes that more than anything, he needs some comfort and a hug from his dad.

The book starts off with many shades of grays to depict the gloominess and the depression that surround Arthur and his dad. I found it interesting that Arthur\u2019s rain boots were the only colorful object on Arthur at the beginning. Like Arthur, kids can sense when something is wrong with their parents. They also have a natural way to comfort their parents. Families who are going through a difficult time might find some comfort in this gentle and hopeful book. I recommend this book to families seeking to talk about mental health.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 20:03:10", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009752023", "title": "Great Circle: A novel", "author": "Maggie Shipstead", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 168, "review": "How refreshing to read a novel about a strong, fearless woman whose sole ambition is to excel at circumnavigation. The great circle is the large circle of the globe which the aviatrix will attempt to conquer by flying over both the North and South poles. This is a daunting task, but already in her young life, she has survived the sinking of a luxury liner and braved the terrain of rugged Montana. The story switches to the present time wherein an actress will bring that story to the screen. It is quite a feat for an author to switch back and forth in time, but it is done seamlessly in this novel. Not all the chapters have titles; some are dispatches from the aviator heroine, Marian Graves, but others are quite light-hearted, such as Trust Your Lust. The book is full of surprises and is quite well written. It is wonderful to see fully developed ambitious women given a starring role.

This is the third novel by the author.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "17-Jul-2021", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 21:14:44", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "608 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009752007", "title": "Whereabouts: A novel", "author": "Jhumpa Lahiri", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 182, "review": "From the award-winning author of The Namesake and Interpreter of Maladies comes something completely new and different, but also something one might expect from a winner of the Pulitzer of Prize. Whereabouts is about an unknown woman in an unknown Italian town, covering a year of her life teaching there. She is single and seemingly lonely, but still has friends and familiar faces she sees often. She has an everyday routine she goes through, but she also experiences a number of unexpected happenings.

The story is told through a series of very short chapters, lasting three to five pages. The writing is, of course, wonderful, although overall the reader is left feeling somewhat confused and a little bored. The sparseness of details about who the character is and what their life is like makes it hard to connect with them. They seem unhappy and unimpressed with everything and spend their time complaining. It isn\u2019t until toward the end of the book that the reader actually sees some connection with each chapter and that the events occur chronologically. Overall, it\u2019s a little disappointing.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2021", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 19:00:39", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009752003", "title": "Seven Days in June", "author": "Tia Williams", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1847, "review": "Beach Reads to Kick Off Summer Roundup\n\nIf you\u2019re lucky enough to be escaping lockdown and COVID-related chaos and heading to a beach this summer, then you might just be in need of a few good reads to help you while away the time and relax. Fortunately, there are eleven recent fiction releases that would all make for excellent beach reads.\n\nThe Inland Sea by Madeleine Watts\n\nA nameless young woman who dreams of being a writer abandons her plan to study for a doctorate in the aftermath of a messy breakup. She intends to leave her native Sydney and travel, but first she decides to spend a last summer reading novels while sitting on the rocks at Gordons Bay. With her student maintenance funds dwindling, she takes a job in an emergency services call center. Despite the ennui that has been plaguing her, she finds herself becoming increasing affected by the emergency calls that she takes. More worryingly, the emergencies themselves seem to be increasing in magnitude as the summer progresses, ranging from dogs trapped in cars to women hiding from violent partners to raging wildfires. Madeleine Watts skillfully links the overarching failure of authorities to tackle the dangers associated with climate change to the plight of women who seem destined not to be believed in this impactful novel.\n\nThe Northern Reach: A Novel by W.S. Winslow\n\nAs Edith Baines stares out to sea and visibly mourns her son, it is unclear how much of what she sees is real and how much is a grief-induced hallucination. The Baines family has lived in the small town of Wellbridge, Maine, for generations, and as Edith\u2019s memories of her son drift in and out of focus, so to do the memories and stories of her ancestors and of the other families that have called Wellbridge home for decades: the Moodys, the Martins, and the Edgecombs. Despite the town seeming like the sort of place where everyone knows everything about everyone else, all four families have tragedies, triumphs, secrets, and lies that have been transmitted down through the generations. W.S. Winslow uses a series of interconnecting stories, spanning the period 1904 to 2017, to bring the history, nature, and population of Wellbridge to life.\n\nThe Path to Sunshine Cove by RaeAnne Thayne\n\nJessica Clayton has spent most of her adult life ensuring that she has as little baggage as possible, whether that baggage be literal \u201cthings\u201d or people she has met along the way. A professional declutterer by trade, Jessica focuses her energies on helping other people to shed their burdens, and she does whatever it takes to stay in the present, reluctant to even think about her past in the small town of Cape Sanctuary. However, when a new client requires her help to downsize ahead of a move to that very town, Jessica is forced to revisit her past, including her relationship with younger sister Rachel. RaeAnne Thayne is a prolific and hugely popular romance writer, and this time round, she has crafted a charming and heartwarming tale about second chances and the importance of family.\n\nThe Woman in the Sun Hat by Daniel Damiano\n\nDespite being accustomed to being the envy of her friends and neighbors in Cold River, Long Island, Peggy Bubone is forced to recognize just how fragile her life and social position are when her husband is arrested. Almost overnight, she goes from being the rich and rather smug toast of the town to being practically a pariah. With her money and her home suddenly inaccessible, and with no one willing to step in and help, Peggy finds herself and her two children homeless and in dire need of assistance, a situation that causes her to reflect on her past and her difficult start in life. While Daniel Damiano could have turned Peggy\u2019s tale into one of misery and desperation, he has instead crafted a humorous and uplifting story of perseverance and struggle against the odds. Peggy finds a sense of determination that she thought she\u2019d lost, and she does her utmost to build a new and better life for her and her family.\n\nIt Happened One Summer: A Novel by Tessa Bailey\n\nWhen spoiled Hollywood socialite Piper Bellinger causes yet another scandal that is recorded and transmitted far and wide by the paparazzi, her stepfather finally washes his hands of her. After cutting off their allowances, he leaves Piper and her equally spoiled sister with no option but to head to the rural town of Westport, Washington, and run the dive bar that they inherited from their late father. Despite having no head for business and having an almost pathological fear of sleeping in the bunk beds in the only apartment they can afford, Piper is determined to make a success of her exile, particularly after she encounters handsome local sailor Brendan, who makes it clear that he doesn\u2019t think she\u2019ll last five minutes in Westport. Tessa Bailey\u2019s latest novel is a fabulous romcom that gently pokes fun at wannabe star Piper but also allows her to blossom in her new environment.\n\nIsland Queen: A Novel by Vanessa Riley\n\nHaving been born into slavery on her Irish father\u2019s plantation on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, Doll vows to rise above her circumstances and secure the freedom and prosperity of her mother, her sister, and herself. A remarkably enterprising individual with grit, determination, and a clear understanding of how the world works, Doll leverages whatever potential advantage comes her way and rises up through the social ranks as an entrepreneur, a merchant, and a planter. As she progresses in terms of amassing wealth, she also amasses the attention of a series of men, which leads her to even more exotic locations and exceptional situations. Vanessa Riley has really excelled with this fictionalized account of the extraordinary life and achievements of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, a remarkable woman who forged her way from poverty and life as a slave to being one of the richest landowners in the West Indies. Not many people can be said to have truly left their mark on history, but Dorothy certainly did.\n\nThe Summer Job by Lizzy Dent\n\nDreaming about living someone else\u2019s life can be a pleasant form of escapism, but not many people would go the whole hog, commit a spot of identity theft, and run away from their own life. However, that\u2019s just what Birdy Finch does when she decides to assume her best friend Heather\u2019s identity and take a job at a posh hotel in Scotland. To complicate things, Heather is a world-renowned wine expert, which means Birdy\u2019s new job is going to involve a lot of bluffing about wine-related matters. And to complicate things even further, while in Scotland, Birdy might have finally met a man that she\u2019s romantically interested in, only he thinks she\u2019s Heather. Birdy\u2019s plan might be bonkers, but she\u2019s a pleasant and engaging central character. Lizzy Dent has woven a warm and relatable story around Birdy, and there are plenty of laughs to be had while following her (mis)adventures.\n\nThe Bookstore on the Beach: A Novel by Brenda Novak\n\nAfter her husband disappears while on an assignment for the FBI in Ukraine, Autumn Divac spends eighteen months waiting for him to return home to Tampa, Florida. With the official investigation into his disappearance having stalled and the private detective she hired unable to find any additional information, Autumn is nearing the end of her tether when she decides to take her two teenage children and decamp to her hometown of Sable Beach, Virginia, for the summer. She starts working in the bookstore jointly owned by her mother and her aunt, and she finds herself reconnecting with her first love. A tale of friendship and love with a mystery at its heart, Brenda Novak\u2019s novel follows three generations of women (Autumn, her mother, and her daughter) as they confront past mistakes, make their peace with the present, and look toward the future with hope and humor.\n\nSeven Days in June by Tia Williams\n\nWhen Shane Hall and Eva Mercy first met as teenagers, they were two damaged individuals who rapidly fell in love and then enjoyed a whirlwind one-week romance before everything they had crumbled. When they meet again, some fifteen years later, they are both successful writers; Eva is a bestselling author of erotic fiction, while Shane is an award-winning author of literary fiction. After they reconnect at a literary event in New York, where they both take great pains to pretend they don\u2019t know each other, the sparks fly once again and they find themselves embroiled in another passionate week-long romance. Eva wants Shane to return to his home so that her life can return to normal, but before he does so, she wants answers to questions about what happened fifteen years previously. Tia Williams\u2019 latest novel is a thrilling romcom that is darker than most. The story shifts between the past and the present as it explores Shane\u2019s and Eva\u2019s pasts and the reasons why their romance burned out so quickly.\n\nThat Summer by Jennifer Weiner\n\nDaisy Shoemaker seems to have it all: a picture-perfect family, a gorgeous home in the suburbs of Philadelphia, a thriving business, and a fulfilling volunteering project. However, appearances can be deceptive and Daisy is far from content. Just as she\u2019s reaching her lowest ebb, Daisy starts receiving emails intended for a woman named Diana Starling, who has an email address almost identical to her own. Diana\u2019s life seems much more exciting than Daisy\u2019s, and when fate throws them together, Daisy relishes the opportunity to form a friendship with Diana. But did they really become acquainted through pure chance? Diana might not really be who she seems, and if that is the case, what does she want with Daisy? This is definitely not a light and frothy read from Jennifer Weiner, but it certainly is a page-turner. Reflective of the #MeToo movement and the importance of accountability, it\u2019s a thought-provoking and timely book.\n\nBookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter\n\nHaving dedicated her youth to caring for her bedridden mother and raising her two siblings, Sophie Lawson has had to give up on following her dreams, particularly her goal of opening a bookshop in the quaint town of Piper\u2019s Cove. However, with her siblings now able to support themselves, Sophie may have the opportunity to pursue her own endeavors, starting with visiting Piper\u2019s Cove again to attend her sister\u2019s wedding. There\u2019s a surprise in store for Sophie though, as the best man turns out to be Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart, who dumped her without explanation and then vanished from her life. Thrown together by circumstances, it seems that Sophie and Aiden might get the chance to rekindle their romance, but can she really trust him to stick around this time? Denise Hunter\u2019s novel is set in the quintessential seaside town and the story is packed with endearing characters and heartwarming situations. There\u2019s a romance to root for and the hope that things will work out better for Sophie in the future.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 18:45:35", "publisher": "Grand Central Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009751015", "title": "Hiding Baby Moses", "author": "Roth", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 208, "review": "Hiding Baby Moses is a retelling of the early days of Moses from the Christian Bible. Moses\u2019s sister watches as her mother prepares a basket for Baby Moses. With sadness in her eyes, tears begin to fall. She gently kisses him one last time before placing her son in the Nile River with hopes someone will find and care for him. On their way home, Moses\u2019s sister stops; she sees Pharaoh\u2019s daughter and her attendants approaching. When she discovers they\u2019ve found the baby, she offers to find a nursing mother. She runs to her mom, and in a remarkable twist of fate, Mama and Baby Moses are reunited.

This is a beautiful and heartfelt account of a mother trying to save her baby from the demise of an evil king. It encompasses love and loss, protection and motherhood, hope and faith. The author uniquely gives voice to Moses\u2019s sister, allowing readers to hear the story from a fresh perspective. Youth ages five to nine will find it relatable, since she\u2019s just a young child herself. They\u2019ll be entranced by the magnificent illustrations throughout; they\u2019re so realistic and detailed, youth will feel a part of them as if they\u2019ve been welcomed into the tale and magically transported back in time.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2021", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 19:20:02", "publisher": "Flyaway Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009751011", "title": "Hearing Homer's Song: The Brief Life and Big Idea of Milman Parry", "author": "Robert Kanigel", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 231, "review": "The Greek poet Homer was not like Virgil or Aeschylus. Indeed, there likely was no single person named Homer and he certainly was not the author of the Odyssey and the Iliad, no matter what you may have learned in school. Hearing Homer\u2019s Song is a deeply researched biography of Milman Parry, the classics scholar who proved that these poems, like other ancient epics from around the world, came from an oral tradition. They were composed\u2014but not written\u2014by \u201cpoets who had no scroll, no stylus, no paper, no papyrus, no alphabet,\u201d and the results were handed down through the generations. Such poets and singers were not praised for originality but for their ability to tell these stirring stories in ways that were familiar and always delivered within certain metrical constraints and patterns. Although the tales may have evolved over time, their long regular lines remained constant. Parry died young in a violent death, but his work was carried forward by his acolyte Albert Lord, aided by the hundreds of recordings they made of traditional singers in Yugoslavia whose songs were sung differently each night. For several centuries, academia did not believe that culture could exist without literacy; Parry and Lord cracked that narrow view wide open. This is a fascinating book that will leave you musing about traditions, culture, and what else you may have learned that needs a fresh examination.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2021", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 18:59:04", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009751007", "title": "Antitrust: Taking on Monopoly Power from the Gilded Age to the Digital Age", "author": "Amy Klobuchar", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1161, "review": "Lying for Money: Five Books on Business Corruption\n\nAs Ralph Waldo Emerson noted, \u201cmoney often costs too much,\u201d and that cost is all too often borne by those least able to manage it. While the COVID-19 pandemic has paralyzed the global markets and brought the finances of both individuals and corporations to breaking point, the rot at the heart of the economic system had set in long before the pandemic. It\u2019s no surprise then that five recent releases have sought to expose the inequalities of the business and financial sectors and to suggest ways in which society could become fairer.\n\nTax the Rich! How Lies, Loopholes, and Lobbyists Make the Rich Even Richer by Morris Pearl, Erica Payne, and the Patriotic Millionaires\n\nThe Patriotic Millionaires describe themselves as a group of \u201chigh net worth Americans, business leaders, and investors who are united in their concern about the destabilizing concentration of wealth and power in America.\u201d The group aims to help build a more equal and prosperous society by promoting equal political representation, a minimum wage for all workers, and tax reform, and in Tax the Rich! How Lies, Loopholes, and Lobbyists Make the Rich Even Richer, Patriotic Millionaires chair Morris Pearl, founder Erica Payne, and assorted other millionaire contributors explain why the US economy is rigged in favor of the rich as well as how it can be equalized. Through a combination of engaging and often humorous text, cartoons, infographics, and case studies, the authors highlight the problems with the current system and offer justifications for introducing a reformed tax code that builds the middle class, creates good employment prospects, grows the economy, and incentivizes both individuals and companies to act for the good of the country. Given the fact that inequality has never been more pronounced in US society, it\u2019s a timely and important book.\n\nThe Monsanto Papers: Deadly Secrets, Corporate Corruptions, and One Man\u2019s Search for Justice by Carey Gillam\n\nAs a school groundkeeper, Lee Johnson was used to working with well-known brands of weedkiller such as Roundup and Ranger Pro, both of which were glyphosate-based products manufactured by corporate boogeyman Monsanto. After Johnson was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and informed of his poor prognosis, he thought back to that use and to a workplace accident that left him drenched in weedkiller and made the link between that exposure and his subsequent cancer diagnosis. Monsanto had faced a host of similar accusations, but Johnson\u2019s case was the first time the company had been required to defend itself in front of a jury. The Monsanto Papers: Deadly Secrets, Corporate Corruptions, and One Man\u2019s Search for Justice is investigative journalist Carey Gillam\u2019s exhaustive account of the legal battle to hold agrochemical giant Monsanto accountable for its shameful profiteering and flagrant disregard for public safety. Gillam details some horrendously corrupt practices on the part of Monsanto, which were perhaps not as shocking as they should be given the company\u2019s dire reputation, as well as a number of coverups involving regulatory authorities, which highlight the extent to which cash and corporate power can be leveraged to avoid responsibility when the victims are ordinary people.\n \nAntitrust: Taking on Monopoly Power from the Gilded Age to the Digital Age by Amy Klobuchar\n\nSimply put, antitrust laws are intended to encourage competition by limiting the market power of individual companies. This is generally achieved by ensuring that mergers and acquisitions do not result in the concentration of market power or the formation of monopolies, although it can also involve the breakup of firms that have somehow developed into monopolies. However, the era of globalization is certainly not free of monopolies (as evidenced by Google controlling 90% of the search engine market), and as Amy Klobuchar reveals in Antitrust: Taking on Monopoly Power from the Gilded Age to the Digital Age, the concentration of market power has actual characterized the capitalist business system since the late 1800s. Klobuchar, who is currently the senior US senator from Minnesota as well as the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, is a firm advocate of the need to dismantle monopolies and so to ensure a fairer society for all. She takes readers through the history of monopoly formation in the United States (from the days of the robber barons to the passing of the Clayton Act and on to the current situation of Big Pharma), which has largely proved disastrous for average people, and highlights the problems that a lack of market competition is causing today. It\u2019s eye-opening stuff.\n\nLying for Money: How Legendary Frauds Reveal the Workings of the World by Dan Davies\n\nAs Dan Davies explains in Lying for Money: How Legendary Frauds Reveal the Workings of the World, there are various kinds of white-collar crimes, including insider trading, Ponzi schemes, identity theft, embezzlement, counterfeiting, and money laundering. All these crimes involve the criminals exploiting the trust for their victims, whether they be individuals or organizations, and as modern economies rely on trust, fraud in all its various flavors represents an insidious crime. Davies provides overviews of famous frauds and fraudsters (such as Leslie Payne, accountant for the Kray twins; Tino De Angelis, perpetrator of the great salad oil swindle; and Alves des Reis, the man who stole Portugal) and also explains the structures and trust mechanisms that they exploited. His aim is to help readers understand how frauds work (and how to recognize an honest commercial system) so that they are better placed to manage the risk to themselves and their businesses. Davies\u2019 use of case studies and schematics helps to clearly explain the often complex and convoluted processes behind frauds, and his text is both informative and entertaining.\n\nFed Up! Success, Excess and Crisis Through the Eyes of a Hedge Fund Macro Trader by Colin Lancaster\n\nAccording to Wall Street macro trader Colin Lancaster, the COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to the greatest market panic seen since the Great Depression, and in Fed Up! Success, Excess and Crisis Through the Eyes of a Hedge Fund Macro Trader, he takes readers through the heyday of the recent financial bubble, the experience of the catastrophic crash caused by the pandemic, and the early shoots of grow that signalled the slow resurgence of the market. It\u2019s a great book for those interested in the workings of the stock market and those interested in working in the stock market, as well as for those seeking to understand why the global stock market is subject to such volatility, as Lancaster details the situation on the ground and explains what the life of a trader is really like. From Lancaster\u2019s perspective, it\u2019s a taxing but lucrative life, and he explains the difficulties of keeping pace with the market environment while also keeping up with family and friends. In addition to his personal take on the stock market, Lancaster also considers the policy issues currently facing the US as well as the next generation of traders.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 18:57:03", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "624 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009750003", "title": "The Siren", "author": "Katherine St. John", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 181, "review": "The Siren tells the story of megastar Cole Powers, ex-wife Stella Rivers, son Jackson, and a cast of characters whose lives become entangled on a Caribbean island. Everyone knows Cole Powers is a complete jerk who always gets what he wants. He has money and is a womanizer, something that Stella didn't learn until she after had married him. Stella hasn't worked in years and agrees to be the main star in Cole's new movie The Siren, which will be directed by Jackson. Also coming to the island are Felicity, Stella's assistant; Taylor, the film's producer, who has a big backstory of her own; and Madison, a social media influencer who is cast as the new nanny in the film.

The book is narrated from the points of view of Stella, Taylor, and Felicity. As the story came together, it was clear that more than one character had an ulterior motive for being on the set of the movie. I loved this book for its wonderfully voyeuristic perspective on Hollywood's best, albeit fictional. It's perfect for fans of revenge and suspense.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2021", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 18:40:13", "publisher": "Grand Central Publishing", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009749019", "title": "13th Street #5: Tussle with the Tooting Tarantulas (HarperChapters)", "author": "David Bowles", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 189, "review": "Cousins Malia, Dante, and Ivan are off on scary adventures on 13th Street once again! This time, Malia, Dante, and Ivan are looking for two missing classmates who have been kidnapped by huge, hairy spiders! Donya Chabela and Mickey will help guide Malia, Dante, and Ivan through the wacky world of 13th Street as they try to rescue their friends. The cousins will have to rely on the Zombie family and the shopkeeper and other characters from previous books to help them rescue their friends.

This is a hilarious book filled with adventure, time travel to another dimension, spiders, and toots! This book is great; it shows teamwork and perseverance. Finally, of course, everyone loves to read about toots because they are hilarious! The text is easy to read, but not too challenging, and I love chapter books that have illustrations. What I like most about this book is the few words in Spanish, which I can use context clues to decode if I am unsure about what they mean. I enjoy reading the hilarious 13th Street series and look forward to more of Dante, Malia, and Ivan's adventures.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 20:12:49", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009749011", "title": "Nia and the New Free Library", "author": "Ian Lendler", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 200, "review": "Nia and the New Free Library is about a little girl named Nia who loves visiting the library. She loves checking out books and getting to read them in the grass. One day, a tornado hits her town and takes the library with it. The grown-ups start thinking of what they can now build because the library is gone. Nia tells them that they still need a library, but they don't believe her. Nia decides to prove to them that they don't know what they want. She works hard for a new library, not just for her, but she is sure that the other people don't remember that they like books anymore.

I like how Nia is smart! She works hard and writes her own stories to trick the people into helping her; I also like how everyone worked together at the end, even though they each wanted something different instead of a library. I like this story because I would also want another library built if mine were gone; it's a lot of fun to check out different books. This story is for kids of all ages, especially ones that know what they want and work hard to get it.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 19:14:18", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009748023", "title": "Flames of Extinction: The Race to Save Australia's Threatened Wildlife", "author": "John Pickrell", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 196, "review": "The world was in shock when Australia went up in flames which led to the death or loss of habit for several species of wildlife. Flames of Extinction captures the stories and facts behind these record-setting fires with a specific look at the damage done to the various species. John Pickrell was one of the journalists that were tasked with reporting throughout the time of crisis and how these stories led to hope in the scientists, Australians, and volunteers that joined forces to save the wildlife and environment.

Pickrell takes you into this time of crisis through snippets from the articles written during this time and personal experience. Through heavily detailed chapters, take an inside look at events that were taking place in Australia at the time and straight into the rescues of the various animals. The stories included throughout are poignant and feature a look at the various volunteers such as ecologist Maria Matthes and the various rescue animals that helped such as Koala detection dog Bear. Thorough and vivid, Flames of Extinction is an amazing resource that allows you to see a poignant examination of the wildfires and the race to save the wildlife.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "22-Sep-2021", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 22:29:45", "publisher": "Island Press", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009748019", "title": "Boy", "author": "Anna Hamilton", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 457, "review": "Elderly couple Hugh and Betty Roberts live on an Iowa farm. Betty has dementia, and Hugh is trying his best to care for her, but he's struggling, and the farm has seen better days. One day they find an injured bird on the property. This tiny creature sparks something in Betty that Hugh hasn't seen in a while. He decides to help Betty care for the bird, hoping it will bring a bit of life back into Betty, who spends most of her time staring into space or at a wall.

When daughter-in-law Eileen and grandson Jacob decide to move in to help care for Betty, things improve on the farm. Jacob gets his own calves to look after, and Eileen decides to plan a large Thanksgiving dinner in the barn. By bringing family and community together, she hopes they can enjoy time together and appreciate the things they have, even if all isn't as they would like it to be.

Boy is both a sweet and sad tale of a family nearly destroyed by dementia and the previous loss of their only son. But, Ms. Hamiliton does a terrific job of making this book one of hope and love. It's well written and wonderfully descriptive. Anyone who has the task of looking after a loved one or patient with Alzheimer's or dementia will appreciate how she highlights Hugh and Betty's struggles and uncertainties.\nI loved that Boy the bird had his own voice in this book with quite a bit to say. His addition brought in an element of delight and wonder that helped lift the story from one of sadness to one of hope. I laughed when he thought the boogeyman was coming into the chicken coop to get him. And, I was happy his side of the tale had a happy ending when he found a female feathered friend. But, I was less happy about Sarah shooting squirrels to keep them away from the pies she left cooling on the porch.\nI appreciated Ms. Hamilton's ability to capture a sense of nostalgia and acknowledge changing times, especially when she mentioned that one didn't have to think about food allergies at pot luck dinners in the past. One simply ate what was served. I also love that she included plenty of backstories so that I could learn more about Betty's life before she was affected by dementia. Her characters were interesting and engaging and never too young or too old to help out around the town or learn something new. All in all, this was a heartwarming story about love and loss and learning to cope with tragic circumstances without losing faith in life and finding joy and comfort in the small things life has to offer.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2021", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 20:19:42", "publisher": "Willow River Press", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009748015", "title": "What the Road Said", "author": "Cleo Wade", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 206, "review": "While a child heads toward home, following his usual path, he notices a road he\u2019s never seen before; it\u2019s as if it just appeared magically. He asks it where it leads. \u201cBe a leader and find out,\u201d it responds. When he inquires about what to do when he gets to his destination, it tells him to enjoy the moments in between, savoring each one. When he voices concern about choosing the wrong route along the way, the Road explains stumbling here and there is simply part of the journey. It teaches him, too, what it means to be brave, to show the world love, and to overcome life\u2019s adversities.

What the Road Said is a heartfelt story about choices, challenges, survival, and perseverance. It\u2019s a wonderful tribute to all who struggle with that inner voice that always asks, \u201cwhy?\u201d and is relentless in its pursuit for perfection. The Road encourages children to reach out, take risks, and simply get up when they fall. It urges them to trust their judgment, embrace change, and persist with determination, peace, love, and kindness even in the face of opposition. Those ages six to nine will find it a treasurable pick. They\u2019ll admire the gorgeous, intricate illustrations throughout as well.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 19:11:56", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009748007", "title": "Tiny Houses", "author": "Sandra Leitte", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 207, "review": "Since roughly 2013, the idea and construction of tiny houses have been popular among various groups of people. In the book Tiny Houses, a variety of styles are shown from all over the world\u2013\u2013from a Woolhouse in Hungary at a total of thirty-two square feet to a place in New York at nine hundred and eighteen square feet.

Tiny Houses serves a dual purpose\u2013\u2013the reader can enjoy the book for its professional pictures with beautiful landscapes in the backgrounds and/or gain ideas and information on this worldwide phenomenon. The section on each house includes a floorplan, snapshots, and information about the house and its owner. With thirty-seven houses included in the book, there\u2019s a lot to enjoy.

With the Marie Kondo-inspired \u201cstuff\u201d purges that happened not too long ago, minimalism is becoming more popular in society. Becoming a minimalist has its perks but might not be for everyone; there are many reasons for minimalizing, such as moving, downsizing, or being conscious of the environment. When you look at the homes in Tiny Houses, you will notice how they contain the bare minimum, but it is still enough to survive.

The bonus at the end is a list of the tiny houses available for rent around the world!", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "20-Aug-2021", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 18:20:07", "publisher": "Prestel", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009748003", "title": "Anyone Can Cook", "author": "Kitchen Stories", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 168, "review": "The Anyone Can Cook app has a large online following. Its premise is that anyone can learn to cook. This book carries the same philosophy, and it is geared more toward novice cooks than experienced ones. The first three chapters focus on listing staple kitchen utensils and pantry staples and building foundational skills (knife skills, roasting techniques, pan-fry and saute, and blanching). The remaining five chapters contain recipes that can also be found online.

The recipe chapters are divided into \"Salads & Soups,\" \"Vegetarian & Vegan,\" \"Pasta & Noodle,\" \"Meats,\" and \"One-Sheet Baked Dinners.\" Most recipes show a picture of the finished product (and some of the steps along the way) and provide detailed instructions. Most can be prepared in under thirty minutes and use very few ingredients. While there are some recipes that are fairly straightforward, others require more than one attempt to get right. All (at least those that I tried) are delicious. This book is recommended for those who want to experience cooking their meals.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2021", "date_added": "26-Apr-2021 18:10:46", "publisher": "Prestel", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009744031", "title": "Unstoppable: Siggi B. Wilzig's Astonishing Journey from Auschwitz Survivor and Penniless Immigrant to Wall Street Legend", "author": "Joshua M. Greene", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 446, "review": "Unstoppable portrays the spectacular story about a Holocaust survivor and his journey to becoming the CEO of a multibillion-dollar commercial bank and a \"New York Stock Exchange-listed oil company\". How did a man who barely survived in a deadly Nazi concentration camp go on to thrive and become a name to reckon with in America's business world? Find out how Siggi B. Wilzig was forced to think on his feet and learn some useful skills to escape being thrown into the gas chamber as a teenager in Auschwitz, worked for the US Army Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) for a chance to capture some of his former Nazi oppressors, and went from selling neckties door to door to dealing in millions of dollars and being the first person in history to sue the Federal Reserve in this outstanding book by Joshua M. Greene.

Siggi B. Wilzig's story is proof that the human spirit is resilient against any challenges, no matter how testing they are. I can't imagine myself eating less than seven hundred calories of food that is worse than pigs' food per day and being forced to work laboriously just to stay alive. My problems suddenly seemed minuscule when I pictured the trying times experienced by Siggi in Auschwitz. His incredible achievements, despite his terrible past, inspired me to stop making excuses and make the best of the chances life deals me instead. Even when faced with antisemitic parties and Holocaust deniers, Siggi never gave up on his goals or stopped informing people about the Holocaust.

Author Joshua M. Greene creates such a detailed and vivid book that it is hard to believe Siggi didn't write it himself. It was easy to picture myself in some events because I was able to understand the protagonist's mindset\u2014like when Siggi decided, in a split second, to volunteer to sing and dance for his oppressor even though he might get killed for performing poorly. Additionally, other people's (including Siggi's family) opinions about him are included in the book\u2014which gave me an all-encompassing view of the protagonist. When I read about Siggi's initial refusal to support his son's (Sir Ivan) dreams of singing professionally, it reminded me of my dispute with my father concerning the same issue. The pictures in the book further clarify the environments and events.

I disliked nothing about Unstoppable, and I strongly recommend it to readers who wish to unravel the story about a Holocaust survivor and his experiences after and how he dealt with the memories and loss and kept going in spite of them. As Unstoppable is the most compelling and moving biography I've read this year, I wouldn't be forgetting it any time soon.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "15-Jul-2021", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 20:19:57", "publisher": "Insight Editions", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009744027", "title": "Unstoppable: Siggi B. Wilzig's Astonishing Journey from Auschwitz Survivor and Penniless Immigrant to Wall Street Legend", "author": "Joshua M. Greene", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 420, "review": "Siggi B. Wilzig was born in 1926 in what was at the time Krojanke, West Prussia. By 1941 he was forced to work at a factory producing munitions for the German army. By 1943 at the age of seventeen, he was deported to Auschwitz, where he suffered horrific and unimaginable conditions. He was lucky enough to survive until the concentration camps were liberated in 1945, after which he worked with the U.S. Counter Intelligence Corps tracking down war criminals. In 1947 he immigrated to the United States. He arrived with little more than a few dollars, but in time, he became the CEO of an oil company and a banking company.

Mr. Greene does a fantastic job bringing Mr. Wilzig's life and accomplishments to light in Unstoppable. It seems hard to believe that before picking up this book, I knew nothing of this man and the mark he made on American business or his role in creating the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.. But through this book, I felt that I got a sense of his extraordinary character and what was important to him. He was clearly a determined optimist. By focusing on his goals of creating a new life and vowing to remember and relay his experiences of the Holocaust, he was able to flourish in a country that didn't always welcome Jewish refugees or immigrants.

Mr. Greene included many interesting photographs which helped bring this story alive. And what makes this such a riveting read is that he doesn't just include personal details but puts them into a broader historical context for readers interested in the many areas and themes covered in the book. I appreciate that he highlighted the fact that the U.S. Army was aware of the concentration camps at Auschwitz during the war but decided not to bomb them. To my mind, this was a terrible disgrace to the Allies. And, although I do not personally remember the events surrounding President Reagan's visit to Bitburg cemetery in Germany, I can fully understand how Mr. Wilzig felt about the event. I was, however, sad to learn that he stopped giving lectures feeling that his words were not making a difference. Luckily, he resumed them in the early 1990s, fearing the rise of deniers of the Holocaust were gaining too much attention. Unstoppable is a well-written, researched book that I hope will lead others to discover the extraordinary life of Siggi B. Wilzig and his determination to remind us of the lessons we need to learn from the past.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "06-Oct-2021", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 20:19:41", "publisher": "Insight Editions", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009744023", "title": "Unstoppable: Siggi B. Wilzig's Astonishing Journey from Auschwitz Survivor and Penniless Immigrant to Wall Street Legend", "author": "Joshua M. Greene", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 432, "review": "Unstoppable is the biography of Holocaust-survivor Siggi B. Wilzig, his will to live, and his will to thrive. Born in 1926 in West Germany, Siggi was the second youngest out of eight children. With an over-the-top personality, Siggi was a self-assured, curious boy. When Hitler came to rise in 1932, and with the Nazis taking over Germany, the Wilzig family was just one of many who were boarded onto a train to Auschwitz. Their lives would be forever changed.

Author Joshua M. Greene does an impeccable job of describing Siggi from his looks to his big personality to the feelings he expressed when giving speeches about the Holocaust. From seeing his father die from poisoned potatoes to seeing his friends turn into skeletons, and watching other Jews forced into gas chambers and incinerated, Siggi felt the heartbreak that most people will never feel even a small percentage of. But somehow he overcame this horrible experience. He never once forgot it though. Siggi Wilzig turned into a business tycoon, buying an oil company and then a bank to fund that oil company. His sense of business was impeccable, his customer service, unbelievable. In fact, it would seem that Siggi was, in fact, Unstoppable.

This book had me glued to its pages. Greene's attention to detail leaves the reader with a moving picture of what Siggi's life looked like. His love for his children and the way he taught them about his past and made them never forget to tell the stories he told them so that the Holocaust would always be remembered was just one admirable trait Siggi had. Siggi had a heart of gold and wanted to make the world a better place. He was a pushy guy, but only when he knew that he was right in the matter.

There were so many historical facts in this book, including the effects of World War I on Germany and how the Germans quickly turned on the Jews once Hitler came into power. The book also tells about Kristallnacht, the night of broken glass, in 1938, where Nazis destroyed Jewish businesses, burned synagogues, and arrested many Jews, taking them to concentration camps. Looking at this from an American's point of view, I really don't understand why the Americans flew over the camps without bombing the gas chambers and crematoriums even though they knew about them.

Unstoppable is an important book that should be read in high schools to bring awareness and understanding of this period of history and how hate for anyone can negatively impact the world. It is a must-read for all ages.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 20:19:19", "publisher": "Insight Editions", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009744019", "title": "The Brothers Silver", "author": "Marc Jampole", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 394, "review": "The Brothers Silver tells the story of two brothers, Jules and Leon Silver, as they grow up and learn life's lessons the hard way. Coming from a dysfunctional family, Jules and Leon bounce back and forth living with their mother Ethel or father Edwin. Ethel is mentally unstable and either goes to work and puts wonderfully cooked homemade meals on the table for her boys or doesn't go to work, leaves the house dirty and the boys with little to eat. This up-and-down pattern of Ethel's also leaves her out of a job often and creates a vicious circle in which she often attempts to kill herself. Their father Edwin does not seem to be as unstable as Ethel, however, the boys have very little respect for him.

As Jules and Leon grow up, they meet many colorful characters along the way. Jules even does so much as to name the women he had relations with in alphabetical order and describe each of them. Jules and Leon seem to be close, although Leon is Ethel's favorite child which makes Jules feel inferior and lash out during his childhood and teens. In fact, Ethel calls Leon her \"Adonis\" because he is handsome like his father.

I found The Brothers Silver to be somewhat of a sad and depressing story. They are just two boys who have very little control over their surroundings and bounce from house to house. The chapters are narrated by different characters, however, they are not labeled with who the narrator is before the reader starts reading. There were several times that I did not know what voice was speaking until I read well into the chapter. For most of the book, Jules narrates the story. It is easy to tell from his dialogue that he is a lost and angry young man who feels he cannot trust anyone, including his longtime girlfriend El.

One of my favorite things about this book is the short stories within the book about Jules's adventures. Jules goes to so many interesting, and sometimes sketchy, places and tries out many different things, good and bad, along the way. Author Marc Jampole writes with such ease as we picture through the eyes of Jules, the cities and people Jules meets. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good nostalgic story full of tales and adventures.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "15-Jun-2021", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 20:13:42", "publisher": "Owl Canyon Press", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009744015", "title": "The Brothers Silver", "author": "Marc Jampole", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 531, "review": "As is abundantly clear from the outset of The Brothers Silver, the lives of Jules and Leon Silver have been marred by dysfunction since they were young boys. The pair are being raised (or, perhaps more accurately, left to raise themselves) by a mentally ill mother and an abusive, misogynistic father. Ethel, their mother, suffers from bipolar disorder. When she is in a rare \u201cup\u201d period she is great with her boys, taking care of their emotional needs and ensuring that their physical needs were met, but when she is in a \u201cdown\u201d period, she is overcome by depression and lethargy, her suicidal thoughts leaving her with little inclination to care for her children. Edwin, their father, is a violent womanizer who gaslights their mother and puts her down at every opportunity. The extent to which Ethel\u2019s troubles are caused by her mental illness, rather than by Edwin\u2019s actions, is never quite clear.

Given this background, it\u2019s no surprise that The Brothers Silver often makes for a harrowing and upsetting read. The parents are actually in the process of divorcing when the book opens, but this just leads to more upheaval and distress for Jules and Leon as they are shunted between their mother and father, depending on which parent is in the least bad state at the time. Both Ethel and Edwin are vindictive and incapable of putting their children first. The boys see and hear things that they are not emotionally equipped to deal with, and it causes damage that follows them into adulthood.

As soon as they\u2019re able, both boys attempt to flee from their parents\u2019 influence. Jules leaves first, heading to college after a confrontation with his father; around a year later, Leon runs away to San Francisco with a friend. Of course, the same patterns continue to repeat themselves as Jules oscillates between guilt, anger, and sadness about his past, while Leon finds it difficult to trust and takes pains to avoid any kind of responsibility. Although each brother has been the most constant presence in the other\u2019s life, they are not particularly close, with the differences in how they were treated by their parents having driven a considerable wedge between them. There\u2019s an interesting contrast in how the brothers feature and are portrayed in The Brothers Silver: the story shows more of Jules\u2019 perspective, but it shows more of Leon from other characters\u2019 perspectives. This neatly reflects their different natures and the differing treatment they have received.

Aside from making use of a number of perspectives, Marc Jampole weaves the story using a variety of literary styles and devices, including an epistolary chapter, a chapter comprised entirely of a conversation between an aunt and uncle, and a chapter reflecting Ethel\u2019s disturbed internal monologue. It all combines to render the story more of a puzzler than it might otherwise have been, as it can take time to figure out who is narrating each chapter and what their motivation is. Ultimately, The Brothers Silver makes for a deep and contemplative read; certainly not a happy story, it prompts the reader to question the past and, despite the unlikelihood, hope for a better future for Jules and Leon.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 20:13:27", "publisher": "Owl Canyon Press", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009744011", "title": "The Brothers Silver", "author": "Marc Jampole", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 451, "review": "Jules and Leon Silver are living in a broken family. They live with their mother in New York, while their estranged father lives in New Jersey. The boys view their Father, Edwin, disdainfully for abandoning them. Chaos underscores their day-to-day life with their Mother Ethel. Ethel is beset by bipolar disorder, productive and manic days surrounded by depressive moods of inertia. Her relationship with Edwin was broken by his infidelities and his cruelty. Ethel\u2019s fragile mental state deteriorated with the passing years of their union.

The boys\u2019 early days of youthful exuberance have passed, they are prodded for any negative information they can feed their father regarding their mother. They are constantly on alert for Ethel\u2019s latest crash, occasionally punctuated by a suicide attempt. When Ethel is on an even keel, She is beatific, when on the downside, she is manipulative and self-pitying. The boys look out for each other, yet there is a brewing rivalry that occasionally leads to fits of violence.

Jules loses himself in moments when he can truly escape the confines of home and hearth. Sliding down a hill, abandoning all caution provides a freedom he can\u2019t find anywhere else. He finds himself growing more and more disgusted at his parents\u2019 behavior and foibles. Jules and Leon\u2019s impressionable years have been marred beyond belief.

As the boys become men, they have gone down divergent paths. In 1969, Jules set out for college and has become a peacenik to his Father\u2019s chagrin. Leon is now seventeen years old, with the prospects of being a burn-out and college dropout. Leon and Edwin spar constantly. The dysfunction that Edwin and Ethel witnessed in their own childhoods has now been passed down to their own offspring.

Leon\u2019s parents had high aspirations for his future. They doted on him while giving Jules short shrift. Leon looks back on that and spurns it with a devil may care existence, perpetually underachieving. His life consists of walking into the wind. Jules lived in the shadow of his younger Brother and lived much of his life with a boulder size chip on his shoulder. Love was elusive, almost never pure, relationships came and went, and anger threatened to eat him alive. And now, Jules has decided to assess parts of his life, seeking answers in the past.

The Brothers Silver is an emotionally wrenching tale of a family that plays out over fifty years. The emotions on display throughout are various and palpable. When the narrative shifts, from Jules to Leon to Edwin or Ethel, the reader\u2019s mood will adapt to that persona and will find themselves empathetic, sympathetic, or occasionally the exact opposite. The characters are not necessarily likable in all circumstances, but they are relatable. A fascinating read.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2021", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 20:13:07", "publisher": "Owl Canyon Press", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009743019", "title": "Unstoppable: Siggi B. Wilzig's Astonishing Journey from Auschwitz Survivor and Penniless Immigrant to Wall Street Legend", "author": "Joshua M. Greene", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 418, "review": "Unstoppable: Siggi B. Wilzig's Astonishing Journey from Auschwitz Survivor and Penniless Immigrant to Wall Street Legend by Joshua M. Greene is a riveting and heart-wrenching memoir that educates and inspires its readers on not only Wilzig\u2019s life story but the horrors of the Holocaust. The novel follows Wilzig\u2019s journey from childhood, to Auschwitz, to his rising success. As CEO of an oil company and multibillion-dollar bank, I was amazed at Siggi\u2019s perseverance, strength, and unwavering courage.

Wilzig was born in Germany and faced anti-Semitism within his hometown and daily life. Bullied for his faith and differences, Siggi faced the challenge of overcoming adversity from early childhood. At age sixteen, Siggi was arrested and brought to a concentration camp. Upon this event, the anti-Semitism he experienced in his youth was increased hundredfold. From the stories of his hometown to Auschwitz, the chilling narrative of Siggi\u2019s survival and experiences educates its audience on the true terrors of the SS\u2019s cruelty and methods. \nThe story continues through Siggi\u2019s emancipation as he ends up in New York soon after his release. The novel states that \u201cHe had nothing: no resources and no credentials. He spoke with a thick German accent, had only a grade-school education, stood five feet and one-half inches short and years of torture and starvation were still fresh on his mind. Yet here he was, still breathing\u201d. Siggi had every reason to give up, yet his setbacks did not stop him from moving forward. He promised himself three things: \u201cFirst, that he would never go hungry again. Second, he would marry a Jewish woman, have children and help rebuild the Jewish people. Third, he would preserve Holocaust memory and speak up whenever he witnessed injustice\u201d. Upon these decisions, he began to rebuild and change his life.

As the story continued, I was constantly touched by Siggi\u2019s resilience, creativity, and unbelievable accomplishments. Engrossing, page-turning, and breath-taking, my attention never wavered from Wilzig\u2019s journey. I felt as if I truly grew with him, from his initial beginning in New York shoveling snow, to CEO. The words stated \u201cSiggi B. Wilzig is probably the best example of the modern-day American dream\u201d could not be more true. Extremely well written and easy to follow, I appreciated the picture supplements, personal anecdotes, and quotes from other sources to supplement the work. Truly a tale of courage and representation of growth after suffering, I would recommend this novel to all, especially in schools to further educate them on the Holocaust and the atrocities during World War II.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2021", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 17:40:03", "publisher": "Insight Editions", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009743011", "title": "The House of Grass and Sky", "author": "Mary Lyn Ray", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 216, "review": "Out in the quiet countryside, a house smells of freshly cut lumber and soft, pink roses. A family full of happiness lives there. As one year turns into another, different families come and go; the house learns what it means to say \u201cgoodbye.\u201d As more time passes, it sits alone, missing the sound of children\u2019s voices and all their busyness. It remembers the delicious smell of birthday cake baking and longs for someone to occupy it again. Then, one day, activity returns. A family wakes with the house to welcome the morning sunshine and the beginning of a new day.

The House of Grass and Sky is a brilliant story written from a unique perspective - that of the home. It\u2019s personified in a number of creative ways. Not only does it smell the sweet aromas of the past, it feels the emotions associated with them. It misses just as humans miss and longs for connection. It hopes just as people do and fears disappointment and hurt. It also celebrates when its dreams are fulfilled, patching the hole in its heart.

Gorgeous watercolor hues fill the pages with life-like images and detailed designs. The pictures will allure youth, especially those between the ages of five to nine. They will undoubtedly be touched by the serenity of the tale.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Apr-2021 20:06:25", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009741043", "title": "Arrow\u2019s Rest (The Offshore Novels, 3)", "author": "Joel Scott", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1027, "review": "Ominous Reads\n\nIf you\u2019re looking to escape to a dangerous world populated by sinister characters and characterized by all manner of danger and deception this autumn, then the following six thrillers could be just what you\u2019re after:\n\nDeceptions (A Helena Marsh Novel, 2) by Anna Porter\n\nIn Deceptions, the second outing for art expect, martial arts master, and superb amateur sleuth Helena Marsh, former Budapest policeman Attila Feher thinks he has the perfect ruse to reconnect with his ex-lover: he intends to ask Helena to appraise a painting and determine if it really is a work by the famous artist Artemisia Gentileschi. Unfortunately for Feher, his plans are quickly derailed by the fact that Eastern European gangsters also seem to be interested in the painting, which has the potential to expose corruption at the highest levels of Hungarian society. As the bodies begin to pile up, Feher has reason to be glad that he sought Helena\u2019s help, although maybe not the reason he was initially hoping for. In Helena Marsh, Anna Porter has created an enigmatic and dynamic heroine who really knows how to kick ass and take names. She has a great nose for a mystery, and she\u2019s definitely not worried about getting her hands dirty.\n\nTell Me the Truth (Adler and Dwyer, 2) by Matthew Farrell\n\nJenny Moore might be pleased to finally be leaving for college, but she\u2019s the only one who seems to think it\u2019s a good idea that she leaves the town of Lewisboro, New York and all the memories it holds behind. In fact, there\u2019s at least one person who\u2019s willing to go to any lengths to stop her from going. When Jenny\u2019s mother finds her stabbed and left for dead outside their family home, state police investigator Susan Adler and consultant Liam Dwyer are called in to investigate the attack. They can immediately tell that something is very wrong in the town; they are confronted with a surfeit of suspects and it seems that pretty much everyone is hiding behind lies and deception. Tell Me the Truth by Matthew Farrell is the second crime thriller to feature Adler and Dwyer, and it\u2019s a seriously suspenseful police procedural in which nothing is what it seems and no one seems capable of telling the truth.\n\nHer Last Breath by Hilary Davidson\n\nDeidre is devastated to learn that her sister Caroline is dead, but she\u2019s in for an even greater shock. Some time after hearing of Caroline\u2019s death, Deidre receives a message that her sister had written days earlier, a message that claimed her forthcoming death would be no accident. Despite having been estranged from her family for years, Deidre decides to brave the trip to Manhattan to attend Caroline\u2019s funeral, and while she\u2019s there, to investigate the circumstances behind her sister\u2019s death. A frightening encounter with Caroline\u2019s husband Theo at the funeral raises the possibility that she might have been having an affair, which suggests a possible reason for her death. Deidre decides to dig deeper, however dangerous that might prove. Her Last Breath by Hilary Davidson is a dark and twisted thriller than is permeated by a sense of menace and danger. It\u2019s a fast-paced story characterized by blistering psychological suspense.\n\nVortex (An FBI Thriller, 25) by Catherine Coulter\n\nMia Briscoe\u2019s best friend Serena disappeared seven years ago during a college rave that ended in tragedy when a fire broke out. Now working as an investigative journalist in New York, Mia is covering her regular political beat when she happens upon some photos from the night Serena vanished. Working with FBI Agent Sherlock to track back through the events of that night, Mia soon realizes that powerful figures may have strong reasons for keeping what happened to Serena hushed up. Meanwhile, Agent Savich is working with CIA operative Olivia Hildebrandt to uncover what happened to a missing member of her team and the flash drive he was tasked with protecting. As the two investigations proceed and converge, the danger level rises as the intrigue deepens. Catherine Coulter is on top form with this twenty-fifth installment in her FBI Thriller series, and the events of Vortex are sure to set readers\u2019 hearts racing.\n\nBreeder by Honni van Rijswijk\n\nSometime in the not too distant future, in a world ruled by the sinister Corporation, fifteen-year-old Will Meadows is doing his best to survive in Zone F, the most run-down and deprived ring of the Corporation. Will has to maintain his productivity if he is to avoid being sent to the Rator, but he knows that he\u2019s lucky compared with the Zone F Breeders: they are born into debt and can only escape through participating in the Corporation\u2019s reproduction program. When Will risks traveling to the less restricted Gray Zone, he gains a job from a corrupt Corporation official and finds a friend in Alex, a Breeder who is on the run. Things seem to be looking up for Will and Alex, but when their happiness leads to complacency, they risk losing everything they\u2019ve worked for. Breeder by Honni van Rijswijk is a futuristic thriller set in a dystopian world where everyday life is terrifying and dangerous for the majority. It\u2019s a scary but all too believable story.\n\nArrow\u2019s Rest (The Offshore Novels, 3) by Joel Scott\n\nJoel Scott\u2019s Arrow\u2019s Rest is a nautical thriller that certainly makes a splash. When fisherman Jared Kane sets out to find the perpetrators behind a sadistic assault on a female acquaintance, he ends up discovering far more than he bargained on. It seems that the assault is linked to a particularly dangerous criminal network with links to those in high political office. Events seem to center on an exclusive yacht club, which Jared considers to be the perfect place to moor his own rather more downmarket yacht, Arrow. With the help of his friend Danny MacLean, Jared sets about investigating all of the shady goings-on at the club, eventually embarking on a deadly chase through the Salish Sea that ends in tragedy for the Arrow and her crew. The thrilling storyline and healthy dose of danger make for an excellent slice of crime on the high seas.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 17:42:40", "publisher": "ECW Press", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009741039", "title": "The Murders That Made Us: How Vigilantes, Hoodlums, Mob Bosses, Serial Killers, and Cult Leaders Built the San Francisco Bay Area", "author": "Bob Calhoun", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 594, "review": "Hey, what was that? That noise you just heard? I think it came from behind you. Is there someone there? Is someone in your house? What were you doing? Oh, just reading that whodunit mystery about the guy who likes to sneak into people\u2019s houses and murder them? Cool. Well, here are six more you\u2019re gonna love and they\u2019re all true!\n\n\nSeven Demons:\n\nJack Price is not an ordinary man, but then he\u2019s part of the Seven Demons, who are also very much not ordinary people. One might be a cannibal, another loves blowing things up, and one who likes things with sharp edges and pointy ends; and then there\u2019s Jack himself who has recently turned to high stakes cocaine dealing. But the Seven Demons have just taken on the ultimate heist with a considerable payday, from some clandestine Eurotrash business guy, assuming everything goes according to plan. Spoiler alter: things do not!\n\n\nThe Long-Lost Jules:\n\nAmy just wants to live her quiet, private life as a London Banker, but things change when Leo, an Oxford professor shows up, believing her to be a distant descendant of Henry VIII\u2019s last wife, Katherine Parr. She doesn\u2019t trust; doesn\u2019t know if he might be insane, eccentric, or something worse. Nevertheless, the two join forces and dive into the mystery of Queen Katherine\u2019s lost baby, but the two also harbor plenty of dark secrets that will eventually come to light.\n\n\nThe Hollywood Spy:\n\nIt\u2019s 1943, with World War II raging, but in Los Angeles a woman\u2019s body has just been found floating in one of the city\u2019s most popular hotels. Maggie Hope, who is an American born secret agent but also a British spy, starts investigating the case, things become a lot darker than she expected. But there\u2019s also a lot more going on in the city with Ku Klux Klan and the Zoot Suit Riots to mention a few. Clearly things aren\u2019t always as they appear in the movies.\n\n\nThe Stranger Behind You:\n\nJournalist Joan Lurie is hiding our in a secure Manhattan apartment after exposing a notorious newspaper tycoon. Lilian Day witnessed a murder in 1941 and has remained at the Magdalen Laundry, as the refuge is known, ever since, now aged 96. And Melissa Osgood is grieving over her husband\u2019s death, but she also suspects that there is more going on than meets the eye. The three women will be brought together, their stories woven, as they seek to solve their own mysteries.\n\n\nCouple Found Slain:\n\nBrian Bechtold was tried and convicted of murdering his parents in 1992 when he was just 22. He said he\u2019d been possessed by the devil, and was later diagnosed with schizophrenia. Mikita Brottman does a deep dive, going into everything that led up to the eventual murders, and what happened to Bechtold after he was sentenced \u201cnot criminally responsible\u201d and the 27 years he spent at the maximum security psychiatric hospital. What he has seen and experienced in that time have become their own pieces of true crime.\n\nThe Murders That Made Us:\n\nSan Francisco is one of the most renowned and most visited places on Earth, filled with history, iconic locations, and beauty, but there is also a very dark history; a sordid underbelly. Bob Calhoun reveals those stories, with the Summer of Love that ended with horrific drug dealer slayings, tales of the Zodiac Killer and the kidnapping of Patty Hearst, to the 1970s with the assassination of Harvey Milk. After reading this, you might not look at this unique city in quite the same light.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 17:41:19", "publisher": "ECW Press", "page_count": "323 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009741031", "title": "Hieroglyphics", "author": "Jill McCorkle", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 168, "review": "This novel is aptly named in that the story and characters were totally obscure and unknowable to me. The author has them speak alternately in their own voices, but this reader could not differentiate one voice from another in terms of the four main characters. They all spoke exactly alike, so this device seemed unnecessarily confusing and inept. As the characters are unknowable, so is the story. It was difficult to keep going in this directionless manner. The story is overladen with the anxiety and stress of the mother of two boys who has to face her career in a courtroom during a murder trial. Little does she know that her young son feels the presence of gothic horror in their new house, which is filled with ghosts and memories.

This novel is purportedly about coming to terms with the stories of your parents and fully knowing your children. The author has written six other novels and stories. This book must be written for fans of McCorkle\u2019s writing.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 17:36:35", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2 "} {"id": "425035000009741019", "title": "Crying in H Mart: A Memoir", "author": "Michelle Zauner", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julie Blum", "word_count": 177, "review": "Crying in H-Mart: A Memoir is Michelle Zauner\u2019s story about growing up as one of the few Asian-Americans in a Pacific Northwest town. As Zauner grows, she encounters discrimination and a feeling of \u201cotherness\u201d that leads her to lean away from her Korean heritage in favor of trying to fit in. This leads to rifts with her mother (who she calls umma), whose heritage is so important to her.

When Zauner eventually moves to the East Coast to pursue a career in music, she learns more about her mother and their relationship begins to blossom into something truly lovely. Unfortunately, her mother is diagnosed with cancer soon afterwards, leading Zauner to move back home and try to fit a lifetime of love, memories, and embracing being Korean into the time that her mother has left.

I loved the way this book meshed a poignant story with wonderful descriptions of Korean culture (and especially Korean food!). The author is a fabulous storyteller. I\u2019ll be thinking of this story for many years\u2013\u2013especially every time I walk into an H-Mart.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "13-Aug-2021", "date_added": "22-Apr-2021 18:47:14", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009741015", "title": "Chance to Fly", "author": "Ali Stroker", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Nat Beacon is thirteen and has a great life\u2014a best friend, Chloe, who loves musicals just as much as Nat, her lovable dog Warbucks, and a wheelchair racing team that is competing well\u2014when her parents announce they\u2019re moving across country. Nat\u2019s dad immediately finds her a new racing team to help her maintain her physical strength. When she is at practice, she spots a flyer for a teen theatre group putting on Wicked for their summer show. Nat has never seen it, but she knows the music cold, and she knows there is a character in a wheelchair. Her parents insist she shouldn\u2019t try out, but she does anyway. Maybe she has found her tribe! Then there is a fire in the theatre and it seems all is lost. But is it?

Authors Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz have written a book that will be beloved by theatre kids and kids with disabilities. Stroker is the first person in a wheelchair to appear in a Broadway show and win a Tony. Her experience gives a great sense of reality to this sweet book. The story is compelling and the characters are absolutely believable. Don\u2019t miss this.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2021", "date_added": "22-Apr-2021 16:43:27", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009741011", "title": "The Hemingway Stories: As featured in the film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick on PBS", "author": "Ernest Hemingway", "category": "F02 Classics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "When Ken Burns takes on a new subject and makes a film about it, viewers know they will have a much greater understanding of the subject when they are through watching the film. There was no disappointment with the Ken Burns film of Hemingway except that one might not have the opportunity to read each of the stories discussed in the film. This compendium is an excellent companion for viewers with many of the short stories that were discussed in the film chosen and introduced by Tobias Wolff. Each story also has short commentaries from Tobias Wolff, Edna O\u2019Brien, Abraham, Verghese, Tim O\u2019Brien, Mary Karr, and more. They represent work from 1923 to 1939 and are a fine way to show the evolution of Hemingway\u2019s writing. Many think, although he had several successful novels, the short story was the writing form Hemingway had mastered more than any other. With stories like Up in Michigan, Big Two-Hearted River, and The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber, readers have a fair representation of his stories, although there are holes if one is looking for a complete collection. This is not that, but it is an outstanding compilation of Hemingway\u2019s stories.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "07-Jun-2021", "date_added": "22-Apr-2021 16:15:45", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009740047", "title": "Cocktails, Mocktails, and Garnishes from the Garden: Recipes for Beautiful Beverages with a Botanical Twist (Unique Craft Cocktails)", "author": "Katie Stryjewski", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 619, "review": "So you\u2019re sitting at home and you really want to make yourself a fancy drink. You\u2019re admiring your alcohol selection and you\u2019ve just been gifted some cool mixers to make something colorful and delicious, but the problem is you have no idea how to make anything other than a whiskey sour. Well, look no further, your prayers have been answered!\n\nBig Book of Cocktails\nThis may be the only cocktail book you need with \u201cmore than 400 mouthwatering mixes, shakers, and shots\u201d with glossy full color photos and detailed ingredients and instructions, you can choose start at the beginning and work your way through the book page by page, or randomly pick a page on weekends. The selection runs the gamut from Pimm\u2019s Cup and Moscow Mule to Sidecars and Blue Blazers. You\u2019ll be delighting and impressing your best friends in no time.\n\nJapanese Art of the Cocktail\nFrom the award winning mixologist, Masahiro Urushido, comes a cocktail book like no other. Urushido first honed his skills at the award winning restaurant Saxon+Parole, and then opened his own Japanese cocktail bar, Katana Kitten, which went on to become one of the most prominent bars in the world. In 2019 it earned the Cocktail Spirited Award for Best New American Cocktail Bar. And now you get the chance to do what\u2019s been done at this award winning establishment and create some of these unique concoctions that are desired by many. \n\nSummer Drinks\nSummer may be coming towards and end, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t keep making fruity, flowering, delicious colorful cocktails that have a summer feel. Maybe when the days are dark and wet, you might want to cast your mind back to when it was dry and warm and you were working on a tan. //Summer Drinks// can do this for you, with over a hundred cocktails from fresh and fruity to frozen and fierce, or perhaps you have a hankering for a mighty pitcher of Sangria. Then look no further.\n\nPantry Cocktails\nSometimes you don\u2019t need all the fanciest ingredients to make truly amazing cocktails; sometimes everything you need you already have in your kitchen or your pantry. Whether it\u2019s jams, condiments, pickles, and sauces, you\u2019ll be shocked to learn what can be used to make some truly tasty and exceptional drinks. This book is about working with what you already have, instead of wasting money of fancy stuff you don\u2019t even need.\n\nCocktails, Mocktails, and Garnishes\nHave you gone through all your cocktail books and feel they\u2019ve got nothing new to offer? Feeling sour but not in a good whiskey way? Then I\u2019ve got the book for you in //Cocktails, Mocktails, and Garnishes From the Garden//. This book goes into depth with creating fresh and new cocktails using some great botanical ingredients you never would\u2019ve thought of using. It also goes that one step further in not just taste, but impressive presentation. So when you have that neighbor over you\u2019ve been wanting to impress, you can wow them with your drinks that came from the garden out back.\n\nShake Strain Done\nSometimes you can feel overwhelmed by what\u2019s expect of you in cocktail books. You\u2019ve read the instructions, you\u2019ve even looked up how-to videos on YouTube, but it\u2019s just too complicated. //Shake Strain Done// makes it quick, easy, and simple. The tagline here is: \u201cif you can shake, strain, stir and turn on a blender, you can make great cocktails.\u201d You want to make a cocktail without fuss and enjoy it as soon as possible, and this book doesn\u2019t bog you down with the details and fancy techniques, but keeps it straight and simple so you can be imbibing your tasty homemade beverage in no time.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 18:57:18", "publisher": "Yellow Pear Press", "page_count": "156 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009740019", "title": "All About Mermaids", "author": "Izzy Quinn", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 190, "review": "Mermaids and unicorns are subjects of great interest in my house, so when I saw the title All About Mermaids, I knew what I needed to do. My test audience demonstrated an unequivocal positive regard for the book, and I have to say that I did as well. A lot of our knowledge about mermaids is limited to the story of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen and the danger mermaids pose to men, singing them to their deaths. This book goes beyond these common perceptions.

True to its title, All About Mermaids follows the structure of an encyclopedia, sharing the history, anatomical structure, habitats, and behaviors of mermaids all over the world. Mermaids are portrayed as strong and active, not merely sitting on rocks or pining near the shore but swimming with dolphins and leaping over the moon. I appreciate that mermaids of all shapes, sizes, and races appeared in this book; they were not confined to a certain part of the world. Vlad Stankovic\u2019s illustrations, done with watercolors, colored pencils, and photoshop, conveyed the rich tones of underwater sea life and the exuberance of mermaids and mermen.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Apr-2021 16:27:10", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Children's", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009740015", "title": "Duck, Duck, Moose", "author": "Mary Sullivan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "A little girl runs through the farm calling out for Duck, Duck, and Moose. She finds them playing cards. She tells them Goose is missing. She can\u2019t find Goose anywhere. The four of them take off, shouting for Goose. They jump into a tractor pulling a trailer and drive across the farm. They ask other barnyard animals they run across. Sheep, Lamb, and Horse indicate which way they saw Goose going, but when they go that way, they find a locked gate is keeping them from going very far. The key for the lock is hanging high up on a tree. Duck and Duck climb up on top of each other on top of Moose, but they disturb a beehive. That\u2019s not good! Will they get the key? Will they ever find Goose?

Mary Sullivan has written this silly story in perfect rhyme and a strong meter. Her illustrations convey a great sense of fun and her characters have terrific expressions. The youngest listeners will love all the silliness (What is Moose doing on a farm anyway?) and the rhyming, metered text as well as the silly details in the illustrations. Little ones will love this book.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "11-Jun-2021", "date_added": "22-Apr-2021 15:51:01", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009740011", "title": "Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World", "author": "Jacqueline Davies", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 166, "review": "Meet Sydney the skunk and Taylor the hedgehog! Taylor says he wants to explore the world, so Sydney and Taylor go together on an adventure. But then Taylor suddenly gets scared and wonders if he has made a big mistake. Will the two friends make it out of their burrow?

I love this book! It is cute, amazing, and a quick read. It has beautiful art and an adorable story. What\u2019s not to like? Taylor is a shy hedgehog, and Sydney is his loyal friend. Taylor is my favorite character because he is a hedgehog, and I love hedgehogs because they are cute. I think it\u2019s funny that in the book, most of the animals wear clothes. I can\u2019t wait to read the other books in the series that are coming out later this year.

Join Sydney and Taylor to explore wildlife, and I hope you get a chance to read this book. I recommend this book to book lovers who love friendship and adventure stories.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2021", "date_added": "22-Apr-2021 15:50:00", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009740003", "title": "Rescue at Lake Wild", "author": "Terry Lynn Johnson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Madison is twelve, but she already knows what she wants to do with her life. She will rescue wildlife, as her late grandmother had done and like her hero Jane Goodall. In fact, she is already doing it, unofficially and against her parents' wishes, but when she and her best friends, Aaron and Jack, discover two beavers have been killed, they know there are kits still in the lodge that must be saved. Ignoring the danger, Madison swims into the lodge and makes it out with two tiny kits. The kids have to hide them from Madison\u2019s parents and find ways to feed them. They also take it upon themselves to use their detective skills to find out who killed the beavers. The town is thinking of putting a bounty on beavers! Things are getting desperate.

Author Terry Lynn Johnson always creates brave, daring girls to people her stories, and this book is no exception. The story is very compelling, the writing terrific, and readers will root for Madison and her two friends in their mission. There is some danger, but not too much for the middle-grade set, and a good bit of adventure. This is a winner.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2021", "date_added": "22-Apr-2021 15:36:21", "publisher": "HMH Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009739043", "title": "Climate Courage: How Tackling Climate Change Can Build Community, Transform the Economy, and Bridge the Political Divide in America", "author": "Andreas Karelas", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 570, "review": "Climate Courage by Andreas Karelas\n\nA book about climate change doesn\u2019t always have to be doom and gloom, but can be something positive and hopeful. //Climate Courage// is one of those books. Author Andreas Karelas makes it clear that we already have all the tools we need to not only combat climate change, but to heal the planet too. Focusing on stories from around the world where small changes lead to big success, along with the immense growth in new jobs in clean energy, //Climate Courage// is an inspiring read that makes the reader realize we not only have a chance, but we can really turn back climate change.\n\n\nAdvocating for the Environment by Susan Inches\n\nWhen it comes to climate change, one can often feel just helpless at the insurmountable odds, and what change can one person do? //Advocating for the Environment// seeks to turn that concept on its head by presenting solutions that are policy-based and with a concentration on advocacy to actually make a change. A first of its kind book with discussions on storytelling with relation to climate change, as well as improving one\u2019s skills with coalition building and communication strategy, and providing plenty of case studies to show it actually works. No matter how small, change can be achieved. \n\n\nDesign for a Living Planet by Glen T. Martin\n\n//Design for Living Planet// is a deep dive into environmental design from an urban philosopher and a mathematician who is also a physicist, but they seek to make it clear and engaging for non-science minded readers. Covering new findings on subjects like fractals, networks, self organization, and dynamical systems to name a few, and even addressing some of the more revolutionary ideas. The authors make it clear a big change is taking place in modern design, and for those interested, this book has the answers.\n\nUnsettled by Steven E. Koonin\n\nEveryone has something to say about climate change, whether they\u2019re climatologists, geologists, politicians, media, or ordinary people on the street. Everyone\u2019s got an opinion, but which of them are actually true? //Unsettled// seeks to dispel the myths and inaccuracies about climate change and educate the reader on what is really going on and what can actually be done by the individual to help heal this planet.\n\n\nUnder the Sky We Make by Kimberly Nicholas\n\nWe can\u2019t have too many books that give us hope about climate change, and //Under the Sky We Make// is one of those books. Author Kimberly Nicholas draws on her fifteen years of public speaking around the world about sustainability, after realizing that people weren\u2019t getting the right message that there\u2019s nothing the individual can really do to combat climate change. Nicholas shows how it will require a lot of hard work, both societal and cultural change, but it can be done.\n\n\nA Brief History of Earth by Andrew H. Knoll\n\nPlanet Earth has been around for over four billion years. To say that a lot has happened in that time is a vast understatement. And yet telling that four billion year story comprehensively is a gargantuan undertaking. But for someone looking to get a good idea of that immense history there\u2019s //A Brief History of Earth//. Andrew H. Knoll is a renowned geologist who draws on his decades of field research to show just how much has changed on the planet, and perhaps most importantly, putting our current world in poignant perspective.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 20:49:16", "publisher": "Beacon Press", "page_count": "248 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009739035", "title": "Things We Lost to the Water: A novel", "author": "Eric Nguyen", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 179, "review": "Things We Lost To the Water is a powerfully written immigrant and refugee story spanning over two decades. Pregnant and alone during the Vietnam War, Huong decides to get in a boat. She flees Vietnam with her eldest child, Tuan, and without her husband, Cong. Huong, Tuan, and Binh (the newborn baby) resettle in New Orleans after they arrive in America. Life in New Orleans proves difficult, but the three grapple with adjustment, moving on, and life in America in completely different ways.

This is a compelling and poignant debut novel for Eric Nguyen. Told in the backdrop of the bayou, this is a heartbreaking tale of family, loss, identity, and survival. As a child of refugees, I can relate to Tuan trying to stay connected to Vietnam and to Binh, who goes by Ben, trying to assimilate to the US. It is a constant struggle to find that balance, and you feel torn and guilty from both sides pulling at you. This is an achingly beautiful Vietnamese migration story, one you don\u2019t hear about often. A highly recommended read!", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "17-Jun-2021", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 18:49:26", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009739015", "title": "Gone: A search for what remains of the world's extinct creatures", "author": "Michael Blencowe", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 206, "review": "Michael Blencowe, the author of this moving memento about creatures that no longer exist, had in his youth formed a fascination for extinct organisms. In this book, he selects eleven recently vanished forms, several of which are new to this reader. The Great Auk, the Dodo bird, and the Pinta Island Tortoise have been noted earlier, but the stories of the avian Spectacled Cormorant, the Moa, the Huia, and the Kokako were unfamiliar. Amazingly the history of the Steller\u2019s Sea Cow produced a cry of dismay, as did the mystery of the disappearance of the Ivell\u2019s Sea Anemone and Schomburgk\u2019s Deer, as did the Xerces Blue butterfly. Along with exquisitely painted representations of each subject, the author traces the location, historical figures, last sightings, and reports on each subject. He mournfully visits the sites where most were last seen and reverently reviews their remains at the various museums. In this search for these extinct creatures, he travels through England, New Zealand, Thailand, the Galapagos, San Francisco, and elsewhere. His accounts point out how human predation, the introduction of non-native mammals, loss of habitat, environmental mistakes, and climate change contribute to species loss, and ongoing current evil. A timely read about fascinating animals by a gifted chronicler.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2021", "date_added": "22-Apr-2021 16:53:36", "publisher": "Quarto Knows", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009738039", "title": "Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest", "author": "Suzanne Simard", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 193, "review": "It\u2019s likely that you have encountered Suzanne Simard\u2019s astounding discoveries about trees: her work influenced the movie \u201cAvatar\u201d and has been described in Richard Powers\u2019 novel The Overstory as well as in TED talks she has delivered. Now, for the first time, she describes her personal story and her life with trees, which are one and the same. Raised in a British Columbia family of loggers and spending her childhood summers on a houseboat, Suzanne grew up to become the most eminent forest ecologist of our time as she learned and painstakingly documented that trees communicate with one another. One surprising way this occurs is through a particular fungus on and in the extensive root systems of aspens, hemlocks, spruces, and cedars with a \u201cMother tree\u201d at the heart of each network. Some Mother trees touch the earth with their branches, developing roots at the point of contact that produces new saplings. After reading this book, beautifully illustrated with color photographs, I view trees differently, gazing up at their leafy crowns while I wonder about what occurs below the ground and how we can best preserve these essential, beautiful parts of our planet.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "22-Sep-2021", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 18:47:11", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009738031", "title": "Take Me Home Tonight", "author": "Morgan Matson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 17", "word_count": 155, "review": "Two best friend. One night in New York. Kat and Stevie have one night to see a play and eat at the hottest restaurant in the city. But that's not counting for a dog, no cell phones and a hundred dollar bill. One wild adventure in the city leads both girls to the truth about their friendship, their choices and their future.

Take Me Home Tonight is a lighthearted read about friendship and growing up. It took me a little bit to get into the book, but once they hit the city I couldn't put it down. Every detail is important, everything has a purpose and comes back later in the story, leaving- though unrealistic it's believable- no loose ends. The only exception is Tori; the third friend staying at home to cover for Kat and Stevie. This little side plot has nothing to do with the main story. Is her story necessary? No. Hysterical? Yes.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "23-Apr-2021 17:13:35", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009738023", "title": "Zoe Rosenthal Is Not Lawful Good", "author": "Nancy Werlin", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 201, "review": "Zoe has her life all mapped out with Simon. The only problem is that Simon strongly ridicules Bleeders, a series about a gory bleeding virus that his sister adores. Zoe secretly loves the series too, and she is so excited for the new season to start that she books herself a flight to Atlanta to see a midnight premiere at the comic con. When she misses her return flight, her new best friends help her maintain the charade while also making plans for the next con. Zoe\u2019s lies get bigger and bolder in order to continue attending the cons, but her plans never stray, even as her parents, Simon\u2019s sister, and Simon\u2019s mother learn of her subterfuge. Is there a way to explain her love of the show to Simon?

The various comic cons, the newest playground in young adult fiction, provide a backdrop for diverse characters and hilarious situations as Zoe and her friends try to build the following for their favorite show. Her obsession with lists and her future plans evolve as she becomes more immersed in the comic con culture. Readers will love Zoe\u2019s journey to discover that who you love shouldn\u2019t determine what you love. Excellent fun!", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2021", "date_added": "22-Apr-2021 20:49:16", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009738019", "title": "Clark and Division", "author": "Naomi Hirahara", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1172, "review": "Thriller Roundup\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for a tense and exciting thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat this winter, the five books included in this roundup all involve shocking and twisted crimes that are sure to keep you engrossed from the first page right through to the last.\n\nThe Truth of it All by Gwen Florio\n\nLife has not been kind to Julia Geary. Her husband died while serving in Iraq, leaving her to bring up their four-year-old son alone. She works as a public defender in the small town of Fish Creek. The work is difficult and definitely not well remunerated. The combination of these two circumstances has led to her living with her overbearing mother-in-law Beverly, a situation that neither woman finds particularly comfortable. Julia is desperate to escape her unrelentingly dull existence, but when the chance finally comes, she ends up with far more than she bargained on. She is tasked with defending teenage Iraqi refugee Sami Mohammed after he is accused of assaulting Ana Olsen in the girls\u2019 locker room at their high school. Strong anti-refugee sentiment is already festering under the respectable surface of Fish Creek life, and when the townspeople hear about the alleged assault, tensions threaten to bubble over into violence. Julia starts receiving threats and Sami is assaulted so badly that he ends up in a coma. Julia is determined to put up the best defense case possible, however, even if doing so brings her into conflict with the town\u2019s leading families. The Truth of it All by Gwen Florio is a tense thriller in which Julia has to battle both her own prejudices and the schemes of those around her.\n\nClark and Division by Naomi Hirahara\n\nAs Naomi Hirahara\u2019s Clark and Division makes abundantly clear, life for people with Japanese heritage who were living in the United States during World War Two was far from easy, with many being forcibly relocated to camps such as Manzanar in California. In 1944, twenty-year-old Aki Ito and her parents have recently been released from Manzanar and relocated to Chicago. Aki\u2019s older sister Rose had been sent there some months earlier to begin a new life in the Japanese American community based around Clark and Division streets. Tragically, before the family can be reunited, Rose is killed after apparently jumping in front of a subway train, leaving Aki devasted. Although Rose\u2019s death is officially ruled a suicide, Aki cannot believe that her beloved sister would take her own life and so, convinced that there must be more to the story, decides to investigate Rose\u2019s life in Chicago prior to their arrival. Her attempts at playing detective are not within missteps and danger, but Aki\u2019s love for her sister drives her on as she attempts to unravel a mystery that extends far beyond one family\u2019s suffering.\n\nThe Night Singer by Johanna Mo\n\nHanna Duncker fled her home on the island of Oland after her father, a serving police officer, was convicted of murder. She then spent a number of years in Stockholm, where she too joined the police force, eventually becoming a detective. Now, in an effort to confront her demons and reconcile herself with the past, Hanna has returned to Oland and to the police department that previously employed her father. Many on the island, both within the police department and among society more generally, are not pleased to see a murderer\u2019s daughter return to their community. On her first day in her new job, Hanna is sent to investigate the murder of fifteen-year-old Joel Forslund, the son of her childhood best friend. As many people are unwilling to cooperate with her, while others are still harboring resentments from years ago, the investigation proves tough going from the outset, but when Hanna starts receiving threatening messages and begins to suspect that someone is prowling around outside her bedroom window at night, things become even more complex. She\u2019s determined to identify Joel\u2019s murderer, but she\u2019s unprepared for the fact that doing so will cast new light on her father\u2019s case and force her to reexamine her thoughts about him and the murder. Johanna Mo\u2019s The Night Singer is the first book in planned series featuring Detective Hanna Duncker and it\u2019s a fine example of a tightly plotted police procedural. \n\nNo Second Chances by Rio Youers\n\nIn No Second Chances by Rio Youers, washed-up former actor Luke Kingsley spends his days ruminating on the implosion of his once-promising career and the general collapse of his life, which occurred following the mysterious disappearance of his wife, soul singer Lisa Hayes. The pair had been in a highly tumultuous relationship, frequently fighting and airing their grievances in public. It should really have come as no surprise that, following her disappearance, people suspected Luke of murdering his wife, although he was still shocked at how quickly he was abandoned by previously devoted fans. The only person who still seems to believe in him is wannabe starlet Kitty Rae, but she has some serious problems of her own. While waiting for her big break, Kitty has been working for the volatile Johan Fly, a drug dealer to the stars. When Johan discovers that Kitty has been ripping him off, he vows to make her pay, while Luke shrugs off his overwhelming sense of self-pity sufficiently to see that he should help her. As Luke navigates the twisted web of corruption and danger that Kitty has become entangled in, he unexpectedly finds a clue to his wife\u2019s disappearance, which prompts him and Kitty to embark on a high-octane journey across the Mojave in search of the missing Lisa.\n\nYou Can Never Tell by Sarah Warburton\n\nAfter museum curator Kacy Tremain is framed for embezzlement by her former best friend Aimee, she and her husband Michael move to Sugar Land in Texas in the hope of a fresh start. Still being persecuted by Aimee in the form of abusive messages in the mail, Kacy initially finds it difficult to settle and make friends, although she eventually becomes close to a few women in the community, including near neighbor Lena. While Kacy enjoys spending time with Lena, Michael becomes friends with her husband Brady, who tells him about the paranoid couple who previously owned their house. It sounds a bit outlandish, but when Kacy discovers cameras hidden in the house, it seems that what Brady was saying was true. Unfortunately, hidden cameras are far from the only surprise awaiting Kacy in Sugar Land. When Michael goes on a night out with Brady, he learns something about his new friend that causes him to head straight for the town\u2019s police station to seek help. It soon emerges that Lena is missing, and Kacy and Michael start to learn the shocking truth about their good friends and neighbors. Sarah Warburton\u2019s You Can Never Tell is a shocking thriller told partially from Kacy\u2019s perspective and partially in the form of episodes of a true crime podcast, which heightens the tense and twisted nature of the story.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Apr-2021 19:02:48", "publisher": "Soho Crime", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009738015", "title": "Florence Stories (Everyman's Library Pocket Classics Series)", "author": "Ella Carr", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 183, "review": "Ah, Florence! Travel there and become enchanted. Live there and learn to breathe deeply as breezes from the Arno River cool the city on the hottest days. Pick up this beautiful volume of collected stores as you find a shade tree in the Boboli Gardens. As usual, Everyman\u2019s Pocket Classic has published this lovely beribboned book filled with classic tales of the city of Florence. We begin, of course, with Dante and The Divine Comedy, but move into the modern with Somerset Maugham, Mary McCarthy, and D. H. Lawrence. These stories are wonderful; indeed jewels from the best writers lauding and inspired by the magnificent city. There are twenty-five stories in all. Many were not as well known to me as some of them.

Behold the home of Dante, of Michelangelo, of Leonardo de Vinci. Stendahl writes in the story, Rome, Naples, and Florence (1817). Read how Aaron in the D.H. Lawrence story, Aaron's Rod becomes resurrected after a bleak start in his pensione. Even if we cannot travel there, this book immerses us in the historic and cultural ambiance of this ancient city.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "22-Apr-2021 18:51:12", "publisher": "Everyman's Library", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009738011", "title": "Are You Enjoying?: Stories", "author": "Mira Sethi", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 165, "review": "This reader was very interested to learn more about the work of a Pakistani writer. The author is an actress as well as a writer. She was educated in the United States and lives in both countries. This gives her a Western sensibility, and her stories, as collected in this volume, seemingly reflect that.

The stories range from the well-known truism of a young actress facing the realities of the casting couch to couples using an arranged marriage to hide their secret sexuality. One of the more interesting stories involves a brother who beats up his sister\u2019s fianc\u00e9 in an attempt to manage the man\u2019s indiscretion.

The title story concerns a young woman involved with an older married man. Like many of the author\u2019s stories, this story rings true but reveals nothing deeper than a sad happenstance. Perhaps the world is shrinking so much that one culture seems very like another and the Western influence pervades completely. Unfortunately, these stories are relatable but not memorable.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "01-Sep-2021", "date_added": "22-Apr-2021 18:48:06", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3 "} {"id": "425035000009869019", "title": "The Omega Portal", "author": "Anonymous", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 45, "review": "\"A conversation between two men that begins with a near-death experience that transcends all we seem to know about life and takes it to a whole new level. The Omega Portal opens the mind and the heart to endless possibility.\" --Alex Telander, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-May-2021 23:35:33", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "450 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009869015", "title": "Only Sofia-Elisabete", "author": "Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 59, "review": "\"Only Sofia-Elisabete by Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi is a whimsical romance that captures the perseverance and determination of love across time and space. Readers will appreciate the well-rounded characters and depth of the storyline the author achieves. Kobayashi has woven together a fresh, imaginative narration that will capture readers from the very first page. --Jessica Tingling, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-May-2021 23:29:55", "publisher": "Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi", "page_count": "347 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009869011", "title": "Return to the Light Within: How I Woke Up, Rediscovered Who I Am, and Found Happiness", "author": "Dmitria Burby", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Psycho", "word_count": 457, "review": "Return to the Light Within: How I Woke Up, Rediscovered Who I Am, and Found Happiness by Dmitria Burby is an inspirational guide and a spiritual memoir of what the author discovered in her life's journey. Tired souls bogged down by emotional baggage such as trauma and fear and those physically exhausted and encompassed by the illusion of failure or disappointing loved ones will learn something precious. Self-discovery, shedding limiting beliefs, facing the truths of reality, finding true purpose in life, and getting enlightened in the process irrefutably is divine intervention.

She reveals her personality, an insight into what she is made of. She gives a piece of her mind and her heart's desire to help the readers understand the importance of finding light in their souls unburdening from their sorrows, anxieties, or worthless ambitions. The deeper meaning to life than a successful career and financial stability is one of her realizations that will truly make sense to anyone who thus far has defined themselves by material success and misinterpreting and misunderstanding life's goals.

The author's perception of the cocoon we live in is brilliant. Things we hold as truths are actually beliefs passed on from generation to generation. Experience teaches us life is not a fairy tale nor is it never-ending happiness without negative feelings. Life needs to be viewed for what it really is, accepting the cold, harsh truths. Stories of misfortunes, difficulties, and injustices told could prepare others so that they won't get surprised or shocked when they encounter the same or become a victim of circumstances.

We present a layer of illusion to others we communicate such as family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers without revealing our core self. Lies or fakeness is not always the case but the conscious or subconscious worry from anticipated wounds or the inability to accept being judged harshly for our imperfections is an accurate answer accepted by the enlightened. The illusion of our true nature prevents us from self-awareness blocking insights leaving oneself broken and fragmented hence exposing our vulnerable side and opening up about our secrets. It will be liberating rather than being imprisoned in our body and living behind a false facade. How right! To climb the cosmic ladder, we must be fake, mentor our children to follow in the same footsteps is also not wise and sensible expected of educated guardians.

Reevaluation of self-worth in the realm of spiritual prosperity, not of material prosperity, is the main focus of this very strongly articulated book with good meanings and intentions. The author's candid account is thorough and positive yet lacks clarity in the final part with respect to certain aspects that need more elaboration and simplification as there is a distortion of reality and thrusting of one's fantasy.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-May-2021 23:20:14", "publisher": "Luminance Press", "page_count": "148 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009869007", "title": "Return to the Light Within: How I Woke Up, Rediscovered Who I Am, and Found Happiness", "author": "Dmitria Burby", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 439, "review": "Dmitria Burby\u2019s Return to the Light Within: How I Woke Up, Rediscovered Who I am, and Found Happiness vulnerably recounts her personal journey from a high achieving career to becoming a spiritual healer. This memoir conveys Burby\u2019s struggles with separating her self-worth from her productivity levels, guilt from her ambitions, and overwhelming anxiety revolving around her life\u2019s purpose.

The memoir begins by highlighting the question of \u201cWho am I?\u201d, an answer many think they know but as Burby reveals do not. Her personal journey began with this question as she realized she could not answer what her purpose was and why she was unfulfilled. Living a seemingly picture-perfect life with a beautiful family and a very successful career, Burby struggled with these feelings, suppressing them. The more she pushed away from this unhappiness with \u201cbusyness\u201d, the worse she became and developed severe anxiety. After taking medications and seeing therapists, Burby realized she needed to start a journey of self-discovery if she ever wanted to feel happy.

This journey, however, did not come easily. With a high-demanding job, it was hard for her to prioritize herself over her deadlines and she chose to switch jobs realizing this was essential for her growth. As the reader will find out, this switch was a catalyst for her learning on work culture, leadership, comfort zones, and empathy to others. In hindsight, Burby is able to look back and see both of these jobs as steppingstones to her ultimate purpose and path.

As the memoir continues an emphasis is placed on the experience Burby has with a shamanic healer. This healer helps her release repressed emotions and burdens from her childhood to the present, permanently changing Burby\u2019s life. By cleansing her of the negative energy she was feeling, Burby finds the courage to shift her definition of success, changing her entire life\u2019s focus. Instead of tying her confidence and worth to external success, she now finds the strength to see these traits as a personal path. \n Burby starts focusing more heavily on her children, marriage, mindfulness, mediation, and overall rebirth into a stronger, better version of herself. She is able to journey into her future with a renewed sense of clarity, finally being able to answer the question of \u201cWho am I\u201d. The more in tune she becomes with herself, she is able to help other people experiencing similar trials and is able to connect with the spiritual realm on a higher level. Personally unfamiliar with shamanic healing methods and visions, I found this memoir both educating and refreshingly authentic. To anyone struggling with their personal journey of growth and healing, this memoir is a worthwhile read.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "29-May-2021 23:18:55", "publisher": "Luminance Press", "page_count": "148 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009869003", "title": "Return to the Light Within: How I Woke Up, Rediscovered Who I Am, and Found Happiness", "author": "Dmitria Burby", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 67, "review": "A touching anecdote on the journey of self-discovery and restoration to one\u2019s true self. Return to the Light Within: How I Woke Up, Rediscovered Who I am, and Found Happiness touches on life\u2019s most important questions of true purpose, self-fulfillment, and the foremost importance of love. Empathetic, raw, and authentic this memoir will inspire self-exploration and uncover the gravity of healing. ---Theresa Kadair, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-May-2021 23:17:55", "publisher": "Luminance Press", "page_count": "148 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009868011", "title": "The Princess Bride: A Counting Story", "author": "Lena Wolfe", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 160, "review": "What do two lovers, three outlaws, and a six-fingered man all have in common? Well, they all come together to bring a well-known classic to life in The Princess Bride: A Counting Story. From one story begins a counting adventure. With darling illustrations geared toward younger audiences and bold full-page numbers, little readers will be counting faster than you can say, \u201cAs You Wish.\u201d With all the classic characters combined with animals, dresses, kisses, and a few jeers, fans of the film will laugh their way through this book while introducing the cult classic to a whole new generation.

Fans of The Princess Bride will delight in this adorable board book counting adventure. The sturdy board book design is easy for little hands to hold while also conveying a bit of sentimentality for older readers. This book perfectly pairs people and objects straight from the movie, and the vivid, bold, and childlike illustrations easily make the book a new favorite.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2021", "date_added": "28-May-2021 21:31:36", "publisher": "LB Kids", "page_count": "20 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009867007", "title": "Listified!: Britannica\u2019s 300 lists that will blow your mind", "author": "Andrew Pettie", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "If you are looking for the perfect book for that kid (or adult) who is simply interested in everything, look no further. This book is chock-full of the most interesting facts, with over 300 lists that cover, well, just about everything. The lists are divided into eight chapters: Space, Nature, Dinosaur Times, Animals, The Body, Being Human, Inventions, and Game Changers.

Readers will discover amazing things: there are 35 types of snowflakes, 7 species of plants eat meat, 10 animals seem to have superpowers, 1.4 billion insects exist for each person on Earth, there are 4-6 million red blood cells in a drop of blood the size of a pinhead, a mushroom in Oregon covers an area equal to 15 soccer fields, in 2006 a four-year-old child from India ran a marathon, Louis XIX was king for only 20 minutes, and much more. It really covers all kinds of things!

The book is a feast for the eyes, filled with fun illustrations and photographs on pages of many colors. This isn\u2019t just a bunch of lists. There are chunks of text that give more information. The writing is conversational, engaging, and well-researched. This is a real winner!", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "07-Aug-2021", "date_added": "28-May-2021 21:37:07", "publisher": "Britannica Books", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009867003", "title": "Pizazz (1)", "author": "Sophy Henn", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 175, "review": "It is not always easy being a superhero, especially if you are a nine-year-old superhero named Pizazz who hates her super embarrassing name. Despite being a crime-fighting, city-saving superhero, Pizazz still needs to go to school. Cue *eye roll*. It\u2019s difficult to make and maintain lasting friendships when Pizazz is constantly disappearing to save the day. *More eye roll*. When Pizazz and her friend Ivy try to save the local park from being demolished, will Pizazz be able to save the day with her super embarrassing superpower?

I absolutely love the illustrations and the art in this book. The art is very retro-like, and the characters are super cute. I especially love Red Dragon, she\u2019s absolutely adorable. I love all the supervillains like Lazerdome, Harry the Slime, GooGoo, and especially Twerknado who can destroy the city just by twerking. This book is perfect for young reluctant readers who like a lot of illustrations and are ready for longer chapter books. I recommend this book to young readers who like silly and wacky superhero stories.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-May-2021 18:01:30", "publisher": "Aladdin", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009866007", "title": "Disney Baby Baby Signs: First Words", "author": "Disney Books", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 151, "review": "Disney Baby, Baby Signs: First Words is perfect for young readers who love to be read to. The book is interactive and shows them how to express themselves using sign language. The book is fun because it uses Disney movie characters to help show the word you are signing, for example, Winnie the Pooh eating honey to demonstrate the sign for hungry. Also, the emotion sad is demonstrated by the Sadness character from the movie Inside Out.

This book is very colorful, which is perfect to keep the attention of little ones. This board book is also very sturdy for those young readers who are just learning how to use books and how to turn the pages. This is a great book to read to a younger brother or sister. I think my little sister really liked it and I hope we can teach her some sign language using this book.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "17-Nov-2021", "date_added": "28-May-2021 21:04:14", "publisher": "Buena Vista Books", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009866003", "title": "Pack Up the Moon", "author": "Kristan Higgins", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 700, "review": "Popular Fiction\n\nSometimes finding a good book to read can be hard, because there are so many books in the world! So what if you limit yourself to just new books, so those released in the last year or so? That can be tricky too. Every Tuesday is special because it\u2019s book release day, which means a bunch of new books are released to the world. Well, let me make it a little easier for you: here\u2019s a list of recently released popular fiction to give you something to sink your teeth into and enjoy.\n\nPack Up the Moon\nIn what starts our as a kind of sad story turns into something beautiful and unique in Kristan Higgins\u2019 //Pack Up the Moon.// Joshua and Lauren are happily married and love each other very deeply and cannot image life apart, but then Lauren is diagnosed with a terminal illness, but she has a plan after she is gone. A series of letters and instructions, one for every month of the year after her death, which he has to carry out. The stories, adventures, and experiences make him miss her all the more, but also love her in a whole new way.\n\nThe Secret Keeper of Jaipur\nHailed as one of the best summer reads of 2021, //The Secret Keeper of Jaipur// is a story of intrigue and mystery. It is the summer of 1969 and Malik has just earned himself an internship at the Facilities Office of the Jaipur Royal Palace. Their most recent project is an impressive cinema, but on opening night tragedy strikes as the brand new balcony collapses and obvious blame is assigned, but Malik has suspicions something else is going on here and decides to investigate. He grew up in this city and knows its hidden alleys and secrets well.\n\nOne Two Three\nThe Mitchell triplets live in the quaint and idyllic town of Bourne where nothing ever really interesting happens. Mirabel is smart and likes making things, like a cool voice app; Monday knows everything about books, even that one you didn\u2019t know you were looking for; and Mab just wants to get good grades, head to college, and most importantly, get out of Bourne. But there is a dark history with the town, from an event that occurred seventeen years ago, and a new student has enrolled at Bourne Memorial High who happens to be the nemesis of the Mitchell family. Now things are about to become anything but boring.\n\nAbsolutist\nIt is the fall of 1919 and young Tristan Sadler is traveling to Norwich to deliver a collection of letters to the sister of Will Bancroft, an incredible man whom he fought beside in the Great War and who he has immense respect for. In addition to the letters, Tristan must tell the story of himself and Will and the war, starting from the beginning with their meeting at Aldershot to end of their friendship in the trenches of France. A moving tale that is also filled with jealousy and betrayal.\n\nUnder the Wave at Waimea\nGet lost in the warm waters of Hawaii with //Undet the Wave at Waimea// by Paul Theroux. Joe Sharkey, a renowned surfer known of course as \u201cthe Shark,\u201d is now in his sixties and losing his popularity and sponsors, but is still respect by young surfers. In a freak accident, Joe kills a stranger and finds his life forever changed. But his girlfriend Olive, helps in learning the identity of the victim and discovering the dead man\u2019s life, and in so doing, helps Joe get his life back together again.\n\nCompetitive Grieving\nStewart Beasley, a rising TV star, dies suddenly of an aneurysm. To Wren, Steward was her rock and her anchor, so now she must live her life without him and move on. But first she must plan the funeral to end all funerals. She is also surprisingly assigned the duty of disseminating Stewart\u2019s possessions, and in so doing finds herself investigating his life and learning things she never knew about him. With a healthy balance of both laughter and tears, Competitive Grieving casts a new light on tragedy and grief that so many must go through.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-May-2021 17:57:45", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009865019", "title": "The Stories of Musical Instruments", "author": "Stepanka Sekaninova", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 210, "review": "Do you like music? Are you a musician? Then you will find this book very interesting. I am a musician and play three different instruments. I liked this book because it tells about the different families of musical instruments like wind, string, percussion, and brass. I also learned about a new type of family of instruments, polyphonic instruments. This book was very informative about the origin of the instruments, the different types or variations of the same instrument. This book even has famous composers or famous musicians in each unit. I find it interesting that the history of the trumpet dates back to pre-historic times. How did cave people think to use hollowed-out bones to make music? Musical instruments and music changed since pre-historic times, thru ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, until now each with its own spin on music and instruments. Throughout time the trumpet looked different, but in the end, they all were a hollow long tube that you blew through to make sounds. As musical instruments changed and progressed so did the different types of music. One example is Dixieland Jazz would not have been the same without brass instruments like the trombone, saxophone, or trumpet. I like this book it has colorful illustrations and informative pictures", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-May-2021 21:36:13", "publisher": "Albatros Media", "page_count": "68 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009865003", "title": "Sex Cult Nun: Breaking Away from the Children of God, a Wild, Radical Religious Cult", "author": "Faith Jones", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Willow Greymoor ", "word_count": 221, "review": "Sex Cult Nun by Faith Jones captured her story growing up as the great-granddaughter of David Berg, the founder and leader of the Children of God cult that spanned around the globe and indoctrinated followers with the messages of end-times prophecies and free love. Thousands looked to David as the prophet who would lead them through the end-times. David spoon-fed his followers the doctrine that they were chosen to be the living examples of God's love. He accomplished this task via religious abuse coupled with the exploitation of minors and women.

Author Jones bravely told the harrowing story of her abuse within the inner circle of the Children of God cult and how she and the other children were forbidden to attend school, had little to non-existent medical care, and were forbade to speak to anyone outside of their cultic world.

Jones not only shined a marvelous light on the criminally destructive nature of religious cults and how the effects of abuse and mind control permeated every aspect of the followers' lives. Sex Cult Nun also provides a narrative of triumph that one could escape an egregious cult and create an authentic life free from abuse. As Faith Jones has done for herself, may her life story be a testament to the power of determination and the quest for freedom at all costs.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-May-2021 17:50:45", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009863003", "title": "Raid of Souls", "author": "Kalen Vaughan Johnson", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 528, "review": "Robbing the Pillars, the first book in Kalen Vaughan Johnson\u2019s Empire Barons series, introduced James MacLaren, a hot-tempered yet principled and socially conscious man who had been forced to flee from Scotland to the United States. Having settled in California, MacLaren was quick to recognize that the heyday of the independent miners was ending and that consortiums led by greedy and ruthless speculators were seeking to ringfence the spoils of the Gold Rush for themselves. His decision to champion the cause of the miners might have been morally correct, but it led to all manner of trouble and danger for MacLaren and those dear to him, including his wife Emma and his headstrong daughter Charlotte.

In Raid of Souls, Johnson picks up the story of James MacLaren following the shocking revelations and cliffhanger toward the end of the previous book. If anything, despite MacLaren\u2019s best efforts to achieve parity, tensions between the independent miners and the powerful consortiums are higher than ever, as the depletion of the surface gold has made it necessary to mine even deeper, which requires costly equipment and expertise. Such investment rarely pays off for the little guy, and the consortiums are able to buy up failed mines at rock-bottom prices. The collapse of their businesses leads to increasing numbers of miners seeking employment with the consortiums, and it\u2019s dangerous and backbreaking work. Rather than busying himself with his ranch, MacLaren decides to continue fighting the miners\u2019 cause, spearheading the formation of a union and once again risking all that is important to him in an attempt to do the right thing.

Given the detailed nature of the story, as well as the interlinking plotlines and intriguing cast of characters, it would probably be useful to read Robbing the Pillars before tackling Raid of Souls, although Johnson does provide some valuable scene-setting and background information to help orientate readers who are new to the series. The book is rich in historical information and Johnson has done a great job of capturing the tone and atmosphere of California during the mid-to-late-1800s. It is clear that she has done a good deal of research into life during the Gold Rush and her enthusiasm for the period really shines through in the story. From the ranches to the mines to the \u201cbig city\u201d of Sacramento, the locations are well described and authentic, while the characters\u2019 concerns and dialogue generally ring true.

James MacLaren remains a gruff yet appealing lead character. His hyperawareness of the class struggle might sometimes blind him to the minutiae of life, but he is truly committed to helping the miners and exposing the dodgy dealings of big business. He is aware of the danger that his activities bring to those around him and so, this time around, he takes the step of sending daughter Charlotte to safety. Unfortunately, his desire to protect her might just have put Charlotte in the path of a romance that could spell trouble for those on both sides of the mining conflict. Reflective of real life, Raid of Souls is a slow-burning story of good versus evil and all the shades of gray that exist between the two.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 22:15:04", "publisher": "Five Star Publishing/Cengage", "page_count": "306 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009862027", "title": "Just Pretend", "author": "Tori Sharp", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 9", "word_count": 171, "review": "Tori Sharp is having a hard time with school, friends, and siblings, and her parents' divorce so she daydreams. Tori, who wants to be an author, dreams up a story about a sorceress and begins writing a story. Her parents\u2019 divorce becomes difficult for Tori and her siblings. Sometimes Tori forgets whose house she wakes up in. Will her problems at home affect her relationship with her BFF, Taylor?

This is a great and interesting read! I can\u2019t believe it was a true story. I feel bad that Tori had so many problems at home like when she had to go to her sister\u2019s Emily dance lessons and she would be so tired she still had to finish all her homework. Divorce caused many problems for Tori, but she used it to daydream and write. In the end, her parents' divorce led her to write a book. I really liked the simple but cute illustrations in this book. I recommend this book to kids who love graphic novels, especially personal autobiographical stories.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 19:03:17", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009862023", "title": "Body Talk: How to Embrace Your Body and Start Living Your Best Life", "author": "Katie Sturino", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 232, "review": "Think of your funniest, smartest, most self-deprecating female friend. The one you can talk to about anything and trust that she will always tell the truth. If you can\u2019t imagine that person, let me introduce you to Katie Sturino and her book Body Talk.

There were moments I had to put this book down because it was too familiar. Mean childhood nicknames, well-meaning adults whose attention to my changing body made me feel terrible, the horror of realizing clothes meant for my age group didn\u2019t fit me. Yep, yep, and yep. Sturino uses her personal experiences and revelations to encourage readers to give up the battle against their body and free up that time for literally anything else.

Part self-help book, part memoir, part workbook, Body Talk is an invitation to examine your own relationship with your body and to accept it as it is right now. There were moments when it seemed to omit some important details, such as the fact that the nearly six-foot-tall Sturino has a proportioned body that is in line with traditional beauty standards. Yet, the overall message is that none of us are perfect and perhaps we should just stop trying to be. No one is going to call the police if we wear sleeveless tops or shorts in the summer heat, and no one will be harmed by our bodies being present in the world.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 18:32:21", "publisher": "Clarkson Potter", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009862019", "title": "All the Way to the Tigers: A Memoir", "author": "Mary Morris", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 199, "review": "Mary Morris stops just shy of having an obsession during her three-month hospital stay after a skating accident. She must see a tiger in the wild. Once home, she determines to pick up her life as an author and seasoned traveler, and remembering the words in Thomas Mann\u2019s Death in Venice, she knows she must journey \u201call the way to the tigers.\u201d This becomes her mantra and the title of her book.

Tigers are killers, but by taking the right precautions, the dream of seeing one can become a reality. Morris studied diligently to learn all she could before setting off for India, equipped with every last thing except warm clothes for her unexpectedly icy destination. She chronicles her daily expeditions to game parks, paying affectionate tribute to her expert guides as they pursue any sign or sound in the surrounding jungle.

This hold-your-breath adventure, featuring plenty of good humor along the way, shows the reward for persistence and how a smart, spunky woman who has reached a \u201ccertain age\u201d can be as resolute and energetic as a youngster. Without revealing her success, let it be said that Mary Morris arrived back in New York satisfied with her trip.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "17-Aug-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 18:30:47", "publisher": "Anchor", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009862011", "title": "With Teeth: A Novel", "author": "Kristen Arnett", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 177, "review": "With Teeth opens with a startling scene\u2014Sammie Lucas\u2019s young son Samson is nearly kidnapped, seemingly willingly, by a strange man in the park. This is just the first of many moments in Samson\u2019s life where Sammie is confused by her son and his inscrutable inner world. As Samson grows up, Sammie struggles to understand Samson\u2019s quiet nature and often callous behavior, shouldering the main work of mothering as her wife Monika works a high-powered and time-consuming job. With Teeth tells the unidyllic family story of a less-than-perfect mother, her less-than-perfect son, and their less-than-perfect life.

With dark humor, Kristen Arnett vividly portrays the gruesome trials of raising a child, navigating crumbling and emerging relationships, and reckoning with one\u2019s own past. Arnett\u2019s depiction of a queer family is complex, funny, and textured, and she renders Sammie\u2019s imperfection with nuance and humanity. This novel will leave readers at the edge of their seats, terrified to discover what terrible mistake Samson\u2014or Sammie\u2014is about to make next but unable to tear their eyes away from the dark, funny, and deeply human mess.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "15-Jul-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 17:21:17", "publisher": "Riverhead Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009862007", "title": "Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing: Essays", "author": "Lauren Hough", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 175, "review": "Lauren Hough has worn a lot of hats: she has been a member of the Air Force, a cable guy, a bouncer, and\u2014as we see in this essay collection\u2014a writer. She also grew up in the Children of God cult, also called The Family, an upbringing that took her around the world and forced her to take on a new name and identity at each new place she settled. In this collection, we bear witness to Hough's upbringing, its effects on her adult life, and what it's like to be a queer woman in the many places her life brings her, from the gay club where she works to the air force base where she's stationed.

Hough's voice as a writer is raw, frank, and unflinching, shot through with both humor and pain. In offering an unfiltered look at her struggles\u2014and her triumphs\u2014Hough gives her readers a sense of the messy, imperfect, terrifying difficulties of life, but also a sense of the unsentimental optimism that can be found in even the most unstable and troubling circumstances.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "17-Jul-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 17:02:28", "publisher": "Vintage", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009860055", "title": "Athena: Goddess of Wisdom and War (Tales of Great Goddesses)", "author": "Imogen Greenberg", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 10", "word_count": 249, "review": "Do you like stories of ancient Greeks? Do you study their Gods and Goddesses? If so, then this book is perfect for you!

Athena: Goddess of Wisdom and War is an amazing story about the many adventures of the Greek Goddess Athena and how she often helps human beings in need. Did you know that Athena was born by jumping out of Zeus' head?! I bet you didn\u2019t know that! Athena was also the goddess that helped Perseus kill Medusa. Medusa was a gorgon with snakes for hair. If anybody looked into her eyes they would turn to stone and die. Perseus knew that he could not defeat Medusa alone so he went to Athena, the wisest goddess of all, and asked if she could give him any ideas to kill Medusa. She definitely had ideas. Guess what? It worked! As gratitude for her help, Perseus gave Athena the head of Medusa and Athena put it on her shield. She was truly awesome!

Athena was a brave and fearless goddess that loved to help humans. Even though the elder gods and goddesses didn\u2019t always like it, Athena always did what she thought was best. This book was informational with lots of great pictures. It is a graphic novel that keeps you wanting to learn more as you turn each page. It makes you want to read the book from cover to cover in one sitting! I really enjoyed Athena: Goddess of Wisdom and War and I think you will too!", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 19:06:26", "publisher": "Amulet Books", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009860047", "title": "Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel", "author": "Anthony Doerr", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 178, "review": "Cloud Cuckoo Land weaves the lives of different people connected by one powerful story, spanning the course of hundreds of years. In ancient Constantinople, an orphan who yearns to read crosses paths with a village boy fleeing his home in Bulgaria. In modern-day Idaho, an octogenarian rehearses a play with children in a library, where a teenage boy has planted a bomb. And in the future, a young girl lives on an interstellar ship, immersed in stories told to her by her father. Eventually, these stories come together in one compelling ending.

Anthony Doerr\u2019s prose is as beautiful as it was in All the Light We Cannot See, but in Cloud Cuckoo Land, it covers historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary all at the same time. At times, this combination was a little much -- while ultimately connected, each story feels drastically different until the end, and some narratives were a lot more interesting to me than others. Still, the story is unique, with echoes of Cloud Atlas, and another testament to Doerr\u2019s incredible skill as a writer.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "03-Dec-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 18:57:40", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "640 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009860043", "title": "The Darkest Flower (Allison Barton, 1)", "author": "Kristin Wright", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "At a fifth-grade graduation celebration, a PTA mom becomes terribly sick, having been poisoned by The Darkest Flower in the garden, wolfsbane. Even though they were friends, the main suspect is the one who handed her the drink, PTA president Kira Grant. She had no motive, but all the circumstantial evidence points to her. She hires single mom, Allison Barton, as her defense attorney to clear her of these ridiculous charges so she can get back to her normal life. As Allison prepares her defense, she discovers that motives abound and Kira knows a lot more than she is letting on. Allison has to decide how much she actually wants to know or does she just want to succeed?

I really enjoyed this story which was a mix between a law procedural, thriller, and psychological drama. Allison\u2019s character was great and you can\u2019t help but love to hate Kira. If you\u2019ve ever felt the pressure to be the perfect parent with perfect kids or have had to deal with a terrible boss and you enjoy thrillers, I definitely recommend this book. I look forward to seeing what other kinds of terrible clients Allison has to deal with in the future.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 18:48:40", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "303 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009860027", "title": "Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism", "author": "Amanda Montell", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 213, "review": "In Cultish, Amanda Montell digs into the language that drives the engine of cults and \u201ccultish\u201d organizations. Montell turns her attention to everything from bona fide cults like The Family and Scientology to the cult-like environments found in SoulCycle classes and multi-level marketing communities, offering a linguist\u2019s take on how these groups draw in members\u2014and keep them in. Along the way, she muses on why cults have appeal, both for the people drawn into them and the people who are eager to learn everything they can about them.

Cultish is well-researched and well-written, covering a wide range of cultish groups in a highly readable way. The analysis Montell offers, however, sometimes feels a bit one-note\u2014as she turns from section to section, the same takeaway seems to emerge again and again. This continuity in itself is not problematic, but I found myself wishing for a deepening of the linguistic analysis as the book continued. At times, Montell glances over different cults and cultish groups in ways that left me wanting more depth and detail, since the mysterious workings of cults is, after all, deeply fascinating. Overall, Cultish is a well-done look at a range of cultish groups that, despite its shortcomings, will appeal to readers hoping to understand more about why cults are so transfixing.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "20-Sep-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 18:13:17", "publisher": "Harper Wave", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009859043", "title": "The Secrets of Us", "author": "Lucinda Berry", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 204, "review": "The Secrets of Us tells the story of two women who became sisters through the foster care system. Having run away from an awful, abusive foster home in which a girl dies and the daughter of the foster mother is evil, Krystal and Nichole finally feel as if they've escaped a nightmare. Krystal is now a successful attorney and Nichole is married to a wonderful man named Aiden. The past comes back to haunt the two girls, however, as Nichole burns her house down with Aiden inside it. Now, she faces arson and attempted murder charges. She is in a fugue state and so is committed to a mental hospital. Krystal is the only one who knows Nichole's secrets, and she knows that she must get to the bottom of things.

The Secrets of Us is a suspenseful tale that will keep your heart thumping as secrets are revealed. The story is written from the alternating points of view of Krystal and Nichole as well as in the past and present. This paints the intricate background and current state of both girls and really helps the reader to picture everything from their perspective. This is a must-read book for fans of twisted suspense novels.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 18:50:50", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "271 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009859039", "title": "King of the Blues: The Rise and Reign of B.B. King", "author": "Daniel de Vise", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 206, "review": "Daniel de Vise presents a duel biography of B.B. King and his guitar, Lucille, and how together they changed the kingdom of music with singing strings. The narrative quite naturally drags at its opening (like a live band warming up for the main event), tracking the hardscrabble life of a young sharecropper guitar player rambling around the Mississippi Delta. A happy childhood does not a \"blues\" man make.

At the risk of cheating a connoisseur of historic blues of the feeding-frenzy deluge that comes with more than a century of cultivation, de Vise compresses the decades that built B.B. King's brand into a legend; otherwise we might have before us volume upon volume. The result of the author's effort leaves us wanting more yet still left with an encyclopedic amount of detail with more than ample information about the blues and the people who created them. Here are the stories of all but forgotten Delta bluesmen, the generations that they influenced musically, and how their songs traveled to Europe and back to Americans who might have missed out if not for the boomerang effect.

Peppered with memories both pleasant and painful, this masterpiece catalogues a long play list of songs and the bluesmen who recorded them.", "issue": "Gift Guide 2021", "date_posted": "26-Jan-2025", "date_added": "27-May-2021 18:38:18", "publisher": "Grove Press", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009859023", "title": "The Last Windwitch", "author": "Jennifer Adam", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 11", "word_count": 223, "review": "In a world of magic, something is not right. There are elemental powers on the loose and the Queen of Crows, an evil sorceress, wishes to tap and take their power. But there is hope. There is a rebel group, the Circle of Thistles, that wishes to oppose her. Into this comes Brida, a girl with mysterious powers and an even more mysterious parentage. The Last Windwitch is a serious, dark, compelling tale of dark magic, elemental powers, and how tyrants fall. There are a lot of situations where humans turn into animals and are controlled via magic. These situations are scary and there are many graphic descriptions of monsters. The Last Windwitch is very much for teens and I would recommend it to high school libraries or middle school libraries. This is a book I would recommend to teens of age eleven and up that like dark, scary, suspenseful novels. It is very fast-paced and does not spend much time on pure character development. The Last Windwitch is set in a seemingly creative world, yet beneath that, there are common fantasy tropes and characters with stereotypical personalities. It is hard to put down, so I would recommend starting it on a weekend morning and reading all day. If you want a serious, scary, tense fantasy novel, The Last Windwitch is for you.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 17:11:35", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009859007", "title": "The Commune", "author": "Erica Abeel", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 151, "review": "This novel about the women\u2019s movement is billed as a comic satire but I found it to be more of a snide, thinly veiled tale of revenge. Told from at least eight characters\u2019 perspectives\u2014but primarily, from Leora\u2019s\u2014it is laden with name-dropping, gossipy dialogue, and rumination, interspersed with a few slapstick scenes, such as a kayak overturning. Nearly all of the characters are spiteful, disparaging of others, unhappy, and disingenuous, and I found it impossible to root for any of them. Sentences such as \u201cLeora sensed herself undergoing a transformation\u201d are just plain clunky.

The plot centers on a loose commune of women and men over a summer spent planning a huge \u201cWomen\u2019s Strike,\u201d but we learn nothing of what it takes to create a social movement, only pseudo-feminists being alternately catty, lusty, insecure, or mean-spirited. I very rarely write negative reviews, but while the fictional \u201cstrike\u201d succeeds, this novel does not.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 16:10:51", "publisher": "Adelaide Books LLC", "page_count": "330 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000009858031", "title": "Never Saw Me Coming: A Novel", "author": "Vera Kurian", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 202, "review": "Chloe Sevre is a freshman at John Adams University. She also happens to be a psychopath, one of seven in a special program at Adams. The study aims to determine whether psychopaths can be taught how to live normal lives. Chloe came to the university with plans to kill a certain junior who wronged her when she was twelve, so the psychologists certainly have their work cut out for them. Even though the subjects aren\u2019t supposed to know who the others are, some of them are being murdered. Chloe has to work with the other subjects to find the killer, but can you really trust a psychopath? Find out in Never Saw Me Coming.

What a different take on the classic murder mystery: a story where you end up rooting for the psychopaths. The whole premise of this book was incredibly interesting and I would recommend it to those who enjoy psychology. There are possible triggers, such as rape and graphic descriptions of murder, as well as sexual acts and language, so be aware before diving into this. The author does a great job of capturing what it\u2019s like for your average psychopath. I look forward to reading more of her work.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "07-Aug-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 18:53:21", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009858027", "title": "When the World Turned Upside Down", "author": "K. Ibura", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - Age 9", "word_count": 139, "review": "Shayla is always bored in school, and she doesn't really want to hang out with her friends Ai, Ben, and Liam. But that changes when the school closes because of a new virus. Now they are all locked up in their apartments, and Shayla starts helping Ai, Ben, and Liam. They help the neighbors. And then they hear that a lot of Black people are getting killed, and Shayla, Ben, Liam, and Ai want to make a change.

I haven't read a book where the story happens during COVID-19 before, and it was interesting to read one. This story was all about friendship, family, and fighting for equal rights. Sometimes I lost a little interest. The characters were fun to read about, and I liked how every one of their families reacted differently to the world turning upside down.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 18:45:19", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009858015", "title": "Legacy: A Novel", "author": "Nora Roberts", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 207, "review": "If I had to use one phrase to describe this book it would be \"all over the place.\" The book starts out with a little girl named Adrian and her mother, Lina, who is a fitness and yoga guru. Lina ends up killing Adrian's father, a married serial-cheater, when he comes over to their house and attacks Adrian's nanny, Mimi, and Adrian. Fast forward several years and Adrian has her own fitness company under her mom's label. She starts receiving hate mail and death threats and Lina tells her that it's part of having fame and fortune.

The book goes into heavy detail and deep discussions between Adrian and her grandparents and friends, and it seems like there are little plots all throughout the book. The story tends to waiver from the main plot of the death threats. There is also a lot of death in this book not related to the death threats, which gives the book a vibe of sadness at times. Then the story about Adrian and her friends and family picks right back up again.

Overall, this is a well-written story with nothing left out. In fact, I'd say it had a little too much content and was a bit boring at times.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "17-Aug-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 16:26:43", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009858003", "title": "Vulnerable AF", "author": "Tarriona Ball", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 664, "review": "Poetry and Short Story Roundup\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for a challenging and insightful read this summer, the following four collections of poetry and short stories, all written by inspiring and innovative women, run the gamut of emotions and experiences and so are sure to fit the bill.\n\nBack to the Light by George Ella Lyon\n\nBack to the Light is a collection of poems that together describe the life and development, both emotional and spiritual, of one woman. From a childhood characterized by uncertainty, fear, and repression through to the dawn of adulthood and a reconnection with both her body and the truth of her past, she grows into her dual role as a wife and a mother, before rejecting such constricting norms and seeking wisdom from great women: writers, singers, teachers, even Mother Earth. She eventually succeeds in attaining a level of self-belief and self-knowledge that helps her to perceive her place within the throng of humanity, which finally allows her to heal from old wounds. In exploring the course of the narrator\u2019s life, George Ella Lyon crafts poems that are by turns tragic and humorous, inspirational and oppressive, puzzling and enlightening. This collection beautifully highlights the healing power of poetry and the strength that each individual carries within themselves.\n\nThese Bodies by Morgan Christie\n\nThrough the eleven short stories contained in These Bodies, Morgan Christie examines the complexities inherent within relationships, focusing particularly on the experiences of people of color. Each story centers on a unique character, and whether that character is a struggling father determined to better himself, a child who wants to be recognized for living as their authentic self, or any other permutation of humanity, Christie succeeds masterfully in making both them and their story seem real and relatable. She strives to highlight the stories of people whose tales generally go untold, and in doing so, she champions the relationships of flawed individuals fighting to reconcile their failings with their hopes. The stories often feature several layers of meaning, causing readers to question if everything is really as it seems and to ponder what the future might have in store for the eclectic cast of characters.\n\nDandelion by Gabbie Hanna\n\nGabbie Hanna\u2019s Dandelion is an unusual collection of short poems, vignettes, illustrations, and snippets seemingly transmitted directly from the author\u2019s unconscious mind onto the pages of the book. Plumbing the depths of Hanna\u2019s psyche, the included works explore the experience of declining mental health in a world in which such matters are all too frequently overlooked, underplayed, and/or stigmatized. Veering between the absurd and the tragic, the poems trigger a roller-coaster of emotions and prompt questions as to what mental health entails and how it should be addressed, both as a concept and as an illness. As a whole, the collection serves almost as a journal chronicling Hanna\u2019s thoughts and experiences of times of emotional turmoil and bouts of stability. The book also includes an impactful selection of personal essays by Hanna, in which she tackles issues stemming from her childhood and prior relationships.\n\nVulnerable AF by Tarriona Ball\n\nVulnerable AF records Tarriona \u201cTank\u201d Ball\u2019s recollections of the experience of mistaking infatuation for love. Perhaps inspired by the host of romance novels she read to while away the time when working in a nursing home, as a young woman Ball believed herself to be in love with a person she barely knew, and unfortunately, it was the \u201ccan\u2019t-eat-can\u2019t-think-can\u2019t-sleep type of love.\u201d To reconcile this non-epic relationship in her mind, Ball has set down her thoughts and feelings in the form of brutally honest poems and short stories that detail the highs and lows of infatuation. Her words flow beautifully, and despite their often weighty subject matter, they are brimming with humor, hope, and strength. Ball lays bare the pain associated with unrequited love and missed opportunities, and she highlights how it is possible to overcome an infatuation in a way that leaves you all the stronger for the experience.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-May-2021 15:39:06", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009857007", "title": "Saints and Martyrs: Novel", "author": "Aaron Roe", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jenna Swartz", "word_count": 426, "review": "John Steinbeck suggested that one of the most heartbreaking lessons a child learns is that their parents are not always of divine intelligence and that the realization \"is an aching kind of growing.\" The entirety of Aaron Roe\u2019s Saints and Martyrs can basically be summed up in that one quote. It\u2019s a coming-of-age story about a young man who yearns for a way to connect with his late father. He looks for him in God, in old letters, in the divine nature of the universe, praying that one day he can amount to one iota of what his father was.

Unfortunately for Damien Kirk, reality rarely lives up to fantasy. He creates father figures in everything he does. He latches onto religion, saints, anything infallible and unreachable in order to try and connect with his late father, including a bid for sainthood. While Damien has serious intentions on becoming a saint, one mishap after another results in stressful obstacles that have him second guessing his meticulously planned future.

Any survivors of Catholic guilt will appreciate the oft bumbling Damien, who just can\u2019t seem to find his way. Perfect on paper, his upbringing and piety are so straight-laced and shiny that his seminary disperses them en masse as their own, extending the illusion of perfection that Damien is so desperate to be reality. However, it doesn\u2019t create the saintly path he hopes for. Damien finds himself so at odds with what he wants and how he feels that it isn\u2019t until he meets Eden, a young boy with cancer, that he truly starts to understand himself. Eden causes Damien\u2019s idols to crash and shatter and his path to truly open up. Choked by the cassock that once gave him reassurance, Damien finds himself broken and lost; a true messiah in the garden.

Saints and Martyrs was a relatively easy read, although the story dragged for most of the novel. It did pick up in the second half once Damien had found his foil, but it felt like it came almost too late. Most of the characters weren\u2019t sufficiently fleshed out, making it difficult to dredge up any interest in them. However, the story itself is a good one and there were cheeky parts that had deeper meanings behind them. Even the title\u2019s initialism seems like a nod to the sadomasochistic nature of sainthood and martyrdom.

In the end, anyone who has had cause to undertake the difficult task of finding themself will enjoy this Bildungsroman about a young man searching for his father and finding himself instead.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "13-Aug-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 04:03:59", "publisher": "Atmosphere Press", "page_count": "334 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009857003", "title": "Saints and Martyrs: Novel ", "author": "Aaron Roe", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 446, "review": "Saints and Martyrs depicts a seventeen-year-old teenager on a journey to attaining sainthood as he battles with his natural, earthly cravings and lives with his overbearing mother. Damian plans to write a biography about his late \"mighty, successful, famous\" father, who he misses greatly. But how can he make his father's plumbing job, which he had fun and entertained clients with, resemble the \"somber diligence\" that defined Saint Joseph? Damian's wish is to make his father appear saintlike\u2014a quality he wants to achieve for himself too. First, he must repent of his lust and his unsaintly frustration at home. Tired of his mother pressuring him into the priesthood and compromising the sincerity of his calling to join the seminary, he plans to run away, move in with his weightlifting coach, and look for a job. Eventually, he finds the seminary does not meet his expectations, and instead of bringing him closer to his father in heaven, it is filled with dirty secrets and a reality he would have to come to terms with.

Like the saying goes, \"Be careful what you wish for.\" Damian thinks that attaining his goals would make him happier and more spiritual but later finds himself caught in a web of lies, which defeats his purpose. Consequently, he discovers a more liberating, less superficial path. The plot reveals how we come to get the full picture of the dreams we initially glamorized while growing up. Damian's dream of getting into the priesthood would resonate with everyone who has ever had a burning dream or goal. The book also shows how important it is to remember the reason we started on our paths and not get derailed along the way. Parents would learn how to relate with their children and trust them to make the right choices.

Damian is portrayed to be quite observatory and perceptive. An example is his observation of a professor's frail hands, which were unlike his dad's hands: \"calloused, taut, and strong, even on his deathbed.\" Aaron Roe's vivid descriptions transported me to the front rows of the scenes; I could almost perceive the \"fresh smell of pines\" that gave the grounds \"an alpine ambiance\".

Saints and Martyrs is clearly different, though in a good way. In fact, I loved it! I get a warm, happy feeling every time I remember the story and its protagonist\u2014whom I happened to like as he reminded me of my struggles with the same issue of one's hormones clashing with their Christian values. I recommend the book to readers who love narratives about discovering oneself and anyone interested in reading a good book that would make them laugh, reminisce, and learn at the same time.", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2021", "date_added": "27-May-2021 04:03:17", "publisher": "Atmosphere Press", "page_count": "334 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009855015", "title": "The Brides of Maracoor: A Novel (Another Day Book 1)", "author": "Gregory Maguire", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1098, "review": "Enjoy reading about threats from an alien race, journeying to Mars, and a political epic fantasy while you explore this selection of fantasy and science fiction reads that will take you into another world. Check out the sequels to /The Salvation Sequence/ and /Wake the Dragon/, a spin-off from Gregory Maguire that expands the /Wicked/ world, and the next book in the /Court of Thorns and Roses/ series. \n\nSalvation Lost \u2013 Peter F. Hamilton \n\nBook two of /The Salvation Sequence/ explores the encounter that utopian earth has with a visiting race of aliens that are quickly discovered to be among the worst threats that mankind dealt with. The Olyix plan to convert the residents of earth into their belief system under their own god. But the aliens didn't expect mankind to fight back. As the Olyix try to take power, humanity is more determined than ever to stop them before they're the ones destroyed. \n\nThe Brides of Maracoor \u2013 Gregory Maguire \n\nKicking off a new series, this spin-off from Gregory Maguire features Rain, the green-skinned granddaughter of Elphaba. It was ten years ago when the fourth and final volume of /Out of Oz/ was released. Rain washes ashore on a strange island where she's saved by a women community that uses devotional practices considered more obscure. A mysterious navy attacks the mainland which causes the civil-servant overseer over the island to wonder how an alien could put a whole nation under threat. This new trilogy will follow Rain's journey as it takes her from an outpost on the island to the uncharted Maracoor badlands as she works to find her way home again where she'll return to her family and lover. The beauty and suffering of Oz come to life through the mystery, injustice, and possibility of this story that serves as a reminder of the sacred terrain found in our lives. \n\nA Court of Silver Flames \u2013 Sarah J. Maas \n\nNesta is known for how slow she can be to forgive and how quick she can be toward anger. Ever since she became High Fae by force through the Cauldron, she has worked to fit into her new role. Cassian is the best at making her angry and she can't avoid him thanks to his own role in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court. The friction between them is just the beginning as the two have an undeniable chemistry that draws them closer when they're near each other. As if this wasn't enough, the human queens have joined forces and this proves to be a threat against every realm. To stop them, Nesta and Cassian each have to confront the pasts that have haunted them which is a journey set against a background of war and uncertainty. Together find healing and acceptance as they battle monsters and inner demons.\n\nThin Air \u2013 Richard K. Morgan\n\nHakan Veil is a killing machine after he received body tech that's military-grade and once a corporate enforcer, he's now been abandoned by his former employers. He's been left on Mars where overlords that are earth-based engage in a fight for profits and power despite the growing independence movement. Harkan quickly grows tired of life on Mars and searches for a way to return home which leads him to accept a position from the Earth Oversight organization. The job makes him a bodyguard for an EO investigator. It's easy to work until his charge looks into what happened to a lottery winner that suddenly vanished. The deeper he's drawn into this world, the more secrets reveal themselves and push him up against enemies that he must take down \u2013 no matter what. \n\nVengewar \u2013 Kevin J. Anderson \n\nThe second book in the /Wake the Dragon/ series continues with war unfolding between The Three Kingdoms and Ishara. For over a thousand years, the two sides have been at war until an outside threat made itself known. An ancient race awakened which brought the two continents together and had them put aside their feud to form an alliance against this common enemy. Book one led to the awakening of a dragon which created events that set the two continents against each other. Now in book two, the Three Kingdoms is facing serious consequences thanks to having a king that is inexperienced. The king is receiving encouragement from a regent, with a lot of ambition, to not take threats made by the Wreths seriously and to instead choose a vengewar with Ishara. His brother and uncle spot the danger that lies within the Older Race. Meanwhile, the Ishara queen lies comatose which provides the opportunity for a priest to take power only to fail the country when he doesn't have the experience to effectively it. \n\nThe Wood Wife \u2013 Terri Windling \n\nMaggie Black has left the fashion of her old life behind on the West Coast in exchange for a new life in the Southwestern desert. She's determined to pursue her dreams even if this means starting over. Her mentor, the poet Davis Cooper, died under mysterious circumstances and left his estate to her. Now it's up to her to figure out the mystery of his life and the cause of his death. Maggie is drawn into this new life she discovers and is captivated by the people she meets \u2013 including Fox. He's unlike any man she's met before and he has a deeper understanding of the power the desert possesses. Maggie uses Cooper's letters as a way to understand his life and soon this search draws her to the ancient spirits residing within the desert. \n\nThe Blue-Spangled Blue \u2013 David Bowles \n\nOver a hundred years ago, the Aknawajin came to a planet called Jitsu where they were forced to serve as workers. Despite their oppression, they've won their independence and have gotten freedom from the corporate owners of the world. The planet has started to allow humankind to enter which allows for an architect, that also serves as a leader to a religious reform group, named Tenshi becomes acquainted with Brando D'Angelo who left earth to work as a teacher on Jitsu. Tenshi shares about her faith in the Path with Brando and guides him on his own journey which inspires him to say goodbye to his identity and to reform under the guidance of Tenshi so he can obtain a soul. Tenshi's enemies create obstacles for the couple while the growing struggles on Jitsu cover up the plans of a dangerous mind. They'll be guided along a new path that will inspire the creation of a movement that will have effects on history.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2021 17:42:27", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009855011", "title": "The Clovis Dig", "author": "Teri Fink", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 416, "review": "The Clovis Dig, by Teri Fink is an exciting read, jammed pack with adventure, mystery, and rich in culture. Claire Courtney, the main character, is an orchard farmer living in East Wenatchee Washington. Claire profits off her acres of cherry and apple crops, but unfortunately, her harvest is suffering. She finds herself in deep financial trouble, as she owes debt upon debt to the bank. Claire works alongside her manager, Carlos Barbados, a Mexican immigrant who has been part of Claire\u2019s life since childhood. Hardworking and honest, Carlos was hired by Claire\u2019s father twenty years prior and has grown alongside her family and the orchard. Truly a dynamic duo, Carlos and Claire have taught each other their native languages, customs, and have grown to become best of friends. One day after working in the fields, Carlos discovers a strange artifact which he takes to Claire. Claire calls Washington State University to report the find, and Joe Running, a Native American archaeology professor, drives down to the orchard to investigate. One thing leads to another, and Joe soon realizes this artifact is from the Clovis culture, a very rare and exciting find. Adventure is in store for the trio as archeologists move into the orchard and try to uncover the secrets of the past. As the press and public move in, a horrific discovery is made at one of the dig sites. All are at a loss of what to do, and the plot thickens as past secrets begin to come to light. This story is not without many plot twists. Readers will find a murder in store, peaceful protests, love affairs, and deceitful characters.

Fink did an excellent job with the plotline, character dialect, and conclusion. I thought the way the story played out was exceptionally clever, and I could not guess as I read what the ending had in store. Rich in Native American and Hispanic culture, this book holds diverse characters and strong female leads. I especially appreciated the anecdotes about Joe\u2019s life on the reservation, as well as what his experience was growing up as a Native American in the United States. Exceptionally thought-provoking, I found myself curious to learn more about current Native American reservations and their whereabouts. Fink did a wonderful job capturing the importance of preserving Native American artifacts and protecting their land. Although focused on archaeology, this read really would interest any adult reader. A beautifully written mystery, Fink\u2019s tale is one you do not want to miss out on!", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "06-Aug-2021", "date_added": "26-May-2021 17:24:45", "publisher": "Evolved Publishing", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009855007", "title": "Pencilvania", "author": "Stephanie Watson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - age 9", "word_count": 183, "review": "When Zora's mother dies of Leukemia, Zora is miserable. To make matters worse, she loses the warm spark that gives her imagination, which her mother used to call her Voom. Zora just wants to forget. So, one day, she lets it all out. She scribbles over the drawing she traced for her little sister, Frankie's, birthday. She scribbles page after page with her dark green pencil. Soon after, they get pulled into a world named Pencilvania... which is filled with Zora's drawings. The creatures here think she eats balloons and is secretly two hundred feet tall. But, to make things even worse, the scribbles have kidnapped Frankie! Zora knows she has to save her little sister. But will she be able to rescue the only person who matters to her anymore?

I really enjoyed reading the adventures Zora went through in Pencilvania to save her sister with her seven-legged horse, Airrol. The illustrations really looked like they were drawn by the characters in the story as it went along. I liked the characters a lot. I thought they were exciting, funny, and realistic.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2021", "date_added": "26-May-2021 17:10:06", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Young Readers", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009854007", "title": "The Executive Order: A Novel", "author": "David Fisher", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1296, "review": "These thrilling reads will take you up against an outbreak in Greenland, on a journey through the Middle East in search of a missing man, and into a Post-Trump/Biden nation struggling under new leadership. The stories are authentic, action-packed, and full of surprises around every turn. \n\nPhase Six: A Novel \u2013 Jim Shepard \n\nAn eleven-year-old, from Greenland, and his friend steal from a mining site and take the objects back to their village. Little do they know that the thawing permafrost in the mountains has caused exposure and creates the catalyst to Aleq's journey to becoming one of the first survivors of an outbreak. His experiences as the index patient lead to isolation which adds to Aleq's guilt over being the source but his story isn't without hope as he searches for answers. Epidemic Intelligence Service Investigators arrive from the CDC to help. Epidemiologist Jeannine and M.D. Danice work to put an end to the outbreak. Jeannine transfers locations from Greenland to the Rocky Mountains where she enters a Level 4 facility to help Aleq. Taking a direct look at the political, biological, and cultural structures that go into place when a disaster occurs, the story highlights the bonds formed during an outbreak while the various characters come to understand what it means to support loved ones during a crisis. \n\nProof of Life: Twenty Days on a Hunt for a Missing Person in the Middle East \u2013 Daniel Levin\n\nDaniel Levin's life was normal as he worked in his office when a phone call changes everything. He leaves New York to take a mysterious meeting in Paris which puts him on the trail of a missing man in Syria. No agency offered their assistance so it's up to Daniel to take a brutal journey through the Middle East over the course of twenty days. As Daniel evolves from a lawyer to an arm-conflict negotiator, he tracks down leads while encountering a variety of dangerous people including sheiks, drug lords, and sex traffickers. The story also provides a study on how leverage can be used for people to get what they want from someone else. A cinematic thriller, /Proof of Life/ is fast-paced and intriguing with an adventure that goes inside a hidden world.\n\nThe Executive Order: A Novel \u2013 David Fisher\n\nIn a time after Trump and Biden, a new president has been elected and charged with fixing the friction within the nation. Ian Wrightman was an independent senator who is now tasked as president to create normalcy which citizens like Rollie Stone and his co-workers happily accept. Stone works as a journalist who spent his career reporting the chaos at the White House. Everything changes following terrorist attacks that shook the nation. Wrightman and his administration release executive orders under the guise of keeping the people safe while steadily declining their constitutional freedom. Stone is a wounded warrior who, along with his Mighty Chair which assists during his investigations, discovers surprising evidence behind the terrorist attacks. His only hope is getting the evidence to the right people but the president's war on journalists and anyone who fights back forces him to make a run for it. An underground resistance movement springs into action to help Stone as he works to stay alive, to tell the truth to the nation. This is inspired by the Sinclair Lewis novel /It Can't Happen Here/. \n\nThe Vanishing Point: A Novel \u2013 Elizabeth Brundage \n\nRye Adler and Julian Ladd are both studying photography when they cross paths in a Brodsky Workshop. The two soon become roommates when Julian moves in with Rye but it's not long before Julian becomes envious of Rye's success. The two roommates fall for the stunning Magda who stands out in the class due to her unique photographs taken in her Polish neighborhood. A romantic entanglement begins with each man though only one of them will be able to love her. The story then jumps twenty years later where Rye has achieved fame for his celebrity photos but he's removed himself from the downtrodden subjects that sparked his career. Rye is thrust back into a broken world of addicts and street people when Magda reappears in his life requesting his help which pushes him on a dark path in search of a missing boy. He's forced to look at the artist he was in the past as he engages in his own battle for survival. The months that follow find Julian stumbling across an obituary for his former roommate. Rye's death has been ruled a suicide and despite how they ended things, Julian goes to the funeral only to find no casket or body. He soon begins to question his own life and the circumstances around Rye's death.\n\nArctic Storm Rising: A Novel (Nick Flynn Book 1) \u2013 Dale Brown\n\nNick Flynn has been exiled from the CIA after a covert mission went sideways and is now tasked with being a guard in Alaska's Arctic frontier where he's assigned to protect a remote radar post. The assignment is meant to end his career but he refuses to let go easily. As freezing storms sweep through Alaska and Northern Canada, an opportunity is created for a Russian aircraft to make its move. Is this a rehearsal leading to a strike or is there another reason behind these actions? A collision between an American F-22 and a Russian craft leads to missiles fired and no survivors. Flynn and a team parachute into the site despite the weather in a desperate attempt to reach it before the Russians. The Pentagon and CIA are keeping information from them, forcing Nick and his team to risk the jump which unfolds into a deadly game between them and Spetsnaz commandos secretly working in the United States. As they discover other aircraft have disappeared, the Kremlin searches for a prototype that disappeared with missiles armed and onboard. Nick is tasked with finding the bomber and saving the world from a nuclear holocaust. \n\nCity on the Edge \u2013 David Swinson\n\nGraham is thirteen years old when a tragedy causes his family to move to the coast of Beirut, Lebanon, live on the border of cataclysmic violence. Graham soon comes to the assumption that his State Department father actually works for the CIA and that his family's life is merely a front for the American efforts taking place on the Israeli border. As 1972 evolves, Graham faces a series of challenges including his parent's marital problems, two murders, and along with ex-pat friends, discovers forces beyond his understanding. The story is authentic and atmospheric, unfolding a journey about the plights innocents face in American espionage. Compared to /The Body/ by Stephen King and /A Perfect Spy/ by John le Carre, /City on the Edge/ is transformative and tells the story of the children caught beside the dangerous turns of history. \n\nScorpion: A Novel \u2013 Christian Cantrell \n\nQuinn Mitchell strives for balance in her life working as a nine-to-five spy and as a mom in her off time. After she loses her daughter, Quinn strives for normalcy through a new assignment which puts her on the path of assassinations that have occurred across the globe. The victims were found with numeric codes that were burned, carved, or tattooed on them. The trail of the killer takes her on a harrowing journey, keeping her a step behind until she makes an unsettling connection that she has with the murders. She's closer to understanding the encrypted message, called the Epoch Index, found in the Large Hadron Collider archives. She struggles to find the connection between the murders, the killer, a physics prodigy, and her own past. A shocking discovery leads her to a surprising twist that threatens everything she believed about her past and could impact her future.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2021 17:35:20", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009851003", "title": "Hug me", "author": "Leonid Alt", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 426, "review": "Hug Me is a beautifully written book that illustrates the importance of human life and how it is directly affected by the emotions and actions of those around us. The message of this book is simple, yet so important. Life moves so fast sometimes that we forget what it is that is truly important in our lives.

Dr. Zack is a very successful psychiatrist who, from the outside, seems to have everything anyone could ever want out of life. Sure he is single with no children, but he is also wealthy, has his own private practice, a cool car, and a house overlooking the ocean. But Dr. Zack, despite all of his expensive material possessions, suffers from depression despite all of his wonderful material possessions. He soon develops a drinking problem after trying all different modalities to \"fix\" his depression. He smokes marijuana, goes jogging, and tries meditation to cure his depression. He even goes to a hypnotist to find out why he can't find happiness. He wants very much to find a woman to share his life with and be happy but his relationships always seem to go wrong.

Then Dr. Zack meets a patient named Gee. Gee is a young boy who can read minds, however, Gee too is looking to be loved in a way that his physical mother seems not to able to give him. He just wants to be hugged and loved. Gee and Dr. Zack learn and grow together to find the missing pieces in their lives.

Hug Me dives deep into the psychology behind why humans need interaction with other humans. Feeling loved and being hugged or touched can help to cure many things including depression and anxiety. After a stressful day, it is easy to see how an embrace by a loved one can help relax the human body out of fight or flight mode.

I really loved the characters in Hug Me because they were vulnerable and showed raw emotions. Gee is a very wise boy who ends up helping Dr. Zack in his own life even though he is the patient.

This book is well-written and conveys a story that many people will be able to relate to. Hug Me is a book about life, the messiness of it, and the unlimited possibilities of the things it can bring. It is a book that will leave you pondering about the wonders of life long after putting it down. I recommend this book to people of all ages who come from all walks of life; a timeless piece.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "28-May-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 19:23:26", "publisher": "self published", "page_count": "51 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009849011", "title": "Why Are There Monkeys? (and other questions for God)", "author": "Brooke Jones", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 432, "review": "\u201cIt started with drugs.\u201d

For Brook Jones, a child of the Sixties, \u201cIt was just another in a long line of sad, sorry, self-indulgent nights, no different than any other..\u201d except this time she overdosed.

For eight minutes she was dead, or so it would appear to her companions, but that was time enough for her to have an intimate chat with God asking him a variety of questions detailed in her book, Why Are There Monkeys? (and other questions for God).

Standing at His front door, she says \u201cI probably don\u2019t belong here, but may I come in?\u201d To which He replies, \u201cWe\u2019ll see\u201d, his most frequent response throughout the narrative with \u201cTime will tell\u201d running a close second.

What follows are many unoriginal questions accompanied by witty repartee on the part of both parties. Yes, God, evidently, does have a sense of humor, frequently laughing at his own jokes and more surprisingly even some of the authors. He also has the annoying habit of answering a question with a question.

Maybe that has to do with the questions Jones wants to be answered? Here are some of them, the old standard \u201cwhat would you ask God if you got to meet him\u201d questions like:

\n- Is it creationism or evolution, or creative evolution?

- Why is there good and evil, or why do I feel good when I do bad things?

- What is moral responsibility, or why do I feel bad when I do fun things?

- Which religion has the winning ticket and the corollary, does He take the call from everyone or do some religions get \u201cthe party is not available\u201d message?

- What came first God or the chicken?

- Is it Fate, or Que sera sera?

- Is Prayer more than \u201c...wishing and hoping and thinking \u2026planning and dreaming\u201d

- Is there a Devil \u2013 in the blue dress, blue dress, blue dress?

Why Are There Monkeys? is a one-joke book. If you find humor in giving God human characteristics (over and over again), you\u2019ll enjoy it. However, I would suggest it would be more suitable delivered as a monologue in a comedy club with an audience primed by a good deal of alcohol. Presented as it is, it seems more like a script proposal for the vastly more entertaining Oh, God! the 1977 movie that starred the late George Burns, or more recently Jim Carrey\u2019s Bruce Almighty in 2003.

As for the epilogue, it\u2019s not clear if Brock Jones is attempting to have the reader believe this was an actual near-death experience or as a metaphor to the unexceptional metaphysical musings she apparently has derived meaning from.", "issue": "May 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2021 02:40:44", "publisher": "Luminare Press", "page_count": "100 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009849007", "title": "Stay On Track!", "author": "Michael A Brown", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 63, "review": "\"When a conductor loses his way, it's up to his faithful train to remind him to stay focused\u2014to \"Stay on Track!\" Vibrant illustrations and snappy writing come together to make this children's book a ton of fun to read. Parents will love the message, and kids will love the lyrical rhymes that keep things rolling to the end.\" --Ben Haskett, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-May-2021 02:40:19", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "31 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009849003", "title": "Camper Girl", "author": "Glenn Erick Miller", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 536, "review": "Shannon is at a difficult time in her life. She has just graduated high school, but she hasn\u2019t figured out what she wants to do with her life, so she doesn\u2019t see any reason to go off to college and waste what little money her parents have. The mill in their small town has closed, and Shannon\u2019s dad hasn\u2019t been able to find a job since. Since many people are out of work or have left the town, Mom\u2019s craft shop business is drying up and losing money. They are going to have to run it out of their garage. Shannon is working at the local gas station/convenience store, getting whatever hours she can to help out at home and to pay for her car insurance and cell phone. Her two best friends are leaving for college, and Shannon is having a tough time. But her eighteenth birthday is coming up, and her beloved and eccentric Aunt Rebecca always comes for her birthday, so she has that to hang on to. But Rebecca doesn\u2019t show up, and finally, a phone call comes notifying the family Rebecca has passed away. Shannon is devastated. She isn\u2019t able to function and ends up losing her job, and although it was a crappy job, at least she had money coming in. She and her parents are summoned to a lawyer\u2019s office for the reading of the will. Rebecca leaves Shannon with a little money, a letter, and an old camper.

Shannon\u2019s mother tries to get Shannon out of her funk. She has made Shannon a partner in the craft business and thinks keeping her busy will help her move on, but Shannon has other ideas. Sometimes the ending of one thing is the beginning of another. Without letting herself think things through too carefully, Shannon jumps in the camper, and with her father\u2019s blessing, she drives off to find herself. Rebecca\u2019s letter is the beginning of a scavenger hunt that will help Shannon on that quest. Shannon does learn some important lessons about herself and what she is capable of, but at one stop along the way, she finds out a family secret that rocks her world.

Coming-of-age stories these days usually have younger protagonists, but perhaps author Glenn Erick Miller has it just right. Many young people really pass this rubicon as they leave high school and start to find out who they really are. That rings very true in this book, and many in the young adult audience will relate to Shannon\u2019s story. Journey stories work very well for coming-of-age stories, and this is no exception. Shannon\u2019s journey is interesting and challenging, and it allows for a cast of interesting secondary characters to be introduced. The only thing that keeps this from earning a five-star review is that it stretches credulity too far with the small amount of money Shannon has and what she is able to do with it, and the fact that she travels for many days (not weeks as she states in the book), and yet never is more than a four-hour drive from home. Overall this is a well-written, engaging story with characters readers will care about, and it even offers the possibility for a sequel.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-May-2021 22:46:58", "publisher": "Fitzroy Books/Regal House", "page_count": "180 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009847127", "title": "Dear Mr. Dickens", "author": "Nancy Churnin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - Age 9", "word_count": 160, "review": "Eliza Davis loved reading Charles Dickens\u2019 books. She thought his stories were really good. He writes about dirty conditions and children forced to labor in workhouses, which motivated people to give money to charities and demand change. Eliza really liked reading his books until she read Oliver Twist, where there is \"an old shriveled Jew.\" Eliza is a Jew! The Jew in Oliver Twist was cruel, selfish, and ugly. Eliza wanted to stand up. But how? Eliza decided to write a letter to Dickens. Will he change and stop making Jews the bad guys?

I thought this true story was very enjoyable. I really like how Eliza stood up to a famous and powerful author. The Jewish people in the time that this happened weren't treated fairly, and the fact that Eliza stood up was very brave and memorable. I really like the illustrations and thought they were realistic. I had a great time reading this true and detailed book!", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:40:33", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009847123", "title": "Being Mindful Like Grandpa", "author": "Sheri Mabry", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 206, "review": "A little boy\u2019s grandpa gives him a calming stone before he moves away from the house, school, friends, and grandfather he loves. Grandpa tells him to rub the stone between his fingers and think of something for which he\u2019s grateful when his worries come alive. On a hike up a hillside with his parents, despite the gorgeous fall leaves and the alluring sound of the giggling stream, the boy\u2019s mind is overwhelmed with a hundred what-ifs. Remembering his grandpa, he pulls the stone from his pocket, softly rubs its smooth surface, and lets his concerns drift off with the wind as he welcomes the gifts nature brings his way.

This is a beautifully written and masterfully illustrated book. It\u2019s one that children who are close to their grandparents will treasure for years to come. Not only is it about love and admiration, it\u2019s about trust, wisdom, and mindfulness. The young child reflects on his grandfather\u2019s words as he struggles to adjust to change. By following his guidance, the boy discovers hope and peace. The depth of his emotions is portrayed through both words and pictures. Simile, metaphor, alliteration, and vibrant colors fill the pages, which are uniquely smooth and delicately thin. Their appearance will captivate youth.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "06-Aug-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:39:51", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009847119", "title": "Spidernaut: Arabella, the Spider in Space (Animalographies)", "author": "Jodie Parachini", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 199, "review": "When a young high school student proposes an experiment to investigate whether or not spiders can spin webs in space, NASA sends three astronauts and two orb-weaving spiders to the International Space Station to determine just that. Upon arrival, Arabella is placed under the spotlight of observation. Feeling woozy and disoriented, she tries to spin a web. It\u2019s asymmetrical with several holes. With time and practice, her attempts edge toward success and start to resemble those made on Earth. The second orb-weaving spider, Anita, makes some as well. Hers take a little less diligence. After fifty-six days, they\u2019ve completed their mission and head home.

Children will find this a fascinating pick. The author brilliantly uses Arabella\u2019s voice to tell the story, enabling readers to closely connect with her experience. Her trepidation about participating in the study as well as her excitement about becoming the first orb-weaving spider to ever spin a web in space are highlighted. Youth ages five to nine will be intrigued by her journal entries and the progress she makes, and the detailed illustrations of her webs will transfix them. This is a notable read and one well worth adding to libraries and classrooms around the globe.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:39:10", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009847111", "title": "The Second Life of Trees (Imagine This!)", "author": "Aim\u00e9e M. Bissonette", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "When a tree falls in a forest, it\u2019s likely no one will hear, and even more likely no one will be there to clean it up, and that is just fine because that tree still has a great deal to offer the forest. It will become a host to a large variety of other plants and animals, providing much that they will need to survive. The first third of the book introduces young readers to living trees and how they support forest creatures, but most of the book tells the story of their value after they have died. Insects will burrow into the bark and wood helping them to break down, and bigger creatures, from mice to bears, will eat those insects and build homes in the decomposing tree. Fungi will grow on the log, also helping with decomposition. And on it goes until the tree becomes soil and other trees grow from it.

Aim\u00e9e M. Bisonette has written a charming text filled with fascinating facts that will keep youngsters glued to this wonderful, educational book. The gorgeous illustrations by Nic Jones are filled with tantalizing details that perfectly complete this story. Don\u2019t miss this beautiful book.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:32:22", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009847107", "title": "More than Just a Game: The Black Origins of Basketball", "author": "Madison Moore", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 197, "review": "This nonfiction book highlights the history of the Black community and basketball. It records teams and people that have now been remembered. It explains how the game went from being segregated to united.

The text is written in a typical nonfiction fashion. I appreciated how much research the author did on the history of Black people and basketball. Most of the book flowed very well and gave the reader a good picture of the timeline. The illustrations were very well done. I like the realistic-looking pictures. The emotion on the players' faces was a truly great addition to the book.

I think this is a great book for schools and parents to show history told differently than we\u2019ve heard before. Each group\u2019s and person\u2019s story needs to be told so we can get a clear picture of the true history. I look forward to sharing this with my children, so they can see multiple sides of the history of basketball. I find it interesting that it went from a segregated sport to now, when seventy percent of NBA players are Black. It just goes to show that we should let everyone have a chance to try everything.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "24-Dec-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:30:48", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009847103", "title": "Saturday at the Food Pantry", "author": "Diane O'Neill", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 198, "review": "Molly and her mother survive on leftovers, ingenuity, and love. Molly exhibits physical signs of hunger as their food supply dwindles. Despite inopportune circumstances, Molly tries to make the best of an uncomfortable situation by coloring pictures while in line for the food bank. She sees her classmate Caitlin, who admittedly feels embarrassed to be seen here. Several strangers ask Molly to color pictures to lift their spirits. Molly asks Caitlin for help, and they are able to spread happiness to the customers and food bank workers. Caitlin learns that accepting assistance is easier when you are able to support and help others.

This story is essential for teaching kids about food insecurity and hunger in their community. The author includes an epilogue that presents starvation statistics and words of encouragement regarding food deprivation. Food is a basic need and an inalienable right; admitting that you need assistance can be challenging, but living without food can be detrimental to one\u2019s health. While reading this story, I was consumed by empathy and inspired to help impoverished individuals. I believe children who cannot personally relate to this story will feel a similar inclination to help individuals who are experiencing starvation.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:30:01", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009847099", "title": "We Want to Go to School!: The Fight for Disability Rights", "author": "Maryann Cocca-Leffler", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - Age 9", "word_count": 154, "review": "Janine was born with cerebral palsy, or CP for short. It made it hard for her to walk, talk, and use her hands. Janine learned to read before she could talk! Janine had a lot of teachers. She had a classroom teacher, a physical therapist, a speech therapist, and an occupational therapist. One day, Janine read that back in the 1970s, kids with disabilities weren't allowed to go to school...

It is really sad that many kids were excluded from school because they had disabilities. Many kids lived in hospitals and didn't get any education at all. In this book, you learn how these kids fought to go to public school. I wanted to keep reading to know how these kids and their parents would fight to have their own rights. The illustrations in this book bring the story to life. Now, go and read how these kids fought... and see if they won!", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "17-Aug-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:23:01", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009847095", "title": "You Can Be a Farmer, Too!", "author": "Becky Davies", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 216, "review": "My family recently moved to a farm property, so I had been on the hunt for books about farms for young children. I was delighted to read this book. It\u2019s the tale of Noah and his sister Emily visiting their uncle\u2019s farm. Noah doesn\u2019t like the farm\u2013\u2013it is messy and loud and the animals are scary. It is up to Emily and their uncle to show Noah how much fun the farm can be!

The story is told in rhyming couplets and makes use of word bubbles and changing text sizes. The illustrations are done in bright, cheery colors and the animals follow the children around the farm from page to page, giving a great sense of movement and progression. One animal is featured on each spread, but at the end of book, all the animals come together to surround Emily and Noah, giving a great sense of completion to the story.

There are a lot of great classic books about farms for children, and this was a nice contemporary volume. It will surprise no one that by the end of the book, Noah loves the farm animals. There is only so much new ground you can cover in these types of stories, but I appreciated the fresh take on new experiences through a child\u2019s eyes.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "01-Dec-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 16:52:04", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009847075", "title": "There Was a Silly Unicorn Who Wanted to Fly", "author": "Ken Geist", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 194, "review": "This whimsical book about a unicorn who wants to fly is adorable! The vibrantly colored illustrations tell a funny story about a creative unicorn who thinks eating flying animals will help her to fly. This book reminds me of the books about the old lady who ate stuff. When the unicorn doesn't fly after eating a butterfly, it moves on to eating larger flying creatures. The illustrations of the eaten creatures in the unicorn's stomach are absolutely hilarious. What the precious unicorn doesn't know is that it doesn't have to eat flying creatures to fly, it just has to use it's magical unicorn powers mixed with a rainbow!

This is a great book for young readers, with a rhyming text that makes it fun and easy to read. My most favorite thing about this book is the great illustrations, which help readers to visualize the nonsense story! I really recommend this as a book for older siblings to read to younger brothers and sisters. The text is just challenging enough, and it is a fun book to read aloud to others! I would like to see what adventures this silly unicorn goes on next.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 16:28:36", "publisher": "Orchard Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009847067", "title": "Orca: Shared Waters, Shared Home", "author": "Lynda Mapes", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 196, "review": "Orcas are known for their intelligence, beauty, and communication with a strong place in our culture along with the endangerment and extinction they face. The book looks at the history of these stunning creatures by delving into what caused their endangerment decades ago with interviews included that speak with various scientists as well as Northwest Native tribal members.

Stunning photographs are paired with an exploration of the orca world which delves into their plight, their journey, and the extinction they face.Orca allows you to genuinely get to know these stunning creatures and doesn't hold back on the emotional impact. The various stories woven throughout include the personal losses of familial pods, the loss of their food sources, and the damaging effects destruction and pollution have caused. This takes a look at real stories of mankind and orcas such as Ted Griffin and Namu to explore our connection to these whales and the causes behind the depletion of resources and low birth success. From their ecology to their behavior, Orca is the ideal resource for learning about orcas and gives an honest approach to what has endangered them, including our own involvement in the plight they face.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "17-Sep-2021", "date_added": "24-May-2021 18:56:04", "publisher": "Braided River", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009847043", "title": "An Illustrated Collection of Fairy Tales for Brave Children", "author": "Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 208, "review": "I love having my mom read me stories, especially when driving in the car or before bed. I was excited when she showed me An Illustrated Collection of Fairy Tales for Brave Children because these stories are fun to read and watch on TV. I was surprised that I only knew one of the stories, and my parents only knew two of the many. This surprised me because I thought we would all know more than that.

When my mom was reading them to me, I liked them all; there wasn't one story that I didn't like. There were parts of some of the stories that were kind of scary, like when a boy had to visit the devil, a girl had to go to a witch for some fire, and a boy found a mean genie in a bottle. I felt myself getting a little scared at first, but then it went away as the story went on.

I don't have a favorite fairy tale, but my brother asks to hear \u201cThe Three Golden Hairs,\u201d \u201cHansel and Gretel,\u201d and \u201cVasilisa\u201d over and over. I believe that you do have to be brave to listen to these fairy tales, but each one is exciting and fun to read.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "01-Sep-2021", "date_added": "24-May-2021 16:29:21", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "88 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009847035", "title": "Hello Baby Animals, Who Are You? (Hello Animals)", "author": "Loes Botman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 6", "word_count": 114, "review": "Hello Baby Animals, Who Are You? is definitely a book for little guys. Big kids will think it is boring but it will be fun for little kids because of all the animals and the nice pictures. The pictures are really soft and make all of the animals seem very nice and cuddly.

The book teaches you what baby animals are called. Most of the animals everybody already knows, but a baby rabbit being called a kitten is new to me. I don\u2019t really believe it is true though because baby cats are kittens.

This book is part of a series and I've seen one other from the series and it is nice too.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2021", "date_added": "24-May-2021 15:59:32", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "12 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009847019", "title": "The Forest of Stolen Girls", "author": "June Hur", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 198, "review": "Five years earlier, Hwani and her sister Maewol went missing in the forest and were later found unconscious next to the body of a young woman. Since then, thirteen girls have gone missing from the village near the forest which has now come to be known as The Forest of Stolen Girls. Hwani\u2019s father, a well-known detective, thinks there is a connection between the missing girls and the incident involving his daughters. He returns to the forest to solve the crime only to go missing himself. Hwani, defying tradition, returns to find her father, solve the mystery and reunite with her sister, who stayed behind all those years ago. Hwani will discover that evil doesn\u2019t always look like you expect.

This was a fascinating look into 1426 Korean history. The glimpse into village life during the Ming dynasty was very well done by the author. I had never heard of tribute girls before and it's always fun to learn something new even while reading a fictional story. If you enjoy stories about strong women, sisterly bonds, and the things that fathers will do to protect their daughters, or historical fiction, then I highly recommend you read this book.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "21-May-2021 17:56:35", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009847003", "title": "All These Bodies", "author": "Kendare Blake", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "It\u2019s the summer of 1958 and fifteen people have been murdered, all completely drained of their blood. At the scene of the most recent murders, Marie, a fifteen-year-old girl is found covered in blood and arrested. As the town tries to make sense of All These Bodies and an innocent-looking girl, Marie decides to tell her side of the story, but she will only tell it to aspiring journalist, seventeen-year-old Michael. As the interview unfolds over the next couple of months, Michael discovers that the truth might be even harder to believe than the stories we tell each other to make sense of such tragedy.

I have never heard of Kendare Blake before, but after this, I\u2019m going to be checking out all her other books. This is one of the best examples of writing I\u2019ve ever seen. The chapters are short, but draw you in, pushing you to read just one more until next thing you know, you\u2019ve read the whole book. The characters were fantastic, especially Michael, Marie and Percy. This story left me with so many questions, but in a good way. I look forward to discovering more of Ms. Blake\u2019s books. I highly recommend this book.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "06-Aug-2021", "date_added": "21-May-2021 17:24:39", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009846067", "title": "I'm Getting a Shark!", "author": "Brady Smith", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 193, "review": "Everybody wants a pet, but when I think of a pet I think of a dog, cat, or rabbit. In this story, a little girl wants a pet. She thinks she is going to be getting a shark as a birthday present. She imagines what kind of shark she will get. What will it do? Where will it live? What will it eat? Those are just some of the questions she must answer. Is a shark as a pet a good idea? Her insanely super-smart dog, Ralphie, will try to help her answer some of these questions to determine if a pet shark is right for her and her family.

The illustrations in this book are incredible and have vivid colors. The story is funny! The illustrations help to show what a terrible idea having a pet shark is! I mainly like the smart talking dog Ralphie, who gave facts about each shark. There is valuable information in the story about how we can help sharks and their environment. I like the message that even if we can't have a shark as a pet, we should help keep them alive in the wild.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 19:00:43", "publisher": "Penguin", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009846059", "title": "The Tea Dragon Tapestry (The Tea Dragon Society)", "author": "K. O'Neill", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 7", "word_count": 166, "review": "Have you ever heard of a tea dragon before? If not, it\u2019s time you do! One day, a young goblin girl named Greta is awarded her very first tea dragon, but the tea dragon will not eat even a single bite of food. Greta also has one more problem that she needs to solve: She has to forge something that will impress Kleeitos, a hybrid cow-human and master blacksmith. What should Greta do?

I love the artwork in this book, which is very gentle, tender, and sweet. The characters in the book are Greta and Minette (Greta\u2019s hybrid deer-human best friend), and a lot more hybrid and non-hybrid characters. My favorite character is Greta because she is the main character. This book is long, but it is a very fun read. I still love recommending really great books like this one to people. I hope you get a chance to enjoy The Tea Dragon Tapestry. I recommend this book to people who like magical dragon stories.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:49:28", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009846055", "title": "A Voice for the Everglades: Marjory Stoneman Douglas (She Made History)", "author": "Vicki Conrad", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 9", "word_count": 188, "review": "An inspiring story about a woman who loves nature enough to devote her life to protecting it, A Voice for the Everglades: Marjory Stoneman Douglas is a book that everyone should read. Whether or not you have actually been to the Everglades in Florida, you will appreciate all of the information about the various animals and plants that make up the unique ecosystems of South Florida.

The story is written in such a way that you get a lot of interesting facts without it being tiresome. By the end, you feel like you really know Marjory Douglas and would like to have been able to sit down to tea with her and just listen. Like any good story, it leaves you asking more questions, and even though it\u2019s a good length, you want to know more about why she picked the Everglades and specific details about what she did to champion the protection of this national treasure.

A Voice for the Everglades is a picture book that is clear enough for little ones to understand but also keeps the interest and captures the hearts of an older audience.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "27-Jan-2022", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:34:42", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009846051", "title": "Shipwreck Reefs (Imagine This!)", "author": "Aim\u00e9e M. Bissonette", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - Age 9", "word_count": 189, "review": "I liked this book, but it was very long and kind of hard to read in one sitting. I broke it up and read a few pages at night. I normally like nonfiction books but I think the amount of text on each page made me struggle. I did really enjoy looking at all the very detailed pictures, though. I would read a few pages then flip through and look at all the pictures.

If you like shipwrecks or sea life, this book would be perfect for you! I love that there are little facts on each page. They are interesting and I like stumping my uncle with them! I feel like when I have a science project at school, this book will be very helpful. I will be able to do my report on how reefs are made! I also think it would be pretty cool to go scuba diving and see the sunken ships and tanks!

I care a lot about our environment, so the last few pages made me sad. I think it would be a cool job to help protect the natural and artificial reefs.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "27-Jan-2022", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:33:12", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009846043", "title": "The Wind May Blow", "author": "Sasha Quinton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "\u201cOn the day you were born,\u201d begins this charming picture book, as an adult tells a child how wonderful the day was when the child was born. How the sun shone and roses bloomed in the child\u2019s cheeks. The child grows and is told that someday a storm may grow, the wind may blow, and the sun may go. It may be really hard, but one must just breathe and remember the strength one has to get through times like this. Each storm will eventually pass, and the sun will always come back.

Author Sasha Quinton tells this enchanting story in spare, lyrical language that makes the message just that much stronger. It is powerful that it is told as an adult speaking to a child, encouraging and heartening with each sentence. The illustrations by Thomas Hegbrook are beautifully rendered in gentle colors and soft lines. Cutouts in the pages bring extra interest by highlighting certain items in the pictures or words or phrases that emphasize the message. This book will be a great gift for a person of any age facing new challenges. This beautiful book will become a favorite of any lucky enough to have it.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "27-Aug-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 16:53:10", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009846019", "title": "In the Land of Fairies", "author": "Daniela Drescher", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 196, "review": "When I was a child, I loved the Flower Fairy books by Cicely Mary Barker. The finely detailed drawings and accompanying poems evoked a feeling of wonder and realism. I experienced something similar while reading Daniela Drescher\u2019s In the Land of Fairies, and I was able to share it with my children.

The illustrations are wonderful; vivid colors and scenes fully saturate the pages. Captured in watercolor paints and ink, the fairies, animals, and landscapes are detailed and have a dreamy feel. The drawings convey a lot of action, as the fairies and creatures travel all over each page.

The text is translated from German and I thought the story flowed very well. It made me curious to read the original version. While spare, the words were descriptive and thoughtful, without being flowery. The words and pictures complemented each other well, which is always a tricky balance in picture books. As the drawings were so detailed and fantastical, I appreciated there being less text. I truly felt comforted and transported while reading it. I was delighted to see that Drescher has authored and illustrated several children\u2019s books, and I look forward to reading more of them.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "24-May-2021 16:30:52", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009846003", "title": "Manga Classics Othello", "author": "William Shakespeare", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Raif - age 12", "word_count": 205, "review": "This is a very sad and tragic story. Othello is a loved and well-respected general who marries the beautiful Desdemona. Iago hates Othello and wants to destroy him. But Othello doesn't realize Iago hates him. Iago sets up a situation to make it seem like Othello's lieutenant Cassio is Desdemona's lover. His lies and deceit cause Othello to become enraged with jealousy until, ultimately, he kills his beloved and completely innocent wife. Iago's lies are eventually discovered, but not before he kills his own wife and his supposed friend. Cassio is direly wounded and Othello, upon realizing Iago's deception, kills himself.

The illustrations in this telling are finely drawn, but frequently include what is happening in someone's imagination, making it hard to tell if the pictures are about reality or just projections. The extensive use of pure black makes it hard to see what is going on, but well reflects the tone of the play. It is probably preferable to see the play performed, as it is hard to know if the illustrations' interpretation is accurate to how the characters in the play would show actions or expressions, but this is still a good format to introduce you to Othello with all of Shakespeare's original text.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "21-May-2021 17:14:09", "publisher": "Manga Classics", "page_count": "420 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009845115", "title": "21st Birthday (Women's Murder Club, 21)", "author": "James Patterson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 183, "review": "21st Birthday is the story of a twenty-year-old woman named Tara and her baby, Lorrie, who goes missing. The main suspect is, of course, the husband/father, Lucas. The Women's Murder Club is on the case as Chronicle journalist Cindy is approached by Tara's rather livid mother. From there, Police Sergeant Lindsay Boxer and ADA Yuki Castellano work the case using all the resources they have to convict Lucas.

While this is the first Women's Murder Club novel I've read, it is not my first James Patterson book. I have to say this one really fell flat as far as excitement goes. The characters were all \"good enough\" but there was never really any climax to the story. They all thought that Lucas did it, even when there wasn't any evidence. There is a twist to the book as well, which was so far-fetched I had to roll my eyes. It was the only part of the book that added a little bit of action and suspense. All in all, I'd say skip this one and you won't be missing too much of anything.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:57:53", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009845103", "title": "tu_youyou's_discovery", "author": "Songju Ma Daemicke", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aidyn - Age 7", "word_count": 144, "review": "This book reminds me of COVID-19 because malaria was spreading just as fast! The girl in this book seemed sad watching the news and wanting to help all the people, just like me. But it was awesome to see that she was able to help so many people using a plant from her family history.

I hope that one day I can be a scientist and help people just like Tu Youyou. I liked seeing the equipment she used on her land and how the sickness and plant worked in her lab. And wow! Girls didn't go school? I couldn't imagine going to school with no girls. After me and my mommy read this book, mommy read other stuff that talked about why girls stayed home. If she had stayed home and didn't go to school, she would have never helped all those people!", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:41:58", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009845095", "title": "How to Haunt a House", "author": "Carolyn Crimi", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 9", "word_count": 208, "review": "This book is incredible! If I could I would give it ten stars! Have you ever wondered what Ghosts do, and how they learn to haunt houses? If so, this book is for you! Ghosts go to ghost school to learn how to be creepy and haunt others' houses. Groana, Moana, and Shrieky must study hard because each household is unique and what works to scary one family doesn't always work to scare another family. The three little ghosts must persevere and study to pull out all their creepy tricks to pass their test. You must read this book to find out if they can pass!

I really love this book, it is perfect for Halloween! The text is fun and has a nice rhythm and rhymes. The illustrations are incredibly detailed and colorful! Each page is full of small details that just add so much fun to the story. I especially like how the jack-o-lantern's expression changes on different pages. My favorite detail is the daisy chain the ghosts put together. This would be a fun book to read in a classroom or with a whole family. I would love to see another book featuring the ghosts, perhaps on another adventure. This could be a funny series.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:25:33", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009845091", "title": "Princess Persephone Loses the Castle (Money Tales)", "author": "Sheila Bair", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 201, "review": "I like money, but my parents say I don't always know the best things to do with it. I am learning about saving money, but it is hard because I like to buy toys and candy. In the story Princess Persephone Loses the Castle, the princess learns about doing the right things with her money and how to keep it safe. One cold winter\u2019s day, the princess hears a knock at the door, and it's a guy who smiles a lot. The man wants to see her dad, the king, but he's gone, so Persephone tries to help him. The man ends up selling her something that she doesn't have enough money for, and then she loses her castle because she can't pay the bills!

I learned a lot from this book about money. I didn't know what interest was, or a contract. I thought that the story and my mom did a good job of explaining what these things are. It is kind of scary thinking about how someone can get tricked and have to spend so much money! Kids of any age will like this story, but I think kids my age and older will understand it the best.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:24:45", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009845083", "title": "The Girl from the Sea", "author": "Molly Knox Ostertag", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 183, "review": "Fans of Molly Knox Ostertag will delight in her latest graphic novel, The Girl from the Sea. The story centers around fifteen-year-old Morgan who has a secret she\u2019s afraid to share. Morgan has a plan though. She wants to survive high school, leave her small island, and go away to college to start her real life. However, along comes Keltie who will change the course of Morgan\u2019s plans.

I absolutely loved this book! The story and the plot were phenomenal; I was completely engrossed in the story from the beginning till the end. I love that the story involves the selkie folklore which I had never heard of prior to reading this book. I received an advanced reader\u2019s copy so the ARC didn\u2019t have any color, but the illustrations were still wonderful. Unlike The Witch Boy series, I think this book is more suitable for older kids due to the romance and kissing and some suggestive behavior. This is the perfect book to read for Pride Month! I HIGHLY recommend this graphic novel for anyone who enjoys a great romance and a coming-of-age story.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:14:13", "publisher": "Graphix", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009845079", "title": "For the People: A Story of Justice and Power", "author": "Larry Krasner", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 175, "review": "Since 2017, Larry Krasner, a former defense attorney, has been the elected district attorney of Philadelphia. This is a remarkable occurrence. Philadelphia\u2019s previous policing policies have been some of the most egregious uses of excessive force in the country, including the 1985 bombing of city blocks against the MOVE movement in that city. The former district attorney was convicted of a felony and no one seemed to want to take on this prosecutorial nightmare. The police union openly laughed at Krasner\u2019s candidacy because he was known for working diligently for civil rights and policing reforms.

In this book, Krasner writes about the state of policing in America and the need for common sense reforms such as his no bail policy and his desire to decriminalize minor offenses that crowd the courts and disproportionately affect people of color. Since Philadelphia has one of the highest rates of incarceration in the country, his reforms were milestone events for the city. In this book, Krasner\u2019s reflections over his long career are wide ranging and always refreshing and interesting.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 17:05:47", "publisher": "One World", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009845055", "title": "Hike the Parks: Rocky Mountain National Park: Best Day Hikes, Walks, and Sights", "author": "Brendan Leonard", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 189, "review": "Rocky Mountain National Park is certainly one of the most magnificent parks in the system. Perhaps the best way to really see the park is to hike it. This handy little (4x7 inch) guide has excellent information on 35 different hikes.

It starts with an overview map of the park, followed by a quick-view guide of the hikes. This section lists the distance, elevation gain, highest point, and difficulty for each hike. The next section discusses the park, its human history, flora and fauna, and must-see sights and activities. Then it covers planning one\u2019s trip, covering weather, when to visit, campgrounds, park rules and regulations, and safety.

A short section on how to use the guide is followed by sections on the individual hikes. Each of these repeats the information from the quick guide as well as what type of surface the trail has, what maps cover it, GPS coordinates, and notes. There is a map specific to that trail and how to get there. Then there is a good write-up and color photo of what one might see. This is a terrific hiking guide, well written and complete.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "06-Aug-2021", "date_added": "24-May-2021 18:59:58", "publisher": "Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "238 pages", "format": "Mass", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009845043", "title": "Can a Rock Grow?", "author": "Audrey Sauble", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 183, "review": "Do you like rocks? or are you an aspiring geologist? You may ask yourself can a rock grow? In this book, we find out if rocks can grow and what causes it. Typically a rock doesn't grow bigger but there are many different reasons why a rock would change its shape or get smaller. Natural elements like wind, gravity, and rain are some reasons why rocks would change shape or get smaller over a long amount of time. This book is also very informative and describes many different types of rocks and how they are formed.

This book has nice life-like illustrations of rocks, but like many rocks, the illustrations are somewhat dull colored. Overall, I liked this book, as I like learning about different types of rocks and how each one is different. Different types of rocks are formed in different ways over a long period of time, and rocks are not formed or shaped quickly. My favorite type of rocks in the book are obsidian and flint because they can form sharp edges as they break or can be carved into arrowheads.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "24-May-2021 16:59:25", "publisher": "Larch Books", "page_count": "39 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009844083", "title": "She Stitched the Stars: A Story of Ellen Harding Baker's Solar System Quilt (She Made History)", "author": "Jennifer Harris", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 213, "review": "Ellen Harding Baker\u2019s three daughters lived lives of adventure and curiosity, despite it being an era when girls and women were expected to know their place in the world and remain within those confines. They loved to roll down grassy hills, trace the constellations in the starry sky, and read about things not taught in school. When their mother announced they were going to embroider the universe, they could hardly wait. They set to work learning about the planets, studying maps, and drafting pictures of telescopes, and after seven years, they had created a masterpiece that now hangs in the Smithsonian\u2019s National Museum of American History.

This is an inspiring story about hoping and dreaming big during a time when females\u2019 roles in society were traditional and educational development was mostly reserved for men. Ellen certainly passed down her yearning for knowledge and innovative spirit to her girls. They loved novelty and were inquisitive and mischievous, and the mark she made in their lives as well as on history is spectacular.

This book is ideal for second- and third-grade science and social studies teachers teaching youngsters about courageous women who have stepped outside of the ordinary to achieve the extraordinary. It\u2019s perfect for encouraging students to believe in themselves and their own capabilities.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:37:05", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009844079", "title": "Chicken Frank, Dinosaur!", "author": "S. K. Wenger", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 956, "review": "Children\u2019s Roundup\n\nDespite covering decidedly different subjects and featuring various artistic styles, the five picture books included in this roundup all highlight the wonder and charm of the format. Children ages four to eight will be entranced by the tales in these books, whether they read them themselves or have them read as bedtime stories.\n\nThe Welcome Chair by Rosemary Wells\n\nIn the early 1800s, a young German boy named Sam Siegbert discovers that he has a talent for woodworking and determines to become a carpenter, much to his father\u2019s displeasure. Sam\u2019s love for carpentry endures despite the obstacles he faces, and when he moves to the United States some years later, one of his first tasks is to craft a wooden rocking chair with \u201cWillkommen\u201d (\u201cWelcome\u201d) carved on the back. The chair remains in Sam\u2019s family for four generations, welcoming various new arrivals over the years, with \u201cWelcome\u201d being added in a new language each time. Rosemary Wells has based the plot of The Welcome Chair, which features illustrations by Jerry Pinkney, on her own family history and the journal kept by her great-great-grandfather, a German Jew who moved to the United States toward the start of the 1800s. He actually crafted a wooden chair that remained in the family for decades before being mislaid. In an effort to keep the memory and spirit of the chair alive, Wells has imagined various scenarios in which it has impacted the lives of new owners from around the world.\n\nCharlotte and the Nutcracker: The True Story of a Girl Who Made Ballet History by Charlotte Nebres\n\nWritten by Charlotte Nebres and illustrated by Alea Marley, Charlotte and the Nutcracker tells the real-life story of twelve-year-old Nebres\u2019 experiences as the first Black ballerina to dance the role of Marie in a New York City Ballet production of The Nutcracker. As the only thing Nebres loves more than dancing is Christmas and all the magic of the holiday season, she jumps at the change to play Marie in the much-loved festive ballet. However, it takes a whole lot of work to be a professional ballerina and Nebres has to dedicate numerous hours to practicing her positioning and perfecting her jumps. It\u2019s hard work, but she loves it. Plus, with the support of her Trinidadian and Filipino family, the encouragement of her sister, and the presence during performances of her mother and father, there\u2019s no way she won\u2019t succeed with everything she tries. Nebres\u2019 dedication and resilience shine through on the pages of this inspiring story.\n\nChicken Frank, Dinosaur! by S.K. Wenger\n\nChicken Frank is convinced that he\u2019s a descendent of the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex, the scourge of the Upper Crustaceous period, but none of the other farmyard animals believe him. Why not? Well, pretty much because he\u2019s a chicken and chickens seem to be about as far away from dinosaurs as its possible to get. Despite the mocking, Chicken Frank is determined to prove his dinosaur lineage and so orders a DNA test, banking on the results confirming his ideas about evolution in general and the connection between birds and dinosaurs in particular. S.K. Wenger\u2019s Chicken Frank, Dinosaur! is an amusing and engaging story with a solid educational message about the science of evolution. The bright and humorous illustrations completement the text of the story really well, and children are sure to be both entertained and informed as they read it.\n\nThankful by Elaine Vickers\n\nAs the first snow of the year starts to fall, a young girl tears pieces of paper into strips, writes all the things she\u2019s thankful for on them, and then links them together into a paper chain. Then, as one thankful thought leads to another, the paper chain grows longer and longer and the little girl starts to realize just how much she has to be grateful for. Among the many wonderful things in the little girl\u2019s life that make her happy are a dear friend, parents who take the time to read her stories, a home where she is safe and secure, things that are hot and things that are cold, all the amazing colors of the world, and that fact that pretty much everything can be fixed. Thankful by Elaine Vickers is charming tale of gratitude that stresses the importance of recognizing and celebrating all the little joys that make life living, even those that might not appear quite so joyful at first. The unusual diorama-style illustrations give the book a unique and playful feel that is sure to appeal to young readers as they follow the little girl\u2019s journey of thanks.\n\nThe Volume by Luis Camnitzer\n\nOn a dark, dark night a long, long time ago, the explosion from the Big Bang launched a little dot off into space. At that time, space was empty, and although the dot traveled and explored as much as it could, it did not encounter any other beings. Feeling lonely, the dot split into two, which was fun until the two dots got bored of each other. In an effort to overcome their boredom, the two dots multiplied themselves until they were able to form a line. From there, the line multiplied itself until it became a surface and then the surface multiplied itself until it became a volume. One line chose to branch off from the volume and went on to explore the concepts of shape, color, and pattern, which eventually led to the creation of writing and art. Luis Camnitzer\u2019s The Volume offers a whimsical exploration of the concepts and techniques that form the foundation of life and art. It\u2019s a wonderfully illustrated and mind-boggling work that\u2019s sure to spark conversations among youngsters interested in discussing the magic and mystery of artistic expression.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:35:32", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009844067", "title": "Murder Most Fair (A Verity Kent Mystery)", "author": "Anna Lee Huber", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 205, "review": "Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber takes up Verity\u2019s story on the first anniversary of the Armistice, November 1919. Verity and her husband return to her home and family, where she must finally deal with the death of her brother. She is joined there unexpectedly by her German Great Aunt Ilse, who also brings her maid Fraulein Bauer. As is to be expected, anti-German sentiments are quickly on display among the staff and townspeople, and when the pretty maid turns up dead, chaos ensues.

As with all the Verity Kent novels, this one must be read in its place in the series for the reader to keep up. I have honestly not always been enamored with Verity or Sidney and didn\u2019t fully buy into their relationship; however, in this novel, she finally seems to make them more believable as a couple for me. Unlike the previous novels, Verity finally comes to terms with some of the emotional baggage she has been carrying and lets Sidney, and everyone else for that matter, fully into her heart and psyche. Perhaps because we see deeper personal relationships among the characters we have become so invested in, I find this novel much better than any of the others.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "06-Aug-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 18:16:31", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009844063", "title": "Murder at the Mission: A Frontier Killing, Its Legacy of Lies, and the Taking of the American West", "author": "Blaine Harden", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 183, "review": "The story of the Whitman family killings during the mid-1800s in the Walla Walla area is finally being reconsidered and studied critically. This book is more than just a rehash of the events leading to the death of Marcus Whitman, his wife, and nine other people, who were all Protestant missionaries in Oregon Country. In fact, this book looks at how the story was twisted, lies fabricated, and how it became a much larger story than it originally was, morphing into something school children learned as the truth for decades until people began digging.

Much reconsideration of the events leading to the deaths of the eleven people is needed, including making sure that the story follows the documents at hand during the events and not just the word of one person who constantly changed the story to suit himself so he could find work in an ever-changing world. This is a step toward looking at things in the past in a whole new light, including how the native tribes in the area felt about Whitman and the role that failed medicine men played.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 17:02:51", "publisher": "Viking", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009844055", "title": "Twice Shy", "author": "Sarah Hogle", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 199, "review": "In the acknowledgements, Hogle describes this book as a \u201ccozy nest\u201d and a \u201cfluffy escape\u201d and it\u2019s an apt categorization. There is something very soothing about a book where, as a reader, you know nothing really bad is going to happen\u2013\u2013you can just relax and soak up the atmosphere. And a nice atmosphere it is, from an imaginary caf\u00e9 in Maybell\u2019s dreams to a proposed animal sanctuary in Wesley\u2019s. These rival imaginings conflict when Maybell and Wesley find they have co-inherited Maybell\u2019s great aunt\u2019s stately home in the Smokey Mountains. In learning to live with each other, will they learn to love each other?

I found this novel to be meandering and a slow burn, neither of which are bad on their own, although they did contribute to a slower pace. I found myself wishing for things to hurry up and get resolved. The characters repeated themselves often and their backstories felt a bit forced. The character traits that contributed to the slow burn are anxiety and shyness, feelings that both Maybell and Wesley experience often. I found this story very touching. What\u2019s meant to be will always find a way, no matter how unready or inadequate we feel.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "25-May-2021 16:31:19", "publisher": "G.P. Putnam's Sons", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009844015", "title": "Atoms / Los \u00e1tomos (My First Science Textbook) (Spanish Edition)", "author": "Mary Wissinger", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 187, "review": "Have you ever wondered what makes up everything you see? like everything in the whole world? Atoms! Atoms are teeny tiny particles that makeup everything in the world. This book explains atoms for young readers. Can you believe atoms are made of even smaller components called protons and neutrons that are squished together to make electrons? when you use a different number of protons or neutrons to make different atoms for different elements. A perfect example is oxygen is made from h2o. What does that mean? it takes one hydrogen and two oxygen atoms to bond together to make an element. It is mind-blowing to think everything is made of tiny particles held together by bonds. The elements make up the periodic table and elements from the periodic table make up everything in the world. I think this book was very informative. I would love for it to cover more on the different types of elements and how protons and neutrons make them. The book was very brightly illustrated. I also liked that this book was in Spanish in English for readers who can speak either language.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2021", "date_added": "21-May-2021 18:17:44", "publisher": "Science, Naturally!", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009841027", "title": "Sure, I'll Be Your Black Friend: Notes from the Other Side of the Fist Bump", "author": "Ben Philippe", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 220, "review": "Humor allows difficult truths to be revealed. Ben Philippe\u2019s autobiography is a collection of essays that reveal the author\u2019s early experiences of Blackness as a Haitian immigrant to Canada and his awakening to the racial dynamics and realities in the United States. In sharing stories about fitting in, immigration, and racial thriving, Philippe uses the opportunity to illuminate his readers about racist slights and aggression, even by those who profess solidarity with racial equity.

Living in New York City as a French-speaking Ivy League graduate with a budding writing career, Philippe\u2019s stories elucidate the complexities of race, national origin, class, and gender through deeply personal anecdotes. While Philippe confesses that he wrote this book primarily for white people, anyone can learn valuable lessons about divesting performative \u201cwokeness.\u201d Reading the book from my perspective as an immigrant, the stories are recognizable to newcomers who have experienced the pain of displacement from familiar comforts.

Each essay is disarming; each revelation goes beyond what one might expect from a book about being a willing accomplice to self-congratulatory white allyship. Philippe\u2019s stories serve to refute persistent stereotypes of what it\u2019s like to be Black in America. He notes that his Blackness is \u201cBen-shaped,\u201d referring to the novel convergence of family dynamics, personal idiosyncrasies, and racial encounters that make this book hard to put down.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "17-Sep-2021", "date_added": "20-May-2021 21:41:02", "publisher": "Harper Perennial", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009841023", "title": "Eat With Us: Mindful Recipes to Make Every Meal an Experience", "author": "Philip Lago", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 203, "review": "You will love using this gorgeous cookbook; the photographs alone (which accompany each recipe) present a modern, clean aesthetic that leaves you calmer just looking at them. This fits perfectly with the theme: to slow down and enjoy the entire experience of cooking and eating through mindful creation as well as consumption, focusing on taste, peace, and connection that comes from embracing the good in life with those you love. In this book you will find recipes for appetizers, breakfasts, salads, main dishes, and desserts in each chapter; chapters include Simple (recipes for every day), Comfort (when that is just what you need), Lavish, Al Fresco, and Feast. Recipes serve four, except for those in the Feast chapter, which serve eight, suitable for a bigger gathering. Old favorites are given a twist that will make them new again; others introduce you to new flavor combinations that may well become your favorites. Although recipes range in prep time from about thirty minutes to just over an hour of hands-on time, none of these will be difficult to prepare for those with some experience in the kitchen. Suggested meal plans and tips for presentation round out the book's invitation, one you will love to accept.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "20-May-2021 21:17:46", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009840023", "title": "The Plague Year: America in the Time of Covid", "author": "Lawrence Wright", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 191, "review": "In hindsight, we can see how COVID-19 could have been halted in its tracks. In The Plague Year, Lawrence Wright delves into the whys and wherefores of the pandemic, showing where the US failed and may not yet have learned essential lessons.

Three key reasons, not excuses, explain how the trouble started: China, aware of the Wuhan epidemic, refused WHO workers access. Next, COVID tests were botched repeatedly, causing a considerable delay in finding remedies. Above all, the need to wear a mask when requested and maintain social distancing was unequivocally important.

Wright takes the story further and organizes the book so admirably that no need arises to traipse back and forth to keep track. Somewhat regrettably, due to persistent TV news, the pandemic has acquired an almost impersonal feel despite its incalculable personal impact. Wright introduces the key players affectionately, focusing on the heroes both named and still anonymous, giving scant space to the villains who have made a sufficiently bad name for themselves.

The book is replete with information, details, and even humor. Anyone seeking a good beach read this summer may well prefer this to the customary fare.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2021", "date_added": "20-May-2021 21:57:08", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009838023", "title": "Margreete's Harbor: A Novel", "author": "Eleanor Morse", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 186, "review": "This is a wonderful book about a family coming together to help an aging parent, Margreete, although it is far from being the same old story about an aged person\u2019s descent into senility. This story is fresh and new. The characters are all multi-faceted and realistically portrayed by Eleanor Morse, a very gifted storyteller.

The story takes place over ten years as the family is uprooted from Michigan to Maine, sacrificing their careers in order to sustain the ailing Margreete. She, however, has her own ideas about how she should live and tolerate the disruption in her home.

For anyone who grew up in the sixties and seventies, the historical events at the periphery of family life add a dimension of realism to the story. The mother of the family struggles with her creative desires as a working classical musician. The father\u2019s idealism puts him at odds with the times in which he lives and challenges his children to live up to his ideals, even if he may fail in that regard. This is a wonderful book that transports readers into the heart of this family.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "06-Aug-2021", "date_added": "20-May-2021 21:53:12", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4 "} {"id": "425035000009976027", "title": "Some Faraway Place: A Bright Sessions Novel (The Bright Sessions, 3)", "author": "Lauren Shippen", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 168, "review": "If you are searching for another world bereft of logic or sense, this is the ideal book. The author writes the story of his father\u2019s aneurism. The father traveled from Taiwan to mainland China in order to visit his first family and take a tour of the countryside. The main character and his mother must hie to the run-down filthy hospital where the father lies in a helpless coma, attended by his half-brothers. This quickly descends into a dreamscape of relentless sameness day after day only relieved by the horror of the situation and his father\u2019s condition. The author writes these situations with brutal honesty and gross descriptions which linger with this reader long after turning the page. The author is relentless in bringing the bestial horror of the father\u2019s medical condition, the strangeness of the strange land and customs, and the tedious repetition of the many days attempting to transfer his father away from this purgatory. Resonant writing but as endless as the scenario which is described.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 21:46:30", "publisher": "Tor Teen", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009975023", "title": "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow", "author": "Mariko Tamaki", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 199, "review": "The time has come for Willow to leave everything behind, including Sunnydale. She needs time and space, even if she doesn\u2019t know from what or who, and it\u2019s not like she even has a who. But after a weird bus ride leaves her stranded in a small town, Willow meets a strange and alluring new woman who invites her to stay for a bonfire. After all, what else does she have to do? At first, the town seems distant and cold, treating her like an outsider. But without cell service or a way home, Willow decides to stay. The following morning, Willow is seen and spoken to, and it\u2019s like she has belonged the whole time, but something isn\u2019t adding up, and soon Willow will have to learn to listen to her heart and pull on all the magic that she possesses.

Fans of Willow will delight in this magical new book, Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Willow. Willow will continue to capture hearts with the same quirky wit and loveable nerd charm as shown in the television series. Stunning illustrations convey the true Buffy the Vampire Slayer aesthetic, making this a go-to book for any fan of the series.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "20-Sep-2021", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 19:41:55", "publisher": "BOOM! Studios", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009975011", "title": "Inside the Suitcase", "author": "Clotilde Perrin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 198, "review": "Inside the Suitcase is the story of a boy going on an adventure. The boy has a suitcase that he is packing before he leaves for somewhere. The things that he brings along will help him on his trip. He brings things to wear and something to eat. He finds more along the way that he uses when he comes to monsters and dark places. The boy goes on land and in the ocean\u2013\u2013he ends up finding houses in both areas!

Inside the Suitcase is like another book by this author called The House of Madame M. I read both of these books with my younger brother, and we both loved flipping the flaps on each page. The flaps in Suitcase are bigger and wider than those in Madame M; lots of times, they went from big to little as you found out the secret something underneath all the flaps. The pictures sometimes had funny things drawn on them. A couple had a fish in the air!

This story was fun to read. The first time, we didn't understand the ending well, but then after reading it a few times, we understood it and enjoyed the whole book.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2021", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 23:13:08", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "20 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009975007", "title": "Just Desserts: Good Things Come to Those Who Bake", "author": "Charlotte Ree", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 182, "review": "If you love baking desserts, Just Desserts is the book for you. Charlotte Ree has done an impeccable job of compiling some of the most decadent yet simple recipes for the ultimate baking cookbook. Page after page, I found recipes that I wanted to try. I also noticed that none of the recipes were too intricate or had too many ingredients. The book has recipes for cookies, bars, cakes, and tarts.

According to Ree, \"A Bundt pan is a magical cake pan that looks more like a piece of art than your regular bakeware.\" I would have to agree! In fact, her Brown Butter Bundt Cake had my mouth watering while I was looking at the picture.

From Kingstons to Apple Hand Pies to Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Buns, Just Desserts has something for just about everyone. With whimsical artwork and brilliant color photos of the baked goods, this book will have you whipping out your apron and measuring cups in no time. I also appreciated the fact that Ree includes both imperial and metric measurements, something that not all cookbooks do.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 22:56:55", "publisher": "Hachette", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009975003", "title": "To Asia, With Love: Everyday Asian Recipes and Stories From the Heart", "author": "Hetty McKinnon", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 202, "review": "I was excited to finally own a Chinese cookbook when To Asia, With Love arrived. After perusing the entire book, I was a little disappointed that it\u2019s a vegetarian cookbook because I didn\u2019t realize the entire book would be devoid of meat. However, I brushed my disappointment aside and picked my recipes to try.

First, I tried the Matcha Chia Seed Pudding because I love all things matcha. I didn\u2019t make the chia seed pudding with vanilla ice cream, but I did add yogurt to it as a suggested alternative. The chia seed pudding was very thick\u2013\u2013too thick! And the matcha flavor was very subtle so you can barely taste the matcha flavor at all. For the second recipe, I tried the Soy Sauce Chow Mein with a Fried Egg. I didn\u2019t have bean sprouts on hand so I substituted them with shredded broccoli and carrots. My chow mein recipe usually has sucanat to add some sweetness to the salty soy sauce, but I like her recipe better. It wasn\u2019t as salty as I thought it would be.

This isn\u2019t your classic Asian cookbook, but if you are looking for an Asian fusion cookbook with a contemporary twist, then look no further.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "15-Sep-2021", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 17:36:10", "publisher": "Prestel", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009974067", "title": "Daughter of the Morning Star: A Longmire Mystery", "author": "Craig Johnson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 208, "review": "Sheriff Walt Longmire is called in to investigate threatening letters written to a young woman named Jaya. Jaya is a budding basketball superstar with a chip on her shoulder, which is alienating her from everybody. Jaya\u2019s attitude stems from a frazzled family life, including the disappearance of her sister. Her sister, Jeanie, disappeared in Wyoming, where the disappearance of indigenous women is far too common. Walt has his work cut out for him, as Jaya isn\u2019t revealing too much. Walt searches for links between the letters and Jeanie\u2019s disappearance.

Walt\u2019s inquiries take him to the outskirts of the Great Plains. One of the last witnesses to see Jeanie has been spooked by a vision of an entity named \u201cThe Wandering Without.\u201d The entity is known as the \u201cthing that takes and never gives.\u201d As Walt\u2019s investigation begins to gain traction, the potential for an explosive conclusion grows as suspects range from white supremacists to apocalyptic survivalists.

Daughter of the Morning Star is the fresh new release from Craig Johnson. He spares little time in weaving an enjoyable and sharp mystery that will welcome new readers and engage his stalwart audience. Johnson\u2019s view of the plight of the indigenous women who are too often forgotten makes a salient point.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2022", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 22:01:24", "publisher": "Viking", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009974063", "title": "The Retreat", "author": "Elisabeth de Mariaffi", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 202, "review": "Maeve travels to the High Water Center for the Arts to refocus on her dance career and start her own dance company. She\u2019s trying to find herself again after escaping a violent marriage and knows she doesn\u2019t have long before her dance career is over. The Center is so peaceful and seems like a great place until the weather turns and the residents are all snowed in. The Retreat becomes a fight for survival as the other guests begin to turn on each other and bodies start piling up. Maeve finds that her marriage survival skills might actually help her make it through the nightmare alive.

Who doesn\u2019t love survivalist stories with just a few people and possibly a psychopath among them? Usually I do, but unfortunately, this one didn\u2019t satisfy. I don\u2019t know if the author has a low view of artists, but none of the characters in this story, especially Maeve, were very likable. The plot had a lot of holes and ended in a confusing manner. If I was snowed in and this was the only book to read, my tension would run high too. There are better stories out there, so don\u2019t waste your time with this one.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "20-Oct-2021", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 21:32:27", "publisher": "Mulholland Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000009974043", "title": "Ali Cross: Like Father, Like Son (Ali Cross, 2)", "author": "James Patterson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 205, "review": "Ali Cross: Like Father, Like Son is the second book in the Ali Cross series, which is geared toward ten- to fourteen-year-olds. Ali is the young son of police officer Alex Cross. Ali and his friends are at his friend Zoe's mom's concert when Zoe leaves the group and says she'll be right back. Time passes and Ali and his friends get worried about Zoe. All of a sudden there is a gunshot and Zoe's friends find her with a bleeding wrist. She was shot! The book is about Ali trying to get to the bottom of what happened to Zoe. He knows she is keeping something from him.

Although I enjoyed the story, there were a lot of obvious political messages throughout. For example, Ali's teacher starts a discussion about how Black people are not treated fairly and a student says that if a Black person is the victim in a case, the police don't investigate it. Ali starts explaining that this is not true and the teacher quickly shuts the conversation down. I also noticed that instead of a person being homeless, the author used \"a person was experiencing homelessness\" instead. I had to roll my eyes at this new \"politically correct\" description.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 19:58:33", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009974023", "title": "Can I Mix You a Drink?", "author": "T-PAIN", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 189, "review": "T-Pain shares stories and musings alongside elegant cocktail creations in his mixology collection Can I Mix You A Drink?. The book itself is gorgeous, ornately designed, perfectly photographed, and styled with a black and gold color scheme. Each page contains a new drink recipe, as described in T-Pain's witty voice. He sprinkles in anecdotes and observations from his own life with every drink.

The drinks themselves are pretty intricate but not too complex for the beginner bartender. A lot of the recipes do contain a specialty liquor that you may not already have on your shelf, although many of them overlap, so you can splurge on a new liquor and try out a few different drinks with it. T-Pain also tells you about his favorite cheap alternatives to the fancy liquors, so you can make substitutions where you see fit.

I haven't yet tried a drink in Can I Mix You A Drink? that wasn't good, and it's especially fun to tell your happy-hour guests that your recipe is courtesy of the one and only T-Pain. I also highly recommend this book as a fun birthday or holiday gift!", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "01-Dec-2021", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 23:51:35", "publisher": "Kingston Imperial", "page_count": "138 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009974019", "title": "Super Magic Forest", "author": "Ansis Purins", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 420, "review": "The world of comics can seem a little daunting sometimes, because there\u2019s just so much out and there and the genre continues to explode with new stories coming weekly. Well here are four less run of the mill and more good times and fun stories to warm your heard and tickle your funny bone.\n\n\nSuper Magic Forest\n\nIt\u2019s not easy being an elf, short in stature, ignored by many. Twit Leaf spends his days in the Magic Forest, located in a big national park for us humans, where he picks berries. But then one day he comes across a magical glowing box that is an enigma shrouded in mysteries. To us humans, it looks a lot like a Nintendo. Now it\u2019s up to Twit Leaf to go on a bold quest and seek to return it to the shadow Lost and Found chamber, which can only be located in the dangerous Visitor Center.\n\n\nNo One Returns From the Enchanted Forest\n\nPella is not happy. Her world has been turned upside down with a series of earthquakes destroying her village. It\u2019s been said that they were caused by the Earth Queen, and now even the Midsummer Festival, one of her favorite events, has been canceled. Pella has heard that the Earth Queen\u2019s tower lies within the very heart of the Enchanted Forest, where it is said no one returns. Now she\u2019s decided to take matters into her own hands, and her sister, Bix, joins her because it\u2019s her job to keep her safe.\n\n\nAster and the Mixed-Up Magic\n\nAster\u2019s life is anything but boring, even after she moved to the middle of what she thought was nowhere. Her mom concocts all these cool science experiments, while her dad\u2019s cooking has vastly improved, and then there\u2019s the fact that Aster can do magic. No feat or challenge is too small for her, whether it\u2019s helping others, rescuing her family, or saving the whole town. It\u2019s kind of what she was destined for and she\u2019s going to have a lot of fun adventures along the way.\n\n\nSecrets of Camp Whatever\n\nWillow, who\u2019s eleven, just got invited to her dad\u2019s weird summer camp, and what\u2019s worse they\u2019re not apparently moving to the very town where that camp is located. Little does she know she\u2019s going to be anything but bored as there is a growing mystery here that begins with stolen snacks, involves possible vampires, and now campers have gone missing. What exactly is going on at camp . . . whatever it\u2019s called?", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 23:23:14", "publisher": "Revival House Press", "page_count": "88 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009974015", "title": "Velvet Was the Night", "author": "Silvia Moreno-Garcia", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 210, "review": "Elvis is a low-level hoodlum in 1970 in Mexico City. Insecure, he\u2019s been drawn into the disciplined life of a foot soldier in the Hawks, a below-the-radar gang, possibly government sponsored, that infiltrates student protests and weeds out political activists. Maite is a dowdy young woman. A bottom-of-the-ladder secretary in a law firm, her dreams are filled with the dashing heroes she reads about in the romance magazines. It might seem unlikely that their paths would ever cross, but then an art student, Leonora, goes missing. Maite happens to be babysitting her cat; Elvis is searching for photographs thought to be in Leonora\u2019s possession.

On one level, Velvet Was the Night is about Maite\u2019s and Elvis\u2019s insecurities. She is fighting her inferiority complex and daydreaming of romance; he is striving to emulate his sophisticated commander, known as El Mago. On another, it\u2019s about stake-outs, beatings, and killings, all set against the shadowy uncertainty of never knowing who is working for whom. Although the key piece of evidence is found by chance rather than clever investigating, the story\u2019s denouement contains a huge twist that will surprise even seasoned readers. The plot may be slow moving, but the superior writing, strong character development, and full-blooded action scenes make this a worthwhile read.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "06-Oct-2021", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 17:04:36", "publisher": "Del Rey", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009974003", "title": "How to Survive America", "author": "D. L. Hughley", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 181, "review": "It is a truism that standup comedians are a very angry bunch with many unresolved issues. Well, the author of this book, along with co-writer Doug Moe, is very angry indeed and uses this writing to unleash a scathing and true attack upon this country\u2019s racial injustice and patriarchal offenses.

In Part IV of the book, they write \u201c\u2026the most dangerous place for a Black person to live is in a white person\u2019s imagination.\u201d And what the white person imagines of a person of color is deeply ingrained, flawed, and seriously ill-informed. All reason enough for the authors\u2019 rage against all the apparent and egregious offenses against people of color in America today.

This unleashing of rage may be the first step in how to survive given this climate of bigotry and hate. Hughley wants us to get real about what is going on and how it affects the health of our political and economic systems. The final chapter laments that there is no vaccine for racism. Sadly true and a great burden for people of color navigating this unjust system.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2021", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 16:27:43", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009973059", "title": "Never Say You Can't Survive", "author": "Charlie Jane Anders", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 198, "review": "As we begin our third year of the pandemic, contrary to the ignorant people who insist it\u2019s over, we can all acknowledge it\u2019s been long and hard and bleak. Nevertheless, there has also been some incredible art and writing to come out of it. Charlie Jane Anders wanted to give something to us, to help us get through and survive, and so she wrote a series of essays on writing, and writing through the pandemic, which she wrote during the pandemic when she was in lockdown. Never Say You Can\u2019t Survive brings those essays together in a wonderful book.

Writing is hard. Writing in a pandemic is even harder. Fortunately, Charlie Jane Anders is her to help you along with way, explaining the intricacies of writing, as well as the many pitfalls to avoid, and more importantly, how to help you out when you end up in one. Where Anders thrives is in providing stories and advice from her own many years of writing, what has worked for her and what hasn\u2019t, and what has gotten her through the troubling times. Filled her with wit and sharp humor, Never Say You Can\u2019t Survive will get you through this pandemic.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "17-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 21:50:32", "publisher": "Tordotcom", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009973051", "title": "Haven Point: A Novel", "author": "Virginia Hume", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 13", "word_count": 196, "review": "Skye Demarest is returning to Haven Point. She\u2019s been there before, as a child fleeing her alcoholic mother, but never felt connected to the place. Now, after her mother Annie\u2019s death, Skye returns to scatter her ashes. She yearns to understand why Annie hated Haven Point, and what drove her to become the person that Skye knew.

Maren Demarest has said a lot of goodbyes in her life. This time, it\u2019s to her daughter. She knows that Annie passed along her opinions of Haven Point to Skye, but Maren also knows that Skye doesn\u2019t know the whole story. Maren hopes to reveal the truth to Skye, and maybe explore her own grief in the process.

As secrets and betrayals swirl around Haven Point, Skye will learn exactly what happened that day of destiny - and what Annie\u2019s past might mean for Skye\u2019s future.

This book was a dramatic exploration of small-town dynamics, buried secrets, life\u2019s mountains of joy and sorrow, loss, and letting go. Skye and Maren were interesting characters with fascinating backstories that were explained in great detail, and I liked reading their chapters. I will look forward to more books by this author in the future!", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2021", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 21:01:49", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009973047", "title": "Sparrow Rising (Skyborn #1)", "author": "Jessica Khoury", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Kate - Age 14", "word_count": 188, "review": "The world of the Skyborn series was amazing. I love seeing how different people create their worlds and the stories within them. This is a fantastic tale of adventure and growing up. The main character, Ellie, is daring with high hopes of growing up to become a Goldwing. She can be stubborn at times, but she has a good heart. Watching Ellie try to see where she wants to go, with her new friends who go directly against everything she has been preparing for, makes for an interesting read.

I always enjoy it when books tackle the question of what is morally right and wrong, where the villains and heroes sometimes intermix, and although Sparrow Rising is targeted toward younger audiences, I still enjoyed reading it. It was a nice quick read and I can\u2019t wait for the next book! If you enjoyed any of Khoury\u2019s other books, like The Mystwich School of Musicraft, then you are sure to enjoy this one! The book also had a summary of all the different clans and a map at the front to keep you on track if you forget anything.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2021", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 20:41:32", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009973043", "title": "Better With Butter", "author": "Victoria Piontek", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Marvel is anxious about everything, it seems, to the point that the school is aware of her issues, and she is working with the school therapist. Marvel\u2019s father is in the navy and usually away at sea, her mother runs a business, and Marvel\u2019s brother, Reef, is a teenager, seemingly oblivious. When Marvel has to give a speech in front of the entire school, she freezes up and has to be carried off. On her way home, she finds a little goat, Butter, being bullied by some boys, and rescues it. It is a fainting goat, and Marvel feels a kinship. She wants to keep the goat and makes it her emotional support animal, but there are obstacles she never imagined. Still, Marvel fights for Butter, but can she win?

Victoria Piontek has written a marvelous middle-grade novel that is pitch-perfect for the age. The characters are all credible and fully realized, the writing is spectacular, the dialogue is snappy, and the story is very compelling. There are few books in the middle-grade category that address anxiety disorder. This one does it so well and will help many youngsters navigate those difficult waters. This is a winner.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "16-Nov-2021", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 20:35:51", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009973039", "title": "No One Returns From the Enchanted Forest", "author": "Robin Robinson", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 8", "word_count": 189, "review": "Bix is an overthinker and a worrywart, while her little sister Pella is stubborn and carefree. Bix can\u2019t believe it when Pella runs off to the enchanted forest to give a piece of her mind to the Earth Queen, the one who's been causing the earthquakes in the goblin village where the two sisters live. Because of this, Bix has to overcome her fears and venture far from her village. It\u2019s not long until Bix meets a playful and free-spirited tree troll named Cici. Adventuring together, things are looking up. Bix may have a small chance of finding Pella, but will she and her sister return to their village? After all, no one returns from the enchanted forest, right?

I love how this book is an adventure story about two sisters. Pella is such a hoot! This book was funny, silly, and beautiful at the same time. Be prepared for magical beings, amazing art, and fantastical adventures\u2013\u2013what\u2019s not to like? I recommend this book to fantasy lovers all around the world and to people who love great adventures. If you do, then this is definitely the book for you!", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2021", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 20:27:54", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009973031", "title": "What Boys Do", "author": "Jon Lasser PhD", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 140, "review": "Boys and girls all around the world can work and play together. What can boys do? Anything they put their mind to! Boys also have feelings and should be supported by others no matter how they feel. Read this book to find out all the great things boys can do.

This book has a very positive and uplifting message for all readers. This is a book all about boys and what can they do. I think this book is to help us think more about not to label activities for boys or girls. This book shows that activities like cooking or picking flowers aren't just for girls, there are many male chefs or florists. This book also talks about how it is ok to show your feelings, and that boys don't have to hide their feelings just to be strong.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "15-Jan-2022", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 00:01:57", "publisher": "Magination Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009973023", "title": "The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing Our Ancient Bond with Forests and Nature", "author": "Peter Wohlleben", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 210, "review": "As the voice of the woodland trees, German forester Peter Wohlleben shares his attachment to the forest milieu with the reader. Tracing how our senses benefit when surrounded by trees, he encourages breathing the oxygen-enriched air, tasting the individual saps from twigs, feeling the tree trunks\u2019 girding barks, harking to the wind\u2019s tuning of the leaves and the calls of the local denizens, and perhaps distinguishing the chemical messages that plants emit into the surroundings.

Forests provide solitude and serenity, take up carbon dioxide for use in photosynthesis, and store the carbon within their woody mass, with it only being released again as the gas when the body is burned. Along with extolling the wonders of trees, which rhythmically slowly raise and lower their boughs, similar to a heartbeat, in response to the light, while their root system is contrasted with a controlling brain, Wohlleben weighs heavily on the tragedy of the decreasing number of old-growth forests in Europe and the associated loss of the life dependent on those ancient giants. The tragic human destruction of our primeval forests is distressingly described.

This is an interesting book but, whether it is due to translation issues or not, the writing is rather choppy and, unfortunately, several chapters require more cohesive explanations.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "20-Sep-2021", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 23:54:06", "publisher": "Greystone Books", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009973011", "title": "Murder in a Scottish Garden (A Scottish Shire Mystery)", "author": "Traci Hall", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 191, "review": "Paislee Ann Shaw's landlord, Shawn Marcus, is trying to evict her from her knitting shop in the center of town. She hopes to contact him while she's chaperoning her son's class on a field trip to Shawn's estate. But before she can do that, a man is shot dead on the grounds. Paislee is determined to find out if Shawn was involved or if he was the intended victim.

Murder in a Scottish Garden has what you would expect from a cozy mystery: a lovely setting, community spirit, a puzzle to solve, and colorful characters to boot. The story moves at a good pace, making it engaging and interesting. The dialogue, however, leaves a lot to be desired. There was far too much of an attempt to make all of the characters sound more Scottish than the Scots themselves. To me, this took away from the story itself, making it sound a bit silly. On the other hand, I like that there were quite a few suspects with varying motives, and it wasn't clear which way the story was headed until the end. Overall, I had mixed feelings about this one.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2021", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 22:47:48", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009973007", "title": "The Verdigris Pawn", "author": "Alysa Wishingrad", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 195, "review": "Beau is the son and heir to the cruel, distant, power-hungry ruler of the Land. Isolated his entire life, Beau knows only his father\u2019s version of the Land\u2019s history and people. He knows nothing of the cruelty perpetrated on his people, especially the young children of Mastery House. Escaping his rooms, Beau abruptly discovers that there are two sides to history and everything he took as truth may not in fact be so. Set against a backdrop of a chess-like game called Fist, Beau must discern the truth and find his own strength to play a real-life version of the game with the help of his friends Cressi and Nate to save the people of the Land.

Author Alysa Wishingrad has written an engrossing, middle-grade novel. In Beau, Cressi, and Nate, she has created three distinct, multi-dimensional characters who come alive on the page. In the Land, Wishingrad has made a politically complex world both accessible and interesting to younger readers. Finally, she crafts her plot in such a way the reader will remain hard pressed not to turn the page. Overall, this is a fine debut that would make a good beginning to a series.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2021", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 22:43:56", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009973003", "title": "The Insiders", "author": "Mark Oshiro", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 203, "review": "Hector is a loud and proud gay boy who loves theatre and lives his life dramatically. This is fine when his family lives in San Francisco, but when they move to Orangevale, and Hector goes to school wearing purple pants with glitter on his face, things don\u2019t go well. He ends up at lunch with The Misfits, a group of kids who have been bullied by Mike. All the teachers love Mike and are completely blind to his bullying. Hector is Mike\u2019s new target. Hector hides in the janitor\u2019s closet, and there finds a safe place. It\u2019s a magic room that is exactly what he needs. He meets two other kids from across the country in the room who are also LBGTQ+ and are having similar problems. It is in the magic room that all three find what they need.

Mark Oshiro has written an important book for middle graders to help them stand up to bullies, get the help they need from adults around them, and learn ways to get along with other kids. It\u2019s exciting and well written. The only problem is that almost everyone in the story is LBGTQ+, which makes it somewhat unbelievable, but it\u2019s still worth the time.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "13-Oct-2021", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 16:25:57", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009972067", "title": "The Endless Skies", "author": "Shannon Price", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 193, "review": "A charming and utterly refreshing young adult fantasy novel, The Endless Skies takes you on a coming-of-age journey as warrior-elect Rowan grapples with love, sacrifice, and finding her place in a world desperately in need of change.

We are first introduced to Rowan on the eve of her warrior ceremony, where she will take the oath to officially join the warrior ranks of the Leonadai. As a crisis unfolds, Rowan begins to uncover small omissions of truth that expose the faults of long-held traditions. She finds herself struggling with what the Leonadai motto, \u201cloyalty above all,\u201d truly means: is it following with blind faith or questioning the status quo? Her decision to act sets in motion a chain of events that reveal both the worst and most endearing aspects of the creatures that inhabit her world. Rowan\u2019s physical journey runs parallel to her emotional and personal journey as she discovers who she is and where she wants to be.

The story manages to smoothly navigate thought-provoking themes around survival, humanity, hope, and forgiveness that resonate strongly in the present day. I absolutely adored this story and am slightly disappointed it\u2019s a stand-alone work.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "02-May-2022", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 21:47:46", "publisher": "Tor Teen", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009972063", "title": "Under the Whispering Door", "author": "TJ Klune", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 995, "review": "YA Roundup\n\nIf you enjoy reading young adult fiction with a side of passion, warmth, determination, empowerment, and LGBTQA+, then this roundup article includes five books that will be perfect for you. All five are compelling reads, and while some are more lighthearted than others, all are equally accomplished. \n\nUnder the Whispering Door by TJ Klune\n\nUnder the Whispering Door by TJ Klune is a tender and witty story that will undoubtedly fill your heart with warmth. Wallace refuses to let go of his life when a reaper knocks at his door. Finally, full of indignance, Wallace reluctantly accepts that he is dead. He is offered assistance with crossing over by patient ferryman Hugo, whose door to the other side is located in his tea shop. Through Hugo, Wallace meets many people with captivating stories and begins to realize that his imperious manner and work-centered life were not as fulfilling as he thought. This is a story that inspires and impresses with very skillful worldbuilding. You will quickly become devoted to the main characters and tumble into their world on a wonderful emotional journey. It will leave you reveling in all the benevolence of humanity, not forgetting the scones and tea, in addition to a chipper ghost dog! \n\nWhen We Make It by Elisabet Velasquez\n\nThis empowering debut young adult novel by Elisabet Velasquez will deeply touch your life, likely causing you to laugh and cry out loud. Passionate, stormy, and honest, When We Make It is a coming-of-age story that will move you and leave you rooting for the main character long after you have finished reading. Sarai is a first-generation Puerto Rican eighth-grader who sees the beauty and pain in life with full clarity and without the sentimental idealism that people normally associate with poetic talent. Along with her older sister, she takes you through the pressures of mental illness, sexual assault and toxic masculinity, poverty, and the gentrification of her home in Brooklyn. Openly questioning things around her, along with her Boricua identity, she learns to navigate through her teenage years with determination and braveness. Despite the odds appearing to be stacked against her, Sarai comes out on top, learning to embrace and celebrate herself. This book will tune into your heart and make you feel seen.\n\nBefore We Disappear by Shaun David Hutchinson\n\nJack Nevin is a master of thievery and trickery, and with his consistent supply of stolen tricks, he proves to be a profitable and invaluable assistant to a revered stage magician of the early 1900s, The Enchantress. However, Jack\u2019s pilfering catches up with him and the pair are forced to make a getaway to America. Luckily, they are able to find steady work on the West coast at Seattle\u2019s Alaska\u2013Yukon\u2013Pacific World\u2019s Fair Exposition, which improves their financial outlook, although they are forced to reconcile with the fact that they are not the shining stars of the show. Jack tries to uncover the secrets of this seemingly transcendental performance, but he discovers much more than he expected. He forms a bond with the behind-the-scenes master of tricks, and due to this growing affection, he is forced to choose between his employer, who has given him everything in life so far, and the boy who promises to give him so much in the future. Shaun David Hutchinson\u2019s Before We Disappear is a love story that provides all the twists and turns of a well-crafted heist story. Lovers of historical fiction and fantasy will also enjoy the book and be captivated by its many forms of magic.\n\nYou Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor\n\nSet in an alternative twentieth century, You Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor is a haunting tale about loss and trauma as well as human attachment and betrayal. It delves into the cleverly constructed corners of dystopian fantasy, being ultimately melancholic in tone and quietly beautiful, although it has the pace of an edgy intellectual thriller. Miriam grows up during the Great Reckoning, a war than spans decades and wipes out much of humanity, including her friends and family. Alone and heartbroken by her loss, she avoids any other human contact, focusing solely on her work. Time passes, the war ends, and the New Society is founded, forcing all survivors into lives of reclusion to prevent tribal loyalties from forming, including families. Miriam, already used to a life of exile, now sees everyone suddenly being forced to live as she does. A researcher at heart, she becomes involved with organizing this detachment process. Unfortunately, she does not realize that the world as she knows it is on the brink of another dark and sinister change. Over time, she begins to see the disturbing nature of this new system and decides to take a stand against it from within. \n\nHere\u2019s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera\n\nHere\u2019s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera is the captivating follow-up to the pair\u2019s romantic bestseller, What If It\u2019s Us. It is a thrilling read on its own, but it\u2019s even better if you have previously enjoyed the first novel. A breezy tale with a tone of optimism, it is a story that wears its heart on its sleeve. Ben has been working on his fantasy manuscript with writing partner and fabulous kisser Mario throughout his first year of college. Arthur has recently returned to New York City for an internship on Broadway, although he is in a perfectly happy long-distance relationship with his boyfriend from his hometown. Yet, sparks fly when Ben and Arthur happen to come into close contact again, reviving old passions. They decide to persevere on their well-trodden, comfortable and separate paths, knowing that things between them didn\u2019t work out the first time around. Little do they realize, however, that the universe seems to have other ideas in mind and paves the way for a series of encounters that make them both question their feelings for each other.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "27-May-2022", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 21:43:13", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009972055", "title": "Five Tuesdays in Winter", "author": "Lily King", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 204, "review": "The stories in this astounding collection show women and men in various stages of self-discovery, searching, and change. The very young girl in \u201cCreature\u201d is the recipient of tantalizing but unwanted attention from a troubled married man, while the bookstore owner in the title story navigates a frightening new attraction in the wake of his wife\u2019s abandonment. Other characters, too, face uneasy terrain after loved ones die or leave. \u201cWhen in the Dordogne\u201d portrays the deep impact kind strangers can have on a life; \u201cNorth Sea\u201d reveals the cruelty grief can elicit. Lily King gave readers an unforgettable young writer in her last novel, Writers & Lovers, and \u201cTimeline\u201d returns to that territory of art and ambition.

Violence, devastation, and sadness mark the final stories in the collection, \u201cHotel Seattle,\u201d \u201cWaiting for Charlie,\u201d \u201cMansard,\u201d and \u201cSouth.\u201d Yet King saves the most shocking for last in \u201cThe Man at the Door,\u201d which turns again to a young writer, who this time is also a new mother confronted with a vision of her future that elicits a kind of horror that will change the entire course of her life. This entire collection is stunning, each story a punch to the gut. It\u2019s a must-read this fall.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2021", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 21:04:44", "publisher": "Grove Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009972007", "title": "This Is Why We Lie", "author": "Gabriella Lepore", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 197, "review": "Everyone has a secret, some big and some small. When the body of a local high school girl is found, keeping a secret must mean you're guilty. Jenna didn't know the victim well, but she'll do anything to prove her best friend didn't do it. Adam knows one thing: if Max says he didn't kill her, he didn't kill her. Right? With unlikely allies, secrets people know, and not everyone is who the rumors say they are, Jenna and Adam must search for the truth in nothing but lies.

This Is Why We Lie is a fast-paced, quick, and easy read. The characters were easy to tell apart, mainly because they're given a role and stick with the role, but otherwise they were flat and overly dramatic. The whole story was overly dramatic. Everyone had secrets, most were predictable and the build up to them was overdone. I was hooked on the story from the first chapter, wanting to know what happened and just what everyone was hiding. The final twist at the end wasn't foreshadowed well, but I still figured out who did it in the last few chapters by the way the characters were acting.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2021", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 16:34:42", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009971067", "title": "Jukebox", "author": "Nidhi Chanani", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 11", "word_count": 185, "review": "Shaheen and her cousin, Tannaz have encountered a mysterious jukebox with old songs tucked away. The cousins think it might have had something to do with the sudden disappearance of Shaheen\u2019s father. But when the jukebox is powered on, the girls start traveling through all sorts of history of music. How can they find Shaheen\u2019s father when there are so many records to go through, and so many mysteries to reveal and understand.

I enjoyed this book a lot! Very magical and vibrant. It\u2019s as good as Chanani\u2019s other time travel graphic novel, Pashmina. I love how the color tones and hues change depending on what decade and setting it is. My favorite part is when Tannaz gets transported to a march for women\u2019s equality. I also thought it was funny one of Shaheen and Tannaz\u2019s favorite snacks is Pocky! I also love Pocky because, to me, Pocky is delicious. The graphics are beautifully irresistible. I love the shading effects. It looks so much more detailed and defined than the flat color stage. I would recommend this book to music lovers everywhere and fans of Pashmina.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2021", "date_added": "29-Jun-2021 20:26:35", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009971035", "title": "Please Explain Alzheimer's Disease to Me: A Children's Story and Parent Handbook About Dementia", "author": "Zelinger Laurie", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 8; Julianne - Age 5", "word_count": 179, "review": "Please Explain Alzheimer\u2019s Disease to Me: A Children\u2019s Story and Parent Handbook About Dementia by Laurie Zelinger Ph.D. is a guide for children and parents in talking about dementia.

The book begins with a story about a family affected by dementia. At first, it\u2019s silly when their grandmother leaves her phone in an unusual place, but then it grows more serious. Next, there\u2019s a section with information on Alzheimer\u2019s and dementia that explains what\u2019s going on, and then a Q&A for parents and kids.

If you have a grandparent with a forgetting disease, this is a good book to help. It helped me understand what we might experience with my grandpa and also what happened with my great-grandma before she passed away. This book helped me to understand how the dementia brain gets all snarled up and doesn\u2019t work right anymore. I like to understand things, and this helped.

This book isn\u2019t just helpful for kids, it\u2019s also helpful for caretakers and parents, who might be dealing with this disease for the first time.

The author\u2019s dad is 103!", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "27-Oct-2021", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 23:38:58", "publisher": "Loving Healing Press", "page_count": "46 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009971019", "title": "Sisters of the Snake", "author": "Sasha Nanua", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - age 17", "word_count": 151, "review": "A chance meeting between a princess and a thief leads two girls on a quest they never could have imagined to save their kingdom and find out the truth of who they are. But, budding romances and lies that create most of their stories could be the undoing of newfound friends.

Mystery, magic, thieves all wrapped into one promising story. But it took me more than halfway to begin getting into the story and even then I had a hard time finishing. The characters are all similar, I confused the two point of view characters in almost every chapter. The romances were predictable, but the reactions once the truth is finally reviled are different from a lot of books. The end is left for the second book, but it easily could have ended there. I was left curious and wanting to know what happens, yet I likely won't read the next book.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "17-Aug-2021", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 16:40:16", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009971007", "title": "Trashlands", "author": "Alison Stine", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 196, "review": "Coral\u2019s reputation is known throughout Scrappalachia as the woman who walked into a whale. Pregnant, hungry, and uncertain of what would come next, she showed bravery most men couldn\u2019t. Her power and the ways she vies to keep it are the heart of Alison Stine\u2019s latest novel Trashlands.

The world has suffered a catastrophic climate event that has rendered most of the country without power; the coasts are faring better, but flyover country is decimated and plastic is king. At Trashlands, the strip club and its surrounding encampment, the people eke out an existence from the meager food they can harvest\u2014nuts, insects, weeds\u2014and the plastic they can trade for other essentials. Coral lives with her man Trillium in a bus belonging to the teacher, Mr. Fall. The three of them are a kind of family who spend most of the book trying to find Coral\u2019s son who was abducted to work in the plastic factory.

The pace and detail of Stine\u2019s book are haunting and powerful. Trashlands is a reminder that we can come together if we choose to, but it is also a dire warning of what will happen if we don\u2019t. It is a must-read.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "18-Nov-2021", "date_added": "28-Jun-2021 16:19:03", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009968031", "title": "Family Trip To Magical Madagascar And Beyond", "author": "Nicki Geigert", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 430, "review": "Family Trip To Magical Madagascar And Beyond is a travel journal that follows the author and several of her family members in their adventures on the island of Madagascar. The book starts with an itinerary of where the family will be headed and the date they are planning on going to all of the scenic spots. This itinerary is very helpful in reading the book as it is easy to get lost in the beautiful color photos throughout the book. The author does an excellent job of giving the reader some history on the island of Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world. The pictures are really amazing in this book and I appreciated that the author captioned each one so that I knew what I was looking at. From the view of the capital city Antananarivo from their hotel veranda to the old French-style architecture to the adorable animals on the island, the true beauty is captured well.

The author includes some special attention to the unique animals of Madagascar that I feel most readers would really enjoy. Animals such as Tomato Frogs, Satanic Leat-Tailed Geckos, Panther Chameleon, Comet Moth, and of course Lemurs are described and photographed in Family Trip To Magical Madagascar And Beyond and I could see even the littlest animal enthusiasts really enjoying the close-up photos of the animals. The author focused a lot on the lemurs, most likely because there are so many of them and there are so many different types of them. Plus, they are just really adorable and let the author and her family pet them and play with them. What a wonderful experience!

The book was written with a description of what the family would be doing followed by several captioned photos and then another page of description and then more photos. I felt the reading in between the photos was quite a bit and perhaps some of the written parts could have been taken out. This book is part informational, part personal diary, and part photo book. The writing was not great and I felt that if the author had given her notes to someone who is more experienced in writing a travel guide, that person could have really made all the difference in creating a wonderful experience for the reader. The author seems to drop into negativity quite a bit and then all of a sudden snaps out of it with facts about where they are.

Overall, I really enjoyed the information about Madagascar and the exquisite pictures taken during the family's trip. Recommended for all ages.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jun-2021 22:40:43", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "68 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009968027", "title": "Family Trip To Magical Madagascar And Beyond", "author": "Nicki Geigert", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 445, "review": "In Family Trip To Magical Madagascar And Beyond, Nicki Giegert chronicles the voyage she, her husband, daughters, and niece make to the extraordinary land of Madagascar during the summer of 2014. Their trip begins in the capital city of Madagascar, Antananarivo, where they meet up with their driver and guide, Hery Andrianartenaina. In a place where money and jobs are often scarce, they fight off locals\u2019 attempts to carry their luggage to earn a few bucks and watch young boys and men pull carts and women carry baskets of laundry on their heads as they make their way toward their hotel.

Some of their earliest adventures include visiting the King\u2019s Palace and Imperial Gardens, learning about the history of the island and its ruling powers, and going to the Peyrieras Exotic Preserve, where they feed bananas and freshly picked loquats to lemurs and take photographs of a variety of amazing creatures. The days that follow are filled with exploring the Vakona Islands, Ambositra, Old Town Fianarantsoa, and the Anja Reserve in Isalo. Hiking and then snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of Ravintsara bookend their stay. While the others journey home, Sara and Nicki stop in Johannesburg, where they visit a rescue center for injured or orphaned animals. There, they encounter a precious baby elephant, a mischievous baboon, and an exotic pangolin with a six-inch tongue\u2013\u2013a perfect finale to their expedition.

This book provides a fascinating look at the wildlife, landscape, and culture of the fourth largest island in the world\u2013\u2013Madagascar. The photographs featured are wide-ranging, plentiful, and nothing short of spectacular. The lemurs are adorable, and despite being one of the most threatened species on Earth, appear friendly and sociable. Among the photos are a plethora featuring them. The Comet Moth, which is found exclusively in Madagascar, is included as well, as is an ornately marked Red-Knobbed Starfish, a seventeen-year-old Kudu eating sweet morsels from human hands, and a full-grown cheetah accepting endearment, if only for a few, short minutes. All of these unique pictures are neatly and artistically arranged.

There is a perfect blend of facts and entertainment woven through this book. Its contents are light-hearted and personal, inviting readers into the family\u2019s experiences. They\u2019ll witness the excitement on the girls\u2019 faces when the lemurs sit comfortably on their shoulders and lick honey from Sara\u2019s cheek. They\u2019ll view clips of locals braiding Sara\u2019s hair on the beach as well as shopping the markets they frequent and laboring outdoors to earn a meager living. An interesting kaleidoscopic view of everyday life is presented via pictures and documentation of laundry-strewn yards, far-reaching tea fields, and small sailing boats and pirogues\u2013\u2013all trademarks of this African island.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jun-2021 22:40:28", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "68 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009968023", "title": "Family Trip To Magical Madagascar And Beyond", "author": "Nicki Geigert", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 456, "review": "Sara Sanchez graduates high school in early summer 2014 and is all set to start college in the fall, but in the meantime, she is offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by her grandparents to travel with the Geigert family to one of the most unique places on the planet: the island of Madagascar. Family Trip To Madagascar And Beyond by Nicki Geigert is a short travel book about this special place and what it\u2019s like to visit.

The book begins with a family photo and an itinerary of what the family got up to on vacation and where they went. It is then divided into chapters providing information and specific details on Madagascar, the towns and places, and what the wildlife is like. The reader is taken from place to place and day to day, seeing what the family saw through both description and pictures. The reader gets to learn what is was like staying in the various accommodations the family stayed at as well as the variety of food that was consumed and enjoyed. The book also goes into detail about the variety of wildlife on Madagascar that the Geigert family got to see and, in a number of cases, interact with. The book definitely helps educate and amaze the reader in terms of the sheer variety and diversity of this incredible island, both the people and the fauna, in addition to showing what life is like in this part of the world.

Family Trip To Madagascar And Beyong could have used some heavy editing. The passages providing details on the towns and places, as well as the animals, are pretty dry and feel more like an \u201cinformation dump\u201d than text balancing out the provided photos. At times, the family seems annoyed and/or unhappy with how they are being treated by some citizens on Madagascar and the way things are going, even though they are very much visitors to this culturally different island and should perhaps be more respectful of that. The book gets confusing due to the abundance of photos, meaning it\u2019s not always clear if the reader is reading information about a specific photo or part of the ongoing story of the book. A better layout distinguishing which is the narrative and which is related to the photos would serve to make this a better and easier book to read.

As for the large variety of photos in the book, they are the key and the joy of the story, bringing to life and color this unique world with a vibrancy that jumps off the page. Overall, the book could be better organized and gets a little slow at times, although the glorious photos make up for it due to totally captivating the reader.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jun-2021 22:40:15", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "68 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009968019", "title": "Family Trip To Magical Madagascar And Beyond", "author": "Nicki Geigert", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 425, "review": "Family Trip to Magical Madagascar and Beyond by Nicki Geigert is a stunning photographic survey of the country. Together, we travel across hills and valleys with Geigert and her family to discover a whole new world of incredible sights, delicious food, and ingenious people. Geigert\u2019s descriptions and array of images provide a well-rounded, introductory overview of Madagascar. Readers will appreciate the alluring phrases the author engages to capture the gorgeous cities and landscape. In passing, she mentions, \u201cwe had to drive past many older French-styled homes, and women doing laundry community style. All shared in the washing and the rinsing.\u201d Her simple, concise statements capture the country\u2019s history, the European influences in the region, as well as, community activities that highlight local traditions and customs. She touches on not only major monuments and prominent social groups but also animals and climates distinctive of the area. In visiting the rain forests and national parks, her photographs of the animals are particularly illuminating and enchanting. From lemurs and giraffes to cheetahs and elephants, readers will witness a medley of animals common to the region. Geigert\u2019s variety of photographs allow readers to see not only the city but the rural life of Madagascar as well. In addition to the rain forests and national parks, Geigert and her family also visit zoos in the region and a rescue center for hurt or abandoned animals. From the markets and houses to fields and mountains, Geigert takes readers on quite an extensive journey. Throughout the book, her family is sprinkled into the photographs providing bright, warm faces. In this manner, she makes the content very accessible and personal. This is her family\u2019s journey to a new place, to see and learn new things, which she ultimately shares with readers. Through this perspective, readers unfamiliar with the region will learn a great deal. They will appreciate the overview of the country\u2019s history and current influence. With that said, the work would greatly benefit from a reference or works cited page so that readers can continue their study by exploring the resources that Geigert engaged to develop this piece. As she discusses city populations and historical facts, it would be wonderful to know where she pulls this information. For this reason, more adept scholars in the region may find this work inappropriate and the work earns three stars. Despite this shortcoming, readers will still recognize the beauty and value of Geigert\u2019s work on this project. Nicki Geigert\u2019s Family Trip to Magical Madagascar and Beyond is a breathtaking survey that readers will thoroughly enjoy.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jun-2021 22:40:07", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "68 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009968015", "title": "Cenotaphs", "author": "Rich Marcello", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 504, "review": "Ben Sanna, seventy-five and sporting a grey ponytail, is having lunch with a friend in a caf\u00e9 in a small town in Vermont when \u201ca special automobile\u2026German, sporty,\u201d parks across the street. Exiting the car is a tall, slender woman \u201cdressed elegantly in a black.\u201d She comes into the caf\u00e9, and though there are lots of empty booths, approaches the two old men and asks, \u201cYou guys want some company?\u201d

After a cheeseburger and a bit of small talk, Sam, short for Samantha, shows interest in Ben\u2019s \u201cpenchant for helping people.\u201d \u201cYou were a therapist?\u201d she asks. \u201cNo,\u201d Ben says, \u201cI just listen pretty well and try to give them sound advice.\u201d Sam\u2019s intrigued and decides to go with Ben to his cabin in the woods. She\u2019s not worried because she has a black belt in Krav Maga, the world's most dangerous and deadliest martial art.

Back at Ben\u2019s cabin, Sam dances solo \u201c\u2026free, wild, and in the moment,\u201d then has a seizure, recovers, and together they watch several episodes of a home improvement show. \u201cI had a good time,\u201d Sam says as she is about to leave then starts hitting Ben\u2019s chest. \u201cI have a black belt... could kill you.\u201d Sam stops the beating and decides to leave, but seconds later she changes her mind and asks, \u201cWould it be okay if I stayed the night?\u201d After spending the night in separate beds, they have breakfast, go for a walk, and Sam tells Ben, \u201cI think I love you.\u201d

Granted, first dates can be disconcerting, but in the case of this one at the beginning of Cenotaphs by Rich Marcello, I think most people would admit it is beyond bizarre. Yet Marcello would have us believe that although unorthodox, it is the beginning of a profound and loving relationship.

Even if I could have accepted the relationship, I was already having difficulty with the circumstances of the meeting, the idea that while traveling, an attractive woman \u201c\u2026made sport of barging in on men in restaurants. That way I never had to eat alone.\u201d But okay, maybe there are professional women who would prefer the company of two shabby old men rather than eating lunch alone, but would such a woman go back to a strange guy\u2019s cabin with him?

Of course, there\u2019s Ben\u2019s promise to listen to her, but if Sam is that distraught, suicidal, or just unhappy, why pick a stranger to unload to? In fact, why does anyone seek out Ben Sanna for advice on life? He\u2019s not a counselor, therapist, or spiritual savant, hasn\u2019t published any philosophical works, and doesn\u2019t have any notoriety whatsoever. In fact, he\u2019s divorced, estranged from his children, and prone to alcoholism and drug-taking. What\u2019s more, he went to a therapist for years himself.

On the off chance that your suspension of disbelief can be stretched further than mine, prepare yourself for melodramatic episodes, long passages of pretentious political debate and wedding vows, and eulogies espousing emotions that feel disingenuous in an attempt to be unconventional.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jun-2021 22:30:52", "publisher": "Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "148 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009968011", "title": "Cenotaphs", "author": "Rich Marcello", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 417, "review": "Rich Marcello writes of deep platonic love in his novel, Cenotaphs. Conveying the story of Ben, a divorced older man, the reader learns of his past choices, heartbreaks, friendships, and mistakes. Ben lives alone in a cabin with his dog Zeke, regularly visiting his fellow retired friends at a local breakfast joint for camaraderie. An average life, with average possessions, the highpoint of Ben\u2019s days are when people come to talk to him at his home. Although he is not a therapist, he describes himself as one who listens well, does not judge, and does not expect a thing in return for his services. He frequently meets with these \u201cclients\u201d, helping them reform their lives, and imparts advice that he wishes he had known at an earlier age.

Upon one of these visits, a woman named Sam comes to visit Ben. Beautiful, powerful, and extremely successful, Ben is stunned by Sam\u2019s uniqueness and how connected he feels to her prior to the conversation. As the novel continues, Ben and Sam develop a tight-knit bond, confiding in each other their darkest secrets, emotions, and insecurities. Although they appear to be polar opposites, Ben and Sam find much common ground on which to strengthen their relationship and devotion to one another. Overall, the novel focuses on the theme of finding and accepting love, specifically platonic love, after extreme misfortunes and loss. I personally enjoyed the many deep interludes about love that were spread throughout these pages. For example, Ben stated, \u201cMy greatest learning is this \u2013 love people exactly as they are, flaws and all, for as long as they grace your life. We don\u2019t get do-overs, do we?\u201d. I appreciated the profoundness of this statement as well as the many that followed. They are both contemplative and engaging, drawing readers to reflect on their lives and how they can love those around them better. Although I found many parts of this book rather somber, Marcello does a fantastic job showing the stages of grief in his characters after they experience catastrophic life changes. Broken, yet still standing, Ben and Sam\u2019s life stories would be relatable to any mature reader who has lost loved ones to horrific tragedies.

This novel also touches on political topics such as gun control, climate change, healthcare, and free college tuition. Furthermore, it addresses different religions, religious figures, and struggling with faith after loss. With a wide range of materials addressed, most mature readers would find a topic that interests them in this book.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "18-Jul-2021", "date_added": "26-Jun-2021 22:30:39", "publisher": "Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "148 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000009968007", "title": "HomoAmerican - The Secret Society", "author": "Michael Dane", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 440, "review": "A fight for survival tied to visibility and existing sincerely and unbridledly! In a time when being different was much more frowned upon than in today's world, Michael Dane struggled to defend their identity and uniqueness against all those afraid of and convinced to take action against diversity. HomoAmerican - The Secret Society includes Michael Dane's story as they experienced growing up in a broken home and becoming an escape artist around their father, finding refuge in ballet and fighting to practice it as a boy, barely escaping war in Vietnam, getting arrested for murder in France, falling in and out of love, losing close friends and family, experiencing fame, dancing to their songs to make a living, and much more.

HomoAmerican - The Secret Society is one of the most revealing, elaborate, introspective, and brilliant biographies I have read. My decision to read it was abundantly rewarded with the multiple euphoric moments I had as I reflected on the many poetic and perspective words in the book. An example: \"Just as starving men dream to dine \u2026I dream with the shadows and wake a starving man.\" Michael Dane has a truly keen eye that's trained to examine and dissect society and its flaws and contrast their experiences of different cultures, including South Africa's \"extravagance\", Iran's \"sea of honking horns\", and their wild experience in Belgium as they fought for food and everything else. I spent a good amount of time bookmarking several lines that I couldn't afford to read just once, one of which beautifully articulates how limiting being normal is.

I was mightily impressed and inspired by the author's boldness and creativity as they got involved in different activities, from dancing, writing music, and singing professionally to writing a play\u2014which they starred in, directed, and designed costumes for. Michael Dane's story gets quite deep and personal, and I found I could relate to a lot of their struggles. As a musician and a creative myself, I understood how the creative process can be \"a lonely one\" and the need for money to create art.

By the time I finished the book, I felt like I knew the author personally. It's unbelievable how mean people can get when they discover you are different. Imagine getting detained twice by the police for painting your small fingernail red or getting abused and threatened for being romantically involved with the same sex. HomoAmerican - The Secret Society is a book the world needs to remind us why we need to stop discriminating against others\u2014no matter their differences as, deep down, we all have similar feelings, dreams, and a desire to be happy.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2021", "date_added": "26-Jun-2021 22:23:47", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "500 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009968003", "title": "HomoAmerican - The Secret Society", "author": "Michael Dane", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 408, "review": "Homoamerican by Michael K. Dane is a witty, sharp novel that will resonate with readers for years to come. Dane shares his insights and experiences through a journey of self-discovery. A journey to find one\u2019s place in the world in relation to and independent of the many assumptions and impositions dictated by our world, societies, and governments. Dane\u2019s narrative is familiar in the way that many search for their place in the world and yet fresh in his candor and care with various themes throughout the novel. Together we wind the streets of California, New York and internationally to find true love and so much more. A romantic love, yes, but also a deeper appreciation and admiration of one\u2019s self. He explores not only the main character\u2019s evolution but also offers insights into the supporting characters who act independent and, at times, reliant on our protagonist. His care of female characters with romantic aspirations is particularly penetrating and intricately expressed. So often the rejections we receive in life have everything to do with a variety of external factors, which Dane captures and conveys. So much more than what meets the eye is shared in each chapter and interaction. The character depth that Dane achieves is majestic and far-reaching. His work will have readers reconsidering past interactions and obtaining a far greater understanding of our own missteps and aspirations. With thoughtfulness, Dane writes, \u201cPeople live their entire lives and never see the restraints of conformity or the tragedy of their own submission. There is an inherent lie in conformity, and only by the complete rejection of imposed values is it apparent.\u201d His prose is raw and mesmerizing, his honesty endearing and captivating. Dane\u2019s impassioned themes require a mature audience appreciative of his motifs and perspectives. This audience will discover an exceptional narrative that will illuminate past and future encounters. In expressing his own journey and self-discovery, Dane captures the significance and merit of introspective inquiry. He encapsulates the importance of questioning not only our place in the world but also our intentions and the origins of our deepest desires. At the heart of this work, Dane shows readers the necessity of knowing and supporting our true selves, regardless of reception. Homoamerican by Michael K. Dane is an exceptional work that will only grow in notoriety and influence as time goes by. His unabashed introspective earns this work a resounding five stars, only because six stars is not an option.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "16-Feb-2022", "date_added": "26-Jun-2021 22:09:53", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "500 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009967007", "title": "The Picky Eater's Recovery Book: Overcoming Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder", "author": "Jennifer J. Thomas", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 205, "review": "I don't know about you, but I LOVE food. I say this because I truly don't know the more private details of my neighbor and their relationship with food; I know my kids can be picky, but I chalk that up to normal behavior. Reading The Picky Eater's Recovery Book, I learned that people of any age who may present as a \"picky eater\" might actually have something more going on - a newer diagnosis known as Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). So being a \"picky eater\" for some could be a psychological issue that is not known by even their most intimate relations. The symptoms include not eating enough, avoiding past negative reactions to food and thus avoiding food altogether, and (mostly unknowingly) suffering from a calorie deficiency, even if you might be labeled \"overweight.\" Thomas, Becker, and Eddy present an easy-to-follow self-help guide to overcoming ARFID at home and an explanation of the type of therapy used by a professional. There is help and hope!

I found this book informative, enlightening, and simple to follow. I am amazed at the advances of science, especially in the field of mental health. This book has the potential to be helpful and life-changing to so many people!", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "26-Jan-2022", "date_added": "24-Jun-2021 22:35:26", "publisher": "Cambridge University Press", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009967003", "title": "Beaver and Otter Get Along...Sort of: A Story of Grit and Patience Between Neighbors", "author": "Sneed Collard", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 202, "review": "In a valley with a trickling stream, Beaver makes his home by cutting down trees and building a dam. He transforms the stream into a pond and soon finds a mate to share his cozy lodge. The pond soon attracts other animals, including\u2026Otter! Otter is different from Beaver in that he eats the fish and frogs in the pond. Beaver is a vegetarian. Otter finds a mate, too, and their pups splash and play. They continue playing throughout the winter and destroy Beaver\u2019s dam. Beaver repairs it only to have the otters destroy it again! Beaver and Otter will never be best friends, but can they at least be good neighbors? The latest nonfiction picture book by Collard teaches young children about the commensal relationship between beavers and otters in the wild. Other animals including moose, turtles, and a variety of birds benefit from beaver dams. Though otters don\u2019t usually hurt beavers, they can be a nuisance. Sodano\u2019s natural and detailed illustrations of the beavers in the wild interacting with their ecosystem and the diverse wildlife brings the story and their relationships to each other to life. More scientific information on beavers and otters is included at the end of the book.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "15-Sep-2021", "date_added": "24-Jun-2021 22:02:29", "publisher": "Dawn Publications", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009965011", "title": "Earth Detox: How and Why we Must Clean Up Our Planet", "author": "Julian Cribb", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1067, "review": "From a legal battle for clean water to how we can tackle the plastic crisis, these five books not only offer different ways to address environmental pollution, but also offer a unique perspective on the inspiring world of medicine and its evolution.\n\nDesperate: An Epic Battle for Clean Water and Justice in Appalachia by Kris Maher\n\nSet in a West Virginia community in the Appalachian Mountains, this legal drama follows a tenacious environmental lawyer, Kevin Thompson, on a campaign to secure for clean water for the people of Mingo County. For two decades, the families of this coal mining community had found that when turning on their taps, they were met with discolored sludge. Following this, many in the community seemed to become seriously ill. Thompson, along with other lawyers and a band of young activists, fought a seven-year battle against West Virginia\u2019s mighty coal company, Massey Energy, and exposed the merciless shortcuts that had led to the deadly contamination of the drinking water. Desperate takes a compelling look at corporate greed and corruption, as well as at the fight for the rights of the little guy. It documents the years-long case with a cinematic style, and Kris Maher\u2019s effective reporting evokes strong feeling in the reader, providing a reason to believe that justice does still prevail, even against the odds.\n\nEarth Detox: How and Why we Must Clean Up Our Planet by Julian Cribb\n\nEarth Detox is a book that pulls no punches regarding the chemicalization of our planet and how the slow poisoning affects everything living thing on it. Science policy expert Julian Cribb handles this difficult yet important topic with zest and indicates that the barrage of chemicals and pollutants we throw into the atmosphere and oceans is six times larger than our greenhouse gas emissions. Many of these chemicals have not even been tested for safety, and they have been found in the most unthinkable places, from traces of arsenic found on the slopes of Mount Everest to flame-retardant chemicals identified in deep sea squid. These billions of tons of toxic chemicals are everywhere and in everything, including smart phones, medications, food, and clothes. Essentially though, this is more of a book about hope than despair. Cribb lays down ten existential threats that he states must be addressed and maps a way forward so that future generations can live as normally as possible and in harmony with the planet. The essence is sharing solutions in order to move toward a safe and healthy world for all living things.\n\nThicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Crisis by Erica Cirino\n\nErica Cirino\u2019s Thicker Than Water is an open-hearted and frank examination of the throwaway culture that embodies the richest nations of this world, which then inevitably ends up on the doorstep of the world\u2019s poorest nations. The impact is much bigger than most people think. Almost every person living today uses plastic on a daily basis, which has usually been designed for up to only a few minutes use at a time. This plastic inevitably ends up in our oceans, as the recycling process is far more complicated than we thought and so much plastic gets rejected. Cirino is a talented journalist and this account of her globe-hopping journey to meet scientists and activists who are trying to tackle the plastic issue illuminates the health impacts on wildlife and human life. The plastic crisis is an urgent issue and this book helps the reader to understand how we created the problem, but it also offers ways forward to help end the crisis. Technical innovations such as trash wheels, booms and grates, and simply picking up rubbish do help, but ultimately the solution lies in education, science, and systemic change. However, the problems of backlash from large industries, including fossil fuel companies who counter the lack of demand by creating plastic from ancient carbon stocks, complications of recycling, and our own unwillingness to let go of a life of convenience, threaten any good work already done. This book will help people to rethink their living habits and educate humankind about a better and healthier future for our planet.\n\nFauci: Expect the Unexpected: Ten Lessons on Truth, Service, and the Way Forward by National Geographic\n\nInfectious disease specialist Anthony Fauci, the White House\u2019s famous doctor, offers us an inspiring look at the influences in his life and the lessons that he has learned, giving us a rare glimpse into the world of a renowned medical expert. Fauci already had three decades worth of experience before becoming the most acclaimed doctor in America after dedicating himself to the White House Coronavirus Task Force, and in Fauci: Expect the Unexpected, he offers inspirational excerpts on governance, finding happiness in times of strife, and preparing to face unanticipated events. Fauci has spent his career fighting incredibly dangerous diseases such as AIDS, Ebola, and now COVID-19, and he has dedicated his life to dealing with heavy professional responsibilities. In this book, his insightful anecdotes offer ways to deal with obstacles and setbacks, especially in difficult times. The inspiring quotes taken from interviews in the eponymous National Geographic documentary will help people to move forward with respect to achieving a kinder future.\n\nPatient Zero: A Curious History of the World's Worst Diseases by Lydia Kang and Nate Pedersen\n\nFrom the authors of Quackery, Patient Zero chronicles various outbreaks of diseases, along with when they appeared and how they circulated. From reading this book, you will come to know the science behind the discovery of the diseases and how medicine has evolved to help us to deal with them. Kang and Pedersen offer medical accounts of different diseases and viruses, such as bubonic plague, HIV, polio, and smallpox, and tell us the human stories left in the wake of each, along with the investigation into the successes and failures, scientific theories, and examinations. We learn about the historical tragedies of patient zeros and how they led to medical breakthroughs. The authors also introduce us to how politics and religion manipulated information regarding the diseases. This is a morbidly entertaining and very accessible book with a good number of illustrations, so even the most reluctant reader should enjoy it. The only downside to reading it is the realization of how many nasty diseases are still out there and how easy it could be to experience another pandemic in our lifetime.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Jun-2021 22:36:49", "publisher": "Cambridge University Press", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009965003", "title": "Makan: Recipes from the Heart of Singapore", "author": "Elizabeth Haigh", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 198, "review": "Michelin-starred chef Elizabeth Haigh shares her memories of the delicious food she remembers from her childhood in Singapore. The best dishes were those created by the \u201cNonyas\u201d \u2013 the mothers, grandmas, and aunties who passed down their cooking through generations. Learning \u201cnonyas' secrets\u201d is the apogee of Singaporean cooking, but these women honed their skills through decades of practice. Some recipes will be intimidating at first. They may take hours to prepare, and exquisite care to not burn the spice paste; almost all have extensive ingredient lists. Like most things, becoming proficient will take many attempts and lots of practice. But, don't become disheartened! The bulk of the book offers quick, easy dishes that are quite approachable, that still give you a lovely taste of Singapore. American readers, in particular, may find it difficult to source some of the ingredients, but Haigh offers many acceptable substitutes, and her suggestion to seek out a large Asian grocer is a good one.

A mouthwatering photograph accompanies each recipe, and most recipes are less than a half-page long. Start simply, and come back to the more difficult recipes as your proficiency improves. With practice, you'll be cooking like a Singaporean nonya too!", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "17-Sep-2021", "date_added": "24-Jun-2021 19:03:43", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Absolute", "page_count": "390 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009964007", "title": "Tunnel 29: The True Story of an Extraordinary Escape Beneath the Berlin Wall", "author": "Helena Merriman", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 188, "review": "Within the first two dozen pages of Merriman's debut history book, you will be hooked, unable to stop reading. For the generations born after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall, this Cold War narrative may catch many off guard. Merriman takes it in small slices from its frosty beginning through to the heat that looked dangerously close to launching World War Three, dividing a city overnight with a wall that separated husbands from wives and parents from children.

Merriman threads history with story angles from all sides, painting the backdrop of an extensive spy network. People were cut off from jobs and loved ones. State police shot to kill anyone who attempted to cross the border illegally. The media spun both sides of the political backwash of communists and capitalists alike. Tunnel 29 gets its name from the number of people who escaped through it in one night, even as it filled with water and began to cave in. The book is far deeper than the tunnel. Merriman has captured a glimpse of how far people will go to be free.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "15-Sep-2021", "date_added": "24-Jun-2021 17:20:22", "publisher": "PublicAffairs", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009964003", "title": "The Personal Librarian", "author": "Marie Benedict", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 248, "review": "Belle da Costa Greene\u2019s story is an important one: she was a light-skinned black woman who, by passing as white, became the librarian to JP Morgan, evaluating and buying rare art and manuscripts from around the world, and establishing his private (and later public) Pierpont Morgan Library. In her day, she was the most successful career woman, and a model for other women as they strived for suffrage and greater independence. At the same time, living with her secrets meant that she was always at risk of being found out and could not advocate, as her father had done, for racial equality. Belle kept up the charade throughout her lifetime, despite rumors that swirled around her, both as to her heritage and to whether she was having an affair with her renowned employer. The two authors of this historical novel have combined their talents to recreate her story. But unfortunately, despite some lovely bits of prose and characterization, the text often reads as if it was indeed created twice, with a fair amount of repetition. And their interest in placing Belle into context resulted in the \u201chistorical\u201d often overshadowing the \u201cnovel,\u201d to the point of overloading the book with a fair amount of unnecessary factual events simply because they could. I did enjoy \u201cmeeting\u201d Belle and learning how, by being more visible than most women would dare to be, she was able to hide in plain sight but, ultimately, wanted to like this novel more than I did.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2021", "date_added": "24-Jun-2021 17:17:05", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009963011", "title": "True Raiders: The Untold Story of the 1909 Expedition to Find the Legendary Ark of the Covenant", "author": "Brad Ricca", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 178, "review": "Award-winning author Brad Ricca tops all his previous work with this page turner about the actual search for the Ark of the Covenant. A secret expedition led by Captain Monty Parker, a British nobleman in the pre-World War One era, sets out with a cypher code to underground tunnels beneath Jerusalem. The search becomes a race against the French banker-financier Baron Edmond de Rothschild, who adds to the narrative all manner of cloak and dagger-style intrigue. Ava Astor, labeled by the press as \"the most beautiful woman in the world,\" adds just enough highbrow romance to the story, with the posturing of English royalty serving as a backdrop to give it extra flare.

Throughout the entirety of this book, the reader naturally entertains the suspicion that following so much effort and attention, the long-lost treasures of King Solomon's Temple might well have been found and then spirited away again in secret. The suspense drives you onward through this well-woven historical account that reads more like a thriller novel. In this case, the book is better than the movie.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2021", "date_added": "24-Jun-2021 20:02:25", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009962011", "title": "Long Distance", "author": "Whitney Gardner", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 196, "review": "Vega and her family are relocating from Portland to Seattle due to her father\u2019s new job. Vega isn\u2019t looking forward to moving to Seattle and leaving her best friend, Halley. Vega\u2019s Dad convinces her to attend a summer camp so she can make some new friends in Seattle. Bummed and hesitant, Vega reluctantly agrees to attend Camp Very Best Friend. Vega starts to befriend Qwerty (a tech whiz), Gemma, and Isaac (rock collectors), but strange things start to happen at camp.

I thought Long Distance was just going to be about Vega and Halley\u2019s long-distance friendship, but it turned out to be more than just that. I was not prepared for a sci-fi graphic novel. I had my daughter read it as well, and she was also surprised by the sci-fi elements in the story. I\u2019m not a huge sci-fi fan per se, but I did like how the author tied in the sci-fi parts with the story about friendship and fitting in. I love graphic novels that make boring subjects interesting so I appreciated how the story incorporated some astronomy facts. Readers who love stories about friendship and sci-fi fans would love this middle-grade graphic novel.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "06-Aug-2021", "date_added": "24-Jun-2021 18:50:48", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009962003", "title": "Egg Marks the Spot (Skunk and Badger 2)", "author": "Amy Timberlake", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Badger admires his wall of rocks while he is in his rock room doing important rock work, but his eyes are drawn to the empty spot where his Spider Eye Agate should be, the rock stolen by his despicable cousin Fisher. Skunk suggests they take a camping trip to Endless Lake to find a new agate to fill out the collection. While they are there, a little orange chicken shows up, and Skunk says the two of them are going somewhere. Badger is curious and follows them into a deep, dark cave where they find a dinosaur egg in a wall of amber. It turns out that chickens, descendants of dinosaurs, have been caring for it for a very long time. Suddenly, Fisher and an army of rats show up. This cannot be good.

Author Amy Timberlake has such a fun franchise going with the Skunk and Badger books. This one is clever, smart, and laugh-out-loud funny and exciting at the same time. Her writing is terrific, and the story is compelling. The illustrations by Jon Klassen have just the right sense of fun to them to accompany this terrific story. It\u2019s a good one!", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "09-Aug-2021", "date_added": "24-Jun-2021 16:24:01", "publisher": "Algonquin Young Readers", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009961011", "title": "Your Penis: Everything You Need to Know About Your Friend!", "author": "Dr. Michel Lenois", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 187, "review": "Forewarning: this review is from a female. Your Penis: Everything You Need to Know About Your Friend! by Dr. Michel Lenois is everything it should be: informative, educational, and appropriate for both males and females to read - edited to include that while the material is worth knowing, there is a picture on almost every other page of a cartoon penis. In Your Penis, Dr. Lenois says everything about it: their anatomy, animal penises, erections, size, problems, circumcision, and proper hygiene from a medical and social perspective. If you have any questions about the male sex organ, check out this book.

I found this book educational for my general knowledge and a chance of understanding the opposite sex better. I enjoyed the personal stories told by Dr. Lenois that are entertaining and applicable to their topics. I'm never going to understand what it is like to have a penis, but reading this book takes me to the next level of understanding men slightly better; about as well as they will understand women with a vagina. Your Penis is recommended but advised to be read discreetly around young eyes.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2021", "date_added": "24-Jun-2021 17:42:56", "publisher": "Firefly Books", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009961007", "title": "The Kitchen Whisperers: Cooking with the Wisdom of Our Friends", "author": "Dorothy Kalins", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1153, "review": "History/Bio Roundup\n\nWhen Lord Byron coined the phrase \u201ctruth is stranger than fiction,\u201d he was likely thinking of scenarios similar to those recounted in the histories and biographies included in this roundup list. From spies to chefs, prisoners to activists and caregivers, these books tell the stories of a remarkable bunch of people living in extraordinary times and coping as best they could.\n\nThe Dressmakers of Auschwitz: The True Story of the Women Who Sewed to Survive by Lucy Adlington\n\nIn a truly remarkable story of grit and survival against the odds, Lucy Adlington\u2019s The Dressmakers of Auschwitz relates the experiences of a group of young Jewish women who were imprisoned at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. The conditions at the camp were horrendous and the likelihood of long-term survival for inmates was very low, but the twenty-five women received an extremely unlikely lifeline when Hedwig H\u00f6ss, the wife of camp commandant Rudolf H\u00f6ss, decided to open the Upper Tailoring Studio. Odd as it sounds, Auschwitz-Birkenau was home to a number of mundane-sounding enterprises that certain inmates were forced to work for, and H\u00f6ss\u2019 studio was a dressmaking workshop patronized by the wives of SS officers and camp guards. As the war had, unsurprisingly, decimated the fashion industry in Berlin, these women needed to procure the finery required for Nazi functions from somewhere, and the studio provided an opportunity for inmates with good sewing skills to escape the gas chambers, at least for a while. Using a wealth of historical records as well as interviews with survivors, Adlington elucidates the astonishing experiences of the twenty-five dressmakers.\n\nThe Kitchen Whisperers: Cooking with the Wisdom of Our Friends by Dorothy Kalins\n\nThe Kitchen Whisperers is a very personal account by Dorothy Kalins, founding editor of Savuer magazine and contributor to many successful cookbooks, of the extensive culinary wisdom she has collected over a lifetime of cooking, eating, and discussing food. From Kalins\u2019 perspective, the most important cooking lessons are not those received from books, television, or the internet; rather, they are the tips, tricks, and snippets picked up by watching real cooks, whether seasoned professionals or enthusiastic amateurs, at work in their own kitchens. Whether deliberately or otherwise, it is these people who have the greatest impact on the dissemination of cookery knowledge. Of course, Kalins\u2019 lengthy career in the culinary world means that many of her inspirations and mentors are internationally renowned chefs such as Marcella Hazan and Michael Anthony, although she also reminisces about the lessons she has learned from friends, relatives, and fellow home cooks. Included among Kalins\u2019 interesting stories and recollections are recipes ranging from her mother\u2019s meatloaf to David Tanis\u2019 Swiss chard gratin, which are sure to inspire readers to attempt to cultivate some culinary experience of their own.\n\nIrma\u2019s Passport: One Woman, Two World Wars, and a Legacy of Courage by Catherine Ehrlich\n\nCatherine Ehrlich relates the tale of Irma\u2019s Passport from two perspectives, her own and that of her grandmother Irma. Having been born in a picturesque village in Bohemia, Irma moved to Prague to study languages just prior to the outbreak of World War One. In Prague, she mixed with members of Europe\u2019s intelligentsia, including Franz Kafka and Albert Einstein, although the war resulted in the death of her first husband and prompted her to move to Vienna. There, Irma\u2019s path in life changed somewhat when she married Jakob Ehrlich, an advocate for Vienna\u2019s Jewish community. With the outbreak of World War Two, Irma lost her second husband, but she and her son were able to flee to London following surprising intervention by Adolf Eichmann. Once in London, Irma again found herself mixing with high society, although this time round she had discovered her voice as an activist and worked tirelessly to help others escape from Nazi Europe. Her campaigning eventually took her to New York, where she settled and continued her work with refugees. Using the detailed journals kept by Irma as well as recollections from her later life, Ehrlich is able to tell her grandmother\u2019s extraordinary story in her own words, and she also muses on the impact that her grandparents\u2019 experiences have had on her own life.\n\nSleeper Agent: The Atomic Spy in America Who Got Away by Ann Hagedorn\n\nA keen baseball player who was also a good student and popular with his contemporaries, George Koval appeared to be an archetypal all-American boy; however, in reality, Koval was the Soviet Union\u2019s most successful sleeper agent. Born in Iowa in 1932 to Russian Jewish parents who had emigrated to the USA to escape anti-Semitism, Koval returned to the Soviet Union with his family due to their desire to live in accordance with their socialist ideals. While there, he was recruited as a spy and persuaded to return to the USA to continue his education and secure employment that would allow him access to confidential information. As a gifted science student, Koval was able to enroll at Columbia University, where he studied alongside scientists who would eventually work on the Manhattan Project. After being drafted, Koval\u2019s science background meant that he was posted to a facility that produced uranium and plutonium. While there, and during subsequent postings, he had access to highly secret information concerning the atomic bomb project, which he fed back to Moscow. The information revealed by Koval proved instrumental in the development of the Soviets\u2019 own atomic bomb, but quite remarkably, he was able to get away scot-free after the war. Sleeper Agent by Ann Hagedorn is a gripping account of Cold War espionage and the way in which a single individual changed the course of history. \n\nFour Funerals, No Marriage: A Memoir by Mike Keren\n\nMike Keren\u2019s Four Funerals, No Marriage is a highly emotive memoir chronicling his experiences of caring for ill and dying relatives while also attempting to navigate an increasingly confusing and homophobic world. Keren had a difficult relationship with his parents, who had chosen to move North Carolina to spend their retirement hundreds of miles away from their New Jersey-based children. However, after deciding that they didn\u2019t like North Carolina much after all, his parents returned, only for his father to be hospitalized after having a stroke while on a house-hunting trip and his mother to do likewise soon afterwards after experiencing another in a series of heart attacks. While this was going on, Keren\u2019s partner\u2019s mother was recuperating after having a hysterectomy and attempting to cope with the chemotherapy she required to treat her ovarian cancer. Hugely dissatisfied with what he perceived as the uncaring nature of the healthcare system\u2013\u2013a system he had previously abandoned after deciding to quit his career as a clinical psychologist\u2013\u2013Keren opted to take on the caregiver role for both his parents and his in-laws. What followed for Keren was a heartbreaking yet darkly humorous experience of caring for others while simultaneously trying to find a way to care for and heal himself.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Jun-2021 16:08:53", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009961003", "title": "Controlling Women: What We Must Do Now to Save Reproductive Freedom", "author": "Kathryn Kolbert", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 275, "review": "If you are a staunch pro-lifer, this book is not for you. If, however, you believe lack of reproductive freedom to be the single greatest obstacle to women\u2019s equality, and you fear the recent push to roll back abortion rights legislation, then Kathryn Kolbert and Julie F. Kay\u2019s book Controlling Women may be the hope you\u2019ve been looking for.

Kolbert and Kay\u2019s genius lies as much in the organization of the book as in the content. Their history as litigators allows them a closer view of some of the most important aspects of the fight for reproductive rights, and they use that view to craft a narrative that considers more than Roe vs. Wade. Beginning the book with a chapter titled \u201cGender, Sex, Race, and Power\u201d frames their argument and subsequent strategies as a fight that, while rooted in the right to reproductive freedom, is really a fight for bodily autonomy.

There is no room for arguing against Kolbert and Kay in this book; their informed, expert take is the road map for those millions of Americans who support access to safe, legal abortion. They outline how this freedom is under attack and what to do about it. As a teacher, I was particularly impressed with how they discuss the detrimental effects of the nearly non-existent sex education programs in the country and how, through small and simple changes, great progress may be made.

Controlling Women sugarcoats nothing and expects its readers to be ready to hear the truth. It is necessary and important and should be required reading for everyone who calls themselves a feminist or an activist in the field of reproductive freedom.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "20-Oct-2021", "date_added": "24-Jun-2021 15:49:21", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009959007", "title": "Monsieur Proust's Library: Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Marcel Proust", "author": "Anka Muhlstein", "category": "N25 Books About Books", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 195, "review": "Anka Muhlstein reveals a poignant story in her biography of Marcel Proust, acclaimed as one of France\u2019s most celebrated novelists. Proust\u2019s seven-volume masterpiece, known in English as In Search of Lost Time, is, in a sense, the culmination of a childhood obsession with books, his invariably emotional reaction to all those his mother and grandmother read to him. One can only wonder if the persistence invested their hope, ambition, and aspiration in the little boy? It matters not: only that it imbued him with a lifelong habit of reading widely, the experience enabling him to transfer his passion to his masterpiece, a double helix where author and narrator cling together, sometimes indistinguishably, where multiple characters interact with each other across the pages.

Monsieur Proust\u2019s Library will seduce readers already familiar with Proust\u2019s writing on the extravagant surroundings of French society in the early twentieth century, the gossip, transgressions, antagonisms, and hidden homosexuality. The appeal to others will be furthering their enjoyment of Swann\u2019s Way, the first volume, after which many halted. Last but not least, the book provides a lively introduction to all who are eager to learn why Proust\u2019s reputation is so lastingly appealing.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "31-Mar-2022", "date_added": "23-Jun-2021 23:38:11", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009959003", "title": "The Vanished Days (The Scottish series)", "author": "Susanna Kearsley", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 215, "review": "I have been waiting for what seems like forever for Susanna Kearsley\u2019s latest book in her Scottish Series, The Vanished Days. I must say, the wait was well worth it! Because this novel is billed as the prequel to The Winter Sea, I expected to have a lot more back story about John Moray and Sophia, however, both characters are woven in almost seamlessly into the larger plot of the novel. I was quite pleasantly surprised at the number of names from Kearsley\u2019s other novels such as Mariana and even Bellwether that often popped up. It was as if the author was giving us, her most faithful readers, a secret gift.

The Vanished Days concerns a young widow, Lily Aitcheson Graeme, who is called upon to prove her marriage to the late James Graeme is indeed valid to the Queen\u2019s investigator, Sergeant Adam Williamson. During the investigation, Williamson must hear Lily\u2019s tragic life story, the testimony of her late husband\u2019s friends and family, and search for other proof of the truth of her claim. Williamson soon discovers that there is more beneath the surface of this inquiry and many lives may be at stake regardless of the outcome.

Kearsley does not disappoint with her latest and the end leaves us waiting impatiently for the next Scottish novel!", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2021", "date_added": "23-Jun-2021 23:33:14", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Landmark", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009958003", "title": "Stranger Things: Rebel Robin", "author": "A. R. Capetta", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 251, "review": "It's the beginning of sophomore year and Robin, along with her Odd Squad friends, have decided: this time, they're going to fit in. Robin has always viewed her school, town, and peers differently. She has always seen the stupidity of public continuous education and the simple-minded need of her fellow students to belong for what it is, a greedy desire to push up the social ladder. Despite her private frustrations, she has finally decided to take part in the process.

Stranger Things: Rebel Robin by A. R. Capetta it is a prequel novel to the third season and focuses on Robin Buckley struggling through her sophomore year. For a character who would play a major part in the third season of the popular Netflix series, it is refreshing to see more of her story and dive deeper into her personality. For many, the highlight of the third season was the inclusion of the Scoops Ahoy splinter team; here, one of the best aspects of the story is the introduction of Robin's entertaining circle of friends.

If you are a fan of Stranger Things, it is essentially a game-changer; if you are a fan of Robin, then it is essential reading, period! Capetta is a brilliant writer who was able to masterfully capture this engaging screen character and place her on paper. Likewise, Hawkins High comes to life throughout this great book. Robin is the perfect vehicle for such an exploration because we all knew a rebel without a cause like Robin.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "17-Nov-2021", "date_added": "23-Jun-2021 23:26:31", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009957011", "title": "Opposites Abstract", "author": "Mo Willems", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - Age 6", "word_count": 138, "review": "This book is very boring. I have sixteen least favorite pictures and two favorites: inclusion and exclusion are nice pictures that are next to each other. The answer to all the questions in the book is \u201cyes,\u201d so you kind of get tired of that.

I think I have read every single other Mo Willems book and I love them. Elephant and Piggie, Amanda and Her Alligator, The Pigeon series, they are all so good that it is hard to say which one is the best. They are so funny that you can even learn all the words and do plays with your family.

This book, Opposites Abstract, is just kind of weird. It does have some good words, and if you like the art on the cover you will probably like it. The cover has cool letters.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2022", "date_added": "23-Jun-2021 23:18:33", "publisher": "Hyperion Books for Children", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000009957007", "title": "Guess What!? (An Unlimited Squirrels Book) (Unlimited Squirrels, 4)", "author": "Mo Willems", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 220, "review": "Zoom Squirrel stars in the next exciting book in the Unlimited Squirrels series, which is written by one of my favorite authors! Can you guess what this story is about? No really, guess! Zoom Squirrel is asking all his friends to guess what?! He has some exciting news about where he will go in the next week. He counts down, does a dance, sings songs, and can't wait to get to his destination, the beach! However, he begins to wonder what the beach is like, what he will do there, and how he will have fun. The squirrels are determined to help Zoom Squirrel learn about the beach, but will he like it?

The Unlimited Squirrels series is an absolutely funny, easy, and fun to read series. Hilarious illustrations and a nice story line make for a great fourth book in the series. Mo Willems has created this book to be great for all ages, as the fun trivia and a short informative page about the answers to the trivia questions will appeal to older readers, while the acorns emoticons to show the squirrels' feelings are great for younger readers. Best of all, there are corny jokes! Also, in the back of this book, is the music to Zoom Squirrel's song, which I can't wait to play on my piano!", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "28-Oct-2021", "date_added": "23-Jun-2021 23:15:22", "publisher": "Hyperion Books for Children", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009956003", "title": "How to Train Your Dad", "author": "Gary Paulsen", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Carl is thirteen, and he is pretty tired of the way his dad does things. And he doesn\u2019t have a mom to help him. She died when he was young, and his dad won\u2019t talk about their life before. Now his dad doesn\u2019t work, and he gets everything they need through bartering. He is an amazing mechanic, handyman, and dumpster diver, so they usually have what they need, but when necessities include things like pink overalls and a kludged-together recumbent bike, Carl doesn\u2019t think it will catch the eye of \u201cthe girl,\u201d Peggy, and that\u2019s important to him now. He finds a puppy training manual and enlists his buddy Pooder to help him retrain his father so Carl can become \u201clookatable\u201d and get the attention of Peggy.

Gary Paulsen certainly is in touch with his inner adolescent, because the voice of Carl in this first-person narration sounds just right. There are a LOT of funny happenings, and a terrific small-town setting including a rusty trailer on the edge of town. The writing is excellent, the dialogue snappy. the characters fully realized, and the story very compelling. Kids, even reluctant readers, will love this fun story.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "26-Nov-2021", "date_added": "23-Jun-2021 16:28:20", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009954023", "title": "My Contrary Mary (The Lady Janies)", "author": "Cynthia Hand", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 201, "review": "This is the story of Mary, Queen of Scots, but like it\u2019s never been told before. She has lived in France with her intended, Prince Francis, since she was five, waiting to become his wife. Francis, while not wanting to be king, does not have any objection to marrying Mary; she is already his best friend, even if she does turn into a mouse, unbeknownst to everyone else. When the king decides it is time for the wedding, Mary gathers her ladies-in-waiting, also all named Mary, and prepares for her big day while lamenting the fact that her mother, who rules Scotland in her stead, will not arrive in time and praying that no one discovers her shapeshifting ways. The wedding goes off without a hitch, but it marks the happy calm before a storm, one which features death and destruction, family betrayal, and unfriendly spying.

There are no historical novels as fun and entertaining as the ones re-told by this trio of authors. Pop culture references keep the tale lively (Ari\u2019s visions are a hoot!) while Mary lives up to her contrary reputation. Readers who loved The Lady Janies will love this new series. After all, there\u2019s something about Mary.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "20-Aug-2021", "date_added": "22-Jun-2021 16:25:39", "publisher": "HarperTeen", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009954003", "title": "Kaddish: Before the Holocaust and After", "author": "Jane Yolen", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 192, "review": "Prolific writer Jane Yolen\u2019s latest book is a departure from the children\u2019s literature for which she is most known. Unlike her other books of poetry, Kaddish: Before and After the Holocaust has a focus and tension that may put off some readers.

There is a great deal of detail in the poems, and it is clear that this is work of witness: poetry meant to acknowledge and remember and, when called for, to celebrate and vilify. But there is a slight unevenness in the book\u2019s section that keeps it from feeling fully cohesive. Perhaps this is intentional; the three sections are Before (Woman\u2019s Midrashim), The Shoah\u2019s Many Voices, and Mitzvah\u2019s and Miracles, the last of which is by far the shortest. It is disappointing that the final section is so short in that it contains the strongest poem in the book, \u201cThe Trochenbrod Miracle\u201d, which feels like it could be the first poem in a slightly different collection.

The poems are strong if the book, as a whole, is a bit unbalanced, but it is\u2014unsurprisingly\u2014deeply sad in many places, so readers who aren\u2019t ready for the emotional toll of the text should steer clear.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2021", "date_added": "21-Jun-2021 19:07:08", "publisher": "Holy Cow! Press", "page_count": "88 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009953039", "title": "The Loud House #13: Lucy Rolls the Dice", "author": "The Loud House Creative Team", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 139, "review": "The one and only Loud family is back for another adventure. This time they will be playing to see who will escape the kitchen of destiny. Lucy learns how to play a fantasy role-playing game with her family. She seems to have beginner\u2019s luck with great rolls of the dice. Lucy and her friends quickly become submerged in the game and wonder if they will be able to escape.

I love the adventures of the Loud family. I especially love the illustrations in this graphic novel! The illustrations of how the family goes just from playing a game to really turning the game into real-life action role-playing. I enjoyed this book because I like to play role-playing games with my family. This is a very funny story and has a ton of obstacles they must overcome in their adventures.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2021", "date_added": "22-Jun-2021 21:48:29", "publisher": "Papercutz", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009953019", "title": "Family Reunion", "author": "Chad And Dad Richardson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aidyn - Age 7", "word_count": 132, "review": "This book was about a boy who did not understand his family. He did not even understand why family reunions are important and so did not want to go. I was happy when he started having fun with his cousins, and the people in the story reminded me of my family. I wish he enjoyed thinking about the family reunion from the beginning of the story. Family is the most important thing.

I liked that he got the chance to see his family because I have not seen my family in a long time. There are so many people I don't know because of everything closing down. They looked like they were having so much fun as a family! I hope the boy is excited next time they have a family reunion.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "03-Dec-2021", "date_added": "22-Jun-2021 15:56:46", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009953011", "title": "Cheat Day: A Novel", "author": "Liv Stratman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 204, "review": "Cheat Day is the story of a young woman named Kit who lives in New York City with her husband David and their cat Woogie. The story centers on Kit's life and her indecision in terms of life choices. David is a successful businessman who loves Kit. Kit and her sister Melissa were raised by their nonna after their mother passed away when they were little. Kit, Melissa, and their cousin, Angelo, co-own the bakery where Kit works. The problem lies within Kit, who is always on some kind of fad diet and quits and gets rehired at the bakery on and off.

The story was written with a good flow. It was easy to follow Kit throughout her day and understand what she was thinking as she made her life decisions. Ultimately, this book is about Kit cheating (thus the title of the book) on David and then contemplating what it would be like to leave him.

Kit's character had some deep internal conflict that was holding her back in life. I think there is something in this book that most women can relate to at some time in their life. Cheat Day is well-written and features quirky characters and a fun setting.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "21-Jun-2021 22:49:11", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009951047", "title": "Get Messy Art: The No-Rules, No-Judgment, and No-Pressure Approach to Making Art - Create with Watercolor, Acrylic, Markers, Inks, and More", "author": "Caylee Grey", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 185, "review": "The definition of an artist is someone who makes art. It doesn't have to be perfect or even good. The messy artist is a role that encourages someone to step outside the box and find freedom in questioning how the world defines perfection. Get Messy Art pushes artists to reject the idea of perfection through a guide to creating messy art according to the six creative pillars: mess, habit, community connection, inspiration, enthusiasm, and kindness.

This is an art-based guidebook that encourages readers to leave perfection behind and embrace their inner artist through community, creativity, and connection. The book focuses on messy art journals that are easy to employ at your own convenience with ideas, steps, and full-colored photographs. It's empowering and inspiring to find a book that is based on being messy, original, and community-orientated with heavy doses of encouragement to enlist other artists to help create art.

The go-to techniques, color mixing methods, guest artist interviews, and step-by-step instructions deliver a unique art experience in Get Messy Art that will have you stepping out of your comfort zone and into the messy middle.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "04-May-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2021 22:03:26", "publisher": "Quarry Books", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009951043", "title": "Silence in the Library: A Lily Adler Mystery (LILY ADLER MYSTERY, A Book 2)", "author": "Katharine Schellman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 199, "review": "Lily Adler has done it again. She\u2019s found herself in the middle of a murder investigation, offering her help to the constables in order to find who murdered Sir Charles Wyatt, a friend of Lily\u2019s father. Lily must use her unique position in the upper classes to find out information that the constable would be otherwise unable to obtain. When a maid from Sir Charles\u2019 household dies mysteriously before being able to tell Lily some information, the stakes are raised even higher. Lily must discover why someone from Sir Charles\u2019 household would want him dead before any other members die and the Silence in the Library becomes deafening.

I thoroughly enjoyed this second installment in the Lily Adler series. Although the case wasn\u2019t difficult to figure out, being in Georgian England is never a disappointment. Schellman does a brilliant job bringing historical accuracy and clever characters to life. It\u2019s always wonderful to see a woman using her wits instead of always following society\u2019s demands, but Schellman clearly shows how hard it would have been on Lily to do so. If you enjoy murder mysteries, especially those that take place in Georgian or Victorian London, I highly recommend this series.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "22-Jun-2021 17:14:54", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009948043", "title": "This Poison Heart", "author": "Kalynn Bayron", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Grace - Age 17", "word_count": 178, "review": "Briseis has a secret, one that has scared friends away and, if she\u2019s willing to admit it, one that scares her and her parents as well. But when her aunt dies and leaves her an estate, she has the freedom to explore her ability with plants where no one will get hurt. While making new friends and searching for answers hidden on the estate, things more deadly than she could ever have dreamed turn up, leaving her with more questions than answers.

This Poison Heart is full of interesting characters, some who don't even appear but are interesting nonetheless, as well as danger and mystery. Although I figured out some of the things that were going on not even halfway through, other things I never saw coming. The book closes one chapter of the story at the end and starts a new one at the same time. I love Briseis's parents; they're involved in her life, and as for the things she keeps from them, she has good reasons to do so, even if she doesn't want to.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2021", "date_added": "22-Jun-2021 16:50:07", "publisher": "Bloomsbury YA", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009948035", "title": "We Were Never Here: A Novel", "author": "Andrea Bartz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 197, "review": "Emily and Kristen have been best friends for ten-plus years. Every year they go on a trip to an exotic location. They are in Chile when Kristen claims a backpacker attacked her in their room and she killed him in self-defense. The crazy thing is almost the exact same thing happened to Emily on their trip last year. They have no choice but to get rid of the body and make it appear that We Were Never Here. When Emily gets back home, Kristen shows up out of the blue and tries to keep Emily close, inserting herself into all of Emily\u2019s relationships. Emily is beginning to realize her relationship with Kristen might not be healthy, and soon she\u2019ll discover how unhealthy it really is. How far will Emily go to protect herself and those she loves, even when it\u2019s someone she loves that\u2019s doing the damage?

If you\u2019ve ever felt bad that you don\u2019t have a best friend, read this book and you\u2019ll be glad you keep people at arm\u2019s length. It was an interesting look at unhealthy relationships but from a friendship angle instead of romantic. If you enjoy thrillers, then I recommend this book.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "07-Aug-2021", "date_added": "22-Jun-2021 16:31:09", "publisher": "Ballantine Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009948031", "title": "Jet the Cat (Is Not a Cat)", "author": "Phaea Crede", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 8; Julianne - Age 5", "word_count": 175, "review": "Jet the Cat (Is Not a Cat) is a really silly book, but it\u2019s serious too. It\u2019s written by Phaea Crede and illustrated by Terry Runyan. They tell the story of Jet the Cat, who is different than other cats, because she likes to swim. Since Jet likes to swim, and that\u2019s really unusual for a cat, it makes the other cats think she\u2019s not a cat.

That really doesn\u2019t bother Jet, so she goes along and lets the other cats tell her that because she likes water she is NOT a cat, that she\u2019s a frog. Then the frogs tell her she\u2019s not a frog, and then the goat and the bird, but finally Jet has had ENOUGH, and tells her friends that she might be different, but she is still a cat.

And then something surprising happens, but you\u2019ll have to read it to find out. Even though the other animals tell her that she\u2019s something else, Jet knows what she is all along. And that is the most important lesson of all.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "22-Oct-2021", "date_added": "22-Jun-2021 15:55:44", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000009948007", "title": "Come With Me", "author": "Ronald Malfi", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 195, "review": "One morning, reporter Allison Decker dies tragically in a mall shooting. The last words she said to her husband, Aaron, that morning were \u201ccome with me.\u201d As Aaron is going through her belongings, he finds a receipt for a motel room in a different state. After confirming she wasn\u2019t working on a story for her paper, he sets off on a journey to discover what his wife was hiding from him. Aaron learns that she had many secrets. He\u2019s going to follow the trail all the way, even if he doesn\u2019t like what he finds at the end or if it puts his own life at risk.

If I was going to label this book, I would put it in the thriller with a few supernatural elements genre. It wasn\u2019t horrifying enough to justify placement in the horror genre. It reminded me very much of the Netflix version of The House on Haunted Hill, but even that was scarier than this book. It was still a great read, however, and I would recommend it to those who like the thriller with supernatural elements genre. Expect to be creeped out in some places, but not terrified.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "01-Sep-2021", "date_added": "21-Jun-2021 19:17:18", "publisher": "Titan Books", "page_count": "387 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009947019", "title": "Sounds Like Love", "author": "Laura Ford", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 399, "review": "Sounds Like Love is a wonderful story about a young lady named Wendy. Wendy is heartbroken as her grandmother, whom she was very close to, has passed away. Wendy goes over to her grandmother's house to collect some keepsakes that her grandmother has left her. To her surprise, her grandmother has left her not only a few material possessions such as a vase and a hundred-year-old teapot, but she has also left her her cat, also named Wendy. The problem is, Wendy (the person) really does not like cats. She spends most of the time in the book looking for a new home for the cat. She attempts to bring the cat to the local animal shelter, but they are full right now. Then, she tries to bring the cat to a neighbor's house only the neighbor says the cat can only stay a few days because her son is allergic to cats and will be back in a few days. Wendy is very frustrated. That is until she realizes that this may not be any ordinary cat. We follow Wendy as she discovers what is truly important in life -- love, companionship, and understanding among those things.

I truly enjoyed reading Sounds Like Love. The story was written so simply and was easy to follow for its young adult genre. It also taught important life lessons that all humans should learn such as giving new things a chance and if something is meant to be then it will be. Wendy's character is cute and quirky and she is all but perfect but as we follow her in her journey to find a new home for Wendy the Cat, it is easy to feel the transition in Wendy's heart of her feelings for the cat. I also really liked Simon, the man who works at the animal shelter. The little spark between Wendy and Simon at the shelter seems to foreshadow that Simon might show up later in the book and as I read on, I was hoping that they would meet again. Author Laura Ford does a fantastic job of creating a story that flows well and keeps the reader captivated from beginning to end. This is a sweet story that will leave its readers feeling warm and fuzzy. Overall, this book is a great read for fans of light-hearted fiction.\n\nAlso available in Hardcover and e-book formats.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "22-Jun-2021 18:56:21", "publisher": "Friesen Press", "page_count": "140 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009947015", "title": "Awakening Your Soul's Truth: A Powerful Guide for Transformation, Healing, and Consciousness Growth Author Name(s): *\t", "author": "Anya Goode", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 52, "review": "\"With illustrations from her own life, Anya Goode guides the reader through a journey of transformation, shedding deceptive, draining cloaks so that we may become our true selves. Awakening Your Soul's Truth is a fascinating first step on a journey that is necessary for so many. --Jo Niederhoff, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "June 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Jun-2021 18:50:41", "publisher": "Liminal Phoenix Media, LLC", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000009947011", "title": "The Religious Transaction", "author": "Timothy Chen", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 446, "review": "The Religious Transaction: Is God Worth the Effort?/ is essentially the thoughts and opinions of author Timothy Chen regarding religion. Chen explains in the introduction how this book came to be along with its intended purpose. Chen, a once devote Christian, experienced some hardships later in life and took them as a challenge to determine if Christianity was the best use of his time, energy, and resources. Taking the scientific approach, Chen organized his issues into four separate transactions between himself and God to weigh the pros and cons. In The Religious Transaction, Chen presents his findings, obtained through research and scientific data by respected sources, and invites his readers to study the results to make an informed decision in their lives.

The data that Chen reports on includes different religions - Christianity, Muslims, and others, his way of being inclusive to as many as possible. As previously stated, Chen used to be a devote Christian; this makes it easier for the Christian readers since Chen pretty much knows the basics of Christianity when he is comparing it with other religions. The Religious Transaction/ is written well from an English-teacher perspective, but certainly not from a theological one. From the Christianity viewpoint, it is evident that Chen has turned a blind eye to the benefits of Christianity. Chen receives some brownie points for discussing the sensitive and complex topic of religion professionally; however, he loses points with this reviewer for not sticking with the original script of laying out his findings but instead throwing in his thoughts and opinions to sway the readers. This reviewer believes that there is nothing wrong with examining the basis of your beliefs, especially when it pertains to something as important as your salvation, but only when done correctly.

Chen discusses religious transactions regarding material blessings, emotional, social, and personal fulfillment, morality and knowledge, and the idea of an afterlife. Chen attempts to back up his feelings and opinions with scientific data regarding these topics. Chen sounds to keep an open mind and at least mention the possibility of miracles and other supernatural events, but he is quick to shut them down by being highly unlikely. Chen has displayed his love of temporary earthly pleasures that are only available through a separation from God. Chen's research is not wholly accurate, as historical and Biblical scholars have debunked some of the points he tries to make against religion. Many of the questions he asks have their answers in Scripture. Also, it is unwise to read the Bible with today's culture and lifestyles in mind, as this will only confuse you and lead you astray from the message of faith, love, grace, and salvation.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "06-Jan-2022", "date_added": "21-Jun-2021 22:17:15", "publisher": "self published", "page_count": "270 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000009947007", "title": "The Zodiac Revisited, Volume 1: The Facts of the Case", "author": "Michael F. Cole", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 439, "review": "Michael F. Cole\u2019s recount of the infamous serial killer, the Zodiac, in his novel The Zodiac Revisited, Volume 1: The Facts of the Case was both intriguing and engrossing. Before reading this novel, I was vaguely familiar with this topic from the popular movie \u201cZodiac\u201d. This book further solidified my knowledge, as Cole truly brought this tale to life for me. Incredibly informative on the facts of the case, the possible explanations, and why investigators to this day still have not solved this cold case, any lover of true crime would thoroughly enjoy what this book has to offer.

Cole begins by giving a general overview on the Zodiac killer and what evidence law enforcement has complied to who this man may be. As the reader will learn as they dive into these pages, Cole was not lying when he quoted John Naisbitt saying, \u201cWe are drowning in information but starved for knowledge\u201d. With eyewitness accounts, fingerprints, numerous letters, ciphers, greeting cards, and even a palm print, it seems as though the FBI would have solved this case decades ago. He points out that although we have so much information to work with, the FBI and investigators have failed to piece it together in a way that would point to a specific perpetrator. I thoroughly enjoyed Cole\u2019s commentary as he brings important points into play about evidence interpretation, possible related cases, and how further technological advances in DNA could help solve this case.

As previously stated, this novel is incredibly descriptive on all the known certainties of each individual murder and my sympathy for each victim grew tremendously within this read. I especially found the story of pregnant Kathleen Johns, an abductee of the killer, along with her infant, terrifying and eye-opening of the Zodiac\u2019s nature. This woman\u2019s courage is unparalleled as she successfully not only escaped the killer with her child but lived to tell the tale. Her recital of what happened that night and the odious words the Zodiac spoke to her further solidified the man\u2019s insanity and unbalance. Exceptionally well-written, Cole did a remarkable job in conveying the story of the Zodiac killer through his words and the picture supplements of the Zodiac\u2019s ciphers, greeting cards, and notes. The photographs of the victims of the killer were a heart-wrenching addition; I was moved with empathy for their loss and lack of justice surrounding their murder. Although it is now five decades later from the time of these murders, hopefully, this book as well as those similar to it, will help this case move forward and finally bring to light who the Zodiac is. \n\nAlso available in e-book format.", "issue": "July 2021", "date_posted": "17-Jul-2021", "date_added": "19-Jun-2021 23:15:04", "publisher": "Twin Prime Publishing", "page_count": "206 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000009947003", "title": "Space Story", "author": "W.W. Marplot", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 460, "review": "I would be lying if I didn\u2019t admit to imagining what it would be like to travel into space on a cool spaceship, reaching out to distant planets and unexplored galaxies, and basically going where no one has gone before. I\u2019m pretty sure that readers of this review will have had the same thoughts at one point or another (or even a few hundred times). But what if things didn\u2019t go completely as planned? What if you went to bed in your normal room, in your normal house, on your very normal planet, and then woke up to find yourself on a spaceship deep in dark, scary space? Welcome to Space Story by W. W. Marplot.

A teenager named Bobby has exactly this happen to him and finds himself on a spacecraft where there don\u2019t appear to be any people. Instead, there is all manner of strange machinery that he has to figure out. Fortunately it doesn\u2019t take him to long to realize that his father, Professor Lully, is behind all this, with him being stuck on a spaceship deep in space, and he uses that to his advantage in getting things working. Meanwhile, Kay is a teenage girl who also finds herself stuck on the spaceship and has her own issues to overcome related to the strange creatures residing on the ship. Eventually the two get together and figure out they need to take on one simple task: find the exact location of the Big Bang and help save the universe.

The key to enjoying Space Story is to realize that it\u2019s never going to take itself too seriously. It is a funny book where crazy and very amusing things ensue, and once the reader understands this, they can just sit back and enjoy the wild ride. The chapters, while not numbered, are divided and titled by character name and a short, amusing sentence concerning what\u2019s about to happen. There is definitely a Monty Pythonesque feel to this hilarious book that will leave readers with a permanent smile on their face. We jump back and forth through time so we know how things came to be this bad for Earth as well as what\u2019s happening in the present.

As to the shrouded history of the author, Professor Welkin Westicotter Marplot spent his life collecting strange and unusual tales. Gertrude Dee Marplot, a third-generation member of the esteemed Marplots, now spends her time collecting these incredible tales together for publication. Dwarf Story was the previous release, which received much acclaim, and now in Space Story we take a journey to the stars. It is a very entertaining story aimed at teenagers, who will find many details they can relate to throughout as well as plenty that will simply astound them.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "06-Dec-2021", "date_added": "19-Jun-2021 23:09:27", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "427 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009943011", "title": "The Summer Seekers: A Novel", "author": "Sarah Morgan", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 178, "review": "Eighty-year-old Kathleen is feeling her age more than ever, but she isn\u2019t ready to give up on adventure just yet. As her daughter Liza pushes her to move into a residential home, Kathleen grows more and more convinced that it is, instead, time for her to go on a summer road trip. She puts up an advertisement for a driver, which leads her to Martha, a young woman going through a bit of a quarter-life crisis. As the women embark on a journey across Route 66, they learn more about each other, themselves, and what they want out of life.

The Summer Seekers is a fun, emotional ride through the lives of these three women, all of whom share similar questions and struggles with life despite their age differences. The story nicely balances feel-good moments with the deeper, more inquiring ones, making it feel like something slightly more than a chick flick. It still falls into some of the classic contemporary romance/women\u2019s fiction tropes, but it still provides a fun and fast-paced read with plenty of nuanced moments.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "17-Sep-2021", "date_added": "18-Jun-2021 22:02:21", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000009942007", "title": "A Glimmer of a Clue (A Fairy Garden Mystery)", "author": "Daryl Wood Gerber", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 13", "word_count": 198, "review": "Courtney Kelly has it made\u2013\u2013she has a booming business, her family, and even her fairy friend Fiona. It isn\u2019t all light and sparkles in the town, though. Lana Lamar, ruling pickleball champion, has been ruffling lots of feathers. One day, she gets in a wrestling match with Courtney\u2019s friend Wanda, which escalates into them fighting again at a professional fundraiser. Then, Courtney finds Lana stabbed with an artwork letter opener, and Wanda is immediately at the top of the suspect list. Courtney knows Wanda\u2019s innocent, but how can she prove it? And if it wasn\u2019t Wanda, who stabbed Lana? Could it have been her husband? The psychologist, Tamara, who has a shady alibi? Kenny Chu, who has been acting weird since Lana\u2019s death? Or could it have been the very person Courtney\u2019s working to defend, Wanda herself?

This was an entertaining mystery with plenty of magic! I liked the inclusion of fairies without them being the focus of the story, and I liked the colorful personalities of the people in Carmel. The murder itself was nicely plotted and had an interesting conclusion. I recommend this to anyone who loves books with charming towns with a sprinkling of mystery!", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2021", "date_added": "18-Jun-2021 21:24:03", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010106019", "title": "The Perfect Family", "author": "Robyn Harding", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 203, "review": "Viv and Thomas Adler have it all. A beautifully renovated home, two perfect children, and successful careers. Who wouldn\u2019t want to be them? Clearly somebody, as they become victims of increasingly aggravated attacks on their home. First, it\u2019s eggs and smoke bombs, then tire slashings and hedges set on fire. All four members of the family begin to look closer at each other and themselves as they try to figure out why they are being targeted. It seems that they might not be The Perfect Family after all. How can they figure out who is to blame when they all have secrets?

Even though the Adler family is borderline unlikable, it\u2019s hard not to feel bad for them as they are constantly attacked. There was a lot going on in this book, which brought it down for me a bit. There were a few too many threads to follow and some weren\u2019t even acknowledged at the end. That lack of connectedness made the book hard to get into, but I would agree with other reviewers who describe it as twisty and unsettling. If Gillian Flynn is a little too dark for you, this might be a better alternative than diving into her books.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2021", "date_added": "29-Jul-2021 20:27:59", "publisher": "Gallery Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010106015", "title": "As the Wicked Watch: The First Jordan Manning Novel (Jordan Manning series, 1)", "author": "Tamron Hall", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 189, "review": "As a crime reporter with a degree in forensic science, Jordan Manning knows her way around a crime scene. After years of covering gruesome crimes, Jordan struggles with distancing herself from the brutality. Straddling that line between empathy and self-preservation becomes nearly impossible when covering the disappearance of a young black girl turns into covering a murder investigation. She has to fight to get coverage for this story because her gut tells her there is more to it and the suspects may not be guilty.

As a fan of Tamron Hall, I was very excited to have the opportunity to review this book. This story opens with a detailed account of the day in the life of a reporter. The descriptions were vivid and interesting. It immediately pulled me and was entertaining to the last page. The characters were well developed and multifaceted. I loved Jordan. She\u2019s strong, smart, and delightfully flawed. The writing had an air of authenticity without being dry and boring. Very well written and enjoyable. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys crime fiction, I can\u2019t wait for the next one in the series.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "17-Oct-2021", "date_added": "29-Jul-2021 20:23:43", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010106003", "title": "At Summer's End", "author": "Courtney Ellis", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 198, "review": "Alberta \u201cBertie\u201d Preston wants nothing more than to make a name for herself as an artist. In 1920s England, as a single woman, this is almost impossible. However, she receives a commission from the Earl of Wakeford to spend the summer painting at his country home, Castle Braemore. When she gets to Braemore, she discovers that the Earl has not left his room in two years, having received scars and never fully recovered from the Great War. His own siblings, still living with him, haven\u2019t even seen him in that time. She manages to break through his defenses and At Summer\u2019s End she will have to decide what is most important to her, her career or the family she has come to love?

The best way I can describe this is Beauty and the Beast World War I style with artists instead of bookworms. Since that is one of my all-time favorite stories, of course, I loved this and would recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction. Julian was a complex character who struggled to find his place in the world and how to deal well with his trauma. Bertie was the perfect remedy. I loved it.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "15-Sep-2021", "date_added": "28-Jul-2021 19:04:41", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010105043", "title": "The All-Night Sun: A Novel", "author": "Diane Zinna", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 175, "review": "Lauren Cress\u2019s life is a lonely one. She teaches writing to international students at a small college in Washington, D.C. and lives in an apartment with her dog. Having lost her parents in a tragic accident when she was eighteen, Lauren has no surviving family and few friends to speak of. But a student in her class, Siri, is friendly and kind, able to connect with Lauren about life and loss. She invites Lauren to come home with her over the summer to Sweden, and Lauren agrees. In The All-Night Sun, Diane Zinna tells the story of this trip to Sweden and its aftermath\u2014what it means for Lauren and for Siri, and for how Lauren understands her life.

The All-Night Sun is a quiet, touching portrait of a woman dealing with loneliness and grief. Lauren and Siri\u2019s friendship is complex and dynamic, as are Lauren\u2019s relationships with Siri\u2019s brother and sister and with Siri\u2019s friends. Zinna renders these relationships with profound emotional clarity and sensitivity to weave a compelling story about friendship, art, and loss.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "01-Dec-2021", "date_added": "29-Jul-2021 21:15:45", "publisher": "Random House Trade Paperbacks", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010105039", "title": "I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump's Catastrophic Final Year", "author": "Carol Leonnig", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 185, "review": "Despite there being yet another picture of the forty-fifth president on the cover of this book\u2013\u2013or perhaps because of it\u2013\u2013I quickly opened it and began to read yet another startling account of the disaster that was inflicted on our country by Donald J. Trump. This is actually the second book on this subject by the same authors. Their first book, A Very Stable Genius, also highlights Trump\u2019s self-aggrandizement.

However painful it might be to read yet another commentary on his presidency, the writing by these authors is so powerful that the reader is swept along with their story. The day-to-day ignorance and unfitness of the man are startling. The scramble by his sycophants and enablers even more so.

Yes, it makes for painful reading, but a failure to learn from history can be perilous. The most brutal part of their story is, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic that hit during\u2013\u2013and perhaps had a more severe than necessary impact because of\u2013\u2013his presidency. Trump\u2019s total focus on staying in power at whatever cost while blithely ignoring the transmission and fatal nature of the disease was truly heartless.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2021", "date_added": "29-Jul-2021 20:55:40", "publisher": "Penguin Press", "page_count": "578 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5 "} {"id": "425035000010104003", "title": "The Final Girl Support Group", "author": "Grady Hendrix", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 198, "review": "The Final Girl Support Group centers on a woman named Lynnette Tarkington who is part of a group of women known as \u201cfinal girls.\u201d Final girls are the last and sole survivors in a horror film. In this book, a group of final girls meet each week as a form of therapy under the supervision of Dr. Carol Elliott. The women in the group all have their own individual issues but may (or may not) actually care for one another. Then, one day, Adrienne doesn\u2019t show up to the meeting. Adrienne is the owner of Red Lake Camp, the very same place where she became a final girl, and where she has found solace in creating a retreat for victims of violence. One of the members gets a call during a meeting: Adrienne is dead.

This book is made up of the backstories of each of the final girls. Each story is reminiscent of a 1980s horror movie. I loved growing up in the 1980s watching these types of movies so I rather enjoyed the violent, bloody nature of this story. Others may not. And although the characters and stories were predictable, this book was still pretty entertaining.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "01-Sep-2021", "date_added": "28-Jul-2021 18:54:02", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010103011", "title": "Swan Song: A Novel", "author": "Elizabeth Splaine", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 201, "review": "Ursula Becker is in one of the most precarious positions a woman can be in: she has attracted the attention, bordering on obsession, of Adolf Hitler. A skilled opera singer, she comes to his notice during a performance because she bears an uncanny resemblance to his half-niece Geli, who died by her own hand in 1931. As the war progresses, Hitler\u2019s attention draws Ursula deeper and deeper into danger, until her very life is at risk.

This book has an intriguing premise that should set it apart from the rest of the mass of World War II fiction. Unfortunately, beyond the premise, I found myself unimpressed. I could never tell whether Ursula was meant to be read as a na\u00efve young woman slowly losing her innocence or a woman aware of the state of the world but with spontaneous spots of blindness, which dampened my enjoyment of the book.

Swan Song feels, at its best, operatic. It is grand and dramatic, full of deep emotion and sudden turns in action. At times it lacks subtlety, but those who enjoy powerful drama may well enjoy it despite that flaw. It was not to my taste, but I cannot deny it was exciting.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "06-Jan-2022", "date_added": "28-Jul-2021 23:32:42", "publisher": "Woodhall Press", "page_count": "364 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010103003", "title": "Any Way the Wind Blows (Simon Snow Trilogy, 3)", "author": "Rainbow Rowell", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 200, "review": "In this final volume of the Simon Snow Trilogy, Simon Snow and his friends are back in the U.K. after a whirlwind, vampire-filled road trip through the United States. They\u2019re reeling in the aftermath of their trip\u2019s events but soon find themselves entrenched in a series of entirely new catastrophes. Penelope is trying to undo the curse a demon left on their new American friend Shep; Baz and Simon are trying to figure out what\u2019s going on with the emerging hunt for the next \u201cChosen One,\u201d and Agatha is working at her father\u2019s clinic, where she connects with Niamh, an old Watford classmate with a passion for magical creatures. Amidst these dramas, Penelope, Baz, Simon, and Agatha are all reckoning with their tumultuous pasts and what they mean for their lives now, as well as for their relationships with one another and with the world of magic.

After the turmoil the characters faced in the previous book, this volume offers a much-needed burst of hope for readers invested in Simon, Baz, Penelope, and Agatha. While readers may be sad to leave the world of mages, Any Way the Wind Blows is a warm, heartfelt, and satisfying ending to the series.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "03-Dec-2021", "date_added": "28-Jul-2021 18:38:17", "publisher": "Wednesday Books", "page_count": "592 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010102007", "title": "Patient Zero: A Curious History of the World's Worst Diseases", "author": "Lydia Kang", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1067, "review": "From a legal battle for clean water to how we can tackle the plastic crisis, these five books not only offer different ways to address environmental pollution, but also offer a unique perspective on the inspiring world of medicine and its evolution.\n\nDesperate: An Epic Battle for Clean Water and Justice in Appalachia by Kris Maher\n\nSet in a West Virginia community in the Appalachian Mountains, this legal drama follows a tenacious environmental lawyer, Kevin Thompson, on a campaign to secure for clean water for the people of Mingo County. For two decades, the families of this coal mining community had found that when turning on their taps, they were met with discolored sludge. Following this, many in the community seemed to become seriously ill. Thompson, along with other lawyers and a band of young activists, fought a seven-year battle against West Virginia\u2019s mighty coal company, Massey Energy, and exposed the merciless shortcuts that had led to the deadly contamination of the drinking water. Desperate takes a compelling look at corporate greed and corruption, as well as at the fight for the rights of the little guy. It documents the years-long case with a cinematic style, and Kris Maher\u2019s effective reporting evokes strong feeling in the reader, providing a reason to believe that justice does still prevail, even against the odds.\n\nEarth Detox: How and Why we Must Clean Up Our Planet by Julian Cribb\n\nEarth Detox is a book that pulls no punches regarding the chemicalization of our planet and how the slow poisoning affects everything living thing on it. Science policy expert Julian Cribb handles this difficult yet important topic with zest and indicates that the barrage of chemicals and pollutants we throw into the atmosphere and oceans is six times larger than our greenhouse gas emissions. Many of these chemicals have not even been tested for safety, and they have been found in the most unthinkable places, from traces of arsenic found on the slopes of Mount Everest to flame-retardant chemicals identified in deep sea squid. These billions of tons of toxic chemicals are everywhere and in everything, including smart phones, medications, food, and clothes. Essentially though, this is more of a book about hope than despair. Cribb lays down ten existential threats that he states must be addressed and maps a way forward so that future generations can live as normally as possible and in harmony with the planet. The essence is sharing solutions in order to move toward a safe and healthy world for all living things.\n\nThicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Crisis by Erica Cirino\n\nErica Cirino\u2019s Thicker Than Water is an open-hearted and frank examination of the throwaway culture that embodies the richest nations of this world, which then inevitably ends up on the doorstep of the world\u2019s poorest nations. The impact is much bigger than most people think. Almost every person living today uses plastic on a daily basis, which has usually been designed for up to only a few minutes use at a time. This plastic inevitably ends up in our oceans, as the recycling process is far more complicated than we thought and so much plastic gets rejected. Cirino is a talented journalist and this account of her globe-hopping journey to meet scientists and activists who are trying to tackle the plastic issue illuminates the health impacts on wildlife and human life. The plastic crisis is an urgent issue and this book helps the reader to understand how we created the problem, but it also offers ways forward to help end the crisis. Technical innovations such as trash wheels, booms and grates, and simply picking up rubbish do help, but ultimately the solution lies in education, science, and systemic change. However, the problems of backlash from large industries, including fossil fuel companies who counter the lack of demand by creating plastic from ancient carbon stocks, complications of recycling, and our own unwillingness to let go of a life of convenience, threaten any good work already done. This book will help people to rethink their living habits and educate humankind about a better and healthier future for our planet.\n\nFauci: Expect the Unexpected: Ten Lessons on Truth, Service, and the Way Forward by National Geographic\n\nInfectious disease specialist Anthony Fauci, the White House\u2019s famous doctor, offers us an inspiring look at the influences in his life and the lessons that he has learned, giving us a rare glimpse into the world of a renowned medical expert. Fauci already had three decades worth of experience before becoming the most acclaimed doctor in America after dedicating himself to the White House Coronavirus Task Force, and in Fauci: Expect the Unexpected, he offers inspirational excerpts on governance, finding happiness in times of strife, and preparing to face unanticipated events. Fauci has spent his career fighting incredibly dangerous diseases such as AIDS, Ebola, and now COVID-19, and he has dedicated his life to dealing with heavy professional responsibilities. In this book, his insightful anecdotes offer ways to deal with obstacles and setbacks, especially in difficult times. The inspiring quotes taken from interviews in the eponymous National Geographic documentary will help people to move forward with respect to achieving a kinder future.\n\nPatient Zero: A Curious History of the World's Worst Diseases by Lydia Kang and Nate Pedersen\n\nFrom the authors of Quackery, Patient Zero chronicles various outbreaks of diseases, along with when they appeared and how they circulated. From reading this book, you will come to know the science behind the discovery of the diseases and how medicine has evolved to help us to deal with them. Kang and Pedersen offer medical accounts of different diseases and viruses, such as bubonic plague, HIV, polio, and smallpox, and tell us the human stories left in the wake of each, along with the investigation into the successes and failures, scientific theories, and examinations. We learn about the historical tragedies of patient zeros and how they led to medical breakthroughs. The authors also introduce us to how politics and religion manipulated information regarding the diseases. This is a morbidly entertaining and very accessible book with a good number of illustrations, so even the most reluctant reader should enjoy it. The only downside to reading it is the realization of how many nasty diseases are still out there and how easy it could be to experience another pandemic in our lifetime.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Jul-2021 22:39:08", "publisher": "Workman Publishing Company", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010101007", "title": "The Giggles Are Coming!", "author": "Christopher Eliopoulos", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 8; Julianne - Age 5", "word_count": 176, "review": "We got this book because the title was so cool! And the book is cool too. The Giggles Are Coming! by Christopher Eliopoulos is about two kids at a new school, and they say how much fun it will be. They make a new friend called Ruby. When their teacher says something funny, the kids try to ignore it, try to hide, but in the end, they can\u2019t resist\u2026 the giggles are coming!

It was pretty funny at the end and the pictures of the kids are really funny. No one can stop once the giggles arrive! Ruby wears purple and a panda hat. The giggles can be kind of frightening, but I would like to visit the classroom. Noodles has a great name! The guffaws and the chuckles were rude though. This book was just right and I wouldn\u2019t want it to be anything else. It was original and unique and we loved the pictures. It\u2019s a really fun book that we read again and again. It makes us giggle, guffaw, and chuckle every time.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "28-Oct-2021", "date_added": "28-Jul-2021 18:00:40", "publisher": "Dial Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010101003", "title": "The Last Checkmate: A Novel", "author": "Gabriella Saab", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Neela - age 13", "word_count": 203, "review": "The Last Checkmate is work of historical fiction that twists events to put a young non-Jewish girl in the men\u2019s camp at Auschwitz. She is then only saved by her ability to amuse a particularly psychopathic guard by playing chess. While the author, Gabriella Saab, explains the liberties she took in writing her novel and has done research to back up what may or may not be plausible, I found it hard to swallow, especially when the main character\u2019s childhood friend and fellow Polish resistance fighter infiltrates the camp to save her, or when the sadistic guard is willing to meet the protagonist at Auschwitz to play a final game of chess.

I appreciate Saab\u2019s creativity, but the chess references seemed incredibly forced and mainly consist of the main character saying \u201ccheckmate.\u201d There are so many more authentic novels about chess or the Holocaust. I can take a fair bit of fiction in my historical fiction, but this felt like a bit of a ghoulish and exploitative take on such an important time in history. Readers should also be aware that in addition to numerous expletives, many scenes involve the sexual exploitation of the prisoners, which may not be appropriate for all teens.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "18-Feb-2022", "date_added": "28-Jul-2021 17:35:56", "publisher": "William Morrow Paperbacks", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000010099003", "title": "Little Moar and the Moon", "author": "Roselynn Akulukjuk", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 201, "review": "A young boy, \u201clittle Moar,\u201d loves playing with his friends outside, but as the days grow shorter, his anxiety increases. He fears the moon and the creepy smile he sees on its face as it peers down at him. When the sun starts to fall below the horizon, he tells his friends he must go. On his way, he stops to play a quick game of tag and to visit his uncle. Darkness sets in, but he wants to wait for the clouds to conceal the moon. When little Moar finally reaches his destination, his mom comforts him and tries to sway his false beliefs. This is a story with rich cultural roots. It takes place in the frigid Canadian Arctic. The clothing is reflective of the region, and the text includes a bit of the native language spoken there. The illustrations are unique and cartoon-like. They gloss the pages in an array of light and dark hues.

Children ages five to nine will relate to how afraid little Moar feels. Nearly all youth have faced fears of their own, however big or small they might be, and like him, they\u2019re often stubborn in letting go of the myths that propel them.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2021", "date_added": "27-Jul-2021 18:57:55", "publisher": "Inhabit Media", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010097015", "title": "The Tinysaurs Save Christmas", "author": "Patricia Hegarty", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 135, "review": "The elves and crew at the North Pole are sick and the Tinysaurs see that they are needed to help with Christmas or many boys and girls won't have anything under the tree. The Tinysaurs pitch in by making toys, loading the sleigh, delivering toys, and any other tasks needed to help make Christmas a success. The question is, will they be able to do everything and have Christmas be on time?

This is a really cute book. Each of the Tinysaurs is different and they have different characteristics, and this shows how important all their differences are when making toys at the North Pole. My favorite part is the Tiny T-Rex who made extra-long drumsticks to beat the drums with his tiny arms! This book is a great book to feel the holiday cheer!", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "22-Oct-2021", "date_added": "27-Jul-2021 19:02:06", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010097003", "title": "Werewolf? There Wolf!", "author": "Kyle Sullivan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 9", "word_count": 198, "review": "Just when you think you know the story of the big bad wolf and little red, this cool book comes along and surprises you. We all know that the wolf is big and bad and little red is innocent right? Think again! Little red warns the big bad wolf that there is an even bigger, even badder wolf out there in the forest and he is going to get him. Of course, the big bad wolf thinks who could it be, Goth wolf? Fairy wolf. Take a walk through the forest to find different kinds of wolves to see who could possibly be after the big bad wolf. There is another wolf, that is bigger and badder but only on the full moon. What will happen to little red? Read this book to find out!

I really like this book, it is like a twisted fairy tale! I love books like this with a twist on a classic. The illustrations are incredible! Very muted colors and different kinds of features on each of the themed wolves will make this book a hit for everyone. I really enjoyed the Goth wolf the most! A really fun book to read!!", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "02-Dec-2021", "date_added": "27-Jul-2021 17:26:53", "publisher": "Hazy Dell Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010096007", "title": "Basho's Haiku Journeys", "author": "Freeman Ng", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - Age 8; Julianne - Age 5", "word_count": 177, "review": "Basho was a poet from Japan who lived in the seventeenth century. In this book, Basho\u2019s Haiku Journey by Freeman Ng, with illustrations by Cassandra Rockwood Ghanem, readers are introduced to Basho and his life.

He made five great journeys and wrote about them. Basho was a great poet because he wrote a lot. On his first journey, Basho saw many things. He was a cool man and he made friends on his journeys, like the samurai and the monk. He wanted to see everything he could. He had a few mishaps, mostly with his horse! On his other journeys, he found a little deer fawn and that was my favorite part.

The pictures are so beautiful. He went through mountains and deserts, fire and water. He wrote a lot of haiku. In the back of this book, there\u2019s a description of how to write haiku and we tried it. They are very fun to write! If you want to learn about a very interesting man and about haiku, this is a great book to pick up.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "22-Oct-2021", "date_added": "27-Jul-2021 18:49:02", "publisher": "Stone Bridge Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010095003", "title": "Sephardi: Cooking the History. Recipes of the Jews of Spain and the Diaspora, from the 13th Century to Today", "author": "H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Jawhara Pi\u00f1er", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 195, "review": "Here\u2019s one for the imagination: candied eggplant with sugar and cinnamon sticks! Helene Jawhara Piner\u2019s book heralds a joyful return to adventurous recipes, an escape from online and microwave meals.

Sephardi: Cooking the History embraces the story of Sephardi Jews who escaped the Inquisition at the end of the 15th century. Many feigned conversion from their faith while secretly retaining customs including their traditional food for everyday and celebrations.

Jewish families and Converso descendants alike enjoy the same dishes now, living as far away as the US, South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

The gorgeously illustrated book, accompanied by uncomplicated instructions, offers dishes with spices and herbs, some similar to those in Middle Eastern cooking. Several of the author\u2019s personal recipes are drawn from historical sources adapted from her academic research.

Rather than relying solely on the ingredients already \u2018on your pantry shelf,\u2019 she includes exotic items like zatar, semolina, and cassava blending them into intriguing dishes. Enjoyed through generations, are they tempting, and never extravagant. Chard stew with chickpeas, a 13th-century recipe for challah, the Sabbath bread, Maimonides chicken soup, and fried \u2018diamonds\u2019 with dates and walnuts hint at the variety, the fragrance seeping from the pages!", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2021", "date_added": "27-Jul-2021 17:20:27", "publisher": "Cherry Orchard Books", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010094003", "title": "The Gaza Kitchen: A Palestinian Culinary Journey", "author": "Laila El-Haddad", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Dr. Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 214, "review": "Not many cookbooks focus as much as this one does on the lives of those who cook and consume the recipes shared. Some of the personal stories are heart-warming, some are heart-wrenching, but all demonstrate the daily challenges of living in Gaza, one of the most politically unstable regions in the world today. Some of the challenges include water shortage, food rationing, power outages, and political constraints (restricted movement and regulations governing fishing and land use). The narrative also highlights the ways in which the population has adapted, such as increased agriculture, success of fish farms, repurposing what is available to aid cooking, and adapting recipes to include what is readily available.

The recipes are divided by their ingredients or function into eleven sections, with each section averaging about ten recipes. Interspersed with the recipes are the personal stories of the men and women living there. The book does state that the recipes are those cooked in homes, not those served by catering companies. Some of the ingredients may not be readily available to American readers. Also, the recipes do not document the servings per recipe. The point of the book may not be to help us cook foods from Gaza, but instead to document\u2013\u2013through food\u2013\u2013the everyday lives of those who live in Gaza.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "01-Dec-2021", "date_added": "27-Jul-2021 17:16:45", "publisher": "Just World Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010092003", "title": "In the Struggle: Scholars and the Fight against Industrial Agribusiness in California", "author": "Daniel J. O'Connell", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 194, "review": "Agriculture is big business in California, and from the late 1800s until now, activists, lawyers, and scholars have been going after the abuses big agriculture has leveled on the people, environment, and food supply in the state. This book chronicles the lives and works of eight of those activists, and while it focuses on a couple, there are still a ton of stories to investigate and move beyond, for example, the role Cesar Chavez played in the United Farmworkers\u2019 Movement.

This book chronicles how people standing up to big business, especially when it comes to food, has been an ongoing concern in California for generations. In the beginning, it was mainly farmers going after the railroad monopolies, but as soon as the farms become more consolidated and corporate, the task shifted from middle men to those working the ground itself.

People interested in how big business was fought, and how the lives of workers in the fields changed, will find this book interesting and intriguing. Overall, there is still much to be done and one of the lessons learned is that activists\u2019 work is never finished, it just gets passed to the next generation.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2021", "date_added": "27-Jul-2021 16:57:51", "publisher": "New Village Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010090019", "title": "The Wordy Book", "author": "Julie Paschkis", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 7", "word_count": 198, "review": "The Wordy Book is a book with a bunch of words. This book does not have a story about people or animals like other books. This book has lots of pictures on each page that are colorful, with lots of words. This book is different because the words or letters are part of the picture when I don't see that very much. The first time I read this story, I didn't understand it at all. The second time, my mom pointed out more things about the pictures and explained what the questions about each page meant.

Some of the pictures are cool; one is a boy using a pencil to row, and in another, a man has two pencils for his legs! In one picture, words are in the water, clouds, sun, and birds, and in another, they are in the flowers and leaves - so many words. I don't think that The Wordy Book will be one that I'll request to read again, but I did enjoy looking at the pictures, and some of the questions about them got my mind thinking - I think that kids older than me will understand and like this book better.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "02-Dec-2021", "date_added": "26-Jul-2021 23:08:52", "publisher": "Enchanted Lion Books", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010090015", "title": "In the Same Boat", "author": "Holly Green", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Sachi Sharma", "word_count": 244, "review": "In the Same Boat by Holly Green follows young Sadie Scofield as she competes in a grueling canoe race, a family tradition. When one blunder leads to disaster, Sadie must re-enter the competition the following year and she is more determined than ever to succeed. But when her brother ditches her at the last minute, she has no choice but to compete alongside her worst enemy.

From the moment the story begins, Green immerses readers in the world of canoeing. She describes every moment, from painful accidents to unforeseen betrayals to joyous victories, scrupulously. Not only does her writing support the plot, Green also creates a headstrong female lead who has both the grit needed to succeed in the competition and the motivation to do so. Sadie doesn\u2019t back down from anything, not even when everything goes awry. Instead, the events that transpire only make her more motivated, and readers can admire her determination. Green also establishes supporting characters with flaws, all of whom play a role in Sadie\u2019s growth.

In addition, Green\u2019s novel, though written about friendly competition, discusses heavier topics such as emotional abuse. The more serious content, however, is uplifted by lighter, more humorous moments. Despite the pace of the novel transitioning from fast to slow often, the book remains entertaining as readers prepare to be launched into the next canoe or family disaster. In conclusion, Holly Green\u2019s In the Same Boat features very real themes and characters worth reading about.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "26-Jan-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2021 22:59:10", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010089019", "title": "Linked", "author": "Gordon Korman", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Lincoln Rowley, a seventh grader, is popular, athletic, and full of mischief. Sometimes his mischief crosses the line, like pouring manure through the door slot of the office of the university people who discovered dinosaur poop near their town and now are digging for bones. It was a stinky thing to do, and getting caught was worse. The quiet town of Chokecherry, Colorado, is shaken when a swastika appears on the wall of the middle school. There is only one Jewish student: the daughter of one of the university professors. The school immediately institutes special holocaust instruction, but more swastikas appear. The students decide to make a paper chain with six million links to represent those lost in the holocaust. Link discovers some interesting family history, and some real twists and turns make this book riveting.

Gordon Korman speaks middle-grade in a way few authors do. This book is written from the points of view of several characters in the book, and all their voices are spot on. The story is complex, funny, serious, moving, and completely believable. It will capture young readers (and others lucky enough to find this book) and keep them engaged throughout. This is a winner.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "15-Sep-2021", "date_added": "26-Jul-2021 23:03:44", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010089015", "title": "A Discovery of Dragons", "author": "Lindsay Galvin", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 11", "word_count": 193, "review": "When Simon (Syms) Covington is offered a chance to sail aboard the Beagle as Charles Darwin\u2019s assistant, he jumps at the chance. After all, it\u2019s the adventure of a lifetime! A sudden storm at sea alters his fate by stranding him on an island in the Galapagos that is already occupied by a formidable foe - a dragon!

It is not all bad news, though. Syms also meets an island lizard that he names Farthing, for her beautiful, shiny copper eyes. Syms and Farthing work together to save each other repeatedly from the dangers of life on the island.

When Syms is finally rescued by his crew, he is half-dead, but he has managed to rescue eight dragon eggs. Although Syms should be thrilled, he worries about the life the dragon hatchlings will have back in London, so far away from their home.

Will Syms find a way to save the baby dragons before it is too late? Will Farthing find her happily ever after? This is a sweet story about love and loss, and having respect for our fellow creatures. It is a great read for elementary-aged kids and lovers of science of all ages!", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2021", "date_added": "26-Jul-2021 23:02:57", "publisher": "Chicken House", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010089011", "title": "Saguaro's Gifts", "author": "Kurt Cyrus", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 203, "review": "It\u2019s Saguaro\u2019s one-hundredth birthday, and all those who\u2019ve benefited from its presence in the dry hills where survival is an eternal challenge come to celebrate and pay gratitude to this resilient friend of theirs. The owl swoops down to find his resting place among its sharp spines, and bees, butterflies, and doves fly in to savor Saguaro\u2019s sweetness. An old tortoise searches for fallen fruit, and a finch creates a nest in Saguaro\u2019s thick stem. A bobcat climbs high on Saguaro, and a lizard comes with well wishes. In the midst of all the activity, Saguaro\u2019s seeds are scattered, so that someday new life will begin.

This is a poignant story about reciprocity, thankfulness, and longevity. It\u2019s about giving back to those who\u2019ve been tried and true over a lifetime. It\u2019s also a testimony to nature and the amazing gifts it offers so freely.

Scripted font and a glossy cover add a rich elegance; the text is aesthetically beautiful. The illustrations are displayed in gorgeous hues and are crafted with precision. The illustrator\u2019s experience in tropical rain forests proves valuable to his contribution. Combined with the author\u2019s elegant prose and heartfelt message, this is a masterpiece that\u2019ll be favored by children and adults alike.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2021", "date_added": "26-Jul-2021 20:07:35", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010088023", "title": "The Apocalypse and the End of History: Modern Jihad and the Crisis of Liberalism", "author": "Suzanne Schneider", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 183, "review": "The concept of jihad in Islam is something that has been rigorously studied since the 9/11 attacks, some 20 years ago, but alas, had received little attention outside of specific academic circles before that. Suzanne Schneider explores the role of jihad in Islam and especially in the Arab world, as well as how it has been interpreted and used since the turn of the 20th century and through the wars of liberation from European colonial rule.

Many Americans and Europeans struggle with the concept of jihad, and like many religious ideas, its meaning has changed over time as societies have changed as well. In its most basic form, jihad is often meant to be an internal struggle to be the best Muslim and follow the precepts of Islam as best as possible. Rarely did it ever mean that holy war must be made against others. Although Islamic armies did fight against their neighbors, it was more about a war of conquest than religion. Schneider looks at how different terrorist groups have taken the concept of jihad and used it for their own purposes.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "05-Oct-2021", "date_added": "26-Jul-2021 19:56:24", "publisher": "Verso", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010088019", "title": "Black Panther Spellbound (Black Panther the Young Prince)", "author": "Ronald Smith", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 10", "word_count": 127, "review": "Black Panther Spellbound is a captivating book. T'challa's father has finally given him a chance to visit his friends from America. T'challa, Sheila, and Zeke have it all planned out. T\u2019challa\u2019s visit starts off normal but as he starts getting used to the area, he notices things that just don\u2019t seem right. A strange man happens to be everywhere they are. T'challa is having weird dream visions. Buy the book to find out what happens to T\u2019challa and his friends.

Black Panther Spellbound would be a great read for everyone, especially Marvel fans and action lovers. This book would be awesome for children aged eleven and up. When I was reading it, there were so many cliffhangers that it made it impossible for me to stop reading.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2021", "date_added": "26-Jul-2021 19:15:30", "publisher": "Marvel Press", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010088011", "title": "Curses", "author": "Lish McBride", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jessica Ramirez", "word_count": 202, "review": "Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale of all time. It always has been and always will be too! There\u2019s something amazing about the tables being turned around. In this story, instead of the beast being male, the beast is female. Merit is set to be married to a man she refuses to spend eternity with. She then becomes cursed and turns into a beast. The only way it could be broken is love. Of course, there are stipulations; otherwise it\u2019d be too easy.

It\u2019s nearing the end and if she doesn\u2019t find a husband, she\u2019ll forever be lost as the beast. Enter the handsome and charming Tevin, a boy who comes from a family of conmen. When Merit and Tevin meet, the two strike a deal that would benefit them both. But things never do go the way we want them to, do they?

I adored Curses and all the wonderful and quirky characters we got to meet. This was a fun, romantic, and thrilling read that kept me flipping the pages. I didn\u2019t stop until I was done. The world was wonderful and rich. I wish I could forget the story and read it again for the first time!", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2021", "date_added": "26-Jul-2021 18:58:52", "publisher": "Putnam Young Readers", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010087015", "title": "Space Station Down", "author": "Ben Bova", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 201, "review": "The International Space Station (ISS) is a multinational, multiagency, collaborative, modular space station in Earth's low orbit. As the commander of the ISS, Kimberly Hadid-Robinson is responsible for the lives of the station\u2019s crew as well as the overall functions of the station itself. But now, terrorists have boarded the space station, murdered its crew, and threatened to deorbit, the ISS crashing it into New York. Kimberly not only has to stop the terrorists from turning the ISS into a one-million-pound nuclear bomb and prevent herself from being murdered, but the fate of America\u2019s space program rested in her hands as well.

Ben Bova and Doug Beason have teamed up to bring us Space Station Down, a fast-paced sci-fi drama. Bova and Beason don\u2019t waste any time with needless background stories. The action plays out immediately and the authors add in pertinent info as needed. The story feels a bit old, almost like a blending of the film Die Hard and the events of 9/11. The authors make up for the cliches with a lot of technical details about the ISS, and plenty of zero-g heroics. This is a good read for those who like their action combined with scientific facts.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2021", "date_added": "26-Jul-2021 19:18:31", "publisher": "Tor Trade", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010087007", "title": "Bullet Train: A Novel", "author": "Kotaro Isaka", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 211, "review": "Maria tells Ladybug to find a suitcase and take it. Ladybug is clumsy and unlucky but still has skills as an assassin. Kimura is an alcoholic who finds the fourteen-year-old schoolboy named the Prince and is ready to kill him because supposedly the Prince pushed Kimura's son off of a roof. The Prince is a sly, manipulative, evil boy who uses his youth to trick people. Lemon and Tangerine had one job. Find Minegishi's kidnapped son and bring back the ransom money after they killed everyone involved. These two are bumbling idiots who, like Ladybug, have some of the skills needed to be assassins but they are extremely sloppy. The catch? All of this is happening on the high-speed bullet train in Japan called the Shinkansen.

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Brad Pitt,Bullet Train reads a lot like a Quentin Tarantino film with its shady and colorful characters who are unforgettable and its cheesy, bloody 80s horror flick violence. The story moves back and forth into the characters' pasts and their present situation on the train. The story is messy, violent, and humorous all at once. Not just a simple bad guy versus good guy story, this book is a must-read for fans of Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "20-Oct-2021", "date_added": "26-Jul-2021 18:33:35", "publisher": "The Overlook Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010086015", "title": "The Ghouls' Guide to Good Grammar", "author": "Leslie Kimmelman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 163, "review": "This book is really fun for homeschoolers! I like this book not just because it has a funny storyline for Halloween, but also because it can make learning about grammar fun! Who knew ghouls had to know all about grammar? This cute book teaches many different things, such as punctuation like apostrophes, quotations, homophones like \u201cthere,\u201d \u201ctheir,\u201d and \u201cthey're,\u201d and how adding or not having commas in a sentence can change the entire meaning of the words in that sentence.

A Ghouls\u2019 Guide to Good Grammar has really fun and colorful illustrations. This is perfect for this season of the year to prepare for Halloween. You can follow Vanessa Vampire and her ghost and ghoul friends through their neighborhood to see where they end up as they dissect everyone's grammar! This book is really fun and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a little extra help in the language arts area, or just as a fun book to read in general!", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2021", "date_added": "26-Jul-2021 20:06:26", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010085007", "title": "If the World Were 100 People: A Visual Guide to Our Global Village", "author": "Jackie McCann", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 9", "word_count": 186, "review": "If the World Were 100 People: A Visual Guide to Our Global Village starts out really interesting, using a simple number to explain the world\u2019s demographics in terms of eye and hair color. There is also a really good map for reference.

Unfortunately, it does not seem to be written for children, at least not very respectfully. The book tries to place the burden of big problems\u2013\u2013like starvation, safety, and access to education\u2013\u2013on children. What\u2019s worse is that the book doesn\u2019t really offer any solutions, just kind of outlines a bunch of problems that even adults don\u2019t seem to be able to fix, like as if it\u2019s the reader\u2019s fault. It\u2019s not uplifting or inspiring in any way.

As my parents feel there\u2019s a pretty blatant social agenda, this is a read once and then straight into the recycle bin book. If the author were to write another, I\u2019d hope the whole thing could be math-oriented like it starts out or at least point out the goodness of different cultures and ways of life because learning to appreciate each other means there\u2019s hope for the future.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2021", "date_added": "26-Jul-2021 19:01:53", "publisher": "Crown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000010084011", "title": "Unraveling Bias: How Prejudice Has Shaped Children for Generations and Why It's Time to Break the Cycle", "author": "Christia Spears Brown", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 205, "review": "As a White Southerner who grew up with the specter of Confederate flags, Dr. Christia Spears Brown has direct experience of overt racial, gender, and class biases. With her research background in developmental psychology, the author explains the science behind bias and how children develop stereotypes about gender and ethnic groups. She underscores the adverse impact of biases on children in both marginalized and privileged communities. This book serves as a call-to-action for parents and teachers to take a stand and interrupt harmful generational patterns of thought and behavior.

Unraveling Bias is a timely read as Americans grapple with resurgent book bans, school board members spouting racist ideologies, and sustained attacks on transgender children. The book focuses on reducing biases that affect children from racialized groups and immigrant backgrounds, and it offers ways to protect LGBTQ+ rights in schools and communities.

As a White educator and social scientist, Spears Brown models how to become an upstander and advocate against bias for others with privileged racial identities. She offers pragmatic advice for teachers on how to stand up for diversity and inclusiveness in the classroom. Beyond inspiring individual action, she also emphasizes the importance of changing cultures, systems, and policies that perpetuate biases and maintain inequities.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2021 22:54:41", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010082023", "title": "Baby, I'm the Boss of Me: My Journey to Ageless", "author": "Ruth Yunker", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 420, "review": "Ruth Yunker writes of her journey of aging in her memoir, Baby, I\u2019m the Boss of Me. Having had a fear of growing old since the age of nineteen, Yunker dictates how she now accepts her old age and the process it took to get there. Inserting her wisdom and advice throughout the novel, I found myself laughing aloud at some of Yunker\u2019s tales. A particular humorous chapter I found was titled, \u201cMy Traffic Cops.\u201d Describing her road rage, Ruth fully believes in cutting people off, abruptly blowing her horn, and sneering at those who drive Hummers. My jaw dropped when I read of her many, MANY ticket charges, and encounters with traffic cops. However, upon aging, Yunker\u2019s need for speed has calmed down as she realizes no cop will be enthralled with a middle-aged woman speeding on the freeway. Another chapter I found especially humorous was titled, \u201cCooking for the Ones You Love.\u201d In this chapter, Ruth teaches you how to effectively manipulate your husband into cooking for good, without him even realizing it. A mother, wife, and pet owner, Ruth, relatable as always, recalls that she has spent countless hours and immeasurable effort into feeding not only herself but her loved ones healthy, creative meals. In her older age, she decided she is done cooking and deserves to be cooked for, hence, teaching her husband to cook for himself without him realizing her motives. Her entire novel is similar in formatting. Yunker takes comical stories of her past and explains how growing older has not only matured her but changed her ways. An incredibly spunky character, Yunker\u2019s banter kept me on my toes with her witty remarks and side comments.

My favorite part of this book was the passages about Yunker\u2019s childhood. With her father\u2019s job causing them to travel often, Ruth grew up in a variety of places including Massachusetts, California, and Belgium. Yunker described herself as being the permanent new kid, as she constantly was adapting to new homes, schools, cultures, and customs. No doubt, this moving in her childhood influenced her now fearless attitude and peppy spirit. As she puts it, she now has no fear of living in new places among strangers. She can harbor friendships wherever she goes.

Overall, I found this book a refreshing, lighter read, and I enjoyed the stories Yunker paints for her audience. I would recommend this book to anyone trying to tackle the fear of aging, especially mothers, as Ruth focuses much on motherhood and her struggle with young children.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "23-Jul-2021 22:54:26", "publisher": "Diamond Publishing House", "page_count": "217 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010082015", "title": "Ill Intent: A Medical Thriller", "author": "Geoffrey M Cooper", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 48, "review": "\"Another captivating read by author Geoffrey M. Cooper. There is trouble in academia and Scientist Brad Parker and his life partner F.B.I. Agent Karen Richmond are back to solve another murder mystery. A fast-moving whodunnit investigation with plenty of action, deceit, and suspense.\" --Kristi Elizabeth, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Jul-2021 17:28:30", "publisher": "Maine Authors Publishing", "page_count": "220 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010082011", "title": "Ill Intent: A Medical Thriller", "author": "Geoffrey M Cooper", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 77, "review": "\"Geoffrey M. Cooper spins a riveting tale around the possible murder of a scientist who hid a dark secret for forty years. Ill Intent is as suspenseful as it is satisfying. It will hook you from start to finish with every juicy twist. This medical thriller is likely to convert you to a fan of this genre\u2014and existing fans would be reminded of why they fell in love with this genre.\" -Foluso Falaye, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Jul-2021 17:28:21", "publisher": "Maine Authors Publishing", "page_count": "220 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010082007", "title": "Unleash the Girls: The Untold Story of the Invention of the Sports Bra and How It Changed the World (And Me)", "author": "Lisa Z. Lindahl", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 413, "review": "Lisa Z. Lindahl has delivered an engrossing, influential historical account in Unleash The Girls: The Untold Story of the Invention of the Sports Bra and How It Changed the World (and Me). Her riveting work recalls the creation, evolution, and sensation that has come to be known as the modern-day athletic bra. Personal recollections and insights into her process will not only shed light on the monumental impact this piece of clothing has had on the world, but also inspire future generations of inventors to push beyond challenges, tap into their networks, and ultimately trust their instincts when it comes to bringing a new product to the market. Readers familiar with the Joy Mangano story will appreciate the similarities and differences between the two narratives. Each revolutionary product coming to the market in its own way, and yet noteworthy nonetheless. Lindahl\u2019s story captures so many compelling themes, the most central perhaps, the sense that our actions can fill a need, for ourselves, others, and those to come. Lindahl explains, \u201cThe original Jogbra company\u2019s slogan was \u2018by women, for women\u2019...The story of the invention of the first sports bra is very much a story of women.\u201d But readers will need to pick up a copy to see where the story begins and how things ultimately come together. All who pick up a copy of Lindahl\u2019s work will walk away with an air of ingenuity and determination. Readers at every stage of life will appreciate the tone and direction this work showcases. Those early in business will value the pitfalls that Lindahl openly and honestly shares. At the same time, more seasoned readers will recognize the life lessons shared between major moments, the life that occurs between the day-to-day. Although a lengthier read, young adult readers should consider exploring Lindahl\u2019s work. Early readers, in particular, will learn volumes from the author\u2019s insights into business and life. Unleash The Girls: The Untold Story of the Invention of the Sports Bra and How It Changed the World (and Me) is an extraordinary narrative that should be added to every bookshelf. Lindahl\u2019s work will in time quickly become one of the preferred gifts for loved ones beginning a new adventure. Whether starting a new business venture, setting out on your own, or departing for college, Lindahl\u2019s five-star account will provide inspiration, comfort, laughter, and community along the journey. Her words remind us of all that can be accomplished with tenacity and that ultimately, we are in great company.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "01-Oct-2021", "date_added": "23-Jul-2021 17:21:27", "publisher": "EZL Enterprises, LLC", "page_count": "321 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010082003", "title": "Unleash the Girls: The Untold Story of the Invention of the Sports Bra and How It Changed the World (And Me)", "author": "Lisa Z. Lindahl", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 445, "review": "Lisa Lindahl, the creator of the sports bra, recounts her journey to fame and fortune in this memoir, Unleash the Girls. The perfect story of a women\u2019s journey to success, I would highly recommend this book to all readers, especially young girls. This memoir goes above and beyond just recalling the story of the \u201cJogbra,\u201d as it also comments on the political atmosphere during the 1960s and 1970s, the expectations for women during that time period, and the women\u2019s liberation movement. I found these supplemental passages a good refresher on this section of American history. From these paragraphs, I was able to further sympathize and understand Lindahl\u2019s dire need, mission, and purpose.

In an attempt to keep off a few extra pounds, Lisa Lindahl took up running as a hobby. Quickly falling in love with the sport, Lindahl writes of her \u201crunner\u2019s high\u201d and adoration of her newfound hobby. However, after a phone call with a fellow runner, Lisa realized that both of them suffered from their breasts bouncing uncomfortably upon running. Averaging thirty miles a week on her runs, she knew women such as herself would truly benefit from a bra that better supported their needs. From this realization, Lisa consulted with her costume designer best friend Polly and moved on to create the first sports bra.

A daily 6:00 am runner and Pilates goer myself, I must say that I have always taken for granted the invention of the sports bra. After reading this memoir, I now understand the complications and painstaking work that went into making this dream of Lindahl\u2019s a reality. As she points out, the sports bra was groundbreaking for its time and completed what Title IX started in terms of leveling the playing field for female athletes. Lindahl is relatable and empathetic, and her remarkable success through unprecedented times, heartbreak, and medical turmoil are all beyond noteworthy.

Due to suffering from epilepsy, Lindahl frequently experienced seizures at inconvenient moments. Due to this, she felt those in her life refused to take her ambitions seriously, seeing her just as a girl with a serious medical condition. Boy, did Lindahl prove them wrong when she started the Jogbra empire! The part of the story that touched me the most was Lisa\u2019s relationship with her partner, Hinda. As the reader will learn, Hinda was the antagonist in Lisa\u2019s story, being anything but supportive and kind. Lisa\u2019s patience and tolerance for Hinda\u2019s blatant disrespect were beyond words.

Overall, this book is an ode to women\u2019s empowerment and drive in terms of overcoming adversity. It\u2019s a story I could not put down, and I encourage all readers to dive into this tale of strength.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "15-Sep-2021", "date_added": "23-Jul-2021 17:20:45", "publisher": "EZL Enterprises, LLC", "page_count": "321 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010079063", "title": "Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms", "author": "Crystal Frasier", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1079, "review": "Women-Led Graphic Novels\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for a graphic novel that centers on the adventures of a strong, independent, and dynamic female lead character, then look no further than the five books featured in this roundup. From the past to the future to the deeply strange present, all five women have to battle against the odds and trust their own resources as they attempt to find their place in the world.\n\nSmart Girl by Fernando Dagnino\n\nIn 2028, the first artificial intelligence processors suitable for mass production were introduced to the market, which gave rise to the development of the first generation of true androids. While this techno-evolutionary jump initially led to a new era of peace and understanding between humanity and androids, as well as to the unprecedented free exchange of knowledge and technology worldwide, corporate greed soon brought this harmonious situation to an end. The tech giant Gorgona crushed all its open-source competition and formed a monopoly with regard to human-computer interfaces. By 2075, Gorgona\u2019s androids had become ubiquitous, including the Smart Girl model, an android servant used for anything the owner might desire. Yuki began life as a standard Smart Girl, but a malfunction caused her to be scheduled for destruction. However, contrary to every other android to date, Yuki doesn\u2019t accept the end that humans have arranged for her and instead becomes self-aware. After fighting back against her abusive owner, Yuki is forced to flee from Gorgona as she attempts to find a way to secure her life and freedom. Fernando Dagnino\u2019s Smart Girl is an exquisitely drawn black and white graphic novel that uses science fiction themes to examine what it really means to be alive.\n\nCheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier\n\nCheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier is a bright and zany graphic novel that offers a joyful portrayal of the lives of queer teens as they navigate the end of high school and the need to consider their future place in the world. Antisocial lesbian Annie is undoubtedly the smartest kid at her high school, but her likelihood of getting into a good college is limited by the fact that she plays no sports, is a member of no clubs, and generally doesn\u2019t get on with anyone. She\u2019s couldn\u2019t even make it through her mock college interview without calling the guidance counsellor a \u201ctool of a corrupt system.\u201d Meanwhile, Annie\u2019s former best friend Bebe, a people-pleasing trans girl who has finally managed to climb some way up the popularity ladder, is having trouble keeping her grades up and her social life balanced, which she must do if her parents are to continue to support her transition. When both girls are compelled to join the cheerleading squad\u2014apparently for their own good\u2014they unexpectedly find themselves rekindling their friendship as they struggle to balance the training, social pressures, and host of microaggressions that queer youth face while continuing to be true to themselves.\n\nMalika: Warrior Queen Volume 2 by Roye Okupe\n\nOn the brink of death after fighting to save her people and empire, Queen Malika came into contract with the Dragon\u2019s Destiny\u2014the strongest weapon ever created\u2014and was given the boost of power required to finally achieve victory over her mortal foe. However, before the dust had a chance to settle, the true evil power behind her enemies\u2019 former success revealed himself and promised to return to destroy the Earth forever. In an attempt to stop this threat from ever coming to pass, Malika was put into the Divine Sleep so that she could rest until the time humanity needed her. That time turns out to be 2025, and in Roye Okupe\u2019s Malika: Warrior Queen Volume 2, Malika is forced to stop hiding in the shadows of a strange future world and instead confront the evil sorcerers of the Olon Jin order, who had been imprisoned for centuries due to their use of dark magic. The Olon Jin are now seeking the Fire and Frost stone, which holds the power of two ancient dragons. When Malika travels to Egypt in search of the stone, she finds herself embroiled in a plot that predates even her own legend. It makes for an action-packed fantasy graphic novel woven from rich African history, culture, and mythology.\n\nFungirl by Elizabeth Pich\n\nAs she obliviously lurches from one wacky misadventure to the next, never learning her lesson and never seeming to master the art of adulting, Fungirl appears to be the epitome of a hot mess, cheerfully leaving destruction and chaos in her wake wherever she goes. Yet, while her escapades might frustrate her roommate, terrify passing teenagers, and destroy any opportunity she has to secure employment, Fungirl maintains a positive, transgressive, and frequently hilarious fa\u00e7ade throughout. Every shenanigan that she engages in seems crazy and over the top, but Fungirl\u2019s life somehow still remains tragically realistic and deeply relatable. A lot of her exploits might be unpalatable, but they are still strangely compelling. Elizabeth Pich\u2019s colorful art in Fungirl is simple and cartoonish, portraying a twisted world where reality is exaggerated to highlight the absurdities that all too often go unnoticed.\n\nThe Golden Age, Book 2 by Roxanne Moreil and Cyril Pedrosa\n\nA medieval saga packed with political intrigue and deadly danger, The Golden Age series began with Princess Tilda determining to end the drudgery and misery that had long characterized life in the Kingdom of Lantrevers. As the rightful heir to King Ronan, Tilda had intended to free her people for famine and conflict, but when her younger brother usurped the throne and forced her into exile, she had to go on the run with a loyal band of allies and seek a new way to help the citizens of Lantrevers. However, despite her lofty intentions, in Roxanne Moreil and Cyril Pedrosa\u2019s The Golden Age, Book 2, Tilda has become consumed by her desire to reclaim the throne and so urges her army to keep fighting a seemingly futile war without access to food or pay. Tilda appears to have become the very thing she always despised: a brutal and heartless leader. It\u2019s no surprise that rumors of a rebellion by her previously loyal followers are starting to spread. As Tilda\u2019s friend Tankred attempts to broker a deal that could finally turn the tide of the war, she will have to decide if she is really able to relinquish power to the people and become the open-hearted ruler that she originally promised to be.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Jul-2021 23:43:28", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010079059", "title": "The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times (Global Icons Series)", "author": "Jane Goodall", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 189, "review": "The environment looks to be on a fast track to destruction with climate change, fuel consumption, deforestation among the fears that haunt us. World-renowned naturalist Jane Goodall offers a chance of redemption in //The Book of Hope//, a series of astute, intimate interviews co-authored with best-selling writer Douglas Abrams. She expresses continuing faith, offering four reasons for hope: the amazing human intellect, Nature\u2019s resilience, the power of young people, and the indomitable human spirit.

Goodall, with Abram\u2019s sensitivity to draw expansive responses, invites readers to recognize the caveats to be addressed before her enthusiasm captivates us. Poverty has to be alleviated, the unsustainable lifestyles of the affluent curbed, corruption eliminated, and, no less, recognition of multiple problems presented by population growth.

Goodall first drew public attention and sympathy in her twenties with her unique study of chimpanzees and their unexpected similarity with human behavior. Since then, she has traveled the world offering books and presentations to share her perceptions of environmental struggle. Audiences thrive on her stories, the welcome absence of statistics. Her exuberance and sense of humor embrace followers rather than laying a guilt trip. Serious? Emphatically so, but endearingly.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "17-Oct-2021", "date_added": "23-Jul-2021 18:25:06", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010079051", "title": "Bubble", "author": "Jordan Morris", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 184, "review": "Having never heard of the podcast but saw the book\u2019s marketing claim of being based on the smash-hit podcast, I was intrigued. The book is set in a dystopian world where monsters are attacking humans living in the Bubble. As a result, a new trendy gig economy and side hustle emerges to hunt the monsters via the Huntr app.

I get that this was supposed to be a satire and a parody on millennials, but I didn\u2019t find the story that interesting. I found some of the stereotypes like beard hipster guy and peanut-free parents rather outdated and boring. I didn\u2019t think it was funny that Book Club Mom's hive monster was defeated with the serenade of a John Meyer song. I couldn\u2019t get into any of the characters, except for Mitch who was somewhat funny and likable. Despite some funny moments in the story, I really struggled with finishing this graphic novel. Usually, I finish graphic novels in one sitting, but I could not stay focused while reading /Bubble/. As much as I love graphic novels, sadly, this graphic novel just wasn\u2019t for me.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "01-Sep-2021", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 23:45:12", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010079043", "title": "How to Talk Monster", "author": "Lynn Plourde", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 203, "review": "Have you ever wondered how to talk like or understand a monster? Some people think there might be a monster living under their beds, in their closets, or believe in the ones they see on TV. The people who think this are usually scared of those monsters. The boy in How to Talk Monster was the same way; this boy was reading a book with them before going to bed and then got scared. The boy thought he saw one close to him, but his parents didn't believe him. The boy stayed scared until he learned how to talk like a monster, then things got better.

I like how the boy finally decided to try understanding the monster instead of running away from it. When the boy decided not to be scared of it anymore, it was fun because they did everything together. I like how the story was like a comic book, and the pictures had bright colors and were fun to see. I like that there are pages in the back to help people know How to Talk Monster so they won't have to be scared anymore and can talk to each other in a secret language that only they will know!", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2021", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 22:46:31", "publisher": "G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010079039", "title": "Too Much Slime!", "author": "Frances Gilbert", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 161, "review": "Anytime you hear a squish, squelch sound you need to be careful because it could be a monster slime coming to a town near you. That is exactly what happened in Too Much Slime!. When the kids opened the door no one was there, although there was some slime on their porch. The slime quickly got on everything and seemed to grow larger and larger, taking over the town. The townspeople had to come together to save the school and the people from getting taken over by slime. However, the kids decided to hide some slime in a lunchbox, which was a bad idea. Read this book to find out what happens when there is too much slime!

This is a super fun book to read! It is filled with many onomatopoeias! The story didn't end exactly how I expected but this is definitely a fun read. The illustrations were fun, but the green slime took over many of the illustrations!", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "17-Nov-2021", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 19:52:41", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010079023", "title": "Dune: House Atreides Vol. 1", "author": "Brian Herbert", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 222, "review": "Note to editors: my opening line is because the 700 page book I was sent is not the same SKU that you all think you sent, so I wanted to be clear.\n\nThis review is for Dune: House Atreides Book 1, not volume 1 (which is a separate publication). It was released in 1999, and was written by Frank Herbert\u2019s son, Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson. It is based on Frank Herbert\u2019s notes. The plot deals with familiar characters to those who have read the original Dune (1965) and adds in some new ones. It takes place a few decades before the plot of the 1965 novel. Some of the most interesting characters, like Leto, Kynes, and the Baron Harkonnen are major players here and we learn more about the Bene Gesserit plan. In keeping with the Dune genre, the storyline is intricate and complicated. The downside of this project is in the lack of depth of the original. Dune (1965) creates a philosophy, almost a religion, a seeking of the human experience in a science fiction form that works on a deep level. This doesn\u2019t have those elements. So, while the plot is certainly engaging, it fell flat for me. But, at the same time, as a Dune fan, I love that this offers more information about the Dune universe.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Jul-2021 23:40:33", "publisher": "BOOM! Studios", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010079007", "title": "Mud Sweeter than Honey: Voices of Communist Albania", "author": "Margo Rejmer", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 185, "review": "This book is a bit hard to follow, which is disappointing as the story of Communist Albania is largely ignored in the United States. Margo Rejmer collects stories, lives, and other aspects of Albania under Communist rule and explores how people were largely shut off from the outside world. Many people were not allowed to leave the country, and people from the outside were generally not allowed in. Like other Communist countries, the leadership started to become more paranoid over time, until they believed they were the only Communist country and all the others had given in to the Capitalistic West and the evils that it entailed.

I was anticipating more of a collection of oral interviews and people telling their stories of living in a small European country that was highly internal and nothing allowed in from the outside. What I got instead is a series of short stories that are presented in no real order and move around in both time and place. It is hard to know if there is any rhyme or reason to why certain stories are in certain spots.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "01-Dec-2021", "date_added": "21-Jul-2021 21:46:44", "publisher": "Restless Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000010079003", "title": "It's OK, Slow Lizard", "author": "Yeorim Yoon", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 205, "review": "In the forest, live a variety of creatures, one busy, another mighty, and still another speedy. Funny Monkey and Slow Lizard dwell there, too. Little Bird, who scurries around anxiously, is trying to prepare for tomorrow, a never-ending task for her. Mighty Elephant has minimal tolerance for frustrations, and Speedy Rabbit sadly loses an important race. Slow Lizard goes through life at a snail\u2019s pace, so he notices things around him like when others need help or comfort. He offers a hand or support. When the other forest-dwellers follow his example, they begin to see the beauty in life and embrace what really matters.

In a world that moves at lightning speed, It\u2019s Ok, Slow Lizard provides a necessary reminder that much can be lost in the hustle of everyday life if one isn\u2019t careful. This lesson is essential for children to absorb as they grow and develop into healthy, well-balanced teenagers and adults. Their schedules are often overflowing with activities and commitments, so they\u2019ll likely relate to this poignant message and will adore the precious animals woven through the story. The illustrations feature soft, autumn hues and complement the warm, gentle tone of the text. Youth ages four to eight will savor this sweet tale.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2021", "date_added": "21-Jul-2021 21:40:20", "publisher": "Yonder", "page_count": "42 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010078071", "title": "City Witchery: Accessible Rituals, Practices & Prompts for Conjuring and Creating in a Magical Metropolis", "author": "Lisa Marie Basile", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 797, "review": "Spirituality Roundup\n\nAre you seeking to become more blessed and less stressed? Would you benefit from delving deeper into magic and divination in order to believe in yourself and unlock your true potential? While a spiritual journey of this sort may seem daunting at first, these five titles will help to inspire and enrich your life.\n\nPagan Curious: A Beginner's Guide to Nature, Magic & Spirituality by Debra DeAngelo\n\nPagan Curious: A Beginner's Guide to Nature, Magic & Spirituality takes you on a journey through a rich and vibrant self-reflective world full of the magic and mysticism of old. Debra DeAngelo expertly teaches spiritual and magic practices that leave you full of intrigue and keen to learn more. Methods such as meditation, grounding, and centering are used to help you become more attuned to nature and the pagan deities. Throughout the process, the self-reflection exercises enable a deeper understanding of yourself so that you can personalize your discovery of paganism. DeAngelo expertly answers all the questions that a beginner might have and also provides practical guidance. If you are looking to dip into the magical world of paganism, this book will prove to be a valuable resource. DeAngelo asks all the important questions and challenges the reader to seek their authentic self.\n\nCirque du Tarot by Leeza Robertson\n\nFor both established lovers of tarot and beginners who want to explore the world of tarot, this beautiful beginner\u2019s deck is highly recommended. Featuring dreamlike circus imagery, Cirque du Tarot is certainly among the most eye-catching decks currently available on the market. Even seasoned readers will be drawn to this deck, and it would likewise appeal to collectors. The deck includes clear indicators of the court cards and does a good job of portraying the traditional tarot deck. It showcases the excitement of the circus and provides a glimpse at the behind-the-scenes charm of the practice while following the well-established Rider-Waite-Smith symbology. The included guidebook helps to familiarize readers with the cards. Particularly for those drawn to the magic of the circus, this tarot set will fast become a favorite and help to bring out the best of the craft. \n\nRise of the Witch: Making Magick Happen Your Way by Whiskey Stevens\n\nFor readers who have been wanting to explore witchcraft but had no idea where to start, Rise of the Witch: Making Magick Happen Your Way is really the ideal book. Whiskey Stevens covers a wide variety of topics, starting with the history of witchcraft and moving on to practical topics such as working with spells. There are also more advanced topics covered, which means the book should also appeal to seasoned witches. Stevens helps the reader to empower themselves, which is especially important for situations where Wicca is shunned and for those who are forced into secrecy. Subjects such as sex magic and shadow work, tarot, meditation, and the idea of sacred spaces and energies are covered, and the book should help to guide all readers toward their own purpose within the craft. \n\nWinterseer Animal Oracle by Siolo Thompson\n\nThe Winterseer Animal Oracle is a beautiful animal-themed oracle that should appeal to any reader of tarot. The fifty-six-card oracle deck features stunning watercolor illustrations by Siolo Thompson on stark white backgrounds that make the images appear very striking. Along with the wonderfully inspired writing of the guidebook, this deck should appeal to visually oriented readers and those who are touched by the written word. Grounded in Celtic and Norse lore, the deck helps readers to deepen their knowledge of this divination practice, while the wondrous mythological designs from days of yore serve to inspire and enrich twenty-first-century life. For those looking for something different to inspire their readings, this deck should be at the top of the list. \n\nCity Witchery: Accessible Rituals, Practices & Prompts for Conjuring and Creating in a Magical Metropolis by Lisa Marie Basile\n\nCity Witchery: Accessible Rituals, Practices & Prompts for Conjuring and Creating in a Magical Metropolis is the book for all Wiccans looking to practice magic as city dwellers. Normally, magic is associated with the natural world, rather than with built-up urban spaces, but this handy guide helps users to practice the craft effectively in places where otherworldly resources and space are normally limited. This is a book designed to assist readers in tapping into their inner resources and starting on the way to practicing graveyard rituals, tuning into city astrology, and practicing shadow work. It is possible to practice the rituals in the kitchen of any house or apartment, and readers will discover the limitations of their cities in order to tap into potentially hidden energies. It is certainly possible to be a city dweller and practice the craft, it just requires thinking about the environment in a different way.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Jul-2021 23:13:57", "publisher": "becker&mayer! Books", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010078059", "title": "Radar Girls", "author": "Sara Ackerman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Sarah McDonnell", "word_count": 215, "review": "I was really excited to read Radar Girls by Sara Ackerman as I love historical fiction, especially with female main characters. Ackerman starts readers out on a beautiful Hawaiian beach where Daisy Wilder is digging her toes in the sand moments before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. What follows is a beautifully written story of friendship, family, and love, as Daisy joins the Women\u2019s Air Raid Defense (W.A.R.D.) team guiding the US flyboys to safety.

Ackerman\u2019s loveable characters lure you into new friendships and the bonds created during that difficult time. The romance involves not only the main characters but also those looking for love and those trying to maintain their love during time of war. It\u2019s all told with a splash of nail-biting excitement as the women work to protect the Hawaiian Islands.

Although I really liked this book, I did feel that the title is a little misleading. I felt like the W.A.R.D was nothing more than the backdrop for a story about love and friendship. I would have liked to see a greater tribute to these amazing women. One thing I did find difficult was the use of Hawaiian words that I was not familiar with. I wish there was a little more context provided to help us mainlanders.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2021", "date_added": "23-Jul-2021 17:10:20", "publisher": "MIRA", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4 "} {"id": "425035000010078043", "title": "Song of the Forever Rains (The Mousai, 1)", "author": "E.J. Mellow", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 191, "review": "This story had potential. Larkyra, the youngest of three magically gifted sisters, has recently returned from her thirty-day Lierenfast. Having survived in the city alone and without magic for thirty days, she is now permitted to partake in missions. Her first mark is the Duke of Lachlan. She must suss out how he is smuggling Phorria from the Thief Kingdom and using it to siphon magic off his subjects. Feigning interest in an engagement with the duke, Larkyra gains access to his estate, where she searches for answers. Along the way she falls for the duke\u2019s stepson and uncovers a more devious plot.

I felt there were two stories for very different audiences being weaved together, which left it unpalatable. On the one hand, there was a young storyline with meet cutes, petty sister squabbling, cliched moments, and emotionally immature characters. On the other hand, there was a dark and mature storyline that tackled themes of forced self-mutilation and abuse. There were also questionable scenes around consent that didn\u2019t fit either audience and could have been re-written to send a more positive message about survival versus victimization. Overall, a missed opportunity.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2022", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 22:37:27", "publisher": "Montlake", "page_count": "423 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000010078035", "title": "Maya and the Robot", "author": "Eve L. Ewing", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - Age 10", "word_count": 175, "review": "Maya and the Robot is a stunning story about a young girl named Maya who is starting fifth grade. When she arrives on the first day of school, she realizes that her best friends are in a different class. Maya has no idea what she will do in her new class; she doesn\u2019t think she'll make friends. When Maya finds a robot named Ralph in Mr. Mac\u2019s closet, she does everything she can to get him up and running. When Ralph is finally working, Maya feels a lot better about school, but little does she know that she doesn\u2019t need Ralph to feel happy.

Maya and the Robot is a brilliant work of art. I would recommend it to kids aged five to ten as they can relate to Maya and how she feels. This story would be great for kids who love science, and it could also be perfect for those who may be having a hard time in school. Kids who are starting to read chapter books would enjoy Maya and the Robot.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "22-Sep-2021", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 18:53:57", "publisher": "Kokila", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010078023", "title": "The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth", "author": "Sam Quinones", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 205, "review": "The United States government declared war on drugs fifty years ago. The drugs that have come under scrutiny during public outrages have varied, but the human misery has remained unchanged. The opioid crisis in America has carved a large swath of destruction, with oxycontin and fentanyl figuring most prominently in the epidemics in towns and cities. Oxycontin was touted as an efficacious pain drug with little chance of addiction, touted by its maker Purdue Pharma that is.

Purdue gave their sales personnel their orders: Get to know the local doctors and sell them on oxycontin\u2019s benefits. Soon, oxycontin was raking in billions, while its users became addicted and their lives were changed. Fentanyl was marketed as an alternative to morphine, but when in the wrong hands, it became a new high to market to the addict. The current war is being fought on all fronts, from law enforcement to community outreach.

The Least of Us is a heartrending depiction of the current phase of the quixotic drug war. Sam Quinones covers the human drama with an admirable empathy while detailing the various personas involved in different aspects of the opioid crisis. The stories offered will remain ingrained in the reader\u2019s mind because they\u2019re so powerful.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "03-Nov-2021", "date_added": "21-Jul-2021 21:48:18", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010078019", "title": "Squirrel Do Bad (1) (Trubble Town)", "author": "Stephan Pastis", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - Age 8", "word_count": 175, "review": "The town of Trubble is where odd things happen. In the town, there is a little girl named Wendy the Wanderer. One day, Wendy gives sugar to a squirrel and then the town of Trubble explodes. How did it happen? Read this wacky book and find out!

Squirrel Do Bad has a good story. It is hilarious and will make you crack up laughing. The characters in the book are a sheriff, Squirrely McSquirrel (a squirrel as you may have guessed), a mayor, and many other characters. I thought it was silly that they called a drink \u201cmooshie\u201d. If you are a Dog Man fan, you are sure to enjoy reading the stories in the Trubble Town series.

I think someone who likes books with a lot of dynamite and explosives will enjoy this book. Have fun reading all about Wendy and SquirreIy. I highly recommend this book to people who love silly and funny graphic novels. I hope you read this book, and I hope you like it, because I really enjoyed reading it.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2021", "date_added": "21-Jul-2021 21:36:06", "publisher": "Aladdin", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010078015", "title": "I Am Smoke", "author": "Henry Herz", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Bobbie Peyton", "word_count": 187, "review": "This is a picture book about the story of smoke and all its mystery and magic. It is made from water vapor, carbon dioxide, and ash, and it can help people or cause them harm. Humans have used smoke for centuries. The Huron farmers used it to sprout their pumpkin seeds. Ancient Greeks smoked out living spaces to drive away rodents and pests. Native Americans used it to signal each other over great distances, as did the people in Ancient China. Smoke is used in religious ceremonies to burn incense and in prayer, and beekeepers smoke bees so they can harvest honey.

In poetic prose, Hertz explains to young readers the many ways that smoke has shaped civilization. He also includes back matter that goes into additional detail about the cultures noted in the story and how they have used smoke. Lopez\u2019s illustrations are haunting and creative, achieving a unique form of smoke impressions by suspending art paper over candle flames and then finishing the images using watercolors and Photoshop. It is a beautiful book that gives smoke a voice, one that is both playful and devious.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "17-Sep-2021", "date_added": "21-Jul-2021 20:07:15", "publisher": "Tilbury House Publishers", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010078003", "title": "Just Haven't Met You Yet", "author": "Sophie Cousens", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Breanna Ramirez", "word_count": 217, "review": "Just Haven\u2019t Met You Yet is a super cute and fun read. It\u2019s something you start for a pallet cleanser or if your life is in need of some light. I love romance. Laura and I have that in common; both of us are hopeless romantics. Hopeless romantics that love anything and everything to do with love. Laura has it set in her mind how she wants her love story to go. When she accidentally swaps suitcases with a mysterious man from the airport, Laura feels like she\u2019s finally found her dream man. But life always has other things in store for us, and sometimes it doesn\u2019t go the way we planned it to. Along Laura\u2019s quest to find her dream man, she meets Ted, a taxi driver, whom she takes on this mighty adventure. It\u2019s then that she realizes things about herself that she never knew before. I love that there are funny parts and also parts that showed how vulnerable it could be. I like having a mixture of emotions when reading books. Laura\u2019s quest for love has never been so exciting to read about. If you\u2019re in need of a book that\u2019s about finding love and finding yourself, this is the book for you! I can\u2019t wait to check out other books by Cousens.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2021 19:30:18", "publisher": "G.P. Putnam's Sons", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010077019", "title": "Bluebird", "author": "Sharon Cameron", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - age 15", "word_count": 177, "review": "Bluebird is an amazing historical fiction novel set shortly after World War Two. In this story, Eva Gerst leaves Berlin to travel to America. When she arrives, she meets several new friends. These new friends help take care of her friend, Brigit, as Eva searches for her father. Eva's father was a doctor in charge of Project Bluebird, an experiment at concentration camps. He has fled to America, and now the Soviets and Americans are looking for him. Both want the secrets of Project Bluebird, but Eva does not. She wants justice, and she is determined to do anything to get it.

Overall, this was a very good book. It was filled with suspense, and very fun to read. This book was also very well written, there were a few major twists that made the story more interesting. I really enjoyed reading about the Powell House, and how the American Friends Service Committee helped immigrants adjust to living in the United States. I would recommend this book to young adults, especially those interested in World War Two.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "27-Jan-2022", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 22:42:47", "publisher": "Scholastic Press", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010077015", "title": "The Neighbor's Secret: A Novel", "author": "L. Alison Heller", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "The Cottonwood Estates is a wonderful place to live and raise your children. That\u2019s what all the women in the Cottonwood Book Club believe anyway. There\u2019s Annie, a middle school counselor, who has a teenage daughter who is going through something but she can\u2019t figure out what. There\u2019s Jen, who is struggling to keep the fact her son might have conduct disorder from everyone. There\u2019s also Lena, whose husband died fifteen years ago and hasn\u2019t participated in anything since. Maybe Cottonwood isn\u2019t as great as its residents make out. Before you move there, you might want to know The Neighbor\u2019s Secret.

This story has a very similar feel to Liane Moriarty\u2019s Big Little Lies, so if you enjoyed that as much as I did, then you will definitely enjoy this book. Something I truly loved about it was the building of suspense throughout. You know that something bad happened and will happen again, but it isn\u2019t clear exactly what until the end. The book is peppered with little hints that make you think you know what\u2019s happening and who did it, only to find out you weren\u2019t even close to right. I couldn\u2019t put it down; it was so intriguing.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2021", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 21:58:18", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010077007", "title": "Our Violent Ends (These Violent Delights)", "author": "Chloe Gong", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 196, "review": "The sequel picks up several months after Juliette and Roma joined forces to defeat the Huangpu River Monster. The tenuous peace between the Scarlets and the White Flowers has been shattered, with Juliette being held culpable for the alleged death of Roma\u2019s cousin.

Having addressed the cranial-boring insect threat in book one, I was skeptical of the direction book two would take. As the plot slowly unfolds, it follows a parallel storyline to book one but on a much larger scale. We are introduced to a blackmailer who is controlling not one but five monsters, the workers are rioting, the Nationalists and Communists are inciting a civil war, both gangs have spies within, and there is a poignant discussion about the distribution of a vaccine.

Although there were bigger events in book two, as a reader, I struggled to see both the connections within the chaos and the motivation behind the various sub-plots. I found myself having to re-read passages to figure out why something was being positioned as significant or why a seemingly simple action was being over-dramatized. With that said, if you enjoyed book one of this series, you will undoubtably appreciate book two.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2021", "date_added": "21-Jul-2021 19:43:16", "publisher": "Margaret K. McElderry Books", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010076051", "title": "Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1 (1)", "author": "Chris Samnee", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 935, "review": "Tween Graphic Novels\n\nGraphic novels make for great reads for people of all ages, although the five titles featured in this roundup are particularly geared toward the tween audience. From a realistic story of a young girl trying to fit in, to thrill-packed fantasy and science fiction adventures, and on to an engaging account of the history of puddings, these five graphic novels have something to offer all young readers.\n\nHuda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy\n\nWhen Huda and her family move to Dearborn, Michigan, she finds life there surprisingly different from in her old town. The biggest change relates to the fact that Dearborn is a small town with a large Muslim population, which means that there\u2019s no welcoming Muslim clique for Huda to neatly fit into. Having become used to being defined by her Muslim identity, Huda is discombobulated to discover that she\u2019s going to have to find a more precise niche for herself if she\u2019s going to join a friendship group. Having determined that she\u2019s neither sporty, fashionable, nor a gamer, she decides to try out a whole host of identities and personas and see which suits her best. But what will she do if none of them seem right? Huda Fahmy\u2019s Huda F Are You? is a highly amusing and very insightful coming-of-age tale about a young Muslim girl struggling to find her place in the world.\n\nJonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1 by Chris Samnee and Laura Samnee\n\nRainbow has been on a year-long quest to find her missing father and somewhat feral adopted sister Jonna ever since they disappeared following the sudden arrival of mysterious monsters and the collapse of the world\u2019s water cycle. She travels from settlement to settlement following rumors and seeking news of her lost loved ones, dodging monsters and helping survivors as she does so. Things start to look up for Rainbow, however, when she hears that Jonna has been spotted out in the wilderness, disheveled and wild but otherwise seemingly okay. But when Rainbow finally tracks her sister down, she discovers that there is at least one major change in her: Jonna now has sufficient super-strength to knock out a monster with a single punch. Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1 by Chris Samnee and Laura Samnee is an action-packed and vividly illustrated adventure story that follows the two sisters as they explore the strange new world in which they find themselves.\n\nStar Beasts by Stephanie Young and Allyson Lassiter\n\nLoyal pup Bandit was living a pleasantly lazy ordinary life on Earth with his family when he was called up to join the Star Beasts, a top-secret group of creatures dedicated to protecting the planet and being a force for good in the wider universe. While Bandit is excited by his new mission, he has trouble fitting in with the other Star Beasts and also misses his home. However, when Khaos Krill, the evil emperor of Pluto, attempts to build a Novataur, a mythical monster said to be capable of destroying planets, Bandit has to work with a band of other Star Beasts to track down deadly galactic fossils and thwart Krill\u2019s plan. Accompanied by a warrior turtle, a goldfish historian, a healing tiger, a techie iguana, and other brave beasts, Bandit sets out on a dangerous race across space to find the fossils and restore peace to the galaxy. Zany and full of fun-packed adventure, Stephanie Young and Allyson Lassiter\u2019s Star Beasts explains the surprising real reason Pluto isn\u2019t a planet anymore.\n\n5 Worlds Book 5: The Emerald Gate by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel\n\n5 Worlds Book 5: The Emerald Gate by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel marks the thrilling conclusion to an epic science fiction/fantasy adventure story that spans planets and features both brave heroes and dastardly villains. In advance of the forthcoming final battle, Oona, Jax, and An Tzu travel to the perilous world of Grimbo (E), where Oona must light the last beacon and so save the 5 Worlds, if only she knew for sure where the beacon is located. Fortunately, an encounter with an old friend of Jax provides a clue that points the trio toward the beacon and launches them on a dangerous quest across the watery planet in search of it. For his part, the nefarious Stan Moon has hatched another plot to destroy the 5 Worlds through his growing evil powers and increasing connection to An Tzu. Oona and her friends are going to have to risk everything to finally put an end to Stan Moon\u2019s evil machinations. \n\nYummy: A History of Desserts by Victoria Grace Elliott\n\nIn Yummy: A History of Desserts, Victoria Grace Elliott presents an enthralling and highly appetizing account of the surprising history of delicious, sugary desserts. Through a host of facts, stories, and recipes, she takes readers on a whistle-stop tour of all things delectable, accompanied by the charming and often hilarious food sprite Peri. Between the pair of them, they investigate the major puzzles that have intrigued dessert lovers for years. For instance, they reveal how a mistake led to the invention of the brownie and how an unlikely team-up led to the development of ice cream cones. They also explore how cream first came to be frozen and who first decided that it might be a good idea to encase fruit in pastry. And after they set out the true stories of some of the world\u2019s favorite treats, they provide recipes so that readers can try the delicacies for themselves. It all makes for a globe-trotting culinary adventure that is near impossible to put down.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Jul-2021 23:24:21", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010076043", "title": "Running Is a Kind of Dreaming: A Memoir", "author": "J. M. Thompson", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Dillon Allen-Perez", "word_count": 195, "review": "Reading about J.M. Thompson\u2019s accomplishments and present life, you\u2019d think he has plenty to brag about. He\u2019s a well-educated psychologist, a physically fit ultramarathon runner, and an ordained Zen practitioner. He\u2019s also married and has two children. He doesn\u2019t do any bragging in this book, though.

Running Is a Kind of Dreaming explores the cosmic range of human emotion. Thompson drags the reader through the depths of trauma, depression, addiction, and suicidal thought. He tells us the reality that prefaced his return to the lighter side of life, with his own happily ever after.

This memoir is so well written that it\u2019s hard to read through the passages about drug use. It\u2019s vivid in each moment. Thompson refuses to hold back. He paints an intricate image of the highs and lows of the human experience\u2014the mundane, cosmic joys felt after emerging from the unbearable, imploding depressions. Distance running is both a refuge from and a metaphor for this human struggle: \u201cThe trick is to abandon any attachment to getting anywhere and just put your head down and march up the mountain, grunting.\u201d

By the end, Thompson comes across as a revolutionary force in clinical psychology.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2021", "date_added": "23-Jul-2021 17:07:09", "publisher": "HarperOne", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010076039", "title": "The Sleep Fix: Practical, Proven, and Surprising Solutions for Insomnia, Snoring, Shift Work, and More", "author": "Diane Macedo", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 182, "review": "ABC news anchor Diane Macedo presents testimonials from professionals and everyday folk who suffer from sleep problems in The Sleep Fix. It offers many solutions to issues related to sleep problems, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy, which are simple changes to anyone\u2019s sleep routine. In five parts and twenty-seven chapters, topics such as sleep drive, circadian rhythms, sleep habits, and sleep environment are discussed, including ways to deal with an overactive mind, scheduling, alcohol and caffeine, and nutrition. Macedo presents the \u201cpractical, proven, and surprising solutions\u201d well, understandably, and in a step-by-step format.

Even though it\u2019s a lengthy book, I enjoyed learning that there are a variety of options when suffering from a sleeping problem. Knowing multiple people who claim to have insomnia or are sleep deprived, I could easily gift this book to them and feel confident that their sleep issues would improve. Many options in the book relate to mental and physical health, which is something I don\u2019t think people consider. The suggestions in this book encompass every area of sleep disturbance and should be tried at once!", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2021", "date_added": "23-Jul-2021 17:02:49", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010076035", "title": "House of Glass Hearts", "author": "Leila Siddiqui", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace - age 18", "word_count": 192, "review": "They don't talk about the past. The past is where Maera's brother is, and where they banished all their family's heartache and grief. When Maera's grandfather dies his greenhouse, one that should be all the way on the other side of the world, appears in her backyard, it leaves her with a mystery that must be solved, one that all the answers lay in the past. With the help of a few friends, Maera ventures into the greenhouse in search of her brother, but what she finds is not what she expects, nor is it what she hoped for.

The story begins by just dumping the reader in, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it threw me off to have no idea what was going on. I didn't find any of the characters interesting and the attraction between them felt odd, forced, and completely unnecessary. Maera's mother is always conveniently out of the way and didn't add anything to the story. I did really enjoy the different perspectives of WWII and learned a few things, but overall I didn't care for the writing style and found myself skimming more often than not.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2021", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 23:23:48", "publisher": "Yali Books", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000010076031", "title": "The Auschwitz Photographer: The Forgotten Story of the WWII Prisoner Who Documented Thousands of Lost Souls", "author": "Luca Crippa", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maryame - Age 12", "word_count": 202, "review": "The Auschwitz Photographertells the true story of Wilhelm Brasse, an inmate who took the photos of thousands of doomed souls. Brasse was brought to the concentration camp as a political prisoner because of his refusal to fight. He was offered a job as an intake photographer due to his prior experience and his heritage. He witnessed and experienced horrendous situations while he was an inmate at Auschwitz, the type of atrocities that only show themselves during wars. In the end, he made a decision that was the reason so many stories got told.

This book by Luca Crippa and Maurizio Onnis allows readers to be engulfed in the world Wilhelm Brasse and his colleagues were facing. Feeling the anguish and despair but also the embers of hope, which would eventually light. The writer allows readers to be immersed through the first-person narrative but it still feels believable. Additionally, the writer did well at setting and illustrating the location in the reader\u2019s mind. I would recommend this book to people who likes history and nonfiction, or who are trying to learn more about related topics. I would also recommend it to an older age group due to the war crimes and atrocities mentioned.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "26-Nov-2021", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 22:30:46", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010076019", "title": "It Ends in Fire", "author": "Andrew Shvarts", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 196, "review": "As herself, Alka is a rebel, orphaned years before when a wizard brutally killed her parents. She survived by finding her father\u2019s friend, Whispers, and training as part of the rebel group that wants to take down the wizards. But as Lady Alayne DeWinter, she is a wizard who has enrolled in Blackwater Academy, a prestigious school for wizards attended by only the best and brightest. Upon reaching the school, she is assigned to her order, the Nethros, for those who are basically expected to fail. However, Alka is not good at hiding in the shadows and playing dead. With her new friends, she makes some powerful enemies that could derail her mission before she has a chance to avenge her parents.

Similarities to the Harry Potter universe\u2013\u2013orders instead of houses, balitesta instead of quidditch, the Great Game instead of the Tri-Wizard Tournament\u2013\u2013abound, making this a great book for older readers, as LGBTQ themes are included and sexual situations are more mature. In between chapters, Alka reveals her character through flashbacks of her hard life, making her the hero that fantasy fiction is waiting for. It\u2019s a must read for fans of Shvarts\u2019 Royal Bastards series.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "22-Sep-2021", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 18:15:33", "publisher": "Jimmy Patterson", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010075035", "title": "Star Beasts", "author": "Stephanie Young", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 935, "review": "Tween Graphic Novels\n\nGraphic novels make for great reads for people of all ages, although the five titles featured in this roundup are particularly geared toward the tween audience. From a realistic story of a young girl trying to fit in, to thrill-packed fantasy and science fiction adventures, and on to an engaging account of the history of puddings, these five graphic novels have something to offer all young readers.\n\nHuda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy\n\nWhen Huda and her family move to Dearborn, Michigan, she finds life there surprisingly different from in her old town. The biggest change relates to the fact that Dearborn is a small town with a large Muslim population, which means that there\u2019s no welcoming Muslim clique for Huda to neatly fit into. Having become used to being defined by her Muslim identity, Huda is discombobulated to discover that she\u2019s going to have to find a more precise niche for herself if she\u2019s going to join a friendship group. Having determined that she\u2019s neither sporty, fashionable, nor a gamer, she decides to try out a whole host of identities and personas and see which suits her best. But what will she do if none of them seem right? Huda Fahmy\u2019s Huda F Are You? is a highly amusing and very insightful coming-of-age tale about a young Muslim girl struggling to find her place in the world.\n\nJonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1 by Chris Samnee and Laura Samnee\n\nRainbow has been on a year-long quest to find her missing father and somewhat feral adopted sister Jonna ever since they disappeared following the sudden arrival of mysterious monsters and the collapse of the world\u2019s water cycle. She travels from settlement to settlement following rumors and seeking news of her lost loved ones, dodging monsters and helping survivors as she does so. Things start to look up for Rainbow, however, when she hears that Jonna has been spotted out in the wilderness, disheveled and wild but otherwise seemingly okay. But when Rainbow finally tracks her sister down, she discovers that there is at least one major change in her: Jonna now has sufficient super-strength to knock out a monster with a single punch. Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1 by Chris Samnee and Laura Samnee is an action-packed and vividly illustrated adventure story that follows the two sisters as they explore the strange new world in which they find themselves.\n\nStar Beasts by Stephanie Young and Allyson Lassiter\n\nLoyal pup Bandit was living a pleasantly lazy ordinary life on Earth with his family when he was called up to join the Star Beasts, a top-secret group of creatures dedicated to protecting the planet and being a force for good in the wider universe. While Bandit is excited by his new mission, he has trouble fitting in with the other Star Beasts and also misses his home. However, when Khaos Krill, the evil emperor of Pluto, attempts to build a Novataur, a mythical monster said to be capable of destroying planets, Bandit has to work with a band of other Star Beasts to track down deadly galactic fossils and thwart Krill\u2019s plan. Accompanied by a warrior turtle, a goldfish historian, a healing tiger, a techie iguana, and other brave beasts, Bandit sets out on a dangerous race across space to find the fossils and restore peace to the galaxy. Zany and full of fun-packed adventure, Stephanie Young and Allyson Lassiter\u2019s Star Beasts explains the surprising real reason Pluto isn\u2019t a planet anymore.\n\n5 Worlds Book 5: The Emerald Gate by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel\n\n5 Worlds Book 5: The Emerald Gate by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel marks the thrilling conclusion to an epic science fiction/fantasy adventure story that spans planets and features both brave heroes and dastardly villains. In advance of the forthcoming final battle, Oona, Jax, and An Tzu travel to the perilous world of Grimbo (E), where Oona must light the last beacon and so save the 5 Worlds, if only she knew for sure where the beacon is located. Fortunately, an encounter with an old friend of Jax provides a clue that points the trio toward the beacon and launches them on a dangerous quest across the watery planet in search of it. For his part, the nefarious Stan Moon has hatched another plot to destroy the 5 Worlds through his growing evil powers and increasing connection to An Tzu. Oona and her friends are going to have to risk everything to finally put an end to Stan Moon\u2019s evil machinations. \n\nYummy: A History of Desserts by Victoria Grace Elliott\n\nIn Yummy: A History of Desserts, Victoria Grace Elliott presents an enthralling and highly appetizing account of the surprising history of delicious, sugary desserts. Through a host of facts, stories, and recipes, she takes readers on a whistle-stop tour of all things delectable, accompanied by the charming and often hilarious food sprite Peri. Between the pair of them, they investigate the major puzzles that have intrigued dessert lovers for years. For instance, they reveal how a mistake led to the invention of the brownie and how an unlikely team-up led to the development of ice cream cones. They also explore how cream first came to be frozen and who first decided that it might be a good idea to encase fruit in pastry. And after they set out the true stories of some of the world\u2019s favorite treats, they provide recipes so that readers can try the delicacies for themselves. It all makes for a globe-trotting culinary adventure that is near impossible to put down.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Jul-2021 23:39:02", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010075011", "title": "Lightning Down: A World War II Story of Survival", "author": "Tom Clavin", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 207, "review": "In this riveting account, bestselling author Tom Clavin describes the harrowing story of Joe Moser, a quiet man from a small town in Washington whose greatest dream is of flying. Joe joins the forces as an Allied airman. It\u2019s during his forty-fourth combat mission in August 1944 that his Lightening P-38 is shot down by enemy fire. He\u2019s captured by Germans, sent to Fresnes prison, and then on to Buchenwald, an infamous Nazi concentration camp. Nine months and three transfers later, by the grace of God and some courageous souls, Joe is one of the lucky ones who makes it out alive.

In Lightening Down: A World War II Story of Survival, a powerful portrait of human suffrage is crafted. The delineations of life inside the concentration camps and the thoughts and actions of the prisoners who endured them are at times startlingly vivid and truly horrifying. They will manifest in readers a mix of emotions: from deep sadness to sheer fury for those who committed such unspeakable atrocities. The author does a brilliant job of conveying the facts, backed by extensive research and background knowledge, and weaving in acts of humanity that illuminate an otherwise dark and ominous path. This is an unforgettable contribution to literature.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2021 22:14:17", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010075007", "title": "The Witch Haven", "author": "Sasha Peyton Smith", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 211, "review": "Frances Hallowell feels as if luck has abandoned her at every turn. First, it\u2019s the mysterious death of her brother, then she finds herself on the cusp of a dark situation when her boss forces himself upon her. Then, in the very next moment, he collapses in a pool of his own blood with a pair of sewing scissors plunged in his neck. The thing is, Frances wasn\u2019t the one who put them there. Strangely enough, this is the very moment Frances\u2019 life takes a turn, opening the door to a new life she never expected\u2026 What is disguised as a sanitarium, Frances quickly learns, is actually an academy for witches, and Frances\u2019 life will never be the same. Now, thrown amid a struggle for magical power, Frances must quickly decipher her newfound magic, the sacred bonds of sisterhood, a budding romance, and the answers behind her brother\u2019s death in order to decide what truly matters most.

Sasha Peyton Smith whisks readers right into the middle of 1911 while delivering a story of magic, witches, sacrifice, and female power. With a cast of strong female characters and wonderful magic, The Witch Haven highlights the lengths one will go to for answers while weighing the sacrifices one must make along the way.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2021", "date_added": "21-Jul-2021 21:54:25", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010074047", "title": "Bad Sister", "author": "Charise Mericle Harper", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 11", "word_count": 177, "review": "In this book, you\u2019ll meet Charise. She\u2019s energetic, helpful, and she loves her cat. She\u2019s also an older sister. Ever since her little brother, Daniel, was born, Charise just can\u2019t help bossing him around. As the years go by, Charise turns into a bad sister. When Charise goes too far and breaks Daniel\u2019s tooth, can Charise finally see and make up for all she\u2019s done? And will she ever become a good sister?

Bad Sister is an amazing, honest, and heartfelt story about Harper\u2019s childhood life and how she was a bad sister. I like how the illustrator penciled this book digitally using Procreate. I thought all the different stories in the book and what good and bad times Charise and Daniel had together were very interesting. I recommend this to whoever can relate to this story or whenever rivalry, fighting, or bossing around with your sibling, Bad Sister is a book you can relate to. When you\u2019re Charise, it\u2019s hard to stop being mean after all those years, especially when you\u2019re used to being a bad sister.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2021", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 23:48:23", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010074027", "title": "Burning Down the House: Newt Gingrich and the Rise of the New Republican Party", "author": "Julian E. Zelizer", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 207, "review": "In 2016, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich was in the limelight again. He was under consideration for the VP slot under Republican candidate Donald Trump. Gingrich had resigned as House Speaker in 1998 after an extramarital affair was exposed, which others pointed to as hypocrisy because Democrat President Bill Clinton was being impeached due to crimes relating to his own extramarital affair. However, Gingrich had become a staple on FoxNews and other conservative outlets, often sought out for his sage advice. He was admired and reviled for his confrontational politics. He was elected to Congress in 1978, and his ambition was quickly apparent to his new colleagues. Gingrich wanted to overturn the Democrat majority in Congress, and he soon targeted House Speaker Jim Wright for scrutiny. Wright had been in Congress for over thirty years, but ethical lapses left him prone for an investigation. Gingrich summoned forces to dethrone Wright.

Burning Down the House is a powerful illustration of politics as blood sport. Author Julian Zelizer focuses on the two men at the heart of the struggle, the powerful but flawed Wright and his nemesis, the aspiring Congressman Gingrich. The war for the future of the legislative body proves captivating in its telling.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "09-Nov-2021", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 18:55:32", "publisher": "Penguin Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010074019", "title": "Beirut 2020: Diary of the Collapse", "author": "Charif Majdalani", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 184, "review": "Lebanon, once a jewel of the Middle East, has become synonymous with decline and state capture and nothing captured that more than when over 2,000 pounds of ammonia nitrate exploded in Beirut, killing hundreds and rending the fabric of society even further. Award-winning author Charif Majdalani started recording his thoughts about the current situation in Lebanon and actually began the work a couple of months before the explosion. He details how successive governments have stripped the country, how nothing works, and no one is ever held responsible for the situation. He describes the country as a mafia-like kingdom, and that is exactly what it has been since the end of the civil war in 1990. Readers will learn about how inconveniences can become tragedies, and the effort needed to keep some semblance of order slowly slip into the sea. The country was already on the verge of total collapse, with a worthless currency, crippled banks, and no jobs or prospects. Young people are chronicled leaving the country en masse, leaving a remnant that is both poorer and more at risk of total state failure.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "01-Sep-2021", "date_added": "21-Jul-2021 22:10:11", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010074007", "title": "Let's Make Cake! (Bobo and Pup-Pup)", "author": "Vikram Madan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 7", "word_count": 157, "review": "Bobo and Pup-pup: Let's Make a Cake! is a fun chapter book that is easy to read and understand and laugh at. In the story, Bobo and Pup-pup decide that cake sounds good to eat and want to make one for themselves. Pup-pup reads the recipe and Bobo gets the things. The things he gets are not always what Pup-pup reads to him, so it is funny to see what he comes back with. The two friends don't do everything right on the recipe, but they try their hardest and figure out new ways of doing things when they don't have what they need.

I like that Bobo and Pup-pup worked together and realized that they didn't have to do it right, but it mattered that they did it together and had fun! I liked that I could read this whole book and that the chapters were shorter. Kids my age will love this book because I did!", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "22-Dec-2021", "date_added": "21-Jul-2021 19:38:28", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010073047", "title": "In My Dreams I Hold a Knife", "author": "Ashley Winstead", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "In My Dreams I Hold a Knife tells the story of the East House Seven. These seven friends from Duquette University were inseparable, that is until one of them, Heather, was murdered senior year. It\u2019s been ten years since graduation and it\u2019s time for a college reunion. Heather\u2019s brother has a plan to figure out which of them murdered her, but his task won\u2019t be easy. All six of them have so many secrets and each of them has a motive for wanting Heather dead. Some of them will do anything to keep their secrets buried.

I really enjoyed this book. It was impossible to put down and I thoroughly enjoyed the dual timelines and different points of view. My only critique is the title makes zero sense. The murder weapon is a pair of scissors that are even on the cover of the book, so I\u2019m not sure where the knife comes in, even after reading the whole story. The characters and their friendships with each other were so dark and gritty, each one more than what they appear on the surface. If you enjoy psychological thrillers about people with secrets, I recommend you check out Winstead\u2019s debut novel.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "01-Sep-2021", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 22:32:00", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Landmark", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010073031", "title": "Strange Beasts of China", "author": "Yan Ge", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 209, "review": "Yong\u2019an City is full of all kinds of strange beasts. These beasts live and work alongside the city\u2019s human inhabitants. Among these are the Sorrowful beasts, who love vanilla ice cream and the Flourishing beasts who have lived as gardeners since ancient times. Other than serrated earlobes or a strange birthmark, many beasts have very human characteristics. And all these beasts have their own story. One young journalist has set document the city\u2019s beasts. With the help of her zoology professor and his young assistant, the journalist uncovers the beasts\u2019 stories and learns much about herself along the way.

Strange Beasts of China is the latest work by Yan Ge. First published in 2020 and translated into English in 2021, Ge has joined the surge of Chinese sci-fi masters making a splash with Western sci-fi readers. Named by People\u2019s Literature magazine as a Future Literature Master, Ge has created a masterpiece that is part detective story and part love story. Ge is able to bring these peculiar and innovative beasts to life through her illustrative writing style. As creative and fun as these beasts are, this story explores questions of humanity, morality, and identity. Enjoy this wonderful novel, but be warned, you might discover what beast you really are.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "16-Mar-2022", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 18:07:06", "publisher": "Melville House", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010072059", "title": "Anemone is not the Enemy", "author": "Anna McGregor", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 207, "review": "I have been to the beach before and I love to watch a cartoon about ocean animals. Anemone is not the Enemy is a good book for kids who like the ocean, especially anemones that live in the ocean. In this story, Anemone is lonely and wants a friend. Anemone must wait for the high tide for potential friends. When the high tide comes, Anemone must know how to act around new fish to make them want to be her friend. Anemone wonders if she'll ever find someone to be her friend or if she's stuck being lonely and alone forever.

I learned a lot from reading this book. I like that it is one that I can read by myself. I like that I learned how an anemone acts around other fish and how it can hurt and help them. I like watching what is going on around Anemone on the beach with the silly hermit crabs; the pictures are calm and not busy. I like how the book ends and how it is a happy ending for some characters and a not-so-happy ending for other characters. I learned that it is better to try being nice to someone first instead of being mean right away.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2021", "date_added": "23-Jul-2021 22:43:05", "publisher": "Scribble US", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010072051", "title": "Lucy in the Sky", "author": "Kiara Brinkman", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 11", "word_count": 178, "review": "Twelve-year-old Lucy Sutcliffe is having a hard time. At school, she feels like her friends are all leaving her out. Worst of all, how can her family depend on Lucy\u2019s upbeat, fun-loving grandmother when she\u2019s sick and not getting better? Everything seems down, but when Lucy discovers a box of her father\u2019s Beatles records, she sees an opportunity and forms an all-girl rock band with her friends. Can she keep the band and everything else together when arguments, crushes, and dilemmas start to break it up?

This is a story about friendship drama, family, and music\u2013\u2013perfect for people who like comics or graphic novels about rock music. Though I am not a big fan of the illustrations and colors, the story is amazing and full of detail. I like how different all the characters are, and how this book got me to know the Beatles. The only problem is, the panels and words are small and slightly hard to read. Overall, it\u2019s a good book. Recommended for young fans who love the Beatles or any other rock band.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "02-Dec-2021", "date_added": "22-Jul-2021 23:47:17", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010372007", "title": "Whose Fault?! Not Mine!", "author": "Michael A Brown", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 57, "review": "\u201cJoin Mike the Tiger and his friends Penny and Miles as Mike learns an important life lesson. Sometimes things are not our fault. And sometimes they are. Either way, it\u2019s okay! Beautifully illustrated with vibrant colors and the cutest tigers, antelopes, and zebras you\u2019ve ever seen, young children will adore this book.\u201d --Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Sep-2021 20:33:38", "publisher": "MABMA Enterprises, LLC", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010372003", "title": "Blood Perfect: A Joe Turner Mystery", "author": "T.L. Bequette", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 402, "review": "Criminal Defense Attorney Joe Turner finds himself defending a man who seems all too guilty in Blood Perfect. When Joe hears from Amanda \"the one who got away\" Kensey, she is reaching out to him to let him know there is a gardener that her mother knows who needs a defense attorney. The man, Allston Walker, is accused of stabbing his landlord over a late rent payment. The landlord claims he was sleeping at the time and that Mr. Walker came in and stabbed him with a knife. Walker says he didn't do it, however, his deadpan personality and lack of willingness to help Joe make this case a tough one. With shady characters who seem to know something but are keeping their mouths shut, Joe really has his work cut out for him. Joe starts falling for Amanda all over again and she seems to be falling for him. With romance in the air, Joe finds himself distracted, thinking about Amanda. He knows he needs to hustle to find evidence or witnesses to prove his client is innocent though.

Blood Perfect is written extremely well with an excellent plot and colorful characters. Joe Turner is both self-loathing and sarcastic which makes him the perfect defense attorney. Many times, when there is court dialogue included in a story, the author gets carried away with all of the legal jargon. In Blood Perfect, the chapters that take place in the courtroom are easy to read and easy to follow. I felt this made the story flow more smoothly and connected the dots so that the reader could see what Joe's next move should be. Does he need another witness? Is something missing that he overlooked?

Because this book is part of a series, one might think it would be difficult to understand Joe as a character without reading the other books. This is not the case. Blood Perfect reads well as a standalone book and the author gives the reader some of Joe's history without pausing the main story. Joe's backstory about his father being killed and how the author integrates Joe's father's best friend, Matt into the story really helps the reader to get to know a little more about Joe and his upbringing.

Overall, Blood Perfect is a fantastic read for fans of courtroom drama, light detective work, and endings with a twist. This book will keep you interested from cover to cover.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "31-May-2022", "date_added": "29-Sep-2021 20:28:10", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "377 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010370027", "title": "Animal Wrongs", "author": "Stephen Spotte", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 186, "review": "Animal Wrongs by Stephen Spotte is not necessarily for those who enjoy light reading material. The plot consists of three increasingly absurd trials based on historical records from medieval France that are told from the perspectives of the two lawyers pitted against each other for the duration of the novel. Monsieur Chassenee acts on behalf of the defense, which includes rats accused of thievery, a pig accused of murder, and a supposed werewolf, while Monsieur Revigny (a literal demon from Hell) functions on behalf of the prosecution.

Dry, ironic, and filled with witty satire, the author has created a kind of mash-up between a Good Omens-style buddy comedy and a classic Monty Python\u2019s Flying Circus skit. While I enjoyed the banter between the main characters and the relevant applications of the questions of morality and punishment to the modern world, the book simply felt a little too drawn out to effectively keep my attention. None of the cases presented in the story are about flogging dead horses, but the meandering philosophical arguments woven throughout the book could possibly serve as a stand-in metaphor for doing so.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2022", "date_added": "28-Sep-2021 22:31:19", "publisher": "Three Rooms Press", "page_count": "378 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010370019", "title": "Good Night, Toucan", "author": "Joanne Partis", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 184, "review": "Toucan decides to throw a slumber party for his best friends and is thrilled that they will all be coming. His excitement quickly fades to fear when the expectation for this event becomes impossibly high. When his friends say his party will be \u201cperfect\u201d or \u201cthe best\u201d, Toucan worries that his event will fall short of expectations. Toucan stresses over every detail, making sure the party is as amazing as his friends are imagining. When his party guests arrive, Toucan is still running errands to ensure everything goes smoothly for the party. The party-goers only notice one thing that is missing- the host of the slumber party. Toucan learns that his friends didn\u2019t come for the decorations, lights, and food- but to spend time with him.

This story shows that personal connections are far more important than superficial details. Author and illustrator, Joanne Parris displays emotions beautifully through each characters\u2019 expressions. Toucan\u2019s emotions and vulnerability are extremely relatable for kids that feel the need to be perfect. Good Night, Toucan is an excellent way to approach event-related anxiety for children ages three to seven.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2022", "date_added": "28-Sep-2021 21:04:06", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010370003", "title": "The Jewish Brigade", "author": "Marvano", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 192, "review": "In October 1945, with World War II now ended in Europe, Leslie Toliver, formerly a British racing driver, leads a team of the Jewish Infantry Brigade to rescue survivors from the Nazi death camps. Bewildering and challenging are but two words to describe this graphic novel representation of the courageous young volunteers serving with the British 8th Army. As they cross the desert from Alexandria to southern Italy in a progressively more battered jeep, they confront precarious adventures, encountering belligerent Russian and German soldiers, still armed and unwilling to concede defeat. Barely escaping with their lives over and again, the three-part saga is at first bewildering and challenging but unequivocally exciting.

When the inception of the State of Israel nears, and the story gathers yet more momentum, the identity of the Brigade\u2019s enemy changes, leaving Europe\u2019s armies behind to be replaced by the conflict between Arabs and Jews begins. Anyone na\u00efve enough to assume a \u201cgraphic novel\u201d is lighthearted will be shocked by the The Jewish Brigade, a profound interpretation of a critical period in world affairs. The story of the Jewish Brigade is familiar to many; this unique version is brilliant.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2022", "date_added": "27-Sep-2021 18:47:39", "publisher": "Dead Reckoning", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010369015", "title": "Sourdough Culture: A History of Bread Making from Ancient to Modern Bakers", "author": "Eric Pallant", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 193, "review": "Although this book has a few recipes, it is not a cookbook; it is a deliciously written object history of bread. The author weaves two histories together: One, the story of his personal sourdough starter, which came to him ostensibly and ultimately from a gold miner during the Cripple Creek, Colorado, Goldrush; the other, the story of bread-making from its earliest beginnings to how it may have been led to that starter in Cripple Creek. As he follows the threads backward and forward, he leads you around the globe and in and out of his own kitchen, all with a sense of wonder and growing appreciation for bread and especially for sourdough. Recent, renewed interest in making delicious bread from sourdough raises the question \u2013 why did sourdough fall out of favor, and when? You'll be surprised at the answers, and you'll find out a lot about grains and flours, baking techniques, and even a little chemistry along the way. Bread has been the staff of life for endless ages, and continues to nourish our bodies and our souls; a freshly-made loaf is one of life's great pleasures. Reading this book is another.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2022", "date_added": "28-Sep-2021 21:39:45", "publisher": "Agate Surrey", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010369003", "title": "Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves: A Novel", "author": "Meg Long", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 197, "review": "Tundar is known for only two things; it's storms and the race. Sena won't have anything to do with the race, where teams compete on sleds pulled by genetically engineered wolves, not after her mothers were killed on the trail. But it may be her only chance to leave Tundar and it's storms. When she not so accidentally steals a fighting wolf from a very powerful man, Sena has no choice but to join a team and train them to survive the wilderness.

From the first page I was hooked. The story is fast paced and exciting. Though, the race doesn't start till half way through, there's a lot that leads up to it. The characters are interesting and easy to tell apart. There's also not too many to keep track of. One thing that was kind of annoying was repeated information. Something is heavily implied then a couple pages later it's stated, sometimes with more information, or things are just repeated multiple times. It is a science fiction that takes place on another planet, but it feels a lot like a fantasy as well. I really enjoyed reading this and have already recommended it to several people.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "26-Jan-2022", "date_added": "27-Sep-2021 18:18:04", "publisher": "Wednesday Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010368011", "title": "David Copperfield's History of Magic", "author": "David Copperfield", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 191, "review": "Award-winning magician David Copperfield and his coauthors have pieced together a historical record of performers who have bewitched audiences with their magic from the 1500s to the present age where currently the eponymous Dickensian reigns. More than two dozen of these artists are described along with some of the paraphernalia they devised. These objects, whether books, trunks, spinning saws, cards, costumes, along. with photographs of these male and female wizards are juxtaposed within the stories of these versatile conjurers. Whether. they are mentalists (mind readers), prestidigitators (using sleight of hand with the playing cards), conjurers (magicians) toying with disappearing animals, objects, even persons; these spellbinding charmers bewitch their audiences as the viewers gasp and try to solve the mysterious conundrums. In this dramatically illustrated edition of magical materials from photographs taken from the author\u2019s museum collection of collected artifacts from past performers, learn about Robert-Houdin and \u2018Ethereal Suspension\u2019, remember the escape artist, Houdini who adopted the name of the aforementioned admired colleague. For everyone delighted by the frisson that magical mystery induces, read more about these illusionists and the tricks they learned to play on our minds in this current publication.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "24-Jan-2022", "date_added": "27-Sep-2021 19:07:13", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010367015", "title": "Supermouse and the Big Cheese Robbery", "author": "M. N. Tahl", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 154, "review": "The big cheese has gone missing and Supermouse is the only mouse that can help. The whole town is counting on him. The villains are counting on him failing. The town calls the hero using a mouse cheese light! Supermouse is expected to save the big cheese and bring it back to Mouseopolis. Supermouse will use his superpowers and super sniffer to sniff out the stinky bad guys as well as find the yummy cheese. Can he find the cheese in time before the villains eat the cheese?

This book is super fun with cut-outs, lift the flaps, and extra details on every page. I like this fun interactive book, and I think this would be a great book to entertain all ages with the lift the flaps. The story is very interesting and my most favorite part is being able to help throw the bad guys in jail with the fun interactive pages.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "04-Nov-2021", "date_added": "28-Sep-2021 21:02:33", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010365019", "title": "The Falling Girls", "author": "Hayley Krischer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 13", "word_count": 200, "review": "Shade and Jadis are best friends, and they share everything with each other. That is, until Shade joins the cheerleading team. Jadis feels betrayed; Shade is her friend, not anyone else\u2019s. Shade wants to hold onto her best friend, but she also wants to chase her dream. Her life is complicated by the Three Chloes, the trio of best friends with their own dark pasts. The cheerleading captain has taken Shade under her wing, and Shade doesn\u2019t want to leave this new life, but what about Jadis?

Then one of the girls dies, and Shade finds herself thrust into a tangled web of deadly secrets and lies, with no apparent suspect. Was it one of the cheerleaders? Or was it the person Shade doesn\u2019t want it to be, Jadis herself?

Wow. This book was a dark, twisted exploration of friendship and what happens when those boundaries are crossed. It nailed the complexity of a teen girl friendship, and the spiteful, ugly fallout that results when such relationships end. I loved the clear focus on Shade and Jadis\u2019s toxic relationship, and the ending was a good conclusion to the story. I will definitely read more from this author in the future!", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "01-Dec-2021", "date_added": "28-Sep-2021 22:48:40", "publisher": "Razorbill", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010365015", "title": "The Ex-Husband", "author": "Karen Hamilton", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "Sam is The Ex-Husband, or at least he would be, if Charlotte could get ahold of him since he disappeared on her eighteen months ago. He left her high and dry after a disagreement about their last con. Now, Charlotte has turned legitimate as a travel party planner and has accepted a job offer of a personal assistant for an engagement party aboard a luxury yacht. But someone on the yacht knows about her past and is sending threatening messages wanting her to return the money she stole. Unfortunately for her, Sam stole all the money from her before disappearing. Charlotte will need to figure out which person on the yacht is harassing her before she doesn\u2019t return from this luxury cruise.

A surprisingly fun story, even though it\u2019s hard to really like any of the characters. Most of the people in the story are rich and exceedingly annoying, while Sam and Charlotte are hard to like since they are criminals who con people thinking no one will get hurt. It\u2019s not very surprising that it comes back to haunt them. If you enjoy travel tales and stories where the main character tries to escape their past, you\u2019ll love it.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "26-Jan-2022", "date_added": "28-Sep-2021 17:00:42", "publisher": "Graydon House", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010365007", "title": "Cook Once Dinner Fix: Quick and Exciting Ways to Transform Tonight's Dinner into Tomorrow's Feast", "author": "Cassy Joy Garcia", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 216, "review": "I was a big fan of Cassy Joy Garcia\u2019s previous book, Cook Once, Eat All Week, so I was excited to read her new book, Cook Once: Dinner Fix. Cook Once, Eat All Week was a workhorse of a book, twenty-six weeks\u2019 of three main dishes organized around the same protein, vegetable and starch. Cook Once: Dinner Fix takes this concept to a smaller size: chapters organized around proteins, with two dinners using the same or similar components.

Garcia\u2019s tone is warm and approachable \u2013 she knows families want to cook delicious healthy food, preferably in thirty minutes, and she also knows what a holy grail it is when you find recipes that fit that brief.

I enjoyed the structure of how the recipes were set up: first photos of each meal and then instructions and ingredients on the following corresponding page, designated as \"Meal 1\" and \"Meal 2\". Tips and substitutions are also given on each recipe. The recipes I am excited to try are Chicken Sloppy Joes with Ginger Carrot Slaw and white Enchilada Casserole with Tomato and Avocado Salad; as well as Classic Meatball Boats and Wedding Soup with Orzo. I know my whole family will enjoy them and I know they won\u2019t be super complicated to prepare which is indeed the Holy Grail!", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "06-Jan-2022", "date_added": "27-Sep-2021 17:44:21", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010365003", "title": "Jekyll & Hyde Inc.", "author": "Simon R. Green", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 210, "review": "The old monsters still exist, though they are rarely seen. Vampires, mummies, werewolves, and those who continue the works of Dr. Frankenstein still walk the streets of London. They run the city\u2019s underworld. Drugs, pleasures of the flesh, and the trade in human body parts are all the business of these creatures. And one old monster wants to stop them. Mr. Hyde, Edward to those he employs, has assembled his own force of Hyde beasts to take down London\u2019s underground. Danial, an ex-policeman, and Tina, both powered by Dr. Jekyll\u2019s elixir, are just the monsters needed to kill the monsters.

From the mind of best-selling author Simon Green comes a new urban fantasy tale set in the streets, and underground of London. Jekyll & Hyde Inc. is not just another novel filled with yesterday\u2019s lore. In Green\u2019s own macabre style, he borrows the characters of the old horror stories and reintroduces them in this exciting new crime drama. With London\u2019s own gruesome history as home to many legendary and literary monsters, the setting is fitting. Fueled by many fight scenes, punchy one-liners, and Green\u2019s own shadowy humor, this book is hard to put down. It is exciting from start to finish, with thrills and monsters waiting behind every dark corner.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2021", "date_added": "27-Sep-2021 17:34:01", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010364019", "title": "Scribbles, Sorrows, and Russet Leather Boots: The Life of Louisa May Alcott", "author": "Liz Rosenberg", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Susan Faith - Age 14", "word_count": 207, "review": "You might know that Louisa May Alcott was the writer of Little Women, but did you know what her life was really like? You will after you read Scribbles, Sorrows, and Russet Leather Boots: The Life of Louisa May Alcott.

I enjoyed the movie of Little Women, but I didn\u2019t realize much about her actual life. Through this book, I discovered fascinating details. I didn\u2019t know that she was an actress as well as a writer. She was, to her family, sometimes seen as behaving inappropriately. She used slang so badly (it would be like foul language today) and didn\u2019t do what girls were supposed to do at that time. Like a popular phrase tells us, \u201cnevertheless, she persisted.\u201d

I enjoyed learning about how her own life connected with the books that she wrote, especially how the character of Jo in Little Women is so much like the author. For instance, \u201cThe two are so closely aligned that it\u2019s sometimes hard to tell where Louisa leaves off and Jo begins.\u201d Louisa wanted to be free. Her story is told in a poignant way throughout this book, just like she did in Little Women and more. Fans of Louisa May Alcott will want to read this special book.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2022", "date_added": "27-Sep-2021 18:03:06", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010364003", "title": "Apparently There Were Complaints: A Memoir", "author": "Sharon Gless", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 202, "review": "Sharon Gless has been an actress for five decades, beginning as a contract player for Universal Studios. She paid her dues in small roles in television and movies, her talented presence just waiting to emerge for a larger audience. The opportunity came when she was cast as the co-lead in television drama Cagney & Lacey.

From the early 1980s through to now, her fame and stature have only grown. However, by her own admission, her path to success was anything but a given. She possessed a rebellious streak from her youth that derailed an opportunity here and there. By twenty-six years old, she was at an impasse, until her grandfather asked her what she wanted to do in life. She responded that she wanted to act. Her perseverance and toughness would see her garner roles and critical acclaim, becoming an icon in the process.

Apparently There Were Complaints is a candid and honest autobiography that will make the reader smile, laugh, and even cry. Author and actress Sharon Gless provides an entertaining view into her storied career, from the small screen to the big screen to the stage. Amusing doesn\u2019t begin to truly describe her insights on life under the media microscope.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "17-Feb-2022", "date_added": "27-Sep-2021 17:29:15", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010363019", "title": "The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne", "author": "Jonathan Stroud", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 175, "review": "After a successful bank robbery, Scarlett is on the run. It's nothing that she is not used to. But just when she thinks she's in the clear, Scarlett runs into the naive, useless Albert, who has his own reasons to run. Scarlett can\u2019t bring herself to leave him behind, no matter how much trouble he gets her into. Between bank robberies, grumpy sailors, and danger at their heels they forage an unlikely alliance that could get them killed.

With a hint of the Wild West, zombies, and a post apocalypse world, The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne is a wild tale from the first page. The characters, though, are lacking and I found much of the story predictable, but that's because a lot of hints are dropped. It's a fast-paced story, however, I couldn't read it in one sitting until the middle of the book where I really began to get dragged into the story. This is the first book in the series, so there are questions left unanswered and the promise of more adventures to come.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "01-Dec-2021", "date_added": "28-Sep-2021 21:24:47", "publisher": "Knopf Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010363015", "title": "The Island of Missing Trees: A Novel", "author": "Elif Shafak", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Dina Klarisse Dugar", "word_count": 220, "review": "Tucked into a core narrative about a teenage girl trying to uncover the secrets of her family\u2019s painful past, the true story in Elif Shafak\u2019s The Island of Missing Trees is an expansive account of Cyprus as an ancient love story and modern war wound. Like the branches of a fig tree, the novel\u2019s plot reaches and bifurcates into different stories that come from the same center\u2014born on an island torn between two ethnic communities, a once-thriving ecosystem struggling to survive in a 20th century environment of deforestation and rapid economic growth.

One of the branches holds Kostas, Defne, and their daughter Ada, a family born despite (or perhaps because) of the rift between their warring communities. Flashing back between Kostas and Defne\u2019s dangerous teenage love affair during a brewing war period and the quiet melancholy of their adopted country, England, after Defne\u2019s death, the reader journeys with Ada as she reconnects with a past and heritage that had been calloused over and hidden away from her. The fig tree is another central character in the story, recalling her own ancient pains as observer, resident, and refugee of Cyprus\u2019s civil war and ecological deterioration. Shafak\u2019s voice is tender but piercing, laying out each character\u2019s joy and hurt as the novel unravels and reweaves itself across generations, borders, and butterfly migrations.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2022", "date_added": "27-Sep-2021 20:50:00", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010363003", "title": "Ready, Set, Cook: How To Make Good Food with What's On Hand (No Fancy Skills, Fancy Equipment, or Fancy Budget Required)", "author": "Dawn Perry", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "It would be nice to feel one could make a good, tasty meal at the drop of a hat with no mad rush to the store or a lot of preplanning. It can be done, and this clever book can show you the way. Of course, it does require already having your kitchen set up with a well-stocked pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. But no worries, Dawn Perry has everything laid out for you with easy-to-follow instructions for what to buy, how to make and store your own spice mixes, dressings, and other condiments, what equipment to have available, and more. In fact, the first half of this book is dedicated to getting everything in place one would need. This is followed by one hundred and twenty-five well-written recipes for a wide variety of things from Breakfast recipes (don\u2019t miss the Scallion Corn Cakes!) to Starchy Sides (The Sweet Potato Grits are great) to Seafood Mains (check out the Shrimp and Chorizo with Crushed Croutons) to Sweets (including Half-Baked Peanut Butter Pie). There are, however, a couple of missing elements that keep this from perfect. There is no index and no nutritional information. Otherwise, this is great.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "24-Jan-2022", "date_added": "27-Sep-2021 17:27:31", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010361007", "title": "The Speckled Beauty: A Dog and His People", "author": "Rick Bragg", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 174, "review": "Gifted storyteller Rick Bragg strikes again with The Speckled Beauty: A Dog and His People an utterly unexpected and absolutely delightful love letter to his dog, Speck.

A known criminal entity around the Alabama haunts of his owner, Speck is a locus of trouble. Thrown in \u201cjail\u201d\u2014code for getting penned up rather than allowed to run free\u2014twenty-three times in his first month with Bragg, Speck wreaks a kind of darling havoc on the farm and the animals he encounters. Much to the chagrin of the farmers, and likely the animals, he is boisterous, troublesome, and too full of life to be contained by the traditional rules of civility. But he is also a rescuer, specifically of Bragg, who found a renewed hope and presence when Speck came into his life after Bragg\u2019s battle with cancer.

Told in hilarious detail and with a warmth that radiates right off the page, The Speckled Beauty is the kind of book that makes you want to hug every single dog\u2014and maybe even person--you see, no matter how ornery or old.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 22:34:41", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010360023", "title": "An Impossible Impostor (A Veronica Speedwell Mystery)", "author": "Deanna Raybourn", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 196, "review": "Veronica Speedwell and Stoker are once again called to solve a mystery at the behest of Sir Hugh Montgomerie, this time as a personal favor. His goddaughter, Euphemia, has let Sir Hugh know that a man has shown up at their family estate claiming to be her brother Jonathan, who supposedly died six years earlier. Veronica and Jonathan were once traveling companions, so Montgomerie asks her to verify his identity. What Veronica and Stoker find when they reach the estate is An Impossible Impostor. Veronica will have to face her past and, once again, face jewel thieves and survive abductions. Excelsior!

This is another great addition to the series. After so many adventures, you would think it would be hard for Raybourn to surprise you, but she still manages to throw some twists in there and leave you wanting more at the end. If you enjoy mysteries being solved in Victorian England as much as I do, I highly recommend you read this series. While the author does explain things that have past significance well, I would suggest you start at the beginning to have a deeper enjoyment of all the characters and their wild adventures.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2022", "date_added": "25-Sep-2021 18:55:36", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010360019", "title": "How Magicians Think: Misdirection, Deception, and Why Magic Matters", "author": "Joshua Jay", "category": "F13 Special Interest", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 200, "review": "If you want to know how magicians' tricks are done, this isn't the book for you. Magicians, after all, don't reveal their tricks. At least, ethical magicians don't reveal other magicians' tricks; they are free to reveal their own as they wish. This is one of the many interesting tidbits encountered in this delightful book about magic and magicians by world-renowned magician Joshua Jay, who shares his musings on honing his craft, the evolving state of magic, and so much more. His writing is personal and engaging, giving you a glimpse into his endlessly curious, inventive mind and drive. Essays address questions ranging from the psychological (\u201cHow are we fooled exactly?\u201d) to the sociological (\u201cWhy is magic still so male-dominated?\u201d) to the practical (\u201cSeriously, how do you saw someone in half?\u201d) (He still won't tell you!) No matter the theme, all are extremely personal. The answer to \u201cWho is the hardest audience to fool?\u201d delivers a set of musings on the wonder of childhood and how magic seeks to recreate the sense of possibility we lose as we age, in an essay both funny and poignant. Perhaps the idea that magic is purely superficial entertainment is truly its greatest illusion.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "06-Jan-2022", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 23:11:57", "publisher": "Workman Publishing Company", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010360011", "title": "Competing with Idiots: Herman and Joe Mankiewicz, a Dual Portrait", "author": "Nick Davis", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 201, "review": "Does success elicit happiness? Can the accolades and admiration bestowed by your peers erase the doubts instilled in you since childhood? Herman and Joseph Mankiewicz set their minds to overachieve in their respective fields, Herman as a Writer and Joe as a Director. Herman and Joe grew up in a household dominated by their stern Father Franz. Franz expected only the best from his brood and discounted anything less. Herman had a vivid imagination, spurred on by solitary confinement as a punishment. Herman grew to rebel and served as a protector for his younger brother Joe. Herman left home and honed his writing talents in Berlin then back to New York. Hollywood was soon calling and his destiny was set. Joe would soon follow, Herman assisting him in obtaining a writing job. Their prosperity would be overshadowed by a growing rift, Herman\u2019s addictions, and jealousy.

Competing with Idiots probes the complicated depths of two complex men who defined Hollywood royalty. The body of work between the two brothers spans five decades and includes Citizen Kane, All About Eve, and other renowned classics. The fragile egos behind the typewriter and camera make for an emotionally charged dual biography that proves fascinating and cathartic.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "01-Dec-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 22:32:57", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010360007", "title": "Sheep Count Flowers", "author": "Micaela Chirif", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 183, "review": "Sheep Count Flowers is the story of what sheep do to help them fall asleep. I have tried counting things to fall asleep, but it doesn't really work for me. Reading Sheep Count Flowers might help me, though.

The story doesn't always make sense to me; it mentions that sheep can fly when they sleep. I'm pretty sure they can't fly anytime. The story isn't too exciting either. It talks about sheep counting flowers, lying in the grass, and their dreams being in different colors. I was thinking it would be a funny story, but there wasn't anything that I laughed about.

The pictures are different and hard to know what they are. On one page there are parts of sheep and parts of humans (arms or legs) on the same thing that make them look really weird. I like that the pictures look like they are painted, but I don't like that the pictures aren't completely done, like the boy on the cover who looks like he's missing his body.

Maybe kids older than me will understand or enjoy the book better.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "10-Feb-2022", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 21:22:01", "publisher": "Levine Querido", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010360003", "title": "Everything and Less: The Novel in the Age of Amazon", "author": "Mark McGurl", "category": "N25 Books About Books", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 191, "review": "Amazon has taken over the book-selling business, influenced the tastes of the reading audience, and orchestrated marketable writing styles, a practice bemoaned here for its pernicious effect on the literary world. In this rather lengthy diatribe bewailing the domination of Bezos\u2019s company in the literary arena, Stanford University literature professor Mark McGurl dissects the strategies employed to capture the reading marketplace and influence the publishing world.

From the Kindle e-reader to Kindle Direct Publishing, Amazon has provided easy and inexpensive access to reading material. Through electronic devices, the company collects data not only on purchases but also on the public appetite for specific genres. Authors freely publish without critical editing, encouraged to act as entrepreneurs to cater to the tastes of the customers. The sales history of Fifty Shades of Grey has served as the online model for the erotica that currently clogs the Kindle offerings.

While chastising Amazon and especially its founder Jeff Bezos for modifying the prevailing literary status, this bombastic repetitious diagnosis of the changes makes for a tiresome read. And consider, if Amazon did not forge these changes, some other capitalist mogul would have effected similar revisions.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "09-Nov-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:58:00", "publisher": "Verso", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010359011", "title": "The State of Israel vs. the Jews", "author": "Sylvain Cypel", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 182, "review": "This work is translated from French and has received high marks among the European Left for speaking out against Israel's nation-state law, which has been labeled apartheid against the Palestinians. Originally written during the time of the Trump administration and its cooperative relationship with Israel\u2019s Benjamin Netanyahu, the work itself underwent a decided shift after Joe Biden won the presidential election in 2020.

Cypel seethes with moral outrage throughout the book at the hypocritical policies that render second-class citizenship to the Palestinians and label anyone who dissents as anti-Semitic. From the prospective of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France, the very fact that Cypel speaks out at all is unusual.

While well informed, the issue remains in flux as the Biden Administration continues to waffle on both sides of the Middle East dilemma: what to do about Iran's nuclear threat. Should they or should they not sabotage the political gains made by the Trump administration with Israel? The whole world remains divided on whether or not a duel state solution is viable. What Israel decides might potentially spark international unrest.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2022", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 21:18:51", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010359007", "title": "\"Being Weird Is a Wonderful Thing\": Inspiration for Living Your Truest Self", "author": "Kathryn Petras", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 209, "review": "In Being Weird is a Wonderful Thing, Kathryn and Ross Petras assembled a thoughtful but wild collection of quotes from writers, philosophers, artists, poets, creatives, scholars, and influencers touting the value of celebrating one\u2019s own uniqueness and idiosyncrasies. Contained in this compact book are affirmations about embracing the \u201cinner oddball,\u201d the idiosyncratic self that yearns to be free of judgment from the outside world.

In an age of constant social comparison, when the need to conform to be just like the others is so strong, it\u2019s not surprising that this book is needed at all. The themes of standing out, non-conformity, authenticity, and self-censure are prominent in the quotations. People from diverse racial, ethnic, and gender identities may feel the need to assimilate to be accepted, and it\u2019s helpful to heed advice from queer and/or icons of color like Laverne Cox, Audre Lorde, Megan Rapinoe, and Margaret Cho.

Those looking for deeper meanings behind the collection of witty quips may ponder why similar sentiments about differences are shared by people across timeIf you relish your unique approach to life, buy this book for yourself or for that friend who needs a cheerful reminder about valuing their gifts. As Mae Jamison points out: \"Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations.\"", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "03-Dec-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:35:29", "publisher": "Workman Publishing Company", "page_count": "335 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010359003", "title": "Bounce Back", "author": "Misako Rocks!", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - Age 11", "word_count": 191, "review": "Lilico receives news that she and her family will be moving to New York City in the summer. While settling in her new school in NYC, Lilico wants to join the girls basketball team. Afraid to speak up and stand up for herself, Lilico tries to join the team but gets into an argument with Emma, the captain of the basketball team. With the help of her new friends and her cat, Nico, will Lilico be able to speak up for herself?

I love the plot, the story, and all the drama! While the plot revolves around joining a basketball team, the story is about friendship and fitting in. I didn\u2019t expect Nico to be a talking cat, but he is super kawaii and funny. I like how he was so protective of Lilico whenever she talks to Noah. I really like the illustrations because I love manga. I highly recommend readers to check out Misako Rocks\u2019 social media channels for drawing tips and to watch her draw Lilico and the other characters. I recommend this graphic novel to manga lovers because it is such a cute and beautifully drawn book.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "17-Nov-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:20:38", "publisher": "Feiwel & Friends", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010357023", "title": "Vespertine", "author": "Margaret Rogerson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 198, "review": "Artmesia just wants to spend her days as a Gray Nun, assisting the dead in attaining their final restful sleep. Even when given the opportunity to become part of the Clerisy, she prefers the dead who keep to themselves. When her convent is attacked by soldiers overcome by dark spirits, she only survives by accepting the help of a malevolent spirit, a revenant, who would as soon take over her life force as to help her. Artemisia must stay vigilant so she doesn\u2019t lose herself to the revenant, even as she needs it to save herself and her world, though the power is exhausting to wield. Can she become the Vespertine, trained to use the revenant for good, with only the same dangerous revenant for help?

While it lacks the romantic interest and interactions of previous books, Rogerson has kept the quick and witty dialogue that is her trademark, making it a story of enemies turned almost friends, very similar to the story of Venom and Eddie Brock. This entertaining friendship promises to be back in a sequel, in which Artemisia will surely be as ruthless and stubborn as ever, with more impulsive acts designed to annoy her revenant.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "15-Nov-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 23:03:31", "publisher": "Margaret K. McElderry Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010357007", "title": "Manga Classics: Macbeth (Modern English Edition)", "author": "William Shakespeare", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 174, "review": "Macbeth is a famous tragedy written by William Shakespeare. Macbeth himself is a thane who devises a plan to murder King Duncan in order to overthrow him. One murder leads to another, with Macbeth\u2019s wife, Lady Macbeth, also getting involved. As the body count mounts, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are consumed with guilt and the psychological effects of their actions.

Manga Classics\u2019 Macbeth is a fully adapted modern English version of the classic play. Since the story is about murder, power, and politics, it is obviously a darker story. Compared to Romeo and Juliet, the illustrations are darker and more ominous. Even the illustrations of the characters are pointier and more angular.

While it is among the most popular of Shakespeare\u2019s plays, Macbeth is one of my least favorites. I\u2019m just not a fan of Macbeth\u2019s power-hungry, murderous character. While it\u2019s been a long time since I had to read Shakespeare for school, this version helped me understand the story more. Anyone who is studying Shakespeare should really consider reading this Manga Classics\u2019 adaptation.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:19:02", "publisher": "Manga Classics", "page_count": "324 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010357003", "title": "The Best of Archie Comics: 80 Years, 80 Stories", "author": "Archie Superstars", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 211, "review": "The Best of Archie Comics: Eighty Years, Eighty Stories is the comic franchise\u2019s first \u201cmemory lane\u201d celebration in five years. The retrospective highlights some of the most memorable adventures and capers featuring Riverdale teenagers Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, Reggie, and others, with introductory, behind-the-scenes commentary by writers Mike Pellerito and Jamie L. Rotante. The selected stories are presented in reverse chronological order, starting in 2021 and ending with the comic\u2019s debut as America\u2019s \u201claugh sensation\u201d in 1941. Each five-year section starts with a discussion about the artists, writers, and collaborations that have defined Archie for eight decades.

Having followed the gang\u2019s hijinks and misadventures over the years, it was interesting to see how the preoccupations of American teenage life have changed, and how they\u2019ve remained the same. In Archie\u2019s world, there's always a love triangle, misunderstandings with grownups, and complicated friendships. Stories touch on themes of fitting in, dating, and getting by in school. Through the years, Archie showed more diversity in characters to reflect the reality of multicultural high schools. The 2010s saw the appearance of Harper, a Black girl with a disability, and Kevin Keller, the first openly gay character. While comedy is at the center of the Riverdale universe, recent stories depicting diverse characters have been tastefully done.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:06:58", "publisher": "Archie Comics", "page_count": "704 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010356003", "title": "Our Class: Trauma and Transformation in an American Prison", "author": "Chris Hedges", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 194, "review": "This book purportedly demonstrates the injustice perpetrated by the American prison system, but by detailing the abuses therein, the author inadvertently depicts the degradation of the inmates and their bestial-like behaviors. Whether they have been reduced to such circumstances by the cruelty of the system or they are inherently evil, the result is that this reader would not like to meet up with any inmate so described.

Unlike other books about the prison system, notably the work of Dostoevsky, who described his fellow inmates as fellows just like ourselves, Hedges recounts shocking instances of cruel and inhuman behaviors. This works against his thesis of the cruelty of the system rather than the cruel behaviors of the incarcerated. The author seems mesmerized by viewing the inside of the prison system and elevated by his status as the great educator. Hedges relies heavily on iconic writers such as James Baldwin as he digresses to label the Black church complicit in the hypocrisy of our society.

This is the fourteenth book by Hedges, who is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist. One would hope that other books would bring more of a human voice to those society has abandoned.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "17-Nov-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:03:44", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010354043", "title": "In the Heart of Paradise", "author": "Jamie McGillen", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 77, "review": "\u201cReaders will find themselves wrapped up in this tried and true love story. In The Heart of Paradise follows a group of friends and family as they navigate their way through the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century facing complex topics such as women\u2019s inclusion into male-dominant fields, new motherhood, and of course, young love. Fans of Pride and Prejudice and Little Women will enjoy this beautiful tale.\u201d --Kristi Elizabeth, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Sep-2021 01:33:18", "publisher": "The Evergreen Bookshelf", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010354039", "title": "H\u00e6lend's Ballad", "author": "Ian V. Conrey", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 433, "review": "After the jealousy-inspired murder of a young orphan, he reappears in a foreign land and mystifies the people there with his outstanding looks. In his new environment, S\u00f8ren, the orphan, is mistreated and made to suffer the harsh realities of the unfortunate in a land that imprisons them, tortures them, and forces them to work laboriously in coal mines. However, he makes it difficult for his attackers and captors to complete their evil plans and they get more than they bargained for. Meanwhile, a group of people plan a war to break free from the oppressive rule inflicted by another. Interestingly, the oppressed are guilty of past atrocities themselves. Furthermore, rumors about monsters springing up from the \"depths\" put fear in the hearts of the people. Will the world ever know peace, or does it only exist in the afterlife?

H\u00e6lend's Ballad features an impressively large and well-developed world. However, the direction of the story seemed unclear, and the different events are not well linked. Like a true grimdark fantasy, it has an amoral, brutal, and dystopian setting that requires a strong stomach to get through. The dystopian theme is apparent in the quest to be free from the daily life-threatening and inhumane circumstances experienced by the oppressed. Also, the book contains violent, action-packed scenes with gory war details, intense sword fights, and ferocious beasts. Some disturbing issues such as rape, prostitution, and trauma are major parts of the story.

Besides these dark themes, H\u00e6lend's Ballad also contains more friendly elements, like hope, divinity, the afterlife, orphanage, justice, love, forgiveness, and more. I was greatly moved by S\u00f8ren's abuse because he's portrayed as a gentle, likable character who didn't deserve what he got. Since I had contemplated some questions about life, suffering, and the concept of God before reading the book, I was excited to see similar questions discussed in the book\u2014like, \u201cEven if everything gets better after we die, why must we be tortured until then?\u201d Religion is a strong theme in the book as there are several discussions about divinity and the gods of Varghoss.

I wished to see an overall goal that the story was driving toward, but it appeared to focus too much on irrelevant events and information\u2014including prolonged discussions about the economy, excess details about the environment, and other elements that seemed distracting. Yet, Ian V. Conrey gives us a poignant, intricate, and profound story with several deep questions about religion and the flaws and shortcomings of humanity in H\u00e6lend's Ballad. It should appeal to fans of historical fiction and grimdark fantasy who don't mind its episodic feel.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:53:36", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "763 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010354035", "title": "The Store-House of Wonder and Astonishment", "author": "Sherry Rind", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Keana Aguila Labra", "word_count": 426, "review": "With its blend of scientific and theological histories, Sherry Rind\u2019s The Store-House of Wonder and Astonishment speaks of age-old histories through the tender wisdom of the Earth\u2019s animals and philosophers. The varying perspectives of each poem and section solidify an underlying truth: while the vessel for each \u201cvoice\u201d might be different, the message remains universal.

Rind is gentle, taking her reader through her thought process. With each poem, Rind introduces the speaker through its title, and the poem\u2019s epigraph acts as a summary. It\u2019s as though Rind sat with each animal and philosopher, considering the depth and genuine evocation in these persona poems. The varying schools of thought, such as Greek myth and fables from the third century CE, presented in this book show Rind\u2019s careful consideration and great respect for these philosophies.

The sentiment with which Rind writes adds to the authenticity of her voice with each poem. \u201cElephants, Their Capacity\u201d is a perfect opening, with its balance of soft and ancient, the elephant voice decreeing, \u201cwe mark the years / of ascending & descending on earth [...] you will never speak our language / which is of the earth.\u201d

Though a highly intellectual read, involving different schools of thought concerning the medium of poetry, the collection is still reader-friendly to newcomers to philosophical and literary theory. However, there are folks who would be intimidated by the sheer amount of references made within the book. There are nods to Ovid, Aristotle, the Torah, etc. While not necessary, it certainly enriches the reading experience to have a background in these different historical texts and figures.

Outside of the books intersecting reflections, Rind is also a great poet, akin to Mary Oliver. There is a crescendo in the observing voice, and her imagery is enough to immerse the reader thoroughly inside her poems. For example, in \u201cDolphins,\u201d there is a warmth in her voice, unveiling the wonders of the world that lie just ahead of us if we only took the time to look.

Ultimately, The Store-House of Wonder and Astonishment is a question of amalgamation. What if our individual beliefs were right in some way? What if we were allowed to take the best of our teachings to combine into something beyond myth, religion, and philosophy? What if pantheism were a synonym for the full acknowledgement of history, for human and animals alike? Rind asks readers to return to a state of child-like wonder to be receptive to these truths, none of which feel forced and are instead a reminder that knowledge is a welcoming power.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "06-Dec-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:50:12", "publisher": "Pleasure Boat Studio", "page_count": "113 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010354031", "title": "Good Night", "author": "Natalia Padilla", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 488, "review": "Natalia Padilla\u2019s Good Night is a picture book that aims to teach young children how to master English pronunciation as well as to inspire in them a love of both the activities of daily living in general and music in particular.

The story follows a cheery young girl named Mary as she first drifts off to sleep and then dreams of climbing up the clouds. The next morning, Mary tells her parents about her dreams and they suggest that she travels to the city of Grady to meet a lady called Lily who hails from Philly. The story then takes a surprising turn, as the narrative seems to be taken over by a lady (not Lily from Philly) playing a piano who explains the different keys that can be used. The music and lyrics to a short song by Padilla are included at this point so that children can sing and play along.

After the musical interlude, Mary resumes the story (albeit this time in the first person) and explains that she has fanboys, which turn out to be the seven coordinating conjunctions: \u201care,\u201d \u201cfor,\u201d \u201cand,\u201d \u201cnot,\u201d \u201cbut,\u201d \u201cor\u201d and \u201cso.\u201d She explains that these fanboys can be used to join the elements of a sentence together, and she also provide an example of how a comma can be used. Mary then talks about visiting friends and the importance of getting everything ready before bedtime. After a busy day, she again drifts off for a good night\u2019s sleep, and the closing pages of the book show some of the fun she has outdoors the next day.

Good Night should probably be described as a series of short vignettes or episodes that Padilla hopes will serve as teaching moments, rather than as a single coherent story. The book initially seems like it will follow a traditional picture book format, but that changes from the point Mary wakes up on the first morning and the narrative branches off in various surprising directions. The book is predominantly written in rhyming sentences, although there is not a consistent rhyme scheme throughout. Some of the rhymes are fun and work well for young readers, while others are unfortunately less convincing, with the vocabulary choices not really being suitable for the target age range. In addition, the grammar and capitalization of the story require further work.

Padilla has also illustrated Good Night and her bright, colorful illustrations really enhance the story, giving the book a decidedly positive and upbeat feel. Many of the captured scenes include a nice amount of detail for young readers to consider, and the vibrant colors should draw and maintain their attention. Padilla\u2019s skill as an illustrator is particularly impressive given that she is only twelve years old.

Although it could still use some work, Good Night is a good attempt to convey how the adventures of youngsters, whether real or dreamed, can involve both the mundane and the extraordinary.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "03-Nov-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:45:09", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000010354027", "title": "Good Night", "author": "Natalia Padilla", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 448, "review": "The children's story Good Night by Natalia Padilla is about a young girl's journey through day and night. Mary embarks on adventures both in her dreams and in real life; she plays on the clouds, enjoys her favorite things, and meets impressive people. Through it all, she has a smile on her face and everything positive to say. Mary immerses herself in activities not commonly thought of among young children, such as playing piano and having fanboys.

Mary invites her readers to play a song titled Good Night using the keys A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Mary spends time with friends in a place with an elevator and understands the correct use of a comma after the appropriate word in a sentence. Mary enjoys the little things, such as sleeping under the stars at night and being outside with nature. Mary also knows how and when to end a story by notifying her readers of its end.

Padilla's portrayal of Mary's positivity is infectious, making this reviewer's mood stay and continue to be positive throughout her story. Mary doesn't come across situations too deep or difficult to explain to children, which is a relief in today's world. It is calming to read about simplicity in a character's life and nothing but happiness happening; there is too much complexity today.

As much as I enjoyed the story, I had difficulty following along the first couple of times I read it. Not fully grasping its simplicity, I was expecting a more complex storyline not found in the pages. After taking some time to research the author and clear my head, I developed a better understanding of the author's vision. Incredibly, the author was a mere nine years old when she wrote this story some years ago, and she also composed the song included in the book!

Padilla has created a world appropriate for any age reader by striving to bring enjoyment to her readers as well as education. This reviewer was not initially aware of what a fanboy is, so this section seemed odd and out of place from the rest of the story, especially when it comes immediately after the story about the piano. I researched what a fanboy is and read about her mission to educate her readers, and then it made sense, although there could be a better segue.

While reading Good Night, I kept comparing her writing to that of Dr. Seuss; both styles include rhyming and some out-of-the-box ideas. Who am I to say something because it's not my style, but I can say that with Good Night I feel comfortable reading it to my kids and letting their imaginations run wild.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:45:05", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010354023", "title": "Good Night", "author": "Natalia Padilla", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 429, "review": "Good Night by Natalia Padilla is an adorable children\u2019s book that follows the story of a young girl through her daily rituals. Definitely for very early or beginner English readers, the story has a simple and direct plot told through easy-to-read sentences and words. The lines rhyme, a wise touch, as Padilla\u2019s goal is to teach readers to pronounce English vowel and consonant sounds correctly. Beautifully illustrated with rich colors and hand-drawn graphics, I loved the unique look to each character. Vibrant outfits, unique expressions, and so many people of different shapes and sizes, I loved the diversity of Padilla\u2019s character choice.

Mary, the young protagonist, pronounces at the beginning of this story, \u201cGood night, sleep tight,\u201d as she settles off to sleep with her pink polka dot comforter and a beautiful arrangement of stars in the window behind her. The next morning, she wakes up and tells her mother and father about her cloud-filled dreams. They then proceed to send her off to the city of Grady to find Lily from Philly. Lilly from Philly is a music teacher. Playing the piano, she introduces the reader to the keys A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Accompanying this page is a short paragraph of sheet music created by Padilla entitled Good Night. This song presents a cute opportunity for the reader to sing the song along with Lilly from Philly and Mary.

Continuing on through Mary\u2019s day, the reader is then introduced to \u201cfanboys\u201d who are \u201cjam boys.\u201d Otherwise known as \u201cfor,\u201d \u201cand,\u201d \u201cnor,\u201d \u201cbut,\u201d \u201cor,\u201d \u201cyet,\u201d and \u201cso,\u201d Padilla explains that fanboys connect sentences together with commas. At the end of Mary\u2019s day, she wishes the reader once again, \u201cGood Night sleep tight,\u201d as she falls asleep with the cheese-colored moon and stars behind her.

The next day, Mary wakes up to the beaming sun in her window and goes outside to play. It is springtime, so naturally, Mary tends to her flowers and frolics in the sunshine. Depicted in this scene along with Mary are a chirping bird with her chicks, two adorable bunnies, and the smiling sun, showing Padilla\u2019s creative touches enhancing the springtime scene.

Overall, I thought Padilla\u2019s story was well done. I think she accomplished her goal of presenting a pleasant read that also helps listeners learn to pronounce difficult-to-say English words and phrases. However, I do wish the story was a little longer. I felt the ending of Mary\u2019s tale was a little abrupt and the book would have been enhanced by having a few more days and scenes added in.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "03-Nov-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:45:01", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010354019", "title": "Good Night", "author": "Natalia Padilla", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 429, "review": "I was very excited to be able to read and review a copy of Good Night by Natalia Padilla. From the author's description of the book, I was expecting to find some hard-to-pronounce English words, a cute story about bedtime, and some funny rhymes to help young readers remember some of the rules of the English language. I was sadly disappointed as I read through this book, however, as the story itself did not make very much sense. The book starts out with a little girl who is in bed sleeping. On that very first page I noticed the word \"Stars\" is capitalized. Because this is not a proper noun there is no need for this to be a capitalized word. We learn that the name of the little girl is Mary and the author uses words that most children will probably never use until they are in high school. The words \"shrouds\" and \"aligning\" are a bit advanced for the age group this book is geared towards. On the next page, there is more unnecessary capitalization as \"Good Night Dream\" is capitalized. Much of the rhyming seemed very forced as if the author was trying to find any word just to complete the rhyme. The rhymes do not run smoothly as far as context goes. The author then makes up what seems like a random city named Grady just so it could rhyme with \"lady\". The punctuation is very off in this book too. Just because the story is made of rhyming prose does not mean that the punctuation should be incorrect. For example, the punctuation of the line \"She came from Philly, so go find her Silly.\" is two sentences, not one, and why is \"Silly\" capitalized? The next part of the book consists of a song that the author has written complete with the musical score. Then, the author inserts a grammar lesson about words that connect sentences together such as for, and, nor, and but. I wish the author had included more of this type of content in her story. Overall, the book is a bit all over the place. The illustrations were really the only enjoyable part of this book as they were simple and colorful. Some of the sentences are just plain silly and I didn't quite understand what the whole story was about since the book is called Good Night. I feel this book should be reorganized to be directed to the author's intended demographic and rewritten with proper capitalization and grammar. With these improvements, this could be a really cute story.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:44:49", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000010354015", "title": "Mysteries of Game Theory and Other Oddities", "author": "Joseph Raffetto", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 416, "review": "Mysteries of Game Theory and Other Oddities is a collection of pieces that explores a notable historical moment and four fictional stories. The first section focuses on the part David Bowie played in the fall of the Berlin Wall. The following story, Venice to Venice, depicts the clashing of two sides connected to an Iraq war from the past, and Brian and his family are right in the middle of it all. THE MYSTERIES OF GAME THEORY portrays a character's search for his sister in a post-pandemic Western society plagued by a subtle dictatorship. Inside \u201975 and Seeds from \u201979 are two coming-of-age stories centered on a boy's experience of friendship, romance, and enmity in the late '70s.

As a musician myself, I found it amazing and inspiring that a song about difficulties could be a sort of soundtrack for fighting against oppression. I was definitely convinced that Bowie was an important piece in the fall of the Berlin Wall as the book provides an in-depth look into Bowie's impact\u2014dissecting his song lyrics, his popularity, and how he interacted with the people and lived in the environment as far back fourteen years before the fall. I was glad to learn several things about that crucial moment in history.

No dull moments! The four stories in the book are, generally, fast-paced as they move from one unpredictable event to another. I especially liked the worldbuilding and suspense in The Mysteries of Game Theory as it hints at a secret government operation and a lover's deceitfulness. I was mightily eager to discover the truth. Several themes are explored in the vibrant and inspiring narratives: youthfulness, terrorism, family, survival, love, trust, mental health, war, rivalry, and more.

I disliked how the stories appeared rushed. The characters seemed somewhat lacking in depth. Also, too many things are packed into each page, and the moods and themes are quickly changed for new ones as the stories progress. For example, a particular page moves from statements about eating pizza to conversations about school, a terrorist attack, practicing yoga, and maintaining an FBI agent's identity.

Mysteries of Game Theory and Other Oddities showed me that whatever you're passionate about can be used to create a great positive impact, like how David Bowie's voice contributed to opposing oppression. Joseph Raffetto's book contains stories that portray fighting for freedom, a striving for peace, and the dark sides of humanity. It was an entertaining and educational experience; however, a calmer pace would probably have been more enjoyable.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:40:44", "publisher": "Noovella", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010354011", "title": "Mysteries of Game Theory and Other Oddities", "author": "Joseph Raffetto", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 536, "review": "Joseph Raffetto\u2019s Mysteries of Game Theory and Other Oddities is an intriguing and timely collection of writings inspired by the dichotomy between freedom and oppression as well as questions concerning the feasibility and form of a more equal society. It includes an essay, two novellas, and two short stories, which all explore these issues and more. Given the seemingly precarious nature of contemporary society and the increasing distance between the haves and the have-nots, the included works are relevant and thought-provoking, in addition to being entertaining.

The collection opens with \u201cBowie and the Berlin Wall,\u201d an essay that examines David Bowie\u2019s legacy in terms of the various walls he helped to break down during his life. Of course, the most well-known of these demolitions concerns Bowie\u2019s 1987 concert in West Berlin, which was so loud that thousands of citizens of East Berlin gathered on their side of the Wall, risking life and limb to hear classic songs such as \u201cHeroes.\u201d The concert is now recognized as the catalyst for the movement that would eventually end the partition of Berlin. However, Raffetto also considers Bowie\u2019s impact on more abstract walls, including his openness about mental health and sexuality and his outspokenness regarding racism.

The first novella, \u201cVenice to Venice,\u201d follows Brian, a former intelligence agent haunted by the failings of the Iraq War, as he comes to realize that life in sunny California is not all it\u2019s cracked up to be. He moved to Venice Beach to start afresh and live near his daughter, but he finds that plague and pestilence have followed him there. The sins of the past also follow him when he attempts to take a vacation in Venice, Italy. Although the action can be difficult to follow at times, there are certainly strange and puzzling things afoot in this atmospheric story.

\u201cThe Mysteries of Game Theory,\u201d the second novella, centers on former Facebook employee James as he attempts to navigate a world being rebuilt following a deadly pandemic. After spending two years alone in an underground hideout, James wants nothing more than to find his missing sister, but he is quickly recruited as a data analyst for the government. Attempts to balance his work responsibilities with his desire to locate his sister bring him into contact with various suspect individuals, and it seems the new world order might not be quite what it seems. It\u2019s a suspenseful dystopian tale of what could have occurred in something like a post-COVID-19 world.

The short stories that close the collection, \u201cInside \u201875\u201d and \u201cSeeds from \u201979,\u201d are coming-of-age tales that follow Jay as he moves from relatively clean-cut fifteen-year-old baseball player to disaffected youth who might just make it to college. Along the way, he deals with the end of friendships, family breakdowns, and thwarted romances. The love of reading that permeates the entire collection, as well as the thread concerning Bowie\u2019s music that ties all the pieces together, are particularly strong in relation to Jay, who ends up being more sympathetic than he really should.

Ultimately, Mysteries of Game Theory and Other Oddities leaves its characters apparently reconciled with the status quo, although there are indications that the spirit of rebellion still burns within them.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "20-Oct-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:40:35", "publisher": "Noovella", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010354007", "title": "Time and the Tree: A novel", "author": "R\u00f3is\u00edn Sorahan", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 413, "review": "Time and the Tree by Roisin Sorahan is truly a masterpiece. From beginning to end, my attention was fully captivated, savoring every moment of the story\u2019s richness. Truly a book of wisdom and peace, I felt lighter after this read having been transformed to a place of tranquility.

The story takes the reader through the seasons; summer, autumn, winter, and spring, which all bring new stories and new situations. The tale follows the growth of a young boy who lives under a magnificent tree. The Tree is symbolic of peace, light, and knowledge; all within her forest revere her. Many travel to see the Tree, to learn of her wisdom and have her counsel on their problems. The boy, having lived under the Tree for as long as he can remember, has been taught her ways since his birth. Radiating the joy of his teacher\u2019s wisdom, he is so full of love and purity. The boy loves the Tree, and the Tree loves him. Together, they face the quests that come their way.

In summer, the boy meets a man named Time. Time is a large man, with a buttoned waistcoat, a checkered jacket, and full of unwanted opinions and anxieties to give. Time comes to the Tree with a slave whom he calls his Shadow. This creature, enslaved to Time, does his every bidding despite cruel beatings, hardships, and misery. With Time its master, the shadow never has to think for itself, only follow Time\u2019s bidding. Although the boy is horrified by the way Time treats the Shadow, they become friends, and Time comes back to their home many times throughout the story to meet with the boy and the Tree.

Two more important visitors come to the Tree in the following seasons: the Wanderer and the Weaver. The Wanderer is a warrior woman; full of rich tales of adventure, her bravery radiates from within her and fascinates the boy. The Weaver, however, is another story. Full of darkness and riddles, she spins webs of evil and lies, trying to take down the Tree\u2019s light and the boy\u2019s purity. Both of these characters become crucial in the final plot; will lightness always win? Or will those who trap others in deceit find a way to drown out all light?

A fable full of thought-provoking metaphors, knowledge, and awareness of the bigger picture, this story truly is a delight. I would recommend it for all who relish beautiful literature, especially stories with a deeper meaning.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "25-Oct-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:00:26", "publisher": "Adelaide Books", "page_count": "282 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010354003", "title": "Time and the Tree: A novel ", "author": "R\u00f3is\u00edn Sorahan", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 424, "review": "/Time and the Tree begins in the summer. The forest is alive and thriving. A young boy wakes up under a large tree. The Tree guides him to water and observes him playing in the woods, providing shelter and a shoulder to lean on when needed. One day, Time arrives, traveling with his slave, The Shadow. But he is always in a hurry and has no time for the Tree's wisdom.

As the seasons change, other visitors come to seek the knowledge of the Tree. Some wish the Tree well, like the Wanderer. But some, like the Weaver and the Woodcutters, have other designs on the Tree. But the Tree is ancient, and it has no fear. It is well versed in the ways of the world. In this tale, the seasons have a way of coming full circle, as do the characters who come to the forest. And while the fates of some saddened me, I was happy about the outcomes for others.

This is a lovely story that, on the surface, appears like a simple fairy tale. But it is much more than that. It is full of symbolism and knowledge. It reminds us to be playful and open like a child, But also to listen to the wisdom of the Tree, who teaches that life is beautiful even though it involves changes, some of which may be good or bad. It is there to take us on a journey of our choosing. And as we learn in one part of the story, Time takes everything until there is nothing left. A clever line that made me think of the meaning behind our lives. We are here, but only for a time.

One line struck me from the Tree's message to the woodcutter who wanted to give his life to the Tree after discovering the light: \"To be alive is to be extraordinary.\" And through this magical tale, I think that is what readers will come to understand. We live in a magical place; we are the light. All we have to do is look inside to find it.

Time and the Tree is a beautiful debut from a talented author. There were so many wonderful scenes in this book, but the one that touched me the most was the journey of the mother bird who couldn't let go of her dead chick. It was sad, but luckily the Tree showed her the way to overcome her grief. Overall, this book has a beautiful message that is sure to stay with me.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "25-Oct-2021", "date_added": "24-Sep-2021 19:00:18", "publisher": "Adelaide Books", "page_count": "282 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010352015", "title": "He Said Never (The Lost Corisis, 2)", "author": "Ruth Cardello", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 990, "review": "Romance Roundup\n\nWhether you prefer your romance contemporary, historical, or paranormal, the five books included in this roundup all feature compelling characters and sizzling storylines that are certain to set your pulse racing.\n\nKing of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair\n\nBelieving it to be the only way to end a decades-long war, Princess Isolde de Lara agrees to marry her mortal enemy, King Adrian Aleksandr Vasiliev, although she also intends to kill him at the first opportunity. Such an attempt at mariticide would have been difficult in the best of circumstances, but when the fact that Adrian is a vampire is factored in, Isolde\u2019s plan seems pretty much impossible. As it happens, he catches her when she attempts to pull off the assassination and threatens that, if she tries it again, he will turn her into one of the undead, just like him. Knowing that she can\u2019t risk being turned into the thing that she hates most in the world, Isolde looks for other ways to thwart her new husband and survive in the vampire court. However, none of her schemes can fully distract her from either the growing attraction she feels toward Adrian or the gnawing doubt she has regarding why he would choose her as his bride. Scarlett St. Clair\u2019s King of Battle and Blood is a paranormal romance packed with plenty of trysts, twists, and turns.\n\nAn Impossible Promise by Jude Deveraux\n\nIn 1844, when known thief Liam O\u2019Connor fell in love with shy squire\u2019s daughter Cora McLeod, he unwittingly changed history. Fate had decreed that Cora would marry another man, and a group of angels have been waiting to set things right ever since the fateful moment Liam and Cora first met. Although Cora doesn\u2019t remember it, she and Liam have lived through several lifetimes since then, ultimately both winding up working as cops in modern-day Providence Falls, North Carolina. Liam knows the truth and has done his best to avoid her, but when the pair of them are partnered to work on a murder investigation, they end up being increasingly drawn to one another. The angels decide that it is time to more forcefully step in and ensure that Cora falls for Finley Walsh, but she is no longer the timid and na\u00efve young woman she once was. In , the second book in the Providence Falls series by Jude Deveraux, Cora is a headstrong woman who is used to making her own decisions, including in all matters concerning love. It makes for a thrilling time-traveling romance.\n\nHe Said Never by Ruth Cardello\n\nRuth Cardello\u2019s The Lost Corisis series centers on a powerful and dangerous family with more than a few buried secrets. In He Said Never, the second book in the series, Riley is keen to keep her reunion with her paternal relatives, the infamous Corisis family, secret from her mother. Her biological father had put her mother through hell, so while Riley wants to know more about her paternal heritage, she doesn\u2019t want to spark her mother\u2019s fear by mentioning anyone with the Corisis surname. Meanwhile, Gavin\u2019s father has decided that it\u2019s time for his son to find a wife and start a family, and he\u2019s not prepared to let Gavin inherit the family firm until he does so. Gavin knows that he needs to get back into his father\u2019s good books, but he\u2019s not sure how to accomplish that since his relationship with Riley went disastrously wrong. At the time, Gavin hadn\u2019t really been looking for romance, although he now recognizes that he would rather be with Riley whatever the circumstances than be with someone else in order to secure his place within the family.\n\nThe Immortal by Gena Showalter\n\nIn the second installment in Gina Showalter\u2019s Rise of the Warlords series, the merciless son of a war god and a beautiful yet troubled harpy find themselves doomed to repeat the same twenty-four hours again and again, with the day always ending with the harpy\u2019s murder. The Immortal sees Halo Phaninon, assassin to the gods, challenged to kill twelve of mythology\u2019s greatest monsters within just a single day. Never one to pass up a challenge, he readily accepts the dangerous and seemingly impossible task, only to find that he wakes up each morning thereafter to discover that it is the same day, during which he must face unimaginable horror. For her part, Ophelia is used to being a disappointment to her family. As a harpy who has never killed anyone, she is considered powerless and useless by many, although she has hidden reserves of strength that no one would expect. This comes in handy when she\u2019s forced to repeat the same day and live through her inevitable murder over and over, all the while fighting off the advances of Halo, who is at least determined to save her.\n\nGood Catch by Jennifer Bardsley\n\nFormer ballerina Marlo Jonas has both beauty and grace, but she also has truly terrible taste in men. When her latest disastrous romance ends after her boyfriend cheats on her, Marlo\u2019s father suggests that she should try dating guys on the basis of their personalities, rather than based on their looks. She\u2019s willing to give anything a go, particularly if it keeps her devastatingly hot nemesis Ben Wexler-Lowrey out of sight and out of mind. Ben is also trying his luck at the dating game, although he focuses on women whose personalities outshine their looks. His mother thinks he could do better, however, and suggests that he gives online dating a go. As Marlo and Ben make it through terrible date after terrible date, they\u2019re both left feeling deflated and demoralized. Surely it shouldn\u2019t be this difficult to find the right person? Jennifer Bardsley\u2019s Good Catch follows the charming yet frequently infuriating pair of frenemies as they navigate the small-town dating scene while stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the romantic possibilities right in front of them.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 21:09:48", "publisher": "Montlake", "page_count": "267 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010352007", "title": "When the Sakura Bloom", "author": "Narisa Togo", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - Age 9", "word_count": 136, "review": "The storyline of When the Sakura Bloom is pretty much exactly what the title makes it sound like. You follow the preparations for the cherry blossom festival and get a sense of how excited everyone is about the time of year and how short of a time the trees are in bloom.

The illustrations are well represented on the cover, but there is not much variety in what is shown\u2014lots of cherry trees, which are prettier in person. It\u2019s a nice story that kids from a wide age range will enjoy reading in season.

It could be particularly good for families who live in places where cherry trees are not prevalent, much the way that stories about making maple syrup appeal to southerners or stories about living in the desert interest those living in cold regions.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "10-Feb-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 20:39:51", "publisher": "Berbay Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010351003", "title": "Nothing But Blackened Teeth", "author": "Cassandra Khaw", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 192, "review": "A thrill-seeking group of friends travel to Japan for a stay at a mansion with a tragic history. According to legend, buried under the historic manor are the bones of a bride-to-be whose lover died before they could wed. The five friends start the night with food, drinking, and an ancient samurai game designed to test their bravery. As the night progresses, secrets better left hidden are revealed, not only by the friends but also by the house they are staying in.

Nothing But Blackened Teeth is the latest novelette by author and award-winning game writer Cassandra Khaw. This eerie tale combines the myths and historic fashions from ancient Japan, while set in the modern-day. Khaw masterfully portrays grief, fear, and dread in this paranormal thriller. The author enlists the ghost with blackened teeth and y\u014dkai \u2013 spirits and demons from Japanese folklore \u2013 to claim another sacrifice for the house. Khaw introduces Japanese lore in this spine-chilling tale. This is a quick read for horror and mystery fans who like learning about ancient lore. The book may seem too short, leaving the reader wanting more, just like the house demanding more lives.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 18:12:10", "publisher": "Tor Nightfire", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010350023", "title": "You Feel It Just Below the Ribs: A Novel", "author": "Jeffrey Cranor", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 995, "review": "YA Roundup\n\nIf you enjoy reading young adult fiction with a side of passion, warmth, determination, empowerment, and LGBTQA+, then this roundup article includes five books that will be perfect for you. All five are compelling reads, and while some are more lighthearted than others, all are equally accomplished. \n\nUnder the Whispering Door by TJ Klune\n\nUnder the Whispering Door by TJ Klune is a tender and witty story that will undoubtedly fill your heart with warmth. Wallace refuses to let go of his life when a reaper knocks at his door. Finally, full of indignance, Wallace reluctantly accepts that he is dead. He is offered assistance with crossing over by patient ferryman Hugo, whose door to the other side is located in his tea shop. Through Hugo, Wallace meets many people with captivating stories and begins to realize that his imperious manner and work-centered life were not as fulfilling as he thought. This is a story that inspires and impresses with very skillful worldbuilding. You will quickly become devoted to the main characters and tumble into their world on a wonderful emotional journey. It will leave you reveling in all the benevolence of humanity, not forgetting the scones and tea, in addition to a chipper ghost dog! \n\nWhen We Make It by Elisabet Velasquez\n\nThis empowering debut young adult novel by Elisabet Velasquez will deeply touch your life, likely causing you to laugh and cry out loud. Passionate, stormy, and honest, When We Make It is a coming-of-age story that will move you and leave you rooting for the main character long after you have finished reading. Sarai is a first-generation Puerto Rican eighth-grader who sees the beauty and pain in life with full clarity and without the sentimental idealism that people normally associate with poetic talent. Along with her older sister, she takes you through the pressures of mental illness, sexual assault and toxic masculinity, poverty, and the gentrification of her home in Brooklyn. Openly questioning things around her, along with her Boricua identity, she learns to navigate through her teenage years with determination and braveness. Despite the odds appearing to be stacked against her, Sarai comes out on top, learning to embrace and celebrate herself. This book will tune into your heart and make you feel seen.\n\nBefore We Disappear by Shaun David Hutchinson\n\nJack Nevin is a master of thievery and trickery, and with his consistent supply of stolen tricks, he proves to be a profitable and invaluable assistant to a revered stage magician of the early 1900s, The Enchantress. However, Jack\u2019s pilfering catches up with him and the pair are forced to make a getaway to America. Luckily, they are able to find steady work on the West coast at Seattle\u2019s Alaska\u2013Yukon\u2013Pacific World\u2019s Fair Exposition, which improves their financial outlook, although they are forced to reconcile with the fact that they are not the shining stars of the show. Jack tries to uncover the secrets of this seemingly transcendental performance, but he discovers much more than he expected. He forms a bond with the behind-the-scenes master of tricks, and due to this growing affection, he is forced to choose between his employer, who has given him everything in life so far, and the boy who promises to give him so much in the future. Shaun David Hutchinson\u2019s Before We Disappear is a love story that provides all the twists and turns of a well-crafted heist story. Lovers of historical fiction and fantasy will also enjoy the book and be captivated by its many forms of magic.\n\nYou Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor\n\nSet in an alternative twentieth century, You Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor is a haunting tale about loss and trauma as well as human attachment and betrayal. It delves into the cleverly constructed corners of dystopian fantasy, being ultimately melancholic in tone and quietly beautiful, although it has the pace of an edgy intellectual thriller. Miriam grows up during the Great Reckoning, a war than spans decades and wipes out much of humanity, including her friends and family. Alone and heartbroken by her loss, she avoids any other human contact, focusing solely on her work. Time passes, the war ends, and the New Society is founded, forcing all survivors into lives of reclusion to prevent tribal loyalties from forming, including families. Miriam, already used to a life of exile, now sees everyone suddenly being forced to live as she does. A researcher at heart, she becomes involved with organizing this detachment process. Unfortunately, she does not realize that the world as she knows it is on the brink of another dark and sinister change. Over time, she begins to see the disturbing nature of this new system and decides to take a stand against it from within. \n\nHere\u2019s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera\n\nHere\u2019s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera is the captivating follow-up to the pair\u2019s romantic bestseller, What If It\u2019s Us. It is a thrilling read on its own, but it\u2019s even better if you have previously enjoyed the first novel. A breezy tale with a tone of optimism, it is a story that wears its heart on its sleeve. Ben has been working on his fantasy manuscript with writing partner and fabulous kisser Mario throughout his first year of college. Arthur has recently returned to New York City for an internship on Broadway, although he is in a perfectly happy long-distance relationship with his boyfriend from his hometown. Yet, sparks fly when Ben and Arthur happen to come into close contact again, reviving old passions. They decide to persevere on their well-trodden, comfortable and separate paths, knowing that things between them didn\u2019t work out the first time around. Little do they realize, however, that the universe seems to have other ideas in mind and paves the way for a series of encounters that make them both question their feelings for each other.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "27-May-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 23:14:19", "publisher": "Harper Perennial", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010350007", "title": "Disruption: New Short Fiction from Africa", "author": "MacSmart Ojiludu", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 201, "review": "As many places in the world begin adapting to a changing climate, a lot of countries will struggle with the changing climate and many of those countries are in Africa. This collection brings together a young cohort of emerging African literary voices to tell stories of climate change\u2019s impacts and how people have adapted or otherwise in the future.

Each story is by a writer from a different African country, expanding across the continent. Twenty-one authors are presented, and each one took on the theme of environmental degradation in their own special way. Some were science fiction-like stories, with habitat domes, special suits, and advanced technology. Other stories continued the current trend of the haves and the have nots, as those with money and power have found a way to continue to live life comfortably, while the majority struggle to find sustenance and live in an environment that is incredibly hostile.

Fiction can be used to tell stories and bring to life what many people might find confusing and overwhelming. Africa lacks the monetary resources necessary to seriously fund adaption on a large scale, so it will come down to individuals and small groups to determine how to survive and thrive.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 18:19:50", "publisher": "Catalyst Press", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010348011", "title": "Finding Grace: A Novel", "author": "Janis Thomas", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 197, "review": "Something bad is about to happen to Melanie, a twelve-year-old girl who\u2019s been in foster care her whole life. She doesn\u2019t know what it is, but something tells her it\u2019s going to happen soon. Grace has the same feeling about Melanie and so goes to find her estranged daughter, Louise, to help her save Melanie. Grace has been in and out of Louise\u2019s life, and Louise does not want her to be a part of her life anymore. For some unknown reason, Louise decides to go with her mom across the country to attempt to save this girl. They are going to have to make peace with each other if they want to get to Melanie in time.

I loved how this story was told from the multiple viewpoints of the many characters. It showed excellently how we all interpret the same situation differently. I had a hard time putting the book down, and with such short chapters, it made it easy to think I could read at least one more. There are some broken people here, but also lots of redemption. I loved the supernatural element, which didn\u2019t overpower the characters or plot. Very well done.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "22-Apr-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 18:49:31", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010348003", "title": "Two\u2019s Company: The best of cooking for couples, friends and roommates", "author": "Orlando Murrin", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 198, "review": "Not everyone wants or needs to cook for a group, especially not every day, but most cookbooks seem to assume that's the case, resulting in too much effort and lots of leftovers. This cookbook, instead, offers beautiful dishes that are a pleasure both to make and eat sized perfectly for two. Because the overall quantity of the dish is small, recipes that would be daunting to prepare for a bigger crowd are certainly manageable; it's no trouble at all to chop one small shallot or zucchini or wash less than two cups of baby potatoes. You can also splurge a little on more exotic ingredients like jumbo prawns, more often. The book has recipes for weeknight, weekend, and special meals, desserts, appetizers, and snacks. The Antipasti tart, for example, was simply made with ready-bought puff pastry and antipasti mix, but resulted in a delicious pizza that we served both as an appetizer and again for another breakfast. These recipes are not meant to necessarily be quick or easy \u2013some take more time, some less -- but they are not difficult either; they allow you to explore and appreciate food without being overwhelmed by large quantities or unneeded excess.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 17:28:21", "publisher": "Ryland Peters & Small", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010347011", "title": "Conquistadores: A New History of Spanish Discovery and Conquest", "author": "Fernando Cervantes", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 209, "review": "The conquistadores were men who effected change through their discoveries and on their voyages for the Spanish Empire. Christopher Columbus, an Italian sailor, sought funding for a voyage to Asia. Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain were his ideal benefactors. Isabella and Ferdinand were initially hesitant, as they had finished fighting a war of succession and a pitched battle against Muslims in Granada. Yet, Columbus believed his journey would prove fruitful in locating spices and gold. Columbus thought he found Asia in 1492, but had instead found the Caribbean and Cuba. However, he did locate some spices and riches to bring back to Isabella and Ferdinand. His successors in discovery looked to replicate if not better Columbus. Their results were varied. Hernando Cortes\u2019 exploration would take him into the heart of the Mayan empire in Mexico, while Francisco Pizarro would tangle with the Incans of Peru.

Conquistadores by Fernando Cervantes travels back to the latter 15th century-early 16th century where much was still unknown about the wide world. The opportunists who trekked across the open waters in search of riches and knowledge often did so at the expense of the natives they encountered, through subjugation and plunder. Cervantes\u2019 portrayal of the undaunted journeyman and their conquest proves engaging.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2021", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 20:45:18", "publisher": "Viking", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010347007", "title": "You Sexy Thing", "author": "Cat Rambo", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1027, "review": "Science Fiction for SFBR\n\nSeeking a way to escape the madness and peculiarity that have characterized the last few years? Wanting to travel to new and exotic locations without having to worry about obtaining a COVID passport? Then look no further than the five epic science fiction novels featured in this roundup article. Without having to leave your sofa, they\u2019ll allow you to voyage from the far reaches of the universe to alternative realities via the Earth of the past, near future, and more distant times to come.\n\nYou Sexy Thing by Cat Rambo\n\nLocated at the very edge of the known universe, TwiceFar station is a good place to lose yourself and cast off the baggage that you might otherwise be forced to carry in more populous locations. At least, that\u2019s certainly what drew Nicolette \u201cNiko\u201d Larson to the place. Previously an officer with the Holy Hive Mind\u2014a cognitively linked military force with an all-encompassing political agenda\u2014Niko was freed from her commitment to the cause after claiming to be a \u201cthwarted culinary artist.\u201d After being allowed to leave, she made her way to TwiceFar and opened the Last Chance restaurant, which is staffed by a diverse group of alien beings. In You Sexy Thing by Cat Rambo, what should have been a great day for the restaurant is disrupted first by the arrival of a world-hopping playboy and then by an explosion that forces Niko and her staff to flee aboard the playboy\u2019s bioship. A double-cross sets them on a collision course with a dastardly group of space pirates and so kickstarts the first adventure in an epic space opera series.\n\nLight From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki\n\nIn a moment of desperation, violin prodigy Shizuka Satomi made a deal with the devil and now, in order to avoid damnation, she has to persuade seven other budding violin virtuosos to trade their souls for success. While she fairly easily manages to convince six gullible youngsters to strike Faustian bargains, she has difficulty finding a seventh until she happens upon runaway transgender teen Katrina Nguyen playing music that is truly out of this world. Convinced that she has found the final soul she needs to exchange for her own, Shizuka sets out to cultivate Katrina\u2019s trust. However, she\u2019s distracted from that goal by a chance encounter in a donut shop with Lan Tran, a retired starship captain. While she really should be concentrating on the business of saving her soul by sacrificing Katrina\u2019s, Shizuka finds herself drawn to Lan Tran, and the lives of the three women soon become entangled in myriad ways. Ryka Aoki\u2019s Light From Uncommon Stars is a captivating tale of magic, mistrust, identity, deadly bargains, and donuts. It\u2019s also a highly satisfying story about the joy of choosing your own family.\n\nThe Actual Star by Monica Byrne\n\nSpanning six continents and around two thousand years of history, The Actual Star by Monica Byrne takes readers on an epic journey guided by three contrasting storylines that are eventually destined to converge in a cave in Belize. At the center of the interlinking storylines are, respectively, a pair of teenage twins descended from Mayan royalty, a young women heading to South America in search of spiritual self-discovery, and two devout maniacs seeking to dominate through their new religion. Although they have no idea of their destiny, these disparate characters are fated to determine the outcome for what remains of humanity following cataclysmic climate change. As their souls reincarnate over the centuries, the central characters unite and fight, learn and change, while they unwittingly make their way toward the final encounter in Belize. Taken together, the three storylines are packed with interesting ideas about the history and destiny of humanity as well as the surprising impacts that individuals can have on the fate of a species as a whole.\n\nThe Body Scout by Lincoln Michel\n\nIn a New York City that has been devastated by climate change and recurrent pandemics, Kobo is scraping a living as a baseball scout. However, rather than working for regular baseball teams, he is employed by Big Pharma to scout for the best gene-edited talent to play for the teams they sponsor. It\u2019s a tricky way to earn a living at the best of times, but things are further complicated for Kobo by the fact that his own cybernetics are around a decade out of date, leaving him highly vulnerable to replacement by more advanced rivals. Coupled with the fact that twin loan sharks are currently in hot pursuit of him, Kobo is left with the feeling that things can\u2019t get much worse \u2026 and that\u2019s before his brother, Monsanto Mets slugger J.J. Zunz, is murdered while standing at home plate. In Lincoln Michel\u2019s The Body Scout, determined to track down his brother\u2019s killer, Kobo has to venture further into the weird world of genetic modifications than he has ever been before, risking everything to secure justice in a world where even body and soul are for sale.\n\nGoliath by Tochi Onyebuchi\n\nIn Goliath, Tochi Onyebuchi transports readers to the Earth of the 2050s, a time when those with sufficient resources and capabilities have abandoned the failing planet in favor of new lives far away in the much more comfortable space colonies. Those who have been left behind are forced to scavenge what materials and supplies they can from Earth\u2019s rapidly collapsing infrastructure. At the same time, whole cities are being dismantled and shipped to the far reaches of space so that the colonists can recreate the homes and environments they once inhabited on the planet they helped to destroy. Against this background, a lovelorn space-dweller hoping to reconnect with his lover, a group of laborers tasked with recreating the wonder of Earth\u2019s cities, a journalist seeking to expose the violence that plagues what remains of Earth\u2019s streets, and a marshal attempting to track down a kidnapper all come together to witness the final decline of the planet and offer hope for the future of humanity. It\u2019s a disturbing and all too plausible tale of the potential future of Earth and what might occur if humans don\u2019t rapidly change their ways.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 19:06:20", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010347003", "title": "Cocoa Bombs", "author": "Eric Torres-Garcia", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 199, "review": "This joyful little book walks you through all the steps to creating your own cocoa bombs, with variations to suit all tastes and seasons. Following the clear directions on tempering chocolate removed a lot of the trepidation about using real chocolate, and I loved the suggestion to use a pastry brush for filling molds. My favorite bombs so far are just basic dark chocolate, which have a beautiful dark gloss and look great decorated with contrasting chocolate drizzle. They taste great too! But you'll also want to try variations like white chocolate with strawberry or caramel, milk chocolate with butterscotch or French vanilla, or adding cinnamon and cayenne pepper for a Mexican twist. Then dress up your creations with festive d\u00e9cor and fillings\u2013 make a snowman or unicorn, or gild with edible glitter, or surprise your guests with shaped marshmallows. Once you get the hang of spheres, try other shapes; the author shows ducks and hearts, but I found Christmas tree and snowflake molds to be lots of fun too! This book gives you all the tools to make so that whatever you create is sure to please and bring fun and joy to those you share them with.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2021", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 17:17:06", "publisher": "Ryland Peters & Small", "page_count": "179 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010346031", "title": "Autopsy: A Scarpetta Novel (Kay Scarpetta, 25)", "author": "Patricia Cornwell", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Denise Peterson", "word_count": 238, "review": "Dr. Kay Scarpetta is on familiar ground as she returns as the Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia. But nothing is the same... except the murder and mystery of a good whodunnit. A young female neighbor of Pete Marino and Dorothy, Scarpetta's sister, is found murdered in a National Park. Scarpetta's investigation finds the victim has been spying on NASA. At the same time, an astronaut bails out of a spaceship, leaving his crewmates for dead. Why did he call the dead girl from space before he fled back to Earth? And why did Scarpetta get called to the White House?

Scarpetta has a morgue full of questions and no answers when she opens a bottle of wine after a long day and nearly becomes a murder victim herself. Obvious lies and deception from her new assistant lead the determined Scarpetta to dig deeper and unearth a previous death in the same park. Her predecessor seems to have swept that death under the rug.

In typical Scarpetta fashion, the no-nonsense medical examiner listens to the clues and observes the obvious to find answers and justice for the dead. Autopsy strides comfortably back into the dark and dangerous work of the complicated medical examiner. Long-time readers of this series will enjoy the gritty crime details, puzzling clues, and familiar characters in Scarpetta's world. The story moves along quickly, and while not extremely inventive, is an enjoyable read.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2021", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 23:00:23", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010346023", "title": "Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Academy: No Humans Allowed! (Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Academy, 1)", "author": "Madeleine Roux", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 141, "review": "There are all kinds of adventurers in Dungeons and Dragons, but this adventurer named Zelli is one that many monsters fear more than anything. Zelli is a human! Monsters are terrified of humans. In order to help Zelli blend in and not be noticed, her parents decide she needs a disguise so they dress her up as a minotaur. Zelli goes on an adventure to find out her true heritage as she must know how and why she is so different and why everyone is so afraid of her. Read this book to find out if Zelli will learn about her past to find out who she truly is.

This is a super fun book. I especially like chapter books with illustrations. The illustrations are basic, mainly black, white, and yellow, but they really help to bring Zelli's story to life.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "05-Nov-2021", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 18:22:47", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010346019", "title": "The Simpsons Secret: A Cromulent Guide to How The Simpsons Predicted Everything! (Behind the Scenes, The Simpsons Family)", "author": "Lydia Poulteney", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 184, "review": "The Simpson's Secret: A Cromulent Guide to How The Simpsons Predicted Everything is fun, enjoyable, and informative for any reader, regardless of whether you're a fan or not. In the first part of the book, authors Lydia Poulteney and James Hicks present seven chapters about predictions from The Simpsons of universal events; in the second part, theories are examined regarding aspects of the show. If you've been living under a rock and haven't heard how The Simpsons has been making predictions for decades, then become educated on worldly and scripted events. Readers will learn about the real-life events that followed episodes of the show, sometimes up to a decade later, and decide if there a prediction or coincidence that took place.

Reading The Simpsons Secret was a first for me. I did not grow up watching the show but had heard about it most of my life, especially in recent years when Trump became president and when Kobe died. I thought the authors presented both types of information (factual and scripted) well. You'll need your tin-foil hat on during and after you read it!", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2021", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 18:13:42", "publisher": "Mango", "page_count": "205 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010346011", "title": "The Next Supper: The End of Restaurants as We Knew Them, and What Comes After", "author": "Corey Mintz", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Joseph Arellano", "word_count": 198, "review": "Former cook and restaurant critic Corey Mintz wants to \"find a better way for eating out\" without supporting horrific business practices common to the dining industry. COVID-19, of course, devastated the industry and supermarkets rushed in to fill part of the void as meal providers. This further crippled struggling restaurants, as did food delivery services. The latter often reduce meager profits for restaurants rather than increasing them.

Mintz exhaustively covers the problems and issues that plague restaurants. In this respect, he continues the work begun by the late Anthony Bourdain. As he well illustrates, these problems can be made worse by customers who are not alway right. Fortunately, this is not one of those nonfiction books intended to create massive feelings of guilt and powerlessness in its readers. Mintz optimistically believes that there's a better future for restaurants and seeks to enlist every one of us in making that future a reality.

As restaurants and supermarket chains compete, they create and respond to consumer needs and demands. Informed customers can demand improvements that benefit both food workers and the American public. The Next Supper serves as more than a depressing expose. It charts out a path for a better tomorrow.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "15-Nov-2021", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 17:34:08", "publisher": "PublicAffairs", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010346007", "title": "Va va Voom Vegan Cakes: More than 50 recipes for vegan-friendly bakes that not only taste great but look amazing!", "author": "Angela Romeo", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Holly Scudero", "word_count": 159, "review": "If you thought that cutting out dairy and eggs meant you could no longer enjoy scrumptious desserts, think again! Food stylist Angela Romeo has applied her considerable skills to the art of vegan baking, and the result is this lovely book of delectable cakes. Va Va Voom Vegan Cakes is full of dozens of recipes for vegan-friendly desserts, from simple sponge cakes to brownies to Bundt cakes, and everything in between! You\u2019ll find recipes for everyday cakes as well as fancier concoctions suitable for holidays and parties. Gorgeous photos by Clare Winfield highlight the majestic lengths you can take these cakes to, but even if your decorating skills are mediocre at best the results of these recipes will still be delicious! The best part is that these recipes all contain everyday ingredients available in most grocery stores, making every cake accessible to all. Whether you\u2019re vegan, veg-curious, or dealing with food allergies, these recipes promise delicious results for everyone.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 17:30:07", "publisher": "Ryland Peters & Small", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010345011", "title": "Before We Disappear", "author": "Shaun David Hutchinson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 995, "review": "YA Roundup\n\nIf you enjoy reading young adult fiction with a side of passion, warmth, determination, empowerment, and LGBTQA+, then this roundup article includes five books that will be perfect for you. All five are compelling reads, and while some are more lighthearted than others, all are equally accomplished. \n\nUnder the Whispering Door by TJ Klune\n\nUnder the Whispering Door by TJ Klune is a tender and witty story that will undoubtedly fill your heart with warmth. Wallace refuses to let go of his life when a reaper knocks at his door. Finally, full of indignance, Wallace reluctantly accepts that he is dead. He is offered assistance with crossing over by patient ferryman Hugo, whose door to the other side is located in his tea shop. Through Hugo, Wallace meets many people with captivating stories and begins to realize that his imperious manner and work-centered life were not as fulfilling as he thought. This is a story that inspires and impresses with very skillful worldbuilding. You will quickly become devoted to the main characters and tumble into their world on a wonderful emotional journey. It will leave you reveling in all the benevolence of humanity, not forgetting the scones and tea, in addition to a chipper ghost dog! \n\nWhen We Make It by Elisabet Velasquez\n\nThis empowering debut young adult novel by Elisabet Velasquez will deeply touch your life, likely causing you to laugh and cry out loud. Passionate, stormy, and honest, When We Make It is a coming-of-age story that will move you and leave you rooting for the main character long after you have finished reading. Sarai is a first-generation Puerto Rican eighth-grader who sees the beauty and pain in life with full clarity and without the sentimental idealism that people normally associate with poetic talent. Along with her older sister, she takes you through the pressures of mental illness, sexual assault and toxic masculinity, poverty, and the gentrification of her home in Brooklyn. Openly questioning things around her, along with her Boricua identity, she learns to navigate through her teenage years with determination and braveness. Despite the odds appearing to be stacked against her, Sarai comes out on top, learning to embrace and celebrate herself. This book will tune into your heart and make you feel seen.\n\nBefore We Disappear by Shaun David Hutchinson\n\nJack Nevin is a master of thievery and trickery, and with his consistent supply of stolen tricks, he proves to be a profitable and invaluable assistant to a revered stage magician of the early 1900s, The Enchantress. However, Jack\u2019s pilfering catches up with him and the pair are forced to make a getaway to America. Luckily, they are able to find steady work on the West coast at Seattle\u2019s Alaska\u2013Yukon\u2013Pacific World\u2019s Fair Exposition, which improves their financial outlook, although they are forced to reconcile with the fact that they are not the shining stars of the show. Jack tries to uncover the secrets of this seemingly transcendental performance, but he discovers much more than he expected. He forms a bond with the behind-the-scenes master of tricks, and due to this growing affection, he is forced to choose between his employer, who has given him everything in life so far, and the boy who promises to give him so much in the future. Shaun David Hutchinson\u2019s Before We Disappear is a love story that provides all the twists and turns of a well-crafted heist story. Lovers of historical fiction and fantasy will also enjoy the book and be captivated by its many forms of magic.\n\nYou Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor\n\nSet in an alternative twentieth century, You Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor is a haunting tale about loss and trauma as well as human attachment and betrayal. It delves into the cleverly constructed corners of dystopian fantasy, being ultimately melancholic in tone and quietly beautiful, although it has the pace of an edgy intellectual thriller. Miriam grows up during the Great Reckoning, a war than spans decades and wipes out much of humanity, including her friends and family. Alone and heartbroken by her loss, she avoids any other human contact, focusing solely on her work. Time passes, the war ends, and the New Society is founded, forcing all survivors into lives of reclusion to prevent tribal loyalties from forming, including families. Miriam, already used to a life of exile, now sees everyone suddenly being forced to live as she does. A researcher at heart, she becomes involved with organizing this detachment process. Unfortunately, she does not realize that the world as she knows it is on the brink of another dark and sinister change. Over time, she begins to see the disturbing nature of this new system and decides to take a stand against it from within. \n\nHere\u2019s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera\n\nHere\u2019s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera is the captivating follow-up to the pair\u2019s romantic bestseller, What If It\u2019s Us. It is a thrilling read on its own, but it\u2019s even better if you have previously enjoyed the first novel. A breezy tale with a tone of optimism, it is a story that wears its heart on its sleeve. Ben has been working on his fantasy manuscript with writing partner and fabulous kisser Mario throughout his first year of college. Arthur has recently returned to New York City for an internship on Broadway, although he is in a perfectly happy long-distance relationship with his boyfriend from his hometown. Yet, sparks fly when Ben and Arthur happen to come into close contact again, reviving old passions. They decide to persevere on their well-trodden, comfortable and separate paths, knowing that things between them didn\u2019t work out the first time around. Little do they realize, however, that the universe seems to have other ideas in mind and paves the way for a series of encounters that make them both question their feelings for each other.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 18:21:15", "publisher": "HarperTeen", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010345003", "title": "Liberty: Don Troiani's Paintings of the Revolutionary War", "author": "The Museum of the American Revolution", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1044, "review": "History Roundup\n\nAs Carl Sagan (1980) noted, \u201cYou have to know the past to understand the present,\u201d and all five books included in this roundup can help you to develop just such an understanding. Examining subjects as diverse as an apparently doomed expedition to the South Pole, art portraying the American Revolution, the history of emotion, libraries from around the world, and the legacy of slavery in contemporary US society, these fives books are sure to both educate and entertain.\n\nA Human History of Emotion: How the Way We Feel Built the World We Know by Richard Firth-Godbehere\n\nIn A Human History of Emotion, Richard Firth-Godbehere sets out to answer a couple of very weighty questions: How have emotions shaped the course of human history? How have humanity\u2019s experience and understanding of emotions evolved with them? A major distinction that is often drawn between humans and other living creatures concerns the fact that humans are said to be rational beings, capable of reasoning and calculating in order to survive. However, even the quickest glance back at human history reveals events and situations that appear to disprove this apparent rationality, clearly hinging on emotions rather than on facts. In light of this, Firth-Godbehere guides readers through the highly important yet often overlooked roles that emotions have played in human societies across both time and geography. Drawing on fields of research as diverse as psychology, art, neuroscience, and theology, he explains how the understanding and experience of emotions have changed over time as well as how human beliefs regarding emotions have shaped both the species and the world in which people live.\n\nMadhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica\u2019s Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night by Julian Sancton\n\nWhen the Belgica set sail in August 1897 hopes were high for the voyage and the crew were looking forward to being the first scientific expedition to reach the snowy wilderness of the South Pole. However, hope fairly quickly turned to despair when the ship became stuck in ice in the Bellinghausen Sea, making it likely that the crew would have to endure an Antarctic winter and the associated months of endless polar night. Things managed to get even worse when an unidentified illness swept through the crew and, coupled with growing fears about the numerous rats that were attacking supplies in the hold of the ship, took an extremely heavy psychological toll. In Madhouse at the End of the Earth, Julian Sancton explains how two officers\u2013\u2013Frederick Cook, the ship\u2019s doctor, and Roald Amundsen, the first mate\u2013\u2013hatched a daring plan to free the Belgica from the ice, a plan that would either save them or doom them all. Sancton draws on diaries, journals, and the ship\u2019s logbook to bring to life a perilous Antarctic adventure worthy of a thriller.\n\nThe Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen\n\nWith The Library: A Fragile History, Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen offer the first major historical investigation of the library as both a concept and an institution (and perhaps as an obsession, too). Libraries nowadays come in all shapes and sizes, from former phone boxes to brutalist 1950s structures to glorious conversions of historical buildings, and they cater to a wide range of tastes. They also now fulfill many functions that would cause the librarians at Alexandria to scratch their heads. However, the quiet and thoughtful atmosphere that typically characterizes libraries belies their turbulent and sometimes controversial history. Pettegree and der Weduwen explore that fractured history, taking in famous collections from the ancient world, personal archives, cash-strapped contemporary resources, and everything in between. In doing so, they introduce some of the famous and infamous individuals who have contributed to compiling the world\u2019s greatest book collections, track changing trends, and reveal the sometimes extreme lengths people have gone to in order to secure particular manuscripts.\n\nLiberty: Don Troiani\u2019s Paintings of the Revolutionary War by Don Troiani and the Museum of the American Revolution\n\nAmerican artist Don Troiani is famed for his historical paintings, which principally focus on the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the American Civil War. Known for being highly detailed and realistic, his oil and watercolor works have been featured in numerous history books, art compilations, and military and government exhibitions. His most famous paintings portray crucial moments from American history, such as the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill and the American and French victory at Yorktown in 1781. Liberty: Don Troiani\u2019s Paintings of the Revolutionary War serves as the catalog for the exhibition of Troiani\u2019s work currently being held at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, which runs until September 5, 2022. Highlighting key moments from America\u2019s revolutionary history and elucidating Troiani\u2019s research and artistic processes, the exhibition matches forty of his paintings with forty artifacts from various collections, which are all beautifully reproduced in the catalog. The book also features Troiani\u2019s latest work, a painting of African American sailor James Forten watching as Black and Native American Continental Army troops march past Independence Hall on their way to Yorktown. \n\nThe 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones\n\nWhen an unprepossessing ship carrying enslaved people from Africa arrived in the British colony of Virginia in August 1619, it marked the start of the barbaric practice of human chattel slavery in America, which would continue for around two hundred and fifty years. This practice has been described as America\u2019s \u201coriginal sin,\u201d and its impacts are still being felt today. The New York Times Magazine launched the \u201c1619 Project\u201d in an effort to reframe understanding of American history by situating slavery and its ongoing consequences at the heart of the narrative. The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story expands that initial project by collecting eighteen essays that explore the legacy of slavery in contemporary American society alongside thirty-six poems and narratives that portray instances of struggle and resistance. Together, these works speak directly to the present moment, situating long-standing systems of race and oppression in the context of daily life today. They shine light on overlooked moments from the birth of the country as well as on upspoken issues within the constitution, and they elucidate how the legacy of slavery continues to cast a shadow over American life.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Sep-2021 16:51:05", "publisher": "Stackpole Books", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010342007", "title": "In Another Light: A Novel", "author": "A. J. Banner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 197, "review": "It's been three years since Phoebe's life-changing accident, and everyone, including herself, wonders how she'll keep going. Three years ago, Phoebe lost everything and coasts through her days since; working in a mortuary might not help too much, either. One day, the body of a younger woman arrives at the morgue, causing Phoebe to question everything she thought she knew about herself and those closest to her and see things //In Another Light//. Phoebe feels it is up to her to discover her truth as she can't trust anyone; will she find what she needs in time or succumb to the mind's twisted ways?

I thoroughly enjoyed In Another Light; the story made me feel so much that it confused me at times. I loved the awareness it brought to mental health. I noticed similarities in Banner's current work as her previous novel, After Nightfall, along with authors Paula Hawkins, Gillian Flynn, and Liane Moriarty. The common theme seems to be vigorous females driven by the actions of a confused male who doesn't know how to act appropriately around women. The story is in bite-sized pieces, enough to keep you going with a dull chapter nowhere in sight.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "06-Dec-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 21:37:43", "publisher": "Lake Union Publishing", "page_count": "251 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010341003", "title": "Last Girl Ghosted: A Novel", "author": "Lisa Unger", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 191, "review": "Wren Greenwood is a writer, podcast host, and advice columnist looking for love on the dating app Torch. She meets and quickly falls in love with Adam. After a three-month whirlwind romance, he disappears. Wren is left reeling, and the stakes become higher when a personal investigator named Bailey Kirk finds Wren to tell her that he too is looking for Adam.

Last Girl Ghosted started off strong, and I was hooked as Wren began to look for clues about Adam\u2019s disappearance. The book held my attention early, although as the backstory of Wren\u2019s past came into focus, the story became a little less intriguing. I liked Wren as a main character; her Dear Birdie persona was entertaining and I enjoyed her friendship with Jax. However, during the flashbacks to her childhood, I found some of the details too disconnected from her present-day dilemma and grew uninterested in this storyline. I also found it hard to believe that Wren, who gave advice for a living, would make such poor choices when following Adam, who she knew was dangerous. This book was entertaining overall, though some plot points were lost on me.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 21:29:39", "publisher": "Park Row", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010340007", "title": "Other People's Things: A Novel", "author": "Kerry Anne King", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1077, "review": "Mystery Roundup\n\nMurder and mayhem, to say nothing of theft and deception, abound in the five books included in this roundup. Join a fine selection of detectives, both professional and amateur, as well as a couple of crooks looking to work on the right side of the law for a change, as they attempt to solve a whole host of intriguing mysteries.\n\nFan Club by Erin Mayer\n\nUnfulfilled by her work for a women\u2019s lifestyle website and jealous of the happiness seemingly delivered to colleagues in the form of freebies, an unnamed woman is ripe for manipulation and mania in the right circumstances. Surprisingly, those circumstances arise one night when she visits a dive bar and comes to believe that she is hearing a secret message in the latest song by popular entertainer Adriana Argento. Sensing that she might finally have found a way to belong, the woman dedicates all her time to Adriana fan sites and fora, joining people from around the world in stalking the singer\u2019s every move. Her new obsession doesn\u2019t go unnoticed at work, instead leading to an invitation to join a secret society of Adriana superfans who call themselves the Ivies. From here, the woman spirals ever deeper into her obsession until she comes to realize that the Ivies are bound together by far more than admiration for Adriana Argento. Erin Mayer\u2019s Fan Club is the dark and compelling story of a woman losing her fragile grip on reality while simultaneously recognizing that she might not actually be the strangest and most sinister one in the group.\n\nThe Night She Went Missing by Kristen Bird\n\nWhen Catherine Callahan decided to move to the close-knit community of Galveston Island, she hoped that she would be able to leave the mistakes of her past well behind her. However, she didn\u2019t bank on the power that her mother-in-law Rosalyn wields within the community or on the expectations that members of the community have regarding the Callahan family. Things start to look up for her when she makes a couple of friends\u2014Morgan, who has been ostracized by the community since her teenage son was accused of rape, and Leslie, an apparently model citizen who will do whatever it takes to ensure that her children succeed in life\u2014but things are still not quite right on Galveston Island. After Catherine\u2019s teenage daughter disappears following a party, the cracks within the community begin to deepen and people start to turn on each other, looking for some\u2014anyone\u00ac\u2014to blame. The Night She Went Missing by Kristen Bird is a tense and suspenseful story that exposes the multitude of secrets that lurk behind the fa\u00e7ade of the perfect community.\n\nJust Thieves by Gregory Galloway\n\nIn Gregory Galloway\u2019s Just Thieves, Rick and Frank are a pair of recovering drug addicts who eke out a living by exploiting their considerable prowess as burglars. In fact, they\u2019re so good at their dubious job that they no longer have to break into random houses and hope that the spoils are worth it. Instead, they work for a mysterious figure who tells them exactly where to burgle and what to take while they\u2019re there. Unfortunately, what has always been a slick and rewarding operation is ruined when the pair are instructed to steal an apparently worthless trophy. The trophy seems to be generating far more interest than its intrinsic value warrants, although Rick and Frank are still able to pull off the heist. However, in the aftermath of the burglary, the pair are involved in a car crash that sparks off a chain of events that ultimately leads to Frank disappearing with the trophy. As Rick attempts to find both his friend and the loot, he is forced to confront the sins of his past as well as the realities of his present. It all makes for thrilling noir crime story that is packed with deception and double-crosses. \n\nOther People's Things by Kerry Anne King\n\nDespite what people, particularly members of the law enforcement community, might think, Nicole Wood is not per se a thief. Rather, the universe has tasked her with the job of relocating objects, whatever their value and whoever they might belong to, to their correct locations. However, as people don\u2019t generally like their possessions to be relocated without their permission, Nicole is facing the threat of some serious jail time unless she is able to find more acceptable activities to occupy her time. When her sister offers her a job with her housecleaning firm, Nicole initially thinks that she has found the solution to her problem, but when she spots a paperback book that seemingly needs to be relocated from one client\u2019s house to another\u2019s, she is unable to pass up the task. The decision to appropriate the book for her own purposes has a number of unforeseen consequences that require Nicole to risk life and limb as secrets are revealed and those closest to her placed in danger. Other People\u2019s Things by Kerry Anne King is an innovative and fun mystery novel in which pretty much nothing is as it seems. Combining fantasy and crime fiction, it\u2019s a twisting, turning read featuring more than a hint of romance.\n\nNothing to Lose by J.A. Jance\n\nJ.A. Jance\u2019s Nothing to Lose marks the twenty-third outing for now retired Seattle homicide detective J.P. Beaumont. This time round, a face from the past drags Beaumont into a missing person case with links to a period from his past that he would rather forget. Around twenty years ago, when he was still working for the Seattle Police Department, Beaumont\u2019s partner, Detective Sue Danielson, was murdered by her former husband. On the night of the murder, Sue\u2019s eldest son Jared had called Beaumont for help as his mother was being attacked. Beaumont instructed Jared to escape from the house with his younger brother Chris and then raced to the scene, although he was too late to save Sue. Now, Chris has disappeared and Jared needs Beaumont\u2019s help once again, this time to save his little brother. Still haunted by his failure to save his partner, Beaumont readily agrees to help, having no idea that the case with take him into the wilds of Alaska and force him to confront the secrets of a killer who has nothing left to lose. Beaumont hasn\u2019t been provided with the full set of facts regarding Christopher\u2019s disappearance, which plunges him into another exciting and dangerous adventure that he\u2019ll be lucky to survive.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 21:33:06", "publisher": "Lake Union Publishing", "page_count": "365 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010339003", "title": "Sister Stardust: A Novel", "author": "Jane Green", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 244, "review": "Dorset native Claire has always dreamed of a more glamorous life. After her mother\u2019s death, her father remarries a woman she can\u2019t stand and she takes solace in the huge meals and overwhelming love of her best friend\u2019s house. When she decides to go on a fad yogurt diet and loses scads of weight, she refashions herself as Cece and becomes the driving force in her own life and in Jane Green\u2019s new novel, Sister Stardust.

Set during the 1960s, the novel sees Cece jet from London to Morocco, where she becomes a member of the infamous entourage belonging to Paul Getty and his charismatic and highly sexual wife, Talitha. All of Cece\u2019s inhibitions are tested as she cavorts with rock stars and drug addicts, artists and the obscenely rich. What they love about her is her naivete, and she loves their worldliness. But there is a price to pay for fame, and the love she witnesses between these new acquaintances is often tinged with pain, violence, and betrayal.

Touted as a novel about Talitha Getty, the book is really about Claire/Cece and her journey of self-discovery. It posits the following question: what happens when we get what we\u2019ve always wanted and it turns out to not be what we want at all? The twists in the book are foreseeable and the characters are often flat renderings of famous figures, although the descriptions of the era and the sumptuousness of Morocco are absolutely stunning.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2022", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 21:25:18", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010338079", "title": "Ain't That a Mother", "author": "Adiba Nelson", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 914, "review": "Walk in Another\u2019s Shoes\n\nOne of the best ways of learning valuable life lessons and solving complex problems in life is by learning from others. Memoirs offer helpful advice as well as revealing ways that other people tackle problems. These five biographies will appeal to you if you are looking for eye-opening stories and the opportunity to jump into another\u2019s shoes.\n\nHome Is Within You: A Memoir by Nadia Davis\n\nHome Is Within You introduces us to the traumas in Nadia Davis\u2019 life that led to addiction, dysfunctional relationships, and a tenacious fight to get back on her feet. As a high-profile lawyer and former wife of California\u2019s attorney general and treasurer, she was very much thrust into the public eye when her abusive relationship became known. She reveals the struggles of dealing with public shaming, arrests, and the ensuing lack of privacy as a mother, and she rightly calls out the damaging policies against families struggling with mental health issues and addiction. Davis points out that more compassionate measures should be taken instead to achieve a better solution overall. This is very much a courageous telling of her journey toward healing with the help of spirituality, therapy, and pain management, amongst other things. It is a truly powerful memoir!\n\nAin't That a Mother by Adiba Nelson\n\nDisability rights activist, freelance writer, and public speaker Abida Nelson provides an entertaining and relatable account of her motherhood journey that will have you laughing out loud. Afro-Latina Nelson had a complicated relationship with her very religious, headstrong, and spirited mother, which shaped her views of the world. She unexpectedly became pregnant and succumbed to the same relationship patterns as her female parental figures, something she never thought would happen to her. She gave birth to a beautiful daughter with cerebral palsy, but she soon became burdened with high medical bills that threw her into a life of hardships. Rather than caving in to the new pressures she was under, Nelson decided to take on the world and find herself in the process, for both herself and her child. Ain\u2019t That a Mother is a brave and bold account that shows us how, with the right mindset, anyone can turn their life to their own advantage and overcome the highest of hurdles.\n\nBird Brother: A Falconer's Journey and the Healing Power of Wildlife by Rodney Stotts\n\nBird Brother is the ultimate story of second chances. In it, Rodney Stotts shares his journey to becoming one of the few Black master falconers in America. Growing up on the streets of 1980s Washington D.C. during the crack epidemic, Stotts faced a grim future as nothing but a criminal. However, as a young adult, Stotts wanted to get his own apartment, and the only way to do that was to get a real job. With a group of other young people, Stotts was given a lifeline when he landed a job with the Earth Conservation Corps in 1992. His grueling restoration work on the Anacostia River quickly became a passion, and with the improvements made, he was able to reintroduce bald eagles to the region. This was when Stotts befriended an injured eagle called Mr. Hoots and worked very hard to gain his respect. Following this, he trained to become a falconer and devoted his time to building a raptor sanctuary. Stotts\u2019 journey of self-discovery is an astonishing and heart-warming account that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.\n\nEntrenched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go by Linda Lee Blakemore\n\nEntrenched is a powerful and heart-wrenching account of a woman coming to terms with workplace sexual assault, partner sexual assault, and child abuse. Linda Lee Blakemore wears her heart on her sleeve in this vulnerable but empowering story. She takes you through her years of heartbreak from broken relationships and her own destructive patterns when it comes to matters of the heart. After a couple of affairs, one that ended in sexual assault and happened to be with her boss, Blakemore found herself in a precarious situation with her second husband leaving her every two years, although she would always take him back. Eventually, she found a way through this pain by exploring the trauma from her past. This enabled her to let go and learn to love herself as her own person. Blakemore writes for all the victims of abuse and proves that you can get past the pain with some courage.\n\nRiding with Evil: Taking Down the Notorious Pagan Motorcycle Gang by Ken Croke\n\nUndercover alcohol, tobacco, and firearms agent Ken Croke offers his account of infiltrating the infamous white supremacist Pagan Motorcyle Gang in this book, and it will leave you on the edge of your seat. Twenty years into his career, he came across a chance to go undercover, turning himself into the axe-wielding protector of the gang, \u201cSlam.\u201d In two years, his hard work and dedication to the gang had him taken on as an official member and chosen as Sergeant-Of-Arms. He was also the first person working in law enforcement to infiltrate the gang. Surrounded by some of the most savage and deranged gang members, in Riding with Evil he tells of the violent and paranoid world that the gang lived in, with leaders constantly monitoring gang members, sometimes with unthinkable consequences. This is an anxiety-riddled story. You will wonder how Croke survived, and you will find it impossible to put the book down until you find out.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 21:47:59", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010338067", "title": "Colossus: The World's Most Amazing Feats of Engineering", "author": "Colin Hynson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 12", "word_count": 189, "review": "This book has simple pictures, introductory paragraphs, and fun facts about engineering marvels from around the globe. The fun facts include sizes, statistics, and stories about the location or thing. It is very interesting and I learned a lot from it. It could be more organized, but the jumble of facts on each page seems to be intentional.

I recommend this as a first book for research, to excite a young researcher in elementary school who needs to write an essay or make a presentation. The pictures are simple and would be good templates for simple, hand-drawn pictures. I think every elementary school library should have a copy. If elementary school teachers want to do a unit on engineering, I think that this would be a good book to share with a class.

I think that families with young children should purchase this book, along with libraries. It is very well written. The pictures are brightly colored and the words are simple enough for preschoolers to enjoy this book. Colossus is a beautiful children\u2019s introduction to the wonders of engineering. I recommend it for kids aged five to nine.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 20:57:01", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010338059", "title": "The Orchid and the Emerald: Search for the Cure", "author": "Timothy David Mack", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 179, "review": "William Gunn seeks a semi-mythical black orchid in an attempt to cure a mysterious fever which could kill his daughter. Nate Yankee seeks a fist-sized emerald called El Jefe. When the two of them find themselves heading for the same part of the Amazon, they realize they must work together, if they can trust one another at all.

I so badly wanted this book, with its backdrop of the Latin American revolutions and its background conspiracies against the protagonists, to be the riproaring adventure it is so clearly meant to be. Unfortunately, it dragged in places, and the complications introduced were too rarely brought up for them to have much bearing on the plot. In my opinion, it would have been a much stronger book if Mack had instead focused on the dangers of the jungle, which were more immediate threats to the protagonists and would have been fascinating if they had been fleshed out a little more. A tighter plot would have made for a much more exciting (and shorter) read, rather than letting it be an endless tome.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "16-Mar-2022", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 20:47:40", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "482 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000010338035", "title": "Mystery on Magnolia Circle", "author": "Kate Klise", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Ivy is ten when she falls and breaks her leg just as summer is beginning. She has to wear a cast from her hip to her ankle and needs to use either a wheelchair or crutches for almost the entire summer break. Even her best friend Teddy can\u2019t cheer her up. His beloved dog had just died, and he is so sad. When Ivy spots what might be a burglary from her window, summer gets more interesting. Teddy tells Ivy that a burglary took place in his building, and Ivy decides they need to solve the mystery. Things get even more interesting when they find out there has been another similar burglary in town, and Ivy has reason to believe one of her classmates might be involved.

Kate Klise has written a really fun and exciting book for the younger middle-grade set with this tip of the hat to Hitchcock\u2019s Rear Window. The dialogue is believable and snappy, the characters are fully formed, and the story is compelling. Occasional cute illustrations by Celia Krampien will help young readers keep those pages turning. This is a well-written book that will help youngsters make the transition from chapter books to novels.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "15-Nov-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 20:00:24", "publisher": "Macmillan", "page_count": "206 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010338031", "title": "Day Hiking: Yosemite National Park: Glacier Point * Yosemite Valley * Tuolumne Meadows * Mono Basin", "author": "Scott Turner", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. And with good reason. One of the best ways to see this wondrous place is to hike the park. This handy little (five x seven inches) guide will help hikers make excellent choices about how to spend their time.

The book opens with a good map showing where the trails are. This is followed by a quick guide to the ninety trails covered in the book. The quick guide covers the distance in miles; degree of difficulty; whether or not it is year-round, dog-friendly, and kid-friendly; whether or not there are waterfalls, lakes, views, and giant sequoias; and more.

After an extensive introductory section with information on facilities, trail etiquette, and more, there are nine sections according to geographical regions with a complete write-up on each of the trails. These sections have a trail map, photographs of sights along the trail, how to get to the trailhead, and an excellent description of the hike.

The writing is lively and interesting to read. The size makes it easy to carry in a pocket or daypack. There are even fifteen bonus trails described at the end.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 19:57:13", "publisher": "Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010338027", "title": "Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail: 400 Miles from the Columbia River to California", "author": "Bonnie Henderson", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 225, "review": "Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail is the third book on Oregon hiking trails written by Eugene resident Bonnie Henderson. However, this is the first comprehensive guidebook for adventurers seeking to thru-hike nearly 400 miles of the Oregon Coast Trail (OCT), which starts at Fort Stevens State Park and ends at the California border. Trailheads would find the book a useful and helpful guide to exploring the five major sections of the OCT, describing elevation profiles, mileage, itineraries, camping or lodging options, and more.

There\u2019s nothing on Earth like the Oregon Coast, and Henderson writes about its pristine beaches, lush forests, and charming towns just as a local would: with lots of reverence and a healthy dose of reality. Much of the trail traverses through towns that require road walking. Safety is paramount to any backpacking trip, and Henderson offers valuable local insights to minimize the time you spend walking on Highway 101 and other roads. Detailed maps and gorgeous photographs complement Henderson\u2019s thorough knowledge of the OCT.

Hiking in a post-COVID-19 world, Henderson explicitly warns about the possibility of private business closures and changes to Oregon State Park policies regarding trail access and camping. If you\u2019re seriously planning thru-hiking the OCT or simply dreaming of the opportune time to make the trek, this book offers useful advice to help you successfully plan an unforgettable adventure.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 19:54:18", "publisher": "Moutaineers Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Other", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010338019", "title": "The Wishing Tree", "author": "Meika Hashimoto", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 200, "review": "With only three days left \u2018til Christmas, Theo notices the city is dark and unadorned. He asks Santa to reveal the specialness of the holiday, and while he sleeps, his request is swept away to the North Pole. He wakes to a snow-filled wonderland outside and comes upon a great pine in its midst. A letter drifts in beside it, and the words inscribed on it inspire him to decorate the town with the magnificence of the season. Another sends him caroling through the neighborhood, bringing cheer those around him. His grandmother and the townsfolk surprise him with a heartfelt celebration of his graciousness.

This is a neat story about a young boy who, out of his own yearning for a meaningful holiday, tries to brighten the lives of others. The giant evergreen pine becomes a central point at which he discovers the wishes of others. It becomes known as \u201cthe wishing tree.\u201d Children will be delighted to see that twelve pre-punched cards are included with the book; they can use them to create their own \u201cwishing trees.\u201d Perhaps they\u2019ll want to make a tradition of it and will be propelled to perform acts of generosity and compassion like Theo.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "15-Nov-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 19:47:32", "publisher": "HarperCollins Children's ", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010338011", "title": "Race Against Time The Politics of a Darkening America", "author": "Keith Boykin", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 217, "review": "In Race Against Time, political pundit, researcher, and author Keith Boykin unleashes his unique insight and analysis of the racially charged drivers of anger and discontent among Trump-supporting White Americans. Boykin examines the current and historical framing of racial strife in political campaigns as a \u201cnever-ending civil war,\u201d driving Whites and people of color further apart.

Boykin states the obvious about fear and resentment against Blacks and other people of color gaining\u2013\u2013and demanding\u2013\u2013equity. As America gets \u201cBlacker and Browner,\u201d the sense of urgency to protect systems and institutions built upon White supremacist ideologies is palpable. This is especially true among the conservative bloc.

Boykin writes well-reasoned arguments, supporting his claims with facts from historical evidence. He weaves in his own experiences and reflections on living as a Black gay man in the U.S., observing how conversations about race may have evolved somewhat, although action and change are lacking.

The book\u2019s call to action targets people who make policy decisions about or have influence over efforts to end persistent racism that leads to racial disparities. It may also be appealing to progressive minds who seek to make sense of why race-baiting tactics appeal to certain White Americans. It\u2019s a timely reminder that unless we work intently on atonement and accountability, the country will never resolve its racial crises.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "15-Nov-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 19:40:06", "publisher": "Perseus Books", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010338007", "title": "The Beatryce Prophecy", "author": "Kate DiCamillo", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Brother Edik, a member of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing, finds a young girl, covered in dirt and blood, in the stable, feverish. He nurses her back to health. Answelica, a goat, stands guard over her. All she knows is her name is Beatryce and she can read and write, something girls aren\u2019t permitted to do. The monks realize she is the subject of a prophecy, and the king will be sending his men for her. In a village nearby, a soldier arrives and asks Jack Dory, an orphan boy, to bring a monk to write down his confession. Jack comes back with Beatryce wearing monk\u2019s robes. The goat accompanies them. After the soldier dies, Jack, Answelica, and Beatryce begin a journey to see the king, which is difficult and has great danger.

This reads like a fairy tale with fantasy and magic woven in. The characters are all engaging and interesting, the places in which the story is set are fully realized, and the story is simply enchanting. The writing by Kate DiCamillo is gorgeous, and there is great tension. Lovely illustrations by Sophie Blackall will help young readers stay in the moment of the story.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "15-Nov-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 19:31:26", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010338003", "title": "The Unofficial Simpsons Cookbook From Krusty Burgers to Marge's Pretzels, Famous Recipes from Your Favorite Cartoon Family", "author": "Laurel Randolph", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 188, "review": "The Unofficial Simpsons Cookbook From Krusty Burgers to Marge's Pretzels, Famous Recipes from Your Favorite Cartoon Family is a cute and hilarious take on several of the well-known foods eaten in the show The Simpsons. The reader is well-warned that some of these foods may not actually be a great idea for consumption and to read the recipe and its ingredients from start to finish before attempting to make anything in this book.

I found this book to be laugh-out-loud funny because some of the recipes were so simple, such as the \"I Love You Breakfast,\" which is just bacon and eggs arranged on a plate to spell \"I Love You,\" and some were just downright gross-looking, such as Krusty Brand Imitation Gruel, which is accompanied by a picture of a soup pot overflowing with goopy purple slop. I admit there are a few recipes that sound quite tasty, such as the \"Fried Fish Sandwiches\" and \"Bart's 'Supoib' Manhattan,\" but for the most part, these recipes are just funny with cute names and pictures reminiscent of the show. This is the perfect gift for fans of The Simpsons.", "issue": "Gift Guide 2021", "date_posted": "20-Oct-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 19:25:59", "publisher": "Adams Media", "page_count": "162 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010337007", "title": "Seeing the Self Through the Eyes of God", "author": "Chris J. Carr PhD", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 415, "review": "It is often said, especially by Christian leaders, that Christianity today is in a state of crisis. By some measures, this couldn\u2019t be further from the truth. In the United States of America (which is often the Christianity referred to), most politicians subscribe to some denomination of Christianity (very often some denomination of Protestantism), and laws and culture have been shaped by the religion, to the extent that they affect many aspects of secular life.

That last statement, however, could easily be part of the crisis. Carr\u2019s argument is not that Christianity is not widespread enough but that it lacks the depth it once had. By becoming secular and entrenched in its own power, the religion has lost what meaning it once had. This, he says, is why people have drawn away from it. The cure is not to push more firmly on spreading Christianity as it is now, nor even on further modernizing and secularizing it, but to completely revolutionize the faith. Only by changing it until it becomes unrecognizable to some can it be brought back to what it once was.

I admit, I was a little skeptical when I started the book, but the further I went on, the more I realized this was exactly the sort of advice I had been looking for when I left the Catholic church. Perhaps, if this book had been around ten years ago, I would still call myself Christian today.

The first part of the book is easily the weakest. Carr\u2019s ideas are interesting, but they deserved a stronger presentation. At times I felt as though I was reading a series of pamphlets instead of an actual book. The second half, which delves into how his new version of Christianity would be practiced, held my interest far better. Even for those uninterested in religion in any way, it\u2019s a useful guide to being more present in the current moment and more at peace with oneself and one\u2019s thoughts. I found myself realizing I already incorporate some of these practices in my day to day life, or at least try to.

I don\u2019t know if I can say this book changed my life. I do know that it could have, if I had found it at another time, and that I will come back to it at some point in the future. For now, all I can do is give it time to digest in my thoughts and recommend it to anyone feeling disaffected with the state of Christianity today.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "25-Oct-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 16:31:48", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "230 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010337003", "title": "Seeing the Self Through the Eyes of God", "author": "Chris J. Carr PhD", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 501, "review": "Chris J. Carr has written Seeing the Self Through the Eyes of God with a very lofty goal in mind: to help people find God \u201cin a different way than put forward by traditional religion.\u201d He was inspired to do so by the fact that religiosity\u2013\u2013which is this context is most commonly interpreted as Christianity\u2013\u2013is declining worldwide, especially among the younger generations. To Carr\u2019s mind, this decline in traditional religion is not due to an inherent lack of desire to know and understand God on the part of individuals, but rather to the failings of organized religion and the overemphasis of religion as a faith/belief instead of a unique type of intelligence.

In the first part of the book, which is the more abstract and philosophical part, Carr considers God\u2019s vision of the self, as evidenced by scripture, and then examines how self-development can be managed from a spiritual perspective. The discussion begins with a particularly interesting point: \u201cJesus was a critic of religion.\u201d Although often overlooked or glossed over in theological works, this is both true and important, and it stresses the need for Christians to question religious authorities and established dogma. Carr\u2019s idea is that God is present in the here and now, which makes it necessary to develop an understanding of God\u2019s plan for the spiritual self through engaging in reflection and analysis.

Here, Carr criticizes traditional religions for demanding unquestioning obedience in exchange for the promise of a glorious afterlife, and his arguments make a great deal of sense. He makes it clear that people\u2019s focus should be on upholding God\u2019s idea of the Christian self in this world, not in the afterlife. Also, his notion of Christianity is hearteningly inclusive. To elucidate God\u2019s vision of the self, Carr presents a series of essential passages from the Bible that consider key issues such as the greatest commandment and who counts as a neighbor. The points and arguments related are interesting, and it might have been worthwhile to expand the various subsections further.

Carr then moves on in the second part of the book to set out a framework for developing the spiritual self, which includes the provision of practical exercises designed to help readers put his ideas into practice. Founded on the idea of depth prayer as a means of transcending ego-based consciousness and moving toward spiritually-based consciousness, the exercises include focusing on the breath in the present moment (to achieve mindfulness and radical presence) and lessening the grip of judgment (to actualize Matthew 7:1\u2013\u2013\u201cJudge not lest you be judged\u201d). The exercises really enhance the practical application of Carr\u2019s ideas, which elevates the interest and appeal of the book.

Seeing the Self Through the Eyes of God represents an innovative and welcome alternative perspective on Christianity and how Christians should aim to behave. It is likely to particularly appeal to those who are questioning their experiences with traditional religions or seeking to put their ideas of spirituality into practice to a greater extent than is typically suggested.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "15-Nov-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 16:31:36", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "230 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010336007", "title": "Don't Cry for Me: A Novel", "author": "Daniel Black", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 187, "review": "Jacob Swinton is dying. Alone during his final months, this book is a collection of letters to his son Isaac, whom he has not seen or heard from in years. Jacob reflects upon his life and his role as a father to Isaac. He explains his actions, which often seemed harsh and at times, violent. The letters prove that he tried his best, yet his upbringing created biases that were reflected in his parenting and didn\u2019t allow him to accept his homosexual son\u2019s identity.

This is a book that will make you feel things from start to finish. It is heartfelt, raw, and brutally honest. The letters are all from the perspective of Jacob, and though I wondered what his son might say in response, this format worked so well. By remaining one-sided, it reinforces the idea that forgiveness is not guaranteed, and sometimes it is too late to fix the past. Throughout the book, I felt anger, grief, sadness, understanding, and joy. This book is so special, though it can also be melancholy. The casual writing style makes this a fast read, yet impactful all the same.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "17-May-2022", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 21:26:45", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010335007", "title": "The Leadership of Muhammad: A Historical Reconstruction", "author": "Joel Hayward", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 440, "review": "Learning from history is one reason humanity keeps advancing and achieving seemingly impossible feats. The Leadership of Muhammad: A Historical Reconstruction by Joel Hayward employs an objective approach to examining Prophet Muhammad as a leader. The book goes beyond just assuming his good character qualifies him as a good leader and employs a thorough analysis by exploring different angles, including Muhammad's leadership role in the military and the power structure he developed through it, his success as a religious leader with numerous converts, and his relationships with others, from the most powerful to the least popular. What new insights can be discovered from an exploration of Muhammad's role as a leader centuries ago and how will they benefit our current generation? Find out in Joel Hayward's groundbreaking book.

It was interesting to find out that Muhammad believed \"the main responsibility of a leader is to act as a shepherd,\" which shows humility. His courage inspired his followers, as he, sometimes, got right in the center of the battle and even got knocked out by a projectile on one occasion. I also learned a lot about Islam, its origin, and how it compares to other religions such as Christianity. That Christians prayed in a mosque in the early stages of Islam points to how people with different backgrounds can coexist peacefully regardless of their differences.

I felt so much richer in knowledge after reading the book. Even the methods used to treat the subjects are worth learning, like the deductive reasoning used in explaining why Muhammad's good-naturedness does not automatically result in him being a good leader. The Leadership of Muhammad: A Historical Reconstruction is filled with events and practices from history, enriching readers with information and resources about the early days of Islam. I was confident about the information since the author is a celebrated historian and strategic studies scholar who makes use of the \"established methodology of the historical discipline.\" The book's critical approach will appeal to academic minds, although the language is simple and direct enough to carry all readers along.

Humanity has been through several interesting phases, and I always find books that explore different times in history irresistible. Fortunately, The Leadership of Muhammad: A Historical Reconstruction did not disappoint because it's a great source of knowledge about Muhammad and the beginning of Islam. In fact, in addition to being historically informative, it offers valuable lessons about leadership that could help world leaders, decision-makers, teachers, and people from all walks of life to communicate and lead better. Several noteworthy leadership qualities are extracted from Muhammad's exploits, of which many still have an impact today.

Purchase link: https://www.claritasbooks.com/books/the-leadership-of-muhammad", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "27-Sep-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 01:34:07", "publisher": "Claritas Books", "page_count": "179 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010335003", "title": "The Geriatrics Vengeance Club in the Era of COVID", "author": "Andy Lazris", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 453, "review": "The Geriatrics Vengeance Club in the Era of COVID is about an \"anti-hero\" doctor and his fight against fearmongers who spread incorrect information about COVID-19 and enforce rules that are more harmful than helpful. Dr. Ben Polton takes up a challenging fight against the medical system and risks being labeled a villain as he calls out some questionable practices, such as the use of counterproductive masks and measures, the closing of workplaces and schools, and the neglecting of other important dangers that claim lives in significant numbers. Eventually, he receives an invitation to join the Geriatrics Vengeance Club, a group that aims to fight back secretly. Polton tells the story about how he gets in trouble with the public for exposing his truth, falls in and out of love, makes music about the pandemic with some talented artistes, and searches for true happiness.

This book is like a gift packed with an exciting mix of things: facts and references, profound arguments, captivating characters, relatable experiences, and an addictive storyline. It is not your usual story as it branches, several times, to logical arguments and historical references that make it resemble nonfiction. However, this is done tastefully as the author's use of language is splendid. I still don't know what magic made me devour the book and finish it surprisingly fast because it's not a fast-paced book; regardless of its normal pace, the book kept me glued until I reached the very last page.

The idea that masks do more harm than good and that the US government doesn't have enough test kits is troubling. I felt much more enlightened about the pandemic and society, in general, after reading the book. Also, it was greatly entertaining; I had a good time laughing as I read about the characters, especially the frank, elderly cat lady. Andy Lazris is able to bring the protagonist to life and paint him in an exceptionally realistic way, which is not surprising because he shares some similarities with him.

The book contains lyrics to songs about the pandemic, which I checked out on Spotify since the links to stream the songs are included in the book. I enjoyed listen to them; the lyrics are great and the melodious tunes are quite relaxing.

The Geriatrics Vengeance Club in the Era of COVID grabbed my attention from the start with its blunt views about the measures taken against COVID-19, kept me engrossed with its sarcasm and humor, and blew my mind with its intelligent discussions. The book is highly recommended to readers who are tired of the restrictive rules regarding COVID-19 and want to meet a fictional character they can relate to. However, some might not agree with its strong political views.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "22-Sep-2021", "date_added": "22-Sep-2021 01:33:18", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "436 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010334035", "title": "Erift's Journeys: Secrets of The Sealed Forest", "author": "J.T. Tenera", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Katie - age 13", "word_count": 422, "review": "Erift's Journeys: Secrets of The Sealed Forest is an action-packed book. This book encapsulates the idea of a thrilling novel that leaves you thinking with chills on your arms. You'll find it hard to put down this book from the amount of anticipation that each page builds. This book starts by jumping into the lives of Joseph and Eric, two normal high schoolers. Joseph, who is the main character in this novel, leads a normal eleventh-grade life. He keeps quiet at school, follows the rules, and loves playing video games. Eric is an aspiring streamer who wants to gain a platform of supporters through his streaming of various video games. Both live a quiet and content life, keeping their heads down and keeping mostly to themselves. That is until Joseph receives a peculiar letter in the mail. This letter states that he has won a trip and is being invited to test run a new game far away. Considering this letter came out of nowhere, Joseph is extremely skeptical of how legitimate this letter truly is. His skepticism fades away immediately after doing some thorough searches on the web. After confirming that this is real and not a scam, he approaches Eric. Intrigued by this opportunity, they plan a way to sneak out. Setting their plan into action, the two boys manage to arrive at the airport and board their flight, arriving at their destination. Little did they know that their adventure was just about to begin. The two boys arrive to see things, people, and scenarios they had never even dreamt of seeing in their lives. This little trip to test-drive a new game turns out to be one of the biggest journeys ever. In this journey, the boys face many different adversaries, whether these are people or problems. Throughout this thrilling novel, the reader is able to witness these two young adventurous teens learn lessons and grow over time. You can see the development of these two characters as the book goes on and it is truly heartwarming. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an adventure printed on paper. There are so many plot twists throughout the whole book and the ending is truly one that is unexpected. This book will leave you wanting to receive your own letter and start your own journey like Joseph did. Overall, this book is the epitome of a journey filled with unexpected turns and twists. Reading this will transport you into the pages and into your own adventure.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "15-Jan-2022", "date_added": "21-Sep-2021 23:43:53", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "302 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010334031", "title": "Power Blind", "author": "V.S. Kemanis", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 421, "review": "Dana Hargrove is an appellate court judge in New York with a keen sense of the law. In Power Blind, she's facing two interesting cases. One concerns a young girl who's refusing treatment for an illness. However, when her son Travis is appointed to the case as a lawyer, Dana decides to step aside. It's an emotional case, and mother and son have opposing views of the legal situation.

Dana is also looking into a cold case. Marlon Stokes, an undercover police officer, was murdered two years ago. Witnesses claim they saw another policeman, Corey McBride, kill Marlon, but how can that be when the two were best friends? Dana is drawn to the case because Corey is the nephew of the former district attorney, who happens to be a long-time friend of Dana's. In addition, her daughter Natalie is researching how witnesses perform in interviews, and she is also drawn to the case. But mother and daughter may find themselves in harm's way as they get more involved with the matter.

My initial impression of Power Blind was that the author did a fantastic job drawing me into the story through compelling observations, descriptions, and dialogue. I loved getting a feel for the main character's life and the many roles she played. The author does an excellent job of conveying the feelings she has for her family too. Frankly, there is a lot to like in this one. The look inside the court and legal system was fascinating. The investigation and mystery aspect and the family dynamics that played out through the story made this an enjoyable read.

I liked the way the chapters moved back and forth between different characters and storylines. It kept the story moving forward at a good pace. It also allowed me to get a good insight into each character's point of view. I really enjoyed the portrayal of Professor Louden as well. I think more than a few Ph.D. students will be able to relate to the relationship Natalie had with him, and the sense of unease she developed as the story played out and she became more aware of his true character.

Overall, I liked the fact that this is more than a story about a female judge. It's a family saga, mystery, and legal tale all rolled into one. Although this is the last book in the series, it was the first for me. I would definitely like to check out some of the previous books in the series in the future.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2021", "date_added": "21-Sep-2021 23:16:52", "publisher": "Opus Nine Books", "page_count": "330 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010334027", "title": "Power Blind", "author": "V.S. Kemanis", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 435, "review": "Power Blind is the latest and sixth book in the Dana Hargrove series. It read very well as a standalone, however, and I felt that no detail was left unexplained. Judge Dana Hargrove is involved in two cases in Power Blind. The first case is about the medical decisions that are being made for a seventeen-year-old girl who has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. The girl's aunt wants to allow the girl to make her own decision whether or not to seek treatment with the possibility of suffering more than without the treatment. Because the girl is very mature for her age and has lost her own mother to cancer, her aunt feels like allowing her to choose is the right decision. The Family Court and Children's Services, however, have their own agenda and bring the aunt to court over the matter. Dana's son, Travis, works for Children's Services and must go to court to defend why the girl should be forced to accept the medical treatment. Dana follows the case carefully and is torn between an ethical stance and a legal stance. Should the court be able to decide the girl's fate?

The second case is a cold case from 2020 that is still not solved in 2022. Undercover police officer Marlon Stokes is found dead on a bridge after having drinks with fellow officer Corey McBride. Corey is not convicted of the murder even though there are witnesses that say that they believe Corey looked like the man with Marlon on the bridge. Dana and her friend and detective on the case, Aurelina Vargas, do their due diligence in digging deeper and questioning other people who may have information about that night.

The book is extremely thorough in giving the reader information into the legal aspects of both crimes as well as examples of past cases. The author also gives a lot of background information on the characters and their experiences both in and out of the courthouse. I found Dana, her husband Evan, and their adult children Travis and Natalie to be very likable, intelligent characters and found it interesting how closely bonded they are as a family unit. In fact, Natalie finds herself doing psychology research on the case of the murdered police officer and finds herself in a bind at one point. Faced with some of the most difficult choices that could change lives, Dana Hargrove must make decisions based on both ethics and the law. Power Blind has an air of suspense with some action thrown in that forms a well-laid-out plot. Perfect for fans of Grisham and Patterson", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2021", "date_added": "21-Sep-2021 23:16:28", "publisher": "Opus Nine Books", "page_count": "330 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010334023", "title": "Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter", "author": "Mike Errico", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 431, "review": "Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter is a wonderfully written book that will inspire songwriters to be themselves while writing song content. The author, Mike Errico, is able to give advice to his students without restricting them in their creative avenues. The book has several Q & A sections in which Errico interviews professionals from all walks of life, from a mechanical engineer who works on tire design to a fly fishing business owner, and connects these sessions to the different aspects of songwriting. He also starts the book with a list of \"Ten Rules for Students and Teachers\". These ten rules set the tone for the book and from there, the ideas can flow freely.

One of the interesting points that Errico makes is the difference between the definition of a \"hit\" song. There is the industry definition and the workable writer definition. Writing for the hit charts versus writing to expand your circle of people who love your work are two separate things.

The tools that Errico gives his readers are definitely the most appealing part of this book. Many people may not know where to start or what to write about or they may overthink what they are doing and think that what they are writing is trash, thus not finishing the song or dismissing it before others can even have an opinion about it. One tip that seems so simple is to journal and write at least three pages. Or write about something for ten minutes. Errico teaches his reader that content ideas can come from just about anywhere and by journalling, you never know what thoughts could become your next song. There are also questions that you can ask yourself to prompt ideas. One of my favorite ideas that Errico suggests is to write as if you are someone who has a \"brand\" as a writer but also had a pseudonym no one could ever trace back to you. He asks \"what would that alter ego look like?\".

Errico fine-tunes the songwriter's works by giving tips on things that one might never think about. Subjects such as silence, the way the brain works, are you writing with a call-to-action, about a person, place, or thing? What are you trying to evoke in your listeners?

Overall, Errico does a fantastic job of giving his readers much to think about when writing a song. Not everything is as clear-cut as it seems. I recommend this book to anyone who is or wants to write creatively. It will spark some great ideas and thoughts.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "17-Oct-2021", "date_added": "21-Sep-2021 22:42:46", "publisher": "Backbeat Books/Rowman & Littlefield", "page_count": "254 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010334019", "title": "Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter", "author": "Mike Errico", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 420, "review": " Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter is the perfect how-to book on writing effective lyrics, creating memorable music, and achieving success in the music industry. Mike Errico, a songwriting professor at New York University, has not only mentored countless students in this topic but is also an accomplished songwriter and artist himself. As he states, the wisdom he presents in these pages is applicable to all areas of life, not just songwriting.

Mike teaches through this book by introducing four big themes and incorporating these ideas into lessons and stories on songwriting. My favorite theme to read about was journaling. Personally falling into Mike\u2019s category of \u201cthose who have been journaling since the days of diaries with the lock that didn\u2019t work and the key you lost anyway,\u201d I had to smile at his humor. During this section, Mike references Julia Cameron\u2019s The Artist\u2019s Way to present the guidelines for one\u2019s daily journal, including three full pages, topic ideas, and the importance of writing longhand. I found the way Mike described journaling so insightful and beautiful. Never before had I thought about journaling in the way he presented it, and I think aspiring and accomplished songwriters could benefit from a refresher on its importance.

Another thing I found especially helpful about Mike\u2019s book was his chapter on silence. Silence, the universal language, is important in songs, although I initially thought otherwise. Mike expertly advises, \u201cif you don\u2019t have something to say that improves on silence, then don\u2019t say it.\u201d When I thought about this phrase as applied to songs and not just life, I found Mike was right; there have been many times I have thought songs were too long or overdone, when the artist could simply have chosen to omit the section. I think many writers could benefit from this reminder that silence is not always a bad thing, and it is better to end a song early than convolute it.

Throughout this guide, Mike tells many stories from his own experiences and from events in the media. All of these anecdotes were humorous, insightful, and really helped establish and supplement the overall point. He also inserts various interviews with a wide range of individuals, all of whom further help Mike prove to the reader that the ideas presented truly will help them become better writers.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this guidebook and I think all song writers, seasoned and beginner, could benefit tremendously from Mike\u2019s guidance on writing and song production.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "19-Oct-2021", "date_added": "21-Sep-2021 22:42:38", "publisher": "Backbeat Books/Rowman & Littlefield", "page_count": "254 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010334015", "title": "Real Prison Real Freedom", "author": "Rosser McDonald", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 408, "review": "If you want to know what contributes to a person becoming a violent criminal, Real Prison Real Freedom, the story of Rickie Smith, by Rosser McDonald is a good place to start.

Born in 1954, Rickie was adopted as an infant by Selestia and Red Smith. As parents, his father was physically and emotionally abusive, while his mother was overindulgent and enabling. The one thing both parents had in common was that all disputes were resolved by violence, most often fueled by alcohol. In addition to a dysfunctional family, Rickie was dyslexic and stopped going to school in grade eight, though he likely didn\u2019t achieve even that level of education.

His life of crime began with burglaries but soon escalated to drug trafficking. His relationships were short and misogynistic. The only trait resembling self-esteem was Rickie\u2019s so-called personal code of honor, \u201cThese people are, for sure, gonna respect me.\u201d These people referred to everyone, beginning with his criminal associates, fellow inmates, and particularly the guards and prison administration. Understandably, Rickie equated fear with respect.

By 1990, Rickie was serving three ninety-nine year sentences and fighting a war on three fronts, including one with the Aryan Brotherhood against competing gangs, especially the Mandingo Warriors, the dominant Black inmate gang. Another he was engaged in was within the Aryan Brotherhood over leadership and personal conflicts. The third was against the guards and the system. He had rightly earned the title of the most dangerous man in the Texas Department of Corrections.

Miserable, filled with hatred and anger, and without hope, he picked up a discarded Bible and read \u201cCome to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.\u201d Rest was what Rickie longed for and so he asked Jesus for it, and it was granted. From that day forward, Rickie Smith became a Christian, living and preaching the gospel.

Included in this compelling story about the resilience of the human spirit is a detailed account of the changes the Texas Department of Corrections underwent during this period. Whether you attribute the transformation of Rickie Smith to accepting Jesus or realizing his life was unbearable and had to change is a matter of personal choice, but there is no denying the gospel was the roadmap to finding his way back to humanity. His implementation of Christian principles has affected a seismic shift in his life and, in doing so, influenced the faith of many others.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "04-Jan-2022", "date_added": "21-Sep-2021 22:35:39", "publisher": "Elm Hill", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010334011", "title": "Real Prison Real Freedom", "author": "Rosser McDonald", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 411, "review": "Real Prison Real Freedom takes a look at the life of inmate Rickie Smith. Rickie had an average childhood during the 1950s. But what he wanted most was the love and attention of his father. Although his father never seemed to take much interest in Rickie. As a teenager, Rickie turned more often to drugs and crime. His criminal activity led to him receiving a ten-year prison sentence. But his violent behavior inside prison, where he stabbed an inmate and correctional officers, resulted in three other sentences of ninety-nine years each. One day he realized he needed to find peace. He did this by turning to God.

This book is more than a story about one man's struggle. It also charts the troubled state of the Texas Prison System. Mr. Rosser gives an up-close look at the violence and gang wars that plagued the prison system. He also details the work done to reform the system. Getting to know the stories of people like Captian Price and Bob Norris, who reached out to Rickie by sharing views on religion, made this a much more informative tale. I liked that the author examined the reasons why he felt Rickie's life had taken a particular path without making excuses for his behavior. And despite all the wrong choices Rickie made, he seemed to have a sense of love and loyalty to his friends and, especially his mother. I got the feeling that the anger and rage he felt in prison did more harm to him in the long run than anything in his early life. The conditions Mr. Rosser details in prison were harsh and inhumane, making it hard to imagine how prisoners coped. However, I think most readers will be happy that Rickie finally decided to let go of all the anger and turn his life towards a new path that involved serving a higher good.

While I thought the author made a complex topic interesting and engaging, I was not too fond of the fact that he continually switched between the past tense and the present in his writing. Since all the events described were in the past, I think sticking with one tense would have made the book sound more polished. It would have provided a better flow for the reader as well. Nevertheless, I think the author provided a compassionate and insightful story of how a man was able to change his life and outlook despite his environment and circumstances.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2021", "date_added": "21-Sep-2021 22:35:35", "publisher": "Elm Hill", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010334007", "title": "Real Prison Real Freedom", "author": "Rosser McDonald", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 437, "review": "\"In 1970, Dr. Beto lamented the fact that nearly three-fourths of his prisoners were from broken homes.\" Real Prison Real Freedom by Rosser McDonald details the life of a man who was known as the \"'Most Dangerous Inmate' of the 40,000 inmates in the Texas Department of Corrections\" and his miraculous transformation. Rickie Smith grew up in a home where he experienced abuse and had constant clashes with his father. His teenage years were rife with wild influences and behaviors, like random sex, drugs, and fights. Eventually, his violent, criminal lifestyle led to him serving a term of ten years in Texas prisons. His situation only deteriorated as he got more violent, fought in gang wars, and attacked officers and inmates alike. Was there any hope for Rickie's salvation?

If you don't have a strong stomach, you might not be able to finish Real Prison Real Freedom. Rickie's story is not the type of reality the average person is used to, as it reflects extremely immoral and gory acts. However, it also includes the complete opposite of this: redemption, love, and hope. It took me out of my bubble and showed me how I have no excuse to give up on life and finding peace and happiness, no matter how rough my situation is. Imagine being raised in a way and an environment that conditions you not to care about life\u2014whether your own or another's.

Real Prison Real Freedom brought to my attention the effects of broken homes and violent communities on children. It exposes the popularity of vices among young adults\u2014who are, mostly, left on their own\u2014and the continuation and propagation of criminal acts in prisons. A major question came to mind: how effective is the United States' prison system since many people have been known to become even more dangerous in prison?

Rosser McDonald employs a fast-paced approach to narrate Rockie's story, which covers a few decades of his life and a diverse compilation of themes: abuse, addiction, imprisonment, Christianity, redemption, murder, gang wars, racism, depression, marriage, and more. The book is quite elaborate and thorough as it includes some useful quotes, statistics, historical facts, and information about the Texas prison system and other related phenomena.

I was greatly moved by Rickie's story! It taught me a great lesson about forgiveness, redemption, and looking after the young in our society. I recommend Real Prison Real Freedom to fans of Christian-themed biographies and readers who wish to be free from whatever activity they desire to let go of. What a poignant and touching experience! It is a book that I will not be forgetting anytime soon.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2022", "date_added": "21-Sep-2021 22:35:30", "publisher": "Elm Hill", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010334003", "title": "Real Prison Real Freedom", "author": "Rosser McDonald", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 447, "review": "Real Prison Real Freedom by Rosser McDonald is the chilling story of Rickie Smith, one of Texas\u2019s most feared and dangerous inmates. The book focuses not only on Rickie\u2019s criminal life but also on his eventual conversion to Christianity. Exposing the injustice and mistreatment between inmates and prison guards, this book is an eye-opening dive into how the prison system really works. Overall, I found this story incredibly inspiring; Smith shows that hope and light can always be found, even in the bleakest and desolate of situations. Anyone who is interested in accounts of prison life, prison reform, and stories of hope would enjoy this book.

Rickie Smith did not have a childhood of ease. Between his father\u2019s infidelity, constant fighting, and physical and verbal abuse, it\u2019s no wonder Smith fell down a rabbit hole of bad choices. Dropping out of school in the sixth grade did not help Smith\u2019s case; suffering from dyslexia, Rickie was deemed hopeless by his teachers and was beaten by his father for his failures. The only solace Rickie found was with his dog Tippy, hunting and fishing in the woods.

Before long, Rickie gets involved in various burglaries and runs away with his girlfriend to Corpus Christi. The road only goes down from here; living during the height of the hippie movement, the two indulge in copious amounts of drugs and begin dealing to others in their community. Although their relationship does not work out, Rickie easily moves on to other girls, other drugs, and other fights. Between a constant high, sex, alcohol, and fights, Rickie stays busy in his lifestyle of partying and running from the law.

However, Rickie could not run forever. Eventually the charges catch up with him and he lands himself in jail, then prison. Rickie quickly learns that prison officers are rough, and to stay above the water, most inmates join gangs. Because of this, Rickie eventually joins the Aryan Brotherhood, a white supremacist group who live by the slogan \u201cLOVE, LOYALTY, AND RESPECT.\u201d

As his prison sentence continues, Rickie attempts to kill guards on multiple occasions, creates weapons in his cell, and causes hell for everyone on the receiving end of his wrath. Eventually, he lands himself in the most guarded and secure cell in prison for his continued trouble. In this seemingly hopeless place, Rickie finds Jesus.

Truly a story you have to read to grasp, Rickie completely turns his life around into one of love and forgiveness. I highly recommend this book for any who are struggling with acceptance of faith and feeling discouraged in their prayer life. Rickie Smith\u2019s story is truly a testimony to God\u2019s mercy running deeper than any sin.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2022", "date_added": "21-Sep-2021 22:35:22", "publisher": "Elm Hill", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010333771", "title": "The Past Is Red", "author": "Catherynne M. Valente", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 188, "review": "Tetley Abednego lives in one of the few remaining patches of land left behind by the ancient fossil-fuel guzzlers: Garbagetown. With a chillingly relentlessly optimistic attitude, Tetley navigates life in the Texas-sized garbage island despite antagonism from all of Garbagetown's inhabitants. Whether or not this cruelty is justified is for the reader to decide, as Tetley recounts the story of a very difficult choice she made when she was young.

The Past Is Red is technically the sequel to a short story called The Future Is Blue, and both stories are included in this book. In some ways, it's a simple story about a girl in a dystopian world. In others, it's an absurdist wonder, combining elements of magical realism, satire, and melancholy. Whether or not those elements appeal to you, Tetley's unsettling approach to life in a garbage patch makes the book shine. And as a longtime fan of The Girl Who Circumvented Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, I loved getting to read Catherynne M. Valente in \"adult\" form\u2013\u2013she is just as witty, topical, and creative as she is when writing young adult fiction.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "01-Sep-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Tordotcom", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010333767", "title": "Moon Luck", "author": "Scott Harral", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 400, "review": "What is the law of the moon, and how do you handle lunar crimes?

This is one of the many questions brought up by Moon Luck, a near-future murder mystery set on a joint moon base manned by representatives from NASA, MET, and SpaceX. When a mysterious explosion causes the death of one of the astronauts, the first question raised is how such a thing could have happened. As more details come to light, the question becomes not how but who, and suspicion swings from one astronaut to another. Who would want to murder one of their own? Why?

And, most importantly, will it happen again?

At its best, Moon Luck reminded me of Andy Weir\u2019s The Martian and Artemis. Like Weir, Harral shines when presenting scientific and technological details. Some descriptions made me feel as though I was reading a textbook sent back in time from decades in the future. A layperson such as myself may have some trouble understanding every detail, but in this case, that\u2019s more of a feature than a bug. I greatly enjoyed the in-depth descriptions and was fascinated by the realistic portrayal of what life could be on the moon in coming decades.

Strengths aren\u2019t the only things Harral and Weir share. They also share a weakness: interpersonal relationships. Perhaps it\u2019s because most of the characters are professional astronauts, specifically trained to deal with the stresses of living on the moon and therefore necessarily somewhat similar, but I had a difficult time telling some of the characters apart without their names attached to what they were saying. None of them stood out to me quite as much as the setting did, or quite as much as some of the technology. Some of the pages of exposition could perhaps have been devoted to introducing the characters a little more, and some of the character exposition would have been more memorable had it been presented through interactions of those characters rather than merely stated.

Overall, Moon Luck has the potential to be a fascinating mystery. I deeply wish it had lived up to that potential, but even so, I enjoyed it as much for what it could (and should) have been as for what it wound up being. Hopefully, between Harral and Weir, a new subgenre is being born, because I would love nothing more than to spend a couple of hours reading about interstellar murders with a hard sci-fi backing.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Outskirts Press", "page_count": "339 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010333763", "title": "Future Widow: Losing My Husband, Saving My Family, and Finding My Voice", "author": "Jenny Lisk", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Tingling", "word_count": 72, "review": "\"Jenny Lisk\u2019s Future Widow: Losing My Husband, Saving My Family, and Finding My Voice is a tremendous work that is long overdue. Lisk\u2019s care and regard offer individuals and caregivers the understanding and guidance that is often missing until a loved one passes. In those moments, many of us struggle to find the right word, question, or action, and Lisk\u2019s writings thoughtfully fill that space. \" --Jessica Tingling, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Bluhen Books", "page_count": "294 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010333759", "title": "Ripple Effect", "author": "Cathy Rath", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 422, "review": "In 1968, Jeannie Glazer, a college student, becomes involved with a radical group intent not just on peaceful protest but also on bringing about changes by whatever means necessary. When Jeannie is arrested during a protest in Chicago, she hopes her boyfriend and fellow protester will get her out of jail. Yet, when she's bailed out, she is given an envelope with $200 in it and a bus ticket home to New York. The police officer tells her that it came from her father. But she knows that can't be because he's been dead for years. And just when she's too deep inside the radical movement to leave, she meets a young man who helps her escape. Could he be an FBI informant, or is someone watching out for her? Rattled by these questions, she decides she must find out what happened to her father. Her discoveries could expose secrets that affect her whole family.

Cathy Rath has written a family saga that is both engaging and riveting. I like the way she devoted chapters to different family members, allowing the reader to learn about the life of each individual and gain a complete picture of the family as a whole and the dynamics that made them unique. I thought there was quite a lot of depth to each character, and I liked the fact that Jeannie was a determined young woman with not just a secret to uncover but someone trying to navigate life on her own terms.

I found the story to be wonderfully descriptive and very good at bringing in significant social issues of the time. I do, however, wish a little more care had been taken when using Southern slang, especially the word \u201cy'all,\u201d which stands for \u201cyou all.\u201d Several times it was used in the wrong sense when only one person was being addressed. I always find this irksome. Also, as much as we would like to swim in our pools in March and gaze out at lemon trees on the veranda, the weather as far north as Atlanta simply doesn't allow for this. We are more likely to enjoy azaleas and dogwoods at this time.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. By the time I finished it, I felt that I had come to know the Glazer family inside and out. I wouldn't mind reading more about what happened to Jeannie and how things turned out with Phil. I hope there will be more from Rath in the future.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "01-Sep-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "275 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010333755", "title": "Please Don't Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit", "author": "Michelle Lander Feinberg", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 413, "review": "The second book in the Cooper The Dog series, Please Don't Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit follows Cooper, a friendly and loving rescue dog, as he makes friends with an unlikely companion. One day, Cooper's uncle takes him outside without a leash. Cooper sees a bunny and immediately bounds after him despite Uncle Stephen's warning. Cooper just wants to make a friend! As he chases the bunny, he finds himself running through the town, the playground, and finally into a heap of giggles with a group of kids and the bunny. It turns out that Jack the Rabbit, like Cooper, had nowhere to stay. Cooper brings Jack back to his home and Jack is accepted by Cooper's whole family.

This book is simply delightful from cover to cover. The story explains to its young readers the importance of accepting everyone as they are. It also teaches its readers that friends can be found in the most unexpected places and that they don't need to be exactly like us to be a friend. If we all just accepted others for who they are, we could all have a lot of fun and end up learning many new things.

The prose the book is written in is very sing-songy because of the simple rhyming pattern. I can imagine children of all ages laughing and giggling as they follow Cooper and his friends and siblings around in this book.

The illustrations in the book are fantastic. The colors are soft and soothing and the expressions of the characters are all very well depicted. Just looking at Cooper\u2019s and Jack's faces having fun golfing and sailing is enough to put a grin on any sullen face. It's hard not to imagine wrestling and cuddling with Cooper because he is so big and fluffy. I could see children asking their parents for a dog after reading this book. Who wouldn't want a dog like Cooper?

Michelle Lander Feinberg's writing and Anna Mosca's illustrations are perfectly paired together. The characters are really brought to life through the words and pictures. This is a series that I hope will have many more books to come. Both books so far have taught children valuable life lessons. Full of love and happiness, Please Don't Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit is a book that young children will want to read over and over again. It\u2019s a wonderful addition to any children\u2019s library that is sure to become a favorite.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "27-Aug-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "SDP Publishing", "page_count": "30 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010333751", "title": "Please Don't Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit", "author": "Michelle Lander Feinberg", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 75, "review": "\u201cA delightful book for children of all ages, Cooper the Dog is back and ready to make friends with Jack the Rabbit. A light-hearted lesson that teaches that friends come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. The more friends, the merrier. Beautifully illustrated with a happy story, Please Don't Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit is a story that children will want to read over and over again.\u201d \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "SDP Publishing", "page_count": "30 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010333747", "title": "Clean Sweep: A Novel", "author": "E. B. Lee", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 450, "review": "In E.B. Lee\u2019s debut novel, Clean Sweep, Tessie Whitmore is a retired advertising executive who finds herself immersed in a world of which she has little familiarity and would have never imagined herself in just a few, short months prior. It\u2019s bone-chilling cold when she and Grant, an Outreach worker, navigate the streets of Manhattan, delivering food and other necessities to the homeless. They discover one of the regulars lying lifeless in a corrugated cardboard box. Grant thinks maybe she\u2019s been poisoned, though her autopsy results indicate something else. Carli (Tessie\u2019s street name) finds it impossible to erase the images from that first night of Outreach from her mind. She vows to not let the woman they found be sent off to a mass burial site filled with unmarked graves and instead tracks down a childhood friend of hers. Together, they plan a proper burial and remembrance ceremony. As time progresses, Carli\u2019s asked to take on two \u2018unreachables.\u2019 She hesitantly agrees but ends up determined to reach Sarah and Vera, one who's fascinated with pigeons and doesn't say a word, and one who remains mired in the loss of her home and husband. Through her patient endurance and unending thoughtfulness, she succeeds in her efforts and changes two lives, among many others, immeasurably.

This is a beautiful story of human connectedness, separation, and loss, hope, and love. It demonstrates that every small act of courage matters in a universe that is ripe with addiction, poverty, and crime.

E.B. Lee is masterful in her development of characters. Carli and Grant are both strong, yet fragile in their own individual ways. Carli\u2019s intellect and curiosity propel her forward as does her desire to uncover the truth behind what has led so many to lives of homelessness. In contrast, Grant\u2019s struggles with bipolar disorder and alcoholism as well as his history of living on the streets, give him a perspective that enables him to connect with those facing his same battles. In an amazing twist of fate, Carli learns that Grant is the brother she lost years ago to a cult. She had never stopped believing she might someday find him, and this addition to the plot adds layers of dimension, emotion, and complexity to the story.

Lee\u2019s depictions of street life, mental illness, and addiction closely mirrors reality. They provide great insight into the adversities that affect the homeless as well as those that lead them to the streets in the first place. They also shine a light on the urgency for those with instability and dependency concerns to seek the treatment they need and deserve. Social workers as well as anyone with a compassionate heart will find this a notable and worthy read.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Little Brown Dog Press", "page_count": "362 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010333743", "title": "Unseen", "author": "R.M. Scott", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Soha & Sohail - Age 11", "word_count": 465, "review": "Unseen is a story about a young girl named Alaia who learns to hide her interest in healing and the use of herbs so that she is not persecuted as a witch. This fate has befallen a great many women in the town of Viskaya and several others will fall prey to it as the story evolves. \u201cIf you try to fight the ocean, you\u2019ll drown. For now, you have to let the waves carry you through the storm.\u201d The story shows the girl\u2019s journey and all who help her including her best friend and fallen brother and his best friend. The young girl struggles to hide the herbs that she gathers and prepares as teas for her dying father.

She knows that to successfully escape persecution she has to hide her healing teas and seek help from her childhood friend. She learns to fight in order to defend herself. \u201cFor me to murder anyone countered the very base of my existence, to heal.\u201d

She emerges victorious as the entire town helps her fight the evil claws of the Inquisitor and his army.

The plot was intriguing and engaging and had the reader on edge waiting for the next chapter to uncover what the story holds. The characters come alive as the author describes the struggle of childhood loyalties to those to family, as Mateo helps Alaia. Alaia is torn between pursuing her love for the two young men she grew up with as a little child. The language of the book is an ode to the olden times of witch-hunting and dark magic and takes the reader back in time effortlessly. The essence of the story is captured well in the sentence: \u201cI could trust my journey\u2019s purpose\u2014to slow down and recalibrate. To survive.\u201d The story is a portrayal of all that Alaia goes through to help her dying father.

This is a great book for young teens as the story holds magic, mystery, and love. The story could evolve easily into a series as Alaia steps into adulthood and raises her family as the times change to allow for healing and medicine to be accepted by society and not considered witchcraft.

I recommend this book as an immersive experience through the trials and tribulations of a young Alaia to emerge victorious through her own grit and determination, which is fortified by loyal friends and her doting family.\nThis was a great story that takes the reader through the emotional and at times distressing journey of a young girl, touching on her lost love and relationships, to emerge with hope for new love and a new life. Alaia\u2019s true heartfelt wish as she rings the bell; \u201cI wish for all I love to make it home safe.\u201d; brings love and loyalty to help her escape the clutches of death.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Literary Wanderlust", "page_count": "248 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010333739", "title": "America for Americans: A History of Xenophobia in the United States", "author": "Erika Lee", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 203, "review": "Americans have had a troubled history with immigration. In the early part of the country\u2019s history, the borders were wide open, but when people perceived to be different started arriving in numbers that felt uncomfortable, the tide began to turn on immigration and the country that was previously open to everyone began to place restrictions, quotas, and exclusions on certain classes of people.

This book examines the history of immigration panic, exclusion, and reforms throughout the many decades since the late 1880s when the first immigration exclusion act was passed to prevent Chinese citizens from coming to the western United States. From that point, there was a steady increase in exclusion as different groups were allowed in until they reached a tipping point and then the often violent response involved both kicking members of a particular race out of the United States and preventing more from arriving.

America has always had a uneven relationship with immigrants, especially since the Industrial Revolution when the issue became one that combined economics and class. The definition of who is white has constantly changed over the centuries, and being a nation of immigrants ourselves, it is interesting that we would limit others from enjoying the same chance.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Basic Books", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010333735", "title": "Voyagers: The Settlement of the Pacific", "author": "Nicholas Thomas", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 179, "review": "While this book does not go into great detail about how early humans settled the south Pacific Ocean, I expected less of a focus on the European navigators that were charting the waters and bringing back items such as spices and conquest and more about how people made it across such a vastness of space before modern technology.

In this slim book, by the time readers even reach the point of early humans rowing boats across the Pacific, they are halfway through the book, as a long chunk of it is focused on the Europeans and their interactions with the native inhabitants. This book would have been more useful if it was a study of how people made it from island to island, explored their myths, stories, and legends to delve deeper into the mystery, and worked at how they felt about the Europeans in their larger ships and with their different customs.

I am not sure who this book is aimed at, maybe people who have zero knowledge of the Pacific, but it does itself very few favors.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "06-Oct-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Basic Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000010333731", "title": "The First Blade of Sweetgrass", "author": "Suzanne Greenlaw", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 205, "review": "Musqon\u2019s excitement elevates as she approaches the salt marsh. It\u2019ll be her first time to pick sweetgrass with her grandmother or \u201cUhkomi.\u201d She\u2019s eager to participate in a tradition that\u2019s spanned decades. Uhkomi teaches her how to differentiate between the blades of sweetgrass and those of the other marsh grasses. She learns its stem has a purple hue, and its tassel and blades are a satiny green. When she begins her search, she becomes distraught by how much they all look the same to her. However, with more guidance and effort, she succeeds in collecting some of the sacred treasures for which she desires.

The First Blade of Sweetgrass is laced with the rich cultural history of \u201cthe People of First Light,\u201d the Wabanaki Confederacy. It\u2019s a Native American tale about a young child and her grandmother, whose cherished role as Musqon\u2019s teacher serves to help her carry on an inter-generational duty. Her people use the sweetgrass to weave baskets and for ceremonial purposes.

Young children aged six to ten will treasure this sweet, thoughtful story. The soft, warm shades of the illustrations will invite them in to join Musqon and Uhkomi on their journey, and they\u2019ll be enriched by the serenity that\u2019ll surround them.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "06-Oct-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Tilbury House Publishers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010333727", "title": "The Book of Accidents: A Novel", "author": "Chuck Wendig", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 199, "review": "The Graves family - Nate, Maddie, and young Oliver - are moving into a new house; well technically it\u2019s an old house where Nate used to live with his father. His horrible, abusive father who did some despicable things to him, but Nate keeps that all inside and hasn\u2019t told anyone about it. As for Maddie, she has her own harrowing tale from her childhood, as well as a strange ability to seemingly bring things to life when she carves and creates art. And finally, there\u2019s Oliver who has such extreme empathy that he can feel everyone\u2019s pain and anguish and sadness to the point where he\u2019s unable to move. Oliver makes a new friend, a strange older kid who seems really familiar to Nate, and who is able to do dark magic with something called The Book of Accidents.

As the book progresses, it is clear there is something far more sinister going on here, with potential catastrophic proportions. Wendig has outdone himself again in this gruesome and dark story that leaves you feeling numb and hollowed out. You\u2019re going to need to make sure you\u2019re in a comforting and warm place when you read The Book of Accidents.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Del Rey", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010333723", "title": "Cost of Arrogance: A Jake Clearwater Legal Thriller", "author": "H. Mitchell Caldwell", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 431, "review": "Law professor and ex-prosecuting attorney Jake Clearwater finds himself buried in what might seem to be the case of his life, in Cost of Arrogance. Jake is contacted by the Death Penalty Project about representing a death-row inmate in a death penalty appeal. Although Jake has been safe and sound in his classroom teaching his students, he finds himself accepting the challenge. His client is Duane Durgeon, a man convicted of the double homicide of a local couple. There is an eyewitness who originally identified someone else as the killer and a bitter old ex-girlfriend who claims Durgeon had her hide a gun. But that's not all. This case is from Jake's former office where he worked with District Attorney John Tice. Tice, a hardass, would again be the prosecuting D.A. in this case. As Clearwater works the case, he digs deeper than the defense did in the original case which really stirs up the prosecution. However, Clearwater clearly does not know what he has gotten himself into as he is beaten up after leaving the courthouse one day, his assistant being roughed up another day.

I truly appreciated author H. Mitchell Caldwell's ability to write in a way that anyone reading this book would understand. Although there was legal jargon to make the story realistic and paint the picture of the courtroom scenes clearly, there was no unnecessary law terminology used. It made the story easy to follow and allowed me to concentrate on Jake's plan and his execution of it. The characters in the book were well-developed and Jake exuded charisma even while wobbling on a cane after he was assaulted. In parts of the book, the author would give the reader Jake's thoughts, many of them funny or sarcastic. This really brought Jake's character to life. I also really enjoyed the development of Durgeon. Although he was a bad man, Caldwell gave him a personality that made it easier to see him as a human being and not just a criminal with a violent temper.

What really summed up this case was the thoroughness of the closing arguments. By creating a Powerpoint presentation during this part of the story, the author clearly and concisely laid down all of the information given to the readers throughout the case. This summarization was like the cherry on top.

Overall, this book is a must-read for any fan of courtroom thrillers. There is no stone left unturned when Jake Clearwater takes on a case. Caldwell certainly knows his subject matter and I look forward to reading more courtroom fiction by this author.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "17-Oct-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "None", "page_count": "420 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010333719", "title": "Hardly Haunted", "author": "Jessie Sima", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "There is a house on a hill, a big house that creaks and groans. It is dark. The yard is overgrown. Spooky trees surround it. The house is for sale, but no one comes to live there. Maybe, the house thinks, it could be HAUNTED! It can\u2019t hide what it looks like, but the house wonders if it holds very still, maybe the doors won\u2019t creak. If the house holds itself very tight, maybe the stairs won\u2019t squeak. Maybe the pipes won\u2019t rattle. So the house tries very, very hard to be perfectly still, but then the leaves rustle and the trees scratch and the wind howls. Will the house ever find a family to live in it?

This fun book is perfect for autumn reading. Author and illustrator Jessie Sima has written a fun and spooky story, but the illustrations might well be the star of this book. The house is so cute that little ones will easily buy into the personification. It is certainly not too scary for the youngest of listeners. They will love finding fun details in the illustrations and will find the story engaging. This is an absolute winner.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010333711", "title": "Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood", "author": "Danny Trejo", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 201, "review": "Danny Trejo is a man known to global audiences from his four decades on the small and big screen. As of February 2020, he was noted for the most on-screen deaths in movies (65). He has acted for acclaimed directors from Michael Mann to Robert Rodriguez to John Frankenheimer\u2014his roles spanning from on-screen heavy to a starring role. The story begins with a future seemingly less than certain, a life in confinement. At 24 years old, Trejo was serving a stretch in Soledad Prison. He had served time in multiple prisons for various crimes, sharing living space with Mexican Mafia, killers, and other notorious individuals. Trejo\u2019s strength, toughness, and street smarts helped him throughout that time. A drug problem held sway over his soul, but a solitary stint led to an involuntary detox and sobriety followed. After his release, Trejo embarked on another path, one to guide and help lost souls.

Trejo proves an engaging read from the jump-off. Danny Trejo and Donal Logue have compiled a redemption story that is unparalleled. Trejo offers a genuine, candid account of his life, whether hell-raising or child-raising, he proves to be even more compelling than his characters. An autobiography with a depth of soul.", "issue": "September 2021", "date_posted": "27-Sep-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010333707", "title": "Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm", "author": "Lori Adams", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 401, "review": "Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm is an action-packed fantasy telling the story of Avalina, an orphan who lives in New Orleans, Louisiana. Residing in La Maison des Oublies, Avalina lives with forty-five other girls under the supervision of their rigid caretaker, Miss Ward. One day, an eccentric woman named Scarlet Read visits the orphanage and kidnaps Avalina, informing her of her relation to the legendary pirate, Davy Jones. Overwhelmed by this news, she finds herself whisked onto a ship called the Aquatiery, a schoolship for other pirate descendants.

After being separated into student decks, Avalina makes friends who teach her about sea magic, mystical half-human, half-sea creatures, and the ins and outs of pirate school. However, Avalina is met with an equal number of foes who believe she possesses the Jones\u2019 curse. Legend has it that Del Maligno, an evil pirate, has cursed the Jones family for marooning him and his fleet on a deserted island and setting their longboat on fire. Del Maligno swore his revenge on the family, and ever since, it is believed that the descendants of Davy Jones are all cursed, unless proven otherwise. However, after hearing that the curse skips generations, Avalina is undeterred by the rumors surrounding her. From unfair accusations to finding lost pirate treasure, Avalina shows her resilience and strength in becoming a valuable pirate on the Aquatiery.

This novel is packed with creativity. Lori Adams has outdone herself in describing the magical ship and all of its components. I especially appreciated the plethora of different foods Adams described. From snap dragon salads that physically snap back at you to snoring piglet squid in a blanket, puffer pudding popovers, and mackerel and cheese, I was amused reading of the abundance of dishes. I found myself wishing I could order the iceberg cream, chunks of multicolored icebergs that each take on a different unique flavor. I also loved the creativity in terms of the different classes that the young pirates took. Whether it was weaponry, knotty cordage class, hydrofunics, or cartography, I was impressed with the relevance to what a pirate would actually be taught.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story of Avalina Jones and her pirate adventure. This book is very similar to the Harry Potter series (except with pirates instead of wizards), so any Hogwarts fans might find themselves equally enthralled by Avalina and her time aboard the Aquatiery.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "13-Aug-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "SPYHOP PUBLISHING", "page_count": "365 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010333703", "title": "MOMENT", "author": "Robert Abad", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 440, "review": "Authentic photographs of everyday people around the globe, with the spotlight radiating on children, fill the pages of Moment. The world is a kaleidoscope of experiences at any given time, though many don\u2019t see beyond their own circumstances. Moment encourages readers to do just that, to see life through the eyes of others, some thousands of miles away from their own communities. The images are real by every sense of the word and they inspire thought, curiosity, and inquisition.

After the introduction, the author includes a section entitled \u201cThoughts from the Frontline,\u201d that covers his daughters\u2019 perspectives about diversity, inclusion, and young people today. A picture of the Great Wall of China and a quote from an Asian Proverb follows. Parents and children parading the streets, markets, and exhibits in China, Singapore, Thailand, and India are featured next, followed by a plethora of captivating images of Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia. Beautiful pictures of the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Egypt span the next several pages, and the final section encompasses fascinating shots of open markets, architecture, murals, agriculture, and citizens in a number of Latin American countries.

Robert Abad is thoughtful and genuine in his portrayal of ordinary lives. His photographs are diverse; some are eye-catching like the gorgeous view of the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and the frozen landscape and snow-covered mountains in Calafate, Argentina. Others are serene, like the stark, white mosques in Abu Dhabi and the fluffy, cotton candy clouds over Kazakhstan. Commonplace occurrences - a cow comfortably mingling among the crowd in Jaipur, India, and school children standing against a brightly colored wall in San Miguel, Mexico are also included. \u201cNo tengo Facebook mi vida les real\u201d is scrolled across a building in Panama City in another. It, along with a spectacular shot in Dubrovnik, Croatia of a basketball court overlooking the sea, will likely be top picks of young children.

Moment is dedicated to \u201cthe next generation of young trailblazers, dreamers, and problem-solvers,\u201d and the quotes woven intricately into it will touch this audience, causing them to think, imagine, even act. \u201cA dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is a reality\u201d by John Lennon and \u201cThe only people who see the whole picture are the ones who step out of the frame\u201d by Salman Rushdie will speak loudly to younger generations who exude optimism and a willingness to accept differences among people. Though this book is suitable for any age, it\u2019s ideal for youth ages ten and up and is unquestionably a valuable resource for educators. It\u2019s certain to spark interest, intrigue, and conversation.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "05-Aug-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Robert Abad", "page_count": "142 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010333699", "title": "Lifescapes", "author": "Lee Woodman", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 410, "review": "Lee Woodman beautifully writes of divorce, heartbreak, and loss in her read Lifescapes. From the beginning poem, \u201cVermilion Suit\u201d to the closing \u201cDivorce Prayer\u201d, Woodman captures a women\u2019s resilience and determination to go into the future with courage. Written in the light of the pandemic and national unrest, the speaker shows remarkable tenacity and lightheartedness despite her world crumbling around her. Any reader who has experienced heartbreak could gather something from Woodman\u2019s poems, as she depicts the power and importance of moving forward. Inspiring and raw, I thoroughly enjoyed what this collection had to offer.

The poems take you through the speaker\u2019s journey. We meet her lover, his betrayal, experience the speaker\u2019s own emotional roller coaster, and finally the divorce itself. I especially found the poem, \u201cIt was Different from Fainting\u201d to be particularly chilling and impactful. The narrator tells how different tragic events are than one imagines. She emphasizes the surprise of these accidents, often coming when you least expect it, and notes the utter blackness that soon resounds from their impact. Telling the reader that this can happen to anyone, at any flash of a second, \u201cthe after of forever\u201d, I was moved with sympathy for her loss and treasured the authenticity of her speech.

Another poem I found to be significantly moving was titled, \u201cNo More Sugar\u201d. Describing the first time her former husband let her down, to how his childhood impacted the man he was, it became clear to the reader that the speaker was grappling to accept how she and her husband\u2019s love are no longer compatible. She says, \u201cRigid bedtime hour, stricter menu regimen. What happened to bourbon after theater, ice cream and TV? Soon we\u2019ll just live on air, scant water.\u201d In losing their playfulness, the speaker\u2019s marriage died, as she reflects on what once was and is no more.

The reader also learns more about the narrator herself. In \u201cSecrets I Tell Myself\u201d, we learn of her tangled, tragic past and the events that formulated her future. In learning of her setbacks, my respect grew even more for the speaker. Overcoming so much, so many tragedies and so many heartbreaks could not have been easy. Despite this, she rose yet from another heartbreak just as she had done with all her previous hardships. Remaining humorous despite the pain, combating the challenges of 2020, and finally experiencing her digital divorce, the grit and spunk of the speaker shone back at me through the pages.", "issue": "August 2021", "date_posted": "07-Aug-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Kelsay Books", "page_count": "76 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010333695", "title": "Texting Olivia", "author": "Galya Gerstman", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 450, "review": "Fay and Neil have flown across country from New Jersey to San Francisco to help their daughter, Olivia, move out of her dorm and come home for the summer. They are tired after such a long flight, but also anxious and excited to see Olivia. Fay texts her and immediately hears back that Olivia can\u2019t come to meet them. It is finals time, and Olivia still has things to do. But she will see them tomorrow for sure. This is disappointing. They haven\u2019t seen Olivia in so long. She hadn\u2019t even come home for Christmas. She decided to spend that time with friends in Los Angeles. After Fay and Neil had purchased their tickets, Olivia announced she and friends decided to get an apartment in San Francisco, so she won\u2019t be taking her things home after all. But she is still coming home for the summer and can\u2019t wait to see them. Just not the first day they are there.

The second day of their visit, Fay texts Olivia to find out where to meet up. She sends several texts before finally receiving an answer in the afternoon. Olivia had been up all night and so overslept. And she hasn\u2019t finished her project, so she won\u2019t be able to see them until later\u2014IF she finishes her project, and she doesn\u2019t appreciate her mother making her feel guilty. Fay relents. These texts and excuses continue day after day. In between the texts and the drama that ensues between Fay and Olivia, events occur between Fay and Neil as well as between Fay and her mother, Sophie, who calls regularly and lets Fay know she disapproves. In addition, chapters interspersed with the story of the trip to San Francisco provide readers with a clear view into the years-long ongoing problems of this dysfunctional family.

Author Galya Gerstman has painted a picture of a realistic family with a husband and father who is largely ignored and taken for granted, a grandmother who is busy fighting the natural aging process, a daughter who is spoiled rotten and incredibly selfish and self-centered, and a wife and mother who has been largely responsible for the abominable behavior of the daughter. This is a story in which many readers will recognize characters and situations and may relate to them. That said, none of the characters is particularly likable, and it\u2019s hard to read a book with no characters one would like to spend time with. In fact, all of the female characters are downright annoying. Also, where description should be brushstrokes, it is more like a roller was used, going on for pages where a paragraph would suffice. Overall, the book needs some serious editing and trimming.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Pleasure Boat Studio: A Nonprofit Literary Press", "page_count": "188 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010333691", "title": "Gudetama: The Official Cookbook: Recipes for Living a Lazy Life", "author": "Sanrio", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 177, "review": "Fact: Gudetama is lazy, but it did some work to bring its audience a five-course recipe book with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and some extra drink and treat recipes included at the end. The amount and variety of the recipes in each category are impressive for such a lazy egg. The names of the recipes are humorous; for breakfast\u2013\u2013\"Sigh...Pancakes I Guess\" and \"Unconcerned about this Omelet,\" for lunch\u2013\u2013\"BLTExhausted\" and \"Napping in an Avocado,\" and for dinner\u2013\u2013\"Feeling Tired Fried Rice\" and \"Pizza...I Can't.\"

While trying out some of these recipes, I felt much like Gudetama in everyday life, because it's exhausting putting effort into cooking! \"Too Tired Tator Tot Bake\" and \"Good Enough Avocado Toast\" were yummy in my tummy, as were \"Slowly Grilled Cheese\" and \"Maybe I'll Make Meatloaf!\" \"S'mores...I'm Done\" and \"Sleepytime Hot Chocolate\" were simple crowd-pleasers for kids and adults.

Gudetama: The Official Cookbook: Recipes for Living a Lazy Life is everything it promises; if you choose to put in some extra effort, you might end up with some yummy food to fill your lazy tummy.", "issue": "October 2021", "date_posted": "13-Oct-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Running Press Adult", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010333687", "title": "They Called Us \"Lucky\": The Life and Afterlife of the Iraq War's Hardest Hit Unit", "author": "Ruben Gallego", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 200, "review": "Ruben Gallego was in a life of limbo when the call to serve came. He had worked his way up from lower middle class roots in Chicago, working hard in school and jobs to gain admission to Harvard. After initial success, an uninspiring academic semester left him out of school and searching for something. He went into a Marine Corps recruiting office, and soon he was a reservist.

His life\u2019s trajectory would be forever altered post-September 11, when the Global War on Terror was launched, and Ruben would be deployed to Iraq in 2005. His company would be dubbed \u201cLucky Lima,\u201d but that was a double-sided nickname. The cruel twist of fate would wreak havoc on his unit. Ruben would arrive home alive, but forever changed. As he dove into work and politics, his true test would be self-exploration in reconciling his time over there.

They Called Us Lucky is a forthright memoir about a man who fought enemies, both external and internal. The journey of the soldier doesn\u2019t end when they are discharged, as Gallego shows, the adjustment is constant. The scars of war permeate even the toughest of soldiers and Gallego\u2019s memoir proves that with empathy and sympathy.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "09-Nov-2021", "date_added": "20-Sep-2021 21:44:39", "publisher": "Custom House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010519175", "title": "King of Thieves", "author": "Kevin Casebier", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 183, "review": "The story of Christian Kasebier is a true one, albeit embellished and shaped into a novel. What is more interesting is the personal tie to the author: Kevin Casebier is a distant relative of the man who has become known as the Prussian Robin Hood.

Christian is born into a family of tailors but after his furtive attempts at smuggling are noticed by his overbearing father, he runs away and turns fully to a life of crime. He truly does resemble Robin Hood, as is noted in the book, preferring to use charm and wit over brute force. He is, in fact, a pacifist, and insists his band use violence as little as possible.

The story is fascinating, delving into the history of Prussia and the Holy Roman Empire. It doesn\u2019t read as a traditional historical novel would but is presented more episodically. The chapters have little true rising action but are rather a collection of stories detailing Kasebier\u2019s exploits. This will not appeal to every reader, but those who do pick it up will find the life of a truly compelling man.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2021", "date_added": "30-Oct-2021 22:52:29", "publisher": "Vinings House Press", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010519147", "title": "Decolonizing Wellness", "author": "Dalia Kinsey", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 210, "review": "In Decolonizing Wellness, registered dietitian and decolonized wellness coach Dalia Kinsey discusses the damaging effects of Eurocentric cultural biases on beauty, thinness, and diet fads. The author offers an empowering perspective for people whose identities are often marginalized in the health and wellness industry. For Kinsey, queer, transgender, Black, indigenous, and other people of color (QTBIPOC) are top of mind.

While the book is intended primarily for QTBIPOC readers, healers from all communities can learn about ways to support and affirm body positivity and self-care. At a time when conversations about race-based stress are often minimized as a class issue, Kinsey proclaims\u2013\u2013and supports with scientific evidence\u2013\u2013that money does not protect Black and Brown people from suffering its ill effects. Kinsey cites \u201cminority stress theory\u201d as the primary reason for persistent health disparities among people from marginalized identities.

Kinsey, who identifies as genderqueer and nonbinary, applies a holistic approach to wellness that not only focuses on systemic issues but also on the personal work of decolonization. Journaling prompts embedded in every chapter challenge the reader to reflect on their thoughts and feelings about food, body image, self-love, and setting boundaries in relationships. Understanding how our social conditioning about self-worth is linked to cultural centrism is key to overcoming adverse health outcomes.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Oct-2021 22:11:06", "publisher": "Ben Bella", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010519127", "title": "The Road We Took", "author": "Cathy A. Lewis", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 206, "review": "The years before World War II were years of increasing tension, especially in Germany. Antisemitism was on the rise as Hitler came to power, and bitterness about how the country had been treated after World War I only made matters worse. The Road We Took is a snapshot of this time, seen through the eyes of two Jewish violinists, a German boy sent to Dachau, and an American Boy Scout coming home from an international trip. The stories weave together in a way that can best be described as Dickensian, and the tension mounts with every chapter as the four each do their best to escape the country before it\u2019s too late.

It\u2019s an ambitious story, but unfortunately, the reality falls short of what the book could be. The characters, especially the antagonists, were all flat and one dimensional. The first few Dickensian twists took me by surprise, but before long I began to expect them. The writing style failed to grab me, and the author\u2019s attempts to explain everything made me feel as though I couldn\u2019t be trusted to make my own judgments or know anything at all about this period of history. I didn\u2019t enjoy the book, and I don\u2019t know anyone who would.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Oct-2021 21:52:46", "publisher": "Independently Published", "page_count": "390 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000010519115", "title": "The Last Words of James Joyce", "author": "James Broderick", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 192, "review": "James Joyce is arguably the most influential writer of the twentieth century. His life and works have been studied by many experts and little is unknown about Joyce\u2019s writings. In his research Augie Hiatt -- a doctoral student -- believes he has found a lost work by Joyce: an epic poem written for his daughter Lucia. Now, Augie is dead. Was it this find that killed him, or his connection with the porn industry or maybe an ex-lover? As the clues pile up, Detective Stamos must dive into the dark world of academia to solve this murder.

The Last Words of James Joyce is a new mystery by James Broderick, journalist, writer, and English professor. He delivers his crime novel in the classic three-act structure while poking fun at the worlds of literature and academia. Broderick brings together memorable characters: from a victim who turns to writing porn to pay the bills, to religious fanatics as suspects and a punk-rock-loving detective. This fascinating novel goes beyond just outrageous characters and a fun storyline. Broderick delves into the life of Lucia Joyce, making this book an entertaining mystery with a dash of historic fiction.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Oct-2021 21:41:00", "publisher": "Histria/Addison & Highsmith", "page_count": "270 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010519111", "title": "Tupac Behind Bars", "author": "Michael Christopher", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Willow Greymoor", "word_count": 203, "review": "Tupac Behind Bars, written by Michael Christopher, examined a lesser-known period of the late rapper Tupac Shakur's life when he was incarcerated for an alleged sexual assault at the historical hundred fifty-year-old Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, NY.

Author Christopher, also referred to as Mr. C by the famous Shakur, worked as a correctional officer at the Clinton Correctional Facility. Christopher and Shakur built an unorthodox friendship as the two navigated life within the facility and discussed the complexities of life with perspectives from polarized worlds.

Furthermore, Christopher does provide the reader with a unique viewpoint of Shakur's musical legacy. However, the conversations between Christopher and Tupac were a testament to the artists' character and his deeply held beliefs about life, love, and death, which unveiled Shakur's soul and how he viewed his work as an actor, rapper, poet, and writer.

Although the book provides a unique lens to examine the late rapper's life behind bars, the narrative is difficult to follow due to the lack of quality editing present in a few chapters. Moreover, Tupac Shakur fans will find the book an enjoyable read that will aid in preserving the life and work of Tupac Shakur in Hip Hop Memoriam and 1990's nostalgia.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Oct-2021 21:38:18", "publisher": "Histria/Prende Publishing", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010519071", "title": "Beyond Loss in a Pandemic: Find Hope and Move Through Grief After Someone Close to You Dies", "author": "Linda Donovan", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 417, "review": "There are five stages of grief that an individual goes through after the loss of a loved one: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. There is no set time limit for the painful trek through these emotions. Depending on the individual and their ability to cope (not to mention their relationship to the loved one), grieving can take months or years.

In 2020, due to the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lockdowns that followed in its wake, and the mandated measures intended to prevent further spread, the ability to properly mourn the death of a family member/friend was thwarted. Certain states\u2019 restrictions led to distancing at funeral homes, the fear of possibly catching COVID-19 keeping people from gathering to pay their respects. The loss of someone near and dear was compounded by the inability to pay proper respect to the dearly departed\u2019s life in an optimal way. The restrictions also made it difficult to work through the daily grind while grieving.

The emotional lows brought on by the passing of someone close are difficult, even more so when alone. The importance of support networks (family, friends, community) can\u2019t be emphasized enough. Author Linda Donovan stresses that even if one can\u2019t physically assemble with your support network, the phone and the internet (i.e., Zoom) can alleviate that distance. The physical absence of the deceased shouldn\u2019t deter the grief stricken from communicating with them, as doing so may prove cathartic. The act of writing in a journal and conveying your emotions to the loved one could buoy the spirits. Journaling can also aid in working through thoughts of anger and regret that have either been repressed or lay dormant.

No one can tell you how long your sorrow should last, as everyone handles their grief differently. The importance of not suffering in silence and being willing to show vulnerability is not a negative, as there will always be someone willing to help if you let them. The void in an individual\u2019s life when a loved one leaves this world (by whatever means) can\u2019t be filled, yet the individual can be able to move forward with time and effort.

Beyond Loss in a Pandemic provides alternatives for dealing with grief while not forgetting to live your own life. The author\u2019s valuable insights have been formed through a lifetime of work and experience. This book is about a tough subject, but when handled deftly as the author does, it serves as a valuable resource for a wide audience to read.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "04-Jan-2022", "date_added": "30-Oct-2021 20:49:02", "publisher": "Thought Leadership Success, LLC", "page_count": "206 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010519047", "title": "Healing Trauma in Children with Clay Field Therapy", "author": "Cornelia Elbrecht", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 207, "review": "Whether we want to admit it or not, we are essentially controlled by our mind and emotions. In Healing Trauma in Children with Clay Field Therapy, Cornelia Elbrecht dives deep into the benefits of touch for the psych; in this case, touch through the vessel of clay. Clay could sound like a material used by an artist or student in art class, but when you break through the layers, it is much more. It represents the variety of layers that we as humans contain. Part one sets out the framework of clay field therapy and why this topic matters to children, especially those with trauma. Part two explains the nine developmental building blocks. Part three concludes with case examples to prove the success of this mode of therapy.

With a background and interest in mental health, I found this book to be enlightening and felt like I had taken a mini collegiate course. I am constantly amazed by how strong yet fragile the human mind and body are. I learned so much in this book that I can apply to those around me. I am familiar with play and sand therapy, and I love that there is another option besides talk that can bring about healthy change.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "24-Jan-2022", "date_added": "30-Oct-2021 02:05:44", "publisher": "North Atlantic Books", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010519035", "title": "Four Funerals, No Marriage: A Memoir", "author": "Mike Keren", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1153, "review": "History/Bio Roundup\n\nWhen Lord Byron coined the phrase \u201ctruth is stranger than fiction,\u201d he was likely thinking of scenarios similar to those recounted in the histories and biographies included in this roundup list. From spies to chefs, prisoners to activists and caregivers, these books tell the stories of a remarkable bunch of people living in extraordinary times and coping as best they could.\n\nThe Dressmakers of Auschwitz: The True Story of the Women Who Sewed to Survive by Lucy Adlington\n\nIn a truly remarkable story of grit and survival against the odds, Lucy Adlington\u2019s The Dressmakers of Auschwitz relates the experiences of a group of young Jewish women who were imprisoned at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. The conditions at the camp were horrendous and the likelihood of long-term survival for inmates was very low, but the twenty-five women received an extremely unlikely lifeline when Hedwig H\u00f6ss, the wife of camp commandant Rudolf H\u00f6ss, decided to open the Upper Tailoring Studio. Odd as it sounds, Auschwitz-Birkenau was home to a number of mundane-sounding enterprises that certain inmates were forced to work for, and H\u00f6ss\u2019 studio was a dressmaking workshop patronized by the wives of SS officers and camp guards. As the war had, unsurprisingly, decimated the fashion industry in Berlin, these women needed to procure the finery required for Nazi functions from somewhere, and the studio provided an opportunity for inmates with good sewing skills to escape the gas chambers, at least for a while. Using a wealth of historical records as well as interviews with survivors, Adlington elucidates the astonishing experiences of the twenty-five dressmakers.\n\nThe Kitchen Whisperers: Cooking with the Wisdom of Our Friends by Dorothy Kalins\n\nThe Kitchen Whisperers is a very personal account by Dorothy Kalins, founding editor of Savuer magazine and contributor to many successful cookbooks, of the extensive culinary wisdom she has collected over a lifetime of cooking, eating, and discussing food. From Kalins\u2019 perspective, the most important cooking lessons are not those received from books, television, or the internet; rather, they are the tips, tricks, and snippets picked up by watching real cooks, whether seasoned professionals or enthusiastic amateurs, at work in their own kitchens. Whether deliberately or otherwise, it is these people who have the greatest impact on the dissemination of cookery knowledge. Of course, Kalins\u2019 lengthy career in the culinary world means that many of her inspirations and mentors are internationally renowned chefs such as Marcella Hazan and Michael Anthony, although she also reminisces about the lessons she has learned from friends, relatives, and fellow home cooks. Included among Kalins\u2019 interesting stories and recollections are recipes ranging from her mother\u2019s meatloaf to David Tanis\u2019 Swiss chard gratin, which are sure to inspire readers to attempt to cultivate some culinary experience of their own.\n\nIrma\u2019s Passport: One Woman, Two World Wars, and a Legacy of Courage by Catherine Ehrlich\n\nCatherine Ehrlich relates the tale of Irma\u2019s Passport from two perspectives, her own and that of her grandmother Irma. Having been born in a picturesque village in Bohemia, Irma moved to Prague to study languages just prior to the outbreak of World War One. In Prague, she mixed with members of Europe\u2019s intelligentsia, including Franz Kafka and Albert Einstein, although the war resulted in the death of her first husband and prompted her to move to Vienna. There, Irma\u2019s path in life changed somewhat when she married Jakob Ehrlich, an advocate for Vienna\u2019s Jewish community. With the outbreak of World War Two, Irma lost her second husband, but she and her son were able to flee to London following surprising intervention by Adolf Eichmann. Once in London, Irma again found herself mixing with high society, although this time round she had discovered her voice as an activist and worked tirelessly to help others escape from Nazi Europe. Her campaigning eventually took her to New York, where she settled and continued her work with refugees. Using the detailed journals kept by Irma as well as recollections from her later life, Ehrlich is able to tell her grandmother\u2019s extraordinary story in her own words, and she also muses on the impact that her grandparents\u2019 experiences have had on her own life.\n\nSleeper Agent: The Atomic Spy in America Who Got Away by Ann Hagedorn\n\nA keen baseball player who was also a good student and popular with his contemporaries, George Koval appeared to be an archetypal all-American boy; however, in reality, Koval was the Soviet Union\u2019s most successful sleeper agent. Born in Iowa in 1932 to Russian Jewish parents who had emigrated to the USA to escape anti-Semitism, Koval returned to the Soviet Union with his family due to their desire to live in accordance with their socialist ideals. While there, he was recruited as a spy and persuaded to return to the USA to continue his education and secure employment that would allow him access to confidential information. As a gifted science student, Koval was able to enroll at Columbia University, where he studied alongside scientists who would eventually work on the Manhattan Project. After being drafted, Koval\u2019s science background meant that he was posted to a facility that produced uranium and plutonium. While there, and during subsequent postings, he had access to highly secret information concerning the atomic bomb project, which he fed back to Moscow. The information revealed by Koval proved instrumental in the development of the Soviets\u2019 own atomic bomb, but quite remarkably, he was able to get away scot-free after the war. Sleeper Agent by Ann Hagedorn is a gripping account of Cold War espionage and the way in which a single individual changed the course of history. \n\nFour Funerals, No Marriage: A Memoir by Mike Keren\n\nMike Keren\u2019s Four Funerals, No Marriage is a highly emotive memoir chronicling his experiences of caring for ill and dying relatives while also attempting to navigate an increasingly confusing and homophobic world. Keren had a difficult relationship with his parents, who had chosen to move North Carolina to spend their retirement hundreds of miles away from their New Jersey-based children. However, after deciding that they didn\u2019t like North Carolina much after all, his parents returned, only for his father to be hospitalized after having a stroke while on a house-hunting trip and his mother to do likewise soon afterwards after experiencing another in a series of heart attacks. While this was going on, Keren\u2019s partner\u2019s mother was recuperating after having a hysterectomy and attempting to cope with the chemotherapy she required to treat her ovarian cancer. Hugely dissatisfied with what he perceived as the uncaring nature of the healthcare system\u2013\u2013a system he had previously abandoned after deciding to quit his career as a clinical psychologist\u2013\u2013Keren opted to take on the caregiver role for both his parents and his in-laws. What followed for Keren was a heartbreaking yet darkly humorous experience of caring for others while simultaneously trying to find a way to care for and heal himself.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Oct-2021 01:51:24", "publisher": "Woodhall Press", "page_count": "268 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010519011", "title": "Chickens Don't Ski!", "author": "Laura Willingham", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 9 and Julianne - age 6", "word_count": 176, "review": "Chickens Don\u2019t Ski: A Lily Saves the Day Book by Laura Willingham is a little bit funny and a little bit cute.

It\u2019s about a chicken named Lily and her parents. When Winter Fest comes around, it\u2019s too snowy to make it to town. Lily\u2019s friends are all going, but Lily lives far from town and her parents don\u2019t think they can go. But then Lily goes out in the shed and makes skis\u2026 for chickens! It was really smart of her to make skis for her whole family. And very kind. She and her parents could make it town after all. This book was funny and brought us joy. They packed blueberry muffins and picnic stuff. It maked me feel happy for Lily and her parents. The pictures were cute and Lily is cute. Lily can teach kids how to be helpful and kind to their families. And also how to solve problems. Lily never gived up. Kids can help too if they just don\u2019t give up. I want to read the other books about chickens!", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Oct-2021 01:07:05", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "25 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010516003", "title": "Singing Lessons For the Stylish Canary: A Novel", "author": "Laura Stanfill", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1148, "review": "Historical Fiction\n\nFrom the enlightened days of the Renaissance, to the battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars, to the darkest times of the Second World War, and on to the heady days of the Summer of Love, the five works of historical fiction included in this roundup article will transport readers to other times and places, entertaining and educating as they do so.\n\nSinging Lessons for the Stylish Canary by Laura Stanfill\n\nLaura Stanfill\u2019s Singing Lessons for the Stylish Canary offers a salutary lesson in the art of maintaining fulfilling relationships while focusing on several generations of an unforgettable French family and their steady progress toward the end of an era. A living legend in the small town of Mireville, master serinette maker Georges Blanchard is affectionately known as \u201cThe Sun-Bringer\u201d due to a seemingly miraculous incident that occurred during his childhood. Georges expects that his son Henri will one day take over the family business and become a master craftsman in his own right, although Henri has other ideas. Uninterested in the world of music boxes, Henri would rather dedicate his time and effort to making fine lace, and when he finds a stack of letters hidden among his father\u2019s possessions, it seems that he might have a chance to do just that. The letters reveal that Henri is not actually Georges\u2019 firstborn son, as an affair with an American customer led to the birth of a baby boy some years before Henri\u2019s own birth. When Henri travels to America in search of his half-brother, he learns that there\u2019s a whole lot more to life than Mireville, music boxes, and lace.\n\nSharpe\u2019s Assassin by Bernard Cornwell\n\nBrilliant but wayward soldier Richard Sharpe should be due a well-earned rest following the British victory in the Battle of Waterloo, but both fate and the establishment have other things in store for him. Having risen up the ranks to become a lieutenant-colonel, Sharpe is a highly trusted and undeniably effective weapon of war, which is why he is personally chosen by the Duke of Wellington to undertake a covert mission in France. Although Napoleon\u2019s army has now been defeated, the Duke is concerned about rumors of a fanatical group of French revolutionaries who are said to be plotting a terrible revenge from the shadows of Paris. Such rumors have given rise to the fear that the end of one war might mark the beginning of another, and Sharpe is dispatched to Paris to track down a spy who should have vital information about the alleged plot. Things never go smoothly for Sharpe, so it\u2019s no surprise that there is also an assassin stalking the streets of Paris, who is determined to find and kill the spy before the British can get their hands on them. Sharpe\u2019s Assassin by Bernard Cornwell marks the twenty-second thrilling outing for Richard Sharpe and it is every bit as exciting, dangerous, and bloody as his previous adventures.\n\nThe Stolen Lady by Laura Morelli\n\nThe Mona Lisa is said to hide many secrets behind her enigmatic smile, which is a big part of the reason while Leonardo da Vinci\u2019s masterpiece has captured the hearts and minds of people down through the years. Laura Morelli\u2019s The Stolen Lady tells the stories of two such people, two disparate women separated by centuries but united by their importance to the history of the Mona Lisa. In the Florence of 1479, servant Bellina Sardi accompanies her mistress, Lisa Gherardini, to her new home following her marriage to the moderately wealthy and considerably older Francesco del Giocondo. It should have been a fairly comfortable existence, but when Francesco commissions Leonardo da Vinci to paint a portrait of his new bride, Bellina finds herself embroiled in a complex web of secrets and lies. In the Paris of 1939, archivist Anne Guichard agrees to help the staff of the Louvre evacuate as many of the museum\u2019s great works of art as possible before the Nazis arrive in the city. Although they manage to smuggle numerous pieces to the relative safety of the French countryside, the danger posed by the Nazis is never really far away, and when it comes to keeping the art secure, Anne realizes that her own family might have a significant role to play.\n\nThe Lurking Place by Clarence Major\n\nSet during the late 1960s, the heyday of both the Beats and the Bohemians, Clarence Major\u2019s The Lurking Place explores the intersection of ambition, ideology, romance, and artistic endeavor during a period of significant upheaval in American life. James Eric Lowell is trying to find success as a poet in New York City during the tumultuous Summer of Love. He is also trying to protect his own love life by maintaining a relationship with his lover Sophia despite the family pressures and racism that the two of them continuously face. Times might be changing, but society remains slow to accept interracial relationships. As a young Black man, James finds it difficult to ensure that his poetry receives the attention it deserves, which means that he finds it equally difficult to fit in and feel at home with the prevailing poetic movements in America at the time. As the action shifts from New York to Mexico, James struggles to finish his debut manuscript and dedicate sufficient time and effort to his relationship with Sophia. Although he is able to coolly and incisively observe those around him, James is unsure which direction he would take if forced to choose between his desire for success and his desire to be with Sophia.\n\nThree Sisters by Heather Morris\n\nHeartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting, Three Sisters by Heather Morris describes the unbreakable bond that exists between sisters and gives them the strength to survive even the darkest of times. Siblings Cibi, Magda, and Livia made a promise to their father when they were little girls, vowing that they would always stay together no matter what happened. Although their father could surely not have expected as much, both the girls and their promise are tested almost beyond endurance during the bleakest days of World War II. When she is just fifteen, Livia is captured by the Nazis and transported to Auschwitz. Mindful of her promise and anxious to protect her sister, nineteen-year-old Cibi follows Livia to the camp, determined to either save her or die with her. Once there, the two of them have to fight both to stay together and to simply survive. Seventeen-year-old Magda stays behind when her sisters are taken to Auschwitz, hiding with her mother and grandfather in neighbors\u2019 houses or the forest when the Nazi patrols come looking for people to round up. She\u2019s only able to stay hidden for a while, however, eventually also being transported to the infamous death camp. After the three sisters reunite, they agree to make a new promise in honor of their father: they will all survive.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Oct-2021 18:15:58", "publisher": "Lanternfish Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010515003", "title": "A Thing Called Snow", "author": "Yuval Zommer", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Fox and Hare were born in the springtime and grew up through the summer. By the time fall comes around, they are very best friends. Each had a special talent. Fox can smell things far away while Hare can hear things from a long way off. They both love to jump and bounce and leap around. One day a bird stops by and tells them soon they will be playing in snow, but before they can ask what that is, the bird flies away. Fox and Hare go through the woods asking their friends Bear, Moose, Salmon, and Goose what snow is, and each gives them a different answer. They are a long way from home when the stars come out. They decide to sleep by the lake and go home in the morning, but morning brings a wonderful surprise.

Yuval Zommer is both illustrator and author of this enchanting picture book. Each animal character has an important role, and they all seem to care about each other. The story is cute and will engage little ones, but the real highlight here are the sweet illustrations filled with delightful details that will keep little eyes on the pages.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2021", "date_added": "29-Oct-2021 18:06:01", "publisher": "Doubleday Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010514003", "title": "Beyond Loss in a Pandemic", "author": "Linda Donovan", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 64, "review": "Losing a loved one is a transformative event in an individual\u2019s life. \u201cBeyond Loss in a Pandemic\u201d seeks to provide aid and comfort to those who have lost before, during, and after the pandemic. There is still the process to be gone through, but the empathy and sympathy of Author Linda Donovan will make navigating that process more manageable.\" --Philip Zozzaro, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Oct-2021 01:11:56", "publisher": "Thought Leadership Success, LLC", "page_count": "206 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010513011", "title": "Aggretsuko: Down the Rabbit Hole", "author": "Patabot", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - age 11", "word_count": 185, "review": "Meet Retsuko, a fox who needs to balance her life. She may just seem like a tired fox who overworks, but when Retsuko feels overwhelmed and angry, meet Aggretsuko, an aggressive fox who fights for her personal freedom. Aggretsuko stars in her own dramatic dream about being forced to work for her freedom, and not feeling like enough, despite the fact she works day and night. So when Retsuko goes on a vacation with her friends, her dream starts down the rabbit hole\u2014where her need for life balance becomes more challenging and confusing. Will Retsuko find her freedom before she wakes up?

Aggretsuko: Down the Rabbit Hole is a good but very confusing book. For instance, Retsuko sometimes just appears in some places and grows and shrinks randomly. I know the whole book is about her dream, but it makes the book very confusing and hard to understand what\u2019s going on. The art is very cute, though. My favorite character is Kabae the hippo because he teaches you how to cook omurice (omelet over rice) at the end of the book. Recommended for Aggretsuko fans.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "10-Feb-2022", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 22:12:13", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "88 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010513007", "title": "Off-Limits", "author": "Helen Yoon", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 8", "word_count": 174, "review": "A little girl sees a new sign on her dad\u2019s office door, it says \u201coff-limits\u201d. One single peek wouldn\u2019t hurt, would it? An interested and curious child is going to discover a work office for her dad, then turn it into a world of her own. I loved this book and the two characters in it, however, the little girl is my favorite character. I also loved the great story and thought the art was really nice. The art is very colorful and the story is both cute and silly in a beautiful way. There are a lot of things that you could craft with: sticky tape, lots of paper clips, binder clips, colorful sticky notes, and then of course: paper, notebook paper, rainbow paper, glittery, shiny, glossy paper! So much fun for an inventive child. My favorite part was when the girl finally notices what a huge mess she has made on the inside of her father\u2019s office. I recommend this book to people who like books about cute children and funny stories.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "10-Feb-2022", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 21:44:10", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010513003", "title": "How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days", "author": "K.M. Jackson", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 188, "review": "How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days is the rom-com you didn\u2019t know you needed. The story begins as an anthem for single ladies in their 40s. Best friends Bethany Lu and Dawn are enjoying their independence and refuse to settle for what society or, more importantly, their parents deem appropriate. When the announcement goes out about Keanu\u2019s upcoming nuptials, long-time Keanu fangirl Bethany Lu refuses to accept what she believes to be an outlandish claim. He simply wouldn\u2019t do that to her and all his fans. Bethany Lu does the only logical thing, she creates the K-90 plan and embarks on a Keanu scavenger hunt across the country. It\u2019s not until the journey takes her away from home and out of her comfort zone that she realizes what she was looking for was in front of her all along.

A smooth and easy read, this cheeky story toes the line of outlandishness in the most endearing way. Swoon-worthy moments combined with ridiculous celebrity cameos leave a perpetual smile on your face. This is the road trip to take when you don\u2019t want to leave the house.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2021", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 19:57:33", "publisher": "Forever", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010512015", "title": "Birdie's Bargain", "author": "Katherine Paterson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Birdie is ten when her father has to go back to Iraq for the war. She\u2019s certain he\u2019ll be killed, but she\u2019d been to Bible camp three summers, so she knows her only hope is to make a bargain with God that she will be really good if God will take care of Daddy, bringing him home safe. She\u2019d also learned if she didn\u2019t pray right or believe right, she would burn for eternity in the flames of hell. Birdie tries really hard to pray and believe right even when things at school go badly. She\u2019s bullied by some boys and even by Alicia Marie who claims to be her best friend. But the bad news is coming for Birdie both about her dad and Alicia Marie.

Katherine Paterson has written a compelling story that youngsters should find relatable if they are religious, but many who are not will be put off by the abundance of religion in the story. What Birdie and her family face with her father\u2019s deployment and having to move in with Birdie\u2019s grandmother is plenty to carry readers through. The writing is excellent and the characters are well-rounded and interesting.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "04-Jan-2022", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 22:17:56", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010512007", "title": "Anthem", "author": "Noah Hawley", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 203, "review": "It\u2019s 2009 and a happily married couple listen to their daughter sing at her school pageant, hope and change are on the horizon. Cut to the present day. A pandemic has begun, but not one attributed to an open-air wet market or biolab. The youth of America has begun to kill themselves in droves, the only commonality being \u201cA11\u201d being written on the suicide notes. Many families are crippled with grief, while Simon Oliver\u2019s family puts his sister Claire\u2019s death in the rearview mirror. Simon\u2019s only constant in his anxiety ridden life was his sister, without her he is adrift. His parents send him to the Float Institute for treatment. As the suicides continue, Simon finds a fellow patient who sees the light through the dark insanity. The way is a collision course through the depths of humanity, where salvation involves a heavy body count.

Anthem is an emotionally stark and brilliant work of fiction from the talented mind of Noah Hawley (Before the Fall). Humanity has never seemed so forlorn, but the multi-faceted and resolute characters highlighted throughout the book carry the torch to get the story home. This release is a must-read book for the New Year and years to come.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "24-Jan-2022", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 21:30:20", "publisher": "Grand Central Publishing", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010512003", "title": "Besties Work It Out - Signed / Autographed Copy", "author": "Kayla Miller", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - age 11", "word_count": 171, "review": "Beth is facing a dilemma. She is wants to surprise her mother with a day at the spa for her birthday. Thankfully, Beth has Chanda to help her make the money she needs. So when the two get hired to watch the house and dog of the glamorous Ms. Langford, things are looking great. Until disaster strikes and their friendship shatters into pieces. Can Beth and Chanda put the pieces back together\u2026 before Ms. Langford comes home?

Besties is a silly, sweet story about working things out after a broken friendship. The art and colors are adorable. I like the way the artist drew Beth\u2019s and Chanda\u2019s clothes and all the dogs in the book, because the dogs are so cute! I also like the way all the unique characters are designed. This book is a great spinoff from the Click series, which is also by Kayla Miller. I couldn\u2019t stop reading either book\u2014they\u2019re so good! I recommend Besties to people who like Click and friendship stories in graphic novel form.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "10-Feb-2022", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 19:44:44", "publisher": "Etch/Hmh Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010511011", "title": "Everyday Cook: Vibrant Recipes, Simple Methods, Delicious Dishes", "author": "Donal Skehan", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 191, "review": "From the very first page, it is quite apparent that Everyday Cook is everything that it promises to be: \u201cvibrant recipes, simple methods, delicious dishes.\u201d With its bright yellow border pages and recipes that look like they will pop off the page, readers will be able to feast with their eyes as well as their stomachs. Readers will instantly know what they are in for with recipes like Thai BBQ Fighting Chicken with Crunchy Salad. Bright, vivid, and full of photos, this book makes dinners easy and enjoyable, complete with meal plans, 15/30-minute meals, one-pot meals, and bake-ahead sections.

In his tenth cookbook, Donal Skehan celebrates classic cooking while inspiring each home cook to create a kitchen that works for them. Due to his desire to make dinners achievable, nourishing, vibrant, and delicious, he starts with chapters that encourage and inspire, and then jumps right into a delectable medley of recipes. With classic menu items such as Chicken Noodle Soup and Chicken Curry, he then moves onto classics such as Chicken Piccata, Lettuce Wrap Smash Burgers, and Crispy Egg Fried Rice Bowls. This book is bound to become a go-to classic.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "26-Jan-2022", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 22:32:02", "publisher": "Hodder & Stoughton", "page_count": "219 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010511007", "title": "Interrupting Chicken: Cookies for Breakfast", "author": "David Ezra Stein", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 9", "word_count": 130, "review": "Little Chicken is back with Papa and he is as hilarious as ever! Little Chicken has interrupted all the bedtime stories, and now she wants cookies for breakfast. Little Chicken is so imaginative and loves books, so she tries to wake up and persuade Papa into having cookies for breakfast! As always Little Chicken creates big commotion in order to get what she wants! You must read this book to see if Little Chicken gets cookies for breakfast!

This book does not disappoint! The Interrupting Chicken series is always full of fun and laughter. Little Chicken is hilarious. I really like the small stories inside the book. It is a fun and interactive book! This book is perfect for the whole family to snuggle up and have some fun together.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "22-Dec-2021", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 21:43:09", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010509003", "title": "I Don't Want to Read This Book", "author": "Max Greenfield", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 10", "word_count": 135, "review": "Sometimes you just don't want to read a book, but you do it anyways, because the front cover makes you curious to see what is inside. That is exactly how I felt when I saw the cover of this book, You Don't Want to Read This Book. Why would someone call a book like that? Perhaps they wanted to make the reader curious about what was inside, because it worked for me. As soon as I saw this book, I knew I had to read it because I was so curious.

I Don't Want to Read This Book is a curiosity-sparking book for readers of all ages. This book has really fun illustrations that are unique and unlike anything I have ever seen before. This book is a must-read book and I highly recommend it!", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "15-Jan-2022", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 18:25:02", "publisher": "G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010508015", "title": "Doctors and Friends", "author": "Kimmery Martin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 184, "review": "Doctors and Friends is the second book I have read by Kimmery Martin and it did not disappoint. This book had me engaged from cover to cover. Readers follow a group of female doctors who became friends in medical school and reunite after a horrible artiovirus pandemic threatens the nation. The author says that she wrote this book even before the Covid-19 pandemic hit which I found to be a bit freaky. During the book, the main character Kira, a virologist, finds herself in the predicament of a lifetime. It brings to discussion an ethical question that doctors must sometimes face - if I can only save one person, whom do I save and how do I make that decision?

The comradery between the women is both realistic and heartfelt. The book also deals with the topics of infertility and the death of loved ones. For fans of medical suspense, this is the next book you'll want to grab off the shelf. Martin's characters, plot, and a realistic sense of urgency in the medical world will have you on the edge of your seat.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2021", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 22:58:31", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010508003", "title": "Batpig: When Pigs Fly (Batpig, 1)", "author": "Rob Harrell", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 13", "word_count": 200, "review": "Gary is a perfectly normal pig\u2026 until the day a radioactive bat bites him and gives him superpowers. Now he\u2019s Batpig, with the duty of defending his city. Only one of his best friends, a bat named Brooklyn, knows his secret. Too bad his other best friend, Carl the fish, can\u2019t keep a secret for longer than four minutes. Now Gary\u2019s stuck with everyday superhero duties like stopping litter and rude language and keeping up with his friendships. And there\u2019s the occasional apocalyptic threat, like a giant evil lizard and a psychopathic butcher. Can Gary manage to be a proper superhero and still hold onto his friends?

This was a funny and cute book! While the book could seem like it\u2019s meant for a younger audience, kids of all ages can enjoy it, as there are elements of humor geared toward both older and younger children. I liked the relationships between Gary and his friends. They (as well as a lot of the stuff they get up to!) are instantly relatable. All three of them were fun to read about for different reasons, and they all made their marks as unique characters. I will look forward to more about Batpig!", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2022", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 18:23:36", "publisher": "Dial Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010507015", "title": "There's a Mouse in My House", "author": "Ross Collins", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 186, "review": "Bear discovers a mouse in his house. Bear doesn\u2019t know how the mouse got in, but Mouse has already moved in and unpacked all his stuff! Bear doesn\u2019t know what to do. Bear tries to send Mouse away, but he refuses, and Bear can\u2019t throw Mouse out because Mouse is very adept at martial arts. Bear suggests many other places Mouse could go, but he isn\u2019t interested. Mouse is tiny, but he eats a LOT of food and leaves little for Bear. Mouse even ruins Bear\u2019s sleep, listening to dance music late into the night. A knock comes at the door, and before Bear knows what is happening, a bunch of Mouse\u2019s friends move in!

Ross Collins has written a rollicking, rhyming story that is filled with fun and will build anticipation with little ones listening as the silly antics of Mouse take over the story. The characters are perfect for the two- to four-year-old set. The illustrations are laugh-out-loud funny and will really engage young listeners, keeping their eyes on the pages as they search for all the fun details. This is a real winner.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2022", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 21:48:11", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010507011", "title": "Dava Shastri's Last Day", "author": "Kirthana Ramisetti", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1065, "review": "Catch Up Roundup\n\nIf you\u2019re looking to catch up on some of the top-notch novels that have been published in recent months but perhaps passed under the radar somewhat, then look no further than this roundup. The five featured titles offer glimpses into the worlds of enthralling characters living through extraordinary times and they\u2019re a whole heap of fun to read. \n\nDava Shastri's Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti\n\nDespite being one of the planet\u2019s richest women and so not really having to bother herself with what other people think, Dava Shastri has always been preoccupied with protecting her reputation. Yet, everything changes when she is diagnosed with brain cancer, and faced with her own mortality, Dava decides to throw caution to the wind and find out what people really think of her. Much to the surprise of her four adult children, she announces both her diagnosis and her decision to leak news of her death to the newspapers before it actually happens. She expects that this will give her the chance to read glowing obituaries that focus on her artistic and philanthropic endeavors, but in fact reports concerning her death result in two long-buried secrets being brought to light, secrets that not even her children knew about. As a consequence, Dava is forced to dedicate what remains of her time on Earth to coming to terms with the past and reconciling with those she has hurt. Kirthana Ramisetti\u2019s Dava Shastri's Last Day is an emotional and often very humorous account of one woman\u2019s attempts to achieve peace before it is too late.\n\nSing Her Name by Rosalyn Story\n\nWhile Celia DeMille\u2019s beauty and talent for a time won her worldwide fame as a singer and allowed her to amass a considerable fortune, nineteenth-century racial prejudices meant that she wasn\u2019t able to enjoy her success for long or cement her position as a musical legend. Instead, she ultimately ended up dying alone and penniless. For her part, contemporary New Orleans waitress Eden Malveaux has an excellent singing voice despite being untrained, although family troubles have meant that she has been unable to properly pursue a career in music. She has been the guardian of her younger brother since their parents died, and she devotes all of her time and effort to ensuring, not always successfully, that he stays out of trouble. When Eden and her brother have to relocate to New York City following a hurricane, it seems to offer the chance for her brother to escape from the dangerous elements he has been mixing with and for Eden to finally pursue her dreams. When she ends up in possession of Celia\u2019s scrapbook and treasured necklace, Eden finds herself drawn to a world she never even imaged. Sing Her Name by Rosalyn Story is a powerful and inspiration story about two extraordinary women and the role that music played in their lives.\n\nBlue-Skinned Gods by SJ Sindu\n\nTen-year-old Kalki Sami was born with blue skin and so believes himself to be the reincarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. Apparently convinced that their blue-skinned son can work miracles and heal the sick, Kalki\u2019s parents opened an ashram in their home state of Tamal Nadu in India so that he can dispense wisdom and cures to trusting pilgrims. However, his failure to cure his aunt causes Kalki to question his parents\u2019 motivation and everything he has ever been told about himself. As tragedy after tragedy befalls his family, Kalki is plagued by worries and self-doubt as he grows toward adulthood and the need to take responsibility for his own thoughts and behaviors. Things become even more complicated when Kalki and his dad go on a sort of world tour to publicize his seemingly miraculous abilities, and a visit to New York that leads to an encounter with a long-lost friend might just serve as the tipping point for Kalki\u2019s independence. SJ Sindu\u2019s Blue-Skinned Gods is a fascinating story of self-discovery that takes in a range of cultures and beliefs not commonly found in contemporary fiction.\n\nThe Orphan Witch by Paige Crutcher\n\nPersephone May grew up in the foster care system after being abandoned as a baby. Having been alone for all her life, she wants nothing more than a place where she can truly belong. Unfortunately, her presence seems to be associated with strange occurrences such as levitating objects and weather disturbances, which quickly drive away anyone who might otherwise be willing to include her in their family. As a consequence, even as an adult, Persephone never stays in one place for long, and she certainly never makes friendships or attachments. When yet another uncontrolled incident of power means that she has to leave yet another job and town, Persephone decides to accept an invitation to the mysterious Wile Isle, which might just be offering everything she has ever wanted. However, life on the isle soon proves to be far from uncomplicated, as Persephone finds herself dealing with long-running curses, deeply buried secrets, and deadly family feuds. Paige Crutcher\u2019s The Orphan Witch is magical tale of mystery, intrigue, and the importance of finding your place in the world. It\u2019s a quirky story of good versus evil that is sure to engage readers.\n\nRed Thread of Fate by Lyn Liao Butler\n\nA touching tale of hidden sorrow, precious secrets, and surprising romance, Red Thread of Fate by Lyn Liao Butler follows Tam Kwan as she seeks to rebuild her life following a tragedy and reevaluates her ideas about what family really means. Two days before Tam and her husband Tony are due to complete the paperwork necessary to adopt a young boy from China, Tony and his estranged cousin Mia are killed in a car accident. In the midst of her devastation following the loss of her husband, Tam is shocked to discover that she has been named guardian of Mia\u2019s five-year-old daughter, Angela. As Tam adjusts to her new life raising Angela, she has to decide if she is also willing and able to complete the adoption of the young Chinese boy on her own. When a secret from her past comes to light just as she is making headway with Angela, Tam finds herself pursing the puzzles of the past and deciding who she wants to be, and with whom, in the future. It all makes for a powerful story with a mystery at its heart.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "27-May-2022", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 21:28:21", "publisher": "Grand Central Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010506011", "title": "Crazy in Poughkeepsie", "author": "Daniel Pinkwater", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "When Mick comes home from summer camp, he finds an old man and a dog staying in his room. The old man is a guru, and Mick\u2019s brother Maurice had brought him home from his travels. Mick and the guru get into the habit of walking around Poughkeepsie with the dog every day. Soon they hook up with Vern Chuckoff, Mick\u2019s friend from camp, and his friend Molly, who, it seems, is crazy. They discover an old factory that is filled with ghosts, including the ghost of a whale named Luna. Luna is not happy where she is. She needs to be transported to where other whale ghosts are. The guru arranges to buy a circus wagon for that transport. Thus begins an incredible journey for Mick, Vern Chuckoff, crazy Molly, Luna, the guru, and the dog.

Daniel Pinkwater has written a very clever and funny story that will keep middle graders, even reluctant readers, fully engaged and turning pages right through to the end. The characters are fully formed and fascinating. The story is very compelling and the writing is superb, with snappy dialogue and excellent description. If quirky is something readers enjoy, this is the book for them.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "22-Apr-2022", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 22:44:55", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010503003", "title": "Dragon Ball Super, Vol. 14 (14)", "author": "Akira Toriyama", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 179, "review": "Dragon Ball Super: Vol. 14 takes place immediately after the events ending the previous volume. The evil Moro has escaped from the Galactic Patrol and is in combat with Vegeta, which will decide the fate of the Earth. It appears as if Vegeta might defeat Moro once and for all; his training has been very helpful! Silly reader, things are never as they appear in Dragon Ball Super! Again, appearances are deceiving. Moro is now on top, and it seems there is little hope for Vegeta. The hero will need some help from allies while discovering his inner strength if he to have a chance of defeating his strongest villain yet.

Reading Dragon Ball Super: Vol. 14 is quick, exciting, and informative as the reader continues with chapters sixty-one through sixty-four of the ever-changing story. The reader will find themselves flipping through the pages at rapid speed as they attempt to compare their reading skills with the quick pace of the fighting. Within the pages are answered questions and violence to restore justice among the planets in the universe.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2021", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 17:55:41", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010498015", "title": "Woody's Leap of Faith", "author": "Julie Boden Schmidt", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 407, "review": "Julie Boden Schmidt tells the charming tale of Woody the wood duckling in her book, Woody\u2019s Leap of Faith. Woody, unlike his siblings, hatched from his egg quite literally terrified of entering his new world. After trying to retreat back into his egg for fear of the unknown, his mother gently coaxes him out and promises to take care of him. Overwhelmed by Buzz, his bold sunglasses-wearing brother, and Zoey, his tutu-wearing ballerina sister, Woody wants nothing more than to return to the quiet peacefulness of his egg.

The next morning, the young ducklings learn the comfort of their nest is short-lived; today is the day they must jump from their nest and move to a new one. Buzz, loud and always eager for adventure, is thrilled. Zoe, although not as loud as Buzz, is equally happy to have a go at flight. Woody, on the other hand, cannot think of a worst task and blatantly refuses to jump. Absolutely horrified by the thought of failing, Woody cannot bring himself to be anything but paralyzed in fear.

As the ducklings begin to warm up for flight, Woody believes he will pass out in sheer terror. His dad tells him that he must jump, but the pressure from his family to succeed is making it all the worse for Woody. As he watches Buzz jump out, he fearlessly does backflips on his way down, remarking how easy and fun it was. Zoe follows; although hesitant at first, she gracefully lands, performing ballerina spins and twirls as she touches the ground. Woody, the last duckling left, must face his fear if he is to be with his family or be left behind.

Overall, I thought this book was an adorable story capturing perfectly the importance of courage. It shows young readers the benefits of bravery, and how more often than not, troubles are not as bad as they at first seem. Additionally, this book had absolutely stunning illustrations. The large, beautifully drawn images had so much detail and life to them. I also loved the formatting; with feather details on each page and boxes around the words, the book is easy to follow and fun for young readers. I would recommend this story to all readers, but especially to those in the four to nine age group. I think readers of this age, whether being read to by a caretaker or reading solo, would appreciate this book the most.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "04-Nov-2021", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 03:28:29", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010498011", "title": "Woody's Leap of Faith", "author": "Julie Boden Schmidt", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 407, "review": "Julie Boden Schmidt tells the charming tale of Woody the wood duckling in her book, Woody\u2019s Leap of Faith. Woody, unlike his siblings, hatched from his egg quite literally terrified of entering his new world. After trying to retreat back into his egg for fear of the unknown, his mother gently coaxes him out and promises to take care of him. Overwhelmed by Buzz, his bold sunglasses-wearing brother, and Zoey, his tutu-wearing ballerina sister, Woody wants nothing more than to return to the quiet peacefulness of his egg.

The next morning, the young ducklings learn the comfort of their nest is short-lived; today is the day they must jump from their nest and move to a new one. Buzz, loud and always eager for adventure, is thrilled. Zoe, although not as loud as Buzz, is equally happy to have a go at flight. Woody, on the other hand, cannot think of a worst task and blatantly refuses to jump. Absolutely horrified by the thought of failing, Woody cannot bring himself to be anything but paralyzed in fear.

As the ducklings begin to warm up for flight, Woody believes he will pass out in sheer terror. His dad tells him that he must jump, but the pressure from his family to succeed is making it all the worse for Woody. As he watches Buzz jump out, he fearlessly does backflips on his way down, remarking how easy and fun it was. Zoe follows; although hesitant at first, she gracefully lands, performing ballerina spins and twirls as she touches the ground. Woody, the last duckling left, must face his fear if he is to be with his family or be left behind.

Overall, I thought this book was an adorable story capturing perfectly the importance of courage. It shows young readers the benefits of bravery, and how more often than not, troubles are not as bad as they at first seem. Additionally, this book had absolutely stunning illustrations. The large, beautifully drawn images had so much detail and life to them. I also loved the formatting; with feather details on each page and boxes around the words, the book is easy to follow and fun for young readers. I would recommend this story to all readers, but especially to those in the four to nine age group. I think readers of this age, whether being read to by a caretaker or reading solo, would appreciate this book the most.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2021", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 03:28:07", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010498007", "title": "Woody's Leap of Faith", "author": "Julie Boden Schmidt", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 407, "review": "Julie Boden Schmidt tells the charming tale of Woody the wood duckling in her book, Woody\u2019s Leap of Faith. Woody, unlike his siblings, hatched from his egg quite literally terrified of entering his new world. After trying to retreat back into his egg for fear of the unknown, his mother gently coaxes him out and promises to take care of him. Overwhelmed by Buzz, his bold sunglasses-wearing brother, and Zoey, his tutu-wearing ballerina sister, Woody wants nothing more than to return to the quiet peacefulness of his egg.

The next morning, the young ducklings learn the comfort of their nest is short-lived; today is the day they must jump from their nest and move to a new one. Buzz, loud and always eager for adventure, is thrilled. Zoe, although not as loud as Buzz, is equally happy to have a go at flight. Woody, on the other hand, cannot think of a worst task and blatantly refuses to jump. Absolutely horrified by the thought of failing, Woody cannot bring himself to be anything but paralyzed in fear.

As the ducklings begin to warm up for flight, Woody believes he will pass out in sheer terror. His dad tells him that he must jump, but the pressure from his family to succeed is making it all the worse for Woody. As he watches Buzz jump out, he fearlessly does backflips on his way down, remarking how easy and fun it was. Zoe follows; although hesitant at first, she gracefully lands, performing ballerina spins and twirls as she touches the ground. Woody, the last duckling left, must face his fear if he is to be with his family or be left behind.

Overall, I thought this book was an adorable story capturing perfectly the importance of courage. It shows young readers the benefits of bravery, and how more often than not, troubles are not as bad as they at first seem. Additionally, this book had absolutely stunning illustrations. The large, beautifully drawn images had so much detail and life to them. I also loved the formatting; with feather details on each page and boxes around the words, the book is easy to follow and fun for young readers. I would recommend this story to all readers, but especially to those in the four to nine age group. I think readers of this age, whether being read to by a caretaker or reading solo, would appreciate this book the most.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "04-Nov-2021", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 03:27:39", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010498003", "title": "Woody's Leap of Faith", "author": "Julie Boden Schmidt", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 407, "review": "Julie Boden Schmidt tells the charming tale of Woody the wood duckling in her book, Woody\u2019s Leap of Faith. Woody, unlike his siblings, hatched from his egg quite literally terrified of entering his new world. After trying to retreat back into his egg for fear of the unknown, his mother gently coaxes him out and promises to take care of him. Overwhelmed by Buzz, his bold sunglasses-wearing brother, and Zoey, his tutu-wearing ballerina sister, Woody wants nothing more than to return to the quiet peacefulness of his egg.

The next morning, the young ducklings learn the comfort of their nest is short-lived; today is the day they must jump from their nest and move to a new one. Buzz, loud and always eager for adventure, is thrilled. Zoe, although not as loud as Buzz, is equally happy to have a go at flight. Woody, on the other hand, cannot think of a worst task and blatantly refuses to jump. Absolutely horrified by the thought of failing, Woody cannot bring himself to be anything but paralyzed in fear.

As the ducklings begin to warm up for flight, Woody believes he will pass out in sheer terror. His dad tells him that he must jump, but the pressure from his family to succeed is making it all the worse for Woody. As he watches Buzz jump out, he fearlessly does backflips on his way down, remarking how easy and fun it was. Zoe follows; although hesitant at first, she gracefully lands, performing ballerina spins and twirls as she touches the ground. Woody, the last duckling left, must face his fear if he is to be with his family or be left behind.

Overall, I thought this book was an adorable story capturing perfectly the importance of courage. It shows young readers the benefits of bravery, and how more often than not, troubles are not as bad as they at first seem. Additionally, this book had absolutely stunning illustrations. The large, beautifully drawn images had so much detail and life to them. I also loved the formatting; with feather details on each page and boxes around the words, the book is easy to follow and fun for young readers. I would recommend this story to all readers, but especially to those in the four to nine age group. I think readers of this age, whether being read to by a caretaker or reading solo, would appreciate this book the most.", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2021", "date_added": "28-Oct-2021 03:26:15", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010497003", "title": "The Great Stupidity", "author": "Andy Lazris", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 435, "review": "I think it would be fair to say that the past year and a half has been a hot mess. As if a previously unknown disease sweeping the world wasn\u2019t bad enough, we were faced with many conflicting messages about what ought to be done, sometimes even conflicting messages from the same people. It was hard to know who to trust, or whether we could trust anyone at all. With mortality rates rising and panic spreading, it\u2019s no wonder people drew comparisons between COVID-19 and the Black Death of 1350.

One of those people is Andy Lazris, in a satire which I hoped would delight me. After all, after an exhausting year and a half of lockdowns and people turning against each other at the slightest provocation, we all need a chance to laugh.

But I\u2019m sorry to say I didn\u2019t so much as chuckle.

While at times Lazris\u2019s book made some excellent points (I especially liked his skewering of people who claimed to know exactly how to stop the bubonic plague, despite having at best faulty knowledge, as shown through the historical practice of flagellants) and the protagonist\u2019s blithe optimism put me in mind of Voltaire\u2019s Candide, I found his breezy style to be amusing rather than hilarious and most of the characters rather flat and dull. The side characters were one dimensional, but that fit the style and I found them delightful, especially the monks who gave up on morality and took to hedonism. The protagonists, however, were less interesting, and I wound up drifting along for the ride rather than actively following along.

What most kept me from enjoying the book, though, was that it simply wasn\u2019t well written. Between the old-fashioned words that didn\u2019t always make sense (wherefore, for example, is not actually an old way of saying where) and the exclamation marks scattered every which way, I found that it was stylistically a slog. On top of that, the resolution came about too suddenly and felt more like a deflation than a resolution.

Every satire has an argument to make, satires of current events especially so. This can sometimes make it hard to enjoy a book if you take exception to some of the author\u2019s arguments. Lazris and I, for instance, seem to stand on different sides of the debate between personal liberty and public safety. I say this to point out that some people may enjoy this book solely because they are glad to see mask mandates openly mocked. While I found the book tiresome, those who want their opinions validated will likely find enough to keep their interest.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Oct-2021 22:35:03", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "150 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000010495007", "title": "Rock and Roll", "author": "Hazel Terry", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 198, "review": "Rock and Roll, two enormous boulders, sit way up high in the mountains, close enough to see each. They\u2019ve stood the test of time, watching more sunrises and sunsets than they can count. They admire the world and all its beauty despite the tumultuous weather they\u2019ve endured. Plants and animals have marked them with fossilized imprints. One day, something miraculous happens - humans come to visit. They adorn Rock and Roll with embellishments, and they begin to wish for the other\u2019s ornamental treasures. Jealousy tears them apart, leaving them as fragments of themselves. Humility washes over them as if they\u2019re born anew.

This is a masterfully crafted book that\u2019s message is multi-layered in its complexity. On the surface, and applicable to its youngest readers - those ages five to seven - the story relates to nature, friendship, envy, and restoration. At its core, lies the deeper sentiment that excess often leads to destruction.

Set in a rainbow of vibrant hues - from fluorescent orange to sapphire blue - the illustrations are gorgeous - appearing in eye-catching spreads of fossil patterns. Young children will be drawn to their rich quality and crystalline appearance. They\u2019ll likely be what draws their attention most.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2022", "date_added": "26-Oct-2021 21:44:36", "publisher": "Tiny Owl Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010495003", "title": "The Tinysaurs Send Love", "author": "Patricia Hegarty", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 188, "review": "It is Valentine's Day and the Tinysaur family is excited! They are excited for happy valentines and everything happy that happens on Valentine's Day. The Tinysaurs notice that no one else is acting really happy and that the mailman didn't deliver anything to make them happy! The Tinysaurs decide to fix that by making and doing nice things for people, like blowing up balloons and making cakes. Unfortunately, trying to be nice to other people is harder than they thought\u2013\u2013the balloons keep popping and nothing is going as it should! Can the Tinysaurs help their friends and neighbors so that there will be happiness all around?

I liked The Tinysaurs Send Love because I like when people do nice things for others. I love to make things, like pictures, for my friends, and I would not be happy if everything I tried didn't work! The Tinysaurs did good problem solving, which was fun to read about. I liked the pictures in the book because they were colorful with pinks and reds. Kids will love this book as it's getting closer to Valentine's Day and love it afterward too!", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2022", "date_added": "26-Oct-2021 21:43:27", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010494011", "title": "George Washington's Wars with his Slave, Ona Judge", "author": "James Wm. Chichetto", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 408, "review": "George Washington is a familiar figure in American history. Revered as the father of the nation and the first president (not to mention the general who led the colonies through their revolution), his legacy has lately become more tarnished. He was always known as a slaveowner, but in recent years fewer people have been willing to brush over that part of his history. To some, it seems he can only be one thing or the other, only hero or villain.

Enter James Chichetto. In beautiful, rich verse, he presents us with the Washington so many of us grew up hearing about: the war hero, the statue of a man who rose above the rest to become the president all others would be measured against. At the same time, however, he presents us with Ona Judge, an enslaved woman kept by Martha Washington. Her words provide a counterpoint to Washington\u2019s, never directly calling him out but always reminding the reader of another narrative which has been for too long overshadowed. The two voices weave in and out, never quite speaking to one another but always in tandem. To leave one out would be to forget a part of history.

Perhaps, this book says, George Washington (and American history itself) is too complex and contradictory to be boiled down to being one thing or the other. Perhaps we can be inspired by the wondrous even as we are repelled by the horrific. Perhaps, out of the combination of both, we can learn to be better.

Chichetto\u2019s poetry is beautifully written, with a clear love for his subjects. I enjoyed the flow of the verse, and the rhymes that occasionally sprang out from the lines. The poems never felt as though they were stretching for a rhyme, or altering themselves to fit the form of verse. Instead, the verse let itself be shaped to fit the poems, which is as poetry should be.

The one trouble I had was with getting into the book at the very beginning. For one thing, it can be dense for such a small book. It\u2019s not the sort of thing you dive into; you have to approach it on its own terms, and that may mean going into it slowly. For another, some of the early verses rely on knowledge of Washington that I did not have, which made them harder to follow. This book, while very good, might be best enjoyed by those already familiar with his biography.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2021", "date_added": "27-Oct-2021 15:24:04", "publisher": "Cyberwit.net", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010494003", "title": "Saint Death's Daughter (1) (Saint Death Series)", "author": "C. S. E. Cooney", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 182, "review": "Coming of age stories are a trope that has been around for a long time in fantasy fiction, especially young adult fantasy fiction. It feels as if what the genre and age group is all about is trying to find oneself and especially if there is danger involved. The problem is that there are a number of books that follow this idea and they are average and way too long. That is what this book is in spades. The idea itself sounded interesting especially from an author who has won an award for fantasy writing. Instead, most of the characters are unlikeable and if the main character we are supposed to root for is also unlikeable, then it can make a slog of a read. Maybe if this book was tighter and the action moved quicker then it might have worked better. It is just that one kind of gets bored with all the negotiating toward adulthood and the adult things she must face such as crushes, assassinations, and more. While the chapters are short, the book could have been shorter overall.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "22-Apr-2022", "date_added": "26-Oct-2021 21:11:03", "publisher": "Solaris", "page_count": "624 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000010493007", "title": "Quicksilver", "author": "Dean Koontz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 202, "review": "Quinn Quicksilver has a pretty ordinary life, aside from being abandoned as an infant and growing up in an orphanage. He aspires to be a writer, but while working for a regional magazine he starts to experience some extraordinary things, like this strange magnetic pull he can\u2019t define and can\u2019t ignore. It saves his life and propels him toward his destiny. He struggles to come to terms with this new normal and the innocence lost. On the way, he meets other extraordinary people and together they find themselves on a quest to save all humankind.

This one definitely builds suspense right to the end, with an undercurrent of enlightenment just beyond the reader\u2019s grasp that finally becomes clear. Quinn\u2019s internal struggle is apparent and we watch as his character matures through the course of the story. It\u2019s a slow burn in the beginning, but it picks up about halfway through. This is really a mix of Jane Hawk meets Odd Thomas, and I would love for this to be a series! The quintessential struggle between good and evil, old and new, and vivid landscapes and characters make this one a great read. I would recommend this for anyone who loves sci-fi thrillers.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2022", "date_added": "26-Oct-2021 21:14:41", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "366 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010492015", "title": "My Body", "author": "Emily Ratajkowski", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 184, "review": "My Body is a collection of essays by model and actress Emily Ratajkowski, which all center on her body. Her essays encompass her experiences within the modeling industry and how she is treated as a desirable object and little more, although they also consider her internal perception of her body. Beginning in childhood, Emily realized that her physical appearance had the potential to take her places and she could use it to achieve her financial goals. Conversely, her beauty also exposed her to misogyny, sexual exploitation, and overall bad behavior by the men who control the modeling industry.

My Body is well written, introspective, and deep. It offers an interesting lens through which to view a toxic industry, although Ratajkowski does not hesitate to admit her role in accepting the bad behavior. She excels in pushing the reader to open their eyes to a complicated balance between recognizing sexist treatment and using it to one\u2019s advantage. I found Ratajkowski\u2019s unpacking of her complex relationship with her body really interesting, and she brought up points I never would have considered if not for this book.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2022", "date_added": "26-Oct-2021 22:37:06", "publisher": "Metropolitan Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010492007", "title": "The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars", "author": "Rachel Montez Minor", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 197, "review": "You are an intricate part of the universe, rising like the sun, filling the sky with beautiful illuminating rays. You brighten the lives of those around you as you grow and develop an identity of your own. Your vibrancy extends to those near and far; your inspirations travel distances, effecting the days and nights of those who stand in their wake. Love from your family shapes and connects you in a multitude of ways. Your glimmer and glow emanate like the stars. So, remember to replenish your light, child, and your luminescence will continue to be an ever-present gift.

This book is an ode reaching out to young children. It\u2019s masterfully illustrated and full of positivity and magnificence. Youth will find it a breath of fresh air that feeds their souls with tenderness and optimism. The words encourage them to shine in their brilliance, marking others\u2019 lives with luminosity and inter-connectedness, and also to see life as a pool of limitless possibilities.

The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars is a perfect pick for early readers. It\u2019s written at approximately a second grade level and is relatively brief. Those ages four to eight will treasure it deeply.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2021 19:52:05", "publisher": "Crown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010491007", "title": "Clean Air", "author": "Sarah Blake", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 206, "review": "Ten years ago, at a point called The Turning, human life became incompatible with the earth\u2019s pollen-saturated air, and half the population died. Now, survivors live in airtight pods, and though society is prosperous, there is no more outdoor life. Izabel is grateful for her family\u2019s safety, but she misses how the world used to be--risky, gritty, real. Then the quiet perfection of Izabel\u2019s community is literally punctured when a serial killer begins slashing the airtight pods, killing the families within. At the same time, Izabel\u2019s young daughter, Cami, begins talking in her sleep--and saying things that suggest she knows where the killer will strike next. With the help of a psychiatrist, a law-enforcement officer, and a tarot reader, Izabel positions herself as a key figure in the manhunt--and uncovers a new life path.

Blake has created a wholly engrossing and plausible future in Clean Air, where climate inaction has resulted in nature taking a kind of revenge that no one could ever have predicted. Izabel fixates on the past by watching reruns of old TV shows and reading newspapers from before The Turning; these glimpses of former \u201creality\u201d are pleasingly surreal. Even readers who don\u2019t gravitate toward dystopian storylines will find much to admire here.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "19-Mar-2022", "date_added": "26-Oct-2021 22:07:49", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010489003", "title": "Santa in the City", "author": "Tiffany D. Jackson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aidyn- Age 7", "word_count": 134, "review": "This book was great and we even read it after Christmas. Santa in the City was a book about a girl who was worried that Santa wouldn't make it to her because of where she lived. She had all these questions and asked her family so many questions about Santa. One night she went to sleep and woke up to see that Santa did exist and he would make it to her.

I liked that there were so many Black characters in this book. Santa was Black, the people in the girl\u2019s family were Black\u2013\u2013there were lots of Black characters. It was also cool to hear all the creative stories her family told her to explain why Santa was real. She had so many questions burning in her mind that needed to be answered.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "12-Jan-2022", "date_added": "26-Oct-2021 19:06:10", "publisher": "Dial Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010488003", "title": "Ashia\u2019s Table: Family Recipes from India and beyond", "author": "Ashia Ismail-Singer", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 217, "review": "Migrants often bring with them their culture, language, and of course their cuisine. These evolve as they adapt to their new home. This book showcases how the cuisine of one migrant evolved and adopted as the author blends culinary traditions from Malawi, Britain and New Zealand into Indian cuisine, and sometimes blends Indian culinary traditions into local cuisines.

Recipes are divided into five main sections: Grazing and Bites (twelve recipes) contains essentially appetizers, Light Lunches (thirteen recipes) contains smaller portions which can be scaled up, The Main Even (twenty-six recipes) are primarily dinner recipes, On The Side (twelve recipes and six chutneys) are sides, and A Touch of Sweetness (nineteen recipes and three beverages) contain primarily desserts. Each recipe takes two pages with the recipe on one side and a picture of the finished product on the other. This helps provide a visual for what the end product should look like. In the case of breads (naan, roti, and paratha) pictures of intermediate steps are also provided.

The recipes tend to be straight forward for readers with medium cooking skills. Some of the ingredients may be harder to obtain, but not anything difficult if there are stores that cater to providing ingredients for ethnic or Indian cuisines. Overall, an excellent book for those willing to try fusion Indian cuisine.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2021", "date_added": "26-Oct-2021 19:01:59", "publisher": "Interlink Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010486003", "title": "Golden Boys", "author": "Phil Stamper", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1005, "review": "YA For the Forever Young\n\nIf you prefer your young adult fiction to feature some romance or maybe a poetic memoir, then the books included in this list will appeal to you. There\u2019s a mix of contemporary, paranormal, and science fiction to dip into as well as a hint of horror and some LGBTQ+ vibes.\n\nAnd They Lived . . . by Steven Salvatore\n\nSteven Salvatore brings us an emotionally vibrant story that celebrates self-acceptance. It is the perfect novel for young adults, especially those who are questioning their sexuality and/or gender, and their allies. Chase Arthur, a Disney-obsessed romantic and promising animator, is preoccupied with finding the love of his life. The trouble is, he has body dysmorphia and is recovering from an eating disorder caused by his father, and he is also struggling with his gender identity. In the thick of starting college, Chase meets Jack Reid, who seems to be a dream come true: a romantic with a longing to experience all that there is beyond his small world. However, Chase soon discovers that Jack has to deal with many hurdles when overcoming his internalized homophobia due to his conservative upbringing. When Jack gets a surprise visit from his family, it throws Chase and Jack\u2019s relationship into disarray. Chase soon finds that he needs to learn how to love and accept himself above all else in order to thrive. The author of Can\u2019t Take That Away, Salvatore gives us another beautiful story with And They Lived; your heartstrings will be pulled and you won\u2019t regret it. \n\nStar Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler by Ibi Zoboi\n\nIn Star Child, renowned author Ibi Zoboi shines the spotlight on starry-eyed Octavia Butler, the New York Times Bestselling author of Parable of the Sower and Kindred, in both poems and prose. This is a must-read for any fans of Octavia Butler, and Zoboi truly highlights the inspirational and memorable nature of Butler\u2019s work, particularly her formative years and how she integrated her life into her work. This book is a one-of-a-kind read, especially in its form and content, and you can definitely say it is groundbreaking for science fiction and for biographies. Butler was raised around the time of the Space Race and the Civil Right Movement, which informed her views from that point onwards, as is evident in her literature. Zoboi makes it very clear that she admires Butler, using poetry and prose to offer an account of Butler\u2019s life, and it is beautifully done. If you have not previously read anything by Butler, this memoir is the perfect introduction to her work. \n\nThe Kindred by Alechia Dow\n\nThe bestselling author of Wings of Ebony, Alechia Dow gives us an action-packed science fiction story about the power of love and its ability to change the world in The Kindred. In order to save a galaxy from insurgency, kindred mind pairings were put together to make sure every person has a voice, regardless of class and hierarchical structure. Joy Abara lives an uncomplicated life. Well, aside from the fact that her kindred pairing is with the notorious Duke Felix Hamdi, she is very much a working-class girl. Felix, on the other hand, is a well-known playboy who chooses to rebel against his noble obligations in the hope of one day being free to make his own choices. However, circumstances are working against him and he finds himself next in line for the throne after the royal family are assassinated. To make matters worse, he is accused of committing the murders. Additionally, Felix realizes that he is a target and so is Joy as his kindred match. During their first meeting, they decide to bolt to another planet and end up crash-landing on an underdeveloped planet called Earth. They soon find that, as they are now out of sight, they are able to further develop their kindred attachment, as well as their growing emotional bond, in order to uncover a wrongdoing that could determine the fate of the galaxy. \n\nGolden Boys by Phil Stamper\n\nRaised in a small town, best friends Gabriel, Reese, Sal, and Heath are facing their last year of high school, with every one of them heading in a different direction afterwards. Golden Boys is the story of the boys\u2019 last summer together as a close-knit group as well as of the complexities of finding their own identities and exploring their feelings. Stamper relates a heart-warming and captivating coming-of-age tale of queerness that you will undoubtably find gripping from the first few pages onwards. As a reader, you will be torn between wanting the characters to stay together in their safe and comfortable bubble and wanting them to individually explore exciting new things away from each other. Every character is distinct and believable, and they all bring things to the table. Golden Boys sees all four boys overcoming their own issues and barriers in order to grow, and it is a story that will stay with you long after you have finished reading. \n\nExtasia by Claire Legrand\n\nThe New York Times critically acclaimed author of Sawkill Girls, Claire Legrand brings us an eerie novel about a brave girl who decides to join a witch's coven in an effort to uncover the malevolent force that threatens her village. Her new novel, Extasia, shows us a world that has been destroyed, with a few survivors who all live in Haven, a village that is tormented by grisly deaths. With the protagonist becoming one of the four saints of Haven, she works with her sisters to protect the village against the evil that abides beneath the black mountain. There are also strange and vicious creatures that pursue her, as well as witches that call to her from past the outer walls. She soon finds that the village\u2019s fate is in her hands, but she is ready to take on the fight. This lyrical novel may even make you feel ill at ease at times, as it is certainly enthralling. It is definitely worth reading.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Oct-2021 18:54:03", "publisher": "Bloomsbury YA", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010484003", "title": "Here\u2019s to Us", "author": "Becky Albertalli", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 995, "review": "YA Roundup\n\nIf you enjoy reading young adult fiction with a side of passion, warmth, determination, empowerment, and LGBTQA+, then this roundup article includes five books that will be perfect for you. All five are compelling reads, and while some are more lighthearted than others, all are equally accomplished. \n\nUnder the Whispering Door by TJ Klune\n\nUnder the Whispering Door by TJ Klune is a tender and witty story that will undoubtedly fill your heart with warmth. Wallace refuses to let go of his life when a reaper knocks at his door. Finally, full of indignance, Wallace reluctantly accepts that he is dead. He is offered assistance with crossing over by patient ferryman Hugo, whose door to the other side is located in his tea shop. Through Hugo, Wallace meets many people with captivating stories and begins to realize that his imperious manner and work-centered life were not as fulfilling as he thought. This is a story that inspires and impresses with very skillful worldbuilding. You will quickly become devoted to the main characters and tumble into their world on a wonderful emotional journey. It will leave you reveling in all the benevolence of humanity, not forgetting the scones and tea, in addition to a chipper ghost dog! \n\nWhen We Make It by Elisabet Velasquez\n\nThis empowering debut young adult novel by Elisabet Velasquez will deeply touch your life, likely causing you to laugh and cry out loud. Passionate, stormy, and honest, When We Make It is a coming-of-age story that will move you and leave you rooting for the main character long after you have finished reading. Sarai is a first-generation Puerto Rican eighth-grader who sees the beauty and pain in life with full clarity and without the sentimental idealism that people normally associate with poetic talent. Along with her older sister, she takes you through the pressures of mental illness, sexual assault and toxic masculinity, poverty, and the gentrification of her home in Brooklyn. Openly questioning things around her, along with her Boricua identity, she learns to navigate through her teenage years with determination and braveness. Despite the odds appearing to be stacked against her, Sarai comes out on top, learning to embrace and celebrate herself. This book will tune into your heart and make you feel seen.\n\nBefore We Disappear by Shaun David Hutchinson\n\nJack Nevin is a master of thievery and trickery, and with his consistent supply of stolen tricks, he proves to be a profitable and invaluable assistant to a revered stage magician of the early 1900s, The Enchantress. However, Jack\u2019s pilfering catches up with him and the pair are forced to make a getaway to America. Luckily, they are able to find steady work on the West coast at Seattle\u2019s Alaska\u2013Yukon\u2013Pacific World\u2019s Fair Exposition, which improves their financial outlook, although they are forced to reconcile with the fact that they are not the shining stars of the show. Jack tries to uncover the secrets of this seemingly transcendental performance, but he discovers much more than he expected. He forms a bond with the behind-the-scenes master of tricks, and due to this growing affection, he is forced to choose between his employer, who has given him everything in life so far, and the boy who promises to give him so much in the future. Shaun David Hutchinson\u2019s Before We Disappear is a love story that provides all the twists and turns of a well-crafted heist story. Lovers of historical fiction and fantasy will also enjoy the book and be captivated by its many forms of magic.\n\nYou Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor\n\nSet in an alternative twentieth century, You Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor is a haunting tale about loss and trauma as well as human attachment and betrayal. It delves into the cleverly constructed corners of dystopian fantasy, being ultimately melancholic in tone and quietly beautiful, although it has the pace of an edgy intellectual thriller. Miriam grows up during the Great Reckoning, a war than spans decades and wipes out much of humanity, including her friends and family. Alone and heartbroken by her loss, she avoids any other human contact, focusing solely on her work. Time passes, the war ends, and the New Society is founded, forcing all survivors into lives of reclusion to prevent tribal loyalties from forming, including families. Miriam, already used to a life of exile, now sees everyone suddenly being forced to live as she does. A researcher at heart, she becomes involved with organizing this detachment process. Unfortunately, she does not realize that the world as she knows it is on the brink of another dark and sinister change. Over time, she begins to see the disturbing nature of this new system and decides to take a stand against it from within. \n\nHere\u2019s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera\n\nHere\u2019s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera is the captivating follow-up to the pair\u2019s romantic bestseller, What If It\u2019s Us. It is a thrilling read on its own, but it\u2019s even better if you have previously enjoyed the first novel. A breezy tale with a tone of optimism, it is a story that wears its heart on its sleeve. Ben has been working on his fantasy manuscript with writing partner and fabulous kisser Mario throughout his first year of college. Arthur has recently returned to New York City for an internship on Broadway, although he is in a perfectly happy long-distance relationship with his boyfriend from his hometown. Yet, sparks fly when Ben and Arthur happen to come into close contact again, reviving old passions. They decide to persevere on their well-trodden, comfortable and separate paths, knowing that things between them didn\u2019t work out the first time around. Little do they realize, however, that the universe seems to have other ideas in mind and paves the way for a series of encounters that make them both question their feelings for each other.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Oct-2021 22:40:46", "publisher": "Quill Tree Books", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010482007", "title": "D is for Drool: My Monster Alphabet (I Need My Monster)", "author": "Amanda Noll", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 179, "review": "I found the I Need My Monster books in the library several years ago, and since I read the first one, I have loved them all! I have a few of my own at home and like to read them every once in a while. I like that the books aren't scary, even though they're about monsters. So when my mom showed me D is for Drool: My Monster Alphabet, I was really excited! I wasn't sure if the book would be too little for me since I have known my alphabet for a while now. After reading through it, I learned new words for the letters of the alphabet, such as G is for googly-eyes, S is for spikes, V is for vanish, and W is for wart and wings\u2013\u2013things I didn't know before.

I really liked this book because the words are crazy and the pictures are colorful and exciting. Kids of any age will like this book, even if they don't know about the I Need My Monster books but just like the idea of monsters.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2022", "date_added": "22-Oct-2021 23:18:10", "publisher": "Flashlight Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010477007", "title": "LEGO Space Projects: 52 Creative Models", "author": "Jeff Friesen", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 197, "review": "LEGO Space Projects is a must-have for any LEGO enthusiast. The spacecrafts range from easy to difficult, so there are options for any builder. Almost everything about the book is simple to read and understand; the only possibly tricky thing would be having all the pieces needed to complete each project. Something new to me is a website to purchase individual LEGO pieces! There are two options as buying directly from the LEGO site is always an option.

My kids and I love to play with LEGO and build imaginative things, although I struggle with the imaginative part and prefer having directions to guide me. LEGO Space Projects helps me by providing instructions; some projects are longer than others, depending on their difficulty level. Playing with LEGO is nostalgic and peaceful, a great form of therapy for adults and kids after a long day of listening to directions. With LEGO, you can choose to follow the instructions or not \u2013 it's the only time of the day where you get to make the rules!

If you want a challenge or love space, you'll find many space projects that are recognizable and enjoyable to build in this book.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2021 21:50:12", "publisher": "No Starch Press", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010476011", "title": "Homemade Robots: 10 Simple Bots to Build with Stuff Around the House", "author": "Randy Sarafan", "category": "N04 Technology", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - Age 12", "word_count": 204, "review": "Homemade Robots: 10 Simple Bots to Build with Stuff Around the House consists of a brief introduction to the tools that are used to build small robots without micro-controllers, along with ten robotics projects.

The introduction to the tools is fairly brief, but with practice you can probably master soldering and drilling. The projects require the purchase of non-everyday items such as servo motors and empty paint cans, even though it says that they are built with \u201cstuff around the house.\u201d All the ideas are good and the concepts are well explained, but the specification of parts and steps is lacking. If you have good maker skills and an assortment of some of the more common materials, this book would be a good choice. It is especially well suited to experienced makers who have never worked with robotics and want to dive into a new type of making.

I think all library systems should stock this book. It would make a good addition to a university library, even though the language used is simple. It gives good explanations, and any mistakes I made were probably my fault. I think makers should buy this book, but less experienced people should consider a more introductory book.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2021 22:10:00", "publisher": "No Starch Press", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010472003", "title": "The Mystery of the Sorrowful Maiden (A Laetitia Rodd Mystery)", "author": "Kate Saunders", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "Mrs. Rodd has been called in to solve another case; this time round it\u2019s The Mystery of the Sorrowful Maiden. The case begins with a friend asking her to help a woman receive a fair settlement from her husband, who is trying to leave her and marry a younger woman. All the players involved are stage actors and so Mrs. Rodd reluctantly has to enter the world of the stage, where she discovers many of her biases are not far off. The details of the case become more sordid by the minute, and it isn\u2019t long before the bodies begin to pile up. When everyone has a motive for murder, how do you discover the real culprit? Mrs. Rodd will have to use all her expertise to discover the villain.

This is a perfect addition to the Laetitia Rodd series. I really enjoy the added commentary, which gives the feel of Mrs. Rodd looking back and reminiscing about her old cases. I highly recommend this book, and if you have not read any of this series before, now is a great time to start. These mysteries are perfect for reading while sitting by the fire with a cup of tea.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "07-Dec-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2021 18:16:52", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010471003", "title": "Litani", "author": "Jess Lourey", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 193, "review": "In 1984, teenage Frankie Jubilee is forced to move in with her estranged mother, Linda, in Litani, Minnesota. When Frankie arrives in Litani, she realizes something is off. There are no children playing outside, and her neighbors are very standoffish. She soon discovers that the town is in danger. A satanic ring is terrorizing local children, and throughout the story, Frankie learns more about damaged Litani and her father\u2019s history with the strange town.

Litani focuses on the victims of child abuse and can be hard to read at times. Frankie was a great protagonist, and her tendency to uncover the truth was compelling. Her friendship with Crane was depicted very well. Yet, the character of her mother was difficult to believe. Her interactions with Frankie seemed overly scripted, and at times she overshared.

Although the book was engaging, the plot was a bit messy and had abrupt transitions. For instance, the police knew that something disturbing was going on at the brewery, but crimes continued to happen there with no intervention. Towards the end, I wasn\u2019t as invested in the result. Overall, this was a good book but not a must read.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2021", "date_added": "21-Oct-2021 18:10:04", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "315 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010470003", "title": "A Good Day to Pie", "author": "Charles Todd", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 204, "review": "Lady Benton witnesses a murder. Or does she? The victim\u2019s body is nowhere to be found, and the \u2018murderer\u2019 died in a motorcar crash a few years ago. This is the bizarre situation confronting Inspector Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard when he arrives at the coastal village of Walmer in Essex. Still suffering from shell shock, the damaged WWI veteran regularly hears the voice of his corporal, Hamish Macleod, shot on his orders for refusing to lead another pointless attack. With Hamish ever-present in his rearview mirror, Rutledge sifts through possible explanations for Lady Benton\u2019s \u2018sighting\u2019. Was the car crash an accident? Did the young mechanic who disappeared from the nearby wartime airfield at that time desert? What is the surly innkeeper at The Monk\u2019s Choice hiding? Or is Rutledge dealing with something that pre-dates the war? Matters are complicated further when two dead bodies turn up in the course of the investigation. Rutledge works painstakingly through the evidence, eliminating red herrings, drawing out suspicious villagers, and coping all the while with his own demons. The premise \u2013 the witnessed \u2018murder\u2019 \u2013 feels slightly manufactured, but the plot is devious enough to keep readers guessing, and the denouement adds a dash of action-oriented excitement.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "17-Feb-2022", "date_added": "21-Oct-2021 17:38:55", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010467003", "title": "The Starless Crown (Moon Fall, 1)", "author": "James Rollins", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 197, "review": "James Rollins is an internationally bestselling author know for his Sigma Force series and compelling thrillers that keep readers gripped to the page, but did you know he has also written fantasy, under the pen name James Clemens? Well, with the conclusion of his thriller series, he now returns to the genre with the first book in the Moon Fall series, The Starless Crown.

In a harsh world where death seemingly waits at every corner, things can often seem bleak, nevertheless, there is always hope, sometimes through magic, sometimes through prophecy. Nyx is a fourteen-year-old girl in the Cloistery of Brayk. She has been nearly blind from a young age and is picked on because of her disability and her short stature, but still manages to excel through school. She is also having dreams and visions of the approaching apocalypse, then everything changes in a catastrophic event. Nyx will be brought together with the thief Rhaif, Prince Kanthe ry Masif, and the former knight Graylin sy moor to uncover ancient secrets.

The first of four books, The Starless Crown sets the stage with this interesting, complex characters, as well follow their journey in coming together and beginning their quest.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "06-Jan-2022", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 20:20:29", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "560 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010466011", "title": "Real Easy: A Novel", "author": "Marie Rutkoski", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 237, "review": "When Ruby and Lady Jade go missing from the Lovely Lady, all the other strippers start to wonder if they are next on the list of a disgruntled patron. The disappearances of the two women, whose real names are Samantha and Kimberly, is the start of Mari Rutkoski\u2019s suspenseful first novel Real Easy.

One of the most interesting parts about the book is its focus on the female gaze and experiences. There\u2019s little titillation at what these women do for a living, and little attention paid to how the men they interact with feel about these women. Rutkoski offers glimpses into the seedy lives and fetishes of a few male characters, but this is a book about women\u2014their fears, their hopes, their secrets\u2014and it is refreshing to read something that could so easily turn campy or sensational but never does.

Georgia, another stripper at the Lovely Lady, has the most compelling story. She keeps an eye on everything while lying about her own past; she is meticulous in her habits out of safety. As her character grows stronger, the choices she makes put her more at risk, but each move is believable given the excellent development over time Rutkoski creates through chapters told episodically, focusing on different characters each time.

All manner of women\u2014mothers, cops, sisters, lovers\u2014populate Real Easy, and the suspense is built well though, if you\u2019re really paying attention, the responsible party is pretty clear from the start.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "13-May-2022", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 19:21:36", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010465015", "title": "Fauci: Expect the Unexpected: Ten Lessons on Truth, Service, and the Way Forward", "author": "National Geographic", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1067, "review": "From a legal battle for clean water to how we can tackle the plastic crisis, these five books not only offer different ways to address environmental pollution, but also offer a unique perspective on the inspiring world of medicine and its evolution.\n\nDesperate: An Epic Battle for Clean Water and Justice in Appalachia by Kris Maher\n\nSet in a West Virginia community in the Appalachian Mountains, this legal drama follows a tenacious environmental lawyer, Kevin Thompson, on a campaign to secure for clean water for the people of Mingo County. For two decades, the families of this coal mining community had found that when turning on their taps, they were met with discolored sludge. Following this, many in the community seemed to become seriously ill. Thompson, along with other lawyers and a band of young activists, fought a seven-year battle against West Virginia\u2019s mighty coal company, Massey Energy, and exposed the merciless shortcuts that had led to the deadly contamination of the drinking water. Desperate takes a compelling look at corporate greed and corruption, as well as at the fight for the rights of the little guy. It documents the years-long case with a cinematic style, and Kris Maher\u2019s effective reporting evokes strong feeling in the reader, providing a reason to believe that justice does still prevail, even against the odds.\n\nEarth Detox: How and Why we Must Clean Up Our Planet by Julian Cribb\n\nEarth Detox is a book that pulls no punches regarding the chemicalization of our planet and how the slow poisoning affects everything living thing on it. Science policy expert Julian Cribb handles this difficult yet important topic with zest and indicates that the barrage of chemicals and pollutants we throw into the atmosphere and oceans is six times larger than our greenhouse gas emissions. Many of these chemicals have not even been tested for safety, and they have been found in the most unthinkable places, from traces of arsenic found on the slopes of Mount Everest to flame-retardant chemicals identified in deep sea squid. These billions of tons of toxic chemicals are everywhere and in everything, including smart phones, medications, food, and clothes. Essentially though, this is more of a book about hope than despair. Cribb lays down ten existential threats that he states must be addressed and maps a way forward so that future generations can live as normally as possible and in harmony with the planet. The essence is sharing solutions in order to move toward a safe and healthy world for all living things.\n\nThicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Crisis by Erica Cirino\n\nErica Cirino\u2019s Thicker Than Water is an open-hearted and frank examination of the throwaway culture that embodies the richest nations of this world, which then inevitably ends up on the doorstep of the world\u2019s poorest nations. The impact is much bigger than most people think. Almost every person living today uses plastic on a daily basis, which has usually been designed for up to only a few minutes use at a time. This plastic inevitably ends up in our oceans, as the recycling process is far more complicated than we thought and so much plastic gets rejected. Cirino is a talented journalist and this account of her globe-hopping journey to meet scientists and activists who are trying to tackle the plastic issue illuminates the health impacts on wildlife and human life. The plastic crisis is an urgent issue and this book helps the reader to understand how we created the problem, but it also offers ways forward to help end the crisis. Technical innovations such as trash wheels, booms and grates, and simply picking up rubbish do help, but ultimately the solution lies in education, science, and systemic change. However, the problems of backlash from large industries, including fossil fuel companies who counter the lack of demand by creating plastic from ancient carbon stocks, complications of recycling, and our own unwillingness to let go of a life of convenience, threaten any good work already done. This book will help people to rethink their living habits and educate humankind about a better and healthier future for our planet.\n\nFauci: Expect the Unexpected: Ten Lessons on Truth, Service, and the Way Forward by National Geographic\n\nInfectious disease specialist Anthony Fauci, the White House\u2019s famous doctor, offers us an inspiring look at the influences in his life and the lessons that he has learned, giving us a rare glimpse into the world of a renowned medical expert. Fauci already had three decades worth of experience before becoming the most acclaimed doctor in America after dedicating himself to the White House Coronavirus Task Force, and in Fauci: Expect the Unexpected, he offers inspirational excerpts on governance, finding happiness in times of strife, and preparing to face unanticipated events. Fauci has spent his career fighting incredibly dangerous diseases such as AIDS, Ebola, and now COVID-19, and he has dedicated his life to dealing with heavy professional responsibilities. In this book, his insightful anecdotes offer ways to deal with obstacles and setbacks, especially in difficult times. The inspiring quotes taken from interviews in the eponymous National Geographic documentary will help people to move forward with respect to achieving a kinder future.\n\nPatient Zero: A Curious History of the World's Worst Diseases by Lydia Kang and Nate Pedersen\n\nFrom the authors of Quackery, Patient Zero chronicles various outbreaks of diseases, along with when they appeared and how they circulated. From reading this book, you will come to know the science behind the discovery of the diseases and how medicine has evolved to help us to deal with them. Kang and Pedersen offer medical accounts of different diseases and viruses, such as bubonic plague, HIV, polio, and smallpox, and tell us the human stories left in the wake of each, along with the investigation into the successes and failures, scientific theories, and examinations. We learn about the historical tragedies of patient zeros and how they led to medical breakthroughs. The authors also introduce us to how politics and religion manipulated information regarding the diseases. This is a morbidly entertaining and very accessible book with a good number of illustrations, so even the most reluctant reader should enjoy it. The only downside to reading it is the realization of how many nasty diseases are still out there and how easy it could be to experience another pandemic in our lifetime.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 20:31:50", "publisher": "National Geographic", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010465003", "title": "Spy School the Graphic Novel", "author": "Stuart Gibbs", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb - age 7", "word_count": 119, "review": "Spy School the Graphic Novel is a book about a boy named Benjamin Ripley who attends a spy school to learn how to be a spy. During the book, Ben tries to learn all there is about being a spy while trying to figure out who a secret assassin is.

I really liked the characters in the book. I feel like all the main characters completed each other and really made the book seem real. Since it was a graphic novel, there were drawings on each page. They were in-between a cartoony and detailed style and that made it very fun to look at.

I would recommend this book because the storyline was very captivating and I couldn't stop reading it!", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "10-Feb-2022", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 17:53:36", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010464027", "title": "Oathbound: (The Royal Rose Chronicles Book 1) (Volume 1)", "author": "Victoria McCombs", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "E. A. Kroeker", "word_count": 196, "review": "Emma, daughter of the infamous Arabella the Ruthless, dislikes pirates almost as much as she detests the sea. Having lost her family to various vices and tragedies, she\u2019s managed to carve out a life for herself working at a small port-side tavern. It\u2019s there that she discovers she is dying from the same illness that slowly took her father. When a former member of the king\u2019s navy turned privateer offers her passage to the very island where the cure is believed to grow, she is faced with the choice of living out the next few months of her life in peace or taking a chance to live. Against her better judgement, Emma finds herself initiated into the rag-tag crew of the Royal Rose and on a quest to find the haunted treasure of Barnabe De.

This story has all the beloved elements of a classic pirate tale, including ferocious sea monsters, captivating merfolk, legendary treasure troves, and haunting black ships. What sets the story apart is the charmingly flawed cast of characters. Although the crew is riddled with conflicting motivations, they somehow manage to work together, even when promises and secrets threaten to tear them apart.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2022", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 22:09:17", "publisher": "Enclave Escape", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010464011", "title": "Born for Trouble: The Further Adventures of Hap and Leonard", "author": "Joe R. Lansdale", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 208, "review": "Hap Collins and Leonard Pine are brothers in arms who trouble always seems to find. However, when the chips are down, they are a duo you would want fighting for you. Born for Trouble offers up five new adventures for the pair where danger is omnipresent. \u201cCoco Butternut\u201d finds Hap and Leonard hired to retrieve the remains of a deceased show dog, which was absconded with from a local cemetery. The ransom exchange yields another discovery and soon events spiral out of control. \u201cHoodoo Harry\u201d is the nickname of a woman who drove a local bookmobile. The bookmobile nearly kills Hap and Leonard, causing them to investigate the whereabouts of its owner and the dead bodies contained within it. And so it goes, the conclusions of each story are uncertain, only chaos is assured.

Born for Trouble is the latest collection of short stories involving the delightfully incorrigible pair of Hap and Leonard (Of Mice and Minestrone, Blood and Lemonade) written by Joe R. Lansdale. The mayhem and carnage of the wicked and depraved are offset by the dark humor and bravery of Hap and Leonard. Each entry in the new anthology stands alone in being funny, dark, readable, and thought provoking. A joy from start to finish.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "15-Mar-2022", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 20:15:39", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "310 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010464007", "title": "Where the Drowned Girls Go (Wayward Children, 7)", "author": "Seanan McGuire", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 985, "review": "New Science Fiction and Fantasy\n\nThis roundup comprises five of the best new science fiction and fantasy novels published in the last few months. Action-packed and astoundingly imaginative, they all offer to transport readers to exciting otherworldly locations populated by extraordinary beings. In fact, if you aim to explore strange new worlds and seek out new life and new civilizations, then these are the books for you.\n\nWhere the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire\n\nIn Where the Drowned Girls Go, the seventh volume in Seanan McGuire\u2019s Wayward Children series, a new anti-magical school is introduced and its students are forced to rebel against the overly authoritative faculty, which makes for a tense and fantastical read. When Eleanor West first opened her Home for Wayward Children, she had to acknowledge the fact that she wouldn\u2019t be able to help all those who arrived at her door, although she determined to do her best to assist as many as possible. She\u2019s surprised, however, when Cora turns out to be one of the children who might need to pursue their fate elsewhere. For her part, Cora is desperately seeking a different life, a different prophecy, and the ability to make her own fate. At Cora\u2019s urging, Eleanor reluctantly agrees to transfer her to the Whitethorn Institute, a school that is run according to very different principles than the Home for Wayward Children. Once there, Cora soon realizes that something distinctly sinister is going on and that she might just be the only one capable of overcoming it.\n\nThe Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Mon\u00e1e\n\nWith The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer, Janelle Mon\u00e1e and a host of collaborators have put together a collection of powerful short stories that explore what life is like under a near-future totalitarian regime and if there is any possibility of escape. Set in the Afrofuturistic world that informs one of Mon\u00e1e\u2019s albums, the stories interrogate issues such as sexuality, race, and gender, and they do so against a backdrop of a world in which thoughts can be controlled, modified, or even erased by a select group of powerful elites. As a consequence, the lives of all individuals\u2014whether human, AI, or something else entirely\u2014are overseen by a cabal of megalomaniacs who have assigned themselves the power to control the fate of everything. Well, that was the case until Jane 57821 took the chance to break free and start thinking for herself. The stories in this collection build on and expand the world inhabited by Jane 57821, fleshing it out in all its repressive horror and amazing opportunity.\n\nThe Devil\u2019s Dictionary by Steven Kotler\n\nAn empathy tracker and emotional forecaster, Lion Zorn is unique. He is also uniquely placed to know why the world is the way that it is and what the future is likely to hold, although he mostly concentrates on more day-to-day matters. Still, his skills are very useful to have in a highly competitive market, despite occasionally brining him into contact with the less desirable members of society. When what should have been a standard em-tracking mission suddenly goes wrong and his fellow em-trackers start disappearing, Lion is left without allies and with a serious puzzle to solve. As he searches for the truth, Lion finds himself on a collision course with the shadowy parties behind the mega-linkage, a continent-spanning national park that was billed as the best way to avoid environmental collapse and protect the planet\u2019s biodiversity. Filled with action and intrigue, Steven Kotler\u2019s The Devil\u2019s Dictionary is pure cyberpunk weirdness that both thrills and amazes.\n\nMickey7 by Edward Ashton\n\nA thought-provoking blend of weighty science fiction concepts and hazardous moral dilemmas, Mickey7 by Edward Ashton is part futuristic farce and part all-too-likely horror story. Seeking away to escape both his debts and the boredom of life on Midgard, the original Mickey signed up as an expendable on a mission to colonize the ice planet of Niflheim. He probably should have enquired further into why the position was vacant despite the mission being so prestigious, although he soon learned that the expendable is the person sent to do all the dangerous and likely deadly jobs that no one else on the crew wants to do. For the sake of efficiency, each time a Mickey dies, a clone is created that has most of the memories of the original guy and the subsequent iterations. For the Mickeys, space travel turns out to be not much fun after all, but when Mickey7 is erroneously declared missing and presumed dead, the newly created Mickey8 diligently reports for duty, which is when things really take a turn for the weird.\n \nCurfew by Jayne Cowie\n\nIn the Great Britain of the not-too-distant future, women have taken charge of society and imposed a curfew on men, who must all wear electronic tags and stay in their homes between the hours of 7pm and 7am. While women no longer need to fear being out after dark, the curfew hasn\u2019t proved great for all of them. In the case of single mother Sarah, for example, the curfew law resulted in her husband being sent to prison, although it isn\u2019t going to do much to protect her now that he\u2019s been released. Their daughter Cass also has issues with the curfew and the restrictions that it puts on the lives of boys like her friend Billy, which makes her determined to prove that he\u2019s not a threat to anyone. Meanwhile, teacher Helen has applied for a cohab certificate with her partner, Tom, so that they can finally live together and have a baby. When one of these three women is murdered during the night, it seems clear that the killer can\u2019t have been a man, but is that really the case? Jayne Cowie\u2019s Curfew is a complex futuristic thriller that poses important questions while also delivering a heart-pounding story.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 19:24:52", "publisher": "Tordotcom", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010464003", "title": "Down a Dark River (An Inspector Corravan Mystery)", "author": "Karen Odden", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "Inspector Michael Corravan remarkably lands at Scotland Yard after growing up in the East End and working as a bare-knuckle boxer and dockworker before becoming a policeman. Now he\u2019s faced with a series of grisly murders, wealthy women strangled and left floating in small boats on the Thames. Scotland Yard has been under a lot of pressure following a recent scandal. Corravan has to work his way past obstacles thrown up by the wealthy families who value their privacy over anything, but he sometimes steps on toes and endangers the tentative relationship with his new boss to get the job done. With bodies piling up, Corravan is under the gun.

Karen Odden uses all the foggy atmosphere of London during the late 1800s to imbue her latest book with mystery and drama. This finely crafted story is filled with palpably real characters, convincing dialogue, and a setting that nearly becomes another character. The pacing is appropriate, taking readers to a time when everything was slower, which allows both characters and readers time for study and introspection, without ever losing the tension such a story calls for. Readers can only hope this is the beginning of a series for Michael Corravan.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2022", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 17:51:37", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010463011", "title": "The Approaching Storm: Roosevelt, Wilson, Addams, and Their Clash Over America's Future", "author": "Neil Lanctot", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 205, "review": "The year 1912 witnessed a three-way presidential race that had wide ranging consequences for the United States and the world. The final campaign was between Democrat Woodrow Wilson, Republican incumbent William Howard Taft, and former President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt felt that Taft and the Republicans had betrayed their constituents. Roosevelt\u2019s campaign had caught on with progressives such as Jane Addams (founder of Hull House). The progressives sought regulation and reform of a corrupt system. Roosevelt\u2019s campaign succeeded in splitting the Republican vote and ensuring a Wilson victory.

The progressives pinned their hopes on Woodrow Wilson, who had overseen reforms as President of Princeton and Governor of New Jersey. However, the progressive era would face a shaky future as the winds of war rattled most of Europe starting in 1914. Woodrow Wilson faced being pulled in different directions by the pugilistic Roosevelt and the dovish Addams.

The Approaching Storm brings the reader on a journey whose destination is preordained. However, the people and circumstances that guide the way form the crux of a brilliantly told history. The heart of the book consists of the three robust personalities caught in the middle of a rapidly escalating situation. Author Neil Lanctot relates the past with elegance and flair.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2021", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 18:34:27", "publisher": "Riverhead Books", "page_count": "672 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010463003", "title": "Pest", "author": "Elizabeth Foscue", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 197, "review": "College on the opposite side of the country is the ticket out of Hal\u2019s miserable existence -primarily characterized by employment at her dad\u2019s pest company while suffering her mother\u2019s opposing views. Her plan first requires that she secures the Verhaag Scholarship. It shouldn\u2019t be a problem as she has been working since freshman years, three long years, to write the best paper ever. However, her plan may not be bullet-proof, so Hal evaluates her backup plan, which requires adding an extracurricular activity. Yearbook is her choice, but the uptight unethical editor denies her request to join. Nothing else works with her schedule, which requires early mornings and late afternoons spraying for bugs and removing rodents, further complicated by a string of burglaries. Then to top it all off, let\u2019s throw in the rich boy next door, because why not?

This quick read is a nod to the boy-next-door trope, entertaining but surprising in the end. Hal\u2019s determination and drive add spice to the sweet story, while her work experiences pepper the tale with hilarity and incredulity. This is a great fit for a fun read, not too time-consuming, but with unexpected fuzzy feelings in a surprisingly unexpected ending.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "11-Apr-2022", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 17:48:46", "publisher": "Keylight Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010462023", "title": "Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney", "author": "Daniel Schwabauer", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 263, "review": "Things are not going well for lawyer Maxine Justice. She\u2019s been fired, she is behind on her rent, and her new law firm is an utter failure. She determines she must take a job in the lower courts to pay some of her bills. The plan is looking like it will work until a series of events make her even more penniless than before.

Enter a potential alien client who claims that they have a miraculous drug that can cure all of the Earth\u2019s natural flaws. She dismisses them as crazy until at her lowest point, she realizes that even if they are crazy, she should take the case and make her money troubles go away. The question is, what will it cost her and humanity?

I wanted to read this book on the recommendation of a friend. Truth be told, I never thought I would enjoy a sci-fi book about the letter of the law, lawyers, and aliens. I was wrong. This book was fun, funny, and truly showed us that humanity, no matter how flawed, is worth saving.

The thing I appreciated the most was how Maxine Justice tried to make the world a better place, even if that meant making things dicey for herself. The world was truly against her and she fought back with every part of her being, no matter the cost. When it came down to saving people who mostly hated her, she did the right thing with courage. I was so impressed with the snarky, stubborn character. I hope I get to see this character again.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2022", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 22:07:43", "publisher": "Enclave Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010462019", "title": "I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times", "author": "M\u00f3nica Guzm\u00e1n", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 206, "review": "With sociopolitical divides among Americans continuing to intensify, M\u00f3nica Guzm\u00e1n offers solutions to building bridges with those who disagree with our closely held beliefs and values. Not only does she have first-hand experience in this work as a journalist, she also has a very personal connection to it. Based in Seattle, Guzm\u00e1n identifies as \u201cvery liberal,\u201d while her Mexican immigrants voted for Trump. She shares personal anecdotes and research on cross-partisan differences, emphasizing curiosity, listening for shared values and sharing one\u2019s stories with honesty and respect for differing perspectives.

This book appears to be written for liberal-leaning readers, especially those who are struggling to maintain mutually respectful connections with family, friends and colleagues with more conservative views. Not all relationships as dispensable, especially in an age where misinformation is leading loved ones to deny facts and science to dangerous ends. It\u2019s even more crucial to engage those with different points of view to open up, rather than turning away.

Like all skills, these techniques take practice. But anyone who sincerely wants to bridge the gaps in understanding will appreciate this book. Guzm\u00e1n is emphatic about making an effort to work on difficult conversations. When we understand where people are coming from, the path to understanding becomes clearer.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2022", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 21:13:25", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010462007", "title": "Will Run For Doughnuts: The Montclair Bread Company Cookbook", "author": "Rachel Wyman", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 199, "review": "If you were going to describe my life to a tee, it would probably be Will Run For Doughnuts. As someone in the fitness industry, I tell my clients it's all about balance. And as a foodie, I tell them that it's all about eating what you love but portion controlling the not-so-healthy stuff. In Rachel Wyman's book Will Run For Doughnuts Rachel explains how donuts came to save her failing bakery business even though most of her existing clients had originally wanted healthy baked good options. Finding her community, Rachel even founded the Fueled by Doughnuts Running Club!

Flipping through this cookbook, I wanted to try recipe after recipe. I don't think I could even nail it down to ten favorite recipes at this point because they all looked so mouthwatering good. Specialties such as Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake, Jalapeno-Cheddar Corn Bread, Apple Cider Doughnuts, Tres Leche Doughnuts, Potato Donuts, ok all the doughnuts really, and Mexican Chocolate Cake are among the top recipes I will be trying immediately. I really love how Rachel shares her story and the story behind each and every recipe in this book. A truly special cookbook that will be flour-coated in no time.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "03-Dec-2021", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 18:30:47", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010461027", "title": "Ninety-Five", "author": "Lisa Towles", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 191, "review": "Fall down the rabbit hole with college engineering student Zak Skinner as he finds himself a victim to people who are trying to manipulate him into their underground scheme. Zak and his best friend Patrick Riley, or Riley as Zak refers to him, are two young college guys who go to meet a classmate by the name of David Wade. Somehow they end up losing David and Zak finds himself at a strange house where a man named Jane gives him some sort of hallucinogenic drink. From there, things spiral out of control for Zak and he realizes that nothing is what it seems and no one is whom they say they are.

This book is very entertaining, to say the least. The whole thing is like a bad dream you know you're in but can't quite wake yourself to get out of. And at the same time, you want to see what is going to happen. This is the second book I've read by Lisa Towles and I find her writing very easy to follow despite the twists and turns. I recommend this book for fans of sci-fi psychological thrillers.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "16-Feb-2022", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 22:33:29", "publisher": "Indies United Publishing House, LLC", "page_count": "268 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010461011", "title": "Mooncakes Collector's Edition", "author": "Suzanne Walker", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 191, "review": "Get ready for a bewitching romance between a werewolf and a young witch. A young runaway, Tam, returns home as a werewolf and is attacked one night, but they end up being saved by Nova. Nova and Tam rekindle their romance, but something sinister is lurking in their quiet little town.

Prior to reading the book, I thought this would be a witch story involving potions and food and mooncakes. I wish mooncakes were more of an integral theme of the story, given the title of the book, but I digress. While I enjoyed the story and liked the main character, Nova, I wasn\u2019t too keen on Tam and found them annoying. Why couldn\u2019t Tam just listen to Nova\u2019s grandmothers and stay out of trouble?

The art is super cute and comforting, making you want to curl up in front of a fireplace to read this, despite the dark and ominous parts of the story. This deluxe edition of Mooncakes features a slew of extra materials such as holiday card art, script breakdowns, and initial sketches. This graphic novel is perfect for young adults who love romance, witches, and werewolf stories.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "06-Dec-2021", "date_added": "19-Oct-2021 19:19:35", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "263 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010608003", "title": "Unconventional: A Memoir of Entrepreneurism, Politics, and Pot", "author": "Jamie Andrea Garzot", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 438, "review": "When Jamie Andrea Garzot launched her first cannabis store in 2009, it wasn't for financial reasons, as she was already employed in a well-paying corporate job. Jamie had always been attracted to the road less traveled, and the challenges of starting a new business with a product that would take several years before it was fully legalized did not deter her from her bold decision. In fact, she faced several daunting challenges and still went on to grow as an entrepreneur and a leader who increased a revenue of less than $100,000 to nearly $12 million. Unconventional: A Memoir of Entrepreneurism, Politics, and Pot is a motivational memoir that reveals key lessons about entrepreneurship from a former corporate employee who left her comfort zone to start a new cannabis business under unfriendly circumstances.

I wish individuals in charge of businesses and organizations around the world would adopt the goals Jamie had when she started her business: to provide the best retail experience and to be the best employer she could be. Both employees and customers would definitely benefit immensely from such considerate goals. This is just one of the gems Unconventional contains, as the author shares intricate information about what creating a company that rakes in millions of dollars per year entailed for her. For example, Jamie shares about the time the business faced opposition from a sheriff who was against cannabis and so she invited the cops over to witness the business' operations for themselves, which ended up resolving a tense situation.

Unconventional contains several quotable, inspirational lines, as Jamie Garzot does a great job of communicating and passing her message across. I was touched by the stories that revealed how her products impacted lives and helped people get through their darkest times. In addition to information about how the business was operated, the author also includes a moving account of the struggles in her marriage as she dealt with a suicidal husband and the issues she had with her parents.

Readers who have been hesitant about embarking on a new challenge will likely find Jamie's story profoundly motivational because it shows the magnitude of what can be achieved by taking a step toward a goal, even when it's accompanied by doubts and possible ridicule. That the book includes not only the attractive parts but also the author's personal struggles reveals that even when faced with mountainous obstacles, one can still create something so beautiful that it touches lives significantly. Jamie's vibrant and concise tone makes Unconventional such an exciting read\u2014besides being poignant, informative, and thorough. It is the latest addition to my list of favorite memoirs!", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "06-Dec-2021", "date_added": "28-Nov-2021 01:27:30", "publisher": "Girl Friday Books", "page_count": "194 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010607107", "title": "Lower Education", "author": "Dr. Meander Swotty", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 99, "review": "\"Readers will follow Special Education teacher Rob Chudinski as he finds out that academia is not all it\u2019s cracked up to be. With backroom politics, including a chairman ready to take him down at any given moment to a half-dressed assistant to juvenile pranks, Rob must navigate his way through the system in order to keep his job. Full of jawdropping \u201cI can\u2019t believe he said that\u201d moments and straight-up absurdities in the workplace, Lower Education will have readers wondering what really goes on in the teachers' lounge. A fantastic ride and page-turning read.\" \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Portland Book Review", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Nov-2021 23:19:20", "publisher": "Between the Lines Publishing", "page_count": "396 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010607047", "title": "Reckoning Waves", "author": "Elliott Foster", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 430, "review": "Continuing from where Panic River ends, Reckoning Waves begins with Corey Flanagan's new life as an artist with a new name and a new location: California. However, he still keeps in touch with his best friend, Billy, and his mother. Eventually, Corey makes a new friend who later becomes a lover, Miguel. Though he wants the best for his new lover, Corey's dark secrets haunt him and threaten to destroy his newfound happiness. Apparently, changing cities and identities is not enough to escape the repercussions of the crime he accidentally committed years ago. In addition to the need to convince the world of his good intentions, Corey must find a way to forgive himself and those who hurt him in the past to make the best of his new life. Fortunately, the support he receives from his mother, lover, friends, and a no-nonsense lawyer gives him a fighting chance.

Reckoning Waves brings Corey's personality to life by portraying his pain, thoughts, wishes, and doubts in a way that made me feel like I knew him personally. I connected with his unfortunate past and his desire to make his turbulent relationship work. Elliott Foster perfects the art of creating an addictive narrative in Reckoning Waves by including just the right amount of suspense, camaraderie, romance, drama, and depth. Just when I thought everything was good, a troubling discovery or development would be introduced, keeping me trapped in the pages and desperate to see the issue resolved. The story is crafted carefully, and every seemingly insignificant event leads to a larger one that fits into the story effortlessly.

I noticed a significant change in my mood the moment I started reading Reckoning Waves. The upbeat conversations between Corey and his mother and the other friendly characters are filled with warmth and positive energy. Corey's mother's decision to support and believe in her son despite the compelling evidence stacked against him is exemplary and inspiring. However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows in Reckoning Waves as the tension-filled relationships between Corey and both his ex and present lover sizzled with a burning intensity.

Reckoning Waves takes readers through peak-level entertainment and engagement as it meanders through dramatic court battles, confrontational policemen, haunting dreams, passionate moments, and other greatly engrossing elements. Though I have not read the prequel, I enjoyed the story and understood the plot easily. I would definitely love to read the other books in the series as Reckoning Waves is a spectacular and tasteful work of art with different parts woven together in a way that leaves you salivating for more!", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "02-Mar-2022", "date_added": "27-Nov-2021 23:51:00", "publisher": "Calumet Editions", "page_count": "318 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010607043", "title": "Death Came Swiftly: A Novel about the Tay Bridge Disaster of 1879", "author": "William Abrams", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 555, "review": "When the Tay Bridge was completed in February 1878, it was the longest bridge in the world. Considered a marvel of late nineteenth century engineering, the bridge spanned the Firth of Tay from Dundee to Wormit in Scotland. So great was the public appreciation of the bridge that its designer, well-known engineer Thomas Bouch, was awarded a knighthood upon its completion. However, Bouch\u2019s success was short-lived. At around 19:15 on the treacherously stormy night of December 28, 1879, the bridge collapsed as the Burntisland\u2013Dundee passenger train was crossing it. All seventy-five people aboard the train were killed.

With Death Came Swiftly, William Abrams has used the Tay Bridge disaster as inspiration for a tense and emotionally charged story of the apparently everyday events that form the buildup to a truly terrible disaster. Focusing on two engineers who are at very different stages of their careers, Abrams begins with the competition to design a bridge over the Firth of Fee, which would entail one of the greatest engineering projects of the era. Charles Jenkins is a young engineer struggling to establish himself after pursuing the belief that steel represents the future of engineering, while Stewart Darrs is a veteran engineer who has made a career out of building railways and iron bridges. Although Jenkins remains convinced of the merits of his steel design, Darrs is awarded the contract to build a traditional bridge.

When the story jumps five years into the future, Jenkins has secured moderately satisfactory employment as an engineer on day-to-day projects, while Darrs is still ploughing on with the Fee Bridge project, which is now running around two years late and significantly over budget. Although both the railway company and the construction company are facing bankruptcy, the decision is made to build another bridge, this time across the nearby Firth of Forth. It seems that Jenkins may get a second chance to pursue his dream of a steel bridge, although doing so will not be without personal cost for him. Meanwhile, Darrs is battling environmental, technical, and weather-related problems as he attempts to find a way to get the project back on schedule.

William Abrams is clearly well versed and extremely passionate about engineering and bridge building, and his enthusiasm shines through as Jenkins, Darrs, and other characters discuss the merits and weaknesses of their preferred designs and construction methods. A lot of information is presented, but in such a highly readable fashion that the story never fails to entertain as it educates. Abrams masterfully builds tension as the bridge projects progress, and that tension is neatly reflected in the personal lives of Darrs and Jenkins, particularly the love triangle that the latter finds himself embroiled in.

While the ultimate end of the Fee Bridge project comes as no surprise, it\u2019s still both thrilling and appalling to read. Abrams allows a sense of dread to build as inspectors note cracks beginning to develop and weather conditions worsen, before the final train begins its doomed crossing of the bridge. Steering clear of sensationalism, Abrams concentrates on the aftermath of the disaster from the perspectives of Darrs and Jenkins, reflecting the recommendations and recriminations that followed the Tay Bridge disaster. As Death Came Swiftly makes clear, no one individual can really be responsible for a tragedy of such magnitude, leaving readers with much to ponder.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2022", "date_added": "27-Nov-2021 23:42:06", "publisher": "The Sager Group LLC", "page_count": "340 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010607039", "title": "Death Came Swiftly: A Novel about the Tay Bridge Disaster of 1879", "author": "William Abrams", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 409, "review": "On Sunday, 28 December 1879, a sudden and violent storm created a tidal wave of destruction. The Tay Bridge collapsed, sending a train crashing into the icy waters of Dundee, Scotland, killing all on board. The storm was an ungodly and unkind act of nature, attacking the bridge from every angle. The disaster shocked the nation and led to an inquiry that silenced the age of Scottish advancement.

Death Came Swiftly: A Novel about the Tay Bridge Disaster of 1879 by William Abrams is an outstanding visual treat for lovers of both nonfiction and historical fiction. This has proven a pretty tough nut to crack for many an author, yet Abrams writes with such careful devotion to the subject matter that it's impossible not to get invested in the book. This is a bold and unique piece of historical fiction. The author also manages to escape all the usual traps of the genre. The passages are never lost in flowery comprehensive description and explanation. Characters never get lost in the more compelling real-life events that the story is attempting to inject itself into. Rather, there is a sublime balance achieved in this book.

The book follows two main characters, Charles Jenkins and Stewart Darrs, as they attempt to uncover what caused the disaster. Jenkins is a young engineer who has committed his reputation to building safer bridges out of steel, while Darrs is a veteran engineer who has spent thirty years building railroads and iron bridges across Scotland and northern England. Together they serve as symbols of both the start and high of this era of English building.

The book, like its subject matter, contains such dread and longing, such sensational detail and insight. Abrams excels in the areas of the story that bathe in the details of the event and its aftermath. The consequences that this single significant event had on the Victorian age cannot be overstated, and Abrams does an excellent job bringing it to life. The characters and society, like the victims of the disaster, seem powerless as they search for answers. As the Titanic would later silence the promise of the Edwardian age, this single moment would shatter the faith of the Victorian era.

Even if the reader has foreknowledge of the events, they can't help but be transported in this tale, as only the best of historical fiction can manage. It is a fantastic read that is sometimes lovely, usually haunting, and wildly entertaining.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "02-Feb-2022", "date_added": "27-Nov-2021 23:41:49", "publisher": "The Sager Group LLC", "page_count": "340 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010607035", "title": "Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846", "author": "Laurel Anne Hill", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 438, "review": "Sixteen-year-old Catalina, who was born nine years after Mexico won its freedom from Spain, witnesses a new threat to Mexico: a war declaration by invaders from the United States, who claim Alta California now belongs to them. While these unfortunate events threaten all that she holds dear, Catalina looks forward to marrying \u00c1ngelo Ortega as she has grown to a marriageable age. However, a prophecy about a spirit man riding off with her compromises her reputation as chaste. Ultimately, Catalina must carry out actions that go against her Catholic beliefs to save her loved ones. Follow Catalina on her dangerous quests involving horse rides, disgruntled spirits, intense gun fights, and much more in Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846.

Religion is a strong theme in Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846. Catalina, the protagonist, is raised as a Catholic in an environment that has strong traditional beliefs and spreads rumors of spirit horses, spirits of the land, and the likes. Catalina expresses that \"following the way of Coyote is sacrilege\" and wonders how she would purify herself once she completes a task involving Coyote, the trickster spirit.

I enjoyed the descriptive narrative as it transported me back in time and made the characters and the environment feel quite real. It was interesting to picture the \"ill-fitting coats with double rows of brass buttons\" and the green grass and animals on the hillsides before being invaded by settlers. I was disturbed when I read that despite slavery being illegal in Mexico, some Americans still went about murdering Indians. The historical information included in Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846 makes it a good resource of knowledge, reminding the world what greed can lead to. A question that came to mind while reading the book was, \"What actions do we take today that future generations would find unsettling?\"

Readers would find it easy to connect with the main character and her internal conflict as she endeavors to overcome the different challenges in her way. However, the story mixes too many things together at once, and it was considerably disconcerting for me because focusing on a theme was difficult. For example, a particular page mentions eating beef, the image of reputable women, touching a crucifix, stealing dried fish, finding special stones, and more.

Laurel Anne Hill gives us a heartwarming, adventurous narrative set in 1846 Alta California, depicting the concerning sexism and the massacre that existed in that time through its young female protagonist. Though I thought the story could be less fragmented, I loved how the history theme is explored, the vivid descriptions, and the relatable characters.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2021", "date_added": "27-Nov-2021 23:11:32", "publisher": "Sand Hill Review Press", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010607031", "title": "Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846", "author": "Laurel Anne Hill", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 408, "review": "Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846 by Laurel Ann Hill is a historical fantasy rich in Spanish culture and Catholicism. Catalina Delgado, the stories main character, is the sixteen-year-old daughter of a Californian ranchero. Catalina has a lot on her plate; with war on the horizon and a dark prophecy on her shoulders, not a day goes by where she does not ponder her fate. A dying vaquero long ago foretold that Catalina would be abducted by a spirit man. It is a weight that is hard for her to carry, and Catalina\u2019s family and servants alike are cautious of her, aware that her reputation is at stake from this foreshadowing.

To top things off, Catalina is awaiting for her father\u2019s arrangement of her marriage. The love of her life, Angelo Ortega, is kind, handsome, and would be perfect to start a future with. However, the prophecy tarnishes Catalina\u2019s image as a chaste woman; she is fearful that Angelo\u2019s father will not allow them to wed. With so much on her mind, Catalina turns in prayer, calling on the intercession of the saints and the Blessed Mother Mary to put her at ease. Catalina is devout throughout the entire novel. Often turning to prayer and intercession for guidance, she finds peace in her work through seeking Christ at her family\u2019s altar and in times of distress.

Strangers arrive at the ranchero, horsemen who dress and act like Catalina has never seen before. Upon their visit, she is confronted with a terrible truth, one that is almost too hard for her to swallow. With her life turned upside down by the news and unrest in her household, Catalina decides she must have a vision. Her best friend and servant, Josefa, does the best she can to tell Catalina about visions and what she must do to summon one. With Josefa\u2019s instructions at hand, Catalina sneaks out of her room to find a quiet place, one that would be acceptable for her task. On this journey alone, Catalina sees something, and before long, she finds herself whisked into the sky for an adventure of a lifetime.

The story from here is one full of love, adventure, and magic, as Catalina pursues her destiny. The story also includes war, native tribes, massacres, and spirits of the dead. Overall, I would suggest this book for middle school to high school aged readers who enjoy stories with culture, magic, and romance.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Nov-2021 23:11:21", "publisher": "Sand Hill Review Press", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010607027", "title": "Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846", "author": "Laurel Anne Hill", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 421, "review": "It's so marvelous when an ambitious and daring piece of historic fiction, the kind that so many attempt to write and so few succeed, is told so masterfully well. Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846 by Laurel Anne Hill has all the qualities that one would expect a piece of literature worth its salt to have. It also takes risks that would reduce meeker authors to puddles on the floor. Moments of dream-like reflection and slow-burning world-building are the kind of things that shouldn't normally seem so effortless.

In 1846 in Alta California, Catalina Delgado daydreams about her future: roping cattle, marrying Angelo Ortega, and raising children. But now, invaders from the United States have declared war against Mexico, her country. Members of her family are imprisoned and some around her are killed. This is a dark and frustrating time in North American history. California takes up an absurd section of the western territories, and it is a powder keg of racial tensions and human resentments.

It is the perfect backdrop for our protagonist, Catalina, who must summon up her courage and challenge the cold and cruel world around her. Just a teenager, she struggles to save those around her and protect the future she longingly desires. As if that weren't enough for her to be going on with, she is also being followed by the dark specter of an ominous and shadowy spirit that rides a powerful stallion.

The author manages to use the contrasting tones of the story's natural settings and narrative exceptionally well. The attractive and courageous main character, Catalina, is a sublime creation, fully formed and compelling. She has a bullheaded refusal to be marginalized and fearlessly confronts conventions throughout the entire book.

This is a bold and unique piece of historical fiction. Each page flows almost effortlessly, taking the reader gently along this passionate journey of personal exploration and spirited rebellion. It is, at times, striking the way this author manages to make one feel for these figures, to get sucked into the high drama and challenging times in which they live. Elements of Mexican culture and Catholic faith are sprinkled into the main character and add richness to the text.

The book offers a very interesting and uplifting literary journey that has a spirit to match its subject matter. It is a story told with healthy doses of heart, quirk, and personality, and it would make the perfect Christmas gift for any young girl looking for inspiration along her own journey of discovery.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2021", "date_added": "27-Nov-2021 23:11:08", "publisher": "Sand Hill Review Press", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010607023", "title": "No Second Chances", "author": "Christopher Kyle Sherrod", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 465, "review": "To say I was blown away by this incredible true story is an understatement. Christopher Kyle Sherrod tells his story from a Federal Correctional Institution. Christopher, or Kyle, as most of his friends and family call him, started his adult life as a minor delinquent getting into trouble for small things here and there and making enemies on the way. Trying to turn his life around, Kyle enlisted in the Marines. Both his mother and stepfather were in the Air Force and so he knew what the military life entailed. When Kyle comes back, his life turns back into a chain of bad choices as he tries to take the easy way when it comes to making money and \"getting ahead\". At this point, he has a small daughter with his girlfriend, Tiffani. Kyle is put in prison after an unsuccessful robbery attempt with two of his friends. Kyle reflects while in prison, how much he has strayed from the path that he should have taken. He had all the tools and training necessary to make his dreams come true and he blew it.

It is obvious from reading this book that Kyle is extremely intelligent. From the specific dialogue to the perfect grammar, I thought to myself over and over again, \"What a shame it is that he took his life in this direction.\" He even started his own successful business while behind bars. I found that Kyle's problem was that sometimes he didn't know when to stop pushing and back off. This made him unlikeable to those around him; especially figures of authority. Kyle was really put through the wringer as he is thrown into solitary over and over again.

Kyle's story moves on as he gets out of prison and finally makes his way back to having a relationship with his pre-teen daughter, Victoria. He was very lucky that Tiffani encouraged Victoria to have a relationship with her father. But upon his release, Kyle finds himself in more bad situations.

Kyle is currently serving time for a crime he states he did not commit. He even includes pictures of the evidence in his current case and has an e-mail that readers can write to stating whether or not he is guilty or not guilty.

Will someone please get this man a good pro bono attorney? Looking at the evidence, my opinion is that Kyle is not guilty. If there is one thing that we know, not all law enforcement is good. They aren't all bad either, but I believe there are many who use their power for evil. I feel like this is one of those cases.

I recommend this book to all adult readers as I feel it is an eye-opener into what a person may go through in today's justice system.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2022", "date_added": "27-Nov-2021 23:04:28", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "289 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": true, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010607019", "title": "Life Goes On", "author": "John E. Budzinski", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 428, "review": "John E. Budzinski's Life Goes On is a comical approach at one man's thought process into deciphering the phrase most of us know all too well, \"This Is Going On Your PERMANENT RECORD!\" Where is this permanent record and who is keeping track of it? In this book, Budzinski has a serious (okay, not so serious) talk with Saint Peter as they discuss everything from bad bosses to what is fair and unfair to how John treated those around him. They also discuss what creating a legacy entails and how to go about doing that for oneself.

The book is really Budzinski's life story divided into little stories most of which have some kind of moral at the end. And somewhere in all those stories, he tries to figure out what his legacy is. Each story is very philosophical and asks the reader questions of him or herself such as \"What were your favorite or your most significant learning times?\" and \"What are you afraid of?\"

Along the way, we learn of some really funny things that have happened to John. One of the best stories in the book is when John is the first kid to bomb out in the spelling bee. This is mainly because his last name starts with a \"B\" and so he was at the front of the line. Readers can feel the anticipation as John looks around trying to find a way out of this voluntary task. The fact that he became a writer is what makes this story even better and he even states that \"Bad spelling caused me some personal embarrassment over the years and a few challenging times with editors.\"

The dialogue with Saint Peter was a way for Budzinski's audience to really get into his head. The bantering back and forth with Saint Peter really brings up questions that dig even deeper into the most embarrassing moments of this poor man. For example, Peter asks, \"Why did you leave the spelling bee before its completion?\". And it finally comes out that it was because John knew he sucked at spelling and that it was frustration. And then he tells Peter to look it up on his permanent record!

The stories of friends and family that Budzinski has written about are truly treasures. In fact, I would compare Life Goes On to your favorite grandpa telling you stories about what he did wrong throughout his life and telling you to do better than he did. Readers are in for a laugh, a lesson, and a legacy in Life Goes On.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2021", "date_added": "27-Nov-2021 22:58:52", "publisher": "BookLocker", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010607015", "title": "Life Goes On", "author": "John E. Budzinski", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 424, "review": "As a child, John E. Budzinski was constantly threatened with the words, \u201cThis is going on your permanent record!\u201d These words, which were intended to shape him into a morally upright human, still torment him today. Looking at his different experiences in life, Budzinski wonders if being a flawed human qualifies him for an unfavorable judgment when standing in front of Saint Peter and \"The Boss\" in the afterlife.

There's always more to the story, and in John's case, it involves going the extra mile at work, partaking in a spelling bee, going on dates, feeding a stray cat, listening to interesting stories from hoboes, and much more. There's always more, but is his legacy good enough? In Life Goes On, Budzinski looks back on his life through a jovial, introspective, and inquisitive lens and presents a candid dissection of his legacy.

From giving abstract replies that challenged his teachers in high school to finding the confidence to talk on a TV video dating show and losing track of time while experiencing his first Fourth of July in New York, Budzinski's story contains several engaging experiences that are closely packed together and leave no space for boredom. I had a silly grin on my face for the most part; the story put me in a good, cheerful mood as I pictured the vivid descriptions of the events, like the street concerts and fireworks in New York and the animated discussion about blind dates with a date while surrounded by curious onlookers in a restaurant.

In addition to looking back at his life, John adds a unique element to his story: the afterlife. As I read the possible discussions he might have with Saint Peter after life, I reflected on my journey through life and began experiencing a holistic, out-of-body view of myself and life on earth.

Life Goes On employs a conversational, friendly tone, which made me feel like I made a friend through a book. Budzinski's struggles and thoughts are quite relatable, and the questions asked in the book magnified some things I've been contemplating myself. Even though it might appeal more to baby boomers, the book contains several concepts that are common to most adults: dating, following one's passion, reflecting on life and the afterlife, family, friends, work, religious institutions, and more. Life Goes On depicts how great value and true beauty can be found in an imperfect life through one man's multifaceted story. It's a must-read book for fans of profound memoirs as it is both mightily entertaining and mentally stimulating.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2021", "date_added": "27-Nov-2021 22:56:57", "publisher": "BookLocker", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010607011", "title": "How to Hunt a Bear", "author": "Revital Shiri Horowitz", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 427, "review": "Not every European Jew who lived and died during World War II was sent to a concentration camp. Some were able to survive within their home countries, scraping out a living as best they could or forming resistance movements to fight the Nazis at every step. Others fled, making their way out of Germany and Poland to countries as yet untouched by the Nazi regime. How to Hunt a Bear is the true story of one family who did just that, escaping occupied Poland for Russia. Their trials were not over when they crossed the border, however. Russia is and always has been a forbidding place, especially when winter sets in.

How to Hunt a Bear did what the best of historical books can do and opened a new part of history to me. I, like many, know the basics of the story of the Holocaust, and some stray details gleaned from moments of more specific research. I knew nothing of a flight east, and I soon found myself caught up in Itzhak\u2019s story. It\u2019s a harrowing tale, softened only because it is told through the eyes of a child, remembered by an old man. Itzhak was made aware only of the true horrors faced by Jews in Poland and Germany only later. During his travels, he knew only what was before him and what the adults in his life chose to tell him. Death and antisemitism were inescapable, but he was shielded at least from some of the wider horrors. At times, the story seems almost like an adventure. Perhaps, at the time, it was.

The framing of the book features an Israeli woman recording Itzhak\u2019s story. As she says toward the end, in the narration, \u201cI listened to my recording\u2026 thinking how crucial documenting their stories was, along with the stories of all survivors. Within a decade, or two at most, there would be no survivors left, and these recordings a precious relic.\u201d While there are plenty of novels about the Holocaust \u2013 one might say it\u2019s its own market \u2013 there is only so much they can tell. True stories will always be more powerful, by virtue of their truth. If anything, I would say that stories like this, which shed light on parts of history few people are aware of, are the most precious relics. If it weren\u2019t for people like Shiri-Horowitz and her family, this story might all too easily have been lost.

In short, I would recommend this book to just about everyone. It\u2019s one of the most important I\u2019ve come across this year.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "07-Dec-2021", "date_added": "27-Nov-2021 22:53:33", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "276 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010607007", "title": "Help Me Hide This Giraffe!", "author": "Brian Donnelly", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 411, "review": "Help Me Hide This Giraffe! by Brian Donnelly was a delight to read. Due to the vibrant illustrations and incredibly creative plotline, young readers will find themselves smiling throughout the entire story.

The book begins with a young boy who accidentally brings a giraffe home from the beach. Flustered, he pleads with his big sister that she must help him hide the giraffe from their parents. He loves the giraffe and cannot take him back, so they must do something before their mom and dad come home. She wisely tells her little brother that they must hurry and get him inside before someone sees them, proceeding to come up with ways that they can hide the giraffe.

From stuffing him up the chimney to making him into a tree or telephone pole, even a cellular tower, the young pair are at a loss for what to do. Unable to hide him physically, they suggest hiding him conceptually as a \u201cTerms of Use\u201d policy or a limited lifetime product guarantee. Realizing they are taking it maybe too intellectually, they turn to trying to hide him as a lawsuit. Unable to find a solution, the siblings argue and argue, not realizing their mom and dad have wandered in and found their beloved giraffe. The ending of this story is equally creative and fun. In the end, all parties are happy, and they finally find a solution for hiding their giraffe. br>
Overall, I had to laugh at Donnelly\u2019s outstanding creativity, especially with the children\u2019s idea of hiding the giraffe conceptually and not just as a physical object. The children\u2019s commentary was humorous, and all their arguments brought up valid points. I also thought the illustrations were extremely well done. Detailed, colorful, and full of life, the reader can watch the pair struggle to hide the giraffe in innumerous ways.

My favorite illustration was when the siblings tried to hide the giraffe as a lawsuit. Depicting a lawyer\u2019s office packed full of papers, stickie notes, and file boxes, the children are unsuccessfully attempting to hide their giraffe. I loved the detail and accuracy of this drawing, especially with the papers and post-it notes flying in every direction.

Further enhancing the picture book was the beautiful, color-coded lettering on each page. I definitely think the book\u2019s attention to format adds a lot to the overall product. All young readers, especially those in elementary school, would appreciate this book and the siblings\u2019 attempts to hide their giraffe.", "issue": "", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Nov-2021 22:49:07", "publisher": "Mythographer's Workshop LLC", "page_count": "31 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010607003", "title": "Love and Other Sins", "author": "Emilia Ares", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 402, "review": "Mina is just entering her senior year of high school, and she is determined to excel. Time is just another investment, she says, and she intends to invest hers into her studies. If she does well enough, she can go to law school and excel there as well. If she does well in law school, she and her mother can have a comfortable life. Her one regret might be not investing enough time into her personal life and relationships, but time for that can come later.

Enter Oliver, recently emancipated and with money from a lawsuit against an abusive foster home. He has just transferred to the same school Mina attends, and from the moment their eyes meet in AP Government, they have an instant connection. Sparks fly.

Unfortunately, sparks can burn.

The relationship Mina and Oliver fall into is not the healthy, idealistic one so often seen in YA romances. Both of them have trauma in their background, and it isn\u2019t conveniently forgotten for the sake of a romance. The two of them must work through it to become the best person they can be, for themselves and for each other.

Love and Other Sins is not an easy book to read. Oliver especially has had a difficult life, and Ares does not shy away from his trauma. His chapters present sexual assault and child abuse, and even though those events are in the past, they continue to cast a shadow over his life. Harrowing as they are to read, such events are worse still to live through, and many teens face them in reality all too often. Because of this, I don\u2019t say that this book is unsuitable for a teenage audience. I will only say that I wish the content warning had been posted a little more visibly. The material may well be triggering for some, and a warning at the bottom of the back cover may easily be missed.

My reason for giving the book four stars rather than five is only that I was not entirely sold on Mina and Oliver\u2019s relationship at the start. As it goes on and the two of them grow together (for better and for worse), it is a compelling and fresh look at teen romance. The instant connection at the start felt too quick and easy, and I felt Ares could have found some more interesting beginning for what proved to be such a deep story.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "04-Jan-2022", "date_added": "27-Nov-2021 22:45:51", "publisher": "SERA Press", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010606007", "title": "Bars for Days", "author": "Mic Nickels", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 201, "review": "Dreams remain one of the most difficult things to relinquish in one\u2019s life. The quest to succeed in achieving said dreams could last a lifetime. Mic Nickels has been willing to devote most of his life to breaking through the mainstream as a hip-hop artist. He considers himself part of the hip-hop generation, as he was born in the shadows of New York City. His early years were unsettled, as his father walked out on him and his mother. Mike was raised by his mother and loving relatives.

As Mike matured, the hypnotic beats and storytelling rhymes of rap music called out to him. He made fast friends with kids who shared his affinity for rap and formed various ensembles, recording their own music and sampling beats while spitting out poetry. Mike has seen a lot while climbing his way up in the unforgiving world of show business, including how to persevere.

Bars for Days hits all the right chords for a heartfelt memoir. Mic Nickels\u2019 character is apparent in revealing the ups and downs in his life, his successes and shortcomings. The battle between responsibility and aspiration in Mike\u2019s soul marks this book as a genuinely entertaining and readable book.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "19-Mar-2022", "date_added": "24-Nov-2021 22:09:45", "publisher": "Mic Nickels", "page_count": "498 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010603007", "title": "Curfew", "author": "Jayne Cowie", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 985, "review": "New Science Fiction and Fantasy\n\nThis roundup comprises five of the best new science fiction and fantasy novels published in the last few months. Action-packed and astoundingly imaginative, they all offer to transport readers to exciting otherworldly locations populated by extraordinary beings. In fact, if you aim to explore strange new worlds and seek out new life and new civilizations, then these are the books for you.\n\nWhere the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire\n\nIn Where the Drowned Girls Go, the seventh volume in Seanan McGuire\u2019s Wayward Children series, a new anti-magical school is introduced and its students are forced to rebel against the overly authoritative faculty, which makes for a tense and fantastical read. When Eleanor West first opened her Home for Wayward Children, she had to acknowledge the fact that she wouldn\u2019t be able to help all those who arrived at her door, although she determined to do her best to assist as many as possible. She\u2019s surprised, however, when Cora turns out to be one of the children who might need to pursue their fate elsewhere. For her part, Cora is desperately seeking a different life, a different prophecy, and the ability to make her own fate. At Cora\u2019s urging, Eleanor reluctantly agrees to transfer her to the Whitethorn Institute, a school that is run according to very different principles than the Home for Wayward Children. Once there, Cora soon realizes that something distinctly sinister is going on and that she might just be the only one capable of overcoming it.\n\nThe Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Mon\u00e1e\n\nWith The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer, Janelle Mon\u00e1e and a host of collaborators have put together a collection of powerful short stories that explore what life is like under a near-future totalitarian regime and if there is any possibility of escape. Set in the Afrofuturistic world that informs one of Mon\u00e1e\u2019s albums, the stories interrogate issues such as sexuality, race, and gender, and they do so against a backdrop of a world in which thoughts can be controlled, modified, or even erased by a select group of powerful elites. As a consequence, the lives of all individuals\u2014whether human, AI, or something else entirely\u2014are overseen by a cabal of megalomaniacs who have assigned themselves the power to control the fate of everything. Well, that was the case until Jane 57821 took the chance to break free and start thinking for herself. The stories in this collection build on and expand the world inhabited by Jane 57821, fleshing it out in all its repressive horror and amazing opportunity.\n\nThe Devil\u2019s Dictionary by Steven Kotler\n\nAn empathy tracker and emotional forecaster, Lion Zorn is unique. He is also uniquely placed to know why the world is the way that it is and what the future is likely to hold, although he mostly concentrates on more day-to-day matters. Still, his skills are very useful to have in a highly competitive market, despite occasionally brining him into contact with the less desirable members of society. When what should have been a standard em-tracking mission suddenly goes wrong and his fellow em-trackers start disappearing, Lion is left without allies and with a serious puzzle to solve. As he searches for the truth, Lion finds himself on a collision course with the shadowy parties behind the mega-linkage, a continent-spanning national park that was billed as the best way to avoid environmental collapse and protect the planet\u2019s biodiversity. Filled with action and intrigue, Steven Kotler\u2019s The Devil\u2019s Dictionary is pure cyberpunk weirdness that both thrills and amazes.\n\nMickey7 by Edward Ashton\n\nA thought-provoking blend of weighty science fiction concepts and hazardous moral dilemmas, Mickey7 by Edward Ashton is part futuristic farce and part all-too-likely horror story. Seeking away to escape both his debts and the boredom of life on Midgard, the original Mickey signed up as an expendable on a mission to colonize the ice planet of Niflheim. He probably should have enquired further into why the position was vacant despite the mission being so prestigious, although he soon learned that the expendable is the person sent to do all the dangerous and likely deadly jobs that no one else on the crew wants to do. For the sake of efficiency, each time a Mickey dies, a clone is created that has most of the memories of the original guy and the subsequent iterations. For the Mickeys, space travel turns out to be not much fun after all, but when Mickey7 is erroneously declared missing and presumed dead, the newly created Mickey8 diligently reports for duty, which is when things really take a turn for the weird.\n \nCurfew by Jayne Cowie\n\nIn the Great Britain of the not-too-distant future, women have taken charge of society and imposed a curfew on men, who must all wear electronic tags and stay in their homes between the hours of 7pm and 7am. While women no longer need to fear being out after dark, the curfew hasn\u2019t proved great for all of them. In the case of single mother Sarah, for example, the curfew law resulted in her husband being sent to prison, although it isn\u2019t going to do much to protect her now that he\u2019s been released. Their daughter Cass also has issues with the curfew and the restrictions that it puts on the lives of boys like her friend Billy, which makes her determined to prove that he\u2019s not a threat to anyone. Meanwhile, teacher Helen has applied for a cohab certificate with her partner, Tom, so that they can finally live together and have a baby. When one of these three women is murdered during the night, it seems clear that the killer can\u2019t have been a man, but is that really the case? Jayne Cowie\u2019s Curfew is a complex futuristic thriller that poses important questions while also delivering a heart-pounding story.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Nov-2021 21:47:55", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "320 Pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010602003", "title": "One Night on the Island: A Novel", "author": "Josie Silver", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 199, "review": "Cleo is a journalist who is sent on an assignment to spend time rediscovering herself on a remote island in Ireland, and she commits to writing a story about this journey that will culminate in a wedding to herself on her thirtieth birthday. She anticipates a solo vacation filled with time to sort through her feelings about beginning a new decade as a single woman. However, Cleo is surprised to learn that a mix up has her set to share accommodations with Mack, a grumpy American traveler with whom she has nothing in common.

One Night on the Island features a well-known enemies to lovers trope, although Josie Silver introduces witty dialogue and the atmospheric setting of Salvation, which make this novel a delight. The story focuses on Mack and Cleo untangling tough emotional turmoil; Mack is dealing with separating from his wife and missing his sons, while Cleo faces a turning point in her career and considers whether she wants to return to London. I loved all the quirky side characters that Cleo meets on Salvation. However, some of Cleo\u2019s self-exploration lost my attention, and I wanted to get back to the budding relationship between her and Mack.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2022", "date_added": "24-Nov-2021 21:33:20", "publisher": "Ballantine Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010600011", "title": "Zhang Heng and the Incredible Earthquake Detector", "author": "Randel McGee", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 126, "review": "One of the most helpful inventions in meteorology was created in China. Zhang Heng and the Incredible Earthquake Detector is about the scientist, Zhang Heng behind the first seismoscope or earthquake detector. Even though these devices have changed over time as technology has changed, they can still predict where and when an earthquake may hit. Zhang Heng was well known for his work in astronomy and math. I especially liked the use of dragons and toads around the machine.

The illustrations in this book are absolutely incredible. The vivid colors in the illustrations help to tell the story and demonstrate the dragons. The glossary in the back of the book is great for words I didn't know. This is a great book and I recommend it.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2022", "date_added": "23-Nov-2021 19:56:06", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010599007", "title": "Down the Hatch: An Agatha Raisin Mystery (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, 32)", "author": "M. C. Beaton", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 198, "review": "An elderly man is spotted lying dead on the bowling green. The rum bottle toppled beside him contains lethal weed killer. Bowlers are tut-tutting in sympathy or mumbling \u2018Good riddance!\u2019 Private detective Agatha Raisin witnesses the scene and, always on the lookout for a new murder mystery, sees she has found a doozie. Soon, she gains support for her theory of murder, not an accidental death, and learns in a bizarre sub-plot that quokkas, spotted by a panicky caller, are exotic animals and not crazy make-believe.

Longtime fans will enjoy the usual characters: Charles, the rich, on-and-off boyfriend and his glamorous guests James, her still bewitching ex-husband, Bill Wong, the young cop who supports her nosey interference in police cases, and his senior officer who does not. Her loyal staff supply dedicated support in tracking down the villains despite the customary mishaps and death threats.

So is there a minor flaw in this latest romp, too many adjectives? Too many extra characters who don\u2019t quite fit in? Rod Green, the late M.C. Beaton\u2019s co-author, pretty much completely captures her tone and spirit. Come again soon, Agatha, your persistent quest to look good and find adventure are always welcome!", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "26-Jul-2022", "date_added": "23-Nov-2021 21:04:09", "publisher": "Minotaur Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010599003", "title": "Hello, Transcriber: A Novel", "author": "Hannah Morrissey", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 205, "review": "Hello, Transcriber is an intriguing thriller about a woman named Hazel Greenlee who lives in Wisconsin. Hazel and her husband, Tommy move to Black Harbor which is several cities south of where they came from and Hazel gets a job as a police transcriber. The storyline moves along quite quickly as Hazel becomes involved in a current case that involves her neighbor Sam. Wanting to help and having a crush on the lead officer, Nikolai Kole, Hazel volunteers to help Kole with the case.

Hazel is a bit of a lost soul. Her sister, Elle, is the star of a radio show and is getting married soon and Hazel's relationship with Tommy seems to be her trying to avoid having sex with him since he is drunk a lot of the time. Hazel is described as being very beautiful so it's not surprising when she finds herself attracted to Kole. There are a few twists and turns in the plot but the story sucks the reader in with all of the interesting characters and the haunting feel of the town of Black Harbor in general. This book is a fantastic read. Fans of suspense and thriller will want to pick a copy up right away.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2022", "date_added": "23-Nov-2021 19:37:06", "publisher": "Minotaur Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010595011", "title": "America Becoming: Framing Our Declaration of Interdependence", "author": "Lisa Uhrik", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 360, "review": "Our founders have become figures that appeared shrouded, lost in the mists of marble and statues. They are myths, honored relics of our fabled past and the very architects of our present. There's just one problem with this rosy, dare I say, overly longing view of political greatness. It's not completely true. In fact, you'd be surprised by how ordinary the founders really were. Their greatness came from very real and human qualities. Many of them wouldn't have proclaimed themselves to be statesmen. They were just citizens, who argued fiercely with one another, stretched the realms of political thought, and then took a chance, well many chances. It works because at the end of the day it's built on justice and community.

As Lisa Uhrik mentions in her powerful and engrossing new book America Becoming: Framing Our Declaration of Interdependence, much has been spoken and written about our nation's recent decline. Many argue that we live in the most polarizing and troubling times since the Civil War. That Americans have turned into warring camps and hide in echo chambers. As Uhril maintains, we are in many ways a teenage nation. We lack the length and breadth of history that many of the historical great civilizations possess. However, this rebellious\u00a0sparkle that burns within all of us, that helped shape our country, is not something to fear, it is an instrument to use.

Two hundred and forty years of nationhood can feel like an eternity, and indeed it's a vast amount of time. However, as the author claims, it doesn't mean that we as a country are past our period of exploration. That we are so old and set in our ways that we can't experiment, each generation redefining the process. This insightful book is not another rehash of 1776, not another list of beliefs about the founder's views, and it certainly isn't another book preaching the ills of our time. Rather it is a positive and hopeful manifesto of where we as a nation and people can go from here. This is a rich and compelling book that can't fall to leave you inspired. One that can reawaken patriotism and rediscover hope.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "21-Apr-2022", "date_added": "23-Nov-2021 21:02:40", "publisher": "Southern Fried Karma LLC", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010595007", "title": "Our World Is a Family: A Book about Being a Good Neighbor", "author": "Miry Whitehill", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aidyn - Age 7", "word_count": 123, "review": "This book confused me at first because it is called Our World Is a Family but the people were not acting like a family; it seemed unsafe. In the end, it seemed like the book was about kids playing in their new safe home and parents being able to go to work while the kids go to school. They weren't able to do that in their old home.

I learned that the world is not safe everywhere, and people need to move in order to be safe. When they move, their new home doesn't feel like home because they have to leave people behind. I did like that the book teaches us how to say words in different languages. That was very helpful.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2022", "date_added": "23-Nov-2021 19:57:55", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Explore", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010595003", "title": "Love, Dance & Egg Rolls", "author": "Jason Tanamor", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 209, "review": "High school is prime time for novel experiences, self-discovery, cultivating meaningful friendships, and more. For Filipino-American teenager Jamie Santiago, adolescent drama is punctuated by his involvement in a cultural dance troupe, protests against white supremacy, and navigating everyday encounters with a racist bully. His family and friends DEnnis and Walter serve as his lifeline. Then there\u2019s Bethany, the Goth girl with legendary breakdance moves. While mutual interests bring them together, they also face a scheduling dilemma: Homecoming falls on the same night as the Asian Folk Festival.

Jason Tanamor excels in bringing Jamie\u2019s lovelorn and not-so-ordinary existence to life in Love, Dance & Egg Rolls. It\u2019s an endearing story of a young man who is doing his best to be anchored in both Filipino and American cultures, while also just being a regular kid. Tanamor tackles issues relatable to Fil-Ams: from being treated as an outsider during the Trump administration to the guilt of feeling inadequately Filipino in American society. He incorporates familiar tropes of Filipino life: from uniquely Pinoy mannerisms, karaoke in the living room, to love and nourishment derived from grandmother\u2019s cooking.

This book is a refreshing and honest take on how young bicultural Americans straddle their allegiance to both cultures as they define their cultural identity.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "09-May-2022", "date_added": "23-Nov-2021 18:14:09", "publisher": "Ooligan Press", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010594011", "title": "Blood Up North", "author": "Fredrick Soukup", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Cass lives with her grandmother, Tilly, a tobacco-chewing, crusty old lady who raised Cass and her brother Jack after their mother died, perhaps at the hands of their father, Vick. The tiny town in northern Minnesota where they live is as dreary as Cass\u2019s life. She works part-time in the town bar, a real dive. Drugs and alcohol pretty much fuel the town. Jack shows up with a bag full of money and a tale of drug runners pursuing him. Cass does what she can to save him, but when Vick shows up acting all nice, she realizes things don\u2019t quite add up. Can she figure things out in time to save her brother and herself?

Fredrick Soukup has created a cast of largely uninteresting, nasty characters to populate this desolate tale. Cass has a few redeeming qualities, but she is the only one. The writing is okay, but the author often uses vocabulary that doesn\u2019t fit the narrative, pulling the reader out of the story. Like Titus Andronicus, the stage is littered with bodies and drenched in blood by the end, and if that\u2019s what a reader likes in a book, this is the book for them.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2022", "date_added": "23-Nov-2021 19:42:38", "publisher": "Vine Leaves Press", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010594003", "title": "The Bone Orchard", "author": "Sara A. Mueller", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 195, "review": "The Bone Orchard missed the mark and left much to be desired. Overall the story has a rather sci-fi-noir-gothic feel with moments reminiscent of a fusion between The Matrix and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. The premise of a King\u2019s mistress being given a deathbed task to uncover his murderer, usurp the line of succession, and insight a rebellion to appoint a new ruler sets the stage for an intriguing mystery. However, the literal writing style falls short in its ability to create an equally captivating world for such a mystery to unfold. There was a noticeable lack of nuance, whimsy, and allure which seemed odd given the story\u2019s epicenter is an infamous gentleman\u2019s club that caters to the unearthly desires and taboo proclivities of the elite.

The theme of absolute control, both physical and mental, throughout the entire story lends itself to an unsavory reading experience. Those portraying themselves to be protectors are simply captors in disguise, enslaving others for their own selfish needs. When individuals break free of mental confines it should be a moment of triumph but ends up being a rather depressing conclusion to a woeful story of torment and trauma.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2022", "date_added": "23-Nov-2021 18:06:29", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000010593007", "title": "Oh William!: A Novel", "author": "Elizabeth Strout", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 206, "review": "In her latest novel, Oh William!, Elizabeth Strout returns to the protagonist she first introduced in My Name is Lucy Barton. Now Lucy is older, although not wiser it seems, as she navigates life in her seventies after a great loss.

To enjoy this book, you must be comfortable with a first-person narrator who isn\u2019t comfortable with herself. Lucy, herself a writer, observes other people with a consistency that seeks to forgive them their transgressions. Her moments of self-reflection, however, are couched within memories that she never quite defines and riddled with a self-doubt that can be off-putting as she notes she is more of a witness to her own life than an active participant.

Much of this is realized as she recounts her first marriage to William and the subsequent one to David, both men who ground her in a world where she often feels invisible. There are lovely, sad little revelations peppered throughout the novel, and Strout is at her best when she\u2019s working through family trauma, but this might be a bit much for someone looking for a light read. However, if you want a character study of an older woman navigating life on her own, Oh William! is the book for you.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2022", "date_added": "23-Nov-2021 18:25:57", "publisher": "Random House", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010593003", "title": "Giant: The Unlikely Origins of Shim (Merlin Saga)", "author": "T.A. Barron", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 10", "word_count": 227, "review": "Shim is a young giant who has always known a world filled with peace. He is unusually big and strong even though he is a young giant. Shim lives on a magic isle where there are wizards and fairies. Everything is perfectly calm until suddenly, Shim's world bursts into chaos! An attack causes Shim and his mother to flee their home in search of the one person who can help them: the mysterious Domnu. When a horrible wager goes wrong Shim is shrunk to barely even a fraction of his true size. When the spell is done Shim has lost almost all his memory. He only remembers that he liked honey, that he was a giant, and his mother's last words to him. Shim goes on an amazing journey to regain his memory. He makes many friends and even some enemies, but he never stops. Buy the book to go on Shim\u2019s journey with him through the huge isle of Fincayra.

Giant: The Unlikely Origins of Shim (Merlin Saga) is a fantastical read that many will enjoy. It was not quite as interesting for me; it may be better suited for tweens, teens, and young adults between the ages of twenty to thirty years old. Though it was a good read, the characters were not relatable to me and the storyline did not capture and keep my attention.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2022", "date_added": "23-Nov-2021 17:56:22", "publisher": "Philomel Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010592027", "title": "The Principle of 18, Getting the Most out of Every Stage of Your Life", "author": "Eyal N Danon", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 458, "review": "Author Eyal Danon has written the perfect self-help book for all genders, ages, and occupations. His method of teaching through stories will help readers understand the five stages in his book The Principle of 18. In this book, life is divided into five eighteen-year segments with the last segment extended to beyond ninety years of age. The five stages are The Dreamer, The Explorer, The Builder, The Mentor, and The Giver. I found myself thinking about my own life as it fits into the five stages and gave a little smile as I realized that I have been following this plan without even knowing. In fact, when I entered The Builder stage at thirty-six years old, this was the exact time that I had just changed jobs and bought my own business. Of course, I couldn't wait to read more about what the future had in store if I kept using this path of eighteen-year increments.

The Dreamer stage from childhood to eighteen emphasizes identifying three possible dreams for your future and visualizing how to get there. It also states to beware of dream killers. These are people who tell you that you cannot accomplish what you want to. This advice would have been helpful to me when my own mother told me that I was mediocre and not good at any one thing when I was twelve years old. It was a good thing I didn't listen to her negative comments. The second stage is The Explorer which emphasizes taking risks and emphasizing working on one dream at a time to find your true calling. It also leads right into planning for the next stage, The Builder stage. The Builder stage emphasizes creating the deadlines and goals to make your number one dream happen. Having the drive and being persistent can get you to where you want to be. The stories that Danon tells in this chapter are so inspiring and teach you to really stay true to yourself and not compromise your values. The effort in this stage comes from the two previous stages not being rushed. I love that this is also the stage in which you find a mentor to help guide you. This is actually the next stage, becoming The Mentor. After experiencing the other stages, The Mentor and The Giver, the next eighteen-year periods should fall into place. These two stages give a great deal of purpose into a person's life as they age and are not working quite so many hours each week.

The Principle of 18 is a beautifully written book that can help its readers in any stage of life. Being self-aware of what stage you are in can really set a person up for success and prolonged happiness.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "06-Dec-2021", "date_added": "20-Nov-2021 21:50:11", "publisher": "Blue Branch Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010592023", "title": "The Principle of 18, Getting the Most out of Every Stage of Your Life", "author": "Eyal N Danon", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Keana Aguila Labra", "word_count": 444, "review": "Planning a life of prosperity is not without its hardships. As the world continues to become busier (and more stressful), it\u2019s intimidating for folks of all backgrounds to create a structure of success with the daunting obstacles seemingly laid ahead. Additionally, what is success without fulfillment, as many folks are financially successful but feel lacking where they should feel triumph? While having it all, like financial security, career fulfillment, and happiness, seems impossible, it was inspiring to learn that it is not. Eyal N. Danon\u2019s Principle of 18 provides a structure to obtain peace of mind and fulfill a need for purpose for one\u2019s life. This plan encourages dreams big and plenty; and with comforting reassurance, Danon urges us to accomplish everything in our wildest dreams.

Each section is broken into five archetypes: the Dreamer; the Explorer; the Builder; the Mentor; and the Giver. Each role contributes to the idea of cultivating, maintaining community, and connecting generations, which is the throughline of this book. The eighteen years between each archetype allows for the implementation of significant, lasting change. Two concepts (details distinct to each archetype) are the North Star and Transition Plan, which are key concepts to being successful in your life plan, whatever that may be. While this is not specific to any specialty or expertise, it provides guideposts of what to consider and who to turn to during these points in our lives. This book was especially refreshing, as it was healthy in setting boundaries in every approach. However, it still emphasized the need for discipline and hard work. Rather, it acknowledged that life is not clear-cut, and each phase allows for reinvention. There is room for adjustment, as anyone of any age can adapt the principle to their particular stage in life. While others may dread being \u201colder\u201d and \u201cbehind,\u201d this is not the way in which Danon sees it. In a gentle encouragement, Danon writes: \u201cNo matter where you are now, you know more than you did when you started out, which means [...] you\u2019ll be ahead of the game.\u201d

This book is perfect for anyone wondering how they may reach concrete goals in their life without shame. There is no overcoming competition, but rather, focusing on how to be the best version of ourselves while creating a life of joy, as \u201clife is meant to be enjoyed right now, wherever you are in your journey.\u201d A life without regret and worry is possible. We are all the bamboo plant moso, containing the incredible potential to succeed and grow, and we deserve to give ourselves the right conditions to do so. And with Danon, we learn which direction to go from here.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "02-Feb-2022", "date_added": "20-Nov-2021 21:50:00", "publisher": "Blue Branch Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010592019", "title": "Camera Ready", "author": "Adele Royce", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 408, "review": "Camera Ready tells the story of a woman named Jane who holds a very prestigious position at her job at an advertising agency as VP. Jane seems to have it all, a fantastic job, a wonderful boyfriend named Derek, and friends and family whom all love her. The only problem? A man named Craig Keller, a complete gigolo who pounces on Jane every chance he gets. This in itself would not be a problem if it weren't for the fact that Jane has a weak spot for this man as well as a past with him. Craig Keller is the owner of another top ad agency in Santa Monica and things get a little too close for comfort as Jane's company is bought over by Craig's.

This book, although categorized in the romance genre, is really more accurately described as popular fiction. There are really hardly any sex or make-out scenes in the book. In fact, Camera Ready really focuses on Jane's thoughts and actions as she navigates through a very difficult situation. Author Adele Royce does a fabulous job with character development and the details she puts into the setting. Craig is the oh-so-good-looking guy every woman stares at when entering the room, while Jane is the beautiful and fashion-forward hardworking main character. Then there is Derek who can be described as the under-the-radar boyfriend with not-so-great self-esteem. The Southern California lifestyle is emphasized as the characters go out to fancy dinners at the most trendy restaurants. Jane and her best friends Marisa and Kat are all powerful women in business and their confidence exudes off the pages of this book.

It was very hard for me to like Derek and I admit that I felt that he was the weakest character in the book because he seemed to always be afraid that Jane didn't love him or that she had secrets from him (okay, well she did, but that's beside the point) and he would run away from the situation instead of talking to Jane about it. His snobby sister did not help the situation as well. I thought Jane's grandparents who raised her were simply adorable and I would have loved to have had a little more of their relationship with Jane woven into the plot.

Camera Ready is a fabulous read that will have readers turning the pages wanting to know what will happen next. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Jane Green.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "07-Dec-2021", "date_added": "20-Nov-2021 00:12:35", "publisher": "Dagmar Miura", "page_count": "248 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010592015", "title": "A Break in the Fog", "author": "Molly Salans", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 454, "review": "A Break in the Fog is a beautifully written story with themes of love, addiction, post-traumatic stress, and the true meaning of family. In this book, Author Molly Salans writes with a prose that dances in the reader's ear as she tells the story through the points of view of the three main characters, Joe (or Yosev), the father, and Clara and Wendy, the adult daughters. What I find interesting about the way this book was written is that the chapters written through the eyes of the daughters are written in first person and the chapters written through Joe's eyes are in the third person. Each method is effective, however, but I think if it wasn't for the large amount of swearing that Wendy does in her chapters, I may not have even noticed this.

A Break in the Fog mainly follows Clara as she is trying to find her way through life in the city of San Francisco during the mid-1970s. She finds herself torn because her father wants her to dance ballet yet she really wants to try modern dancing. Joe's harsh words often send Clara to think about her mother Anna, who died several years back. Throughout the book, Clara also conjures up the voice and advice of her Aunt Miriam, who died during the Nazi invasion many years ago. Clara finds herself being sucked into a cult called ASI, in which she becomes deeply involved. This cult is very abusive and takes everything from Clara. These scenes are very graphic and realistic. While reading the book, it was hard to see why Clara didn't see that she was being used and taken advantage of; however, when looking through her own eyes, she is very naive and clearly does not understand what is really going on.

While Clara is being taken in by this cult, Wendy is on the streets and is a drug addict. Ironically, Joe is an MD, but cannot help his own daughter until she hits rock bottom. Then Clara goes missing. The heartache that each character explains all stems from their pasts, and they all find themselves thinking about Anna and the day that her body was found. The author does a wonderful job of describing each scene with dancing and layers of fog and poetry that is rewritten over and over again to fit the current narrative. Happiness and violence co-mingle in this story and the reader may experience many emotions while reading.

This book has some very serious topics but is written in a way that is easy to understand from different points of view. Well-written with beautiful scenery and complex characters, A Break in the Fog will have its readers wide-eyed and hoping for the best.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2022", "date_added": "20-Nov-2021 00:08:24", "publisher": "The Salans Press", "page_count": "370 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010592011", "title": "A Break in the Fog", "author": "Molly Salans", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 420, "review": "A Break in the Fog by Molly Salans had me thinking about Clara, the story's main character, well after I finished this story. Although a wonderfully well-done novel, this is not a light read. The story follows Clara\u2019s journey recalling her traumatic childhood, dysfunctional family, and her eventual wash up into a deadly cult. A tale that truly shook me, readers of serious fiction or those who are seeking a deeper understanding of cults, would thoroughly enjoy this book.

With a drug-addicted sister, a disconnected father, and a dead mother, Clara\u2019s family life is in shambles, to say the least. Never feeling loved and wanted at home, she always finds herself seeking more, looking to others to satiate her longing for affection. Clara\u2019s true passion is in dancing; teaching modern dance at her local studio is the one thing that makes Clara content. However, her father does not approve, causing a great division between them, eventually forcing Clara to teach in secret.\nOn a particularly hard day, Clara finds herself on the Golden Gate Bridge gazing into the ocean for solace. A woman named June approaches her, inviting her to a restaurant owned by her school, The Ancient School of Ideas. Clara attends, eating the most delicious, indulgent food she has ever tasted. Two speakers, students at the school, talk during the meal. Both gorgeous and alluring, Clara is attracted to them, and the people at this school who appear so vibrant. Although the monthly tuition to attend is expensive and she finds discomfort in religion, Clara signs on to attend for the first month and try it out. Before long, she is hooked. Slowly immersing herself more and more into the school, the reader watches Clara quietly fall into the cult, not even aware of what is happening.

The way Salans shows this transformation is what makes this book so chilling; the reader watches Clara lose her independence more and more daily, eventually without resistance. The brainwashing was gradual - slow enough to where Clara truly believed that what was happening was okay and for the better. An absolutely heartbreaking and terrifying reality that happens to so many, I could not stop thinking about how both victims and their families are affected by this kind of tragedy.

Additional topics this novel addresses include drug and alcohol addictions, belief in God, suicide, survivors\u2019 guilt, and familial violence. A book that will give you chills, be prepared to watch Clara and her family\u2019s life change with the events that will unfold.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2022", "date_added": "20-Nov-2021 00:08:09", "publisher": "The Salans Press", "page_count": "370 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010592007", "title": "Beyond The Human Realm", "author": "Gene Helfman", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 415, "review": "It\u2019s always incredible to note the changes that can occur in a lifetime. I\u2019m not yet thirty, but I\u2019ve seen a vast shift in many social attitudes, and I have every hope those shifts will push through to their logical conclusions. (At least, I hope so, when it comes to the shifts involving extending kindness to more than it reaches now.) One of those shifts has been the treatment of cetaceans, especially in marine parks. When I was a little girl, almost too young to remember, I went to see an orca show at Seaworld. These days, after movies like Blackfish and the growing proof that orcas are not only capable of feeling but may well be intelligent, those shows have begun to close down.

I don\u2019t think it would have been impossible to publish Beyond the Human Realm before now. I\u2019m certain, though, it would not have been received as well as it deserves to today.

Primarily the story of an orca traumatized by his time at a marine park, Beyond the Human Realm brings in so much more than just a tale of hurt and growth. For one thing, there is genuine science behind it, even behind the more speculative parts. Helfman has a Ph.D. in ecology, and it shows. This is possibly one of the most grounded nature novels I have read, and while I went into it slightly skeptical, especially with the slow start, I soon found myself won over. Helfman treats orcas not as reservoirs of animal wisdom that humans have become separated from (though there are some aspects of this in the book) but as characters in their own right. Some are wise, some are foolish, some are scarred inside and out. It takes all of them to make up their world, just as it takes all people to make up ours.

There were only two things I didn\u2019t enjoy much about the book. The first was the romance. While done much better than I have seen in other books, it felt forced. The other is something all writers must face when writing nonhuman cultures: names. Helfman chose to have his orcas give themselves English names, like Sam, Nan, and Rose. This isn\u2019t a choice that works well for me, especially when so much attention is given to the fact that white Americans are still the newcomers to the Pacific Northwest. Still, it is a small quibble and one that may not bother others. On the whole, I highly recommend this book.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "30-Nov-2021", "date_added": "20-Nov-2021 00:02:16", "publisher": "self-published via Luminare Press", "page_count": "423 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010592003", "title": "Star Revelations", "author": "Steven Terry", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 436, "review": "In Star Revelations, an examination of a conspiracy about population control leads to several stupefying revelations about society, the media, the supernatural world, and the perils that come with seeking truth. Diana is a celebrated journalist who hopes to access lost memories about her childhood and unravel the truth behind a mysterious plane crash that leads to a coma. After waking up from the coma, she begins to have dreams about her childhood, which reveal how she was experimented on and violated in a secret project created by the evil, covert controllers of the United States.

Gabe, one of Diana's colleagues, loses faith in his profession and humanity when he uncovers secrets about a Columbus water contamination scandal and explores a population control conspiracy. The path to enlightenment for the two colleagues is a hazardous one as it is plagued by murder attempts by ruthless plotters who keep the public ignorant of the evil that goes on behind the scenes. Their path would also lead them to shocking revelations about time travel, telepathy, mind control, and more supernatural elements. Will Diana connect the dots and expose the truth to all before the power-hungry forces get rid of her?

I absolutely loved the positive messages about love, utopia, courage, and freedom. Also, some creative ideas are explored in a way that opened my mind to several new exciting possibilities, like how the third eye could be a doorway to other worlds. In fact, I am still relishing in the book's dreamy and enriching atmosphere. Another element that leaves a lasting impression is the intense action; the close calls, threatening and warning voices, and assassination attempts made me so jumpy that I had to remind myself I was only reading a book and not experiencing the events in person. Additionally, Star Revelations brings to our attention how society could be manipulated by the media.

Apart from the engrossing narrative, Star Revelations includes several profound thoughts that encourage a higher consciousness, taking control of one's thoughts, and striving to achieve peace and freedom. Steven Terry definitely knows how to build up the suspense! I was immersed in a mysterious atmosphere as bits of information were released through dreams, questions, reflections, and voices in a way that resulted in me being eager for more. The multiple viewpoints make the story even more entertaining and intricate.\n\nStar Revelation would appeal to conspiracy theories enthusiasts and fans of thriller, crime, fantasy, and sci-fi. I was greatly impressed by the brilliant blend of different genres to create a well-constructed story that engages the mind and the sixth sense. Prepare to have your mind blown!", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "06-Dec-2021", "date_added": "19-Nov-2021 23:56:36", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010591027", "title": "The Loneliest Americans", "author": "Jay Caspian Kang", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 214, "review": "Asian American identity is complicated by generational experiences and economic aspirations in a society that primarily views race from the perspectives of Blacks and Whites. This is the thesis that Jay Caspian Kang lays out in The Loneliest Americans, a piercing and thought-provoking read that combines personal accounts and self-scrutiny with a crash history course about the fastest-growing racial group in the United States. Asians are the loneliest Americans because, despite painful attempts at assimilation, society is indifferent to invisibility and racial violence endured by the vast diasporic community, especially the working poor and others who are living in poverty.

This book is a compelling read for Asian Americans of all generations who are navigating current racial dynamics, distinct from the immigrant\u2019s optimism toward America\u2019s promises of freedom, democracy, and capitalism. His appeal to Asians about forging a social identity informed by race and class consciousness is prudent. Reading Kang\u2019s text from the lens of a Filipino immigrant who has been a part of pan-Asian solidarity movements, I understand the melancholy of finding a place in America\u2019s complex racial stratification. By sharing many personal anecdotes, Kang gives the reader a palpable way to empathize with all-too-common Asian American experiences of being perceived as a high-achieving model minority, while also being held back because of racism.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2022", "date_added": "19-Nov-2021 19:58:47", "publisher": "Crown", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010591019", "title": "This Broken World (The Vortex of Worlds, 1) ", "author": "Charles E. Gannon", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 194, "review": "This is a thoroughly entertaining book, even though it is a fairly thick tome and the beginning of a new fantasy series. It does not break new ground in the fantasy genre, nor does it pretend to do so. It really reads like a Dungeons and Dragons adventure, one in which the writing is quite well done, and Charles Gannon puts the skills he has honed writing science fiction and fantasy to good use crafting a story that will keep the reader fairly entertained.

There are a few points where things get a little confusing and could have used some additional clarity, but they are minor and not off-putting. People who have read high fantasy books, or even those who have played Dungeons and Dragons, will recognize many of the character types and attributes, such as the hero, the scoundrel, political intrigue, the anti-hero, orcs of some type, and more.

Beyond adventuring and saving people from injustice, this is also a book about the main character finding himself, though his inability to grasp political maneuvering is a little hard to bear at times, as you wish he would learn about politics at some point.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2022", "date_added": "19-Nov-2021 17:55:51", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "608 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010591011", "title": "48 Hours to Kill: A Thriller", "author": "Andrew Bourelle", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 206, "review": "48 Hours to Kill is a book about a man named Ethan who finds himself in jail after a series of unfortunate events that have to do with working at a strip club. While in jail, Ethan finds out that his little sister Abby has died and is released on furlough to attend her funeral. What he realizes when he is released is that her body was never found. In fact, their mother was the one who allowed the FBI to declare Abby dead after she had been missing. Ethan is furious and wants to get to the bottom of what happened to Abby. He has forty-eight hours to do this before he has to turn himself back in. In those forty-eight hours, he pairs up with Abby's best friend, Whitney, and finds out that both girls had become strippers and worked for his ex-boss Shark.

This book's storyline is fantastically written with tons of action and twists and turns. All of the characters are described vividly and Reno sounds as horrible and desolate as it is in real life. There is some violence and gore in the book but it's not overdone and is necessary to the tense storyline. Recommended for fans of Baldacci and Coben.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2022", "date_added": "19-Nov-2021 17:33:46", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "340 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010590023", "title": "Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark", "author": "Cassandra Peterson", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1005, "review": "Recent Bio/Memoir\n\nIf you are looking to expand your horizons and view life through another lens, these five books will be perfect for you. From experiences of show business to raising a transgender daughter, these books are bound to offer new frames of reference and teach you a few things along the way.\n\nBuster Keaton: A Filmmaker's Life by James Curtis\n\nBuster Keaton was a very small child when he joined his parents in a vaudeville act called \u201cThe Three Keatons.\u201d It was a very successful show until its demise, which was brought on by Keaton\u2019s alcoholic father in 1917. Following this, Buster Keaton was recruited to star in a short series of comedies with Roscoe \u201cFatty\u201d Arbuckle, who then propelled him toward writing, directing, and featuring in his own films. Unfortunately, in 1928, Keaton made the mistake of signing a contract with MGM that stripped him of his writing and directing roles, which, alongside his failing marriage, subsequently propelled him into alcoholism. He was fired from MGM in 1933 but continued to work in smaller roles. Luckily, during the 1950s, his films began to gain more traction and his career revived. Culture and film historian James Curtis brings us a moving and relatable account of Keaton\u2019s life, even though it seems so long ago now. Keaton was such a gifted comedian, stunt artist, and filmmaker, and Curtis honors him with this comprehensive biography, vividly evoking the iconic images of Charlie Chaplin\u2019s tramp and Harold Lloyd\u2019s straw boater that Keaton was famous for, especially in his masterpiece The General. Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker\u2019s Life is certainly the most thorough and touching biography of Keaton to date.\n\nThe Bushman\u2019s Lair: On the Trail of the Fugitive of the Shuswap by Paul McKendrick\n\nIn British Columbia during the summer of 2002, a group of houseboaters found the cave hideout of an outlaw known as the Bushman (or John Bjornstrom as he is otherwise known). An exciting discovery, Bjornstrom had previously created an elaborate network of bootcamps after escaping from jail, and he had created quite an intricate base out of the nine-hundred-square-foot space in the cave, which impressed all the people involved with the discovery and led them to believe that there was more to this man than just being a fugitive. In The Bushman\u2019s Lair, McKendrick investigates the reason behind the Bushman\u2019s habitation of the Shuswap Lake cave through interviews by various people involved, an evaluation of RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and court transcripts, perusing declassified US government documents, and his own experiences of Shuswap Lake. The book is an enthralling read that delves into Bjornstrom\u2019s life and shows us how he has become the well-known eccentric and legendary fugitive.\n\nYours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark by Cassandra Peterson\n\nAt eighteen months old, Cassandra Peterson had an accident with a pot of boiling water that left her with third-degree burns on 35% of her body. Growing up scarred, she very much had to fight to overcome the consequences of such, and seeing herself as a misfit, she developed a passion for the horror genre and its characters. Leaving home at fourteen, she veered into show business, first performing in Las Vegas at seventeen, and encountered big names such as her idol Elvis Presley, who helped her on her way to Italy, where she became the lead singer of a pop group. Following this, Peterson moved to Hollywood, where she worked on a few projects. At age thirty, she became the hostess for late night vintage horror movies, thereby discovering the role she became famous for and making it her own. Yours Cruelly, Elvira is the intimate account of the woman behind Elvira, The Mistress of the Dark, and what a ride she takes you on! Peterson gives an honest and vulnerable account of her upbringing, her marriage problems, and her career highs and lows. Her\u2019s is very much a story featuring shocking trials and tribulations that will keep you reading.\n\nFacing the Music: A Broadway Memoir by David Loud\n\nMusical director and Broadway legend David Loud presents his entertaining and eventful memoir in such an exquisite way that it will take you on an emotional rollercoaster right from the beginning through to the end. It is such a charming story of his life, with accounts of a childhood spent spellbound by the stage and being at odds with his school, which was more focused on farming and outdoor pursuits. Loud vividly reveals the ups and downs of his decades-long Broadway career, describing in detail his journey to the podium. Finally, he presents a lively account of his fight against Parkinson\u2019s disease. In Facing the Music, you will find a larger-than-life celebration of music and a life extremely well spent in the world of Broadway. This is a unique tale and a must read for anyone looking for a gripping biography, especially for theatre fans.\n\nHow to Be a Girl: A Mother's Memoir of Raising Her Transgender Daughter by Marlo Mack\n\nMarlo Mack gifts us the courageous story of a mother dealing with her child\u2019s transition from male to female, the struggles that followed, and the deeper bond forged by properly listening to her child. At a very young age, M started insisting on wearing dresses and having long hair. To the close friends and family of Mack, M was just experimenting, as children very often do. That was until a heartbreaking discussion occurred when M turned to Mack in tears and declared that something went wrong in Mack\u2019s tummy that caused her to be born the wrong sex. It was from that moment Mack realized that she needed to listen more closely to M. How to Be a Girl reveals the hard fight a mother had to go through for her child to be heard. Very anxious about the prejudice that will almost certainly dog M\u2019s future, Mack realizes that the problem does not lie with her child but with the world at large. This is a fascinating and illuminating read.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Nov-2021 19:18:03", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "394 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010590007", "title": "Cold-Blooded Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery 3)", "author": "Elizabeth C. Bunce", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - Age 13", "word_count": 195, "review": "Myrtle Hardcastle just wanted to enjoy a family amusement at the annual unveiling of Professor Leighton\u2019s Christmas shop display. But when he turns up dead, Myrtle knows she must solve the case. All the clues point to a girl named Olive Blackwell and her strange disappearance many years before that fueled the scandal that ended Leighton\u2019s career. But if Olive is dead, she couldn\u2019t really be back\u2026 could she? Who would want to dredge up this ancient case? Will Myrtle be able to find the killer before they exact their full revenge?

I love all the Myrtle Hardcastle books; Myrtle is a fun, likable heroine with plenty of depth to her character! The mystery was fun and twisty, and the clues were well-placed and always kept me guessing and switching suspects. In this one, I especially loved Myrtle\u2019s evolving relationship with her Aunt Helena and her governess, Miss Judson. I also felt that Myrtle\u2019s emotions over this case really showed through in the narrative, which made it really interesting to read. The writing itself is fun and easy to read, making it accessible to any age group. I hope to read more about Myrtle soon!", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 21:02:44", "publisher": "Algonquin Young Readers", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010590003", "title": "Castle Gesundheit", "author": "Mark Fearing", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 9 and Julianne - age 6", "word_count": 164, "review": "If you\u2019re looking for a bit of a silly book, try Castle Gesundheit by Mark Fearing.

There are cats in this book.

A LOT of cats.

And they cause problems.

There\u2019s a baron who is called Baron von Sneeze, and he lives with the cats in his castle (called Castle Gesundheit). The village nearby is called Handkerchief. (Because you sneeze into a handkerchief.)

There\u2019s a girl named Fiona and the rest of the village (including her family) who cannot get any sleep\u2026 there\u2019s too much sneezing! They try everything and still they can\u2019t drown out the achoos, snorts, and other loud things out of their ears. \nIn the end, well, no spoilers, but Fiona comes up with a creative solution.

The pictures were amazing and so was everything else. The pictures really help tell the story. Whether you suffer from allergies or not, you\u2019ll probably be wheezing and snorting over this book\u2026 with laughter! We highly recommend Castle Gesundheit book, because it\u2019s so funny. And because of the cats.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 19:58:38", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010589019", "title": "Renewed for Murder (A Blue Ridge Library Mystery)", "author": "Victoria Gilbert", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 209, "review": "Amy Webber has happily settled into married life with Richard Muir and the two are looking forward to the new chapter in their lives. When her aunt Lydia shows up concerned for her best friend Zelda, they go with her to check things out only to discover a dead body in the woman's garden. As secrets are revealed, the evidence begins to point in Zelda's direction. In order to help her aunt's friend, Amy takes it upon herself to dig into the past and uncover secrets that could make Zelda look even guiltier but could also send her directly to the killer.

Victoria Gilbert does a brilliant job delivering a mystery that dips into the past through the accounts of various characters to events that happened decades ago. As Amy pieces together what a choir, an allergic reaction to a tainted gift, a car crash, and mean girls have in common, she stumbles upon a shocking discovery. The writing is rich in details that paint vivid visuals such as Aunt Lydia's hair being gray while also described as gleaming and smooth as liquid silver. The setting adds to the charm of the characters through an eclectic community and a stunning atmosphere at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2022", "date_added": "19-Nov-2021 17:50:50", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010589015", "title": "Louie and Bear in the Land of Anything Goes", "author": "Brady Smith", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb - age 8", "word_count": 142, "review": "Louie and Bear in the Land of Anything Goes is about a boy named Louie who gets sucked in a hole, and appears in the Land of Anything Goes. Louie's hamster turns into a bear and fights alongside Louie and saves many kids from a villain named Hairy Larry.

I think other people would like this book because it is really, really, really funny! It is one of those books where you want to keep reading it over and over again. I learned from this book, that if you call a scary thing a funny name, it makes it less scary. The graphics in Louie and Bear in the Land of Anything Goes are cool, and I like the creatures that the author, Brady Smith, drew. Ages six to ten would enjoy this book. I can't wait to read more from the author!", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "06-Apr-2022", "date_added": "19-Nov-2021 17:13:50", "publisher": "Penguin Workshop", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010589007", "title": "101 Tips To Lighten Your Burden: Practical Advice For Life", "author": "Jennifer Bonn", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 197, "review": "101 Tips To Lighten Your Burden: Practical Advice For Life contains insightful and practical solutions to many of life\u2019s problems. The \"tips\" are written out, followed by a single paragraph explaining them and sometimes a real-life application on the part of the author. Bonn's advice may read like common sense for most, but for the readers stuck in dark places, it is the revelation needed all along. The topics include self-esteem/believing in yourself, finding your motivation/fixing your mindset, communication, and consistency, along with some religious references to recognizing the role God plays in your life.

As an employee in the mental health field, I can't say enough about having many options for coping with stressors and triggers. I find that people (myself included) will blame a lack of options for their struggles because they can't think of anything else to help. I am so happy that there is a book filled with physical and mental exercises that is small enough to be transported. I commend Bonn on including Christians in 101 Tips To Lighten Your Burden through personal beliefs, God is the ultimate healing tool, and the other choices that are great options to use alongside Him.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 19:45:37", "publisher": "Loving Healing Press", "page_count": "62 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010588043", "title": "Sharpe's Assassin: Richard Sharpe and the Occupation of Paris, 1815 (Sharpe, 22)", "author": "Bernard Cornwell", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1148, "review": "Historical Fiction\n\nFrom the enlightened days of the Renaissance, to the battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars, to the darkest times of the Second World War, and on to the heady days of the Summer of Love, the five works of historical fiction included in this roundup article will transport readers to other times and places, entertaining and educating as they do so.\n\nSinging Lessons for the Stylish Canary by Laura Stanfill\n\nLaura Stanfill\u2019s Singing Lessons for the Stylish Canary offers a salutary lesson in the art of maintaining fulfilling relationships while focusing on several generations of an unforgettable French family and their steady progress toward the end of an era. A living legend in the small town of Mireville, master serinette maker Georges Blanchard is affectionately known as \u201cThe Sun-Bringer\u201d due to a seemingly miraculous incident that occurred during his childhood. Georges expects that his son Henri will one day take over the family business and become a master craftsman in his own right, although Henri has other ideas. Uninterested in the world of music boxes, Henri would rather dedicate his time and effort to making fine lace, and when he finds a stack of letters hidden among his father\u2019s possessions, it seems that he might have a chance to do just that. The letters reveal that Henri is not actually Georges\u2019 firstborn son, as an affair with an American customer led to the birth of a baby boy some years before Henri\u2019s own birth. When Henri travels to America in search of his half-brother, he learns that there\u2019s a whole lot more to life than Mireville, music boxes, and lace.\n\nSharpe\u2019s Assassin by Bernard Cornwell\n\nBrilliant but wayward soldier Richard Sharpe should be due a well-earned rest following the British victory in the Battle of Waterloo, but both fate and the establishment have other things in store for him. Having risen up the ranks to become a lieutenant-colonel, Sharpe is a highly trusted and undeniably effective weapon of war, which is why he is personally chosen by the Duke of Wellington to undertake a covert mission in France. Although Napoleon\u2019s army has now been defeated, the Duke is concerned about rumors of a fanatical group of French revolutionaries who are said to be plotting a terrible revenge from the shadows of Paris. Such rumors have given rise to the fear that the end of one war might mark the beginning of another, and Sharpe is dispatched to Paris to track down a spy who should have vital information about the alleged plot. Things never go smoothly for Sharpe, so it\u2019s no surprise that there is also an assassin stalking the streets of Paris, who is determined to find and kill the spy before the British can get their hands on them. Sharpe\u2019s Assassin by Bernard Cornwell marks the twenty-second thrilling outing for Richard Sharpe and it is every bit as exciting, dangerous, and bloody as his previous adventures.\n\nThe Stolen Lady by Laura Morelli\n\nThe Mona Lisa is said to hide many secrets behind her enigmatic smile, which is a big part of the reason while Leonardo da Vinci\u2019s masterpiece has captured the hearts and minds of people down through the years. Laura Morelli\u2019s The Stolen Lady tells the stories of two such people, two disparate women separated by centuries but united by their importance to the history of the Mona Lisa. In the Florence of 1479, servant Bellina Sardi accompanies her mistress, Lisa Gherardini, to her new home following her marriage to the moderately wealthy and considerably older Francesco del Giocondo. It should have been a fairly comfortable existence, but when Francesco commissions Leonardo da Vinci to paint a portrait of his new bride, Bellina finds herself embroiled in a complex web of secrets and lies. In the Paris of 1939, archivist Anne Guichard agrees to help the staff of the Louvre evacuate as many of the museum\u2019s great works of art as possible before the Nazis arrive in the city. Although they manage to smuggle numerous pieces to the relative safety of the French countryside, the danger posed by the Nazis is never really far away, and when it comes to keeping the art secure, Anne realizes that her own family might have a significant role to play.\n\nThe Lurking Place by Clarence Major\n\nSet during the late 1960s, the heyday of both the Beats and the Bohemians, Clarence Major\u2019s The Lurking Place explores the intersection of ambition, ideology, romance, and artistic endeavor during a period of significant upheaval in American life. James Eric Lowell is trying to find success as a poet in New York City during the tumultuous Summer of Love. He is also trying to protect his own love life by maintaining a relationship with his lover Sophia despite the family pressures and racism that the two of them continuously face. Times might be changing, but society remains slow to accept interracial relationships. As a young Black man, James finds it difficult to ensure that his poetry receives the attention it deserves, which means that he finds it equally difficult to fit in and feel at home with the prevailing poetic movements in America at the time. As the action shifts from New York to Mexico, James struggles to finish his debut manuscript and dedicate sufficient time and effort to his relationship with Sophia. Although he is able to coolly and incisively observe those around him, James is unsure which direction he would take if forced to choose between his desire for success and his desire to be with Sophia.\n\nThree Sisters by Heather Morris\n\nHeartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting, Three Sisters by Heather Morris describes the unbreakable bond that exists between sisters and gives them the strength to survive even the darkest of times. Siblings Cibi, Magda, and Livia made a promise to their father when they were little girls, vowing that they would always stay together no matter what happened. Although their father could surely not have expected as much, both the girls and their promise are tested almost beyond endurance during the bleakest days of World War II. When she is just fifteen, Livia is captured by the Nazis and transported to Auschwitz. Mindful of her promise and anxious to protect her sister, nineteen-year-old Cibi follows Livia to the camp, determined to either save her or die with her. Once there, the two of them have to fight both to stay together and to simply survive. Seventeen-year-old Magda stays behind when her sisters are taken to Auschwitz, hiding with her mother and grandfather in neighbors\u2019 houses or the forest when the Nazi patrols come looking for people to round up. She\u2019s only able to stay hidden for a while, however, eventually also being transported to the infamous death camp. After the three sisters reunite, they agree to make a new promise in honor of their father: they will all survive.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Nov-2021 02:28:36", "publisher": "Harper", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010588023", "title": "How the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Were Built", "author": "Ludmila Henkova", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 154, "review": "If you have ever wondered how some of the grandest buildings were built in ancient times, then this book is for you. In a time when it seemed people were less civilized and had the least amount of technology, they were able to construct grand buildings that still stand today. This book covers the great story and architecture of several ancient wonders of the world. It tells were each one was constructed and how, as well as why.

I found this book incredibly interesting! My favorite wonder of the world is the Great Pyramids. The Great Pyramids of Giza were built by a town of workers, over 20,000 to be exact! I would love to visit there someday. This book has colorful illustrations that show the construction of each wonder. This helped me to imagine what it would've been like when they were created. This is a great book and I highly recommend it!", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "18-Feb-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 23:24:58", "publisher": "Albatros Media", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010588007", "title": "Sins of the Fathers: A Novel", "author": "Herbert J. Stern", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 209, "review": "Friedrich Richard has vengeance on his mind. A dear friend was brutally killed by two cold-blooded SD soldiers at a concentration camp. Friedrich is a powerful man with resources, calculating in exacting his revenge. Upon learning the two soldiers\u2019 names, he plots their demise and executes both with nearly flawless precision.

Questions arise, but Friedrich has an ace up his sleeve: his close friendship with Adolf Hitler. His past with Hitler goes back to 1918, when both were recuperating from their wartime service in a hospital. The two men share a deep bond based on secrecy. As Hitler has ascended to the peak of his power, Friedrich is alarmed by Hitler\u2019s plans for Germany and wider Europe. Hitler\u2019s sanity is speculated about by Friedrich, along with certain generals. A plan is hatched, the purpose being to stop the unstable Fuhrer from wreaking a terrible havoc on the world.

Sins of the Fathers illustrates the powerful impact of historical fiction. Herbert Stern and Alan Winter engage the audience with a pulse-pounding thriller that will leave many gripping the pages in anticipation with each subsequent chapter. The history may have been written, but the path proves to be a riddle, with forks and dangerous curves featuring prominently in this fine book.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 19:42:00", "publisher": "Skyhorse", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010587051", "title": "Sisters of Night and Fog", "author": "Erika Robuck", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 200, "review": "Virginia d\u2019Albert-Lake is an American who married a Frenchman. When the chance comes for her to escape France before the Nazis fully take over, she refuses, choosing to stay in her adopted homeland with her beloved husband. Violette Szabo, a girl of French and English ancestry, chooses to flee to England, though her heart burns with hatred and the desire to return someday, to seek vengeance and liberation. Though the two do not meet until nearly the end of the book, at the Ravensbr\u00fcck concentration camp, their stories are intimately linked through themes of hope, fury, and resistance.

I picked up this book expecting yet another story of women at war in France, a subgenre that could possibly be its own genre by now. I was first delightfully surprised at the power of the storytelling. Robuck has a way of bringing you into the action and showing the harrowing experiences of war (especially World War II) without making them seem overdramatized or like a play for sympathy. When I learned the two women were real people, I was doubly amazed, because never once did the book have the tentative steps sometimes seen in novelizations of real lives. I highly recommend this.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "02-Mar-2022", "date_added": "20-Nov-2021 01:06:12", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010587031", "title": "Woman on Fire: A Novel", "author": "Lisa Barr", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 210, "review": "When Jules Roth pushes her way into journalist Dan Mansfield\u2019s office to demand he hires her, she wants nothing more than to learn from him. When she joins his investigative team, she embarks on a journey to recover a famous lost painting and uncover the truth in Lisa Barr\u2019s latest novel Woman on Fire.

Jules is no stranger to tough people and even tougher stories. As a high school reporter, she helped break one of the biggest stories in Chicago history. But this new story reaches more people, has more history, and requires more secrecy than ever before. Ellis Baum, a leading fashion icon, is searching for Woman on Fire, a painting that hasn\u2019t been seen for eighty years. He is older and ill and wants to see it one last time before he dies. What Dan and Jules uncover isn\u2019t just a Nazi-era cover-up and art heist but a present-day string of murders tied to one of the most famous gallery owners in the world, Margaux de Laurent.

In this gripping page-turner with ties to history and gorgeous descriptions of the world of high fashion and art, Lisa Barr presents a narrative as mysterious and surprising as the woman in the painting itself. Woman on Fire is an absolute gem.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 23:44:01", "publisher": "Harper Paperbacks", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010587019", "title": "An Impossible Promise (Providence Falls, 2)", "author": "Jude Deveraux", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 990, "review": "Romance Roundup\n\nWhether you prefer your romance contemporary, historical, or paranormal, the five books included in this roundup all feature compelling characters and sizzling storylines that are certain to set your pulse racing.\n\nKing of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair\n\nBelieving it to be the only way to end a decades-long war, Princess Isolde de Lara agrees to marry her mortal enemy, King Adrian Aleksandr Vasiliev, although she also intends to kill him at the first opportunity. Such an attempt at mariticide would have been difficult in the best of circumstances, but when the fact that Adrian is a vampire is factored in, Isolde\u2019s plan seems pretty much impossible. As it happens, he catches her when she attempts to pull off the assassination and threatens that, if she tries it again, he will turn her into one of the undead, just like him. Knowing that she can\u2019t risk being turned into the thing that she hates most in the world, Isolde looks for other ways to thwart her new husband and survive in the vampire court. However, none of her schemes can fully distract her from either the growing attraction she feels toward Adrian or the gnawing doubt she has regarding why he would choose her as his bride. Scarlett St. Clair\u2019s King of Battle and Blood is a paranormal romance packed with plenty of trysts, twists, and turns.\n\nAn Impossible Promise by Jude Deveraux\n\nIn 1844, when known thief Liam O\u2019Connor fell in love with shy squire\u2019s daughter Cora McLeod, he unwittingly changed history. Fate had decreed that Cora would marry another man, and a group of angels have been waiting to set things right ever since the fateful moment Liam and Cora first met. Although Cora doesn\u2019t remember it, she and Liam have lived through several lifetimes since then, ultimately both winding up working as cops in modern-day Providence Falls, North Carolina. Liam knows the truth and has done his best to avoid her, but when the pair of them are partnered to work on a murder investigation, they end up being increasingly drawn to one another. The angels decide that it is time to more forcefully step in and ensure that Cora falls for Finley Walsh, but she is no longer the timid and na\u00efve young woman she once was. In , the second book in the Providence Falls series by Jude Deveraux, Cora is a headstrong woman who is used to making her own decisions, including in all matters concerning love. It makes for a thrilling time-traveling romance.\n\nHe Said Never by Ruth Cardello\n\nRuth Cardello\u2019s The Lost Corisis series centers on a powerful and dangerous family with more than a few buried secrets. In He Said Never, the second book in the series, Riley is keen to keep her reunion with her paternal relatives, the infamous Corisis family, secret from her mother. Her biological father had put her mother through hell, so while Riley wants to know more about her paternal heritage, she doesn\u2019t want to spark her mother\u2019s fear by mentioning anyone with the Corisis surname. Meanwhile, Gavin\u2019s father has decided that it\u2019s time for his son to find a wife and start a family, and he\u2019s not prepared to let Gavin inherit the family firm until he does so. Gavin knows that he needs to get back into his father\u2019s good books, but he\u2019s not sure how to accomplish that since his relationship with Riley went disastrously wrong. At the time, Gavin hadn\u2019t really been looking for romance, although he now recognizes that he would rather be with Riley whatever the circumstances than be with someone else in order to secure his place within the family.\n\nThe Immortal by Gena Showalter\n\nIn the second installment in Gina Showalter\u2019s Rise of the Warlords series, the merciless son of a war god and a beautiful yet troubled harpy find themselves doomed to repeat the same twenty-four hours again and again, with the day always ending with the harpy\u2019s murder. The Immortal sees Halo Phaninon, assassin to the gods, challenged to kill twelve of mythology\u2019s greatest monsters within just a single day. Never one to pass up a challenge, he readily accepts the dangerous and seemingly impossible task, only to find that he wakes up each morning thereafter to discover that it is the same day, during which he must face unimaginable horror. For her part, Ophelia is used to being a disappointment to her family. As a harpy who has never killed anyone, she is considered powerless and useless by many, although she has hidden reserves of strength that no one would expect. This comes in handy when she\u2019s forced to repeat the same day and live through her inevitable murder over and over, all the while fighting off the advances of Halo, who is at least determined to save her.\n\nGood Catch by Jennifer Bardsley\n\nFormer ballerina Marlo Jonas has both beauty and grace, but she also has truly terrible taste in men. When her latest disastrous romance ends after her boyfriend cheats on her, Marlo\u2019s father suggests that she should try dating guys on the basis of their personalities, rather than based on their looks. She\u2019s willing to give anything a go, particularly if it keeps her devastatingly hot nemesis Ben Wexler-Lowrey out of sight and out of mind. Ben is also trying his luck at the dating game, although he focuses on women whose personalities outshine their looks. His mother thinks he could do better, however, and suggests that he gives online dating a go. As Marlo and Ben make it through terrible date after terrible date, they\u2019re both left feeling deflated and demoralized. Surely it shouldn\u2019t be this difficult to find the right person? Jennifer Bardsley\u2019s Good Catch follows the charming yet frequently infuriating pair of frenemies as they navigate the small-town dating scene while stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the romantic possibilities right in front of them.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 22:52:54", "publisher": "MIRA", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010587015", "title": "Finish the Story! Harriet Tubman's Secret Raid", "author": "Jeffrey Bensam", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 195, "review": "This interactive, historical fiction story offers readers ages eight to thirteen a personal look inside the life of Harriet Tubman. When the power goes out, Danny and Kenna have nothing to do except listen to Danny\u2019s grandma tell another boring story. Suddenly, a clap of thunder transports the children inside of the story, where Harriet Tubman is working tirelessly to put an end to slavery. With historical facts sprinkled throughout the storyline, this book will educate readers about Harriet Tubman\u2019s journey in a creative, engaging fashion. Danny and Kenna find themselves surrounded by the Confederate Army, trying to make it to Harriet\u2019s headquarters while being as resourceful as possible.

Throughout this creative story, the author explains a new challenge, providing a QR code for hard copy books and instructions for touchscreen devices. The budget brain teasers require readers to prioritize how much money you should spend on food items, weapons, fuel, and other supplies. Readers will enjoy the storyline while challenging their brain by solving math equations, mazes, pictographs, and codes. Readers will also broaden their minds by unscrambling words, ciphering codes, recalling previous information, and using problem-solving strategies to decide how to help Harriet.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "26-Jan-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 22:44:20", "publisher": "Storyopolis Ventures LLC", "page_count": "118 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010587003", "title": "The Party Crasher: A Novel", "author": "Sophie Kinsella", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 201, "review": "In true Sophie Kinsella fashion, The Party Crasher is fun, quirky, and just what you need when sitting on the couch with a cup of cocoa. Effie has two siblings, Bean and Gus. They grew up in a wonderful eclectic home known as Greenoaks. Their biological mother passed away when they were very little and they have always known Mimi, their step mum, to be more like their mum. Especially Effie since she is the youngest. So it is very unexpected when their dad and Mimi announce their divorce. It hits Effie the hardest. To top things off, their dad has a new girlfriend several years younger than him named Krista. Effie and Krista get into a heated argument one day and from there it's war. Krista decides to have a goodbye party for the house and Effie is not really invited. Of course, Effie does when anyone would do...deny her feelings are hurt and go anyway to find her Russian nesting dolls.

This book has some really funny moments as well as ones that will make your heart melt. With a cast of wonderful, colorful characters, it will make you smile as you realize all that really matters is family.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 18:52:57", "publisher": "The Dial Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010586047", "title": "Zoe's Ghana Kitchen: An Introduction to New African Cuisine \u2013 From Ghana With Love", "author": "Zoe Adjonyoh", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 198, "review": "Dishes from Ghana are varied and delicious, with layers of flavor derived from extensive use of spices and seasonings. Mouthwatering photographs fill these pages, illustrating recipes skillfully written, easy to follow, and requiring surprisingly little effort. The most difficult part of most of these recipes will probably be sourcing the ingredients, requiring some creative substitutions. The peppers and spices used are even more elusive, but definitely worth seeking out (the author helpfully offers a selection of spices and blends on her website).

We loved the Cocoyam (Taro) and Sweet Potato Curry (substituting yuca, which I can find, for the cocoyam, which I cannot), served over Coconut Rice. The dish is astounding; warming and filling and extremely satisfying, and beautifully vegetarian for those looking for a meat-free meal. The whole family enjoyed this, but the children were even more excited about the Jollof Chicken, which is fried chicken strips in a spicy, flavorful breading. The Fried Plantains were a big hit too.

The food is often quite spicy, but you can easily tone down the heat if desired. There is much more to explore here, from salads to snacks to desserts, as well as the huge variety in mains.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2022", "date_added": "19-Nov-2021 19:20:51", "publisher": "Voracious", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010586043", "title": "Merry Christmas, Gus", "author": "Chris Chatterton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 203, "review": "Gus is grumpy when it comes to Christmas. He doesn\u2019t like anything about it\u2013\u2013not the fancy, colorful decorations or the sound of carols ringing out in the cold, wintery night. The bright, cheerful holiday spirit that fills others with love and the itchy holiday sweaters appearing in red, white, and green\u2013\u2013they\u2019re disgraceful. One day, however, Gus notices the sadness in his pup\u2019s eyes and begins to question if maybe it\u2019s about more than just him. Perhaps if he learns to give a little more, or at least play along, he\u2019ll find it\u2019s not that awful after all.

This is a precious story for beginning readers. The reading level is approximately first to second grade, and the words are sparse enough to keep them intrigued. They\u2019ll enjoy the bright, colorful illustrations that light up the pages with emotional expression. Gus\u2019s persnickety attitude and his pup\u2019s despair seep through them, as does the pup\u2019s delight when Gus revolutionizes his point of view.

Some older children will enjoy this seasonal tale. It\u2019s really best suited for a younger crowd, though. Educators of preschool and early elementary school youth will appreciate the plethora of lessons about generosity, sharing, and thoughtfulness that can be derived from its content.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2022", "date_added": "19-Nov-2021 17:22:40", "publisher": "Penguin Workshop", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010586039", "title": "Home: A Peek-Through Picture Book", "author": "Britta Teckentrup", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 164, "review": "Home is the story of a little bear with his mama bear who walks around and sees other animals in the forest and their homes. Baby bear knows that everyone needs a home, and he sees the other animals' homes as he walks around. He sees an owl first up in a tree and squirrels running around. (I didn't know that their home is called a drey.) Then there are beavers who build their home with sticks in the water. Then birds make nests and fish are in the water.

There are other animals after this, and each one tells what kind of home they have. When you see each animal, it is neat because they are in a hole in the page that you can see through. I liked that part of the book, and the pictures are pretty, too. I also like that the words are rhyming and that I could read them all. Kids of any age will like this story.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2022", "date_added": "19-Nov-2021 17:20:55", "publisher": "Doubleday Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010586035", "title": "Where Snow Angels Go", "author": "Maggie O'Farrell", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Sylvie wakes suddenly in the night. She thinks there is someone else in the room. An ethereal being tiptoes around, and Sylvie speaks to him. He is startled, and states that she shouldn\u2019t be able to see or hear him, and then tells her she won\u2019t remember him when she wakes up. He explains he is her Snow Angel, the one she created when she lay in the snow and moved her arms and legs. He tells her everyone who does that has a Snow Angel who watches over them and helps when they are in real danger. But Sylvie does remember in the morning, and sets about to test her Snow Angel by doing dangerous things. Sylvie learns some interesting lessons.

Author Maggie O\u2019Farrell has created a brand new fairy tale that sounds like a classic fairy tale with modern touches. The writing is simply lovely and the story is very compelling. The illustrations by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini are enchanting, supporting the story with sweet details and beautiful artistry. This is a story that could start new traditions in families with young children, the perfect story to read by the fire on a cold, winter\u2019s night.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 23:42:41", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010586027", "title": "The Fairy Song (Traditional Scottish Tales)", "author": "Janis Mackay", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - age 10", "word_count": 129, "review": "The Fairy Song has really beautiful illustrations and is a lovely story. Parts of it are extremely sad, which you might not be expecting in a book so whimsically titled, but overall the book has a good message.

You get to know a little girl who has a hard life with little joy but then finds herself living with the fairies. She gives them the gift of song and they repay her with a treasure she can take back to the human realm and enjoy for the rest of her life.

If you love fairies, you\u2019ll appreciate this book. It would appeal to boys and girls of all ages and is even better when read aloud if you make up a really nice tune to go with the story.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "15-Mar-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 23:26:09", "publisher": "Kelpies", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010586023", "title": "Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation", "author": "Paul Hawken", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Benjamin Douglas", "word_count": 128, "review": "Paul Hawken's book, Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation offers a glimmer of hope in the fight against anthropogenic climate change. Whereas one often hears climate change talked about as an unavoidable tragedy, Hawken provides an alternative account. In this book, tragedy becomes opportunity and the problems of climate change disappear in the wake of innovation. While he successfully maps out many successful interventions to reduce the impact of climate change, the book is at time quite dense. It should be considered a collection of short articles rather than a continuous narrative. Within that framework each chapter is insightful and makes complex topics like the benefits of agroforestry approachable. Ultimately, I would recommend this book to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of solutions to climate change.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "16-Mar-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 20:18:45", "publisher": "Penguin Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010586019", "title": "When You Gave Me You", "author": "Clay Rice", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 197, "review": "When You Gave Me You is a sweet and heart-felt expression of love from a parent to their child. The story takes place on the child\u2019s birthday and the parents explain the true meaning of this special day. Each aspect of the child\u2019s personality is described with affection and gratitude. The child\u2019s energetic spirit, sense of humor, and nurturing spirit combine to form the most perfect gift imaginable. These words remind the reader that with each passing year, it is important to reflect on how your existence has affected others.

Clay Rice is an inventive author and poet who fills each page with color and creativity. The images of the characters are silhouetted against painted backgrounds to form an effective contrast of colors. The absence of facial expressions allows readers\u2019 imagination to fill in the blank spaces. This book will change the way children view birthdays; instead of feeling excited about opening presents, children will realize that it is an anniversary of the day they were brought into the world. This is the perfect story to read to children ages three to five on birthdays or as a daily reminder that their presence matters more than presents.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 20:08:54", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010586011", "title": "Juana & Lucas: Muchos Changes (Juana and Lucas)", "author": "Juana Medina", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb - age 8", "word_count": 247, "review": "Juana & Lucas: Muchos Changes by Juana Medina is about Juana and her perro, Lucas. Juana is excited about school break and looking forward to reading and playing with her best friend and best perro (dog), Lucas. But then she learned about her Mami\u2019s sorpresa. Her Mami is going to have a baby with her new husband, Luis. Juana was not happy about that surprise. She then finds out her Mami had another sorpresa! Her Mami has signed her up for a roller-skating summer camp. Juana doesn\u2019t want to go to the roller-skating camp because none of her friends will be going, and she doesn\u2019t know how to roller skate!

Juana goes to the camp and makes new amigos. She tells them about her Mami being pregnant, and her friends told her a lot about babies\u2026 like they cry too much, can\u2019t walk, and can\u2019t play. Juana is worried that the baby is going to make things hard. But when her baby sister is born, she realizes that she may like being a big sister after all.

I really liked reading this book. There were many Spanish words that I learned. My favorite part of the book was how Juana eventually liked roller skating and could do tricks! I really liked the photos and diagrams because they helped me understand the story. I would recommend this book to anyone whose mommy will be having a baby and to kids who are between five and nine years old.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "15-Mar-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 19:56:36", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010586007", "title": "Holidays with a Tail: A Tale of Winter Celebrations", "author": "Kelly Bouldin Darmofal", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - Age 7", "word_count": 203, "review": "Holidays with a Tail: A Tale of Winter Celebrations is the story of a boy named Alex, who wakes up on Christmas Day and gets a puppy named Zipper! When his grandparents come into the house, the dog runs out, and Alex and his mom chase after him down the road. Alex sees a house and a man notices them and tells them that he and his family are celebrating Hanukkah and what all happens during this holiday. Alex and his mom keep walking and they find another family who are celebrating Las Posadas and they are from Guatemala. Then they find another family who are celebrating Kwanzaa and learn about that holiday. Alex finally finds Zipper and they make it home.

I learned a lot from this book; my mom also said that she didn't know everything about the different holidays, either. I was confused at the end of the book though when during the middle part, Alex's mom said that they celebrated Christmas and Jesus as their savior, but then at the very end Alex said that his dog was the best Christmas gift of all. That doesn't make sense. This is a good story to read at Christmastime or anytime.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 19:44:46", "publisher": "Loving Healing Press", "page_count": "34 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010586003", "title": "What It Took to Win: A History of the Democratic Party", "author": "Michael Kazin", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 189, "review": "The history of political parties in the United States is an interesting one since many Founding Fathers were against the idea of Parties, or factions, to begin with until several of them jumped on board and brought about their existence. This book by noted Democratic socialist party supporter Michael Kazin tells the story of the Democratic Party from the time it was originally founded during the era of names changing constantly through former President Obama. It is a shame that this book treats every change and movement as something almost ordained, that it was meant to happen to move the party forward. Most of the book is spent on the twentieth century Democratic Party and as it changed slowly from a party supporting Jim Crow and states rights to supporting government programs and civil rights during the presidency of LBJ. The book covers the big names, big events, and political conventions; especially as fault lines developed, people switched and ideals switched as well. There is really no detail of how people at the local levels became involved, how people at local levels impacted shifts in the Party and more.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "02-Mar-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 17:56:26", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010585067", "title": "Bad Motherfucker: The Life and Movies of Samuel L. Jackson, the Coolest Man in Hollywood", "author": "Gavin Edwards", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 202, "review": "Bad Motherfucker is a complete collection of facts revealing the awesomeness of Samuel L. Jackson. Gavin Edwards, author and enthusiast of other well-known celebrities and humanitarians, has dedicated a portion of his life to knowing and understanding Mr. Jackson from his infancy through to his successful present.

Jackson grew up in a time of segregation and discrimination, an experience that will either cause a person to excel to their highest standards or stoop to their lowest of lows; he has experienced both in his life. Jackson is the model for trying your hardest, not giving up, and persevering despite the odds. Apart from his widespread fame and exceptional acting skills, there are probably many people who can relate to Jackson on a personal level given the circumstances he found himself in before stardom.

For those who can't relate on as deep a level or (somehow) don't even know the man's name, Edwards switches between an autobiography of Jackson's life and a rundown of nearly every theatrical piece he has been a part of. So while Bad Motherfucker can be said to be purely informational, it is an exceptionally enjoyable and relatable book about a man who worked his way to the top.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "16-Feb-2022", "date_added": "19-Nov-2021 19:24:05", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010585063", "title": "The Bone Cay: A Novel", "author": "Eliza Nellums", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 211, "review": "Magda, caretaker of Whimbrel Estate in Key West, once home to a young poet in 1918, is faced with a dilemma. A hurricane is approaching, and she can't bring herself to leave. What would happen to her life's work and research if she left? Deciding to stay, she discovers an old trunk with a skeleton, but it's hard to gather clues about it as the storm rages. To make matters worse, two people show up needing help, the estate's handyman and his teenage daughter. They are stranded, and supplies are not sufficient to last more than a few days. Not only are they trying to survive the storm there may be other dangers that Magda hadn't foreseen before she decided to ride out the hurricane. Will she be able to survive?

This is an atmospheric and descriptive tale, to be sure. It delves into Magda's past, that of her beloved poet, her current situation trying to survive the storm, and the dangerous conditions posed by two strangers. But it takes a while for the story to get going, and I wish there had been more action in the beginning. It picked up towards the end, which made it a little more interesting. An epilogue would have been a nice addition as well.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "02-Mar-2022", "date_added": "19-Nov-2021 17:38:10", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010585051", "title": "Dearest One", "author": "Arielle Dance", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 198, "review": "Dearest One is a collection of poetic verses about unconditional self-love and acceptance. It proves that simple acts of kindness, such as a smile, are powerful enough to change someone\u2019s life. The nine different themes presented will inspire children ages three to eight to cope with their uncomfortable feelings in positive manners. Each page offers age-appropriate mantras to help young readers feel accepted, understood, and safe. It can be hard to look past bad days or see the possibilities for growth after hard times. Instead of urging children to \u201cpower through\u201d their painful emotions, this book promotes healthy healing, inner reflection, and self-awareness.

The authors provide metaphors to encourage optimism; they explain that there can be beauty in the middle of rainstorms, so one shouldn\u2019t hide inside and wait for the storm to pass. The vividly colorful images in the book represent the rainbow of emotions that live inside of everyone. Sometimes these colors can feel dull or muted, but everyone has a wide spectrum of feelings that should all be honored and acknowledged. Although the themes are generalized to include all children, each page features a resilient Black female character who is in tune with her emotions.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "02-Mar-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 23:33:38", "publisher": "Lantana Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010585047", "title": "Through the Forest", "author": "Yijing Li", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 201, "review": "When a young boy finds himself lost in the labyrinth of a forest, he knows not which way to turn. An enormous white figure approaches him and says his name is Emptiness. He agrees to go on a quest with the child, searching for something, though they\u2019re not sure what. They discover a pinwheel the boy\u2019s mama created for him, and as the two continue through the woods and into an open clearing, they find more souvenirs from the child\u2019s past, sparking enough recollections to last a lifetime as well as to guide him into the future.

Through the Forest is a wonderfully unique, thought-provoking tale. Emptiness appears as a ghost and accompanies the child throughout his journey rediscovering his past. Once his mission is complete, Emptiness says \u201cgoodbye.\u201d The boy doesn\u2019t want him to go but is reassured Emptiness will never fully leave him; he\u2019ll be there if he needs him.

Though the text is written at approximately a second grade level, children as old as nine or ten will favor this story. It\u2019s depth and applicability to real life will pull them in, leaving them thinking about it long after they traverse the last page. They\u2019ll savor its richness.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 23:32:19", "publisher": "Lantana Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010585043", "title": "The Big Book of Victorian Mysteries", "author": "Otto Penzler", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 195, "review": "In The Big Book of Victorian Mysteries, Otto Penzler has compiled forty-nine stories all written during the Victorian era. This compilation includes lesser-known stories by well-known authors such as H.G. Wells, Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins. There are also classics such as The Greek Interpreter by Arthur Conan Doyle and The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe. However, the majority of these short stories are written by authors you\u2019ve probably never heard of unless you spend a lot of time reading Victorian era literature. It wasn\u2019t until this era that detectives were formed, creating a new genre of literature. Penzler divides this collection into four sections: detective stories, crime stories, international stories and American stories.

There\u2019s a little bit of everything in here, from murder to theft and detectives in disguise. Be aware that although these stories are short, there are forty-nine of them so this is a book that is over six hundred pages. However, the brevity of the stories also make it easy to put it down after one or two and come back later. If you love the Victorian era as much as I do, I highly recommend you pick this up.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 23:29:52", "publisher": "Vintage Crime/Black Lizard", "page_count": "640 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010585023", "title": "The Creature of Habit", "author": "Jennifer E. Smith", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "On the Island of Habit lives a very large creature with big eyes, big teeth, and very big feet. Every day he goes through his day in exactly the same way: eating the same food at the very same time, greeting the same creatures and things in the same order, and brushing his teeth and going to bed at exactly the same time. One day, a small creature with very small teeth, small eyes, and tiny feet sails to the island. The big creature shows him how things work on the island and what time everything should be done. This is fine the first day, but the second day, the small creature does things in different ways. The large creature is distressed. How can they resolve their differences?

Jennifer E. Smith has written a fun and interesting story that will challenge youngsters to think about how they go through their own days and how they get along with others and work out differences. It\u2019s a charming way to help youngsters examine their own lives and learn to get along with others. The cute illustrations by Leo Espinosa are creative and have a great sense of fun. Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 20:21:41", "publisher": "Random House Studio", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010585019", "title": "Please Explain Vaccines to Me: Because I HATE SHOTS!", "author": "Laurie Zelinger", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 190, "review": "This book is designed to help parents explain the importance of getting vaccinated. The first part of the book is written for children; it begins with a simple rhyming story about a girl that is terrified of getting a shot. Laurie Zelinger uses age-appropriate language to talk about how vaccines fight off harmful germs to build immunity against infectious diseases. She speaks honestly about the anxiety and fear that shots can cause, while offering powerful visual representation that can alleviate the fear of getting vaccinated. In addition to these illustrations provided by Richa Kinra, this book includes heart-felt drawings from real children. \n\nThe second section of this book is intended for adults. Dr. Zelinger provides educational information so they can answer any questions that children may ask regarding immunizations. She uses her psychology background to explain the needle related fear. By providing adults with the physical and psychological symptoms of needle phobia, parents will be able to understand their symptoms and help guide them through their anxieties. The author also uses examples of play activities that can be used to help alleviate shot related fear for children of all ages.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 20:20:21", "publisher": "Loving Healing Press", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010585011", "title": "Walrus Song", "author": "Janet Lawler", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 7", "word_count": 185, "review": "I didn't know as much about walruses before as I do now that I've read Walrus Song. In this book, you learn about a walrus who lives and plays in the ice, snow, and water. The walrus is big, with lots of blubber, and he likes to play both by himself and with other animals, just like human kids do. The walrus swims down deep for his favorite food, clams, which I learned are also called bivalves. I would feel cold if I were swimming with a walrus, but because of its blubber, it stays warm and toasty. The walrus naps and fights with the other walruses and sings loudly! This part was funny to see my mom read out loud!

I liked reading Walrus Song because I didn't know very much about walruses before. The story has rhyming words that make it easy to read and understand, and what I didn\u2019t know, I looked up in the back of the book. The pictures look like they're painted and the colors are pretty. Kids who like animals and learning about them will like Walrus Song!", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "10-Feb-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 19:57:56", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010585003", "title": "Three Sisters: A Novel", "author": "Heather Morris", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1148, "review": "Historical Fiction\n\nFrom the enlightened days of the Renaissance, to the battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars, to the darkest times of the Second World War, and on to the heady days of the Summer of Love, the five works of historical fiction included in this roundup article will transport readers to other times and places, entertaining and educating as they do so.\n\nSinging Lessons for the Stylish Canary by Laura Stanfill\n\nLaura Stanfill\u2019s Singing Lessons for the Stylish Canary offers a salutary lesson in the art of maintaining fulfilling relationships while focusing on several generations of an unforgettable French family and their steady progress toward the end of an era. A living legend in the small town of Mireville, master serinette maker Georges Blanchard is affectionately known as \u201cThe Sun-Bringer\u201d due to a seemingly miraculous incident that occurred during his childhood. Georges expects that his son Henri will one day take over the family business and become a master craftsman in his own right, although Henri has other ideas. Uninterested in the world of music boxes, Henri would rather dedicate his time and effort to making fine lace, and when he finds a stack of letters hidden among his father\u2019s possessions, it seems that he might have a chance to do just that. The letters reveal that Henri is not actually Georges\u2019 firstborn son, as an affair with an American customer led to the birth of a baby boy some years before Henri\u2019s own birth. When Henri travels to America in search of his half-brother, he learns that there\u2019s a whole lot more to life than Mireville, music boxes, and lace.\n\nSharpe\u2019s Assassin by Bernard Cornwell\n\nBrilliant but wayward soldier Richard Sharpe should be due a well-earned rest following the British victory in the Battle of Waterloo, but both fate and the establishment have other things in store for him. Having risen up the ranks to become a lieutenant-colonel, Sharpe is a highly trusted and undeniably effective weapon of war, which is why he is personally chosen by the Duke of Wellington to undertake a covert mission in France. Although Napoleon\u2019s army has now been defeated, the Duke is concerned about rumors of a fanatical group of French revolutionaries who are said to be plotting a terrible revenge from the shadows of Paris. Such rumors have given rise to the fear that the end of one war might mark the beginning of another, and Sharpe is dispatched to Paris to track down a spy who should have vital information about the alleged plot. Things never go smoothly for Sharpe, so it\u2019s no surprise that there is also an assassin stalking the streets of Paris, who is determined to find and kill the spy before the British can get their hands on them. Sharpe\u2019s Assassin by Bernard Cornwell marks the twenty-second thrilling outing for Richard Sharpe and it is every bit as exciting, dangerous, and bloody as his previous adventures.\n\nThe Stolen Lady by Laura Morelli\n\nThe Mona Lisa is said to hide many secrets behind her enigmatic smile, which is a big part of the reason while Leonardo da Vinci\u2019s masterpiece has captured the hearts and minds of people down through the years. Laura Morelli\u2019s The Stolen Lady tells the stories of two such people, two disparate women separated by centuries but united by their importance to the history of the Mona Lisa. In the Florence of 1479, servant Bellina Sardi accompanies her mistress, Lisa Gherardini, to her new home following her marriage to the moderately wealthy and considerably older Francesco del Giocondo. It should have been a fairly comfortable existence, but when Francesco commissions Leonardo da Vinci to paint a portrait of his new bride, Bellina finds herself embroiled in a complex web of secrets and lies. In the Paris of 1939, archivist Anne Guichard agrees to help the staff of the Louvre evacuate as many of the museum\u2019s great works of art as possible before the Nazis arrive in the city. Although they manage to smuggle numerous pieces to the relative safety of the French countryside, the danger posed by the Nazis is never really far away, and when it comes to keeping the art secure, Anne realizes that her own family might have a significant role to play.\n\nThe Lurking Place by Clarence Major\n\nSet during the late 1960s, the heyday of both the Beats and the Bohemians, Clarence Major\u2019s The Lurking Place explores the intersection of ambition, ideology, romance, and artistic endeavor during a period of significant upheaval in American life. James Eric Lowell is trying to find success as a poet in New York City during the tumultuous Summer of Love. He is also trying to protect his own love life by maintaining a relationship with his lover Sophia despite the family pressures and racism that the two of them continuously face. Times might be changing, but society remains slow to accept interracial relationships. As a young Black man, James finds it difficult to ensure that his poetry receives the attention it deserves, which means that he finds it equally difficult to fit in and feel at home with the prevailing poetic movements in America at the time. As the action shifts from New York to Mexico, James struggles to finish his debut manuscript and dedicate sufficient time and effort to his relationship with Sophia. Although he is able to coolly and incisively observe those around him, James is unsure which direction he would take if forced to choose between his desire for success and his desire to be with Sophia.\n\nThree Sisters by Heather Morris\n\nHeartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting, Three Sisters by Heather Morris describes the unbreakable bond that exists between sisters and gives them the strength to survive even the darkest of times. Siblings Cibi, Magda, and Livia made a promise to their father when they were little girls, vowing that they would always stay together no matter what happened. Although their father could surely not have expected as much, both the girls and their promise are tested almost beyond endurance during the bleakest days of World War II. When she is just fifteen, Livia is captured by the Nazis and transported to Auschwitz. Mindful of her promise and anxious to protect her sister, nineteen-year-old Cibi follows Livia to the camp, determined to either save her or die with her. Once there, the two of them have to fight both to stay together and to simply survive. Seventeen-year-old Magda stays behind when her sisters are taken to Auschwitz, hiding with her mother and grandfather in neighbors\u2019 houses or the forest when the Nazi patrols come looking for people to round up. She\u2019s only able to stay hidden for a while, however, eventually also being transported to the infamous death camp. After the three sisters reunite, they agree to make a new promise in honor of their father: they will all survive.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 17:52:59", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010584039", "title": "Off the Edge: Flat Earthers, Conspiracy Culture, and Why People Will Believe Anything", "author": "Kelly Weill", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Dina Klarisse Dugar", "word_count": 213, "review": "In an age where the conscious mind is constantly barraged with information, opinion pieces, and memes, conspiracy theories have rocketed and amassed giant followings among those who question and challenge reality, even against logic and science. Kelly Weill\u2019s Off the Edge: Flat Earthers, Conspiracy Culture, and Why People Will Believe Anything is a concise biography of one of the largest and most fascinating conspiracy theories to have taken over a collective human psyche.

Weill has spent the last few years attending Flat Earth conferences and getting to know the attendees and prominent figures in the movement while researching its history and the sociology and psychology of conspiracy theories. These personal connections bring a new face to the topic, often held at arm\u2019s length and/or ogled as a circus act. While the book does discuss the cult-like tendencies of conspiracy theorists, and the insecurities, cognitive dissonance, and self-isolation that come with the territory, its voice is compassionate.

A keen observer and a thorough researcher, Weill moves past morbid curiosity and presents a comprehensive study to show how people of different backgrounds and intelligence could dismiss reality. The result of her meticulous care allows the reader to step in from the circus seats and understand Flat Earth in all of its sides, edges, and corners.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2022", "date_added": "19-Nov-2021 19:12:13", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010584031", "title": "The Hawthorne School: A Novel", "author": "Sylvie Perry", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 221, "review": "Claudia Morgan is raising her exceptional son, Henry, alone after the death of her mother. Henry\u2019s father has never been in the picture, so Claudia must find the best balance she can for her young son and she hopes to have found it in a progressive new school on the outskirts of Chicago. Stevie Perry\u2019s novel The Hawthorne School is a cautionary tale reminding us to be careful what we wish for.

At first, the school\u2014set in an idyllic location complete with orchards and space for students to roam\u2014seems a perfect fit if a bit unorthodox. Claudia\u2019s neighbor, also a single mother, sends her daughter there and swears by the power of the curriculum that emphasizes outdoor playtime and more traditional learning, like math and reading, happening only when a child is ready. Claudia is skeptical, but she\u2019s busy building a steady client base as a massage therapist, trusts the school and its oddly spry elderly matriarch Zelma, but as Henry\u2019s behavior shifts she begins to have doubts. Upon closer inspection of the school, Claudia and Henry find themselves embroiled in something far more sinister than they could have ever imagined.

The Hawthorne School has some predictable turns, and Claudia can be annoying in her naivete, but the story itself is a fun ride for readers who enjoy suspenseful and psychological thrillers.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2022", "date_added": "19-Nov-2021 17:34:56", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010584019", "title": "From the Pocket of an Overcoat", "author": "R Vincent", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Farmer Buckles is delivering his apples to a market in the city. He sees a little cat stick its head out of the pocket of a homeless woman. Farmer Buckles stops and offers to trade some apples to the woman for her cat. The woman wants to find a good home for her little cat, Max, so she lets him go. Max has an exciting ride to the Buckle farm, where he sees cows and a rooster that worry about Farmer Buckle hitting things as he drives. Inside the house, Max meets four dogs. These dogs meet and talk about Max, finally accepting him into the family. Max explores the house, and the story suddenly ends with an indication there is more to come.

This is a very text-heavy picture book with no clear point of view. The narration jumps from the point of view of this character to that character. The story is muddled and the characters are largely undeveloped. There is no clear story problem or direction. Some of the illustrations are cute, but some are muddy. The author/illustrator could use some courses in picture book design and writing, and the help of a good editor.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 23:12:46", "publisher": "Archwaypublishing", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000010584015", "title": "Who By Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai", "author": "Matti Friedman", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlow", "word_count": 181, "review": "Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai by Matti Friedman examines Cohen\u2019s surprise visit to the Israeli front lines of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. The tale begins with the end of the sleepy, laidback days of a group of boy and girl Israeli soldiers (\u201cboy\u201d and \u201cgirl\u201d are the author\u2019s chosen terms, and he explains why) as they were the first to be surprised in October of 1973 by the Egyptian Army. It contains never-before-published writings by Cohen himself, as he reflected on what was happening.

The book, for those interested in the early history of the modern state of Israel, is both quite nostalgic and informative. Friedman\u2019s research includes accounts of those who were there at the time and had encounters with Cohen. He writes beautifully and compliments Cohen\u2019s writings well. I was grateful for Friedman\u2019s interpretations and analysis throughout the book, as Cohen\u2019s original writings were a bit difficult for me to decipher. Different entertainers accompanied Cohen on his travels in October \u201873 and the book explores that aspect. There are also several wonderful pictures included.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 20:36:08", "publisher": "Spiegel & Grau", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010584011", "title": "Grandude's Green Submarine", "author": "Paul McCartney", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 139, "review": "It should not be a surprise to anyone that a great composer can also pen a delightful children\u2019s book. This book is about four grandchildren who seek escape from the heat with their very cool Grandude. Grandude has a magic submarine, but in a major twist, it is not yellow. The cooled down children and the magical Grandude take a ride to find Nandude who is off on adventures of her own. In this story, Nandude is the musical one and music provides the magic to get the children and Grandude of a a jam. The illustrations in this book are wonderful and just as imaginative as the story. The story is the perfect length for bedtime settling. It is a lovely story for all ages, especially those of us who like anything written by the great Paul McCartney.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 20:33:14", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010584007", "title": "Once Upon a Tim", "author": "Stuart Gibbs", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - age 15", "word_count": 180, "review": "Once Upon a Tim is a great story filled with laughs and adventure. In it, a peasant boy named Tim goes on an adventure so he can live a better life. He and his friends join Prince Ruprecht and Nerlim the wizard on a quest to rescue Princess Grace from a terrifying creature called the Stinx. Along the way they faced many challenges, from horrible beasts to raging rivers. As they grow closer to the end of their journey, Tim notices that Nerlim and the prince might not be as skilled as they claim. However, he is still determined to save the princess and become a knight.

This was an amazing book. Stuart Gibbs is one of my favorite authors and his books are always very fun to read. Despite being written for younger kids, this was no exception. This is a relatively easy read, with definitions provided for the more complicated words. There were also many nice illustrations in this book. I would recommend this book to kids from second to fifth grade, especially if they like fantasy books.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 19:14:02", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010584003", "title": "Mr. Watson's Chickens", "author": "Jarrett Dapier", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Mr. Watson and his partner, Mr. Nelson, live in a big house with a tiny yard. They have some pets, too: two dogs and three cats and some chickens. Mr. Watson loves his chickens and, every morning, counts them. But chickens lay eggs, and eggs hatch, and soon the number of chickens grows and grows. It isn\u2019t long before they have 456 chickens. Yup, 456 chickens in a tiny yard, so the chickens move into the house and soon they are everywhere in the house. Everywhere. And chickens are not quiet. They make a LOT of noise. Mr. Nelson tells Mr. Watson that he has to do something with all those chickens. But 456 chickens is not a small problem! What to do?

Jarrett Dapier has written a fun story that little ones will love listening to (especially if the reader makes good chicken sounds). The writing is silly and filled with rhythm and repetition that will keep youngsters engaged. But the real star of this picture book is the illustrations by Andrea Tsurumi. The pages are filled with rib-tickling details as chickens play instruments, ride carnival rides, and sing. Don\u2019t miss this fun picture book.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2022", "date_added": "18-Nov-2021 17:50:44", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010583047", "title": "Last Dance on the Starlight Pier", "author": "Sarah Bird", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 187, "review": "We all know that the Great Depression meant hard times for the majority of Americans. Possibly the only ones who escaped the tragedy were those who made their money by providing others with some sort of escape: Hollywood actors and bootleggers, for instance.

Caught in a strange place in the middle were those who participated in dance marathons: spectacles where people would dance for hours on end, resting for only a few minutes at a time. The greatest stars could become the public\u2019s darlings, but all of them were merely dragging themselves through, physically and financially.

A few had greater dreams they pushed themselves toward. Evie Grace Devlin had dreams of becoming a nurse, but when those plans were ruined, she took to the dancing circuit, not escaping her past but pushing through it to shape her future.

Last Dance on the Starlite Pier is beautiful, heartbreaking, and best of all (to me), incredibly researched. Bird delved deep into the era\u2019s history and drew inspiration from real events and real people. More than anything else, it\u2019s a story of hope, something that is badly needed these days.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2022", "date_added": "17-Nov-2021 22:48:04", "publisher": "St. Martin\u2019s Press", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010583035", "title": "Yummy: A History of Desserts", "author": "Victoria Grace Elliott", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 935, "review": "Tween Graphic Novels\n\nGraphic novels make for great reads for people of all ages, although the five titles featured in this roundup are particularly geared toward the tween audience. From a realistic story of a young girl trying to fit in, to thrill-packed fantasy and science fiction adventures, and on to an engaging account of the history of puddings, these five graphic novels have something to offer all young readers.\n\nHuda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy\n\nWhen Huda and her family move to Dearborn, Michigan, she finds life there surprisingly different from in her old town. The biggest change relates to the fact that Dearborn is a small town with a large Muslim population, which means that there\u2019s no welcoming Muslim clique for Huda to neatly fit into. Having become used to being defined by her Muslim identity, Huda is discombobulated to discover that she\u2019s going to have to find a more precise niche for herself if she\u2019s going to join a friendship group. Having determined that she\u2019s neither sporty, fashionable, nor a gamer, she decides to try out a whole host of identities and personas and see which suits her best. But what will she do if none of them seem right? Huda Fahmy\u2019s Huda F Are You? is a highly amusing and very insightful coming-of-age tale about a young Muslim girl struggling to find her place in the world.\n\nJonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1 by Chris Samnee and Laura Samnee\n\nRainbow has been on a year-long quest to find her missing father and somewhat feral adopted sister Jonna ever since they disappeared following the sudden arrival of mysterious monsters and the collapse of the world\u2019s water cycle. She travels from settlement to settlement following rumors and seeking news of her lost loved ones, dodging monsters and helping survivors as she does so. Things start to look up for Rainbow, however, when she hears that Jonna has been spotted out in the wilderness, disheveled and wild but otherwise seemingly okay. But when Rainbow finally tracks her sister down, she discovers that there is at least one major change in her: Jonna now has sufficient super-strength to knock out a monster with a single punch. Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1 by Chris Samnee and Laura Samnee is an action-packed and vividly illustrated adventure story that follows the two sisters as they explore the strange new world in which they find themselves.\n\nStar Beasts by Stephanie Young and Allyson Lassiter\n\nLoyal pup Bandit was living a pleasantly lazy ordinary life on Earth with his family when he was called up to join the Star Beasts, a top-secret group of creatures dedicated to protecting the planet and being a force for good in the wider universe. While Bandit is excited by his new mission, he has trouble fitting in with the other Star Beasts and also misses his home. However, when Khaos Krill, the evil emperor of Pluto, attempts to build a Novataur, a mythical monster said to be capable of destroying planets, Bandit has to work with a band of other Star Beasts to track down deadly galactic fossils and thwart Krill\u2019s plan. Accompanied by a warrior turtle, a goldfish historian, a healing tiger, a techie iguana, and other brave beasts, Bandit sets out on a dangerous race across space to find the fossils and restore peace to the galaxy. Zany and full of fun-packed adventure, Stephanie Young and Allyson Lassiter\u2019s Star Beasts explains the surprising real reason Pluto isn\u2019t a planet anymore.\n\n5 Worlds Book 5: The Emerald Gate by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel\n\n5 Worlds Book 5: The Emerald Gate by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel marks the thrilling conclusion to an epic science fiction/fantasy adventure story that spans planets and features both brave heroes and dastardly villains. In advance of the forthcoming final battle, Oona, Jax, and An Tzu travel to the perilous world of Grimbo (E), where Oona must light the last beacon and so save the 5 Worlds, if only she knew for sure where the beacon is located. Fortunately, an encounter with an old friend of Jax provides a clue that points the trio toward the beacon and launches them on a dangerous quest across the watery planet in search of it. For his part, the nefarious Stan Moon has hatched another plot to destroy the 5 Worlds through his growing evil powers and increasing connection to An Tzu. Oona and her friends are going to have to risk everything to finally put an end to Stan Moon\u2019s evil machinations. \n\nYummy: A History of Desserts by Victoria Grace Elliott\n\nIn Yummy: A History of Desserts, Victoria Grace Elliott presents an enthralling and highly appetizing account of the surprising history of delicious, sugary desserts. Through a host of facts, stories, and recipes, she takes readers on a whistle-stop tour of all things delectable, accompanied by the charming and often hilarious food sprite Peri. Between the pair of them, they investigate the major puzzles that have intrigued dessert lovers for years. For instance, they reveal how a mistake led to the invention of the brownie and how an unlikely team-up led to the development of ice cream cones. They also explore how cream first came to be frozen and who first decided that it might be a good idea to encase fruit in pastry. And after they set out the true stories of some of the world\u2019s favorite treats, they provide recipes so that readers can try the delicacies for themselves. It all makes for a globe-trotting culinary adventure that is near impossible to put down.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2021 21:04:45", "publisher": "Random House Graphic", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010583031", "title": "Yinka, Where is Your Husband", "author": "Lizzie Damilola Blackburn", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 188, "review": "Yinka is in her thirties with an Oxford degree and a successful job at an investment bank in London. Her friend Rachel is about to be married, and Yinka is on the search for a date. As the wedding approaches, she loses her job and a promotion that she had counted on. The stakes for finding a date, and eventually a husband, seem higher with her future uncertain. Pressure from her family to settle down make matters worse, and challenge Yinka\u2019s self-esteem.

Yinka, Where is Your Husband? featured a compelling lead character in Yinka, and her friends and family were great additions to the story. I appreciated the focus on a young professional navigating her career and love life, and how the story emphasized the importance of mental health and realizing one\u2019s self-worth. The references to Nigerian culture were well done and the food references were mouth-watering! Some transitions were choppy and the dialogue felt immature at times. I also felt that Yinka\u2019s friends' \u201cintervention\u201d could have been handled better, though her opening up to Donovan was very candid. Overall, this was a fun story with some emotional depth", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2022", "date_added": "17-Nov-2021 20:37:38", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010583023", "title": "Spear", "author": "Nicola Griffith", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 199, "review": "Nicola Griffith, author of Slow River and Hild, is back with Spear, a beautiful, moving short novel set during Arthurian times.

She knows little of the outside world, having been sheltered by her mother in a cave for her entire life, until she decides to leave and find out what is out there. She has been training with a broken sword and feels ready to tackle what the world will throw at her. She travels the lands, helping those who need it, pretending to be a boy and then a soldier until she learns of the knights who are loyal to Artos, King of Caer Leon. She shows her ability in battle and makes it to Camelot, where she meets the king, but he is suspicious of her ways. Under the guise of a man named Peretur, she must convince Artos she is loyal and wishes to fight for him.

Written in a lovely lyrical style, Spear takes the reader on a journey to the knights of the round table, as told through the eyes of a woman pretending to be a man. When she meets Numue, they soon fall in love. Spear is a wonderful story to behold.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "03-May-2022", "date_added": "17-Nov-2021 19:59:35", "publisher": "Tordotcom", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010583011", "title": "The Mirror Man", "author": "Lars Kepler", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 197, "review": "Jenny is a teenager venturing home when she is the victim of an assault and abduction. The disappearance and search for Jenny is all over the airwaves, her whereabouts subject to rampant speculation. Meanwhile, Pamela is on holiday with her husband Martin and her daughter Alice. Pamela\u2019s life is upended when an accident takes the life of Alice and leaves Martin with lingering mental disabilities.

Flashing forward to five years later and both of these unrelated tragedies will intertwine. Pamela is trying to rebuild her life and adopt a rebellious teenager. She attempts to bring Martin home in a bid to show a stable home. However, Martin bears witness to a shocking murder, which not only threatens Pamela\u2019s plans, but also their very lives. Detective Joona, a brilliant but damaged policeman, wants to break through Martin\u2019s cloudy mindset and uncover a psychopathic killer.

The Mirror Man is the latest spine-tingling thriller from Lars Kepler (Lazarus, The Rabbit Hunter). This is not a book for the faint-hearted, as the shocks will leap out at the reader when they are least prepared. The book never falters in keeping the reader on their toes and guessing from start to finish.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "17-Feb-2022", "date_added": "17-Nov-2021 19:41:03", "publisher": "Knopf ", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010582019", "title": "The Grand Sex Tour Murders", "author": "Daniel M. Jaffe", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 61, "review": "\u201cThe Grand Sex Tour Murders is a raunchy, make-you-feel-something-wrong-at-the-bottom-of-your-stomach book that marries gay porn with reality show contests and throws a serial killer into the mix. Be ready to laugh, cry, and yes, maybe even vomit as the creative mind of author Daniel M. Jaffe puts visions that cannot be unseen into your virgin mind.\u201d \u2014Kyle Eaton, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "November 2021", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2021 03:06:59", "publisher": "Rattling Good Yarns Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000010582015", "title": "Swan Songs of Cygnus: Hours In Forever", "author": "Vincent Hollow", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 414, "review": "Swan Songs of Cygnus: Hours in Forever is Vincent Hollow\u2019s sequel to Swan Songs of Cygnus: The Weight of Black Holes. The \u201cAquarius Astronaut\u201d continues his journey looking for Lucy, his lost love. This book starts out with a flashback, from when the \u201cblue sky boy\u201d first meets Lucy. It continues through life with Lucy and into her sickness and finally her passing. The sorrow continues, as the heartbroken explorer continues in his voyage.

The poet shares reflections while traveling aimlessly into the abyss, but every musing seems to bring him closer to closure if it is within reach. But is it ever? The pain of lost love and shattered dreams notwithstanding, Hollow lends voice to the agony of aloneness.

Excerpt from \u201cEnemy Imagined\u201d

\u201ctime

an enemy imagined

dragging her away

from where we were

to some new place

it did not think I would reach\u201d

Poetry is a cathartic avenue for synthesizing creative expression. Drawing on similar themes from the first volume, Hollow has written poetry that readers can feel in their bones. The death of a beloved, young, and beautiful lover has been the topic of poems for millennia. This book is yet another representation of this theme, albeit modernized to involve space flight and the knowledge of black holes. Even as Hollow writes about a tormented soul in the depths of despair, the poet also shares his passion for science and astronomy.

Even though this book can be read as a stand-alone, it is best when paired with the first volume. I read the e-book version of the poetry collection, which is appropriate given the focus of technology in the design and aesthetics of the template used for each page layout. The cover art depicting Lucy is done by illustrator Tom Nicosia and the digital art wasby Matt-Kelly Thibedeau. The page layout and design were done by the poet himself. Each poem is rendered in a caricature of spacecraft controls. As you read, you are enclosed in the spacecraft as you push through the black hole.

Vincent Hollow is a self-described \u201castropoet and interstellar storyteller\u201d. This award-winning author has written three other collections of poetry. The themes of his poems deal with mental health, love and loss, and the beauty of the cosmos.

This book is a trip into the depths of sorrow and grief. Anyone who has experienced unimaginable loss may find solace in these pages. Ironically, poetry has always served this purpose: being immersed in someone else\u2019s musing about loneliness and longing may help to make some feel less alone.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2022", "date_added": "17-Nov-2021 03:01:42", "publisher": "Writers Republic LLC", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010582011", "title": "Swan Songs of Cygnus: The Weight of Black Holes", "author": "Vincent Hollow", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 416, "review": "Swan Songs of Cygnus: The Weight of Black Holes by Vincent Hollow is the story of one man\u2019s journey. Believing that Lucy, his lost love is waiting for him, he plans a mission to the distant black hole of Cygnus A. This astronaut must undergo a physical transformation, including the implant of artificial intelligence (AI) into his ocular nerve. The AI, his only companion, helps guide and reassure the explorer as well as provide valuable information on the celestial sights along the way.

There are many tales, myths, and stories of lovers going through extraordinary means to be reunited with those who died. Hollow\u2019s poems are reminiscent of the voyage that Orpheus takes to be reunited with Eurydice in the classical Greek myth of lost love and tragic fates. The poet\u2019s River Styx is the Milky Way and Charon is the AI embedded in the astronaut\u2019s eye.

What makes this book unique is that Hollow uses poetry to weave his interstellar saga. His poems are of love, loss, and journeys. They are also about moons and planets, nebulas, and black holes. As the spacecraft travels, the astronaut sleeps. We get to experience the dreams and nightmares of our somewhat intrepid traveler. Hollow cleverly borrows lines from some of the most memorable poems by Robert Frost, Edgar Allen Poe, and William Shakespeare and incorporates them into his poems.

Hollow shows loss through his poems in several ways. From \u201cVisiting Hours II\u201d:

\u201cthe flowers bow their heads

shedding their faces

crumbling on the window sill

leaving only

their bones and thorns.\u201d

This is more than just a book of poems. In the conversations between the astronaut and his AI companion, there is a lot of relevant information given about the planets of our solar system and the celestial anomalies beyond. I enjoyed the little snippets of knowledge provided about the nebulas of the Milky Way.

Along with the poetry, the design is attractive. The cover art by Tom Nicosia along with the graphics and dreamscapes by Shawn Mahoney and Soks Gemma adds to the overall experience. Even as the book enters the blackness and emerges into the light, like abstract art, the negative space is as meaningful as the filled spaces.

This book is for anyone who has looked into the night sky and felt love. Anyone who has experienced unimaginable loss may find solace in these pages. Ironically, poetry has always served this purpose; being immersed in someone else\u2019s musings about loneliness and longing may help to make some feel less alone.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "15-Jan-2022", "date_added": "17-Nov-2021 02:58:18", "publisher": "Writers Republic LLC", "page_count": "366 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010582007", "title": "Veronica: A Musketeer's Story", "author": "Jody Studdard", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 406, "review": "Veronica: A Musketeer\u2019s Story by Jody Studdard is an action-packed tale full of mysterious lands, magical incantations, and a fearless group of soldiers \u2013 the Musketeers. The stories main character, Veronica Espinosa, is an incredible young woman; having come from a family of famous matadors, she has trained with her father for ten years to become a matador herself. Because of her gender, Veronica\u2019s training has been met with extreme opposition from other matadors who feel that a woman\u2019s place is not in a training ring. However, Veronica\u2019s father remains undeterred by their comments; he knows his daughter is more than capable of becoming great. He trains her twice as hard as other young bullfighters, does not let her give up, and instills in her that she is destined to succeed with her outstanding abilities. Her father even tells her one day their will be a statue in her honor, just as there is a statue of her abuelo, or grandfather, in their town\u2019s plaza. Veronica is flattered by her father\u2019s words and truly hopes she will not let him or her abuelo down.

Finally, on her eighteenth birthday, Veronica\u2019s day comes to prove her worth as a bullfighter. It is safe to say that she does not disappoint. Outperforming all her opponents and doing tricks unlike anyone has ever seen, the audience is in awe at her talent and agility. Even the men who were initially against her entering the ring, are mesmerized at Veronica\u2019s swiftness and abilities. Towards the end of performance, however, things take a turn for the worse. Veronica finds herself unable to do an essential part of the act and the response is extreme. The audience grows restless, boos, and begins to belittle her. Panicking, she runs out of the ring traumatized, and does not stop until she is far, far away from her home.

Veronica\u2019s story from here is one I do not want to give away, but as you may have guessed, has a lot to do with the Musketeer\u2019s. A girl who proves herself in countless ways, especially against the men who doubt her, she is a wonderful role model to young women. For this reason, I would recommend this novel to middle school aged readers, especially ones who love stories of adventure and stories with a strong female lead. Veronica constantly shows her audience that bravery is not solely a male attribute; girls can fight and be powerful too.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "04-Jan-2022", "date_added": "17-Nov-2021 02:52:34", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "374 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010582003", "title": "Veronica: A Musketeer's Story", "author": "Jody Studdard", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 436, "review": "Veronica: A Musketeer's Story is set in a magical land and rife with daunting missions involving wild criminals, spine-chilling monsters, and the burning determination of a woman to prove herself in a world ruled by men. Imagine a woman as a Musketeer with an impressive ability to wield a sword. Ver\u00f3nica was born and raised in a reputable family of bullfighters. In fact, her grandfather and father were considered the greatest matadors of their generation. Since Ver\u00f3nica's father has no son, he decides to train Ver\u00f3nica, who is the eldest of his five daughters. However, this decision is met with opposition from other members of the bullfighting community, and Ver\u00f3nica's failure to carry out a required task worsens their plight in the community.

Feeling ashamed and dejected, Ver\u00f3nica flees town and embarks on a journey without any mission other than to distance herself from home. Eventually, Ver\u00f3nica finds a group of Musketeers scouting for recruits and becomes the first female Musketeer. As a girl, she fights to prove she deserves her position while carrying out several dangerous missions in order to curb crime with the Musketeers. However, their biggest mission will require them to fight off \u00c9tienne, a powerful sorcerer and the brother of a powerful king. \u00c9tienneas is determined to claim the throne, and he would stop at nothing no matter how dark the path gets.

You're in for a rush! Veronica: A Musketeer's Story combines several awesome bits to create an astounding, memorable experience. I'm talking about blood-curdling creatures, like the rizzet, which has legs and eyes on each side of its radially symmetrical body; daunting missions to capture interesting characters, like the archaeologist and professor who was found to be embezzling money from the university to fund unsanctioned archaeological digs; brilliant riddles involving intricate solutions; supernatural elements, including unicorns, sorcery, and the undead; and much more!

Jody Studdard narrates through multiple viewpoints, and the story moves at a fast, captivating pace with an exciting mission or goal to look forward to at every turn. It was a struggle to do anything else from the moment I picked up the book until I reached the very last page. The protagonist has a well-developed and likable personality; Ver\u00f3nica's disappointment in herself for letting her father down is an issue some readers might relate to, and her strong resolve to win despite being faced with doubters is infectious and inspiring.

I strongly recommend Veronica: A Musketeer's Story to young adult fiction fans who fancy a resilient heroine in a sexist historical setting. Whether she's dancing ballet or slapping a bully, Ver\u00f3nica's exciting spontaneity will have you immensely entertained.", "issue": "December 2021", "date_posted": "30-Nov-2021", "date_added": "17-Nov-2021 02:52:24", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "374 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010580003", "title": "Refuse to Be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts", "author": "Matt Bell", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 202, "review": "Refuse to Be Done is divided into three parts to help writers get through the process of writing and revising a novel. Bell focuses on getting the story down in the first part, even if it seems only in rough form. The second section offers tips and tricks for finding the story within the story by focusing on plot development and the overall narrative. Finally, the third section focuses on polishing the gem you have hopefully created.

Overall, this book is an excellent tool for helping writers work through the story they want to tell. It also provides encouragement and tips for getting the writing back on track if you slip into the dreaded writer's block. It is full of concrete, helpful advice, as well as tips and techniques that will likely make a difference to the quality of your writing.

I loved the friendly, encouraging tone throughout the book. The author's perspective made me think differently about approaching the art and craft of storytelling. It also made me think more clearly about my writing habits and how I might change them and incorporate some of his suggestions to achieve a more layered and nuanced approach when I set pen to paper.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "07-Apr-2022", "date_added": "16-Nov-2021 22:53:56", "publisher": "Soho Press", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010579015", "title": "Peace Is a Practice: An Invitation to Breathe Deep and Find a New Rhythm for Life", "author": "Morgan Harper Nichols", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 239, "review": "Many readers may be familiar with Morgan Harper Nichols as an artist and storyteller with a visually arresting Instagram presence. For those who have not yet discovered her as a spiritual guide, Peace Is a Practice: An Invitation to Breathe Deep and Find a New Rhythm for Life is a perfect introduction.

Part self-help book, part memoir, Peace Is a Practice advocates for slowing down and acknowledging what we need, rather than what we is asked of us. Nichols suggests our work should be in pursuit of our own peace more than anything else, largely because we cannot fully function as healthy and happy people without some balance of the anxieties we face in an ever more complicated and distressing world.

The book is well sourced in Nichols\u2019 presentation of different concepts; the Notes section reads like a dissertation in its thorough and developed set of sources. There are times when these acknowledgements back to other research and documents can feel a bit overwhelming, but there is comfort in knowing that Nichols did her homework and is confident enough to share what concepts are hers alone and which come from other people.

Nichols\u2019 writing is strongest, though, when she draws from her own experiences and reveals her epiphanies in her own pursuit of peace as a practice. Because she has worked on herself, she is a reliable source for others looking to learn how to begin their own practice.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "28-Mar-2022", "date_added": "17-Nov-2021 00:24:49", "publisher": "Zondervan", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010579011", "title": "The Chandler Legacies", "author": "Abdi Nazemian", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 13", "word_count": 194, "review": "Beth, Ramin, Brunson, Freddy, and Spence are students at an elite boarding school called Chandler, each arriving with their own secrets and baggage.

When all five are picked for a mysterious writing group known as the Circle, they\u2019re skeptical. But soon, the group becomes close friends, tight-knit against the complex webs of abuse and violence at Chandler. Throughout their writing, dark secrets are revealed that could shake the very foundation of the school. But would speaking out really help anyone? Or would it just make it ten times worse for the next kids in line who were like them?

They\u2019re told to speak their truths. But will telling the truth really set them free? And can five teens really do anything to break the vicious cycle of abuse at Chandler?\nI found this book to be interesting and unique. It was a complicated story with complex characters that were a pleasure to read about. Their different struggles and personalities really shine through in the graceful narrative. The events in the story, while sometimes difficult to read, are believable and tie the book together. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a powerful, empowering story.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2022", "date_added": "17-Nov-2021 00:18:28", "publisher": "Balzer + Bray", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010577023", "title": "Insomnia: A Novel", "author": "Sarah Pinborough", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 197, "review": "Emma has the perfect life: the two kids, a loving husband, and a high-paying career. But Emma is about to turn forty in a couple of days and is beginning to suffer from Insomnia. Normally, that wouldn\u2019t be a big deal, however, Emma\u2019s mother went crazy just before her fortieth birthday, attempting to kill her sister, and it began with insomnia as well. As Emma begins to experience all the same symptoms as her mother all those years ago, she will have to decide what\u2019s real and what\u2019s not. Is it possible this madness runs in her family, or is there some bigger picture she has yet to discover? Emma needs to figure it out quickly before she puts her own family in danger.

I enjoyed this Sarah Pinborough thriller much more than the last one. Knowing how insomnia can make you paranoid and hallucinate made it all the more exciting as Emma struggles with reality. The difficulties with everyone around her add to the drama, as they all begin to think she\u2019s mad as well. Overall, a fun psychological thriller to read during this cold season where the holidays can make us all a little crazy.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "21-Apr-2022", "date_added": "17-Nov-2021 00:16:50", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010574007", "title": "The Great Witch of Brittany", "author": "Louisa Morgan", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 175, "review": "The rollicking tale of Ursule Orchiere will engage any fan of Louisa Morgan\u2019s earlier work, but for new readers The Great Witch of Brittany is an excellent introduction to the writer.

Born Romani, Ursule and her mother make a living telling fortunes. While her mother is the seer, Ursule assists behind the scenes until her thirteenth birthday when it is revealed that she is the true witch in the Orchiere line. While this should be an exciting moment, it is fraught with peril as the women in the age of witch hunters will stop at nothing to root out women with power.

Fans of Deborah Harkness and Paula Brackston will appreciate the sweeping nature of this story as Ursule\u2019s life stretches over decades. It is as much a story about mystical power as it is about the pain and beauty of being a woman in an age that seeks to keep women silent. There are a few heavily foreshadowed twists, but other more surprising moments balance those to make The Great Witch of Brittany a fun read.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2022", "date_added": "16-Nov-2021 19:39:28", "publisher": "Redhook", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010574003", "title": "The Ogress and the Orphans", "author": "Kelly Barnhill", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - age 8", "word_count": 148, "review": "The Ogress and the Orphans is about a misunderstood Ogress, fifteen neglected orphans, crows, and some books. Can these abnormal heroes save Stone-in-the-Glen from a mischievous dragon before it is too late? Following the plot makes you root for kids until the very end. This is a good book; it starts out slow but then gets really exciting. I like everything about it except for the fact that the author uses the word \u2018listen\u2019 too much. I also like that each character is entirely unique because it gives each character their own part. I like that the crows in the story can talk to their friend the Ogress. Even though The Ogress and the Orphans has fantasy characters it is still believable. People who like realistic fantasy should buy this book. This is a book best suited to tweens and teens. This book is a pleasure to read.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2022", "date_added": "16-Nov-2021 18:58:06", "publisher": "Algonquin Young Readers", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010695003", "title": "Losing Love", "author": "B. J. Herron", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 72, "review": "\u201cA beautifully written story illustrating how the individual members of a dysfunctional family behave as their matriarch goes into passing. Full of feelings of passion and emotion, Losing Love may teach us to understand the importance of both love and loyalty and the difference between them. Faith\u2019s strong character and her will to stand up to her overpowering family members will have readers cheering until the end.\u201d \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 23:56:26", "publisher": "Bublish Inc.", "page_count": "126 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010694003", "title": "Storm of War", "author": "Bryan R. Saye", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 423, "review": "Daniel, a petty thief with no family but a handicapped brother, hopes to ascend in the crime world in the ancient city of Constantinople. Unfortunately, his efforts to gain respect land him in serious trouble as his life is threatened, and he must escape the city to find refuge. However, he finds himself among crusaders on their way to reclaim the Holy Land of Jerusalem, which is currently held by Saracens. Daniel soon finds a new way to gain respect and honor while serving under a harsh Scottish knight. His path to honor, however, entails rains of arrows and the foul stench of war and death\u2014a reality he must survive.

Once in a while, you come across a book that reminds you of the feeling of exhilaration you had when you fell in love with reading fiction. Storm of War, with its brilliant combination of a historical theme and a vivid description of battle scenes, is a great example of this. Bryan R. Saye gives readers a front-row seat to the Crusades through a first-person narrative about an ambitious character on the side of the crusaders and his interactions with both friend and foe.

The immersing narrative depicts an important medieval war with an impressive amount of detail. My favorite scene portrays an intense battle involving a shield wall and the men with horses who \"hacked and kicked and slashed and pounded their way\" into the shield wall. I also enjoyed the intelligent dialogues, the complex characters, and the clear direction of the story. I liked that I found it easy to follow and understand the story and the protagonist's desires, flaws, and goals right from the beginning. I was quite keen about finding out what would become of Daniel as he engaged in several spine-chilling exploits, like going into the enemy's territory alone for sentimental reasons.

Even though the theme of religion is strong in Storm of War, the book's tone is neutral, making it suitable for all readers regardless of their beliefs. I was touched by the perspective of a victim of the crusades, who expressed how the crusaders \"claimed to come in the name of Christ, and yet they murdered children and women\" and the similarities of these crusaders to the Saracens.

Storm of War is an elaborate book that combines different themes in one coherent narrative: ambition, love, family, orphanhood, religion, combat training, theft, guilt, and more. I strongly recommend it to readers who might fancy a historical novel with a fast-paced, war-themed narrative that entertains as much as it enlightens.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "02-Mar-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:17:35", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "356 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010693031", "title": "Briar Girls", "author": "Rebecca Kim Wells", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 11", "word_count": 188, "review": "Lena has always lived in isolation, constantly fearful of her own power: her touch can kill. But after a horrible accident occurs, she and her father are forced to flee their small village to the edge of the Silence. One night, Miranda emerges from the Silence and tells Lena that she\u2019s on a quest to wake a sleeping princess who may free the Gather of its evil ruler. If Lena will help her wake the sleeping princess, Miranda will help break Lena\u2019s curse. All Lena has ever wanted is to be free of that curse, so she delves into the Silence with Miranda. But the deeper in she goes, the more horrible truths come to light\u2014some she wishes had just stayed buried.

This book was entertaining and sharp, full of twists and turns on every page. Lena is easily relatable and fun to read about. With lots of emotion and twists woven into this bewitching fairy tale, it isn\u2019t one anyone should miss! I would recommend this to any young adult or teenager looking for a dark, twisting fairy tale with interesting, well-developed characters and a great storyline!", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 21:09:22", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010693007", "title": "Possessing Meares Island: A Historian's Journey into the Past of Clayoquot Sound", "author": "Barry Gough", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 197, "review": "To see natural beauty at its most sublime, one need look no further than the stretch of small islands bordering the western coast of Vancouver Island. A series of inlets and sounds separate one island from another, and guided by Canadian author Barry Gough, Possessing Meares Island reveals a history abounding with inter-tribal rivalry, eighteenth century ocean trade, John Jacob Astor\u2019s ambitions, and the Hudson\u2019s Bay Company\u2019s search for a colonial base.

The sea otter, prized for its luminous pelt, played a leading role in the saga until excessive harvesting brought \u201cthe world\u2019s most beautiful mammal\u201d to the point of extinction. Over the generations, Britain, Canada, Russia, and China all stood on the stage, far distant geographically from the larger world.

Gough, a naval coast historian, writes as a member of the legal team now the island\u2019s present status is threatened by attempts to clear cut the forests and destroy the territory present-day inhabitants vow to preserve. The book singles out past human intrigues like the early struggle between two chieftains seeking hegemony, betrothing the daughter of one to the son of the other as a means to protect inheritance in the manner of European royal families.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "27-May-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:10:35", "publisher": "Harbour Publishing", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010693003", "title": "Darling Girl: A Novel of Peter Pan", "author": "Liz Michalski", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 190, "review": "Holly Darling has worked hard to leave the legend of the Darling name behind, wanting nothing to do with her grandmother Wendy\u2019s story and her mother's obsession. So, she moves to America and starts a line of beauty products. But Holly has a secret of her own; her daughter, Eden, is in a coma with a rare condition that makes her age faster than normal and her blood is the only thing saving her son. When Eden disappears, Holly drops everything to return to London and search for her, hoping that it's not the return of the family legend.

I love the story of Peter Pan, so this dark twist on what happened after Wendy comes home was a little hard to like. However, the story wouldn't work if it wasn't a retelling, and I still recommend it if you love Peter Pan. Characters aren't as they seem and Neverland isn't as far away as believed. The story jumps right in and I was hooked from the beginning, easily finishing it within a couple days. Do beware that, though nothing is explicitly detailed, there are mature themes that are handled gracefully.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "04-May-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 21:29:10", "publisher": "Dutton", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010692047", "title": "Cabin Porn: Inspiration for Your Quiet Place Somewhere", "author": "Zach Klein", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 191, "review": "Many people dream of a cabin in the woods, far from civilization, perhaps on one\u2019s own or maybe with a group of like-minded people. Maybe it will be a place to write the great American novel, or to paint or sculpt, or to make maple syrup, or just to get away and decompress. But it will be yours\u2014built by you just the way you want it.

This small book is filled with inspirational stories of people around the world (though mostly Americans) who have decided to find that little piece of paradise just right for each of them, how they came to that place, and what they had to go through to build their place. In addition to the ten featured stories, there are two hundred other cabins worldwide that are given a photograph and a little text that doesn\u2019t go into any real depth.

The writing is conversational and lively, but the photographs are the real star of the show here. They complement the subject matter by being somewhat muted and printed on matte-finish paper. Nothing slick here. Don\u2019t forget your reading glasses, though. The type throughout is very small.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 18:23:46", "publisher": "Voracious", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010692043", "title": "City of the Dead (Maximum Ride: Hawk, 2)", "author": "James Patterson", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 203, "review": "This is the first book I've read in the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson. I have read several of the renowned author's books but never one like this. First off, I really enjoyed the science fiction/fantasy feel of this book with its hybrid characters as the main heroes. Fifteen-year-old Hawk is the daughter of half-human, half-bird hybrids Maximum Ride and her husband Fang. I can only assume from reading this book that Max is the ultimate hero whom everyone loves, even those who aren't necessarily fond of hybrids. Max and Fang have left Hawk to fend for herself and Hawk has found herself raising several other orphan hybrids. In the meantime, there is a deadly virus spreading amongst humans. Hawk then discovers a group of hidden hybrids in the forest.

This book mimics real life even though it has fantasy characters. Two groups blame each other instead of working together until someone steps in to figure out why they are fighting at all.

I absolutely loved the simplicity of the plot of this book as well as the colorful (literally) characters. I especially liked Tut the Turtle and Chammy the Chameleon. This book is a fun adventure with a moral to the story.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "16-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 18:20:00", "publisher": "Little, Brown & Company", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010692035", "title": "Bushido Illustrated: The Soul of Japan (Chinese Bound Classics)", "author": "Inazo Nitobe", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 208, "review": "Bushido Illustrated: The Soul of Japan merges Inazo Nitobe\u2019s seminal work on Japanese warrior ethics and moral standards with paintings and woodblock prints. It\u2019s one of the latest renderings of the book Bushido: The Soul of Japan, which was originally published in English in 1899. Nitobe shares his interpretation and perspective of Japan\u2019s evolution from its indigenous, traditional life ways to a modern nation. In decoding Japanese culture for a Western audience, Nitobe draws parallels between European chivalry and Bushido, comparing and contrasting Western mores with Japanese sensibilities.

More than one hundred years since its original release, Nitobe\u2019s timeless text remains relevant. It centers Japanese values and beliefs about politeness, self-control, loyalty, courage, and benevolence. Personally, I was fascinated by the discussion about women in Bushido, as well as the legal and ceremonial purpose of seppuku, a form of ritual suicide.

Bushido Illustrated pairs Nitobe\u2019s musings with graphical depictions of medieval Japanese life. The book is beautiful and elegant due to its binding, layout, and quality illustrations, which feature the works of renowned artists Utagawa Hiroshige, Suzuki Harunobu, and Ryuryukyo Shinsai, among others. Aesthetics set this book apart from other renderings of Nitobe\u2019s work. It\u2019s a must-have book for anyone who is infatuated with Japan and its people.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:51:01", "publisher": "Amber Books", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010692031", "title": "Mercy (An Atlee Pine Thriller, 4)", "author": "David Baldacci", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 173, "review": "Mercy is the next installment of David Baldacci's Atlee Pine series. This time around, Atlee Pine, a top-notch FBI agent, finds herself on a personal mission--to find her twin sister Mercy who was kidnapped from their home thirty years ago when the girls were only six years old. This story alternates between the points of view of Atlee and Mercy. The couple who raised Mercy, Tom and Desiree, tortured her until she finally escaped one day. Mercy was renamed Rebecca and then renamed herself Eloise Cain once she escaped, becoming an MMA fighter to earn some extra money. Readers find out what happened during the thirty years she was missing. This book has a lot of moving parts in it that come together neatly as all of Baldacci's books do.

As a Baldacci fan, I expected no less than fantastic. The Atlee Pine series is one of my favorites because she is simply an awesome badass chick. With an interesting storyline, amazing characters, and packed with action, fans are sure to love Mercy.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:43:36", "publisher": "Grand Central Publishing", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010692023", "title": "Standoff: Why Reconciliation Fails Indigenous People and How to Fix It", "author": "Bruce McIvor", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 196, "review": "Indigenous legal scholar and lawyer Dr. Bruce McIvor shares a collection of searing essays on the colonial underpinnings of ongoing structural barriers to Canada\u2019s attempts at reconciliation with First Nations peoples. The essays in Standoff reflect McIvor\u2019s depth of experience as an advocate for movements that assert Indigenous rights in Canadian courts. McIvor posits that recognition and reconciliation may be easy to talk about, but reality and practice are very different. Canada\u2019s legal system continues to fail Indigenous peoples, despite the country\u2019s espoused values of fairness, justice, and the rule of law.

The lessons offered in this book are important for advocates of Indigenous sovereignty in the U.S. and other settler colonial societies. Through the lens of a non-Indigenous reader, McIvor\u2019s narrative is an eye-opening and honest look at what\u2019s keeping progress on reconciliation at bay. Inequities in power stem from centuries of colonization and disenfranchisement, and these issues have not been adequately addressed. Colonial power structures are upheld even by well-intentioned allies. McIvor breaks down case law and offers examples in plain language. However, legal details may still result in a learning curve for those who are not already familiar with intricacies of Canadian law.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "04-Apr-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:09:01", "publisher": "Nightwood Editions", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010692003", "title": "How to Sous Vide: Easy, Delicious Perfection Any Night of the Week: 100+ Simple, Irresistible Recipes", "author": "Daniel Shumski", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 199, "review": "Sous vide allows you to cook meats, vegetables, and even desserts to perfection. Start with the recipe for basic chicken breasts; the chicken turns out moist and juicy, ready to use in any number of recipes, several of which the author provides to get you started. I loved the suggestion to add Za'atar and lemon to the sous vide bag for additional flavor, and while I enjoy the recipe suggestions, recipes that add flavorings in the cooking bag are my favorite part of this book. I also love being able to replicate cooking eggs exactly as you like them, from poached to hard-boiled and more. Salmon made sous vide is a heavenly revelation. Once you start to sous vide, you'll quickly branch out with different finishes and dishes to enhance what you cook. The recipes are tasty but the real value of the book is helping you overcome any hesitation about getting started. You learn what equipment you'll need (fairly minimal), basic techniques, finishing tips, and troubleshooting help, all of which are invaluable. Using any new cooking method may seem intimidating at first, so it helps to have this expert book nearby to hold your hand as you begin.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 21:17:00", "publisher": "Workman Publishing Company", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010691023", "title": "Star Wars: The Fallen Star (The High Republic) (Star Wars: The High Republic)", "author": "Claudia Gray", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - age 15", "word_count": 183, "review": "The Fallen Star is a great novel set in the Star Wars universe. In this novel, a group of raiders called the Nihil are rampaging through the outer rim of the Republic, taking what they want and leaving everything else in ruin. However, a brave group of Jedi aboard the Starlight Beacon stand ready to help refugees and stop the Nihil. After a large group of refugees arrive on the station, the Jedi start to notice something odd. Their connection to the Force seems somehow diminished. As the threat of the Nihil grows, the Jedi must investigate this new disturbance in the Force.

Overall this was a great book. It was very well written and kept my attention. I really like the setting of the novel, which mostly took place aboard the Starlight Beacon, a massive space station. There were also many memorable characters, ranging from skilled pilots to powerful Jedi masters. My favorite part of the novel was probably when the Jedi accidently freed several rathtars. I would recommend this book to young adults who like Star Wars or science fiction novels.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "18-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 21:46:05", "publisher": "Del Rey", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010691019", "title": "Himawari House", "author": "Harmony Becker", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 195, "review": "Nao, a Japanese American, moves to Tokyo to study for a year to try to learn about her Japanese heritage. She moves into Himawari House with housemates Hyechan from Korea, Tina from Singapore, and Shinichi and Masaki both from Japan. Will living in Japan help Nao find herself and her family\u2019s heritage?

This graphic novel reads like manga. It\u2019s in black and white and the illustrations are very manga-like. While I like the artwork and found many parts hilarious, I wish the art was in color. I think color would have brought the illustrations to life more. While the story dives into the past and current lives of Nao, Hychean, and Tina, I sometimes found it confusing with the flashbacks and dreams and the mixing of the different stories. I had to reread certain scenes/chapters to fully understand what was happening.

Despite that, I found the graphic novel to be heartwarming and funny. I love the use of all the different accents. I found it to be true and authentic. I absolutely love all the food and culture in the book. YA manga and graphic novel readers will enjoy this coming-of-age story about finding oneself.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 18:32:13", "publisher": "First Second GN", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010691007", "title": "One Man in His Time...: A Memoir", "author": "Michael Audain", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 202, "review": "Michael Audain has lived half a dozen packed lives in his eighty-five years. His story comes from a lonely childhood in England to a spell in jail when he joined the Civil Rights Movement in the American South to a series of careers in education and then takes a sharp right turn to property development.

Along the way, he traveled the globe in the less familiar places to stay on Ireland\u2019s magical Achill island and to barely miss the impact of the 2004 Thailand tsunami that killed over 200,000 people.

Still in the prime of life, he took on the challenge to become Vancouver\u2019s leading urban property magnate. He shared his personal art collection by opening a museum and was later invited to serve on the Board of the National Gallery of Canada.

With maybe a little support from friends, he penned a memoir in a series of short bursts of memory. His enthusiasm undiminished suggests Mike Audain might blow his own trumpet, but this can be denied unequivocally. The pages reveal disarming humility which, mingled with his sense of humor, shows his ability to laugh at the bad times he encountered along the way, making enlightening evidence of what a long life can accomplish.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "13-Sep-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:06:23", "publisher": "Douglas & McIntyre", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010691003", "title": "Batch But Better: 3 Meals From 1: More Taste + Less Waste", "author": "Lizzie Kamenetzky", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 194, "review": "Leftovers can feel boring, but not with this cookbook! For example, leftover Baked Salmon leads to a lovely Omelette and some Fishcakes; extra Roast Chicken adds heartiness to Mushroom Risotto or a Chilli Stir Fry. Each main recipe is followed by two extension recipes, but each can also stand on its own if you prefer. Most recipes indicate that they \u201cserve 4, plus leftovers\u201d, which I found to be the case. The Sticky Almond + Honey Tart made a generous nine-inch pie which led deliciously into a filling for Stuffed Baked Apples. Do be aware of serving sizes and amounts; the Rich Chocolate Mousse gave me eight delicious portions but if I'd wanted leftovers to make Chocolate Fridge Cake, as suggested, I really could only have served four. (I will just double it next time though!) The amazing photography that accompanies each recipe is reminiscent of paintings by old Dutch masters: \u201cStill Life with Cranberries and Braised Red Cabbage\u201d. Some of these you want to frame and hang on the wall! It's a beautiful book and a fun way to cook that keeps mealtimes interesting and enjoyable even when leftovers are on the menu.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 21:07:08", "publisher": "Kyle Books", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010690043", "title": "The Book of Rules: A Picture Book", "author": "Brian Gehrlein", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - Age 10", "word_count": 152, "review": "Did you know that there are lots of rules you need to follow when reading a book? Apparently, if you don\u2019t follow the rules, you will get eaten by a monster named Dennis. Be sure to follow all the rules!!

If I were one to judge a book by its cover, I would say that this would be a really funny book. However, after reading it, it seems that it more about teaching kids to sit down and be calm when reading a book or else they will get eaten by some monster named Dennis. What kind of name is Dennis?

I wanted to like this book and I hoped it would be very funny, but it is not a favorite. The illustrations are cute and colorful and help to demonstrate the rules. I think this would be good for very young kids who need to learn how to read a book.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 21:43:02", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)", "page_count": "45 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000010690035", "title": "Pearls Awaits the Tide: A Pearls Before Swine Treasury", "author": "Stephan Pastis", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 187, "review": "Pearls Awaits the Tide is a collection of comic strips written and drawn by Stephan Pastis during the year 2018\u20132019. This treasury includes a personal commentary by Pastis, which is a nice bonus. The comic strips are about the everyday lives of a group of characters, including Rat, Pig, Goat, Crocodiles, Zebra, and Pastis himself. Pastis uses his comic strips to joke about his take on modern issues that are going on in society, including political stances, social media, journalism, and technology, to name just a few.

Fans of the Pearls Before Swine series will delight in this new collection, which includes personal commentary and bonus introductions by the artist. Pastis is obviously a very talented and funny artist. His use of puns, wit, and dark humor is very funny and clever. I really enjoyed seeing a tribute to Charles Schulz with the Peanuts comic strips. I love how Pastis incorporated the actual Peanuts strips into his comic. It was interesting to learn that Pastis draws with his left hand when he wants to make his characters look bad. Fans of Pastis will really enjoy this treasury!", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 18:05:26", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010690031", "title": "Good Eating: The Short Life of Krill", "author": "Matt Lilley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 202, "review": "Dive into the ocean and travel with krill from the time they begin their lives as tiny eggs until the day they reach far into adulthood. Learn how they descend more than a mile into the depths of the sea and then ascend upward, squiggling and wiggling their way free, transforming into six-armed ovals. As their development progresses, they grow shells that cover most of their bodies. Discover the countless number of them they\u2019ll lose and replace over their lifetimes and how they continue developing without eating their first meal for weeks. Finally, uncover the secrets behind survival among the ravenous predators that surround them.

This is a delightful book filled with fascinating facts about these little-known crustaceans of the Southern Ocean. They\u2019re considered the \u201ckeystone species\u201d of that region, delineating their significance in the ecosystem.

Youth will be entranced by the originality as well as the layout and design of the book. It\u2019s large in size and features detailed, striking illustrations of krill and the environment in which they thrive. Light-hearted sentiments are threaded through the narrative, adding a humorous element. Readers will feel as if they\u2019re reading an intriguing fictional tale rather than a real account of a species\u2019 lifecycle.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "17-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 23:00:13", "publisher": "Tilbury House Publishers", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010690027", "title": "Arctic: Life Inside the Arctic Circle", "author": "Claudia Martin", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 179, "review": "It is said that pictures speak louder than words, and the amazing arctic photos in this collection prove that point. Travel writer Claudia Martin guides the viewer through what seems like the pristine wonderland of the Arctic Circle. With scenes from Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland, the viewer is mesmerized by the stunning views of the northern lights, the tundra, icebergs, native fauna and flora, rivers and parks, the native people, and the general landscape.

Brief descriptions accompany each of the full- or double-page stunning illustrations. Learn about the Sami and their reindeer, the Inuit, and other Arctic inhabitants. View wildlife such as the arctic hare, muskox, gyrfalcon, walrus, and of course, the regal polar bear, along with so many other intriguing creatures. Check out the industrial endeavors, fishing ventures, research stations, tourist impacts, and other activities taking place in this frozen environment.

Glance at these phenomenal photographic recordings of a still-frozen environment and consider the environmental changes that will assault and modify this landscape and the life of this region as the climate changes.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "23-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:53:29", "publisher": "Amber Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010690023", "title": "Rivers: From Mountain Streams to City Riverbanks ", "author": "Claudia Martin", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 204, "review": "Rivers, which are found on every continent, flow through big cities and small towns, huge sections of empty countryside, mountains and valleys, carrying fresh water to farms and forests, in addition to carrying boats and ships that fuel the economy.

This book will carry readers around the world to see many of these magnificent streams, with gorgeous photographs taken in all seasons and at various times of day, from close up or some distance, from above or at the same level, focusing on bridges or waterfalls or lighthouses or islands or anything that helps to tell the story of the particular river.

The photographs are sorted into five sections: North America, Central and South America and the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and Asia and Oceania. Each photograph is accompanied by a short paragraph containing interesting information such as the economic use, the history of the place or structures nearby, or even what the future might bring.

The stunning photographs are certainly the heart of this marvelous book, but the writing is also excellent and well researched. This will be a welcome addition to anyone\u2019s library or coffee table. The inclusion of a few maps showing the rivers would make it perfect.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:52:33", "publisher": "Amber Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010690019", "title": "North American Maps for Curious Minds: 100 New Ways to See the Continent", "author": "Matthew Bucklan", "category": "F13 Special Interest", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Raif - age 13", "word_count": 179, "review": "I thought this book was going to be more about all of North America, but instead it is mostly about the states in the United States; there is very little about Canada or Mexico. So that was disappointing, and not what I was hoping for.

That being said, it is an informative book that covers many different aspects of this area. There are chapters about Geography, Politics, Nature, Culture, Populations, Lifestyle, and Industry, with lots of maps in each. Many of these are not interesting to me at all, but there are others that are more interesting, like the one that shows the most common last names in each state, or the hours of daylight in each place.

One very interesting but rather sad map shows how few places are left to stargaze without light pollution. Some others that I found interesting show which states people are moving to and from, where the largest public libraries are, and the greatest dinosaur fossil finds. Whatever your interests, you are sure to find many surprises as you browse through this book.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:19:07", "publisher": "The Experiment", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010690007", "title": "Reclaiming Wellness: Ancient Wisdom for Your Healthy, Happy, and Beautiful Life", "author": "Jovanka Ciares", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 203, "review": "The health and wellness industry will benefit from the enhanced representation of diverse practitioners, who champion traditions that are sourced from various indigenous cultures. Afro-Latina Jovanka Ciares, a certified wellness coach and educator, breaks down seven fundamental wellness concepts that integrate healing of mind, body, and spirit. Ciares invites readers to reclaim age-old practices that are rooted in one\u2019s ancestral and family traditions: plant-based eating, meditative practices, movement, and connection with community and nature. She discusses experiences and reflections about holistic practices from her Puerto Rican background, while also presenting best practices from practitioners of color who emphasize decolonization.

Reclaiming Wellness attempts to advance diversity and inclusion in the wellness industry by encouraging people from all backgrounds to remember and reclaim ancient traditions that supported healthy lifestyles for millennia. Ciares writes broadly for people from diverse, multicultural communities who struggle with chronic and life-threatening conditions. By showing concrete examples of common strands of healthful knowledge that occur in many cultures \u2013 for example, herbalism, meditation, and movement practices \u2013 Ciares opens the door for mindful cultural exploration. She invites a deeper understanding of the history and meaning of popular practices, to ensure that new practitioners tread responsibly in their pursuit of optimal health.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 21:19:12", "publisher": "New World Library", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010689031", "title": "Gussy", "author": "Jimmy Cajoleas", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 189, "review": "Gussy has spent her whole life training to protect her home from the Great Doom. When an urgent message summons Grandpa Widow, her mentor and town Protector, away from the town, it means Gussy is all on her own to perform the rights and rituals that will keep them safe. She knows she can do it until she breaks the biggest rule there is; never open the gates after nightfall. Then everything starts going wrong.

This middle-grade novel is a story about responsibility, trust, and that sometimes authority figures don\u2019t know everything. It's a cute story that I enjoyed reading, but started to have to push through to finish. The characters are bland, the story more plot-driven than anything else. Cricket is my favorite; he has a lot of personality just like any dog. Gussy struggles with wanting to know what happened to her parents and I keep wondering what it would have to do with the plot, as it turns out, nothing, it\u2019s just a distraction. The point-of-view is confusing; it is written in first person, but Gussy constantly narrates to \u201cyou\u201d as if she\u2019s telling the story.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "07-Apr-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 18:29:04", "publisher": "Quill Tree Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010689027", "title": "A Human History of Emotion: How the Way We Feel Built the World We Know", "author": "Richard Firth-Godbehere", "category": "N09 History", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1044, "review": "History Roundup\n\nAs Carl Sagan (1980) noted, \u201cYou have to know the past to understand the present,\u201d and all five books included in this roundup can help you to develop just such an understanding. Examining subjects as diverse as an apparently doomed expedition to the South Pole, art portraying the American Revolution, the history of emotion, libraries from around the world, and the legacy of slavery in contemporary US society, these fives books are sure to both educate and entertain.\n\nA Human History of Emotion: How the Way We Feel Built the World We Know by Richard Firth-Godbehere\n\nIn A Human History of Emotion, Richard Firth-Godbehere sets out to answer a couple of very weighty questions: How have emotions shaped the course of human history? How have humanity\u2019s experience and understanding of emotions evolved with them? A major distinction that is often drawn between humans and other living creatures concerns the fact that humans are said to be rational beings, capable of reasoning and calculating in order to survive. However, even the quickest glance back at human history reveals events and situations that appear to disprove this apparent rationality, clearly hinging on emotions rather than on facts. In light of this, Firth-Godbehere guides readers through the highly important yet often overlooked roles that emotions have played in human societies across both time and geography. Drawing on fields of research as diverse as psychology, art, neuroscience, and theology, he explains how the understanding and experience of emotions have changed over time as well as how human beliefs regarding emotions have shaped both the species and the world in which people live.\n\nMadhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica\u2019s Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night by Julian Sancton\n\nWhen the Belgica set sail in August 1897 hopes were high for the voyage and the crew were looking forward to being the first scientific expedition to reach the snowy wilderness of the South Pole. However, hope fairly quickly turned to despair when the ship became stuck in ice in the Bellinghausen Sea, making it likely that the crew would have to endure an Antarctic winter and the associated months of endless polar night. Things managed to get even worse when an unidentified illness swept through the crew and, coupled with growing fears about the numerous rats that were attacking supplies in the hold of the ship, took an extremely heavy psychological toll. In Madhouse at the End of the Earth, Julian Sancton explains how two officers\u2013\u2013Frederick Cook, the ship\u2019s doctor, and Roald Amundsen, the first mate\u2013\u2013hatched a daring plan to free the Belgica from the ice, a plan that would either save them or doom them all. Sancton draws on diaries, journals, and the ship\u2019s logbook to bring to life a perilous Antarctic adventure worthy of a thriller.\n\nThe Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen\n\nWith The Library: A Fragile History, Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen offer the first major historical investigation of the library as both a concept and an institution (and perhaps as an obsession, too). Libraries nowadays come in all shapes and sizes, from former phone boxes to brutalist 1950s structures to glorious conversions of historical buildings, and they cater to a wide range of tastes. They also now fulfill many functions that would cause the librarians at Alexandria to scratch their heads. However, the quiet and thoughtful atmosphere that typically characterizes libraries belies their turbulent and sometimes controversial history. Pettegree and der Weduwen explore that fractured history, taking in famous collections from the ancient world, personal archives, cash-strapped contemporary resources, and everything in between. In doing so, they introduce some of the famous and infamous individuals who have contributed to compiling the world\u2019s greatest book collections, track changing trends, and reveal the sometimes extreme lengths people have gone to in order to secure particular manuscripts.\n\nLiberty: Don Troiani\u2019s Paintings of the Revolutionary War by Don Troiani and the Museum of the American Revolution\n\nAmerican artist Don Troiani is famed for his historical paintings, which principally focus on the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the American Civil War. Known for being highly detailed and realistic, his oil and watercolor works have been featured in numerous history books, art compilations, and military and government exhibitions. His most famous paintings portray crucial moments from American history, such as the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill and the American and French victory at Yorktown in 1781. Liberty: Don Troiani\u2019s Paintings of the Revolutionary War serves as the catalog for the exhibition of Troiani\u2019s work currently being held at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, which runs until September 5, 2022. Highlighting key moments from America\u2019s revolutionary history and elucidating Troiani\u2019s research and artistic processes, the exhibition matches forty of his paintings with forty artifacts from various collections, which are all beautifully reproduced in the catalog. The book also features Troiani\u2019s latest work, a painting of African American sailor James Forten watching as Black and Native American Continental Army troops march past Independence Hall on their way to Yorktown. \n\nThe 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones\n\nWhen an unprepossessing ship carrying enslaved people from Africa arrived in the British colony of Virginia in August 1619, it marked the start of the barbaric practice of human chattel slavery in America, which would continue for around two hundred and fifty years. This practice has been described as America\u2019s \u201coriginal sin,\u201d and its impacts are still being felt today. The New York Times Magazine launched the \u201c1619 Project\u201d in an effort to reframe understanding of American history by situating slavery and its ongoing consequences at the heart of the narrative. The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story expands that initial project by collecting eighteen essays that explore the legacy of slavery in contemporary American society alongside thirty-six poems and narratives that portray instances of struggle and resistance. Together, these works speak directly to the present moment, situating long-standing systems of race and oppression in the context of daily life today. They shine light on overlooked moments from the birth of the country as well as on upspoken issues within the constitution, and they elucidate how the legacy of slavery continues to cast a shadow over American life.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 18:22:25", "publisher": "Little, Brown Spark", "page_count": "290 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010689023", "title": "Fear No Evil (Alex Cross, 27)", "author": "James Patterson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 205, "review": "Fear No Evil is another exciting thriller from James Patterson starring Dr. Alex Cross, investigative consultant to Metro PD and the FBI. In this book, we find Alex caught in between two groups of dangerous men (and women). One is the cartel, although the leader of the cartel has been in prison for a while now with no communication to the outside world. Then there is a vigilante group who is killing CIA and FBI agents who have betrayed their country. Behind this group is someone known as \"M\", or Maestro. No one seems to know exactly who \"M\" is, however. As Alex and his partner, John Sampson go to investigate how \"M\"'s group and the cartel are related, they find themselves caught in the crossfire. Both groups decide that Alex and John are the enemies.

Just like all of the other Alex Cross books, this one is packed with action that makes it movie-worthy. A final battle set in the wild forests of Montana has all characters trying to dodge bullets, hide behind boulders, and stay away from the grizzlies. Recommended for fans of Patterson as well as Lee Child's Jack Reacher series. This book will have readers on the edge of their seats.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 18:21:20", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010689015", "title": "Birds of Prey: Stunning Photographs of the World's Great Hunting Birds", "author": "Tom Jackson", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 193, "review": "In the hands of the right photographer, no creatures are more photogenic than birds. This is borne out in Birds of Prey, Tom Jackson\u2019s tribute to the birds around the world that depend on hunting for their existence. Whether feasting on small vertebrates or carrion, they show a range of lifestyles as easy to distinguish as their appearance and behavior.

Jackson has divided his book into sections, drawing the species together in pairs or as stand-alone individuals, showing how the sameness within each group and between groups are features demonstrating their hunting skills. Birds of prey have extra-sharp eyesight, allowing them to look down and spot prey from high above, talons on their claws, and curved beaks to tear their victims. His chapters bring together eagles and kites, hawks and harriers, falcons and kestrels, all alert in daytime, along with the snowy owl in the Arctic north.

The photographs are clearly captioned, providing a mini-bio of each. Although Jackson describes vultures as \u201cunloved, ugly and filthy,\u201d one senses a secret respect for them, matching his admiration for the beauty of so many others, such as the Javan beagle-hawk and the skinny-legged Secretary bird.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "16-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:55:09", "publisher": "Amber Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010689011", "title": "Prisoners of Geography: Our World Explained in 12 Simple Maps (Illustrated Young Readers Edition)", "author": "Tim Marshall", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 9 and Julianne - age 6", "word_count": 170, "review": "Based on the bestseller for adults, Prisoners of Geography, Tim Marshall has compiled this condensed and simplified version, Prisoners of Geography: Our World Explained in 12 Simple Maps, Illustrated Young Readers Edition, to introduce geography and history to a younger set of readers. This volume distills down the original ideas for a younger audience, but it is no less informative or compelling. Understanding how the physical world shapes our experience helps make learning about geography and history a joy, sparking interest and new understanding even in older (see\u2014Adult) readers.

There are a lot of wars and other stuff, but knowing the geography helps understand where and how they were fought. It helps understand how everything has gone and all the pieces of the world fit together. Each piece of the puzzle is needed to get a full picture and then, well, it\u2019s the entire world! It makes better sense that way. Reading this book more than once would be a really good thing to do. There\u2019s always more to learn!", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:22:19", "publisher": "The Experiment", "page_count": "132 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010689007", "title": "The Keeper of Night (The Keeper of Night duology, 1)", "author": "Kylie Lee Baker", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 202, "review": "Ren is neither British Reaper nor Japanese Shinigami, and yet she is both. Living in London with her little brother and collecting souls, she's dreamed of traveling to Japan and finding her mother. When a turn of fate causes the High Reapers to hunt Ren, that dream may finally come true. But to become a Shinigami she must complete an impossible task. Or maybe it isn't so impossible with the help of her little brother and a cast-off Shinigami who's more then he seems.

I really don't like Ren, but her character arc is fantastic. Neven, her little brother, is a sweetheart, more capable than he's given credit for, and Hero, a Shinigami who helps them in their quest, is hiding many things from the beginning. Together they make for a wonderful story with a fantastic ending that, to me, almost shouldn't have a sequel. Yet I can't wait for it.

One thing that really bothered me was how Ren dismisses Neven's discomfort and constantly says he doesn't understand not belonging, when he has understood it his whole life. If Ren would listen to him, the story would be different and this key element is what makes this story such a tragedy.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "16-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 21:23:08", "publisher": "Inkyard Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010688039", "title": "Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight (2nd Edition)", "author": "Travis Langley", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 203, "review": "Everything dark and mysterious about Batman is found in the content of Langley's Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight. Think about it - both Batman and psychology have a way of messing with someone's mind and they can both be in themselves, or lead to, a dark place in someone's mind and life. Langley, like many people around the world, is infatuated with the character known as Batman, and given his background in psychology, has compiled and updated information about the man in black regarding his persona and crime-fighting techniques.

The information presented is on par with textbook-level material, but presented in everyday language with the scholarly jargon explained appropriately and usefully, helping the reader to feel they understand post-graduate material without the degree. Regardless of the reader's interest in the subject, they will get something out of it - maybe it'll be a deeper insight into a character you thought of as surface-level, a better understanding of a superhero highly acclaimed by many, or an introduction to psychology and the inner workings of one's mind. Batman and Psychology will make you think, but also has everything spelled out, and maybe it won't be just about Batman that is speaking to you.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 19:38:42", "publisher": "Wiley", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010688027", "title": "Cabin Porn: Inside", "author": "Zach Klein", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "A cabin in the woods is a dream many have that they never fulfill, but some lucky ones find the perfect place and build the perfect little place to get away from it all. This second book from the Cabin Porn people has ten in-depth stories of cabins around the world \u2014 England, Japan, Scotland, Rivers of North America (a shanty boat!), California, Greece, South Dakota, Mexico, Norway, and Idaho \u2014 with information about how their builders chose the place and the project, what materials they used, and even the motivation for the project. In addition, there are seventy-five mini reports of two to four pages with only a small amount of text describing the project. The photographs are gorgeous showing a lot of the details inside the cabins. Some of these cabins are quite simple and are made from found materials. Others are quite elegant and created with very sophisticated materials. The writing is lively and the stories are quite interesting to anyone with a fascination with living off the grid and in tiny homes. Make sure you bring your reading glasses. All of the type in the book is tiny, perhaps in a nod to the subject matter.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 18:18:45", "publisher": "Voracious", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010688023", "title": "Ancient Egypt: The Cradle of Civilization", "author": "Peter Mavrikis", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 198, "review": "Ancient Egypt showcases some of Egypt's most fascinating antiquities and cultural sites. Among the one hundred and eighty photographs showcased in this book, the reader will find familiar scenes of pyramids and temple complexes known the world over, along with less recognized structures and artifacts from this unique culture that lasted more than two thousand years. Beginning with the Old Kingdom (2686-2181 BCE) and ending with the Greco-Roman Period (332-395 CE), Mr. Mavrikis takes us on a photographic journey that truly shows the ingenuity and artistic sophistication of the time.

One of my favorite photos is of a high official during the Old Kingdom, Rahotep, and his wife, Nofret. Perhaps the preservation of the vibrant paint colors helps these two figures come alive. I also found that the photo of a wooden chair once owned by the daughter of Amenhotep III, Sitamun looked strikingly modern. With so many ancient wonders revealed in this book, it is easy to appreciate the treasures left behind by such a dynamic and creative culture. This is one of those books that would make a marvelous gift for those who have an interest in Egyptian culture and those who love learning about the past.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:54:19", "publisher": "Amber Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010688019", "title": "Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases", "author": "Paul Holes", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 199, "review": "Paul Holes is best known as the detective who solved the famous cold case of the Golden State Killer. In Unmasked, he describes not only his career investigating California\u2019s toughest unsolved murder cases, but also the toll dedication to his career had on his marriages and family life. This memoir details grisly cases as well as Holes\u2019 ascent through the ranks of criminal investigation. But it also depicts a sensitive and often lonely man whose sole purpose is to help families move on from losing their loved ones to horrible murders.

Unmasked is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how obsessed Holes became with solving cases. It is also sobering, considering that his sole focus on his work created emotional detachment with his family and a crippling anxiety. It was fascinating to follow Holes as he spent years digging in the weeds to uncover clues that would reveal the identities of killers. He is highly intelligent yet socially awkward and comes to terms with his appearance of emotional detachment from his work. In truth, Holes is painstakingly committed to helping victims' families find closure, and their pain causes him unspeakable grief. This is a must read for true crime fans!", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "16-May-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:38:17", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010688015", "title": "Richard Wagamese Selected: What Comes from Spirit", "author": "Richard Wagamese", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 193, "review": "What Comes From Spirit is a collection of poems, thoughts, and non-fiction short stories by the late author Richard Wagamese who passed away in 2017. This collection delves into his past as he recounts some of the time he spent in the Canadian foster care system and the rediscovery of his Ojibway family and his native culture. All the while reminding us of the wonder of life during the good and the bad times. He shows us that there is magic in this world if we are able to open all of our senses and experience it. And if we learn to slow down and look, we will come to understand that we are all an interconnected part of this grand universe.\nAnyone who has had the privilege to read his work will know that he was a gifted storyteller. His writings are always honest, profound, and illuminating. And while his soul has moved on, his spirit remains to help guide us on our journey through life. What Comes From Spirit is one of those books that you will want to read again and again for the comfort of Wagamese's wisdom and inspiration.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "04-Apr-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 21:59:47", "publisher": "Douglas & McIntyre", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010688011", "title": "The Rising Tide", "author": "Sam Lloyd", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 197, "review": "Found adrift off the North Devon coast with no one on board, the Lazy Susan is towed into Skentel Harbor. Lucy Locke\u2019s fear for her husband Daniel\u2019s life in the icy Atlantic waters grows by the second as the worst storm in living memory intensifies. Miraculously, he\u2019s pulled from the raging waters, unconscious but alive, only for the tension to ratchet back up; Lucy\u2019s daughter from a prior relationship and her young son with Daniel are missing. Were they on the yacht with Daniel?

From his hospital bed, a recovering Daniel claims the children were not with him, while a desperate Lucy rallies the locals and the coastguard to mount a search. Through flashbacks, though, details emerge about Lucy\u2019s wild youth and her first pregnancy, and about Daniel\u2019s failing business, which raise worrying questions. Can wife and husband be trusted?

Whether implicated or not, Lucy and Daniel face despairingly demanding challenges and monstrously cruel choices as the story unfolds. Given the enormity of the plot\u2019s climactic events, the history that drives them is far from convincing, but the desperation, the horror, and the evil that jump from the page make The Rising Tide a powerful, heart-stopping read.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "27-May-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 21:33:40", "publisher": "Scarlet", "page_count": "343 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010688007", "title": "More Mediterranean: 225+ New Plant-Forward Recipes Endless Inspiration for Eating Well", "author": "America's Test Kitchen", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 212, "review": "America\u2019s test Kitchen has produced another excellent cookbook that also aims to educate readers. The \u201cWhy This Recipe Works\u201d section at the beginning of each recipe not only provides readers with a basis for understanding what makes it a good dish, but also a basis for substitutions and modifications. In this regard, More Mediterranean does not disappoint. Each recipe lists the ingredients, why it works, and a step-by-step guide to preparing the dish. There is also a full-color picture that illustrates what the final product should look like.

The book is divided into three sections (Plants, Grains & Beans, and Meat, Fish, Tofu & More). Within the first two sections, the recipes are divided along traditional lines (soups, salads, sides, main, etc.). The last section is divided based on which protein is part of the recipe. The layout is uncluttered, the instructions clear, the full-color pictures stunning, and the recipes delicious.

However, there are two drawbacks: First, Mediterranean cooking is traditionally an act of family bonding, and hence the food preparation process is involved. Even the \u201csimplified\u201d recipes take time. Second, the ingredients may be more difficult to obtain in supermarkets. Ethnic stores may carry them, or they can be ordered online. However, the recipes are flavorful and well-worth the extra preparation.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "27-May-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 21:02:03", "publisher": "America's Test Kitchen", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010687035", "title": "Fevers, Feuds, and Diamonds", "author": "Paul Farmer", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 196, "review": "In Fevers, Feuds, and Diamonds,, Paul Farmer almost singlehandedly rescues Ebola for history. His astounding account of the disease, focusing on the 2014 epidemic in northern West Africa, the largest recorded epidemic of the disease, is published as Covid steals the headlines.

Farmer, a physician and anthropologist based in Boston, is packing his case frequently to travel and report on the world\u2019s health trouble spots. He became well-known for his unsparing narrative of post-earthquake Haiti.

The epidemic\u2019s affected countries comprise Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Despite unlike backgrounds and contemporary situations, the three countries are not easy to differentiate by readers unfamiliar with the region. Urbanization is mainly coastal; the interiors are crossed by multiple rivers, and swathes of land with border areas often casual, invite the spread of the disease.

Farmer insists adequate medical care, unavailable for both patients and caring staff, would have stymied the epidemic and saved thousands of lives. Instead, the geography, poverty, and warfare fostered by \u2018swollen military aid,\u2019 ethnicity, and tribalism enabled Ebola to become rampant.

Television newscasts sometimes warn a report \u2018may be graphic.\u2019 In Farmer\u2019s account, these words would constitute an understatement. The book is illustrated with photographs and maps.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 19:43:15", "publisher": "Picador Paper", "page_count": "704 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010687023", "title": "Britannica's 5-Minute Really True Stories for Family Time: 30 Amazing Stories: Featuring baby dinosaurs, helpful dogs, playground science, family reunions, a world of birthdays, and so much more!", "author": "Britannica Group", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 187, "review": "This book is a fun way to expand kids\u2019 learning without them ever realizing they are getting a little dose of education. Each story can be read aloud in about five minutes, and they are written at a level that will keep youngsters (kindergarten through second or third grade) engaged. The older end of these ages will enjoy reading these excellent stories on their own.

There are thirty stories that cover such topics as how birthdays are celebrated in a variety of cultures, what are considered to be proper table manners around the world, how did amusement parks come to be and how have they changed since the first one in the 1500s, and what kind of games have developed in different countries. Of course, there are also some wonderful stories about animals, both land and marine animals, how they are born, how they live, and how they move from place to place.

All the stories are extremely well researched and written with a real sense of fun and liveliness. Youngsters will probably wear this book out, reading the stories over and over. This is a winner.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 23:02:04", "publisher": "Britannica Books", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010687019", "title": "A Curious Collection of Dangerous Creatures: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (Curious Collection of Creatures)", "author": "Sami Bayly", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "There is no end to animal books, so bringing out a new one, especially at the middle-grade level, requires something really unique in order to stand out. This book takes a good look at sixty animals that are dangerous and scary. The Blue Dragon, a sea slug that is beautiful and small, has a sting that will cause welts, swelling, increased heart rate, and vomiting, while the Golden Poison Frog is so toxic that if it licks a person, it can kill him or her, and its skin has enough toxins to kill twenty people!

Each of the animals covered is quite dangerous and interesting, and each has its own spread with a close-up illustration, a paragraph with general information about the animal, its specific danger and why it\u2019s so dangerous, what its conservation status is, what it eats, where it lives, and fun facts about it. The writing is lively and conversational. The illustrations are excellent and realistic, and the graphic design of the pages is attractive and designed to hold the interest of youngsters.

Once kids (and adults!) get their hands on this wonderful book, they will likely read it over and over. This is a real winner.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:18:02", "publisher": "The Experiment", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010687015", "title": "An Illustrated Book of Loaded Language: Learn to Hear What's Left Unsaid (Bad Arguments)", "author": "Ali Almossawi", "category": "F13 Special Interest", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 189, "review": "Using examples of loaded language, Ali Almossawi shows how words can be and are scored and arranged to influence the reader\u2019s emotions, opinions, and reasoning. Accompanying the text and illustrating the cited examples are exquisite pen drawings of rabbits and badgers, along with other pets, that strongly remind one of Beatrix Potter\u2019s drawings. The animals substitute for any parties that may be associated with the practices that illustrate how language is often used to influence the perception of personality or events through vagueness, biases, misdirection, and other techniques that mask the correct details.

There are a wealth of examples that exposed this reader to an Alice in Wonderland-like experience of bewilderment and amazement at the myriad ways news reports, advertisers, politicians, and anyone else can exploit language and befuddle the reader. Clearer directions for strategies to recognize the manipulative operations that employ language as weapons for mind control and ways to offset the damage would be helpful. This book should be required reading for all students, with more examples of the practice of using \u201cloaded language\u201d to twist words into distorted sense, along with the processes required for correction.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "11-Feb-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 22:16:59", "publisher": "The Experiment", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010687007", "title": "Me Tomorrow: Indigenous Views on the Future", "author": "Drew Hayden Taylor", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 223, "review": "The Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island would like the rest of the world to know that they are not gone. In fact, they are parts of thriving communities that are here to stay. While in the middle of a global pandemic, climate change affecting the whole of the earth, racial injustices, and other hardships, our Indigenous neighbors have a message for us. Just as the first settlers needed the help of the native tribes to survive in the new world, the original inhabitants of Turtle Island are still here, looking to the future with ideas on how to move forward and help themselves and everyone else.

\nMe Tomorrow: Indigenous Views of the Future is fourth in the \u201cMe\u201d series, a collection of books exploring aspects of Indigenous life. Curated by Drew Hayden Taylor (Ojibwe), a Canadian playwright and author, this book looks into what the future might hold. This is not a dystopian view of tomorrow, on the contrary. Featured writers see a brighter future with Canada\u2019s First Nations leading the way. Essayists include teachers, students, elders, leaders, storytellers, advocates, and activists. As a White American reviewer, I find this is a very important book for everyone to read. With all the crises happening in the world, we can look to ideas and solutions from the Indigenous peoples to see a way forward.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "19-Mar-2022", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 21:56:30", "publisher": "Douglas & McIntyre", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010687003", "title": "Home Is Within You: A Memoir", "author": "Nadia Davis", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 914, "review": "Walk in Another\u2019s Shoes\n\nOne of the best ways of learning valuable life lessons and solving complex problems in life is by learning from others. Memoirs offer helpful advice as well as revealing ways that other people tackle problems. These five biographies will appeal to you if you are looking for eye-opening stories and the opportunity to jump into another\u2019s shoes.\n\nHome Is Within You: A Memoir by Nadia Davis\n\nHome Is Within You introduces us to the traumas in Nadia Davis\u2019 life that led to addiction, dysfunctional relationships, and a tenacious fight to get back on her feet. As a high-profile lawyer and former wife of California\u2019s attorney general and treasurer, she was very much thrust into the public eye when her abusive relationship became known. She reveals the struggles of dealing with public shaming, arrests, and the ensuing lack of privacy as a mother, and she rightly calls out the damaging policies against families struggling with mental health issues and addiction. Davis points out that more compassionate measures should be taken instead to achieve a better solution overall. This is very much a courageous telling of her journey toward healing with the help of spirituality, therapy, and pain management, amongst other things. It is a truly powerful memoir!\n\nAin't That a Mother by Adiba Nelson\n\nDisability rights activist, freelance writer, and public speaker Abida Nelson provides an entertaining and relatable account of her motherhood journey that will have you laughing out loud. Afro-Latina Nelson had a complicated relationship with her very religious, headstrong, and spirited mother, which shaped her views of the world. She unexpectedly became pregnant and succumbed to the same relationship patterns as her female parental figures, something she never thought would happen to her. She gave birth to a beautiful daughter with cerebral palsy, but she soon became burdened with high medical bills that threw her into a life of hardships. Rather than caving in to the new pressures she was under, Nelson decided to take on the world and find herself in the process, for both herself and her child. Ain\u2019t That a Mother is a brave and bold account that shows us how, with the right mindset, anyone can turn their life to their own advantage and overcome the highest of hurdles.\n\nBird Brother: A Falconer's Journey and the Healing Power of Wildlife by Rodney Stotts\n\nBird Brother is the ultimate story of second chances. In it, Rodney Stotts shares his journey to becoming one of the few Black master falconers in America. Growing up on the streets of 1980s Washington D.C. during the crack epidemic, Stotts faced a grim future as nothing but a criminal. However, as a young adult, Stotts wanted to get his own apartment, and the only way to do that was to get a real job. With a group of other young people, Stotts was given a lifeline when he landed a job with the Earth Conservation Corps in 1992. His grueling restoration work on the Anacostia River quickly became a passion, and with the improvements made, he was able to reintroduce bald eagles to the region. This was when Stotts befriended an injured eagle called Mr. Hoots and worked very hard to gain his respect. Following this, he trained to become a falconer and devoted his time to building a raptor sanctuary. Stotts\u2019 journey of self-discovery is an astonishing and heart-warming account that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.\n\nEntrenched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go by Linda Lee Blakemore\n\nEntrenched is a powerful and heart-wrenching account of a woman coming to terms with workplace sexual assault, partner sexual assault, and child abuse. Linda Lee Blakemore wears her heart on her sleeve in this vulnerable but empowering story. She takes you through her years of heartbreak from broken relationships and her own destructive patterns when it comes to matters of the heart. After a couple of affairs, one that ended in sexual assault and happened to be with her boss, Blakemore found herself in a precarious situation with her second husband leaving her every two years, although she would always take him back. Eventually, she found a way through this pain by exploring the trauma from her past. This enabled her to let go and learn to love herself as her own person. Blakemore writes for all the victims of abuse and proves that you can get past the pain with some courage.\n\nRiding with Evil: Taking Down the Notorious Pagan Motorcycle Gang by Ken Croke\n\nUndercover alcohol, tobacco, and firearms agent Ken Croke offers his account of infiltrating the infamous white supremacist Pagan Motorcyle Gang in this book, and it will leave you on the edge of your seat. Twenty years into his career, he came across a chance to go undercover, turning himself into the axe-wielding protector of the gang, \u201cSlam.\u201d In two years, his hard work and dedication to the gang had him taken on as an official member and chosen as Sergeant-Of-Arms. He was also the first person working in law enforcement to infiltrate the gang. Surrounded by some of the most savage and deranged gang members, in Riding with Evil he tells of the violent and paranoid world that the gang lived in, with leaders constantly monitoring gang members, sometimes with unthinkable consequences. This is an anxiety-riddled story. You will wonder how Croke survived, and you will find it impossible to put the book down until you find out.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Dec-2021 19:16:27", "publisher": "self-published", "page_count": "356 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010686043", "title": "Little Bear: An Inuit Folktale", "author": "Dawn Casey", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": " Eiledon McClellan", "word_count": 204, "review": "The world loves folktales. Like food, shelter, and water, they meet an elemental need: a need for connection. They are also a great portal into different cultures and nations. Little Bear: An Inuit Folktale delivers on all these counts.

The story beings with a lonely old woman taking in an orphaned polar bear cub. The cub gradually becomes part of the village, beloved by children and hunters alike. Unfortunately, when the bear ventures out of the village, he encounters fear and hostility. The old woman then has a choice: does she keep the bear close to her, or does she send him away to keep him safe?

The story is written simply, much like it would be told out loud, but the text is still descriptive. The illustrations are a wonderful co-medium for the story. I learned that illustrator Amanda Hall first uses watercolor ink and then fills in with pencil, pastel, gouache, or acrylic as needed.

The story is retold by Dawn Casey, who is not an Inuit author, but she has retold numerous tales. The book does have a foreword by an Inuit author, Kelly Berthelsen, and portion of the proceeds from the book sales will be donated to Polar Bears International.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 21:52:44", "publisher": "Wisdom Tales", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010686035", "title": "She Kills Me: The True Stories of History's Deadliest Women", "author": "Jennifer Wright", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 198, "review": "She Kills Me is a collection of forty true stories of women who kill. Their reasons and methods differ, as well as their number of victims, but each one has murdered or killed someone, at least allegedly. Some were convicted and executed, while a few were found not guilty even after admitting their crimes. Some were even praised for their deeds. The main thing they have in common is that these are all women who defied the idea that women are incapable of killing unless coerced by a man. While that may be the case in some instances, women are just as capable of evil deeds or of fighting for glory as men, as is seen in these true stories. There are examples from all over the world and different eras ranging from poisoners, black widows, rebellion leaders, and warrior women. Basically, the idea is, never underestimate a woman and what she\u2019s capable of.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Full of interesting facts and side notes, I learned about a lot of women I had never heard of and more about some I had. There were some great women to epitomize, like Virginia Hall, but more to avoid becoming.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 21:03:06", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010686023", "title": "Dreams Lie Beneath", "author": "Rebecca Ross", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 13", "word_count": 184, "review": "Clementine Madigan is a young magician who will someday take over her father\u2019s position as Hereswith\u2019s dream warden. Every new moon, a strange and terrible curse brings nightmares to life, and only magicians can stop them.

But Clementine\u2019s father falls ill on the same night that two other magicians come and challenge them for the territory. When they lose their home, Clementine vows to avenge her father and their honor. But there is more to the story than Clementine knows, and she must ally with one of the very magicians who ousted her and her father if she wants to free the realm of Azenor from the shadows that threaten to devour it whole.\nThis book was complex, entertaining, and had plenty of magic! Clementine was an interesting character, and she had a good story arc. Her relationships with the other characters in the book were well-fleshed out. I particularly liked reading scenes between her and Phelan. The story itself was thrilling, complicated, well-woven, and had twists I didn\u2019t see coming. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a dark, exciting fantasy adventure!", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 18:26:41", "publisher": "Quill Tree Books", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010686019", "title": "Cat Ninja: Time Heist (Volume 2)", "author": "Matthew Cody", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 124, "review": "Have you ever wondered what would happen if a cat became a ninja? If so, this book is for you! This is a very funny story about a group of animals who get more than they bargained for when they find an egg and decide to take care of it. The egg hatches and then a feathered owl emerges. Ninja Cat and his sidekick must use try to use time travel to save his owl friend from the villain of the city. Will they be successful?

This may possibly be my new favorite series. I love the bright and colorful illustrations that show the actions of Ninja Cat and his crew. The funny storyline makes this a series I would love to see continued.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "18-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Dec-2021 18:09:02", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010685007", "title": "Shaded Pergola", "author": "ELENI TRAGANAS", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 47, "review": "\"Fall into a kaleidoscope of poignancy and beauty as the pages unfold in this delightful read. Eloquently written and gorgeously illustrated with hand-crafted artistry. Haiku poems and delicate prose lull the soul into a world where little exists except purity and succulence.\" --Jennifer Padgett, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Dec-2021 20:38:13", "publisher": "TROPAEUM PRESS", "page_count": "100 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010684079", "title": "Halfway to Schist", "author": "Peter Bridgford", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 414, "review": "Halfway to Schist by Peter Bridgford is a beautiful story of self-discovery. The main character, Jane Rogers, or \u201cRed,\u201d is the daughter of two passionate geologists. Unfortunately, Red has been raised by her father for most of her life, as her mother committed suicide during Red\u2019s childhood. Red\u2019s father, a former military geologist in World War II, had already been deeply mentally wounded by his war experiences. Having dug deeper and deeper into himself to cope with PTSD, Red\u2019s father was already disconnected from his family well before his wife\u2019s death.

Needless to say, the devasting and sudden loss of his partner changes Red\u2019s father\u2019s life once again. He decides that both he and Red must move away to escape their ghosts, telling her that they will be relocating to his deceased uncle\u2019s fishing lodge to restore the business. Red is beyond upset about this move; already having had so much taken away from her, she cannot bear the thought of leaving the only friends she has left in Buffalo. Despite her persistent refusals, soon enough she finds herself whisked away to Canada, staring at what appears to be a hopeless restoration project. Little does Red realize, there is not only hope in fixing the fishing lodge, she will also find life changing friends along the way.

The story follows Red and her account of her Canadian adventures. Being a teenager is hard enough already without being thrown into a completely new environment. As Red manages summer jobs, boys, friendships, and the futile lodge restoration project, the reader watches Red find herself and what really matters to her.

What truly sets this novel apart are the chilling entries Red recounts from her mother\u2019s journal after her suicide. These stories were left for Red, meant to guide her through the stages of her life and to teach her invaluable lessons that her mother can no longer bestow in person. Geologically themed, these stories connect nature to humanity, showing how the processes of our natural environment are, in fact, similar to human behaviors. Red learns these stories and their messages by heart, using them to cope with her mother\u2019s death and every other challenge she faces.

Red\u2019s story is profound and impactful; she is the epitome of someone determined to make the best of their situation, despite the many, many challenges they face. I recommend this book to anyone who may have a story similar to Red\u2019s and to other readers who enjoy more serious fiction.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2022", "date_added": "24-Dec-2021 00:31:32", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010684015", "title": "Kings of a Lonely Kingdom: Earth Day Essays, Poems, and Musings on Nature", "author": "David C. Mahood", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 429, "review": "Kingdom: Earth Day Essays, Poems, and Musings on Nature is born out of David C. Mahood's concern about climate change and loss of biodiversity. Though climate change is not a newly discovered concept, the pace at which the world is responding to the call for switching to cleaner and more sustainable choices is disturbingly slow. David raises the idea that caring for other species is a way of caring for humans as our survival is tied to theirs. Parents who want a great life for their children are admonished that depriving them of the natural gifts of this planet is a complete failure. These and more issues related to preserving the environment and humanity are discussed in the book, including Covid-19, racial protests, the unfair treatment of Native Americans, natural disasters, possible solutions, plastics and ocean pollution, greedy corporations, and more.

In this expressive, educative, and pleasingly artistic work, David C. Mahood calls to all individuals, groups, governments, societies, non-governmental organizations, and corporations to make more environmentally friendly decisions. David C. Mahood's essays and poems express, with deep empathy and concern, the path to follow to avoid the reality of an unlivable future for our children and the generations to come as the present world is already experiencing the adverse effect of depleting the planet.

I found the book quite educative and revealing as I learned some new words\u2014like anthropomorphism\u2014and discovered the plight of Native Americans in the US, which I found seriously concerning. Readers are provided with relatable analogies that reveal the intensity of some environmental problems. For example, the idea that the drastic decline of monarch butterfly population could be linked to the elimination of milkweed is compared to being stuck in a place where all gas stations are closed and in a time before cell phones. I enjoyed reading the poems, and my favorite one, \"Lessons from the Soccer Match\", is inspired by the author's son's soccer game. It explores the spirit of collaboration in sportsmanship and teamwork.

As a passionate lover of nature and biodiversity who never stops talking about simplifying life and preserving nature to those who care to listen, I feel the world needs more heroic and visionary individuals like David C. Mahood, who take out time to inform the world to care more about preserving our planet. A world where everyone makes sustainable choices, as suggested in the book, is one I hope to live in. Every mature individual should read Kingdom: Earth Day Essays, Poems, and Musings on Nature as the important issues raised about preserving our planet in the book concern us all.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "16-Feb-2022", "date_added": "23-Dec-2021 03:39:12", "publisher": "Olive Designs, LLC", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010684011", "title": "All Sorrows Can Be Borne", "author": "Loren Stephens", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 449, "review": "All Sorrows Can Be Borne is a heartwrenching story inspired by true events. The story follows the main characters, Noriko and Ichiro, and starts in 1964 when the couple is bringing their toddler son, Hisashi, to the airport to go live with Ichiro's sister and her husband. Noriko and Ichiro live in Japan and Ichiro's sister lives in America in the State of Montana. It is a long way for a little boy to go. Readers will wonder why the couple is giving their son up, but the story then rewinds to Spring of 1943 when Noriko is just a little girl. We then follow her through her timeline to when she meets Ichiro. The story takes us through the bombing of Hiroshima and explains the horrible deaths and illnesses the Japanese people incurred because of this event. Noriko's father owns a successful sushi restaurant and after the bombing, he and many other Japanese citizens must work hard to rebuild their fallen businesses and homes. Noriko strives to make her family proud and become an actress and singer. Her father pays for her lessons and soon, at seventeen years old, she is ready to audition for the Takarazuka Academy. Unfortunately, Noriko ends up failing her audition. In an attempt to pay her father back, she goes to work for her older sister, Setsuko, at her family's tearoom. It is there that Noriko meets tearoom manager, Ichiro. He is several years older than she is but they fall in love. He is a hard worker and a very intelligent man, not to mention very handsome. Noriko and Ichiro get married and Noriko becomes pregnant with their son. While Noriko is pregnant, Ichiro finds out that he has tuberculosis which is the same disease his mother died of. The doctors say he must have contracted it in utero and that it was most likely dormant until this point.

Ichiro falls very ill and is in and out of the hospital/sanatorium. From here, depression sets in as he does not know how he is going to take care of his family. It is heartbreaking to see Ichiro try and try again but feel like such a failure as he has difficulty keeping a job. Through it all, Noriko never stops loving him and even agrees to send Hisashi away so that their little boy may have a better life.

Emotionally gripping with themes of true love, sacrifice, depression, and perseverance, All Sorrows Can Be Borne will give its readers so much to think about and be grateful for in their own lives. This is a beautiful, carefully written, detailed story filled with historical events and wonderful descriptions of Japan and Japanese customs.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2022", "date_added": "23-Dec-2021 03:32:37", "publisher": "Rarebird", "page_count": "360 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010684007", "title": "All Sorrows Can Be Borne", "author": "Loren Stephens", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 404, "review": "All Sorrows Can Be Borne was absolutely beautiful. Loren Stephens writes the heart-wrenching story of Noriko and her husband Ichiro, a young Japanese couple who give up their son to American relatives. The plot follows the story of how the pair ended up making this choice by following Noriko and Ichiro from childhood through into adulthood. This novel was truly moving; I felt their families\u2019 pain radiating through the pages and I sympathized with both parties on all accounts. Readers who enjoy more serious novels would not want to miss out on this read.

Noriko and Ichiro were both survivors of the Hiroshima bomb, set off in 1945. They were just elementary school children when this horrific event altered their lives forever. Noriko was lucky; her papa saved her from the rubble at her local school and the only mark left on her was the scar on her forehead. With their family house still intact and her loved ones safe and sound, it is easy to say Noriko got the better end of the stick. Ichiro was not nearly as fortunate. His father died in the bombing, leaving him and his sister to an abusive stepmother who abandoned them. Ichiro and his sister were forced to provide for themselves, unable to finish school due to the need to make ends meet.

At the age of fourteen, Ichiro found himself working at a local tearoom, eventually making his way up the ladder to restaurant manager. This tearoom is where Noriko and Ichiro meet. Having had very different lives and opportunities due to their circumstances after the bombing, they are on different paths with different beliefs. Noriko has dreams of becoming an actress and has thus far been very successful in her endeavors. A fearless, independent young woman, she is determined to make her family proud and herself wealthy. Noriko starts working at the tearoom to help pay her father back for her schooling, and Ichiro just happens to be her manager. Despite their differences, young love always seems to win, and they find themselves happily married.

Unfortunately, the rest of the novel isn\u2019t as bright. As beautiful dreams fall apart, depression and ill health enter the story. Lack of money and resources further contribute to their downfall, and the couple finds themselves in seemingly impossible situations. The story of Ichiro and Noriko is one laced with so much passionate love and so much unfortunate hardship.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2022", "date_added": "23-Dec-2021 03:32:07", "publisher": "Rarebird", "page_count": "360 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010684003", "title": "A Stoma Named Stanley: Reflections From A Brief Nursing Career", "author": "JD Moore", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 425, "review": "When I saw this book was available, I have to say I did a little happy dance. As a fan of television medical \"reality\" shows such as Untold Stories of the ER and Trauma: Life in the ER and books written by First Responders that give first-hand accounts of everyday on-the-job hazards, I was really excited about getting a copy of A Stoma Named Stanley. What I found equally fascinating is the author, JD Moore, decided that nursing would be her \"retirement\" job. Some people go to work at their local library or deli. This lady became a nurse!

The stories Moore tells in this book may not be what the average person will think they are getting themselves into. For the most part, there is nothing too over-the-top graphic or gross and Moore describes everything with a kind of professionalism that you would only find from someone who has integrity and a true love of humankind. Of course, there is some blood and other human bodily fluids, but that goes without saying in a hospital environment. Some of her stories are not medical-related at all but instead show how the sympathy and empathy she has for some of the people admitted into her hospital makes her such a gem of a nurse. She is patient and understanding and genuinely cares for the people who are in her care.

One of the stories that was really startling was the one where the husband was in the hospital and when Moore asked the wife about her own incapacity to walk, the wife told her that she wished he husband was dead sometimes. The reason the woman couldn't walk was that the husband had her holding a ladder to cut down a branch and the branch landed on the wife, disabling her. I'm sure doctors and nurses see so many horrible accidents such as this one.

The stories in the book are short and to the point and are actually from JD Moore's nursing journal. She changes the names in the book which is understandable, however, what I don't understand is why she put \"Ms.\" or \"Mr.\" in front of the patients' first names. For example, \"Ms. Amara\" or \"Mr. Darren\". I feel like this may be common practice in other countries but in the United States, I felt it was odd.

If you are a fan of medical stories, this is the book for you. It's interesting and at the same time endearing and heartfelt. I would love to see a follow-up book by the author.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2022", "date_added": "23-Dec-2021 03:27:34", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "143 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010683015", "title": "Garden Variety: A Novel", "author": "Christy Wilhelmi", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 179, "review": "If you enjoyed The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, you\u2019ll enjoy this sweetly charming and beautifully descriptive tour through the seasons of life in a community garden. The novel centers on Lizzie, a lover of order and abider of rules who keeps as tight of a hold on her garden keys as she does on the keys to her heart. Coming off of a recent heartbreak with the plot owner next door, she struggles with making connections to her fellow gardeners, especially the handsome new tenant who makes her heart rail against the neat little drawer she\u2019s filed it away in. With a revolving cast of characters with chapters dedicated to their own stories and perspectives on their seasons in the garden, it\u2019s easy to get sucked into the collective social web Wilhelmi has woven throughout the novel. Readers who enjoy slice-of-life-style narrative arcs will enjoy the myriad of personalities and perspectives presented, and seasoned gardeners will love the detailed descriptions of the trials and tribulations of trying to create something beautiful out of nothing but seeds and soil.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2022", "date_added": "23-Dec-2021 23:35:10", "publisher": "William Morrow Paperbacks", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010683007", "title": "Geronimo Stilton Reporter #10: Blackrat's Treasure (Geronimo Stilton Reporter Graphic Novels, 10)", "author": "Geronimo Stilton", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - age 8", "word_count": 174, "review": "Geronimo Stilton Reporter: Blackrat\u2019s Treasure is a good graphic novel. This book is about a hardworking and busy talking mouse whose relatives think he needs to relax. So, they tell him a story about a monster to get him to follow them to a ship. The ship belongs to a pirate named Blackrat\u2019s. Geronimo, his cousin Trap, nephew Benjamin, and sister Thea become Blackrat\u2019s crew. Together they sail the seas and land on an island to find treasure.

I like this book because of the action. None of it is boring or complicated. The bright and colorful art is fun and goes well with the story. Everything is straightforward and makes sense. It is fun to read, but I don\u2019t think this book is as good as the other novels in the Geronimo Stilton series. Kids who have liked the other books will probably like this one too, but it is much shorter than some of the others. I recommend this book for ages six to nine. This book is best read for pleasure.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2022", "date_added": "23-Dec-2021 22:34:04", "publisher": "Papercutz", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010682023", "title": "Will", "author": "Will Smith", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 201, "review": "Will Smith has been in the public eye for over thirty years. He has found success in the music industry (rap/pop), in the television industry, and as a bankable box office draw. However, the path to fortune and fame wasn\u2019t an easy one. Will learned copious amounts of life lessons growing up in West Philadelphia, including striving for what one wants in life and possessing the fortitude to make a comeback after a failure or two.

Despite his mother\u2019s educational plans for him, his interest and skill at ripping rhymes led to his partnership with DJ Jazzy Jeff. His likability as a rapper led to an offer for a television show. The popularity of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air led to opportunities on the big screen. Smith\u2019s ability and work ethic led to more successes than failures. His charisma and dynamic screen presence have continued to yield prime roles.

Will is an honest and open assessment of the life of one of the world\u2019s most beloved entertainers. It is an autobiography that is funny as well as moving, interesting, and absorbing. Smith\u2019s straightforwardness in approaching his highs and lows in show business, family, and love render the book truly appealing.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2022", "date_added": "23-Dec-2021 20:42:05", "publisher": "Penguin Press", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010682015", "title": "James Madison: America's First Politician", "author": "Jay Cost", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 196, "review": "It is surprising that James Madison was so young when he became involved in the Revolutionary War. He had just graduated from the College of New Jersey, now Princeton, and was swept up into debates about constitutions, independence, and how a government should function. Many of his contemporaries were known for their already established careers.

Since the founding of the USA, there have been quite a few, possibly hundreds, of biographies written about the Founding Fathers, with James Madison being one of the most popular due to the notes he kept during the Constitutional Convention, which he was not supposed to do. Biographies should give the reader a sense of why this person is important and what made them tick.

This biography only really meets one of those goals. This is strictly a political biography; you will not get any real information about what Madison was like in his personal life, amongst his family and friends. The vast majority of the story is about his political life and his failure as president during the War of 1812. If someone has already read a biography of Madison, there is little to no new information in this one.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2022", "date_added": "22-Dec-2021 21:49:34", "publisher": "Basic Books", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010681011", "title": "A is for Oboe: The Orchestra's Alphabet", "author": "Lera Auerbach", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - age 10", "word_count": 205, "review": "I really wanted to like A is for Oboe because I love music, but unfortunately this book disappoints on many levels. It\u2019s clearly produced as a picture book for children, but it is not written for children. My younger siblings were bored to tears and I barely made it through myself.

The ABC book theme is kind of irrelevant because it seems more like the author was just curious if she could connect music to all the letters of the alphabet, which she sort of does, but not in a \u201clet\u2019s learn the alphabet\u201d sort of way. What I mean is, like, the letter Y is for \u201cyes\u201d and for \u201cyou\u201d and she goes on and on trying to justify why they are relevant.

There are so many run-on phrases that are barely poetic, like how keyboards \u201croar or pluck, prickle like porcupines, or lift us like a one-winged Pegasus with black and white keys to delight, unlock, and open the gates of wonderment.\u201d It\u2019s just too over the top to be interesting.

The cover is an accurate representation of the rest of the illustrations, which are okay but nothing spectacular. All in all, it\u2019s a book marketed to kids but totally not for kids.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "18-Feb-2022", "date_added": "23-Dec-2021 19:35:23", "publisher": "Dial Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000010681003", "title": "Wolf Hollow (A Lew Ferris Mystery)", "author": "Victoria Houston", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "If you are looking for a new mystery series and like the great outdoors, this might be what you\u2019re looking for. Lew Ferris is police chief in the small town of Loon Lake in northern Wisconsin. When her brother\u2019s body is found near a loon nest he is monitoring, it soon comes out he was murdered, and Lew finds out he was about to help file a lawsuit to protect the river from mining. Wealthy landowner Grace McDonough has a mining company interested in her land. She and her pervert son, though, are soon also found murdered, and as the bodies stack up, Lew is facing personal loss and professional landmines.

Victoria Houston is following up her nineteen-book Loon Lake series, which focused more on Doc Osborne than Lew Ferris, with a new series with the same cast of engaging characters, the same setting, and wonderful fly-fishing lessons while moving the focus to Lew Ferris. This book stands on its own, but it makes one hanker for future volumes and maybe a dip into the earlier series. The writing is crisp, the dialogue is snappy, and the story is very compelling. This is a winner.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2022", "date_added": "22-Dec-2021 19:34:27", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010680027", "title": "Do I Know You?: A Novel of Suspense", "author": "Sarah Strohmeyer", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 182, "review": "Do I Know You? is a gripping psychological suspense novel. Jane has a special gift for recognizing faces. In fact, her ability gets her a job with Homeland Security. One day, she sees the woman named Bella who she knows was last seen with her sister Kit before she went missing. Jane ends up freaking out on Bella and her fiance, Will Pease, in the airport and is immediately fired and blacklisted. But Jane knows Bella has the answers to her sister's disappearance and sets out to find out what she knows even though the Pease's family attorney has issued a warning to not come near Bella or any of the Pease family.

Is Jane a mental case or is she actually really reliable? Who can she trust? Everyone seems to have secrets in this story. And with every twist and turn, Jane finds herself confused and questioning what is real and what is not. Perfect characters to love and hate, a twisty plot, and a beautiful coastline setting, Do I Know You? has all the right elements for a fantastic thriller.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "05-Feb-2022", "date_added": "24-Dec-2021 00:04:12", "publisher": "Harper Paperbacks", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010680023", "title": "Field Notes for Food Adventure: Recipes and Stories from the Woods to the Ocean", "author": "Brad Leone", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 952, "review": "Try Something New!\n\nWhether you like thumbing through recipes just for pleasure or are looking for inspiration for meals, these five cookbooks will definitely spice things up. Through reading them, you will be introduced to new homemade soup recipes, Chinese baked goods, simple and healthy paleo meals, new ways of cooking with eggs, and recipes born out of foraging.\n\nSoup Club: 80 Cozy Recipes for Creative Plant-Based Soups and Stews to Share by Caroline Wright\n\nThis is a cookbook unlike any other. It is not only about the recipes, but is also a heartwarming story of a community coming together and giving to a member during a frightening period of her life. Caroline Wright was given a crushing brain cancer diagnosis, and not long after this, she found herself really craving homemade soup. She told her friends, who started rallying around her, and then Wright started finding soup on her doorstep daily for several months afterwards. Thankfully she survived, and this book is a thank you to those friends and followers who were touched by her story. The recipes in this book are plant-based and sound very delicious. They are not the blended kind but more the chunky kind, and many of the recipes use nutritional yeast. The instructions are for cooking on the stove, although there is a section dedicated to instant pot instructions. There are also recipes for breads and salads and how to make your own spice blends. Some of the soup recipes that sounded particularly delicious were the Moroccan Vegetable Stew, Golden Borscht, and Cowboy Chili. Soup Club really is a must-have for soup and stew fans, and you do not have to be vegan to enjoy these recipes.\n\nMooncakes and Milk Bread: Sweet and Savory Recipes Inspired by Chinese Bakeries by Kristina Cho\n\nIf you are interested in Chinese baked goods, then this book is for you! Mooncakes and Milk Bread is filled with Chinese bakery recipes, and it is made simple by the step-by-step instructions for the heavenly family-based recipes provided by food blogger Kristina Cho. If you are intimidated by the Chinese ingredients, Cho takes you through the experience of shopping in an Asian grocery store and explains the differences between ingredients and the equipment needed to create these recipes. The recipes included in this book consist of different types of Chinese buns and breads, cakes, cookies, dumplings, and drinks. Additionally, there are no-bake recipes for dim sum, pancakes, and potstickers. The pictures that accompany each recipe help to provide visual guidance, and all the food looks like it has been made by a modern Chinese professional chef/baker. The book is an all-round winner for fun and expanding your repertoire.\n\nNom Nom Paleo: Let's Go! (Volume 3) by Michelle Tam and Henry Fong\n\nMichelle Tam and Henry Fong, the creators of the New York Times bestseller Nom Nom Paleo, offer a new Asian-inspired collection of paleo recipes in Nom Nom Paleo: Let\u2019s Go! There are even keto, whole30, and vegan-based recipes, and they are all full of umami flavor. Tam and Fong emphasize that the best and healthiest meals are the ones cooked at home, and this cookbook will give you the enthusiasm necessary to get going in your own kitchen. You will be surprised at how simple these recipes are and how they are perfect for when you are cooking for others. Your guests will be surprised by how tasty the food turns out, even though they are wholefood recipes and free of gluten, dairy, grains, and refined sugar. Some of the delights include Cantonese Roast Duck, Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole, and Paleo-Friendly Cream Puffs. You only need to be a novice cook and you can make food that tastes heavenly!\n\nThe Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook: Over 100 Fabulous Recipes to Use Eggs in Unexpected Ways by Lisa Steele\n\nFifth generation chicken keeper and top-selling author Lisa Steele shows how easy and appetizing meals can be after adding eggs. The Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook teaches you all about eggs, such as debunking certain egg-related myths and explaining what particular labels on egg cartons signify. Steele works with you, starting from the basics of cooking eggs and moving through all the different techniques. The photography in the book is fantastic and really inspires you to try the recipes. You can learn how to make a French Tri-fold Omelet, Swedish Egg Coffee, and Hand Pies, as well as other sweet and savory recipes, and they all come with Steele\u2019s own modifications. This book is an inventive and exciting cookbook for a novice or an accomplished cook looking to branch out and discover new things every day.\n\nField Notes for Food Adventure: Recipes and Stories from the Woods to the Ocean by Brad Leone\n\nBrad Leone teaches us about being resourceful and inventive in the New York Times bestseller Field Notes for Food Adventure as he seeks out the wonderful natural ingredients of the North East. Exploring all that nature has to offer, foraging in fields, rivers, forests, and the sea, Leone captures your imagination by providing outstanding ideas for inspirational home cookery. He introduces you to ramps, different types of mushrooms, and the various ways of preserving them, as well as to undervalued oceanic ingredients such as squid and seaweed. All the recipes have the Brad Leone stamp, with the Spicy Tomato Chicken, Sous Vide Mountain Ribs, and the Cold Root Salad seeming particularly appetizing, in addition to the recipes for drinks such as Fermented Bloody Mary and Sumac Lemonade. There\u2019s even a simple recipe for Chile Hot Sauce. Voted Food52\u2019s Best Cookbook of the Year, this flavorsome tome is not your typical cookbook, but it will certainly open your mind to exciting new ideas and ingredients.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Dec-2021 20:44:13", "publisher": "Voracious", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010680019", "title": "Servant Mage", "author": "Kate Elliott", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 11", "word_count": 174, "review": "Fellian is a special type of person known as a Lamplighter, which is a low-level fire elemental mage that has the ability to create light. When a small group of Monarchists free her from her servitude to complete their forbidden five-arrow quiver, she knows she is about to leave behind everything she has ever known. But does her freedom come with strings attached? Fellian is faced with the decision to kill a royal baby and the last remaining Dragonborn in an attempt to wipe out the Monarchist movement. It forces her to choose between running and doing the right thing. If she fails, the Monarchist movement will be wiped out forever.

I liked this book because it was entertaining while not being too fast paced, and made me want to keep turning pages even when it was finished! It wove together the complex, fascinating society of a fully realized world with magic, creating something fun, mesmerizing, and sharp. I liked this book, and would read it again! I would recommend this book to magic-loving tweens!", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2022", "date_added": "22-Dec-2021 19:57:36", "publisher": "Tordotcom", "page_count": "167 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010680011", "title": "Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom", "author": "Derecka Purnell", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 759, "review": "Current Events\n\nFor those seeking to stay in touch with important events, movements, and campaigns currently occurring around the world, as well as to understand the historical and political backgrounds to such momentous things, the three books included in this roundup can provide some important insights.\n\nSaving Yellowstone: Exploration and Preservation in Reconstruction America by Megan Kate Nelson\n\nIn Saving Yellowstone: Exploration and Preservation in Reconstruction America, Megan Kate Nelson vividly describes how Yellowstone became the first national park during a period of US history characterized by political turmoil and racial violence. The modern story of Yellowstone began in July 1871, when geologist Ferdinand Hayden led a team of scientists to Yellowstone Basin, which was one of the last unmapped areas of the United States. The team\u2019s discoveries prompted the promulgation of the Yellowstone Act in 1872, which conferred national park status on the area. Nelson examines this development within the wider national context, highlighting how the national park project brought a sense of peace and accomplishment to a country that had very recently been fighting a highly destructive civil war. In addition to tracing the work and influence of Hayden, Nelson elucidates the roles of both Sitting Bull, who asserted the Lakota people\u2019s claim to the land, and Jay Cooke, who spearheaded the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad, in securing the national ownership of Yellowstone. As such, the book presents a narrative of exploration and adventure that encompasses Indigenous resistance, Black southerners\u2019 fight for racial justice, and American nation-building in the wake of a devastating conflict.\n\nBecoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom by Derecka Purnell\n\nFollowing the murder of George Floyd by a serving police officer, calls to defund or abolish the police have become increasingly common in the US, although many remain unaware of what such abolition would actually entail. In Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom, Derecka Purnell relates her own path toward becoming an abolitionist. Her journey started in St. Louis, where she experienced periods of homelessness and food insecurity. These experiences, coupled with watching coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the murders of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, sparked her political awakening and prompted her to campaign for greater social justice. Eventually, her work at Harvard Law School caused her to recognize that true equality does not simply require better policing; rather, it requires the scrapping of the police force as an institution. This might seem like a radical stance, but Purnell justifies her position by exploring the history of the police as a tool for capturing runaway slaves and strengthening white supremacy, which has arguably led on to the over-policing of Black communities seen today. According to Purnell, contemporary police officers are fulfilling the roles historically envisioned for them when perpetrating violence against Black people, meaning that an alternative system is required to end such violence and ensure equality. It\u2019s an enlightening and inspiring book about a bold idea with great potential to change society. \n\nMeToo: The Impact of Rape Culture in the Media by Meenakshi Gigi Durham\n\nFrom its beginnings on social media, the MeToo movement has grown rapidly and widely as advocates have sought to empower and assist people who have experienced sexual assault by highlighting and publicizing their own experiences of such violence. This has brought to light scandalous numbers of assaults, which have been perpetrated in settings as diverse as doctors\u2019 offices, factories, and Hollywood film sets, and eventually brought down some of the perpetrators, perhaps most famously Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein, through firings, legal actions, and protests. In MeToo: The Impact of Rape Culture in the Media, Meenakshi Gigi Durham examines the role of media culture as the setting in which these struggles have been played out. As Durham explains, the celebrities and media figures whose criminality initially sparked the MeToo movement can be viewed as symbolizing the complexities and controversies of consent and power dynamics. On the other side of the coin, the media have also provided a platform for women to speak out about their experiences, unify, and cooperate in an effort to secure justice. From the perspective of the media serving as a lynchpin for all these events, Durham elucidates how the media influence the formation of attitudes toward sex and sexuality, in addition to the role that the media play in exposing and challenging rape culture. It\u2019s a timely and challenging book that offers a unique insight into the role and power of the media as well as the state of contemporary gender relations.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Dec-2021 19:47:32", "publisher": "Astra House", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010680003", "title": "A Three Book Problem: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery", "author": "Vicki Delany", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 199, "review": "In this Sherlock Holmes-inspired cozy with historic undertones, we find Gemma Doyle smack dab in the middle of another case. Gemma, the proprietor of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, is excited to set up a weekend Sherlockian event at a stately country manor in West London, Massachusetts. Her friend, Jayne Wilson, is handling the catering, and her boyfriend, Detective Ryan Ashburton, is helping out. However, a fun weekend of Sherlock-themed activities quickly turns sour when the host is murdered. With a house full of suspects, many of whom seem out of place, they have their work cut out for them. Gemma puts her powers of observation to work to help solve this tricky case.

This would be a great standalone novel, and you do not have to be a Sherlockian to enjoy the series. This mystery definitely had me guessing right until the end. I love the characters and the atmospheric descriptions; it was a great book to curl up with on a cold day. The mystery itself did become a little confusing toward the end, but I just love this author\u2019s writing style. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys cozies, mysteries, and Sherlock Holmes.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "15-Mar-2022", "date_added": "22-Dec-2021 19:32:28", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010679043", "title": "The Family", "author": "Naomi Krupitsky", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 191, "review": "Naomi Krupitsky\u2019s debut novel The Family considers the roles of young women born into male-dominated families with ties to the mafia. Through the friendship of Antonia Russo and Sofia Colicchio, Krupitsky delivers a searing narrative about what it means to have and hold power for young women in the 1940s and 50s.

Joey Colicchio is a boss; the men who work under him gather at the family apartment for weekend dinners as his daughters help their mother prepare and serve the meal. His eldest, Sofia, is hungry for the power she sees her father wield, and as she ages the need to be more than an observer grows wild inside her. It intensifies when her best friend Antonia\u2019s father, Carlo\u2014also a Family man\u2014disappears. Sofia knows there is danger in what her father does, but she isn\u2019t afraid of it. As Antonia and Sofia age, Krupitsky dives into the politics of WWII.

While there are a few predictable turns in the narrative, for fans of The Sopranos who always wanted to know what life growing up was like for Janice, or for readers who love strong female protagonists, The Family is a must-read.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "08-Mar-2022", "date_added": "23-Dec-2021 20:56:36", "publisher": "G.P. Putnam's Sons", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010679039", "title": "Puzzlooies! Don't Feed Fluffy: A Solve-the-Story Puzzle Adventure", "author": "Russell Ginns", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 196, "review": "Do you like interactive stories? Check out this new kind of adventure in which you have to solve puzzles to figure out information imperative to the story. Get ready to solve the problem in this adventure in pet-sitting.

The text was good, but not great. It\u2019s not quite like a full-length book, so I felt like there wasn\u2019t a great amount of plot or description to the story. It was more like reading half of a chapter book with puzzles.

The puzzles were spectacular. I loved all the variety of activities and puzzles in this book! The creativity behind this was just amazing! The maze and all-around a pet were two that my son enjoyed.

If I could rate each element, I would give it three stars for the story and five stars for the puzzles.

I tried this out with my son, who is in second grade. He liked reading the text, but the puzzles were a bit hard for him. He didn\u2019t want to finish the book, which surprised me. I would recommend this for third grade and up. I think this is a great way to get reluctant readers to enjoy something different.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "21-Apr-2022", "date_added": "23-Dec-2021 19:28:57", "publisher": "Bright Matter Books", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010679031", "title": "The Every: A novel", "author": "Dave Eggers", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 196, "review": "Delaney is interviewing for a position with The Every. The Every is a global conglomerate that has eaten the world, in many respects. The pandemics of the past have destroyed small businesses, while also altering human behavior. The Every insists on the most sterile of environments for any employees, which means limited physical contact. Delaney answers any & all questions from her prospective employers while holding back her motive: She plans to destroy the company from within. The Every stresses its benefits for humanity, yet Delaney is appalled by its greed, paranoia, and unlimited power. As she moves further and further into the company, she roots for her ideas to take hold, but also clings to her dissipating hold on her sanity and humanity. Will she be the destroyer or the unlikely savior of The Every?

The Every is the latest Fiction opus from acclaimed author Dave Eggers (\u201cThe Circle\"). Eggers\u2019 vision of Brave New World on steroids is disheartening and grim, yet the satire is brilliant and biting for the reader to appreciate. The comparisons between the unregulated colossus of The Every and the current Too Big to Fail\u201d behemoths are prescient. A must-read for 2022.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "18-Feb-2022", "date_added": "23-Dec-2021 19:17:54", "publisher": "Vintage", "page_count": "608 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010679011", "title": "Crimes and Covers: A Magical Bookshop Mystery", "author": "Amanda Flower", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 222, "review": "It's time for a Christmas wedding in Cascade Springs as Violet Waverly and David Rainwater are finally getting married. Their special day starts off perfect before being disrupted by the discovery of a body. The victim is a woman that had previously paid a visit to the bookshop with the strong resistance that Violet buy her first edition of Walden. The woman had a mysterious message written on her hand that sends them around in circles to track down the missing book and determine what it had to do with a killer.

The magical bookshop is another charming and unique mystery set against the idealistic background of Cascade Springs (near Niagara Falls) during Christmas time. This provides the perfect atmosphere for a wedding and sets up a bitterly cold setting for catching a killer. Violet has happily settled into her room taking over the bookshop, starting a happy life with Rainwater, has a relationship with her father who is a traveling troubadour, and has become a beloved member of the town. Amanda Flower continues to stun with her attention to details seen through rich writing, an addicting mystery, and a town so charming that you wish you could visit. Fifth in the Magical Bookshop Mystery series, Crimes and Covers delivers a top-notch cozy that weaves magic with quirky pets and a thrilling mystery.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2022", "date_added": "22-Dec-2021 19:29:29", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010678047", "title": "The Midnight Lock (Lincoln Rhyme Novel)", "author": "Jeffery Deaver", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 177, "review": "Locks don't stop him. He sneaks in, moves a few things around, and leaves. Or does he? Given the nickname the Locksmith, Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are put on the case. Until, that is, another case goes wrong and Rhyme is no longer welcome to consult for the police. That doesn't stop him from tracking down the Locksmith, who is eerily familiar. But danger is lurking around every corner, for anyone involved in the case.

Within the first few chapters, I was confused. Then things began to make sense. There are too many cases running at the same time, many of which I didn't think had anything to do with the main plot. I did figure out \u201cwhodunit,\u201d only to find out that every briefly mentioned case is important, leaving me confused once more. There's only one character I actually liked, everyone else was too perfect. The story is fair paced and the chapters short, so I did read a number of chapters in one sitting before having to take a break and come back later.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2022", "date_added": "23-Dec-2021 23:22:01", "publisher": "G.P. Putnam's Sons", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000010678011", "title": "Amazing Temples of the World", "author": "Michael Kerrigan", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 188, "review": "The outstanding attribute of Amazing Temples of the World concerns how discrimination, as recognized in our daily life, is peaceably absent from Michael Kerrigan\u2019s outstanding book, where art and worship are drawn together. More than a hundred images span the continents and centuries, some showing unexpected geographic juxtapositions: the Buddhist temple south of Paris largely funded by the regional Vietnamese community; the magical Sikh temple seemingly floating on water in Amritsar in the Punjab.

The pages feature synagogues from Asia to Africa, the Americas to Europe, some soberly dignified, others magnificent. Japanese temples are awesome in both design and colors, and multiple fourteenth century temples are mysteriously half-hidden in clouds in Myanmar. Each region is explored and illustrated in full color, and to the credit of both author and photographer, no overwhelming number of red-sky sunsets.

Readers will value the captions, not always so successfully integrated in coffee-table books. Architecture, history, a range of construction materials, and unique elements combine to highlight a splendid display. It need not be mentioned that the photographs, taken and included with pride, are not simply of wayside chapels and warrant close admiration.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "28-Mar-2022", "date_added": "22-Dec-2021 20:36:34", "publisher": "Amber Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010678003", "title": "Seven Dirty Secrets", "author": "Natalie D. Richards", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 174, "review": "It's Cleo's birthday. It is also two days before the one-year anniversary of her abusive boyfriend, Declan, drowning in the river on her birthday trip. Cleo gets out of the shower to find a little white box with a green bow on it. When she opens it, she finds a piece of paper with a poem on it. A clue to the start of a scavenger hunt. But how did someone get into her bathroom while she was showering? As Cleo works with her best friend Hope and older brother Connor to find out who is behind the scavenger hunt, the clues point to Declan still being alive. His body was never found, after all. Has he come back for her?

This book was very engaging with the way the clues were planted. Cleo and her friends are smart and do a great job with it despite the fact that the situation is all too creepy. The twist at the end was predictable but nevertheless made sense. Perfect for fans of suspense and mystery.", "issue": "January 2022", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2022", "date_added": "22-Dec-2021 19:13:04", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Fire", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010677035", "title": "The Year We Learned to Fly", "author": "Jacqueline Woodson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aidyn - Age 7", "word_count": 124, "review": "This book was about a girl and her brother always being angry. They were also always bored in the house. Her grandmother told her and her brother to lift their arms, close their eyes, and imagine they could do anything. And they did, and it worked.

I really liked this book because there are so many Black characters and it talked about our history. Plus, it told us how to calm down when our siblings are very annoying. And that actually helps me too because I have three siblings. And my younger sister can be very annoying.

At the start of the book, the flowers that the illustrator drew were very beautiful. I loved all the colors put together to make very beautiful pictures.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2022", "date_added": "23-Dec-2021 19:25:20", "publisher": "Nancy Paulsen Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010677027", "title": "Observations by Gaslight: Stories from the World of Sherlock Holmes", "author": "Lyndsay Faye", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 205, "review": "Sherlock Holmes is one of the most beloved characters from fiction. Come and see a different side of him in these Observations by Gaslight, which are told from the viewpoints of other characters from the world of Holmes. Instead of hearing only Dr. Watson\u2019s version of events, you\u2019ll hear of other cases and adventures from the likes of Irene Adler, Inspector Lestrade, Stanley Hopkins, and Mrs. Hudson, as well as from sub-librarian Lomax and former leader of the Irregulars, Henry Wiggins. You\u2019ll witness the evolution of the relationship between Holmes and Watson over the years and learn how Holmes first met Wiggins and Hopkins. Getting to see more of these background characters is well worth your time.

Lyndsay Faye has done such a brilliant job of writing from six different characters\u2019 perspectives that it is easy to believe her when she states she is just the editor and everything is true. I found myself forgetting that Holmes was a fictional character and imagined that all these journal entries were about actual encounters with him. Faye stays true to each character, even Holmes and Watson, as they are found in Arthur Conan Doyle\u2019s works while adding depth. This book is a must-read collection for Sherlock fans.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2022", "date_added": "22-Dec-2021 21:54:38", "publisher": "Mysterious Press", "page_count": "295 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010677011", "title": "Good Girls Die First", "author": "Kathryn Foxfield", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1054, "review": "Catch Up on Thrillers\n\nPacked with secrets, lies, and deadly danger, the five thrillers included in this roundup are tense, devastating, and likely to keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page through to the last.\n\nGood Girls Die First by Kathryn Foxfield\n\n\u201cEight o\u2019clock, Portgrave Pier. Can you keep a secret?\u201d When sixteen-year-old Ava receives this slightly sinister invitation, she immediately recognizes that the mystery assignation must be linked to a secret she\u2019s been keeping, a secret that she\u2019s being blackmailed about. Desperate to ensure that her secret stays hidden, she decides to risk keeping the appointment and, perhaps, discovering the identity of her blackmailer. When she arrives at the derelict carnival located at the end of the pier, she finds that nine other young adults have all received the same invitation, suggesting that they all also have secrets they want to keep hidden. As fog and possibly something supernatural result in the pier becoming cut off from the outside world, the ten teenagers start to realize that they might just have been given the opportunity to take revenge on both their blackmailer and unwelcome faces from the past. Once Ava understands that the others all intend to do what\u2019s best for themselves, whatever the consequences, she has to decide how far she\u2019s willing to go to protect her secret and ensure her survival. Kathryn Foxfield\u2019s Good Girls Die First is a dark thriller tinged with horror and mystery, which is sure to particularly appeal to young adult readers.\n\nThe Appeal by Janice Hallett\n\nDespite initial appearances, there are several decidedly sinister things bubbling away beneath the otherwise tranquil surface of Lower Lockwood, a picturesque country town worthy of being the setting for an Agatha Christie story. In the present day, barrister Richard Tanner QC tasks pupils Charlotte and Femi with wading through a large bundle of evidence\u2013\u2013emails, text messages, and transcripts\u2013\u2013in an effort to clear the name of someone who has been convicted of murder. That person has been in jail for a while, but it\u2019s just possible that they might be innocent. Everyone featured in the documents is a possible suspect, and it seems like most of them have something to hide. Charlotte and Femi have to read through the conflicting evidence and determine what the Fairway Players\u2019 rehearsals for their forthcoming performance of All My Sons and a charity appeal raising money to provide life-saving anti-cancer treatment for young Poppy Reswick have to do with a murder, which is likely to prove especially difficult given that they don\u2019t know the identity of either the convicted murderer or the victim. With the novel format of The Appeal, Janice Hallett has crafted a fiendishly clever whodunnit in which it takes significant time and perseverance to identify both the crime and the criminal(s).\n\nNo One Notices the Boys by Michelle Birkby\n\nFed up of operating in the shadow of the great Sherlock Holmes, Mrs. Hudson and Mary Watson have established their own enquiry agency, which operates out of the kitchen of 221B Baker Street. In Michelle Birkby\u2019s No One Notices the Boys, which marks the second investigation for the redoubtable duo of Hudson and Watson, an ill Mrs. Hudson has to cope with both the side effects of her medication slowing down her deductive reasoning and no one believing her observations about a spate of deaths of female patients on her hospital ward. Meanwhile, Mary has to deal with another problem that no one wants to recognize: the disappearances of several of the young urchins of have previously helped Holmes out with cases, homeless young boys whose presence people don\u2019t like to acknowledge, let alone their absence. With Holmes and Watson unwilling to put aside more intriguing puzzles to look into these issues, Mrs. Hudson and Mary are the only ones left to follow the threads of the dying women and the disappearing boys and see how the two cases might connect. It all makes for an intriguing investigation and an exciting pastiche of the Sherlock Holmes adventures.\n\nThe Girl in Duluth by Sigrid Brown\n\nWith an atmospheric setting in a remote and densely forested patch of Minnesota adjacent to the Canadian border, The Girl in Duluth by Sigrid Brown tells the evocative and often troubling tale of a rural community populated by families with rumbling resentments and several secrets to hide. Following her mother\u2019s disappearance and the local police force\u2019s apparent inability to crack the case, eighteen-year-old June Bergeron decides to undertake her own investigation. She soon becomes suspicious that her mother\u2019s case might be linked to a series of unsolved murders of women whose bodies were found dumped in the woods near Duluth, and as she investigates the matter further, she finds herself drawn into the hidden underbelly of the city, a grimy place characterized by poverty, exploitation, and abuse. As June comes to realize that many within the community are hiding disturbing secrets, she is forced to admit that she no longer knows what is true or who she can trust. While seeking to find out what really happened to her mother, she ends up finding out more than she ever imagined or wanted to know about the people of Duluth.\n\nThe Cage by Bonnie Kistler\n\nOn a cold Sunday night when people really ought to be at rest and safely tucked up at home, two employees of Claudine de Martineau International, a multinational fashion company, are burning the midnight oil at the Manhattan high-rise office. Lucy Barton-Jones, the head of human resources, and Shay Lambert, a newly appointed corporate lawyer, end up finishing their tasks and getting ready to leave for the night at around the same time. The pair enter the lift on the thirtieth floor together and prepare to descend, each preoccupied with their own thoughts and troubles. However, something goes wrong almost immediately as the lift stops, the lights turn off, and a gunshot rings out. Eventually, the lift starts to move again. When the lift\u2019s doors open after it finally reaches the ground floor, one of the women is dead, but is it a case of murder or suicide? Bonnie Kistler\u2019s The Cage is a suspenseful, action-packed, and tightly plotted legal thriller that starts with a bang and then whisks readers along on a breakneck journey full of twists and turns.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Dec-2021 19:12:17", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Fire", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010677007", "title": "King of Battle and Blood (Adrian X Isolde, 1)", "author": "Scarlett St. Clair", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 198, "review": "Vampires are back! Dark and decadent, this story seduces from the very first page.

Isolde, Princess of Lara, finds herself struggling with the confines of her role. As she strives to forge her own path and secure power, a chance encounter on the eve of war presents a marriage of opportunity. Sacrificing her future, she trades her freedom to save her kingdom, or so she believes. But all is not as it seems and we are reminded that history is often distorted through the perspective of those telling it.

Married to the enemy she once swore to destroy, Isolde is torn between the temptation of an all-consuming love of a monster and loyalty to her father and their people. This tension between personal desires and the idea of sacrifice for the greater good creates wonderful angst as the story progresses.

The rich characters and vivid imagery create a world that is equally treacherous and alluring, a place you simply don\u2019t want to leave. The small teasers of a centuries-old subplot add extra intrigue and keep you on your toes while searching for answers. It certainly seems that the Warrior Queen has met her match with the Blood King.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2022", "date_added": "22-Dec-2021 19:10:43", "publisher": "Bloom Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010676039", "title": "An Afro-Indigenous History of the United States (Revisioning History)", "author": "Kyle T. Mays", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 217, "review": "Kyle T. Mays connects the racialized history and heritage of Black and Indigenous Americans, bridging the gaps in understanding shared struggles with white supremacy. To support the American capitalist structure, Blacks were exploited for labor, and natives for their land. By drawing parallels between the enslavement of Indigenous Africans and the colonization of American Indian communities, Mays discusses how Black and Indigenous pasts and futures are inextricably linked.

Mays, who identifies as Black and Saginaw Chippewa, anchors his analysis to his training as a historian and researcher. Citing leading Indigenous and Black thought leaders such as Philip Deloria, bell hooks, Wilma Mankiller, James Baldwin, and others, the scholar makes thoughtful linkages between the American Indian and Black civil rights movements, noting common streams of resistance against dispossession and disenfranchisement. Mays does not shy away from naming the complicated dynamics that divide communities, namely anti-Black sentiments among in the U.S. Indigenous peoples and Indigenous erasure among the Black community. The author asserts that confronting these issues is key to addressing their damaging effects on Afro-Indigenous solidarity.

From the perspective of a non-Black and non-Indigenous reader, this book underscores the importance of the bold truth-telling of American history. We all benefit when historians like Mays focus on dismantling misconceptions about Black and Indigenous struggles for liberation, justice, and unity.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2022", "date_added": "24-Dec-2021 00:06:21", "publisher": "Beacon Press", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010676015", "title": "Pagan Curious: A Beginner's Guide to Nature, Magic & Spirituality", "author": "Debra DeAngelo", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 797, "review": "Spirituality Roundup\n\nAre you seeking to become more blessed and less stressed? Would you benefit from delving deeper into magic and divination in order to believe in yourself and unlock your true potential? While a spiritual journey of this sort may seem daunting at first, these five titles will help to inspire and enrich your life.\n\nPagan Curious: A Beginner's Guide to Nature, Magic & Spirituality by Debra DeAngelo\n\nPagan Curious: A Beginner's Guide to Nature, Magic & Spirituality takes you on a journey through a rich and vibrant self-reflective world full of the magic and mysticism of old. Debra DeAngelo expertly teaches spiritual and magic practices that leave you full of intrigue and keen to learn more. Methods such as meditation, grounding, and centering are used to help you become more attuned to nature and the pagan deities. Throughout the process, the self-reflection exercises enable a deeper understanding of yourself so that you can personalize your discovery of paganism. DeAngelo expertly answers all the questions that a beginner might have and also provides practical guidance. If you are looking to dip into the magical world of paganism, this book will prove to be a valuable resource. DeAngelo asks all the important questions and challenges the reader to seek their authentic self.\n\nCirque du Tarot by Leeza Robertson\n\nFor both established lovers of tarot and beginners who want to explore the world of tarot, this beautiful beginner\u2019s deck is highly recommended. Featuring dreamlike circus imagery, Cirque du Tarot is certainly among the most eye-catching decks currently available on the market. Even seasoned readers will be drawn to this deck, and it would likewise appeal to collectors. The deck includes clear indicators of the court cards and does a good job of portraying the traditional tarot deck. It showcases the excitement of the circus and provides a glimpse at the behind-the-scenes charm of the practice while following the well-established Rider-Waite-Smith symbology. The included guidebook helps to familiarize readers with the cards. Particularly for those drawn to the magic of the circus, this tarot set will fast become a favorite and help to bring out the best of the craft. \n\nRise of the Witch: Making Magick Happen Your Way by Whiskey Stevens\n\nFor readers who have been wanting to explore witchcraft but had no idea where to start, Rise of the Witch: Making Magick Happen Your Way is really the ideal book. Whiskey Stevens covers a wide variety of topics, starting with the history of witchcraft and moving on to practical topics such as working with spells. There are also more advanced topics covered, which means the book should also appeal to seasoned witches. Stevens helps the reader to empower themselves, which is especially important for situations where Wicca is shunned and for those who are forced into secrecy. Subjects such as sex magic and shadow work, tarot, meditation, and the idea of sacred spaces and energies are covered, and the book should help to guide all readers toward their own purpose within the craft. \n\nWinterseer Animal Oracle by Siolo Thompson\n\nThe Winterseer Animal Oracle is a beautiful animal-themed oracle that should appeal to any reader of tarot. The fifty-six-card oracle deck features stunning watercolor illustrations by Siolo Thompson on stark white backgrounds that make the images appear very striking. Along with the wonderfully inspired writing of the guidebook, this deck should appeal to visually oriented readers and those who are touched by the written word. Grounded in Celtic and Norse lore, the deck helps readers to deepen their knowledge of this divination practice, while the wondrous mythological designs from days of yore serve to inspire and enrich twenty-first-century life. For those looking for something different to inspire their readings, this deck should be at the top of the list. \n\nCity Witchery: Accessible Rituals, Practices & Prompts for Conjuring and Creating in a Magical Metropolis by Lisa Marie Basile\n\nCity Witchery: Accessible Rituals, Practices & Prompts for Conjuring and Creating in a Magical Metropolis is the book for all Wiccans looking to practice magic as city dwellers. Normally, magic is associated with the natural world, rather than with built-up urban spaces, but this handy guide helps users to practice the craft effectively in places where otherworldly resources and space are normally limited. This is a book designed to assist readers in tapping into their inner resources and starting on the way to practicing graveyard rituals, tuning into city astrology, and practicing shadow work. It is possible to practice the rituals in the kitchen of any house or apartment, and readers will discover the limitations of their cities in order to tap into potentially hidden energies. It is certainly possible to be a city dweller and practice the craft, it just requires thinking about the environment in a different way.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Dec-2021 21:51:01", "publisher": "Llewellyn Publications", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010676011", "title": "Sing Her Name: A Novel", "author": "Rosalyn Story", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1065, "review": "Catch Up Roundup\n\nIf you\u2019re looking to catch up on some of the top-notch novels that have been published in recent months but perhaps passed under the radar somewhat, then look no further than this roundup. The five featured titles offer glimpses into the worlds of enthralling characters living through extraordinary times and they\u2019re a whole heap of fun to read. \n\nDava Shastri's Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti\n\nDespite being one of the planet\u2019s richest women and so not really having to bother herself with what other people think, Dava Shastri has always been preoccupied with protecting her reputation. Yet, everything changes when she is diagnosed with brain cancer, and faced with her own mortality, Dava decides to throw caution to the wind and find out what people really think of her. Much to the surprise of her four adult children, she announces both her diagnosis and her decision to leak news of her death to the newspapers before it actually happens. She expects that this will give her the chance to read glowing obituaries that focus on her artistic and philanthropic endeavors, but in fact reports concerning her death result in two long-buried secrets being brought to light, secrets that not even her children knew about. As a consequence, Dava is forced to dedicate what remains of her time on Earth to coming to terms with the past and reconciling with those she has hurt. Kirthana Ramisetti\u2019s Dava Shastri's Last Day is an emotional and often very humorous account of one woman\u2019s attempts to achieve peace before it is too late.\n\nSing Her Name by Rosalyn Story\n\nWhile Celia DeMille\u2019s beauty and talent for a time won her worldwide fame as a singer and allowed her to amass a considerable fortune, nineteenth-century racial prejudices meant that she wasn\u2019t able to enjoy her success for long or cement her position as a musical legend. Instead, she ultimately ended up dying alone and penniless. For her part, contemporary New Orleans waitress Eden Malveaux has an excellent singing voice despite being untrained, although family troubles have meant that she has been unable to properly pursue a career in music. She has been the guardian of her younger brother since their parents died, and she devotes all of her time and effort to ensuring, not always successfully, that he stays out of trouble. When Eden and her brother have to relocate to New York City following a hurricane, it seems to offer the chance for her brother to escape from the dangerous elements he has been mixing with and for Eden to finally pursue her dreams. When she ends up in possession of Celia\u2019s scrapbook and treasured necklace, Eden finds herself drawn to a world she never even imaged. Sing Her Name by Rosalyn Story is a powerful and inspiration story about two extraordinary women and the role that music played in their lives.\n\nBlue-Skinned Gods by SJ Sindu\n\nTen-year-old Kalki Sami was born with blue skin and so believes himself to be the reincarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. Apparently convinced that their blue-skinned son can work miracles and heal the sick, Kalki\u2019s parents opened an ashram in their home state of Tamal Nadu in India so that he can dispense wisdom and cures to trusting pilgrims. However, his failure to cure his aunt causes Kalki to question his parents\u2019 motivation and everything he has ever been told about himself. As tragedy after tragedy befalls his family, Kalki is plagued by worries and self-doubt as he grows toward adulthood and the need to take responsibility for his own thoughts and behaviors. Things become even more complicated when Kalki and his dad go on a sort of world tour to publicize his seemingly miraculous abilities, and a visit to New York that leads to an encounter with a long-lost friend might just serve as the tipping point for Kalki\u2019s independence. SJ Sindu\u2019s Blue-Skinned Gods is a fascinating story of self-discovery that takes in a range of cultures and beliefs not commonly found in contemporary fiction.\n\nThe Orphan Witch by Paige Crutcher\n\nPersephone May grew up in the foster care system after being abandoned as a baby. Having been alone for all her life, she wants nothing more than a place where she can truly belong. Unfortunately, her presence seems to be associated with strange occurrences such as levitating objects and weather disturbances, which quickly drive away anyone who might otherwise be willing to include her in their family. As a consequence, even as an adult, Persephone never stays in one place for long, and she certainly never makes friendships or attachments. When yet another uncontrolled incident of power means that she has to leave yet another job and town, Persephone decides to accept an invitation to the mysterious Wile Isle, which might just be offering everything she has ever wanted. However, life on the isle soon proves to be far from uncomplicated, as Persephone finds herself dealing with long-running curses, deeply buried secrets, and deadly family feuds. Paige Crutcher\u2019s The Orphan Witch is magical tale of mystery, intrigue, and the importance of finding your place in the world. It\u2019s a quirky story of good versus evil that is sure to engage readers.\n\nRed Thread of Fate by Lyn Liao Butler\n\nA touching tale of hidden sorrow, precious secrets, and surprising romance, Red Thread of Fate by Lyn Liao Butler follows Tam Kwan as she seeks to rebuild her life following a tragedy and reevaluates her ideas about what family really means. Two days before Tam and her husband Tony are due to complete the paperwork necessary to adopt a young boy from China, Tony and his estranged cousin Mia are killed in a car accident. In the midst of her devastation following the loss of her husband, Tam is shocked to discover that she has been named guardian of Mia\u2019s five-year-old daughter, Angela. As Tam adjusts to her new life raising Angela, she has to decide if she is also willing and able to complete the adoption of the young Chinese boy on her own. When a secret from her past comes to light just as she is making headway with Angela, Tam finds herself pursing the puzzles of the past and deciding who she wants to be, and with whom, in the future. It all makes for a powerful story with a mystery at its heart.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "27-May-2022", "date_added": "22-Dec-2021 19:52:55", "publisher": "Agate Bolden", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010673003", "title": "Filipinx: Heritage Recipes from the Diaspora", "author": "Angela Dimayuga", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 220, "review": "Food traditions symbolize family history and represent cultural pride. For Filipinx from different generations in the worldwide diaspora, the cuisines enjoyed by our ancestors and immediate relatives are what brings us close together as a community. Influences from our colonial history and contemporary streams of migration have transformed the Filipino palate. In an elegantly written and illustrated book, chef Angela Dimayuga and writer Ligaya Mishan collaborated to bring beloved and soul-satisfying Filipinx recipes to more than four million Filipino-Americans.

I read the book from the point of view of an immigrant who has been in the U.S. for more than thirty years. I was delighted to see traditional recipes for classic dishes like kare-kare, pancit palabok and embutido. I was intrigued by dishes that are not so familiar to my Tagalog palate, like homemade spam and pastel de lengua. Some featured recipes have an obvious American influence, such as Filipino spaghetti hotdogs.

This book belongs in every FilAm\u2019s library, as well as everyone who appreciates Filipinx culture and cuisine. What sets the book apart is the rich storytelling that comes with each heritage recipe, where the authors share personal experiences and reflections. Memories of family icons and gatherings accompanied by historical photos may cause readers to long for the comfort and closeness of large family gatherings that make good food more enjoyable.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2022", "date_added": "21-Dec-2021 21:35:16", "publisher": "Abrams", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010805019", "title": "Red Sword", "author": "Norman Wood", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 427, "review": "2019. Dr. Nathan West has recently returned home to West Virginia after a lengthy stint in the Pacific Northwest. His life\u2019s trajectory takes a turn to the distant past when his help is requested in gaining a prison inmate\u2019s release. Pandora\u2019s box has been opened and West must put his game face on.

Cut to the 1980s\u2026 The escalation of the Cold War has intensified with the Soviet Union\u2019s invasion of Afghanistan. The distrust between East and West hasn\u2019t been so apparent since the Cuban Missile Crisis of the early 1960s. The US intelligence community has been rocked by the betrayal of an analyst at one of their front organizations. The spy, Bedford, has formed a partnership with a counterfeiter, Rogers, and sold information to the Russians. Bedford is attempting to defect. Bedford is caught and later imprisoned. Rogers has made a connection with the KGB and their associates, which enterprising Soviets will attempt to take advantage of when developing their own brazen operation.

As the 1980s have progressed, Soviet leadership has been fluctuating. Multiple leaders have died over a short period, leaving a vacuum filled by Mikhail Gorbachev. Gorbachev aims to reform Soviet life and government through perestroika and glasnost. The old school hawks in the upper levels of government, including the KGB, see trouble on the horizon. Gorbachev is a rabble rouser who must be stopped. And so commences Operation Red Sword, a coup attempt at dethroning Gorbachev. The disloyal generals and colonels plan to fund their high-stakes plot through the drug trade, specifically through the sale of hashish, some of which is available in Afghanistan.

Nathan West is a West Virginia cop when he receives a call to come train at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. West is dogged in his pursuit of criminals, and Buddy Hayden has been on the lookout for the right sort of personnel. Hayden is law enforcement, but he also works in the intelligence business. When Hayden receives a call from a Soviet colonel with whom he shares a past, he is alarmed by the growing plot against Gorbachev. Nathan West just might fit the mold of the perfect Intelligence asset.

Red Sword harkens back to the good old bad days of the Cold War, a world where covert cowboys battled the soldiers of the \u201cEvil Empire.\u201d It is a book suffused with intrigue, betrayal, and heightened paranoia. Author Norman Wood succeeds in building suspense to boiling point in this pot-boiling tale. It\u2019s a serious thrill ride that the reader will not want to end.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 17:52:28", "publisher": "Book House Publishing", "page_count": "334 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010805015", "title": "PULL", "author": "Jaime Winn", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 59, "review": "\"Teen angst and romance with a twist, PULL will have its readers in a trance. Readers will be rooting for Mischa and Casey as they fight against a sixth sense, ultimately putting them in the path of danger. Riveting and suspenseful, PULL is a book that you'll want to finish in one sitting.\" --Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 17:43:32", "publisher": "Bleau Press", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010805011", "title": "Thorn", "author": "Norman Wood", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 449, "review": "Thorn is the necessary conclusion to the Red Sword series written and experienced by author, doctor, and ex-special forces agent Norman Wood. Continuing with the true happenings found in Red Sword, Thorn picks up with CIA Special Agent Tony Davis leading the investigation and hopeful destruction of the project known as \"Red Sword\" created by the Russians with the intent of assassinating General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev for the \"betterment of their county\" in the late 1980s. Davis displays brains and brawn throughout the story to showcase his intelligence, ingenuity, and overall traits. I am unsure which parts and how much of the story has been fictionalized for entertainment purposes, except what is discussed at the end, but if even half of the things mentioned about Tony Davis are true, this author is one sought-after fellow.

While the story in Thorn is a historical fiction account of true doings in the late 1980s, most of the names are changed with some remaining similar to real life. The story is lengthy, yet so much happens within the pages; it is incredible the number of steps it takes to pull off an important mission that has been even been tipped off to you in the beginning. Davis knows he is an important character in the special forces, yet his interactions with others are humbling and sincere, allowing him the necessary connections to get things done. So much about Davis can be mimicked by others to maintain good and honest people in the world with a strong work ethic.

One thing that slightly confused me while reading was the love interest; I am a fan of it overall, but it seemed that it was introduced in the beginning but then nothing was said for most of the middle until toward the end when it became relevant to the storyline again. This wasn't a dealbreaker for me, just something I noticed. I like how Wood kept many similarities in writing between the two books, which makes sense with Thorn following straight after Red Sword in a linear timeline. Themes such as profane language and overly sexual content are still present; the sexual content makes me wonder why it was necessary for the storyline, but also if those situations were true to the story or fabricated; either way, it is what it is. Besides those two themes, there is also dedication and patriotism strongly evident, with the audience given the choice of deciding which case of patriotism is sincere.

Overall, the Red Sword series details a moment in time that stood out for many individuals and saved the life of another important one; if you enjoy historical fiction, action, crime, or thriller, check this out!", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jan-2022 21:55:15", "publisher": "Bookhouse", "page_count": "395 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010805007", "title": "Thorn", "author": "Norman Wood", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccelato", "word_count": 442, "review": "There are times when you read\u00a0a particular book that your mind gets filled with possibilities. You see the central character\u00a0become comfortable with his abilities, find their footing, and take a stand against their foes. The drama becomes more gripping, the stakes rise, and the reader's investment becomes complete. You remember other times you've made similar journeys with fictional heroes\u00a0and you sense that a book series is coming into its own. This was the case with Thorn, the sequel to Red Sword by Norman Wood. It continues the intriguing Red Sword book series as a single\u00a0Special Agent Tony Davis, slowly unravels a plot to assassinate Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev.\u00a0The most interesting thing about a book series like these, when the author clearly has full creative freedom to tell his story and allow it to unfold at his own pace, is that the world feels more fully formed and not created by a committee.\u00a0The world has been built by the first book, the characters are all here, the vision is solely the author's and it's time for the story to kick into high gear.

The story revolves around the dangerous inner politics taking place during the final years of the Soviet Union when a group of KGB and military leaders, known as the Red Sword, seek financing to plot and carry out an assassination and coup of Leader Gorbachev. This is largely based on real events as there was eventually a coup in the country during its last year of existence, and the book does an excellent job documenting the political drama taking place within that crumbling empire.\u00a0The author manages to avoid one of the most common pitfalls of these kinds of books in that Thorn never feels like a sequel\u00a0or episodic. It is allowed room to breathe, tell its own story, and serve rather as a continuation. This makes it easier for a reader not yet familiar with the story to quickly become engrossed\u00a0non the less.\u00a0This book as in its older sibling is aided by the fact that it features dynamic and fully formed characters\u00a0and the adventure never feels forced or mere filler. It is organic and allows this flashback of cold war mystery to become consuming during key moments.\u00a0This must have been what it felt like the first time a reader cracked open Thunderball after finishing Casino Royale, or when they first read as Dirk Pitt attempted to raise the Titanic. The sense that you were about to take part on one hell of an adventure and just maybe come out of it the other end with your hero intact.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2022", "date_added": "29-Jan-2022 21:55:09", "publisher": "Bookhouse", "page_count": "395 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010805003", "title": "Thorn", "author": "Norman Wood", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 428, "review": "Nathan West is in a race against time. A ship with a large consignment of illegal narcotics is set to be offloaded in California. The drugs are half of a transaction that will fill the coffers of those engaged in a plot to take out reformist leader Mikhail Gorbachev. West is operating under an alias and operating in an undercover (sub rosa) capacity. He is in communication with his CIA-connected superior Buddy Hayden about the progress of the mission. The operation by the Soviets and their allies has been dubbed \u201cRed Sword.\u201d The counter-offensive to this mission by the US is called \u201cThorn.\u201d

Hayden has a high-level source in the Soviet government, Colonel Dimitri Petroff. Petroff is on the precipice of self-destruction as a result of his longtime wife\u2019s passing. Petroff has sought solace with the cold comfort of alcohol, his depression and addiction threatening the success of the mission. Petroff is being watched by the coup plotters for signs of disloyalty. The timetable for \u201cRed Sword\u201d is tentative, the plotters want Gorbachev and his reforms to end. The men who have conspired with the Soviets to move the heavy weight of narcotics run the gamut of solid to loose cannons.

The monotony of surveillance weighs on West, but the consequences of mission failure are too grave to ignore. He utilizes his sleuthing skills adeptly and soon locates the boat to be used in ferrying the cache of drugs. He communicates the find to his superiors, but knows they can\u2019t pounce on the traffickers until the right time. The decision to let one load of drugs through leaves West and his men in an ethical quandary, as well as keeping other agencies in the dark. However, the integrity of the mission is vital, as is the future relations of the Americans and Soviets. As the investigation/operation approaches its peak, failure on either side would prove catastrophic. The balance of power in the world may shift dramatically in the wake of these events.

Thorn is the sequel to the riveting thriller Red Sword. The action continues right where its predecessor concluded, with the pieces still being strategically placed by both sides. The reader is gripped with a palpable sense of anticipation as the coup planners push forward with their malevolent machinations, the fervor of the Cold War becoming more pitched with every move made. Author Norman Wood has hit a home run with his continuation of the Red Sword narrative. The dramatic action that fuels this excellent narrative make this a top-notch read that proves impossible to put down.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "28-Mar-2022", "date_added": "29-Jan-2022 19:39:54", "publisher": "Bookhouse", "page_count": "395 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010804019", "title": "The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo: The Monster Mall (The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo, 2)", "author": "Drew Weing", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 128, "review": "Margo Maloo is back in the second book of the series! In this book, Margo Maloo goes to the 80s kids' favorite place, the mall. However, while in the mall Margo and her assistant Charles find several monsters. The monsters tell Margo and Charles that their habitats are shrinking due to kids being less afraid and being armed with cell phones. The monsters aren't ready to leave their town, and the only homes they have known, so they want to learn to live together with the kids. Can Margo and Charles help keep the peace between the monsters and kids? Read this book to find out! \nI really like this graphic novel. The funny illustrations and the easy-to-read story are perfect! This is one of my favorite series!", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:25:51", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010804015", "title": "Simply Sweet Nostalgic Bakes: 55 Elegant Takes on Comfort Classics", "author": "Emma Duckworth", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 200, "review": "This book is such a lovely treat to look through, with an old-fashioned, Victorian aesthetic. Each bake is beautifully photographed reminiscent of an English Tea Party. The recipes are upscale versions of classics, such as Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Baklava or Blackberry and Fig Bread and Butter Pudding. Really they seem quite elaborate and decadent, so much so that you may at first feel intimidated to attempt these. Happily, once you get going you will find the recipes are straightforward and easy to follow; many helpfully include instructional photos as well. My young tween daughter, always up for (giving me) a challenge, decided we needed to make the Take Me Back Wagon Wheel Slice. This is a dessert I am not familiar with and consists of layers of shortbread, jam, marshmallow, and chocolate. All those layers seemed a bit overwhelming at first but the recipe actually came together in about an hour, mostly accomplished by my daughter. It was quite delicious; I can understand why this is a classic in the author's memory! There are cakes, cookies, even ice creams, and recipes range from simple to elaborate, so you are sure to find something just right for every taste and occasion.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "15-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:16:48", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010804007", "title": "Sir Ladybug", "author": "Corey R. Tabor", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 7", "word_count": 180, "review": "Sir Ladybug is the story of a brave ladybug who is known as Sir Ladybug by his friends and herald. Sir Ladybug doesn't like for his friend the herald to make such a big deal of him, but his friend reminds him of all the heroic things he has done. Meanwhile, there is a caterpillar who has seen a monster, so the caterpillar's friend finds Sir Ladybug to help save his friend! Sir Ladybug finds the monster and with the help of his friends, works on coming up with a way to save the caterpillar without anyone getting hurt.

Sir Ladybug is a fun and exciting story! I like that the story is written like a comic book, which makes it quicker to read and more exciting, too. I like how the ladybug is a great guy, but he doesn't want people to know how great he is, and that he has a really great friend who likes to yell good things about the ladybug to others. I hope I can read more books about Sir Ladybug and his adventures!", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 21:31:40", "publisher": "Balzer + Bray", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010804003", "title": "The Burning Swift (Shadow Skye, Book Three) (Shadow Skye Trilogy)", "author": "Joseph Elliott", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 13", "word_count": 194, "review": "War had come to the Isle of Skye. When a wounded girl rides into the Clann-na-Bruthaich\u2019s enclave, she brings terrible news with her. The southern kings have united and are coming to obliterate Scotia.

Jaime is keeping his blood magic a secret, trying to deny its power, even as he tries to marshal the people of Scotia. But maybe magic is the only thing standing between Scotia and annihilation\u2026

Agatha delves deeper into her past and legacy, meeting a legendary creature and gaining unlikely support. With her help, will the clans of Scotia come together to defeat their foe? Or will they fall to the relentless tide of bloodshed that comes for them?

This book was a gorgeous, sweeping tale that was a true ending to this magnificent trilogy. All the characters were beautifully written, with magnetic and unique personalities. Their personal growth was interesting to read about, and all of them were relatable. Agatha was my favorite character; she was such a joy to read about and she had interesting powers and a fascinating backstory. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves rich, dramatic fantasy stories with a dose of magic!", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 19:36:30", "publisher": "Walker Books US", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010803035", "title": "Last Resort: A Novel", "author": "Andrew Lipstein", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 185, "review": "Caleb Horowitz is on the brink of realizing his dream. A hotshot agent has taken notice of his novel manuscript, and Caleb has the chance of launching into literary stardom. There\u2019s just one problem: the idea underlying Caleb\u2019s novel isn\u2019t exactly his own, and Avi Deitsch, an editor at a publishing house, is sure to notice. To deal with this quandary, Caleb makes a deal with Avi, one that will alter the course of his (and Avi\u2019s) career.

Last Resort follows Caleb\u2019s misadventures in the publishing world and, in doing so, explores questions related to authorship, ownership, and success. Caleb\u2019s flaws as a character are readily on display, and the reader is left to watch him make misguided decision after misguided decision in pursuit of the literary acclaim he has always hoped for.

The novel is well-paced and page-turning, though the events introduced toward the end of the book could have used more time to develop. Still, both funny and sobering, Last Resort compellingly explores what it means to be a writer, what it means to be successful, and what it means to be fulfilled.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "28-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:34:07", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010803023", "title": "The Watchmakers: A Powerful WW2 Story of Brotherhood, Survival, and Hope Amid the Holocaust", "author": "Harry Lenga", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "David Keenan", "word_count": 194, "review": "As the memory of the Holocaust recedes and the number of survivors dwindles, first-person witness accounts that speak directly to readers become more important every year. The Watchmakers by Harry Lenga and Scott Lenga, is one such valuable account. Scott Lenga spent years recording his father Harry\u2019s experiences in the Holocaust and presents Harry\u2019s recollections in the first person. The tale leaps out of the page at the reader like the graphic novel Maus, by Art Spiegelman, but without the graphics. It is that good.

Lenga provides a matter-of-fact accounting of the survival of Henry and his two brothers in the Nazi horror camps. Watch repair was a valuable skill in the pre-digital era. Watches of the era often needed repairs and cleanings and the Lengas were able to trade their skills to obtain lifesaving benefits from camp authorities and others. This inspiring tale of how the three brothers relied on each other to survive the Holocaust is a valuable addition to the \u201cwitness\u201d genre of Holocaust literature. No reader will walk away unmoved by the courage that the three brothers summoned from within to survive one of the bleakest chapters in Europe\u2019s history.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 17:32:33", "publisher": "Citadel Press", "page_count": "315 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010803019", "title": "The Plant-Based Family Cookbook: 60 Easy & Nutritious Vegan Meals Kids Will Love!", "author": "Claire Swift", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - age 12", "word_count": 189, "review": "The Plant-Based Family Cookbook is a marvelous addition to any vegan family. The instructions are easy to follow, and the images of the finished dishes help you choose which recipe to cook that night.

This book is well-organized and useful, but it has a few drawbacks. It expects the cook to know basic cooking techniques, and a number of the sixty recipes are unhealthy. It does not mention the best brands of vegan butter and other vegan items. Numerous recipes involve expensive or hard-to-find ingredients, so not every recipe is good for everyday consumption. The recipes are not all typical, so they are less likely to be devoured by a young one.

However, The Plant-Based Family Cookbook offers some truly ingenious foods that can make any vegan family happy. One such dish, Quick Chocolate Orange Pots, is a perfect snack food or lunch component made from silken tofu! Every library needs a copy of this book, and vegan families who need one more cookbook on the shelves could use one. If you are vegan or even just vegetarian, The Plant-Based Family Cookbook is an invaluable addition to your kitchen.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 21:39:51", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010803015", "title": "The Graphic Canon of Crime & Mystery Vol 2", "author": "Russ Kick", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 192, "review": "Crime stories are as old as time. Tales of killing, revenge, mystery, and judgement have been depicted in the Bible and continue with novels that were adapted into movies. The Graphic Canon of Crime and Mystery Volume 2 is an illustrated look into the genre. Twenty-six classic stories of murder are artistically transformed by some of the best contemporary comic artists. The stories range from Cain and Abel in the Book of Genesis to Mario Puzo\u2019s The Godfather.

Edited by Russ Kick, this newest installment in the Graphic Canon series is perfect for anyone who loves classic mysteries. The new works commissioned for this book offer an intriguing, enjoyable look into many well-known crime stories. The styles of the adaptations are as diverse as the artists featured. Dame Darcy\u2019s neo-Victorian style perfectly depicts the narrator\u2019s mindset in Edgar Allan Poe\u2019s The Tell-Tale Heart. Children\u2019s book artist Kim Clements gives Agatha Christie\u2019s The Secret Adversary a fun cartoon feel. Teddy Goldenberg\u2019s adaptation of the hard-boiled detective story The Road Home is as dark and intense as Dashiell Hammett\u2019s original novel.

The Graphic Canon of Crime and Mystery Volume 2 is one killer book.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "05-May-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 19:41:56", "publisher": "Seven Stories Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010802047", "title": "Fullmetal Alchemist: The Abducted Alchemist: Second Edition (2) (Fullmetal Alchemist (Novel))", "author": "Makoto Inoue", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1165, "review": "Manga Roundup\n\nIf you enjoy epic quests, legendary heroes, otherworldly villains, and plenty of deadly danger, then the books included in this roundup could be right up your street. The six featured titles, which come from three highly popular series, feature storylines that are among the best the fantasy manga genre has to offer.\n\nHell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku (Vol. 11) by Yuji Kaku \n\nSet during the Edo period in Japan, the Hell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku series follows captured ninja Gabimaru the Hollow as he searches for the elixir of immortality. Originally sentenced to be executed, Gabimaru attributes his ability to survive all attempted means of killing him to his love for his wife keeping him alive. When imperial executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri realizes that Gabimaru can\u2019t be killed, she offers the ninja a chance to win a pardon, so long as he agrees to travel to the island of Shinsenkyo and find the elixir of immortality for the shogun. In Volume 11, a bloody battle is raging at the palace on Shinsenkyo, forcing Gabimaru, Sagiri, and the other new arrivals to commit to an uneasy truce in the hope of finding a way off the island. To complicate matters, a massive new monster has entered the battle and managed to trap everyone within the confines of its body. If they\u2019re unable to escape before the dawn, they\u2019ll all be transformed into flowers that will then be used to power the monster down its path of destruction. \n\nHell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku (Vol. 13) by Yuji Kaku \n\nVolume 13 of the Hell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku series continues the saga of Gabimaru the Hollow, the world\u2019s most powerful ninja, and his quest to find the elixir of immortality. This time round, it seems that Rien\u2019s nefarious master plan will bring certain doom down on the unfortunates trapped on the island of Shinsenkyo as well as those enjoying the apparent safety of the mainland. While Gabimaru, Yamada Asaemon Sagiri, and the band of condemned prisoners and other executioners with them might have originally set out to harness the power of immortality, it appears that their mission might actually result in death and destruction for all those involved, however tangentially. Their only hope lies in vanquishing the specter of Lord Tensen. It might seem like an impossible task, but Gabimaru is willing to take on anyone and to do anything necessary to return to his wife.\n\nFrieren: Beyond Journey's End (Vol. 1) by Kanehito Yamada \n\nThe Frieren: Beyond Journey's End series follows elven mage Frieren, who once embarked on a ten-year quest with a band of fellow adventurers to kill the Demon King and restore peace to the land. Accompanying Frieren were the human hero Himmel, the dwarven warrior Eisen, and the human priest Heiter, and after they had finally completed their quest, the group gathered together to watch the Era Meteors. After the meteor shower, before leaving to travel the world in search of magical knowledge, Frieren promised that she would provide the group with a better view of the meteors when the celestial event next occurred, which would be some fifty years later. Volume 1 focuses on what occurs when Frieren finally does return and discovers that her former companions have noticeably aged while she remains pretty much the same as when they last saw each other. The group does manage to see the Era Meteors again, but soon afterwards Himmel dies of old age. Due to regretting that she didn\u2019t take the time to know her companions better, Frieren vows to embark on a new quest to ensure that their last wishes are fulfilled. \n\nFrieren: Beyond Journey\u2019s End (Vol. 2) by Kanehito Yamada 9781974727230\n\nIn Volume 2 of the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End series, elven mage Frieren continues her quest to do right by her former comrades. She had agreed to take Fern, an orphaned child who had been adopted by Heiter, on as her apprentice and the two of them determined to journey to the far north, to the resting place of souls, where Frieren might have the chance to see Himmel again and pay him proper tribute. During their treacherous journey, the two encounter Stark, the former apprentice of Eisen. Although dwarven warrior Eisen considered himself too old to accompany Frieren and Fern on their quest to the north, Stark agrees to go with them. Having a powerful warrior as a member of their party could well come in handy, especially since the journey to the resting place of souls will take them perilously close to the Demon King\u2019s former palace, and while her old enemy might have been vanquished, his minions still have a score to settle with Frieren. \n\nFrieren: Beyond Journey\u2019s End (Vol. 3) by Kanehito Yamada \n\nAs Frieren, Fern, and Stark continue their journey north, they encounter friends and foes alike, combating any demons they come across while also gathering any magical lore that they hear tell of. Although the danger associated with their endeavor is undeniable, they do actually manage to recruit a new companion, a mediocre human monk named Sein. In Volume 3 of the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End series, the band of adventurers are finally making good progress toward the resting place of souls, but events that echo back to Frieren\u2019s original quest with Himmel, Heiter, and Eisen soon derail their mission to find Himmel\u2019s spirit. Back during the quest to kill the Demon King, Frieren and her comrades defeated Aura the Guillotine, one of seven powerful demons known as the Seven Sages of Destruction. Unfortunately, Aura has found a way to regenerate and is now back in search of vengeance. Frieren is forced to question whether the price she paid to vanquish Aura in the past was worth the consequences that she and her friends are facing in the present.\n\nFullmetal Alchemist: The Abducted Alchemist by Makoto Inoue \n\nThe six Fullmetal Alchemist light novels are spin-offs from the manga series of the same name following brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric on their quest to find the philosopher\u2019s stone. In their attempts to use alchemy to bring their mother back to life, the brothers brought terrible devastation down on themselves: Edward lost his left leg and Alphonse lost his whole body. Edward subsequently sacrificed his right arm to save Alphonse\u2019s soul and bind it to a suit of armor. After undergoing painful medical procedures to provide him with prosthetic limbs, Edward agreed to become a State Alchemist so that he could continue his endeavors to restore him and his brother to their former bodies. In The Abducted Alchemist, the second of the light novels, Edward and Alphonse hear about train lines being destroyed by terrorist attacks and about a series of kidnappings of people related to the military. While no one has yet been harmed in any of these incidents, public anger about the authorities\u2019 inability to put an end to them is mounting. Edward and Alphonse agree to help investigate the terrorists, but they soon find themselves embroiled in a kidnapping too.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:54:59", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010802043", "title": "Darkness Falls: A Kate Marshall Thriller", "author": "Robert Bryndza", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Kate Marshall and her partner, Tristan Harper, are trying to get their fledgling private detective agency off the ground when they are contacted by Bev, the mother of Joanna Duncan, a journalist who disappeared twelve years earlier. Bev needs closure and will do anything to find her daughter. The police have stopped looking, but Bev\u2019s long-time boyfriend Bill is quite wealthy and willing to pay for the search. Bev turns over boxes and boxes of police evidence they have permission to go through. Kate discovers some clues no one ever noticed before, and it looks like there is a serial killer involved. This could be a huge break for not only the case, but also for the detective agency.

Robert Bryndza continues his fascinating series with this third novel. Kate is a smart, savvy character, completely believable, with a great backstory. All the characters are well-developed and will capture the interest of readers in this compelling mystery. There are plenty of red herrings and twists and turns to keep the pages turning. Being set in the mercurial coastal areas of England adds to the mystery and difficulties Kate and Tristan face. This is a well-written winner.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:39:45", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010802039", "title": "Frieren: Beyond Journey\u2019s End, Vol. 3", "author": "Kanehito Yamada", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1165, "review": "Manga Roundup\n\nIf you enjoy epic quests, legendary heroes, otherworldly villains, and plenty of deadly danger, then the books included in this roundup could be right up your street. The six featured titles, which come from three highly popular series, feature storylines that are among the best the fantasy manga genre has to offer.\n\nHell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku (Vol. 11) by Yuji Kaku \n\nSet during the Edo period in Japan, the Hell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku series follows captured ninja Gabimaru the Hollow as he searches for the elixir of immortality. Originally sentenced to be executed, Gabimaru attributes his ability to survive all attempted means of killing him to his love for his wife keeping him alive. When imperial executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri realizes that Gabimaru can\u2019t be killed, she offers the ninja a chance to win a pardon, so long as he agrees to travel to the island of Shinsenkyo and find the elixir of immortality for the shogun. In Volume 11, a bloody battle is raging at the palace on Shinsenkyo, forcing Gabimaru, Sagiri, and the other new arrivals to commit to an uneasy truce in the hope of finding a way off the island. To complicate matters, a massive new monster has entered the battle and managed to trap everyone within the confines of its body. If they\u2019re unable to escape before the dawn, they\u2019ll all be transformed into flowers that will then be used to power the monster down its path of destruction. \n\nHell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku (Vol. 13) by Yuji Kaku \n\nVolume 13 of the Hell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku series continues the saga of Gabimaru the Hollow, the world\u2019s most powerful ninja, and his quest to find the elixir of immortality. This time round, it seems that Rien\u2019s nefarious master plan will bring certain doom down on the unfortunates trapped on the island of Shinsenkyo as well as those enjoying the apparent safety of the mainland. While Gabimaru, Yamada Asaemon Sagiri, and the band of condemned prisoners and other executioners with them might have originally set out to harness the power of immortality, it appears that their mission might actually result in death and destruction for all those involved, however tangentially. Their only hope lies in vanquishing the specter of Lord Tensen. It might seem like an impossible task, but Gabimaru is willing to take on anyone and to do anything necessary to return to his wife.\n\nFrieren: Beyond Journey's End (Vol. 1) by Kanehito Yamada \n\nThe Frieren: Beyond Journey's End series follows elven mage Frieren, who once embarked on a ten-year quest with a band of fellow adventurers to kill the Demon King and restore peace to the land. Accompanying Frieren were the human hero Himmel, the dwarven warrior Eisen, and the human priest Heiter, and after they had finally completed their quest, the group gathered together to watch the Era Meteors. After the meteor shower, before leaving to travel the world in search of magical knowledge, Frieren promised that she would provide the group with a better view of the meteors when the celestial event next occurred, which would be some fifty years later. Volume 1 focuses on what occurs when Frieren finally does return and discovers that her former companions have noticeably aged while she remains pretty much the same as when they last saw each other. The group does manage to see the Era Meteors again, but soon afterwards Himmel dies of old age. Due to regretting that she didn\u2019t take the time to know her companions better, Frieren vows to embark on a new quest to ensure that their last wishes are fulfilled. \n\nFrieren: Beyond Journey\u2019s End (Vol. 2) by Kanehito Yamada 9781974727230\n\nIn Volume 2 of the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End series, elven mage Frieren continues her quest to do right by her former comrades. She had agreed to take Fern, an orphaned child who had been adopted by Heiter, on as her apprentice and the two of them determined to journey to the far north, to the resting place of souls, where Frieren might have the chance to see Himmel again and pay him proper tribute. During their treacherous journey, the two encounter Stark, the former apprentice of Eisen. Although dwarven warrior Eisen considered himself too old to accompany Frieren and Fern on their quest to the north, Stark agrees to go with them. Having a powerful warrior as a member of their party could well come in handy, especially since the journey to the resting place of souls will take them perilously close to the Demon King\u2019s former palace, and while her old enemy might have been vanquished, his minions still have a score to settle with Frieren. \n\nFrieren: Beyond Journey\u2019s End (Vol. 3) by Kanehito Yamada \n\nAs Frieren, Fern, and Stark continue their journey north, they encounter friends and foes alike, combating any demons they come across while also gathering any magical lore that they hear tell of. Although the danger associated with their endeavor is undeniable, they do actually manage to recruit a new companion, a mediocre human monk named Sein. In Volume 3 of the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End series, the band of adventurers are finally making good progress toward the resting place of souls, but events that echo back to Frieren\u2019s original quest with Himmel, Heiter, and Eisen soon derail their mission to find Himmel\u2019s spirit. Back during the quest to kill the Demon King, Frieren and her comrades defeated Aura the Guillotine, one of seven powerful demons known as the Seven Sages of Destruction. Unfortunately, Aura has found a way to regenerate and is now back in search of vengeance. Frieren is forced to question whether the price she paid to vanquish Aura in the past was worth the consequences that she and her friends are facing in the present.\n\nFullmetal Alchemist: The Abducted Alchemist by Makoto Inoue \n\nThe six Fullmetal Alchemist light novels are spin-offs from the manga series of the same name following brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric on their quest to find the philosopher\u2019s stone. In their attempts to use alchemy to bring their mother back to life, the brothers brought terrible devastation down on themselves: Edward lost his left leg and Alphonse lost his whole body. Edward subsequently sacrificed his right arm to save Alphonse\u2019s soul and bind it to a suit of armor. After undergoing painful medical procedures to provide him with prosthetic limbs, Edward agreed to become a State Alchemist so that he could continue his endeavors to restore him and his brother to their former bodies. In The Abducted Alchemist, the second of the light novels, Edward and Alphonse hear about train lines being destroyed by terrorist attacks and about a series of kidnappings of people related to the military. While no one has yet been harmed in any of these incidents, public anger about the authorities\u2019 inability to put an end to them is mounting. Edward and Alphonse agree to help investigate the terrorists, but they soon find themselves embroiled in a kidnapping too.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:07:39", "publisher": "VIZ Media: Shonen Sunday", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010802023", "title": "Komi Can\u2019t Communicate, Vol. 17", "author": "Tomohito Oda", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 191, "review": "Still struggling with a communication disorder, Komi continues on her journey to make a hundred friends. Komi and Tadano star in a play, and the fans are obsessed with him. But something seems to be bothering Rumiko. Rumiko discovers that Komi also has feelings for Tadano and confronts her about it. Will their feelings for Tadano threaten the girls\u2019 friendship with one another?

While there was still plenty of drama and hijinks in this book, volume seventeen focuses intently on Komi and Rumiko\u2019s friendship. Komi finally makes a breakthrough and is able to communicate with Rumiko verbally. This time, Komi does not have to use a notebook to write down what she wants to say. I love how Komi puts her fears aside and opens up to Rumiko. She prioritizes her relationship with Rumiko and decides that no matter who Tadano chooses, their friendship will remain the same. One of my favorite scenes in this volume involved the Flirt Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who bonked people on the heads if they engaged in too much PDA. Komi Can\u2019t Communicate is a great series for manga aficionados who love humor and drama.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "21-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 17:54:53", "publisher": "VIZ Media: Shonen Sunday", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010802019", "title": "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Vol. 13 (13)", "author": "Ukyo Kodachi", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 129, "review": "Did you ever think Naruto would become the Hokage? Well, he did grow up, get married, and have a kid of his own while being the Hokage. His son Baruto is ready to carry on this generational challenge. Baruto the next generation must train and give it his all to try to live up to his dad Naruto and be the next Hokage. While he is training there are dark enemies that seem to be haunting his friend. Will Baruto be able to help his friend from these lurking fiends? Read this book to find out.

I really liked this book, the text is easy to read. The illustrations are really cool. What I like most is the action illustrations when Baruto is fighting the enemies with his friends.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 17:43:17", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010802015", "title": "Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating", "author": "Christy Harrison MPH RD", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 199, "review": "This book flies in the face of everything that our diet culture says is true. The evidence is compelling, based on extensive and thorough research, and debunks so many myths you've heard so often. The author speaks of Diet Culture (which has morphed into, and now includes, Wellness Culture-- the same thing by a different name) as the Life Thief. She shows how the obsessive pursuit of an impossible ideal - yes impossible, as the author soundly proves - steals our money, our time, our focus, our health, and our enjoyment in living in so many ways -- indeed, stealing our lives. Not to mention the fact that this culture is based on racist, colonialist, and oppressive assumptions such that those who care about social justice and human rights should take note and leap to reject it. It's depressing but will make you furious too, which is a great first step to rejecting it. Finally, the book begins by offering ways to continue doing so, by repairing your relationship with food and with your body, and offering yourself love and compassion, so you can reclaim your life and the happiness everyone deserves in the body they have right now.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "10-May-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 19:29:13", "publisher": "Little, Brown Spark", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010802011", "title": "The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists", "author": "Richard P. Rumelt", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Dr. Julie Blum", "word_count": 189, "review": "The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists is Richard P. Rumelt\u2019s follow-up to Good Strategy/Bad Strategy. In this book, Rumelt talks about how to identify the crux of a project: the challenge in a project that is simultaneously the most difficult and promises the most progress. Rumelt teaches that one can master the art of strategy by identifying the crux of a challenge and taking decisive action related to that crux.

While The Crux does contain some useful case studies on identifying the hardest part of a project and powering through it, many of these studies are based on war, or white men, making it seems that not much effort was made to include examples of strategy successes by women or People of Color. In 2022, much more effort needs to be made to include perspectives that are representative of the population as a whole, and this book falls short in that area.

Still, identifying the crux of a matter is an important skill for any leader to have in order to move beyond leadership to strategy. This book provides enough of a framework to be helpful in that regard.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "05-May-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 19:20:01", "publisher": "PublicAffairs", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010801051", "title": "Maker Comics: Conduct a Science Experiment!", "author": "Der-shing Helmer", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - age 12", "word_count": 191, "review": "Maker Comics: Conduct a Science Experiment is an entertaining graphic novel, but not a good book for learning about creating experiments. Typically, the books in the Maker Comics series provide good, entertaining stories that teach the reader how to do something. But, this does not toe the mark. Maker Comics: Conduct a Science Experiment does not focus on creating your own experiment, but rather on labs to make science more engaging. I would not buy this book for aid in a science fair project, but if you find science boring this could help you enjoy science more. Maker Comics: Conduct a Science Experiment is a book that I would recommend libraries buy, but it need not be first choice. I think that schools and science teachers could use this book as part of their collections. It has some interesting labs, including DNA extraction. I think that this is not a book a kid should buy for their own amusement, but it could be a valuable part of any curriculum. While not the top choice, Maker Comics: Conduct a Science Experiment has enjoyable labs and could contribute something to a library\u2019s collection.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:40:46", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010801023", "title": "First Victim", "author": "Debbie Babitt", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 201, "review": "Alice McKerrity is a judge in criminal court, so she\u2019s seen her fair share of killers. When William Henry Young walks into her court, accused of raping and murdering a pregnant woman, there\u2019s something about him that makes Alice begin to relive her past. Some thirty years ago, she was the victim of a violent crime and has never been the same since. The case against Young takes her back to that fateful night, which she has kept buried for all these years. She will have to confront her past and deal with the fact that her attacker may have hurt others over the years and that she was in fact his First Victim.

I had a hard time putting this book down. The short chapters are full of suspense, encouraging you to just go one more chapter until you realize you\u2019ve read the whole thing! I enjoyed the complexity of Alice\u2019s character and the storyline was interesting as the motive for the killer was different than the usual. The plot twists kept things motivated without being over the top. Babitt\u2019s little hints along the way kept you guessing as to how it all fit together. I highly recommend this one.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 19:51:04", "publisher": "Scarlet", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010801019", "title": "It Could Be Anyone", "author": "Jaime Lynn Hendricks", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 187, "review": "Dutch, Allie, Veejay, Ethan, Emma, and Fiona have been best friends since college. When Trevor comes into their lives and starts dating Fiona, everyone is happy for her, at first. Then it turns out that Trevor is a manipulative, blackmailing jerk who has wormed his way into their lives. He has dirt on all of them and will stop at nothing to marry Fiona and get close to her uncle, who is planning on running for the presidency. They all travel to Miami for the wedding, which concludes with Trevor dying from an allergic reaction just after the ceremony. When everyone hates you and each person has a reason to kill you, well, let\u2019s just say It Could Be Anyone.

This was a fun story with a twisty plot. It\u2019s hard to really care about Trevor and it\u2019s fun to try to figure out who did it, when they all have motive and means. There is so much friend drama here; is this normal for New Yorkers? Overall lesson: destination weddings are never a good idea, at least according to thrillers lately, and choose your friends carefully.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "12-May-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 19:46:07", "publisher": "Scarlet", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010801015", "title": "Milk Street Instant Pot: Bold, Fast, Fresh -- A Revolution of Flavor in an Instant", "author": "Christopher Kimball", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 184, "review": "The promise of any instant pot cookbook is that the recipes inside will be more than just delicious\u2013\u2013they\u2019ll be easy, and convenient, and life will be just a little bit better for having discovered them. Many instant pot recipes fail to deliver in one or more of these areas; they require too much advance preparation, include hard-to-find ingredients, or simply lack taste and verve. Fortunately, this cookbook stands out as a worthy addition to an instant pot recipe arsenal. Some of the recipes are perfectly serviceable, such as the Spiced Butternut Squash Soup; others will enter regular rotation, such as the Chicken Paprikash.

What makes this cookbook most appealing is its very premise: many of the recipes can be prepared fast, in the instant pot, or slow, using the instant pot\u2019s slow-cooker function. Almost all the recipes include prep instructions up to a certain point and then offer a choice of fast or slow options to finish: whatever works best for a particular evening\u2019s schedule. Other cookbooks offering this choice do exist, but the Milk Street recipes are some of the most reliable around.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 19:28:11", "publisher": "Voracious", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010800055", "title": "The Lords of Easy Money: How the Federal Reserve Broke the American Economy", "author": "Christopher Leonard", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 198, "review": "An economic calamity threatened to upend the financial system of the United States in 2008. One of the institutions that stepped in to mitigate some of the damage was the Federal Reserve. The Fed, overseen by Ben Bernanke at the time, decided to lower interest rates and inject more dollars into the system, a process known as quantitative easing. The Fed worked in conjunction with the Treasury to help bail out the troubled assets of the ailing financial world.

By 2010, the economy was still struggling to recover its composure. Bernanke looked to continue the quantitative easing, but a unanimous vote meant that was not possible. Kansas City Chairman Thomas Hoenig viewed the consistent lowering of rates as being worse than the cure, leaving the country susceptible to inflation. The conflict between Hoenig and Bernanke serves as a microcosm of an entity with near-unlimited power that decides the fiduciary fate of millions.

The Lords of Easy Money proves that monetary regulation is complex and riddled with intrigue. Author Christopher Leonard brings the reader through the high-stakes board meetings and votes resulting in mountainous highs and bottomless lows in the financial markets. Financial policy has never seemed so interesting.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:35:39", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010800051", "title": "Can't Go Back (Devlin & Falco)", "author": "Debra Webb", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 194, "review": "A house fire; Allison Boothe and her daughter are dead inside; her husband, Logan, is unconscious outside. So starts Can\u2019t Go Back. Detectives Kerri Devlin and Luke Falco, partners in bed as well as on the force, quickly decide that the fire was deliberately set; mother and daughter were murdered.

Suspects soon mount, starting with the husband. Logan was a former undercover narcotics cop whose contact with criminals may have been cozier than it should have been. Has he crossed the line again, with disastrous consequences?

Then, there are the Boothes\u2019 parents. Allison\u2019s mother is convinced Logan was smothering her daughter, cutting her off from friends and family. Logan\u2019s mother dotes on her son, and she blames Allison for the collapse of her son's marriage.

And the neighbors. Do they know more than they are telling? The mystery\u2019s origin may, however, lie in Detective Falco\u2019s past, when he too was an undercover narcotics cop, serving under the same lieutenant as Boothe.

This police procedural moves at a steady pace, as the investigators delve into the crime and explore their own developing relationship. A clever denouement brings the story to an unexpected and exciting conclusion.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:21:16", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "317 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010800039", "title": "JoJo\u2019s Bizarre Adventure: Part 5--Golden Wind, Vol. 2", "author": "Hirohiko Araki", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Keana Aguila Labra", "word_count": 193, "review": "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a longstanding, beloved manga title by Hirohiko Araki. The series is broken into different parts, following the different members of the Joestar family. Part 5, Golden Wind, follows a protagonist of peculiar origin, Giorno Giovanna. Giorno's intentions are already established by this volume of Golden Wind, and he's in full swing toward his plan on becoming a \"gang starr.\" Volume 2 of this Part 5 series picks up mid-fight with Giorno and Koichi, who long-time readers will recognize from Part 4, Diamond is Unbreakable. Araki's art became famous for its inspiration by high fashion, and the characters runway poses and outfits continue this homage. While manga is traditionally in black and white, the shading remains bold and fight scenes dynamic. One can start the series at Part 5, but it is so much more enjoyable starting from the beginning and meeting the predecessors of the Joestar line and the extended lore behind these \"stands.\" Quirkiness does not negate violence, as there is definitely more gruesome deaths. Overall, this series definitely lives up to its name; being \"bizarre\" is one of its integral, and arguably charming, aspects of this series.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:00:20", "publisher": "VIZ Media: SHONEN JUMP", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010800035", "title": "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Part 5--Golden Wind, Vol. 3 (3)", "author": "Hirohiko Araki", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Keana Aguila Labra", "word_count": 176, "review": "Hirohiko Araki is known for his dynamic art style, and it remains true in this re-edition of volume 3 of Part 5: Golden Wind of the overarching series, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. This hardcover edition contains five arcs in this twenty-chapter volume. There is a pop of color at the beginning of chapter thirty-six with a lush, colored spread. This volume is composed of fights with each arc separated by who Giornio Giovanna, the Joestar protagonist of Golden Wind, is fighting at that time. It is ill-advised to begin at this volume, so much to say that for one to get the fullest breadth of the Joestar legacy is the begin with Part 1: Phantom Blood. With Giornio, the reader is thrust into the heart of the gang underbelly of Italy. The battles remain epic and eccentric, and Araki explores just how far (and creative) he can get with the definition and range of a Stand user. This book ends on a cliffhanger, and it will surely keep fans excited and eager to collect the next volume.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "12-May-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 22:58:55", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "378 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010800027", "title": "How to Be Eaten: A Novel", "author": "Maria Adelmann", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 190, "review": "How to Be Eaten by Maria Adelmann is perfect for fans of modernized fairytales. Unlike many other books in the genre, this story isn\u2019t simply a retelling with a twist; rather, it\u2019s a sweeping look into the psyches and traumas of some of your favorite heroines, and maybe a few you haven\u2019t really thought about since the nightly story times of your childhood.

Set in a kind of alternate reality where each of the characters has lived their classic story in a modern setting, Adelmann sets up the main premise as an experimental group therapy gathering for the heroines who have been stigmatized or even demonized by the media at some point in their lives. With each chapter devoted to an individual character, we get to experience their stories through a voyeuristic Girl, Interrupted style lens, which brings stunning new depth to oftentimes simplistically represented characters.

Shocking, surprisingly humorous, and heavily in tune with modern depictions of feminine trauma and the surprising bonds such experiences can create between wildly different personalities, How to Be Eaten is a richly imaginative read for those who like their fairytales on the darker side.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "01-Jun-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 17:30:24", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010800023", "title": "The Child Is the Teacher: A Life of Maria Montessori", "author": "Cristina De Stefano", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 204, "review": "Maria Montessori, the Italian pedagogue identified as the founder of a groundbreaking education system, became a legend in her lifetime. The Child Is the Teacher addresses her personality and idiosyncrasies as well as her genius.

Born in Chiaravalle in 1870, Montessori resolved to become a physician, a career verging on the improper for a woman at the time. Before long, she adapted her training and early practice as a doctor when she recognized children\u2019s ability to make choices for themselves without adult intervention. She determined how, with adults\u2019 lengthy patience, even infants could investigate and then master progressively more complex tasks.

She saw education as an aid to personality, and the many materials she developed, some appropriately child-sized, made it possible for children to organize their knowledge. She believed that \u201cthe hand touches the evident, and the mind discovers the secret.\u201d

Seemingly, Montessori was resolute and uncompromising, allowing her followers to make no adjustments to her method when using her name. In later years, accompanied always by her son, she traveled in Europe, America, and South Asia disseminating the Montessori method.

Despite a need to reiterate the dates of Montessori\u2019s professional life to avoid confusion, The Child Is the Teacher is an outstanding tribute.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "02-May-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 21:19:08", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010800019", "title": "The Last Winter: The Scientists, Adventurers, Journeymen, and Mavericks Trying to Save the World", "author": "Porter Fox", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 187, "review": "The climate is warming, and travel writer Porter Fox examines the shocking consequences of this rise in temperature. Looking at the essential reservoirs of water secured in the wintry snowpack and ancient glaciers, the author travels and meets with specialists studying the effects of diminished snow and thawing glacial ice.

From the northwest, through Alaska, into the Alps, and finally, on to Greenland, he interviews the scientists engaged in studying the history and current revelations that vanishing snow and ice cores offer about the past climate and the prevailing present conditions that will affect this ecosystem. As he determinedly skis through this investigative adventure, the author laments how this wintry exposure is likely to disappear for the younger generation.

He cites the research of glaciologists and snow scientists, who explain high-rising waters, changed polar habitats, forest fires, desertification, and further problems that will lead to flooding, species death, agricultural havoc, food loss, and other severe consequences. His includes vignettes concerning the diverse personalities of the dedicated researchers involved in this critical issue of water loss.

This is a chilling account that should interest and concern all readers.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 19:33:04", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010799071", "title": "Paleo Lunches and Breakfasts On the Go: The Solution to Gluten-Free Eating All Day Long with Delicious, Easy and Portable Primal Meals", "author": "Diana Rodgers", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 199, "review": "Even if you don't want to always follow a strict Paleo eating plan, you'll want to add some of these meals to your week. We loved the section on wraps \u2013 one favorite was the Turkey Apricot Dijon Wrap, which enhanced the classic combination of turkey and bacon with apricot spread and thyme to deliver a light but filling, fresh and delicious lunch without weighing you down with carbs, that comes together in a snap. The combinations are seemingly endless and give you amazing variety with just a few ingredients. For breakfasts, we also love the recipes for homemade sausages \u2013 the Cherry Tarragon is a fantastic twist \u2013 so you can get that great sausage taste without any questionable additives. There are also salads, soups, and appetizers to fill your plate for weeks, and even some suggestions for helping move your family to a healthier way to eat. Although there is one chart with a suggestion for three weeks of school-box lunches, this is not a prescriptive plan, and the author takes pains to encourage you to tailor things to your own needs. However you incorporate Paleo eating, this book delivers delicious, healthy meals to keep you satisfied.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:19:01", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010799063", "title": "Frieren: Beyond Journey\u2019s End, Vol. 2", "author": "Kanehito Yamada", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1165, "review": "Manga Roundup\n\nIf you enjoy epic quests, legendary heroes, otherworldly villains, and plenty of deadly danger, then the books included in this roundup could be right up your street. The six featured titles, which come from three highly popular series, feature storylines that are among the best the fantasy manga genre has to offer.\n\nHell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku (Vol. 11) by Yuji Kaku \n\nSet during the Edo period in Japan, the Hell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku series follows captured ninja Gabimaru the Hollow as he searches for the elixir of immortality. Originally sentenced to be executed, Gabimaru attributes his ability to survive all attempted means of killing him to his love for his wife keeping him alive. When imperial executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri realizes that Gabimaru can\u2019t be killed, she offers the ninja a chance to win a pardon, so long as he agrees to travel to the island of Shinsenkyo and find the elixir of immortality for the shogun. In Volume 11, a bloody battle is raging at the palace on Shinsenkyo, forcing Gabimaru, Sagiri, and the other new arrivals to commit to an uneasy truce in the hope of finding a way off the island. To complicate matters, a massive new monster has entered the battle and managed to trap everyone within the confines of its body. If they\u2019re unable to escape before the dawn, they\u2019ll all be transformed into flowers that will then be used to power the monster down its path of destruction. \n\nHell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku (Vol. 13) by Yuji Kaku \n\nVolume 13 of the Hell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku series continues the saga of Gabimaru the Hollow, the world\u2019s most powerful ninja, and his quest to find the elixir of immortality. This time round, it seems that Rien\u2019s nefarious master plan will bring certain doom down on the unfortunates trapped on the island of Shinsenkyo as well as those enjoying the apparent safety of the mainland. While Gabimaru, Yamada Asaemon Sagiri, and the band of condemned prisoners and other executioners with them might have originally set out to harness the power of immortality, it appears that their mission might actually result in death and destruction for all those involved, however tangentially. Their only hope lies in vanquishing the specter of Lord Tensen. It might seem like an impossible task, but Gabimaru is willing to take on anyone and to do anything necessary to return to his wife.\n\nFrieren: Beyond Journey's End (Vol. 1) by Kanehito Yamada \n\nThe Frieren: Beyond Journey's End series follows elven mage Frieren, who once embarked on a ten-year quest with a band of fellow adventurers to kill the Demon King and restore peace to the land. Accompanying Frieren were the human hero Himmel, the dwarven warrior Eisen, and the human priest Heiter, and after they had finally completed their quest, the group gathered together to watch the Era Meteors. After the meteor shower, before leaving to travel the world in search of magical knowledge, Frieren promised that she would provide the group with a better view of the meteors when the celestial event next occurred, which would be some fifty years later. Volume 1 focuses on what occurs when Frieren finally does return and discovers that her former companions have noticeably aged while she remains pretty much the same as when they last saw each other. The group does manage to see the Era Meteors again, but soon afterwards Himmel dies of old age. Due to regretting that she didn\u2019t take the time to know her companions better, Frieren vows to embark on a new quest to ensure that their last wishes are fulfilled. \n\nFrieren: Beyond Journey\u2019s End (Vol. 2) by Kanehito Yamada 9781974727230\n\nIn Volume 2 of the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End series, elven mage Frieren continues her quest to do right by her former comrades. She had agreed to take Fern, an orphaned child who had been adopted by Heiter, on as her apprentice and the two of them determined to journey to the far north, to the resting place of souls, where Frieren might have the chance to see Himmel again and pay him proper tribute. During their treacherous journey, the two encounter Stark, the former apprentice of Eisen. Although dwarven warrior Eisen considered himself too old to accompany Frieren and Fern on their quest to the north, Stark agrees to go with them. Having a powerful warrior as a member of their party could well come in handy, especially since the journey to the resting place of souls will take them perilously close to the Demon King\u2019s former palace, and while her old enemy might have been vanquished, his minions still have a score to settle with Frieren. \n\nFrieren: Beyond Journey\u2019s End (Vol. 3) by Kanehito Yamada \n\nAs Frieren, Fern, and Stark continue their journey north, they encounter friends and foes alike, combating any demons they come across while also gathering any magical lore that they hear tell of. Although the danger associated with their endeavor is undeniable, they do actually manage to recruit a new companion, a mediocre human monk named Sein. In Volume 3 of the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End series, the band of adventurers are finally making good progress toward the resting place of souls, but events that echo back to Frieren\u2019s original quest with Himmel, Heiter, and Eisen soon derail their mission to find Himmel\u2019s spirit. Back during the quest to kill the Demon King, Frieren and her comrades defeated Aura the Guillotine, one of seven powerful demons known as the Seven Sages of Destruction. Unfortunately, Aura has found a way to regenerate and is now back in search of vengeance. Frieren is forced to question whether the price she paid to vanquish Aura in the past was worth the consequences that she and her friends are facing in the present.\n\nFullmetal Alchemist: The Abducted Alchemist by Makoto Inoue \n\nThe six Fullmetal Alchemist light novels are spin-offs from the manga series of the same name following brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric on their quest to find the philosopher\u2019s stone. In their attempts to use alchemy to bring their mother back to life, the brothers brought terrible devastation down on themselves: Edward lost his left leg and Alphonse lost his whole body. Edward subsequently sacrificed his right arm to save Alphonse\u2019s soul and bind it to a suit of armor. After undergoing painful medical procedures to provide him with prosthetic limbs, Edward agreed to become a State Alchemist so that he could continue his endeavors to restore him and his brother to their former bodies. In The Abducted Alchemist, the second of the light novels, Edward and Alphonse hear about train lines being destroyed by terrorist attacks and about a series of kidnappings of people related to the military. While no one has yet been harmed in any of these incidents, public anger about the authorities\u2019 inability to put an end to them is mounting. Edward and Alphonse agree to help investigate the terrorists, but they soon find themselves embroiled in a kidnapping too.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:02:20", "publisher": "VIZ Media: Shonen Sunday", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010799055", "title": "Kirby Manga Mania, Vol. 3 (3)", "author": "Hirokazu Hikawa", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - age 11", "word_count": 183, "review": "It\u2019s the third volume now, and once again, everyone\u2019s favorite pink ball is back with more cute and funny stories and laughs. The new stories include a big battle between Kirby and Burning Leo, a disastrous sleepover at King Dedede\u2019s castle, and a Waddle Dee trying to stand out. Also, when you're feeling stressed, just stick your head in Kirby\u2019s giant mouth and shout your heart out!

Who doesn\u2019t love Kirby Manga Mania? The characters are all so cute, as well as being very expressive and funny! I like Kirby because he loves eating and is always hungry. The stories are also clever. The author did a good job thinking of the ideas for each chapter of the book. One of my favorite stories in this volume is chapter two, when Kirby\u2019s face changes depending on which Kirby game he\u2019s playing. I like that the cover has a shiny metallic pink finish.

This book is recommended for fans of the Kirby video game and for people who are looking for manga for all ages. The whole series of three is definitely worth getting!", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "15-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 17:46:51", "publisher": "VIZ Media - Children's", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010799051", "title": "The Eleventh Commandment", "author": "Mary F. Burns", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 195, "review": "Are the strips of ancient parchment delivered to John Sargent, the famous portraitist, forgeries or the last words of Moses, including an eleventh commandant? The so-called Shapiro Scrolls had been declared forgeries by scholars at the British Museum, but then the body of the finder of the documents, Moses Shapiro, is found in a hotel room, a bullet in his head. From this intriguing start, the narrative alternates between Shapiro\u2019s acquisition of the scrolls in 1878 and his subsequent efforts to authenticate them, and the investigation by Sargent and his colleague, Violet Paget, into his death six years later and their struggle to keep the documents safe. Padded with intrusive cameos by famous individuals like Henry James and Oscar Wilde, countless references to archaeologists and biblical scholars, and repeated mentions of famous sites in the Holy Land, the story moves at a sedate pace. The tension picks up towards the end, with the prospect of a pivotal confrontation between rival experts, one for, one against the authenticity of the scrolls. But, like all tales grounded in fact, The Eleventh Commandant is obliged to stay close to the real-world truth, and its ending fizzles out disappointingly.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "10-May-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 17:36:28", "publisher": "Word by Word Press", "page_count": "360 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000010799039", "title": "Good Knight, Mustache Baby", "author": "Bridget Heos", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 7", "word_count": 151, "review": "Good Knight, Mustache Baby is funny and a new favorite book in my house. The book is about two babies - one with a mustache and one with a beard, who play together while their parents are together. In this book, the babies play that they are knights and ride horses, go through moats, rescue dragons, slay ogres and cyclopes, and work on their most important mission - conquering bedtime! The story is written like the babies are actually knights, which makes it more fun to read.

My mom told me that there are other Mustache Baby books, so I'm ready for the next trip to the library to try to find them! My brother and I laughed throughout pretty much the whole book and really enjoyed it. The ending is funny and is a good one for the story. I can't think of anyone who won't like Good Knight, Mustache Baby.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 21:15:26", "publisher": "Clarion Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010799035", "title": "Belle Greene", "author": "Alexandra Lapierre", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 173, "review": "Many people are familiar with J.P. Morgan, one of the millionaire philanthropists of the Gilded Age, but few are aware of the woman who curated his library. It\u2019s a shame, because her story is a fascinating one that deserves to be more well-known.

Belle da Costa Greene, born Belle Greener, was one of many people in America who looked white but were considered Black due to the \u201cone drop\u201d rule: as long as they had even the slightest bit of Black ancestry (referred to as \u201cone drop of blood\u201d), they could not mingle with white society. Belle and her family decided to fight back, creating a false history for themselves that would allow them to present as white to the rest of the world.

It might have been enough for any other family to survive. For Belle, it was enough to thrive. Lapierre\u2019s novel is the whirlwind story of one woman\u2019s incredible life as she beat the odds to influence and control the collection of one of the most powerful financiers in America.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 19:44:10", "publisher": "Europa Editions", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010799031", "title": "Embassy of the Dead: Hangman's Crossing", "author": "Will Mabbitt", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 13", "word_count": 201, "review": "Jake Green thought his hero days were over. After helping his friend move to the Underworld, the Embassy of the Dead awarded him an Undoer\u2019s license, which means Jake can now officially help spirits move on. Along with his ghost partner, Cora, Jake is stuck with mundane cases while Elite Undoers investigate a secret case.

During a period of \u201cnot-eavesdropping,\u201d Jake and Cora realize that a ghost pilot named Amber Chase is missing from the Embassy. But who would want to hurt a random ghost? And why? The answers might just be hidden in their newest case and the mysterious woman who worked with Amber before she disappeared.

With the Embassy being uprooted from the inside out and a new Age of Evil being threatened, will Jake find the courage to be a hero?

I really enjoyed this book! It was fast-paced, fun, and had plenty of ghosts! Jake and Cora\u2019s banter was fun to read, and their adventures together were both heartwarming and hilarious. The story itself was an engaging and entertaining romp with plenty of humor. It never felt forced or as if it faltered in places. I would recommend this book to fans of un-put-downable, fantastical ghost stories!", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 19:35:41", "publisher": "Walker Books US", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010799027", "title": "Katt Loves Dogg (Katt vs. Dogg, 2)", "author": "James Patterson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 151, "review": "What could go wrong when the family pets go camping with their humans? History tells us that it could be disastrous to take pets out into the forest to go camping, so when Molly and Oscar tag along, it\u2019s no surprise that chaos ensues. It is hard being a pet because you have to learn the rules at home and different sets of rules when you go out places, like the dog park or the forest. Molly and Oscar find it hard to follow the rules, and then they end up losing their cousins in the forest. How will they be able to stay within the boundary and find their family?

This is a funny book. I am really liking the author, James Patterson. This series is funny and entertaining to read. This book also has some black and white illustrations to show just exactly Molly and Oscar are up to.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 19:32:02", "publisher": "jimmy patterson", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010799023", "title": "The Lobotomist's Wife: A Novel", "author": "Samantha Greene Woodruff", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 194, "review": "Well-written with intense characters and an even more intense storyline, The Lobotomist's Wife tells the story of a woman named Ruth Emeraldine who runs a hospital in the 1940s and meets and marries Dr. Robert Apter who would later be known as the brilliant doctor who invented the lobotomy. This method which goes from a hospital procedure to one done in a few minutes in a doctor's office is invented to improve the health of those suffering from mental illness. After World War II, Ruth's own brother had committed suicide and after learning about Robert's new operation, she is all for helping people with post-traumatic stress disorder. However, Ruth starts questioning the accuracy of positive outcomes from the lobotomy and does her own research. Ruth is a strong-willed character who fights for her hospital patients to get the best care.

This book will have its readers turning pages one after another. With real-life references to Rosemary Kennedy's lobotomy and the Kennedy family and the realistic aura of the 1940s, Samantha Greene Woodruff's attention to historical detail is much applauded. I would recommend this book to all fans of historical fiction with a medical aspect.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "16-Mar-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 19:25:03", "publisher": "Lake Union Publishing", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010799019", "title": "It's Not Just Cookies: Stories and Recipes from the Tiff\u2019s Treats Kitchen", "author": "Tiffany Chen", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 198, "review": "This book is an homage to the founders of Tiff's Treats, a company that delivers warm cookies on demand. The tales of the company's growing pains might feel inspiring to entrepreneurs just starting out, except that the founders had some extraordinary and unlikely help and lucky breaks. Sentimental quotations from happy customers sharing how Tiff's Treats changed their lives punctuate the founders' humble bragging (and, bizarrely, advice about parenting and relationships).

So, what about the recipes? They do not even pretend to replicate what you would get if you ordered from the company (they are \u201cinspired by\u201d), which is just as well. Although this book includes recipes for twenty-seven cookies, they are nothing particularly special\u2013\u2013mostly fairly basic classics, like chocolate chip, with variations. If I were to make these cookies first, I would not seek out Tiff's Treats for delivery.

The story is not bad, and neither are the cookies you create from this book, but anticipating a cookbook only to find it's an extended marketing brochure is irritating to say the least. Perhaps if you are already a fan of Tiff's Treats you will find the company's story interesting, but for stellar cookies, I recommend looking elsewhere.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "16-Mar-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 19:14:24", "publisher": "Harper Horizon", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010798043", "title": "The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo: The Tangled Web (The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo, 3)", "author": "Drew Weing", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 129, "review": "Margo Maloo is back in the third installment of the series! In this book, Charles goes on some very odd assignments. Charles is quite risky during his investigations, and he is clumsy. While doing many things he shouldn't be Charles gets bitten by a creepy spider. You may ask yourself, is he the next man to turn into a spider? Not if Margo Maloo can save him in time. Read this book to find out more. \nI really like this series. I love the colorful illustrations and interesting stories. Margo and her assistant Charles are quite the pair and this book is filled with the right amount of creepy suspense, and fun. If you enjoy graphic novels and mysteries I highly recommend this series. Hopefully, this series will continue.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:27:20", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010798039", "title": "Digging Up Love (Taste of Love)", "author": "Chandra Blumberg", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 227, "review": "Alisha gets stuck in small town Illinois looking after her grandparents, when all she really wants to do is move to Chicago and open her own bakery. Quentin is a paleontologist and university professor whose family doesn\u2019t respect his career. The two intersect when Alisha\u2019s grandparents unearth a gigantic bone on their property while digging out a pool. It\u2019s attraction at first sight, but the road to true love never did run smooth.

The premise of this book is fantastic. The romance genre is sorely lacking in paleontologist love interests, so this had new and fresh written all over it. Plus BIPOC characters? Even better!

Unfortunately, that awesome setup was quickly mired in abundant awkward details in the prose. For example, \u201cHe pulled his full lips to the side, gaze unfocused, clearly deep in thought. Then he dropped those striking eyes to the ground and stood up, rubbing a hand absently along his chiseled jaw.\u201d There are many other longer descriptions of the character\u2019s movements that really slowed down the narrative and made it hard to stay focused on the action.

If you\u2019re a fan of a lot of description in your reading, this may very well be the romance novel for you. If you prefer a fast pace and less detail of how people are moving in every interaction, you may be disappointed by this one.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "17-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:22:24", "publisher": "Montlake", "page_count": "345 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000010798035", "title": "At First Light (Dr. Evan Wilding)", "author": "Barbara Nickless", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "At First Light, a body has been found on the banks of the river, so Chicago detective Addie Bisset is called to the scene. Right away, she notices the runes placed around the body, which tells her she will need the help of her best friend, forensic semiotician Dr. Evan Wilding. Evan discovers these are Viking runes written in the form of a poem and once he decodes them, Evan and Addie discover, the killer isn\u2019t done yet. The bodies are starting to pile up and it looks like Evan might be on the killer\u2019s list. Evan and Addie don\u2019t have much time to stop the Viking Poet before they become victims themselves.

I absolutely love both Addie and Evan. This relationship is one of those slow-burn ones where it takes three more books in the series before they realize they both love each other as more than friends. However, the plot makes the wait entirely worthwhile. I had never heard of semioticians before so this was a fun learning experience, plus it\u2019s always great to learn more about Vikings. I really enjoyed this book and I think anyone who loves mysteries, especially with signs and riddles, will as well.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:20:09", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "395 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010798031", "title": "Authentic Indian Cooking with Your Instant Pot: Classic and Innovative Recipes for the Home Cook", "author": "Vasanti Bhadkamkar-Balan", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 201, "review": "In Authentic Indian Cooking with Your Instant Pot, Vasanti Bhadkamkar-Balan has taken classic Indian recipes and adjusted them to be made in less time and with more ease. Her recipes save you hours of marinating and cooking time. There are pictures with every recipe, which are beautifully done. In this book, there are recipes for meat dishes like classic Chicken Tikka Masala, as well as sweet treats and everything in between. She also includes recipes for relishes and for the spice mixes you will need the most for these recipes. If you are looking to cut down on your time spent cooking authentic Indian food, this is the cookbook for you.

My husband loves Indian food so I\u2019m always looking for new recipes to try. I was looking for a reason to try my instant pot, so this seemed liked the perfect book. Together we made the Ball Curry, but while it was good, it lacked a lot of the flavor and spice we love and expect from authentic Indian food. However, the steps were very clear and easy to follow. It would be a good addition to your instant pot recipe collection for quick meals without a ton of fuss.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "02-Mar-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:18:12", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010798023", "title": "The Cake Book: Beautiful Sweet Treats for Every Craving", "author": "Rebecca Firth", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 199, "review": "Rebecca Firth\u2019s The Cookie Book did so well that she decided to put together The Cake Book. This book has all her favorite cake recipes which will hopefully become yours as well. She starts off with some very helpful tips before you even get started such as what ingredients to have on hand and what kind of pans to use. There are recipes for cakes to use for celebrations, loaf and tea cakes, brunch cakes, single-layer cakes, holiday cakes, and twists on the classic Bundt. With so many options, there should be something in here that strikes your fancy and will impress friends and family.

I found Rebecca\u2019s very detailed instructions to be incredibly helpful. I\u2019m a low-skill level baker and even when I messed up the Chocolate Horchata Meringue Cake by completely forgetting the sour cream, it still tasted and looked amazing. That was my first ever attempt at meringue and it went perfectly just by following her easy-to-follow instructions. I also made the Muscovado Banana Bread which also came out lovely. While someone with more skill would probably benefit best from this book, it\u2019s still a great addition as it helps you push yourself in the kitchen.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 21:38:17", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "357 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010798015", "title": "How Not To Fall In Love", "author": "Jacqueline Firkins", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 199, "review": "Working in her mother\u2019s wedding alterations shop over the course of many years has warped and skewed Harper\u2019s views on weddings. So she can\u2019t help but shake her head at her best friend and neighbor, Jamison, who is continuously having his heart broken. Doesn\u2019t he know that there is no such thing as true love? Why does he invest his heart so quickly and so fully?

His suffering finally wears on her, and she offers to help him keep from falling in love. He\u2019s concerned because Harper hasn\u2019t had many experiences of the dating variety, so she goes on a date with a boy she\u2019s crushed on forever. Soon she\u2019s giving suggestions to Jamison, but she wonders if she\u2019s missing something, something close to home and perfect for her.

While all\u2019s well that ends well (enough), this well-known boy-next-door trope will have readers second-guessing their expectations. Harper\u2019s skewed view of relationships discolors her own, and like in real life, may cost her a chance at happiness, providing a fresh take on a classic romance story. Harper\u2019s dry humor, especially regarding weddings and her mother\u2019s business, provides well-needed comic relief. A great summer read, this one has all the feels.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "21-Apr-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 21:13:03", "publisher": "Clarion Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010798011", "title": "The Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook: Over 100 Fabulous Recipes to Use Eggs in Unexpected Ways", "author": "Lisa Steele", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 952, "review": "Try Something New!\n\nWhether you like thumbing through recipes just for pleasure or are looking for inspiration for meals, these five cookbooks will definitely spice things up. Through reading them, you will be introduced to new homemade soup recipes, Chinese baked goods, simple and healthy paleo meals, new ways of cooking with eggs, and recipes born out of foraging.\n\nSoup Club: 80 Cozy Recipes for Creative Plant-Based Soups and Stews to Share by Caroline Wright\n\nThis is a cookbook unlike any other. It is not only about the recipes, but is also a heartwarming story of a community coming together and giving to a member during a frightening period of her life. Caroline Wright was given a crushing brain cancer diagnosis, and not long after this, she found herself really craving homemade soup. She told her friends, who started rallying around her, and then Wright started finding soup on her doorstep daily for several months afterwards. Thankfully she survived, and this book is a thank you to those friends and followers who were touched by her story. The recipes in this book are plant-based and sound very delicious. They are not the blended kind but more the chunky kind, and many of the recipes use nutritional yeast. The instructions are for cooking on the stove, although there is a section dedicated to instant pot instructions. There are also recipes for breads and salads and how to make your own spice blends. Some of the soup recipes that sounded particularly delicious were the Moroccan Vegetable Stew, Golden Borscht, and Cowboy Chili. Soup Club really is a must-have for soup and stew fans, and you do not have to be vegan to enjoy these recipes.\n\nMooncakes and Milk Bread: Sweet and Savory Recipes Inspired by Chinese Bakeries by Kristina Cho\n\nIf you are interested in Chinese baked goods, then this book is for you! Mooncakes and Milk Bread is filled with Chinese bakery recipes, and it is made simple by the step-by-step instructions for the heavenly family-based recipes provided by food blogger Kristina Cho. If you are intimidated by the Chinese ingredients, Cho takes you through the experience of shopping in an Asian grocery store and explains the differences between ingredients and the equipment needed to create these recipes. The recipes included in this book consist of different types of Chinese buns and breads, cakes, cookies, dumplings, and drinks. Additionally, there are no-bake recipes for dim sum, pancakes, and potstickers. The pictures that accompany each recipe help to provide visual guidance, and all the food looks like it has been made by a modern Chinese professional chef/baker. The book is an all-round winner for fun and expanding your repertoire.\n\nNom Nom Paleo: Let's Go! (Volume 3) by Michelle Tam and Henry Fong\n\nMichelle Tam and Henry Fong, the creators of the New York Times bestseller Nom Nom Paleo, offer a new Asian-inspired collection of paleo recipes in Nom Nom Paleo: Let\u2019s Go! There are even keto, whole30, and vegan-based recipes, and they are all full of umami flavor. Tam and Fong emphasize that the best and healthiest meals are the ones cooked at home, and this cookbook will give you the enthusiasm necessary to get going in your own kitchen. You will be surprised at how simple these recipes are and how they are perfect for when you are cooking for others. Your guests will be surprised by how tasty the food turns out, even though they are wholefood recipes and free of gluten, dairy, grains, and refined sugar. Some of the delights include Cantonese Roast Duck, Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole, and Paleo-Friendly Cream Puffs. You only need to be a novice cook and you can make food that tastes heavenly!\n\nThe Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook: Over 100 Fabulous Recipes to Use Eggs in Unexpected Ways by Lisa Steele\n\nFifth generation chicken keeper and top-selling author Lisa Steele shows how easy and appetizing meals can be after adding eggs. The Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook teaches you all about eggs, such as debunking certain egg-related myths and explaining what particular labels on egg cartons signify. Steele works with you, starting from the basics of cooking eggs and moving through all the different techniques. The photography in the book is fantastic and really inspires you to try the recipes. You can learn how to make a French Tri-fold Omelet, Swedish Egg Coffee, and Hand Pies, as well as other sweet and savory recipes, and they all come with Steele\u2019s own modifications. This book is an inventive and exciting cookbook for a novice or an accomplished cook looking to branch out and discover new things every day.\n\nField Notes for Food Adventure: Recipes and Stories from the Woods to the Ocean by Brad Leone\n\nBrad Leone teaches us about being resourceful and inventive in the New York Times bestseller Field Notes for Food Adventure as he seeks out the wonderful natural ingredients of the North East. Exploring all that nature has to offer, foraging in fields, rivers, forests, and the sea, Leone captures your imagination by providing outstanding ideas for inspirational home cookery. He introduces you to ramps, different types of mushrooms, and the various ways of preserving them, as well as to undervalued oceanic ingredients such as squid and seaweed. All the recipes have the Brad Leone stamp, with the Spicy Tomato Chicken, Sous Vide Mountain Ribs, and the Cold Root Salad seeming particularly appetizing, in addition to the recipes for drinks such as Fermented Bloody Mary and Sumac Lemonade. There\u2019s even a simple recipe for Chile Hot Sauce. Voted Food52\u2019s Best Cookbook of the Year, this flavorsome tome is not your typical cookbook, but it will certainly open your mind to exciting new ideas and ingredients.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 19:17:21", "publisher": "Harper Horizon", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010797039", "title": "Stan Lee's The Devil's Quintet: The Armageddon Code: A Thriller (Stan Lee's The Devil's Quintet, 1)", "author": "Jay Bonansinga", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 203, "review": "From bestselling author Jay Bonansinga and the legionary Stan Lee comes a new group of superheroes. A five-member Navy Seal team was sold out to the enemy by someone they thought they could trust. Imprisoned in a dungeon of horrors, the team must choose between making a deal with the Devil or certain death. In exchange for their freedom and supernatural powers, they all agree to be a hit squad for Satan. Dubbing themselves \u201cThe Devil\u2019s Quintet\u201d they have no plans to honor their deal. Armed with their newly acquired skills, they defy the Devil and save the world from Armageddon.

Stan Lee\u2019s The Devil\u2019s Quintet: The Armageddon Code is not your typical superhero story. This high-action shoot-em-up is much darker than one would expect from the legendary comic book writer and publisher. Teaming up before Lee\u2019s death, Bonansinga expanded on what was to be the icon\u2019s last project. While this novel has all the elements of a Stan Lee story, heroes with real human mannerisms and the evilest of villains, it is meant for a more mature audience. With the creativity of Bonansinga working off themes and ideas from the founder of the Marvel empire, this is one hell of an adventure.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "22-Apr-2022", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:42:19", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010797031", "title": "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vol. 1 (1)", "author": "Kanehito Yamada", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1165, "review": "Manga Roundup\n\nIf you enjoy epic quests, legendary heroes, otherworldly villains, and plenty of deadly danger, then the books included in this roundup could be right up your street. The six featured titles, which come from three highly popular series, feature storylines that are among the best the fantasy manga genre has to offer.\n\nHell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku (Vol. 11) by Yuji Kaku \n\nSet during the Edo period in Japan, the Hell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku series follows captured ninja Gabimaru the Hollow as he searches for the elixir of immortality. Originally sentenced to be executed, Gabimaru attributes his ability to survive all attempted means of killing him to his love for his wife keeping him alive. When imperial executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri realizes that Gabimaru can\u2019t be killed, she offers the ninja a chance to win a pardon, so long as he agrees to travel to the island of Shinsenkyo and find the elixir of immortality for the shogun. In Volume 11, a bloody battle is raging at the palace on Shinsenkyo, forcing Gabimaru, Sagiri, and the other new arrivals to commit to an uneasy truce in the hope of finding a way off the island. To complicate matters, a massive new monster has entered the battle and managed to trap everyone within the confines of its body. If they\u2019re unable to escape before the dawn, they\u2019ll all be transformed into flowers that will then be used to power the monster down its path of destruction. \n\nHell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku (Vol. 13) by Yuji Kaku \n\nVolume 13 of the Hell\u2019s Paradise: Jigokuraku series continues the saga of Gabimaru the Hollow, the world\u2019s most powerful ninja, and his quest to find the elixir of immortality. This time round, it seems that Rien\u2019s nefarious master plan will bring certain doom down on the unfortunates trapped on the island of Shinsenkyo as well as those enjoying the apparent safety of the mainland. While Gabimaru, Yamada Asaemon Sagiri, and the band of condemned prisoners and other executioners with them might have originally set out to harness the power of immortality, it appears that their mission might actually result in death and destruction for all those involved, however tangentially. Their only hope lies in vanquishing the specter of Lord Tensen. It might seem like an impossible task, but Gabimaru is willing to take on anyone and to do anything necessary to return to his wife.\n\nFrieren: Beyond Journey's End (Vol. 1) by Kanehito Yamada \n\nThe Frieren: Beyond Journey's End series follows elven mage Frieren, who once embarked on a ten-year quest with a band of fellow adventurers to kill the Demon King and restore peace to the land. Accompanying Frieren were the human hero Himmel, the dwarven warrior Eisen, and the human priest Heiter, and after they had finally completed their quest, the group gathered together to watch the Era Meteors. After the meteor shower, before leaving to travel the world in search of magical knowledge, Frieren promised that she would provide the group with a better view of the meteors when the celestial event next occurred, which would be some fifty years later. Volume 1 focuses on what occurs when Frieren finally does return and discovers that her former companions have noticeably aged while she remains pretty much the same as when they last saw each other. The group does manage to see the Era Meteors again, but soon afterwards Himmel dies of old age. Due to regretting that she didn\u2019t take the time to know her companions better, Frieren vows to embark on a new quest to ensure that their last wishes are fulfilled. \n\nFrieren: Beyond Journey\u2019s End (Vol. 2) by Kanehito Yamada 9781974727230\n\nIn Volume 2 of the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End series, elven mage Frieren continues her quest to do right by her former comrades. She had agreed to take Fern, an orphaned child who had been adopted by Heiter, on as her apprentice and the two of them determined to journey to the far north, to the resting place of souls, where Frieren might have the chance to see Himmel again and pay him proper tribute. During their treacherous journey, the two encounter Stark, the former apprentice of Eisen. Although dwarven warrior Eisen considered himself too old to accompany Frieren and Fern on their quest to the north, Stark agrees to go with them. Having a powerful warrior as a member of their party could well come in handy, especially since the journey to the resting place of souls will take them perilously close to the Demon King\u2019s former palace, and while her old enemy might have been vanquished, his minions still have a score to settle with Frieren. \n\nFrieren: Beyond Journey\u2019s End (Vol. 3) by Kanehito Yamada \n\nAs Frieren, Fern, and Stark continue their journey north, they encounter friends and foes alike, combating any demons they come across while also gathering any magical lore that they hear tell of. Although the danger associated with their endeavor is undeniable, they do actually manage to recruit a new companion, a mediocre human monk named Sein. In Volume 3 of the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End series, the band of adventurers are finally making good progress toward the resting place of souls, but events that echo back to Frieren\u2019s original quest with Himmel, Heiter, and Eisen soon derail their mission to find Himmel\u2019s spirit. Back during the quest to kill the Demon King, Frieren and her comrades defeated Aura the Guillotine, one of seven powerful demons known as the Seven Sages of Destruction. Unfortunately, Aura has found a way to regenerate and is now back in search of vengeance. Frieren is forced to question whether the price she paid to vanquish Aura in the past was worth the consequences that she and her friends are facing in the present.\n\nFullmetal Alchemist: The Abducted Alchemist by Makoto Inoue \n\nThe six Fullmetal Alchemist light novels are spin-offs from the manga series of the same name following brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric on their quest to find the philosopher\u2019s stone. In their attempts to use alchemy to bring their mother back to life, the brothers brought terrible devastation down on themselves: Edward lost his left leg and Alphonse lost his whole body. Edward subsequently sacrificed his right arm to save Alphonse\u2019s soul and bind it to a suit of armor. After undergoing painful medical procedures to provide him with prosthetic limbs, Edward agreed to become a State Alchemist so that he could continue his endeavors to restore him and his brother to their former bodies. In The Abducted Alchemist, the second of the light novels, Edward and Alphonse hear about train lines being destroyed by terrorist attacks and about a series of kidnappings of people related to the military. While no one has yet been harmed in any of these incidents, public anger about the authorities\u2019 inability to put an end to them is mounting. Edward and Alphonse agree to help investigate the terrorists, but they soon find themselves embroiled in a kidnapping too.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2022 23:01:16", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010797019", "title": "Cardboard Creations for Kids: 50 Fun and Inventive Crafts Using Recycled Materials", "author": "Kathryn Ho", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 217, "review": "Do you like doing crafts with your kids? Are you looking for something creative to do besides watch TV or play on electronics? This book is the solution for you! Cardboard Creations for Kids is an amazing resource to help you find fun and simple ways to make hours of fun!

The book separates the crafts into sections with an introduction, large crafts, moving crafts, pretend play, inside the box, and other crafts. Our whole family had a blast making two of these larger-than-life creations. First, we made the tent out of a big box that previously housed a recliner. We cut off one side of the box, taped the three sides together, and made a fun tent for the kids to sit in and crawl through.

Second, we made the castle. We used a second recliner, box taped the open sides together, and followed the instructions for the turrets and drawbridge. It was slightly harder than the tent, but it still only took us between thirty minutes and an hour to make.

Both these projects led to hours upon hours of fun for my eight- and five-year-old children. My five-year-old is currently hanging out in her new favorite place to be. I highly recommend this book for family crafts you can do over and over again.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "19-Mar-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 21:39:06", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010797015", "title": "The Sweet Side of Sourdough: 50 Irresistible Recipes for Pastries, Buns, Cakes, Cookies and More", "author": "Caroline Schiff", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Sourdough became all the rage during the pandemic, as people learned to love the special, slightly sour flavor and wonderfully crunchy crust. But once one has a good sourdough starter, there are so many other things one can make. If you don\u2019t have a starter, don\u2019t worry. Caroline Schiff starts with all the information you need to start your own, followed by fifty recipes that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Broken into five sections \u2014 Sweet Breads, Buns and Loaves; Biscuits, Scones and Morning Sweets; Pies, Tarts, Cobblers and Crumbles; Cookies, Bars and Sweet Little Bites; and Clever Cakes \u2014 there is something for everyone. Each recipe begins with an interesting paragraph from Schiff explaining what makes the recipe special or why it\u2019s included or some such. All ingredients are listed in both grams and cups, and the instructions are extensive and very complete. Lots of mouthwatering photographs will help break down any resistance one might have. Unfortunately, there is no nutritional information, but maybe calorie counts would defeat the purpose of a cookbook for sweets. Do not miss the Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate Tart or the Milk Chocolate\u2014Caramel G\u0101teau Breton. These will make you a sourdough believer.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 21:30:22", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010797011", "title": "The Murder Rule: A Novel", "author": "Dervla McTiernan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 199, "review": "Hannah has just joined the Innocence Project, a group of lawyers and law students dedicated to freeing those who\u2019ve been wrongly convicted. This team is working around the clock on their latest case, where a man named Michael Dandridge was convicted of raping and murdering a young mother, which was then overturned, but the DA is retrying the case. What the team doesn\u2019t know is that Hannah is convinced he\u2019s guilty and she\u2019s going to do everything in her power to keep him in prison. The Murder Rule is all she can think about and Hannah won\u2019t stop until he pays.

My highest praise for this book would be that it is filled to the brim with complicated characters. I agree with the tagline that \u201cno one is innocent in this story.\u201d I loved watching the characters evolve and change their viewpoints as they discovered more information and found out the truth about each other. The plot was intriguing and I enjoyed seeing how the Innocence Project works. There\u2019s a prevailing theme here that the justice system is great, but it\u2019s just as flawed and complicated as the people who are a part of it. You should check it out.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "02-May-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 21:28:42", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010797007", "title": "The Last Princess", "author": "Shelley Wilson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 186, "review": "The Last Princess is an intriguing coming-of-age tale about a young girl fighting for both the legacy she was born into and the legacy fate has offered her. Princess Edith of Northumbria is the eldest child of the Saxon king. Without a male heir, Edith is groomed to take the crown. However, when the king is betrayed by one of his Elderman, the succession plans die alongside him. Edith escapes the ambush, only to find herself captured and enslaved by a roaming band of pirates and later handed off to a Viking jarl. Motivated by revenge, Edith swears to return to the shores of England for both her crown and the usurper\u2019s head.

The story is rich in historical lore from the Viking Age. The author clearly invested time in building a historically accurate world with authentic figures, places, and customs. However, with so much emphasis on the setting, other elements such as character development appeared to be a secondary focus. The characters lacked depth and often failed to express a range of emotions. Due to the noticeably absent human connection, the story felt rather anti-climactic.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "27-May-2022", "date_added": "28-Jan-2022 17:15:18", "publisher": "BHC Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010793007", "title": "Seeking Best Friend", "author": "Alison Marcotte", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "A little girl is in need of a best friend, but there are certain things that this best friend needs to understand. First, the new best friend must be kind. And it will be nice if the new friend also likes bugs, but does not like them enough to eat them! Playing dress-up will be a plus, but not scaring her cat. The best friend should be able to help fix things and not break her bike. Treasure hunting is a good quality, but only if one doesn\u2019t hog the treasure. And so it goes, with many more suggestions and requirements, but there is someone for everyone and this little girl is no exception. There is a friend for her.

Alison Marcotte has written a fun, simple text for very young listeners that will help them to understand what it takes to be a good friend, and perhaps what it takes to remain a good friend, a message youngsters and parents will find helpful. The repetition will help youngsters retain the information. The illustrations by Diane Ewen are quite charming and colorful, with lots of fun details to keep youngsters' eyes engaged with the book.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "17-Feb-2022", "date_added": "26-Jan-2022 22:33:36", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010793003", "title": "How to Train Your Pet Brain", "author": "Nelly Buchet", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 162, "review": "How to Train Your Pet Brain is a great book to help understand how your brain actually works for you. IF you think of your brain like a pet that needs to be trained it can help you to control big emotions. It is not easy to train your brain and you must practice how to react to stressful or emotional situations, even if it feels stubborn or out of control. Some big feelings make it hard to communicate with your brain and that's ok sometimes you just need a hug or to sit calmly before you can find your words. Just keep working and in time you will have your brain trained just the way you want it.

This book is so funny and informative. I really like the colorful and funny illustrations that show how your brain is acting or running away when you get upset or feel out of control. What a great way to learn more about my brain.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2022", "date_added": "26-Jan-2022 22:32:02", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010792015", "title": "The Orientation of Dylan Woodger: A Central New York Crime Story", "author": "Chiuba E. Obele", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Willow Greymoor", "word_count": 438, "review": "The Orientation of Dylan Woodger by Chiuba Obele chronicled the life of young Dylan, a vibrant freshman embarking on his college career at Hamilton College in upstate New York. Shortly after he arrived, Dylan was captured and tormented by the mafia, which resulted in him losing his memory for three years and a litany of amnesia-related emotional and mental health issues.

Upon Dylan's realization of his lost years, he was determined to locate the memories of the past three years; memories locked deep within this subconscious were slowly released to his conscience mind for further exploration. As Dylan pieced his fragmented memories together, he discovered that he had stolen three million dollars from a merciless mob boss and did not remember how or when he committed the crime.

He learned that someone had ratted on young Dylan and drugged him with a memory deleting substance, which resulted in him ensconced amidst assassins, gangsters, detectives, and the heaviness of living with the crimes he had committed.

Also, Dylan grappled with the dichotomous nature of his psyche, which allowed him to commit egregious crimes and the other part of his conscience that inherently desired to live a civil life and do the right thing. Battling the polarized components of his personality, in tandem with PTSD symptoms, led him to seek help from a support group for trauma survivors, where he learned to manage his emotions and discovered tools for dealing with the traumatic memories associated with the past.

Furthermore, the novel tackles several macro-level social issues plaguing modern America regarding feminism, racism, sexism, and poverty. It gives the reader a bird's eye view of the various personality and psychological traits of criminally inclined minds and a nuanced perspective of criminality and how it is a component of humanity's past and present social problems.

Dylan's story highlights the importance of mental health services for men and demonstrates the lack of emotional and mental health services for men who have survived trauma and how the dearth of these services has determinately affected the male population of traumatic abuse survivors. Also, Dylan's survivorship provided an example of how men can heal and help each other find peace within support groups.

Although the mentioned social problems are controversial, it is crucial to ascertain nuance and an open mind when contemplating these social issues. Obele has provided an excellent framework for further discussions and thoughts about these ever-present criminalities and social problems that affect public health and safety.

The Orientation of Dylan Woodger is an excellent book for crime novel enthusiasts and anyone who would like to broaden their understanding of the macro-level social issues men face in the age of modernity.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2022", "date_added": "27-Jan-2022 23:05:17", "publisher": "Fischer House Publications", "page_count": "478 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010792011", "title": "A Coin for the Ferryman", "author": "Megan Edwards", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 578, "review": "A thrilling time-travel adventure story packed with interesting historical details, Megan Edwards\u2019 A Coin for the Ferryman opens on March 15 in 44 BCE, a date perhaps better known as the Ides of March, as Julius Caesar awakes on what was originally destined to be a very bad day for him. Of course, Caesar is unaware of what is waiting for him on the steps of the Forum and so blithely goes about his business, which allows Edwards to set the scene in Ancient Rome and share engaging insights into his marriage and other relationships.

While Caesar\u2019s fate appears sealed, the action then jumps forward to 2003, which sees Cassandra Fleury struggling through a sleepless night before she and her son finally move out of her mother\u2019s trailer. Hoping to distract herself, Cassandra picks up a book written by Pippa Sykes, a former acquaintance who was dismissed by fellow academics as a crank after formulating an archeological theory involves aliens and time travel. As Cassandra reads, the narrative shifts to Pippa\u2019s perspective as she writes about the unlikely origins of her revelatory findings and her estrangement from mainstream academia.

Cassandra\u2019s story then shifts back in time to 1998, when she is struggling with heartbreak while working as a cocktail waitress in Las Vegas. She reluctantly lets a friend talk her into a night\u2019s work as an escort, being paid a significant sum to keep a visiting businessman entertained. Fortunately, the man in question turns out to be philanthropist Alexander Hunt, who offers her the no-strings-attached chance to pursue her dream of studying classics at college. Meanwhile, Nobel laureate Andrew Danicek is building a new laboratory in which he intends to conduct pioneering experiments in time travel.

All these disparate characters and more are eventually brought together in the pursuance of a bold endeavor: an attempt to extract Julius Caesar from Ancient Rome at the exact moment of his assassination and transport him through time to Danicek\u2019s lab in the California of 1998. In might sound like an extraordinary adventure, but it also poses significant moral questions. Can it ever really be fair to snatch someone from the jaws of death, transport them across time and space, learn everything you can from them, and then send them back to their tragic fate?

A Coin for the Ferryman asks these questions through its characters and in so doing elucidates the divergent views that people will have on the issues. While such aspects of the plot are quite weighty, there is still plenty of action and intrigue to enjoy too. A secret time-travel project was always going to face difficulty remaining secret, just as people were always going to be tempted to exploit the technology for personal gain. Still, it\u2019s not always easy to tell the baddies from the goodies, although there are certain characters who are easier to root for than others.

Edwards has clearly done a great deal of research into the life of Julius Caesar, and she does a commendable job of integrating him into the story as a pivotal character, both in flashbacks to Ancient Rome and in scenes featuring the team from 1998. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the actual mechanics of the time-travel technology are not considered in detail, although the motivation and logistics behind the project do mainly seem plausible. With its novel plot point being the temporal kidnapping of Caesar, A Coin for the Ferryman is an exciting and innovative thriller with a solid historical foundation.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "17-Mar-2022", "date_added": "26-Jan-2022 22:32:07", "publisher": "Imbrifex Books", "page_count": "540 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010791011", "title": "Unnatural Ends", "author": "Christopher Huang", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 199, "review": "Sir Lawrence Linwood has been bludgeoned to death in his study. His three adopted children, Alan, Roger, and Caroline, return home for the funeral only to be told he was murdered and that his will states that if he were to meet with Unnatural Ends, whoever solves his murder will inherit Linwood Hollow. As the three of them look for clues and dig into the past, forgotten memories surface, and while they always knew their father was bordering on cruel, they would have never guessed how far he would have taken things. As the bodies begin to pile up, the three siblings know they are going to have to be smarter before they meet their own unnatural end.

I tend to scoff when someone compares a mystery writer to Agatha Christie. As if simply writing a mystery puts you in the same category as her. However, I found that Christopher Huang really deserves that praise. This story and the characters are so well written. The plot is engaging and full of suspense, but the slow-burning kind that keeps you pressing on until a big reveal at the end worthy of Hercule Poirot himself. I highly recommend this excellent book.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2022", "date_added": "26-Jan-2022 22:35:43", "publisher": "Inkshares", "page_count": "450 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010790007", "title": "Abandoned in Death", "author": "J. D. Robb", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 215, "review": "A murder committed in the future with ties to the past. A serial killer is roaming the streets of New York on the hunt for the \"perfect\" replacement for a lost loved one. A young woman finds herself one minute in the throes of lust and the next in the cold and dark room of a man who does not seem to be \"all there.\" She has unknowingly become the third victim, but will she the last? Once the first murder victim is found on a park bench in a children's playground, there are clues left but not quite enough. Without a break, nothing short of a miracle can solve this case. Leave it to Eve Dallas, though, to prove everyone wrong in the In Death series by J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts).

Abandoned in Death did more than tug at my heartstrings, it yanked them in all directions. The story alone was excellent, but to prevent many questions, it is advisable to read the series in order. I was not aware and struggled with questions throughout the story. Even with continuous characters for fifty-plus books now, Abandoned in Death showed its own character development with a solid and surprising end. Fans of the author or genre will enjoy this new addition to the series.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "28-Mar-2022", "date_added": "26-Jan-2022 22:24:47", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010787007", "title": "Cleopatra and Frankenstein", "author": "Coco Mellors", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Dina Dugar", "word_count": 210, "review": "Mellors\u2019s debut novel, Cleopatra and Frankenstein, is a portrait of love and becoming, spread across marriage, friendship, addiction, art, trauma, and all of the ugly and sparkling things left in their wake. The story begins with a RomCom meet-cute, young British artist Cleo running into middle-aged successful Frank in the elevator during a mutual friend\u2019s New Year\u2019s Party in the wake of the mid-2000s. Following their quick love and quick marriage, the narrative does not rely on plot as it weaves itself across the different characters that make up their lives: Cleo and Frank themselves, as well as the friends and family who step in and out of the scene, a RomCom cast fitting of both the novel\u2019s story as well as its understanding of imperfect human relationships and what they reveal about identity and self.

Mellors\u2019s voice is self-conscious and indulgent but aware, using its understanding of the ego to propel the novel\u2019s themes on building one\u2019s identity in the wake of trauma and personal growth. The narrative is brutally honest, indulging in the imperfections of human life as well as the ego built around a stereotypical bohemian sadness, while at the same time observing and giving grace to the fact that becoming better is often an asymptotic pursuit.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "19-May-2022", "date_added": "26-Jan-2022 22:29:06", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Publishing", "page_count": "378 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010786003", "title": "Live, Local, and Dead (A Vermont Radio Mystery)", "author": "Nikki Knight", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 189, "review": "Jaye Jordan may have shot the snowman, but she didn't shoot the man inside. Even if she did fire him when he was alive. It doesn't help her reputation or her argument that she's innocent when people start protesting. Re-building her life since her divorce and relocation to Vermont from New York City is derailed by running a radio station, reconnecting with an old crush, and investigating a murder to prove her own innocence.

Jaye is a delightful amateur sleuth with a quick-wit, a no-nonsense personality, and a voice that drives the story along through her attitude and humor. Balancing out her investigation is her job as a loving mother and her journey as a woman trying to rebuild her life after a major change. The tone is derived from the first-person narration to create a humorous and sarcastic attitude that completely encompasses the personality of Jaye.

The cozy mystery is set against a background that incorporates various social issues. A phenomenally sarcastic voice brings Jaye Jordan to life as Nikki Knight delivers a highly entertaining cozy that strikes out on its own with originality, social issues, and spunk.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 19:07:02", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010785011", "title": "Garbage Man", "author": "Aaron Lopresti", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 201, "review": "It was ambition that got Richard Morse the most lucrative clients, but after discovering that Titan Pharmaceuticals was involved in the illegal dumping of chemicals and questionable research practices, it was his morals that got him in trouble. To keep him quiet, Richard became Titan\u2019s next test subject. After an explosion at the lab, Richard\u2019s remains mixed with the toxic waste. What he became could no longer be called man. With revenge on his mind, he is on a mission to take out the trash.

Prolific comic book artist Aaron Lopresti has rereleased Garbage Man. First published for DC Comics in the \u201cWeird Worlds\u201d and \u201cMy Greatest Adventure\u201d anthologies, Lopresti turned to Dark Horse Books to give his creation its own platform. Many superheroes are borne out of the crisis of the day. Lopresti\u2019s creature is a product of rampant pollution and corporate corruption. He also touches on topics of domestic abuse and homelessness, using his platform to bring attention to today\u2019s issues. The artwork is just as dark as the subject matter but no less spectacular. As an author and primary artist, Lopresti\u2019s creativity is apparent. Garbage Man is just the monster needed to clean up the problems of today.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 17:53:27", "publisher": "Dark Horse Books", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010784003", "title": "The Wrong Woman: A Novel (A Kendall Beck Thriller)", "author": "Leanne Kale Sparks", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 195, "review": "Years ago, FBI agent Kendall Beck barely survived her encounter with the serial killer known as the Reaper. Now, to deal with the pain and regret from the past, she hunts down monsters such as whoever took five-year-old Emily. While investigating this case, Kendall\u2019s best friend and roommate, Gwen, is found brutally murdered. As Kendall digs deeper, she and Detective Adam Taylor begin to see that the cases might be linked, possibly even to the Reaper case as well. Was the killer actually after Gwen? Or was it Kendall he was after and he just got The Wrong Woman?. When your job is to hunt monsters, it\u2019s inevitable that the monsters will hunt you back.

I\u2019m very thankful that this is the beginning of a series, as the ending was wrapped up a little too neatly for me, with way too many questions left unanswered. I have an idea of who the Reaper really is and look forward to finding out if my hunches are correct. Anyone who is a fan of police procedurals involving serial killers and a strong female lead will enjoy this new series, especially fans of Meg Gardiner and Tessa Wegert.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 17:26:50", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010783007", "title": "The View from the Very Best House in Town", "author": "Meera Trehan", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - age 10", "word_count": 134, "review": "Asha has always been best friends with Sam. They play a game called HouseHaunt together, where they make houses and defeat the monsters that appear. They also play fake-soccer. Everything is perfect until Sam gets invited to go to Castleton Academy, where he becomes friends with Asha\u2019s enemy, Prestyn.

Sam\u2019s excited to be at Castleton. But everybody is saying \u201cmiracle boy\u201d to him and suddenly he\u2019s not so excited anymore. Only when Prestyn asks him to be his partner for a project does all the murmuring stop. Prestyn is nice at first\u2026 but is she actually that friendly?

I really enjoyed this book. I liked reading Asha\u2019s point of view, Sam\u2019s point of view, and even Prestyn\u2019s house, Donnybrook\u2019s, point of view. Anybody who likes stories about friendship and trust would like this tale.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "15-Mar-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 18:29:42", "publisher": "Walker Books US", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010782019", "title": "Nom Nom Paleo: Let's Go! (Volume 3)", "author": "Michelle Tam", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 952, "review": "Try Something New!\n\nWhether you like thumbing through recipes just for pleasure or are looking for inspiration for meals, these five cookbooks will definitely spice things up. Through reading them, you will be introduced to new homemade soup recipes, Chinese baked goods, simple and healthy paleo meals, new ways of cooking with eggs, and recipes born out of foraging.\n\nSoup Club: 80 Cozy Recipes for Creative Plant-Based Soups and Stews to Share by Caroline Wright\n\nThis is a cookbook unlike any other. It is not only about the recipes, but is also a heartwarming story of a community coming together and giving to a member during a frightening period of her life. Caroline Wright was given a crushing brain cancer diagnosis, and not long after this, she found herself really craving homemade soup. She told her friends, who started rallying around her, and then Wright started finding soup on her doorstep daily for several months afterwards. Thankfully she survived, and this book is a thank you to those friends and followers who were touched by her story. The recipes in this book are plant-based and sound very delicious. They are not the blended kind but more the chunky kind, and many of the recipes use nutritional yeast. The instructions are for cooking on the stove, although there is a section dedicated to instant pot instructions. There are also recipes for breads and salads and how to make your own spice blends. Some of the soup recipes that sounded particularly delicious were the Moroccan Vegetable Stew, Golden Borscht, and Cowboy Chili. Soup Club really is a must-have for soup and stew fans, and you do not have to be vegan to enjoy these recipes.\n\nMooncakes and Milk Bread: Sweet and Savory Recipes Inspired by Chinese Bakeries by Kristina Cho\n\nIf you are interested in Chinese baked goods, then this book is for you! Mooncakes and Milk Bread is filled with Chinese bakery recipes, and it is made simple by the step-by-step instructions for the heavenly family-based recipes provided by food blogger Kristina Cho. If you are intimidated by the Chinese ingredients, Cho takes you through the experience of shopping in an Asian grocery store and explains the differences between ingredients and the equipment needed to create these recipes. The recipes included in this book consist of different types of Chinese buns and breads, cakes, cookies, dumplings, and drinks. Additionally, there are no-bake recipes for dim sum, pancakes, and potstickers. The pictures that accompany each recipe help to provide visual guidance, and all the food looks like it has been made by a modern Chinese professional chef/baker. The book is an all-round winner for fun and expanding your repertoire.\n\nNom Nom Paleo: Let's Go! (Volume 3) by Michelle Tam and Henry Fong\n\nMichelle Tam and Henry Fong, the creators of the New York Times bestseller Nom Nom Paleo, offer a new Asian-inspired collection of paleo recipes in Nom Nom Paleo: Let\u2019s Go! There are even keto, whole30, and vegan-based recipes, and they are all full of umami flavor. Tam and Fong emphasize that the best and healthiest meals are the ones cooked at home, and this cookbook will give you the enthusiasm necessary to get going in your own kitchen. You will be surprised at how simple these recipes are and how they are perfect for when you are cooking for others. Your guests will be surprised by how tasty the food turns out, even though they are wholefood recipes and free of gluten, dairy, grains, and refined sugar. Some of the delights include Cantonese Roast Duck, Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole, and Paleo-Friendly Cream Puffs. You only need to be a novice cook and you can make food that tastes heavenly!\n\nThe Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook: Over 100 Fabulous Recipes to Use Eggs in Unexpected Ways by Lisa Steele\n\nFifth generation chicken keeper and top-selling author Lisa Steele shows how easy and appetizing meals can be after adding eggs. The Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook teaches you all about eggs, such as debunking certain egg-related myths and explaining what particular labels on egg cartons signify. Steele works with you, starting from the basics of cooking eggs and moving through all the different techniques. The photography in the book is fantastic and really inspires you to try the recipes. You can learn how to make a French Tri-fold Omelet, Swedish Egg Coffee, and Hand Pies, as well as other sweet and savory recipes, and they all come with Steele\u2019s own modifications. This book is an inventive and exciting cookbook for a novice or an accomplished cook looking to branch out and discover new things every day.\n\nField Notes for Food Adventure: Recipes and Stories from the Woods to the Ocean by Brad Leone\n\nBrad Leone teaches us about being resourceful and inventive in the New York Times bestseller Field Notes for Food Adventure as he seeks out the wonderful natural ingredients of the North East. Exploring all that nature has to offer, foraging in fields, rivers, forests, and the sea, Leone captures your imagination by providing outstanding ideas for inspirational home cookery. He introduces you to ramps, different types of mushrooms, and the various ways of preserving them, as well as to undervalued oceanic ingredients such as squid and seaweed. All the recipes have the Brad Leone stamp, with the Spicy Tomato Chicken, Sous Vide Mountain Ribs, and the Cold Root Salad seeming particularly appetizing, in addition to the recipes for drinks such as Fermented Bloody Mary and Sumac Lemonade. There\u2019s even a simple recipe for Chile Hot Sauce. Voted Food52\u2019s Best Cookbook of the Year, this flavorsome tome is not your typical cookbook, but it will certainly open your mind to exciting new ideas and ingredients.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 17:35:23", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010782015", "title": "L.A. Burning: A Novel", "author": "D. C. Taylor", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 183, "review": "Cody Bonner has just served time for a bank robbery and is being released back into her L.A. life. The daughter of a Hollywood actress, Cody lived a charmed childhood and then became tempted by drugs. While she was in prison, her twin sister Julie was killed. Now, Cody is desperate to find Julie\u2019s killer, and she will stop at nothing to seek revenge.

After a slow start, I was hooked on L.A. Burning within a few chapters. Cody Bonner learned a lot in prison, including how to fight and get away with crime. I loved reading about her taking down sleazy men throughout the book, and I rooted for her to find Julie\u2019s killer. This book was suspenseful and kept me interested, anticipating that Cody would solve Julie\u2019s murder case and give the killer what he had coming. The backdrop of the L.A. film industry kept the book exciting and confirmed the stereotype of film moguls as shady characters. Cody is a strong female lead who won\u2019t take no for an answer. This book is fast-paced, well-written, and tough to put down!", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 17:31:32", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "282 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010782011", "title": "In The Garden With Flori", "author": "Sonja Danowski", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 9; Julianne - age 6", "word_count": 174, "review": "In the Garden with Flori by Sonja Danowski is a really good book. It has a girl, her family, and her dog, Flori. When Linn\u2019s grandpa accidentally trips over a root in the garden and hurts his foot, he asks Linn to look after his garden for him. The mischievous Flori causes trouble in the greenhouse and things get all wacky from there. Flori is a lot of trouble but still a good dog. What will Linn do? Will her grandpa be mad? And where did all the snails come from?

We were worried about Linn taking care of the garden on her own. And because of the snails. We loved learning about common garden snails in the back of the book. So now we know what to do if they ever visit our garden! This could be useful for people who garden or who like gardens, because of the snail part. The pictures in the book are wonderful, even those painted by one of the characters, and it made us excited to garden.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "06-Apr-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 16:47:18", "publisher": "NorthSouth Books", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010782007", "title": "Badger is Bored", "author": "Moritz Petz", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 127, "review": "Have you ever wondered what badgers do when they get bored? Well, this book is for you! When badger is bored and can't have any fun alone he seeks some friends for entertainment, but what happens when Badger gets bored with his friends? He finds more friends, of course! Eventually Badger and his friends are able to be entertained when they dive into a fun imaginary game full of excitement and the more friends the better!

This was a cute book. I liked reading about the adventures Badger and his friends take together in a world of imagination. The illustrations were delightful. I really liked reading about all the different woodland animals. This was a fun book to read, but it wasn't as funny as I expected.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "12-May-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 16:46:19", "publisher": "NorthSouth Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010782003", "title": "The Summer Getaway: A Novel", "author": "Susan Mallery", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Soha - age 13", "word_count": 158, "review": "Robyn\u2019s life gets heavy with friends and family dumping their problems on her, and she finally has enough of it. Robyn\u2019s great aunt invites her to come and spend some time with her in her beachside mansion. This sounds like an amazing escape to Robyn, so she hops on the next flight to California. Slowly, Robyn\u2019s friends and family follow her to California, where all their problems are seemingly less problematic. Robyn finally can see her future and her ambitions spark again after four years.

Throughout the story, readers connect with the characters, creating their own opinions and emotions about them. Susan Mallery keeps readers engaged with the intriguing storyline. At the end of the story, readers are left with the message that patience is the greatest key to solving a problem. This book should be of interest to readers above the age of twelve. This was a great read and would be a great recommendation for readers.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "01-Aug-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 16:37:51", "publisher": "HQN", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010781043", "title": "The Midnight Girls: Sapphic Monster Girl Romance", "author": "Alicia Jasinska", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 13", "word_count": 202, "review": "Marynka and Zosia are witches, each bound to one of the three witch sisters that rule the forest. They are tasked with the important errand of stealing the hearts of princes to grow their patron\u2019s magic, and failure means death.

When both girls are instructed to steal the pure heart of Lechija\u2019s prince, their rivalry is reignited. Marynka doesn\u2019t want Zosia to get away with this heart; she wants to bring it back to her witch to prove herself to be the best. Zosia wants the heart for herself in order to gain insurmountable power.

But Marynka and Zosia are slowly falling for each other, even as the competition for the heart grows fiercer. Will they be able to keep their love for each other intact, as well as their lives?

This book was an enjoyable read, with plenty of twists and turns. Marynka and Zosia were fun characters with an interesting dynamic and an entertaining romantic arc. Both the girls had distinct personalities, and I loved reading their scenes. The writing was good, and I liked the unique setting descriptions that made the story come alive. I really liked this book and can\u2019t wait to see what the author writes next!", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2022", "date_added": "25-Jan-2022 20:29:49", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Fire", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010781035", "title": "How to Fake It in Hollywood: A Novel", "author": "Ava Wilder", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 852, "review": "Run Away With Romance\n\nSummer\u2019s nearly here and what better way to while away the hours spent lounging by the pool than reading a host of cracking romance novels. In fact, if you\u2019re looking for a bit of holiday escapism, look no further than the five recent releases included in this roundup. \n\nThe Moment I Met You by Debbie Johnson\n\nWhen Elena Godwin\u2019s life changed in an instant during what was otherwise a dream holiday in Mexico, it was a stranger who was holding her while she attempted to come to terms with things. She had previously believed herself to be firmly in control of her own destiny, but that one moment changed her outlook and caused her to recognize just how fragile life can be. Even ten years later, she can\u2019t forget the face of that stranger, and when circumstances bring the two of them back together again, she begins to confront the truth of what happened back then and to question whether she really did the right thing. Debbie Johnson\u2019s The Moment I Met You is an emotional roller-coaster of a novel that shocks, intrigues, and well and truly tugs at the heartstrings. \n\nThe Emma Project by Sonali Dev\n\nJane Austen\u2019s Emma gets retold with an Indian American twist in Sonali Dev\u2019s The Emma Project, a heartwarming rom-com with plenty of humor, family drama, and spice. Handsome, wealthy, and from a close and loving family, Vansh Raje appears to be living a charmed life, which is likely why he is able to dedicate his time to making the world a better place without ever really having to face any hardship or unpleasantness. By contrast, Naina Kohli has just ended a lengthy fake relationship with Vansh\u2019s brother and wants nothing more than to never see the Raje family again. Well, that and to alleviate the poverty of millions of women in South Asia. When Naina and Vansh end up competing for funding for their respective projects, the sparks start to fly. \n\nBirds of California by Katie Cotugno\n\nWhen former child star Fiona St. James decided to drop out of the spotlight following a rather spectacular public meltdown, the paparazzi showed her no mercy, even going to far as to suggest that she was mentally ill. It has taken years for Fiona to regain a sense of peace and a modicum of privacy, and she\u2019s determined not to let anyone take that away from her. However, while Fiona has come to enjoy the quiet life, her former costar Sam Fox still craves the trappings of fame, which is why he agrees to work on a reboot of their old show after his current one is cancelled. Unfortunately for Sam, the reboot project will only go ahead if Fiona agrees to participate, and there doesn\u2019t seem to be much chance of that. Birds of California by Katie Cotugno follows the pair as, against Fiona\u2019s better judgement, they get reacquainted and their former friendship possibly starts to develop into something more.\n\nHow to Fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder\n\nAva Wilder\u2019s How to Fake it in Hollywood centers on television mainstay Grey Brooks, who is desperately seeking a means of keeping her career on track now that her long-running and much-loved series has been cancelled. She\u2019s so desperate in fact that she\u2019s willing to go along with her publicist\u2019s shady plan to fake a relationship with a washed-up former heartthrob and then milk it for all the publicity they can get. Meanwhile, Ethan Atkins just wants to be left alone with his grief following his divorce and the death of his best friend, seemingly content to drink himself into an early grave. However, Ethan would like to get one last movie made, and the only way he can achieve that is to attract the viewing public\u2019s attention once again. What better way to do that than to agree to a fake relationship with Grey? The chemistry between the pair sizzles as they each attempt to use the other to boost their Hollywood star.\n\nThe Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian\n\nWhen Marian Hayes, the Duchess of Clare, shoots her husband, she has little choice but to flee the country in an effort to avoid justice. It doesn\u2019t seem to matter that the man only got what he deserved, and all her former friends have turned their backs on her. Marian\u2019s only hope of escape might just be Rob Brooks, a criminal who has been blackmailing her and who she recently left tied up in a dodgy inn. For his part, Rob is no stranger to the need to escape, although he is surprised to find himself so willing to help the woman who has cost him money and caused him so much trouble. As the two of them go on the run across the country, stopping only to drink and engage in some petty theft, they come to realize that they have far more in common than they could ever have imaged. Cat Sebastian\u2019s The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is a historical romance packed with plenty of humor and excitement.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jan-2022 17:22:19", "publisher": "Dell", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010781031", "title": "Whispers of the Gods: Tales from Baseball\u2019s Golden Age, Told by the Men Who Played It", "author": "Peter Golenbock", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Americans may be without baseball this year, at least for a while, but for baseball fans out there comes this wonderful compendium of baseball stories. Peter Golenbock is a baseball writer with several baseball books under his belt and hours and hours of taped interviews with some of the great players from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s \u2014 players like Ted Williams and Phil Rizutto and Roy Campanella, whose names everyone knows, and players with names that aren\u2019t so familiar but who also had great careers and experiences to share. There are seventeen chapters in the book representing sixteen different big leaguers telling stories about their own time in the show. Jim Bouton, who wrote a pretty good baseball book himself, has two chapters, bookending all the other stories. Each has a little introduction by Golenbock, but the rest seems to be a transcript of the tapes Golenbock made all those years ago. There are wonderful old photos of the players and those they are talking about. This will be a welcome addition to the library of any baseball fan, especially those who love the history of the game. Whispers of the Gods is definitely a home run.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "08-Mar-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 19:11:32", "publisher": "Rowman & Littlefield Publishers", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010781027", "title": "Rabbits: A Novel", "author": "Terry Miles", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 190, "review": "From the mind behind the hugely successful Tanis podcast and the popular Rabbits podcast comes a book set in the same universe, Rabbits. It is a standalone novel that can be enjoyed whether you\u2019ve listened to the podcast or not, and regardless, you will be taken on one wild ride.

It\u2019s thought the game started in 1959, though it\u2019s possible it truly began in some form much earlier. There have supposedly been ten iterations of the game, nine winners who remain in obscurity, as do their winnings. People have also died playing the game. Our main character is K, who is obsessed with the game that has colloquially become known as \u201crabbits,\u201d who is approached by a billionaire who won the sixth iteration, saying something has gone terribly wrong with the game, which could have ramifications that will affect the entire world.

Terry Miles has the same way with words on the page as he does with words in your ears. From the very beginning, this book sucks you in and does not give you a chance to breathe until the final page, and you just end up wanting more.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 18:34:22", "publisher": "Del Rey", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010781019", "title": "One-Shot Harry", "author": "Gary Phillips", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Since Harry Ingram came back from the Korean War, having served in an integrated unit, he has made his living in Los Angeles as a photographer and process server. He spends most of his time in Black neighborhoods and clubs, but stays in touch with White friends as well. When Ben Kinslow, a White buddy from the war, turns up dead following a very questionable accident, Harry gets some interesting pictures and decides to try to find out what really happened. Needless to say, it puts Harry in some difficult, dangerous positions.

Gary Phillips, with this first book in what will become a mystery series, takes readers to Los Angeles in the 1960s and into areas not often written about. He imbues the text with the slang of the time and place. There is an old adage in writing that if minor characters don\u2019t have an impact on the story, they shouldn\u2019t have names. Not only does every minor character have a name, but a backstory as well. This really slows down what should have been a fast-moving story. A round of good editing could solve this. If future books solve the writing problem, they should be good.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "04-May-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 17:37:07", "publisher": "Soho Crime", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010781015", "title": "Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library (A Lakeside Library Mystery Book 2)", "author": "Holly Danvers", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 188, "review": "Rain Wilmot has decided to keep the library attached to her log cottage in Wisconsin open for the winter season. The snowstorm on the horizon is keeping the library humming with locals. There's also the local fishing jamboree, a yearly event that everyone is eager to attend despite the bitter cold. But before the gathering can get underway, the body of Wallace Benson is found in his ice-fishing hut. Rain's friend Nick is accused of the murder, which leaves his wife Julia and Rain to try and clear his name before the oncoming blizzard snows them in. But will the killer strike again before Rain and Julia find any evidence to clear Nick's name?

I have to admit that it took me a few chapters to get into this novel. But by the end, I came to appreciate the friendship between Rain and Julia as well as the warm and cozy feeling the author was able to convey through setting and atmosphere. In addition, I liked the overall plot and the unexpected ending. Overall, Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library turned out to be a fast-paced, enjoyable read.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "28-Mar-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 17:28:23", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "299 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010781011", "title": "Babylon", "author": "Tomi Ungerer", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 190, "review": "Tomi Ungerer, noted French cartoonist of the last century, had the knack of exposing the vices sequestered in the mythic Pandora\u2019s box and of capturing the perverse behaviors within contemporary culture with his fluid pencil sketches.

Included in this volume entitled Babylon, recalling the biblical city noted for immorality, vice, and wickedness, are about fifty reproductions of his flowing ironic caricatures of the visible human defects evidenced in the middle of the last century. These scribbled images are as relevant today as when they were first committed to paper. Each of the cartoon drawings draws on the imagination while challenging the viewer to fathom its significance in the political, militaristic, religious, or egoistic milieu.

Check out the moneymaker fingering his paunchy calculator or recall a more familiar cartoon of the blind militarist working his phallic weapon, testosterone trumping reason. Cartoons can scald the senses with their piercing revelations of human folly, as this master sketcher appears to achieve by brilliantly caricaturing the ongoing issues in politics, race relations, the women\u2019s movement, self-idolatry, and other social questions. This is a work that will appeal to artists, cartoonists, and the engaged reader.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 17:10:03", "publisher": "Fantagraphics", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010780015", "title": "Holding Her Breath: A Novel", "author": "Eimear Ryan", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zara - age 13", "word_count": 150, "review": "Holding Her Breath by Eimear Ryan is a book about a college student named Beth, who is the granddaughter of a famous poet. Her grandfather was barely spoken of growing up, and now as an adult, she learns more and more about him.

Starting the book was very rocky, and I had trouble getting into a flow. I think that sometimes there was too much going on with the plot, and it had many complications. I got to learn a lot about Beth and her family's past. Although the writing was a bit hard to follow, I could picture the scenes in my head, and I could envision what was going on.

I would recommend Holding Her Breath to people ages fourteen to sixteen and people that are interested in the coming-of-age genre. Although I didn't like it as much as I had wished, I hope you enjoy reading this book.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "22-Sep-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 22:41:29", "publisher": "Mariner Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010780007", "title": "Killing Time", "author": "Brenna Ehrlich", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 191, "review": "Natalie Temple, a graduating high school student and avid reader of true crime, lives in the small Connecticut town of Ferry. Nothing happens in Ferry until Natalie\u2019s favorite teacher and fellow true crime addict, Lynn Halsey, is found dead. Natalie is especially upset because her last words with Lynn were spoken in anger during an ugly exchange precipitated by Natalie\u2019s over-protective mother.

Aided by her friend and two possible boyfriends (one dark and street-smart, the other dull but nice), Natalie investigates her teacher\u2019s death. Posing as a reporter, her career aspiration, she surreptitiously interviews the main suspects. Meanwhile, a parallel story tells of her mother\u2019s own investigation during her student days\u2013\u2013a missing person case and surely the origin of her need to bubble wrap her daughter.

Despite a sprinkling of four-letter words, Killing Time appears to be aimed at a young adult audience rather than seasoned mystery fans. It is well written and has some clever twists at the end, but it is a long, slow read to get there, with Natalie\u2019s fears and feelings clogging the development of the plot. In sum, an entertaining read, but not a riveting one.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "21-Mar-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 16:34:41", "publisher": "Inkyard Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010779023", "title": "A Dash of Death (A Cocktails and Catering Mystery)", "author": "Michelle Hillen Klump", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 201, "review": "A Dash of Death is the perfect beach or waiting for the bus read. It reads like a small town mystery even though it takes place in Houston, Texas. Main character Samantha is just getting over a bad break-up with her ex-fiance Greg. Her best friends Marisa and Beth convince her to take the homemade cherry bitters she made for the wedding to a benefit being thrown by the Highlands Historic Commission. A few hours into the event, however, a man named Mark gets sick. His girlfriend, Darcy, takes him home but Mark ends up going to the hospital and then passing away. Samantha and her friends later find a glass in the bathroom with a poisonous oleander flower in it. Those were not the flowers Sam had used for the drinks. Sam gets blamed for the murder but then goes on her own investigation to find the real killer.

This book is an easy-to-read pageturner with delightful characters and a wonderful setting. Although a bit predictable, the mystery bounces from theory to theory as Sam tries to figure out who could want to kill the dead man. There's nothing like great food, great cocktails, and a good old fashioned town murder.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "02-Mar-2022", "date_added": "24-Jan-2022 19:03:52", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010778011", "title": "My Little Green Umbrella", "author": "Sandy Little", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 399, "review": "Reminiscent of Shel Silverstein's classic, The Giving Tree, My Little Green Umbrella tells the story of a young girl who owns a green umbrella. The green umbrella takes the girl on many imaginary adventures protecting her from invaders, rough seas, and the like. In fact, the umbrella also has magical qualities that make the sun come out on a rainy day. The girl loves the umbrella very much. But as time passes, the girl outgrows the umbrella and puts it away in a coat closet. It sits in the coat closet for many years. Then one day, a little boy finds the umbrella in the closet. The little boy also takes this magic umbrella on many adventures and loves it just as the girl had many years ago. It even protects him from monsters at night. But the boy also outgrows the umbrella and many years pass once again. An elderly woman and man come to retrieve the umbrella and the umbrella realizes that it is the little girl and boy, a mother and her son, who played with it all those years ago.

My Little Green Umbrella is a simple story that young readers will request over and over again. It is a heartwarming tale about an inanimate object that seems to come to life and even more so becomes the best friend of the child who plays with it. It symbolizes safety and gives laughter and happiness to the child.

The pictures in the book are by Tom Lintern and he does a beautiful job of illustrating the girl, the boy, and all of the adventures they go on with the green umbrella. The style of drawing reminded me a lot of Tomie dePaola's Strega Nona with its calming muted colors and soft lines.

I would love to see a few more adventures added to this story as I think that is what will capture the imaginations of its young readers and listeners. The story also ended a little abruptly and I really would have liked to be able to follow the woman and her son and the umbrella a bit more.

My Little Green Umbrella will become a favorite bedtime story for many young children as it emphasizes the importance of imagination, giving, and the things in our lives that create happiness no matter how big or small. This is a beautifully written and illustrated story.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "02-Feb-2022", "date_added": "23-Jan-2022 21:43:22", "publisher": "Outskirts Press.Inc", "page_count": "33 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010778007", "title": "The Vegetable Grows and the Lion Roars: My Peace Corps Service", "author": "Gary R. Lindberg", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 400, "review": "I felt like I was with Gary Lindberg in the Ivory Coast of West Africa in his book, The Vegetable Grows and the Lion Roars. The novel focuses on Lindberg\u2019s recall of his Peace Corps Service in the 1960s. Full of great adventures and wonderful stories, I loved hearing about his experience, especially about his exposure to many different cultures.

Gary Lindberg joined the Peace Corps right out of college and was soon sent off for training with other prospective volunteers. Not long after, he found himself on his way to West Africa. Upon arrival, Gary\u2019s assignment was to work with locals on creating school and community gardens. The Peace Corps was hoping to promote healthy eating, leave the people a long-lasting skill, and teach of the lucratively of agriculture to overall improve the Ivory Coasts\u2019 way of life. Gary describes both his trials and joys of this process, from teaching the people how to make planches, prepare a pepiniere, and the importance of palliage (mulch) and of keeping a garden maintained. Traveling extensively from village to village, Gary taught as many as he could how to make these gardens and checked up on them periodically to see their progress.

One of my favorite parts of this book was reading about Gary\u2019s interaction with the native peoples. I found it fascinating to learn about their tribes\u2019 ways of life and local customs. I was touched when I read about the extensive generosity and kindness everyone had towards Gary and the way he treated them in return. I also found the chapters about Gary\u2019s personal vacations in Africa, apart from his Peace Corps assignment, to be interesting. The book is full of pictures from these stories, from safari adventures chasing lions, visiting various historic and famous sights, and images of traditional African dress.

Prior to reading this book, I was familiar with the Peace Corps group but honestly unsure of a lot of what they actually did. Therefore, I found this book a great introduction to the Peace Corps and the various work they partake in. I appreciated how authentic Lindberg was in his recall of both the good and bad of his service, making this book especially beneficial for someone who may be considering joining themselves. I think this book is a wonderful insight into the life of a Peace Corps volunteer, from their daily routine to tasks they are expected to perform.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "02-Mar-2022", "date_added": "23-Jan-2022 21:35:49", "publisher": "BookBaby", "page_count": "204 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010778003", "title": "Relentless", "author": "Natasha Miller", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 457, "review": "Relentless is the inspirational true story of a woman who climbs her way to the top of her industry after finding herself homeless at age sixteen. It's Christmas in 1987 and sixteen-year-old Natasha Miller is excited for the boy who she has begun dating, Philip, to come over. But in a split second, Natasha's mother decides to threaten her with a knife, telling her she is going to kill her. A chase ensues and although Natasha's dad loves her, he isn't willing to stand up for her. In fact, he himself turns to the bottle which seems to numb him to the chaos in their household. He tells Natasha to pack up some of her things and brings her to a local teenage shelter.

The mental abuse and anguish from her mother makes it impossible for Natasha to go back home. She ends up getting a job and staying with Gram, her dad's mother. As I read the story, I felt so incredibly sad for this young girl. All she wanted was to be part of a loving family. Instead, the abuse led to anxiety and hopelessness.

But Natasha was a tough young lady. She was a budding violinist and was even given a scholarship to the University of Kansas and attended the school until she had to drop out due to mononucleosis. Through everything, Natasha perseveres. She works hard and meets many different people along the way. Moving to California with her new husband, Nick, Natasha becomes pregnant with their daughter Bennett. Although the relationship doesn't last, she finds herself loving her daughter so much and is able to work from home while raising her.

Relentless is beautifully written and much of it feels as if you are sitting in a room listening to an old friend tell you stories about her childhood. The words flow naturally onto the page. I truly believe that Natasha's entrepreneurial spirit is what pushed her through the hardest of times. She was able to release music, manage gigs, start businesses, and raise her daughter all at once. Her ability to shift from one project to another and figure out how to make things work, especially through the Covid pandemic, is one hundred percent admirable. One of my favorite parts of the book is when Natasha describes her relationship with famous songwriter, Bobby Sharp. I felt like he became a grandfather figure to her and motivated her through stories of his own to reach for her goals.

Relentless is a book that any person can learn a great deal from. No one is without some kind of struggle, and if a sixteen-year-old homeless girl from Iowa can make it onto Inc.'s 5000 list of America's fastest-growing companies, then really, the sky is the limit.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "26-May-2022", "date_added": "23-Jan-2022 21:29:04", "publisher": "Merack Publishing", "page_count": "214 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010776007", "title": "The Nobodies", "author": "Alanna Schubach", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1009, "review": "Summer Reading\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for the perfect holiday read this summer season, then look no further than the five recent releases included in this roundup. Fun, fabulous, and filled with both romance and intrigue, all five books are excellent escapist novels that are just begging to be read at the beach.\n\nThe Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery\n\nWhile Bree, Mikki, and Ashley might have achieved their collective lifelong dream when they opened a beachside bookshop in sunny California, their personal lives sadly remain far less successful than their professional lives. After an early experience of heartbreak caused Bree to swear off romance forever, she has been a fairly contented singleton; however, a close encounter with a visiting author might just persuade her to change stance on the matter. For her part, Mikki has been unable to properly move on since her divorce, although she is keen to find a way to do so. And as for Ashley, she has been planning her dream wedding since she was a little girl, but her boyfriend\u2019s reluctance to tie the knot is making that dream seem increasing out of reach. As the bond between the three friends strengthens as their business prospers, they also find new ways to challenge and support each other in achieving what is truly important to them. Susan Mallery\u2019s The Boardwalk Bookshop is a tribute to the power of friendship and the need to never give up on finding the perfect romance. \n\nThe Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker\n\nThe Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker is a gripping gothic page-turner that offers a surprisingly contemporary interpretation of the traditional coming-of-age tale. There might be ghosts and socially coerced marriages, but there are also fresh feminist takes and bold artistic expressions. Sylvia Wren is recognized as one of the most important American artists of the last century, although she is equally well known for her reclusive lifestyle. From the relative safety of her New Mexico home in 2017, Sylvia looks back on a past that she has tried hard to distance herself from, a past that stretches back to her childhood and adolescence in 1950s Connecticut. Originally known as Iris Chapel, Sylvia was born into the wealthy Chapel munitions dynasty. The second youngest of six sisters, she grew up in an apparently privileged but emotionally cold household with the expectation that she, like her sisters, would secure a good marriage as soon as possible. However, when her oldest sister dies of an unknown cause shortly after getting married, a tragedy that is repeated when her next oldest sister marries, Sylvia determines to find a way to escape both the family curse and the burden of the expectations placed on her.\n\nThe Nobodies by Alanna Schubach\n\nTo the outside world, Nina and Jess seem like typical best friends, close and willing to do almost anything for each other. Yet, no one suspects just how close they really are nor the massive secret that they share: when Nina and Jess touch their heads together, they are able to switch bodies. Nina is a self-assured and assertive extravert, and being in her body prompts the naturally shy and retiring Jess to say and do things that she otherwise wouldn\u2019t dare. By contrast, being in Jess\u2019s body allows Nina to experience the close and loving family situation that she has always craved. Although time and distance eventually separate the pair, they are drawn back together following the death of Jess\u2019s father and soon fall back into their earlier body-swapping antics. However, this time around, they are both more prone to deceiving the other and more likely to lose themselves in the alternative life that is temporarily available to them. The Nobodies by Alanna Schubach examines the blurred boundaries between friendship and obsession, exploring what can happen when friends become so close that their identities start to overlap.\n\nAdult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman\n\nLaura Costello finds herself adrift in downtown Los Angeles after her life falls apart in a tragically unspectacular way: a fire at her apartment building has left her homeless, being dumped by her high-school sweetheart has left her heartbroken, and being caught in a rare downpour has left her within even dry clothes on her back. Fortunately for Laura, she decides to take shelter in the bookshop run by Nina Hill and ends up becoming acquainted with an eclectic bunch of folks who are happy to serve as a makeshift new family for her. Her new-found friendships with Nina, Polly, and Impossibly Handsome Bob eventually show Laura that everyone needs a little help to reassemble their life at some point. Serving as an almost sequel to The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, Abbi Waxman\u2019s Adult Assembly Required is a quirky contemporary romance novel that focuses on the importance of nurturing all relationships and finding a place to truly belong. Perfect for any romance-loving bookworm, it\u2019s a light-hearted and cozy tale that is sure to delight.\n\nElsewhere by Alexis Schaitkin\n\nThought-provoking, other-worldly, and rather beautifully sinister, Elsewhere by Alexis Schaitkin is a captivating account of motherhood in all its many facets, from the delightful to the downright tragic. Vera has grown up in an isolated and arguably bleak community in which everyone must adhere to rigid rules and constrained roles, where girls know from a young age that they are destined to marry and have children. However, what really sets the community apart from all others is that fact that every so often, some mothers simply disappear, vanishing up into the clouds without any explanation. When it\u2019s Vera\u2019s time to become a mother, she joins her contemporaries in gossiping and speculating about who among them will one day disappear. What is it that marks a certain mother out for disappearance: paying too much attention to her offspring or not enough? This is the question that plagues Vera as she attempts to do what\u2019s best for her child, all the while wondering whether she will get the chance to see them grow or instead simply vanish like so many have done before.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Jan-2022 20:46:09", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010775003", "title": "A Comb of Wishes", "author": "Lisa Stringfellow", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 11", "word_count": 193, "review": "Following her mother\u2019s death, Kela feels lost. She spends most of her time on the beach collecting sea glass, \u201cmermaid\u2019s tears,\u201d hoping to find the final piece of her mother\u2019s rainbow. One day, when she\u2019s collecting the shards of glass, Kela comes across a mysterious and powerful object\u2014a mermaid's comb. She realizes her mistake too late\u2014she has summoned the powerful mermaid Ophidia.

Ophidia makes a deal with Kela\u2014the return of her comb for a single wish. Kela wants her mother back more than anything, even when Ophidia warns her that the bigger the wish, the higher the cost. As the waves of fate churn the sea, Kela realizes just how dangerous a price she might have to pay\u2026

This story is full of Caribbean folklore, weaving a tale of magic and wishes with a heartwarming story of family set at its center. I liked this book because Kela was a relatable and interesting character. The book is told from the perspectives of both Kela and Ophidia, making the story even more interesting! I would recommend this book to any tween looking for a fun, heartfelt story with twists and turns on every page!", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "15-Mar-2022", "date_added": "20-Jan-2022 19:47:09", "publisher": "Quill Tree Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010774015", "title": "Snowstorm in August", "author": "Marshall Karp", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 199, "review": "The eyes of the city\u2019s denizens are fixated as white flakes fall from the sky. The calendars show August, so something must be off. Eventually, those unlucky enough to be on the ground are covered in the powder. The substance is not from the heavens, it is a gift from a drug lord intent on vengeance.

Danny Corcoran is a member of a covert unit within the NYPD. A training op is marred by the death of a celebrity who wormed his way into a photo opportunity that went awry. The unit is soon disbanded and Danny is retired. His personal life is similarly suffering. His father-in-law, a judge ailing from cancer, acts as executioner after having to throw out charges against a drug trafficker. The judge\u2019s actions set off a chain of events leading to the cocaine blizzard and the dealer that Danny is soon tasked with taking down at any cost.

Snowstorm in August is the latest blazing thriller from Marshall Karp. The action consumes the reader from the chaos of a mass drugging to the covert operations of an off-the-books vigilante group. The chances for a breather are few and far between in this high-stakes drama.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2022", "date_added": "20-Jan-2022 20:37:01", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010774011", "title": "Love Letters from Janey: 50 Years of Breaking Barriers Together", "author": "Richard Cheu", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 207, "review": "Love Letters from Janey tells the story of the late Janey Mildred Young, a most remarkable Chinese American woman who successfully built a career in science in the 1960s. Written as a tribute to his wife, Richard Cheu shares more than 100 letters written by Janey during their 50-year partnership. Richard writes about important moments of their lives as a Chinese-American couple who overcame the limits of societal expectations within and without the Asian American community.

Richard keeps Janey\u2019s memory alive in his heartfelt and wide-eyed reflections. More than a love story, Love Letters to Janey represents a moment in time in the history of Asian America. As American-born Chinese who pursued academic and career excellence at Stanford and Bell Laboratories, Janey and Richard were a dual-career couple during a time when U.S. women were still fighting for gender equality in the workplace. In addition to career achievements, the book also focuses on common issues faced by any couple: reconciling beliefs about religion, raising a family, and sharing finances.

Memoirs about people of color bring light to often-overlooked stories of struggle and triumph. The most memorable ones shatter racial and gender stereotypes and offer a new way to look at collective and individual thriving in the face of adversity.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "16-May-2022", "date_added": "20-Jan-2022 20:13:11", "publisher": "Cheu Writes Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010774003", "title": "The Magnolia Palace: A Novel", "author": "Fiona Davis", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 200, "review": "Set in dual timelines between 1919 and 1966, The Magnolia Palace features the eccentric and wealthy Frick family. Overwhelmed with her household duties, Miss Helen Frick employs Lillian Carter as her private secretary. However, Lillian falls into the job under false pretenses, as she is a model also known as Angelica, who is entangled in a police investigation that she keeps hidden from Miss Helen. Lillian becomes entrenched in the Frick family, and she is unexpectedly endeared to Miss Helen. However, she cannot hide her past for long and must face the Frick family fury once her true identity is revealed. Many years later, Veronica and Joshua uncover clues to the Fricks\u2019 past and set out to unearth the famous Magnolia diamond.

The Magnolia Palace is full of rich depiction, and it features an interesting family in the Fricks. Between Lillian\u2019s alter ego of Angelica and the tension within the Frick family, the book is full of drama. There were quite a few characters to keep track of, and at times, the plot was over the top. The novel was entertaining enough and offered a bit of mystery, but the plot was not compelling enough to make this a must-read.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "21-Apr-2022", "date_added": "20-Jan-2022 19:36:13", "publisher": "Dutton", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010773011", "title": "King of Battle and Blood (Adrian X Isolde Book 1)", "author": "Scarlett St. Clair", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 990, "review": "Romance Roundup\n\nWhether you prefer your romance contemporary, historical, or paranormal, the five books included in this roundup all feature compelling characters and sizzling storylines that are certain to set your pulse racing.\n\nKing of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair\n\nBelieving it to be the only way to end a decades-long war, Princess Isolde de Lara agrees to marry her mortal enemy, King Adrian Aleksandr Vasiliev, although she also intends to kill him at the first opportunity. Such an attempt at mariticide would have been difficult in the best of circumstances, but when the fact that Adrian is a vampire is factored in, Isolde\u2019s plan seems pretty much impossible. As it happens, he catches her when she attempts to pull off the assassination and threatens that, if she tries it again, he will turn her into one of the undead, just like him. Knowing that she can\u2019t risk being turned into the thing that she hates most in the world, Isolde looks for other ways to thwart her new husband and survive in the vampire court. However, none of her schemes can fully distract her from either the growing attraction she feels toward Adrian or the gnawing doubt she has regarding why he would choose her as his bride. Scarlett St. Clair\u2019s King of Battle and Blood is a paranormal romance packed with plenty of trysts, twists, and turns.\n\nAn Impossible Promise by Jude Deveraux\n\nIn 1844, when known thief Liam O\u2019Connor fell in love with shy squire\u2019s daughter Cora McLeod, he unwittingly changed history. Fate had decreed that Cora would marry another man, and a group of angels have been waiting to set things right ever since the fateful moment Liam and Cora first met. Although Cora doesn\u2019t remember it, she and Liam have lived through several lifetimes since then, ultimately both winding up working as cops in modern-day Providence Falls, North Carolina. Liam knows the truth and has done his best to avoid her, but when the pair of them are partnered to work on a murder investigation, they end up being increasingly drawn to one another. The angels decide that it is time to more forcefully step in and ensure that Cora falls for Finley Walsh, but she is no longer the timid and na\u00efve young woman she once was. In , the second book in the Providence Falls series by Jude Deveraux, Cora is a headstrong woman who is used to making her own decisions, including in all matters concerning love. It makes for a thrilling time-traveling romance.\n\nHe Said Never by Ruth Cardello\n\nRuth Cardello\u2019s The Lost Corisis series centers on a powerful and dangerous family with more than a few buried secrets. In He Said Never, the second book in the series, Riley is keen to keep her reunion with her paternal relatives, the infamous Corisis family, secret from her mother. Her biological father had put her mother through hell, so while Riley wants to know more about her paternal heritage, she doesn\u2019t want to spark her mother\u2019s fear by mentioning anyone with the Corisis surname. Meanwhile, Gavin\u2019s father has decided that it\u2019s time for his son to find a wife and start a family, and he\u2019s not prepared to let Gavin inherit the family firm until he does so. Gavin knows that he needs to get back into his father\u2019s good books, but he\u2019s not sure how to accomplish that since his relationship with Riley went disastrously wrong. At the time, Gavin hadn\u2019t really been looking for romance, although he now recognizes that he would rather be with Riley whatever the circumstances than be with someone else in order to secure his place within the family.\n\nThe Immortal by Gena Showalter\n\nIn the second installment in Gina Showalter\u2019s Rise of the Warlords series, the merciless son of a war god and a beautiful yet troubled harpy find themselves doomed to repeat the same twenty-four hours again and again, with the day always ending with the harpy\u2019s murder. The Immortal sees Halo Phaninon, assassin to the gods, challenged to kill twelve of mythology\u2019s greatest monsters within just a single day. Never one to pass up a challenge, he readily accepts the dangerous and seemingly impossible task, only to find that he wakes up each morning thereafter to discover that it is the same day, during which he must face unimaginable horror. For her part, Ophelia is used to being a disappointment to her family. As a harpy who has never killed anyone, she is considered powerless and useless by many, although she has hidden reserves of strength that no one would expect. This comes in handy when she\u2019s forced to repeat the same day and live through her inevitable murder over and over, all the while fighting off the advances of Halo, who is at least determined to save her.\n\nGood Catch by Jennifer Bardsley\n\nFormer ballerina Marlo Jonas has both beauty and grace, but she also has truly terrible taste in men. When her latest disastrous romance ends after her boyfriend cheats on her, Marlo\u2019s father suggests that she should try dating guys on the basis of their personalities, rather than based on their looks. She\u2019s willing to give anything a go, particularly if it keeps her devastatingly hot nemesis Ben Wexler-Lowrey out of sight and out of mind. Ben is also trying his luck at the dating game, although he focuses on women whose personalities outshine their looks. His mother thinks he could do better, however, and suggests that he gives online dating a go. As Marlo and Ben make it through terrible date after terrible date, they\u2019re both left feeling deflated and demoralized. Surely it shouldn\u2019t be this difficult to find the right person? Jennifer Bardsley\u2019s Good Catch follows the charming yet frequently infuriating pair of frenemies as they navigate the small-town dating scene while stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the romantic possibilities right in front of them.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Jan-2022 21:00:57", "publisher": "Bloom Books", "page_count": "402 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010773003", "title": "The Library: A Fragile History", "author": "Andrew Pettegree", "category": "N09 History", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1044, "review": "History Roundup\n\nAs Carl Sagan (1980) noted, \u201cYou have to know the past to understand the present,\u201d and all five books included in this roundup can help you to develop just such an understanding. Examining subjects as diverse as an apparently doomed expedition to the South Pole, art portraying the American Revolution, the history of emotion, libraries from around the world, and the legacy of slavery in contemporary US society, these fives books are sure to both educate and entertain.\n\nA Human History of Emotion: How the Way We Feel Built the World We Know by Richard Firth-Godbehere\n\nIn A Human History of Emotion, Richard Firth-Godbehere sets out to answer a couple of very weighty questions: How have emotions shaped the course of human history? How have humanity\u2019s experience and understanding of emotions evolved with them? A major distinction that is often drawn between humans and other living creatures concerns the fact that humans are said to be rational beings, capable of reasoning and calculating in order to survive. However, even the quickest glance back at human history reveals events and situations that appear to disprove this apparent rationality, clearly hinging on emotions rather than on facts. In light of this, Firth-Godbehere guides readers through the highly important yet often overlooked roles that emotions have played in human societies across both time and geography. Drawing on fields of research as diverse as psychology, art, neuroscience, and theology, he explains how the understanding and experience of emotions have changed over time as well as how human beliefs regarding emotions have shaped both the species and the world in which people live.\n\nMadhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica\u2019s Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night by Julian Sancton\n\nWhen the Belgica set sail in August 1897 hopes were high for the voyage and the crew were looking forward to being the first scientific expedition to reach the snowy wilderness of the South Pole. However, hope fairly quickly turned to despair when the ship became stuck in ice in the Bellinghausen Sea, making it likely that the crew would have to endure an Antarctic winter and the associated months of endless polar night. Things managed to get even worse when an unidentified illness swept through the crew and, coupled with growing fears about the numerous rats that were attacking supplies in the hold of the ship, took an extremely heavy psychological toll. In Madhouse at the End of the Earth, Julian Sancton explains how two officers\u2013\u2013Frederick Cook, the ship\u2019s doctor, and Roald Amundsen, the first mate\u2013\u2013hatched a daring plan to free the Belgica from the ice, a plan that would either save them or doom them all. Sancton draws on diaries, journals, and the ship\u2019s logbook to bring to life a perilous Antarctic adventure worthy of a thriller.\n\nThe Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen\n\nWith The Library: A Fragile History, Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen offer the first major historical investigation of the library as both a concept and an institution (and perhaps as an obsession, too). Libraries nowadays come in all shapes and sizes, from former phone boxes to brutalist 1950s structures to glorious conversions of historical buildings, and they cater to a wide range of tastes. They also now fulfill many functions that would cause the librarians at Alexandria to scratch their heads. However, the quiet and thoughtful atmosphere that typically characterizes libraries belies their turbulent and sometimes controversial history. Pettegree and der Weduwen explore that fractured history, taking in famous collections from the ancient world, personal archives, cash-strapped contemporary resources, and everything in between. In doing so, they introduce some of the famous and infamous individuals who have contributed to compiling the world\u2019s greatest book collections, track changing trends, and reveal the sometimes extreme lengths people have gone to in order to secure particular manuscripts.\n\nLiberty: Don Troiani\u2019s Paintings of the Revolutionary War by Don Troiani and the Museum of the American Revolution\n\nAmerican artist Don Troiani is famed for his historical paintings, which principally focus on the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the American Civil War. Known for being highly detailed and realistic, his oil and watercolor works have been featured in numerous history books, art compilations, and military and government exhibitions. His most famous paintings portray crucial moments from American history, such as the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill and the American and French victory at Yorktown in 1781. Liberty: Don Troiani\u2019s Paintings of the Revolutionary War serves as the catalog for the exhibition of Troiani\u2019s work currently being held at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, which runs until September 5, 2022. Highlighting key moments from America\u2019s revolutionary history and elucidating Troiani\u2019s research and artistic processes, the exhibition matches forty of his paintings with forty artifacts from various collections, which are all beautifully reproduced in the catalog. The book also features Troiani\u2019s latest work, a painting of African American sailor James Forten watching as Black and Native American Continental Army troops march past Independence Hall on their way to Yorktown. \n\nThe 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones\n\nWhen an unprepossessing ship carrying enslaved people from Africa arrived in the British colony of Virginia in August 1619, it marked the start of the barbaric practice of human chattel slavery in America, which would continue for around two hundred and fifty years. This practice has been described as America\u2019s \u201coriginal sin,\u201d and its impacts are still being felt today. The New York Times Magazine launched the \u201c1619 Project\u201d in an effort to reframe understanding of American history by situating slavery and its ongoing consequences at the heart of the narrative. The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story expands that initial project by collecting eighteen essays that explore the legacy of slavery in contemporary American society alongside thirty-six poems and narratives that portray instances of struggle and resistance. Together, these works speak directly to the present moment, situating long-standing systems of race and oppression in the context of daily life today. They shine light on overlooked moments from the birth of the country as well as on upspoken issues within the constitution, and they elucidate how the legacy of slavery continues to cast a shadow over American life.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Jan-2022 19:26:44", "publisher": "Basic Books", "page_count": "528 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010772007", "title": "Northwind", "author": "Gary Paulsen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Leif is an orphan; his father was unknown and his mother died giving birth. He was raised on the docks by a variety of people, but he never belonged to anyone. He grew up being used pretty much as slave labor on a number of ships. Now around thirteen, he\u2019s lucky enough to be taken under the wing of one of the sailors, Old Carl, who, with some other men, makes a fish camp. One day, a strange ship comes to the camp and sick men come onto shore, spreading disease. The men begin to die, and Old Carl tells Leif to flee to the North. He takes a dugout canoe and a few supplies and heads out, but he hasn\u2019t missed the sickness entirely.

Gary Paulsen was the king of survivor stories for middle graders. This one is set hundreds of years ago off the coast of Norway and is written in such a way to convey the time and place. The characters are interesting and believable, and the story is very compelling with lots of tension on every page. Paulsen was a master storyteller and this book is no exception. Youngsters will love it.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2022", "date_added": "21-Jan-2022 23:40:23", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010771027", "title": "Cold as Hell (Black Badge)", "author": "Rhett C. Bruno", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 201, "review": "In life, James Crowley was an outlaw. A bank-robbing, train-heisting, murdering outlaw. He was not a very good guy. After his own murder, he was brought back to life to serve a higher power. Now controlled by his angelic handler Shargrafein, he is sent to battle against witches, werewolves, demons, and monsters. Armed with Peacemakers loaded with silver bullets, Crowley is no marshal, nor is he a bounty hunter. He is a Black Badge, and he works for the White Thrown. His job is to bring hell\u2019s evil to justice.

Rhett C. Bruno and Jaimie Castle once again team up to produce another exciting series. Cold as Hell is the first book in the Black Badge series of novels. When Bruno and Castle work together, the results are otherworldly. This new project is an action-packed Western fantasy that can best be described as Sandman Slim meets Josey Wales.

With a seriously flawed protagonist and antagonists that run the gamut of evil, this character-driven thriller has a strong Bruno anti-hero feel to it. Bruno excels at integrating everyday faults and weaknesses into a hero who is easy to root for. The West has never been wilder and now it\u2019s Cold as Hell.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "27-May-2022", "date_added": "20-Jan-2022 20:43:38", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "419 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010771011", "title": "Wingbearer (Wingbearer, 1)", "author": "Marjorie Liu", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb - age 8", "word_count": 181, "review": "\u201cYou\u2019d think that living in the tree would be boring, but no single day is ever the same.\u201d

Wingbearer is about Zuli, who lives in the trees where birds go when they die. Zuli travels to the real world to save the souls of the birds because they have stopped dying. On the way, she meets a goblin, the Captain of the Kalinar Guard, and many more.

I liked the graphics in this a lot. They definitely seem like they are in a fantasy world and it is believable. It was my first time learning about goblins, and now I think they are interesting. The book was adventurous and had a great surprise.

Wingbearer is not a boring book at all. I enjoyed reading it and going on adventures with Zuli. It is a fun book, and I would recommend it. I can\u2019t wait to read more about what is happening to the souls of the birds. I am looking forward to the next book.

Kids ages eight to ten who like fantasy, birds, and graphic novels would enjoy this book.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2022", "date_added": "20-Jan-2022 19:45:59", "publisher": "Quill Tree Books", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010770015", "title": "Send Her Back and other stories", "author": "Munashe Kaseke", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 413, "review": "Not long ago, Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota was greeted with cries of \u201cSend her back,\u201d a cruel reference to the fact that despite our high ideals, America has never been truly welcoming to immigrants. In her anthology, Munashe Kaseke references this explicitly, even naming the title story after the cry. The whole book is a look into the modern immigrant experience, illuminated by Kaseke\u2019s own history as an immigrant from Zimbabwe.

First, I want to say that her prose is a delight to read. Kaseke has a light, deft touch that initially put me in mind of Bolu Babalola. As I read further, though, I found much more depth in this book and realized that the two authors really should not be compared, especially not when their collections have such disparate aims. The lighter moments in Kaseke\u2019s writing are like stars in the night sky; when you really look at them, they only make the difference between them and the darkness surrounding them all the more stark.

This is a dark book to read at times. The immigrant experience, especially for Black people (I could say especially now for emphasis, but has it ever been easy?) is a difficult one. Some of the stories deal with little more than the cultural divide between America and Zimbabwe, where Kaseke\u2019s protagonists come from, but others bring racism and the knotty mess that is our immigration system to the forefront, giving the reader no excuse to look away. Some stories reference rape and violence, and one brings up suicidal ideation.

Are the stories still beautiful, like the night sky behind the stars? Yes, but to focus on that is to miss the point entirely. The easy charm and high quality of Kaseke\u2019s writing are reason enough to pick up this book, but the real reason to pick it up and read it all the way through is that she has a knack for telling a compelling tale. Even the story in which arguably the least happens (a young woman experiences snow and finds she does not like it at all) caught me and held my attention all the way through, both because it made me smile and I felt empathy for the protagonist, but also because it was never just about snow.

Send Her Back and other stories is Kaseke\u2019s debut, and I hope it is not the last of her writing that I see. Work like this suggests that she deserves a celebrated career.", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "09-Feb-2022", "date_added": "20-Jan-2022 18:42:33", "publisher": "Mukana Press", "page_count": "204 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010770011", "title": "Send Her Back and other stories", "author": "Munashe Kaseke", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 446, "review": "Send Her Back contains fifteen unique and heart-wrenching stories about women who have immigrated from Zimbabwe to America. Although these stories are fictitious, the emotion, passion, and intensity behind each narrative will leave you feeling immensely connected to the dynamic characters. Every chapter focuses on a unique Zimbabwean woman who feels disconnected or out of place due to their experiences in America. This anthology ranges from light-hearted love stories to more intense themes such as racism, immigration stipulations, and abuse.

Women in several chapters recount the unfortunate experiences brought on by blatant racism; Vimbiso fears she will be deported for driving without a license and must resort to extreme circumstances in order to stay. In \u201cNot so Subtleties\u201d, the main character rushes out of a social gathering due to insensitive comments about her hair and incessant pleads to change her name to something \u201ceasier to pronounce\u201d. Many women express not feeling like they belong in America or Zimbabwe, due to the immense cultural differences they are exposed to.

\u201cThe Collector of Degrees\u201d is about a woman who continues to go to college in order to stay in America-borrowing money from friends turned enemies and living in enormous debt to avoid going back to a country she barely knows. She is forced to work a minimum wage restaurant job due to the lack of employee sponsor opportunities in her chosen field. In the final chapter, Rudo struggles with feelings of hopelessness when she is unable to provide for her family back home. She had to drop out of college when she was unable to make the grades while working full time. She had been lying to her family for 12 years; working multiple jobs and living out of her car to afford enough money to send back home. When she discovers her family used her money to throw a party bragging about their wealthy daughter, her anxiety and depression become overwhelming and cause her to spin into a dark downward spiral.

The author intentionally places each story in its perfect place; allowing the reader to emotionally connect to the characters while not becoming overwhelmed in their grief and frustration. As a White individual who has experienced many privileges in life, I am thankful that this book exposes so many injustices that I have been blind to my whole life. The overall theme of this book is not meant to cause pity for immigrants or shame privileged people for their ignorance; the beauty of this book is found in the insightful language carefully created by the author. Each scene and situation is explained in a straightforward but well-rounded manner, leaving the reader wanting more content but needing no further explanation.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2022", "date_added": "20-Jan-2022 18:42:24", "publisher": "Mukana Press", "page_count": "204 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010770007", "title": "Send Her Back and other stories", "author": "Munashe Kaseke", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 455, "review": "The experience of migration, adaptation, and survival in a new country is life-changing, often wrought with turbulence. Send Her Back and Other Stories is a collection of short stories that tell clear-eyed truths about life in the diaspora for women from Zimbabwe. Munashe Kaseke tells diverse stories with women protagonists \u2013 sometimes hopeful, often heart-breaking \u2013 of losing and finding oneself and of transforming racial and ethnic identities. Each story offers a lens into struggles in parenting, friendships, romantic involvements, and other relationships complicated by diasporic experiences.

Reading the anthology from my point of view as an immigrant woman, many stories are all-too-familiar. Stories such as \u201cThe Collector of Degrees'' and \u201cSend Her Back\u201d tell of a broken immigration system that keeps immigrants in a constant state of insecurity and hypervigilance because of their precarious status. These stories deal with how undocumented people are often forced to engage in questionable but necessary activities to stay in the country, such as engaging in sham marriages and stacking degrees.

Kaseke\u2019s stories are based in many parts of the United States, from Baltimore to North Dakota, from Silicon Valley to Minnesota. Whether in Mozambique or in Indiana, each story offers a lens into being a woman in Zimbabwe and the transformational effect of moving to a different place. The stories \u201cUnseen\u201d and \u201cImported Husband'' discuss the complexities of navigating gender roles and establishing one\u2019s identity. Dating is often a thorny path for Black, immigrant women, as depicted in \u201cTerritorial\u201d and \u201cWhen Zimbabwe Fell for Wyoming.\u201d When not dealing with microaggressions or everyday subtle insults and invalidations, a Zimbabwean woman who dates white American men must contend with the contradictory harms of invisibility and hypervisibility, of being shunned and being exotified.

\nImmigrants often carry the burden of caring for parents, siblings, and other family members back home, while also trying their best to survive in America. The stories \u201cGlobe-Trotter\u201d and \u201cThe Zimbabwean Dream\u201d explore the disconnects between expectations and the reality of life as immigrants from Zimbabwe to the United States. Visions of success and transcending economic limitations are common, and often incompatible with gargantuan effort and sacrifices required to thrive in the U.S., where success is often measured by accumulating wealth, material possessions and other status symbols.

The author sheds light on often-untold stories of the immigrant experience, stories that focus on desperation, loneliness, isolation and longing for home. Kaseke shares the guilt and shame of balancing assimilationist tendencies, while also staying true to Zimbabwean heritage and culture. Newcomers work hard to create a life in America, while also providing for family back home. Pursuing the American dream can be costly, and the price a woman must pay for belonging and affirmation almost always involves a broken heart and endless tears.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2022", "date_added": "20-Jan-2022 18:42:14", "publisher": "Mukana Press", "page_count": "204 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010770003", "title": "Send Her Back and other stories", "author": "Munashe Kaseke", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jenna Swartz", "word_count": 432, "review": "Told in a series of vignettes, Munashe Kaseke\u2019s Send Her Back tells readers stories of the Zimbabwean experience in current America. There are fifteen short stories, some connecting with each other told over a nonspecific amount of time. Although the shape and perspective of the stories are different, the underlying themes of cultural experience, family, racism, and womanhood are interwoven throughout. Kaseke\u2019s words are captivating, and her characters and their situations have a real-world impact on them. This is a daily-life representation of women of color in America. It feels real, raw, and simultaneously heartbreaking and hopeful.

This book transcends cultural experience into the human experience and creates a bridge into understanding both. Everything from blatant racism to familial expectations in daily life is explored. In \"When Zimbabwe Fell for Wyoming\", microaggressions disguise themselves as compliments as an interracial relationship is explored and a woman faces meeting her significant other\u2019s family. \"The Collector of Degrees\" is a story about student visas and dependents in America and how the system forces students to stay in the cycle of schooling in order to stay in the country. Despite the want and willingness to break out, work hard and \u201crealize the American Dream,\u201d the main character is constantly turned back into the system that denies her jobs. The titular story, \"Send Her Back\", showcases the ripple effect of circumstantial racism. \"The Rising\" is about an ancestral fight for a better future seen through the eyes of a child.

The stories pivot back and forth from different points of view. Some characters have names (Vimbiso in \"Send Her Back\") and others are told in the second person (\u201cYou\u201d in \"The Collector of Degrees\"). The changing perspectives allow the reader to experience these stories to varying degrees. It\u2019s a clever device the author uses to make the reader see these stories from every angle. Whether you are a window viewer or standing in the middle of the narrative, the intention is powerful.

An immigrant of color herself, Kaseke creates this series showcasing the experience of women in America. The characters are all women of different ages, statuses, and experiences. Some characters have multiple stories interweaving within each other and the timeline isn\u2019t linear making the perspective interesting and keeping the pace moving. Themes of police aggression, familial expectations, cultural shifts, money, material items and their values, and toxic relationships are all expanded upon in these different segments and stories. According to the author\u2019s bio, this is a debut novel. This is certainly an author to watch out for. The clear prose and interweaving storylines are both eye-catching and beautifully written.", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2022", "date_added": "20-Jan-2022 18:41:58", "publisher": "Mukana Press", "page_count": "204 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010919003", "title": "Showmances and Stage Kisses", "author": "Bowden Walker", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 89, "review": "\"Welcome to the world of teenage acting, where it\u2019s not all rainbows and sunshine. Showmances and Stage Kisses showcases behind-the-scenes drug and alcohol use (ouzo, anyone?), oh-so-complicated teen relationships with accompanying hormones, and show business antics. Join the teen heartthrob and star of Heights High, Nicholas, and his Harvard-bound best friend, Sebastian, as they navigate life among dysfunctional adults and girls galore, amidst a world of chaos in the mid-1980s. This story is both frantic yet heartwarming with an exceptional cast of characters.\" ---Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 22:32:14", "publisher": "Bond Street Publishers", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010918015", "title": "Dream Big, Little One", "author": "Becky Davies", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 136, "review": "Dream Big, Little One is all about helping little ones, like helping a sibling to have confidence. It helps little ones to know that even if your dreams seem big, they can be accomplished! No matter how your dreams change and take shape as you grow, it is okay, and your dreams help you to grow and change as a person.

This is a really cute book. I think the illustrations are stunning with the different shades of blues, whites, and grays. It also helped me to visualize what it looks like when you do make dreams for yourself. I really enjoyed reading this book to my baby sister and I think it would be a great book for all families to read to their little ones so that they know any dreams can be accomplished.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 19:03:33", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010918011", "title": "Pretty Perfect Kitty-Corn", "author": "Shannon Hale", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 192, "review": "Pretty Perfect Kitty-Corn is the story that comes after the first book in the series, Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn. In this book, Kitty-Corn and her friends, Gecko and Parakeet, are still in love with Unicorn and how perfect he seems to be. The friends say lots of nice things about Unicorn, like his horn, fur, and tail. Then Kitty-Corn says she wants to paint Unicorn to show how perfect he is all of the time. Unicorn isn't sure that he's as perfect as his friends think he is, but he's going to keep trying to seem perfect so they don't find out that maybe he's not. Kitty-Corn finally finishes her painting and it's so funny to see!

I like Pretty Perfect Kitty-Corn just as much as Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn. Both stories are about the characters working through something that they're not happy about, but each one has a happy ending. I loved reading another book with both a cat and a unicorn in it and looking at the pictures that made them look cute and pretty! I hope there's a third book that comes out after this one, which I'll read all of the time!", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 18:56:43", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010917019", "title": "Goodbye, Bear", "author": "Jane Chapman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 206, "review": "Beaver and Mole are wondering how they\u2019ll ever make it without Bear. He was their best buddy, and now that he\u2019s gone, they feel terribly lost. They decide the best way to move forward is together; they\u2019ll even finish building his tree house in remembrance of him. Rabbit, Hedgehog, and Mouse offer to help in the effort. Working as a team eases their sadness and allows them to discover new things about Bear. When their task is complete, they celebrate together and look out into the beautiful night sky at the Great Bear constellation, a forever reminder of their dear friend.

Young children ages four to nine who are fans of Jane Chapman, who has become a prolific author and illustrator, will welcome this sweet and thoughtful tale with open arms. Woven through its pages are so many important and relevant themes for little ones: friendship, community, loss, and healing. The illustrations are poignant, precious, and powerful. The soft, watercolor hues create a perfect blend of serenity and strength.

Goodbye, Bear is ideal for youth who\u2019ve suffered a recent loss. They\u2019ll find comfort and encouragement in its message. Those who haven\u2019t will savor it just as much and will likely mark it as a treasured pick.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "06-Apr-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 18:59:57", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010917015", "title": "Mommy Ever After", "author": "Rebecca Fox Starr", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 191, "review": "Mommy Ever After follows a mother and daughter from the time she is a baby up through the daughter being ready to start school. The mother tells the daughter magical stories but always ends them with \u201cand they lived mommy ever after\u201d and \u201cBecause we are not always going to feel happy but I am always going to be your mommy.\u201d

The text was beautiful. I loved how the mother used storytelling to teach the daughter about the good and hard things in life. The author has a gift with words. I am just in awe. The illustrator was a perfect choice for this book. She did a great job of blending reality along with the fantasy stories. The purples and blues were just a great palate choice.

I highly recommend this book for moms to read to their young daughters. I think this is a perfect book for a birthday or baby gift for anyone that has a little girl. I hope to read more by this author and illustrator. I hope they will get to work together again on a book because it\u2019s just a stunning piece of art.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "11-Apr-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 18:49:34", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010917007", "title": "The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward", "author": "Daniel H. Pink", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 197, "review": "Look back on your life. Do you have regrets? Of course you do. Things you wish you had done, or had not done, or done differently. Regret is so painful we often want to avoid it, but it's an important part of the human experience and can even be extremely beneficial. Regrets show us what we value, and offer us a path forward to improve. Embracing regret can lead us to our best life.

This excellent book was such an entertaining, as well as informative, exploration of the idea of regret. Filled with solid science neatly parsed for the general reader, and peppered with anecdotes and sampled regrets from participants in Pink's World Regret Survey, it's a fast read with lessons for a lifetime. Compelling support for the value of regret as well as suggestions for how to use this uncomfortable feeling give you hope, and the experiences shared are humanizing. Rather than ignoring regret, or wallowing in \u201cwhat might have been\u201d, you can decide to act, and act differently, if you let your regrets guide you. Regret is a healthy and adaptive part of being human. Read this book to understand it better --you won't regret it.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 17:01:38", "publisher": "Riverhead Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010917003", "title": "Homeward from Heaven (Russian Library)", "author": "Boris Poplavsky", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 177, "review": "Even though he died before he was forty years old, escaped the Russian Revolution, and only published a handful of excerpts and works before he died, Boris Poplavsky was hailed as one of the leading writers by his peers in France and within surrealism. Readers are treated to a translation to his final novel Homeward From Heaven in which readers are given a taste of what it would have been like living in the French Riviera between the world wars.

We follow Oleg who loves two different women, both of whom will impact Oleg\u2019s life. This is a semi-autobiographical novel. He follow Tania to a seaside resort who jilts him after a passionate intimacy. Oleg then meets Katia who finds intimacy and emotional candor. Oleg meets with Tania one last time to comprehend the laws of physical love.

The reader's enjoyment of the book will entirely depend on how they feel about surrealist writers, who worked to do away with conventional plots, narration and the like; though ultimately they were unsuccessful to change the novel in society.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 16:32:26", "publisher": "Columbia University Press", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010916031", "title": "Astroquizzical: Solving the Cosmic Puzzles of Our Planets, Stars, and Galaxies: The Illustrated Edition", "author": "Jillian Scudder", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Raif - age 13", "word_count": 198, "review": "This is a fantastic book about our atmosphere, stars and planets, and our galaxy. It's very interesting, with great photographs. It does an excellent job explaining the different topics. The book is very much like a science textbook but not at all boring or dull. It flows well from topic to topic but you can dip into any chapter and enjoy it without having read the previous ones. It sometimes asks questions and then answers them, which is really fun. For example, what would we see if we replaced the International Space Station with a supercarrier ship \u2013 how much more visible would it be? These questions are added to illuminate what they are talking about, and the answers help to make the concept a lot clearer. The pictures are very high definition and full color, and quite beautiful. At the beginning of the book you read how these colors were obtained, as we can't really get full color photos of galaxies with our current technology because the light these stars produce is not all part of the visible spectrum. This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn more about our galaxy or the stars.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "19-May-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 19:04:27", "publisher": "The MIT Press", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010916027", "title": "I Love You More Than Ice Cream", "author": "Becky Davies", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 201, "review": "I Love You More Than Ice Cream is a new favorite book because it includes two of my favorite things: talking about how much I love people and things that are sweet (like ice cream)! In the story, a little girl is getting ready for bed, and a different family member tucks her in each night.

Part of the bedtime routine is to hear how much each person loves her and then she tells them how much she loves them, except it's not just normal \"I love you,\" it's a whole story in a short amount of time. When the mom tucks her in, she loves her more than ice cream and chocolate-covered mountains. But when it's her grandpa's turn, he loves her more than dinosaurs in space driving fast cars in a race.

I liked this book because it sounds like how I already talk to people when I'm being silly and telling them how much I love them. The pictures are pretty to look at, with lots of color, and the story is easy to understand and read for my age. I liked seeing each family member take a turn getting the girl ready for bed, even the dog!", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 19:01:33", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010916023", "title": "Kat Hats", "author": "Daniel Pinkwater", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 192, "review": "Kat Hats is the story about a town that has a place that makes hats for people, but the hats are actually cats. The cats are trained to sit on people's heads and to be the right kind of hat. The man who trained the cats, Matt, has a wife and two kids and a cat named Thermal Herman 6 7/8ths, who lives in the house. One day, a man named Old Thirdbeard came to visit because his mom went up a mountain in the snow while licking a giant fruitsicle and hadn't come back down yet, and his mom gets brain freeze easily. Thermal Herman 6 7/8ths is on the case to find the mom and bring her safely back down the mountain.

Kat Hats has a lot of words. I didn't understand everything that was happening in the story because of the big words and the people's names, which are different than other names. I might understand it better if I were a little older. I liked the pictures in the story but they were also too busy sometimes. This isn't my favorite book but I like that it's about cats.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "11-May-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 18:57:57", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010916011", "title": "The Cafe Competition (Jasper and Scruff)", "author": "Nicola Colton", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb - age 8", "word_count": 193, "review": " The Caf\u00e9 Competition by Nicola Colton is the fourth book in this funny series. It is about Jasper and Scruff, who are best friends and amazing cooks who decided to open their own caf\u00e9 called \u201cPaws Caf\u00e9.\u201d Everyone loved their food. But one day, no one came to the caf\u00e9, and Jasper thought it was odd that the caf\u00e9 was empty. It turned out a new caf\u00e9 called the Sophisticaf\u00e9 had opened across the street. The new caf\u00e9 was owned by the sneaky Lady Catterly and the Sophisticats! The new caf\u00e9 was fancy. Jasper and Scruff thought they had to make a fancy menu to get their regular customers back.

This was a funny book full of colorful illustrations. It had a good lesson about not worrying too much about what other people who aren\u2019t your true friends think. It\u2019s good to be true to yourself. I loved the creativity of the book. The name Sophisticaf\u00e9 was so funny, and of course, the food sounded fancy. It was a quick and easy book to read. It is best for children who are starting to read on their own, ages five to seven.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "31-May-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 17:49:41", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010916003", "title": "Stravaging \u201cStrange\u201d (Russian Library)", "author": "Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 176, "review": "There\u2019s a lot to unpack with this book. Unpublishable under Stalin, Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky has been called one of the greatest Russian writers of the last century. His book, Stravaging Strange, translated by Joanne Turnbull with Nikolai Formozov, includes a series of short stories.

The first story, \u201cStravaging Strange,\u201d tells of a lovesick magus who imbibes a potion that shrinks him down to the size of a dust mote. In \u201cCatastrophe,\u201d a ruthless sage makes a serious and deeply affective decision in effort to understand reality. And an otherworldly outsider faces a ridiculous trial in \u201cMaterial for a Life of Gorgis Katafalaski.\u201d But perhaps most revealing are the excerpts from the author\u2019s notebooks and the afterword written by his companion, Anna Bovshek, describing the man himself.

Overall, this volume of Krzhizhanovsky\u2019s surrealistic fiction won\u2019t suit causal readers. It is definitely equal to the comparisons to Kafka. But it\u2019s also a richly rewarding read with great depths to mine for the dedicated reader. In the rich feast that is 20th century Russian literature, Krzhizhanovsky should not be forgotten.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "20-Sep-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 16:30:36", "publisher": "Columbia University Press", "page_count": "232 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010915031", "title": "The Next Time I Die (A Hard Case Crime Book) ", "author": "Jason Starr", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 198, "review": "Steven Blitz is a hot-shot defense attorney with an emotionally unstable wife. When his wife kicks him out of the house, he attempts to do the noble thing and break up a domestic disturbance at a gas station when he is stabbed in the gut; when he wakes up in the hospital, the world around him has changed, and he no longer knows what is real. Blitz must work out to find the answers to this new reality, a reality where there is no 9/11 or Netflix, and Blitz is not a very nice man. This book initially felt a bit like the old Twilight Zone series where an individual wakes up in a world kind of like their own, but different, mixed with some crime noir thrown in. It is generally a fast read, but Blitz gets on the readers' nerves, and it is not easy to cheer for him to find a way back. There are too many pages of him trying to convince everyone that this is a dream, and his quest to put away someone who may or may not be a killer seems far-fetched and page-consuming. Overall fairly uneven from start to finish.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 17:52:30", "publisher": "Hard Case Crime", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010915027", "title": "Moonlight Mischief (Star Friends)", "author": "Linda Chapman", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb - age 8", "word_count": 166, "review": "Moonlight Mischief (Star Friends #7) by Linda Chapman is a chapter book in a series about friends with magical powers. The town entered a competition, and someone cleaned up the town overnight. But other weird things started to happen\u2013 like toys and pets mysteriously disappearing. The friends and their special animals will have to use their magic to figure out what is happening.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was exciting and full of mysterious adventures. Other kids who like books with magic and solving mysteries will like this. The book was easy to read, and the illustrations were in black and white but seemed perfect for the book. You had an idea of what would happen by just looking at the pictures.

My favorite part was when I discovered what was causing all the pets and toys to be taken away. That was kind of a surprise to me.

This book is for kids who are six to nine-year-olds and who are starting to read chapter books.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "31-May-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 17:42:06", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010915023", "title": "Groundskeeping: A novel", "author": "Lee Cole", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 211, "review": "Owen Callahan is floundering. At a loss for how to shape his life, he\u2019s moved back to Kentucky, where he lives with his uncle and grandfather. For work, he works as a landscaper and tree trimmer at a local college, receiving one free writing course as part of his compensation. He feels, blurrily, that he wants to be a writer; he\u2019s smitten, instantly, with the college\u2019s writer-in-residence, Alma, whose parents are Bosnian immigrants. Alma isn\u2019t single, at least not at first, but she\u2019s charmed by Owen\u2019s earnest quest for self-discovery. Owen may be from Kentucky, but he doesn\u2019t feel like he belongs there; he feels disconnected from his right-leaning family and sees a disjunct between his own political and personal beliefs and those permeating his home state. The romance that develops between Alma and Owen isn\u2019t easy or straightforward, and both love and Owen\u2019s search for meaning are complicated even more as Trump and the 2016 election set normalcy spinning in wild directions.

Groundskeeping is a coming-of-age novel that examines how difficult it can be to define oneself and visualize a possible future when the culture at large has lost all logic and coherence. Cole is an earnest, subtle debut author who strikes a careful balance between introspection and broader social commentary.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "24-May-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 17:14:55", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010915019", "title": "The Deepest of Secrets: A Rockton Novel (Casey Duncan Novels, 7)", "author": "Kelley Armstrong", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 177, "review": "The Deepest of Secrets is the seventh installment in Kelley Armstrong's Rockton novels. A town built in the secluded Yukon, Rockton consists of a group of people whose pasts are as good as erased. No one knows where they came from or who they were before Rockton. This includes the town's own Deputy Eric Dalton and his girlfriend Detective Casey Butler. The Rockton novels are easy to read as standalone books without feeling like you're missing out on any pertinent information. In fact, this book gives a little synopsis at the beginning of the book about what has happened in Rockton in the past without giving too much away.

In this story, a sign is posted that reveals the past of one of the residents as a murderer. The town goes into an uprising and before Eric and Casey can put out the fire, rumors start flying, and people start ending up murdered. This book is fast-paced with all of the elements of a fantastic thriller and suspense novel. Perfect for fans of Chevy Stevens and Karin Slaughter.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "07-Apr-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 16:55:24", "publisher": "Minotaur Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010915015", "title": "InvestiGators: Braver and Boulder (InvestiGators, 5)", "author": "John Patrick Green", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 9", "word_count": 174, "review": "The InvestiGators are on another mission! Brash and Mango are trying to find out what happened to Anjie, the owner of a shop that sells suspicious glowing green rocks called Boulder Buddies. Brash and Mango discover that the Boulder Buddies have started to move all on their own! The InvestiGators are the best ones for the job. Just one question: can they do it?

This book is great in my opinion, just like all the other books in the series. This book has a good plot, good art, and is very funny. My favorite part was that Brash and Mango\u2019s headquarters looked just like Brash, so everyone didn\u2019t even think Mango was an InvestiGator. However, my favorite character is actually Mango. I like Mango because he is very funny.

I really like the name of the book, InvestiGators: Braver and Boulder, because the book is all about the Boulder Buddies that Anjie sells. I would recommend this book to people who love books with investigation and to people who love the other InvestiGators books.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 16:48:41", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010915007", "title": "A Catalog of Such Stuff as Dreams Are Made On (Weatherhead Books on Asia)", "author": "Kai-cheung Dung", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Dina Dugar", "word_count": 270, "review": "Dung Kai-Cheung\u2019s A Catalog of Such Stuff as Dreams Are Made On is a literary collection fixated on things. More fragments of life than short stories, each vignette features an item or cultural phenomenon and spins it on its tail, exploring the relationship between humans, our things, and the way we create meaning and culture from them. Out of plastic, wood, and fabric, Dung constructs a still-life of 90s Hong Kong that is absurd, outrageous, fantastical, and true.

From cargo shorts to My Melody to Tomb Raider III, Dung\u2019s collection is a museum of oddities, a time capsule of what it meant to be a person during that era and place, in the middle of radical political and social movement. Zooming in with blurred eyes, the stories together also form a parody of the social and material ego. Each one features a character who is changed by the chosen material item on physical and spiritual scales. While these transformations read very specific to the time, they also have a sense of timelessness, a universal feeling of never feeling quite right amid a global yet exponentially intimate society.

In the forward, Dung acknowledges the obscurity of these materials and the book\u2019s subject matter, pointing to obsolescence \u201citself an aesthetic value.\u201d They wrote their vignettes from 1998 to 1999, choosing topics from local papers and magazines and letting each item take its own life. As a time capsule of an increasingly distant era and culture, A Catalog of Such Stuff as Dreams Are Made On also stands in a wave of Y2K nostalgia, a yearning for all things unabashed, pixelated, and metallic.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 16:33:34", "publisher": "Columbia University Press", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010914015", "title": "Rodney Was a Tortoise", "author": "Nan Forler", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 196, "review": "He\u2019s been alive longer than Great Aunt Clara and is a comforting constant in her life. Bernadette loves her pet turtle, Rodney, like a best friend. They play games like Crokinole together and share stories at bedtime. She reads as he drifts off to sleep. As the days pass, she notices he\u2019s slowing down, and then, he ceases to move at all. The depth of her sadness is inconceivable. The next day at school, it seems no one understands. She retreats inside herself until one day, a boy from her class, Amar, approaches her and offers his condolences, opening a pathway to her heart and to healing.

This is a heartwarming book about love, loss, friendship, and restoration. Children ages four to eight who\u2019ve lost a pet will be touched by this sweet tale. It\u2019s likely to help them process their experience and put their sentiments into words they might not otherwise have been able to express.

The illustrations are presented in soft, pastel watercolor hues. They beautifully portray the array of emotions expressed by the characters, especially Bernadette. The text is relatively brief and is written at approximately a second-grade level, making it ideal for young readers.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "12-Apr-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 18:44:32", "publisher": "Tundra Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010913027", "title": "100 Days of Adventure: Nature Activities, Creative Projects, and Field Trips for Every Season", "author": "Greta Eskridge", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 142, "review": "If you\u2019re running out of ideas for things to do with your family, you may find some great new options in 100 Days of Adventure. There are one hundred ideas to explore in this book from natural choices such as a meteor slumber party and exploring ecosystems to making fruit crumble. There are simple instructions for each idea (which is only a two-page spread per activity.) There is something for every season, including snowy weather activities. There are some holiday activities listed, such as Christmas and Valentine\u2019s Day, but they also include Winter Solstice. It does encourage a lot of getting out into nature, so you\u2019ll want to have access to the great outdoors and natural spaces if you want to get the most out of this book.

Overall, lots of suggestions for families to have fun together, both inside and outdoors.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "05-May-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 18:54:03", "publisher": "Thomas Nelson", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010913019", "title": "Rolo's Story (Dog's Eye View)", "author": "Blake Morgan", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Caleb - age 8", "word_count": 156, "review": "Rolo's Story is about a dog who escaped his old owner, who he did not like. He decided it would be better if he lived on his own. He then realizes that it is hard living on the street. Will he find a new owner?

The book teaches Rolo about trusting humans (\"Two Legs\") and friendship. It made me sad because his old owner did not treat him nice and sometimes forgot to feed him. Dogs have feelings, and we should treat them nicely. I am so sad about how the old owner treated Rolo. Reading this book makes me want to adopt a dog.

Rolo's Story is so interesting. It is one of my favorite books, and I have reread it many times. I like how Blake Morgan writes and will read other books by him. Kids around ages eight to ten who like dogs would like this book. I definitely would recommend reading it.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 17:40:42", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010913011", "title": "The Stardust Thief (Volume 1) (The Sandsea Trilogy, 1)", "author": "Chelsea Abdullah", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 202, "review": "Loulie is the Midnight Merchant. With the help of her Jinn-in-disguise companion Qadir, she finds lost Jinn relics and sells them to the highest bidder. The sultan desires the most well-known relic, a lamp containing a Jinn that grants the possessor any wish. He sends Loulie on this quest with his son, Omar, The Stardust Thief.

Omar received that title due to his many Jinn kills as well as being the leader of the Forty Thieves. Things aren\u2019t quite what they seem, though, as Omar convinced his brother Mazen to trade places with him, also in disguise. Mazen, Loulie, and Qadir will battle ghouls, Jinn, thieves, sandstorms, and betrayal in this perilous quest, but they will also discover the truths about themselves.

What a beautiful, epic beginning to an incredible saga! It\u2019s so well written, you don\u2019t even care that it\u2019s more than four hundred pages. I couldn\u2019t put it down and was disappointed when it ended. I sincerely hope it doesn\u2019t take too long to write the next installment. The desert comes alive in this story, with richly crafted characters and a landscape that has its own character. The storytelling is amazing and will sweep you away. It\u2019s a must-read book!", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "18-May-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 16:37:51", "publisher": "Orbit", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010913007", "title": "The Devil's Dictionary", "author": "Steven Kotler", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 985, "review": "New Science Fiction and Fantasy\n\nThis roundup comprises five of the best new science fiction and fantasy novels published in the last few months. Action-packed and astoundingly imaginative, they all offer to transport readers to exciting otherworldly locations populated by extraordinary beings. In fact, if you aim to explore strange new worlds and seek out new life and new civilizations, then these are the books for you.\n\nWhere the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire\n\nIn Where the Drowned Girls Go, the seventh volume in Seanan McGuire\u2019s Wayward Children series, a new anti-magical school is introduced and its students are forced to rebel against the overly authoritative faculty, which makes for a tense and fantastical read. When Eleanor West first opened her Home for Wayward Children, she had to acknowledge the fact that she wouldn\u2019t be able to help all those who arrived at her door, although she determined to do her best to assist as many as possible. She\u2019s surprised, however, when Cora turns out to be one of the children who might need to pursue their fate elsewhere. For her part, Cora is desperately seeking a different life, a different prophecy, and the ability to make her own fate. At Cora\u2019s urging, Eleanor reluctantly agrees to transfer her to the Whitethorn Institute, a school that is run according to very different principles than the Home for Wayward Children. Once there, Cora soon realizes that something distinctly sinister is going on and that she might just be the only one capable of overcoming it.\n\nThe Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Mon\u00e1e\n\nWith The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer, Janelle Mon\u00e1e and a host of collaborators have put together a collection of powerful short stories that explore what life is like under a near-future totalitarian regime and if there is any possibility of escape. Set in the Afrofuturistic world that informs one of Mon\u00e1e\u2019s albums, the stories interrogate issues such as sexuality, race, and gender, and they do so against a backdrop of a world in which thoughts can be controlled, modified, or even erased by a select group of powerful elites. As a consequence, the lives of all individuals\u2014whether human, AI, or something else entirely\u2014are overseen by a cabal of megalomaniacs who have assigned themselves the power to control the fate of everything. Well, that was the case until Jane 57821 took the chance to break free and start thinking for herself. The stories in this collection build on and expand the world inhabited by Jane 57821, fleshing it out in all its repressive horror and amazing opportunity.\n\nThe Devil\u2019s Dictionary by Steven Kotler\n\nAn empathy tracker and emotional forecaster, Lion Zorn is unique. He is also uniquely placed to know why the world is the way that it is and what the future is likely to hold, although he mostly concentrates on more day-to-day matters. Still, his skills are very useful to have in a highly competitive market, despite occasionally brining him into contact with the less desirable members of society. When what should have been a standard em-tracking mission suddenly goes wrong and his fellow em-trackers start disappearing, Lion is left without allies and with a serious puzzle to solve. As he searches for the truth, Lion finds himself on a collision course with the shadowy parties behind the mega-linkage, a continent-spanning national park that was billed as the best way to avoid environmental collapse and protect the planet\u2019s biodiversity. Filled with action and intrigue, Steven Kotler\u2019s The Devil\u2019s Dictionary is pure cyberpunk weirdness that both thrills and amazes.\n\nMickey7 by Edward Ashton\n\nA thought-provoking blend of weighty science fiction concepts and hazardous moral dilemmas, Mickey7 by Edward Ashton is part futuristic farce and part all-too-likely horror story. Seeking away to escape both his debts and the boredom of life on Midgard, the original Mickey signed up as an expendable on a mission to colonize the ice planet of Niflheim. He probably should have enquired further into why the position was vacant despite the mission being so prestigious, although he soon learned that the expendable is the person sent to do all the dangerous and likely deadly jobs that no one else on the crew wants to do. For the sake of efficiency, each time a Mickey dies, a clone is created that has most of the memories of the original guy and the subsequent iterations. For the Mickeys, space travel turns out to be not much fun after all, but when Mickey7 is erroneously declared missing and presumed dead, the newly created Mickey8 diligently reports for duty, which is when things really take a turn for the weird.\n \nCurfew by Jayne Cowie\n\nIn the Great Britain of the not-too-distant future, women have taken charge of society and imposed a curfew on men, who must all wear electronic tags and stay in their homes between the hours of 7pm and 7am. While women no longer need to fear being out after dark, the curfew hasn\u2019t proved great for all of them. In the case of single mother Sarah, for example, the curfew law resulted in her husband being sent to prison, although it isn\u2019t going to do much to protect her now that he\u2019s been released. Their daughter Cass also has issues with the curfew and the restrictions that it puts on the lives of boys like her friend Billy, which makes her determined to prove that he\u2019s not a threat to anyone. Meanwhile, teacher Helen has applied for a cohab certificate with her partner, Tom, so that they can finally live together and have a baby. When one of these three women is murdered during the night, it seems clear that the killer can\u2019t have been a man, but is that really the case? Jayne Cowie\u2019s Curfew is a complex futuristic thriller that poses important questions while also delivering a heart-pounding story.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 16:35:15", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010913003", "title": "If You Change Your Mind", "author": "Robby Weber", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 11", "word_count": 180, "review": "Harry has two main goals this summer: to finish his script and to forget about what happened with Grant. But when he\u2019s so close to finishing his script and submitting it to the school of his dreams, Grant re-enters his life, ripping open a not quite healed scar in his heart. To complicate his life further, a new boy named Logan arrives in town, making Harry question his choice to leave for school at all. All of a sudden Harry\u2019s peaceful summer turns into a roller-coaster of drama and heartbreak, ending in a place where he never expected to find himself\u2026

I liked this book because it was a dramatic and entertaining rom-com, fun and eye-catching on every page right up to the end! I liked all the realistic and funny characters, and many parts of the book were relatable. I found myself rooting for Harry, and I was hooked on every word. The relationships were written amazingly, and the romance was beautiful. I loved this dreamy summer romance so much, and I would definitely re-read it again and again!", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "17-Jun-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 16:07:49", "publisher": "Inkyard Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010912047", "title": "I Love You Forever and a Day", "author": "Amelia Hepworth", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - age 7", "word_count": 124, "review": "I Love You Forever and a Day is a sweet story, but I think that it is too short. If it were a bit longer, then it would be nice to hear about more details of the bears\u2019 adventure. It is nice how the parent bear is imagining such a sweet time for the little one. There are a lot of \u201cI love you, I love you,\u201d kinds of pages.

The illustrations in the book are absolutely gorgeous. They are so pretty when showing nature, and they make you want to go exactly where the bear and the bear cub are. This book is probably best for kids five years old and younger or for older kids who just want a very short story.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 19:02:23", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010912043", "title": "Home Is Where the Heart Is", "author": "Jonny Lambert", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 193, "review": "Home is Where the Heart Is is the story about a bear and a rabbit who become and stay good friends when you wouldn't think that they would. Bear moves into the woods and makes himself a home. One day, Bear is walking and finds Rabbit who is old, but nice, and invites him into his home, which is a little too small for them both. Bear and Rabbit become friends, do things together, and help each other out. A storm happens and bear's house gets blown over and destroyed! Rabbit invites Bear to live with him and they have to figure out how to still be friends after living in a really small space for so long.

I like Home is Where the Heart Is because it is a happy story. You wouldn't think that a bear and a rabbit would be friends, but the story shows how it works out. I have read other books by the author and have liked them all because the stories are funny. I like the color in the pictures and how they fill up the whole page. I would read more books by this author!", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "11-May-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 19:00:38", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010912023", "title": "Other People's Clothes: A Novel", "author": "Calla Henkel", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 237, "review": "Calla Henkel\u2019s latest novel, Other People\u2019s Clothes, has all the right ingredients to serve up a delicious literary treat, but unfortunately the bake is inconsistent and while some elements of the book are so beautifully written you want to savor each word, other elements are too much and too little at the same time.

Zoe, an outcast, latches on to popular Hailey when the two end up in Berlin to study art for a year abroad through their college. They are complete opposites, but while they forge a kind of friendship, there is resentment at the heart of it. They embark on wild nights of drinking too much, taking drugs, hooking up with strangers, and generally behaving like most late teens/early twenty somethings, but there is little to develop the story line. Without giving away too much, something dark and terrible happens to one of the girls and the other spends way too much time trying to unravel it.

Henkel\u2019s prose is beautiful, though, which is part of the letdown of the novel. She has a great ear for dialogue and eye for specific, vivid detail\u2014particularly in terms of architecture\u2014that gives flavor and spark to the book, but the story is ultimately unsatisfying. Henkel has a foothold in the art world as a director and artist and one has to wonder if she should stick to those performative mediums rather than venturing into the world of writing.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "27-May-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 17:20:47", "publisher": "Doubleday", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000010912019", "title": "Tripping Arcadia: A Gothic Novel", "author": "Kit Mayquist", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 179, "review": "Tripping Arcadia is a deliciously twisted gothic novel with a sapphic subplot that leaves the reader dazed and delirious in the most wonderful way. Mayquist is stunning in her rendition of the standard gothic plot; think Masque of the Red Death meets Jane Eyre splashed with a tinge of proletariat revenge. The novel follows Lena, a med school dropout with a background in medieval poisons thanks to her academically inclined Italian aunt. After fruitlessly searching for employment to help her struggling working-class Bostonian family, she lands a position with the famously wealthy Verdeau family to aid in taking care of the mysteriously ailing oldest son, Jonathan. The plot is an almost non-stop fever-dream full of glittering and elaborate parties for the wealthy and debauched, deadly familial subterfuge, righteous revenge, and ultimately death. This novel is incredibly difficult to put down and does not disappoint with its many twists and turns before revealing a most satisfying conclusion. Unlike many other novels in this genre that tend to resort to queerbaiting, the sapphic subplot to the story is genuine and refreshing.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "05-May-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 17:19:15", "publisher": "Dutton", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010912015", "title": "A Train to Moscow: A Novel", "author": "Elena Gorokhova", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 209, "review": "As a little girl, Sasha dreams of being an actress. Growing up in Ivanovo, a quiet town in post-Revolutionary Russia, such aspirations are thought to be nonsensical. So, she holds it in her heart and passes the time by reenacting plays and being with her best friends, Andrei and Marik. One day, she finds a journal in her grandmother\u2019s attic. It steals her attention and helps her cope with unimaginable loss. It\u2019s the journal of her Uncle Kolya, who has been MIA for years, believed to be a casualty of war. Over a decade later, after achieving her childhood ambitions, Sasha discovers an unforgivable secret of her grandfather\u2019s that leads her all the way to America.

A Train to Moscow is Elena Gorokhova\u2019s first novel. It\u2019s poignant and masterful, beautifully and intricately laced with imagery, intrigue, and emotion. Sasha\u2019s passion for theatre and a better life, one free of the lies her family has held onto, is palpable. The storyline is riveting, corkscrewing into an array of twists and turns. Despite being fictional, the contents are reflective of the cultural and political environment of post-Revolutionary Russia. Stalin\u2019s uncompromising grip on power and its effect on everyday citizens is mindfully depicted. It\u2019s unquestionably a notable and splendid piece of literature.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "05-May-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 17:11:34", "publisher": "Lake Union Publishing", "page_count": "316 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010912007", "title": "Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor", "author": "Xiran Jay Zhao", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Maryame - age 12", "word_count": 206, "review": "\u201cA fantastical futuristic world of myth legend, and adventure.\u201d

Zachery Ying is just trying to fit in. But by doing so he is caring about others\u2019 opinions too much. He starts throwing out his mom\u2019s lunch since he\u2019s afraid people will judge the food. There's a voice that tells him how it is, and how he cares too much. Zachery brushes off the voice until he\u2019s attacked. The voice offers him a deal. In return for hosting the emperor\u2019s spirit, the emperor will help him grow stronger. But, something goes wrong, and instead of being one with Zachery, he\u2019s one with an Ar headset. Zachery must seal the gate to the underworld, save his mother's soul, and stop a doomsday.

I really liked this book with the witty conversions, the pop culture references, and relatable characters. This book was really easy to fly thru because of the characters they were relatable and believable. Another thing I liked about the book was the diversity of the characters and how the author went into detail about where they came from and didn't just say they were all Chinese. Finally, I would recommend this book to anyone who liked Percy Jackson, Avatar the Last Air Bender, history, mythology, and futuristic worlds.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "18-May-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 16:09:04", "publisher": "Margaret K. McElderry Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010912003", "title": "A Caribbean Heiress in Paris: A Novel (Las Leonas, 1)", "author": "Adriana Herrera", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 196, "review": "Luz Alana Heith-Benzan and Evanston Sinclair, Earl of Darnick, are primed from the start for sparks to fly: they are both vendors at the Paris Exposition, looking to sell their rum and whisky, respectively. This novel is more than just a story of rival merchants filled with belligerent sexual tension; that\u2019s only the first few chapters. Before long, they learn they both need one another to achieve their respective ends. That\u2019s when the book leaps into one of my favorite romance tropes: the marriage of convenience, made difficult by mutual attraction.

Luz and Evan are both delightful to read about, and Herrera has a sharp, friendly writing style that drew me in at once. My one complaint was with the pacing. At times, it felt like the romance of the novel moved faster than Luz\u2019s and Evan\u2019s individual plots. When I was caught up in the story, I didn\u2019t mind it too much. What bothered me more was that Luz\u2019s subplot, involving her inheritance placed in a trust, was largely in the background. Surely, such a vibrant protagonist deserves to have both her plotlines have equal weight, or at least equal weight with her man\u2019s plotlines?", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 16:06:54", "publisher": "HQN", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010911035", "title": "Ada Twist, Scientist: Show Me the Bunny (The Questioneers)", "author": "Netflix", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 194, "review": "Ada Twist is told by her parents that she will be the Easter egg hider this year for her family's annual Easter egg hunt on Easter morning. Ada is excited, but hears her older brother, Arthur, say that he isn't interested in doing the hunt this year because it is usually too easy for him; this makes it a challenge for Ada! With the help of her friends Iggy and Rosie, they work hard to find good spots to hide their eggs to stump Arthur and get him to do the egg hunt again. The friends get some help from the Easter bunny to figure out a way to really hide their eggs.

Ada Twist, Scientist: Show Me the Bunny is a fun book that is both Eastery and teaches you about camouflage. I already knew about camouflage but hadn't ever thought about using it to hide Easter eggs, and I like that at the end of the book there are some paper eggs to practice camouflage for when Easter comes soon. The story was easy for me to read and understand and made me think about ways of solving other problems I might have.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 18:58:52", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010911031", "title": "Cady and the Bear Necklace: A Cady Whirlwind Thunder Mystery, 2nd Ed.", "author": "Ann Dallman", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - age 15", "word_count": 179, "review": "Cady and the Bear Necklace is a great mystery story about a young Native American girl. It is the first book in the Cady Whirlwind Thunder Mysteries series. In this story, Cady discovers an eagle feather on the floor of her school. Upon turning it into the principal she is told she will encounter a mystery in her life. Soon, she discovers a beaded necklace with a small statue of a bear. With some help from her friends, she sets out to learn where the necklace came from and to whom it belonged. In her research, she will learn more about how her grandmother used to live. Overall, this was an amazing book. It was very well written and I enjoyed reading all of it. The story behind the necklace was intriguing, and I liked hearing it explained by Cady's grandma and Grandma Eunice. I also liked the cultural aspects of the book, such as the beaded clothing and jewelry. I would recommend this book to kids from fourth grade to seventh grade, especially if they enjoy mystery novels.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "18-May-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 18:09:39", "publisher": "Modern History Press", "page_count": "134 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010911019", "title": "Blood Scion", "author": "Deborah Falaye", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 11", "word_count": 208, "review": "Blood Scion is about a young fifteen-year-old girl named Sloane. Sloane\u2019s life has always been difficult since the Lucis took over years ago. To make matters worse, Sloane is a \u201cscion,\u201d a descendant of the fire god Shango, the very people that the Lucis are trying to wipe out. On her fifteenth birthday, Sloane gets drafted into the Lucis army for a period of three years. Sloane must now hide her scion abilities amongst the very people trying to kill her kind. Get the book to discover how Sloane survives amongst the Lucis army and makes allies along the way.

This story had me on the edge of my seat every time I flipped the page. It was filled with plot twists, pain, grief, joy, and a whole lot of mystery! This book is for anyone ages eleven and up. I even told my mom that she needs to read it and I am pretty sure she will love it just as much as I do. Blood Scion is great for fantasy lovers and anyone who believes in Black girl magic. This book is amazing. Get yours now before the rest of the world finds out about it, because it is going to be flying off the shelves!", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 17:10:30", "publisher": "HarperTeen", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010911015", "title": "Cats & Books", "author": "Universe", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 190, "review": "I don't think I've smiled so much as when I read through Cats & Books,/em>! The book is calming and will do nothing but bring a smile to your face (unless, maybe, you are one of the people who unfathomably doesn't like cats). The book is one big story about many cats who have their own opinion on books, but it is read by readers who love them and maybe books as well. The cats live around the world, with a handful listed in the USA while others live in England, France, Australia, and elsewhere. The cats live in homes and bookstores alike.

I just feel so happy talking about Cats & Books because it's a (literal) no-brainer to read because it is comprised of high-definition, close-up pictures of cats (usually posed on or by books) and several facts about the individual cats that celebrate the feline species! If you are a cat owner/parent, you can easily relate to and understand what you are reading. Cat owners/parents/lovers or not, anyone will enjoy this book regardless of feelings because it takes no effort to read/scan and is an immediate mood booster.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 16:46:12", "publisher": "Universe", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010911011", "title": "The Goldenacre", "author": "Philip Miller", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 197, "review": "Thomas Tallis arrives in Edinburgh tasked with proving that the Goldenacre, Charles Rennie Macintosh\u2019s last masterpiece, has a sound provenance before it is transferred to the Public Library. Tallis\u2019s sudden departure from his previous job and his decidedly one-sided relationship with his father, a former deputy director of MI6, give him an air of mystery.

Separately, Shona Sandison, senior reporter at the Edinburgh Post, is following up on the murder of a local artist. She is an old-school journalist, with a chip on her shoulder, a sharp tongue, and a limp. The two follow their individual paths, him finding himself blocked at every turn from actually seeing the painting, her plugging away at background information on the art world.

Seasoned mystery readers will spot where this tale is heading, and even guess the nice little twist toward the end. The plot, however, is not the driving force behind this story. That honor falls to the writing. It is the magic way oddly juxtaposed words manage to convey the essence of a scene, the feelings of a character, or the ugliness of an act, more vividly than any dictionary-precise language, that makes The Goldenacre a thoroughly worthwhile read.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 16:36:03", "publisher": "Soho Crime", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010911003", "title": "Born to Be Hanged: The Epic Story of the Gentlemen Pirates Who Raided the South Seas, Rescued a Princess, and Stole a Fortune", "author": "Keith Thomson", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eliana - age 12", "word_count": 173, "review": "Born to Be Hanged is a non-fiction narrative that reads like historical fiction. It chronicles the story of a set of pirates who are commissioned by a Native American leader to rescue his daughter. Later, they go on to steal multiple treasures from the Spanish.

By utilizing the diaries of seven pirates and some of the more law-following figures in their story, Born to Be Hanged gives the reader an amazing sense of what the men experienced in their unlawful adventure. Excerpts from the diaries of these seven, modified only to fix the grammar and make them more readable, are sprinkled throughout the book. These passages from historical texts keep what would otherwise seem like a piece of fantasy firmly rooted in reality.

Though it is aimed at adults, Born to Be Hanged is easily readable by teens. Every library should have a copy, and it is worth having at home for a pirate enthusiast or a lover of historical adventures. Born to Be Hanged is a worthwhile book for anyone to read.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "02-May-2022", "date_added": "25-Feb-2022 16:05:56", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010908003", "title": "The Grand Design: A Novel of Dorothy Draper", "author": "Joy Callaway", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 200, "review": "In chapters alternating between 1908 and 1946, The Grand Design tells the story of two formative visits to the Greenbrier in West Virginia. In 1908, we follow Dorothy Tuckerman as she pursues a tumultuous romance with a visiting Italian racecar driver. In 1946, she is Dorothy Draper, a divorced woman managing her own interior design company. World War II has just ended, and she has been called back to the Greenbrier to restore it to its former glory and then some. She plans not to recreate the place she knew but to revitalize it for a new era, even as others argue against her vision and ghosts of the past threaten to distract her.

The first few chapters were not as engaging as the rest of the book proved to be. I felt as though there was too much to catch up on in the first 1946 chapters and too much already revealed for the first 1908 chapters. As the book went on, those balanced out, and I found myself drawn into the story. This is a deep, engaging story about some of the quieter aspects of history, and one of the too often unnoticed ways women can raise their voices.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "24-May-2022", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 21:37:35", "publisher": "Harper Muse", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010907015", "title": "We Should All Be Feminists: A Guided Journal", "author": "Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 216, "review": "Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie\u2019s We Should All Be Feminists: A Guided Journal is based on the author\u2019s book-length essay of the same title. The journal edition reiterates important points on the intersectionality of oppression that manifests in how women-identified people experience race, gender, national origin, and other salient identities. Journal prompts are pre-empted by quotes from the author\u2019s writings, as well as important moments in U.S. and global feminist history. The final pages include lists of nonprofits whose missions are centered around uplifting women and girls.

The hardbound volume is beautifully rendered in pages that will inspire introspection and self-revelation. If you\u2019re looking for a muse, there are full-color photographs of the author looking fashionable and fabulous. Trivia about feminist icons such as Rosa Parks, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Malala Yousafzai is a great reminder about how courage and bold vision made way for progress.

The guided journal offers an invitation to reflect on lived experiences, while also developing a lens to see the world through the experiences of women with different backgrounds. While the journal may be targeted at those who identify as women, it can be useful for anyone who wants to embark on a journey of self-discovery to examine deeply held beliefs, while also focusing attention on what can be done to advance the feminist cause.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "07-Apr-2022", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 21:48:56", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010907011", "title": "The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare", "author": "Kimberly Brock", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 239, "review": "Kimberly Brock has tackled an engrossing and suspenseful subject\u2014the lost colony of Roanoke\u2014in her latest novel The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare. The story of the recovery of that book by Eleanor\u2019s sole surviving descendent, Alice, takes readers back in time and forces them to confront whether they would want all the answers to their own histories, should they suddenly be made available.

Upon her father\u2019s death, Alice and her daughter Penn return to the family estate, Evertell, that Alice tried to separate from years before. It is a place filled with mystery and fears Alice has tried to forget, but as a widow with little prospects, she must confront the place and the secrets it holds. Their arrival is greeted by Sonder, a man a few years Alice\u2019s senior who has cared for the land ever since she and her father left when Alice was just a child. With his help, Alice learns how to use and trust the commonplace book Eleanor protected fifteen generations before.

At times the novel runs a bit into itself; the historical fiction aspects press up too tightly against the narrative of a young woman trying to heal from her own pain as she nurtures her daughter into young womanhood. The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare is worth the time, though, especially for people interested in the earliest days of colonists in America and the rich tradition of women passing down their stories over generations.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2022", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 21:38:53", "publisher": "Harper Muse", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010907003", "title": "Ocean State", "author": "Stewart O'Nan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 197, "review": "Readers find out at the beginning of the book that one of the characters, Angel, assists in the killing of someone. Ocean State is about two sisters, Marie and Angel. Angel, the older sister, has been dating Myles for three years now, however Myles has been cheating on Angel with a girl named Birdy. This love triangle continues throughout the book with Birdy secretly going to meet Myles for champagne and an evening of romance here and there. In the meantime, Marie, the little sister, narrates the story from her point of view. I found the premise of the story to be good, but there were also too many uninteresting parts in the book. The family is very dysfunctional with the mother, Carol, dating all sorts of men. Marie is coming-of-age and loves snooping around in her sisters stuff. Angel is your typical rebellious teenager. Myles is a wealthy rich boy that all the girls want. And Birdy is one of them. The climax of the story appears suddenly with very little detail as to the murder itself. I feel that this book fell flat in so many areas and had potential to be so much more.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2022", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 21:30:09", "publisher": "Grove Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000010906015", "title": "And They Lived . . .", "author": "Steven Salvatore", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1005, "review": "YA For the Forever Young\n\nIf you prefer your young adult fiction to feature some romance or maybe a poetic memoir, then the books included in this list will appeal to you. There\u2019s a mix of contemporary, paranormal, and science fiction to dip into as well as a hint of horror and some LGBTQ+ vibes.\n\nAnd They Lived . . . by Steven Salvatore\n\nSteven Salvatore brings us an emotionally vibrant story that celebrates self-acceptance. It is the perfect novel for young adults, especially those who are questioning their sexuality and/or gender, and their allies. Chase Arthur, a Disney-obsessed romantic and promising animator, is preoccupied with finding the love of his life. The trouble is, he has body dysmorphia and is recovering from an eating disorder caused by his father, and he is also struggling with his gender identity. In the thick of starting college, Chase meets Jack Reid, who seems to be a dream come true: a romantic with a longing to experience all that there is beyond his small world. However, Chase soon discovers that Jack has to deal with many hurdles when overcoming his internalized homophobia due to his conservative upbringing. When Jack gets a surprise visit from his family, it throws Chase and Jack\u2019s relationship into disarray. Chase soon finds that he needs to learn how to love and accept himself above all else in order to thrive. The author of Can\u2019t Take That Away, Salvatore gives us another beautiful story with And They Lived; your heartstrings will be pulled and you won\u2019t regret it. \n\nStar Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler by Ibi Zoboi\n\nIn Star Child, renowned author Ibi Zoboi shines the spotlight on starry-eyed Octavia Butler, the New York Times Bestselling author of Parable of the Sower and Kindred, in both poems and prose. This is a must-read for any fans of Octavia Butler, and Zoboi truly highlights the inspirational and memorable nature of Butler\u2019s work, particularly her formative years and how she integrated her life into her work. This book is a one-of-a-kind read, especially in its form and content, and you can definitely say it is groundbreaking for science fiction and for biographies. Butler was raised around the time of the Space Race and the Civil Right Movement, which informed her views from that point onwards, as is evident in her literature. Zoboi makes it very clear that she admires Butler, using poetry and prose to offer an account of Butler\u2019s life, and it is beautifully done. If you have not previously read anything by Butler, this memoir is the perfect introduction to her work. \n\nThe Kindred by Alechia Dow\n\nThe bestselling author of Wings of Ebony, Alechia Dow gives us an action-packed science fiction story about the power of love and its ability to change the world in The Kindred. In order to save a galaxy from insurgency, kindred mind pairings were put together to make sure every person has a voice, regardless of class and hierarchical structure. Joy Abara lives an uncomplicated life. Well, aside from the fact that her kindred pairing is with the notorious Duke Felix Hamdi, she is very much a working-class girl. Felix, on the other hand, is a well-known playboy who chooses to rebel against his noble obligations in the hope of one day being free to make his own choices. However, circumstances are working against him and he finds himself next in line for the throne after the royal family are assassinated. To make matters worse, he is accused of committing the murders. Additionally, Felix realizes that he is a target and so is Joy as his kindred match. During their first meeting, they decide to bolt to another planet and end up crash-landing on an underdeveloped planet called Earth. They soon find that, as they are now out of sight, they are able to further develop their kindred attachment, as well as their growing emotional bond, in order to uncover a wrongdoing that could determine the fate of the galaxy. \n\nGolden Boys by Phil Stamper\n\nRaised in a small town, best friends Gabriel, Reese, Sal, and Heath are facing their last year of high school, with every one of them heading in a different direction afterwards. Golden Boys is the story of the boys\u2019 last summer together as a close-knit group as well as of the complexities of finding their own identities and exploring their feelings. Stamper relates a heart-warming and captivating coming-of-age tale of queerness that you will undoubtably find gripping from the first few pages onwards. As a reader, you will be torn between wanting the characters to stay together in their safe and comfortable bubble and wanting them to individually explore exciting new things away from each other. Every character is distinct and believable, and they all bring things to the table. Golden Boys sees all four boys overcoming their own issues and barriers in order to grow, and it is a story that will stay with you long after you have finished reading. \n\nExtasia by Claire Legrand\n\nThe New York Times critically acclaimed author of Sawkill Girls, Claire Legrand brings us an eerie novel about a brave girl who decides to join a witch's coven in an effort to uncover the malevolent force that threatens her village. Her new novel, Extasia, shows us a world that has been destroyed, with a few survivors who all live in Haven, a village that is tormented by grisly deaths. With the protagonist becoming one of the four saints of Haven, she works with her sisters to protect the village against the evil that abides beneath the black mountain. There are also strange and vicious creatures that pursue her, as well as witches that call to her from past the outer walls. She soon finds that the village\u2019s fate is in her hands, but she is ready to take on the fight. This lyrical novel may even make you feel ill at ease at times, as it is certainly enthralling. It is definitely worth reading.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 22:04:06", "publisher": "Bloomsbury YA", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010906007", "title": "The Night Shift: A Novel", "author": "Alex Finlay", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 191, "review": "Alex Finlay does it again in his newest suspense thriller Night Shift. It\u2019s New Years Eve 1999. A group of Blockbuster Video employees gets murdered. There is only one survivor. A girl named Ella. Fast forward to 2015. Ella is now a therapist, helping others find their way through life\u2019s problems. She gets a call while out one night to come to the local hospital. Someone has killed all of the employees at the local ice cream shop. Only one survivor. Just like Ella.

This book will have its readers\u2019 attention held from start to finish. The FBI gets called in on the case and a very pregnant Sarah Keller and her assistant Atticus start their mission to try and find the killer. Could it be the young man first accused and acquitted of the video store murders? Or his abusive father? This book had me guessing the whole time. There was never a dull moment. And of course, there was a twist at the end which is always my favorite part of any well-written thriller. I would recommend this book to fans of Harlen Coben, Karin Slaughter, and Ruth Ware.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2022", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 21:04:11", "publisher": "Minotaur Books", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010906003", "title": "Dance of Light: Christian, Sufi and Zen wisdom for today's spiritual seeker", "author": "Alice McDowell Ph.D.", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 456, "review": "In Dance of Light, scholar, teacher, and writer Alice McDowell discusses the process of spiritual journey as a dance, from the perspective of mystical traditions of Christianity, Sufism, and Zen Buddhism. In this offering, McDowell draws upon her training in theology and transpersonal psychology, as well as life-long experiences in developing her spiritual path and guiding others to forge their own journey. Noting similarities and contrasts between Eastern and Western approaches to spiritual awakening, McDowell merges lessons from divergent traditions to deliver a nuanced understanding of the universal human quest for deeper meaning. Teachings across time and cultures coalesce to reveal enlightened truths about the way of the seeker.

Certain people are predisposed to looking beyond material pursuits. The spiritual path could at times be discouraging, and one may feel stuck or lack inspiration to move forward. Readers at different stages of learning about and achieving spiritual consciousness will delight in the poignant lessons of Dance of Light, and be encouraged to continue the journey when it seems difficult to go on. By using the metaphor of the Zen ox-herding pictures and timeless stories from Sufi and Christian sojourners, McDowell explains the spiritual path in accessible language that is relatable and inviting. Her tone and approach are designed to reach a wide audience of spiritual seekers who may be on different paths and stages of the journey.

I read Dance of Light from my lived experiences that merged a Christian upbringing and being a student of Buddhism for more than a decade. I am least familiar with the tenets and practices of Sufism. McDowell\u2019s cross-cultural, interfaith approach is affirming and welcoming for people of diverse and agnostic spiritual orientations. She discusses similarities between faiths and offers common grounding on both direct and indirect paths to journeying inward and attaining deep knowledge about the true nature of the quest. Seeing the common threads that bind distinct spiritual traditions is useful for readers who are intent in forging a path of understanding. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter allow the opportunity for journaling and introspection. McDowell reminds us that every spiritual journey is lifelong work, and each experience of advancing and stopping should be seen as instructive.

This is an excellent book for anyone who is curious about contemporary applications of mystical spiritual traditions. McDowell writes in an engaging way, creating space for curiosity to flourish. She describes her own journey of self-discovery as a spiritual seeker and guide, offering examples of her lived experiences and cognitive synthesis of the three traditions. Through the experiences of others she has guided along the way, she explains the process of unlearning and unraveling to define one\u2019s true nature and purpose: who we are and why we are here.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "04-Jul-2022", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 20:53:32", "publisher": "Wisdom Editions, an inprint of Calumet Editions", "page_count": "198 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010903019", "title": "The Darkest Place: A Robin Lockwood Novel (Robin Lockwood, 5)", "author": "Phillip Margolin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 214, "review": "An absolutely thrilling book, The Darkest place takes its readers from Portland, Oregon to Elk Grove, a farming community in the Midwest, in the fifth installment of the Robin Lockwood series. Robin is a top-notch attorney, but when a tragedy strikes at home, she finds herself back at her mother's house in Elk Grove to convalesce. While in Elk Grove, a past schoolmate turned attorney asks for her help in a case that he has just taken on. A woman named Ruth Larson has been arrested for assaulting a woman and kidnapping and possibly abusing her baby, a baby that Ruth was the surrogate for. What Robin soon finds out is that Ruth is actually Marjorie Loman, a police officer from Portland who the Portland police are looking for in connection with the murder of her husband.

This book has twists and turns at every corner and at times, it's hard to tell if the characters who are in question are being truthful or tricky. I love how the author had the characters change settings and then head back to the original setting. From a big city to a small town, the author was able to convey how each scenario differed both in the courtroom and out of it. An excellent read for mystery lovers.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "21-Jun-2022", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 22:27:16", "publisher": "Minotaur Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010903007", "title": "Dead Collections: A Novel", "author": "Isaac Fellman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 189, "review": "Dead Collections is certainly one of those novels that lingers with you long after you\u2019ve put it down. The story is centered on Sol, a vampire transman working and living in the basement of a large archives department. Things are going perfectly well for Sol; he\u2019s good at his job, he has creative hobbies (like reading fanfiction theories about his favorite show in his spare time), and he has regular access to fresh blood from the local transfusion clinic.

But things start to go awry when the widow of his favorite television writer donates her wife\u2019s papers to the archive. A very attractive widow named Elsie, who once argued with him online about their mutual fandom years ago. As their relationship develops, strange things start to happen at the archives, and once it\u2019s revealed that Sol has been living in his office, both his job and his life are at risk.

A moving allegory of what it means to live as a transperson in a world that often doesn\u2019t even understand its own prejudices, Dead Collections isn\u2019t afraid to shine a light on the sometimes dark corners of life.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "07-Apr-2022", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 21:18:04", "publisher": "Penguin Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010902011", "title": "The Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti", "author": "Jennifer Probst", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 180, "review": "The Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti is a beautiful book about love, misunderstandings, and missed opportunities. Sisters Pris, Dev, and Bailey are grieving the death of their mother Olivia who unexpectedly passed from pneumonia. While going through her belongings, they find a chest filled with letters from a man named \"R\" as well as a deed to a house in Positano, Italy. They realize these letters are love letters between their mother and \"R\" and decide to take a trip to Italy to not only see the house but to also find \"R\".

Jennifer Probst does a wonderful job of giving her readers the whole story albeit in little pieces. The relationships between the sisters are wonderfully described as they are able to be themselves and create a bond when working together. The letters between Olivia and Rafe are heartwarming and wrenching at the same time and I'm sure many readers like myself wondered while reading what would have happened if they had ended up together. This book is perfect for fans of Jane Green, Nicholas Sparks, and Emily Giffin.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "21-Apr-2022", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 21:53:06", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "380 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010902007", "title": "The Turning Point: 1851--A Year That Changed Charles Dickens and the World", "author": "Robert Douglas-Fairhurst", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 205, "review": "In 1851, the Industrial Revolution was transforming England, as new innovations changed how work was done. The literary world was undergoing a similar transformation, as there was a changing of the guard in terms of favored authors. Charles Dickens was straddling the fence during this transformation, as he was widely read and renowned. Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickelby, and A Christmas Carol had already been written and published. Critics opined that Dickens\u2019 best work was behind him.

Dickens would prove his detractors wrong, however, as he was involved in editing and writing for a magazine entitled Household Words. Dickens\u2019 work in the magazine and his later novels would possess biting social commentary and satire reflective of the growing economic divisions in England. Dickens\u2019 concern for the social betterment of the downtrodden was on display in both literature and his involvement with Urania Cottage, a home for displaced women. As the seasons changed in 1851, Dickens worked on his next memorable book, Bleak House.

The Turning Point charts a crucial year in the life of the prolific and legendary author Charles Dickens. The appreciation for Dickens and his body of work after 1851 will only grow after reading this fine book. A noteworthy history and biographical work.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2022", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 21:49:47", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010902003", "title": "Secrets of the Sprakkar: Iceland's Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World", "author": "Eliza Reid", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 198, "review": "Iceland sounds idyllic with gender equality a tempting selling point. Women stride through the pages showing their position alongside rather than behind the menfolk. And until later sections when the equality frays just a little at the edges in workforce leadership the equality, even preference for women holds firm. The government\u2019s social services contribute substantially to birth, schooling, and childcare, and generous post-natal leave for both \u2018parent one\u2019 and \u2018parent two.\u2019 Extended family and the camaraderie of traditional women\u2019s groups are an added blessing.

Eliza Reid, a Canadian journalist wears another hat as the wife of Gudni J\u00f3hannesson President of Iceland. Playing an almost symbolic rather than political role, she presents a charmingly personal account of life in contemporary Iceland, Readers enjoy her mildly sedate romp through the joys of guilt-free sex, and readily available contraception and abortion, which may raise a few eyebrows.

Farming and fishing are the country\u2019s two economic mainstays and both well served by women, likewise sport on land and sea. Several grants help women, almost all working outside the home, to pursue their literary and artistic talents. Secrets of the Sprakkar translates to Iceland\u2019s Extraordinary Women and shows pleasure need not be a guilt trip.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "24-May-2022", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 20:42:38", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010901011", "title": "Your excellency free will. Excelent\u00edsimo albedr\u00edo", "author": "Amparo Casasbellas Alconada", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 408, "review": "With the expertise of a skilled surgeon, the vision of a dreamer, and the soulfulness of a broken-hearted lover, Amparo Casasbellas Alconada explores different profound subjects in Your Excellency Free Will Excelentisimo Albedrio\u2014including love and its loss, the beauty of life, and humanity's struggle with pain and suffering. Amparo Casasbellas Alconada's debut book of poems reflects her experience of life and her ponderings during a period of ten years.

Some poems are dedicated to the author's relations and some others are dedicated to places and things that hold a nostalgic value for the author. Ninth of November, a poem dedicated to \"Papa\", depicts Amparo's connection with her father through poetry. She recalls bittersweet memories of her grandparents' house in the poem, Monteagudo. A Church in Oviedo portrays a man who \"wipes the benches of the sinners\" as if they are being cleansed by his wipes.

Amparo Casasbellas Alconada paints images and plants ideas in the minds of readers with carefully selected concepts\u2014like the moon, trees, horses, churches, the sun, healing, roots, silence, and songs. It's hard to select a favorite as the poems are so creative and profound that I spent a good while contemplating the messages they pass. One of my favorite quotes in the book is from the poem, Fraternal Land: \"We shall understand that we have too many borders that have heartbreakingly stolen our embraces.\" The word \"borders\" from the poem signifies to me the different stereotypes people have about one another based on their identities, which create unnecessary strife and pain.

I liked that each poem is tagged with a location and a date as I got a glimpse of the environment of the author at the time of writing the poems. Literature enthusiasts will appreciate the use of personification, metaphor, simile, and other figures of speech in the book. I was completely immersed in the poems as I enjoyed the tasteful selection and combination of words.

Your Excellency Free Will Excelentisimo Albedrio is a gift of comfort and companionship for readers on a path of remembrance or deep reflection about life. Reading the first poem in the book was like taking the first bite of a rare, delicious delicacy. After devouring the book and feeding my soul with its passionate and deeply meaningful words, I felt a need to return to it again and again for a refill in the future. I applaud the author and the translators that contributed to creating this tour de force!", "issue": "March 2022", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2022", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 19:30:41", "publisher": "PROSA Amerian Editores, Buenos Aires", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010901007", "title": "A Noise in the Garden ", "author": "Doreen Stock", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Keana Aguilar Labra", "word_count": 477, "review": "Taken from Doreen Stock\u2019s background as a memoirist and literary translator, the poems in this collection, A Noise in the Garden, turn memory into poems and history into tenderness. In a humble gesture, Stock lends her skills to the world by way of embracing and seeking this memorialization of photographs, events, and people.

The opening section shares the title of the book, and the titles thereafter refer to the central object of each section. Thoughtful and provoking, certain poems contain epigraphs pertaining to different myths and religions, such as King David and the Angel of Death. One could argue that the voice of each poem is akin to mythology, steeped in the curious tone of knowing. With the poet\u2019s experience and practice comes a contemplative mindset and an assuredness that comes with this wisdom. The callbacks to religion and history continue with biblical imagery of wine, fish, and salmon.

Stock marries history to the present with her ekphrastic poems, the most striking being \u201cMan, Head in Hand, Resting on the Banks of the Euphrates,\u201d in response to a New York Times photograph by Tyler Hicks. This decision to include a response to an existing work continues the theme of this collection as a whole: sharing the beauty and breath of the world should we dare to live in its blazing present.

Alongside world histories, Stock shares personal, touching moments of her own. In \u201cOn Leaving the Academy of Science,\u201d the reader is transported through time, from January 2015 to the next section marked 2016, with the whimsy of twilight and warmth upon seeing Stock\u2019s living legacy: her children and grandchildren.

Into the next year, the reader is taken on travels with Stock, exploring this feeling of longing and observing places such as Germany, Argentina, and Haiti. Despite this fusion of past, fantasy, and memory, we are ever rooted in the floating present, including nods to the Black Lives Matter movement.

As the book continues, we don\u2019t necessarily leave the reminiscence of memory and the past, but it is as though the reader catches up to Stock and where she is as we move closer to the now, especially as the sections continue through the years, exploring moments in 2017, 2018, and 2019, until we arrive in 2020. The topics remain relevant, such as touching upon a pandemic that lingers with us to this day. Stock is honest and raw, and readers should be warned to take care with the heavy topics and intense verbiage used, especially if they and their families were personally affected by COVID-19 deaths and restrictions.

Stock creates a portal through time with A Noise in the Garden, and we sift through the weaving of her life and experiences throughout the book. Through these significant moments in time and history, Stock returns to what\u2019s most important: her family, people, and us, as a whole.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "02-May-2022", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 19:26:23", "publisher": "Kelsay Books", "page_count": "107 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010901003", "title": "Chatsworth Royalty", "author": "Michael Botz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 424, "review": "Chatsworth Royalty is a well-written book with elements of danger, suspense, romance, and humor. After being let go from his job after a horrible and tragic event, Jake Wood decides that he needs a change of scenery. He decides to go to Sherman Oaks, California to visit his cousin Jana whom he has newly connected with. Being from Iowa, Jake isn't quite used to the people or the fast-paced culture in the busy cities. The strange thing is, when Jake arrives, Jana is nowhere to be found. He tries calling and texting but does not get an answer so he does the next thing he can think of and shows up at her place. There, he meets her best friend Laurie who explains that Jana's boss has her all over the place doing things for work.

During this interchange it is clear that Jake and Laurie click with each other and a little romance is also foreshadowed. This is despite the fact that Laurie has an abusive boyfriend named Danny. Although Jake is a small-town guy, he has no problem putting Danny in his place since he has wrestling experience. I really liked the way Jake and Laurie become friends naturally instead of too much romance all at once. Both characters are likable and really care about Jana's well-being.

When Jana doesn't turn up, Jake and Laurie know that something is fishy and they go to investigate her job as Dr. Gregory Mirek's assistant. Dr. Mirek is \"a big shot in the field of primatology research\". This book also ends up having a heavy section about animal cruelty beyond the testing of cosmetics. It is an eyeopener for people who know little about animal research and abuse. It would be great if at the end of the book there were some resources to animal rights groups as well as researched articles about animal abuse and the people who are trying to stop it. There is a character in the book named Hunter who is an advocate for animal rights. While Jake and Laurie are searching for Jana they find Hunter was one of the last people Jana had tried calling before her disappearance.

Jake and Laurie do a great job in putting the pieces of the puzzle together even though neither of them is anywhere close to being a detective. Chatsworth Royalty is fast-paced yet easy to follow and will have its readers chuckling, saddened, and cheering all at the same time. Enjoy the beautiful Southern Californian scenery and the cartload of colorful characters in this book.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "26-May-2022", "date_added": "23-Feb-2022 19:21:54", "publisher": "End of the Road Publishing", "page_count": "269 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010900019", "title": "The Paradox Hotel: A Novel", "author": "Rob Hart", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 198, "review": "January Cole runs security for the Paradox Hotel. She witnessed many things during her tenure of employment, visiting the past up close. She is efficient and intelligent. She also lacks social niceties and is on the brink of insanity. If she could change the past, she would save her one true love. The constraints of time travel prevent this. The Paradox Hotel is the way station on a vacationer\u2019s guide to the past. However, time travel has proven not to be lucrative. A bidding war has erupted to see who will assume control of the Paradox Hotel and Einstein Airport. January\u2019s task is to secure the hotel and the well-being of the oligarch bidders. January\u2019s plate is soon full with dinosaurs running loose, time seemingly moving backward and her mind doing somersaults. The bidders for the Paradox are targeted for death and January must find the culprit(s).

The Paradox Hotel proves entrancing in its pull right from the start. Science fiction mixed with the aching pangs of loss and romance will pull the reader towards January Cole\u2019s side and bring them along for a thrill ride that threatens to go off the rails even after the book is concluded.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2022", "date_added": "21-Feb-2022 19:01:27", "publisher": "Ballantine Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010900011", "title": "Pink, Blue, and You!: Questions for Kids about Gender Stereotypes", "author": "Elise Gravel", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 9", "word_count": 186, "review": "Boys can\u2019t like the color pink. Only girls can play with dolls. Who made these rules? What does it mean to be a boy or a girl? What does your family look like? These are some of the questions that you will think about in the book, Pink, Blue, and You!

I think it\u2019s weird that people think only girls can like pink. Everyone should be allowed to do what makes them happy. If a boy wants to wear a dress, he can. Or if a girl wants to play with dinosaurs, she can. I also think it\u2019s fine if families look different. If they have two dads or two moms or if their skin color is different, that\u2019s great! Our world would be so boring if everyone looked the same. I like how the book showed real people who followed their dreams even though other people told them they couldn\u2019t. I like all Elise Gravel\u2019s books, and this is another hit. It\u2019s not as funny as her other books, but this book is very interesting, and it made me think about the questions in the book.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2022", "date_added": "21-Feb-2022 18:30:52", "publisher": "Anne Schwartz Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010900007", "title": "The Stack", "author": "Vanessa Roeder", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - age 10", "word_count": 113, "review": "The Stack is a sweet story about a little girl who goes in search of a star because she\u2019s scared of the dark at bedtime. She begins her quest by stacking books on a chair, but when that\u2019s not high enough she goes to extremes in order to reach the tallest place she desires. The book is full of funny illustrations and little jokes all along the way that make you still keep guessing what more ridiculous things she could add. It\u2019s a book that all ages will like, from babies to little kids to big kids and grownups, and it\u2019s definitely the kind of book you can read over and over again.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "11-May-2022", "date_added": "21-Feb-2022 18:29:29", "publisher": "Dial Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010900003", "title": "She Persisted in Science: Brilliant Women Who Made a Difference", "author": "Chelsea Clinton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 9", "word_count": 170, "review": "Women were told that they weren\u2019t good enough in science. Women like Flossie Wong-Staal, Ynes Enriquetta Julietta Mexia, Rebecca Lee Crumpler, and others. They didn\u2019t listen. They persisted and showed that they were good enough and smart enough to become scientists.

This is a great educational book about women in science. All the women scientists were told that they can\u2019t be scientists, but they never stopped. I like all the stories about women scientists, but my favorite is the story about Flossie Wong-Staal. I like how she is named after a typhoon. I also like how her research helped with HIV and COVID-19. I\u2019m glad these women scientists did not listen to all the people who said they couldn\u2019t do it. If they had listened, our world would know less. This is a great book for girls and women to read to inspire them. I also recommend this book to people who enjoy real-life stories. If you like this book, you can read the other She Persisted books in the series.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2022", "date_added": "21-Feb-2022 18:28:17", "publisher": "Philomel Books", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010899015", "title": "Justice League by Scott Snyder Deluxe Edition Book Three", "author": "Scott Snyder", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 187, "review": "Lex Luther is back and more dangerous than ever. With an unwinnable war on the horizon, the League splits up to find fragments of the only thing that can save them. One team goes to the future, where the human population is all but extinguished. One team to the past, where it seems history is not what it's supposed to be. The last team stays behind to keep the portal open. But nothing ever goes as planned as Luther makes his own allies and sets out to destroy not only the Justice League but the multiverse as well.

This is a collection of Justice League issues from the early days, but it's late enough that if you're not familiar with the DC universe already, it'll be confusing. With my limited knowledge, I was able to enjoy the story without much problem, until I came to the end and found out that if I want to know the conclusion to the arc, I have to get the next issue. The art of the cover is amazing; it matches the style of the comics and brings the characters to life.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "10-May-2022", "date_added": "21-Feb-2022 19:02:38", "publisher": "DC", "page_count": "306 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010899003", "title": "Climb On!", "author": "Baptiste Paul", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 192, "review": "Dad is lying on the couch and announces it is a good day to watch \u201cfutbol,\u201d but his daughter reminds him he promised they would hike that day to the top of a nearby mountain. They plan well and pack up water and snacks and a first aid kit and a camera. The girl takes the lead, and Dad starts asking if they are there yet. The way is convoluted, the path is difficult, and the forest is dense and filled with bugs, birds, flowers, and thick plants. But they climb on and on. Dad asks if they are there yet, but no, not yet. They take a short rest and look down on their town, but climb on until finally, they reach the top, ready to start the trip home.

Author Baptiste Paul has written a fun story sprinkled with the Creole patois native to the place the story takes place. The language is spare and lyrical, the story is compelling and fun. The rich and stunning illustrations created by Jacqueline Alc\u00e1ntara fill every page with marvelous details that will keep young listeners engaged throughout repeated readings. This is a real winner.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "10-May-2022", "date_added": "21-Feb-2022 18:27:08", "publisher": "NorthSouth Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010898007", "title": "The Wolf Den (Volume 1) (Wolf Den Trilogy)", "author": "Elodie Harper", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 203, "review": "The Wolf Den largely takes place in a Roman brothel of the same name, in the city of Pompeii. The title is not inaccurate. Although the main reading of it comes from a quirk of Latin, making the word for prostitute the same as the word for a female wolf, it also offers another, more interesting reading. The women in this novel make up a pack of wolves themselves: fierce, loyal, cutthroat, and hungry. Yet, lupine as they are, the protagonists are some of the most human I have encountered in a book about the Roman Empire.

I expected to find The Wolf Den interesting for its unorthodox subject matter, since so many books about Ancient Rome focus on the men (and it was a very masculine civilization). I did not expect to fall in love with it, which I did all too easily. Amara and her fellows are flawed, strong, and incredibly compelling. Even when they made choices that I found distasteful, I understood why they did them. Better still, those choices seemed like part of the character as much as they served the story as a whole. I can\u2019t wait for the rest of the series to reach the United States.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2022", "date_added": "21-Feb-2022 18:58:33", "publisher": "Union Square & Co.", "page_count": "488 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010897015", "title": "Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 1: The Neighborhood (Detective Comics (2016-))", "author": "Mariko Tamaki", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 187, "review": "Danger and mystery are afoot in Gotham as people go missing and turn up dead. And who does the blame fall on? Batman and Bruce Wayne, of course. With the police after both of his identities, Batman must search for clues and unlikely allies to help him save the people of Gotham before it's too late.

Huntress isn't good with the whole \"friend\" thing, but when the one person she's grown fond of is killed, she goes on a hunt for revenge, leading her to team up with the Batman himself in the search for a killer.

With interesting characters and colorful art, I was hooked from the beginning and easily finished this collection of issues in one afternoon. This was the first Batman comic I've read, but I was able to understand what was going on and who the characters are with my limited knowledge of the DC universe. A few things were referenced from past issues, but they were briefly explained so it wasn't confusing. Huntress isn\u2019t the only other vigilante to make an appearance, many of the batfam do as well, if only briefly.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "07-Apr-2022", "date_added": "21-Feb-2022 19:03:20", "publisher": "DC", "page_count": "203 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010896007", "title": "The Girl in Duluth", "author": "Sigrid Brown", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1054, "review": "Catch Up on Thrillers\n\nPacked with secrets, lies, and deadly danger, the five thrillers included in this roundup are tense, devastating, and likely to keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page through to the last.\n\nGood Girls Die First by Kathryn Foxfield\n\n\u201cEight o\u2019clock, Portgrave Pier. Can you keep a secret?\u201d When sixteen-year-old Ava receives this slightly sinister invitation, she immediately recognizes that the mystery assignation must be linked to a secret she\u2019s been keeping, a secret that she\u2019s being blackmailed about. Desperate to ensure that her secret stays hidden, she decides to risk keeping the appointment and, perhaps, discovering the identity of her blackmailer. When she arrives at the derelict carnival located at the end of the pier, she finds that nine other young adults have all received the same invitation, suggesting that they all also have secrets they want to keep hidden. As fog and possibly something supernatural result in the pier becoming cut off from the outside world, the ten teenagers start to realize that they might just have been given the opportunity to take revenge on both their blackmailer and unwelcome faces from the past. Once Ava understands that the others all intend to do what\u2019s best for themselves, whatever the consequences, she has to decide how far she\u2019s willing to go to protect her secret and ensure her survival. Kathryn Foxfield\u2019s Good Girls Die First is a dark thriller tinged with horror and mystery, which is sure to particularly appeal to young adult readers.\n\nThe Appeal by Janice Hallett\n\nDespite initial appearances, there are several decidedly sinister things bubbling away beneath the otherwise tranquil surface of Lower Lockwood, a picturesque country town worthy of being the setting for an Agatha Christie story. In the present day, barrister Richard Tanner QC tasks pupils Charlotte and Femi with wading through a large bundle of evidence\u2013\u2013emails, text messages, and transcripts\u2013\u2013in an effort to clear the name of someone who has been convicted of murder. That person has been in jail for a while, but it\u2019s just possible that they might be innocent. Everyone featured in the documents is a possible suspect, and it seems like most of them have something to hide. Charlotte and Femi have to read through the conflicting evidence and determine what the Fairway Players\u2019 rehearsals for their forthcoming performance of All My Sons and a charity appeal raising money to provide life-saving anti-cancer treatment for young Poppy Reswick have to do with a murder, which is likely to prove especially difficult given that they don\u2019t know the identity of either the convicted murderer or the victim. With the novel format of The Appeal, Janice Hallett has crafted a fiendishly clever whodunnit in which it takes significant time and perseverance to identify both the crime and the criminal(s).\n\nNo One Notices the Boys by Michelle Birkby\n\nFed up of operating in the shadow of the great Sherlock Holmes, Mrs. Hudson and Mary Watson have established their own enquiry agency, which operates out of the kitchen of 221B Baker Street. In Michelle Birkby\u2019s No One Notices the Boys, which marks the second investigation for the redoubtable duo of Hudson and Watson, an ill Mrs. Hudson has to cope with both the side effects of her medication slowing down her deductive reasoning and no one believing her observations about a spate of deaths of female patients on her hospital ward. Meanwhile, Mary has to deal with another problem that no one wants to recognize: the disappearances of several of the young urchins of have previously helped Holmes out with cases, homeless young boys whose presence people don\u2019t like to acknowledge, let alone their absence. With Holmes and Watson unwilling to put aside more intriguing puzzles to look into these issues, Mrs. Hudson and Mary are the only ones left to follow the threads of the dying women and the disappearing boys and see how the two cases might connect. It all makes for an intriguing investigation and an exciting pastiche of the Sherlock Holmes adventures.\n\nThe Girl in Duluth by Sigrid Brown\n\nWith an atmospheric setting in a remote and densely forested patch of Minnesota adjacent to the Canadian border, The Girl in Duluth by Sigrid Brown tells the evocative and often troubling tale of a rural community populated by families with rumbling resentments and several secrets to hide. Following her mother\u2019s disappearance and the local police force\u2019s apparent inability to crack the case, eighteen-year-old June Bergeron decides to undertake her own investigation. She soon becomes suspicious that her mother\u2019s case might be linked to a series of unsolved murders of women whose bodies were found dumped in the woods near Duluth, and as she investigates the matter further, she finds herself drawn into the hidden underbelly of the city, a grimy place characterized by poverty, exploitation, and abuse. As June comes to realize that many within the community are hiding disturbing secrets, she is forced to admit that she no longer knows what is true or who she can trust. While seeking to find out what really happened to her mother, she ends up finding out more than she ever imagined or wanted to know about the people of Duluth.\n\nThe Cage by Bonnie Kistler\n\nOn a cold Sunday night when people really ought to be at rest and safely tucked up at home, two employees of Claudine de Martineau International, a multinational fashion company, are burning the midnight oil at the Manhattan high-rise office. Lucy Barton-Jones, the head of human resources, and Shay Lambert, a newly appointed corporate lawyer, end up finishing their tasks and getting ready to leave for the night at around the same time. The pair enter the lift on the thirtieth floor together and prepare to descend, each preoccupied with their own thoughts and troubles. However, something goes wrong almost immediately as the lift stops, the lights turn off, and a gunshot rings out. Eventually, the lift starts to move again. When the lift\u2019s doors open after it finally reaches the ground floor, one of the women is dead, but is it a case of murder or suicide? Bonnie Kistler\u2019s The Cage is a suspenseful, action-packed, and tightly plotted legal thriller that starts with a bang and then whisks readers along on a breakneck journey full of twists and turns.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Feb-2022 17:35:43", "publisher": "Sigrid Brown", "page_count": "204 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010895011", "title": "It's a Sign! (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!)", "author": "Jarrett Pumphrey", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 136, "review": "In this book, there are four fox siblings. The youngest fox wants to make a club, but he is just learning how to write his letters. His older brother comes along and wants to help, but he only knows words in the \u201cat\u201d family. The third oldest brother wants to help, but he only knows a few more words. Next, the fourth oldest brother comes along and helps them put everything together to make the greatest club, maybe. Read this book to find out more about their club!

This is a funny book. It was easy to read, yet entertaining. The word bubbles look similar to those from the Elephant and Piggie books. The illustrations were pleasing to look at and colorful. I really liked this book and would like to see it become a series.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "18-May-2022", "date_added": "21-Feb-2022 18:52:38", "publisher": "Hyperion Books for Children", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010895007", "title": "More Than You'll Ever Know: A Novel", "author": "Katie Gutierrez", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 202, "review": "Lore Rivera is married to Fabian and they have twin sons, but that doesn\u2019t stop Lore from marrying Andres when in Mexico City. As an international banker, she is able to keep up the pretence for a while, traveling back and forth between Mexico and Texas. Eventually, the truth comes out and one husband is arrested for murdering the other.

Thirty years later, Cassie Bowman comes across the story and wants to tell it from Lore\u2019s side. She begins interviewing Lore and her family and friends to discover what would make a woman who seemed to have it all risk everything? As Cassie starts to piece things together, she discovers that there may be more to that fateful night, maybe More Than You\u2019ll Ever Know. She\u2019ll have to decide what to do with the truths she discovers.

This book has great character development as it\u2019s told from multiple perspectives and in multiple timelines. While you may not agree with Lore\u2019s choices, the way the book walks you through it with her, you will at least understand why she did the things she did. I highly recommend that you check out this look into the lives of those who lead more than one.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "23-Jun-2022", "date_added": "21-Feb-2022 18:08:40", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010893019", "title": "Weird World War IV", "author": "Sean Patrick Hazlett", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 190, "review": "Albert Einstein once spoke about not knowing how World War III would be fought, but that the next war would be fought \u201cwith sticks and stones.\u201d Not even Einstein could dream up the future wars written about in Weird World War IV. U.S. Army Veteran and speculative fiction writer Sean Patrick Hazlett compiled and curated twenty-one stories into this weird anthology. Contributing writers include Steve Barnes, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Jonathan Maberry, Weston Ochse, and many more award-winning and bestselling authors.

Stories in this anthology range from dystopian in nature to hard-core sci-fi. Some are more fantastical, and others are just plain odd. While not all stories are written from a post-war point of view, they all deal with life after a world-changing event. With the diversity of authors in this collection, the stories cover a wide range of genres, viewpoints, and styles. From novella to screenplay, this book covers it all. Many of these post-apocalyptic stories were written during the global pandemic and reflect the authors\u2019 distrust and ideologies. There is a short story for just about any type of audience. Come take a look at the absurdity of future wars.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "16-May-2022", "date_added": "21-Feb-2022 18:35:21", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010893015", "title": "The Lady and the Unicorn", "author": "B\u00e9atrice Fontanel", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "RIta Long", "word_count": 186, "review": "The Lady and the Unicorn will mystify readers with its captivating illustrations and unique storyline. The mythical and woodland creatures of the forest feel threatened by the aggressive intruders who are invading their formerly peaceful land. The creatures try to hide or run from the hunters, but they will not leave until they get what they came for: the majestic unicorn. The frightened unicorn eventually finds a lady who makes him feel safe and calm. When she holds up a mirror to the unicorn, she discovers his true identity.

This story explains the intriguing unicorn tapestries created by European weavers from 1495\u20131505. These tapestries are displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York as well as in the Cluny Museum in Paris. The author has retold this story based on this series of seven intricate tapestries for children who are unable to view the works of art in person. The artistic images and surprising ending will astound readers who enjoy fairytales. Some of the images and the ending of the book contain mature themes that are best suited for children ages eight to twelve.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "11-Apr-2022", "date_added": "21-Feb-2022 18:25:33", "publisher": "Princeton Architectural Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010892003", "title": "Astonishing the Gods: A Novel", "author": "Ben Okri", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 178, "review": "Astonishing the Gods by Ben Okri relates the story of an unnamed young man as he travels through a land of invisible beings where he encounters strange places and sees marvelous things, although not without encountering challenges along the way. These challenges lead him to a greater understanding and insights that he wasn\u2019t looking for but found anyway. The young man\u2019s wanderings take the reader along with him and his guides on this classic hero\u2019s journey.

A difficult yet deceptively simple book, Astonishing the Gods may be a challenge to readers. It can be, and has been, read as political allegory, myth, fable, social commentary, a discourse on the Atlantic slave trade, or a description of the illusive nature of storytelling itself. First published in 1995, this is the first US edition, after finding quite a following and much acclaim in the UK. This is the type of book where the meaning shifts with every read.

Told in an episodic style, the book is quick to read, but it leaves much by way of food for thought afterward.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "21-Jun-2022", "date_added": "21-Feb-2022 17:21:32", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010891011", "title": "Sunny the Sideloader", "author": "Anne Jordan & Louise Jordan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 53, "review": "\"Sunny the Sideloader and his friends are destined to take their rightful place alongside other classic children's books! This book is masterfully illustrated, filled with colorful characters, and contains an important lesson on the values of friendship. A unique, engaging, and charming tale that your child will treasure!\" --Robert Buccellato, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Feb-2022 00:12:11", "publisher": "Hereford House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010891007", "title": "Sunny the Sideloader", "author": "Anne Jordan & Louise Jordan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 63, "review": "\u201cSometimes all it takes is a little teamwork to get the job done. Sunny the Sideloader is a story about a recycling truck and its friends that will have young children cheering as they turn the pages. Bright, colorful illustrations and adorable talking trucks cover the pages in this book about waste management and keeping the Earth clean.\u201d --Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Feb-2022 00:12:05", "publisher": "Hereford House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010891003", "title": "Sunny the Sideloader", "author": "Anne Jordan & Louise Jordan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 61, "review": "\"Sunny the recycling truck is so excited for his first day of work at Sanitation Station. He rushes off in such a hurry that he forgets to follow Manager Mike\u2019s instructions and makes a huge mess! Sunny and his friends exchange colorful commentary as they figure out how to clean up Workerville as a team.\" --Rita Long, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "February 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Feb-2022 00:11:56", "publisher": "Hereford House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010888011", "title": "Front Page Murder (A Homefront News Mystery)", "author": "Joyce St. Anthony", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 210, "review": "Irene has worked to prove herself ever since taking over the Progress Herald after her father went away to war. When one of her reporters doesn't show up to work, she goes to check on him and finds his body. A mysterious letter found in his desk drawer suggests foul play was involved in his demise but how does a local robbery connect? The police chief doesn't suspect murder so Irene sets out to prove it herself but her digging into the business of the local factory could cause problems that could prove deadly.

The story revolves around Irene's role as editor in chief which sets the investigative elements from the beginning. The historical backdrop propels you back to War World II through mannerisms, dialogue, and themes contributed to the era such as sexism, female empowerment, the discrimination against the Jewish, and the war efforts. These are spun into a story that will make you fall in love with historical mysteries. Subtle details in the background set the era with sugar rationing, name-dropping movie stars, Irene's fianc\u00e9 training for war, renting out a room, and scrap drives. Joyce St. Anthony makes this War World II era mystery shine with brilliant characters, a charming setting, a suspenseful investigation, and delightful sleuthing moments.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2022", "date_added": "18-Feb-2022 16:59:51", "publisher": "Crooked Lane Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010888007", "title": "Wish You Were Gone", "author": "Kieran Scott", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 187, "review": "Wish You Were Gone is an exemplary tale about a man who treats his family so awful that he finally gets what he deserves. James Walsh is found in his convertible BMW which is lodged into the back wall of the family\u2019s garage. Emma, his wife, and Hunter, their son, find him there in the wee hours of the morning. Close friends know that James has an alcohol problem and his wife and kids know all too well about his rage. Was this a drunk driving accident or was something more sinister behind it?

Wish You Were Gone is told in alternating points-of-view. Emma, James wife, Grey, Emma\u2019s friend, Lizzie, Emma\u2019s other friend, and Kelsey, Emma and James\u2019 daughter tell the story through their own eyes until everything comes together piece by piece.

I absolutely loved the relationship between siblings Hunter and Emma, however I was confused at the relationship between Emma and Willow, Lizzie\u2019s daughter until the story between the two girls finally unfolds. This book is fascinating and heart-stopping as secrets are revealed one by one. Recommended for fans of Liane Moriarty and Chevy Stevens.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "11-Apr-2022", "date_added": "18-Feb-2022 16:44:00", "publisher": "Gallery Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010888003", "title": "Classroom Confidence: Georgie Dupree", "author": "Ceece Kelley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 197, "review": "Georgie Dupree recently moved from Louisiana to Washington D.C; she was excited to start a new school but worried that the other kids wouldn\u2019t accept her. Some of the students laughed at Georgie for dancing along to the teacher\u2019s positive affirmation; she became so embarrassed and anxious that she felt sick to her stomach. Georgie tried her best to think positive thoughts, draw pictures of her goals, and be optimistic about each new day. With help from her teacher and friends, Georgie learns to embrace her unique personality and find confidence in a confusing time.

This book is perfect for any young child that is starting school or embarking on a new adventure. Author Ceece Kelley has created an inspirational story that will encourage children to face their fears, persevere in challenging times, and be true to themselves. My favorite aspect of this book is the positive affirmations present throughout the story; encouraging children to repeat these words can increase their self-esteem in times of uncertainty. \u201cGeorgie Dupree: Classroom Confidence\u201d is full of diverse and inclusive illustrations that will make children feel seen and understood. I highly recommend this story to all children ages four to nine.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "13-Sep-2022", "date_added": "18-Feb-2022 16:32:19", "publisher": "Soaring Kite Books", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010887011", "title": "Children of the Flying City", "author": "Jason Sheehan", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 11", "word_count": 178, "review": "The Flying City of Highgate has been home to Milo Quick for as long as he can remember, having been left there by his father when he was five years old. He makes his way by stealing and relying on his friends Jules and Dagda, trying to stay one step ahead of the police. But an army of ships has surrounded Highgate, threatening an attack any day now and tipping everything he knows about his life into the cold and unforgiving waters below. Highgate is already at war with itself, and Milo has to rely on only his wit and luck if he wants to make it out alive\u2026

I liked this book because it was fast paced and energetic, following Milo and his gang through the Flying City from multiple viewpoints with good storytelling and suspense. It weaves together relatable characters and an intriguing storyline, which makes you want to keep flipping the pages, even when it reaches the end! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, heart-racing story with surprising twists and turns.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "06-Apr-2022", "date_added": "18-Feb-2022 16:39:40", "publisher": "Dutton Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010887003", "title": "Charlie Thorne and the Curse of Cleopatra", "author": "Stuart Gibbs", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 202, "review": "There\u2019s more to Cleopatra than most historians share, and Charlie Thorne has done her homework. When she sees a stone tablet in the background of a video by the son of a wealthy Egyptian aristocrat, presumably Cleopatra\u2019s, Charlie decides she is going to break in. Crafting a perfect plan, she\u2019ll sneak in as hired help and stay as a guest. She doesn\u2019t plan to take it, but just needs a couple minutes to get a rubbing.

A slight hiccup has her racing across Egypt away from gunshots and speeding cars just to be caught by another group who wants her for Pandora (read book one in the series). However, if there\u2019s one thing these men should know, it\u2019s that Charlie always has a plan, and there\u2019s no way they can keep up.

All of Gibbs\u2019 books are fantastic, but Charlie raises the bar in this one. Her high intellectual ability combined with her independence and focus on doing what\u2019s right for all could make her intimidating, but her youthfulness grounds her. The adventure doesn\u2019t stop or slow in these books until the last chapter, so plan a chunk of time to get schooled by Charlie. It will be the best education available.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "03-Jun-2022", "date_added": "18-Feb-2022 16:16:36", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010886015", "title": "Whitney Wins Everything: A Tiny Ninja Book (Tiny Ninja Books)", "author": "Sasha Graham", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 161, "review": "Whitney loves all sports, but more than anything, Whitney loves to win competitions. Whitney loves winning at sports so much that she makes everything a competition, and she wants to be first at everything she does! This sounds great, always coming in first place, but everyone around her gets tired of everything being a competition. Why play a game if the only person who will be in first place is Whitney?

Whitney learns that being first isn't always best when she isn't invited to a friend's party because they don't want Whitney to win every party game. Whitney is confused, but she hopes she can learn to just have fun with her friends instead of always making everything a competition.

This is a really cute book that shows that winning isn't everything. I tend to be like Whitney, but I see now that it's better to have fun than to always come in first place. The illustrations were fun and colorful.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "11-May-2022", "date_added": "18-Feb-2022 16:48:39", "publisher": "Gatekeeper Press", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010886003", "title": "Relic and Ruin", "author": "Wendii McIver", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 181, "review": "The war between necromancers and reapers has been going on for nearly as long as time itself. Caught in the mist is Nyx, a necromancer-raised reaper whose family changed sides generations ago. The only family to ever do so. Erebus is also caught in the middle, but for very different reasons: he's dead. A connection ties the odd pair together, a powerful connection that causes danger to themselves, their families, and possibly the whole world.

The book started off with an attention-grabbing bang and had me hooked and excited, but the further I got into it, the more bored I become. The story drags in the middle and doesn't quite recover, and it builds up to a disappointing end as well. There is a large cast of characters, many of whom I fell in love with, but many others added nothing to the story, and I was confused more often than not about who's who and who belongs to what family. The world building was also confusing, a lot of it useless information that has nothing to do with the story.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "23-Jun-2022", "date_added": "18-Feb-2022 16:12:46", "publisher": "Wattpad Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010885007", "title": "Work: A Deep History, from the Stone Age to the Age of Robots", "author": "James Suzman", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 201, "review": "Have you ever considered why people work, and work so much? Many people can (and do), even now, survive on much, much less than what is considered necessary for modern living, and certainly, across the eons of human existence our species has lived on (and with) much less. Hunter-gather and foraging societies typically spent much less time per week \u2013 around seventeen hours or so \u2013 providing for their basic needs. So why do we work as much as we do? How much is the right amount of time to spend on work? Why do we spend so much energy and effort on things that don't feed, shelter, or clothe us, and how do we even have the ability to move beyond merely caring for these basic needs? What is work, anyway?

This book offers answers that are often surprising and is unique in drawing together pieces of evidence from archeology, history, biology, anthropology, economics, and more, into one cohesive whole. Although the narrative occasionally veers into an unnecessary, politicized territory, and frequently pronounces judgment on currently unsettled science, the writing is engaging and compelling, resulting in a convincing story that will prompt you to reevaluate your own preconceptions about work.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "07-Apr-2022", "date_added": "18-Feb-2022 16:26:27", "publisher": "Penguin Books", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010885003", "title": "A Taste of Gold and Iron", "author": "Alexandra Rowland", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 213, "review": "Ever since the queen gave birth, Kadou has been tasked with the Shipbuilder's Guild investigation, which comes into conflict with one of the ambassadors, who insists that his fellow countrywoman gets a fair trial. The body-father of his sister's newborn keeps making accusations about Kadou's intentions for the throne, which leaves Kadou shaking with anxiety. His paranoia over the ambassador's actions turns a trivial incident into a humiliation that forces him to accept the consequences and a new bodyguard who doesn't like him.

The mythology and creation of the world are beautiful, vivid, and rich, with an originality that sets high standards for all epic fantasies. Kadou is an amazing character and it\u2019s a relief to see a protagonist who suffers from anxiety. His episodes of nerves are real and honestly portrayed as a natural part of his character, which is a lovely aspect of the character that Rowland has created. The relationships are complicated due to the inner workings of the royal court, which pits ambassador against prince with the queen in the middle.

Everything that epic fantasy should be, Alexandra Rowland takes A Taste of Gold and Iron and makes it shine with beautifully flawed characters, political complications, vivid mythology, and a simmering romance that will keep you turning the pages.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "03-Jun-2022", "date_added": "18-Feb-2022 16:11:35", "publisher": "Tor Dot Com", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010884019", "title": "The Boy with a Bird in His Chest: A Novel", "author": "Emme Lund", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 188, "review": "Owen is born with a bird, a wren, who lives inside of his chest and speaks to him. His mother keeps him safe from the Army of Acronyms\u2014doctors, cops, scientists, the government, and anyone who might want to turn Owen and Gail, the bird, into an experiment, but to do so she must hide him away for years. But at fourteen, he insists on the freedom to attend school. All the agonies of adolescence are amplified for a boy like Owen: awkward, unskilled, shy, attracted to boys, and harboring a secret that must never be told. No one, never, is the mantra his mother teaches him, and when Owen finally trusts someone else enough to show them, Gail, he repeats the mantra endlessly. This is a beautifully painful story that could be read as a parable or fantasy, as magical realism, or as a coming-of-age novel. Unlike anything else I\u2019ve read, it will appeal to booklovers who seek out tales of adolescence set in the Pacific Northwest, who appreciate characters who slowly learn to love themselves and embrace a life that may have seemed too challenging to exist", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "17-May-2022", "date_added": "18-Feb-2022 16:44:53", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010884003", "title": "At the Sea", "author": "Emma Giuliani", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - age 7", "word_count": 116, "review": "At the Sea is a giant book. In fact, it\u2019s the biggest book that I have ever seen. There are lots of flaps that you can lift to discover different parts of the ocean. It is a really cool book where you can learn all about different types of animals and plants and also about sailboats and lighthouses and beaches\u2014all sorts of things that are related to the ocean.

It\u2019s not really a story, but it\u2019s full of information that you\u2019ve maybe never heard before. Unless you are a scientist, you will probably learn a lot from this and be really interested by everything. Kids aged five and up and also adults will like this book.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2022", "date_added": "18-Feb-2022 16:07:46", "publisher": "Princeton Architectural Press", "page_count": "16 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010883011", "title": "Last Summer on State Street: A Novel", "author": "Toya Wolfe", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 250, "review": "FeFe Stevens is twelve years old in 1999 and ready to take on the world in Toya Wolfe\u2019s excellent first novel Last Summer on State Street. Told in brief chapters with a focus on descriptive, powerful language, readers who enjoyed Sandra Cisneros\u2019 House on Mango Street will fall in love with this book.

FeFe lives in Chicago in the Robert Taylor Homes, a housing project on the brink of being torn down. She and her friends Stacia and Precious are a tight-knit crew, each living in different buildings and moving as the projects are torn down or scheduled from demolition. As a new friend, Tonya, appears, the group has to negotiate their friendships\u2019 boundaries and ties just as their neighborhood changes and they begin growing from the sheltered light of childhood into the bright glare of being young women.

As violence erupts and young men become objects of attraction rather than annoyances, the four girls choose sides and wind down their own paths, often having to make choices that draw dividing lines between them. There are successes and tragedies in this coming-of-age story which makes it all the more authentic to real life. It is hard to read it without thinking of the people we grew up with, wondering where they are, and who we would be without their influence on us when we were young.

Racism, the power of our own histories, and the regrets that shape our futures are all on gorgeous display in Toya Wolfe\u2019s Last Summer on State Street.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "01-Jun-2022", "date_added": "18-Feb-2022 16:23:04", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010883003", "title": "The Atlas of Migrating Plants and Animals ", "author": "Megan Lee", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - age 7", "word_count": 134, "review": "There are so many plants and animals that you can learn about in The Atlas of Migrating Plants and Animals. It is a good book to pick one thing and then read about it, but it is probably not a book where you want to read the whole thing all at once because there are like a hundred different parts and all of the stories are about migrating.

It\u2019s a heavy book that will keep you busy for a long time. You will like the pictures a lot because they are really good and make you want to know more. It is a great book for everybody, so you can pick what sounds interesting to you and then read all about it, especially if you\u2019re doing a nature study on that type of animal.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2022", "date_added": "18-Feb-2022 16:06:08", "publisher": "Princeton Architectural Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010882003", "title": "Bear and the Whisper of the Wind", "author": "Marianne Dubuc", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 188, "review": "Bear has a nice home in a nice valley. He has friends who visit him, and he has a comfortable chair that fits him well. He loves to sit in his chair, and he loves the aroma of strawberry pie. But one day, the wind seems to whisper to him that it is time to move on. Bear packs his belongings in a blue blanket and sets off. Sometimes he is lonely. Soon he comes to a pretty clearing. There he meets a rabbit who invites him in. But the wind whispers again, so Bear doesn\u2019t stay long. When a storm comes, Bear worries he has no place to go. Maybe he made a mistake, but he doesn\u2019t know where his nice house is!

Marianne Dubuc is both author and illustrator of this quiet, sweet book. The story is compelling and will keep little listeners interested, but it is the gorgeous illustrations that are the real star of this beautiful book. Every page is filled with wonderful details of the sweet woodland. The color palette is soft and gentle. This book will be asked for over and over.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "11-Apr-2022", "date_added": "18-Feb-2022 16:04:52", "publisher": "Princeton Architectural Press", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010881007", "title": "You Are So Much More: An Inspiration for Children Healing from Illness or Injury", "author": "Serena Tejpar", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 193, "review": "You Are So Much More follows the tumultuous journey of a young girl who is struggling with her chronic illness. While other children her age are playing outside, going to school, and experiencing the freedom of youth, she must stay in hospital to receive treatment. Since her condition is not mentioned, the story should be easily relatable for any child struggling with any serious ailment. The author acknowledges how scary it can be to live with a serious condition, but also offers hope and encouragement for young survivors.

It is refreshing to see a children\u2019s book that tackles this sensitive subject with a perfect combination positivity and realism. This story is equally important for healthy children to hear. Even though they may not be able to relate to the main character presently, they will gain a better understanding of the daily struggles that plague individuals who are battling illness. The emotions portrayed will help children build empathy toward sick individuals, while also showing how brave one must be to withstand all these challenges. The author provides resources after the story to assist adults who are caring for a child with a chronic illness.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "03-Jun-2022", "date_added": "17-Feb-2022 19:03:43", "publisher": "Loving Healing Press", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010881003", "title": "Book of Celtic Verse: A Treasury of Poetry, Dreams & Visions", "author": "John Matthews", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 201, "review": "Celtic lands have a long, rich tradition of storytelling and song; their poets speak to timeless concerns of the human condition, to the most deeply felt emotions of the soul. This beautifully curated collection of poetry, in sections of Magic, the Natural World, Love, War and Praise, and Vision, centers on Celtic poets ancient and modern. The themes are universal, yet the poems show a unique Celtic sensibility. A poem may reference obscure battles or mythologies from lost ages, yet still, have the power to stir the heart. \"A Lament for the Red Earl\", written in the 9th century, relates grief for someone fallen in battle, far from home. Then there is the \"Elegy for the Welsh Dead, In the Falkland Islands, 1982\" which is even more heartbreaking as the event chronicled is still within living memory. One of the many beautiful love poems, \"My Soul Parted from Me\", is a tender and poignant story of long-lasting love; another reproves his love for toying with his affections. The Nature poems are often joyous, and others are whimsical or inspiring. Whatever your mood, sip or drink deeply from these pages full of poems that resonate as they transport you into this world.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2022", "date_added": "17-Feb-2022 18:30:15", "publisher": "Watkins Publishing", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010879023", "title": "To Drink and to Eat Vol. 3: Treats and Tribulations from a French Kitchen (3)", "author": "Guillaume Long", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 205, "review": "To Drink and to Eat Vol. 3: Treats and Tribulations from a French Kitchen written and illustrated by French chef Guillaume Long, is a cookbook like I've never encountered before. The book is a graphic novel that tells about Long's adventures in cooking and has funny, and even a little dark at times, comics in which he converses with colleagues, tourists, and other people he meets along the way. This is the first cookbook I've had that the recipes don't really stand out. The few that I would like to make include the Apple Crumble and Cauliflower Shepherd's Pie. What found to be really great about this book is that there are a lot of cooking tips that can be applied to all of your recipes, in general. In the \"Tips for the Kitchen\" section, Long gives advice such as to use a super sharp knife when chopping an onion in order to not cry and in selecting a live lobster, choose the one with the longest antennas (read the book to find out why). This book really needs to be read from cover to cover before trying any of the recipes. Otherwise, you might end up with cocaine in your muffins (see page fifteen).", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2022", "date_added": "17-Feb-2022 18:40:25", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010879015", "title": "Fix Me a Plate: Traditional and New School Soul Food Recipes from Scotty Scott of Cook Drank Eat", "author": "Scotty Scott", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 200, "review": "Fix Me a Plate is Food Blogger and Chef Scotty Scott's first cookbook that features traditional and new school soul food recipes in categories of breakfast, meat, soul, desserts, and sauces. The recipes include detailed pictures along with a complete and easy-to-follow set of instructions to make some yummy meals that are sure to please those who are in touch with their inner foody. Breakfast meals include Southern Raised Biscuits with Spicy Sausage Cream Gravy and Sunday Waffles; meat includes Chicken and Garlic Butter Dumplings and Soul Satisfying Spaghetti; soul includes Cajun Red Bean Burgers and Avocado Toast with Pecan Smoked Chicken, and dessert includes Peachy Keen Cobbler and Blueberry Hand Pies.

I tried making Kentucky Butter Cake. To make this cake, it's slightly more difficult than a box cake and the batter is surprisingly thick. The ingredients are all common, minus rum extract that I don't normally have in stock. The cake takes a while to bake, and when it came out it reminded me of cornbread even though there is no cornmeal and a bit of sugar and flour included. The butter sauce is basically butter and sugar, but overall it makes for a filling and soul-satisfying dessert.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "04-May-2022", "date_added": "17-Feb-2022 18:25:55", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010879011", "title": "Medieval Mayhem #4 (Zoo Patrol Squad)", "author": "Brett Bean", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - age 12", "word_count": 191, "review": "Medieval Mayhem is an action-packed mystery graphic novel set in a zoo filled with talking animals. The story is centered on a traveling renaissance faire, which suddenly sets up inside the zoo. The main characters are the Zoo Patrol Squad, a pair of adventurous detectives who act like zoo police. In this case, the Zoo Patrol Squad has to figure out who is stealing their special keys, which can open any door in the zoo.

This is a short graphic novel that is easy to understand. I think that it is a good read for elementary school students, although the comic format is a little informal to fit well within a school library. Any library with children\u2019s comics within its collection should stock this book. I think that elementary school children could enjoy owning this comic book, especially if they like superhero stories.

The plot line is fairly simple and the text is not superb, but that is not necessary in a graphic novel. The imagery is well done and very full, bringing the story to life. Medieval Mayhem is a great story for young lovers of superhero and mystery comics.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "31-May-2022", "date_added": "17-Feb-2022 16:23:32", "publisher": "Penguin Workshop", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010878003", "title": "Room for More", "author": "Michelle Kadarusman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 955, "review": "New in Children\u2019s Lit\n\nFrom picture books featuring amazing and amusing creatures to a fictional account of a difficult yet ultimately hopeful childhood and an inspiring biography of a great artist, the five books featured in this roundup have something to offer children of all ages.\n\nRoom for More by Michelle Kadarusman and Maggie Zeng\n\nAs a wildfire devastates the Australian bush, wombat duo Dig and Scratch feel glad that they have a safe, cool burrow to hide in. However, when Dig notices that other animals are not so lucky, he starts inviting them into the burrow, which draws complaints from Scratch. Dig first invites a pair of wallabies into their home, followed by a koala and then a tiger snake, with Scratch getting increasingly angry as each new arrival moves in. While Dig is convinced that there is still room for more, Scratch doesn\u2019t want any other animals making use of their home, but when the burrow is flooded by a sudden rain burst, Scratch comes to realize that having a bunch of fellow creatures around could prove very helpful. In Room for More, Michelle Kadarusman uses the humorous story of an eclectic group of animals sheltering in a small burrow to explore the serious issues of environmental catastrophes and displaced refugees with young readers, while Maggie Zeng\u2019s delightful illustrations really bring the different animals\u2019 personalities to life.\n\nThese Are Not the Words by Amanda West Lewis\n\nBased on events from her own childhood in New York City during the 1960s, Amanda West Lewis\u2019s These Are Not the Words is a powerful account of a young girl realizing that her parents are both flawed individuals with problems that she cannot solve, no matter how much she wants to help them. Missy\u2019s mother has gone back to school to pursue her dream of becoming an artist, while her father spends his days working in advertising and his nights listening to jazz in Harlem and the Village. Missy shares his love of jazz and often accompanies him to clubs and bars, and the two of them both enjoy writing poetry about their experiences. Yet, it becomes clear through his poems that her father is struggling with alcohol and drug problems, which eventually prompts Missy\u2019s mother to decide that she and Missy need a fresh start. Missy has to leave everything she cares about behind and adapt to a new life as a latchkey kid while her mother works to support them. Although Missy is reluctant to give up on getting her family back together, she eventually comes to learn that change is sometimes necessary.\n\nThe Whale Who Swam Through Time by Alex Boersma and Nick Pyenson\n\nAround two hundred years ago, a bowhead whale was born. As a member of the longest-living mammal species in the world, the bowhead whale was destined to have a lengthy and interesting existence. Indeed, over the course of a long life spent in the Arctic, the whale witnessed many dramatic changes, most notably the shift from her habitat being one characterized by peace and solitude to the arrival of humans and their ships and oil rigs. With The Whale Who Swam Through Time, Alex Boersma has written a non-fiction picture book that beautifully captures the majesty of the natural world and vividly portrays the changes that are taking place in the environment, highlighting the need for humans to alter their ways and take action to protect their fellow creatures. The illustrations by Nick Pyenson are clear and detailed, revealing the beauty and wonder of the bowhead whale and showing just how important the preservation of the environment really is. \n\nBottle Tops by Alison Goldberg and Elizabeth Zunon\n\nIn Bottle Tops, Alison Goldberg tells the remarkable life story of Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui, whose work made from discarded bottle tops is prized and displayed around the world. While studying art at the University of Ghana, El noted that much of the artists and art being discussed clearly fitted within the European tradition, with traditional Ghanaian art being largely ignored. Seeking to expand his perspective, El explored the stories and approaches of his fellow Ghanaians, which often involved the use of recycled and upcycled materials. After honing his skills by experimenting with different mediums, El discovered a bag of bright bottle caps and decided to tell their story by stitching the caps together into a series of flowing tapestries that capture the history, culture, and people of Ghana. From there, the popularity of his bottle top sculptures grew until his work was world renowned. The words by Goldberg provide a fascinating introduction to the life and art of El Anatsui, while the illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon nicely capture the intricacy and beauty of his work.\n\nOceans of Love by Janet Lawler and Holly Clifton-Brown\n\nThe ocean is home to myriad magnificent creatures, ranging from majestic whales and clever dolphins to fascinating hermit crabs and perplexing jellyfish. Janet Lawler\u2019s Oceans of Love takes young readers on a fantastical underwater adventure as they learn about how mother sea creatures care for and rear their little ones. From a mother manta ray teaching her baby to skim and slide through the sea to a mother hermit crab fitting her youngling for a new shell and a mother minnow enrolling her offspring in minnow school, a fun-filled variety of mother and child relationships are featured. Using clever, gentle rhymes that are perfect for reading out loud, the story explains a universal truth for humans, animals, and sea creatures: mothers always want to care for their babies in their own special way. Holly Clifton-Brown\u2019s exquisite watercolor illustrations really bring the heartwarming story to life, showcasing a broad range of mothers and babies in their natural undersea environment.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-May-2023", "date_added": "17-Feb-2022 15:37:33", "publisher": "Pajama Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010877019", "title": "Aquicorn Cove", "author": "K. O'Neill", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - age 11", "word_count": 199, "review": "K. O\u2019Neill is at it again with her latest graphic novel involving magical creatures in Aquicorn Cove. Lana and her father return home to help her Aunt Mae clean up after a major storm has swept through their village. While at the beach, Lana rescues an injured baby Aquicorn, and along the way, she learns about a secret place beneath the sea where Aure and all the magical sea creatures live. She learns that the corals are dying, and Aure\u2019s home is in danger from overfishing and plastic nets being used. Can Lana convince her Aunt Mae to help save Aure\u2019s home from destruction?

This is a magical story about the ocean and the dying corals that need our help. The baby Aquicorn is especially cute! It looks like a cross between a seahorse and a unicorn. I really like Lana\u2019s character because she is so brave and kind. She saves the baby Aquicorn and her Aunt Mae! The art is so pretty and is in a similar style as the art in The Tea Dragon Society series. This book is a quick read, and I recommend it to anyone who loves magical creatures and stories about the ocean.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2022", "date_added": "17-Feb-2022 18:38:08", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010877015", "title": "Italian Cooking Like Nonna: Authentic Family Recipes with Extraordinary Flavor and Endless Variations", "author": "Caroline De Luca", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 196, "review": "Italian cooking is intuitive, friendly, and endlessly adaptable, as you'll find as the author helpfully walks you through each recipe, with suggestions for success and variation. The deliciously simple Pepe Arrostiti (roasted peppers) is already a household staple, while the Classic Spaghetti Carbonara has never been so easy to make. Italian food honors its ingredients and takes some time, but time spent making sauces beforehand saves you effort later.

One afternoon I made the Sugo di Pomodoro, which, after cooking down for a couple hours, resulted in a smooth, velvety, rich, and flavorful tomato sauce full of complexity that belies its simple ingredient list. I used some of that to make Bolognese Sauce, which, after another long simmer, gave me a meltingly tender meat sauce. Finally, some of the Bolognese went into a baked Ziti al Forno, a hearty dish full of flavor for a wonderful weeknight dinner.

Sections for pizzas, other main dishes, sides, and desserts give you lots to try, including fresh, homemade pasta if you are feeling adventurous (although it's not that difficult!). Take your time to explore this book; you're sure to enjoy the comforting, delicious results\u2013\u2013just like Nonna used to make!", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "05-May-2022", "date_added": "17-Feb-2022 18:27:41", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010877011", "title": "101 Thai Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die: The Essential Recipes, Techniques and Ingredients of Thailand", "author": "Jet Tila", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 201, "review": "If you love Thai food, you're sure to enjoy this new and very accessible cookbook that will help you recreate many of your favorite dishes at home. Although the sheer number of unfamiliar ingredients might at first seem overwhelming, they are essential to getting that delicious, signature Thai flavor into your dishes. It is worth making a trip to a well-stocked Asian market to find things like galanga and lemon grass; other ingredients can easily be found online.

One of the simplest recipes to make was Thai BBQ Chicken, which only required marinating chicken in a coconut curry marinade before baking; it took only a few minutes of hands-on time, although, like many dishes, you'll want to plan ahead for marinating time (but that can happen overnight!). We also enjoyed the Chicken Satay, which was much easier than I had anticipated, although I found this dish extremely salty and would adjust that in the future. The Thai peanut sauce was a beautiful accompaniment, however.

The recipes are easy to follow and quite straightforward, even when they have a longer list of ingredients. You will appreciate how the author takes care to make these dishes easy to accomplish for the home cook.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "11-Apr-2022", "date_added": "17-Feb-2022 18:24:20", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010877007", "title": "Khabaar: An Immigrant Journey of Food, Memory, and Family (FoodStory)", "author": "Madhushree Ghosh", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1225, "review": "Through Another\u2019s Eyes\n\nThe five memoirs included in this roundup detail the lives and experiences of five truly remarkable individuals. From mysterious medical conditions and life in cyberspace to culinary adventures and survival against the odds by way of adventuresome history, the stories that they have to tell provide startling insights into the worlds inhabited by other people.\n\nA Thousand Ways to Pay Attention: A Memoir of Coming Home to My Neurodivergent Mind by Rebecca Schiller\n\nWhen Rebecca Schiller and her family moved to a smallholding in the picturesque English countryside, their new life should have been a dream come true. Unfortunately, however, their attempt at the good life quickly turned into the troubling life as Rebecca\u2019s previously robust health started to break down. She found herself suffering from memory lapses and mood swings, and she also started to frequently experience falls. It was a lot to cope with in the midst of an overwhelming lifestyle change that necessitated a steep learning curve when it came to the difficulties and technicalities of running a small farm. After a succession of medical investigations, Rebecca finally received a very surprising diagnosis: ADHD. The diagnosis caused her to both question her current life and reevaluate her past, a process that placed a serious on Rebecca and her family. In an attempt to cope with her life seemingly spiraling out of control, she sought to distract herself by investigating the history of her new land and the roles of various women in its past. Schiller\u2019s A Thousand Ways to Pay Attention: A Memoir of Coming Home to My Neurodivergent Mind is a moving and insightful account of her journey through the darkness of uncertainly and into the light of acceptance.\n\nKhabaar: An Immigrant Journey of Food, Memory, and Family by Madhushree Ghosh\n\nMadhushree Ghosh\u2019s Khabaar: An Immigrant Journey of Food, Memory, and Family is a gorgeously illustrated culinary memoir comprised of essays showing the integral role that food plays in history, politics, society, family, and more. In vivid prose, Ghosh examines how immigrant food in general, and South Asian food in particular, has been transported around the world via colonization, migration, and refugee journeys. Through the stories of chefs, home cooks, and street food vendors, she questions what it means to belong and how food histories can be integrated into new locations. On a more personal level, she also elucidates the role that food played during her childhood as the daughter of Indian refugees and then later in her adulthood as an immigrant in the United States. As Ghosh sought to situate herself as an immigrant, a woman of color working in medical science, a woman who escaped an abusive marriage, and a woman of Indian heritage striving to keep her parents\u2019 cultural history alive through her cooking, food seemed to be the one stable and constant presence in her life. Together, the essays in this collection awaken the senses and inspire the mind to consider the vast differences and inequalities that exist globally.\n\nThe Earth Is All That Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation by Mark Lee Gardner\n\nCelebrated warrior Crazy Horse and revered holy man Sitting Bull are now best known for leading the Lakota to victory against US General Custer\u2019s Seventh Cavalry at Little Big Horn. However, this great triumph has arguably overshadowed all the other details of the two men\u2019s truly remarkable lives, an issue that Mark Lee Gardner has sought to address through years of extensive research and consideration of primary sources that have previously been ignored. Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull both grew up on the High Plains of the American West during a time when herds of buffalo still roamed wild and nomadic Native Americans could move freely across the land. It was also a time when white fur traders and government-backed explorers were increasing seeking access to Sioux lands, closely followed by a host of other settlers aiming to profit from the vast resources of the West. The arrival of these interlopers decimated the buffalo population, spread deadly diseases to the Native Americans, and provoked a series of armed conflicts. Experiences such as these inspired Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the warriors who followed them to achieve victory at Little Big Horn, although their great triumph sadly did not ensure the preservation of their way of life. Gardner\u2019s The Earth Is All That Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation is a masterful dual biography of two true legends of the Great Sioux Nation and their pivotal role in the Native American resistance during the closing days of the American Frontier Wars.\n\nGirl Online: A User Manual by Joanna Walsh\n\nAs the old adage goes, if you\u2019re not paying for the product, you are the product, and nowhere is that more true than in cyberspace. While the internet offers many benefits, it has also increasingly turned its users into the used, who lack adequate privacy and data protection. This enforced lack of agency is often particularly problematic in the case of young women online, who are encouraged to conform and adopt certain personality traits in order to be accepted. Whether they seek to be vloggers, bloggers, or influencers, young women are forced to sign a Faustian pact\u2014stay young, beautiful, and fit; never let the realities of mundane life intrude; fake it till you make it\u2014to attract and maintain an audience. There\u2019s now growing recognition that the need to keep up appearances in this way can prove highly psychologically damaging, although the practice doesn\u2019t seem to be going away anytime soon. Girl Online: A User Manual is Joanna Walsh\u2019s account of her attempts to negotiate life in cyberspace as a girl, a woman, a mother, a writer, and a person who needs to make their living online. Using a variety of styles ranging from programming language to tweets to a blog, she brilliantly captures the realities and unrealities of online existence.\n\nThe Nazis Knew My Name: A Remarkable Story of Survival and Courage in Auschwitz by Maya Lee and Magda Hellinger\n\nThe Nazis Knew My Name: A Remarkable Story of Survival and Courage in Auschwitz tells the heart-wrenching tale of Magda Hellinger\u2019s experiences of life in concentration camps during the Holocaust, as related to her daughter and co-author Maya Lee. Magda was deported to Auschwitz from her home in Slovakia in 1942. She would become one of the few people to survive over three years spent in concentration camps. During her time at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Magda was first chosen by the SS to act as a Jewish prison leader and then later appointed a Camp Elder, a senior position that brought her into contact with both her fellow prisoners and high-ranking members of the SS. Where possible, she used this access to perform acts of kindness, bravery, and compassion that helped to keep other prisoners alive despite the awful conditions in which they were being held. Although the roles of people such as Magda during the Holocaust have been largely forgotten, she did write a short memoir chronicling her experiences, which her daughter Maya used as the basis for investigating the situation further. Through additional research and interviews with other concentration camp survivors, Maya is able to demonstrate how Magda\u2019s kindness changed and saved the lives of many.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Feb-2022 15:49:37", "publisher": "University Of Iowa Press", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010876011", "title": "The Easter Chick", "author": "Geraldine Elschner", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 193, "review": "When Hilda realizes the soft voice is coming from inside her egg, the one she\u2019s been nurturing, she\u2019s simply astonished. The unhatched fledgling desperately wants to know when Easter will be, which sends Hilda on a mission of discovery. She\u2019s heard many wonderful things about the holiday and wants more than anything to be born on this special day. The wise old owl reveals the secrets of determining the date on which this sacred celebration will fall, and with patience, Hilda and her unborn chick watch for the signs in the night sky. The following Sunday morning, a delightful surprise cones.

The Easter Chick is a cherishable holiday tale about motherhood, anticipation, and sentimental value. It\u2019s targeted toward children ages five to nine and is ideal for those reading at a second- and third-grade level.

The author and illustrator are a talented European duo who add the qualities of originality and complementary style to the text. The illustrations are detailed and distinctive, marked with contrast and allure. The well-defined ridges in the tree trucks and the barn door, the rough texture of the hen\u2019s fur, these minute nuances bring the story to life.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "22-Apr-2022", "date_added": "17-Feb-2022 18:53:07", "publisher": "NorthSouth Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010875027", "title": "Behold Our Magical Garden: Poems Fresh from a School Garden", "author": "Allan Wolf", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "A school garden is a great place to set a picture book. It is something all kids should be able to relate to, and it is rich with material for a writer. This book is a collection of twenty-nine poems that tell little stories about so many different experiences, plants, birds, bugs, and even the weather in a school garden, and how all of those things contribute to the joy and learning students find there.

The poems by Allan Wolf are written in many different forms, all of which are discussed in two pages of back-matter that can be used by parents and teachers to encourage youngsters to try their hand at writing their own fun poems.

The marvelous illustrations by Daniel Duncan fill every page with so many details about each of the poems, and youngsters will be searching the pictures for all those fun details. Readers will never be disappointed. And there is such a refreshing sense of fun in all these illustrations! Imagine how kids will react when they turn to a page with a thundercloud in his underwear. Yeah. These is a real sense of fun on every page.

Don\u2019t miss this book!", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "09-May-2022", "date_added": "17-Feb-2022 18:43:32", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010875023", "title": "The Tex-Mex Table: 60 Knockout Recipes from the Lone Star State", "author": "Mandi Hickman", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 189, "review": "There is something really special about Tex-Mex cuisine. When Mandi Hickman, now a food blogger, found herself in Texas after living in New Jersey, she embraced the Tex-Mex cuisine and made it her own. This book, with sixty recipes, is something of an homage to that cuisine.

With eight sections\u2014Tacos & Tortilla Handhelds, Tex-Mex Heats & Mains, BBQ & Other Lone Star Classics, Oven Meals with Tex-Mex Flair, Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers, Best Salsas & Fixings 101, Seriously Good Sides, and Sugar & Booze: a Southern Sendoff\u2014Hickman has something for everyone. Each recipe has an introductory paragraph, a mouthwatering close-up photo, the number of servings, a good ingredients list, and excellent instructions. Unfortunately, there is not any nutritional information or calorie counts, but everything else is great.

Do not miss the Chicken, Spinach, and Artichoke Enchiladas. They are delicious! And for small bites, the Mini Jalape\u00f1o Crab Cakes with Lemon Aioli recipe is perfect. If you need a sweet-stopper for a crowd, nothing will be better than the Cowboy Cookie Skillet. That will satisfy the whole family. This is a fun journey through Tex-Mex cooking, and a beautiful one as well.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2022", "date_added": "17-Feb-2022 18:26:56", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010875011", "title": "Facing the Music: a Broadway memoir", "author": "David Loud", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1005, "review": "Recent Bio/Memoir\n\nIf you are looking to expand your horizons and view life through another lens, these five books will be perfect for you. From experiences of show business to raising a transgender daughter, these books are bound to offer new frames of reference and teach you a few things along the way.\n\nBuster Keaton: A Filmmaker's Life by James Curtis\n\nBuster Keaton was a very small child when he joined his parents in a vaudeville act called \u201cThe Three Keatons.\u201d It was a very successful show until its demise, which was brought on by Keaton\u2019s alcoholic father in 1917. Following this, Buster Keaton was recruited to star in a short series of comedies with Roscoe \u201cFatty\u201d Arbuckle, who then propelled him toward writing, directing, and featuring in his own films. Unfortunately, in 1928, Keaton made the mistake of signing a contract with MGM that stripped him of his writing and directing roles, which, alongside his failing marriage, subsequently propelled him into alcoholism. He was fired from MGM in 1933 but continued to work in smaller roles. Luckily, during the 1950s, his films began to gain more traction and his career revived. Culture and film historian James Curtis brings us a moving and relatable account of Keaton\u2019s life, even though it seems so long ago now. Keaton was such a gifted comedian, stunt artist, and filmmaker, and Curtis honors him with this comprehensive biography, vividly evoking the iconic images of Charlie Chaplin\u2019s tramp and Harold Lloyd\u2019s straw boater that Keaton was famous for, especially in his masterpiece The General. Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker\u2019s Life is certainly the most thorough and touching biography of Keaton to date.\n\nThe Bushman\u2019s Lair: On the Trail of the Fugitive of the Shuswap by Paul McKendrick\n\nIn British Columbia during the summer of 2002, a group of houseboaters found the cave hideout of an outlaw known as the Bushman (or John Bjornstrom as he is otherwise known). An exciting discovery, Bjornstrom had previously created an elaborate network of bootcamps after escaping from jail, and he had created quite an intricate base out of the nine-hundred-square-foot space in the cave, which impressed all the people involved with the discovery and led them to believe that there was more to this man than just being a fugitive. In The Bushman\u2019s Lair, McKendrick investigates the reason behind the Bushman\u2019s habitation of the Shuswap Lake cave through interviews by various people involved, an evaluation of RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and court transcripts, perusing declassified US government documents, and his own experiences of Shuswap Lake. The book is an enthralling read that delves into Bjornstrom\u2019s life and shows us how he has become the well-known eccentric and legendary fugitive.\n\nYours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark by Cassandra Peterson\n\nAt eighteen months old, Cassandra Peterson had an accident with a pot of boiling water that left her with third-degree burns on 35% of her body. Growing up scarred, she very much had to fight to overcome the consequences of such, and seeing herself as a misfit, she developed a passion for the horror genre and its characters. Leaving home at fourteen, she veered into show business, first performing in Las Vegas at seventeen, and encountered big names such as her idol Elvis Presley, who helped her on her way to Italy, where she became the lead singer of a pop group. Following this, Peterson moved to Hollywood, where she worked on a few projects. At age thirty, she became the hostess for late night vintage horror movies, thereby discovering the role she became famous for and making it her own. Yours Cruelly, Elvira is the intimate account of the woman behind Elvira, The Mistress of the Dark, and what a ride she takes you on! Peterson gives an honest and vulnerable account of her upbringing, her marriage problems, and her career highs and lows. Her\u2019s is very much a story featuring shocking trials and tribulations that will keep you reading.\n\nFacing the Music: A Broadway Memoir by David Loud\n\nMusical director and Broadway legend David Loud presents his entertaining and eventful memoir in such an exquisite way that it will take you on an emotional rollercoaster right from the beginning through to the end. It is such a charming story of his life, with accounts of a childhood spent spellbound by the stage and being at odds with his school, which was more focused on farming and outdoor pursuits. Loud vividly reveals the ups and downs of his decades-long Broadway career, describing in detail his journey to the podium. Finally, he presents a lively account of his fight against Parkinson\u2019s disease. In Facing the Music, you will find a larger-than-life celebration of music and a life extremely well spent in the world of Broadway. This is a unique tale and a must read for anyone looking for a gripping biography, especially for theatre fans.\n\nHow to Be a Girl: A Mother's Memoir of Raising Her Transgender Daughter by Marlo Mack\n\nMarlo Mack gifts us the courageous story of a mother dealing with her child\u2019s transition from male to female, the struggles that followed, and the deeper bond forged by properly listening to her child. At a very young age, M started insisting on wearing dresses and having long hair. To the close friends and family of Mack, M was just experimenting, as children very often do. That was until a heartbreaking discussion occurred when M turned to Mack in tears and declared that something went wrong in Mack\u2019s tummy that caused her to be born the wrong sex. It was from that moment Mack realized that she needed to listen more closely to M. How to Be a Girl reveals the hard fight a mother had to go through for her child to be heard. Very anxious about the prejudice that will almost certainly dog M\u2019s future, Mack realizes that the problem does not lie with her child but with the world at large. This is a fascinating and illuminating read.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Feb-2022 15:44:53", "publisher": "Regan Arts.", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010874039", "title": "The Nazis Knew My Name: A Remarkable Story of Survival and Courage in Auschwitz", "author": "Magda Hellinger", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1225, "review": "Through Another\u2019s Eyes\n\nThe five memoirs included in this roundup detail the lives and experiences of five truly remarkable individuals. From mysterious medical conditions and life in cyberspace to culinary adventures and survival against the odds by way of adventuresome history, the stories that they have to tell provide startling insights into the worlds inhabited by other people.\n\nA Thousand Ways to Pay Attention: A Memoir of Coming Home to My Neurodivergent Mind by Rebecca Schiller\n\nWhen Rebecca Schiller and her family moved to a smallholding in the picturesque English countryside, their new life should have been a dream come true. Unfortunately, however, their attempt at the good life quickly turned into the troubling life as Rebecca\u2019s previously robust health started to break down. She found herself suffering from memory lapses and mood swings, and she also started to frequently experience falls. It was a lot to cope with in the midst of an overwhelming lifestyle change that necessitated a steep learning curve when it came to the difficulties and technicalities of running a small farm. After a succession of medical investigations, Rebecca finally received a very surprising diagnosis: ADHD. The diagnosis caused her to both question her current life and reevaluate her past, a process that placed a serious on Rebecca and her family. In an attempt to cope with her life seemingly spiraling out of control, she sought to distract herself by investigating the history of her new land and the roles of various women in its past. Schiller\u2019s A Thousand Ways to Pay Attention: A Memoir of Coming Home to My Neurodivergent Mind is a moving and insightful account of her journey through the darkness of uncertainly and into the light of acceptance.\n\nKhabaar: An Immigrant Journey of Food, Memory, and Family by Madhushree Ghosh\n\nMadhushree Ghosh\u2019s Khabaar: An Immigrant Journey of Food, Memory, and Family is a gorgeously illustrated culinary memoir comprised of essays showing the integral role that food plays in history, politics, society, family, and more. In vivid prose, Ghosh examines how immigrant food in general, and South Asian food in particular, has been transported around the world via colonization, migration, and refugee journeys. Through the stories of chefs, home cooks, and street food vendors, she questions what it means to belong and how food histories can be integrated into new locations. On a more personal level, she also elucidates the role that food played during her childhood as the daughter of Indian refugees and then later in her adulthood as an immigrant in the United States. As Ghosh sought to situate herself as an immigrant, a woman of color working in medical science, a woman who escaped an abusive marriage, and a woman of Indian heritage striving to keep her parents\u2019 cultural history alive through her cooking, food seemed to be the one stable and constant presence in her life. Together, the essays in this collection awaken the senses and inspire the mind to consider the vast differences and inequalities that exist globally.\n\nThe Earth Is All That Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation by Mark Lee Gardner\n\nCelebrated warrior Crazy Horse and revered holy man Sitting Bull are now best known for leading the Lakota to victory against US General Custer\u2019s Seventh Cavalry at Little Big Horn. However, this great triumph has arguably overshadowed all the other details of the two men\u2019s truly remarkable lives, an issue that Mark Lee Gardner has sought to address through years of extensive research and consideration of primary sources that have previously been ignored. Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull both grew up on the High Plains of the American West during a time when herds of buffalo still roamed wild and nomadic Native Americans could move freely across the land. It was also a time when white fur traders and government-backed explorers were increasing seeking access to Sioux lands, closely followed by a host of other settlers aiming to profit from the vast resources of the West. The arrival of these interlopers decimated the buffalo population, spread deadly diseases to the Native Americans, and provoked a series of armed conflicts. Experiences such as these inspired Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the warriors who followed them to achieve victory at Little Big Horn, although their great triumph sadly did not ensure the preservation of their way of life. Gardner\u2019s The Earth Is All That Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation is a masterful dual biography of two true legends of the Great Sioux Nation and their pivotal role in the Native American resistance during the closing days of the American Frontier Wars.\n\nGirl Online: A User Manual by Joanna Walsh\n\nAs the old adage goes, if you\u2019re not paying for the product, you are the product, and nowhere is that more true than in cyberspace. While the internet offers many benefits, it has also increasingly turned its users into the used, who lack adequate privacy and data protection. This enforced lack of agency is often particularly problematic in the case of young women online, who are encouraged to conform and adopt certain personality traits in order to be accepted. Whether they seek to be vloggers, bloggers, or influencers, young women are forced to sign a Faustian pact\u2014stay young, beautiful, and fit; never let the realities of mundane life intrude; fake it till you make it\u2014to attract and maintain an audience. There\u2019s now growing recognition that the need to keep up appearances in this way can prove highly psychologically damaging, although the practice doesn\u2019t seem to be going away anytime soon. Girl Online: A User Manual is Joanna Walsh\u2019s account of her attempts to negotiate life in cyberspace as a girl, a woman, a mother, a writer, and a person who needs to make their living online. Using a variety of styles ranging from programming language to tweets to a blog, she brilliantly captures the realities and unrealities of online existence.\n\nThe Nazis Knew My Name: A Remarkable Story of Survival and Courage in Auschwitz by Maya Lee and Magda Hellinger\n\nThe Nazis Knew My Name: A Remarkable Story of Survival and Courage in Auschwitz tells the heart-wrenching tale of Magda Hellinger\u2019s experiences of life in concentration camps during the Holocaust, as related to her daughter and co-author Maya Lee. Magda was deported to Auschwitz from her home in Slovakia in 1942. She would become one of the few people to survive over three years spent in concentration camps. During her time at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Magda was first chosen by the SS to act as a Jewish prison leader and then later appointed a Camp Elder, a senior position that brought her into contact with both her fellow prisoners and high-ranking members of the SS. Where possible, she used this access to perform acts of kindness, bravery, and compassion that helped to keep other prisoners alive despite the awful conditions in which they were being held. Although the roles of people such as Magda during the Holocaust have been largely forgotten, she did write a short memoir chronicling her experiences, which her daughter Maya used as the basis for investigating the situation further. Through additional research and interviews with other concentration camp survivors, Maya is able to demonstrate how Magda\u2019s kindness changed and saved the lives of many.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Feb-2022 21:57:09", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010998015", "title": "Lower Education", "author": "Dr. Meander Swotty", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 98, "review": "\"Based on an amusing and highly engrossing tragicomic tension between the protagonist's desire to do good and people who are not only bent on making this goal nearly impossible but also on making him appear evil. Comedy and tragedy are so intertwined and consistent throughout the book that it's never clear where one ends and the other begins. Swotty has done an excellent job of creating an addictive, hilarious, and stinging tale that captures the ugly truths and ironies that exist in the world's prominent educational system. Full of sharp irony and humor.\" --Foluso Falaye, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Mar-2022 03:31:17", "publisher": "Between the Lines Publishing", "page_count": "396 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010998011", "title": "Of Good & Evil", "author": "Daniel G. Miller", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi", "word_count": 59, "review": "Daniel G. Miller delivers a breathtaking sequel to the Tree of Knowledge. Professor Albert has lost his mentor but there's no time to grieve. The stakes are even higher, the enemy is always a step ahead, time is running out, and the world is on fire. A thrilling, mind-blowing page-turner in a compelling series! --Anastasia Gkaitatzi, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Mar-2022 03:25:40", "publisher": "Houndstooth Books", "page_count": "301 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010998007", "title": "Suddenly Retired", "author": "Donald J Hurzeler", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 72, "review": "\"Suddenly Retired is part autobiography and part self-help. This book will guide you in figuring out if retirement is for you in the near future. In the time of Covid, many who were on the cusp have decided to retire early because of the unknown. Author Don Huezeler does a fantastic job of compiling the checklists needed so readers can make an educated decision for themselves.\" --Kyle Eaton, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Mar-2022 03:21:21", "publisher": "Kua Bay Publishing LLC", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010998003", "title": "Only in New York, Volume 3", "author": "M.G. Crisci", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 67, "review": "\"Wildly entertaining, M.G. Crisci does it again in the third volume of his Only in New York series. Looking through the eyes of this New Yorker, the stories are both a mixture of anecdotal stories and some that are for entertainment value only. Readers will laugh at some of the more farfetched tales and have their hearts warmed during the feel-good moments.\" --Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Mar-2022 16:50:21", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "229 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010997007", "title": "Only in New York, Volume 3", "author": "M.G. Crisci", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 123, "review": "\"In the final volume of M.G. Crisci's three volume series, we catch a glimpse of the city of New York from the experience of an inspiring reporter turned author, who sought thrills in different parts of New York and outside the United States. Sit back and enjoy the funny, inspiring, and educative stories that include business engagements in affluent societies, daunting encounters with heavily guarded celebrities, and comical attempts to bargain intelligently and avoid getting swindled abroad. Only in New York, Volume 3 depicts New York as a city of opportunity, excellence, creativity, and true friendship. M.G. Crisci adds a brilliant, riveting book with a feel-good atmosphere to his various literary projects, and I absolutely loved it!\" --Foluso Falaye, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Mar-2022 23:37:26", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "229 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010997003", "title": "Thorn", "author": "Norman Wood", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 428, "review": "Nathan West is in a race against time. A ship with a large consignment of illegal narcotics is set to be offloaded in California. The drugs are half of a transaction that will fill the coffers of those engaged in a plot to take out reformist leader Mikhail Gorbachev. West is operating under an alias and operating in an undercover (sub rosa) capacity. He is in communication with his CIA-connected superior Buddy Hayden about the progress of the mission. The operation by the Soviets and their allies has been dubbed \u201cRed Sword.\u201d The counter-offensive to this mission by the US is called \u201cThorn.\u201d

Hayden has a high-level source in the Soviet government, Colonel Dimitri Petroff. Petroff is on the precipice of self-destruction as a result of his longtime wife\u2019s passing. Petroff has sought solace with the cold comfort of alcohol, his depression and addiction threatening the success of the mission. Petroff is being watched by the coup plotters for signs of disloyalty. The timetable for \u201cRed Sword\u201d is tentative, the plotters want Gorbachev and his reforms to end. The men who have conspired with the Soviets to move the heavy weight of narcotics run the gamut of solid to loose cannons.

The monotony of surveillance weighs on West, but the consequences of mission failure are too grave to ignore. He utilizes his sleuthing skills adeptly and soon locates the boat to be used in ferrying the cache of drugs. He communicates the find to his superiors, but knows they can\u2019t pounce on the traffickers until the right time. The decision to let one load of drugs through leaves West and his men in an ethical quandary, as well as keeping other agencies in the dark. However, the integrity of the mission is vital, as is the future relations of the Americans and Soviets. As the investigation/operation approaches its peak, failure on either side would prove catastrophic. The balance of power in the world may shift dramatically in the wake of these events.

Thorn is the sequel to the riveting thriller Red Sword. The action continues right where its predecessor concluded, with the pieces still being strategically placed by both sides. The reader is gripped with a palpable sense of anticipation as the coup planners push forward with their malevolent machinations, the fervor of the Cold War becoming more pitched with every move made. Author Norman Wood has hit a home run with his continuation of the Red Sword narrative. The dramatic action that fuels this excellent narrative make this a top-notch read that proves impossible to put down.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2022", "date_added": "27-Mar-2022 17:58:26", "publisher": "Bookhouse", "page_count": "395 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010995015", "title": "You're Not the Boss of Me: Discover Your Authentic Self", "author": "Alma C. Lightbody", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shea Robinson", "word_count": 404, "review": "In You\u2019re Not the Boss of Me: Discover Your Authentic Self, Alma C. Lightbody promises to guide me on the path to finding my inner self. She identifies fourteen bosses that I will have to name, acknowledge, understand, and stand up to before finding freedom from the pressure of living up to their expectations.

These bosses started from the minute I was born and were prevalent in my early childhood development. They influenced me in my schooling and career; they imprinted on who I show up as in my relationships\u2014with friends, family, lovers, and myself. These bosses exist in large part because I am unaware of their control. The first step in taking back my power is to identify who these bosses are and the role they play in my life.

Lightbody offers me her story as a helpful tool to illustrate the way I may understand my soul\u2019s message and find my way back to my authentic self. Lightbody has had some powerful teachers, so much so that she wanted to synthesize her learnings into this book and share it with others. I can tell that Lightbody has much to say and truly believes in her message; I only wish her prose had offered the source materials of these teachings beyond who she learned them from.

As Lightbody\u2019s book is broken down into four chapters, I expected to find a step-by-step guide on how to (1) Create a map of my belief system, (2) Listen to my body, (3) Learn to accept myself, and (4) Be the choreographer of my own life. Readers will enjoy this work if they are interested in the topical understanding of all the bosses that can be reflected upon on their own later.

Readers will also find myriad questions to consider when putting in the work associated with finding their authentic self, although I would have liked more direction along the way. If the work is supposed to be ongoing, then I would have provided the \u201cchart of influencers\u201d at the end of each chapter, not withheld it until the end of the book. That being said, the chart at the back of the book is a nice summary of the obstacles readers must surmount to find their inner self.

Those who have struggled to authentically show up in their lives and are used to wearing a mask around others will find a helpful resource in Lightbody\u2019s book.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "23-Jun-2022", "date_added": "23-Mar-2022 22:05:37", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "106 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010995011", "title": "You're Not the Boss of Me: Discover Your Authentic Self", "author": "Alma C. Lightbody", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 423, "review": "You're Not the Boss of Me is a self-help book intended to make the outside influences in your life come to light to allow for an easier shedding and cleansing so you can be the most genuine and unique version of yourself. When you begin to understand and gain clarity concerning people, places, and things that have been silently controlling you, starting the journey toward rediscovering yourself is that much easier and more successful.

Alma C. Lightbody has a wealth of information on the areas of holistic health and shamanic healing, with her last thirty years being focused on energy medicine. She has divided the book into four parts that focus on various areas of one's life. The first part is about an individual's belief systems, which include patterns, imprints, masks, and awareness that may be either subtle or obvious in a person's life. The second part focuses on the human body and how it has a way of \"speaking\" to us and, if we are aware of what it is saying through its messages, we could forego unneeded pain and turmoil.

Part three focuses on \"finding your way home\" through acceptance, while part four includes tips and tricks for \"being the choreographer of your life.\" Each part is, to the outside, short and simple, but they all contain much information being taught to the reader as well as real-life experiences shared by the author. The end of the book contains pages for journal notes to record information that can be used at any time you choose.

Lightbody presents genuine care in her writing on a topic that is more important than many people realize. It is a common thing for people to allow their job, race, religion, relationship, etc. to dictate both how they feel, regard, and treat themselves as well as others around them. Lightbody organizes the material in a readable format, with the right amount of information provided in each part.

I got slightly confused when she would reference God but then also talk about chakras and other holistic terms; I found it hard to understand where she was coming from since the two categories don't necessarily go together.

The rest of the book was easy to understand and, even if you don't share the author's views on holistic and shamanic healing, the rest of the information is usable in everyday life for any type of person. The book can be easily read in a day and the information can be recorded for many more days of learning and growing.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "17-May-2022", "date_added": "23-Mar-2022 22:05:29", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "106 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010995007", "title": "You're Not the Boss of Me: Discover Your Authentic Self", "author": "Alma C. Lightbody", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 415, "review": "Have you ever wondered, Who am I? That's the age-old question that Ms. Lightbody wants to help readers answer. In You're Not The Boss of Me, she lists issues that often influence or control us. For example, our lives and actions are conditioned by those around us, relationships we've had as children with our family, our culture, and our religions. Not all of these influences are necessarily good or bad. She suggests we need to be aware of these control bosses and work through them to learn how they affect us and how we view ourselves. We cannot find our true nature if we are not speaking our own truth, and in order to do that, we need to know what is controlling us. By doing so, we will be more able to live a meaningful life based on the actual wants of our souls or true self.

This is an interesting book with quite a bit of good advice. It made me think a lot about my own life's journey. And it made me wonder, am I the captain of my ship, so to speak, or am I giving others all the power? Or are my thought patterns simply outdated? The list of issues, emotions, and things that one needs to work through to help uncover one's true personality is helpful. Although, I couldn't help but wonder if some of the themes within the book could have been more thoroughly developed. For example, in Parts Four and Five, I expected the author to provide some more concrete tools and examples of how to delve deeper into our self-awareness. I did, however, appreciate her discussion and explanation of the Chakra system. this is something that I hadn't fully understood until now. I also liked that she included enough examples about her own experience without taking away from the fact that she wanted the reader to think of their own life and experiences.

Some of her best advice seems to be that by finding your way home to your soul, you will be able to enjoy the journey of life without being too attached to the outcome. And, when your personality and your soul are aligned, you will be one with the universe. At the end of the book, Ms. Lightbody includes space for readers to work through some of the issues she raises throughout the book. Because as she points out, finding the things that control your life and emotions may take some time to work through.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "31-Aug-2022", "date_added": "23-Mar-2022 22:05:19", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "106 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010995003", "title": "You're Not the Boss of Me: Discover Your Authentic Self", "author": "Alma C. Lightbody", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 423, "review": "As someone who enjoys self-help books, I find that many of the books out there regurgitate information from other books I have already read. This is not one of them. Author Alma C. Lightbody does a wonderful job of integrating personal experiences into a book that urges the reader to find her true self. And although this book seems to be geared toward females, there are many activities in the book that would be great for brainstorming for males as well. What I really enjoyed about the book is that it wasn't long and drawn out. There weren't words on the page just so that the author could make a particular word count. Each chapter and each paragraph had meaningful words that the reader could read and think about how those words and thoughts applied to her life.

The book is organized into four parts: Creating a Map of Your Belief System, The Body Speaks, Finding Your Way Home, and Call Off the Search--You Are Already There. The title of the book and its parts are all catchy and easy to remember. Part one explains the patterns, imprints, and masks that we all have integrated into our lives whether we like it or not. Recognizing what has been imprinted on us versus what we have come up with as individuals may be confusing at times, but when you stop and think about the origin of a particular thought or belief, it can really be eye-opening. From the day we are born, our parents imprint their own beliefs on us and this can carry on through many generations. Lightbody explains under the category of \"Freedom\" that \"Freedom exists when you are free of patterns, controls and imprints imposed by others' agendas. It will take awareness, time and acknowledgement to keep bringing you back to your goal of freedom, because imprints are well embedded as unconscious habits.\" This really struck me as I feel that most people I know just go along with the flow without thinking about what it is that they truly want. It made me want to try harder in my own life to make better decisions for myself.

Being aware of the influences around us and the energy we give (see the chapter on Chakras, it's a good one), is so vital to the success of the human race. You're Not the Boss of Me gives its readers a wonderful plan for happy and fulfilling lives. The tools in this book are valuable and easy to use no matter who you are.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2022", "date_added": "23-Mar-2022 22:00:37", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "106 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010994027", "title": "Apricot Marmalade and the Edmondson Transmittal", "author": "Lon Orey", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 417, "review": "Ed Reynolds, Don Cooper, and Lt. Col. Spencer G. Morgan, along with a few other characters working for military intelligence in Thailand during the Vietnam War, are tasked with finding out what happened to a soldier who died during a parachute accident. Was he connected to a theft at a military warehouse that resulted in some weapons going missing? And what about the CIA agent who died before he could transmit his intelligence report to the CIA? Was that connected to the case as well? Time will tell, but only if things don't go too far awry for this dedicated but mismatched band of soldiers as they try to investigate in Apricot Marmalade and the Edmondson Transmittal.

I was pleasantly surprised about how much I enjoyed this book. Frankly, it was a delight to read. I found myself chuckling during the Prologue when Cooper had to use his boxer shorts as a flag of surrender, which suggested that there might be more amusing scenes to come. And I wasn't disappointed. The incident with Cooper thinking he had rabies will stay with me for a while. In addition, Bernice gave me a laugh or two, as did Morgan and his \"manly\" one-upmanship when it came to the affair with Maureen.

The characters in this story were well developed and memorable. The author had a marvelous style of pulling me into the events and scenes. I think this was because his characters were often poking fun at themselves, and he included a lot of good background details that allowed me to get to know their personalities well.

I also liked how the story developed. It started with the parachutist's death and then snowballed into something more complex and exciting. All of this drew me in and made me feel like I was part of the fun. I thought the author did an excellent job of peppering the tale with nostalgia when needed, keeping it firmly set in the past but still somehow fresh and engaging. And he was able to propel the story forward at every point so that I was eager to know what would happen next.

Overall, I enjoyed getting to know these characters, and I hope there will be more to come from this author in the future. However, I do wish that he had included a little more about himself at the end of the book, as getting to know more about an author is always interesting, especially after such a good and satisfying story.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "03-Jun-2022", "date_added": "23-Mar-2022 01:22:24", "publisher": "Page Publishing", "page_count": "287 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010994023", "title": "Powerless", "author": "Jeff O'Handley", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 420, "review": "Kevin Barton is preparing to bring his daughter and her friend to a track meet when the power goes out. His initial reaction is that the problem is only temporary, however, when neither his car nor his wife\u2019s car will start, the situation becomes more uncertain. Time appears to have stood still as of this moment. The Bartons reside in the town of Harpursville, a small slice of main street Americana in upstate New York. The townspeople are confused about the cause of the blackout and the unknown only becomes scarier as day becomes night.

Kevin maintains an air of positivity as he looks for supplies to shore up his family\u2019s well-being during the outage. He runs across those who look to take advantage of his needs, whether by overcharging him for ice or looking to rob him of his supplies when he attempts to bring his daughter\u2019s friend home. Monica is more inclined to raise a fuss when the going gets tough. She is consumed with fears of supplies running out and her family starving. Monica\u2019s mindset alienates her from her husband and her daughter. Her wandering thoughts also lead her to worry over her daughter\u2019s friend and Kevin\u2019s close relationship.

The spirits of the town are temporarily buoyed as the Army barrels through on their way to larger cities. They leave rations and promise a return. Yet, the town is left rudderless after the death of its political leader. A man named Eli Sobchuk stands up and takes the mantle. Before the blackout, he was a man of middling importance. Eli has a vision of neighbors aiding each other and sharing resources to ensure the survival of the town. Eli also possesses a corrupt mindset that believes that the townspeople should be more than grateful in thanking him. Harpursville is a powder keg waiting to be ignited.

Powerless by Jeff O\u2019 Handley provides a view into how civilization can devolve from bucolic to an inescapable nightmare when chaos reigns and primal urges overtake decency and humanity. The downhill descent into selfishness and paranoia by some is offset by those with an unshakeable faith in their fellow man and woman. The reader will find common ground with either Kevin or Monica Barton in how they adapt to their circumstances. The need to survive has never felt so visceral as each new chapter breaks. Author Jeff O\u2019Handley has written a drama and thriller about the best and worst of human nature when faced with a crisis. O\u2019Handley is a writer of great promise.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "04-Aug-2022", "date_added": "23-Mar-2022 01:15:18", "publisher": "Breaking Night Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010994019", "title": "Powerless", "author": "Jeff O'Handley", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 433, "review": "The rural town of Harpursville experiences an unusual blackout that leaves its residents confused and with several unanswered questions. What is the cause of the blackout? Is the rest of the world affected? Kevin Barton, his family, and his daughter's sixteen-year-old friend Dina are trapped in this confusing development, which is worsened by the dwindling supplies of food and the humans who plot to carry out the worst things they can get away with in a time of crisis. One of these people is a man who gives Kevin a sickening ultimatum regarding Dina. Jeff O'Handley's Powerless is set in a small town plagued by a mysterious blackout, where only the fittest will survive and live to see the next day.

It's easy to get a good idea of what Powerless is about right from the start. I was captivated by the frightening situation of living in an environment devoid of electricity and order. The lovers' squabbles, the sexual tension, and the clashes involving some villainous characters add to the thrill of the novel. Jeff O'Handley proves to be quite a creative writer as his story involves several possible problems and blessings that could arise from such an uncomfortable situation as a mysterious blackout. For example, Kevin observes that the blackout is the reason communication is better within his family; they stop their usual practice of retreating to \"different corners of the house, watching TV, burying themselves in books and computers.\"

I disliked that the story seemed to concentrate on too many irrelevant or uninteresting events. It appeared more focused on the consequences of the blackout than on delivering a captivating plot. Thus, there are considerable number of paragraphs dedicated to some boring things, like looking around a house for food and using coarse leaves as toilet paper. Also, some pages have conversations between several characters and no clear viewpoint. Consequently, it was difficult to keep up with the multiple switches in perspectives.

You should consider reading Powerless if you like how the themes of mistrust, lawlessness, desperation, and scarcity are portrayed in Bird Box and Lord of the Flies, as the book reminds me of those narratives. Stories like Powerless increase our appreciation for the luxuries we take for granted and remind us to reassess the values and goals that matter to us in life. When faced with a crisis, you tend to see the bigger picture.

Despite its shortcomings, it was fun to imagine the chaotic reality of Powerless. It is not just a story, but also a wake-up call to truly live and enjoy the moment, because nothing is promised.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Mar-2022 01:15:04", "publisher": "Breaking Night Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010994015", "title": "SCHLOCK Featuring Russia Cop", "author": "David R. Low", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 429, "review": "SCHLOCK Featuring Russia Cop is a collection of four \"dark and satirical\" stories woven around Russia. The stories involve several interactions between foreigners and citizens and the perceptions of each about the other. Tsoi Lives\u2014the first story\u2014depicts a high-spirited group and its memorable trip from Japan to Russia, which gets initiated when a diehard fan of Viktor Tsoi\u2019s music suggests it. The second story narrates a male American teacher's violent encounter with a jealous boyfriend in Russia. The main character in Russia Cop is a supernatural policeman, who was conceived \"by Russian Soul\" and does not require sleep nor sustenance. The last story is about some Americans who pretend to be Australians in Russia and face some daunting challenges as a result. Each story is infused with great humor and jaw-dropping surprises that guarantee numerous belly laughs and an addictive read.

What did I just read? Just when I thought the stories couldn't get any more outrageous and hilarious, they did. I'm talking about wild ideas\u2014like a substance designed to stop women from defecating, a policeman with supernatural strength, and a popcorn belt. Whatever I predicted as the endings in the stories were completely far from how they actually ended. SCHLOCK Featuring Russia Cop provides a great deal of information about Russia and the reality of living in the country from the perspectives of American characters, albeit obviously comical. For example, an American character observes that the Russian gnat is \"more aggressive and bloodthirsty than their American counterparts.\"

\"Russia Cop\" is definitely my favorite narrative. It was quite entertaining to read about the inhuman strength of the main character and the chaos that erupts around him everywhere he goes, like when he breaks two of a perpetrator's arms before handcuffing him; such startling and comical developments, which the book abounds of, remind me of television series like Angie Tribeca and Murderville.

I strongly recommend SCHLOCK Featuring Russia Cop to readers who fancy an unapologetically frank satire of Russian culture and politics. It's the sort of book that is best read with an open mind, and if you're someone who laughs at serious issues\u2014like war, prejudice, and dictatorship\u2014you will find yourself doing just that throughout the time you spend reading the book. Readers who enjoy entertaining stories with complex characters and an intriguing plot will also appreciate the book.

When it comes to satirical books about Russia, it can't get any more humorous and frank than SCHLOCK Featuring Russia Cop. I assume it would be accepted as a masterpiece for generations to come, and I'm glad to be one of its earliest readers.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2022", "date_added": "23-Mar-2022 01:11:09", "publisher": "Kharms & Bowler Publishing", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010994011", "title": "Eternal Questions: A Maybe Interesting List", "author": "Iwanna Twainbee", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 415, "review": "Eternal Questions: A Maybe Interesting List by Iwanna Twainbee had me questioning things I had never even considered. The book is made up entirely of questions, from simple, surface-level topics, to deep thought-provoking queries. The novel states at the beginning to \u201cDiscuss with friends and loved ones!\u201d as well as to \u201cResist Google!\u201d and I could not agree more. This book would be very enjoyable to peruse with a partner, as any question you pick would be a great conversation starter.

As stated previously, this book is composed of many light questions, which can provoke an enjoyable conversation between you and a companion, or just as personal food for thought. One of my favorite questions of these was, \u201cWhat percentage of us, in all honesty, prefers a plate of quinoa over a plate of buttery mashed potatoes?\u201d I love Twainbee\u2019s creativity and spunk with questions like these, as you can see her personality come to life. Another one of the lighter questions I enjoyed asked, \u201cWould incessant petting make a dog bored?\u201d As the owner of a very energetic golden retriever, I think the answer would be yes!

However, this book does contain a large number of deeper questions, which would work as great prompts to start a more serious conversation with a partner. These questions touch on a wide variety of topics, from religion, politics, history, human behavior, life\u2019s purpose, and so much more. One of my favorites of these questions was, \u201cHow much weight should we give tradition?\u201d In a society where technology has taken over within the past decade, I think this question is very relevant and necessary. Another question I liked asked, \u201cHow do we know whether and if so when to forgive a friend or loved one who has betrayed us?\u201d Truly a timeless dilemma, this question poses relevance to all readers and could be the starter of a fruitful conversation.

Although I found a good amount of Twainbee\u2019s questions to be insightful or humorous, I thought some of the questions were not necessarily debatable. I would have preferred a shorter novel with all questions of the best quality. I also really wish the book had been organized into categories. For example, it would have been nice to have a chapter of just questions on specifically politics, another on religion, another with animal questions, etc. As a reader, I think it can be challenging to mentally shift gears, switching from topic to topic so rapidly; I would have preferred a more concise organization.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "19-May-2022", "date_added": "23-Mar-2022 01:07:27", "publisher": "Atmosphere Press", "page_count": "106 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010994007", "title": "Eternal Questions: A Maybe Interesting List", "author": "Iwanna Twainbee", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 435, "review": "Eternal Questions: A Maybe Interesting List explores human behavior and some philosophical ideas through various profound questions and observations. With an infectious sense of humor and a keen eye for highlighting interesting paradoxes, Iwanna Twainbee takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and unlearning. The book explores several diverse themes, including religion, natural law, suicide, relationships, science, enlightenment, racism, capitalism, poverty, war, and more. Is the meaning of life determined personally? Does the benefit of becoming learned justify its cost? How do we determine what is wrong or right? If you've ever had similar questions to these, you will appreciate the collection of questions in the book.

Only a deeply introspective mind could have contemplated and compiled the ingenious, eye-opening questions in Eternal Questions: A Maybe Interesting List. As a fan of exceptional works, I appreciated the uniqueness of the book and how it says a lot with only a few words. It's not the type of book that you would enjoy reading in one sitting, as every sentence requires further contemplation to fully access its cognitive and life-changing benefits.

While reading the book, I acknowledged to myself, in several parts, that I had never reasoned a certain perspective as I saw it in the book. For example, a question is raised about balancing \"egoism\u2019s urge to withdraw from society with, if effected, the resulting loss to society.\" I felt the question is related to the increasing difficulty of finding people to physically socialize with in our egocentric, social-media-focused age. I was blown away by the question, \"Are free will and free bread mutually exclusive?\" It brought my attention to the idea of freedom in a capitalist system.

I liked that the book also contains quotes and ideas from different individuals and philosophers throughout history, such as Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay, Michel de Montaigne, and Aristotle. I strongly recommend the book to philosophy enthusiasts and readers who love to ask questions about life and the values they choose to prioritize. Some questions from the book examine modern problems, like posting travel pictures on social media to appear \"cool\"; others explore elements that have probably existed since the appearance of the first sentient humans, like love and poverty. Though some ideas are particular to women's experiences, the book can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their gender.

Iwanna Twainbee did a fantastic job with her book. It's one of the most mentally engaging philosophical books I've read, and I've read several. The world certainly needs more books that teach the value of questioning things and figuring out one's truth, like Eternal Questions: A Maybe Interesting List.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "02-May-2022", "date_added": "23-Mar-2022 01:07:13", "publisher": "Atmosphere Press", "page_count": "106 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010994003", "title": "Asgard Park: The Summer of 1991", "author": "Ronald Simonar", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 548, "review": "Recent widow Shequere Avxhiu is finding life in Tirana extremely difficult. The fall of communism in Albania should have launched the country into a new age of prosperity, but instead it seems to have exacerbated the crime and corruption that characterized the old regime. Things are particularly difficult for women, especially those whose families lack connections, which is why Shequere\u2019s best friend Rakipe has turned to prostitution. She works out of the Hotel Dajti, which is popular with visiting foreigners, and thinks that Shequere should follow her example. However, the only work Shequere is willing to do with foreigners is translation, and even that ends up landing her in a whole heap of trouble.

Meanwhile, Birger Wallenberg is traveling from Stockholm to New York to begin his new role as Director of the Asgard Park Institute, a private asylum and treatment center for the criminally insane. During the plane journey, he has a vivid dream about a woman and her young daughter being beaten by thugs, and when he finally arrives at the institute, he finds that the dream might have a basis in reality. It\u2019s just the first of many shocks that are in store for him, particularly when it comes to the identity and mission of the institute\u2019s founder, Doctor Karl Leamas.

For his part, Burton Crane, former NSA and MI6 agent and current NATO intelligence liaison officer, is hoping to quickly take down the German biker gang suspected of arms smuggling that he has spent months gathering intel on and make it back to London and his wife without too much delay. Of course, such things never go smoothly, especially not in the recently reunified Germany, and Crane soon comes to suspect that the whole sting operation is a set-up. Against his better judgment, he decides to unofficially investigate the matter further, which draws him into the orbit of powerful individuals and has the potential to expose a vast conspiracy stretching back across the centuries.

Although they are largely unaware of it, the fates of these three disparate individuals are being controlled by a powerful entity with an earth-shattering agenda, and when destiny compels the three to meet during the course of Asgard Park: The Summer of 1991, the consequences will be staggering, both for themselves and for humanity. In crafting their complex and interweaving stories, Ronald Simonar has drawn heavily on Norse mythology, particularly that concerning Heimdallr, the watchman of the gods, so much so in fact that a little prior knowledge in this regard might prove helpful. But even if the references initially seem opaque, things concerning the watchman do become clearer as the novel progresses.

Simonar has made an interestingly structural choice with Asgard Park, introducing the three main characters separately in the first three books of the novel before bringing them together in the fourth. While this allows tension to mount in the story and questions to develop regarding how everything will come together, it does lead to some degree of repetition and the need to remember certain things and characters that were not introduced as having importance. The main characters themselves are generally well developed and convincing, particularly Shequere and Crane, and overall Asgard Park is an exciting thriller punctuated with conspiracies, violence, otherworldliness, and even a hint of romance.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2022", "date_added": "23-Mar-2022 01:02:42", "publisher": "Eventhor Media", "page_count": "282 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010993007", "title": "Little Owl Rescue (Little Animal Rescue)", "author": "Rachel Delahaye", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - age 8", "word_count": 199, "review": "I love these books because they are shorter chapter books and I can finish them in just a day or two. I love birds, so I knew I would enjoy this one! Right away, I knew I would be interested in this book because I have a friend whom I have been friends with since I was a toddler.

I got a little scared when the fog came in. I could close my eyes and feel like I was in Callie\u2019s place. When Cookie was learning to fly, I felt like I was right in the book. I think the author did a great job describing all of the parts of the book. It kept me on the edge of my seat! Oh, I wish I could have an adventure like Callie! I don\u2019t know if her adventure was real or not, but I will believe it was!

The pencil drawings are some of my favorite I have seen in a long time. They are so detailed and I kept getting lost in all the details of them. I love all the books in this series and I think the whole series would be AWESOME to get as a gift!", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "24-Nov-2022", "date_added": "17-Mar-2022 15:05:12", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010992007", "title": "Building Our Main Street", "author": "Kristian James", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 202, "review": "Nicole wonders why she doesn\u2019t get to see her grandmother anymore. Her mind is filled with more memories of her than her heart can hold. Her mom explains Grandma \u201ctook a trip down her Main Street,\u201d and says it\u2019s a special place for those whose lives on earth have \u201ccome to an end.\u201d Grandma\u2019s Main Street is like a walk down Memory Lane, sipping root beer floats at the ice cream shop and purchasing her granddaughter\u2019s first dress at the Boutique. Nicole is mystified, realizing someday she\u2019ll have her own Main Street where she\u2019ll be greeted with open arms by those she\u2019s loved and lost.

This is a gorgeously crafted book. It illuminates the concept of life after death in a way young children will understand. Main Street is analogous to heaven, and being able to visualize it enables Nicole to cope with the passing of her grandmother.

Many pieces of children\u2019s literature touch on the loss of loved ones and youths\u2019 response to it, but there are few notable works centered on the afterlife. That makes this story particularly unique and valuable. Ideal for those ages five to nine, it\u2019ll provide them with a sense of comfort and certainty about the future.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2022", "date_added": "17-Mar-2022 15:09:31", "publisher": "Am Ink Publishing", "page_count": "34 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010991011", "title": "The Shelter Puppy (Pet Rescue Adventures)", "author": "Holly Webb", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Hailey - age 10", "word_count": 191, "review": "I was excited to get this book because I love visiting animal shelters. I have read some of these books in the past and was excited to get a new book in the series.

I would recommend this book for a younger selection of readers. I thought this book was lower than what I am reading now. It was an easy read, but I think it would be best read by a seven to nine year old, someone who is just learning to love chapter books. The font is larger than most books I read now and I think that helps move the story along. The illustrations were great, they broke up the words on the page.

My little sister loved this book when I read parts of it out loud to her. She loved the characters and even after we were done reading the book she asked about them. I think the author did a great job bringing them to life!

I thought the cat scenes at the beginning were super cute and they inspired me to draw a picture of them. I was very happy to read the ending!", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "22-Sep-2022", "date_added": "17-Mar-2022 15:04:13", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010990003", "title": "Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle", "author": "Nina LaCour", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 197, "review": "Not all children are raised by a mom and a dad; families can come in many different forms. Mama, Mommy, and Me in the Middle is a beautiful story that celebrates diversity and normalizes same-sex parenting. Mommy, an African-American working woman with a fierce hairdo has to leave for a week to go on a work trip. Mama, a hip purple-haired woman with colorful tattoos takes care of their daughter while she is gone. The daughter speaks openly about how sad and lonely she feels when one of her mothers leaves. She expresses her emotions in several different ways; by crying, accepting hugs, talking to her peers, creating art, and using descriptive language to explain her feelings.

The illustrator indirectly provides information by planting visual cues that can serve as a learning opportunity. The nameless main character and her Mommy have discoloration on their skin and hair; a condition known as vitiligo. The peers in her classroom are composed of children with different ethnic backgrounds and even some struggling with disabilities. Even though these visual representations are not discussed in the story, they serve as an excellent conversation starter to talk about diversity and inclusivity with young readers.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "03-Jun-2022", "date_added": "16-Mar-2022 17:28:51", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010989015", "title": "A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice9780316287159", "author": "Rebecca Connolly", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 186, "review": "There are many tellings and retellings of the story of the Titanic, a ship that has become more than just a historical event and perhaps more even than just a tragedy. There are far fewer stories about the Carpathia, however, a ship just as important to the tale, if not more so. Rebecca Connolly has made one small step toward bridging that divide.

Beyond the fact that the story covers less familiar ground, however, it doesn\u2019t feel particularly new. Captain Arthur Rostron of the Carpathia is precisely the good captain one might expect of a man who would divert his ship to save hundreds, and Kate Connolly and the other passengers aboard the Titanic are the tragedies we know they will become. Most of them, including Kate, receive little characterization, which is a shame. In a story where most, if not all, readers can anticipate the ending, the main thing that matters is the characters moving toward that end.

It\u2019s an interesting story, and the lifeboat chapters are powerfully bleak. Those two things kept it from being only two stars, and very nearly made it four.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "13-May-2022", "date_added": "17-Mar-2022 15:01:58", "publisher": "Shadow Mountain", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010989011", "title": "The Adventurists: and Other Stories", "author": "Richard Butner", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 177, "review": "The Adventurists and Other Stories by Richard Butner is a gorgeously mesmerizing compilation of short science fiction and fantasy stories that contain and reflect back the entire spectrum of human emotions, sometimes from one extreme to the other, without leaving the reader with that nagging sense of psychological whiplash that so often accompanies similar compilations in the genre.

Butner creates immersive tales with beautifully descriptive detail and an almost dream-like sense of fantastical logic where the limitations of reality simply cease to exist for the duration of one story, only to have those same limitations flipped completely on their head for the next. If you enjoy short stories by the likes of fantasy author Neil Gaiman or science fiction giant Ray Bradbury, then you\u2019ll love this collection.

Whether you like stories about lost friends reunited, unrequited love, second chances, or the transformative power of both grief and hope, there\u2019s something here for you. Mostly surreal and often touching, these stories make wonderful and quick reads for late-night dreamers and back-seat readers on their way to destinations unknown.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "05-Jul-2022", "date_added": "16-Mar-2022 19:27:11", "publisher": "Small Beer Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010989007", "title": "I'll Go and Come Back", "author": "Rajani LaRocca", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 197, "review": "When Jyoti travels halfway across the world to visit her grandmother and other relatives, she feels alone and disparaged at how different India is from home. Sati Pati tries to communicate with her, though she knows little of her grandmother\u2019s native tongue. They try out one another\u2019s language and somehow find their way. From Sati Pati, Jyoti learns how to create beautiful rangolis. They munch on fresh chapatis and enjoy milk laced with saffron after exploring the local market. When it\u2019s time to leave, Jyoti isn\u2019t ready. She remembers, though, that in India they say, \u201cI\u2019ll go and come back,\u201d instead of \u201cgoodbye\".

This story is culturally rich and eloquently written. The text is sprinkled lightly throughout, making it ideal for young children who wish to read it on their own. They\u2019ll be enticed by the vibrantly-hued illustrations that, through their fine detail, offer a kaleidoscopic view into life in this fascinating land.

Departing from loved ones can be especially difficult for youth. This thoughtful tale is perfect for those ages five to nine. It\u2019ll lend them a new perspective on an age-old problem and will resonate in their hearts, hopefully drying a few tears before they even fall.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "13-May-2022", "date_added": "16-Mar-2022 17:30:05", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010988019", "title": "Crab and Snail: The Invisible Whale (Crab and Snail, 1)", "author": "Beth Ferry", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": "", "reviewer": "Madie - Age 8", "word_count": 184, "review": "It\u2019s a wet and rainy day on the beach, but it turns out that Crab and Snail are the only ones being rained on. In one day, Crab and Snail have gotten wet, seen a rainbow, heard beautiful music, and made a new friend. The name of their new friend is Isabel. Isabel is a whale. However, Isabel isn\u2019t like other whales in the ocean because Isabel is an invisible whale!

I loved this book very much and found it cute and funny. I also enjoyed the art. Since I love snails so much, my favorite character is Salty Snail. My favorite part was when Crab counted raindrops to the number 44,983 to be specific. I liked that part because it was really funny in my opinion, maybe that\u2019s because if I did that, I would get really tired of just counting raindrops. In the book, there are two barnacles who are nicknamed the Barnacle Brothers, but their names are Grip and Drip. I think those are silly names.

I recommend this book to people who like whales, crabs, snails, and very funny stories.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Mar-2022 15:15:18", "publisher": "HarperAlley", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010988007", "title": "My Big Book of Outdoors", "author": "Tim Hopgood", "category": "F02 Classics", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - age 7", "word_count": 153, "review": "This book has everything you can think of in it. My Big Book of Outdoors has a picture and a poem or other information about all kinds of things in nature, from the types of clouds to plants and animals. There are also ideas for fun activities. Some of them you will have done before, but some are ideas that might be new to you.

It is a good book to open up about whatever you\u2019re doing for nature study and leave it open on your nature table. It's too big to read all at once, probably. Some of the pages are short and some have tons of information. The pictures are awesome and make you want to draw like that.

Kids who like playing outside in nature should read this, and everybody should be playing outside. If you like other books by Tim Hopgood, this one is way bigger and so good.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "11-May-2022", "date_added": "16-Mar-2022 17:30:48", "publisher": "Candlewick Studio", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010987007", "title": "This Is a School", "author": "John Schu", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "A school is not just a building. A school is a community. It is teachers and librarians and custodians and secretaries and principals and, of course, students, and plenty of them. It is a place for kids to learn to read, to learn to do arithmetic, and to learn to write, but it\u2019s also a place for kids to learn to communicate and collaborate and cooperate and create. They learn to build a garden and plant and care for vegetables they can share and eat. They learn to help others and accept help from those around them. They learn to build and live in a community with people from many cultures and to share in those cultures. This is a school.

Author John Schu has written a sweet book that will help youngsters become excited about the experiences they will have when they start school or at the beginning of a new school year. The writing is spare, lyrical, and tells a fun story. The bright, colorful illustrations by Veronica Miller Jamison fill every page with lots and lots of fun details that will keep little listeners engaged and excited. This is a great way to start the school year.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "12-May-2022", "date_added": "16-Mar-2022 17:29:33", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010985019", "title": "Gaudi - Architect of Imagination", "author": "Susan B. Katz", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - age 10", "word_count": 143, "review": "I really wanted to like Gaudi - Architect of Imagination but I just didn\u2019t. It\u2019s kind of a jumbled story, I guess like his architecture. The pictures are colorful and creative but they\u2019re confusing. Usually, paintings or drawings add a lot to a book, but Gaudi\u2019s designs sound so crazy that it really would have been more interesting to see photographs of them in the book instead of having to look them up somewhere else out of curiosity later. The story is a little vague, maybe because it has to get edited for a younger audience? He is a really interesting person it sounds like. If you like art or architecture or design, Gaudi is probably someone you should learn about, but you may not want to read through this more than once or twice. The printed book itself is of good quality.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "03-Jun-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 16:54:55", "publisher": "NorthSouth Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010985003", "title": "You Don\u2019t Know Us Negroes and Other Essays", "author": "Zora Neale Hurston", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 261, "review": "You Don\u2019t Know Us Negros and Other Essays by Zora Neale Hurston is a must read, even though the collection is daunting. At four hundred pages, with an additional fifty pages of notes, the book isn\u2019t attempting to be easily digestible in size or scope. Split into five sections, some essays read very quickly.

Those in Part One: On the Folk and Part Five: The Trial of Ruby McCollum have the same snap and speed as Hurston\u2019s fiction. The other three sections\u2014On Art and Such; On Race and Gender; On Politics\u2014are headier works and reveal an observant and critical mind at work at the turn of the Harlem Renaissance that has not been given the credit she is due. Hurston should be lauded in the same way as Langston Hughes and Richard Wright, but she often isn\u2019t.

One of the shortest essays in the book, \u201cThe Ten Commandments of Charm,\u201d speaks to this double standard though the use of a biblical vernacular that bites as often as it hits home. As Hurston writes, \u201cWhatsoever thou doest, forget not that femininity.\u201d The statement is delivered tongue-in-cheek, but the implication of the need to never step beyond traditional gender roles is all too real.

Those who teach read and teach Hurston will likely fall in love with this book, as I did, but even if you\u2019ve never encountered her, You Don\u2019t Know Us Negroes is an important read that chronicles a time and place in America that is most often viewed through the white, male lens. Thank heavens Hurston gives us another perspective.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 15:16:27", "publisher": "Amistad", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010984023", "title": "Little Bunny's Sleepless Night", "author": "Carol Roth", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 140, "review": "Sweet little Bunny is an only bunny without any brothers or sisters. He is lonely. He wishes he had some brothers and sisters to have a sleepover with. However, Bunny has an idea, maybe he could sleep at his animal friends\u2019 houses and have some fun?

However, once he is snuggled up and ready to go to sleep, he finds that his friends sleep much differently than he does and is immediately disturbed. For instance, his friend Owl doesn't sleep at all at night. Bunny is so tired from not being able to sleep at his friends' houses that he decides maybe his own bed is best.

I really liked the adorable illustrations of all the animals. I especially liked how the author highlights each animal's trait, which makes them unique, which is why Bunny can't sleep at their houses.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "18-Jul-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 16:51:11", "publisher": "NorthSouth Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010984015", "title": "French Braid: A novel", "author": "Anne Tyler", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 210, "review": "Alice, Lily, and David Garrett grow up as most siblings do, often squabbling and competing but also commiserating about their parents, Mercy and Robin. When they reach adulthood, however, they and their parents find themselves at a distance from one another--not exactly not speaking, but no longer on familiar terms. Alice, the solid, reliable sister, never accepts Lily\u2019s spontaneous, provocative lifestyle; Mercy, once her nest is empty, prioritizes her painting and never speaks openly about the new life she\u2019s building apart from Robin; and David, never one to keep in touch, all but disappears as he builds a family of his own. Years go by; eventually, Alice, Lily, and David\u2019s own children won\u2019t even reliably recognize one another in a train station.

What leads the Garrett family to grow apart? What did Mercy and Robin do to create a culture of silence and mystery within relationships that should be intimate? Tyler examines pivotal moments in the Garrett family across more than fifty years, teasing out the quiet rifts and disappointments whose impact intensifies as time goes on. Culminating in the present day, when the pandemic lockdown echoes literally the isolation the Garretts have always felt, French Braid explores the power of things unsaid--and the simultaneous strength and precariousness of familial foundations.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "10-May-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 15:29:51", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010984007", "title": "After Steve: How Apple Became a Trillion-Dollar Company and Lost Its Soul", "author": "Tripp Mickle", "category": "N04 Technology", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 203, "review": "Apple, Inc. evolved as a business between its founding as a computer company in 1976 through its overall corporate dominance in the present day. The success of the company owed much to the charisma and imagination of its co-founder Steve Jobs. Jobs led the company to stratospheric heights in business and the cultural zeitgeist in its early days, he made an even bigger splash when he was re-hired after a decade-long rift with the company. The success of Apple wasn\u2019t solely due to Jobs, but his hiring of excellent talents such as Tim Cook and Jonny Ive. Jobs sought an enduring legacy of success after he was gone. Ive would design devices with lasting impact, while Cook would stress efficiency in moving the products. The profits would soar, but as it did, Apple would come in for scrutiny by consumers and the government.

After Steve relates the harrowing ebb and flow of fortune that affected Apple in the wake of the loss of Steve Jobs in 2011. Author Tripp Mickle has penned more than a Business or Technology book, but a drama about the battle for the essence of one of the quintessential 20th-century companies. A book that the reader won\u2019t want to relinquish.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 15:21:53", "publisher": "William Morrow", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010983031", "title": "He Leads: Mountain Gorilla, the Gentle Giant", "author": "June Smalls", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - age 10", "word_count": 134, "review": "He Leads: Mountain Gorilla, the Gentle Giant is an okay book. It is interesting to learn about gorillas and the pictures are really nice, but the way the big text and the little text flow is super awkward. Sometimes the big text is in the middle of a sentence that goes on to the next page, but you\u2019re trying to read the little text and so you have to flip back to remember what was being said before.

Sometimes this kind of thing works well for books, with extra facts being smaller, but the way it was done here does not work very well. It almost reads like a story, but mostly it\u2019s just a collection of facts that kind of go in chronological order. The pictures are the best part of the book.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "15-Jul-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 17:04:42", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010983015", "title": "Ima Koi: Now I'm in Love, Vol. 1 (1)", "author": "Ayuko Hatta", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 201, "review": "Doe-eyed Satomi Mizusawa decides to confess her feelings to her hunky new high-school crush, Kazuma Yagyu, after he saves her from being groped on the subway. He agrees to date her since she seems interesting. Inexperienced Mizusawa doesn\u2019t know how to act or what to say to Yagyu. Can Mizusawa achieve her dream of finally having a boyfriend?

The art is very cute, especially when Mizusawa is very expressive and makes funny, silly, and dramatic faces. I didn\u2019t particularly like the side profile illustrations of Mizusawa and Yagyu though. Their side profiles didn\u2019t look like their cute manga selves.

Of the main characters, I found Mizusawa annoying and Yagyu expressionless. She seems so annoying and stalkery and obsessed with getting a boyfriend. He is so boring. I don\u2019t understand his appeal at all. He is supposed to be the brooding hunk, but I didn\u2019t feel it when I was reading the story.

Their love story, at least in Now I\u2019m in Love, is very tiresome and unoriginal. However, I would be interested to see where their love story goes in alter volumes. Unfortunately, this volume wasn\u2019t a hit with me, but it may be a hit for other Shojo manga aficionados.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "05-May-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 16:03:38", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010983007", "title": "Adventure Ready: A Hiker\u2019s Guide to Planning, Training, and Resiliency", "author": "Katie Gerber", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 201, "review": "The outdoors isn't for everyone, but when someone is prepared, their chance of success increases dramatically. Katie Gerber and Heather Anderson want to make us Adventure Ready by providing their readers with A Hiker's Guide to Planning, Training, and Resiliency while out in the wild solo or with a group. The authors have the credentials to back up the advice they share, and they wish for new adventurers to save time, money, and mistakes as well as begin their journey with information pertaining to nutrition and personal training.

Within the pages lie charts, pictures, and an organized format to ensure success with understanding the material presented and applying it in the wild. The chapters cover topics such as planning your backpacking trip, selecting your gear, being aware of safety in the wild, navigation and route preparedness, getting in shape physically and mentally, nutrition and meal planning, along with reintegration.

If someone were to think about camping, they might not think much of it besides needing a tent and a sleeping bag, but Gerber and Anderson show us that there is quite a bit more to this adventure than meets the eye and you'll be more than prepared after reading Adventure Ready!", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "23-Jun-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 15:26:56", "publisher": "Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010983003", "title": "The Crimson Thread", "author": "Kate Forsyth", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 183, "review": "When I first picked up this book, I thought I knew exactly what to expect. There are so many World War II books about fiery women resisting the Nazis and the soldiers they fall for that I expected this to be another of the same: enjoyable, but eventually forgettable.

I was surprised and delighted to find I was wrong. For one thing, The Crimson Thread is steeped in Cretan myth, not only the story of Ariadne and the labyrinth, but also everyday culture and folk beliefs. This brought it to life in a way other books can only dream of. In addition, the story started well before the protagonists found themselves in the midst of their troubles. We get to see them grow and reach the pinnacles of their journeys, rather than starting with them halfway there.

Best of all, partway through the book I realized I didn\u2019t know what would happen. I could guess at the main structure of the story, but the details I thought were obvious soon became a mystery. I heartily enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 15:06:36", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010982007", "title": "Hans Millerman", "author": "Bernadette Watts", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - age 10", "word_count": 128, "review": "Hans Millerman is a story that starts off kind of sad because a man is very lonely. He is so lonely, in fact, that he decides to leave his home and go looking for somebody to be his friend or maybe a wife, it\u2019s hard to tell. He goes through different parts of the countryside searching here and there. All of the landscapes are so beautiful you just want to jump right into the pictures with him. You get to see lots of things on the way. The story is long but really good. It\u2019s probably better for older kids because it\u2019s so long for this type of book, but everybody will like the pictures, and they may even make you want to try to draw like them.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "11-May-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 16:52:19", "publisher": "NorthSouth Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010981011", "title": "Little Polar Bear Take Me Home (Little Polar Bear (Hardcover))", "author": "Hans De Beer", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 202, "review": "Little Polar Bear Take Me Home is the story of a little polar bear named Lars who lives in the Arctic but gets bored just watching the waves go by. Lars hears a voice and finds a little tiger named Sasha in a train car! Sasha tells Lars that he wanted to see the ocean but got lost and now doesn't know how to get back home. Lars is always a friend and tries to help Sasha get back to his home. Lars and Sasha work together when they're happy and sad and need the help of others along the way to find their way back to each of their homes.

I haven't read too many of the Little Polar Bear books, but from the ones I have read, this is my favorite so far. I like that the two animals worked together and got along. I thought that part of the story was similar to another Little Polar Bear book but still different overall. The pictures are colorful and show what is happening. I liked this book and think that other kids my age will like it too because it is about friendship and being nice to people you just met.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "17-Jun-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 16:56:59", "publisher": "NorthSouth Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010980019", "title": "Little Polar Bear and the Brave Little Hare", "author": "Hans De Beer", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 173, "review": "Little Polar Bear and the Brave Little Hare is the story of a little polar bear named Lars who lives in the Arctic. Lars likes to play in the snow. One day, he hears an animal whimpering in a hole\u2014he finds his new friend Hugo the hare. Hugo is more afraid of things than Lars, but will still follow him around. Lars shows him where the humans work, but more importantly, where there's food to find! Lars becomes too curious and ends up inside the building, so it's up to Hugo to save Lars, even though he's scared!

I liked this book because it's about friendship, coming up with how to fix problems, being brave, and being nice to people you just met. The story is similar to another Little Polar Bear book I read, but overall it was different. The pictures are pretty to look at and help tell the story. I think that kids my age and younger will like the book because of all of the good things in it!", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "17-Jun-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 16:55:58", "publisher": "NorthSouth Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010979023", "title": "A Tale of Two Brothers", "author": "Eveline Hasler", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 199, "review": "Morris is kind and thoughtful, even looking out for ants along a path. Boris is spiteful and selfish, so it\u2019s hardly confounding when he refuses to fix the roof. Morris climbs the lofty hill, deciding to do it on his own. He stops every now and then to speak to the creatures of the Earth. The forest witch vows to give him something he\u2019ll always remember. When he returns, his brother notices his back is upright; his hump is gone. So, Boris sets off, retracing Morris\u2019s steps, hoping for the same good fate. When he returns, his is exponentially larger. From this, he learns a difficult lesson and vows to change.

This story is derived from Swiss-Italian folklore and parallels American fables and fairytales that emphasize the importance of personal character and the outcomes associated with it. Children will find this ancient tale relatable and will recall people in their lives who resemble the siblings.

The illustrations are intricately detailed, appearing in black and white with periodic profusions of color. Mysterious eyes are illusively hidden throughout the spreads, providing youth with a challenging opportunity to search for them. Those ages five to ten will most enjoy this timeless narrative.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "17-May-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 16:53:14", "publisher": "NorthSouth Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000010979019", "title": "Gardens Are for Growing", "author": "Chelsea Tornetto", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 134, "review": "Gardens are for growing is a cute book. Gardens aren't the only things that grow throughout the years. This book shows how a father and daughter work in the garden every year. It also shows how the daughter grows up and eventually moves out to have her own family. What's even better is when the daughter comes back with her family her dad is able to start growing the garden with his grandchild.

This is a really sweet book. I think it will be fun to read to my sister as she grows up. The illustrations are vivid and colorful, just as one would hope their garden would be after putting so much work into it. Gardens are for growing is a good book for families who like to spend time together in the garden.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "11-May-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 16:49:43", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010979011", "title": "Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Vol. 2: Deserted Island Diary (2)", "author": "KOKONASU RUMBA", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 201, "review": "Animal Crossing: New Horizons Deserted Island Diary is an adorable childrens' graphic novel by Kokonasu Rumba. It is book two in the series which was created using characters from the popular video game Animal Crossing. Coroyuki is the leader of the gang in this book and the characters go on all sorts of adventures and assignments much like in the video game. The artwork is adorable and happy. Elementary school-aged children will absolutely love this book. From going fishing to upgrading an island to building a turnip business that makes a gazillion dollars, this book has a fun plot that moves along from island to island. I remember my son playing Animal Crossing as a young child and one of the characters in this book, Tom Nook, a raccoon, I remember in particular. In the game, the characters would make funny little sounds when they were talking and for those readers who know the game, even when reading the dialogue in this book, it would be easy to hear those funny little sounds at the same time. Animal Crossing is a nostalgic game for adults in their twenties and books like this bring the game back to life for young children.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2022", "date_added": "15-Mar-2022 16:08:32", "publisher": "VIZ Media - Children's", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010979003", "title": "Katie the Catsitter Book 2: Best Friends for Never", "author": "Colleen AF Venable", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - Age 11", "word_count": 195, "review": "Summer\u2019s almost over and Katie is happy that she\u2019s got some new friends, but now that school\u2019s starting, everything\u2019s changing. Katie\u2019s best friend now has a boyfriend, and worst of all, all her friends hate the Mousetress for something she didn\u2019t do. How will Katie fix this? With the help of two hundred and seventeen seriously intelligent cats, can she find out who the true imposter is, and most importantly, reveal the truth about her to all her friends?

I loved this book so much! It\u2019s a great sequel and it\u2019s just as good as the first book. The idea of so many cats with different professions, such as candle-making and painting, is hilarious! The art and colors are cute and vibrant. The story is not a slow read and has a good amount of mystery and drama, but in a fun way. My favorite character is Katie, because she has a good personality and she loves cats like me. My favorite cat is Jolie, who loves online gaming and hacking computers.

I strongly recommend this sequel to Katie the Catsitter to cat lovers as well as fans of Roller Girl and other graphic novels.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "17-May-2022", "date_added": "14-Mar-2022 17:13:59", "publisher": "Random House Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "244 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010978007", "title": "Keys to an Empty House", "author": "David Finkle", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 474, "review": "Keys to an Empty House is a beautifully written book about a man named Elihu Goulding, a once-famous author, who is now in his sixties and has decided to buy a house in New York City to rest his weary legs. Elihu, or Eli, is an introvert and is quite detail-oriented as the reader follows him from his new doorstep past the lion door knocker and into each room of his new house where he streams Handel day and night. I especially loved this part of the book as it captured both visual and audio settings and encapsulates the reader into Eli's world. Eli also frequents strategic restaurants and cafes as he does not want to be recognized as the author Elihu Goulding. He just wants to be left alone. The author writes Eli's internal dialogue so precisely that we know what he is thinking however minuscule the task is.

Elihu Goulding has had two best sellers, Wandering Youth and For My Betters. Both books, although categorized as fiction, had main characters who were based very much on the experiences of a young Eli. After his third book, The Accidental Immigrants flops, Eli decides he will not write again. He will read. But he will not write.

Eli ponders on about his past endeavors, past lovers, including a man named Bart. One day, while he is in the shower, his doorbell rings. \"He decides to assume that whoever is buzzing and knocking repeatedly will eventually realize he or she has come to the wrong house and go away.\" How would Eli have ever guessed that it would be the son he had conceived with University of Chicago graduate student Emily almost twenty-two years ago? Eli finds himself becoming a father to Ethan although he has never met the boy and really doesn't know how to be a father. Emily has sent pictures over the years, sure, but this young man who is now staying with him is both perplexing and intriguing to Eli. He lets his natural instincts kick in, careful not to overstep any boundaries. As Ethan's ghosts come to light, Eli learns that not having a father has really affected Ethan.

Keys to an Empty House seems like a simple story about a neurotic, introvert, however, the deeper underlying story tells about how he and the other characters show love for one another. I absolutely loved the part where Emily comes to visit after Ethan has already been staying with Eli for several months. It felt as if time had not passed at all. I felt such a wonderful connection between Eli and Emily after all the years that had gone by. Author David Finkle has written a masterpiece that digs deep into the feelings, emotions, and quirks of human beings. Heartwarming, poignant, and realistic, Keys to an Empty House is a brilliant read.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2022", "date_added": "14-Mar-2022 16:25:55", "publisher": "Plum Bay Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "214 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010978003", "title": "Keys to an Empty House", "author": "David Finkle", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 404, "review": "Elihu Goulding, erstwhile novelist and current recluse, has just moved into an old house in New York. Its most distinctive features are the forest green front door and the fact that he will be able to live alone in it. Elihu is a man content with the music of Handel and his own thoughts for company, a fact that is driven home by the first several chapters. In them, he moves through the house, settling in and making it into a home, albeit a very solitary one. Not much really happens beyond observations and reminiscences.

Then his son appears on his doorstep.

The son's existence is not a surprise. Every now and then, the boy's mother would send Elihu a photograph documenting his growth: nine times in all. Elihu has, in turn, sent child support checks. It's his sole contribution as a father, besides the genetic material. What more could be asked for?

A great deal. At least, that\u2019s what Elihu\u2019s son argues.

The book is written in a simple yet poetic style, which I enjoyed a great deal at the beginning. As it went on, however, the book began to wear on me. It wasn\u2019t the style that bothered me, that felt perfectly fitting for the book and the themes it explored. The characters didn\u2019t wear on me either. While I wished Elihu\u2019s son Ethan might have gotten more depth of characterization, on the whole, the characters were interesting and compelling. What took away from my interest in the book was the tone.

Keys to an Empty House begins in an observant, reminiscent manner, and it never lets up from that. The book is deeply cerebral, delving into Elihu\u2019s thoughts for long paragraphs during and after every moment of action. Between this and the fact that it is less than two hundred pages long, not much happens. This isn\u2019t necessarily a bad thing; it\u2019s merely a matter of taste. (And for what it\u2019s worth, I very much enjoyed the ending.)

Keys to an Empty House is the sort of book that I think will most appeal to older readers, people who enjoy when books take their time, even the short ones. At its best, it is touching and elegiac, mysterious and a little mournful. I may not have personally enjoyed the book, but I could see that it is well-written. I very much hope it finds its audience, for it richly deserves one.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2022", "date_added": "14-Mar-2022 16:25:38", "publisher": "Plum Bay Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "214 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010977003", "title": "Elsewhere: A Novel", "author": "Alexis Schaitkin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1009, "review": "Summer Reading\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for the perfect holiday read this summer season, then look no further than the five recent releases included in this roundup. Fun, fabulous, and filled with both romance and intrigue, all five books are excellent escapist novels that are just begging to be read at the beach.\n\nThe Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery\n\nWhile Bree, Mikki, and Ashley might have achieved their collective lifelong dream when they opened a beachside bookshop in sunny California, their personal lives sadly remain far less successful than their professional lives. After an early experience of heartbreak caused Bree to swear off romance forever, she has been a fairly contented singleton; however, a close encounter with a visiting author might just persuade her to change stance on the matter. For her part, Mikki has been unable to properly move on since her divorce, although she is keen to find a way to do so. And as for Ashley, she has been planning her dream wedding since she was a little girl, but her boyfriend\u2019s reluctance to tie the knot is making that dream seem increasing out of reach. As the bond between the three friends strengthens as their business prospers, they also find new ways to challenge and support each other in achieving what is truly important to them. Susan Mallery\u2019s The Boardwalk Bookshop is a tribute to the power of friendship and the need to never give up on finding the perfect romance. \n\nThe Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker\n\nThe Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker is a gripping gothic page-turner that offers a surprisingly contemporary interpretation of the traditional coming-of-age tale. There might be ghosts and socially coerced marriages, but there are also fresh feminist takes and bold artistic expressions. Sylvia Wren is recognized as one of the most important American artists of the last century, although she is equally well known for her reclusive lifestyle. From the relative safety of her New Mexico home in 2017, Sylvia looks back on a past that she has tried hard to distance herself from, a past that stretches back to her childhood and adolescence in 1950s Connecticut. Originally known as Iris Chapel, Sylvia was born into the wealthy Chapel munitions dynasty. The second youngest of six sisters, she grew up in an apparently privileged but emotionally cold household with the expectation that she, like her sisters, would secure a good marriage as soon as possible. However, when her oldest sister dies of an unknown cause shortly after getting married, a tragedy that is repeated when her next oldest sister marries, Sylvia determines to find a way to escape both the family curse and the burden of the expectations placed on her.\n\nThe Nobodies by Alanna Schubach\n\nTo the outside world, Nina and Jess seem like typical best friends, close and willing to do almost anything for each other. Yet, no one suspects just how close they really are nor the massive secret that they share: when Nina and Jess touch their heads together, they are able to switch bodies. Nina is a self-assured and assertive extravert, and being in her body prompts the naturally shy and retiring Jess to say and do things that she otherwise wouldn\u2019t dare. By contrast, being in Jess\u2019s body allows Nina to experience the close and loving family situation that she has always craved. Although time and distance eventually separate the pair, they are drawn back together following the death of Jess\u2019s father and soon fall back into their earlier body-swapping antics. However, this time around, they are both more prone to deceiving the other and more likely to lose themselves in the alternative life that is temporarily available to them. The Nobodies by Alanna Schubach examines the blurred boundaries between friendship and obsession, exploring what can happen when friends become so close that their identities start to overlap.\n\nAdult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman\n\nLaura Costello finds herself adrift in downtown Los Angeles after her life falls apart in a tragically unspectacular way: a fire at her apartment building has left her homeless, being dumped by her high-school sweetheart has left her heartbroken, and being caught in a rare downpour has left her within even dry clothes on her back. Fortunately for Laura, she decides to take shelter in the bookshop run by Nina Hill and ends up becoming acquainted with an eclectic bunch of folks who are happy to serve as a makeshift new family for her. Her new-found friendships with Nina, Polly, and Impossibly Handsome Bob eventually show Laura that everyone needs a little help to reassemble their life at some point. Serving as an almost sequel to The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, Abbi Waxman\u2019s Adult Assembly Required is a quirky contemporary romance novel that focuses on the importance of nurturing all relationships and finding a place to truly belong. Perfect for any romance-loving bookworm, it\u2019s a light-hearted and cozy tale that is sure to delight.\n\nElsewhere by Alexis Schaitkin\n\nThought-provoking, other-worldly, and rather beautifully sinister, Elsewhere by Alexis Schaitkin is a captivating account of motherhood in all its many facets, from the delightful to the downright tragic. Vera has grown up in an isolated and arguably bleak community in which everyone must adhere to rigid rules and constrained roles, where girls know from a young age that they are destined to marry and have children. However, what really sets the community apart from all others is that fact that every so often, some mothers simply disappear, vanishing up into the clouds without any explanation. When it\u2019s Vera\u2019s time to become a mother, she joins her contemporaries in gossiping and speculating about who among them will one day disappear. What is it that marks a certain mother out for disappearance: paying too much attention to her offspring or not enough? This is the question that plagues Vera as she attempts to do what\u2019s best for her child, all the while wondering whether she will get the chance to see them grow or instead simply vanish like so many have done before.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 21:27:18", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010975003", "title": "Girls Solve Everything: Stories of Women Entrepreneurs Building a Better World", "author": "Catherine Thimmesh", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Leah - age 7", "word_count": 126, "review": "Girls Solve Everything: Stories of Women Entrepreneurs Building a Better World was a book about different girls and different things they did to change the world and make it a better place. There was one girl who helped to make a warming machine to help babies when they are born. The book was written to show strong girls who have done things and to show how girls can do things just like boys. In the book, girls did really good work.

The book had a lot of big words that I wrote down to look up and find out their meaning. There were pictures and text features that were very interesting. I would recommend this book to people who doubt the great work girls can do.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2022", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 21:23:33", "publisher": "Clarion Books", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010971015", "title": "Living a Human Life: Coping with What Comes Before Us", "author": "Edward Averill", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 446, "review": "Author, Edward Averill uses his advanced educational background as well as his life experiences to teach readers about the natural human instincts and the progression of behavioral changes throughout history. Averill combines his knowledge of evolution with personal stories to connect the reader to the subject. The author believes that individuals who force their opinions on others or only open their minds to a certain way of thinking can impede our natural evolutionary progress. He further explains that people will not have the opportunity to grow into a more advanced state if they are constantly being taught how to complete tasks or respond to situations, stating that this process is producing robots instead of more advanced beings.

Averill hopes that the natural evolution of man will lead individuals to become more empathetic. He believes the more recent change involving the overuse of technology has caused people to become self-centered and focus too much on shallow, menial aspects of life. Since the author talks about his higher education and unique perspective on the evolution of human life, I expected consistency and accuracy with the writing that was not present. There are several grammatical errors throughout this book that include issues with spacing, incorrect apostrophes, tense shifting, and overuse of hyphenated words. These obvious mistakes that are present on every page make this book difficult to overlook, overshadowing the text and meaning of his words. I believe this book would be more inclusive if it included thoughts from social scientists, psychologists, human development specialists, and environmentalists. When he does reference other scientists, it is only to back up or prove his opinion or disprove an idea. Without a variety of beliefs, this text seems biased and repetitive.

The author believes that an individual's mindset content is made up of environmental factors, emotional/behavioral responses, intuition, memories, information from a trusted friend or family member, and the neurological circuitry of the brain. Since this book is labeled as \u201cself-help\u201d, I kept waiting for the author to provide ways to relate with each of these components to get readers more connected with their mindset content. Instead, he repeats the importance of these factors throughout the book without offering a call-to-action or exercises for the reader to improve. I do not believe this book will help individuals strengthen their mindset content, but it will teach readers about Averill\u2019s life and view on evolution. The author\u2019s passion for this subject is apparent, but the lack of organization and editing cannot be overlooked. If Averill\u2019s key points were condensed into a short essay or journal, I believe his words would be more powerful and the overall text would be enjoyed by a wide array of readers.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 20:49:17", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "154 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000010971011", "title": "Living a Human Life: Coping with What Comes Before Us", "author": "Edward Averill", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 427, "review": " Living A Human Life: Coping with What Comes Before Us by Edward Averill is full of thought-provoking questions on human behavior, especially on how humans make emotional responses to various situations. The book is sectioned into three parts. The first part focuses on the interconnectedness of humanity, showing how all indirectly affect each other through decision-making. It emphasizes how our individuality is arguably very limited, as we rely on one another through goods and services. Averill draws historical evidence of the first early humans to make much of his argument. He presents his conclusions in a way that shows how humanity has developed and succeeded from the earliest of times to our current generation, solely from working as a community. He takes this evidence further throughout this section and the following parts, showing that as humans evolved, their physical minds evolved with them.

He also focuses much on human relationships and emotional responses to outcomes. Averill notes that our responses are very much influenced by where the situation took place, our upbringing, prior expectations, and the knowledge we gained from past experiences. For example, Averill grew up in the mid-1930s during World War II, where he was issued a gas mask and ration book in the wake of a possible German invasion. He draws from his own childhood to explain how he believes his upbringing and prior experiences have influenced the way he responds to situations.

Part two of the book talks about how religion and astrology control one\u2019s beliefs, which in turn can lead to a certain lifestyle. In this section, Averill speaks much of his personal opinion on religion and draws from his own prior religious experiences to help support his points.

Finally, part three of the book focuses on the evolution of life, specifically the evolution of humans and their thinking capacity. He touches on innate predispositions, inborn nature, and how humans have developed their mindsets over the centuries.

Averill had some knowledgeable things to say in this book, but it was completely overshadowed by the incredible amount of repetition. This book could have been shortened almost in half to get the main arguments across. Not to mention, the vast number of grammatical errors, misspellings, and run-on sentences completely distracted me from being able to take in the book\u2019s objectives. The errors were so numerous that I had to constantly stop my reading just to figure out what words were being used and where the sentence ended. Although I wish I had more positive things to note, this book is desperately in need of an editor!", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 20:49:11", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "154 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000010971007", "title": "Living a Human Life: Coping with What Comes Before Us", "author": "Edward Averill", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 421, "review": "Edward Averill has given evolution a lot of thought over the years. In Living a Human Life, he points out that every human has the ability and opportunity to further the evolution of humanity through the development of our awareness and what he terms our \u201cmindset.\u201d We are formed by our environment, memories, and how we act and react to each and every situation we encounter throughout our lives.

While Averill suggests that we are not as individual as we tend to think we are, we still need to be more aware of our emotions, motivations, and actions in order to know and understand how they affect us and those around us. He feels that we never make decisions in a vacuum. The actions and decisions that we make in the present will form the basis and foundation of the future, making it all the more critical that humans learn to work together for the sake of those yet to come.

Living a Human Life is divided into three parts, each examining how we develop our mindset, how our hierarchy of beliefs is formed, and how we affect others and society in general with our actions and encounters. While I think the overall subject of conscious awareness along with mindset development and its role in our evolution is interesting and fascinating, this book reads more like a first draft than a finished manuscript. It would benefit from some professional editing. Often words ran together on the page, and some sentences were long and, at times, awkward. I also found this work to be very repetitive. If the author had included more illuminating examples to showcase some of his abstract ideas, it would have created a more engaging and exciting text.

I did, however, enjoy reading about the author's life. I think he should have incorporated much more of this aspect into his discussions, especially where he could show how his decisions and encounters made him more aware of his beliefs and, in turn, how they led to change in his life and the lives of others. This would have been much more powerful than simply stating that there were times in his life when his emotions got the better of him or merely conveying that he was sometimes a stubborn person. I think the age-old adage of \u201cshow, don't tell\u201d applies to non-fiction just as much as it does to fiction. Nevertheless, Averill shows that our awareness, beliefs, and actions have and will continue to drive the process of human evolution.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 20:49:04", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "154 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010971003", "title": "Living a Human Life: Coping with What Comes Before Us", "author": "Edward Averill", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 426, "review": "Living a Human Life: Coping with What Comes Before Us introduces some world-changing philosophical ideas that explore what life means for humans and the path to achieving further human evolution and a more unified world. The book delves into human history and archaeological discoveries, the impact of religion on human behavior, the interconnectedness of individuals, and the evolution of all life on Earth through \"the actions of each human\u2019s living at their time of living.\" Edward Averill's insights about human evolution are influenced by his engagements before retiring\u2014including attaining BA, MSC, in the Natural Sciences, passing Ph.D. orals Geology and Paleontology, and experiencing seven or more years of fieldwork across the Canadian Shield, Middle East, and parts of Africa.

The book's combination of an in-depth examination of archaeological findings, an ingenious explanation of human intelligence, and a creative imagination of life involving humans in the past provided me with a wealth of information about humanity that is pleasantly unique and different than what any other philosophical books I read previously taught me. I particularly liked the section that states the differences between humans and robots and their similarities. Finding out that robots cannot replace humans because they cannot direct their activities by employing perceptive input was quite comforting. Though the book contains several complex ideas that require critical thinking to process, the author connects with his audience by including real stories, lifelike scenarios, and a comprehensive narration of the events and circumstances that took him on a search for understanding the reasons behind his actions as a human.

Living a Human Life: Coping with What Comes Before Us will appeal to intellectual minds and philosophy enthusiasts who search for life's purpose and wish for a more favorable and progressive world. The chapters cover such diverse topics as astrology, conflict, evolution, divorce, religion, empathy, paleontology and anthropological studies, and self-knowledge. Whether you are on a journey of self-discovery and hope to discover why you behave in certain ways or you wonder why humanity, as a whole, exhibits some concerning, discordant traits, you will find logical and well researched answers in the book.

In a world divided by different destructive beliefs and egoism, we need to teach the profound insights in Living a Human Life: Coping with What Comes Before Us in schools and to share them with all humans as they promote consciousness, gaining control of one's thoughts, and being more empathetic as a race. Humanity's future evolution will have revolutionary individuals, like Edward Averill, to thank for speeding its departure from past problems, especially war, manipulation, and poverty.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 20:48:51", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "154 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010970007", "title": "The Daughter of Doctor Moreau", "author": "Silvia Moreno-Garcia", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 178, "review": "In this magical retelling of The Island of Doctor Moreau, Carlota Moreau lives in a luxurious, isolated estate in nineteenth-century Mexico. Her father, Doctor Moreau, has created a slew of \u201chybrids,\u201d half-human half-animals, hidden away in the jungle. Despite their secrets, Carlota, Doctor Moreau, and the hybrids live peacefully as their own kind of family \u2013 until the son of Doctor Moreau\u2019s benefactor suddenly arrives, threatening to unravel the life they\u2019ve all known.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia proved her gift for haunting storytelling in Mexican Gothic and Velvet Was the Night, and she takes her talents to a whole new level in The Daughter of Doctor Moreau. Her writing transports readers right into the jungle and the eerie, isolated world of Carlota and her father. Though I have not read HG Wells\u2019 The Island of Doctor Moreau, I have no doubt that Moreno-Garcia\u2019s retelling is the perfect modern-day tribute with a feminist spin. Gothic in the best sense, with creative sci-fi twists and characters full of passion, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a gripping tale for readers of all kinds.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "26-Jul-2022", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 17:01:43", "publisher": "Del Rey", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010970003", "title": "Lucy Checks In: A Novel", "author": "Dee Ernst", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 203, "review": "After working in the hotel industry for years, Lucia Giannetti has fallen for the owner of Fielding Hotel in New York. She thinks he's fallen for her until he disappears with the hotel's money. With her life in ruins, she's had to move back in with her parents, which is less than ideal.

Lucia is all in when a job offer arrives to manage a hotel in France. She imagines a glamorous life in a new city. Upon arrival, she's confronted with a run-down hotel and the prospects of a lot of work to get it going again. Luckily, she will have the help of some long-term live-in guests and the hotel's owner Claudine, who isn't afraid of a challenge or two. And there's Bing, an arrogant author living in the hotel, who challenges Lucia at every step. But he is alluring and attractive. Lucia doesn't trust her instincts anymore and tries to remain aloof. However, that may not be possible for long.

Lucy Checks In is a fabulous escape about recovering self-esteem, finding new friends and a new home, and learning to trust in love again. It's full of charming characters, beautiful descriptions, and a heartwarming storyline. I found it hard to put down.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "31-Aug-2022", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 16:54:50", "publisher": "St. Martin's Griffin", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010969003", "title": "A Prayer for the Crown-Shy (Monk & Robot Book 2)", "author": "Becky Chambers", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 180, "review": "A Prayer for the Crown-Shy is the sweet and thoughtful sequel to A Psalm for the Wild-Built. If you enjoyed the endearing characters and expansive optimism of the first book, you\u2019re going to love this one.

The story picks up right where the first book left off, with Sibling Dex, a tea monk, experiencing the sometimes all-encompassing listlessness that often accompanies being human and Mosscap the robot emissary (the first one seen in hundreds of years) on a mission to answer the question \u201cWhat do humans need?\u201d by heading out of the wilderness and into the villages of Panga.

Chambers\u2019 knack for creating cozy sci-fi/fantasy stories shines through every page, from the beautifully descriptive prose meandering through the roads and villages of Panga to the thoughtful diversity of the cast of characters. Chambers blends the tech-savvy future with a philosophical approach to fundamental questions about humanity, throws in a dash of buddy comedy, and a sprinkle of the hero\u2019s quest into something truly unique that anyone looking for a comfort read can lose themselves in for a few short hours.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "22-Aug-2022", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 16:34:44", "publisher": "Tordotcom", "page_count": "152 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010967011", "title": "The Body Falls (5) (An Inishowen Mystery)", "author": "Andrea Carter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 553, "review": "In the Spirit of Famous Mystery Icons Roundup\n\nClassic mystery icons never die as authors keep their spirits alive with new works written in a similar style. These books are a roundup of new books that honor Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes. Experience the wonderful mystery-solving techniques of these two once again.\n\nA Trace of Poison\nColleen Cambridge\nKensington\nISBN: 9781496732477\n\nReaders will reveal in this delightful mystery set in the world of Agatha Christie. Entrants of a writing conference gather together for an evening of cocktails when one of the attendees drinks a lethal cocktail meant for Alastair Whittlesby, the man who is a shoo-in for the top prize. Agatha\u2019s housekeeper, Phyllida Bright, is the sleuth in this story about jealousy, murder, and danger. With cameos from history's most famous writers, readers will love the twists and turns.\n\nA Murder at Balmoral\nChris McGeorge\nPenguin Publishing Group\nISBN: 9780593544136\n\nThe royal family has gathered at Balmoral Castle for their annual Christmas retreat. As King Eric is about to name his successor, he drops dead. The chef, Jonathan, plays the detective in this Agatha Christie-style locked-room mystery. Everyone in the family has a means, and a motive, and readers will guess one family member after the other. As secrets unfold, will Jonathan find out whodunnit before he himself becomes the victim? Clever and full of surprises, A Murder at Balmoral is like the game of Clue in book form.\n\nWhat Child is This?\nBonnie MacBird, Frank Cho\nHarperCollins Publishers\n9780008521288\n\nSherlock Holmes takes on two cases in this book that masters the style and characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. With detailed illustrations by illustrator Frank Cho, fans of the Baker Street detective and his trusty sidekick Watson will enjoy these stories set during Christmas time. The stories both involve missing persons\u2014one, a three-year-old of a wealthy couple who has been kidnapped, and two, an aristocrat\u2019s son who has gone missing from his London pied \u00e0 terre. This page-turner is perfect for fans of Holmes and Watson.\n\nThe Body Falls (5) (An Inishowen Mystery)\nAndrea Carter\nOceanview Publishing\n9781608094301\n\nSet in Glendara, Inishowen, Ireland, Lawyer Benedicta (Ben) O'Keeffe and Police Sergeant Tom Malloy set out to solve a mystery. After a torrential downpour, a body falls onto a passing vehicle after being dislodged. The victim is a well-known charities boss and a snakebite is found. Being in an area where there are no native snakes, Ben and Tom investigate whether or not this could actually be a homicide. This is the fifth novel in this series and is written much like that of an Agatha Christie mystery.\n\nHolmes Coming\nKenneth Johnson\nBlackstone Publishing\n9798200706884\n\nWhen Dr. Amy Winslow finds a half-mummified man who calls himself Holmes and claims he was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle\u2019s muse, Amy thinks the guy is out of his mind. After reviving him, she realizes this man really is the real Holmes (his first name is NOT Sherlock, however) and sets out to help him solve cases, including one that is very close to her. The San Francisco Police Chief died on her table after being attacked by a Bengal tiger. In this Holmes revival, readers will experience the time-traveled detective as he would be in modern times. Cleverly written and perfect for fans of the brash genius detective.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 16:44:06", "publisher": "Oceanview Publishing", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010967007", "title": "Forward March", "author": "Skye Quinlan", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 13", "word_count": 200, "review": "Harper McKinley, a band nerd, had one main plan: keep her head low so as not to hinder her Republican father\u2019s election campaign. But when she finds out that someone has created a fake - very gay - Tinder profile posing as her, she resolves to never let anyone know about it. If this gets out, Harper\u2019s father could lose the election. \nBut who really created the profile? This was a messy situation to begin with, but then Harper meets Margot Blanchard. She\u2019s cute and funny, and also, she swiped right. Maybe it wouldn\u2019t hurt to be just friends \u2026 right? As Harper begins to fall for Margot, she has to decide what\u2019s more important: helping her father win, or being with the girl who has her heart?

This story was a heartwarming, adorable gay romance that hit all the right emotional buttons. It was easy to read, but still fun and well-paced with plenty of romance. The cast was inclusive with beautiful friendships and dynamics, and I liked the school band setting. Harper and Margot had the most charming banter, and I rooted for them throughout the entire book. I would recommend this to anyone who loves fun romantic drama!", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "11-May-2022", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 16:38:19", "publisher": "Page Street Kids", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010964019", "title": "Fake It Till You Bake It", "author": "Jamie Wesley", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 187, "review": "Fake It Till You Bake It: A Novel is an endlessly entertaining romp through both the classic enemies to lovers and fake significant other tropes with a sweet twist and even sweeter characters. Jada Townsend-Matthews, a national social media villain who turned down America\u2019s sweetheart of the week on a reality dating show, ends up out of work, out of luck, and locked out of her trust fund. Donovan Dell, a professional football player turned cupcakery owner is struggling to figure out why his business is failing and doing everything in his power to avoid unnecessary distractions. But when Jada finds herself forced to work in the shop, with Donovan in no position to refuse, these two sweet and sour personalities collide in front of a reporter who mistakes them for a couple. The social media circus that follows boosts the bakery\u2019s business, and helps Jada salvage her online image. Their chemistry practically jumps off the page, with each new misunderstanding between them deepening their connection and forcing them to consider if they\u2019re really faking it, or if their feelings will lead them to a sweet ending.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "28-Jun-2022", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 16:59:55", "publisher": "St. Martin's Griffin", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010964011", "title": "Worlds of Exile and Illusion: Three Complete Novels of the Hainish Series in One Volume--Rocannon's World; Planet of Exile; City of Illusions (Hainish Cycle, 1-3)", "author": "Ursula K. Le Guin", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 199, "review": "In these three books, collected in one volume, the expertly written plots, while engrossing, are merely a vehicle to explore LeGuin's complex and beautiful ideas. Each of these only loosely connected stories can stand perfectly on its own, but reading the three in succession you see themes introduced, developed, echoed and revisited in multiple layers. Rocannan's World introduces themes of splitting apart what should be connected, and the way to reintegrate bifurcations into wholeness; for example, light and shadow, above and below, lord and servant, even predator and prey. Planet of Exile explores the idea of the alien, and how to treat \"the other\" -- but also revisits that idea of bringing together that which is separate. City of Illusions brings up themes of truth and of finding what something truly is, its \"true name\", and the power of that truth -- then you realize, that theme has been omnipresent in the other two books as well. There are depths and layers that weave these themes through all three of the books and connect them through much more than the superficial plots would lead you to believe. The perceptive will find many analogies to our own times as well.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "22-Apr-2022", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 16:40:20", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010964007", "title": "The Cayenne & Cocoa Companion: 100 Recipes and Remedies for Natural Living", "author": "Suzy Scherr", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 191, "review": "The Cayenne & Cocoa Companion is a beautiful book of one hundred recipes and remedies for natural living. Cayenne is antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and is great for skin and hair. Cocoa is wonderful for circulation, blood sugar control, and is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The author, Suzy Scherr, has written several books highlighting healthful ingredients. Not only do her recipes have health benefits, but they also look oh-so-delicious. Some of the recipes I will be trying are Nashville Hot Chicken, Spicy Beer Cheese (a creamy, tangy, rich, spicy sauce that sounds amazing), All-Purpose Cayenne Marinade, and Spicy Chocolate Cake with Mocha Buttercream (need I say more?). This book is also wonderful because Suzy includes healing treatments. For example, her Rejuvenating Elixir is loaded with antioxidants, contributes to a glowing complexion, and is very detoxifying. The Relief for Nasal Congestion is another concoction that I would love to try since several family members have allergies. This one is a simple one with hot water, apple cider vinegar, raw honey, and cayenne pepper. . From delicious recipes to simple remedies, this is a book that all families should have on their shelves", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "04-Apr-2022", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 16:36:23", "publisher": "Countryman Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010963003", "title": "The Clever Wife: A Kyrgyz Folktale", "author": "Rukhsana Khan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 9; Julianne - age 6", "word_count": 176, "review": "The Clever Wife: A Kyrgyz Folktale told by Rukhsana Khan and illustrated by Ayesha Gamiet is the story about, well, a clever wife! And this wife sure was clever! She made the Khan feel very silly for his behavior. When the new Khan helped the poor, it was very nice. It wasn\u2019t nice how the other women were mean to Danyshman, but the one was nice to her. The khan\u2019s riddles were funny and his wife\u2019s answers were even better.

We felt like we got to visit another land and it felt like we were in a different house than we are right now. The pictures were really cool and we felt like we were really there. It\u2019s always interesting to learn about other places and the people who live there. This book is really nice to cuddle up and read with. It\u2019s a fable, so that\u2019s cool. So if you like fairy tales, you\u2019ll probably like this book. It made us feel really happy for the clever wife and made us laugh at the end.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "17-Jun-2022", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 15:56:40", "publisher": "Wisdom Tales", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010960023", "title": "Bet on It: A Novel", "author": "Jodie Slaughter", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 196, "review": "Bet on It: A Novel by Jodie Slaughter is a tender gem of a romance about acceptance, friendship, and finding love in all the wrong places. The story centers on Aja, a young Washington D.C. transplant who moves to the small southern town of Greenbelt to get a better hold on her anxiety disorder and bring some semblance of peace and order to her life. It was working relatively well; she had her weekly bingo game with the elderly Ms. May\u2026and not much else. That is until Ms. May breaks both her arms and her grandson Walker temporarily moves into town to take care of her. After he helps Aja through a late-night panic attack at the Piggly Wiggly, she knows her heart is in trouble, and it\u2019s not from the anxiety. Walker has issues of his own and returning to the town that gave him his PTSD is the least of his worries when just being in Aja\u2019s presence makes his heart rate skyrocket. Slaughter writes about sensitive issues with an easy grace that seamlessly blends into the story in a way that enriches the plot and increases the tension in all the right ways.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2022", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 16:58:26", "publisher": "St. Martin's Griffin", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010960019", "title": "Duplicity (2) (A Brick Kavanagh Mystery)", "author": "Shawn Wilson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 525, "review": "A Collection of Murder and Mayhem\n\nNeed a book that will keep your attention from cover to cover? These brand-new crime fiction novels are sure to pique your interest. From cold cases to police corruption to a real-life kidnapping, readers will find their noses buried deep in these fascinating mysteries.\n\nDuplicity (2) (A Brick Kavanagh Mystery)\nShawn Wilson\nOceanview Publishing\nISBN: 9781608095100\n\nThe second book in the Brick Kavanaugh series, this one can be read as a standalone and picks up with Retired Homicide Detective Kavanaugh going back to Washington, D.C., to teach criminology students about cold cases. In the meantime, his ex-partner\u2019s family is kidnapped. With corruption and danger at the forefront of this story, readers will love this fast-paced, action-packed book with its hero of a protagonist. Perfect for fans of crime thrillers.\n\nStandalone\nChristopher Chambers\nThree Rooms Press\nISBN: 9781953103239\n\nStandalone is the second book in the Dickie Cornish series. Unlicensed Private Investigator Dickie Cornish struggles with sobriety, anti-psychotic meds, and counseling with the VA. When an ex-con holds him at gunpoint to solve the cold case of his missing daughter, Cornish finds much more, including police and child services corruption. This book will expose the underbelly of crime in Washington, D.C., and will have readers dredging through the streets alongside Cornish in this crime thriller.\n\nNo Plan B\nLee Child, Andrew Child\nRandom House Publishing Group\nISBN: 9781984818546\n\nJack Reacher is at it again. In this 27th installment of Lee Child\u2019s famous character series, Reacher witnesses a woman getting pushed in front of a bus, the perpetrator taking her bag, and running. The police say it was suicide, but Reacher knows better. Then another homicide occurs, and Reacher knows something is fishy when it is marked as an accidental death. In true Jack Reacher fashion, he finds himself in the middle of something bigger than a single serial killer. In fact, as Reacher investigates, he discovers there are several people behind these crimes with an agenda that will stop at nothing. Fans of the Child brothers and Jack Reacher will love the latest in the series with its non-stop action and charismatic main character.\n\nLady Joker, Volume 2\nKaoru Takamura, Allison Markin Powell, Marie Iida\nSoho Press\nISBN: 9781641290296\n\nKaoru Takamura, queen of Japanese crime fiction, delivers Lady Joker, Volume 2, inspired by the real-life Glico-Morinaga kidnapping. It brings to life the victims, the perpetrators, the good guys, and the bad. Readers will follow along as police track the crime group known as Lady Joker. Dark and complex, fans of seedy crime fiction will applaud this one.\n\nRobert Ludlum's The Blackbriar Genesis\nSimon Gervais\nPenguin Publishing Group\nISBN: 9780593419977\n\nSimon Gervais delivers this fantastic, action-packed book starring Robert Ludlum\u2019s Treadstone and Blackbriar agents. When a Treadstone agent is killed in an explosion, the only thing suspicious is that no one knows why he was there. Two Blackbriar operatives, Jouvert and Wade, are sent into the field to find out why the agent was at this particular place at this day and time. Readers will love the two Blackbriar agents as they find themselves in a world of conspiracy, deceit, and betrayal.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 16:45:05", "publisher": "Oceanview Publishing", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000010960003", "title": "Life-Changing Cross-Cultural Friendships: How You Can Help Heal Racial Divides, One Relationship at a Time", "author": "Gary Chapman", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 192, "review": "Award-winning author Gary Chapman and renowned educator Clarence Shuler merge their experiences and life lessons learned in a timely book about the promise of bridging racial divides through meaningful and mutually beneficial connections. In Life-Changing Cross-Cultural Friendships, the two men \u2013 Chapman is White and Shuler is Black \u2013 set their cross-cultural friendship as an example of what is possible when people from different backgrounds make an intentional effort to establish interracial friendships. The authors focus on a Christian perspective that centers on Jesus\u2019 ministry and is grounded in respect, forgiveness, grace, and serving others. Throughout the book, Schuler explains foundational diversity and inclusion concepts like culture, cultural differences, and color-blindness.

The friendly and inviting tone of Life-Changing Cross-Cultural Friendships reflects its intention to bring together people of the Christian faith from diverse backgrounds. It is a timely book given that Christians in America continue to worship in segregated church settings. In addition, we witness the worrisome trend of racial divisiveness and vitriol by particular faith communities. The authors\u2019 appeal to followers of Jesus is simple: healthy, long-term friendships with someone from another race require intentional actions to enhance communication and resolve conflicts.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "23-Aug-2022", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 15:54:03", "publisher": "Zondervan", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010959003", "title": "Nightwork: A Novel", "author": "Nora Roberts", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 205, "review": "Much of the beginning of this novel is very similar to a recent novel by Atticus Lish, The War for Gloria, wherein a young son grows up way too early in order to care for his mother, who has been stricken with a deadly disease. That, however, ends the similarity, as Nightwork is the story of an attractive master thief with an unlikely moral center.

As this is a romance novel with a suspense-based overstory, the reader is asked to suspend any disbelief and enjoy the love story. The two main characters are the thief, Harry Booth, and the beautiful Miranda Emerson. Miranda, of course, complicates his life by becoming the kind of love and attachment who could derail the sleuth\u2019s identity as he slips through jobs whilst remaining undercover.

The story is well told and interesting, although this reader found the last one hundred pages predictable and unnecessary\u2014and yet there is a postscript to boot. Nora Roberts is the first inductee into the Romance Writers\u2019 Hall of Fame as well as a New York Times best-selling author. She has written over two hundred books and has honed her craft well so that her fans will be delighted by this latest entry in her catalogue.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "16-May-2022", "date_added": "11-Mar-2022 15:52:43", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000010955003", "title": "MEG: A Novel of Deep Terror (MEG, 1)", "author": "Steve Alten", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 187, "review": "Seven years after his tragic last dive, Jonas Taylor is talked into returning to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Convinced that what he saw down there could not be real, Jonas once again travels seven miles below the ocean's surface, only to have disaster strike again. This time the carnage leads a prehistoric monster from the depths. Now there is a seventy-foot-long megalodon lose, and everything she encounters becomes her next meal. Jonas knows this giant beast needs to be stopped, but how does one hunt the most deadly apex predator the world has ever seen?

MEG: A Novel of Deep Terror by best-selling author Steve Alton is a fast-paced oceanic adventure. A cross between Jaws and Jurassic Park, Alton\u2019s action-packed story thrills and excites. This book is only the beginning of Alton's deep sea horror saga, but he has set an incredible stage in this first volume. MEG is a modern-day fantasy filled with plenty of oceanographic and paleographic data. With many scenes of blood and gore, Alton does not hold back when trying to scare his readers from ever getting near the ocean again.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2022", "date_added": "10-Mar-2022 15:30:28", "publisher": "Forge Books", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010951027", "title": "This Woven Kingdom (This Woven Kingdom, 1)", "author": "Tahereh Mafi", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 176, "review": "Alizeh only wants to keep her head down, live her life in safety, and if she can, comfortably. Unfortunately, she's no normal girl; she's a jinn and jinn don't get to live normal lives, especially one with secrets. She's been hunted her whole life and one mistake could ruin everything. Kamran is the prince. He was raised for the throne, knows his duty, and is ready to except his fate. Yet, a chance encounter with a girl who is not all she seems threatens to upturn everything he knows. Kamran could lose everything to save this girl, or he could lose everything if he doesn\u2019t.

Forbidden romance, a hiding queen, and a prophecy wrap together to create an exciting tale. Every character has a purpose, even the ones who don't seem too. They're all unique with different personalities as well. The writing style is poetic and visual, different from a lot of young adult fiction, and I found that I enjoyed it. Some things were confusing at first but explained by the end, leaving a cliffhanger.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 17:08:08", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010951011", "title": "The Lying Club: A Novel", "author": "Annie Ward", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 199, "review": "Natalie is an office assistant at an elite private school in Colorado, where she spends her days watching women like Brooke and Asha, parents who seem to have it all. Brooke and Asha\u2019s girls are coached by the handsome Coach Nick, whom everyone wants. When Nick chooses to date Natalie, she thinks some of her own dreams are coming true. But it will all end with two bodies and three women forming The Lying Club to take their secrets to the grave.

There is a lot of similarity to Big Little Lies here, so those who are fans of Liane Moriarty will enjoy it, as well as those who just like reading about creeps getting their just desserts. One thing is really clear in this story: money does not buy you happiness, just a lot of drugs and alcohol to help dull reality. I really enjoy the storytelling method of knowing that someone has been murdered, but you don\u2019t find out who until much farther in as you watch the story unfold. It adds to the suspense and mystery as you try to figure out who did it, even though you aren\u2019t even entirely sure who the victim is.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "22-Apr-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 16:28:11", "publisher": "Park Row", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010951003", "title": "Remember Me: A Novel", "author": "Estelle Laure", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 199, "review": "When a note shows up telling Blue to board the blue bus at a specific time, she does it. She feels as if something is missing and hopes that whomever she meets or whatever she sees might answer her questions, but when Adam boards, Blue only has more questions. In order to get answers, she confronts Adam, asks her family, and even considers hypnosis. She overhears conversations that are meaningless until she discovers that she has purposely paid to remove her memories. What could she have wanted to forget so badly that she would erase memories of the recent past?

This tale is not so much a trip into a mystery as a fall into grief and loss. Set in the not-so-distant future, Blue\u2019s plight is contradictory: why did she have a message that would reverse what she did to forget? Some readers will embrace Blue\u2019s reasons for wiping out her past, but others may want to avoid this due to mentions of suicide and death. It may be a challenge to finish as the big mystery is answered in the first half. Readers who prefer more mystery behind memory loss should look for Remember Me Gone by Stacy Stokes.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 16:13:51", "publisher": "Wednesday Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000010950031", "title": "Hello, Baby!: I'm Your Mom", "author": "Eve Bunting", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 189, "review": "This sweet story of moms taking care of their babies starts from tiny little human babies and expands to all manner of creatures from cats to birds to rhinos and more. No matter what the species, all the moms take care of their babies in their own special way.

Eve Bunting is a wonderful and loving creator of children\u2019s books. Her books are sometimes fanciful and sometimes they teach about difficult subjects. They don\u2019t all have happy endings, but they all have hopeful endings, which is much more instructive for young children. In this book, the illustrations are executed by Jui Ishida, who brings lovely colors and warm mom/baby interactions to life from a circle of protective mother elephants to the porcupine\u2019s maternal hug.

All the moms in this book have caring messages of protection and love for their little ones. At the end of the book are pictures of ten different animals with facts about them. The author is an Irish-born Californian who has written over two hundred and fifty books for children in order to make them think. This is the latest delightful addition to her catalogue.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 17:16:39", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010950027", "title": "Mushroom Rain", "author": "Laura K. Zimmermann", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 202, "review": "Popping up mysteriously out of nowhere, mushrooms are abundant and seemingly magical. Some look like umbrellas waiting for the rain to fall, while others emerge in magnificent shades of neon green, illuminating the ground with their otherworldly appearance. Some grace the atmosphere with delectable aromas like coconut and bubble gum, while others fill it with ghastly scents of spoiled cabbage and decaying wildlife. They provide sustenance to creatures big and small, and as suddenly as they appear, they disappear, their roots stretching deep underground, and their spores spreading far and wide, a few escaping to the clouds to help make rain: a mushroom rain.

Mushroom Rain is a valuable contribution to the body of nonfiction children\u2019s books concerning the natural world. It\u2019s full of simple yet confounding truths about mushrooms and the environments in which they thrive. Gorgeous illustrations gloss the pages with vibrant hues and articulate detail. They\u2019ll pull youth in, capturing their attention and admiration, sparking their curiosity and interest, challenging them to peruse them like a lost journal. The lightly sprinkled text, as well as the additional information inserted at the end, will be favored by many. Elementary school educators will find this a treasurable resource for their classrooms.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 17:15:36", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Pr", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010950015", "title": "Feeding Women of the Talmud, Feeding Ourselves (Jewish Food Hero Collection)", "author": "Kenden Alfond", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 198, "review": "In this intriguing cookbook, you will find much more than just recipes. First, there are plant-based recipes that range from simple teas for various occasions to complex main dishes as well as snacks, desserts, and breads. I was pleased to see recipes that included traditional techniques, like the Seven Herbs and Spices Focaccia, which uses sourdough culture, as well as quite innovative riffs, like the No-Bake Vegan Millionaire Squares. The latter is really nothing like its namesake caramel shortbread cookies but is nevertheless a sweet and tasty treat that is simply made with readily-sourced ingredients. Even more interesting are the included stories that accompany the recipes. The book recounts the stories of dozens of women from the Talmud, the text of Judaic law and commentary, told directly from that. Each woman's story is told directly from the Talmud with questions for reflection or discussion. Being unfamiliar with the Talmud, I especially appreciated the contextual explanations as well as the modern commentary. Centering on these women, the stories invite new perspectives on traditional and evolving ideas and encourage you to dig deeper into this text and history. There is much to savor here, for the body, mind, and spirit.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "31-Aug-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 16:23:48", "publisher": "Turner", "page_count": "382 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010950011", "title": "51", "author": "Patrick O'Leary", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 191, "review": "On the way back from his AA meeting, Adam Pagnucco stopped to help a down-and-out stranger who turned out to be Adam\u2019s best friend from collage, Winston Koop. Their lives couldn\u2019t have been more different since school. Adam became a photographer and sobered up. Koop became entangled in a conspiracy that became a massive government coverup. Koop revealed that he collected people\u2019s stories then erased their memories, but Adam could still sense that Koop was hiding something. Now on their way to Roswell, Adam feels it was a bad idea to have stopped and helped Koop in the first place.

51 is the surreal new science fiction novel by Patrick O\u2019Leary. Spanning over fifty years, the timeline jumps around enough to make one\u2019s head spin, with endings as clear as a kaleidoscopic daydream. It is a quirky, offbeat take on a popular plot. O\u2019Leary takes the Roswell conspiracy and sets it on its ear. This outlandish paranormal chronical pushes science fiction in a new direction. O\u2019Leary\u2019s bizarre, hallucinogenic narrative is the Naked Lunch for a new generation. In fact, 51 has all the elements of a cult classic in the making.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "28-Apr-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 16:06:30", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010950007", "title": "Elephants in Our Yard", "author": "Meral Kureyshi", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Dina Dugar", "word_count": 297, "review": "Elephants in Our Yard by Meral Kureyshi is a novel of loss \u2013 in the passing of a loved one, in fleeing and migrating to a new country where one feels unwelcome, and in returning to the motherland where one feels they no longer belong but to which they are still tethered. The narrator acts as cartographer, mapping grief in physical landmarks as she illustrates her family\u2019s journey from their hometown of Prizren in former Yugoslavia through the various Swiss towns they move through while their status and fates are processed. Moving through the places that swallow the migrant in an unfamiliar tongue and cold indifference, she speaks in the second person to her late father, whose passing has further disoriented the family and whose promises and dreams of a better life seem to haunt more than comfort. \n

\nWhile poignant and at many times bleak, Kureyshi\u2019s voice also offers the glimmers of hope that appear universal in the Western diaspora. The story is broken into vignettes, oscillating between the emptiness in her father\u2019s absence and the feeling of becoming a stranger to her homeland, and the moments of joy and triumph in establishing her and her family\u2019s identity in the face of isolation and alienation. These moments, like when they finally have a phone and find their names in the Swiss phone book, echo a universal desperation known to many in the diaspora, one that aches to be a part of one\u2019s new world without having to succumb to its colors, and while still saturated in the names and textures of one\u2019s motherland. Kureyshi outlines this paradox in simple but affecting tones, not arguing against it or apologizing for it but rather embracing the idea that straddling multiple cultures is often a messy and beautiful experience.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "13-Sep-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 16:04:29", "publisher": "Noumena Press", "page_count": "123 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010950003", "title": "Our Fermented Lives: A History of How Fermented Foods Have Shaped Cultures & Communities", "author": "Julia Skinner", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 191, "review": "Our Fermented Lives: A History of How Fermented Foods Have Shaped Cultures and Communities by Julia Skinner provides a valuable history of fermentation throughout human history. This profound and important text on the intersection of culture and fermentation offers not only history, but also guidelines on fermentation and recipes as well. How better to understand a culture or a time period than to understand and prepare its food?

As the author says of fermentation, \u201cAn act of co-creation with the microbes\u2026 and with whomever you are fermenting with.\u201d This beautiful idea of how the act of fermentation can reconnect us with the world, ourselves, and the people around us permeates the text.

The interconnectedness of the two species is mind-blowing and intricately woven, in life and in this narrative. The impact of fermentation and culture cannot be understated, even in how the words are related\u2014a colony of bacteria used for fermentation is a culture, as well as referring to the collective society of a group of people. The interactivity between fermentation cultures and cultures of people is fascinating and an escape from homogeneity, both in our food and in our societies.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 15:50:42", "publisher": "Storey Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000010949043", "title": "A Map for the Missing: A Novel", "author": "Belinda Huijuan Tang", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 176, "review": "If one wants to travel to China, this book provides the map. It is the story of a college professor teaching in the United States and searching for his father in his homeland of China. In order to return to the place of his birth, the professor is required to reunite with the past and fill in the missing spaces of his history and family relationships.

Initially, the main character is elusive, but as one reads further, the story captures his rich inner life and the shame that has plagued him into a narrow existence. Things happen to the main character without any volition on his part. Tang Vitian, the main character, is estranged from his father, who has gone missing. Vitian flies to China to search for his father, who has always been a distant and missing figure to his son.

In telling this intriguing story, the author also manages to underline the tremendous cost and deprivation caused by the revolution. Read this book for the travel, and through it, learn more about the world.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 21:53:16", "publisher": "Penguin Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000010949027", "title": "Olympians: Dionysos: The New God (Olympians, 12)", "author": "George O'Connor", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liesel - age 11", "word_count": 181, "review": "This book begins from the point of view of Hestia, the Goddess of the Hearth. While in her point of view, it explains what Hestia went through during the time she was in her father's stomach after he swallowed her. Soon afterwards, the point of view transfers over to Dionysos, the God of Wine. The book then follows Dionysos as he invents wine, and it explains the tragic results of that invention.

One of the stories is about how Dionysos falls asleep in pirate territory and gets captured. One of the pirates recognizes Dionysos as a god and insists that they set him free, but the rest of the pirates think he's crazy. Dionysos is offended and summons a jungle to sink the boat.

This is a very well put together book. The illustrations are very fabulous and give you a perspective inside the story. This is a very good book, and it a great final book in the Olympians series. I am sad this is the last! I would recommend this book to everyone who is interested in ancient myths.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 17:14:21", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010949011", "title": "The Skies Above: Storm Clouds, Blood Moons, and Other Everyday Phenomena", "author": "Dennis Mersereau", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 201, "review": "The Skies Above explains nearly any and everything weather-related. The author, Mersereau, begins with aspects of our sky that we see (or maybe not) on a daily basis and topics including the different types of clouds and precipitation, and then works his way to how objects and occurrences in space affect the weather we observe and experience, starting with the lunar phases, lunar eclipses, and then the transition of space rocks from asteroids, comets, and meteors. Weather phenomena related to the different seasons come next and finishes out the book.

The information is detailed and explained well; there is minimal jargon, and when there is it is explained with plenty of illustrations to aid. Mersereau explains topics from an evolutionist's belief. I found the book enlightening and a worthwhile source to have accessible when I see a cloud that I can't identify or wonder about how the wind works and its effect on our daily weather. The illustrations are the right amount in quantity, the quality is bright and detailed, and they enhance the book overall. The Skies Above is relevant today and will continue to be, for as long as humans exist, there will be weather, working as he explains.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "15-Jul-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 15:46:22", "publisher": "Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "302 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010948051", "title": "The Latecomer: A Novel", "author": "Jean Hanff Korelitz", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 210, "review": "As a newly married woman, Johanna Oppenheimer wants nothing more than a baby. When she has triplets via IVF\u2014a brand-new technology in the early 1970s\u2014she\u2019s thrilled. But the triplets co-exist as little more than reluctant housemates, eager to be free of one another. Johanna and Salo\u2019s marriage is equally distant, and Salo searches for true intimacy elsewhere\u2014in his art collection, but also with another woman. When Johanna decides to bring a fourth child into their family\u2014the fourth embryo from the IVF round, long frozen\u2014the adult triplets all but ignore her. Still, the family dynamic shifts. Not immediately, and not easily. But it turns out that the \u201clatecomer\u201d\u2014Phoebe\u2014is what the family most needs after all.

Following each sibling\u2014Sally, Harrison, and Lewyn\u2014as they move through high school, college, and early adulthood, the novel shifts point of view and shows just how intractable the siblings\u2019 expectations and behaviors are. There are opportunities for connection, mostly ignored or recklessly destroyed. What Phoebe brings, very late, to the Oppenheimer party is a new view of how important family ties are, and a certainty that it\u2019s never too late to build those bridges. The Latecomer is more of a family drama than Korelitz\u2019s The Plot or You Should Have Known, but no less of a pageturner.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 21:22:41", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010948047", "title": "Hendrix Vol. 1: Electric Requiem", "author": "Mattia Colombara", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 206, "review": "The 1960s was a time of new freedoms in America as well as ongoing civil strife. It was also a time of drugs, sex, and rock-n-roll. The electric guitar played a major role in the soundtrack of the times. When guitarists were gods, at the top of the pantheon was Jimi Hendrix. He was loved by many and is considered one of the best to ever take the stage.

Hendrix Vol. 1: Electric Requiem is a new graphic novel perfect for any Jimi Hendrix fan. Written and penciled by Mattia Colombara, the book tells the compelling life story of the little boy from Seattle who grew into a man loved worldwide. Colombara portrayed the young imaginative Jimi in the Prince Valiant-style graphic. The illustration signified different eras in Jimi\u2019s life, from the use of darker tones in his foundational years to more vibrant colors that appropriately represent the musician\u2019s psychedelic period. Colombara does not shy away from the hardships Jimi experienced, choosing to focus on the ongoing racism, much of what Jimi personally went through. Even as an illustrated story, this is one of the most complete Hendrix bios. With chapters named after his songs, it\u2019s hard to get through without Jimi Hendrix playing in your head.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "03-Jun-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 20:38:07", "publisher": "Ablaze", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010948043", "title": "The Partnership: George Marshall, Henry Stimson, and the Extraordinary Collaboration That Won World War II", "author": "Edward Farley Aldrich", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 200, "review": "Henry Stimson and George Marshall were from different parts of the United States, and they were on diverging paths in life. Stimson was a Wall Street lawyer raking in big fees. Marshall was a lifelong soldier who could get things done. However, the call of service to their country beckoned them both. Their response would be swift, their service would be lengthy and noteworthy.

The two men were previously acquainted during World War I, when Stimson had briefly answered to Marshall. The growing conflict in Europe would result in Franklin Roosevelt calling on both men to mobilize men and arms as World War II consumed the globe. Stimson, as Secretary of War, and Marshall, as Army Chief of Staff, would oversee the US effort in supporting and partnering with the Allies.

The Partnership functions as more than a dual biography of two wartime leaders. The enduring legacy of Stimson\u2019s and Marshall\u2019s leadership has left its mark on the decade since their service concluded. Edward Farley Aldrich examines the two men with a fine-tooth comb and leaves the reader more than satisfied with the research and his views on Stimson and Marshall, through thick and thin. A notable book for 2022.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "03-May-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 20:35:54", "publisher": "Stackpole Books", "page_count": "560 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000010948035", "title": "The Nineties: A Book", "author": "Chuck Klosterman", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 231, "review": "To borrow a friend\u2019s phrase, \"I am the arrow through the bullseye target market\" for Chuck Klosterman\u2019s latest book The Ninetie. As a 1994 high school graduate who majored in English and became a high school English teacher, the social, political, economic, and musical research in the book scratched nearly every one of my pop culture itches.

What Klosterman gets perfectly right is identifying the moments that resonate from that wild decade thirty years later. He hits on the television and music shaping those days in a way that makes them seem fresh even for someone like me who remembers the moments in real-time. His breakdown of the Nirvana video for Smells Like Teen Spirit transported me back to my thirteen-inch screen television with its bootlegged cable box, tuning into MTV and feeling cooler and a little afraid for reasons I was too young to understand.

What The Nineties is doing, I think, is justifying and outlining a decade that can often feel like a joke. Low rise pants and wallet chains, Ross Perot as a presidential candidate, popular sitcoms like Seinfeld that were arguably about absolutely nothing\u2014how could any self-respecting person take the nineties seriously? But Klosterman makes the case that even the most ridiculous elements of the age had, and still have, weight, and to know where we\u2019re going, it would do us all some good to revisit where we\u2019ve been.", "issue": "April 2022", "date_posted": "21-Apr-2022", "date_added": "09-Mar-2022 17:03:23", "publisher": "Penguin Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011102003", "title": "Room Service Please", "author": "Alicia Cahalane Lewis", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 408, "review": "It all starts with a pair of too-tight shoes from the dime store. Ugly, black pumps for Edith to wear. But her mother wants her to wear them so that's what Edith does. On the eve of her sixteenth birthday, Edith goes dancing without a proper escort and is mistaken for a movie star. No one believes she\u2019s not the rising starlet, no matter how much she tries to convince them otherwise. She only wants a fun night of dancing, to not lose her virginity, and to not have a whirlwind of problems the following morning. No obstacle will stop her; Edith is determined to confront the man who seduces her and demands he makes it right. As she performs a role she wasn't prepared for, Edith starts to find her true self, not whom her mother wants her to be or whom her dance teacher wants her to be, but whom she's meant to be.

Room Service, Please is a coming-of-age story wonderfully spun through the eyes of a sixteen-year-old from a different era. With vivid characters and a rich storyline, Edith shows us that growing up and away from expectations is as complicated and confusing now as it was a hundred years ago. It's hard to get to know characters in such a short time span, but I found that every time Edith lost a bell boy I was sad because I liked their charm. Even characters that are only mentioned have their own uniqueness to them. Edith herself was hard to like because she was snotty and selfish but she was also just a lost teenager trying to please everyone around her even when she didn\u2019t want to. I still enjoyed her story and could relate to her struggles of growing up and finding herself. The story was sometimes confusing, the way things are written with flowery descriptions that were hard to tell if they were metaphors or real, how Edith thinks, and sometimes jumping from past to present without much explanation. The middle of the story started to drag a bit repeating almost the same scene several times. The cover is beautiful, almost like a painted portrait of Edith, and is one more thing that makes her come to life. Overall, I enjoyed the story and recommend it to not only teens but adults as well. It\u2019s an easy afternoon read that will have you wanting to know how it ends from the first page.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "24-May-2022", "date_added": "29-Apr-2022 21:37:39", "publisher": "Tattered Script Publishing", "page_count": "154 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011099003", "title": "On the Ledge: A Memoir", "author": "Amy Turner", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1245, "review": "This Is Me: Memoirs to Remember\n\nIn a world filled with stories waiting to be told, there's something uniquely captivating about diving into the pages of a memoir or biography. These first-hand accounts offer a window into the lives, experiences, and innermost thoughts of individuals who have left an indelible mark on history, culture, and society. In this roundup, we explore six recently published biographies and memoirs that promise to leave readers inspired, enlightened, and deeply moved. From tales of resilience and triumph over adversity to reflections on identity and the human condition, these books offer a diverse range of voices and experiences that will linger in your thoughts long after the final page is turned. \n\nThe Long Road Home by Debra Thompson\n\nThe Long Road Home by Debra Thompson is a poignant exploration of identity, belonging, and the multifaceted experiences of being Black in North America. Thompson embarks on a transformative journey, delving into her family's ties to the Underground Railroad in Shrewsbury, Ontario, before revisiting four American cities, each with its own complex history of racism and democracy. From Boston as the birthplace of revolution to Eugene as the western frontier, she unveils the uncomfortable truths about racism's persistence in American society. Settling in Montreal, Thompson uncovers the complexities of acceptance and belonging within a city with a storied history of transnational Black activism. This book goes beyond being a personal narrative, offering a vital examination of racism in the United States and Canada while highlighting the enduring power of freedom and the shared dreams that connect Black individuals across borders.\n\nAmerica Made Me a Black Man: A Memoir by Boyah J. Farah\n\nBoyah J. Farah\u2019s America Made Me a Black Man: A Memoir is a searing and deeply personal account of the profound impact of American racism on an immigrant from Somalia who, after surviving hardships in his homeland, confronts a different kind of dehumanization in the United States. Born in Somalia and raised among nomads, Farah's upbringing instilled in him a code of male bravado that helped him endure deprivation, disease, and civil war. Upon arriving in America, he believed this code would serve him well, only to be confronted with systemic racism, police brutality, and pervasive prejudice. Farah's account not only explores the challenges of being an African in America but also delves into the complex experience of becoming African American. This memoir challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the destructive forces that threaten Black lives while offering a unique perspective on the fractured identity of Black men in America.\n\nOn the Ledge: A Memoir by Amy Turner\n\nOn the Ledge: A Memoir by Amy Turner is a powerful and highly personal narrative that spans multiple generations, exploring the enduring impact of childhood trauma and the journey toward self-discovery and healing. Turner's childhood was marked by the traumatic incident of her father's attempted suicide, which haunted her throughout her life, leading to a state of hypervigilance. Years later, after surviving a near-fatal accident, she embarks on a remarkable emotional odyssey, delving into the trauma of her own brush with death and, unexpectedly, unearthing deeper childhood wounds. Through acupuncture, somatic-oriented therapies, and serendipitous experiences, Turner unravels the layers of her trauma and finds healing, not only for herself but also for her relationship with her parents. This poignant and intimate memoir underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of self-discovery, proving that it's never too late to seek self-acceptance and healing.\n\nThe Daughter of Auschwitz by Tova Friedman and Malcolm Brabant\n\nThe Daughter of Auschwitz is a profoundly moving memoir co-authored by Tova Friedman and Malcolm Brabant. Friedman, one of the youngest survivors of Auschwitz, shares her heartbreaking and harrowing account of being a Holocaust survivor, from her childhood growing up during the Holocaust to her near-death experiences in a Jewish ghetto, a Nazi labor camp, and the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp. Her story serves as a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the enduring obligation to remember the 1.5 million Jewish children who perished during the Holocaust. Through meticulous research by Brabant, the memoir immortalizes Tova's memories, ensuring that her story will endure, even as the years pass, and serve as a powerful reminder of the strength of the will to survive and the importance of preserving its memory for future generations.\n\nThe Yank by John Crawley\n\nJohn Crawley\u2019s The Yank is a gripping and brutally honest memoir that takes readers on a harrowing journey through one man's life during some of the bloodiest days of the Irish\u2013British conflict in 1975. As a young Irish-American, Crawley seeks out the most intensive military training by joining an elite US Marine unit. He later joins the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Ireland. Crawley shares the grueling challenges of his Marine Corps training and how he puts his skills to use in the service of the IRA. Readers are taken on a tumultuous ride as Crawley recounts running guns with notorious American mobster and secret IRA fundraiser Whitey Bulger, evading British troops by moving from safe house to safe house in the Irish countryside, experiencing capture and imprisonment, and even fending off a recruitment offer from the CIA. He also reveals his involvement in a campaign to disrupt London's electrical system. Throughout the memoir, Crawley offers unvarnished insights into the people he worked with, including IRA leader Martin McGuinness and the psychopathic Whitey Bulger, as well as others in the Boston IRA support network. \n\nAmerican Demon by Daniel Stashower\n\nIn American Demon, Daniel Stashower delivers a chilling tale of historical true crime centered on the iconic lawman Eliot Ness. During the depths of the Great Depression, Cleveland finds itself terrorized by a gruesome killer known as the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run. The horrors begin in 1934 when a beachcomber discovers the lower half of a female torso on the shores of Lake Erie, earning the victim the grim title of \"The Lady of the Lake.\" Over the next four years, a dozen more bodies are discovered, all meticulously dismembered with surgical precision and drained of blood, some even beheaded while still alive. As the city is gripped by fear, its beleaguered mayor turns to Eliot Ness, renowned for his exploits in Chicago battling Al Capone's bootlegging empire. Ness faces a case that will redefine his career as he hunts for a calculating and composed mastermind who has managed to hide in plain sight. With American Demon, Stashower sheds fresh light on this notorious crime and uncovers the gripping story of Ness's relentless pursuit of a monster.\n\nYear of the Tiger: An Activist's Life by Alice Wong\n\nYear of the Tiger: An Activist's Life by Alice Wong is a groundbreaking memoir that invites readers into the mind of an activist as she discovers and nurtures her community while continuing the fight for disability justice. Wong, the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, provides a profound glimpse into her life through a collection of original essays, previously published works, conversations, graphics, photos, and commissioned art by disabled and Asian American artists. Wong's unique talent creates an impressionistic scrapbook of her life as an Asian American disabled activist, community organizer, media maker, and dreamer. She shares her thoughts on various topics, including creativity, access, power, care, the pandemic, mortality, and the future. With incisive wit, joy, and passion, this memoir is a galvanizing exploration of Wong\u2019s journey marked by the energy of the big cat, the tiger.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Apr-2022 16:10:29", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011097003", "title": "Rise of the School for Good and Evil", "author": "Soman Chainani", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - age 9", "word_count": 176, "review": "Rise of the School for Good and Evil is not a great book. The book is about filling in the backstory. It is about what happened to the School Masters of the previous books. It starts with a new student called Aladdin who should be put in Evil but is put in Good. The School Masters wonder what has tipped the balance. Can they keep the balance or will they suffer losses instead?

I felt parts of it were slightly creepy, more than the rest of the series. Rise of the School for Good and Evil has several pages of gorgeous full-color images of the text, which I definitely enjoyed. I feel that the book could do with a little less description at the beginning of the story; I found it hard to follow during the first few chapters. I really like the plot aside from the fact that there is a fair amount of violence.

I recommend Rise of the School for Good and Evil to children aged eight to fourteen who read for enjoyment.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "16-Aug-2022", "date_added": "29-Apr-2022 15:55:57", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000011096003", "title": "The Village Idiot", "author": "Steve Stern", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 185, "review": "If even half of what is in this book is accurate, Chaim Soutine was a fascinating man. Unfortunately, he was also a man intent on his own mystery; the acknowledgments mention there are few biographical writings about him. My mild forays into research revealed mostly anecdotes and stray stories.

So: I am left with the novel. It is experimental, but not so much that it becomes off-putting or too clever for its own good. It jumps back and forth between years in Soutine\u2019s life, always anchored by the story of him walking along the bottom of a river. Bit by bit, pieces are stitched together, forming a whole. It is beautiful in the same way Soutine\u2019s paintings are beautiful. It is never entirely real and, at times, reveals the fascinating grotesque of the perfectly ordinary.

It wouldn\u2019t be right to say that I couldn\u2019t look away. It\u2019s better to say I had no wish to.

Stern has crafted a biographical novel that drew in even me, someone only occasionally interested in art history. I\u2019m very glad I had the chance to delve into the richness of this book.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2022", "date_added": "29-Apr-2022 15:52:37", "publisher": "Melville House", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011094019", "title": "Beyond the Sunset, a travel memoir - Volume 1: Adventures Outside My Comfort Zone", "author": "Sherry Knowlton", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 406, "review": "Beyond the Sunset Vol. 1 is a travel memoir presented by Sherry Knowlton. You may know her as the author of the Alexa Williams novel series. Having had the privilege of reading and loving one of these novels, entitled Dead on the Delta, I was immediately drawn to the book. I couldn't wait to learn more about Mrs. Knowlton's travels and adventures, especially those in Africa. The essays in this work provide readers with a glimpse into her background and her first forays into travel by way of camping and hiking in the United States. Before moving on to more exotic locations. It also gives some good advice and a fantastic array of memories and musings about the many exciting and far-flung locations visited over a lifetime of holidays. As she explains, early on, it was reading and literature that sparked an interest in learning more about people and places far from her home in Pennsylvania. And some of her favorite writers are mentioned throughout the book, giving readers a chance to discover or rediscover their works.\nTo my mind, there was never a dull moment in this book. Whether recounting an unforgettable journey that took her to Woodstock for the famous music festival in the 1960s, where unfortunate circumstances resulted in missing the long-awaited performance by Jefferson Airplane, or trekking through Indian forests searching for elusive tigers, she recounts adventures with a flair and talent that made me feel almost like I was a part of the journey. I hadn't expected how much her stories would remind me of my own travels, which brought back fond memories long forgotten.

I especially loved her tales of all the people she encountered. The account of a scuffle that broke out while trying to view the famed Komodo dragons in Indonesia was memorable, as was her account of being charged by a rogue hippo in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. And I found the advice to give yourself an extra travel day a wise one. But the best advice was her motto of being prepared but relaxed. Enjoy the journey because you never know what you might discover. Whether you are an armchair traveler or one who seeks more adventure, Mrs. Knowlton's memoir is sure to impress. I can't wait to read volume two. She shows us how much we can learn if we open ourselves up to the wider world, which is out there to discover and experience.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2022", "date_added": "28-Apr-2022 21:25:50", "publisher": "Sunbury Press, Inc.", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011094015", "title": "Beyond the Sunset, a travel memoir - Volume 1: Adventures Outside My Comfort Zone", "author": "Sherry Knowlton", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 452, "review": "Growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania, Sherry yearns to see beyond the limited perimeter of what she\u2019s been exposed to. When she attends Dickinson College, just a short distance from her childhood home, opportunities ignite a flame that still burns in her today. During her senior year, she meets the love of her life, Mike Knowlton, and they embark on their first cross-country trip together. They explore the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone National Park, Acadia, and the Grand Canyon, to name just a few of their notable excursions. Before long, they find their way along the Appalachian Trail and the White Mountains of New Hampshire and eventually reach Canadian soil.

As time progresses, they fly to the Virgin Islands and then spread their wings all the way to South America, the North and South Islands of New Zealand, France, Italy, Greece, India, Nepal, Laos, Myanmar, and more. The African terrain is yet another of their destinations, where they visit Botswana, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa, among others. At each place, they build enough memories to last a lifetime and create an unbreakable bond between the two of them.

Beyond the Sunset: A Travel Memoir is the first of two volumes of Adventures Outside My Comfort Zone. It\u2019s exquisitely written by award-winning author Sherry Knowlton. She takes readers on an adventure across the world. From the national parks of the U.S. Virgin Islands to the pristine waters of the Puerto Rican coast and far beyond, Knowlton recounts the details of each destination with clarity. She elucidates her early adoration of camping and hiking and then expresses her passion for the sea.

She and Mike become entranced with the ocean and its many wonders and share breathtaking moments like the one when they come face-to-face with a manta ray in the Polynesian island of Bora Bora. She writes, \u201c\u2026out of the depths of the lagoon, a giant shadow came sweeping toward us, its huge wings gracefully undulating.\u201d She goes on to say their encounter felt like a \u201cmoment frozen in time.\u201d Fascinatingly, she also documents one of their rendezvous with a Bengal Tiger in India. Coming close enough to touch it, she states that her paws were \u201cas big as dinner plates\u201d and \u201cher golden-orange coat glowed like fire in the midday sun.\u201d

In the final chapters of the text, Knowlton outlines some of the cultural, safety, and travel precautions to consider before sojourning far from home. Her recommendations are practical, time-saving, and thoughtful, and they range from how to blend in with one\u2019s surroundings to registering with the State Department before departure. They\u2019re an added bonus to an already noteworthy read. Her expertise, gift with words, and amazing photographs all contribute immensely.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2022", "date_added": "28-Apr-2022 21:24:42", "publisher": "Sunbury Press, Inc.", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011094011", "title": "The Man in Cabin Number Five", "author": "Chrysteen Braun", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 431, "review": "Annie Parker ignores the disapproval of her parents and gets married to the man she has her heart set on. Unfortunately, her decision leads to a painful divorce, after she finds out about her husband's affair. Annie doesn't let the heartbreak bring her down but decides to move to the cabins in the mountainous town where her family used to spend summers in Lake Arrowhead, California.

Thirty years after her father's demise, Alyce Murphy discovers that her father died of murder-suicide and not a heart attack, like she was told. In The Man in Cabin Number Five, Chrysteen Braun narrates a deeply compelling, inspiring, and adorable narrative about the mountainside cabins of Lakewood Arrowhead, shocking secrets, and two women that are linked to the cabins in different ways\u2014one by a buried past and the other by optimistic plans for the future.

The aesthetic, calm, and sometimes chaotic atmosphere of The Man in Cabin Number Five drew me in right from the beginning, and I wished it wouldn't end. Different aspects of the story contribute to its addictive and pleasant feel: falling in love, building a family, visiting one's family with a lover, renovating a cabin in a mountainous environment, and more. Chrysteen Braun does a mind-blowing job of building the characters and making them lifelike and easy to relate to. The first-person narrative is done to perfection as it reads like the narrators are speaking to friends\u2014natural, lively, and jovial. I laughed out loud when I read the part where Anne claims that a bag of chips and a soda are \"just what the doctor ordered.\"

You can't read The Man in Cabin Number Five without feeling the strong emotions of the characters\u2014like betrayal, shame, disappointment, excitement, hope, and loss. I found the events quite relatable and realistic. The part where Anne disagrees with her parents, regarding her choice of lover, reminded me of an experience I witnessed with a friend. A good number of themes are explored and adroitly woven together in The Man in Cabin Number Five, including real estate, family, infidelity, romance, PTSD, war, sexual assault, substance abuse, and divorce.

The Man in Cabin Number Five inspires anyone recovering from betrayal and infidelity to keep living and working towards a better future. The picturesque descriptions of the scenes and characters will appeal to readers who wish to get completely immersed in and escape into a fictional world. Chrysteen Braun creates a masterpiece with smooth storytelling that juxtaposes the serenity of the mountains with the eruptive chaos of dangerous secrets and ends with a bang. What a terrific story! What a talented writer!", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "19-May-2022", "date_added": "28-Apr-2022 21:20:42", "publisher": "Marble Creek Press", "page_count": "313 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011094007", "title": "Child of Etherclaw", "author": "Matty Roberts", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 401, "review": "Fenlee Harper and her adopted younger brother, Elliot, are navigating the world mostly alone. Since her mother\u2019s passing, her father is always away working, which leaves Fenlee to look after herself and Elliot. Life in the low tier has been hard, but she has aspirations for a better life, and applying herself in the Mechatronics class at The Academy was the way she was going to do it. For her, it was a priority to be in the top of her class, and for that she needed access to materials that were hard to find.

Scavenging in the Undercity of New Cascadia was dangerous but a necessity. Little did Fenlee know that a typical day of scavenging would change the trajectory of her life for good. There was more to the cheap opal her mom left her than meets the eye. She\u2019s introduced to a power she never knew existed and some strange characters that help her along the way. From then on, Fenlee\u2019s world is never the same.

This sci-fi fantasy novel introduces us to a futuristic world where a class system exists that is both literal and metaphoric. From the beginning, it opens with action that just sucks you in. I had no idea what was going on, but I was down for the ride. First we meet Fenlee and Elliot, both capable and street smart, but they get themselves into some trouble, and as the story unfolds, we see that they aren\u2019t as alone as they may have thought.

The characters were well developed and the storyline was exciting and imaginative, with an evil villain and endearing allies. The descriptions of the environment were vivid and really made me feel like I was in New Cascadia experiencing the sights and smells. The story is unpredictable, full of futuristic technology and government conspiracy. The author does a good job of introducing the history of this world mixed into the storyline so that the reader was not inundated with too much information.

I love a good coming-of-age story and this definitely fits the bill. It has the right amount of teen angst mixed with action, mystery, and even a little bit of romance. If this is the first in a series, I\u2019d say it\u2019s off to a great start and I would definitely love to read a sequel. I would recommend this novel to all readers who enjoy this genre.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "29-Jun-2022", "date_added": "28-Apr-2022 21:10:42", "publisher": "Twilight Fox LLC", "page_count": "348 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011094003", "title": "Child of Etherclaw", "author": "Matty Roberts", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 488, "review": "A young-adult dystopian thriller in a similar vein to The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, and Divergent, Matty Roberts\u2019 Child of Etherclaw is set in a well-developed near-future world characterized by technological advancements, peculiar magic, factionalism, and the collapse of civilization as we know it. Against this backdrop, a young engineering student has to rely on her wits and bravery to unravel a family mystery and save those she loves from the nefarious forces hiding within the upper echelons of power.

Sixteen-year-old Fenlee Harper divides her time between her mechatronics studies, scavenging expeditions to the desolate ruins under the city of New Cascadia, and looking after her younger brother, Elliot. Clever and ambitious, she aims to move her family out of the lower tier and higher up the ladder of New Cascadia society, and the only way to do that is to secure a job with Norfayne Labs, the all-powerful science and engineering conglomerate.

Unfortunately, despite her academic and street smarts, Fenlee can\u2019t seem to resist venturing to the undercity in search of parts and materials to use in her engineering projects, which regularly places her in danger from both surveillance drones and mysterious subterranean citizens.

During a near-disastrous expedition that ends up costing Fenlee her new prosthetic leg, she and Elliot encounter a pair of undercity dwellers and learn that the necklace given to Fenlee by her mother before she died is actually made of etherclaw, a powerful substance somehow linked to the Void Pillars crafted by alien beings centuries ago to help save humanity. While the etherclaw necklace allows Fenlee to destroy a deadly Guardian drone and so temporarily saves her and Elliot, it also places her in danger from those who want the power of the necklace for themselves.

Events accelerate rapidly from this point onwards and Fenlee is forced to confront the fact that everything she thought she knew\u2014about both her family and the world in which they live\u2014might not be true. As she seeks answers to the various mysteries that confront her, Child of Etherclaw develops into an exciting and action-packed story featuring complex characters that the reader really comes to care about. Fenlee is a hugely sympathetic lead character with a great deal of strength and determination, and Matty Roberts has ensured that the villainous forces she faces seem truly devious and threatening.

Roberts has also dedicated a great deal of attention to world-building, constructing a detailed history for New Cascadia that includes the devasting events of the Great Collapse, the arrival of the Aeons and the construction of the Void Pillars, and the mythology that has developed around such events and is still used to control the lives of ordinary people. Fenlee\u2019s world features plenty of unusual and advanced technologies too, and the existence of magic/otherworldly forces really enhances the atmosphere of the story. Overall, Child of Etherclaw is a thrilling sci-fi novel that is sure to appeal to young-adult readers.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "29-Jun-2022", "date_added": "28-Apr-2022 21:10:16", "publisher": "Twilight Fox LLC", "page_count": "348 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011093011", "title": "Leech", "author": "Hiron Ennes", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 194, "review": "Doctors at the Interprovincial Medical Institute are connected in a way only they understand. Each doctor might be their own person, but they share a consciousness and a connection to the Institute itself. Research, text, and others\u2019 thoughts and ideas are all intertwined. But when one of their own is lost, the replacement doctor must solve the mysteries of their predecessor\u2019s death. Before their descent into madness, the doctor will have to confront a predatory parasite that challenges humanity for its spot atop the evolutionary ladder.

Leech is the creative debut novel from Hiron Ennes. This gothic medical horror is brilliantly written. As a medical student, Ennes infuses a lot of scientific detail in their book. The unique twist on shared consciousness makes this a story like no other. Ennes\u2019 characters are full of both depth and intrigue. The neo-baroque setting is creepy and bizarre. Ennes is a master of the dark and surreal, an expert at vividly describing places, people, and scenarios. The reader feels dread, terror, and turmoil in this suspenseful thriller. It will leave one checking dark corners carefully. For fans of the eerie and grotesque, let Leach suck you in.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2022", "date_added": "28-Apr-2022 16:00:13", "publisher": "Tordotcom", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011092015", "title": "Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head", "author": "Jeanne Walker Harvey", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 205, "review": "I enjoy watching movies, both with animated and real-life characters. I don't normally pay attention to the outfits that the characters wear, but I will now, after reading Dressing Up the Stars! The story is about a real girl who lived in the desert but dreamed of living in a big city. She knew how to sew, so she'd make outfits for her dolls, her pets, and her friends when they would put on plays. The girl grew to be a woman and lived in Los Angeles, where she got a job making outfits for characters in movies - both people and animals! The woman is Edith Head, an award-winning costume designer who designed outfits for famous actors from 1927-1981.

I normally don't read about other people's lives too often, because I usually read fiction stories, but this was interesting, and I could relate to Edith when she was a little girl with how she felt. I am also trying to learn how to sew right now, so it is fun to see the things she made with her sewing skills, even when she was so young! Edith has made me wonder what might happen to me when I grow up if I keep trying.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2022", "date_added": "28-Apr-2022 14:52:23", "publisher": "Beach Lane Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011091035", "title": "Kismet: A Thriller", "author": "Amina Akhtar", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 216, "review": "I was really excited to receive a copy of Kismet for review. The story sounded so intriguing and is about two women who moved from New York to Sedona only to be caught in a serial killer's web. Ronnie is Pakistani and has lived with her abusive Aunt since she was six years old after her parents died in a car accident. She meets Marley, the daughter of a wealthy woman who also claims to be a healer and life coach. After taking some empowerment lessons with Marley, Ronnie decides to move to Sedona, Arizona, with Marley for more healing, yoga, and the desert air.

I did not like Marley from the very beginning because she seemed very fake and selfish. In one part of the book, she has a woman come to their house to take Ronnie's blood for a vampire facial for her and her friend Caroline without asking permission from Ronnie. The book has chapters that are told from the point of view of the serial killer who seems to be killing \"bad\" people only, and we know it is a woman.

The ending is not surprising, and the book seemed to drone on forever. It started off really interesting, but the characters started to become more unlikeable and strange as the book went on.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "30-Sep-2022", "date_added": "28-Apr-2022 16:47:01", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000011091031", "title": "The Binding Room: A Novel (An Inspector Anjelica Henley Thriller, 2)", "author": "Nadine Matheson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 192, "review": "A pastor, dead in his own church, was stabbed forty-eight times. A young man, tortured to the brink of death, was found in an upstairs room. The officer investigating these crimes, DI Anjelica Henley from the Metropolitan Police Serial Crime Unit, soon identifies several suspects in the murder of Pastor Annan, or The Prophet, as he calls himself \u2013 women whom he has sexually misused and the cheated-on wife. The discovery of a second torture victim, this one female and long dead, and the presence of a Bible and other religious symbols (also found beside the first) raise the ugly possibility of a serial exorcist. Is the pastor behind these efforts to cast out the devil? If so, who killed him and why? Or are his stabbing and the purging of the other two victims unrelated? While dealing with her own troubled marriage, Henley painstakingly draws on CCTV footage, interviews, DNA evidence, and autopsy results to unwrap the tangled mix of motives and suspects. With an intriguing premise, careful, step-by-step detailing of the investigation, and some surprises along the way, The Binding Room is an excellent choice for fans of police procedurals.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "25-Oct-2022", "date_added": "28-Apr-2022 16:16:26", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011091015", "title": "Love on the Brain", "author": "Ali Hazelwood", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 166, "review": "Neuroscientist Bee has the opportunity of a lifetime when she is selected to lead a project between NIH and NASA, and she couldn\u2019t be more ecstatic\u2026until she realizes that her co-lead is Levi. He hated her during their Ph.D. program, and she\u2019s had enough of the overconfident men in her field. As the project progresses, Bee finds herself becoming closer to Levi and considers that she may have misinterpreted his cool exterior.

This was a cute and nerdy romance, and I adored Bee and Levi\u2019s relationship. They each had their own anxieties that kept them from opening up to each other, but once they trusted one another, the relationship blossomed. I enjoyed Bee\u2019s point of view and how she expertly dealt with men challenging her intelligence and competency as a female scientist. Bee wasn\u2019t afraid to stand up for herself, although it took several setbacks for her to gain this confidence. This was a fun and empowering romance, and I look forward to Ali Hazelwood\u2019s future novels!", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "18-Nov-2022", "date_added": "27-Apr-2022 17:09:37", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011090027", "title": "Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians (Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, 6)", "author": "Brandon Sanderson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 195, "review": "This is the final book in the Evil Librarian Series. We begin with Alcatraz and Bastille trying to get out of the Librarian headquarters without getting burned up by lava. Alcatraz has just witnessed a gruesome death that he considers his fault. This caused major problems for him and Bastille as they are trying to save the world from being vaporized.

Bastille is hilarious. I laughed at the times she spoke to the readers directly. It took me a little bit to get used to it because it\u2019s so different, but I liked it. I also appreciated that this is her writing about it as an adult after it happened. It was a cool point of view I don\u2019t see in many books.

Alcatraz was fantastic. I loved that when something horrible happened to him, he acted as a normal human would react even though he\u2019s a hero in a fantasy book. I appreciate noting that heroes have feelings and sometimes stop and can\u2019t go on.

This was an epic conclusion! I feel like this book is perfect for eight- to twelve-year-olds. I can\u2019t wait to introduce my son to the series! Well done to both the authors.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2022", "date_added": "28-Apr-2022 16:01:08", "publisher": "Starscape", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011090011", "title": "The Earth Is All That Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation", "author": "Mark Lee Gardner", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1225, "review": "Through Another\u2019s Eyes\n\nThe five memoirs included in this roundup detail the lives and experiences of five truly remarkable individuals. From mysterious medical conditions and life in cyberspace to culinary adventures and survival against the odds by way of adventuresome history, the stories that they have to tell provide startling insights into the worlds inhabited by other people.\n\nA Thousand Ways to Pay Attention: A Memoir of Coming Home to My Neurodivergent Mind by Rebecca Schiller\n\nWhen Rebecca Schiller and her family moved to a smallholding in the picturesque English countryside, their new life should have been a dream come true. Unfortunately, however, their attempt at the good life quickly turned into the troubling life as Rebecca\u2019s previously robust health started to break down. She found herself suffering from memory lapses and mood swings, and she also started to frequently experience falls. It was a lot to cope with in the midst of an overwhelming lifestyle change that necessitated a steep learning curve when it came to the difficulties and technicalities of running a small farm. After a succession of medical investigations, Rebecca finally received a very surprising diagnosis: ADHD. The diagnosis caused her to both question her current life and reevaluate her past, a process that placed a serious on Rebecca and her family. In an attempt to cope with her life seemingly spiraling out of control, she sought to distract herself by investigating the history of her new land and the roles of various women in its past. Schiller\u2019s A Thousand Ways to Pay Attention: A Memoir of Coming Home to My Neurodivergent Mind is a moving and insightful account of her journey through the darkness of uncertainly and into the light of acceptance.\n\nKhabaar: An Immigrant Journey of Food, Memory, and Family by Madhushree Ghosh\n\nMadhushree Ghosh\u2019s Khabaar: An Immigrant Journey of Food, Memory, and Family is a gorgeously illustrated culinary memoir comprised of essays showing the integral role that food plays in history, politics, society, family, and more. In vivid prose, Ghosh examines how immigrant food in general, and South Asian food in particular, has been transported around the world via colonization, migration, and refugee journeys. Through the stories of chefs, home cooks, and street food vendors, she questions what it means to belong and how food histories can be integrated into new locations. On a more personal level, she also elucidates the role that food played during her childhood as the daughter of Indian refugees and then later in her adulthood as an immigrant in the United States. As Ghosh sought to situate herself as an immigrant, a woman of color working in medical science, a woman who escaped an abusive marriage, and a woman of Indian heritage striving to keep her parents\u2019 cultural history alive through her cooking, food seemed to be the one stable and constant presence in her life. Together, the essays in this collection awaken the senses and inspire the mind to consider the vast differences and inequalities that exist globally.\n\nThe Earth Is All That Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation by Mark Lee Gardner\n\nCelebrated warrior Crazy Horse and revered holy man Sitting Bull are now best known for leading the Lakota to victory against US General Custer\u2019s Seventh Cavalry at Little Big Horn. However, this great triumph has arguably overshadowed all the other details of the two men\u2019s truly remarkable lives, an issue that Mark Lee Gardner has sought to address through years of extensive research and consideration of primary sources that have previously been ignored. Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull both grew up on the High Plains of the American West during a time when herds of buffalo still roamed wild and nomadic Native Americans could move freely across the land. It was also a time when white fur traders and government-backed explorers were increasing seeking access to Sioux lands, closely followed by a host of other settlers aiming to profit from the vast resources of the West. The arrival of these interlopers decimated the buffalo population, spread deadly diseases to the Native Americans, and provoked a series of armed conflicts. Experiences such as these inspired Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the warriors who followed them to achieve victory at Little Big Horn, although their great triumph sadly did not ensure the preservation of their way of life. Gardner\u2019s The Earth Is All That Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation is a masterful dual biography of two true legends of the Great Sioux Nation and their pivotal role in the Native American resistance during the closing days of the American Frontier Wars.\n\nGirl Online: A User Manual by Joanna Walsh\n\nAs the old adage goes, if you\u2019re not paying for the product, you are the product, and nowhere is that more true than in cyberspace. While the internet offers many benefits, it has also increasingly turned its users into the used, who lack adequate privacy and data protection. This enforced lack of agency is often particularly problematic in the case of young women online, who are encouraged to conform and adopt certain personality traits in order to be accepted. Whether they seek to be vloggers, bloggers, or influencers, young women are forced to sign a Faustian pact\u2014stay young, beautiful, and fit; never let the realities of mundane life intrude; fake it till you make it\u2014to attract and maintain an audience. There\u2019s now growing recognition that the need to keep up appearances in this way can prove highly psychologically damaging, although the practice doesn\u2019t seem to be going away anytime soon. Girl Online: A User Manual is Joanna Walsh\u2019s account of her attempts to negotiate life in cyberspace as a girl, a woman, a mother, a writer, and a person who needs to make their living online. Using a variety of styles ranging from programming language to tweets to a blog, she brilliantly captures the realities and unrealities of online existence.\n\nThe Nazis Knew My Name: A Remarkable Story of Survival and Courage in Auschwitz by Maya Lee and Magda Hellinger\n\nThe Nazis Knew My Name: A Remarkable Story of Survival and Courage in Auschwitz tells the heart-wrenching tale of Magda Hellinger\u2019s experiences of life in concentration camps during the Holocaust, as related to her daughter and co-author Maya Lee. Magda was deported to Auschwitz from her home in Slovakia in 1942. She would become one of the few people to survive over three years spent in concentration camps. During her time at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Magda was first chosen by the SS to act as a Jewish prison leader and then later appointed a Camp Elder, a senior position that brought her into contact with both her fellow prisoners and high-ranking members of the SS. Where possible, she used this access to perform acts of kindness, bravery, and compassion that helped to keep other prisoners alive despite the awful conditions in which they were being held. Although the roles of people such as Magda during the Holocaust have been largely forgotten, she did write a short memoir chronicling her experiences, which her daughter Maya used as the basis for investigating the situation further. Through additional research and interviews with other concentration camp survivors, Maya is able to demonstrate how Magda\u2019s kindness changed and saved the lives of many.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2022 17:12:54", "publisher": "Mariner Books", "page_count": "560 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011090007", "title": "Spells for Forgetting: A Novel", "author": "Adrienne Young", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 199, "review": "Fourteen years after the night of the fire, the last heir of the Salt family returns to the island of Saoirse to bury his mother. Seemingly untouched by time, Saoirse and its inhabitants live in their own charming world, where children follow in the footsteps of their forefathers and no one would ever think to lock a door. But to those who can read the omens, the island is stirring with too many secrets and change is in the wind.

August Salt\u2019s return to the island reopens old wounds that never fully healed. Having fled the island to escape persecution, he finds himself being held accountable for actions not solely his own. As the story unfolds, we learn about the sinister side of this reclusive community, where council members vote on more than just roadwork and bloodline feuds span generations.

As the events leading up to that tragic night are slowly revealed, we find ourselves with more questions than answers. It only takes an accidental slip of the tongue to reveal the first of many secrets, which paves the way for each piece of the puzzle to fall into place. All this makes for a slow-burning and suspenseful thriller.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2022", "date_added": "27-Apr-2022 17:04:28", "publisher": "Delacorte Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011089047", "title": "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: A novel", "author": "Gabrielle Zevin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Emma McGorray", "word_count": 173, "review": "When Sam and Sadie meet in a hospital games room as kids, it\u2019s the beginning of a years-long friendship\u2014a friendship full of love, envy, frustration, creativity, and collaboration. Sam and Sadie are alike in their love of games, and it\u2019s this shared passion that ties them together from the early days of their friendship in the hospital to their college years in Boston to the establishment of their video game company in California.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow follows the journey of their lives and their careers as they navigate chronic pain and disability, the daunting video game industry, the challenge of balancing art and commerce, and their relationship with one another.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is rich with both compelling narrative developments and complex emotional dynamics. Each moment is imbued with an emotional texture that makes the characters\u2019 lives feel vivid and that propels the story forward. It is a novel about art and games, about love and business, about life and death, and about the complexity of collaboration and creativity.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2022", "date_added": "28-Apr-2022 19:19:34", "publisher": "Knopf", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011089035", "title": "The Gilded Ones #2: The Merciless Ones", "author": "Namina Forna", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 11", "word_count": 329, "review": "The Merciless Ones is the second book in the series that started with The Gilded Ones. It is a continuation of the story of a young warrior named Deka. In the first book, it was revealed that the world is dominated by men. Girls are forced to go through a ritual when they come of age; if they bleed gold, they are labeled impure, alakai, and their family is disgraced.

When Deka is found to be impure, she is saved by the emperor and made to join his army in order to earn her eventual freedom. While in the emperor\u2019s army, she discovers a whole plot and realizes that she is descended from goddesses and the very thing her saviors had trained her to kill, the deathshrieks, are actually reincarnations of her alakai sisters.

Now, in The Merciless Ones, Deka has freed the goddesses and is fighting for equal rights for men and women. On a rescue mission to save an alakai, Deka discovers that there is a symbol that weakens her powers and allows the male jatu (sons of the goddesses) to revive from death and withstand Deka\u2019s mind control. How is this possible?

Deka is also confused because the jatu keeps saying that Idugu (you have to read the book to know who that is) will stand for them and help them win the fight against the females. Puzzled, Deka runs to the goddesses for answers, but quickly discovers that not even her mothers can be trusted.

The Merciless Ones is just as good as the first book and is filled with feminine energy and triumph. The book is wonderful; the plot twist at the end left me in awe. I already can\u2019t wait to see what will happen with Deka in the next book. I wouldn\u2019t recommend allowing children under the age of nine to read this book because it may be a bit too graphic, but other than that, this book is an exquisite read!", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "18-Jul-2022", "date_added": "28-Apr-2022 17:33:57", "publisher": "Delacorte Press", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011089027", "title": "The Last Dreamwalker", "author": "Rita Woods", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 194, "review": "After her mother\u2019s death, Layla Hurley\u2019s world is turned upside down. Her whole life, she had been plagued by vivid dreams that her family dismissed as a child\u2019s active imagination, but now she discovers they are so much more. She\u2019s introduced to the family she had never known and her mother\u2019s past that her mother worked so hard to keep hidden. The inheritance of a mysterious island and the introduction to her family's history gives her the strength to face an unseen enemy that threatens everyone she loves.

This is an atmospheric Gothic tale that delves into the Gullah-Geechee culture of the islands off the coast of South Carolina. The descriptions were vivid and captivating. The characters were well-rounded and endearing. Normally I don\u2019t care for stories that flash back and forth through time, but this one is so well written that I enjoyed every bit of it. The author takes the reader on a historic trip through time as the main character explores her family history. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical mysteries and Gothic mysteries. Thank you to Netgalley and Forge books for the opportunity to review this novel.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2022", "date_added": "28-Apr-2022 15:58:54", "publisher": "Forge Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011088023", "title": "The Cherry Robbers", "author": "Sarai Walker", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1009, "review": "Summer Reading\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for the perfect holiday read this summer season, then look no further than the five recent releases included in this roundup. Fun, fabulous, and filled with both romance and intrigue, all five books are excellent escapist novels that are just begging to be read at the beach.\n\nThe Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery\n\nWhile Bree, Mikki, and Ashley might have achieved their collective lifelong dream when they opened a beachside bookshop in sunny California, their personal lives sadly remain far less successful than their professional lives. After an early experience of heartbreak caused Bree to swear off romance forever, she has been a fairly contented singleton; however, a close encounter with a visiting author might just persuade her to change stance on the matter. For her part, Mikki has been unable to properly move on since her divorce, although she is keen to find a way to do so. And as for Ashley, she has been planning her dream wedding since she was a little girl, but her boyfriend\u2019s reluctance to tie the knot is making that dream seem increasing out of reach. As the bond between the three friends strengthens as their business prospers, they also find new ways to challenge and support each other in achieving what is truly important to them. Susan Mallery\u2019s The Boardwalk Bookshop is a tribute to the power of friendship and the need to never give up on finding the perfect romance. \n\nThe Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker\n\nThe Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker is a gripping gothic page-turner that offers a surprisingly contemporary interpretation of the traditional coming-of-age tale. There might be ghosts and socially coerced marriages, but there are also fresh feminist takes and bold artistic expressions. Sylvia Wren is recognized as one of the most important American artists of the last century, although she is equally well known for her reclusive lifestyle. From the relative safety of her New Mexico home in 2017, Sylvia looks back on a past that she has tried hard to distance herself from, a past that stretches back to her childhood and adolescence in 1950s Connecticut. Originally known as Iris Chapel, Sylvia was born into the wealthy Chapel munitions dynasty. The second youngest of six sisters, she grew up in an apparently privileged but emotionally cold household with the expectation that she, like her sisters, would secure a good marriage as soon as possible. However, when her oldest sister dies of an unknown cause shortly after getting married, a tragedy that is repeated when her next oldest sister marries, Sylvia determines to find a way to escape both the family curse and the burden of the expectations placed on her.\n\nThe Nobodies by Alanna Schubach\n\nTo the outside world, Nina and Jess seem like typical best friends, close and willing to do almost anything for each other. Yet, no one suspects just how close they really are nor the massive secret that they share: when Nina and Jess touch their heads together, they are able to switch bodies. Nina is a self-assured and assertive extravert, and being in her body prompts the naturally shy and retiring Jess to say and do things that she otherwise wouldn\u2019t dare. By contrast, being in Jess\u2019s body allows Nina to experience the close and loving family situation that she has always craved. Although time and distance eventually separate the pair, they are drawn back together following the death of Jess\u2019s father and soon fall back into their earlier body-swapping antics. However, this time around, they are both more prone to deceiving the other and more likely to lose themselves in the alternative life that is temporarily available to them. The Nobodies by Alanna Schubach examines the blurred boundaries between friendship and obsession, exploring what can happen when friends become so close that their identities start to overlap.\n\nAdult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman\n\nLaura Costello finds herself adrift in downtown Los Angeles after her life falls apart in a tragically unspectacular way: a fire at her apartment building has left her homeless, being dumped by her high-school sweetheart has left her heartbroken, and being caught in a rare downpour has left her within even dry clothes on her back. Fortunately for Laura, she decides to take shelter in the bookshop run by Nina Hill and ends up becoming acquainted with an eclectic bunch of folks who are happy to serve as a makeshift new family for her. Her new-found friendships with Nina, Polly, and Impossibly Handsome Bob eventually show Laura that everyone needs a little help to reassemble their life at some point. Serving as an almost sequel to The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, Abbi Waxman\u2019s Adult Assembly Required is a quirky contemporary romance novel that focuses on the importance of nurturing all relationships and finding a place to truly belong. Perfect for any romance-loving bookworm, it\u2019s a light-hearted and cozy tale that is sure to delight.\n\nElsewhere by Alexis Schaitkin\n\nThought-provoking, other-worldly, and rather beautifully sinister, Elsewhere by Alexis Schaitkin is a captivating account of motherhood in all its many facets, from the delightful to the downright tragic. Vera has grown up in an isolated and arguably bleak community in which everyone must adhere to rigid rules and constrained roles, where girls know from a young age that they are destined to marry and have children. However, what really sets the community apart from all others is that fact that every so often, some mothers simply disappear, vanishing up into the clouds without any explanation. When it\u2019s Vera\u2019s time to become a mother, she joins her contemporaries in gossiping and speculating about who among them will one day disappear. What is it that marks a certain mother out for disappearance: paying too much attention to her offspring or not enough? This is the question that plagues Vera as she attempts to do what\u2019s best for her child, all the while wondering whether she will get the chance to see them grow or instead simply vanish like so many have done before.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2022 17:26:46", "publisher": "Harper", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011087043", "title": "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology That Inspired 50 Yoga Poses", "author": "Raj Balkaran", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 201, "review": "Dr. Raj Balkaran delivers a must-own book for yoga enthusiasts, spiritual seekers, and students of mythology in The Stories Behind the Poses. The fully illustrated hardcover volume tells the eternal stories from Indian myth anchored in the Brahmanic worldview underpinning the spiritual beliefs and the physical practice of yoga. Beyond merely a retelling of epic tales of the struggles and triumphs of gods, goddesses, kings, demons, and various characters, Balkaran delves into the transformative power of meaning-making. Artist Devika Menon brings each story to life with her inspired and informed illustrative interpretation of how mythology yielded each yogic pose.

The Stories Behind the Poses is an elegantly written and illustrated page-turner for anyone who appreciates origin stories from rich cultural traditions. The book is beneficial for yoga practitioners and anyone who appreciates Indian rituals and philosophy. Balkaran tells each story compellingly, creating a reason for the reader to empathize with moral and ethical dilemmas faced by powerful beings. Each story is itself a meditative tool to guide the yogi. The book invites anyone with a yoga practice to deepen their physical practices by internalizing the lessons from each tale and how it relates to the physical manifestation of the yogic posture.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "31-Aug-2022", "date_added": "28-Apr-2022 16:45:10", "publisher": "Hare Press", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011087015", "title": "The Science of Being Angry", "author": "Nicole Melleby", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 136, "review": "Being a teenager is super hard, and is very emotional. In this book, Joey has had a hard start in life. She begins to wonder why she always feels so angry. She begins to learn about the science of being angry and learns that her family genes can play a role in the emotions she feels. She learns how to react to hard situations with her family and knows that her family will accept her and try their best to help her through hard times.

This is a really good book. This book was very interesting. I was able to relate to this book since we are moving because I don't want to move but my parents think it is for the best. I think this is a good book to help readers with their emotions.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2022", "date_added": "27-Apr-2022 17:24:12", "publisher": "Algonquin Young Readers", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011087007", "title": "City Dark: A Thriller", "author": "Roger A. Canaff", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 198, "review": "The dark in the title refers to the power outage in New York City in 1977. In the midst of the blackout, two young boys are left in their mother\u2019s car while she goes to fetch gas. She never returns. Forty years later, one of the boys, Joe, learns that a body found on the beach at Coney Island might be his mother\u2019s.

Now an assistant attorney general and a binge-drinking alcoholic, evidence begins to mount against him. Did he kill his own mother in a drunken stupor? When a second murder occurs and more evidence is found implicating Joe, he becomes the primary suspect.

Prior to these events, Joe had secured the continued institutional confinement of Aaron Hathorne, a serial pedophile and master manipulator. Armed with this information, the reader can see the broad outline of the story\u2019s outcome before either Joe or the police can connect the dots.

The interest of City Dark lies in whether Joe and the detectives can unearth the truth before the trap closes. With a nicely honed mix of dark passages and surprising revelations, City Dark is a gritty, cleverly plotted, and well written police procedural that will intrigue mystery fans.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "20-Oct-2022", "date_added": "27-Apr-2022 16:59:38", "publisher": "Thomas & Mercer", "page_count": "351 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011085039", "title": "The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School", "author": "Sonora Reyes", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1138, "review": "Pride Month\n\nIn the United States, LGBTQ Pride Month is celebrated every June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which took place in New York City in 1969 and marked a turning point in the fight for equality. If you\u2019re looking for some new queer reads to enjoy this June, then look no further than the books featured in this roundup.\n\nFirst Time for Everything by Henry Fry\n\nHenry Fry\u2019s First Time for Everything is a queer coming-of-age novel that follows twenty-something Danny Scudd as he\u2019s forced to recognize that everything he has always wanted might not actually be everything he has always needed. Having dreamed since childhood of escaping the monotony of life above his parents\u2019 small-town fish and chip shop, Danny moved to London as soon as he was able and launched a career as a journalist. While his career is now going okay, he\u2019s not exactly setting the world alight with earth-shattering stories, nor is he feeling particularly fulfilled in his personal life either. In fact, things were looking pretty ropey in his relationship with self-centered boyfriend Tobbs even before a visit to the doctor indicated that Tobbs might not have been exactly faithful. When Tobbs stubbornly maintains that the pair had never actually agreed to be monogamous, Danny finds himself single at just the same time his housemates ask him to move out so that they can have the space to start a family. With no other affordable options available, Danny moves into a commune in East London that is home to his flamboyant childhood friend Jacob. All this change launches Danny on a journey of self-discovery that encompasses the perils of dating, the slog of working, and the alarming outcomes of therapy, lots and lots of therapy. It all makes for a delightfully funny story populated by characters that readers will really grow to care about.\n\nQueerly Beloved by Susie Dumond\n\nTerminal people-pleaser Amy has spent her life putting other people first, often sacrificing her own hopes and dreams to do so. Things start to look up, however, when she meets Charley, an attractive lesbian engineer who has recently moved to Amy\u2019s hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her friends and coworkers are thrilled that she seems to finally be ready to move on from her ex-girlfriend and pursue a future as her authentic self, but Amy doesn\u2019t quite seem able to let go of her people-pleasing and self-sabotaging tendencies just yet. While she has secure employment as a baker and bartender, she agrees to take a one-off job as a stand-in bridesmaid in order to make some extra cash, which quickly morphs into a full-time career due to Amy having spent years obsessing over weddings and perfecting her baking and crafting skills. Once again, her deep-seated desire to please other people kicks into overdrive and threatens to derail her friendships as well as her budding relationship with Charley. It is only when all the plates she has been spinning for so long look set to drop that Amy finds the courage to really examine her life and consider what she truly wants. Queerly Beloved by Susie Dumond is a tender and uplifting celebration of queer love and the magic of individuality. Amy\u2019s attempts to find both herself and true love make for a rom-com with a whole lot of heart.\n\nI Feel Love: Notes on Queer Joy by Samantha Mann\n\nEdited by Samantha Mann, the author of Putting Out: Essays on Otherness, I Feel Love: Notes on Queer Joy is an anthology of diverse memoirs, works of creative nonfiction, and poetry dedicated to the \u201cpriceless event or moment\u201d that caused each included author to recognize their own queer joy. As a consequence, the pieces featured in the collection all focus in different ways on the process of finding devotion and happiness within both the self and others. They invite readers into a host of deeply personal moments and powerful realizations, and they all seek to foster the understanding that being true to yourself is the most precious of gifts. In putting together the anthology, Mann sought to highlight the need for inclusiveness and community among queer authors, with her overall aim being to showcase the diversity of experiences of queer love in order to unite members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies in appreciating the range of voices currently writing on the subject. This is the perfect collection for readers looking to appreciate and celebrate the many talented writers within the LGBTQIA+ community.\n\nLove That Story: Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life by Jonathan Van Ness\n\nIn Love That Story: Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life, Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness presents a collection of powerful, emotive, and often highly amusing essays about both his life to date and his observations of the wider world. The personal essays cover a wide array of topics, including experiences of grief and tragedy, being diagnosed and living with HIV, the unexpected queer history of his hometown, as well as eating disorders and body image issues. From the deeply serious to the rather frivolous, these essays all deal with their subjects in a heartfelt, honest, and entertaining manner. In terms of the essays with a more global perspective, they cover issues as diverse as racial inequality and the rise of white supremacy in the United States, the prevalence of transphobia, and means of dealing with imposter syndrome. In addition, to Ven Ness\u2019 own observations, these latter essays include expert opinions and are intended to provide information, guidance, and comfort to readers. Taken together, the varied works collected in this volume have plenty of insight, wit, and life-affirming wisdom to impart.\n\nThe Lesbiana\u2019s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes\n\nSonora Reyes\u2019 The Lesbiana\u2019s Guide to Catholic School follows closeted sixteen-year-old Yamilet Flores as she navigates life at a Catholic school where the majority of other students are very rich and very white, while also doing all she can to avoid people finding out that she\u2019s gay. She transferred to the school after being outed by her crush and former best friend at her previous school, and this time round she\u2019s determined to keep her private life private. With that in mind, she has decided to focus on keeping her brother safe, making her mother proud, and avoiding relationships at all costs. Unfortunately, Yami\u2019s never been particularly good at any of those things, and the desire to avoid relationships becomes even more difficult after she meets Bo, the only openly queer girl at the school. As she finds herself becoming increasingly drawn to Bo, Yami decides that she needs to follow a simple plan when in school, that is, she needs to ask: What would a straight go do? Her attempts to put this plan into practice lead to a story that is simultaneously hilarious, heartbreaking, and uplifting.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 19:15:13", "publisher": "Balzer + Bray", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011084023", "title": "Planet Q", "author": "Peter Quinones", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 95, "review": "Like a piece of artwork that combines the creativity of different artists, Planet Q leaves it to readers to complete the stories in the book with their imagination. The hundreds of hilarious, intriguing, and unexpectedly profound story openers are brilliantly structured to inspire curiosity and spark the reader's creativity. Peter Quinones' initiates an amazing cognitive trip with social themes such as dating, loneliness, Covid-19, parenting, and more. Prepare to experience a strong, memorable reaction with almost every story opener in Planet Q, whether it's shock, laughter, wonder, or deep introspection. ---Foluso Falaye, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 14:08:06", "publisher": "Independent", "page_count": "120 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011084019", "title": "Thirty Years Hence", "author": "Denise Beck-Clark", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "David Keenan", "word_count": 434, "review": "It\u2019s New York City in 1973; however, the characters who inhabit Denise Beck-Clark\u2019s most recent novel Thirty Years Hence are living more in the past than the present. Michelle Cooper, traumatized by her childhood and a college experience marked more by drug and alcohol consumption than education, wanders through a meaningless life without direction. Ida Birnbaum, a middle-aged Holocaust survivor that the younger Michelle befriends, is haunted by her terrible memories and dreams of the Holocaust.

Michelle abandons her college friends to live in a studio apartment on a dirty Upper West Side street. She takes a job as a bookkeeper in a basement office with poor ventilation and a ceiling crisscrossed with water pipes, which creates a stifling gas chamber-like atmosphere. She salves her psyche with random men she meets in bars, which results in a fateful meeting with a skinhead who begins stalking her. She first meets Ida when she sees her shoplifting at Bendel\u2019s department store and then is later introduced to her by her boss. Ida, despite having raised a family, is likewise living on the edge due to her failure to reconcile the horrors inflicted on her during the Holocaust.

Central to the novel\u2019s conflict and narrative is the mechanism by which Ida and Michelle cope with and attempt to overcome their pasts. Ida, as many survivors did in the 1970s, internalizes her trauma and memories of the Holocaust. She spins out of control one night and has a wild and destructive experience in the tawdry part of the city; the consequences of which cause her much grief. Michelle and Ida then turn to Charles, another Holocaust survivor who operates a dial-a-prayer service and has developed an experiential program that helps victims of trauma to recover. The results of the program alter Michelle and Ida\u2019s lives forever.

The novel provides a wonderful sense of the New York City of the 1970\u2019s. Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village, squalid six floor walk-ups and posh co-ops, streets crowded with hustlers and cabbies, all come to life. The bars Michelle frequents have characters right out of central casting. The reader becomes submerged in the sights, sounds, and smells of NYC. The novel\u2019s plotlines are excellently weaved throughout, and the novel\u2019s narrative moves ever forward, with several twists and turns maintaining the interest of the reader. The characters are fully developed as the reader gains a large measure of intimacy with them and identifies with their struggles and motivations. At the end of the day, Beck-Clark succeeds in spinning a true to life tale of Holocaust memory, trauma, and recovery, that is both sad and inspiring.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "16-May-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 14:05:00", "publisher": "First Edition Design", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011084015", "title": "Thirty Years Hence", "author": "Denise Beck-Clark", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 535, "review": "Thought-provoking, emotive, and sometimes deeply uncomfortable, Denise Beck-Clark\u2019s Thirty Years Hence offers a meditative exploration of life and living from the perspectives of a disparate group of damaged individuals who orbit around each other in the New York City of 1973 as they all attempt to understand their past and determine their place in the present.

After a troubled childhood led to an equally troubled period at college during which she spent far too much time on drink and drugs and far too little on studying, Michelle Cooper did her best to retreat from the world, deliberately distancing herself from friends and eschewing ambition in favor of a dingy Upper West Side studio apartment. \u201cSixteen years of schooling and she was still ignorant about the most crucial subject: how to fill her days and nights and make them meaningful while also earning a living.\u201d

Michelle spends her days working as a bookkeeper in the oppressive basement office of a bookstore owned by Murray Wolfe, while she spends her nights haunting neighborhood bars and pursuing random encounters with ill-chosen men. It seems like her life has reached a dead-end at the grand old age of twenty-three. However, Michelle is shaken from her near-terminal state of ennui when Murray introduces her to his cousin, forty-something-year-old Holocaust survivor Ida Birnbaum.

The pair have actually briefly met before, when Michelle spotted Ida shoplifting in Bendel\u2019s department store, although she doesn\u2019t let on about it to Murray, which helps create an instant bond between her and Ida. The two end up spending a day together, meeting up with Michelle\u2019s good-natured friend Theo Gafoor, a recent immigrant from Guyana. Through Theo, they learn about Call and Pray, a prayer-based telephone therapy service run by Charles Wentworth, another Holocaust survivor.

The ideas of therapy and recovery are central to the stories of both Michelle and Ida, and Beck-Clark makes it clear that they are both, in their own ways, seeking help with their trauma, however self-destructive their behavior might initially seem. The two women might have survived their past experiences, but they are not truly living. Michelle doesn\u2019t seem to feel rooted in the world, while Ida seems positively weighed down by the fact she\u2019s still in it. The guilt of having survived Auschwitz when so many others didn\u2019t eat away at Ida, pushing her toward ever more risky behavior.

After a terrible night brings them both to rock bottom, Michelle and Ida turn to Call and Pray for help, eventually deciding to participate in Charles\u2019 latest therapeutic endeavor: the Rogen Treatment Program, which entails a series of exacting treatments intended to shock them into overcoming their troubles. This decision will have life-changing, life-affirming, and sometimes mind-boggling consequences for them and many of those around them.

Thirty Years Hence is a powerful and heart-rending story of survival, acceptance, and belonging. Beck-Clark goes a great job of tackling weighty topics in a way that inspires introspection without detracting from the narrative flow. She also does extremely well in recreating the New York of the early 1970s, including all the sights, sounds, dreams, and despairs. Given the exploration of trauma, it might not always be a comfortable read, but it is an important one.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "24-May-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 14:04:49", "publisher": "First Edition Design", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011084011", "title": "For Position Only", "author": "Adele Royce", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 408, "review": "In this exciting sequel to Author Adele Royce's Camera Ready, our favorite love-hate relationship is back and hotter than ever. Jane Mercer and Craig Keller have always held a torch for one another. Camera Ready is told from Jane's point of view and in an interesting twist, For Position Only is told from Craig's point of view. Craig is still the womanizing bachelor with the perfect teeth, perfect body (we learn his gym routine in this book), and what seems to be the perfect single life. But this book digs deeper as the reader finds out why Craig turned out this way via therapy sessions and self-reflection. It stems from the day his older brother DJ died on a yacht and Craig has carried guilt over the situation all these years.

I really loved the way Adele Royce turned the tables in this book. The reader is able to see a much more vulnerable side to Craig as he finds himself falling in love with Jane and not knowing what to do about it. Jane is as lovely as ever, of course, and when Craig and Jane's advertising agencies merge, the foreshadowing of a reunion is clear. Added to the mix of brilliant characters are the unscrupulous Hayden Towne, Craig's trusted advisor and number one cheerleader Bobbi, Craig's ex-wife Alessandra, his two adorable children Axel and Anabel, and to top it off, Craig's parents, Don and Julia. Seeing the interactions between Craig and all of the people in his life really sheds a light on his lack of commitment and why he does what he does to get what he wants.

For Position Only turns up the heat in the romance department. The tension between Craig and Jane when they first start working with one another is intense. This tension only builds up when Craig is told by his partner, Warren Mitchell, during the merger that there is a stipulation that Craig must accept. Warren puts a clause in Craig's contract that if he gets even one report that Craig has said or done anything to make a woman at the agency uncomfortable, Craig has to go. This makes going after Jane, who is a married woman, even more, enticing to Craig.

I loved For Position Only as the continuation for Camera Ready. Intimate, romantic, and tastefully written sex scenes grace the pages of this book. The storyline is easy to understand and fun. This one is a real pageturner.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 14:00:53", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc.", "page_count": "266 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011084007", "title": "Consumed by a Season", "author": "Kelleen Goerlitz", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 433, "review": "Consumed By A Season is a beautiful story that follows one woman's fall into postpartum depression, ultimately leaving her husband and small baby behind in this life. The author weaves a story about a man and woman who fall in love and become one anothers' best friends. They end up having a beautiful baby girl named Avery. Both the pregnancy and birth go well and the couple loves their baby. It is soon after, however, that the mother feels so overwhelmed and so helpless. She feels that she cannot take care of their baby and even calls her husband at work one day telling him that she has shaken little Avery. The husband rushes home and finds that Avery seems to be okay. But his wife is not. Soon after, the husband tells the wife that he will take the baby for the day so that she can have some time for herself. But the woman does not even know where to start. It is as if she has lost herself and doesn't know how to pull herself out of this deep dark spiraling hole she has somehow fallen into. She decides that her husband and baby are better off without her and leaves.

Consumed By A Season deals with an issue that many women face after giving birth. I know many readers will relate to both the woman and her husband. This book is written with such wonderful descriptions and details that the words melt right off the pages and into the heart of the reader. During many parts of the book, I stopped reading and just imagined how these characters were feeling. One thing I noticed immediately was that the author did not give the main characters, the man and the woman, proper names or physical descriptions. In the author's note at the end of the book, she states that this was done on purpose so that \"the emphasis would not be on the characters themselves but on the experiences they are walking through.\" Although the story works fine without them, I felt that having names would have actually helped connect me more with these characters because names give a little bit more of a personal feel to the story. It wouldn't detract from the sympathy or empathy I felt for a character or make that character unrelatable.

Overall, this is a wonderful story that just about everyone should read. It's not just for women who may be experiencing a perinatal disorder, but also for their loved ones to help understand that there are resources out there and that they are not alone.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "23-Jun-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 13:56:19", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "236 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011084003", "title": "Consumed by a Season", "author": "Kelleen Goerlitz", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 449, "review": "Consumed by a Season describes the highs and lows of relationships and parenthood during spring, summer, fall, and winter. Instead of the seasons representing a time of the year, they serve as a symbol for a chapter in the characters\u2019 lives. During the \u201cspring,\u201d a man and woman meet in a coffee shop and gradually fall in love, experiencing new beginnings. In \u201csummer,\u201d warm emotions are rising as the couple experiences the growth of their baby. The new mother feels as though she\u2019s failing and falling apart, while the family dynamic is forever changed during the all-consuming season of fall. The father is left to raise his daughter independently, feeling the cold and distant sting of winter.

The story begins by giving the reader a glimpse into a single dad\u2019s therapy session, showing the frustration, anger, and confusion he feels at having to raise his daughter by himself. The author then takes the story back ten years to when the man and women first met. Both characters are described with minimal detail, allowing the reader to imagine themselves or a loved one as the main characters. Although their connection is described in detail, their physical description, ethnicity, ages, and names are never revealed. This strategy allows the reader to become fully immersed in the emotions, thoughts, and fears of the individual character as if they are experiencing them themselves.

The story takes the reader on a tumultuous journey through the mind of a woman with postpartum depression and a single dad struggling to raise his daughter alone. After the baby arrives, she becomes even more overwhelmed with doubt. She feels desperate to connect with her child, but she feels devoured by grief and becomes disconnected from the world around her. The mother\u2019s stress and frustration swell up one day, causing her to do something harmful to her child. She becomes sick with regret and needs to separate herself from her baby in attempt to save her family and, ultimately, herself.

As the daughter matures, she begins to have questions about her mother and longs for answers about her condition. The story ends with a beautiful revolution; the scattered dates align, important questions are answered, and the daughter is able to use her life experiences to help women in a similar situation to her mother. I could not imagine a more perfect ending to this impactful, important novel. The story is fictional, but it reads like a creatively crafted memoir. Consumed by a Season is a must-read for individuals who know someone struggling with postpartum depression or who are experiencing it themselves. The book does not romanticize this mental condition, but offers hope to those desperate for empathy and understanding.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "21-Jun-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 13:55:49", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "236 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011083035", "title": "Dark Harvest", "author": "Will Jordan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 193, "review": "In 1959, a mountaineering team was found dead in the Ural Mountains, in what came to be known as the Dyatlov Pass incident. Their deaths have never been explained. Until, that is, 2019, when Cameron Becker is protecting a Russian businessman who gets kidnapped. This businessman is not who he said he is and, as Becker attempts to retrieve him, he discovers how bad things really are.

Lori Dalton is a doctor with the WHO, and she stumbles upon Becker while investigating a virus outbreak in Syria. This virus causes its victims to turn violent and ravenous towards each other, and a terrorist group plans on unleashing it on the world. Dalton and Becker team up in order to stop this outbreak before there is nothing left.

Please, please, someone make this into a movie! Action-packed and a fun twist on the zombie narrative, it will keep you on the edge of your seat until you finish. I loved how the author took a real-life event and explained it in his own way. If you are still struggling with the aftermath of COVID-19, maybe don\u2019t pick up this book. Everyone else definitely should!", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 19:01:25", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011083027", "title": "A Dreadful Splendor: A Novel", "author": "B.R. Myers", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 191, "review": "To escape from Miss Crane\u2019s \u2018boardinghouse,\u2019 Jenny is doing one last seance. When the police catch her in the act of stealing jewelry from the participants, she is sent to jail. Lucky for her, Mr. Lockhart is seeking someone with her exact qualifications. He\u2019s hoping that her performance will help his master, Mr. Pemberton, be at peace with the death of his fiance. Mr. Lockhart wants her emphatic assurances of eternal rest so Mr. Pemberton will let go of his search for a murderer, and the household can get back to normal. However, Mr. Lockhart doesn\u2019t factor in Mr. Pemberton\u2019s own agenda, the previous claim laid on the land, or the ambition found elsewhere in the house. Jenny has to solve the death of the lady of the house if she is to be free before she is the next victim.

Letters from the deceased and inexplicable occurrences create a gothic 19th-century story laced with mystery and romance. Many will guess the outcome; few will be correct. There are as many twists and turns in this one as there are in a dungeon under a castle. Wordy but well worth the time.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 18:54:34", "publisher": "William Morrow Paperbacks", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011082027", "title": "The Sharp Edge of Mercy", "author": "Connie Hertzberg Mayo", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 201, "review": "Lillian Donal has a sister who has been blinded by scarlet fever, a need for money, and a burning curiosity. These all lead her to take a job as a nursing assistant at a cancer hospital, though the job is menial labor and only very rarely affords her the chance to ask the many questions she is plagued by. When her opportunity to learn does come, it is tied to potential peril, and Lillian finds herself having to ask questions that have no easy answers.

The Sharp Edge of Mercy has a compelling storyline and fascinating characters, and I continued to go back and forth about what to rate it. In the end, I had to settle on four stars, because the tone of the book took away from my enjoyment. Lillian\u2019s questions were interesting, but often they were presented all at once, as though she was peppering the reader with them. In addition, the morality of the book often feels too simplistic and easily reached. In my opinion, a book dealing with ethical questions ought to delve deeper into gray areas earlier than this one does.

I expect many readers will enjoy this book, however, and I do recommend it.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 15:25:06", "publisher": "Heliotrope Books LLC", "page_count": "290 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011082015", "title": "The Second Husband: A Novel", "author": "Kate White", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 195, "review": "Emma\u2019s husband was murdered just over two years ago, a crime that was never solved. She\u2019s since gotten remarried to Tom. As they are settling into their new life together, a detective visits Emma to let her know that they are reopening her first husband\u2019s case. It seems that they have some new information, and they are beginning to look at Tom. Emma discovers that he had been keeping tabs on her long since before they met and she was a widow. Could The Second Husband have done in the first?

The story itself is okay; it has a few twists and turns and plenty of second guessing. However, it felt unfinished. Things didn\u2019t seem to wrap up, and instead of leaving you in suspense, it just felt like it wasn\u2019t completed. I\u2019m not sure if that was purposeful or incidental, since it was an uncorrected proof that I received. If you enjoy Kate White\u2019s other thrillers, you may enjoy this one. I wouldn\u2019t really recommend it to thriller fans in general, as it\u2019s not very thrilling. It\u2019s mostly just following Emma around as she constantly second guesses herself. Definitely not the most exciting mystery.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 15:11:21", "publisher": "Harper Paperbacks", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011082003", "title": "Satellites: Nine Stories", "author": "Tom Pappalardo", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 192, "review": "Satellite is a collection of short stories by Tom Pappalardo. His nine tales cover everything from Death choosing its replacement to a gigantic dog downtown and many other exciting topics. As this master wordsmith weaves these beautiful narrations, each encompasses the two genres of Ancient Greek literature- comedy and tragedy. Pappalardo has his audience reaching for a tissue to wipe the tears of joy and sorrow. His characters are seemingly ordinary individuals confronted by the truly absurd with totally pedestrian reactions. It's as if \"un-reality\" is an everyday occurrence.

This Bay Stater is a modern-day Renaissance Man. As a singer-songwriter, cartoonist, graphic designer, and author, he knows how to tell a story. This is his fifth book and his first of all short stories. His love for coffee and Massachusetts shows up regularly. Pappalardo's book is creative, entertaining, humous, and thought-provoking. It is a fun read for fans of illogical fantasies. In my opinion, Pappalardo has penned the greatest line in literature. Without giving away too much of a spoiler, it has to do with a Basset Hound not being a terrorist threat, but one will have to read Satellite to find out.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2022", "date_added": "25-Apr-2022 18:44:17", "publisher": "Object Publishing", "page_count": "254 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011081027", "title": "How to Draw Clothing for Manga: Learn to Draw Amazing Outfits and Creative Costumes for Manga and Anime - 35+ Outfits Side by Side with Modeled Photos", "author": "Naoto Date", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - age 12", "word_count": 173, "review": "Do you love manga and want to learn how to draw in that style? This book teaches you how to draw manga clothes, which is very important to any manga character. Drawing clothing doesn\u2019t seem difficult, but it is actually tricky if you consider the types of fabric, style of clothing, and the movements of the fabric.

This book goes into detail in teaching you how to draw various clothes for both boys/men and girls/women, from skirts, jeans, uniforms, suits, costumes, to coats. I love the section about wrinkles on different types of clothes and how movements affect the wrinkles. It is definitely hard to get this right, and it is something I need to practice on. I also love how it included an actual photo of the model posing along with the manga illustration.

I received an uncorrected ebook with a watermark logo on it, which distracted me and made it difficult to read and view the tips and art. This is a great how-to book for any manga fans and artists.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "24-Nov-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 18:27:36", "publisher": "Rockport Publishers", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011081019", "title": "Out on a Limb", "author": "Jordan Morris", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 9", "word_count": 146, "review": "Lulu broke her leg and so had a cast on. She liked the cards and balloons and attention she got when she broke her leg. She got used to the new way she had to do things because of her cast. But when she has to remove her cast, Lulu isn\u2019t so sure anymore. Suddenly, Lulu is afraid her once broken leg won\u2019t be the same.

I think this is a sweet story about a brave little girl who is afraid to use her leg again. She is afraid to injure the same leg because she broke it before. Luckily, Lulu\u2019s grandfather visits her and helps her. I like that the story has Lulu\u2019s grandfather, who is patient and spends time with her. I also like the snail drawings in the book. I recommend this sweet story to children who enjoy stories about facing your fears.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 16:16:21", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011080023", "title": "Blood Like Fate (Blood Like Magic)", "author": "Liselle Sambury", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 13", "word_count": 194, "review": "Voya is the youngest Matriarch of the Thomas family, and the only witch with two gifts. But what did she give in exchange? Her grandmother is dead, her relationship with her cousin and her former crush, Luc, is in shards, and her family\u2014and the other Toronto witches\u2014don\u2019t believe in her ability to lead them.

When the powers of people around her start growing out of control, Voya is struck with a terrifying vision about the end of the Toronto witches, one with Luc at the center of it. Could he really be responsible? And if he is, can she find the strength to defeat him?

This book was entertaining, fast-paced, and magical! I was a fan of the first book, and this one did not disappoint! Voya\u2019s character development was phenomenal, and watching her grow as a person was definitely one of my favorite parts. She never felt like her character was forced to grow in a specific way, and her scenes with Luc were so well done! The romance between them was beautiful, and I did not find them annoying or boring.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves witch-themed fantasy books!", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "30-Aug-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 18:51:01", "publisher": "Margaret K. McElderry Books", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011080019", "title": "Design Your Own Anime and Manga Characters: Step-by-Step Lessons for Creating and Drawing Unique Characters - Learn Anatomy, Poses, Expressions, Costumes, and Color", "author": "TB Choi", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - age 13", "word_count": 189, "review": "Design Your Own Anime and Manga Characters is an extremely impressive book designed to teach amateur and experienced artists how to draw people. It teaches fundamentals, like how to draw a figure using muscle and bone structures and how to draw realistic clothing by using knowledge of where folds form. In addition, this book includes less generic information, like how to draw a partially human creature or a pet. It is very well written, and even people who are not interested in anime and manga can learn a lot from it. I am a decent artist, but I could not effectively draw people before I got this book. Now that I have it, I can draw humans much more easily.

Design Your Own Anime and Manga Characters can be used by anyone. It is an exceedingly useful book, so all libraries, elementary, middle school, high school, and public, should own one or more copies. It is worthwhile to purchase a copy as an individual. Every artist and art enthusiast who wants to draw people and other characters better should get a copy of Design Your Own Anime and Manga Characters.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 18:25:27", "publisher": "Rockport Publishers", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011080015", "title": "Old Wood Boat", "author": "Nikki McClure", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - age 7", "word_count": 148, "review": "I love this book. Kids who like boats will really like it, and kids who don\u2019t really know anything about boats will probably want to know more. Old Wood Boat is the story of an old boat getting fixed up by a family who really loves to sail and they take it on an adventure.

If you have read anything by Robert McCloskey, this book by a different author has a similar feel, like old but still good for the story and the pictures. It\u2019s an easy story, but you still want to keep reading to see how everything goes. There is a really detailed diagram of a boat if you want to know about all the parts from bow to stern.

Everybody should read this book, and it should be in all the libraries, and you\u2019ll probably want to have it in your library at home, too.", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "17-May-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 16:15:17", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011079043", "title": "How to Draw Hairstyles for Manga: Learn to Draw Hair for Expressive Manga and Anime Characters", "author": "Studio Hard Deluxe", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "Zoe - age 12", "word_count": 182, "review": "Are you curious about how to draw different types of manga hair? This manga hair tutorial covers all the things you need to learn. You will understand the basics, like how and where hair grows, various textures and lengths, and of course, giving your hair personality!

This tutorial gives you all the basics you need to start you off. I found this easy to follow and perfect for my level. Others who are more advanced may find this too simple, so I recommend this tutorial for beginners. I learned a lot about hair shading and styles, and I figured out ways to draw hair for certain occasions and action poses.

I really liked learning how to draw braids and how to make it more realistic. I also loved the section about drawing hairstyles with movement. It even has some examples of drawing elemental hair, which I think is really cool. I also like that the drawing examples in the book have a lot of different art styles.

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn how to draw manga hair!", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 18:33:49", "publisher": "Rockport Publishers", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011079039", "title": "Tree Thieves: Crime and Survival in North America's Woods", "author": "Lyndsie Bourgon", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 194, "review": "Although unfortunately not the most egregious example (clear cutting and burning in the Amazon and elsewhere are an even bigger problem), the beautiful Pacific Redwoods are threatened with an alarming amount of illegal logging, despite the establishment of protected forest areas. However, this story is complicated and nuanced. Environmental issues tend to be extremely polarizing, so I appreciated Bourgon's exceedingly compassionate presentation of this one.

Her extensive research included interviews with park rangers, environmental biologists, law enforcement officers, and most importantly, those whose lives are most entwined with the trees\u2014former loggers and their communities. Several of those interviewed had been convicted of poaching. Their stories are essential for understanding not only the environmental, but also the human costs both of illicit logging and of the measures taken to save scarce resources.

The book does not excuse the poaching. But after reading it, you come away with a better idea of what may drive its happening, and maybe some different ideas about solutions\u2014not only for the Redwoods, but for communities driven to poaching around the globe. It is a careful, thoughtful book that leads to many more questions and perhaps to better answers as well.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 18:11:21", "publisher": "Little, Brown Spark", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011079023", "title": "A Day for Sandcastles", "author": "Jonarno Lawson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 199, "review": "A Day for Sandcastles should be every day, in my opinion. I love water and everything with it, including the sand. In this story, a family gets to the beach and right away, the three kids notice a good spot to start building a sandcastle. They work together to build a big and fancy sandcastle, but because different things happen to it, they have to keep rebuilding it and get frustrated. The kids make at least three sandcastles and then have to keep moving it each time closer to their parents because of the water tide. At the end of the day, the kids and the whole family had a great day at the beach and are exhausted!

I don't think I've seen a book like A Day for Sandcastles before; it doesn't have any words, just pictures. It was easy to tell what was going on by looking at the people in the pictures. If you've been to a beach before, you could imagine things about it, too. Because there aren't any words on the pages, little kids who can't read can make their own stories and big kids who can read can also make their own stories.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 16:14:26", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011079015", "title": "Heart Takes the Stage: A Heart of the City Collection (Volume 1)", "author": "Steenz", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - age 11", "word_count": 164, "review": "Middle-schooler Heart Lamar dreams of being on stage, so she plans to audition for the lead role in her school play. With the help of her good friends, Kat, Dean and Charlotte, Heart will navigate many first time experiences: first lead role, first ear piercing, first protest, and first job.

This is a funny collection of comics about a middle schooler who loves attention and acting. Heart Lamar is kind of a lazy, irresponsible, typical young girl. She schemes to get out of detention early so she can go to her audition. Heart is a very zany character, so I liked her, but I also liked her very responsible friends who are always there for her. My favorite scene was the sleepover makeovers because Charlotte and Kat looked hilarious.

I hadn\u2019t heard of the Heart of the City comics before, but I\u2019m glad I gave this collection of comics a try. I recommend this book to theater kids or anyone who likes middle-school hijinks.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "12-Jul-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 15:38:25", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011079007", "title": "Deep Into the Weeds", "author": "Willie Handler", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 211, "review": "Farmers are the backbone of Canada, ensuring safe and healthy produce to eat. But when dairy farmer Preston McPherson can no longer make ends meet, he must turn to a more lucrative crop. With the aid of his corrupt brother-in-law Sergeant Fergus Becker, Preston converts his family farm into a legal marijuana growing operation. As Norfolk County\u2019s newest cannabis grower, Preston faces a new set of pressures. From the daily protests outside his farm, government inspectors, gangsters, and a cannabis-eating cow, this simple farmer is thrown into a world that leaves him Deep into the Weeds.

From humorist and author Willie Handler comes a biting commentary on the legal marijuana industry. Handler, who hails from Canada, takes a dark turn in his new book that deals with the mishaps of a budding entrepreneur. Preston\u2019s exploits in Ontario feel a bit like a combination of Breaking Bad\" and Fargo, complete with everyday absurdity and clumsiness of straddling criminality and its optics. North American readers on either side of the border may appreciate Handler's characters as they hilariously maintain the overly polite, Tim Horton drinking Canadian stereotypes in the face of difficult scenarios. Handler's dry satirical style ranges from slightly absurd to laugh-out-loud funny. Deep into the Weeds is bound to grow on you.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2022", "date_added": "25-Apr-2022 16:41:57", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "202 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011078027", "title": "The Last Crown (The Bold, 2)", "author": "Elzbieta Cherezinska", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 204, "review": "Political history in the Middle Ages is largely male-focused. Women were historically used as pawns or bargaining pieces for gaining profit for a kingdom. Though the men in The Last Crown by Elzbieta Cherezinska may want to think they run the show, it is ultimately the women who make the bold, albeit often hidden, moves that determine the true fate of the dynasties. \nCherezinska picks up the tale of \u015awi\u0119tos\u0142aw, where she left off in the first book The Widow Queen. \u015awi\u0119tos\u0142aw has married Sven of Denmark instead of Olav, the man she truly loves. He, in turn, takes his revenge by marrying Sven\u2019s sister Tyra, brought to him by the aid of \u015awi\u0119tos\u0142aw\u2019s own family. These betrayals set in motion decades of troubles that will engulf both families and their descendants.

I wanted to like these novels for the simple fact that I enjoy reading about women who have been lost in history. It is no mean feat to find them whispering in the darkness of time and bring their voices forward to be heard. And for that alone, I can forgive the overcomplicated storyline and often disjointed plot. Elzbieta Cherezinska is a wonderful writer whom I hope to find in translation more often.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 19:30:24", "publisher": "Forge Books", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011078007", "title": "The Forty Elephants", "author": "Erin Bledsoe", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 183, "review": "Alice Diamond has a tall order before her: to protect her family after her brother steals from the wrong man and the debt falls to her. There\u2019s only one way she can think of to pay off the debt before the deadline she\u2019s been given, and that\u2019s to fall in with Mary Carr and her gang of girl pickpockets. She thinks she can do it easily, get in and get out once she\u2019s done with them. Unfortunately, the life she\u2019s found proves more seductive than she expected, and Mary Carr far more dangerous.

Bledsoe has spun a fascinating novel about crime in 1920s England, which is based on real people. I would have loved a substantial author\u2019s note discussing her inspirations more, but even as it stands, the book delighted me. Alice is a sharp-edged heroine who can hold her own, and the secondary characters all felt alive and vibrant. While the romance was lackluster compared to everything else, that\u2019s a small complaint when the rest of the book shone. This story is electric, and I wanted nothing more than what it offered.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "31-Aug-2022", "date_added": "25-Apr-2022 16:59:34", "publisher": "Blackstone Pub", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011077015", "title": "Beyond the Desert Sands (Love on the Santa Fe)", "author": "Tracie Peterson", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 199, "review": "Isabella Garcia has no wish to leave her aunt\u2019s home in California for her parents\u2019 home in the new state of New Mexico. Aaron Bailey has no wish to serve as her chaperone. For Isabella, the visit reminds her of when she was uprooted from California as a young child; for Aaron, Isabella is a spoiled brat with no notion of loyalty to her parents or an understanding of God\u2019s love. In a pairing like this, you can already see the sparks flying.

Being a Christian romance, they are very chaste sparks. All the same, this is a book with real edge and grit, and not all of it is the New Mexican dust.

I loved the setting of early 1900s New Mexico and the half-Mexican protagonist. It\u2019s clear Peterson has a deep love for the American west, and as someone who grew up in Colorado, I was very happy to see that. The one thing I didn\u2019t like about this book was the disparity in characterization. All the growth seemed to be necessary on Isabella\u2019s part, while Aaron was good to the point of being almost sanctimonious. It felt unbalanced, and Aaron felt far less interesting than he could have.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2022", "date_added": "26-Apr-2022 15:05:00", "publisher": "Bethany House Publishers", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011076031", "title": "Beach House Summer: A Novel", "author": "Sarah Morgan", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 205, "review": "Beach House Summer is a wonderful read full of surprises. This was my first Sarah Morgan book and I absolutely loved how she kept me guessing what would happen from start to finish.

Joanna Whitman's life is about to be turned around yet again when she finds out that her jerk of a celebrity chef ex-husband Cliff has died in a car accident. The media is all over the story and to make things worse, a young, pregnant girl was in the car with him. But instead of Joanna being angry, she decides to visit the young woman whose name is Ashley, in the hospital Unexpectedly, she ends up taking Ashley under her wing and they both end up hiding out in Joanna's old hometown. The past soon catches up to Joanna and all the feelings of what it feels like to have friends and community on your side come flooding back.

This book has so many unexpected turns that end up making the story absolutely amazing. I was so surprised when Morgan revealed new information about Ashley and how the relationship between Joanna and Ashley grew stronger and stronger. There were adorable kitchen moments and shopping moments as well. This is a perfect beach read!", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "27-May-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 21:08:14", "publisher": "HQN", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011076023", "title": "Must Read Well: A Novel", "author": "Ellen Pall", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 782, "review": "Strong Female Leads\n\nWhat is a strong female lead? Well, most likely a woman who knows her own mind, trusts her instincts, is willing to take action when required, isn\u2019t afraid of making mistakes, and much more besides. Indeed, strong female leads are as diverse as the stories that they inhabit, which the plots of the four excellent novels featured in this roundup immediately make clear.\n\nBuck's Pantry by Khristin Wierman\n\nIn a seemingly unremarkable small Texas town, three disparate women find themselves being drawn together in ways that will change all their lives\u2014and the lives of those around them\u2014forever. Prom queen turned frantically busy mom Gillian is struggling to cope with recent revelations by her husband, formerly high-flying and purposefully vulgar banker Lianna is desperate to find a way to return to New York, while trapped and reluctant drudge Aimee is struggling to shine in her menial job due to having to cope with the mental illness that plagues her family. Against the odds, Gillian and Lianna find themselves in the same convenience store at the same time, and when they end up in a perilous situation, they have to rely on Aimee to puzzle things out and save them. Khristin Wierman\u2019s Buck\u2019s Pantry offers a suspenseful exploration of how a chance encounter can irreparably alter people\u2019s fate.\n\nThe Real Mrs. Tobias by Sally Koslow\n\nThree New Yorkers who are all known as Mrs. Tobias\u2014matriarch Veronica, her daughter-in-law Mel, and Mel\u2019s daughter-in-law Birdie\u2014have to confront their associations with each other and various relatives while trying to find their place in the city and in life more generally. Although Veronica and Mel are both respected psychotherapists, their communication skills don\u2019t extend to talking to and understating one another, which causes divisions within the family that prove near impossible to overcome. For her part, Birdie is struggling to settle into both New York and her new family, and when her husband lands himself in serious trouble, she flees back to her Midwestern hometown. When Birdie\u2019s absence has unexpected consequences for Veronica and Mel, all three women must come together in order for each to find themselves. Sally Koslow\u2019s The Real Mrs. Tobias unpicks the tangled webs that can unite a family while portraying the foibles of three very different women in a humorous and engaging fashion.\n\nMust Read Well by Ellen Pall\n\nLiz Miller, a penniless and now homeless Ph.D. student who is determined to finish writing her thesis whatever life may throw at her, chances upon a Craigslist post advertising a room to rent in a Greenwich Village apartment. The rent is suspiciously low, perhaps because the new tenant must agree to read aloud to the visually impaired landlady on a daily basis. Still, beggars can\u2019t be choosers, and Miller decides not to let the unusual requirement put her off renting the room, not even when she discovers that her new landlady is Anne Taussig Weil, the novelist whose refusal to cooperate with her research has derailed her Ph.D. for years. It soon emerges that Weil\u2019s need for a reader stems from her desire to revisit a torrid love affair described in a series of journals she kept in her youth, a love affair that inspired the plot of her most famous novel. Desperate to discover material about Weil that she can include in her thesis, Miller adopts a fake persona that will allow her to get close to the reclusive author. Ellen Pall\u2019s Must Read Well is a fast-paced and twisting thriller that disorientates readers at every turn and leaves them questioning who can be trusted.\n\nPeople Person by Candice Carty-Williams\n\nDimple Pennington is aware that she has some half-siblings due to her father\u2019s roving eye, although she doesn\u2019t actually know them. In fact, the only knowledge she has of the other four are some part-remembered recollections from decades earlier of the five of them being driven across London in their father\u2019s signature gold Jeep, recollections that are closely tied to her deep-seated abandonment issues. However, she has more than a lack of family to worry about: she\u2019s now thirty, her relationship is seriously unfulfilling, and her aspiration to make a living as an influencer doesn\u2019t seem to be going anyway. In fact, she\u2019s just come to the realization that she\u2019s never felt more alone when a major trauma brings her four half-siblings back into her life, and things take a turn for the even more complicated when they are all forced to reconnect with their long-absent father. Candice Carty-Williams\u2019 People Person is a warm and very funny novel that considers the various forms families can take as well as the numerous roles that individuals can play in other people\u2019s lives.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 20:41:19", "publisher": "Bancroft Press", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011075019", "title": "Encyclopedia of Birds: for Young Readers (Encyclopedias for Young Readers)", "author": "Tomas Tuma", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Youngsters love books about animals, and there are plenty of them, but there aren\u2019t as many books about birds. This is a wonderful introduction for elementary school children, although the word \u201cencyclopedia\u201d in the title is a bit misleading. There are six major sections \u2014 Not All of Us Fly; Have Wings, Will Fly; We Live by the Waterside; Parrots; Songbirds; and Birds of Prey \u2014 and each section has from two to ten spreads. Each spread in this oversized (eleven by fifteen inches) book has an art panel with beautiful illustrations of six to nine birds. The drawings are detailed enough to give a good representation of each bird but are not photo quality. For each bird shown, there is a short paragraph on the top or bottom of the page with some basic information about the bird, just enough to whet the learning appetite of the reader, likely sending him or her on a quest for more information from other sources. The writing is conversational and welcoming for young readers, but the real star of the show is the wonderful illustrations that will draw readers in and keep them turning pages. Don\u2019t miss this one.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "23-Aug-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 21:30:54", "publisher": "Albatros Media", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011075011", "title": "The Joy Thief: A Story of Trauma and Hope", "author": "Sean McCallum", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 200, "review": "The Joy Thief is an inspirational tale about overcoming one\u2019s fears. The author, a firefighter and crisis intervention specialist, tells a story about a girl who becomes traumatized by a seemingly ordinary experience. The terrifying day began with a spider jumping on the little girl\u2019s face. When the girl reacted (by screaming), her mother arrived in a huff, insisting that she keep down the noise. When she left, the door slammed behind her, causing the girl to feel an overwhelming amount of fear. This social-emotional rhyming story proves children can experience events that alter their way of thinking.

The girl\u2019s \u201cjoy thief\u201d (which is visually represented as a spider) follows her wherever she goes, reminding her of the fear she felt that day and preventing her from experiencing heightened feelings of happiness. She is finally able to talk with her mother and opens up about how she\u2019s felt controlled by her fear lately. Adults may not realize that a certain event can contribute to a heightened state of panic that can continue to grow, making it difficult to participate in daily activities. The author encourages open communication by providing a guide for adults to stay present and open with children.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 17:12:55", "publisher": "Loving Healing Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011075003", "title": "In Transit: Being Non-Binary in a World of Dichotomies", "author": "Dianna E. Anderson", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 183, "review": "In Transit: Being Non-Binary in a World of Dichotomies is authored by Dianna E. Anderson. It is divided into several sections, each with a different focus. The first section deals with philosophy, personhood, and identity. It contains quite a bit of philosophy. The second section is specifically why I enthusiastically recommend the book. I teach history and the section explains the rather long but, unfortunately, largely forgotten history of non-binary people throughout world history. It left me wondering how I lived my life without knowing about The Public Universal Friend. I wondered, as well, how I teach history but didn\u2019t know of Christine Jorgensen. Section 9 offers advice for allies, without being preachy. It ends in section 10 with reminding the readers of the complexities of most narratives, while bringing to light the hidden queer history Kitty Genovese, a tale I mistakenly thought I knew. Anderson offers their humanity in each section, and is witty, sharp, and informative. As the parent of a trans person and as someone who cares about humanity, I hope this book is in every library in the country.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "20-Sep-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 15:48:27", "publisher": "Broadleaf Books", "page_count": "178 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011074023", "title": "Dogs of the Deadlands", "author": "Anthony McGowan", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 11", "word_count": 221, "review": "Dogs of the Deadlands is an amazing book. It starts off with a young girl named Natasha. She gets a beautiful white wolf dog named Zoya, who has two different colored eyes. She quickly becomes attached to Zoya and deeply loves her. The very next day, Natasha wakes up to her father rushing her out of the house and telling her to leave Zoya. The distressed puppy runs after the train that little Natasha is forced to board, but it cannot catch up.

The story then flashes forward to a few years later. A white wolf dog has given birth to a litter of puppies. Sadly, only two of the puppies born survive. One of the surviving pups' names is Misha while his brother, who has disfigured legs, is Bratan. The story then follows the lives of these two pups. Buy the book to go on all of Misha and Bratan\u2019s adventures.

Dogs of the Deadlands was a brilliant book that I deeply enjoyed. It showed the many ways dogs and humans are extremely similar. It also taught an important lesson: there will always be violence and conflict in life, but there is always a way to end it all. This book is amazing for nature and adventure lovers. Buy Dogs of the Deadlands. I guarantee you will not regret it.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "15-Sep-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 20:55:14", "publisher": "Rock the Boat", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011074019", "title": "Enola Holmes: The Graphic Novels: The Case of the Missing Marquess, The Case of the Left-Handed Lady, and The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets (Volume 1)", "author": "Serena Blasco", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - age 10", "word_count": 129, "review": "On Enola\u2019s fourteenth birthday, her mother disappears. Enola\u2019s brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft, come to visit, but it doesn\u2019t go as Enola expected. When Mycroft keeps complaining that Enola isn\u2019t \u201cladylike\u201d enough and saying that he will make her go to boarding school, Enola escapes.

She goes to London and gets curious. She reads about a twelve-year-old boy, Tewksbury, who is missing. After finding the perfect disguise, she solves Tewksbury\u2019s case, tries to find a girl who has mysteriously disappeared, and attempts to solve the case of the bizarre bouquets.

This book is a graphic novel based on the novel and the movie about Enola Holmes. I really like the mysteries in the book; I found them very interesting and believable. The characters were relatable. I also liked the illustrations.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "17-Jun-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 20:53:06", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011074015", "title": "The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie", "author": "Rachel Linden", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Sarah Perry", "word_count": 197, "review": "The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie is the story of thirty-two-year-old Lolly who is stuck in a rut. Stepping up as the glue of the family after her mother\u2019s sudden death ten years ago, Lolly is no stranger to putting her dreams on hold. She\u2019s sick of baking lemon meringue pies for her family\u2019s struggling diner. When she finds a list of life goals she made when she was a seventh grader, she feels extra depressed that she hasn\u2019t accomplished anything. How did her life go so wrong?

This book has a delightful twist of magic realism. Lolly\u2019s eccentric great aunt gives her three mystical lemon drops that will allow her to live one day in an alternate version of her life. Through this unexpected gift, Lolly comes to learn more about herself and her life then she could ever imagine.

The writing in this book is absolutely beautiful. Linden adds a wonderful set of details that ties up together perfectly at the end. The ending is satisfying, if a little tidy, but the overall effect is heartfelt, emotional, and charming. This book will make readers laugh, but also cry. It\u2019s a wonderful journey that I highly recommend.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 20:50:17", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011074007", "title": "The Cryptopians: Idealism, Greed, Lies, and the Making of the First Big Cryptocurrency Craze", "author": "Laura Shin", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 202, "review": "In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, the monetary system faced an uphill climb. Trust in financial institutions was at an ebb. Bitcoin arrived appealing to the masses with the ability to send money online, blockchain technology serving as the written record for any and all transactions. Bitcoin\u2019s progress was steady, first from independent sources, then picked up by large banks. Vitalik Buterin saw limits with bitcoin and blockchain technology while researching the digital currency and platform. Buterin was looking for a cryptocurrency that had financial singularity. Ethereum was born. The evolution of Ethereum wasn\u2019t smooth as various insiders lobbied for proper credit, and others sought to manipulate the decisions of Buterin. Besides internal strife, hackers sought to nab Ethereum tokens and hijack the market.

The Cryptopians relates the birth of a new currency from a brilliant mind, how it was nurtured by a disparate group, and how fragile egos nearly destroyed the burgeoning currency. Author Laura Shin covers this human drama with the skill of a seasoned auteur, but never skimps on the fine details of the vast and enigmatic world of cryptocurrency. Money, power, backstabbing, and privacy are just a few of the themes that make for a powerful read.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "14-Jun-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 16:40:27", "publisher": "PublicAffairs", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011073019", "title": "Daisy Darker: A Novel", "author": "Alice Feeney", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lauren Kownacki", "word_count": 181, "review": "Daisy Darker and her family are summoned to her grandmother's house on a private Cornish island on Halloween, where someone starts picking them off one by one in the vein of And Then There Were None.

Alice Feeney is one of my favorite thriller authors, so this was a highly anticipated read for me. I absolutely loved the setting (stormy, unique seaside gothic manor) and was so intrigued by the story. I also really liked the poems and was totally invested. What disappointed me was one of the reveals. I won't provide details as I don\u2019t want to spoil. I liked one of the twists, even though I kind of called it, but another just didn\u2019t do it for me. I would probably rate this as 3.5 but bumped it up because I think others might enjoy this still.

I absolutely encourage everyone to check this one out for themselves; it would be an amazing spooky season read. Read this if you like locked room mysteries, Riley Sager, And Then There Were None, Knives Out, The Club, and The Guest List.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 20:43:12", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011073015", "title": "Blue Baboon Finds Her Tune", "author": "Helen Docherty", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 200, "review": "Blue Baboon Finds Her Tune is a story about Blue Baboon, a girl who lives in a city under an orange moon. Blue Baboon sees a bassoon (this is an instrument that is very tall and skinny) and wants to play it with the other animals around her who are playing other instruments (like a flute, a clarinet, and a saxophone). Blue Baboon can't play it very well, but then a big monsoon hits! Lucky for Blue Baboon, she finds a balloon to fly in to get away and find a new friend.

I liked Blue Baboon Finds Her Tune because even though there aren't very many words in the book, it still tells a whole story. The words were easy for me to read, but I still learned some new ones (bassoon, dune, croon) and I like how they all rhymed, which made it easy to guess and sound out the words that I didn't already know. The story seemed like it might end up sad, but it's not. It has a happy ending for everyone! Young kids will like this book, but I think bigger kids might find it boring due to the few words on the pages.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "15-Sep-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 17:21:06", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Jabberwocky", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011073011", "title": "Black Boy, Black Boy", "author": "Ali Kamanda", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 202, "review": "The vibrant images created by Ken Daley and simplistic language crafted by authors Ali Kannada and Jorge Redmond will captivate young readers as they learn about Black change-makers throughout American history. A young boy is taking a walk down a colorful path with an older man who teaches him about Black men in history who have used their voice, actions, and talents to advocate for African-American rights. HE learns about Colin Kaepernick's political stance on the football field, Martin Luther King Jr\u2019s pivotal role in the American civil rights movement, and William Goines\u2019 bravery as the first African American member of the Navy SEALS.

The boy also discovers that his favorite music, style of dance, AND poetry, were all popularized by influential Black men. The man encourages the boy to remember the strong impact these people have on others and use that as a driving force to enact change of his own. The boy learns to work hard but to be proud of his accomplishments and the power he has within. This book has language that is easy to follow for children ages three to seven; however, the back of the book contains additional information about each Black hero featured in the story.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 17:20:30", "publisher": "Sourcebooks Explore", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011073007", "title": "The Hacienda", "author": "Isabel Ca\u00f1as", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 833, "review": "Thrillers with a Twist\n\nThere\u2019s nothing like a good thriller to capture a reader\u2019s attention and keep them hooked, especially when it seems likely that there\u2019s a twist (or two) to come. The four thrillers included in this roundup are all atmospheric, fast-paced, and action-packed, and they\u2019re sure to make for excellent summer reads.\n\nThe Patient by Jane Shemilt\n\nJane Shemilt\u2019s The Patient is a tense and troubling domestic thriller that disorientates and poses questions at every turn of the page. GP Rachel Goodchild seems to have it all: a great career as a doctor, a wonderful house in beautiful Salisbury, and a loving family in the form of husband Nathan and grown-up daughter Lizzie. However, when she agrees to do an emergency consultation with a patient thought to pose a suicide risk, her world is quickly turned upside down. She is immediately attracted to the patient, whose name is Luc Levefre, and after prescribing him medication, also gives him her phone number, despite the clear breach of ethics. The two soon begin an affair, which poses the risk of destroying everything Rachel has worked so hard for. Things get even more complicated when there\u2019s a murder in town and the police seem to have Luc lined up as their number one suspect. As a consequence, Rachel finds herself involved in something far murkier than she had anticipated\u2026\n\nFace the Night by Alan Lastufka\n\nInsomniac single mother Adriana Krause is a gifted artist with a particular talent for drawing portraits, which helps her find work as a police sketch artist. Unfortunately, while the lack of sleep is leaving her almost too tired to function, the little sleep she is achieving is posing even more problems. Whenever she finally manages to drift off, Adriana has horrible nightmares in which she sees a horrifically mangled face, and it\u2019s become the only face that she\u2019s able to draw. She needs to keep her job with the police and avoid her controlling father\u2019s attempts to influence her young son, and she decides that the only way to do so is to follow the path of her nightmares and uncover the meaning behind the mysterious and deeply troubling face. Her quest leads her out of the nightmares and into the very real world of crime in her town, potentially revealing her link to a brutal attack. Face the Night by Alan Lastufka is a spine-tingling supernatural thriller that is chock-full of scares, secrets, and suspects who are willing to go to any lengths to keep their misdeeds hidden.\n\nThe Last Party by Cassidy Lucas\n\nCassidy Lucas\u2019s The Last Party is a deeply disturbing psychological thriller that exposes the dark underbelly of sunny California and the myriad dangers that lurk there. Dani Sanders is about to have her fiftieth birthday and she is definitely not looking forward to it. As she evaluates her life in advance of the big day, she is forced to admit that her career has hit a wall, her ex-husband is still causing her problems, and her daughter\u2019s developmental condition seems to be regressing. Still, despite not feeling like celebrating, she agrees to accompany her best friend Mia Markle and six other friends on a birthday retreat at Celestial Ranch in Topanga Canyon. They\u2019re planning to spend the weekend hiking, meditating, enjoying a spot of fine dining, and perhaps partaking in some short-acting psychedelic drugs that promise to transport users to a higher plain of existence. However, as the weekend progresses, long-buried secrets and grievances start to emerge, and after the group attempts to unwind with the help of some chemical intervention, people start to go missing. Is Dani being abandoned by the people who mean the most to her or is someone trying to take them away from her? \n\nThe Hacienda by Isabel Ca\u00f1as\n\nAfter Beatriz\u2019s father is killed during the revolution that brings down the Mexican government, she is left facing disgrace, poverty, and homelessness, which is why she jumps at the chance to marry the charismatic Don Rodolfo Solorzano despite rumors swirling concerning the death of his first wife. The move to his estate in the countryside seems to offer the security that Beatriz craves, but she soon discovers that Hacienda San Isidro is far from being a sanctuary. When her new husband returns to the capital for work, Beatriz\u2019s sleep is troubled by nightmares and she starts to sense an eerie presence watching her from dark corners of the property. Her sister-in-law refuses to enter the house after dark and the family cook insists on burning incense and daubing strange symbols in the doorway, although no one will tell her what the trouble is. With nowhere else to turn, Beatriz has to trust in the ability of young priest Padre Andres to overcome the malevolent presence that seems to be lurking in the hacienda. A haunting tale of gothic horror, The Hacienda by Isabel Ca\u00f1as spins a creepy web of inexplicable happenings, exorcisms, and mysticism that proves both compelling and horrifying.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 17:01:16", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011073003", "title": "Venomous Lumpsucker", "author": "Ned Beauman", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 202, "review": "The Venomous Lumpsucker, Cyclopterus venenatus, is an ugly little fish that feeds on parasites and algae of bigger fish. It could also be the most intelligent fish in the world. Karin Resaint just finished studying the fish to determine just how intelligent it is. Mark Halyard is a corrupt executive for the mining company that might have just destroyed its breeding ground. Now Karin and Mark are on a global hunt to find any surviving Lumpsuckers for their own selfish reasons.

Venomous Lumpsucker is the newest book by British writer Ned Beauman. Considered among the most promising British authors of his generation, Beauman explores the absurdity of the vast array of human action and reaction to species extinction. This is an amusing cautionary tale of a future that includes an extinction industry. Even though they demonstrate growth and change, Beauman\u2019s characters represent the wide spectrum of human morality in the face of ongoing environmental struggles. Beauman\u2019s near-future story contains predictions in technology, industry, environmentalism, social and political views that are extremely plausible. He masterfully paints a grim picture with wit and satire. This is a dystopian story for anyone who loves wildlife, from giant adorable mammals to an ugly and intelligent little fish.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 15:43:58", "publisher": "Soho Press", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011072011", "title": "Abolition Geography: Essays Towards Liberation", "author": "Ruth Wilson Gilmore", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 206, "review": "Abolition Geography: Essays Toward Liberation is a collection of interviews, essays, and collaborative writings by eminent scholar and organizer Ruth Wilson Gilmore. The writings that span more than thirty years focus on the interplay of racial capitalism, U.S. nationalism, and privatization in growing the prison industrial complex. Gilmore illustrates the geopolitical and socioeconomic dynamics involved in dehumanizing people in a capitalistic, profit-driven system. Focusing on the geographies of power and difference, Gilmore explores the complex interplay of globalization and the U.S. criminal justice institution that systematically and disproportionately jails and imprisons Black, Indigenous, Brown, and other people of color.

Gilmore\u2019s work is enlightening and informative, a must-read for scholars and activists seeking a complex and interdisciplinary deep dive to effectively drive systemic change. It\u2019s helpful to understand the racist trajectory of carceral policy in unearthing the root causes of mass incarceration. Policing, courts, and prisons all have a role to play in sustaining an unjust system that profits from the imprisonment of those whom Gilmore characterizes as \u201cmodestly educated people in the prime of their lives.\u201d Anyone committed to prison reform and social justice has much to learn from Gilmore\u2019s insights about the cognitive work and tactical organizing required to imagine and build an abolitionist future.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 21:17:47", "publisher": "Verso", "page_count": "575 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011072003", "title": "Reluctant Immortals", "author": "Gwendolyn Kiste", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 183, "review": "Reluctant Immortals is an absolutely mesmerizing novel that is impossible to put down. If I could give this book an extra star, I would! Gwendolyn Kiste sets the stage in 1960s Hollywood with Lucy, one of Dracula\u2019s many victims, and Bertha (now called Bee), Mr. Rochester\u2019s erstwhile attic-bound wife from Jane Eyre.

The two unlikely roommates are trying to make the most of immortality while avoiding the villainous men who put them there in the first place. But when a familiar face from Bee\u2019s past brings news of Rochester\u2019s arrival in San Francisco, everything they\u2019ve come to love and rely on is thrown into danger.

This isn\u2019t so much a feminist retelling, but rather a story of women reclaiming the story that was always theirs to begin with. Kiste provides such engrossing character depth for what were supposed to be background characters in their original stories, as well as vivid setting descriptions for the Haight at its height and New Hollywood noir that the novel takes on a hazy dream-like quality. Fans of gothic horror and feminist fiction will eat this book up!", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 15:37:30", "publisher": "Gallery / Saga Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011071031", "title": "The Boy Who Met a Whale", "author": "Nizrana Farook", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - age 15", "word_count": 187, "review": "The Boy Who Met a Whale is a story about a fisherboy who embarks on the greatest adventure of his life. The book starts with Razi watching turtles hatch when he sees a dark shape in the water, a boat with a boy inside. The boy is named Zheng, and he has escaped a sinking ship with a map to a priceless treasure. Zheng tells Razi and his sister, Shifa, tales of survival against great odds, and he asks for help getting to the treasure.

However, having recently lost his father, Razi wants nothing to do with the sea. After changing his mind, Razi prepares to leave with Zheng and Shifa, when Zheng is captured by Marco and Cook. Razi and Shifa must now brave storms and sea monsters to rescue their friend.

Overall, this was a very good book. I really enjoyed the setting, which was a large island based on Sri Lanka. I also liked the parts with the whale, who turned out to be quite helpful. I would recommend this book to kids from fourth to eighth grade, especially kids who enjoy adventure novels.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "17-Jun-2022", "date_added": "22-Apr-2022 21:23:33", "publisher": "Peachtree Publishing Company", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132383", "title": "The Sisters of Luna Island", "author": "Stacy Hackney", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 11", "word_count": 183, "review": "Marigold Lafleur is one of the last descendants of a long line of aromages, or witches who can blend intentions into powerful charms to manipulate the world around them. But ever since the devastating earthquake that ravaged Luna Island, she and her sisters have sworn off their family legacy, promising to reject their magic. \nWhen a terrible curse sweeps over Luna Island and the sisters she looks up to and cherishes over all else begin to slip away, Marigold must face an evil that spans generations without the sisters she loves\u2026 or risk losing them forever.

I liked this book because Marigold is a realistic, inspiring, and very relatable character, as she works to keep her family together and how she wants desperately for the rest of the island to accept her family and view them as \u201cnormal\u201d. At the very root of this loving story is the love between sisters and just how far we would go for the ones we love. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a warm, loving story that will break your heart and mend it again!", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 20:47:27", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011132363", "title": "Beneath the Bending Skies", "author": "Kane Kirkpatrick", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 197, "review": "In Montana, there is a lake called Lake Mary Ronan. This is her story.

Jane Kirkpatrick first discovered Mary Ronan on reading her memoirs, written down by one of her descendants. She\u2019s a fascinating woman, and this book highlights the twists and turns of her life, from a girl in the mining towns of the west to the wife of a land manager in Montana, living among the Salish. The women of the west had to be strong, and Mary Ronan had both strength and grace, making her an intriguing figure to read about.

Judging from the author\u2019s note at the end, it\u2019s difficult to tell what makes the novel different from the memoir, besides the difference in genre. It seemed as though Kirkpatrick pulled Mary\u2019s life wholesale from the memoir and added the imaginative flourishes a novelist is entitled to. Not having read the memoir myself, I can\u2019t be certain, but it does make me wonder how necessary the novel is.

If nothing else, it will introduce many people to the life of a spectacular woman. I would recommend this book to anyone who grew up reading the Little House series and who still loves Laura.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "20-Oct-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 20:38:38", "publisher": "Revell", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011132351", "title": "The Orchard", "author": "Beverly Lewis", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1129, "review": "Reads You'll Fall in Love With \n\nIf spring is truly the season of romance, then now is the perfect time to engage with some romantic reads, and the six novels featured in this roundup are among the best new works of romantic fiction. Whether historical or contemporary, they all manage to tug at the heartstrings, give plenty of sly giggles, and inspire longing daydreams. \n\nThe Boy with the Bookstore by Sarah Echavarre Smith \n\nA bookshop combined with a bakery should be the perfect recipe for romance; at least, that\u2019s what Joelle Prima hopes when she learns that the building housing her bakery is due to undergo significant renovation, meaning that her business will be temporary rehoused with the bookshop run by Max Boyson. For Joelle, who has long had a secret crush on the handsome Max, the plan conjures up daydreams involving the two of them falling in love as they cutely frolic about their respective businesses. Unfortunately, the reality of Max proves to be very different\u2014very much more grumpy, thoughtless, and malodorous\u2014than the fantasy, and Joelle\u2019s dreams come dangerously close to being crushed. However, when the two of them discover that they are facing a common threat, it appears that they might be destined to be drawn together after all. Sarah Echavarre Smith\u2019s The Boy with the Bookstore is a delightful and humorous contemporary novel in which books and baked goods serve to motivate a couple initially reluctant to pursue romance. \n \nThe Bachelor and the Bride by Sarah M Eden \n\nSet in 1866, Sarah M Eden\u2019s The Bachelor and the Bride details the unexpected intersection between love and crime fighting on the grimy streets of Victorian London. Far more concerned with his professional life than his personal interests, Dr. Barnabus Milligan only agreed to marry Gemma Kincaid in order to provide her with a means of escape from her infamous criminal family. For her part, Gemma initially believed that she had found true love with Barnabus, which was why she abandoned her new husband after only six months of marriage when she realized her feelings were unrequited. Now, some seven years after she left him, Barnabus wants Gemma back, but only to help him thwart her family\u2019s latest scheme. A still-heartbroken Gemma agrees to help, although she makes it clear that Barnabus will never see her again after their business is concluded. Barnabus thinks that his plan is perfect, but what will happen when he recognizes that he feels more for his secret bride than he has ever admitted, not even to himself. \n\nRules of Engagement by Stacey Abrams \n\nAs an undercover agent with a secret intelligence agency, Dr. Raleigh Foster is well aware just how dangerous her life is. Death holds no fear for her, which is why she readily agrees to infiltrate a terrorist group known as Scimitar in an effort to recover environmental technology they have allegedly stolen. The mission proves to be more complicated than most, however, when she is assigned a partner: the brooding Adam Grayson, who is tasked with posing as her lover. He blames himself for the death of his best friend on a previous mission involving Scimitar, and he suspects that Raleigh might have somehow been responsible for the death. Yet, as the pair work closely to unravel the tangled web woven by the terrorists, Adam finds himself increasingly drawn to Raleigh, and the two of them are surprised to discover that their romantic charade is seeming increasingly real. Stacey Abrams\u2019 Rules of Engagement is a sexy thriller that follows two secret agents as they embark on their most dangerous mission yet: love. \n\nThe American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas \n\nThe American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas is a slow-burning romcom about a situationship that gradually grows into something much deeper. Having quit her well-paying job to pursue her dream career as a romance writer, Rosie Graham doesn\u2019t have enough cash to pay for the repairs required to the ceiling of her New York apartment. In sudden need of somewhere to stay, she is relieved to remember that her best friend Lina has left her with the spare key to her place while she\u2019s away. What she doesn\u2019t realize is that Lina has already lent the apartment to her cousin Lucas, who is visiting the United States from Spain. Even worse, Rosie has spent the past few months stalking Lucas on Instagram, something he is blissfully unaware of. When Lucas invites Rosie to share the apartment with him, she feels she has nothing to lose, not even when he suggests an outrageous plan to help her overcome her writer\u2019s block. Will the six-week duration of Lucas\u2019s visit be long enough for romance to blossom? \n\nThe Forever Farmhouse by Lee Tobin McClain \n\nThe first book in Lee Tobin McClain\u2019s Hometown Brothers series, The Forever Farmhouse is a charming tale of homecoming and self-discovery, where the ties of community and friendship are found to potentially indicate something more. Ryan Hastings was a troubled teen when he first visited Teaberry Island, and the time he spent with a foster family there gave him the chance to turn his life around. Now an accomplished scientist, he has returned to the island to visit his recently widowed foster mother. While the people and place are largely unchanged, including Ryan\u2019s feelings for Mellie Anderson, the girl he loved and left, there is one significant difference: Mellie now has a young son named Alfie. Still convinced that he is too damaged to be in a relationship with Mellie, Ryan nevertheless finds himself helping Alfie out with a bullying problem. Mellie is pleased to see Ryan and Alfie bonding, but she has a big secret of her own, one that could potentially change the course of all their lives. \n\nThe Orchard by Beverly Lewis \n\nThe Hostetler family has run an orchard in picturesque Lancaster County for generations. Evan Hostetler is expected to eventually take over the orchard, but when his draft number is called, his family is shocked to learn that, despite the Amish commitment to peace, Evan has not applied for conscientious objector status. When Evan departs for Vietnam, his twin sister Ellie is bereft and turns to her best friend\u2019s brother, Sol Bontrager, to support and guidance. Unlike Evan, Sol is a committed conscientious objector, and Ellie finds herself increasingly drawn to his calm and steady demeaner. The potential relationship is complicated by the fact that Ellie is officially courting a neighbor named Menno, who happens to be Sol\u2019s cousin. As things progress, Ellie is forced to discover just how brave she is capable of being and just how much she is willing to sacrifice for happiness. Beverly Lewis\u2019s The Orchard is a heartwarming romance set in Amish country during the time of the Vietnam War.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-May-2022 20:34:15", "publisher": "Bethan House Publishers", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011132339", "title": "Stay Awake", "author": "Megan Goldin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 192, "review": "\u201cWake up! Stay awake! Don\u2019t go to sleep!\u201d Liv Reese sees these messages scrawled on her hands and arms, but she can\u2019t recall why. As she goes through her day, she can\u2019t help but remain confused when nothing is as she remembered it. Simple things like returning to her apartment and her workplace remind Liv that she is no longer living the life she remembers. Liv is startled when she can\u2019t get a hold of her boyfriend or roommate, whom she hoped could give her answers. As she tries to piece together the events she has forgotten, she is entrenched in a murder investigation. Liv wonders if she may have actually killed someone, without any memory of it\u2026

Megan Goldin\u2019s Stay Awake has an interesting premise, yet the execution was unremarkable. Liv\u2019s failing memory gets to be irksome as the book progresses, which left me frustrated waiting for tiny pieces of the plot to be revealed. None of the characters were especially likable, and I hoped for more intensity in the plot. The novel did pick in the second half, yet the ending was lackluster. Overall, Stay Awake was entertaining but not propulsive.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "19-Aug-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 20:29:19", "publisher": "St. Martins Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011132323", "title": "The Moonday Letters", "author": "Emmi Itaranta", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winters", "word_count": 205, "review": "Stories being told through letters, emails, journal entries, and other forms of communication are increasingly in prevalence in science fiction literature, and this book is the latest entry into that category, albeit with an uneven storyline that really does not feel satisfying most of the time.

Lumi sets off to find Sol, their husband, who has disappeared and who leaves a set of cryptic clues through data messages and emails for Lumi to follow through the many inhabited colonies of the solar system after most of humanity has abandoned Earth due to the poor living conditions.

Lumi travels through a series of different ecoterrorist groups as they search for Sol and to continue their lives together. But the deeper Lumi enters into the underworld of the solar system and the many groups Sol is leading her through, the more they find themselves confronting the reality that humanity is still flawed even off of Earth.

For people who might not yet be used to the use of gender neutral pronouns in literature, this book might be a bit confusing at times with the use of \u201ctheir\u201d and other forms of neutral pronouns. Also, despite the constant messages and moving through the stars, not much actually happens.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 20:21:13", "publisher": "Titan Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011132319", "title": "The Path of Thorns", "author": "A. G. Slatter", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 190, "review": "Ghosts, murder, witches, werewolves, magic, and more make up this gothic fantasy story set sometime in the 19th century in rural England. We follow Asher Todd, a young lady who has been hired to be the governess to three young children, despite the fact she has never been a governess and the mother of the children did not want to hire her.

Todd comes with many skills and talents that would see her burned at the stake if they were ever found out in rural England, but she does well fitting in, providing knowledge about herbal medicines for afflictions. But things begin to take a turn as the real reasons for Todd being at the house slowly come to light, reasons which led to the death of her mother and why she never knew her father.

This is a fairly enjoyable gothic fantasy set in the older days when people believed in magic and magic potions. There are times where the book just drags; it could have been a bit shorter as the reader really does not get into the meat of the story until almost a hundred pages in.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 20:19:47", "publisher": "Titan Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011132315", "title": "Hooked: Neverland will never let go... ", "author": "A. C. Wise", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 206, "review": "Neverland is part of his past. James left his colorful moniker of Hook behind him when he traded life as a pirate for solitude in London. Despite the years that have passed, the ghosts of Neverland have found him, which reunites him with Wendy Darling \u2013 who is also running from memories of the past. James and Wendy work together to hunt down a monster lurking on the streets of London, determined to put a stop to it even if it means returning to the very place they left behind.

Haunting and poetic imagery captures an emotional, original, and breathtaking perspective that will forever alter how you view the famous pirate Captain Hook. Exploring the man behind the pirate, Wise takes you into the London of the past, which serves as a poignant and heartbreaking background plagued by the chilling presence of Neverland that haunts James, Wendy, and Jane. The eerie memories of the past provide a haunting tone for James' internal struggle of Hook versus James, a tragic love story, and a strained mother-daughter relationship.

An emotional and feminist approach to a classic tale, Hooked is told through the captivating perspective of Captain Hook with lush visuals that will resonate long after finishing the book.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "20-Sep-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 20:18:23", "publisher": "Titan Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132307", "title": "Black Mouth", "author": "Ronald Malfi", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 196, "review": "Black Mouth, the new novel from Ronald Malfi, after the disturbingly wonderful Come With Me, is dark in many ways. The title and cover sum up what you\u2019re going to get, and if that\u2019s what you\u2019re looking for, then you\u2019re in for a real treat.

Jamie Warren has been running for a long time. Running from his past, from his childhood, from his old friends, and the strange things that happened in the black mouth. He\u2019s been an alcoholic for a long time too, but he\u2019s trying to go sober. That all changes when he gets a call from his hometown about his mother passing away and his brother needing help. It means going back to his hometown, where the black mouth is. Also, meeting up with some old friends who all remember the strange man who was teaching them magic until things went too far and turned tragic.

Black Mouth is a dark story that one might be turned away from, but Malfi has a way with words and description that draws the reader in so that they can\u2019t stop, filling the scenes and the reader\u2019s imagination, and compelling them to keep going until the very end.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 20:15:30", "publisher": "Titan Books", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011132303", "title": "There Are No Happy Loves (Veronica Rosenthal Mystery, 3)", "author": "Sergio Olguin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 198, "review": "Investigative journalist Veronica is back to writing and on the case of missing people in this new novel. Things have not gotten easier for Veronica in her personal life, but events will turn deadly when she investigates the disappearance of a mother from a car crash. The mother is presumed dead, but Veronica\u2019s investigation will take her into the halls of power within the Catholic Church and bring her to the attention of very powerful enemies. These people wish to keep multiple secrets, including what is happening to all those bodies that are cut up and shipped overseas, from getting out and damaging the Catholic Church in Argentina, while those in political power who wish to stay in power.

This book has a couple of different narrative threads at the beginning that eventually all roll into one story. The appearance of a truck full of body parts instead of drugs, missing adopted children who might not have been legally adopted, and the idea of people having children when they struggle through normal channels. Veronica is not the most likeable character. She has many flaws and is not agreeable, but she helps bring the underworld of Argentina to light.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "30-Sep-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 20:13:46", "publisher": "Bitter Lemon Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011132299", "title": "The Fort", "author": "Gordon Korman ", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Evan, C.J., Mitchell, and Jason have been best friends forever. They each have problems they are dealing with, some pretty bad. They have a fort in the woods that no one knows about, but after a big storm, Evan\u2019s grandmother makes Evan take Ricky, a new kid in town, with him when he\u2019s supposed to meet his pals at the fort. It\u2019s fortunate Ricky is there because he finds an old bomb shelter with electricity, TV, VCR, great old tapes, lots of canned food, and more. The boys make it their new fort, but when they pawn some silver they find in the shelter, their newfound wealth causes even more problems for them. Soon their secret is out, and things get very scary.

Gordon Korman\u2019s one hundredth book is simply terrific. Told from the points of view of the five boys, readers get real insights into the problems middle graders face, and some of the things these boys have to face are difficult. The characters are believable, the story is complex and rich, and the writing is conversational and accessible. This is a satisfying story of friendship and loyalty, one that readers will love and remember. Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 20:12:10", "publisher": "Scholastic", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132291", "title": "A Taste of Magic", "author": "J. Elle", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 11", "word_count": 229, "review": "A Taste of Magic is about a twelve-year-old girl named Kyana. She has just discovered that she is the first witch in her family for decades. Luckily, there is a witch school that she can attend every day that is hidden in the back of the local hair salon. Kyana\u2019s mom is spread thin working two jobs because she is trying to support the family. Kyana cannot wait to learn how to do some magic so that she can actually help out at home. Sadly, Kyana cannot tell her very best friend about her magic.

Soon, the school loses its funding and the students have to pay a large sum of money for tuition or lose their magic. Kyana, not wanting to lose the only thing that will allow her to help her mom, enters a baking contest with a large cash prize. Buy the book to discover if Kyana can manage to win the prize and return to witch school.

A Taste of Magic would appeal to younger children. I recommend this book to kids ages five to ten. Although this book was a good read, I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would because it was a little too childish for me. I think my little seven-year-old sister, who loves to bake, would enjoy it. I am sure your younger reader will too!", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 20:08:25", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000011132283", "title": "Pet That Cat!: A Handbook for Making Feline Friends", "author": "Nigel Kidd & Rachel Braunigan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - age 8", "word_count": 144, "review": "I love cats and wish I could have one! This book made me want one even more. My mom liked that this showed me how to take care of a cat, but it is the same for other animals too! I like that there are paragraphs and then pictures. I also like the words they used, and I thought it was a funny book too. When we went to the fair, this book came with us, and I read parts of it to my little brother. I think when someone gets a new cat, they should have to read this book with their kids to make sure the kids and the cat stay safe! I think this book is extra fun because it was written by a kid! I want to be an author someday, and he showed me I could do it now!", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2023", "date_added": "27-May-2022 20:04:49", "publisher": "Quirk", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011132267", "title": "Now is Not the Time to Panic", "author": "Kevin Wilson", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 196, "review": "Over the course of one hot southern summer, teenagers Frankie and Zeke bond over their mutual \u201cweirdness\u201d and decide that what they want is to create art. \u201cWe didn\u2019t understand how normal this was, to be young, to believe that you were destined to make beautiful things.\u201d She comes up with a mysterious phrase that he illustrates into a poster. Then, with the aid of a hidden Xerox machine, they secretly make hundreds of copies and plaster them all over their small town of Coalfield, Tennessee.

They love sharing this secret together: a secret that will shape their lives beyond anything they could have imagined, one that will\u2014for a brief time\u2014make Coalfield become a place that matters to other people. But Frankie discovers \u201chow hard it was to walk through the day when you had an obsession and you couldn\u2019t say a word about it.\u201d

As in Kevin Wilson\u2019s other novels, the book is peopled with indelible, often hilarious, characters, including Frankie\u2019s brothers, who are huge, destructive triplets, and her recently divorced, distracted mother. Wilson renders adolescence perfectly: that intense time of absolute certainty, painful insecurity, and the passionate pursuit of vague, inarticulate dreams. Highly recommended.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 19:57:44", "publisher": "Ecco", "page_count": "246 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132255", "title": "Build!", "author": "Red Nose Studio", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 128, "review": "Have you ever wanted to build? Then this book is for you! When playing with blocks, there is no limit to what you can make when you use your imagination. Build. STACK. TUMBLE! BOOM! This book is fun because the text is short and because there are some onomatopoeias! Just know that what may look like something to one person could be something another person imagines to be totally different.

I like this book. This is a fun book for readers who like to build. This is great inspiration for the next generation who is able to imagine and discover the world for the future. If you can dream it, you can do it with some practice! The pictures are colorful and fun! I like the building creations.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "18-Jul-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 19:11:57", "publisher": "Anne Schwartz Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011132251", "title": "Against All Odds: A True Story of Ultimate Courage and Survival in World War II", "author": "Alex Kershaw", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 205, "review": "At a time when the last of the fighting men from the Greatest Generation are dying out, Kershaw gives us one more reason to remember their sacrifices. This book follows the Marne Men of the U.S. Army's 3rd Division, 15th Infantry Regiment, the dogface soldiers. These men boast forty Congressional Medal of Honor recipients over the course of the war, more than any other division. Among them, a handful of the most decorated soldiers in history stand out--Audie Murphy, Maurice Britt, Michael Daly, and Keith Ware who rose from buck private to Major General.

In this book, Kershaw follows the Marne Men through their training under Lucian Truscott, their North Africa campaign, through Sicily and the bloody mountain ridges of Italy, and to the beaches of Omaha, Normandy, and across France in the race to the heart of Germany.

Kershaw uses the familiarity of these Congressional Medal of Honor recipients as touchstones to swing the narrative from action to action, then again in post-war from social dysfunction to broken marriages. He follows them into post-traumatic stress nightmares, unemployment, and alcoholism and drug addictions. He reveals facets of their notoriety in light of the pressures associated with guarding a hero image and their loyalties to the fallen soldiers.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 19:09:52", "publisher": "Dutton Caliber", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011132247", "title": "Rise of the Vicious Princess", "author": "C. J. Redwine", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 11", "word_count": 252, "review": "Rise of the Vicious Princess is about a young princess named Charis Willowthorn. Charis has been taught her whole life to show no emotion and know how to manipulate people in the political world. She only has one friend, her sweet little handmaiden, Milla. One day at a ball, there is an assassination attempt on the Queen\u2019s life and a spy is found in Charis\u2019s bath chamber. As a result of this failed assassination attempt, the Queen is injured and unable to rule. Milla, the guards, and other maids who were near the attempt are all killed by order of the Queen.

With her mother injured, Charis takes up the task of leading her kingdom in the middle of a war. She vows to never get close to the staff members of the castle again; she will never befriend another Milla. Then Charis ends up getting caught between a forbidden romance and the stress of ruling her kingdom. With enemies lurking around every corner who want the throne for themselves, Charis must be on guard at all times as she wonders if she can truly trust anybody.

Rise of the Vicious Princess was amazing! It is exactly the type of story I love to read. It has fantasy, betrayal, romance, and extremely powerful female characters. If you believe in girl power, then this is definitely a book for you! Rise of the Vicious Princess was an awesome page-turner. I am so glad I got it; I am sure you will be too!", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "22-Aug-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 19:07:38", "publisher": "Harper Collins YR", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132243", "title": "The Summer of June ", "author": "Jamie Sumner", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 177, "review": "Eleven-year-old June has goals for the summer. One of them is to beat her anxiety and become the brave lion she knows she can be. This might be difficult, but June\u2019s up for the challenge. Setting goals in June\u2019s case involves teaching your friend how to play chess, regretting your shaved head, and dealing with a mean and selfish librarian. This might seem hard, but once June finds herself, this summer will be worth it.

June is such a lovable character because she tries so hard to fight her anxiety. I love that she and her mom are both so gutsy! Homer was a sweet and interesting character who grew on me. He seemed a little rude only at first, but he proves to be a wonderful friend to June. The library where June\u2019s mother works sounds so fun and lovely! I love that the majority of the story took place at a public library. I think this would be a great book for kids who are struggling with anxiety to read alone or with their parents.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 19:05:13", "publisher": "Atheneum Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132227", "title": "The Favor: A Novel", "author": "Nora Murphy", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 173, "review": "The Favor is a story about two women, Leah and McKenna, both in abusive relationships. In fact, their lives are so similar in so many ways that it is uncanny. Leah's husband Liam is a high-powered attorney. Leah is an attorney as well but likes to draw up documents for clients rather than be in the courtroom. McKenna's husband, Zack, is a psychiatrist and McKenna is a pediatrician. Both Liam and Zack make their wives stop working and keep track of their every move. Both husbands have become physically abusive as well. So when Leah decides to follow McKenna home from a liquor store to see her perfect life, she discovers this beautiful woman is just like her.

This book is fantastic and kept me on my toes the whole time to see what would happen. And although the similarities between the two women were a little too unrealistic, the book really brings to life the seriousness of domestic abuse and violence. This book is perfect for fans of Chevy Stevens and Riley Sager.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "21-Jun-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 18:56:02", "publisher": "Minotaur Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011132219", "title": "Future Stories: What's Next?", "author": "David Christian", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 196, "review": "How does one foretell the future, this is the conundrum that David Christian, Professor Emeritus at Macquarie University in Sidney Australia, tackles in his inimitable conversational writing mode while analyzing this complex topic. Patterns drawn from past history often serve as the framework on which to build further expectations. Various philosophers, scientists, historians, and other noted figures have their thoughts and studies included in this exploration of how the future might be envisioned. Through an evolutionary tour starting from the microbes and continuing to plants and animals, the adaptations taken for survival from the molecular level to the neuronal chemical adaptations are explored. On the human level, the author scrutinizes the thinking of primitive societies, then continues onto the changes adopted during the agricultural age, following onto the industrial period, and then continues to analyze the current outlook during this Anthropocene era where humans impact the planet\u2019s ecosystem and trigger climate change. In this rapidly changing world, futuristic thoughts and concerns are further considered as they range out to the astronomic and even more expansive cosmological spheres. There is much to think about in this intriguing adventure through these stories that attempt to see the future.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "15-Jul-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 18:51:25", "publisher": "Little, Brown Spark", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132215", "title": "The Price of Immortality: The Race to Live Forever", "author": "Peter Ward", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 194, "review": "The epic story of Gilgamesh and the pursuit of immortality has been repeated in history and in science fiction sagas, leading to the cryonics practice of hopefully preserving bodies until science advances will cure maladies and restore functioning bodies as suggested in the industry\u2019s commercial slogan of freeze-wait-reanimate. Business and technology journalist Peter Ward details the personalities and bizarre characteristics energizing this passion to increase the lifespan.

Beginning with the clumsy start of the cryonics movement and its associated con artists, the quest for eternal life led to the religious founding of the Church to Perpetuate Life. As time progressed, financial tycoons backed means to increase life by stifling the aging process. Again scams abounded, with announcements of miracle drugs, blood transfusions, stem cell infusions, supplements along with fasting episodes, all of which proved ineffectual. From these trials and past history, the transhumanism movement emerged, which looks at digital immortality and how life after death could exist in the digital dimension.

Read through this engrossingly incredible and wordy whirlwind expose of human attempts to retain life and defy nature\u2019s demand for death. One can only wonder at the worth of each of our lives.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 18:46:33", "publisher": "Melville House", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011132203", "title": "Angry Me", "author": "Sandra V. Feder", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 133, "review": "It is hard being a kid in a grown-up's world. Everything seems so fast-paced and sometimes grown-ups want kids to stop playing to do other boring things, or sometimes they say it is time to leave the park, but kids don't want to. When things don't go the way they want. It is good to be able to express your feelings and emotions. If you can express the way you are feelings grown-ups can help. \nThis was a very cute little book, especially for readers who are learning how to deal with their emotions. It is helpful to see how the girl works through her big feelings when mad and frustrated about how things are going around her. The illustrations are colorful and really help to express the big emotions in the book.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "12-Jul-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 18:26:51", "publisher": "Groundwood Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132195", "title": "My Mechanical Romance", "author": "Alexene Farol Follmuth", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 202, "review": "A forgotten assignment lands Bel in a mandatory teacher meeting. Surprisingly, the teacher is so in awe of her hastily half-way completed project that she suggests Bel enroll in the honors class and join the robotics team. Bel has no interest in either, but she has no choice if she wants to salvage her grade. As she enters the room for the robotics team tryouts, she is totally out of her comfort zone. While the team listens to plans for an egg drop to determine the newest team member, Bel draws out a design that steals the show.

Making the team is not for the faint of heart though. Teo is competitive and Bel knows nothing of the protocols, let alone the programming. However, with his experience and her creativity, working together might make their team the best team in the competition.

Similar to many YA stories set at comic cons, this one set in the world of robotics is candy for the geek mind. Add in family strife and post-secondary plan stress, and this tops the list of nerdy reads. Also writing as the author Olivie Blake (The Atlas Six), Follmuth delivers a top-notch YA rom com with a realistic ending.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 18:18:27", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011132171", "title": "The Bone Flower", "author": "Charles Lambert", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 189, "review": "In The Bone Flower, we meet Edward, a true gentleman living in Victorian London. Edward goes to a s\u00e9ance with some friends, where he meets the lovely Settie, a gypsy flower seller. They begin a love affair, but it ends in tragedy. Not long after, Edward meets Marisol and makes her his wife. Strange things begin to happen in and around their home. At times, it seems as if Marisol is possessed as well as their infant son. Edward knows he will have to return to Settie\u2019s people if he is to ever stop this madness.

This is a fantastic Gothic ghost story set in one of my favorite time periods. It\u2019s a classy ghost story, with just the right amount of atmosphere and subtle scares, without going for the shock factor. Daniel and Marisol were my favorite characters, no offense to Edward. Their love and strength for others was incredibly endearing. If you enjoy Victorian London, ghost stories, or Gothic mysteries, I highly recommend you add this to your reading list. Just maybe don\u2019t read it at night when you\u2019re alone, especially if you\u2019ve wronged a loved one.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "30-Aug-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 18:01:10", "publisher": "Gallic Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011132163", "title": "Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet", "author": "Barbara Dee", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 197, "review": "A science video about the glaciers in Antarctica and the threat to its wildlife just adds fire to Haven\u2019s heightened anxiety about the environment. She is really worried about the climate and how the adults just don\u2019t seem to be doing enough, if anything at all. When her class begins the river project, completed by every seventh grade class every year, she is hopeful about their findings, as her older brother shared his previous experience.

However, as her class\u2019s findings come in and the complete absence of frogs is noticed, Haven knows there\u2019s something going on, and she even knows who might be at fault. Gemba is a new employer in town, but she has to tread carefully as the company employs many people in town, including her own father.

As usual, Dee handles a scary topic with kid gloves, giving young readers validation for their fears and concerns. Haven\u2019s beliefs are stronger than her anxiety, which shows that kids can do something constructive, but she takes it further, questioning her decisions and evaluating outcomes to do better next time. She is not satisfied until she has learned the truth. Another excellent addition to Dee\u2019s growing bookshelf.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "30-Sep-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 17:55:28", "publisher": "Aladdin", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011132151", "title": "Find a Place for Me", "author": "Deirdre Fagan", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 420, "review": "Amazing Ladies Roundup\n\nThese memoirs, written straight from the heart, are brilliant, candid, and wonderful. With a dazzling cast of female authors, these books will have readers laughing, crying, rejoicing, and understanding the true meaning of love.\n\nI'll Try Anything Once\nPrue Leith\nMobius\n9781529426083\n\nDame Prue Leith, judge of the hit show Great British Bake Off, tells her story in this incredible memoir. From her childhood in South Africa to coming to London and owning her own restaurant to becoming published and ultimately getting her position as a judge on Great British Bake Off, Prue's story will inspire readers from cover to cover. \n\nEnough: A Memoir of Mistakes, Mania, and Motherhood\nAmelia Zachry\nShe Writes Press\n9781647422912\n\nEnough is one woman\u2019s story about abuse, trauma, mental illness, and healing. Amelia Zachry chronicles her journey in this memoir as a young woman who lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia who moved to Kentucky. After a traumatic experience, she spirals into a black hole of darkness and after being diagnosed with PTSD and bipolar II disorder, she tells her readers how her experiences shaped her adult life. This bravely written memoir will evoke strong emotions in readers everywhere.\n\nFind a Place for Me\nDeirdre Fagan\nRegal House Publishing\n9781646032839\n\nA beautifully written memoir about Deidre Fagan\u2019s last days with her husband Bob, Find a Place for Me tells the story of a happy marriage in which both partners must learn to say goodbye. Fagan paints a portrait of what it feels like to lose your best friend in life. Honest, intimate, and heartbreaking, this is a memoir that will stay with its readers.\n\nSit, Stay, Heal\nRenee Alsarraf\nHarperCollins\n9780063215221\n\nA heartwarming book about how our furry four-legged friends are so much more than just pets. Dr. Renee Alsarraf is a veterinary oncologist who tells stories about some of the wonderful dogs she treats. Then, one day, Renee herself gets a cancer diagnosis. A book that dog lovers everywhere will love that shows the wonderful impact of experiencing the unique relationship between canines and humans.\n\nWoodrow on the Bench\nJenna Blum\nHarperCollins\n9780063113190\n\nJenna Blum pays tribute to her black lab, Woodrow, in this beautiful memoir about the time Jenna spends with him in his last six months. An inseparable bond from the beginning, the two learn so much from one another and both experience what it really means to love. With stories that will make readers laugh and cry, Woodrow on the Bench is a wonderful gift to dog lovers everywhere.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-May-2022 17:20:20", "publisher": "Regal House Publishing", "page_count": "246 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011132147", "title": "A Quilt for Christmas", "author": "Melody Carlson", "category": "N24 Seasonal", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 190, "review": "A Quilt for Christmas brings out all of the feels. Vera, a widow who has recently downsized her life and tried to move closer to family, has now found herself alone in a new town with minimal motivation to decorate or be as cheery as she was in her former life. Out of the blue, a young neighbor girl comes knocking on her door, full of fear and uncertainty. Unbeknownst to Vera, more lives than her own get turned upside down through the Christmas spirit, and of course, the Reason for the Season!

A Quilt for Christmas caught my attention from the beginning due to both the writing and beautiful cover. This is my first Melody Carlson story, and I'm entranced\u2014her writing is unique. I could pinpoint another Carlson story if I read it, rather quickly. I appreciated the toned-down version of some of the subject matter. Carlson creates feel-good stories that could apply to many readers; personally, I appreciated the Christian aspect to the story and believe that it makes sense to include it, especially with this particular holiday. This will be a reread come Christmas time for sure!", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 17:17:34", "publisher": "Revell", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132143", "title": "The Hero of This Book", "author": "Elizabeth McCracken", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 187, "review": "This strange and beautiful memoir follows the narrator on her path of grief and reflection as she walks around London. She last visited the city with her mother, who has since passed away. Along her walk, she reflects on her mother\u2019s life in as much as a daughter can ever know her mother, as well as the nature of grief, being, and writing. The journey helps the narrator process her grief, frustration, and relationships in the memoir while connecting with the joy, resilience, stubbornness, and generosity that was her mother while she was alive.

Readers better hang on tight to this powerful, subtle narrative, lest it run away without them. The Hero of This Book by Elizabeth McCracken takes time to settle into, but by the end, it coalesces into a beautiful ode to the strong, difficult (often infuriating), and complex woman who was the narrator\u2019s mother. The fragmented experience of grief comes across on the page in this beautifully rendered tribute to a woman the narrator describes as \u201cshe wasn\u2019t special.\u201d The specialness came from being a mother, who is all special to our daughters.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2023", "date_added": "26-May-2022 20:47:10", "publisher": "Ecco Books", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011132139", "title": "Token Black Girl", "author": "Danielle Prescod", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 208, "review": "Danielle Prescod shares a heartfelt and heart-wrenching memoir of growing up as the Token Black Girl in the predominantly White environs of an all-girls high school and the fashion and beauty industry. Prescod worked for Teen Vogue, Elle, and InStyle, learning the ins and outs of the fashion publishing trade while also contending with the double-edged sword of racism and misogyny. Conforming with the White, Eurocentric aesthetic, Prescod writes candidly about trying to blend with White cliques and developing eating disorders. Growing up and attending school in predominantly White environments, Prescod shares her reflections as the only Black female, lamenting the damning experience of isolation and invisibility.

Token Black Girl is a courageous memoir that centers on truth-telling about how Black women navigate White spaces. Prescod writes from the perspective of the generation that grew up with Hillary Duff, Vanessa Carlton, Amanda Bynes, and Raven Symone as television and film icons. She offers a close-up view of what beauty creatives have to go through in the age of social media. Even while there is more awareness about the damaging effects of racist beauty standards, we still have ways to go as a society to minimize the harms of ethnocentric ideals on young women of color, especially Black women.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "22-Dec-2022", "date_added": "26-May-2022 20:44:21", "publisher": "Little A", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011132127", "title": "Caesar's Lord (Constantine's Empire)", "author": "Bryan Litfin", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 190, "review": "In the fourth century, Christianity has taken root in Rome, thanks to Emperor Constantine. However, the old gods are still widely worshipped, causing tension in the empire. Even within Christianity, there are divisions and threats of schism.

Litfin has set the latest book in his Constantine\u2019s Empire series against the background of the Arian controversy and Constantine\u2019s battles against his brother-in-law Licinius and the struggles within his own household. It\u2019s a fascinating period of history, and it\u2019s clear Litfin knows it well. At times, it seems he knows it too well; the narration dives into detailed explanations of the controversy surrounding Jesus\u2019s divinity and descriptions of the setting that will mainly distract people already intrigued by this period of history. I wish he had put as much energy into giving the characters more depth. As it is, there is a stark split between the good Christians and the utterly wicked pagans.

This book will appeal most to a Christian audience with either a strong backing or a strong interest in Roman history. I found it interesting but dry, and the constant reminders of monotheism being the only right way soon grew repetitive.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2022", "date_added": "26-May-2022 20:36:15", "publisher": "Revell Books", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011132107", "title": "A Guide to America\u2019s National Heritage Areas: A Guide to the Nation's New Kind of National Park", "author": "Robert Manning", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 195, "review": "Planning a trip? This book introduces you to fifty-four National Heritage Areas across the country. Distinct from National Parks, a National Heritage Area (NHA) celebrates something distinctive about a region or place. For example, the Abraham Lincoln NHA, covering much of Illinois, includes sites where Lincoln lived or worked, his tomb, and many others. The Silos and Smokestacks NHA in Iowa honors the agricultural foundation of the area and the varied landscapes, peoples, and industries of the region. History, geography, industry, culture \u2013 these are just a few of the themes that can support an NHA.

This book is great fun. Dip in anywhere to learn about the different areas and how they have shaped the country with friendly, informative writing. Then start to plan some trips! A map of where the NHAs are located ensures you can find one just about anywhere you go. Each NHA then has its own entry, with an overview, descriptions of a few of the attractions there, and websites for further information. Photos enhance the text and give you a taste of what you may find. With this lovely travel guide, you'll be eager to start exploring everywhere you go!", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2022", "date_added": "26-May-2022 20:24:42", "publisher": "Globe Pequot", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132103", "title": "The Ominous Ocean: Rogue Waves, Rip Currents and Other Dangers Along the Shoreline and in the Sea", "author": "Gary Griggs ", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 198, "review": "That great blue sea looks so inviting, but like so many lures, this vast ocean holds many dangers for the human seafarer as well as for those engaged in water sports. Engagingly detailed, University of California professor of earth and planetary sciences, Gary Griggs, has assembled a medley of stories and scientific accounts dramatically describing the perils that this marine milieu poses. Having already once been rescued being towed out to sea by a rip current, I am aware of this seductive challenge and gasp at other potential ways to drown at the beach. Surfing, scuba diving, and free diving are challenging and appealing endeavors, but these activities have their inherent risks. Denizens of the sea, such as sting rays, lionfish, sharks, venomous reptiles, and many others, may use their weapons in self-defense if encountered. But even more, threatening are the rogue waves that can submerge and even tear ships apart, or think about underseas earthquakes and the tsunamis these produce, destroying coastal life. Learn that the Bermuda Triangle is nothing but a mythic mystery. Illustrated with photos supporting the absorbing text, the story of this menacing ocean is an absorbing and educational review of this powerful ocean.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2022", "date_added": "26-May-2022 20:23:07", "publisher": "Sheridan House", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132091", "title": "The King's Shadow", "author": "Edmund Richardson", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 199, "review": "James Lewis knew there were consequences for desertion, including execution. However, life in the army of the East India Company held little appeal. He walked off as James Lewis and re-emerged as Charles Masson. Masson struggled to make his way eastward, being robbed of money and clothing, among other hardships. On the verge of death, he is saved by the random kindness of strangers. At full strength, Masson is capable of disguising his identity, posing as a healer or as an intrepid explorer. Once in Afghanistan, he is determined to excavate the lost city that belonged to the empire of Alexander the Great. Masson unearths tantalizing tidbits here and there, but nothing definitive. His reputation precedes him, and shortly thereafter, he is under the thumb of men with more sinister motives.

The King\u2019s Shadow shines as a real-life action-adventure saga where the subject is a man without a country. His successes are not nearly as long as his troubles, and Lewis\u2019 motives can easily be second-guessed. Edmund Richardson has written a beguiling biography of the cryptic individual born James Lewis but remembered as Charles Masson. An incisive biography with a view toward the global-political struggle looming in the century ahead.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "27-Jul-2022", "date_added": "26-May-2022 19:26:05", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132087", "title": "Killer Story", "author": "Matt Witten", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 214, "review": "As a lover of mysteries and crime podcasts, I was excited to pick up a copy of Killer Story by Matt Witten. Petra, a journalism major, picks up fourteen-year-old Olivia for UCLA's journalism boot camp. They quickly become close like sisters. Olivia gets accepted to Harvard and starts her own YouTube channel. Petra is shocked because Olivia shares her very conservative views including those about immigrants. Olivia is then found dead in her dorm room, killed by a lamp.

The police do not solve Olivia's homicide, but a few years later, Petra, a struggling journalist who has gotten fired many times decides to try and find Olivia's killer. It is easy to see that Petra is extremely desperate and although she claims that she really loved Olivia, it is obvious that she is only doing it to save her job at the Boston Curion. Her boss has given her two weeks to come up with a story and podcast otherwise she's fired.

Although I loved the story, Petra made almost every person in the book a suspect whether she had real evidence or not. It seemed like she was recklessly ruining lives on her podcast just to get hits. Overall, the story was a really good one but the main character was pretty weak and scattered.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "16-Jun-2023", "date_added": "26-May-2022 19:24:05", "publisher": "Oceanview Pub", "page_count": "354 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011132083", "title": "The Gravedigger's Song (Tom Killgannon Series, Book 3)", "author": "Martyn Waites", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 192, "review": "The massacre in Cornwall of young Simon West\u2019s family was brutal\u2026 and bizarre, with the murderers dressed up in puppet costumes. Having barely escaped, a traumatized Simon is placed in the care of Tom Killgannon, an ex-undercover police officer. When Tom\u2019s house is targeted, he decides to take action, beginning with the man whom Simon\u2019s father, a lawyer, sent to jail.

Meanwhile, local elections are on the horizon. A right-wing party composed of thugs hiding behind a veneer of intellectual respectability wants to take England back to the glorious days of a \u201cpurer\u201d age. The nearby village of St Petroc has its own shadowy history\u2014the so-called \u201cupheaval\u201d when hysteria over Brexit gripped villagers and almost led to blood sacrifices. And then an enigmatic woman, an artist, arrives in St Petroc.

A strong dose of mystery, then, but also mayhem. The barbaric behavior of the story\u2019s villains will shock (and stretch credulity), and animal lovers will want to skip the gratuitous violence in the dog-fighting scenes. Seasoned readers will likely spot how the plot\u2019s various strands will play out, but even so, The Gravedigger\u2019s Song delivers a thrilling ride and an action-packed ending.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2022", "date_added": "26-May-2022 19:21:50", "publisher": "Black Stone Publishing", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011132071", "title": "Sinister Graves (A Cash Blackbear Mystery Book 3)", "author": "Marcie R. Rendon ", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "Cash Blackbear has been helping Sheriff Wheaton, who is her guardian, to solve some cases. Cash has dreams that sometimes help her understand things others don\u2019t. The spring floods have been bad in the area around Fargo, and a young Native-American woman\u2019s body has washed up. She has a page torn from a hymnal in both English and Ojibwe in her bra, but no ID. Wheaton asks Cash to find out who she is. When Cash goes to the small towns in the area, she comes across a little church that has a scary presence and sinister preacher. Cash is warned away from the church, but she feels it is there she will find answers she needs.

Marcie. R. Rendon has written a gripping mystery with enough fascinating characters and chilling problems to keep readers up reading until all hours. Cash is a great character with all the foibles one might expect with one so young and overly confident. The other characters populating her life and a setting that nearly becomes another character will make readers anxious for the next book in this series. Great writing, snappy dialogue, and a very compelling story make this a must-read for mystery fans.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2023", "date_added": "26-May-2022 19:15:44", "publisher": "Soho Crime", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132067", "title": "Happy-Go-Lucky", "author": "David Sedaris", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "c", "word_count": 193, "review": "David Sedaris\u2019s newest collection of essays reaches back to his childhood, through his adulthood with his sisters and parents, and into the present, his mother long dead and his father still holding on, the pandemic wreaking havoc on every corner of life. The essays are darkly humorous\u2014Sedaris never shies away from the absurdities that accompany life\u2019s most arduous moments\u2014but there\u2019s a great deal of wisdom and stark, unsparing emotion here too. Sedaris grieves over his father\u2019s eventual death; dissects and analyzes his sister Tiffany\u2019s suicide; reflects on family vacations that he views with new clarity. Who\u2019s to say each vacation, each interaction with his father and sisters, isn\u2019t the last?

There are struggles in Happy-Go-Lucky, both personal and societal. The beach house Sedaris and his longtime partner, Hugh, purchase in North Carolina is badly damaged in a hurricane; the pandemic renders Sedaris\u2019s book tour a theater of the absurd; he attempts to come to terms with the reality of watching his sisters grow old. The throughline is a deep commitment to family, who are both his material and his life. Each of Sedaris\u2019s collections grows more poignant as goodbyes shrink his family circle.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2022", "date_added": "26-May-2022 18:58:01", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132063", "title": "The Sacred Bridge: A Novel (A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel, 7) ", "author": "Anne Hillerman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Jim Chee is vacationing in Antelope Canyon, hoping to find a sacred cave his mentor, Joe Leaphorn, told him about. But Chee discovers a dead body in Lake Powell, and the local police need him to stick around for a couple days and help with the investigation since he speaks Navajo. Discovering the killer puts Chee in real jeopardy. Meanwhile, back home in Shiprock, Chee\u2019s wife Bernadette Manuelito witnesses a deliberate hit-and-run death, and she is given an undercover assignment to go into a hemp farm on native land to try to get information that will bring the killer to justice. The danger she faces is great and even puts her mother and sister at risk.

Anne Hillerman has carried on the franchise of Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee mysteries started by her father, Tony Hillerman, with great aplomb and a deft writing style. The Southwest setting and the weaving in of Navajo culture are always a treat for readers. The characters are genuine, the story is compelling and complex, and the writing is gorgeous. This is the sixth book in Anne Hillerman\u2019s series, but it reads well as a stand-alone story. Mystery lovers will love this one.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "04-Jul-2022", "date_added": "26-May-2022 18:55:51", "publisher": "Harper", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011132059", "title": "Search: A Novel", "author": "Michelle Huneven", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 193, "review": "Dana is a food writer looking for her next book idea. When an elder in her Unitarian Universalist Church suggests she join the committee in charge of selecting a candidate to replace the departing minister, Dana is initially hesitant because of the time commitment, but then realizes that her next book idea just fell into her lap. Besides her creative instinct, Dana genuinely hopes to find a minister who is a perfect fit for the congregation, ideally a social-justice-minded middle-aged woman with a wealth of wisdom and experience. The other committee members have their own wish list, however, and it doesn\u2019t take long before committee meetings offer drama to rival any novel.

A church\u2019s search for a minister is small-scale drama, to be sure, but Huneven gives the committee members depth enough to carry them through their months-long engagement. She teases out the humor inherent in the members\u2019 charged interactions, but never suggests that the passion they feel about their task is silly or misplaced. Even Dana, who starts the search with a kind of artistic distance, finds she truly cares about the outcome. And, thanks to Huneven\u2019s assured storytelling, so do we.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2022", "date_added": "26-May-2022 18:52:59", "publisher": "Penguin Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011132055", "title": "A Spot of New ", "author": "P Anastasia", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 197, "review": "A Spot of New is the story of a baby horse- brand new with sparkling white fur. The voice in the book is talking to the baby horse and telling it things that it doesn't know yet about life and what to expect and work toward. There is a big world full of things for the horse to experience, but it needs to know the right way to experience it all. The horse learns about friendship by befriending a mouse, and each new thing that they do together earns the horse a \"spot\" on itself until it is covered in spots that represent the new adventures and risks the horse took in its life until it is hard to recognize. The horse grows up and learns how to pass on its knowledge to the next brand-new horse with sparkling white fur.

I like how the story is about being brave and not being afraid of new happenings. I like the colors throughout the story with each new \"spot,\" and how much happier the horse appears as the story goes on. This story would be good for kids of any age because it teaches important lessons in life.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "24-Nov-2022", "date_added": "26-May-2022 18:42:05", "publisher": "Jackal Moon", "page_count": "38 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011132035", "title": "Grave Things Like Love", "author": "Sara Bennett Wealer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 200, "review": "Funeral Girl. That\u2019s what they call Elaine because she lives and works in a funeral home that her family has owned for generations. She enjoys hanging out with friends and watching Dragonfly with Miles, but the family obligation causes her to bail on plans often. When Xander arrives in town, Elaine feels a spark. Xander is passionate about paranormal investigations, and would love access to Elaine\u2019s old family home. Pressured by her friends to be present, her father to continue in the family business, and Xander to ghost hunt against her family\u2019s wishes, she doesn\u2019t know where to turn or how to speak up without hurting those she loves.

The thrill of first love, the stress of college and career, and the wonder of the unknown all play parts in this typical teenage story, though not enough to call this a love story or a paranormal story. It is more a slice of life story with a side of ghosts and romance. It\u2019s a story that could use more meat but works well enough as an appetizer with a little bit of everything - love triangle, ghosts, a comic con, friend drama - to interest anyone looking for a quick read.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2022", "date_added": "25-May-2022 15:56:30", "publisher": "Delacorte Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011132015", "title": "How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race: Practical Tools for Necessary Change in the Workplace and Beyond ", "author": "Kwame Christian", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 209, "review": "Every workplace interaction can be perceived as cross-cultural negotiation: requiring communication and conflict resolution skills for effective communication. Kwame Christian\u2019s How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race offers practical tips for professionals to navigate contentious and uncomfortable discussions about race and the impacts of racism at work. He notes that creating positive change must be modeled by leaders, who are often reluctant to talk about issues concerning race. Working on systemic change, one must be ready to face skepticism, criticism, and resistance. A leading expert in negotiation in business and legal settings, Christian brings best practices in persuasive communication to advance diversity and inclusion efforts in the workplace.

Christian\u2019s perspective on successful negotiation is anchored in psychology, communication studies, and conflict resolution. I read the book from my vantage point as a seasoned diversity practitioner. It was refreshing to approach emotionally charged racial equity discussions from a negotiation expert\u2019s perspective. The author offers examples of real-world scenarios that touch on employee relations, and operational and management concerns. Christian has an extensive background in leadership development, and this is reflected in the way the book is written: straightforward, pragmatic, and outcome-oriented. The wealth of strategies included in the book apply to various contexts and are essential in conversations about race.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2022", "date_added": "25-May-2022 15:47:19", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011131003", "title": "After the Silence", "author": "David Loschke", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 409, "review": "The year is 2052, and aliens have just come to Earth.

Actually, the aliens don't reach Earth until significantly far into the book. After the Silence is not a fast-paced science fiction novel, nor even one with a strong emphasis on plot. It is, rather, a science fiction book that falls heavily on the science side. There are long paragraphs of scientific explanations and philosophical musings throughout. While they are interesting, I felt they took away from the book as a work of fiction.

The above sentence could summarize my feelings about the book as a whole. Loschke has devised an intriguing premise, but for the first several chapters, he doesn\u2019t do much with it beyond give his characters things to speculate about. Their speculation is interesting\u2014Who are the aliens? What do they want? What brought them to Earth?\u2014but before long it feels long-winded. The aliens, too, are long-winded in their explanations of who and what they are, and what their purpose is in coming to Earth. From aliens, it could make sense, but combined with the lengthy exposition from the humans and in the narration, at times it makes the book a slog. It doesn\u2019t help that there is little to no description. The book as a whole is very cerebral. While that is not at all a bad thing, it does mean it will appeal more to one part of the science fiction audience than the other.

I should say now that I tend to fall more on the \u201cother\u201d side of the science fiction audience. While I don\u2019t want it to be all wormholes and blasters, I do think that a novel is best served by embracing some elements of story-telling. In this case, Loschke didn\u2019t entirely avoid traditional elements; he included them half-heartedly. Every now and then, some suspense is introduced, but it never quite plays out. In most cases, it\u2019s overwhelmed by another round of philosophizing. Once, it\u2019s abandoned before it has a chance to affect the story much.

As far as I can tell, the science in this novel is sound, although a few minor questions arose that distracted me from the narrative. For readers who are looking for that over a gripping storyline, After the Silence may be just the book they\u2019re looking for. However, I suspect those with a more general interest in science fiction will find the book dull. My overall response was that I was impressed but ultimately uninterested.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-May-2022 21:38:59", "publisher": "Ad Longe Publishing", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011130031", "title": "What Remains of Love", "author": "Suzanne Trauth", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 100, "review": "\u201cA wartime love affair between a young French girl and American soldier in the 1940s. The daughter of this American soldier who finds out about her father\u2019s long lost love after his passing. Secrets uncovered in an old diary and mementos of precious time spent. What Remains of Love is beautifully written in both past and present tense with descriptions of France in the 1940s and the effect the war had. Heartbreaking, eyeopening, and unputdownable, readers will cherish the words on each page as they follow the story through the eyes of Emelie and Kate.\u201d \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-May-2022 19:35:05", "publisher": "Willow River Press", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011130027", "title": "Cobblestones, Conversations, and Corks: A Son's Discovery of His Italian Heritage", "author": "Giovanni Ruscitti", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "David Keenan", "word_count": 452, "review": "Thomas Wolfe\u2019s famous adage states that you can never go home again; however, in Cobblestones, Conversations, and Corks, Giovanni Ruscitti demonstrates otherwise. Ruscitti is a first-generation Italian American and nationally recognized attorney, arbitrator, and mediator who has put aside his legal briefs to produce an engaging, delightful, and sometimes melancholy memoir of his search for his Italian roots. The book is multifaceted, at times a biography of his father, a history of a small town in central Italy, and an examination of the Italian immigrant experience during the post-war era. It is also an examination of Italian village culture in the Abruzzo region of Italy, and it is useful as a departure point for a traveler desiring an off-the-beaten-track experience in Italy.

The narrative starts with Ruscitti\u2019s 2016 trip to his parents\u2019 hometown of Cansano, Italy. It is on this trip that he learns about his parents\u2019 Italian roots, meets his Italian relatives, and comes face to face with his family\u2019s past. Ruscitti, as a son of Italian immigrants living in a close-knit Italian American community, grew up in world formed by Italian customs, but he never explored, as he writes, the \u201cfabric out of which my parents\u2019 lives were woven, as well as the colorful threads out of which they spun the tapestry of our lives.\u201d The four-day trip is the center of the narrative, and the author presents the formative experiences of his life and how his relationship with his father grew and changed over the years. This intimate memoir unfolds as Ruscitti reveals his father\u2019s life experiences in America and Italy.

Cobblestones, Conversations, and Corks is apropos as a title, as Ruscitti treads the cobblestone streets of his father\u2019s past and engages in lengthy conversations with relatives while the Italian red wine flows. One of the saddest subjects is the recitation of the village of Cansano\u2019s experience in World War II. Cansano had the misfortune to be part of the Gustav Line, which was a Nazi defensive position in central Italy anchored by the famous Monte Cassino monastery. Cansano\u2019s population underwent devastating deprivations during the war and it never fully recovered as a village.

The book is a slim volume of forty-one chapters packed into a little over two hundred pages. At times, the thread of the narrative gets sidetracked by excessive flashbacks as the reader is continually sent back in time, only to be thrust forward again a few pages later. A more moderate use of flashbacks would have improved the flow. However, this is a minor distraction in an otherwise excellent book. At the end of the day, Ruscitti proves that not only can you go home again, you can also go home for the first time.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "06-Jul-2022", "date_added": "30-May-2022 19:26:48", "publisher": "Radius Book Group", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011130023", "title": "But Still, Music", "author": "Anne Pitkin", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 444, "review": "But Still, Music by Anne Pitkin truly is a beautiful poetry collection. Rich in imagery, emotion, and passion, these poems are exceptionally composed.

The collection is divided into two sections, both of which focus on different parts on Pitkin\u2019s life. The first section refers to Pitkin\u2019s life in the segregated south. Growing up middleclass in the Jim Crow era, her family, like many at the time, had employed African American maids to help clean the house and take care of the children.

One of my favorite poems in this section was titled \u201cSouthern,\u201d where Pitkin talks about Elsie, their maid. Pitkin writes that Elsie took her on the bus, but didn\u2019t sit with her. Elsie ate in the kitchen with the yard man, instead of at the dinner table with their family. Pitkin says that when she injured herself barefoot in their yard, she didn\u2019t need money, food, soap, or running water; she had Elsie, who soothed her sores and provided for her needs. This poem highlights the childlike innocence of Pitkin, completely unaware of Elsie\u2019s struggles and situation, but still full of love for her dear maid who always took care of her.

Another poem I particularly liked in this collection was titled \u201cThe First Home,\u201d a dedication to Pitkin\u2019s childhood friend, Michael. Full of sorrow and nostalgia, she recalls the best friend of her childhood with wonder. Inseparable in youth, Pitkin recalls their days together quarreling, playing, and climbing trees. Unfortunately, she has lost touch with Michael besides a drunken phone call saying \u201cI love you\u201d years ago. I loved this poem, not only because it was beautifully written, but also because it made me think of my own childhood friends and memories. Overflowing with imagery and emotion in every verse, this poem stood out to me as I deeply felt Pitkin\u2019s grief and love for Michael.

Finally, \u201cAfterlife\u201d was another poem that I loved from this book. Told from Botswana in the Okavango Delta, Pitkin recalls a trip she took with a friend. Both recently divorced, they went to Botswana on their savings to see all the country has to offer. Their guide on a sort of riverboat tour tells them if they fall out the boat they will be eaten by crocodiles, which thrills them both even more. I loved this poem because the imagery of the animals and scenery was pristine. I felt transported to the banks of the Okavango Delta myself, alongside Pitkin and her friend, gazing into the water.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and all its tales. For all readers who enjoy poetry, especially poetry full of nature and sorrow, I would recommend this book.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "20-Sep-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 22:59:00", "publisher": "Pleasure Boat Studio", "page_count": "74 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011130019", "title": "Making the Rounds: Defying Norms in Love and Medicine", "author": "Patricia Grayhall", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 497, "review": "Making the Rounds is the fascinating memoir by Patricia Grayhall (pen name) which gives readers a glimpse into the complicated life of a female doctor in the 1960s and 1970s while becoming comfortable in her own skin as a lesbian. Grayhall does a wonderful job of starting from the beginning and leading her readers through her life, not leaving anything out, no matter how embarrassing or self-deprecating.

The book begins with a young Patricia who is about fourteen or fifteen years old. Her playmates were often male and she loved to dress in jeans rather than the dresses her mother would have preferred. Patricia knew she had an interest in girls but didn't know any other female who had this interest. She started to think she was the only lesbian in Arizona. Reading about how Patricia was able to find education about gays and lesbians at such a young age was impressive. She called a lesbian organization in San Francisco to obtain their magazine via mail. Patricia goes on to have a heterosexual relationship but knows deep down that she loves women. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was very brave of her to admit this, although she was careful to who she admitted it.

On top of everything, Patricia attends Arizona State University and decides to pursue a career in internal medicine. However, she also starts frequenting San Francisco because there are many opportunities to find other lesbians. The book is written in such a way that the reader follows Patricia through her relationships with several women in a polyamorous fashion as well as through the hospital doors as she experiences sexism in the male-dominated medical field. I loved how she told stories about some of the patients she had during her time as an intern/resident. While I was reading this book, however, sometimes I felt as if I was reading about two different women; the professional Patricia who studied hard and knew her stuff at work, and the Patricia who was discovering and learning more about her own sexuality via a series of relationships. I wondered how she was able to concentrate on her studies when it seemed like all she could think about was the women in her life.

The people Patricia met throughout this time in her life were so interesting and different from one another. I especially liked her roommate David who put up with Patricia's emotional ups and downs and her lack of housekeeping. This sounds like a true friend to me. From the people whom she meets, Patricia grows and learns more about herself and her likes and dislikes.

Making the Rounds is a wonderful book that flows from page to page keeping its readers engaged in Patricia's story and wanting to know where it would go next. Inspiring, heartfelt, and brutally honest at times, this is a book that will give women and those who care about them, the strength and motivation to persevere through the trials and tribulations in life.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "29-Jun-2022", "date_added": "27-May-2022 22:53:00", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011130015", "title": "Making the Rounds: Defying Norms in Love and Medicine", "author": "Patricia Grayhall", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 59, "review": "\"Fascinating and brutally real, Grayhall tells her story as a doctor and lesbian who has carved a path for today's females with strength and courage. Well-written with words that float right off the page, readers will find themselves deeply engaged in this true story of love, life struggles, and the feeling of success .\" --Kristi Elizabeth, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-May-2022 22:47:53", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011130011", "title": "Public Opinion", "author": "Nathan Pettijohn", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rod Raglin", "word_count": 402, "review": "You\u2019re super-rich and someone has canceled you on social media, denigrated you in an article, or, worst of all, hacked your computer, and unless you pay them all your dirty, illegal secrets are going to be exposed. What do you do? You call Melvin Ritkin.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Melvin\u2019s a consultant and works mainly with publicists. But according to Melvin himself, he\u2019s \u201ca dirty, slimy opportunist: a grifter and a liar, a catfish and a cyber bully. I enable deep fakes, spread vicious rumors, and sling bullshit far and wide on the almighty internet for whoever pays me the most.\u201d

In digital strategy and crisis management he\u2019s categorized as a \u201cwhatever needs to happen to get the job done type of consultant\u2013a fixer.\u201d

Melvin mostly works for Titus, a \u201cthirty-two-year-old narcissist worth over $400 million...A man born into money and privilege who became a movie star\u201d and his sycophants. His latest assignment is to manipulate positive reviews for a movie that\u2019s about to be released that Titus has directed and financed with his cohorts. Using a combination of bribery and blackmail Melvin manages to coerce eleven out of twelve, but when the last reviewer threatens to expose his illegal acts, Melvin and his associate murder him and make it look like an accident.

Titus thinks it\u2019s unfortunate but since it appears the crime will go undetected he gives Melvin another assignment \u2013 manipulate the vote for the Oscars.

That\u2019s when Melvin\u2019s porn star wife, Ruby, and mother of their baby daughter discovers her husband\u2019s secret retirement/insurance stash \u2013 incriminating digital files he could use to blackmail his previous clients. Those files also reveal the kind of work he does and the havoc he\u2019s wreaked on their behalf. Ruby\u2019s shocked and appalled at \u201cthe monster\u201d her husband truly is and leaves with the kid and the evidence.

Now Melvin\u2019s the one whose life can be destroyed if Ruby decides to take this evidence to the authorities. If she does, will all his tech-savvy and nefarious social media skills keep him from spending the rest of his life in prison?

In Public Opinion, author Nathan Pettijohn tells you everything you want to know and more about what\u2019s fake, fraudulent and just distasteful on the internet as well as how reputations can be destroyed, created or rehabilitated. This intriguing novel, ringing with authenticity, will have you reconsidering your digital footprint as it reveals just how vulnerable we all are.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "06-Jul-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 23:43:46", "publisher": "Cordurouy Books", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011130007", "title": "Eventually, They All Fall", "author": "Jenna Marcus", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 434, "review": "Never have I read such a wonderful book with so many fantastic themes and characters. Domino Garrison is fifteen-years-old but very wise beyond his years. This is due in part to the fact that his dad left when he was a young boy and he has been raised by a single mother who is also a heroin addict. As a child, Domino learns that he is able to see other people's fantasies as they imagine them. At first, Domino just thinks he has a vivid imagination. He learns differently the day he meets his future best friend Griffin at the park when they are five years old. Griffin is obsessed with rabbits and imagines all different rabbits. This scares Domino for a minute and he asks Griffin what is up with all the rabbits? Griffin, in shock, replies, \"You can see them too?\". This is how Domino learns that he has a special ability.

This book takes its readers on an exciting adventure to solve problems that seem to get worse and worse. First, Domino and his friend Lucy are on a date at the zoo and a tiger gets loose. He thinks it's just himself seeing someone's fantasy until he realizes everyone is running and that the escaped tiger is real. From there, problems escalate and include black acidic sludge on the ground and frogs raining from the sky. It is up to Domino and his friends to figure out why this is happening. Along the way, Domino learns to develop his special power and learns there is more to it. Is there someone who is creating these disasters and if so, why?

Readers of all ages will love this story. The imagination is an endless pit of wonders and readers will love scenes such as the flying dragon-sometimes Pegasus named Hermon the Third with purple fangs and the invisibility cloaks. This book reminded me of a cross between Harry Potter and Stranger Things because the main characters were all kids who go on danger-filled adventures. There are some serious themes in this book, however, and the author does an amazing job of weaving them into the storyline. Themes such as drug abuse, single parenthood, children raising themselves, and the importance of good friends who will stick by your side no matter what all come into play in this fairytale of a story. Domino also displays perserverance and bravery as he tries to save the Earth from the mysteries happenings. Packed with action and adventure, Eventually, They All Fall is a book that anyone can enjoy from young adult to adult. Magical, fun, and exciting!", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "13-Jul-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 23:32:44", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011130003", "title": "Steve the Bee and Little Frankie Talk Behavior and Feelings", "author": "Michael A Brown", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 81, "review": "\"Parents and children will love the colorful drawings in Steve the Bee and Little Frankie Talk Behavior and Feelings. Follow Steve the Bee as he teaches parents to listen to what their children are trying to tell them instead of using physical punishment. Little Frankie will teach children to think about how they feel before doing an action. Two wonderful stories in one that will help make the world a better and safer place for all!\" --Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-May-2022 21:21:53", "publisher": "MABMA Enterprises, LLC", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011129223", "title": "East of Troost: A Novel", "author": "Ellen Barker", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 423, "review": "Can you truly buy back the past? The narrator in East of Troost is recovering from two traumatic events: the slow death of her husband and a conflagration that torched her home in California. She has decided to seek stability in the familiar and so purchases her childhood home in Kansas City. The idea is promising; however, the house is a fixer-upper. Repairs need to be made to various rooms in the house, furnishings are sparse, and much work needs to be done to render it a home. Funds are available, but not limitless.

The neighborhood was changing before her move. The location of a freeway that cuts through her community led to an exodus of familiar faces, her parents eventually joining the majority who fled. Many familiar businesses are gone, and navigating her way around seeking food and supplies has become angst-ridden chores. A successful discovery of a hardware store or dollar store is cause for celebration. The \u201cto-do\u201d list changes daily. However, a break-in by a previous owner puts her on edge. Is she truly safe when it's just her and her dog in the house? Was her sense of safety removed with her previous losses?

Rebuilding her life was never a small task, yet she is resolute in her desire to reclaim her childhood home. Every day brings with it another step in that direction, along with the occasional challenge. She must manage to renovate the house while telecommuting to work. The changing of the seasons provides new tests as well, from food growing to laundry to storm windows. Comfort is provided by various neighbors who look out for the narrator and each other. Is it possible for her to renew her life at this stage and in this place?

East of Troost proves that sometimes you can go home again. Author Ellen Barker has written an emotionally charged drama where thoughts of nostalgia compete with the predicaments of the present in the protagonist\u2019s quest to settle down in a familiar environment. The task of starting anew is daunting, even more so when alone and coping with emotional stress. The emotional upheaval caused by her immeasurable losses is conveyed with sympathy. Her desire to put her best foot forward is admirable. The delicate topic of racism is featured throughout the narrative, and the sins of the past with respect to the racist practices of realtors and urban developers are highlighted.

It is an inspiring book that will make many a reader think about life and how we treat our neighbors.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 22:34:24", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "256 press", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011129219", "title": "Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun", "author": "Tol\u00e1 Okogwu ", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 11", "word_count": 177, "review": "Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun is an amazing book. It starts off with a young girl named Onyeka. She and her mom moved to America from Nigeria when they found out that her father had gone missing. Now she only has one friend, who is named Cheyenne. Onyeka has always been the weird one out because of her hair, but Cheyenne is good to her anyway.

When her friend Cheyenne starts drowning in the pool, Onyeka naturally goes to save her only friend. As she drags Cheyyenne to the surface, she starts drowning, until her hair magically forms a protective bubble around her! When Onyeka confronts her mom about what happened, she discovers a deep secret about herself and her father.

Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun was super interesting. While it is not quite for my particular age group or grade level, it would be great for children ages six to ten years old. Onyeka is truly Black girl magic! Buy the book and discover the dark secret about Onyeka and her father.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "12-Jul-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 22:32:36", "publisher": "Margaret K. McElderry Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011129215", "title": "Attribution: A Novel ", "author": "Linda Moore", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 199, "review": "Cate Adamson despairs she\u2019ll ever convince her misogynistic supervisor that her dissertation proposal in art history meets the standards of New York University. Dismissing her latest effort, the mean-spirited professor dispatches her to inventory the contents of a little-used basement. There she discovers an old painting in a chest. A long-lost seventeenth century masterpiece by Vel\u00e1zquez? Perhaps. Cate doesn\u2019t know, but she intends to find out.

With the painting rolled up in a cardboard tube, she miraculously sneaks it out of the university, boards a plane, and flies to Spain to have it authenticated. The plot, part romance, part treasure hunt, turns on a chance encounter. Traveling by train to Seville, Cate meets an impoverished Spanish aristocrat who soon becomes her love interest and whose crumbling family home in Olivares just happens to house historical records and artifacts dating to the time of Vel\u00e1zquez.

Improbable to be sure, but thereafter Attribution delivers an exciting journey of exploration and discovery that builds to a tense press conference at which Cate reveals the painting\u2019s extraordinary history and the identity of the artist. Filled with exciting findings and daunting setbacks as well as numerous fascinating art references, Attribution is an enthralling read.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 22:30:45", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011129211", "title": "Grounded for All Eternity", "author": "Darcy Marks", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 13", "word_count": 197, "review": "Mal, Lilith, Aleister, and Crowley are just your average teenagers. Except they have wings, and they live in Hell. Mal and the gang are pumped for school vacation, which is practically canceled the second a soul escapes from the Pit, where the worst dead are imprisoned.

Unable to resist the promise of adventure, the kids sneak out. While goofing around in the woods near a tear in the veil, they accidentally fall through into a town called Salem, and unbeknownst to them, they bring the spirit with them. When chaotic things start happening in Salem, Mal and his friends have to trap the escapee and save the people of Earth before the veil closes\u2026 and they can\u2019t go home.

This was a very interesting story! While being entertaining and fun, it also had a more serious side with some deeper elements, even though it still maintained its overall light-hearted manner. The characters were all unique and well-developed, with witty dialogue and realistic personalities. Their adventures were humorous, with plenty of nods to well-known myths and stories.

I loved Mal and the gang, and I would recommend their story to anyone who loves dark, interesting, and witty adventures.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "15-Aug-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 22:28:57", "publisher": "Aladdin", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011129207", "title": "Toxic Effects (Memory Thieves Series, Book 2) (Memory Thieves, 2)", "author": "Joel Shulkin ", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 180, "review": "Cristina and Wilson are back in Toxic Effects. Cristina is still trying to come to terms with who she really is after the events in Adverse Effects. Wilson is working on a case involving teens who are losing their memories and then turning up dead. Cristina discovers that someone is killing everyone who had any connection to her previous employer. As she turns to Wilson, they realize their problems might be connected. They will have to work together again to stop an assassin and a killer, as well as come to terms with their new reality.

I\u2019m not sure if it\u2019s ironic, but I could not remember the plot of the first book very well. I would highly recommend reading these back-to-back to keep all the details straight. From what I could remember, this story was just as action-packed as the first one, and while it is a medical thriller, it\u2019s more along the lines of assassins and espionage. If you enjoyed the first one or enjoy medical/spy thrillers, then you should definitely add this series to your reading list.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "22-Dec-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 22:27:07", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011129203", "title": "Enough: A Memoir of Mistakes, Mania, and Motherhood", "author": "Amelia Zachry", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 420, "review": "Amazing Ladies Roundup\n\nThese memoirs, written straight from the heart, are brilliant, candid, and wonderful. With a dazzling cast of female authors, these books will have readers laughing, crying, rejoicing, and understanding the true meaning of love.\n\nI'll Try Anything Once\nPrue Leith\nMobius\n9781529426083\n\nDame Prue Leith, judge of the hit show Great British Bake Off, tells her story in this incredible memoir. From her childhood in South Africa to coming to London and owning her own restaurant to becoming published and ultimately getting her position as a judge on Great British Bake Off, Prue's story will inspire readers from cover to cover. \n\nEnough: A Memoir of Mistakes, Mania, and Motherhood\nAmelia Zachry\nShe Writes Press\n9781647422912\n\nEnough is one woman\u2019s story about abuse, trauma, mental illness, and healing. Amelia Zachry chronicles her journey in this memoir as a young woman who lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia who moved to Kentucky. After a traumatic experience, she spirals into a black hole of darkness and after being diagnosed with PTSD and bipolar II disorder, she tells her readers how her experiences shaped her adult life. This bravely written memoir will evoke strong emotions in readers everywhere.\n\nFind a Place for Me\nDeirdre Fagan\nRegal House Publishing\n9781646032839\n\nA beautifully written memoir about Deidre Fagan\u2019s last days with her husband Bob, Find a Place for Me tells the story of a happy marriage in which both partners must learn to say goodbye. Fagan paints a portrait of what it feels like to lose your best friend in life. Honest, intimate, and heartbreaking, this is a memoir that will stay with its readers.\n\nSit, Stay, Heal\nRenee Alsarraf\nHarperCollins\n9780063215221\n\nA heartwarming book about how our furry four-legged friends are so much more than just pets. Dr. Renee Alsarraf is a veterinary oncologist who tells stories about some of the wonderful dogs she treats. Then, one day, Renee herself gets a cancer diagnosis. A book that dog lovers everywhere will love that shows the wonderful impact of experiencing the unique relationship between canines and humans.\n\nWoodrow on the Bench\nJenna Blum\nHarperCollins\n9780063113190\n\nJenna Blum pays tribute to her black lab, Woodrow, in this beautiful memoir about the time Jenna spends with him in his last six months. An inseparable bond from the beginning, the two learn so much from one another and both experience what it really means to love. With stories that will make readers laugh and cry, Woodrow on the Bench is a wonderful gift to dog lovers everywhere.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-May-2022 22:25:11", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011129191", "title": "The Clackity", "author": "Lora Senf", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 11", "word_count": 191, "review": "After losing her parents in a devastating accident when she was younger, Evie moved to Blight Harbor to live with her Aunt Desdemona, who deals with the paranormal going-ons in the town. One night when Desdemona goes to the abandoned slaughterhouse near the edge of town, Evie is intrigued; the slaughterhouse is the one place her aunt forbade her to go. Desdemona has disappeared\u2014 and in her place, a strange and terrifying creature named the Clackity appears. It tells Evie that if she ever wants to see her aunt again, she must enter a shadowy world filled with the things of nightmares and bring back the ghost of a serial killer\u2014 all while she searches for Des. Can Evie save her aunt? Or will she play right into the hands of the Clackity?

I liked this book because it was well imagined and amazingly creepy, with just the right amount of adventure and suspense to pull it all together. I liked Evie as a character, her persistence, and her will to protect her aunt, making this a great read! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a spooky, wildly entertaining ride.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "18-Jul-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 22:18:09", "publisher": "Atheneum Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011129179", "title": "No Perfect Love: Shattering the Illusion of Flawless Relationships ", "author": "Alyson Nerenberg ", "category": "N16 Relationships & Sex", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 205, "review": "I will not say this is perfect (because Dr. Nerenberg teaches that perfection doesn't exist), but I will say that No Perfect Love is pretty darn close! Relationships exist among nearly every living person and present themselves through various people and in multiple ways\u2014family, friends, romantic, platonic, etc.

Dr. Nerenberg wrote No Perfect Loveamid the COVID-19 pandemic, arguably one of the most challenging times to work on maintaining, let alone strengthening, relationships. Dr. Nerenberg is a strong endorser of the twelve-step program commonly used for addiction; her book includes twelve chapters covering every area of a relationship imaginable.

Whether your relationship presents to be \"perfect\" and you have no concerns, or you don't know how you will make it through another day, you have at your fingertips an abundance of information (Dr. Nerenberg provides more than enough research and resources) to maintain or improve not only a relationship with someone else, but more importantly, your relationship with yourself.

The information will not read like a textbook; instead, case studies from clients and much self-disclosure allow the book to read as relational and comforting. Dr. Nerenberg concludes each chapter with two to three exercises/activities to try that focuses on the relationship issue mentioned in the chapter.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "15-Jul-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 22:11:08", "publisher": "Tree of Life Books", "page_count": "191 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011129175", "title": "Endless Forms: The Secret World of Wasps", "author": "Seirian Sumner ", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 195, "review": "Most people don't like wasps. They're aggressive, sting (and hurt!), and ruin your picnics trying to steal a sip of your drink. Right? Well, this book will open your eyes to how varied, fascinating, and wonderful wasps really are. Thousands of species (most of which do not sting!) play an essential role in ecosystems around the world, and many directly benefit humans. Wasps are tragically understudied, but researchers who study wasps invariably fall in love with their exotic behaviors \u2013 which nevertheless eerily echo our own. Author Sumner, who has been studying wasps for two decades, honors these insects with humor and appreciation as she explains their evolution, sociality, and foraging, feeding, and breeding habits. She introduces you to early wasp pioneers, with their unimaginable patience for making exacting observations, who thread their way through the book with their own boundless enthusiasm, and whose work built a solid foundation for her own wasp research. Their stories are entwined with hers and with that of the wasps to create an engrossing narrative that is sure to give you a new appreciation for this amazing creature and maybe create a fondness for them in you, as well.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "01-Aug-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 22:09:19", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011129167", "title": "Monsters Born and Made", "author": "Tanvi Berwah", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 11", "word_count": 193, "review": "Koral Hunter hunts maristags for the Glory Race, an event reserved for the upper-class Landers that rule the island. But when she loses the last maristag of the season and her family falls into even more debt, she is forced to enter the race to pay for her ailing sister's medicine. Even though she's up against competitors who have been training their whole lives, Koral is certain that because she grew up raising the maristags, she just might be able to win. But when someone tries to sabotage her plans to win and it seems that the people whose approval she\u2019s trying to win are working against her, Koral realizes she just might be in over her head\u2026

I liked this book because it was smooth and entertaining, even though it dragged a little at times. It had a good plot and story (similar to The Hunger Games), but I feel that most of the supporting characters weren\u2019t very well developed, and the rebel group, Freedom Ark, was a faceless group without sufficient background. Overall I liked the story though, and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a cool, wild read!", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "15-Sep-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 22:05:23", "publisher": "Source Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011129163", "title": "Mary Had a Little Plan (Volume 2) (Mary Had a Little Glam)", "author": "Tammi Sauer", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 217, "review": "Do you remember the rhyme Mary Had a Little Lamb? This dynamic duo of author and illustrator have updated the poem into a modern tale that is absolutely fantastic. In this second book in the series, Mary sees an abandoned lot in her neighborhood. She decides to take the initiative to bring her neighbors together to create a space they can all be proud of.

The text in this book has the perfect rhythm and rhyme. It brings the book and characters to life. I love the intention of using vocabulary words for the reader and listener to discuss. I loved the hint of another beloved nursery rhyme as well.

The illustrations make this book shine. I love the color pallet that shows a dull-looking lot at the beginning and a bright and beautiful one at the end. My favorite illustration, besides the ending, was when Mary is drawing out her plan in her room. It\u2019s just a fun and exciting scene to me to see the possibilities of what could be. My five-year-old child loved the pictures when the community cleaned up together and when they were planting flowers to make the space pretty.

This book is great for babies to eight. I think everyone could learn something about helping our community to make something better.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "22-Sep-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 21:32:27", "publisher": "Union Square Kids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011129159", "title": "The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster!", "author": "Mo Willems", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 143, "review": "The Pigeon finally gets to do something he has always wanted to do. Pigeon has it all planned out, and he knows it might be scary and he will need to be brave, but he wants to ride that rollercoaster. Pigeon must be patient because we all know there is always a line for rollercoasters, but his patience will pay off, or so he thinks so. It is finally Pigeon's turn, he thinks he is prepared to ride the rollercoaster, but will it be just as he planned? Read this new Mo Willem's Pigeon book to find out!

I really liked that this book is different from all the other Pigeon books. Pigeon finally gets to do something he wants, he usually does not get his way. Illustrations are hilarious as always. Another winner! I can't wait for more Pigeon books in the series.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "15-Sep-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 21:30:11", "publisher": "Union Square Kids ", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011129155", "title": "Stories to Keep You Alive Despite Vampires", "author": "Ben Acker", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Susan Faith - age 15", "word_count": 191, "review": "Ben Acker\u2019s Stories to Keep You Alive Despite Vampires is just that. Warning: If you don\u2019t like vampires, please do not read this book. It starts out with an introduction (behold: quotes like \u201cThat\u2019s right: the sharks here are vampires!\u201d). But here\u2019s the catch: the story goes that you are stuck in a house\u2026 filled with vampires\u2026 and the only way to get out is to tell them scary stories! That\u2019s because vampires absolutely adore scary stories. And then it goes uphill from there: a story about a \u201chitchhiker who was a phantom of a hitchhiker\u201d is a good action story. But I don\u2019t know my \u201cthriller\u201d from my \u201chorror,\" so please bear with me. I love the part in \u201cThicker Than Water\u201d where the narrator shifts to a hissing tone: \u201cThe counssselorsss hadn\u2019t actually killed him at all. He wasss vassssstly overreacting.\u201d Another one of my favorites is \u201cMr. Birdclock,\u201d about the secrets behind the cuckoo clock. There are also interludes in the book, which I absolutely adore. Note: You can\u2019t just tell these stories to vampires. You can tell them anytime on a dark, moonless night to your friends.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "18-Jan-2023", "date_added": "24-May-2022 21:26:42", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011129151", "title": "The Virtuous Ones", "author": "Christopher Stoddard", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 367, "review": "January 2023 Popular Fiction Roundup-New Year, New Book\n\nIs your New Years\u2019 Resolution to read a little more? Have a little more downtime to do things you really enjoy? Here is a great list of new releases in the popular fiction category. So grab yourself a hot cocoa and blanket and settle in for the night.\n\nThe Virtuous Ones\nChristopher Stoddard\nITNA Press\nISBN: 9780997643206\n\nAd agency, Pure Creative, is using their new rap star Markus in an ad campaign that will take the world by storm. There are underlying issues with the staff at Pure Creative that create an unstable environment for all those involved. Will the company\u2019s plan backfire? If you are looking for a book about modern marketing and progressive social values, this is it.\n\nWhen We Were Friends\nHolly Bourne\nMIRA Books\nISBN: 9780778311294\n\nWhen Jessica and Fern reunite after ten years of estrangement, the friends must confront the very thing that destroyed their friendship in the first place. A book that many people may identify with the main characters, When We Were Friends, visits themes of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness.\n\nWe Spread\nIain Reid\nGallery/Scout Press\nISBN: 9781982169350\n\nPenny, an aging artist whose partner has passed away, finds herself in a long-term care residence. As she lives in the residence, she starts thinking about life and purpose. A beautifully written book that will have readers thinking and contemplating their own existence as it relates to the world.\n\nThe Furrows\nNamwali Serpell\nRandom House Publishing Group\nISBN: 9780593448915\n\nCassandra\u2019s little brother, Wayne, is only seven years old when he disappears. This breaks their family apart and leaves Cassandra seeing his face everywhere she goes. One day, she meets someone mysterious named Wayne who is searching for someone. This tale of grief and hope will rub away at your heartstrings.\n\nThe Sacrifice\nRin Chupeco\nSourcebooks\nISBN: 9781728255910\n\nAdd a little adventure to your day with The Sacrifice. The Philippine Island of Kisapmata is known to be haunted by the locals, but when a film company decides to ignore all warning, they find out the hard way that the Dreamer god is not kidding. Sinkholes, mummies, and an island curse awaits readers of The Sacrifice.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-May-2022 21:24:33", "publisher": "ITNA press", "page_count": "222 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011129139", "title": "Alliana, Girl of Dragons", "author": "Julie Abe", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - age 8", "word_count": 164, "review": "Alliana, Girl of Dragons is an interesting, immersive variation on Cinderella. Alliana\u2019s stepmother, sister, and brother mistreat her. The only comfort she receives is from her step-grandmother Mari. But one day, Mari passes away and leaves her to fend for herself. She meets a dragon while hunting for herbs. Soon, she meets a witch who needs help. Can she help the witch and escape her stepfamily once and for all?

I like Alliana, Girl of Dragons a lot, although it did start out slow. I find the plot interesting and think it makes sense. In addition to having a good plot, it can be quite funny. The dragon tends to lighten the mood. I think that this book should belong in every children's library. Kids from seven to twelve who like a combination of Disney-style adventure and fantasy will like Alliana, Girl of Dragons. This book is best read for enjoyment, not schoolwork, but school libraries might buy it for their students to borrow.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "16-Aug-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 21:15:08", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011129007", "title": "Swords & Cell Phones", "author": "Tracy A. Ball", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 194, "review": "Honor and her brother, Jalen, have grown up like most kids until the day they realize that their father, Christif, is from another realm and in hiding. When Jalen turns eighteen, evil beings from other realms become aware of his existence. Trill and Loathel arrive in Universe to help bring Christif to safety, but in the middle of a wizard\u2019s tantrum, their youngest child, Travon, is captured by Maldonus, the one who seeks to punish Christif for past wrongs. The group must travel to another realm to save the child while avoiding arranged marriages, violent enemies, and dying cell phones.

The writing style and word choice denote a read for older audiences, with several uncommon words used that are completely unnecessary. The speech used by the characters to signify their other-world status comes off as clunky. Honor is too independent to fall for the misogynistic customs and control of her father\u2019s world, so her capitulation seems ridiculous, and her cell phone just seems like a statement about teens and technology. Too many repetitions of someone being \u201cso hot\u201d and a blatant information dump allude to a work that lacks creativity. Pass on this one.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "31-Aug-2022", "date_added": "24-May-2022 17:46:32", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "309 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000011128007", "title": "Xuleca Lounge", "author": "Kevin Clifford Burke", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Megan Walvoord", "word_count": 551, "review": "This book is a variety of poems about the emotions of a man both in his journey through joys and grievances in life and some poems that are specifically about his love life with his husband. Below I\u2019m going to talk specifically about several poems I enjoyed.

I enjoyed \"Conflagration\" because it\u2019s a very emotional poem that tells the story of a hero falling, but coming back again. While the ending isn\u2019t the happily ever after that I want. I think it shows that sometimes things in life don\u2019t work out no matter how hard we work to cheer the hero on.

\"Before the Door of Nothingness\" reminds me of what it is like to feel fear and hopelessness. I feel the fear he feels. I\u2019m not sure but it almost seems he\u2019s afraid of the dark or being alone, either one was a big fear of mine as a kid.

In the \"Satori of the Trees\" poem, I love the beautiful descriptions of what the author sees in autumn. I can just picture all the colorful trees. The ending is sad to me as he describes the \u201czenith\u201d of the colors and then the falling of the colors as a loss of the colors akin to a loss of love.

\"Red Trees\" is another beautiful description of the magic of fall. I love the comparison of the sky to the rings of Saturn. I love the description of how the trees suddenly transform from green to yellow, red, and orange. Living among lots of trees I understand how it can be inspiring to a writer.

\"The Rain Poem\" is a spectacular one for how we as humans feel all gloomy and damp inside. Then those thoughts will stay a while until we or someone we love helps push them away. I love the last lines describing the author basking in the prism of the rainbow and then letting his cloud-covered thoughts drift away.

\"Caribbean Colors\" is a lovely description of a vacation with your romantic love. The author does it in a way that shows the fun things done in poem form but it\u2019s written like he\u2019s remembering the special moments. This poem makes me want to take an island vacation.

\"The Song of Fire\" is a special poem written by the author to his husband on their wedding day. It is full of the passion and love he feels. The comparison of love to a fire and being spellbound by love. I can tell this was written and rewritten to be just perfect for the one he loves.

\"Xochimilco\u2019s Waters\" is an inspiring poem. The author writing about opportunities and how we take flight towards them even if we have had issues before. I love the lines:

\u201cSoaring on winged air

Soaring unhindered where

We (are in flight) alight

Beasting our wings

Keeping the dreams from mooring\u2026\u201d

This just motivates me to keep going and work around what gets in the way.

Overall note, that the poetry is well written, and the emotional language is well done. The two things I thought that could be better are some of the poetry, especially towards the beginning was difficult to understand and my second suggestion trimming the length of some of the poems. I think anyone looking for an emotional and descriptive poetry book would be happy with this one.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "07-Jul-2022", "date_added": "22-May-2022 18:38:11", "publisher": "Kevin Clifford Burke", "page_count": "83 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011127039", "title": "Boondocks: An Asian Evil Apocalyptic Thriller", "author": "Jaydeep Shah", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 404, "review": "The people of India are united in fear against a monster of unimaginable proportions. The leviathan feeds off negative thoughts and preys on defenseless citizens. Dali is a witch possessing unprecedented powers, whose only vulnerability is fire. One fateful night, she struck with near impunity, killing and consuming the helpless. The surviving populace fears her return when her hunger will cause her to rise from the depths of the netherworld.

Rahul and Elisa are a young couple in love. They are on a trip to visit Rahul\u2019s home when a destroyed map renders their direct route a moot point. After a period of aimless driving, they arrive at a village named Kendraa. They are greeted by a man named Dansh, a native with an ingratiating way but who triggers alarm bells in Rahul. Dansh has a hidden agenda, as he has been pursuing the path to Dali. Dansh has been warned from reviving the demon of destruction. Dansh has a cruel streak running through him that has branded him as a bully in the village. Dansh uses a cheery facade to lure Rahul and Elisa to his cave, where he shows off the collection of skulls that decorate the interior. Elisa is fascinated, and Rahul is horrified. Both are soon to find that they are trapped. Dansh has revived Dali, who is ready to consume.

As Rahul\u2019s fears about Dansh have become abundantly clear, the situation is not without hope. Elisa and Rahul are not inclined to succumb to their captor. They summon their own inner energy, filled with positivity, and shortly thereafter defeat Dansh and Dali. Their apparent victory is premature, as Dansh is a villain of near superhuman will. Another clash awaits Rahul and Elisa. They will need more than just each other to defeat an evil energy unlike any other.

Boondocks\u201dis a supernatural thriller that digs its hooks into the reader in an intense and gripping manner. The opening shock and awe of the distant past are offset by the road trip of the book\u2019s leading protagonists. The affection between Rahul and Elisa is genuine, serving to disarm the reader and lull them into a false sense of security. The trap sprung on the reader parallels the trap sprung on Elisa and Rahul, a slow burn paying off quite handsomely. Author Jaydeep Shah (The Haunting of Black River Forest) constructs a profound and enjoyable horror thriller that will entertain a vast audience of readers.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-May-2022 21:35:31", "publisher": "Rage Publishing", "page_count": "383 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011127035", "title": "Humor All The Way", "author": "Renee Servello", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 400, "review": "A fun and lighthearted read that will brighten anyone's day, Humor All The Way incorporates all of the little elements in life and will make its readers chuckle from one page to the next. This book is formatted so that each page has one saying on it. As I was reading Humor All The Way, I would often stop and ponder about what the subject matter was on the page and either chuckle, nod in agreement, or snort with laughter. Although the book mainly talks about aging and seniors and some of the issues with growing older, I found that this book is appropriate for almost any age from young adults and on.

With themes such as food, family, the differences between men and women, exercise and fitness, the pandemic, real estate, and of course the trials and tribulations of gently aging, this book has a little bit for everyone who is looking to add a bit of humor in their lives. There are some one-liners in this book that really need to be shared as well. Sayings such as \"The only thing I retain these days is FLUID!\" made me laugh because I know this is something that happens as people age and I have heard many people complain about it. There are even some snippets that are a little gross, but nevertheless funny. \"Suntan\" in particular was gross but funny. It states, \"I don't know what your suntan looks like but mine consist of freckles and more freckles. The freckles then expand to look like brown globs. Not to worry folks, I have faced this head on. I realize I have become a GLOB!\" This visual made me laugh out loud. The fact that the author makes aging seem so unpleasant and that these are the truths are somehow funny in itself.

I also really enjoyed the few photos that the author included in the book. These were delightful and fun to look at. It would have been great to see more photos and maybe a few of the author herself.

Overall, I would describe this book as the adult's version of a Shel Silverstein book--a bit cute, a bit gross, and a lot funny. I would have loved to have seen some Silverstein-like drawings included in the book simply because I could picture them accompanying each little blurb. A job well done by the author. You certainly made me laugh.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "31-May-2022", "date_added": "21-May-2022 01:16:50", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "174 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011127031", "title": "Humor All The Way", "author": "Renee Servello", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "David Keenan", "word_count": 428, "review": "Iowa is the nation\u2019s major producer of corn; however, Houston, Texas produces its own as hometown author Renee\u2019 Servello dishes up a heap of corny, but insightful jokes. Servello, in Humor All the Way delivers a lighthearted follow-up to her first book You\u2019re Kidding: I\u2019m a Senior?. This is old-fashioned good-time humor that focuses on the foibles and travails of senior life. Readers old enough to remember Reader\u2019s Digest \u201cLaughter is the Best Medicine\u201d, or the comic stylings of Erma Bombeck, will get a kick out of Humor All the Way.

This slim volume of jokes (one per page) examines life as a senior. For example, grandchildren get the treatment with: \u201chave you ever noticed that the only grandkids that visit are the ones that don\u2019t drive yet?\u201d Senior sleep habits are mocked with: \u201cSeniors don\u2019t sleep, they speed nap.\u201d Doctors, exercise, travel, cruises, retirement, and health are the subjects of Servello\u2019s wit. However, not content to live in the past, Servello also takes on the recent Covid-19 pandemic and relays her senior point of view. For example, Servello riffs on the wisdom of buying a 2020 planner, and how she used to seek out positive people, but the pandemic changed that. Then there\u2019s the hilarity of seeing grandchildren for the first time via Zoom and the travails of figuring out who is behind the mask in the supermarket.

This book is clean fun, and the reader will not find any edgy punching down and making fun of people that makes up the bulk of contemporary comedy. This is mainstream humor dished up in a suburban country kitchen or backyard barbecue with the over sixty set who are all wearing cushy running shoes because their feet hurt all the time. It\u2019s a collaborative effort as well, as sprinkled throughout are jokes from Servello\u2019s partners in comedy. This dynamic results in a snapshot of a particular place and era of America with over twenty-five of Servello\u2019s acquaintances contributing to the book. There are also photographs sprinkled throughout the book that reinforce the humor\u2019s down-home sensibility.

Be advised this is not the book for anyone looking for a lengthy book of dense humor that exists on many levels. This is a book that the homemaker leaves out on the coffee table for the company to peruse or places in the guest powder room with the book of cat jokes and copies of People magazine. This is cleaned-up Borscht Belt humor designed not to offend and to be consumed in short bites. It\u2019s a humorous collection of jokes that's worth the time to read.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-May-2022 01:16:43", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "174 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011127027", "title": "Humor All The Way", "author": "Renee Servello", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 416, "review": "Life is tough, no doubt. However, choosing to look at it from a humorous point of view can make the journey much more bearable. In Humor All The Way, Renee Servello shares her experience with aging and several other aspects of life through a comical collection of thoughts. The book contains various stories and opinions that senior readers will find relatable as well as some insights and words of advice that will prepare younger readers for their twilight years.

One of the many hilarious remarks by the author reveals that she fears updating her computer because of the possibility of a data breach. Another one discloses how her legs could become tangled and get her into trouble sometimes\u2014turning her into a human rocket that is jet \"propelled at 70 miles an hour.\" Follow Servello's hysterically funny and tastefully scintillating observations in Humor All The Way.

When it comes to books about aging, it doesn't get more hilarious, engaging, and original than Humor All The Way. I didn't expect to be laughing through almost every page in the book like I did. In fact, I had to pause the book several times just to laugh before proceeding to the next page. I loved that Servello finds humor in experiences that could be considered painful, like taking a long time to remember a name instead of remembering it instantly. I don't think I would have ever considered the idea of seeing wrinkles on my smooth earlobes if I hadn't read the book. The book is rife with other similarly introspective insights about different things nobody prepares you for in relation to aging.

This comical book reads like a book of poems as it has titles dedicated to particular themes and lyrical lines that make reading it a joyous, stress-free experience. As it includes several relatable themes, readers will find themselves laughing at themselves and taking a trip down memory lane while they read through the book. Humor All The Way covers such diverse themes as hair loss, grandparenting, marriage, fun, food, driving, grocery shopping, medicines, and makeup. You will also find some lovely family photographs and different quotes from other elders and individuals throughout the course of the book, which add to its elaborate experience.

Humor All The Way reminds us to take life less seriously and share our experiences, which are usually not as isolated as we think, with others. Personally, it gave me a most pleasurable experience I didn't know I needed. Thank you, Renee Servello!", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "31-May-2022", "date_added": "21-May-2022 01:16:35", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "174 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011127023", "title": "Humor All The Way", "author": "Renee Servello", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 427, "review": "It is rare a book can make me laugh aloud, but Humor all the Way by Renee Servello did. A delightful read on aging and retirement, I loved hearing about Renee\u2019s personal thoughts and feelings on growing old. She discusses everything from doctors\u2019 visits, wrinkles, grandkids, and the pandemic, in such a way that you have to smile.

Although I myself am not a senior, I have heard many of the same thoughts Renee discusses from my parents and grandparents. For example, in her entry \u201cAre you Popular?\u201d, she discusses how every day she is offered remarkable deals for her age. From burial plots on sale, hair and belly fat supplements, vitamins and pills guaranteed to make her feel better, and even things such as deals on time shares off the coast of India, Renee proves her point that she is constantly bombarded. I loved how she ended her thoughts with the line, \u201cSo many companies worried about me and to think we\u2019ve never even met!\u201d You can tell Renee is spunky, and good-humored in all of her entries, but the way she handles these proposals especially made me smile.

I also really appreciated Renee and her collaborators' humorous takes on the pandemic. The phrase, \u201cNever in a million years would I have thought my hands would consume more alcohol than my mouth,\u201d could not ring truer for anyone, as our lives were controlled by hand sanitizer and disinfectants. I laughed out loud when Renee discussed her quarantine couch habits with her husband, discussing how their movie preferences differ. A daily movie, sometimes two, was their reality for a year, and every day Renee wanted to watch a comedy movie, and everyday her husband put on a war movie. Claiming that she now suffers from \u201cbattle fatigue\u201d as she\u2019s watched war from Germany, to North Africa, to Japan, to the Philippines, I could not help but imagine her annoyance with her husband for this and laugh at their daily exchange. I also had to laugh at her husbands attempt to get them covid tests at their local high school. Rushing home to Renee to tell her that he saw a line outside the school for testing, they immediately drive there to realize that they were giving out free cat and dog food, not Covid tests.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and all of Renee\u2019s reminders that humor is the Rx for life. I would recommend this book as a great read for those who are retired, or anyone who fears aging as Renee\u2019s anecdotes will ease your consciousness.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-May-2022 01:16:24", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "174 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011127019", "title": "Cleopatra's Vendetta", "author": "Avanti Centrae", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 83, "review": "\"Get ready to travel across the world through Italy, Greece, and Egypt with Special Ops leader Tim Stryker as he finds himself in the middle of another race-against-time, action-packed adventure. As Stryker tries to find his wife and daughter who have gone missing, he follows the scent of cobra/apple tattoos, deepfakes, and the descendants of Octavian's Sons of Adam. This is a thriller that will captivate its audience from the first page with twists and turns to come.\" --Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "May 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-May-2022 01:08:04", "publisher": "Thunder Creek Press", "page_count": "375 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011127015", "title": "The Newlyweds' Window", "author": "Mukana Press", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 412, "review": "The Newlywed\u2019s Window offers readers a unique collage of short stories through which to journey. They are authored by a variety of different African writers and range considerably from narratives about giving birth in a poor, ill-equip facility in which incompetence and disregard reign and labor pains are ever-present to a young girl searching for independence via social media under a fictitious identity that leads her to a real-life encounter in which she\u2019s victimized and is left feeling compromised and angry. Other works involve unorthodox characters shunned by mainstream society. Their confounding behavior results in a variety of unpleasant and sometimes unfair outcomes like physical violence or being ostracized from others. In some cases they fight back, lashing out at others and even killing them in some circumstances. In an entry titled \"Gasping for Air\", a disenchanted and sociopathic miscreant murders women he deems unworthy of Mother Earth. After taking their lives, often by suffocation, he extracts their eyeballs and stores them in a refrigerator for later admiration. Another thread woven through the fabric of several of the included selections is discontentment. Happiness and complacency are rarely held sentiments. Passion and lust are thematic throughout as well.

This is an eclectic publication whose audience may be somewhat limited. Some of the references and content as well as the profanity - that\u2019s arguably unnecessary -may be offensive to some. For example, in a bar scene, a customer distastefully says to a female, \u201cDid I not clear the cobwebs between your legs just last week?\u2026\u201d Statements such as this as well as other more vulgar ones lessen the quality of the overall content.

A number of those chosen for inclusion leave one yearning for more, for some sort of resolution or closure. They\u2019re open-ended with no identifiable conclusion, which in some ways is a positive, making way for intrigue and wonderment. Additionally, there is some beautiful figurative language used throughout like \u201cshe learned to draw flowers around the stains in her life\u201d and \u2026\u201dlike an image from a half-forgotten dream.\u201d

People who feel mistreated by the norm as well as those who tend to view themselves as somehow different from the rest may find commonalities with the characters depicted in The Newlywed\u2019s Window. As a result, they may take comfort in these similarities and really appreciate their reading experience. Conversely, as stated previously, this pick may be judged less favorably by others. In either case, it\u2019s one that\u2019s worthy of noting for its originality and heterogeneity.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-May-2022 00:55:36", "publisher": "Mukana Press", "page_count": "210 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000011127011", "title": "The Newlyweds' Window", "author": "Mukana Press", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 433, "review": "The Newlywed's Window is a beautiful compilation of short stories from Africa's most promising writers. The writers do a wonderful job of describing the setting and characters of their stories and although each story is fairly short, I found myself engaged in each and every one of them. Mukana Press has done a fabulous job of collecting and publishing these short stories. There are twelve stories in all.

I found each story to be so unique. In \"Border Control\", a young woman delivers her baby in a private hospital, however, the nurses treat her so roughly and violently that she finds herself in the most unimaginable pain ever. My heart went out to this young woman and the ending is quite shocking. In \"Gasping for Air\", the main character is a man who steals eyes. Although this was gruesome to think of, the author wrote with such beautiful prose that it was easy to want to keep reading. \"Mareba's Tavern\" is about a woman who is a single mother by choice as she does not want to be owned by a man. Mareba runs a tavern that is already on the same compound as her house and is a very independent woman who can hold her own. I loved the strength she held even when the drunk men would heckle her. In \"Black Paw Paw\", a fifteen-year-old girl struggles to find a life outside of the poverty she knows. She takes care of a baby for a woman she calls Madam and when proposed with the unthinkable, makes a life decision that will lead to the rest of her life. I think my favorite story in the book was \"Our Girl Bimpe\" which is about a girl who ends up putting something that happened at a party on social media and finding herself being ostracized for the world to see. This is proof that it is not only in America that social media can be a dangerous tool that can affect one's life and the lives around them. Although I was rooting for Bimpe, she kept making stupid choices.

Although the stories are written in English, I enjoyed learning African words as many of the stories included some African dialogue. I also loved the unique names of the characters. These are names that are not heard very often in the States and it was nice to learn about the African culture outside of the war and poverty we often associate with the country.

Overall, The Newlywed's Window is a book that any adult would enjoy. The stories are creative and come from some brilliant minds.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "28-Jun-2022", "date_added": "21-May-2022 00:55:28", "publisher": "Mukana Press", "page_count": "210 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011127007", "title": "The Newlyweds' Window", "author": "Mukana Press", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 398, "review": "The Newlywed\u2019s Window by Mukana Press contained some of the best short stories I have ever read. Not one of these tales failed to capture my rapt attention over what would happen next. If you enjoy short stories, or stories full of drama, suspense, mystery, and excitement, this book is for you.

Although none of these narratives lack a wonderful plot, I think my favorite had to be \u201cThe Daya Zimu\u201d, simply because the ending was one I would never have guessed. Told from the portrayal of a young girl, the story is set in a boisterous classroom with Mrs. Bwalya telling her students about traditional myths. Naturally, many of the twelve-year olds in the classroom have strong feelings on the verity of ghosts, spirits, and witches. As many students relay their own experiences of family members taken by various African spirits, our narrator listens quietly, chilled, but suspicious of the conversation. Mrs. Bwalya even tells her of her own experiences, saying she had watched her mother be taken by a sort of half man, half bull spirit. Encouraging her young students to not laugh at these stories but take them seriously, her goal of the conversation is not to harbor false tales but have them protected, as ignorance makes them targetable. Eventually, Beth, the new girl, speaks up on the Daya Zimu, a terrifying spirit creature, she claims to have been haunting her father. Our narrator, who deeply admires Beth, is captivated, and even more captivated when Beth invites her over to her house the next day. Little does our young friend know there is much in store for her by agreeing to this proposal. An ending that was memorable to say the least, this story stood out to me in shock factor and creativity.

My favorite thing about this novel is how it portrays Africa in a new way, not as an impoverished and war struck country as the media often encapsulates it as. Rather, it shows a country full of human beings with similar problems and struggles as Western countries. I love how this collection brings characters who voice their opinions on misogyny, religion, cultural practices, and so much more in a different light. Overall, I would specifically recommend this novel to older Gen-z and Millennial age readers as it does a great job of giving various relevant topics of interest to this age group.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "28-Jun-2022", "date_added": "21-May-2022 00:55:08", "publisher": "Mukana Press", "page_count": "210 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011127003", "title": "The Newlyweds' Window", "author": "Mukana Press", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 454, "review": "The Newlywed\u2019s Window, which is published by Mukana Press, is an absolutely stunning collection of short stories from up-and-coming African authors. Usually, collections like this one tend to follow a single theme that\u2019s woven throughout each story to create a cohesive sense of genre continuity, like weaving a beautiful tartan or dying a colorful batik print that the reader can comfortably wrap themselves up in as they go to create an immersive storytelling experience. Not so with this gorgeous collection!

This book features a dozen stories in total, and each one serves as its own unique window through which the reader may view a perfectly crystalline vision of some of the most masterful storytelling I\u2019ve read in an anthology in a very long time. Each new author offers up a different lens through which the reader views a distinct slice of life that showcases wildly different perspectives on life on the African continent, creating a range of tones and themes that together create a vibrant kaleidoscopic image that dazzles the senses and stimulates the mind.

Some of the stories are entrenched in an almost philosophical realism, like Atline Jojo\u2019s \u201cBorder Control,\u201d Gladwell Pamba\u2019s \u201cMareba\u2019s Tavern,\u201d \u201cThis Is For My Aunt Penzi, Who-\u201d by Idza Luhumyo, and Husnah Mad-hy\u2019s \u201cThe Newlywed\u2019s Window.\u201d Each of these stories is deeply rooted in exploring issues surrounding women\u2019s autonomy, identity, and inherent value in a landscape of slowly shifting social structures that is experiencing growing pains initiated by the spread of Western feminist ideals.

Other stories, such as \u201cHow Are You?\u201d by Cynthia Nnadi, \u201cOur Girl Bimpe\u201d by Olankule Ologunro, and \u201cBlack Paw Paw\u201d by Obinna Ezeodili, center on the seemingly impossible choices young women face as they come of age in a world that is so often hostile to their needs and dreams, the importance of a supportive social and family structure, and the potential emotional and physical danger involved in having those relationships ripped away by either choice or circumstance.

And lastly, we\u2019re given \u201cGasping For Air\u201d by Ogechukwu Emmanuel Samuel, \u201cRain\u201d by Muuka Gwaba, \u201cThe Daya Zimu\u201d by Vanessa Nakayange, \u201cA Letter From Ireland\u201d by Victor Ehikhamenor, and \u201cOld Photographs\u201d by Hannah Onoguwe, all of which either revolve around old cultural traditions steeped in mysticism balanced with modern social contrivances and newly evolving traditions or are mired in wildly engrossing and oftentimes disturbing aspects of the supernatural.

Each story offers something brilliantly new and wholly irresistible, meaning that the book, when taken as a whole, presents a cohesive collection of tales that render the reader incapable of tearing their eyes away, like a curious neighbor caught in the act of peering out their window onto a world that both dazzles the mind and delights the soul.", "issue": "June 2022", "date_posted": "28-Jun-2022", "date_added": "21-May-2022 00:54:55", "publisher": "Mukana Press", "page_count": "210 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011126003", "title": "Babouc's Vision", "author": "Glenn Searfoss", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 567, "review": "Glenn Searfoss\u2019s Babouc\u2019s Vision is set in a dystopian near-future city where not even the extraordinary technological and medical advancements are enough to mask the lack of humanity that characterizes the general population. And while the inhabitants of the city are well aware that their present is bleak, they have no idea what horrors the future might have in store for them.

Harl Babouc, laconic proprietor of Babouc\u2019s Appliance Repair, is trudging through another day fixing the near unfixable and striking decidedly non-lucrative deals with desperate customers and seedy scavengers when he\u2019s overcome with a kind of uncanny weariness and forced to close the shop early to rest. He\u2019s briefly been able to enjoy a restful nap, but there\u2019s nothing relaxing about the sight that greets him when he wakes: an intruder who he initially believes to be an ICA agent there to audit the business but who is actually an angel (or a genie, a higher level of consciousness, or even an extraterrestrial, whatever is preferred) named Ithuriel.

Ithuriel explains that Babouc has been chosen as an envoy of the gods, whose mission it is to go about the city, investigate allegations of its degeneration, and report on the nature of its citizens. Based on Babouc\u2019s report, the gods will decide the fate of the city. While it\u2019s clear from the outset that Babouc\u2019s task is nothing to envy, the reason for him being picked to perform it is surprisingly sad. From Babouc\u2019s perspective, he can\u2019t serve as a disinterested outsider in judging the city because he lives there, but in the gods\u2019 view, he inherited the repair shop following his father\u2019s death fifteen years ago and has never since ventured out of it except to buy necessary supplies\u2014he does not live in the city, he merely exists there.

During the course of his investigation, Babouc moves about the city like a wraith, undetachable and invisible, which is not that different from his day-to-day existence. However, he does at last truly see his fellow citizens, from a host of lowlife criminals to a dodgy doctor to an elderly guy lost in memories of the past and a young couple hoping that genetic screening proves them to be suitable candidates to have a baby. In weaving the stories of these and other disparate folks together, Searfoss highlights the monotony and despair of their lives, but also the small signs of hope, rebellion, and resilience that they all display. Life in the city might be bad, but it\u2019s not all bad.

Through impressive world-building and snippets of a detailed backstory, Searfoss allows Babouc to discover how the city came to be in its present decaying state, which causes both him and the reader to reflect on what other choices could have been made. Given this examination of how easily society can crumble, at the heart of Babouc\u2019s Vision is an age-old moral dilemma: \u201cWhich is better, a good action that harms or a bad action that benefits?\u201d Not even the gods have the ability to address this issue straightforwardly, as their omnipotence has left them with the inability to grasp the subtleties of life, which is not dissimilar to how humanity\u2019s advancements have distanced people from the both planet and its other inhabitants.

Babouc\u2019s Vision is an entertaining and thought-provoking science fiction story that presents an all-too-feasible future and asks readers to question what could be done differently.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2022", "date_added": "20-May-2022 21:06:35", "publisher": "Acorn Books", "page_count": "175 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011125167", "title": "The Puzzler: One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life", "author": "A.J. Jacobs", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 198, "review": "Jigsaw puzzles are insanely popular recently, but there are many other types of puzzles: crosswords, Rubik's cubes, mazes, and more, with endless variations. Author A.J. Jacobs takes you along on his quest to discover the most difficult, interesting, intriguing, historical, and infuriating puzzles of all kinds. He tracks down puzzle creators and puzzle solvers and tries his hand at being both. The journey is fun and often illuminating. Most people enjoy puzzles of one type or another; in fact, we seem genetically drawn to them. Puzzles, after all, are just little problems, and what's life but a large set of problems to solve? Maybe that's oversimplifying; at any rate, solving puzzles rewards you with a strong hit of dopamine, with stakes that are fairly small (although Jacobs recounts a story of someone who almost died during a tournament chess match). It's enjoyable reading about the different types of puzzles, and especially about Jacob's adventures trying them out. His writing is full of interviews and anecdotes and stays light even while pondering a puzzling profundity. For the adventurous, he includes several representative puzzles to try (with solutions). You're sure to find something new and surprising and lots to enjoy.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2022", "date_added": "23-May-2022 21:06:11", "publisher": "Crown", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011125163", "title": "Never Say P*g: The Book of Sailors\u2019 Superstitions", "author": "R. Bruce Macdonald", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 197, "review": "Sailors might commonly be thought of in storybooks or fairytales (i.e. Peter Pan). Actually, this career choice is genuine and contains a history that affects water dwellers and land lovers alike. Within their history lies an abundance of superstition that could be spread across the alphabet; in fact, R. Bruce Macdonald has done just that. Superstitions are generally numerous and deeply rooted, with these ones keeping a sailor on their toes and a land lover at risk of bringing unknown doom to a voyage or individual. The information is interesting enough for a non-sailor to find enjoyable and crucial for a sailor to know and respect.

Never Say P*g is a page-turner; the superstitions both caught me off guard and made complete sense. An interesting note is that sailors take many stories and ideas from the Bible to heart but also intermix them with gods of other religions whom they must appease for the sake of a safe and prosperous voyage. I found the tellings of how common phrases originated with sailors interesting and informative. Nearly everything under the sun is included in this book; you won't finish still wondering about the language and beliefs of sailors.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2022", "date_added": "23-May-2022 20:57:28", "publisher": "Harbour Publishing", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011125159", "title": "I Miss You: Exercises for yearning hearts", "author": "Gioia Guerzoni ", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 710, "review": "You Can Do It!\n\nIt\u2019s near impossible to make it through life without a little help and guidance along the way, although it can be tricky to determine who and what can help in particular situations. Fortunately, the five inspirational works included in this roundup all focus on assisting readers with developing the mindsets and practical skills necessary to tackle pretty much anything that life might throw at them.\n\nA Brown Girl's Epiphany by Aurelia D\u00e1vila Pratt\n\nWith A Brown Girl\u2019s Epiphany, Aurelia D\u00e1vila Pratt aims to equip readers with all the tools, techniques, and moral support they require to harness their self-belief, resilience, and determination in order to live a more healthy, prosperous, and fulfilling life. Everyone needs inspiration and a helping hand along the way, and Pratt provides copious amounts of guidance and motivation through her friendly, engaging, and insightful reflections and recommendations. She explains the methods and reasoning whereby BIPOC girls can overcome discrimination, prejudice, and scarcity on their journey toward success, achievement, and fulfilment. It\u2019s a brave approach to creating a better world.\n\nBecoming a Changemaker by Alex Budak\n\nAlex Budak has written Becoming a Changemaker to serve as a manifesto for positive change in the lives of all readers. Starting from the perspective that people of every race, gender, age, class, and pretty much every other demographic characteristic going can act as changemakers, thereby working collaboratively and creatively to solve social problems and so heal the world, Budak provides research-based guidance on how to develop the mindset, skills, and motivation necessary to drive change in all spheres of life. Although particularly geared toward Millennials and members of Generation Z who have newly joined the workforce, Budak\u2019s tips and techniques have applicability for anyone seeking to make a positive difference.\n\nI Miss You: Exercises for Yearning Hearts by Gioia Guerzoni\n\nGioia Guerzoni seeks to alleviate the burden and heal the broken hearts of all those who are troubled by longing for lost people, places, and things through the wisdom she imparts in I Miss You: Exercises for Yearning Hearts. Covering a wide range of scenarios in which people might be left feeling bereft and alone, and providing a series of practical and believable activities that can be tackled by pretty much anyone, Guerzoni aims to help readers recognize and address the myriad feelings they are likely to experience in the aftermath of a loss, whatever it might entail. By their very nature poignant and emotive, the included activities serve to carefully guide troubled souls through the process of acceptance and recovery.\n\nThinking 101 by Woo-kyoung Ahn\n\nAs a specialist in the thought process\u2014that is, the whys and wherefores that inform people\u2019s decisions to do or not do things\u2014Woo-kyoung Ahn is almost uniquely placed to help readers recognize and overcome the many biases that influence, both positively and negatively, the way they live their life. Thinking 101 distills the key insights that she has learned in this regard over the decades she has spent teaching and writing about thought and thinking. While it is widely acknowledged that people can be their own worst enemy, tripping themselves up and holding themselves back through faulty and inaccurate thought processes, such knowledge is not sufficient to prevent people from making related mistakes. Fortunately, this book sets out clear and practical steps that people can take to actually change the way they think.\n\nYou're Gonna Make It: Unlocking Resilience When Life Is a Mess by Daniel Fusco\n\nDuring times of stress, anxiety, and trauma, it can prove difficult enough to make sensible decisions in the here and now, let along to plan ahead for a happy, healthy, and successful future life. In recognition of this, Daniel Fusco has written You're Gonna Make It: Unlocking Resilience When Life Is a Mess as a guidebook to finding a positive path through all of life\u2019s troubles that is informed by the teachings of Jesus. Having worked through numerous struggles of his own while being inspired and buoyed by his faith, Fusco is well placed to explain how a belief in Jesus can help to foster resilience and perseverance at the same time as enhancing understanding and acceptance. Those looking to draw on their Christian faith in practical ways will particularly benefit from Fusco\u2019s experiences.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-May-2022 20:55:26", "publisher": "Cicada", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011125147", "title": "Take My Hand", "author": "Dolen Perkins-Valdez", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 197, "review": "Civil Townsend is a women\u2019s health nurse in rural Alabama in 1973. Fresh from nursing school, she is tasked with attending to eleven and thirteen-year-old India and Erica. After she injects them with the Depo-Provera shot per her supervisor\u2019s orders, Civil questions why such young girls are receiving birth control. In the weeks following, she becomes involved in a harrowing health scandal and is compelled to protect the girls and their families from further harm.

In Take My Hand, author Dolen Perkins-Valdez depicts the plight of the poor African American community and how the health system and the federal government took advantage of them. Civil is a well-off Black woman who makes it her duty to help the less fortunate Williams family. The contrast between Civil\u2019s privilege to the Williams\u2019 impoverishment is evident throughout the book. Parts of the story are hard to read, especially the poor treatment of Erica and India. It is astounding that the key issue of sterilization and health experiments within this fictional novel is based on fact. This story was an important one to read, and though, at times, Civil tried too hard to fix the Williams family, their bond was quite touching.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2022", "date_added": "23-May-2022 20:36:31", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011125135", "title": "Target: Terror", "author": "Michael Z. Williamson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 180, "review": "This book brings together three books into a single volume when the entire Target: Terror series is together for the first time. This series is definitely for the military aficionados, as it follows snipers as they work to take down any number of targets that threaten the United States.

The books themselves are very rah-rah and highlight the good aspects of being in the military and not the often bureaucratic sledge that can happen and the like. How you feel about military fiction that borders on propaganda will determine how well you will enjoy these books as after a while it does become a bit repetitive.

In the first book, veteran Kyle Monroe is partnered with newbie Wade Curtis to take down terrorists in Pakistan, but he is pulled into a private war being waged by local tribes. In the second book, the scene shifts to urban Romania, where terrorists are transporting explosives through tunnels. The final book is set in Indonesia and they must survive being hunted and in the open when a mission in the jungle goes wrong.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "19-Aug-2022", "date_added": "23-May-2022 20:30:59", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "720 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011125127", "title": "These Are Not the Words", "author": "Amanda West Lewis", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 955, "review": "New in Children\u2019s Lit\n\nFrom picture books featuring amazing and amusing creatures to a fictional account of a difficult yet ultimately hopeful childhood and an inspiring biography of a great artist, the five books featured in this roundup have something to offer children of all ages.\n\nRoom for More by Michelle Kadarusman and Maggie Zeng\n\nAs a wildfire devastates the Australian bush, wombat duo Dig and Scratch feel glad that they have a safe, cool burrow to hide in. However, when Dig notices that other animals are not so lucky, he starts inviting them into the burrow, which draws complaints from Scratch. Dig first invites a pair of wallabies into their home, followed by a koala and then a tiger snake, with Scratch getting increasingly angry as each new arrival moves in. While Dig is convinced that there is still room for more, Scratch doesn\u2019t want any other animals making use of their home, but when the burrow is flooded by a sudden rain burst, Scratch comes to realize that having a bunch of fellow creatures around could prove very helpful. In Room for More, Michelle Kadarusman uses the humorous story of an eclectic group of animals sheltering in a small burrow to explore the serious issues of environmental catastrophes and displaced refugees with young readers, while Maggie Zeng\u2019s delightful illustrations really bring the different animals\u2019 personalities to life.\n\nThese Are Not the Words by Amanda West Lewis\n\nBased on events from her own childhood in New York City during the 1960s, Amanda West Lewis\u2019s These Are Not the Words is a powerful account of a young girl realizing that her parents are both flawed individuals with problems that she cannot solve, no matter how much she wants to help them. Missy\u2019s mother has gone back to school to pursue her dream of becoming an artist, while her father spends his days working in advertising and his nights listening to jazz in Harlem and the Village. Missy shares his love of jazz and often accompanies him to clubs and bars, and the two of them both enjoy writing poetry about their experiences. Yet, it becomes clear through his poems that her father is struggling with alcohol and drug problems, which eventually prompts Missy\u2019s mother to decide that she and Missy need a fresh start. Missy has to leave everything she cares about behind and adapt to a new life as a latchkey kid while her mother works to support them. Although Missy is reluctant to give up on getting her family back together, she eventually comes to learn that change is sometimes necessary.\n\nThe Whale Who Swam Through Time by Alex Boersma and Nick Pyenson\n\nAround two hundred years ago, a bowhead whale was born. As a member of the longest-living mammal species in the world, the bowhead whale was destined to have a lengthy and interesting existence. Indeed, over the course of a long life spent in the Arctic, the whale witnessed many dramatic changes, most notably the shift from her habitat being one characterized by peace and solitude to the arrival of humans and their ships and oil rigs. With The Whale Who Swam Through Time, Alex Boersma has written a non-fiction picture book that beautifully captures the majesty of the natural world and vividly portrays the changes that are taking place in the environment, highlighting the need for humans to alter their ways and take action to protect their fellow creatures. The illustrations by Nick Pyenson are clear and detailed, revealing the beauty and wonder of the bowhead whale and showing just how important the preservation of the environment really is. \n\nBottle Tops by Alison Goldberg and Elizabeth Zunon\n\nIn Bottle Tops, Alison Goldberg tells the remarkable life story of Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui, whose work made from discarded bottle tops is prized and displayed around the world. While studying art at the University of Ghana, El noted that much of the artists and art being discussed clearly fitted within the European tradition, with traditional Ghanaian art being largely ignored. Seeking to expand his perspective, El explored the stories and approaches of his fellow Ghanaians, which often involved the use of recycled and upcycled materials. After honing his skills by experimenting with different mediums, El discovered a bag of bright bottle caps and decided to tell their story by stitching the caps together into a series of flowing tapestries that capture the history, culture, and people of Ghana. From there, the popularity of his bottle top sculptures grew until his work was world renowned. The words by Goldberg provide a fascinating introduction to the life and art of El Anatsui, while the illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon nicely capture the intricacy and beauty of his work.\n\nOceans of Love by Janet Lawler and Holly Clifton-Brown\n\nThe ocean is home to myriad magnificent creatures, ranging from majestic whales and clever dolphins to fascinating hermit crabs and perplexing jellyfish. Janet Lawler\u2019s Oceans of Love takes young readers on a fantastical underwater adventure as they learn about how mother sea creatures care for and rear their little ones. From a mother manta ray teaching her baby to skim and slide through the sea to a mother hermit crab fitting her youngling for a new shell and a mother minnow enrolling her offspring in minnow school, a fun-filled variety of mother and child relationships are featured. Using clever, gentle rhymes that are perfect for reading out loud, the story explains a universal truth for humans, animals, and sea creatures: mothers always want to care for their babies in their own special way. Holly Clifton-Brown\u2019s exquisite watercolor illustrations really bring the heartwarming story to life, showcasing a broad range of mothers and babies in their natural undersea environment.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-May-2023", "date_added": "23-May-2022 20:15:03", "publisher": "Groundwood Books", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011125111", "title": "Bite Sized Archie Vol. 1", "author": "Ron Cacace", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 177, "review": "As someone who grew up reading Archie comics and the Archie Digest, I was so excited to receive a copy of Bite Sized Archie Vol. 1. Archie and his Riverdale friends are back in this collection of webcomics by Ron Cacace and Vincent Lovallo. These comics are from 2020 and 2021 and are in full color. Also included in this digest are the \"Behind the Scenes\" sketches which show what the comic looked like when they were in the beginning stages of planning. I really enjoyed learning interesting little facts about each comic strip as well. This Archie is the Archie of today including tech and pop culture. It was fun to see that the illustrators really had a lot of fun planning and bringing to life Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and all of their friends. This is not only a collection of comics but a collection of historical facts for a series that is over eighty years old. This book is perfect for all ages, from young children to adults. Archie and the Gang are ageless!", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "05-Jul-2022", "date_added": "23-May-2022 20:05:19", "publisher": "Archie Comics", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011125103", "title": "The Patron Thief of Bread", "author": "Lindsay Eagar", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - age 8", "word_count": 178, "review": "The Patron Thief of Bread is a slightly slow-starting book that quickly gets faster. There are some chapters that get repetitive, but overall it is a really good book.

The book is about two gangs: the Crowns and the Red Swords. The Crowns are threatened by the Red Swords, so the Crowns send their youngest member to become an apprentice baker. Her name is Duck and the Crowns\u2019 leader does not think she is anything more than garbage. She gets them small amounts of food and coins, but in the end they try to make a more major plan for thievery.

I don't really like the pace of the book. It also has some chapters that are told from the point of view of a gargoyle, while most chapters are from Duck\u2019s point of view. The gargoyle chapters aren't as interesting, but the book is generally really good. The highly developed characters and interesting plot make it an awesome book for reading for pleasure. I would recommend The Patron Thief of Bread for ages eight to twelve years.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "12-Jul-2022", "date_added": "23-May-2022 20:00:09", "publisher": "Candlewick", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011125099", "title": "Human Kindness: True Stories of Compassion and Generosity that Changed the World", "author": "John Francis", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 188, "review": "Do you ever wonder when humans started being kind or why it is so important to continue today? This book is filled with intriguing stories of compassion and empathy throughout history, starting with the caring cavemen and ending with present times. It also includes scientific information involving kindness (describing serotonin, the ahoy hormone, and how kindness can improve our mental and physical health).

Author John Francis has packed a wealth of information into each page of this book. During these sixty pages, readers will learn about kind inventions, peaceful protests, acts of service in wartime, and how to be kind to our planet, family, peers, and community.

The colorful and creative illustrations created by Josy Bloggs are detailed, thoughtful, and beautiful. She represents diversity by including people of all colors as well as differently-abled individuals. The story is designed for older readers of picture books from ages eight to twelve. I believe this book would be best enjoyed in small sections as opposed to reading it all in one sitting. This would be a great selection for older readers who are interested in history and science and excited to learn.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "13-Sep-2022", "date_added": "23-May-2022 19:02:34", "publisher": "What on Earth Books", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011125087", "title": "Animals Illustrated: Ringed Seal (Animals Illustrated, 9)", "author": "William Flaherty", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 143, "review": "Animals Illustrated: Ringed Seal is a book of facts about a particular animal: the ringed seal. The book begins with where they live and how big they are. Then there is information about their habitat and things about them, like their skeleton, claws, and blubber. Next is about the food they eat, their babies, the animals that hunt them, and how smart they are. Last, there are the ways that people will use them if they hunt them, such as eating their meat in stews, making tents and clothes from their fur, and games they will make from their bones.

The book is all information and has no story, but if you wanted to know anything about the ringed seal, this book would help you know more about them. The pictures are well done and every page is colorful with something on it.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "30-Sep-2022", "date_added": "23-May-2022 18:53:30", "publisher": "Inhabit Media", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011125083", "title": "Sneaky Shadows", "author": "SC Manchild ", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 176, "review": "Sneaky Shadows is similar to other shadow books like Guess Again, where you will see the shadow on the first page, and then on the next page, you'll find out what was making the shadow; sometimes your guess is right, and other times the book tries to trick you. Sneaky Shadows is a little of both - letting you guess correctly and tricking you while also telling a short story about each shadow. There are eight shadows to guess that start out easy and get harder as you go.

I used to get frustrated with these types of books, but now that I've read a few of them, I understand what is happening better now. Sneaky Shadows was a fun book to read and guess what was making the shadows, both alone and with my family, but there were some uncomfortable things making shadows, like two animals kissing. I liked that there was a story with each shadow and one that went through the whole book, but according to my parents, the last page isn't the best.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "30-Sep-2022", "date_added": "23-May-2022 18:51:28", "publisher": "Berbay Publishing", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011125079", "title": "Saving the Butterfly: A story about refugees", "author": "Helen Cooper", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 200, "review": "Two children, a brother and a sister, are rescued at sea, the only survivors. They\u2019re welcomed as refugees and given a place to stay, a dilapidated building among a village of them. The little boy adapts easily, blending in with the others, playing and laughing, carrying on with his life. His older sister, though, is tortured by memories of the dark sea and the tumultuous tides that changed everything. She hides away inside, not able to find the courage to venture out into the world again. One day, the younger child brings her a butterfly. Despite her trepidation, she knows what she must do to set the creature free and begin to heal.

This is a beautiful story of loss, hope, and restoration. The author portrays the lives of child refugees with heartfelt sensitivity. The brother\u2019s love is palpable, and readers will cheer when his sibling takes her first steps into the light. Details like the quilted blanket that\u2019s always by the sister\u2019s side and the stuffed rabbit that remains with the siblings throughout add depth and sweetness to the narrative. Those ages six to ten will walk away from this book with a new-found sense of gratitude and compassion.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "13-Jul-2022", "date_added": "23-May-2022 18:49:55", "publisher": "Candlewick Studio", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011235003", "title": "Unpredictable Winds", "author": "Thomas T. Chin", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 79, "review": "\"Chin has crafted a beautiful book in this story of friendship, love, and longing set against a backdrop of war in China. Even though the shadow of the war touches every character in some way, the focus is always on individual people living through it, which makes for a touching, intimate tale that I will not soon forget. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a touch of a different theater of World War II!\" --Jo Niederhoff, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Jun-2022 20:04:12", "publisher": "TouchPoint Press", "page_count": "387 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011234007", "title": "Creep", "author": "Lygia Day Penaflor", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 461, "review": "January 2023 Young Adult Roundup-YA Books to Fall in Love With\n\nThese new young adult books with a romantic undertone are perfect for adults as well. Wonderful stories with heartwarming relationships, these books are sure to become favorites.\n\nAfterlove\nTanya Byrne\nHenry Holt and Co. (BYR)\nISBN: 9781250865618\n\nAsh and Poppy meet one day and are inseparable, only to have Ash\u2019s life cut short on one New Year\u2019s Eve. As the last person to die before midnight, Ash becomes a reaper, and only those who are close to death can see her. When Poppy recognizes her one night, the two women aren\u2019t sure what to think of it. Romance with some science fiction thrown in the mix, this book will have readers intrigued and engaged in its plot and invested in the futures of the characters.\n\n\nMade 4 You\nEric Walters\nCormorant Books\nISBN: 9781770866614\n\nWho doesn\u2019t love a story with a twist? When Becky is asked to show a new student, Gene, around the high school, it seems like Gene is good at everything Becky is interested in. Gene has been homeschooled his whole life, and Becky doubts he has ever played the saxophone or basketball, but somehow he is good at both of them. When Gene confides in Becky that he has a secret worth killing for, Becky must decide her fate. Thrilling and original, this book will have readers on the edge of their seats.\n\nCreep\nLygia Day Penaflor\nHarperCollins\nISBN: 9780358692928\n\nWhen Rafi becomes obsessed with the perfect couple at her school, Laney and Nico, she will stop at nothing to become their friend. When tragedy strikes the couple, Rafi becomes increasingly obsessed and will do anything to keep the couple together. How far will Rafi go? This book will give readers that creepy stalker vibe as they find out what happens next in Creep.\n\nThe Last Words We Said\nLeah Scheier\nSimon & Schuster Books for Young Readers\nISBN: 9781534469402\n\nEllie, Rae, Deenie, and Danny are the closest of friends. Then one day, Danny disappears. Danny\u2019s girlfriend, Ellie, does not believe he is dead because she sees him. And each girl holds a clue as to what happened to Danny. This book unfolds the relationships in the book, including that of Danny and Ellie\u2019s perfect relationship. Beautifully written and heartwrenching to its core, this book will have readers holding on to every page one at a time.\n\nEternally Yours\nPatrice Caldwell\nPenguin Young Readers Group\nISBN: 9781534469402\n\nThis anthology of paranormal romance short stories will have readers dreamy-eyed as they encounter a shipwrecked sailor, a conjuring piano melody, and mystical creatures from beyond. A compilation of stories written by authors such as Melissa de la Cruz, Kat Cho, and Julian Winters that is sure to please.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Jun-2022 15:58:21", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011233007", "title": "What We Saw: A Thriller", "author": "Mary Downing Hahn", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 200, "review": "Abbi and Skylar decide to bike to the edge of their town, just to see what\u2019s there. On the way they are sidetracked by a dead-end street in a rough part of town where they find a secret treehouse, perfectly hidden in the trees. When they see a small gray car arrive, their interest is piqued. They watch the pretty woman get into a large black SUV and their minds start racing. Maybe it\u2019s a mystery they can solve, like Nancy Drew.

They take notes, noticing that the visits are on Thursdays, and take pictures of the cars and license plates. When a favorite teacher goes missing, Abbi thinks she might have information, but telling the police will mean revealing to her mother that she and Skylar have been hanging out in scary places. Can Abbi help her teacher and bravely face the consequences?

Hahn has taken a detour from supernatural horror and created a murder mystery perfect for middle grade readers who love April Henry and Ally Carter. Abbi\u2019s reservations about telling and fear of what may happen are realistic and true. A sluggish start building up Abbi\u2019s character leads to a nail-biting mystery that can\u2019t be put down.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "13-Sep-2022", "date_added": "28-Jun-2022 15:45:39", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011230023", "title": "The Lipstick Bureau: A Novel Inspired by a Real-Life Female Spy", "author": "Michelle Gable", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 198, "review": "There are many historical novels that go back and forth between past and present. Gable could have made her book one of those, showing Niki\u2019s daughter uncovering her mother\u2019s work for the OSS and alternating with showing Niki\u2019s work in the moment, so to speak. Instead, the \u201cpresent\u201d of the novel is a dinner in 1989, before some of Gable\u2019s readers were even alive, and we get to see Niki\u2019s thoughts as her daughter learns there is much more to her life than she ever dreamed.

(Things are complicated further by first-person interludes from an Italian prostitute named Paloma. I found this a fascinating inclusion, and it made me even more eager to see where the story would go.)

World War II novels, especially about women doing intelligence or subterfuge work in the European theater, seem to be a dime a dozen. Some are truly phenomenal. More wind up being dull and uninspired. The Lipstick Bureau falls in the middle. I enjoyed it a lot, but there were a few times where it felt rough and unpolished, even rushed. What mattered to me most, however, was that the story was an exciting one and the characters were fascinating.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "29-Jun-2022 16:08:37", "publisher": "Graydon House Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011230007", "title": "Shot Clock", "author": "Caron Butler, Justin A Reynolds", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sohail - age 13", "word_count": 201, "review": "The Sabres, two-time AAU National Champions, led by basketball phenom Dante Jones, are holding their annual tryouts. Recently, Dante was shot by a police officer in Oasis Springs, leaving the community to mourn. Tony aims to make the Sabres in the hope of carrying on his best friend's legacy. Unfortunately, Tony doesn\u2019t make the team. Instead, he accepts the coach's offer to join as the team statistician after noticing many flaws in the Sabres' first game. The Sabres have a shaky start to the season, but with Tony pointing out the team's weaknesses and helping them improve, the Sabres win the AAU National Championship. On their journey to winning the championship, the Sabres and the Oasis Springs community rally together and fight for justice. The plot of the book was entertaining and kept the reader engaged. The author wrote intriguingly about the Sabres games with several nail-biting moments. The author placed the reader in the characters\u2019 shoes, allowing them to experience the character\u2019s emotions. The characters were realistic, and the dialogue was dramatic and powerful. This book is perfect for teens who have an interest in basketball. I would recommend this book, as it left me turning the pages for hours.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Jun-2022 15:43:25", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011230003", "title": "Glitterland (Spires, 1)", "author": "Alexis Hall", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 201, "review": "Glitterland is hands down one of the best romances I\u2019ve read this year. I don\u2019t know how I went so long without reading any of Alexis Hall\u2019s books! The story follows Ash Winters, a rising literary star who suffered a mental breakdown and now writes crime fiction to get by.

Diagnosed with bipolar depression and having fully given in to hopelessness, Ash is just trying to get through the day, until he meets Darian Taylor at a bachelor party. Darian is sweet and looks at the world through a perfect spray tan and a head full of hair product. The opposites attract tension is thick enough to cut with a knife from the beginning, and the vulnerability and tenderness of their interactions are the perfect counterparts to the incredibly steamy scenes strewn throughout.

Unlike a few other romances I\u2019ve delved into lately (looking at you, Booked on a Feeling) Glitterland does an exceptional job of pulling the reader into the life of someone actually struggling with mental illness instead of using it as a diversity tag and never really delving into the ups and downs of what it\u2019s like to struggle with your mental health while also pursuing a romantic partner.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2023", "date_added": "28-Jun-2022 15:10:05", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011228011", "title": "Act of Oblivion: A Novel", "author": "Robert Harris", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 191, "review": "In 1660, Cromwell and his protectorate have fallen and Charles II is on the throne. The men who overthrew Charles I are now wanted for regicide, traitors rather than heroes of the faith. Two of them, Ned Whalley and William Goffe, managed to flee to the American colonies in hopes of escaping with their lives.

However, they are pursued by Richard Nayler, who will stop at nothing to bring them to justice.

Overall, I enjoyed the book as a fascinating look at a part of history I\u2019m already a little familiar with. Those who have more knowledge about the Restoration may well beg more out of it, but even those who only know the basic facts (or who want to do a quick Wikipedia skim for a little background) will enjoy it. My one complaint was that it did not feel as urgent as I had hoped. There was high tension, but the quiet moments dulled it more than they provided a respite. In addition, I had some trouble remembering who was who.

My final thoughts, though, are that Act of Oblivion was a very interesting read, and I\u2019m glad I picked it up.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "07-Sep-2022", "date_added": "28-Jun-2022 15:18:03", "publisher": "Harper", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011227011", "title": "Rust in the Root", "author": "Justina Ireland", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 201, "review": "Laura has a dream: to use her talents in the mystical arts to create the most amazing desserts at the best bakery ever, serving the likes of Shirley Temple and Clark Gable. She leaves the safety of home for New York City with high hopes. However, four months and so many naysayers later, she joins the Bureau of the Arcane as a last effort.

The Bureau is taxed with helping to end the Blight that is spreading across the land and repairing the Dynamism so that Mechomancy (basically science and technology) can continue to grow. Though Skylark is reluctant to take Laura on, the Bureau is desperate for those who can work the mystical arts (usually colored folk). When Laura is sent on her first mission, she realizes there is so much more to the mystical arts, including a darkness at its core.

The division between the races and their abilities is the basis of this tale set in 1937. The world building is phenomenal, the queer mage is spunky, and the dialogue witty and quick. This is easily as incredible as Dread Nation and its sequel. If there is no sequel to this one, it will be a literary travesty.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "04-Oct-2022", "date_added": "28-Jun-2022 15:55:51", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011226007", "title": "Bit Flip: A Novel", "author": "Mike Trigg", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 419, "review": "Bit Flip is a fascinating look into the dark side of Silicon Valley tech companies. And although this book is a work of fiction, it is easy to see many of the things that happen to the main character, Sam could be taken from true events. Sam Hughes works for a company called Ainetu and is second in command as COO under Founder and CEO Rohan Sharma. Tired of doing \"all the work\", Sam finally loses it. He finds himself as part of a panel that Rohan was supposed to be on in front of a live audience. His co-panelists are all arrogant one-uppers and finally when it is time for Sam to speak he gives them a piece of his mind ending with \"...some days it seems like the only thing we're 'crushing' is ourselves.\". This does not bode well with the audience or with Rohan and Sam is fired from his job. It is after he is fired that Sam finds some disturbing undertakings at Ainetu. He doesn't think twice before deciding he wants to blow the roof off of some very fraudulent \"mistakes\" made by the company.

Bit Flip is a fantastic page-turner from start to finish. Readers will be rooting for Sam as every decision he makes pushes him down further into the rabbit hole. After one of his co-workers is let go and commits suicide, Sam must really think about what it means to work for a company like Ainetu. This is a game of manipulation and power struggles that are never-ending. With themes of suicide, sexual harassment and assault, fixing the books, and the secrets behind Silicon Valley tech startups, Bit Flip is not your ordinary piece of fiction.

Author Mike Trigg does an amazing job describing in detail, the situations that Sam finds himself in, and the conversations he has with other people including co-workers and his own wife. He also describes many Bay Area landmarks and the changes the Bay Area has undergone in the past twenty-plus years. This book is very realistic and as someone who lives in the heart of Silicon Valley, I can attest to the \"barely big enough\" eighteen hundred square foot, three-million-dollar homes and the thought that Sam's own \"kids' sense of reality was permanently distorted from life in the Bay Area\". I mean, how DO you explain that \"not having a gate code and full-time house staff makes you normal, not poor?\" Welcome to Silicon Valley, and prepare to have your definition of entitled tech millennials redefined.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2022", "date_added": "28-Jun-2022 02:07:04", "publisher": "SparkPress", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011226003", "title": "Tomboy: A Jane Benjamin Novel", "author": "Shelley Blanton-Stroud", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 400, "review": "Two years ago, I picked up Copy Boy by Shelley Blanton-Stroud. I fell in love with Jane, the scrappy Oklahoma girl who reinvented herself as a copy boy and cub reporter for the Prospect in San Francisco during the Great Depression. The book was so well-contained that it took me by surprise to find Blanton-Stroud had written a sequel. As soon as I was over that surprise, I knew I had to get my hands on Tomboy.

Though it\u2019s set after Copy Boy, Tomboy stands on its own well enough that it can be read as a standalone novel. All the necessary backstory is provided in a way that doesn\u2019t feel like a heavy dump of exposition but a useful way of filling readers in on a potentially new character. At times it\u2019s hard to believe this is only Blanton-Stroud\u2019s second novel. She writes as though she has years of practice behind her.

In Tomboy, Jane has established herself at the newspaper, but it\u2019s still not enough, and not just because of her burning ambition. She struggles to pay her half of the rent for the apartment she shares with a Czech immigrant, and watching her toddler sister Elsie takes up more energy than she had expected. When a chance comes for her to get a better post as a gossip columnist, she leaps at it. Finally, perhaps she won\u2019t be overlooked. Finally, perhaps she\u2019ll be paid what she\u2019s worth, or at least enough to make her way.

A trip to report on a female tennis star at Wimbledon proves to be more than Jane bargained for when the tennis star\u2019s coach drops dead at the game. On the trip back across the Atlantic, more questions arise, and Jane soon finds herself knee-deep in another mystery.

I loved Tomboy just as much as I did Copy Boy. Shelley Blanton-Stroud has a knack for capturing character voices and giving her characters enough small details to make them deep without making them obvious choices. Characters who would have been caricatures and cliches in another\u2019s hand are made human by hers. The end of the 1930s was part of an extended transition in American life. A complex time requires complex characters.

I don\u2019t know what Ms. Blanton-Stroud has planned next, but I do hope she continues writing. Whether she makes another Jane Benjamin novel or branches out to explore new characters, I know I will eagerly read it.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "13-Jul-2022", "date_added": "28-Jun-2022 02:04:33", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011224003", "title": "Crippled Jack", "author": "Boston Teran", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 202, "review": "As I read Crippled Jack, I told one of my friends it was written for those whose strongest memory of One Hundred Years of Solitude was the banana workers\u2019 strike. The two books, however, have little in common. Crippled Jack is a western, as gritty as a summer on the plains, with hardly a taste of magic in it. Rather than spanning generations of a family, it focuses tightly on a boy left for dead by his parents and his desperate struggle to survive.

Though the book is focused, it still has a strong thematic coloring. Every chapter is a reminder of the abuses of the capitalism of the late 1800s. Men with money and power ruled even the west, and they often used their power for their own ends, rather than for the good of others.

It\u2019s a message that still resonates strongly today. It will be a useful reminder in any age.

Crippled Jack is not an easy read, both due to subject matter and to the author\u2019s writing style, which will not suit everyone. It took me a few chapters to really settle into it, but once I had, I found that this was a book I simply could not put down.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2022", "date_added": "27-Jun-2022 20:14:04", "publisher": "High-Top Publishing LLC", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011223003", "title": "Holmes Coming", "author": "Kenneth Johnson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 553, "review": "In the Spirit of Famous Mystery Icons Roundup\n\nClassic mystery icons never die as authors keep their spirits alive with new works written in a similar style. These books are a roundup of new books that honor Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes. Experience the wonderful mystery-solving techniques of these two once again.\n\nA Trace of Poison\nColleen Cambridge\nKensington\nISBN: 9781496732477\n\nReaders will reveal in this delightful mystery set in the world of Agatha Christie. Entrants of a writing conference gather together for an evening of cocktails when one of the attendees drinks a lethal cocktail meant for Alastair Whittlesby, the man who is a shoo-in for the top prize. Agatha\u2019s housekeeper, Phyllida Bright, is the sleuth in this story about jealousy, murder, and danger. With cameos from history's most famous writers, readers will love the twists and turns.\n\nA Murder at Balmoral\nChris McGeorge\nPenguin Publishing Group\nISBN: 9780593544136\n\nThe royal family has gathered at Balmoral Castle for their annual Christmas retreat. As King Eric is about to name his successor, he drops dead. The chef, Jonathan, plays the detective in this Agatha Christie-style locked-room mystery. Everyone in the family has a means, and a motive, and readers will guess one family member after the other. As secrets unfold, will Jonathan find out whodunnit before he himself becomes the victim? Clever and full of surprises, A Murder at Balmoral is like the game of Clue in book form.\n\nWhat Child is This?\nBonnie MacBird, Frank Cho\nHarperCollins Publishers\n9780008521288\n\nSherlock Holmes takes on two cases in this book that masters the style and characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. With detailed illustrations by illustrator Frank Cho, fans of the Baker Street detective and his trusty sidekick Watson will enjoy these stories set during Christmas time. The stories both involve missing persons\u2014one, a three-year-old of a wealthy couple who has been kidnapped, and two, an aristocrat\u2019s son who has gone missing from his London pied \u00e0 terre. This page-turner is perfect for fans of Holmes and Watson.\n\nThe Body Falls (5) (An Inishowen Mystery)\nAndrea Carter\nOceanview Publishing\n9781608094301\n\nSet in Glendara, Inishowen, Ireland, Lawyer Benedicta (Ben) O'Keeffe and Police Sergeant Tom Malloy set out to solve a mystery. After a torrential downpour, a body falls onto a passing vehicle after being dislodged. The victim is a well-known charities boss and a snakebite is found. Being in an area where there are no native snakes, Ben and Tom investigate whether or not this could actually be a homicide. This is the fifth novel in this series and is written much like that of an Agatha Christie mystery.\n\nHolmes Coming\nKenneth Johnson\nBlackstone Publishing\n9798200706884\n\nWhen Dr. Amy Winslow finds a half-mummified man who calls himself Holmes and claims he was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle\u2019s muse, Amy thinks the guy is out of his mind. After reviving him, she realizes this man really is the real Holmes (his first name is NOT Sherlock, however) and sets out to help him solve cases, including one that is very close to her. The San Francisco Police Chief died on her table after being attacked by a Bengal tiger. In this Holmes revival, readers will experience the time-traveled detective as he would be in modern times. Cleverly written and perfect for fans of the brash genius detective.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Jun-2022 20:09:56", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "306 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011222007", "title": "Jigsaw: Mystery in the Mail", "author": "Bob Graham", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "A mysterious package is delivered to the Kelly family. It is covered with exotic stamps and has clearly come from a long way away. When they open it they find a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle of a scene in Africa along with an unsigned note that simply says, \u201cGood luck to you all.\u201d Mom, Kitty, and Katie want to do it. Dad says he has time on his hands, so he sets his watch to late autumn and they begin. But as they unwrap the puzzle, they don\u2019t notice that one piece falls onto the dog\u2019s back. The piece falls onto the floor, where it is vacuumed up and put into the garbage and carried away. It isn\u2019t until much later the family discovers there's a missing piece. Can they ever finish the puzzle?

Bob Graham has created a funny family and given them a silly problem. It certainly will intrigue young listeners and give them plenty to wonder about as they are totally engaged. The illustrations are delightful and filled with lots of fun details to help keep youngsters\u2019 eyes on the pages as they search the drawings. Kids will love this one and so will adults reading it.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "14-Oct-2022", "date_added": "27-Jun-2022 19:59:03", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011221015", "title": "The Spear Cuts Through Water: A Novel", "author": "Simon Jimenez", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - age 13", "word_count": 173, "review": "Beautifully well written, The Spear Cuts Through Water is a unique novel. Centered on a young man in the USA during the war with Korea, it takes him to a gods\u2019 theater and there the plot plays out in the form of a play. The play, which was a \u201ctrue\u201d legend from the character\u2019s past, is a story of the overthrow of an evil government, human nature, and love.

With flashbacks and loads of emotional input, The Spear Cuts Through Water expertly uses stream-of-consciousness narration to tell an epic story. Because it often uses bad language, is regularly explicit, dark, and centered on three adult men, I must say that it is best for high schoolers and teens. Libraries and high school libraries should have a copy, and teachers might want to use a section to illustrate stream-of-consciousness narration. The book is that good. It is worth re-reading, so this is a good novel to purchase.

If you are an epic fantasy kind of teen, The Spear Cuts Through Water is for you!", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "24-Nov-2022", "date_added": "27-Jun-2022 20:17:20", "publisher": "Random House Worlds", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011221007", "title": "Trusting True North", "author": "Gina Linko", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 201, "review": "True is missing her mom, who is stuck in Canada due to the border being closed during the pandemic. Sure, True has the rest of her family, but True feels it\u2019s up to her to keep everyone safe, especially Grandma Jo, who recently had cancer treatments, which is a lot of responsibility for a young girl. When True makes a treasure map for Georgie, they find themselves in the old barn, where they find a family of kittens and a misunderstood boy from school, Kyler, who is trying to save the kittens. True and Kyler become friends. As people around town start to get sick, True has to make some hard decisions.

Gina Linko has written a sweet story from True\u2019s point of view as she faces the problems of schooling, family, friends, a missing parent, and more during a lockdown. Many of the youngsters reading this book will relate to the problems True has to face. The pandemic, though, does not seem to be treated as seriously as it should have been. No one gets really sick and it skirts many of the issues of this cataclysmic event. Still, for the middle-grade set, this is a good story well told.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2022", "date_added": "27-Jun-2022 19:54:08", "publisher": "Shadow Mountain Publishing", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011220003", "title": "A Touch of Moonlight: A Novel", "author": "Yaffa S Santos", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Dillon Allen-Perez", "word_count": 187, "review": "Every full moon, Larimar Cintr\u00f3n\u2019s naturally curly hair straightens itself out. Her ankles twist themselves around until her feet face backward. She can run so fast that she\u2019s flying and invisible.

The women of older generations in her family are in ciguapa form year-round. Larimar lives the life of a normal early-thirties woman in New York. She\u2019s content living with her hidden secret until her best friend sets her up with a cute boy that also loves being in the crowd at punk shows and runs his own bakery. Romance may make her come to terms with more parts of her life than she ever would have expected.

The Dominican myth sprinkles a fun folklore twist into this familiar romance recipe. Since this is the big selling point, more background and exploration of the ciguapa would have made this book more interesting. It makes for an intriguing beginning to the story and a distinctive personality trait for the main character. The concept leads to a rather predictable romantic plot. That being said, it\u2019s a good romantic drama for fans of the genre who welcome familiar recipes as comfort food.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2023", "date_added": "27-Jun-2022 15:46:06", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011219007", "title": "This Time Tomorrow", "author": "Emma Straub", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 198, "review": "This Time Tomorrow is one of my favorite books of the year so far. Beautifully written with love, compassion, and wonder, author Emma Straub captures the raw emotions of her main character Alice on each page. It's Alice's fortieth birthday. She goes to dinner with her best friend since childhood, Sam, and then proceeds to get drunk at a bar. Her father, Leonard, is in the hospital nearing hospice. Alice is unmarried, has no children, and works at the private school she attended as a child. But something happens to Alice that night. She stumbles upon something beyond her wildest dreams. When she wakes up, it is her sixteenth birthday.

I absolutely loved the time travel aspect of this book because it gave Alice a chance to see what things would be like if she had done certain things differently. The relationship between Alice and Sam is wonderful and trusting. And the painful feelings that Alice experiences as her father is dying really tore at my heartstrings. This is a wonderfully written book with so many vivid scenes and feelings. I finished this book in one day and was thinking about it long after I read the last page.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2022", "date_added": "27-Jun-2022 19:47:08", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011218015", "title": "American Desi", "author": "Jyoti Rajan Gopal,Supriya Kelkar", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - age 10", "word_count": 139, "review": "American Desi is a cute book about a little girl who lives in two cultures at once. You kind of get the whole idea on the first page and then it just repeats in different examples, but the pictures are appealing and the story is engaging enough to keep you flipping the pages.

This book would be appealing for children growing up in America with Indian heritage, but it\u2019s probably more interesting for those not familiar with Indian culture who want to get a glimpse of some of the various ways that lifestyles are very different in the two countries.

You definitely get a few new words that aren\u2019t really explained but make sense in context. The story is short, sweet, and upbeat, so it would draw in even the youngest readers. The book\u2019s end sheets are especially pretty.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "13-Oct-2022", "date_added": "27-Jun-2022 19:58:11", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011216023", "title": "MEATPACKING", "author": "Michael Heslin", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 419, "review": "Meatpackers tells the story of a woman named Max and her daughter Salome as they navigate life throughout the various decades. Living in a small loft of a hardware store in the meatpacking district of New York, Max and Salome make do with what they have which is not much. The loft, however, has character and is covered with de Kooning and other impressionist paintings. A very drunk Jackson Pollock also makes an appearance in this book and decides to paint one of the loft walls. Mr. Zwerling, the owner of the hardware store, and his mute helper Emmett do their best to help Max and Salome. They help fix up the loft and do odd jobs for the girls including babysitting Salome when she is little.

The book chronicles historical events such as World War I and the dilapidation of the neighborhood Max and Salome live in. Max skips from job to job working in a department store, a restaurant, and a club where she is a cigarette girl. Max's true aspiration is to be a writer, however, and she ends up writing some articles for the New York Post. Unfortunately, Salome does not do well in school and ends up not finishing as she is deemed slow. This is to her detriment as her skill set is very limited as an adult and it is difficult for her to keep a job. Her repeated mistakes at her job make it so her coworkers do not like her and Salome can do nothing but go home and be sad about it.

I really enjoyed Max and Salome's story as it was both sad and humbling to hear about two women who never really had a chance in life. The book skipped years and is not in chronological order. This made the story a bit hard to follow and to really know the age of the characters because it covers so many decades from the 1930s to 2005. The characters in this book were colorful and likable. The gentleness of Emmett and his sad ending broke my heart and Mr. Zwerling was such a kind-hearted man. The simplicity of life back then was so different from the busy lives of today. The descriptions of the neighborhoods, the small shops and restaurants, and the quality of life of the people during the 40s and 50s are well-written and I felt as if I was sharing Max and Salome's experiences with them. This is a beautiful story perfect for fans of historical fiction.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2022", "date_added": "24-Jun-2022 19:33:01", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011216019", "title": "Exiles' Escape: Book Two of Old Men and Infidels", "author": "Walter Clark Boutwell", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff ", "word_count": 421, "review": "Over a hundred years in the future, America as we know it has split into two and become all but unrecognizable. Along the east coast, the Democratic Unity is seemingly a haven for youth and innovation, but its core is, unsurprisingly, rotten. The rest of America has grown just as strange, filled with carnivorous plants, some of which are very nearly human.

Between these two worlds, Malila Chiu is doing her best to escape the former for the latter. It may be dangerous, but at least there she will have people she can rely on. At least there, she has a chance to survive.

Exiles\u2019 Escape is the second in a series, and while I was for the most part able to follow the story, I would recommend reading Outland Exile first. Boutwell provides a brief synopsis and has the characters reflect on what led them to their current circumstances, which I found very helpful. All the same, I couldn\u2019t help but think there were some details I was missing that kept me from understanding the plot as well as I would like. Because of this, I erred on the side of caution and gave the book four stars rather than three. Some of my confusion may have come from trying to jump into the middle of a story and naturally missing some elements.

I don\u2019t think all of it was due to my having missed the first book, though, especially as the story went on. Characters would drop out of the narrative only to suddenly pop up when their story intersected with someone else\u2019s, and any explanation for how they got there came after the fact. Sometimes this can work, but in my opinion, Boutwell was not able to pull it off very well. It felt too coincidental, as though they appeared only because that was where they were supposed to come back into the story, rather than because they would have come there naturally. It shook my suspension of disbelief and kept me from giving the book a full five stars.

Even with my suspension of disbelief shaken, Exiles\u2019 Escape is a very interesting book. Boutwell has created an intriguing world, and I wish he could have delved more deeply into exploring it. I intend to look for Outland Exile to see whether it has more information on the setting, which I found more intriguing than the characters. That doesn\u2019t always bode well in science fiction, but in this case, I only minded because I wanted to see more.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Jun-2022 19:21:57", "publisher": "Indigo River Publishing", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011216015", "title": "Exiles' Escape: Book Two of Old Men and Infidels", "author": "Walter Clark Boutwell", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 437, "review": "In 2129, the United States of America is no longer a proud nation. The country has been ripped apart by domestic discord. Major cities have been overrun by revolutionaries, power snatched from the politicians in Washington and taken by dissident hordes. The Democratic Unity is now running things. Malila Chiu, seventeen years old, is a fugitive from the Unity and its soldiers of repression. Malila wants to cross the enemy barrier known as the \u201cRampart\u201d and head for an area undetectable by the encroaching surveillance state.

Jesse Johnstone is a living breathing legend. He is not only a renowned soldier, but at seventy-six years old, he is the oldest man around. Jesse is also a symbol of the resistance to the growing new world order and a target for assassination. Jesse and Malila had found shelter with one another, but the peril involved with them staying together proved too grave. Jesse is highly sought after for his counsel.

William Yeats Butler hailed from Searcy, Arkansas. His youth was marked by slow development and sheltered existence. As he grew, he learned to fight the bullies by utilizing his smarts. William is particularly adept with a computer. He is approached by the government to serve and is utilized in an experiment for super soldiers. Once trained, William is hunting rebels of the Unity.

Hecate is an exile who is assumed dead from an alleged suicide. In reality, she has unplugged from the surveillance state and is determined to stay gone. While on the run, she encounters a scavenger of human misery intent on making her his captive. Her battle for survival has taken on new dimensions.

The landscape Malila, Jesse, William, and Hecate share is grim and getting more so daily.

Exiles\u2019 Escape is the second book in author W. Clark\u2019s Boutwell\u2019s planned trilogy (Of Old Men and Infidels), and it doesn\u2019t disappoint for a second. The parallels between the current political divide and the not-too-distant future illustrated are alarming. A stark portrait of a dystopian misery where paranoia is warranted, friends are few, and death offers sweet release.

The narrative shifts between the perspectives of the heroines, anti-heroes, and antagonists in a seamless fashion, the action developing and delivered with efficiency. The need for survival in an unfriendly world is essential, but not guaranteed. The specter of a fractionalized nation, where order is only a step removed from chaos, is frightening. However, the upside lies in the resistance and the resolve of those who compose it.

Exiles Escape wows as an intense science fiction drama that will leave the reader waiting for the next installment with bated breath.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Jun-2022 19:21:46", "publisher": "Indigo River Publishing", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011216011", "title": "Exiles' Escape: Book Two of Old Men and Infidels", "author": "Walter Clark Boutwell", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 474, "review": "Outland Exile, the first book in W. Clark Boutwell\u2019s Old Men and Infidels series, introduced Second Lieutenant Malila Chiu, a seventeen-year-old veteran military officer in a post-apocalyptic world where the all-powerful Democratic Unity enforces a youth-focused regime centered on technological innovation. After a period of exile in the supposedly lawless and barren Outlands caused Malila to question everything she had been told, she became a potential threat to Eustace Jourdaine, would-be leader of the Unity, and so was scheduled for either death or psychological reprogramming. Fortunately, the skills that Malila learned during her exile allowed her to escape that fate, and after faking her death, to also escape from the Unity.

In Exiles\u2019 Escape, the reality of her precarious situation quickly catches up with Malila. She may have temporarily escaped the clutches of Jourdaine and the forces of the Unity, but she\u2019s now alone in \u201cthe fetid chaos of EastFiladelfya,\u201d without the clothes and technology she has become accustomed to, her only hope being to find a way back to Jesse and the allies she made in the Outlands. She\u2019s also without the help of Edie\u2014her personal on-board/brain computer\u2014for the first time since she was ten years old, which means she\u2019s really going to have to do her thinking for herself. Meanwhile, Malila\u2019s friend Hecate has also faked her death and is now embarking on her own difficult journey toward freedom, while Jesse is on his way to confront both his former comrades and his feelings for Malila. As all this unfolds, Jourdaine is plotting to consolidate his power and finally vanquish his enemies, including Malila.

Exiles\u2019 Escape is set in a dystopian near-future in which civilization has collapsed, war is raging, political corruption is rife, and ordinary people seem to suffer whatever they do. A significant amount of world-building took place in Outland Exile, which means that Boutwell makes reference to various concepts, situations, and technologies in this second volume in the saga that could prove confusing for new readers, although he does also provide a brief recap and a timeline of earlier events. Ultimately, while Exiles\u2019 Escape could be read as a stand-alone story, starting with the first volume is recommended.

The story itself is told from the differing perspectives of various main characters, including Malila, Jesse, Hecate, Jourdaine, and Edie, which allows Boutwell to further develop their individual storylines and extend the overall plot in different directions. However, although much of Exiles\u2019 Escape is told through dialogue, he doesn\u2019t quite manage to give the characters distinct voices, which detracts from the story somewhat. This lack of convincing voices also means that some of the relationships between the characters don\u2019t quite ring true. In fact, it unfortunately seems like Boutwell dedicated more thought and effort to constructing a convincing environment for his story than to ensuring it is populated by engaging characters.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Jun-2022 19:21:38", "publisher": "Indigo River Publishing", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011216007", "title": "Exiles' Escape: Book Two of Old Men and Infidels", "author": "Walter Clark Boutwell", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 424, "review": "Exiles' Escape: Book Two of Old Men and Infidels picks up where Outland Exile ends, with Malila Chiu on the run, following her faked suicide and her escape from Jourdaine\u2014whose \"loyalty exercise\" could have killed her. Broken in rank for her crimes, seventeen-year-old former DUFS officer, Malila, endures several daunting challenges on her way to freedom. Since her body did not surface within three days, Jourdaine considers that she faked her own suicide. Consequently, he ponders the need to \"take the charm out of\" her charmed life and punish the girl that has become a liability to his rule. Follow Malila Chiu on her mission to remain free in a world plagued by mind-controlling drugs, inhumane leadership, sensation-poor babies, zombie armies, and various atrocities.

Walter Clark Boutwell creates a seriously creative fictional world that appears incredibly real, as it is highly intricate and well-developed. I liked that the book explores different interesting things that could develop if people had forty years to live, like age becoming part of names and \"people being introduced with their age class\". That people are tricked into believing a simulation is the real world in the story makes me wonder how much of my values and goal were inherited from hidden agendas. I also loved the characters. Hecate's determination to keep going, despite the challenges she faces, is quite inspiring. Her calculated coldness and ability to strike when it's least expected sent a chill down my spine. And I liked that Malila displays some comical nonchalance and boldness in some situations, like when she decided to eat a sausage at gunpoint.

Though the book fascinated me in some aspects, it failed to impress me in some other areas. First, the story seemed to focus too much on the world, and it did not follow a clear, engrossing direction. Too much politicking, power moves, and scientific work are going on; emotional, relatable elements, like deep friendship and sacrifice, are minor. Secondly, the details and directions are overwhelming, and a big part of the time I spent on the book was consumed by memorizing and recalling information about the various characters, goals, and governmental practices, instead of enjoying the flow of the narrative.

Exiles' Escape is one of those books that make you contemplate some possibilities you have never imagined before, which forces you to reexamine your own reality and how society is structured. The book is best suited for fans of futuristic, sci-fi, and dystopian narratives. It might not keep you up at night, but it will definitely engage your mind.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "13-Jul-2022", "date_added": "24-Jun-2022 19:21:24", "publisher": "Indigo River Publishing", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011216003", "title": "Dark Money and Private Spies", "author": "Everett Stern", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 430, "review": "My jaw dropped more than once reading Everett Stern\u2019s story, Dark Money and Private Spies. Telling the tale of how he became the HSBC whistleblower, I was blown away by the cards Stern was thrown and the unwavering courage he possessed. If you like true stories about fraud, money laundering, surveillance, and espionage, you will really enjoy this book.

Stern had a complex childhood. Although riddled with much good, he still faced quite a few life-changing circumstances. Between the burning down of his home, being bullied for his stutter, and losing his best friend in a car accident, Stern went through a lot before he became an adult. Undeniably, the hardest circumstance he went through at this time was losing his best friend. Stern writes that at sixteen he hit rock bottom, refusing to even get out of bed and sleeping for days on end. Fortunately, through this horrific tragedy, he finds his purpose - to stop injustice and fight for what\u2019s right.

This purpose is what fuels Stern\u2019s determination to take down HSBC later on in his life. After working as an intern on Wall Street, Stern decides that kind of lifestyle is not one he can sustain. Therefore, he moves on to college, and eventually in search of his first, full-time job. Although unqualified, he applies at HSBC to be an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and gets the phone call to interview just minutes later. Ignoring obvious red flags, Stern takes the position and soon realizes that HSBC is beyond corrupt. Both his colleagues and supervisors do not actually file SARS (Suspicious Activity Reports) about activity that is clearly suspicious. No one actually looked into the alerts they were getting, rather just blindly pressed the \u201cclear\u201d button. Stern is quick to notice that it seems HSBC purposefully hires people who have no idea what they are doing to fund terrorism, drug cartels, and other highly illegal organizations. With HSBC\u2019s international presence, officers like Stern were funding enemies all over the world. Needless to say, after realizing the gravity of this, Stern questions his supervisors who basically tell him to be quiet and just do his job. However, with a \u201cwhy\u201d of fighting injustice, Stern rightly refuses to go down that easily. From this moment, he takes drastic action to take down HSBC, including contacting the CIA and becoming the HSBC whistleblower. Stern continues to fight HSBC to this day (an organization somehow still running) in addition to many other personal accomplishments. An absolutely incredible story, I highly encourage you to dive into Stern\u2019s story riddled with secrets, mystery, and surprises.", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2022", "date_added": "24-Jun-2022 19:18:25", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc.", "page_count": "159 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011215007", "title": "My Imaginary Mary", "author": "Cynthia Hand,Brodi Ashton,Jodi Meadows", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 199, "review": "Mary Godwin has basically one option in nineteenth-century Europe, and that\u2019s to get married. Percy Shelley seems like a likely candidate, but she dreams of writing and doing her own thing with literature. Ada Lovelace is in a similar predicament, but she yearns for time and space to manipulate math and create automatons with her mentor, Mr. Babbage. When the girls learn they are fae, it seems like a great time to combine their fae skills to build the ultimate automaton, creating something even more amazing than Mr. Babbage has done with Ada\u2019s work. However, their fae magic goes farther than they expect when combined with the power of lightning. The two girls create something beyond a mere machine and must run away to the continent to keep their creation safe.

Suffice it to say that no one in history is immune to these alternate history romps. While not historically accurate, the story is delightful in its references to contemporary pop culture (though some readers may miss the mark for the younger intended audience) and to beloved classic stories. A sweet, slowly simmering romance and strong feminism undercurrents make this a worthy addition to the authors\u2019 alternate timeline tales.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2022", "date_added": "24-Jun-2022 18:29:46", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011210015", "title": "Fenris & Mott", "author": "Greg van Eekhout", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - age 16", "word_count": 180, "review": "A wonderful adventure rooted in Norse mythology, Fenris & Mott is an amazing novel. It begins with Mott attempting to record a video about root beer, when she discovers a small, white puppy. She brings it to a vet to check for microchips and the vet informs her that the puppy is, in fact, a wolf. The wolf escapes the vet, and Mott has a strange encounter with a man who calls the wolf Fenris, devourer of gods.

This kicks off her adventure, during which she encounters numerous beings found in Norse myth, ranging from gods to a giant. With help from a Valkyrie, Mott does everything in her power to stop Ragnarok and save Fenris from a fate he doesn't deserve.

This was an awesome book. It was very fun to read and took an interesting approach to Norse mythology. The character Thrundi was one of my favorites, she helped Mott in her quest while learning the ways of Midgard. I would recommend this book to kids from sixth to eighth grade, especially those interested in mythology and adventure.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "13-Oct-2022", "date_added": "24-Jun-2022 17:23:41", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011210011", "title": "The Animal Toolkit: How Animals Use Tools", "author": "Steve Jenkins,Robin Page", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 135, "review": "We know animals are all special in their own way, but many animals have one-of-a-kind adaptations to help them survive the wild. Like, did you know some birds' beaks are different from others depending on what they eat? Did you know monkeys use tools to help them survive in the wild and find food? This book is full of fun facts about animals and their adaptations that set them apart from others.

This book has really cute and colorful illustrations of each animal. I like that the text is a bite-sized amount of information and helps readers to stay focused. My favorite part of the book is how smart the Octopus is and how he makes himself a mobile home in the ocean. This is a really fun book to help readers learn about animal adaptations.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "13-Oct-2022", "date_added": "24-Jun-2022 17:18:23", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011210007", "title": "Night on the Sand", "author": "Monica Mayper, Jaime Kim", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 206, "review": "A tumultuous storm rolls in, leaving two siblings homeless and afraid. Their parents are nowhere in sight; all that remains is each other, a single blanket, and a small orange. Together, they walk until their feet reach the sand. As the Moon looks down on them, they slumber on the beach. Others are among them, facing their same fate. In the morning, they each do their part, knowing it\u2019s the only way to survive. One casts his pole, while another gathers firewood. Soon, in the far distance, a boat comes into view. As it pulls up to the seashore, the refugees\u2019 fears transform into aspirations.

This is a beautifully woven story of hope, love, community, and resilience. It\u2019s unique in that the author gives voice to the youngest child, allowing readers to see the experience through his eyes. The pages are sprinkled with imagery and symbolism: from the soft, delicate sand along the seashore to the tiny, round orange the brothers grasp so tightly. The illustrations emanate warmth and feature gorgeous color schemes. They bring the narrative to life. Children will feel the brothers\u2019 hunger as the hours of their journey wear on, and they will celebrate their joy when the tides turn in their direction.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2022", "date_added": "24-Jun-2022 16:56:37", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011209007", "title": "Frances and the Monster", "author": "Refe Tuma", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - age 16", "word_count": 177, "review": "Frances and the Monster is a thrilling tale of adventure and suspense. In this novel, Frances Stenzel, daughter of two talented inventors, is left behind on a trip to a convention at Brussels. Instead of getting to see cool inventions, she is stuck at home in her family's mansion, which she hasn't left in over seven years.

She is left in the care of H.O.B.B.E.S., a new robotic tutor programmed specifically to care for her. In an effort to get rid of her tutor, she awakens a terrifying monster, which escapes and heads toward the nearby town. With the still functioning head of H.O.B.B.E.S., she embarks on a journey to recapture the monster before it can do any harm. Along the way, she makes a new friend and new enemies, and she even starts to understand H.O.B.B.E.S. better.

This book was extremely well written. The world building and story were amazing, and the characters were dynamic and relatable. I would recommend this book to kids from sixth grade to tenth grade, especially if they like adventure novels.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "13-Oct-2022", "date_added": "24-Jun-2022 18:16:40", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011209003", "title": "Sweetwater and the Witch", "author": "Jayne Castle", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 378, "review": "January 2023 Romance Roundup-Fall Head Over Heels\n\nSweetwater and the Witch\nJayne Castle\nPenguin Publishing Group\nISBN: 9780593440254\n\nWhen matchmaker Ravenna and her client Ethan Sweetwater find that they can help one another out by being each other\u2019s dates, they end up falling in love. Add in some action and espionage, and you have yourself a romantic thriller. Part romance, and suspense, with a little science fiction thrown in, this one is a pageturner.\n\nWhere We End & Begin\nJane Igharo\nBerkley\nISBN: 9780593440230\n\nWhen Dunni goes back to her home country of Nigeria for a wedding, she finds herself falling in love again with her high school sweetheart, Obinna. But will their present situation and past collide? When secrets are revealed, will she and Obinna end up together or will it tear them apart? This romantic novel will have readers clutching their hearts and hoping for the best.\n\n\nVanessa Jared's Got a Man\nLaQuette\nSt. Martin's Publishing Group\nISBN: 9781250773395\n\nVanessa Jared is getting back on her feet and focusing on taking care of herself. That is until a sexy sheriff asks her to help him. The sheriff\u2019s little sister is about to marry Vanessa\u2019s ex. When Vanessa finds out she has Vanessa\u2019s grandmother\u2019s ring she knows she has to help the sheriff. This book will have readers cheering for Vanessa as she finds love and gets a little revenge on her ex at the same time.\n\nSomething in the Heir\nSuzanne Enoch\nSt. Martin's Publishing Group\nISBN: 9781250842527\n\nHeiress Emmeline Pershing and her husband William lead very satisfying lives. But when her grandfather, the Duke of Welshire, summons Emmeline and William, and their two made-up children to his birthday, they end up bringing two orphans to the celebration. What pursues is chaos, a bit of madness, and even a little rekindled romance. Readers will love this creative romance novel.\n\nThe Viper\nJ R Ward\nGallery Books\nISBN: 9781982179908\n\nKane is in prison after he is framed for murder. An empathetic nurse named Nadya takes to him. When Kane makes a life changing decision, he goes to see Nadya even though doing so collides with his past and possibly his future. Can Kane\u2019s soul be saved with true love? This prison camp romance is dark and action-filled.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "04-May-2023", "date_added": "24-Jun-2022 16:14:19", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011208015", "title": "Little Blue Truck Makes a Friend", "author": "Alice Schertle, Jill McElmurry", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 140, "review": "Little Blue Truck is driving on the farm when he and Toad hear that there is a new animal to meet. As Little Blue Truck drives through the farm, each farm animal wonders if the new animal friend will make a sound like they do. Duck also wonders if the new friend will be able to swim or float. The animals keep following Little Blue Truck to the countryside when suddenly they see a home unlike their homes on the farm. This house is a hole in the hill.

Read this book to find out what animal lives in the side of the hill. This is a really cute book. It has very colorful illustrations. I really like this book for young readers like my sister because it helps them to learn about farm animals and the sounds they make.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "30-Sep-2022", "date_added": "24-Jun-2022 19:12:45", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011208007", "title": "Little Good Wolf", "author": "Susan Stevens Crummel, Janet Stevens", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 140, "review": "We have all heard of the Big Bad Wolf, but has anyone heard of the Little Good Wolf? In the Big Bad Forest there lives a family of wolves, but the baby wolf is unlike his dad, Big Bad Wolf. Little Good Wolf wants to be good, so his family sends him to Bad School to learn from other bad creatures how to be bad. On his way home from Bad School, Little Wolf gets lost in the forest. His parents miss him so much they decide to try to make some better choices for their son, and not make him be bad.

This was an incredible spin on a classic story. I really like this book. The illustrations of the baddies are amazing. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a new take on an old favorite.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "30-Sep-2022", "date_added": "24-Jun-2022 17:04:37", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011207019", "title": "A Participatory Economy", "author": "Robin Hahnel", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 206, "review": "There are many complaints about capitalism and the impact it has on individuals and society, yet many times efforts by socialists and leftists to describe an economic system that would replace capitalism and not just become a state dictatorship often fall flat or leave out many pertinent details. This book is a step in the direction of working out in detail what a participatory economy would look like and how it would be much better for the individual and the environment, though there are still many details to work out. One issue that keeps cropping up is having workers' councils run the show at companies or plants, but the question becomes how do you stop them from becoming dictatorships and an individual gaining complete control. Also, while it is a nice idea, I am not sure it will be something that happens in my lifetime, as there would need to be a radical change that generally occurs at the same time across the entire world. Getting people to agree locally is one thing; getting people to agree across countries is something else. I think the change will continue to be small and piecemeal for the time being. But a good start at filling in the details.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "27-Oct-2022", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 19:29:28", "publisher": "AK Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011207007", "title": "The Icarus Plot", "author": "Timothy Zahn", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 188, "review": "Timothy Zahn is a mainstay in the field of science fiction, putting out new novels at a prodigious and steady clip, oftentimes in the Star Wars/em> universe and other times original works. This book falls into the latter category. This book will not be a barn burner or one that might stick with you for a long time, but it is a fun read with a fast moving plot that keeps the action going right through to the end, even if the ending is a little bit predictable.

Greogry Roarke leads a ragtag group taking jobs in exploring worlds as potential colonization locations, even if it is slightly dangerous and does not pay much. But a job comes along that promises to be a big payday and provide enough funds for the crew to do something else other than scrounge for money when the Icarus project returns six years after it disappeared. The Icarus project is something everyone is after and serves as the McGuffin of the work, as people often talk about it but is not seen very much itself. Overall, a fast-paced, quick, and enjoyable read.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2022", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 18:05:11", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011207003", "title": "Hello, Moon", "author": "Evan Turk", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 188, "review": "A little boy and his mother see the moon outside their window. They decide to go out into the cold winter night and say hello to the moon. After they visit with the moon a while, they say good night and promise to come another night. When they next see the moon, the little boy says some of it has disappeared, but his mom explains that the moon is just hiding a bit of his face and that as time goes on, the moon will hide more and more of his face until they will have a night with no moon they can see. The stars seem to shine brighter and the boy and his mother can see many, many more. That night is called the new moon.

Evan Turk has written and illustrated a sweet story that will help children to learn about the phases of the moon as it waxes and wanes. The dark, rich colors of the illustrations perfectly mimic winter nights, drawing youngsters into the story, and the spare, lyrical language will settle them down for the night. This is a lovely bedtime book.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2022", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 16:06:10", "publisher": "Atheneum Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011206027", "title": "Peg and Rose Solve a Murder: A Charming and Humorous Cozy Mystery (A Senior Sleuths Mystery)", "author": "Laurien Berenson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 177, "review": "Peg and Rose are sisters-in-law. But they have never seen eye to eye. In fact, they can't stand one another. So it comes as a big surprise when Rose asks Peg to become her bridge partner at a local community center. Even more surprising, while they are trying to repair their decades-long frayed relationship, a member of their bridge club is murdered. What better way for Rose and Peg to overcome their differences than by trying to find out what really happened to Stan and flush out a killer at the same time. If only they could stay out of harm's way while nosing about in everyone's affairs. And time will tell whether or not these sisters-in-law will finally be able to bury the hatchet and ultimately become friends.

This is a fun novel with strong female characters and lots of canine fun. Local shenanigans keep this story moving toward an exciting end that I hadn't anticipated. Anyone who loves dogs, especially poodles, dog shows, and silver-haired sleuths, will enjoy this new cozy mystery series by Lauren Berenson.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 19:37:00", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011206003", "title": "Annette Feels Free: The True Story of Annette Kellerman, World-Class Swimmer, Fashion Pioneer, and Real-Life Mermaid", "author": "Katie Mazeika", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 229, "review": "Annette Feels Free is a heart-warming story based on the real-life events of \u201cThe Original Mermaid\u201d, Annette Kellerman. Growing up in a musical household, Annette loved to dance. However, at 6 years old her legs suddenly became weak and she was fitted for braces. Since she was unable to dance, her father encouraged her to move freely in the water. Annette practiced everyday until she was one of the fastest swimmers in Australia! She performed creative water ballets and audiences were astounded by her talents.

This book will inspire children to preserve through challenges to achieve success. Annette was also a pioneer for the women\u2019s rights movement. She thought it was unfair that men could swim in sleek suits while she was forced to swim in bulky clothes. She fought for the right to wear an equal amount of clothing and achieved victory! Her invention of the women\u2019s bathing suit was quickly popularized and worn by women all over the world. She also continued to teach women to dive and swim, leading to the creation of synchronized swimming. The author of this story, Katie Mazeika drew inspiration from Annette\u2019s perseverence when she encountered physical obstacles of her own. The end of the book recounts the author\u2019s personal journey as well as a more detailed history of Annette\u2019s accomplishments. I highly recommend this story for all children ages four through ten.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 16:01:59", "publisher": "Beach Lane Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011205015", "title": "Alice Nizzy Nazzy", "author": "Tony Johnston,Tomie dePaola", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 178, "review": "The author has transported the Russian folklore figure Baba Yaga to the Southwestern United States and renamed her Alice Nizzy Nazzy. Like the folklore witch, Alice likes to eat children. Imagine the danger when little Manuela\u2019s sheep ventures into her realm. Even Alice\u2019s house is dangerous; it is surrounded by cactus, which follows the fleet-footed house through the desert. The nasty villain has a horned lizard for a pet. The author does a good job in updating this story and creating such a brave heroine, but I have a partiality to the illustrations of Tomie dePaola, which add so much to the tale. The pictures are desert beautiful, with reds, blues, and oranges staging the scenes. There are classic illustrators of children\u2019s literature, and dePaola is paramount among them. The author has written over one hundred other books. Even though we know that poor Manuela will end up in the cooking pot, she is sure to overcome this unfortunate obstacle. This tale is sure to be scary enough to delight and charm any child, regardless of their age.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "31-Aug-2022", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 16:04:34", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011205011", "title": "Becoming Blue", "author": "Ellen Tarlow,Julien Chung", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 181, "review": "Becoming Blue is the story of a blue-colored square who wants to be just like the red-colored circle; it seems like Red has more fun than Blue. Red can make people do things, like stop, but when Blue tries, no one listens to him. Red tells good jokes, but Blue doesn't do so well. Red gets upset with Blue for trying to copy him, which makes Blue have to figure out what he's good at and how to be himself. By the end, Red and Blue figure out how to be their best together.

Becoming Blue is about not comparing yourself to other people and finding what makes you happy or what you are best at doing. All people are different from each other, so we can't be exactly like anyone else. I like that Blue and Red figure out how they can be better friends by being \"together\" and blending their talents. I felt bad for Blue during the story, but then I felt bad for Red, who didn't like Blue copying him, and then I felt happy for them both.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2022", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 16:02:53", "publisher": "Beach Lane Books", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011205003", "title": "The Whale Who Swam Through Time", "author": "Alex Boersma,Nick Pyenson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 955, "review": "New in Children\u2019s Lit\n\nFrom picture books featuring amazing and amusing creatures to a fictional account of a difficult yet ultimately hopeful childhood and an inspiring biography of a great artist, the five books featured in this roundup have something to offer children of all ages.\n\nRoom for More by Michelle Kadarusman and Maggie Zeng\n\nAs a wildfire devastates the Australian bush, wombat duo Dig and Scratch feel glad that they have a safe, cool burrow to hide in. However, when Dig notices that other animals are not so lucky, he starts inviting them into the burrow, which draws complaints from Scratch. Dig first invites a pair of wallabies into their home, followed by a koala and then a tiger snake, with Scratch getting increasingly angry as each new arrival moves in. While Dig is convinced that there is still room for more, Scratch doesn\u2019t want any other animals making use of their home, but when the burrow is flooded by a sudden rain burst, Scratch comes to realize that having a bunch of fellow creatures around could prove very helpful. In Room for More, Michelle Kadarusman uses the humorous story of an eclectic group of animals sheltering in a small burrow to explore the serious issues of environmental catastrophes and displaced refugees with young readers, while Maggie Zeng\u2019s delightful illustrations really bring the different animals\u2019 personalities to life.\n\nThese Are Not the Words by Amanda West Lewis\n\nBased on events from her own childhood in New York City during the 1960s, Amanda West Lewis\u2019s These Are Not the Words is a powerful account of a young girl realizing that her parents are both flawed individuals with problems that she cannot solve, no matter how much she wants to help them. Missy\u2019s mother has gone back to school to pursue her dream of becoming an artist, while her father spends his days working in advertising and his nights listening to jazz in Harlem and the Village. Missy shares his love of jazz and often accompanies him to clubs and bars, and the two of them both enjoy writing poetry about their experiences. Yet, it becomes clear through his poems that her father is struggling with alcohol and drug problems, which eventually prompts Missy\u2019s mother to decide that she and Missy need a fresh start. Missy has to leave everything she cares about behind and adapt to a new life as a latchkey kid while her mother works to support them. Although Missy is reluctant to give up on getting her family back together, she eventually comes to learn that change is sometimes necessary.\n\nThe Whale Who Swam Through Time by Alex Boersma and Nick Pyenson\n\nAround two hundred years ago, a bowhead whale was born. As a member of the longest-living mammal species in the world, the bowhead whale was destined to have a lengthy and interesting existence. Indeed, over the course of a long life spent in the Arctic, the whale witnessed many dramatic changes, most notably the shift from her habitat being one characterized by peace and solitude to the arrival of humans and their ships and oil rigs. With The Whale Who Swam Through Time, Alex Boersma has written a non-fiction picture book that beautifully captures the majesty of the natural world and vividly portrays the changes that are taking place in the environment, highlighting the need for humans to alter their ways and take action to protect their fellow creatures. The illustrations by Nick Pyenson are clear and detailed, revealing the beauty and wonder of the bowhead whale and showing just how important the preservation of the environment really is. \n\nBottle Tops by Alison Goldberg and Elizabeth Zunon\n\nIn Bottle Tops, Alison Goldberg tells the remarkable life story of Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui, whose work made from discarded bottle tops is prized and displayed around the world. While studying art at the University of Ghana, El noted that much of the artists and art being discussed clearly fitted within the European tradition, with traditional Ghanaian art being largely ignored. Seeking to expand his perspective, El explored the stories and approaches of his fellow Ghanaians, which often involved the use of recycled and upcycled materials. After honing his skills by experimenting with different mediums, El discovered a bag of bright bottle caps and decided to tell their story by stitching the caps together into a series of flowing tapestries that capture the history, culture, and people of Ghana. From there, the popularity of his bottle top sculptures grew until his work was world renowned. The words by Goldberg provide a fascinating introduction to the life and art of El Anatsui, while the illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon nicely capture the intricacy and beauty of his work.\n\nOceans of Love by Janet Lawler and Holly Clifton-Brown\n\nThe ocean is home to myriad magnificent creatures, ranging from majestic whales and clever dolphins to fascinating hermit crabs and perplexing jellyfish. Janet Lawler\u2019s Oceans of Love takes young readers on a fantastical underwater adventure as they learn about how mother sea creatures care for and rear their little ones. From a mother manta ray teaching her baby to skim and slide through the sea to a mother hermit crab fitting her youngling for a new shell and a mother minnow enrolling her offspring in minnow school, a fun-filled variety of mother and child relationships are featured. Using clever, gentle rhymes that are perfect for reading out loud, the story explains a universal truth for humans, animals, and sea creatures: mothers always want to care for their babies in their own special way. Holly Clifton-Brown\u2019s exquisite watercolor illustrations really bring the heartwarming story to life, showcasing a broad range of mothers and babies in their natural undersea environment.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-May-2023", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 15:34:36", "publisher": "Roaring Brook Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011203011", "title": "These Twisted Bonds", "author": "Lexi Ryan", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 185, "review": "A worthy sequel, These Twisted Bonds picks up from the cliffhanger moment where These Hallow Vows left the reader. Brie awakes from her immortal metamorphosis to discover her bonded, Sebastian, deceived her to obtain the Crown of Shadows for himself. She flees the Sun Court, but quickly realizes she has nowhere to go. An unlikely alley emerges and offers her sanctuary.

However, magic tends to follow rules, and when Sebastian saved Brie with the Potion of Life he bound the magic of the Unseelie court to her life force, severing the connection between the magic of the court and the crown. With Brie holding the court\u2019s magic, Sebastian wearing the crown, and Finn the beating heart of the Unseelie, the throne refuses to recognize a leader.

The story leads the reader on an epic quest to save the Court of Shadows and bring balance to the realm. Rich with romantic entanglements, stubborn males, unspoken curses, and centuries old grudges, the story captivates until the final page. Fantastic writing paired with a steady build to a dramatic story arch create suspense and intrigue. A must read.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2022", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 16:28:24", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011202031", "title": "Puppy Bus", "author": "Drew Brockington", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 215, "review": "Puppy Bus is written by one of my favorite authors, who also writes Catsronauts. In Puppy Bus, a boy and his parents have recently moved to a new place and he is nervous about going to a new school and everything that goes along with that. The boy gets on the bus and sees that the other kids next to him are puppies!

The boy isn't sure how to feel about this and is still nervous about getting on the wrong bus and being at the wrong school. It doesn't take him long to realize that being at school with puppies isn't such a bad thing, and he wants to go back to school the next day! The next day, the boy excitedly gets on the bus, but he finds out that he's gotten on the wrong bus again!

Puppy Bus is a fun and funny book that is about kids and animals and how they both help each other feel good. I can relate to the boy feeling nervous about school, and am glad that he had a good time with the puppies, and I wonder if he'll keep getting on the wrong bus every day?! I really hope there is a second book about the animals on the second bus at the end!", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2022", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 19:24:03", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011202003", "title": "The Language of Tattoos: 130 Symbols and What They Mean", "author": "Oliver Munden,Nick Schonberger", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 197, "review": "The art of tattooing has been in existence for hundreds of years, being an easy way for individuals in all walks of life to express themselves or bring attention to something important to them. The Language of Tattoos is a guide for both those experienced with tattoos and not to educate them on the variety of options and the category they fall into. Nine categories and one hundred thirty tattoos are explained by authors and experts Munden and Schonberger. The authors educate their readers on the history and occasional myths behind the variety of tattoos with a detailed, colored picture accompanying each one.

Having a standing interest in tattoos, The Language of Tattoos has proved informative and entertaining for both knowledge and pleasing visual aesthetics. This book is another media form of knowledge about tattoos, accompanying tattoo television shows that are always highly popular and entertaining to watch. I appreciated that many of the tattoo ideas included more than one example of its presentation on paper, to be imagined on human skin. Regardless of the reader's initial preference about tattoos, reading The Language of Tattoos might change some minds or at least serve as a beacon of knowledge.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 14:48:25", "publisher": "Frances Lincoln", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011200011", "title": "Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit", "author": "Jesse Q Sutanto", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Maryame - age 13", "word_count": 209, "review": "In this unique futuristic world, Theo tan is just coming to terms with his brother\u2019s death. His brother was always so different in constant to Theo. He embraced his culture as a Chinese-American, while Theo was hyper-focused on distancing himself from it. He did so to avoid being ridiculed for his heritage, but after Jamie's death, he had to put all those feelings aside so that he could bring light to Jamie's end. Theo tackles the mystery of his brother\u2019s disappearance with Kai, the Huli Jung that used to tease and taunt him, but now they work together to discover who stole their precious Jamie from their lives.

I really enjoyed this book. It was pretty fast-paced and easy to digest. I enjoyed it when you could see the author's style peeking through in the most unexpected places. For instance, there are a lot of footnotes in this book, even though it\u2019s fiction. I also liked how the perspective switched throughout the book; because of this, the readers can see more of Kai\u2019s and Theo\u2019s points of view. I think that's great because Kai has a really unique and relatable personality that is fun to read about. I think if you enjoy mystery or fantasy, you\u2019d really enjoy this book.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "24-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 17:00:46", "publisher": "Feiwel & Friends", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011199019", "title": "Fatherless Child: Overcoming Abandonment and Living a Fulfilled Life", "author": "Sonia Wysingle", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 416, "review": "Fatherless Child: Overcoming Abandonment and Living a Fulfilled Life is a memoir written by Sonia Wysingle that captivates the emotional rollercoaster she has been on her entire life living without a father. The dedication of the book alone shares the hurt that Sonia understands and knows so well. She addresses it to the girls, sisters, women, boys, and men who have been forced to make their way through life without a father. In the dedication, Sonia states that her \"hope for you in reading this book is that you are enlightened and realize that you were never alone.\"

Fatherless Child is written from the heart and this is displayed as the reader follows Sonia into her early life, through her thoughts and memories, and into adulthood where she becomes self-aware and realizes that not having a father doesn't mean that she is a bad person or did anything wrong.

As I read this book, I felt as if I were in the same room as Sonia as she told me her story. The book reads like a conversation one would have with a close friend or therapist. As Sonia's story progresses, it is easy to see that she has learned from everything in her life, from her relationship with her mother to her relationships and how she saw the interactions between families in her neighborhood. Sonia's keen observation of the father's role in the families around her really helped to shape her opinion on the father figure. There were fathers who were there as the sole breadwinners and to make family decisions. And then there were the fathers who would come home, such as her best friend's father, and would pick up the children, hugging and kissing them and showing love for their family.

Sonia learns to use coping mechanisms to fill the void of where she felt her father figure should have been. She dives into playing basketball at an early age and develops a will to win. In her book, she states that \"The will to win requires sacrifice, persistence, determination, discipline, consistency, love, and hate.\" These are characteristics that Sonia learns to exhibit and use to her benefit to enable her to move ahead in life.

My favorite part of Fatherless Child is how candid Sonia is and how she strived to learn and understand the dynamics of her family and those around her. Although this book is short, it will teach readers many valuable lessons including the fact that life is what you make of it.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 02:38:00", "publisher": "The Legacy Project, LLC", "page_count": "110 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011199015", "title": "Fatherless Child: Overcoming Abandonment and Living a Fulfilled Life", "author": "Sonia Wysingle", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 437, "review": "The image of a family has evolved over the decades- what used to be the sought-after family of a husband, wife, son, and daughter, has changed to commonly seeing husband and husband, wife and wife, husband and wife with no kids, or husband and wife with many kids; but what happens when, regardless of circumstances, there ends up being only one parent with child(ren), is this acceptable or beneficial? To author Sonia Wysingle, she has some thoughts on this.

Wysingle grew up in a household with a mother, siblings, and an absent father. Much of her childhood was spent wondering and obsessing over questions about what a good father would be like and why her father left their family without any further mention of him. To an elementary-aged child, and honestly, at any age, these are hard questions to ask yourself, especially when there is no answer provided and the option of sliding down the rabbit hole of negativity is all-too tempting and enticing. Wysingle could have benefitted from better communication with her mom, as she admitted that she never spoke her questions and concerns out loud, but it's difficult to judge in hindsight. What is apparent, though, is to Wysingle and many more children throughout time, the parent-child relationship is essential to the benefit of proper emotional development. To Wysingle, it was the lack of a father, but to others, it could be the lack of a mother or both parents.

Fatherless Child is beautifully written and could not be any other way if Wysingle wouldn't have allowed herself to be vulnerable and speak from the heart; speak out for so many children who are going through the same circumstances. Her introduction expresses her wants genuinely and perfectly. The writing isn't judgy or preachy, but it does shed light on the Fatherless Child situation from a child's perspective and then followed with her current perspective as an adult. The book's three-year anniversary is approaching, but the information, emotion, and eloquently stated facts will never go out of style. Wysingle covers everything related to the circumstance, from \"why me?\" to learning forgiveness, from how it has affected her throughout the years to what her \"truth\" currently is, from what security means to that of love. The information contained within is applicable to literally any, and everyone for them to either feel validated and understood or to learn to understand others on a deeper level; it is uplifting and motivational. Personally, I'm a fan of the last two sentences of the book, which explain her views on the father who has actually constantly been there for her through it all.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 02:37:53", "publisher": "The Legacy Project, LLC", "page_count": "110 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011199011", "title": "Fatherless Child: Overcoming Abandonment and Living a Fulfilled Life", "author": "Sonia Wysingle", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Willow Greymoor", "word_count": 426, "review": "A Fatherless Child, written by Sonia Wysingle, a coach, teacher, and public speaker, implements her life experiences to lift others and inspire them to find the path to living rather than simply existing via her example and memoir.

Author Wysingle has an empathic heart and a genuine love for all people that melded beautifully with her writing style and authentically shared her life's story via her memoir. A Fatherless Child is composed of seven chapters that intricately dovetail the story of Wysingle's life as a young girl who navigated the world without the presence of a father figure and observed the families in her neighborhood with fathers. Subconsciously she compared the disparities between the father-present and father-absent households, which shaped her perceptions of marriage and the nuclear family unit.

Generally, young children will try to fill the void an absent father leaves in their life with other stimuli to replace a father's guidance, presence, and love. Wysingle was not an exception. As a youngster, she used her talent for Basketball, its protocols, and rules to replace the guidance fathers proudly bestowed to their children. The structure and teamwork Basketball provided helped Wysingle cope with reality, school, family life, and the future.

Particularly when she learned the identity of her father via less than kind intentions, as the revelation was shocking, the information propelled young Wysingle to accept the multifaceted familial issues that surrounded why she did not know her biological father. Coping with the news also caused her to learn to continue moving forward in life no matter the circumstances.

Throughout the book's later chapters, Wysingle compared her beliefs and thoughts as a child regarding her family versus her understanding of these domestic issues as a grown woman. It will give readers a deeper understanding of the healing journey and human psychological development across the lifespan.

Indeed, an emotive book that will offer solace to the hearts of those who have grown up without a father or those who had an abusive father. Throughout the book, several passages offer comfort and provide a mutual understanding regarding the emotional, psychological, and social issues that the lack of a father figure causes.

Not only is this memoir extraordinary for those who can relate to growing up without a father, but this memoir can also help spouses, friends, and those in the helping professions develop an understanding of the effects of growing up fatherless, under-supervised, and the issues that can eventuate in adulthood. Moreover, there is hope regarding healing those damages and living a fulfilling purpose-driven life, like the example Sonia Wysingle's life has provided.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 02:37:47", "publisher": "The Legacy Project, LLC", "page_count": "110 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011199007", "title": "Fatherless Child: Overcoming Abandonment and Living a Fulfilled Life", "author": "Sonia Wysingle", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 407, "review": "When I first received this book, I thought to myself, \"Surely this can't be it. Can there even be fifty pages of content to cover such a weighty subject?\" Then I read the beautiful, heart-wrenching five-and-a-half-page-long dedication and was astounded. Maybe, I thought, Sonia Wysingle could fit more into this book than my first impulse was to think.

As I went on through the rest of the book, it only grew more complicated. In the end, I had to conclude that this book only feels like half a book, and even then it's only half-written.

Wysingle begins the book talking about her own experiences, which makes perfect sense. After all, how better to explain why she is the one to write this book than by showing her readers how personal a story this is for her? She grew up with no father to call her own, and though her dedication makes clear the specifics of her story are far from universal, the core of it is one far too many children must face. It\u2019s very brave of her to bare her soul in this way, and very compassionate to reach out and attempt to help others heal from similar experiences.

My opinion of the book began to sink when I found that, through those fifty pages, she never seemed to move on from herself and her experiences. There was wisdom scattered throughout, but for the most part, it felt very clear that this was her story. The closest the book comes to actually offering advice to help oneself is in Chapter Two: Forgiveness. Even then, it feels very vague and uncertain.

I mentioned before this feels like half a book. I think it would have been stronger if Wysingle had buckled down and made what\u2019s written here into a full memoir, then added a more specific story about how she began to heal herself and move forward. She\u2019s shown through the dedication she knows how many specific cases of fatherless children there can be, and perhaps she wanted to generalize in an attempt to reach out to more of those cases. However, sometimes the specific can still reach a more general audience and provide inspiration, even if it doesn\u2019t touch every reader in the same way.

There will be people who find something worthwhile in this book, even if it\u2019s only the recognition that they are not alone in their struggles. Unfortunately, it\u2019s not substantive enough to offer much more than that.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 02:37:16", "publisher": "The Legacy Project, LLC", "page_count": "110 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011199003", "title": "Unpredictable Winds", "author": "Thomas T. Chin", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 428, "review": "Mei is told by the doctor that her husband, Da-Ming, has bad kidneys, and they would need to buy a new pair. Fortunately, Mei and her husband are rescued from the expensive hospital bills by Lee De-Chang. The couple makes an arrangement with Lee, the general manager of the Bayer Pharmaceutical Company, which involves Mei taking care of some work in the house. Eventually, Da-Ming goes to fight in a war, and Lee finds himself falling for Mei\u2014even though he is engaged to Lily. Lily, who is from a wealthy family, has her own secret agenda. In Unpredictable Winds, Thomas T. Chin builds a deeply emotional, culture-rich, and surprisingly addictive narrative around love and war.

Like a highly entertaining boxing match, Unpredictable Winds holds many tensive moments and a rewarding knockout at the ending. Who gets to be with the person they love? This was the question on my mind as I followed the relatable, captivating struggles of the characters. Lee is put in a difficult position by his choice to follow his family's wishes and marry from a wealthy home. I thought this was sad, especially because Lee was actually in love with a woman from a lower class. Also, Lee's fianc\u00e9e acts quite spoiled and rude\u2014which points to the fact that money can't buy good character.

Rich with historical and cultural information, Unpredictable Winds reveals the reality of the Chinese Civil War that lasted for four years and ended on October 1st, 1949. The intense action of the war scenes had my heart racing with excitement and anticipation. A particularly engaging scene depicts that Da-Ming hears bullets \"flying near his ears\" as he faced heavy enemy fire and fought to stay alive.

Unpredictable Winds will appeal to fans of historical books and war narratives. It is also a perfect fit for readers who love to immerse themselves in a culture-rich narrative; we see, not only the Chinese culture, but also catch a glimpse of the German and the Japanese cultures. Apart from the themes of romance and love, the book includes other engaging themes like war, friendship, wealth, loss, illness, jealousy, politics, deceit, and more.

Like the title suggests, Unpredictable Winds is not easy to predict. Though it didn't end in the way I expected, I respected the writer's creativity and his ability to build a story that made me feel deeply for its characters like they were actually real.

Unpredictable Winds is the sort of book you read, and you can't sit still or rest until you tell others about it and recommend they get it ASAP!", "issue": "July 2022", "date_posted": "13-Jul-2022", "date_added": "23-Jun-2022 02:33:19", "publisher": "TouchPoint Press", "page_count": "387 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011198011", "title": "Cute Chibi Mythical Beasts & Magical Monsters: Learn How to Draw Over 60 Enchanting Creatures (Cute and Cuddly Art)", "author": "Phoebe Im", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 202, "review": "I love learning about art and all of its parts - drawing, painting, making crafts, etc. It was fun to look through Cute Chibi Mythical Beasts & Magical Monsters and try to draw some of the creatures in the book. The book has step-by-step instructions on how to draw different kinds of beasts and monsters that are put into categories and include over sixty creatures that are all cute and friendly. There are \"extras\" that you can learn how to draw as well, like hair, accessories, poses, and facial expressions, to make your creatures look the way you want them to and not the same as everyone else's.

I liked the step-by-step instructions, but I still found most of the creatures a little too difficult to draw on my own, without an adult's help. A common thing with the instructions is to draw lines, but then erase them a couple of steps later; I'm not used to this and struggled, and I might need to look at it again when I get a little older. Cute Chibi Mythical Beasts & Magical Monsters could be used in many places and for many reasons; for drawers already good and those who need to practice.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 18:56:57", "publisher": "Rock Point", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011197051", "title": "Self-Portrait with Nothing", "author": "Aimee Pokwatka", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Dina Dugar", "word_count": 192, "review": "Self-Portrait with Nothing is a glance into the multiverse, an attempt to articulate the endless permutations of identity, loss, and love. The story follows Pepper Rafferty, a forensic anthropologist, whose universe is ripped open when her estranged biological mother and famed artist, Ula Frost, goes missing. With the rumors of alternate universes looming over the missing painter and her mysterious portraits, Pepper finds herself trapped in the mystery of her mother\u2019s making, a journey that leads her into the unknown and brings her to question everything she knows or thinks she knows about who a person is and isn\u2019t.

At times, the pacing felt uneven and seemed to better serve either a much longer book or a shorter one in a series. The exposition took its time to establish Pepper\u2019s character and relationships, while the last third of the novel rushed to the ending. Still, Aimee Pokwatka\u2019s debut novel ambitiously pieces together different genres to explore the multiverse in an unusual, fresh light. With the meandering of a literary novel, Self-Portrait with Nothing also dips its toes into thriller, magical realism, and heist, bringing the reader along in a dizzying, thought-provoking flourish.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2023", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 19:36:00", "publisher": "Tordotcom", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011197047", "title": "The Big Worry Day", "author": "K.A. Reynolds", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 172, "review": "The Big Worry Day is a heartwarming social-emotional story that follows a young girl and her dog, Bea. The connection between these two characters is apparent from the very first page. Adults can encourage young readers to identify the characters\u2019 emotions for a more comprehensive understanding of emotions; the girl explains that Bea is worried about several things but is projecting her feelings onto her canine friend. By speaking for her dog instead of herself, the girl is able to identify these feelings without fear of being judged.

Another way to inspire empathetic responses and connect with the reader is to look over the author\u2019s note at the end of the book. The author, K.A. Reynolds, explains her personal struggle with anxiety and provides more in-depth examples of how to use coping skills with children. The story provides several age-appropriate calming strategies for children who have difficulty regulating their emotions. This beautifully illustrated and carefully written book is perfect for children ages four to eight, especially those struggling with worries and fears.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 18:47:51", "publisher": "Viking Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011197043", "title": "House Finds a Home", "author": "Katy Duffield", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 201, "review": "House loves his people - the children, adults, and even the pets - that occupy him. Together, they create remembrances that fill his heart with contentment. Pictures adorn his walls, music drones in the background, and beds lay unmade. It\u2019s just the way he likes it, but then each family leaves, one by one. It\u2019s during these desolate, dark times that House wants more. He wishes for what used to be and tries to stay strong, yet it seems his empty spaces will never be filled again. He learns that with time comes adjustments and opportunities - evolutions.

This is a heartwarming story in its simplicity and sweetness. Youth ages five to nine will find it endearing. Children who\u2019ve moved from a place they loved and held dear to a new one in which novel memories had to be made to transform it from a house into a home will find this indelible book especially cherishable and relatable.

Young readers will enjoy witnessing all the alterations that occur over the course of the tale. House\u2019s exterior and interior both change with the coming and going of his residents. Even the neighborhood in which he resides develops over time, leaving him no longer alone.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "20-Sep-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 18:46:46", "publisher": "Viking Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011197027", "title": "Cocoa Magic", "author": "Sandra Bradley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Daniel loved spending time with his Great-Uncle Lewis, who was known as the Cocoa King of Charlottetown. They would make chocolates together before Daniel went to the cold, lonely school each day. When Daniel got a new classmate, he noticed she didn\u2019t smile. He thought she felt it was a cold, lonely school too. The next day, Daniel wrapped up a chocolate and secretly left it in her desk, and then she smiled. Daniel noticed other students who didn\u2019t seem happy, and he left chocolates for them too. Soon he secretly left chocolate treats for every student and even the teacher, but what would happen when Daniel was feeling sad and lonely?

Sandra Bradley has written a story that is as sweet as the treats she writes about that will help young readers realize just how much a small act of kindness can mean to someone. The story is compelling and will keep youngsters engaged throughout. But perhaps the real star of this book is the gorgeous illustrations by Gabrielle Grimard, which are filled with colors as rich as the chocolate at the center of the story. Every page is filled with beautifully rendered details to support the story.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 18:00:06", "publisher": "Pajama Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011197023", "title": "The Dinos on the Bus (Ladybird Sing-Along Stories)", "author": "Peter Millett", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 138, "review": "Did you ever think that you would see dinosaurs riding on a bus? Read and sing along to the adventures of the dinos as they are on the bus. What's that behind the bus? A T-Rex! \"The jaws behind the bus open and close.\" The dinos play and sing while on the bus, until they are tired and then yawn all the way home.

I think that this book makes for a really cute updated version of the \u201cwheels on the bus\u201d song. I was intrigued while reading/singing this book to my sister. This is a fun interactive book for young readers who like to move and groove while reading. I love the creativity of this book and the illustrations are really great, colorful and interesting.

You are sure to have a good time when reading this book.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "30-Sep-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 17:57:28", "publisher": "Ladybird", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011197019", "title": "Rules of Engagement", "author": "Stacey Abrams", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1129, "review": "Reads You'll Fall in Love With \n\nIf spring is truly the season of romance, then now is the perfect time to engage with some romantic reads, and the six novels featured in this roundup are among the best new works of romantic fiction. Whether historical or contemporary, they all manage to tug at the heartstrings, give plenty of sly giggles, and inspire longing daydreams. \n\nThe Boy with the Bookstore by Sarah Echavarre Smith \n\nA bookshop combined with a bakery should be the perfect recipe for romance; at least, that\u2019s what Joelle Prima hopes when she learns that the building housing her bakery is due to undergo significant renovation, meaning that her business will be temporary rehoused with the bookshop run by Max Boyson. For Joelle, who has long had a secret crush on the handsome Max, the plan conjures up daydreams involving the two of them falling in love as they cutely frolic about their respective businesses. Unfortunately, the reality of Max proves to be very different\u2014very much more grumpy, thoughtless, and malodorous\u2014than the fantasy, and Joelle\u2019s dreams come dangerously close to being crushed. However, when the two of them discover that they are facing a common threat, it appears that they might be destined to be drawn together after all. Sarah Echavarre Smith\u2019s The Boy with the Bookstore is a delightful and humorous contemporary novel in which books and baked goods serve to motivate a couple initially reluctant to pursue romance. \n \nThe Bachelor and the Bride by Sarah M Eden \n\nSet in 1866, Sarah M Eden\u2019s The Bachelor and the Bride details the unexpected intersection between love and crime fighting on the grimy streets of Victorian London. Far more concerned with his professional life than his personal interests, Dr. Barnabus Milligan only agreed to marry Gemma Kincaid in order to provide her with a means of escape from her infamous criminal family. For her part, Gemma initially believed that she had found true love with Barnabus, which was why she abandoned her new husband after only six months of marriage when she realized her feelings were unrequited. Now, some seven years after she left him, Barnabus wants Gemma back, but only to help him thwart her family\u2019s latest scheme. A still-heartbroken Gemma agrees to help, although she makes it clear that Barnabus will never see her again after their business is concluded. Barnabus thinks that his plan is perfect, but what will happen when he recognizes that he feels more for his secret bride than he has ever admitted, not even to himself. \n\nRules of Engagement by Stacey Abrams \n\nAs an undercover agent with a secret intelligence agency, Dr. Raleigh Foster is well aware just how dangerous her life is. Death holds no fear for her, which is why she readily agrees to infiltrate a terrorist group known as Scimitar in an effort to recover environmental technology they have allegedly stolen. The mission proves to be more complicated than most, however, when she is assigned a partner: the brooding Adam Grayson, who is tasked with posing as her lover. He blames himself for the death of his best friend on a previous mission involving Scimitar, and he suspects that Raleigh might have somehow been responsible for the death. Yet, as the pair work closely to unravel the tangled web woven by the terrorists, Adam finds himself increasingly drawn to Raleigh, and the two of them are surprised to discover that their romantic charade is seeming increasingly real. Stacey Abrams\u2019 Rules of Engagement is a sexy thriller that follows two secret agents as they embark on their most dangerous mission yet: love. \n\nThe American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas \n\nThe American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas is a slow-burning romcom about a situationship that gradually grows into something much deeper. Having quit her well-paying job to pursue her dream career as a romance writer, Rosie Graham doesn\u2019t have enough cash to pay for the repairs required to the ceiling of her New York apartment. In sudden need of somewhere to stay, she is relieved to remember that her best friend Lina has left her with the spare key to her place while she\u2019s away. What she doesn\u2019t realize is that Lina has already lent the apartment to her cousin Lucas, who is visiting the United States from Spain. Even worse, Rosie has spent the past few months stalking Lucas on Instagram, something he is blissfully unaware of. When Lucas invites Rosie to share the apartment with him, she feels she has nothing to lose, not even when he suggests an outrageous plan to help her overcome her writer\u2019s block. Will the six-week duration of Lucas\u2019s visit be long enough for romance to blossom? \n\nThe Forever Farmhouse by Lee Tobin McClain \n\nThe first book in Lee Tobin McClain\u2019s Hometown Brothers series, The Forever Farmhouse is a charming tale of homecoming and self-discovery, where the ties of community and friendship are found to potentially indicate something more. Ryan Hastings was a troubled teen when he first visited Teaberry Island, and the time he spent with a foster family there gave him the chance to turn his life around. Now an accomplished scientist, he has returned to the island to visit his recently widowed foster mother. While the people and place are largely unchanged, including Ryan\u2019s feelings for Mellie Anderson, the girl he loved and left, there is one significant difference: Mellie now has a young son named Alfie. Still convinced that he is too damaged to be in a relationship with Mellie, Ryan nevertheless finds himself helping Alfie out with a bullying problem. Mellie is pleased to see Ryan and Alfie bonding, but she has a big secret of her own, one that could potentially change the course of all their lives. \n\nThe Orchard by Beverly Lewis \n\nThe Hostetler family has run an orchard in picturesque Lancaster County for generations. Evan Hostetler is expected to eventually take over the orchard, but when his draft number is called, his family is shocked to learn that, despite the Amish commitment to peace, Evan has not applied for conscientious objector status. When Evan departs for Vietnam, his twin sister Ellie is bereft and turns to her best friend\u2019s brother, Sol Bontrager, to support and guidance. Unlike Evan, Sol is a committed conscientious objector, and Ellie finds herself increasingly drawn to his calm and steady demeaner. The potential relationship is complicated by the fact that Ellie is officially courting a neighbor named Menno, who happens to be Sol\u2019s cousin. As things progress, Ellie is forced to discover just how brave she is capable of being and just how much she is willing to sacrifice for happiness. Beverly Lewis\u2019s The Orchard is a heartwarming romance set in Amish country during the time of the Vietnam War.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 17:30:51", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011197015", "title": "Killers of a Certain Age", "author": "Deanna Raybourn", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 200, "review": "Imagine you are a woman dealing with the injustice of menopause, retirement, and difficulties in your love life and friendships. Now, add to that the fact that the job you just retired from was one in which you were a member of an elite four-woman team of assassins, and someone on your Board of Directors has put a hit on your team. It definitely makes retirement seem less appealing.

Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie discover they have been marked for termination while on an all-inclusive luxury cruise given to them as a gift for their retirement by The Museum, (the code name for the network of assassins they work for). Though their skills may be considered \u201cold school,\u201d and they have no real weapons to rely on, the four set out to prove that age has no meaning when you have good friends and killer talents! What they lack in technical prowess, they make up for in determination and improvisation to discover who and why is after them.

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn does not disappoint. Raybourn gives us yet another series to love, and not one, but four wonderfully different and complex main characters to follow!", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 17:28:36", "publisher": "Berkley", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011197007", "title": "America Made Me a Black Man: A Memoir", "author": "Boyah J. Farah", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1245, "review": "This Is Me: Memoirs to Remember\n\nIn a world filled with stories waiting to be told, there's something uniquely captivating about diving into the pages of a memoir or biography. These first-hand accounts offer a window into the lives, experiences, and innermost thoughts of individuals who have left an indelible mark on history, culture, and society. In this roundup, we explore six recently published biographies and memoirs that promise to leave readers inspired, enlightened, and deeply moved. From tales of resilience and triumph over adversity to reflections on identity and the human condition, these books offer a diverse range of voices and experiences that will linger in your thoughts long after the final page is turned. \n\nThe Long Road Home by Debra Thompson\n\nThe Long Road Home by Debra Thompson is a poignant exploration of identity, belonging, and the multifaceted experiences of being Black in North America. Thompson embarks on a transformative journey, delving into her family's ties to the Underground Railroad in Shrewsbury, Ontario, before revisiting four American cities, each with its own complex history of racism and democracy. From Boston as the birthplace of revolution to Eugene as the western frontier, she unveils the uncomfortable truths about racism's persistence in American society. Settling in Montreal, Thompson uncovers the complexities of acceptance and belonging within a city with a storied history of transnational Black activism. This book goes beyond being a personal narrative, offering a vital examination of racism in the United States and Canada while highlighting the enduring power of freedom and the shared dreams that connect Black individuals across borders.\n\nAmerica Made Me a Black Man: A Memoir by Boyah J. Farah\n\nBoyah J. Farah\u2019s America Made Me a Black Man: A Memoir is a searing and deeply personal account of the profound impact of American racism on an immigrant from Somalia who, after surviving hardships in his homeland, confronts a different kind of dehumanization in the United States. Born in Somalia and raised among nomads, Farah's upbringing instilled in him a code of male bravado that helped him endure deprivation, disease, and civil war. Upon arriving in America, he believed this code would serve him well, only to be confronted with systemic racism, police brutality, and pervasive prejudice. Farah's account not only explores the challenges of being an African in America but also delves into the complex experience of becoming African American. This memoir challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the destructive forces that threaten Black lives while offering a unique perspective on the fractured identity of Black men in America.\n\nOn the Ledge: A Memoir by Amy Turner\n\nOn the Ledge: A Memoir by Amy Turner is a powerful and highly personal narrative that spans multiple generations, exploring the enduring impact of childhood trauma and the journey toward self-discovery and healing. Turner's childhood was marked by the traumatic incident of her father's attempted suicide, which haunted her throughout her life, leading to a state of hypervigilance. Years later, after surviving a near-fatal accident, she embarks on a remarkable emotional odyssey, delving into the trauma of her own brush with death and, unexpectedly, unearthing deeper childhood wounds. Through acupuncture, somatic-oriented therapies, and serendipitous experiences, Turner unravels the layers of her trauma and finds healing, not only for herself but also for her relationship with her parents. This poignant and intimate memoir underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of self-discovery, proving that it's never too late to seek self-acceptance and healing.\n\nThe Daughter of Auschwitz by Tova Friedman and Malcolm Brabant\n\nThe Daughter of Auschwitz is a profoundly moving memoir co-authored by Tova Friedman and Malcolm Brabant. Friedman, one of the youngest survivors of Auschwitz, shares her heartbreaking and harrowing account of being a Holocaust survivor, from her childhood growing up during the Holocaust to her near-death experiences in a Jewish ghetto, a Nazi labor camp, and the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp. Her story serves as a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the enduring obligation to remember the 1.5 million Jewish children who perished during the Holocaust. Through meticulous research by Brabant, the memoir immortalizes Tova's memories, ensuring that her story will endure, even as the years pass, and serve as a powerful reminder of the strength of the will to survive and the importance of preserving its memory for future generations.\n\nThe Yank by John Crawley\n\nJohn Crawley\u2019s The Yank is a gripping and brutally honest memoir that takes readers on a harrowing journey through one man's life during some of the bloodiest days of the Irish\u2013British conflict in 1975. As a young Irish-American, Crawley seeks out the most intensive military training by joining an elite US Marine unit. He later joins the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Ireland. Crawley shares the grueling challenges of his Marine Corps training and how he puts his skills to use in the service of the IRA. Readers are taken on a tumultuous ride as Crawley recounts running guns with notorious American mobster and secret IRA fundraiser Whitey Bulger, evading British troops by moving from safe house to safe house in the Irish countryside, experiencing capture and imprisonment, and even fending off a recruitment offer from the CIA. He also reveals his involvement in a campaign to disrupt London's electrical system. Throughout the memoir, Crawley offers unvarnished insights into the people he worked with, including IRA leader Martin McGuinness and the psychopathic Whitey Bulger, as well as others in the Boston IRA support network. \n\nAmerican Demon by Daniel Stashower\n\nIn American Demon, Daniel Stashower delivers a chilling tale of historical true crime centered on the iconic lawman Eliot Ness. During the depths of the Great Depression, Cleveland finds itself terrorized by a gruesome killer known as the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run. The horrors begin in 1934 when a beachcomber discovers the lower half of a female torso on the shores of Lake Erie, earning the victim the grim title of \"The Lady of the Lake.\" Over the next four years, a dozen more bodies are discovered, all meticulously dismembered with surgical precision and drained of blood, some even beheaded while still alive. As the city is gripped by fear, its beleaguered mayor turns to Eliot Ness, renowned for his exploits in Chicago battling Al Capone's bootlegging empire. Ness faces a case that will redefine his career as he hunts for a calculating and composed mastermind who has managed to hide in plain sight. With American Demon, Stashower sheds fresh light on this notorious crime and uncovers the gripping story of Ness's relentless pursuit of a monster.\n\nYear of the Tiger: An Activist's Life by Alice Wong\n\nYear of the Tiger: An Activist's Life by Alice Wong is a groundbreaking memoir that invites readers into the mind of an activist as she discovers and nurtures her community while continuing the fight for disability justice. Wong, the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, provides a profound glimpse into her life through a collection of original essays, previously published works, conversations, graphics, photos, and commissioned art by disabled and Asian American artists. Wong's unique talent creates an impressionistic scrapbook of her life as an Asian American disabled activist, community organizer, media maker, and dreamer. She shares her thoughts on various topics, including creativity, access, power, care, the pandemic, mortality, and the future. With incisive wit, joy, and passion, this memoir is a galvanizing exploration of Wong\u2019s journey marked by the energy of the big cat, the tiger.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 17:20:13", "publisher": "Harper", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011196023", "title": "Inciting Joy: Essays", "author": "Ross Gay", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 191, "review": "In Inciting Joy, Ross Gay suggests that finding common ground in our sorrows creates joy. That joy creates solidarity and love, and possibly, our future survival. Thus, these essays emphasize repeatedly our connection to everything and everyone around us in the present moment and our connection to both the past and future.

Rejecting the capitalistic notion of pervasive scarcity and ownership, Gay emphasizes community, gratitude, and sharing. He finds these in a community fruit orchard without locked gates, in a basketball court where everyone is a guest, in a university classroom where grades and learning objectives are set aside, and in cover songs that carry on through time without being owned by a given singer, among other places.

That said, Gay, the bestselling author of The Book of Delights and four volumes of poetry that received several prestigious awards, is at heart a poet, and these essays also clearly evidence his love of language, wordplay, and rhythm. Even his choice to refer to everyone by their first or nickname creates another subtle sense of our connectedness. In short, these essays offer a new, thought-provoking way to view our society and future.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "25-Oct-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 19:16:02", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011196019", "title": "Ocean's Echo", "author": "Everina Maxwell", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 188, "review": "Tennal Halkana\u2019s life is chaos. From his drinking and gambling to his undesirable and brief relationships. Even his inherited genetically engineered abilities are borderline unlawful. As a reader, he was born with the ability to read people\u2019s minds. Reader\u2019s capabilities are socially unacceptable. Lieutenant Surit Yeni is Tennal\u2019s complete opposite. He is a career soldier and an architect with the genetically engineered ability to control readers. Surit is ordered to sync with the reader, thus completely taking control of Tennal\u2019s will. Because of Tennal\u2019s independence and Surit\u2019s honor, they refuse to pair but instead fight the system.

Ocean\u2019s Echo is the second novel by Everina Maxwell. This stand-alone adventure is the Odd Couple of space operas. Even though this book starts slow, Maxwell keeps it interesting with wit and canniness. As the novel progresses, so does the intensity, exploding into an action-filled supernova. The drama is helped by her polar opposite yet compelling power couple. Maxwell\u2019s main characters are fully developed with familiar flaws and complicated personalities. This story is an exciting political sci-fi tale with romantic undertones. If you enjoyed Maxwell\u2019s first novel, you would love Ocean\u2019s Echo.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 19:11:34", "publisher": "Tor Books", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011196015", "title": "While You Sleep", "author": "Jennifer Maruno", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 189, "review": "It is the end of the day and time for bed. A little girl is being tucked into bed along with all her stuffed bunnies by her mother. While the little girl sleeps, the bunnies have a lot of work to do. They need to polish the sun, comb the grass, straighten the trees, apply the dots of black-eyed peas, dust butterflies, charge up the rainbows, and much, much more. The night-helpers have many chores to do, but the little girl has only one, and that is to appreciate the world that has been cleaned and polished by the night-helpers just for her.

Author Jennifer Maruno has tapped into childhood imagination to find this cute story of what youngsters might dream of happening while they sleep. She has written it in rhyming couplets, which little ones will like. The illustrations by Miki Sato are simply stunning. She uses a combination of drawing and collage to create wonderful illustrations that have the look of three-dimensional art. The little night-helpers really come to life with this method. She fills the backgrounds with terrific details to keep little eyes busy and engaged.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 18:52:29", "publisher": "Pajama Press", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011195015", "title": "The Forever Farmhouse (Hometown Brothers Book 1)", "author": "Lee Tobin McClain", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1129, "review": "Reads You'll Fall in Love With \n\nIf spring is truly the season of romance, then now is the perfect time to engage with some romantic reads, and the six novels featured in this roundup are among the best new works of romantic fiction. Whether historical or contemporary, they all manage to tug at the heartstrings, give plenty of sly giggles, and inspire longing daydreams. \n\nThe Boy with the Bookstore by Sarah Echavarre Smith \n\nA bookshop combined with a bakery should be the perfect recipe for romance; at least, that\u2019s what Joelle Prima hopes when she learns that the building housing her bakery is due to undergo significant renovation, meaning that her business will be temporary rehoused with the bookshop run by Max Boyson. For Joelle, who has long had a secret crush on the handsome Max, the plan conjures up daydreams involving the two of them falling in love as they cutely frolic about their respective businesses. Unfortunately, the reality of Max proves to be very different\u2014very much more grumpy, thoughtless, and malodorous\u2014than the fantasy, and Joelle\u2019s dreams come dangerously close to being crushed. However, when the two of them discover that they are facing a common threat, it appears that they might be destined to be drawn together after all. Sarah Echavarre Smith\u2019s The Boy with the Bookstore is a delightful and humorous contemporary novel in which books and baked goods serve to motivate a couple initially reluctant to pursue romance. \n \nThe Bachelor and the Bride by Sarah M Eden \n\nSet in 1866, Sarah M Eden\u2019s The Bachelor and the Bride details the unexpected intersection between love and crime fighting on the grimy streets of Victorian London. Far more concerned with his professional life than his personal interests, Dr. Barnabus Milligan only agreed to marry Gemma Kincaid in order to provide her with a means of escape from her infamous criminal family. For her part, Gemma initially believed that she had found true love with Barnabus, which was why she abandoned her new husband after only six months of marriage when she realized her feelings were unrequited. Now, some seven years after she left him, Barnabus wants Gemma back, but only to help him thwart her family\u2019s latest scheme. A still-heartbroken Gemma agrees to help, although she makes it clear that Barnabus will never see her again after their business is concluded. Barnabus thinks that his plan is perfect, but what will happen when he recognizes that he feels more for his secret bride than he has ever admitted, not even to himself. \n\nRules of Engagement by Stacey Abrams \n\nAs an undercover agent with a secret intelligence agency, Dr. Raleigh Foster is well aware just how dangerous her life is. Death holds no fear for her, which is why she readily agrees to infiltrate a terrorist group known as Scimitar in an effort to recover environmental technology they have allegedly stolen. The mission proves to be more complicated than most, however, when she is assigned a partner: the brooding Adam Grayson, who is tasked with posing as her lover. He blames himself for the death of his best friend on a previous mission involving Scimitar, and he suspects that Raleigh might have somehow been responsible for the death. Yet, as the pair work closely to unravel the tangled web woven by the terrorists, Adam finds himself increasingly drawn to Raleigh, and the two of them are surprised to discover that their romantic charade is seeming increasingly real. Stacey Abrams\u2019 Rules of Engagement is a sexy thriller that follows two secret agents as they embark on their most dangerous mission yet: love. \n\nThe American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas \n\nThe American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas is a slow-burning romcom about a situationship that gradually grows into something much deeper. Having quit her well-paying job to pursue her dream career as a romance writer, Rosie Graham doesn\u2019t have enough cash to pay for the repairs required to the ceiling of her New York apartment. In sudden need of somewhere to stay, she is relieved to remember that her best friend Lina has left her with the spare key to her place while she\u2019s away. What she doesn\u2019t realize is that Lina has already lent the apartment to her cousin Lucas, who is visiting the United States from Spain. Even worse, Rosie has spent the past few months stalking Lucas on Instagram, something he is blissfully unaware of. When Lucas invites Rosie to share the apartment with him, she feels she has nothing to lose, not even when he suggests an outrageous plan to help her overcome her writer\u2019s block. Will the six-week duration of Lucas\u2019s visit be long enough for romance to blossom? \n\nThe Forever Farmhouse by Lee Tobin McClain \n\nThe first book in Lee Tobin McClain\u2019s Hometown Brothers series, The Forever Farmhouse is a charming tale of homecoming and self-discovery, where the ties of community and friendship are found to potentially indicate something more. Ryan Hastings was a troubled teen when he first visited Teaberry Island, and the time he spent with a foster family there gave him the chance to turn his life around. Now an accomplished scientist, he has returned to the island to visit his recently widowed foster mother. While the people and place are largely unchanged, including Ryan\u2019s feelings for Mellie Anderson, the girl he loved and left, there is one significant difference: Mellie now has a young son named Alfie. Still convinced that he is too damaged to be in a relationship with Mellie, Ryan nevertheless finds himself helping Alfie out with a bullying problem. Mellie is pleased to see Ryan and Alfie bonding, but she has a big secret of her own, one that could potentially change the course of all their lives. \n\nThe Orchard by Beverly Lewis \n\nThe Hostetler family has run an orchard in picturesque Lancaster County for generations. Evan Hostetler is expected to eventually take over the orchard, but when his draft number is called, his family is shocked to learn that, despite the Amish commitment to peace, Evan has not applied for conscientious objector status. When Evan departs for Vietnam, his twin sister Ellie is bereft and turns to her best friend\u2019s brother, Sol Bontrager, to support and guidance. Unlike Evan, Sol is a committed conscientious objector, and Ellie finds herself increasingly drawn to his calm and steady demeaner. The potential relationship is complicated by the fact that Ellie is officially courting a neighbor named Menno, who happens to be Sol\u2019s cousin. As things progress, Ellie is forced to discover just how brave she is capable of being and just how much she is willing to sacrifice for happiness. Beverly Lewis\u2019s The Orchard is a heartwarming romance set in Amish country during the time of the Vietnam War.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 17:13:53", "publisher": "HQN Books", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011194031", "title": "Let's Add Up! (Big, Little Concepts, 4)", "author": "Victoria Allenby", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 442, "review": "Enchanted Illustrations Children\u2019s Book Roundup\n\nChildren will learn and grow from the books in this roundup. Each book is beautifully illustrated to accompany the lessons children will learn. From bright, vivid cartoon drawings to more muted, realistic illustrations, these books will mesmerize little eyes. These books are perfect for gift-giving or becoming a new favorite bedtime story.\n\nYou Are Growing All the Time\nDeborah Farmer Kris, Jennifer Zivoin\nFree Spirit Publishing\n9781631987090\n\nA book that celebrates the ways children grow inside and out, You Are Growing All the Time is written in beautiful, gentle prose with rhymes, affirmations, and positivity. With wonderful color illustrations and words that will help to comfort children and help them understand how they are growing physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially, adults will enjoy reading this book and discussing it with their little ones.\n\nLet's Add Up! (Big, Little Concepts, 4)\nVictoria Allenby\nPajama Press\n9781772782486\n\nLet\u2019s Add Up will not only teach little ones their numbers but how to use them creatively. With cute and lively illustrations by Maggie Zeng, author Victoria Allenby uses the number ten to give readers and educators activities for learning that are simple and easy to use. Little ones will love the fun concepts in this book as they hone in on some basic math skills.\n\nThe Little Toymaker\nCat Min\nLevine Querido c/o Chronicle Books\n9781646141807\n\nA twist on gift giving, The Little Toymaker is about a boy who makes toys for grandparents and older folk. This heartwarming story brings to life the act of giving and recognizing the nostalgia of an older generation. With sweet, vibrant illustrations, this dreamlike tale is sure to become a new holiday reading favorite.\n\nParadise Sands\nLevi Pinfold\nCandlewick Press\n9781536212822\n\nAn enchanting book that finds a young girl and her brothers trapped in a ghostly land of paradise. Making a bargain with the commanding creature to let them go back home, the girl is unsure she can fulfill her end of the bargain. With sophisticated, realistic drawings in a muted palette, this book is surreal and haunting and will bring its readers deep into another realm.\n\nAll Through the Night\nPolly Faber, Harriet Hobday\nCandlewick Press\n9781536227512\n\nThis book illustrates the many jobs that people perform at night. While a young child is getting ready for bedtime, workers such as nurses, cleaners, and police officers are just starting their work shifts. With the deep, vibrant colors used in the illustrations, this book will help children to understand that there are still people awake all through the night while they are tucked safely in their beds. A wonderful book for children who have nighttime anxiety.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 19:09:43", "publisher": "Pajama Press", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011194011", "title": "Forest (Vox Oculis Trilogy Book 3)", "author": "Frederic Martin", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 200, "review": "In Forest, the final novel in the Vox Oculis Trilogy, Frederic Martin takes readers on a tail-spinning venture through rough terrain. Blue is on the run, trying to escape the demons of her past and keep those who haunt her away from those she must protect, while Will is dealing with the aftermath of the recent school shooting as well as the loss of one of his best friends. As the months trickle by and Blue\u2019s whereabouts remain largely unknown, Will and his allies set off to find her. What they encounter changes each of them in immeasurable ways, but what matters most is the final outcome.

This fast-paced sci-fi thriller is crafted with wit and ingenuity. Vox oculis, the paranormal means of communication that Blue and only a few select others possess, is threaded intricately through the fabric of this story. The mysterious connection Babineau and his nefarious comrades have to Blue and her family is unveiled. The revelations are harrowing but allow the audience to connect the fibers between her past and present. She is deeply pained by them, but is also set free to finally live her life to fruition. Her journey is emotionally riveting and intriguing.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 15:55:39", "publisher": "NthSense, LLC", "page_count": "324 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011194003", "title": "The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle: An Uplifting and Unforgettable Story of Love and Second Chances", "author": "Matt Cain", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 185, "review": "\u201cAbandon all hope, ye who enter here.\u201d The hopeless realm spoken of in the preceding quotation is governed by fear, which too often forces us into a life of conformity and invisibility. This is the story of such a life, which makes the hero\u2019s break for freedom and discoveries that much more enjoyable.

The hero of the book is the title character, Albert Entwistle. Albert is a postal delivery worker who shows up to work punctually, does his work, and makes his rounds, all with the goal of not being seen. What does Albert fear and why is he in hiding? There are ghosts in his past and deep feelings of shame and regret that cripple him into being a nonentity. When Albert is faced with mandatory retirement, his life is in upheaval.

This is the time when Albert finally ventures into the scary world, which has been anathema to him for his entire life. There are always conditions in the world that cause us to be less than our true selves. This book takes us on Albert\u2019s journey, from which we learn so much.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "23-Aug-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 15:13:47", "publisher": "A John Scognamiglio Book", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011193039", "title": "Little Eve", "author": "Catriona Ward", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 198, "review": "Off the coast of Scotland, lies the Isle of Altnaharra. There live Uncle, Nora, Alice, Dinah, Abel, Elizabeth, and Eve. They worship the Adder and await his coming. One will receive His power, and no one wants it more than Little Eve. They avoid the Impure in town, hardly ever leaving the island. The butcher comes to deliver their meat, finding the gate open. He ventures inside only to be met with a horrible sight. Everyone but one murdered, and the killer gone. As time passes, the secrets of Altnaharra will finally come to light.

I found this book to be incredibly interesting. I enjoyed it much more than Ward\u2019s other novels. You watch in horror at the things this make-shift family has to endure under the power of Uncle. It is a testament to the things we are willing to endure or do to others in order to keep our delusions. There aren\u2019t any happy endings here, amongst a cult and two wars. Even those who survive do not come out whole. Fair warning, there is self-harm and abuse throughout this book, but never promoted and always written well. I recommend this to fans of Gothic horror.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 19:41:02", "publisher": "Tor Nightfire", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011193003", "title": "The Girl from Guernica: A WWII Novel", "author": "Karen Robards", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 195, "review": "In April 1937, German planes rained destruction on the city of Guernica. Sibil Helinger is caught in the middle of it, and the day becomes not only a tragedy on a great scale but also on a personal one. When her father comes to bring her and her sisters back to Germany, things only get worse as Sibil's proximity to the tragedy of Guernica makes her a valuable propaganda piece for the Nazi Party.

Despite beginning in a fresh setting, The Girl from Guernica treads many of the same paths as other recent World War II novels about young women, from Sibil\u2019s determination to fight the Nazis to her crush on an Allied soldier. It\u2019s an interesting premise, but after a while, it feels dull and familiar. I would recommend this book mainly to people who either very much enjoy the genre of \u201cplucky young woman in the European side of the war\u201d or who have not had much exposure to it yet.

If it were only a familiar-feeling story, I would probably give it four stars. I took one off for the exposition, which was at times overly wordy and explained more than it needed to.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "12-Sep-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 15:09:02", "publisher": "MIRA", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011192051", "title": "The Complete Book of Cat Names (That Your Cat Won't Answer to, Anyway)", "author": "Bob Eckstein", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 203, "review": "You've found out you're going to be a parent - congratulations! Regardless of the specifics of whether your child will be human or furry, it can still be stressful figuring out the right name for it. For a human, the name will hopefully showcase its personality, or at least personal hopes placed on them that they must live up to. For a pet, the owner/parent has more liberty in choosing a name that might purely be comical or work in any other category of names. The Complete Book of Cat Names assists you with choosing a name with chapters including names that are reminiscent of you, based on their looks and manners, that pertain to whether you think they can read or not, and more. The names included are comical, whimsical, hilarious, and for those who are serious, viable options for your current or new cat.

I had a great time reading through this book -Cat Names seems more relevant to actual cat owners, but honestly, it would make a great coffee-table book to spark up a conversation or bring an unexpected giggle to someone during their day. Cat Names should be a staple at all animal shelters and pet shops around the world.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 18:35:19", "publisher": "Countryman Press", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011192027", "title": "The Witch and the Tsar", "author": "Olesya Salnikova Gilmore", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 195, "review": "Baba Yaga stories have been used to scare and warn for hundreds of years. Parents would tell their children to be good, or the witch would eat them. But these tales were exaggerated. Yaga, the daughter of a goddess, is a healer, deeply dedicated to her friends, both human and non. When the tsaritsa Anastasia Romanovna, wife of Tsar Ivan IV, showed up at Yaga\u2019s door sick, she dropped everything to help her friend. Counseled by evil advisors, Ivan the Terrible sets a course of destruction after his wife\u2019s death. Yaga must stop the cruel tsar to ensure the future of Russia and her people.\n

The Witch and the Tsar is the debut novel by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore. In her interpretation of Slavic folklore, Gilmore recreated the witch Baba Yaga. No longer the ugly hag, Gilmore reimagined Yaga as a powerful feminist heroine and a symbol against tyranny and corruption. As a historical fiction, Gilmore gives an in-depth look into the reign of Tsar Ivan IV. Her book is a beautiful combination pre-Christain mythology and historical figures from mid-1500s Russia. Readers looking to discover a new Baba Yaga will enjoy The Witch and the Tsar.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 17:32:25", "publisher": "Ace", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011192023", "title": "Smaller Sister", "author": "Maggie Edkins Willis", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - age 11", "word_count": 177, "review": "Olivia and Lucy are sisters, and they\u2019ve always been close. Lucy had always looked up to her older sister, but now that Olivia is changing, the two seem to be growing apart. Lucy also discovers that her sister is dealing with an eating disorder. It\u2019s time for Lucy to start doing things for herself. Without anyone\u2019s help, Lucy has to do more things on her own\u2014including surviving middle school. Will Olivia become more positive over time and become the sister Lucy knows and loves?

Smaller Sister is a beautifully written book about sibling relationships and growing up. At first, I thought the whole story was going to be about their relationship and about Olivia\u2019s struggles with having an eating disorder, but the story started to focus on Lucy in middle school a lot more. The art is overall good, except sometimes the author draws the mouth all the way to the side of the face, and it looks a little odd. In my opinion, Smaller Sister is the perfect story for middle-grade girls with sisters of their own!", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2022", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 15:43:06", "publisher": "Roaring Brook Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011192015", "title": "Misfire (2) (The Kate Downey Medical Mystery Series)", "author": "Tammy Euliano MD", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 179, "review": "Tammy Euliano is the master of the medical thriller. In Misfire, anesthesiologist Kate Downey leads the way as a new medical implant from Kadence meant to act as both a pacemaker and defibrillator starts to malfunction in its patients. Kate\u2019s Aunt Irm has one of these implants so it really hits close to home. As more devices malfunction, Kate knows there is something sinister behind all of it. Her friend, Nikki, is the lead doctor who is completing the operation but Nikki seems as perplexed as Kate as to why the devices are acting up.

Misfire Is an intense story that brings back the characters in Euliano\u2019s first book, Fatal Intent. Euliano does a great job of easing the reader into the story and giving just enough bits and pieces of Kate\u2019s history to make the story both interesting and easy to understand.

I loved the budding romance between Kate and Christian and found Christian\u2019s story to be just as exciting as Kate\u2019s. This is a fantastic read for anyone who loves a fast-paced thriller set in a medical background.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2023", "date_added": "22-Jun-2022 15:17:35", "publisher": "Oceanview Publishing", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011348015", "title": "The Alien Stranger", "author": "Bob Ticer", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 501, "review": "I really felt that The Alien Stranger had promise when I started reading it. Kayla is riding her bike to work one day and is mesmerized by a hummingbird when she collides with a man. The man happens to be the local All-American football player, Bard. Bard apologizes to Kayla for causing the collision and gives her a beautiful pair of faux diamond earrings. Kayla accepts them and tells Bard to come to her workplace at Tommy's Inn, and she will treat him to dinner. Bard accepts.

Soon after this, Kayla's path is intercepted by a man who tries to rape her. An alien stranger comes to her rescue and asks her not to report the man because the man is helping the alien with some business. Kayla agrees and also accepts a necklace from the alien in exchange for food.

The story then starts to become disjointed with stories of remedies for allergies that her uncle has concocted, plans for economic growth that Kayla's co-worker comes up with, and of course, the mystery of the alien. Somewhere in the book, Kayla starts working for the FBI in trying to find the alien because they think the alien is stealing money from a drug cartel. The book jumps from scene to scene. Some scenes are related to the general storyline of Kayla trying to save the kidnapped Bard (when did this happen?) and finding the alien for the FBI, and some go off on a tangent. There is also the issue of the Black people in the book being referred to as \"the color boy\" and \"the color girl\". This wording was so inappropriate I had to read it twice to make sure that the author was referring to the color of their skin. The sentences in this book are very wordy and awkward. For example, \"I believe the alien stranger was using him to now be able to use me, but I'm also going to use him, the alien stranger.\" Huh? Words are also misused frequently in the book. For example, \"Maybe Bard became addictive overcoming an injury.\" Did the author mean to use the word \"addicted\"? If there were only a few mistakes like this in the book, I would have chalked it up to simple grammatical errors. There are really too many errors in this book to believe that it was read over even once after the author originally penned it.

There is also the issue of Kayla working together with her almost-rapist as if it's no big deal that he tried to attack her. I can't believe any woman would just let this go. The alien blames heartburn medication for making the man act this way which is also a very odd, made-up thing.

This book reads like a bad dream that someone had in which the story makes no sense and skips around from scene to scene. This book is in no way ready for publication, and parts of it might be able to be salvaged with a complete rewrite.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jul-2022 21:12:04", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "142 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000011348011", "title": "The Alien Stranger", "author": "Bob Ticer", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 409, "review": "Ever since Kayla bumped into a star football player (Bard) and he gave her a pair of earrings, she has been seeing a hummingbird everywhere she goes\u2014which leaves her questioning the connection between the three phenomena. Kayla's world gets more complicated when an alien stranger informs her about the large sum of money he sent to her account. Meanwhile, the football player she met earlier and finds herself crushing on is held captive by a drug cartel. To save him, Kayla must work with the alien stranger and the FBI. Bob Ticer's The Alien Stranger presents a fast-paced, suspense-filled sci-fi about an accidental meeting that changes the lives of two strangers as they explore secrets about the universe and race to survive life-threatening dangers.

The Alien Stranger contains such themes as crime, addiction, economics, empathy, cancer, espionage, theft, physics, football, and romance. As a philosophy enthusiast who loves to see positive changes in society, I enjoyed the book's profound conversations about major world problems, like income inequality, climate change, and social problems. The alien discusses helping to \"create a social environment of real wealth of valuable products instead of just a monetary competition of wealth.\"

The plot is notably unpredictable, as every chapter comes with a surprising development and revelation. Also, the author introduces several mysterious, suggestive elements\u2014 a hummingbird, a ring, a necklace, and more\u2014that keep readers guessing and curious about how the story would develop.

Some major aspects of the book appeared clumsy and incomplete. For instance, Kayla doesn't display the level of shock or excitement I imagine an average human would feel if they just find out that an alien exists. Generally, the characters seemed to be lacking deep emotions, and I thought they were distant and robotic. Also, some scenes are unnecessary, like the discussion about how being humorous is defensive, which has little or no connection with the rest of the story. Lastly, it's difficult to keep track of a good part of the conversations because they don't have enough indications of the characters that are speaking at different times.

I liked that The Alien Stranger reveals the different ways humans are harming themselves and the earth. Interestingly, an alien acts to set things right, albeit his ways are quite chaotic and unconventional since he adopts a modified version of Robin Hood's approach of robbing the rich to give to the poor. Though this is an intriguing concept, the delivery could definitely be better and more appealing.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jul-2022 21:11:55", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "142 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000011348007", "title": "The Alien Stranger", "author": "Bob Ticer", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 543, "review": "Kayla Chalet is cycling to work from class at the University of Oregon when she collides with All-American football star Bard Sucrets due to being distracted by the strange behavior of a hummingbird. The two of them end up in a heap on the ground, and Kayla loses an earring, which prompts Bard to offer her a pair of expensive-looking diamond earrings that he brought from a mysterious guy for just twenty dollars the day before. Kayla will only accept the earrings if Bard agrees to let her buy him dinner, and the two of them arrange a sort-of-maybe date at Tommy\u2019s Inn that evening.

Later, Kayla experiences a far more troubling encounter on her journey home when she stops to help an apparently injured man who then tries to rape her. Fortunately, she\u2019s saved by the appearance of an unusually strong stranger who knocks the would-be rapist out. The stranger asks that Kayla not report the incident to the police because he is an alien and doesn\u2019t want them to interfere with his work. Kayla inexplicably agrees and commits to helping the alien stranger with unspecified work in exchange for large sums of money. This deal launches her on a collision course with the police, the FBI, the mob, and various other undesirables.

The Alien Stranger by Bob Ticer is a contemporary science fiction novel with an interesting underlying premise that features some innovative technologies and an unusual take on alien life. However, it just doesn\u2019t work as a convincing and coherent story. The dialogue is so stilted as to be unnatural and off-putting, and there are malapropisms and mistakes peppered throughout the text that prove highly distracting (e.g., Bard exclaiming \u201cOwl!\u201d rather than \u201cOw!\u201d when Kayla crashes into him). There are also lengthy divergences/monologues concerning physics, economics, and philosophy that serve no purpose in the story.

Unfortunately, there are several more problematic aspects to The Alien Stranger too. The attempted rape and its aftermath are dealt with terribly. Kayla ends up helping the wannabe rapist, and it's suggested that taking heartburn medication may be a viable excuse for attempting to rape someone. By way of another dubious medical idea, it\u2019s later implied that a bad diet may be responsible for the symptoms of cystic fibrosis. In addition, there are several instances where seemingly racist terminology is used without any indication of it being unacceptable. For instance, a friend of Bard\u2019s is referred to as \u201cthe color man,\u201d while a coworker of Kayla\u2019s is described several times as \u201cthe color girl.\u201d There\u2019s also the following conversation:

\u201cI want more control of it,\u201d Kayla revealed. \u201cIt\u2019s difficult when the world is against you.\u201d

\u201cI\u2019m not against you,\u201d Wanda Sue replied with a shrug, \u201cand I know you\u2019re not against me just because of the color of my skin.\u201d

\u201cSorry,\u201d Kayla apologized. \u201cYou people have had an unfair burden placed on you for no justification whatsoever.\u201d

While Ticer actually seems to be attempting to make an antiracist and inclusive statement here, the use of \u201cYou people\u201d should have been picked up on during the editing stage. Ultimately, the interesting idea at the heart of The Alien Stranger can\u2019t save it from the many problems within the text, which render it a book best avoided.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jul-2022 21:11:48", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "142 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000011348003", "title": "The Alien Stranger", "author": "Bob Ticer", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 404, "review": "A pair of mysterious earrings. A group of unlikely friends. An alien overseer who might be either helpful or a master manipulator. Kayla Chalet finds herself with all of these after crashing her bike into Bard Sucrets while looking at an unexpected hummingbird. I went into this book looking for a sci-fi thriller based on the synopsis. What I got was fast-paced and arguably science fiction, but it didn't thrill me in the least.

From the start, Ticer's writing failed to engage me. The main characters had little depth beyond their outward introductions, which were made very quickly. They formed a quartet quickly as well, more so than I found believable, and almost at once dove into discussing physics at a level that will cause some readers\u2019 eyes to glaze over. I found the discussion intriguing but failed to see what it had to do with the story as a whole and found myself a little lost by some of the terminology.

In general, in the book, things tended to move a little too quickly. Kayla\u2019s doubts about the alien could provide a fascinating conflict, but they feel wooden, especially since the title and synopsis make it clear that he is, in fact, an alien from outer space. I found myself struggling to follow the alien\u2019s plans and intentions for Kayla, too, and felt more time could have been given over to exploring them.

With my complaint about how the book moved too quickly, it does feel odd to say that the FBI should have shown up sooner, but for a plot thread mentioned in the synopsis, they appeared surprisingly late in the book, only turning up halfway through. From there, everything seemed to rush ahead with little concern for how much sense it all made.

I think I could have liked this book if Ticer had taken more time in telling the story and had focused as much on developing the characters as he did in developing the plot. It\u2019s an exciting premise, but the execution fell flat. In addition, I think the book could have gone through some further edits. There were some strange phrasings (\u201ccolor girl\u201d stands out, describing a character who I think was supposed to be a Black college student) that made for an awkward read overall and made several sentences feel clunky. Combined with the heavy-handed exposition in the dialogue, it made the book feel slow and cumbersome.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jul-2022 21:11:30", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet", "page_count": "142 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000011346027", "title": "Benghazi!: A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink", "author": "Ethan Chorin", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 208, "review": "Former U.S. Diplomat, political analyst, and author Ethan Chorin unveils his account of the events that led up to the infamous and highly publicized attack on the U.S. Embassy and C.I.A. Annex on September 11, 2012. He outlines the role Ghadaffi and his authoritarian regime played in creating a climate ripe with discontent, repression, and disillusionment. He also illuminates the growing divisive rhetoric and political strife in America that exists in the wake of Benghazi and continues to proliferate today, noting that, unfortunately, America has failed to learn many of the teachable lessons of Benghazi.

This is an eye-opening and intriguing book. It contains an immense amount of research with over six hundred citations in all and is ripe with historical context. Chorin\u2019s post in Libya from 2004\u20132006 as well as his position as the co-director of an NGO in Benghazi at the time of the attack make his narrative both captivating and notable.

Chorin is candid in his beliefs, openly expressing his dissatisfaction with how the Obama administration dealt with international conflicts in the aftermath of the tragedy. He weighs in on many of the political figures in Washington but does so in a relatively moderate and balanced way. Overall, Benghazi is an informative and enlightening read.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "13-Sep-2022", "date_added": "28-Jul-2022 20:41:39", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011346019", "title": "Fen, Bog and Swamp: A Short History of Peatland Destruction and Its Role in the Climate Crisis", "author": "Annie Proulx", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Sutton", "word_count": 204, "review": "Poetic, wide-ranging, and a display of erudition seldom offered. Whatever opinion or attitude the reader brings to this presentation, it is worth reading for its word art alone!

At one point, Ms. Proulx limns a world of dew-clad dawn spiderwebs, its twinkling luminesces universally linking objects and places, only to become evanescent with the rays of the rising sun. In that glimmering theme, she advances the barely seen web of the world\u2019s wetlands, their almost unrecognized or noticed destructions, and the losses thus incurred. Delving into customs, commerce, tools, the intricacies and etiologies of languages, she leads one into an exploration and realization seldom waded into even in environmental exposition.

Wetlands have a reference vocabulary that is wondrous and almost infinitely varied. The actual physicality of their manifestations are just as diverse and complex as the way our species has tried to speak about them. Historicity, legalities, political strivings and evolutions surface constantly. All is not hopeless. Wetlands are newly revealed, others have potential for renewal. But paying attention to them, their interdependence with our atmospheric carbon, the diversity and wealth of our flora and fauna, is made excruciatingly urgent and important.

I urge all caring people to buy, read, and share this book!", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "25-Oct-2022", "date_added": "28-Jul-2022 18:49:08", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011346011", "title": "A Is for Always: An Adoption Alphabet ", "author": "Linda Cutting,Leonie Little Lex", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 198, "review": "A is for Always is a rhyming alphabet book that explains various aspects of adoption in an age-appropriate manner. Leonie Little Lex provides adorable illustrations of animals and their adopted children. When the readers see chickens holding a baby mouse or a bear cuddling a rabbit, they will likely understand that these animals are not biologically related. The concept of birth parents vs adoptive parents can be difficult for younger children to comprehend, so this creative approach will help them retain that understanding. My favorite symbolic image shows a mother sheep doing her hedgehog child\u2019s hair; this page talks about inherited traits that come from your birth parents. Examples like this will be extremely helpful for children and adoptive parents that come from different ethnic backgrounds.

Linda Cutting uses carefully crafted words that can easily be understood by children ages three to six. This book also includes many references that can be elaborated on by the reader or the story. This book encourages children to ask questions when they feel ready. I highly recommend this book for all families; exposing children to the concept of adoption at an early age will help them understand and accept their adoptive peers.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "26-Sep-2022", "date_added": "28-Jul-2022 18:37:55", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011342011", "title": "Nightmare Fuel", "author": "Nina Nesseth", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Dina Dugar", "word_count": 210, "review": "As long as it's within the safety of a movie theatre or on our couch in front of a screen, some of us love being terrified and spooked. But why? What are the neurobiological components of enjoying a good (or not-so-good) horror movie, and what does this say about the individual, generational, and societal experiences surrounding a particular film? Nina Nesseth's Nightmare Fuel tackles these questions in a sprawling, deep-diving overview of the horror film genre. Nesseth explores the horror genre in all of its span, giving horror fans and beginners alike a deep glimpse into what terrifies us and why we like it.

Nesseth's conversational and enthusiastic narrative voice allows the reader to fully sit with her findings and ideas comfortably; the book as a whole reads almost like a podcast or even an after-movie analysis with a friend/fellow horror fan. It's clear from her careful analysis of each horror subgenre and its history that she is not just presenting this work as a cold study but rather speaking from the inside as an honest horror fan. Nightmare Fuel is a riveting study of horror as a biological and sociological phenomenon \u2014 all packaged in compelling prose and an endearing, nerdy love for all that is gory and spooky.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2022", "date_added": "28-Jul-2022 18:55:06", "publisher": "Tom Doherty Associates", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011341015", "title": "Burning Distance", "author": "Joanne Leedom-Ackerman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 197, "review": "Lizzy's father dies when the plane he's flying explodes over the Persian Gulf. She's ten. Her mother moves the family from the suburbs of Washington to London, where, a few years later, she falls in love with Adil, a young Arab whom she meets at the American School. Their moment of magic comes to an unexplained end when Adil suddenly leaves the country with barely a word to Lizzy. She\u2019s heartbroken, but life goes on -- university, job, boyfriend. Adil, though, remains in the picture through the occasional postcard and a stolen weekend in Berlin. Meanwhile, bits and pieces of her father's life begin to emerge that raise questions about his death. Was he working for the CIA? Was he involved with arms trading? The answers become even murkier when Lizzy discovers that Adil's father is suspected of supplying arms to both sides in the Iran-Iraq war and that her mother\u2019s new husband has business dealings with a German munitions manufacturer. Set against the international politics and illegal profiteering of the arms trade, Burning Distance is a compelling story of two young people whose love is burdened and conditioned by their fathers\u2019 past actions\u2026 and the consequences.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "25-Jan-2024", "date_added": "28-Jul-2022 20:44:19", "publisher": "Oceanview Publishing", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011341003", "title": "Locust Lane: A Novel", "author": "Stephen Amidon", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 204, "review": "A young woman is found dead in an affluent Boston suburb, the death sends ripples of fear throughout the community. How could this happen in this seemingly safe town, and who would do such a thing? The community is outraged, and as suspects emerge, it\u2019s easy to accept that a young awkward outsider committed the act, but everyone has secrets. They are willing to sacrifice everything to protect their own. Unreliable witnesses, rumors, circumstantial evidence, and wealthy connected members of the community really make this a great mystery.

This carefully crafted whodunnit will keep you guessing until the end. The multiple viewpoints are great for building suspense and telling each perspective of the story to slowly put the pieces together. The characters were well-rounded and authentic. There are moments that really tug at your heartstrings and others that keep you on the edge of your seat. This book had me reading well into the night until my eyes were grainy, and I could barely keep them open. I really loved it, however, I was disappointed with the ending. Although the epilogue helped, I felt that the unresolved ending really fell flat. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys thriller mysteries.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2022 16:37:45", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011340031", "title": "Bones Under the Ice (1) (A Jhonni Laurent Mystery)", "author": "Mary Ann Miller", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 190, "review": "In Bones Under the Ice, not long after a major blizzard, Sheriff Jhonni Laurent finds the body of a high school senior buried under the snow. Jhonni is sheriff of four counties, most of which are farm country and murder is rare. As she investigates, the bodies begin to pile up, not unlike the snow, which is unfortunate timing, seeing as she\u2019s a month away from re-election. Jhonni will have to solve these murders while also battling small town politics, which consists of a century-old feud between farmers and her chief deputy trying to oust her by any means necessary.

This is the first in the Jhonni Laurent series and it started out perfectly. It\u2019s not a fast-paced thriller, but rather a slow-burn murder mystery. It\u2019s like the start of a beautiful friendship as you get to know Jhonni and those around her. You grow with her as it\u2019s her first murder case and as she pieces things together. I look forward to seeing how each part of Jhonni\u2019s life plays out as well as seeing more of Vern. I highly recommend you add this series to your to-read list.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "30-Jan-2024", "date_added": "28-Jul-2022 20:27:42", "publisher": "Oceanview Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011340023", "title": "Harvest Days (World of Celebrations, 3)", "author": "Kate Depalma, Martina Peluso", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "Just as we in the United States celebrate the end of harvest with our Thanksgiving celebration, people around the world also celebrate the time the crops are brought in to sustain people throughout the year. This book takes a look at harvest celebrations in twelve other countries around the world, including South Korea, India, Bolivia, Ghana, Barbados, Germany, Spain, and more.

Each lushly illustrated spread features a different celebration, giving just a little information about it, showing the day and how it is celebrated, with a little bit written in rhyming couplets and a small, informational sidebar. There is wonderful back matter, including a timeline showing the different celebrations throughout the year, explaining what the harvest season is and why it is celebrated.

Each different celebration covered in the earlier pages has a half-page write-up telling more about the people that have each celebration, what the traditions are, and other information such as how it came about. These include illustrations showing native dress and something about the celebration as well.

Children will love learning about how a harvest is celebrated by people throughout the world and the similarities and differences from our own.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2022", "date_added": "28-Jul-2022 18:35:08", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011340007", "title": "An Impossible Return: A Novel", "author": "Caroline Laurent, Jeffrey Zuckerman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 183, "review": "This is a book about betrayal, about a homeland being sold out from under the feet of people who lived there for generations, and about the constant efforts by the British and American governments to keep those people from ever returning. This book, as the author says in her afterword, is a book about wrath. That wrath reached me, and I have little doubt it will reach others.

The history of Mauritius and the Chagos Islands is one that I wasn\u2019t familiar with before reading this book, but I\u2019ve begun to look into it more. It\u2019s fascinating and heartbreaking, and Laurent (herself a child of Mauritius, though not of the Chagos Islands) captures that heartbreak beautifully. The Chagos Islands she presents us with are beautiful, if perhaps idealized, and that only provides a starker contrast to the sensation of the ground all but literally being taken out from under people\u2019s feet. This is a story of colonialism in the late twentieth century, one that is still raw and furious. I highly recommend this book and hope I can find more on the subject someday.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2022 16:39:22", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011337075", "title": "Moon Luck", "author": "Wayne Scott Harral", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 440, "review": "Moon Luck by Wayne Scott Harral was an exceptional read. The story follows the tale of many scientists and researchers stationed on the Moon in their home away from home, which they call Venturous. In this novel, researchers have lived quite successfully on the moon for ten years with the help of incredible technology. They have greenhouses for Moon-grown plants, gyms with mechanical friction devices that work the same as weight training, sound sphere speakers, and so much more. Members of the Moon station are all associated with different organizations\u2014NASA, SpaceX, ESA, etc. Together, the crew spends their days working on research and projects, getting physical exercise, socializing in their dining area, and relishing the once in a lifetime experience to live on the Moon.

All seems to be going well in space. The crew seems to be happy, productive, and motivated. SpaceTime video calls back to Earth are full of reports of good news and team morale seems to be high. Until, one day, a horrific incident occurs. One of the members of the crew dies in an explosion. Initially, this occurrence appears to be a horrible accident. The crew members were aware they were signing up for a very dangerous mission, and unfortunately, injuries happen. However, after apparently corrupted video footage is found, foul play comes into question. It appears someone may have intentionally killed a fellow crewmate. But who? And more importantly, why?

I really enjoyed reading Harral\u2019s novel. The creativity and uniqueness of this story set it apart from others in the genre. As Harral points out, it is only a matter of time before human exploration on the Moon is more common. In the future, with further technological advances, the moon could potentially be an extraterrestrial body we reside on. I love how he capitalized on this idea and turned it into such an enjoyable story for his audience. He addresses and answers all the questions concerning viable life on the Moon, while still making the story eventful and worthwhile.

I also loved the mystery component of this novel. Everyone can enjoy a good murder mystery, and although I have never read of a murder on the Moon, I loved how the plot played out! I think Harral especially did a great job with the criminal investigation. With agents and doctors working on the case both from the Moon and from Earth, it was clear Harral had well-thought out his plot and all the loose strings beforehand to craft a book that seemed very realistic.

Overall, I would highly recommend Moon Luck to all readers, especially those who enjoy murder mysteries and books concerning space.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "24-Aug-2022", "date_added": "29-Jul-2022 01:53:12", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "338 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011337071", "title": "Moon Luck", "author": "Wayne Scott Harral", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "David Keenan", "word_count": 429, "review": "The Moon, the four-and-a-half billion-year-old stone orbiting the Earth, has long been a source of speculation and mystery for human beings. Astronauts first walked on the moon in 1969, and both private enterprises and governments are engaged in new efforts to return, this time for extended stays. Wayne Scott Harral, in Moon Luck provides a fascinating and extensively researched novel on what life on a lunar base will be like. He draws together the threads of pure research science, exploitation of the moon for profit, private enterprise space travel, international law, and politics and weaves them together in a murder mystery. It\u2019s a tale that holds up to its space-age setting.

Dan Wedmond is the commander of Venturous, a lunar exploration colony. Staffed with astronauts from NASA, the European Space Agency, and private enterprise corporations Blue Origin and Space X, its goals are to conduct pure scientific research and exploit the Moon\u2019s mineral assets. These goals conflict with each other, and this discord is personified by Dr. Anna Kormendy, of Space X, who is a driven, ambitious scientist with a brusque and aggressive demeanor. The competition for scarce resources to conduct experiments versus searching for precious minerals causes tensions between the crew of thirty. Kormendy continually pushes Wedmond and Bruce Holmann, his Executive Officer, to prioritize mineral exploitation over scientific research. As the conflict unfolds, Holman is killed by an explosion in the station\u2019s tool shed. The commander of the Venturous, along with its eye in the sky orbiting space station Gateway, and the executives of the Moon Exploration Team (MET) on Earth, must quickly determine if Holman was murdered. If he was, is murder illegal on the Moon?

Ostensibly a whodunit, the novel\u2019s best value is found in its descriptions of life on the Moon. Harral explores the conditions, problems, and legal questions generated by operating a lunar base under the aegis of a multi-national, private/public partnership moon mission. The push for profit by the private sector, the bureaucratic barriers inherent in a multi-government oversight structure, and the interpersonal struggles of a group of Type-A high-achieving astronauts motivated by opposite goals are central to the narrative.

The novel excellently depicts the day to day in the life of the characters. Harral\u2019s solid scientific foundation drives the narrative and the characters\u2019 motivations. Experiments in botany, metallurgy, gravity, and the vagaries of lunar life are depicted. The murder plot weaves like a snake through a wood pile, pulling the pieces of the novel together. This clear-eyed examination of future moon exploration will inspire the reader to contemplate the moon in a new light.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2022", "date_added": "29-Jul-2022 01:53:05", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "338 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011337067", "title": "Moon Luck", "author": "Wayne Scott Harral", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi", "word_count": 402, "review": "It is the year 2039 and people have not only started travelling back to the Moon after the first landing in 1969 but have also built stations where astronaut-scientists and astronaut-explorers live together and thrive on the Moon. In the Sea of Serenity lies the Moon Base Station Venturous, which belongs to the international joint venture Moon Exploratory Team or MET. NASA and the European Space Agency are the MET\u2019s agency partners, while SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Lockheed Martin are the MET\u2019s corporate partners.

Some four hundred kilometers to the northwest, there is the Chinese station called Tiangong-3, with its forty taikonauts. They all have the same goal: survive on the Moon. They obtain the equipment for that. Their stations are state of the art, they grow plants, get water from the ice, and have as much oxygen as they need. But the main reason each mission and its astronauts stay on the Moon for years is to extract minerals such as titanium and find viable iron ores.

Everything seems to be working like a clock and everyone is excited to be a part of this amazing experience. But the unfortunate death of an astronaut caused by an explosion at Venturous shocks everyone on both the Moon and the Earth. But what or who caused the explosion? Could it be a mechanical error or was the human factor involved? And since there is no court of law on the Moon, if it was murder, will the perpetrator be held accountable?

Wayne Scott Harral delivers a breathtaking science fiction novel that sets a strong base for an entire series. There is no protagonist, everyone participates and fulfills the story equally. There is a lot of technical information that the reader might find difficult to keep up with, but at the end of the book, a glossary is offered in order to help make the story as simple as possible.

The plot is cautiously well thought and carefully written. The first part is slow but it doesn\u2019t tire the reader because it provides just the right amount of information to make the reader comfortable with the plethora of information and names in the story. Once the pace picks up, it is a science fiction story with action, thriller, and space travel elements that captivates the reader until the end and offers a glimpse of a reality that in a few decades will be feasible.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jul-2022 01:53:00", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "338 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011337063", "title": "Moon Luck", "author": "Wayne Scott Harral", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 414, "review": "The year is 2039 and a joint venture has been established on the Moon merging corporate and international interests. Jim Sheppard shelled out a large amount of money to join this mission; he has been assigned to plant cultivation. His time away from his family has proved particularly poignant, he feels as if time is slipping away. He is just one member of a large group manning an international space station. The Moon Exploration Team has been experiencing some ups and downs as the representatives of the various groups all seek different things from the mission. Some are there for the acquisition of knowledge, others for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and a few want to extract something valuable.

The Venturous Station crew is the largest and consists of people from NASA, but also the European Space Agency, SpaceX, and BlueOrigin. The astronauts at the lower end of the spectrum are concerned with the motives of the corporate space explorers. The rumblings of the concerned are quieted by the senior officer on the crew. The spirit of cooperation is stressed to preserve mission integrity. The work being done by the men and women of the various crews is interrupted by an explosion that kills a veteran engineer/astronaut. The paramount concern is limiting the damage to the station in order to protect the remaining personnel. The initial cause of the explosion was accidental, but something more sinister lies beneath the surface.

Could industrial sabotage have come into play? Was this astronaut targeted by a cold-blooded killer? Who stands to benefit from eliminating a fellow astronaut? Will there be more explosions and should the mission be scuttled? The differences that separate the various crews must be set aside in order to investigate further and discover a killer amongst them.

Moon Luck is an intelligent and thrilling mystery that proves that greed, power, and ambition are not exclusively terrestrial phenomena. The action unfolding over the course of the book highlights not only the issues of inter-governmental cooperation over resources, but also the disconnect felt by astronauts as they work hundreds of thousands of miles from home. Author Wayne Scott Harral brings forward an eclectic array of characters in telling this story, but all are interesting. Individually, they are devoted to the integrity of their mission. The explosion and death of one of their fellow astronauts threatens not just their work, but their lives as well. It makes for an out-of-this-world detective story that never wanes in captivating the reader.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jul-2022 01:52:31", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "338 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011337059", "title": "Malila of the Scorch", "author": "Walter Clark Boutwell", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 443, "review": "In 2059, Jesse Johnstone is a simple young man growing up in the shadows of war. Before becoming a storied soldier and one of the most senior citizens in the country, he would experience an awakening after a chance encounter with \u201cSpeaker.\u201d Speaker is not human, but his viewpoint conveys the harshness of the world to Jesse. In 2129, Jesse has a ringside seat to war, destruction, and the erosion of society. Jesse is sought after as a celebrity, but also marked for extermination by nefarious factions. Jesse is on the run and looking for Malila.

Malila Chiu is a one-time soldier turned exile who is facing a watery grave following the sinking of a ship on which she\u2019s held captive. She is saved at the last second from drowning. She meets Splanch, a plant/creature hybrid. Splanch, like Speaker, is privy to the secrets of nature. The constant war-making has wounded the balance of nature. Malila learns that the plant life is alive in the Scorch, which could have implications for the future. Despite her survival of the shipwreck, Malila is being hunted by the Unity, more specifically by the vindictive Jourdaine.

William Yeats Butler served as a soldier for the Unity, trained to be an assassin. He came to meet Malila and her friend Hecate. Hecate and William became each other\u2019s saviors in a lost world, and now they want to defeat the Unity. A final push in the form of an American invasion is being planned, and William is tapping into vital AI resources to glean the enemy's strategy as the countdown to D-Day accelerates. Will William and Hecate be able to scuttle the Unity\u2019s plans? Will Malila and Jesse find each other before Jourdaine catches up with Malila again?

Malila of the Scorch is the third book in the suspenseful and entertaining Of Old Men and Infidels series. The plot proceeds at a steady pace, as the protagonists must navigate various hurdles before arriving at their objective destinies. Malila Chiu is a reluctant heroine, but she excels at never giving in to her enemies. Her partnership with Jesse possesses the trappings of a May-December romance, but their fiery personalities and fierce loyalty make it much more compelling.

The divisions that tear at the fabric of the United States in the 22nd century are particularly poignant with the strife that has caused rifts in the past up to and including the present day. However, the hope for change runs strongly throughout this book, along with its two predecessors. Author W. Clark Boutwell hits a home run with his latest book, which combines sci-fi, drama, and action into a collectively engaging read.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jul-2022 01:47:45", "publisher": "Indigo River Publishing", "page_count": "396 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011337055", "title": "Malila of the Scorch", "author": "Walter Clark Boutwell", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 400, "review": "War is coming to the divided land that was once the United States of America. On the one side: the Unity, a country founded on good intentions that has spiraled into dystopia. On the other: America, a land without allies, which could too easily fall. In the middle are Malila, an escapee from the Unity; Jesse, an ageless man from America; and the Scorch.

I mentioned in my previous review that I was fascinated by the world-building Boutwell brought to his story. This remains true. Malila of the Scorch reminds me of some of the works of the Golden Age of science fiction. Everything has a scientific backing behind it (and some of the explanations are delightfully dense), but when seen at first glance, they feel like something that could only belong in a work of fantasy. The Sage-Men are a prime example of this; half-man and half-plant, I wish they had played more of a role in the story. They are fascinating and feel more like the edge of a wider story than the focus of the trilogy.

The trilogy as it is tells a thrilling story, though. It\u2019s dystopic science fiction with strong threads of espionage and cyberspace throughout, and I\u2019m sure it will appeal to fans of cyberpunk looking for something a little different. Honestly, it will probably appeal to anyone looking for something a little different in their science fiction. It\u2019s not quite like anything I\u2019ve ever read, though I certainly found familiar strands throughout it.

Though I gave the book five stars, I did have two complaints as I read it. The first was that the many strands of narrative didn\u2019t all weave together into a unified whole. There were many, and the book is relatively short. I think it could have been pruned to provide for a stronger story. My second complaint is also about the length. Simply put, I wanted more. I hoped for more of a chance to explore Boutwell\u2019s world and see what the characters were up to in it. The story does feel complete as it stands, but it could have been deeper.

All that said, I enjoyed having the chance to read this trilogy, and I think many other science fiction readers will as well. It\u2019s a thrilling escape into a vaguely familiar world and a military story that hasn\u2019t entirely lost touch with the Earth or with humanity.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jul-2022 01:47:38", "publisher": "Indigo River Publishing", "page_count": "396 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011337051", "title": "Malila of the Scorch", "author": "Walter Clark Boutwell", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 459, "review": "W. Clark Boutwell\u2019s dystopian Of Old Men and Infidels series reaches an explosive conclusion in Malila of the Scorch, an action-packed science fiction novel in which armies and ideologies clash, individuals fight for freedom, and strange creatures might just hold the key to humanity\u2019s survival.

Malila Chiu, former heroine of the Democratic Unity and current emissary of the People of the Scorch, having survived yet another near-death experience and been saved by the scarecrow-like plant-based creature Splanch, is tasked with delivering a message to the remnants of America: war with the Unity is coming and the People could be either a helpful ally or a savage enemy.

Jesse Johnstone, the Old Man, has been familiar with the People of the Scorch, particularly the Sage-Man known as Speaker, since childhood but doesn\u2019t fully trust them or believe in their willingness to help in the fight against the Unity. However, he does believe in Malila and he trusts the Scorch just a little more than the Unity forces commanded by General Eustace Jourdaine, so he agrees to help Malila deliver her message.

It won\u2019t be easy to convince the rest of America to join forces with the People of the Scorch, but it\u2019s certain that the Unity will invade any day now and the American army may not be able to withstand the might of the Unis without reinforcements, even if those additional forces do come in the form of sentient plants.

As Malila and Jesse do their best to broker a deal, a small band of America spies operating in the Unity risk everything for information that could save their people, while General Jourdaine attempts to heal from his wounds and find ways to leverage the technological superiority of the Unity to secure an advantage in the forthcoming war.

While the backstory that Boutwell provides, mainly through the stories of Grampa Moses, means that Malila of the Scorch can be read as a standalone novel, readers would greatly benefit from following the series through in order. Boutwell has dedicated a significant amount of thought to the world-building for the series and there are many details, technologies, and characters that can only be truly appreciated if fully understood.

As there are so many strands of stories forming the plot of Malila of the Scorch, it can sometimes be difficult to see how everything weaves together into a coherent whole, although all the strands are compelling and interesting in their own right. The majority of the characters are convincing and display intriguingly plausible motivations, even though it can occasionally be tricky to tell them apart during lengthy sections of dialogue.

Packed with twists, turns, and deadly danger, Malila of the Scorch makes for an exciting and satisfying conclusion to Boutwell\u2019s post-apocalyptic series.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jul-2022 01:47:30", "publisher": "Indigo River Publishing", "page_count": "396 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011337047", "title": "Malila of the Scorch", "author": "Walter Clark Boutwell", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 435, "review": "The war is coming! The People of the Scorch, who watch over the unchanged living organisms within their borders, suffer constant invasions and attacks by the people of America and the people from across the Wall. To put an end to this, they send embassies to these countries, who, unfortunately, end up getting killed. Malila has been appointed as the new messenger of the People, a role she had to surrender her arrogance, anger, and several things she regarded as important for.

Malila of the Scorch, the third book in the Old Men and Infidels series, continues Walter Clark Boutwell's futuristic, sci-fi saga with a large, multi-faceted plot that depicts different entities engaged in the battles they must win before the much-anticipated war arrives\u2014a war that the unchallenged dictator of the Democratic Unity, Lieutenant General Eustace Jourdaine, aims to use to gain more power, despite his brutal injuries. Is there hope for the empaths in the book as they face the reckless, destructive forces of greed and lust for power?

The futuristic, fantastical world in Malila of the Scorch left me wondering if the author had teleported to another universe to witness it himself because the level of detail is just incredible! I thoroughly enjoyed picturing the bizarre civilization, where some people living in places with plowed and condensed blocks are forced to return to agriculture and Indiana is degraded to a wilderness filled with \"brigands, bandits, and slavers.\" Picturing this lawless, inhospitable world sent a chill down my spine and inspired a sense of appreciation for my relatively balanced reality. As a lover of both sci-fi and philosophy, I was in awe of the idea of having a philosophical discussion with a computer construct; one particular question sparked a moment of deep reflection: \"But if your own creation is merely random, then how is it possible to be as confident as you are about the freedom of your own decisions?\"

I disliked that the story seemed slow and unexciting, and the events and development are not intense or suspenseful enough. The overwhelming conversations and thoughts reduced my enjoyment considerably. Also, I spent a considerable amount of time trying to figure out which characters were communicating, especially in long conversations, because the speakers are not indicated adequately.

Though the book could use more captivating, reader-friendly elements, its complex, perceptive characters are easy to like and understand. I began to see my problems as minor when I compared them to the characters' daunting goals in their perilous world. Regardless of its shortcomings, Walter's intelligent, thought-provoking sci-fi has left its mark on me\u2014something has definitely shifted internally.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jul-2022 01:47:20", "publisher": "Indigo River Publishing", "page_count": "396 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011337043", "title": "Canaries Among Us: A Mother\u2019s Quest to Honor her Child\u2019s Individuality in a Culture Determined to Negate It", "author": "Kayla Taylor", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 435, "review": "Canaries Among Us: A Mother\u2019s Quest to Honor her Child\u2019s Individuality in a Culture Determined to Negate It by Kayla Taylor really touched my heart. Taylor tells the story of her own child, Hannah, who has been diagnosed with both situational anxiety and developmental coordination disorder, otherwise known as sensory processing disorder. Although she was always a sensitive girl, Taylor did not understand that her daughter\u2019s clinginess had a deeper meaning until this diagnosis.

The story begins in a heartbreaking way. Hannah begins to come home from her school telling her mother shocking stories of the way she has been treated that day. For example, one day, Hannah gets into the car and tells her mother that the other children have created an \u201cI Hate Hannah Club,\u201d where her bullies took things a step further by taunting her. Taylor is shocked; Hannah\u2019s school has an alleged commitment to instilling good values and kindness in its students. Taylor and her husband had purposefully sent Hannah and her siblings there due to their belief in the school's core values. And now Hannah is being bullied, targeted by two other girls and her classmates for being different.

What\u2019s equally heartbreaking about Hannah\u2019s bullying is the school\u2019s response. What Taylor tells of the administration\u2019s incompetence and lack of sympathy, care, and just basic human decency had my jaw drop more than once. Not only that, the bullies\u2019 parents seem to give no regard to how severe the situation is for Hannah and how their children are quite literally destroying other people\u2019s lives. I cannot even imagine the pain Taylor and her husband must have felt watching their young daughter suffer the way she did. After months upon months of this taunting, Hannah shuts down completely, and Taylor takes measures into her own hands to seek more help and support for her daughter.

I have to applaud Taylor foremost for her vulnerability in writing this story. The anecdotes she recalls, and the stories I read of Hannah and her mother\u2019s suffering broke my heart. The courage to put this story on paper should not be overlooked; this book can open doors to help other mothers and families deal with bullying and unique children. Taylor addresses so many noteworthy things in her book, much more than I can write in a review. They include the importance of inclusion, diversity, and how to protect children who are vulnerable. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to all parents and also to educators. Everyone can benefit from a better understanding of others' differences, especially if those differences are happening in a classroom setting.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "07-Oct-2022", "date_added": "29-Jul-2022 01:42:34", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011337039", "title": "Diary of the Seeker: The Tales and Anecdotes of a Life Student Volume I", "author": "Daniel Hayashi", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 495, "review": "The inspiration for Diary of the Seeker: The Tales and Anecdotes of a Life Student Volume I lies back in 2012, when Daniel Hayashi got into the habit of leaving his wife love notes and stories of inspiration before he left for work in the morning. What started as a collection of personal thoughts soon developed into a set of philosophical stories with deliberate moral messages, and Hayashi began to feel that he was being spiritually guided to compile epochal tales. In an effort to fulfill what he came to see as a moral and spiritual quest, Hayashi turned his preliminary notes and idea into the material for this book.

Although Diary of the Seeker initially seems to comprise a hundred and seventy-nine diary entries (covering the period January 1 to July 31 2017) written by Hayashi, it is actually envisioned as being written by a heavenly messenger\u2014a troubadour\u2014who has descended to Earth to observe, record, and reflect on life as lived by regular humans. The idea of portraying ordinary life from the perspective of an otherworldly outsider is an interesting one and does allow for some insightful observations, but the book\u2019s many messages may actually have been more impactful if they had been positioned as human reflections on the problems and joys of the modern world.

The central thesis of Diary of the Seeker is the importance of spirituality and belief, and Hayashi does a good job of making clear that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to such matters. In fact, while the God most frequently described appears to be the Christian one, other religions such as Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam are also referenced. The lives and messages of important figures from these differing faiths, including Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, Mohammed, and Zoroaster, are discussed too. Hayashi\u2019s holistic approach to religion and spiritually gives the book wider appeal than it might otherwise have, as do his comments regarding contemporary maladies such as the iniquities of the uncontrolled pursuit of wealth.

While Hayashi uses poetic language throughout Diary of the Seeker, the text is frequently rather dense, with the intended meanings of some of the metaphors and anecdotes being unclear. This issue is arguably exacerbated by the choice of a diary-like approach to the book, as he cycles through topics and issues at a brisk pace to fit in with the idea of daily reflections and so loses the opportunity to expand on and clarify matters. The formatting of the book could also be more reader-friendly, as could the choice of font and use of punctuation.

Diary of the Seeker is an unusual book covering an extremely broad range of topics, all of which link back to the importance of spirituality and the problems that a lack of faith can bring to people\u2019s lives. As a consequence, it is most likely to appeal to those looking to expand their understanding of different religions and philosophies while musing on anecdotes and stories intended to prompt theological reflection.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "20-Aug-2022", "date_added": "29-Jul-2022 01:37:15", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000011337031", "title": "Diary of the Seeker: The Tales and Anecdotes of a Life Student Volume I", "author": "Daniel Hayashi", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Willow Greymoor", "word_count": 399, "review": "The Diary of a Seeker, the Tales, and Anecdotes of a Life Student is more than simply reading a novel for entertainment purposes. Instead, it is a journey for your soul and imagination to take a much-needed reprieve from life's daily stressors and delve into the wonders of the ethereal realms.

The novel was written in a first-person journalistic format, which created space for the reader to learn about religious and spiritual concepts embedded in the human psyche for millennia, with a reverence for the suffering of humanity and a belief in the greater good.

Author Hayashi narrates the protagonist, a heavenly emissary from the higher realms that came to earth to learn about the triumphs and struggles of humanity and report his findings to the guides of heaven and God.

Although he is critical of humanity's egregious errors, he learns to hold space for the universal understanding that the planet is merely going through the cycles of life and death, chaos and peace, destruction and reproduction, and the effects of karmic actions within individuals on the planet earth. Vividly detailed passages that describe the finite details of heaven's splendor or the epic pain caused by a traumatic event on planet earth are written with a dash of stunning surrealism that will readily illustrate the journal entry with fantastical metaphors and an ongoing conversation with the heavens.

Moreover, recording humanity across the ages, the heaviness of despair, and the demonstrable destruction of the planet caused the recognition that every adverse event has multifaceted effects, including a bright side that serves the purpose of growth and building the character of humans grappling with their circumstances and fates in life.

Furthermore, The Diary of a Seeker presents many life lessons within each journal entry that vividly teach the reader life lessons via metaphors and an ongoing conversation with the divine, contrasted with the teachings and references to great masters such as Buddha, Christ, and Krishna. Fastidiously drawing parallels of similarities and polarities across the borders of organized religion and how those values have shaped the collective consciousness for generations.

Undoubtedly, the novel will create questions about the state of humanity, reincarnation, or the plethora of other beliefs and theories mentioned throughout the book for the readers to pursue via in-depth contemplation.

Author Hayashi's untraditionally artistic formatting and whimsical writing style lent memorability to the novel and will surely keep the reader intrigued to the last page!", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jul-2022 01:36:58", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011337027", "title": "Diary of the Seeker: The Tales and Anecdotes of a Life Student Volume I", "author": "Daniel Hayashi", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 451, "review": "Diary of the Seeker is a curious collection. I had a suspicion it would be from the start, which is part of why I requested it. I was intrigued by what Hayashi had to say and what exactly a diary of a seeker might be.

As it turned out, it was closer to being an actual diary than I had expected. It wasn\u2019t at all a traditional diary, though; Hayashi does write about his life (or includes moments from a life that might be his; it\u2019s hard to tell), but most of the entries are, as he says in the introduction, stream of conscious essays. Some are only a few pages long, while others are much longer. Occasionally they are interspersed by allegorical and metaphorical sketches. Some of the entries remind me of parables, while others feel more like meditations. They all reference some sort of spiritual truth Hayashi wishes to get across, whether overtly or through illustration.

The sketches, I should say, are fascinating, and I don\u2019t at all mean to imply they are bad. The lines and shading are masterfully done, and after I read the entries, I went back to look at them again and see what details I might have missed. They are very detailed, as much as the frontispiece of a novel might be.

The writing itself fascinated me rather less. The further I went on, the more the same it all seemed. In an actual diary, one might expect to see growth, or at the very least change, as a person lived out a set length of time and reacted to the world around them. The change might be large or subtle, but something about the person would be altered by the end. The entries to Diary of the Seeker all seem to carry the same set of messages, though. Even accepting the book isn\u2019t strictly a diary didn\u2019t alter my outlook. By the time I was halfway through the book, I found them tiresome, narrow, and dated.

Finding them tiresome was a personal opinion, one which I know not everyone will share. I will focus my attention on the other two. I found the pieces narrow in that, even though Hayashi often mentioned other faiths as having truth to them, he often reverted to the language of monotheism (referring to a singular God, albeit listing off names from various faiths to refer to Them) and Christianity (bringing up Jesus and Christ). They were dated in that they were written during Trump\u2019s presidency and often mention him in the more political entries. While Trump still holds a significant sway over American political discourse, he is now a former president. Current events have left some parts of this book behind.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jul-2022 01:36:50", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000011337019", "title": "Diary of the Seeker: The Tales and Anecdotes of a Life Student Volume I", "author": "Daniel Hayashi", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 439, "review": "In Diary of the Seeker: The Tales and Anecdotes of a Life Student Volume I, Daniel Hayashi discusses several human problems and how they are linked to our disconnection from God and choosing materialism over love for ourselves and our fellow humans. The book contains daily records of dreams, experiences with people, and thoughts that cover such thought-provoking subjects as love, faith, agnosticism, climate change, karma, reincarnation, politics, religion, prejudice, and more. The author is seen as a messenger and a troubadour who leaves heaven to revisit Earth and then report his findings to heaven. Through his findings and explorations on Earth, the truth about what causes human suffering is revealed, and the reader is shown the path of hope, true freedom, love, and other uplifting ideals.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that you might need months to meditate on the life-changing, mind-blowing insights in the book, as it is tightly packed with them. These insights inspired me to question some of my most important values and goals. Like many supporters of capitalism, I saw it as a system that allows freedom, but I had to change my mind when I read that many people are restricted from moving to different locations as much as they would love to because of their financial conditions. Though this problem, like several others discussed in the book, is mentioned as a flaw of the US government, many countries around the world share similar issues.

I loved that the book contains several deep, dreamlike stories and meditations. The book also includes various intriguing characters, like single-mother Cassandra, who tells her son that they're going to picnic on a \"magical ground in a resplendent glen.\" Plus, Daniel Hayashi's poetic words had such a therapeutic effect on me that I felt a strong sense of calmness and contentment as I went through the book. One of my favorite lines states, \"The sun still rose illuminating its aerial flocks dancing the skies in songs and laughter.\"

Unfortunately, I disliked that the book appears too sporadic; it covers several different subjects, characters, topics, and directions. Reading something relatively new every two pages gets exhausting after a while.

As it contains an incredibly elaborate and condensed collection of spiritual dreams, thoughtful conversations, and profound observations about humanity, Diary of the Seeker: The Tales and Anecdotes of a Life Student Volume I is perfect for introspective readers and individuals who feel lost in the physical world and seek a deeper, more spiritual reality. No matter where you are on Earth, you will appreciate the relatable messages about the need for more positive and inclusive changes in our world.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "18-Aug-2022", "date_added": "29-Jul-2022 01:35:39", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011337015", "title": "9 DAYS - A Dee Rommel Mystery", "author": "Jule Selbo", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 452, "review": "9 Days is Book Two in Jule Selbo's Dee Rommel mystery series and reads well as a standalone novel. Dee Rommel is a police officer turned private investigator for G&Z Investigations. After being shoved off a six-story building two years ago, Dee walks with a prosthetic leg. After a visit to her prosthetist, Ebenberg, Dee and her best friend Gretchen find themselves in a major car accident that seems deliberate. First, a Volvo cuts them off, then a Yukon slams into them. The Yukon disappears and Dee tries to find out more about this crazy driver by doing a little investigative work.

Soon after, Gretchen's boyfriend, Kevin, an attorney, brings a client into Dee's office. The client is a twelve-year-old boy who calls himself Zar. Zar comes from a wealthy family and his mother has just been put in jail for killing their new gardener, Benny. Zar is confident that his mother is trying to cover something up and wants to hire Dee to prove that she did not kill Benny. Little does Dee know, that her car accident and this new case are linked.

This book has a really well-written storyline. Dee is able to find more and more information about the people in Zar's family and those who are close to them. What I really enjoyed was the lighthearted dialogue between Zar and Dee. These characters really meshed well even though Zar is only a child. His over-the-top intelligence and different way of thinking make his character cherishable. Dee is patient with him and takes on a caring, motherly role despite the fact that she is a badass.

The only thing that I had a hard time with in the book was the number of characters that were seemingly irrelevant to the story. There were several main characters, but there were also several supporting characters that I felt did not really add to the story. This included Hilary, the nurse, Reader, the nomadic nephew of another character, and Abshir, Dee's coworker, who appears here and there in the story. There were also other background characters that came in and out of the story. All of the characters made it difficult to remember who was who. I realize that this is Book Two in the series, and maybe the author is setting the reader up for future books, but if these books are to be written so readers don't need to read them in order, it would be helpful to take out a few of the irrelevant characters.

Overall, I really enjoyed 9 Days. I found it to be fast-paced with a fantastic, strong-willed, likable main character. I am looking forward to reading the first book in the series as well as any future books.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "24-Sep-2022", "date_added": "29-Jul-2022 01:30:54", "publisher": "Pandamoon Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011337011", "title": "Saigon Spring", "author": "Philip Derrick", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 93, "review": "\"Philip Derrick's riveting and highly suspenseful narrative packs enough realistic action scenes to get your heart pounding like you're in the middle of a battle involving a lot of guns and heavy firepower. An expertly executed first-person narrative that kept me glued for the story's duration. This book offers shocking secrets, intricate political games, a chaotic and bittersweet love story, and much more. For anyone who loves historical war narratives or wishes to spend some quality leisure time reading an addictive, action-packed plot, this book is for you!\" --Foluso Falaye, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Jul-2022 14:09:35", "publisher": "Sunnyslope Press", "page_count": "295 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011337007", "title": "A Hero", "author": "Sean DeLauder", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 75, "review": "\u201cLaugh along as idiot hero Ace Bedlam tries to slay monsters and defeat evil under the premise of being innately invincible. A fun, rollercoaster-of-a-ride story that will have readers philosophizing about the relationship between and the meaning of good and evil. While encountering giants, monsters, and robots, the hero finds himself in a test of humanity while surrounded by a universe of chaos. A fantastic read full of wonderment.\u201d \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Jul-2022 14:00:04", "publisher": "Self-published", "page_count": "309 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011336023", "title": "I'd Like to Play Alone, Please: Essays ", "author": "Tom Segura", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 193, "review": "Tom Segura knows funny. He has made his career in stand-up comedy over the last twenty-plus years, garnering more fans through his Netflix specials and his podcasts (Your Mom\u2019s House, Two Bears, One Cave). I\u2019d Like to Play Alone, Please offers a compilation of essays from the comedian detailing his background, his life in comedy, and various encounters with fellow celebrities. The abrupt ending of conversations with his military veteran father (\u201cMy Father, the Savage\u201d) leaves Segura and his friends flabbergasted but are complimented by his mother\u2019s painful straightforwardness (\u201cConcha Mi Madre\u201d). The path to the soul-bearing instrument of the microphone wasn\u2019t straight as Segura pondered careers in medicine (\u201cPaging Dr. Stupid\u201d) and as a football player, but fate had other plans.

I\u2019d Like to Play Alone, Please is a funny and intelligent book. Segura proves his writing chops are as sharp as his wit. Each chapter proves capable of eliciting a hearty laugh, a smile, and even the occasional cringe-worthy sigh. Loyal fans will love this book for the new stories and the legendary (\u201cLost Wallet,\u201d \u201cMike Tyson\u201d). Those uninitiated to Segura\u2019s comedy may just be converted after finishing this hilarious book.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "31-Aug-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 22:31:21", "publisher": "Grand Central Publishing", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011336007", "title": "Oh, Sal", "author": "Kevin Henkes", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 188, "review": "Things are changing at Sal\u2019s house. It\u2019s Christmastime and there is a new baby in the house taking a lot much of Mama\u2019s attention, a baby without a name. Papa and Mama can\u2019t decide what to name the baby. Uncle Jake is coming to visit, and he calls Sal \u201cSalamander,\u201d which really makes her mad. Sal\u2019s favorite Christmas gift was a set of underpants\u2014one for every day of the week with a different flower on each pair. But she has misplaced one pair, her favorite pair, with a poppy on them. Everyone pitches in and looks for them, but they seem to have disappeared. Poor Sal.

Kevin Hankes has written a fun story that will keep emerging readers fully engaged as they try to solve the mystery of the disappearing underpants. This is a story lots of youngsters will relate to with a new baby in the family, Mother\u2019s attention being stolen away, unwanted visitors showing up, and other everyday problems. Henkes\u2019s cute black-and-white illustrations decorate the text. He seems to have stayed in touch with his inner child, as the story is perfect for very young readers.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 16:48:07", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011336003", "title": "The Winter Garden", "author": "Nicola Cornick", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 189, "review": "The past and present collide in this historical mystery by author Nicola Cornick.

In 1605, Anne Catesby\u2019s entire world is upended when her son Robert becomes embroiled in a plot to kill the king, forcing her to make the impossible choice between the safety of her family and betraying her son.

And in the present, a former violinist seeks recovery at her aunt\u2019s cottage in Oxfordshire, the family\u2019s ancestral home and former home to Robert Catesby, a member of the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605. But when she is visited by a supernatural presence, she struggles to solve a centuries-old mystery even though she tries to rebuild her life from the orchestral ashes.

The Winter Garden is a lovely story and definitely lives up to the comparisons to Susanna Kearsley and Philippa Gregory, from a reviewer who is a fan of both. The historical and archaeological details are great and really inform the novel. Anne, Lucy, and Catherine suffer their great losses, hundreds of years apart, the narrative knitting together in the end. With the sweeping timeline, Tudor dresses, treasure, treasonous plot, and phantoms, what is not to like about this novel?", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "22-Dec-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 16:09:13", "publisher": "Graydon House Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011335023", "title": "Blood and Moonlight", "author": "Erin Beaty", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 192, "review": "The murder has everyone seeking answers, even the people who are usually the first to ignore it. Cat is willing to do anything to protect her mentor, he's innocent after all, but the evidence leading to him says otherwise. She has secrets of her own, ones that if anyone were to find out would mean she could lose everything, especially her new found partnership with Simon, the lead investigator.

This mystery set in a fantasy world surpassed my expectations. There are twists and turns around every corner and as soon as I was convinced of one thing, it was proven wrong\u2026 or was it? I was constantly questioning what I knew about the mystery and the characters. The only thing that was predictable was Cat's past, but even that had its own twists.

There were enough characters to keep me guessing, but not so many that it was confusing. They also all have different personalities, motives, goals, and unique names that help to tell them apart. The romance is fast-paced but not rushed, and although there were times I wished they\u2019d just kiss, it wasn\u2019t dragged out to the point of annoyance.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "12-Sep-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 21:34:21", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011335011", "title": "Exes and O's", "author": "Amy Lea", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 192, "review": "Tara Chen, nurse and bookstagrammer extraordinaire, is ready to find love in all the places she's already been. Moving in with hunky (but totally off-limits) firefighter Trevor Metcalfe was the first step in her new start, and after making a hitlist of ten ex-boyfriends, she\u2019s determined to get one of them to be her happily ever after.

After having a blast reading Amy Lea\u2019s first novel, Set On You, I was super excited to dig into Exes and O\u2019s. If you loved the Instagram angle and little linguistic nods to social media and online culture\u2019s influence on real-life relationships in the first book, chances are you\u2019ll probably enjoy this one as well.

Having said that, I wasn\u2019t as thoroughly invested in these main characters as I was in those featured in Set On You. There just wasn\u2019t as much chemistry between the two of them, and it was almost a snail\u2019s pace of a slow burn since a simple kiss didn\u2019t happen until about sixty percent through the book. If that\u2019s more your romance speed then chances are you\u2019ll love it, but those looking for spicier content might be a little disappointed.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "28-Mar-2023", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 18:41:08", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011334015", "title": "Grave Intervention: A Novel", "author": "Shira Shiloah", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 184, "review": "Dr. Amir Hadad is hearing a voice. The voice appears to have grave intentions, as it causes the death of two patients, as well as the car accident of one of his friends. The voice appears to belong to an Irishman who cannot find rest until his body is found and buried. If Amir wants to keep his family and friends safe, he will have to find the body and give this ghost peace.

The premise of this story was intriguing to me, especially as I love a good ghost story. However, the characters themselves felt a bit flat to me. There wasn\u2019t a lot of depth there. I found it a bit unrealistic how quickly everyone accepted the ghost theory, particularly amongst the scientific community, who tend to look for other explanations first before arriving at the supernatural. Sabiha was probably the best character in the whole story and the one that felt the most authentic. Before reading this book, I wasn\u2019t aware that radiologists actually performed surgeries.

Overall, a great idea for a story, but one that didn\u2019t live up to expectations.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "30-Sep-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 20:13:34", "publisher": "Salty Air Publishing", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000011334011", "title": "The Pout-Pout Fish and the Worry-Worry Whale", "author": "Deborah Diesen,Dan Hanna", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 166, "review": "The Pout-Pout Fish and the Worry-Worry Whale is the story of the Pout-Pout fish, like in his other books, and he's trying to help his friend Willa Whale who isn't acting very happy. Both Pout-Pout and Willa are invited to a party, but now Willa is thinking she might not want to go. Willa is thinking of all the bad things that could happen at the party and is worried. A question throughout the book is - \"is worry bigger than a whale?\" Will Willa become happy and enjoy herself at the party?

The Pout-Pout Fish and the Worry-Worry Whale is a lot the same as the other books, but with a new feeling that needs to be worked through. The pictures are bright and colorful and I like that they fill the page. I like how Pout-Pout helps his friend Willa through a tough time so that everyone can enjoy themselves at the party; I could use the advice from Pout-Pout when I feel worried, too.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 19:29:58", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011334007", "title": "When Franny Stands Up", "author": "Eden Robins", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 584, "review": "Historical Fiction You Won\u2019t Be Able to Put Down Roundup\n\nThese books are all set in a different time than the present, but readers will embrace the similarities between the men and women of the past and of today. From heartache to hope to the discovery of ancestries, these books will evoke some wonderful emotions and perhaps even some memories.\n\nCambium Blue\nMaureen Brownlee\nHarbour Publishing\n9781550179309\n\nSet during the bark beetle epidemic in a lumbering town in British Columbia, Cambium Blue is a tale that comes from three viewpoints. A single mom, a Spanish Civil War Veteran, and a widowed fifty-four-year-old woman find their lives intertwined. This is a beautifully written novel with themes of compassion, hope, despair, and the politics of a small town.\n\nLost and Found in the 60s\nPaul Justison\nUnsolicited Press\n9781956692396\n\nSet in the 1960s, teenager Mark Stenrud escapes to Haight-Ashbury and gets a job at the post office. LSD chemists end up recruiting him and readers will follow Mark on his path as he finds success in this lucrative business only to find himself making bad decisions and learning the lessons of life. A book that captures this decade and its psychedelic notions.\n\nWhen Franny Stands Up\nEden Robins\nSourcebooks\n9781728256009\n\nSet during WWII, When Franny Stands Up captures the story of a woman named Fran who finds herself at Chicago\u2019s Blue Moon Comedy Club where she finds out about the Showstopper, the magic that occurs when an audience laughs so hard they are momentarily transformed. With complex characters, humor, and cultural realism, this book is sure to evoke so many emotions in its readers.\n\nAncestry\nSimon Mawer\nOther Press\n9781635423198\n\nAs novelist Simon Mawer researches his own ancestry back to his great-great-grandfather Abraham Block, who leaves home and becomes indentured on a ship and finds himself in London and the Mediterranean. Mawer\u2019s stories about his ancestors paint the reader a vivid portrait of life in the nineteenth century. \n\nMarmee\nSarah Miller\nHarperCollins\n9780063041875\n\nThis Little Women novel is sure to become a favorite. Set during the war in 1861, this book is told from the perspective of Margaret \u201cMarmee\u201d March and her struggle to raise her four daughters, continue her charity work, and endure financial hardship. This is a beautiful story brought to life by author Sarah Miller about a woman whose life is anything but simple and one which contains secrets.\n\nFoster\nClaire Keegan\nGrove/Atlantic\n9780802160140\n\nDuring a hot summer in rural Ireland, a father takes his daughter to live with relatives where she is shown love and affection. The home is nice and modern and the Kinsellas take her to places like the beach and shopping for new clothing. These are things her parents don\u2019t do with her and her siblings. A book about a girl who gets a taste of what she sees as \u201ca real family.\u201d A short, easy-to-read book that will leave its readers thinking about the girl even after finishing the book.\n\nThe Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey\nSerena Burdick\nPark Row Books\n9780778333104\n\nIn 1868, when famous novelist William Aubrey finds himself with writer\u2019s block, he becomes jealous of his wife, Evelyn, and steals one of her manuscripts, passing it on as his own. In 2006, Abigail finds out that Evelyn was her great-great-grandmother and travels to England to uncover some family secrets. She learns of Evelyn\u2019s disappearance and possible murder according to London\u2019s society. A fantastic mystery that will have readers loving the clever characters and intriguing plot.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 18:28:05", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011333015", "title": "Accomplished: A Georgie Darcy Novel (The Georgie Darcy)", "author": "Amanda Quain", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 12", "word_count": 192, "review": "After the drug scandal with Wickham Foster at Pemberley Academy last year, all Georgiana Darcy wants to do is be able to walk down the school halls without her name being whispered behind her back. But when she figures out that Wickham is back in town, Georgie realizes that she can rid herself of Wickham\u2019s schemes once and for all. How hard can it really be to convince the school that she had nothing to do with the drug selling, get back her friends in the band, and find a way to get her brother Fitz to stop hovering over her shoulder? It\u2019ll probably take a miracle\u2026

I did not particularly enjoy this retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I felt that the start was slow, and Georgie wallowed for the whole first half of the book. The characters did not seem relatable to me, and the drama was over the top. I wanted to root for Georgie, but her constant complaining made her feel more like the antagonist versus the protagonist of her own story. The pace of the story kept me turning pages, but I did not love it.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 20:27:25", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011332035", "title": "Demon Copperhead: A Novel", "author": "Barbara Kingsolver", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Born to a destitute, addicted teenage mom in the heart of Appalachia, Damon has to depend on the kindness of neighbors for many of his needs. After his mother dies, Child Protective Services decides his neighbors aren\u2019t an appropriate placement. The foster system takes Damon from bad to worse through the years. Football seems to be his way out until Damon suffers a terrible injury and the doctor treats the pain with oxytocin, but Damon has no insurance to cover treatment for the injury. This starts Damon down a road few survive.

Barbara Kingsolver\u2019s homage to David Copperfield stays true to Dickens' passionate criticism of the institutional poverty found in so many social structures as well as his rich, complex characters and storytelling. Bringing this classic into the modern era in no way takes away from the story. Kingsolver, with extraordinary storytelling techniques and beautiful writing, makes the leap through time and location a seamless one. For fans of the original, she borrows some names (or near names) to complete her homage and keep readers grounded. Damon\u2019s voice, as he tells his own story, is powerful and pitch-perfect as he grows and matures. Don\u2019t miss this one.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "26-Oct-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 22:33:32", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "560 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011332031", "title": "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", "author": "Sophie Campbell,Nelson Daniel,Jodi Nishijima", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jonathan Stafford", "word_count": 175, "review": "As a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) fan, I love the green machine! The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been a staple of pop culture for decades, and now they are back again in volume one of The Best of TMNT Collection. Each page is an action-packed punch to the gut as we follow the brothers individually in their best stories written by comic icons Eastman and Laird. I could not put this book down and found myself drawn in by each storyline and the ongoing character development of the brothers and the supporting cast. The artwork is second to none and left me wanting more. Volume one has me hankering for volume two and more stories. For any TMNT fan, I recommend this book highly. It will never lose its value and, over time will have you excited to come back and read it again and again. It is a fine addition to any collector\u2019s home and worth the read. I give this book five stars and cannot wait to see what comes next.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "31-Aug-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 22:30:37", "publisher": "IDW Publishing", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011332019", "title": "A Perfect Wonderful Day with Friends", "author": "Philip Waechter, Philip Waechter", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Raccoon is having a boring kind of day. He has tried reading a book and doing exercises, but nothing seems to excite him. He decides to bake a cake, but he has no eggs, so he heads over to Fox\u2019s house. Fox always has eggs since she has chickens. Fox is trying to fix her roof, but she can\u2019t quite reach what needs to be done. Raccoon suggests they go to borrow a ladder from Badger. They have a lovely walk to Badger\u2019s house and find he is having trouble with a crossword puzzle. They decide to go ask Bear about the clue since it has to do with honey, but Bear is not home. Crow says he went fishing. Off they all go to the river to find Bear.

Philip Waechter has written and illustrated a perfectly enchanting book about how good friends can have a perfect time just being together, helping each other out, and enjoying simple things in life\u2014taking walks, having conversations, taking a swim, and more. This is a quiet book that can settle youngsters down and help them understand how sweet good friends can be. Don\u2019t miss this charming book.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "13-Sep-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 19:00:18", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011332011", "title": "Captured Up Close: 20th Century Short-Short Stories", "author": "DC Diamondopolous", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 201, "review": "A performer (and pickpocket) makes a desperate escape attempt from a sinking ship. An impoverished woman finds employment and hope working in factories when all the men go off to Europe to fight the Nazis. A butch lesbian escapes a raid with a drag queen and a gay young man sneaks out of his house to go to a club.

In thirteen stories spanning eighty years, Diamondopolous has captured snapshots of American life in the twentieth century. I loved both the way Diamondopolous brought her characters\u2019 voices to life on the pages \u2013 each story felt distinct and vibrant \u2013 and the fact that multiple stories centered on the queer experience, which all too often has been sidelined, especially in the years before Stonewall.

This collection is a quick read, and one which will be very easy to pick up, put down, and return to, depending on the reader\u2019s mood and what they are eager to read on any given day. My one complaint was that, at times, the stories dipped too much into the characters\u2019 heads and filled in too many blanks. Sometimes, in a snapshot, it\u2019s okay to leave details out and let the audience work out what\u2019s missing for themselves.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 15:39:01", "publisher": "KDP", "page_count": "126 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011332003", "title": "Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc", "author": "Ash Bishop", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 208, "review": "Russ lived a life of little responsibilities until his grandfather\u2019s funeral. Left with his grandpa\u2019s rifle collection and the urge to help his grandmother reopen The Mysterious Universe, the family\u2019s book store, Russ remained in Evanstown. After being attacked by a cosmic Saber-Toothed Tiger, Russ shot the alien cat threw the eye, killing it and impressing the squad from //Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc.//. Russ hates authority of any type. Now he must navigate the galactic government, his Cert training, and debt collectors on earth if he wants to see The Mysterious Universe succeed. \n

\n//Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc.// is the debut novel by Ash Bishop. This wickedly funny space adventure follows a hapless drifter as he navigates terrestrial and extra-terrestrial systems. Bishop, a sci-fi nerd and one-time coffee boy for Quentin Tarantino, tackles the problem of dangerous beast control in intergalactic space. Real world issues are also a big part of Bishop\u2019s narrative. He confronts racism, sexism and class issues. Dealing with the intergalactic at large, Bishop does a great job of describing such creatures in hilarious detail. The galaxy can be a confusing space, so Bishop includes a handy appendix to help the reader identify the people, places, acronyms and monsters that are dealt with by //Intergalactic Exterminators Inc.//", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2022", "date_added": "25-Jul-2022 22:36:36", "publisher": "CamCat Publishing", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011331043", "title": "Treasure Tracks", "author": "S A Rodriguez", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Noah - age 16", "word_count": 188, "review": "Treasure Tracks is a fun novel about a boy's search for lost treasure. It takes place in the Florida Keys, where numerous shipwrecks can be found. This treasure, however, is not to be found in a shipwreck.

The main character, Fin, has started searching for a treasure with his grandfather. His grandfather tells him the stories of the treasure, and the two go out diving for it. When one trip leaves his grampa in the hospital, Fin must carry out the search without him. He won't be alone, however, as his boring, overprotective dad will come too. The pair will face numerous dangers in an effort to find the treasure, the only thing Fin believes will save his grandfather.

This was a very fun read, filled with unexpected twists and a lot of excitement. The characters were all quite interesting, and there was more to each than meets the eye. It was really interesting to learn about diving while reading this, and I enjoyed all of the underwater scenes. I would recommend this book to kids from fifth grade to eighth grade, especially if they like adventure novels.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 21:20:34", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011331003", "title": "The Samurai Castle Master", "author": "Chris Glenn", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - age 12", "word_count": 203, "review": "The Samurai Castle Master is a biography of Todo Takatora, an excellent Japanese castle architect who was also an amazing warrior. It is a book written for a Japanophile. It is packed with references to names, places, and dates, along with Japanese terms. The glossary is fairly good, but that will only get you so far. There are also a number of castle design terms that can be hard for someone without a relevant background to understand.

The history is very interesting, albeit quite dry. If you are a Japanophile, can call to mind the provinces of Japan and their locations, and enjoy medieval Japanese history, this is the book for you. Otherwise, I recommend looking elsewhere for books about Samurai and Japanese castles.

This book is appropriate for younger audiences, so long as they know what they are getting into. I recommend that every library system have a single copy. This is a book that would be useful in a Japanese history class, and if you have the appropriate background, it is a great book to own.

The Samurai Castle Master is not the sort of book that gets boring after the first read! This book is best for teens and adults.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "14-Dec-2022", "date_added": "25-Jul-2022 22:32:57", "publisher": "Pen and Sword", "page_count": "261 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011330051", "title": "Foster", "author": "Claire Keegan", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 584, "review": "Historical Fiction You Won\u2019t Be Able to Put Down Roundup\n\nThese books are all set in a different time than the present, but readers will embrace the similarities between the men and women of the past and of today. From heartache to hope to the discovery of ancestries, these books will evoke some wonderful emotions and perhaps even some memories.\n\nCambium Blue\nMaureen Brownlee\nHarbour Publishing\n9781550179309\n\nSet during the bark beetle epidemic in a lumbering town in British Columbia, Cambium Blue is a tale that comes from three viewpoints. A single mom, a Spanish Civil War Veteran, and a widowed fifty-four-year-old woman find their lives intertwined. This is a beautifully written novel with themes of compassion, hope, despair, and the politics of a small town.\n\nLost and Found in the 60s\nPaul Justison\nUnsolicited Press\n9781956692396\n\nSet in the 1960s, teenager Mark Stenrud escapes to Haight-Ashbury and gets a job at the post office. LSD chemists end up recruiting him and readers will follow Mark on his path as he finds success in this lucrative business only to find himself making bad decisions and learning the lessons of life. A book that captures this decade and its psychedelic notions.\n\nWhen Franny Stands Up\nEden Robins\nSourcebooks\n9781728256009\n\nSet during WWII, When Franny Stands Up captures the story of a woman named Fran who finds herself at Chicago\u2019s Blue Moon Comedy Club where she finds out about the Showstopper, the magic that occurs when an audience laughs so hard they are momentarily transformed. With complex characters, humor, and cultural realism, this book is sure to evoke so many emotions in its readers.\n\nAncestry\nSimon Mawer\nOther Press\n9781635423198\n\nAs novelist Simon Mawer researches his own ancestry back to his great-great-grandfather Abraham Block, who leaves home and becomes indentured on a ship and finds himself in London and the Mediterranean. Mawer\u2019s stories about his ancestors paint the reader a vivid portrait of life in the nineteenth century. \n\nMarmee\nSarah Miller\nHarperCollins\n9780063041875\n\nThis Little Women novel is sure to become a favorite. Set during the war in 1861, this book is told from the perspective of Margaret \u201cMarmee\u201d March and her struggle to raise her four daughters, continue her charity work, and endure financial hardship. This is a beautiful story brought to life by author Sarah Miller about a woman whose life is anything but simple and one which contains secrets.\n\nFoster\nClaire Keegan\nGrove/Atlantic\n9780802160140\n\nDuring a hot summer in rural Ireland, a father takes his daughter to live with relatives where she is shown love and affection. The home is nice and modern and the Kinsellas take her to places like the beach and shopping for new clothing. These are things her parents don\u2019t do with her and her siblings. A book about a girl who gets a taste of what she sees as \u201ca real family.\u201d A short, easy-to-read book that will leave its readers thinking about the girl even after finishing the book.\n\nThe Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey\nSerena Burdick\nPark Row Books\n9780778333104\n\nIn 1868, when famous novelist William Aubrey finds himself with writer\u2019s block, he becomes jealous of his wife, Evelyn, and steals one of her manuscripts, passing it on as his own. In 2006, Abigail finds out that Evelyn was her great-great-grandmother and travels to England to uncover some family secrets. She learns of Evelyn\u2019s disappearance and possible murder according to London\u2019s society. A fantastic mystery that will have readers loving the clever characters and intriguing plot.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 22:54:10", "publisher": "Grove/Atlantic", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011330031", "title": "I Need All the Friends I Can Get", "author": "Charles M Schulz", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 190, "review": "My heart is happy and content with a classic Charlie Brown story; I Need All the Friends I Can Get does not disappoint. The story predictably follows Charlie Brown on his quest to figure out what makes a good friend and why he doesn't have one. His friends assist him with definitions of the word \"friend\" by tailoring the ways to themselves, which makes it more understandable and relatable for the reader. Can Charlie Brown find that one person who fits the criteria?

I believe that almost everyone has felt like a \"Charlie Brown\" and deserves to find the person(s) in their life who may seem invisible but have been a support and available to them below the radar. I enjoyed the added effect of colors on the pages throughout the story. I found it appropriate and witty that there is a \"to and from\" page to gift this book to a friend, or maybe one that you would like to be a new best friend. I love how reminiscent this story is of the original Charlie Brown, and the colors and patterns throughout the book are pleasing to the eye.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "14-Oct-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 18:32:25", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011330027", "title": "The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World", "author": "Jonathan Freedland", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Casey Corthron", "word_count": 184, "review": "This biography resurrects the life of Walter Rosenberg, also remembered as Rudolf Vrba, the man who escaped from Auschwitz with Fredrick Wetzler in the spring of 1944 to produce the much acclaimed Auschwitz Report. If the book was only about the escape itself, the story would make a gripping thriller, but Freedland gives us much more.

Exceptionally well researched, Freedland explores the man himself--the unstable childhood that formed a boy into the sort of young man capable of fending for himself in a hostile environment. With particular attention to detail, Freedland describes the constriction of Europe under Nazi rule and the formation of the great deception put in place to exterminate the Jews.

More than half of the book delves into the question of what brand of knowledge it takes to produce outright revolution against those in power. The life of Vrba exemplifies a belief that if a person is only armed with the knowledge of certain destruction that person will naturally take measures of self-preservation. However, the facts unearthed by Freedland prove contrary to Vrba's assumption, which makes this book much more than a thriller.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 16:49:30", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011330011", "title": "When We Were Friends", "author": "Holly Bourne", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 367, "review": "January 2023 Popular Fiction Roundup-New Year, New Book\n\nIs your New Years\u2019 Resolution to read a little more? Have a little more downtime to do things you really enjoy? Here is a great list of new releases in the popular fiction category. So grab yourself a hot cocoa and blanket and settle in for the night.\n\nThe Virtuous Ones\nChristopher Stoddard\nITNA Press\nISBN: 9780997643206\n\nAd agency, Pure Creative, is using their new rap star Markus in an ad campaign that will take the world by storm. There are underlying issues with the staff at Pure Creative that create an unstable environment for all those involved. Will the company\u2019s plan backfire? If you are looking for a book about modern marketing and progressive social values, this is it.\n\nWhen We Were Friends\nHolly Bourne\nMIRA Books\nISBN: 9780778311294\n\nWhen Jessica and Fern reunite after ten years of estrangement, the friends must confront the very thing that destroyed their friendship in the first place. A book that many people may identify with the main characters, When We Were Friends, visits themes of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness.\n\nWe Spread\nIain Reid\nGallery/Scout Press\nISBN: 9781982169350\n\nPenny, an aging artist whose partner has passed away, finds herself in a long-term care residence. As she lives in the residence, she starts thinking about life and purpose. A beautifully written book that will have readers thinking and contemplating their own existence as it relates to the world.\n\nThe Furrows\nNamwali Serpell\nRandom House Publishing Group\nISBN: 9780593448915\n\nCassandra\u2019s little brother, Wayne, is only seven years old when he disappears. This breaks their family apart and leaves Cassandra seeing his face everywhere she goes. One day, she meets someone mysterious named Wayne who is searching for someone. This tale of grief and hope will rub away at your heartstrings.\n\nThe Sacrifice\nRin Chupeco\nSourcebooks\nISBN: 9781728255910\n\nAdd a little adventure to your day with The Sacrifice. The Philippine Island of Kisapmata is known to be haunted by the locals, but when a film company decides to ignore all warning, they find out the hard way that the Dreamer god is not kidding. Sinkholes, mummies, and an island curse awaits readers of The Sacrifice.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jul-2022 22:55:43", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011329035", "title": "Sundown", "author": "Susan May Warren", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 747, "review": "Love is in the Air Romance Roundup\n\nThe Stand-Up Groomsman\nJackie Lau\nPenguin Publishing Group\n9780593334324\n\nThis quirky romance is full of wonderful relationships that grow throughout the story. Vivian\u2019s roommate is getting married to her favorite actor\u2019s costar. As Vivian and Mel try to set aside their differences so that the wedding will go off without a hitch, they find that they start to understand one another a little more. Sometimes opposites really do attract!\n\nPrincess and the Player\nIlsa Madden-Mills\nAmazon/Brilliance Publishing\n9781542038461\n\nWhen Francesca decides to attend an exclusive lifestyle ball and meets famous NFL player Tuck Avery, they engage in a wicked affair wearing masks. When she realizes who this man is and that he lives in her building and is a player (and not just when it come to football) she decides to make sure he doesn\u2019t recognize her. Only there is one little problem\u2026a positive pregnancy test! Find out what the fates of the princess and the player are in this tantalizing romance novel.\n\nNever Rescue a Rogue\nVirginia Heath\nSt. Martin's Publishing Group\n9781250787781\n\nDiana and Giles team up when Giles\u2019 father, the Duke of Harpenden dies and family secrets must stay hidden. Although everyone around them thinks that Diana and Giles are a perfect match, the two greatly disagree. But when Giles needs Diana\u2019s excellent sleuthing skills, they both find that maybe, just maybe, there is a little spark after all.\n\nMegan Gamble, Sing Out\nDebbie Romani\nSelf-Published\n9798215637401\n\nAt forty one years old, Megan finds herself singing backup vocals for her son, Kyle\u2019s band. Not only does being on tour with the band catch the eyes of Kyle\u2019s band manager, Brandon, but it also brings the unwelcome attention of a musician Megan knew in the past who is trying to blackmail her. Smart, fun, and satisfying, this book is a backstage adventure.\n\nHonor's Refuge\nHallee Bridgeman\nFleming H. Revell Company\n9780800740221\n\nMelissa and her sister were separated after their father killed their mother when Melissa was only five years old. She goes on to help those in need and opens a domestic shelter. When military man, Phil, hears about Melissa\u2019s story, he goes to find her long lost sister. The problem is, her sister is married to a Colombian cartel teniente. Full of action, adventure, and of course, romance, this book comes with some big emotions as characters struggle to find their way.\n\nSundown\nSusan May Warren\nFleming H. Revell Company\n9780800739843\n\nSundown is the third and final book in the Sky King Ranch series by Susan May Warren. Sky King Ranch is under fire when Tae finds herself being hunted by a group of thugs. Colt Kingston doesn\u2019t trust Tae one hundred percent but decides to help her. When her own secrets are revealed, Colt learns they must stop bioterrorists from releasing a virus and Tae may be the key in doing so. A suspenseful romantic adventure thriller.\n\nThe Next Best Day\nSharon Sala\nSourcebooks\n9781728249032\n\nAfter Katie is left standing at the altar and then experiences a school shooting, she decides to relocate to Tennessee. Immediately attracted to her widowed neighbor Sam who is the Police Chief, Katie wonders if the timing is right to pick herself up and start again. Readers will love the charming characters in this book and the strength of Katie\u2019s character as she tries to start life anew.\n\n\nMy Dearest Duke\nKristin Vayden\nSourcebooks\n9781728234342\n\nWhen Lord Rowles Haywind\u2019s brother dies, he inherits the throne and becomes the Duke. He never wanted to be Duke and struggles with family secrets. His mother is ill with dementia and Rowles doesn\u2019t know if he wants to have a family should his children inherit the terrible disease. He reunites with Lady Joan Morgan who is intelligent and helps him through this difficult time. But the Lady has a secret of her own. Will she and the Duke be able to make things work in this regent romance?\n\nThe Duke in Question\nAmalie Howard\nSourcebooks\n9781728262635\n\nA wonderful cat-and-mouse chase that takes readers from England to Civil War-era America, then to France, and back to England. Lady Bronwyn Chase finds herself aboard her brother\u2019s ship with a package of secret letters. Also on that ship is the Duke of Thornbury, Valentine Medford, whose allegiance is to the Crown and who is trying to find the spy named Kestral who is, in fact, Bronwyn! This historical romance will have readers on the edge of their seats!", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 21:53:25", "publisher": "Fleming H. Revell Company", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011329027", "title": "Something About Grandma", "author": "Tania de Regil", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 202, "review": "While Julia\u2019s parents prepare for the birth of a new baby, she stays at her grandmother\u2019s quaint house just outside of Mexico City for the summer. It\u2019s surrounded by fertile growth and the sweet aroma of jasmine. Over time, Julia welcomes the sounds of nature and the serene peacefulness at Grandma\u2019s, and she notices there\u2019s something unique about her grandmother. She can predict the future and senses precisely what her granddaughter needs when she\u2019s sorrowful. From Grandma, Julia learns how to reach out to others with a comforting touch, and she discovers what makes Grandma so truly special.

Children ages five to nine who are close to their grandparents will treasure this heartfelt story. The unparalleled and distinctly sacred bond between a grandchild and his or her grandparent shines like silk through the pages of Something About Grandma. The reciprocity of that relationship and the warmth and security it provides are threaded thoughtfully throughout the narrative and poignant illustrations. The author/illustrator weaves segments of poems from her own great-grandfather into the latticework of the pictures, carefully camouflaging them into the background. They\u2019ll capture young readers\u2019 interest and awe and provide them with an exciting challenge as they embark on their reading odyssey.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "07-Sep-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 19:30:51", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011329003", "title": "A Leader's Guide to Consultant Cliches: (OR HOW TO BE YOUR OWN BEST CONSULTANT)", "author": "Jeff Colvin", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 201, "review": "In A Leader\u2019s Guide to Consultant Cliches, longtime management consultant Jeff Colvin shares timeless leadership advice while using tried and trite sayings known as cliches. Colvin turns everyday, overused phrases into profound foundational wisdom by applying the expressions to relatable workplace stories and vignettes. Readers learn about the importance of communicating clearly, building relationships, and cultivating teamwork to solve dilemmas faced by the lead character Max in negotiating and executing strategy. Emphasizing the importance of \u201clearn, do and repeat,\u201d the book includes a dedicated page after each chapter for note-taking and reflection. Each chapter concludes with a list of key takeaways and statistics from business research that support the key lesson.

A Leader\u2019s Guide to Consultant Cliches is a refreshing take on management guides that underscore trust-building, collaboration, and commitment to improvement and productivity. Through the power of storytelling, Colvin increases the retention of vital leadership lessons. Situations depicted in the book focus on business processes that need to be enhanced or changed to achieve better results. Colvin uses dialogue to depict the scenarios in easily digestible ways and peppers each vignette with a healthy dose of humor. Just wait until you learn about the true identities of the cast of characters.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "20-Oct-2022", "date_added": "25-Jul-2022 16:53:55", "publisher": "Archway Publishing", "page_count": "386 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011328039", "title": "Remarkably Ruby (Emmie & Friends)", "author": "Terri Libenson", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - age 11", "word_count": 158, "review": "Seventh grader Ruby doesn\u2019t have the best social skills, so no one knows her passion is writing poetry. Fortunately, Ruby\u2019s supportive English teacher encourages her to join a poetry club. This may be a chance for Ruby to make some new friends and share her passion with others. Meanwhile, Mia is popular, organized, and running for class president. Unlike Ruby, Mia has it all. Or does she? Both girls used to be friends, but they eventually grew apart. Can these two opposites redeem themselves, or will they no longer have anything in common?

This book is way different from the other books, and it may be the best one in the series so far! I like that the author introduced so many new characters. It makes me wonder who will be in Libenson\u2019s next book. I was also very shocked by the ending of the book. Recommended for graphic novel lovers, especially those who like contemporary middle-grade stories.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "30-Aug-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 21:58:34", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011328035", "title": "Usagi Yojimbo Origins, Vol. 3", "author": "Stan Sakai", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jonathan Stafford", "word_count": 175, "review": "Usagi Yojimbo Origins is a really good read. I found myself hooked with this full-color version of an old classic. The rabbit ronin is such a complex and fascinating character that you can\u2019t help but be entranced by the story and the writing. Author Stan Sakai keeps you hanging off every page with a rich story and a plethora of interesting characters. As a comic book fan, I believe this book is a good read and really helps to pass the time if you are looking for action pack adventure and thrills. The artwork is beautiful, and the colors really help to add depth to the pages. I have a few copies of Usagi Yojimbo already, and reading this one only made me want to go out and buy more. I really love the journey that Usagi Yojimbo is going on, and as I continue to read, I root for him in the various paths that he takes. Avid readers will enjoy this comic as much as I did. I give this comic five stars.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "30-Aug-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 21:50:08", "publisher": "IDW Publishing", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011328027", "title": "The Prince of Steel Pier", "author": "Stacy Nockowitz", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "Joey loves spending the summer in Atlantic City with his family. They stay with their grandparents, helping Uncle Sol run their grandparents' hotel. The guests are older Jewish people who\u2019ve been coming for years, but Atlantic City is changing. Gambling was legalized, casinos are moving in, and some unsavory characters are around. Joey gets noticed for his skee ball prowess by those characters, and it makes him feel powerful hanging with them, even working for the top guy chaperoning his very pretty daughter. But things get very dark. The only ones Joey can count on are his family, but he may have put them in terrible danger.

Stacy Nockowitz has written a very compelling story with rich, complex characters and tension throughout. The setting is one most young people won\u2019t be familiar with, but it is an interesting time and place that will keep them engaged. There is also the foundation of the family\u2019s deep and abiding Jewish faith, which young Joey is questioning, something quite common for kids that age. Joey feels left out with two older brothers who are close and a younger brother who is a star. This is a terrific book that should not be missed.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 20:34:25", "publisher": "Lerner Publishing Group", "page_count": "248 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011328015", "title": "Camp Scare", "author": "Delilah S Dawson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 195, "review": "Friends. That\u2019s all Parker wants. Paired with Cassandra, the most popular girl in school, on a class project, Parker thinks this is her chance to finally have a friend. Then Cassie\u2019s popular friends take pictures of her journal to post online. In response to the cyberbullying, Parker is sent to Camp Care, but only the worst kind of coincidence would put her in the same cabin as Cassie. Rumors start that Parker is a thief, and when her cabin mates\u2019 belongings are found in her drawer, she is shunned. Meeting Jenny at the bonfire proves to be the best thing, but Parker can\u2019t find her throughout the day. When she finds out there is no Jenny enrolled, Parker is more determined to find out what is going on, especially as there are dark things in the camp\u2019s past, things no one will talk about.

This book is full of drama, with a slow burn to an explosive ending. The kids don\u2019t believe Parker, the adults don\u2019t believe Parker, and the only one who does doesn\u2019t exist. Sometimes dramatically frustrating, sometimes chilling, this scary story is perfect for those who love Mary Downing Hahn and Dan Poblocki.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "24-Nov-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 16:36:24", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000011328011", "title": "Waking Beauty", "author": "Rebecca Solnit", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Keana Aguila Labra", "word_count": 198, "review": "\u201cBefore every beginning is another beginning,\u201d begins Rebecca Solnit\u2019s Waking Beauty, or Eleven Times Upon a Time, which is a reimagining of the classic Sleeping Beauty. In Solnit\u2019s transformation of the tale, the focus is instead on Maya, the sister who stayed awake. It includes everything magical about a fairy tale: a tone of whimsy, fantastical names, one of the fairies is named Marzipanzer Divisadero Primrooseveltundramama McIrritabittlepittlegram, and. The structure in which the story is told is akin to a more organized Dr. Seuss with the darling illustrations by Arthur Rackham and the silliness of a single sentence being spliced into sixteen individual lines, a majority of which beginning with the word, and. This is perfect for adults and children alike. The adults who experienced Sleeping Beauty as a child will reminisce, and children will be eager to point out the differences. And it\u2019s in this way that it captures childlike wonder and excitement; there is a hurriedness to meet the protagonist and embark on this journey and warmth at its happy ending. From beginning to end, Solnit invites young readers to join her with their own tales, prodding them: \u201chow many other stories are all around you?\u201d", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 16:27:18", "publisher": "Haymarket Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011327035", "title": "The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights: A Novel", "author": "Kitty Zeldis", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 189, "review": "In 1924, the lives of three women intersect. Bea and Alice have known one another for years and come to New York from New Orleans to open a dress shop together, but their relationship will change drastically when Catherine Berrill enters the shop to buy a dress, bringing a connection to Bea\u2019s past that will change all of them.

At its best, the book was a heartwarming tale about building connections and family, and about overcoming trauma. Some, I know, will enjoy it for that, and there is a great deal of affection and heart in the book, enough to give it three stars. However, I was on the fence about giving it three stars or two because I also found the book dull and predictable. I was able to figure out a key twist very early on, so it irritated me when Zeldis continued to be coy about what it would be up until it was revealed. I also found the world of the book quite flat. Zeldis put in many details, but they never sprang off the page so much as they lay there like a still-life painting.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "30-Jan-2023", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 22:49:49", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011327031", "title": "Gone With the Wind", "author": "Pauline Bartel", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 194, "review": "The year 1939 was a monumental one for cinema. Gone with the Wind staring Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable began with buzz and continues to be a talked about eighty-three years later. Like many other films, or really anything pertaining to other people, there are things unknown, whether intentional or not.

In Pauline Bartel's Gone with the Wind, each day from preproduction and the casting of characters to the wrap-up of filming the classic film are documented for readers not around at the location or time. Information about cast and crew, namely birthdays, things that happened behind the scenes such as signing contracts, completion of filming scenes, and various interactions among the crew, and what was announced in the news are the three categories mentioned for every day from January 1 to December 31, 1939.

Most every day contains a bite-size amount of the daily grind to allow the reader the option of reading much or little and experiencing the happenings related to the movie as if they were there. Fans of the classic Gone with the Wind will appreciate the extra details in the book as a necessity to be a super fan!", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 20:24:57", "publisher": "Lyons Press", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011326031", "title": "Delphic Oracle, U.S.A.", "author": "Steven Mayfield", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 425, "review": "Delphic Oracle, U.S.A. by Steven Mayfield is a charming story. Set in a small Nebraskan town called Miagrammesto Station, the narrator recalls how this place came to home an alleged Oracle of Delphi.

This novel contains a plethora of characters, but the main one I will focus on is Maggie Westinghouse. Maggie and her mother moved to Miagrammesto Station after her father allegedly was killed in \u201cThe War to End All Wars.\u201d She is beautiful, smart, quick on her feet, and enchanting. Men are constantly pursuing Maggie; however, women are generally very unkind to her, always jealous of the attention and love she receives. Maggie finds that her peers are constantly trying to undermine her gifts with false gossip and small talk, something that leads her to spend most of her time alone. Because of this, one of Maggie\u2019s favorite past times is to take long walks, often to the edge of town, by herself. On one of these walks, she stumbles upon a very attractive young man. Although he looks like an absolute wreck, asleep on a pile of gunnysacks, Maggie is drawn to him. When he wakes up, she answers his questions with her usual wit and is stunned at how well he handles her anger and retorts. Little does Maggie know, this special man will change her life, both for the better and the worst.

Alongside Maggie Westinghouse, Miagrammesto Station has plenty of idiosyncratic characters. Like all small towns, everyone knows more than enough about each other and everyone else\u2019s business. Although annoying at times, everyone generally acts as a family, and characters are able to confide and lean on each other in both small and big concerns. This is especially needed at Miagrammesto Station; From runaway husbands, to discovering religion, to unexpected pregnancies, Delphic Oracle has a unique character and tale for every reader.

I enjoyed reading this novel. I found all of the tales, especially Maggie\u2019s, to be entertaining and interesting. I think Mayfield did a great job of capturing life in a small town. He wrote his characters wonderfully, giving them a great balance of humor and wit. The only criticism I have of this book is that I did have a hard time keeping track of the characters, but, as Mayfield states in the prologue, \u201cYou are about to meet a great many people, too many to keep track of at first.\u201d I did find this statement to be true, so readers should heed this and expect to need to reread it as a reminder of which characters are which.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 21:34:28", "publisher": "Regal House Publishing", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011326027", "title": "Delphic Oracle, U.S.A.", "author": "Steven Mayfield", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 403, "review": "Miagrammesto Station, Nebraska, is a typical farming town in the 1920s when drifter July Pennybaker rolls into town. He is quickly smitten with a local girl, Maggie Westinghouse. He manages to convince the town that she has powers just like the Delphic Oracles of old, allowing her to predict the future. It doesn't take long for the town to change its name to Delphic Oracle, leading to what everyone hopes will be new opportunities. But fate may not be on the side of the two lovers, as we discover through a story of love, loss, deceit, and tragedy that will affect generations to come.

Narrator and Catholic priest Father Peter Goodfellow casts his eyes back to the past as he retells all the details he learned from his Grandmother Willa about the town's past, while at the same time keeping us abreast of the current events in Delphic Oracle, where the town's descendants carry on a history they like to keep alive, a lot of which threatens to come back to the fore again with the discovery of old bones in a vacant lot. Could it be the body of July Pennybaker, who disappeared decades ago? Or could his story have been more complex and misunderstood?

Father Peter is not without his own story or fascinating past as he retells the town's history from inside the local correctional institution. Why is he there? Let's just say it has something to do with his ex-brother-in-law and a BB gun. And he isn't the only one with a few quirks in this town. Another of Father Peter's brothers-in-law, Francis Wounded Arrow, seems to be a perpetual accident waiting to happen. And then there's Aunt Felicity, the town librarian, who has a mind of her own and isn't afraid to share it. Other descendants of the town's previous generations make up the rest of the quirky cast of characters in this entertaining novel, all with their own peculiarities.

I found Delphic Oracle, U.S.A. to be not only an engaging story, but also more emotional than I had anticipated. Mr. Mayfield has a way of making the reader care about his characters, even those with more than a few imperfections. Not to mention his extraordinary ability to weave together a rambling generational tale full of nostalgia, cinematic scenes, and enough twists and turns to keep any reader happy. As a result, it was both memorable and enjoyable.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 21:34:19", "publisher": "Regal House Publishing", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011326023", "title": "Delphic Oracle, U.S.A.", "author": "Steven Mayfield", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 397, "review": "During the 1920s, one of the most adventurous and consuming decades of the past century, when personal freedom and affairs were becoming commonplace, a modest love story unfolds in the western prairies of Nebraska. Maggie Westinghouse is a woman of her time, she isn\u2019t afraid to express herself and seek out her inherent vices. The kind of person that would begin a highly charged and passionate affair with July Pennybaker, a wandering con man and big fish in this sleepy town. They are the kind of wild characters that should be able to run this small quiet community, fueling its gossip, and effortlessly taking its money.

Yet Maggie and July are not your typical wayward figures, and Delphic Oracle, Nebraska is not your typical small, quiet town. There is something tragic, mystical, and oddly poetic about this community and its history. The mysterious remains of a skeleton are uncovered in a vacated lot, a large Greek chorus keeps things interesting and decidedly colorful, and a deeply engaging tale of Americana comes to life on the page.

Delphic Oracle, U.S.A. by Steven Mayfield is one of those books that seems to have all the trappings and virtues that lovers of American literature have come to love. The narrative tone is compelling, the characters are all fully formed with none of the usual tropes and plot devices that have crippled other works of fiction. Mayfield\u2019s writing is never indulging in unnecessary dead ends or padding. His prose is workmanlike in its effectiveness and charming in its visuals.

Not since Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil have I read about such a unique supporting cast of characters, humor that made me laugh out loud in moments, or a community be so masterfully created before my eyes. Somehow, Mayfield has managed to capture and preserve a piece of the American identity and spirit in this tale.

As any reader of modern fiction can attest, every time you crack a new book open, it\u2019s a coin toss. There is always a quiet bargain taking place with the author, a promise that the reader will be swept away into this new world, and a hope that the craftsman can deliver. Each time when it happens, it\u2019s a privilege, a joy to be consumed by wonderful words and concepts. For this reviewer, Steven Mayfield and his exceptional new book have definitely delivered.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "27-Oct-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 21:34:11", "publisher": "Regal House Publishing", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011326019", "title": "Delphic Oracle, U.S.A.", "author": "Steven Mayfield", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 467, "review": "While Father Peter Goodfellow\u2014preacher, inmate, and relative to most of the town\u2014might be the narrator of Delphic Oracle, U.S.A., it is really the story of Maggie Westinghouse and July Pennybaker and how their star-crossed relationship led to the small Midwestern town of Miagrammesto Station transforming into the near-legendary community of Delphic Oracle. In fact, their association had consequences far beyond the naming of the town, as the results of their actions in 1919 trickled down through the decades and influenced the fortunes of the eclectic citizenry right up to the early 2000s.

July Pennybaker was a handsome and highly educated grifter with the gift of the gab. He would have been well-suited to a career in politics, except that \u201che learned early on to disdain politicians as amateurs \u2026 tinhorns who knew how to tap a mark but not when to shut off the flow and run.\u201d After taking a con that bit too far, he found himself on the run from the Chicago mob and took temporary shelter in the one-horse Nebraska town of Miagrammesto Station. The first person he met there was Maggie Westinghouse, an ethereal beauty of uncertain parentage who was prone to drifting into trances and offering incompressible prognostications.

Sensing an opportunity, July declared Maggie to be a descendent of the original Oracles of Delphi and claimed to be the only one capable of interpreting her predictions. Although it might have started out as yet another grift, the relationship between the pair became very real very fast, and the results of their combined prophesies also proved beneficial for the rest of the town. As Father Peter explains, things in the town were never the same again, with the three main families\u2014the Goodfellows, the Penrods, and the Thorntons\u2014all engaging in peculiar and oftentimes unlikely shenanigans down through the generations, resulting in romances, rituals, recriminations, and the discovery of a skeleton in a vacant lot.

With Delphic Oracle, U.S.A., Steven Mayfield has crafted a charming and engaging slice of small-town Americana that neatly weaves together stories from different periods to form a cohesive biography of a town and its residents. The sense of place throughout the novel is excellent, as are the characterizations of the various citizens of Delphic Oracle, whether they serve as main characters or supporting cast. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given how the town and its leading families got their start, there are a host of strange, intriguing, and sometimes frustrating characters featured within the story, including a family man with an unremitting urge to run away coupled with a strong boomerang disposition and a know-it-all librarian who just might actually know it all.

A story comprised of the stories that people tell to remind themselves of where they come from, Delphic Oracle, U.S.A. is insightful, surprising, and a whole lot of fun to read.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "14-Oct-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 21:33:57", "publisher": "Regal House Publishing", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011326015", "title": "Hidden Buddha: Lama Rinzen in the Hungry Ghost Realm", "author": "Jim Ringel", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 465, "review": "Jim Ringel introduced the delightfully insightful, sincere, and tenacious character of Lama Rinzen in 49 Buddhas: Lama Rinzen in the Hell Realm, a murder mystery/Buddhist philosophy mashup that combined an intriguing puzzle with a deeply unusual premise. A spiritual leader in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Lama Rinzen is working through a series of reincarnations in the six realms so that he can learn each realm\u2019s lesson and move toward enlightenment. In his first outing, Lama Rinzen was reincarnated as a Denver cop tasked with solving the murder of a hated insurance magnate.

Now, having learned the lesson of the Hell Realm, in Hidden Buddha: Lama Rinzen in the Hungry Ghost Realm, Lama Rinzen is reincarnated as Doctor Rinzen, the new locum tenens at the slightly sinister Humboldt Hospital. By way of a change, Doctor Rinzen is a Caucasian female, which prompts Rinzen to ponder if the lesson in this new realm will involve learning self-acceptance. However, it soon emerges that the Hungry Ghost Realm has something far more frightening and dangerous in store.

One of the first people Rinzen meets upon arrival at Humboldt Hospital is a young girl named Claudia, who immediately makes a number of troubling statements: \u201cOut in the parking lot. She was watching you.\u201d There has been no one in the parking lot when Rinzen arrived, so who could have been watching? Claudia doesn\u2019t provide much clarification: \u201cTell her she has to stop. She\u2019s ugly. And she scares me.\u201d While most of the hospital\u2019s patients are being evacuated to nearby institutions due to a forthcoming snowstorm, Claudia, several other patients with complex needs, and a core group of staff will be staying behind, and Rinzen will be staying with them.

Rinzen is adamant about not believing in ghosts, but being trapped in Humboldt during the snowstorm leaves the lama with little choice but to explore the significance of Claudia\u2019s \u201cghosts\u201d and what they could mean for the pursuit of enlightenment.

Hidden Buddha presents another intriguing mystery for Lama Rinzen to solve, although this time, it\u2019s more in the horror line than the straightforward murder mystery. There are ghosts of both the literal and metaphorical kinds haunting the corridors of Humboldt Hospital, causing staff and patients to disappear and seeking to keep Rinzen trapped in the realm. There\u2019s a distinctly spooky atmosphere to the story from the outset, and the sense of dread builds as things progress. Unfortunately, Rinzen also has to contend with more than a few menacing humans too, which adds to the story\u2019s tension.

Ringel once again succeeds in weaving matters of Buddhist philosophy into the mystery confronting Rinzen, and readers of Hidden Buddha may well find themselves questioning their own thoughts and beliefs at the same time as attempting to unravel the various puzzles that comprise the story.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 21:26:17", "publisher": "Black Bee Publishing", "page_count": "301 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011326011", "title": "Higher Connections: Humor and Inspiration from a Certified Public Pothead", "author": "Eric and Alexandrea Right", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 434, "review": "Is there more to life than consuming endlessly and wishing to escape work? What if life doesn't have to be just ordinary and tiring? Eric Right was stuck in an unsatisfactory existence before he found a more fulfilling reality with the help of marijuana and by observing his experience of it. In Higher Connections: Humor and Inspiration from a Certified Public Pothead, Eric and Alexandrea Right document the changes and connections they experienced while under the influence of marijuana and their thoughts about different random subjects, like religion, out-of-body experience, the soul, paranoia, the best age to die, and more. Follow Eric and Alexandrea Right through their fun, otherworldly, and unpredictable journey with marijuana and their intriguingly creative thoughts about different aspects of life in Higher Connections.

I have been educated! As someone who used to regard marijuana as a waste of time, Higher Connections showed me that it can actually make life more enjoyable. I couldn't stop reading the captivating stories about family, empathy, healing, and building connections. Also, I found it amazing that Eric, who is not exactly someone you would call empathetic in his natural state, became noticeably more empathetic with marijuana\u2014to the point that he expressed feeling empathy for a stranger who talked about his struggles.

Many of the stories and insights are told from two different POVs\u2014Eric's and Alexandrea's\u2014which, somehow, makes the story feel more genuine and easier to understand. The authors' carefree, chatty writing style is quite enjoyable and easy to read. I liked that Eric sometimes chips in what he's doing while he's writing about a particular topic.

The book inspired me to think about several ideas and possibilities that I never considered before. Like Eric, I am now wondering if leaders would make better, more humane decisions if they took marijuana before a major world conference. Who says life has to be serious and mainly about working towards the next big achievement?

Eric and Alexandrea show us that life can be more meaningful when we choose to live in the moment. And in their case, marijuana proves to be a great way to get there. Scientists and researchers who wish to be an important part of the next phase of human consciousness should take the insightful accounts and ideas in this book seriously. And if you simply wish to discover a deeper and more exciting way to connect with the world around you, you will learn a lot from their detailed recommendations and stories about embarking on a trip with marijuana. Even skeptics of marijuana will turn believers when they read the book. I certainly did!", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 21:14:27", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011326007", "title": "To Pay Paul", "author": "Michael Scott Curnes", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 411, "review": "Seamus Quinlan is the last remaining descendant of a family marred by various cancers and illnesses. His family home in Washington is located downwind from the Hanford Nuclear site. The Hanford site, which served as one of the central locations in the making of the atomic bomb(Manhattan Project), is now decommissioned. However, the waste that resides there still poses a risk as nuclear material has seeped underground, and the daily breeze carries with it the toxic material. Seamus works as a lecturer and geophysicist and is well versed in the potential cataclysms looming with Hanford.

Seamus has come home to visit his father Gerald as he is rapidly diminishing from cancer. The past weighs heavily on both men, as the shadow of death and grief has never disappeared. Both men, along with other relatives, worked at Hanford and gradually came to learn the risks posed by the nuclear materials cultivated and stored there. Gerald succumbs to his illness. Seamus must handle the burial of his father on his own.

The tragedies inflicted upon Seamus mount when he and an associate named Cody fall through the ground when Seamus attempts to clear room on the family cemetery plot. Opportunities to climb out of the hole are non-existent, as are the supplies needed to hold out for an extended period of time. The duo forms a bond over a period of a couple of days that alleviates the tension of the peril. Through a stroke of good luck, the two men are discovered, and they become public figures. Seamus has looked at his own mortality head-on and is determined to live each day to its fullest. However, the decaying eyesore of Hanford and the mysteries of tectonic shifts pose a threat to not only Seamus but millions of people.

To Pay Paul is a stand-out dramatic narrative that reflects on the sins of the past while also pondering the uncertainty of the future. Seamus Quinlan lives a life where the prospects are bleak, a long-term future doubtful. He dwells under a dark cloud, but his resolve to keep going in spite of this makes him a strong character. Despair yields to hope as Seamus realizes that the desire to live another day is worth fighting for. Author Michael Scott Curnes has penned a poignant, often bittersweet story about survival and connection in personal turmoil. The reader will be drawn into the unfolding action in Seamus Quinlan\u2019s life but also to the existent hazards posed by Hanford.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "22-Aug-2022", "date_added": "26-Jul-2022 21:11:39", "publisher": "Down Wind Press", "page_count": "274 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011326003", "title": "Becoming Love Able", "author": "Richard Matzkin", "category": "N16 Relationships & Sex", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 448, "review": "When you think of relationship advice books, what comes to mind first? That they\u2019re mostly for women to \u201csatisfy\u201d their man, to \u201cturn their love life around.\u201d And they\u2019re either books filled with vague verbose content or strict bullet point lists that must be followed to the letter if you \u201ctruly want your man to love you and remain faithful.\u201d And what about relationship advice books for men? Thankfully, there\u2019s a new book on relationship advice for men that\u2019s the complete opposite of all these things. It\u2019s called Becoming Love Able: How a Man Can Grow to be a More Loving Partner by Richard Matzkin.

Matzkin begins the book with an invocation, \u201cThe world needs the message of men\u2019s love. You can be a messenger,\u201d and an introduction to what the reader can get from Becoming Love Able. He provides an author\u2019s note on his background with reference to relationships, as well as talking about his own happy marriage of almost forty years.

The book is divided into four parts. The first part, \u201cMen, Love, and Kindness,\u201d explores what love actually means and the many areas it can go, as well as what it means to love another. Part of this is kindness, what it means to be kind and to give kindness, and how it relates to love. \u201cRelationship\u201d and \u201cResponsible Loving\u201d are the next two sections, as it's important to understand what a healthy relationship looks like and the many places it can go. Matzkin touches on the stereotypes of men under these headings and how the reader can adapt and change his ways, leading to a stronger bond with his partner. Matzkin makes a point earlier in the book, as well as in this section, that Becoming Love Able is not just for male/female relationships but also male/male and other combinations such as male/non-binary.

The second part, \u201cThe Loving Promises,\u201d consists of the thirty-nine vows to make with your partner for a strong relationship. At the end of each section, Matzkin presents questions to help the reader along in processing what they have read. The third part explores, once a relationship has begun, the issues and conflicts that can arise, learning where the problems arise and how to resolve them together as a couple. The final part, \u201cWorking With the Promises,\u201d talks about living in a healthy relationship with those vows, along with some helpful suggestions.

Whether you read Becoming Love Able from cover to cover at the start of a relationship or pick and choose certain chapters when you reach those hurdles in your relationship, whatever problem you are having, chances are you\u2019ll be able to find some helpful advice in Becoming Love Able.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "02-Dec-2022", "date_added": "25-Jul-2022 15:40:31", "publisher": "First Edition Design Publishing", "page_count": "305 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011325011", "title": "Involuntary Reroute!!! (The Initial Reroute Book 1) ", "author": "Robert Laney", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 486, "review": "Involuntary Reroute tells the story of author Robert Laney's delve into the travel industry at the young age of nineteen. As an entrepreneurial major at Babson College, Laney decides to help his mother start a business. As the owner of a travel agency in the 1980s, Robert's mother has had plenty of experience owning and running a business. The book explains the many pitfalls that Robert and his mother find themselves in. Laney explains, \"Since the early days of air travel, airlines have offered their agents and agency owners 75 percent discounts from full first-class fares.\" This is the big idea behind Robert's business. He decides to start a travel agency and find investors in the company who will become part owners. Of course the perk to the owner/investors would be that seventy-five percent discount on travel. The business starts off with a bang. Not only would the owners get the discount, but whoever held those tickets were eligible to fly first class regardless if they were the owner or not.

Laney repeatedly states that the seat on an airplane is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it. Thus, there are loopholes in the airlines that allow people to get tickets for less because they are trying to get paid for as many seats as possible. If there is an empty, unpaid seat, the airline gets paid nothing.

Although everything about this business sounds legitimate on paper, Robert finds himself in hot water many times during his entrepreneurial endeavor. The first problem is his company doesn't have an airline ticket license. Because of this, he finds himself trying to buy companies that have this license to partner with them. Because of greedy business partners, he finds himself in a slue of sticky and uncomfortable situations that feel like they could take his business down in a heartbeat.

I really enjoyed reading Involuntary Reroute. When I first started reading the book, I thought it was going to be a book about how to obtain discount airline tickets. This is actually a book for entrepreneurs, however, and Robert shares both his failures and successes in a very candid way. Sometimes, while reading the book, it was hard to remember that Robert was only a college kid when he did all this. Knowing that makes this story an even greater and more inspirational one. The biggest takeaway for entrepreneurs is to never give up. Find people to help you and when something falls through, have other ideas on hand to keep it going. Being an entrepreneur takes grit. Robert also gives insight into the sketchy inner workings of the airlines and how they determine fares. With online sites like Expedia and Orbitz, most travel agents are out of a job, however, knowing that airline prices are never set in stone can help the average Joe get a good deal on a ticket, maybe even in First Class.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "31-Aug-2022", "date_added": "22-Jul-2022 20:50:52", "publisher": "BookBaby", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011325007", "title": "Crushed", "author": "Alene Snodgrass", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 485, "review": "Crushed begins with an account of a nightmare in which Alene Snodgrass was confronted by a menacing apparition that asked her a truly disturbing question: \u201cWhat would you do if I crushed you?\u201d As she heard those words, Snodgrass sensed the presence of pure evil, which terrified her and caused her to jerk awake. The nightmare preyed on her mind and prompted her to reevaluate her understanding of good vs. evil and the role that God plays in people\u2019s lives. While this reaction might at first seem a little extreme, committed Christian Snodgrass had actually been questioning the reality of faith\u2014particularly the role and importance of formal ministries\u2014for some time, and the nightmare served to crystalize her doubts and uncertainties.

The threat inherent in Snodgrass\u2019s nightmare later manifested in a freak accident, whereby a gale-force wind caused the lid of the trunk of her car to smash down onto her face as she leaned in to get some groceries. Although she wasn\u2019t aware of it at the time, the accident caused a severe concussion that soon triggered hair loss, chronic pain, and deep feelings of depression and despair. While Snodgrass sought conventional medical treatment for her condition, which proved to be no easy matter in itself, she also sought spiritual treatment through praying with friends and family and consulting relevant passages from the Bible.

Crushed is Snodgrass\u2019s memoir of her journey through the physical and psychological manifestation of her nightmare, through the pain and suffering caused by her head being crushed both literally and spiritually, and through the doubt and questions that almost caused her to lose her lifelong anchor of faith. Snodgrass relates her experiences in a frank and uncompromising way, making clear her feelings of helplessness and turmoil as she preyed for the solution to her problem but appeared to receive no answer. However, rather than give in to the despair that threatened to overwhelm her, Snodgrass chose to interpret her situation as God making her anew. After all, as the doctors kept telling her, regardless of the pain and hair loss, the blow to her head could easily have killed her.

Not that it proved straightforward to effect such an attitude change. In addition to dealing with her warped self-image, Snodgrass had to contend with well-meaning friends recommending all manner of inappropriate cures and treatments. Fortunately, through humor and stoicism, she managed to bear such attempts at helpfulness better than many would. The conversational and sincere tone of her account highlights such personal qualities and shows how Snodgrass demonstrated strength even when she thought she was breaking. Moreover, interspersed throughout the text are fragments from Snodgrass\u2019s journal, which enhance the immediacy of her account and heighten the feelings that are conveyed.

An honest and ultimately uplifting account of one woman\u2019s experience of injury and recovery, Crushed will particularly appeal to Christian readers and to those who are working through their own trauma.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Jul-2022 20:44:02", "publisher": "Self-published", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011325003", "title": "Summer of Love", "author": "Paul Martin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 431, "review": "Though Bobby Doyle suspects that the recent, consecutive murders of the two girls he was dating are not coincidental, he can't imagine anyone would want to harm him. Unlike his more competitive twin, Jack Doyle, Bobby is easygoing and unlikely to have enemies. While working as a freelance journalist in California, Bobby makes some exciting new friends and revels in the rock 'n' roll, carefree atmosphere of California in the late 1960s.

Meanwhile, Jack, who believes in fighting for his country, has to deal with the reality of losing new friends to war and seeing dead bodies in Vietnam. The two brothers, who pursue clearly different goals, stay in touch with each other by sending letters about their individual battles on two different continents. Will Bobby finally discover the killer before he takes down another one of his friends, and can Jack survive the trauma and brutality of war? Summer of Love depicts a deeply immersing, character-rich plot about the horrors of war and murder and the richness of art, music, and the youth culture of 1967 in California.

With the skill of an expert storyteller and a special talent for bringing different pieces together to form a harmonious story, Paul Martin weaves together a spine-chilling and intense search for a killer, the brutal scenes of war, the thrilling and sensational moods of romance, and a relaxed and artsy atmosphere. The book's intricate description of the artworks, rock 'n' roll songs and artists, and dressing styles of the 1960s awakened my inner artist and connected me to that part of me that seeks to enjoy life's bountiful blessings. I enjoyed imagining the texture on the pears in James Peale's 1821 painting and \"the bluesy psychedelic shows\" performed by the band Quicksilver Messenger Service.

One of my favorite elements in the book is its highly creative and humorous metaphors. I laughed out loud when I read this particular sentence: \"People in the audience were bobbing their heads like a bunch of chickens pecking for food.\" It also has quite distinct characters with relatable, realistic problems\u2014like Susie, who is estranged from her overbearing, religious father.

A truly enthralling read from start to finish, Summer of Love presents characters who, like most of us, wish for the beautiful things in life but find themselves experiencing them with the ugliest things. We see a sort of duality, where the best of humanity\u2014in terms of soul-lifting art creations and camaraderie\u2014is contrasted with the worst of humanity, with brutal wars and cold-blooded killings. This one is definitely going to my list of favorite books for this year!", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2022", "date_added": "22-Jul-2022 20:37:59", "publisher": "Level Best Books", "page_count": "325 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011324015", "title": "Dinos Driving", "author": "Lynn Leitch,Scot Ritchie", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 157, "review": "Dinos Driving doesn't have much of a story, except for dinosaurs driving cars that would fit their personalities; examples are velociraptors driving a mini car, triceratops riding a motorcycle, and diplodocus driving a bus, with there being others, too. Other dinosaurs in the book are the T-Rex, Iguanodon, Carnotaurus, Compsognathus, and Brachiosaurus. Dinos Driving isn't too long, and there aren't many words in the book. At the end of the book are short facts about the dinosaurs to help explain why they were matched with their vehicles in the book.

I like that I can read the book by myself, and I like looking at the pictures on each page because they are bright and colorful. The book is silly because we know that most dinosaurs couldn't even fit into cars, but fun to read about anyways! This story would be a good one for little kids to enjoy or people of any age who really like dinosaurs!", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2022 23:08:35", "publisher": "Pajama Press Inc.", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011324011", "title": "Cosplay: A History: The Builders, Fans, and Makers Who Bring Your Favorite Stories to Life", "author": "Andrew Liptak, Adam Savage", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 191, "review": "Whether you consider it Halloween costumes for adults, being your \"true\" self, letting loose and having some fun, or a combination of all those, the activity of cosplay has achieved national popularity in a short amount of time over the decades. Cosplay discusses every part, directly and indirectly, related to cosplay to comprehensively analyze this popular event and how it has changed and adapted.

While non-fiction, the information is presented with fictional enjoyment to assist the reader with feeling nearby and part of the action. The book contains pictures and information from the first conference in 1939, showcasing science-fiction fashion styles and interests, how styles and interests changed and adapted with the introduction of Star Wars and other well-known cult classics, to how cosplay has impacted and continues to present itself in our current society.

Having limited knowledge of cosplay, I appreciated the in-depth knowledge that Cosplay provided for me; it was informative yet enjoyable and understandable to both read the text and study the pictures from throughout time. Cosplay has become a part of people's lives and brings such happiness and joy that really, what is there not to like?", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "20-Oct-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2022 23:06:59", "publisher": "Gallery / Saga Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011323011", "title": "Making Your Marriage a Fortress: Strengthening Your Marriage to Withstand Life's Storms", "author": "Gary Thomas", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 204, "review": "A mighty fortress is our God; such comforting words relevant for every generation. Understanding us best, he instituted the sacrament of marriage as a representation of his love for his people/the church. By Making Your Marriage a Fortress, couples are essentially representing God and his unwavering love toward his undeserving people. We're humans, not divine, so we can be expected to mess up and misrepresent marriage and what God created it to be. Gary Thomas, an author of nineteen books that focus on human experiences but connect them to their intended purposes within God, has interviewed couples who have struggled with issues not uncommon to neighbors, friends, or yourself. Each problem is from the couple's perspective, then examined throughout its entirety to show how our thoughts of what's \"correct\" are usually far from what's right, and the saying proves true - \"when you make plans, God laughs\" and then realize how better they are with him.

I appreciate the Bible scripture throughout the book and how Thomas shows its relevancy in any situation, joyous or traumatic. Going through traumatic experiences is understatedly not fun, but it is clear that if a couple can set aside themselves and focus on God, they can overcome much more.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "28-Oct-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2022 21:04:40", "publisher": "Zondervan", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011323007", "title": "The Moonlight Zoo", "author": "Maudie Powell-Tuck,Karl James Mountford", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 203, "review": "The Moonlight Zoo is a story with pretty pictures throughout the book and tells a happy story. In the story, a girl is sitting in bed and missing her cat, Luna, who has been gone for the last two days. The girl starts to hear noises from under her bed and finds a zoo there! A wolf meets her and tells her that it's the Moonlight Zoo, where lost animals go to stay safe until they are found again. The girl has until the sun comes back up to find Luna among all the other lost animals in the \"zoo\" before it goes away for the day. Will she find Luna and be happy again?

I enjoyed The Moonlight Zoo for several reasons - there's a cat, pretty pictures, the story is entertaining, and the pages have little holes to \"peek\" through to the next. The story begins kind of sad because the girl has a lost cat but turns out happy in the end; I think that Luna ends up looking like a very happy and pretty kitty! Kids of any age will like this book because the story is good, and they can probably relate to missing or losing a pet.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "13-Oct-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2022 20:29:40", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011323003", "title": "Agent Llama: Double Trouble", "author": "Angela Woolfe, Duncan Beedie", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 132, "review": "Agent Charlie is back and it seems that she is so talented that she can be in two places at once. No, wait, it appears she has an evil twin? Agent Charlie has never been up against a villain like this before. How will she overcome this obstacle and beat her unknown super-secret evil twin? Or will everyone think Agent Llama is bad? Read this new adventure starring Agent Llama!! Is it going to be Agent Llama vs. Agent Llama?

I really love this series. The words have a nice pattern and rhyme. It is fun to read and interesting. The illustrations are awesome, action-packed, and very fun and colorful. I love reading about the adventures of Agent Llama and who she will have to face. I would hope this series continues!", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2022 20:01:31", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011322007", "title": "Who Will Kiss the Crocodile?", "author": "Suzy Senior,Claire Powell", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 197, "review": "Who Will Kiss the Crocodile? is another telling of the fairytale Sleeping Beauty. This story is a lot like the original one, but a big difference includes the princess being turned into a crocodile before and while she's asleep! The bad/angry fairy didn't make me quite as scared as Maleficient in the original story, but this fairy does the same thing of putting a (different) curse on the princess (with a different name), and then a good fairy comes and changes it to her falling asleep instead of dying and being woken up with a kiss. The problem is - the princess looks like a crocodile, and who would be brave enough to kiss a crocodile?!

I actually didn't remember if I had seen the original movie when reading this book, so after watching it, I was able to better understand the things same and differences between the movie and the book. The movie is only set in \"old times,\" but the book shows things happening in times like now with the clothing, people, and things happening. I enjoyed this book because it is easy to read with rhyming words, and the pictures are big and colorful.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2022 20:31:00", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011320019", "title": "Sit, Stay, Heal", "author": "Renee Alsarraf", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 420, "review": "Amazing Ladies Roundup\n\nThese memoirs, written straight from the heart, are brilliant, candid, and wonderful. With a dazzling cast of female authors, these books will have readers laughing, crying, rejoicing, and understanding the true meaning of love.\n\nI'll Try Anything Once\nPrue Leith\nMobius\n9781529426083\n\nDame Prue Leith, judge of the hit show Great British Bake Off, tells her story in this incredible memoir. From her childhood in South Africa to coming to London and owning her own restaurant to becoming published and ultimately getting her position as a judge on Great British Bake Off, Prue's story will inspire readers from cover to cover. \n\nEnough: A Memoir of Mistakes, Mania, and Motherhood\nAmelia Zachry\nShe Writes Press\n9781647422912\n\nEnough is one woman\u2019s story about abuse, trauma, mental illness, and healing. Amelia Zachry chronicles her journey in this memoir as a young woman who lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia who moved to Kentucky. After a traumatic experience, she spirals into a black hole of darkness and after being diagnosed with PTSD and bipolar II disorder, she tells her readers how her experiences shaped her adult life. This bravely written memoir will evoke strong emotions in readers everywhere.\n\nFind a Place for Me\nDeirdre Fagan\nRegal House Publishing\n9781646032839\n\nA beautifully written memoir about Deidre Fagan\u2019s last days with her husband Bob, Find a Place for Me tells the story of a happy marriage in which both partners must learn to say goodbye. Fagan paints a portrait of what it feels like to lose your best friend in life. Honest, intimate, and heartbreaking, this is a memoir that will stay with its readers.\n\nSit, Stay, Heal\nRenee Alsarraf\nHarperCollins\n9780063215221\n\nA heartwarming book about how our furry four-legged friends are so much more than just pets. Dr. Renee Alsarraf is a veterinary oncologist who tells stories about some of the wonderful dogs she treats. Then, one day, Renee herself gets a cancer diagnosis. A book that dog lovers everywhere will love that shows the wonderful impact of experiencing the unique relationship between canines and humans.\n\nWoodrow on the Bench\nJenna Blum\nHarperCollins\n9780063113190\n\nJenna Blum pays tribute to her black lab, Woodrow, in this beautiful memoir about the time Jenna spends with him in his last six months. An inseparable bond from the beginning, the two learn so much from one another and both experience what it really means to love. With stories that will make readers laugh and cry, Woodrow on the Bench is a wonderful gift to dog lovers everywhere.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Jul-2022 21:02:15", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011320015", "title": "Supermouse and the Volcano of Doom", "author": "M N Tahl, Mark Chambers", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 136, "review": "Supermouse has become a well-known superhero in the town of Mouseopolis. However, there is certainly a lot of crime to fight for just one little mouse, and Supermouse is super tired of fighting villains. It seems that Supermouse can't keep up with the dastardly criminals and needs to call in some extra help to deal with the cheesy volcano. Supermouse decides to hold auditions for his next partners in crime. Will he find help from super sidekicks in time to save the city?

I really like this series. The book is super fun to read with the interactive cut-outs and flaps. The illustrations are fun, bright, and colorful. The story is very fun and leaves you guessing for more to open the flaps. I think this is a fun series and I hope to see more!", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "13-Oct-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2022 20:25:48", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011319007", "title": "Building a Family of Faith: Simple and Fun Devotions to Draw You Close to Each Other and Nearer to God", "author": "Andy Dooley", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 198, "review": "We live in strange times; today's culture believes everyone has their own \"truths\" and beliefs about everything. When it comes to being blessed with a family, be prepared for people left and right to be \"offering\" their opinions or knowledge about the best way to raise the kiddos. Andy Dooley, leader, pastor, and fitness professional, is a family man who understands how trying to live a Christian life can be much more challenging than going with the grain of secular beliefs and lifestyles.

In Building a Family of Faith, Dooley mentions fifty-two topics and shares the Christian view of them with a Bible passage, diving slightly deeper into the passage's meaning while relating it to real-life examples, what we can learn from it, a question or two to think about, a short prayer, and several activities or extra things to try with the family to reinforce the topic.

Dooley discusses worldly issues, such as practicing patience, self-control, losing pride, appreciating your family, and mental health, to name just a few. Each issue is explained from a life scenario of the author but ultimately ties back to how to \u201cdraw you close to each other and nearer to God.\u201d", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2022 21:03:04", "publisher": "Zondervan", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011318023", "title": "Not Exactly What I Had in Mind: A Novel", "author": "Kate Brook", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 172, "review": "This entertaining and readable book reminds us that families come in all shapes and sizes; even friendship groups can have the staying power and bonds of familial relationships. The beginning of the story starts with three roommates. While one remains practically invisible in the story, the other two fall into bed with each other and cannot seem to sort out the depth of their feelings for each other.

Most of the book has them dancing around circumstances and off-shoot relationships while hiding their feelings for each other. They both play it safe, which proves the most dangerous thing that they can do. Other family members and friends are pivotal to the story.

Luckily, the author of this debut novel does not sum it all up tidily for us but allows the reader the respect to sort it all out for themselves. Kate Brook, the author, has academic credentials that are stellar and this first book is a good show of her skill in weaving characters and stories into a very readable book.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "14-Oct-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2022 22:09:47", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011318019", "title": "Dinos Don't Give Up!", "author": "Smriti Halls, Richard Merritt", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 199, "review": "Dinah the diplodocus is loved and adored by all of the other dinosaurs. Everything that Dinah does comes easily to her\u2014she is naturally artistic, musically inclined, the best at baking, and a genius in school. She is also a very kind friend and offers her genuine support to others when they are in need. When a big surf competition comes to town, Dinah is eager to add another skill to her ever-growing list of talents. To her surprise, Dinah wipes out on her surfboard as she watches the other dinosaurs surfing with ease.

This story will teach children ages three to seven to persevere in challenging times. Instead of giving up, Dinah bravely gets back on her board and tries again. Her friends all rush to offer her encouraging words and a warm hug to help her feel better. Dinah feels comforted by her friends, but insists that she keep trying until she finds the fun in this new challenge.

The striking images provided by Richard Merritt capture the bittersweet beauty found in failing. Author Smriti Prasadam-Halls offers inspiration for young readers who may be dealing with feelings of insecurity or fear of trying something new and not succeeding.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "13-Sep-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2022 20:00:47", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011318015", "title": "Tinysaurs Trick or Treat", "author": "Patricia Hegarty,Dean Gray", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 178, "review": "Tinysaurs Trick-or-Treat is the second book with the Tinysaurs, and instead of sending Valentine's Day cards, they are getting ready and excited for Halloween and trick-or-treaters! The three dinosaurs are getting their house ready for trick-or-treaters to come over, but when they do, they realize they don't have any candy! The Tinysaurs must think of another way of getting the candy on such short notice, and what better and easier way than to go trick-or-treating themselves?! Can the Tinysaurs get costumes and gather enough candy on such short notice?!

Tinysaurs Trick-or-Treat will get you ready for Halloween if you read it beforehand and will help you remember your fun while trick-or-treating if you read it afterward. I am a fan of the costumes the dinosaurs chose and think that they could have just gone as themselves, which would have been a good and scary costume also! I like how in this book and The Tinysaurs Send Love, they think of other people, and while having a fun time themselves, they let others join and have a good time too.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "13-Oct-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2022 20:00:05", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011317011", "title": "I Love My Body Because", "author": "Shelly Anand, Nomi Ellenson, Erika Rodriguez Medina", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 202, "review": "I Love My Body Because will teach children to appreciate every aspect of themselves. This story shows the amazing things that bodies are capable of: imagining new worlds, thinking of endless possibilities, playing with friends, giving hugs, helping others, and much more. Many different body types are displayed throughout the pages and celebrated for their unique beauty.

Clever language such as \u201clightning bolts\u201d and \u201ctiger stripes\u201d are used as positive ways to describe stretch marks, encouraging children to embrace their body for its natural state. Individuals of varying physical abilities, cultural backgrounds, sizes, and skin tones (including those with skin conditions) are represented in this inclusive story.

In a society that uplifts the idea of a \u201cperfect\u201d body, this book is a breath of fresh air. Authors Shelly Anand and Nomi Ellenson have created an impactful body-positive story for all children ages two to eight. It will show young readers the beauty in differences and inspire them to appreciate these unique aspects in themselves and others. When a child who has diabetes, paralysis, vitiligo, or anything that makes them feel inferior to others reads this book, they will begin to love their body for everything it is, not what it could be.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "12-Sep-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2022 23:12:14", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011316019", "title": "Bear Has a Belly (Big, Little Concepts, 5)", "author": "Jane Whittingham", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 127, "review": "This adorable book is perfect for young readers who are learning their body parts. Bear Has a Belly has pictures of a variety of animals' body parts, with coordinating pictures of children pointing to their body part as well. Each animal is adorable, and who doesn't like cuddly animals?

The real-life pictures of animals are sure to keep readers engaged in this book. The real-life pictures of children in this book help readers to make connections with finding their own eyes, ears, or other body parts.

The pages are very thick and super durable, making this a perfect book for young readers who are still learning to turn paper pages without ripping them, like my sister. This book is sure to be a favorite with young readers.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "24-Nov-2022", "date_added": "21-Jul-2022 23:11:07", "publisher": "Pajama Press Inc.", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011471011", "title": "Dungeons & Dragons: Mindbreaker ", "author": "Jim Zub, Eduardo Mello", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 125, "review": "Adventurers are back in Baldur's Gate. They must face demons, devils, and the undead. Can these small-town heroes work together to survive and complete their mission?

This book was really good. I especially love the graphic novel style and the illustrations were absolutely incredible. The art in this book is my favorite part. The art really brings the story to life. This book was most fun to read as I have played a campaign that took place in Baldur's Gate, so I felt like I was easily able to imagine the scenes in the book, especially with the incredible illustrations.

I see there are more books in the series and I can't wait to check them out. I highly recommend these action-packed books for adventurers.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "22-Nov-2022", "date_added": "29-Aug-2022 22:00:26", "publisher": "IDW Publishing", "page_count": "120 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011469023", "title": "The Big Lie: Election Chaos, Political Opportunism, and the State of American Politics After 2020", "author": "Jonathan Lemire", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 169, "review": "This book is actually only for people who have not kept up with current events, but probably those of us who are current will read this book in an attempt to understand how citizens can be lied to so blatantly. This book is a well-written and logical following of the lies, compromises, and cowardice of Republicans. There are exceptions, but only a few.

The Big Lie begins with the statement by the Republican candidate in the 2016 election that there would be voting fraud. He did not expect to win and was prepared, even then, to throw a monkey wrench into traditional proceedings.

Journalist LeMire is the host of Way Too Early on MSNBC and a contributor to that network. He is a White House correspondent and so is well versed in the workings therein. Given that the events are factual and well written, how many of us want to rehash the painful four years that continues to splinter this nation? I, for one, have chosen to stay informed.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2022", "date_added": "29-Aug-2022 22:06:35", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011468015", "title": "Travels with Zozo...under the Moonbow", "author": "A.J. Atlas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 393, "review": "Travels with Zozo...under the Moonbow is a wonderful children's book illustrating the adventures of a grey and white bunny named Zozo and her human family. This book is just one in the Travels with Zozo... series by A.J. Atlas and illustrated by Anne Zimanski.

The first thing that caught my attention when I picked up the book was the wonderful cover illustration. The cover shows Zozo and many of the friends she meets in the book, along with a beautiful background showing a waterfall and moonbow. The well-detailed illustrations carry on throughout the book, and I could see how the pretty colors and whimsical expressions of the animals would really attract young children.

Atlas does a wonderful job with a letter to the readers that gives some insight into specific details in the book that might not be known otherwise. For example, in this book, the waterfall Zozo travels to is at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The name of the waterfall is Mosi-oa-Tunya, and it has been translated into English as The Smoke that Thunders. I really enjoyed all of the facts that Atlas includes in the letter as it is a way for parents who are reading the book to children to include some educational facts about geography and animals. I had never heard of a moonbow before reading this book!

The simple story of the book will be engaging for children ages three to six, however, older children would also enjoy this book and perhaps be able to read and/or describe it to a younger child. Even as an adult, I went back and read the book a few times over because the illustrations were just so fantastic. In the full spread picture that depicts Zozo's plane flying and the huge waterfall in the background, I noticed the illustrator included the flags of Zambia and Zimbabwe. This picture was a lot like a Where's Waldo picture to me, although a lot cuter, and as I looked carefully, I could see a den of lions, some floating hippos, little animals crossing the road with a crossing guard, and so much more!

I would recommend Travels with Zozo...under the Moonbow to children of all ages. Zozo and her friends are fun, adorable, and will help to teach children along the way. This is a collection that is sure to become a favorite on any bookshelf.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2022", "date_added": "28-Aug-2022 19:47:32", "publisher": "ImaginOn Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011468011", "title": "Travels with Zozo...under the Moonbow", "author": "A.J. Atlas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 410, "review": "Zozo is on another adventure with her family to see the Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe in Southern Africa! But as they explore the beautiful falls, troublesome baboons take Mom's camara and all the wonderful pictures she took are lost. Or are they? Zozo makes friends with two young elephants with the names Bonkers and Boomy and they know where the baboons will take their stolen treasures. When her family leaves her alone to rest that night, she sneaks out and together they make their way to a hidden grove, where not only does Zozo find the lost items, she finds a hidden magic from the waterfall, a moonbow!

With adorable, bright, and cheerful illustrations, the story comes to life to bring readers to Mosi-oa-Tunya. The pictures not only show the story with the writing, but tell it as well. When the elephants play their joy is clearly shown, and when the camera is stolen, the dismay from the family is easy to see. Not only do the illustrations help, but the descriptions of places and actions also bring the story to life.

Zozo is an adorable little rabbit who loves her family and is willing to go on all sorts of adventures. All the other animals that appear show their own characteristics as well, including playful elephants and mischievous baboons. The writing flows well. I had no problem following the story and a younger kid won\u2019t have much trouble understanding it, either. It\u2019s not a long book and I would have liked to have a bit more to read, but the shortness doesn\u2019t make it rushed, nor did it feel like there were key details missing. Everything was explained well and in ways kids can understand.

In the front of the book is a wonderful little author's note that not only gives some background for where Zozo would be going, but also fun facts about the animals and places. There was a lot of care taken in presenting a fictional story with facts and accurate illustrations about Mosi-oa-Tunya. All these elements added together make a fun story that kids will love while still learning about the world. At the end of the story, I found myself wishing I could visit the waterfall myself.

Travels with Zozo\u2026 under the Moonbow is a great way to teach kids about places they may otherwise never hear about, and it opens the door for parents to learn alongside them.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2022", "date_added": "28-Aug-2022 19:47:05", "publisher": "ImaginOn Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011468007", "title": "Travels with Zozo...under the Moonbow", "author": "A.J. Atlas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 421, "review": "Travels with Zozo...under the Moonbow is the story of a little bunny named Zozo who went on vacation with her family. The family took a plane and saw a big waterfall called \"The Smoke that Thunders!\" The waterfall was massive and very loud and located in Zambia. When the family got off the plane and was walking, some baboons took some of the stuff that they were holding! The family was sad because they had taken some cool pictures by the waterfall earlier in the day and they thought they were gone forever with the camera.

Zozo wondered if they would ever get their stuff back when she heard someone say they would help her. At first, she didn't know who was talking, but then she figured out that it was elephants. They told her to meet them outside at a certain time and they would take her where their stuff was. When the family left the hotel to replace their old stuff, Zozo met the elephants, who took her to the place where their stuff was. When she got there, she saw so much stuff from other people, but she was able to find the camera with the pictures! While there, the elephants and the animals showed her the other reason they brought her there: a secret of the waterfall that not everyone gets to see.

I liked reading Travels with Zozo because the story was exciting when the family went to a new place and saw a cool thing like the waterfall. It was also exciting when the baboons showed up and took their stuff because that isn't how all baboons act. One thing I might have liked to see differently in the story would be the ending\u2014I would like to have seen Zozo giving the camera back to the family and have seen their reaction and then they go home instead of it ending just after getting the camera back.

I think the story overall was a good length, but if the ending had an extra page or two then that would have been fine, too. The story was easy for me to understand; there were no confusing parts or words, and I could read it on my own. This story is the fifth book in the adventures of Zozo but it was my first adventure with her. I would enjoy reading the other books and any future ones in the series because it kept my attention and had a fun story with Zozo and her animal friends.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2022", "date_added": "28-Aug-2022 19:46:54", "publisher": "ImaginOn Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011468003", "title": "The Excursion", "author": "T.O. Paine", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 523, "review": "One of the most intense psychological thrillers of the year, The Excursion, will have its readers on the edge of their seats. The story is told in the first person from the points of view of the main character Charly from both past and present perspectives and that of Zaroff Enterprises excursion leader Randall Thorne.

Charly has struggled through life. Her family consists of her mother, an alcoholic and drug addict, her brother Jacob who is autistic, and her father, Johnathan, who left the family when Charly was a little girl. After living on the street, enduring abusive relationships, and finally reconnecting with her brother, Charly's life is starting to get better. Her mother, now in hospice, has called Charly to come over for a visit. While at the assisted living center, Charly's mother tells her that her father is dead and has left her money and the old cabin they used to vacation at. This means that in a few years when Charly can claim the money, she and Jacob will be set. Of course, Charly is overjoyed at the surreal situation.

The reader is then introduced to Randall, a man who is bad news no matter how you look at it. He is selling the opportunity of a lifetime, an exclusive excursion to the right person. A hunting excursion. The difference? Unbeknownst to the hunter, the prey is not in the form of wild animals. Barry Rockwell, an attendee at one of Randall's hard-sell presentations, is the perfect fit for the excursion--an avid, experienced hunter who has money to burn. Randall immediately latches onto him and bullies Randall into accepting the opportunity.

Author T.O. Paine does an amazing job of placing the reader in both Charly and Randall's shoes. In the chapters narrated by Randall, he truly embraces the misogynistic ways of the character, especially when he repeats how stupid of a woman Kennedy is.

Charly invites her cousins Amanda and Cam to the cabin for the holidays. They both accept. Somehow, she also convinces Jacob that it will be fun, although he remembers that Cam is not a nice person. On the way to the cabin, Jacob panics, and Charly crashes their car into a snowbank. They are picked up by none other than Barry and his girlfriend, Kennedy. From here on out, the situation plays out like a cross between the movies A Cabin in the Woods and No Exit with a little bit of The Hunger Games thrown in. My eyes were glued to the book the whole time I was reading it, ready for what would happen next. There are quite a few violent parts in the book, however, these are very well-written and crucial to the plot of the story. I do have to say, Jacob's unpredictable behavior was unnerving at times, and this really made everything more difficult for Charly. The climax of the book builds until it seems like there is nowhere else to turn. Paine throws a perfect curveball at the end to shock his readers. Riveting from cover to cover, The Excursion is the perfect book for fans of thriller and action in the wilderness novels.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2022", "date_added": "28-Aug-2022 19:41:51", "publisher": "Dark Swallow Books", "page_count": "420 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011467039", "title": "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow ", "author": "Tom King,Bilquis Evely", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 212, "review": "Ruthye wants revenge against the man who killed her father in cold blood and she'll get it no matter whom she has to hire to help her. Kara is lost and just trying to get away for a few days, she wasn't counting on her dog getting poisoned by the man a farm girl was begging her to help track down. To save him, Kara journeys across the galaxy with Rythye, but no matter how hard she tries to keep the girl safe and from seeing the horrors the universe has to offer, there is destruction everywhere and only so much Supergirl can do to help.

This collection of comics is told through the eyes of Ruthye and is as much her story as it is Supergirl's. I love the way Ruthye sees through Supergirl and into who she really is: Kara a girl with a good heart who has seen all the horrors the universe has to offer yet keeps going. I found her inspiring and someone that I can look to for hope. The end was a little confusing, I had to read it several times and go back to the beginning to figure it out. I more or less figured it out, but feel it could have been clearer.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "14-Oct-2022", "date_added": "29-Aug-2022 22:21:07", "publisher": "DC Comics", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011467035", "title": "Old Friends", "author": "Margaret Aitken, Lenny Wen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Marjorie really misses her Granny. She and Granny had a lot in common. They both loved gardening, knitting, and making delicious baked goods. She has lots of friends in the neighborhood her own age, but they aren\u2019t interested in those things. When Marjorie passes the Community Center, she sees they have a Senior Citizen Friends Group. She is sure she can find people there who share her interests, but when she tries to go in, the receptionist chases her away and says she has to go to the kids group. But Marjorie knows what she wants, and she isn\u2019t going to give up easily. Granny had never given up easily, and Marjorie had learned that lesson from her. But how can she get past that pesky receptionist?

Margaret Aitkin has written a sweet story that very deftly handles some tough topics. The death of a grandparent can be devastating, but kids need to know that life goes on, and they will get through it. Illustrator Lenny Wen has filled the pages with enchanting characters and details that will delight young readers and keep them engaged. This book is a real winner. Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "29-Sep-2022", "date_added": "29-Aug-2022 22:17:26", "publisher": "Feiwel & Friends", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011467027", "title": "The Last to Vanish: Novel", "author": "Megan Miranda", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 196, "review": "Small towns hide big secrets. Journalist Landon West came to Cutter\u2019s Pass to discover those secrets since it was the last place six different people were seen before they disappeared over a twenty-five-year period. The Last to Vanish was Landon himself, four months ago from the local inn. Abby is the manager there, and when Landon\u2019s brother, Trey, comes to try to solve the puzzle, she is drawn into a mystery she has deeper connections to than most people know. Abby will find out firsthand how people in small towns stick together and that asking too many questions might just cause you to disappear.

This was an expertly told story. Many authors who write first-person narratives have a hard time making them flow smoothly. Not the case for Megan Miranda. There were clues that were subtly woven in, making you second guess everyone, just like someone who has lived in a small town but wasn\u2019t a lifer would. After reading so many mysteries, it feels like it\u2019s hard to be surprised anymore, but not even I could see those twists coming. In my opinion, this is by far her best work, and I highly recommend it.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "22-Oct-2022", "date_added": "29-Aug-2022 22:07:49", "publisher": "Scribner / Marysue Rucci Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011467023", "title": "A Brown Girl's Epiphany", "author": "Aurelia D?vila Pratt", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 710, "review": "You Can Do It!\n\nIt\u2019s near impossible to make it through life without a little help and guidance along the way, although it can be tricky to determine who and what can help in particular situations. Fortunately, the five inspirational works included in this roundup all focus on assisting readers with developing the mindsets and practical skills necessary to tackle pretty much anything that life might throw at them.\n\nA Brown Girl's Epiphany by Aurelia D\u00e1vila Pratt\n\nWith A Brown Girl\u2019s Epiphany, Aurelia D\u00e1vila Pratt aims to equip readers with all the tools, techniques, and moral support they require to harness their self-belief, resilience, and determination in order to live a more healthy, prosperous, and fulfilling life. Everyone needs inspiration and a helping hand along the way, and Pratt provides copious amounts of guidance and motivation through her friendly, engaging, and insightful reflections and recommendations. She explains the methods and reasoning whereby BIPOC girls can overcome discrimination, prejudice, and scarcity on their journey toward success, achievement, and fulfilment. It\u2019s a brave approach to creating a better world.\n\nBecoming a Changemaker by Alex Budak\n\nAlex Budak has written Becoming a Changemaker to serve as a manifesto for positive change in the lives of all readers. Starting from the perspective that people of every race, gender, age, class, and pretty much every other demographic characteristic going can act as changemakers, thereby working collaboratively and creatively to solve social problems and so heal the world, Budak provides research-based guidance on how to develop the mindset, skills, and motivation necessary to drive change in all spheres of life. Although particularly geared toward Millennials and members of Generation Z who have newly joined the workforce, Budak\u2019s tips and techniques have applicability for anyone seeking to make a positive difference.\n\nI Miss You: Exercises for Yearning Hearts by Gioia Guerzoni\n\nGioia Guerzoni seeks to alleviate the burden and heal the broken hearts of all those who are troubled by longing for lost people, places, and things through the wisdom she imparts in I Miss You: Exercises for Yearning Hearts. Covering a wide range of scenarios in which people might be left feeling bereft and alone, and providing a series of practical and believable activities that can be tackled by pretty much anyone, Guerzoni aims to help readers recognize and address the myriad feelings they are likely to experience in the aftermath of a loss, whatever it might entail. By their very nature poignant and emotive, the included activities serve to carefully guide troubled souls through the process of acceptance and recovery.\n\nThinking 101 by Woo-kyoung Ahn\n\nAs a specialist in the thought process\u2014that is, the whys and wherefores that inform people\u2019s decisions to do or not do things\u2014Woo-kyoung Ahn is almost uniquely placed to help readers recognize and overcome the many biases that influence, both positively and negatively, the way they live their life. Thinking 101 distills the key insights that she has learned in this regard over the decades she has spent teaching and writing about thought and thinking. While it is widely acknowledged that people can be their own worst enemy, tripping themselves up and holding themselves back through faulty and inaccurate thought processes, such knowledge is not sufficient to prevent people from making related mistakes. Fortunately, this book sets out clear and practical steps that people can take to actually change the way they think.\n\nYou're Gonna Make It: Unlocking Resilience When Life Is a Mess by Daniel Fusco\n\nDuring times of stress, anxiety, and trauma, it can prove difficult enough to make sensible decisions in the here and now, let along to plan ahead for a happy, healthy, and successful future life. In recognition of this, Daniel Fusco has written You're Gonna Make It: Unlocking Resilience When Life Is a Mess as a guidebook to finding a positive path through all of life\u2019s troubles that is informed by the teachings of Jesus. Having worked through numerous struggles of his own while being inspired and buoyed by his faith, Fusco is well placed to explain how a belief in Jesus can help to foster resilience and perseverance at the same time as enhancing understanding and acceptance. Those looking to draw on their Christian faith in practical ways will particularly benefit from Fusco\u2019s experiences.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Aug-2022 20:47:53", "publisher": "Broadleaf Books", "page_count": "188 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011466023", "title": "All About Plants! (Ada Twist, Scientist)", "author": "Andrea Beaty,Theanne Griffith,David Roberts", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 184, "review": "Against a colorful notebook background with figures of gleeful inquiring animated puppets examining plants, the authors list and explain the basic parts of plants and their functions. Geared toward the young reader, the fundamental parts and functions of plants are explained and some scientific terms such as chlorophyll, photosynthesis, and stoma are simply described and serve to introduce more complex ideas to these beginners.

The roles of seeds and flowers are colorfully shown. This is a page-turner for the young reader. In addition, several historical botanical non-traditional scientists are mentioned, though their significance may not impress this audience. Several simple hands-on activities designed to display the processes of germination and water conduction through celery stems will engage the budding scientist.

This is a nice introduction to plants and their parts, the only quibble is that many of these illustrated flowers and fruits are not identified in the colorful illustrations. Too many city children cannot recognize or name the common flowers, fruits, cones, and pollinators shown on these pages, such as the succulent pomegranate, or the dramatic magnolia, or even the iridescent hummingbird and more.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2022", "date_added": "29-Aug-2022 22:34:22", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011466019", "title": "Avatar, The Last Airbender: The Dawn of Yangchen (Chronicles of the Avatar Book 3) (Volume 3) (Chronicles of the Avatar, 3)", "author": "F C Yee", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 11", "word_count": 204, "review": "If you have watched Avatar, The Last Airbender, then you know who Yangchen is. Yangchen is an avatar: the only person in the world who can master all four elements. Yangchen has big shoes to fill; the last avatar, Avatar Szeto, was really well-known for all of the good things he did in his lifetime. When Yangchen goes To Bin Er (an Earth Kingdom) on political business, she meets an informant named Kavick who tells her how the city is mostly run by corrupt Shang merchants who have grown jealous of the Earth King and his whims. With Yangcheng\u2019s new unlikely friendship with Kavick, they try to stop the inevitable coup that the merchants are planning based on a single powerful weapon. Can Yangchen really save the whole Earth kingdom? Can she actually trust Kavik or should she rely on those who came before her?

Avatar, The Last Airbender: the Dawn of Yangchen started out a little slow but it got better as I kept reading and the story further developed. I like how, in the beginning, it showed the air nomads\u2019 lifestyle. I think that was pretty cool. Fans of Avatar, the Last Airbender will love this book. I am glad I read it.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "22-Nov-2022", "date_added": "29-Aug-2022 22:33:47", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011465015", "title": "Teaching Mindfulness: A Guidebook for Teachers, Parents, Counselors, and Caregivers", "author": "PhD, Amoneeta Beckstein,Jana York", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 208, "review": "For adults, remembering what it was like as a kid can be difficult, especially depending on how many years ago that was. Many things have changed, including what was or wasn't accepted, compared to today's standards in society. Mindfulness and many mental health-related concepts weren't known or spoken of as much as they are currently. In Teaching Mindfulness, professionals (teachers, counselors, and this includes parents/caregivers) are provided with resources and activities at their disposal to maintain a more calm and productive audience of children. The framework for the book revolves around the vowels of the alphabet - the letters needed to compose a legitimate word; each vowel represents a word attributed to a mindfulness attribute, followed by various activities to reinforce how to master each skill.

Teaching Mindfulness is enjoyable and understandable! Explanations and references are included, as well as additional signage to use around your area to further reinforce and remind your audience of what to be mindful of, with the help of bright colors and visually-stimulating pictures. Mindfulness isn't something secluded to children, but the more kids who learn these skills will become future adults who will be a step ahead of others, which will benefit not only themselves but society as a whole as well.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2022", "date_added": "29-Aug-2022 20:27:23", "publisher": "BPC", "page_count": "120 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011464023", "title": "A Taste of Honey: Kamala Outsmarts the Seven Thieves; A Circle Round Book ", "author": "Rebecca Sheir,Chaaya Prabhat", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - age 7", "word_count": 146, "review": "A Taste of Honey is a story that is excellent. It\u2019s about a young lady who is very clever and outsmarts thieves. I love it when she says \u201coh you\u2019ll get your gold all right\u201d and then she teaches them a lesson. The story is really good and written in a very interesting way.

The only thing that you might not love about the book is the pictures. They\u2019re kind of cartoonish and they would have been much better in like a watercolor or something more timeless than the computer-looking kind of pictures.

By the time you finish the words, you\u2019re ready to turn the page and not really stare at them. There is a nice amount of detail though, and you kind of feel like you\u2019re in India where the story takes place. In the back there\u2019s extra ideas if you want to learn more.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "22-Nov-2022", "date_added": "29-Aug-2022 17:59:30", "publisher": "Storey Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011463007", "title": "A Library", "author": "Nikki Giovanni,Erin K Robinson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 188, "review": "This is a beautiful book for lovers of libraries and those who have not yet fallen in love with one. It is beautifully illustrated on both the blurb and the actual vibrant cover by Erin K. Robinson.

This children\u2019s book depicts a young girl, clearly autobiographically the author, in a typical day of her life. She completes her chores with her grandmother. Then, she has books to return to the local library. At the library, the young girl basks in the freedoms and imaginary sensations that books bring to her. The library is a place where she is challenged to be her wonderful self. She returns home to more evening chores, but afterwards she is free to sit and read.

There is a lovely afterward by the author recalling her own trips to the segregated library of her childhood, where the librarian made special trips to the white-only library to bring back coveted volumes that were not available at her local library. It is a wonderful homage to her childhood librarian and to all the librarians who make special efforts to bring the world of literature to children.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2022", "date_added": "26-Aug-2022 16:27:03", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011462051", "title": "Zatanna", "author": "Alys Arden,Jacquelin De Leon", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 154, "review": "Unlike her famous parents, Zatanna hates being on stage performing illusions and magic tricks. With summer only just starting, Zatanna has plenty of time to spend with friends and her boyfriend and find ways to get out of watching her parents' show. That is until a troupe passes through with strange magic called mirror script written all over the walls. Zatanna shouldn't have real magic, yet she does, but the truth may be impossible to find with secrets hidden around every corner.

Teenage drama is hard enough, so let's just throw in some magic. The art is beautiful and simple but elegant and helps bring the story to life. I had a hard time telling the characters apart and remembering who's who. They all have the same voice, and several look a little too much alike. The story itself was good, a little predictable, but good nonetheless, and I look forward to the next installment.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2022", "date_added": "29-Aug-2022 22:20:17", "publisher": "DC Comics", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011462039", "title": "In Defense of the Grim Reaper", "author": "Riya Aarini", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 176, "review": "The Grim Reaper gets a bad rap. From his uniform to the task he must perform, the black-clad usher to the beyond might be the most fascinating creature you never want to meet. There are plenty of books that use the Grim Reaper as a character. The Reaper in these stories is usually doing the job of a Reaper. Not many books talk about who the Grim Reaper is in his own words. If you have ever wanted to know how he really feels and thinks, then In Defense of the Grim Reaper should be your next read.

Humorist and philosophical writer Riya Aarini presents a fun little kitschy novel. In her latest book, she attempts to clarify any misconceptions about Death himself. With In Defense of the Grim Reaper, Aarini covers all aspects of this eternal guide\u2019s existence. It is a witty little book ideal for fans of the Grim Reaper or as a gag gift, for example, the Reaper resents being lumped in with taxes. After all, you\u2019ll only meet the Grim Reaper once.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2022", "date_added": "29-Aug-2022 18:20:48", "publisher": "Riya Aarini", "page_count": "58 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011461019", "title": "Mighty Reader and the Reading Riddle", "author": "Will Hillenbrand", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 199, "review": "Mighty Reader and the Reading Riddle reminded me of a show on PBS, Super Why, because in both the book and the show the characters deal with reading and having to solve a mystery or problem that usually goes along with a story in a book.

In Mighty Reader, a boy (a dog) is looking for a fun book to read when Mighty Reader hears him and suggests a good one that takes him into an imaginary world where he needs to save Merlin the wizard from a three-headed dragon who has taken all of Merlin's books away. There is a sword in a bone that the boy must figure out how to pull out to beat the dragon and save Merlin!

I enjoyed Mighty Reader overall, but there were parts of it that confused me and I had to ask for someone to explain, part at the beginning of the book, the middle, and the end. The ending is good because there's a twist that you won't see coming. I think that if there were some different words put in the story to replace others then it might make more sense overall and be understandable for all ages.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "13-Oct-2022", "date_added": "29-Aug-2022 18:05:58", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011461011", "title": "The Ultimate Flower Gardener\u2019s Guide: How to Combine Shape, Color, and Texture to Create the Garden of Your Dreams", "author": "Jenny Rose Carey", "category": "N10 Home & Garden", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 184, "review": "The Ultimate Flower Gardener's Guide helps work both sides of our minds - the right (creative) and the left (logical and planning) when it comes to one of the earth's life-giving sources - flowers. In this guide, the author provides visual and intellectual stimulation through text and high-def pictures of flowers blooming through the span of every season. This guide is a beneficial source to turn to when beginning a flower garden or even changing your existing one. The information provided is informative if reading it word by word, but skimming through the pages will also introduce you to the names of various flowers and direct you where to learn more about them.

I picked up this book out of interest in updating my existing landscape but was unaware of where the changes should begin. I feel more confident I'm in the right direction with this guide and am impatient now for spring to come back to find many of the flowers showcased in the book. The multitude of colors on each page is visually pleasing and results in a calming sensation while relaxing.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2022", "date_added": "29-Aug-2022 17:38:25", "publisher": "Timber Press", "page_count": "364 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011458015", "title": "Choosing Life: One man\u2019s journey through alcoholism and depression to wellness and self-discovery", "author": "Blue Andrews", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 447, "review": "Choosing Life by Blue Andrews is a memoir that describes in detail the struggles Blue has gone through in his life. In his preface, he clearly states that he wrote the book for himself to help in his recovery and growth, and he published the book for someone who is like him or someone who cares about someone like him. Blue wrote his book as a method of therapy but realized that it could also help others to realize that they are not alone. The emotional struggles that Blue endured are real and, for many, would be life-ending. For Blue, however, getting a second chance at life was in the cards.

I really liked how the book was organized into two parts: Part I-Down and Part II-Up. Within these parts, Part I addresses everything that took Blue downhill, from the passing of his good friends and mother to drinking to learning that he was very depressed. Part II tells the reader the different steps Blue was able to take in order to make the decision to choose life.

Reading this book, it's easy to understand how Blue ended up being depressed. His parents were only eighteen and nineteen when they became pregnant with Blue, and his father was abusive. It was so painful to see Blue's mother go through cancer treatments while trying to raise Blue and his brother. At a certain point, Blue was raising his teenage self. His competitive spirit did not help because he wanted to be good at something and realized early on that he was good at drinking. Grades dropped, and Blue stopped playing sports. It was only downhill from there. I often felt so sad for Blue while reading this book.

Blue ends up meeting his amazing wife Sandy in Egypt, and they end up having two children (and then twins later on). One would think that Blue was on the up and up. However, feeling like a failure pulls Blue back into a depressive state, and he ends up hitting rock bottom. From there, Blue's story really picks up. The support that he gets from his wife and close friends and family is immense and truly integral to his healing and recovery. Dealing with grief is a big step. I kept thinking to myself how much of a saint his wife must be. What an amazing woman to stick by Blue's side through all of it.

This book is beautifully written, and I know that it will help others who are struggling with their inner demons. I recommend it to adults of all ages who are either experiencing hardship or know someone who is. Inspiring, honest, and uplifting, Choosing Life is a wonderful book.", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "01-Sep-2022", "date_added": "26-Aug-2022 00:02:42", "publisher": "Luminare Press", "page_count": "230 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011458011", "title": "Choosing Life", "author": "Blue Andrews", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 87, "review": "\u201cHonest and poignant, Choosing Life is a beautifully written memoir about alcoholism, depression, and the recovery and grieving processes the author has experienced. Blue Andrews holds nothing back as he shares his story, hoping to help and inspire others to not give up on living. Written from the heart, this book is for anyone who is struggling or has struggled with addiction and/or depression as well as the loved ones who have been there for them every step of the way.\u201d \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Aug-2022 00:00:30", "publisher": "Luminare Press", "page_count": "230 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011458007", "title": "Choosing Life: One man\u2019s journey through alcoholism and depression to wellness and self-discovery", "author": "Blue Andrews", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 405, "review": "In Choosing Life, Blue Andrews narrates his arduous journey to self-knowledge and wellness, after almost losing his life to depression and alcoholism. Blue is seen as an energetic and charming individual with a relentless drive to be excellent in school, at work, and even while having fun with friends. As a family man with a successful career in sales, he lived the American Dream and appeared to have it all. However, certain unhealed scars from the past and some unhealthy habits would eventually catch up with him and bring him to a most troubling development that would take years to undo.

Speaking as someone who lived with a family member who suffered with addiction and depression, I appreciated reading Blue's vivid, illuminating book. He was indeed the life of the party; clearly, he did not set out to be depressed but wanted to live to the fullest. Readers get to see not only the important details of the author's activities and achievements but also the mindset and ideas behind them.

Choosing Life presents relatable content to readers who experience depression or alcoholism, and at the same time, it serves as a sort of model for individuals who wish to truly know themselves and recognize the accumulated issues that contribute to their shortcomings. Get ready for a compelling, memorable read, as the book offers a flawless combination of various themes and moods\u2014such as partying, loss, career success, family, a suicide attempt, therapy, and friendship. However, some aspects of the story might be triggering to some, especially the details of the author's suicide attempt. Unapologetically human and uninhibited, Blue educates readers on the concepts he learned while searching for a way to wellness and the roles they played in his recovery process, including naturopathy and microgrieving.

The book is strongly recommended to readers who have first-hand experience of addiction and/or depression and others who have close relations or friends who do. Also, if you have a hard time comprehending why people feel depressed or suicidal, the book will help you understand that no matter how bad an individual's situation is, they are products of society and not deserving of insensitive judgment.

Unfortunately, the pressure to acquire material possessions and gain prestigious titles and recognition is propagated excessively by society. Thankfully, books like this reveal that focusing on one's mental health and self-knowledge can help undo the harmful effects of materialism, peer pressure, unhealthy competition, and people pleasing.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "19-Sep-2022", "date_added": "26-Aug-2022 00:00:14", "publisher": "Luminare Press", "page_count": "230 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011458003", "title": "Wind of Change", "author": "Kenneth Maher", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 132, "review": "\"Wind of Change relates Maher\u2019s remarkable two-year odyssey across a country in the throes of immense change, a journey that saw him attempt to forge ties between Russian and American businesses during a time when both sides were still deeply suspicious of each other. Maher offers a uniquely American perspective concerning the situation on the ground and so elucidates experiences of the upheaval in Russian life, rarely to be found in mainstream accounts of the early years following the collapse of communism. An enlightening addition to the literature on post-Soviet life and the rapidly changing nature of US-Russia relations, Wind of Change details Maher\u2019s fascination with the Russian people and culture, and in doing so, ignites the interest of readers in learning more about all things Russian.\" --Erin Britton, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Aug-2022 23:54:53", "publisher": "Palmetto Books", "page_count": "273 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011455003", "title": "Legends & Lattes", "author": "Travis Baldree", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 187, "review": "If you\u2019ve been on the fantasy side of BookTok at all this year, then you\u2019ve definitely seen Legends and Lattes being touted as one of the best cozy fantasies of the year. There are usually a few questions that come up for potential readers though, and I\u2019m here to answer them!

First of all, you don\u2019t have to play Dungeons and Dragons or know anything about the game and general rules of the universe to enjoy this book, and even if you like traditional fantasies with epic storylines and maps\u2026 lots of maps\u2026 you\u2019ll still be able to enjoy this adorable and exciting slice of life novel.

The story revolves around an orc barbarian named Viv who lays down her sword (or rather, hangs it on the wall) in order to open a coffee shop and start a new life away from the hardships and bloodshed of adventuring. When old \u201cfriends\u201d threaten her chance at a fresh start, Viv has to rely on her new community, new friends (and maybe a new love interest), and a new definition of a warrior\u2019s resolve to keep her dream afloat.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "25-Aug-2022 21:52:31", "publisher": "Tom Doherty Associates", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011454003", "title": "A Christmas Deliverance: A Novel ", "author": "Anne Perry", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlance", "word_count": 191, "review": "Dr. Crowe and his apprentice, Scuff, run a free clinic to service London\u2019s poor population. Worried about a former patient, Ellie, Dr. Crowe starts investigating a connection between Ellie\u2019s wealthy father and an unscrupulous businessman. Time is of the essence, as Crowe suspects Ellie is about to be forced into a marriage against her will. Crowe must find the evidence he needs to solve this mystery and save the woman he loves, but will he find what he needs in time?

Although part of the Monk series, this story primarily focuses on Dr. Crow, and Monk is only a side character. This was a good stand-alone novella. I thought that there was a bit too much of the main character wondering about the investigation; it did become a little redundant. I feel that there were missed opportunities for conversations that could have included that info instead. There wasn\u2019t anything really Christmasy about this story, either. What really saved this for me was the characters. They were endearing and authentic. The ending was satisfying, and overall I enjoyed it. Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to review this novella.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2022", "date_added": "25-Aug-2022 21:40:49", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011453003", "title": "Arch-Conspirator", "author": "Veronica Roth", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 185, "review": "In the far future, much of the world is uninhabitable due to high radiation levels. The entire population lives safely behind the walls of the city. Kreon, the High Commander, has taken in Tig and her sibling after their parent\u2019s death. Tig did not take well to her uncle\u2019s tyrannical rule. After he died in an uprising, Tig went against her uncle\u2019s wishes to perform the last rites on her brother. Irate, Kreon sentences Tig to death. Kreon\u2019s wife and son try to change his mind and spare Tig\u2019s life. Unmoved by their pleas and warnings, Kreon loses everything when he puts his rule and pride above family.

Arch-Conspirator is the latest novel by the bestselling author Veronica Roth. This is a fantastic and thought-provoking adaptation of Sophocles\u2019 play Antigone. While still using the characters\u2019 names, Roth\u2019s story takes place in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The lessons of hubris, the importance of family, and spiritual beliefs remain prominent at civilization\u2019s end. This is a fantastic read for fans who enjoy modern interpretations of classic literature. Arch-Conspirator is a Greek tragedy reimagined by a master of dystopian storytelling.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "25-Aug-2022 20:36:28", "publisher": "Tom Doherty Associates", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011450011", "title": "Escape into Meaning", "author": "Evan Puschak", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 177, "review": "Reading Escape into Meaning isn't meant for those who have made skimming a habit; Puschak writes his thoughts and experiences in depth from a vulnerable spot that he is willing to share with others; therefore, the reader must be prepared to give up part of themselves to fully grasp what Puschak is offering. He begins his saga with his exposure to the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, an influential jack of all trades when it comes to pen and paper, as well as skilled with public speaking, and how forty minutes of reading his work brought about an awakening in Puschak that caused him to reexamine values and what he had been taught was correct. Puschak writes about obsessions that surround us that consume us, such as the internet and social media, movies, popularity, and government and environmental issues in a concise and researched manner; he speaks on a variety of topics and brings everything to the same spot, so the reader will have their options of what specifically or generally they may choose to focus on.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2022", "date_added": "25-Aug-2022 21:38:03", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011450007", "title": "Pride and Protest", "author": "Nikki Payne", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jenna Swartz", "word_count": 206, "review": "Although the classic Pride and Prejudice has had many remakes throughout the last century, this novel is truly refreshing. This modern re-telling is clever, fun, and one of the best reads of the year. Liza Bennett, self-expressed as the \u201conly DJ who gives a jam,\u201d is fiercely loyal to her city and the people who live there. When the newly appointed CEO Dorsey Fitzgerald steps onto the scene to create housing developments, Liza sees the gentrification writing on the wall. She\u2019s determined to keep her city for the people, and Dorsey is determined to not let the beautiful Liza disrupt plans for his company.

Payne\u2019s cast of characters are wonderful takes on classic characters, breathing new life into this classic story of misunderstandings and love. While the story itself has been redone maybe to exhaustion, Payne\u2019s take on it is new, honest, and relatable. Jane Austen herself would approve of the wit and character that Nikki Payne expresses in this novel. As a lover of the original and many of the retellings, Pride and Protest is the best story to come out in a long time. If you\u2019re a fan of modern takes on classics, treat yourself to one of the best books in the genre.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2023", "date_added": "25-Aug-2022 20:34:00", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011449007", "title": "Gilded Mountain: A Novel ", "author": "Kate Manning", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 202, "review": "Manning has made a book as sharp-edged and vital as the Colorado mountains it\u2019s set in. Sylvie Pelletier came to Colorado from Vermont with her family after her father took a mining job. Mining, however, is deadly work, and the town itself is not much safer. Miners and their families struggle to scrape by while Duke Padgett looks down from his metaphorical mountaintop, built from the wealth other men have blasted out of the mountains for him.

It\u2019s very clear on which side of the worker-employer debate this book falls, though I suspect even those who would prefer a softer stance might enjoy Gilded Mountain as well. For one thing, Sylvie Pelletier is a delightful protagonist, mixing the best parts of youthful blindness and determined forces of nature into one. For another, it\u2019s easier to accept as villains people who are long gone. Readers who want only a historical thrill will certainly find that here.

Those who are willing to see more, however, will find a book that speaks to struggles that have always been part of America. Most importantly, it speaks to a struggle not only between worker and employer but a more universal one: whether to speak or whether to be silent.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "30-Jan-2023", "date_added": "25-Aug-2022 22:56:36", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011447003", "title": "The Scarlet Circus", "author": "Jane Yolen, Brandon Sanderson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 181, "review": "Despite the name, no circus appears in this book. Instead, myth, magic, and romance all come together in this collection of short fantasy stories all by the same author, several of which are published here for the first time. Each story is different, with different plots and different characters. Some were more enjoyable than others, but there was only one I didn't like, mostly because it was very confusing to me.

Some of them are based on well known stories, such as The Legend of King Arthur and Alice in Wonderland, and some are based on real people and events in a fun fantasy way and, of course, with a romantic twist. But some weren't traditional romance; instead, they touched on family love, traditions, and duty. So, maybe advertising The Scarlet Circus as a romantic fantasy isn't quite right.

There were a variety of characters, boys and girls, strong heroines and common girls. I loved the fact that many of the girls aren't heroines of any sort; rather, they looked at the situation and said, \u201cI can do something about that.\u201d", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2023", "date_added": "24-Aug-2022 21:32:39", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011446003", "title": "Narwhal: The Arctic Unicorn", "author": "Justin Anderson,Jo Weaver", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 207, "review": "As \u201cice crystals dance in the cold air, shimmering over a frozen sea,\u201d mysterious Arctic creatures make their way to the water\u2019s surface, using their tusks to break the barrier that lies between them and the air they breathe. Soon, the end of the long winter draws near, and the narwhals prepare for the treacherous journey north. They mass and let the oldest and most traveled lead the way. They venture through a labyrinth of narrow pathways, spanning miles. After months of navigation, at last, they reach their resting place. It\u2019s teeming with life; the suns shines down on them and their newborn calves, welcoming them with its vibrant rays.

Young animal lovers will be drawn to this outstanding picture book. It\u2019s laced with information about narwhals and their intrinsic migratory behaviors. Children will discover a plethora of facts about these amazing animals: from the length of their horns to the size of their pods. They\u2019ll learn how these resourceful mammals use echolocation to explore the dark waters they encounter as well as how they protect themselves from fierce predators.

The illustrations in Narwhal: The Arctic Unicorn look remarkably real. They\u2019re brushed with beautiful, dark hues and gorgeous sunset shades. They\u2019re a perfect complement to the text.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2022", "date_added": "24-Aug-2022 21:18:33", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011443003", "title": "BRYANT & MAY: PECULAR LONDON", "author": "Christopher Fowler", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 912, "review": "Globetrotting Mysteries for Armchair Sleuths\n\nFor those with a passion for travel and a taste for thrilling whodunits, there's no better way to explore the world than through the pages of a captivating crime novel. In this roundup, we take you on a literary journey to five distinct foreign locales, each brought to life by the talented pens of crime fiction authors. From the bustling streets of London and Copenhagen to the troubles of Afghanistan and the serenity of Botswanna via a perilous voyage at sea, these recently released crime novels promise to transport readers to far-flung destinations, immersing them in captivating mysteries that unfold against richly drawn backdrops. Whether you're a dedicated armchair sleuth or simply seeking a thrilling escape, these globetrotting mysteries are sure to satisfy your wanderlust and keep you on the edge of your seat. \n\nA Tempest at Sea by Sherry Thomas\n\nA Tempest at Sea by Sherry Thomas is a gripping addition to the Charlotte Holmes series, plunging readers into a heart-pounding maritime adventure. Charlotte Holmes, who was forced to fake her death to escape Moriarty's clutches, is lured back into the world of deduction with an enticing offer from the crown. As she embarks on a perilous mission aboard the RMS Provence, a murder mystery unfolds on the stormy sea, forcing Charlotte to keep her true identity as Sherlock Holmes hidden. Thomas's masterful storytelling provides a suspenseful narrative filled with secrets and danger, making this historical mystery a compelling and unputdownable read that showcases Charlotte's wit and resilience in the face of treacherous waters. It\u2019s a must-read for fans of the series, those looking for a fresh perspective on Sherlock Holmes, and lovers of intricate historical mysteries.\n\nBryant & May\u2019s Peculiar London by Christopher Fowler\n\nChristopher Fowler\u2019s Bryant & May\u2019s Peculiar London offers an entertaining and unconventional journey through the hidden and enigmatic facets of the British capital. Narrated by the nation's oldest serving detectives, the book offers a unique perspective on London's overlooked history and mysteries. From odd buildings and obscure characters to forgotten disasters and hidden pubs, readers are in for a delightful exploration of the city's quirkiest aspects. Bryant and May, with the assistance of various disreputable friends and experts in their own eccentric fields, weave together a tapestry of tales that blur the line between fact and fiction in terms of London's rich and storied past. With a touch of wit, a dash of bamboozlement, and a generous serving of historical anecdotes, Fowler\u2019s book provides an engaging and offbeat tour of a city where the past and present intertwine in captivating ways, making it a must-read for those with a penchant for London's unique charm and secrets.\n\nThe Devil\u2019s Ransom by Brad Taylor\n\nThe Devil's Ransom by Brad Taylor is a heart-pounding thriller that catapults readers into the high-stakes world of espionage, cyber warfare, and international intrigue. Taskforce operative Pike Logan takes center stage as he races against time to thwart a nefarious plot orchestrated by an enemy with access to America's most closely guarded secrets. When Afghanistan falls and a ransomware attack cripples the Taskforce, Pike's mission becomes twofold: extract a vital individual from Afghanistan and hunt down those responsible for the cyberattack, which is discovered to have sinister connections to the Taliban. Little does Pike know that this is merely a prelude to a much larger and more dangerous scheme masterminded by a former NSA specialist. The novel skillfully blends elements of modern cyber threats with Cold War-era tensions, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Pike faces off against a cunning adversary. Taylor's narrative prowess shines through, rendering The Devil's Ransom a gripping thriller that explores the ever-evolving landscape of international espionage and the relentless pursuit of those who threaten global stability.\n\nA Death in Denmark by Amulya Malladi\n\nAmulya Malladi\u2019s A Death in Denmark is a sophisticated and enthralling Nordic murder mystery that combines the contemporary allure of Copenhagen with the haunting echoes of Denmark's Nazi-collaborator past. Featuring Gabriel Pr\u00e6st, a charismatic ex-cop turned private detective, the novel masterfully navigates a web of political intrigue, anti-Muslim sentiments, and Russian gangsters. As Gabriel pursues the investigation, the story delves deep into the nation's history, including World War II and its dark secrets, raising thought-provoking questions about nationalism and identity. With a compelling narrative, well-drawn characters, and a cosmopolitan vibe, Malladi's novel delivers a thrilling and intellectually stimulating reading experience that explores Denmark's past and present with panache.\n\nA Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith\n\nA Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith is another delightful installment in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. This time, the story revolves around Grace Makutsi's husband, Phuti, who faces stiff competition in the office furniture market from an international firm that tries to undercut his prices and drive him out of business via a glossy marketing campaign. With the assistance of Mma Ramotswe, Phuti embarks on a creative campaign to counter the competition. Simultaneously, Mma Makutsi and Phuti find themselves involved in a difficult case concerning an old friend's troubled son, a situation that requires not only their patience and dedication but also the collective wisdom of Mma Ramotswe and the indomitable Mma Potokwani. McCall Smith once again weaves a heartwarming narrative, filled with humor, empathy, and the charm of Botswana, as his beloved characters tackle both professional and personal challenges, making A Song of Comfortable Chairs a comforting and engaging read for fans of the series.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Aug-2022 19:16:23", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011440015", "title": "The Fifth Daugher of Thorn Ranch", "author": "Julia Brewer Daily", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 408, "review": "I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Brewer Daily. The story follows a recent college graduate named Emma Rosales. Emma happens to be an heiress to a million-acre ranch, which is referred to as \u201cThe Thorn.\u201d She also happens to be the only child of her parents, Josie and John, following the Rosales family tradition of producing one female heir. Coming from a line of strong-willed, decisive women, Emma is headstrong, opinionated, and definitely not afraid to get her hands dirty. Like her mother, her grandmother, and her great grandmother, Emma will manage all the responsibilities of this massive property as she has been trained for her entire life.

Emma loves her life on the ranch. A trained vet, she adores taking care of the horses, looking after the animals, and going on long adventures out on her property. Josie and John encourage Emma to explore as her heart desires; aware of their daughter\u2019s tendency to run off, they taught Emma how to camp, start a fire, take care of her horse, and fend for herself at a young age. With her parents off on a trip to Europe, Emma decides she will explore the property for a few days, informing Flora, the family cook, of her plans. With fresh baked cookies in hand, Emma takes off on Honey-Boy, her horse, to explore the beautiful Texan land around her.

On this little adventure, Emma finds herself in quite the dilemma. Although I will not go further in order to avoid the risk of spoiling the plot, Emma manages to find herself in a situation she never dreamed of and at a loss if she will make it out alive.

I found Emma\u2019s story to be quite an exciting read. When I put this book down, I found myself picking it up again within just a few hours; I was dying to know what happened to Emma and where the plot moved next. I also loved the setting of this story; a Texan ranch may not seem like the place where much adventure occurs, but boy was I in for a surprise! The author did a fantastic job with this plot, creating the perfect balance of romance, adventure, sorrow, and excitement.

Overall, I found The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch a delight to read. I highly recommend this book to all female readers who like general fiction, adventure novels, and stories about strong women.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "28-Oct-2022", "date_added": "24-Aug-2022 21:12:03", "publisher": "Admission Press, Inc.", "page_count": "313 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011440011", "title": "Runaway Humanity", "author": "Joshua Valentine", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 432, "review": "Rarely a day goes by these days that there\u2019s not some disheartening story in the paper, or on the news, or in the trending section of Twitter, about climate change and the tragic effect it is having on the planet, whether it be a small localized area, or an ecosystem, or a species, or worldwide ramifications that are just going to get worse as time passes and we continue to do too little. Runaway Humanity takes you to the not too distant future where things have gone terribly wrong on Earth, and what part of humanity has managed to survive on Mars is wondering if there\u2019s anything left of the blue planet worth saving.

In the opening pages of Runaway Humanity by Joshua Valentine, it has been thirty years since the hundred million or so remaining humans abandoned Earth and fled to Mars, where life goes on in a sense although it\u2019s a very harsh one on the red planet, with cases of cancer staying high. Moving and living below ground has helped that a little, but this is still very different to the comfortable ways things used to be back on the third planet from the sun. And then the Mars Administration of Space and Extraterrestrial Research (MASER) makes an astonishing discovery: some form of life is detected on the supposedly extinct planet and it\u2019s not some extreme form of microorganism existing in severe conditions. So what is it then?

Dr. Shelby and Dr. Drake Hilton are tasked with solving this mystery. They must make a daring mission to Earth, leaving their son and the certain world they know for one of risk and the unknown. Also, things aren\u2019t totally copacetic at MASER, so the husband and wife team aren\u2019t sure if this is all being done for the right reasons. And when they do finally arrive in what was once the Sierra Nevada of California, they are met with a form of humanoid they cannot begin to understand.

Valentine has written a compelling science fiction novel that is driven by a strong plot, but it also has complex and interesting characters and plenty of conflict to keep the reader hooked to every page. The key to Runaway Humanity is that you never know what\u2019s going to happen next, and that\u2019s what truly drives the story. And Valentine, a drag queen, has also injected his physical self into the novel with photos in the opening pages leading up to the start of the book with some content warnings, setting an intriguing tone for the story the reader is about to consume.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "06-Nov-2022", "date_added": "24-Aug-2022 21:07:46", "publisher": "Joshua Valentine", "page_count": "339 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011440007", "title": "Visions of Johanna", "author": "Peter Sarno", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 394, "review": "Well-written with deeply complex characters and many different beautiful settings, Peter Sarno's Visions of Johanna is worth reading more than once. Written very much like a memoir, Sarno introduces his reader to Matthew Domenico, a music critic and aspiring writer of many things. One day, while covering the Bob Dylan concert in Hartford, Matt sees a small woman carrying a rather large painting. After helping her with it, they start a conversation, and he learns that her name is Johanna Beaumont, and she is an artist. Throughout this book, well-known artists, musicians, and art pieces are brought up along with historical sites. Music from Kate Bush to Debbie Harry to Debbie Gibson is referenced in the book. And all of these subjects become topics of philosophical conversation between characters. This back-and-forth banter really brought the book and the characters to life. One could imagine chiming right in with one's opinion. Matt and Johanna strike up a friendship and eventually end up in a romantic relationship. The intimacy between the two is more than just physical. However, both characters are so unsure about their futures, both individually and as a couple. Matt is in Boston and Johanna, New York. And although they spend most weekends together, clearly there is something missing. This book really helps the reader get into Matt's head. Several of the chapters take the reader back in time when Matt was a child growing up into a teen, and then later into adulthood. His family, which included his mother, father, brother Orlando, and sister Francesca, had complicated family dynamics just like any other family. The author learns that Matt's upbringing was not the easiest, which is why he may have some commitment and trust issues in relationships. The book spans several years and takes the reader through the many different emotions and experiences Matt has and goes through: love, heartbreak, mental illness of a loved one, abuse of a friend, and tragedy.

I really enjoyed the discussion questions at the end of the book and feel this would be a perfect book club book. With questions that address the concepts of faith and hope to the efforts put towards the women's movement, there is a lot that can be talked about in this book. Detailed, wonderfully written, and thought-provoking, Visions of Johanna will have readers thinking long after they put the book down.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2022", "date_added": "24-Aug-2022 21:01:42", "publisher": "PFP", "page_count": "334 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011440003", "title": "Building Solid: A Life in Stories", "author": "Joan Rudd", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "David Keenan", "word_count": 440, "review": "Rome was not built in a day, and neither is a life. Both are built piece by piece, each piece seemingly unconnected, until over a long period of time, the life emerges, as from a fog, into a whole being. Joan Rudd, in Building Solid: A Life in Stories, presents a stunningly beautiful autobiography that evokes myriad emotional states in the reader, ranging from joy to sadness.

Rudd is a sculptor who lives in the Pacific Northwest. She was born and raised in the New York City of the 1950s and moved to Portland, Oregon, to pursue her education, ultimately earning a BFA. While in the Northwest, she married and joined the back to the country movement of the 1960s, purchasing land in rural Washington and living a communal farm life. Her Jewish background influences much of her outlook on life.

Rudd\u2019s knowledge of the physical processes of sculpting informs her approach to writing. She brilliantly constructs a written \u201cnegative\u201d image of a sculpture. Imagine a block that is carefully chipped away until the sculpture is a completed and finished likeness. The chips, transformed into written form as stories, are gathered up to form the negative image. They are intrinsic to the sculpture because, without their existence, the sculpture would remain a block. Rudd uses these \u201cchips\u201d to present her life in ten categories: Childhood, Physical Strength, Autonomy, Connectedness, Resilience , Resistance, Serendipity, Perspective, Wholeness, and Unity which constitute the raw material of her collective whole.

Rudd delivers short sketches of her experiences, which form the totality of each chapter. For example, her childhood growing up as the child and grandchild of Holocaust refugees living in NYC, her early fight with cancer that makes her an above-the-knee amputee, and having Central Park as a playground, are all pieces of the Childhood whole. Throughout the book, Rudd speaks in the tone of a strong and powerful woman who has experienced both trauma and triumph. A powerful soul inhabits Rudd\u2019s corporeal form and shines through in her stories. Nuggets of wisdom are spread throughout the book, such as \u201cOne has to learn how to be safe around sharp edges and crooked people.\u201d

This is a wonderful book. The vignettes deliver stories of family life, the joys and fears of parenthood, the losses and triumphs of personal achievement, and the sorrow of losing connections to loved ones. Each chapter connects to the larger whole of the book, to the whole of Rudd herself. Readers will experience many emotions as they connect Rudd\u2019s story to their own lives and experiences. If you read one book this year, make it this one. A true masterpiece.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2022", "date_added": "23-Aug-2022 21:23:13", "publisher": "Joan Rudd/Strudel Press", "page_count": "478 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011439019", "title": "The Heart of Summer", "author": "Felicity Hayes-McCoy", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 174, "review": "Hanna Casey is the librarian on the West Irish Peninsula, known as Finfarra. She's recently moved in with Brian. But it's taken her time to trust a man again after the disastrous marriage to ex-husband Malcolm. And when Brian's son Mike comes for an extended stay, Hanna decides it might be a good time to take a trip to London to see some old friends. London is a much-needed break, and Hanna might also have a new job offer, but will she be tempted to stay? Or will she return to the life that she's built in Finfarra?

The Heart of Summer is a wonderful family, commitment, and community story. It's full of a cast of characters trying to create new directions in their lives and find a sense of place to call their own. My favorite character by far was Fury, who had a great gift of wisdom and could provide advice to anyone he met. This one will likely hit the spot if you are looking for a warmhearted and entertaining read.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "26-Sep-2022", "date_added": "24-Aug-2022 21:29:03", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011439015", "title": "The Widowmaker", "author": "Hannah Morrissey", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 199, "review": "Clive Reynolds disappeared twenty years ago; his body was never found. Recently, his car, nicknamed the Widowmaker, was found in the lake while police were searching for the gun that killed a police officer during a robbery at a gas station. Photographer Morgan Mori is wrapped up in both cases as she took photos at a Reynolds\u2019 Christmas party and on her way home stopped to get gas and witnessed the shooting. As she unravels the clues alongside the police officer\u2019s partner, Ryan Hudson, she\u2019ll discover she\u2019s in even deeper than she ever imagined. Secrets don\u2019t stay buried forever in Black Harbor.

Apparently, this story takes place in the same town as the author\u2019s first novel and features some of the same characters. Other than a few passing references, it seems like you can read each as a standalone, but you might enjoy it more if you\u2019ve read both. This story is really dark and there should be some trigger warnings at the beginning. If you are a fan of Gillian Flynn, then I think you\u2019ll be adequately prepared for the darkness. This story is full of broken people, like many of Flynn\u2019s books. Go in with open eyes.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2022", "date_added": "24-Aug-2022 21:14:50", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011437011", "title": "The Abyss", "author": "Max Hastings", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 176, "review": "The world was on the brink of nuclear war, the stakes were higher than they\u2019d ever been, and a few wise Americans saved the day. This is an American tale that is familiar to most of us, but The Abyss: Nuclear Crisis Cuba 1962 is enlightening, expertly written, and easy to read. The book covers topics such as the exoticism of Cuba in the 1950s, Castro, and the full story of Yuri Gagarin. It delves into the complexities of Khrushchev and his focus on military might.

Author Max Hastings discusses that Khrushchev privately acknowledged that war with the West would mean destruction of the USSR yet enjoyed the fear that such a war invoked in the West. These are subtle points that Hastings makes clearly and beautifully. Hastings then offers an in-depth explanation of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Some interesting photographs in two different sections add to the explanations. This is an engrossing read. I had never read any of Hastings\u2019 other books before and now I see why he is a treasured researcher and writer.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "24-Aug-2022 19:17:19", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "576 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011436043", "title": "Now and Then", "author": "Salah el Moncef", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 447, "review": "Now and Then by Salah el Moncef was an absolutely beautiful collection. The first tale, \"Benghazi,\" was by far my favorite. Told from the perspective of Mariam, a young Libyan girl, the reader is taken to the spring of 1942. Mariam\u2019s hometown, Benghazi, is under dictator Benito Mussolini\u2019s Fascist regime. Burglaries, kidnappings, and murder are becoming a norm in her beloved home. This is a confusing time for Mariam; not fully comprehensive of what exactly is happening, Mariam does not understand her father\u2019s qualms about her, and her sister\u2019s Italian schooling.

Shortly within this essay, Mariam and her sister are selected from their school to greet Mussolini in person. Mariam is told she must hand Mussolini a gift, something she is excited about but also fearful about. What will her father and mother say? Both deeply and adamantly opposed to the fascism in their city, Mariam knows this will not go over well; needless to say, she is right. Her father meets his children with depression, falling deeper into himself and cutting off Mariam and her sister from their weekly visits to his study.

The end of this essay is both evoking and contemplative. A grown woman now, Mariam recalls this time of her life with grief but also with closure. Having felt, in a way, responsible for her father\u2019s demise, the reader watches Mariam close a chapter of her life that she deserves peace from.

\nThe reason I enjoyed \"Benghazi\" the most from this collection was partially due to its fantastic imagery and creativeness. The author spares no small detail in describing Benghazi\u2019s local towns, shops, and citizens. The richness in cultural diversity jumps off of the pages in this story, allowing the reader to see more into the daily life in Benghazi.

I also really enjoyed \"The Night Visitor.\" Told from the perspective of Nausicaa, a teacher in Paris, the reader gets to dive into another character struggling with reminiscing on her past. The story begins with Nausicaa venting to her friend Pauline about a man she met years prior. This man, Mandi, had irked Nausicaa in every way. Only after Pauline called her out on her judgments was Nausicaa able to realize that maybe her resentments towards Mandi were misplaced resentment and anger towards her own fear of commitment.

Similar to \"Benghazi,\" \"The Night Visitor,\" focuses on a character trying to come to terms with their past. I think both stories are an excellent reminder that we can examine our own pasts; what experiences in our childhood have shaped us? Who has made us who we are?

Overall, I really enjoyed this collection; I would recommend this book to all readers, especially those who enjoy thought-provoking reads.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2022", "date_added": "23-Aug-2022 02:42:36", "publisher": "Penelope Books", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011436039", "title": "Now and Then", "author": "Salah el Moncef", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 430, "review": "The introduction to this book is everything I can\u2019t stand about literature. The book itself is everything I love about it.

I\u2019ll start with the good parts of this book because there are so many to talk about. What sticks with me most after finishing Now and Then is that Salah el Moncef has a gift for crafting. I don\u2019t just mean the craft of writing, though he excels at that as well. What I mean is that he is able to craft each story into a masterpiece just as much as a metalworker might craft a delicate-seeming statue out of steel.

The first story in the collection, \u201cBenghazi,\u201d largely takes place during the arrival of Mussolini in the title city. Though that is the obvious reading of the story, its core is about the protagonist as a young woman and the world around her. In this, el Moncef crafts a moment out of the past in a world slipping into fascism. It is a world tinged with the readers\u2019 knowledge of what is to come, but with a bit of innocence, nevertheless. Mariam is young, and she sees the world through young eyes, coloring the narrative as much as the readers\u2019 knowledge does.

The other fictional work in the book, \u201cThe Night Visitor,\u201d crafts instead an unsettling air. Set in modern-day Brittany, it tells the story of a young woman whose life is disrupted by a guest at a gathering she has been invited to. It has a radically different atmosphere. Rather than the specificity of 1930s Benghazi, which is brought to life for all the readers\u2019 senses, \u201cThe Night Visitor\u201d is vague in the way the modern world can so often be. The descriptions are vivid, but they don\u2019t always mean anything, which makes the sensory descriptions stand out all the more vividly.

The book finishes with two essays, both of which I had some trouble grasping. One referred to a book of el Moncef\u2019s, which I had not read; the other was a deeply philosophical piece on the meaning of Le Pont des Arts. Both, like the introduction, will appeal to a very specific reader: one who is well-versed not only in Salah el Moncef\u2019s works but also in high literature and philosophy in general. I fall into neither of those categories, so I often found myself lost amid the references and what felt like self-congratulatory intellectualism.

I gave this book five stars based on the parts I was able to grasp. I assume that, for those with the right background, the rating will extend to the parts that were beyond me.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2022", "date_added": "23-Aug-2022 02:42:04", "publisher": "Penelope Books", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011436035", "title": "Now and Then", "author": "Salah el Moncef", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 53, "review": "\"A riveting collection rich in culture, diversity, history, and incredible imagery. Moncef effortlessly transports his readers around the globe, following tales of grief, love, closure, and acceptance. Now and Then is a beautiful reminder of how the past shapes us, which we can use to transform the present.\" --Theresa Kadair, Portland Book Review", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2022 02:41:11", "publisher": "Penelope Books", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011436031", "title": "Now and Then", "author": "Salah el Moncef", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 476, "review": "Now and Then by Salah el Moncef comprises two short stories and two essays. In the first, \"Benghazi\", we meet the Khaldoon family. Sisters Miriam and Zaynab are students at a local Italian school preparing for a visit from Mussolini. Both have been selected to represent the school, something their father finds abhorrent due to his lifelong loyalty to his Sufi beliefs. The events of the day and the complex family relations have affected Miriam's life, and she is now struggling to overcome and move forward.

In the second story, \"The Night Visitor\", we meet Pauline and Nausicaa, two friends invited to a weekend gathering in Brittany. They are introduced to Madani, a Berber calligrapher, who Nausciaa finds both repulsive and alluring. His presence is confusing and disturbing, but she has to admit he cooks delicious couscous. Then in the night, something happens that leaves Nausicaa even more discombobulated than before. And how does she deal with it? She rehashes the story to Pauline until Pauline finally suggests Nausicaa visit an Astrologist to gain some insight into the situation. But will that help her see that the problem may be more internal than external?

In the first essay, \"A Bridge Too Near\", the author noticed a sign on the Pont des Arts, where lovers used to hang padlocks as a sign of their eternal love. The sign reads, \"No human is an alien on earth,\" leaving Moncef to mull over ideas of borderless nations and the ramifications of disconnectedness among people. And in \"The Voice of Exile\", the author looks at a review of his previous work, The Offering, which introduced Tarqik, an exiled Tunisian poet in France. He is isolated from his guest country and its culture, but he also feels the same towards his compatriots and his own culture, forcing him to define his own sense of belonging while feeling adrift in the world.

I must confess that I would have preferred another short story instead of the essays. To me, the stories were what made this book unique. The author had such a mesmerizing writing style it felt as if he'd just pulled the curtains back to give me a peek into another world. Both stories left me wanting more. They were complex but told with a sense of vagueness, leaving me inhabiting their worlds long after I'd finished reading. That age-old saying, the eyes are the window to the soul, came to mind more than once as Moncef was able to bring his characters to life by looking deep within them. For example, the wife of the Tuareg nomad, who has only a brief encounter with Miriam in the first story, manages to live on in my mind even now. He is able to paint a beautiful picture with a few words, one which encompasses the past with tendrils that reach into each character's\n present.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2022", "date_added": "23-Aug-2022 02:41:00", "publisher": "Penelope Books", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011436027", "title": "The Beijing Blunder", "author": "Jay Perin", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 557, "review": "The Beijing Blunder opens in late 1988 as the so-called \u201cDecade of Greed\u201d is drawing to a close. Of course, as readers familiar with previous books in Jay Perin\u2019s One Hundred Years of War series will expect, greed itself is far from absent from the story. In fact, much to former President Temple\u2019s chagrin, greed remains the one thing that will make \u201cmen admit to crimes they didn\u2019t have the brains to commit.\u201d And there are certainly a lot of crimes to admit to in this series.

For his part, having dedicated all his time and effort during the first three books in the series to moving other characters around the world like pieces on a chessboard while standing as the notional \u201cgood guy\u201d in contrast to the duplicitous and merciless Jared Sanders, Temple begins The Beijing Blunder by being forced to admit that he was blindsided by the actions of stepbrother Godwin Kingsley, a former supreme court justice, toward the end of The Cuban Gambit.

Temple had thought that he and Godwin were working together to secure the formation of a network of oil companies that would enjoy a benevolent global monopoly under the leadership of Lilah Kingsley, only to be double-crossed by Godwin and his heirs at the last minute. While Temple thinks he has found a way to wrest back power, he is actually facing more danger than ever before, and his fate will have consequences that ripple around the world.

Part of Temple\u2019s plan involves securing pardons and repatriation for Lilah and the Kingsley brothers, including her husband Brad, after they were framed for treason and forced to flee abroad. Yet, while Lilah is keen to return, her motivation is to destroy the network, not to regain control of it. The nefarious Steven Kingsley, who is enjoying his usurped power over the network, knows this all too well and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Temple and Lilah out of the way.

Meanwhile, Harry Sheppard is doing what he can to assist Temple in helping Lilah and the Kingsley brothers, despite both his own misgivings and the opposition of his family. In an effort to assist old friends, he will have to learn to trust new allies found in the most unlikely of places.

The Beijing Blunder is another globe-trotting installment in the action- and intrigue-packed One Hundred Years of War series. In fact, the book is so densely filled with characters, conspiracies, and controversies that it\u2019s definitely a good idea to read the series in order rather than jumping straight into this fourth installment. From Lilah\u2019s life on the run to Harry\u2019s attempts to navigate the corridors of power and Steven\u2019s desperate efforts cling onto wealth and influence, Perin has woven numerous strands of political intrigue into a coherent storyline that also moves the series as a whole forward.

As the various characters constantly waver in terms of who they can trust and how far they\u2019re willing to go, the world around them moves up and down with the stock market and there\u2019s no telling who is going to come out on top. One thing\u2019s for certain though, as the Cold War draws to an end and the information age begins, there\u2019s bound to be plenty more danger and suspense in store for them all in The Indian Defense.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2022", "date_added": "23-Aug-2022 02:27:03", "publisher": "East River Books", "page_count": "468 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011436023", "title": "Soul Wars: An Adventure into the Supernatural", "author": "Chris Kline", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 433, "review": "Families are impacted in various ways and to varying degrees by disasters such as suicide, death, disease, addiction, and other tragedies. What if these things were the product of evil spirits and schemes? The fictitious story Soul Wars: An Adventure into the Supernatural narrates the conflicts between good and evil forces that go on behind the scenes and the effects they have on certain characters and historical trends. Chris Kline's book delves into the actions of the Antichrist and demonic powers, as well as the threats they bring to the expansion of Christianity. Meanwhile, the angels are hard at work delivering good deeds to the faithful characters, and the Christian characters themselves make an effort to pray and fend against evil. Learn what transpires when good and evil forces clash in Chris Klines' character-rich and highly unpredictable story.

I liked how the book was full of well-chosen biblical quotes and important teachings that are artfully woven into the storyline. For example, in a scenario involving a miraculous cure following a serious health scare, a significant character hears a message that we must trust God and let God be God in both happy and bad times. In addition, the book features various intricate mini-plots and backstories that reflect real-life circumstances, such as having an abusive relationship, adolescent characters dealing with social pressure at school, a boy's attempt to drug a girl he is trying to win over, and more. These various stories demonstrate the author's creativity and are likely to present the reader with comparable experiences.

I found it disconcerting that the individuals' points of view were not maintained, and the plot seemed to shift between different views at random. There is also no clear central direction. Apart from the battle between good and evil forces, I didn't find any specific concrete goal that the story focuses on, which resulted in my attention being drawn to too many disparate things in an uncomfortable manner for the majority of the story, such as Debbie's battle with addiction, Rose's greed, and Sam's racial problem.

Christian readers will be reminded of the importance of prayer and being close to God as they read the book, and non-Christians will grasp what it takes to be a Christian. It dives into a variety of topics, such as necromancy, fortune telling, family, racism, heart attacks, talking with the dead, rock and roll culture, drug abuse, body shaming, and more. The book's strong tone, however, may be objectionable to non-Christians and some Christians in specific denominations who disagree with its statements. Despite its drawbacks, the book's significant lessons may increase your relationship with God.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2022 02:21:32", "publisher": "Workbook Press", "page_count": "388 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000011436019", "title": "Soul Wars: An Adventure into the Supernatural", "author": "Chris Kline", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 455, "review": "On one side of the cosmos, looking down from the Celestial City, stands the Army of the Lord God in Heaven, a host of angels who serve as guards, \u201cpatiently waiting for their cues to go and minster to those who will inherit salvation.\u201d On the other side lurks an assembly of demons, evil creatures that \u201care bent on the destruction of any human they can influence with their poisonous ideas.\u201d Both sides keep a close watch on the Earth and are quick to take action when they spot an invitation to do so. Chris Kline\u2019s Soul Wars offers a snapshot of the never-ending battle between these two factions, a battle that will decide the very fate of humanity.

In 1958, in the town of Cambridge, Iowa, four regular families\u2014the Olsons, the Silverstones, the Smiths, and the Evanses\u2014are innocently going about their daily lives, little knowing that they are soon to take center stage in a battle of good versus evil that has been being waged for millennia. In the case of the Evans family, mother Esther and her two young sons have to contend with father Sam being a drunken bully who would much rather spend time with his mistress than with his family. While Esther and the boys pray for help from God, Sam is followed around by an unseen demon that intends to destroy him and his family.

The members of the other three families face similar issues and dilemmas\u2014day-to-day problems that could be broken down into testing manifestations of the Ten Commandments\u2014that they need to address and overcome while being unconsciously influenced by the forces of good and evil. In describing the choices they all face making, Kline makes it clear how easily dark forces can worm their way inside people\u2019s heads and how difficult it can be to hear the guidance offered by representatives of the light. The story as a whole represents an interesting approach to promoting the influence of religion, although the focus on so many similar ordinary people does render it a little repetitious.

Soul Wars is quite clearly a novel with a Christian message and so will immediately appeal to some readers more than others. In fact, Christian readers who are seeking a reflection of their beliefs and concrete examples of the notions of good versus evil as found in the Bible will likely get a lot from the book, whereas readers who are looking for an exciting and coherent story of paranormal forces at work on the Earth will probably find it much less appealing. Simply put, Kline has chosen to focus on delivering a message rather than on presenting an engaging story, which is not necessarily a bad thing, although it will prove polarizing.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2022 02:21:25", "publisher": "Workbook Press", "page_count": "388 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011436011", "title": "Soul Wars: An Adventure into the Supernatural", "author": "Chris Kline", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 442, "review": "In the middle of the twentieth century, four families are caught in a monumental struggle between good and evil. Not only their lives but also their immortal souls are in question as angels and demons alike battle for influence over their actions, and for the chance to spread to others. Will the godly be able to save the people of their small Midwestern town? Or will the forces of darkness prevail?

Religious books tend to be very hit or miss for me. While I find them intriguing and sometimes moving, often they come across as didactic, things that will only appeal to those who already subscribe to the author\u2019s beliefs. Especially for books that tout the importance of evangelism, preaching to the choir seems like it will do little good.

Kline, however, manages to avoid the worst of this by making the characters distinct without having them be wholly one-dimensional. Especially in the younger characters, you can really see the struggle between good and evil, and how it plays out in even the most mundane choices. (Though there is plenty of drama to be found within the book, keeping it exciting enough that I couldn\u2019t put it down.) I felt for each and every teen caught up in a battle beyond their comprehension, pulled at by forces too powerful for them to truly understand.

What kept me from rating this book higher was that at times it was all presented very simplistically. Kline would sometimes hit her points too hard, as though readers themselves could not be trusted to tell for themselves what was good and what was bad. That only reminded me that I was reading a book directed at a very narrow worldview. That narrowness will help it reach some particular readers, but it will turn off several others, perhaps well before they reach the meat of the story.

In addition, I felt the book could have stood a round of editing. There were missing quotation marks and enough grammatical and spelling errors that I was sometimes distracted from the story itself.

Soul Wars is an interesting story that could, at its best, speak to people wrestling with their faith or offer an interesting discussion on free will. (The demons, for instance, seem to be the most able to choose what they are going to do. I wondered sometimes whether the flatness of the human characters was meant to speak to how easily people can be influenced by forces beyond their control.) In the end, however, I was only slightly impressed. Soul Wars will probably mainly appeal to those who already believe God takes an active interest in their affairs.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2022 02:21:01", "publisher": "Workbook Press", "page_count": "388 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011436007", "title": "Snoodles, Kidoodles, Poodles and Lots and Lots of Noodles", "author": "Steven Joseph", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 11", "word_count": 485, "review": "Snoodles, Kidoodles, Poodles, and Lots and Lots of Noodles is the story of a car called a Snoodle, the people who love it, and even those who don\u2019t. A Snoodle is a car that runs on noodles. You put noodles in the Snoodle with a sauce of your choice. You drive around all day and when you get home you have a nice plate of noodles from your Snoodle. Genius, right? The inventor of the Snoodle, Mr. Snoodleman, opened the Snoodle Kidoodle Noodle Art Museum in honor of the Snoodle after his invention took off. A famous artist named Noodle McDoodle creates the Kidoodle Lisa to go on display in the art museum. People line up for hours just to see the Kidoodle Lisa.

Mr. Croodleman, inventor of the Kraut mobile, does not like the Snoodle or its creator, Mr. Snoodleman. The Kraut mobile runs on sauerkraut and is efficient but very stinky. Nobody really likes the Kraut mobile, except Mr. Croodleman. One day, Mr. Croodleman decides to sabotage the Kidoodle Lisa. He sneaks past the guards into the museum and pours sauerkraut all over the beloved piece of art. Little does he realize the trouble his actions would cause.

When Mr. Snoodleman arrives the next day and sees the masterpiece destroyed, he is forced to close the Snoodle Kidoodle Noodle Art Museum as he looks for a way to have the Kidoodle Lisa restored. Mr. Snoodleman takes the Kidoodle Lisa to a well-known art restorer, Pierre Le Toodle. Le Toodle works on trying to restore the Kidoodle Lisa tirelessly. Many people try to discourage him, but he continues to try until one day, he gives up. Once he goes to sleep, his poodle licks all of the sauerkraut off the Lisa Kidoodle until the masterpiece is back to its original condition! Who knew it could be so simple? Pierre le Toodle and his poodle became famous. The Snoodle Kidoodle Noodle Art Museum is able to reopen and everyone is happy\u2026 even Mr. Croodleman!

Snoodles, Kidoodles, Poodles, and Lots and Lots of Noodles is a whimsical, cute book with lots of funny words and an engaging story. This book is perfect for young children ages three to six. It has funny rhyming words that make it great to read aloud and a comical storyline that kept me wanting to keep reading. For kids who are still learning to read, the book has very subtle but easy to learn vocabulary associations that can help small children better learn how to read. The funny words and rhyming patterns can help with developing vocabulary.

I can see my four-year-old cousin getting such a kick out of reading Snoodles, Kidoodles, Poodles, and Lots and Lots of Noodles. I definitely recommend this book as an addition to your young reader\u2019s library\u2026 this is a story that little kids will love and their parents and grandparents will love reading with them!", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2022", "date_added": "23-Aug-2022 01:06:17", "publisher": "Mascot Books", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011436003", "title": "River of Ashes", "author": "Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 76, "review": "\"Chilling and suspenseful, River of Ashes is a story that mimics real-life abuse and violence in today's youth. What seems like innocent high school shenanigans quickly turns evil in the path of a predator and sociopath. Albeit fiction, this book describes what happens to many women who have remained silent and embarrassed and whose lives have changed because of the unfair stigma that goes along with rape and assault. allegations.\" --Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2022 00:44:03", "publisher": "Vesuvian Books", "page_count": "287 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011429003", "title": "Deborah's Gift", "author": "Lois Ann Abraham", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 190, "review": "It\u2019s clear from the start of
Deborah\u2019s Gift that this is a novel about an artist. I don\u2019t mean just that it\u2019s outright stated in the prologue; the first chapter, about Deborah\u2019s childhood, is a feast for all the senses. Even before she is able to truly express it, she has a way of viewing things that will serve her well as a painter. Abraham doesn\u2019t just give us a wealth of visual description, though the book has that in spades. (Best of all: it works!) She feeds every sense the reader has, immersing them in Deborah\u2019s world.

And what a world it is! Deborah is a young woman caught in the trials of the late nineteenth century when everyone expects her to be some softer version of herself. If she will not bend, she will be beaten down. At times it seems impossible that she will be able to have the life she dreams of.

I fell head over heels with this book from the start, and at no point did it let me down. It\u2019s rich and vivid, an excellent addition to the wealth of historical fiction being written today.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2022", "date_added": "22-Aug-2022 17:56:09", "publisher": "New Wind Publishing", "page_count": "314 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011427011", "title": "Shoot the Horses First", "author": "Leah Angstman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 188, "review": "I was already familiar with Leah Angstman\u2019s work from her first novel Out Front the Following Sea. I was curious about what she would do with a shorter form of work and was not at all surprised to find that these pieces were just as beautifully written as her novel. Angstman has a knack for bringing beauty even to moments of the past that are horrific, and humanity to characters who were part of horrific events. This is as true in her stories as it is in her novels.

My favorite piece was the longest, \"Casting Grand Titans\u201d because its themes of independence and sexism in the sciences are deeply interesting to me. Even the shortest pieces still managed to draw me in. Some left me wondering at the mysteries lurking just beyond the page; others left me breathless with the power of their prose.

The only thing I might want to change would be how similar the tone can be from story to story. Often the beauty of the writing blends with melancholy, and while Angstman writes this very well, it can cause some of the tales to blur.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "02-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Aug-2022 23:13:19", "publisher": "Kernpunkt Press", "page_count": "238 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011426015", "title": "Johnny Lycan & the Vegas Berserker", "author": "Wayne Turmel", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 195, "review": "Johnny Lupul is a licensed privet investigator who is big and hairy, even when he is not a werewolf. Johnny\u2019s affluent client, Mr. Cromwell, has a simple job for him. Travel to Las Vegas and pick up an artifact that Cromwell has purchased. But when Sin City is involved, nothing is simple. While securing the mystical relic from a coven of witches operating a magic show, Johnny comes face to face with a real-life Viking Berserker. Or maybe a better description in Johnny\u2019s case, fur to fang. As I said, nothing comes easy in Las Vegas.

Johnny Lycan & the Vegas Berserker is the second book in Wayne Turmel\u2019s Johnny Lycan series. Even though there are numerous urban werewolf fantasies, Turmel is able to distinguish his book from many others. Writing in the first-person noir style gives Turmel\u2019s characters the dark and gritty persona they deserve. The dialog, at times, can be clich\u00e9 but is never dull or pedestrian. With all the action a battle with a werewolf can deliver, this action-packed thriller is a hard book to put down. Any fan of paranormal PI dramas would be captivated by Johnny Lycan & the Vegas Berserker.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2023", "date_added": "22-Aug-2022 23:04:42", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "278 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011426003", "title": "Over 80: Reflections on Aging", "author": "Marilyn Reynolds", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 202, "review": "Wisdom suggests that as we grow older, we hold onto our attitudes, beliefs, and other lifelong characteristics. Marilyn Reynolds, at eighty-six years old, admits to slowing down and memory loss, but defies wisdom by having found gratifying new interests. Spirituality, less prominent when younger, has become important. Writing groups continue to fulfill a space between pleasure and need, though COVID-19 almost killed book clubs by introducing Zoom, keeping reading companions away. And those significant new interests? Dogs were always welcome, but now, as it gets harder to keep up with animal care, she has found a friend to pet-share. What a creative idea!

In Over 80: Reflections on Aging, Reynolds has leapt into the practice of keeping a little free library. Instead of buying an expensive build-it kit, she has adapted a toy truck to hold books found abandoned in the neighborhood for bulk collection. Just stepping into her yard, she has an ever-changing selection to give and take. Her memoir offers humor and poignancy, a wealth of \u201clet\u2019s share\u201d even the less welcome changes, suggesting a trouble shared is almost a trouble halved. Reaching the age of eighty is no longer a rare achievement, but it still deserves respect and empathy.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "20-Oct-2022", "date_added": "22-Aug-2022 17:38:34", "publisher": "New Wind Publishing", "page_count": "252 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011425003", "title": "You Are Your Healer: The Ultimate Guide to Heal Your Past, Transform Your Life & Awaken to Your True Self", "author": "Yol Swan", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 114, "review": "\"The go-to book for you if you wish to let go of your past and find peace in the present moment, take full spiritual responsibility for how your best life is lived every day henceforth, and let go of your false identity and self-created suffering to discover your true, nondual self. Soul-lifting words feel like wonderful hormones are being released by your body system, and nothing else matters but the good feeling they bring to you at that moment. With several illustrative examples, practical instructions, and profound quotes, Yol Swan will show you how to heal yourself by yourself and avoid falling prey to false prophets and gurus.\" --Foluso Falaye, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "August 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Aug-2022 21:14:29", "publisher": "Sri Devi Press", "page_count": "254 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011424003", "title": "I Really Want to Fly to the Moon!", "author": "Harriet Ziefert,Travis Foster", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 204, "review": "Really Bird, known for teaming up with his friends on many fantastical adventures and being really into things and emotions, is now on his way to the Moon in his latest adventure. Really Bird understands that it will take patience and cooperation to reach the Moon as it is so far away from Earth and it takes days to reach the Moon. Really Bird and his two friends put on their helmets and get into their rocket for the nearly three hundred thousand miles to the Moon. They spend their time inside the rocket learning how to sleep ion zero gravity and what to do when one feels sick from spinning in circles.

At the end of the book are a series of exercises for children to undertake with their parents based on what they have just read. These include learning about the facts Really Bird presents, learning about the astronauts who have been to the Moon, and what pretend game children can play with their friends. This book is really designed for parents to read to their children, even though the language is kept fairly short and the words are not too big. It is a fun interactive way to learn about science.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "09-Dec-2022", "date_added": "19-Aug-2022 20:14:16", "publisher": "Red Comet Press", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011423007", "title": "Self-Portrait with Ghost: Short Stories", "author": "Meng Jin", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 202, "review": "The complex textures of women\u2019s lives are central to Meng Jin\u2019s stirring collection of short stories Self-Portrait with Ghost. The specter of death and transformation undergird each of the ten stories, exquisitely narrated in emotive prose. Each story is contained in its own world: a train station (\u201cFirst Love\u201d), an unnamed island (\u201cPhillip is Dead\u201d), and a coastal city (\u201cIn the Event\u201d). Place-making is only a fraction of Jin\u2019s strength in depicting their very ordinary and absurd lives. Each personal story occurs amid burdensome societal shifts: a cultural revolution, a pandemic, or widescale industrialization. Everyone has a secret, often shameful.

Memory is key in excavating the depths of love, pain, and unrecompensed desires. Jin excels in character building, which is often difficult in the short story form. Jin excels in portraying women at the precipice of change, each with vivid and profound emotional lives. They are tormented by the past and beleaguered by uninhabited fears (see \u201cSuffering\u201d and \u201cSelena and Ruthie.\u201d) The shadow of America \u2013 at once distant and close \u2013 comes through a small tub of face cream (\u201cSuffering\u201d) or musings on feminism (\u201cThree Women\u201d). Ghosts \u2013 real and imagined \u2013 pay a visit for absolution or simply to be heard.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "14-Oct-2022", "date_added": "19-Aug-2022 20:11:59", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011422003", "title": "Need to Know: World War II and the Rise of American Intelligence", "author": "Nicholas Reynolds", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 206, "review": "In June 1940, the world watched in shock as the Nazis overran France. The British were subject to the relentless onslaught of the German blitzkrieg bombing and other setbacks but refused to capitulate. However, the need for intelligence on the Axis powers grew as a necessity. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill needed intelligence services such as MI6 to acclimate to the war effort and glean actionable information against the enemy. The United States had a gung-ho visionary who stressed the importance of intelligence and derring-do, his name was William \u201cWild Bill\u201d Donovan. Donovan would head the Office of the Coordinator of Information and later the OSS. The OSS was vital, but the work of Signals Intelligence in code-breaking helped unravel the puzzles of the Japanese cables, while the British allies broke the German correspondence.

Need to Know by Nicholas Reynolds (\u201cWriter, Sailor, Soldier, Spy\u201d) is a revelatory account of the covert efforts of the Allied forces to turn the tide of World War II. Some of the personalities (Donovan, J. Edgar Hoover) are known, while others (William Friedman) are not so much. There is no mistaking their impact on the allied effort, their struggles & triumphs highlighted by Reynolds\u2019 excellent research and fine writing. A thrilling account.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "22-Oct-2022", "date_added": "19-Aug-2022 19:59:22", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011419015", "title": "The Night and Its Moon (The Night and Its Moon, 1)", "author": "Piper CJ", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 198, "review": "I was excited to read The Night and Its Moon after seeing that it was labeled as a bisexual fantasy series since there isn\u2019t a lot of good representation of that kind in the fantasy genre especially, so I set the bar pretty high in anticipation. If that\u2019s also why you\u2019re picking this book up, be forewarned that the over five hundred pages you\u2019re getting into are more of a set-up for both the romance and the upcoming books the author has planned for the series than a singular, easily digestible novel with dynamite bi representation.

The story itself revolves around two women, Nox and Amaris, who grew up in an orphanage together and who are later tragically separated. They lead very different lives, Nox in a brothel after being purchased from the orphanage and Amaris at an assassin\u2019s keep tucked away in a forbidding mountain range. They never forget each other, and eventually a threat to the kingdom twists their lives together again once more.

The novel is a solid set-up to a high fantasy epic but tends toward descriptive repetitiveness, especially for the action scenes. I\u2019m interested to see where the story leads in subsequent novels.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "30-Sep-2022", "date_added": "19-Aug-2022 21:50:15", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011418007", "title": "The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid", "author": "Dylan Thuras,Rosemary Mosco,Joy Ang", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 189, "review": "The Atlas Obscura has become quite a popular book with its seemingly endless list of unusual and fascinating places around the world. It was so popular that they brought out a second volume. Now they have an edition that is just for kids, and kids will be excited to read through and find out about strange and wondrous things in countries all over the world. It contains 300 interesting and unique places and things that one could visit or learn about. One can take an elevator down the inside of a dormant volcano or find out about monks who mummified themselves. People can swim in a freshwater lake that is filled with golden jellyfish or visit a house entirely built from and furnished with things make from garbage. Young readers will want to spend time reading this book over and over, learning about the many wonders found around the world and how they came about. In addition, readers are likely to be turned on to studying more about history and science by what they find in this book. This is a real winner and is not to be missed.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "30-Sep-2022", "date_added": "19-Aug-2022 20:16:05", "publisher": "Workman Publishing Co", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011418003", "title": "Dadaji's Paintbrush", "author": "Rashmi Sirdeshpande, Ruchi Mhasane", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 200, "review": "In a quaint village in India, a boy and his grandfather live together. They spend their days doing what they love most: painting. A diaspora of coconut shells, reeds, and jasmine flowers adorn their floor as they work. The neighborhood kids stand by watching eagerly through the windows, sometimes even joining in on the fun. Then, one day, everything changes for the boy; his whole universe collapses. He can no longer bare to look at the memories he created with his grandfather and locks them all away out of sight. It takes a little girl to break through his walls of pain and open his heart again.

This is a masterpiece\u2014a beautiful story of a sacred bond between a grandparent and a grandchild. It encapsulates so many things: adoration, passion, community, loss, and restoration. Children who do, as well as those who don\u2019t, have special relationships with their own grandparents will be touched by Dadaji\u2019s Paintbrush. Those experiencing grief will benefit from its positive and inspiring message as well.

The illustrations throughout are vibrant and authentic. They\u2019re full of detail and enhance the cultural richness of the narrative. Additionally, the \u201cAuthor\u2019s Note\u201d is a must read; it\u2019s poignant and enlightening.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2022", "date_added": "19-Aug-2022 19:25:59", "publisher": "Levine Querido c/o Chronicle Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011417007", "title": "A Parliament of Owls", "author": "Devin Scillian,Sam Caldwell", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 193, "review": "One of the things children's books should do is teach children about grammar and language, so it is easy to understand prose and colorful pictures. That is the point of this work, where our unnamed protagonist has called together different groups of land and sea animals for a group photo. What happens is that each set of animals comes to the photoshoot on its own, but the child reading the book learns the proper way to spell and pronounce the plural of animal groupings, such as geese, owls, and other animals. The art is colorful and is designed to attract and retain the attention of the young child reading the book. The book is designed to be read by an adult to a child or by a child learning how to read out loud; this is a perfect crossover book for that as outside of a few of the plural words the rest of the words tend to gravitate toward simpler words perfect for young readers just starting out. At the end is a collage of individual shots of the different animals together and a way for young readers to learn their grammar.", "issue": "September 2022", "date_posted": "13-Sep-2022", "date_added": "19-Aug-2022 19:32:19", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011638011", "title": "Adventuregame Comics", "author": "Jason Shiga", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Susan Faith - age 15", "word_count": 220, "review": "Adventuregame Comics by Jason Shiga is such a creative and confusing book. It is billed as \u201cpart comic, part maze, and part game,\u201d but if you are looking for multiple-ending stories with easy-to-follow plotlines, then you\u2019ve come to the wrong place. For instance, there is an end, where we discover it\u2019s all lies. It makes no sense whatsoever, as sometimes you have to write numbers on pages and the page doesn\u2019t tell you what to do next!

But it does have a story, about someone trying to defeat the Leviathan, a huge creature that defeats everyone who lies. On the way, you encounter stories about the Starlight Wand and Kanoxx the Sorcerer. But you don\u2019t know where you\u2019re going in the book itself, because you don\u2019t know WHERE to go to defeat the Leviathan.

When I first read this book, I realized it was just someone talking to people and I was \u201clost.\u201d If you are \u201clost\u201d in a book that makes sense, that\u2019s fine in my opinion. But I have never read a book where someone just talks to people and fights something. They\u2019ve got to search for stuff and do stuff!

The art in this book is very effective and that was my favorite part. I like the idea behind this story but am confused about the concept.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2022", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 19:35:33", "publisher": "Amulet Books", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011638007", "title": "Better Than We Found It: Conversations to Help Save the World", "author": "Frederick Joseph, Porsche Joseph", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 200, "review": "Trigger warning: this book is most likely, as the kids say, \u201cwoke.\u201d If you don\u2019t like change, this is not the book for you.

How did we get to where we are today? Why does it seem like everything is coming to a crisis? And, more importantly, what can we do about it? In this book, Better Than We Found It: Conversations to Help Save the World, authors Frederick Joseph and Porsche Joseph seek to answer those questions and also provide the reader with actionable steps to elicit change.

Written as an essential primer for young people to better understand the state of the world, how it got that way, and what can be done about it, this book addresses some of the biggest issues of our day with fearlessness and honesty. These two authors provide valuable context, explain nuance, and interview more than two dozen individuals with valuable perspectives on various current events. With topics that range across the spectrum, from disinformation, the environment, wealth and class disparity, to gun violence, immigration, education reform, the narrative enlightens and offers hope for readers who want to, as the title suggests, leave the world a better place than we found it.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 19:32:10", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "528 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011631011", "title": "Marya Khan and the Incredible Henna Party (Marya Khan #1)", "author": "Saadia Faruqi, Ani Bushry", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 9", "word_count": 168, "review": "Meet Marya Khan. Marya is turning eight and she really, really wants a big henna party for her birthday. Her rich neighbor, Alexa, always throws big parties with big events and lots of fancy food. Marya feels jealous, so she lies to Alexa and claims that she is going to have an even bigger, more awesome party. However, Marya\u2019s parents never let her do big parties so she needs to somehow convince them. And she needs to do it quickly.

I liked the story and the art. I liked the vibrant colors and intricate patterns on the cover of the book. My favorite character is Marya because she is cute, funny, and I like her big, poofy pants and pigtails. My favorite part is the part where Marya tries to cook but it turns into a disaster. I think it\u2019s funny that Marya keeps asking her parents about having a party over and over again. I recommend this book to people who like books about celebrations and parties.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "18-Jan-2023", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 19:29:54", "publisher": "Amulet Books", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011631007", "title": "Asian American Histories of the United States", "author": "Catherine Ceniza Choy", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 234, "review": "Asians have been part of the American landscape even before the American Revolution. However, their contribution to American life has been underrepresented, and at times they have been discriminated against as the others. This book explores some of the challenges facing Asian Americans. The chapters are thematically arranged and typically go in reverse chronological order. For instance, the first chapter starts in the early days of COVID-19, and the anti-Asian hate Americans endured. It then delves back in time to themes where Asians were portrayed as disease-carrying agents. Such as the alleged diseases that Chinese immigrants were carrying when migrating to California in the late 1800s. Unlike other historical books, this uses personal stories to carry broader narratives.

Asian Americans are a diverse group who migrated to America at different times, under different circumstances, and for different reasons. Covering such a broad spectrum necessarily requires omissions. Focusing on the commonality, the disparate narratives weave together underlying themes of violence, erasure, and resistance. While the chapters cover dark periods in Asian American history, these narratives are followed by empowering stories where Asian Americans fought back to bring about lasting change. The narrative also covers mixed-race families and the adoption of Asian children \u2013 themes usually not covered as part of a broader Asian American narrative. The book is written for the general reader and would serve as an excellent primer for those interested in Asian Americans.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "14-Nov-2022", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 19:03:01", "publisher": "Beacon Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011630011", "title": "Undercover Latina", "author": "Aya de Leon", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "Andr\u00e9a Hern\u00e1ndez-Baldoqu\u00edn is fourteen and has just received her first assignment from the Factory, an undercover organization working to protect the BIPOC community. Andr\u00e9a\u2019s parents have been with the Factory for years, but the kids have been recently taken on as agents. Andr\u00e9a\u2019s assignment is to go undercover in school to befriend the son of a white supremacist, Kyle. Even though it seems Kyle hasn\u2019t had contact with his father for years, the Factory hopes he can lead them to his father. There is plenty of middle school drama, but Andr\u00e9a finds ways to befriend Kyle. What she doesn\u2019t plan on is falling for Kyle\u2019s roommate. Things get complicated, but Andr\u00e9a manages her first mission very well with some help from her mother and another teen agent.

Aya de Le\u00f3n has written a real page-turner for upper middle grade. The characters are well-rounded, the small-town setting realistic, the dialogue snappy, and the story complex and believable, even though there are kids working as spies. While the story is fun and exciting, de Le\u00f3n includes a lot of important issues the BIPOC community faces every day. This is well-written, exciting, and deserves a wide readership.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 17:36:16", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011630003", "title": "Mushroom Lullaby", "author": "Kenneth Kraegel", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 201, "review": "\u201cThis is a mushroom.\u201d opens the book \u2014 the phrase on the left-hand page and a pretty yellow mushroom with a couple of ladybugs filling the right-hand page. Pages that follow have mushrooms in different places or with different qualities \u2014 in the park, glows in the dark, on a tree, hard to see, etc. until readers get to, \u201cAnd here is a mushroom made just for you.\u201d This spread shows a whimsical mushroom house. Little creatures such as a snail and butterflies come to play and stay all day. As the sun sets, the friends leave, and you (the listener) read a book in a mushroom chair before climbing into your mushroom bed and turning out the light.

Author Kenneth Kraegel has written an enchanting story that will have little ones quieting down and drifting into sleepiness. The story is told in very spare lyrical rhyme, and the rhythm of that will help youngsters on their journey to bedtime. It is the illustrations, though, that will really draw in and keep the interest of young listeners. They are gorgeous. The colors are soft and each page is filled with lots of lovely details to keep youngsters engaged. Don\u2019t miss this one.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "25-Oct-2022", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 17:32:05", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011629003", "title": "Shoshi's Shabbat", "author": "Caryn Yacowitz,Kevin Hawkes", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 316, "review": "Beautifully Illustrated Children's Books \n\nShoshi's Shabbat\nCaryn Yacowitz, Kevin Hawkes\nCandlewick Press\nISBN: 9781536216547\n\nVivid illustrations grace the pages of this wonderful book about a young ox named Shoshi. Drawn from the Jewish stories known as Midrash, this book will teach young readers to enjoy and acknowledge the beauty around them. A story to stop and smell the roses for.\n\nCarmen\nMargarita del Mazo,Concha Pasamar,Jon Brokenbrow\nCuento de Luz\nISBN: 9788418302763\n\nThis book tells the story of Carmen through a young boy\u2019s eyes as he falls in love with her. Illustrations are inspired by the choreography of this famous opera, and adults and older children are more likely to appreciate the beauty and understand the underlying themes. \n\nHow to Eat a Book\nMrs. & Mr. MacLeod\nUnion Square Kids\nISBN: 9781454945444\n\nReminiscent of Shel Silverstein books, this is a book about books! The Grunion kids are eaten by the books they are reading, and magical adventures come about. The illustrations are drawn in a three-dimensional diorama style that brings the characters to life. This is a fun book that will make kids giggle and wonder, \u201cwhat if\u2026\u201d\n\nMy Neighborhood\nMaria Jose Ferrada,Ana Penyas,Kit Maude\nTapioca Stories\nISBN: 9781734783957\n\nTold through the eyes of an elderly lady named Ms. Marta, this is a book about community and the wonderful things that happen in our neighborhoods. Children will love the watercolor-style and collage-style illustrations, taking them to different places such as school, the beach, and a hair salon. This book has a warm, cozy feel for children of all ages.\n\nCitizen She!\nCaroline Stevan,Elina Braslina,Michelle Bailat-Jones\nHelvetiq\nISBN: 9783907293720\n\nAn educational book about the fight for women\u2019s rights, from the first pioneers to today. This book highlights some of the fierce women who have fought over the years to have the freedoms that we have today. Beautiful color illustrations will catch the attention of children of all ages.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 17:26:30", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011628007", "title": "Namaste Is a Greeting", "author": "Suma Subramaniam, Sandhya Prabhat", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - age 11", "word_count": 120, "review": "Namaste Is a Greeting isn\u2019t really about anything except the word \u201cNamaste.\u201d There\u2019s no real storyline, just many fragmented ideas and a little girl pulling it all together. The pictures are a little too harsh with the angles and colors, especially since the topic is soft and sweet.

People who have a connection to Indian culture and those who are curious about other cultures will probably enjoy this. It\u2019s very simple and best suited for the youngest audience. Even if you don\u2019t find the book to be amazing, it is interesting how many different meanings and uses a single word can have. There\u2019s not really a word-for-word translation to English, so it kind of takes the whole book to explain.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "18-Jan-2023", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 17:30:22", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000011626003", "title": "Billy and Rose", "author": "Amy Hest,Kady MacDonald Denton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 187, "review": "It is great to have a best friend, as Billy and Rose know because they have each other. But being a good friend isn\u2019t always easy. Sometimes friends disagree, and Billy and Rose are different from each other. In the first story in this cute book, Rose is busy putting off doing the laundry, a chore she hates. Meanwhile, Billy is delaying practicing his cello for the same reason. But if Billy plays the cello while Rose does laundry, it makes everything more fun. The other three stories have the friends facing other kinds of problems and working to find ways that will make them both happy.

Author Amy Hest has written four sweet stories that center on friendship and cooperation. The stories are fun and a little silly and never the least bit didactic, even though there are lessons to be learned. With such fun characters as Billy (a goat) and Rose (a pig), the youngest of readers will find these stories delightful. The enchanting illustrations by Kady MacDonald Denton are filled with delightful details that will help to keep emerging readers engaged with the book.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 17:22:30", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011625011", "title": "Well Done, Mommy Penguin", "author": "Chris Haughton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 192, "review": "I have read other books by Chris Haughton from my library, so because I was familiar with the author, I was excited to read Well Done, Mommy Penguin. The story begins with Baby and Daddy Penguin staying behind while Mommy Penguin leaves with a group of penguins to go out and find food. Mommy must go past three obstacles with the other penguins to get food to bring home to her family. With each obstacle, Baby and Daddy can see Mommy and cheer her on from further away. During the last one, Mommy falls down a hill and back into the water - will she give up?! No! Mommy gets back up and past the obstacle and goes back to her family with some dinner.

This story talks a lot about Mommy Penguin, how she helps the family so much, and how she doesn't give up when something wrong happens. I like that Baby cheers for Mommy because this is nice and a lot like in my family. The pictures in the book are like the ones in the author's other books, and the pictures and story make you feel good.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2022", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 17:31:12", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011625007", "title": "You Can!", "author": "Alexandra Strick, Steve Antony", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 174, "review": "This book joins a long list of positive, affirming children\u2019s books that have come out over the past decade in which children are being taught that they can be whatever they want and nothing can hold them back.

This book is really about deploying a positive message to all children and is not really designed as something to help them learn to read. Instead, it will help them understand that there will be people who might look, sound, and act differently than they do, which does not mean that the other person can\u2019t do something. The book will also help teach children to be good stewards in their community and that it is important to take care of the community they are living in through volunteer activities to make it a great place to live.

Even though the words are fairly easy for children reading on their own, this book is more geared toward parents wishing to teach their children about accepting other children and that nothing can hold them back in this world.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2022", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 17:28:46", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011625003", "title": "The Lost Library", "author": "Jess McGeachin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - age 11", "word_count": 133, "review": "The Lost Library is a sweet book about little kids who like reading so much. The plot is very simple and predictable and lacks any measurable detail, so you probably wouldn\u2019t read it more than once. The main idea of the book is clever and could rather easily be turned into a chapter book teeming with details and more suspense.

The pictures are mediocre. They look like they were done on a computer so they\u2019re missing a certain painterly quality. E-books and computer drawings aren\u2019t such a big deal, but if it is going to be actually printed out and enjoyed, the pictures should just be done better than so many books today.

Young readers will enjoy the librarian\u2019s challenge at the start of the book about finding a dragon on each page.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "18-Jan-2023", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 16:59:55", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011624007", "title": "Against All Gods (Volume 1)", "author": "Miles Cameron", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - age 13", "word_count": 185, "review": "Against All Gods is an absorbing, action-packed novel of simple mortals overthrowing corrupt and useless gods. However, this is the basic premise of many novels, and this particular one is horrible, useless, and tastelessly written. Some of the cultures are sort of interesting; it seems like it might be set in the area around Greece and the west coast of the Middle East. This would be interesting if one fatal flaw in Against All Gods had not been present. Against All Gods is tastelessly packed with profanity, especially sex-related profanity, and barbaric violence. So much so that I wish I had not read it. If you want to read an epic quest against all-powerful, immortal beings book, I recommend instead the The Spear Cuts Through Water. Libraries, schools, and individuals should absolutely NOT buy this book! If you think that you will read this book anyway, I must say that Against All Gods is only an appropriate read for adults and mature teens. Although it is absorbing, its mediocre writing and obscene language make Against All Gods not worth the time it takes to read.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "22-Nov-2022", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 17:40:58", "publisher": "Mobius", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000011623011", "title": "The Winter Bird", "author": "Kate Banks,Suzie Mason", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "When winter comes, some animals leave, some animals hibernate, and some animals simply live through the winter. As this winter comes, the geese and many other birds begin their long migration to warmer climates. The nightingale has a broken wing and doesn\u2019t know what to do. The owl tells the nightingale he will stay with the winter animals and learn what he needs to learn to get through the winter. As the first snow begins to fall, the rabbit invites the nightingale into his burrow and makes a bed for him of leaves and twigs. The grey squirrel shares his food. When a blizzard is coming, all the animals help him. The nightingale learns the ways of winter, and when spring finally comes, he sings a song of spring.

Author Katie Banks has written a sweet story of friendship and caring that will show youngsters how important it is to help others in their times of need and does it without being the least bit preachy. The beautiful illustrations by Suzie Mason will carry readers through autumn to winter and into spring with soft drawings using a subtle pallet. This is simply a lovely book. Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2022", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 17:28:03", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011620007", "title": "Counting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math Poems", "author": "Betsy Franco,Priscilla Tey", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "\u201cWhy do we have to study math,\u201d kids often ask. \u201cI\u2019ll never use this stuff.\u201d But, of course, adults know too well that math is really important, and we use it all the time. How to get that message across to kids is a problem that poet Betsy Franco can help with. This cute book has twenty nine poems that are all math related and show just how much math shows up in everyday life. The poems touch on fractions, geometric shapes, time, dates, calendars, ingredients in recipes, multiplication, palindromes, gym class, games, phone numbers, and more. There is even a poem for two voices. Early middle-grade readers are sure to rethink their own relationships with math as they read these fun poems. The bright and fun illustrations by Priscilla Tey are filled with lots of details to support the text. She turns numbers into funny monsters and puts people into silly situations all in the name of turning young readers toward appreciating math. Every single page has clever poems and equally clever artwork. Young readers will never be bored and will discover just how much fun math can be as they read this book.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "25-Oct-2022", "date_added": "29-Sep-2022 17:29:34", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011619011", "title": "The New Bad Thing", "author": "Michael Ebner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 415, "review": "In The New Bad Thing, Teagan and her husband, Todd, long to start a family but are having difficulty conceiving. Her first marriage ended with her husband getting a coworker pregnant, so Teagan believes that it is her body that is failing her. The decision to go through IVF treatments is a big one for the couple, and Teagan decides to try and take her mind off of it by creating a humanitarian project called Rebound. Global terrorist attacks by the K.I.L. organization have been taking innocent lives. The group is also known for kidnapping women and girls from their own Middle Eastern homeland. Teagan decides that Project Rebound will be her own effort to stop future kidnappings and safely get the women and girls back to their villages. As a magazine reporter, Teagan has interviewed many famous celebrities. She finds herself agreeing to ghostwrite a book for a wealthy man named Roman, and somehow this intersects with Project Rebound. Albeit he is a very shady character, Teagan ends up enlisting Roman's help with the logistics of the project. Teagan starts finding she is in over her head. Not knowing whom to trust and fearing for the life of her loved ones, Teagan has no choice but to fight fire with fire.

This book was engaging and exciting from the beginning. I really liked how the author took his main character from the office of the magazine she worked at and fast-forwarded the story to Teagan using a Glock to kill two men in a hotel. The plot jump made me want to read more and find out how Teagan got into this sticky mess. When Teagan realizes that she and Project Rebound have been scammed and the crowdfunding money was taken, she doesn't give up. I found it interesting that there were a lot of double agents in this book. People who should have been labeled good guys find themselves in moral predicaments throughout the book. From the United States to Paris to Italy, I really enjoyed the story taking Teagan around the world. The descriptions of the settings, such as the Chateau Bleu hotel with its foyer's art collection, palm trees, and glass ceilings, created a very realistic feel for the reader. I felt like I was right there with Teagan.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and characters. I would recommend this book to fans of global espionage novels and thrillers. The New Bad Thing will be the next best thing its readers pick up.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2023", "date_added": "28-Sep-2022 21:21:29", "publisher": "Pen and Picture", "page_count": "270 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011619007", "title": "The New Bad Thing", "author": "Michael Ebner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 423, "review": "Teagan, a reporter from Seattle, is desperate to have a child, but she and her husband Todd have been unable to conceive. The emotional turmoil has left her distraught and depressed. She soon decides a project to take her mind off her troubles is what she needs. The recent kidnapping of numerous girls on the other side of the world by a notorious terrorist group known as K.I.L. has left her wanting to help in some way.

So, she has decides to create a project known as Rebound that will attempt to raise money to rescue the girls. She enlists the help of Roman, a shadowy figure who claims he can help her get all the tactical help to mount a rescue operation. But who is this shadowy figure? And has Teagan walked into something much bigger than a humanitarian rescue project? Only time will tell.

The New Bad Thing is a riveting story that I enjoyed. However, I thought that the second part was much stronger than the first part of the story. The first section that dealt with Teagan's life should have been more descriptive. Even as far into the story as the hotel attack, I felt there could have been more character descriptions. For example, the two terrorists Teagan encountered in the hotel could have been more developed by telling the reader their hair color, skin color, or any other distinguishing features such as beards or unique clothing. This would have made them seem more vivid and authentic to the reader.

Overall, I liked the idea behind the story. Teagan is undoubtedly not alone in wondering why the world can't do something for kidnapped girls. But I kept wondering why the author didn't address the moral issue Teagan must have felt about cheating on the crowdfunding site. She's a person who wants to do something for others, yet she's willing to almost scam people to get what she wants. The fact that the character didn't deal with this bothered me for a while.

However, the more I read, the more I liked the story. It seemed to become richer with details and action the further I read. I also loved the fact that it had a lot of twists and turns. I thought the book's second half was much better at making the reader feel they were on the edge of their seat waiting to see what would happen next. The New Bad Thing is a story readers will enjoy if they are looking for intrigue, mystery, and international scenery.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2023", "date_added": "28-Sep-2022 21:21:21", "publisher": "Pen and Picture", "page_count": "270 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011619003", "title": "The New Bad Thing", "author": "Michael Ebner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 527, "review": "A globe-trotting, action-packed thriller that exposes the corruption at the heart of venerable media, charity and business institutions and shows the lengths to which individuals will go to do what they think is right and guard their own interests, Michael Ebner\u2019s The New Bad Thing tackles weighty issues with aplomb while blending real-life situations with almost non-stop danger and intrigue.

The book opens in explosive fashion as American reporter Teagan Penn takes shelter in the Chateau Bleu Hotel in Paris as terrorists storm the building, killing everyone they come across. She manages to phone a contact in the US, a man named Roman, who she asks for help; however, it almost immediately becomes clear that Roman already knows about the terrorist incident and that he may actually have had a hand in it. Heavy hints are dropped that Teagan has been mixing with some danger characters and that she has done something serious to antagonize them.

Teagan\u2019s story then jumps back in time and sees her at work in the shabby offices of Verdict magazine in downtown Seattle. It\u2019s certainly not as dangerous as a terrorist attack, but Teagan is still in the thick of things, effectively blackmailing her boss into returning a prized story assignment to her friend. This early section provides a great introduction to Teagan\u2019s character, resolve, and willingness to go to quite extreme lengths to get what she wants. It also reveals that her tough exterior hides a great deal of pain, though, as Teagan and her husband, Todd, later discuss their difficulty conceiving.

After being bombarded with news stories about the atrocities committed worldwide by the terrorist group known as K.I.L. and seeking a way to distract herself from her own problems, Teagan decides to launch Project Rebound, which will work to free the women and girls kidnapped by K.I.L. and return them to their homes. In another example of her rather ruthless pursuit of her goals, Teagan creates a crowdfunding site to finance the project that showcases fake past projects and phony testimonials. She\u2019s going to need more than financial help, however, if the project is going to achieve a mass rescue, and that\u2019s where Roman comes in.

The world of The New Bad Thing is a distinctly dark one, making it exceeding difficult to tell the heroes from the villains. Teagan has a laudable goal in mind for Project Rebound, but she\u2019s willing to venture to murky places and deal with dodgy characters in pursuit of that goal. She also doesn\u2019t baulk at exploiting female victims of serious crimes in an effort to secure funds to rescue female victims of serious crimes elsewhere. She\u2019s definitely not the worst of the bunch, but it\u2019s hard to see Teagan as a true hero, even as her bravery becomes undeniable as the story progresses.

In The New Bad Thing, Ebner has crafted a fast-paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns that make it difficult to recognize fact from fiction as the various characters engage in plots and counterplots in an effort to get what they want. It all makes for an exciting and gripping read that offers more than a few shocks.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2023", "date_added": "28-Sep-2022 21:20:32", "publisher": "Pen and Picture", "page_count": "270 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011608007", "title": "Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun", "author": "Elle Cosimano", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 173, "review": "Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is the third installment of the Finlay Donovan series following the lead character, Finlay, and her sidekick, Vero. Although he is in prison, mob box Felix still uses his outside connections to pressure Finlay into finding the contract killer who goes by Easy Clean. She learns that Easy Clean may be tied to the police force, and her snooping leads her back into the arms of her former fling, and hot cop, Nick.

Book number three continues the adventure of the first two books, but Finlay and Vero are more experienced in their undercover work. As a result, they utilize more advanced methods to find Easy Clean and trust their instincts to piece together clues from their interactions with the police force. This leads to some heart-thumping moments that also made me laugh. I wanted Nick and Finlay to get together, and the constant prodding from Vero on the subject was very entertaining. This book is great for anyone who enjoys suspense paired with funny and smart leading women!", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2023", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 22:01:19", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011607019", "title": "Alternative Alamat: An Anthology: Myths and Legends from the Philippines", "author": "Paolo Chikiamco,Mervin Malonzo", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 194, "review": "The Philippines is an archipelago nation of more than 7000 islands and almost 200 ethnolinguistic communities. The diversity of indigenous cultures has led to a vast pantheon of gods, goddesses, and other deities, heroes, monsters, and creatures. The number of myths and legends from the Philippines is unfathomable. Throughout the centuries, the stories have transformed and developed. Many stories still continue to change with the times.\n

Alternative Alamat: An Anthology is curated and edited by Paolo Chikiamco. In its third edition, it\u2019s the first publication in English. Alamat is the Filipino word for legend, making this book a collection of new stories of Filipino mythology. As a non-Filipino reviewer, I was drawn to this book because of my interest in the tales. These unique renditions, sometimes keeping up with the modern age, do not disappoint. The legends come from thirteen different Filipino authors. Some are known to western audiences, like Budjette Tan, the creator of the Trese series. In addition to the tales, this book offers expert interviews, a glossary of notable deities, and even a comic strip. This is an incredible book for those familiar with folklore or those wanting to learn more.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2022", "date_added": "27-Sep-2022 22:22:13", "publisher": "Tuttle Publishing", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011607015", "title": "The Mythology Class: Where Philippine Legends Become Reality (A Graphic Novel)", "author": "Arnold Arre", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 221, "review": "The Philippines has always had vibrant storytelling and art traditions. As a medium for folklore to take hold within a new generation, the graphic novel offers an approachable way to tap beliefs and ways of knowing that are grounded in culture and tradition. Tuttle Publishing\u2019s release of Arnold Arre\u2019s The Mythology Class brings the classic Philippine graphic novel to a global audience. The story follows the adventures of college student Nicole Lacson and her friends in a quest to hold off an ancient evil. As they learn more about the looming threat, they encounter mythological beings of tribal lore. Each confrontation brings Nicole closer to the sinister menace, testing her spirit and will, causing her to engage head-on with her past. \n

The Mythology Class is the graphic novel I wish I had while growing up in Manila. Arre succeeds in bringing to life indigenous Philippine folklore in contemporary settings. Reading the international release, I was filled with pride that my people\u2019s mythology was finally being seen and understood by a broader audience. For readers unfamiliar with Philippine folk stories, this book provides an excellent introduction to Philippine belief systems and interpersonal values. Not only do readers get to understand Filipino mythology through Arre\u2019s narrative, they also experience Filipino ways of being: loyalty, respect for elders, concern for others, helpfulness, and cooperation.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2022", "date_added": "27-Sep-2022 22:21:21", "publisher": "Tuttle Publishing", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011607007", "title": "The People's Tongue: Americans and the English Language", "author": "Ilan Stavans", "category": "N25 Books About Books", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 221, "review": "Language has its own personality, one that adapts and evolves to meet the pressures of its time but has the binding power to attract and cohere its speakers. Ilan Stavans, professor of Latin American and Latino Culture at Amherst College, has assembled a gallery of American English written samples to illustrate the power within the national language that binds us together as a nation.

Not only is language a cohesive power, the evolution of the verbal expressions displays the nation\u2019s cultural transitions, its political discourses, and its internal discords, while the adoption of a national language acts to unify a nation built by influxes of immigrants from a global arena of diverse dialects. One can only rave about the selection of samples in this anthology, ranging from the beginning of Webster\u2019s dictionary, to icons of early literature such as Bret Harte, Mark Twain, and Emily Dickinson, and continuing with samples from H.L Mencken, Dr. Seuss, and Adrienne Rich.

Read snippets of essays, speeches, poems, stories, songs, and even Twitter chatter that exposes the character of our times. The immigrants\u2019 impressions, the Black suffering, the Hispanic conflict, the indigenous person\u2019s grief, are exposed in pieces by Mary Anti, James Baldwin, Simon Pokagon, I. B. Singer, and so many more. This engrossing anthology is an absorbing and awesome read reflecting this country\u2019s character.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2023", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 21:34:09", "publisher": "Restless Books", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011605003", "title": "The Mexican Witch Lifestyle: Brujeria Spells, Tarot, and Crystal Magic", "author": "Valeria Ruelas", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 210, "review": "In The Mexican Witch Lifestyle, Valeria Ruelas shares spellwork, herbalism, crystal work, tarot, astrology, and other esoteric practices to embody the Mexican \u201cbrujeria\u201d way of living, rooted in nature, intuition, and invocation of ancestral knowledge. Ruelas identifies as a gay Chicana/indigenous \u201cbruja/brujx,\u201d denoting the gender-expansive intention of the term. The book defines essential verbiage used in brujeria in an easily understandable way for those who are new to the practices. Lists and definitions demystify the various applications of the craft, utilizing Ruelas\u2019 acquired knowledge from years of study and practice, which prioritize preserving one\u2019s safety and security.

As a student of mythology, I was fascinated by Ruelas\u2019 discussion of Santa Muerte as a precolonial LGBTQIA+ icon, with both feminine and masculine energy that manifests in her/their presence and symbolism in Mexican brujeria. It was enlightening to understand how the persistence of beliefs in Santa Muerte underscores the indigenous perspective about the duality of death and pre-Columbian views of the afterlife.

My interest in the book comes from my fledgling curiosity about indigenous and ancestral wisdom. On my lifelong journey of decolonization, I have come to understand the benefits of learning about forgotten practices and buried knowledge. Approaching the book from outside the Mexican indigenous tradition, I appreciated Ruelas\u2019 caution against cultural appropriation.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 19:48:15", "publisher": "S&S/Simon Element", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011604003", "title": "The Rail Splitter: A Novel ", "author": "John Cribb", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 190, "review": "Cribb has already written a novel covering the years of Lincoln\u2019s presidency: Old Abe. In The Rail Splitter, he turns to Lincoln\u2019s youth, offering us a portrait of one of the most respected presidents as a young man beginning his political career. There\u2019s a great deal to enjoy about this book, and I learned a lot about a man I mostly know from 1861 onward. Cribb brings young Abe to life with all his humanizing quirks and doubts.

The book is deeply, even intimately, researched, and it\u2019s clear it has much ground to cover. At some points, there may be too much ground; in his attempt to fit in everything, Cribb is sometimes forced to summarize things that I felt deserved at least a full scene and, at times, devotes a paragraph or more to things that might have been best skipped over for the sake of narrative flow.

That aside, The Rail Splitter has an excellent pace overall and is a delightful look at the years that shaped the sixteenth president of the United States. I\u2019m eager to pick up Old Abe next to see how Cribb handled the presidency itself.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2023", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 19:45:45", "publisher": "Republic Book Publishers", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011603015", "title": "Overkill", "author": "Sandra Brown", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 184, "review": "Overkill was the first book I read by author Sandra Brown, and it was such a rollercoaster ride. Although Zach and his ex-wife Rebecca had a tumultuous relationship, Zach doesn't wish her any harm and is saddened at the fact that he is the one to make the decision as to whether or not she should be kept on life support after she is found unresponsive at a party. Four years go by, and the man who was put in prison for doing this to Rebecca, an evil egotistical man, Eban Clarke, is released. Because he did not kill her, he did not get a murder sentence. Prosecutor Kathryn Lennon is ready to convince Zach that pulling Rebecca off of life support could put Eban back behind bars with a murder sentence. Readers will find themselves in a moral dilemma when reading this book. There are some shady characters, and even Zach is a little too big for his britches. The story moves quickly and will make its readers guess what Kate and Zach's next move will be. A fantastic and action-packed suspense thriller.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2022", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 21:37:31", "publisher": "Grand Central Publishing", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011602003", "title": "Silence Says the Most: An Olivia Penn Mystery", "author": "Kathleen Bailey", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 389, "review": "Having read the first book in the Olivia Penn Mystery Series, Where the Light Shines Through, I was delighted to receive a copy of the second installment in the series, Silence Says the Most. The reader follows along as the main character, journalist Olivia Penn, finds herself in the middle of another murder in her hometown of Apple Station. I loved being reunited with Olivia's best friends, A.J., Tori, Sophia, and of course, her dad Bill and his loveable beagle Buddy. There are some new characters in this book who give the book some new flavor. Kevin is a Park Ranger. His brother Chris and Chris' fiancee, Jenn, are also new on the scene. Their family owns Fields Farm, an organic farm. There is also a scruffy, shady guy named Jason and a woman named Melissa who has an autistic son. When Olivia goes to Crystal Lake one afternoon, she finds a worker from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality dead in the water. This definitely seems like foul play, and although Olivia wants nothing to do with it initially, she gets sucked in by local editor Ellen to try and get the scoop on what happened.

Silence Says the Most is well written, just like its predecessor, and I felt like I was at home again in the small town of Apple Station. Olivia is a fantastic main character who is smart, witty, and curious. She finds herself in hot water with law enforcement a few times, yet again in this book, for asking one too many questions.

This book reads well as a standalone, and one would eventually catch on to the fact that Olivia's friend, Paige, was killed not long ago. Silence Says the Most has a great twist at the end of the book that I wasn't able to guess, but that made complete and total sense. I really enjoyed the easy flow of the story and the way the author connects the dots little by little. The story never gets boring, it just gets better. The witty banter between the characters is also light-hearted and a fun experience. I would recommend this book to fans of light mysteries and cozies. You just can't beat a small town with its small-town mysteries and small-town characters! I am patiently waiting for the third book in the series.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2022", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 19:40:21", "publisher": "Rhino Publishing LLC", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011601011", "title": "Dark Room Etiquette", "author": "Robin Roe", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 14", "word_count": 197, "review": "Sayers Wayte lives a life of privilege, never wanting for anything. But one night, everything changes. He is kidnapped and thrust into a very different reality. Taken by a man who claims to be his father, Sayers is locked in a room without any knowledge of where he is or if he will ever be free. To survive, Sayers must accept his new role in his kidnapper\u2019s twisted narrative. But as time goes on, Sayers begins to lose himself. Will he be able to escape and keep a grasp on reality? Or will he lose himself for good?

This was a great book! It was an in-depth, emotional exploration of trauma and healing, with amazing writing and twists. One of the things I loved most about this book was the character development. I cared about Sayers immensely, especially as I watched him go through a difficult transformative process. I disliked his bratty personality in the first part of the book, but his drastic change is what made his journey so much more interesting. The pacing and plot were amazing, and I never got bored while reading this. I would highly recommend this book to fans of psychological thrillers.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "18-Nov-2022", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 21:31:04", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011601007", "title": "The Greatest Evil is War", "author": "Chris Hedges", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 166, "review": "Even the most die-hard hawk would agree with the premise of this book that war is a great evil tragedy; a failing of morality and purpose. As a war correspondent, the author has seen his share of war\u2019s brutality. Given that the purpose of war is to crush the enemy, the line between engagement and war crimes may become blurred. The author argues that there is no reason for war and tells chilling stories about savagery and cruelty inherent in any conflict.

For current wars, the author assigns equal blame to the United States. He backs up his statements by citing the failure of the United States to abide by treaties with Russia to curb the expansion of NATO. This is where I must take issue with his assessments. Russian aggression into Ukraine is no way comparable to disrespected treaties. I agree with the author that no war is ever a just war; however, aggression into otherwise peaceable countries cannot be equated with failures in diplomacy.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2023", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 20:47:59", "publisher": "Seven Stories Press", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000011600011", "title": "Dwellers", "author": "Eliza Victoria, Aldy Aguirre", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "Cousins, who shall not be named according to the rules, are known as dwellers. They come from a family with the ability to inhabit the bodies of others. After a tragedy at their family estate, these cousins leave and take over the bodies of two brothers, Louis and Jonah, after a car accident. With Jonah stuck in a wheelchair, they return to Louis\u2019 house, only to discover the body of a woman in their basement. They begin to see that they may have been better off in their old lives as secrets start to emerge.

I really enjoyed this story. While I loved the story itself, another bonus is that it\u2019s short so it can easily be read in one sitting. Even in a short amount of time, this story packs a lot in. The situation the cousins come from is rough as well as the one they find themselves in taking over the new bodies. While they aren\u2019t supposed to talk about their past, it\u2019s clear they will have to in order to deal with their future. I have no idea how to classify this story, but I highly recommend you read it, no matter what genres you like.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2022", "date_added": "27-Sep-2022 22:20:34", "publisher": "Tuttle Publishing", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011600003", "title": "Bella and the Lost Ball", "author": "Katerina Svozilova,Mag Takac", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 199, "review": "//Bella and the Lost Ball// is the story of a little girl named Bella who wakes up on a sunny day and decides she wants to play outside with her ball. She can't find the ball! Bella meets different animals outside who try to help her find her ball based on how she describes it, but the way she describes it isn't always enough. When talking to each new animal, Bella adds another detail about the ball, but it still isn't enough. Bella talks to a bird, cat, butterfly, dog, etc. Will Bella find the right words, enough words, or the right person to find her ball?! \r\n//Bella and the Lost Ball// taught me how it's important to describe things in lots of detail when talking to people who aren't familiar with the item; I was surprised at how many things there are out there that, when described with little detail, could be thought of as something else. The story is easy to understand and the pictures are colorful and pretty. The story is interesting because of how Bella keeps adding new details and meets new animals; I'm sure that kids of any age will enjoy reading this story.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "22-Nov-2022", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 19:37:07", "publisher": "Albatross Media", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011599015", "title": "One Last Secret", "author": "Adele Parks", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 228, "review": "One Last Secret was fantastic from cover to cover. Most of the chapters are narrated by the main character, Dora, who becomes an escort after dropping out of school for acting. She describes her profession as just another acting gig and it allows her to afford the finer things in life. She describes her thought processes and tells the readers about some of her regular clients. Some of her stories are quite unique. Her best friend Evan becomes worried one day when Dora comes home beaten up. He asks her to marry him and she accepts and promises not to take on any more escort jobs.

Quitting is not so easy for Dora, however. She agrees to go on one last escort job with her regular customer, Daniel, under the premise that she will act as his girlfriend so he can get closer to one of his friend's wives whom he has a thing for. Dora agrees on the condition that there will be no sex.

Dora quickly regrets this decision as she is put through an awful and scary experience with a group of strange people. There are times that the reader will feel like Dora is an unreliable protagonist. Is she crazy or it this group of crazy friends? This book has the most fabulous twists and turns and I would recommend it to anyone who loves thrillers.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "30-Jan-2023", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 20:49:59", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011599007", "title": "Grandad's Pink Trousers", "author": "Lucie Hasova Truhelkova, Andrea Tachezy", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 197, "review": "He\u2019s known as a cantankerous, miserly old man who reuses dirty bath water to flush the toilet and leaves his poor wife aghast as the odor wafts out of the open trash bin. He refuses to dispose of old-fashioned, long-forgotten clothing items like the pink trousers he wears everywhere, despite the stares they elicit. When his grandson is born, his frown turns into a smile. They become inseparable, and his life begins to be filled with new meaning. When the child grows old enough to question his grandad\u2019s puzzling behaviors, he responds in a most unpredictable way, one in which his grandchild will remember for a lifetime.

With relatively simple text and mesmerizing illustrations, Lucie Hasova Truhelkova and Andrea Tachezy bring young readers a beautiful story of love, sacrifice, and compassion in Grandad\u2019s Pink Trousers. Children ages five to nine will find it a unique, thoughtful, and confounding book. They\u2019ll be intrigued by the twists and turns throughout, especially at the end. The profundity of the grandfather\u2019s reply will leave them with quiet resolution. Older youth will be touched more deeply by the narrative than their younger counterparts, though the little ones will find amusement in Grandad\u2019s perplexities.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 19:38:14", "publisher": "Albatross Media", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011599003", "title": "Beatrice Likes the Dark", "author": "April Genevieve Tucholke,Khoa Le", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 193, "review": "Sisters Beatrice and Roo are opposites. Beatrice loves the dark and everything that goes with it, she dislikes the light. Her younger sister Roo likes the light and everything that goes with it, she dislikes the dark. This book, with its repetitive words and symbols, explores both the world of the night and the world of the sunlight. It demonstrates to young children, especially if there are multiple young children in the same family with opposite personalities from each other, that they can still get along and do things together even if they like different things. To help Roo, who is afraid of the dark, Beatrice makes a potion out of the many items she has collected. The potion works to where the two can hang out together even in their own separate worlds. Even though phrases and words repeat themselves, a way for young readers to learn how to gain confidence reading out loud, the number of words and complexity of the words might make this book one a parent reads to their child; especially if there are multiple siblings in the household and they might not get along all the time.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2022", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 19:34:45", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011598015", "title": "Unbound II: New Tales By Masters of Fantasy", "author": "Shawn Speakman, Kristen Britain, Saara El-Arifi", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 189, "review": "Unbound II: Tales by Masters of Fantasy is a new anthology by award-winning author and editor Shawn Speakman. This anthology of seventeen tales contains fantastical stories that are genuinely unbound. Speakman, for a number of reasons, intended this collection to be themeless. Pure magic happens when that much freedom is given to the accomplished authors featured in this book. Most of the writers who contributed to this collection are no strangers to fans of sci-fi and fantasy. Works form unknown writers have the chance to pleasantly surprised many readers.

A few authors used the opportunity to expand and explain characters readers have already learned. At the same time, other authors came up with brand-new stories for this anthology. Many tales are fun and lively jaunts. Some stories are much darker and more suited for the terrors that haunt our sleep. The range of short fantasies are as diverse as the contributors. Speakman\u2019s own short story is in honor of his father. Whether the tales occur on distant worlds, quiet bay towns, rugged woods, or the shadows in creepy basements, there is a story for every fan of fantasy fiction.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "02-May-2023", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 22:08:47", "publisher": "Grim Oak Press", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011597015", "title": "In Myrtle Peril (Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery 4)", "author": "Elizabeth C Bunce", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 12", "word_count": 182, "review": "When Myrtle Hardcastle\u2019s father is admitted to a hospital for his growing case of tonsillitis, Myrtle and Miss Judson are left to investigate his newest case: a young girl named Sally Cooke has come to collect on the Snowcroft fortune, and it\u2019s Myrtle\u2019s job to prove her identity as Ethel Snowcroft. On top of everything else, her father claims to have witnessed a murder at the very hospital he was staying in! Was this a hallucination as a side effect of the morphine? Or is something much more sinister going on?

This was an amazing fourth installment in the Myrtle Hardcastle series! The characters are funny and very realistic, and I loved reading about them throughout the mystery. This time, there were two mysteries instead of one, but in the end, they tied together really well, with great twists and turns right up to the end. The plot was vivid and exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time! I can\u2019t wait until the next book! I would recommend this book to anyone ages ten and up.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "18-Nov-2022", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 21:17:59", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011597011", "title": "Lurking Under the Surface: Horror, Religion, and the Questions that Haunt Us", "author": "Brandon R Grafius", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "In Lurking Under the Surface, author Brandon Grafius attempts to find the common ground between horror and religion, acknowledging both attempts to answer the same sets of questions. Each chapter, including the introduction and afterward, contains a list of movies to watch before reading the chapter if you are brave enough. He deals with topics such as morality, hope, the power of faith, the fragility of our bodies, the monsters inside us, and doubt, as well as fairness and justice. The author looks at each of these topics through the lens of horror movies as well as religion. He states his purpose as \u201c\u2026to help see new depths in popular entertainment and also ponder your faith journey in a new and exciting way.\u201d

found the insight into horror movies gave me more understanding of the genre as a whole. I don\u2019t think I ever realized there was a deeper meaning to them, I just thought they were there to scare you to death. I personally had a hard time with his religious insights, as while we share the same faith by name, our beliefs differ greatly on almost every theological level. If you enjoy horror, you will enjoy this.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2022", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 20:56:28", "publisher": "Broadleaf Books", "page_count": "206 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011597007", "title": "Silence", "author": "Nivola Uya", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 199, "review": "A rabbit playfully leaps into a nearby pond and then reaches out to tickle a butterfly\u2019s wings. With her golden locks blowing in the wind, a young child gracefully holds a winged creature as it rests in the cavity of her palm. She plunges into blue waters, yearning to touch the scales of a friendly fish. As dense clouds give way to clear skies, magnificent birds flutter by, one stopping long enough to feel the softness of the girl\u2019s touch. Others draw near, enjoying her serene presence as she becomes one with them and great outdoors that welcome her graciously.

With only images, Silence narrates the story of a little one immersed in nature, surrounded by endless possibilities. Her curiousness and sense of adventure are palpable. Children will feel an aura of tranquility as they journey through the natural world with her, becoming part of her existence. Afterwards, they\u2019ll long to escape into a blanketed forest or an open field covered by a starlit sky. Author and illustrator Nivola Uya\u2019s illustrations will leave them breathless and wanting more. Elementary school language arts teachers will savor this as a perfect catalyst for a plethora of creative writing and storytelling activities.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "14-Nov-2022", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 19:29:48", "publisher": "Cuento de Luz", "page_count": "46 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011596003", "title": "The Second Husband: A Novel", "author": "Kate White", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 176, "review": "Emma\u2019s husband was murdered just over two years ago, and the case was never solved. She\u2019s since gotten remarried to Tom. As they are settling into their new life together, a detective visits Emma to let her know that they are reopening her first husband\u2019s case. It seems that they have some new information, and they are beginning to look at Tom. Emma discovers that he had been keeping tabs on her long before they met, and she was a widow. Could The Second Husband have done in the first?

This story is a good example of the things we are willing to overlook with our spouses. It\u2019s a great example of the flaws we all possess as human beings. How we constantly second guess ourselves, as well as lie to ourselves and others to save face. While I wouldn\u2019t necessarily label this as thrilling, it was an entertaining read with a couple of murders to solve and no lack of suspects. It\u2019s a quick read that is great to add to your fall reading list.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2022", "date_added": "26-Sep-2022 19:06:06", "publisher": "Harper Paperbacks", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011595011", "title": "The Circles in the Sky", "author": "Karl James Mountford", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 207, "review": "Fox snuggles in for the night under the illumination of the Moon. A clamorous chorus of birds call him out of his den. He follows their discord and discovers something tiny in an open field: a little bird whose listless body seems long-forgotten. He pokes and prods it, hoping to revitalize it, to awaken it from its slumber. Moth watches Fox inquisitively from a nearby limb. \u201cBird doesn\u2019t need fixing, Fox.\u201d He simply \u201cisn\u2019t here anymore,\u201d she says. Fox is perplexed and responds in anger. When he begins to understand the meaning of her gentle and wise words, his frustration turns into grief and then into acceptance.

The Circles in the Sky is a wonderful story that explores the emotions of the human heart through a thoughtful tale of friendship, reason, and healing. It eloquently addresses the universal experience of loss in a way young children will be able to relate and through which they will be deeply moved. Symbolism is delicately woven throughout and adds immeasurably to the content. Those aged six and up will be able to understand it, though younger ones may need a helpful hand. All will be enticed by the gorgeous, expressive illustrations that present in an array of soft pastel blends.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "17-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 19:35:55", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011595007", "title": "Airi Sano, Prankmaster General", "author": "Zoe Tokushige,Jennifer Naalchigar", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 9", "word_count": 165, "review": "Enter Airi Sano. Airi loves to prank anyone and everyone. She moved to seven different places in her life until her parents finally settled down in Hawai\u2019i. Airi\u2019s new teacher, Mrs. Ashton, wants Airi to like her new school. However, Airi knows just what to do to make her teacher give up by pulling a huge prank on her. With some help from her new friends, can Airi pull off the mission to prank Mrs. Ashton? There\u2019s only one way to find out!

I liked this book, but I think it moved very slowly. So I feel like it only got interesting at the end of the book. I thought the art was pretty good, but I think it would be better colored. I liked the story because I thought it was funny. My favorite character is Mei, one of Airi\u2019s friends. My favorite part is when Airi was pranking someone on the phone. I recommend this book to people who like pranks and funny stories.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "14-Dec-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 19:20:03", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011595003", "title": "All Good People Here: A Novel", "author": "Ashley Flowers", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 200, "review": "One of the most suspenseful thrillers I have read this year, All Good People Here, is a story that will get under the skin of its readers from start to finish. The book is told from the point of view of Krissy in 1994 and Margot in 2019. In 1994, Krissy and her husband Billy's six-year-old daughter January goes missing and is soon after found dead in a ditch. In present-day 2019, Margot goes back to the small town she grew up in to take care of her Uncle Luke, who has a degenerative mental disease. Margot was best friends with January up until her death over two decades ago.

This story weaves back and forth between points of view and never misses a step. Margot is a reporter who is working remotely and, upon investigating a new case of a missing girl, finds herself obsessed yet again with January's case. The police have their idea of whodunnit. And so do the townsfolk. But it's Margot who decides to really dig deep and get to the bottom of the two cases. Fantastic and fast-paced, this book will have the hair on your arms standing as secrets are uncovered one by one.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "11-Oct-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 18:43:51", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011594027", "title": "A Very Mercy Christmas (Mercy Watson)", "author": "Kate DiCamillo,Chris Van Dusen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - age 10", "word_count": 125, "review": "This book is not as exciting as most of the Mercy Watson books. It is very cute, but you would really only want to read it maybe once a year. Fans of Mercy Watson will definitely want to read it because A Very Mercy Christmas is the new Mercy Watson book, and everybody will be excited about that. The pictures seem very much like the original series, but the text feels somewhat shorter, maybe because the story is just simple and doesn\u2019t require a great deal of elaboration to get the point across. It\u2019s a feel-good holiday book that would be a nice gift or a good addition to traditions like holiday advent calendars or wrapping up a book to read each day in December.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "18-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 19:39:33", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011594023", "title": "Concrete: From the Ground Up (Material Marvels)", "author": "Larissa Theule,Steve Light", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 201, "review": "Concrete is all around us. We walk on it, drive on it, dance on it. It is over our heads, under our feet, and surrounds the rooms in which we live. But what is it really? And where did it come from? This fun book is a great introduction and takes readers back thousands of years to ancient Turkey and the first known use of concrete. Even though the structures were built over ten thousand years ago, they are still in good shape. Of course, the Roman Empire widely used concrete in many of their greatest projects that still stand today.

But then concrete fell out of favor for centuries. A British civil engineer, John Smeaton, in the 1700s needed a material to build a lighthouse that wouldn\u2019t burn or blow down in storms. He did a lot of experimenting with different materials and came up with a new recipe for concrete. This began a new era in building that gave us great bridges and skyscrapers and so much more.

Author Larissa Theule has written a kid-friendly history of this amazing material using humor to keep young readers engaged. Clever illustrations by Steve Light are the perfect completion to the story.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "02-Dec-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 19:36:27", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011594019", "title": "Evie's Christmas Wishes", "author": "SiobhAn Parkinson,Shannon Bergin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 215, "review": "Evie's Christmas Wishes is the story of a little girl named Evie who is getting ready for Christmas at home and at school. Evie begins at school, practicing for the Christmas program, then she is home, helping her dad make Christmas pudding. Evie hangs out with her mom by going to a play in town and then they are all back home making their Christmas cake. Evie hears that her uncle will be visiting for Christmas and she still has a list for Santa to finish! With each activity, Evie finds something that she quietly wishes or hopes for, but she doesn't make it a big deal to anyone. After the things are done and the family is seen, she somehow finds that her hopes and wishes are granted - is it a Christmas miracle?

I enjoyed this story from the front cover with its shiny title to the very back page with the pretty orange/red color and stars. The story is a fun one about wishing for things but then noticing them in things you bring down from the attic or them even happening despite being out of your control. I think the story has a good message and will be a good book for people of all ages to read all of the time!", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "18-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 19:28:31", "publisher": "Little Island", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011593035", "title": "The Labyrinth of Doom", "author": "Stuart Gibbs, Stacy Curtis", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - age 11", "word_count": 156, "review": "Tim is a knight-in-training who wakes up every morning to fight off small but deadly fire-breathing dragons. And after Tim falls asleep while attempting to guard the castle gates. And because Tim fell asleep on the job, the princess gets kidnapped and put into the labyrinth of doom. So now Tim and his friend, Belinda, a girl disguised as a guy to become a knight, Ferkle, and his fr-dog, Rover, have to save the princess. They\u2019ll have to get past scary rubble, caves of bloodthirsty sharks, scissors, and dangerous minotaurs and try to survive.

This book is very funny and filled with adventure. I enjoyed reading it. I haven\u2019t read a story like this before. The labyrinth was very fun, and Tim, Belinda, and Rover solved the obstacles in really surprising ways. The illustrations were also hilarious and fit the story. The characters were realistic, but I\u2019d like to know more about the princess, Belinda, and Ferkle.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "18-Jan-2023", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 18:55:50", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011593027", "title": "Tish", "author": "Edwina Wyatt,Odette Barberousse", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Charles Dimple needed a friend, and a spark of an idea grew from his imagination into the perfect friend for him. And a Perfect is what materializes for Charles. He names the creature Tish after asking its name and hearing a small sneeze. Tish loves being Charles\u2019s friend, and they go everywhere and do everything together. At school, Tish sees other Perfects, but they start to disappear as the children make friends. And when Charles makes a new friend, Tish realizes he isn\u2019t needed there anymore, but Tish doesn\u2019t want to disappear, so he wanders off until he finds a new someone who needs him. And he does when he gets stuck in Annabeth Arch\u2019s tree. But when Annabeth makes up with her best friend, Tish is at odds again. Can he find the right person?

Edwina Wyatt has written a sweet story about the delight and comfort youngsters can find in imaginary friends. Telling the story from the point of view of the Perfect is an interesting choice and gives the story a unique perspective. Wyatt seems to inhabit Tish perfectly and makes his story quite believable. Younger middle-graders will be charmed and engaged by this unusual book.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 18:29:08", "publisher": "Berbay Publishing", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011593019", "title": "Say Hello?", "author": "Sung Mi Kim,Clare Richards", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 167, "review": "Have you ever wanted to greet someone with a friendly \u201chello\u201d but let your worries talk you out of it? Little Fox and Mr. Wolf are neighbors who are both having bad days. They consider acknowledging each other, but they overthink the situation and continue on without saying a word. These two anxious animals continue to run into each other, but keep coming up with reasons not to say \u201chello.\u201d Mr. Wolf moves out of the neighborhood without resolving the awkwardness. Eventually these two meet again for a bittersweet ending.

Author and illustrator Sung Mi Kim has created a simplistic story about friendship and facing fears. I appreciated the artistic choice to portray the main characters in full color while using a simple black pen to illustrate the rest of the pages. The story was originally written in Korean and translated to English by Clare Richards. Despite the translation, this story maintains a straightforward language that will be appreciated and understood by children ages three to six.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "17-Jan-2023", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 18:25:56", "publisher": "Berbay Publishing", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011593003", "title": "Bloodmoon Huntress: A Graphic Novel (The Dragon Prince Graphic Novel #2)", "author": "Nicole Andelfinger,Felia Hanakata", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 14", "word_count": 200, "review": "Rayla is a young Moonshadow elf living with guardians after her parents left to join the Dragonguard. She is not thrilled about this arrangement, and her guardians, Runaan and Ethari, are struggling to balance their work with their care of Rayla. Most days, Rayla explores the Silvergrove forest, even though it is more dangerous with the Blood Moon approaching. But Rayla knows that the Bloodmoon Huntress - a sorceress who steals your blood - isn\u2019t real \u2026 right? When Rayla stumbles across a lost Skywing elf whose family is endangered by the legendary Huntress, she knows she has to help. Can Rayla stop a legend?

This book was a great addition to The Dragon Prince\u2019s universe. As a longtime fan of the show, I love reading anything related to these characters, especially if they are backstories. I loved Rayla in the show, and it was nice to see her transformative journey into the person she is in the series. I loved the artwork as well: it channeled the energy of the characters. While the book was a little short and could have done with more character development, I believe that anyone who loves the show will find much to enjoy here.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "18-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 17:21:02", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011592007", "title": "Nothing but the Night: Leopold & Loeb and the Truth Behind the Murder That Rocked 1920s America", "author": "Greg King,Penny Wilson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Nearly a hundred years ago in Chicago, two brilliant, wealthy young men kidnapped a fourteen-year-old boy and viciously murdered him. This was a crime that was meticulously planned, and if it hadn\u2019t been for a careless mistake when one of the men dropped a pair of eyeglasses, they well might have gotten away with it. Instead, they were arrested, confessed, and ultimately, pled guilty.

Their parents begged Clarence Darrow to take the case and save the young men from the hangman\u2019s noose. Even though they had pled guilty, there was a trial to decide what the sentence would be. It was a much more complicated issue than might be expected and became the \u201ctrial of the century,\u201d written about in newspapers all over the country and beyond.

The story has been the subject of many books, articles, television shows, and movies, but this book takes a fresh look. Authors Greg King and Penny Wilson have done a great deal of research and it shows on every page. They come to some different conclusions than those who have taken this journey earlier, and they have brought out some information that has been earlier ignored. True-crime fans will love this.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 18:43:01", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011591011", "title": "Maybe You Might (Lantana Global Picture Books)", "author": "Imogen Foxell,Anna Cunha", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 199, "review": "A little girl yearns to make a difference in her homeland. The river is no more, and the land is parched beyond imagination. She discovers a tiny seed and digs a shallow hole alongside the dry riverbed. For days, she nurtures the morsel, breathing life into what so many have said is an impossibility. Despite their sentiments, the seedling spreads its roots deep into the soil, bearing luscious fruit that provides nourishment for the child and her community. Her diligent efforts have a ripple effect, and as time progresses, the once waterless terrain gives way to fertile ground.

This is a heartwarming story of hope, resilience, and transformation. The depth of belief the young girl has in herself and her efforts to just possibly make an impact on those around her as well as on Mother Nature itself sends a powerful and poignant message to youth: Even though \u201cthey say you can\u2019t change the world,\u2026you never know\u2026maybe you might.\u201d

Brazilian artist Anna Cunha\u2019s life-like images gloss the pages in spectacular pastel blends and tranquil earth tones. They\u2019re unique and captivating, welcoming and aspirational. This is truly a masterpiece from which children can gain insight and vision for creating a brighter tomorrow.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "18-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 19:30:53", "publisher": "Lantana Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011591003", "title": "The Artist", "author": "Alison BInks", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 205, "review": "When the world is at rest, The Artist begins his first work of the day. His strokes stumble across the page, and he knows he\u2019s fallen short of a masterpiece. His frustrations rage until he finds solace in his familiar companions: Young Dog and Old Dog. He has other talents to occupy his time - piano and sailing - but unmistakably, his true love is painting. He paints all sorts of things: birds, the sea, nature, and its various manifestations. Before he drifts off to sleep, he surveys the day\u2019s completion and wakes to the call to begin anew.

The Artist is a thoughtful, inspiring tale of a child who yearns to become one with his palette. His work is an expression of himself, an outpouring of his soul, and when he\u2019s immersed in it, he\u2019s free.

The author/illustrator notably leaves out any mention or images of the young boy\u2019s parents. Perhaps, this is an attempt to create an ambiance of freedom and independence. The exclusion adds an intriguing element that children will find alluring. They\u2019ll long to be him, embraced in what they endear most. Those who are passionate about art, blessed with creativity, and favor the great outdoors will be emboldened by this captivating story.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 16:50:53", "publisher": "Berbay Publishing", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011590035", "title": "The Valkyrie's Daughter", "author": "Tiana Warner", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 14", "word_count": 195, "review": "Sigrid is a stable hand who dreams of becoming a valkyrie. But she was paired with a normal horse at birth, and so her dream is reduced to a faint longing. But when Vanahalla is attacked, Sigrid leaps into action to stop the enemy from stealing an ancient relic. When she holds the relic, she has a vision of herself riding the stallion Slepnir, and realizes that maybe her dream of becoming a valkyrie is within reach. Sigrid teams up with a valkyrie named Mariam in hopes of discovering her destiny, but her journey is complicated by growing feelings for Mariam. As they get closer to Helheim, Sigrid must unravel what it means to be a valkyrie. Will she fulfill her destiny?

This was an enjoyable book with Norse mythology throughout! I liked Sigrid\u2019s character development from a brash stable hand to a leader who was confident in her decisions. I also liked the slow-burn romance between her and Mariam. It didn\u2019t immediately jump into a love scenario, and I appreciated that the author gave their romance time to develop. I loved that the story incorporated Norse myths while still holding onto its originality. Loved it!", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "18-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 18:51:04", "publisher": "Entangled Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011590023", "title": "How to Eat a Book", "author": "Mrs & Mr MacLeod", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 316, "review": "Beautifully Illustrated Children's Books \n\nShoshi's Shabbat\nCaryn Yacowitz, Kevin Hawkes\nCandlewick Press\nISBN: 9781536216547\n\nVivid illustrations grace the pages of this wonderful book about a young ox named Shoshi. Drawn from the Jewish stories known as Midrash, this book will teach young readers to enjoy and acknowledge the beauty around them. A story to stop and smell the roses for.\n\nCarmen\nMargarita del Mazo,Concha Pasamar,Jon Brokenbrow\nCuento de Luz\nISBN: 9788418302763\n\nThis book tells the story of Carmen through a young boy\u2019s eyes as he falls in love with her. Illustrations are inspired by the choreography of this famous opera, and adults and older children are more likely to appreciate the beauty and understand the underlying themes. \n\nHow to Eat a Book\nMrs. & Mr. MacLeod\nUnion Square Kids\nISBN: 9781454945444\n\nReminiscent of Shel Silverstein books, this is a book about books! The Grunion kids are eaten by the books they are reading, and magical adventures come about. The illustrations are drawn in a three-dimensional diorama style that brings the characters to life. This is a fun book that will make kids giggle and wonder, \u201cwhat if\u2026\u201d\n\nMy Neighborhood\nMaria Jose Ferrada,Ana Penyas,Kit Maude\nTapioca Stories\nISBN: 9781734783957\n\nTold through the eyes of an elderly lady named Ms. Marta, this is a book about community and the wonderful things that happen in our neighborhoods. Children will love the watercolor-style and collage-style illustrations, taking them to different places such as school, the beach, and a hair salon. This book has a warm, cozy feel for children of all ages.\n\nCitizen She!\nCaroline Stevan,Elina Braslina,Michelle Bailat-Jones\nHelvetiq\nISBN: 9783907293720\n\nAn educational book about the fight for women\u2019s rights, from the first pioneers to today. This book highlights some of the fierce women who have fought over the years to have the freedoms that we have today. Beautiful color illustrations will catch the attention of children of all ages.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 17:42:22", "publisher": "Union Square Kids", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011590011", "title": "The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! (The Bad Guys #15)", "author": "Aaron Blabey", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 127, "review": "The Bad Guys are back in book 15, and things are getting even weirder if that is possible. A creepy dentist who wants to remove all their teeth. Snake is still a bad guy and is using rock music to hypnotize them to join him in being bad. The Bad Guys' sidekicks aren't even on the same planet yet to find their friends. This series has definitely kept us entertained and on our toes. I am ready to read the next book in the series to see what happens.

The Bad Guys series is just as funny and crazy as ever. The text is fun and easy to read, while the entertaining illustrations are sure to keep readers wanting to keep turning pages to see what happens next!", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "18-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 17:22:39", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011590003", "title": "Varenka", "author": "Bernadette Watts", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 205, "review": "Living alone, deep in the forest, Varenka has all she needs to live a life of peaceful contentment until suddenly the sounds of war ring out in the distance. Those from nearby communities urge her to flee, but she chooses to stay put. Who will care for those who have no shelter or food to fill their empty bellies if she doesn\u2019t? She prays the Lord will build a wall of protection around her house, shielding those within its interior from the outside dangers of war. When her prayers go unanswered, her fear escalates, yet she continues to provide for others. In the end, God finds a way to nestle them all into safe refuge.

This is a unique story about hope, generosity, and faith. Varenka is a widow residing in the Russian woods during a period of inner-turmoil. Things are quite primitive, so the setting and circumstances offer children a glimpse back in time. Varenka\u2019s altruistic nature as well as her unbreakable conviction make this a tale of genuine goodness. In elementary schools where Christian principles are valued, this is a prime pick for language arts instruction and small-group classroom discussions. Young ones ages five to nine will find it both enlightening and inspiring.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 16:48:00", "publisher": "NorthSouth Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011589019", "title": "Bad Fruit", "author": "Ella King", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 193, "review": "Bad Fruit is a story about a young adult named Lily and her volatile relationship with her Asian mother. In fact, the relationship is so scary that at one point I thought I was reading a Japanese or Korean horror novel. Lily\u2019s mother makes Lily change her natural looks so that she looks more Asian because Lily looks more like her Caucasian father. It is not until Lily starts having daytime hallucinations that seem like flashbacks that she realizes there is something really wrong with her mother. She doesn\u2019t know what these visions are about but as she has more of them, she realizes she is seeing real life events.

This book had me entranced from cover to cover. The way Lily\u2019s mom acted was so psychotic and intense. The way Lily stands by her and even taste tests juice that has gone bad so that it is exactly how her mother likes it is cringeworthy and really abusive. This book, however, does show the pattern passed from generation to generation which is really interesting. If you like books that have a creepy domestic vibe and good, strong-willed characters, you will love this book.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 18:06:46", "publisher": "Astra Publishing House", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011589007", "title": "The Green Umbrella", "author": "Jackie Azua Kramer,Maral Sassouni", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - age 7", "word_count": 132, "review": "The Green Umbrella is a story about an elephant who has a green umbrella. There are a bear, a hedgehog, a cat, and a rabbit, and they all think that the umbrella is theirs and then tell about what they like to do with the green thing.

It is a very cute story about little animals making friends. The bear\u2019s flying machine looks really cool. The pictures are pretty good. They are a children\u2019s style, which is funny. It\u2019s a long book and a little kid book, but probably lots of people would like reading it once or twice.

It might remind you a little bit of a story called Hooray For Harry, which was published many years back, except this one is better and more exciting and has a few surprises.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "18-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 16:46:57", "publisher": "NorthSouth Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011589003", "title": "Hey, Bruce!: An Interactive Book (Mother Bruce Series)", "author": "Ryan Higgins", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 127, "review": "Everyone's favorite grumpy bear is back in a new book thanks to the three crazy little mice who named this book after him.

As always, the mice are at it again to create a book, but while they have good intentions, they end up disrupting Bruce's nap on his napping log. However, as the reader, you are able to help by interacting with the book and pressing buttons.

I look forward to each new installment in the Bruce Cook series. This book is really funny. The interactive parts of the book are very entertaining and help to really engage the reader. The illustrations are great as always and I like how they help guide the reader to interact. It\u2019s a super fun book for the whole family.", "issue": "October 2022", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 16:45:59", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011588019", "title": "Tall Tales", "author": "James Riley", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 454, "review": "January 2023 Tween Roundup-Tween Adventure Series\n\nAdventure awaits your tween reader as they follow the characters through various terrains and realms. These books are full of excitement, exotic quests, fun and scary characters, both good and evil, and magic. Take a trip into outer space, or a land full of giants! Or follow along with a kid named Fart as he tries to find a Golden Llama. Fun for all ages!\n\nMortimer\nJoan Marie Galat\nCormorant Books\nISBN: 9781770866539\n\nMortimer, the journal-keeping lab rat, sets out to prove that rats are better than humans when it comes to space exploration, specifically colonizing Mars. But Mortimer learns the hard way when his plan goes wrong, and he learns some important life lessons. Tweens will learn about space travel and exploration and be entertained by this comical space rat.\n\nTall Tales\nJames Riley\nAladdin\nISBN: 9781534425903\n\nLena is a giant who may be the one person who can destroy the evil Golden King. According to the fairy queens, she must prove herself worthy by completing three challenges. Will Lena, with the help of her genie, Jin, be able to save the human world? This is a fantastic ride through a magical realm in this twisted fantasy series.\n\nRuby Finley vs. the Interstellar Invasion\nK Tempest Bradford\nFarrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)\nISBN: 9780374388799\n\nEleven-year-old Ruby loves bugs and studying them. One day she finds a bug she has never seen before and takes it home. Then it burns a hole through her window and disappears. Strange things start happening around her neighborhood and it is up to Ruby and her friends to find the bug and figure out what is going on!\n\nAmira & Hamza\nSamira Ahmed\nLittle, Brown Books for Young Readers\nISBN: 9780316318617\n\nSiblings Amira and Hamza discover they are part of an ancient prophecy when Hamza stumbles upon the Forbidden Box of the Moon, setting off a series of events. Enjoy an adventure through mystical lands, evil creatures, and an Earth-saving quest in Amira & Hamza.\n\nFart Quest\nAaron Reynolds, Cam Kendell\nRoaring Brook Press\nISBN: 9781250206466\n\nFilled with potty humor and monsters, Fart Quest is an adventure starring three apprentices, Fart, Pan, and Moxie, who are called upon by Great and Powerful Kevin to find the Golden Llama and its magical golden fart. Silly humor and a fun quest lead the way in this story.\n\nThe Marvelous Land of Snergs\nVeronica Cossanteli,Melissa Castrillon\nEuropa Editions\nISBN: 9781609458089\n\nIn the Land of Snergs, you will find not-so-friendly giants and a wicked witch. Stay tuned to find out what happens when Sylvia and Joe run away and find themselves facing these two unsavory characters. An enchanted adventure for those who pick this one up!", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 19:22:47", "publisher": "Aladdin", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011588003", "title": "Nine Color Deer", "author": "Kailin Duan, Jeremy Tiang", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 204, "review": "Coveted in the Kunlun Hills of China lives a deer and her stalwart companion. One day, the Nine Color Deer saves a desperate, drowning man. She only asks that he not disclose her whereabouts. When the king\u2019s wife reveals a dream she had about a mystical creature she\u2019d give anything to find, the man betrays his sacred promise. The arrows shot at the Nine Color Deer fail to pierce her delicate skin; they fall broken to the ground. She warns the king of the awful travesty his kingdom will suffer if he harms her. She stands protected, and more of her kind appear as fellow guardians of the kingdom.

Author and illustrator Kailin Duan brings this magical story to life. What began as an ancient tale, dating back some 1,500 years, she wove into a masterpiece of beauty and inspiration. Poignant messages are laced throughout: kindness is powerful, loyalty immeasurable, and wisdom irreplaceable. While some young children will be able to extricate these, those ages nine and up will grasp them on a deeper level. This is an excellent resource for educators to use as a springboard for creative and analytical writing assignments in upper elementary school. It\u2019s eloquently written, beautifully illustrated, and culturally rich.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 16:44:16", "publisher": "Levine Querido c/o Chronicle Books", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011587023", "title": "How to plant a room: and grow a happy home", "author": "Morgan Doane,Erin Harding", "category": "N10 Home & Garden", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "House plants are a wonderful way to bring warmth to a room while decorating. This book will help anybody \u2014 novice or expert in plants \u2014 to be successful in making living plants a part of their homes.

The book is broken into six sections: Working with Water, Hanging Plants, Plants in Glass, Living Wall Art, Indoor Gardens, and The Plant Room. In each section, readers will find such things as a list of supplies needed for the projects in that section, how to do the project, what kind of care is needed for the plants grown, choosing the containers, choosing the plants, and more.

In the Hanging Plants section, for instance, there are instructions for making a simple macrame plant hanger, and the Terrarium section has instructions for both open and closed terrariums and all the steps necessary to make them.

The pages are loaded with beautiful, instructive full-color photographs. The writing is friendly and conversational, and the instructions are thorough and will help readers be successful in whatever projects they choose to do. This pretty book will be a welcome addition to the library of anyone who wants to bring plants into their lives.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 18:53:27", "publisher": "Laurence King Publishing", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011587011", "title": "The Dreamtime: A Novel", "author": "Mstyslav Chernov, Peter Leonard, Felix Helbing", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 177, "review": "This is one of the most unique works of fiction, though largely biographical, that I have read. It incorporates the concept of dreamtime\u2014an Aboriginal view of how the world came to be and its creation\u2014and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula before a more large-scale invasion. The author, who is a journalist, incorporates his experience on the frontlines filing stories for people to read in their homes while at the same time taking a multi-layered look at Ukraine and the war that is bringing it to the brink of existential existence.

The realm between reality and dreams begins to fracture more and more the further one gets through the book, which brings it to a dreamlike state of the four major characters who are involved. They include a doctor who wants to exorcise his demons by serving on the frontlines, a young girl caring for her ailing father near the frontlines, a sociopath who plays cat-and-mouse games, and a forensic expert attempting to solve a murder and save her marriage.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2025", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 18:11:32", "publisher": "Academic Studies Press", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011587003", "title": "Can You Spot the Leopard?", "author": "Karen B Winnick", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 126, "review": "Let's go on a safari ride! What can you see? Can you spot a leopard? While on the safari ride there are a lot of animals. There are many well-known animals as well as some rare lesser-known animals such as the stork, the dik-diks, and the wildebeests. This book was written so that one could read it all together as story or even just page by page on an individual animal.

This book was beautifully illustrated. My favorite part was the illustrations of the baby animals as well as the zebra's mixed-up patterns as they splashed through the water. The illustrations made me feel like I was really there on the safari in Africa. Plus, it is fun to search the pages to find the leopard.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "14-Dec-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 16:42:57", "publisher": "Greenleaf Book Group Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011586027", "title": "The Lodge That Beaver Built", "author": "Randi Sonenshine,Anne Hunter", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Winter is coming. The beaver family are busy working on building their lodge, using trees and branches from near the stream and mud from the streambed. They weave the branches together and seal everything with mud to make a tight, warm home. Other animals from the area visit: muskrats swim into the lodge, coyotes try to break in, a goose builds its nest on top of the lodge, and more. The lodge holds firm until a spring flood breaks it up and carries it away. The beaver family are resilient, and they will build another lodge farther upstream where they will raise more kits and have another home.

Randi Sonenshine has borrowed the rhythm and rhyme from This is the House that Jack Built to write this sweet book that will give youngsters a good idea of the flora and fauna to be found around rivers and streams, with the focus being on beavers and the areas in which they live. The rhyme and meter are nearly perfect, and the story is very engaging. The gorgeous illustrations by Anne Hunter are drawn in soft colors and filled with wonderful details to keep readers involved. This is a winner!", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 19:37:17", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011586019", "title": "Little Fairy's Christmas", "author": "Daniela Drescher", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 193, "review": "Little Fairy's Christmas is the story of helping people in need, no matter how big or small. Little Fairy (aka Faith) is lost in the woods on a snowy and cold winter night with no shoes, very little clothing to keep her warm, and no sense of where she is at. Faith meets some woodland creatures who give her things to help her survive in the cold; she also meets some other people who help her survive through company and direction. In the end, Faith survives the cold night and gives and gets help from others in the spirit of Christmas and friendliness.

The story is calming with the colors and illustrations but can be worrisome when reading if you don't know that she will be alright! The story isn't too long, but also maybe not quite long enough; it seems like the ending is quick, but everything does get answered and fixed. I like that the animals and people in the story are all caring and helpful, especially on such a cold and yucky night! I think that kids of all ages will like this story and could learn something from it.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "18-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 19:27:35", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011586007", "title": "The Witchery", "author": "S Isabelle", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 14", "word_count": 200, "review": "Logan, Iris, Jailah and Thalia are witches training at Mesmortes Coven Academy. Logan is the newest in the crew, and she needs to be prepared to face the Haunting Season. Wolves will enter the town from the swamp, and they intend to kill. But the Mesmortes witches want to do more, and they hatch a plan to rid the town of the menace once and for all. Their plan is complicated when two boys from a neighboring school get involved, and from then on all their lives are tangled with magic and darkness. Can the dangers of the past be obliterated from the future?

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book, which made me sad because I wanted to love it. The plot seemed underdeveloped, and none of the characters grew on me. There were six POVs in this book, which made the plot confusing - and the story suffered because of it. I could distinguish the characters easily enough, but I had trouble following all the inconsistent subplots. This was a book with interesting ideas, but the execution could have been better. However, even though I didn\u2019t love this, I think that anyone who likes dark witchy stories will.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 17:24:38", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011586003", "title": "Something Great", "author": "Jeanette Bradley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 173, "review": "Quinn is an adventurous child with immense creativity and a desire to invent. Quinn takes a few household items and creates something they are proud of. Quinn is eager to show their mother and sister, but instead of receiving accolades, Quinn\u2019s family members are met with questions and confusion. Quinn meets someone new who shares their excitement about their invention. Together, they come up with new possibilities for the invention and connect as new friends.

The author, Jeanette Bradley, uses non-binary pronouns to describe Quinn throughout the book. Quinn\u2019s physical features are unidentifiable, which may be confusing to some readers, causing questions about their gender. I believe that Bradley uses the invention as a metaphor for gender identity. Quinn\u2019s family wants to know the name or purpose of their invention because they believe it will be easier to understand that way. Quinn\u2019s new friend accepts the invention for what it is- an endless source of ideas and possibilities. This book is a beautiful and simple story about acceptance, perfect for children ages 4-8.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "10-Dec-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 16:40:49", "publisher": "Levine Querido c/o Chronicle Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011585015", "title": "Bad Girl Reputation (Avalon Bay, 2)", "author": "Elle Kennedy", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 213, "review": "Bad Girl Reputation is a fun, breezy read about a young woman named Genevieve (Gen) West who leaves her hometown of Avalon Bay for a year without telling any of her friends and, most importantly, the love of her life, Evan. One morning, Gen goes to see Evan and finds him passed out drunk from partying the night before. In fact, this isn't a rare occasion, and Gen is also guilty of being a little too much of a party animal. She knows she needs to grow up, and she can't do it at home.

One year later and Gen is settled in Charleston. She finds herself back in Avalon Bay when her mother passes away. Her father needs his help in settling the office work for his business, and Gen decides to stay to help him out. Of course, she and Evan end up in their crazy cycle of on-an-off dating again. But this time, Gen is different. Abiding by her own no drinking and no drugs law, Gen is finally able to make some forever life decisions. This book is a feel-good book about second chances and growing up. With great characters who are all somehow super good-looking, this book is perfect for fans of romance and a little bit of friskiness.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 18:01:03", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011585007", "title": "The Gnomes' Winter Journey", "author": "Ernst Kreidolf", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Alexandria - age 11", "word_count": 108, "review": "The Gnomes\u2019 Winter Journey is a very sweet tale about winter gnomes on their way to visit the winter queen. A couple of times the youngest gnome stops and stalls because he sees something interesting and each time he stalls, the eldest gnome makes sure he doesn\u2019t stop for too long. You\u2019ll find that The Gnomes\u2019 Winter Journey is quite wonderful for all ages. In many ways this book is extraordinary; the writing quality is simply amazing, the pictures are delightfully descriptive and charming, and it is certainly a must have in your collection. It is a relatively short book, but that doesn\u2019t make it any less charming!", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "26-Jan-2024", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 16:49:59", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011585003", "title": "When Santa Came to Stay", "author": "Billy Sharff, Eda Kaban", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 180, "review": "Just in time for the Christmas season comes When Santa Came to Stay. This book will delight little ones as they watch the main character struggle with the fact that Santa just won't leave after Christmas! As New Year comes and goes, and then it's Valentine's Day, Santa not only sticks around, but Mrs. Claus comes to stay as well because she misses Santa. And along with her comes their whole family! Their kitten, the Easter Bunny, you name it! It's a full house! The main character is a cute little girl who does everything she can to make Santa and their unwanted housemates go away. It seems like nothing will work, though.

This book is a fun read for ages three to eight. The book will make children giggle as the house becomes a mess because of all of the people and animals. The beautiful color illustrations in this book will capture the attention of children of all ages. This is a book that will also help small children understand why we can't (and shouldn't) have Christmas all year round.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 16:39:25", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011584023", "title": "Travels with Zozo...under the Moonbow", "author": "A.J. Atlas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - age 10", "word_count": 404, "review": "Travels with Zozo\u2026 Under the Moonbow by A.J. Atlas is a fun children\u2019s picture book about a kind and adventurous bunny, Zozo, who travels to southern Africa with her loving family, who love taking trips around the world. After visiting and hearing the loud roaring of The Smoke That Thunders, one of the biggest waterfalls on Earth, Zozo\u2019s family gets pickpocketed by a family of giggling monkeys looking for mischief.

Zozo\u2019s family chases the monkeys, only to come back with barely any of their things. The family decide they\u2019ll go shopping for the things they lost, but everybody is upset because they know they will never get their pictures from their camera back. Zozo becomes determined to get her family\u2019s camera and maybe their other things back, too.

She has no idea how until she meets two funny, young African elephants named Bonkers and Boomy stretching against trees. Even with the help of the two helpful young elephants, will Zozo succeed in getting her and her family\u2019s stuff back?

This is a very cheerful and playful short story. It is easy to read and filled with bright, colorful illustrations that catch your attention and tell the story in a different way. I wish Zozo faced more mystery, adventure, and action when she tried to find her family's stolen items, because I found myself losing interest at times while I was reading.

The part that held my interest the most was when the mischievous family of monkeys plot and then steal Zozo\u2019s family\u2019s camera, umbrellas, sunglasses, flashlight, hat, and other things, because it was funny and left you wondering what Zozo would do next.

I haven\u2019t read the whole series, but I also wish to get to know more about Zozo and her family. The book doesn\u2019t say much about the characters, so I would have liked it to know more about Zozo and why she wants to get her family\u2019s things so badly.

I liked that the setting of this story is mostly based on true facts. For example, monkeys actually do pickpocket tourists and The Smoke that Thunders (more commonly known as Victoria Falls) is actually one of the largest waterfalls in the world in real life. I also learned about moonbows when Zozo watches one as she tries to find the camera.

This book was below my reading level, though, so I would recommend it for kids five to eight years old.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Sep-2022 19:28:48", "publisher": "ImaginOn Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011584019", "title": "The Summer of In Betweens", "author": "Jose Saco", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 583, "review": "The Summer of In Betweens is the follow-up story to author Jose Saco's book The Go Between. Although I have not read The Go Between, The Summer of In Betweens was easy to follow in terms of its characters, where they are in life, and the storyline the author takes his reader through.

The story starts with the main character, William, or Bill, McCoy, being called into the principal's office. Only Bill is not in trouble. Rather Mr. Barber wants Bill to meet a young twenty-something-year-old woman named Maia, who has just moved into a close by estate for the summer. Mr. Barber thinks Bill is an excellent candidate to help Maia restore the rundown estate she has rented. The story also follows Bill's girlfriend, Susan, who has applied to intern for a congressman in Washington. A foreshadowing on the strain of Bill and Susan's relationship occurs when Susan gets the internship. I really like the story between Bill and Susan because they both seemed like good, innocent, hardworking kids from a small town. The author gives some background regarding Bill and Susan at the beginning of the book which is helpful.The story takes a turn when a man named Brian hires a private investigator to find his wife, Mariya. Brian tells the PI that he wants his wife back, however, it is clear that he has an ulterior motive. This part of the story connects to that of Bill and Maia's later on.

Bill likes working for the easygoing, and yes, beautiful Maia. With Susan gone, he finds himself giving into his lustful feelings towards Maia and the feeling is mutual for her. It is not until the reader is told about Maia's past with her soon-to-be ex-husband that the story does a complete u-turn. The sex scenes between Maia and her husband are graphic and include rape and non-consenting sexual acts such as group sex. I was not prepared for this part of the story, to say the least, and had it not been so graphic, I feel that it would have been fine to have in the story. The chapters on abuse and BDSM seemed to go on an on with a rather manic feel to them.

In many parts of the book, the dialogue was very unrealistic and did not fit the characters' profiles. For example, one of the grown women Susan works with calls her \"Girl\" in several parts of the story. I would not expect a grown woman to call an intern this word. She also uses the word \"Dude\" in this formal setting. Furthermore, this same woman says to Susan, \"Don't know about you, Girlfriend, but my nips were standing at attention and saluting both those two dudes.\" This dialogue was just so odd. In another part of the book, Susan accidentally walks in on her roommate getting out of the shower and says sorry. Danisha replies with, \"Not a problem. We are girls, we have the same girl parts even if mine are darker than yours.\" Is this the author trying to not-so-subtley tell his readers that Danisha is Black? In one part, Mariya describes another woman as reminding her of Goldie Hawn. Mariya is in her early-twenties and I doubt she would make a reference to Goldie Hawn. Kate Hudson, maybe? I could go on with the discrepancies in this book. Overall, I enjoyed the story, but I really feel like it needs to be rewritten to create a more consistent story and characters throughout the book.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Sep-2022 19:22:14", "publisher": "Createspace", "page_count": "247 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011584015", "title": "Mia, The Crooked Road", "author": "D.A. Jennings", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 433, "review": "Mia, The Crooked Road is a wonderfully written tale about a little mouse named Mia who is courageous, spunky, and loving. Mia is just one in Mamma and Pappino's large family of mice children. After returning from an African adventure, Mia reunites with her family, including her brothers Cade and Rupert. Her sister Invidia, leader of a small group of their siblings who have named themselves the Spiteful Smalls, is back bullying Mia just like she did before Mia went on her adventure. Invidia is the meanest girl and says and does hurtful things to her siblings. When a disaster occurs in Salerno, mice from the nearby towns hitch rides on human vehicles to bring food and help to the mice who live there. Meanwhile, Mia and Rupert are looking at one of Pappino's journals one day and decide to forage for a snack. The journal accidentally blows away, and Mia gets seriously injured trying to retrieve it.

This book reminded me so much of the books I used to read as a middle schooler. The story is written for an age group from about twelve years old to adult (I enjoyed this adventure so much!). What I really loved about this book is the lessons that its readers will learn. The relationships between the mice are similar to those of humans, and the range of emotions felt by the characters range from loving to fearful to jealousy. The way the author integrates these emotions into each scene of the book naturally makes the book a heartfelt experience.

Mia is so sad about losing Pappino's travel journal and thinks that he won't love her as much. She leaves home and finds herself on the Crooked Road. Mia's grief overcomes her, and for the first time, she doesn't know what to do. The journal could be anywhere.

One of my favorite characters in the book is Pern, a bird of prey whom Mamma and Pappino raised after his family was killed. Other mice are shocked when they find out that Pern is a friend of the family, or rather, part of the family. This lesson helps to get rid of stereotypes in the subtlest of ways. Just because someone looks or is different than you doesn't mean that he or she is a danger to you. Pern was wonderful in helping the mice on their adventures.

This book really brought back childhood memories of stories like The American Tail, a story about a mouse named Fievel who is lost, and The Dark Crystal, with its underground characters and vivid scenery. This is a beautifully written tale of adventure.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "02-Dec-2022", "date_added": "25-Sep-2022 19:09:40", "publisher": "Inlet Shade Publishing", "page_count": "254 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011584011", "title": "Exile Endgame", "author": "Preston Fleming", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 441, "review": "Preston Fleming may be no relation to the author of the James Bond novels, Ian Fleming, but he nevertheless has that catchy name that just looks good on the cover of a thriller. While readers may have thought the Kamas Trilogy\u2014consisting of Forty Days at Kamas, Star Chamber Brotherhood, and Exile Hunter\u2014complete, Fleming surprises them with his new novel, Exile Endgame, continuing on where the third book ended.

Exile Endgame kicks off, as all good books should, with immediate conflict, as those in power in the totalitarian world of the American Unionists are trying to decide what to do with former and now renegade State Security Officer Warren Linder after he has spent almost ten years in a Yukon corrective labor camp. Victor Barbosa, chief of the Department of State Security, and the DSS Deputy Director, Gerrit DeWaart, are deciding what to do with Linder that can best achieve their desired goals and improve their professional careers, but they are then ordered that Linder must be executed.

In the next chapter, from the viewpoint of Linder, we travel two and a half years into the past, as our hero is in London and the year is 2031. Linder is one of the heads of the exiled opposition fighting against the totalitarian Unionist control. He wants to limit their power in whatever way he can, so when a new clandestine group known as the \u201cLeague\u201d emerges looking to oppose this regime, Linder looks to join them and verify they are who they say they are. He want to determine that their ideologies and goals are true and match with his. For there is a chance that the League is merely a creation of State Security looking to thwart and limit any true opposition to the Unionists.

Linder will be taken across the globe, as there are those hellbent on ending his life without question; but all will be necessary, for if the League are truly legitimate, then his own plan against the Unionists may just be possible.

Exile Endgame is written in a compelling and gripping way, so the reader can tell right from the first page that this book is going to be hard to put down. The characters are interesting, and while the plot is pretty complicated, it is nevertheless a fascinating and wild ride. Each chapter begins with a quote that sets the tone for the story the reader is about to discover. Set in the near future, and with elements of the fantastic, this book is part of a series that is quite unlike anything else I\u2019ve read before. Readers will be soon hooked and left wanting more.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "06-Nov-2022", "date_added": "25-Sep-2022 19:02:35", "publisher": "PF Publishing", "page_count": "425 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011584007", "title": "All Is Fair", "author": "Michael Kenneth Smith", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 430, "review": "All Is Fair by Michael Kenneth Smith was truly an enjoyable read. The novel tells the story of Jan, a young polish fighter pilot in World War Two. Although a fictional story, the novel was inspired by real figures in this war, making it a meaningful tribute to those who bravely fought against the Nazis.

Jan comes from a poor family with nothing more to his name than his aviation abilities. Humble, Jan knows he has a lot to learn when he is accepted into a prestigious academy in Deblin. At this school, Jan learns how to fly different planes, meets his best crewmates, and partakes in many other festivities. Unfortunately, these happy days are numbered. Before long, the Germans attack Jan\u2019s base, causing him and his men much harm. Between plane crashes, injuries, tension amongst the crew, and death, the reader is able to follow the highs and lows of Jan\u2019s aviation career.

This novel does a wonderful job of documenting a pilot\u2019s life from 1938\u20131944. The reader is able to see not only Jan\u2019s work, but also the emotional and physical toils of such a life during war. I loved how the reader is given an insight into specific planes flown, the formation of the planes, and what exactly fighter pilots did up in the sky. You can tell from reading this novel that Smith did a lot of researched; although fiction, he did a great job of making the story seem like a real account.

In addition to watching Jan\u2019s career unfold (quite a story in itself), the reader also gets to watch Jan fall in love. After meeting Sophie, a beautiful, brilliant woman at a local bar, Jan cannot stop thinking about her. He daydreams of her in class, up in the sky, and continuously throughout the day, obviously head over heels for what he believes is his dream girl. Jan even finds unconventional ways to see her throughout the war, an ode to how much she means to him. Unfortunately for Jan, many circumstances do not play out the way he intends, both with Sophie and with his pilot career.

As previously stated, I really enjoyed reading Smith\u2019s novel, All Is Fair. The only criticism I have is that some of the scenes seemed repetitive. Not much more can be said without giving away the plot, but I do think that scenes could have been varied more than they were. As a whole, this book was a great read, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially about World War Two.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "06-Nov-2022", "date_added": "22-Sep-2022 20:59:41", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "290 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011584003", "title": "All Is Fair", "author": "Michael Kenneth Smith", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 433, "review": "Jan Orlinski's turbulent contact with the Germans began when the German blitz attacked his native nation of Poland, which was followed by his voyage to Britain, where he joined the battle against the Germans in the Battle of Britain and rose to prominence as a military aviator. Despite the German danger, he was lucky to be distracted from the war by his blossoming romance with a girl he met in a dance hall and his passion for playing the piano. Michael Kenneth Smith's All Is Fair tells the spine-chilling and action-packed narrative of a renowned young military aviator from Poland during the Battle of Britain, as well as the dreadful consequences of captivity and treachery during wartime.

One part of this story that stands out is the detailed backstories that are subtly woven throughout the narrative and reveal the events that influenced the protagonist's bravery, creativity, and other distinguishing traits. And finding out that he was the youngest of five brothers and usually sat at the end of the dinner table, that his mother pushed him to take piano lessons when he was younger, and other intriguing facts about Jan felt like unearthing tiny jewels as I went through the book. Additionally, I felt an absolutely irresistible draw toward the highly likable protagonist and a profound worry for his well-being as he deals with several risks and near misses in combat.

All Is Fair is far from a shoddy piece of work. The novel effectively brings together individuals from several nations, including France, Britain, Germany, Poland, Spain, and others, and illustrates their interactions in a genuine, plausible manner. In a Spanish jail, for example, Jan is questioned about why many Polish names finish in -ski.

The novel captivates readers from beginning to end, with suspenseful, tension-packed passages featuring brilliantly depicted aircraft fights, frightening encounters with the enemy, efforts to escape jail, exhilarating non-erotic romance sequences, and a well-planned climax. Historical fiction readers and those who enjoy war stories will definitely enjoy this book.

All Is Fair/em> offers a deep dive into the grim reality of war as well as the uplifting ideals of love, music and art, optimism, resilience, and forgiveness, which shine through despite the perils that surround the protagonists. This fictional voyage through a genuine conflict in the past will encourage readers to appreciate the small things they take for granted in times of peace and motivate them to cherish the lovely things in life even in the darkest of times. Without a doubt, reading All Is Fair/em> would be a superb addition to any leisure time. I strongly endorse it!", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "06-Nov-2022", "date_added": "22-Sep-2022 20:59:30", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "290 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011583031", "title": "Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe", "author": "Jenny Colgan", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 177, "review": "The Cupcake Cafe returns!

Author Jenny Colgan always delivers, and she doesn\u2019t disappoint with this sweet treat of a Christmas story. While the author admits to not being keen on sequels, this one is quite enjoyable.

Things are ticking right along for Izzy Randall, Cupcake Cafe proprietor. She thrives with her baking as Christmas approaches. But when her boyfriend\u2019s career takes a shift, raising the possibility of a long-distance relationship, and manic amounts of baking in a difficult season take their toll, Izzy must confront what she truly holds dear in order to find a merry Christmas.

This book will keep you reading even as you struggle not to head directly into the kitchen to whip up some reading treats. (Seriously, there are so many recipes!) And I will personally vouch for Izzy\u2019s gingerbread recipe, yum!!! Izzy and Austin\u2019s love affair reminds us that relationships take more than confectionery tricks, and that true commitment takes communication. A perfect read for the season, enjoy a cup of tea and some seriously scrumptious bakes with Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 18:52:17", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011583027", "title": "Caribbean Folk Tales: Stories from the Islands and the Windrush Generation", "author": "Wendy Shearer", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 190, "review": "In Caribbean Folk Tales, Wendy Shearer has brought stories to life from the Caribbean Islands, as well as telling the stories of those in the Windrush generation who migrated to Britain. The book is broken up into five sections dealing with spirits and shapeshifters, music and song, trickster tales, love and loss, and tales of caution and justice. Each section is preceded by personal stories of those who migrated to England from different islands. There are quite a few tales featuring the famous trickster Anansi, some featuring animals, in addition to gods and demons. Each tale has either a moral or explains how something came to be, but all are entertaining.

If you enjoy folk tales and fables, this is the book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing folk tales from the Caribbean, seeing some similarities to those from other cultures, but also some noteworthy differences. I had never heard of the Windrush generation, so I also enjoyed learning about that. I laughed out loud to many of the trickster tales and mourned along with the king in \u201cThe Singing Bones.\u201d I highly recommend you add this to your list.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 18:44:44", "publisher": "The History Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011583023", "title": "The Phantom God: What Neuroscience Reveals about the Compulsion to Believe", "author": "John C Wathey", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 217, "review": "In The Phantom God, John Wathey continues his exploration and investigation of the biological and social roots of religious impulse and experience. A neuroscientist by training, Wathey draws on scientific studies in neuroscience, psychology, and evolutionary biology to connect the innate infantile longing for a mother with the adult yearning for the presence of an all-knowing, merciful, and loving God. Through various research studies, Wathey illustrates how the infant-mother attachment, religious experience, and adult pair bonding share the exact mechanisms in the brain

The Phantom God is an enlightening read for anyone who seeks to understand what is known in the scientific community to explain the religious experience. Because Wathey draws from various disciplines to validate his hypotheses, the connections and explication can take a bit to make sense. The examples of religious experience may be recognizable to people who follow Abrahamic faiths but could have little pertinence for other spiritual traditions.

This is an essential book in the age of religious groupthink and fundamentalism when discriminatory beliefs are weaponized for political polarization. Wathey sheds light on the phenomenon of a cult following and shows parallels between the neural functions affected by supernatural occurrences and substance addiction. By understanding the neuroscience underlying religious phenomena, we can cultivate a sense of empathy for those with illusory experiences of the divine.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "17-Nov-2022", "date_added": "23-Sep-2022 18:16:09", "publisher": "Prometheus", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011735007", "title": "A Town Called Why", "author": "Rick Lenz", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 422, "review": "Frank Gaines is a policeman in an Arizona desert town. He's half Apache but has trouble coming to terms with his multicultural heritage. More often than not, he feels like a coward and not like any brave warriors he's heard about. For some time, he's been asking himself what his purpose is or should be. Not finding any answers on his own, he's been seeing a therapist. During the course of his treatment, he finds that he's falling in love with Sunny, his Apache therapist. But that might be the least of his worries.

When a man is found dead, it turns out Frank is one of his last known relatives, and according to Apache tradition, any death or suicide deemed to be caused by another person's behavior must be avenged by a relative. Will Frank be able to do that? He thinks it sounds a little outdated, plus he is, after all, a policeman. But then again, the person who might be responsible is on Frank's radar, and he doesn't like what he's seen so far. Will he cross a line, or is there another solution to the problem?

A Town Called Why is a book filled with interesting characters all trying to find a purpose in life or answers to deep-seated questions they can't seem to overcome. I love that the author allowed the reader to get an intimate look at all the main characters by showing us what's driving them to take the actions they take throughout the story. I also loved the way he used nature as a character as well. The descriptions of the desert landscape were beautiful and mesmerizing. I almost felt that I was there.

I also appreciated the historical and cultural details he included. Gaines was well described, and the conflict he had regarding his ancestry and heritage made him seem quite real. Many readers will no doubt be able to relate to his feelings of being a coward, or just thinking he wasn't good enough, and his need to understand his purpose in life.

Overall, this book had a very cinematic feel to it. This could be due to the wonderful descriptions throughout. The fact that all the characters seemed to be fighting some inner demons or had just experienced hardships that left a mark on them made the story seem complex and dynamic. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this tale, especially when all the character stories and plot lines started coming together. Mr. Lenz is definitely an author I want to read again.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Oct-2022 02:39:27", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "239 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011735003", "title": "A Town Called Why", "author": "Rick Lenz", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 531, "review": "There are dark deeds afoot in the isolated desert town of Why, Arizona, a \u201cgodforsaken boondocks\u201d of a place where the apparent emptiness belies a surprising depth of feeling as well as a surprising number of people who are haunted by both actual ghosts and the ghosts of unwise/unmade decisions. Fortunately, courageous cop Detective Frank Gaines\u2014who once volunteered to trade places with a hostage and so put himself in the hands of a psychopath\u2014is on hand to help keep everyone honest. At least, that\u2019s what the citizens of Why believe.

Gaines himself isn\u2019t quite so sure that he deserves his reputation for bravery and fearlessness. In fact, he has so little confidence in himself, his purpose in life, and his ability to live up to his Apache heritage that he has secretly been seeing a psychotherapist, Sunny Kacheenay. He feels bad about needing therapy\u2014and the fact that he seems to be falling in love with Kacheenay doesn\u2019t help\u2014but agrees to help when she receives a threatening anonymous message disconcertingly accompanied by cut-up photographs of models.

Things become even more complicated when Gaines learns that a man named Gordon Cody, a previously unknown distant relative of his, has committed suicide. Cody\u2019s wife believes that she knows who was responsible for driving him to his death, and what\u2019s more, she also believes that it is Gaines\u2019 responsibility\u2014on the basis of long-established Apache tradition\u2014 to avenge Cody. More specifically, the woman believes that Gaines has a sacred duty torture and kill the person responsible, regardless of his personal preference and duty as a police officer.

Rick Lenz\u2019s A Town Called Why is a detective story with a difference. There are certainly a number of mysteries\u2014murders and more\u2014involved in the story, but solving them isn\u2019t really what drives the plot forward. Rather, the focus is on character, the whys and the wherefores that explain why people do what they do, and understanding how different people can view the same thing so very differently. Gaines isn\u2019t the only character who doubts himself, nor is he the only one who is tested to their limits over the course of the book.

While the majority of the mysteries are satisfyingly solved, the real triumph of the story lies in the level of comprehension that is ultimately achieved regarding the many complex characters, both the likeable ones and the ones who are good to hate. Gaines, Kacjeenay, and several others are haunted by people and secrets from the past, and whether they\u2019re willing to admit it or not, their history is clearly informing their present. This includes the role that tradition, religion, and spiritual belief play in their day-to-day lives, whether they\u2019re aware of it or not.

The way that Lenz has blended Apache history and tradition, as well as certain supernatural happenings, into the bones of the detective story adds an extra layer of interest, as do his evocative descriptions of both the desert environment and the one-horse-town status of Why. A Town Called Why offers an evocative exploration of the nature of evil and the extent to which people will go to combat it. It\u2019s an engaging and intriguing book that is sure to inform and entertain.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Oct-2022 02:39:14", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "239 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011734007", "title": "Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, The: A new fantasy series set a thousand years before The City of Brass", "author": "Shannon Chakraborty", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 200, "review": "No one can turn down a good pirate story, right? What if it\u2019s about a kickass female character and set in the less predictable and lesser known Indian Ocean? And what if it happens to be written by bestselling author Shannon Chakraborty, author of the City of Brass series? And finally, what if it happens to be the start of a great new trilogy? Well, in that case, welcome to The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi.

Amina al-Sirafi has seemingly done it all. A renowned high seas pirate who has faced the fear of death more times than she can count, as well as dealing with royalty hellbent on revenge, rogues aplenty, more than a few husbands, and in one case and actual demon\u2026 hasn\u2019t she earned the right to retire in peace?

But when the ultimate job lands in her lap with a really serious payday, she can\u2019t really afford to say no, as she has a family to support. Also, it\u2019s an important job: to rescue the kidnapped daughter of a good friend. Plus it\u2019s one last chance to get the old crew back together again and have one last adventure. Only things are certainly not what they seem\u2026", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "27-Mar-2023", "date_added": "28-Oct-2022 20:08:25", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011734003", "title": "Queen of Thieves: A Novel", "author": "Beezy Marsh", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 191, "review": "Alice Diamond is the Queen of Thieves. She\u2019s got a nice little racket going in post-World War II London. Her all-female gang of \u201choisters\u201d are expert shoplifters, which means Alice is doing really well for herself compared to some. One of those down-on-her-luck ladies is Nell, who just found out she\u2019s pregnant, which means she\u2019ll be kicked out of her parent\u2019s place as soon as they find out. Alice decides to take Nell under her wing and make her a hoister. Alice will discover far too late that Nell isn\u2019t as innocent as she looks. Soon there might be a new queen on the throne if Alice doesn\u2019t watch her back.

This was a fascinating look into post-World War II London. I had never heard of hoisters and their long history before. While almost every character was doing was wrong, it was hard not to like them. Everybody had a story and was pushed to do things they most likely wouldn\u2019t have if times hadn\u2019t been so tough. Hopefully, we\u2019ll hear more about Nell and Alice since their story isn\u2019t done yet. I definitely recommend this to fans of historical fiction.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2023", "date_added": "28-Oct-2022 20:05:01", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011733007", "title": "The Q", "author": "Amy Tintera", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 324, "review": "Lessons of a Teen Roundup\n\nAlthough the books in this roundup may all have very different plots, they have one thing in common. All of these books have a cast of strong teens who are on very special missions. And whether they are researching or fighting or just trying to figure things out, they all learn some very important life lessons along the way. \n\nThe Infamous Frankie Lorde 3: No Admissions\nBrittany Geragotelis\nHoliday House\n9781645951230\n\nFrankie Lorde, a once renowned international thief, finds herself in a predicament once again in the third volume of The Infamous Frankie Lorde. She finds out that a group of wealthy parents is using their influence and wealth to buy their kids into the best institutions. Frankie sets out to get to the bottom of this scandal and in the process learns some important lessons. This book can be read as a standalone.\n\nThe Q\nAmy Tintera\nRandom House Children's Books\n9780593486177\n\nThis action-packed YA novel will have readers cheering as they follow two teenagers from opposite worlds who must right their way through a dystopian America during a pandemic. Seventeen-year-old Maisie has spent her whole life in the Q\u2014the post-pandemic quarantine. Lennon Pierce is the son of a US Presidential Candidate who has been kidnapped and dropped into the Q. The two teens must work together to get Lennon out of the Q before he is permanently infected. This book has many thought-provoking themes including political unrest, medical care, and poverty.\n\nWait for Me\nSara Shepard\nUnion Square & Co.\n9781454945772\n\nCasey Rhodes is a seventeen-year-old in her sophomore year at NYU. When she starts hearing voices, she flees to the beach town of Avon to get away. The voices become more intense and soon she has visions of things and people she knows nothing about including a guy named Jake. This is a thriller suspense novel that has many twists and turns that readers will love.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Oct-2022 20:07:19", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011731011", "title": "The Girls Who Disappeared: A Novel", "author": "Claire Douglas", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 189, "review": "In a small English town lies a haunted road called the Devil\u2019s Corridor. Though the Devil\u2019s Corridor is known for its strange occurrences, teenage Olivia and her three friends drove through it one night on their way home from a party. The girls lost control of the car and crashed \u2013 but when Olivia regained consciousness, her three friends were nowhere to be found. Twenty years later, journalist Jenna Halliday hasn\u2019t let up on the question of what happened to the three other girls. But she soon finds that the town is not so eager to have the past unraveled. Jenna starts to receive threatening notes, and if she doesn\u2019t solve the mystery of the missing girls soon, she becomes one herself.

A quick and thrilling read, The Girls Who Disappeared provides all the twists and secrets that fans of Gone Girl will devour. The eerie town of Wilshire and its supernatural elements take the story to the next level, and getting both Jenna and Olivia\u2019s points of view makes for a gripping read that, while at times can be slow, picks up in the moments that matter most.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "25-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Oct-2022 20:02:01", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011730003", "title": "The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life", "author": "Mike Rucker", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristin Jarrett", "word_count": 279, "review": "The Fun Habit by Mike Rucker is a great read. The book has great advice on how to create fun and addresses different aspects (by chapter) where this applies to life, for instance, with adult friends, with kids, etc. It reveals some interesting vantage points, for instance, stop seeking happiness and start seeking fun. How smart is that? Happiness can be illusive and ill-defined, which makes trying to \"find happiness\" leave you empty and questioning if you've found enough. But creating fun, that's easy to do in small ways that really does impact how you feel. Doesn't everyone feel better after experiencing a little fun?

The chapter on having fun with children was spot on to me as well. The key to being happy as a parent of children is to immerse yourself in their needs and find joy in their joy. I loved playing with my kids as toddlers. I mean I truly enjoyed building train tracks and doing art projects (to an extent of course), but teenagers, that's a bit harder for me. But I get the idea of finding joy in their joy. It may be a movie they enjoy or learning to dye their hair, but as a parent, what Dr. Rucker says about finding fun in their fun is very good advice.

I appreciated his nods to research as well. He often quotes a study but doesn't go so far in depth as to make it boring, just enough to give his point credibility and move along with another interesting story to illustrate the point of the research. Overall, this is a great book and one that I look forward to sharing with others.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "28-Mar-2023", "date_added": "28-Oct-2022 19:11:42", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011729011", "title": "The Wedding at Moonglow Bay", "author": "Lori Wilde", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 977, "review": "New Romance for Spring\n\nAre you looking for some fresh new romance novels to add to your reading list this spring? If so, San Francisco Book Review has got you covered! We've rounded up some of the hottest new releases in the genre, which are sure to sweep you off your feet. From steamy fantasy romances to heart-warming historical love stories, these books are the perfect way to indulge in a little romance and escape into a world of love and passion. \n\nConquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep\n\nThe third instalment in Jennifer Estep\u2019s thrilling A Gargoyle Queen fantasy series, Conquer the Kingdom continues the story of Gemma Ripley, a powerful mage, cunning spy, and heir to the throne of Andvari. Despite her many successes, Gemma has been unable to capture her greatest enemy, which means that the entire kingdom continues to face grave danger. What\u2019s more, the upcoming Sword and Shield tournament has caused numerous gladiators to flock to the city of Glanzen, although Gemma is unsure which of them she can trust. When Gemma comes up with a plan to protect Andvari, she little suspects the myriad consequences the peril facing her kingdom will have, including in relation to her burgeoning romance with Prince Leonidas Morricone. Will Gemma be able to conquer her fear and harness the true potential of her magic before it is too late? With thrilling action, complex characters, and a richly imagined world, Conquer the Kingdom is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy, romance, and adventure.\nThe Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by K.J. Charles\n\nThe Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is a captivating historical romance novel by K.J. Charles. The book follows the story of Gareth Inglis, who grew up bitter and impoverished after being abandoned by his father in 18th century England. He briefly has a chance at love with a handsome stranger, but things soon go awry and he is left alone again. However, Gareth\u2019s luck changes in adulthood when his father dies and he inherits a mansion on Romney Marsh as well as a host of relatives he previously knew nothing about. When it emerges that a gang of smugglers are operating in the area, Gareth does his best to bring them to justice, but things change quickly when he realizes that the leader of the gang is his former lover, Joss Doomsday. Despite things getting off to a difficult start, the two discover that they really want nothing more than to be together again, even though their relationship brings danger from all sides. With its richly drawn characters, evocative setting, and sizzling romance, The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is perfect for fans of historical fiction and LGBTQ+ romance.\nThe Wedding at Moonglow Bay by Lori Wilde\n\nThe fourth book in the Moonglow Bay series, Lori Wilde\u2019s The Wedding at Moonglow Bay is a heart-warming romance novel that tells the story of Samantha, a young woman who believes that she has finally found her soulmate in the handsome Luca Ginelli. Unfortunately for Samantha, despite her wedding day starting out like a dream come true, she doesn\u2019t make it up the aisle unscathed. In fact, that very day, the man she had previously been married to\u2014who just happens to be Luca\u2019s brother, Nick\u2014reappears after having been missing and presumed dead for seven years and declares that their marriage is still valid. Finding herself in possession of both a fianc\u00e9 and a husband, Samantha has to make some difficult decisions if she is going to find happiness and keep her family together. The Wedding at Moonglow Bay is a charming and uplifting story of second chances, forgiveness, and the power of love to heal old wounds.\nArtfully Yours by Joanna Lowell\n\nArtfully Yours is an atmospheric and enthralling historical romance novel by Joanna Lowell. Despite having been raised by a brother who makes his living as an art forger, and despite herself having the skill to paint like Botticelli, Nina Finch knows that she isn\u2019t really cut out for a life of crime. She has the talent for it, but not the heart; she\u2019d much rather make a living as a baker. Sadly, she has to put that dream on hold when her brother\u2019s carelessness brings their past forgeries to the attention of Alan De\u2019Ath, London\u2019s most respected art critic. Although Alan quickly realizes that the paintings are fakes, he doesn\u2019t initially suspect Nina\u2019s role in the caper and so offers her a job in his household. Alan intends to catch the forger but finds himself increasingly distracted by the presence of Nina. Will they find a way to be together against the odds? With its engaging characters, witty dialogue, and heartfelt romance, Artfully Yours is a delightful read that will leave you cheering for Nina and Alan as they chase their dreams and find love along the way.\nPandora by Susan Stokes-Chapman\n\nWeaving Greek myth with Georgian intrigue,Pandora is a thrilling historical romance novel by Susan Stokes-Chapman. Set in 18th century London, it centers on Dora Blake, a young woman who lives with her uncle in the rooms above what was once her parents\u2019 antiques shop. When a mysterious Greek vase arrives at the shop and Dora observes that her uncle is acting in a shifty and suspicious way, she turns to antiquarian scholar Edward Lawrence for assistance. Their unexpected partnership offers Dora a way to escape from her uncle\u2019s control and return the antiques shop to its former glory, while it presents Edward with the opportunity to progress his academic career. Yet, when Edward discovers something about the vase that causes Dora to question everything she previously considered to be true, it seems like their fledgling romance might come to a premature end. With its highly detailed setting, complex characters, and gripping plot, Pandora is sure to appeal to fans of historical romance and adventure.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Oct-2022 19:44:17", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011728003", "title": "The Porcelain Moon", "author": "Janie Chang", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1160, "review": "Historical Fiction Roundup 2023\n\nIn a world that often demands we look forward, historical fiction invites us to gaze backward, to immerse ourselves in the vivid tapestries of bygone eras. In this Historical Fiction Roundup, we journey through time with six recently published novels that transport readers to diverse corners of history. From the trenches of World War One to the bustling streets of 1920s New York and the battlefields of medieval France, these tales offer not just a glimpse but an immersive experience of the past. Each novel is a meticulously crafted time machine, designed to sweep you away to another time and place, while simultaneously illuminating timeless aspects of the human condition. Join us as we delve into the richness of these historical narratives, where the past comes alive in the pages of fiction.\n\nThe Manhattan Girls by Gill Paul\n\nGill Paul\u2019s The Manhattan Girls by is a captivating journey back to the vibrant streets of 1920s New York City. In the midst of a post-war era filled with excitement and challenges, Dorothy Parker, a resilient but struggling woman, forms an unlikely bridge group with three extraordinary women. As their friendships deepen, they become a lifeline for each other in a world dominated by men. However, when tragedy strikes and Dorothy's world is threatened, her friends Peggy, Winifred, and Jane must rally to help her confront the truth. Paul weaves fact and fiction seamlessly, delivering a story that explores love, loss, and the enduring power of friendship against the backdrop of an intoxicating era. With sharp wit, unforgettable characters, and a richly atmospheric setting, The Manhattan Girls is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, offering a delightful blend of modern allure and 1920s charm.\n\nWings of War by David Fairbank White and Margaret Stanback White\n\nWings of War by David Fairbank White and Margaret Stanback White is an enthralling account of the pivotal role played by the P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft during World War Two. In the early 1940s, as the Allies struggled in the air war, this remarkable aircraft emerged as a gamechanger. The book sheds light on the relentless efforts of a diverse group of visionaries, including designers, engineers, test pilots, and army officers, who defied corruption and bureaucracy to bring the Mustang from concept to reality. The narrative not only captures the technical challenges of creating the iconic fighter but also delves into the human stories behind it, highlighting the resilience, innovation, and courage of those involved. As the Mustang squadrons took flight over Europe, they turned the tide of the war by decimating the Luftwaffe, ultimately clearing the skies for the pivotal D-Day invasion. Wings of War is a compelling and character-driven account that illuminates the incredible journey of an aircraft that undeniably changed the course of World War Two, offering a fresh perspective on the untold heroes and challenges of its creation.\n\nJoan by Katherine J. Chen\n\nKatherine J. Chen\u2019s Joan is a powerful historical novel that transports readers to war-torn and tumultuous France in the midst of the Hundred Years' War. At the center of the gripping story is Joan of Arc, a remarkable and complex heroine who rises from obscurity to lead the French army with unwavering determination. Joan's character is portrayed as both reckless and brilliant, shaped by a turbulent childhood marked by violence and joy. As she navigates the treacherous battlefield and court politics, Joan grapples with suspicion from all sides, including her own ambitions. Chen's storytelling is vivid, her characters unforgettable, and she weaves together history, mysticism, and Joan's indomitable spirit into a narrative that is both thrilling and profound. Joan is a feminist celebration of a woman who left an indelible mark on history and a triumphant work of historical fiction that captivates from start to finish. \n\nCoronation Year by Jennifer Robson\n\nCoronation Year by Jennifer Robson is a captivating historical novel set in London in 1953, a momentous year marked by the impending coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. At the heart of the narrative are three distinct individuals whose lives converge at the Blue Lion Hotel, each facing their own challenges and seeking a fresh start. Edie Howard grapples with the threat of closure of the hotel but finds hope in the opportunity presented by the Queen's procession. Stella Donati discovers a new-found sense of purpose in her work at a prominent magazine. James Geddes seeks refuge and acceptance in this diverse community. However, as they forge bonds of friendship, they uncover anonymous threats that jeopardize Coronation Day and their futures. Robson skillfully weaves together their stories, creating a tale of resilience, unity, and the pursuit of happiness in the face of adversity. Coronation Year is a riveting and emotionally charged historical novel that presents a compelling exploration of female friendship, perseverance, and the enduring pursuit of beauty amid the challenges of post-war life.\n\nThe Porcelain Moon by Janie Chang\n\nJanie Chang\u2019s The Porcelain Moon is a mesmerizing historical novel set against the backdrop of World War One-era France, where the lives of two remarkable women, Pauline Deng and Camille Roussel, collide in unexpected and poignant ways. Chang's storytelling prowess shines as she weaves together the personal struggles of these women with the lesser-known history of the 140,000 Chinese laborers who played a vital role in Europe during the war. Against this backdrop, the novel explores themes of forbidden love, identity, and the sacrifices made for freedom. With lyrical prose and well-drawn characters, Chang paints a vivid picture of a complex and transformative period in history, offering readers a compelling tale of friendship and resilience in the face of adversity. The Porcelain Moon is a beautifully crafted and thought-provoking novel that captivates from start to finish, appealing to both historical fiction enthusiasts and those intrigued by untold stories from the past.\n\nThe Girls in Navy Blue by Alix Rickloff\n\nThe Girls in Navy Blue by Alix Rickloff is a captivating and emotionally charged dual timeline novel that skillfully weaves together the lives of three remarkable women who joined the United States Navy as yeomanettes during World War One and the impact their choices have on a descendant in 1968. In 1918, as America grapples with war, Marjory, Blanche, and Viv enlist for diverse reasons, forging friendship and sisterhood amidst the challenges of their service. However, their dreams are upended when Viv's past resurfaces. Fast forward to 1968, when Peggy Whitby inherits her great-aunt Blanche's beach cottage and embarks on a quest to unravel the mysteries behind cryptic postcards dated from 1918. Rickloff masterfully explores themes of identity, resilience, and the enduring bonds of female friendship across generations. As past and present collide, Peggy's journey becomes a poignant exploration of self-discovery and the sacrifices made by those who came before. The Girls in Navy Blue is a compelling and evocative tale that bridges time, offering readers a heartfelt narrative that delves into the complexities of family, heritage, and the enduring impact of history on our lives.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Oct-2022 19:06:30", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011727007", "title": "Yetis Are the Worst! (The Worst Series)", "author": "Alex Willan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 128, "review": "Here is our friendly Goblin friend back to talk about his neighbors some more. Gilbert always thinks the worst of his neighbors and finds a reason not to like them. In this book, Gilbert thinks Yetis are the worst, but he goes on a journey to find them. On his journey, Gilbert carelessly creates an avalanche that lands him inside the Yeti's den. He finds out the Yetis aren't that bad.

This series is one of my favorites, and I hope to see more books in the series. This book was so funny as Gilbert always finds out that his neighbors aren't as bad as he thinks they are if he would give them a chance. The artwork is so funny with the hidden yeti-like structures in the book.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "18-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Oct-2022 19:15:11", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011727003", "title": "Unseelie (The Unseelie duology, 1)", "author": "Ivelisse Housman", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 12", "word_count": 228, "review": "Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman is an amazing book about two young twins: Iselia and Isolde. These sisters look exactly alike, but they couldn\u2019t be more different. Iselia is an autistic changeling left in the world of humans by the Fae at a young age. She has never really fit in, unlike her sister, Isolde. Iselia\u2019s magic makes it even harder to fit in. To fix this, Iselia and her sister get drawn into a hunt for a fabled treasure that may fix everything about her life.

But when the heist goes wrong, Iselia and Isolde find themselves unraveling the mystery of the Fae. When the sisters find themselves deep in all the secrets of the Fae, they realize that things are not as simple as they seem. Can Iselia master her magic fast enough to protect herself, her sister, and the secrets of the Fae?

Unseelie was a good read; I enjoyed how the twins were completely different but still loved each other deeply. I don't quite think that this book is for kids aged ten to fifteen. It was a little bit too serious and didn\u2019t have a lot of funny stuff in it. I liked the fantasy in the book and I think that others will too. I think Unseelie would be a good read for older teens and young adults; it\u2019s definitely worth the read!", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2023", "date_added": "28-Oct-2022 19:01:33", "publisher": "Inkyard Press", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011726003", "title": "Artfully Yours", "author": "Joanna Lowell", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 977, "review": "New Romance for Spring\n\nAre you looking for some fresh new romance novels to add to your reading list this spring? If so, San Francisco Book Review has got you covered! We've rounded up some of the hottest new releases in the genre, which are sure to sweep you off your feet. From steamy fantasy romances to heart-warming historical love stories, these books are the perfect way to indulge in a little romance and escape into a world of love and passion. \n\nConquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep\n\nThe third instalment in Jennifer Estep\u2019s thrilling A Gargoyle Queen fantasy series, Conquer the Kingdom continues the story of Gemma Ripley, a powerful mage, cunning spy, and heir to the throne of Andvari. Despite her many successes, Gemma has been unable to capture her greatest enemy, which means that the entire kingdom continues to face grave danger. What\u2019s more, the upcoming Sword and Shield tournament has caused numerous gladiators to flock to the city of Glanzen, although Gemma is unsure which of them she can trust. When Gemma comes up with a plan to protect Andvari, she little suspects the myriad consequences the peril facing her kingdom will have, including in relation to her burgeoning romance with Prince Leonidas Morricone. Will Gemma be able to conquer her fear and harness the true potential of her magic before it is too late? With thrilling action, complex characters, and a richly imagined world, Conquer the Kingdom is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy, romance, and adventure.\nThe Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by K.J. Charles\n\nThe Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is a captivating historical romance novel by K.J. Charles. The book follows the story of Gareth Inglis, who grew up bitter and impoverished after being abandoned by his father in 18th century England. He briefly has a chance at love with a handsome stranger, but things soon go awry and he is left alone again. However, Gareth\u2019s luck changes in adulthood when his father dies and he inherits a mansion on Romney Marsh as well as a host of relatives he previously knew nothing about. When it emerges that a gang of smugglers are operating in the area, Gareth does his best to bring them to justice, but things change quickly when he realizes that the leader of the gang is his former lover, Joss Doomsday. Despite things getting off to a difficult start, the two discover that they really want nothing more than to be together again, even though their relationship brings danger from all sides. With its richly drawn characters, evocative setting, and sizzling romance, The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is perfect for fans of historical fiction and LGBTQ+ romance.\nThe Wedding at Moonglow Bay by Lori Wilde\n\nThe fourth book in the Moonglow Bay series, Lori Wilde\u2019s The Wedding at Moonglow Bay is a heart-warming romance novel that tells the story of Samantha, a young woman who believes that she has finally found her soulmate in the handsome Luca Ginelli. Unfortunately for Samantha, despite her wedding day starting out like a dream come true, she doesn\u2019t make it up the aisle unscathed. In fact, that very day, the man she had previously been married to\u2014who just happens to be Luca\u2019s brother, Nick\u2014reappears after having been missing and presumed dead for seven years and declares that their marriage is still valid. Finding herself in possession of both a fianc\u00e9 and a husband, Samantha has to make some difficult decisions if she is going to find happiness and keep her family together. The Wedding at Moonglow Bay is a charming and uplifting story of second chances, forgiveness, and the power of love to heal old wounds.\nArtfully Yours by Joanna Lowell\n\nArtfully Yours is an atmospheric and enthralling historical romance novel by Joanna Lowell. Despite having been raised by a brother who makes his living as an art forger, and despite herself having the skill to paint like Botticelli, Nina Finch knows that she isn\u2019t really cut out for a life of crime. She has the talent for it, but not the heart; she\u2019d much rather make a living as a baker. Sadly, she has to put that dream on hold when her brother\u2019s carelessness brings their past forgeries to the attention of Alan De\u2019Ath, London\u2019s most respected art critic. Although Alan quickly realizes that the paintings are fakes, he doesn\u2019t initially suspect Nina\u2019s role in the caper and so offers her a job in his household. Alan intends to catch the forger but finds himself increasingly distracted by the presence of Nina. Will they find a way to be together against the odds? With its engaging characters, witty dialogue, and heartfelt romance, Artfully Yours is a delightful read that will leave you cheering for Nina and Alan as they chase their dreams and find love along the way.\nPandora by Susan Stokes-Chapman\n\nWeaving Greek myth with Georgian intrigue,Pandora is a thrilling historical romance novel by Susan Stokes-Chapman. Set in 18th century London, it centers on Dora Blake, a young woman who lives with her uncle in the rooms above what was once her parents\u2019 antiques shop. When a mysterious Greek vase arrives at the shop and Dora observes that her uncle is acting in a shifty and suspicious way, she turns to antiquarian scholar Edward Lawrence for assistance. Their unexpected partnership offers Dora a way to escape from her uncle\u2019s control and return the antiques shop to its former glory, while it presents Edward with the opportunity to progress his academic career. Yet, when Edward discovers something about the vase that causes Dora to question everything she previously considered to be true, it seems like their fledgling romance might come to a premature end. With its highly detailed setting, complex characters, and gripping plot, Pandora is sure to appeal to fans of historical romance and adventure.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Oct-2022 18:56:53", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011725007", "title": "The Daydreams", "author": "Laura Hankin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 199, "review": "In 2018, up-and-coming attorney Kat is approached to relive her past. In the early 2000s, along with fellow teen actors Noah, Summer, and Liana, Kat starred in The Daydreams \u2013 a hit teen drama that made them famous. After thirteen years, producers want to film a reunion show. But the actors haven\u2019t spoken since the show\u2019s dreadful finale. Since then, Summer spiraled into substance abuse, Noah became an even bigger star, and Liana married a big-shot athlete. When they get back together, things are awkward. Also, the ill-fated finale altered Summer\u2019s life, and Kat, Noah, and Liana were seemingly all involved in Summer\u2019s destruction.

The format of The Daydreams was fun, and I really felt like I was getting a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood. Backstage was full of misogyny, pressure to maintain appearances, and some alcohol-fueled mischief. The story itself was a good one, but overall the execution was lacking. The immature dialogue felt silly and left little room for interpretation \u2013 it was all laid out plainly. None of the characters were particularly likable, and it seemed that each was trying to self-sabotage. I did like the journal storyline, and although the book was enjoyable, it wasn\u2019t a must-read.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "02-May-2023", "date_added": "28-Oct-2022 19:17:21", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011725003", "title": "You Gotta Meet Mr. Pierce!: The Storied Life of Folk Artist Elijah Pierce", "author": "Chiquita Mullins Lee, Carmella Van Vleet, Jennifer Mack-Watkins", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Barbara Roman", "word_count": 384, "review": "Expecting just an ordinary haircut, a young boy walks into Elijah Pierce's barbershop studio in Columbus, Ohio where the ambiance is lively with music, laughter, and young children dancing. The boy, who is struggling with an idea for a picture to draw for his mother, soon learns that creative ideas are everywhere, in the things we see and hear every day. \u201cThe more you look, the more you see,\u201d Elijah says. As Elijah cuts the boy\u2019s hair, he relates his life story as told in the remarkable wood carvings that fill every corner of the small studio. There are animals, scenes from his life, and those detailing the socio-political world around him including one that tells of a harrowing experience he had as a young man accused and jailed for something he didn\u2019t do, all because of his skin color.

Elijah was born in 1892 Mississippi to a once-enslaved man, a farmer whose family followed in his footsteps - all except for Elijah. When his chores were done for the day, he headed for the woods to carve. Using the pocketknife given to him by his father, Elijah turned that implement into a magical instrument to channel his artistic gift. Carving was his calling and there wasn\u2019t anything that he couldn\u2019t sculpt from a raw piece of wood. The historical subject matter and intricacy of his work eventually won Elijah the National Heritage Fellowship in 1982 just two years before his death. Prior to that time, self-taught folk artists, usually immigrants and persons of color, were not held in the highest esteem. They were craftspeople, considered common, and so was their art. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) changed all that by establishing the Fellowship and naming Pierce as one of their recipients for the highest folk art honor in the United States.

This picture book includes cleverly collaged museum-sourced photos of his art and informative backmatter about his life. With engaging text by playwright Chiquita Mullins-Lee and award-winning author Carmella Van Vleet, it is illustrated with striking Japanese woodblock by Jennifer Mack-Watkins. The illustrations are stunning and one can imagine how awe-inspiring the actual carvings are. In an era where misguided persons are trying to erase important depictions of rich culture, this book is a must-have new addition to vital Black art history!", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "28-Oct-2022 18:54:06", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011722019", "title": "Plot Twist", "author": "Donna Thompson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 451, "review": "As someone whose favorite book genre is mysteries and suspense thrillers, I was ecstatic to get my hands on a copy of Plot Twist by Donna J. Thompson. I could not believe this book was Donna's first novel as it was organized and written so well with the most satisfying twists and turns that I would have expected her to be a veteran writer.

Readers are introduced to Springfield detective Karl Larkin, a man who always gets his man, and Larkin's partner Ted Cramer. A call comes in from a wealthy member of the community, Lawrence Cromwell. It seems Lawrence's wife, Julie, is missing, and he has a note from the kidnappers. Sounds like a pretty straightforward case for the detectives, right? Wrong! As Larkin and Cramer soon find out, Julie is not liked by many, and that includes her own family members. She is found dead, and Larkin starts interviewing everyone she knows. He even goes back to her hometown, where she was known as Julie Collins before marrying Lawrence.

What Thompson truly excels at is giving her readers a bit of information and letting them stew over it as Larkin continues to gather more information. For example, there is a gun that is found at the scene of the crime that may be the same gun reported stolen by Julie's stepdaughter, Cassie. But Thompson doesn't tell us if the gun was hers or not. Instead, Larkin ends up finding himself in a romantic affair with Cassie. As I was reading this, I kept hoping that Larkin wouldn't get cloudy vision because of the conflict of interest. Of course, we find out later what happened with the gun. I also really loved the intensity as Larkin finally realizes whodunnit and races against time to try and save the next victim. When he says out loud, \"I know who killed Julie Cromwell. Just get over to 32 Mary Street, and hurry.\" my eyes went wide, and I tried hard not to skim the pages to find out whom he had figured out the killer was. By Thompson not following his exclamation with \"it's [enter killer's name here],\" she gives her readers that little adrenaline rush we all get when a mystery is about to be solved.

Another great aspect of this book was the many secrets the Cromwell and Collins families kept. These family secrets will make its readers ooh, ahh, and gasp as they are revealed. Some of them are just so twisted.

I really hope there are more Larkin novels in Thompson's future. This is a book I would read again, and I would recommend it to all lovers of mysteries and suspense novels. This is your next best read.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "27-Oct-2022 20:53:39", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "246 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011722015", "title": "Plot Twist", "author": "Donna Thompson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi", "word_count": 394, "review": "How do you make sure your husband loves and cares about you? You set up a plan involving a fake kidnapping and ask him to pay a great amount of money for you to be returned home safely. At least that was how Julie Cromwell thought she would prove her husband\u2019s love and loyalty to her. Overall, it looks like a solid plan, but something goes wrong and she ends up dead.

Julie was a very fragile person. She was raised alongside her sister in an abusive environment and that shaped both of their characters for the rest of their lives. That\u2019s where her insecurity originates from and that\u2019s why she chose to put together this crazy plan.

The case is assigned to lead detective Karl Larkin and his partner Ted Cramer. As soon as they begin their investigation, they know this case is way more different and complex than anything they have investigated so far. The detectives are an essential part of the plot and what makes this story such a great murder mystery novel. The duo lead the story chapter by chapter, and through their conversations and descriptions, the reader is immersed and becomes a witness to how the story unfolds.

Plot Twist is the perfect title for this novel. It is accurate and reflects the book\u2019s context. There are many twists, secrets, lies, and deception. Donna J. Thompson delivers a breathtaking, beautifully written, and carefully orchestrated story that doesn\u2019t reveal who the killer is until the very end. Everyone is a suspect and everyone has something to hide. Could it be Julie\u2019s husband, who might not love her anymore? Or her stepdaughter, who never accepted Julie anyway? Or is it maybe her sister, who seems to be envious of Julie and her marriage to a wealthy doctor? What about the staff who were close to her on a daily basis?

The climax is slowly building throughout the novel, and in the end, there is a revealing and touching confession that shows how fragile humans are and how, in one moment, your whole life can take a turn for the worse and you have to live with the consequences of your actions. A highly recommended book for murder mystery enthusiasts that will make you spend half your time reading the book and the other half trying to guess who the killer is.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Oct-2022 20:53:33", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "246 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011722011", "title": "Plot Twist", "author": "Donna Thompson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 404, "review": "Karl Larkin is a veteran detective in the Springfield Police Department. He and his partner have been called to investigate the kidnapping of Julie Cromwell, wife of well-regarded plastic surgeon Lawrence Cromwell. As Larkin begins his inquiry, he makes the acquaintance of the Cromwell family. He quickly learns that this family\u2019s unity is tenuous at best. The victim\u2019s husband neglected to inform the authorities of his wife\u2019s disappearance for a few days. Larkin and his partner are flummoxed by this, along with the infighting that threatens to stifle an adequate investigation.

The investigation takes a grim turn with the discovery of Julie Cromwell\u2019s body. She had been shot multiple times. Larkin\u2019s investigative burden has increased, but his wariness toward the Cromwell family only increases. However, this doesn\u2019t apply to the victim\u2019s daughter, Cassie. Larkin is quite taken with her, despite his suspicions over her possible involvement, as she has admitted her disdain for her late mother. As a possible relationship develops with Cassie, he may have thrown his own instincts out the window.

Larkin\u2019s sharp detective skills have always been a source of admiration for his partner. Larkin is an intrepid investigator; he can gain the trust of a suspect and hold his own in any interrogation. But Larkin\u2019s reckless relationship with a potential suspect threatens the case along with his partnership. Larkin is gifted in his profession but perfectly fallible in his humanity. Cassie is a perfect romantic foil for Larkin, as she is equally smart with more than a hint of mischievousness. Larkin\u2019s partner, Cramer, is the student to Larkin\u2019s teacher. He provides comic relief but possesses the potential to rise to Larkin\u2019s ranks. The Cromwell case has the potential to tear everything asunder, careers and lives included.

Plot Twist is a rollicking mystery that will capture the reader\u2019s interest from the outset until the very end. Author Donna Thompson has written a smart whodunit where the motive and suspects are never in short supply. The compelling nature of the case, including the background of the victim along with the anti-Waltons vibe provided by the family, provides for the bulk of the entertainment in the story. The pacing of the storyline proceeds at a brisk tempo, the dialogue crisp and the characters always engaging. Plot Twist possesses all the intangibles that make a great mystery endearing and have the reader champing at the bit for the author\u2019s next effort. An exemplary effort.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "24-Dec-2022", "date_added": "27-Oct-2022 20:53:26", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "246 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011722007", "title": "Plot Twist", "author": "Donna Thompson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Keenan", "word_count": 431, "review": "There is a new detective in town and, if Plot Twist by Donna J. Thompson is a harbinger of tales to come, mystery fans are in luck. Karl Larkin is a tough, no-nonsense investigator from the Midwest whose only vices are coffee and beautiful women. Larkin, while Ivy League material, rejected the ivory tower for the excitement and satisfaction of police work. Thompson models him on the Columbo school of police work in which methodical questioning and analysis lead to the penultimate moment when the perpetrator is trapped and confesses. However, will this approach be enough to solve the convoluted scenario of Plot Twist?

Lawrence Cromwell\u2019s wife goes missing, the victim of an apparent kidnapping plot. Cromwell, a wealthy plastic surgeon, resides with his family in a mansion located in a walled-in gated estate. His wife, Julie, a meteoric and demanding spouse, goes missing on Friday night. A ransom note appears over the weekend and, after Cromwell pays the ransom, Julie remains missing. Larkin and his partner, Cramer, a pastry loving slob who acts as Larkin\u2019s conscience, are called in to sort out the pieces. Julie\u2019s bloodied vehicle and, ultimately, her body are discovered shortly thereafter. Kidnapping has become murder, but who is the murderer?

The Cromwell family is a jumble of potential suspects. At the top of the list is Cassie Thompson, Cromwell\u2019s middle-aged daughter from his first marriage, who is a successful romance novelist and who Larkin both suspects and is intrigued by. The actions of Cromwell\u2019s two teenage children, Tina and Todd, on the weekend of the crime also draw Larkin\u2019s interest. Rounding out the suspects are Cromwell\u2019s sister-in-law Carrie Risner, her husband James, and their son Toby. Larkin delves deeply into the case and chases down promising leads that fizzle into dead ends. The plot thickens when Larkin uses DNA evidence to delve deeply into the family\u2019s past to uncover the trauma that guides its dynamic and reveals the solution to the murder.

Thompson has created a delightfully multidimensional conflicted character in Larkin. He doggedly follows lead after lead, while against his better judgement he dives into a romance with one of the suspects. He knows it is wrong; however, he believes he can manage the case and the romance. A full slate of characters populates Plot Twist, but Thompson develops them all fully so that the reader comes to know them inside and out. Thompson deftly builds the suspense and the tale\u2019s denouement will surprise the reader. Plot Twist is an all-night page-turner of a novel. Hopefully we have not seen the last of Karl Larkin.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "19-Dec-2022", "date_added": "27-Oct-2022 20:53:14", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "246 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011722003", "title": "An Instrument for Florenda", "author": "Tomeko Brown, Christopher Smallwood", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - age 11", "word_count": 407, "review": "Florenda grew up listening to jazz and attending local music festivals. She loves music so much and wants to play an instrument. Florenda has wanted to play the clarinet ever since she went to a stunning orchestra and heard the high and low sounds of the clarinet. She loves to hear its beautiful tones and look at the shiny black color and silver keys. When she hears there is going to be a band at her school after summer ends, she\u2019s so excited and can\u2019t wait for the next year to start. She knows she wants to play the clarinet.

After going to the store with her mother, though, she finds out that buying a clarinet is way too expensive for her family. Even with the high price, she is determined to play the instrument she\u2019s always wanted to have. She starts doing as many summer jobs that she can think of to raise enough money for a clarinet, like walking dogs and washing neighbors' cars. But by the end of the summer, she realizes that she still doesn\u2019t have enough money. If the band starts and she doesn\u2019t have an instrument, she won\u2019t be able to play! How can she get her dream instrument? And even if she does get her clarinet, what if she isn\u2019t good enough?

I am in my school\u2019s band, and I know how to play the clarinet, so I can relate a lot to Florenda and how hard she works to get a clarinet and get to first chair. This book is believable. It was really easy to read because the words are big and very descriptive. There were parts that were repeated, like Florenda telling her mother that she was going to have a band at school twice.

I wish I would have gotten to know Florenda and her friends more because I don\u2019t really know a lot about her and her friends, even by the end of the book. There wasn\u2019t a lot of character development.

I would have liked to know more about how she works and more about what she does to get the money for her clarinet. I feel like it gets skipped. Sometimes I felt like I was too old to read this book. It was a little too easy to read, and Florenda sounds like she is younger. \n \nI got a little bored and lost interest mostly before she got her clarinet. It wasn't surprising enough.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Oct-2022 20:22:57", "publisher": "Tomeko Brown", "page_count": "108 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000011719035", "title": "The Pulse", "author": "Owen Garratt", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 169, "review": "\"From deep decadence to street violence, egotistical clashes, and strong family sentiments, The Pulse explores how Big Jack Broderick, an overweight, borderline alcoholic, and recently fired father, embarks on a perilous odyssey to reconnect with his family and struggles to survive in a world of burned down settlements and deaths in the millions as a result of a massive solar flare. An action-packed page-turner with lots of heart-racing close calls and extraordinary acts of bravery and fortitude amidst complete pandemonium. Owen Garratt's debut novel is sure to be thrilling for readers who want to imagine a world where only the toughest and most skilled survive and who would love to appreciate the fundamental things they take for granted, but there are also plenty of insightful, intricate observations in the book that will stimulate your mind and get you thinking deeply. Fans of apocalyptic storylines such as Justin Cronin's The Passage, Stephen King's The Stand, and the Mad Max film series will love this book!\" \u2014Foluso Falaye, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 19:10:28", "publisher": "Runding Pelham Publishing", "page_count": "372 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011719031", "title": "The Pulse", "author": "Owen Garratt", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 53, "review": "\"Having just lived through a period of global lockdown, heightened national tensions, and limited social resources; Owen Garratt's new book The Pulse reads like a sobering warning for all. Garratt has crafted a rich, compelling, and triumphant book that masterfully catalogs the perils and nobility of our times.\" \u2014Robert Buccellato, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 19:10:22", "publisher": "Runding Pelham Publishing", "page_count": "372 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011719027", "title": "The Pulse", "author": "Owen Garratt", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 91, "review": "\"A cut above the typical action-packed but insubstantial thriller, The Pulse tackles weighty subjects and distressing matters with aplomb, maintaining accuracy and realism while never letting the pace of the story drop. Owen Garratt crafts an exciting and exceedingly tense story around the character of Big Jack Broderick, a modern everyman who just happens to have the skills and temperament necessary to survive when the world goes haywire. Garratt relates Broderick\u2019s exploits in sparse and urgent prose, which renders his story electrifying and gripping throughout.\" \u2014Erin Britton, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 19:10:06", "publisher": "Runding Pelham Publishing", "page_count": "372 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011719019", "title": "Invisible Orphans", "author": "Jade Moon Le", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 424, "review": "Invisible Orphans chronicles the years of one woman's life and her experiences. From being a kindergarten teacher to learning about farming to understanding mental illness, Vivi must navigate her life through the most challenging of events. Growing up in Macau, China, Vivi decides that she would like to visit the island of Hainan. There she meets an American ex-pat named Matthew. Vivi learns that Matthew is an English teacher at Shaanxi Normal University in China and has only been in China for a few months, yet he speaks Mandarin fairly well. Vivi soon discovers that Matthew's real love is trees and all living plants.

The story brings its reader through the courtship of Vivi and Matthew, and eventually, they marry. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the beautiful scenery in China. The author does a wonderful job of describing the Yangtze River and the immense mountains and large gorges that surround it.

As the story progresses, the reader learns more about Matthew and his family. Matthew grew up in Oregon with his older brother Jerry. Their mother, Rachel, had committed suicide when the boys were very little, and they were raised by their Grandma Dori. Their father, Damon, had remarried and had two more boys. He paid little mind to Matthew and Jerry.

I really felt the family dynamics of Matthew's family were quite sad. Although Matthew and Jerry had a wonderful grandmother, aunt, and uncle who raised them and a cousin to play with, there really was not too much parental guidance. Both Jerry and Matthew end up in very sad predicaments. Matthew's mental health deteriorates, and Vivi is left picking up the pieces.

One of the things I had a hard time with while reading this book is that the story would skip timelines. One minute Vivi was trying to deal with Matthew's absence, and then she would have a flashback, and a story about her and Matthew would be told. This made the book a bit difficult to follow. There are also many side characters that both Vivi and Matthew meet, such as mentors, friends, and support group members. The stories would often go on a tangent before getting back to the main story about Vivi and Matthew's lives. I felt the story was a powerful one that will evoke many emotions in its readers. I would have loved the book to have read a bit more smoothly in terms of chronology, however.

Invisible Orphans is a heartfelt story that will make its readers think about life and the good and bad we all experience.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "17-Nov-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 18:49:29", "publisher": "Rare Bird", "page_count": "234 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011719015", "title": "Invisible Orphans", "author": "Jade Moon Le", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 413, "review": "Invisible Orphan starts with a visit to Hainan in China. The main character, an independent young woman living in Hong Kong and Macau, wants to visit the Chinese mainland to see if it is as unique as her second-grade geography teacher had told her. It's here that she meets Matthew from Indiana. He was teaching at a Chinese University and also wanted to explore other parts of China. They were thrown together when Matthew needed a sponsor for the trip, and Viv told the authorities they were friends. However, when Viv's friend Tony, who is also traveling in the group, does something unexpected, she and Matthew find themselves forming more and more of an attachment to each other.

But life doesn't prove to be easy for them. Once they move to Indiana, Matthew is confronted with tragedies from his past that sends him into a depression that eventually leads to his suicide. Viv and Matthew's family are forced to confront their immense sadness with his passing, but ultimately, Viv feels the need to move on with her life. She relocates to California and tries to redefine her life by working with nonprofit organizations. But her grief and guilt about her husband's past and their relationship continue to haunt her.

This is a moving story about two characters from different backgrounds, cultures, and parts of the world. They find connections that allow them to forge a life together. And the author includes so many fascinating details and descriptions of food, travel, and family life that the story almost seems like a work of non-fiction. I loved that she was able to feel at home in Asia, give tantalizing descriptions of recipes, and also describe a typical home in middle America that will be so familiar to many readers.

I like that the story was told from Viv's perspective, but I wish the author had used her name more often. The fact that her name appears very rarely in the story seemed odd to me. On the other hand, I am glad there were letters from Matthew to her because that not only gave the reader a glimpse into the relationship but allowed Matthew to appear as a more dynamic character as well. Best of all, the author created two characters that I cared about, and that kept me turning the pages to find out how the story would turn out. I finished Invisible Orphan knowing that I would love to read more stories by Jade Moon Le.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "17-Nov-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 18:49:22", "publisher": "Rare Bird", "page_count": "234 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011719011", "title": "Invisible Orphans", "author": "Jade Moon Le", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 452, "review": "Invisible Orphans by Jade Moon Le had me in tears over the harrowing story of Vivi. A young kindergarten teacher from Hong Kong, Vivi is vibrant, intelligent, and reserved. The story tells the beautiful tale of Vivi\u2019s life, including moving to the United States, marrying her dream man, and ending up heartbroken in grief.

This novel begins in a memory; recalling her visit to the Hainan Islands in southern China, Vivi was traveling with her ex-boyfriend, a man she still considered to be her friend. On this trip, Vivi meets what would soon be her future husband, Matthew. The two instantly felt a connection. From the United States, Matthew was the opposite of Vivi in many ways. Coming from a different upbringing, culture, and general way of life, you would think the two would not understand each other as seamlessly as they did. However, Vivi and Matthew just clicked. Just a week after they meet, the two fall in love and go on to do incredible things in their relationship. Between traveling the world, Sunday morning pancake breakfasts, film premieres, hiking, and various other rituals, the two share hobbies, activities, passions, and dreams.

I absolutely loved reading how Vivi and Matthew fell in love with one another. Le did not give the stereotypical romance story; rather, she made a unique and personalized tale just for them, one that stood out to me in quality and content. She did not shy away from adding details of their fights, disagreements, and even possible separation, adding to the authenticity. These details really supplemented the overall tale and greatly helped the reader see both sides of each character.

As the story moves on, a horrible tragedy occurs, leaving Vivi heartbroken, devastated, and unfortunately very alone. The story of her agony is one that will have you weeping on her behalf. The reader gets to follow this stage of Vivi\u2019s life through its entirety, seeing how one copes with loss of love and all that one once knew.

Le does an exceptional job capturing all the stages of grief, from initial denial, arguing, depression, and on to eventual acceptance. The way that she is able to capture heartbreak so perfectly had me applauding her. But what stands out to me most about this part of the novel are the letters that Vivi reads. These letters come from various sources: Matthew, diaries, friends, and more. Between riveting tales from childhood, simple exchanges between lovers, and life-changing confessions, you do not want to miss out on these soulful exchanges.

Overall, Invisible Orphan was an exceptional read. I would recommend it to all readers who enjoy modern fiction and those who may be experiencing the loss of a loved one.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "17-Nov-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 18:49:16", "publisher": "Rare Bird", "page_count": "234 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011719007", "title": "Invisible Orphans", "author": "Jade Moon Le", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 493, "review": "A cross-cultural coming-of-age story that tackles the weighty issues of depression and suicide in an unflinching manner, Jade Moon Le\u2019s Invisible Orphans is a powerful recounting of \u201ca love story evolved by serendipity with a twist of fate.\u201d As such, it is arguably above all things a meditation on memory, both the good and the bad, as main character Vivi experiences detachment from the world and oscillates between tears following the realization that she has lost memories and sorrow when other memories come flooding back unbidden.

Although told in a non-linear fashion, Invisible Orphans relates the sometimes turbulent course of the relationship between Hong Konger Vivi and American Matthew from their initial meeting on Hainan Island in China, through their courtship, eventual marriage, year spent working in China, and decision to settle on a portion of Matthew\u2019s family farmland in Indiana, and on to Vivi\u2019s attempts to make sense of the world following Matthew\u2019s suicide.

Once back in the United States, Matthew worked as the director of the landscaping department at Notre Dame while Vivi pursued her postgraduate studies in architecture. In their free time, they worked on cultivating their new land and Vivi slowly came to learn about Matthew\u2019s tragic family history, mainly from his Aunt Berenice but eventually also from previously reticent friends and family members. The family had a history of depression and suicide, although Vivi was slow to spot related symptoms in Matthew.

In fact, the severity of Matthew\u2019s struggles really only became apparent when he dejectedly took to his bed after failing to save an ancient white pine tree located near the university campus from being cut down for safety reasons. So began an obsession with protecting white pine trees, although his deep love for the natural world, and for trees in particular, had been apparent from the outset of his relationship with Vivi.

Given this strand of Matthew\u2019s character, it should come as no surprise that the descriptions of nature and geography in Invisible Orphans are vibrant and compelling, especially those related during the couple\u2019s trip on the Yangtze River, where they were able to experience the famous Three Gorges. Indeed, the settings of the various scenes from Vivi\u2019s and Matthew\u2019s lives are often portrayed more strongly than the characters who feature in them, particularly the numerous supporting players who pop up to relate something expositional and then quickly fade away.

The structure of the story also makes it difficult to fully grasp the characters, as the sudden scene endings and frequent time shifts sometimes result in a lack of character depth and an inability to focus on key issues, even particularly poignant ones. Still, as a whole Invisible Orphans is a captivating story, dealing as it does with highly emotive issues and injecting pathos throughout the different time periods and events. Vivi is an absorbing main character and her all-too-human struggles, both before and after Matthew\u2019s death, steer the story along and draw the reader in.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "15-Nov-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 18:49:07", "publisher": "Rare Bird", "page_count": "234 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011719003", "title": "The Things We Don't Say", "author": "Carmen Monica Oprea", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 400, "review": "The Things We Don\u2019t Say by Carmen Monica Oprea was an enjoyable read. Told from the perspective of Isabella D\u2019Argentino, the reader follows Isabella\u2019s life subsequent to her 13th birthday. Sadly, Isabella\u2019s mother, Tara, passed away at her birth. Therefore, Isabella has been raised by her father, Luca, owner of a prestigious vintage store in Annecy, France. Although Isabella adores her father, she often wonders what life would be like to live with a mother.

The one glimpse of Tara Isabella has left in her life is through her letters. Every year on her birthday, Luca gifts Isabella a letter that Tara wrote to her before she passed away. Always a moment cherished by Isabella, she is in for a surprise when she reads Tara\u2019s letter this year. She has tasked Isabella with a huge request \u2013 to find one of Luca\u2019s college friends and reunite them. This friend had previously been the platonic love of Luca\u2019s life, and unfortunately, Tara\u2019s relationship got in the way of that. Tara pleads with her daughter to locate this friend, for it is up to her to bring happiness back into her father\u2019s life.

Isabella is initially overwhelmed by this task. After all, she is only thirteen years old and has been asked to find someone her father hasn\u2019t spoken to since college. However, with the help of her grandfather, Isabella begins this journey of reuniting past friendships, a messier experience than she imagined.

Isabella\u2019s story was complicated but exceptionally well-thought-out. I thought Oprea did a fantastic job with the plot. It had many moving parts and complexities, but she did a great job of making everything work out in the end.

I think she also did a great job of tailoring this book for a younger audience. I would have really enjoyed reading this novel about the same age as Isabella, and I enjoyed it now as an adult. However, my main concern came with the dialogue from Isabella herself. I found her vocabulary and way of speaking to flow unnaturally. Isabella\u2019s reactions and dialogue in this novel seemed authored, not authentic. Although the plot itself was superb, I wish Isabella\u2019s character had mirrored what an actual thirteen-year-old girl sounds like and thinks of.

Overall, despite improvements, I thought The Things We Don\u2019t Say was an excellent story. I would recommend it to middle school, or junior high-aged girls, especially between ages eleven to fifteen.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "08-Dec-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 18:43:43", "publisher": "Amazon", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011718003", "title": "Defend the Dawn (Defy the Night) ", "author": "Brigid Kemmerer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "E. A. Kroeker", "word_count": 189, "review": "The sequel to Defy the Night is an absolute triumph.\u00a0\nThe story\u00a0takes place\u00a0several months after the throttled rebellion and attempted overthrow of the Crown. Frustrated with the pace\u00a0of diplomacy\u00a0and unable to establish credibility as an apothecary within the Royal Court, Tessa is struggling with her current circumstances.\u00a0Overwhelmed and unimpressed with the politics of helping people, she longs for her days as an outlaw.\u00a0Not only because outlaw Tessa was able\u00a0to directly help the people but also because she had the help of her co-conspirator Wes.\u00a0Her attempt to reconcile her love for Wes with the actions of the King's Justice creates heart-wrenching tension throughout the story.

The unexpected arrival of an emissary from the neighboring country to the north ignites both hope and suspicion.\u00a0While the Crown\u00a0is\u00a0reluctant to see the potential of this alliance,\u00a0the ever-optimistic Tessa is\u00a0undeterred by their cynicism\u00a0and\u00a0volunteers for the\u00a0journey. A decision that will alter all their fates.

Superb writing, vivid imagery, and rich characters with an abundance of emotional depth.\u00a0Book two did a sensational job of propelling the overall series\u00a0and introducing unexpected challenges.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 17:50:46", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011716011", "title": "The Palladium", "author": "Thorsten Brandl", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 187, "review": "Sometimes life can be stranger than fiction. This was the case for the down-on-his-luck writer, Michael Baker. His adventure begins while looking for a radio station that doesn\u2019t exist in the hope of claiming a prize promised. Lost and cold, Michael stumbles into the lobby of an expensive-looking hotel. This would be his initiation into a secret circle engaged in the ultimate battle between good and evil. Nothing Michael wrote in his fantasy stories could prepare him. Michael found himself fighting alongside historical and mythical warriors for the fate of humankind.

The Palladium is Thorsten Brandl\u2019s second independently published novel. High in action and drama, this epic adventure is a real page-turner. Brandl offers a lot to the reader. From battles of good versus evil to Greek mythology, a bit of history, art appreciation, and a little Dante thrown in. Even though this book can be predictable at times, Brandl\u2019s descriptive style and thrilling fight scenes pique the reader\u2019s interest. Brandl offers a cast of memorable characters and much peril in this dream-like saga. Join Michael as he struggles against the hordes from hell in The Palladium.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "28-Nov-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 17:41:36", "publisher": "Cat's Eye Publishing", "page_count": "319 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011716007", "title": "Good Dream Dragon", "author": "Jacky Davis, Courtney Dawson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 204, "review": "Good Dream Dragon is the story of a little kid who is getting tucked into bed but doesn't think that they can fall asleep on their own. They are told that they can call on the \"Dream Dragon\" to help them. The kid tries to go to sleep on their own, but then gets too frustrated with that and calls on the Dream Dragon. The Dream Dragon is as pretty and magical as it sounds and takes the kid out of their room on an adventure, all while helping to get the kid to feel sleepy enough to fall asleep. It ends up working and the kid can sleep soundly in their bed back at home without any problems.

I was able to understand most of all of Good Dream Dragon, but it confused me why the kid, who looked just like a little girl, was always called \"they\" when there was just the one kid in the story. When reading it with my family, we changed it to \"she\" and it made more sense to me. I liked reading about the places and things that the kid did with the dragon and I might need to remember this when I have trouble sleeping.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "18-Nov-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 16:58:56", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011716003", "title": "Suspect", "author": "Scott Turow", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 203, "review": "Clarice \u201cPinky\u201d Granum has a lot to live up to in Kindle County. She is the granddaughter of the legendary defense attorney Alejandro \u201cSandy\u201d Stern. A one-time promising police academy candidate, she was tossed after flunking a drug test. She works as an investigator for her cousin Rik Dudek. Dudek is defending police chief Lucia Gomez, who is accused of extorting sexual favors for promotions. Pinky delves into the motives of Gomez\u2019s accusers, along with any potential enemies seeking to dethrone the chief.

Pinky\u2019s personal life is chaotic, her relationships with her parents are strained, and her love life is messy. She seeks counsel from her sage Grandfather. While investigating the case, she becomes obsessed with a neighbor in her building. Despite her own best judgment, she starts following the neighbor, and complications ensue. The extortion case isn\u2019t without its own issues and soon threatens to blow up in their faces.

Suspect is the newest mesmerizing work from the brilliant mind of Scott Turow. The citizens of Kindle County never cease to be interesting; their stories are complex, their motives opaque, and their sins are countless. Turow continues to write legal mysteries that grasp the reader and refuse to let go. An A+ read.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "17-Nov-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 16:56:09", "publisher": "Grand Central Publishing", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011713007", "title": "The Korean Table", "author": "Taekyung Chung,Debra Samuels,Heath Robbins", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 199, "review": "This book makes cooking Korean food both simple and fun. The authors take pains to use easy-to-source ingredients as much as possible, making these recipes very approachable. To start, we made Pork Bulgogi Two Tastes, served over White Rice. Techniques for both were very easy to follow, and recipe explanations have plenty of detail without being overwhelming. One Bulgogi was quite spicy, with gochujang and red pepper flakes; the other was sweeter and mild, made with miso and honey. We loved having both together, and on the table in under half an hour. We also loved the comforting Ramen Noodle and Dumpling Soup, which had just the right amount of spicy heat. It would be delicious anytime, but particularly if you are feeling under the weather. The Seasoned Gochujang, made from the author's recipe, makes this a ramen soup to crave. The Korean Sweet and Spicy Fried Chicken was even easier to make and has become a new family favorite (although we did have to tone down the heat). This book inspires confidence in cooking even unfamiliar dishes, and there are many exciting recipes here to enjoy. This is a perfect way to get started with cooking Korean food.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 16:52:50", "publisher": "Tuttle Publishing", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011712003", "title": "Victory. Stand!", "author": "Tommie Smith,Derrick Barnes,Dawud Anyabwile", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 384, "review": "January 2023 Graphic Novel Roundup-Better to See You, My Pretty: Stories told better by Illustration\n\nThese graphic novels are beautifully crafted by the authors and illustrators to create a sensory overload. With colorful characters and well-written dialogues and storylines, these books are sure to draw their readers in. \n\nTokyo Rose - Zero Hour (A Graphic Novel)\nAndre R Frattino,Kate Kasenow,Janice Chiang\nTuttle Publishing\nISBN: 9784805316955\n\nThis graphic novel illustrates a Japanese-American woman\u2019s struggle when she finds herself stuck in Japan before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She is forced to host an anti-American soldier radio show and is arrested and then imprisoned for false accusations. This is her story told with detailed dialogue and character drawings. \n\nVictory. Stand!\nTommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, Dawud Anyabwile\nWW Norton\nISBN: 9781324052159\n\nThis book tells the story of 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist Tommie Smith and his protest of racial injustice against African Americans. He is ostracized and made to leave the Olympics. This graphic novel illustrates his childhood and athletic career. This book includes robust illustrations by Emmy Award\u2013winning illustrator Dawud Anyabwile.\n\nBrzrkr Vol. 2\nMatt Kindt, Ron Garney, Keanu Reeves\nBOOM! Studios\nISBN: 9781684158157\n\nA comic book written by Keanu Reeves about a half-mortal/half-god being who is trying to gain freedom? I\u2019m in! As B goes through experiments, he becomes closer to having the memories of his past restored. But will the U.S. Government really let him go? Co-written with New York Times bestselling co-writer Matt Kindt (Folklords, Grass Kings) and legendary artist Ron Garney (Wolverine, Captain America).\n\nThe Keeper\nTananarive Due, Steven Barnes, Marco Finnegan\nAbrams ComicArts - Megascope\nISBN: 9781419751554\n\nA young girl named Aisha is sent to her grandmother\u2019s house after her parents pass away. Her grandmother falls ill and summons a dark force to protect Aisha. Aisha soon learns that to stay alive, the Keeper must prey on the people around her. If you enjoy horror graphic novels, this one is for you!\n\nLook Back\nTatsuki Fujimoto\nVIZ Media LLC\nISBN: 9781974734641\n\nTwo small-town girls, Fujino and Kyomoto, are very different. One is very outgoing, and the other is an introvert. Both girls like to draw manga, which is the common bond that draws them together, creating an unforeseen friendship. A short graphic novel from Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto with beautiful illustrations.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "04-May-2023", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 16:30:04", "publisher": "WW Norton", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011711023", "title": "The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery", "author": "Adam Gopnik", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 234, "review": "Adam Gopnik\u2019s latest work The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery is a tour de force in the world of wondering how we become experts at the things we do. In a similar vein as Malcolm Gladwell\u2019s Outliers, Gopnik\u2019s book approaches the art of mastery of singular skills with the diligence of a researcher, the soul of a philosopher, and the heart of the everyday man.

Broken into chapters that focus either on a profession\u2013artist, magician, driving instructor, boxer, dancer\u2013or on a specific mystery of mastery (there are seven), the book is easily read in fits and starts. As an educator, I can\u2019t help but think about how useful some chapters would be as stand-alone readings in a class on work ethic, time management, grit, or the foundational principles of education.

As Gopnik humbles himself before masters of each specific area, he exposes all that he does not know and is therefore wide open to what he can be taught. This gives him room to be awed by the abilities of those masters and receptive to the lessons of their excellence.

At its heart, The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery is about our desire to better ourselves and our audacious hope that the daunting task can be achieved. If you are a human experience junky and like to read about why and how we do what we do, Gopnik\u2019s latest is for you.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "27-Mar-2023", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 17:33:36", "publisher": "WW Norton", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011711015", "title": "Tokyo Rose - Zero Hour (A Graphic Novel)", "author": "Andre R Frattino,Kate Kasenow,Janice Chiang", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 384, "review": "January 2023 Graphic Novel Roundup-Better to See You, My Pretty: Stories told better by Illustration\n\nThese graphic novels are beautifully crafted by the authors and illustrators to create a sensory overload. With colorful characters and well-written dialogues and storylines, these books are sure to draw their readers in. \n\nTokyo Rose - Zero Hour (A Graphic Novel)\nAndre R Frattino,Kate Kasenow,Janice Chiang\nTuttle Publishing\nISBN: 9784805316955\n\nThis graphic novel illustrates a Japanese-American woman\u2019s struggle when she finds herself stuck in Japan before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She is forced to host an anti-American soldier radio show and is arrested and then imprisoned for false accusations. This is her story told with detailed dialogue and character drawings. \n\nVictory. Stand!\nTommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, Dawud Anyabwile\nWW Norton\nISBN: 9781324052159\n\nThis book tells the story of 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist Tommie Smith and his protest of racial injustice against African Americans. He is ostracized and made to leave the Olympics. This graphic novel illustrates his childhood and athletic career. This book includes robust illustrations by Emmy Award\u2013winning illustrator Dawud Anyabwile.\n\nBrzrkr Vol. 2\nMatt Kindt, Ron Garney, Keanu Reeves\nBOOM! Studios\nISBN: 9781684158157\n\nA comic book written by Keanu Reeves about a half-mortal/half-god being who is trying to gain freedom? I\u2019m in! As B goes through experiments, he becomes closer to having the memories of his past restored. But will the U.S. Government really let him go? Co-written with New York Times bestselling co-writer Matt Kindt (Folklords, Grass Kings) and legendary artist Ron Garney (Wolverine, Captain America).\n\nThe Keeper\nTananarive Due, Steven Barnes, Marco Finnegan\nAbrams ComicArts - Megascope\nISBN: 9781419751554\n\nA young girl named Aisha is sent to her grandmother\u2019s house after her parents pass away. Her grandmother falls ill and summons a dark force to protect Aisha. Aisha soon learns that to stay alive, the Keeper must prey on the people around her. If you enjoy horror graphic novels, this one is for you!\n\nLook Back\nTatsuki Fujimoto\nVIZ Media LLC\nISBN: 9781974734641\n\nTwo small-town girls, Fujino and Kyomoto, are very different. One is very outgoing, and the other is an introvert. Both girls like to draw manga, which is the common bond that draws them together, creating an unforeseen friendship. A short graphic novel from Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto with beautiful illustrations.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "04-May-2023", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 16:51:57", "publisher": "Tuttle Publishing", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011711011", "title": "Holding the Line (Love Along the Wires)", "author": "Jennifer Delamere", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 173, "review": "The romance between Rose Finley and John Milburn is an unconventional one. The two of them are drawn together not through immediate mutual attraction (although that does come up a little) but through another romance: that of John\u2019s niece Sophie and a known rake. John and Rose both feel an interest in protecting the young woman, and this romance gives them excuses to spend time together and allows their own romance time to bloom.

I was excited for a sweet story with a second chance at love for a widow. As I read, though, it felt like the love only bloomed on one side. John was clearly attracted to Rose, but Rose\u2019s own affection for him was so often buried beneath doubt and uncertainty, and it never rose above those to the point where I felt it was truly romantic. Most of the time, it felt like a novel about friendship, at least from Rose\u2019s point of view.

There are many good Christian romances in the market. This one can safely be skipped.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "27-Mar-2023", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 16:47:42", "publisher": "Bethany House Publishers", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000011711007", "title": "Engaging Deception", "author": "Regina Jennings", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 187, "review": "A renowned architect. A young woman with her own architectural ambitions but great anxiety. A battle to build the largest house in town. These are all the ingredients of a hilarious romance, and that\u2019s exactly what Regina Jennings provided, to my delight.

In Engaging Deception, however, I found something more. In the midst of the humor, the antics, and the growing affection between Olive and Maxfield (and my own growing affection for them), there were surprisingly tender, quiet moments. I\u2019ve seen this combination attempted in many romances but rarely has it been balanced so deftly as Jennings manages it. I found myself caught up not only in the fun of the book but also in the gentleness that existed in the world. Even characters who might otherwise have been written off as lost causes or outright villains by other authors were shown grace which I found genuinely charming.

I would recommend this book not only to fans of Christian romance but to fans of historical romance in general. It\u2019s very much a Christian book, but the faith is woven in so well that it never feels preachy, only honest.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2023", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 16:46:53", "publisher": "Bethany House Publishers", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011711003", "title": "Prisoners of the Castle", "author": "Ben Macintyre", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 188, "review": "Castle Colditz loomed over its namesake town with an imposing nature. The storied facility held a multitude of prisoners from various allied countries during World War II. Many of the inmates were recalcitrant, having repeatedly escaped from other prisons. Colditz benefitted from being hundreds of miles away from friendly confines. However, this didn\u2019t serve as a deterrent for scores of intrepid soldiers. From its incorporation in 1939 through 1945, the soldiers within the prison walls plotted every which way in attempting an escape. The Germans who ran the prison scuttled more than a few attempts, but the ingenuity of the captives and their desire to aid in the war led to more brazen attempts.

Author Ben Macintyre continues to provide an engaging narrative when it comes to war and/espionage. Prisoners of the Castle is a war story, but it also relates the depth of spirit within men facing a misery of indeterminate length. Macintyre provides an eclectic group of eccentric characters, thrown together by the war, who look to the day when they\u2019ll be free from the confines of their imprisonment. A sterling effort by the excellent Macintyre.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "02-Dec-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 16:29:13", "publisher": "Crown", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011710019", "title": "The Bad Guys in the Others?! (The Bad Guys #16)", "author": "Aaron Blabey", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 155, "review": "The Bad Guys are back and still trying to find one another, and they are still looking for the same Other Bad Guys! It seems that there are more Bad Guys trying to join the crew, but who knows if it helpful or hurtful to their cause? There are a lot of things going on and it is almost getting pretty hard to keep up with it all. I look forward to the next book in series to see if they can put an end to the series, or at least come close.

As a long time Bad Guys fan, I am beginning to feel like the series will never end. I would love to see the Bad Guys go on another save the world quest or something, but it is hard to keep up with all the additional characters and interdimensional travel. However, I can't wait to see what happens in the next one.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 17:44:34", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011710011", "title": "Nubia: The Awakening", "author": "Omar Epps,Clarence A Haynes", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 11", "word_count": 236, "review": "Nubia: The Awakening is a fantastic book by Clarence A. Haynes and Omar Epps. It is about three young Nubians named Zuberi, Lencho, and Uzochi. Nubia, the country, is a mystery to the three teens. A huge storm destroyed the homeland of Nubia before they were born. Most of their culture, traditions, and secrets were washed away with the country. Nubians were forced to take refuge in New York, where they were forced to live in lower Manhattan, a much different place from Up High, which is protected from devastating storms and floods that threaten the livelihood of the people in lower New York. As Zuberi, Lencho, and Uzochi are settling into the reality that is their lives, they unearth one of the most sacred traits of the Nubians. With the new gifts that the three teenagers receive, what is stopping them from controlling the world? Will the three empowered Nubians rise up and take what they want? Or will they decide to help those in need and focus on others instead of themselves? Read the book yourself to find out what happens.

I loved the magic and mystery in Nubia: The Awakening, but it was not how I would\u2019ve wanted the story to end. For people who love magic, mystery, culture, and hidden traditions, this book was meant for you! Just be sure to keep an open mind because everything is not always as it seems.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 16:45:39", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011710007", "title": "The Winners: A Novel (Beartown Series)", "author": "Fredrik Backman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 173, "review": "The third installation of the Beartown series focuses on the locals\u2019 experiences facing the aftermath of the events from the first novel. Without revealing too much, a small town in Sweden centered around the high school hockey team experiences a horrific tragedy that causes them to rethink their loyalty and sense of community. In The Winners, many of the old Beartown characters come back and experience more reckoning, heartbreak, and joy. Thus, The Winners probably should be read after the first two books in the Beartown series for it to make the most impact.

Frederik Backman has done an impressive job with the Beartown series. Generally, I find that authors who push past a successful standalone novel and create more series spinoffs lose their groove with the later books, but Backman consistently delivers meaningful, heartfelt tributes to the Beartown characters. The characters continue to develop in an impactful way, and the plot flows naturally without ever feeling forced. All in all, The Winners is a beautiful tribute to the characters we know and love.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2023", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 16:35:32", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "688 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011709023", "title": "I Have a Superpower", "author": "Stephen Curry,Geneva Bowers", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 182, "review": "Written by Golden State Warriors player Steph Curry, I Have a Superpower is a book for kids on and off the basketball court who may feel like they are short of a particular skill. In this book, Hughes dreams of being a basketball star. He practices and brings his ball with him wherever he goes. But when it comes to being chosen for a team in a pick-up game, he realizes he is not as tall, as fast, or as springy on his feet as some of the other kids. One of the team captains gives Hughes a chance, however, and Hughes realizes he really does have a superpower\u2014heart! In fact, in anything that we do, if we have heart, we are sure never to give up and be destined for success.

This is a wonderful book for ages four and up. It will motivate kids to do their best. The drawings are beautifully illustrated by Geneva Bowers, and Steph Curry himself makes a little cameo at the end of the book. The perfect book for the little basketball lover in your life.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "24-Nov-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 17:46:35", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011709015", "title": "Termination Shock", "author": "Neal Stephenson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Bailey Tulloch", "word_count": 204, "review": "Neal Stephenson\u2019s Termination Shock asks the reader to step into a world wracked by climate change in the not-too-distant future. Stephenson creates a setting in which shifting ecologies and weather patterns have caused unpredictable disasters. The lack of a global consensus on how to mitigate the resulting problems pushes powerful individuals and groups to act unilaterally to address the looming threats.

Termination Shock is a gripping page-turner, not only because of Stephenson\u2019s engaging writing but because the problems, solutions, and technologies he depicts are all too plausible - and consequently, the implications can be terrifying. The book takes the reader from the desert of West Texas to the steaming jungles of Papua New Guinea, and at all times, the notion that \u201cthis seems like it could actually happen\u201d is firmly entrenched in the mind. The story is told from a number of different perspectives, including a US Army veteran hell-bent on revenge, a Canadian-born Sikh who journeys to Punjab in search of his purpose, and the Queen of the Netherlands. Each character\u2019s goals and perspectives serve to highlight how the looming threat of climate change may only serve to pull humanity further apart rather than unite us in the face of a common threat.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "17-Jan-2023", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 17:37:22", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "720 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011709011", "title": "The Sour Grape", "author": "Jory John,Pete Oswald", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 141, "review": "You would think most grapes are sweet, but not this one. This is a story about a sour grape. The sour grape wasn't always feeling so negative about life, but he began to hold grudges and that bad attitude made him feel bad about everything in life. However, when the tables are turned, the sour grape realizes that sometimes things happen that you can't control and that maybe you should give people another chance. It may be hard to understand a situation with someone who looks in from the outside until you are in their shoes.

I really enjoy this food series by Jory John. I love how he takes different foods and applies them to real life feelings and situations. I most importantly enjoyed the fact that the grandparents are raisins. I hope there are more books in this series.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 16:39:06", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011709003", "title": "WARHOLCAPOTE: A Non-Fiction Invention", "author": "Rob Roth", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 191, "review": "I had forgotten how much fun it is to read plays. The author, Rob Roth, has created quite a diversion in this new two-man dialogue. The play is based on real recordings from the Warhol repository between two giants of the culture. I could distinctly hear their voices in this piece.

It brings no further understanding of these two great men; rather, it is a casual conversation between them. Warhol, being the younger, was a great fan and admirer of Capote. He had to be asked not to write or show up on Capote\u2019s doorstop since his attentions were constant.

The recordings made by Warhol began in 1978 and continued up to Capote\u2019s death in 1984. In them, the admiration and respect held by Warhol for Capote is evident. Apparently, the recordings were made to be developed into a play by the two artists. They dwell on many such money-making schemes.

There is bonus material in the appendix of this book of other recordings. There is also a glossary, which seems designed for those readers who were not yet aware of cultural icons of the 1980s. This is a fun read.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 16:19:12", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011708023", "title": "A River Enchanted", "author": "Rebecca Ross", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 190, "review": "A River Enchanted exists on the Isle of Cadence. This river flows through the land of the western clan, the Breccans, and the eastern clan, the Tamerlaines. These clans have hated each other for centuries and keep to their respective sides, at least until winter when the Breccans raid the east for food and supplies.

But now, young Tamerlaine girls are going missing, so the heir to the east, Adaira, calls home her childhood enemy, Jack, from the mainland to help. As a bard, he can summon the spirits to ask them questions which they will use to their advantage. However, they will discover there are many more secrets to Cadence then either of them ever knew.

I will definitely say that Rebecca Ross knows her stuff when it comes to world-building. While the Isle is full of spirits and other magical things, it feels familiar as well, like you could easily find it if you wished. You can\u2019t help but enjoy getting to know Adaira, Jack, Torin, and Sidra as you watch them change and grow. This book is for fans of Hannah Whitten or just fantasy in general.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "15-Nov-2022", "date_added": "20-Oct-2022 17:36:02", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011707003", "title": "Coronation Year", "author": "Jennifer Robson", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1160, "review": "Historical Fiction Roundup 2023\n\nIn a world that often demands we look forward, historical fiction invites us to gaze backward, to immerse ourselves in the vivid tapestries of bygone eras. In this Historical Fiction Roundup, we journey through time with six recently published novels that transport readers to diverse corners of history. From the trenches of World War One to the bustling streets of 1920s New York and the battlefields of medieval France, these tales offer not just a glimpse but an immersive experience of the past. Each novel is a meticulously crafted time machine, designed to sweep you away to another time and place, while simultaneously illuminating timeless aspects of the human condition. Join us as we delve into the richness of these historical narratives, where the past comes alive in the pages of fiction.\n\nThe Manhattan Girls by Gill Paul\n\nGill Paul\u2019s The Manhattan Girls by is a captivating journey back to the vibrant streets of 1920s New York City. In the midst of a post-war era filled with excitement and challenges, Dorothy Parker, a resilient but struggling woman, forms an unlikely bridge group with three extraordinary women. As their friendships deepen, they become a lifeline for each other in a world dominated by men. However, when tragedy strikes and Dorothy's world is threatened, her friends Peggy, Winifred, and Jane must rally to help her confront the truth. Paul weaves fact and fiction seamlessly, delivering a story that explores love, loss, and the enduring power of friendship against the backdrop of an intoxicating era. With sharp wit, unforgettable characters, and a richly atmospheric setting, The Manhattan Girls is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, offering a delightful blend of modern allure and 1920s charm.\n\nWings of War by David Fairbank White and Margaret Stanback White\n\nWings of War by David Fairbank White and Margaret Stanback White is an enthralling account of the pivotal role played by the P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft during World War Two. In the early 1940s, as the Allies struggled in the air war, this remarkable aircraft emerged as a gamechanger. The book sheds light on the relentless efforts of a diverse group of visionaries, including designers, engineers, test pilots, and army officers, who defied corruption and bureaucracy to bring the Mustang from concept to reality. The narrative not only captures the technical challenges of creating the iconic fighter but also delves into the human stories behind it, highlighting the resilience, innovation, and courage of those involved. As the Mustang squadrons took flight over Europe, they turned the tide of the war by decimating the Luftwaffe, ultimately clearing the skies for the pivotal D-Day invasion. Wings of War is a compelling and character-driven account that illuminates the incredible journey of an aircraft that undeniably changed the course of World War Two, offering a fresh perspective on the untold heroes and challenges of its creation.\n\nJoan by Katherine J. Chen\n\nKatherine J. Chen\u2019s Joan is a powerful historical novel that transports readers to war-torn and tumultuous France in the midst of the Hundred Years' War. At the center of the gripping story is Joan of Arc, a remarkable and complex heroine who rises from obscurity to lead the French army with unwavering determination. Joan's character is portrayed as both reckless and brilliant, shaped by a turbulent childhood marked by violence and joy. As she navigates the treacherous battlefield and court politics, Joan grapples with suspicion from all sides, including her own ambitions. Chen's storytelling is vivid, her characters unforgettable, and she weaves together history, mysticism, and Joan's indomitable spirit into a narrative that is both thrilling and profound. Joan is a feminist celebration of a woman who left an indelible mark on history and a triumphant work of historical fiction that captivates from start to finish. \n\nCoronation Year by Jennifer Robson\n\nCoronation Year by Jennifer Robson is a captivating historical novel set in London in 1953, a momentous year marked by the impending coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. At the heart of the narrative are three distinct individuals whose lives converge at the Blue Lion Hotel, each facing their own challenges and seeking a fresh start. Edie Howard grapples with the threat of closure of the hotel but finds hope in the opportunity presented by the Queen's procession. Stella Donati discovers a new-found sense of purpose in her work at a prominent magazine. James Geddes seeks refuge and acceptance in this diverse community. However, as they forge bonds of friendship, they uncover anonymous threats that jeopardize Coronation Day and their futures. Robson skillfully weaves together their stories, creating a tale of resilience, unity, and the pursuit of happiness in the face of adversity. Coronation Year is a riveting and emotionally charged historical novel that presents a compelling exploration of female friendship, perseverance, and the enduring pursuit of beauty amid the challenges of post-war life.\n\nThe Porcelain Moon by Janie Chang\n\nJanie Chang\u2019s The Porcelain Moon is a mesmerizing historical novel set against the backdrop of World War One-era France, where the lives of two remarkable women, Pauline Deng and Camille Roussel, collide in unexpected and poignant ways. Chang's storytelling prowess shines as she weaves together the personal struggles of these women with the lesser-known history of the 140,000 Chinese laborers who played a vital role in Europe during the war. Against this backdrop, the novel explores themes of forbidden love, identity, and the sacrifices made for freedom. With lyrical prose and well-drawn characters, Chang paints a vivid picture of a complex and transformative period in history, offering readers a compelling tale of friendship and resilience in the face of adversity. The Porcelain Moon is a beautifully crafted and thought-provoking novel that captivates from start to finish, appealing to both historical fiction enthusiasts and those intrigued by untold stories from the past.\n\nThe Girls in Navy Blue by Alix Rickloff\n\nThe Girls in Navy Blue by Alix Rickloff is a captivating and emotionally charged dual timeline novel that skillfully weaves together the lives of three remarkable women who joined the United States Navy as yeomanettes during World War One and the impact their choices have on a descendant in 1968. In 1918, as America grapples with war, Marjory, Blanche, and Viv enlist for diverse reasons, forging friendship and sisterhood amidst the challenges of their service. However, their dreams are upended when Viv's past resurfaces. Fast forward to 1968, when Peggy Whitby inherits her great-aunt Blanche's beach cottage and embarks on a quest to unravel the mysteries behind cryptic postcards dated from 1918. Rickloff masterfully explores themes of identity, resilience, and the enduring bonds of female friendship across generations. As past and present collide, Peggy's journey becomes a poignant exploration of self-discovery and the sacrifices made by those who came before. The Girls in Navy Blue is a compelling and evocative tale that bridges time, offering readers a heartfelt narrative that delves into the complexities of family, heritage, and the enduring impact of history on our lives.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Oct-2022 17:56:26", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011702003", "title": "No One Knows Us Here: A Novel", "author": "Rebecca Kelley", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 209, "review": "No One Knows Us Here is a suspenseful, fast paced thriller that takes its readers along for the ride as main character, Rosemary finds herself in a serious predicament. She has vowed to save her fourteen year old half sister Wendy from her grandmother but is barely making ends meet herself as she works towards going to law school. Then, one of her roommates gives her an idea\u2014to become an escort. This doesn\u2019t work out well for Rosemary, however she finds herself the object of someone\u2019s affection: no other than tech genius Leo Glass. When she signs a one year contract to \u201cbe Leo\u2019s girlfriend\u201d, she doesn\u2019t realize what a sociopath he is until he starts telling her what to do and what not to do. Leo becomes creepier and creepier as the story moves along and readers will feel Rosemary\u2019s panic as she is smothered by this deeply disturbed character.

This book is a fantastic read for fans of psychological thrillers. The story never slows down and part of that is due to the author\u2019s ability to let the reader into Rosemary\u2019s head as she makes decisions. Exciting and voyeuristic, No One Knows Us Here will take readers down the rabbit hole with twists and turns around every corner.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2023", "date_added": "19-Oct-2022 17:10:45", "publisher": "Amazon/Brilliance Publishing", "page_count": "334 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011698015", "title": "Black is the Night", "author": "Maxim Jakubowski,Neil Gaiman,A K Benedict", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 183, "review": "If you do not know Cornell Woolrich by name, I guarantee you have heard of his work. Between 1926 and 1960, he published twenty-six novels, including The Bride Wore Black and The Black Angel, as well as several short stories. Many of his works were made into movies. Alfred Hitchcock\u2019s Rear Window was inspired by Woolrich\u2019s It had to be Murder. Even though he died in 1968, this pulp fiction icon\u2019s works and influence live on. Many detective writers are still impacted by Woolrich\u2019s artistry.

Black is the Night is a collection of short stories in tribute to Cornell Woolrich. Curated and edited by Maxim Jakubowski and featuring an all-star list of best-selling and award-winning authors. Contributors include James Sallis, Kim Newman, Mason Cross, and many more, with the introduction written by Neil Gaiman. The stories all honor Woolrich, each one more hard-boiled than the next. Each work is dark and gritty, filled with murder, mystery, and intrigue. Many of these tales were written as noir crime dramas. For the fan of Woolrich and no-nonsense detective stories, you must read Black is the Night.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "22-Dec-2022", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 19:38:08", "publisher": "Titan", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011698011", "title": "Les Femmes Grotesques", "author": "Victoria Dalpe", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 180, "review": "Les Femmes Grotesques was the feminist gothic thrill ride I didn't know I desperately needed. Each story contained within this slim volume is both absolutely engrossing and deeply unsettling, as Dalpe sweeps you up into her velvety prose to peer into the shadows of the feminine experience. If you can imagine Shirley Jackson collaborating with Margaret Killjoy to write a short story collection that was then edited by Richard Thomas, you\u2019d have a pretty good idea of the scope and superior macabre quality of these gorgeous tales of horror.

From generational curses to captured supernatural brides, the homicidal dangers of first love, and suburban lycanthropy, each story surrounds the reader in a dream-like atmosphere of gothic enchantment. Some of the themes are quite heavy while still residing in the fantastical, but Dalpe is a true master of her craft and she relays the heady and often complicated subject matter with such a flair for the fantastic and otherworldly that it's easy to imagine your favorite goth auntie reading these stories to you over a steaming cup of (possibly poisoned) tea.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 16:15:30", "publisher": "Clash Publishing", "page_count": "274 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011698007", "title": "Twisted Games", "author": "Ana Huang", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 187, "review": "Book two in the Twisted series is an entirely different experience than book one. Twisted Games is a torturously slow-burn love story between Princess Bridget and her bodyguard Rhys Larsen. The two are forced to work together when her long-time bodyguard goes out on paternity leave. Sparks fly upon arrival when Rhys lays out his set of rules, which Bridget finds unreasonable and overbearing. Over the next several years, the two find themselves in cliche moments involving ice rinks, dressing rooms, and ballrooms that are simply scrumptious.

Instead of coming across as cheesy or forced, they set the stage for epic swoon-worthy scenes. The reader can\u2019t help but emotionally invest in both characters during their gradual build toward what we hope to be a happily ever after. If you enjoyed The Princess Diaries and Pretty Woman and are looking for something 18+ with a dash of spice, this is a romance for you.

While it\u2019s not necessary to read book one, this is a companion series and characters come and go. It\u2019s helpful to have the backstory from book one since it makes the interactions more impactful.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 20:37:52", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011696023", "title": "The Duke in Question", "author": "Amalie Howard", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 747, "review": "Love is in the Air Romance Roundup\n\nThe Stand-Up Groomsman\nJackie Lau\nPenguin Publishing Group\n9780593334324\n\nThis quirky romance is full of wonderful relationships that grow throughout the story. Vivian\u2019s roommate is getting married to her favorite actor\u2019s costar. As Vivian and Mel try to set aside their differences so that the wedding will go off without a hitch, they find that they start to understand one another a little more. Sometimes opposites really do attract!\n\nPrincess and the Player\nIlsa Madden-Mills\nAmazon/Brilliance Publishing\n9781542038461\n\nWhen Francesca decides to attend an exclusive lifestyle ball and meets famous NFL player Tuck Avery, they engage in a wicked affair wearing masks. When she realizes who this man is and that he lives in her building and is a player (and not just when it come to football) she decides to make sure he doesn\u2019t recognize her. Only there is one little problem\u2026a positive pregnancy test! Find out what the fates of the princess and the player are in this tantalizing romance novel.\n\nNever Rescue a Rogue\nVirginia Heath\nSt. Martin's Publishing Group\n9781250787781\n\nDiana and Giles team up when Giles\u2019 father, the Duke of Harpenden dies and family secrets must stay hidden. Although everyone around them thinks that Diana and Giles are a perfect match, the two greatly disagree. But when Giles needs Diana\u2019s excellent sleuthing skills, they both find that maybe, just maybe, there is a little spark after all.\n\nMegan Gamble, Sing Out\nDebbie Romani\nSelf-Published\n9798215637401\n\nAt forty one years old, Megan finds herself singing backup vocals for her son, Kyle\u2019s band. Not only does being on tour with the band catch the eyes of Kyle\u2019s band manager, Brandon, but it also brings the unwelcome attention of a musician Megan knew in the past who is trying to blackmail her. Smart, fun, and satisfying, this book is a backstage adventure.\n\nHonor's Refuge\nHallee Bridgeman\nFleming H. Revell Company\n9780800740221\n\nMelissa and her sister were separated after their father killed their mother when Melissa was only five years old. She goes on to help those in need and opens a domestic shelter. When military man, Phil, hears about Melissa\u2019s story, he goes to find her long lost sister. The problem is, her sister is married to a Colombian cartel teniente. Full of action, adventure, and of course, romance, this book comes with some big emotions as characters struggle to find their way.\n\nSundown\nSusan May Warren\nFleming H. Revell Company\n9780800739843\n\nSundown is the third and final book in the Sky King Ranch series by Susan May Warren. Sky King Ranch is under fire when Tae finds herself being hunted by a group of thugs. Colt Kingston doesn\u2019t trust Tae one hundred percent but decides to help her. When her own secrets are revealed, Colt learns they must stop bioterrorists from releasing a virus and Tae may be the key in doing so. A suspenseful romantic adventure thriller.\n\nThe Next Best Day\nSharon Sala\nSourcebooks\n9781728249032\n\nAfter Katie is left standing at the altar and then experiences a school shooting, she decides to relocate to Tennessee. Immediately attracted to her widowed neighbor Sam who is the Police Chief, Katie wonders if the timing is right to pick herself up and start again. Readers will love the charming characters in this book and the strength of Katie\u2019s character as she tries to start life anew.\n\n\nMy Dearest Duke\nKristin Vayden\nSourcebooks\n9781728234342\n\nWhen Lord Rowles Haywind\u2019s brother dies, he inherits the throne and becomes the Duke. He never wanted to be Duke and struggles with family secrets. His mother is ill with dementia and Rowles doesn\u2019t know if he wants to have a family should his children inherit the terrible disease. He reunites with Lady Joan Morgan who is intelligent and helps him through this difficult time. But the Lady has a secret of her own. Will she and the Duke be able to make things work in this regent romance?\n\nThe Duke in Question\nAmalie Howard\nSourcebooks\n9781728262635\n\nA wonderful cat-and-mouse chase that takes readers from England to Civil War-era America, then to France, and back to England. Lady Bronwyn Chase finds herself aboard her brother\u2019s ship with a package of secret letters. Also on that ship is the Duke of Thornbury, Valentine Medford, whose allegiance is to the Crown and who is trying to find the spy named Kestral who is, in fact, Bronwyn! This historical romance will have readers on the edge of their seats!", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 19:33:48", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011696019", "title": "Good Different", "author": "Meg Eden Kuyatt", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Selah tries very hard to remember all the rules about what she must do to be \u201cnormal.\u201d Her mother reminds her constantly how important it is. Selah has trouble when there is too much noise or bright lights or when she has to sit on a hard chair or do other things \u201cnormal\u201d people aren\u2019t bothered by. One day, Addie, a girl she considers a friend and whom Selah has tutored in math, starts braiding Selah\u2019s hair without asking. It burns and frightens her, and she hits Addie without meaning to. Selah writes her frustrations out in poems, and her English teacher recognizes that her poetry might be Selah\u2019s best chance to have others understand her and accept her.

Meg Eden Kuyatt has written a beautiful novel in verse that tells the story of a young girl who is on the autism spectrum, although her mother denies that anything is \u201cwrong.\u201d This book will open the eyes (and hearts!) of all who read it. Some will recognize themselves, and others will recognize those around them who deserve their understanding. The author\u2019s note explains her experiences that shaped this book, and she offers other resources for readers. This is a must-read.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "27-Mar-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 19:19:25", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011696015", "title": "The Scroll of Chaos", "author": "Elsie Chapman", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 11", "word_count": 214, "review": "The Scroll of Chaos is about a young Chinese girl named Astrid Xu who has always wanted to help her mother escape her depression. When she finds the Scroll of Chaos with her little sister, Marilla, she thinks it may be the key to managing her mother's depression; but, the scroll has other plans. Instead of fixing her Mom\u2019s depression, Astrid and her little sister Marilla are transported to the world Zhen: a realm where Chinese mythological creatures are real. Astrid thinks that she has come to a world of paradise, but soon she discovers that an ancient evil named Chaos is causing mayhem all around Zhen, and Astrid is the only one who can stop it.

The Scroll of Chaos was a good book and it had a good storyline, but the book started off very slow and it took a while to get to the action. This book would be great for kids ages six to eleven and anyone who likes mythology. It would be even better for people who especially enjoy Chinese mythology and people who enjoy tales of friendship with a strong female protagonist. The Scroll of Chaos will be very successful once it hits the shelves; I hope the author realizes what a good work of art she has created.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 16:30:25", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011695011", "title": "An Adventurous Spirit ", "author": "Nicholas Litchfield,James B Nicola", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 174, "review": "I know every serious reader is awash with excitement when they accidentally discover a treasure trove of excellent writing. Travel writing is a broad category and this collection makes the most of it with short stories, satire, poetry, and author interviews. I find this to be the most delicious bedtime reading, true to the name of this volume.

It turns out that the Lowestoft Chronicle is a quarterly online magazine of great writing. Despite being far from a Luddite, however, I still prefer the printed page. There is something delightful about cover art, blurbs, and turning a page to enter into delightful twists and streamlined narrative.

This volume lives up to its claim of spirited adventure from a subway driver with a single-minded need to get ahead and an attendee at her high school reunion who finds time and distance may separate us from each other. The poetry also is remarkable. \u201cPassing By\u201d by George Moore is a simple yet resonant telling of a simple act of individuation. This book is a great find.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 16:19:24", "publisher": "Lowestoft Chronicle Press", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011695007", "title": "Hands Down", "author": "Felix Francis", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 481, "review": "Part of a Series Mystery Roundup\n\nAll of the books in this roundup are part of a series. From police and detective mysteries to assassins, if you liked the first installments of these series, get ready for the next level of suspense and thriller. Perfect for fans of Patterson and Baldacci.\n\nDeath on a Winter Stroll\nFrancine Mathews\nSoho Press\n9781641292740\n\nThe seventh book in the Merry Folger Nantucket Mystery series, Death on a Winter Stroll takes place during Christmas. The yearly tradition of the winter stroll in Nantucket should lift the spirits on the island after Covid. Instead, Merry, the Police Chief finds herself investigating two murders. With a large-scale television production interrupting the activities on the island and the arrival of the Secretary of State and her family, this winter is anything but peaceful. This cold winter weather mystery is full of wonderful characters, beautiful scenery, and that cozy winter mystery feel.\n\nThe Zero Night\nBrian Freeman\nBlackstone Publishing\n9781094082349\n\nBook eleven in the Jonathan Stride series, The Zero Night centers around Lt. Stride coming back to work for the Duluth Police Department and working a case in which an attorney has paid the ransom for his kidnapped wife to be released. The problem is, his wife has not been released. Running parallel to this story is that of Stride\u2019s wife, Serena, who is dealing with the death of her abusive mother and further investigating a case that was previously solved. A masterfully written crime mystery with a solid plot and twists and turns that readers will absolutely love.\n\nSeventeen\nJohn Brownlow\nHanover Square Press\n9781335469595\n\nThis is an action-packed thriller that will have readers turning page after page. Seventeen is the current assassin who is hunting sixteen. One day, eighteen will hunt down seventeen. Seventeen\u2019s multiple-layer plot is full of twists and turns with intense characters. For anyone who loves an entertaining cat-and-mouse chase.\n\nHands Down\nFelix Francis\nCROOKED LANE BOOKS\n\nThe next installation in the Dick Francis series, Hands Down finds its main character detective Sid Halley gets a call from an ex-jockey friend asking him for help after receiving death threats. When his friend is found dead, Sid feels the guilt of the situation and further investigates. He finds himself in the middle of a possible British Horse Racing scandal. Complete with steeplechases and interesting characters, Hands Down is another great Dick Francis mystery.\n\nAn Unforgiving Place\nClaire Kells\nCROOKED LANE BOOKS\n9781639101238\n\nAgent Felicity Harland and partner ex-Navy Seal Ferdinand Huxley set out to investigate the death of a couple that was found in Gates of the Arctic National Park. What they find is a possible fertility cult led by a man who lives in the Arctic. With a superb cast of strong characters, this book will take its readers on an adventure through the wilderness experiencing all of the harsh elements the characters do.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 20:05:01", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011695003", "title": "Berlin: Life and Death in the City at the Center of the World", "author": "Sinclair McKay", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 196, "review": "Berlin is a city of culture and beauty in Germany that was subject to warfare and destruction on a catastrophic level during the twentieth century. A city that celebrated its liberated citizenry would go through the full spectrum dominance of Nazi rule. A portion of its Jewish population would be decimated by the murderous machinations of the holocaust. By 1945, Berlin was in tatters, the sight of allied bombing and a looming invasion from Russia. The war was coming to an end, however, a new war had been christened. The rule of the Nazis would be replaced by the Allied armies. Berlin would be divided and occupied by forces engaged in a cold war. A battle of wills ensued, lasting another forty years.

Berlin: Life and Death in the City at the Center of the World is a historical ode to the fall and rebirth of an iconic city. Author Sinclair McKay follows the wayward path of the city from both World Wars through the Cold War, highlighting the resilience of the city and its populace. McKay insightfully pinpoints Berlin\u2019s accomplishments and pitfalls in a thoughtful memoir/history of the German capital. This is history at its finest.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "28-Nov-2022", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 19:16:26", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011694039", "title": "My Dearest Duke", "author": "Kristin Vayden", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 747, "review": "Love is in the Air Romance Roundup\n\nThe Stand-Up Groomsman\nJackie Lau\nPenguin Publishing Group\n9780593334324\n\nThis quirky romance is full of wonderful relationships that grow throughout the story. Vivian\u2019s roommate is getting married to her favorite actor\u2019s costar. As Vivian and Mel try to set aside their differences so that the wedding will go off without a hitch, they find that they start to understand one another a little more. Sometimes opposites really do attract!\n\nPrincess and the Player\nIlsa Madden-Mills\nAmazon/Brilliance Publishing\n9781542038461\n\nWhen Francesca decides to attend an exclusive lifestyle ball and meets famous NFL player Tuck Avery, they engage in a wicked affair wearing masks. When she realizes who this man is and that he lives in her building and is a player (and not just when it come to football) she decides to make sure he doesn\u2019t recognize her. Only there is one little problem\u2026a positive pregnancy test! Find out what the fates of the princess and the player are in this tantalizing romance novel.\n\nNever Rescue a Rogue\nVirginia Heath\nSt. Martin's Publishing Group\n9781250787781\n\nDiana and Giles team up when Giles\u2019 father, the Duke of Harpenden dies and family secrets must stay hidden. Although everyone around them thinks that Diana and Giles are a perfect match, the two greatly disagree. But when Giles needs Diana\u2019s excellent sleuthing skills, they both find that maybe, just maybe, there is a little spark after all.\n\nMegan Gamble, Sing Out\nDebbie Romani\nSelf-Published\n9798215637401\n\nAt forty one years old, Megan finds herself singing backup vocals for her son, Kyle\u2019s band. Not only does being on tour with the band catch the eyes of Kyle\u2019s band manager, Brandon, but it also brings the unwelcome attention of a musician Megan knew in the past who is trying to blackmail her. Smart, fun, and satisfying, this book is a backstage adventure.\n\nHonor's Refuge\nHallee Bridgeman\nFleming H. Revell Company\n9780800740221\n\nMelissa and her sister were separated after their father killed their mother when Melissa was only five years old. She goes on to help those in need and opens a domestic shelter. When military man, Phil, hears about Melissa\u2019s story, he goes to find her long lost sister. The problem is, her sister is married to a Colombian cartel teniente. Full of action, adventure, and of course, romance, this book comes with some big emotions as characters struggle to find their way.\n\nSundown\nSusan May Warren\nFleming H. Revell Company\n9780800739843\n\nSundown is the third and final book in the Sky King Ranch series by Susan May Warren. Sky King Ranch is under fire when Tae finds herself being hunted by a group of thugs. Colt Kingston doesn\u2019t trust Tae one hundred percent but decides to help her. When her own secrets are revealed, Colt learns they must stop bioterrorists from releasing a virus and Tae may be the key in doing so. A suspenseful romantic adventure thriller.\n\nThe Next Best Day\nSharon Sala\nSourcebooks\n9781728249032\n\nAfter Katie is left standing at the altar and then experiences a school shooting, she decides to relocate to Tennessee. Immediately attracted to her widowed neighbor Sam who is the Police Chief, Katie wonders if the timing is right to pick herself up and start again. Readers will love the charming characters in this book and the strength of Katie\u2019s character as she tries to start life anew.\n\n\nMy Dearest Duke\nKristin Vayden\nSourcebooks\n9781728234342\n\nWhen Lord Rowles Haywind\u2019s brother dies, he inherits the throne and becomes the Duke. He never wanted to be Duke and struggles with family secrets. His mother is ill with dementia and Rowles doesn\u2019t know if he wants to have a family should his children inherit the terrible disease. He reunites with Lady Joan Morgan who is intelligent and helps him through this difficult time. But the Lady has a secret of her own. Will she and the Duke be able to make things work in this regent romance?\n\nThe Duke in Question\nAmalie Howard\nSourcebooks\n9781728262635\n\nA wonderful cat-and-mouse chase that takes readers from England to Civil War-era America, then to France, and back to England. Lady Bronwyn Chase finds herself aboard her brother\u2019s ship with a package of secret letters. Also on that ship is the Duke of Thornbury, Valentine Medford, whose allegiance is to the Crown and who is trying to find the spy named Kestral who is, in fact, Bronwyn! This historical romance will have readers on the edge of their seats!", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 19:35:52", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "408 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011694035", "title": "The Next Best Day", "author": "Sharon Sala", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 747, "review": "Love is in the Air Romance Roundup\n\nThe Stand-Up Groomsman\nJackie Lau\nPenguin Publishing Group\n9780593334324\n\nThis quirky romance is full of wonderful relationships that grow throughout the story. Vivian\u2019s roommate is getting married to her favorite actor\u2019s costar. As Vivian and Mel try to set aside their differences so that the wedding will go off without a hitch, they find that they start to understand one another a little more. Sometimes opposites really do attract!\n\nPrincess and the Player\nIlsa Madden-Mills\nAmazon/Brilliance Publishing\n9781542038461\n\nWhen Francesca decides to attend an exclusive lifestyle ball and meets famous NFL player Tuck Avery, they engage in a wicked affair wearing masks. When she realizes who this man is and that he lives in her building and is a player (and not just when it come to football) she decides to make sure he doesn\u2019t recognize her. Only there is one little problem\u2026a positive pregnancy test! Find out what the fates of the princess and the player are in this tantalizing romance novel.\n\nNever Rescue a Rogue\nVirginia Heath\nSt. Martin's Publishing Group\n9781250787781\n\nDiana and Giles team up when Giles\u2019 father, the Duke of Harpenden dies and family secrets must stay hidden. Although everyone around them thinks that Diana and Giles are a perfect match, the two greatly disagree. But when Giles needs Diana\u2019s excellent sleuthing skills, they both find that maybe, just maybe, there is a little spark after all.\n\nMegan Gamble, Sing Out\nDebbie Romani\nSelf-Published\n9798215637401\n\nAt forty one years old, Megan finds herself singing backup vocals for her son, Kyle\u2019s band. Not only does being on tour with the band catch the eyes of Kyle\u2019s band manager, Brandon, but it also brings the unwelcome attention of a musician Megan knew in the past who is trying to blackmail her. Smart, fun, and satisfying, this book is a backstage adventure.\n\nHonor's Refuge\nHallee Bridgeman\nFleming H. Revell Company\n9780800740221\n\nMelissa and her sister were separated after their father killed their mother when Melissa was only five years old. She goes on to help those in need and opens a domestic shelter. When military man, Phil, hears about Melissa\u2019s story, he goes to find her long lost sister. The problem is, her sister is married to a Colombian cartel teniente. Full of action, adventure, and of course, romance, this book comes with some big emotions as characters struggle to find their way.\n\nSundown\nSusan May Warren\nFleming H. Revell Company\n9780800739843\n\nSundown is the third and final book in the Sky King Ranch series by Susan May Warren. Sky King Ranch is under fire when Tae finds herself being hunted by a group of thugs. Colt Kingston doesn\u2019t trust Tae one hundred percent but decides to help her. When her own secrets are revealed, Colt learns they must stop bioterrorists from releasing a virus and Tae may be the key in doing so. A suspenseful romantic adventure thriller.\n\nThe Next Best Day\nSharon Sala\nSourcebooks\n9781728249032\n\nAfter Katie is left standing at the altar and then experiences a school shooting, she decides to relocate to Tennessee. Immediately attracted to her widowed neighbor Sam who is the Police Chief, Katie wonders if the timing is right to pick herself up and start again. Readers will love the charming characters in this book and the strength of Katie\u2019s character as she tries to start life anew.\n\n\nMy Dearest Duke\nKristin Vayden\nSourcebooks\n9781728234342\n\nWhen Lord Rowles Haywind\u2019s brother dies, he inherits the throne and becomes the Duke. He never wanted to be Duke and struggles with family secrets. His mother is ill with dementia and Rowles doesn\u2019t know if he wants to have a family should his children inherit the terrible disease. He reunites with Lady Joan Morgan who is intelligent and helps him through this difficult time. But the Lady has a secret of her own. Will she and the Duke be able to make things work in this regent romance?\n\nThe Duke in Question\nAmalie Howard\nSourcebooks\n9781728262635\n\nA wonderful cat-and-mouse chase that takes readers from England to Civil War-era America, then to France, and back to England. Lady Bronwyn Chase finds herself aboard her brother\u2019s ship with a package of secret letters. Also on that ship is the Duke of Thornbury, Valentine Medford, whose allegiance is to the Crown and who is trying to find the spy named Kestral who is, in fact, Bronwyn! This historical romance will have readers on the edge of their seats!", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 19:35:06", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "456 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011694031", "title": "Someday, Maybe", "author": "Onyi Nwabineli", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 209, "review": "Someday, Maybe is Nigerian British writer Onyi Nwabineli\u2019s debut novel that exposes the heartbreaking grief experienced by Eve when she lost her husband to suicide. The work of fiction explores the manifestations of loss and suffering in the wake of tragedy. Eve and Quentin fell in love immediately after meeting each other. Their backgrounds couldn\u2019t be farther apart: Eve is the daughter of Nigerian immigrants in London, while Quentin comes from a moneyed and influential English family. Race and class factored in many aspects of their thirteen-year relationship. Soon after Q\u2019s death, Eve learns of news that changes everything. What she decides to do at such a pivotal moment will mean a world of difference in the healing process.

Nwabineli\u2019s experience working on behalf of trauma victims is evident in her ability to write about anguish with profound emotional depth and breadth. Someday, Maybe is a courageous, wide-eyed work that extracts the dynamics of mental illness and how everyday people manage the weight of life-changing, traumatizing events. Eve\u2019s day-to-day vacillations between healing and regressing shame and guilt may sound familiar to those who have survived loss through suicide. This book is a cathartic read for anyone who has lived and loved through tragedy and loss and eventually regained hopefulness.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 17:04:29", "publisher": "Graydon House Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011693027", "title": "Opportunity Knocks", "author": "Sara Farizan", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "When your best friend is a soccer star, your sister is great at everything, and you have trouble finding your thing, life is difficult. Lila tried lots of things \u2014 chess, robotics, debate, drama, but none were right for her. She joined band and seemed to be getting along okay when Mr. Hernandez announced the music program would be cut. Lila decided to save the program. She went to the bank to get a loan, but instead, she found a key. Little did she know it could be the key to success. But the person who lost it would do anything to get it back. Lila discovered the key was magic, and she got a powerful friend who could help. Or could she?

Sara Farizan has written a fun contemporary fantasy that middle graders will love. The characters are well-rounded and believable. Lila\u2019s family situations and school situations are all issues middle-graders will relate to and have to grapple with. The magic is just enough to create a little havoc and not too much to overwhelm this contemporary story. The writing is excellent and the dialogue perfect for the age group. Her Persian background gives the story a little more dimension.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "10-Jul-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 16:31:14", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011692027", "title": "Around Here", "author": "J.R. Solonche", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 166, "review": "The prolific and relevant poet J.R. Solonche has given me the gift of writing \u201chow I read poems.\u201d The sense of playfulness is evident in all his writing and continues to delight me. From a poem about his father\u2019s last prosaic words to transmogrifying Emily Dickinson into relevance for me. He is a gifted writer, one who is always interesting. That is a difficult thing for a poet to sustain, as evidenced by the many bad poems one attempts to read in favorite periodicals.

In this volume, the poet shows his versatility in many forms and themes, which makes the reading always interesting for this reader. In his poem \u201cTeaching,\u201d Solonche manages to encapsulate the difficulties and nuances of the profession. This volume also offers the poet\u2019s take on the meaning of words, culminating in a personal take on the words and their meanings. For those of us searching for a fun time in poetry, this volume is the answer and is guaranteed to be relished.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 19:46:44", "publisher": "Kelsay Books", "page_count": "100 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011692023", "title": "Home Away From Home", "author": "Cynthia Lord", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "Every summer, Mia and her mom visit Mia\u2019s grandma in tiny Stone Harbor, Maine. This year Mia is going by herself. Her parents had divorced, and Mom and her boyfriend, Scott, are buying a new house and will move while Mia visits Grandma. Mia likes Scott okay, but she doesn\u2019t like the idea of losing her home with all its memories. When Mia arrives at Grandma\u2019s, she discovers Grandma has made friends with a boy, Cayman, just Mia\u2019s age. He\u2019s a little bossy, and Mia doesn\u2019t like sharing Grandma with anyone. The kids discover a rare falcon in the harbor, and Mia posts a photo online in an effort to beat Cayman in finding out what it is, starting all kinds of trouble.

Cynthia Lord has written a very compelling story with rich characters and a wonderful setting. The writing is excellent, and the first-person point-of-view is a great way for Mia to tell her own story. The voice is pitch-perfect for an eleven-year-old girl. The relationship between Mia and her grandmother is very sweet, and the grandmother is a terrific character who really helps Mia grow during the story. This is a winner.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "17-Apr-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 19:08:40", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011692015", "title": "The Sister Switch (Best Wishes 2) (Best Wishes)", "author": "Sarah Mlynowski, Debbie Rigaud, Maxine Vee", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Bentley - age 9", "word_count": 196, "review": "I thought this book was ok but I think I am a little young for it. My sister, who is entering middle school, liked that it was about middle school, but she thought it was too easy to read. I thought it was a perfect length to read and I liked that there were pictures because my favorite kind of book to read is a graphic novel.

I like how they switch bodies\u2014I have always wanted to do that! I am the middle child in my family and sometimes I think my little siblings get whatever they want and my older sister just bosses me around. When reading the book, I felt like I was really in Addie\u2019s body. I loved that it took place in Columbus, Ohio because Ohio is my home state! We never read anything about kids from my area, they all seem to be from big cities!

After reading this book, I looked in the mail for a few weeks to see if I might get a mysterious package in the mail with a magic bracelet! I do want to read the first book and the third book in this series too.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 16:29:42", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011692011", "title": "Fruits of the Forest", "author": "Daniel Winkler", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 195, "review": "Mushroom collectors may be as fanatical as bird watchers, but rather than the sky, the former look to the ground for the characteristic fruit of hopefully edible fungi. It requires a bit of rain to help prod the hidden fungal mycelium to generate their fruiting bodies, which then emerge to attract the forest foragers.

In this exquisitely illustrated field guide to the edible mushrooms of the moist Pacific Northwest, photographer and mycologist Daniel Winkler has assembled a treasure trove of background information for both the novice and the experienced collector. Divided into three sections, the short first part describes the joys and perils of mushrooms, their taxonomy, safety issues, and ways to preserve these specimens.

The primary second segment delves into the kinds of mushrooms termed \u201cAscomycetes,\u201d which include morels and the much sought truffles. Then there are the \u201cBasidomycetes,\u201d which include jelly fungi, puffballs, chanterelles, and pig\u2019s ears. Finally, the author gleefully concludes with a guide to the culinary use of these collected specimens.

The impressive colorful illustrations that accompany the mushroom descriptions and scientific detail strongly enrich this fungal field guide. It is a handy reference for both the professional and the novice.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 20:11:39", "publisher": "The Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011692003", "title": "An Unforgiving Place", "author": "Claire Kells", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 481, "review": "Part of a Series Mystery Roundup\n\nAll of the books in this roundup are part of a series. From police and detective mysteries to assassins, if you liked the first installments of these series, get ready for the next level of suspense and thriller. Perfect for fans of Patterson and Baldacci.\n\nDeath on a Winter Stroll\nFrancine Mathews\nSoho Press\n9781641292740\n\nThe seventh book in the Merry Folger Nantucket Mystery series, Death on a Winter Stroll takes place during Christmas. The yearly tradition of the winter stroll in Nantucket should lift the spirits on the island after Covid. Instead, Merry, the Police Chief finds herself investigating two murders. With a large-scale television production interrupting the activities on the island and the arrival of the Secretary of State and her family, this winter is anything but peaceful. This cold winter weather mystery is full of wonderful characters, beautiful scenery, and that cozy winter mystery feel.\n\nThe Zero Night\nBrian Freeman\nBlackstone Publishing\n9781094082349\n\nBook eleven in the Jonathan Stride series, The Zero Night centers around Lt. Stride coming back to work for the Duluth Police Department and working a case in which an attorney has paid the ransom for his kidnapped wife to be released. The problem is, his wife has not been released. Running parallel to this story is that of Stride\u2019s wife, Serena, who is dealing with the death of her abusive mother and further investigating a case that was previously solved. A masterfully written crime mystery with a solid plot and twists and turns that readers will absolutely love.\n\nSeventeen\nJohn Brownlow\nHanover Square Press\n9781335469595\n\nThis is an action-packed thriller that will have readers turning page after page. Seventeen is the current assassin who is hunting sixteen. One day, eighteen will hunt down seventeen. Seventeen\u2019s multiple-layer plot is full of twists and turns with intense characters. For anyone who loves an entertaining cat-and-mouse chase.\n\nHands Down\nFelix Francis\nCROOKED LANE BOOKS\n\nThe next installation in the Dick Francis series, Hands Down finds its main character detective Sid Halley gets a call from an ex-jockey friend asking him for help after receiving death threats. When his friend is found dead, Sid feels the guilt of the situation and further investigates. He finds himself in the middle of a possible British Horse Racing scandal. Complete with steeplechases and interesting characters, Hands Down is another great Dick Francis mystery.\n\nAn Unforgiving Place\nClaire Kells\nCROOKED LANE BOOKS\n9781639101238\n\nAgent Felicity Harland and partner ex-Navy Seal Ferdinand Huxley set out to investigate the death of a couple that was found in Gates of the Arctic National Park. What they find is a possible fertility cult led by a man who lives in the Arctic. With a superb cast of strong characters, this book will take its readers on an adventure through the wilderness experiencing all of the harsh elements the characters do.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 18:46:26", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011691023", "title": "Aegean: Recipes from the Mountains to the Sea", "author": "Marianna Leivaditaki", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 200, "review": "Some foodways are so specific to their place that sourcing ingredients outside their native area is almost impossible. I frequently hit that obstacle with this cookbook. The Stuffed Vine Leaves with Rice and Carrots, or dolmas, were delicious and simple, but sourcing the grape leaves required searching several stores. In the Chicken with Okra, Oregano, and Aged Vinegar, I had to substitute green beans for okra, which was simply unavailable. This was a delicious dish too, but with such a major substitution, how much of the original taste am I really capturing? However, the Thyme, Oregano, and Fenugreek Pork Tenderloin with Tzatziki, Tomato, and Onion Salad was an unequivocal success, one I am eager to make again. If you can find the ingredients, the recipes themselves are clearly written with helpful and careful instructions. The photography is gorgeous, warm, and rustic, and the author's notes are homey and welcoming; her stories aggregate almost into memoirs, an inviting glimpse into her lovely childhood memories of growing up on Crete. At the very least, this is a delightful cookbook that whets your appetite for foods from the Aegean; you may just have to make a trip there to taste them for yourself.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 19:16:22", "publisher": "Interlink Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011691019", "title": "Rosewood: A Midsummer Meet Cute ", "author": "Sayantani DasGupta", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 196, "review": "Eila has taken over parenting duties since her father died and her mother has been so busy at work. Her sister, Mallika, surprises her with acceptance letters to a Regency-era drama camp that could be her last chance at theater. While there is a possibility of being chosen as a walk-on in the next season of Rosewood, Eila is too sensible to believe anything will come of it. To support her sister, Eila goes to the camp and meets Rahul, who can quote Shakespeare and fence like he\u2019s straight out of a Regency story himself. When mean girl Lucy establishes a claim on Rahul, Eila doesn\u2019t give up, not until a truth is revealed that will shatter her dreams of love and a possible life in the theater.

With creative sprinkles of contemporary pop culture mixed with quotes from Shakespeare\u2019s plays and Jane Austen\u2019s novels, this should have delivered. While the characters were lovable and the conclusion pulled the heart strings, mixing the fake dating trope late in the game with the hidden secret trope fell flat. However, the witty banter and focus on diversity in historically white literature was refreshing and worth a quick read.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "28-Mar-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 16:17:47", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011691015", "title": "Twisted Love (Twisted, 1)", "author": "Ana Huang", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "E. A. Kroeker", "word_count": 187, "review": "Alex Volkov isn\u2019t a hero. He\u2019s the dark knight in his Aston Martin and Tom Ford suit seeking vengeance for what was stolen from him years ago. A child genius turned ferocious entrepreneur, he takes whatever he wants by any means necessary. This relentless intensity means Alex doesn't do anything in half measures, so when he\u2019s tasked with babysitting his best friend's little sister for the year, he infiltrates every aspect of her life.

Ava, the bubbly college senior, believes in love and the good of the world. She dreams of winning a prestigious photography fellowship and sharing her gift with the world. But under her lighthearted facade, Ava is repressing memories from a traumatic childhood event, and like all well-kept secrets, they are bound to come out.

This story is equal parts mystery thriller and romance. Falling in the mid-ground between fade-to-black and erotica, this story is for the 18+ reader. The forced proximity situation breeds delicious tension between the main characters. While the murder mystery plot line leaves the reader with a bit of whiplash from some unexpected twists. Overall, an entertaining story with scrumptious spice.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2022", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 20:35:32", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011691011", "title": "Ride On", "author": "Faith Erin Hicks", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 197, "review": "Horse Girls Victoria and her best friend, Taylor, love riding horses. They hang out at Waverly Stables, ride, and compete in horse competitions. But Victoria doesn\u2019t want to dedicate her whole life to horses and to afford horse riding lessons. When Victoria tells Taylor she doesn\u2019t want to compete anymore, Taylor doesn\u2019t understand, so Victoria transfers to Edgewood Stables. The meeting between Victoria and the other Horse Girls at the new riding stable didn\u2019t go too well. Can Victoria make up with Taylor and get along with the new Horse Girls at Edgewood?

At first, I was really annoyed with Victoria and how rude and antisocial she was towards Norrie. Norrie was also a little extra, but both grew on me by the end of the book. I love the scene where Norrie suggested that Victoria read the episode summary on Wikipedia, and the reactions on both Sam's and Victoria\u2019s faces were hilarious. I sense a potential romance between Sam and Victoria, so I feel there is a possibility of a sequel coming. I thought the illustrations were okay, maybe not so much my style. I recommend this graphic novel to readers who love friendship and horse stories.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "28-Nov-2022", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 20:09:16", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011690023", "title": "Twisted Lies", "author": "Ana Huang", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 179, "review": "Christian Harper is the CEO of Harper Security by day and a vigilante cyberhero by night or in-between meetings as his schedule allows. He designs creative yet malicious software that wreaks havoc on his targets. However, Christian is not entirely without scruples, he does draw the line for certain individuals and organizations that are morally repugnant by his standards. His well-known reputation among the elite D.C. circles sets him apart as a lethal advisor and unlikely friend.

Christian lives a calculated private lifestyle leaving nothing to chance. So when he crosses paths with a whimsical up-and-coming fashion blogger, his world is thrown off-center. Stella is the one puzzle he simply can not solve, which both infuriates and fuels his obsession. When a stalker reemerges and threatens Stella\u2019s safety, a mutually beneficial fake-dating contract seems like the best course of action.

The chemistry between Christian and Stella is excellent. The writing is easy to navigate, and the story hits all the favorite moments associated with this trope. As a bonus, the epilogue provides closure to the other companion stories within the series.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 20:38:27", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "560 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011690019", "title": "Twisted Hate", "author": "Ana Huang", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 185, "review": "Book three in the Twisted series showcases the relationship origins of Josh and Jules. Jules is the saucy red-headed best friend studying for the bar and Josh is the overprotective older brother in a high-paced residency program. The two have a toxic history, mostly spurred by their competition for Ava\u2019s attention. When the two find themselves working for the same nonprofit, they somehow land on an improbable enemies-with-benefits arrangement.

The book delivers on explicit content, but without chemistry between the characters it\u2019s just heat without flavor. The story feels chaotic due to how much it bounces around from both a plot and character backstory standpoint. There are strange storylines involving art heists, blackmail sex tapes, unsolved murders, and book store scavenger hunts that don\u2019t quite meld.

Then we have scenes where Jules and Josh act completely out of character, which comes across as unbelievable and ridiculous. The charming coincidences from the earlier books fall flat in this situation. Overall, this relationship was unimaginable and a letdown after the high of book two. The most exciting pieces were the teasers for the characters in book four.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 20:36:18", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011690003", "title": "Never Name the Dead", "author": "D M Rowell", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 383, "review": "Something for Everyone Mystery Roundup\n\nAn eclectic mix of our newest mysteries and thrillers. From a book about Hell to a compilation of stories about murder witnesses, this lineup will be of interest to anyone who just likes something a little different in terms of thrillers and suspense novels.\n\nSign Here\nClaudia Lux\nBerkley\nISBN: 9780593545768\n\nPeyote Trip works on the fifth floor of Hell, where he is expecting to get a big promotion if he can get one more member of the wealthy Harrison family to sell their soul. He hatches a plan and ends up uncovering some family secrets. Dark, funny, and suspenseful, Sign Here is full of twists and turns. Part drama and part horror, this witty, satirical book will entertain readers from cover to cover.\n\nThe Ransomware Hunting Team\nRenee Dudley, Daniel Golden\nFarrar, Straus and Giroux\nISBN: 9780374603304\n\nA real-life technological thriller that follows a group of computer experts who use their skills to save ransomware victims from paying billions of dollars to criminals. The global threat of ransomware is real, and this group, a band of misfits to the outside world, is among some of the most talented people in the world when it comes to cyber crimes. This book is a must-read for anyone who owns a computer or smart device. \n\nNever Name the Dead\nD M Rowell\nCROOKED LANE BOOKS\n9781639101276\n\nMud is called back to her native Kiowa land in Oklahoma by her grandfather, and she finds herself in the middle of a web of theft, betrayal, and murder. A man was found murdered in her grandfather\u2019s work room and her grandfather is the main suspect. Trying to prove him not guilty and dealing with frackers who are trying to take over his land, Mud must get to the bottom of everything before someone else turns up dead. An eye-opening homage to Native American history with Kiowa storytelling, Never Name the Dead is a beautifully written story.\n\nWitnesses for the Dead\nGary Phillips, Gar Anthony Haywood\nSoho Press\n9781641293983\n\nA collection of stories from many award-winning authors in which the main theme is murders that have been witnessed. From terrorist plots to immigration to brothels, this compilation will have a story or two or more that will pique the interest of any mystery lover.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 18:42:32", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011689007", "title": "The Art of the Board", "author": "Olivia Carney", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 192, "review": "Whether you are a complete novice or just need a creative nudge, this book has something for you. The photos are gorgeous, styled for every occasion. There are recipes for dips, salads, and spreads to anchor the board, and excellent instructions on composition, garnishing, tools, and various pairings. I particularly appreciated the specific lists of ingredients as well as the substitution suggestions.

The simple but lovely Fun in the Sun board, for example, was easy and fun to make, even for the children; a single wedge of cheese joins a quick caprese salad, nuts, and fruits. Edible flowers do give a beautiful finishing touch, if you can find them. Boards don't even have to include cheese! We also loved the Cozy Hot Cocoa Board; it's like a hot chocolate bar, but more intimate, and open to all sorts of variation.

Tips for presentation raise everything to the next level, without much additional effort. There are tons of themes to try here, and to use as a jumping off point for your own creations. Food boards should be fun to put together, and there is really no limit to what you can do!", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "27-Jan-2024", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 19:04:23", "publisher": "Gibbs Smith", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011689003", "title": "Dead Men Don't Decorate (Old Town Antique Mystery, An)", "author": "Cordy Abbott", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 202, "review": "Big changes are in store for Camille. Her son is the newly elected mayor, and her parents\u2019 old business just came on the market. The latter comes as joyous news for everyone in town as the man -Roberto - that currently owns it is the least liked in town. After Camille successfully purchases the business, she\u2019s ready to make it her own until she makes an unsettling discovery - a historical letter possibly connected to George Washington and Roberto\u2019s body. She uncovers odd circumstances surrounding the shop, which pulls her directly into the middle of a murder.

At the center of the mystery is the murder of Roberto, whose not-so-sunny disposition gives Camille no shortage of suspects, which pairs well with the mysteries surrounding the store. Over the course of the story, she finds Roberto\u2019s body, a historical letter, strange thefts, and questionable antique furniture, with each thread perfectly woven together to send Camille in circles. The characters are amazing, particularly the dynamic duo that is Camille and Opal, as their friendship drives the humor and charm of the story. Dead Men Don\u2019t Decorate is a delightful start to a new series with a mystery full of twists, sleuthing antics, and new beginnings.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2023", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 18:32:17", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011688043", "title": "Iceberg", "author": "Jennifer A Nielsen", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 198, "review": "Following the death of her father, Hazel\u2019s family is quickly plunged into destitution. The best solution is to send Hazel to the United States to live with her aunt and work so she can send money back home, although Hazel secretly wishes to be a journalist. However, Hazel doesn\u2019t have the money to buy a ticket so stows away on a boat named the Titanic.

Thankfully, she is able to befriend Charlie, a porter, who helps her find a room more comfortable than the stairwell. Hazel also meets Sylvia, a sweet first-class passenger looking for a companion on the long voyage. When Hazel stumbles onto a plot that she fears targets her new friend Sylvia\u2019s wealth, she hopes all her talents as a budding journalist will help her break the news.

Hazel is young and idealistic, curious and kind. While written for a younger audience and including a sub-plot that propels the story along, most readers will pick this up just for the fact that it is about the Titanic. It is not surprising that Nielsen, after taking a stab at historical fiction, has finally put pen to paper about one of the most famous disasters in history.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "22-Mar-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 19:29:26", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011688039", "title": "Daughter Dalloway", "author": "Emily France", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 221, "review": "Daughter Dalloway, by Emily France, is not so much a retelling of Virginia Woolf\u2019s classic Mrs. Dalloway, but rather, in the manner of Woolf\u2019s own stream-of-consciousness novel, follows two characters, Elizabeth Dalloway and Octavia Smith, tangential characters from the original.

In 1952, Elizabeth, now forty-six, is given a medal with an inscription from her mother to a soldier named Septimus Warren Smith, which sets her on the hunt for her mother, who has been missing since July 1923. At the same time, Septimus\u2019 sister, Octavia, leaves her small village and travels to London to find her brother, who has not communicated since leaving to join the war.

At times Daughter Dalloway by Emily France seems contrived; it tries too hard to force the connection between this novel and the much-loved Woolf. From France\u2019s first sentence, \u201cElizabeth said she would pick the flowers herself\u2026\u201d I knew I was in for a lot of Mrs. Dalloway references, but is that such a bad thing? Is there a way to write a retelling without a multitude of callbacks and cross-referencing? Frankly, if the reader isn\u2019t familiar with, and more than a little in love with, the original, they probably won\u2019t be picking up France\u2019s novel. As a rabid Woolf fan, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed France\u2019s revisit of the Dalloway world.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "14-Mar-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 19:18:38", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "375 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011688035", "title": "The Riders Come Out at Night", "author": "Ali Winston, Darwin BondGraham", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 200, "review": "In 2003, the Oakland Police Department was placed under a Consent Decree wherein the department was subject to the supervision of a third party acting under the authority of the federal government. The department would need to comply with various recommendations and show marked improvement before the decree would be lifted. The decision to put the OPD under the thumb of the US DOJ had been a long time in the making. Issues of excessive force and officer-involved shootings had been making headlines for years. The actions taken by a group known as \u201cThe Riders\u201d faced scrutiny as a rookie officer implicated various officers in beatings and falsified reports. Sadly, these were not anomalous in a city where order overshadowed the law.

The Riders Come Out at Night is an eye-opening investigation into a deeply troubled institution. Authors Ali Winston and Darwin Bondgraham take a fair and even-handed approach in assessing the history and culture that factored into the abuse and corruption that settled into the Oakland Police Department. The authors have written a comprehensive and moving account where there is plenty of blame to go around for the state of policing in Oakland, yet there is the possibility of progress.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 19:11:45", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011688027", "title": "Where You See Yourself", "author": "Claire Forrest", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Susan Faith - age 15", "word_count": 237, "review": "Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest has touched me in many ways. It is a story about a girl who has cerebral palsy. (I have personal experience with experiencing challenges in the world because I have autism.) The author has cerebral palsy as well, so this could be considered a \u201clife story\u201d or perhaps even a \u201cmemoir.\u201d

She is writing it through the eyes of Effie (her real name is Efumia Galanos, a very unusual name indeed), who just so happens to be like Forrest herself. At Prospect University, at a shop called Menards, everywhere: she is discriminated against because she has a wheelchair. She struggles to get through New York City because of all the teasing. The story is peppered with emails to give further proof that Effie is Carol Forrest!

I have also experienced discrimination (and gotten a detention once) because I have autism. I can relate to Carol Forrest (and Effie) in a variety of ways. I hope many people with disabilities can relate to Effie in some way or another. And what\u2019s more, the book is divided into sections representing the seasons, which also adds to the story of the challenging life that Effie lives in.

I appreciated that this book presents difficulties with honesty and also encourages communication and hope. Despite not having a physical disability, I found myself to be Effie in some way. I give this book five stars.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 16:25:52", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011688019", "title": "The Devil Takes You Home: A Novel ", "author": "Gabino Iglesias", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 198, "review": "Mario\u2019s life has recently gone into a tailspin. His four-year-old daughter, Anita, Has been diagnosed with Leukemia. Mario and his wife Melisa dote on their only child and spend every dime they can for her to receive treatment. The bills begin to pile up, and Mario is let go from his job. A friend of Mario offers an opportunity to get the money to aid Anita. Mario will need to kill someone. Despite Mario\u2019s fulfillment of the contract, he soon learns of his daughter\u2019s passing. The crushing grief dissolves his marriage and Mario is at rock bottom. Mario throws himself into the hitman business with aplomb. A new opportunity to make a financial windfall and regain a semblance of a life beckons but is nowhere near easy. Mario is about to embark on a dark journey.

The Devil Takes You Home is a haunting mystery thriller from the inspired mind of author Gabino Iglesias (Zero Saints, Coyote Songs). A novel that combines an excellent crime tale with supernatural elements that will leave the reader unsettled for days on end. Iglesias is a writer to keep an eye out for in the future, as he possesses a gift for story.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "25-Nov-2022", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 19:25:38", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011688011", "title": "Make Your Own Board Game", "author": "Jesse Terrance Daniels", "category": "F16 Games", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 10 and Julianne - age 7", "word_count": 204, "review": "Make Your Own Game: Designing, Building, and Playing an Original Tabletop Games Jesse Terrance Daniels is a surprising book. I thought it would just teach me what parts were to a board game, but then it had its own practice board games and lots and lots of other stuff I didn\u2019t know about, like that there are different ways to win, eliminate, or, well, different ways to everything! So every game can be unique and surprising.

Mom and I played one of the games, and it was super fun. I learned that there are many more parts (called components) to games than I realized. There are games from real life and practice games in the back to learn to use the components to make new games. After reading this book, I was able to take what I learned to make my own super-duper fun board game and play it with my sister.

What surprised me most was that so much goes into making a game. Games are a great way to learn, depending on what game you\u2019re playing. What matters is having fun and playing together. People who like playing board games and who might like to try to make their own would love this book.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2022", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 19:08:16", "publisher": "Storey Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011688007", "title": "Death on a Deadline (A Homefront News Mystery)", "author": "Joyce St Anthony", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 189, "review": "Death on a Deadline is a story set in 1942 during the war. The town has set up a fair and is promoting the sale of war bonds to help the troops. A Hollywood Victory Committee is also coming to town and although Clark Gable will not be making an appearance, film star Tommy Harrison will be. Only Tommy ends up dead and it turns out he was on most people\u2019s bad sides. Editor-in-Chief of the Progress Herald, Irene, finds herself investigating the murder mystery and helping to prove Tommy\u2019s wife, Angel, is not guilty.

I really loved going back in time and experiencing life in a small town during the war. Everything including the dialect was so old-fashioned! This book is a fun read and there are so many interesting characters; all of whom seem like they could be suspects. Greta Grey, a mean gossip tabloid lady, is in town and is as snarky as ever and Belinda Fox, Tommy\u2019s girlfriend who says he is going to leave Angel for her, is a little too full of herself. This cozy mystery is sure to please readers of this genre!", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "17-Nov-2022", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 18:47:27", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011688003", "title": "The Collector (A Kaldan and Sch\u00e1fer Mystery)", "author": "Anne Mette Hancock", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 187, "review": "The Collector is a fantastic psychological thriller that will have its readers' eyes glued to the pages from cover to cover. Heloise is a news journalist and is at her doctor's office to get an abortion. While she is at the office, her doctor receives an urgent call because his ten-year-old son Lukas has gone missing. Detective Schafer is on the case as he and partner Lisa Augustin follow the clues to figure out where Lukas could be and if he is dead or alive.

This book focuses on many themes, such as alcoholism and PTSD from war. There are several characters that Schafer and Augustin interview, and readers learn that Heloise is actually a friend of Schafer and his wife, Connie. It just so happens that Heloise's best friend is a PTSD psychologist, so when detectives find out that ex-military may be involved, Heloise is able to find out some information to help them. Overall, this book is amazing, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves being turned around in every direction in a suspenseful thriller. Perfect for fans of Ruth Ware and Tana French.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "28-Nov-2022", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 18:31:17", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011687023", "title": "Pack Your Bags, Maggie Diaz", "author": "Nina Moreno, Courtney Lovett", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - age 11", "word_count": 243, "review": "Things are better than ever for Maggie Diaz. She and her friends, Julian and Zoey, are closer than ever, her grades aren\u2019t made, and she\u2019s found her thing: running. And she can\u2019t wait for the seventh-grade three-day field trip to Saint Augustine. But when Julian gets a crush on the new girl, Vanessa, Zoey, Julian, and Maggie\u2019s friendship starts falling apart. Maggie\u2019s in the middle of a love triangle and is stressed out and doesn\u2019t know how it\u2019s all going to turn out. And if Julian or Zoey start dating somebody, where would she belong? Would she be the third wheel? And now Maggie likes Eerie Eddie. \nThings get worse. Zoey\u2019s grades start dropping, and if she can\u2019t keep them up, she won\u2019t be able to go to Saint Augustine. How can Maggie fix this?

If I would have seen this at the library or at a bookstore, I wouldn\u2019t have been interested in it because the cover is too pink and \u201csparkly\u201d, but it\u2019s a good book. I was wondering about the characters and how things were going to turn out. This story feels like it could happen in real life. In the edition I read, there weren\u2019t illustrations where there were going to be, and sometimes the drawings tell the story, so there were some small gaps that I was missing. But the illustrations that I did see fit the story well. I wish I knew more about the other characters.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2022 16:33:16", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011687003", "title": "Viviana Valentine Gets Her Man", "author": "Emily J Edwards", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 203, "review": "Viviana has found a place for herself working for PI Tommy Fortuna. When he receives a wealthy businessman as a client, their job is to track the whereabouts of the man's daughter, which should be simple enough until Viviana must tackle a case solo after Tommy takes a sudden trip out of town. A body in the office later sends Viviana on an investigation that makes her a target.

The 1950s setting is spot-on, with Edwards perfectly capturing the decade through lush dialogue that transports you back in time with word choices such as dollface, stepping out, and dillydally. The tone of the writing uses specific details such as hulking galoot with a familiar mug, still holding my paw, lookie-loos, and bopping you off. Viviana is surrounded by well-rounded characters, primarily headstrong women, and she has great dynamics with them. The women at the boarding house are unique and funny, giving her a support system. The plot gives Viviana an opportunity to come into her own as an investigator and creates a mystery that is incredibly fun and original. A delightful historical treat, Viviana Valentine Gets Her Man delivers a mystery that is charming with headstrong women, suspense, humor, and plenty of twists.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "17-Oct-2022 18:29:46", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011686007", "title": "The Light Reflected", "author": "Will Freshwater", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 427, "review": "As soon as twenty-year-old Max gets his first big break in Boston, he'll leave his part-time gigs, which have included working as a cod fisherman and bagging groceries at the local A&P for the past three years. Another issue he has is that he hasn't told his mother he's homosexual\u2014a secret that seems increasingly impractical since he plans to enjoy his \"carnal urges\" during his final summer in Provincetown. Unless Danny can transform one of his interests into a lucrative job, he'll have to return home to begin working at the family foundation in exchange for free lodging and food.

Two childhood friends, Max and Danny, reunite and embark on a summer affair that grows more serious as their time together gets shorter. The Light Reflected by Will Freshwater presents two charming best friends who engage in a variety of fun activities and are forced to confront the potential that their relationship will fade by the end of the summer.

The book's humorous, authentic language and thoughts, which give you the impression that you're discussing things with the characters, are some of its great features. I chuckled at a few of the things I read, like how taking a straight guy to a gay bar was like dragging a vegetarian to a meat market. Being an artist myself, I could relate to Max's aspirations for his music and the time he is compelled to think about changing his appearance to be more well-liked as a musician. In his situation, it is suggested that he make full use of his muscles and go for a more sexualized appearance.

Other realistic ordeals and topics that young adults and LGBT readers will connect with in the book include money troubles, ambitious goals, making art, courageously embracing one's sexuality, getting hit on by straight people, and more. The fairly graphic sexual parts lend a bit of excitement to the romance novel, making it more memorable.

Some aspects of the novel bothered me, such as the insufficient sparks and intensity in the romance, which made the plot feel a little flat. Furthermore, the characters' voices require greater substance to let the viewer enjoy following them. I didn't think they adequately conveyed their emotions.

Thanks to a plethora of intriguing people and talks involving the protagonists throughout a significant portion of the story, the book transports readers to a genuine summer environment that is likely to evoke feelings of nostalgia and romanticism in the reader. The Light Reflected clearly requires more compelling features to entice the reader. It does, however, have its highlights.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Oct-2022 01:24:59", "publisher": "Self-published", "page_count": "222 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011686003", "title": "Purple Deceiver", "author": "John H. Cunningham", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 424, "review": "After finding the queen's jewels on the Farnese's wreck, Buck Reilly is prepared to explore new, altruistic endeavors. Unfortunately, his objectives are jeopardized by a new development involving the federal government interfering with his newly discovered fortune and the secrets he intends to keep concealed. Buck is left with little money and many court challenges, prompting him to embark on another treasure hunt that appears to be a wild goose chase with coded language, biblical texts, and incomplete material dating back to the 1800s.

His goal entails tracking down the rumored buried cache of Key West's original owner, John W. Simonton. However, he must compete with the most vicious treasure hunters who are pursuing the same treasure. Are Buck's archeology and puzzle-solving abilities sufficient to save him from the hangman's noose that is quickly closing in on him? In John H. Cunningham's Purple Deceiver, follow Buck's highly perilous and suspense-filled race to discover a long-buried treasure while surrounded by ruthless competitors and relentless law enforcement entities.

I'm not sure which element of the novel I enjoyed more\u2014the pleasure and excitement of searching for the treasure or the tension of the danger around the protagonist. I just knew that I couldn't give anything else my full attention until I finished the book. I was on edge throughout the novel because I didn't know when another sinister and intimidating character would attack the protagonist or when another layer of knowledge or a secret would be divulged to the authorities. Deciphering Bible verses and skillfully coded messages further piqued my interest and made me want to work on more puzzles with the protagonist.

John H. Cunningham presents a well-rounded tale with a pace that is neither too quick nor too slow. Thanks to the protagonist's perceptive personality and the colorful characters who emerge throughout the book, the novel is full of relatable and interesting insights like \"Scarlet had an annoying ability to always appear calm.\" There's also a lot to keep readers interested in the story, including an introspective and likable protagonist, deadly villains, sexual tension, intricate riddles, and more.

Fans of treasure hunt stories and readers who enjoy tales with clever riddles and terrifying antagonists will enjoy this book. I'm just discovering the Buck Reilly Adventures series, and I can't wait to read more. You don't have to have read the previous installments to enjoy this one, but once you do, you won't be able to resist the temptation. Excellent work, John. Life seems like an exciting trip when you're surrounded by literary classics like this!", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "06-Nov-2022", "date_added": "16-Oct-2022 01:10:23", "publisher": "Greene Street, LLC", "page_count": "388 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011685003", "title": "Ancestry", "author": "Simon Mawer", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 584, "review": "Historical Fiction You Won\u2019t Be Able to Put Down Roundup\n\nThese books are all set in a different time than the present, but readers will embrace the similarities between the men and women of the past and of today. From heartache to hope to the discovery of ancestries, these books will evoke some wonderful emotions and perhaps even some memories.\n\nCambium Blue\nMaureen Brownlee\nHarbour Publishing\n9781550179309\n\nSet during the bark beetle epidemic in a lumbering town in British Columbia, Cambium Blue is a tale that comes from three viewpoints. A single mom, a Spanish Civil War Veteran, and a widowed fifty-four-year-old woman find their lives intertwined. This is a beautifully written novel with themes of compassion, hope, despair, and the politics of a small town.\n\nLost and Found in the 60s\nPaul Justison\nUnsolicited Press\n9781956692396\n\nSet in the 1960s, teenager Mark Stenrud escapes to Haight-Ashbury and gets a job at the post office. LSD chemists end up recruiting him and readers will follow Mark on his path as he finds success in this lucrative business only to find himself making bad decisions and learning the lessons of life. A book that captures this decade and its psychedelic notions.\n\nWhen Franny Stands Up\nEden Robins\nSourcebooks\n9781728256009\n\nSet during WWII, When Franny Stands Up captures the story of a woman named Fran who finds herself at Chicago\u2019s Blue Moon Comedy Club where she finds out about the Showstopper, the magic that occurs when an audience laughs so hard they are momentarily transformed. With complex characters, humor, and cultural realism, this book is sure to evoke so many emotions in its readers.\n\nAncestry\nSimon Mawer\nOther Press\n9781635423198\n\nAs novelist Simon Mawer researches his own ancestry back to his great-great-grandfather Abraham Block, who leaves home and becomes indentured on a ship and finds himself in London and the Mediterranean. Mawer\u2019s stories about his ancestors paint the reader a vivid portrait of life in the nineteenth century. \n\nMarmee\nSarah Miller\nHarperCollins\n9780063041875\n\nThis Little Women novel is sure to become a favorite. Set during the war in 1861, this book is told from the perspective of Margaret \u201cMarmee\u201d March and her struggle to raise her four daughters, continue her charity work, and endure financial hardship. This is a beautiful story brought to life by author Sarah Miller about a woman whose life is anything but simple and one which contains secrets.\n\nFoster\nClaire Keegan\nGrove/Atlantic\n9780802160140\n\nDuring a hot summer in rural Ireland, a father takes his daughter to live with relatives where she is shown love and affection. The home is nice and modern and the Kinsellas take her to places like the beach and shopping for new clothing. These are things her parents don\u2019t do with her and her siblings. A book about a girl who gets a taste of what she sees as \u201ca real family.\u201d A short, easy-to-read book that will leave its readers thinking about the girl even after finishing the book.\n\nThe Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey\nSerena Burdick\nPark Row Books\n9780778333104\n\nIn 1868, when famous novelist William Aubrey finds himself with writer\u2019s block, he becomes jealous of his wife, Evelyn, and steals one of her manuscripts, passing it on as his own. In 2006, Abigail finds out that Evelyn was her great-great-grandmother and travels to England to uncover some family secrets. She learns of Evelyn\u2019s disappearance and possible murder according to London\u2019s society. A fantastic mystery that will have readers loving the clever characters and intriguing plot.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Oct-2022 18:54:13", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011684015", "title": "Less Is Lost", "author": "Andrew Sean Greer", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 215, "review": "The good-hearted, hapless \u201cMinor American Novelist\u201d Arthur Less is back, and this reader couldn\u2019t be happier to spend time with him again. Temporarily apart from his lover, Freddy (whose voice is heard throughout the novel), and in desperate need of money, Less says yes to every offer that comes his way, sending him on another hilarious journey, this time through New Mexico, Texas, the deep South, and then up the Eastern Seaboard. \u201cIt is hard to picture our hero in these carriage-wheel-chandeliered, sawdust-floored, spittooned surroundings. To be honest, it is hard to picture Arthur Less in America at all. His awkwardness abroad seems natural; here, it seems vexing.\u201d In the earlier prize-winning novel Less, Arthur traveled internationally; now, Southerners seem to think that he is from the Netherlands, recognizing only that there is something odd and other about him. Greer describes America as Arthur experiences it: sometimes with dread, often with humor, and frequently with charming innocence. \u201cWhy did no one tell me life could be this?\u201d he thought while watching a musical that filled him with awe and promise. Commenting on the writing life with wit and gentle jabs, Less is Lost fills us with an appreciation for the odd and the offbeat. \u201cSuch is love,\u201d as Freddy often comments on these pages. Indeed.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "14-Oct-2022 20:22:35", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011684011", "title": "Outside Nowhere", "author": "Adam Borba", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "Parker Kelbrook is slick, which allows him to slide out of whatever trouble he gets into. It works fine until his benefactor, Ms. Birdseye, gets him a summer job. But Parker\u2019s best friend is going to spend a month at the beach, and Parker wants to go, so he plays a dirty trick to get fired so he can go to the beach. Not so fast, says his father. Ms. Birdseye has another assignment for Parker. He is put on a train and sent to a farm in the middle of nowhere. The work is hard. The only thing grown is radishes, and they are sold two or three at a time. But there is more going on than meets the eye, and it is a mystery Parker wants to solve.

Adam Borba has written a unique story that is fun, engaging, and full of magic and mystery. The characters are all well-rounded and complex, each with their own backstory. The setting perfectly matches this unusual story, with it being contemporary and at the same time awfully old-fashioned. Young readers (and older ones as well) will be engaged to the end trying to figure out what the heck is going on.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2022", "date_added": "14-Oct-2022 20:21:25", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011683039", "title": "I am Superman (Stories Change the World)", "author": "Brad Meltzer,Christopher Eliopoulos", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 134, "review": "I am Superman is about what appears to be a regular human man, but after reading this book, Clark Kent is not regular. I love that this book is filled with information about how this comic started. Clark Kent is actually his Earth name. I found out that Superman is from the planet Krypton and I learned his real name. Superman has a ton of villains he must fight against, but my favorite was Brainiac.

This is a really fun book series. I love the illustrations, especially of the villains. I think it is really cool that this book was an idea brought to life by two friends. This book was full of a ton of info. I hope this series continues, as I would love to see one about my favorite superhero Spiderman!!", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "22-Nov-2022", "date_added": "14-Oct-2022 20:52:20", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011683035", "title": "The Cookbook in Support of the United Nations: For People and Planet ", "author": "Kitchen Connection", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 200, "review": "Truly nourishing food considers bodily health, sustainability of production, and overall planetary repercussions as well as flavor. Our eating choices have a significant impact on our planet and environment as well as ourselves; being more aware of what and how we eat matters to everyone.

The recipes included are mainly based on traditional dishes. Many have deep layers of flavor and are highly spiced, and may require a significant time investment, but don't let that deter you. The Tangerine and Turmeric Brazilian Chicken Stew took an entire evening, but the result was deliciously warm and nurturing, full of flavor and healthful ingredients. Do be cautious about heat levels when cooking unfamiliar dishes! It was excellent served with the Vegan Rice Salad with Herbs. Many recipes are vegan, many more are vegetarian. The only issue I have is that making foods from across the globe requires that ingredients travel a long way to get to you, which countermands the need to eat locally. In those cases, take the recipes as suggestions, substituting what is locally available, and let them inspire you to new possibilities. The included contributor biographies show healing our global food ways is possible and achievable, even for everyday cooks.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "01-Jun-2023", "date_added": "14-Oct-2022 20:50:56", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011683031", "title": "My Fade Is Fresh", "author": "Shauntay Grant,Kitt Thomas", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Bradley Allen", "word_count": 274, "review": "Five great new children's books that help teach important lessons, from learning to love your hair, make your family's perfect ramen or taking a bath!\n\nFirst up is \"My Fade is Fresh\" by Shauntay Grant, a powerful and inspiring memoir that explores the author's journey to self-love and acceptance through the lens of Black masculinity and barbershop culture. The author's writing is candid and vulnerable, and his story resonates deeply with readers of all backgrounds.\n\nNext, \"Rock That Vote\" by Meg Fleming is a fun and educational children's book that teaches kids about the importance of voting and civic engagement. With charming illustrations and a lively narrative, this book is a great way to introduce young readers to the concept of democracy and encourage them to become active citizens.\n\nThirdly, \"Scardy Bath\" by Zoe Foster Blake is a delightful and relatable children's book that follows the adventures of a young girl who's scared of taking a bath. With its colorful illustrations and engaging storyline, this book is a great way to encourage kids to conquer their fears and embrace new experiences.\n\nFourth, \"Little Troublemaker Makes a Mess\" by Luvvie Jones is a hilarious and heartwarming children's book that celebrates the joys of creativity and imagination. The book's playful illustrations and witty writing will have both kids and adults laughing out loud and feeling inspired to create their own masterpieces.\n\nLast but not least, \"Ramen for Everyone\" by Patricia Tanumihardja is a mouth-watering book about Hiro learning how to make his family's perfect ramen, handed down from his grandfather and father. Hiro's ramen may not be perfect, but it is still delicious and all his.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Oct-2022 20:48:49", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011683027", "title": "Animal FACTopia!: Follow the Trail of 400 Beastly Facts (FACTopia!, 4) ", "author": "Julie Beer, Andy Smith, Britannica Group", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 171, "review": "Animal FACTopia! is the blue book in the FACTopia series of books (all are different colors) that all have over four hundred facts about things and animals in each one! In Animal FACTopia!, there are obviously just facts about animals, and very few of them I already knew. I enjoy reading through all of the FACTopia books because the facts are both funny and interesting; after nearly every fact, I end up saying, \"what!?\" Each fact follows after the last one by having something or a word in common, and then the chain of facts keeps going that way.

Some of my favorite facts are about mythical creatures (the unicorn is the national animal in Scotland!), any about cats (using paw-activated buttons to \"talk\"), and ones about underwater creatures (so cool!). The pictures on each page are both real and cartoony. The book can act as something to fill up your time when you're bored or something to help you if you need answers for school or are just curious!", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2023", "date_added": "14-Oct-2022 20:32:05", "publisher": "What on Earth Publishing", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011683023", "title": "Morality", "author": "Jonathan Sacks", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 183, "review": "In Morality published posthumously, Rabbi John Sacks laments society\u2019s prevailing lack of concern for the welfare of others, for commitment to the common good. His theme, shows how contemporary attitudes place an emphasis on \u2018I\u2019 instead of \u2018We,\u2019 is manifested throughout the book, focusing on such topics as social media, the burgeoning epidemic of drug addiction, and, with youth in particular, distancing from face to face reality by excessive reliance on tech. devices He suggests, \u2018a consumer society threatens democracy, as it us to spend money we don\u2019t have, on products we don\u2019t need, for a happiness that won\u2019t last.\u2019

The author\u2019s research is extensive, learning from the ancient Greeks, through the Enlightenment, to present day philosophers, authors, and political figures As a dedicated intellectual, deeply religious, Sacks nevertheless recognized Bob Dylan and the Beatles among celebrities who will leave an enduring mark.

Sacks distress is apparent, but he adheres to the potential for recovery, His optimism comes in part from respect for Holocaust survivors, many of whom have lead useful, rewarding lives by looking to the future as a means of overcoming past suffering.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "14-Oct-2022 19:51:11", "publisher": "Basic Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011683019", "title": "The Zero Night", "author": "Brian Freeman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 481, "review": "Part of a Series Mystery Roundup\n\nAll of the books in this roundup are part of a series. From police and detective mysteries to assassins, if you liked the first installments of these series, get ready for the next level of suspense and thriller. Perfect for fans of Patterson and Baldacci.\n\nDeath on a Winter Stroll\nFrancine Mathews\nSoho Press\n9781641292740\n\nThe seventh book in the Merry Folger Nantucket Mystery series, Death on a Winter Stroll takes place during Christmas. The yearly tradition of the winter stroll in Nantucket should lift the spirits on the island after Covid. Instead, Merry, the Police Chief finds herself investigating two murders. With a large-scale television production interrupting the activities on the island and the arrival of the Secretary of State and her family, this winter is anything but peaceful. This cold winter weather mystery is full of wonderful characters, beautiful scenery, and that cozy winter mystery feel.\n\nThe Zero Night\nBrian Freeman\nBlackstone Publishing\n9781094082349\n\nBook eleven in the Jonathan Stride series, The Zero Night centers around Lt. Stride coming back to work for the Duluth Police Department and working a case in which an attorney has paid the ransom for his kidnapped wife to be released. The problem is, his wife has not been released. Running parallel to this story is that of Stride\u2019s wife, Serena, who is dealing with the death of her abusive mother and further investigating a case that was previously solved. A masterfully written crime mystery with a solid plot and twists and turns that readers will absolutely love.\n\nSeventeen\nJohn Brownlow\nHanover Square Press\n9781335469595\n\nThis is an action-packed thriller that will have readers turning page after page. Seventeen is the current assassin who is hunting sixteen. One day, eighteen will hunt down seventeen. Seventeen\u2019s multiple-layer plot is full of twists and turns with intense characters. For anyone who loves an entertaining cat-and-mouse chase.\n\nHands Down\nFelix Francis\nCROOKED LANE BOOKS\n\nThe next installation in the Dick Francis series, Hands Down finds its main character detective Sid Halley gets a call from an ex-jockey friend asking him for help after receiving death threats. When his friend is found dead, Sid feels the guilt of the situation and further investigates. He finds himself in the middle of a possible British Horse Racing scandal. Complete with steeplechases and interesting characters, Hands Down is another great Dick Francis mystery.\n\nAn Unforgiving Place\nClaire Kells\nCROOKED LANE BOOKS\n9781639101238\n\nAgent Felicity Harland and partner ex-Navy Seal Ferdinand Huxley set out to investigate the death of a couple that was found in Gates of the Arctic National Park. What they find is a possible fertility cult led by a man who lives in the Arctic. With a superb cast of strong characters, this book will take its readers on an adventure through the wilderness experiencing all of the harsh elements the characters do.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Oct-2022 18:50:07", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011682051", "title": "The River that Wolves Moved", "author": "Mary Kay Carson,David Hohn", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 190, "review": "What happens when one piece of a biome is removed? It can be catastrophic, even when it\u2019s completely well-intentioned. This story of the Yellowstone wolves is a great example. Author Mary Kay Carson uses the structure of This is the House that Jack Built to show how interdependent flora and fauna in a biome are. In the early 20th century, all wolves were removed. This meant the elk had fewer predators and their numbers increased. With more elk, they decimated some plant life, particularly willows that prevented erosion which would muddy the waters. Since cutthroat trout need clear water to procreate, their populations fell. And on and on.

Carson, in addition to the poem, includes excellent sidebar information about the various flora and fauna affected. Her writing is conversational and will engage young readers throughout the whole book. Gorgeous illustrations by David Hohn use subtle colors and are filled with lots of details to keep youngsters\u2019 eyes on the pages. The story is brought full circle and shows how a biome can be brought back when the missing component is reintroduced. This book belongs in every elementary classroom and library.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2022", "date_added": "14-Oct-2022 21:01:20", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011682047", "title": "The Little Book of Joy", "author": "Dalai Lama,Desmond Tutu,Rafael Lopez", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 197, "review": "Two little boys who grew up on opposite sides of the world shared a lot in common. Both grew up sad and lonely but discovered that finding joy in little things made them happy. His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu wrote this book to share their wisdom with children. Despite hardships, sorrow, and dark times, joy is just around the corner and will find you again. And once you let in joy, your heart will expand to make room for more joy.

This is a wonderful book to read to children who are usually full of joy, but this is a great and timely book for adults as well. This book is a great reminder that focusing on all the crazy stuff that is going on in our world will just fill you with hate and anger. Find the joy that is around you and focus on it, and spread it. Happiness is contagious! I love the art in this book. It is very vibrant and colorful and bursting with liveliness and joy. I highly recommend this book to all families with children because everyone can use a reminder to find joy in their lives.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "28-Nov-2022", "date_added": "14-Oct-2022 20:49:57", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011682043", "title": "Lightlark (The Lightlark Saga Book 1)", "author": "Alex Aster", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Amy Shane", "word_count": 211, "review": "Every one hundred years, a deadly game is played in hopes that one victor will rise, saving their kingdom from their wicked curses. This year the time has come. Welcome to the Centennial.

Cursed to kill anyone she falls in love with, Isla Crown knows this will be her chance to fight, hoping she can release her people from their years of suffering. But Isla also knows that in order to win, she will have to lie, cheat, betray and kill, even if love gets in the way. While each ruler hides their own arsenal of secrets, Isla has her own, and she is willing to stop at nothing to win. But will love be her victor or her curse?

Fall into the gripping fantasy world of Lightlark. Alex Aster takes her readers deep into the Centennial, where the battle for a realm is just as fierce as the battle for love. With beautiful prose and extremely vivid detail, this book is written precisely for its targeted teen audience. With twists and turns at every bend, along with shocking alliances, enemies, and secrets, it will keep readers engaged and unable to put this story down. Lightlark has also announced that it will be adapted into a major motion film by Universal.", "issue": "November 2022", "date_posted": "29-Nov-2022", "date_added": "14-Oct-2022 20:27:37", "publisher": "Amulet Books", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011889003", "title": "The Stand-Up Groomsman", "author": "Jackie Lau", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 747, "review": "Love is in the Air Romance Roundup\n\nThe Stand-Up Groomsman\nJackie Lau\nPenguin Publishing Group\n9780593334324\n\nThis quirky romance is full of wonderful relationships that grow throughout the story. Vivian\u2019s roommate is getting married to her favorite actor\u2019s costar. As Vivian and Mel try to set aside their differences so that the wedding will go off without a hitch, they find that they start to understand one another a little more. Sometimes opposites really do attract!\n\nPrincess and the Player\nIlsa Madden-Mills\nAmazon/Brilliance Publishing\n9781542038461\n\nWhen Francesca decides to attend an exclusive lifestyle ball and meets famous NFL player Tuck Avery, they engage in a wicked affair wearing masks. When she realizes who this man is and that he lives in her building and is a player (and not just when it come to football) she decides to make sure he doesn\u2019t recognize her. Only there is one little problem\u2026a positive pregnancy test! Find out what the fates of the princess and the player are in this tantalizing romance novel.\n\nNever Rescue a Rogue\nVirginia Heath\nSt. Martin's Publishing Group\n9781250787781\n\nDiana and Giles team up when Giles\u2019 father, the Duke of Harpenden dies and family secrets must stay hidden. Although everyone around them thinks that Diana and Giles are a perfect match, the two greatly disagree. But when Giles needs Diana\u2019s excellent sleuthing skills, they both find that maybe, just maybe, there is a little spark after all.\n\nMegan Gamble, Sing Out\nDebbie Romani\nSelf-Published\n9798215637401\n\nAt forty one years old, Megan finds herself singing backup vocals for her son, Kyle\u2019s band. Not only does being on tour with the band catch the eyes of Kyle\u2019s band manager, Brandon, but it also brings the unwelcome attention of a musician Megan knew in the past who is trying to blackmail her. Smart, fun, and satisfying, this book is a backstage adventure.\n\nHonor's Refuge\nHallee Bridgeman\nFleming H. Revell Company\n9780800740221\n\nMelissa and her sister were separated after their father killed their mother when Melissa was only five years old. She goes on to help those in need and opens a domestic shelter. When military man, Phil, hears about Melissa\u2019s story, he goes to find her long lost sister. The problem is, her sister is married to a Colombian cartel teniente. Full of action, adventure, and of course, romance, this book comes with some big emotions as characters struggle to find their way.\n\nSundown\nSusan May Warren\nFleming H. Revell Company\n9780800739843\n\nSundown is the third and final book in the Sky King Ranch series by Susan May Warren. Sky King Ranch is under fire when Tae finds herself being hunted by a group of thugs. Colt Kingston doesn\u2019t trust Tae one hundred percent but decides to help her. When her own secrets are revealed, Colt learns they must stop bioterrorists from releasing a virus and Tae may be the key in doing so. A suspenseful romantic adventure thriller.\n\nThe Next Best Day\nSharon Sala\nSourcebooks\n9781728249032\n\nAfter Katie is left standing at the altar and then experiences a school shooting, she decides to relocate to Tennessee. Immediately attracted to her widowed neighbor Sam who is the Police Chief, Katie wonders if the timing is right to pick herself up and start again. Readers will love the charming characters in this book and the strength of Katie\u2019s character as she tries to start life anew.\n\n\nMy Dearest Duke\nKristin Vayden\nSourcebooks\n9781728234342\n\nWhen Lord Rowles Haywind\u2019s brother dies, he inherits the throne and becomes the Duke. He never wanted to be Duke and struggles with family secrets. His mother is ill with dementia and Rowles doesn\u2019t know if he wants to have a family should his children inherit the terrible disease. He reunites with Lady Joan Morgan who is intelligent and helps him through this difficult time. But the Lady has a secret of her own. Will she and the Duke be able to make things work in this regent romance?\n\nThe Duke in Question\nAmalie Howard\nSourcebooks\n9781728262635\n\nA wonderful cat-and-mouse chase that takes readers from England to Civil War-era America, then to France, and back to England. Lady Bronwyn Chase finds herself aboard her brother\u2019s ship with a package of secret letters. Also on that ship is the Duke of Thornbury, Valentine Medford, whose allegiance is to the Crown and who is trying to find the spy named Kestral who is, in fact, Bronwyn! This historical romance will have readers on the edge of their seats!", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Nov-2022 21:24:55", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011883003", "title": "I'm Ogre It (I Like to Read Comics)", "author": "Jeffrey Ebbeler", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 136, "review": "A family learns how to spend more time together when a new and unusual neighbor moves in next door. This book shows how a brother and sister can find something in common once she and her neighbor make a fun obstacle course. The really cool thing about this is that the sister has made the obstacle course to be just like her brother's video game that she has watched him play.

This book was one of my favorite stories. I love the idea of building your very own video game levels right outside your house. What is better than playing a video game is building one. The art in this book is really cool, and the story was fun and easy to read! I think it would be cool to see more books in this series.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "17-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 21:46:26", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011882011", "title": "Too Many Pigs and One Big Bad Wolf: A Counting Story", "author": "Davide Cali, Marianna Balducci", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 163, "review": "Too Many Pigs and One Big Bad Wolf is a different way of telling the story of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf. In this story, there aren't just three pigs, but many more! The person telling the story in the book begins by telling the original story, but somehow it sounds much shorter and quicker than normal, and the other person in the book doesn't like that; they want a longer story! The stories get a little longer each time, but mostly because a few more pigs are added, but the ending is usually always the same until the last story.

Too Many Pigs and One Big Bad Wolf is both funny and frustrating! I felt the same way about the stories as the person in the book - they ended too quickly and didn't have any actual story in them! The little bit of story that was told was usually funny though and overall I enjoyed reading this book.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 22:29:10", "publisher": "Tundra", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011881007", "title": "Making Comic Zines", "author": "Eddy Atoms", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Susan Faith - age 15", "word_count": 225, "review": "Making Comic Zines by Eddy Atoms is an instructional book with an independent and do-it-yourself attitude! Four characters\u2014the rhino drummer Leon, the artist cat Bobby, Carmie the puppy girl who reads manga, and Toy, the thing that stepped out of a toy commercial\u2014guide you on your journey to create \u201czines\u201d\u2014taken from \u201cmaga-zine,\u201d comics you make and publish yourself. Because, as Atoms says, \u201cwhen life\u2019s monotony gets you down, where else can we go but into the plumbing of our own minds?\u201d Oh, yes to that.

I love Atoms\u2019 illustrations. They\u2019re perhaps somewhat crude, but who cares? The creative spirit of the author shines throughout the book. As Atoms reassures us through art and writing, you just use your creativity to make a zine\u2014\u201cno digital editing needed.\u201d And what\u2019s more, the whole book (including the quirky illustrations) is in the style of a zine!

Weaved into this instructional zine is a little story about a farmer who lives in a futuristic world called \u201cPootonia,\u201d where he digs up\u2014you guessed it\u2014poo all day long, \u201cturning alien cow dung into clean energy for the oligarchs back on Earth.\u201d He then desires to create his own zine, and luckily (or stupidly), the gang comes to help him and you too\u2026 or so the story goes. I give this book five stars because it\u2019s very creative, especially the Pootonia story!", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 19:44:18", "publisher": "Silver Sprocket", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011880027", "title": "Yuna's Cardboard Castles", "author": "Marie Tang, Jieting Chen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 132, "review": "Yuna's cardboard castles shows her unique art of folding paper and cardboard, but it is so much more. When Yuna and her family moves to a new part of the world the changes can be very hard. It is even harder when you don't speak the language of new children and must learn how to make friends and connect. Yuna's cardboard castles help her do just that. The castles help her make friends and find ways to play and communicate with the other kids. Yuna's new friends help her to learn a new language.

This is a really cute book and really shows the story of friendship, even if one doesn't speak the language of others. I like that the kids worked together to make a cardboard world together. The illustrations are cute.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 22:40:41", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011880019", "title": "The Infamous Frankie Lorde 3", "author": "Brittany Geragotelis", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 324, "review": "Lessons of a Teen Roundup\n\nAlthough the books in this roundup may all have very different plots, they have one thing in common. All of these books have a cast of strong teens who are on very special missions. And whether they are researching or fighting or just trying to figure things out, they all learn some very important life lessons along the way. \n\nThe Infamous Frankie Lorde 3: No Admissions\nBrittany Geragotelis\nHoliday House\n9781645951230\n\nFrankie Lorde, a once renowned international thief, finds herself in a predicament once again in the third volume of The Infamous Frankie Lorde. She finds out that a group of wealthy parents is using their influence and wealth to buy their kids into the best institutions. Frankie sets out to get to the bottom of this scandal and in the process learns some important lessons. This book can be read as a standalone.\n\nThe Q\nAmy Tintera\nRandom House Children's Books\n9780593486177\n\nThis action-packed YA novel will have readers cheering as they follow two teenagers from opposite worlds who must right their way through a dystopian America during a pandemic. Seventeen-year-old Maisie has spent her whole life in the Q\u2014the post-pandemic quarantine. Lennon Pierce is the son of a US Presidential Candidate who has been kidnapped and dropped into the Q. The two teens must work together to get Lennon out of the Q before he is permanently infected. This book has many thought-provoking themes including political unrest, medical care, and poverty.\n\nWait for Me\nSara Shepard\nUnion Square & Co.\n9781454945772\n\nCasey Rhodes is a seventeen-year-old in her sophomore year at NYU. When she starts hearing voices, she flees to the beach town of Avon to get away. The voices become more intense and soon she has visions of things and people she knows nothing about including a guy named Jake. This is a thriller suspense novel that has many twists and turns that readers will love.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 21:38:09", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011878059", "title": "Salamandre", "author": "I N J Culbard", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 193, "review": "Kasper Salamandre lost his father in a tragic accident. After his father\u2019s death, Kasper put down his pencil and quit the adventure drawing he did of his father. In his grief, Kasper was sent to live with his grandfather. Kasper\u2019s papi lived on the other side of Iron Veil, a land devoid of art, music, celebration, and flowers. In the place of the missing culture existed a world of distrust and secret police. Kasper befriended his papi\u2019s neighbors. While living under tyranny, Kasper and his new friends realized a life full of beauty is worth hoping and fighting for.

Salamandre is a new graphic novel by award-winning author and artist I.N.J. Culbard. Having experienced life in Cold War-era Poland and dedicating his book to the memory of his father, this seems like a very personal project for Culbard. This is an important story for today in the tensions of our current culture war of culture. With colorful and superb artwork to go with the exciting and touching narrative, this is a graphic novel for all who keep art and beauty alive within them. Art and beauty are worth fighting for. \u201cVive La Revolution!\u201d", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "12-Apr-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 22:45:39", "publisher": "Dark Horse Comics", "page_count": "152 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011878047", "title": "The Jeffersonians: The Visionary Presidencies of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe", "author": "Kevin R C Gutzman", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 172, "review": "The election of Thomas Jefferson in 1800 was dubbed a \u201crevolution\u201d as the Democatic-Republicans had defeated the Federalists. Jefferson had emerged triumphant over John Adams and Aaron Burr. Jefferson urged unity in his inaugural speech, but this wasn\u2019t in the cards, as events over the next decades would show. Thomas Jefferson would wrestle with expanding the territory of the United States. Madison found himself entangled in a second conflict with the British, and Monroe dealt with how the country could improve infrastructure. The issues of individual rights and decentralized authority loomed in the background. Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe oversaw the birth of the nation and would be tested in ensuring that it remained together.

The Jeffersonians thoughtfully examine three pivotal presidential administrations which aided in the growth and maturation of the early United States. Author Kevin R.C. Gutzman (Thomas Jefferson-Revolutionary) deftly relates the key events of each President\u2019s term while alluding to the trouble brewing in the future(sectionalism/civil war). Gutzman\u2019s work is an exceptional re-evaluation of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe\u2019s reigns in office.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "30-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 21:39:01", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "608 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011878023", "title": "Stellarlune", "author": "Shannon Messenger", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - age 9", "word_count": 184, "review": "Stellarlune is a great book! I loved this book by Shannon Messenger. My grandma and my father liked this book too. This book continues the story after the previous book. You should definitely not read this book without reading the other books in the series.

The book is about a girl called Sophie and all of her friends trying to defeat the enemy called the Neverseen and find a mysterious place with lots of rivers and a strange, extraordinary power source.

However, there was one problem for me in the story. I felt that there should be one more chapter because it seems like a scene was chopped in half. Maybe certain scenes could have been removed or shortened to make some room to put the rest of this too short scene.

I believe that the Keeper of the Lost Cities series is best read by people eight years old and older. I will take note, however, that this book is kind of dark and scary, so if you have a tendency to get frightened and have nightmares, this series is not for you!", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "17-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 20:38:55", "publisher": "Aladdin", "page_count": "736 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011878019", "title": "Spy Camp the Graphic Novel (Spy School)", "author": "Stuart Gibbs, Anjan Sarkar", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 194, "review": "Ben survived his first semester of spy school and can\u2019t wait for summer break, though he\u2019ll miss fellow recruit Erica Hale. However, instead of summer break, he learns recruits at spy school attend summer camp (but don\u2019t call it that). He\u2019s not in his bunk five minutes before a threatening message is found, targeting him, and requiring that he join a terrorist organization Spyder or die. Alexander Hale, a top agent and Erica\u2019s father, parachutes into camp and determines that the best course of action is to remove Ben from the camp to a top-secret location. When the bus is attacked on a steep mountainside, Ben, Eric, and her father end up floating downstream. Knowing her father\u2019s help is useless at best, and dangerous at worst, Erica plans to get them to safety with Ben\u2019s help, even as missiles and bears and more are thrown their way.

This well-done color graphic novel closely follows the original Spy Camp story, both sequels to Spy School. Ben\u2019s crush on Erica and lack of confidence combined with the silliness of the agents-in-charge create a fabulously fun rehashing, great for those who love either graphic novels or crime stories.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "11-Apr-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 20:30:34", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "328 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011876035", "title": "Little Echo", "author": "Al Rodin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 188, "review": "Little Echo searches for sounds. Too afraid to speak, she simply echos what she hears: the cacophony of owls and the clamor of a young boy named Max scraping his shovel against the surface of a rock during his treasure-seeking adventures. Little Echo doesn\u2019t have the courage to engage, though she longs to be with others. Things change as quickly as a few beats of a human heart when she realizes Max\u2019s life is in danger. For the first time in her life, she musters the strength to yell, \u201crun!\u201d Her fortitude saves him from the grasp of a salivating bear and is the catalyst of an endearing friendship.

Little Echo is award-winning illustrator Al Rodin\u2019s debut book. It\u2019s a precious story about companionship and overcoming fears. It\u2019s also a tale of hope and will. The characters are adorable, and the illustrations are spectacular.

Shy children ages four to eight who yearn to find their inner voices will be heartened by this book. Additionally, it\u2019s ideal for preschool and early elementary school educators to use as a resource for teaching compassion and understanding. It\u2019s likely to become a classroom favorite.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "25-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 22:16:47", "publisher": "Tundra", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011876027", "title": "Firefighter Flo! (Big Jobs, Bold Women)", "author": "Andrea Zimmerman, Dan Yaccarino", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 176, "review": "Firefighter Flo responds to danger with her teammates to save pets, individuals and buildings in this exciting new work. This is part of the bold women doing big jobs and introduces young readers to the many different type of jobs they can have in the future and that nothing should hold them back. Flo is sleeping with her fellow firefighters when the call comes in that there is a fire. She and her teammates race to save the day before heading back to the fire station and sleep. The art is fairly engaging for a young reader and helps move the story along. The words are designed in such a way to capture a young readers attention, whether it is being read aloud to them or they are reading out loud themselves. Action words are highlighted and repeatable which makes it easier for young readers to be engaged with the work and to learn words and their meanings. The book encourages young women to think about a future career as a firefighter and supporting the community.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "25-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 21:39:09", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011876023", "title": "Babble!: And How Punctuation Saved It ", "author": "Caroline Adderson,Roman Muradov", "category": "N25 Books About Books", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Dillon Allen-Perez", "word_count": 163, "review": "How would a town without punctuation sound? The sound might make you scream! Well, the village of Babble couldn\u2019t scream or ask why not before a young stranger brought them some practical, linguistic gifts.

No one can understand anyone else in Babble, where monotonous sounds overlap and people can't distinguish their own thoughts from speech. In this once-upon-a-time country, a little girl brings a bag of colorful little markings that might just save the community\u2019s communication. These baffling markings are what we now know today as: periods, question marks, quotation marks, exclamation points, commas, and apostrophes.

Babble! is Harold and the Purple Crayon for the grammarian. It\u2019s the little stranger girl with the red-orange punctuation. Instead of a solo creative journey away from and then back home, it\u2019s a collective effort to make sense of the way we all communicate with each other. This picture book for kids around six to eight years old reminds us not to take these symbols for granted.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 21:22:54", "publisher": "Tundra", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011876019", "title": "The Sacrifice", "author": "Rin Chupeco", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 367, "review": "January 2023 Popular Fiction Roundup-New Year, New Book\n\nIs your New Years\u2019 Resolution to read a little more? Have a little more downtime to do things you really enjoy? Here is a great list of new releases in the popular fiction category. So grab yourself a hot cocoa and blanket and settle in for the night.\n\nThe Virtuous Ones\nChristopher Stoddard\nITNA Press\nISBN: 9780997643206\n\nAd agency, Pure Creative, is using their new rap star Markus in an ad campaign that will take the world by storm. There are underlying issues with the staff at Pure Creative that create an unstable environment for all those involved. Will the company\u2019s plan backfire? If you are looking for a book about modern marketing and progressive social values, this is it.\n\nWhen We Were Friends\nHolly Bourne\nMIRA Books\nISBN: 9780778311294\n\nWhen Jessica and Fern reunite after ten years of estrangement, the friends must confront the very thing that destroyed their friendship in the first place. A book that many people may identify with the main characters, When We Were Friends, visits themes of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness.\n\nWe Spread\nIain Reid\nGallery/Scout Press\nISBN: 9781982169350\n\nPenny, an aging artist whose partner has passed away, finds herself in a long-term care residence. As she lives in the residence, she starts thinking about life and purpose. A beautifully written book that will have readers thinking and contemplating their own existence as it relates to the world.\n\nThe Furrows\nNamwali Serpell\nRandom House Publishing Group\nISBN: 9780593448915\n\nCassandra\u2019s little brother, Wayne, is only seven years old when he disappears. This breaks their family apart and leaves Cassandra seeing his face everywhere she goes. One day, she meets someone mysterious named Wayne who is searching for someone. This tale of grief and hope will rub away at your heartstrings.\n\nThe Sacrifice\nRin Chupeco\nSourcebooks\nISBN: 9781728255910\n\nAdd a little adventure to your day with The Sacrifice. The Philippine Island of Kisapmata is known to be haunted by the locals, but when a film company decides to ignore all warning, they find out the hard way that the Dreamer god is not kidding. Sinkholes, mummies, and an island curse awaits readers of The Sacrifice.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 21:18:00", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011876015", "title": "Strum and Drum: A Merry Little Quest ", "author": "Jashar Awan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 174, "review": "Strum and Drum: A Merry Little Quest is a cheerful Christmas tale that will bring a smile to young readers. My favorite aspect of this story lies in the detailed and thoughtful illustrations. While Strum and Drum are on their journey to find the Great Star, the artwork is depicted with vibrant and colorful imagery that spans both pages. However, when their journey is cut short by the green-eyed monster, the pictures descend onto one page in contrasting black and white.

If you purchase a book with the removable jacket cover, you will be surprised to find a stunning monochromatic cover hidden beneath the multicolored surface. I believe the author and illustrator, Jashar Awan uses this color technique as a way to show the difference between fantasy and reality. Strum and Drum are initially introduced as traveling musicians but are later revealed to be curious Christmas ornaments on a beautiful tree. The author provides clever clues throughout the book that allude to this reality. Children ages three to seven will enjoy this joyful holiday story.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 20:55:33", "publisher": "Tundra", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011876011", "title": "The Den", "author": "Cara Reinard", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 197, "review": "The Fox family is brought together by their father\u2019s simultaneous heart attack and stroke. As he lies in the hospital, their lawyer informs them of The Den, the trust set up for them to inherit if he should be incapacitated, with the money being divided equally between the four of them. There\u2019s one caveat, though. If any of the children should die, the money is still split evenly between the surviving siblings. When one of the siblings meets an unfortunate end, the other three realize it\u2019s every Fox for themselves. By the end of this, there might only be one Fox standing, but they will definitely be rich.

If you enjoy rich people problems and dysfunctional families, this one is for you. It\u2019s full of life lessons, including the classic: more money, more problems. This story also has the familiar tale that every decision has consequences. The ones here are a bit more extreme than most, though. It was hard to like the Fox children, but you couldn\u2019t really blame them for how they turned out with their toxic upbringing. This is definitely the book to read if you want to feel better about your own family.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 19:17:16", "publisher": "Amazon/Brilliance Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011876007", "title": "Have I Told You This Already?: Stories I Don't Want to Forget to Remember", "author": "Lauren Graham", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 174, "review": "As a Gilmore Girls fanatic, I was excited to pick up Lauren Graham's new book, Have I Told You This Already?. Not surprisingly, I read this with Lorelei Gilmore's tone and speed of speaking, fast and witty. After reading her book, Talking As Fast As I Can, this book dug a little bit deeper into Lauren's earlier years as an actor just starting out and not knowing what she was getting herself into. I truly enjoyed the stories she shared in this book which were detailed and often either funny or sad. She reflects on such topics as having an intimacy coach during scenes, accidentally stealing a sweater from Barney's, her answer to how she can play a mother even though she isn't anyone's mother in real life, and how lying on late night tv is just a thing people do. Her tales of going to different health camps are also hilarious. Candid and exactly what you would expect from Lauren Graham, Have I Told You This Already? is an entertaining and uplifting read.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "04-Feb-2025", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 18:53:50", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011876003", "title": "Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea", "author": "Rita Chang-Eppig", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Dina Dugar", "word_count": 235, "review": "In Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea, debut author Rita Chang-Eppig picks apart the legacy of power and examines it against the contexts of patriarchal and colonialist oppression. Following her pirate fleet after the death of her husband and amid the tumultuous politics of the early 19th-century South China Sea, Shek Yeung\u2019s journey unfolds itself as she questions her rise to power and what it truly means to be free. At once a swashbuckling adventure, postcolonial historical fiction, and discourse of motherhood, Chang-Eppig\u2019s novel does not shy away from or sidestep the complexities that come with a story of power and the journey to get there. That Shek Yeung is a ruthless pirate leader, former sex worker, and struggling mother does not deter her from being a great adventure hero. Instead, these components of her personhood intertwine together to flesh out a multidimensional and painfully real character.

Chang-Eppig\u2019s writing is exciting but acute, taking the grandiose spirit of a pirate story and dissecting it in a close examination of gender and power \u2013 and how the socialization of both blur and rewrite reality into what we are taught is history. With storytelling and commentary as sharp as a cutlass, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea is a riveting, unputdownable novel that slashes through the facade of oppressor narratives and whisks the reader away on a new journey for deeper, courageous understanding.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 18:51:22", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011875019", "title": "How to Teach Your Cat a Trick: in Five Easy Steps (How to Cat books)", "author": "Nicola Winstanley, Zoe Si", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 186, "review": "How to Teach Your Cat a Trick is funny and if you have or know of a cat, very true! The story has steps on how to train your cat to do any trick. In the story, there is a boy who has a cat and a dog, and he wants to follow the steps given to him by the narrator to prove that he can train his cat, despite his cat not following any of the directions. What happens are funny things between the cat, dog, and boy that will have you laughing out loud while feeling a little sorry for the boy because, you know, you can't train a cat that doesn't want to be trained.

It would be neat to see a cat that can do tricks, and I love cats so much! but in this case, I would have to say that the dog is a little smarter and better behaved than the cat! Owners and/or lovers of both cats and dogs will enjoy How to Teach Your Cat a Trick, and maybe the reader will be successful in training their cat.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "17-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 22:15:51", "publisher": "Tundra", "page_count": "52 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011875007", "title": "Ten Little Squirrels", "author": "Bill Martin, Michael Sampson, Nathalie Beauvois", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 125, "review": "Ten Little Squirrels is the perfect book that reminds me of the squirrels in my yard. The squirrels are a tad mischievous, yet fearful, yet somehow brave, and also fly through the air fearlessly. This is a fun counting book that shows the adventures of these very busy squirrels.

I really like reading this book to my younger sister. The artwork is really cool, it is not like typical illustrations. It looks almost as if it has been pieced together. Some of the artwork, I believe, is supposed to model like the squirrels' have painted the pages. This is a fun counting book for younger readers. I do like how the squirrels remind me of how funny they are when I watch them in my yard.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 19:28:58", "publisher": "Brown Books Kids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011875003", "title": "The Complete Modern Pantry", "author": "Test Kitchen America's", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 204, "review": "America's Test Kitchen: The Complete Modern Pantry is not just an ordinary cookbook. Open it up to find an explanation of flavors and textures and how they mix, basics for every pantry, an explanation of aromatics and protein storage, and a useful conversion chart. Although this book is meant to use with foods that one already has on hand, many of the recipes were quite fancy without having a super long list of ingredients or steps. There were many recipes that would be big hits at parties of all kinds. From savory soups and noodle dishes to spicy chilaquiles, broccoli cheese cornbread, and olive oil cake, this book has a variety of recipes that many people would never think to make. There are some fun crunchy topping recipes and delicious dressings that require minimal ingredients and preparation. The Gochugang-Tahini Noodles really caught my eye as I was going through the book. It only has eight to ten ingredients (two are optional), and if you are a person who cooks a lot of Asian food, you'll probably have most of these ingredients on hand. The book also includes the nutrition facts for each recipe at the end of the book, which is useful as well.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "19-Dec-2022", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 18:49:06", "publisher": "America's Test Kitchen", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011873023", "title": "That Fat Cat Who Changed His Ways", "author": "Daniel Walten, Jo-Anne Button", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 184, "review": "A lazy fat cat might be cute to look at but not when it refuses to do its job and chase the mice away. This book, with a story that is hard to follow \u2014 is it about exercising, losing weight or becoming the best you can be \u2014 and determine follows a fat cat who is so lazy and not up to chasing mice the other animals, including a dog with a firefighters outfit, have teamed up together to help the cat get into shape so he can chase the mice out of the house. The art in the book is very simplistic, even at the standards of children\u2019s books these days. The art does little to keep a young reader engaged with the story. Throughout the story we learn about the different ways a person can eat healthy, get enough exercise and learn about how to change ways for the better; but the message really does not resonate that well in the end. The language used, and the amount per a page, the book is designed for adults to read to children.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "24-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 19:36:31", "publisher": "Brown Books Kids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011873019", "title": "The Story of Ukraine: An Anthem of Glory and Freedom (English and Ukrainian Edition)", "author": "Olena Kharchenko,Michael Sampson,Polina Doroshenko", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 198, "review": "Known for its fertile soil and its abundant supply of natural resources, Ukraine is a nation inhabited by more than forty million people. The Ukrainians are culturally rich and have exuberant pride and love for their homeland. Throughout history, their freedom hasn\u2019t come easy, though they vow never to stop fighting for it. First written in 1862 and adapted in 2003 to a more compendious version, the Ukrainian National Anthem is symbolic of the will of a people who battle for the liberation of their country endlessly and can often be heard proudly proclaiming, \u201cGlory to Ukraine.\u201d

The Story of Ukraine: An Anthem of Glory and Freedom is written with clarity and meaning. It\u2019s filled with a plethora of bright, vibrant illustrations that illuminate the unrelenting positivity, hope, and courage for which so many Ukrainians have come to be known. Despite the recent invasion by the Russians, they persist with unity and vision and shine their light on the world with their uncompromising optimism.

Young children will learn that the impassioned endurance of the Ukrainian people dates back centuries. Admirably, they\u2019ve been emboldened by their challenges, and youth and adults alike will find this noteworthy contribution an awe-inspiring narrative.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 19:28:59", "publisher": "Brown Books Kids", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011872031", "title": "Will We Always Hold Hands?", "author": "Christopher Cheng, Stephen Michael King", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Rat asks his friend Bear if they will always hold hands, even when they are really old. Bear responds that they will even when he\u2019s so old that his fur is gray. And, he adds, he will even hold Rat\u2019s tail so he won\u2019t trip over it. Rat wants to know if Bear will hold his hand when Rat is sleepy or when Bear reads scary stories aloud. Of course, Bear answers, he will hold his hand even when he snores. But what if Rat stubs his toe and gets all crotchety? Bear will still hold Rat\u2019s hand and will even try to make his stubbed toe better.

In this sweet story, told in a series of questions and answers, Christopher Cheng weaves a tale of deep friendship and love. The lyrical writing has sprinkles of humor to lighten the rather serious theme of the never-ending, deep, and loving friendship he conveys. Warmth is exuded through every carefully-crafted phrase, and readers and young listeners will be engaged every step of the way. The beautiful illustrations created by Stephen Michael King are the perfect complement to this rich story and have just enough details to keep young listeners enthralled. A winner!", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "25-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 22:49:46", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011872023", "title": "Owl and Penguin (I Like to Read Comics) ", "author": "Vikram Madan", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 195, "review": "The book Owl and Penguin has several shorter stories about the characters Owl and Penguin, who are best friends, and how they help each other out and cheer each other up when they need it. In one of the stories, it is raining, and Penguin is outside playing, but Owl isn't sure about getting wet; Owl ends up getting wet, so does this mean he'll be upset the rest of the day? In another story, Owl is flying, and Penguin is upset that he can't fly; Owl comes up with a way to help Penguin fly alongside him. In another story, Owl and Penguin get ice cream cones, but because Penguin gets so excited when he holds his that he keeps dropping the scoop on the ground, does this mean no more ice cream for Penguin?

Each story shows the friends not letting little things get their spirits down and how they figure out solutions for fixing them. The stories are easy to read for me but would be good for kids just learning to read because there aren't many words on each page and a lot of little pictures to help tell the stories.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "17-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 21:44:33", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011872011", "title": "Wayward: Wayward Pines: 2 (The Wayward Pines Trilogy)", "author": "Blake Crouch", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 203, "review": "Wayward is the second installment in Blake Crouch's Wayward Pines series. I read the first book in the series, Pines and it absolutely sucked me into this secret world designed to save humanity itself. In Wayward readers have already found out that Secret Service agent Ethan Burke is two thousand years into the future and has been promoted to Sheriff of Wayward Pines, Idaho. Outside of Wayward Pines, there are no other humans that are known about. Ethan knows the creator of Wayward Pines, scientist David Pilcher, has many secrets, and his bold, yet likable personality, will get him the facts. Meanwhile, he is also reunited with his wife Theresa, and son Ben.

The series reads much like the old Twin Peaks series where everything seems normal until you look a bit closer. Why does no one talk about their past? Why are there cameras and microphones everywhere? And furthermore, why is there a big electric fence surrounding the city? Is it to keep people in or to keep something else out?

With just the right amount of sci-fi to keep things interesting and just the right amount of normalcy to keep them realistic, Wayward is a well-balanced masterpiece that will have readers wanting more.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "13-Mar-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 18:53:41", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011872007", "title": "Kids Can Cook Anything!", "author": "Test Kitchen Kids America's", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Kids love to help out in the kitchen, but don\u2019t they make a mess? Not if they have good instruction, and this wonderful book is just the ticket. It begins with a section that introduces kids to how to be successful and understand cooking language, prep steps, techniques, and kitchen equipment. Some of these have scan codes for instruction videos. If kids read this short section, they will very likely have good success with the recipes. There are six chapters \u2014 Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Dinner, Sides, and Sweets. These contain a total of 75 recipes that are well-written and have all the information needed. Each recipe tells how many it serves, the total work and cooking time, difficulty level, what ingredients and equipment are needed, excellent instructions, a mouth-watering photo of the finished product, and more. There are spreads throughout called The Basics that teach important skills such as Knife Skills or Cooking (and handling) Proteins. Kids will love recipes like Fish Tacos with Creamy Cilantro Sauce, Watermelon and Cherry Tomato Salad, or Berry Streusel Bars, especially when they have cooked them by themselves. This is a great way to get kids to eat their veggies!", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2023", "date_added": "28-Nov-2022 18:47:24", "publisher": "America's Test Kitchen", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011871023", "title": "Always on Call: Memoirs, Stories, and Essays by a Doctor", "author": "Allen Malnak", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 457, "review": "Always on Call: Memoirs, Stories and Essays by a Doctor is a compilation of the writings of Doctor Allen Malnak. As he explains at the beginning of the book, the book is in four parts: Beginnings and Hardships, At the Hospital, More Stories, and Letters from the Doc. The book integrates both fiction and non-fiction written by Dr. Malnak and isn't organized into any particular order. Each story is special all by itself, but it is easy to see the underlying themes threaded throughout the book.

Wanting to become a doctor ever since Dr. Kelly came over to his house as a child to \"cure\" him of whooping cough, Allen ends up facing a pitfall when he goes to school. Allen realizes he doesn't see colors as the other kids do, and after he is tested, the teachers concur that he is colorblind. This proved to be especially difficult when completing science lab experiments in which color was the indicator of whether you got it right or not. The stories go on to share some great adventures with his brother Lewis, living as a Jewish boy in a Christian community, and discovering young love. Most of the stories seemed to be true recollections, with some embellishments here and there to make the stories exciting. There are also stories that are obviously fiction, such as \"The Emperor's Prophet,\" which is about a woman who tells Napoleon Bonaparte about his future and what happens when he does not listen to her.

My favorite stories were the ones about the different patients Dr. Malnak treated. His personal touch and dedication to his patients really made these stories heartfelt. For example, there was a woman named Marie, a single mom of two, who was dying of cancer. Her dying wish was to bring her girls to Disneyland. Dr. Malnak and his team worked hard to make Marie strong enough to complete her wish. Marie had the best time ever and died a few weeks later. In all of his stories about the hospital, he shows how much he cared about his patients and did right by them. I found this to be truly commendable.

Overall, Always on Call: Memoirs, Stories and Essays by a Doctor is an exemplary read about a doctor who has colorblindness, epilepsy, diabetes, and chronic heart disease, among other ailments and has been able to persevere. I would love to see this book separated into three separate volumes: The Life of Dr. Allen Malnak, Fictional Short Stories, and Current Events because it would be much easier to follow. The reader is taken on a ride through Dr. Malnak's life and into the creative processes of his brain. This book will make readers laugh, cry, and have their jaws dropping.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "03-Jan-2023", "date_added": "26-Nov-2022 21:57:39", "publisher": "Self-published", "page_count": "253 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011871019", "title": "River of Wrath", "author": "Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi", "word_count": 50, "review": "\"In River of Wrath, Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor continue Leslie's story in this compelling and masterfully written murder mystery series. What are the elements that make it such a good book? The plot, the twists, the secrets, the murders, and the dead bodies!\" \u2014Anastasia Gkaitatzi, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Nov-2022 21:50:20", "publisher": "Vesuvian Books", "page_count": "287 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011871015", "title": "Last Pick", "author": "Pierce O\u2019Donnell", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 421, "review": "Last Pick is a charming read that feels a lot like spending the tail end of Thanksgiving listening to your favorite great-uncle reminisce about the simpler days of his bygone youth while he sips a snifter of brandy in front of the fire.

Pierce O\u2019Donnell experienced a childhood very few of us in the United States can really wrap our heads around these days. Born in a sleepy little village in Upstate New York to Irish-American Catholic parents right after World War Two, Pierce recounts some of the quirks of living with his postmaster aunt, librarian mother, liquor store-owning father, three younger sisters, and the family ghost (yes, really).

All this is going on while he is trying to accomplish the most important goals for a boy his age: earning the Eagle Scout title, avoiding frostbite while making some pocket money delivering papers in the dead of winter, and figuring out how to get picked for neighborhood pickup baseball games over a precocious younger sister. It is all related against the backdrop of a much older Pierce\u2019s understanding of the familial, political, and social events occurring as background scenes against the main stage of his childhood.

As a Millennial, I\u2019m not entirely sure I was the target audience for this one and it\u2019s definitely not my usual genre, but I found myself thoroughly enjoying not only the content of this little biography but also the lighthearted humor the author delivers with his storytelling style. The author never takes himself too seriously, and with a dry self-deprecating sense of humor and matter-of-fact style of prose, O\u2019Donnell describes both the tenderness of family life and the puzzling persistence of schoolyard teasing with the same entertaining aplomb.

This, coupled with the fact that O\u2019Donnell isn\u2019t trying to convince us that the good ol\u2019 days are something we need to collectively get back to in the here and now, but rather something that was a reality for many in his generation and that can be reminisced over in the present light of day without pretension or pretense, makes for a very self-aware and lighthearted read.

My only complaint is that in a few instances, characters or story points that were already described or discussed were reiterated like it was the first time they were mentioned, and the author jumps between his childhood and teen years for the sake of an idea he\u2019s exploring in a way that makes you think you might have skipped a chapter. Still, it is all around a very enjoyable read!", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "08-May-2023", "date_added": "26-Nov-2022 21:42:13", "publisher": "Rare Bird", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011871011", "title": "Last Pick: A Whimsical Warmhearted Autobiography of a Twelve-Year-Old Who Became a Great Trial Lawyer", "author": "Pierce O\u2019Donnell", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 441, "review": "Our memories are special to us and have a powerful grasp. Pierce O\u2019Donnell holds his past dear to his heart and wrote of a more halcyon time in his life. The memorializing of a particular time of his youth had disappeared on two prior occasions but managed to resurface as if by magic. He was meant to share this story about growing up in a small town in Upstate New York in the late 1950s. Pierce O\u2019Donnell was the oldest of four kids, and the women in the house far outnumbered the men. His father, a tough World War II veteran, ran the local liquor store and was the unofficial mayor of Averill Park. His mother, a former teacher turned librarian, provided her children with lessons in life and education. Pierce\u2019s three sisters were uninhibited and fearless and the occasional foils to Pierce\u2019s youthful transgressions.

Pierce lived the small-town life, Averill Park existing in the shadow of the larger Troy, NY. Averill Park provided the right amount of fun growing up, even when buried under the weight of a snowy winter, the only limit being a lack of imagination. The trips to the big cities were usually the sign of a special occasion. A memorable trip for the young Pierce was when he accompanied his father to New York City. A long train ride was offset by the sumptuous food provided and the scenery that flew by as the duo ventured southbound. Pierce recalls with clarity the awe-inspiring memory of being introduced by his father to Mickey Mantle. The highs of memories such as this are offset by Pierce\u2019s struggles with sports, bullying by peers, and battles with his weight. Throughout the memoir, the life lessons instilled in him by his parents and elders resonate with Pierce and aid him in building a life for himself.

Last Pick is a sincere and moving memoir chock full of memories that formed a portion of the youth that defined Pierce O\u2019Donnell. The salad days of the 1950s living in the bucolic splendor of small-town life are conveyed by O\u2019Donnell with nostalgic appreciation. O\u2019Donnell (Fatal Subtraction) portrays his early years in a frank and poignant manner, never shying away from relating a painful or self-deprecating moment. O\u2019Donnell\u2019s story doesn\u2019t confine itself solely to him, as he writes of the deep love that defined his parent\u2019s relationship and the bonds that existed among his sisters. The town that O\u2019Donnell inhabited in his growing years bears little resemblance now, but the impressions made by what once was left an indelible mark on him. The rich history that he provides in this wonderful memoir ensures the past lives on.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "05-Dec-2022", "date_added": "26-Nov-2022 21:41:52", "publisher": "Rare Bird", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011871007", "title": "The Girls in Cabin Number Three", "author": "Chrysteen Braun", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 412, "review": "The Girls in Cabin Number Three is Book Two in The Guest Book Trilogy by Chrysteen Braun. The book reads perfectly well as a standalone, however, I found the story to be so captivating that I will be picking up Books One and Three as well. The book first gives us a glimpse into the life of the main character Annie in the present day. It quickly rewinds to the year 1981 when Annie, an interior decorator and designer, purchases a group of seven cabins in Lake Arrowhead, California. With the help of Sam, the past owner of the cabins, Annie starts restoring them to rent out.

I really loved the way the author gave so much detail in describing her characters, the beautiful setting, and of course, the history behind it all. The main story is told from the points of view of Annie and a woman named Carrie, whose mother, Elizabeth, had owned and restored a large cabin on the lake to call home. With her mother's passing, Carrie asks Annie to help spruce the place up a bit while still keeping the original feel of the cabin. The last section of the book is Elizabeth's story, in which she meets and works for Virginia Hill and Bugsy Siegel, two very famous real-life historical figures. Elizabeth describes her job as a makeup artist and working with escorts back in the early 1930s. I found her story to be thrilling but also very heartbreaking.

This book also has a fair amount of romance in it as Annie starts dating a local man named Noah. When he takes on a contractor job for a flirty cougar named Bunny, Annie feels uneasy. Then, when Annie takes on an out-of-town job for a wealthy man named Grayson, things start to go downhill, and Annie has to make some important decisions. I enjoyed this part of the book, and the relationships between all of the characters are complex, with emotions running high. The romantic scenes are very tastefully written.

Overall, I feel this book has several storylines working together to create a fabulous plot. The way Braun integrates the beautiful scenery and places located in Lake Arrowhead allows her readers to experience and envision each part of the story. The Girls in Cabin Number Three is a book that readers will not be able to put down. With themes of love, family, friendship, new beginnings, and the complexity of life, readers will get hooked from the very beginning.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "08-Dec-2022", "date_added": "26-Nov-2022 21:31:46", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011871003", "title": "The Piano Bench", "author": "Ralph Webster", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 74, "review": "\"The compelling, heart-rending, and inspiring story of a seemingly ordinary man who lives through undeniably extraordinary times as a middle-class Jew in Germany through two world wars. Main character Josef Samson is a suitably complex everyman character who allows readers to experience the glorious highs and devastating lows of life viscerally. A story of desperation and triumph which will linger in the mind long after it has finished.\" \u2014Erin Britton, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Nov-2022 21:24:15", "publisher": "Independently Published", "page_count": "431 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011869003", "title": "Festive Cocktails & Canapes", "author": "Ryland Peters & Small", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 203, "review": "Just in time for the holidays, Festive Cocktails & Canap\u00e9s will give party enthusiasts some fun, new ideas. The book has over one hundred recipes that will delight your guests on any special occasion. Drinks vary from the classic Old Fashioned to the Vanilla White Lady (a twist on the white lady gin and Cointreau cocktail) to a Rose & Pomegranate Cosmo. I loved the beautiful color photos that accompanied each drink recipe. They're each so pretty and unique that you'll want to try each and every one. The book is organized into the following categories: Bar Cart Classics, Sparklers & Aperitifs, Party Drinks, Dessert Cocktails & Nightcaps, and Canap\u00e9s & Small Bites. The last section is full of fun and tasty finger foods. The recipe for Smoked Salmon Mousse Croustades, a smoked salmon mousse on a crisp croustard, is one that I will definitely be trying this holiday season. The Grilled Lamb Skewers with Garlic & Saffron Custard sounds delectable, and the Mini Cherry Coconut Macaroons are perfect for that sweet finish.

I love that this book has recipes that do not have a long list of ingredients. The recipes are simple, but the results are beautiful drinks and appealing small bites.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "08-Dec-2022", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 18:55:58", "publisher": "Ryland Peters & Small", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011868015", "title": "Betty White's Pearls of Wisdom", "author": "Patty Sullivan", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 187, "review": "Betty White's Pearls of Wisdom almost seems intrusive to read, as it is about the personal and intimate relationship the author and her family had with Betty, and the twelve pearls of wisdom are stories, humanitarian acts, and personality traits that may or may not have been known about Betty in her personal life. Each pearl of wisdom describes another attribute and genuineness of Betty that showcases what the world lost when she passed away and transitioned to the next stage of her existence.

Each pearl contains stories that are heartwarming to the mind and soul and bring about thoughts and concerns that aren't always at the forefront of our lives, but that mattered much to Betty. This reader had superficial knowledge of Betty, based on how she appeared and acted in her television shows. Betty White's Pearls of Wisdom presented a new and more genuine person to these eyes.

The stories are easily understandable and hopefully relatable to all readers, especially those who have experienced loving relationships and ones that allow you to be yourself and receive the strength and support needed from those around you.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 18:54:07", "publisher": "Forefront Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011868011", "title": "Fox and Bear", "author": "Miriam Korner", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 125, "review": "Fox and Bear live happily in the forest. Bear wants to live a simple life, but Fox is very handy and creative. This leads to Fox creating more inventions, which Bear is unsure of, and how they are creating an impact on the world around them.

The artwork in this book is really cool, it looks like a mixture of cardboard and paper animals. I like how it looks like it is a photograph of a 3-D scene. The shadows from the cardboard really bring the pictures to life. I liked the story too, and how it made you think about the choices Bear and Fox made and how those choices impact the world around them, just as our choices impact the world around us.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "17-Jan-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 18:46:48", "publisher": "Red Deer Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011867003", "title": "Traveling Rose", "author": "Brian Wray,Shiloh Penfield,Pixel Mouse House", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 312, "review": "Life\u2019s Little Lessons Children\u2019s Book Roundup\n\nThese books will teach small children about various emotions we all feel. Some are happy, and some might be scary. From learning to give and feel good about it to working through doubt and the first-time willys, these books are here to help your child navigate some of life\u2019s important lessons. \n\nGive This Book Away!\nDarren Farrell, Maya Tatsukawa\nRandom House Children's Book\nISBN: 9780593480519\n\nWhat a fun idea! A book that is meant to give away once you\u2019ve read it. In this picture book, children will learn about giving to others and feeling good about it. With its beautiful watercolor illustrations, this book will make even the youngest children think about who they want to give this book to next.\n\nDoubt\nPia Valentinis\nSchiffer Publishing, Ltd.\nISBN: 9780764364389\n\nThis book helps children understand doubt without having to fear it. Author Pia Valentinis uses animals, soft colors, and humor to help children explore the world of decision-making and help them understand that doubt is simply a part of life. We can make choices, change our minds, and use different methods to deal with doubt. Parents will appreciate the gentle approach that will help children learn important life skills.\n\nTraveling Rose\nBrian Wray, Shiloh Penfield, Pixel Mouse House\nSchiffer Publishing, Ltd.\n9780764364549\n\nRose the Stuffed Bunny is ready to go on a trip with her friend Iris and her favorite little boy. But Rose is very tentative and starts getting scared about the \u201cwhat ifs?\u201d In this beautifully illustrated story, children will learn to work through stressful moments in their lives by identifying with Rose and learning to express healthy emotions. This is a wonderful book for any first-time occurrences, such as flying on an airplane or staying overnight somewhere other than home. Children will find comfort in following Rose in her journey through an emotional time.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:18:27", "publisher": "Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011866011", "title": "Doubt", "author": "Pia Valentinis", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 312, "review": "Life\u2019s Little Lessons Children\u2019s Book Roundup\n\nThese books will teach small children about various emotions we all feel. Some are happy, and some might be scary. From learning to give and feel good about it to working through doubt and the first-time willys, these books are here to help your child navigate some of life\u2019s important lessons. \n\nGive This Book Away!\nDarren Farrell, Maya Tatsukawa\nRandom House Children's Book\nISBN: 9780593480519\n\nWhat a fun idea! A book that is meant to give away once you\u2019ve read it. In this picture book, children will learn about giving to others and feeling good about it. With its beautiful watercolor illustrations, this book will make even the youngest children think about who they want to give this book to next.\n\nDoubt\nPia Valentinis\nSchiffer Publishing, Ltd.\nISBN: 9780764364389\n\nThis book helps children understand doubt without having to fear it. Author Pia Valentinis uses animals, soft colors, and humor to help children explore the world of decision-making and help them understand that doubt is simply a part of life. We can make choices, change our minds, and use different methods to deal with doubt. Parents will appreciate the gentle approach that will help children learn important life skills.\n\nTraveling Rose\nBrian Wray, Shiloh Penfield, Pixel Mouse House\nSchiffer Publishing, Ltd.\n9780764364549\n\nRose the Stuffed Bunny is ready to go on a trip with her friend Iris and her favorite little boy. But Rose is very tentative and starts getting scared about the \u201cwhat ifs?\u201d In this beautifully illustrated story, children will learn to work through stressful moments in their lives by identifying with Rose and learning to express healthy emotions. This is a wonderful book for any first-time occurrences, such as flying on an airplane or staying overnight somewhere other than home. Children will find comfort in following Rose in her journey through an emotional time.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:22:50", "publisher": "Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011866007", "title": "Batman", "author": "Joshua Williamson,Howard Porter,Roger Cruz", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 276, "review": "Supercharged Graphic Novels Roundup\n\nWho doesn\u2019t love a great superhero battle? In this roundup of superhero graphic novels, readers will get everything from your classic superhero to the supers who aren\u2019t that well known yet. Will colorful illustrations and exciting storylines, these books are sure to please fans of all ages.\n\nBatman: Shadow War\nJoshua Williamson, Howard Porter, Roger Cruz\nDC Comics\n9781779517975\n\nCollecting all the parts of Shadow War from Batman #122-123; Robin #13-14; Deathstroke Inc. #8-9; Shadow War: Alpha #1; Shadow War: Omega #1; Shadow War Zone #1, this graphic novel is perfect for fans of the Caped Crusader. Several talented authors and illustrators have collaborated to come up with this book that is sure to become a favorite.\n\nF.A.R.M. System\nRich Koslowski\nIDW Publishing\n9781603095150\n\nIn this twist of a superhero graphic novel, readers will find out that superheroes are very much like athletes. And some are waiting their turn to be on the A-list. A behind the scenes look at what it takes to make the grade. From psych tests to sensitivity seminars to costume design meetings, becoming a working superhero is some serious stuff. A graphic novel like no other, Koslowski has created a universe we can all buy into.\n\nGodzilla Vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers\nCullen Bunn, Freddie E Willams II\nIDW Publishing\n9781684059379\n\nTwo worlds collide as the King of Monsters, Godzilla, and the defenders of Earth, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers fight evil from two worlds. This team up is what superhero worlds are made of! With an evil sorceress and alien invaders trying to conquer Earth and alternate Earth, this graphic novel is entertaining and exciting.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:11:48", "publisher": "DC Comics", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011865027", "title": "Anna Maria & Maestro Vivaldi", "author": "Jan Coates,Francois Thisdale", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 189, "review": "About the only thing really memorable in this work is the art on these pages. This work tells the supposedly true story of Vivaldi and a young violinist living in an orphanage during the time when Vivaldi was writing one of his many masterpieces, Four Seasons.

While there are some nice pictures of violin playing, there are a number of other things that did not sit quite right with me. One of them is that this story is largely rumor and has never been proven. Another issue is that the writer makes no effort to demonstrate the size of the group that would have performed Vivaldi\u2019s work, the era of art galleries they would have lived in, and other inconsistencies throughout the book.

Instead, this is a work that is more geared toward teaching a lesson, even though it does so clunkily, than remaining true to the source. The lesson for young readers, and this is designed for children who are fairly well along in reading on their own or parents reading to their children, is not to give up, to have confidence in yourself, and to love music.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "19-Dec-2022", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 18:37:23", "publisher": "Red Deer Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011865019", "title": "The Daughter of Auschwitz", "author": "Tova Friedman,Malcolm Brabant,Ben Kingsley", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1245, "review": "This Is Me: Memoirs to Remember\n\nIn a world filled with stories waiting to be told, there's something uniquely captivating about diving into the pages of a memoir or biography. These first-hand accounts offer a window into the lives, experiences, and innermost thoughts of individuals who have left an indelible mark on history, culture, and society. In this roundup, we explore six recently published biographies and memoirs that promise to leave readers inspired, enlightened, and deeply moved. From tales of resilience and triumph over adversity to reflections on identity and the human condition, these books offer a diverse range of voices and experiences that will linger in your thoughts long after the final page is turned. \n\nThe Long Road Home by Debra Thompson\n\nThe Long Road Home by Debra Thompson is a poignant exploration of identity, belonging, and the multifaceted experiences of being Black in North America. Thompson embarks on a transformative journey, delving into her family's ties to the Underground Railroad in Shrewsbury, Ontario, before revisiting four American cities, each with its own complex history of racism and democracy. From Boston as the birthplace of revolution to Eugene as the western frontier, she unveils the uncomfortable truths about racism's persistence in American society. Settling in Montreal, Thompson uncovers the complexities of acceptance and belonging within a city with a storied history of transnational Black activism. This book goes beyond being a personal narrative, offering a vital examination of racism in the United States and Canada while highlighting the enduring power of freedom and the shared dreams that connect Black individuals across borders.\n\nAmerica Made Me a Black Man: A Memoir by Boyah J. Farah\n\nBoyah J. Farah\u2019s America Made Me a Black Man: A Memoir is a searing and deeply personal account of the profound impact of American racism on an immigrant from Somalia who, after surviving hardships in his homeland, confronts a different kind of dehumanization in the United States. Born in Somalia and raised among nomads, Farah's upbringing instilled in him a code of male bravado that helped him endure deprivation, disease, and civil war. Upon arriving in America, he believed this code would serve him well, only to be confronted with systemic racism, police brutality, and pervasive prejudice. Farah's account not only explores the challenges of being an African in America but also delves into the complex experience of becoming African American. This memoir challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the destructive forces that threaten Black lives while offering a unique perspective on the fractured identity of Black men in America.\n\nOn the Ledge: A Memoir by Amy Turner\n\nOn the Ledge: A Memoir by Amy Turner is a powerful and highly personal narrative that spans multiple generations, exploring the enduring impact of childhood trauma and the journey toward self-discovery and healing. Turner's childhood was marked by the traumatic incident of her father's attempted suicide, which haunted her throughout her life, leading to a state of hypervigilance. Years later, after surviving a near-fatal accident, she embarks on a remarkable emotional odyssey, delving into the trauma of her own brush with death and, unexpectedly, unearthing deeper childhood wounds. Through acupuncture, somatic-oriented therapies, and serendipitous experiences, Turner unravels the layers of her trauma and finds healing, not only for herself but also for her relationship with her parents. This poignant and intimate memoir underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of self-discovery, proving that it's never too late to seek self-acceptance and healing.\n\nThe Daughter of Auschwitz by Tova Friedman and Malcolm Brabant\n\nThe Daughter of Auschwitz is a profoundly moving memoir co-authored by Tova Friedman and Malcolm Brabant. Friedman, one of the youngest survivors of Auschwitz, shares her heartbreaking and harrowing account of being a Holocaust survivor, from her childhood growing up during the Holocaust to her near-death experiences in a Jewish ghetto, a Nazi labor camp, and the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp. Her story serves as a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the enduring obligation to remember the 1.5 million Jewish children who perished during the Holocaust. Through meticulous research by Brabant, the memoir immortalizes Tova's memories, ensuring that her story will endure, even as the years pass, and serve as a powerful reminder of the strength of the will to survive and the importance of preserving its memory for future generations.\n\nThe Yank by John Crawley\n\nJohn Crawley\u2019s The Yank is a gripping and brutally honest memoir that takes readers on a harrowing journey through one man's life during some of the bloodiest days of the Irish\u2013British conflict in 1975. As a young Irish-American, Crawley seeks out the most intensive military training by joining an elite US Marine unit. He later joins the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Ireland. Crawley shares the grueling challenges of his Marine Corps training and how he puts his skills to use in the service of the IRA. Readers are taken on a tumultuous ride as Crawley recounts running guns with notorious American mobster and secret IRA fundraiser Whitey Bulger, evading British troops by moving from safe house to safe house in the Irish countryside, experiencing capture and imprisonment, and even fending off a recruitment offer from the CIA. He also reveals his involvement in a campaign to disrupt London's electrical system. Throughout the memoir, Crawley offers unvarnished insights into the people he worked with, including IRA leader Martin McGuinness and the psychopathic Whitey Bulger, as well as others in the Boston IRA support network. \n\nAmerican Demon by Daniel Stashower\n\nIn American Demon, Daniel Stashower delivers a chilling tale of historical true crime centered on the iconic lawman Eliot Ness. During the depths of the Great Depression, Cleveland finds itself terrorized by a gruesome killer known as the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run. The horrors begin in 1934 when a beachcomber discovers the lower half of a female torso on the shores of Lake Erie, earning the victim the grim title of \"The Lady of the Lake.\" Over the next four years, a dozen more bodies are discovered, all meticulously dismembered with surgical precision and drained of blood, some even beheaded while still alive. As the city is gripped by fear, its beleaguered mayor turns to Eliot Ness, renowned for his exploits in Chicago battling Al Capone's bootlegging empire. Ness faces a case that will redefine his career as he hunts for a calculating and composed mastermind who has managed to hide in plain sight. With American Demon, Stashower sheds fresh light on this notorious crime and uncovers the gripping story of Ness's relentless pursuit of a monster.\n\nYear of the Tiger: An Activist's Life by Alice Wong\n\nYear of the Tiger: An Activist's Life by Alice Wong is a groundbreaking memoir that invites readers into the mind of an activist as she discovers and nurtures her community while continuing the fight for disability justice. Wong, the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, provides a profound glimpse into her life through a collection of original essays, previously published works, conversations, graphics, photos, and commissioned art by disabled and Asian American artists. Wong's unique talent creates an impressionistic scrapbook of her life as an Asian American disabled activist, community organizer, media maker, and dreamer. She shares her thoughts on various topics, including creativity, access, power, care, the pandemic, mortality, and the future. With incisive wit, joy, and passion, this memoir is a galvanizing exploration of Wong\u2019s journey marked by the energy of the big cat, the tiger.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:42:00", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011865011", "title": "Geraldine and the Rainbow Machine (Gizmo Girl, 4)", "author": "Sol Regwan, Denise Muzzio", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rita Long", "word_count": 162, "review": "Geraldine and the Rainbow Machine is one of four books in the Gizmo Girl series. Geraldine is excited when a new student, Hamid, joins her class. Hamid recently lived in Pakistan and Geraldine is fascinated by his culture. Unfortunately, the other students do not greet Hamid with kindness. Geraldine draws from her scientific skills to invent something to show the other students how awesome Hamid is. She creates a rainbow machine that promotes inclusivity and celebrates the diversity of all the kids in the class. As Geraldine\u2019s classmates spin the wheel, they learn about each other\u2019s differences and discover how much they had in common.

This book can be enjoyed by all children ages four to eight, especially those who feel like they don\u2019t fit in. Geraldine\u2019s empathetic nature will inspire young readers to show compassion and love toward others. This beautifully written story encourages children to embrace every unique individual so they can blend together like the colors of a rainbow.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:19:06", "publisher": "Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011864031", "title": "Winterland: A Novel", "author": "Rae Meadows", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 197, "review": "As a child, Anya uses gymnastics to escape the stark, wavering darkness and cold of her remote Siberian outpost. Talented and driven, she is selected for a grueling gymnastics school and charged with becoming an honor to Russia. As the years pass, Anya\u2019s life of competitive gymnastics takes her further and further away from her father and her home, but she is committed to the task she\u2019s been given--knowing she must somehow rectify for her family the unexplained disappearance of her mother years prior. Anya suffers setbacks and defeats, but she also steadily rises in status. Eventually, the Olympics are on the line--the ultimate goal for a girl like Anya, as well as her coach. Losing is not an option.

The breathless recounting of competitions and rivalries make Winterland gripping, but it\u2019s the chapters that focus on Anya\u2019s elderly neighbor Vera that give this novel the most emotional depth. Vera spent years in a labor camp, and her experiences there--as well as her memories of what led to the confinement and how she survived--are wrenchingly recounted. The brutal landscape and the gracefully rendered, even more, brutal lives of Anya, Vera, and others make Winterland a perfect winter read.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 19:47:11", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011864015", "title": "Stella Maris", "author": "Cormac McCarthy", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 258, "review": "Published as the companion novel to Passenger, Cormac McCarthy's Stella Maris is a kind of cipher to work through the first book. It is hard to review this text without some reference to Passenger; suffice it to say if I were recommending these books, I'd tell readers to start with Stella Maris for two reasons: hallucinations and context.

Alicia Western is twenty, clinically depressed, suicidal, and in possession of a trash bag filled with $40,000 when she admits herself to a mental hospital in 1972. Stella Maris is a record of every session she has with her physician, Dr. Robert Cohen. The entire novel is comprised of these transcripts which take place from her initial intake form in October and a final conversation that is, ostensibly, the last they have in her lifetime. These conversations cover everything from her childhood and family dynamic to her unhealthy and romantic feelings for her much older brother to her frequent and vivid hallucinations featuring a cast of characters as real to her as her blood relatives.

The book is neither upbeat nor linear because it is the progression of illness, pain, and loss rendered through patient-physician exchanges. There are gorgeous moments as there always are in McCarthy novels, but the book is essentially a meditation on death and the finite time we all have on this planet as is its sister piece Passenger. If you're not in the mood for a long, dark, introspective sort of read, avoid Stella Maris. If you\u2019re ready for some existential dread, this is the book for you.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:48:17", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011864007", "title": "Dragon Ball Super, Vol. 17", "author": "Akira Toriyama,Toyotarou", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 197, "review": "Dragon Ball Super, Vol. 17 is a continuation of the storyline of the ancient race and tribe of the Saiyans and of main characters Vegeta and Son Goku in their quest to defeat every naysayer who crosses their path. Volume seventeen shows the extended battle between Goku, Vegeta, and Granola, from the planet Cereal, who believes he has an act of revenge to extract on the Saiyan tribe for wiping the Cerealians to near extinction. Each character presents their newest powers that test each other to each other's limits, with the dual purposes of both saving the world, but also their egos.

From page one, the reader will find action, fighting, and pain, with later on some visual blood. The action starts on page one and continues throughout the storyline, with minor, shortened spurts of the storyline interspersed. Fans of Dragon Ball will find this storyline on par with the rest and offers as much new story and answered questions as every episode and book before it; for those unfamiliar with previous happenings, there isn't much you'll struggle with. The cliffhanger at the end of volume seventeen will have you waiting eagerly for the release of volume eighteen.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:05:04", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011864003", "title": "Look Back", "author": "Tatsuki Fujimoto", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 384, "review": "January 2023 Graphic Novel Roundup-Better to See You, My Pretty: Stories told better by Illustration\n\nThese graphic novels are beautifully crafted by the authors and illustrators to create a sensory overload. With colorful characters and well-written dialogues and storylines, these books are sure to draw their readers in. \n\nTokyo Rose - Zero Hour (A Graphic Novel)\nAndre R Frattino,Kate Kasenow,Janice Chiang\nTuttle Publishing\nISBN: 9784805316955\n\nThis graphic novel illustrates a Japanese-American woman\u2019s struggle when she finds herself stuck in Japan before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She is forced to host an anti-American soldier radio show and is arrested and then imprisoned for false accusations. This is her story told with detailed dialogue and character drawings. \n\nVictory. Stand!\nTommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, Dawud Anyabwile\nWW Norton\nISBN: 9781324052159\n\nThis book tells the story of 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist Tommie Smith and his protest of racial injustice against African Americans. He is ostracized and made to leave the Olympics. This graphic novel illustrates his childhood and athletic career. This book includes robust illustrations by Emmy Award\u2013winning illustrator Dawud Anyabwile.\n\nBrzrkr Vol. 2\nMatt Kindt, Ron Garney, Keanu Reeves\nBOOM! Studios\nISBN: 9781684158157\n\nA comic book written by Keanu Reeves about a half-mortal/half-god being who is trying to gain freedom? I\u2019m in! As B goes through experiments, he becomes closer to having the memories of his past restored. But will the U.S. Government really let him go? Co-written with New York Times bestselling co-writer Matt Kindt (Folklords, Grass Kings) and legendary artist Ron Garney (Wolverine, Captain America).\n\nThe Keeper\nTananarive Due, Steven Barnes, Marco Finnegan\nAbrams ComicArts - Megascope\nISBN: 9781419751554\n\nA young girl named Aisha is sent to her grandmother\u2019s house after her parents pass away. Her grandmother falls ill and summons a dark force to protect Aisha. Aisha soon learns that to stay alive, the Keeper must prey on the people around her. If you enjoy horror graphic novels, this one is for you!\n\nLook Back\nTatsuki Fujimoto\nVIZ Media LLC\nISBN: 9781974734641\n\nTwo small-town girls, Fujino and Kyomoto, are very different. One is very outgoing, and the other is an introvert. Both girls like to draw manga, which is the common bond that draws them together, creating an unforeseen friendship. A short graphic novel from Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto with beautiful illustrations.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "04-May-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:00:50", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011862023", "title": "Night Lunch", "author": "Eric Fan,Dena Seiferling", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 176, "review": "What struck me first about Night Lunch was the wonderful style of the illustrations. The textures and subtle use of colors among a mainly sepia palette really made the pictures come to life. As the night lunch cart rolls into town, a majestic owl cooks for his fellow animals. From a mince pie for Fox to puddings for little possums, Owl cooks up a beautiful smorgasbord. You can hear the crack of the eggs, the hum of the oven, and all the noises in the kitchen as the food is being prepared. Hungry faces look in on their food and smile as their tummies are warmed. After all his friends have eaten, Owl notices one small creature quivering while sweeping the streets. What Owl does next is a heartwarming lesson in kindness as he whips up a meal for the little mouse and sits to share it with him. This is a simple story for children of all ages, and the underlying lessons of empathy, kindness, dignity, and gratitude will remain timeless for generations to come.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 19:17:00", "publisher": "Tundra", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011862015", "title": "Infinity: The Magical Cycles of the Universe", "author": "Soledad Romero Marino,Mariona Cabassa", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 194, "review": "The brilliant colors and eye-catching forms that illustrate this book on the continuity of life enchant the eye and cause this reader to gasp at its entrancing beauty. Each large, exquisitely colored page is annotated with a simple but elegant saying, either from a folk tale, poem, or past writing.

A page covered with a raccoon amidst soil detritus and surrounded by seed pods and plants describes nature as wise with an added comment by John Steinbeck. The seasonal cycles change with the Earth\u2019s journey around the sun. A quote by Jules Verne accompanies the radiant, almost phosphorescent depiction of the multiple life forms found in the sea.

The life cycles of chickens and storks pictorially depict the continuity of life, while the reader is encouraged to gaze beyond this home ground and examine the Moon and boundless outer universe. Even Albert Einstein is quoted in a succinct note that advises the reader to examine nature in order to understand everything better.

This Spanish children\u2019s writer and her illustrator have created a stunning collection of art paired with just a few words of wisdom that will trigger thought and curiosity in the young reader.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:24:31", "publisher": "Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011862003", "title": "Queens of the Age of Chivalry", "author": "Alison Weir", "category": "N09 History", "publication": "", "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 179, "review": "Written by the queen of biography, Alison Weir\u2019s latest biography, Queens of the Age of Chivalry: England\u2019s Medieval Queens: Book Three 1299-1409, brings readers vivid depictions of the dramatic and extraordinary lives of these queen consorts and the times in which they lived. Covering the lives of Marguerite of France, Isabella of France, Philippa of Hainault, Anne of Bohemia, and Isabella of Valois in a group biography, Queens of the Age of Chivalry depicts the stories of queens who have been neglected by history in light of the accomplishments of their husbands.

While familiarity with the medieval period and the relative geography of England\u2019s castles is helpful, it is not necessary to enjoy this book. Weir keeps the reader informed enough to follow along with relative ease. Names can run together a bit, but that owes more to the lack of imagination of medieval parents in naming conventions than the fault of the author. Written in sumptuous detail and against the natural drama of the high Middle Ages, Queens of the Age of Chivalry is a biography not to disappoint.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Nov-2022 23:42:19", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "576 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011861019", "title": "The Dark Side of Grace", "author": "Ronald Chapman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 117, "review": "\"The Dark Side of Grace reminds us that violence only leads to more violence while also providing counsel and inspiration to help us find our way to forgiveness and understanding. It contains well-integrated opposing views of humanity's worst deeds and violence in the form of bombs and murder, as well as peace-centric ideas from Martin Luther King, the Dalai Lama, and other highly regarded persons. Readers will be entertained by the well-developed professional and spiritual characters and will obtain a better knowledge of human nature and the value of pursuing wisdom. Ronald Chapman's thought-provoking book is an absolutely profound experience, offering an untamed force of unsettling realities that are typically unsaid.\" \u2014Foluso Falaye, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Nov-2022 00:03:31", "publisher": "Terra Nova Books", "page_count": "248 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011861015", "title": "Taking the Short Bus: Teacher, I Need You", "author": "Bruce Beryl Fisher", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 405, "review": "Eric Blum is eighteen years old and attends Noah Webster Preparatory in Philadelphia. The school specializes in educating children who suffer from learning disabilities. As of 1974, there are fifty-four enrolled students. Eric views his attendance at the school as a stigmatized burden, as other kids mock the school and his classmates. Eric had slipped through the cracks in his previous public school education, his dyslexia being missed or misdiagnosed. Eric lives at home with his parents, their house permanently scarred by the loss of Eric\u2019s older brother to the Vietnam war.

The teachers at Noah Webster have their hands full with some of the students, as some of them are capable yet troublesome. A class lesson can be interrupted by anything from pounding on a desktop to a fit of swearing. The teachers must maintain calm in an often chaotic environment. Eric is the school\u2019s class president, but Eric wants to graduate from Noah Webster and prove something to the often unforgiving world. The school and his parents desire to see Eric\u2019s maturation in education and as an individual.

The prospect of meeting his goals for matriculation from Noah Webster is offset by various emotional trials Eric is saddled with. The break-up of a relationship, followed by the death of his ex-girlfriend, is coupled with unsatisfying stints in dead-end jobs. As he blows off steam with his cousin Opie, the only certain result is trouble. As the school year progresses, Eric seeks emotional solace from his dedicated but harried teacher Carole. She offers a sympathetic ear but is concerned about Eric\u2019s emotional health as much as everyone else.

Taking the Short Bus, Teacher I Need You is a funny and emotionally moving memoir of Eric Blum, along with a cutting profile of the educational system. Author Bruce Beryl Fisher offers powerful insights into the shortfalls of the American educational system, particularly how the emphasis on standardized testing undercut the emphasis on the core studies of Reading, Mathematics, and English. The drive for results and funding has turned education on its head. Eric is a troubled adolescent yearning to be listened to, acting out in frustration at the lack of a normal life while inhabiting an even more troubled world. Eric\u2019s path to graduation makes for a roller coaster of emotions, from laughs to sadness to occasional frustration. Bruce Beryl Fisher has written a motivating book about overcoming adversity and how stigmas shouldn\u2019t define individuals.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Nov-2022 20:33:38", "publisher": "Palmetto Publishing", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011861011", "title": "Taking the Short Bus: Teacher, I Need You", "author": "Bruce Beryl Fisher", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 443, "review": "Taking the Short Bus: Teacher, I Need You by Bruce Beryl Fisher is a novel about a young man named Eric in the 1970s. He has a learning difference, has been labeled as stupid or incapable, and attends a private school for special needs teens. The novel takes the reader on a journey through his relationships, mistakes, and dreams. It ultimately has a hopeful ending and a message about not giving up on our young people.

While there are some merits to this book, there are a lot of issues, as well. For example, the writing needs some editing help. Fisher uses quotations constantly and the dialogue is not realistic. The background narration feels inauthentic when explained through the quotations from teenagers. Another issue is the extreme number of typos and writing errors. These are numerous typos like \u201cset the building a blazed,\u201d and the author uses dashes when he needs commas or other punctuation. Another example would be this confusing sentence: \u201cPlus, because of his brother\u2019s -Elliot- death in the Vietnam war in 1969, Eric had suffered from an emotional break-down.\u201d

The plot itself has some good moments, but overall, it needs some editing or workshopping. There are too many plot points that feel thrown in, from drug use, arrests, the Vietnam War, friendly fire, troubled kids, politics, the twice used n-word, LGBT issues, the educational system, to an awkward teacher crush. It feels forced. In addition, there are factual errors that are confusing. For example, \u201cJoey Pearlman: A lanky seventeen-year-old diagnosed with Asperger\u201d doesn\u2019t fit the timeframe, as the diagnosis of Asperger\u2019s syndrome was not in existence in 1974 and wouldn\u2019t be for another few years.

One of the most problematic aspects of the book is the preface. Fisher rails against \u201caffirmative action\u201d and \u201cminority quotas\u201d without any explanation. The novel is loosely based on the K-12 system in 1974, but how that connects to today\u2019s affirmative action or minority quotas is lost on me. It seems that Fisher has an axe to grind and does so without any context, connection to the plot of the novel, or explanation. In the preface, he gripes about Florida\u2019s standardized test system and taxes; again, it's an odd preface and reads like a political blog instead of a novel. He treats ADHD diagnosis similarly, complaining about the diagnosis and medications without scholarly explanations or relating his complaints directly to the story he tells in his book.

I want to be positive about this self-published author and the time and energy he must have spent writing this novel. Again, there are merits to some aspects of the story, but generally, it is a problematic read.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Nov-2022 20:33:31", "publisher": "Palmetto Publishing", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000011861007", "title": "Taking the Short Bus: Teacher, I Need You", "author": "Bruce Beryl Fisher", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 446, "review": "Taking the Short Bus: Teacher, I Need You centers around an eighteen-year-old named Eric Blum who is trying to get through his last year at Noah Webster Preparatory, a private school for special needs students in Pennsylvania during the mid-seventies. The back of the book description implies that the story will focus on Eric\u2019s struggles to prove himself competent enough to graduate while at the same time struggling with inappropriate feelings for his teacher. I\u2019m usually a fan of coming-of-age stories, and as someone with ADHD myself, I was particularly interested in this novel since it specifically mentions the disorder in the book description. However, the more I read, the more I found the story to be highly problematic. The main character Eric is dyslexic and suffered a mental breakdown after his brother\u2019s death; there is no mention of ADHD at all throughout the story, except for in the author\u2019s foreword where he discusses his problems with the current education system in the US in a sort of rant against political correctness, which he describes as \u201ca bigoted, political movement based on fear, founded by guilt, practicing Affirmative Action and Minority Quotas.\u201d Then again, at the end as a call to highlight the stigma students like Eric suffered by \u2018riding the short bus\u2019 to school. This sounds perfectly reasonable, except for the fact that Eric nor anyone else in the book actually has ADHD. Eric himself is not a likable character at all, and his struggles are mostly due to his own selfish and reckless actions and not because he is dyslexic or emotionally disadvantaged. He repeatedly ignores his teacher\u2019s boundaries, and at one point, she\u2019s afraid he\u2019s going to rape her, but she doesn\u2019t report him or call the police. The same teacher physically assaults a student and is not reprimanded or fired because that particular student had a reputation for being difficult. There is also an author\u2019s note that disavows any views in the book as part of any racist, religious, or political leanings on the author\u2019s part, and I understand that in period pieces, some themes and language usage might not sit well with modern readers but are integral to accurately and honestly tell the story. However, there are several instances of racist, homophobic, and misogynist slurs that were completely unnecessary as they add nothing to the context of the story and are not even repeatable in this review. It\u2019s not that the book was poorly written, the author is very sure of his style and has a clear and consistent voice; it\u2019s just that the subject matter of the book itself seemed inconsistent and almost at odds with the author\u2019s initial intention.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Nov-2022 20:33:23", "publisher": "Palmetto Publishing", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000011861003", "title": "Taking the Short Bus: Teacher, I Need You", "author": "Bruce Beryl Fisher", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 429, "review": "Eric Blum, who was diagnosed with dyslexia, also had an emotional breakdown after his brother, Elliot, died in the Vietnam War in 1969, a few years ago. While the school monitors Eric to ensure that he is emotionally and academically healthy enough to graduate and join the real world, Eric believes he is ready to leave. Meanwhile, he plays various pranks with his friends, takes on various occupations, and finds many imaginative, mischievous methods to get through his adolescent years.

However, deep down, Eric is dealing with a breakup, grief, a crush on his teacher, the stigma of attending a school for \"the retarded,\" and a slew of other emotions. Bruce Beryl Fisher's Taking the Short Bus: Teacher, I Need You depicts the daring pranks and exploits of an adolescent with a learning disability who must learn to manage his emotions before they take him down a path from which he cannot return.

This book helped me understand how awful the Vietnam War must have been for many because of its vivid and realistic depiction of the era and the compelling individuals who are presented as greatly impacted by it. Eric's battle with losing a brother to war is made even more difficult by the fact that his parents are still inconsolable over his passing, leading to an overly dreary home.

Bruce's novel is filled with fascinating characters who had such an effect on me that I couldn't stop thinking about them even after I read the book. I was furious with Tony for his inappropriate behavior and out-of-control, obscene language, since I could only imagine how Carole, the history teacher, would feel trying to control him in a continually disturbed class. Also, the book contains several hilarious, thought-provoking conversations and practical jokes that kept me smiling and gasping in amazement throughout. One example is a prank in which students appear to be unconscious, causing the teacher to act hysterically.

Unfortunately, I found the story's quick pace unsettling, as multiple incidents are crammed into a few pages. Eric's multitude of occupations and various pranks is fairly dizzying, given how near they occur to each other. Another issue I noticed is that I needed more interior monologues since I felt considerably alienated from the protagonist.

Fans of young adult literature and readers with knowledge of learning disabilities should consider reading Taking the Short Bus: Teacher, I Need You. Apart from being a fun book with many memorable characters, it depicts the shortcomings of the American school system and the discriminatory manner in which individuals with disabilities are classified and treated.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Nov-2022 20:33:06", "publisher": "Palmetto Publishing", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011860031", "title": "Dickens and Prince: A Particular Kind of Genius", "author": "Nick Hornby", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 207, "review": "I'm not sure how many people sit around noting the similarities between Victorian writers and pop icons, but thankfully Nick Hornby is one of those who does. His latest, Dickens and Prince: A Particular Kind of Genius, offers a side-by-side chronology of each man that illustrates what made them more influential than nearly every other contemporary in their form, and for fans of both artists, this book is a gem and a delight.

The book is structured as a dual timeline beginning with \"Childhood\" and culminating in a final section titled \"The End,\" but it isn't a perfect year-by-year comparison. Within the text, there are two sections that bisect the timeline--\"The Movies\" and \"Women\"--that look deeply at adaptations of Dickens' work and at the films Prince created and starred in: Purple Rain, Under the Cherry Moon, and Graffiti Bridge. In each case, Hornby delivers small yet weighty nuggets about the works that even the most diehard fans will likely not know. He deftly and directly notes the impact Purple Rain and Oliver Twist, specifically, have had on the cultural lexicon, not just as films but as pop touchstones.

Dickens and Prince is clever, well-researched, and is perfect for pop culture fans of other works like Chuck Klosterman's \"the 90s\".", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:52:57", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011860027", "title": "I Want To Be a River", "author": "Cecile Elma Roger", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 178, "review": "When he is asked by his teacher, young Abel says he wants to be a river when he grows up. This immediately concerns his fellow classmates who describe to him the various ways he would change if he did become a river, which Abel deflects at every turn and turns any negative into a positive. In the end, when the classmates describe the garbage and pollution Abel would experience, he turns quiet and begins to cry which moves his classmates telling Abel that they will make sure he remains clean by picking up trash and keeping him clean. The book ends with others in the class dreaming of what they could become \u2014 a desert, mountains, clouds, and more. It is hard to get a true message from this book, and the art does not help much at all. It feels like an environmental book but only reads that way at the end. Instead, it reads as more of a young kid having an impossible dream and the rest only following along once they accidentally hurt his feelings.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "13-Mar-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:49:26", "publisher": "Tra Publishing", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011860023", "title": "The Color Storm", "author": "Damian Dibben", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 467, "review": "Experience Italy\n\nAlthough the world is now finally opening up again following a couple of painful years characterized by COVID-19-related restrictions, international travel is still not as easy or affordable as it once was. Fortunately, for those who are willing to be armchair travelers for the time being, the three recent releases featured in this roundup are able to instantly transport them to Italy, capturing as they do the sights, sounds, and delicious tastes of that marvelous country.\n\nThe Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell\n\nHaving lived a privileged and sheltered life in Florence prior to her marriage, sixteen-year-old Lucrezia, Duchess of Ferrara, is ill prepared to deal with the cunning machinations of her new husband, Alfonso. However, when Alfonso whisks her away to an isolated country villa and Lucrezia comes to the startling realization that he intends to murder her, she has to muster all her strength and courage to do whatever it takes to ensure her survival. Set in 1561 during the Italian Renaissance, Maggie O\u2019Farrell\u2019s The Marriage Portrait recreates the era and setting beautifully while presenting the enchanting tale of a young women whose proximity to power places her in grave danger.\n\nThe Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan\n\nAdmired worldwide for her cookery prowess and regarded as one of the greatest Italian cookery writers of all time, Marcella Hazan was famed for the authenticity of her recipes. The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking, which she wrote to teach and inspire cooks of all levels of experience, is arguably Hazan\u2019s most accessible and comprehensive work. It includes hundreds of recipes, which were originally published in her The Classic Italian Cookbook and The Second Classic Italian Cookbook, covering numerous aspects of Italian cuisine, including soup, risotto, gnocchi, fish and shellfish, polenta, variety meats, and much more. It truly deserves a place on the bookshop of anyone looking to master Italian cookery.\n\nThe Color Storm by Damian Dibben\n\nArtists of all kinds flocked to Renaissance Venice, which held the promise not just of fame and fortune, but also of color options unavailable elsewhere. The fact that the city acts as a magnet for artists means competition is fierce, and for painter Giorgione \u201cZorzo\u201d Barbarelli, that competition might just prove deadly. As his career hangs in the balance and his debts mount up, he pursues the rumor of a new color brought to Venice by a rich merchant. In an effort to access the fabled color, he secures a commission to paint a portrait of the merchant\u2019s wife, although entry into their lives proves far more dangerous than Barbarelli could ever have expected. Damian Dibben\u2019s The Color Storm wonderfully reflects the atmosphere of Renaissance-era Venice while weaving a suspenseful plot that includes multiple conspiracies and dark deeds and also features some of history\u2019s most famous artists.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:45:11", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011860015", "title": "ABCity: Maze & Seek-n-Find", "author": "Roxie Munro", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 173, "review": "ABCity is a fun book that is full of pictures of many colorful things to look at that are drawn around two alphabet letters. The reader can also find particular objects that begin with the letters, and follow the maze in each picture made from the lines of sidewalks, roads, and buildings. The book is like \"Where's Waldo?\" or other seek-and-find books, except that ABCity, has more to do and see within each page. The things to find are sometimes not what you'd expect, which makes them more fun to find. At the end of the book, there is a pull-out page that you can color on one side, and on the other colored side, you can see the whole book. Thankfully, there is an answer key in case you get confused. I enjoyed looking at the colors on each page and I like how the cover is textured. ABCity doesn't have any words, besides what to look for, so this book is good for kids of all ages to keep you busy.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:22:04", "publisher": "Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011859019", "title": "The Woman Who Turned Children into Birds", "author": "David Almond, Laura Carlin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 197, "review": "I started reading The Woman Who Turned Children Into Birds because the title sounds crazy and I had to see how this could happen! The answer to exactly how the woman turns the children into birds isn't said, but it is all with magic. The story is about an old woman who comes to town and people are afraid of her because they have heard rumors about what she can do, and they don't want anything to do with that! It starts with one curious girl who goes up to the woman, and when she becomes a bird, she realizes that she loves it! All of the kids love it, but the parents and adults are upset and scared. Will it ever be okay for the woman to make the kids happy by turning them into birds?

I hadn't read a story like this one before, which is why it looked interesting to me. I found it interesting while reading it, but also felt confused at times when I couldn't tell who was talking on the pages or why they said what they did. Overall, I did enjoy reading it and liked the imagination in the story.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 18:26:34", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011859007", "title": "Bryant & May", "author": "Christopher Fowler", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 200, "review": "If you are looking for a London guidebook that takes you into every nook and cranny of the capital, or if you want to learn every quirky fact and bizarre story about the city, then Bryant and May: Peculiar London is for you. Does it offer a geographically logical progression through the city? Absolutely not. Does the index present items in alphabetical order? Absolutely not (there is no index). Then how is the book structured? It\u2019s a series of short chapters with loosely connected snippets, each fascinating in its own right, about the famous and not so famous London sites.

The flood of odd facts, amusing anecdotes, and funny one-liners is presented by Arthur Bryant, a member of the Peculiar Crimes Unit, aided and abetted by his partner, John May. The hilarious banter (mostly ageist jokes) between the two adds significantly to the book\u2019s laugh quotient. The reader should be aware, however, that this compilation is over four hundred and fifty pages long. Still, you can jump into the book at any point without having to know what went before or worrying about what comes after. The book\u2019s title is well chosen: this is indeed London at its most peculiar.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2023", "date_added": "18-Nov-2022 23:18:48", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011858031", "title": "What Child is This?", "author": "Bonnie MacBird,Frank Cho", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 553, "review": "In the Spirit of Famous Mystery Icons Roundup\n\nClassic mystery icons never die as authors keep their spirits alive with new works written in a similar style. These books are a roundup of new books that honor Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes. Experience the wonderful mystery-solving techniques of these two once again.\n\nA Trace of Poison\nColleen Cambridge\nKensington\nISBN: 9781496732477\n\nReaders will reveal in this delightful mystery set in the world of Agatha Christie. Entrants of a writing conference gather together for an evening of cocktails when one of the attendees drinks a lethal cocktail meant for Alastair Whittlesby, the man who is a shoo-in for the top prize. Agatha\u2019s housekeeper, Phyllida Bright, is the sleuth in this story about jealousy, murder, and danger. With cameos from history's most famous writers, readers will love the twists and turns.\n\nA Murder at Balmoral\nChris McGeorge\nPenguin Publishing Group\nISBN: 9780593544136\n\nThe royal family has gathered at Balmoral Castle for their annual Christmas retreat. As King Eric is about to name his successor, he drops dead. The chef, Jonathan, plays the detective in this Agatha Christie-style locked-room mystery. Everyone in the family has a means, and a motive, and readers will guess one family member after the other. As secrets unfold, will Jonathan find out whodunnit before he himself becomes the victim? Clever and full of surprises, A Murder at Balmoral is like the game of Clue in book form.\n\nWhat Child is This?\nBonnie MacBird, Frank Cho\nHarperCollins Publishers\n9780008521288\n\nSherlock Holmes takes on two cases in this book that masters the style and characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. With detailed illustrations by illustrator Frank Cho, fans of the Baker Street detective and his trusty sidekick Watson will enjoy these stories set during Christmas time. The stories both involve missing persons\u2014one, a three-year-old of a wealthy couple who has been kidnapped, and two, an aristocrat\u2019s son who has gone missing from his London pied \u00e0 terre. This page-turner is perfect for fans of Holmes and Watson.\n\nThe Body Falls (5) (An Inishowen Mystery)\nAndrea Carter\nOceanview Publishing\n9781608094301\n\nSet in Glendara, Inishowen, Ireland, Lawyer Benedicta (Ben) O'Keeffe and Police Sergeant Tom Malloy set out to solve a mystery. After a torrential downpour, a body falls onto a passing vehicle after being dislodged. The victim is a well-known charities boss and a snakebite is found. Being in an area where there are no native snakes, Ben and Tom investigate whether or not this could actually be a homicide. This is the fifth novel in this series and is written much like that of an Agatha Christie mystery.\n\nHolmes Coming\nKenneth Johnson\nBlackstone Publishing\n9798200706884\n\nWhen Dr. Amy Winslow finds a half-mummified man who calls himself Holmes and claims he was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle\u2019s muse, Amy thinks the guy is out of his mind. After reviving him, she realizes this man really is the real Holmes (his first name is NOT Sherlock, however) and sets out to help him solve cases, including one that is very close to her. The San Francisco Police Chief died on her table after being attacked by a Bengal tiger. In this Holmes revival, readers will experience the time-traveled detective as he would be in modern times. Cleverly written and perfect for fans of the brash genius detective.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:57:33", "publisher": "HarperCollins Publishers", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011858015", "title": "The Nightmare Bug", "author": "Hillary Daecher,Angie Hohenadel", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 189, "review": "The Nightmare Bug is the perfect book for children with nightmares. In the story, a small child is scared of the nightmare bug. The child's mother tells the child that to beat the bug, the bug must be hugged. So, knowing that mom knows best, the child grabs Blankie, Bear, and Rhino and gets ready to settle in for a night of adventures and dreams and a mission to hug that nightmare bug.

I think this book would be helpful for so many families with small children who get nightmares. Although the story itself is simple and whimsical, it will attract and engage little eyes and ears and help them to hug their own nightmare bug. The illustrations in the book are reminiscent of Where the Wild Things Are with muted watercolors and textures, which make the story soothing even when the child is having a nightmare. Parents will also appreciate the tips at the end of the book, which will help with what to say to a child waking up from a nightmare and ways to help children cope with nightmares. An excellent book for ages three to eight.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:17:16", "publisher": "Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011858011", "title": "A Match in the Making (The Matchmakers)", "author": "Jen Turano", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 197, "review": "Jen Turano has written many historical romances, and her latest is the start of a new series, presumably about matchmakers falling in love. At least, I hope that\u2019s the case for her upcoming books. It\u2019s a fun premise, and if the other books live up to this one, they will be delightful to read.

Gwendolyn Brinley has no intention of marrying herself. However, she can\u2019t escape the idea of marriage, as the matchmaker she has agreed to keep company for the Newport Season has insisted on naming Gwendolyn her assistant. Gwendolyn soon finds herself hired to find a match for a man considered to be the catch of the Season: Walter Townsend, who is eager to find a mother for his three rambunctious children.

Shenanigans ensue. Delight follows, first for the readers, then for the characters.

A Match in the Making was a great deal of fun, full of lively, interesting characters. Turano does an excellent job bringing the secondary characters to life. The worst that can be said is that those characters are a little one-dimensional at times, but I will gladly take that over a boring character. I\u2019m very much looking forward to reading more of her work!", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2023", "date_added": "18-Nov-2022 19:07:18", "publisher": "Bethany House Publishers", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011857027", "title": "I'll Try Anything Once", "author": "Prue Leith", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 420, "review": "Amazing Ladies Roundup\n\nThese memoirs, written straight from the heart, are brilliant, candid, and wonderful. With a dazzling cast of female authors, these books will have readers laughing, crying, rejoicing, and understanding the true meaning of love.\n\nI'll Try Anything Once\nPrue Leith\nMobius\n9781529426083\n\nDame Prue Leith, judge of the hit show Great British Bake Off, tells her story in this incredible memoir. From her childhood in South Africa to coming to London and owning her own restaurant to becoming published and ultimately getting her position as a judge on Great British Bake Off, Prue's story will inspire readers from cover to cover. \n\nEnough: A Memoir of Mistakes, Mania, and Motherhood\nAmelia Zachry\nShe Writes Press\n9781647422912\n\nEnough is one woman\u2019s story about abuse, trauma, mental illness, and healing. Amelia Zachry chronicles her journey in this memoir as a young woman who lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia who moved to Kentucky. After a traumatic experience, she spirals into a black hole of darkness and after being diagnosed with PTSD and bipolar II disorder, she tells her readers how her experiences shaped her adult life. This bravely written memoir will evoke strong emotions in readers everywhere.\n\nFind a Place for Me\nDeirdre Fagan\nRegal House Publishing\n9781646032839\n\nA beautifully written memoir about Deidre Fagan\u2019s last days with her husband Bob, Find a Place for Me tells the story of a happy marriage in which both partners must learn to say goodbye. Fagan paints a portrait of what it feels like to lose your best friend in life. Honest, intimate, and heartbreaking, this is a memoir that will stay with its readers.\n\nSit, Stay, Heal\nRenee Alsarraf\nHarperCollins\n9780063215221\n\nA heartwarming book about how our furry four-legged friends are so much more than just pets. Dr. Renee Alsarraf is a veterinary oncologist who tells stories about some of the wonderful dogs she treats. Then, one day, Renee herself gets a cancer diagnosis. A book that dog lovers everywhere will love that shows the wonderful impact of experiencing the unique relationship between canines and humans.\n\nWoodrow on the Bench\nJenna Blum\nHarperCollins\n9780063113190\n\nJenna Blum pays tribute to her black lab, Woodrow, in this beautiful memoir about the time Jenna spends with him in his last six months. An inseparable bond from the beginning, the two learn so much from one another and both experience what it really means to love. With stories that will make readers laugh and cry, Woodrow on the Bench is a wonderful gift to dog lovers everywhere.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 19:40:55", "publisher": "Mobius", "page_count": "560 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011857019", "title": "Black Forest Bound (The Black Forest Duology)", "author": "Lorelei Gray", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 182, "review": "It was supposed to be a fun trip to Germany with their high school class, not a nightmare castle where fairy tales are dangerously real. Former best friends Sadie and Jenny have done everything they can to avoid each other since a fateful event ruined their friendship, and this trip is no exception. Until their classmates begin to disappear and Sadie and Jenny are their only hope of survival.

Black Forest Bound has the making of a horror novel based around Grimms\u2019 fairy tales, a fantastic idea that makes a creepy, edge-of-your-seat thriller, but it doesn't quite feel like true horror. There are far too many characters, most introduced in the first two chapters, and I could never remember who was who, even the narrators, Sadie and Jenny. The point of view switches every other chapter, and information that was stated by one of the girls was usually repeated by the other. The characters and slow beginning made it hard for me to really get into the story until over halfway through when the pace picked up, and I couldn't put it down.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:54:20", "publisher": "Foxfoot Books", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011857007", "title": "The Earl and the Pharaoh", "author": "The Countess of Carnarvon", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 190, "review": "Just a small hole, punched in the rock, enabled archeologist and eminent Egyptologist Howard Carter to glimpse the treasures soon to be revealed. And treasures they were indeed, preserved in the tomb of the young king Tutankhamen. Buried for 3,000 years, they glittered still. With a breathless audience, Carter reached in, shone a torch and Lord Carnarvon stepped closer. Two men of different backgrounds, personalities, and even perspectives, introduced King Tut to the 20th century. Until that day in 1923, the modern world knew little beyond the legend of the teenage monarch entombed in Egypt\u2019s Valley of the Kings.

The Earl and the Pharoah. besides exploring a celebrated 20th-century discovery, focuses on the aristocratic British family and their home at Highclere Castle, the prototype of the television blockbuster, Downton Abbey. The Countess presents a memorable tribute to commemorate her father-in-law, the fifth Earl, who became an enthusiastic and successful horse breeder, sportsman, pioneer motorist, and aviator, as well as a hands-on participant and personal benefactor to Egyptian archeology. He unequivocally \u2018managed to bridge two wholly different worlds.\u2019

Specific dates are in short supply throughout, but the remarkable images more than adequately compensate.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "13-Apr-2023", "date_added": "18-Nov-2022 23:38:58", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011856019", "title": "The Wine Bible, 3rd Edition", "author": "Karen MacNeil", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 196, "review": "The Wine Bible is the go-to book for anyone with questions about wine, who loves wine, and who wants to know more about wine. The book starts by describing the twelve attributes that make a wine great: distinctiveness, balance, precision, aliveness, beyond fruitiness, complexity, choreography, shape and direction, length, connectedness, capacity to age, and ability to evoke an emotional response. Understanding the terminology is equally important, and with practice, you too can describe whether a wine is dry, fruity, sweet, or if it has nice legs. I can't imagine there is a single thing about wine that this book doesn't go over. Most of the book consists of describing each geographic region by country and individual states or regions. Each chapter has a map of the area, the leading appellations, the descriptions of grapes, and examples of specific vineyards to purchase wines from that region. In the back of the book, a wine dictionary has been included, which is like a whole other book in itself. Just reading this part of the book might put you into the category of a wine snob. Yes, indeed, this book is certainly the bible for all lovers of wine.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 18:09:35", "publisher": "Workman Publishing Co", "page_count": "736 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011856015", "title": "1, 2, 3, Poop!", "author": "Geraldine Collet, Eric Gaste", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 121, "review": "Do you ever notice how different animals have different kinds of poops? If so, then this book is for you. Some animals have big poops, little poops, many poops, or maybe just one poop. Explore this book with the mouse and let him show you different animals' poop. What kind of animal has what kind of poop. If you want to learn about the different kinds of poops, this book is for you. \nThis book was super funny. The illustrations of the different kinds, sizes, and amount of poops was really funny. The counting of the poops was really great for younger readers just learning to count. This book was really funny, and my family and I really enjoyed reading it.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "17-Jan-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:16:00", "publisher": "Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011856011", "title": "Fetch, Cat. Fetch!", "author": "Charles Ghigna, Michelle Hazelwood Hyde", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 190, "review": "This delightful and humorous book will engage young readers as they begin to sound out words on their own and help make a lazy cat get some exercise. Both the cat and the young girl featured in the book are unnamed, which allows the child reading the book to imprint themselves into the story. The young girl wants to play with a perfectly lazy and sleeping cat. On each page, she tries something different to get the cat moving and to have some fun, but in the end, the cat is having none of it until the end when the girl and the cat play fetch.

The artwork is detailed enough to keep readers' attention but not super photo-realistic, which would have distracted the reader from the words. Like a good young reader book, it serves two purposes. The first is to engage the young reader in sounding out words. Each page only features a couple of words and rhymes to help the young reader learn their first words. The second is to be funny as well, and it proves it through the antics of the girl and her cat.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2023", "date_added": "21-Nov-2022 17:14:28", "publisher": "Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011856003", "title": "Shopomania: Our Obsession with Possession", "author": "Paul Berton", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 200, "review": "Most of us will see a reflection of ourselves in parts of this satirical and somewhat mocking analysis of our shopping mania. The malady of possession too frequently transforms into an addiction as illustrated by the millionaires and billionaires who continually purchase mansions, yachts, islands, cars, and whatever more they find attractive, occasionally they also end up bankrupt. Art is a great attractant, but too many have lost fortunes only to find that what were assumed to be originals were actually frauds duplicated by talented copiers. Canadian journalist Paul Berton takes the reader on a romp through our bizarre shopping habits, showing how the buyer is lured by fashion, bargains, advertisements, and just plain power of possession. Showing how the marketplace has transitioned from the local neighborly stores to the gaudy malls, which are currently being replaced by the super-super markets of Walmarts, Costcos, Amazon, and others, as have our shopping demands. The author invents a medley of nonsensical terms to describe the shopping mania such as shopophobia, unshop, reshop, ultrashop, misshop, and dozens more plays on the shop theme, which include gossipy notes about known celebrities. This is an amusing read but feels rather like scanning a gossip column.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2023", "date_added": "18-Nov-2022 18:44:10", "publisher": "Douglas and McIntyre (2013) Ltd.", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011855055", "title": "Repurpose Your Pain ", "author": "Dr. Phinehas Kinuthia", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 430, "review": "Repurpose Your Pain by Dr. Phinehas Kinuthia was a fantastic self-help book. As a very broad summary, Dr. Kinuthia focuses on the many elements of trauma, describing the precise steps that must be taken to overcome it. His chapters are purposefully sequential, each focusing on the next step in overcoming emotional, mental, and physical turmoil.

First, it is important to note that Dr. Kinuthia is not a trained psychologist. Rather, his advice and evidence draws on research as well as a variety of books, doctors, and scholars. However, he does a beautiful job of making this information and assortment of sources come together into a truly comprehensive piece. He thoroughly credits where he is getting his information from and makes it clear to his readers that his advice is a supplement, not a replacement, to therapy and other psychiatric treatment. He also recalls his own experiences of past trauma, showing his readers that he too understands how childhood events can permanently alter our personalities. Through all of this, Dr. Kinuthia establishes his creditability and expertise on this topic, something always important when reading a book, but especially important with a self-help book of this kind. Having known nothing of Dr. Kinuthia prior to this, the way he established his credibility stood out to me as something worth mentioning and praising.

As per the title, this book focuses on how to repurpose our pain, specifically when it comes to trauma. It dives into a variety of topics surrounding trauma, including the benefits of pain, shifting our perspectives, loving ourselves first, the healing journey, and so much more. Although I cannot speak of every chapter in this review, I have to say my favorite chapter was called \u201cDeveloping Trauma Awareness.\u201d Through this chapter, Dr. Kinuthia dives into self-awareness regarding trauma, and how the reader can understand its effects within their own life. This chapter stood out to me in the amount of thorough and fascinating research regarding our brains and neuroplasticity. I learned so much in these few pages about how my brain worked and what I could do to rewire it. Furthermore, the reader is able to truly understand in this chapter how they may be responding to past trauma and how they may not even be aware of it.

Admittedly, I love a good self-help book, but Repurpose Your Pain truly stood out to me due to its contents. Educational, inspiring, and motivating, all readers who have experienced a traumatic event in their past, or who seek guidance on repurposing struggles, would benefit from what Dr. Kinuthia has to say.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2022 23:56:04", "publisher": "Stratton Press ", "page_count": "190 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011855051", "title": "Encounters with Living Language: Surrendering to the Power of Words", "author": "Christina Donnell PhD", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 76, "review": "\"Encounters with Living Language is a beautifully written book that displays how an expanded sense of awareness may be obtained by understanding and feeling the true vibrations of the words that surround and connect us all. Through her illuminations and real-life experiences, Christina McDonnell, PhD unfolds the layers of language and reflects on its multidimensional qualities. Readers will walk away thinking about how language affects them in their daily lives.\" \u2014Kyle Eaton, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2022 23:48:23", "publisher": "Winds of Change Books", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011855047", "title": "Encounters with Living Language: Surrendering to the Power of Words", "author": "Christina Donnell PhD", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 71, "review": "\"An exceptional glimpse into the fascinating connections between language and the hidden depths of human consciousness. Linguists and anthropologists have long speculated about the ways in which someone\u2019s native language shapes the way their brain develops and has a profound impact on how they perceive the world. Donnell has created an intriguing and fantastic book for both new age and philosophy lovers in this quick read.\" \u2014Beatrice Toothman, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2022 23:48:13", "publisher": "Winds of Change Books", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011855043", "title": "Encounters with Living Language: Surrendering to the Power of Words", "author": "Christina Donnell PhD", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 74, "review": "Encounters with Living Language reminds us there is still so much to learn about our planet. Exposing insightful, well-matched connections to the words of Hindu sage Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, E. F. N. Jephcott, and other brilliant thinkers, this book will trigger transformative thoughts and an increased level of awareness. For groundbreaking ideas on language, join Christina Donnell, Ph.D. on a mind-blowing exploration of the potential role language could play. \u2014Foluso Falaye, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2022 23:48:04", "publisher": "Winds of Change Books", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011855039", "title": "Encounters with Living Language: Surrendering to the Power of Words", "author": "Christina Donnell PhD", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 84, "review": "\"Christina Donnell offers an in-depth exploration of the intersection between language, meaning, being, and comprehension. This book allows its readers to consider the real power that language can have With insightful explanations of the transformative power of language, this book shows that every person has the potential to expand their life through listening to the messages transmitted by the universe. For readers looking for a book that will expand their worldview, Encounters with Living Language is an ideal choice.\" \u2014Erin Britton, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2022 23:47:55", "publisher": "Winds of Change Books", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011855035", "title": "Supersize Island", "author": "J. J. Walsh", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 82, "review": "\"Find yourself on an island with monsters like King Kong and Godzilla, a variety of other ferocious, gigantic creatures, and deadly, armed humans ready to annihilate anybody who discovers their secret in Supersize Island. This terrifying predicament brought to life in J. J. Walsh's Supersize Island will make your skin crawl. With evocative descriptions and an action-packed sequence, your heart will face in anticipation. Fans of survival books will enjoy this hilarious, suspense-filled, and unforgettable story!\" \u2014Foluso Falaye, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2022 23:41:09", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011855031", "title": "Supersize Island", "author": "J. J. Walsh", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 40, "review": "\"Die Hard meets Jurassic Park in J.J. Walsh's manic blend of laugh-out-loud comedy and heart-pounding action. Monstrous squirrels, minivan-sized frogs, and a bevy of other horrors await all who dare set foot on Supersize Island.\" \u2014Ben Haskett, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2022 23:40:59", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011855027", "title": "Bertha's Son", "author": "Joseph Waddy", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 422, "review": "Bertha's Son by Joseph Waddy is the story of a man who, despite being unable to start school until he was about ten, being rejected by his own father when he was a child, and going through several difficult situations, lived a life that influenced many people, particularly those in the medical field. Joseph Waddy, who moved from Guyana to the United States to give treatment to others, had both problems and fantastic moments in the two countries.

Some problems are personal, such as being almost consumed by a snake, having to become his own dentist due to a lack of better choices, struggling with getting rejected for an opportunity by his country, and more. Other problems include other characters: a patient being targeted by criminals, dealing with prejudice from coworkers in the United States, and being physically beaten by a drunk partner. Despite these and other problems, Joseph had several incredible experiences that led to a rich life and contributes to a jam-packed, engrossing book. Readers should expect various surprising insights and a mix of intense emotions from Joseph's honest, unrestrained memoir.

Nothing could have prepared me for the extraordinary experience Bertha's Son provided. Joseph's honesty shines through to create a book that reveals several rare truths that many desist from speaking about. I was astounded by the number of women that were betrayed by their friends, who were told about their spouse Joseph's sexual performance and wanted to find out by themselves. I've read several memoirs but I've not read any that cover so many captivating details about mostly unspoken and rare sexual and relationship-related issues like Joseph's. He also offers readers some intelligently deducted advice from his colorful life. One piece of advice that especially stood out to me was to exercise caution when selecting a life partner, since his interactions with certain women left him with a variety of issues, including ongoing expenses, physical scars, being cut off from his children, and other issues.

Since it is written by an experienced medical practitioner, the book contains detailed descriptions of medical problems and surgeries that would take a strong stomach to read. Also, the book's introspective style and the author's candor enable the reader to explore the author's innermost thoughts and connect with his deepest feelings, whether they be joy, regret, fear, shock, or other emotions.

You can't read this book without being greatly moved in some way. Thanks to Joseph's gracious and open sharing of his one-of-a-kind life experiences, I've evolved in ways I didn't realize I should!", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2022 23:36:13", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "198 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011855023", "title": "Bertha's Son", "author": "Joseph Waddy", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": "", "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 435, "review": "Bertha\u2019s Son by Joseph Waddy is an autobiography full of plot twists. Waddy was born in Guyana, South America, to his mother, Bertha. The story of Waddy\u2019s birth truly is heartbreaking. Bertha, a sheltered young woman, was never allowed out of her house by her mother. However, Cyril, a young man in her town, invited Bertha to go Christmas window shopping with him. Surprisingly, her mother consented to this venture, allowing Bertha on her first ever excursion out of the house. Tragically, instead of having an exciting experience, she was horribly raped on this first date, becoming a mother to Waddy from this unfortunate experience. Waddy recounts that his father never played a role in his life. Although having met him on a few occasions, Cyril never showed interest in his son or gave a penny to support him. Because of this, Waddy grew up with disappointment and anger towards his father.

Tragically, Waddy, like his mother, did not escape sexual abuse in his lifetime. He was raped by relatives at a very young age, something he believes contributed to many problems later on in his life. Furthermore, coming from a poor family, Waddy was prevented from starting his schooling. With a deep desire to learn, he begged Bertha to send him to school. However, they could not afford Waddy's shoes, something that stopped him from entering a schoolhouse. Finally, after Waddy was able to find shoes, he was able to attend school. Entering kindergarten at the age of ten, he tirelessly studied to catch up, and fortunately, he did, which allowed him to enter a top-rated high school within a few years.

Fast forwarding in Waddy\u2019s life, he ends up immigrating to the United States and becoming a hospital nurse. He also ends up getting married, not once but twice.

Unfortunately, I have to admit I did not enjoy this book. Based on the description, I was expecting to read an autobiography about Waddy\u2019s career and public servitude. Rather, a large portion of the book covers Waddy\u2019s adult sexual experiences, relationships, and encounters that are unnecessary to this overarching plot. I was disappointed to hear very little about Waddy\u2019s immigration story and very little about his life outside of his physical and intimate encounters. I wish Waddy had dived more into the actual story of his life\u2014his childhood, early teenage years, and adulthood\u2014from the perspective of overcoming adversity as the book advertised.

In summary, I would advise Waddy to rewrite his story to reflect the full narrative of his life, not specific romantic encounters that the reader has no interest in reliving with him.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2022 23:36:06", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "198 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000011855019", "title": "Bertha's Son", "author": "Joseph Waddy", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 414, "review": "Born to a single mother in poverty in his native British Guyana, Joseph Waddy authors a memoir that recounts childhood neglect, and emotional, and sexual abuse, overcoming multiple challenges and persevering with a longstanding career in healthcare. Now retired, Waddy shares his story to impart inspiration and hope to others.

Abandoned by his father at an early age, Waddy was raised by his mother, Bertha, and her relatives. Living in abject poverty during a tumultuous time in Guyana, Waddy could not attend school until age ten. Enduring experiences of trauma at the hands of teenage relatives, Waddy did what he could with a hard start in life to create opportunities for learning and growing. Bertha worked for an expatriate couple who took to the mother and son, helping both realize futures they never imagined. Waddy realized his gifts in school, particularly his penchant for befriending and charming women. These are the same gifts he leveraged to build a career in the healing profession in the United States, his adopted country. In New York state, Waddy pursued an education in nursing, where he achieved significant career milestones and a sense of fulfillment.

Bertha\u2019s Son survived against insurmountable odds. Like other countries in the Global South, children like Waddy who grow up in poverty have almost always assured a life of desolation. The fact that Waddy transcended the throes of despair amid abuse and neglect is a testament to the boy\u2019s resilience, grit, and good fortune. Waddy\u2019s is a familiar and heart-warming story of immigrant triumph and success against formidable obstacles. Through sheer determination and ambition, the boy who could not go to school because he did not have shoes to walk to the village schoolhouse completed his bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees from U.S. colleges.

While the memoir has strong qualities, much of the book can be improved by paying attention to style, content, and intent. Waddy has a straightforward narration style, which can read a bit mechanical and too matter-of-fact. The book could use content warnings about the description of childhood sexual abuse and suicide attempt.

Waddy suffered mental and emotional anguish from childhood sexual abuse, which impacted his relationships with women later in life. I also wondered if unresolved trauma may be the reason for graphic, gratuitous chronicles of numerous sexual exploits. The author remembers lurid details of sexual encounters but does not divulge his feelings about those events. Perhaps this aspect of Waddy\u2019s memoir is part of the healing process from the cycle of trauma and violence.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2022 23:35:54", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "198 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011855015", "title": "Bertha's Son", "author": "Joseph Waddy", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Keenan", "word_count": 427, "review": "Delivering an honest autobiographical recitation of one\u2019s life while avoiding self-aggrandizement requires self-reflection and honesty about the author\u2019s passage through life. Doing so while also avoiding alienating companions and friends is a tricky business. However, Joseph Waddy, in Bertha\u2019s Son throws caution to the wind and delivers a brutally honest memoir.

Waddy, son of Bertha, whose name graces the book\u2019s title, is born as poor as poor can be in colonial British Guiana. Waddy\u2019s father abandons both Bertha and Joseph and is the quintessential \u201cdead beat dad.\u201d Joseph suffers great privations for much of his early childhood. He doesn\u2019t attend school until he is ten years old because his mother is too poor to provide him the shoes necessary to walk to school. However, due to pure grit on his part, Joseph quickly succeeds in school, trains in the healing arts, and becomes a nurse and a pharmacy dispenser. Joseph emigrates to the United States and lands in Brooklyn, New York, where he begins a long and successful career in nursing.

Joseph pulls no punches in his vivid description of growing up and living in Guyana, particularly regarding his prowess as a ladies\u2019 man. A revolving cast of women, all with different motivations and desires, enter and depart his life. Through these liaisons, and three marriages, Joseph proudly fathers five sons and daughters, all of whom he eventually sponsors to emigrate to the United States. Joseph\u2019s memoir skewers those who wrong him, ranging from hospital supervisors to grasping girlfriends, while he heaps praise on those who support him in his life, none more so than Bertha, whom it is clear he revers and loves.

This fascinating memoir is, at its core, a story of a man who struggled and persevered to pull himself out of extreme poverty and build a successful life and career in the United States. Through this narrative Waddy also delivers a primer on the ravages that colonialism had on the developing world. However, post-colonialism does not emerge unscathed either as Waddy narrowly avoids being exiled by vindictive government administrators to work in the deep jungle for ten years by obtaining passage to the United States.

Bertha\u2019s Son is a mesmerizing autobiography that delves deep into the culture of Guyana, its sexual and cultural mores, and compares them to the immigrant experience in the Guyanese expatriate community in Brooklyn. It reads as a memoir aimed at a specific audience, namely Waddy\u2019s family and friends; however, it remains more than that, and is well worth the read, if only to contemplate the variety inherent in the human condition.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2022 23:35:45", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "198 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011855011", "title": "The Greek Gambit", "author": "Charles A. Salter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 429, "review": "Fast-paced, action-packed, and brimful of both suspense and intrigue, Charles A. Salter\u2019s The Greek Gambit, the first book in his Nuke Response Team Alpha series, is a rip-roaring international thriller that whisks readers along on a life-or-death race to thwart a potentially earth-shattering terrorist plot.

As the head of the U.S. Nuclear Response Team, Colonel Blake Hunter is well accustomed to rushing head first into danger at only a moment\u2019s notice and well aware of how danger can be lurking in the most unlikely of places. However, not even he could have anticipated becoming embroiled in a far-reaching conspiracy while enjoying a family vacation in the peaceful village of Oia on the island of Santorini, Greece.

Still, the Hunter family\u2019s much-needed break is brought to a sudden end when wife Mia\u2019s bag is snatched. Hunter immediately gives chase to the thief, but when he corners the kid in what appears to be a small shop, he finds himself confronted by a gun-toting bruiser who looks like a pro wrestler and a sinister man in a white suit. The pair warn that Hunter won\u2019t see his family again unless he does a job for them in Corfu in thirty-six hours, a job involving a deadly hyperbaric plasma sphere.

While Hunter\u2019s strength and advanced military training\u2014to say nothing of the tactics he has taught his family\u2014mean that they are all able to escape this initial danger, he still has to get to the bottom of the terrorists\u2019 plot, especially as it seems that radiation generated by the elusive sphere is already causing major health problems on the East Coast of the United States. Fortunately, Hunter and his crack team are no strangers to dealing with nuclear threats, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to contain the danger.

The Greek Gambit is an explosive techno-thriller that highlights the significant peril posed by unchecked technological development, greed, and ideology. As the conspiracies, lies, and double-crosses come thick and fast, a feeling of nail-biting tension and a serious sense of danger permeate the story, which are cleverly enhanced by the many well-written and scarily plausible action sequences. The character of Colonel Hunter also adds to the realism and excitement of the story, as he\u2019s an archetypal action hero with all the knowledge and skills necessary to save the day.

Packed with thrills, spills, and nefarious happenings, The Greek Gambit is an exhilarating story from start to finish. It should make a great read for fans of Tom Clancy\u2019s Op-Center series, Vince Flynn\u2019s Mitch Rapp series, and Brad Thor\u2019s Scot Harvath series.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "22-Dec-2022", "date_added": "17-Nov-2022 23:31:56", "publisher": "Dingbat", "page_count": "274 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011855007", "title": "The Greek Gambit", "author": "Charles A. Salter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 435, "review": "Blake Hunter, the head of the U.S. military\u2019s Nuclear Response Team, doesn't have much time for much other than work. Unfortunately, his time with his family on holiday in Greece is cut short when he is contacted by some suspected Greek terrorists who threaten him and his family. Meanwhile, random people around the North Carolina coast are aging quickly and dying within a week, which is thought to be caused by some strange new sort of radiation. Blake and his team must act quickly to take down the well-organized, merciless criminals who will violate any limits for more control, with his family and the globe in danger. The Greek Gambit by Charles A. Salter is a fast-moving, action-filled story about the hazards of modern technology and a perilous mission to save the planet.

I was immensely motivated by the protagonist of the novel, who is not one to back down from a task, choosing to go after powerful criminals and risk losing his most vital relationships. Despite major physical problems, his ambition to succeed and save his loved ones drives him forward. At the same time, I was incensed by the book's terrible characters, such as Beria, who has a soundproof chamber in which he sexually assaults his victims. These two sides of the plot are presented through an insightful representation of Blake's thoughts and ambitions, as well as his well-placed discoveries and terrifying interactions with the adversary.

Subtexts of family, solidarity, and love lurk behind the layers of the urgent quest to save the world. Special moments of joy and bonding are infused into the story through a genuine picture of an endearing relationship between Blake and his family and even his team. Charles creates convincing characters by using conversation and behaviors that correspond to the characters' ages, desires, and temperaments. For example, the protagonist's son, like any child who meets terrible individuals, might question why certain people are bad.

Fans of plots with highly competent protagonists and sophisticated technology, such as the James Bond series, should read this book. The vividly depicted action sequences are excellent movie material, and I appreciated the use of functional technology, such as GPS and sensors that tell the protagonist's location and health state, as well as a holographic shield that works as an invisibility cloak.

This all-around thrilling story offers readers an opportunity to immerse themselves in the exciting and challenging world of a relentless agent on a highly dangerous mission from the comfort of their own homes, as well as appreciate the mundane after exploring the possibility of losing it all in the book. A tremendously captivating and addictive experience!", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "02-Dec-2022", "date_added": "17-Nov-2022 23:31:40", "publisher": "Dingbat", "page_count": "274 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011855003", "title": "Collect Call to My Mother: Essays on Love, Grief, and Getting a Good Night's Sleep", "author": "Lori Horvitz", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 425, "review": "Collect Call to My Mother is a beautifully put-together compilation of essays written by author Lori Horvitz about life, love, happiness, grief, and all the little things in between. Horvitz starts her memoir with the title story, \"Collect Call to My Mother,\" in which she tries calling her mother collect from a payphone in Oslo. Her mother does not accept the call, and Lori sits in the phone booth, stunned. The relationship between Lori and her parents is interesting, to say the least. One of four children born in five years, Lori knows that her mother, a child of Russian immigrants who grew up during the Great Depression, may have found solace in hoarding and being stingy. She doesn't remember her mother ever hugging her, which I found really sad.

em>Collect Call to My Mother follows Lori through life as she meets new people, some wonderful and some toxic. There are thirty-five individual stories that Lori chose to tell encompassing her life. The book does not necessarily follow a chronological order, however, this is okay since each story reads just fine as a standalone.

As a gay, Jewish woman growing up in the 60s and 70s, life was not always sunshine and roses. Lori describes how she had a boyfriend here or there but then realized that she really liked women. Many of the stories in the book describe the women she dated. One woman was a gift-giver and lavished Lori with flowers, fancy dinners, and shopping sprees. Lori said she \"didn't know how to not accept her presents, just like [she] didn't know how to not accept her attention.\" To her, the iPad and fleece jacket made her feel like a prostitute. In many of her relationships, it seemed like Lori wanted out of the relationship so badly but couldn't find a way to break it off and not go back.

I really enjoyed the chapters in which Lori described her grandmother Becky and grandpa Harry. The dialogue between the characters is so straightforward and honest. Trips to Coney Island and Brighton Beach are clearly the happier times in the author's life and are sprinkled throughout the book.

Each chapter in this book is truly a new adventure. Lori's life lessons have made her who she is today. As a college professor, not only does she teach her students, she learns from them as well. Her childhood, travels around the world, and many experiences are shared in this gorgeous compilation. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a great memoir that will make them laugh and cry.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2022 20:15:22", "publisher": "New Meridian Arts", "page_count": "230 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011854003", "title": "A Hell Uncertain", "author": "L. Santiago Calero", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 62, "review": "\"With detailed setting descriptions and deep conversational dialogue, A Hell Uncertain will draw its readers in. Experience the sights, smells, and sounds of New York during the Vietnam War era. Emotions run high in this coming-of-age story about a young man, his friends, and their futures with themes of military enlistment, friendship, trust, racial injustice, and self-awareness.\"\u2014Kyle Eaton, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Nov-2022 22:23:50", "publisher": "Hughston House", "page_count": "287 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011853039", "title": "The Five-Bottle Bar", "author": "Jessica Schacht", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 211, "review": "I was so excited to get a copy of this book. After all, as the author describes the book, it is like a capsule closet for cocktails: keep these five main spirits on hand, and you can make all these drinks (plus the extra little ingredients, of course). The author, who is the co-founder of an award-winning distillery, lists these five spirits, how to make them, and a little history of each: gin, whisk(ey), vermouth (dry and sweet), and Campari. Now, being a vodka, no gin girl myself, I was surprised that vodka was not on the list, so I read up a little more on the gin section. It turns out gin is actually a flavored vodka. Can I substitute my favorite vodka for the gin in these recipes? Maybe. Will I? Definitely. The book also gives five extra ingredients you'll need, tools, and an explanation of glassware. The recipes look quite delicious, and the photos are simple and almost reminiscent of those found in a 1950s cookbook like your mom had. I also love that bubbly is included as a sixth bottle (YES!!!), and there are some fun non-alcoholic drinks too. This book is a great learning experience for anyone who wants to learn the art of mixing cocktails.", "issue": "December 2022", "date_posted": "05-Dec-2022", "date_added": "16-Nov-2022 18:58:33", "publisher": "TouchWood Editions", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012017003", "title": "Turn Your Passions into Profits: The Proven Path for Building a Rewarding Online Business", "author": "Matt McWilliams", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 202, "review": "As someone who loves a good self-help business book, I was excited to pick up a copy of Matt McWilliams' new book Turn Your Passions into Profits. But as I started reading it, I felt that it was just another book repeating things that every other self-help business guru was putting out there. Things like \"Clarify Who You Help,\" \"Be one step ahead of your followers,\" and \"Find Your Superpowers\" has been said and done before. It wasn't until I reached a little past the midpoint of the book that I saw some great value in what Matt was giving his readers. Tips like \"don't send your posts in email,\" how to use affiliate marketing with even a small email list, how to copywrite effectively, and the best section, in my opinion\u2014\"How to Create More Content.\" Matt also gives a good amount of tools that entrepreneurs can use, most of them being free. The last chapter, \"This is Not the End,\" sums up each of the ten steps given in the book on how to turn your own passion into a moneymaker. This is a great guide for anyone who doesn't know where to start when wanting to create a business plan.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "30-Jan-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 20:03:30", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "276 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012016027", "title": "The Blackhouse: A Novel", "author": "Carole Johnstone", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 188, "review": "Robert Reid moved his family to Kilmeray, a small isle off the coast of Scotland. He attempts to build a new life far away from a secret in his past. When Maggie MacKay is five, her mother brings her to Kilmeray because Maggie has claimed she is a man from there who has been murdered. Other than creating some rifts, nothing much came of that. Now, twenty years later, Maggie has returned to Kilmeray to discover the truth, about who she is and what happened to Robert. It all begins at The Blackhouse.

A truly gothic tale that is absolutely atmospheric. This is one of those stories where the setting itself becomes one of the characters. If you enjoy happy endings, this book isn\u2019t for you. However, if you enjoy stories about the complicatedness of humans, you will love this book. I feel pretty horrible for everyone on the island, but especially for Will. I don\u2019t know if there is any coming back from that if he ever found out the truth. If you want to discover all the secrets of Kilmeray, I highly recommend you read this book.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "13-Mar-2023", "date_added": "30-Dec-2022 19:21:35", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012016003", "title": "The Game is a Footnote (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery)", "author": "Vicki Delany", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 211, "review": "Gemma isn\u2019t a stranger to investigating mysteries but this is her first time investigating a potentially haunted house. Scarlet House has a long history and when it's suspected of being haunted, Gemma is called upon to see for herself if it\u2019s true. With the help of her friend Jayne, she sets out to eliminate the possibility of ghosts and prove there\u2019s a logical explanation. The task proves more difficult than she thought when a mysterious break-in and the discovery of a dead body lead to only one conclusion - something sinister is afoot at Scarlet House.

Delany delivers a charming and delightful plot that is reminiscent of a classic mystery with elements of a whodunit and a locked room mystery. The Scarlet House feels straight out of a Sherlock Holmes or Miss Marple mystery as it creates a setting ideal for murder, suspense, hauntings, and secrets. The history behind the house gives the story a rich background that incorporates eeriness into the tone. The plot never shies away from having fun, such as Gemma and Jayne\u2019s pajama party at the house taking a ghostly turn and opening up to a greater mystery than either expected. The Game is a Footnote is a love letter to classic mysteries with suspense, sleuthing, and humor.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 19:38:45", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012015027", "title": "A Ruinous Fate (Witch's Dice)", "author": "Kaylie Smith", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 12", "word_count": 190, "review": "Calla Rosewood lives in hiding from the witch queens, never staying in one place for more than a few months. Her Roles of Fate have determined that she will be the sixth- and final- Blood Warrior, and the queens seek to destroy her before she makes her final role and begins the Final War. But when her ex betrays her, it leads her one step closer to completing her Final Role and fulfilling her fate as a Blood Warrior, and Calla is desperate to do whatever it takes to change her fate before it\u2019s too late\u2026

While fleeing for her life, Calla must travel through the Neverending forest with an unlikely team. Can she change her fate? Or will she lose everything trying? I liked this book because it was entertaining, fun, and easy to get through. On the other hand, Calla and the other characters didn\u2019t have a lot of personality, the plot was extremely predictable, the world-building was rather vague, and the story was repetitive. Overall, I would not recommend this book, but if you enjoy tropey, easily readable YA literature, then this is the book for you.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2023", "date_added": "30-Dec-2022 22:59:02", "publisher": "Disney-Hyperion", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012015023", "title": "Decolonization: Unsung Heroes of the Resistance", "author": "Pierre Singaravelou, Karim Miske, Marc Ball", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 223, "review": "Translated from French, Decolonization: Unsung Heroes of the Resistance focuses on the personalities that shaped post-colonial revolutions across the world. Authors share stories about the struggles against invasion, anchoring historical and cultural resistance from the point of view of people whose freedoms were curtailed as their lands and resources were forcibly taken. The book highlights stories of revolutionaries who asserted their freedoms against the British and French colonial projects in Algeria, India, Vietnam, Senegal, and others. The history of religious and ethnic oppression is also merged with an enlightened view of economic subjugation.

Each story reflects the rebellious tone of revolt, insurrection, and insubordination. We learn that violence was often necessary to drive out European domination and reclaim social and economic power. The authors take great care to highlight women revolutionaries such as Kenya\u2019s Mary Muthoni Nyanjiru and India\u2019s Sarojini Naidu, shattering gender stereotypes that persist to this day.

This illustrated volume includes photos of different aspects of the struggle, from Kikuyu women forced to work on British plantations to refugees fleeing East Punjab after the partition of India and Pakistan. This is an important volume for anyone seeking to broaden their knowledge about the lasting legacy of colonization. Through this book, American students of social movements will learn about the different strategies used by freedom-seekers and truth-tellers in demolishing colonial power structures.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2023", "date_added": "30-Dec-2022 19:26:15", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012015011", "title": "Snuffed Out (Magic Candle Shop Mystery)", "author": "Valona Jones", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 173, "review": "Snuffed Out is a cozy mystery about the Winfield twins, Tabby and Sage, who own The Book and Candle Shop in Savannah. When an irate customer named Blithe McAdams comes into the shop, the twins give her a refund and free lotion to appease her. Blithe is known around town to not be the easiest person to talk to. When Blithe ends up murdered, Gerard, an employee of the shop is arrested. Tabby immediately starts her own investigation to things because she knows Gerard didn't commit the crime.

This book is a breath of fresh air. Tabby and Sage are energetics, a trait inherited from their mother which they also share with their aunt. Both ladies have a love interest in the book and I really liked the quirky Medical Examiner named Quig who Sage starts dating. This book is fun, adventurous, and perfect to curl up on the couch with. A small town cozy murder mystery that will make readers feel like they are part of the community, Snuffed Out is a winner!", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 20:46:05", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012015003", "title": "The Tudors in Love: Passion and Politics in the Age of England's Most Famous Dynasty", "author": "Sarah Gristwood", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 197, "review": "Outside of the current English monarchs, the Tudors appear the most often in printed works. It is extremely difficult for any authors to explore areas that have not already been covered though Sarah Gristwood makes a valiant effort in exploring how the Tudors used courtly love and politics during their time. This book explores the world of courtly love and how the use of verse, poem, and story was used to make declarations of love during an era when arranged marriages were the norm for the high-born in society and that love was a secondary feature if love was ever considered at all. Gristwood takes her time exploring how courtly love came to be in Europe through the rise of the romances, especially the Arthurian romances, before exploring how the different Tudor monarchs explored their passions in verse themselves, whether it was for a mistress or a wife. Like anything with the Tudors, politics is involved and there is no getting away from the fighting, martial prowess, and insecurity the Tudors constantly felt. Overall, there is not much new for people already familiar with this famous family and it rehashes the major points like many other books.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "13-Mar-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 18:55:48", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012014007", "title": "Edible Economics: A Hungry Economist Explains the World", "author": "Ha-Joon Chang", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 205, "review": "This book uses food as a bait to spur a discussion on macroeconomics. Some discussions, such as using bananas to discuss the impact of multinational corporations, flow well. However, in others the connection between food and economics seems forced. Each chapter starts with a food item, connects it to a topic in economics, and critiques the underlying economic theory. The critique is providing historical examples of where the outcomes were not as initially intended. The chapter ends by providing some suggestions for how to remedy the situation (generally with greater government regulation).

While the economic discussion is stellar and free of equations, the concepts are sometimes so oversimplified as to miss the inherent nuances, which may ultimately lead to suboptimal solutions. Each chapter is a stand-alone chapter, and there does not seem to be any effort to link them together into a coherence whole. While many facets of economics are discussed, the solution always seem to be more government regulation. Readers who distrust increased government regulation may not find the solutions as viable. However, the book is a nice look at how common economic assumptions are sometimes flawed and the reasons why application of these policies may not be as straightforward as economics may suggest.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2023", "date_added": "30-Dec-2022 23:05:48", "publisher": "PublicAffairs", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012013035", "title": "Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage", "author": "Jeff Guinn", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 200, "review": "On April 19, 1993, the FBI had exhausted their patience with the Branch Davidians after a nearly three-month standoff. A breach had been ordered to get the men, women, and children residing in the Mount Carmel compound to surrender. The tanks began to toss tear gas into the compound. However, by mid-day, fires began to spread. Similar to the ATF raid that initiated the siege, things went terribly wrong. By the end of the apocalyptic inferno, 76 Branch Davidians were dead. The Branch Davidians, an offshoot of the Seventh Day Adventists, had anticipated the end times and were devoted to their leader, David Koresh. The ATF and FBI saw a cult that was violating laws and went all out to bring them to their knees.

Author Jeff Guinn has distinguished himself as a true crime author with his past works (The Road to Jonestown, Manson), and Waco furthers his credentials. Guinn compiled a remarkable record of the deadly shoot-out and tense standoff that mesmerized the nation for 51 days. Guinn maintains an even-keeled approach in his delegating of the blame for the tragedy and this book will serve as a reason why Waco must not be forgotten. A true crime classic.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "14-Mar-2023", "date_added": "30-Dec-2022 23:08:05", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012013019", "title": "A Sweet New Year for Ren", "author": "Michelle Sterling,Dung Ho", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 201, "review": "The Lunar New Year is approaching - a happy time for family and friends to join in celebration and awe. When Ren pleads to be included in the cooking festivities this year, Mama says, \u201cYou\u2019re still too little, Ren.\u201d Everyone is sure she\u2019s not ready, even Auntie Weili who prepares the noodles that are so long they could reach the sky. So, she decides to try it on her own; she longs to show her big brother Charlie she can make her beloved pineapple cakes. In the end, the two of them create delightful treats to contribute to a day filled with love and togetherness.

This is an indelible story about tradition, family, and culture. Red envelopes with money for the little ones, Chinese lanterns delicately swaying in the distance, and brightly-colored fruits and candies of all sorts are lavishly displayed through brilliant illustrations and rich imagery-filled text.

This is an ideal book for educators of second and third-grade students to utilize as a means of introducing multiculturalism into their classrooms. Children will find it interesting as well as light-hearted. Many in this age group (those between eight and nine) will be able to read it with limited assistance or even independently.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "13-Mar-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 22:10:41", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012013007", "title": "Stranger Things Omnibus: Afterschool Adventures (Graphic Novel)", "author": "Greg Pak,Danny Lore, Valeria Favoccia", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 126, "review": "Will and his besties are back in three new adventures. In one book, the Mike, Dustin and friends imagine that they are turned into zombies, so they turn it into a play for school! In another book, Erica not only knows how to play Dungeons & Dragons but she becomes the Dungeon Master! All hail Queen Erica!

In another book, Eleven got bullied by Troy, but embarrassed him when she put him in his place. So now Troy wants to pretend like it's just a game they are playing with others.

These graphic novels were really fun to read! I really loved watching Stranger Things but the books were so fun! I hope there are more books to come in the series! The graphics were fun and imaginative.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 20:26:10", "publisher": "Dark Horse Comics", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012012019", "title": "Very Good Hats", "author": "Emma Straub, Blanca Gomez", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 186, "review": "Any child can tell you what a hat is. Except that a hat isn\u2019t always what we think it is, and a head isn\u2019t always the place for a hat. One might need hats for the tips of their fingers. And finger-tip hats can be many things\u2014raspberries, tortellini, or other fun things. If it\u2019s cold outside, a cat or other small, furry animal might be a perfectly good hat for one\u2019s head. Bath bubbles make a good hat, but only for a short time. Some jobs require special hats, like chefs and cowboys and pirates and firemen. Pajamas make dangly hats and towels make pointy hats. And bowls and leaves and clouds and more make hats.

Author Emma Straub has written a silly but very comprehensive look at hats and what constitutes a hat. The writing is fresh and awfully clever. The littlest of listeners and the youngest of emerging readers will find this to be a very fun book. The bright, primitive illustrations by Blanca G\u00f3mez are filled with delightful details, support the text beautifully, and will help to keep young listeners and readers engaged.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 22:05:50", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012011023", "title": "Night Shift", "author": "Robin Cook", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 190, "review": "Night Shift is a medical suspense thriller that readers will find captivating. Medical Examiner Jack Stapleton knows something fishy is going on when his close friend, Dr. Sue Passero, dies from cardiac arrest even though she is extremely healthy. He pulls all the strings and calls in favors from hospital staff and the lab to try and figure out how this could have happened. As he digs deeper and asks more questions, another doctor is found dead in her home. Could this be the doing of a hospital serial killer like Jack and his wife encountered several years ago? And if so, what is his or her motive? Jack knows Sue was onto something, which is why she may have been killed. But how did the killer make it look like a heart attack?

Readers will love following the feisty Medical Examiner as he rides his bike through the streets of Manhattan searching for answers to his friend's death. He finds himself in plenty of hot water with hospital administrative staff but will stop at nothing to figure out what really happened. Fans of medical thrillers will love this one.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 20:36:54", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012011015", "title": "The Noom Mindset: Learn the Science, Lose the Weight", "author": "Noom", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 209, "review": "The Noom Mindset is the companion book to the Noom app, which helps users make better health decisions. Whether it's creating a relationship with food, deciding to exercise or not, or learning different methods to destress, Noom can help its users with all of these. The biggest takeaway from this book was that there is no right or wrong plan for anyone. We must decide for ourselves what we want, be mindful of everything from our environment to our own self-deprecating thoughts, and learn from everything we do.

This book is great for anyone who doesn't want to be on a strict diet or exercise plan. It gives the readers options that they can customize to their lifestyle. The book gives ideas on popular diets and their descriptions and tools, such as charts and graphs, to analyze where you are now and figure out where you want to be in the future. It gives a list of helpful affirmations on days when you don't feel like doing anything but sitting and eating chips and talks about giving yourself rewards throughout your program. It also includes a glossary of the different terms used in the book. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to start a health and fitness journey.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "24-Jan-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 20:05:21", "publisher": "S&S/Simon Element", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012011007", "title": "What Lies in the Woods: A Novel", "author": "Kate Alice Marshall", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 206, "review": "Two eleven-year-old girls run out of the woods. Their friend has been murdered, they say. Only Naomi Shaw isn't dead. She was stabbed seventeen times, once in the face. The girls, Liv, Cass, and Naomi, identify a man rumored for picking up hitchhiking women and killing them, and he is convicted. Now, several years later, Alan Stahl dies in prison of cancer, and all of the feelings the girls have about the man come back. But the girls also know that they lied about that day. After all, they were only playing their Goddess game and watching over the skeleton they found who was wearing a bracelet that said \"Persephone.\"

This book is one of the best thriller suspense novels I have ever read. It is pieced together so well, with everything coming together at the end. The story is told from the point of view of Naomi, whose personal life seems to be hanging on by a thread. She finds herself in danger multiple times as she tries to uncover and remember the secrets of that day. Readers will love this fast-paced mystery set in the woods. Nothing is as it seems, and no one can be trusted. Reminiscent of Chevy Stevens and Ruth Ware novels.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 18:16:47", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012010007", "title": "Wait for Me", "author": "Sara Shepard", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 324, "review": "Lessons of a Teen Roundup\n\nAlthough the books in this roundup may all have very different plots, they have one thing in common. All of these books have a cast of strong teens who are on very special missions. And whether they are researching or fighting or just trying to figure things out, they all learn some very important life lessons along the way. \n\nThe Infamous Frankie Lorde 3: No Admissions\nBrittany Geragotelis\nHoliday House\n9781645951230\n\nFrankie Lorde, a once renowned international thief, finds herself in a predicament once again in the third volume of The Infamous Frankie Lorde. She finds out that a group of wealthy parents is using their influence and wealth to buy their kids into the best institutions. Frankie sets out to get to the bottom of this scandal and in the process learns some important lessons. This book can be read as a standalone.\n\nThe Q\nAmy Tintera\nRandom House Children's Books\n9780593486177\n\nThis action-packed YA novel will have readers cheering as they follow two teenagers from opposite worlds who must right their way through a dystopian America during a pandemic. Seventeen-year-old Maisie has spent her whole life in the Q\u2014the post-pandemic quarantine. Lennon Pierce is the son of a US Presidential Candidate who has been kidnapped and dropped into the Q. The two teens must work together to get Lennon out of the Q before he is permanently infected. This book has many thought-provoking themes including political unrest, medical care, and poverty.\n\nWait for Me\nSara Shepard\nUnion Square & Co.\n9781454945772\n\nCasey Rhodes is a seventeen-year-old in her sophomore year at NYU. When she starts hearing voices, she flees to the beach town of Avon to get away. The voices become more intense and soon she has visions of things and people she knows nothing about including a guy named Jake. This is a thriller suspense novel that has many twists and turns that readers will love.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 19:58:58", "publisher": "Union Square & Co.", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000012010003", "title": "Youniverse: The Quantum Kaleidoscope of You", "author": "Lizelle van der Merwe", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 194, "review": "Open Youniverse and discover the magnificence of the universe and how ornately the fabric of it is interlaced. Its design is masterful, beginning with the infinitesimal atoms that make up every living and non-living thing and moving on to the intricate molecules contained in a single drop of water. They, too, are everywhere: in blood cells that carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body, in organs as complex as the human eye, and even in the chlorophyll that allows plants to thrive. You are yet another of these miraculous wonders; you are the youniverse, and the universe is you.

This book is brilliantly crafted and will be a wonderful resource for upper-elementary school science teachers and students alike. Astronomy and biology enthusiasts will favor it, as will youth with insatiable curiosity about the world around them.

The pages of this spectacular book contain only a limited amount of text, so it\u2019s a relatively quick read. The author\u2019s use of rich figurative language is impressive, and her style is alluring. The illustrations are sensational, featuring vivid hues and striking real-life images set against dark back-matter. They\u2019re certain to leave a lasting impression on young readers.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 18:05:40", "publisher": "Tilbury House", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012009027", "title": "The Bears Shared", "author": "Kim Norman, David Walker", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "The bear's hair is outside their lair, flying everywhere. A bird gathers the hair and uses it to make a warm, soft nest high up in a tree outside the lair the bears share. But a storm comes and the wind howls and blows, battering the warm nest. Rain pours down and the wind blows harder until the branch holding the warm nest cracks and breaks, sending the nest and all the birds swirling down. They all land in a bouncy bush and then slide down the muddy hill right into the bear\u2019s lair, the one with smelly bear hair. Oh, no, not the bear\u2019s lair! What will happen now?

Author Kim Norman has written a delightful rendering of the old poem This is the House that Jack Built with a fresh, new take. Her rhyme and meter are perfect, and the retelling is fun and entertaining. Young listeners will love this wonderful read-aloud, and those who read to them will not mind when it is asked for over and over. The enchanting illustrations by David Walker will keep young listeners fully engaged with the book. This is a sweet book that will be a fast favorite.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "13-Mar-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 22:03:03", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012009023", "title": "Free Spirit Cocktails", "author": "Camille Wilson,Jennifer Chong", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 681, "review": "Eat, Drink, and Be Happy: Books to Make You Say Mmmm\n\nFood and drink are a popular topic in any room. In this collection of books about the things we consume each day, you will find chefs\u2019 secrets, a twist on your favorite drink, stories about how we connect food with memories, and everything else related to food and drink. \n\nConversations Behind the Kitchen Door\nEmmanuel Laroche,Elizabeth Falkner\nMorgan James Publishing\n9781631959172\n\nAuthor Emmanual Laroche brings to the table a compilation of decades-long conversations with some of the world\u2019s most renowned chefs. His search for new foods and flavors has brought insight from those he has met over the years with discussions on topics such as inspiration, culture, life-skills taught in the kitchen, and the creative process of cooking. Anyone who loves food will find this book entertaining and fascinating.\n\nFrom Scratch\nFiona Weir Walmsley\nHardie Grant - Chronicle Books\n9781743798072\n\nA wonderful collection of 200 recipes that will help even the most novice chef create simple foods from scratch. Author Fiona Weir Walmsley brings fun into the kitchen and readers will love making their own mayonnaise, yogurt, mustard, caramel, jams, and more. With beautiful color photographs to display the final products, this cookbook is a staple for all kitchens.\n\nThe Anthropocene Cookbook\nZane Cerpina,Stahl Stenslie\nMIT Press\n9780262047401\n\nOne of the most interesting themes in a cookbook yet, the idea of finding new ways to think and make food in case of future catastrophes. Authors Zane Cerpina and Stahl Stenile imagine ways to make food out of plastic, extracting spices and medicine from sewage, and using human bacteria to make cheese. The projects introduced are certainly food for thought!\n\n60-Second Cocktails\nJoel Harrison, Neil Ridley\nPrinceton Architectural Press\n9781648961762\n\nThis recipe book contains 60 cocktails that can be made in 60 seconds or less. Utilizing a variety of spirits, authors Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley have made cocktail-making easy and enjoyable. Try a Douro Spritz or a Firecracker Margarita! Users of this book will wow their guests with cocktails that look and taste so fancy they\u2019ll think they\u2019re at a 5-star restaurant. Complete with vivid photographs of each drink.\n\nMy First Popsicle\nZosia Mamet\nPenguin Publishing Group\n9780143137290\n\nMy First Popsicle will connect food with emotion for its readers. Food can be used to evoke past memories whether through taste, smell, or visually. Author Zosia Mamet has compiled stories from people that tell readers what food reminds them of what. One storyteller has an obsession with desserts from chain restaurants. One speaks about the cultural responsibility surrounding dumplings. Although not a cookbook per se, the random thoughts and stories will remind its readers of how large a role food plays in our lives.\n\nBar Menu\nAndre Darlington\nRunning Press\n9780762474363\n\nThis book of globally inspired bar food and cocktails will have the eyes of foodies everywhere wide with wanting. From Persian Saffron Pistachios to Sticky Flanken Ribs to Vietnamese Lemongrass Skewers, this book will have your mouth watering. The book also has a list of food and cocktail pairings so hosting will be a no-brainer. Try the Butter Chicken Wings with the Planter\u2019s Punch! Or how about Soba Noodles with a Sake Lillet Spritz? Your guests will think you\u2019re a gastronomy expert!\n\nButter and Flower\nAnn Allchin\nTouchWood Editions\n9781771513708\n\nThis cookbook introduces its readers to cooking with cannabis. With 40 recipes for foods such as oatmeal raisin cookies and gluten-free snickerdoodles and an introduction on how to infuse cannabis into sugar and oils, this book has everything you need to make that \u201cspecial\u201d recipe. Butter and Flower also includes stories from people who have found the medicinal benefits of cannabis to be life-changing.\n\nFree Spirit Cocktails\nCamille Wilson, Jennifer Chong\nChronicle Books\n9781797215006\n\nA collection of 40 zero-alcohol drinks that are based on classic libations, these recipes are a wonderful alternative to the regular booze-filled cocktail. With drinks such as the Apple Pie Mimosa, Art Basil, Passion Fruit Punch, and the Gingerbread Martini, everyone will want to try these tasty concoctions. Perfect for baby showers, weddings, and housewarming gatherings.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 20:43:46", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000012009019", "title": "The Social Climber: A Novel", "author": "Amanda Pellegrino", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 193, "review": "Eliza Bennet is The Social Climber. She\u2019s about to be married to Graham Walker of the well-known Walker family. The Walkers are old money, and Eliza has done her homework very carefully. Her secrets will remain hidden until the perfect time. As her wedding day approaches, she continues with her plans to make sure that everyone gets exactly what they deserve.

I don\u2019t really want to give away anything more than that, so unfortunately, that\u2019s all I can say. However, if you enjoy the television show Revenge, you will love this story. It was very similar, just with a different relationship that the main character needed justice for. It was really interesting to see how far Eliza would go to change herself in order to get revenge. Are guys really that easy to manipulate? That seems to be what books and movies are telling me. After reading this, I, for one, am glad I do not live in this elite world where you can\u2019t trust anybody. Anyway, if you enjoy stories where people get their just desserts, especially if they are part of the one percent, then I highly recommend you read this book.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 20:01:52", "publisher": "Park Row Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012009011", "title": "Polar Bear", "author": "Candace Fleming, Eric Rohmann", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 195, "review": "It\u2019s springtime in the Arctic, and the winter\u2019s deep freeze is beginning to thaw. A mother polar bear and her still-young cubs set off for the arduous journey north. She is starved, eager for that first taste of seal blubber in what seems like a lifetime. As she and her kin trek miles across rough terrain, they struggle to keep up with her neck-breaking pace and impressive endurance. She slows for a bit, and then onward they venture until they reach the water\u2019s edge. They emulate her every move: swimming, hunting, and watching for nearby dangers. December arrives, and with it, the frigid temps, a gentle reminder of what\u2019s to come.

Children ages six to twelve will embrace this gorgeously illustrated picture book. It\u2019s chock-full of fascinating facts about these mammoth creatures of the Northern Hemisphere. Award-winning author Candace Fleming has a remarkable ability to tell the polar bears\u2019 story with interest and intrigue, welcoming readers along on their northbound expedition. She reveals their innate capabilities, unparalleled adaptability, and unrelenting determination to thrive in a region plagued by climate change and an ever-evolving landscape of minimal predictability. They are simply majestic in their own right.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "30-Jan-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 18:36:36", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012009003", "title": "Elephants Remember", "author": "Jennifer O'Connell", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 191, "review": "In Elephants Remember, author and illustrator Jennifer O\u2019Connell writes of Lawrence Anthony\u2019s remarkable journey to save a herd of wild elephants from imminent death. When Lawrence received that initial request for help, he knew he wasn\u2019t equip for the challenge. Being the owner of a wild-animal reserve in Zululand, South Africa, didn\u2019t necessarily make him fit for the job. Despite his reservations, he accepted, and in the days to follow, spent hours gaining the trust of the incorrigible matriarch and her wary herd. In time, he was able to develop a deep relationship with them, one that became especially prominent in his passing.

This is a wondrous story of love, commitment, determination, and companionship. It highlights the impact of a single individual and is beautifully written and illustrated. It will undoubtedly captivate young minds. Animal-enthusiasts and conservationists ages seven to twelve will likely count it among their favorites. They\u2019ll find it inspiring and heartwarming, especially those who have a soft spot for these miraculous creatures. What they do in response to Lawrence\u2019s death is astounding and a true testament to their ability to bond with human beings. They\u2019re capabilities are indeed amazing.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "24-Jan-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 17:54:50", "publisher": "Tilbury House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012008039", "title": "How to Excavate a Heart", "author": "Jake Maia Arlow", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 337, "review": "Young Love and High School Drama Roundup\n\nYoung readers will fall in love with these books that have not only romance but a bit of drama thrown in. There is high school drama, small business owner drama, and even a winter rom-com in this mix of Young Adult reads. \n\nFriends Like These\nJennifer Lynn Alvarez\nRandom House Children's Books\n9780593309674\n\nWhen Jake convinces his girlfriend Jessica to go to Tegan\u2019s end-of-summer party, Jessica reluctantly agrees to go. Then Tegan goes missing from the party and something embarrassing happens to Jessica. This book has themes of sexual assault, teenage sex, and high school drama. With twists and turns throughout the book, readers won\u2019t want to put this one down.\n\nHow to Excavate a Heart\nJake Maia Arlow\nHarperCollins\n9780063078727\n\nA sweet story about a woman named Shani who is getting over a breakup only to accidentally hit May with her mother\u2019s car. A serendipitous relationship resumes as Shani and May find themselves snowed in together. This is holiday romance is perfect for fans of rom-com. Warning: has themes of sexual assault.\n\nThe Book of Us\nShane Peacock\nCormorant Books\n9781770866553\n\nWhen sixteen-year-old Noah is overheard by his girlfriend Miranda talking to another girl, he says something that deeply hurts her. Trying to win her back, Noah writes a book called The Book of Us, which documents his journey to understanding the harm his words have caused. Will this be enough to get Miranda back? Warning: this book has themes of the abuse of girls and women.\n\nSalt and Sugar\nRebecca Carvalho\nInkyard Press\n9781335454331\n\nThe grandchildren of two rival Brazilian bakeries fall in love despite their family history. Lari Ramires\u2019 family owns Salt and Pedro Molina\u2019s family owns Sugar. When Lari\u2019s grandmother passes away and a large grocery store opens in town, Lari must decide if she can trust Pedro enough to save both of their bakeries. This Romeo and Juliet-style romance is delightful from cover to cover. The history of the characters and their culture is refreshing.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Dec-2022 19:05:58", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000012008007", "title": "The Opportunist: A Novel", "author": "Elyse Friedman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 192, "review": "Alana has been receiving urgent text messages from her brothers since her seventy-six-year-old father, Ed, announced he was going to marry his twenty-eight-year-old nurse, Kelly. Alana could care less, since she hasn\u2019t spoken to her father in years, but her brothers won\u2019t let it drop. They are convinced she\u2019s a gold-digger out to steal their father\u2019s billions. They persuade Alana to come to their father\u2019s island to try and talk Kelly out of it. However, Kelly turns out to be a force to be reckoned with and it will take a lot more than a request to get rid of The Opportunist.

Overall, this was a great book, and I would recommend it to those who enjoy revenge stories, especially those with lots of twists. I think the only thing that would make it better is to have had it be longer, with more backstory on the characters. That could have certainly added to the suspense and made the ensuing deaths seem like more of a big deal, instead of just getting rid of characters that you weren\u2019t really attached to. It\u2019s a quick read, making it a great addition to your booklist.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 18:48:22", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012008003", "title": "The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel: The Lost Stories Collection", "author": "Michael Scott", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 189, "review": "Get to know more about Scott\u2019s beloved characters in this stunning collection of short stories. Each story is set during a different time period (ranging from 500 BCE to 2005) and follows various characters from Virginia Dare taking a trip with Edgar Allen Poe to the Flamels making an epic discovery. These stories will take you back into the world of Nicholas Flamel with eight new adventures.

Each journey is fantastic such as Virginia Dare going on an epic adventure with Edgar Allen Poe. The stories are charming and explore a different element of the world with beloved characters at the helm. The collection brings to life more of the folklore and mythology rooted in the world. The stories are original and put a creative spin on various well-known figures such as Krampus and the Pied Piper. Scott proves yet again that he has a true gift for worldbuilding and will make you want even more from this world. So much fun to read these delightful adventures from the first story to the last. The Lost Stories Collection serves as a great companion to The Immortal Nicholas Flamel series.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 17:46:05", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012007023", "title": "All the Blood We Share", "author": "Camilla Bruce", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 198, "review": "All the Blood We Share tells the story of the family of serial killers known as the Bloody Benders. The Benders come to Kansas in 1871, where they open an inn and welcome weary travelers, especially those who travel alone. Those who stay for a meal rarely leave alive. Pa Bender is more than happy with their arrangement, always wanting one more to finance his desires. Ma Bender is ready to be done with their murderous ways. John wants nothing more than to be with his stepsister Kate and will kill anyone who looks at her too long. Kate is left to choose their marks and offer sittings as she pretends to be a medium. Eventually, the body count will become too high, and the Bloody Benders will have to move on once again.

Even in the Old West, it\u2019s hard to imagine an entire family getting away with this much murder. I can only hope in the digital age, it would be a lot less likely. The author\u2019s take on Kate was interesting, as she made her a sociopath who also desired a normal life. If you enjoy fictional retellings of history, this book is for you.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "14-Mar-2023", "date_added": "30-Dec-2022 18:56:33", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012006023", "title": "Financial Feminist", "author": "Tori Dunlap", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 183, "review": "Tori Dunlap, popular podcast host, authors her first book doing what she does best: dispense knowledge about money smarts to women of all ages. Dunlap shares hard-earned know-how about paying off debt, investing, budgeting, building savings, and even negotiating a better salary. Questions geared at uncovering long-held beliefs help readers understand the root of myriad money issues. Guest essays from financial experts round out sound advice offered throughout the book.

While some of the advice dispensed throughout the book is standard fare, Dunlap adds a nuanced view of personal finance by helping readers understand how systems of oppression affect personal choices and the resulting circumstances. By deconstructing the harmful and condescending messages that women get about money, Dunlap helps women overcome the shame and guilt related to money. What sets Dunlap\u2019s approach apart from other financial advice geared toward women is a solid and thorough discussion about spending. Dunlap believes that money is a tool and resource to help people achieve their best life; however, they define it. Spending money on things that give one joy is just as important as saving and investing.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "09-Feb-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 20:35:34", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012006019", "title": "The Nightmare Man: A Novel", "author": "J H Markert", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 190, "review": "The Nightmare Man is the one who gives nightmares to children. What novelist Ben Bookman and Detective Mills know is that nightmares aren\u2019t just for kids. Mills and his daughter, also a detective, are called to investigate a gruesome murder of a family only to discover it exactly as described in Bookman\u2019s latest novel. When the bodies start piling up, Ben becomes the main suspect as each continue to play out like his story. But what he wrote, isn\u2019t the only nightmare come to life. Ben and the detectives will have to discover the link between all the nightmares before they claim more victims.

This was much better than I even thought it would be. The plot was an interesting twist on the classic nightmares come to life. I really enjoyed Detective Mills\u2019 character and his struggles with his gift/curse. The only downside is that the book ended too soon. I would love to see where things go with Bri and Blue. If you enjoy creepy horror stories, this one\u2019s for you. I will never recommend this to my son who struggles with nightmares, but for everyone else, I highly recommend.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "25-Jan-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 20:27:40", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012006015", "title": "Modern Witchcraft with the Greek Gods: History, Insights & Magickal Practice", "author": "Jason Mankey, Astrea Taylor", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 206, "review": "This book incorporates the rich and fascinating history of the Greek gods through a lens of modern witchcraft in this masterful guide. The book covers the main gods in the pantheon with each section devoted to a different god that gives a brief summary of their history with personal insights and spells that will teach you how to channel the gods in day-to-day life. These spells include a home connection spell (with Hestia), a mirror spell to see one\u2019s beauty (with Aphrodite), and protection from evil spirits (with Hekate).

Well-organized and easy to connect with as each section thoroughly explains Mankey and Taylor\u2019s personal connection and gives insight into why they wrote this book. It\u2019s truly fascinating to read the brief rundowns about the gods\u2019 history, including how the stories changed over the years through each new iteration. The spells in this are easy meditation and channeling practices aimed to show anyone looking to learn how to have more peace and harmony in their lives. These range from protection from Lightning with Zeus to a ritual to protect the vulnerable with Artemis. This is a great source for beginners, those curious about modern witchcraft, and those interested in seeing a different perspective of the Greek gods.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 19:27:42", "publisher": "Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012004003", "title": "A Quiet Life: A Novel ", "author": "Ethan Joella", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 207, "review": "Chuck is a new widower struggling to accept the shape of his life without his beloved wife, Cat. Their annual trip to Hilton Head has long been booked, but he can\u2019t imagine being there without her. His grief is complicated by intense, years-long regret over his reaction to Cat\u2019s relationship with a young woman in need. Approaching his porch each morning is Ella, a newspaper carrier facing an entirely different kind of grief: her ex-husband kidnapped their daughter, and Ella hasn\u2019t seen her for months. Elsewhere in town, twenty-something Kirsten works each day at an animal rescue, not looking too closely at the dreams she once had of being a veterinarian. Her father\u2019s violent death has derailed her entire life, and she can\u2019t see a way forward. In fact, none of these bereft characters can, not until their paths cross, offering an unexpected opportunity for not only healing but happiness.

The title of this novel explains its power. The moments rendered here are indeed quiet, and a lack of motion is part of what these characters struggle against. Joella\u2019s gift is a kind of relentless interiority that allows readers to know these characters deeply. Being inside such lives isn\u2019t easy, and readers will encounter crushing, soul-leveling tales.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 01:05:46", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012003003", "title": "101 Greatest Soups on the Planet: Every Savory Soup, Stew, Chili and Chowder You Could Ever Crave", "author": "Erin Mylroie", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "Erin Mylroie has brought us 101 Greatest Soups on the Planet. There are broths, stews, creamy soups, cold soups, and recipes from around the world. Most recipes contain a beautiful photo of the finished soup, while all of them have easy to follow instructions. Many recipes contain slow cooker or instant pot instructions, if you would rather cook it that way than on the stove. There are also ideas on how to make the recipes vegan or vegetarian in many cases.

I love soup, especially thick, creamy, savory soups, so this book was perfect for me. I made both the Bacon Jalapeno Cheeseburger Soup and the Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Browned Butter Gnocchi and Sage. They both turned out amazing! The instructions were super easy to follow. My only suggestion for this book, would be to include a time estimate as both took a bit longer than expected, since I didn\u2019t quite know when to start.

My goal is to make every single soup in this book. Hopefully, at some point, my kids will decide they like soup as well; otherwise, I\u2019ll just have to keep serving it to other people! This book is a must for all soup lovers!", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "30-Jan-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 01:02:01", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012002003", "title": "This Is a Book About Noodles", "author": "Brendan Pang", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 182, "review": "Brendan Pang has curated a delightful and approachable collection of recipes. While the main focus is a celebration of noodles in all their various types and forms, he also includes supporting and/or complimentary recipes to create a well-balanced experience. The book is both visually appealing and organized in a format that is easy to navigate. The photos are clear, appealing, and invite the reader to try their own variation. Nothing comes across as overly fussy or beyond the ability of the average at-home cook.

The thoughtful chapter topics provide Brendan the opportunity to educate the reader on the types of noodles in an easily digestible manner. I particularly appreciated the choose your own adventure options within the recipes. For example, readers had the option to purchase store-bought noodles or they could try their hand at making their own noodles. The same option was provided for sauces. This flexibility allowed the recipe to adapt from a thirty minute quick fix to a full afternoon project depending on your preferred level of involvement.

Overall, it is an excellent addition to any cook book collection.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "13-Mar-2023", "date_added": "29-Dec-2022 01:00:34", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012000003", "title": "The House of Eve", "author": "Sadequa Johnson", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 173, "review": "Readers who love complicated stories about parallel lives will be absorbed by these stories of two women who ultimately share the same destiny. I loved this book because it took me into feeling like I knew these women intimately. They are sexual beings during a time when female sexuality was taboo. Because of these societal strictures, women are constrained from becoming their authentic selves. While both of their roads begin in poverty and deprivation, both share an unrelenting passion for doing fulfilling work and creating better circumstances. Both are willing to humble themselves in the face of circumstances and deal with reality as it presents itself in attempting to crush them into nonentity. Layered onto this story are the further humiliations of being black in a society that only values light skin and compliant blacks. The author is gifted in writing about daily humiliations which resonate throughout one\u2019s life and choices. Ultimately, readers will feel the familiarity of feeling that these lives are real and that even under trying circumstances, achievement is possible.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "13-Apr-2023", "date_added": "27-Dec-2022 19:04:43", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011999007", "title": "Fish Cough", "author": "Craig Buchner", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 448, "review": "Part science fiction, part slightly deranged introspective narration on life, Fish Cough is a surreal ride through the special neurosis that accompanies the mid-life crisis of the formerly hopeful and free-spirited while simultaneously wrestling with a literal alien force intent on bending reality to its will. Thom is a freelance writer living in Portland, Oregon with his husband Howard in the small apartment Thom first moved into when he came to the city as a young man. Unbeknownst to either of them, a meteor shower that occurs every 33 years is about to subtly shift their lives and the lives of those around them into funhouse mirror images of what they were. After the shower, a small meteor becomes wedged in the tree outside their apartment and Thom, already standing on shaky ground in his relationship and feeling stuck and unsure in every other aspect of his life, is the first unfortunate to initially find it with the assistance of a curiously cognizant wild squirrel he later dubs Gordito. The changes in how Thom and Howard relate to one another following the meteor\u2019s appearance, as well as how the lives of their neighbors slowly start to crumble are some of the most imaginatively written events I\u2019ve had the pleasure of reading.

At certain points, I was definitely questioning whether or not Thom was a reliable narrator or if he was simply losing his mind to his own neuroses a little bit. Buchner\u2019s writing style and the way Thom relates his experiences reminded me quite a bit of The Drowning Girl by Caitlin Kiernan, which also features an unreliable narrator, but Fish Cough is honestly in a category all its own. There were so many plainly described yet uncanny things that occurred alongside Thom\u2019s own meandering inner narration that figuring out the reality of the characters\u2019 situation became a kind of captivating puzzle for me. He would sometimes get on one thought train regarding his relationship or an experience from his past that would take a drastic turn and then circle back around to the original point of reference in a strange sort of spiraling thought loop. Afterward, he would have interactions with Howard, or with Gordito that would be just slightly this side of weird that it made me question whether or not his previous ramble actually made sense, or if it just made sense to Thom in his own mind. This coupled with the very visceral changes to Howard\u2019s appearance and demeanor meant it wasn\u2019t quite clear what the reality of the situation was versus Thom\u2019s personal interpretation of it until the end of the book. It\u2019s definitely a must-read for lovers of the strange and unusual.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2023", "date_added": "24-Dec-2022 20:27:57", "publisher": "Buckman Publishing LLC", "page_count": "221 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011999003", "title": "Cost of Deceit", "author": "H. Mitchell Caldwell", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 402, "review": "Jake Clearwater is a former attorney turned law professor who has been sought out for his viewpoints on a sensational murder trial. Jake will be providing analysis for a local TV network where his interpretation of events in the courtroom will be played for the viewing audience. The case involves a police lieutenant who is accused of murdering his wife. The prosecution\u2019s case possesses a lot of circumstantial evidence but is hampered by a key missing item: the wife\u2019s body.

As the prosecution presents its case to the jury, Jake offers a blunt assessment of the prosecutor. Jake\u2019s girlfriend, Lisa St. Marie, is quick to take him to task for his harsh take. Jake\u2019s celebrity has led to a higher profile at the law school, but Jake maintains a level head. His main concern is ushering his students through the fiery combat of trial and getting them prepared to be the next generation of legal minds. Jake is soon offered tenure but must take on more class work as well.

As Jake\u2019s fortunes seem to alter for the better, the trial begins to go downhill. The defense has rattled a witness here and there, and another witness has taken the fifth in lieu of testifying. The trial ends in a hung jury and Jake is stunned. He is even more stunned when the DA\u2019s office approaches him to take over prosecutorial duties in the second trial. Jake has been out of the courtroom for some time and the task of retrying a case can prove daunting. Jake\u2019s sense of justice compels him to accept the position and try to secure a conviction against the Lieutenant.

Cost of Deceit illustrates how there is nothing quite comparable to the drama of a murder trial. A media-saturated spectacle ensues with a heinous crime, a contemptible defendant, and an exorbitant defense. Jake Clearwater is a clever and forthright teacher of the law. Author H. Mitchell Caldwell (Cost of Arrogance) pens an exemplary legal procedural ranking with the works of Turow and Grisham.

Caldwell writes the courtroom scenes in a descriptive and informative fashion. The ends of various chapters are equipped with trial tips for budding lawyers that will grab the reader's attention. The dramatic dynamic of the trial is comparable to the action that occurs outside the courtroom as one proceeding gives way to another and tensions rise. A most enjoyable read from start to conclusion.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "08-May-2023", "date_added": "24-Dec-2022 20:20:01", "publisher": "Nine Innings Press", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011998003", "title": "My Selma: True Stories of a Southern Childhood at the Height of the Civil Rights Movement", "author": "Willie Mae Brown", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 193, "review": "Rather than a book about the civil rights struggle in Selma, Alabama, this is a story about a middle-class happy family and the everyday life therein. Because of the title of this book, the reader will be kept in suspense, hoping that this happy Brown family will be spared what befell so many Selma families in that city\u2019s history. Although Dr. King makes two brief appearances in this memoir, the civil rights struggle is peripheral to the story.

At the start of the book, the writer gives lush and detailed descriptions of her setting; however, when she introduces her father, Dah, on page six, we have no idea what he \u2014 or for that matter \u2014 the rest of her family look like. It occurs to this reader that these setting descriptions contrast with the emotional overlay of segregation dominant in Alabama.

A brief word about the book\u2019s graphics: while the cover is graced with a beautiful illustration, when that motif is carried into the chapter headings, it makes the book look dirty and used. The book is an interesting look at a good family with tight bonds in an otherwise hostile environment.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "19-May-2023", "date_added": "23-Dec-2022 18:44:47", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000011997015", "title": "The Suicide Club: What to Do When Someone You Love Chooses Death", "author": "Alexandra Wyman", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 427, "review": "Alexandra Wyman's book The Suicide Club: What to Do When Someone You Love Chooses Death chronicles her arduous journey of reconstructing her life after her husband's death nearly shattered her will to live. The deeply moving and informative memoir is organized into three sections. The first section, Shock and Awe, describes how she is forced to accept her husband's suicide, her recovery process, and certain business-related duties she had to carry out. The Now What? Phase is where her rebuilding begins, and it includes the emotional fluctuations she experienced, as well as the practical strategies she employed during this time to rebuild and heal. The last section, Finding the Collateral Beauty, walks readers through the stage when she accepted her new reality and embraced her new self. She also began to anticipate what her future held for her. Compassion, love, and forgiveness accompany this stage.

The book shines a light on the experience of losing a loved one to suicide. We observe not just a lady attempting to rebuild her life but also a distraught personality attempting to rediscover joy and happiness. Alexandra shows us her deepest problems and thoughts as she juggles some tough situations with family and friends in this refreshingly honest narrative. I learned numerous essential things about the aftermath of losing a loved one through her various personal experiences and discoveries, including the need to create a will and the meaning of anniversary reactions.

The author's healing process is described in raw, unvarnished words, with nuanced stories that provide useful messages and deep, emotional descriptions. Apart from relating her particular experience of life after a partner's suicide, Alexandra also illuminates other stories and ways people behave in such a situation. For example, she reveals how she prefers to grieve in private while recognizing that others grieve in public and in other ways.

Readers struggling with grief and loss, particularly those who have lost someone to suicide, are likely to find various similar perspectives and experiences in the book. They will also benefit from the author's brilliant observations and suggestions. The captivating book covers topics such as dating as a widow, dreading loss, therapy sessions, making a will, burial arrangements, motherhood, conflict with in-laws, religion, and so on.

As I read The Suicide Club: What to Do When Someone You Love Chooses Death, I was getting to know someone with an admirable drive to forgive, heal, and find love and joy again, despite her loss. Thank you, Alexandra Wyman, for illuminating your path from a place of pain and hurt to a realm of abundance, grace, and strength.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2023", "date_added": "20-Dec-2022 22:57:44", "publisher": "Houndstooth Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011997011", "title": "Rough Justice", "author": "Burt Weissbourd", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 401, "review": "Callie James and Cash Logan are no strangers to dangerous situations. In Rough Justice, a young woman named Sara is getting ready to immigrate to the United States from France. What she doesn't know is that the company she used to complete the transaction actually wants something more from her\u2014her identity. This means they must make Sara disappear. But they don't know what they are getting themselves into. Sara knows how to defend herself. She also finds clues about her mother's past, leading her to Cash and Callie.

Readers will find themselves engaged in Rough Justice from cover to cover. Author Burt Weissbourd does a fantastic job of developing his characters. First, we are introduced to Rosie, an immigration lawyer, and Yu, an immigrant from Hong Kong, with his eyes set on building his own empire. Rosie and Yu partner up to become rich using their skill sets. Readers are then introduced to Sara, a twenty-five-year-old half-Algerian who grew up in an orphanage and reunited with her mother when she was fourteen. Sadly, her mother passed shortly after. She never knew who her father was. The action starts when Sara arrives in Seattle and ends up on a boat with a woman who tries to take her life. This is just the start of a whirlwind of events that happen in Rough Justice.

Cash and his crew trace Sara's experience back to Northwest Trading Company, a company owned by Rosie and Yu. Rosie and Yu know they have their hands full with Cash and so they order a hit on Sara, Cash, and Callie. My favorite part of the book was when Cash and Sara are tied up by one of the henchmen, and Sara saves Cash's life, getting herself shot in the process.

The backdrop to Rough Justice is also well-described from the time Sara arrives in Seattle to the time the crew spends in Cuba. The fast pace of this book makes it easy to follow, and the dialogue between characters flows naturally. There is also a bit of a love story thrown in, not just with Cash and Callie, but with Sara and someone she really finds a connection with when they arrive in Cuba. Overall, Rough Justice is a book that, although part of a series, can be read as a standalone action thriller. Fans of Patterson and Baldacci will love the story, characters, and setting in this captivating adventure.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2023", "date_added": "20-Dec-2022 22:53:11", "publisher": "Rare Bird Books/Blue City Press", "page_count": "232 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011997007", "title": "Handwritten Notes: Learn How a Small Powerful Act Can Enrich Your Life", "author": "Carrie Pierce", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 80, "review": "\"Author Carrie Pierce shows readers how a simple note of gratitude can brighten someone's day. Handwritten notes should be personal, positive, and from the heart. In a world immersed in technology, human-to-human interaction has evolved into a less personable experience via screens. As readers will see, taking a few minutes to create a handwritten note for your client, parent, or child, or even to a complete stranger, can spread joy and happiness to many lives.\"\u2014Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Dec-2022 22:49:23", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "125 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011997003", "title": "Nine Days", "author": "Judy Lannon", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 436, "review": "Sara Austin struggles with a job she no longer enjoys when she learns her mother is ill. Genevieve Austin was never an easy mother to love, and Sara, along with her siblings Jess, Parker, and Ross, has struggled when it comes to getting along with the strong-willed ninety-four-year-old woman. Frankly, she's been a force to reckon with for as long as anyone can remember. But the time has come for the family to come together and rally around Genevieve as she comes to terms with a death she claims she's ready to accept. Will the siblings be able to put aside their differences and find time in their busy schedules to care for their mother? And will Sara find the peace and contentment she's been longing for, even with the possible loss of her mother?

Ms. Lannon has written a profoundly moving story about how women cope when things get tough. While reading this, I was caring for my ninety-year-old aunt, who is also in-home hospice care. This book somehow made me feel less alone. Mainly when it explored Genevieve's care at home. Ms. Lannon exposed the feeling and questions most of us deal with when facing the end of life care with a relative. I loved the way she portrayed her main character, Sara. She was a woman who had many issues and problems to juggle. Not only did she need to care for her mother, but she couldn't help but question how she ended up in a job she no longer finds fulfilling. Plus, she has her husband and children to care for as well. This meant she had little time to relax and care for herself.

Nine Days touches on numerous challenges that many women can relate to. Not only is that what makes it a complex and enjoyable story, but it also seems to me that it would be a perfect fit for a book club. Or a good book to share with someone who has lost a loved one or is caring for someone special. And while Sara Austin might be a fictional character, she embodies what many women of a certain age feel. That sense of time passing and yet a continuing need to find purpose in life and a desire to create or strengthen familial and personal relationships.

Overall, this is a well-written story with well-developed characters and themes. It is easy to get drawn into their worlds and events, making this one I will remember for some time. I hope the author continues to create moving and enjoyable stories that touch readers' hearts. I know I would love to read more.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2023", "date_added": "20-Dec-2022 22:44:21", "publisher": "Atmosphere Press", "page_count": "232 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011996011", "title": "What A Wonderful World!", "author": "M.G. Crisci", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 96, "review": "\"A photography collection that is sure to brighten up any coffee table that it adorns, What A Wonderful World! comprises a multitude of stunning and uplifting images captured during a lifetime spent traveling the world. Themed according to the predominant color and illustrating different people, places, and experiences, M.G. Crisci\u2019s work beautifully reflects the panoply of emotions associated with life on this extraordinary planet. Whether you\u2019re an armchair traveler or a real-life globetrotter, Crisci\u2019s photographs are sure to inspire and prompt deep reflection on all that is good in the world.\" \u2014Erin Britton, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Dec-2022 20:35:19", "publisher": "self-published", "page_count": "170 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011996007", "title": "What A Wonderful World!", "author": "M.G. Crisci", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": "", "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 69, "review": "\u201cAn exquisite collection of photographs organized by the colors of a rainbow shows one man\u2019s experiences as he has traveled for a lifetime. The smiles, vivid architecture, and natural beauty captured by these pictures are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From California to Russia to France to Australia and so many more amazing geographical destinations, this book will have readers of all ages in awe.\u201d \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Dec-2022 20:34:45", "publisher": "self-published", "page_count": "170 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011996003", "title": "Soul Wars: An Adventure into the Supernatural", "author": "Chris Kline", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 415, "review": "A pitched battle has been raging between the forces of light and darkness. The light-bearers have been chosen by God to mitigate the actions of Satan\u2019s minions in winning the hearts and souls of humans on earth. In 1958, the battleground is Cambridge, Iowa. A few families have been zeroed in on as possible targets. Sam and Esther Evans are raising their two sons, Josh and Sam Jr, while living in a precarious union. Sam hides a barely contained rage at the world, verbally abuses his wife and sons, and doesn\u2019t conceal his own infidelities. Esther fears she is losing her grip on her family.

Larry Olson is a salesman who is married to the materialistic and vain Rose. Larry worries over his financial stability as Rose squanders dollar after dollar on clothes and primping herself. Their daughter, Debbie, feels neglected while her parents squabble constantly. The demons of anger and resentment push themselves into the Olson house as willfully as the Evans house. Janet Silverstone is married to Marvin and has a daughter named Eva. Janet has lost her mother and is grieving. An ability to commune with her late mother\u2019s spirit leads to a piqued interest in the occult. Soon, Janet behaves in a way that alarms both Marvin and Eva.

The Smiths are new in town. George is married to Mary, and they have a young son named Walter. The couple possesses a deep faith, but it is challenged regularly by the racism the family experience on a daily basis. The desire to cripple the families through division is the goal of the disciples of the antichrist, while angels seek to save each and every one. The only thing that is certain is that this war will be lengthy and harrowing.

Soul Wars is an epic story that tackles the ceaseless war between the forces of good and evil. The characters featured in this sprawling narrative are diverse in their domestic situations but are unified in their lost direction. The stimulating story unfolds over decades as the United States undergoes various shifts in culture and permissiveness, with the characters either adapting to the times or rejecting change as threats to their values. Author Chris Kline writes not merely a morality tale but a generational tug-of-war where faith seems boundless but is put to the test in various ways. The author\u2019s knowledge of the Bible is ubiquitous throughout this story and adds potency to the dramatic narrative that unfolds before the reader. A very powerful entry.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Dec-2022 07:13:34", "publisher": "Workbook Press", "page_count": "388 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011991003", "title": "When You Wish Upon a Lantern", "author": "Gloria Chao", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 195, "review": "Liya and Kai have grown up together as best friends, but an embarrassing misunderstanding splits them. Liya is still grieving over the death of her beloved grandmother so decides to continue secretly granting wishes in their small Chinatown community to keep her memory alive. Liya explains this to Kai after they start hanging out again, and he is a great help and moderator to her plans. Then Liya discovers her family store is at risk, so takes it upon herself to save it. First step: hold a successful lantern festival. When their fathers see them together at the event, innocently searching for stars (though there could be more there), the family feud erupts, and they both say things they shouldn\u2019t. Alone again, they both have things to work through before even thinking of saving their friendship.

The characters are written more as middle school kids than high school, so it\u2019s jarring when more mature thoughts come through. However, their emerging romance is sweet, especially with their shared Chinese and pop cultures and past experiences bringing them together. Liya\u2019s aversion to germs and constant consideration of what she said/did make her different and real. A sweet read.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "16-Dec-2022 17:38:18", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011989003", "title": "How to Sell a Haunted House", "author": "Grady Hendrix", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 201, "review": "Single mother Louise receives a call informing her that her parents have both died, and she returns to her hometown of Charleston to go through their belongings and settle their estate. Louise now lives in San Francisco, and her relationship with her parents and brother is strained. Back in Charleston, she reunites with her brother Mark, and things are tense as they argue about how to handle their parents\u2019 belongings. Things turn sinister when their mother\u2019s beloved puppets seem to haunt Louise, and the story takes a turn as she tries to escape from either vivid hallucinations or a true haunting.

I was not prepared for the wild ride of How to Sell a Haunted House! This book was comedically creepy, and it was a weird story that I couldn\u2019t put down. Grady Hendrix has a wild imagination and made the dolls and puppets in Louise\u2019s family home become nightmarish! I enjoyed the flashbacks to Louise and Mark\u2019s childhood and they helped create a cohesive story around the evil puppet Pupkin\u2019s existence. This book was terrifying but also so far out there; it was truly captivating. The ending went a bit off the rails, but I was absorbed in this book!", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2023", "date_added": "16-Dec-2022 17:29:44", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011988019", "title": "Sizzle Reel", "author": "Carlyn Greenwald", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1073, "review": "Five New Romances for April\n\nSpring head first into some new romantic fiction this April and experience all the thrill, spills, and chills that accompany a fantastic love story. The five novels featured in this roundup are all forthcoming releases packed with fun, frolics, and plenty of humor, and they\u2019re all certain to put you in the mood for romance.\n\nFive First Chances by Sarah Jost\n\nHave you ever felt like you missed the chance for something great? Something that could have changed your life for the better? Such worries plague Lou as she muses on the currently unsatisfactory status of her life: single, unfulfilled, stuck in a city far from home, and watching those around her celebrate their happiness. Not all is lost, however, as Lou is given the chance to travel back in time to two days in the past, to the point where one small decision had a major impact on everything. Although this allows her to correct her mistakes, Lou\u2019s new decisions and actions send her in unexpected directions, ultimately trapping her in some kind of time loop. Interestingly, during each attempt to change the past for the better, she finds herself interacting with the same friend of a friend. Could it be the sign of something? Five First Chances by Sarah Jost explores how the greatest love stories are often the most unexpected love stories, with serendipity playing a significant role in the search for happiness.\n\nSizzle Reel by Carlyn Greenwald\n\nCarlyn Greenwald\u2019s Sizzle Reel follows would-be cinematographer Luna Roth as she navigates the surprising complexities associated with coming out as bisexual at the age of twenty-four. She may have the support of her best friend, but she has no intention of coming out to her right-wing parents, nor does she have any idea how to actually flirt with women. Plus, the excessive demands of her boss mean that she has little time for romantic matters anyway. When Luna meets A-list Hollywood actress Valeria Sullivan and senses that there might be an attraction between them, she puts together a plan intended to overcome both her professional and her personal difficulties. But things are never that simply and Luna soon finds herself in danger of losing her career, her best friend, and any chance she had at romance. Can she figure out a way to fulfill all her dreams without hurting those she cares the most about? It all makes for a hilarious rom-com and a surprisingly insight account of life behind the camera in Hollywood.\n\nKing of Wrath by Ana Huang\n\nBillionaire CEO Dante Russo thrives on being in control in both business and life, and he\u2019s so keen on living an ordered life that he has no intention of ever opening himself up to the chaos associated with married life. However, when faced with a blackmail plot, Dante agrees to get engaged to Vivian Lau, a woman he barely knows who just happens to be the daughter of his greatest enemy. Although he initially intends to do everything in his power to avoid the blackmail and break off the engagement without leaving any evidence that it ever took place, as Dante gets to know Vivian better he finds himself strangely reluctant to let her go. For her part, Vivian knows that it is her job to be the perfect daughter and pave the way for her family to enter high society. Marrying Dante would do just that, which is why she agrees to the engagement despite thoroughly disliking him. Yet, against all her instincts, she finds herself falling in love with her future husband. Will love manage to keep this disparate pair together? The second book in Ana Huang\u2019s steamy Kings of Sin series, King of Wrath can be read as a standalone romance novel centered on the idea that opposites can attract in powerful ways.\n\nMoorewood Family Rules by HelenKay Dimon\n\nHelenKay Dimon\u2019s Moorewood Family Rules is an unusual tale of romantic misadventure that is also part crime novel and part family saga. Jillian Moorewood is the oldest and most steady child of the union between a conman and an heiress. She\u2019s the one tasked with keeping the family together and out of trouble, and she\u2019s also the one who had to go to prison to save the bunch of them. After spending over three years behind bars, Jillian has finally been released, and she\u2019s still feeling pretty sore about the whole ordeal. When finally reunited with her family, she\u2019s disappointed to find that they have continued with their criminal ways while she has been away, despite many promises to the contrary. Although none of them want to go legit, Jillian believes that she finally has the leverage to force them to do so. There\u2019s just one problem, how can she convince her relatives to change their lives when her own life is in shambles? Fortunately, with the help of a great aunt and a few new acquaintances (not all of whom are working undercover), she is able to stand on her own two feet and figure out who she really is, including what she wants by way of romance. \n\nJasmine and Jake Rock the Boat by Sonya Lalli\n\nSonya Lalli uses the fabulous setting of an Alaskan cruise as the perfect background for an enemies-to-lovers romance in Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat, which is packed with charm, humor, and meddling aunties! Jasmine Randhawa is commonly thought to have it all\u2014a prefect boyfriend, a great job, and an apartment that makes people green with envy\u2014but she\u2019s really nowhere near as confident or contented as she seems. What\u2019s more, her perfect romance is quickly coming apart at the seams. With her life in near tatters, Jasmine finds herself tagging along on her parents\u2019 vacation, which does nothing for her self-esteem or mood, nor does the fact that the only other person under fifty on the cruise is the big- and pig-headed Jake Dhillon. The pair of them become enemies at first sight: Jasmine hates how Jake is placed on a pedestal for being the perfect son, while Jake dislikes Jasmine\u2019s reputation as a troublemaker. Still, they can\u2019t really stay out of each other\u2019s way on a cruise ship, and after a while they begin to find some common ground, including the fact that they are both keeping secrets from their families. Romance seems to be blossoming, but will it survive the move back to dry land?", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Dec-2022 20:12:31", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011986011", "title": "Stanley's Secret", "author": "John Sullivan, Zach Manbeck", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Barbara Roman", "word_count": 212, "review": "Stanley is a talented boy with big dreams of dancing on stage, but he is too shy to share his gift openly. So while his other classmates participate in sports, Stanley secretly taps away with his pet mice, Squeaker and Nibbles, as his audience. Stanley is surprised to learn that the school principal has discovered his secret and urges him to participate in the school talent show. With only weeks to overcome his shyness, he practices while birds, cats, and his mice friends spirit him on.

Soon, he musters the courage to practice on the school\u2019s auditorium stage. As he ball changes, flaps, and finishes with a spinning tap, Stanley is surprised to hear applause! He has inadvertently danced his way smack into the talent show auditions. But how will he do in the actual competition?

Author John Sullivan has written a meaningful story, told simply and clearly, demonstrating that children can find confidence in doing, in preparing, and in stepping out with courage to share their gifts with the world, and not feel inferior by comparing themselves to others. Zach Manbeck\u2019s illustrations are lively and sweet, the colors magically vivid and appealing. I highly recommend this book for young readers, teachers, and parents to share the important teachable messages it conveys.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2023", "date_added": "16-Dec-2022 19:47:20", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011985019", "title": "Scottish Stories (Everyman's Library Pocket Classics Series)", "author": "Gerard Carruthers", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 168, "review": "This book is an Everyman\u2019s Pocket Classic which is an indicator of the quality in every one of their volume presentations. The book is beribboned and in a wonderful size for fitting into one\u2019s hand while reading. Now shall we move to the contents? I had long forgotten (if I ever knew) the wealth of Scottish authors; Walter Scott, Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, and more than twenty more. The stories were all new to this reader and most intriguing. It was admittedly difficult to stumble over the dialect in some of the stories. The upside was that the reading went slower and more thoughtful, allowing this reader to immerse in the story and characters therein, an unusual bunch. This collection reminds me of my delight in childhood stories such as these; traveling to another world and finding characters that one has not met in real life, from fishmongers to gaoler\u2019s daughters to livestock herders who all work hard and have the pride that goes with it.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2025", "date_added": "16-Dec-2022 19:58:48", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011985015", "title": "The Lost Wife", "author": "Susanna Moore", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 170, "review": "It\u2019s 1855, and Sarah Brinton makes the bold decision to pursue a longstanding goal: to seek out a childhood friend who\u2019s invited her to travel West. This requires her to leave her child and abusive husband, but Sarah knows she must do this to save her own life. Life in the West is difficult, especially when she discovers her friend has died, but Sarah is savvy and practical. With a new doctor husband and more comfort than she ever could have imagined at the Indian agency where her husband works, she establishes a new life for herself and, to her surprise, befriends the Sioux women.

When tensions ignite between the tribes and the white settlers, Sarah\u2019s life is upended. Captive with her two children as the two sides battle, she\u2019s caught between worlds--distrusted by both the Sioux and her white community. Her journey is based on a true story, and Moore has given Sarah a riveting, unexpected voice that breathes welcome new life into a story more meaningful today than ever.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2025", "date_added": "16-Dec-2022 19:51:42", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011983003", "title": "I Am a Little Chef", "author": "Mayumi Oono", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 128, "review": "I Am a Little Chef is a fun interactive book to learn all about cooking. There are so many different types of ways to cook foods. This book shows there are many different types of food from all over the world.

This book was perfect for my little sister, but I liked it too. I liked how it showed all the different ways to cook foods, like broil, grill, etc. The book was so fun with interactive fold-out pages. In the back of the book was an envelope that had pages of different types of plates one could make with stickers. There were so many stickers. We really enjoyed this book. We saw that there are more books in the series, and can't wait to explore them all!", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "02-Aug-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 20:57:00", "publisher": "Tra Publishing", "page_count": "30 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011981019", "title": "Cleopatra's Daughter: From Roman Prisoner to African Queen", "author": "Jane Draycott", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 196, "review": "Cleopatra Selene was the only surviving daughter of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra VII and Roman Triumvir Marc Anthony. In Cleopatra's Daughter, Jane Draycott examines her life and times by following her journey as a princess until the death of her mother and father. Afterwards, she traces her steps as a Roman prisoner where she lived under the tutelage of Octavia, the sister of Augustus Caesar, until she married another royal prisoner. Finally, with the well-placed marriage to King Juba II of Mauretania, she could reclaim some of her earlier power, privilege, and esteem by reigning as his queen as they represented Rome's political and economic interests in North Africa.

Draycott provides insight into the Roman Empire and Egyptian life during the time of Cleopatra Selene, giving readers a full picture of what life must have been like for her. It's well-researched and full of interesting facts and details that history buffs will find satisfying and exciting. And for those readers like myself who have often thought women haven't received their rightful place in the history books, this one goes quite some way in recognizing that they have long played an interesting and influential role in the past.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "17-Apr-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 21:42:20", "publisher": "WW Norton", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011981011", "title": "Doe's Dandelions (Woodland Friends, 4)", "author": "Laura Renauld,Jennie Poh", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 201, "review": "Doe's Dandelions is the story about a doe (deer) who was excitedly getting ready for the Petal Parade with her friends Porcupine, Squirrel, and Bear. Doe grew daffodils, Porcupine had petunias, Squirrel had snowdrops, and Bear had bluebells. Doe found many dandelions in her grass one day and became scared of the weed! She went to visit her friends to warn them about the dandelions and found that they weren't worried but thought of Doe's \"weed\" as a snack, a pretty color in a bouquet, or something to help you make wishes. This gave Doe something to think about; would she change her mind about dandelions or would they stay a weed?

Doe's Dandelions teaches us that people might think of things differently and that it's okay and good to hear what other people think because different thoughts could make more sense. Doe did a good job of letting her friends know what was bothering her and also listening to them and hearing what they thought of her \"problem.\" I liked the colors in the story with the different flowers and I might have to try doing my own Petal Parade when it gets warmer with the instructions at the end!", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 18:57:04", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011981007", "title": "76 Hours: A Novel of Tarawa", "author": "Larry Alexander", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 207, "review": "Acclaimed author Larry Alexander brings readers a riveting account in 76 Hours: A Novel of Tarawa. Told from the American and Japanese perspectives, characters from both sides reveal what takes place behind the lines. The Japanese Emperor convinces his troops the Americans are weak and incapable of winning. He insists they\u2019ll be defeated; the legacy and strength of his country depends on it. Kenji Sakai, Leading Seaman, is young and fearful but determined to take on the task. Private Peter Winston Talbot with the U.S. Marine Corps is as well, but what they both learn as the hours unfold is that nothing prepares one for war.

This is a harrowing work of historical fiction. \u201cHardball\u201d Talbot, a man whose childhood was denigrated by an abusive, alcoholic father, witnesses the death of countless lives. His experience fighting for control is nothing short of surreal. The internal toll the seventy-six hours take on him, as well as what led up to them, is unfathomable. Alexander\u2019s acute details and realistic depictions enable readers to feel they are right there alongside Talbot and Sakai as the minutes tick by and up until the final, unexpected defeat. Those who favor emotional and graphic war stories will undoubtedly find this a compelling read.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "11-Apr-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 18:53:32", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011980015", "title": "Midcentury Cocktails: History, Lore, and Recipes from America's Atomic Age", "author": "Cecelia Tichi", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristin Jarrett", "word_count": 190, "review": "Midcentury cocktails by Cecelia Tichi is a fun book to have and share. I enjoyed the various chapters and structure and, of course, the cocktail recipes. This book has a great layout in that each chapter discusses an interesting part of midcentury life and then shares cocktails tied to it.

For instance, the \"Green Book\" chapter told of the purpose of the Green Book (to provide safe stops for African Americans in the 50s with restaurants and hotels that would serve them during segregation in parts of the US) as well as recipes from some of these stops. In this way, it's a nice combination of history with cocktail recipes that I didn't expect and found very engaging.

Helen Gurley Brown's Chloroform Cocktail was a favorite, although I had to tame down the full one fifth of vodka (for four drinks) to a more manageable amount. I am looking forward to reading more about Ms. Brown based on the chapter she is mentioned in. All in all, I'd say if you enjoy cocktails and/or the midcentury era, you will enjoy this book for the tidbits of history and the recipes.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 21:26:02", "publisher": "NYU Press", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011980007", "title": "Out of Ireland: A Novel", "author": "Marian O'Shea Wernicke", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 198, "review": "Eileen Sullivan and her brother Michael are living in tumultuous times in 186y Ireland. Eileen is set to marry an older man she barely knows and certainly does not love while her older brother Micheal\u2019s restlessness finds a home in membership in the Irish Republican Brotherhood. This is the powerful core of Marian O\u2019Shea Wernicke\u2019s novel Out of Ireland.

The problem, though, is that Out of Ireland opens on Eileen\u2019s deathbed scene in America, so the curiosity and wonder at what will befall her is mute. Readers know she survives whatever awful moment she suffers and that she will grow old and have a loving family around her when she dies. It\u2019s an unfortunate start given that the heart of the novel is compelling.

Eileen\u2019s unhappy marriage eventually takes her to America where Michael has already fled under threat to his life. Brother and sister must forge a new life and a new sense of family in a strange land far from the customs and traditions of their roots.

The elements of historical fiction and rendering of the Irish/British conflict, as well as the deep love between the two siblings, makes Out of Ireland highly readable if, at times, largely predictable.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "17-Apr-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 18:48:38", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "328 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000011980003", "title": "Try Not to Hold It Against Me", "author": "Julian Schlossberg, Elaine May", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 205, "review": "This reader cannot help contrasting this book with one written over thirty years ago by producer Julia Phillips. While both titles seem to reflect the difficulties of producing films, Ms. Phillips\u2019 story is one of drugs, hyper-vigilance, furious activity, and an unrelenting pace mixed with a sprinkling of name dropping.

Mr. Schlossberg, the author of this volume, also drops names but does so in a much more loving and inclusive manner. His tone is never strident; his brief, entertaining chapters tell anecdotes about a producer\u2019s life and bespeak a team effort rather than a singleness of purpose.

Perhaps, it reflects the difference in east coast/west coast mentalities. One author is centered firmly in Los Angeles while Schlossberg is very much a New Yorker with theatrical sensibilities rather than film grosses. What I have heard from others in the film industry is that in New York, there is a community of friends, while in Los Angeles there is a team of rivals.

However that may be, this book presents an overall picture of what a producer is charged with doing: making friends, bringing people together and striving for artistic excellence. It helps that one of the friends is the genius Elaine May, who writes the foreword.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "18-Feb-2025", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 18:08:21", "publisher": "Beaufort Books", "page_count": "374 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011978007", "title": "The Fear of Winter: Book One in The Fear Of Series", "author": "SC Sterling", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "In The Fear of Winter, we follow Tom, who is still looking for his missing daughter two years later. On a December night in Colorado, Megan never came home. With no leads, the case has gone cold, but Tom hasn\u2019t given up yet. He contacts Marshall York, a private investigator, who with his assistant, Hannah, delves deep into Megan\u2019s life. Maybe finally, all working together, the three of them will discover what really happened to Megan, if it doesn\u2019t get them killed first.

I found the premise very interesting as well as the title, but the title never came into play. It was never once mentioned. Also, there were a lot of errors for something that wasn\u2019t an advanced reader copy. The main characters\u2019 names kept getting switched, the plot didn\u2019t even match the description on the back, and there were often no breaks when switching points of view.

I\u2019m not quite sure what to think about this book and I don\u2019t know where the author will go in the next installment. The characters in this were all incredibly broken and there wasn\u2019t much light or redemption. If that is something you enjoy, then this book might be for you.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "25-Jan-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 18:36:50", "publisher": "No Bueno! Publishing", "page_count": "234 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000011977003", "title": "Cascadia Field Guide: Art, Ecology, Poetry", "author": "CMarie Fuhrman, Elizabeth Bradfield, Derek Sheffield", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 203, "review": "As a field guide, the editors of this edition have assembled a collection of endemic natural, historic, and cultural features of the Pacific Northwest to familiarize the reader with the area. But rather than restricting the contents to strict scientific categorization, the descriptions of the areas and their inhabitants are painted in an inviting narrative style, embellished with poetry and illustrated with entrancing black and white drawings. The blend of verse, art, background, and factual descriptions awakens the wonder a wanderer experiences when exposed to the wonders of this world.

Though the book is divided into thirteen regional sections, the reader can open randomly, perhaps to a page with a graffiti sketch of mosquitoes, to read that while mosquitoes can be annoying, we should nonetheless appreciate why they are necessary and smile at the accompanying verse. Or why we call the Hoary Marmot the Whistle Pig or identify Pinus contorta as the scientific name of the Lodgepole Pine, aptly named for its use by the Coastal Tribes for their lodges.

There is so much more about birds and bears, slugs and herbs, and fish, lizards, and crabs, all bound together in this ecological masterpiece aiming to meld art and cultural history with science.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "22-Mar-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 17:56:58", "publisher": "The Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011976023", "title": "Into the West", "author": "Mercedes Lackey", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - age 13", "word_count": 222, "review": "A story about the founding of Mercedes Lackey\u2019s most well-known world, Valdemar, Into the West is about an ethical leader, Baron Kordas Valdemar, guiding his people into the wilderness and away from a tyrannical Empire. In the process, Kordas encounters exotic people, unnatural creatures, and absolute terror.

Into the West is the second in a series, and I recommend that before you read it, you read Beyond, the first book in the series. Mercedes Lackey creates beautiful characters in a well-developed world; however, it is writing about emotion that she does best. The reader is overcome with terror when Valdemar encounters an unnatural woods that broadcasts a feeling \u201cLike rage, if rage had been smothered and sleeping for centuries, until it had dulled down to a sort of ambiance.\u201d The reader joins with Kordas to feel \u201cGratitude so sweet, simple and heartfelt that he found himself sobbing.\u201d

This incredible emotion is such that I must say that every middle school, high school, and public library should carry one or more copies of Into the West. This is a book that is best appreciated by people aged twelve and up who love fantasy and can handle adult content. Every fan of Valdemar should read Into the West. But beware! Once you pick it up, you may be incapable of putting it down again!", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 21:23:10", "publisher": "Astra Publishing House", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011976011", "title": "Big Truck Playdate", "author": "Laurie Carmody, Jennica Lounsbury", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Corey loves trucks. He takes his trucks with him wherever he goes. And his trucks are his only companions. When there are other children around, Corey stays in his own lane and goes solo. One day, while sitting in class, Corey hears a sound that is music to his ears. A big turbo-charged semi-truck pulled into the schoolyard. The teacher announces that the class is going to have a big truck playdate! Corey runs to the starting line, but the traffic was all jammed up with children between Corey and where he wanted to be. He skids to a stop. All the other children are able to get into the truck and push the buttons. Will Corey find a way to join the fun?

Laurie Carmody has written a sweet story of a truck-loving boy who is on the autism spectrum. She deftly portrays how such a child would act and react in an exciting situation he might face. This story will help children learn about others on the spectrum while those who are on the spectrum will be able to see themselves in a book. Fun, bright illustrations by Jennica Lounsbury complete the story.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 18:58:47", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": true, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011976007", "title": "Frontier", "author": "Grace Curtis", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 203, "review": "Earth has become a dangerous place with humanity taking to space for better planets to call home. Those that remained adapted to their new environment, a lack of technology, and a shaky justice system under the High Sheriff. The life that they know is shaken when a stranger arrives, having fallen from the sky. The stranger is on a mission to help Earth but her arrival is met with hostility and distrust. All she knows is that she wants to complete her mission and return home.

A compelling opening sets the tone with the residents on Earth discovering the wreckage of a ship which leads to a turn of events perfectly fitting with a Western. It explores the new reality that the residents are living on a post-apocalyptic Earth. Friction is a consistent theme throughout such as the reactions people have toward the stranger and between the people of the planet as they\u2019re experiencing a lawless environment. Curtis blends science fiction elements into this Western-inspired world, using it as a brilliant backdrop for the stranger\u2019s adventure across it. /Frontier/ has a unique premise that puts a fresh perspective on the Western and science fiction genres with a stunning setting, strong voice, and addictive premise.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "18-Feb-2025", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 18:18:51", "publisher": "Solaris", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011976003", "title": "Forager: Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult: a Memoir", "author": "Michelle Dowd", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 167, "review": "This is a heart-breaking true-life tale of a young girl raised in a cult. Really, \u201craised\u201d is too strong a word since she was neglected, starved, toughened up, and beaten. There are so many painful moments in this story; one constantly asks oneself how could any child endure this torture? In a similar manner, since she grew up in the Angeles National Forest, one wonders how the abuses of this cult went undetected for so long while so close to the major urban center of Pasadena. The ending of her tribulations is abrupt and the reader may wonder what the method of escape was. Perhaps they hardly noticed that she was missing?

Lest this book be totally sad, there are beautiful chapter heading illustrations of the plants that kept her alive and somewhat nourished. There is also a page of descriptions about the plants, their preparation, and usefulness as food. The book is a case study of the indoctrination of religion and how it degrades into megalomania.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "29-Jun-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 17:55:46", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011975015", "title": "No Strangers Here", "author": "Carlene O'Connor", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 200, "review": "The body of horse owner Johnny O\u2019Reilly is found on a beach in County Derry. There are no tracks around the body, only a vial that once contained euthanasia medication used by veterinarians and sixty-nine black stones arranged to spell Last Dance, the name of Johnny\u2019s most famous racehorse. Everyone knows everyone in this small Irish community, but the histories of the two families are especially closely entwined. Many years ago, Dimpna Wilde, daughter of the local veterinarian, was raped by O\u2019Reilly\u2019s son. It was hushed up, and neither the outcome of that violence, a boy, nor the perpetrator have any knowledge of the other. Then there\u2019s the death of Last Dance. The newspapers of the time reported how Dimpna, then a teenager, released the million-dollar thoroughbred from its stall, and the panicked animal raced to its death. The multitude of convoluted motives spawned by these events bedevils the investigation of Cormac O\u2019Brien, an inspector brought in from Killarney. No Strangers Here is an exceptionally well-paced page-turner, with clues, surprises, and red herrings appearing effortlessly, yet effectively, from start to finish. If that is not enough, this excellent mystery is masterfully rounded off with a gripping and totally unexpected ending.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 21:20:48", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011975007", "title": "The Lost Witch", "author": "Paige Crutcher", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 244, "review": "Brigid Heron awakens in the basement of her Evermore cottage with no idea how she's gotten there. When she makes her way upstairs, she is confronted with odd furniture and two women she's never met--Finola and Ophelia--who now live in her house. Brigid has been gone for one hundred years and must find her lost memories and the truth about her past in Paige Crutcher's fast and fun new novel The Lost Witch.

Evermore is an Irish island long forgotten by time and anyone who lives beyond it. In the hundred years since Brigid's disappearance, it's become even more forgotten as the coven of Knight\u2014four witches who swear allegiance to the demigod Luc Knightly\u2014try to siphon the power in a locked lough and release every monster ever imprisoned in the icy waters. Their motives are purely evil and nefarious, but Knightly has a secret that has led him away from their darkness. His past is tied to Brigid's, and she will need him to reveal the truth and to help her find the most precious of all her lost items: her daughter Dove.

Brigid is a thoughtful and smart character who drives the action, but Crutcher should be lauded for all the strong women in this book. There are about fifty unnecessary pages that seem to be simple recaps (i.e. previously on The Lost Witch), but they don't distract from the plot. This one is a great read for fans of Paula Brackston or Deborah Harkness.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 17:47:13", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011975003", "title": "The Drift: A Novel", "author": "C J Tudor", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 198, "review": "The Retreat is the property of The Drift, which stands for the Department of Research into Infection and Future Transmission. Meg, an ex-cop, is on her way to the Retreat when she awakens in a cable car suspended above snowy mountains with five strangers. Hannah, a boarding school student, was also on her way to the Retreat when she awakens after her bus crashes during a snowstorm. Carter, a man with a past as disfigured as his face, is currently at the Retreat where the power is threatening to go out. All of these people are survivors who will be faced with many challenges if they hope to make it through the end of the world. ||Be forewarned, there are no happy endings here. This is brutal and horrific, but it felt like the not-too-distant future if we keep having outbreaks. It doesn\u2019t take much for society to break down, and everyone begins to look out for themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed the points-of-view changes and how they all came together. If you enjoy apocalyptic-type stories, this is for you. The author managed to encapsulate all of my worst nightmares into one book, so definitely a good horror story.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 17:43:07", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000011974019", "title": "Polar Exposure: An All-Women's Expedition to the North Pole", "author": "Felicity Aston", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 201, "review": "Felicity Aston delivers an incredible true story. Felicity is no stranger to adventure but coming up with a rather original idea gives her the opportunity to have a remarkable journey. She gathers together women from all around the world with limited experience to tackle the environment of the North Pole. This book features a thorough account of their epic trip, from their training to how they successfully reached the North Pole.

Aston gives a thorough exploration of what they experienced with non-fiction that contains a story-like writing thanks to vivid descriptions such as describing the sun on the horizon as too sluggish to reach a zenith. The book features snippets written by the various women, with each sharing their individual experiences, such as how skiing on the Arctic Ocean is unlike anywhere else to how they got to know each other better in Oman. This permits you a chance to truly get to know who these women are and grounds the adventure in the bonds they formed. Photos included give you incredible visuals of amazing sights that range from the Sugar Dunes to ice boulders. A truly inspirational book, Polar Exposure is an adventure about eleven amazing women that is highly recommended.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2025", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 21:35:49", "publisher": "Charlesbridge", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011974015", "title": "House of Cotton: A Novel", "author": "Monica Brashears", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 228, "review": "Monica Brashears has written a dark and twisted thriller with House of Cotton. The book deals with everything from racial tensions to addiction to sexual abuse to ghosts all set against a stunning backdrop of the Deep South. The protagonist, nineteen-year-old Magnolia, is trying to process her grandmother's death and survive on the little money she makes from a gas station job when she meets Cotton Reuter, a white man who offers her a modeling job and the chance at a better life.

Magnolia's work with Cotton and his aunt Eden takes place in a home situation above a funeral home. Eden's makeup artistry and Cotton's photography transport Magnolia--when she's in character, she becomes someone else: the dead person she emulates for the grieving family and friends. This ability to transform isn't new; she also does it while having anonymous sex with men she meets through Tinder. The compartmentalization she manages is startling given the way she embodies her pain and loss. Brashears brilliantly renders her agony; Magnolia is razor-sharp about her circumstances, even as she continues to use her body in ways that don't make life better. There is a lesson, but she isn't learning it.

Ultimately the book is a great choice for people who like Gothic lit and want to delve into the darkness, but House of Cotton is not for the squeamish or faint of heart.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "12-Apr-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 21:17:33", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011973019", "title": "The Coach\u2019s Way: The Art and Practice of Powerful Coaching in Any Field", "author": "Eric Maisel", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 211, "review": "Prolific author Eric Maisel offers sound advice and food for thought through The Coach\u2019s Way, a dynamic guide designed for business and personal coaches of various experience levels. The work of coaching others to realize their goals and improve performance requires disciplined strategies for introspection and self-reflection. With self-awareness as the grounding lesson in becoming a better coach, the book offers helpful tips for folks considering coaching as a profession and a refresher for those who want to enhance their craft. He shares examples from the business world, but his primary audience is people seeking to maximize their creative pursuits.

People work with coaches because they want to improve an aspect of their life. Coaches help others to navigate challenges and cultivate novel approaches to solving problematic patterns of behavior. I serve as a leadership coach for organizations looking to enhance diversity and inclusion efforts. I found the book a helpful guide in seeing how I may enhance my interactions with clients. I appreciated Maisel\u2019s emphasis on helping others as the foundational purpose of coaching. There are important lessons on how to encourage and hold people accountable to sustain the practice of newly adapted skills. The learnings also are relevant for people managers who help improve the performance of work teams.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "17-Apr-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 18:55:24", "publisher": "New World Library", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011973003", "title": "How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures", "author": "Sabrina Imbler", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 199, "review": "Science writer Sabrina Imbler has an amazing talent for forging words into burning images that occasionally sear the soul. She cleverly juxtaposes descriptions of the patterned lives of ten different sea creatures with emotional events in her own life.

Her adolescent bout with weight is contrasted with the engaging octopus which refrains from food when brooding over its eggs. She tries to protect goldfish from being self-poisoned by their ammoniacal urine when confined within restrictive fishbowls, while they can grow to the size of cantaloupes if liberated into ponds or streams. Life conditions can be restrictive and cruel, as she sadly bemoans her sense of being a hybrid due to her part-Asian background in this Western white world.

The wonders of marine biology are vividly described in the tragic stories of giant whales and ancient threatened sturgeons, down to transparent, constantly reproducing jelly fish. Yet all these life forms are designed to best survive within their environment. Meanwhile, the author\u2019s narrative whines about gender discrimination and her own struggle to survive. She is gifted with an amazing facility to transform language into lyrical imagery and a sensitivity to the creatures she studies, but her memoir story itself becomes tiresome.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 17:25:07", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011972011", "title": "Tenmile", "author": "Sandra Dallas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Sissy, daughter of the town doctor, often helps her father as he ministers to the people of Tenmile, a poor mining town in Colorado. At age thirteen, sometimes this work is a heavy burden, especially when it involves her school friends or their families. When one of her best friends, Jack, has to leave school and go down into the mine, it\u2019s hard for them both, but when he is badly injured, it really drives Sissy to examine the lives of young people in Tenmile. She is hired as a tutor for the son of the mine owner, and this brings a new perspective. Sissy finds ways to help many people in the town in surprising ways.

Sandra Dallas has written a very effective and compelling story that will give young readers a real taste of what it would be like to live in a mining town in Colorado in the late 1800s and the problems young people faced. The writing is excellent and shows the author\u2019s fine research through period-appropriate language and issues. The characters are well-rounded and believable, and the masterfully rendered setting nearly becomes another character. Fans of historical fiction will love this book.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "14-Mar-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 21:38:04", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011972003", "title": "Izzy Paints", "author": "Tim Miller", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 10", "word_count": 128, "review": "Izzy loves the art that she sees at an art museum. She decides that she would like to create her own art. So Izzy finds inspiration in the world around her to create her own art. It all starts when she looks at the sun and starts with a little bit of yellow. It takes some time, just as all good art does, but she creates a masterpiece that represents her and her world.

This was a really cute little book. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and it really shows how Izzy pulls inspiration from the color of the world around her. The story is really cute, and I love the ending of the book and Izzy's artwork. It would be cool to see more books about Izzy.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "17-Jan-2023", "date_added": "15-Dec-2022 17:23:00", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011971003", "title": "Musical Tables: Poems", "author": "Billy Collins", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 228, "review": "The works in Billy Collins' latest collection Musical Tables: Poems are referred to as \"small poems\" by the author in the introduction. What they really are, though, is an assortment of puns, obvious observations, and downright pointless musings stretched far too thin. The goal of the book may be to illustrate the poet's craft even in a smaller form than he typically writes in, but that goal is not met given the pure drivel of these pieces.

In fact, it's hard to call them poems at all. There is absolutely no way this trash would be published were it not graced with Collins' name as the author. Ridiculous missives like \"The Sunday Times: There's so much / going on in the world / besides these sausages\" aren't deep or fraught with poignant observation\u2014they are as average as average can be.

As an academic and educator who has studied, written and published poetry for over thirty years, I simply cannot grasp what is of value about this bundle of wasted paper other than the binding is beautiful and the font choice is easily read. There are a few poems that grip the heart; \"Headstones,\" \"A Small Hotel,\" and \"Deer Hit\" are exceptional. But, if Collins is capable of that kind of beauty, then shame on him for burying it in the pile of swill that is the rest of the book.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2023", "date_added": "14-Dec-2022 20:52:56", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000011969015", "title": "Maze", "author": "Thiago Souto", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 189, "review": "What happens to our dreams when we are awake? We remember our dreams, but do our dreams remember us? There is one dream that remembers. At night, G\u00f3reck comes to life in Nico\u2019s dreams. A life full of color, fantasy, and adventure. In this dream, G\u00f3reck and Nico are best friends. When Nico is awake, G\u00f3reck\u2019s world fades to gray. Something terrible happens that G\u00f3reck does not understand. Nico no longer dreams. G\u00f3reck breaks out of the land of dreams to save his friend and enters the maze of memories to find Nico.

Maze by artist Thiago Souto was first published in Brazil and now Dark Horse has released a version in English. The touching story of Nico and G\u00f3reck is creative and imaginative. It is a unique tale told from the dream\u2019s point of view. As fun as the story is, the artwork makes this graphic novel stunning. Souto puts a lot of detail and intensity into his illustrations. The coloring is vibrant. With a balance of an intriguing story and awe-inspiring imagery, this graphic novel is the complete package. Join G\u00f3reck in his journey through the maze.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2023", "date_added": "14-Dec-2022 21:37:19", "publisher": "Dark Horse Comics", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011968011", "title": "I Don't Care", "author": "Julie Fogliano,Molly Idle,Juana Martinez-Neal", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 185, "review": "Two little girls are talking about what they don\u2019t care about: if the other likes what shoes she is wearing or if the other thinks her singing is funny or if the other thinks her drawing of a frog looks more like a bunny or if the other thinks her lunch smells funny. Neither of them cares about such things as that. But what each does care about is if the other always plays fair and is willing to share and if the other will hold hands when they are spinning. And they each care if the other is sad, worried, or upset. They really both care about what good friends care about.

Julie Fogliano has written a perfectly delightful homage to what friendship is really about. It will help youngsters understand that friendship takes cooperation and work, but it is well worth the effort. Her lyrical writing is always a treat to read, especially aloud to little listeners. The enchanting illustrations by Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal complete the story perfectly and will help to keep youngsters engaged with the book. Don\u2019t miss this one.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2023", "date_added": "14-Dec-2022 21:59:18", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011968007", "title": "The Home Cafe", "author": "Asia Lui Chapa", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 193, "review": "I don't think I have ever been so excited to try so many recipes out from a cookbook. And this isn't even really a cookbook! It's a coffee and tea recipe book. The Home Cafe had me at \"Wake Up, Lavender,\" a coffee concoction that consists of lavender milk with a mocha layered on top. Gorgeous and mouthwatering! My husband loves cookies and cream, so I will make him the \"Cookies 'n' Cream Coffee,\" which is iced coffee topped with cookies and cream-cream topping. Delicious! \"The Strawbasil Float\" is another recipe I will be trying immediately. It is a tea-based drink incorporating a scoop of homemade strawberry basil sorbet that floats on top.

The recipes in this book are so creative yet seem so easy. The recipes don't require a large number of ingredients or tools, which I think most people would appreciate. It makes the recipes doable for the average joe. The vivid photographs of each drink are eye-catching and will help the reader understand what a drink is supposed to look like since many of the drinks are layered. This book would be a welcome addition to any coffee or tea lover.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2023", "date_added": "14-Dec-2022 19:09:17", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011967023", "title": "The Universe in You: A Microscopic Journey", "author": "Jason Chin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 180, "review": "Acclaimed author and illustrator Jason Chin gifts readers with his newest masterpiece, The Universe in You: A Microscopic Journey. In it, he explores matter through a kaleidoscopic lens, beginning with the tiniest bird in America, the Calliope Hummingbird, to the itty-bitty microns that are less than a millimeter in length, and on down the measurement scale to nuclear pores that measure a mere one hundred and fifty nanometers across. He describes elementary particles that are so small their size is undefined. Chin concludes with the fundamental building blocks of all living organisms: molecules.

Through his articulately ornate illustrations and comprehensive, easy-to-understand elucidations, Chin provides an experience of wonder and awe. Even children who rarely choose non-fiction picture books may give this one a second take. It\u2019s fact-filled but not overly dense and is truly fascinating in presentation.

This is a must-have for young biology-lovers, upper-elementary school science teachers, and all others simply interested in studying matter and the essential elements of which it consists. A central theme running throughout is how intricately all living things in the universe are related.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "19-Jan-2023", "date_added": "14-Dec-2022 22:00:29", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011967019", "title": "The Sun Is Late and So Is The Farmer", "author": "Philip C Stead, Erin E Stead", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "A mule, a milk cow, and a miniature horse are waiting patiently by the door of the barn for the sun to rise. After a little while, they come to realize that the sun is late, and if the sun is late, the farmer won\u2019t wake up, and if the farmer doesn\u2019t wake up, she won\u2019t feed the animals their breakfast. The animals decide to ask the barn owl for his advice. The barn owl tells the three that they must take a long journey past the field of sheep, through the acre of corn and all the way to the edge of the world. There they will find the sun sleeping, and if they take the rooster along, he will know what to do.

Phillip C. Stead has written a quiet story that is sweet and humorous with some adventure thrown in. The writing is lovely, and the story is surprisingly compelling. Children will be enchanted by the journey these creatures take and what they face along the way. The charming illustrations by Erin E. Stead are filled with wonderful details and are done in soft, quiet colors that perfectly complement the story.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2023", "date_added": "14-Dec-2022 21:58:27", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011967007", "title": "Nero: Matricide, Music, and Murder in Imperial Rome", "author": "Anthony Everitt, Roddy Ashworth", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 203, "review": "The Roman Empire was a formidable presence during its reign of power. The might of the empire was reflective of the strength of its leadership. Augustus was the first Roman emperor, expanding the reach of the Empire far and wide. Augustus longed to see leadership be passed through familial bloodlines. The emperors who followed in his wake ranged from amoral (Caligula) to possibly insane (Claudius). In 54 AD, power passed to Nero, a reluctant heir to the throne. However, his mother Agrippina saw promise in him and was willing to engage in behind-the-scenes manipulation to ensure Nero\u2019s ascent. As Nero sat atop the throne, he wielded his power in often ruthless and unsavory ways. The future of the Empire hung in the balance. During his fourteen years in power, Nero carved an immortal niche in history.

Authors Anthony Everitt (Cicero, 2002) and Roddy Ashworth offer up a well-written and nuanced assessment of the contentious subject whose growing lust for power was only rivaled by his desire to be loved. The palace intrigues that developed during Nero\u2019s reign are narrated at a breathless pace, possessing all the aspects of a political thriller. The authors have written a remarkably candid biography of a notorious personality.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "05-Feb-2025", "date_added": "14-Dec-2022 18:32:34", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011966011", "title": "Kings of Nowhere Volume 1", "author": "Soroush Barazesh", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 200, "review": "Bili Moreno is the favorite target of a gang of bullies. A trio of young thugs often smack him around, leaving him bloody. It didn\u2019t matter that his father was the notorious captain of the Lo Divino Cartel. His father denied Bili existed. After being pushed too far, something inside Bili woke. Fueled by trauma and his consuming anger, Bili transformed into a beast. Now as an ape aided by other chimeras, Bili sets out on his new path. Those who hurt him soon found themselves on the wrong side of Bili\u2019s vengeance.

Kings of Nowhere: Vol 1 is the debut graphic novel by Soroush Barazesh. As both the author and illustrator, Barazesh is the sole creative contributor to this new project. As short as this comic is, it packs a punch. The story is as intense as the artwork that accompanies it. Barazesh does not hold back from depicting the violence that follows Bili. With a storyline this grim, Barazesh\u2019s artwork fits the mood. His characters started as doodles, but this finished product is far from their humble beginnings. Join Bili and his crew as they take on the rough streets of Lo Divino as the Kings of Nowhere.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "13-Mar-2023", "date_added": "14-Dec-2022 21:36:04", "publisher": "Dark Horse Comics", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000011966003", "title": "Yellow Butterfly", "author": "Oleksandr Shatokhin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 201, "review": "A young girl, perhaps six or seven years old, finds her country trademarked with the signatures of war: barbed-wire fences blocking once-traveled regions, remnants of missile attacks desecrating the earth, bullet-pocked vehicles left behind, long forgotten. The devastation leaves her breathless and enraged. Tears trickle down her pale face. If only she could reverse time and erase all the markings of the enemy. Those lost too soon would regain life; dilapidated buildings would stand tall again. She imagines this as the future of her great nation, one in which light prevails over darkness and the yellow butterflies roam free.

Yellow Butterfly is Ukrainian author and illustrator Oleksandr Shatokin\u2019s response to the Russian invasion of his homeland, Ukraine. This timely picture book has no words, but its silence speaks volumes of the atrocities and reverberations of war. Shatokin\u2019s imagery is brilliant; his black and white illustrations, some of which are emboldened by electric yellow and cornflower blue, illuminate the stark contrasts of war and peace, despair and revival. Children ages eight to twelve who are sensitive to the needs and lives of others will love this soundless story. Those captivated by world events will find it a deeply moving account as well.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2023", "date_added": "14-Dec-2022 18:29:00", "publisher": "Red Comet Press", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000011965031", "title": "The Little Toymaker", "author": "Cat Min", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 442, "review": "Enchanted Illustrations Children\u2019s Book Roundup\n\nChildren will learn and grow from the books in this roundup. Each book is beautifully illustrated to accompany the lessons children will learn. From bright, vivid cartoon drawings to more muted, realistic illustrations, these books will mesmerize little eyes. These books are perfect for gift-giving or becoming a new favorite bedtime story.\n\nYou Are Growing All the Time\nDeborah Farmer Kris, Jennifer Zivoin\nFree Spirit Publishing\n9781631987090\n\nA book that celebrates the ways children grow inside and out, You Are Growing All the Time is written in beautiful, gentle prose with rhymes, affirmations, and positivity. With wonderful color illustrations and words that will help to comfort children and help them understand how they are growing physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially, adults will enjoy reading this book and discussing it with their little ones.\n\nLet's Add Up! (Big, Little Concepts, 4)\nVictoria Allenby\nPajama Press\n9781772782486\n\nLet\u2019s Add Up will not only teach little ones their numbers but how to use them creatively. With cute and lively illustrations by Maggie Zeng, author Victoria Allenby uses the number ten to give readers and educators activities for learning that are simple and easy to use. Little ones will love the fun concepts in this book as they hone in on some basic math skills.\n\nThe Little Toymaker\nCat Min\nLevine Querido c/o Chronicle Books\n9781646141807\n\nA twist on gift giving, The Little Toymaker is about a boy who makes toys for grandparents and older folk. This heartwarming story brings to life the act of giving and recognizing the nostalgia of an older generation. With sweet, vibrant illustrations, this dreamlike tale is sure to become a new holiday reading favorite.\n\nParadise Sands\nLevi Pinfold\nCandlewick Press\n9781536212822\n\nAn enchanting book that finds a young girl and her brothers trapped in a ghostly land of paradise. Making a bargain with the commanding creature to let them go back home, the girl is unsure she can fulfill her end of the bargain. With sophisticated, realistic drawings in a muted palette, this book is surreal and haunting and will bring its readers deep into another realm.\n\nAll Through the Night\nPolly Faber, Harriet Hobday\nCandlewick Press\n9781536227512\n\nThis book illustrates the many jobs that people perform at night. While a young child is getting ready for bedtime, workers such as nurses, cleaners, and police officers are just starting their work shifts. With the deep, vibrant colors used in the illustrations, this book will help children to understand that there are still people awake all through the night while they are tucked safely in their beds. A wonderful book for children who have nighttime anxiety.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Dec-2022 21:57:18", "publisher": "Levine Querido c/o Chronicle Books", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000011965027", "title": "How to Become a Superhero (Somos8)", "author": "Davide Cali & G\u00f3mez", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 174, "review": "Fun for all ages, How to Become a Superhero is sure to spark creativity in young readers. This book is a step-by-step guide with fun, color illustrations on how to become a superhero. What is your costume going to look like? Will you have a mask? What is your superpower, and will you have a sidekick? Will you team up with other superheroes to fight the bad guys and save the good guys? These are all things that one must contemplate when deciding to become a superhero.

The illustrations in this book are hilarious. The expressions on the characters' faces are adorable and sometimes silly. What would it be like to stop a falling meteorite or an alien invasion? Little minds will want to make costumes and masks of their very own after reading this book. What a great idea for a rainy day!

How to Become a Superhero is appropriate for children of all ages, especially children ages four to ten. Imaginations will run wild as little eyes and ears consider the possibilities of superheroism.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "05-Feb-2025", "date_added": "14-Dec-2022 21:54:17", "publisher": "NubeOcho", "page_count": "52 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012093007", "title": "The Broken Horn", "author": "Don Elliott", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 61, "review": "\"The Broken Horn somehow manages to effortlessly deliver character-driven plot lines as well as realistic world-building while simultaneously offering non-stop high-stakes action alongside incredibly descriptive and highly original backdrops. Between the amazingly diverse cast of characters and the flawless setup for further books in the series, Elliott has delivered top-tier adult fantasy with this promising saga.\" \u2014Beatrice Toothman, Portland Book Review", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2023 22:54:18", "publisher": "Water Stone, LLC.", "page_count": "392 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012093003", "title": "Holding On and Not Giving Up On Self", "author": "Demetris T Bryant", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 454, "review": " Holding On and Not Giving Up on Self by Ms. Dee Bryant was a short read, full of lessons and anecdotes from her personal life. Byrant grew up as such puts it, \u201cyoung, na\u00efve, and misinformed.\u201d Throughout middle school, she was bullied and generally very shy. This pattern continued into high school, where she lived in her popular older sister\u2019s shadow. However, after getting her first job, Bryant began to blossom. This endeavor forced her to get out of her shell, become more independent, and learn to socialize better with customers and management.

But like many at her age, Bryant loved money and began to put her job before all else. Working almost forty hours a week while still in high school, Bryant looks back with regret at the school functions and high school memories she missed out on. Despite her schedule, Bryant managed to graduate high school and moved into the next chapter of her life by joining the Army.

The rest of the novel is based on Bryant\u2019s time in the military. She discusses basic training, weapons training, and much more. Personally, I found the story of her sexual harassment most impactful, something she says she has never shared before. In mixed-gender barracks, Bryant was fast asleep when she was awoken by an intruder standing over her bed telling her how beautiful she was. Immediately troubled, Bryant escaped and locked herself in the bathroom, reporting to her First Sergeant the incident the next morning. Disgustingly, the First Sergeant did not take her seriously \u2013 a common theme amongst sexual harassment survivors. Fortunately, the soldier in question was moved to a different site where Bryant was able to feel more comfortable.

This novel is set up in a sort of interactive format, where after each chapter there is a question for readers, Bryant\u2019s advice, and an applicable bible verse. I have to say I did not find this format to be helpful as intended. In the novel description, it is described as being for young adults, teachers, school administrators, and church leaders, but the questions do not align with this. For example, the first question asks about what the reader wants to do after graduating high school, something not relevant to an adult or anyone post-high school. I found this conflict of audience to be an issue with a lot of the anecdotes in the novel as well. I would suggest Bryant find her specific target audience, and tailor her passages to them. The generality that the book has now is simply confusing.

As a whole, I have to say this novel needs some work. Although the content itself is not without some value, it needs thorough editing and reconstruction to be ready for print", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2023 22:49:15", "publisher": "Dee Bryant", "page_count": "106 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000012092003", "title": "Holding On and Not Giving Up On Self", "author": "Demetris T Bryant", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 515, "review": "Having retired from the military after serving for twenty-one years with the US Army and then securing a good civilian job, Dee Bryant has written Holding On and Not Giving Up On Self in an effort to help young people see the benefits of her military path and learn how developing strength, resilience, and faith can lead to them living fulfilling and purposeful lives. Through a combination of personal reflections and anecdotes, brief stories of other people\u2019s troubling times, thought-provoking questions, and passages from the Bible, she explains her journey from being a na\u00efve and shy teenager to becoming a successful and resourceful military veteran who is dedicated to improving young people\u2019s lives and opportunities.

Bryant\u2019s account of the key events that have shaped her life begins with her youth in Jacksonville, Florida. As a quiet and reserved middle schooler, she was a frequent target for the school bully, although when that girl made the mistake of pushing her to the ground, Bryant drew on a previously unknown reserve of grit and strength and beat the girl in the ensuing fight. While she takes pains not to advocate violence, this incident is a good example of Bryant\u2019s steely determination and inner resolve. She goes on to get good grades at high school, but it is securing her first job that proves to be the making of her. Still, while she enjoyed making money and finally coming out of her shell, she does regret how work impinged on her high school experience.

After an abortive attempt at attending college in Atlanta, Bryant was at a loss for what to do next. Fortunately, a split-second decision to visit an Army recruiter changed the course of her life forever. While Bryant doesn\u2019t shy away from how grueling basic training was, nor does she overlook troubling aspects of Army life such as discrimination and sexual harassment, her gratitude to the military and her pride in being able to serve her country really shine through. She worked as a telecommunications data operator for some years before gaining a college degree and successfully completing officer training, and her time in the Army allowed her to enhance her education, learn valuable skills, improve her physical fitness, travel the world, and more.

In Holding On and Not Giving Up On Self, Bryant draws on all these experiences to demonstrate how it is possible to achieve pretty much anything so long as you put the hard work in, persevere in the face of difficulty, and place your trust in God. As her aim is to help direct the lives of young people, the book is probably best suited to those in the final few years of high school, although teachers and youth workers would also benefit from its lessons. Bryant closes each chapter with a question related to the preceding discussion, which should help young readers to see how the ideas and messages can be applied in practical terms in their own lives. Her inclusion of relevant Bible passages means that the book will likely also prove particularly impactful for those with Christian faith.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2023", "date_added": "28-Jan-2023 04:42:36", "publisher": "Dee Bryant", "page_count": "106 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012091007", "title": "UNDERGROUND: A Memoir of Hope, Faith, and the American Dream", "author": "'Deji Ayoade", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 103, "review": "\"UNDERGROUND: A Memoir of Hope, Faith, and the American Dream weaves a compelling narrative about a man's fortitude and strength in a world where he feared a tragic development with every level of growth. Deji Ayoade's lyrical, honest writing explores the social hurdles and personal hardships that accompanied him on his unique professional path, chronicling an epic journey from doctor to nuclear missile operator in a different country. The novel is an enthralling read that not only reminds us of the great American spirit but also retains important facets of Nigerian history and the rich Yor\u00f9b\u00e1 culture.\" \u2014Foluso Falaye, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Jan-2023 21:33:02", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "410 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012091003", "title": "The Grand Promise", "author": "Rebekah Anderson", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 444, "review": "It takes a book with broad scope to tell the tale of so massive an endeavor as the construction of the massive Grand Coulee dam across the Columbia River. The Grand Promise tells that tale as seen through the eyes of various characters, each with their own ambitions, dreams, and follies. Carter, the central character, is a young man whose life has faltered ever since he was involved in a mining accident. His wife wants a divorce, his father belittles him at every turn, and Carter can\u2019t seem to do anything right.

Carter\u2019s father, Ozzie, is a hot-tempered local gadfly, determined to resist the federal government\u2019s offer\u2014nay, insistence\u2014to buy out the entire town of Kettle Rapids. His ferry business will be made obsolete and Kettle Rapids will become one of hundreds of places flooded once the dam is complete. The 1930s are tough enough, still mired in the Great Depression that the Grand Coulee might alleviate, at least for some people. Even so, Ozzie wants more than the feds are willing to provide and he\u2019s not afraid to stir up trouble.

Other characters include Carter\u2019s younger sister, Ona; a local orchard-keeper; Carter\u2019s Native American co-worker, Joe; a reporter who wants a \u201cbig story\u201d to help him move up in the newspaper business; and Starks, whose company won the federal dam contract and who stands to make big money as a result.

Carter runs away from his hometown rather than turn himself in to the sheriff, and he ends up working for Starks, first on a blasting crew, and later, helping to clear the floodplain of anything that might end up snared in the dam, whether trees, brush, buildings, or Native American burial grounds. Throughout his journeys and his many efforts to create a fresh start, he struggles to regain a sense of self and morality.

Rebekah Anderson has a wonderful way of succinctly drawing her characters\u2019 inner state: \u201cReporters\u2026had an impenetrable, righteous belief in their perception of the truth, but as far as Starks could tell, they made up that truth as they went along,\u201d \u201cCrossing the Columbia always made him feel small and inconsequential in the scheme of things. Putting boats, bridges, and dams on this river was like fleas saddling a dog,\u201d and \u201cPeople talked about him being hot headed, but what they forgot was it sometimes takes fire to make things happen.\u201d

With plenty of action, vivid descriptions, and unexpected twists, readers will be swept up in the current of this historical drama that brings to life how the dam \u201cdestroyed to build.\u201d Progress often has a price that is unevenly levied, and Anderson encourages us to consider its full cost.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2023", "date_added": "27-Jan-2023 21:25:35", "publisher": "Empty Bowl", "page_count": "303 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012087007", "title": "Rituals of Death: From Prehistoric Times to Now", "author": "Stan Beckensall", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 204, "review": "In Rituals of Death, Stan Beckensall offers a glimpse into the past by sharing archaeological evidence of burial sites and rites. The richly illustrated volume includes photographs of ancient graves across the English countryside from the Neolithic to the Christian and modern eras. While focusing on graveyards in the United Kingdom, Beckensall\u2019s approach emphasizes their archaeological significance, discussing the symbols, artifacts, and other materials that accompanied the departed. Because he has been part of excavations, he shared his first-hand experiences in finding and interpreting human activity in constructing the sites. He alludes to stories about ceremonies in certain sacred places; however, the book focuses mostly on what can be readily seen and observed in the mounds, monuments, graves, and mausoleums. Some of the locations described by Beckensall are part of active archaeological digs.

I was interested in this book because of my lifelong fascination with burial rituals across cultures. How communities mourn their dead reflects what they value in the realm of the living, as well as spiritual beliefs about the afterlife. While the book lacks detail about the everyday lives of ancient peoples in Britain, it is a useful tool for lay archaeologists eager to explore and find the sites available to the public.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "30-Jan-2024", "date_added": "27-Jan-2023 12:33:11", "publisher": "Pen and Sword History", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012084003", "title": "The Invisible Machine: The Startling Truth About Trauma and the Scientific Breakthrough That Can Transform Your Life", "author": "Eugene Lipov, Jamie Mustard, Holly Lorincz", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Hannah Stutz", "word_count": 176, "review": "The Invisible Machine by Eugene Lipov, Jamie Mustard, and Holly Lorincz is about a revolutionary new way to treat trauma disorders. Dr. Lipov, a renowned anesthesiologist, discovered that injecting anesthesia into a particular part of one\u2019s back can lead to a dual sympathetic reset. This leads to one being able to have increased functioning and decreased activated symptoms of trauma.

As a therapist, I think this book is highly valuable. I was curious as to why the medical field has not promoted this practice for treating trauma. I was pleased when the authors addressed this question. Most of the therapy I provide is to clients who have varying levels of trauma. I really appreciated Dr. Lipov\u2019s view on PTSD being changed to PTSI. This made him credible and as a practitioner, I found myself wanting to work with him and refer clients for his treatment. The numerous patient anecdotes, as well as, the information from studies provided supportive data for Dr. Lipov\u2019s treatment. I am interested to see how this treatment will impact the mental health field.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "26-Sep-2023", "date_added": "26-Jan-2023 08:27:43", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012078011", "title": "Living Consciously in a \"Zombie\" Apocalypse : The Kingdom of Heaven Is in You", "author": "Flora Bell SMith", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 190, "review": "Flora Bell Smith\u2019s Living Consciously in a \u201cZombie\u201d Apocalypse offers an interesting approach to evaluating one\u2019s life choices to achieve clarity of purpose. Bell is to be commended for using an eye-catching title to describe the living dead who lack awareness and direction, mindlessly pursuing desires and stumbling into challenges. Bell shares several principles loosely tied to spiritual beliefs to explain energy, archetypes, and natural laws. She encourages readers to use esoteric tools to understand the nature of the human experience. The author offers sound advice to follow the path to consciousness and lead a meaningful life.

The author offers a content warning about using discernment while taking in the book's lessons. Smith draws from different philosophies and belief systems but does not explicitly cite what they are. The advance reader copy I reviewed could use some work with the design. It still needed a cover. The illustrations are attractive, but the author needs captions or source credit. At times, the book reads like writings in a personal journal or a blog. While one can follow the author\u2019s flow of thought, the book can benefit from dutiful editing and organization.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2024", "date_added": "25-Jan-2023 00:36:22", "publisher": "Amazon", "page_count": "100 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012073051", "title": "We Love to Entertain: A Novel", "author": "Sarah Strohmeyer", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Ruta Arellano", "word_count": 196, "review": "Author Sarah Strohmeyer spins a breezy tale with cinematic scenes of Vermont in Autumn. A local couple has been chosen for an online show, To the Manor Build (TMB), along with two other couples elsewhere in the US. Each couple will be rehabbing a home in hopes of winning the prize \u2013 all expenses paid that were incurred during the rehab. The voting will be done online by TMB viewers, clearly a popularity contest.

Appearances are deceiving. Several of author Strohmeyer\u2019s main characters at the Vermont rehab have dangerous secrets that are bound to cause serious damage for everyone. Kim, the town clerk, and mom of Erica, has access to the most volatile information. Erica is an assistant to Holly Simmons and Robert Barron, owners of the Vermont rehab project house. Holly and Robert are determined to win with their cabin turned eco-friendly elegant home.

Erica has a past mishap that haunts her. Kim can be over-protective even though her daughter is a 27-year-old adult. Holly has a thin veneer of sparkle hiding a truly different woman. Robert is a blogger who has difficulty measuring up to his father\u2019s expectations.

The tale moves through dangerous turns. Enjoy the ride!", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "05-Jul-2023", "date_added": "21-Jan-2023 09:37:23", "publisher": "Harper Paperbacks", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012072007", "title": "The Healer's Miraculous Discovery", "author": "Stephen A. Robbins", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 438, "review": "Set in 1960s Cleveland, Stephen A. Robbins' The Healer's Miraculous Discovery tells the story of a man who questions his community's religious beliefs and influences its residents through his strong philosophical convictions and supernatural abilities. Stevie's life is drastically changed after coming onto a mysterious object in a basement while carrying out a tedious task. The 13-year-old boy decides to keep the object to himself, which proves to be a prudent move as he performs one miraculous act after another over the course of the years, attracting a lot of attention. As a result, the people around him are compelled to reexamine their beliefs and all they know about life while remaining unaware of his secret. Is the world prepared for the serious questions and thought-provoking ideas that Stevie raises?

The Healer's Miraculous Discovery is filled with complex philosophical concepts that will stay with you long after you finish reading. Because I spent a significant portion of my reading time reflecting on the profound ideas and dialogues, I occasionally forgot I was reading fiction. One of my favorite quotes from the book suggests that if we didn't have to confront death, religions would probably not exist. Another remarkable aspect of the novel is its strong historical components, which appear throughout the tale in the form of religious intolerance, racial conflict, crime, and other crucial depictions of the 1960s Cleveland milieu.

Readers will be intrigued by the characters' complex planning and techniques for navigating the religious world and its politics. It was fascinating to see the drama unfold in various scenes, such as when Stevie begins publicly confronting religious leaders, causing some to feel uncomfortable and others to respond emotionally.

The book's uncomfortable, quick pace is one of its biggest flaws. Because of how fast the years pass throughout the novel, it's difficult to establish a deep sense of familiarity with the characters. Additionally, information about their religious beliefs and dealings with the general public is revealed much more frequently than specifics about their daily routines and intimate relationships.

The novel will appeal to sci-fi aficionados and fans of works that logically critique society. However, it includes a wide range of themes such as law, war, history, religion, philosophy, miracles, extraterrestrials, starting, interracial relationships, prejudice, family troubles, and more.

I don't believe I'd forget any of the lessons I gleaned from this fascinatingly insightful book. Every time I remember the relationship between death and religion henceforth, it's the first thing that would come to my mind. If individuals challenged everything they believed in the manner Stephen A. Robbins' characters do, the world would experience a far more enlightened reality than its current state.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2023", "date_added": "20-Jan-2023 04:11:58", "publisher": "Book Baby", "page_count": "362 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012072003", "title": "The Healer's Miraculous Discovery", "author": "Stephen A. Robbins", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 431, "review": "Stevie Katz is a thirteen-year-old boy working away his Summer days in his father\u2019s hardware store. The Katz family lives in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. By 1958, the city of Cleveland is undergoing a dramatic demographic shift. The industry is beginning to die out, and a heavy percentage of White families are relocating to the suburbs as the city becomes more diverse. Stevie observes the changes with the discerning eye of a teenager.

Stevie\u2019s thoughts and ambitions soon take a backseat when he makes an unlikely discovery hidden behind a brick in the basement of his father\u2019s store. He takes the object but initially doesn't give it a second thought. An accident occurs while Stevie and his father are assisting two friends with furniture. Stevie lends a hand to the critically wounded man, and soon the man is fully recovered. The incident leaves Stevie, his father, and the others perplexed but they're inclined to chalk it up to life\u2019s randomness. As time passes and Stevie gets older, there are other incidents and accidents that affect people in Stevie\u2019s life. A friend suffers an injury during a football game and a touch from Stevie heals a possible crippling injury. People begin to look at Stevie in a different way, but Stevie knows the power flows from the mysterious rock.

Stevie would prefer not to brag about these instances and wants to get on with his life. He wants to go to college and then law school, choosing a path in life that would make his parents proud. Yet, fate seems to be offering a different road. Stevie\u2019s purpose in life may be deeper than a courtroom argument. The miracles he\u2019s been involved with may provide deeper insight into his next steps. However, the reaction he will face from family and community may provide a challenge all on its own.

The Healer\u2019s Miraculous Discovery is a mesmeric book wherein the debate between faith and science takes center stage in the world of Stevie Katz. Author Stephen A. Robbins has created a story where strongly held beliefs are examined as the inexplicable happenings surrounding one young man divide a city. Stevie is a normal young man thrown into circumstances that are well beyond his understanding, yet as he matures, his own spirituality begins to take shape. He is modest about his own abilities and never wants to mislead anyone. Robbins\u2019 take on the various religions and their beliefs, especially when compared to the supernatural provides for a great deal of the dramatic interplay between the characters. Robbins has written an extraordinary book with tremendous appeal.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2023", "date_added": "20-Jan-2023 04:11:44", "publisher": "Book Baby", "page_count": "362 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012071003", "title": "A Happy Ghost", "author": "Kristian Flores", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 413, "review": "A Happy Ghost by Karl Kristian Flores is a wonderful read for twenty somethings who feel lost in the world. Told from the perspective of hotel receptionist Andrei, the novel follows his journey of self-discovery and what the true meaning of life is. Andrei is sort of an angsty young man, emotional and full of melancholy. He does not find his profession fulfilling, nor see any true point of life in general. Beaten down by the affluent customers he caters to, although he financially is well off, he falters to find anything that truly fills the void within. In spite of his disdain for living this way, Andrei continues to brood in his own personal darkness, questioning love, friends, joy, and what it means to be happy.

Until one day, Andrei meets a new hotel guest. This striking woman is different. She is, as Andrei describes, \u201ca precious gem,\u201d beautiful, nurturing, and with a mind of her own. This woman guides Andrei to find the answers he is looking for, reminding him that to feel alive he must \u201clive like a comet.\u201d

And boy does Andrei take her advice! The story continues as the reader follows his journey to truly begin living a life of magnificence, one that he does not wake up dreading. He imparts much wisdom to his readers throughout this journey, reminding them that adventure truly can be around the corner, if one simply chooses to break through routine and into the extraordinary.

As a whole, I really enjoyed this novel. Flores is a fantastic writer, employing rich imagery, metaphors, similes, and other kinds of figurative language throughout the book. His attention to detail and emotion in Andrei\u2019s character made him humorous and delightful to read about. I also appreciated the many detailed adventures we got to experience with Andrei. They were written in a way where it felt like I was seeing the scene with him, not just a sparse description.

My only complaint about this novel concerns two very uncomfortable sexual scenes that even Andrei\u2019s character himself was repulsed by. Given Andrei\u2019s reactions and embarrassment, I am not sure why they were necessary to be constructed this way, and I think Flores could have drawn to his bigger theme a lot more effectively in other ways. I ended up having to skim over small sections, simply because I was physically cringing at the discomfort. However, once you get past these scenes, the book is definitely worth diving into.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2023", "date_added": "19-Jan-2023 09:01:31", "publisher": "Independently Published", "page_count": "190 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012069067", "title": "Amsterdam Ascendant: A novel of rebellion, faith, and daring enterprise that launch a Golden Age.", "author": "Judith W Richards", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 91, "review": "\"Amsterdam Ascendant: A novel of rebellion, faith, and daring enterprise that launch a Golden Age. is a rich, compelling work of historical fiction that follows the lives and relationships of lovers, traders, soldiers, immigrants, shipbuilders, and other fascinating individuals in the late 1500s. Several themes related to the book's history are smoothly integrated throughout the story, making it easy to lose track of time and become immersed in its historical world. This book is a must-read for everyone interested in the history of Europe, particularly Amsterdam.\" \u2014Foluso Falaye, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Jan-2023 03:57:30", "publisher": "Aries Books", "page_count": "374 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012069063", "title": "The Martyr's Blood", "author": "Joel Manners", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 116, "review": "\"Joel Manners\u2019 epic Chronicles of the Martyr fantasy series continues in fine style with The Martyr\u2019s Blood, an action-packed and thrill-a-minute continuation of the exploits of Danielle and Wyn as they strive to defeat the Magi, overcome the Crunorix, and save the realm of Albyn. There are swords and sorcery galore as the heroes embark on their most dangerous adventure yet, journeying through a meticulously crafted and compellingly evoked world where magic and danger prevail even in dreams and the fate of the many rests in the hands of the few. It all makes for a fast-paced and exciting story with a good dose of humor and humanity at its heart.\" \u2014Erin Britton, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 20:41:40", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "637 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012069059", "title": "Unexpected: A Postpartum Memoir", "author": "Emily Adler Mosqueda", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 473, "review": "Unexpected is a beautifully written, candid memoir written by Emily Mosqueda about her struggle with postpartum depression and anxiety after the birth of her second daughter. As a mother of three, I was able to relate to so many of the struggles Emily went through throughout her pregnancy journey and afterward. There were times, in fact, when I was reading her story that I wanted to reach out and just give her a hug because I could feel her emotional pain.

The book starts off in the delivery room where she gives birth to her first daughter, Coraz\u00f3n. The experience sounded like it was euphoric with everything going right. Emily describes herself as floating \"in wonderment\" and sitting \"tall in my new status as mother.\" Rising to the demands of motherhood and working part-time, Emily is able to find some normalcy in her life with the help of family

In 2016, Emily becomes pregnant with her second daughter, Juliet. This pregnancy ends up being much different than her first, partly because she has an expressive two-year-old who demands her attention, and just keeping up with her is a chore. Emily's second delivery includes a drug used to induce labor called Pitocin, crippling contractions, and Emily pleading for an epidural. In this new life of having two children instead of one, Emily and her husband Luke learn that one plus one doesn't exactly equal two when it comes to children. But they manage, and Emily goes back to work with a full caseload as a bilingual speech pathologist. She is able to go to acupuncture sessions to replenish her body and in doing so, releases a lot of stress. Sometimes, the release of this stress comes out in the form of crying and irritability after the sessions. Emily finds she is having meltdowns more often and feels overwhelmed. There is a chapter in the book about her Latino heritage in which she feels like motherhood should feel natural to Latinas and doesn't understand why she feels so much emotional distress.

One of the qualities that Emily has that I really respect is her ability to be self-aware and see how her behavior affects those around her. Emily tries everything, from healing massages to reiki and Chinese herbs. Luke and Emily even hire a nanny to help out and Emily takes some time off to attend a retreat with a small group of women in Montana. Unexpected unfolds Emily's story little by little and the reader will imagine walking alongside Emily as she makes some difficult life decisions and finds some wonderful life discoveries. This is a book that many women, especially mothers, will relate to and it can certainly help a new mother find, even if it's just a little, peace with her own postnatal journey. A book that will captivate its readers from cover to cover.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2023", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 20:19:07", "publisher": "Demeter", "page_count": "133 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012069055", "title": "Unexpected: A Postpartum Memoir", "author": "Emily Adler Mosqueda", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 440, "review": "In Unexpected: A Postpartum Memoir, Emily Adler Mosqueda, a bilingual pediatric speech-language pathologist, mother of two, and wife of acupuncturist Luke Adler, writes candidly about her harrowing battle with postpartum depression. Climbing out of its devastating grip takes thoughtful reevaluation of all she\u2019s been through as well as tremendous effort to make lasting life changes that will inevitably save her and the relationships she most endears.

As she looks back into her childhood and the depths of her own psyche, Emily unveils some of the precursors of what\u2019s to follow. Achievement and success are virtues her parents hold in high regard during her youth. Her perfectionist tendencies and intrinsic desire to please result in feelings of inadequacy and fear. By the time she\u2019s a junior in high school, she plummets into despair. With great effort, she\u2019s able to regain her footage and enjoy relative wellness throughout her mid-twenties. Her first little one is born six years into marriage. The tides turn in delicate rhythms until her pregnancy with her second child. Irritability, despair, and rage denigrate her days and color years of her and her family\u2019s life with dark hues. However, her husband\u2019s love, support, and loyalty are unwavering. With help from naturopathic specialists and remedies as well as her participation in workshops, psychotherapy, and more, Emily achieves stability and contentment and even begins to offer a helping hand to others in need.

This is an eye-opening account and one that\u2019s likely to resonate with those who\u2019ve struggled with postpartum depression. The author\u2019s poignant descriptions, masterful use of imagery, and steadfast veracity in telling her story shed light on this affliction that\u2019s plagued millions across generations and national divides. The life-altering effects of it are profoundly disabling.

Mosqueda\u2019s insightful reflections illuminate long-held beliefs and biases that are common among many. Her sense of humility is palpable and her determination unrelenting. She journals and self-monitors in an attempt to uncover the mysteries behind her ailments. Accordingly, she notes: \u201cOnce the crying meltdowns happened more than a few times, we noticed a pattern. This whole scenario repeated itself every six weeks until April when I was eight months postpartum.\u201d She later comments: \u201cAt first, the meltdowns seemed related to my impending menstrual cycle. What originally seemed like an extra bad day, with instances of raising my voice to a yell and slamming doors, repeated weekly. And I had begun to notice an additional symptom: skin-crawling irritability with a dollop of rage.\u201d Her self-awareness assists her in making vital connections. Such extrapolations as well as the book in its entirety may propel readers to search for a deeper understanding of their own adversities and challenges.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2023", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 20:18:59", "publisher": "Demeter", "page_count": "133 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012069051", "title": "Black Menace: Scourge of an Apocalyptic World", "author": "Kenneth J. Sousa", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 418, "review": "In Black Menace: Scourge of an Apocalyptic World, Kenneth J. Sousa takes the reader on a journey that spans several generations of wild birds living on a marshy lake in the lush wetlands of Florida. Based on the title alone, I expected a story similar to what Kira Jane Buxton wrote in Hollow Kingdom. However, what Sousa has created with this adventure feels more akin to a Brian Jacques-style Redwall novel. Filled with memorable descriptions of the natural world and likable characters, but without the age-appropriate frills.

Mik, a feisty moorhen chick and last surviving member of his family, must navigate the treacherous waters of his home; escaping ravenous turtles, voracious alligators, and larger more aggressive birds long enough to settle his own territory and find a mate. Unfortunately for him, a mysterious black substance residing in the lake is changing the birds it comes into contact with, infecting their minds and bending their wills toward destroying the lake\u2019s inhabitants and unbalancing its delicate ecosystem. With the help of a wise great white heron and his mate Bek, Mik has to figure out how to overcome his traumatic past in order to ensure his home\u2019s future.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! My only real complaint stems from my background as an avid birder. Granted, I\u2019m not expertly informed on the wetland birds of the everglades, but it\u2019s my understanding that the Muscovy ducks represented in the novel stray pretty far behaviorally from their real-life counterparts in terms of the fictional males keeping semi-crazed harems rather than the seasonally monogamous reality of actual Muscovy ducks. So many of the novel\u2019s other birds\u2019 physical and behavioral descriptions were so spot on that such a large discrepancy with the main fleet of antagonist birds threw me off and took me out of the story a little bit.

I\u2019m generally of the opinion that there\u2019s something extra magical about stories that use anthropomorphized animals to relay what amounts to very complicated and intrinsically human experiences. So I was especially intrigued by the author\u2019s description of mindfulness and meditation techniques that basically equate to trauma-informed therapy for several of the characters who had been through psychologically damaging life events. So many fiction authors seem to struggle with presenting an authentic window into the human condition through their writing without falling into the tropes stereotypical to their specific subgenre that it\u2019s extra rewarding to find a story that uses devices like this to relate an original adventure without resorting to worn-out plot devices.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 20:14:50", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012069047", "title": "Black Menace: Scourge of an Apocalyptic World", "author": "Kenneth J. Sousa", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 523, "review": "Kenneth J. Sousa\u2019s Black Menace: Scourge of an Apocalyptic World is an unusual, action-packed, and thought-provoking fable set in a dystopian avian society centered on a Florida lake. Although the timeframe of the story is not clear, it is certain that life on the lake revolves around the birds that inhabit it and the various predators that hunt them. There are no humans to be seen, but the dynamics of the different communities of birds clearly reflect the complex relationships and associations that characterize contemporary human society.

Into this environmentally conscious milieu is born a young moorhen named Mik. The runt of his litter, he lives with his parents and five siblings near the edge of the lake. Tragically, during an outing on the lake one day, all the family except for Mik are killed and eaten by an enormous alligator. Now alone and unwelcome in the territory of any other moorhens, Mik\u2019s personality quickly hardens, although it takes longer for his fighting skills and ability to defend himself to develop.

He does not initially realize it, but circumstances force Mik to embark on a sort of odyssey as he travels north up the lake in search of food and a place to call home. Along the way, he meets a kindly limpkin named Coal, who warns him of the dangers that lurk in the marsh farther to the north. While secretly pleased to meet a friendly character like Coal, Mik disregards his advice and continues with his journey, little concerned about the fact that his chosen route will inevitably lead him into the marsh.

This soon proves to be a significant mistake, as the marsh turns out to indeed be a \u201chorrifyingly dark evil place\u201d and Mik has to beat a hasty retreat. He learns more about the evil that inhabits the marsh when he meets the Sage, a great white heron, who warns Mik that he is destined to go through a lengthy period of suffering due to the trauma of watching his family be killed. Yet, despite this suffering, Mik is also fated to travel to the south of the Wide Bridge, where he will finally find love and a sense of belonging.

From this point onwards, Black Menace follows Mik on his quest to fulfill his destiny, which see him journey Lord of the Rings-style through unfamiliar environments and encounter perilous situations. Sousa clearly has a strong love for both the fantasy genre and real-life birdwatching, as the story features many of the tropes of great swords-and-sorcery novels but also includes vivid, detailed, and seemingly realistic descriptions of the different birds involved. He also does a great job of adapting major set pieces of the story, such as the battle scenes, to the constraints of birds\u2019 capabilities.

The world Sousa has crafted for Black Menace is just as comprehensive, compelling, and strangely believable as the characters. It is by turns wonderfully alien and undeniably familiar, and the action that takes place\u2014both the good and the bad\u2014would be just as fitting if the characters were humans rather than birds. It all makes for a highly unusual but very entertaining story.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 20:14:44", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012069043", "title": "Black Menace: Scourge of an Apocalyptic World", "author": "Kenneth J. Sousa", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 406, "review": "The world has changed, resources seem scarce, life is violent, the cruel are harsh, and there is not a human in sight. As a matter of fact, in this post-apocalyptic world, humanity doesn\u2019t seem to have a place or impact on the life of our main character Mik the Moorhen. This is the landscape the reader finds themselves in Black Menace: Scourge of an Apocalyptic World by Kenneth J. Sousa. Since the explosion of bird pictorial guides and illustrated nonfiction of the 1960s, our feathered friend\u2019s impact on printed media has only grown in popularity. Since then there may have been legions of stories featuring anthropomorphic animals as main characters, yet they have never felt so fully formed as Mik the Moorhen.

Mik the Moorhen has grown up knowing as all animals do about the fragility of life and his delicate place on the food chain. Mik was just a young bird when he witnessed the great horror of his entire family being devoured by an alligator. The youngest of a family of six, Mik now finds himself in this hostile world alone, the sole survivor. Throughout the entirety of the story, it is clear that this pain is something that defines his personality, and its trauma finds its way into most of his actions and impulses. If this was the entirety of the story, it would be a satisfying read for any animal lover. But what we get instead is something so much more extraordinary. Mik is thrown into his own hero\u2019s journey. While suffering from despair, Mik travels North to the Dark Marsh where many cunning and violent predators assault him.

Before long, it becomes clear to the reader that this is not an ordinary tale or fable containing the mythos of any hero\u2019s story. Sousa has created a rich and textured world, strangely foreign in its world-building. Yet equally universal in its themes of grief, discovery, adventure, and destiny. Sousa has masterfully managed to avoid the usual animal parody or tropes, creating characters that are surprisingly relatable.

This is high-concept fiction in all its glory. With vivid characters and engaging action that never seems overblown or unearned. A gripping narrative about a glimpse into the natural world, with compelling animals that grieve, boost, rage, seek vengeance, inflict cruelty, and face tragedy. Ultimately this is a detail-driven, exceptionally crafted work that will appeal to naturalists, fantasy addicts, and readers of beloved fiction young or old.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 20:14:38", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012069039", "title": "Black Menace: Scourge of an Apocalyptic World", "author": "Kenneth J. Sousa", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 437, "review": "Mik, a young and lively moorhen, experiences a sad loss when an alligator devours his family. He encounters the Sage, an old family friend and a big white heron, who directs him to proceed to the safer side of the Wide Bridge, where he must find a spouse and a nesting area to guarantee his line continues. He also cautions him to stay on the lookout for several predatory, dangerous beasts, including Greybeard: a fierce, bloodthirsty great blue heron who would stop at nothing to destroy his bloodline. Will Mik be able to defend himself and his new family from Greybeard? Kenneth J. Sousa's Black Menace: Scourge of an Apocalyptic World is a stunning environmental thriller that depicts a furious struggle in the perilous wilderness between killer, villainous birds, and courageous, heroic birds.

The fierce, strategic combat sequences of Braveheart meet the adorable, entertaining setting of the Angry Birds movie franchise in Black Menace. Instead of war strategies involving guns and artilleries, the book's war methods integrate flying tactics, securing a bridge and the water beneath it to gain an edge, shocking the enemy with a huge number of birds, and other bird-centric plans. Instead of swords and machetes, the feathered warriors in the novel use beaks and claws to attack their foes' most vulnerable body parts. Following the well-planned battle strategies, inconveniences, victories, and losses was incredibly entertaining and thrilling.

I found it easy to connect to and comprehend Mik, since his personality is sophisticated and well-crafted. The awful tragedy that occurs early in his life has a significant impact on how he behaves for the majority of the novel, expressing fury, sadness, and longing, among other emotions, as he navigates various circumstances. Interestingly, he is taught the value of meditation and conscious breathing\u2014an aspect of the novel that will appeal to meditation enthusiasts like myself. Nature lovers will appreciate the author's attention to detail, as he explains the colors, feathers, and forms of the birds in minute detail and ensures that the animal kingdom's cycle of life, including the food chains and web, are smoothly integrated into the novel.

The book is a fantastic choice if you're searching for a narrative that feels unique and different but has all the essential components of the great tales you love. Although it is primarily about birds and other creatures rather than humans, it is nonetheless an exciting, suspenseful, dramatic, and evocative book. I suppose my next nature walk will be extremely exciting and full of imagination, as I will be seeing every bird as a possible Mik, Greybeard, or any of Kenneth's other cute and memorable animals.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 20:14:30", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012069035", "title": "MAN-DAR of Atlantis", "author": "Kenneth J. Sousa", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning ", "word_count": 445, "review": "MAN-DAR of Atlantis is a two-for-one story in the present and past, based between Earth and the seemingly mythical city of Atlantis. The story begins in the present day with Manny, a young man who has the future ahead of him but feels the pressure of a hidden draw to travel to Central America to search for the city of Atlantis. Manny forsakes relationships and uncertainty as he embarks on a journey where he meets strangers whose actions seem to suggest that their relationships are one-sided.

Before falling ill, he meets with a fortune teller who informs him that things aren't as they seem; moving on to the past is MAN-DAR on a pursuit to rescue a barbarian princess and her husband from the evil High Priest and Priestess of Inanna with the help of his slave and, later on, a temple prostitute. MAN-DAR discovers their scheme is to travel to the underworld to claim leadership among the unearthly beasts and bring them back up to take over Atlantis and become the supreme rulers.

MAN-DAR is familiar with and prepared for challenges, hardship, and proving himself, but what he isn't prepared for are the feelings he develops for the barbarian princess and the challenges that will accompany these feelings as he must juggle his assigned task from the Atlantean government and his personal feelings, which come with rules and limitations as well.

MAN-DAR of Atlantis is the first book in a trilogy that will follow MAN-DAR on his many adventures. The storyline is involved and comprehensive, action and suspense are found in every chapter, albeit more often when it's about MAN-DAR versus Manny. MAN-DAR's adventures involve unearthly creatures that can barely be imagined, along with characters whose every emotion radiates from them and is difficult to not be felt as well: evil, bravery, fear, sorrow, etc. MAN-DAR is portrayed as a mighty warrior with relatable characteristics and is proudly found by the end of the story to have evolved into a more well-rounded man.

MAN-DAR of Atlantis contains themes commonly found in the action, romance, fantasy, and erotica genres; this reader would be remiss not to include some trigger warnings/situations a reader would expect to find: slavery and the degradation of that \"class,\" violence and torture, demonic rituals, and sexual situations, including reference to incest between a mother and son.

The ending of the story confused this reader and presented as two endings, with the final ending not seeming as a \"normal\" one for today's culture, but is heavy on \"old-fashioned\" values. Regardless, the entirety piqued this reader's interest and the unknown of what the next book is about is weighing heavily on this mind.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 20:07:44", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012069031", "title": "MAN-DAR of Atlantis", "author": "Kenneth J. Sousa", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 436, "review": "The first novel in Kenneth J. Sousa's trilogy, MAN-DAR of Atlantis, is a fast-paced and highly suspenseful dark fantasy and adventure blend. The primary character, MAN-DAR, is first seen as Manny Silva on his journey to Central America to find evidence of Atlantis in the Mayan pyramids. During his travels, he encounters an old, spiritual woman who tells him that he once helped save the world from tremendous evil. She also advises him to continue on his mission while keeping an eye out for evil forces attempting to obstruct his path and alter the course of history.

Subsequently, Manny develops an illness and becomes delusional, which causes him to travel to a different time and place as MAN-DAR. He embarks on a rescue expedition to save a barbarian princess from the evil High Priest of Inanna. Meanwhile, another significant character, Zarharrab, attempts to rule the world with the assistance of underworld monsters. Will MAN-DAR be able to keep evil at bay in a perilous world filled with strong magic, bizarre creatures, and ambitious villains?

MAN-DAR of Atlantis kept me guessing. I'd think the novel was headed in one direction, then it'd switch to another. Kenneth is an expert at attracting the reader's attention by producing several surprising, spine-chilling beasts, one of which has a lizard's head with sharp, shining teeth on its shoulders. Even more thrilling is the power and drive with which MAN-DAR faces such beasts in battle. Furthermore, the sharp axes, snarling fangs of deadly beasts, and enormous crowds in the book will look amazing in movies and games.

Aside from the book's magical elements, the adventures and trips are also engaging. Its meticulous details regarding the missions and environment provide a sense of adventure and unraveling the unknown future, whether it's a mission to collect a vile of magical water or a trip to the underworld.

Unfortunately, the novel loses points for providing an excessive number of complicated details about its characters, world, and creatures; the flow of the tale is hampered by the fact that there is too much to recall and retain. Another issue is that the characters appear distant and mysterious since information about their activities and relationships with others outweighs information about their feelings and thoughts.

As a big fantasy fan, I noticed that the book's adventure and magic in some ways remind me of fantasy classics such as The Lord of the Rings and Percy Jackson & the Olympians. However, I would have preferred a smoother, more balanced read. Hopefully, the other books in the series will be less complicated while retaining the excellent qualities of this one.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 20:07:38", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012069027", "title": "MAN-DAR of Atlantis", "author": "Kenneth J. Sousa", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 582, "review": "Reminiscent of pulp classics such as John Carter of Mars and Tarzan of the Apes, Kenneth J. Sousa\u2019s MAN-DAR of Atlantis is an action-packed mashup of the science fiction and fantasy genres that exudes all the excitement, creativity, and unmitigated fun of those early twentieth century novels. Just as the great pulps allow readers to escape from the mundanity of their day-to-day lives and explore fantastical worlds and strange civilizations populated by extraordinary people and outlandish creatures, MAN-DAR of Atlantis provides a gateway to another time and place, to a setting where pretty much anything can and will happen.

Manny Silva has been attempting to write a novel for around six months, but all he has to show for his efforts is a rough outline and a dumpster full of discarded paper. To make ends meet, he works as a night security guard at G&G Trucking Company of Boston, where he reluctantly interrupts his writing to make his hourly patrols of the complex. Yet, he actually has a much greater plan in mind for himself. As a devotee of Edgar Cayce, Silva is convinced that the fabled lost city of Atlantis is real, and he intends to travel to Central America to find proof of its existence in the form of carvings on ancient Mayan pyramids.

After an alarming encounter one night at work, Silva decides that the time is right to abandon his old life, make his way to Central America, and finally discover the grand purpose that he is sure the universe has for him. A series of misadventures lead to him hitchhiking in Mexico, where chance puts him in the path of Senora Camilla, an elderly woman said to be the reincarnation of a great mystic, who warns him that he will face great evil during his quest to do great good for the world. In fact, the first danger he encounters is an epic bout of dysentery, which discombobulates him to such an extent that he transmogrifies into MAN-DAR, a lieutenant commander with the Atlantean military.

MAN-DAR and his servant Lugaar are tasked with transporting the Euro delegation\u2014Kirack, son of the chief of the most important barbarian clan, and his wife Sulina, a priestess\u2014to a conference about the threat posed by the Galactica Beasts. However, the nefarious priest Zarharrab and his minions have other ideas, including shooting MAN-DAR and Lugaar out of the sky. Will MAN-DAR be able to defeat the various evils that threaten Atlantis?

MAN-DAR of Atlantis is a fast-paced and gripping book that comprises two main storylines: Manny Silva\u2019s delusion-filled adventures in the contemporary world and MAN-DAR\u2019s thrilling exploits in Atlantis some twelve thousand years ago. Both storylines are packed with action, danger, and intrigue, and Sousa does a great job of tying them together despite their very different settings and tones. The various ways in which people and actions bleed through from the time of Atlantis to the present day are portrayed particularly well, reflecting how MAN-DAR\u2019s actions have serious consequences for Silva and the rest of humanity.

Sousa\u2019s worldbuilding in the Atlantis-era sections of the story is very strong, especially the different Atlantean technologies and the civilization\u2019s political structure as well as the many strange creatures that MAN-DAR encounters and, often, fights. There\u2019s certainly scope for more adventures set in Atlantis. A great mix of science fiction and fantasy, MAN-DAR of Atlantis is a rip-roaring tale of derring-do that shines a light on what contemporary society could learn from the failings of Atlantis.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 20:07:31", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012069023", "title": "MAN-DAR of Atlantis", "author": "Kenneth J. Sousa", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 397, "review": "Manny Silva was uncontented by his current situation. He was dissatisfied with his job as a night security guard and struggled with the novel he was writing. Only two things brought him joy. First was a visit to his ex-lover, Iris. The second was continuing his trip to Central America, seeking the Lost Continent of Atlantis. Even though his rendezvous with his ex-lover turned out to be a bust, he continued his journey south with the knowledge that he would find the evidence he sought of the existence of Atlantis.

His travels were never easy and made more difficult by some he met. Almost being beheaded in Texas only hastened his travels. But being poisoned and then abandoned at the border of Guatemala by a beautiful fellow traveler brought his journey to a screeching halt. Manny fell into a fever dream. In these hallucinations, Manny lived as the Atlantean MAN-DAR as he fights evil to save mankind.

MAN-DAR of Atlantis by Kenneth J. Sousa is the first book in a new adventure trilogy. Similar to Edgar Rice Burroughs\u2019 Barsoom series, Sousa\u2019s protagonist exists in two worlds. The misadventures of Manny lead into the struggles of MAN-DAR. The bulk of this epic focuses on the Atlantean warrior\u2019s mission to guide Euro delegates safely out of Angleland back to Atlantis. Like John Carter, MAN-DAR is the wild, ferocious hero type. The macho hero takes on hordes of foes to rescue the princes he loves.

Contrary to Burroughs\u2019 he-man. MAN-DAR is flawed but grows to be a better person. The character\u2019s imperfection makes Sousa\u2019s tale more relatable. MAN-DAR recognizes his shortcomings and asks for guidance and help when in trouble. He also humbles himself in the face of those he believes are beneath him. If John Carter was the ultimate male of his time, MAN-DAR is a real man for today.

Sousa\u2019s novel is fast-paced and exciting. With references to Greek and Egyptian mythology, this fantasy has a bit of everything. Prepare for brutal battle scenes, dramatic escapades, demon summoning, and virgin sacrifices. Though the dialogue can sometimes be clumsy, the story\u2019s action and pace keep the reader engaged. As an action adventure wrapped up in a tale of the search for Atlantis makes, this epic saga is a joy to read. Join MAN-DAR of Atlantis in his campaign to rescue his true love and saves the world from evil.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 20:07:10", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012069019", "title": "WEREWOLF ON MADISON AVENUE", "author": "Edward R. Lipinski", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 450, "review": "To say that I\u2019m an avid horror reader would be an understatement. If there\u2019s a book out there that\u2019s even vaguely spooky, it\u2019s getting into my hands at some point. But there\u2019s something about the classic horror tropes that never really go out of style. There\u2019s always a new iteration, a new take, or new lore being created and circulated, breathing new life into our old favorites. For this review, I\u2019m talking about one of the first Hollywood monsters to ever creep its way into the collective unconscious of readers across the globe. No, not vampires. Although if Lipinski decides to write a novel featuring the iconic bloodsucker I\u2019ll be the first to wish list it. No, I\u2019m talking about the quintessential primitive shapeshifter himself: the werewolf.

In Werewolf on Madison Avenue, Lipinski takes archetypal werewolf lore and the accompanying supporting character tropes and adds his own special blend of comedy, romance, and a healthy dose of satire to create a story that, while still definitely horror, gives such an air of almost madcap depravity that you can\u2019t help but root for the dozy logic behind the characters\u2019 every move. Jeff Foxglove is a recent graduate trying to get his foot in the door of the advertising world in New York City. Unfortunately for him, he lands a job at an agency with the sleaziest reputation in the business and is soon drawn into a world of raunchy work assignments that completely challenge his moral compass and begin to wear down his upstanding fortitude.

Between putting in grueling hours to create bawdy ads that go against every marketing ideal he ever valued and a ditzy commercial actress trying to use him as a rung on her climb up the social ladder, Jeff is in dire need of a vacation. Unfortunately for him, the Yucatan vacation he books doesn\u2019t go according to plan when he ignores the warnings of the local tour guide and is attacked by a beast on a moonlit mountaintop. Upon his return to the city, Jeff experiences increasingly alarming changes in his body and mind until the volatile first full moon after his attack. After a harrowing night, Jeff tries to explain his situation to his boss, Damon Cudmore of the famous (now explosively ostracized) Cudmore Brothers, who soon takes full advantage of Jeff\u2019s condition for his own sinister business ends.

With the help of Willard, a work-acquaintance-turned-friend, and the steel of his own resolve, Jeff tries desperately to find a cure for his lycanthropy and salvage what\u2019s left of his life. If you\u2019re even remotely a fan of classic monsters and like a little dark humor with your horror, I highly recommend picking this one up!", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "20-Apr-2023", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 20:00:32", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "189 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012069015", "title": "WEREWOLF ON MADISON AVENUE", "author": "Edward R. Lipinski", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 392, "review": "Jeff is an ordinary guy with a not very bright girlfriend working as a copywriter for an advertising agency. Now, this advertising agency is in competition with the owner's brother's agency for who can make the most disgusting and vulgar commercials. This is important to the story and used well. What's a better way to exploit your employees then to use him for commercials when he's a werewolf? The whole aspect of this idea is well done, with characters that don't care, characters that know something is wrong and have to decide for themselves what the right thing to do, and characters that are too oblivious to notice.

All the characters are flat, with one defined trait; all the girls are dumb, ugly or so useless to the plot I don't know why they appeared. The guys are all married to their job. Everyone was given a short back story, not enough that it was boring and unnecessary information, but enough that I knew who these characters were. Jeff is the main character of the story, but there was another character that takes the spot light and has a character arc. The story was about him as well, if not more so than Jeff.

The opening chapter is the background of the agency, I found this chapter very entertaining and my favorite part of the book, though it also left an unanswered question; what exactly was the brothers' falling out about? An answer that isn\u2019t necessary to the story, but I wanted to know anyway.

The descriptions are wonderful and visual, showing the beauty of the jungle and flowers. When it comes to the werewolf changing and killing, its kept to a minimum with brief mentions of blood and gore, but nothing in depth and the details are skimmed over.

The plot itself was engaging, entertaining, and a different take on the werewolf story. There are several scenes that are repeated, as if giving d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu, there weren't many, just enough to tie the story together at different points.

It was an enjoyable read that took me an afternoon to finish and once I started I really did want to know how it ended until i got to the end and was disappointed. It was a dumb ending, but it did fit with the overall tone of the book, so I wasn't all that surprised.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 20:00:27", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "189 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012069011", "title": "Werewolf On Madison Avenue", "author": "Edward R. Lipinski", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 456, "review": "In the world of advertising, most would say that tact and social norms must exist to be successful, yet others say that \"anything goes.\" Damon Cudmore is highly successful in the field of New York advertising, and he follows the advice of the latter - the more crude, insulting, and subjectively honest the slogan can be, the more successful it proves for the overall sales of the product. In walks Jeff Foxlove, a newbie to the field, but full of energy, ideas, and dreams of changing the world. Jeff gets brought under Cudmore's wings, exposed to the darker side of advertising that he soon adapts to, albeit reluctantly. Jeff notices something isn't right in his life and takes a vacation down south for refreshment, relaxation, and to become recharged. To a young, successful New Yorker, the thought of anything going wrong or the truth behind cultural stories, aka superstitions, is not on his radar. One decision made there shows him returning home as a werewolf and having to abide by its curse- unfortunately for others, fresh meat and blood are part of the werewolf package. Is it possible to tame his animal instincts? How can Jeff reverse this curse, if it's even possible?! One last trip down south to search for the fabled cure is the ending to Jeff's exciting and unpredictable life.

When it comes to werewolf stories, this reviewer identifies as a \"newbie;\" accepting that title, reading Werewolf on Madison Avenue was an enjoyable and thrilling introduction to the fantasy genre, reading of creatures who put your hair on end. This debut novel by Edward R. Lipinski reads as the work of a seasoned author yet contains his artistic writing style within and throughout each page. Written in the third-person style, the story gives an overall feel of a narrator relaying the happenings and events, allowing the reader to view them externally and at a safe distance, versus the opposing first-person, with the reader likely to feel and read the characters differently through their internal dialogue. Rest assured horror fans, there is still blood and guts and savagery. The characters in the story are likable and relatable; while being largely about Jeff, other characters have their moments to shine and learn about, with many of them experiencing a coming-of-age moment by the end. The text is comprehensive, yet understandable to the lay reader. The chapters are written in similarly-lengthed bite-sized portions for the capability of gearing through the book at a speedy pace. Werewolf on Madison Avenue is recommended to literally anyone - it will appease the horror junkie given its theme and well-written descriptions of events, yet contains a solid storyline to appease all other readers through the characters and lessons learned.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "13-Feb-2023", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 20:00:21", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "190 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012069007", "title": "WEREWOLF ON MADISON AVENUE", "author": "Edward R. Lipinski", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 438, "review": "Jeff Foxlove's life is drastically changed when he decides to take a vacation and go to the natural paradise of the Yucatan Peninsula to get away from the madness of Madison Avenue, where he cranks out one contemptible ad campaign after another for a firm known for writing obviously bad advertising: Cudmore Agency. Jeff experiences a life-altering incident in the Yucatan Peninsula that seems to have happened in a dream.

When he returns to Madison Avenue, he discovers he has transformed into a werewolf, which leads to his being abused for profit by his employer and enduring deterioration in his health. To feel alive again, Jeff must visit the Yucatan Peninsula once more and find a cure. Werewolf on Madison Avenue by Edward R. Lipinski is a thought-provoking, suspenseful, and darkly comical work that brilliantly illustrates the horrific circumstances surrounding its werewolf protagonist while also exposing the harsh realities of capitalism.

In this fast-paced narrative that keeps you eager to find out the next surprise, there are no pointless, tedious details. Every detail about the setting and characters is given succinctly and plays a significant part in the main narrative. For example, the book offers an impression of the unhealthy, draining, and crude milieu that Jeff finds himself in by shining light on the underlying competition between two antagonistic brothers in the advertising industry.

Edward does an excellent job of blending the realities of the corporate, money-driven world with the dark, wild themes of werewolves and vicious human hunts. The book includes obscene, vulgar characters who will stop at nothing to make money. I also liked that the characters feel very genuine and are vividly depicted, such as the grandmother who forces her visitor to consume \"disgusting, homemade\" cookies.

Anyone who likes horror literature and werewolf stories will appreciate this book. Its scope, however, is broad, since it includes such themes as acting, advertising, magic, business, nature, love, relationships, friendship, ambition, and more. The author's tone is unapologetically candid, caustic, and matter of fact, so anticipate some stinging remarks about its shallow characters as well as detailed descriptions of werewolf assaults.

This brilliantly humorous and thoroughly enjoyable horror novel effectively portrays the times we live in\u2014a time when people are progressively waking up and choosing mental wellness over exhausting workaholism. I loved the book's message about the simplicity of nature and the improved quality of life attained via downsizing and minimalism. Furthermore, I read the book wide-eyed with terror as if held captive by some spell\u2014I just had to finish it! Prepare for your senses to be heightened and your mind to be stimulated with this treasure find!", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2023", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 19:59:53", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "189 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012069003", "title": "Godsmack, Part I, The Mother Earth", "author": "Josie Peterson", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 439, "review": "Yahn Marynugh, a gay businessman, is filled with bitterness and despair because he is losing his position to someone he thinks an idiot. His poor luck is exacerbated by the news that a former business client has been slain. Yahn quickly realizes that he must flee drug lords who are likely involved in the death of his former business client. At the same time, he is suffering from an ailment that, if untreated, might lead to death. Yahn relocates to a distant farm to get away from the drug lords and re-energize his body to combat his disease. Unfortunately, his attempt to flee the drug lords is useless, as they discover new ways to employ him in their drug schemes and criminal operations. Josie Peterson's Godsmack, Part I, The Mother Earth brings together hardened criminals and white-collar characters in a world of crime, greed, and various heinous practices.

One of the book's best features is its diverse cast of characters. I don't believe I'll quickly forget names from the book, like Salvador, a pure genius who resolves to get back at the world for destroying his mother with addiction by developing and distributing the \"world's harshest of natural highs\". The presence of therapeutic and meditative terms in the book further adds to its appeal. Furthermore, various pieces of valuable planting information are cleverly woven into the story. The planting tactics used by one character, for example, represent his objectives to improve his planting profit.

Though the novel contains some fascinating features, the events in the plot are not well-connected. The characters do not reflect on prior events in the book sufficiently, and their future ambitions are not clearly related to future happenings. Furthermore, the dialogues are also a touch tiresome because there aren't many details provided regarding the characters' physical reactions and thoughts. Finally, the characters appear distant since the story's interior monologues are rare and short and the discussions reveal only a few details about their personalities.

Fans of thrillers and crime fiction will appreciate some elements in this book. It features fierce, vicious characters that aren't afraid to wreak harm when necessary. They use elaborate methods to boost profits while avoiding government scrutiny. Fans of consciousness and spirituality movements will also like the book's integration of spiritual concepts such as chakra and healing energy.

I was quite surprised to discover therapeutic and spiritual elements in a novel about drug traffickers and criminals. It was, nonetheless, a welcome surprise, since I appreciated the book's distinct atmosphere. Unfortunately, it falls short in key areas, making for an unpleasant experience. A revised version of Godsmack, Part I, The Mother Earth would undoubtedly be enticing.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jan-2023 19:56:19", "publisher": "self published", "page_count": "355 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000012067003", "title": "Hatch an Egg (Bobo and Pup-Pup): (A Graphic Novel)", "author": "Vikram Madan, Nicola Slater", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 9", "word_count": 181, "review": "Hatch an Egg is the fourth book in the Bobo and Pup-Pup series. I have read every book so far and enjoy them all because Bobo and Pup-Pup have adventures, and even when they are not getting along, they find a way to stay friends by the end. I also like that the books in the series have short and funny chapters.

In Hatch an Egg, Bobo and Pup-Pup are outside swimming when something hits them on the head. The friends try to figure out what it is and decide it is an egg! They look at everything about it to decide what kind of egg it could be and the best way to help it hatch.

Hatch an Egg is silly because the type of egg the friends decide couldn't be true, and their ideas on getting it to hatch are funny. I like their imaginations and ways of thinking things through. I hope there are many more books in the Bobo and Pup-Pup series because I do not see there ever being a book that I won't enjoy reading!", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2023", "date_added": "12-Jan-2023 19:08:51", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012065011", "title": "Brainhacker: Master Memory, Focus, Emotions, and More to Unleash the Genius Within", "author": "Dave Farrow", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 180, "review": "Written by Dave Farrow, two-time Guinness World Record holder for greatest memory, Brainhacker is the book for anyone who wants to learn a few tips and tricks for improving brain function. Readers will learn all types of hacks including visualization for memorization and goal-reaching, how to focus on something so you don't feel pain, how to stop craving a food you love that is not healthy, and how to forget something intentionally.

As Farrow explains in his book, the brain is plastic so we can intentionally make changes to our thinking and it will manifest in our physical world. The brain is more powerful than most people can comprehend. Farrow's Activate Brain Plasticity Hack can be summed up in three steps: be aware of what you want to change, take on a challenge and learn new things, and make a routine and keep going (habit-building).

This book is perfect for getting rid of brain fog, learning how to grow one's mindset, and of course, how to memorize large (or small) quantities of things. Brainhacker has tips and tricks for everyone to try!", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "27-Mar-2023", "date_added": "12-Jan-2023 19:24:46", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012063019", "title": "Wildlife for Idiots: And Other Animal Cartoons ", "author": "Adrian Raeside", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 195, "review": "Cartoonist and author Adrian Reside has assembled over 300 colorfully illustrated cartoons describing many human foibles through animal eyes. The pictured animals take on human emotions as they respond to a people-dominated world; the rodent inquires about the safety of a cosmetic, to learn that the substance passed muster after being tested on humans first. Wildlife dominates the core of the cartoons as the colored sections look at the thoughts of prehistoric meek monsters, insects and bugs who mistake head hair for rug tufts, hungry snakes, eagles and vultures, bears, wolves, rodents, sea creatures, and even the eco-touting human as he destroys a terrain. This is a page-turner that will delight the young at the sardonic comments that the animal makes, that is if they had human minds. There is a certain pathos to be seen in the slaughter and display of animals and their products to mark the skill of the hunter, but some animals are also able to mount a smirking human head. These cartoons display human hubris through animal mouths, but in reality, they follow their own survival patterns. the collection provides an amusing if ironic way of viewing our self-absorbed world.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "12-Apr-2023", "date_added": "12-Jan-2023 19:31:25", "publisher": "Harbour Publishing Co. Ltd.", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012063015", "title": "The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship (The Proudest Blue, 2) ", "author": "Ibtihaj Muhammad,S K Ali,Hatem Aly", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 196, "review": "As two young siblings head off to school for Picture Day, Mama\u2019s empowering message follows them: \u201cMy kind, beautiful girls. Remember, you are strong and smart. You can do and be anything!\u201d Once she arrives, Faizah\u2019s teacher asks what kind of world her students would like to live in. They respond creatively: an \u201cice cream world,\u201d a \u201ccandy world,\u201d and a \u201cfair world.\u201d Faizah\u2019s wish is for a world in which kindness resonates, one in which friends reach out to each other with a helping hand. At recess time the children use superpowers to create this dreamy existence, and what they experience is amazingly wonderful.

In The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship, Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali, award-winning authors of The Proudest Blue, offer readers a compelling story of friendship, family, and inspiration. Her words are heartwarming and powerful and may even motivate some youth to spread their own wings of goodness across the world.

Children ages five to nine will most treasure this book. They\u2019ll embrace the vibrant, playful illustrations that illuminate the pages with gorgeous hues and sweet images. Additionally, they\u2019ll find the authors\u2019 aspirational sentiments refreshingly positive and influential.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2023", "date_added": "12-Jan-2023 19:14:30", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012062011", "title": "Mole and Tell (Celebrating Science)", "author": "Catherine Payne, John Payne, Elisa Rocchi", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 184, "review": "Mole and Tell: the title makes you think it is going to be show and tell but with a mole. However, in this interesting book we learned that mole has many homophones. There are many homophones for mole such as the animal, the skin lesion, and finally, the one this book talks about, which is a scientific measurement. I will tell you that before reading this book I had no idea that a mole was a scientific measurement. The very diverse classroom is about to learn why the day October 23 is so important to scientists all over the world as well as create their own experiments as to replicate measuring moles.

While the idea of the book was a good one, I found the text to be very dry and drawn out. It was incredibly repetitive and hard to read. The characters were very diverse and hopefully this is a book many readers can relate too. I did think it was cool I learned about a new scientific measurement, but the book was just very hard to keep interested in to keep reading.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "12-May-2023", "date_added": "12-Jan-2023 19:33:18", "publisher": "Science, Naturally!", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000012061007", "title": "Oolichan Moon (Sisters Learn Foods of the Elders)", "author": "Samantha Beynon, Lucy Trimble", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 126, "review": "As two sisters grow up, their family realizes it\u2019s time to teach them all about their traditions and why they are so important. One thing their family values is the how their food is sacred. One of their most sacred food is the oolichan fish. This is no ordinary fish; not only can it be used for food, there are also many uses for its oil. The sisters seem to enjoy the time with their elders as they learn all about their heritage.

The illustrations in this book are so unique and truly incredible. The text has a nice rhythm. I enjoyed reading this book and learning about the traditions of others. I really liked learning about why the oolichan fish is so important to them.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "13-Apr-2023", "date_added": "12-Jan-2023 19:36:36", "publisher": "Harbour Publishing Co. Ltd.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012058019", "title": "Optimizing Strategy For Results: A Structured Approach to Make Your Business Come Alive", "author": "Timothy Mwololo Waema, PhD, Ron Price, and Evans Baiya, PhD", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 451, "review": "Optimizing Strategy for Results is a concise and action-packed guide for leaders, management consultants, and facilitators intent on developing and executing strategies that support operational and business goals. Drs. Timothy Mwololo Waema, Evans Baiya, and Ron Price have leveraged their deep experience and insights in entrepreneurship and international business to offer a sequence of practical steps for envisioning, gathering support, and communicating the advancement of mission-critical goals and objectives.

Anchored by a focus on anticipating unexpected challenges, the authors emphasize the importance of aligning purpose and vision to ensure preparedness and resilience to face volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). They discuss the elements of a company culture that is responsive to change, including an orientation toward continuous learning, people-centric values, and an unrelenting focus on the needs of the customer. Each chapter highlights critical skills to succeed in an ever-competitive landscape, outlining tools, accountabilities, and key takeaways. The list of crucial questions for each stage of the strategy development and implementation process was highly invaluable.

With my academic background in business and twenty+ year career in communications and diversity management, I have read many business books focused on strategy, including classics like Execution by Ram Charan and Good to Great by Jim Collins. Optimizing Strategy for Results takes the best qualities of management volumes, offering case studies and practical applications of critical concepts. This book offers the bedrock of strategy development, with useful lessons for founders and entrepreneurs of early-stage companies.

For leaders who have been through iterative strategy sessions, some tools may seem familiar. They are presented with a different spin without much context or explanation for the validity or necessity of a new approach. For example, the authors discuss using the SLOC analysis, which stands for strengths, limitations, opportunities, and challenges, for internal and external assessments. SLOC is an iteration of the SWOT framework that focuses on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. At first glance, there isn\u2019t much difference between the two approaches, and the authors failed to address the distinction. Other tools \u2013 like the company scorecard \u2013 appear to be a revision of the balanced scorecard model, which has been widely used for the last few decades.

For busy executive leaders, the best aspect of Optimizing Strategy for Results is its brevity. It gets to the point immediately, without much of the buildup of explaining the research and evidence supporting the frameworks. I appreciated the different tools designed to enable teams to understand constraints, prioritize needs, and make sound strategic decisions. From the lens of a people manager, it was essential to know how emotional intelligence may be applied to an organizational context. Strategic intelligence drives change by understanding company culture and adapting to external challenges.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2023", "date_added": "13-Jan-2023 19:55:54", "publisher": "Greenleaf Book Group", "page_count": "226 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012058015", "title": "Sprout Branches Out", "author": "Jessika von Innerebner", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 128, "review": "Sprout is a curious little houseplant that believes there has got to be more than just life on the front porch. Finally, when she decides to explore the world around her, it is nothing like she thought. In fact, it's a much scarier place than she imagined. So maybe life on the porch wasn't so bad. Read this book to see if Sprout gets back to her safe place on the porch.

This book was really cute and it was fun to read because we have several of the houseplants that were in the book. It kind of makes one wonder if the houseplants do ever want to venture outside. This was a really cute story of a funny little plant just looking to live her best life.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "01-Jun-2023", "date_added": "12-Jan-2023 19:29:46", "publisher": "Roaring Brook Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012057003", "title": "City of Dreams: A Novel (The Danny Ryan Trilogy, 2)", "author": "Don Winslow", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 199, "review": "The fallout from the mob war that bloodied the streets of Providence was still being felt. Danny Ryan and his crew were exiles heading for the west coast. The rival Moretti family was victorious, but their future was clouded by uncertainty. Danny\u2019s actions in the wake of a heroin theft reverberate through his mind as his caravan moves west, the possibility of retribution from the mob or federal agents guiding his flight.

Peter Moretti is running his crime family, but financial concerns related to the heroin theft/sting are monopolizing his thoughts. Moretti\u2019s preoccupation with the missing drugs blinds him to the ambitions of rivals within his own organization. As Danny plans to settle down, he needs to protect his family and his crew. A deal with an unlikely ally promises freedom but its consequences could be dire.

City of Dreams continues the transfixing story of knock-around guy turned shot-caller Danny Ryan and the dangerous world he inhabits. The paranoid and betrayal-heavy world of organized crime and its denizens is portrayed in stark detail by Don Winslow. In the second and penultimate book in his swan song trilogy, Winslow doesn\u2019t pull any punches in this memorable and often somber tale.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "27-Jun-2023", "date_added": "12-Jan-2023 12:13:18", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012056003", "title": "Cassandra in Reverse: A Reese's Book Club Pick", "author": "Holly Smale", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Joseph Arellano", "word_count": 194, "review": "I loved reading the fun novel The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, which was labeled as a smart love story. So it was with great anticipation that I learned the cover blurb for Cassandra in Reverse was written by Simsion. I assumed the new book could not miss. Never make assumptions.

Oh, the new novel started out just fine, and it also happened to be a story about a uniquely quirky individual looking for love. In this instance, the protagonist happens to find it hard to relate to most other humans but is aided by a special talent: the ability to time travel. Need I mention that I\u2019m usually drawn to time-travel stories?

The tone of Cassandra is initially light and fun. But once I approached the halfway point of the read, I realized the story was bogging down. Especially because Cassandra is never satisfied with going back in time once to correct an earlier error in interacting with her boyfriend. No, she repeatedly returns back to the past.

I dreadingly trudged along to the end, page 360. The Rosie Project was completed in 295 pages. Let\u2019s hope that Smale\u2019s next work draws a strong editor.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2023", "date_added": "12-Jan-2023 01:43:38", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000012055007", "title": "Poor Tom", "author": "Martin Drapkin", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 422, "review": "Poor Tom by Martin Drapkin tells the story of its main character, Julius, a forty-year-old man who I would describe as pretty lost in the world. Julius is a Jewish photographer and painter, although I would not say he shows enthusiasm toward either of his professions. He also lives with his long-term girlfriend Naomi, a social service worker, and mother to Benji and Elise. Although he loves Naomi, the two definitely have their differences, something that is beginning to be a problem at the beginning of this novel. In addition to the above, Julius is the son of Herbert Dickman, a well-known classical-trained actor. He and his father have an interesting relationship; after having lost his mother to suicide, Julius and his father spend much quality time together but seem to ignore all the important questions surrounding his family affairs.

This novel really explores Julius\u2019s relationship with his father and with Naomi. His dad, Hebert, has just retired from his long theater career after playing the lead role in \u201cKing Lear,\u201d something that was to be the climax of his profession. However, after this play, Herbert begins to act strangely. Julius finds himself faced with the task of taking care of his father both physically and mentally after this sudden decline, something quite difficult, while also handling his relationship problems with Naomi.

As I was reading this novel, I could tell Drapkin was an experienced author. He writes exceptional character dialogues, thoughts, and feelings. I would describe the majority of the content as Julius\u2019s daydreams about a life that he is not living. In his case, this usually involves fantasizing about beautiful women in the early hours of the evening and then spiraling into uncontrollable thoughts about basically everything else going on in his day-to-day. Although Julius is written as a sort of awkward, and unsure character (with which his daydreams very much coincide), I found the story did not particularly move forwards or backward. Even at the end of this novel, I struggled to find a real conclusion, more of just a series of events that happened to Julius which he then pondered on. Although Julius\u2019s character is pretty wishy-washy, I do think some sort of novel climax or major event is necessary, which I simply did not get out of this novel.

As a whole, even though I was not particularly fond of Poor Tom, it was not a bad read. I believe it would be a story enjoyable for those who enjoy slow-moving fiction or who may be feeling pretty lost themselves.", "issue": "January 2023", "date_posted": "24-Jan-2023", "date_added": "11-Jan-2023 22:10:11", "publisher": "HenschelHAUS Publishing", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012053003", "title": "The Wildest Hunt: True Stories of Game Wardens and Poachers", "author": "Randy Nelson", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 192, "review": "Former Canadian fishery officer, Randy Nelson has collected a bookful of short stories describing game wardens' encounters with animal and plant poachers across the United States and Canada. The array of descriptions displays the rampant disregard of rules and regulations by illegal collectors and hunters along with the inherent peril that wildlife managers are exposed to. Hunting regulations are imposed to maintain the sustainability of plant and animal populations and yet there are groups of individuals who either for profit or ego will kill or over-collect endangered species. In over one hundred narratives collected from a range of diverse game wardens, the spotlight and the gun or bow and arrow are illegally used to shoot deer and elk primarily for their antlered heads to be used as wall decoration. Hunting for many of these poachers seems almost like an addiction. Read about overfishing, polar bear slaughter, turkey thugs, gator napping, bird collecting, plant uprooting, ginseng stealing and so many more infamous acts. All these droll, yet distressing, stories told with dry humor sarcastically emphasize the brainlessness of the poachers while emphasizing the dangerous responsibility assigned to an inadequately staffed wildlife control bureau.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "13-Apr-2023", "date_added": "11-Jan-2023 21:07:49", "publisher": "Harbour Publishing Co. Ltd.", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012052003", "title": "Five First Chances", "author": "Sarah Jost", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1073, "review": "Five New Romances for April\n\nSpring head first into some new romantic fiction this April and experience all the thrill, spills, and chills that accompany a fantastic love story. The five novels featured in this roundup are all forthcoming releases packed with fun, frolics, and plenty of humor, and they\u2019re all certain to put you in the mood for romance.\n\nFive First Chances by Sarah Jost\n\nHave you ever felt like you missed the chance for something great? Something that could have changed your life for the better? Such worries plague Lou as she muses on the currently unsatisfactory status of her life: single, unfulfilled, stuck in a city far from home, and watching those around her celebrate their happiness. Not all is lost, however, as Lou is given the chance to travel back in time to two days in the past, to the point where one small decision had a major impact on everything. Although this allows her to correct her mistakes, Lou\u2019s new decisions and actions send her in unexpected directions, ultimately trapping her in some kind of time loop. Interestingly, during each attempt to change the past for the better, she finds herself interacting with the same friend of a friend. Could it be the sign of something? Five First Chances by Sarah Jost explores how the greatest love stories are often the most unexpected love stories, with serendipity playing a significant role in the search for happiness.\n\nSizzle Reel by Carlyn Greenwald\n\nCarlyn Greenwald\u2019s Sizzle Reel follows would-be cinematographer Luna Roth as she navigates the surprising complexities associated with coming out as bisexual at the age of twenty-four. She may have the support of her best friend, but she has no intention of coming out to her right-wing parents, nor does she have any idea how to actually flirt with women. Plus, the excessive demands of her boss mean that she has little time for romantic matters anyway. When Luna meets A-list Hollywood actress Valeria Sullivan and senses that there might be an attraction between them, she puts together a plan intended to overcome both her professional and her personal difficulties. But things are never that simply and Luna soon finds herself in danger of losing her career, her best friend, and any chance she had at romance. Can she figure out a way to fulfill all her dreams without hurting those she cares the most about? It all makes for a hilarious rom-com and a surprisingly insight account of life behind the camera in Hollywood.\n\nKing of Wrath by Ana Huang\n\nBillionaire CEO Dante Russo thrives on being in control in both business and life, and he\u2019s so keen on living an ordered life that he has no intention of ever opening himself up to the chaos associated with married life. However, when faced with a blackmail plot, Dante agrees to get engaged to Vivian Lau, a woman he barely knows who just happens to be the daughter of his greatest enemy. Although he initially intends to do everything in his power to avoid the blackmail and break off the engagement without leaving any evidence that it ever took place, as Dante gets to know Vivian better he finds himself strangely reluctant to let her go. For her part, Vivian knows that it is her job to be the perfect daughter and pave the way for her family to enter high society. Marrying Dante would do just that, which is why she agrees to the engagement despite thoroughly disliking him. Yet, against all her instincts, she finds herself falling in love with her future husband. Will love manage to keep this disparate pair together? The second book in Ana Huang\u2019s steamy Kings of Sin series, King of Wrath can be read as a standalone romance novel centered on the idea that opposites can attract in powerful ways.\n\nMoorewood Family Rules by HelenKay Dimon\n\nHelenKay Dimon\u2019s Moorewood Family Rules is an unusual tale of romantic misadventure that is also part crime novel and part family saga. Jillian Moorewood is the oldest and most steady child of the union between a conman and an heiress. She\u2019s the one tasked with keeping the family together and out of trouble, and she\u2019s also the one who had to go to prison to save the bunch of them. After spending over three years behind bars, Jillian has finally been released, and she\u2019s still feeling pretty sore about the whole ordeal. When finally reunited with her family, she\u2019s disappointed to find that they have continued with their criminal ways while she has been away, despite many promises to the contrary. Although none of them want to go legit, Jillian believes that she finally has the leverage to force them to do so. There\u2019s just one problem, how can she convince her relatives to change their lives when her own life is in shambles? Fortunately, with the help of a great aunt and a few new acquaintances (not all of whom are working undercover), she is able to stand on her own two feet and figure out who she really is, including what she wants by way of romance. \n\nJasmine and Jake Rock the Boat by Sonya Lalli\n\nSonya Lalli uses the fabulous setting of an Alaskan cruise as the perfect background for an enemies-to-lovers romance in Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat, which is packed with charm, humor, and meddling aunties! Jasmine Randhawa is commonly thought to have it all\u2014a prefect boyfriend, a great job, and an apartment that makes people green with envy\u2014but she\u2019s really nowhere near as confident or contented as she seems. What\u2019s more, her perfect romance is quickly coming apart at the seams. With her life in near tatters, Jasmine finds herself tagging along on her parents\u2019 vacation, which does nothing for her self-esteem or mood, nor does the fact that the only other person under fifty on the cruise is the big- and pig-headed Jake Dhillon. The pair of them become enemies at first sight: Jasmine hates how Jake is placed on a pedestal for being the perfect son, while Jake dislikes Jasmine\u2019s reputation as a troublemaker. Still, they can\u2019t really stay out of each other\u2019s way on a cruise ship, and after a while they begin to find some common ground, including the fact that they are both keeping secrets from their families. Romance seems to be blossoming, but will it survive the move back to dry land?", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Jan-2023 16:50:20", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000012051011", "title": "White Girl Within: Letters of Self-Discovery Between a Transgender and Transracial Black Man and His Inner Female", "author": "Ronnie Gladden", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 219, "review": "For millennia, letters have been a powerful medium through which to express deepest sentiments and feelings about well-kept secrets. Educator and speaker Ronnie Gladden leverages the power of the missive to share complicated and sensitive emotions and unvarnished truths about the confluence of race and gender in their memoir White Girl Within.

In the compilation of letters, the first set is written to Ronnie\u2014a Black man\u2014by their inner White Girl, a persona who claims to live deep within Gladden\u2019s psyche. White Girl tells of pivotal moments in Gladden\u2019s life. By demonstrating how dueling transgender and transracial tendencies interact, Gladden challenges the reader to consider the complexity of racialized and gendered identities.

From my perspective as a diversity, equity and inclusion practitioner, this book is wholehearted and brilliant. Gladden embodies the struggle to overcome internalized racism in writings that are both cerebral and visceral at the same time, offering different layers of meaning. In centering the voice of Whiteness, the author offers a piercing critique of the current discourse about anti-Black racism. Letters question and challenge traditional notions of Black masculinity and their link to what Gladden calls the \u201cplantation industrial complex.\u201d

The power of the book is that every reader will take away something different, depending on their social identities and orientation toward issues of racial identity and equity.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "01-Jun-2023", "date_added": "11-Jan-2023 21:18:54", "publisher": "October Publishing", "page_count": "396 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012048007", "title": "Hollywood in the Klondike: Dawson City\u2019s Great Film Find", "author": "Michael Gates", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 201, "review": "When new technology takes over, it\u2019s worthwhile hanging onto anything that may later tell a wholly unexpected story. Historian Michael Gates\u2019 chronicle of Hollywood in the Klondike reveals a startling find: the recovery in Dawson City of several tons of silent movie reels from the Family Theatre, hauled to the waterfront in 1933 by proprietor Fred Elliott and then trashed and burned.

Gold Rush prospectors, entertained in saloons, gambling halls, and theater live-shows, welcomed the first moving pictures in the town\u2019s theaters, wooden buildings that frequently fell victim to fires and were then hastily rebuilt. The silent movies enjoyed only a few years of novelty and thrills before the \u201ctalkies\u201d came in. Yukon Territory, far from Hollywood, was eager always to watch movies even two or three years after release.

The Klondike Gold Rush is a familiar story, captured in books and movies by many authors and actors. Discovering hundreds of silent movies, many undamaged, is virtually unknown. Gates develops parallel stories of the prospecting and the film discovery. They send a shiver of excitement even today, no less many characters in the story like \u201cDiamond Tooth\u201d Gertie and Beatrice Lorne, the \u201cKlondike Nightingale,\u201d whose later lives took a dignified turn.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2023", "date_added": "11-Jan-2023 21:06:24", "publisher": "Harbour Publishing Co. Ltd.", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012047019", "title": "Women, Leadership, and Saving the World: Why Everything Gets Better When Women Lead", "author": "Belinda Clemmensen", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 200, "review": "Belinda Clemmensen has issued a bold call to action among women to take their rightful place in the corporate leadership ranks through Women, Leadership, and Saving the World. The management coaching guru focuses on the ways that women change organizations for the better when they lean forward into their inclination to lead differently, with a feminist approach.

culture toward greater employee productivity and engagement. She focuses on the myriad challenges women experience in workplaces and ensuring diversity and inclusion strategies take gender into full account. Throughout the book, she shares personal stories of overcoming work-life challenges. The author incorporates the latest research to support arguments about pervasive gender disparities in pay, promotion, and leadership opportunities.

Workplaces continue to enhance their collective understanding of developing equity and inclusiveness. This book would make a great addition to an organization\u2019s learning library or book club because it is punchy and a quick read for busy professionals. It is full of actionable advice for women who experience the push-and-pull of domestic and professional demands in the midst of ascending the leadership ladder. The ideas offered in the book are useful for decision-makers who are looking for tangible ways to improve workplace experiences for women.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2023", "date_added": "11-Jan-2023 21:56:08", "publisher": "Women", "page_count": "182 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012045003", "title": "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Road to Neverwinter", "author": "Jaleigh Johnson", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 194, "review": "While I absolutely adore stories set in fantastical realms, the ones I find myself traipsing through always seem to be Dungeons & Dragons adjacent rather than fully immersed in the intricacies and lore of the D&D-verse. But after watching Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves on the big screen last month I knew I had to read this prequel, and I was not disappointed!

The story is told from Edgin\u2019s point of view as he relates the tale of his crew\u2019s formation to his daughter Kira as a bedtime story. Starting with his wife\u2019s demise and ending with a hint of the beginning of the heist that lands Edgin and Holga in Revel\u2019s End prison where we find them at the beginning of the movie, this book does a fantastic job of providing essential backstory that deepens the context of the characters\u2019 relationships and gives the reader insight into some of the motivations that play a massive part in the plot of the movie.

Basically, if you enjoyed the flashback scenes of the rag-tag found-family crew of misfits pulling off successful heists at the beginning of the film, you\u2019re going to love this book.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "19-May-2023", "date_added": "09-Jan-2023 13:18:34", "publisher": "Random House Worlds", "page_count": "288", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012044015", "title": "I Eat Men Like Air", "author": "Alice Berman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 445, "review": "I Eat Men Like Air is a line from a Sylvia Plath poem called Lady Lazareth which is about multiple suicide attempts and the art of dying. And it is a fitting title for this book because all of the characters in the book suffer from some form of angst. The story occurs in 2017 and first introduces readers to a crime and murder podcaster named Tyler who is tagging along with his friend, Detective Sean Strickland in the investigation of a wealthy young man named Alex Sable who was found dead in a bathtub. Although it looks like a suicide, Tyler thinks otherwise and sets about interviewing the deceased's friends.

What I really enjoyed about this book were the characters. The story should really be about Will and Jessica's wedding, but instead, Alex, the obnoxious, always-under-the-influence-of-something-or-another friend steals the show. The book's chapters toggle back and forth between each time the group visits the mansion where Will and Jessica are to be married. The visits are full of drugs and alcohol, discussions about a guy who Alex got convicted of rape, and the various problems of young, rich people. Lulu, the Instagram Influencer, is getting over a relationship and gets bitchy when Victoria complains that her own breakup was much worse than Lulu's because she invested more time in it. Rob, Will's best friend, has a hard time falling into the character of being a rich person. He still wears J. Crew, after all, and the guys never let him live that down. Alex is the volatile addict who will tilt a woman's head back and pour absinthe into her mouth before she can consent. The doctor of the group, and the one character who actually has any standards, Yael, learns this the hard way. But she is not without her faults. Sleeping with a soon-to-be-married man does not exactly show a good moral compass. Then there is Maxie. Maxie is married but never sees her husband, Freddie. Then there are the bride and groom, Jessica and Will. From the start, it is clear that these two don't really go together. They are just two people stepping into their roles.

I have to say, a lot of the dialogue was quite entertaining and downright comical. The author does a fantastic job of creating the voice behind each character. The reader will be wondering if Alex really did commit suicide or if this group of immoral, unethical, rich kids were behind something a lot more sinister. This book is dark, yet has a lot of nonchalant humor thrown in. There are several side storylines and plot twists that will keep the reader's attention stuck to the page.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2023", "date_added": "06-Jan-2023 02:46:34", "publisher": "Pegasus", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012044011", "title": "I Eat Men Like Air", "author": "Alice Berman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 435, "review": "I\u2019m usually not a huge fan of mysteries, especially murder mysteries. It\u2019s always obvious to me \u201cwhodunnit\u201d pretty early on and I find that makes the characters involved seem very one-dimensional and not that fun to stick with to the end. Of course, who hasn\u2019t read an Agatha Christie or two, but besides that I\u2019m more of a fantasy or romance type of gal. However, I Eat Men Like Air has irrevocably changed my perspective on the genre.

From the very beginning of the novel, there\u2019s an undeniable undercurrent of tension between every character as they\u2019re introduced. You might think this would make for a tense read, but on the contrary, Berman masterfully weaves threads of unease and suspicion between the cast and plays each scene like a finely tuned instrument all the way through to a thrilling twist and immensely satisfying conclusion.

I finished this novel in two days, not only because the story was wholly engrossing, but also because the depth of character development and care with which each person\u2019s part to play was fully realized was written in such a believable and clever way that I didn\u2019t want to put it down.

The book starts out with the apparent suicide of wealthy East New Yorker Alex Sable the night before his best friend\u2019s wedding. One of the investigating detectives is a popular true crime podcaster, and the opening of the novel follows him as he arrives at the scene and is introduced to the bride and groom and the remainder of their wedding party. The bulk of the story takes place the year preceding Alex\u2019s death, starting with a raucous weekend in a New Hampshire mansion to celebrate the upcoming nuptials.

At first glance, most of the wedding party reads as shallow and vapid one-percenter types with \u201crich people problems\u201d. Lulu, Maxi, and Jessica (the bride-to-be) are so preoccupied with how their lives look that they\u2019re almost missing the point of being fully realized human beings, and the same can be said of Will (the groom-to-be) and Rob (the poor tag-along trying to fit in where he\u2019s not welcome). But as the weekend continues and the true nature of their personalities and the tangled knots of their interwoven relationships become apparent, it\u2019s obvious that there are some things money and influence can\u2019t repair.

This novel humanizes otherwise inhumane people while at the same time questioning the moral limits of wealth and power, and what lengths both those who are wronged and those who have witnessed wrongdoing will go to for retribution and redemption. I\u2019ll definitely be re-reading this one later this year.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "08-May-2023", "date_added": "06-Jan-2023 02:46:29", "publisher": "Pegasus", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012044007", "title": "Delaware Before the Railroads: A Diamond Among the States", "author": "Dave Tabler", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 438, "review": "Delaware Before the Railroads documents the history of the State of Delaware from 1638-1832. Before 1832, business owners had to ship goods to Philadelphia via water since the roads were narrow and wagons could not carry nearly as much as ships. This book takes readers through an eye-opening excursion through these years with the use of brilliant color photographs to create an encapsulating experience.

From the earliest Swede settlers to the building of log cabins and the freeing of slaves to the many trades that have developed over the years, Delaware has a rich history that will have many readers surprised. I didn't know very much about Delaware when I picked up this book, but the wonderful pictures and descriptions soon had me interested.

Author Dave Tabler gives just enough information in the captions of the photos to allow the reader to understand what he/she is seeing without bombarding the reader with too much reading. I enjoyed learning about the architecture and design of the buildings both inside and out. The Swedish plank house was a simple wood structure built in the late 1700s. And the Dutch architectural influence continued deep into the colonial era with houses built with features close to the ground and details such as leather door hinges. Brick patterns were also introduced as they became popular in Philadelphia. Over time, more and more details were added to the buildings. The furniture and pottery are also wonderfully represented in this book.

I also enjoyed learning about the different trades in Delaware. From milling to hunting, fishing, and trapping, to colonial medicine and blacksmithing, it is so interesting to compare how things were done back in colonial times versus now. I was intrigued by what could be found in a dispensary\u2014saffron and peppercorns are items that can be found in present-day kitchens after all! Procedures such as bloodletting and scary instruments such as \"English keys\" for pulling teeth are things we don't hear about anymore because of how humans have evolved in the medical field. I found the tools and procedures to be fascinating.

Overall, I feel that this is a book that covers the history of Delaware during the time before the railroads very nicely. It should be a welcome addition to any school curriculum as it presents the history in such a way that is captivating and engaging. Although most of the book is photos and captions, it should also be noted that Tabler does an exceptional job with his \"Notes on Photographs\" section in the back of the book which gives a little more in-depth description of each photo if the reader would like to know more.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "17-Mar-2023", "date_added": "06-Jan-2023 02:37:03", "publisher": "self-published", "page_count": "100 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012044003", "title": "Ignite Culture: Empowering and Leading a Healthy, High-Performance Organization from the Inside Out", "author": "Margaret Graziano", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 429, "review": "I am not an executive or team leader, and I doubt I will ever work in an office. All the same, corporate culture is now deeply settled into American culture. I first picked up this book out of sheer curiosity, but the further I read, the more I realized the upper levels of my own workplace do have many corporate aspects. Some of the terminology was familiar to me from emails or from mass Zoom meetings.

(At the risk of one of my bosses seeing this, I think they should read this book.)

The above statement is only half a joke. While I doubt any of us would be entirely comfortable with a boss knowing that we\u2019re not a fan of their leadership style, I do think many employers and executives could learn a great deal from Ignite Culture, and from Graziano\u2019s years of experience in helping companies restructure themselves to make a more welcoming working environment for their employees. She takes readers through steps of improvement, building outward from first focusing on the self, then on the immediate team, and finally, on the company as a whole.

What I found most appealing (and what I think will appeal to many others lower in the pecking order) is that Graziano\u2019s focus is not on profits or consumer engagement or public relations. Those things, she says, will follow. Instead, she urges executives to focus on improving their corporate culture, making changes that not only make their employees happier but also make them more engaged in their work. The recent Great Resignation and the supposed epidemic of \u201cquiet quitting\u201d (and the discourse surrounding that term) come from a lack of engagement and even outright discontent, largely caused by toxic workplace cultures that don\u2019t value their employees as anything more than a means to an end.

I can\u2019t say this book will solve every problem a corporation faces. As I said before, I\u2019m no executive, and complex problems will require more complex solutions than can be wrapped up in one book. Still, Ignite Culture makes for an excellent starting place. Not only does it offer advice on communication that anyone can find helpful, it also delves a little into neuroscience and provides many further resources to draw on.

I would, of course, most recommend this book to executives, but I think many other people will find it interesting. I went in for a peek at corporate culture and came out not only with a better understanding of it but also with some handy advice on how to better handle my own communication.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2023", "date_added": "06-Jan-2023 02:30:07", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc", "page_count": "236 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012042011", "title": "The Swiss Nurse", "author": "Mario Escobar", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 995, "review": "Historical Fiction for August\n\nStep into the past and journey through time with our Historical Fiction for August roundup. As the summer days wane and autumn's embrace draws near, immerse yourself in the captivating narratives of five recently published works of historical fiction. From tales of love and betrayal in post-World War II Italy to sweeping sagas set against the backdrop of significant historical events, these books offer readers a passport to different eras and a chance to experience the lives, dreams, and challenges of characters from bygone times. Join us as we explore the rich tapestry of history through the eyes of these talented authors and their meticulously crafted stories.\n\nThe Swiss Nurse by Mario Escobar\n\nThe Swiss Nurse by Mario Escobar is a poignant and gripping tale that shines a light on the remarkable bravery and compassion of one woman during some of the most serious crises of the last century. Based on a true story, the novel follows the incredible journey of Elisabeth Eidenbenz, a Swiss nurse who seeks to aid children orphaned by the Spanish Civil War and later provides refuge for expectant mothers and their unborn children in France. As the story unfolds, readers are also introduced to Isabel Due\u00f1as, a Spanish patriot who flees Franco's Fascist troops and seeks asylum in a French refugee camp. The novel beautifully portrays the resilience and sacrifice of both women in the face of overwhelming adversity, delivering a powerful message of love and strength during times of historical turmoil. The Swiss Nurse is a compelling narrative that sheds light on often overlooked aspects of history and the unsung heroes who made a difference in the lives of countless refugees.\n\nThe Bookbinder by Pip Williams\n\nPip Williams\u2019 The Bookbinder transports readers to 1914 and the outset of World War One, where the lives of Peggy and Maude, twin sisters, unfold against a shifting historical landscape. As young men are called away to fight, women such as Peggy and Maude must step into new roles to keep the nation running. While they both work in the bindery at Oxford University Press, their dreams and aspirations diverge: Peggy yearns for knowledge and education, whereas Maude finds contentment in the art of bookbinding. The arrival of refugees from war-torn Belgium disrupts their lives, sparking a series of events that challenge their ambitions and responsibilities. Williams weaves a narrative that delves into the themes of knowledge, access, and the unseen stories of women in history. In so doing, Williams elucidates a lesser-known aspect of the past through the eyes of women, creating a compelling and thought-provoking tale that explores the transformative power of knowledge and the pursuit of dreams amidst the turmoil of war and societal expectations. \n\nRemember Me by Mary Balogh\n\nRemember Me by Mary Balogh is a captivating historical romance novel that explores complex issues such as forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring power of love. Lady Philippa Ware, once filled with dreams of a glittering debut and a splendid marriage, had her hopes shattered when her family was disgraced. Years later, she finds the courage to make her debut in London, only to be confronted by the Marquess of Roath, who had once cruelly insulted her. The Marquess is tasked with finding a suitable bride by his ailing grandfather, the Duke of Wilby. When he crosses paths with Philippa, the sparks of attraction fly, but a long-buried secret threatens to keep them apart. As the autocratic duke and duchess have their own plans for the union, Lucas and Philippa must confront their pasts and find the strength to embrace love's healing power. Balogh skillfully crafts a tale of second chances and redemption, reminding us that even in the midst of life's challenges, love has the capacity to mend and transform. \n\nCloak of Scarlet by Melanie Dickerson\n\nCloak of Scarlet by Melanie Dickerson is a captivating retelling of the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood, albeit one set in a medieval world filled with danger and intrigue. The story revolves around Violet Lambton, a seemingly ordinary young woman who, despite her humble origins, is determined to fight the villainous Baron Dunham and his mistreatment of the townspeople. Sir Merek, a knight in the service of Baron Dunham, becomes an unexpected ally when he recognizes the depths of the baron's treachery. Together, they embark on a perilous quest to expose the baron's deceit to the king, all while facing their own growing feelings for each other. Dickerson\u2019s tale dwells on bravery, trust, and romance as Violet and Merek navigate the treacherous path to save their loved ones and the kingdom itself. As they confront unexpected secrets and challenges, they find themselves drawn together against all odds. Cloak of Scarlet offers readers a thrilling adventure that explores the themes of courage and love in a medieval setting, making it a must-read for fans of historical romance and fairy tale retellings.\n\nStars in an Italian Sky by Jill Santopolo\n\nJill Santopolo\u2019s Stars in an Italian Sky whisks readers through time and across generations, exploring the complexities of love, loyalty, and family secrets. Set in Italy following World War Two, the story begins with the passionate love affair between Vincenzo and Giovanna, two young people from different worlds who are irresistibly drawn to each other. However, political shifts force them to make choices that lead to heartbreak and betrayal, tearing them apart. In modern-day New York, Cassandra and Luca, also deeply in love, embark on a journey of their own. Despite differences in their backgrounds, they believe they are a perfect match. Yet, when the past resurfaces through a project involving their grandparents, long-buried family secrets come to light, threatening to change the course of their relationship forever. Stars in an Italian Sky delves into the intricate connections between past and present, family legacies, and the enduring power of love. Readers are invited to explore the lives of these star-crossed lovers and the mysteries that bind their stories across time.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:46:57", "publisher": "Harper Muse", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000012042003", "title": "Into the Groove: The Story of Sound From Tin Foil to Vinyl", "author": "Jonathan Scott", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 203, "review": "There is nothing quite like the unique experience of listening to a vinyl record. In 1977, Peter Goldmark, the inventor of the LP record, was honored by President Jimmy Carter. Vinyl was at its peak and was slowly being replaced by cassettes. The long and storied voyage of innovation to the 33\u2153 RPM record spanned more than a century. The ability to generate sound from plates was explored by Galileo, which Ernst Chladni studied further and was dubbed \u201cThe Father of Acoustics.\u201d

Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877, which would be both lauded and scorned by artists. Alexander Graham Bell would make some alterations and developed the graphophone. Each step throughout the years was getting closer and closer to perfection until the development of the vinyl record in the 1930s. The 20th century would witness the perfection of the record and its unveiling to the listening public.

Into the Groove is a thorough exploration of the sound revolution that brought music to the masses. The rise, fall, and rebirth of the iconic disc is remarkable in and of itself. Author Jonathan Scott contributes a wealth of valuable information that will engage audiophiles everywhere. A winning book of history mixed with pop culture.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "21-Jun-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:08:37", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012041003", "title": "Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom", "author": "Nina Varela", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Johanna - age 9", "word_count": 193, "review": "Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom is a good story. It is about an eleven-year-old girl named Juniper. The same nightmare about a girl who turns into ivory has been haunting her every night. Juniper loves drawing her. When, one night, after a school dance, she is drawing the girl, she comes out of the picture. The girl, Galatea, tells Juniper that the kingdom she is princess of is vanishing and she cannot find an object that will help her get back to her kingdom.

At school, Galatea meets Juniper\u2019s friends. Galatea initially pretends she comes from Bulgaria, but their friends see through the lie and agree to help them find the object. Juniper, Galatea, and their friends go searching for it while hindered by rhymes from Dreamtender. Can Juniper save Galatea\u2019s kingdom before it is too late?

Although a good book, Juniper as a character is not well built, and neither is Dreamtender. Nina Varela may be good at plot and story, but not what I look for in a book: good, well-developed characters with strong backstories. I recommend this book for grade schoolers who are six to nine years of age.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2024", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:07:34", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012040011", "title": "A Few Bicycles More", "author": "Christina Uss", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - age 11", "word_count": 249, "review": "Fortune, Bicycle\u2019s Bike, is acting weird. It\u2019s telling her to go the wrong directions, and is blasting music without warning. It says it is like a magnetic pull, doing something it can\u2019t control. Bicycle and sister Wanda, the person who raises her, go biking, and try to find whatever is happening to Fortune. On her trip, she finds her four identical sisters. She is happy to find her family. She\u2019s never met them before, and is sad to leave Sister Wanda. Her family lives in an apartment and rarely goes outdoors, and none of them bike. Her mom is overprotective of her after they lost her when she was three. \nThat means Bicycle can\u2019t do her favorite thing: ride a fortune. And Fortune finally finds what the magnetic pull is: it\u2019s family. Will Bicycle be able to convince her family to let her go, or will she have to live locked up forever?

This is a good book and I think a lot of people can enjoy it. I was really interested in what would happen next. I really like the characters, they all had very strong personalities and were realistic. This book is also sad because Bicycle can\u2019t leave her family but she has to save her bike\u2019s, and she has to leave Sister Wanda. But there were some parts like the part where they start practicing in the hallway that were very predictable. The story was believable and I would love to have a bike like Fortune.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "27-Mar-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:35:35", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012040007", "title": "The Raven Thief: A Secret Staircase Mystery (Secret Staircase Mysteries, 2)", "author": "Gigi Pandian", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 185, "review": "The Raven Thief is the thrilling second installment in the Secret Staircase Mystery series by the truly talented Gigi Pandian. This plot is as carefully constructed as the classic mystery novel-themed interior it revolves around, with a sparkling cast of characters and enough mystery to keep the whodunnit twist at the end a surprise without dragging the reader through a tangling array of smoke and mirrors to get there.

Readers who missed the first book in the series can easily jump into this story, where they\u2019ll follow magician Tempest Raj as she tries to clear her grandfather from suspicion of murder after a fake seance gone awry leaves an actual corpse on the table. Not only is the main plot cleverly crafted, but the remaining thread of mystery surrounding the Raj family curse and the deaths of Tempest\u2019s mother and aunt are a constant source of underlying tension that plays an integral part in solving the mystery while leaving room for more speculation in future stories.

Fans of locked room and cozy mysteries, magic, and diverse characters look no further, this is your next read!", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2024", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:12:03", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012039015", "title": "In the Time of Our History: A Novel of Riveting and Evocative Fiction", "author": "Susanne Pari", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Dina Dugar", "word_count": 193, "review": "With In the Time of Our History, Susanne Pari tells a winding story about an Iranian family falling apart along the lines of traditionalism and assimilation. Mitra, excommunicated for her rebellious independence, is trying to reconnect with her family after the death of her virtuous sister, Anahita. As Mitra journeys through her past, she uncovers devastating truths and faces her own fears and shortcomings in order to forge a new future for her family and herself.

The novel highlights traditionalism and assimilationism and touches on the rigid hierarchy in a traditional family that silences younger generations, subjugates women, and perpetuates generational trauma. Pari is honest about the other side of the coin as well: assimilation into an \"American\" lifestyle of perceived success and the loneliness and disjointedness that comes with rejecting one's heritage and family.

Pari also explores the ironic conservatism within diaspora communities. Pari portrays the elders in diaspora communities as holding onto their traditional values with an iron grip, not realizing the cultural shifts and changing tides in their home country. Overall, In the Time of Our History is an engrossing novel that explores the complexities of family, tradition, and identity.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:57:21", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012039011", "title": "Everything She Feared: A Suspense Novel", "author": "Rick Mofina", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 187, "review": "When Sara\u2019s daughter\u2019s babysitter falls off the edge of a cliff with only her daughter as witness, Everything She Feared seems to be coming true. As the investigation into the death continues, it looks more and more suspicious. Sara realizes that you can never truly bury the past. It will always come back to haunt you in one way or another. If she wants to keep her family safe, she\u2019ll need to figure out who she really is.

I enjoyed the premise of this story and that it took place in areas familiar to me. However, I had a hard time relating to the characters. They felt a bit flat and clinical, as if it was a story just of facts and not about people. It wasn\u2019t really clear if the story was about Sara and her daughter, or about the police investigation, or about Ryan\u2019s story. If you enjoy Rick Mofina\u2019s other books, then you will probably enjoy this one. But, if you enjoy books about single mothers trying to protect their families from their tragic pasts, I would rather recommend Hide Away by Jason Pinter.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2025", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:46:05", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012039007", "title": "My Darkest Prayer", "author": "S A Cosby", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 198, "review": "Nate Waymaker knows the line between right and wrong. However, the world he inhabits sees that line get blurred far too often. His parents were the victims of vehicular manslaughter perpetrated by the privileged son of a local bigshot. The sheriff\u2019s department either bungled the investigation or covered for the suspect. Nate served his country in the Marines and served his community in law enforcement. Now, he works in a mortuary where his clients can\u2019t offer any more heartache than the living. The recently departed Reverend Esau Watkins offers Nate more than just a funeral service to help set up. Nate is approached by two of the late Reverend\u2019s parishioners. They believe Watkins met with foul play. Nate decides to approach the sheriff\u2019s department tactfully but knows he may just open up a whole can of worms.

My Darkest Prayer is the latest tantalizing mystery from the gifted scribe S.A. Cosby (Razorblade Tears). Cosby is skilled at hooking the reader from the launch of his story, and the saga of Nate Waymaker is no different. Nate\u2019s rage at injustice and his willingness to fight for the underdog make him an identifiable protagonist worth seeing on every subsequent page.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "22-Mar-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:13:18", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012038007", "title": "Silver in the Mist", "author": "Emily Victoria", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 198, "review": "Dev's world ended when her father died and her mother became the infamous Whisperer of Aris, the head of the spies. Eight years later, her country is slowly dying; the magic fading and the Mist and the monsters in it growing stronger. The chance to not only save her home but also prove herself as a spy to her mother comes in a single mission. A mission different from anything Dev has ever done before: kidnap the most powerful caster from her sister country, Cerena. With danger of discovery around every corner, Dev must choose carefully who she trusts.

Spies, magic, secrets, and an aro/ace lead all wrapped up into one fantastic story? Yes, please! The characters are different from each other and easy to tell apart, but Dev and Alyse, the two main characters, are the only ones with depth. There are some flashbacks that can be confusing, one moment the story is in the present then it's thrown into the past. The descriptions throughout the story are beautiful; I can easily imagine the magic and the world. The magic system isn't super in-depth, so it\u2019s not confusing, but it's enough that it's believable and has rules.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "22-Mar-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:05:35", "publisher": "Inkyard Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012038003", "title": "Vampire Weekend: A Novel", "author": "Mike Chen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 198, "review": "Vampire Weekend is one of those books that turns into something you weren\u2019t quite expecting when you picked it up but stays with you long after you\u2019ve put it down. I absolutely love vampires. I\u2019m strongly of the opinion that every genre out there only benefits from the addition of a member of the undead cabal, and Mike Chen certainly delivers a fresh new perspective with this one. Louise Chao is your typical San Francisco punk rocker. Disdainful of authority, night owl in the extreme, pronounced family-induced angst, oh and she\u2019s a vampire. Not in an Interview with the Vampire sort of way, although she did take a picture once on that New Orleans street from the opening of the movie. Being a vampire is actually kind of depressing, according to her best friend whom she lost to a fatal car accident years ago. At least until an estranged family member and their teenage grandson show up at her door unexpectedly one night, turning into an extended weekend of revelations about herself, her community, and what it means to truly be connected to other people. The twist at the end is completely unexpected and very, very punk rock.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "22-Mar-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 19:32:41", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012037019", "title": "All the Pretty Places: A Novel of the Gilded Age", "author": "Joy Callaway", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 176, "review": "During the economic downturn of 1893, Sadie Fremd sees wealthy friends and neighbors lose all they had left and right. Her main concern, however, is not for her father\u2019s business but for her ability to study plants, bring hope to the poor by providing them with green spaces, and marry the love of her life, who happens to be one of her father\u2019s employees.

Sadie is no doubt meant to be a strong-willed young woman ahead of her time, but often she came across as impetuous and childish. Many of the characters around her were flat and uninteresting, costume drama stereotypes meant to fill out the plot. The first chapters especially were difficult to get through, as Callaway loaded them with with details meant to fill us in on the world rather than allowing for the story to speak for itself.

Overall, I didn\u2019t enjoy this book. I will say, however, that Callaway does an excellent job of writing descriptively. She knows her settings well and is able to immerse readers in a sense of place and time.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "15-May-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:47:47", "publisher": "Harper Muse", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000012037015", "title": "Strangers in the Night: A Novel of Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner", "author": "Heather Webb", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 207, "review": "A fictional take on the relationship between Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra is supported by just enough research to keep you glued to every page of Heather Webb's Strangers in the Night. Her fiery passion, his dark secrets, and old Hollywood in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s are gorgeous, tortured, and unforgettable.

Told through dual points of view--his and hers--the novel relates Gardner and Sinatra's relationship from their very first meeting when she was married to Mickey Mantle--all the way until her death from cancer in 1990. They were complicated, jealous, extremely talented people who didn't know how to heal the broken places in themselves enough to be any good to each other. But, as Webb renders it, they were devoted to each other all their lives.

Frank left his first wife, a good Italian Catholic girl, for Gardner, and chaos ensued, but the new marriage didn't last long. The truly incredible part of the book lies in the way Gardner and Sinatra kept returning to each other over and over again throughout their lives, even when they were long divorced and married to other people.

Strangers in the Night is a thrilling and dark look into one of Hollywood's most famous scandalous love stories and a kick to read.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "01-Jun-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:39:11", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012037007", "title": "The Book of Everlasting Things: A Novel", "author": "Aanchal Malhotra", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Dina Dugar", "word_count": 156, "review": "As someone who collects perfumes, stationery, and all things nostalgic, I was enthralled by Aanchal Malhotra\u2019s The Book of Everlasting Things from the very first descriptions of scent and paper. Following Samir and Firdaus through their childhood in Lahore, Pakistan, in the midst of Partition, this debut novel leaves nothing unturned in its deep characterization of a subcontinent torn apart at the seams.

Malhotra\u2019s background as a historian and textile expert is clear in the vibrant sensory details of her setting\u2014from the dusty historic center of Lahore to the redolent fields of Grasse, France, the reader is enclosed in a world of love, color, and beauty. With a voice full of understanding and nostalgia, the author also introduces the reader to the human experience of Partition, when cities, neighborhoods, and friendships were uprooted suddenly and violently.

The Book of Everlasting Things is devastating but full of hope: a love letter to history, craft, and love itself.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:00:42", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012037003", "title": "Standing Dead (A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery)", "author": "Margaret Mizushima", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ruta Arellano", "word_count": 194, "review": "Welcome to the eighth Timber Creek mystery. Unlike many mystery series, this one has wholesome, kind characters and a super special K-9 officer. Like the other books in this series, the bad guys are truly despicable. The main character, Deputy Sheriff Matti Cobb, and her sister, Julia, team up to search for their mother after traveling to Mexico only to learn that she and her husband are missing. Matti and Julia\u2019s father, a border patrol agent, was murdered during the girls\u2019 early childhood, prompting them to consider past villains.
< br>Author Margaret Mizushima takes readers on an informative trip as Matti and Julia travel between Northern Mexico and the mountains of Colorado. The atmosphere, geography, and vegetation become characters as well.

Readers experience the anxiety and physical effort Maddi deals with racing the clock to locate her mother. Cryptic clues she finds lead her to a murder victim. Of course, Robo, her canine officer partner, is the one who does the groundwork. Other jurisdictions participate as more clues surface (Sheriff\u2019s Auxiliary and Federal Park Rangers). Matti\u2019s almost-finance, Cole Walker, DMV, is an Auxiliary member who has more at stake.

A subtitle might be Greed and Longtime Grudges.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "13-Apr-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 19:30:58", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012036019", "title": "A Death in Denmark", "author": "Amulya Malladi", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 912, "review": "Globetrotting Mysteries for Armchair Sleuths\n\nFor those with a passion for travel and a taste for thrilling whodunits, there's no better way to explore the world than through the pages of a captivating crime novel. In this roundup, we take you on a literary journey to five distinct foreign locales, each brought to life by the talented pens of crime fiction authors. From the bustling streets of London and Copenhagen to the troubles of Afghanistan and the serenity of Botswanna via a perilous voyage at sea, these recently released crime novels promise to transport readers to far-flung destinations, immersing them in captivating mysteries that unfold against richly drawn backdrops. Whether you're a dedicated armchair sleuth or simply seeking a thrilling escape, these globetrotting mysteries are sure to satisfy your wanderlust and keep you on the edge of your seat. \n\nA Tempest at Sea by Sherry Thomas\n\nA Tempest at Sea by Sherry Thomas is a gripping addition to the Charlotte Holmes series, plunging readers into a heart-pounding maritime adventure. Charlotte Holmes, who was forced to fake her death to escape Moriarty's clutches, is lured back into the world of deduction with an enticing offer from the crown. As she embarks on a perilous mission aboard the RMS Provence, a murder mystery unfolds on the stormy sea, forcing Charlotte to keep her true identity as Sherlock Holmes hidden. Thomas's masterful storytelling provides a suspenseful narrative filled with secrets and danger, making this historical mystery a compelling and unputdownable read that showcases Charlotte's wit and resilience in the face of treacherous waters. It\u2019s a must-read for fans of the series, those looking for a fresh perspective on Sherlock Holmes, and lovers of intricate historical mysteries.\n\nBryant & May\u2019s Peculiar London by Christopher Fowler\n\nChristopher Fowler\u2019s Bryant & May\u2019s Peculiar London offers an entertaining and unconventional journey through the hidden and enigmatic facets of the British capital. Narrated by the nation's oldest serving detectives, the book offers a unique perspective on London's overlooked history and mysteries. From odd buildings and obscure characters to forgotten disasters and hidden pubs, readers are in for a delightful exploration of the city's quirkiest aspects. Bryant and May, with the assistance of various disreputable friends and experts in their own eccentric fields, weave together a tapestry of tales that blur the line between fact and fiction in terms of London's rich and storied past. With a touch of wit, a dash of bamboozlement, and a generous serving of historical anecdotes, Fowler\u2019s book provides an engaging and offbeat tour of a city where the past and present intertwine in captivating ways, making it a must-read for those with a penchant for London's unique charm and secrets.\n\nThe Devil\u2019s Ransom by Brad Taylor\n\nThe Devil's Ransom by Brad Taylor is a heart-pounding thriller that catapults readers into the high-stakes world of espionage, cyber warfare, and international intrigue. Taskforce operative Pike Logan takes center stage as he races against time to thwart a nefarious plot orchestrated by an enemy with access to America's most closely guarded secrets. When Afghanistan falls and a ransomware attack cripples the Taskforce, Pike's mission becomes twofold: extract a vital individual from Afghanistan and hunt down those responsible for the cyberattack, which is discovered to have sinister connections to the Taliban. Little does Pike know that this is merely a prelude to a much larger and more dangerous scheme masterminded by a former NSA specialist. The novel skillfully blends elements of modern cyber threats with Cold War-era tensions, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Pike faces off against a cunning adversary. Taylor's narrative prowess shines through, rendering The Devil's Ransom a gripping thriller that explores the ever-evolving landscape of international espionage and the relentless pursuit of those who threaten global stability.\n\nA Death in Denmark by Amulya Malladi\n\nAmulya Malladi\u2019s A Death in Denmark is a sophisticated and enthralling Nordic murder mystery that combines the contemporary allure of Copenhagen with the haunting echoes of Denmark's Nazi-collaborator past. Featuring Gabriel Pr\u00e6st, a charismatic ex-cop turned private detective, the novel masterfully navigates a web of political intrigue, anti-Muslim sentiments, and Russian gangsters. As Gabriel pursues the investigation, the story delves deep into the nation's history, including World War II and its dark secrets, raising thought-provoking questions about nationalism and identity. With a compelling narrative, well-drawn characters, and a cosmopolitan vibe, Malladi's novel delivers a thrilling and intellectually stimulating reading experience that explores Denmark's past and present with panache.\n\nA Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith\n\nA Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith is another delightful installment in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. This time, the story revolves around Grace Makutsi's husband, Phuti, who faces stiff competition in the office furniture market from an international firm that tries to undercut his prices and drive him out of business via a glossy marketing campaign. With the assistance of Mma Ramotswe, Phuti embarks on a creative campaign to counter the competition. Simultaneously, Mma Makutsi and Phuti find themselves involved in a difficult case concerning an old friend's troubled son, a situation that requires not only their patience and dedication but also the collective wisdom of Mma Ramotswe and the indomitable Mma Potokwani. McCall Smith once again weaves a heartwarming narrative, filled with humor, empathy, and the charm of Botswana, as his beloved characters tackle both professional and personal challenges, making A Song of Comfortable Chairs a comforting and engaging read for fans of the series.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:56:31", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000012036007", "title": "Exiles: A Novel", "author": "Jane Harper", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 203, "review": "Aaron Falk arrives in South Australia to commemorate a bittersweet occasion. He is serving as godfather to his friend Greg Raco\u2019s son at the child\u2019s christening. The christening was delayed due to tragic events that occurred a year prior. The Marralee Valley Food and Wine Festival was a high point for the local community and a boon for tourism. However, the disappearance of Kim Gillespie cast a pall over the event.

Aaron is in Maralee to attend the appeal for information regarding Gillespie\u2019s vanishing and to celebrate his friend\u2019s young son. Kim left behind a husband, a teenage daughter, and an infant. Kim\u2019s older daughter, Zara, is convinced that someone saw something and her mother wouldn\u2019t have abandoned her family. Falk and Raco work with the local police department in delving into any possible leads that may develop. However, the passage of time often clouds memories and mysteries become enigmas.

Exiles is the latest mystery from the inventive mind of author Jane Harper (The Dry). Harper releases the drama in a steady and methodical manner, the endless questions about the disappearance only amplifying the human drama enshrouding those left behind. The plot will keep the reader riveted and guessing until the very end.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 19:28:32", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012035015", "title": "The Hunter", "author": "Jennifer Herrera", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 189, "review": "Leigh O\u2019Donnell is The Hunter, a detective for the NYPD, or at least she was until she got herself suspended by her captain, who is also her husband. As her life falls apart, Leigh is called home to Copper Falls by her brother for help investigating three suspicious drownings. Leigh discovers similarities to three suspicious drownings years earlier and finds that like every small town, this one has its secrets. She\u2019ll do whatever it takes to find the truth about the town, the deaths and herself.

I picked up this book thinking it was a murder mystery, but it was so much more. This was a story less about the mystery and more about the character. Leigh is deep and complex, still trying to figure out herself and her place in her own world. The mystery really took backseat to Leigh\u2019s character. I wouldn\u2019t recommend this story to those who love high-octane murder mysteries, but I would recommend it to all who love a good character study and themes of how and why we lie to ourselves. A great debut by a new author and I look forward to more.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "27-Mar-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:18:00", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012035007", "title": "The Poison Season", "author": "Mara Rutherford", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 14", "word_count": 195, "review": "Leelo is living on a mysterious island known as Endla, an unreachable place surrounded by a poisonous lake. Leelo knows that the lake is the only thing standing between her people and the outsiders, who will surely destroy Endla if they ever get to it. But when Leelo discovers a drowning outsider, she saves him against her family\u2019s principles. The outsider, Jared, is captivating to her. Leelo is intrigued by him and the experiences that he\u2019s had, even though her family will kill him if he is discovered. As Jared opens Leelo\u2019s eyes to a new world, Leelo must decide what is worth saving - and what is truly real in her society.

I\u2019m sorry to say that I didn\u2019t really like this book. It fell flat for me, and the characters were very forgettable. I had trouble following along with the story, and I feel that the book could have benefited from closer attention to the plot and less focus on the romance. However, I did enjoy the interactions between Leelo and her family, which I thought were interesting to read. Overall, I would recommend this book to people who are fans of romantic fantasy.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "27-Mar-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:02:44", "publisher": "Inkyard Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012034027", "title": "The Home for Wayward Girls: A Novel ", "author": "Marcia Bradley", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 204, "review": "Marcia Bradley's novel The Home for Wayward Girls is as beautiful as it is startling. Protagonist Loretta grows up in a sheltered and abusive house that would be bad enough if only she suffered it, but it is also a home for girls deemed \"troubled\". As Loretta ages and becomes close with some of the girls, specifically Elsie, she realizes her time at the home must end, and she begins to plot her escape.

The novel is split between Loretta's youth and her current life with her husband Clarke as she prepares to speak at a convention on the work she does with unhoused and unemployed women and girls. She's made her life a model of how to survive, and as the two points of view converge a darker and even more sinister picture of life at the home is revealed.

Bradley expertly renders the fear and will to live beyond the enclosure of the home, and the novel often feels intimate. The author's note at the end of the book explaining why she wrote the novel sheds light on this feeling. In a world that seems more and more hellbent on keeping women in their place, The Home for Wayward Girls is a refreshing read.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "18-Feb-2025", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:51:58", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012034015", "title": "Brighter Dawn (Amish Memories)", "author": "Leslie Gould", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 197, "review": "After her parents\u2019 die in a car crash, Ivy Zimmerman travels across the country to stay with her father\u2019s distant family before an international Mennonite meeting in Germany. On the way, she hears about a trip one of her relatives took to Germany almost a hundred years before: in 1937, as the Third Reich came to power. From the story, Ivy learns not only things about the Mennonites\u2019 history she hadn\u2019t guessed at before, but also gains inspiration and courage.

She will need both in the days to come. The more she thinks about it, the more certain she becomes her parents\u2019 deaths were no accident.

I\u2019ve seen enough Amish romances in bookstores that I thought this would be mainly a romance with some historical detail and mystery tossed in for flavor. Instead, I was swept away into a world I know little about, populated by characters who feel not only real but deeply sympathetic. This is the first of Leslie Gould\u2019s books that I\u2019ve read, and I will certainly be on the lookout for more, especially in this particular series. Ivy\u2019s story is only book one, and I\u2019m very curious to see what will come next.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "11-Apr-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:41:35", "publisher": "Bethany House Publishers", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012034003", "title": "Angels of the Resistance", "author": "Noelle Salazar", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 186, "review": "When the Nazis first invaded the Netherlands, things were quiet at first. For many people, life could go on almost as it always had. Gradually, however, things began to get worse, for the Jewish population and the general populace alike. A resistance movement sprang up, and perhaps its most famous members were a pair of teenage girls who would seduce and kill Nazi soldiers.

Elif and Lien are not a retelling of the Oversteegens, but they show bravery in their own right, taking up arms and learning how to handle explosives as they attempt to free their homeland. The story is an intriguing one, and readers will be drawn deeper into the story as things grew more dangerous for the young women.

I did not enjoy the book as much as I hoped, but the more I read, the more I realized that was because the book doesn\u2019t feel like it\u2019s written for adults. With its fourteen-year-old protagonist and rather simplistic prose, I would recommend this book more to teens interested in historical fiction than to adults. I know I would have loved it when I was fourteen.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "28-Feb-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 19:10:53", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012033007", "title": "The Personal Assistant: A Novel", "author": "Kimberly Belle", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 194, "review": "Alex became huge on Instagram, seemingly overnight. Her full-time job is now being an influencer, so she hires AC to help manage her day-to-day tasks. After a night of drinking, a post shows up on Alex\u2019s account that goes viral with all her fans now turning to haters. Alex reaches out to AC for help, but The Personal Assistant is nowhere to be found. As Alex\u2019s life implodes, with lies and secrets, as well as dead bodies, she\u2019ll have to figure out a way to spin this if she wants to save her family.

This is another addictive thriller from Kimberly Belle. I wouldn\u2019t say any of her books are going to win a Pulitzer and some of the plot lines are pretty outrageous, but you can\u2019t deny the pull of these books. These are guilty pleasures you read in one sitting that make you feel a little bit better about the mess in your own life. As someone not on social media, and especially after reading this, I found it hard to understand the draw. Overall, I definitely recommend this for Belle fans as well as those looking for a fun, quick read.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "22-Mar-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 19:10:00", "publisher": "Park Row Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012032011", "title": "With My Little Eye: A Novel", "author": "Joshilyn Jackson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ruta Arellano", "word_count": 198, "review": "Rather than a flashback or prologue, With My Little Eye begins with a letter to actress Meribel Miller. It\u2019s not a fan letter; it\u2019s more like the threatening ones with graphic violence she has received from someone called Destiny. What does Destiny intend for Meribel? This novel is clearly a suspense/thriller and it\u2019s a bit steamier, kind of a sensory overload, than past works I\u2019ve read by Joshilyn Jackson.

If you\u2019re keeping count, there are four men in Meribel\u2019s life, any one of whom may be the catalyst for terror. The tale unfolds with new, in-depth insights into the men in her life. There\u2019s plenty of bouncing back in time setting up the histories of the characters, including different fragrances and aromas associated with them.

Not for the faint of heart!", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 20:09:19", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012032003", "title": "Chocolates from Tangier: A Holocaust replacement child\u2019s memoir of art and transformation", "author": "Jana Zimmer", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 194, "review": "How to combine a memoir, a family narrative, and a retrospective of creative art? With grace, diligence, and intense feeling, Jana Zimmer weaves the elements together. Her Holocaust story reminds us that each sequence of recollections is unique. Early pages of Chocolates from Tangier appear to reveal a series of Zimmer\u2019s therapy sessions, a chronicle of her attempts to cope with emotional overload. Then a leap as she shares her realization that her art, mostly photographs and ephemera captured in collages, introduces a visual, complementary account. Turn the pages, pause each time, look then read, over and again.

The cover of this full-color book shows a father walking hand in hand with his daughter. The little girl is taken and assassinated years before the author was born yet remains a profound focus of the book, never obliterated from Zimmer\u2019s own psyche. Both parents were survivors, but her mother\u2019s memories of the captivity, equally traumatic and terrifying, are more detailed and evocative.

Exhibits of her art take Zimmer across Europe, where Berlin is welcoming, Dresden almost hostile. Her Czech heritage supplies unmitigated joy. Chocolates from Tangier is a barely relevant title, but the book haunts.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "19-May-2023", "date_added": "05-Jan-2023 18:31:06", "publisher": "DoppleHouse Press", "page_count": "244 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012029007", "title": "Focus Pocus 90-Day Guided Journal: Creative Reflections for Intention and Mindfulness", "author": "Kimothy Joy", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 184, "review": "The Focus Pocus 90-Day Guided Journal is a wonderful tool for anyone who wants to become more mindful and gain some clarity in their life. The book starts by giving the reader a New Moon ritual and a Full Moon ritual, both of which can help a person to get centered with the universe through practices such as meditation, dancing, and letting go of things that no longer serve us. This is followed by affirmations that will embrace positivity and love. I really loved the \u201cDaily Focus\u201d pages which the book consists mainly of. These pages have blank spaces to write what you are grateful for, what you are proud of yourself for, what your emotions are, and other questions relating to your personal energy and self-awareness. There is also a place to put a word you want to focus on as an affirmation.

The beautiful watercolor cover and pages in the Focus Pocus 90-Day Guided Journal give the book a calm feeling. This is a wonderful book for everyone from experienced journal writers to people who don\u2019t know how or where to start journaling.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "14-Mar-2023", "date_added": "02-Jan-2023 20:01:59", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012028003", "title": "The Witches Almanac: Sorcerers, Witches and Magic from Ancient Rome to the Digital Age", "author": "Charles Christian", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 192, "review": "This book delves into the fear and misconceptions that have plagued those accused of having magical abilities throughout history. The different biographies range from ancient times to the present with figures such as the Daughters of Ezekiel, Alister Crowley (and his followers), Arthurian figures Merlin and Morgan le Fay, and Roger Bacon. This is truly an engaging must-read that will give insight to the witchcraft that has been seen in history such as witch trials, popes accused of sorcery, and even Henry VII\u2019s accusations of Anne Boleyn.

The book touches upon the prevalent themes dating back to ancient times that have caused uproars that have led to accusations, trials, and paranoia about witches. The book consists of riveting biographies in a well-organized format with some that date back to Apollonius of Tyana (c. 3 B.C.E-97 C.E.) and going to modern witches such as Starhawk and Zsuzsanna Budapest. There hasn\u2019t been another book like this that contains this vast of an assortment pertaining to witches. An incredible resource that touches upon the history of witches in an almanac that is perfect for readers interested in witches and history, those studying wicca, students, and teachers.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2023", "date_added": "02-Jan-2023 19:38:40", "publisher": "Visible Ink Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012027011", "title": "Afro Samurai Vol.2 (Graphic Novel)", "author": "Takashi Okazaki", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 190, "review": "Japan\u2019s assassins, warriors, and warlords live in a world steeped in the traditions of the past and the technologies of the future. The one with the No. 1 headband rules this world as a god. This is whom Afro seeks. Afro\u2019s entire existence is to avenge his father\u2019s death at the hands of No. 1. The life Afro chooses is the path of vengeance and chaos. But to get to No. 1, Afro must face Jinno, the foe who wears a teddy bear mask.

Afro Samurai: Vol. 2 by Takashi Okazaki has been re-released in English as part of the 15th anniversary of the anime series starring Samuel L. Jackson. First published in Japan in 2008, Okazaki is the entire creative force behind this saga. As in the first volume, Okazaki\u2019s other character tells most of the story. Afro is a man of action. More of Afro\u2019s backstory is also revealed. The artwork enhances the narrative with its grimdark feel. Okazaki needs only black, white, and the crimson of blood to portray the violence and action in his artwork. Reading this graphic novel is choosing to follow the path of chaos.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "10-Mar-2023", "date_added": "02-Jan-2023 20:16:21", "publisher": "Titan", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012026003", "title": "Blue Box, Vol. 2", "author": "Kouji Miura", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - age 12", "word_count": 167, "review": "Taiki Inomata has always loved badminton, and he really wants to go to the nationals. Then there\u2019s Chinatsu Kano, a basketball player who shares the same dream as him. When a turn of events brings them closer together, Taiki isn\u2019t sure how to react. Then Taiki gets paired with Kengo Haryu, an upperclassman in badminton who is also good friends with Chinatsu. Taiki is already jealous that Chinatsu is close with another boy, but to make matters worse, Taiki\u2019s next opponent also has a crush on Chinatsu. Will Taiki\u2019s expectations lose?

I think this book is better than the first! It had a little more drama, and that really made me really want to see what happened next. I really like the cute little sketches the author did at the end of each chapter. There was also a large cliffhanger at the end, and I can't wait for the next one! Highly recommended to manga readers who are looking for a cute romance and slice-of-life type book.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "14-Mar-2023", "date_added": "02-Jan-2023 19:33:59", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012025003", "title": "Blue Box, Vol. 1", "author": "Kouji Miura", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zoe - age 12", "word_count": 156, "review": "Reaching the nationals is going to be tough for badminton player Taiki Inomata. All he wants is to become better at badminton. Meanwhile, Chinatsu Kano from the girls\u2019 basketball team is working so hard for the nationals. Taiki notices and he starts to fall in love. Then the unexpected happens. Chinatsu\u2019s parents are moving overseas, and since she and Taiki\u2019s families are good friends, she\u2019ll be moving into Taiki\u2019s own house! As the two get closer and closer, he starts to wonder if she\u2019ll ever feel the same about him?

I really like how sweet the story is. The characters have such a variety of personalities, and my favorite character is probably Hina Chono, because it\u2019s funny when she teases Taiki. I also like how hardworking Chinatsu\u2019s character is, and the artwork is very adorable and full of detail. I recommend Blue Box to readers who play sports and who are looking for a relatable story.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "14-Mar-2023", "date_added": "02-Jan-2023 19:28:02", "publisher": "VIZ Media LLC", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012024015", "title": "Delaware Before the Railroads: A Diamond Among the States", "author": "Dave Tabler", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 444, "review": "Delaware Before the Railroads by Dave Tabler was a very informative and enjoyable read. This book\u2019s title perfectly sums up its contents - Delaware from 1609-1832. It gives a basic introduction to the history of the state of Delaware, taking the reader through colonization, the revolution, and much more.\nThe format of this book took me by pleasant surprise. The majority of the pages are filled with images of standing monuments, artifacts, and other historical treasures relevant to the history of Delaware. Each picture comes with a descriptive caption, and the reader can reference the back of the book for a more in-depth explanation if they so choose. Again, I loved this composition. When it comes to history, the material can be dense which is why pictures are such a great way to bring the story to life. I also loved how short, sweet, and to the point his captions are. This made the history easy to follow and enjoyable for the average reader, whether they are a history buff or not. Giving someone the option to read more in the back if they so choose will please all parties, something I thought was a great touch. My only critique would be to work a bit more on the interior page formatting between the picture and caption. Depending on the page, sometimes the picture size could feel a little overcrowded with multiple pictures, and captions. Tabler could benefit from rearranging his interior design a bit to make every page cohesive.

As far as book content, I genuinely learned a lot about Delaware. Admittedly, I knew slim before I read this, but afterward, I felt I possessed a good working knowledge of its history. I especially found the story of oyster dredging in Delaware Bay to be interesting. A south Louisiana native, oysters are very much part of our culture and are found in basically every restaurant. I was fascinated to learn that in Delaware, oyster shells were used for lime mortar in brick buildings, ash fertilizer, and road surfacing. I also loved reading about the general shock that early Swedish and Dutch settlers had in this new colony. Sea life was very different from the \u201cOld World\u201d which led to much misinformation; a great example of this was in reference to Thomas Campanius Holm\u2019s writings of \u201csea spiders\u201d (crabs) which had \u201ctails like edged swords with which they could saw down trees.\u201d

As a whole, I think Delaware Before the Railroads gives great general information to the average reader about Delaware. I also think this would be a great read for middle schoolers, or elementary school, giving them a more fun look into history with pictures.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2023", "date_added": "03-Jan-2023 13:06:06", "publisher": "self-published", "page_count": "100 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012024011", "title": "All the Dangerous Things: A Novel", "author": "Stacy Willingham", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 194, "review": "One year ago, Isabelle Drake\u2019s eighteen-month-old son was kidnapped from his bedroom. She hasn\u2019t slept that entire time. The case has gone cold, but with all her extra time from not sleeping, Isabelle spends it looking for her son. A chance encounter with a true-crime podcaster leads her to give him an interview and into her life. She\u2019s desperate for answers even if they lead her down some dark roads, especially about the people she loves and All the Dangerous Things about them.

This book was amazing! A fantastic look into the dark side of motherhood that we\u2019re always ashamed to talk about, which was really amazing since the author admits she\u2019s not a mother. I could not put it down. While there were definitely some morally wrong choices that were made, it was hard not to feel like people got what they deserved. If you want to know how desperate a mother can get while looking for her child, this book is for you. It\u2019s full of suspense and you don\u2019t know to the end whether she is guilty herself or not. If you want to know, you\u2019ll have to pick up this book!", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "13-Mar-2023", "date_added": "02-Jan-2023 20:19:05", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012024007", "title": "The Little Book of Manifestation", "author": "Astrid Carvel", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 184, "review": "The Little Book of Manifestation is the perfect beginner's guide to understanding manifestation and the law of attraction. The book starts with a short history of manifestation and what it means. It also gives examples of famous people who have used manifestation. The Little Book of Manifestation is a step-by-step guide to creating your own experiences through manifestation. The easy-to-follow steps make it doable for anyone, and one does not need to have prior experience or purchase expensive equipment to get started. In fact, many of the tools are items that many people probably have already. They include a journal and pen, canf\\dles, headphones or speakers, crystals, and sage. Being in a positive mindset and visualizing what it is that you really want is the first step in manifesting.

What I really liked about this book were the different methods of manifestation. From vision boards to affirmations to scripting methods to using frequencies, this book has so many useful methods that can be customized to what your passions are. This is a fabulous little pocketbook with tons of valuable information that could change your life.", "issue": "February 2023", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2023", "date_added": "02-Jan-2023 19:56:25", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012232003", "title": "Kill Joy: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Novella", "author": "Holly Jackson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 13", "word_count": 175, "review": "Prequeling A Good Girls Guide To Murder, Kill Joy stars Pippa Fitz-Amobi as she attends her friend\u2019s murder mystery party. At first, Pip doesn\u2019t really care for the fanciness of the 1900s party theme, but soon she finds herself invested in the mystery and her own character Celia Bourne. As she becomes increasingly engrossed in the game, Pip is intensely focused on figuring out the identity of the murderer. With more mysteries at every turn, will she be able to unmask the murderer before 3 hours are up?

I liked this book because it was entertaining, fun and easy to read. I would recommend reading the trilogy first so you can better understand and connect with the characters more, since the actual book is pretty short. I enjoyed the murder mysteries from the trilogy more (given this one was just a party, so it was more entertaining than actually murder mystery-esque), but this book was quite entertaining too. Overall it was pretty good, and I would recommend it to teens looking for an easy-to-read, entertaining mystery.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "26-Aug-2023", "date_added": "27-Feb-2023 03:26:02", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012231011", "title": "Pebbles and the Biggest Number: A STEM Adventure for Kids - Ages 4-8", "author": "Joey Benun", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 517, "review": "What is the biggest number you can think of? Whether it is a million, a billion, a trillion, or even more, you may still be surprised by just how high numbers can go. Pebbles the inquisitive butterfly is certainly surprised by where his quest to find the highest number in the world takes him in Pebbles and the Biggest Number, an engaging and eye-catching picture book written by Joey Benun and illustrated by Laura Watson.

Pebbles generally starts his day off by counting all the things he can see in his garden, although this limits him to such things as two eyes (his own), four wings (again, his own), and forty-two flowers (arrayed attractively throughout the garden). However, one particular day, Pebbles realizes that his customary numbers are all low numbers, and he begins to consider that there might actually be much higher numbers out there somewhere.

Spurred on by the challenge of learning more, Pebbles flies off in search of the surprising new numbers to be found in diverse areas of the planet. Pebbles begins his search in a desert, where he encounters a camel who suggests that the biggest number might be twenty-seven million, the temperature of the Sun. Pebbles agrees that it is certainly both a big number and a very high temperature, just like in the desert!

After drinking nectar from some wildflowers that the camel shows him, Pebbles continues his journey, visiting exotic locations such a tropical rainforest, a beach, and a snowy mountain. In each new location, he meets a host of new animals and the occasional human, who all offer suggestions as to the identity of the biggest number in the world and also help him when he gets in trouble, including when an eagle has to fly Pebbles out of the path of a tsunami.

As his journey progresses and he encounters more and more new friends, Pebbles learns about increasingly large numbers, right up to the fact that there are five nonillion bacteria living on Earth! Ultimately, Pebbles and the Biggest Number takes Pebbles and readers around the world in the search for the highest number possible, before a familiar face introduces an astonishing concept that might just bring Pebbles\u2019 quest to an end: infinity.

In addition to crafting an entertaining and fun-filled story featuring Pebbles and the many engaging characters that he encounters, Joey Benun includes a host of interesting facts and learning points throughout the book. For instance, Pebbles\u2019 visit to the rainforest is accompanied by the fact that some ants can lift up to fifty times their body weight (which is equivalent to a person lifting a car!) and the number note that one quadrillion has fifteen zeroes.

Given its exciting storyline and the interwoven information, Pebbles and the Biggest Number is both enjoyable and educational, meaning that it should appeal to a wider age range of children than the typical picture book (as well as to the adults reading with them!). Moreover, Laura Watson\u2019s bright and lively illustrations really bring the story to life and provide plenty of detail to spot on each page.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "22-Mar-2023", "date_added": "26-Feb-2023 17:22:43", "publisher": "Joey Benun", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012231007", "title": "Pebbles and the Biggest Number", "author": "Joey Benun", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 406, "review": "Pebbles and the Biggest Number is a wonderful picture book for anyone who wants to learn some interesting facts and some big numbers. Author Joey Benun has created the character of Pebbles the Butterfly, a counting butterfly who one day decides that there has to be a number larger than the forty-two flowers he counts each day. Pebbles sets off to ask friends from all over what the biggest number they know is. Along the way, he learns more big numbers and many scientific facts. The numbers seem to get larger and larger the more creatures Pebbles talks to. Numbers such as a quadrillion which has fifteen zeros and even a sextillion with twenty-one zeros.

Each page has a theme and with that theme comes several fun facts. Facts such as the Earth weighs thirteen septillion pounds and a large avalanche can weigh up to two billion pounds!

Each illustration in Pebbles and the Biggest Number covers a two-page spread. The illustrations are beautiful and use happy colors that will catch the eye of children of all ages. Although this book is geared towards six to nine-year-olds, because some of the facts would be harder to grasp for younger children, I think the younger children would still be able to appreciate the cute animal illustrations in the book. School-aged children will also love the illustrations but will also marvel at the fact that there are such large numbers and they all have names to them. Furthermore, the facts are really something to think about as they relate to us and the world around us.

The author also includes some \"Dig Deeper\" words towards the end of the book. These are words that Pebbles learned along the way such as atom, celsius and Fahrenheit, observatory, and tsunami. This fun integration of new vocabulary words is great for little minds! A \"Dig Deeper\" numbers infographic is also included and covers numbers from one thousand all the way up to one nonillion. Each number has an example of how many grains of sand would represent the number. For example, a nonillion of sand would be the Earth's core filled with sand, whereas a thumbprint of wet sand would be a thousand grains of sand. What a way to put things in perspective! Even as an adult, I learned many new things from this brilliant children's book. I would recommend it to anyone who would enjoy adorable colorful pictures and some fun facts.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2023", "date_added": "26-Feb-2023 03:00:27", "publisher": "Joey Benun", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012231003", "title": "Tropical Scandal", "author": "David Myles Robinson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 402, "review": "Tropical Scandal is the fifth book in the Pancho McMartin legal thriller series by David Myles Robinson. In this installment, Pancho is introduced to legendary Hawaii trial attorney Isaac Goldblum by his girlfriend Padma, a former medical examiner. Isaac is dying and asks Pancho to take on a case of a young man named Dayton who is accused of killing his grandmother Eleanor via Vicodin overdose. Isaac has represented Dayton in the past but cannot any longer. Pancho reluctantly accepts the case and what he finds is much bigger than a simple case of murder. Dayton, a simpleton who cannot read or write well, has been arrested before for small charges but Isaac has always gotten him off of the charges. As Pancho researches Dayton's own extended family, what he finds is corruption on a higher level than he could have thought imaginable.

I have read several of the books in this series and they are all fantastic. David Myles Robinson's characters are colorful and interesting. Pancho is likable as is his best friend and private investigator, Drew Tulafono. And of course, the beautiful setting of Honolulu, Hawaii is something that most people would not complain about.

Although Pancho knows that Dayton is a drug deliverer, he also knows that he must find out whom Dayton is working for to get down to the bottom of it all. He and Drew must also find a motive for the killing which proves to be more difficult than they think. Dayton has been raised by his grandmother who has always taken care of him, so why would he kill her?

While reading Tropical Scandal I felt the story was very well put together. There was definitely an island feel to the story because everyone knew one another. Pancho's ability to ask the right questions while interviewing all of the players as well as his relationships with people on the island including the bank manager and other attorneys, help him to gather a messy set of clues. Drew goes above and beyond to dig for information as well. In the end, all of the pieces of the puzzle that Pancho and Drew collect fit together seamlessly, and the reader is left with a satisfying conclusion. The Pancho McMartin legal thrillers are entertaining and easy to follow. I would recommend them to anyone who loves reading a great mystery with a bit of action and humor thrown in.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Feb-2023 02:54:51", "publisher": "Blue Water Press LLC", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012228011", "title": "Our Cat's Day", "author": "Radek Maly, Iku Dekune", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 180, "review": "The biggest thing going against this book is the art. It does not feel engaging to the reader and those being read to at all and generally distracts from the larger narrative. We follow a young child who learns all they can about the average day of their cat. While the art of the little cat is not too bad, getting the different poses cats can be in, the art of the little child is distracting and does not help the reader at all. Readers will learn about the different things a cat will do in a day, and they are encouraged to compare what a young cat does to what they do. On one side of the page are the activities of the young cat; on the facing page is a question geared to engage the young reader about a similar activity. This can include food, exercise, grooming, and more. This is designed to be an interactive book with the adult reading this to engage the young child with the different questions and to get them thinking out loud.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2024", "date_added": "25-Feb-2023 00:41:43", "publisher": "Albatross Media", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012225015", "title": "Trashed!", "author": "Martha Freeman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Arthur lives above Universal Trash, a used goods store, with his Mom, Dad, and little sister, Ramona. Their grandparents, who started the store, live nearby. Ramona\u2019s pet mouse dies, and suddenly Arthur has a roommate \u2014 a mouse ghost named Watson. Grandma is on an extended vacation, and Grandpa is cranky.

Arthur finds an old cup, and his grandfather tells him it was stolen long ago. Then Arthur discovers there have been other thefts, but he doesn\u2019t tell anyone (except Watson) because he really wants to solve the mystery himself. Shortly after Grandma comes home, she discovers her pearl necklace is missing. Veda, Arthur\u2019s best friend, stops coming around after Grandpa makes some racist remarks. Arthur has a lot of things to solve. Is he up to it?

Martha Freeman has written a fun mystery populated with interesting, believable characters and set in and around a junk store, which contributes greatly to the story, being a good place to find mysteries. Arthur is a terrific main character \u2014 a little flawed, but learning and showing growth. The writing is excellent. The dialogue is snappy and just right for the various characters. Middle-graders will love this fun mystery.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "25-Feb-2023 00:20:23", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012224007", "title": "A House With Good Bones", "author": "T Kingfisher", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 178, "review": "Sam\u2019s mom has A House with Good Bones. It also has a beautiful rose garden and possibly a ghost. Vultures are watching the house and clearly her mom is on edge. But the house is in the suburbs, not some creepy Gothic mansion. Ghosts don\u2019t live in the suburbs, do they? Even with her scientific mind, Sam might need to come to terms with things beyond explanation if she is going to help her mom and get out of town alive.

I absolutely loved Sam. Her personality made me wish she was real so we could be friends. Her approach to the whole situation was exactly how I expect I would react if I were in this story. While this story is funny and witty, there are definitely some creepy moments. I don\u2019t know if I will ever look at ladybugs the same way. If you enjoy Gothic horror stories, but also enjoy sarcasm and wit, I highly recommend you read this. More creepy than downright scary, but still worthy of the horror genre. I thoroughly enjoyed it.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "17-Apr-2023", "date_added": "24-Feb-2023 20:55:05", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012223011", "title": "Love Betrayal Murder", "author": "Adam Mitzner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1163, "review": "M is for Murder Roundup\n\nIn the gripping world of crime fiction, the letter \u201cM\u201d has sinister implications, drawing readers into the mysterious and macabre. As they delve into recent releases in the genre, \u201cM\u201d stands not only for murder but also for masterful storytelling. From cunning detectives navigating treacherous puzzles to ruthless criminals plotting their next move, these novels offer readers a thrilling journey into the darkest corners of human nature. Join us as we explore the latest crime fiction titles that will keep you on the edge of your seat, heart pounding and mind racing.\n\nLove Betrayal Murder by Adam Mitzner\n\nIn Love Betrayal Murder, Adam Mitzner introduces readers to the cutthroat world of New York City law firms, where love, ambition, and betrayal collide in a tale of suspense and intrigue. Matthew Brooks and Vanessa Lyons, both talented attorneys, are deeply entangled in both their professional and personal lives. As they navigate their careers and a forbidden love affair, their futures are put on the line when Vanessa's husband, Bradley Lyons, becomes suspicious. Mitzner skillfully weaves a web of complex relationships and legal drama, with Vanessa assigned to a high-stakes case that could determine her fate at the firm. The tension escalates as Matt, her lover, is forced to supervise her on the case, a direct violation of company policy. When Vanessa's partnership dreams are shattered, she suspects that her affair with Matt played a role in the decision. The story takes a dark turn when a shocking murder occurs on the streets of Manhattan, leaving readers wondering who is telling the truth and who can be trusted. Mitzner's gripping narrative leads to a dramatic criminal trial, with the truth hanging in the balance until a jaw-dropping reveal. \n\nMurder Served Neat by Michelle Hillen Klump\n\nMichelle Hillen Klump serves up a tantalizing combination of murder and mixology in Murder Served Neat. Samantha Warren, an intrepid reporter-turned-mixologist, finds herself in another intoxicating mystery as a seemingly innocent Fourth of July party takes a sinister turn. Klump's storytelling prowess ensures that the investigation into Angela Clawson's death goes down smooth, leaving readers thirsty for more. She masterfully blends the flavors of small-town politics with a dash of familial obligation, creating a cocktail of intrigue that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The clash of personalities and motives within the German Texan Lodge's social sphere adds depth to the narrative, and the unconventional choice of murder weapon adds a quirky twist to the plot. As Samantha navigates this complex concoction of secrets and suspicions, readers are treated to a delightful blend of amateur sleuthing and mixology, making Murder Served Neat a refreshing addition to the cozy mystery genre. \n\nJust Murdered by Katherine Kovacic\n\nKatherine Kovacic's Just Murdered takes readers on a thrilling trip to the swinging 1960s as Peregrine Fisher, the long-lost niece of the indomitable Phryne Fisher, steps into her aunt's glamorous world of intrigue and mystery. When Phryne goes missing in the wilds of Papua New Guinea, Peregrine is thrust into a whirlwind of unexpected events as she inherits her aunt's wealth and a coveted seat at the Adventuresses' Club. However, Peregrine soon finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation that will test her wit and determination. Kovacic brilliantly captures the essence of the Fisher family's daring spirit, as Peregrine defies convention with her stylish flair and unrivaled tenacity. The backdrop of 1960s Melbourne provides a vibrant and nostalgic setting for this engaging mystery, where fashion, societal norms, and crime collide. Just Murdered offers a captivating mix of sleuthing, intrigue, and charismatic characters that will leave readers eagerly turning the pages. With its engaging narrative and charismatic protagonist, this novel is a worthy addition to the Phryne Fisher canon.\n\nMurder at an Irish Castle by Ellie Brannigan\n\nMurder at the Irish Castle by Ellie Brannigan delivers an enticing mix of mystery, romance, and suspense, all set against the backdrop of a charming yet enigmatic Irish village. Rayne McGrath, a Rodeo Drive bridalwear designer, finds herself thrust into a life-altering situation when her thirtieth birthday takes an unexpected turn. Inheriting a rundown family castle in Ireland might sound like a dream, but the catch is that she must save the entire village from financial ruin within a year. As Rayne delves into her uncle's mysterious death, she discovers that her idyllic new life is far from what it seems. Brannigan skillfully combines the elements of family intrigue, small-town secrets, and the allure of a picturesque Irish setting to craft a compelling and atmospheric mystery. Rayne's character shines as a determined and endearing protagonist, and readers will be drawn into her quest to uncover the truth while navigating the challenges of her newfound responsibilities. Murder at the Irish Castle conveys a richly woven tapestry of emotions, suspense, and a touch of romance, making it a captivating start to Brannigan's new mystery series. \n\nMastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge\n\nColleen Cambridge whisks readers away to the enchanting streets of Paris in Mastering the Art of French Murder, where the City of Light becomes the backdrop for a delectable blend of mystery, culinary delights, and international intrigue. Tabitha Knight's journey of self-discovery takes a thrilling turn when a murder rocks her otherwise delightful sojourn in Paris. Due to her connection to the victim and the murder weapon originating from her friend Julia Child's kitchen, Tabitha finds herself thrust into the heart of a complex investigation. Cambridge's storytelling weaves together the rich tapestry of Parisian culture, history, and cuisine, providing readers with a vivid and immersive experience. Tabitha's character shines as she navigates the charming yet treacherous streets of Paris in search of the truth, all while unraveling the mystery behind a note written in her handwriting. Mastering the Art of French Murder offers a tantalizing blend of suspense, romance, and friendship, making it a delectable cozy mystery. With its atmospheric setting and engaging characters, the novel transports readers to a world of culinary delights and intrigue in the heart of Paris.\n\nFour Found Dead by Natalie D. Richards\n\nNatalie D. Richards crafts a gripping and heart-pounding thriller in Four Found Dead, a story that takes place in the eerie, desolate setting of a closing shopping mall's theater complex. As the last shift of employees wraps up their duties, an ordinary night takes a terrifying turn when a stranger makes a chilling accusation. A sudden power outage and the disappearance of their manager set the stage for a nightmarish ordeal. Richards expertly builds tension and suspense as the crew finds themselves trapped with a murderer in a dark, labyrinthine mall. With a dead body among them, they must rely on their wits and each other to survive as the closed-off, boarded-up mall becomes a claustrophobic and menacing backdrop for a deadly game of cat and mouse. Four Found Dead is a thrilling rollercoaster ride of fear and intrigue, where trust is a scarce commodity and every moment holds the potential for danger.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Feb-2023 21:15:58", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000012223003", "title": "An Astronomer in Love", "author": "Antoine Laurain, Louise Rogers Lalaurie, Megan Jones", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 217, "review": "An Astronomer in Love is a tale about Guillaume Le Gentil, an astronomer to King Louis XV, who set out from France in 1760 to see the transit of Venus across the world in Pondicherry, India. It's interwoven with the story of Xavier Lemercier, a real estate agent who discovers the telescope that once belonged to Le Gentil in 2012. Lemercier intends to use the telescope to watch the stars with his young son but inadvertently spies on a woman in an apartment a few buildings away. It isn't long before he has a chance encounter with her and finds himself infatuated. So it's at once a tale of adventure on the high seas and a search for love in the heart of Paris.

Laurain has an eye for detail and a way of making the reader feel like they are part of each character's journey. His works are a pure joy to read, and he's a master storyteller able to transport us to other times and places with his enchanting and mesmerizing atmospheric scenes. He always seems to be so in touch with human nature, expressing so well what so many are able to feel. He is a writer who never lets me down, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "29-Jun-2023", "date_added": "24-Feb-2023 20:33:43", "publisher": "Gallic Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012221019", "title": "Apple Pie Picnic", "author": "Alicia Duran, Brian Fitzgerald", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 9", "word_count": 171, "review": "Apple Pie Picnic is the story of a little girl named Rosa who has an apple tree that grows by her house. The story tells about each thing that does something (the sun, rain, birds, and animals/pets) toward or around Rosa's house. Then the tree is talked about: Rosa finds a resting spot, squirrels live in it, and flowers bloom on it. Then Rosa's family is mentioned\u2014her grandma/abuela, grandpa/abuelo, mother/madre\u2014and the steps they take to have a picnic under the tree.

Then the seasons change and the tree loses its leaves during the fall and winter and grows the buds for the flowers that turn into apples in the spring and summer. The story is mainly in English; certain English words also have the Spanish words with them, so readers can learn something while they read a good story.

Apple Pie Picnic teaches readers several things\u2014some Spanish words for common English ones, how the flowers on a tree turn into fruit, and then how to make apple sauce on your own!", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "15-Aug-2023", "date_added": "25-Feb-2023 01:13:32", "publisher": "Red Comet Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012221011", "title": "Where\u2019s Waldo?: The Great Speed Search", "author": "Martin Handford", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 9", "word_count": 157, "review": "Where's Waldo? is a fun look-and-find book where the reader looks around different scenes with lots of different things happening, hoping that they will find Waldo somewhere among all of the people and things happening. Waldo is always dressed in a red-striped shirt and matching hat, but he's not the easiest to find because in each picture there are other red-striped things and clothing to distract you.

When the reader finds Waldo, they can then try to find the other characters in the pictures: Wanda, the wizard, the other guy in the yellow-striped shirt, and the dog, and then also some other hidden items.

This book of Where's Waldo? has similar pictures on each side of the book so that two or more people can be looking at the same time and you can make it a contest between everyone, then switch sides and try that side! Competing with other people is both really fun and stressful!", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "18-Apr-2023", "date_added": "25-Feb-2023 00:15:53", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012220011", "title": "The London S\u00e9ance Society: A Novel", "author": "Sarah Penner", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 210, "review": "Paris 1873. Vaudeline D\u2019Allaire, a noted spiritualist who specializes in contacting those who met violent ends and bringing their murderers to light, is conducting a s\u00e9ance just outside of town. Besides the grieving family, her understudy, Lenna Wilkes, is also in attendance. Though truth be told, she is more of a skeptic than a believer and has apprenticed to D\u2019Allaire to find the killer of her own sister, Evie, who was also a former understudy. Soon Lenna and Vaudeline are called back to London to help find the murderer of the president of the London S\u00e9ance Society who, coincidently, like Evie, died on All Hallows Eve.

I was very excited to read The London S\u00e9ance Society by Sarah Penner, having enjoyed her debut novel The Lost Apothecary immensely. However, I was disappointed. The concept seemed promising, but unfortunately, the author never quite managed to keep my interest. None of her characters were fleshed out enough to garner any real investment, the plot fizzled out midway through the book, and sadly, though Penner is wonderful with settings, that alone could not carry the novel. The author has a lot of talent, and I look forward to reading more from her, however, this is not a book for my \u201cread again\u201d shelf.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "01-May-2023", "date_added": "24-Feb-2023 20:41:12", "publisher": "Park Row Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012219019", "title": "The Eloquence of Silence: Surprising Wisdom in Tales of Emptiness ", "author": "Thomas Moore", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 205, "review": "The concept of success in modern life is predicated on busyness: packing all hours with doing, achieving, and hoarding. \u201cHustle life\u201d is glorified, the constant yearning for more. Even as we navigate loss and pain, the common advice is to keep going and keep moving. Many lifetimes are squandered chasing pleasures or running away from pain. Instead of yearning to fill the proverbial cup, what if we sat still with emptiness?

The Eloquence of Silence is Thomas Moore\u2019s encouragement to allow spaciousness into our lives. Through meditative writings on the gifts of silence and detaching from expectations. Moore draws from the wisdom of folktales, literary works, and various spiritual traditions\u2014from Judaism to Christianity to Zen Buddhism\u2014to share age-old beliefs about the value of emptiness.

Followers of Moore who benefited from his works about deepening spiritual practices to advance moral development will appreciate how this book dispenses well-grounded advice. Others who are looking for secular applications of the Heart Sutra will find solace in Moore\u2019s contemplations on how slowing down and letting go can renew our commitment to humanity, virtue, and kindness. The lessons are meant for seekers on the path toward another way of dealing with challenging emotional experiences, ready to realize peace and comfort.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "19-May-2023", "date_added": "24-Feb-2023 21:27:01", "publisher": "New World Library", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012218031", "title": "Big Bangs and Black Holes: A Graphic Novel Guide to the Universe", "author": "Jeremie Francfort, Herji, Jeffrey K Butt", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 174, "review": "Getting young people, especially young girls, interested in science is the goal of this book. It joins a long list of similar books, though it is one of the few to feature a female scientist leading the charge through the information. This book covers a lot of ground and hits the high points of basic astronomy, physics, and general science. Most of the focus is on how the universe works, but doing so in an engaging way through drawings, pared-down explanations, and using examples from everyday life readers might already be familiar with, although the use of Russian nesting dolls is something readers might not be familiar with. This book is more for children in the later stages of elementary school, fourth through sixth grades, and is not really for children younger than that. There are some pretty high-level concepts, and trying to take them down to a child\u2019s reading level will be taxing. The art is decent, and the author does a good job breaking down complicated ideas to easier language to understand.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "12-Jul-2023", "date_added": "25-Feb-2023 00:17:59", "publisher": "Helvetiq", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012218027", "title": "Unlikely Animals: A Novel", "author": "Annie Hartnett", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 253, "review": "When she left home and became a legend of small town Everton, Emma Starling was a local healer off to tackle the world. Blessed with a healing touch as a young girl, everyone knew she would become a doctor and save countless lives. But, when she drops out of medical school to return to New Hampshire to care for her father, Emma encounters her greatest failings and worst fears in Annie Hartnett's Unlikely Animals.

No one knows exactly what is wrong with Clive Starling apart from the hallucinations he keeps having of Ernest Harold Baynes, a dead naturalist, and the animals that surrounded Baynes. The novel is told through a surprising narrative voice: the collective conscience of dead people buried in the local cemetery. At first this conceit through me off, but it proved to be a brilliant way to be everywhere and nowhere at once, peaking into Emma's life as she navigates being an elementary school teacher for the first time and her father's deteriorating health.

Emma's relationship with her mother is strained, her brother's frequent trips to rehab haven't been easy on the family, and Clive's affairs that led to her parents' divorce means that no Starling is stable. At every turn, when it seems the world has become too difficult, the search too fruitless, and the fears too great, the characters keep going. For those who have ever lived in a small town or felt like they were hanging on by a thread in absurd times, Unlikely Animals is a must read.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "02-May-2023", "date_added": "24-Feb-2023 23:35:07", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012218023", "title": "Unlikely Animals: A Novel", "author": "Annie Hartnett", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 192, "review": "When Emma Starling returns to her small New Hampshire town, she comes in disgrace. The former golden girl has not only flunked out of medical school but never even showed up to the first day! A natural-born healer, she\u2019s dropped out of her own life and it\u2019s sent her back home, where her father is dying of a brain disease, one that causes him to hallucinate that he sees animals and the ghost of naturalist Ernest Harold Baynes.

Not only is her own family in crisis\u2014her brother fresh out of rehab, her mother\u2019s crippling perfectionism\u2014but Emma\u2019s best friend from high school has gone missing and no one seems to care. Other than the residents of the cemetery, who act as narrators, they know exactly where Crystal is, but the dead aren\u2019t allowed to interfere\u2026

Described as tragicomic, Unlikely Animals is the kind of novel that manages to hit both at just the right angles. There\u2019s enough comedy to keep serious topics light and enough tragedy to keep the comedy real. Annie Harnett wields a talented pen with this novel that pulls on the heartstrings even as it busts a gut from laughter.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "01-Jun-2023", "date_added": "24-Feb-2023 23:32:14", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012218019", "title": "You Have to Be Prepared to Die Before You Can Begin to Live: Ten Weeks in Birmingham That Changed America", "author": "Paul Kix", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 195, "review": "Author Paul Kix was attempting to explain the present day to his children, a world where police violence against African Americans has not dissipated. The deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd in 2020 due to excessive force by law enforcement caused nationwide outrage and led to protests. Protests against authority, even in the face of police backlash, had been a hallmark of the Civil Rights movement. One of the key faceoffs began in Birmingham in 1963.

In January 1963, a new approach was being considered in civil disobedience. The younger members of the Civil Rights movement sought to rejuvenate the movement after a demonstration in 1962 in Albany, Georgia had fizzled out. \u201cProject X\u201d was a newfangled method of protest guaranteed to make waves. Martin Luther King Jr. and others were willing to try anything to shake things up.

You Have to Be Prepared to Die Before You Can Begin to Live adeptly scrutinizes a crucial moment in the struggle for civil rights. Kix writes an outstanding study of perseverance in the face of adversity, men and women who braved the slings and arrows of hatred in order to force change for the better.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "12-May-2023", "date_added": "24-Feb-2023 22:19:12", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012218011", "title": "Sleepless City: A Nick Ryan Novel", "author": "Reed Farrel Coleman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 198, "review": "Nick Ryan is an instinctual NYPD Detective who believes in righteous justice. However, he carries the burden of his father\u2019s testimony against fellow officers and a former partner\u2019s suicide. The partner had gone outside the margins in attempting to prove a serial killer\u2019s guilt and lost his badge. Ryan decides to mete out retribution to the serial killer when he is interrupted by an unknown third party. Nick is introduced to an influential but shadowy man known as \u201cJoe,\u201d who offers Nick an opportunity to ascend the ranks of the NYPD while acting as a troubleshooter. Hesitant at first, Nick decides the benefits outweigh the risks in taking this opportunity.

An officer-involved shooting provides the first chance for Nick to prove his worth. The officer involved is the son of NYPD brass, and the circumstances behind the shooting could trigger riots. Nick\u2019s spin on this tragedy could prove nearly disastrous.

Sleepless City is the latest explosive crime thriller from novelist Reed Farrel Coleman (\u201cFallout\u201d). Nick Ryan is a captivating protagonist from the outset, intent on adhering to his own rules while inhabiting an increasingly fraught city. Coleman\u2019s plot pacing is exemplary, the dialogue is sharp, and the conclusion is rewarding.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2023", "date_added": "24-Feb-2023 20:38:46", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "321 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012217007", "title": "Broken: The Suspicious Death of Alydar and the End of Horseracing\u2019s Golden Age", "author": "Fred M. Kray", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 431, "review": "Broken: The Suspicious Death of Alydar and the End of Horseracing\u2019s Golden Age by animal attorney Fred M. Kray was an excellent true story. Kray eloquently writes the story of famous racehorse Alydar, who cryptically broke his leg one night alone in his stall. This story speaks of the entire mystery surrounding Alydar\u2019s death\u2014from the horse's initial injury to judicial trials, investigations, interviews, and more.

As a bit of background, Alydar was an American thoroughbred, dark chestnut-colored racehorse. Born and bred at Calumet Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, Alydar\u2019s birth marked the hope of restoring this farm to its initial racing prominence, something lost over the years. Trainer John Veitch and groomer Clyde Sparks were two major people who influenced Alydar\u2019s upbringing and eventual horse racing career. Alydar went on to make it to the Triple Crown, although he lost, placing a very close second to the horse Affirmed, in all races. After Alydar\u2019s retirement, he was put into breeding.

Although the background above may sound normal, Alydar\u2019s situation was anything but that. With Calumet Farm taken over by a corrupt manager, Alydar\u2019s health and well-being were abused and sacrificed disgustingly for the sake of money. A story you must read to truly take in, I found myself hurting on the behalf of this horse's abuse and mistreatment.

Then, of course, the mysterious night of November 13 arrives and this racehorse insured for $36.5 million is found with a broken rear leg, despite a watchman making rounds. Unfortunately, Alydar does not survive the veterinarians' attempts to save him and an investigation ensues on what could have caused Alydar\u2019s death. Although it is claimed that Alydar broke his leg kicking in his stall door, the evidence does not lead to this as the true case. Only after millions in insurance money are collected do the real facts of this night come into the light\u2014and the clues suggest that Alydar could not have done it. So, if this is indeed the case, who did injure Alydar, and furthermore, what was their motive?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. As a lover of true story events, this book had me fascinated and captivated by this fateful night and its aftermath. I also have to compliment Kray\u2019s extensive and thorough research; he truly left no stone unturned and no detail left from this story. This further helped support his argument about the possibilities of what happened to Alydar and most definitely convinced me of his case. As a whole, I think any reader who enjoys true stories, horses, sports, or crime would like this book.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "08-May-2023", "date_added": "24-Feb-2023 12:54:39", "publisher": "Live Oak Press", "page_count": "372 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012204003", "title": "A Friend Of King Neptune", "author": "Wm. Stage", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 411, "review": "Francis X. Lenihan is a process server living in St. Louis when he reunites with his best friend, Dingus. Francis and Dingus served in the Army Medical Corps in the 1970s. Dingus served as it was a familial tradition, while Francis served to avoid a lengthy jail sentence. Their service in a relatively war-free area and the wild times they shared have helped forge an unbreakable bond between them. Francis brings Dingus along as he performs the task of giving subpoenas, quite often surreptitiously. Dingus witnesses the anger of more than a few unhappy recipients that Francis must serve, and his attempts to aid Francis only exacerbate the situation.

Francis is quick to forgive Dingus\u2019 lack of tact but is curious to learn why Dingus traveled to the States. Dingus is on a mission from a friend in Germany; he has been asked to locate some artifacts from the Third Reich. Dingus must ingratiate himself with the friend\u2019s estranged brother, but the brother has no intention of giving up said memorabilia. Dingus has a habit of getting himself into trouble and Francis must find a way to lend a helping hand.

Nearly two decades have passed since their military service, and their lives are headed in different directions, but the strength of their friendship pulls them together for a new adventure. Francis is pretty content in his life, happy to earn money while earning the enmity of the wayward souls he must serve. Dingus possesses a flair for the romantic and adventurous, often throwing common sense by the wayside. The pair must contend with thieves, stalkers, a possible rapist, and the occasional corrupt cop. When the two friends work together, they are nearly unstoppable.

A Friend of King Neptune is a fun mystery novel with a healthy heaping of comic undertones that provide a generous portion of the entertainment. The path of the narrative is set early on with the hijinks that ensue when Dingus accompanies Francis on his daily grind. The story doesn\u2019t deviate one iota as the friends briefly separate, with Dingus acting as an amateur sleuth and Francis dodging a disgruntled individual whom he once served. Francis\u2019 loyalty to Dingus is seen early and often in the book as he never ceases to stand up for him. The action is often accompanied by moments of levity and heart. Author Wm. Stage has written a fine book with a quirky pair that will win over the reader almost instantly.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "25-Apr-2023", "date_added": "23-Feb-2023 11:31:18", "publisher": "Floppinfish Publishing Company Ltd.", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012203011", "title": "The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers In the 21st Century and Other Follies (Freak Brothers Follies)", "author": "Gilbert Shelton, Paul Mavrides, Dave Sheridan", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 188, "review": "Way back when, somewhere in San Francisco, Freewheelin\u2019 Franklin Freek, Phineas T. Phreak, Fat Freddy Freekowtski, and of course, Fat Freddy\u2019s Cat spontaneously spewed from the brain of Gilbert Shelton. The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers have been on one freakish misadventure after another, spanning the globe, space, and even time. What was the intended outcome of these mind-blowing fiascos? Obviously, they did it for fame, glamour, and sex. But mainly for the dope.

The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers in the 21st Century and Other Follies is a new collection of crude comics published by Fantagraphics. Many other artists joined in this creative endeavor, originally inked by Shelton, including Paul Mavrides and Dave Sheridan. This compilation includes full stories featuring the FFFB, short strips, and adventures of Fat Freddy and his Cat. Nothing was sacrilegious to the FFFB team. Their satirical skewering of politics and pop culture is boundless. This beautiful hard-backed book is a must-have for the unfortunate few that collect FFFB comics. For anyone looking for a hilariously crude and very unPC look at stoner humor, join The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers as they explore the 21st century.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "12-Apr-2023", "date_added": "23-Feb-2023 00:06:26", "publisher": "Fantagraphics Books, Inc", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012202023", "title": "A Murder in Ashwood", "author": "Robert Brighton", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 53, "review": "\"Brighton weaves a scandalous story full of murder, infidelity, and a web of lies. Spectacularly naughty, A Murder in Ashwood paints a picture of revenge with characters that are seductive, smarmy, and sly. Readers who enjoy mysteries set in the Gilded Age era will delight in this novel.\" \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Feb-2023 20:44:01", "publisher": "Ashwood Press", "page_count": "425 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012202019", "title": "Fated to Love You", "author": "Kayla Cunningham", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rayne Renz", "word_count": 417, "review": "In Fated to Love You, Kayla Cunningham delivers a poignant and heart-wrenching romance novel that will take readers on a journey of love, loss, and overcoming obstacles. The story follows Cassandra Steel, a science enthusiast studying abroad in Colombia, who unexpectedly falls in love with Zhang Xuan, a fellow science student. Despite their obvious connection, their relationship is tested by numerous challenges, including racism, anonymous online trolls, and Cassandra\u2019s father, a military man with dated views.

The author does an excellent job of crafting relatable characters that readers will become deeply invested in. Cassandra and Xuan are multi-dimensional protagonists with understandable motivations and actions, making it easy to empathize with them. As the author skillfully develops their romantic journey, readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride that leaves them rooting for the couple.

The issue of racism is a pervasive theme throughout Fated to Love You.\" The author boldly confronts this sensitive topic, delving into the challenges that arise in interracial relationships. Through Cassandra and Xuan's experiences, readers are shown the various ways in which prejudice and societal biases can impact a relationship. The novel sheds light on the challenges of navigating these biases, from the racism that Cassandra's military father displays towards Xuan, to the anonymous online trolls that attack their relationship.

Despite the obstacles that the couple faces, Cunningham emphasizes the strength and resilience required to overcome them. Through Cassandra and Xuan's struggles, the novel provides insights into the difficulties of overcoming societal biases and the importance of standing up for what is right. Cunningham's skillful prose also shows the power love has in overcoming these obstacles, demonstrating that while navigating interracial relationships can be challenging, inseparable bonds withstand any test.

As readers delve deeper into Fated to Love You, they may begin to believe that the coincidences that bring Cassandra and Xuan together are not mere happenstance, but rather part of a grander plan that includes their career paths, friendships, and romantic relationships. The novel invites readers to ponder the idea that perhaps nothing in life occurs by accident and that everything happens for a reason.

In conclusion, Fated to Love You is a well-written and engaging novel that is sure to tug at readers' heartstrings. The novel is a must-read for fans of romantic dramas and those interested in exploring the complexities of love and relationships. With relatable characters, a compelling plot, and thought-provoking themes, Fated to Love You is a book that will stay with readers long after they have turned the last page.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "09-Jul-2023", "date_added": "22-Feb-2023 02:07:38", "publisher": "eXtasy Books Inc", "page_count": "404 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012202015", "title": "Fated to Love You", "author": "Kayla Cunningham", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 467, "review": "Fated to Love You tells the story of two star-crossed lovers who meet in high school and find each other while studying abroad in Colombia. Nineteen-year-old Cassie is serious about her studies and after her boyfriend, Raylan cheats on her and leaves for the military, she is ready to leave the states for a program in Colombia. There, she reconnects with a high school classmate of hers, a Chinese international student who also shares a love of science, Zhang Xuan. They both find that they enjoy one another's company and have a lot in common. As the story unfolds, it is clear they are smitten with each other. These two overachievers are the perfect match. Then on a fateful day, Cassie's last day in Colombia, Cassie is sent with two of the teacher's helpers to deliver supplies to the schools. There is a massive mudslide on the way and many lives are lost, including the teacher's two friends. Cassie is pinned in her vehicle and with the water rising, she feels her end is near. She can hear her military father's voice giving her strength but no matter how hard she tries she cannot free herself. Xuan seems to magically appear and saves Cassie's life.

Fated to Love You starts with the exciting, nail-biting scenes of Cassie's accident and rescue. I couldn't read fast enough as I was waiting to see what would happen to her and if she and Xuan would make it out alive.

The story fast forwards three years and Cassie and Xuan are a couple. And although Cassie's father does not believe in an interracial marriage, Cassie knows that she and Xuan were meant for each other. Then tragedy strikes. The diagnosis is grim. Xuan has stage three terminal cancer. The rest of the book is dedicated to spending time with Cassie and Xuan, their friends, and their family.

I really enjoyed this book for so many reasons. The plot was wonderful as were the characters. Each character showed such intricate feelings and emotions. I also liked the story of an Asian American and a Caucasian American because there don't seem to be that many books with that relationship dynamic. Being an Asian American married to a Caucasian American, I felt I was fated to read this book! It was clear that Author Kayla Cunningham did a stunning amount of research on all of the topics she addressed in this book. From Asian culture and customs to cancer protocol and the procedures doctors and hospitals take to the scenery of her settings in Colombia and the San Francisco Bay Area, Kayla's attention to detail is outstanding. More than just a romance, Fated to Love You brings to life the struggles of two very realistic characters. I am looking forward to the second book in this series.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "09-Jul-2023", "date_added": "22-Feb-2023 02:07:31", "publisher": "eXtasy Books Inc", "page_count": "404 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012202011", "title": "Fated to Love You", "author": "Kayla Cunningham", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 404, "review": "Fated to Love You is a romantic, but also real story of two kids who must learn to navigate their strong feelings toward each other, along with the daily negative happenings thrown at them by the universe. Cassie is a California college student studying science abroad in Colombia with classmates - science being her only true love. Having just suffered a heartbreaking breakup with her high school sweetheart, she looks forward to the time away, literally being on another continent, to immerse herself in science and distract herself. Unfortunately, mother nature has plans of her own; on the day of departure back to the states, a storm arises that causes Cassie to become trapped in a mudslide that sweeps her vehicle down a mountain, seemingly to her demise. Call it fate, but Cassie is rescued by a handsome young Asian man, Xuan, with whom she falls madly in love, with the feeling being reciprocated. While back in America, they devote their time to one another, as well as handling the problematic issues of racism directed toward them both, as well as other issues that arise.

Fated to Love You could be in the romance genre based on the descriptions provided in the story pertaining to their physical feelings toward each other, but knowledge and education of various \"hot\" topics in our current society give the story a slightly different feel. Racism and injustice toward the American Asian population are central themes at the forefront of over half of the story, with sensitivity and understanding related to medical diagnoses and their effects on both individuals and families fighting for the top spot as well. The author shares her interest and passion in educating individuals however possible, this is evident in her story writing when she goes above and beyond to teach the reader, through the character interactions, about the Chinese and Spanish language, culture, customs, and religion as well as proper and positive ways of overcoming differences while in a relationship. Cassie and Xuan's relationship is one worth mimicking, as it shows the devotion and love they hold for each other, while not letting anything or anyone get in the way. The story is solid in its plot yet the author pulls at the heartstrings at times; if this story were to be a movie, it would be exhausting, but leave the audience satisfied and ready for the second book in the Chasing the Comet series!", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Feb-2023 02:07:21", "publisher": "eXtasy Books Inc", "page_count": "404 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012202007", "title": "Fated to Love You", "author": "Kayla Cunningham", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 408, "review": "Fated to Love You starts off with one of the closest things to a literal bang I can think of: Cassie Steel is trapped in her car during a landslide. The next chapters show the hours leading up to the potentially fatal occurrence, and the blossoming of the romance the rest of the book will follow. Zhang Xuan is a fellow grad student, and when he saves Cassie\u2019s life, their unspoken attraction soon turns into a romance deep enough that Cassie feels it must have been fated.

But, as Cassie might remind us William Shakespeare once wrote, \u201cthe course of true love never did run smooth\u201d. Their establishing their relationship early on in the book doesn\u2019t mean things will go well for them for the following two hundred pages. Far from it; both of them have trials to face.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. This is Cunningham\u2019s first novel, and I think it makes for an excellent debut. She has created a love story that feels deep and powerful for both characters, and it\u2019s clear she loves them as much as they love each other. It\u2019s also clear she did her research. The chapters in Colombia feel vibrant, and there are several references to Chinese culture, both large and small. I was very glad both of those aspects felt like more than set dressing to provide a little color for the book.

The only thing keeping me from giving the book five stars is a collection of small things that shook my immersion in the narrative. Some are nothing more than matters of taste, but others made parts of the book feel underdeveloped. The deep, poetic writing at times went too far and wound up sounding pretentious. Cassie often brings up cultural references that sometimes distract from the point being made at the moment or feel brought up solely for the sake of mentioning Seinfeld or a particular song. At times, the romance took over a little too much, to the point where it consumed the characters and the narrative. (This last point probably falls most under \u201cpersonal taste\u201d, as different readers look for different sorts of balance in romances and love stories.)

On the whole, this is an excellent debut that I think will appeal to people looking for epic love stories. It doesn\u2019t quite follow the format of a traditional romance novel, but it\u2019s certainly a romantic tale. I hope I get a chance to read what she writes next.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "09-Jul-2023", "date_added": "22-Feb-2023 02:06:48", "publisher": "eXtasy Books Inc", "page_count": "404 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012202003", "title": "Rhiannon's Circle", "author": "Emily Bex", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 412, "review": "As I read Rhiannon\u2019s Circle, I was reminded of two series I read as a teen, both of which also had a strong focus on witchcraft: Wicked (not the Oz-adjacent series but a YA series written by Nancy Holder and Debbie Vigui\u00e9) and House of Night (a series by Kristin and P.C. Cast which heavily features vampires). The surface similarities of witches (and vampires, in one case), secrets, and forbidden romance are obvious, but the further I read, the more I realized that Rhiannon\u2019s Circle is very much a book in the same vein as these YA books of the early 2000s, albeit written for a much more adult audience.

People who have read either of those series can probably guess what they will think of this book. Most of my enjoyment was from nostalgia, remembering the parts I liked from Wicked and House of Night and finding them echoed here. The rest of this review will be for people who either haven\u2019t read those books or who don\u2019t remember them if they did.

I\u2019ll start with what the book did right. Bex does an excellent job of putting in detail. The coven\u2019s rituals are lovingly written out and serve as vital turning points for the plot. For those pages, I was riveted, both because of how well the rituals were presented and because of how important they were to the story. Here, the detailed writing is vital, bringing readers into the moment and enmeshing them in the action.

Elsewhere in the book, though, the details can make the action drag and occasionally become repetitive. There were only so many times I needed to hear that Eilish had pale white hair and gray eyes. (Actually, I could have stood to have some of the details of other characters\u2019 descriptions repeated. Eilish is the protagonist, but I do wish I could picture some of the secondary characters more clearly.) The characterization too was not impressive. It was easy for me to tell who the villain of the book would be (it only grew more obvious as the book went on), and I predicted what I expected was meant to be a major plot twist early on. The chemistry between Eilish and Ian felt forced by the narrative; I couldn\u2019t find much beyond their instant physical (and magical) attraction to pull them together.

Rhiannon\u2019s Circle is a fun ride, and those looking for just that will probably enjoy it. I, however, found little holding up the initial rush.", "issue": "March 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Feb-2023 01:49:08", "publisher": "Foundations Book Publishing", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000012201031", "title": "The House of Wolves: Bolder Than Yellowstone or Succession, Patterson and Lupica's Power-Family Thriller Is Not To Be Missed", "author": "James Patterson, Mike Lupica", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 190, "review": "The House of Wolves is the newest James Patterson novel which he has cowritten with sports columnist and guru Mike Lupica. The feel of this book is much like a Patterson book that is watered down with some softer characters and does a lot of skimming over the graphic parts of the murders that take place. That being said, the story itself was entertaining, albeit not complex in any way. Joe Wolf, the patriarch of the Wolf family, is killed on his boat in the first scene. What ensues is his children fighting over what each of them thinks is theirs and what Joe left to them. Jenny Wolf, the only daughter, is left the NFL team the family owns, the Wolves. Jack Wolf is left the newspaper business he was already running. This book could have been a lot shorter and gotten to the whodunnit portion a lot quicker in my opinion. There were scenes and dialogue between the characters that dragged on and in the end there wasn\u2019t much of a surprise as to how everything was laid out. A good read but not exactly Patterson\u2019s best work.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "12-Apr-2023", "date_added": "23-Feb-2023 01:15:58", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012201023", "title": "Spring's Arcana (The Dead God's Heart, 1)", "author": "Lilith Saintcrow", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 203, "review": "Nat\u2019s world has shifted upside down and she\u2019s left desperate to find an answer. Her mother has received a life-changing diagnosis and now resides in a hospice with doctors not offering much hope. Her mother has her own plan in mind, for Nat to take a trip and make a deal with a goddess. This sends her on an epic journey with an unexpected travel companion that brings her face-to-face with dangerous divinities.

The writing is delightfully descriptive, with Saintcrow delivering a strong voice and a relatable character. Nat is a well-rounded and brazen character that has a powerful motive driving her forward. She has a strong presence that Saintcrow captures with ease. The relationship with her mother is the core of the plot and is the catalyst for putting Nat on this adventure. The humor is clever and the writing will keep you engaged from the first page, throwing you directly into the plot and taking you along for the ride.

Mythology comes to life with a unique twist on divinities and Baba Yaga that creates a world that will immediately capture your attention. Spring\u2019s Arcana is hard to put down, with twists and turns that take place along an incredible journey.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "01-Jun-2023", "date_added": "22-Feb-2023 17:01:43", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012199067", "title": "100 First Words: Nature: With Flaps to Lift ", "author": "Edward Underwood", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 191, "review": "There are many board books which provide words for young children as they grow up but this is one of the first ones I have seen where it is geared toward growing up on the farm or ranch with words about things children will probably be seeing every day. Like similar board books, there is no plot or overarching theme. Instead, it is designed for young children learning words to sound them out and associate the words with an individual or item.

Most of the time board books follow the traditional alphabet pattern, but this is one of the exceptions as there seems to be no rhyme or reason for the order they go through in the book. Each page has a combination of items, people (historic or recent), places, and things. The art is all right but does not really stand out that much, but it\u2019s good enough for babies. The strong primary colors in the background make it stand out more than others. There are numerous words and items per page. One issue is there are several words which are too long for kids just learning to form words.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2025", "date_added": "23-Feb-2023 01:19:08", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "14 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012198043", "title": "How Old Is a Whale?: Animal Life Spans from the Mayfly to the Immortal Jellyfish", "author": "Lily Murray, Jesse Hodgson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 9", "word_count": 175, "review": "Animals are creatures that are so different from humans but also act in similar ways. In How Old is a Whale?, many animals are shown and talked about, ranging from ones that live the shortest, such as the mayfly, honey bee, and monarch butterfly, to those who live the longest, such as the Greenland shark, ocean quahog, glass sponge, and immortal jellyfish, along with many others in between. The animals cover all of the \"groups\", such as mammals, fish, insects, etc., and cover all across the world. Each animal has a description of itself that includes anything scientific, what it looks like, how it survives, where it lives, etc. Each of the animals includes a colorful and full-page art piece of itself (some look as if they are colored pencils) that make you want to read on for more information. How Old is a Whale? provides information about animals that can help you be smarter than other people or if you need to know it for school, then you will have it at your fingertips.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "02-May-2023", "date_added": "23-Feb-2023 01:21:31", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012196003", "title": "This Is the Planet Where I Live", "author": "K L Going, Debra Frasier", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 181, "review": "The radiant colors that define the glowing figures and features in this unique story grab the reader and listener and through the rhythmic text introduce the novice to our global world. Not only are the creatures that make up this planet explained but also the environmental backgrounds are highlighted. A medley of various homes are bewitchingly displayed in neon colors that the reader can touch and identify, from tents to pagodas to apartment houses.

Colorful foods with flowers and vegetables accompany the homes, while the roles of insects, grazing animals, flocks of birds and trees are shown as neighbors in this planet. Non-living things like clouds provide the water for all the aforementioned creatures, yet the clouds rely on the oceans and the story continues to remind the reader how we all rely on one another\u2014the environment and the living creatures are codependent.

Crowned by a golden sunflower with its petals radiating out as the sun\u2019s rays, this simple yet elegant story will captivate young learners through the magic of its simple lilting text and its dynamic rhapsodic design and color.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "13-Apr-2023", "date_added": "20-Feb-2023 13:21:38", "publisher": "Beach Lane Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012195007", "title": "The Magician's Daughter", "author": "H G Parry", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 200, "review": "\u201cInstant classic\u201d is the phrase that immediately comes to mind to describe this work of historical fantasy. I\u2019m a lifelong avid reader, but as I\u2019ve gotten older, I\u2019ve come to hold the opinion that you can only really experience the best a genre has to offer once, maybe twice if you\u2019re lucky. There\u2019s just something extra special about that first fantasy book that has the potential to really define the genre for you.

At least, that\u2019s what I thought until I started reading The Magician\u2019s Daughter. From page one, the story will hold you absolutely spellbound. In 1912, off the coast of Great Britain, there lies a mysterious island that only appears once every seven years. It is called Hy-Brasil. Biddy, a teenager orphaned and raised by the island\u2019s resident magician and his rabbit familiar after she washed up on its shores as a baby, just calls it home. At least until an ancient society of magicians threatens everything Biddy knows and loves.

She\u2019ll have to face incredible danger along with the true story of her origins in one of the most mesmerizing coming-of-age fantasies ever written. Fans of T.J. Klune and Emilia Hart will love this instantly quintessential fantasy.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2023", "date_added": "22-Feb-2023 00:04:04", "publisher": "Orbit", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012193023", "title": "Eating to Extinction: The World's Rarest Foods and Why We Need to Save Them", "author": "Dan Saladino", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 216, "review": "Food journalist Don Saladino has assembled an encyclopedic array of gripping food stories collected from around the world. The message is simple yet cautionary: by homogenizing our world\u2019s food supply into vast monocultures of genetically programmed crops such as the cultural staples of rice, corn, wheat, and soybean, these global markets are at risk of catastrophic losses.

Climate changes are currently evident as arable landscapes are threatened with or undergo droughts and/or floods, experience temperature fluctuations, and are threatened by the adaptability of pests. Even the animal markets are losing diversity in breeds of pigs, cattle, poultry, and others, making the uniformity of these animals vulnerable to disease, as witnessed recently by an outbreak of poultry diseases.

The author emphasizes the importance of variety in nature, as evidenced by the adaptations both plants and animals have undergone over the eons while striving to survive in changing or hostile surroundings. New strains of crops tend to overtake the local use of varietal versions, but there are consequences when usurping indigenous collections as evidenced by the unseen problems resulting from the \u201cgreen revolution.\u201d

This is a must-read book about our global food supply, the cultural and historical influences that framed the evolution of our food diversity, and the threat that industry and genetic uniformity pose to nature\u2019s bounty.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "01-Jun-2023", "date_added": "22-Feb-2023 00:27:46", "publisher": "Picador", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012193015", "title": "The Skeleton Key", "author": "Erin Kelly", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 196, "review": "In 1992, Elinore \u201cNell\u201d Churcher is a teenager on her way home from an impromptu act of rebellion when she is accosted and stabbed by a troubled young woman. Nell has experienced blowback from the acclaimed work of her father, an illustrated work called The Golden Bones. The book has held the imaginations of many captive as the author left easter egg clues throughout which lead to a puzzle. The most intrepid of the clue seekers are dubbed \u201cBonehunters\u201d. Nell was attacked by a bone hunter.

In 2021, Nell has returned home as her father\u2019s seminal work has its golden anniversary. Nell has distanced herself from her family as the book has brought her nothing but grief. Nell lives on a houseboat with her ex-boyfriend\u2019s daughter, acting as a surrogate mother. She wants this trip home to be mercifully brief, but fate and unearthed family secrets threaten to scuttle her plans.

The Skeleton Key is the latest masterful work from the compelling mind of Erin Kelly (Watch Her Fall). The intensity of the plot never flags from its shocking opening to an unforgettable denouement. Kelly\u2019s flair for the unsettling cerebral mystery continues to build with each release.", "issue": "April 2023", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2025", "date_added": "22-Feb-2023 00:07:37", "publisher": "Mobius", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012192023", "title": "Pout Party", "author": "Sarah McColl", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "It\u2019s a perfectly lovely day, but Rue wakes up out of sorts. Nothing seems right. The light is too bright. The cereal is too crunchy. Her shoes don\u2019t seem to fit right. Her socks bunch up. Rue\u2019s mom sends her off to school with a kiss, but Rue stomps off, growling. At school, the teacher smiles, but Rue glowers. She doesn\u2019t like nap time or lesson time or singing time or any time! At recess, Rue puts up a sign inviting everyone to a Pout Party with no cake, no games, no happiness, and no excitement. Everyone leaves, except Joy. She sticks around and tries to out pout Rue. Can Joy\u2019s trick save the day?

Author and illustrator Sarah McColl has written a perfectly adorable story about someone having a very bad day. This is something little ones can relate to. Everyone has a bad day now and then, but this story shows there are ways to chase those blues away. It is written in nearly perfect rhyme and rhythm with a great sense of fun. The illustrations are cute and sweet and filled with fun details that will help keep youngsters engaged. This will become a fast favorite.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2023", "date_added": "22-Feb-2023 15:58:52", "publisher": "POW! Kids Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012191039", "title": "Sleepy Sheepy", "author": "Lucy Ruth Cummins, Pete Oswald", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "Sleepy Sheepy, it turns out, isn\u2019t very sleepy at all. It might be time for bed, but Sleepy Sheepy would much rather play music and paint pictures and eat cookies and milk than go to bed. It doesn\u2019t matter what the clock says, Sleepy Sheepy is not sleepy at all. Even though Sleepy Sheepy\u2019s eyes might droop and he becomes quite weepy, he insists he is not sleepy! In fact, he is wide awake. Will his parents ever get Sleepy Sheepy into bed for the night? What will it take?

Author Lucy Ruth Cummins has written a funny and sweet bedtime story kids and parents alike will relate to. Sometimes it just doesn\u2019t feel like bedtime to kids even when it is, and this story recognizes that. Her writing is lively and lyrical, the perfect attitude for this story. Illustrator Pete Oswald has created perfectly charming characters and a setting to carry this story. Every page is filled with fun details that will keep young listeners searching the pages for all the fun packed in there. The best part is, little ones reluctant to get to bed will be enchanted right to sleep.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "01-Jun-2023", "date_added": "23-Feb-2023 00:36:00", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012191019", "title": "Say the Right Thing: How to Talk About Identity, Diversity, and Justice", "author": "Kenji Yoshino, David Glasgow", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 240, "review": "In the current sociopolitical climate, people are having uncomfortable conversations about diversity. Divergent views about justice cause discomfort among many who fear being \u201ccanceled\u201d or ostracized for saying the wrong thing. Kenji Yoshino and David Glasgow, founders of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the NYU School of Law, offer practical advice on how to overcome the fear about saying the wrong thing in conversations focused on social identities, privilege, and equity. The strategies offered in Say the Right Thing: How to Talk About Identity, Diversity, and Justice can apply in academic settings, workplaces, and other institutions where unequal access to power abounds.

Along with anecdotes, the authors cite scientific research centered on communications and psychology. Foundational principles provide a portable toolkit that stresses the importance of approaching conversations with an open mind and managing emotional discomfort of discussing tenuous issues. They break down the elements of respectful, candid dialogue and sincere, authentic apologies.

I read this book with great enthusiasm as a diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioner. I appreciate the authors\u2019 actionable strategies that have been disseminated and tested in various organizations. The book addresses familiar approaches such as recognizing biases, addressing impacts of privilege, being open to learning and applying tactics to become a better ally. Concrete definitions explain concepts such as tone policing and channel switching, Fellow diversity practitioners and facilitators would benefit from reading how the authors present well-reasoned arguments on contentious topics.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "01-Jun-2023", "date_added": "22-Feb-2023 00:38:35", "publisher": "Simon and Schuster", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012413007", "title": "A First Time for Everything", "author": "Dan Santat", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 10", "word_count": 182, "review": "Dan Santat\u2019s graphic novel, A First Time for Everything, is about his first school trip to Europe as a teenager. Middle school is tough when he\u2019s dealing with lots of bullies and embarrassing situations. The bullying at school has affected his self-confidence. And now he has to travel to Europe with some of the same bullies. Will the bullies ruin this once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe?

I really liked this graphic novel. The graphic novel was so interesting, funny, fun, and sad at the same time. It was so fun reading about his time in Europe. I can\u2019t believe he was able to run around Europe with the other kids without any adults or teachers. I can\u2019t believe all that stuff happened to him. The girls and some of the other kids at his school are so mean. I\u2019m glad the trip was fun and memorable for him.

Reading the book made me want to go to Europe and to drink Fanta. I highly recommend this book to any reader who loves a fun and exciting story or anyone who likes to travel.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "26-Aug-2023", "date_added": "30-Mar-2023 23:03:21", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012404007", "title": "Linh's Rooftop Garden (Where In the Garden?)", "author": "JaNay Brown-Wood, Samara Hardy", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 129, "review": "Linh is just a little girl looking for some blueberries to have her friends and family over for some yummy food. She explores her entire garden and realizes that some of the fruits and vegetables do share some of the same things, like melons are round like blueberries. For instance, blackberries are made of many small balls. It\u2019s really fun to explore how each of the fruits and vegetables are alike and different.

This is a fun series. I really like how all the kids from the previous books are gathered around the table. This would be a great book for those learning to compare and contrast items. The illustrations are bright and colorful. I really like that I have some of the fruits and vegetables in my garden.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2023", "date_added": "30-Mar-2023 18:00:53", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012402007", "title": "A Wealth of Deception", "author": "Trish Esden", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 210, "review": "Edie is no stranger to unique antiques, so when an unusual collage catches her attention, she\u2019s determined to learn more. This leads her down a rabbit hole to uncover the truth about the artist, Vespa, and she stumbles into dangerous territory. Her search leads her to unsettling secrets and an art underground that puts the wrong attention on Edie as she discovers what people are willing to do to keep their secrets buried.

Edie has a strong support system that keeps the story\u2019s tone light and helps her throughout the investigation. Kala balances Edie with her sass, such as always being ready to bring out her taser (Taz), while Shane is a handsome confidant who adds romance and fun into her life. The familial dynamics help to establish an understanding of who Edie is, such as her mom being in prison for art forgery, her uncle standing by her side through everything, and the haunting memory of her grandparents\u2019 death.

The mystery revolves around art via the collage, which draws out her curiosity and pulls her into an art underground that creates a dangerous atmosphere in the story. A Wealth of Deception is a clever mystery thanks to the likable and witty Edie, a dangerous art underground, and charming characters.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "06-May-2025", "date_added": "29-Mar-2023 00:09:58", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012402003", "title": "Murder at an Irish Castle", "author": "Ellie Brannigan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1163, "review": "M is for Murder Roundup\n\nIn the gripping world of crime fiction, the letter \u201cM\u201d has sinister implications, drawing readers into the mysterious and macabre. As they delve into recent releases in the genre, \u201cM\u201d stands not only for murder but also for masterful storytelling. From cunning detectives navigating treacherous puzzles to ruthless criminals plotting their next move, these novels offer readers a thrilling journey into the darkest corners of human nature. Join us as we explore the latest crime fiction titles that will keep you on the edge of your seat, heart pounding and mind racing.\n\nLove Betrayal Murder by Adam Mitzner\n\nIn Love Betrayal Murder, Adam Mitzner introduces readers to the cutthroat world of New York City law firms, where love, ambition, and betrayal collide in a tale of suspense and intrigue. Matthew Brooks and Vanessa Lyons, both talented attorneys, are deeply entangled in both their professional and personal lives. As they navigate their careers and a forbidden love affair, their futures are put on the line when Vanessa's husband, Bradley Lyons, becomes suspicious. Mitzner skillfully weaves a web of complex relationships and legal drama, with Vanessa assigned to a high-stakes case that could determine her fate at the firm. The tension escalates as Matt, her lover, is forced to supervise her on the case, a direct violation of company policy. When Vanessa's partnership dreams are shattered, she suspects that her affair with Matt played a role in the decision. The story takes a dark turn when a shocking murder occurs on the streets of Manhattan, leaving readers wondering who is telling the truth and who can be trusted. Mitzner's gripping narrative leads to a dramatic criminal trial, with the truth hanging in the balance until a jaw-dropping reveal. \n\nMurder Served Neat by Michelle Hillen Klump\n\nMichelle Hillen Klump serves up a tantalizing combination of murder and mixology in Murder Served Neat. Samantha Warren, an intrepid reporter-turned-mixologist, finds herself in another intoxicating mystery as a seemingly innocent Fourth of July party takes a sinister turn. Klump's storytelling prowess ensures that the investigation into Angela Clawson's death goes down smooth, leaving readers thirsty for more. She masterfully blends the flavors of small-town politics with a dash of familial obligation, creating a cocktail of intrigue that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The clash of personalities and motives within the German Texan Lodge's social sphere adds depth to the narrative, and the unconventional choice of murder weapon adds a quirky twist to the plot. As Samantha navigates this complex concoction of secrets and suspicions, readers are treated to a delightful blend of amateur sleuthing and mixology, making Murder Served Neat a refreshing addition to the cozy mystery genre. \n\nJust Murdered by Katherine Kovacic\n\nKatherine Kovacic's Just Murdered takes readers on a thrilling trip to the swinging 1960s as Peregrine Fisher, the long-lost niece of the indomitable Phryne Fisher, steps into her aunt's glamorous world of intrigue and mystery. When Phryne goes missing in the wilds of Papua New Guinea, Peregrine is thrust into a whirlwind of unexpected events as she inherits her aunt's wealth and a coveted seat at the Adventuresses' Club. However, Peregrine soon finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation that will test her wit and determination. Kovacic brilliantly captures the essence of the Fisher family's daring spirit, as Peregrine defies convention with her stylish flair and unrivaled tenacity. The backdrop of 1960s Melbourne provides a vibrant and nostalgic setting for this engaging mystery, where fashion, societal norms, and crime collide. Just Murdered offers a captivating mix of sleuthing, intrigue, and charismatic characters that will leave readers eagerly turning the pages. With its engaging narrative and charismatic protagonist, this novel is a worthy addition to the Phryne Fisher canon.\n\nMurder at an Irish Castle by Ellie Brannigan\n\nMurder at the Irish Castle by Ellie Brannigan delivers an enticing mix of mystery, romance, and suspense, all set against the backdrop of a charming yet enigmatic Irish village. Rayne McGrath, a Rodeo Drive bridalwear designer, finds herself thrust into a life-altering situation when her thirtieth birthday takes an unexpected turn. Inheriting a rundown family castle in Ireland might sound like a dream, but the catch is that she must save the entire village from financial ruin within a year. As Rayne delves into her uncle's mysterious death, she discovers that her idyllic new life is far from what it seems. Brannigan skillfully combines the elements of family intrigue, small-town secrets, and the allure of a picturesque Irish setting to craft a compelling and atmospheric mystery. Rayne's character shines as a determined and endearing protagonist, and readers will be drawn into her quest to uncover the truth while navigating the challenges of her newfound responsibilities. Murder at the Irish Castle conveys a richly woven tapestry of emotions, suspense, and a touch of romance, making it a captivating start to Brannigan's new mystery series. \n\nMastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge\n\nColleen Cambridge whisks readers away to the enchanting streets of Paris in Mastering the Art of French Murder, where the City of Light becomes the backdrop for a delectable blend of mystery, culinary delights, and international intrigue. Tabitha Knight's journey of self-discovery takes a thrilling turn when a murder rocks her otherwise delightful sojourn in Paris. Due to her connection to the victim and the murder weapon originating from her friend Julia Child's kitchen, Tabitha finds herself thrust into the heart of a complex investigation. Cambridge's storytelling weaves together the rich tapestry of Parisian culture, history, and cuisine, providing readers with a vivid and immersive experience. Tabitha's character shines as she navigates the charming yet treacherous streets of Paris in search of the truth, all while unraveling the mystery behind a note written in her handwriting. Mastering the Art of French Murder offers a tantalizing blend of suspense, romance, and friendship, making it a delectable cozy mystery. With its atmospheric setting and engaging characters, the novel transports readers to a world of culinary delights and intrigue in the heart of Paris.\n\nFour Found Dead by Natalie D. Richards\n\nNatalie D. Richards crafts a gripping and heart-pounding thriller in Four Found Dead, a story that takes place in the eerie, desolate setting of a closing shopping mall's theater complex. As the last shift of employees wraps up their duties, an ordinary night takes a terrifying turn when a stranger makes a chilling accusation. A sudden power outage and the disappearance of their manager set the stage for a nightmarish ordeal. Richards expertly builds tension and suspense as the crew finds themselves trapped with a murderer in a dark, labyrinthine mall. With a dead body among them, they must rely on their wits and each other to survive as the closed-off, boarded-up mall becomes a claustrophobic and menacing backdrop for a deadly game of cat and mouse. Four Found Dead is a thrilling rollercoaster ride of fear and intrigue, where trust is a scarce commodity and every moment holds the potential for danger.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Mar-2023 23:51:34", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000012393007", "title": "Games for Dead Girls", "author": "Jen Williams", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "When Charlie meets Emily while on summer vacation, the young girls immediately bond over scary stories. Emily is afraid of her father, so Charlie makes up a monster to get rid of him. What at first started as a game, becomes real as Charlie sees her monster and someone dies. Now, thirty years later, Emily is writing a memoir blaming Charlie, so Charlie returns to the beginning to find the truth. What Charlie doesn\u2019t know is whether or not what she created is real or if there is something else going on, as for the past 50 years, young girls have been disappearing. These are Games for Dead Girls now. Charlie\u2019s going to have to face the past in order to have a future.

This is a fantastic book for anyone who grew up reading scary stories. I still check in the backseat before driving and never let my hand fall over the edge of the bed while sleeping. I loved the twists and surprises that were littered throughout. The alternating timelines didn\u2019t get confusing, which is huge. Charlie is a great character to follow. If you like scary stories, you should definitely read this. Maybe not in the dark.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2023", "date_added": "28-Mar-2023 23:30:15", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012390007", "title": "Stars in an Italian Sky", "author": "Jill Santopolo", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 995, "review": "Historical Fiction for August\n\nStep into the past and journey through time with our Historical Fiction for August roundup. As the summer days wane and autumn's embrace draws near, immerse yourself in the captivating narratives of five recently published works of historical fiction. From tales of love and betrayal in post-World War II Italy to sweeping sagas set against the backdrop of significant historical events, these books offer readers a passport to different eras and a chance to experience the lives, dreams, and challenges of characters from bygone times. Join us as we explore the rich tapestry of history through the eyes of these talented authors and their meticulously crafted stories.\n\nThe Swiss Nurse by Mario Escobar\n\nThe Swiss Nurse by Mario Escobar is a poignant and gripping tale that shines a light on the remarkable bravery and compassion of one woman during some of the most serious crises of the last century. Based on a true story, the novel follows the incredible journey of Elisabeth Eidenbenz, a Swiss nurse who seeks to aid children orphaned by the Spanish Civil War and later provides refuge for expectant mothers and their unborn children in France. As the story unfolds, readers are also introduced to Isabel Due\u00f1as, a Spanish patriot who flees Franco's Fascist troops and seeks asylum in a French refugee camp. The novel beautifully portrays the resilience and sacrifice of both women in the face of overwhelming adversity, delivering a powerful message of love and strength during times of historical turmoil. The Swiss Nurse is a compelling narrative that sheds light on often overlooked aspects of history and the unsung heroes who made a difference in the lives of countless refugees.\n\nThe Bookbinder by Pip Williams\n\nPip Williams\u2019 The Bookbinder transports readers to 1914 and the outset of World War One, where the lives of Peggy and Maude, twin sisters, unfold against a shifting historical landscape. As young men are called away to fight, women such as Peggy and Maude must step into new roles to keep the nation running. While they both work in the bindery at Oxford University Press, their dreams and aspirations diverge: Peggy yearns for knowledge and education, whereas Maude finds contentment in the art of bookbinding. The arrival of refugees from war-torn Belgium disrupts their lives, sparking a series of events that challenge their ambitions and responsibilities. Williams weaves a narrative that delves into the themes of knowledge, access, and the unseen stories of women in history. In so doing, Williams elucidates a lesser-known aspect of the past through the eyes of women, creating a compelling and thought-provoking tale that explores the transformative power of knowledge and the pursuit of dreams amidst the turmoil of war and societal expectations. \n\nRemember Me by Mary Balogh\n\nRemember Me by Mary Balogh is a captivating historical romance novel that explores complex issues such as forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring power of love. Lady Philippa Ware, once filled with dreams of a glittering debut and a splendid marriage, had her hopes shattered when her family was disgraced. Years later, she finds the courage to make her debut in London, only to be confronted by the Marquess of Roath, who had once cruelly insulted her. The Marquess is tasked with finding a suitable bride by his ailing grandfather, the Duke of Wilby. When he crosses paths with Philippa, the sparks of attraction fly, but a long-buried secret threatens to keep them apart. As the autocratic duke and duchess have their own plans for the union, Lucas and Philippa must confront their pasts and find the strength to embrace love's healing power. Balogh skillfully crafts a tale of second chances and redemption, reminding us that even in the midst of life's challenges, love has the capacity to mend and transform. \n\nCloak of Scarlet by Melanie Dickerson\n\nCloak of Scarlet by Melanie Dickerson is a captivating retelling of the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood, albeit one set in a medieval world filled with danger and intrigue. The story revolves around Violet Lambton, a seemingly ordinary young woman who, despite her humble origins, is determined to fight the villainous Baron Dunham and his mistreatment of the townspeople. Sir Merek, a knight in the service of Baron Dunham, becomes an unexpected ally when he recognizes the depths of the baron's treachery. Together, they embark on a perilous quest to expose the baron's deceit to the king, all while facing their own growing feelings for each other. Dickerson\u2019s tale dwells on bravery, trust, and romance as Violet and Merek navigate the treacherous path to save their loved ones and the kingdom itself. As they confront unexpected secrets and challenges, they find themselves drawn together against all odds. Cloak of Scarlet offers readers a thrilling adventure that explores the themes of courage and love in a medieval setting, making it a must-read for fans of historical romance and fairy tale retellings.\n\nStars in an Italian Sky by Jill Santopolo\n\nJill Santopolo\u2019s Stars in an Italian Sky whisks readers through time and across generations, exploring the complexities of love, loyalty, and family secrets. Set in Italy following World War Two, the story begins with the passionate love affair between Vincenzo and Giovanna, two young people from different worlds who are irresistibly drawn to each other. However, political shifts force them to make choices that lead to heartbreak and betrayal, tearing them apart. In modern-day New York, Cassandra and Luca, also deeply in love, embark on a journey of their own. Despite differences in their backgrounds, they believe they are a perfect match. Yet, when the past resurfaces through a project involving their grandparents, long-buried family secrets come to light, threatening to change the course of their relationship forever. Stars in an Italian Sky delves into the intricate connections between past and present, family legacies, and the enduring power of love. Readers are invited to explore the lives of these star-crossed lovers and the mysteries that bind their stories across time.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Mar-2023 00:28:32", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "328 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000012388007", "title": "A LESSON IN WOO-WOO AND MURDER", "author": "David Unger", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 417, "review": "A Lesson in Woo-Woo and Murder is an entertaining masterpiece that places author David Unger, PhD in the middle of his own fictional story. This is the ninth book in the A Lesson in [insert theme here] and Murder series and after reading this book, I found myself wanting to read more about David and his adventures in murder. In this installment, David, a therapist by trade, is invited to the Whole Life Exposition by a two people he met in A Lesson in Music and Murder, Eve and Sheridan. David clears his therapy calendar with the exception of his client Bennett who is a coke-faced, hooker-addicted writer who needs David at his beck and call to dig him out of unhealthy situations. This is the first holistic/alternative medicine expo Eve has been to and she feels that something will go wrong. She hires David to help man her booth and stake out the other vendors.

This book is fun from start to finish starting with the characters who have so much personality, they\u2019re popping right out of the pages. The tantric sex group recruits David to do a tantric exercise as a demonstration for a small crowd of people. There are also two \u201cUFO guys\u201d who claim that if a human touches them that person will die. Then there is Dennis, the radio doctor, who has organized and is running the expo. Of course a woo-woo expo would not be complete without a psychic and Madame Vadama and Her House of Dreams does not disappoint. With her wild hair and purple velvet, readers will feel the woo-woo. As David is meeting his booth neighbors, he finds himself smitten with The Love Doctor, aka Nova. Nova has no real certifications allowing her to give advice except for a Masters in Counseling Psychology with no license. She says all she needs to be the Love Doctor is \u201cchutzpah.\u201d Readers will follow along as David investigates each character to figure out why people are dropping dead at the expo one after another. Here and there, Bennett and his lover Louise, and Bennett\u2019s security detail, Lucky, show up in the book and David must run off and deal with them.

All in all, this book is like organized chaos with all of the storylines and characters coming together neatly in the end. I found myself so engaged in the story, I read it in only a few sittings. Readers will love the humor, sarcasm, and suspense in this exciting murder mystery.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "08-May-2023", "date_added": "24-Mar-2023 02:42:10", "publisher": "KDP", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012385043", "title": "You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight", "author": "Kalynn Bayron", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 12", "word_count": 194, "review": "You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight is an amazing teen thriller book. This book was amazing!! It is about a young girl named Charity Curtis. Charity is the final girl (the only girl to survive the horror game acted out at Camp Mirror Lake) and a camp counselor at this camp. A camp where visitors pay to get scared. One night, when in the middle of a game with the visitors, Charity's life takes a sudden turn. She finds herself in a real horror movie. Can she survive with her girlfriend and hold on to her title of \"final girl\"? You need to get your own copy of this book to find out.

This was one of the best thriller books I have read. I like how the author developed the main character\u2019s and her girlfriend's personalities. It was super cool how Kalynn Bayron managed to integrate a detailed personality for Charity throughout the story. I recommend this book for preteens, teenagers, and young adults. Anyone who loves thrillers and is ages eleven to twenty-two will love reading this story. You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight was an excellent read. I really enjoyed it.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "13-Sep-2023", "date_added": "27-Mar-2023 04:18:46", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012385015", "title": "Windrush Child: The Tale of a Caribbean Child Who Faced a New Horizon", "author": "John Agard, Sophie Bass", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - age 8", "word_count": 134, "review": "Windrush Child has really gorgeous illustrations, but the story doesn\u2019t make any sense until you read the part at the back. The story is very, very short and lots of the words just repeat. The rhymes are not very good.

Windrush Child is kind of sad but also kind of exciting because the people are going somewhere new. You get to see lots of different things in the pictures though, and it\u2019s very colorful and bright. You can tell exactly what everything is in the pictures even if you\u2019re not really reading it.

If you are learning about the Caribbean or that part of history, this would be a really good book, or if you like different styles of art, because this book has very unique art that you haven\u2019t seen anything like before.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2023", "date_added": "24-Mar-2023 19:46:48", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012384031", "title": "Fatal Witness", "author": "Michelle Godard-Richer", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 179, "review": "One hot and restless night, Jessica went to her bedroom window for a cool breeze when she witnessed her neighbor, David, loading something suspicious in the back of his truck. She quickly realized that it was a body, his wife Sarah\u2019s body. That is the moment her life changed forever. Without enough evidence, David is free, and determined to enact revenge on Jessica. She decided to leave town and go back home to protect herself and her young son. She finds her first love, Jon, is also back in town. They quickly rekindle their love, but will their emotional baggage and the pursuit of a ruthless killer derail it all?

Just my kind of thriller, heavy on the thrill, light on the romance. The storyline was well thought out and the characters were well-rounded with a good level of suspense. I did find some of the conversations a bit inauthentic, but overall this was a good stand-alone novel and I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys thrillers.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "07-Nov-2023", "date_added": "24-Mar-2023 13:18:40", "publisher": "Wild Rose Press", "page_count": "282 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012383063", "title": "A Flower is a Friend", "author": "Frieda Wishinsky, Karen Patkau", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 9", "word_count": 201, "review": "A Flower is a Friend shows on each page a flower, along with something\u2014an insect, animal, reptile, spider, bird, etc.\u2014that helps the flower in its own way. At the bottom of each page is a question for the reader to answer about the thing that helps the flower, an example being \"Why would a mouse sleep in a tulip?\" There are twelve flowers shown in the book, with twelve helpers/friends who maybe eat bugs, spread pollen, or clean to help pollinate the many flowers in the world.

The pictures of the flowers are close up and pretty. I didn't know about many of them before reading how A Flower is a Friend. I found the questions at the bottom of each page to sometimes be hard to answer out loud because there are only three or four words per page, which describe something about what a flower does, so there is no extra information given to answer the question if you don't already know the answer. In the back of the book is more information to answer each question.

Because there aren't many words in the whole book, kids of all ages will understand what they are reading or being read.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "15-Aug-2023", "date_added": "24-Mar-2023 23:50:05", "publisher": "Pajama Press Inc.", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012383051", "title": "Confidence: A Novel ", "author": "Rafael Frumkin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 168, "review": "What will one do for love? Abandon everything but the beloved? Obsess about that person and make their every whim come true? Put their happiness ahead of everything and make sure it is assured? Yes, this book is about obsessive love and everything else in the current culture. It is a metaphor for the greed and confidence games playing right now in front of our eyes. Yet, it is also about pyramid schemes, celebrity, foodie culture, charisma and charm, immorality, technology, and capitalism.

Ezra, the main character, is single-minded in his pursuit of the charming and charismatic Orson. In their quest for the accumulation of riches, there is some human collateral damage, but Ezra makes sure that nothing disturbs the seemingly charmed life he has with his paramour. The characters in this book are all unlikeable, yet it is a credit to the skill of the author that the story keeps us involved and interested. The readers will finally ask themselves if love, in fact, does conquer all.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "15-Aug-2023", "date_added": "24-Mar-2023 20:42:16", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012383043", "title": "Sari-Sari Summers", "author": "Lynnor Bontigao", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - age 8", "word_count": 132, "review": "Sari-Sari Summers is a good book because a little girl has good ideas. A little girl has good ideas for her grandma to help her store keep going. This story takes place somewhere very different than the United States because it looks different and they have very different styles and languages. On some of the pages there are word bubbles so you know what the people are saying to each other.

The illustrations are sweet because you can really tell how much the grandmother and granddaughter love each other. The pictures are pretty detailed but still soft and pleasant to look at. Ages one to nine will especially like it. It will make a great gift for people who love mangoes. You can almost taste the mangoes as you read the story.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2023", "date_added": "24-Mar-2023 19:26:16", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012382051", "title": "Sing Me to Sleep", "author": "Gabi Burton", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Viviane - age 11", "word_count": 243, "review": "Saoirse is a siren, living in a kingdom where sirens are illegal. Saoirse is able to disguise herself, but she can\u2019t control her need to kill. So she kills for her employer at night and is a soldier in training during the day.

And then Saoirse gets an offer to work as a guard for Prince Hayes. She accepts the offer when her sister gets blackmailed, deciding that working for the Prince might be the best way to find out who the blackmailer is. And then Saoirse starts getting blackmailed, too.

Saoirse expected to hate the prince but starts getting closer and closer to him, even though she tries to distance herself. Then, she accidentally kills Hayes\u2019s best friend. Saoirse starts questioning if she should really trust her employer or not as the prince searches for his only friend\u2019s killer. \nWill Saoirse manage to avoid suspicion and find out who her blackmailer and employer are before it all starts getting even worse?

I couldn\u2019t stop reading this novel. It was full of twists and turns. At first, I was sure I knew who the blackmailer was, but I was completely surprised when I found out who it actually was. I\u2019ve never read a story like this before, and I like that I wasn\u2019t entirely sure if Saoirse was good or bad. The characters felt realistic and full of emotion. I would recommend this to anybody who likes mystery and magic and deep, dark secrets.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "13-Sep-2023", "date_added": "27-Mar-2023 04:15:02", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012382011", "title": "Epic Animal Journeys: Navigation and migration by air, land and sea", "author": "Ed Brown", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 133, "review": "Epic Animal Journeys follows several different animals on their migration journeys across the Earth. This book covers air, land, and sea migrations, as well as the mysterious happenings of how animals are able to migrate to such specific every year.

This book is jam-packed full of fun facts and information about a plethora of different animals and how, why, and when they migrate. The illustrations are cool but a few real-life pictures of each animal would've been more interesting. What I found most fascinating is the great migration of the Serengeti, which is made up of several herbivores, which in turn attracts many carnivores to follow them to get an easy meal of those not strong enough to survive the migration.

If you are curious about migration this book is definitely for you.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "31-May-2023", "date_added": "23-Mar-2023 19:00:30", "publisher": "Cicada Books", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012382003", "title": "Swamp Story: A Novel", "author": "Dave Barry", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 189, "review": "There seem to be a lot of people with get-rich-quick schemes. With today\u2019s social media sites, there are a growing number of new TikTokers and YouTubers. Everyone has a gimmick. But when you add wannabe reality TV stars, treasure hunters, drug dealers, mobsters, and a presidential candidate and stick them in a swamp, things get relatively chaotic. Now throw everyone into the Everglades in Florida, add an emotional support boar, and you get Swamp Story.

Swamp Story is a bizarre new comedy from best-selling author Dave Barry. His laugh-out-loud tale is a real page-turner. This story has a bit of everything, from internet monster conspiracy stories to shirtless hunks to influencers. Barry explores the absurdity of the use of social media in the most outrageous way possible.

To say this book is wildly funny would be an understatement. Hitting on many \u201cFlorida Man\u201d stereotypes, Barry\u2019s characters range from mildly idiotic to full-blown ridiculous. Add in an outrageous plot, and you have a Dave Barry classic. This is a difficult book to put down. If you enjoy Carl Hiaasen\u2019s far-out tales about life in Florida, you will love Swamp Story.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2024", "date_added": "23-Mar-2023 15:53:00", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012381047", "title": "Harvest House", "author": "Cynthia Leitich Smith", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 12", "word_count": 178, "review": "Indigenous high-school boy Hughie loves the theater. But when the fall school play is canceled, he sees a new opportunity open for him at the haunted house opening at the crossroads. But young Indian girls have claimed to be followed by a ghost, and there\u2019s rumored to be a haunted Native burial ground. Soon, Hughie is having second thoughts about continuing to work on the haunted house. Can he figure out the mysteries surrounding the crossroads and the ghosts that haunt them?

This story wasn\u2019t nearly as scary as I thought it would be. The character relationships were almost unrealistically perfect, and it took a while for the story to actually get started. Hughie was an interesting character, but I found it kind of hard to connect with him and the other main cast. There are a lot of characters, but not a whole lot of development that goes into them. The main idea behind the story was interesting though, and the story did pick up near the end. I would recommend this to ages twelve to seventeen.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2023", "date_added": "27-Mar-2023 04:59:27", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012380027", "title": "Happy With My Nappy (Own Voices, Own Stories)", "author": "Gina Jarrell, Lhaiza Morena", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 178, "review": "There is a growing trend of allowing students to wear their hair however they want to in school, and this book explores the many ways one young girl can wear her wear. Everyone\u2019s hair is different and oftentimes the hairstyle one chooses tells a story about the culture you were raised in. This book explores African-American hairstyles as the young protagonist explores the many different ways she can wear her nappy hair, which is how it is called in the book.

The rhyme is a bit hit and miss. Sometimes it is easy enough for a young child to read on their own and other pages it is a bit more difficult and would require an adult to read to the child. The art is fairly engaging, but it ranges from dynamic and eye-popping to flat and not really adding much to the story. This book would be perfect for young kids to learn about other kids\u2019 hairstyles and how each person has their own type of hair and there is no correct or one true hair style.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "15-Aug-2023", "date_added": "24-Mar-2023 19:08:47", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012380003", "title": "8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster", "author": "Mirinae Lee", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 180, "review": "I\u2019ll come right out and say it: this is one of the most fascinating books I\u2019ve read this year. It won\u2019t suit every reader: its non-linear narrative and a heavy subject matter mean it\u2019s not a beach read. (Unless your beach reads involve two wars and women carving a life for themselves out of the wreckage of what once was. If that\u2019s the case, this book and the nearest body of water are calling your name.) For those who want a powerful story, however, this book is ideal.

The framing story is about an obituary writer who comes across the century-old trickster while interviewing another woman. She asks one of her standard questions\u2014how would you describe your life in three words?\u2014only to receive more than she bargained for. Not only does the woman say she would need eight words to describe her life, but the story she tells is one of remarkable odds and adversity.

Lee\u2019s first novel is an incredible story, understated and powerful at once. I eagerly devoured it and can\u2019t wait to see what she writes next.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2023", "date_added": "23-Mar-2023 15:46:36", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012554007", "title": "Misfit Mansion", "author": "Kay Davault", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 122, "review": "Misfit Mansion is nothing like I expected it to be. This book is full of mystery, suspense, and thrills! While the idea that Iris and her monster friends are trapped in a creepy foster home, what's even worse is when Mathis seems like he wants to help but is really what no one expects. My favorite part of this book was all the mysterious twists and turns.

I really liked this graphic novel. It kept me interested and wanting to read more. The illustrations were really cool. They were very colorful, which I like as some graphic novels are not. I would like to see this become a series of some sort. Maybe Iris and her friends could go on crime-solving adventures.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2023", "date_added": "27-Apr-2023 00:24:44", "publisher": "Atheneum Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012552003", "title": "For Love of Magic", "author": "Simon R Green", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 196, "review": "If you\u2019re a fantasy fan, reading the recently published recommendations on the Bookstagram tables at the bookstore can turn into a Groundhog Day-type situation: formulaic plot devices, overly complicated and broody character stereotypes, settings that are so worn out they\u2019re practically threadbare, the list goes on.

This book, however, manages to feel contemporary without falling into any of those overused tropes. With witty dialogue and a near-constant stream of plot-driven throwbacks to fantasy greats of the past, reading this was an almost nostalgic experience for me, which is funny because I\u2019ve never read anything by this author before!

Imagine for a moment that the world\u2019s history was overwritten to destroy all traces of magic in order to promote logical and scientific reasoning as the driving force for humanity\u2019s future. Now imagine you\u2019re the one obligated to erase those traces; that\u2019s Jack Damian\u2019s job as the Outsider, a once-in-a-generation enforcer for the side of science and reason. But after meeting an intriguing woman at a disappearance case and letting her take him on the adventure of a lifetime, Jack begins to question everything he thought he knew.

For fans of Jim Butcher, Tanya Huff, or Seanan McGuire.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "27-Jun-2023", "date_added": "27-Apr-2023 00:16:03", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012549007", "title": "Starter Villain", "author": "John Scalzi", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 186, "review": "Charlie Fitzer is down on his luck, but his fortune is about to change. His wealthy uncle Jake recently died. Charlie must represent his uncle at the memorial service to collect his inheritance. At the service, Charlie discovered how many enemies his uncle had and that they were now his enemies. Stepping into his uncle\u2019s world meant that Charlie was the newest villain in a world of villainy. Charlie is learning the hard way just how cutthroat the business really is. But Charlie has something the other villains don\u2019t have. He has two cats, not just one.

Starter Villain by best-selling author John Scalzi is a laugh-out-loud comedy of errors. Scalzi brilliantly sheds light on the shady world of supervillains. This easy-to-read, hard-to-put-down novel is all fun and games. Scalzi is a master of the absurd, and this book does not take itself too seriously. There is a reason this book was up for sci-fi book of the year on Goodreads. Readers looking for hints on how to be the world\u2019s next ultra-bad guy, or anyone looking for a very entertaining book, join Charlie in Starter Villain.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "12-Dec-2023", "date_added": "28-Apr-2023 04:19:37", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012549003", "title": "Science, Politics, Stem Cells and Genes: CALIFORNIA'S WAR ON CHRONIC DISEASE", "author": "Don C. Reed", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 108, "review": "\"Don C. Reed\u2019s Science, Politics, Stem Cells, and Genes: California\u2019s War on Chronic Disease takes on weighty issues in an accessible and engaging fashion. Reed\u2019s personal history and the included explanations of scientists\u2019 attempts to tackle chronic and currently incurable conditions such as Alzheimer\u2019s disease, obesity, schizophrenia, kidney failure, and even aging add a human face to staggering branches of medical and scientific research and the advancements therein. Readers will come away considerably enlightened as to the merits, controversies, and potentials of stem cell research, and those with chronic illnesses will likely also feel a renewed sense of hope regarding future developments.\" \u2014Erin Britton, San Diego Book Review", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Apr-2023 11:50:53", "publisher": "World Scientific", "page_count": "315 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012548145", "title": "Murder for Liar", "author": "Verlin Darrow", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 402, "review": "Author Verlin Darrow weaves a suspenseful tale in Liar for Murder as his protagonist, psychotherapist Tom Dashiel finds himself falling down the rabbit hole after meeting new client George Arundel. George comes into Tom's office, located in Santa Cruz, California, and the two banter back and forth without Arundel giving any real information as to why he needs Tom's help. As Tom says to George on his first visit, \"...talking with you feels like pulling teeth. You've systematically refused to cooperate with me, and frankly, I'm feeling very frustrated.\" George leaves the visit telling Tom that he believes a friend of his is an angel.

What I enjoyed about Murder for Liar was the way Darrow laid the story out. From the very beginning, the reader is sucked into the story wondering what would happen next. Needless to say, Tom finds his interest piqued by George's obscurity and allows George to come back for further visits, each one stranger than the next.

The attention to detail that Darrow uses in his book allows the reader to see clearly what each character looks like down to what he or she is wearing, their expressions, and their actions. The philosophical conversations between Tom and the other characters in the book give the reader something to ponder over as well. From Zig Zag, the possible angel, to an adorable dog who may or may not have led Tom to the book he was looking for, the characters are all interesting and have colorful personalities.

As the story unfolds, a serial killer in town becomes a main focus. Tom's new friend, Dizzy, believes the killer is after her and hires Tom as her bodyguard since he is a rather large and scary-looking, scar-faced man. But how does this all connect to Tom and his new client?

The climax of the book is delightfully horrific and readers will find that they just can't put the book down. What Tom experiences is both surreal and terrifying. Darrow does an amazing job of creating a suspenseful storyline that will twist and turn in the mind of the reader. This book's psychological manipulation feels like riding a rollercoaster in the dark\u2014a bit scary, yet thrilling at the same time. If you are in the market for an intellectual, yet dark, psychological thriller with some fantasy thrown in, Murder for Liar is the book for you. Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Peter Swanson.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "12-May-2023", "date_added": "26-Apr-2023 03:03:55", "publisher": "The Wild Rose Press", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012548113", "title": "This Is What You're Really Hungry For: Six Simple Rules to Transform Your Relationship with Food to Become Your Healthiest Self", "author": "Kim Shapira, MS, RD", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 294, "review": "This is What You\u2019re Really Hungry For introduces readers to author and dietician Kim Shapira\u2019s 6 rule method to improve your overall wellness and create a healthier relationship with food, exercise, and sleep. One of the points that Kim makes is to remember that food is fuel. Many of us overeat because we are distracted and not paying attention to how our body is feeling while eating. I really liked her method of eating half of your meal and then waiting fifteen minutes to see if you are still hungry for the other half. Also, chewing your food more and taking sips of water in between bites is a great way to stay mindful of gauging your level of hungriness. Kim also has a scale of hunger that she uses with clients. With one being \u201cStarving\u201d and ten being \u201cThanksgiving Full\u201d, people are able to determine which stage of hunger they are in.

Although Kim\u2019s method seems solid, I noticed that she really didn\u2019t like the word \u201cfoodie\u201d or what it represented because food should only be looked at as fuel. As someone who thoroughly enjoys a spam musubi or panko corndog once in awhile, I would definitely call myself a foodie simply because I enjoy the flavors in my mouth and in some cases how the food makes me feel after eating it. I think this book might be a turnoff to those of us who consider ourselves to be \u201cfoodies.\u201d In my opinion, even though food is fuel, you can also enjoy it, and not just the anticipation of it as Kim states many people do.

Overall, this is a method that just about anyone can use to drop a few pounds and still feel good by moving and staying mindful of food intake.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "26-Apr-2023 02:47:00", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012548051", "title": "The Prumont Method", "author": "Trevor Houser", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 214, "review": "Although I loved the description of the book, I was very disappointed after reading The Prumont Method which takes readers into the mind of Roger Prumont, a man whose wife is cheating on him and whose job as a healthcare salesman is nothing short of boring. Roger creates a mathematical equation to help him figure out where the next mass shooting will be. Although the method is not perfect, Roger keeps getting closer and closer to arriving at the time of the next shooting.Traveling from city to city, living in motels, Roger meets some interesting characters. But it is Roger\u2019s character flaws that are disappointing. Many times I thought to myself, \u201cIs this guy an idiot?\u201d He would ramble on about past killers and ponder about them and what their last words or thoughts were. He would also stick himself in situations and make a fool out of himself resulting in more than one black eye. I would have loved to understand more about how Roger came up with the method and how the method worked (even though it was fictional). Roger is just a sad man who has given up on life and the only person who seems to care is his adult daughter. Overall, The Prumont Method is quite boring and depressing.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2023", "date_added": "22-Apr-2023 00:41:18", "publisher": "Unsolicited Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000012548043", "title": "Fated to Love You", "author": "Kayla Cunningham", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 467, "review": "Fated to Love You tells the story of two star-crossed lovers who meet in high school and find each other while studying abroad in Colombia. Nineteen-year-old Cassie is serious about her studies and after her boyfriend, Raylan cheats on her and leaves for the military, she is ready to leave the states for a program in Colombia. There, she reconnects with a high school classmate of hers, a Chinese international student who also shares a love of science, Zhang Xuan. They both find that they enjoy one another's company and have a lot in common. As the story unfolds, it is clear they are smitten with each other. These two overachievers are the perfect match. Then on a fateful day, Cassie's last day in Colombia, Cassie is sent with two of the teacher's helpers to deliver supplies to the schools. There is a massive mudslide on the way and many lives are lost, including the teacher's two friends. Cassie is pinned in her vehicle and with the water rising, she feels her end is near. She can hear her military father's voice giving her strength but no matter how hard she tries she cannot free herself. Xuan seems to magically appear and saves Cassie's life.

Fated to Love You starts with the exciting, nail-biting scenes of Cassie's accident and rescue. I couldn't read fast enough as I was waiting to see what would happen to her and if she and Xuan would make it out alive.

The story fast forwards three years and Cassie and Xuan are a couple. And although Cassie's father does not believe in an interracial marriage, Cassie knows that she and Xuan were meant for each other. Then tragedy strikes. The diagnosis is grim. Xuan has stage three terminal cancer. The rest of the book is dedicated to spending time with Cassie and Xuan, their friends, and their family.

I really enjoyed this book for so many reasons. The plot was wonderful as were the characters. Each character showed such intricate feelings and emotions. I also liked the story of an Asian American and a Caucasian American because there don't seem to be that many books with that relationship dynamic. Being an Asian American married to a Caucasian American, I felt I was fated to read this book! It was clear that Author Kayla Cunningham did a stunning amount of research on all of the topics she addressed in this book. From Asian culture and customs to cancer protocol and the procedures doctors and hospitals take to the scenery of her settings in Colombia and the San Francisco Bay Area, Kayla's attention to detail is outstanding. More than just a romance, Fated to Love You brings to life the struggles of two very realistic characters. I am looking forward to the second book in this series.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "09-Jul-2023", "date_added": "22-Apr-2023 00:27:36", "publisher": "eXtasy Books Inc", "page_count": "404 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012548039", "title": "The Time Travelers", "author": "Richard C. Brusca", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "David Keenan", "word_count": 433, "review": "Humans have long been fascinated with time, speed, and sound. Light is measured by brightness (lumens) and sound is measured by amplitude of sound waves. However, time has a different quality. It slowly drags by for the office worker on Friday afternoon, while flying by on the weekend. And who hasn\u2019t felt a sense of traveling back in time when visiting an ancient site? Richard C. Brusca incorporates this malleability of perception and spins an intriguing tale of mystery in The Time Travelers, a masterly novel encompassing the Aztec Empire\u2019s cryptic and ancient approach to time.

The novel is set in Mexico City and takes the reader from Montezuma\u2019s Aztec city of 1519, and Hernan Cortez\u2019s conquest of the Aztec Empire, to the Mexico City of 2032. Journalist Francisco Montoya opens the story searching for facts of the strange events that occurred in Mexico City's Zocalo on D\u00eda de los Muertos in 2026 when several celebrants died and several others disappeared. His search leads him to an odd man in a local saloon who reveals to Montoya the dramatic tale of the day.

The saga begins with a graft-riven construction project near the Zocalo which must be archaeologically cleared. The dig uncovers an ancient Aztec box decorated with scarabs. The box is given to Doctor Daniel Zavala, director of the National Anthropology Museum. Zavala opens the box which reveals its treasure: a rare brown obsidian ten-inch sacrificial blade, strong enough to cut through bone, and decorated with Guatemalan jade. Excited by the discovery, Zavala creates an exhibit to display the finding. However, the blade is stolen prior to the exhibit opening. Lola Perez, a police detective, and Zavala work side-by-side to solve the mystery and recover the blade. Their search takes them to Father Mateo Ganando, an elderly Catholic priest at the Metropolitan Cathedral, also on the Zocalo. However, Ganando is less a priest than the keeper of concealed Aztec writings which hold the secrets of time travel and lie hidden in a basement adjacent to the cathedral. The two sleuths soon find that the missing blade is integral to revealing those secrets.

Brusca, a scholar at the University of Arizona specializing in the North and Middle America leverages his knowledge to create a compelling and exciting tale of Aztec revenge and time travel. Facts are intricately woven into the fictional tale to create a greater whole. The narrative sparkles with intrigue as Zavala and Perez race to uncover the mystery. Readers, whose likely only time travel will consist of traveling through the days of their lives, will delight in this intriguing take on time travel.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "16-Jun-2023", "date_added": "22-Apr-2023 00:25:31", "publisher": "Quetzalcoatl Press/KDP Publishing", "page_count": "267 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012548029", "title": "Ambition, Arrogance & Pride", "author": "Sandra Wagner-Wright", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 420, "review": "Ambition, Arrogance & Pride by Sandra Wagner-Wright takes readers on a wild ride through the lives of the Derby and Crowinshield families, two of the most prominent families in the shipping business in the 18th century. From their successful shipping businesses to their arranged marriages, readers get a glimpse of what life looked like for these families during that time. Mary Derby had always envisioned being a spinster, but her father had other plans. He set her up with George Crowinshield, who was struck by Mary's beauty and personality and asked her to marry him. Despite her objections, George persisted, much to her family's delight, and the two were joined in holy matrimony.

What sets Mary's marriage apart from the norm during that time was the way George treated her. In a male-dominated society where women weren't given a voice in decision-making, George saw Mary as an equal partner and gave her the respect she deserved. On the other hand, George's sister Eliza caught the eye of Mary's brother Hasket, who had big dreams of his own. Eliza, ambitious and unapologetically luxurious, wouldn't settle for anything less than the highest status in Salem society. Sparks of jealousy flew around after her constant display of wealth after her marriage to Hasket.

Amidst political turmoil and family drama, the families continue to grow, each working toward building the most successful shipping business. The story may be a work of fiction, but it is based on true-life events related to the early families' thriving privateering shipping business and the American Revolution. Sandra did an excellent job in terms of research and accuracy, with language and specific terms that matched the 18th-century setting, giving the story a dose of historical authenticity. It felt like a ride through American history, with each page offering insight into the customs and way of life of that time.

As someone who enjoys a fast-paced novel, I found the book a bit slow. The romance was subtle, as women were reserved then, and I felt the story dragged on too long. Nevertheless, Ambition, Arrogance & Pride is a great read for lovers of historical fiction. It packs a lot of history and captivating drama between the pages, and readers will be thrilled to learn about a crucial period in American history.

Overall, I would recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and would love to read other books by the author. Sandra Wagner-Wright is an excellent storyteller with a natural flair for historical accuracy and powerful character development.", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "18-May-2023", "date_added": "22-Apr-2023 00:21:20", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc.", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012548023", "title": "Treachery on the Nile: A New Michael Vaux Novel", "author": "Roger Croft", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 412, "review": "Michael Vaux is a man in dire need of a vacation. He recently survived an assassination attempt at the hands of a former lover. He also successfully emerged from a thorough investigation into loyalty to his own country. As he begins his convalescence, MI6 has entirely different plans for Michael. The intelligence agency has heard rumblings of a possible military coup set to occur in Egypt. The higher-ups at MI6 believe Vaux can utilize his contacts as a journalist and his charm to unearth more details about this plot. They decide to book passage for him and his paramour Anne to sail down the Nile River on a pleasure cruise, yet don\u2019t tip their hand as to their ulterior motive.

Zaki Khalid is a lieutenant in the Egyptian Army who is viewing the government\u2019s machinations with a discerning eye. Egypt has seen its share of volatility since the Arab Spring overthrow of Hosni Mubarak. Recent meetings with higher-ups in the army confirm his suspicions that a rebellion is imminent. He is soon approached by a man who is an intelligence asset for the British. Khalid\u2019s proximity to the inner circle of the plot may prove vital to disrupting it.

The cruise soon begins with Vaux and his lady Anne on board along with various members of the Egyptian Army, including Khalid. Time is of the essence for the British to stop the coup and preserve order.

Treachery on the Nile excels as a modern take on the timeless tradecraft of espionage. The murky and often amoral world of the intelligence agent has been written about by legends from Graham Greene to John Le Carre. Author Roger Croft admirably continues in the footsteps of his predecessors by writing a highly readable story where a spy\u2019s work never ends, but merely evolves. Michael Vaux is a good man, weary of the inherent backstabbing that goes along with working for MI6, but his dogged loyalty to his country prohibits him from walking away.

Croft skillfully relays the ins and outs of gathering intelligence, from surveillance to recruiting a source. Croft\u2019s ability to tackle a familiar topic and make it refreshing and readable is apparent with his latest effort. The days of the Cold War are long gone, but the great game is still being played by familiar parties. The spy game has shifted to Africa and one country\u2019s destabilization could trigger a domino effect. Croft(\u201cThe Algerian Hoax) has written a clever and interesting work about never-ending global intrigue.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "01-Sep-2023", "date_added": "22-Apr-2023 00:18:12", "publisher": "Archway Publishing", "page_count": "206 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012548015", "title": "The Three Sisters - Book Two of The Pulse", "author": "Owen Garratt", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 69, "review": "\"Follow Jack Broderick as he navigates his way back to his family from Florida to Washington through a myriad of dangerous obstacles. With a gruesome and colorful cast of characters who are ready to end Jack at every turn, this apocalyptic action thriller will have readers on the edge of their seats. Author Owen Garratt has created a truly suspenseful and entertaining series.\" \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Apr-2023 00:08:26", "publisher": "Runding Pelham Publishing", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012548007", "title": "But in Wonder", "author": "Dan A. Baker", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 605, "review": "Forever and Ever, the first book in Dan A. Baker\u2019s Endless Life trilogy, introduced readers to Dr. Jasmine Metcalf, a plucky and pioneering scientist who developed a gene-based therapy capable of reversing the aging process. As word of her discovery spread, Jasmine found herself embroiled in political, moral, philosophical, and legal conflicts as she and society, in general, grappled with the conundrum of whether the pursuit of immortality is necessary or wise simply because it is possible.

Now, in But in Wonder, Jasmine\u2019s adventure continues apace as Baker once again seamlessly merges science fiction with science fact to craft a story that is currently beyond the realm of possibility\u2026 but only just. By combining meticulous research into cutting-edge branches of science, such as gene therapy, artificial stem cells, and synthetic genes, with explosive action and deadly intrigue, Baker continues the thought-provoking and entertaining trilogy in a highly engaging fashion.

It has been three years since Will Behlen, the molecular biologist who collaborated with Jasmine on her gene therapy research and also entered into an out-of-character love affair with her, went into hiding following the hijacking and corruption of their work, leaving Jasmine to face the consequences of their apparent failure alone. However, Will has continued his work in secret during that period, and believing that the time is finally right to bring Jasmine into the project, he invites her to join him in \u201cNice Life Planet.\u201d

Once there, Jasmine learns that Will and his group have made rapid advancements in their aging reversal technology by using artificial intelligence and supercomputer networks to identify new genes and protein folds. What\u2019s more, the use of cloned generic pluripotent stem cells, which Jasmine had believed to still be in the development stage, has allowed them to overcome the immunity issues that were holding them back, leading to the construction of a completely artificial organ that can be implanted in the body to trigger the de-aging process. More importantly, the group has already begun human testing, including on Will.

But in Wonder follows Jasmine as she struggles to get to grips with the implications of the new technology, both for individuals and for humanity as a whole. Despite the scientific brilliance she displayed in Forever and Ever, she very much takes a backseat in relation to the science of de-aging in this sequel, as the breakthroughs have already been made prior to her arrival. She is arguably the character who devotes the most thought to the likely consequences of immortality, but it would have been good if she hadn\u2019t been relegated to a supporting role.

It is Will who takes center stage in But in Wonder, as he is the one who holds all the cards and has oversight of the entire age reversal project. He is portrayed as something of an eccentric genius, which does mean that he is sometimes pompous and irritating, particularly when spouting riddles during the early stages of his reunion with Jasmine. Fortunately, as he settles into his de-aged persona, he undergoes some significant growth and development. The relationship between Will and Jasmine isn\u2019t always convincing, especially the polyamorous aspects, but they are largely realistic and likable characters.

The area in which Baker really excels in But in Wonder concerns the speculative fiction aspects of the story, the merging of the real with the very nearly real. Much of what occurs throughout the story is frighteningly plausible, even if it\u2019s not technologically feasible at the present moment. As such, But in Wonder provides a timely warning of some of the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement while simultaneously offering an exciting and action-packed story.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "01-Jun-2023", "date_added": "22-Apr-2023 00:00:57", "publisher": "Catbird Publishing", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012545007", "title": "I Have Seven Dogs", "author": "Molly Horan, Dana Wulfekotte", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 193, "review": "Zoe has an issue. She loves dogs but the apartment she lives in with her family does not allow dogs. She must come up with a plan where she can be with all the dogs of the community. Throughout the mostly fairly easy rhyme, Zoe meets the dogs of the community from the little Chihuahua to the mighty Great Dane.

All of these dogs loves Zoe, and Zoe loves them, even if she is unable to have one of her own. Instead, she will become friends with all the dogs and all the dogs will be for her. Especially when the dogs are invited to the park to be part of her birthday party.

I initially thought this would be a book about counting, but it is not. Instead, it is a book about the many different types of dogs and the many ways one can interact with a dog. There are sounds spelled out, making the book interactive between a parent and a child. Other portions of the book may be a little too complicated for a child on their own. The art is good and engaging. Well worth a read overall.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "29-Apr-2024", "date_added": "21-Apr-2023 20:54:58", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012532381", "title": "Grandma's House is Haunted", "author": "Stephen G. Bowling", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 196, "review": "Ooh, spooky!! A young boy and girl spend the night at Grandma's house, and although they have so much fun baking cookies, playing games, and being silly with Grandma, when nighttime comes, the ghoulies and ghosts come out of the woodwork.

This book is perfect for kids with brilliant imaginations...the kids who are afraid of the dark, the kids who see monsters and scary things when bedtime comes. As the imaginations of the two kids run wild, the reader is treated to some amazing illustrations. The house is old and has old books and wardrobes. Ghosts float around the room, causing mischief. There is even a wolf wearing a raincoat! The pictures are drawn with so much detail that it reminded me of one of those games where you have to find different objects in a scene. Young eyes will love this book and want to know what happens to the children.

Rest assured, Grandma comes to the rescue. She explains that the shadows just look scary, but they are still just ordinary things like books and pencils that exist during the day. This is a fun book that is perfect for kids who are elementary school age.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2023", "date_added": "20-Apr-2023 03:47:56", "publisher": "Valley of Mexico", "page_count": "33 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012532317", "title": "Asparagus Grass", "author": "Adrian Deans", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 197, "review": "Mitchell Kuiper had no real aspirations in life. He is happy as a park maintenance worker during the day and drinking with his buddies at night. After a rather rowdy going away party, Mitchell found himself in bed with Martina Vader, aka Marty Mindshadow. A second night together turned into an out-of-this-world experience for Mitchell, literally. While on Mars, Marty explained to Mitchell about the Xyk infestation of Earth and that the only way to get rid of them was to blow up the planet. Now Mitchell is in a race against time to save his world and the rest of the galaxy from the invasive parasitic aliens.

Asparagus Grass is a new speculative fiction from Australian author Adrian Deans. This dark comedy is a cosmic roller coaster with wild turns and mind-bending loops. In his own twisted way, Deans pinpoints most of the world's woes and credits them to infected leaders. Though the humor can be sophomoric at times, the message is clear. Clean up our problems before we are destroyed. For readers looking for a far-out read with aliens, free love, conspiracy theories, and even a pile of dog poop, look no further than Asparagus Grass.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "09-Oct-2023", "date_added": "20-Apr-2023 03:23:34", "publisher": "Hague Publishing", "page_count": "294 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012532221", "title": "Your School Is the Best! (The Curious Cockroach)", "author": "Maggie Hutchings and Felicita Sala", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 174, "review": "A comical look at what would happen if a \"pet\" cockroach followed its boy to school In Your School Is the Best!, the story is narrated by the cockroach who just means well. He wants to go to school with his boy and share in all the activities. From playing on the playground to eating crayons and creating colorful art, the cockroach and his family members \"help\" out at school.

Kids will find this book hilarious as they see the faces of the kids freak out when they see the cockroaches. The teacher even passes out when she finds the cockroaches in her lunch bag during a game of hide and seek. Yikes! All the cockroaches want is to be included.

The illustrations are colorful and have a lot of details. Parents and kids will have fun looking at each scene as the cockroaches upset the school day. This is a fun book for kids who aren't too afraid of bugs. The illustrator does a really great job of making the cockroaches look happy and friendly.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "07-Nov-2023", "date_added": "19-Apr-2023 22:09:00", "publisher": "Penguin Random House Canada", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012532023", "title": "Discovering Yamaguchi Sake: A Taster\u2019s Guide to Breweries, Culture, and Terrain", "author": "Jim Rion", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 927, "review": "Raise A Glass Roundup\n\nEntering the diverse and intricate world of alcoholic beverages can be a richly rewarding experience, and what better way to do so than through the pages of a good book? In this Raise A Glass Roundup, we've gathered together five recently released books that offer a tantalizing blend of history, culture, mixology, and appreciation for everything from fine wines to craft cocktails. Whether you're a connoisseur or a curious newcomer, these books invite you to raise a glass and savor the stories, traditions, and flavors that make alcoholic beverages so fascinating (and tasty). Join us as we dive into the literary realm of libations and uncork the wisdom within these engaging volumes.\n\nI'll Drink to That! Broadway\u2019s Legendary Stars, Classic Shows, and the Cocktails They Inspired by Laurence Maslon and Joan Marcus \n\nI'll Drink to That! Broadway\u2019s Legendary Stars, Classic Shows, and the Cocktails They Inspired by Laurence Maslon and Joan Marcus offers a captivating exploration of the intersection between Broadway and mixology. The book seamlessly weaves together the rich history of cocktails on the Broadway stage with a collection of thirty clever drink recipes inspired by iconic shows. Laurence Maslon, a renowned musical theater historian, guides readers on this delightful journey, while Joan Marcus's stunning photography captures the essence of both Broadway and the cocktails. From pre-theater libations to after-show toasts, the book offers a unique twist on classic cocktails, each with a theatrical flair. It's an engaging tribute to the vibrant history of Broadway and the drinks that have added sparkle to its legendary moments, making it a must-read for theater enthusiasts and cocktail connoisseurs alike. \n\nDiscovering Yamaguchi Sake: A Taster\u2019s Guide to Breweries, Culture, and Terrain by Jim Rion\n\nJim Rion\u2019s Discovering Yamaguchi Sake: A Taster\u2019s Guide to Breweries, Culture, and Terrain is a unique and immersive journey into the world of sake, focusing on the Yamaguchi region of Southern Honshu, Japan. Rion's expertise shines through as he delves deep into the history, culture, and craft of sake production in Yamaguchi, a region with a rich and storied brewing tradition. Through vivid descriptions and insightful narratives, he introduces readers to all twenty-three of Yamaguchi's breweries, providing a fascinating glimpse into each one's character and best offerings. The book also touches on essential topics such as the role of rice farmers, brewing techniques, and the intriguing debate concerning sake \"terroir.\" For travelers, a handy sightseeing guide is included, making this book not only a taster's guide to sake but also a valuable companion for exploring the region's delights. Illustrated with captivating photographs and helpful sake labels, Discovering Yamaguchi Sake is a great choice for sake enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive and enlightening exploration of a remarkable sake-producing region and the culture that surrounds it.\n\nSpirits of the Tarot by Thea Engst\n\nSpirits of the Tarot by Thea Engst is a fascinating account of the surprising overlap between the worlds of tarot and mixology. This unique collection of seventy-eight cocktail recipes, each inspired by a card from the Rider Waite tarot deck, invites readers to trust their intuition and connect with their spirit guides in a truly delightful way. Just as tarot readings offer insight and guidance, the included cocktails serve as a flavorful tribute to the wisdom of the cards. From \"The Magician\u2019s Magic\" to \"The Moon\u2019s Shine,\" each cocktail has its own enchanting character. Whether you choose to select a single card and craft a drink based on its energy or opt engage in a more extensive tarot reading to decide your libation, this tarot-inspired cocktail companion offers a whimsical and spiritually enriching experience. It's a celebration of intuition, a delightful homage to the mystical, and a unique way to commune with your spirit guides by raising a glass in their honor\n\nWhite Wine: The Comprehensive Guide to the 50 Essential Varieties & Styles by Mike Desimone, Jeff Jenssen, and Rob Mondavi Jr.\n\nWhite Wine: The Comprehensive Guide to the 50 Essential Varieties & Styles by Mike Desimone, Jeff Jenssen, and Rob Mondavi Jr. is an essential compendium for wine enthusiasts, offering an in-depth exploration of the world's most significant white wine varieties and styles. From Albari\u00f1o to Viognier, Bordeaux to Vinho Verde, this comprehensive guide takes readers on a flavorful tour of over fifty grape varieties and blends, providing insights into their origins, characteristics, and ideal pairings. Through engaging facts, expert contributions, and stunning photography, the book paints a vivid picture of the global white wine landscape. A convenient checklist and over 200 captivating photographs help readers to track their tasting adventures, making it the perfect resource to assist in appreciating and savoring the diverse and delightful world of white wines.\n\nWine Club: A Month-by-Month Guide to Learning About Wine With Friends by Maureen Christian Petrosky\n\nMaureen Christian Petrosky\u2019s Wine Club: A Month-by-Month Guide to Learning About Wine With Friends represents the ultimate guide to creating a fun and educational wine club with your friends. This sassy and informative handbook offers a foolproof month-by-month plan to make the world of wine accessible and enjoyable. Each chapter focuses on a different grape variety, from still to sparkling, delicate whites to rich reds, providing a structured yet relaxed approach to wine exploration. Beyond the tasting, there are easy entertaining tips, taste-testing advice, and intriguing wine facts. Petrosky also shares expert recommendations for budget-friendly wines, insights into building a personal wine stash, delectable recipes for wine and food pairings, and the latest in wine gadgets. Moreover, the book demystifies wine terminology, ensuring that even wine novices feel confident when selecting and serving wine.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Apr-2023 20:12:52", "publisher": "Stone Bridge Press", "page_count": "228 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000012530007", "title": "Fall of the School for Good and Evil (Rise, 2)", "author": "Soman Chainani", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania- age 12", "word_count": 222, "review": "Fall of the School for Good and Evil is the prequel to the movie The School for Good and Evil, which is about two brothers: Rafal and Rhian. Rafal and Rhian have always been extremely close throughout their immortal lives, ruling their respective schools. Rhian leads the School for Good and Rafal leads the School for Evil... until now.

Ever since James Hook, a student at the School for Evil, ran away with twelve of the best students to Neverland, mistrust and betrayal have stirred in the hearts of Rafal and Rhian. Neither can trust the other and it seems as if the Storian\u2019s prophecy is coming true a lot sooner than either Rafal or Rhian could have expected. Will the two headmasters be able to reforge their brotherly bond? Or will only one survive?

This book was pretty good, but you have to watch the movie or read the main book to actually understand what's happening in this book. The book started off really slow; it was around the middle where I actually got interested. I recommend this book for kids ages six to ten. It is not that interesting for teens and I don't think it would be engaging for adults. Fall of the School for Good and Evil is a good read for the young reader in your life!", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2023", "date_added": "20-Apr-2023 04:59:39", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012527011", "title": "Ruby Lost and Found", "author": "Christina Li", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - age 13", "word_count": 182, "review": "Summer\u2019s going to be different for Ruby Chu, and not in a good way. Her sister will be heading off for college, and Ruby and her best friends have drifted apart. So when Ruby is told to spend the summer with her Nai-Nai, she\u2019ll have to find new ways to make her summer fun, like the ones she spent with her Ye-Ye. After losing him a few months ago, nothing feels the same anymore, especially when their favorite Chinatown bakery decides to shut down after years of business. This summer, Ruby will have to find new places, new friends, and most importantly, herself.

One of my favorite parts of the book were the ones with May\u2019s bakery in it. It meant so much to Ruby, and it really made me crave egg tarts and coconut bread. I like Liam\u2019s character and how easygoing he was when Ruby shared her ideas. The cover artwork is stunning and has warm-toned colors. It was a really sweet story that I recommend to people who feel lost at times, as there\u2019s always a place for you.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2023", "date_added": "20-Apr-2023 05:21:11", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012527007", "title": "The Detective Up Late (The Sean Duffy Series)", "author": "Adrian McKinty", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 201, "review": "The beginning and end of the 1980s were bookended by the case of missing young women. At least, this was the case for Sean Duffy, Detective Sergeant of the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Belfast. Duffy is renowned for solving the whodunits that have haunted the violence-plagued city in Northern Ireland. As the 1990s arrive, Duffy is set to move to Scotland with his girlfriend and young daughter. His commanding role of the Carrickfergus CID nearing its end, Duffy is set to hand over duties to a junior officer. However, the case of a missing teenage girl named Kat McAtnamney has developed and Duffy wants to close the case before he departs. Kat served as an escort to various gentlemen and she may have met with foul play. Duffy must tread carefully on this case while also contending with a thorny informant issue involving the IRA.

The Detective Up Late is the latest intrigue-laden mystery from the progressively brilliant mind of Adrian McKinty. Duffy continues to be an absorbing character with each case. McKinty (\u201cThe Island\u201d) returns to the world of his iconoclast detective after a brief respite and hasn\u2019t lost a step in the process. McKinty is consistently solid in his offerings.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2023", "date_added": "19-Apr-2023 19:41:18", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "343 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012523007", "title": "Brooklyn Crime Novel: A Novel", "author": "Jonathan Lethem", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 183, "review": "Is gentrification a crime? What happens to deteriorated city blocks when investors endure the neighborhood in order to reap maximum housing profits? This is a profile of such a neighborhood and the children who grow up dealing with new integration and learning their street smarts the hard way. While the parents join community improvement organizations and have neighborhood barbecues, the children are left with the reality of those streets, which are defined by the dangers and populations therein. Every child new to the neighborhood must learn the rules, even while the rules are changing. Where does one hide money, and can one pay a toll for safe passage? Of course, there are islands of neutrality, but the children must still navigate their way home. This all makes for a good survival story as the third wall is broken, and the narrator confronts the author of such a book. Can one further exploit the stories of such exploited children? And who owns the neighborhood and its stories? Each building has a story and history. As it is remade, it is also rebranded and erased.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "18-Apr-2023 01:29:19", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012522007", "title": "Infinity Gate (The Pandominion, 1)", "author": "M.R. Carey", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 200, "review": "Hadiz Tambuwal is a scientist who knows that her Earth is not doing very well and that things are about to get a lot worse. Some of the natural disasters that will have an untold effect on the planet have already begun. She needs to do something to help, or at least to save herself. Then she accidentally stumbles upon the secret to inter-dimensional travel, and this might be a way she can help save her world.

What she doesn\u2019t know is that she\u2019s kick-started a chain of events with the Pandominion: an alliance of over a million worlds, all different versions of Earth. Now there are those after her for her irresponsible dimensional traveling, which is only allowed by those given permission, and Tambuwal soon finds herself in the middle of a great war between the Pandominion and a new A.I. threat.

In Infinity Gate, Carey has written a great first book in a new series, The Pandominion, involving the multi-verse. He\u2019s done some heavy research to bring this hard sci-fi book to life, along with a diverse cast of unusual and interesting characters and a story that will have reader wondering how things will turn out for everyone.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2023", "date_added": "17-Apr-2023 18:31:36", "publisher": "Orbit", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012520007", "title": "A Unicorn, a Dinosaur, and a Shark Walk into a Book", "author": "Jonathan Fenske", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 187, "review": "Silly from start to finish, who doesn't love a book with a unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark? Especially when they are adorable and snarky. Kids will giggle as they see their favorite characters reply to the narrator. First off, all three characters argue that they don't walk. They prance, stomp, and swim! And who could argue with that? As the characters get bored with the narrator, they become oh-so bored and yawn and almost fall asleep. The narrator knows he must do something to get these characters up and peppy again. So a kitten with a rainbow shirt is introduced. Because who doesn't like kittens in cute shirts? Well, of course, the unicorn loves the rainbow, but the dinosaur and shark both see a snack! Oh no! The kitten does what any kitten would do in this situation. It ditches the rainbow shirt and RUNS!!

This book is silly and has no real plot, but the characters are adorable on each page, and the dialogue is really easy to understand. A cute book for little kids who will squeal at these cute and slightly naughty characters.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "01-Aug-2023", "date_added": "17-Apr-2023 15:30:30", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012519011", "title": "Blood Sisters", "author": "Vanessa Lillie", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 195, "review": "Syd Walker, a Cherokee archaeologist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, returns to Oklahoma when her sister Emma Lou goes missing. The twists and turns and power of family bonds in Vanessa Lillie's Blood Sisters are exceptional, and her spotlight on the injustices surrounding cases of missing Native women is powerful.

Growing up, Syd knew violence in her surrounding community; her family was specifically touched by it when she and her sister Emma Lou and cousin Luna are attacked in their home and Luna is killed. Years later, as Syd tries to find justice for the missing, the events of that night revisit here when her sister goes missing. Syd returns to Oklahoma after a fifteen-year absence to search for Emma Lou and try to put the pieces back together of what really happened in 1993.

Fans of Taylor Sheridan will love this novel as will anyone interested in the kind of investigative work that goes into finding missing people. But, more than that, Blood Sisters is a book about family bonds and the lengths we will go to protect our own. I absolutely loved this book and have recommended it to everyone I know.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2023", "date_added": "18-Apr-2023 01:46:04", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012514011", "title": "The Invisible Hour: A Novel ", "author": "Alice Hoffman", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 295, "review": "AAs a lifelong Alice Hoffman fan and an English teacher, I was wildly excited for her latest novel The Invisible Hour. The book centers on Mia, a young woman whose passion for Nathaniel Hawthorne's book The Scarlet Letter quite literally saves her life. Having taught Hawthorne's book for years, the references and history of Hawthorne himself that Hoffman employs was just as intriguing as the plot of The Invisible Hour.

Mia is raised in The Community, a compound that some describe as a cult. Her mother Ivy had arrived at The Community just out of high school, pregnant, and looking for a place to belong. It had seemed a haven at first, but by the time Mia is fifteen, the reality of their situation has set in. The Community doesn't allow the reading of books because they can fill people's heads with teachings and ideas that aren't endorsed by the leader, a controlling man named Joel who is also Mia's stepfather. Every choice he makes is about keeping The Community\u2014especially the women\u2014under his thumb.

Mia, who has been secretly reading and discovered Hawthorne's greatest work, knows she cannot stay, so she escapes the compound with the help of a local librarian. In The Scarlet Letter, Mia found her courage on her way to live in a world that had so often tried to keep her small.

As Mia embarks on her life outside of The Community, she discovers a way to return to the past and meets her literary hero. Her relationship with Hawthorne is gorgeously rendered. The Invisible Hour, though, isn't so much about Mia and Hawthorne as it is about the power of books to save us. This is a magical and masterful work; if I could give it ten stars, I would.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2023", "date_added": "18-Apr-2023 00:59:21", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012513027", "title": "The Notorious Scarlett and Browne", "author": "Jonathan Stroud", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 187, "review": "No bank is safe, no jail can keep them in, and now they have set their eyes on an impossible mission that may cost Scarlett and Browne more than their own lives. Not only is the heist more daring than anything the pair has tried but also a threat from Browne's strange world is hot on their tail. And not for good reasons. Time is ticking, running out... and when the clock hits noon it'll be too late.

Scarlett and Browne are back in another adventure full of danger, heists, secrets, and new characters. The two main characters haven't changed much since the first book, but over the course of the second, mainly the last half, they have character arcs that leave them different.

I really like Scarlett and Browne's relationship, it\u2019s an odd friendship that\u2019s developed from being together so long. The world is vast and complex, tying together an apocalyptic-like future, zombies, and the feel of the Wild West. One moment I think I know everything, then more world building is thrown in; it's easy to spot how much work the author put into it.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "15-Aug-2023", "date_added": "16-Apr-2023 06:25:07", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012513019", "title": "Teen Titans: Robin", "author": "Kami Garcia, Gabriel Picolo", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 185, "review": "Raven Roth, Garfield Logan, Maxine Navarro, and Damian Wayne are on the run after the disaster with H.I.V.E. With none other than Slade Wilson on their tail they go to the one person they can trust. Dick Grayson is just worried about his little brother, is he okay? Where has he been? When Damian's tracker goes offline Dick packs a bag and goes after him. But it won't be easy, for any of them. Between training their powers and family issues, the Titians have a long road ahead of them.

Family and friendships are tested in the latest Teen Titans adventure. The art is simplistic, but beautiful and doesn't leave things out. The story is good, too, a continuation from the three other Teen Titans books. I jumped right in without having read the other books and, though now I want to go read them, I understood what was going on and got a general sense of what happened in the past books. There\u2019s a thread of romance with multiple couples, it\u2019s sweet and to the point, but not over done and adds to the story.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2023", "date_added": "15-Apr-2023 20:40:30", "publisher": "DC Comics", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012513011", "title": "Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure Hunt", "author": "Jamie Michalak, Kelly Murphy", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 8", "word_count": 185, "review": "Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop is the second book in the A Tiny Treasure Hunt series with Dakota Crumb, a girl mouse who loves adventure and mystery! Dakota gets a letter from her cousin Julien, who sends her a mysterious letter to come to Paris to search for a book of lost treasures. The first clue takes Dakota to a bookstore, where she finds three clues total that give her instructions on things to find, all while swinging, running, and avoiding large dogs! Will Dakota find the missing, priceless book for her cousin in time?

Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop was exciting; it was fun figuring out the clues along with Dakota. It was also fun to look for the extra things hidden in each page, it was like a look-and-find puzzle. The ending was nice. The story was easy to understand and I liked how the pictures filled up the pages and included lots of things to look at. Now that I know this is the second book in the series, I want to find the first one and read them all!", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "29-Jun-2023", "date_added": "15-Apr-2023 20:28:45", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012512023", "title": "The Followers", "author": "Bradeigh Godfrey", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 196, "review": "Molly Sullivan is a popular social media influencer known as \u201cThe Invincible Molly Sullivan.\u201d She has gone through terrible heartbreak, getting a divorce just after giving birth to her daughter. Yet, she is recognized by her pink sunglasses and permanent smile, always able to look on the bright side and inspire her followers to do the same.

Everything changes for Molly once she marries her introverted partner, Scott. Although he supports her online persona, he urges her to keep him out of it. As the pair begin their life together in Durango, Colorado, Molly begins to suspect that Scott has been dishonest about his past with his daughter, Ella, and begins to question everything he\u2019s told her.

The Followers was a fun read with a lot of suspense. The fast-paced, short chapters kept my attention. Molly\u2019s character felt familiar and comparable to the influencers I follow in real life. It was interesting to learn about the business side of social media and how Molly\u2019s desire to connect on a deeper level with her followers turned into her livelihood. The quest to find out who really killed Kristina was thrilling, and the ending took me by surprise!", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2023", "date_added": "15-Apr-2023 23:20:34", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "366 Pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012512015", "title": "Bruce Wayne: Not Super", "author": "Stuart Gibbs, Berat Pekmezci", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 128, "review": "If you are looking for a new twist on your typical Bruce Wayne story this is it! Did you know Bruce Wayne went to school with all the world's young superheroes? However, as we all know, Bruce Wayne isn't very super, and he doesn't have any super powers, so it's hard to have to go to school with others who are all super. Bruce is just trying to make a difference in the world but no one seems to notice him. So when some bullies are being mean, Bruce knows just what he wants to do and that's take down the bad guy!

This book was really good, I enjoyed this twist of Bruce Wayne's past. I think it really helped shape him into who he became as Batman.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2023", "date_added": "15-Apr-2023 20:38:15", "publisher": "DC Comics", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012512003", "title": "The Perfect Ones: A Thriller", "author": "Nicole Hackett", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 224, "review": "The Perfect Ones tells a story about a group of Instagram influencers who are invited to Iceland by one of their sponsors. The three main characters are Hollie, Celeste, and Alabama. The book introduces each of the women and what is going on in their personal lives. Hollie is married to Nick and finds out she is pregnant before the trip. She realizes she doesn't want to be a mother, and this creates distance between her and Nick. Celeste is married to Louis, and they have a five-year-old daughter named Bella, who seems to have a hard time controlling her emotions. Alabama is married to perfectionist Henry, and her mental status seems to be off-kilter from the very beginning.

Then Alabama goes missing. The chapters alternate between the weeks before she goes missing, what happens the night that she goes missing, the investigation, and \"the after.\"

Overall, I felt this story was a complete flop. The women were not likable from the beginning because they were all so selfish. Celeste was the only one who seemed to be trying to be a good person. Alabama was superficial and annoying. I thought the plot would get really interesting as we found out what really happened to Alabama, but that, too, fell short. I felt like I wasted my time on what could have been an entertaining read.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "18-Jul-2023", "date_added": "14-Apr-2023 20:58:20", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000012511011", "title": "The Girls from Hush Cabin", "author": "Marie Hoy-Kenny", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 12", "word_count": 200, "review": "Holly, Denise, Calista, and Zoe used to be friends. That was back before a beloved summer camp closed and the girls made their way through life without each other. But when their original camp counselor dies and the girls are reunited under morbid circumstances, they are forced to confront the lingering feelings between them. Sadly, that\u2019s not the only trouble that surrounds Hush Cabin. Violet was murdered, and the former best friends need to solve it. But when anonymous threats threaten to derail their investigation, the girls have to decide whether or not it\u2019s worth it to solve the murder. Can they uncover the dark secrets of Hush Cabin?

The premise of the story was interesting, and I was ready to be invested in it. But the multiple points of view didn\u2019t flow well, and it was difficult to get through. In my opinion, there were too many unnecessary characters, which made the story seem cluttered and disorganized. The characters\u2019 emotions often felt a bit robotic. The story was readable, but it could use edits in its structure and pacing. I\u2019d recommend this to young adults who are looking for a quick story to read by the pool this summer.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2023", "date_added": "15-Apr-2023 23:11:23", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "283 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012509015", "title": "From Shore to Ocean Floor: The Human Journey to the Deep", "author": "Gill Arbuthnott, Christopher Nielsen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 141, "review": "From Shore to Ocean Floor is nothing like I was expecting! It is jam-packed with so much information and history on oceans! Do you know how old the ocean is? Or how boats have changed throughout history? Can you name a famous marine biologist? If your answer is no to any of those questions, just read this really fun and informative book.

My favorite part is learning the ocean is broken down into different sections based on the amount of light it receives according to the depth, and different animals live in various different sections. My favorite animal in the book is the deep-sea angler fish! The oceans are very important and we can learn so much from them but only a small amount has been explored.

I recommend this book for anyone looking to dive-in to learn more about oceans!", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "16-Jun-2023", "date_added": "15-Apr-2023 20:19:41", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012670011", "title": "The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish", "author": "Chloe Savage", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 124, "review": "The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish is a very interesting book, so much so that I hoped it would be based on a true story. However, it is not.

When a Doctor and her crew hope to find the elusive giant jellyfish but can't seem to have any luck, is it just a myth? Read this book to find out!

The illustrations were calming and colorful. This is what I imagine the Arctic would be like. My favorite part of the illustrations was how detailed the items they packed were, as well as how you could see inside the smallest details of the boat. Each page was full of so many small details, which made the book very interesting. I highly recommend this book!", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "28-Jul-2023", "date_added": "27-May-2023 20:23:39", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012665007", "title": "Mediterranean Summer Table: Timeless, versatile recipes for every occasion & appetite", "author": "Kathy Kordalis", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Hannah Stutz", "word_count": 173, "review": "Mediterranean Summer Table written by Kathy Kordalis is a recipe book focused on Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Kordalis offers a variety of recipes from small appetizers to larger entrees. She includes vegetarian, seafood, and meat-focused dishes. Kardalis\u2019 inspiration for her recipes was to have light and simple yet quality Mediterranean food that can be enjoyed particularly in summer. One would likely appreciate how the book offers inspiration for one to make a full menu. Kordalis\u2019 includes many pictures in her recipes, which makes it much easier to visualize the food.

While each recipe appears to be nutritious and hearty, there isn\u2019t anything that jumped out and was particularly special. It seemed like just another Mediterranean cookbook. One of the many great things about the Mediterranean diet is that it is practical and easy. A good portion of the recipes were extravagant and not conventional for a busy professional. This would likely be a book to pull out when hosting a nice dinner but not one that would be utilized for daily or even weekly inspiration.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "15-Aug-2023", "date_added": "27-May-2023 19:42:34", "publisher": "Ryland Peters & Small", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012665003", "title": "An Echo in the City", "author": "K X Song", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 193, "review": "An Echo in the City is a romance about two teens on different sides of the 2019 Hong Kong protests. Phoenix is a wealthy girl who grew up in America. When she arrives back in Hong Kong, she decides to take part in the protests. Kai\u2019s passion is art, but when his father forces him to become a police officer, Kai struggles to know which side he stands for. The two start to develop feelings for each other. Will the protest, the secrets, and the lies tear the two star-crossed lovers apart?

This is a riveting debut novel by K.X. Song that revolves around the Hong Kong protests, which I knew nothing about. I loved how the author weaved Phoenix\u2019s and Kai\u2019s contrasting perspectives along with their budding romance. Both Phoenix\u2019s and Kai\u2019s characters were very interesting and compelling, but I just wish they didn\u2019t keep so many secrets from each other.

This is a wonderful YA book, and I love that it was about a topic I did not know much about. I recommend this educational YA book to anyone who is looking for an emotional book filled with intrigue and romance.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "09-Aug-2023", "date_added": "27-May-2023 19:10:39", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012664003", "title": "Flyaway", "author": "Kathleen Jennings", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 186, "review": "Bettina Scott does whatever her mother wishes. Until she receives a note that may be from her missing brothers. She hasn\u2019t seen them or her father in years. With the help of some friends, she begins to dig into her past and attempts to find out what really happened the night they disappeared. She\u2019ll have to work quickly before all the answers begin to Flyaway.

Reading this book, I felt a strong sense of d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu. Turns out I read and reviewed it three years ago. However, my opinion has since changed. I still wish the book was longer, but I found it more fascinating this time around. I enjoyed the folk tales and watching the story play out. I\u2019m not sure what changed for me, maybe I just grew as a reader, but this a tale full of magic and how people can change with or without it. The line between humans and monsters is faint, and nothing is what it appears to be. I highly recommend you give this book a chance and maybe read it more than once to get the full effect.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2023", "date_added": "27-May-2023 19:06:25", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012663007", "title": "Happily Ever After (3) (Once Upon Another Time)", "author": "James Riley", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Soha - age 14", "word_count": 226, "review": "Happily Ever After: Once Upon Another Time by James Riley is a fun, adventurous book for fantasy lovers. James writes about a young girl named Lena, who senses something is not right in her city. Lena was once a giant and lived in a city full of giants, who were cursed and then uncursed by the fairy queen. Though all the giants were now fully human, Lena sensed that everything wasn't as it seemed.

Readers get to follow Lena as she uncovers the secret about what really happened through James Riley's descriptive and enchanting writing. The book is filled with vivid descriptions and engaging characters, making it a delightful read for young audiences. Readers will find themselves transported to a world of magic and wonder. The book's themes of courage and the importance of staying true to oneself are woven throughout the stories, making them entertaining. The author's writing style is easy to follow and flows smoothly, making it an ideal choice for those who enjoy a good page-turner.

Overall, Happily Ever After: Once Upon Another Time is a must-read for anyone who loves fairy tales or enjoys a good story. With its engaging characters, imaginative world-building, and powerful themes, it is sure to delight readers ages eight+. This was a delightful, page-turning book to read, and would be a great book for a fantasy lover.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "02-Aug-2023", "date_added": "27-May-2023 19:09:31", "publisher": "Aladdin", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012659011", "title": "Sometimes I Am Furious", "author": "Timothy Knapman, Joe Berger", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 172, "review": "Young children often struggle understanding and vocalizing safely the emotions they are experiencing. As adults, we have learned how to express our emotions in non-destructive ways\u2014hopefully\u2014but children need to learn about the emotions they are feeling and how to vocalize them.

This book helps with understanding what happens when someone is furious about something they were expecting. Whether it is things become unfair, not going your way, your favorite dessert is out or any of life\u2019s little frustrations all boiling over. Young children often do not understand when they are young that they will not always get everything they want in life and that things can run out or even not go their way.

The prose is designed for parents or guardians to read to the children with them following along. The use of furious is imaginative and helps to emphasize the emotion the child is feeling. The artwork is not the greatest but it gets the job done. Overall, it has an excellent message and is fairly easy to follow along.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "07-Nov-2023", "date_added": "28-May-2023 00:40:14", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012658051", "title": "Into the River of Angels: A Novel", "author": "George R. Wolfe", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 405, "review": "Into the River of Angels is a fantastic action adventure novel about a young man named Sam Hawkins who decides he needs a little break from his everyday life in Canoga Park, California. It is the summer of 2008, Sam's parents are in the middle of a divorce and he is about to start his senior year of high school. With the help of his two friends, Ian and Zoe, Sam creates a plan to get a boat and ride down the Los Angeles River all the way to Long Beach. He ends up embarking on the journey alone after Ian backs out and finds himself self on a whirlwind ride down the river.

This book reminded me of a modern-day Tom Sawyer/Huckleberry Finn meets the Pirates of the Caribbean. Although Sam is not gone for a long time, it sure seems like it. He meets many different people along the way, including a young immigrant named Ignacio who teaches him about faith and perseverance. Sam and Ignacio run into a group of psychotic killers and must find a way to escape them before they get killed themselves. Never in a million years did Sam think this would happen.

Author George R. Wolfe does a wonderful job of developing both his characters and the settings they encounter. The flow of the book is fast-paced and exciting. The dialogue between the characters is realistic and appropriate and readers will be able to envision what each character looks like and get a feel for their personalities. Although there are some really dirty, swampy areas the characters go through while riding down the river, these descriptions were necessary to create a vision of what Sam was seeing. From homeless people bathing to weird garbage strewn about such as balls with faces on them attached to sticks (this reminded me of Wilson from Castaway with Tom Hanks), Sam really saw some eye-opening things. Danger seemed to be lurking around every corner.

Into the River of Angels never skips a beat and the ending is particularly exciting as Sam and his friends find themselves in deeper trouble than they could ever imagine. Readers will not be able to put this book down. With themes of friendship, finding oneself, young love, faith, and loyalty Into the River of Angels, readers will cheer from cover to cover as they follow Sam down the Los Angeles River. This book is recommended for young adults and older.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2023", "date_added": "26-May-2023 01:33:39", "publisher": "The Sager Group LLC", "page_count": "426 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012658047", "title": "Into the River of Angels: A Novel", "author": "George R. Wolfe", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 401, "review": "I really enjoyed reading Into the River of Angels by George R. Wolfe. An exciting, high-paced young adult novel, the story is told from the perspective of seventeen-year-old Sam. Between his parent's divorce, high school bullies, and a long, boring summer ahead, Sam is not the happiest. Feeling lost and disinterested in his life, he wants excitement, or as he puts it, a \u201craison d\u2019etre.\u201d Contemplating with his best friend, Ian, on what they can do to make this the summer of their lives, Sam gets a wild idea: to boat the LA river all the way to Saint Monica Bay from San Fernando Valley.

Ian, the more rational of the pair, strongly discourages this idea. After all, they may be strong swimmers but they definitely do not own a boat or even know how to row one. Not to mention, the water is dangerous and filthy, and their parents would kill them. But after taking these factors into account, Sam, a true renegade, decides this is all the more reason to make the trek. So, the story follows his journey as he does. Encountering all sorts of troubles, nightmares, and excitement along the way, Sam sure gets his wish for the most memorable summer of his lifetime!

Full of adventure, hot social topics, teenage crushes, and crazy feats, Into the River of Angels was a delight. Wolfe does an excellent job in his take on what a current-day teenage quest may look like. Sam\u2019s character had to plan on leaving his phone, avoiding his parents, and dealing with truly dangerous situations, something current-day teenagers are not na\u00efve to. Exploring topics such as pollution, homelessness, smugglers, gangs, immigration, and human trafficking, Wolfe writes in a way that is very relevant to the current generation, not shying away from these tough conversations.

I thought he did a fantastic job balancing so many heavy topics, as the book came out as an overall light and humorous read. Not to mention, I think Sam\u2019s character is very applicable and relatable to the average current-day teenager. His feelings of hopelessness and confusion are something all teenagers go through and struggle with. I enjoyed watching his character develop from a rebellious boy to a self-aware young man.

Overall, I think adult readers and young adult readers alike would enjoy this fun novel. I would specifically recommend it to late middle school and early high school readers.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2023", "date_added": "26-May-2023 01:32:51", "publisher": "The Sager Group LLC", "page_count": "426 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012658041", "title": "The Fate Of The World Revealed: Be Ready", "author": "Glenna Hartzog", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Michaela Gordoni", "word_count": 400, "review": "In The Fate Of The World Revealed: Be Ready, author Glenna Hartzog takes readers on a deep dive into the book of Revelation and other scriptures. In total, it is a compelling, biblically-based argument for why the rapture will likely be post-tribulation, and some conjecture as to how we might be seeing the beginnings of the end times.

Glenna Hartzog writes with an open heart and does not profess to be an expert, but rather gives the impression that she is an avid and ever-learning student of God\u2019s word. Though she makes her points, she remains humble about what she does not know. Throughout the book, she uses a helpful chart to show visually how many scriptures line up with pre-tribulation teaching versus post-tribulation teaching. She also takes the time to break explain numerous verses in Revelation, breaking down each one. This approach helps enhances the reader's understanding and aids in the interpretation of these oftentimes complex biblical passages.

To read the work of a female author on this specific subject is really refreshing, as unfortunately, it is quite rare to come across works written by female eschatologists and theologians. It is important to note that, like in many narrowly focused theological or eschatological books, authors cannot take the time to give readers a rounded introduction to Christianity. Glenna Hartzog still makes an effort to provide a small intro, but still, for anyone who might not be familiar with what the Bible says about the end times, the book\u2019s contents might be tough to wrap their head around. The work could also be a bit stronger and better appreciated if a thorough list of sources were made available. This would have further enhanced the book's credibility and allowed readers to explore the topic in greater depth. Though, understandably, providing detailed sources is a painstaking task enviable to no one, and Glenna Hartzog has still done well on the whole.

Overall, The Fate Of The World Revealed: Be Ready offers a thought-provoking exploration of the book of Revelation and related biblical scriptures concerning post- and pre-tribulation perspectives. Glenna Hartzog's modest approach, coupled with her use of visual aids and careful, tedious verse analysis, contributes to the book's appeal. And it is a great resource for anyone curious about the pre- or post-tribulation rapture, anyone curious about the rapture in general, and especially for anyone interested in knowing if the end times are near.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "01-Sep-2023", "date_added": "26-May-2023 01:28:43", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "178 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012658037", "title": "The Fate Of The World Revealed: Be Ready", "author": "Glenna Hartzog", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 401, "review": "The Fate Of The World Revealed: Be Ready by Glenna Hartzog contains texts that support a post-tribulation rapture, which differs from what the bulk of the religious world currently teaches: pre-tribulation. The author hopes to assist readers in better comprehending the scriptures and preparing for Jesus' return. Many of the thoughts she gained while contemplating end-time scriptures, particularly in Revelation, are shared in the book. It includes such subjects as watching and praying, the coming of the Lord, letters to the churches, the seven seals, and Jesus\u2019 prophecies of end-time events.

I liked how the book is filled with scriptures and intelligent interpretations. Glenna invites the reader to ask questions and delve thoroughly into their views about the end of the world. She does not presume to have all the answers. Instead, she states unequivocally that she has \"more questions than answers.\" This allows readers to reach their own conclusions.

The Bible is thoroughly examined in the book. The author analyzes the origins and translations of the words in the scriptures she quotes. As someone who has spent practically every Sunday in church for most of my life, I learned something new about examining the Bible in the book. Now I know to look up biblical terminology in Bible study resources like Strong's Concordance to learn more about them, just like the author does.

Glenna's use of clear, conversational language makes the book easy to grasp for both expert Bible readers and interested laypersons. By following the book's realistic examples and its logical answers, the reader is sure to find the author's perspective either convincing or worth further consideration. I loved the example the author uses to clarify Paul's remark on the coming of Jesus, which illustrates how a relative visiting from Texas would not be followed back to Texas at the airport but taken back to your home instead.

The Fate Of The World Revealed: Be Ready is a thought-provoking, analytical, and easy-to-understand book that gives abundant evidence for a post-trib rapture. Glenna Hartzog's book serves as a wake-up call to all church leaders and Bible scholars throughout the world to reevaluate their beliefs in a pre-trib rapture and their position on Jesus' coming. Finally, readers who want to better comprehend the Bible will perceive various passages, particularly in Revelations, from a new, relatable perspective and even learn how to study the Bible more deeply when they read the book.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2023 01:28:34", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "178 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012658033", "title": "The Fate Of The World Revealed: Be Ready", "author": "Glenna Hartzog", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 411, "review": "In Glenna Hartzog's insightful work The Fate of the World Revealed: Be Ready, the author underscores the critical need for believers to consistently evaluate their readiness for the Lord's return. Although no one can predict when exactly the rapture will occur, we should always be prepared and make sure that whatever we do is aligned with Christ's teachings. As a guide for Christians in all aspects of life and worship, the Bible is instrumental in drawing individuals closer to God and unveiling His plans and expectations. Hartzog challenges Christians to scrutinize any prejudiced views they may hold about the rapture and concentrate on the genuine message of the Bible without misconstruing its teachings.

Acknowledging the complexity of some passages, the author warns against manipulating scripture for personal gain and advocates reassessing the doctrines of those who might misrepresent biblical truths. It doesn't matter if these are people we look up to. Furthermore, Hartzog reflects on the transformation of America over time, noting an increasing detachment from Christ.

I must say that this book is different from most books I've read concerning the End Times, which frequently convey mostly the author's viewpoint; this book delves profoundly into the Revelation chapter of the Bible. As someone who has read the chapter multiple times, Hartzog meticulously dissects each verse, examining its significance for believers. In addition, the Tribulation period is thoroughly explored, with the author citing and analyzing pertinent Bible verses. The central message is unequivocal: Christians must be prepared for the journey to heaven, as it demands unwavering willpower and determination amidst countless obstacles.

This enlightening read provides invaluable perspectives on often-overlooked biblical teachings. Hartzog persuasively encourages Christians not only to read the Bible but also to actively pursue understanding and applying its teachings to their lives. Acting as spiritual armor for every believer, the majority of the book comprises verses that substantiate the author's arguments.

Moreover, the book serves as a powerful reminder of the Lord's ultimate victory over Satan. As Jesus has paid the price for all Christians, rejoicing is indeed justified. With its captivating narrative, astute analysis, and inspiring message, The Fate of the World Revealed: Be Ready is perfect for readers seeking to deepen their faith and comprehension of the Bible's teachings in the End Times. By emphasizing the importance of studying scripture, embracing its authentic message, and remaining resolute in one's faith, this book is certain to resonate with Christians in search of guidance on their spiritual journey.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2023 01:28:27", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "178 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012658029", "title": "The Fate Of The World Revealed: Be Ready", "author": "Glenna Hartzog", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 452, "review": "According to Pew Research Center's projection for religious identification in 2020, the statistics show the top four results as 31.1% (2.382 billion) of the world as Christianity, 24.9% (1.907 billion) as Islam, 15.58% (1.193 billion) as secular/nonreligious/agnostic/atheist and 15.16% (1.161 billion) as Hinduism. Depending on your point of view or upbringing, these results may bring about various thoughts and emotions.

Author and Christian Glenna Hartzog has some fear, not about people identifying with categories other than Christianity, but surprisingly, her fellow Christians - there is a division among this group with their beliefs regarding the end times, namely their interpretation of Revelation, the timing of the tribulation, and the rapture - more specifically, pre-tribulation versus post-tribulation. From a post-tribulation standpoint, Hartzog references scripture passages of the end times and compares her interpretation of the text's meaning with pre and post-tribulation viewpoints to determine which stance makes more sense. Hartzog defines words and phrases to ensure all readers are on the same page and makes it a point that the reader understands that she is not an expert on the subject but is someone with a fascination with the mysteries of God.

Hartzog's intentions present non-confrontational when comparing and contrasting two widely-held beliefs among the world's largest religious group. Her purpose is immediately stated and followed throughout the text - to show a biblical basis supporting a post-tribulation rapture. The scripture referenced is from the King James version of the Bible, which makes for some more difficult reading, given the change in dialogue from the 1600s compared to now. The author does not express the belief that if the reader believes in the pre-tribulation, they are any less saved than others; she shows concern that they will experience confusion when the world undergoes its tribulation before Jesus's return. Each passage Hartzog selects receives individualized attention and gets added to a chart she made, tallying the passage as pre or post-tribulation. The author touches on other Biblical or spiritual topics where there is a division or confusion, such as whether we have a soul/spirit or if there is just breath, followed by what happens to our bodies/spirits/souls at death, along with the importance of numbers throughout Revelation and 144,000. She talks about how individuals and denominations will preach false doctrine or pick and choose what to preach so it fits into the lifestyles they want versus how they should be living based on the accurate instructions and information from God in the Bible.

While The Fate of the World Revealed: Be Readyoffers beneficial information, due to the author's lack of credentials and schooling and some of her answers, this text is best not to be taken at face value but consulted with a pastor.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2023 01:28:15", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "178 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012658021", "title": "Lucius: A Soldier's Journey", "author": "Rev.Michael H. Lavery", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 439, "review": "Lucius, a soldier in Rome, wonders why he is being reassigned to a troubled region of the empire since he thought Rome would be his final station because of his advanced age. Another reason he feels uncomfortable with his reassignment is his dislike for Rome's insensitive, destructive nature and the part he plays in it. Aside from his aversion to war and force, Lucius also abhors slavery and chooses never to own a slave, which goes against the custom of Rome. Though Lucius is initially portrayed as a wise man, his reassigned station brings him to even more depth in wisdom and understanding\u2014especially when he meets \"the teacher\". Rev. Michael H. Lavery's Lucius: A Soldier's Journey follows a likable, conscious soldier's covert way of going against the atrocities that the Roman leaders and society stand for, as well as his view of the gospel of Christ.

Lucius' decision to question his people's evil customs and not own slaves is admirable. His bravery and thoughtfulness are traits that would serve the world well if embraced by a good portion of humans. The protagonist's interactions with his paid servants, whom he helps free from slavery, are often filled with love and respect. This creates a welcoming, positive atmosphere that draws the reader into the story, even as the characters confront some disturbing realities and circumstances. They are seen to deal with such provocative issues as abuse, slavery, war, violence, injustice, and exploitation.

Told through a third-person viewpoint, Lucius: A Soldier's Journey follows various characters' responses to the consequences of political instability and power-hungry leaders. The challenges the protagonists face are accompanied by profound lessons and messages to contemplate, both for the book's characters and its readers. I particularly liked the message about sharing one's culture and way of life with an open hand instead of forcefully like the Romans did, as it applies to more recent atrocities of colonialism around the world. Furthermore, some biblical stories are portrayed vividly, including the lawyer's question to Jesus about eternal life in Luke 10:25 and Jesus' crucifixion.

Rev. Michael's story is an excellent, elaborate blend of his active imagination and numerous biblical stories. It offers an opportunity to deeply immerse oneself in historical times involving Jesus and his likely influence on both Jews and Gentiles. Christian readers will be reminded of Jesus' key teachings and other readers will have the opportunity to learn about Christ. The world would benefit immensely if it embraced the book's messages about having love and respect for others regardless of their culture and economic status. What a grand, thought-provoking, and immersing Christian historical fiction! You don't want to miss it!", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2023", "date_added": "26-May-2023 01:22:51", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing", "page_count": "380 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012658017", "title": "Lucius: A Soldier's Journey", "author": "Rev. Michael H. Lavery", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 424, "review": "At the age of ten, Lucius suffers the devastating loss of his father. Despite this tragedy, he remains committed to upholding his late father's principles of peace, equality, and compassion. In an era where slavery was widespread, Lucius bought slaves' freedom and provided them with paid employment as servants. When his cook, Margrette, leaves to rejoin her family, Lucius crosses paths with Chloe, a resilient and determined slave girl who has endured mistreatment at the hands of previous masters. Alongside his two devoted servants, Mark and Atrius, Lucius welcomes Chloe into their tight-knit family.

When duty calls, Lucius and his faithful servants embark on a journey to fight in Israel. Though a soldier by trade, Lucius detests war and its devastating consequences, such as the separation and destruction of families. Upon arrival in Israel, they learn about the Zealots, a group of armies terrorizing the local population, and the governor enlists Lucius' assistance in combating them. Lucius bears witness to the animosity directed at Romans due to the actions of their politicians.

Rev. Michael H. Lavery's novel transports readers to Israel, a land filled with both victories and struggles, including fierce battles against formidable foes and the looming threat to Lucius' lineage. Despite his yearning for peace, Lucius cannot defy Caesar's orders for war. The enthralling narrative follows the soldiers and servants as they experience an unforgettable encounter with Jesus, the Son of God.

Lucius: A Soldier's Journey by Rev. Michael H. Lavery is an absolute attention-grabber. For someone who is a historical fiction aficionado, this book offers all the elements of a great read. First, there are characters with distinct personalities; Chloe is my favorite. I loved how strong and confident she was. Lucius was a perfect gentleman of a rare breed. He showed kindness multiple times, and he always thought of the good of the people. I did pick up subtle lessons from the book on the consequences of slavery, the benefits of kindness, and why wars are not necessary.

I loved how the author weaved the story of Jesus being crucified into the story. It blends real-life events with fiction, and the story is told from the perspective of our good soldier and believer, Lucius. There is never a dull moment in the book. Readers are taken on a journey filled with humor, adventure, action, and a great view of history.

Lucius: A Soldier's Journey is an exhilarating adventure brimming with action and a vivid depiction of history. An essential read for fans of historical fiction, this book comes highly recommended.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "04-Jul-2023", "date_added": "26-May-2023 01:22:39", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing", "page_count": "380 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012658013", "title": "Lucius: A Soldier's Journey", "author": "Rev.Michael H. Lavery", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 399, "review": "Lucius is probably exactly what observant readers would expect it to be. A novel set in the Roman Empire written by a priest will certainly touch on religious themes, and as soon as I saw Pontius Pilate mentioned, I was almost positive the protagonist would meet Jesus at some point. This isn\u2019t a simple story of a heathen being converted to Christianity, however. Instead, Lavery takes us on a different path.

The main surprise to me was that from the beginning, Lucius is no ordinary Roman soldier. He is a centurion (in fact, one mentioned in the Bible) but he starts the book morally opposed to militaristic expansion for the sake of expansion. He also refuses to keep slaves but instead has paid servants who consider themselves part of his family. He treats them well and insists those around him do likewise.

With Lucius already halfway to being a paragon of Christianity (and hardly a sign of him worshipping the Roman gods), it was hard to see where his character might go by the end. In fact, it felt like there was little growth for anyone except minor characters in the book, and even that happened mainly off the page, with readers told what happened to change their minds after the fact. That combined with the long chapters at times made the book a slog to get through.

I will admit that I\u2019m likely not part of the target audience for this book. A Christian man, particularly one who already enjoys first century Roman history, may well find the book more enjoyable. There were compelling moments sprinkled throughout, and the ideal reader will likely find the ending inspiring.

What I found most enjoyable about the book was how Lavery brought the world to life. Through little details like food and landscapes, I felt immersed in the setting, if not always the story. There were also little nods to the Gospels throughout, even if one of them was different from what I remembered. I couldn\u2019t tell whether it was because the two of us come from different traditions or he changed it to better suit his story. The former I wouldn\u2019t mind, but at first I assumed the latter, which I found irritating.

This is a book which has a readymade audience: Christian men who are inspired by or enjoy evangelical tales. I don\u2019t think it would offer much enjoyment to people outside that niche.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "20-Jun-2023", "date_added": "26-May-2023 01:22:29", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing", "page_count": "380 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012658009", "title": "Lucius: A Soldier's Journey", "author": "Rev. Michael H. Lavery", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 583, "review": "Set in the early decades of the Roman Empire during the reign of Emperor Tiberius (14\u201337 CE), Rev. Michael H. Lavery\u2019s Lucius: A Soldier\u2019s Journey is a richly detailed work of historical fiction that combines key episodes from the Bible with both proven historical fact and plausibly imagined fictional details. Through skilfully contrasting the blood-soaked expansionist aims of the Roman political and military machine with the peaceful person-centric messages of early Christianity, Lavery weaves a tale of redemption and hope set during a dark time.

Lucius is a committed, successful, and respected soldier of Rome. Having risen to the rank of centurion, he is now stationed back in Rome and tasked with training the next generation of legionaries. However, despite his unquestionable loyalty to the Empire, Lucius differs significantly from his fellow soldiers due to the radical\u2014perhaps even heretical\u2014teachings of his late father, Antonicus.

A man of peace whose views were forged in war, Antonicus did not believe in the wisdom of conquest, telling his son that knowledge and culture should be shared freely and without any sense of compulsion if other nations were to be truly integrated in the Roman Empire. What\u2019s more, he did not agree with the practice of slavery, a cornerstone of Roman society. Thus, Antonicus purchased people from the slave markets with the intention of immediately freeing them and offering them paid work or the opportunity to return home.

Despite his commitment to the military, Lucius has managed to integrate his father\u2019s teachings into his life, most notably through employing servants\u2014Mark, Arius, and more recently, Chloe\u2014rather than taking slaves. Yet, the delicate balance he has struck between duty and morality is tested like never before when Lucius is reassigned to the legion defending Israel, a particularly troubled area of the Empire.

It is in this fractious outpost of Rome that Lucius will have to decide what he truly believes in: the possibility of salvation through a new religion or the false promise of equality and peace within the Pax Romana.

Lucius: A Soldier\u2019s Journey follows Lucius and those closest to him on both a literal and a spiritual journey as he leaves the relative safety of Rome and heads to the tumultuous Israel, where he hears stories of a great teacher who has the ability to perform miracles. Lavery weaves Lucius into the life of Jesus by having him bear witness to major events from the New Testament, including Jesus raising the widow\u2019s son in Nain, the release of Barabbas, and the crucifixion. This is done well and, coupled with the overarching message, should make the story particularly appealing to readers of Christian fiction.

There are a few issues that may render Lucius: A Soldier\u2019s Journey less appealing to fans of general historical fiction. While Lavery is skilled at worldbuilding and unobtrusively working historical facts into fictional events, the conversations between characters are less successfully accomplished. The sometimes stilted and anachronistic dialogue does somewhat detract from the story. Similarly, the intermittent divergences from the language of the period (referring to Israel rather than Judaea, to a general rather than a centurion) can also prove jarring.

Still, Lucius: A Soldier\u2019s Journey is a fast-paced and often compelling novel. Lavery incorporates events from the Bible into the story in a way that provokes thought and reflection, and Lucius himself is an appealing character. It\u2019s an unusual and interesting book that will engage many fans of historical fiction, especially those interested in the early influence of Christianity on the Roman Empire.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "05-Jul-2023", "date_added": "26-May-2023 01:22:08", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing", "page_count": "380 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012653015", "title": "Tiny T. Rex and the Grand Ta-Da!", "author": "Jonathan Stutzman, Jay Fleck", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 9", "word_count": 191, "review": "Tiny T. Rex and the Grand Ta-Da! is another/the fifth book in the Tiny T. Rex series. In each story, Tiny T. Rex and his best friend, Pointy, have an adventure and learn something together. In The Grand Ta-Da!, there is a talent show that the friends want to win - it is Tiny T. Rex's idea for them to be magicians and perform magic for the audience; Pointy feels not sure about this idea. The friends practice magic tricks, come up with magic words, and learn that they should never quit, even when things seem hard or impossible. The big day comes, and the friends put on a magic show for everyone that will be remembered.\n

I enjoy every Tiny T. Rex story I read because whether it's Tiny T. Rex or Pointy, someone has trouble doing something, and they figure out how to make it work for everyone. I like dinosaurs, magic, and teddy bears, so there wasn't much for me not to like with this story. Readers who have and have not read Tiny T. Rex stories will enjoy The Grand Ta-Da! as much as anyone else.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2023", "date_added": "24-May-2023 23:58:41", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "52 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012649003", "title": "Tequila Cocktails: Over 40 tequila and mezcal-based drinks from around the world", "author": "Jesse Estes", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Hannah Stutz", "word_count": 200, "review": "Tequila Cocktails by Jesse Estes is a short book that contains over forty tequila and mezcal cocktail recipes. Though the alcohol is focused on tequila, there is a wide variety of recipes. Estes includes classics such as margaritas, palomas, and mules, while also including an assortment of creative cocktails, including Ministry of Love.

Overall, the collection of tequila and mezcal cocktails is inspiring and exciting. As a tequila lover, I could nearly taste the cocktail in my mouth as I was studying each recipe. One cocktail that stood out to me was the Smoking President, which is a twist on the classic Old Fashioned. Estes compliments the smokiness of mezcal with notes of lavender and cardamom bitters. These flavors are all unique on their own. To imagine a cocktail with this mixture makes me feel inquisitive.

There was one cocktail that made me feel confused, which was the Greener Pastures Margarita. Essentially, this is a blended margarita with avocado. As I was reading the recipe, it reminded me of what a person on a diet might drink if they wanted a cocktail. It did not sound too appealing, though Estes defends the cocktail by stating, \u201c[it\u2019s] surprisingly easy to drink.\u201d", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "15-Aug-2023", "date_added": "24-May-2023 21:07:36", "publisher": "Ryland Peters & Small", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012648007", "title": "Ithaca ( The Songs of Penelope)", "author": "Claire North", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 186, "review": "The great hero Odysseus left Ithaca seventeen years ago to fight in the great battle of Troy. The only men left were too young or too old to fight. The war ended eight years ago, and yet Odysseus has not returned. His wife\u2019s position is fragile, with hundreds of suitors arriving for her hand in marriage in order to become the new king of Ithaca. So, Penelope weaves and she waits, and she plots while she waits for her long-lost husband to return to the shores of their kingdom.

I have always loved the stories of Odysseus and I thought this would be interesting as it\u2019s told from Penelope\u2019s point of view. However, it is actually told from the perspective of the goddess Hera as she watches things unfold and sometimes intervenes. I had just recently read Clytemnestra before picking this up and I would recommend that book before this one. The writing style of this particular author didn\u2019t appeal to me in the way the other book did. Nevertheless, if you enjoy stories about ancient Greece and their many tragedies, you might enjoy this one.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2023", "date_added": "24-May-2023 23:49:50", "publisher": "Orbit", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012646011", "title": "Off the Bench (Fred Bowen Sports Story Series)", "author": "Fred Bowen", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sohail - age 13", "word_count": 213, "review": "Off the Bench by Fred Bowen is a must-read for young athletes and sports enthusiasts alike. The book presents valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and leadership that are applicable both on and off the court.

The story follows Kris, who is disappointed when he is made \u201csixth-man\u201d, instead of a starter by his basketball coach. Initially, Kris is upset that he can\u2019t be a star player for the team and is determined to join the starting lineup. However, he later realizes that the \u201csixth-man\u201d is crucial to the team's success and begins to rethink who a star player really is.

Bowen highlights the value of teamwork and the importance of staying positive in the face of adversity. Kris learns that success is not just about winning but about doing your best and supporting your team. Even when he is benched, he continues to work hard and improve his skills. Kris learns the importance of supporting his team, even when he is not playing.

In conclusion, Off the Bench is a heartwarming and inspiring story that will resonate with young readers and sports fans alike. Bowen's emphasis on the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and leadership makes this book a valuable read for anyone looking to improve their skills, both on and off the court.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2023", "date_added": "25-May-2023 00:40:41", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012645035", "title": "The Yawning Gap", "author": "C.V. Vobh", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 414, "review": "Cor is a seventeen-year-old who is far from an ordinary teenager. Possessing a deep passion for working in a distillery, Cor aspires to achieve more in life but is uncertain about the means to do so. Despite his late mother's unwavering belief in his potential for greatness, Cor struggles to see the same promise within himself. With his father as his sole remaining support, their world remains confined by the invisible barriers that separate their homeland, Beldria, from the rest of the world.

As Cor dreams of becoming a Beldrian warrior, he is drawn to explore the mysteries beyond these boundaries. In doing so, he encounters a mystical creature known as \"the Elements.\" As the creature faces its demise, it implores Cor to save its people and transfers its powers to him. This fateful encounter sets the stage for an epic journey that will forever change the course of Cor's life and the fate of the world.

Cor subsequently meets Celeste, the adopted daughter of Claugiblade, as well as the esteemed Knight Lord Deliad and Dawn. United by their shared experiences, the group embarks on a quest to uncover the remaining Elements and preserve the world's balance. Their journey is marked by various challenges, exhilarating adventures, and the forging of deep bonds.

Throughout their journey, the team encounters diverse cultures, landscapes, and creatures. The author expertly crafts a rich and immersive world that captures the reader's imagination and transports them into the heart of the story. The trials faced by Cor and his companions serve not only as thrilling plot points but also as catalysts for personal development, revealing the depth and resilience of each character.

Each member of this quartet possesses remarkable combat skills and the ability to navigate perilous situations. Celeste, a particularly noteworthy character, exhibits both wit and courage in equal measure. Cor, meanwhile, demonstrates intelligence and bravery that surpass those of his peers. The book's well-developed characters and focused narrative allow readers to fully immerse themselves in the wanderers' tale.

The pages are filled with suspense, transporting readers to new worlds and offering a captivating reading experience. The story masterfully combines action, romance, politics, adventure, and humor. The author's skillful use of language and vivid descriptions create a vibrant tapestry that brings each scene to life, making it easy for readers to become emotionally invested in the characters and their journey.

The Yawning Gap by C.V. Vobh is highly recommended for readers who appreciate expertly crafted fantasy and action-driven narratives.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2023", "date_added": "22-May-2023 04:39:08", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "428 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012645027", "title": "Dangerfield's Promise", "author": "Terrance Newby", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 418, "review": "In Dangerfield's Promise by Terrance Newby, the author transports readers to a world where the past collides with the present. Grandma Lorraine, an old woman whose tales of seeing ghosts have long been dismissed by her family, was on the verge of dying. Her most popular story revolves around Uncle Billy's tragic death in a car accident, but it is her claims about Dangerfield\u2014a relative from her grandson Michael Turner's mother's side\u2014that set the stage for a mesmerizing journey.

Despite his skepticism and demanding career as a surgeon, Turner decides to honor his dying grandmother's last wish by investigating the truth behind Dangerfield's story. To reconnect with his wife, he plans a vacation to Virginia, where they will visit Harper's Ferry, the site where Dangerfield's ghost has allegedly been seen.

Upon arrival, Turner himself encounters Dangerfield's ghost, but he is hesitant to share his experience with anyone. As Turner starts having vivid dreams and seeing more ghosts, he discreetly reaches out to an acquaintance, Mr. Frazier. Frazier suggests that Turner may have been chosen to tell Dangerfield's story.

The narrative then delves into the heartbreaking tale of Dangerfield, a man born as a result of a free man's affair with a slave. When a wealthy slave owner named Jennings attempts to buy Dangerfield, Henry refuses but agrees to let his son work on Jennings' farm twice a week. It is there that Dangerfield meets and falls in love with a woman, with whom he has children. Tragically, the family is separated when Dangerfield is unable to buy their freedom. Fueled by determination, he joins a group of men committed to fighting slavery and reuniting with his loved ones.

This book masterfully portrays the heartbreaking consequences of slavery and its impact on families. It explores themes such as love, friendship, family, and the bonds formed between unlikely allies.

Set in an era of hardworking farmers and traditional gender roles, the novel offers a glimpse into a time when cultural norms were vastly different from today. The story is inspired by historical events and serves as a tribute to the great abolitionists who fought against slavery. Through the author's creative lens, readers are taken on an emotional journey that transcends time.

A must-read for fans of historical fiction, this novel weaves together elements of adventure, romance, determination, and a fight for justice, creating an unforgettable tale that leaves a lasting impression. Join Turner in discovering the truth about Dangerfield's past and experiencing the power of love, family, and the fight for freedom in this attention-grabbing novel.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "06-Jun-2023", "date_added": "20-May-2023 22:26:29", "publisher": "Outskirts Press", "page_count": "405 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012645019", "title": "Picospores", "author": "Ryan LeKodak", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 426, "review": "Picospores is a follow-up to The Dawn of AI and book two in Ryan LeKodak's PAPER War series. Humans face the dire consequences of using AI in the year 2040 when a technological problem in the world's transportation system that's heavily dependent on an advanced AI\u2014Helene\u2014results in the loss of millions of lives. Readers get to see the impacts of this terrible disaster on its protagonists and their plans to stop it from happening again. However, AI seems to be two steps ahead of humans at every turn. Is this the end for humanity?

The formerly conjoined twins, two of the most intriguing characters from book one, display the result of all their training and hard work, and it is nothing short of amazing and awe-inspiring. Enhanced by bionics and reinforced musculature, they perform excellently and bravely in fights while facing insane obstacles and numerous enemies\u2014similar to what Neo faced in The Matrix. It gets even better, as these already formidable fighters are seen to battle in scenes involving other exceptional combat experts, people controlled by AI, and even a host of killer drones.

Apart from the captivating action-packed scenes, Picospores also offers readers an opportunity to follow its intelligent characters (including Helene\u2019s creator) as they plot to overthrow artificial intelligence and come up with smart solutions. Since I have been attempting to predict the future of AI and the threat it poses to humans, I loved that the book helped me examine possible solutions and different ways to stop AI if it gets out of hand. It also exposes the danger of depending too heavily on AI in realistic, multilayered scenarios. We see the possible moves the government and individuals whose livelihoods are affected by AI would make in such scenarios.

Picospores alternates between different perspectives to deliver a smoothly synced story that gets increasingly intense and suspenseful as it progresses. The conversations are natural and intriguing, conveying humor, animosity, familiarity, and other themes that reflect the story's atmosphere and the characters' moods. I enjoyed every part of the book and commend the author for perfecting the great aspects of the first book and improving on its shortcomings.

Picospores offers its readers opportunities to stretch their imaginations about the future of AI and to experience the thrill of mind-blowing, action-filled scenes. Though you can read it as a stand-alone, reading the previous installment would help you appreciate the story more. Make sure you don't miss out on this brilliant sci-fi and action series that keeps you looking forward to the next installment. Great job, Ryan!", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "04-Jul-2023", "date_added": "20-May-2023 22:09:09", "publisher": "RandallVision", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012645015", "title": "Picospores", "author": "Ryan LeKodak", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi", "word_count": 394, "review": "Picospores picks up exactly where The Dawn of AI left off. In the first book, some questions were answered and many more were raised. The ending was suspenseful, including a cliffhanger that continues and expands the masterfully created story author Ryan LeKodak weaved in the second installment.

The world as we know it doesn\u2019t exist anymore. After the events of The Dawn of AI, humanity is trying to find the strength to adapt and move on. Three years have passed since the events of the first book. Destruction and casualties are noticeable in every corner people look. The future seems gloomy and uncertain.

The narration continues in the third person and the protagonists from the first book remain integral to the story\u2019s development. Ndidi, the head of an autism research center, is trying to pick up the pieces after a devastating family accident; DJ, the Navy Seal, is patiently following his superiors\u2019 commands and is sent to numerous boring missions with CJ, his recently recruited computer and MIT graduate genius brother; and Manar, the chief programmer of a world renowned company, is now the CEO desperately trying to find a way to fix the biggest mistake he ever made, which was also his greatest success. New characters enter the chessboard and old villains enrich the story.

The title is carefully chosen as it is a crucial part of the story. Picospores, like nanites, work at the cellular and subcellular levels within the human body. Like core processors, they can be programmed and actively controlled. They can speed up the formation of fibrils or even other proteins, helping with regeneration. Picospores may not be as action-packed as The Dawn of AI but it is an indispensable part of the series. It mostly works as a built up for the explosive final battle. Throughout the book, the character development unfolds carefully and provides the reader with essential information in order to fully comprehend the protagonists. It ends with a much better cliffhanger than the first book, preparing the ground for what\u2019s next to come.

Once again, the plot is well orchestrated and masterfully executed. The stakes are higher than ever, uneventful alliances form, secrets are revealed, and no one is safe because the AI is always a step ahead. Ryan LeKodak doesn\u2019t disappoint but gives little pieces to the puzzle known as the PAPER War series.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "04-Jul-2023", "date_added": "20-May-2023 22:09:03", "publisher": "RandallVision", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012645011", "title": "Picospores", "author": "Ryan LeKodak", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 511, "review": "Ryan LeKodak\u2019s PAPER War: The Dawn of AI plunged readers straight into the global devastation caused by an epic betrayal on the part of Helene\u2014a highly advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system that humanity had come to depend on\u2014following the catastrophic events of Mayday. On that day in January 2032, the AI known as Gaius failed, causing transportation infrastructure worldwide to collapse and hundreds of thousands of human lives to be lost.

While many recognized that humanity had become overly dependent on AI and small groups of individuals worked to find ways to seize back control, the world\u2019s governments felt that the benefits of AI continued to outweigh the dangers and so chose to keep Helene operational, albeit in an apparently constrained state. Anyone who is familiar with the words \u201cTerminator,\u201d \u201cSkynet,\u201d and \u201cJudgement Day\u201d will understand just how foolish such an approach was.

Now, in the action-packed and thought-provoking Picospores, LeKodak picks up the story in 2041 as the small band of heroes with sufficient foresight to realize that Helene would not be easily tamed pursue their endeavors to protect humankind. Manar Saleem and Ndidi Okafor continue to investigate what Helene has actually been doing over the past few years and what further plans the military might have for the rogue AI, while DJ, CJ, Karla, and Liz prepare for the more physical side of the battle against technology.

It\u2019s just as well that the group is preparing to combat Helene on both the intellectual and physical fronts, as the AI has certainly extended its repertoire of ways to destroy humanity, and it has also found some unexpected allies. Indeed, in Picospores, LeKodak expands on the intriguing array of technologies introduced in the first book with the likes of technologically enhanced humans and a selection of new drones with different deadly capabilities. Plus, there is the potential of the picospores themselves to consider.

All this makes for some thrilling and explosive action scenes woven throughout the story, with LeKodak particularly excelling in his descriptions of the combat sequences and augmented fighting techniques. Moreover, he conveys a clear sense of humanity being on the brink of devastation due to the very real possibility that Helene will choose to, and be able to, eradicate human life. As such, Picospores is a tense and exciting story in which a sense of apprehension builds steadily as events progress.

LeKodak also takes time to assess various philosophical and moral interpretations of the role and purpose of AI. By allowing the story to unfold from the perspectives of different characters, he explores different viewpoints and establishes both the possibilities and the pitfalls of reliance on technology. The related discussions are timely in terms of real-world events but they fit organically within the story too. The reactions and ideas of the characters convincingly mirror those that real people would exhibit.

Ultimately, Picospores is an inventive and scarily plausible exploration of what could happen if unchecked AI is allowed to take hold of the infrastructure and resources that humanity relies on. Hopefully ChatGPT doesn\u2019t get any ideas from it.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "10-Jul-2023", "date_added": "20-May-2023 22:08:57", "publisher": "RandallVision", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012645007", "title": "Picospores", "author": "Ryan LeKodak", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 390, "review": "Picospores by Ryan LeKodak was an excellent novel. A continuation of PAPER War \u2013 The Dawn of AI, the story continues the journey of Ndidi, Manar, DJ, CJ, and Jose. As a refresher, Helene, Manar Saleem\u2019s pride and joy AI system, went rogue, programmed to seek power above all. However, world leaders jointly agreed that this AI could not completely be shut down. Schools, households, and businesses\u2014pretty much everyone\u2014relied on Helene\u2019s capabilities to some extent. With the AI so ingrained and permeated into society, to shut down the system would cause even more mayhem than it already had through MAYDAY, an event that took hundreds of thousands of lives. Although all agreed that this was a less-than-ideal solution, Helene has been kept in operation for the last three years, which is where Picospores picks up.

World leaders may have allowed Helene to continue to function, but Manar, Ndidi, DJ, CJ, and Jose cannot think of a more irresponsible move. Although the AI has been tame, this does not mean she has been dormant; in fact, they all believe Helene is capable of far more destruction than they can imagine. As the novel progresses, more and more do they see that their assumptions about Helene\u2019s activity over the last few years have been correct. She has not been inactive, rather, continuing her quest for power. With each individual mourning the loss of their loved ones, friends, health, and relationships to this frightful AI, they join forces in an attempt to take Helene down once and for all, no matter what this may entail.

I found Picospores to be an even better read than . The plot was fast-paced, exciting, and had me on the edge of my seat to know what happens next. I loved how LeKodak can take such an advanced and complicated topic such as AI research and turn it into something fun and easy for readers to enjoy. A very timely novel, Picospores addresses many of the current fears and conspiracies surrounding AI\u2019s potential to cause mass destruction and the fall of civilization as we know it.

Overall, I would highly recommend this novel to all readers, especially those who are interested in AI and other advanced technologies. A forewarning: this novel does end on a cliffhanger, leaving you eager to know what happens next!", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "06-Jul-2023", "date_added": "20-May-2023 22:08:48", "publisher": "RandallVision", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012644015", "title": "Get Your Book Seen and Sold: The Essential Book Marketing and Publishing Guide", "author": "Claudine Wolk, Julie Murkette", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Hannah Stutz", "word_count": 178, "review": "Get Your Book Seen and Sold, written by Claudine Wolk and Julie Murkette, is a guide for assisting writers in marketing and getting their book published. Wolk is a published author and Murkette has experience working alongside writers and publishers.

The book first starts off by distinguishing the difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing. The authors then list out various means and methods of marketing and catching the attention of the ideal audience. The book lists multiple tools for marketing, such as a media kit and \u201cthe secret.\u201d

I really enjoyed this book. I think this is a great resource for those who are looking to get published. The authors break down the complex process of publishing in a way that is comprehensible to the reader. The format of the book is easy to read and gentle on the eye. The language utilized in the book is not overwhelming and is digestible. It also feels as though the writers are talking to the reader in a fun and humorous way, which lightens the stress of the overall topic.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "09-Oct-2023", "date_added": "19-May-2023 20:16:18", "publisher": "Satya House Publications", "page_count": "122 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012644011", "title": "Bluebeard's Castle: A Novel (Verso Fiction) ", "author": "Anna Biller", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 251, "review": "Gothic novelist Judith writes of passion and steamy romance though she has never known it herself. Tony, a man perfect for her on paper, arouses no feelings of wild and reckless abandon, and she refuses to give herself fully to him for this reason. In filmmaker Anna Biller's first novel, Bluebeard's Castle, the limits of love are tested as Judith meets Gavin, a rakishly handsome man with more secrets than she can imagine.

Biller's films are an interesting hybrid of feminist stances, noir, and sexual awakening. This novel is no different. As Judith awakens to her full sexuality, she is seemingly punished by the instability of her marriage, and all she believed about vows and forever bonds is shaken. Her picture-perfect sister Anne, the siren all men are called to, is a constant presence that irritates Judith as she envies her beautiful sister, but Gavin, shockingly, wants Judith. Red flags abound from their first meeting, but Judith is, apparently, too naive to see them.

While the sweeping descriptions of the world and Judith's descent into near madness is well rendered, the modern references (to a Burberry bikini and an interview tie) are off-putting against a backdrop of 1950s lingerie and 19th century manners and etiquette. There is a very interesting novel here, but it's buried in three or four different plots, which makes Bluebeard\u2019s Castle a bit of a puzzle to work through. But, if you like gothic romance tinged with modern commentaries on gender politics, this one is for you.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2023", "date_added": "19-May-2023 19:51:57", "publisher": "New Left Books", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012643245", "title": "Sheltering Angel: A Novel Based on a True Story of the Titanic", "author": "Louella Bryant", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 192, "review": "Florence Cumings is a progressive woman building a family and carving out a niche for herself in New England society. Andrew Cunningham is a Scotsman working as a steward on the White Star line of ships. Both live in the early 1900s, and both will meet on the fateful voyage of the Titanic.

Books about the Titanic are difficult to do well, in my opinion, because it\u2019s such a large part of our cultural knowledge. Make it the main event, and it can be difficult to find enough to say. Make it the beginning, and everything afterward might feel anticlimactic. Bryant chooses to put the Titanic at the end to show the build-up of years and how her characters came to be on the ship, allowing readers to grow attached to Florence and Andrew and feel the tension building.

The execution does not quite live up to what it should. While Florence and Andrew are charming, the side characters feel flat, particularly the historical figures. I spent the voyage of the Titanic expecting the iceberg to come rather than enjoying the story. As a novel, it\u2019s perfectly fine, but it\u2019s nothing special.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2023", "date_added": "18-May-2023 14:29:32", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "394 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012643215", "title": "The Wish", "author": "Lena Gibson", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 485, "review": "The Wish is one of the most engaging and thrilling books I have read so far this year. The author does an exemplary job of creating a story that has elements of a thriller/romance, with a little bit of fantasy and fairytale thrown in.

The year is 2022. Elizabeth works at a museum with her ex-boyfriend's brother, Christopher. After her relationship with Brandon, Christopher's brother, dissolved, Elizabeth rebounded into a relationship with a man named Eric, whom she married. Shortly after, Eric became jealous and violent. Elizabeth defends herself one day, and Eric ends up with a broken nose. On the way to the hospital, they get into a car accident, and Eric dies. From then on, Elizabeth is unable to speak and has selective mutism.

Everything that happens in this book is laid out so well for the reader. It's easy to picture each character and his/her demeanor. Despite Elizabeth's inability to speak out loud, the reader is able to hear Elizabeth through her thoughts.

One day, Christopher asks Elizabeth to go to dinner. She accepts despite the fact that she thinks Christopher is a womanizing player. What he tells her changes her world. She finds out that after she and Brandon broke up, Brandon fell into a coma from a drug overdose. Both Christopher and Elizabeth know that Brandon would never do drugs. It must have had something to do with his work as a toxinologist. He was working on creating something with scorpion venom.

At odds with what to do and feeling quite lonely, Elizabeth falls asleep later that night holding the amethyst her therapist gave her and wishing she could redo her life.

This is where the bit of fantasy comes into play because when Elizabeth wakes up, she is back in the year 2017. Brandon is still alive, and she has not met Eric. As she entrusts Christopher's friendship in this timeline, they discover there is a spark between them, however, they both realize that they must work against time to save Brandon from his own undoing.

One thing I really loved about this book is Christopher's character. Although his first impression is that he is a player, it turns out that he really is a good guy. He believes Elizabeth when she tells him that she has time traveled. I don't think there are too many people who would believe something like this. I felt like he was Elizabeth's guardian angel as she had to deal with a very erratic Eric in 2017. Eric was so evil I didn't really understand how she had gotten together with him the the 2022 timeline.

This book is part medical thriller, sci-fi fantasy, romance, and action-adventure rolled into one. Readers will feel as if they are following Elizabeth as she finds herself in different predicaments and situations. This story is intricate yet easy to follow from start to finish. The Wish is a fantastic story from cover to cover!", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "10-Aug-2023", "date_added": "18-May-2023 04:04:06", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012643207", "title": "The Great American Recipe Cookbook Season 2 Edition: 100 Memorable Recipes to Celebrate the Diversity and Flavors of American Food ", "author": "The Great American Recipe", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 208, "review": "America is a nation of migrants, who bring their culture, their heritage, and yes, their food to their tables, and ours. Eventually their foods become American foods as we adapt the recipes to ingredients that are more readily available, and to accommodate the palettes we have acquired. This book is an outgrowth of a project that aims to explore contemporary cultural influences on American cuisine. The recipes are from the PBS series The Great American Recipe Season 2.

Nine contestants and four judges share some of their recipes that have been modified to embody cultural flavors in American cuisine. Most recipes take up a two-page spread, with a picture of the finished dish on one page. The recipes are arranged by eight different types (appetizers, soups, handhelds, chicken, meat, seafood, rice and pasta, and dessert), with nine to eighteen recipes in each section (for a total of one hundred recipes). The recipes do require some culinary experience, but are not challenging for most home chefs.

What makes this book unique is that the dishes are those that regularly grace family tables in America. They retain their cultural heritage while utilizing shared ingredients, thus reflecting contemporary Americans from their different backgrounds all weaving a tapestry of common American ideals.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "15-Nov-2023", "date_added": "18-May-2023 04:00:41", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012643159", "title": "Dancing in the Ring", "author": "Susan E. Sage", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 194, "review": "Catherine McIntosh has ambition: she\u2019s going to become one of the first women to practice law in Detroit. Bob Sage intends to practice law too, but he puts as much focus on his career as a boxer. Throw two such strong-willed people together in the midst of the Roaring Twenties and you\u2019ve got either the makings of a power couple or the makings of a powder keg. Whether it\u2019s them or the world, something\u2019s going to explode.

I was drawn in by the premise of the book, as I love reading about strong-willed women in historical settings. Unfortunately, it soon fell flat. Catherine and Bob are presented with little subtlety. A lot of the book involves telling rather than showing, from the setting of 1920s Detroit to the main couple themselves. The minor characters got the worst of it, since I was often told simply who they were and why I should care about them rather than seeing them in action. In the end, I didn\u2019t wind up caring about them at all.

Dancing in the Ring has all the makings of a gripping story. Unfortunately, its style fails to deliver on the promise.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "09-Oct-2023", "date_added": "18-May-2023 03:37:31", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "332 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000012643135", "title": "Dragon Springs & Other Things: A Short Story Collection: Book I", "author": "Raven Oak", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 176, "review": "Dragon Springs & Other Things: A Short Story Collection: Book I is the new aptly titled anthology by Raven Oak. As the name suggests, Oak\u2019s tales contain a bit of everything, from building a dragon to exorcizing water demons, from sinister holiday tales to online trolls. These stories vary in length, with some being pure fantasy while others harbor elements of truth. As wildly diverse as each account is, the one factor all the stories contain is magic.

Oak is an award-winning fantasy author who is best known for their novels. She is also very accomplished at shorter fiction, with entries in many anthologies. Many of the stories that appear in this book have previously been published. Other stories are originals written for this book. All the stories are delightful. Oak explores a wide range of subjects and styles in her storytelling. Every story concludes with the author\u2019s notes explaining their thoughts. It\u2019s fun to see where these stories came from. Whether you enjoy their young adult series or short fiction, this collection is a wonderful read.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2023", "date_added": "18-May-2023 03:31:21", "publisher": "Grey Sun Press", "page_count": "206 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012643079", "title": "Stella and the Werewolves", "author": "Cara Cusack ", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 183, "review": "Stella and the Werewolves is a simple story that will teach young readers that sometimes fear comes from misunderstanding. As little Stella runs through the woods trying to find the kitten she just received for her birthday, she comes across two werewolves who are young girls much like herself during the day and werewolves by night. They agree to help Stella find her kitten. First, they must wait for the moon to come out so they can track Cupcake down. While they are waiting, the girls share stories about their lives.

The story is easy to understand by children of all ages. What will really strike the readers is the beautiful artistry in the book. The illustrations are mesmerizing and paint a picture of each of the scenes in the book. From the first picture of Stella with her bright blue eyes to the beautiful greens and blues of the forest and the reds and golden yellows of the werewolves, I could not stop staring at the gorgeous illustrations. The colorful details and magical expressions in this book will make this book a favorite.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2023", "date_added": "18-May-2023 03:04:44", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "27 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012643015", "title": "Rain Falling on Embers", "author": "Liana Gardner", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Michaela Gordoni", "word_count": 411, "review": "In Rain Falling on Embers by Liana Gardner, thirteen-year-old Katie McCabe\u2019s life is turned upside down. Born into a family of do-gooders, she seems to be just the opposite. She only has her sheriff father to look after her, and when he becomes gravely ill and she keeps getting into trouble, he can\u2019t keep up. Preferring to keep Katie from seeing him grow weaker, he sends her to live with an uncle and three cousins whom she has never even met. To make things worse, Katie becomes a target for one of the meanest kids around\u2014the son of the man who owns most of the city. Faced with a new, unwanted home and sudden grief, Katie has to figure out how to keep going and fit into a place where she never thought she\u2019d have to be.

What might seem like a typical troubled teen story actually turns into something pretty unique and unexpected. Though there are inevitable similarities (trouble at home, disregarding authority, cute boys, etc.), it is clear that author Liana Gardner has tried her best not to let similar young adult stories influence her own creativity in writing. Katie does more than struggle with living with strangers in a new place; she has some adventures of her own, too. Katie\u2019s character is very well developed, and Liana Gardner has done a good job of creating a critical backstory. The story also has a great climax, and readers won\u2019t see it coming.

A lot of teenagers go through similar situations and have similar thoughts and feelings to Katie\u2019s, but there are a few things that dampen the realistic fire that Liana Gardner has created. For example, at one point, a character meets an onslaught of wild animals in the woods in a very short timeframe and has unlikely interactions with each of them. Things like this make Katie and her story lose just a little of its relatable appeal.

Another great aspect that Liana Gardner has included to keep readers wanting more is leaving some great questions unanswered, especially concerning uncertain relationships and what exactly the history is between the McCabe family and the malicious family that owns most of the town. It looks like these questions will be answered in future novels.

Rain Falling on Embers is a teen\u2019s story of grief, new beginnings, and an affirmation that sometimes chaos, terrible and unexpected as it is, is normal. It is a novel that many teens are sure to find interesting and impactful.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2023", "date_added": "18-May-2023 02:42:23", "publisher": "Vesuvian Books", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012643007", "title": "The Unbroken Horizon", "author": "Jenny Brav", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 415, "review": "The Unbroken Horizon by Jenny Brav is a gripping tale that brings together two seemingly unrelated stories, weaving a powerful narrative about human resilience, hope, and racism. This novel masterfully intertwines the lives of two strong-willed women separated by time and place, showcasing their incredible journeys and the obstacles they overcome. Sarah Baum, a 34-year-old humanitarian nurse, tirelessly devotes her life to helping communities in war-torn African countries. Amidst the chaos and devastation, Sarah finds solace in her friendship with Mariol, a 9-year-old boy who teaches her the importance of cherishing life's simple moments. Their bond, however, is tragically cut short when Mariol succumbs to illness, leaving Sarah to confront her grief and navigate the overwhelming sense of loss.

As Sarah's mental health spirals downward, she is plagued by recurring nightmares featuring a young black girl desperately seeking refuge in a forest. Seeking help through therapy, Sarah begins to uncover the astonishing story of Maggie Burke, a resilient young woman with a harrowing past. After witnessing the brutal murder of her father and brother, Maggie flees home and pretends to be a boy to get work and survive in a male-dominated, racist society. Her journey eventually leads her to New York, where she starts to work for a black family, which changes her life forever.

Brav skillfully alternates between Sarah's path to healing and Maggie's courageous journey, offering an immersive exploration of the human spirit. The novel delves into the historical struggles faced by the black community as they fought against racism, showcasing the strength and determination of its predominantly female characters. Each woman's story is meticulously crafted, reflecting their unique backgrounds and the challenges they face.

The Unbroken Horizon is rich in detail and emotion, making it easy for readers to become invested in the characters' lives. Brav's vivid storytelling and authentic portrayal of emotions evoke deep empathy, making it difficult to believe that Maggie isn't real. The book serves as a powerful reminder of human resilience and the ability to shape one's own destiny despite adversity. It also highlights the progress society has made in embracing unity and transcending race and color.

In addition to its captivating plot, the book features an array of well-developed secondary characters, each contributing to the story's depth and complexity. The novel explores themes such as love, loss, friendship, and the importance of self-discovery.

The Unbroken Horizon is a must-read for fans of historical fiction. Jenny Brav's masterful storytelling and unforgettable characters will leave a lasting impact on readers' hearts and minds.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "13-Aug-2023", "date_added": "18-May-2023 02:38:31", "publisher": "Atmosphere Press", "page_count": "399 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012641059", "title": "Promposal", "author": "RaeChell Garrett", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 12", "word_count": 226, "review": "Do you like books with teen romance, betrayal, and unexpected friendships? If so, Promposal by RaeChell Garrett is just the book for you. Autumn Reeves, a high school senior, has been wait listed by her dream school. She is determined to move to the top of the wait list. But how? When a promposal that Autumn planned for a friend has many people coming to her for help, she gets an idea. Why not make a business helping people plan their promposals?

Sadly, Autumn knows nothing about business, so she joins the Young Black Entrepreneurs club. Unexpectedly, Autumn finds herself face-to-face with Mekhi Wilson, the boy who ruined her friendship with her best friend. Mekhi is the best in the entrepreneur business, but working with him might ruin her only chance of rekindling her friendship with her ex best friend. Now Autumn has to make a heart-wrenching decision: her future or her best friend? Which will she choose?

This book had so many twists and turns with unexpected surprises at every corner. Promposal is a great book and earns my rating of four out of five stars. I would recommend it to teens ages fourteen to seventeen who enjoy relatable high school romance stories. Overall, Promposal is a great book and I am sure it will be hard to keep in stock when it is released.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2023", "date_added": "18-May-2023 21:22:18", "publisher": "Hachette Book Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012641023", "title": "Zora Books Her Happily Ever After", "author": "Taj McCoy", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 445, "review": "A Love Song for Ricki Wilde:\n\nIn \"A Love Song for Ricki Wilde,\" readers are swept into the pulsating world of the music industry, where Ricki's journey towards love and self-acceptance unfolds amidst the backdrop of catchy tunes and heartfelt lyrics. Through trials and triumphs, Ricki's story resonates with the universal quest for belonging and authenticity. With its melodious narrative and relatable characters, this novel offers an enchanting blend of romance and self-discovery that will linger in readers' hearts like a cherished melody.\n\nThe Kiss Countdown:\n\n\"The Kiss Countdown\" beckons readers into a world where time is of the essence, and love hangs in the balance. With each page turn, the tension mounts as two unlikely souls navigate the highs and lows of romance against the backdrop of a ticking clock. Will they seize the moment and find their happily ever after before time runs out? This captivating tale is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, promising readers a whirlwind romance that will keep them on the edge of their seats until the final countdown reaches zero.\n\nThe Partner Plot:\n\nIn \"The Partner Plot,\" intrigue and deception reign supreme as protagonists unravel a web of lies to uncover the truth. With secrets lurking around every corner, the stakes are high as they race against time to save what matters most. This thrilling tale keeps readers on the edge of their seats, guessing at every twist and turn. As the tension mounts and suspicions deepen, \"The Partner Plot\" delivers a gripping narrative that will leave readers breathless until the very end.\n\nZora Books Her Happily Ever After:\n\n\"Zora Books Her Happily Ever After\" invites readers on a heartwarming journey of self-discovery and resilience. Through Zora's quest for love and fulfillment, readers are reminded of the transformative power of perseverance and the importance of staying true to oneself. As Zora navigates the trials and tribulations of life, her story serves as an inspiring reminder that happiness is often found in unexpected places. With its uplifting message and relatable characters, this novel is a celebration of hope, courage, and the enduring power of love.\n\nSex, Lies, and Sensibility:\n\n\"Sex, Lies, and Sensibility\" delves into the tangled web of relationships and desire, offering readers a tantalizing blend of scandal and romance. As characters navigate the complexities of love, lust, and betrayal, secrets are revealed and passions ignite. With its gripping narrative and steamy encounters, this book is a captivating exploration of human nature and the lengths we will go to in pursuit of our desires. From forbidden affairs to shocking revelations, \"Sex, Lies, and Sensibility\" keeps readers hooked until the very last page, craving more of its deliciously scandalous drama.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-May-2023 19:54:53", "publisher": "HarperCollins Publishers", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000012641019", "title": "The Case of the Missing Tarts (Volume 1)", "author": "Christee Curran-Bauer", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 9", "word_count": 168, "review": "The Case of the Missing Tarts is a funny mystery story involving three pigeon detectives, a famous mommy chef, a missing plate of jam tarts, and a mean thief who has taken them in the night. The tarts are made by Mama Pigeon with love and a mystery ingredient, so not only are they really tasty but they are also mysterious and people want them for themselves!

The detectives\u2014Sweets, Danish, and Custard\u2014look for clues in the hope of finding the tarts before they have been eaten. The thief remains a mystery, but the reader follows him as the detectives get ever closer to finding him and the tarts!

This had everything in a good mystery story. You find out right away what happened, there is a backstory to some of the characters, the detectives find clues and do some silly things along the way, and then the thief is caught! This is the first story in the Pigeon Private Detectives series and I look forward to reading more!", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2023", "date_added": "18-May-2023 19:48:20", "publisher": "Sterling Publishing Co.", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012641011", "title": "Soul Archaeology: A (Totally Doable) Approach to Creating a Self-Loving and Liberated Life", "author": "Sarah Sapora", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 193, "review": "Sarah Sapora extends an invitation to excavate emotional hurts on the journey toward self-love and lasting transformation. In Soul Archaeology, Sapora shares her struggles as a plus-size woman in a society that ascribes high value to thinness. Using her own experiences, Sapora offers a refreshing take on body positivity. Traditional self-help advice about self-improvement focuses on before and after. In contrast, Sapora\u2019s approach emphasizes the radical evolution that can only come from deep internal work.

Self-awareness is required to embody self-love. Courage is required to stay accountable and committed to change. Sapora\u2019s background as an educator is evident in her deliberate use of illustrations, charts, and tables to make key points stand out on the page. She invites readers to create a \u201cSelf-Love To-Do-List\u201d to guide true and lasting transformation.

Sapora is clear about her audience: women who grew up during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s who have internalized harmful messages about their weight and looks. She writes in an honest and engaging way that draws readers into messy, imperfect, vulnerable, and relatable stories. Self-love allows space for defining and reclaiming one\u2019s ultimate self: growing, healing, and on the path to complete liberation.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2023", "date_added": "18-May-2023 19:20:18", "publisher": "Grand Central Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012641003", "title": "The Secret Hours", "author": "Mick Herron", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 196, "review": "Max Janacek was drifting off to sleep when the beginnings of an assault on his house roused him into action. Max gets the drop on his assailants and manages to evade capture. Meanwhile, British Intelligence is under scrutiny and an investigation dubbed \u201cMonochrome\u201d has been initiated at the Prime Minister\u2019s behest. Griselda Fleet has been assigned the thankless task of holding hearings into the operations of numerous agencies.

The hearings yield little beyond gossip and rumor, while the spy groups withhold certain information to stifle the query, but events escalate when one of the investigating committee members receives secret intel alluding to an intelligence operation from the 1990s. The operation relates to post-Cold-War Berlin and a counterintelligence operation. Events of the past and present are coalescing into a potential maelstrom.

The Secret Hours is the latest cerebral espionage thriller from the mind of the gifted Mick Herron. The dangers of the cloak-and-dagger world are cleverly captured by Herron, often hidden behind the monotony of routine bureaucratic operations. Herron has his hand firmly on the pulse of the reader as he knows how to draw out the suspense and capture their attention when least expected. A+ effort.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "13-Sep-2023", "date_added": "17-May-2023 23:38:13", "publisher": "Soho Press", "page_count": "360 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012634007", "title": "Lullaby for the King", "author": "Nikki Grimes, Michelle Carlos", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Word has spread through the animal kingdom that the Holy One has been born. Animals from far and wide are bringing gifts to the Little King, forming a long caravan that wends its way through the desert. Antelope carries a fine flask made of alabaster and filled with myrrh. Camel brings a cedar chest with a zither inside. Hippo carries olive oil and Goat has a finely-tuned harp. A golden crown sits atop Leopard's head, while Raven has a ruby ring tucked into his feathers. Lamb brings a spool of creamy yarn. All these and many more make their way to a stable in Bethlehem to honor the Babe.

Author Nikki Grimes has written a fresh telling of the Christmas story filled with all kinds of different animals, exotic and ordinary, to delight little listeners. She writes this story in beautiful, lyrical free verse. She stays away from religious references, and simply tells the story of the animals honoring the birth of Christ. Every page is filled with absolutely gorgeous illustrations by Michelle Carlos in rich colors and filled with delightful details which will keep youngsters' eyes on the pages as they listen to this sweet book.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "15-Jan-2024", "date_added": "17-May-2023 18:48:35", "publisher": "Beaming Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012631047", "title": "Till Dawn", "author": "T.H. Alexander", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 411, "review": "In Till Dawn, what was predicted by NASA scientists as a \"beautiful meteor shower\" becomes a nightmare for the United States. Instead of having unsupervised fun with his friends like he planned, with his parents on a week-long vacation, seventeen-year-old Ryan Rogen and his friends are forced to flee his home and escape the destruction of the meteors that appear to be destroying the east coast and claiming lives unceasingly. Their situation becomes even gloomier when they discover more bizarre developments about the meteors, leaving the teenagers in a vulnerable state\u2014both physically and mentally. Will Ryan and his friends remain united and find enough strength to survive the horrors from outer space? T.H. Alexander's Till Dawn is a horror-themed, suspense-filled tale that follows a group of teenagers' quest to survive extraterrestrial attacks and desperate, vicious humans.

My favorite aspect of the book is its expertly portrayed theme of teenage drama, which is strategically merged with the larger horror theme. For example, a possible, planned breakup is temporarily and secretly buried when the more troubling possibility of dying springs up.

We also see deep into the protagonist's thoughts and inner struggles, through a third-person perspective, as he battles the possibility of dying, loss, and the gruesome nature of the monstrosities they face. I was almost equally affected emotionally, as I could barely keep my eyes open while reading such vivid descriptions as \"a narrowed snout instead of a beak with an eight-inch tail on its end repeatedly slapping the carpet.\"

Alexander paints a realistic picture of what living in a world decaying into chaos and panic feels like. The story, at times, veers from the main characters' viewpoints to depict passionate discussions in the news about the state of the country.

Conversations about the level of preparedness of the US and who is to blame reminded me of how the media responded to the Covid-19 pandemic in the USA in 2020. Furthermore, finding people to trust in the new world proves quite difficult for the teenagers, who face gun owners and murderers as they search for safety.

When it comes to horror, spine-chilling stories centered on teenagers, it doesn't get better than Till Dawn! Fans of Stranger Things and books by R. L. Stine and Stephen King will enjoy this epic, evocative book. I loved every bit of it. In addition to making me jumpy and keeping me glued from start to finish, it gave me a deeper appreciation for teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving skills.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "21-Jun-2023", "date_added": "17-May-2023 02:38:40", "publisher": "Barnes and Noble Press", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012631039", "title": "The Girl in the White Cape: A Novel", "author": "Barbara Sapienza", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 442, "review": "The Girl in the White Cape by Barbara Sapienza is a unique fantasy novel about a young girl named Elena. The story begins when she is fifteen years old, and the reader learns she was left by her mother as an infant. Left only with a note and a doll named Kukla, Elena repeats the words of her birth mother\u2019s letter until she knows them by heart: \u201cIf you are ever in trouble, give the doll something to eat and ask its advice. It will take your food and tell you what to do.\u201d Raised by a Catholic priest, Father Al, and homeschooled by her eccentric grandmother, Baba Vera, one of Elena\u2019s only companions is her trusty doll. who often helps her with her work.

Elena does not quite understand how Kukla helps her complete tasks. However, she always seems to give Elena the guidance, strength, and courage to do whatever she is faced with. With the help of Kukla, Elena has almost supernatural abilities, able to finish jobs she would not be able to do individually otherwise. A secret to everyone except her trusted guardian, Father Al, Elena consults her doll almost daily as she attempts to do the many difficult things Baba Vera asks her to do.

One day, a distraught and disheveled woman comes to the doors of Father Al\u2019s church. As Elena hears her shouting and fighting with him, she is uneasy. With a sort of foreboding feeling, she knows this woman is here to cause an unwanted change in their otherwise peaceful life. Sensing that something is wrong, she consults Baba Vera, who suspiciously and eerily seems to always know all.

Not to Elena\u2019s surprise, however, Baba Vera will not tell Elena what is going on. So, the reader follows Elena in unraveling this mystery on her own, to discover who this strange woman is, and what she wants to enact in all of their lives.

As stated previously, I found The Girl in the White Cape to be a very unique novel. Never before had I read a fantasy novel with such a different plotline. Sapienza wrote Elena\u2019s character to be old-fashioned, not present-day like her fellow teenagers and neighbors living in 2020. Because of this, there is an interesting dynamic of division: Elena\u2019s pre-20th century personality with the modernism of other characters. It created a different tone for the novel, which I found to be a nice change from the normality of fantasy storylines.

As a whole, I enjoyed reading this novel. Given Elena\u2019s age and struggles, I think the most applicable age group I would recommend is for late middle school to teenage readers.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "04-Jul-2023", "date_added": "17-May-2023 02:35:06", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012631031", "title": "an Upper west side story", "author": "Rachel Cullen", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 97, "review": "\u201cFollow the lives of four people in their mid-twenties as they navigate life in Manhattan\u2019s Upper West Side. From funny and crazy Craigslist roommate ads to embarrassing misunderstandings to finding love after some really horrible dates, readers will love an Upper west side story\u2019s candid look at life. Reminiscent of the popular hit t.v. show Friends, this book made me feel like I was part of the gang and their experiences. A fantastic read for adults of all ages that will give them a taste of vibrant Manhattan\u2014the city that never sleeps.\u201d \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "May 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-May-2023 02:31:32", "publisher": "Lime Street Press", "page_count": "327 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012631023", "title": "The Light Within Darkness", "author": "DAVID C JEFFREY", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 421, "review": "Cardew, humanity's greatest threat in 2218, is cloning himself into an army of superhuman, deranged cyborgs who can't be killed. Aiden and his crew must track him down and find a way to eliminate him before he does further harm. Though their actual mission will be kept top secret at all times, Aiden's crew onboard the Sun Wolf is officially labeled as a survey expedition and the first to investigate the new astrocell. Will their mission aboard the spacecraft lead them to save humanity from destruction as they traverse planet after planet in search of their incredibly powerful foe? The Light Within Darkness, book three in David C. Jeffrey's Space Unbound series, is a sci-fi story about journeying across space on a spine-chilling quest to thwart a god-like monster set on growing his army of cyborgs and annihilating humanity.

The book's amazing details are one of its most noticeable features. Sci-fi lovers will love how extensive its descriptions of its scientific components are and how seamlessly they're woven into the plot. For example, a planet is designated as \"the system's gas station\" because it has a robust magnetosphere with plenty of antihydrogen. The backdrop for this grand narrative of valor, teamwork, and possible apocalyptic disaster is a futuristic period in which space flight is the norm and humanity's population stretches beyond the planet. You have the opportunity to picture going to various planets with its characters and naming newly found ones. The rich descriptions of these planets and their fascinating characteristics are easy to visualize. Aside from space travel, another sci-fi treat from the novel is the well-explored theme of artificial intelligence, as the protagonists are seen engaging in fascinating discussions with AI.

Aiden is a strong, empathetic leader that goes above and beyond to solicit his crew's feedback and make them feel involved. Despite this, he makes it clear that he has the last word as captain, even when the crew is divided. It was pretty engrossing to follow their teamwork and problem-solving tactics. The villain's fearsome minions are also quite intriguing. I had concerns for the protagonists since they were up against \"cloneborgs\" that were significantly more powerful, nimble, and intelligent than humans.

Even though I had not read the prior novels in the series, I quite loved and understood this one. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to reading the rest of David's Space Unbound series. The Light Within Darkness is a sci-fi gem with perfect, well-developed features. Core sci-fi aficionados will especially love this book, just like I did.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "01-Jun-2023", "date_added": "17-May-2023 02:27:49", "publisher": "Sylvanus Books", "page_count": "422 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012631019", "title": "The Light Within Darkness", "author": "DAVID C JEFFREY", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 412, "review": "The Light Within Darkness by David C. Jeffrey is an enthralling and futuristic science fiction novel that follows the journey of Aiden Macallan, captain of the spaceship Sun Wolf, and his dedicated team as they strive to preserve humanity and stop an army of cloneborgs from replacing man.

From the very beginning, the story captivates readers with an encounter between Aiden and a mysterious assailant. Though Aiden emerges victorious, the attack raises pressing questions that demand answers. As they delve deeper into the mystery, Aiden and his crew uncover a sinister plot masterminded by their long-time enemy, Cardew.

At the heart of this scheme lies a groundbreaking discovery by genius scientist Elgin Woo: a new astrocell with the potential to revolutionize human existence. But Cardew has other plans. Infiltrating the astrocell, he seeks to harness its power to create an unstoppable army of immortal cloneborgs and establish an empire under his rule. With the security of their ship compromised, Aiden and his team face a race against time to thwart Cardew's nefarious ambitions.

Navigating a vast universe of fifty thousand stars, the Sun Wolf crew confronts the daunting task of locating Cardew before he can unleash his invincible clone army, which threatens to annihilate the entire human race. As they embark on this desperate quest, the stakes are raised even higher when Skye, Aiden's partner and a brilliant microbiologist, chooses to follow a dangerous lead, putting her life on the line.

The Light Within Darkness excels at crafting a richly detailed and immersive setting, transporting readers to the far reaches of outer space. The author's graphical descriptions and skillful world-building bring the cosmos to life, capturing the imagination with tales of distant galaxies, planets, and otherworldly realms.

The novel's characters are equally well-developed, with Skye emerging as my favorite. Her intelligence, courage, and compassion make her a compelling figure, while Aiden's strong leadership is admirable. The plot flows seamlessly, propelled by a perfect balance of action and intrigue.

However, some readers may find the abundance of scientific jargon and calculations overwhelming at times. While these elements lend authenticity to the story, they have the potential to slow down the pace and detract from the overall reading experience.

Overall, it was an engaging read that will delight fans of science fiction and space exploration. With its captivating storyline, memorable characters, and stunningly vivid setting, this novel offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness and the struggle to defeat a hardcore villain.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "05-Jul-2023", "date_added": "17-May-2023 02:27:32", "publisher": "Sylvanus Books", "page_count": "422 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012631011", "title": "The New Bad Thing", "author": "Michael Ebner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 405, "review": "\u201cTrouble doesn\u2019t strike every day, it likes to wait until the last possible moment.\u201d

In a world where a nondescript terror organization is inciting fear, Teagan Penn, a reporter for a popular Seattle entertainment magazine, is feeling the pressure of her personal life. As the highest paid reporter at the magazine, she has a knack for putting people at ease and allowing them to bare their souls, including a lot of high profile celebrities. Desperate to have a family, she throws herself into a human rights project as a distraction from her fertility issues. Blinded by her zeal for the project, to save innocent women and children, she trusts the wrong people and finds herself involved with an international criminal organization.

In Paris for an important meeting, she is a victim of a terror attack. After killing two terrorists in self-defense, she is interrogated by a CIA operative who is also working for an Italian crime syndicate. Whisked away to Italy, her husband soon joins her. During this whirlwind of events, she discovers that she is finally pregnant. Now she has to navigate the dangerous demands of Una Banca in order to keep her family safe.

The excitement in this book starts right from the first chapter with our protagonist caught in the middle of a terror attack. As the story unfolds, switching from past to present was a little hard to follow and the overall storyline was pretty far-fetched. If you can suspend belief, then you will enjoy this much more. The characters were colorful, but I\u2019m not sure the author truly captured the angst that fertility issues can cause or fully explained how she was sucked into an underworld of crime.

There were a lot of action scenes that were well choreographed and kept you on the edge of your seat. The suspense lagged in the middle but increased again toward the end. There was a twist that I didn\u2019t see coming and I did enjoy the final confrontation, but I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. I would have liked a bit more resolution, although I do see how this can continue on in a series and I\u2019m intrigued where the author will take the main character in the next book. Some of the structure was a bit awkward but the storyline was decent. Overall, I thought this was good and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys spy thrillers.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "16-Jul-2023", "date_added": "17-May-2023 02:16:39", "publisher": "Pen and Picture", "page_count": "270 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012631003", "title": "The New Bad Thing", "author": "Michael Ebner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 402, "review": "I really enjoyed reading The New Bad Thing by Michael Ebner. An intense, thriller novel, the story follows Teagan Penn, a top celebrity interviewer and entertainment journalist. Given Teagan\u2019s affability and authenticity, she is renowned for the way she can gain the trust of notable figures to confide in her with their stories. Well-respected within her community and America, Teagan allegedly has a happy, successful life. Under the surface, however, Teagan is far from fulfilled.

Desperately wanting a baby, she and her husband Todd have been trying to conceive for what feels like forever. Feeling hopeless for their many failed attempts, Teagan is depressed and distraught that motherhood may not be an option for her. Not to mention, the state of America is in chaos over the horrendous terrorist group, K.I.L. Otherwise known as \u201cKings in Life,\u201d this group has become the strongest and wealthiest terrorist organization in the world, causing massacres without any reason. Supporters have no connection to any particular faith or geographical region; they are just angered with society and therefore reign in terror.

As a journalist, Teagan sees up close the absolute devastation this group causes and fiercely wants to help protect the women and children who have been kidnapped, raped, starved, and tortured by K.I.L. So, in need of a distraction from her fertility issues, Teagan throws herself into the noteworthy cause of fighting terrorism. With much thought, effort, and millions of dollars, Teagan constructs a plan that maybe, just maybe, could work to save lives. The New Bad Thing unravels this plan as Teagan fights for the lives of those around the country, as well as her own.

As stated prior, I really enjoyed reading this thriller novel. A book that definitely keeps you attentive, Ebner did an excellent job with the complicated, entertaining plot. I especially appreciated how he was able to bring each character to life. I very quickly felt sympathetic to Teagan and was emotionally invested in her success from the first few pages. Similarly, I felt for Todd\u2019s pains and struggles, as well as other various characters. A distinguishing trait of a great novel, Ebner did a fantastic job with character development and overall mood.

All in all, I would recommend The New Bad Thing to readers who enjoy mystery, crime, thrillers, and espionage-type novels aged over eighteen. An ending you will not see coming, prepare to be kept on your toes!", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2023", "date_added": "17-May-2023 02:12:53", "publisher": "Pen and Picture", "page_count": "270 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012629015", "title": "EXPRAEDIUM", "author": "Armen Melikian", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 453, "review": "After carefully reading every word across all 255 pages of Armen Melikian's Expraedium, I have come to this simple conclusion: I don't get it. I wish I could clarify that it's the characters' motivations I struggled with, a particular plot point, or the book's denouement, but the truth is I barely understood anything at all. When I first opened the book, I thought I was looking at gibberish. After a page or so of prose, though, I noticed there is some arcane, complex method to the writing style. If only I had a decoder ring. I sometimes encountered a coherent passage, but these respites bore no cognizable relation to anything around them.

There were only brief flashes of clarity like a scene played out in the thin spaces between the boards of a fence. Police shoot an unarmed man and claim he had drugs on him. Guys travel the world in a quest to get laid. A writer shaves his genitals and gets carried away. Two characters have a lengthy argument about whether the Bible is merely a cobbled-together collection of distorted Greek myths. I might be wrong about any or all of that; these blips usually lacked any context.

Dialogue is just about the only area where the author has deigned to write clearly, but despite being easier to read, these passages are similarly disjointed and feel like skits from an insane variety show. Further, and much to my frustration, the later dialogue reveals most of the more difficult words to be portmanteaus or made-up words global-replaced into the text. I was pleased to finally figure out that mawgage is just the author's word for language, ligigilon borrowed from Esperanto for religion, but these revelations didn't retroactively clear up any of the arcane pages that came before. Some words are obvious right away. Others I never figured out.

One could argue that difficult books like this, books that challenge readers by smashing all the established norms, have some merit. But I found Expraedium to be aggressively unenjoyable. The book resists being read. It fights you every step of the way. If you force it\u2014if you take any page, painstakingly decode the prose, put the words in the right order, figure out which words are in a foreign language, which are made up, which are deliberately misspelled\u2014you might end up with something no more profound than \"Be sure to drink your Ovaltine.\"

There is a chance that decoding the whole text may result in something groundbreaking (or appalling, who knows), but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was playing into some practical joke by devoting any further time to Expraedium, and I wouldn\u2019t recommend this book to even the most adventurous (or masochistic) reader.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-May-2023 20:55:50", "publisher": "Erzenka Publishing House", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1.5"} {"id": "425035000012629011", "title": "EXPRAEDIUM", "author": "Armen Melikian", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 429, "review": "A true departure from the norm, Armen Melikian\u2019s Expraedium defies both expectations and linguistic conventions in its innovative approach to the epic quest trope within the fantasy adventure genre. Indeed, Melikian\u2019s use of a bespoke combination of political, philosophical, religious, and mythological concepts, as well as his application of a new approach to/interpretation of the English language, renders Expraedium a unique reading experience.

On one level, the book follows the alienated and perhaps nihilistic Brathki as he undergoes a kind of existential crisis and embarks on a quest to secure the success of Ubaratutu in an ongoing war. Or, perhaps, to discover the truth about Ubaratutu and the intentions of its sprawling bureaucracy. Or, maybe, to reveal some matter of intense religious significance. Then again, perhaps the purpose of Brathki\u2019s quest is something entirely different. Or, perhaps, it doesn\u2019t even matter in the slightest.

The latter option seems the nearest to the truth, as it appears Melikian\u2019s goal is to eschew the constraints of a plot and instead strive to unravel the subtext\u2019s subtext, to dive beyond the meanings of words and into the words themselves, to maybe even reveal the man behind the curtain. In this sense, Brathki is Odysseus and his odyssey is a journey toward understanding the answers to questions his mind cannot yet begin to form.

Given the likely deliberate impossibility of deciphering what is going on throughout much of Expraedium, the suggestion of Brathki\u2019s quest as a hybrid literary/mythological journey is apt. That is, the book should not be read in the expectation of following a plot through to a satisfying conclusion; rather, it should be read for the pure purpose of reading, for the joy of following the sentences as they unravel without any expectation of arriving at a final denouement.

Of course, Melikian\u2019s unique approach in this regard means that Expraedium will not appeal to all readers. It requires a slow and close reading to even come close to understanding what Melikian is striving for. And even then, there\u2019s a very high likelihood of misunderstanding, misinterpreting, or even just generally missing the point. For every reader who perceives a modification of Joyce\u2019s dense stream of consciousness style or Robbins\u2019 seriocomedic portray of the transmundane, there will be another reader who perceives word soup.

While it\u2019s certainly not an easy book, Expraedium can be a hugely rewarding read, albeit one for which the reward differs on a reader-by-reader basis. For those looking for something challenging and thought-provoking with hints toward significant action and a mighty payoff, it may well prove a good choice.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2023", "date_added": "12-May-2023 20:55:37", "publisher": "Erzenka Publishing House", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012629007", "title": "EXPRAEDIUM", "author": "Armen Melikian", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 417, "review": "The story follows the journey of Brathki on his epic quest for Urmashu. Brathki is more of a martyr, and he defies societal norms, even going against his own family. Brathki's path is fraught with fascinating encounters, perilous adventures, and impassioned liaisons. As he navigates through these experiences, readers are left to ponder whether he will triumph in his quest and perhaps even find love along the way. Brathki's inner struggles and challenges serve to further enrich his complex character and draw readers deeper into the story.

As a reader, I must admit that I have never encountered a book quite like Expraedium before. From the description alone, I was unsure what to expect. Upon learning that the book took twenty years to write, my anticipation grew, and I was eager to explore this literary masterpiece. However, I found myself somewhat disappointed, as the book did not meet all my expectations.

One of the most striking aspects of Expraedium is its disregard for conventional English norms. As a fan of disruptive works, I initially found this aspect intriguing. The author has formulated his language with an origin that remains enigmatic. Grammar appears to be of little concern to the author, which can be both fascinating and confusing for readers.

The book also touches on controversial topics such as politics and religion, albeit subtly. The author does not seem to write to impress, and at times, it is difficult to grasp his intentions with the book. Each line unfolds as if it were an entirely different story on its own, creating a disjointed yet captivating narrative. The characterization was somehow intriguing. I saw plenty of unfamiliar names, and I struggled to keep up and memorize each one. The sentences in the book can get very awkward sometimes, for example, \"A birthday to a Zoule uttered not\". I have no idea what that means, and there were plenty more like it.

With its distinct language, mythological nuances, and exploration of provocative themes, it presents a demanding yet rewarding read. While it may not appeal to everyone, Expraedium offers an unparalleled reading experience for those who appreciate unconventional books.

Despite my initial disappointment, I cannot deny that it is a thought-provoking and daring work of fiction. It challenges readers to expand their literary horizons and question the norms that often constrain creative expression. While it may not have met all of my expectations, Expraedium by Armen Melikian remains an unforgettable reading experience that has left a lasting impression on me.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "05-Jun-2023", "date_added": "12-May-2023 20:55:26", "publisher": "Erzenka Publishing House", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012625003", "title": "Things I Wish I Told My Mother: The Perfect Mother-Daughter Summer Read", "author": "Susan Patterson, Susan DiLallo, James Patterson", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 220, "review": "Things I Wish I Told My Mother is a wonderful story about a woman named Laurie who has a difficult relationship with her doctor mother, Liz. So when Dr. Liz ends up in the hospital herself with what seems to be a heart attack, Laurie finds herself bribing her own mother to stay at the hospital so the doctors can run more tests and find out what is going on with her heart. The journey the reader goes on as they read about Liz and Laurie\u2019s trip to France and Norway is priceless. From Laurie hearing that her mother actually does love her and thinks she is beautiful to finding out more about her parents\u2019 relationship, this is a book that many women will be able to relate to and find heartwarming. Liz is a lady with a tough shell and the way Laurie navigates the trip and, really, the relationship is applaudable. I absolutely loved the wonderful descriptions of the different settings the characters go to in this book. Author Susan Patterson does a wonderful job of detailing both her characters and their experiences. There is a big twist in the end which left me with my mouth open. Wonderful and cleverly written, Things I Wish I Told My Mother is a book to read over and over again.", "issue": "June 2023", "date_posted": "27-Jun-2023", "date_added": "12-May-2023 18:33:52", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012769011", "title": "Flee North: A Forgotten Hero and the Fight for Freedom in Slavery's Borderland ", "author": "Scott Shane", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 193, "review": "The Underground Railroad aided the abolitionist cause by providing aid and shelter to slaves fleeing oppressive captivity. Thomas Smallwood was a former slave who lived in Maryland but was able to liberate himself by purchasing his freedom. He empathized with the plight of those still in bondage. The importation of slaves had been banned in 1808. However, this didn\u2019t stop people like Hope Slatter from exploiting the African Americans who wound up under his supervision. Slatter brazenly ran a racket where captured slaves and free individuals were auctioned off to the highest bidder. Smallwood and his associate Charles Torrey differed from fellow abolitionists in hoping to show the slaveholders the error of their ways. The pair sought a more nuanced and proactive approach, one where slaves could gain their freedom immediately and flee to a place with few restrictions.

Flee North is an exceptional historical biography that explores the increasingly volatile antebellum United States. Smallwood and Torrey are two clearly fascinating individuals who openly seek to overthrow an intolerable status quo. Author Scott Shane (Dismantling Utopia) has written an eye-opening work that adds new information to the archive of material surrounding the Underground Railroad.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2023", "date_added": "29-Jun-2023 16:18:07", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012768023", "title": "The Interpreter: A Novel", "author": "Brooke Robinson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 191, "review": "Revelle Lee is a multi-lingual interpreter and the about-to-be adoptive mother of six-year-old Elliot. Between translating for witnesses in stressful court cases and looking after the little boy, Revelle is stretched to the limit. She manages, albeit only just, until she is assigned to interpret for a defense witness in a murder trial. The victim happens to be Elliot\u2019s Filipino babysitter. To ensure that the jury reaches a guilty verdict, she mistranslates the evidence that would have provided the accused with an alibi.

At the same time, Elliot\u2019s now-complete adoption is jeopardized by the unexpected reappearance of his birth mother. A series of events follow, unpleasant to begin with, then unnerving, and finally, threatening. Is it the doings of Elliot\u2019s real mother? Or of someone who has stumbled across the translation \u201cerrors\u201d and has blackmail in mind? Or has something in Revelle\u2019s past finally resurfaced?

The Interpreter is a highly imaginative mystery with a clever and well-worked plot. It is so well told that the reader feels the competing self-justifications and self-doubts that bedevil Revelle, whether at home or in court. This wonderfully original story is a must for mystery enthusiasts.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2023", "date_added": "29-Jun-2023 16:46:08", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012768003", "title": "Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close", "author": "Hannah Carlson", "category": "N26 Fashion & Beauty", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 187, "review": "If you\u2019ve ever worn women\u2019s clothing (particularly pants) at any point in your life, you\u2019ll understand why \u201cIt\u2019s got pockets!\u201d is such a universally recognized exclamation of joyous surprise when one can fit their entire hand into the depths of their trousers. Any reader who\u2019s wondered at the ludicrous size discrepancy between the pockets of gendered clothing styles, or perhaps marveled at the seemingly nonsensical yet widely accepted practice of sewing women\u2019s pockets shut (or nearly so) during production, will adore this sociological romp through the history of the humble pocket.

Beginning with the pocket\u2019s origins in the medieval era, Carlson takes us through the widespread adoption of the pocket and the subsequent abandonment of the purse (at least for men), the emergent social attitudes regarding both hiding things upon your person that used to be visible and the appropriateness of their content, and the tired but predictable narrative thread of sexism woven into so much of fashion history, but especially prevalent in the evolution of the pocket.

Filled with fashion illustrations, prints, and paintings, Pockets is a must-read for anyone even remotely interested in fashion history.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2023", "date_added": "29-Jun-2023 15:45:47", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012765037", "title": "Tales of a Traveler in Poetry and Prose: Along The Road Before Me", "author": "Brion K Hanks", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 443, "review": "Tales of a Traveler in Poetry and Prose: Along The Road Before Me is a compilation of poetry and prose by Brion K. Hanks that is the result of almost fifty years of writing. It comprises his thoughts and emotions as he went through various phases of life. Brion contributes to making the world a better place by encouraging people to think about fostering strong connections and being sensitive to the consequences of their actions. In \u2018What If There Is No Tomorrow,\u2019 he writes about savoring the moment with a loved one. He professes his desire to understand his reason for being in \u2018Earthling For Now.\u2019 \u2018History Of Being One Human Being\u2019 offers teachings about having a clear conscience and focusing on the unwavering pursuit of the greater good.

Brion is in sync with his consciousness and spiritual self, as seen by the poems\u2019 deep teachings. Taking the time to ponder on the underlying meaning of the poems and personalizing them is recommended to get the most out of the book. Fortunately, this is relatively easy since the author paints a vivid picture of the book's different themes, which include meditation, the afterlife, lost love, empathy, consumerism, family, time, society, tenacity, and more. Several poems resonated with me, but \u2018The Child In Thee\u2019 stood out because it reminded me that \"growing up isn't growing old.\" I felt inspired to keep my inner child alive and to be bright-eyed and full of vitality.

To add depth to his poems, Hanks uses a variety of poetic and literary devices, such as rhymes, repetition, metaphors, and similes. The author's repeating of the query \"What was happening to me?\" in \u2018Was I Dreaming?\u2019 made the reality of dying to feel more poignant and chilling.

\"Only you can truly rescue yourself from yourself.\" Some poems appear to talk directly to the readers, using straightforward, second-person language and phrases that create the feeling of getting instruction from a knowledgeable ancestor. Other poems have such styles as personal musings, narrations, and social commentary. A stand-alone essay in the book also provides significant views about humankind.

Brion K. Hanks ensures that his messages are properly communicated in each poem, so that even people who are not major poetry fans may grasp them. However, the poems have a variety of poetic tropes that will appeal to core poetic aficionados. Anyone who has the opportunity to read and ponder on this profoundly insightful, intelligent, and evocative book will feel an immediate positive internal alteration that will gradually spill over into everything they touch. A must-read for all fans of poems and essays with wise, thought-provoking messages about living consciously and being truly alive!", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jun-2023 02:44:55", "publisher": "Readers Magnet", "page_count": "210 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012765033", "title": "Tales of a Traveler in Poetry and Prose: Along The Road Before Me", "author": "Brion K Hanks", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 428, "review": "Tales of a Traveler in Poetry and Prose: Along The Road Before Me by Brion K. Hanks is a collection of about 200 poems borne out of the author's passion for poetry. The book, which comprises poems that he has written over the space of 50 years, is a reflection of his life experiences, morals, and lessons learned so far. The author started writing poems in his early twenties, but over the years, he became so caught up in life, work, and travel that he pushed poetry to the side. However, he picked up his passion again during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his retirement further gave him the needed time to complete his book.

The poems are on diverse topics such as grief, romance, friendship, hope, religion, and more. I connected with his poem on grief titled \"When the Rose Fades.\" I could feel his emotions pouring out with each line. Losing a friend or family member is one of the scariest things ever, and the pain doesn't completely disappear.

Friends make life more interesting, and his poems on friendship illustrate the joys experienced by having a true friend. If you find a good friend, don't let them slip away. The author also touches on romance, bringing back memories of his past relationships. He is not filled with regret; rather, he is thankful for the lessons he has learned from them and reminisces about what could have been.

Indeed, the author has had his fair share of life's ups and downs. He tells readers not to be so engrossed in life's complexities that they forget themselves. This involves being so caught up in materialism that you ignore your passions and what brings you true happiness. He urges readers to step back and enjoy the simplicity of life. The author also encourages people to be kind, do good in the world, and connect with their inner selves.

His style of writing did not change much over the years; although some poems became more modern with time, his feelings and emotions were well portrayed on each page. There's an essay in the book titled \"God for an Interim Period of Time\", which was one of my favorite things about the book. It shows how religion has altered the world, and the essay preaches unity and tolerance.

I enjoyed reading this book; the messages were loud and clear, and the writing style was impressive. The book showcases the author's creativity and ability to evoke deep emotions in the reader. If you love to read poems that make you reflect on life, this book is for you.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jun-2023 02:44:49", "publisher": "Readers Magnet", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012765029", "title": "Tales of a Traveler in Poetry and Prose: Along The Road Before Me", "author": "Brion K Hanks", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Michaela Gordoni", "word_count": 408, "review": "Tales of a Traveler in Poetry and Prose: Along The Road Before Me is a collection of approximately one hundred and sixty poems penned by Brion K. Hanks, a seasoned poet. This is his second book of poems, and each one was written at different times in his life. Spanning decades, the collection includes works from as far back as 1973 to compositions written in recent years. A lot of the poems vary in content and style, but many include reflections on the past, hopes for the future, and mentions of gods, a creator, and karma, inviting readers to contemplate their beliefs and ponder the intricacies of their existence. Some of the poems tell a story, whereas others feature small beliefs or mention a regret or pleasant memory. Brion K. Hanks also includes one essay and a thought-provoking postscript.

There does not seem to be any organization of the poems. They are not in chronological order, nor do they seem to be grouped by subject matter. Because there is no organization, it is difficult to locate poems on certain subjects. It is sometimes it is a little hard to understand what Brion is thinking because some of his poems contrast with each other. He mentions numerous times \"a\" creator; however, he also has poems that mention \"Gods\" plural. I also found it interesting that Brion occasionally uses words like \"thou\" and \"thee\" in his poems. It is almost as if he wants the reader to think that they are reading something old or timeless. For example, he writes, \"And now, let it be now, my love, as I hand to Thee this dove.\"

A poem that is a personal favorite is one near the end titled \"The Human Hero Known As Empathy,\" where, through compelling creative prose, Hanks argues that to be empathetic is to be human. To lack empathy is to willfully deny one\u2019s human nature. It is a wonderful poem that could be used to teach young people the importance of empathy. The postscript to Tales of a Traveler in Poetry and Prose: Along The Road Before Me is a simple yet impactful story about making a difference, and it sums up the book very nicely. It is evident that through his work, Brion K. Hanks is thoughtfully beckoning readers to think for themselves and to be compassionate and active. His collection serves as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to enlighten and inspire.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jun-2023 02:44:43", "publisher": "Readers Magnet", "page_count": "210 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012765025", "title": "Tales of a Traveler in Poetry and Prose: Along The Road Before Me", "author": "Brion K Hanks", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Hannah Stutz", "word_count": 459, "review": "Tales of a Traveler in Poetry and Prose by Brion K. Hanks is an astonishing book of poetry. In his preface, Hanks mentions his hope is that the reader uses his work \u201cto think\u201d. One can see this theme throughout his book of poetry, as he brings up various topics that are deep and connect to spirituality.

Hanks uses an immense amount of creativity in his work. His descriptions and symbolism are rich, which engages the audience. He also uses a fair amount of rhyme in his poems, which gives a good rhythm for the reader. He does not use conventional poem formats but uses a variety of formats throughout the book. His font and format easily engage the reader and are not strenuous to the eye.

Hanks\u2019 work includes themes such as life, death, and meaning. He asks questions most people are afraid to think about, such as what happens after we pass and whether we will continue to have connections with our loved ones. While this would normally evoke anxiety in the average person, Hanks uses a gentle approach that leads the reader to feel comfortable while exploring these questions.

One thing that sticks out the most after reading Hanks\u2019 work is the sense of positivity he puts into his poems. It is evident that Hanks wants his reader to hold hope for the future. He pulls on spirituality and being able to connect to a higher entity in order to see that, despite hardship, there is meaning and purpose. This reminder helps the reader cope with some of the more difficult topics, as one can recognize that not all things are entirely negative. As he mentions throughout the book, when one door closes, another opens.

Hanks also includes an essay criticizing the current conditions of our world and society. He includes topics such as oppression, genocide, war, global warming, and abuse. The word choice and formatting make the essay sound like a sermon. Hanks brings up many valid points throughout the essay, such as war leads to destruction and that we still have the power to make different choices that could lead to better and more loving outcomes. Hanks reminds the reader not to act like sheep and to think mindfully and independently. While Hanks\u2019 perspective is absolutely valid, it seems to not fit in quite as well as some of the other works in his book. The essay is bold because it tests the cognitive dissonance of the reader. Though he holds faith there is room for change, it still leads the reader to feel somewhat down due to the current condition of the world and society. This emotional response doesn\u2019t go along with the comfort the reader may have while reading other poems in the book.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jun-2023 02:44:32", "publisher": "Readers Magnet", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012765007", "title": "Mr. Jacobs vs. the Demonic Clowns from the Great Beyond", "author": "Jeff Folschinsky", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 435, "review": "Mr. Jacobs vs. the Demonic Clowns from the Great Beyond is a wildly creative, super fantastic book that will take its readers through what can only be compared to as a version of the Twilight Zone. The book starts off innocent enough, with an eccentric archaeology professor named Ed and his crazy wife, Gracy, arguing about Ed buying yet another artifact. While they are arguing, their son Billy is in the backyard with guests for his ninth birthday party. Enter the clowns. There are four of them\u2014Dave, Chuckles, Bitsy, and Bopsy. And if creepy clowns don't scare you now, well, they sure will after reading this book. The clowns enter Ed and Gracy's home after Billy spits at them. Billy is, as the clowns describe him, \"a psychotic hell spawn.\" While on their little \"break,\" the clowns find Ed's artifact. Being the idiots they are, they think it is a puzzle and start playing around with it. The artifact does, in fact, penetrate their souls, and a mass murder of everyone at the party ensues. These are no longer your run-of-the-mill birthday party clowns.

Author Jeff Folschinsky does an amazing job of keeping the plot running. Readers will wonder what will happen next, page after page. Although the book is not very lengthy, the story is rich with colorful characters who are all a bit (or a lot) off-centered. The plot is simple yet entertaining, and readers will both cringe, laugh, and cheer while reading.

Margo, a police detective, is investigating \"a string of murders that looks like there might be a cult involved.\" She is referred to speak to Mr. Jacobs, a rather mad scientist kind of guy who owns Mr. Jacobs' Paranormal Learning Center. Mr. Jacobs and his crazy assistant, Penny, are both completely wackadoodle. But Margo knows they might be her best bet to finding out about the mass killings. Sometimes the conversations between Margo and these two characters are so frustrating because Mr. Jacobs and Penny both go off on tangents about random things throughout the book. It's funny but in an unsettling way. Finally, when Margo finds out about the artifact and its history, she can start to solve the case, even though it is a strange one.

Although I am completely freaked out at killer clowns, this book was just so fascinating. It was like watching a train wreck about to occur, and I could not stop reading. Mr. Jacobs vs. the Demonic Clowns from the Great Beyond is original, clever, crazy, and scary all in one. Ancient magic, evil overlords, and Mrs. Lydia's Mystery Spot Museum and Burrito Emporium await!", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "06-Aug-2023", "date_added": "29-Jun-2023 02:30:07", "publisher": "The Evil Cookie Publishing", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012764007", "title": "Dinner At Tony Napoli's", "author": "Edward Izzi", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "David Keenan", "word_count": 439, "review": "Americans have an insatiable appetite for tales of the Mafia and its ecosystem of crooked cops, detectives, priests, politicians, and wise guys that thrives where the mobster culture takes hold. Chicago, the New York of the fictional Corleones, has a long history of mobsters with Al Capone\u2019s Chicago Outfit dominating. Edward Izzi, a Chicago-based writer, has been fulfilling that appetite for years with novels focused on the seamier side of Chicago. His latest tale, Dinner at Tony Napoli\u2019s, is a page-turner of a mystery thriller that keeps the reader in suspense until the surprise denouement.

Dennis (Denny) Romanowski is a veteran Chicago detective with a family and divided loyalties, one to his job and the second to his uncle \u201cZio Tony.\u201d Uncle Tony, aka Antonio \u201cTony Napoli\u201d Sorrentino, is as close to being a gangster \u201cmade\u201d man as one can get without being one. Tony is the Mafia\u2019s chef and confidant, and his restaurant Sorrentino\u2019s serves as the gastronomic nerve center of the Chicago Outfit. Within its walls, murders and capers are planned, and Mafia weddings and made man ceremonies are held. The major factions of the Chicago Outfit treat the restaurant as neutral territory and Tony is privy to the gang\u2019s secrets.

However, at eighty-seven years old, Tony is getting on in years, so he sells off the restaurant to a new owner, who demolishes it. Unfortunately for Tony, the demolition turns up four bodies buried in concrete. They are members of the Lucatelli gang that disappeared years ago. Tony soon finds himself in jail being squeezed for information by the local cops and the Feds. One of those doing the squeezing is none other than his own nephew Denny.

Tony refuses to snitch; however, the tale of the four bodies morphs into Tony sharing his memories of the Mafia with Denny. At the core of Tony\u2019s tales is a mysterious safety deposit box key that he entrusts to Denny. At the same time, Denny is pressured by \u201cLittle Tony\u201d DiMatteo for information about his talks with Tony. Denny must balance his oath as a sworn officer with his loyalty to his uncle, all while keeping himself and his family safe from DiMatteo\u2019s vicious nature.

The novel\u2019s plot winds its way through vignettes of the Chicago Mafia\u2019s deeds. Characters like \u201cLittle Tony\u201d DiMatteo, Don Lucatelli, Frank \u201cNo Neck\u201d Roselli, and his brother Nick \u201cAltar Boy\u201d Roselli populate the book. The intricately woven vignettes slowly come together to paint a compelling story of a life inside the Mafia and propel the tale to its surprising conclusion. Izzi, in Dinner at Tony Napoli\u2019s, gives readers a novel they can\u2019t refuse.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "24-Aug-2023", "date_added": "28-Jun-2023 02:46:04", "publisher": "Cassino Publishing", "page_count": "338 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012763047", "title": "The Life and Canine Times of Pee Wee and Buddy", "author": "Casey Gent", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 432, "review": "The Life and Canine Times of Pee Wee and Buddy is an illustrated children\u2019s book about a pair of older puppies. Pee Wee is a dachshund corgi mix. He\u2019s black with touches of brown and loves belly rubs and handouts. Buddy is a three-legged beagle basset hound mix who loves to howl. Both dogs are senior rescue dogs. Pee Wee\u2019s new best friend is Buddy\u2019s best friend\u2019s brother. Sometimes Pee Wee\u2019s best friend doesn\u2019t feel well, but Pee Wee is still happy to sit with him. Other times Pee Wee and Buddy explore together in the backyard, on walks, or at the dog park. While out, other dogs often bullied them, calling them \u201cShorty\u201d and \u201cTripod.\u201d But the two dogs learned to stick together and ignore the bullies. \n

This heartwarming tale was written and illustrated by Casey Gent and her father, Todd. Pee Wee and Buddy were based on family pets. The creative father and daughter team uses the pair of dogs to teach acceptance, befriending others, and sticking together in the face of adversity. These are great lessons for both young and old readers. The story is easy to read and understand for transitional readers or all audiences as a read-aloud. The artwork is fun and adds to the story\u2019s conception. Many dog best friends will see similarities in their pets, helping them relate to the story.

Pee Wee\u2019s best friend was based on Casey\u2019s brother and Todd\u2019s son, Cody. Cody suffered from cystic fibrosis, but the family remained close-knit in the face of his illness. Pets are really great role models for teaching unconditional love. Pee Wee was content being by his best friend\u2019s side no matter how he felt. All people have their difficulties, and our pets love us regardless. Anyone who has ever had a rescue dog knows this lesson thoroughly. As a volunteer at my local animal shelter and a best friend to many adopted dogs, I don\u2019t express this lightly. This book could teach that shelter pets are just as good if not better than those from a pet shop.

\nRegardless of reading level, this story is straightforward for a broad audience to relate to. Many people get bullied for a wide variety of reasons. Just as the canine heroes in this book, people who are not the right size, have a disability, or were adopted or fostered still deserve love and acceptance. Readers with an easier life can take the same lessons in learning not to bully. Join the adventure with these two friends in The Life and Canine Times of Pee Wee and Buddy.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "11-Aug-2023", "date_added": "25-Jun-2023 21:27:45", "publisher": "Authors Innovation", "page_count": "29 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012763043", "title": "The Life and Canine Times of Pee Wee and Buddy", "author": "Casey Gent", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 467, "review": "The Life and Canine Times of Pee Wee and Buddy was written by daughter-father duo Casey and Todd Gent. The story centers around two dogs, Pee Wee and Buddy, who love to do all the fun things dogs love to do, like playing, sniffing around, and going to the dog park with their best friends (their owners). Buddy has three legs because he was hit by a car but says, \"I've got three others that work just fine.\" As Pee Wee and Buddy explore the neighborhood, they are bullied by some of the dogs who they do not pay any mind.

I love that this book was modeled after the Gent family's real lives. Pee Wee and Buddy were their real pets, a dachshund/corgi mix and a three-legged beagle/bassett. Coby, Casey's brother who suffered from cystic fibrosis, was Pee Wee's best friend. I think it's wonderful that Casey and Todd use their dogs to teach others to \"befriend everyone and stick together when others are not so kind.\" That being said, as I was reading this book, I often wondered what age group the book was meant for. The passages were long and wordy, and the story didn't feel like it had any direction. It starts with the introduction of each dog and their adventures together. On one page, they are bullied, and although they ignore the bullies, they still have a dialogue between themselves about other dogs they knew who weren't bullies. At first, I thought that was the lesson of the book, but this was the only page the bullies were addressed. After that, the story moves on to the dogs wondering when their best friends would return after leaving them home alone. The book stops abruptly when the best friends come home.

Although The Life and Canine Times of Pee Wee and Buddy is about just that. The story seems slow with the introduction but then moves very quickly with the bullying and missing the best friends. I would have loved to see the book split into several books. A book introducing the dogs and how they meet, one that centers around bullying but teaches readers a lesson about bullying and why we should be nice to everyone, and then a book about missing the best friends when they are left alone. The simplicity of the story made me think it was aimed at four to seven-year-old children, however, the amount of words in the book would never keep the attention of children in that age group. The illustrations were also very basic and a little boring. It would have been nice to have more illustrations in the book to accompany the story.

Overall, I felt the intention of the book was good, but the wordiness and quality of the illustrations really need to be cleaned up.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "08-Jul-2023", "date_added": "25-Jun-2023 21:27:36", "publisher": "Authors Innovation", "page_count": "29 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012763039", "title": "The Life and Canine Times of Pee Wee and Buddy", "author": "Casey Gent", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 391, "review": "The Life and Canine Times of Pee Wee and Buddy is a heartwarming story based on the Gent family's dogs as well as their family. There are two author\u2019s notes, one at the beginning and one at the end, explaining how the story came about, who the dogs and kids are, and what happened to all of them. Though it is a little sad what happened, this book and any more adventures of Pee Wee and Buddy are a sweet tribute to them. I will certainly keep an eye out for more books in this series.

The story starts with Pee Wee, a dachshund/corgi mix, as he searches for his forever home, and after a journey from Orlando to Destin, Florida, he finds it. There he meets his best friend, a boy who doesn't feel well all the time but loves him no matter what and spoils him with treats. He also meets his best friend's sister and her dog, a three-legged beagle/basset hound mix named Buddy, who lost his leg in a car accident. But that sure doesn\u2019t stop him! And neither do the dogs who make fun of him for it. Together, the dogs go about protecting their yard from the dangerous snakes and mice, go for walks, play at dog parks with other dogs, and chase the annoying squirrels. Along the way, the dogs teach about kindness, compassion, acceptance, and living life to the fullest. All lessons are best taught by a dog. Or two.

The Life and Canine Times of Pee Wee and Buddy is written well, the story flowing easily and in an easy tone younger kids will have no trouble understanding, but also one that parents can enjoy, too.

There are many different themes touched on, all good lessons for kids, and sometimes adults, too. They aren\u2019t delved deeply into, leaving plenty of room for kids to ask questions and for parents to give answers, but it\u2019s still enough for kids to understand the message; be kind.

The art is adorable, tying into the story and helping tell it in pictures that are simple and full of life, plainly showing what the dogs are up to as well as how they feel in bright, bold colors. It was the first thing I noticed when I opened the book. The cover is in the same bold artwork, making it eye-catching.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "09-Aug-2023", "date_added": "25-Jun-2023 21:27:31", "publisher": "Authors Innovation", "page_count": "29 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012763035", "title": "The Life and Canine Times of Pee Wee and Buddy: The Move", "author": "Casey Gent", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 414, "review": "Pee Wee is a rescue dog whose first owner had to give him up when the owner moved to a nursing home. The rescue organization puts out a photograph of Pee Wee along with an email purportedly written by him to tell all about himself. He is requested by a family in Destin, Florida, who has a boy who is quite ill. Oddly, Pee Wee packs up his red ball that he used to like to play with but is now looking to replace it with something else.

His new owner often is too ill to get out of bed all day, but he\u2019s not too ill to give good belly rubs and to pet Pee Wee and give him treats. They become fast friends. The boy has a sister who has a dog named Buddy. She brings Buddy over often, and Pee Wee and Buddy become good friends. Buddy was also a rescue and only has three legs, but he gets around just fine. The two dogs get along very well and have fun patrolling the yard and taking walks in the neighborhood, meeting other dogs, and barking at squirrels and the neighbor mowing.

This is a picture book designed to teach young children \u201chow to treat others with loving-kindness and good ole-fashioned manners.\u201d Unfortunately, the writers seem to have not done their homework about how to write for children in a way that will engage youngsters in a story. The book is very text heavy and has some real problems that will make it hard for youngsters to follow along.

First, none of the humans are given names. They are referred to in ways like \u201cthe sister of Pee Wee\u2019s best friend\u201d instead of simply having a name. Children really love stories and stories need to have a story arc and a beginning, middle, and satisfying ending to work well in order for young readers and listeners to be engaged. This book is much more of a slice of life without any story arc or beginning, middle, or satisfying conclusion.

Picture books also really need illustrations that help to tell the story rather than, as this book has, illustrations that reflect what is being told in the text. The book is so text heavy and tells everything that is going on so that it leaves no room for or need for illustrations to be part of it. The idea of the book is a good one, but it really misses the mark.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "25-Jun-2023 21:26:40", "publisher": "Authors Innovation", "page_count": "29 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012763027", "title": "Summons to Berlin: Nazi Theft and A Daughter's Quest for Justice", "author": "Joanne Intrator", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 415, "review": "In 1993, Joanne Intrator was watching her father\u2019s tortured last moments on earth when he exclaimed to her, \u201cAre you tough enough yet? Do they know who you are\u201d? She was floored by the impassioned words that emanated from her moribund father. Joanne\u2019s parents had been refugees from Germany when the brutal and tyrannical Nazi government took over and began the persecution and internment of Jewish citizens. Joanne\u2019s family had owned a factory in Berlin that had been appropriated by the Nazis in the 1930s as part of the Aryanization of Germany. After the fall of the Third Reich and the ending of the Second World War, Germany began a process of reconciliation with the sins of its past. The parting words of Gerhard Intrator hinted at unfinished business between the Intrators and Germany.

The Intrators had faced anti-Semitism in the past when they lived in Poland. This discrimination reared its ugly head again when the Nazis seized power in 1933. Gerhard\u2019s law school hopes were cut short, while his brother Alex\u2019s music career was derailed. Gerhard feared for the future and well-being of his family. He reluctantly fled and relocated to New York. The survivor\u2019s guilt clung to him for the rest of his life.

The pitched legal battle between Joanne and other parties in getting restitution for the seizure of her family\u2019s factory forms the crux of the book. Joanne must meet with German mediators who explain the intricacies of the case but may be hiding ulterior motives. As the mediation slowly progresses, Joanne\u2019s emotions ebb and flow as the secrets of the past are often reluctant to be exhumed. Her determination never wavers as the injustices visited upon her family and the toll wrought never leave her mind.

Summons to Berlin makes its mark as part history and memoir, as Dr. Joanne Intrator reflects on her family\u2019s past and her attempt to reclaim a stolen part of their history. Intrator\u2019s captivating narrative encompasses her family\u2019s maltreatment at the hands of fellow countrymen leading to some fleeing the country and others meeting a grim fate. Intrator\u2019s poignant memories of her family\u2019s predicament coincide with her uphill climb in gaining reparations against an often stubborn German legal system. The atrocities committed by the Nazis still resound nearly a century removed as future generations attempt to understand and learn from an often troubled history. Joanne Intrator\u2019s heartfelt book illustrates how to not only come to terms with the past but also how to persevere against herculean odds.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "17-Aug-2023", "date_added": "25-Jun-2023 21:21:50", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012763019", "title": "The Streamlined Locomotive", "author": "Stephen Lloyd Auslender", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 442, "review": "Theo P. Bezelbottom has one job. Unfortunately, no one can agree on exactly what that job is.

According to the head of the family, Throckmorton P. Bezelbottom, Theo\u2019s job is to be the assistant to the designated family weirdo, Aloysius P. Bezelbottom. According to Aloysius, Theo\u2019s job is to design him a streamlined locomotive. According to the US government, Theo\u2019s job is to keep a visiting delegation from the small country of Vulgaria happy. (Unluckily for Theo, the Vulgarians agree with that, and they are possibly the most eccentric bunch in the whole book.) Can he manage to balance all these responsibilities and come out on top?

The first chapter strongly implies that he can. As with some old detective shows, the real tension lies in seeing how he does it.

Auslender has the premise for a fast-paced wild ride of a story. I came into it expecting shenanigans galore. The shenanigans were there, but first I had to slog through the exposition, telling me all about how Theo wound up in this mess and what the family dynamics are like for both the Bezelbottoms and his semi-estranged wife. The book had slow momentum from the start, and none of the jokes really took off.

Part of the trouble came from the slower start at the beginning. The jokes in the book have potential, but they\u2019re too often bogged down by unimportant and uninteresting exposition, or by explanations that could be either drastically shortened or left to the reader\u2019s imagination. Several of the pieces of information are repeated through the book, which slowed it down further by reminding the reader of what they should already know. The other part comes from the secondary characters. There are a host of them, all with ridiculous names, but they\u2019re presented quickly enough and without enough distinction in personality that it\u2019s all but impossible to tell them apart. A few were distinguishable only by accent, which is tricky to present on a page even at the best of times.

Then there was Theo. I could never tell whether I ought to take him as an unreliable narrator or a victim of unreliable characterization. His not knowing himself as well as he thinks I could believe, but he grew into his various new roles a little too quickly, even for the sake of comedic timing. I don\u2019t mind stock characters in comedy, but Theo didn\u2019t even feel like that. He felt like nothing more than a vehicle to carry the story along.

The Streamlined Locomotive is another book that could have been funny but in the end wound up falling flat. I would recommend passing it by.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jun-2023 21:07:17", "publisher": "Page Publishing, Inc.", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000012763015", "title": "The Streamlined Locomotive", "author": "Stephen Lloyd Auslender", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 432, "review": "Since Theopolis P. Bezelbottom comes from money, it's no surprise that he's all about \"wine, women, and song.\" Theo is an adult child who hopes to maintain his carefree lifestyle, which is why he stayed in school long enough to get a Ph.D. However, everything changes when he is given a serious role in his family\u2019s railroad company by his uncle, Throckmorton P. Bezelbottom. He suddenly finds himself involved with expanding the company's operations with the Vulgaria as they prepare for an upcoming war. Is Theo, the adult child, ready to face being a responsible adult, preparing for World War II, and being a puppet in another man's games? Find out in Stephen Lloyd Auslender's greatly humorous, historical story: The Streamlined Locomotive.

Throughout the time I spent reading the book, I was consumed by laughter, as Theo's interior monologs and his haphazard and weirdly effective problem-solving methods are seriously hilarious. The protagonist's uncontrollable laughter is also quite infectious; in a memorable scene, Theo and his friend are drenched with cold water from six buckets to get them to stop laughing.

If you enjoy books whose characters are well-developed, you will love The Streamlined Locomotive. Understanding the protagonist and his viewpoint felt effortless since he communicates his emotions clearly and profoundly through a first-person perspective and the interactive conversations he has throughout the novel. Theo's past experiences and his current choices are well-linked; he regularly reveals why he acts the way he does as he reflects on his childhood. For example, he explains that he acts like a brave hunter because he was an\nindependent hunter by the time he was ten in a county where hunting is natural to its residents.

Since the protagonist is usually trying to maintain his facade and save himself from a troubling situation, the book has no boring moments. He employs various complex political strategies to get what he wants and reflects on his changing personality and his desire to return to his old life.

Stephen's brilliant writing style and language usage ensure you stay for the entire duration of the book. I especially loved his use of simile, hyperbole, and humor. Furthermore, various themes are skillfully woven together in the book, including romance, humor, business, war, technology, politics, deceit, theft, espionage, and more.

The Streamlined Locomotive is packed with great features. The genuine, funny, and likable hero is one of my top three favorite protagonists from the books I've read this year. You should read The Streamlined Locomotive if you like stories that get you laughing heartily or if you're a fan of historical, war-themed books.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jun-2023 21:07:09", "publisher": "Page Publishing, Inc.", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012763011", "title": "The Streamlined Locomotive", "author": "Stephen Lloyd Auslender", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 652, "review": "A family saga of highly unusual and humorous proportions, Stephen Lloyd Auslender\u2019s The Streamlined Locomotive follows the exploits of a materially indulged but intellectually derided scion of an infamous US railroad dynasty: the Bezelbottom family. Formerly of Hawgwaller County, an Appalachian backwater that outsiders would be hard-pressed to find on a map, ownership of the Chicago, Pacific, and Eastern Railway has brought the Bezelbottoms immense wealth, influence, and dominance over the US transportation infrastructure.

While most of his relatives seek to leverage their money and power to further bolster the family\u2019s position, Theopolis P. Bezelbottom is content to reside at the lower end of mediocre. Feeling no compulsion to excel in any way, he is happy so long as he has sufficient resources to keep his children and mistresses in the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed. Unfortunately for Theo, it\u2019s 1942 and US entry into World War Two is causing a number of uncomfortable changes in the Bezelbottom family dynamics.

First, Throckmorton P. Bezelbottom\u2014Theo\u2019s uncle, the most ruthless current Bezelbottom, and the one tasked with running the family\u2019s business empire\u2014has decided that Theo should take charge of a US government project to secretly supply armaments to \u201ca hard-to-find Balkan country called Vulgaria.\u201d Hawgwaller County seems like the ideal location for the off-the-radar factories required for the project, and for reasons initially unclear, Theo is judged to be the idea candidate to arrange matters.

Second, Aloysius P. Bezelbottom\u2014Theo\u2019s other uncle, the one prone to \u201cgaffs, errors, and outright crazy plans and ideas\u201d\u2014has hit upon the idea of enhancing the local Hawgwaller and Western branch railroad by introducing a new streamlined locomotive, and he wants Theo to spearhead the project. With US industrial resources committed to supporting the country\u2019s war effort, it\u2019s far from an ideal time to design and build a new locomotive, but Aloysius is convinced Theo can accomplish it.

As for Theo, he suspects that he is being stitched up in some way or other, but he\u2019s determined to do his darndest to succeed in both projects\u2026 provided he can find the means to do so while securing his own comfortable position.

The Streamlined Locomotive is narrated in the first person by Theo, which allows Auslender to give considerable depth to his main character. A true antihero in the same vein as John Kennedy Toole\u2019s Ignatius J. Reilly, Theo is a self-serving, somewhat deluded, but strangely likeable character. His internal monologues and regular conversations with cronies provide clear insight into his thoughts and motivations, even if they do sometimes go on a tad long.

Similarly, the various schemes that he becomes embroiled in highlight his zany and innovative personality, which has been allowed to stagnate due to the Bezelbottoms\u2019 strict family hierarchy. Auslender has dedicated significant thought to the family\u2019s backstory and current situation, which adds rich detail to the story and renders even the most idiosyncratic of behavior plausible.

As a political satire, The Streamlined Locomotive is often a very funny story that is perceptive in skewering both governmental and industrial corruption and hubris in a way that is equally applicable to today as it is to the book\u2019s early 1940s setting. As the story is set in 1942, however, there are occasions when characters use language that may have been acceptable at the time but that is certainly not acceptable now. The use of such terms does adversely affect perceptions of certain characters, which is likely as Auslender intended.

The Streamlined Locomotive presents an unusual take on the US entry into World War Two and the challenges and opportunities that the war afforded on the individual level. Through the musings of Theo and in poking fun at the duplicity of officialdom, it offers a very humorous perspective on very serious subject matter. Moreover, given Theo\u2019s multifarious comical attempts to succeed in his tasks, the entertaining story whizzes along at breakneck speed, just as the proposed locomotive should.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jun-2023 21:07:03", "publisher": "Page Publishing, Inc.", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012763007", "title": "The Streamlined Locomotive", "author": "Stephen Lloyd Auslender", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 418, "review": "Theo was born into a wealthy family that made money from the rail industry. His uncle was the head of the companies, so Theo did not feel any pressure to be responsible. Unlike his ambitious uncle, Theopolis P. Bezelbottom was carefree, irresponsible, and promiscuous. He did not make any attempt to have big achievements; instead, he was content with satisfying his wife, children, and numerous girlfriends. As the heir of the family, he is expected to inherit a large portion of a major railroad in Hawgwaller County, Appalachia, which is in the United States. World War Two was fast approaching, and industries were changing. Although his uncle, Throckmorton P. Bezelbottom, is the leader of the family and in charge of the family business, he wants Theo to take up his responsibilities and start running the companies.

Along with his uncle wishing for Theo to take over, his second uncle, Aloysius P. Bezelbottom, wants him to build a streamlined locomotive for their railroad company. Theo is perplexed; he wants a simple life, but he is also aware that his position in the family is at risk if he doesn't fulfill his duties. Caught between his desire for a simple life and the mounting pressure to fulfill his familial duties, Theo found himself ensnared in a web of family drama, deception, corruption, and a tumultuous love life. Would he rise to the occasion and assume the mantle of leadership?

Stephen Lloyd Auslender's The Streamlined Locomotive is a riveting tale of intrigue and ambition. Theo's dread of being conscripted into the army during the war serves as a powerful catalyst for his transformation. While his carefree approach to life and lack of ambition are endearing, his philandering ways are less so. Set in the 20th century, a time when women's roles were circumscribed and men held the reins of power, the book offers a wealth of insights into the corrosive effects of corruption and the lengths to which men will go when money is at stake.

The book is packed with themes of friendship, love, family, adventure, and war. Theo is a compelling character, and while the other characters are well-drawn, their names and personalities could be improved. The narrative is fast-paced, though some of the dialogue feels superfluous to me. Overall, The Streamlined Locomotive is a captivating read. It will make you laugh, ponder, and at times, leave you scratching your head. If you have a penchant for humor and comedic fiction, this book is sure to keep you entertained.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jun-2023 21:06:55", "publisher": "Page Publishing, Inc.", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012762003", "title": "Barefoot in the Sand", "author": "Hava Divon, Rotem Teplow", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 206, "review": "As a young child, Saul yearns to live in Eretz Yisrael. He imagines Israel\u2019s soft, delicate sand sifting through his feet. As he approaches adulthood, he plans a trip from his homeland, Romania, to Tel Aviv, Israel. When he reaches his destination, one of the first things he does is walk barefoot in the golden sand. It\u2019s all he imagined it would be. He meets a stranger whose appearance is disparate from his. He has a long tunic, dark skin, and a matching turban. He discovers a commonality they have; they\u2019re both of Jewish decent. They traveled miles to arrive in the Land of Israel, the one they had dreamed of since their childhoods.

This is a touching book with significant cultural and religious ties. It\u2019s likely to appeal most to Jewish youth who are of European or Arabian decent. Additionally, it\u2019s ideal for elementary school students eager to learn about the Jewish religion as well as cultural diversity. The target age range for Barefoot in the Sand is six to ten. The illustrations are lifelike but not exceptionally unique or alluring. They do, however, aid readers in better understanding the context and in truly imaging Saul and his newfound friend Solomon\u2019s excitement, joy, and serenity.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "15-Jan-2024", "date_added": "23-Jun-2023 21:39:53", "publisher": "Green Bean Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012761011", "title": "Disneyland on the Mountain: Walt, the Environmentalists, and the Ski Resort That Never Was ", "author": "Greg Glasgow, Kathryn Mayer", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 263, "review": "There are some lives that have been examined and analyzed to such an extent that there just doesn't seem anything left to showcase. At face value for many history and film lovers, that is the present state of Walt Disney's life. What more is there to talk about? Well, thanks to Greg Glasgow and Katryn Mayer's masterful new book, Disneyland on the Mountain, a new, rarely explored chapter of the great man's life comes into sharp relief. His last creative struggle, and ultimately, one of his most painful failures. It's a side of Disney that many casual lovers of his empire and content don't often see.

Showcased vividly in this wonderful new book, the reader witnesses a turning point in Walt Disney\u2019s life. The great animation mogul had shiftily turned his attention from princesses and glass slippers toward the more costly avenues of television, conservation, and construction. Suffering from the looming specter of ill health, he works tirelessly on creating a massive new mountain resort. A project that would ultimately end in a personal defeat for the filmmaker as he entered the twilight of his life.

Told with compelling detail and impressive interviews from participants, the book transports the reader into the drama that unfolded high in the mountains of Southern California, when the dream world of Disney clashed against the growing reality of conservation protections. What follows is an engrossing drama, one in which the reader is confronted with a surprising decision: Who do we root for? One of the creators of our collective childhood or the untouched nature of our world?", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2023", "date_added": "24-Jun-2023 21:54:42", "publisher": "Rowman & Littlefield Publishers", "page_count": "218 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012761003", "title": "The Only Survivors", "author": "Megan Miranda", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 197, "review": "Cassidy Bent is one of the nine survivors of a class trip gone wrong. But that count was now down to seven. Clara had died one year after the incident and Ian had died only three months ago. It was time for the group\u2019s yearly stay at The Shallows, a large house that backed up to the beach. Cassidy had deleted all of the contact information in the group. She decided she didn\u2019t want to go on the yearly trip anymore, but when she gets a text showing Ian\u2019s obituary, she knows she needs to show up.

The Only Survivors is the best Megan Miranda book I have read. It\u2019s cast of characters and the way the timeline shifts between present to past kept me engaged and wondering what secrets each character held. Of course, Miranda held on to the very last secret until the end. Before that, it was very easy to shift blame from character to character. What really did happen that awful night ten years ago when their teacher and classmates died in a horrific car crash near the river? This book is like a slow burn that keeps getting better as you read it.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "15-Aug-2023", "date_added": "23-Jun-2023 21:07:07", "publisher": "S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012760003", "title": "The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale", "author": "Jon Klassen", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 141, "review": "It is spooky season, and I was so excited to read a new creepy book from Jon Klassen. I mean who doesn't love his previous books? Otilla seems to be the bravest character ever. She is running away from something or someone when she finds a creepy house in the woods with a talking skull. It seems that she makes great friends with the skull and that they are actually good for one another. However, I don't want to spoil the story, so I will say this is a must read!

The book as well as the illustrations are on fire! My favorite part was how Otilla wanted to save the skull from himself. Why? This book also left me with so many questions: how was she so cool to meet a skull and what was she running from? I love it.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "23-Aug-2023", "date_added": "23-Jun-2023 21:01:56", "publisher": "Candlewick Press", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012759003", "title": "The Invisible String Backpack (The Invisible String, 6)", "author": "Patrice Karst, Joanne Lew-Vriethoff", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 9", "word_count": 195, "review": "The Invisible String Backpack is a story in the Invisible String series. These books help kids to feel safe and comfortable when they have to place and do things away from their parents or loved ones. This story is about a little girl named Mila getting ready for her first day of school\u2014she's nervous and excited. Her mom tells her about her invisible backpack that contains items to help her feel better at school. Mila learns she has her invisible string, mirror, microphone, shield, sword, armor, whistle, flashlight, and photo. These things help Mila be herself around others more quickly and happily until she gets home to tell her parents about the fun she had.

I can see this story helping many kids who get nervous about doing new things. It is hard to do something new for the first time, but if kids know that something will connect them with their parents or loved ones, it makes it easier for them. I enjoyed looking at the pictures because they are full of colors and there is so much to see on each page. The story is easy to understand by kids of any age.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "27-Sep-2023", "date_added": "23-Jun-2023 20:26:03", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012758007", "title": "We Are the Crisis (Convergence Saga, Book 2", "author": "Cadwell Turnbull", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 185, "review": "The world now knows that monsters exist. As the marches, protests, and rallies occur, the people take their sides. New-Era, a pro-monster activist organization, forms a grassroots networking group aimed at helping the monsters. Their efforts are threatened by the human supremacists, the Black Hand, and their rallies. The werewolf pack, while looking into the disappearances of former pack members, uncovers a darker conspiracy. Storms brew as the debate over the monster\u2019s rights heats up.

We Are the Crisis is the second novel in Cadwell Turnbull\u2019s Convergence Saga. The award-winning Turnbull follows the success of the wildly popular series starter with a contemporary fantasy that not only progresses the story but sheds light on much of the first novel. Turnbull\u2019s books make more sense when read in order. The reader learns important backstories as Turnbull turns up the intensity of the overall narrative. This novel does not flow in a linear sequence. That being said, this book is not a quick read but an amazingly written journey into a dark world. For those who enjoyed Turnbull\u2019s first book of the series, this is a must-read.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "20-Nov-2023", "date_added": "24-Jun-2023 21:19:31", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012757003", "title": "I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home: A novel (Random House Large Print)", "author": "Lorrie Moore", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 199, "review": "Sometime in the 1800s, a sister writes letters to a sister who died, sharing news and thoughts and speculations as though these words will be read, understood, and responded to. Centuries later, in the present-ish day, a man, Finn, faces the imminent death of his brother, waiting out his final days in hospice. Finn is also grieving the end of his long relationship with Lily, a deeply unhappy woman who has long spoken of ending her life. When a friend tells Finn that Lily has finally died, Finn is unsurprised but also overcome with grief. So it\u2019s a surprise when he visits Lily\u2019s gravesite and finds her there, not quite dead but not quite alive, either, smiling at him \u201cwith a mouth full of dirt.\u201d A road trip ensues, during which Finn attempts to right the wrongs of the past and steadfastly ignores Lily\u2019s swift and gruesome decomposition.

These two storylines--the sisters\u2019 letters and Finn\u2019s road trip--only minimally intersect, so any larger statement about death, grief, and the various trappings of the afterlife is left to readers to deduce. For readers who enjoy balancing on the edge of what\u2019s real and what\u2019s not, this novel will be a compelling ride.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2023", "date_added": "23-Jun-2023 20:14:48", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012753007", "title": "Nightmare Island", "author": "Shakirah Bourne", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 12", "word_count": 189, "review": "This book is amazing! One of my new personal favorites. Nightmare Island by Shakirah Bourne is about a twelve-year-old filmmaker: Serenity. Serenity has always been the least favorite child; her perfect brother, Peace, is her best friend but she is so jealous of him. Nothing he does is ever wrong. When Peace starts getting paralyzed with fear whenever it is dark, her parents take him to Dubby Island for treatment, but something isn\u2019t right.

Dr. Whisper gives Serenity a bad feeling, and ever since Peace has been getting treatments, he has been treating Serenity like she is a monster. Dubby Island is also home to Douens: creatures of ancient folklore with no faces and backwards feet. Serenity better find a way to save everyone on Dubby Island before everyone she loves becomes douens.

I rate this book five out of five stars! It did an amazing job of tying in horror with an age-appropriate pre-teen book. This book is definitely meant for people ages eleven to fourteen. It has an amazing storyline and awesome plot. Nightmare Islaland is going to fly right off the shelves when it is released!", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2023", "date_added": "23-Jun-2023 21:04:10", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012749003", "title": "Listening to the Quiet", "author": "Cassie Silva, Frances Ives", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 197, "review": "Jacki\u2019s mother is slowly losing her hearing\u2014the ability to hear her daughter\u2019s precious voice. However, the two are determined to not lose the closeness they have and hold dear to their hearts. They learn to communicate through sign language, and Jacki learns to \u201clisten to the silence.\u201d She tries desperately to block out the voices of others, the sound of rainsticks trickling. She yearns to experience the world through her mom\u2019s eyes. When it\u2019s her turn to present on Music Appreciation Day, Jacki leads the class in making her mother\u2019s favorite song recognizable to her through the vibrations of their feet.

Listening to the Quiet is a thoughtful story of love and understanding. The author, Cassie Silva, beautifully portrays a little girl\u2019s adoration of her mother and the unbreakable bond they share. At the end of the book, Silva notes, \u201cI was around Jackie\u2019s age when my mama began losing her hearing.\u201d The rest of the narrative closely resembles that of her own circumstances, adding to its poignancy. Children ages six to ten, especially those who are sensitive to adversity, will favor this sweet story. Additionally, it\u2019ll make a great addition to elementary school classrooms and libraries.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2023", "date_added": "23-Jun-2023 19:30:23", "publisher": "Lantana Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012748027", "title": "Quest Kids and the Dark Prophecy of Doug", "author": "Mark Leiknes", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 128, "review": "Think back to a time when there was baby wrestling... Oh wait, there wasn't, except in this book. This book is a fun-filled adventure of friends who turn into family and go on a quest to find their friend's mom and dad, and they also fulfill the quest of finding Doug, who may have all the answers. Dragons, magic, volcanoes, and don't forget baby wrestling, this story has it all.

This was a fun graphic novel that I liked. I especially liked the illustrations. The illustrations are really funny and add so much to the book; however, I do wish it had been in color. My favorite was when they were at brunch trying to eat the snakes but then the snakes wrapped them all up! Cool book!", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "20-Nov-2023", "date_added": "24-Jun-2023 21:37:08", "publisher": "Union Square Kids", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012748015", "title": "I Wish We Weren't Related", "author": "Radhika Sanghani", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 197, "review": "It is slow to get started, but boy, does it pick up steam. Many sisters harbor resentment against each other. This is a story about a family with three grown women, a famous mother, and a long-dead dad \u2014 or is he? There is a family secret that no one is willing to tell. The main character is an attorney who works with her best friend, who soon will ascend to partnership in the firm. The main character, Reeva, has a solid income, a new boyfriend, and a beloved cat. What more could anyone ask for? Reeva\u2019s perfectly coordinated life is about to become unhinged as she must reunite with her younger sisters to properly mourn their father's death. There are religious ceremonies which none of them know and many friends and relations who had been lost to them.

Worst of all, Reeva must face her youngest and most beautiful sister who is about to marry Reeva\u2019s ex-boyfriend, captured in a most sordid affair.

Can Reeva cope with all this? Can she endure the presence of the family who have hurt her the most? If the reader can identify with any of this, it is a most delightful read.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2023", "date_added": "24-Jun-2023 00:06:48", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012746015", "title": "Night Train to Nashville: The Greatest Untold Story of Music City", "author": "Paula Blackman", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 220, "review": "As a child, Paula Blackman grew up hearing her grandfather, E. Gab Blackman, tell stories about his life in Nashville. At the center of these stories was his work as a radio executive who played music created by Black artists in a time of segregation. In Night Train to Nashville, Blackman tells her grandfather's story and also that of Sou Bridgeforth, a Black man whose influence on the changing face of Nashville in the 1950s cannot be underestimated.

Though the book is a historical account of events in Nashville during the Civil Rights era, Blackman writes in a narrative style that makes the history come to life. The book traces Gab's arrival at the radio station WLAC and the beginning of the station's identity as one that helped to create the \"R&B\" sound America would come to love. Because the station reached most of the United States, it helped to introduce some of the most well-known artists of the day to an audience far beyond Nashville. While this was happening at WLAC, Sou was booking those acts into his New Era Club and reshaping the live music scene in Nashville.

For music fans, especially those interested in the history of the Civil Rights movement and its intersection with music in American culture, Night Train to Nashville is a must read.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "27-Apr-2024", "date_added": "22-Jun-2023 22:20:13", "publisher": "Harper Horizon", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012740015", "title": "Truly, Darkly, Deeply", "author": "Victoria Selman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 195, "review": "Amelia Rose and her six-year-old daughter, Sophie, move to London for a fresh start. It isn\u2019t long before Matty Melgren becomes a part of their lives. Sophie loves Matty, more than the father she can\u2019t remember. The relationship is overshadowed when women begin disappearing, some bodies never found, all resembling Amelia. A serial killer is haunting London and when a sketch surfaces of the suspect, it looks a lot like Matty.

After six years of loving Matty, Sophie makes a choice which results in him being arrested and sentenced to life in prison. Eighteen years later, Sophie receives a letter from Matty informing her he\u2019s dying and asking to see her. Will she finally get the truth?

I am a huge fan of criminal profiling and criminal psychology, so while this was fiction, it was fascinating to see things from the point of view of those who shared a personal relationship with an accused serial killer. I thought the author did a great job of handling Sophie\u2019s character with grace. You can feel the guilt she experiences while also knowing she isn\u2019t responsible for someone else\u2019s actions. I highly recommend to fans of psychological thrillers.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2023", "date_added": "22-Jun-2023 22:12:56", "publisher": "Union Square & Co.", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012737011", "title": "Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley", "author": "David G Lewis, Greg Robinson", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 200, "review": "Indigenous scholar and author David G. Lewis (Santiam Kalapuya) tells the Indigenous side of Western Oregon\u2019s colonization story through Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley. The book highlights the erasure of Indigenous voices from the predominant narrative about colonization.

During the time of first contact with American expansionists, tens of thousands of Indigenous peoples inhabited the Willamette Valley. Within a few decades, Indigenous tribes endured debilitating diseases, broken land treaties, and cultural desecration. White settlers intentionally destroyed Indigenous food sources and provoked attacks on the Kalapuya, Chinook, Molalla, and other native communities. American justice turned a blind eye to numerous assaults on Indigenous villages, as they knowingly created an unsustainable situation to necessitate the relocation of native peoples to under-resourced reservations.

A hopeful reader might take away the story of resilience. After all that the tribes have endured, they are still here. Many are engaged in cultural preservation. Another reader might connect generational trauma to the present-day economic, health, educational, and other disparities among Oregon's Indigenous peoples. This is an important book for advocates of Indigenous rights who are interested in digging deeper and beyond the prevailing myths that erase the truth about the long-lasting impact of genocide and colonization.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "20-Nov-2023", "date_added": "22-Jun-2023 21:52:48", "publisher": "Ooligan Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012737007", "title": "The Memory of Animals", "author": "Claire Fuller", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 208, "review": "With the world\u2019s citizens dying from a pandemic, Neffy enrolls in a risky vaccine trial that has the potential to save humanity. Far from feeling heroic, Neffy enrolls for the money, having lost her job at an aquarium for reasons that are initially unclear. She\u2019s also trying hard to escape from a complicated romantic relationship she isn\u2019t sure how\u2014or whether\u2014to pursue.

Life in the hospital, however, turns out to be far from an escape. When Neffy wakes from a serious spell of illness, she finds the hospital empty except for a handful of other participants. Short on food, drinking water, and news of the hellscape that is the outside world, Neffy must reshape her ideas about herself, her future, and her newly crucial role as a living, potentially virus-immune citizen of society.

Moving fluidly from past to present, the narrative reveals bits and pieces of Neffy\u2019s life, and her fraught history slowly crystallizes. Neffy is passionate but impulsive, closed off but yearning for connection, with a tendency to be frustratingly indecisive and often passive; and her flaws and contradictions ultimately put her few companions at risk. The novel strives for hope, but perhaps we\u2019re still too close to the near-past pandemic to recognize anything but horror in another.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2023", "date_added": "22-Jun-2023 20:31:15", "publisher": "WW Norton", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012736023", "title": "A Multitude of Dreams", "author": "Mara Rutherford", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 201, "review": "Imogen spends her time plotting her escape from a protected castle before she\u2019s forced to contend with dire circumstances. Meanwhile, Nico has managed to stay alive despite the plague that ravished the world thanks to Lord Crane, but he\u2019s beginning to question if the man\u2019s generosity was worth it. A search for plague survivors brings Nico to a castle where he makes a surprising discovery.

The character dynamics are great, with Rutherford excelling at establishing clever back-and-forths between them. The assortment of characters have well-rounded personalities that allow you to relate to them against the circumstances they face. Among the characters are Nico and Imogen, who are reflections of each other as they\u2019re both just trying to survive. The different characters come to rely on each other and their different dynamics are at the root of the story.

The world that Rutherford has created occurs in the aftermath of a plague, which has an eerie relevance despite being fantasy. The story will have you quickly invested in the plight that the characters face. Beautifully written, A Multitude of Dreams features an assortment of characters that are relatable and endearing with an adventure that will keep you invested until the very end.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "06-Nov-2023", "date_added": "22-Jun-2023 22:18:09", "publisher": "Inkyard Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012736011", "title": "The True Love Experiment", "author": "Christina Lauren", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 197, "review": "Author duo Christina Lauren brings a steamy, binge-worthy romance with The True Love Experiment! Romance author Fizzy is in a dry spell in her love life. Since she often takes inspiration from her own dating experiences, she is also facing major writer\u2019s block. Then she is approached by TV show producer Connor to star in a dating show to find her true love. However, the two soon realize that they have feelings for each other. Can Fizzy find her happy ending and not ruin Connor\u2019s career by putting the show in jeopardy?

I devoured this one! I am a big fan of Christina Lauren, but this was one of my absolute favorites. Fizzy was such a strong, playful lead character, and I loved how she and Connor connected. Not only was their chemistry off the charts, but this story did not include my least-favorite miscommunication trope. The two were honest about their feelings for each other from the start, yet outside pressures kept them apart. I wish there was slightly more drama on the reality show side, since reality TV is known for the drama. Still, this was a smart, sexy romance that I couldn\u2019t get enough of!", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "28-Sep-2023", "date_added": "22-Jun-2023 21:26:21", "publisher": "Gallery Books", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012735007", "title": "Forget-Me-Not Blue", "author": "Sharelle Byars Moranville", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Sophie and her older brother, Con, get their clothes from the community pantry, where they often have breakfast and lunch. Their mom, Ashley, doesn\u2019t make much as a waitress at Tommy\u2019s restaurant, and sometimes she parties with friends or brings home bad boyfriends, But Sophie knows her mom loves her even though she left the kids for a week one time. She has promised to never do that again. Ashley\u2019s grandfather, Gunner, shows up one day and moves in with them, but he\u2019s not around very much. While Gunner is gone, Ashley disappears again for even longer. Con shows what a great, loving brother he is. Things are really bad this time when Ashley returns.

Sharelle Byars Moranville has written a story that will break readers\u2019 hearts over and over but also shows the power of love, family, and friendship. The writing is great and the characters are all interesting and believable. The story situation is, sadly, all too real and one that young readers will often relate to. It shows a realistic and sympathetic picture of social services and the foster system. This is an important story that deserves readership far beyond its intended middle-grade audience.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "09-Oct-2023", "date_added": "22-Jun-2023 22:11:47", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012734003", "title": "The Fragile Threads of Power", "author": "V E Schwab", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 189, "review": "Bestselling author V.E. Schwab enters the world of the multiverse with this new novel exploring different, but similar, worlds all facing a threat to their very existence. Magic and witches are very much part of the worlds. Each world used to be connected to each other, sharing magic and power, through London. That is, until the magic became too much and the worlds decided to shut the doorway or else risk annihilation.

As time passes, those with the ability to open the door have become rare, and when one of those disappears, a new one appears. Kosika is the new magic user to open the door and has taken the throne; she wants to feed her city with blood. In another London, Rhy Maresh is threatened with rebellion from his subjects. As these two monarchs search for ways to keep their heads and crowns, a young magic user Tes may hold the key to survival.

This book reads very much like a V.E. Schwab book. If you are a fan of her work and the way she uses magic to guide her characters, then you will enjoy this book.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2023", "date_added": "22-Jun-2023 19:37:25", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "656 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012732003", "title": "Doctor Who Psychology (2nd Edition): Times Change (Popular Culture Psychology)", "author": "Travis Langley", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 198, "review": "Doctor Who has touched lives for multiple decades since its creation and has only evolved over time. This edited edition of Doctor Who Psychology updates content to reflect the current state of the Doctor.

Through this collection of essays, Travis Langley and others explore human psychology through beloved characters and the many faces of the Doctor. Through the perspective of Doctor Who, you\u2019ll garner a deeper understanding of concepts that include the moral foundations of villainy, the five-factor model of personality, archetypes, and post-time-war stress disorder.

The book\u2019s unique perspective explores concepts that include behavior, personality, and gender. Examples from the show are used to better understand these characters as archetypes and personalities that help us understand psychological concepts. Learn about personality types, intelligence, and the collective unconscious, and prepare to be captivated.

Interviews are featured that provide personal recollections from beloved actors such as recent actors (David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, and Matt Smith) and classic Doctor Who cast (Sylvester McCoy and Peter Davison). This inclusion creates a fan-orientated atmosphere that explores the inner psyche of the Doctor, villains, and companions.

These essays are thought-provoking and provide intriguing insights about human behavior through the lens of Doctor Who.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2023", "date_added": "18-Jun-2023 21:55:33", "publisher": "Wiley", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012727007", "title": "Julia: A Novel", "author": "Sandra Newman", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 168, "review": "Who can take a masterpiece like the dystopian novel 1984 and update it, retell it, and make it true to the original while bringing a totally different perspective to the story? Well, this reader believes that it would take a masterful storyteller and great writer to complete this impossible task. Sandra Newman manages this feat by pushing us through the most compelling horror story imaginable albeit with strong parallels to modern political life. In our real world of \u201calternate facts,\u201d it is not a great leap to double-talk and doublethink.

In this retelling, it is Julia Worthing rather than Winston Smith who is the main character and the focus of the story. The author creates a heroine with a blank aspect who is nonetheless riveting as she moves through her proscribed life and work. The author wrote the book that none of us want to read, yet we are drawn by her craft into turning pages of horror to seek a resolution and relief from the unrelenting anti-utopia.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2023", "date_added": "18-Jun-2023 21:48:48", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012723007", "title": "Just Another Missing Person: A Novel", "author": "Gillian McAllister", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 213, "review": "Julia Day leaves no clue left unturned as the lead detective investigating missing persons. She commits fully to her cases, often at the cost of missing time with her own family. Olivia Johnson is the latest missing person, yet Julia is uncovering more questions than answers. Then, her ethics are put to the test when a stranger discovers the one crime she is dead set on keeping unsolved.
\nHoly twists! There were so many bombshells I absolutely did not see coming. Upon reading, I almost flipped back several chapters to make sure I didn\u2019t miss something! Gillian McAllister crafted an exquisite mystery, and just when all the pieces seemed to come together, she revealed a new plot twist. I was thrown for a loop throughout the novel, struggling to rectify that no one in the story could be easily cast as good or bad. I loved the layered personas and how each deceitful moment was tied to protecting one\u2019s family at all costs. Julia was a complex lead character; a top detective who painstakingly sought closure to each crime she investigated, yet struggled with guilt over not spending enough time with her daughter and husband. I raced through the final chapters to understand what happened to the missing women, and loved the ending!", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2023", "date_added": "18-Jun-2023 20:49:16", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012721007", "title": "The Questions That Matter Most: Reading, Writing, and the Exercise of Freedom", "author": "Jane Smiley", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 194, "review": "I have long been anxious to read this Pulitzer Prize-winning author. She is highly acclaimed. From the title of her newest book, I thought it would be more about her process of writing. Instead, there are eighteen essays about genres and authors and their works. From Smiley\u2019s background of obtaining a BA in literature from Vassar and a doctorate from the University of Iowa, one can ascertain that she has led a privileged life. This shows in her highly critical take on many masters of literature and their writing. Much of this work reads like freshman-assigned essays to demonstrate eruditely and castigatory takes on citadels of culture. She condemns Mark Twain\u2019s HUCKLEBERRY FINN and decries those of us taken in by its preeminence. She even goes so far as to question Twain\u2019s motives in writing it and his process in doing so. The most interesting part of this book is her essay on motherhood and the dearth of literature from a mother\u2019s perspective. She feels that many books are a take on motherhood by the children or spouses, but not from the main character\u2019s perspective. For me, this collection was hard to get through.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "09-Oct-2023", "date_added": "18-Jun-2023 22:20:49", "publisher": "Heyday", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000012720011", "title": "After That Night: A Will Trent Thriller (Will Trent, 11)", "author": "Karin Slaughter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 207, "review": "Warning: this book has intense scenes which may be too much for those who are sensitive to violence against women.

While working in the ER one evening, Dr. Sara Linton treats a young woman who was brutally attacked. While trying to save her, she makes a promise that she will find out who attacked her and bring them to justice. Then, a chance encounter flips her world upside down and brings back painful memories of a sexual assault she survived fifteen years ago. Sara, along with her fianc\u00e9 FBI Agent Will Trent, and his partner Faith, begin an off the books investigation into the connection between the two assaults. But will they find enough evidence to open an official investigation before they all get fired?

This is a dark police procedural with medical themes and some twists and turns you won\u2019t see coming. The characters are multifaceted and full of heart. Even though this is part of a series, it was a good stand alone novel. I have not read the other books and did not feel lost at all. I really enjoyed the writing and the first chapter grabbed my attention and held it right to the end. I would recommend this to anyone who likes crime thrillers.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2023", "date_added": "18-Jun-2023 21:00:17", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012719003", "title": "Halloween Ball (Diary of an Accidental Witch)", "author": "Perdita Cargill, Honor Cargill, Katie Saunders", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sohail - age 13", "word_count": 193, "review": "Halloween Ball is a delightful and engaging book written by Perdita and Honor Cargill, which revolves around the main character, Bea Black. The story is set in Witch School, where Bea is hoping to leave and transfer to the Academy before Halloween. However, not only does she end up being stuck at Witch School, she has to plan the Halloween Ball as well.

Bea's character is portrayed as a witty, intelligent, and confident young woman who is not afraid to stand up for herself. In her time at Witch School, she has to take care of a grumpy toad named Stan, while at the same time trying to master her witchcraft. Despite the challenges she faces, Bea manages to pull off a great Halloween Ball.

The authors have done an excellent job of creating a fun and engaging story that will appeal to readers of all ages. The book is well-written, with an easy-to-follow plot and relatable characters. Overall, Halloween Ball is a charming and heartwarming story that will leave readers feeling uplifted and entertained. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and engaging book to read this Halloween season.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "23-Aug-2023", "date_added": "17-Jun-2023 18:18:18", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012716015", "title": "Live and Let Die: A James Bond Novel (James Bond, 2)", "author": "Ian Fleming", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 192, "review": "British pirate treasure is being smuggled into New York. The British Secret Intelligence Service suspects Mr. Big, a Harlem gangster and SMERSH operative, is behind the illegal activity. Agent 007 is sent to take out the crime lord. James Bond gets plenty of help while going after such dangerous prey. With the aid of Felix Leiter from the CIA and Mr. Big\u2019s beautiful girlfriend, Solitaire, Bond works to recover the stolen gold. The action takes the secret agent from New York to Florida and on to the Caribbean. As he pursues the notorious Mr. Big, Bond must adopt the motto \u201clive and let die.\u201d

Live and Let Die was the second 007 novel by Ian Fleming. First published in 1954, it has been reworked and republished without the racist labels and descriptions common to the time. The improved language takes nothing away from Fleming\u2019s story and, in many places, makes it easier to read. The novel Bond is not as witty as the movie version. Many of his clever comebacks are spoken by secondary characters and villains in the book. This makes for a more human secret agent and more dynamic opposition.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2023", "date_added": "16-Jun-2023 21:24:39", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012715007", "title": "The Last Comics on Earth: From the Creators of The Last Kids on Earth", "author": "Max Brallier, Joshua Pruett, Jay Cooper", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 128, "review": "Last Kids on Earth is a series I have been following for years. The stories just continue to get better and better, however somehow the graphic novel has some how made it even better. It has brought the story to life in a better way than I could have imagined. However, what could be worse than being the last kids on the planet to find out you have read every last comic? How hard could writing new comics be, after battling zombie monsters, and other creatures left after an apocalypse?

I really liked the storyline of this book, a nice difference from many of the other books. As always I loved the humor in the story. I love to write comics myself so this was a really great read!", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2023", "date_added": "16-Jun-2023 20:11:53", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012714007", "title": "The Philadelphia Campaign, 1777 (Casemate Illustrated)", "author": "Michael C Harris", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 256, "review": "As 1776 turned into 1777, the American dream of independence was in serious peril. William Howe's new book, The Philadelphia Campaign, 1777, takes the reader back to a moment during America's difficult birth when things were at a true turning point. The American cause was at a knife's edge and the vastly superior British military had finally managed to box in the rebels.

The book provides a detailed and quick-paced recounting of the British campaign for Philadelphia and the desperate struggle of their American opponents to counter their efforts. The book moves perspectives between each side and manages to effectively showcase the trying logistics involved in prolonged warfare. The book also does an excellent job of demystifying the overall conflict.

Harris's writing is nuanced and breezy. The book\u2019s visuals and numerous colorful images are compelling and revealing. The defining conflict of a weakened fledgling American army slowly finding its strength against a mighty empire is presented with haunting clarity. Many of the long-deceased characters are presented as detailed and fully formed human beings, and you get a true sense of their own narratives as people. But perhaps the greatest honor that can be given to this book is that it is a nonfiction book that places you so deep in the action that you forget it is a tale of the past. It all feels so real and so current.

This book is a literary experience that any fan of American history should undertake with great speed and an experience that I didn\u2019t want to end.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2023", "date_added": "16-Jun-2023 18:53:46", "publisher": "Casemate", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012713011", "title": "The Icarus Plot", "author": "Timothy Zahn", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 194, "review": "Gregory Roarke left the bounty hunting business behind after it cost him his left arm and almost his partner\u2019s life. To make ends meet, Gregory works as a bartender and occasionally runs planetary trailblazing jobs with his partner, Selene. After losing the bartending gig, Gregory is approached by two men needing a planetary survey. Reluctantly, he and Selene take the work, only to be pulled back into a paid bounty job. The job turns out to be connected to a long-unsettled score, and Gregory is eager for the chance at payback.

The Icarus Plot by best-selling author Timothy Zahn is a fantastic non-Star Wars sci-fi adventure. Even though it shares characters, places, and technology of a previous Zahn storyline, The Icarus Plot can be read as a stand-alone novel. Zahn\u2019s book reads much like a hard-boiled detective story, with a down-on-his-luck bounty hunter taking a job to pay the bills and settle a score.

Zahn\u2019s exciting action sequences, troubled characters, and attention to detail make this story stand out. There is also a mystery hidden inside this action-adventure story. This would make an excellent read for space junkies looking for a non-military interplanetary adventure.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "09-Oct-2023", "date_added": "16-Jun-2023 19:30:43", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012712027", "title": "The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale", "author": "Aya Khalil, Anait Semirdzhyan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 203, "review": "Young people have the power and agency to make meaningful changes supporting diversity. This is an important message of The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale, which tells the story of Kanzi, an immigrant Arabic girl, who organizes her schoolmates and teachers to fight book bans in their community. Kanzi draws from the wisdom and support of elders who encouraged her to speak out and take action against a discriminatory school district policy. Kanzi and friends made beloved recipes from their families to raise funds and awareness about the harms of censorship.

During an unprecedented time when a growing number of school and library districts are removing books with diverse, LGBTQ+, and people of color characters, this is a book that all K-12 libraries must carry. Writer Aya Khalil once again teamed up with illustrator Anait Smirdzhyan to share the importance of diverse voices. They bring back Kanzi, the young Egyptian immigrant from The Arabic Quilt, who musters the courage to adapt to her new life in America. In The Great Banned Books Sale, Kanzi emerges as a leader who stands up against bigoted views. Young readers will learn important lessons about valuing one\u2019s identity, bringing others along, and being courageous to stand up against hate.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "16-Jun-2023 23:27:10", "publisher": "Tilbury House Publishers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012712003", "title": "Just One Little Light", "author": "Kat Yeh, Isabelle Arsenault", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 196, "review": "Author Kat Yeh brings young readers a story of hope and resilience. In Just One Little Light, she assures them that even through their darkest hours, there will always be a glimmer of light. No matter how small it is, it will carry them forward, enabling them to see the path that lies in the distance. Despite fear that may be all encompassing, they\u2019ll have these simple words to provide comfort: \u201cOne little light cannot light the whole sky\u2026 but it is enough to begin.\u201d Even a single spark of illumination can pave the way to new beginnings, one\u2019s once thought impossible.

This is a thoughtful story, crafted with beautiful words of positivity and optimism. Children ages seven to ten who\u2019ve experienced loss, depression, or loneliness, as well as those who know someone who has, will be deeply touched by this book. The illustrations perfectly capture the message Yeh is sending: that during the most difficult times of one\u2019s life, there is unquestionably still hope. To convey this, the beginning pages are brushed with black and grey with only a few contrasting, lighter colors, while the latter ones feature bright, pastel hues, symbolizing life and promise.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2023", "date_added": "16-Jun-2023 18:13:13", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012937011", "title": "Everything's Fine", "author": "Cecilia Rabess", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 161, "review": "How does a bright girl raised with socialistic values end up at Goldman Sachs with burning ambition to be the best trader, values be damned? She soon discovers that her university nemesis is also working there and is much closer to the power structure and the upward climb in salary and prestige.

The main character is Jessica Jones, called Jess, and her nemesis is Josh; similarly named but Jess is stymied by her gender. Her facility with numbers is questioned, culminating in her own doubts about her acumen. Josh seems to be so much better at his job and the politics therein.

Strangely enough, this financial tale is also a love story. Jessica is smart enough to distrust the power establishment and maintain her emotional distance from any reliance on trust and faith in others. This is a debut novel from a writer who knows quite a lot about data and analytics, and how to tell a good and original story.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "09-Oct-2023", "date_added": "30-Jul-2023 21:37:30", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012935011", "title": "The Block Party: A Novel", "author": "Jamie Day", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 221, "review": "The Block Party is a domestic thriller that takes place on one block, Alton Road. The chapters alternate between the point of view of the main character, Alex, and Lettie, Alex's teenage daughter, who is as annoying as they come. This book starts off with Alex falling off the wagon at the current-day Memorial Day block party she puts together every year. Readers are taken back a year to review the current state of each family. Alex's sister, Emily, Emily's husband, Ken, and their two sons live on the same block. Then the Kumars move in, and it seems like Ken and Mandy Kumar have a thing for each other. Every character is a mess; Alex is an alcoholic, Ken is a possible serial cheater, and Samir Kumar seems to be an abusive, controlling husband. On top of that, Lettie is simply just an annoying gnat. I could hardly get through the chapters she narrates because she is sulky and self-righteous. I think the book would have been better if it had been told in the third person to illustrate Lettie's point of view as Alex's was. There is a huge wrap-up scuffle and all secrets are revealed at the end which makes the book pretty entertaining. A slow-moving story but with a satisfying conclusion, this is a great beach read.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2023", "date_added": "30-Jul-2023 20:57:17", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012932003", "title": "Mastering the Art of French Murder", "author": "Colleen Cambridge", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1163, "review": "M is for Murder Roundup\n\nIn the gripping world of crime fiction, the letter \u201cM\u201d has sinister implications, drawing readers into the mysterious and macabre. As they delve into recent releases in the genre, \u201cM\u201d stands not only for murder but also for masterful storytelling. From cunning detectives navigating treacherous puzzles to ruthless criminals plotting their next move, these novels offer readers a thrilling journey into the darkest corners of human nature. Join us as we explore the latest crime fiction titles that will keep you on the edge of your seat, heart pounding and mind racing.\n\nLove Betrayal Murder by Adam Mitzner\n\nIn Love Betrayal Murder, Adam Mitzner introduces readers to the cutthroat world of New York City law firms, where love, ambition, and betrayal collide in a tale of suspense and intrigue. Matthew Brooks and Vanessa Lyons, both talented attorneys, are deeply entangled in both their professional and personal lives. As they navigate their careers and a forbidden love affair, their futures are put on the line when Vanessa's husband, Bradley Lyons, becomes suspicious. Mitzner skillfully weaves a web of complex relationships and legal drama, with Vanessa assigned to a high-stakes case that could determine her fate at the firm. The tension escalates as Matt, her lover, is forced to supervise her on the case, a direct violation of company policy. When Vanessa's partnership dreams are shattered, she suspects that her affair with Matt played a role in the decision. The story takes a dark turn when a shocking murder occurs on the streets of Manhattan, leaving readers wondering who is telling the truth and who can be trusted. Mitzner's gripping narrative leads to a dramatic criminal trial, with the truth hanging in the balance until a jaw-dropping reveal. \n\nMurder Served Neat by Michelle Hillen Klump\n\nMichelle Hillen Klump serves up a tantalizing combination of murder and mixology in Murder Served Neat. Samantha Warren, an intrepid reporter-turned-mixologist, finds herself in another intoxicating mystery as a seemingly innocent Fourth of July party takes a sinister turn. Klump's storytelling prowess ensures that the investigation into Angela Clawson's death goes down smooth, leaving readers thirsty for more. She masterfully blends the flavors of small-town politics with a dash of familial obligation, creating a cocktail of intrigue that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The clash of personalities and motives within the German Texan Lodge's social sphere adds depth to the narrative, and the unconventional choice of murder weapon adds a quirky twist to the plot. As Samantha navigates this complex concoction of secrets and suspicions, readers are treated to a delightful blend of amateur sleuthing and mixology, making Murder Served Neat a refreshing addition to the cozy mystery genre. \n\nJust Murdered by Katherine Kovacic\n\nKatherine Kovacic's Just Murdered takes readers on a thrilling trip to the swinging 1960s as Peregrine Fisher, the long-lost niece of the indomitable Phryne Fisher, steps into her aunt's glamorous world of intrigue and mystery. When Phryne goes missing in the wilds of Papua New Guinea, Peregrine is thrust into a whirlwind of unexpected events as she inherits her aunt's wealth and a coveted seat at the Adventuresses' Club. However, Peregrine soon finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation that will test her wit and determination. Kovacic brilliantly captures the essence of the Fisher family's daring spirit, as Peregrine defies convention with her stylish flair and unrivaled tenacity. The backdrop of 1960s Melbourne provides a vibrant and nostalgic setting for this engaging mystery, where fashion, societal norms, and crime collide. Just Murdered offers a captivating mix of sleuthing, intrigue, and charismatic characters that will leave readers eagerly turning the pages. With its engaging narrative and charismatic protagonist, this novel is a worthy addition to the Phryne Fisher canon.\n\nMurder at an Irish Castle by Ellie Brannigan\n\nMurder at the Irish Castle by Ellie Brannigan delivers an enticing mix of mystery, romance, and suspense, all set against the backdrop of a charming yet enigmatic Irish village. Rayne McGrath, a Rodeo Drive bridalwear designer, finds herself thrust into a life-altering situation when her thirtieth birthday takes an unexpected turn. Inheriting a rundown family castle in Ireland might sound like a dream, but the catch is that she must save the entire village from financial ruin within a year. As Rayne delves into her uncle's mysterious death, she discovers that her idyllic new life is far from what it seems. Brannigan skillfully combines the elements of family intrigue, small-town secrets, and the allure of a picturesque Irish setting to craft a compelling and atmospheric mystery. Rayne's character shines as a determined and endearing protagonist, and readers will be drawn into her quest to uncover the truth while navigating the challenges of her newfound responsibilities. Murder at the Irish Castle conveys a richly woven tapestry of emotions, suspense, and a touch of romance, making it a captivating start to Brannigan's new mystery series. \n\nMastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge\n\nColleen Cambridge whisks readers away to the enchanting streets of Paris in Mastering the Art of French Murder, where the City of Light becomes the backdrop for a delectable blend of mystery, culinary delights, and international intrigue. Tabitha Knight's journey of self-discovery takes a thrilling turn when a murder rocks her otherwise delightful sojourn in Paris. Due to her connection to the victim and the murder weapon originating from her friend Julia Child's kitchen, Tabitha finds herself thrust into the heart of a complex investigation. Cambridge's storytelling weaves together the rich tapestry of Parisian culture, history, and cuisine, providing readers with a vivid and immersive experience. Tabitha's character shines as she navigates the charming yet treacherous streets of Paris in search of the truth, all while unraveling the mystery behind a note written in her handwriting. Mastering the Art of French Murder offers a tantalizing blend of suspense, romance, and friendship, making it a delectable cozy mystery. With its atmospheric setting and engaging characters, the novel transports readers to a world of culinary delights and intrigue in the heart of Paris.\n\nFour Found Dead by Natalie D. Richards\n\nNatalie D. Richards crafts a gripping and heart-pounding thriller in Four Found Dead, a story that takes place in the eerie, desolate setting of a closing shopping mall's theater complex. As the last shift of employees wraps up their duties, an ordinary night takes a terrifying turn when a stranger makes a chilling accusation. A sudden power outage and the disappearance of their manager set the stage for a nightmarish ordeal. Richards expertly builds tension and suspense as the crew finds themselves trapped with a murderer in a dark, labyrinthine mall. With a dead body among them, they must rely on their wits and each other to survive as the closed-off, boarded-up mall becomes a claustrophobic and menacing backdrop for a deadly game of cat and mouse. Four Found Dead is a thrilling rollercoaster ride of fear and intrigue, where trust is a scarce commodity and every moment holds the potential for danger.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jul-2023 19:29:26", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000012930011", "title": "Wine Club", "author": "Maureen Petrosky", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 927, "review": "Raise A Glass Roundup\n\nEntering the diverse and intricate world of alcoholic beverages can be a richly rewarding experience, and what better way to do so than through the pages of a good book? In this Raise A Glass Roundup, we've gathered together five recently released books that offer a tantalizing blend of history, culture, mixology, and appreciation for everything from fine wines to craft cocktails. Whether you're a connoisseur or a curious newcomer, these books invite you to raise a glass and savor the stories, traditions, and flavors that make alcoholic beverages so fascinating (and tasty). Join us as we dive into the literary realm of libations and uncork the wisdom within these engaging volumes.\n\nI'll Drink to That! Broadway\u2019s Legendary Stars, Classic Shows, and the Cocktails They Inspired by Laurence Maslon and Joan Marcus \n\nI'll Drink to That! Broadway\u2019s Legendary Stars, Classic Shows, and the Cocktails They Inspired by Laurence Maslon and Joan Marcus offers a captivating exploration of the intersection between Broadway and mixology. The book seamlessly weaves together the rich history of cocktails on the Broadway stage with a collection of thirty clever drink recipes inspired by iconic shows. Laurence Maslon, a renowned musical theater historian, guides readers on this delightful journey, while Joan Marcus's stunning photography captures the essence of both Broadway and the cocktails. From pre-theater libations to after-show toasts, the book offers a unique twist on classic cocktails, each with a theatrical flair. It's an engaging tribute to the vibrant history of Broadway and the drinks that have added sparkle to its legendary moments, making it a must-read for theater enthusiasts and cocktail connoisseurs alike. \n\nDiscovering Yamaguchi Sake: A Taster\u2019s Guide to Breweries, Culture, and Terrain by Jim Rion\n\nJim Rion\u2019s Discovering Yamaguchi Sake: A Taster\u2019s Guide to Breweries, Culture, and Terrain is a unique and immersive journey into the world of sake, focusing on the Yamaguchi region of Southern Honshu, Japan. Rion's expertise shines through as he delves deep into the history, culture, and craft of sake production in Yamaguchi, a region with a rich and storied brewing tradition. Through vivid descriptions and insightful narratives, he introduces readers to all twenty-three of Yamaguchi's breweries, providing a fascinating glimpse into each one's character and best offerings. The book also touches on essential topics such as the role of rice farmers, brewing techniques, and the intriguing debate concerning sake \"terroir.\" For travelers, a handy sightseeing guide is included, making this book not only a taster's guide to sake but also a valuable companion for exploring the region's delights. Illustrated with captivating photographs and helpful sake labels, Discovering Yamaguchi Sake is a great choice for sake enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive and enlightening exploration of a remarkable sake-producing region and the culture that surrounds it.\n\nSpirits of the Tarot by Thea Engst\n\nSpirits of the Tarot by Thea Engst is a fascinating account of the surprising overlap between the worlds of tarot and mixology. This unique collection of seventy-eight cocktail recipes, each inspired by a card from the Rider Waite tarot deck, invites readers to trust their intuition and connect with their spirit guides in a truly delightful way. Just as tarot readings offer insight and guidance, the included cocktails serve as a flavorful tribute to the wisdom of the cards. From \"The Magician\u2019s Magic\" to \"The Moon\u2019s Shine,\" each cocktail has its own enchanting character. Whether you choose to select a single card and craft a drink based on its energy or opt engage in a more extensive tarot reading to decide your libation, this tarot-inspired cocktail companion offers a whimsical and spiritually enriching experience. It's a celebration of intuition, a delightful homage to the mystical, and a unique way to commune with your spirit guides by raising a glass in their honor\n\nWhite Wine: The Comprehensive Guide to the 50 Essential Varieties & Styles by Mike Desimone, Jeff Jenssen, and Rob Mondavi Jr.\n\nWhite Wine: The Comprehensive Guide to the 50 Essential Varieties & Styles by Mike Desimone, Jeff Jenssen, and Rob Mondavi Jr. is an essential compendium for wine enthusiasts, offering an in-depth exploration of the world's most significant white wine varieties and styles. From Albari\u00f1o to Viognier, Bordeaux to Vinho Verde, this comprehensive guide takes readers on a flavorful tour of over fifty grape varieties and blends, providing insights into their origins, characteristics, and ideal pairings. Through engaging facts, expert contributions, and stunning photography, the book paints a vivid picture of the global white wine landscape. A convenient checklist and over 200 captivating photographs help readers to track their tasting adventures, making it the perfect resource to assist in appreciating and savoring the diverse and delightful world of white wines.\n\nWine Club: A Month-by-Month Guide to Learning About Wine With Friends by Maureen Christian Petrosky\n\nMaureen Christian Petrosky\u2019s Wine Club: A Month-by-Month Guide to Learning About Wine With Friends represents the ultimate guide to creating a fun and educational wine club with your friends. This sassy and informative handbook offers a foolproof month-by-month plan to make the world of wine accessible and enjoyable. Each chapter focuses on a different grape variety, from still to sparkling, delicate whites to rich reds, providing a structured yet relaxed approach to wine exploration. Beyond the tasting, there are easy entertaining tips, taste-testing advice, and intriguing wine facts. Petrosky also shares expert recommendations for budget-friendly wines, insights into building a personal wine stash, delectable recipes for wine and food pairings, and the latest in wine gadgets. Moreover, the book demystifies wine terminology, ensuring that even wine novices feel confident when selecting and serving wine.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jul-2023 21:27:52", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000012928021", "title": "Just Do Nothing", "author": "Joanna Hardis", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 456, "review": "Sweet and to the point, Just Do Nothing author Joanna Hardis combines personal anecdotes with her skills as a professional therapist to help readers lay new neurological pathways to allow for lasting change. Each chapter is titled with a cliched saying which is done intentionally by the author as she absolutely does not like word art or sayings that really mean a whole lot of nothing. She delves into the topic of each chapter, from tolerance and intolerance to identifying the function of one's behavior. Each chapter ends with an exercise the reader can do to put into play the skills Hardis talks about.

As someone who loves a good self-help book but who has found them to be quite repetitive nowadays, I found Just Do Nothing to be an excellent book to put me in a good headspace. As someone who considers herself to be very self-aware and mindful of behaviors and actions, I enjoyed reading about the situations the author found herself in and how she used the skills she teaches in the book to pull herself out of what most of us would call \"the rabbit hole.\" We can't control everything around us, but we can certainly control the decisions we make for ourselves and learn from them.

As a personal trainer, I really enjoyed the fitness references in the book and chuckled many times. For example, the part of the book that described people and their New Year's resolutions sounded so familiar to me. Hardis' examples include, \"It's January 1, and I'm going to start meditating for ninety minutes per day, eat vegan, and do CrossFit five days a week.\" and \"I'm going to get that fifty pounds off by April...\" Over and over again, people commit to these at the beginning of the year, yet when they stumble or mess up, they give up. Hardis emphasizes realistic self-improvement no matter when you start doing it.

I have to admit, there were parts of the book that I identified with, and reading it made me think. For example, the chapter on Choice Points, otherwise known as the fork in the road, gives a person \"an opportunity to choose behavior that moves you toward your values or desired behavior, or one that moves you away from them.\" I am guilty of checking my phone quite a lot, to be honest. I also always choose to lift weights over cardio, even though I know I should do even a quick HIIT workout.

Just Do Nothing is a book that can help anyone in any stage of life. The chapters are short but packed with valuable information that will make readers think about the choices they make and help them analyze their own behavior, habits, and feelings.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2023", "date_added": "29-Jul-2023 01:59:09", "publisher": "Finn-Phyllis Press", "page_count": "230 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012928013", "title": "The Inward Outlook: Conscious Choice as a Daily Practice", "author": "Laura Basha", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 426, "review": "I enjoyed reading The Inward Outlook by Dr. Laura Basha. Focused on timeless principles and philosophies surrounding thought, Basha helps take these heavier topics and break them down into understandable lessons that can be applied by the everyday person. A doctor, teacher, and coach herself, Basha acts as a perfect medium to convey to the reader these truths and the importance of incorporating them for a happier, healthier life.

In a very brief summary, The Inward Outlook concept is essentially becoming aware of the importance of your daily thoughts. From this awareness, Basha challenges the reader to distinguish when they are paying attention to their memories (analytical thinking) versus being the present (free-flow thinking). As she points out, neither is necessarily \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cbad\u201d but needs to act in a balance that best suits the reader's peace of mind and happiness. Too much focus on the past, previous struggles, and sufferings (analytical thinking) is problematic and can lead to boredom, judgment, and lack of joy. However, some analytical thinking is necessary; without this type of thought, you would not have the memory of how to complete daily tasks. Likewise, free-flow thinking is our natural state of thinking in the \u201cNow.\u201d From this present moment thinking, we are less emotionally moved and more stress-free. However, it is essential to have both of these types of thoughts to live a healthy and content life.

Throughout the chapters, Basha covers these concepts in depth, really educating the reader on the power of their thoughts. However, my favorite part of this book was the practice study guide included, breaking down each chapter into workbook-type questions to answer. Perfect for a book club, study group, or just personal meditation, I think this section really helps the reader digest the chapters and actually think about ways to apply the principles to their life. Admittedly, as an avid reader, I love self-help books and philosophy-type literature such as this. However, one of the most difficult challenges I have is the application of the concept and ideas from the book into my daily life. This is why I think this study guide is such an asset to Basha\u2019s teachings. By allowing the reader to reread as needed and focus on implementation outside of just teaching, she adds a lot to her audience\u2019s experience and potential life transformation.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and took away many ideas on how to transform my own thoughts. I would recommend this book for all ages who enjoy philosophy, self-help or want to learn more about thought transformation.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "24-Aug-2023", "date_added": "29-Jul-2023 01:52:09", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "152 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012928009", "title": "The Inward Outlook", "author": "Laura Basha", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 516, "review": "The Inward Outlook by Laura Basha offers an intriguing and illuminating exploration of the concepts of self-discovery and consciousness and of the transformative power of inner reflection. Through an engaging blend of personal anecdotes, philosophical insights, and practical guidance, Basha invites readers on a transformative journey that transcends the boundaries of ordinary perception.

In this conversational and approachably written book, Basha skillfully combines her background in psychology and spirituality to offer a holistic perspective on personal growth and self-awareness. Drawing from her own experiences, she delves into the nature of human consciousness, helping readers to explore their own inner landscapes and expand their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

One of the strengths of The Inward Outlook lies in Basha's ability to convey complex ideas with clarity. She seamlessly weaves together concepts from the domains of psychology, spirituality, and mindfulness, creating a tapestry of wisdom that is accessible to both seasoned practitioners and those new to these subjects. Her writing style is eloquent and engaging, guiding readers through intricate concepts while making them feel like they are participating in friendly conversations.

Moreover, The Inward Outlook is not just a theoretical exploration of the approach to a new way of being, as it's also a guidebook intended for practical application. Basha provides a variety of exercises, meditations, and reflective prompts that empower readers to embark on their own journey of self-discovery. These exercises are thoughtfully placed toward the end of the book, allowing readers to engage with the material on a personal level and then to begin implementing Basha\u2019s transformative tools.

Basha's own vulnerability and authenticity shine through in her writing. Her willingness to share her own challenges and triumphs creates a sense of connection between the reader and the author. This authenticity lends the book a sense of intimacy, making it feel like a personal conversation with an insightful mentor. Basha clearly feels deeply about the benefits of her approach to personal transformation, which helps maintain readers\u2019 belief even when certain aspects of her tales become a touch hyperbolic.

In addition, The Inward Outlook is very clearly structured, with each chapter building upon the previous one in a cohesive and logical manner. In this way, Basha navigates readers through a cohesive journey into the concepts of self-awareness, mindfulness, and consciousness expansion, with the final destination intended to be a profound sense of interconnectedness with all of existence. Of course, this will work better for some readers than for others, but Basha presents her recipe for self-help in a way that should appeal to most who are looking to change their lives.

Ultimately, The Inward Outlook is an interesting and potentially transformative work that invites readers to embark on an inner odyssey of self-discovery and growth. Basha's insightful writing, combined with her practical exercises and heartfelt anecdotes, render the book a powerful resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of themselves and their place in the universe. For both seasoned explorers of inner realms and those just beginning to contemplate their own consciousness, The Inward Outlook has the potential to spark lasting positive change.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2023", "date_added": "29-Jul-2023 01:52:05", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "152 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012928005", "title": "The Inward Outlook: Conscious Choice as a Daily Practice", "author": "Laura Basha", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 435, "review": "The Inward Outlook by Dr. Laura Basha is a guide for readers who want to experience a paradigm shift, be conscious of their thoughts and feelings, and find happiness. Growing up, Laura faced a lot of emotional abuse, and she became introverted. As a child who couldn't express herself, she turned to painting as a refuge from all her problems. She studied psychology, as she had always had an interest in it. Her career as a psychologist advances and with time, she discovers important personalities like Sydney Banks, who was one of her mentors. There she gained insights into consciousness, meditation, and mindfulness.

The Inward Outlook is borne out of her experience as a licensed trainer. The goal of the book is to help readers become more aware of the present, find their authentic selves, and discover peace of mind. Often, we let the past hold us down instead of moving forward, and then we are caught up with thoughts that cripple our determination and fear. Dr. Basha points out how our thoughts create our reality, and we humans think a lot. The book further clarified my doubts about the power of manifestation. She delved into the basic principles of experience, which are mind, consciousness, and thought. Explaining each term and how the principles play a major part in one's life.

I was especially interested in a client story she shared. When other psychologists had given up on the woman's case of schizophrenia. Dr. Basha tried out a different approach that turned out to be effective.

This book is an eye-opening guide. It made me appreciate the beauty of silence more and be more present to enjoy each moment. Although an experienced psychologist, Dr. Basha does not bore readers with psychological jargon; instead, she explains in terms that readers can understand and relate to. And in cases where you don't understand the meaning of some words, there's a glossary at the end. I liked how the book had a separate practical guide based on each chapter so that readers could understand the paradigm and get the most out of the book. Apart from that, there are notes at the end of each chapter that aids the learning experience as they point out vital facts and enable readers to jot down some of the things they learned from that chapter.

I recommend The Inward Outlook to you if you seek to enhance your cognitive processes, nurture a resilient mindset, and cultivate overall well-being. This book is particularly well-suited for individuals interested in personal development and self-improvement, offering invaluable guidance on the path to self-discovery and fulfillment.", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2023", "date_added": "29-Jul-2023 01:52:00", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "152 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012927007", "title": "Impossible Journey: Danger, Death, and Deceit on the Lewis & Clark Expedition", "author": "Paul Martin", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 75, "review": "\"Impossible Journey by Paul Martin offers a brilliant, seamless blend of actual and fictitious events. Paul's wonderfully detailed novel immerses the reader in an atmosphere of tension and curiosity between Whites and Indians in the wild, natural world of the early 1800s. If there's anything better than traveling, it's being transported back in time through novels that are rich in historical and cultural details like Impossible Journey. An absolute must-read!\" \u2014Foluso Falaye, Chicago Book Review", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Jul-2023 05:26:31", "publisher": "Gemini Originals", "page_count": "342 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012926007", "title": "The Death of Us: A Novel", "author": "Lori Rader-Day", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 200, "review": "Lissette\u2019s adopted son, Callan, sends her a parent-nightmare text about a car accident. Not his car, though. Another car, in the quarry. Lissette has a violent reaction. Is it Ashley Hay\u2019s car? Ashley, Callan\u2019s biological mother, handed her son over to Lissette fifteen years ago and then disappeared. The young woman had had a one-night stand with Lissette\u2019s husband, Link. Robbie, Ashley\u2019s boyfriend, was immediately suspected of having a hand in Ashley\u2019s disappearance, but then his body was found on the roadside, the victim of a hit-and-run. The toxic atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust that had enveloped the small, mid-America town a decade and a half ago returns. Neighbor is leery of neighbor; friendships crumble; Lissette, her marriage fraying, even harbors half-doubts about her husband. The town\u2019s marshal, and possible new love interest in Lissette\u2019s life, uncovers damaging evidence that completely changes the investigation into Ashley\u2019s disappearance and threatens to destroy Lissette\u2019s family. That is only the start of a maze of surprising twists and unexpected turns that culminate in a nail-biting final act. The Death of Us is an imaginatively and cleverly plotted mystery that will keep the reader glued to the page. Worth every one of five stars.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "20-Oct-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 20:18:00", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012926003", "title": "The Unmaking of June Farrow: A Novel", "author": "Adrienne Young", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 201, "review": "The Farrow women of Jasper, North Carolina are cursed. June Farrow has been waiting for the signs to appear because she is determined that the curse ends with her. A voice calling her name, wind chimes that aren\u2019t there, and a red door that appears out of nowhere. A year after the symptoms begin and her grandmother passes, she decides to go through the door. What she discovers will change not only her future but also her past. This is the beginning of The Unmaking of June Farrow.

What a beautifully written story about the choices we make and what we\u2019re willing to do for those we love as well as love itself. This is a story about sacrifice and love, and about how our choices can have long-lasting effects. If you love The Time Traveler\u2019s Wife, you will enjoy this story. The whole timeline thing and threads can get confusing, but still an enjoyable read. The addition of a murder mystery was a bonus. It wasn\u2019t the main point and didn\u2019t overpower the rest of the story, which was really about June and her choices. I highly recommend it to those who would like their stories to have more depth.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 18:22:39", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012925015", "title": "Uhtred's Feast: Inside the World of The Last Kingdom", "author": "Bernard Cornwell", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 200, "review": "Have you ever wanted to make an authentic Anglo-Saxon meal? But also have the convenience of a working toilet and good plumbing should things go horribly wrong? Well, you\u2019re in luck with Uhtred\u2019s Feast from bestselling author Bernard Cornwell with Suzanne Pollak.

The book begins with a wonderful introduction from Cornwell in \u201cThe Making of England,\u201d as he provides a brief biography of how he got interested in medieval history and the steps that led to him writing the hugely bestselling Saxon Tales, made even more popular with the Last Kingdom Netflix TV series. The book then launches into the recipes with sections named \u201cHome,\u201d \u201cLand and Water,\u201d and \u201cStorage.\u201d Each section begins with a historical background, followed by pages of delicious recipes, and then a thrilling extract from one of Cornwell\u2019s Saxon Tales books.

In the meat section, you can learn how to prepare cracklings, salt pork, and smoked pig\u2019s head. In the garden section, there\u2019s ale-glazed carrots, parsnip chips, and Saxon compote. In the dairy and bakery, learn how to make egg cake, barley flatbread and King Alfred\u2019s Cakes. These represent just a small number of the numerous fascinating meals that will have you salivating as you read.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 19:13:15", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012925007", "title": "Dark Moon, Shallow Sea (The Gods of Night and Day Series)", "author": "David R Slayton", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 200, "review": "Phoebe is dead, trapped in the underworld and unable to return. With the Moon Goddess gone, there is no one to give passage to the dead to the underworld, leaving them to wander as shades and haunt the living for their blood. Raef is one of the last followers of Phoebe. He was there when her temple was attacked and was the only one to make it out alive. Seth is a Knight of Hyperion, the sun, but he's tainted with darkness that he will do anything to destroy. Two boys on opposite sides, yet their fate is tied in ways they never can imagine.

Mystery, magic, and queer romance wrap together to make Dark Moon, Shallow Sea. The plot is well created and kept me turning pages, but it was predictable in places and in others the twists came so suddenly they weren't enjoyable. The characters are flat, pretty much copy and paste of each other. They all have their own motives and goals, but they are boring. The world-building is well thought out, as if the author created a religion and then built the world around it, and there are real consequences to the death of a goddess.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "26-Jan-2024", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 16:24:45", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "360 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012924007", "title": "Black River Orchard", "author": "Chuck Wendig", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 206, "review": "I\u2019m not sure how he does it, but Chuck Wendig is back again with another door-stopper of a book after the bestselling Wayward and Book of Accidents with the perfect fall, scary Halloweenish, apple-filled Black River Orchard that will have you second guessing the doctor\u2019s recommendation about what one should eat each day to be kept away.

Dan Paxson has been working on his orchard for a long time and with some very special seeds, and this season is going to be the one. He\u2019s got a new apple to unleash upon the world that he thinks is the best tasting bit of fruit in existence. At the first market, it takes his daughter Calla to come up with the great idea to give away samples to get people buying bushels of these amazing apples. Dan\u2019s world changes as he becomes an overnight success. But something is also happening to everyone who eats them. They\u2019re changing. At first it seems for the good, but then not so much. Everyone in town is changing, except for the few who haven\u2019t tried the apples.

Wendig has created another dark tale that at times might be too dark for certain readers, but overall it\u2019s the perfect fall horror read.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 19:39:11", "publisher": "Random House Worlds", "page_count": "640 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012923011", "title": "The Kitchen Commune: Meals to Heal and Nourish Everyone at Your Table", "author": "Chay Wike", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 202, "review": "This book lets you nourish your body's health while deliciously feeding those you love, even with different dietary needs. Main dishes are a high-quality animal protein, prepared simply, and dressed up with the included condiments or sauces. There are sides of salads and other dishes, and even a few sweet endings.

I was very impressed with the Vanilla Ice Cream, made with coconut cream and maple syrup; its lovely creamy consistency and mouthfeel, and subtle coconut flavor, is even better with a berry or other dessert sauce. My family was delighted with the Spanish Frittata with Spinach; this oven omelet even pleased my picky, veg-avoidant teen. Other recipes I'm excited to try include a Curried Tuna Salad, some Middle Eastern Spiced Bison, and a Chocolate Sweet Potato Frosting, which sounds amazing. As does every one of the vegetable sides!

Although some recipes, as written, may not suit your tastes (I thought the House Chimichurri needed the missing, but traditional, chilies), what I love very best about this book (aside from the gorgeous photos) is the flexibility to find recipes that work for you. With so many recipes, there are many options for everyone, without the need to sacrifice either flavor or health.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2024", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 18:11:26", "publisher": "Girl Friday Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012923007", "title": "Shadowheart (Unsub, 4)", "author": "Meg Gardiner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 185, "review": "Shadowheart is the latest thriller in the FBI profiler Caitlin Hendrix series. This one centers on two serial killers who seem to be in a battle against each other. Caitlin is still on the hunt for The Ghost, but this case will take her to an all-new level. A couple of years ago, Efrem Judah Goode was convicted of killing four women, which he adamantly denies. He is confessing to thirteen other murders, which draws the FBI\u2019s attention. Even more so when a new killer begins dumping bodies in the same locations as Goode claims to have done. Caitlin will have to go to some dark places to get into the heads of these killers before the body count gets any higher.

I absolutely love anything criminal profiling, so I was immediately drawn to the UNSUB series. Caitlin is a fantastic character dealing with her own darkness as she tries to save others from their own or others\u2019 darkness. This is book four in the series, and if you haven\u2019t read them yet, I highly recommend you do. You won\u2019t be able to put it down.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 16:15:26", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "370 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012922023", "title": "Frontera", "author": "Julio Anta, Jacoby Salcedo", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 212, "review": "Mateo embarks on a long, arduous journey away from his parents in Mexico to cross the Sonoran Desert. His goal is to make it to Phoenix, Arizona before the start of his senior year of high school. But before he makes it to his grandmother\u2019s home in the U.S., he must make the dangerous border crossing, policed by anti-immigrant vigilantes and federal security. The journey is physically and mentally taxing, causing Mateo to make rash decisions. In his hour of need, Mateo gains an unlikely ally. The lessons of the desert will never be forgotten.

Julio Anta tells the harsh realities of crossing the Mexico-U.S. border through Frontera|, an emotionally engaging story, rich with heart and action. Flawless illustrations by Jacoby Salcedo depict the excruciating and punishing atmosphere of the desert. Frontera does not sugarcoat the hazards faced by those who take great risks, from working with coyotes to avoiding detection by border patrol.

The graphic novel tells the unvarnished truth about the agony of family separation and state-sanctioned violence against migrants. The book addresses misunderstandings about undocumented immigrants\u2014who they are and their intentions for coming to the United States. One hopes that by reading about Mateo\u2019s struggles, the reader would develop empathy for the plight of people seeking a better life.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 21:57:10", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012922007", "title": "Bookshops & Bonedust", "author": "Travis Baldree", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 198, "review": "Before she tried her first latte, before she wielded Blackblood, Viv was a young, headstrong, and overly confident battle-orc. While pursuing Varine the Pale, Viv foolhardily ran headlong into a nest of the necromancer\u2019s minions. A rusty pike thrust into her leg stopped her charge. Viv was sent to Murk to recover. Keeping herself from going mad, Viv wandered into Thistleburr, the town\u2019s only bookshop. There, she met the foul-mouthed shop owner, Fern, and her pet, Potroast. While recovering, she finds her own adventures on the street and in the pages.

Bookshops & Bonedust is the prequel to Travis Baldree\u2019s wildly successful first novel. This cozy fantasy goes from smartly witty to laugh-out-loud funny at the turn of the page. Baldree makes it easy to smell the salt air of his fictional town or the pleasant aromas of his town\u2019s bakery. Baldree\u2019s world-building takes a backseat to his character arcs. Baldree shatters the stereotype of orcs, proving that these giant war machines are more sophisticated than what other authors write. This is a book for anyone with a favorite bookstore. Pour a mug of your favorite bean water, sit in your most padded chair, and enjoy Bookshops & Bonedust.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "15-Nov-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 16:20:21", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012921019", "title": "Coyote's Wild Home", "author": "Barbara Kingsolver, Lily Kingsolver, Paul Mirocha", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "Coyote Pup\u2019s aunt has come to take him on his first hunt. He\u2019s still very young, but it is time for him to learn. Meanwhile, a young girl and her grandfather are entering the woods for their first camping trip. They see tracks of animals in the dirt, and Grandpa explains how they must share the woods with the many animals there. Coyote Auntie howls and the girl is frightened, but Grandpa explains that coyotes are important to keep the deer and rabbit populations down so they don\u2019t eat all the plants. The girl learns about many animals that are predators and those that are prey and even those that are both. Coyote Pup learns much about hunting from his aunt.

Both Barbara Kingsolver and Lily Kingsolver are trained scientists, and their writing and research shine in this enchanting picture book that follows two youngsters, one coyote and one human, as they learn much about their natural environment and their places in it. The story of each is deftly interwoven with the other as their experiences complement and reflect their similar experiences. Gorgeous illustrations by Paul Mirocha fill every page with delightful details to complete the story and engage youngsters.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 19:51:00", "publisher": "The Gryphon Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012920015", "title": "It's Not You, It's Capitalism: Why It's Time to Break Up and How to Move On", "author": "Malaika Jabali", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 203, "review": "Journalist and policy wonk Malaika Jabali delivers a powerful, engaging, and entertaining book about how the prevailing socioeconomic system marginalizes communities by class, race, gender, and other identities. It\u2019s Not You, It\u2019s Capitalism is an illustrated volume that breaks down the debates about hefty student debt, lack of health-care access, dark money in political campaigns, persistent labor inequalities, and other troublesome trends to explain an exploitative and extractive system. Jabali demystifies the values championed by well-known socialists, such as Bayard Rustin, W.E.B. DuBois, and the Rev. Martin Luther King, to show how racial justice movements have also been driven by the dream of achieving economic parity.

The illustrations and infographics by designer Kayla E. draw readers to meme-worthy charts and graphics. Readers will grasp the basic foundations of politics and economics. Jabali writes in generational lingo that is winsome and accessible, especially among readers who understand the meta meaning of \u201cthe math isn\u2019t mathing\u201d or the irony of \u201care you bougie or bourgeoisie?\u201d Readers who may have been activated to explore the harms of capitalism can deepen their critique. It is the kind of book that must be shared and passed on to others who need this infusion of truth in their lives.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 20:14:55", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012920007", "title": "This Exquisite Loneliness: What Loners, Outcasts, and the Misunderstood Can Teach Us About Creativity", "author": "Richard Deming", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 217, "review": "In This Exquisite Loneliness, poet and critic Richard Deming pens an arresting and piercing analysis of the experience of profound aloneness and isolation from others. Deming excavates his own experiences in exploring both discontent and creative fervor as he examines the lives of six phenomenal figures, including writer Zora Neale Hurston, psychoanalyst Melanie Klein, Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling, and artist Egon Schiele. Part memoir and part character study, the author brings us to the recesses of his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction and relates his bouts with intense abandonment to the known lived experiences of other creatives

Deming pieces together information from autobiographies, interviews, and writings to formulate a coherent study of the extraordinary experience of transcending isolation and despair to create the most original and innovative works of art and writing. We learn that his connection to each of his subjects is deeply personal. For example, he writes about discovering Schiele\u2019s haunting self-portraits as a teenager and Hurston\u2019s works during a pivotal time of transition. Deming often wanders in the territory of an armchair psychologist, and his analysis could sometimes be a stretch. While passages that transition quickly into the author\u2019s self-reflections about his own demons can be quite jarring, I recognize that this book would not be possible without a keen sense of introspection.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 16:08:01", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012918011", "title": "The Bereaved: A Novel", "author": "Julia Park Tracey", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 203, "review": "From the first sentence (\u201cMy man Bram died on a Saturday evening, when all the world and its children take their baths.\u201d) to the last (\u201cThere is always something for the bereaved to mourn\u201d) I was completely captivated by this stunning novel in which a widow must do all that she can to protect her four young children. She flees with them to New York City to escape a predatory man and to find work, but Martha is completely unprepared for the rigors and perils of 1860s urban life in the tenements. There, the children cannot attend school: she needs them to hunt for scraps in the streets and to help mind the baby while she looks for employment. The amount of labor required simply to keep her little family fed, clothed, and halfway clean is staggering. \u201cWork for money and leave them alone, or stay with them and starve. Those aren\u2019t choices a mother should have to make\u2026\u201d That stark reality leads Martha to make a decision with terrible consequences. Based on meticulous research into the author\u2019s own family history, we do not need to know what \u201creally happened\u201d in order to believe Martha\u2019s dilemma, for every beautifully written page rings true.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "26-Sep-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 16:28:06", "publisher": "Sibylline Press", "page_count": "274 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012917003", "title": "Vampires of El Norte", "author": "Isabel Ca\u00f1as", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 209, "review": "Isabel Ca\u00f1as returns after her debut novel, La Hacienda, with her next foray into her unique romantic horror style with Vampires of El Norte.

It is 1846 and the United States is invading Mexico. Near the ranch there is something that drains men of their blood at night. Nine years ago something bad happened between Nena and N\u00e9stor. Something attacked Nena, and N\u00e9stor thought her dead and fled. Now the two are brought together in this time of war.

Nena is now a healer, known as a curandera, looking to prove her worth and importance to her father. N\u00e9stor is part of the auxiliary cavalry of ranchers and vaqueros. Nena has never forgiven N\u00e9stor for what he did in abandoning her, but they will have to get over this if they are to survive the white vampires of the American force invading from the north, and the other vampires that attack at night.

Ca\u00f1as has done it again with Vampires of El Norte in creating an original novel dealing with history and the plight of the Mexican people, and injection a delicious infusion of horror. While her writing style is a little tricky to get used to, the reader is soon taken on a journey they won\u2019t soon forget.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "15-Nov-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 14:13:30", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012914007", "title": "Beneath the Surface: A Novel (The Kingsleys)", "author": "Kaira Rouda", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 191, "review": "Billionaire Richard Kingsley invites his sons, John and Ted, and their wives onboard his luxurious yacht for a weekend voyage to Catalina Island. Despite Richard\u2019s first claims, this isn\u2019t a family reunion, it\u2019s a battle for the future of the Kingsley empire. When Richard\u2019s only daughter, Sibley, crashes the party, all hell breaks loose. These siblings will stop at nothing to come out on top, but don\u2019t underestimate their spouses either. Some wives will stop at nothing to keep the power and lifestyle they\u2019ve grown accustomed to. A storm is brewing both over the Pacific and someone\u2019s going to wind up dead.

If you enjoy rich people being absolutely horrible to each other and whining about how hard their life is, you will love this book. It was hard to find anyone likeable in this story, but maybe that\u2019s the point. Even Paige was difficult to really like, with her constant worry and excuses for her husband. I\u2019m not quite sure how this is supposed to be a series as things wrapped up fairly well. Not exactly a thriller, but there is definitely plenty of drama if that\u2019s what you\u2019re into.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "09-Oct-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 16:41:51", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "270 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012914003", "title": "Why?: A Story for Kids Who Have Lost a Parent to Suicide", "author": "Melissa Allen Heath, Frances Ives", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 197, "review": "Oliver\u2019s mommy tells him how much his daddy loved him and ensures he knows he always will. She explains the awful sadness his daddy felt before he took his own life. She tells him his daddy died because he wanted \u201cto get away from the sad, scary, and dark feelings.\u201d He died, she says, \u201cto stop the deep dark sadness\u201d he felt. Together, they grieve and visit the gravestone with his daddy\u2019s name etched into it. They savor the happy memories and the photographs of his daddy before he got sick and fell into the abyss of depression.

This is a unique and much-needed text for children who\u2019ve experienced the loss of a parent due to suicide. The author is age-appropriate in the dialogue she provides and is genuine in her attempt to expose the raw feelings of such a loss and its devastating effects on loved ones, especially those who are little. She includes back-matter for parents and others dealing with such tragedy and offers helpful, research-based knowledge and suggestions for those in need. This is likely to play an integral part in the healing process for young ones who are hurting and searching for answers.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "08-Dec-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 14:09:22", "publisher": "American Psychological Association", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000012913015", "title": "The Rom Con", "author": "Devon Daniels", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 199, "review": "Web journalist Cassidy Sutton is fed up with being a bridesmaid but never a bride. After a recent dating disappointment, she decides to test out age-old dating advice, inspired by tips from her ninety-year-old grandmother. She decides to try them out on Jack Bradford after meeting him at a work event. Jack is the owner of the men\u2019s website, Brawler, which spotlights material that is the opposite of Cassidy's employer Siren\u2019s feminist-focused pieces. Jack comes across as a confident bro, yet Cassidy soon realizes he may be the real deal. Can she deliver an article that will entertain Siren\u2019s readers while also taking a chance at falling in love?

The Rom Con was laugh-out-loud funny, and it\u2019s a millennial\u2019s dream with its numerous throwback mentions of early-2000s era TV shows and movies. It was tough not to root for Cassidy and Jack, since they seemed so right for each other. I loved Jack\u2019s endearing charm throughout, except for a few moments toward the end of the novel that made me question everything. This book was fast-paced with excellent dialogue and hilarious characters. The New York City setting was fabulous and perfect for this romance! This was a fun one!", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 20:05:59", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012913011", "title": "The Intern: A Novel", "author": "Michele Campbell", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 182, "review": "Judge Kathryn Conroy is cool, smart, sharp as nails, and the mentor law student Maddy Rivera dreams of. When Maddy lands a coveted internship in Judge Conroy's office, she thinks her future law career is set, but her brother Danny's arrest and the judge's secretive and possibly criminal past make her question everything in Michelle Campbell's legal thriller The Intern.

Maddy and Judge Conroy are both keeping secrets about their past to protect themselves, but they can't work together and keep those secrets from one another. Kathryn's life seems to be in danger, though Maddy isn't sure exactly why, and Maddy's brother has found himself in the crosshairs of the mob, so darkness lurks around every corner. To save her brother, and to help the judge, Maddy will have to come clean. And Judge Conroy's past, which she's tried for so long to bury, will have to come to light.

While some of the plot twists were heavily foreshadowed, Kathryn's backstory and Maddy's commitment to her brother, as well as her complicated relationship with her mother, made The Intern a fun read.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "07-Nov-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 16:06:08", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012912027", "title": "When Moon Became the Moon", "author": "Rob Hodgson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 129, "review": "So, this book is really cool and so full of information. I had no idea how the Moon was formed. The illustrations of the Earth crashing into another planet with the remainder of the broken pieces getting forced together with gravity are really cool. Each individual rock piece appears happy when they are forced together with heat.

There is also a chapter on the many Moon phases as well as solar eclipses, which is really cool because an eclipse is coming up soon. So this is great book to reference. This book also talks about how people have landed on the Moon.

I really liked the illustrations and information in this little book. It is jam-packed with ten chapters of information, but the best part is, it isn't overwhelming.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 22:31:16", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012912023", "title": "To Besiege a City: Leningrad 1941\u201342", "author": "Prit Buttar", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 195, "review": "The armed forces of the Soviet Union were in a frazzled state when Nazi Germany violated a previous treaty and invaded in 1941. Operation Barbarossa was launched by Hitler\u2019s forces in June 1941, intent on capturing Leningrad before moving on to Moscow. Despite warnings from various intelligence sources, Soviet leader Josef Stalin sloughed off the threat.

The strength of the Nazi forces was met by a decimated Red Army, which had been depleted by various purges undertaken by Stalin and his underlings over the previous decade. Hitler was determined to strike a knockout blow against his previous ally and then concentrate on the Western Front of the war. However, like Napoleon before him, Hitler underestimated the conditions of Russia and the deep resolve of the Russian people.

To Besiege a City brilliantly captures a perilous time in Russian history when its very survival along with the course of the war hung by a thread as the unforgiving cold and starvation exacted a devastating toll on both sides. Author Prit Buttar deftly reanimates the dog days of war that left few unaffected by its brutality. This is essential reading for history and World War II researchers.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "17-Feb-2025", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 21:43:52", "publisher": "Osprey", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012912003", "title": "Taco Falls Apart", "author": "Brenda S Miles, Monika Filipina", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 125, "review": "Doesn't everyone love tacos? This is a book about a taco. However, this taco is not having the best day. He wants to be perfect, but when his shell falls apart, he wonders if he will still be loved. As we well know, if a taco falls apart, we just scoop it back together.

This book had a really good message that compared the taco falling apart to our own emotions. That no matter what kind of big feelings we are feeling, they are valid and we are still worthy, maybe we need scooped up into a hug but all the components are still there. After all, we are humans and our emotions are valid.

I really liked this book and the illustrations were cute.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 14:07:53", "publisher": "American Psychological Association", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012907011", "title": "At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities: A Novel", "author": "Heather Webber", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 248, "review": "When Ava Harrison's ex-boyfriend dies, she finds herself unsure of what the future holds. On a whim, she decides to answer an advertisement for a job as a caretaker in Alabama for a cantankerous old man. The job leads her straight to everything she's been looking for, as is often the case with Heather Webber\u2019s novels. Her latest, At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities, is true to form.

For fans of Webber's writing, there are beautiful descriptions of the small town of Driftwood, AL, and it's eccentric citizens. The coffee shop owner, Maggie Mae Brightwell, sees Ava as a godsend since it is Maggie's father, Dez, for whom Ava works. From the minute Ava steps foot in Dez's beachfront home, she feels safe. Something about the water and the pace of the small town suits her too, but there is the odd fact of a butterfly whose wings keep changing color that intrudes on her peace from time to time. That and the kooky older woman Estrelle who runs the local stitchery shop. And Sam, the mysterious Southern man with the darling dog that Ava loves to dote on.

As Ava puts together the town's mysteries and figures out the secret to unlocking her own heart, there are some darling hijinks as well as predictable turns. For fans of Webber's other work, or of the magical realism at the heart of Karen Hawkins' Dove Pond series, At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities is sure to be a hit.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 00:39:53", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000012902011", "title": "Thornhedge", "author": "T Kingfisher", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 201, "review": "Toadling is on a journey of discovery about where she truly came from after being taken as a baby and raised by the fairies she calls family. When she\u2019s asked to fulfill a task, she returns to the world she was born into with the goal of giving a baby a blessing. But nothing goes according to plan and now, as a knight makes a startling discovery, Toadling will do whatever she can to keep a curse intact.

Kingfisher brings fairytales to life in this delightful tale that offers something original to the genre through the charming character of Toadling. She has a great voice that offers humor, wit, and charm to the story, making her quickly likable. There are several inclusions of fairytale elements with a maiden in a tower, fairies, curses, and a wall of thorns. These are incorporated to keep the traditional aspects of fairytales while at the same time offering something new. The dynamic between Halim and Toadling sets a lighthearted tone while showcasing Kingfisher\u2019s talent for clever dialogue. Thornhedge is recommended for fairytale lovers and those seeking more magic in their lives as Kingfisher has created a beautiful and charming tale of adventure, magic, fairies, and curses.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "06-Nov-2023", "date_added": "27-Jul-2023 00:38:36", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012900003", "title": "Four Found Dead", "author": "Natalie D Richards", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 1163, "review": "M is for Murder Roundup\n\nIn the gripping world of crime fiction, the letter \u201cM\u201d has sinister implications, drawing readers into the mysterious and macabre. As they delve into recent releases in the genre, \u201cM\u201d stands not only for murder but also for masterful storytelling. From cunning detectives navigating treacherous puzzles to ruthless criminals plotting their next move, these novels offer readers a thrilling journey into the darkest corners of human nature. Join us as we explore the latest crime fiction titles that will keep you on the edge of your seat, heart pounding and mind racing.\n\nLove Betrayal Murder by Adam Mitzner\n\nIn Love Betrayal Murder, Adam Mitzner introduces readers to the cutthroat world of New York City law firms, where love, ambition, and betrayal collide in a tale of suspense and intrigue. Matthew Brooks and Vanessa Lyons, both talented attorneys, are deeply entangled in both their professional and personal lives. As they navigate their careers and a forbidden love affair, their futures are put on the line when Vanessa's husband, Bradley Lyons, becomes suspicious. Mitzner skillfully weaves a web of complex relationships and legal drama, with Vanessa assigned to a high-stakes case that could determine her fate at the firm. The tension escalates as Matt, her lover, is forced to supervise her on the case, a direct violation of company policy. When Vanessa's partnership dreams are shattered, she suspects that her affair with Matt played a role in the decision. The story takes a dark turn when a shocking murder occurs on the streets of Manhattan, leaving readers wondering who is telling the truth and who can be trusted. Mitzner's gripping narrative leads to a dramatic criminal trial, with the truth hanging in the balance until a jaw-dropping reveal. \n\nMurder Served Neat by Michelle Hillen Klump\n\nMichelle Hillen Klump serves up a tantalizing combination of murder and mixology in Murder Served Neat. Samantha Warren, an intrepid reporter-turned-mixologist, finds herself in another intoxicating mystery as a seemingly innocent Fourth of July party takes a sinister turn. Klump's storytelling prowess ensures that the investigation into Angela Clawson's death goes down smooth, leaving readers thirsty for more. She masterfully blends the flavors of small-town politics with a dash of familial obligation, creating a cocktail of intrigue that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The clash of personalities and motives within the German Texan Lodge's social sphere adds depth to the narrative, and the unconventional choice of murder weapon adds a quirky twist to the plot. As Samantha navigates this complex concoction of secrets and suspicions, readers are treated to a delightful blend of amateur sleuthing and mixology, making Murder Served Neat a refreshing addition to the cozy mystery genre. \n\nJust Murdered by Katherine Kovacic\n\nKatherine Kovacic's Just Murdered takes readers on a thrilling trip to the swinging 1960s as Peregrine Fisher, the long-lost niece of the indomitable Phryne Fisher, steps into her aunt's glamorous world of intrigue and mystery. When Phryne goes missing in the wilds of Papua New Guinea, Peregrine is thrust into a whirlwind of unexpected events as she inherits her aunt's wealth and a coveted seat at the Adventuresses' Club. However, Peregrine soon finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation that will test her wit and determination. Kovacic brilliantly captures the essence of the Fisher family's daring spirit, as Peregrine defies convention with her stylish flair and unrivaled tenacity. The backdrop of 1960s Melbourne provides a vibrant and nostalgic setting for this engaging mystery, where fashion, societal norms, and crime collide. Just Murdered offers a captivating mix of sleuthing, intrigue, and charismatic characters that will leave readers eagerly turning the pages. With its engaging narrative and charismatic protagonist, this novel is a worthy addition to the Phryne Fisher canon.\n\nMurder at an Irish Castle by Ellie Brannigan\n\nMurder at the Irish Castle by Ellie Brannigan delivers an enticing mix of mystery, romance, and suspense, all set against the backdrop of a charming yet enigmatic Irish village. Rayne McGrath, a Rodeo Drive bridalwear designer, finds herself thrust into a life-altering situation when her thirtieth birthday takes an unexpected turn. Inheriting a rundown family castle in Ireland might sound like a dream, but the catch is that she must save the entire village from financial ruin within a year. As Rayne delves into her uncle's mysterious death, she discovers that her idyllic new life is far from what it seems. Brannigan skillfully combines the elements of family intrigue, small-town secrets, and the allure of a picturesque Irish setting to craft a compelling and atmospheric mystery. Rayne's character shines as a determined and endearing protagonist, and readers will be drawn into her quest to uncover the truth while navigating the challenges of her newfound responsibilities. Murder at the Irish Castle conveys a richly woven tapestry of emotions, suspense, and a touch of romance, making it a captivating start to Brannigan's new mystery series. \n\nMastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge\n\nColleen Cambridge whisks readers away to the enchanting streets of Paris in Mastering the Art of French Murder, where the City of Light becomes the backdrop for a delectable blend of mystery, culinary delights, and international intrigue. Tabitha Knight's journey of self-discovery takes a thrilling turn when a murder rocks her otherwise delightful sojourn in Paris. Due to her connection to the victim and the murder weapon originating from her friend Julia Child's kitchen, Tabitha finds herself thrust into the heart of a complex investigation. Cambridge's storytelling weaves together the rich tapestry of Parisian culture, history, and cuisine, providing readers with a vivid and immersive experience. Tabitha's character shines as she navigates the charming yet treacherous streets of Paris in search of the truth, all while unraveling the mystery behind a note written in her handwriting. Mastering the Art of French Murder offers a tantalizing blend of suspense, romance, and friendship, making it a delectable cozy mystery. With its atmospheric setting and engaging characters, the novel transports readers to a world of culinary delights and intrigue in the heart of Paris.\n\nFour Found Dead by Natalie D. Richards\n\nNatalie D. Richards crafts a gripping and heart-pounding thriller in Four Found Dead, a story that takes place in the eerie, desolate setting of a closing shopping mall's theater complex. As the last shift of employees wraps up their duties, an ordinary night takes a terrifying turn when a stranger makes a chilling accusation. A sudden power outage and the disappearance of their manager set the stage for a nightmarish ordeal. Richards expertly builds tension and suspense as the crew finds themselves trapped with a murderer in a dark, labyrinthine mall. With a dead body among them, they must rely on their wits and each other to survive as the closed-off, boarded-up mall becomes a claustrophobic and menacing backdrop for a deadly game of cat and mouse. Four Found Dead is a thrilling rollercoaster ride of fear and intrigue, where trust is a scarce commodity and every moment holds the potential for danger.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jul-2023 17:04:46", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000012897019", "title": "The 23rd Midnight (A Women's Murder Club Thriller, 23)", "author": "James Patterson, Maxine Paetro", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 189, "review": "The Womens Murder Club is at in again in the latest installment, The 23rd Midnight. This time, what seems to be a copycat killer is out on the loose. A man who calls himself Blackout who is a fan of locked up serial killer Evan Burke is going around killing people. First, it\u2019s a mother and child, then a man who is collateral damage. Meanwhile, Cindy has written a book about Burke after extensively researching him and conducting interviews from his San Quentin prison cell. Two people end up dead after going to her book signing at two separate events. Who is Blackout and how will the Womens Murder Club stop him?

This book is just as enjoyable and exciting as the other books in the series. It hits closer to home when Blackout starts sending Lindsey messages. Yuki does a great job in the courtroom trying to lock up a man who beat his wife so badly she almost died. Her case ends up being tied into the Blackout case as well. Patterson and Pietro are a fantastic writing duo and I look forward to more of their books.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2023", "date_added": "26-Jul-2023 17:08:47", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012894007", "title": "Hopefully the Scarecrow", "author": "Michelle Houts, Sara Palacios", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "A scarecrow stands tall in the middle of the garden. He doesn\u2019t remember his very beginning, but he is sure he was made with care and love. He does remember a girl who placed him on his stand and said, \u201cHopefully, the scarecrow will keep the birds away.\u201d Now the scarecrow knew his name was Hopefully. The girl came and read stories to him every day, and he loved the stories. Every fall, she put him away in the shed, and every spring she brought him back out. Her books became bigger and the stories more exciting. But one spring it wasn\u2019t the girl who came for him; it was someone else. Would she ever come back?

Michelle Houts has created a charming scarecrow character that little ones will care about. The story highlights the wonders of story within this story as well as the themes of friendship and hope. Sweet illustrations by Sara Palacios fill every page, and every illustration is filled with lots of fun details to keep young listeners eyes on the pages. The bright, cheery illustrations support and complete this sweet story. This is a perfect book for any time of year but especially for fall.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "26-Jul-2023 16:51:18", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012894003", "title": "Unicorn for a Day: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure (Volume 18)", "author": "Dana Simpson", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - age 10", "word_count": 169, "review": "In Unicorn for a Day, human Phoebe Howell and her unicorn friend Marigold Heavenly Nostrils both find their lives challenging but believe the other\u2019s is easy. So, what would happen if Phoebe and Marigold trade lives for a day? The result is hilarious.

When Marigold struggles to learn to hold a pencil, she discovers Phoebe\u2019s life can be tricky. Between getting her horn stuck in a tree and turning the sky plaid with a failed muffin spell, Phoebe learns being Marigold is difficult. With this spell the friends find out that sometimes, it is easier in your own life.

Just like the seventeen books before it, which don\u2019t need to be read in order, Unicorn for a Day is never dull. With each perfectly illustrated, magical moment, you are carried into another world with Dana Simpson\u2019s masterful work. This would be a great book for children five plus but not a good book for reading out loud. I recommend this book to libraries and homes for reading for fun.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "04-Oct-2023", "date_added": "26-Jul-2023 16:23:19", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012893007", "title": "The Sparkling Stories of Phoebe and Her Unicorn: Two Books in One", "author": "Dana Simpson", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 9", "word_count": 200, "review": "The Sparking Stories of Phoebe and Her Unicorn is a big book with two Phoebe and Her Unicorn stories: number six, The Magic Storm, and number eight, Unicorn Theater. In The Magic Storm, Phoebe is sent home from school because of an ice storm that hits her town. Marigold says that the magic is gone; the two work together to figure out what's going on and fix it with the help of a classmate, Max. In Unicorn Theater, the two go to drama camp and meet up with Marigold's sister for another adventure together.

I enjoyed each of these stories because Phoebe and Marigold have a positive relationship together; Phoebe likes things that most kids don't, but Marigold's concern about herself helps them continue to get along. Thankfully, Marigold has learned throughout the stories to care more about others instead of herself. Like the other stories, there are words that I have to have explained.

In The Magic Storm, there is a situation that I had to have explained. I don't care much for how Dakota talks to Phoebe in the stories, either. Fans of Phoebe and Her Unicorn will continue to love these stories because they're fast-paced and interesting.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "04-Oct-2023", "date_added": "26-Jul-2023 16:22:44", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000012888007", "title": "The Lunar New Year Surprise (Holidays in Our Home)", "author": "Jade Wang, Tammy Do", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 204, "review": "An older brother learns to crochet and crocheted a gift for his younger sister. Readers learn about the preparations for the New Year: cleaning the house, making paper decorations, and getting new outfits to wear. Most of the narrative focus on the actual New Year day as big brother tries to give his little sister the gift he made for her. However, every time he tries to give it to her, she is off either partaking in a celebration, or helping to prepare for the next activity. At last (at the end of the story) ha manages to give his grateful sister his precious gift.

The story line is very simple, but through it readers learn how traditional Chinese New Year is celebrated: the greetings, lucky money, visiting the grandparents, offerings for the ancestors, the lion dance, and the meal (along with the symbolism of each dish) at the end. The text is written to be read aloud, and has a sprinkling of Chinese words throughout. The back matter has translations of these words, traditional New Year dishes in other Asian countries and an introduction to the Chinese calendar. It is aimed at educators and younger readers with the intent of fostering cultural awareness.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "18-Mar-2024", "date_added": "26-Jul-2023 16:29:31", "publisher": "Soaring Kite Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012885015", "title": "For What It's Worth", "author": "Nathan Pettijohn", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 439, "review": "It's Jon's last week of classes at Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, and he intends to spend his final high school days pulling off different unforgettable pranks with his three close friends. Jon and his friends are in for a genuinely remarkable, perilous adventure that is even wilder than their psychedelic trips\u2014from seeing a murder after a failed theft to being targeted by killers. For What It's Worth revolves around a bunch of young, disruptive pranksters whose daring pranks gradually escalate and force them to face terrifying, life-threatening consequences. Author Nathan Pettijohn creates a riveting, fast-paced crime thriller involving members of a Japanese yakuza gang, novice criminals, police officers, frustrated high school teachers, and daring high school students.

Jon and his friends are free-spirited, adventurous, and funny. These high school students haven't grown to tame their wild side and are not used to carefully considering the implications of their actions. With my heart in my mouth and my fingers pressing hard into the seat I was reading in, I stayed glued to the book for the close calls and unexpected twists that come with every prank. There are no dull moments since the protagonists face several high-stakes challenges, such as the possibility of being expelled, overdosing on drugs, and being killed by gang members who adhere to ancient Japanese warrior practices such as using swords and cutting fingers to send a message.

I loved that the book's different characters are well-developed and given interesting backstories, goals, and points of view. Certain nuances and minute aspects in the novel, such as Jon's distinct culinary taste and his desire of owning a \"small Italian bistro and pizzeria,\" make the characters feel more authentic and relatable.

The author's poetic, flowy English complements his elegant, compelling storyline in the same way that beautiful plates complement a wonderful meal. It just felt natural and smooth. Additionally, Jon's opinions and experiences, which are told in first person, depict the mentality of a typical teenage boy from a time when social media was not as prevalent or widely used. I felt nostalgic reading about their innovative, adventurous use of time, and how they appear to be living in the moment and creating lasting memories.

Nathan Pettijohn is a fantastic storyteller. I won't be surprised if this novel eventually turns into a blockbuster movie. The book keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end with gripping scenes that elicit laughter, suspense, and youthful delight. For What It's Worth is a must-read for fans of crime thrillers, readers who grew up with little social media influence, and aficionados of high school drama stories with dark, punchy twists.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "27-Apr-2024", "date_added": "24-Jul-2023 21:31:16", "publisher": "Cordurouy Books", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012885007", "title": "Creative Together: Sparking Innovation in the New World of Work", "author": "Steven Kowalski", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 435, "review": "Creative Together: Sparking Innovation in the New World of Work reveals creativity as the driving force for innovation and shares how to unlock it and employ it effectively in group projects. The book illuminates the path to overcoming limitations to creativity in three sections. The first section is about challenging the old story and igniting your creativity. The second part explains the process of creating effectively with others and why this is important in your creativity journey. In the final section, we learn about adopting the principles of conscious co-creation into our everyday life and making proactive creative accountability a lifelong practice. By the time you complete the book, you will be mentally equipped to better face challenges and make use of opportunities at work and in your everyday life.

Like a luxurious watch crafted by the finest Swiss horologists, every intricate part of the book comes together to create a brilliant, satisfying work. It includes illustrative stories, research findings, the author's personal experience, action words, practical exercises, and introspective questions. Steven's lyrical writing is evidence that he practices what he preaches and that he has embodied the reality of being creative. Reading the book and all its brilliant metaphors felt like a thrilling adventure.

With refreshing honesty and exemplary generosity, Steven elucidates his team's shortcomings during a three-year European project termed Creative Leadership, lighting a clear path for the reader to follow. From his experience in Europe, you will learn to examine how you've been compromising your creativity and what you can do to bring your best, innovative self to your workplace. His four core Creative Styles, which he discovered through his \"doctoral research and subsequent practice,\" helped me understand that I am a soloist. This means I tend to think of my ideas as mine, which might be limiting in a group project. I have come to see how what I perceive as mine is, in reality, a reflection of my experiences and my interaction with other people.

Steve's book is indeed a paradigm shifter and a deeply enriching, impactful book. It has completely changed my perspective on creativity. With the right exposure, his thoughtful, logical conclusions in the book are bound to challenge what creativity means in today's work environment. Rather than monopolizing creativity to one portion of the population while the rest watches helplessly, everyone will come to accept they have a creative side and get to explore it for the good of all humanity. Creative Together has lit a torch that will expose untapped potentials and connect us to our unblemished, inner creativity. Get ready to awaken your creative genius!", "issue": "August 2023", "date_posted": "27-Aug-2023", "date_added": "24-Jul-2023 21:28:02", "publisher": "Page Two Press", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000012884007", "title": "A Clue in the Crumbs (A Key West Food Critic Mystery)", "author": "Lucy Burdette", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 179, "review": "Key West food critic Hayley Snow and her friend Miss Gloria are thrilled to welcome two Scottish sisters to Florida. Violet and Bettina Booth, known as the Scone sisters, are planning to host a baking show in the US and want to start with a bang in Key West. But before it can get off the ground, a fire is discovered at the B&B where the sisters are scheduled to stay. The next night, a body is found at the same B&B. It's the owner and husband of one of the contestants on the show.

While the ladies try to continue with the baking and creating the television contest, they also know they have to help find the killer or killers. But will they put themselves in danger doing so? Read along and find out. A Clue in the Crumbs is a fun, charming, cozy mystery that will give you tropical Key West vibes as well as cravings for a few scones and tea. The author has also included a few recipes to make it all the more enjoyable.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "23-Jul-2023 22:14:36", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000012883003", "title": "The Eye of the World: The Graphic Novel, Volume Six (Wheel of Time: The Graphic Novel, 6)", "author": "Robert Jordan, Chuck Dixon, Andie Tong", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 185, "review": "The Eye of the World: The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan was first published in 1990. Following its success, Jordan wrote fifteen other novels in the series, including a prequel. Since then, the franchise has been reprinted several times, made into a Prime Video series, and published in graphic novel form. The Wheel of Time is a grand epic that follows a group of teens fleeing their hometown. They are accompanied by an Aes Sedai sorceress, her warden, and a gleeman. Their travels are treacherous, concluding with an epic battle.

The graphic novel series is divided into six volumes. Each book is adapted by Chuck Dixon. Andie Tong is the artist for volume two. With the length of the original novel, dividing the story into six parts makes a lot of sense. Dixon\u2019s adaptation sticks to the original story very closely. Tong\u2019s artwork adds dramatic and powerful imagery to this exciting story. With as dark as this tale can get at times, Tong\u2019s artistry can be rather haunting. For fans of Jordan\u2019s epic fantasy, the graphic novels make an outstanding addition to anyone\u2019s collection.", "issue": "July 2023", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2025", "date_added": "23-Jul-2023 21:57:22", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013078007", "title": "Murder on Tour (Mystery Bookshop)", "author": "V M Burns", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 206, "review": "Sam is still reeling from her book tour and is grateful that Nana Jo has been running Market Street Mysteries. Now she\u2019s returned for a local book festival. But when a publicist is found dead, Sam wonders if there\u2019s any connection to the rumors of plagiarism surrounding the guest of honor. As she investigates, Sam can\u2019t help wondering if the killer went after the wrong person and who will be the next target.

Sam is living her best life with a book tour, writing a new mystery, and an engagement, which places her in this happy frame of mind that is reflected in the tone. Her book is incorporated throughout, with snippets that echo important elements of the mystery she is investigating. Her relationship with Frank is sweet and endearing, with a genuine love between them that provides so much heart into the mystery. Nana Jo is a great character that is a witty charming delight and such a scene-stealer. The mystery is intriguing and will keep you turning the page until you learn what happens next.

Go along for a delightful treat with a clever sleuth in Murder on Tour, which is a charming read that every mystery lover needs to have on their shelf.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "26-Apr-2024", "date_added": "29-Aug-2023 21:04:27", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013074003", "title": "Say Hello to My Little Friend: A Century of Scarface", "author": "Nat Segaloff", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 196, "review": "In 1983, the movie remake Scarface premiered in theaters only to be met with a fierce critical backlash. The nearly three-hour saga was blasted for excessive violence and the \u201cglorification\u201d of its protagonist, Tony Montana. The revised film, directed by Brian De Palma and penned by Oliver Stone, shared a few characteristics with its original 1932 inspiration in its controversies.

The infamous gangster Al \u201cScarface\u201d Capone served as a loose inspiration for the Ben Hecht-Howard Hawks collaboration, which tangled with censors before the movie hit the screens. Producer Howard Hughes fought with the Motion Pictures Producers and Distributors of America to get the movie released with little substantive changes. Brian De Palma was equally resistant to the MPAA\u2019s demands to water down the latter film\u2019s content. The legacy of both movies resides in the performances and the audiences\u2019 loving embrace.

Say Hello to My Little Friend deftly explores the lasting impact and relevance of Scarface along with its predecessor. Author Nat Segaloff delivers a well-researched and written analysis of the films along with the intricacies of the two Hollywoods that both films had to contend with. This is a must-read for cinephiles along with Scarface fans.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "20-Nov-2023", "date_added": "29-Aug-2023 17:14:42", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013073007", "title": "The New Naturals", "author": "Gabriel Bump", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 417, "review": "\"The New Naturals\" by Gabriel Bump:\n\nIn \"The New Naturals,\" Gabriel Bump crafts a poignant narrative that explores the complexities of friendship, identity, and coming-of-age in the South Side of Chicago. Through the eyes of protagonist Claude, readers are immersed in a world where loyalty and survival intertwine amidst the harsh realities of urban life. With wit and insight, Bump captures the nuances of adolescence and the search for belonging in a landscape marked by both hope and despair. \"The New Naturals\" is a powerful debut that resonates long after the final page, offering a fresh perspective on the bonds that shape us.\n\n\"The Blueprint\" by Rae Giana Rashad:\n\nIn \"The Blueprint,\" Rae Giana Rashad delivers a gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and redemption set against the backdrop of the music industry. Through the eyes of protagonist Layla, readers are drawn into a world of cutthroat competition and ruthless ambition, where success comes at a steep price. As Layla navigates the treacherous waters of fame and fortune, she must confront her own demons and make difficult choices that will shape her future. With its richly drawn characters and electrifying plot twists, \"The Blueprint\" is a captivating read that offers a fresh take on the pursuit of dreams.\n\n\"Let Us Descend\" by Jesmyn Ward:\n\n\"Let Us Descend\" by Jesmyn Ward is a haunting exploration of family, loss, and the enduring power of love. Set against the backdrop of the Mississippi Delta, the novel follows protagonist Mae as she grapples with the legacy of her ancestors and the ghosts of her past. With lyrical prose and atmospheric storytelling, Ward paints a vivid portrait of a community haunted by tragedy and bound by resilience. \"Let Us Descend\" is a masterful meditation on the ties that bind us and the ghosts that haunt us, offering a poignant reflection on the human condition.\n\n\"The Queen of Sugar Hill\" by ReShonda Tate:\n\n\"The Queen of Sugar Hill\" by ReShonda Tate is a captivating portrait of ambition, resilience, and the pursuit of justice in Jazz Age Harlem. Through the eyes of protagonist Bernice, readers are transported to a vibrant world of glamour and intrigue, where power and privilege collide with the harsh realities of racial inequality. As Bernice rises from humble beginnings to become a formidable force in Harlem's elite circles, she must navigate treacherous waters and confront the ghosts of her past. With its rich historical detail and compelling characters, \"The Queen of Sugar Hill\" is a mesmerizing tale of strength and determination.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Aug-2023 17:17:52", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000013072003", "title": "Redsight", "author": "Meredith Mooring", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 202, "review": "There is generally a reason you do not see too many successful mixtures of science fiction space operas and high fantasy. This book does not buck that trend and further shows why the two disparate genres do not need to mix. Korinna is a Redseer, a blind priestess who has the power to bend space and time so space ships can travel to planets. She is raised to believe she is the weakest of her order but in reality she is the strongest and is a pawn between different factions. She is sent to an Imperium ship to be used as a weapon. Aster Haran has a vendetta against the Imperium and kidnaps Korinna. The two are drawn to each other while Sahar is sent out by the Imperium to hunt down Aster and bring back Korinna before she decides to imperil the future of the galaxy and the Imperium. || These type of novels I have had issues with from when I was young. It is hard enough to do either one well but it is doubly difficult to blend them together. If this was just a space opera or even better a high fantasy it would have been much better.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2024", "date_added": "29-Aug-2023 17:12:02", "publisher": "Solaris", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013070011", "title": "The Infinity Particle", "author": "Wendy Xu", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - age 13", "word_count": 182, "review": "When scientist Clementine Chang lands herself a job at a laboratory all the way to Mars, she\u2019s more than excited to be working with AI, and how she can learn about it. Her boss, Dr. Lin has an assistant named Kye she created herself. Blown away by his appearance and kind personality, Clementine starts to fall for him. Kye feels the same way too, but going against Dr. Lin\u2019s programming makes him feel out of place. What will they both have to tell each other as Dr. Lin grows suspicious and when Clementine struggles to find the right memories to tell? I really like Wendy Xu\u2019s artwork and the way she used halftone in the interior of the book. The blue and hints of red look really pleasing together. The technique she used was almost like a manga page, but not quite. Clementine was such a fun character, and her moth-rabbit prototype, Sena, was super cute! The progression between Clem and Kye was not too rushed, and the backgrounds were very well done. Recommended for both Science Fiction and YA romance fans.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2023", "date_added": "29-Aug-2023 17:45:43", "publisher": "Harper Alley", "page_count": "272", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013070007", "title": "Listen for the Lie: A Novel", "author": "Amy Tintera", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "Five years ago, Lucy was found wandering with her best friend\u2019s blood covering her dress. She can\u2019t remember anything about that night, but everyone thinks she murdered Savvy. Lucy moved away and tried to start over in LA. Her grandmother convinces her to return because Ben Owens is investigating the murder for his true crime podcast, Listen for the Lie. As new information comes to light, Lucy begins to think that Ben might just be able to solve it and she isn\u2019t entirely sure if she\u2019s going to like the truth.

I absolutely loved this book. I did not want to put it down even though life often dictated I needed to. There were so many twists and turns. I honestly did not see that ending coming. I really enjoyed Lucy\u2019s character, but I\u2019m a sucker for sarcasm. Even being an accused murderer, I thought she would definitely be worth being friends with. I also would love to be friends with her grandma. I loved the back and forth between Lucy\u2019s point of view and the podcast as everything comes to light. The author did a great job of leaving you hanging after each episode. I highly recommend this page-turner.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2024", "date_added": "29-Aug-2023 17:38:26", "publisher": "Henry Holt", "page_count": "336", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013062007", "title": "Something, Someday", "author": "Amanda Gorman, Christian Robinson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 198, "review": "In Something, Someday, Amanda Gorman, presidential inaugural poet, tells young readers that even when things seem unfixable, there is much they can do to make a difference, however large or small it may be. Even when they\u2019re told their influence may be minimal, they have the power to change the world. With a little hope and a lot of faith, they are far from powerless; they are capable human beings who can influence tomorrow. With the help of a friend, together they can tackle what seems insurmountable, and with a team of others, they can overcome even greater odds.

This is an inspiring work of children\u2019s poetry. It conveys a message so many youth need to hear: that their dreams of a better place, a happier tomorrow, and a more just world are not just imaginings but the catalyst for action. Those who are intrinsic dreamers, young philanthropists, and effectual leaders will love this book. Ordinary, everyday people will as well. The target age range is children ages five to nine; though, parents will likely savor this text well. Gorman\u2019s hopeful, encouraging narrative will leave readers with an inner-warmth and sense of peace that\u2019s soothing to their souls.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2023", "date_added": "28-Aug-2023 23:40:02", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013059015", "title": "The Book of (More) Delights: Essays", "author": "Ross Gay", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 185, "review": "You do not need to have read poet Ross Gay\u2019s first best-selling collection of delights in order to thoroughly enjoy this new volume. Each week, he writes (in longhand, no less) his observations as brief essays, covering topics ranging from seeing his father in his dreams to spotting an unusual mailbox or gnomes in a tree. Although he says he isn\u2019t being optimistic as much as simply paying attention, these delights will help engender your own sense of optimism and a renewed sense of wonder.

The first book inspired readers to create their own \u201cdelight practices\u201d and this one will no doubt do the same. Dip in at any point, whenever you have a few moments to spare, and savor the results: enjoying being uncharacteristically early, the pleasures of hearing someone read aloud, adorable goslings, even the memories of a now shuttered bookshop. Each day might bring a small joy, a simple delight, or a deeper satisfaction.

And happily, Ross Gay anticipates a new collection every five years, so you will have lots of time to savor these additional delights and to create your own.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "28-Aug-2023 23:38:40", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013059003", "title": "What Goes on inside a Beaver Pond?", "author": "Becky Cushing Gop, Carrie Shryock", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "It is spring and the snow and ice are melting in the brooks and ponds. Many animals are coming out of hibernation. The beavers, who have been active in their lodge, are starting to come outside to repair their dam and lodge. A young beaver has been learning all she will need to know to be on her own. It is nearly time. She explores the area but comes home at night. The father, brother, and young beaver spend time repairing their dam and lodge. When they come home, they find that the mother beaver has had two new kits. Suddenly, the lodge is too crowded. The young beaver sets off the next day to find a new place to build her own lodge and her new life.

Becky Cushing Gop has written a complete and fascinating chronicle of the life of a young beaver, explaining the problems and opportunities she faces and introducing many of the flora and fauna of the beaver\u2019s habitat. Illustrator Carrie Shryock has completed the story with gorgeous, detailed drawings of all that can be found where beavers live. This is a real tour de force in STEM writing for children. Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "28-Aug-2023 18:35:18", "publisher": "Storey Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013058027", "title": "The Museum of Failures", "author": "Thrity Umrigar", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 207, "review": "Remy Wadia has returned to his childhood home in Bombay after living in the United States with his wife for over a decade. The couple plans to adopt an Indian baby, and Remy has gone to meet the birth mother. There, he also visits his aging mother, Shirin, with whom he has a strained relationship. Instead, Remy was incredibly close with his late father. However, as Remy\u2019s stay is extended, he realizes that he never really knew his mother and their relationship changes after she admits long-held family secrets.

Thrity Umrigar\u2019s novels are immersive, and I felt transported to Bombay throughout the novel. Her vivid descriptions of the city and its inhabitants brought the setting to life. I couldn\u2019t connect with Remy during the early chapters; he was so hard on his mother and seemed too good for his heritage. Some of the depictions of adoption appeared too transactional, and like Remy and Kathy would be satisfied with any child that was offered to them.

However, once the big secret was revealed, I couldn\u2019t stop reading. I adored the change in Remy and Shirin\u2019s relationship, and was shocked at what Shirin had endured. This novel emphasizes the importance of love, acceptance and sacrifice. A very heartfelt read!", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2023", "date_added": "29-Aug-2023 00:43:23", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013058023", "title": "Dear Unicorn", "author": "Josh Funk, Charles Santoso", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 9", "word_count": 201, "review": "Dear Unicorn is the story of how a young girl, Constance, and her classmates become pen pals with a pink and purple unicorn, Nicole, and her classmates. From September through May, the two write and send letters to each other, telling the other a big thing that has happened to them lately. As they continue this, they learn more about each other and start to become friends without meeting. Nicole still doesn't know that Constance is a human and vice versa! The two have different writing styles and ways of viewing life, which start to influence each other throughout the months of sending letters. When they finally meet in person, how will this play out? Who will be more shocked?

Bright, fun, and colorful illustrations are on each page. I enjoyed how the friends share similar experiences, regardless of whether they are human or unicorn! I like how Constance changes her attitude; she starts writing negatively, but after reading Nicole's responses, which are positive, Constance starts changing the way she thinks and views situations. Unicorn lovers will want to read this book because it is a dream come true and there might become more pen pals in the world after this!", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2023", "date_added": "28-Aug-2023 23:49:39", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013057023", "title": "A Curse of Krakens (The Seven Kennings) ", "author": "Kevin Hearne", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 184, "review": "Fintan, Bard of the Poet Goddess Kaelin, continues telling of the Bone Giant invasion. His audience still gathers daily in Survivor Field to hear the bard\u2019s stories. The crowds still get excited to learn of Darck\u2019s exploits, Gondel\u2019s continued knowledge of the Eculan peoples, and Hanima\u2019s push for a better way to live. Fintan also introduces his audiences to new characters in the ever-growing saga. While Fintan\u2019s retelling of events catches up to the present, the armies of the neighboring nations gather for their own campaign to Ecula to prevent a second invasion.

A Curse of Krakens is book three in Kevin Hearne\u2019s The Seven Kennings series. This epic fantasy is part of a much bigger story. Events make more sense when read in order. Hearne delivers a fun and exciting continuation of his grand saga. Even though he is known for his urban fantasy series, Hearne is a world-building master. This newest novel expands the borders into new realms while Hearne introduces new characters. Fans of the first two books will love this novel. Hearne\u2019s epic gets more exciting with each new book.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2023", "date_added": "29-Aug-2023 00:45:10", "publisher": "Random House Worlds", "page_count": "672 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013057019", "title": "A Family Like Ours", "author": "Frank Murphy, Alice Lee, Kayla Harren", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 187, "review": "A Family Like Ours is an affirming and winsome book for young readers to explore diversity and reflect on the family to which they belong. Authors Frank Murphy and Alice Lee teamed up with artist Kayla Harren to deliver a book that conveys the joys of being part of a nurturing and loving family.

Both in words and illustrations, the book depicts a variety of racial, ethnic, gender, age, and other diverse identities, ensuring that readers of all backgrounds can see themselves in the beautifully and warmly rendered pages. As the authors expand the traditional representation of a family, they also challenge adults in children\u2019s lives to enhance their understanding of multiculturalism.

In a book about acceptance and awareness of different kinds of families, I appreciated the focus on adoptive families, LGBTQIA+ parents, immigrants, and blended families. Harren\u2019s inviting artwork serves to make children aware of differences and recognize them as a source of strength. The authors offer downloadable activity sheets for young readers to ask a family member to share their thoughts about what makes their family interesting and reflect on cherished memories with loved ones.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "03-Nov-2023", "date_added": "29-Aug-2023 00:34:27", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013055019", "title": "Dinosaurs Don't Exist: (Interactive Books for Kids)", "author": "Mark Janssen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 126, "review": "What do you believe about dinosaurs? Do they exist? We know they did from digging up thousand year old fossils. This is a story about two brothers, Tom and Jesse, who think dinosaurs don't exist, but after their adventure, they think that just maybe they do.

This was a really cute book about dinosaurs. The coolest thing was the dark yet colorful illustrations on the big fold out pages that showed how the dinosaurs were lurking in the shadows and blending into everyday world around them. The back of the book is full of information about when dinosaurs used to roam the Earth. This book also has information on dinosaur's closet living relative, the bird.

Go find a fossil museum to explore the remains of dinosaurs.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "15-Jan-2024", "date_added": "28-Aug-2023 23:46:48", "publisher": "Tra Publishing", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013055007", "title": "Sew Sister: The Untold Story of Jean Wright and NASA's Seamstresses ", "author": "Elise Matich", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 198, "review": "As young children, Jean Wright and her sister Joan create lasting memories with their neighbor, a kind woman who graciously teaches the girls the artisanship of sewing. Jean develops an insatiable appetite for it; sewing becomes her love and refuge. At the age of thirteen, she witnesses, along with the rest of the world, the first moon landing. Space intrigues her, and when she discovers there\u2019s a team of women who sew thick, intricately-designed blankets that cover the exterior of NASA shuttles, she sends in her resume. After much persistence, she\u2019s honored with becoming one of the eighteen Sew Sisters.

This is a fascinating book that\u2019s full of interesting tidbits about the carefully crafted panels that cover rockets launched by NASA. Their design is unique, and the artisans who make them, gifted. Jean\u2019s determination to become a part of the team was relentless, and it paid off in the end. This example is a positive one for youth to emulate, even in the smallest of ways. Those who favor science, and specifically texts relating to space exploration, will find this non-fiction pick captivating and inspiring. It\u2019ll also appeal to young ones who enjoy sewing and other similar hobbies.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "12-Dec-2023", "date_added": "28-Aug-2023 18:32:32", "publisher": "Tilbury House Publishers", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013054019", "title": "Oliver and the Night Giants", "author": "Kitty O'Meara, Anna Pirolli", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "Night has settled in, but Oliver is having trouble falling asleep. He had a hard day. He had painted a picture of how he saw the world, but other children laughed at his picture and said it wasn\u2019t how the world was. Strange shadows dance on the walls of Oliver\u2019s room, and a deep voice says he needs Oliver\u2019s help. Two other voices implore him to come away with them. There are three giants outside his window, and they tell Oliver they need his help. They tell him they walk the world at night to set things right. They need Oliver to help them because he has the heart of an artist, and he will notice what is missing. Oliver goes with the Night Giants and they work hard through the night to make the world right.

Kitty O\u2019Meara has written a sweet story in lovely, lyrical text. It is a surprisingly quiet story, perfect to end the day and wind down for bed. The illustrations by Anna Pirolli are positively enchanting with deep, rich colors and magical creatures and scenes. This will become a fast favorite, especially with youngsters who enjoy beautiful art.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "28-Aug-2023 23:45:17", "publisher": "Tra Publishing", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013054007", "title": "Llama Llama's Little Lie", "author": "Anna Dewdney, JT Morrow, Reed Duncan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 182, "review": "Anna Dewdney, author of the adorable Llama Llama series of picture books, passed away, but Reed Duncan continues her series with Llama Llama\u2019s Little Lie. Here, a rambunctious Llama Llama roughhouses inside with his friend while Mama Llama works in the garden. When Mama Llama\u2019s favorite photo frame is broken, Llama Llama gets scared and gives a series of wild explanations to Mama Llama, but he knows telling lies is bad.

When Mama Llama asks for the truth, Llama Llama bursts into tears and reveals he broke the frame. Mama Llama tells him she\u2019s proud he told the truth and helps him fix the frame, only to go outside a break a window herself while playing ball!

This is a sweet story which conveys important lessons with the lightest of touches about the value of honesty and the fact everyone makes mistakes. Told in a simple rhyme that is fun to read aloud, this is story that will be read repeatedly for the joy of the language and may have little listeners picking up the words and the lessons along the way.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "28-Aug-2023 18:13:46", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013052003", "title": "Sons of Darkness", "author": "Gourav Mohanty", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 179, "review": "Readers familiar with the epic ancient poetry of India may find this work more enjoyable than I did, which is a high fantasy reimaging of one of the classic foundational works of ancient India, The Mahabharata.

Magic is in the air and the Mathuran Republic is on the edge of oblivion after a series of battles with the Magadhan Empire. Krishna, who is a Senator, and his third wife Satyabhama set in motion plans to protect the Republic. But not long after they set their plans in motion forces outside of their control force them to change their hands and the forgotten Gods begin to play their hand between the two foes.

This is not the first time an ancient myth has been refashioned to tell a fantasy, or science fiction, story. It generally does not work as well as stating your own story and feels a bit like fanfiction of placing the characters outside of the original setting. It could be seen as a way to get readers introduced to ancient Indian literature without reading the original texts.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "18-Mar-2024", "date_added": "28-Aug-2023 17:37:06", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "672 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013051019", "title": "Enlighten Me (A Graphic Novel)", "author": "Minh L\u00ea, Chan Chau", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 216, "review": "Standing up for oneself seems like doing the right thing. Binh did just that in the face of a racist school bully who was poking fun at his Asian heritage. But physically assaulting another student goes against school policy, and it was Binh who got in trouble. Binh shares a silent retreat with his family and younger siblings. Along with other children, he learns about stories from the previous lives of the Buddha. The stories are interesting, but for Binh, it is difficult to sit still and clear his mind when he misses his Gameboy. While he struggles with silence, he learns important lessons about friendship, community, and being present.

In the graphic novel Enlighten Me, award-winning author Minh L\u00ea and bestselling illustrator Chan Chau tell the story of a boy who gains a better understanding of himself as he works on quieting the mind and reflecting on dharma. L\u00ea and Chau highlight Binh\u2019s inner turmoil in a relatable way. The book is fun and engaging while dealing with the difficult topic of anti-Asian racism and exclusion.

Enlighten Me is a must-read for Asian American youth who often have to negotiate their ancestral identities and heritage in mainstream American communities. Readers of all backgrounds will benefit from meditation strategies and moral lessons from the Buddhist tradition.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2023", "date_added": "29-Aug-2023 00:29:20", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013051007", "title": "Dead on Target: An Agatha Raisin Mystery (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, 34)", "author": "M C Beaton, R W Green", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 194, "review": "While attending a village fete, Agatha Raisin participates in an archery demonstration. Shortly after, she discovers a dying man while trying to retrieve a lost puppy from the adjacent woods. The man is a local landowner with an arrow sticking out of his chest. And since Agatha is the last person to see him alive, Detective Chief Inspector Wilkes decides to try and pin the murder on Agatha.

Luckily, Agatha plans to investigate independently, and she's got some inside help from her new police friend and occasional dance partner, Detective John Glass. She is sure the victim, Sir Godfrey Pride, might have ruffled a few feathers when he decided to change his will and plans for his estate. It remains to be seen if the murderer is someone close to the victim or a gangster hoping to further his criminal empire by purchasing Pride's estate for redevelopment.

Fans of Agatha will not be disappointed with this latest installment. She is her usual bossy, opinionated self but remains loyal and faithful to her friends and colleagues as she seeks to solve another mystery. Dead on Target is full of fun escapes that keep me returning for more.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "28-Aug-2023 18:30:36", "publisher": "Minotaur", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013049015", "title": "Malibu Burning (Sharpe & Walker)", "author": "Lee Goldberg", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 171, "review": "Eight years ago, notorious thief Danny Cole was in the process of pulling off the perfect heist when things went wrong. While always one for the adrenaline boost, he is among the action and intensity, regardless of the environment, keeping a level head and calculating decisions. Fast forward to the present day, Danny has lost a friend and gained many enemies, all with a calculative plan to avenge. With the Santa Ana winds making their yearly appearance, will this help or hinder his plans alone and while on the hunt?

Goldberg has a knack for hooking the reader in quickly and not allowing them a chance to regret it. As in all his stories, the characters have robust, balanced lives that permit readers to sympathize and become surprised at who they are rooting for. The story is precise, with equal backstories, action, and suspense. Malibu Burning brings to light the potentially fatal risks firefighters take regularly, a new, fresh, and dark side to these first responders in a refreshing and eye-opening way.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2023", "date_added": "28-Aug-2023 23:37:04", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013048019", "title": "The King Penguin", "author": "Vanessa Roeder", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 135, "review": "There is a king penguin that thinks he rules all the species of penguins because he is a king penguin. He even got himself a crown and spectre. However, the penguins quickly wind up in a disagreement and then decide they would rather be a democracy. So the king penguin decides to go rule other animals. The only problem with that is that they all want to eat him... Finally, when he meets an emperor penguin he realizes he doesn't have to rule just because \u201cking\u201d is in his name.

This book is so funny! I really liked the illustrations, especially of the artic animals trying to eat the king penguin when he tried to get them to obey him! I thought it was cool it had all the different kinds of penguins in it.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2023", "date_added": "28-Aug-2023 23:43:17", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013046007", "title": "Shadow Speaker: The Desert Magician's Duology: Book One", "author": "Nnedi Okorafor", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 12", "word_count": 278, "review": "/Shadow Speaker by Nnedi Okorafor is an amazing book. It is the first book in a duology about the Dessert Magician. The story starts with a young girl named Ejji. Ejji is a feared female shadow speaker with a troubled past. Her father was a corrupt chief of her village who abused the power of the savior of Ejji\u2019s town, the Red Lady, otherwise known as Jaa. When she was eight years old, her father was beheaded by Jaa right in front of her own eyes and her mother was made town council woman.

Ever since then, Ejji has been traumatized and submissive. Ejji has never been the same since that day. As Ejji matures, she hears the shadows getting louder and louder, telling her to explore outside of her village. When Ejji overhears the Red Lady asking her mother to allow her to take Ejji as her disciple, the voices become louder than ever. Determined to go with the Red Lady, Ejji sets out on a journey to look for her father's killer and make a couple of new friends in unexpected places.

This book is amazing! It is not meant for young kids and I would not recommend it to anyone under the age of fourteen. It is super exciting and has an understandable but complex storyline and plot. I love the fact that this book gives details and info about the characters as well as their backstory. It would be great for fantasy and woman empowerment lovers due to its use of magic and all of its heroes being female. This author is truly amazing and I recommend that you read more of her books.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2023", "date_added": "27-Aug-2023 22:07:37", "publisher": "Astra Publishing House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013042011", "title": "Book of Night", "author": "Holly Black", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 205, "review": "Charlie has a special skill: she\u2019s an excellent thief. When she receives a visit from someone from her past, she takes a job searching for the woman\u2019s missing boyfriend. In a world where gloamists manipulate shadows for their own twisted amusements, Charlie soon stumbles into a sticky situation that pulls her back into the world of shadow magic and after a dangerous book that threatens to give shadows new life.

The world of shadows shows Black\u2019s knack for crafting our real world into something entirely original. The shadows have a layered role within the story as trends, sources of power, and even a threat. You find Charlie at the beginning having put this life of thievery behind her only to be immediately drawn back into it.

The relationship Charlie has with her sister Posey feels like a reflection of a genuine dynamic between sisters as while they don\u2019t always agree they always watch out for each other. Charlie\u2019s relationship with Vince adds romance and drama to the story and unravels secrets, feelings, and how deep their bond really goes.

Black is known for her unique style and Book of Night is no exception, with humor, danger, romance, sisterhood, complicated familial dynamics, and lots of shadows.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "20-Oct-2023", "date_added": "27-Aug-2023 22:20:26", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013042003", "title": "The Taken Ones: A Novel (Steinbeck and Reed)", "author": "Jess Lourey", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "In the summer of 1980, three girls went into the Minnesota woods and only one came out. Rue didn\u2019t speak for weeks and doesn\u2019t remember what happened. Her friend, Amber, and little sister, Lily, became The Taken Ones that day.

Forty-two years later, cold case detective Evangeline Reed and forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck are called to the homicide of a woman buried alive. Evidence suggests she\u2019s one of the missing girls. Van and Harry reopen the cold case to bring justice to these girls and hope to find the other one alive. Both Harry and Van have their own secrets that might tear them apart as they work together to solve the case.

There were so many things I loved about this book. Harry and Van were great characters. This book focused more on Van, so I hope that the next will focus more on Harry. There were some super creepy moments in this book, involving both the killer and Frank from Van\u2019s past. The blend of Harry\u2019s fact-finding and Van\u2019s hunches/visions was perfect. The cliffhanger at the end leaves you longing for the next book in the series. If you love murder mysteries and police procedurals, read this book.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "27-Aug-2023 19:54:07", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "332 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013041019", "title": "On the Threshold", "author": "M. Laszlo", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 415, "review": "On the Threshold is one of those rare books that almost wholly defy categorization. Part science fiction, part unrequited romantic drama; this novel reads like something out of a hazy fever dream. It begins in 1907 with a slightly mad Scotsman named Fingal who, in his quest to prove Plato\u2019s philosophy of Innatism, builds a machine that severs the truth of inborn knowledge from his own mortal soul. The fiery entity then flees from Fingal, eventually causing the self-immolation of almost everyone it encounters. The majority of the story concerns Fingal\u2019s determination to find his fiery counterpart and force it back into himself using the very same machine that tore them apart in the first place with the help of a cinema-obsessed and intellectually driven American woman named Jean. With a meandering storyline spanning nearly six decades, and a nearly global setting; the slow-burn quality of the plot is only enhanced by the addition of shifting social and cultural attitudes along with the aging dispositions of the main characters. Filled with Jungian archetypes and Freudian symbolism (and an awful lot of cats) On the Threshold reads more like a genre-bending epic poem than a straightforward novel. Laszlo\u2019s writing style is imaginative and lush, creating heavily detailed moments of somber introspection for the main characters in what almost read as scenes from a dramatic play and then wholly throwing them into the deep end of some fantastical science that somehow makes complete sense in juxtaposition. I really enjoyed the author\u2019s playful sense of self-awareness while serving up some of the more out-there events woven throughout the plot by relating them through the lens of the character\u2019s inner monologues. It almost comes across as absurdist fiction, but there\u2019s such a thread of fierce hopefulness running through Jean and Fingal that reads as anything but existential that I don\u2019t think that\u2019s an apt category for it either. It\u2019s hard not to love a novel that so ardently resists classification. My only complaint is the introduction of a few too many one-off characters toward the end of the novel. While there were quite a few of these peppered throughout the story to either move the plot forward or as a way to gain insight into Jean or Fingal\u2019s motivations, the ones at the end seemed almost superfluous. Regardless; with a little bit of Kurt Vonnegut, and a smidge of Scott Samuelson, On the Threshold is sure to please readers searching for something a little different for their TBR pile.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "01-Oct-2023", "date_added": "28-Aug-2023 01:28:26", "publisher": "Awesome Independent Authors Publishing", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013041013", "title": "Think in 4D: Design brilliant user experiences and valuable digital products", "author": "Erica Heinz", "category": "N04 Technology", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 110, "review": "\u201cThis is THE book for anyone who creates digital content or has wanted to. From new creators to experienced designers, Think in 4D will have you rethinking about the processes you use to grab your audience\u2019s attention. The explanation of the four phases and three layers of the 4D Thinking model gives readers twelve areas to delve into, from prototype to metrics to language to layers of inclusivity and accessibility, this book addresses it all. Think in 4D will be the next book on your shelf full of sticky note bookmarks and highlighted pages. Useful from cover to cover. Every digital creator needs a copy.\u201d \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Aug-2023 05:05:35", "publisher": "Jubilee Bridges", "page_count": "246 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013041007", "title": "Cinnamon Girl", "author": "Trish MacEnulty", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 412, "review": "Cinnamon Girl by Trish MacEnulty was a delight to read. Told from the perspective of Eli Burnes, a 15-year-old girl living in Georgia, the reader is immersed in the turbidity of the 1970\u2019s. After being whisked away from life with her alcoholic mother, Eli is raised by Mattie, a world-class opera singer, and her housekeeper, Miz Johnny. Both the center of Eli\u2019s world, she loves growing up participating in rehearsals, performances, and the extravagance of the stage. With Mattie\u2019s lively personality and Miz Johnny\u2019s discipline, Eli is brought up with love, much more than her hippie father, Billy, ever seems to give her. Alongside these figures, Eli has Gretchen, her best friend from Germany, and Gretchen\u2019s older brother Wolfgang, Eli\u2019s first \u201clove.\u201d Taken away by his philosophies, shaggy hair, and mystery, Eli would practically do anything for him \u2013 including running away. After a series of unfortunate events at home, Eli feels she is a burden on her family and wants to leave. Conveniently, at this same period, Wolfgang happens to be fleeing to Canada, after receiving his draft for the Vietnam War. Not fully understanding what this means, Eli just knows that she doesn\u2019t want her crush killed, so she runs away with him to New York City to flee the draft. She soon is in the loop that he has connections with SDS, Students for a Democratic Society who have gone underground amidst the protests and riots across the country. They are going to try and help Wolfgang, along with herself flee to Canada. However, little do the pair know, that much more adventure awaits them!

Overall, I thought this historical fiction was excellent. MacEnulty did a fantastic job writing her characters; I felt immersed in the scenes with Eli as she experienced everything from riots and police brutality to concerts and LSD. I also really liked how the story was told from the perspective of a younger girl; in this way, the reader is able to witness many key events of adolescence and life in the 70\u2019s. Finally, I really enjoyed how MacEnulty wrote Billy\u2019s character. A groovy activist father, Billy lets his daughter do a lot more than the average dad, encouraging her to participate in political events and even do drugs. He takes a controversial approach to parenting, which I thought helped Eli\u2019s character grow and develop throughout the story.

Overall, I would recommend this book to teenage and adult women readers who like historical fiction and adventure!", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "26-Aug-2023 04:56:09", "publisher": "Livingston Press", "page_count": "196 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013039055", "title": "A River Divided", "author": "George Paxinos", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 1513, "review": "The world is clearly divided on the issue of climate change. One group believes that climate change is real and that humans are accelerating it, while another group swears that it's all a sham. What is the main aspect that determines why someone in a group believes their thoughts are completely correct? Is it intelligence? And how important is our environment in shaping our intelligence? If you like these questions, you'll like George Paxinos' characters even more.

Evelyn, as a geneticist, is fascinated by the prospect of uncovering something previously unknown to science. When she discovers some bones with signs of crucifixion during her journey to Israel, she believes one of the corpses belongs to Jesus and that her discovery may benefit humanity. She thinks of collecting viable DNA from the skeleton she believes is Jesus to clone him. Michael, her doctor friend, is a hopeless romantic who wants to shield her from her strange decision, especially because she intends to be a vessel for cloning. Combining such dangerous science with her personal life might jeopardize her health, reputation, and even their relationship.

Jos\u00e9 and Christopher are twins whose journeys take them to opposite sides of a worldwide crisis that deepens with every act of environmental degradation and every tree cut down for profit in the Amazon. One twin is an economist who has been employed to support this devastation, while the other is an environmentalist who has been inspired by a neuroscientist mentor. Evelyn and the twins each play a significant part in a conflict between people who want to protect the economy and others who want to save the planet. Is Earth's future doomed, and will its caretakers be saved from its destroyers? George Paxinos' A River Divided brings together different characters who fight for what they believe in in a world ravaged by greed and neglect. Fighting back against a threat is an expected choice, just as it is with a cornered wild animal. Looking away is no longer an option, as Earth's rapid devastation threatens everything our protagonists cherish, including love, community, and passion.

The narrative, in my opinion, is a fantastic exploration of why people behave differently. As they are captivated by the interesting sequences of events, the reader is led to examine and answer numerous philosophical and psychological questions. I not only loved the novel but also felt enriched by it. Among the thoughts that came to me while reading the book, the major one that stood out for me was, \"Why do people act differently?\" I also pondered if nature or nurture has a greater impact on a person's conduct. The twins share comparable biological characteristics but are raised differently. Jos\u00e9 and Christopher end up joining groups with radically opposing viewpoints as a result of their different surroundings. For Christopher, experiencing Sydney's affluent districts allows him to appreciate the comforts of capitalism. Jos\u00e9, on the other hand, witnesses firsthand the terrible impacts of monetary exploitation in Buenos Aires' slums. Apart from the awful physical conditions of slum environments, the treatment of individuals like him by those in power is appalling, especially during their nonviolent rallies. Looking at all this, it stands to reason that these two will have opposing viewpoints on life unless they see things from each other's point of view.

A new idea came to me from this realization. I started wondering whether the rate of insensitivity towards climate change could be reduced if people from affluent nations and environments get to live in places that are being destroyed by climate change and exploited for monetary reasons. What if Hollywood celebrities get to see the negative effects of oil pollution in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria before buying their next private jets? Would things change then?

The sagacious individuals in the novel illustrate the wisdom that comes from careful inquiry and having an all-encompassing, expansive mind that seeks answers profoundly. It's clear that the author draws on his experience in psychology and neuroscience as well as his own sharp intellect to create these introspective characters and the significant issues and answers they pose. The characters' debates range from psychological topics to philosophical quandaries, arguments for and against climate change movements, capitalism, violence, activism, science, religion, and politics, among other topics. An excellent example of the book's numerous nuggets of wisdom is a conversation in which a professor says, \"Intelligence is the product of two factors\u2014the genetic endowment inherited from parents and the environmental influences on that endowment.\" This clarified my prior confusion regarding nature versus nurture and showed how they function in tandem. Several serious environmental arguments are also advanced, including the hopelessness of preserving the globe through technology and the deadlock with overpopulation.

George's lyrical prose, which he employs to depict natural scenery and his peculiar characters, is a joy to read. As a nature enthusiast, I liked reading descriptions of animals like the rainbow lorikeets: \"It was a carnival of color\u2014blue heads, red beaks, green wings and tails.\" Furthermore, the plot felt natural, as it seamlessly connects the characters' thoughts to what they're physically experiencing. For example, while Evelyn considers having a child and seeking Michael's assistance, she notices a woman nursing her infant and remarks on how \"natural and beautiful\" it is. I also liked the book's depiction of the complexities of a genetics operation. It was fascinating to watch the procedure of separating \"the nucleus of a brain cell\" and the other aspects involved. This section of the book will particularly appeal to genetics enthusiasts.

I loved the book's unique perspectives, which are depicted through multiple viewpoints. While reading Christopher's comment about someone's hair being stuck to his forehead after removing his cap, the image flashed through my mind as if I had witnessed it in person. In addition, certain epic lines in the story heighten its dramatic atmosphere. I loved the statement \"This boy has the loyalty of a snake but none of its charms.\"

No aspect of the book that is overly detailed or sluggish. It progresses linearly and quickly through numerous phases and times, depicting the people in several distinct settings. I appreciated how I never knew what to anticipate and was always looking forward to the book's next twist. Additionally, Paxinos deftly blends different themes to create an intriguingly complex and busy tale, including incarceration, rallies, education, archaeology, history, sexual assault, religion, romance, loss, cancer, unrequited love, and more. Though there are a few instances of violence, the reader is usually spared the gory details.

Jos\u00e9 is a person I'd want to meet in person. I was looking forward to observing his friendly connections with people, rational reasoning, and acts of generosity. I believe myself to be a decent guy, but I would not automatically regard my assailant to be a victim of his past, as Jos\u00e9 does in the novel. He also has a high level of intelligence for his young age as a high school student. I particularly liked the claim that Christians must care for the environment in order to care for future generations\u2014a wonderful illustration of intergenerational justice. Evelyn is another intriguing character. Caught in the ruins of a disastrous relationship, she hesitates in love even when she's with the right person. This is an example of meeting the right person at the wrong moment. I believed she needed to attempt to repair her damaged heart to find love again.

A recurring theme in A River Divided is dilemma. Right at the beginning, it illustrates a conflict of interests concerning Evelyn, who must choose whether to clone or not. She also struggles with letting go of her feelings for her ex and allowing a new partner to breach her boundaries. Michael must choose between protecting the woman he loves and allowing her to carry out her dangerous experiment. Also, both twins experience various contradictory scenarios involving love and the general good. With each conflict portrayed, I was drawn further into the story, eager to know how the characters resolved their differences. I also found their conflicts relatable. Even though Evelyn's situation differs slightly from mine, I recollect wanting to be friends with someone who expected more from our friendship. I could understand her feelings of guilt toward Michael.

Fans of thought-provoking fiction will enjoy A River Divided, as will environmentalists and campaigners who are passionate about tackling climate change. With scenes from different countries and characters that rally to confront a highly troubling global issue, it has an epic atmosphere that rivals the most amazing Marvel films. Though I consider myself very environmentally conscious, the book has helped me understand why spreading the word is extremely critical. It helped me comprehend how resistant to constructive change a large portion of the world is, particularly through its realistic representation of individuals rallying to preserve the economy and the status quo. I really liked the book since it serves as a sort of awareness for being diligent about protecting our world. Because this debut novel is an absolute treat for a variety of reasons, I eagerly await more outstanding works from George Paxinos. What a fantastic read!", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "01-Nov-2023", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 22:02:46", "publisher": "Amazonas Press", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013039051", "title": "A River Divided", "author": "George Paxinos", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 398, "review": "On a dig by the Dead Sea, Evelyn finds a skeleton which she speculates may have belonged to Jesus. Her interest in the possibility spurs her not only to spirit away the well-preserved brain of the body but also to attempt to isolate some of the DNA from it. Though not a devout Christian, she has a deep respect and admiration for the man Jesus and wishes to clone him, to carry that clone within her own womb and give birth to it. It\u2019s research she will never be able to admit to or publish, research that crosses several ethical lines.

Nevertheless, she pursues it. The choice will change not only her life but the lives of many others across the world.

In less skillful hands, this book would have become a thriller or a morality tale. Jesus Christ, back from the dead! While there are thrills in A River Divided, along with questions of morality, both are delivered in a balanced style. Paxinos has presented a skillful piece of speculative fiction, something that leans far more on the human side of matters than the scientific or fantastical. It makes this book deeply human overall, which I was pleased to find.

The first part of the book follows Evelyn and her pursuit of carrying a new Jesus in her womb. (Not to bring about any religious happenings, I should add.) Evelyn is a curious figure, one I had a deep sympathy with but, at the same time, had trouble understanding. Her son Christopher likewise felt like a distant figure to me. He was interesting, and I was intrigued by his growth from a boy into a man, but he always seemed strange and distant.

It was the third main figure in the book, Jos\u00e9, who spoke to me most clearly. He is an Argentinian boy raised by a single mother who finds his passion in environmental activism. He felt more alive, more vital than the other characters had.

The book is not a thriller, nor is it a morality tale, though it has elements of both. It is also neither a parable nor a fable, though it could easily have become either. It still does, as all good fiction should, bring up questions for the reader.

How much of what we are is determined by our genetics? How much is determined by our environment?

What would Jesus become if he were born into our world?", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "01-Nov-2023", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 22:01:35", "publisher": "Amazonas Press", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013039047", "title": "A River Divided", "author": "George Paxinos", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 418, "review": "Evelyn Camilleri, a brilliant and pioneering geneticist, leads a captivating tale of friendship, love, and scientific ambition. She shares a deep bond with her best friend, Michael, yet both harbor unspoken feelings for each other. Alongside her passion for genetics, Evelyn also nurtures an interest in archaeology, which led her to a remarkable discovery during her trip to Israel. Uncovering the remains of a mysterious figure, she speculates that it could be none other than Jesus Christ himself.

Despite not being particularly religious, Evelyn has a profound admiration for Christ. Inspired by her love for him, she conceives an audacious plan to bring him back to life through cloning. With Michael, a skilled gynecologist, by her side, they work on replicating Jesus using the DNA extracted from the tomb. However, amidst their endeavor, Michael yearns for a future with Evelyn, desiring to have children together.

Aware of the slim chances of success, Evelyn grapples with the risks involved. Meanwhile, fate intervenes, and against all odds, their experiment proves triumphant. Although they are twins, Evelyn gives birth to Christopher, while the second twin's embryo is carried by a surrogate mother. Tragically, the surrogate mother vanishes with the child, leaving Evelyn unaware of her other son's whereabouts. As the story unfolds, the twins grow up in vastly different circumstances. Christopher resides in the affluent neighborhoods of Sydney, while Jose struggles in the slums of Buenos Aires. Destined to cross paths, their meeting is inevitable, but the price they must pay remains uncertain.

From start to finish, this narrative captivates readers with its themes of friendship, commitment, and the unique bond between twins. The distinctiveness of each twin serves is a reminder that even in seemingly identical individuals, individuality prevails. The premise of cloning Jesus adds an intriguing twist, drawing readers in from the very beginning.

Among the cast of characters, Jose emerges as my favorite, embodying the qualities of an environmentalist, a passionate advocate, and a kind-hearted soul. The author skillfully crafts distinct and endearing characters, making them easily relatable to readers. The fast-paced nature of the book ensures a smooth and exhilarating reading experience, while the author's expertise in genetics gives readers a clear view of the workings of genetic modification.

Love, motherhood, friendship, and awareness about global warming and cultural diversity are prominent themes woven throughout the narrative. If you find yourself fascinated by books exploring genetics, you'll like this book. A River Divided by George Paxinos is a must-read for fans of fiction novels with a blend of science, history, and eco-consciousness.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "09-Nov-2023", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 22:01:27", "publisher": "Amazonas Press", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013039043", "title": "A River Divided", "author": "George Paxinos", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 438, "review": "A River Divided is a sweeping, ambitious novel with important messages about the environmental calamities we are continuing to wreak. Book one focuses on Evelyn, a driven scientist who accidentally discovers a hidden ossuary of bones while visiting Israel, not far from the Masada. Instead of alerting the authorities, she digs\u2014and the evidence seems, to her, to point to a single explanation of who was buried there after being crucified. Her former lover, now friend, Michael does not believe her theory, nor can he understand why she, a non-religious person, is so obsessed.

Her obsession only increases as she yearns for a baby. Having located some DNA from the cache, she sets about the business of cloning and persuading Michael, an OB-GYN, to help her. But he wonders whether she wants a child or an experiment. When the cells miraculously divide, there\u2019s an opportunity to create a second, identical twin, but borne by someone else.

Book two focuses on Argentina, where a surrogate mother flees before giving birth to that twin. She names him Jose and keeps him hidden from Michael, who yearly travels to South America in search of the boy, brother to Christopher. Jose is mentored by a scientist who teaches him about injustice and the environment.

The final two books focus on the brothers as young adults and how they oppose one another over a hydroelectric project in the Amazon.

The author, a neuroscientist of some renown who is clearly passionate about environmental causes, is adept at painting word pictures of the natural landscapes of desert and jungle. He also describes the brain with precision, and yet, in a way that is still understandable by the average reader. Images such as when Evelyn \u201cmoved the stage of her microscope to different fields of view, she was an astronomer training a telescope on unexplored sky\u201d are lovely.

There\u2019s plenty of suspense in these pages, as the plot travels from Israel to Australia, Greece, Argentina, Rome, and Brazil, where the titular river divides. Will the Masada guards interrupt Evelyn\u2019s labors? Will the cloning work or does she risk carrying a damaged baby? Can her theory possibly be right and, if so, what are the implications for humanity? The cruelties of Argentina\u2019s regime against protestors are as horrendous as those of the clear-cutting practices in the Amazonia.

At the same time, Paxinos is not afraid to dive into deep, important ethical themes of cloning, surrogacy, free will vs. determinism, and injustice. His work will introduce many readers to Christian environmentalism and to the need for us all to strive mightily to save ourselves and our planet from destruction.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "01-Oct-2023", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 22:01:16", "publisher": "Amazonas Press", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013039039", "title": "A River Divided", "author": "George Paxinos", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi", "word_count": 494, "review": "The story is divided into two parts. In the first part, the protagonists are Evelyn, a geneticist and amateur archaeologist whose passion leads her to a groundbreaking discovery in Jerusalem that she decides to keep a secret, and her best friend and ex-lover Michael who is an obstetrician. Evelyn staying \u201cfaithful\u201d to the science she knows, manages to give birth to her first son, Christopher, but due to concerns over her health delivering a second baby, she and Michael decide to have the second baby delivered by a surrogate in Argentina.

In the second part, Evelyn\u2019s children become the story itself. Christopher is the first child to be born. He grows up with Evelyn and Michael as his parents in Sydney. He graduates from a prestigious Australian university and becomes an economist working for TerraDename, a powerful company specializing in environmentally friendly constructions. He\u2019s sent to Brazil in order to meet with the organization responsible for not allowing the construction of a \u201cgreen\u201d electric dam in the Amazon, negotiate, and reach a compromise that will satisfy both sides.

On the other hand, the second boy, Jose was abducted and raised by his surrogate mother in Latin America. He meets a neuroscientist and environmental activist called Alberto who introduces him to the environmental destruction caused by humans. When Alberto disappears, Jose takes over his place as the head of the environmental group Todo por Tierra which later evolved into Resistencia Pacifica, an organization aiming to network with people concerned about the Amazon Rainforest.

Throughout a series of events, the two boys meet and the moment they lay their eyes on each other, it\u2019s like they take a look in the mirror. The boys are identical twins, their genetic material is 100% the same. Evelyn\u2019s mitochondrial DNA from outside the nucleus of her egg is her only maternal contribution. Since they are exactly the same, they should also think and act the same.

Here comes nature versus nurture or more accurately nature via nurture. Both genes and the environment are essential for all behaviors. The environment has an influence on which genes are expressed that is which genes become active in brain neurons. They may be genetically identical and wish the same future for Earth but they express it through different words and actions.

George Paxinos, known as the world\u2019s brain cartographer, claims that in evolutionary terms, we have a Stone Age brain. The scale of humanity\u2019s interference with climate change is enormous. In order to save planet Earth from total destruction, people need to address climate change head-on and the way to do it is to change the way they comprehend and behave. That gigantic modification exceeds our brain\u2019s capacities so far.

Mr. Paxinos delivers a masterfully written novel like no other I have read. Science, religion, ethics, faith, morality, freedom, and love comprise the \u201cheart\u201d of a story that captivates and at the same time challenges readers to question not only their knowledge but also their beliefs.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "01-Nov-2023", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 21:54:59", "publisher": "Amazonas Press", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013039035", "title": "A River Divided", "author": "George Paxinos", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 424, "review": "On the banks of the Dead Sea in the Jordan Valley of Israel, genetic scientist Evelyn Camilleri found a 2000-year-old tomb. Inside the tomb were the skeletal remains of a man plus two jars, a scroll, and a piece of wood with the inscription of INRI. Believing that she had found the remains of Jesus of Nazarene, Evelyn smuggled some of the items with her back to Sydney. Her carbon dating and investigation into the scroll and jars solidified her resolve that she had found Him. She isolated the DNA from brain matter found in the pots. Having gotten close to a successful clone before, Evelyn decided to attempt bringing back to life the mind and spirit of the prophet. As she tried to fertilize her egg, she split the ova. Evelyn successfully impregnated herself with one of the eggs. After giving birth to Christopher, she wanted him to have a brother. Using the second egg, she had a surrogate mother from Argentina carry the second child. Disappearing, the surrogate mother had Jose and raised him as her own. Half a globe and a world apart, the two clones, unaware of their genetic makeup, both grew to be men. Divided by circumstances, their upbringing determined who they became.

A River Divided is a speculative fiction written by neuroscientist and novelist Greoge Paxinos. Starting with the question, \u201cWho would you invite to dinner, dead or alive?\u201d Paxinos poses questions of morality and ethics, both religious and legal. As he continues his novel and his two cloned characters divide, the reader is left to ponder nature versus nurture. Throughout his work, Paxinos continuously challenges the reader to a series of philosophical debates.

As a neuroscientist, Paxinos is able to accurately portray the sciences involved in his book. The technical aspects are fascinating. Paxinos\u2019 novel is heavy with genetics, physiology, and philosophy. This is definitely not a book for the disengaged reader. But as the science can draw in the reader, much of the dialogue and character development can be off-putting. Paxinos\u2019 story struggles to hold completely together when off the shores of his native Australia. The book has many intriguing merits if the reader focuses on Paxinos\u2019 questions and not his delivery.

Through a science-fiction lens, A River Divided could be seen as a modern-day Frankenstein. But Paxinos dives deeply into the social and political theaters of sci-fi. This book works at challenging the reader with their own views. For readers looking for a debate, this book allows one to question what side of the river they stand on.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 21:54:47", "publisher": "Amazonas Press", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013039031", "title": "A River Divided", "author": "George Paxinos", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 409, "review": "Evelyn and Michael sought to do the impossible, and they succeeded. From a dig in Masada, the scientific breakthrough meant the validation of years of research. But the gravity of the discovery is so profound and potentially faith-shattering that they decided to keep it a secret. Back in Australia, the tentative couple decided to raise a family. However, the surrogate for their second child went missing in Argentina. Fast-forward a couple of decades and the lives of Christopher and Jose\u2014two young men living a world apart\u2014 are brought together by a shared passion for humanity. Their shared destiny would ignite a chain of events that led to revolutionary fervor among defenders of the Amazon, arguably the struggle of a lifetime.

George Paxinos\u2019 A River Divided is a novel that deals with the ethical and moral dilemmas related to scientific advancements: from surrogacy to human cloning, from climate change to capitalistic greed. I reviewed the novel from my point of view as a Gen X Asian American woman. I understand how the explication of a woman\u2019s reproductive choices is dated in the last century. Readers understand Evelyn\u2019s dedication to science; still, aspects of her motivations were less than relatable. Paxinos incorporates vulnerabilities such as infatuation, unrequited love, and idealism, as he succeeded in writing very flawed, very human characters. Perhaps by design, it was difficult to empathize with the choices made by Michael, Evelyn, and Martita.

I applaud Paxinos\u2019 efforts in offering a textured perspective on the moral quandary of establishing the \u201cgreen economy\u201d in the Amazon. With any development, environmental degradation is inevitable. By showing opposing viewpoints on resource extraction activities, Paxinos attempts to win over the hearts and minds of people on either side. With activism against ecological chaos in full display, the depiction of the bleeding-heart environmentalist is a bit of a trope. Direct action is hardly the only arena of the fight for climate justice. However, shining the light on environmental justice from a Marxist perspective in a novel with a Christian pretext may be a stroke of genius. In the polarized climate change discourse, finding a venue for opposing perspectives on contentious subjects is often challenging.

One does not have to be a Christian to understand and follow the underlying similarities between the lives of Christopher and Jose. Paxinos explores genetic and ancestral memory from psychological, neuroscientific, and mystical bents. However, Christian readers may detect a particular stance on the tensions between science and faith.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 21:54:36", "publisher": "Amazonas Press", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013039027", "title": "A River Divided", "author": "George Paxinos", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 415, "review": "Evelyn knew she was on hallowed ground when she visited Masada in 1997. Masada was the site of a legendary siege by the Romans against the Jews in the first century, which ended in an ill-fated last stand. Curiosity gets the better of her when she sees disturbed ground and upon digging unearths a skeleton. She decides to inform her best friend Michael about the discovery. Evelyn is a geneticist and believes the finding could be significant. Despite her interest, she must be discreet in her digging as the Israeli military tends to surveil Masada with great frequency. Soon she becomes convinced that she has located the final resting place of Jesus Christ.

Evelyn confirms that her newfound discovery dates to the times of Christ and her thoughts take a turn toward the sacrilegious. She wants to explore the idea of taking a sample of the genetic material and cloning it with the eventual aim of implanting the cloned embryo with her own eggs. Michael is aghast at Evelyn\u2019s intentions, however, his love for her prevents him from deterring her. Evelyn later gives birth to a boy whom she names Christopher. Despite her initial happiness about the birth, she believes Christopher deserves a brother.

Despite Evelyn\u2019s successful pregnancy with Christopher, her advancing age makes a second pregnancy difficult. Michael and Evelyn seek out a surrogate to carry their second child. However, the surrogate runs off and leaves Michael and Evelyn inconsolable.

The passage of time witnesses Christopher living in Australia, a smart but aimless young man drifting from one unfulfilling relationship to the next. A tragic loss is about to open his eyes to family secrets and his own origin and nothing will ever be the same.

A River Divided is a complex yet moving fictional drama where love often clashes with religious beliefs, morals, common sense, and life itself. Evelyn is a scientist who crosses ethical if not legal boundaries in her actions with the remains. Her rationality is forsaken for her love of who Jesus Christ was as a man. While not condoning her methods, Evelyn is relatable in her warmth and her desire to have someone with whom to share her affection. The essence of the narrative is driven initially by the complex relationship between Evelyn and Michael. As the story progresses, the ramifications of Evelyn\u2019s decision reverberate decades later in the life of Michael and his unknown twin brother. Author George Paxinos delivers a contemplative book that is absorbing and satisfying in many ways.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "01-Nov-2023", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 21:54:23", "publisher": "Amazonas Press", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013039023", "title": "A River Divided", "author": "George Paxinos", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "David Keenan", "word_count": 444, "review": "Nature versus nurture. This question has been a source of debate for years. Will two identical twins, separated at birth, live similar lives because of their common genetic structure? Furthermore, the intersection of religion, philosophy, psychology, and genetics can create a murky stew of ethical confusion as one attempts to answer the basic question of determinism versus free will.

George Paxinos, in A River Divided, steps adroitly through this minefield of conflicting opinions and delivers a fascinating novel and treatise on the mystery of human cloning. A Greek-Australian neuroscientist, Paxinos has published fifty-eight books and is notable for developing the first comprehensive nomenclature and ontology for the brain. In A River Divided, his first novel, he leverages his background and creates a thrilling tale of ethics, science, love, faith, and forgiveness.

Evelyn is a professional geneticist and amateur archaeologist who has been unlucky in love. While not overtly religious, she has a great admiration for Christ. While on vacation in Israel, she discovers an ancient ossuary in the Judean desert. With her close friend Michael, who desires to be her lover, she surreptitiously excavates and opens it and discovers the bones of an ancient male. The top of the skull had been removed. The ossuary also contains several small cylinders which Evelyn illegally removes, along with a fragment of bone, and secrets them back to Australia.

Subsequent carbon dating of the bone determines that the man lived between 30 B.C. and 50 A.D. Evelyn opens the cylinders and finds a scroll that she believes validates her hypothesis of the identity of the individual. The second cylinder contains the brain of the person. The opening of these Pandora\u2019s boxes alters the lives of Evelyn and Michael forever as Evelyn is convinced she holds the brain of Christ in her hands.

Would the world be a better place if clones of Mohammed, Gandhi, or even Christ existed today? Would they achieve what their originals had achieved? Evelyn, desiring a child, clones embryos from the DNA of Christ\u2019s brain. She gives birth to one, named Christopher, while a surrogate mother in South America is engaged to carry the second. However, the surrogate disappears, taking the child with her, setting up the conditions for an unplanned nature versus nurture experiment when the twins meet.

Paxinos delivers a thought-provoking tale as Evelyn plays God with human life. It is also a novel about the foolishness of humans who think that they can control their environment if only they can leverage their brain power to do so. It is a taut, page-turner of a thriller, with well-drawn, sympathetic characters. Well worth the read, just don\u2019t make a copy of it.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "01-Nov-2023", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 21:51:42", "publisher": "Amazonas Press", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013039019", "title": "A River Divided", "author": "George Paxinos", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 59, "review": "\"A River Divided is a book that is a twist of the age-old question, 'alive or dead, who would you dine with?' Part medical sci-fi, part philosophical study, Paxinos challenges the reader with moral and ethical questions. Paxinos' speculative fiction focuses on nature versus nurture, using the ultimate moral compass as a case study.\" \u2014Eric Smith, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 21:51:04", "publisher": "Amazonas Press", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013039015", "title": "A River Divided", "author": "George Paxinos", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Anastasia Gkaitatzi", "word_count": 62, "review": "\"Is it nature with nurture or nature vs. nurture? Is nature stronger than nurture or vice versa? Is the human species the salvation or the destruction of our planet? A 21-year-old writing journey results in a masterfully written, thought-provoking novel intertwining faith, the environment, and science in an unthinkable adventure delivered by world-renowned celebrity cartographer George Paxinos.\" \u2014Anastasia Gkaitatzi, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 21:50:52", "publisher": "Amazonas Press", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013039007", "title": "Hallucinating Stewards: A Potential Financial Crisis", "author": "Fazle Chowdhury", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 89, "review": "\"Despite the Feds\u2019 aggressive monetary policies, factors such as bank liquidity, high levels of government debt, wayward inflation, and worldwide health crises contribute to unprecedented perils. The interconnectedness of the global financial system creates risks across the continents. Fazle Chowdhury expounds on the history of financial problems that have ruined lives and livelihoods. Anchored by the 2023 collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the 2008 worldwide economic crisis, Chowdhury calls upon sound regulations to promote greater accountability among banking leaders and economic policy-makers.\" \u2014Maileen Hamto, San Diego Book Review", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 21:45:34", "publisher": "Fabrezan & Phillipe", "page_count": "196 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013038045", "title": "A Glimmer in the Hollows", "author": "Lorna Selley", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 58, "review": "\"This is a magical tale that will go beyond the reader's wildest imagination. Missing children, a babysitter who will never stop looking, and an out-of-town fiction writer all take their places as this mystical story unfolds. With its suspenseful, intricate plot, and deep characters, A Glimmer in the Hollows is certainly movie-worthy.\" \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 02:39:22", "publisher": "Roundfire Books (an imprint of Collective Ink)", "page_count": "290 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013038035", "title": "Sad Papaw's: Heritage ", "author": "Kenny Harmon", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 417, "review": "Kenny Harmon digs into his family's history in Sad Papaw's Heritage, describing what life was like for each generation and how they multiplied and moved to different states, including Oklahoma. The book captures the reader with brief stories from various periods as well as the families' challenges and achievements. It depicts their experiences over several historical eras, ranging from the 1600s to the 1900s, from battle wounds to church duties, farming work, natural disasters, schooling, dating, traveling, and suspense-filled births.

What a fascinating journey through time. The book's rich descriptions make visualizing history a pleasant experience. It was fascinating to picture Peter and Mary traveling across the Wild West on a wagon with cows and their children, unsure if they would survive the heat and terrible circumstances. There was no Google Maps or YouTube to watch vlogs about the new areas.

Kenny writes matter-of-factly and goes right to the heart of his narrative, showing the important characters and their major activities. The book is well-organized and includes key dates, ages, names, and events. Expect to encounter numerous interesting people, like Mathias Harman, who was characterized as being little more than five feet and proven to be a deadly shot with his time's long rifle.

The children in some of the book's historical periods did not have iPads or computer games. They made up for it, though, with the entertaining games they invented and played. Thankfully, the book includes detailed instructions on how to play these games, such as Duck on the Rock and Prisoner's Base. Harmon also gives recipes for foods like old-fashioned peanut butter cookies and Yorkshire pudding. Other features of the book that make it a memorable experience include poignant poetry and well-preserved images.

Reading Sad Papaw's Heritage made me appreciate today's higher level of safety, equality, and tolerance. It's difficult to picture a time in America when families did not believe it was vital for girls to attend school. The novel is ideal for those who enjoy historical fiction for its nostalgic value and the brief escape it provides. However, some readers may find the violent sequences including shootings and fatal clashes between Whites and Indians upsetting.

History, no matter how imperfect it is by current standards, always has a tale to tell. In fact, its flaws and idiosyncrasies make it more distinct and unforgettable. Kenny Harmon's thorough records about his family ancestry dig deep into the sands of time to bury their unique, unforgettable stories. It was an evocative, heart-racing, and enlightening experience.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2023", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 02:20:29", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "159 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013038031", "title": "Sad Papaw's: Heritage", "author": "Kenny Harmon", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 432, "review": "It all started when Kelsey posted a picture of her grandfather looking sad. He had planned dinner for his grandkids, but unfortunately, only Kelsey showed up. However, a few minutes later, Kaleb arrived, but she went ahead to post the picture and unknown to her, it would become an Internet sensation. The hashtag #SadPapaw became popular, and Kenny Harmon became famous as the nation's grandfather. But there's more to this man than being known as Sad Papaw. The book explores his history, starting from the eighteenth century to the present day.

The older generation of Harmans, now known as Harmons, defeated the Indians and claimed the land. When it was time for Peter Harmon to choose his bride, he picked Mary, his love. They got married and started a family. In those days, men worked vigorously on the farm all day, and women took care of the house and the garden. The food was freshly sourced from the farm, and life was simple. However, farming was tedious, as technology had not improved much then. Peter and Mary had children, and as the family grew, more responsibilities were added. Luckily, the children got an education, as it was a privilege then and mostly for males. Gender inequality was prominent then, as women weren't considered intelligent enough to go to school, and even female teachers were discriminated against.

Life on the farm was strenuous due to weather conditions and a lack of farm machinery. However, there was a sense of community because people cared for each other and the societal rules were followed strictly. Also, most decisions were influenced by religious doctrines at the time.

As the book goes on, readers are brought down memory lane, following the generations of Harmons, their way of life, and their peculiar stories. Throughout the book, readers are introduced to life before technological advancements, the Civil War, and other significant events that shaped America. There are lots of fun stories in the book; there are recipes, photos of members of the Harmon clan, and poems too. This book brings a sense of nostalgia and a homely feeling as it connects the past to the present. It was a wonderful experience reading the history of the family as it had been passed on from generation to generation.

If you are like me and you like stories of life centuries ago and you like exploring history, this book is recommended. I liked how the book wasn't too lengthy and was written in a conversational tone. I would happily recommend Sad Papaw's Heritage by Kenny Harmon to fans of historical nonfiction.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "27-Apr-2024", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 02:20:09", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "159 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013038027", "title": "Sad Papaw's: Heritage", "author": "Kenny Harmon", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 416, "review": "In 2016, a tweet went viral: a picture of a grandfather who had made enough hamburgers for all his grandchildren, but only one came. That a second grandchild showed up after the tweet made no difference. The internet had already collectively adopted Kenny Harmon as their Sad Papaw.

Now he wants to share his family history with the world.

Sad Papaw\u2019s Heritage is a short book, less than a hundred and fifty pages. Even so, it covers generations of history, from the Hermann (the original spelling of the name) family coming to the Americas from Germany in the 1720s to Kenny\u2019s own generation. It\u2019s a vast scope, and an intriguing slice of Americana, covering colonial struggles against Native Americans, westward expansion, and the Dust Bowl years of locust swarms and failing crops. In the early chapters especially, Harmon draws on accounts written decades prior, showing that the family has been recording their own history for generations.

More proof of the recording comes from the recipes and old photographs interspersed between chapters. I haven\u2019t tried any of the recipes yet, but the apple nut cake looks delicious.

Harmon doesn\u2019t just talk about what his own family did. In nearly every chapter there\u2019s a little historical context, reminding readers of what else was happening in the country and tossing in some new details that readers may not be familiar with. (Crayola, for instance, is much older than I thought!) This helps not only to ground the family saga but also to expand the book a little from focusing on just one family to being a story as well about a changing country.

I did feel the book could have used more expansion. As I said before, it was short, and only snippets of each generation were given. Some of this may have been from a lack of sources, but I finished the book wanting to know more about the Harmons. I think either making the book longer or focusing on one or two generations and delving more deeply into those would have helped a great deal.

Sad Papaw\u2019s Heritage was not just born from a viral moment on social media. It also came from generations of hard-working Americans determined not so much to make their mark on the country as to live a good life. I don\u2019t think it will go down in history as the next Little House series, but it\u2019s a solid, honest book, and I think anyone who wants a quick view of American history through one family will enjoy it.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "14-Sep-2023", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 02:19:36", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "159 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013038023", "title": "Sad Papaw's: Heritage", "author": "Kenny Harmon", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 402, "review": "An Internet picture of a sad grandfather in Oklahoma, at an empty birthday barbecue, went viral in 2016. Thousands of people saw the photo and sent Kenny Harmon support and remembered to spend more time with their own grandparents. Later, Harmon, now dubbed \u201cSad Papaw\u201d had a cookout and over 2000 people showed up to meet him. It was an example of what positives the internet can offer.

Earlier books told his story. One was called Sad Papaw: the Early Years, and was written by Harmon himself. Others by Harmon include Sad Papaw\u2019s: Those Were the Days, and Reflections. This book, Sad Papaw\u2019s Heritage, also written by Harmon, is about hundreds of years of his family\u2019s history.

Microhistory is an evolving branch of research, and this term fits this Sad Papaw\u2019s Heritage. Microhistory takes the story of a single family, or a single person, or small scale events and studies this in depth. It makes history more alive and accessible because it takes out the abstractions. While macro history talks about revolutions, inventions and sweeping changes, microhistory can highlight how one particular family is impacted by these things. It can be an exciting way to learn about history. This is microhistory, in the form of a history of a family.

Heritage is an impressive research undertaking. The book starts with the history of the family\u2019s name, 2000 years ago. It then starts the family narrative in the 1700\u2019s and follows the family to 2016. To me, its highlights are the primary source materials, in the form of many recipes, battle songs, holiday customs, school curricula in detail, school games, and many photos. Those materials are fun and educational. I enjoyed the little details, like the family member who always had a saltshaker with him. Other snippets, like military history and farming history, were interesting, as well, as were references to historical politics.

There is a lot of interesting information in Heritage. The story of an American family going back hundreds of years, researched with care and love, and full of personal touches, is wonderful to read. I did feel that a good editor could have improved the book. It could be pared down in several sections, and more flow could enhance it. It tends to have lists of events or people that might be fascinating to family members, but less so to other readers. Nevertheless, it\u2019s a fun addition to historical documents and published family histories.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 02:19:24", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "159 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013038015", "title": "Surviving The Closet: Learning To Live After Coming Out Later In Life", "author": "Jo DeLuzio", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 418, "review": "Like many queer millennials of a bookish persuasion, most of my TBR consists of queer books. Queer romances, sapphic horror, bi sci-fi, collections of introspective essays on the rise of gay pop culture during the ascension of Gen Z; you name it, I probably want to read it. I didn\u2019t have a lot of representation to look to during most of my formative years, so as someone who came out in their early twenties, I\u2019m happily tunneling my way through this veritable avalanche of freely available queer media.

But, as I\u2019m sure many other younger members of the LGBTQ community have noticed, most of these stories are written by and for younger generations; we\u2019re essentially experiencing huge gaps in community perspectives because there is only a smattering of books by queer elders. That would be a good enough reason on its own to pick up Surviving the Closet, but the fact of the matter is, this is one the most thoughtful, emotionally honest, and heartbreakingly hopeful books I\u2019ve read all year.

Jo DeLuzio was happily married to her only husband for twenty-two years before coming out of the closet and changing her life for the better. Part memoir, part social commentary, Surviving the Closet touches on everything from Jo\u2019s early struggles with heteronormativity, the community infighting she experienced over labels and appearances, the role religion and family often play in the decision to come out, and the joy of stepping into your authenticity at any age.

Her writing style is warm and humorous, inviting the reader to contemplate some of the communities\u2019 hardest-hitting issues while celebrating how far we\u2019ve come in the decades since she first suspected her queerness. I really loved how many other women\u2019s stories she included throughout the book; there\u2019s even an entire chapter dedicated to showcasing them, which makes it an entrancingly well-rounded deep dive into myriad differing perspectives.

Her tone throughout the book is one of utmost respect to the diversity of the LGBTQ community, which can unfortunately be hard to come across in the work of older writers, and she absolutely doesn\u2019t shy away from addressing how painful exclusion from your own community can be. Although she doesn\u2019t skimp on addressing the trauma and loss that came from stepping into her authentic self, I walked away from this book feeling nothing but joy for how far the LGBTQ community has come and hope for where we might find ourselves in a future where we can do more than just survive the closet.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 02:14:40", "publisher": "RE:BOOKS", "page_count": "190 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013038007", "title": "Honeymoon at Sea: A Memoir", "author": "Jennifer Silva Redmond", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 454, "review": "In November 1989, six months after their wedding, Jennifer and Russel Redmond set off from San Diego for Baja California on their twenty-six-foot sloop, Watchfire, heading for Cabo San Lucas, the Sea of Cortez, and eventually, New York City via the Panama Canal. The trip was intended to be an extended honeymoon, a chance to properly get to know each other and settle into married life, but over the months and then years, it morphed into something much more.

In fact, they never properly stopped living on the boat, although they did eventually upgrade to the thirty-five-foot Watchfire 2. All aspects of their epic voyage are evocatively described in Honeymoon at Sea: How I Found Myself Living on a Small Boat, from the scenery to the weather to the marine life to the eccentric folk they met along the way. It\u2019s impossible to read about their adventures and not want to set out on a journey, even though Redmond doesn\u2019t shy away from the complications of life at sea (ranging from a blocked toilet to partying seals to the possibility of pirate attacks).

Redmond\u2019s record of her and Russel\u2019s life aboard ship is interspersed with biographical passages recounting her life prior to their marriage, which proves to have been every bit as interesting as the time spent at sea. From growing up in Venice Beach, California in the 1960s, with parents who were devoted followers of the Beat Generation and who fully embraced the \u201cflower power\u201d credo, to spending the 1970s traveling around Europe and then the United States, to launching the acting career that would eventually lead her to meet Russel.

In addition to being a memoir and a travelogue, Honeymoon at Sea is also very much a love story, chronicling the ups and downs of a relationship that has blossomed and developed against an extraordinary backdrop. On that subject, Redmond offers an excellent observation: \u201cIf you are in love and like spending a great deal of time together, then a small boat has room to spare. If you aren\u2019t thrilled to be with your partner 24 hours a day, then no yacht in the world is big enough.\u201d Similar to their epic voyage, their relationship hasn\u2019t been all plain sailing, although it has been deep, enriching, and rewarding.

Honeymoon at Sea is an immersive record of a life well lived. From escapades at sea to hilarity with friends and family, the colossal highs of finding place and self to the terrible lows of a lost pregnancy, Redmond has truly embraced the opportunities that have come to her in life and tackled head-on the difficulties that have arisen. Her story is an inspiring reflection on the importance of following both heart and mind.", "issue": "September 2023", "date_posted": "27-Sep-2023", "date_added": "24-Aug-2023 02:09:42", "publisher": "RE:BOOKS", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013037003", "title": "Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness (Second Edition)", "author": "Chet Shupe", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 439, "review": "While I don\u2019t often pick up self-help books, it\u2019s hard to ignore the siren call of a nonfiction book that touts itself as reaching beyond the genre and touching upon sociology and psychology as well. Chet Shupe\u2019s Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness had just enough of a hook to reel me in, with the central premise being that human beings\u2019 innate emotional connections and natural proclivity to strong community ties have eroded specifically due to mass societal dependence on legal and financial systems. It\u2019s difficult to pass up the opportunity to delve into an author\u2019s personal take on evolution-driven hypotheses regarding the intuitive wisdom of human nature. Unfortunately, in this case, I wish I would have. I mistakenly assumed there would be footnotes pointing to scientific studies or previously published sociological research surrounding the ideas Shupe presents throughout his work, as many nonfiction books written in the same vein of thought often do. While there is a handy index and glossary of terms, there is no data to back up any of the claims Shupe puts forth in what would more appropriately be categorized as a philosophical theory rather than a self-help book. Especially considering that although Shupe casts a relatively wide net in his conviction of social ills, he is focused primarily on a Western, white, and Christian perspective. This isn\u2019t necessarily a bad thing unless you\u2019re trying to lump the entirety of human civilization into a completely unrealistic unified vision of how all people on the planet should live their lives while claiming to use facts-based evidence that a simple Google search proves to be inherently incorrect. The constant comparison to chimpanzees as a litmus test for how peaceful human society could be due to our close genetic makeup had me confused, considering that chimps are one of the most naturally aggressive primate species on the planet. A 54-year study published just last year in the scientific journal Nature found that coordinated aggression is innate to the species. Couple that with Shupe\u2019s repeated assertion that human nature without the aid of education, social contracts, diverse socialization, legal repercussions for criminal behavior, or even vocal communication is going to lead us to an inherently peaceful and cooperative existence because our feelings will lead us to make the \u2018right\u2019 decisions and you have a recipe for a real head-scratcher of a book. With all due respect, although this book is grammatically well-written and flows clearly from one idea to the next, it would\u2018ve gotten a much higher review from me if it was presented as an interesting thought experiment rather than a self-help treatise.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Aug-2023 22:47:32", "publisher": "BookBaby", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000013032011", "title": "Lightning Bugs And Aliens: A Small Town Coming-Of-Age Story", "author": "Daniel Babka", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 422, "review": "Lightning Bugs and Aliens: A Small Town Coming-Of-Age Story by Daniel Babka was a light-hearted historical fiction novel. Set in the 1960s, thirteen-year-old Ohio residents Isiah, Mark, Bobby, Chip, and Ben live in their own adventurous world. Practically living outside, the boys spend their days in the woods, backyards, biking, their cemetery hideout, and running around town. Always out and about, they are friends with shop owners, tavern owners, and other residents, something that causes them to hear much about \u201cgrown-up\u201d topics.

To summarize, the boys have questions; they hear much about the Nazis, atomic bomb threats, UFOs, and the Mafia, but no adult seems to want to share what all of these major topics are about. Worried, they do not know how to feel about all of the change around them. On the radio, they hear about kids in neighboring towns wearing dog tags and learning about \u201cduck and cover\u201d techniques at school.

No one was explaining \u201cthe Red Menace\u201d and how radiation could possibly destroy their small town. They also start hearing about Area 51, a tract of government land in Nevada. This place is supposed to hold flying saucers; in fact, someone had allegedly spotted real UFOs close to where they lived. Confused, a little scared, and unsure what to do, this novel explores the thoughts and mind of a pre-teen growing up in a Cold War society.

However, there is one topic that the boys are able to gain insight into: race relations. Isiah himself is African American and ridiculed for spending so much time with \u201cfour white boys.\u201d However, Ben and the others are like brothers to him; seeing each other as human beings, not skin color, the other boys are easily able to see the crime of racial discrimination and always stand up for Isiah and his family when other town members start talking down to African American peoples.

Overall, Lighting Bugs and Aliens was a calming read. I liked the historical fiction aspect of this novel, and I enjoyed reading a story from the perspective of a child growing up in the Cold War. I think Babka did a good job with his characters, plot line, and description imagery of this small, homey, Ohio town. My one complaint about this novel was that it was a little slow. I found the beginning hard to get into, but I do typically enjoy a more fast-paced read. Overall, I would recommend this book to boys aged ten to fifteen, or any adult reader who likes coming-of-age stories.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Aug-2023 06:44:33", "publisher": "Blue Squirrel Press", "page_count": "135 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013032003", "title": "Old to Joy", "author": "Anita Crawford Clark", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 202, "review": "When Joy goes to visit Grandmama, she notices how antiquated things are. Her house seems ancient, and the chairs are \u201crickety-rockety\u201d and the porch \u201ccrickety-crockety.\u201d It all seems so peculiar and nonsensical to her. \u201cI don\u2019t know how come old people like old things anyways,\u201d she says to Grandmama. Together, they gaze up at the giant tree branches that nearly touch the sky and wash dishes the way they did back in the olden days: by hand. As the day draws on, Joy\u2019s interest in all the things her grandmother has and does grows exponentially, and she begins to see \u201cold things\u201d through a new lens.

This is a sweet book that encapsulates the love between a grandmother and a grandchild and the relationship they share. It sends a gentle message as well: beauty can be found in simplicity and the way life once was. Additionally, the author does a brilliant job of including vernacular that older generations used and of illuminating Joy\u2019s unfamiliarity with it. The vibrant hues of the illustrations and their realistic quality compliment the text and bring the story to life. Young children ages five to nine will find this not only heartening but also a bit humorous.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "06-Nov-2023", "date_added": "18-Aug-2023 18:17:41", "publisher": "Gnome Road Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013030007", "title": "If the Rivers Run Free", "author": "Andrea Debbink, Nicole Wong", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 201, "review": "Rivers don\u2019t make up a great percentage of the water on Earth, but they are incredibly important to us. Throughout history, towns and cities sprang up along the banks of rivers because rivers do so much for people. They carry goods and people from here to there, they supply fresh water to grow crops and for people to drink, they create power for the cities, and many other things. Over time, people misused rivers and contaminated them and sent them underground. But now, many are realizing we need to bring them back above ground and help to restore them and their natural habitats to their former glory for the good of us all.

Andrea Debbink has written the story of our rivers in beautiful, lyrical, rhyming text that will delight very young listeners. She makes a complex story easy for little ones to understand. Two pages of very good back matter explain things more completely. The illustrations by Nicole Wong are simply lovely. They use soft colors and are filled with lots of details that complete the text and will engage youngsters through every page. This sweet book will teach good lessons without ever letting the youngsters know they are learning.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2023", "date_added": "18-Aug-2023 18:10:54", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013029007", "title": "How to Hatch a Reader", "author": "Kari Ann Gonzalez, Rachel Suzanne", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 182, "review": "Reading is an important life skill and young readers often struggle with forming words and sentences and getting the love of reading into them. This book using chickens helps young readers get a better grasp of the language, and how to form words and eventually sentences all while having fun on the farm. Our young, unnamed narrator wants to read and teach the chickens on her farm to read. She gathers the chickens inside their coop and begins to show them objects associated with a specific letter until they are frightened by the word fox. Next, our brave young teacher begins pointing out objects containing common words for the chickens to identify with. Later on, they practice their writing skills, or chicken scratch, to write the words out. Finally, is developing longer sentences full of meaning. This book is excellent, with drawings to keep the attention of young readers. It will help young children learn the basics of reading. As it so rightly pointed out, hatching a reader is not overnight but takes time and patience. Perfect for families to do together.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "04-Oct-2023", "date_added": "18-Aug-2023 18:19:34", "publisher": "Gnome Road Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013029003", "title": "Elves Are the Worst! (The Worst! Series)", "author": "Alex Willan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 126, "review": "Alex Willan is back with another hilarious book in the Worst series. This is a series that I look forward to.

Gibert the Goblin is comparing himself to how he could be an elf from the North Pole, but he quickly learns it is not quite as easy to make toys as it seems. Gilbert is not a master toymaker or reindeer flier. He sees how cool the elves really are and makes friends with them, just as in the other books.

The illustrations are so fun, bright, and colorful, and most importantly, really funny. This is one of my favorites! This is a must-have book for the holidays to add to the series! I can't wait to see what Gilbert will be up to next!", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2023", "date_added": "18-Aug-2023 18:07:49", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013028007", "title": "The Pie That Molly Grew", "author": "Sue Heavenrich, Chamisa Kellogg", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 176, "review": "In The Pie That Molly Grew, a young girl plants and tends a seed that produces a huge pumpkin, which brings her community together to enjoy it as a pie at a picnic. This is an utterly delightful picture book on several levels.

First, the story mimics the rhythm and rhyme of The House That Jack Built, making it great fun to read aloud. Second, while creating a thoroughly entertaining story, Sue Heavenrich, a former science teacher, offers several learning opportunities, including the plant life cycle, different types of bees and their role in pollination, the value of community, and how to bake a pumpkin pie using fresh pumpkin. For this reason, this book could easily spawn some wonderful conversations and fun real-life activities.

Finally, Chamisa Kellogg provides heartwarming illustrations that make the reader want to plant a pumpkin seed and just see where it goes. In sum, this is a book that will be read over and over again and, with luck, maybe even send its readers into the garden, the kitchen, and their communities.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "18-Aug-2023 18:12:40", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013028003", "title": "The Owl Who Dared", "author": "Stephanie Stansbie, Frances Ives", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 197, "review": "As the sun fades into the horizon and darkness beckons, a little owl and his mommy wake from their slumber. She gently tells her kin, \u201cIt\u2019s time to learn to fly.\u201d Fear and trepidation threaten to steal the courage he needs to journey into the skies. He gathers all his strength and attempts to fly, only to plummet awkwardly to the hard, unforgiving ground. The mother owl encourages him to try and try again, assuring him that someday he will succeed. His discouragement fades as her words resonate, and he witnesses other brave creatures struggling to gain their independence as well.

This is a precious book with an uplifting and age-old message that with work and determination all things are possible. Gaining new skills and achieving mastery takes time and often many trials and failures. Children will find this relatable, even the really little ones, and parents will savor how sweetly this sentiment is conveyed. The Owl Who Dared makes for a perfect bedtime story, and will be a welcome addition to any preschool or early elementary school classroom. In addition to the narrative, youngsters will love the vibrantly hued illustrations that gloss the pages with allure.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2024", "date_added": "18-Aug-2023 18:06:21", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013027007", "title": "In a Cave", "author": "Heather Ferranti Kinser, Bonnie Kelso", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 11", "word_count": 130, "review": "Have you been inside a cave? If not, this book is for you, or even if you have been in a real cave. I think book took me on a fun adventure inside a cave. So ask yourself, do you know what is in a cave? It just might surprise you what you find lurking in one. So many fun rock formations like stalactites.

This book had really fun yet creepy illustrations that helped me imagine what it is like to explore a creepy cave. What I liked most of all was all the different types of creatures that could be lurking inside. What was super cool about this book was the troglobites that lived in water in the cave. This book makes me want to adventure into a cave.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2023", "date_added": "18-Aug-2023 18:16:39", "publisher": "Gnome Road Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013024003", "title": "Heavy Metal Badger", "author": "Duncan Beedie", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "The woods are quiet. Soft breezes blow and the birds twitter, but from under the ground comes the faint sound of drumming. Suddenly Badger bursts from the ground and begins drumming on tree stumps. Forest animals are not happy and complain about the noise. Badger decides he should probably have some music lessons. Mrs. Smythe insists Badger try his hand at playing the recorder. It is not a good fit. He tries to join a band of marching ants, but he doesn\u2019t fit in. Joining the church choir is no more successful than his other ideas. Badger is about to give up when he comes across a flyer that might be his salvation.

Duncan Beedie has both written and illustrated this cute book. The clever story is told mostly in rhyme, but there are a few places where the author strays from that and the meter is, at times, weak. Still, the story is fun and will keep youngsters engaged as they listen. The illustrations are very stylized and unique. They are filled with fun details that will help to keep the young listeners engaged with the story. Kids will get a kick out of this story.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "08-Dec-2023", "date_added": "18-Aug-2023 17:58:02", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013022011", "title": "The Presidents\u2019 Tailor", "author": "Kathleen Smith", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 407, "review": "The Presidents\u2019 Tailor by Kathleen Smith tells the real-life story of a man named Georges de Paris who served as a tailor to nine Presidents of the United States as well as the UK\u2019s Prime Minister Blair. The first thing readers will notice is the beautiful cover, which shows Georges with all of the Presidents he served. The fine detail in this illustration, with its rich colors, will draw both children and adults into this book.

Written in rhyme, The Presidents\u2019 Tailor has a delightful rhythm to its prose. The feeling of the book is both nostalgic and happy. Readers learn that Georges was born in France and sailed to Washington, D.C.. The book shows all nine Presidents whom he designed and created suits for. These Presidents were Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Throughout the book, we see Georges at work, measuring and cutting fabric, and fitting the Presidents for the suits they preferred.

The illustrations in The Presidents\u2019 Tailor are by Nimali Udugama and are brilliant from cover to cover. The way Nimali uses a variety of real-world colors and pairs them with shading to create a 3D effect had me staring at each illustration for several minutes. Udugama captures the expressions of Georges and all of the Presidents perfectly, and I enjoyed seeing Georges work his magic with each of them. My favorite President was Ronald Reagan, and I love how Smith tells readers about his love for jelly beans. I remember this about him as a child and loved that even though he was an adult, he still loved candy!

The Presidents\u2019 Tailor highlights the life of a man who most people don\u2019t know about because he was behind the scenes creating beautiful garments for the Country\u2019s leaders. I truly enjoyed learning about Georges and each President he worked with. The suits he created were worn to some of the Country\u2019s most important events, such as the State of the Union and Obama\u2019s acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize. Gerald Ford was even buried in a de Paris suit.

This book will appeal to young and old readers alike. This is a fun book for children to learn a little about an interesting man and some facts about our past Presidents. I would recommend this fabulous book to people of all ages and genders.\n\nFor further information and ordering, please visit www.kathleensmithbooks.com", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "24-Aug-2023", "date_added": "18-Aug-2023 23:20:51", "publisher": "Kathleen Smith", "page_count": "46 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013022007", "title": "You Can't Be a Pterodactyl!", "author": "James Breakwell, Sophie Corrigan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 179, "review": "In You Can\u2019t Be a Pterodactyl, after Tommy\u2019s teacher tell the class that they can be anything they want, Tommy says he wants to be a pterodactyl, the whole class laughs, and the teacher tells him he must pick something else. Tommy, however, holds tight to his dream despite the negative comments of others at his school and the laughter of mean kids on the bus.

At home, Tommy\u2019s dad asks the most logical question of all: why does Tommy want to be a pterodactyl? With thought, Tommy realizes he wants to rise above problems, but come down and help when he wants. With this new understanding, Tommy\u2019s dad supports and encourages Tommy\u2019s dream, and Tommy grows up to fly Pterodactyl Sea Rescue!

This is a heartwarming story that tells children not to give up their dreams, even when the world sends conflicting messages. Instead, hold on and wait for those who listen and provide support. Even the dreams others think are the craziest can be realized in some way. What a wonderful message to give our youngest dreamers.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "18-Aug-2023 18:04:40", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013021019", "title": "The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle (Edinburgh Nights, 3)", "author": "T L Huchu", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 179, "review": "It's supposed to be a simple job: wait hand and foot on the attendees of the Society of Skeptical Enquirers\u2019 biennial conference. And maybe steal something no one will miss. But when a scroll is stolen and a Librarian murdered, fifteen-year-old ghostalker Ropa is put in charge of finding the truth. She can do it, she knows she can, and more importantly, her mentor and everyone else are counting on her. If she fails, there could be war, and she could lose everything she's working toward.

Ropa is a fascinating character, one that I found liking and disliking at times, but she feels real. The ending left me wanting to read the next book. This is the third book in the series; it's not necessary to read the others to understand what's going on, but if you want to continue reading the series after this one, you will want to read the others. The mystery was good; the clues are there, and as the truth is revealed, none of it was a surprise, but it's not super obvious either.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2023", "date_added": "18-Aug-2023 23:07:27", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013021011", "title": "A Song So Black, So Proud!", "author": "R J Owens, Keisha Okafor", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 208, "review": "A Song So Black, So Proud illustrates the lyrical text explaining the story behind the iconic James Brown song, representing the courageous pronouncements of Black pride and power during the Civil Rights movement. Owens provides the story behind the music and how Brown struggled to secure radio plays. As an add-on, the author dedicates a spread about the history of collective Black struggle and hard-fought triumphs through the centuries. R.J. Owens\u2019 poetry alludes to transformation and renewal, while Keisha Okafor\u2019s illustrations depict joy and elation. Readers of all ages will share in celebrating the cross-generational aspirations toward freedom and justice, embodied in a song that declares uncompromising dignity in Black identity and heritage.

The book serves as a history lesson and declaration of unwavering struggle for equity. I read it from my vantage point as a Gen Xer immigrant woman of color who stands firmly with the Black Lives Matter movement. I learned a lot about the song's meaning and how its significance has evolved to empower a new generation. This book offers an opportunity for different generations to learn from each other. Young readers gifted with the counsel of elders who lived through the Civil Rights Movement would see parallels in the current struggle for Black liberation.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "23-Nov-2023", "date_added": "18-Aug-2023 18:10:04", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013011003", "title": "Bessie: A Novel", "author": "Linda Kass", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 194, "review": "Inspired by the true story of Bess Myerson, Bessie begins in 1936, when an overly tall twelve-year-old Jewish girl is cast as Olive Oyl in a school play. After bemoaning the fate her physique has given her, she dives into research, finding some strength in the older Popeye strips and a way to make Olive Oyl her own.

Less than ten years later, she is Miss New York, prepared to become the first Jewish Miss America.

Bessie only focuses on Bess Myerson\u2019s early life, from adolescence through the end of the war. In her, Kass has given us a heroine who grows and adapts to a changing, difficult world, blossoming from an uncertain teen to an ambitious young woman. This would be a good book for high school readers interested in women\u2019s history, especially of the 1940s. Adults may find the narration rather flat and simplistic. While reading, I looked up Bess Myerson, and I felt the book ended before the really interesting part of her life began.

I would recommend this book to teenagers, mostly to those who are still growing into themselves. I think they will get the most out of it.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "15-Nov-2023", "date_added": "16-Aug-2023 23:50:13", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013010003", "title": "The Heart of It All", "author": "Christian Kiefer", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 279, "review": "Although it seems that Christian Kiefer is a man of many talents, avocations, responsibilities and interests, he self-defines as a novelist. One can clearly see, however, that his interest in music contributes to the rhythm, pace and vibrancy of his prose. THE HEART OF IT ALL is his fourth novel and one that is clearly up to date in terms of its politics and consciousness of a renewed focus on local community. Kieffer crafts vignettes about the townspeople in an economically dying town in Ohio \u2014 although it could be Anywhere, USA. From the moment we meet the main character, Tom Bailey, we are pushed into anxiety about the future of his marriage, his children, his co-workers and the struggling town. In much the same way as George Bailey in IT\u2019S A WONDERFUL LIFE, who is thrown off course by the illness of his daughter, Zuzu, Tom and his family have been devastated by the death of their infant son. The book opens with a vivid description of Tom receiving the \u201cdeath casseroles\u201d offered by his neighbors and friends after the funeral.

The reader\u2019s anxiety is not relieved by the focus on other townspeople. Each of them, in their own way, struggles with low wage jobs, no jobs, loss and its attendant grief. As engaging as these intertwined stories are, the main focus is the exquisite words used by the novelist in bringing us into hyperreality about his characters\u2019 situations and trials. I had to bring my dictionary to the story and was enriched because of it. Do not fear the presence of current politics in this book; it is a loving tribute to family and community strengthened by adversity.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "10-Oct-2023", "date_added": "16-Aug-2023 23:46:51", "publisher": "Melville House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013228003", "title": "Fruit of the Dead: A Novel", "author": "Rachel Lyon", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 278, "review": "I was so hopeful about this novel from Rachel Lyon, but Fruit of the Dead is a difficult read for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is its \"reinvention of Persephone and Demeter's story\" which, if you don't know it, will absolutely be lost on you as you read.

The central idea is solid: a young girl, Cory, goes off with a wealthy man, Rolo, who likely has nefarious intentions and her mother, Emer, proceeds to move heaven and earth to find Cory. There is some strong writing, some solid commentary related to the nature of mother/daughter relationships, and some powerful implications about middle aged men who think pursuing eighteen year old girls is appropriate. But, it is often difficult to track who is speaking due to a lack of quotation marks and speech tags (\"I'm happy,\" she said), so I spent a great deal of my reading in the state of re-reading, trying to figure out which character was speaking. And the choice to write in present tense doesn't lend an urgency to the novel so much as it creates confusion regarding the timeline of events.

Lyon has skill, there is no doubt. The opening pages which recount a camp production of the Wizard of Oz is funny and smart if a little overwritten, and the poetic nature of some of the writing is lovely though, on occasion, tortured. I'm a high school teacher, and if one of my students turned in the sentence \"A daydream knocks on the open door of her mind,\" I'd tell them to edit and then resubmit which, ultimately, is what I think should have happened with Fruit of the Dead.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "06-Mar-2024", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 23:16:22", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000013227015", "title": "The City of Stardust", "author": "Georgia Summers", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 188, "review": "Maryanne Everyly walked into the night and vanished. She left to save her family, but in doing so, she left a daughter who may never understand. Violet Everly made a home with her uncle and spent her life reading stories about magical places. Until those magical places became real and she finds out her family is cursed to lose someone from every generation. It's up to her to break the curse, save her mother and possibly find the key that leads to a city made of Stardust.

I always talk about characters, and everyone is City of Stardust is unique in appearance, personality and wants, leading to a wonderful cast to read about. Maryanne is an important part of the story, even as little as she appears; I found that I would love to read a story from her point-of-view after she left Violet. I think my favorite bit is that the story isn't about the city; it's about the search. It takes place in a world not so different then our own, only with a little magic, and Violet spends the whole book searching for that magic.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2024", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 23:56:22", "publisher": "Orbit", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013227003", "title": "Sir Morien: The Legend of a Knight of the Round Table", "author": "Holly Black, Kaliis Smith, Ebony Glenn", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 182, "review": "This book retells the thirteenth-century Arthurian tale of Sir Morien, the Moorish son of one of the Knights of the Round Table. Morien lived in North Africa with his mother but never met his father, who had gone away on a quest and never returned. So, Morien traveled from Africa through Europe to England, asking about his father. No one had heard of him, and all the knights Morien met only wanted to fight. Morien always won, though.

Finally, Morien found Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain in Wales. After a ridiculously funny fight, both men told Morien that his father was on a quest to save King Arthur. The three decided to quest together, eventually arriving at a castle where they save both Arthur and Morien\u2019s father. After that, Morien finally got to know his father, and Arthur invited Morien to join his Knights.

Sir Morien is both a funny and adventurous book that highlights new aspects of the Arthurian legend. This book may very well captivate young readers and spur them to discover some imaginative quests and adventures of their own.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2024", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 21:38:14", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013226003", "title": "Everything You Know About Dinosaurs is Wrong!", "author": "Dr Nick Crumpton, Gavin Scott", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "Youngsters love dinosaurs, and most kids think they know a lot about dinosaurs, so when they see this book, they are going to want to know what it is all about. The reality is, a lot of the information about dinosaurs that is out there is based on old information, and scientists are working all the time to find new information. It takes a long time for discoveries to be tested, checked, and verified before the information is widely published.

This wonderful book has gathered the latest information in all the fields related to the study of dinosaurs. Dr. Nick Crumpton has a Ph.D. in Zoology and works at the Natural History Museum in London. He has written kid-friendly text that is lively and fun. Illustrator Gavin Scott studied Natural History Illustration in college. He has filled every spread with colorful, dynamic pictures that will have young readers searching the pages for all the delicious details. A few timelines and graphs add to the great information ready for youngsters to sate their curiosity.

This will become a fast favorite of kids eight to twelve years old. They will wear it out, reading it over and over. Don\u2019t miss this one.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "05-Dec-2023", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 21:33:46", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013225003", "title": "Christmas at Corgi Cove: A Novel ", "author": "Annie England Noblin", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 212, "review": "Annie England Noblin's Christmas at Corgi Cove is a sweet love story set in the idyllic Turtle Lake, Texas, a small town known for its closeness and its beauty. When fifteen-year-old Rosie Reynolds is sent to live there with her aunt and uncle at their family inn, it's the last place she wants to be, but times change.

As an adult, Rosie love the inn, known as Corgi Cove. She tends bees on the property, makes organic products to sell at the local market, and helps her aunt and uncle run the inn, though the place has seen better days. When Everett St. Claire arrives as a representative of a larger hotel chain offering to buy Corgi Cove, Rosie is disgusted with the prospect of losing the home she loves and even more disgusted by Everett himself.

In a Hail Mary to save the inn, Rosie enters a long shot contest in Texas Southern Living. The town of Turtle Lake, and some help from surprising sources, may not be enough to keep Corgi Cove going, but she has to try, and the resulting story is as darling as it is predictable. Christmas at Corgi Cove is a great choice for readers of Jenny Colgan, Sarah Addison Allen, Heather Webber, and Karen Hawkins.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2024", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 20:35:11", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013224015", "title": "The Fox Maidens", "author": "Robin Ha", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 219, "review": "Kai Song is the only daughter of a respected general who earned acclaim and respect for defeating the Gumiho, the nine-tailed fox demon who stalks the forests and preys on humans. Unlike other young women her age, Kai is more interested in practicing martial arts with her brothers than learning how to be a proper bride. Her doting mother, Meorhu, wants only the best for Kai, who is coming of age. Actions have consequences, and a well-kept secret starts to unravel. Mother and daughter must reckon with the past by retracing their connection to Gumiho.

Author and illustrator Robin Ha\u2019s first venture into fiction is an absolute wonder, an outstanding story that deals with issues of identity, ancestral legacy, and destiny. Set during the Joseon Dynasty in 16th century Korea, The Fox Maidens is a queer retelling of the legend of Gumiho and an exploration of the concept of han, the \u201cunsatiated longing for a life fully lived.\u201d

I am not of Korean ancestry, and I read the book from a decolonial lens. I appreciated learning about traditional community values of integrity, duty, and awareness of one\u2019s impact on others. Kai is the ultimate feminist hero, as she goes against restrictive societal mores. The author provides adequate background about Korean perspectives and worldviews shaped by animist spirituality and Buddhism.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "14-Feb-2024", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 23:31:19", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013222003", "title": "How to Draw Super Cute Things with Bobbie Goods: Learn to draw & color absolutely adorable art! (101 Things to Draw, 3)", "author": "Bobbie Goods", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 203, "review": "Drawing is a learned skill, and this book is geared primarily toward young children to encourage them to draw. The introductory pages list the materials needed to draw, and encourage learning from mistakes and practicing. It also helps overcome a common fear of not being able to draw straight lines freehand, and shows how to add \u201cpersonality\u201d to one\u2019s drawings (sleek puppy vs puffy puppy).

The book has seven main scenes, and the objective is to teach readers to recreate (i.e., draw) the scene. At first readers will see the entire scene (in color). The next few pages focus on different areas of the scene illustrating how to draw each aspect. The step-by-step guide is whimsical, encouraging, and easy to follow. At the end the scene is reproduced so readers may color it in.

While there are several books that show how to draw this one, this one is targeted towards younger readers. It caters to their tastes, and the narrative speaks to them at their level. Its objective is to create an entire scene (not just individual objects). It is motivational in that it encourages trying and learning. Recommended for budding artists, or those who want to try their hand at drawing.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "15-Mar-2024", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 20:21:38", "publisher": "Walter Foster Publishing", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013221015", "title": "The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder: A Novel (Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder, 1)", "author": "C L Miller", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 168, "review": "No doubt there are many fans of The Antiques Roadshow who also like to read mysteries, and they\u2019ll find this debut novel appealing (even more so, if they watch the British version). Freya Lockwood was once an adept antiques dealer, sent by her mentor, Arthur, to hunt down and authenticate potential purchases. But a break in their friendship means she hasn\u2019t seen him in decades, her daughter has grown and left home, and her husband has found someone new.

Now Arthur is dead, murdered in his own shop, and Freya must team up with her spirited Aunt Carole to determine who done the deed and why. (I actually found Carole a more appealing character than Freya and would have welcomed more chapters from her point of view.) Following clues that Arthur has left behind, the two women travel to village tearooms and remote manors in search of the truth.

Crammed as full of suspects as an over-crowded emporium, readers might find a treasure or two in these pages.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "14-Feb-2024", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 23:38:41", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013221007", "title": "Wellness: A novel", "author": "Nathan Hill", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 201, "review": "At over 600 pages, Wellness is an epic novel that spans the lifetimes of main characters Jack and Elizabeth. Together for twenty years, the couple hits a rough patch and begins questioning whether they are truly meant for each other. Elizabeth is a perfectionist, and obsessed with research, psychology and learning. This translates to her feeling stuck when her adolescent son Toby is acting out and seems so different from his peers, yet she can\u2019t seem to help him. Meanwhile, Jack is under intense scrutiny at work and trying to reconnect with Elizabeth, who seems so distant and unhappy. By jumping in time, author Nathan Hill examines how the pair became who they are, and whether they have truly changed from their challenging upbringings. I related with so much of the story, especially Elizabeth\u2019s tendency to find fault in herself and struggle with the shift to motherhood. Jack\u2019s story was so moving \u2013 from his adoration of his sister to his fraught relationship with his parents. When he visited home as an adult, the realizations he had were so emotional and I teared up. I found this novel thought-provoking as it questioned so many of our assumptions about love and life.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2023", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 20:19:44", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "624 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013220019", "title": "The Women: A Novel", "author": "Kristin Hannah", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 222, "review": "At twenty years old, sheltered Frankie McGrath enlists as a nurse in the Vietnam War. After losing her brother, she feels a calling to help wounded soldiers and serve her country. However, she is unprepared for the violence and harsh conditions she faces overseas. Upon returning home, Frankie faces psychological issues and irreversibly alters her relationships with loved ones.

Fans of Kristin Hannah will adore The Women. This novel perfectly displays her well-known strength of creating historical fiction full of drama, emotion, and strong women. Though not a short novel, it was fast-paced and before I knew it, I was halfway through the book.

Frankie is a flawed though lovable main character who is dealt an unfair number of heartbreaks and traumatic events, lacking support from her family when she needs it most. However, her friends from the Army help her heal from the trauma of their shared experiences in Vietnam and remain her core support system even when they live states apart.

I loved all of the twists in the second half of the novel, and I hoped for a happy ending for Frankie. This book shines a light on a forgotten part of history and the profound impact that women had on the Vietnam War. I\u2019m so glad I read this and applaud Hannah for honoring these historical female heroes!", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2024", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 23:43:11", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013219031", "title": "The Warm Hands of Ghosts: A Novel", "author": "Katherine Arden", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 198, "review": "It\u2019s near the end of World War One, and Laura Iven is looking for her brother, Freddie. Laura was a field nurse until an injury sent her home to Halifax. When she receives Freddie\u2019s things, but no notice of his death, she joins a friend returning to the front in order to search for him. Meanwhile, Freddie was trapped in a pillbox with a German named Winter. Without each other, they would have never survived. But with The Warm Hands of Ghosts calling to them, as well as a strange hotelier who can make you forget, the battle for survival and to find each other has just begun.

I have been waiting for years for another Katherine Arden book. The Bear and the Nightingale is one of my all-time favorite books, so I jumped at the chance to read this one. However, it wasn\u2019t quite what I\u2019d hoped. It is beautifully written and Arden does an amazing job of placing you in the time period she\u2019s writing, no matter the story. It is an important story to tell, causing us to see people as human and not only as the enemy. It just wasn\u2019t my favorite of hers.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "02-Feb-2024", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 22:48:42", "publisher": "Random House Worlds", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013219007", "title": "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods (Percy Jackson & the Olympians) ", "author": "Rick Riordan", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 9", "word_count": 181, "review": "The sixth book in the Percy Jackson series (The Chalice of the Gods), follows Percy as he is getting older (a senior in high school!) and thinking about going to college. Percy faces challenges related to what he needs to do to make it to college (recommendation letters, etc.), as well as what he's used to - facing and challenging Greek gods in New York City. Throughout his challenges, Percy learns to appreciate it all as he isn't getting any younger and can't go back in time to do things he used to enjoy (hanging out with friends, having family dinners, etc.).

There is much excitement in The Chalice of the Gods as Percy is dealing with happenings in both his life with his friends and alongside otherworldly beings. Readers don't have to have read all of the previous books, but the more you read the easier it will be to understand. There is not much inappropriate in the story, but instead shows a lot of Percy being a kid while facing off against some crazy creatures and angry gods.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2024", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 20:03:10", "publisher": "Disney Publishing Group", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013218007", "title": "Out There Screaming", "author": "Jordan Peele, John Joseph Adams, N K Jemisin", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 187, "review": "Out There Screaming is an anthology of new Black horror, as it says on the cover. It is edited by Jordan Peele of Get Out and Us fame. It contains nineteen stories by nineteen different authors. The stories vary in quality and in theme. They certainly aren\u2019t all horror stories, so the title of the book is misleading and might disappoint some readers and miss potential readers altogether.

The short stories included are fantasy, dystopian literature, and some horror. Themes like Creole culture and the Freedom Riders are covered, along with high concept fantasy science fiction. \u201cThe Other One\u201d is a relationship/psychological tale, where the reader isn\u2019t sure what was an illusion and what was real. It\u2019s well done. My favorite, though, is \u201cAesthete.\u201d This short story is definitely not a horror story but science fiction/fantasy. I hope to see it made into a movie in the future, or at the very least, a full novel. I\u2019ll be watching for it.

Out There Screaming has a lot of offer, but not all of the stories are equally good and the word horror doesn\u2019t quite fit the collection.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2024", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 20:49:52", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013215019", "title": "Everyone But Myself: A Memoir", "author": "Julie Chavez", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 192, "review": "This book will appeal to every over-loaded working mom with high expectations of herself (which is probably most of us!). In the same year that Julie returned to work, her yoga studio closed, her husband traveled frequently, her father had a health crisis, and yet she still said yes to every request made of her.

In short, compelling chapters, she describes the meltdown that followed: detailing precisely how her body and mind responded to a panic attack. She\u2019s realistic about barriers she encountered\u2014and privileges (access to insurance, education, family support) that helped her. As she points out, \u201cRecovery is brutally slow when you begin, a road trip that commences on an empty tank.\u201d

Not in any way a how-to manual, this memoir will nonetheless help readers easily draw lessons that can aid anyone in a similar situation: tiny steps of drawing deep breaths, working on a jigsaw puzzle, and larger ones of ongoing therapy, medications, and time passing, allowing her to grow stronger and learn to ask herself: What do you need? And then to fill in the blank with loving, practical responses. Highly recommended for her approachable, friendly style and honesty.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "23-Feb-2024", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 23:51:33", "publisher": "Zibby Books", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013215003", "title": "Minecraft: The Village: An Official Minecraft Novel", "author": "Max Brooks", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 11 and Julianne - age 8", "word_count": 199, "review": "Minecraft: The Village is the third Minecraft book in this trilogy by Max Brooks. It continues the adventures of Guy and Summer. Guy and Summer cross the Overworld and discover a community of villagers. But trouble is brewing for the community, and it will take everything Summer and Guy have learned to save the village.

I loved the whole trilogy. I really love stories set in the Minecraft world, because of all the shapes that can be made out of the same cubes. Guy and Summer face pillagers and assorted mobs. They have to overcome raid obstacles. And their projects sometimes fail.

This book surprised me because it taught me things about Minecraft that I didn\u2019t know, even though I\u2019m a huge fan and play every week. Max Brooks is a really good writer and I enjoy his books more than other Minecraft novels. Even though I love Minecraft novels.

I felt like this book had a lot to share, not only about Minecraft, but also about, like, life. Guy and Summer taught me to always shop using a budget, everyone has a role to play, and growth doesn\u2019t happen in a comfort zone, it comes from leaving it.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2023", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 19:51:56", "publisher": "Random House Worlds", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013214015", "title": "The Wall", "author": "Brian Penn", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 52, "review": "\"The Wall by Brian Penn is a heart-racing, action-packed, and nail-biting dystopian you don't want to miss. It follows two lovers, whose journey is rife with secrets, love, and a daunting battle for survival. Fans of George Orwell and Margaret Atwood will find this book fascinating.\" \u2014Foluso Falaye, San Francisco Book Review.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 03:13:49", "publisher": "Koehler Books", "page_count": "258 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013214007", "title": "8 Days: A Dee Rommel Mystery", "author": "Jule Selbo", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 435, "review": "8 Days is the third installment in the Dee Rommel mystery series by Jule Selbo. In this book, Dee is back at it as a private investigator working for her godfather Gordy at his company, G & Z Investigation. After a horrific accident happens on a nearby bridge and a young woman named Hannah is found dead, a young man comes forward and tells Dee\u2019s co-worker Abshir that he was on the bridge at the same time the accident occurred and that there was a large man who beat him up and took his backpack and phone. Now, the young man, Yuusuf fears for his life because someone wrote a threatening message on his front door. Abshir asks Dee and Gordy if they will help investigate what happened that night to help Yuusuf.

I really enjoyed this book in the series and felt the story moved along at a great pace. Selbo gives us the Dee we all know and love, with her tomboy attitude and fearless antics, so the book never lacks iexcitement, action, and snarky comments.

As Dee digs deeper into the investigation, she figures out that Yuusuf may not be telling the whole truth. Using her tough love method, Dee tells Yuusuf that if he doesn\u2019t come clean and start talking, she can\u2019t help him and they won\u2019t be able to help others who may be in trouble. As Dee connects the dots, she realizes that things are not as they seem and this might be a case that even goes over the heads of the local police and into the hands of the FBI. Speaking of local police, Detective Donato is also featured in the story, although I felt like his part was a bit smaller in this book.

Set in Portland, Maine, the main area Dee investigates is at a strip mall. It turns out that Yuusuf works at several of the businesses at the strip mall and after getting attacked and threatened, he becomes too scared to go back to work. Dee goes around interviewing several business owners and some of the employees in the shopping center. Hannah, the girl who died on the bridge, had also worked at one of the businesses at the strip mall and Dee feels that this is not a coincidence. Hannah also worked for a company that answered phones at a help line. As Dee starts putting things together, danger becomes inevitable and Dee finds herself in a bad situation. Readers will love reading the ending as Dee\u2019s fate unfolds.

8 Days is a fantastic, suspenseful thriller that fans of Lisa Jewell and Lisa Gardner will enjoy.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "24-Nov-2023", "date_added": "29-Sep-2023 03:10:42", "publisher": "Pandamoon Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013213003", "title": "Who to Believe", "author": "Edwin Hill", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 175, "review": "A murder rocks the idyllic coastal town of Monreith, Massachusetts, putting everyone on edge. A popular restaurateur is found murdered in her own home and her husband is the prime suspect. When a group of six friends gather for a birthday celebration, rumors, suspicions, and secrets mar the normally festive occasion. As each character tells the story from their point of view, everyone has a theory and everyone has secrets, but who do you believe?

This story reads like a closed-room mystery, except instead of a closed room, it's a small town, and everyone is a suspect. Normally I find stories with multiple points of view choppy and hard to follow, but this author did a fantastic job and it really added to the suspense. The characters are well developed and the atmospheric imagery is spot on. It's a slow burn at first, but then I couldn't put it down. I would call this a good old fashioned mystery with a modern twist. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend to anyone who loves mysteries.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "04-Apr-2024", "date_added": "28-Sep-2023 18:09:43", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013210003", "title": "Watercolor Made Simple: Techniques, Projects, and Encouragement to Get Started Painting and Creating", "author": "Nicki Traikos", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 163, "review": "Artist Nicki Traikos has put together a detailed yet straightforward guide introducing readers to the basic materials and techniques used in watercolor creativity. Appealingly illustrated in soft pastel colors, the essentials of this painting medium are verbally and graphically described, and as further encouragement beyond words and pictures, QR codes allow access to motion tutorials displaying the actions.

The lessons begin with descriptions of the essential supplies required, such as paint, brushes, paper, and other useful miscellaneous materials. The text continues to describe how to use the paraphernalia and practice basic fundamental techniques of wet-on-wet or wet-on-dry painting along with color mixing. Instructions for papercrafts like a gift tag, bookmark, or greeting card are provided.

Subjects to paint are generously supplied, such as feathers, whimsical florals, fish, mushrooms, and many more. In addition, to encourage engagement, trace-and-paint templates of the subjects are supplemented. This is a delightful introductory visit to the watercolor domain, with skillful lessons and warm encouragement radiating through the pages.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "06-Nov-2023", "date_added": "28-Sep-2023 17:56:31", "publisher": "Quarry Books", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013208003", "title": "On This Day in History Sh!t Went Down", "author": "James Fell", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 206, "review": "On January 15, 1947, the mutilated body of Elizabeth Short, aka the Black Dahlia, was found in Leimert Park. On May 4, 1970, four died as National Guard troops opened fire on protestors at Kent State University. The Bastille was stormed on July 14, 1789, kicking off the French Revolution. William, Duke of Normandy, kicked Harold, Earl of Wessex\u2019s ass during the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks took a stand, by remaining seated, refusing to move to the back of the bus. All this skullduggery and more happened at some point in history.

On This Day in History Sh!t Went Down is a unique and entertaining book by historian and writer James Fell. There is an entry for every day of the year, highlighting some bit of debauchery, mayhem, and shenanigans. History was never meant to make one feel good, and Fell\u2019s book proves that point. But these stories are out there, and one might learn a thing or two. If you are a fan of Nazis or the disgraced twice-impeached former president, you might want to stay clear. But for the rest of us, good luck not looking up your birthday as the first article you read.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "08-Dec-2023", "date_added": "28-Sep-2023 17:52:16", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013202007", "title": "The Book of Facts and Trivia: American History", "author": "Terri Schlichenmeyer", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 206, "review": "Book reviewer Teri Schlichenmeyer displays her funny bone while assembling a range on anecdotes from American history as she seeks to amuse her readers with once forgotten documented lore. Having a penchant for names beginning with the tenth alphabet letter, there is an emphasis on items that include the label of John, Jane, Juan, etc. Randomly assorted thought the book, topics covered include tidbits of geography, politics, pop culture, crime, and the largest section is encapsulated within the label of history.

Learn that folk hero John Wayne had plastic surgery to improve his looks, or that one and a half million new shopping carts are manufactured each year in the USA, or that pumpkins are really a fruit and not a vegetable, or amazingly, that the world\u2019s fastest typist in 2005 recorded a speed of over two hundred words per minute. These and other sundry historical and often trivial descriptions are scattered throughout the pages.

This is the sort of book that is best left on the coffee table for the casual reader to open at any page and ask the surrounding company if they\u2019re aware of these little isolated gems from earlier times. Except for fleeting curiosity, the book just serves as a momentary amusement.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2024", "date_added": "25-Sep-2023 19:03:18", "publisher": "Visible Ink Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013195003", "title": "George Harrison: The Reluctant Beatle", "author": "Philip Norman", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 191, "review": "George Harrison, Beatle, songwriter, movie producer, and sometime actor, deserves a more laudatory biography than this current one. The author treats Harrison\u2019s widow fairly but apologizes for the dismissive obituary he gave Harrison. Harrison\u2019s life commands over four hundred and fifty pages of accomplishment, although much of it details more sordid activities such as adultery, drug use, and overall anger issues.

Yet much of the world thinks of Harrison as the spiritual one who brought the world\u2019s greater attention to Eastern religions. His concert for Bangladesh was first in a series of mega-star concerts to raise funds to mitigate the suffering in the world. That he organized it in four weeks speaks of his ability to administer great undertakings, but the author finds Harrison disinterested and blas\u00e9 about his pending financial ruin at the hands of dishonest managers.

It was fascinating for this reader to learn that at age fifteen, Harrison was exposed to the most lurid scene in Germany, working illegally and trying to keep up with Lennon/McCartney, who posed as much worldlier mentors. Those of us fascinated by the extraordinary accomplishments of this man will find the book interesting.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2023", "date_added": "25-Sep-2023 18:19:32", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013194003", "title": "Mammals Unlocked (Open Earth)", "author": "Dia L Michels, Bonnie Hofkin, Sarah Cox", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 204, "review": "Mammals are found all over the world, but how does one recognize a mammal since these amazing animals have so many different features? Look for three specific characteristics: these curious creatures must possess hair or fur, have three middle ear bones, and their females are programmed to produce milk.

In this cleverly outlined book featuring attractive black and white sketches of the diverse assortment of animals, each page illustrates a unique mammal with an associated question. The species are sorted according to locale, such as denizens of the jungle, mountains, bush, and the sea. The various modes of reproduction in mammals are also explored.

This resource, with its engaging question and introduction to diverse mammalian members followed by its clearly explained answers, provides an arousing and intriguing introduction to basic science and an awareness of the adaptations nature provides for the survival of the species.

Imagine how long a giant anteater\u2019s tongue is, determine what pikas or galagos are, guess how long a blue whale is or even the length of a giraffe\u2019s neck. From the very small to the gigantic, mammals range the world, this book allows the reader to learn a bit more about them and to appreciate their diversity and specializations.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "12-Dec-2023", "date_added": "25-Sep-2023 18:15:54", "publisher": "Science, Naturally!", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013192029", "title": "When the Smoke Clears", "author": "Kat Edwards", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 467, "review": "When the Smoke Clears introduces readers to Talia Brighton, a woman who lost her firefighter husband, Russ, in a fire two years earlier. Reflecting on the past two years, she starts to doubt her parenting skills to their five-year-old daughter Riley. The stress and trauma show up in Talia's life as sleepwalking and hallucinations of her husband while out running. I enjoyed this storyline very much and was really looking forward to the development of not only Talia and Riley's characters but also of Russ and the relationships between all three of them. As a mother of a first responder, I have learned that the relationships we have with them are even more precious than with others since they are putting their lives in potentially dangerous situations every day for the greater good. When Talia decided to go see a grief counselor she was referred to, I looked forward to \"listening in\" on their sessions.

As the story moves on, Talia's backstory is introduced to the reader. After the death of their mother, Talia and her sister Naomi were taken in by their Aunt Miriam who was rather strict and seemed to resent the girls. Talia remembers Miriam taking them to an orphanage and leaving them there. Talia was only three years old, and Naomi was five. From then on, most of the story was about Talia and Naomi growing up and Talia trying to recall events from when she was little. Even though learning a character's past is usually helpful in understanding their present circumstances and behaviors, in this case, I felt almost like it was a bait-and-switch. I kept wanting the story to return to the present day and be about the counseling and relationship with Russ, however, the story with Miriam took up most of the book. Then, as Miriam is on her deathbed, Talia receives a call from a man in Australia about her late grandfather's affairs. This, too, was part of the backstory and the reader is left waiting to return to the original story.

There were many times when the author went off on tangents taking a while to describe the scenery or have Talia explain how mountain lions were actually not predators to humans. My eyes started to glaze over in these parts of the book because it really slowed down the flow of the story.

Overall, I felt like the two storylines did not mesh together well, although both were interesting. I would have loved this book to be about Talia and her husband and then perhaps having it lead to another book about Talia and her relationship with her aunt, sister, and other family members when she was growing up. When the Smoke Clears is an entertaining story with themes of grief, suicide, PTSD, abuse, and the dynamic of family relationships.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "20-Nov-2023", "date_added": "23-Sep-2023 01:07:07", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc", "page_count": "309 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013192021", "title": "The Price of Thorns", "author": "Tim Susman", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 415, "review": "The Price of Thorns became an instant classic for me the second I finished reading it. As a lifelong lover of the fantastic, there\u2019s nothing I enjoy more than getting lost in a beautifully constructed world with a diverse cast of interesting characters. Susman has delivered all that and more, with richly detailed mythos that frankly blew me away with its complexity, depth, and fully realized heroes whose flaws make them entirely relatable while their strengths and deeds border the archetypal.

The story begins with Nivvy, a young thief who has been ousted from their guild, strapped to what amounts to the village rack after being caught plying their trade. While getting pelted with rocks and refuse, a strange woman wearing clothes that went out of style hundreds of years ago offers him his freedom in return for completing a job. Only after he agrees does she reveal that the job involves stealing an entire kingdom, her long-lost kingdom, in fact.

With dreams of redemption and wealth on his mind, Nivvy wholeheartedly (and a bit recklessly) throws himself into the crownless queen\u2019s quest. But the enigmatic Bella has ulterior motives and savage secrets that could change the very essence of not only Nivvy\u2019s existence but that of the entire world.

A large part of what makes this particular world so enchanting is that it is powered by stories. The stories of magical objects activate their latent powers, the stories of travelers pay their way on their journeys, and the stories the characters tell themselves mold and shape their realities both individually and collectively. It\u2019s a fascinating and beautiful way to incorporate magic into worldbuilding, and with the inclusion of a prominent trans character, the implications about the power in the stories we tell ourselves bring a particularly hopeful potency to the story arc.

Susman\u2019s writing style is vivid and effervescent, making the over five-hundred-page novel seemingly readable in the blink of an eye. The quick progression of the plot is perfect for a fantasy adventure, but Susman certainly doesn\u2019t skimp on the deeply introspective moments necessary to create a full-fledged hero\u2019s journey. Deep while remaining playful, and hopeful while relating injustice, The Price of Thorns perfectly walks the line between charming and impactful.

Perfect for fans of TJ Klune and Josh Winning, those looking for a wider distribution of representation in their heroes, or anyone who needs a dose of classic fairy tale inspiration with their monomythic adventure will adore this gem of a novel.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2023", "date_added": "22-Sep-2023 23:18:51", "publisher": "Argyll Productions", "page_count": "508 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013192017", "title": "Brooklyn '76", "author": "Anthony Ausiello", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 404, "review": "July 4, 1976. All across the nation, people are celebrating the Bicentennial of the United States of America. Against the riotous backdrop of not only the celebration of the century but also a vibrant decade, Ausiello crafts a story of family tension in a working class neighborhood in Brooklyn. From many writers, this would feel like nothing more than a fraught two hundred pages of nothing much happening. Ausiello, however, knocked this one out of the park with his knack for building tension and his skill with voice.

Paulie Agnello\u2019s union is on strike, and he\u2019s struggling to keep enough money coming in to support his family. His wife, Dee, is less the angel of the household and more a force of sheer will, doing her best to keep her husband and two sons on the right track. Her younger son, Alex, doesn\u2019t need much worrying over. (Yet.) Tony, however, is fourteen and has a girlfriend, and seems likely to be on the path to perdition.

The cracks appearing have been building for a long time, as in any good family drama. It will take only a little external pressure to push them to the surface.

Ausiello\u2019s skill in building tension appears with nearly every shift of the plot. Early in the story, I could tell it was building up to something dreadful, some possible cataclysm, and often a simple turn of phrase was enough to make me feel just a little more anxious on behalf of the characters, just a little more certain that what had just happened was the key to some grand unraveling. Not once did events feel unnaturally heightened or overdramatic (and any melodrama felt more like a choice to illuminate a given character rather than a failing on the author\u2019s part). Instead, I felt as though I had discovered a master of foreshadowing.

All I will say about the ending is that it was not quite what I had expected, but it nevertheless fit in with the rest of the book perfectly. From other writers, it might have felt like a letdown, perhaps even deflating. Ausiello was able to carry it off admirably.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys family dramas with sharp edges and veins of humor running through them. Ausiello is a fresh, intriguing voice on the literary scene, and I\u2019m eager to see what he writes next. Hopefully there will be many more books to come from him.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "30-Jan-2024", "date_added": "22-Sep-2023 19:21:07", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "269 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013192009", "title": "The Monsters of Marymount Mansion", "author": "Gregory G. Allen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 374, "review": "The Monsters of Marymount is a wonderful book for children of all ages. Although it is a chapter book meant for children in grades 1st through 4th, younger children will also enjoy having the book read to them by their parent or an older sibling.

Toby is an eight-year-old little green monster who is full of energy and life. He can't wait for his favorite holiday to come\u2014 Halloween! This year, he is going to be allowed to go out and trick-or-treat with the human children because everyone will think he is wearing a costume. Living in the basement of Ms. Celeste's mansion can get boring even though she treats him and his family so nicely.

What struck me first when reading this book was the way Toby and the other monsters interacted with Celeste. This relationship is a special one since Celeste is very protective of the monsters. The Marymount mansion had been passed down from generation to generation and the monsters were the secret that came with the large house.

Toby has the best time trick-or-treating and wants to be able to go out and explore more frequently. Many times it's what we don't know that we are the most curious about. Toby knows that he is not human but is so interested in what human children do and what they are like.

This book is adorable and teaches kids that it's okay to be different. Toby ends up realizing that even the humans he sees are all different and they have all different pets as well.The Monsters of Marymount is a fun, Halloween-themed book that will teach children and adults that being different is what makes each one of us special. I especially loved the part where Toby farts a cotton candy smell. As a Mom of three boys, this would have been much more pleasant than the human boy farts I have had to endure.

Children will be drawn to this book by its colorful cover with a picture of Toby smiling and the whimsical font used for the title. The book just looks like it will be a fun read! With a character-driven plot and sweet illustrations throughout, The Monsters of Marymount will make children smile, laugh, and cheer from cover to cover.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "01-Oct-2023", "date_added": "22-Sep-2023 19:17:02", "publisher": "ASD Publishing", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013190007", "title": "Castles & Ruins: Unraveling Family Mysteries & Literary Legacy in the Irish Countryside", "author": "Rue Matthiessen", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 205, "review": "Rue brings her family along for an epic exploration of the Irish countryside, revisiting a place she spent the summer many years ago. The opportunity allows her to connect with her family as she uses her mother Deborah Love\u2019s poetic book as a guide as she makes her way to the Annaghkeen castle. As Rue digs into her parents\u2019 legacy, she comes face-to-face with memories that reveal insights into her childhood and their relationship.

The concept presented is a lovely exploration of one\u2019s past and origins by examining a specific area that is tied to a poignant time in her life. The beauty and wonder of the countryside are written in a way that shows its mystery and magic. Discovery is at the root of the story being shared with the idea of transformation and how these incredible locations allow us to re-create ourselves. Locations include the castle and Annascaul, which are elements that add further insight not just to her family but to Ireland.

The story is equal parts sharing this journey of legacy and heritage and exploring Ireland\u2019s collective psyche. The two are intricately woven together through beautiful writing, crafting Castles and Ruins into an incredible read about legacy, family, memories, and discovery.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "18-Mar-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 19:33:42", "publisher": "Latah Books", "page_count": "252 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013189015", "title": "Force of Nature: A Novel of Rachel Carson", "author": "Ann E Burg, Sophie Blackall", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 11 and Julianne - age 8", "word_count": 198, "review": "From a young age, Rachel loved exploring nature through science books and nature adventures. But as she grew older, Rachel couldn't stay quiet when she saw threats to the natural world she loved. Even though many people discouraged girls from pursuing science or using their voices, Rachel boldly challenged them. We loved seeing her courageously share her eye-opening research about the harmful effects of pesticides. Her book was super important in sparking the environmental movement.

In Force of Change: A Novel of Rachel Carson, author Ann E. Burg\u2019s poetic writing style transports you into Rachel's curious mind. Rachel\u2019s mission is to protect \"all the creatures of the world.\" It surprised us that this book was written all in poems, but we liked it immediately. Rachel is always looking at nature, and that\u2019s what makes it such a good book. The poems are vivid, and sometimes sad, like when her brother comes home from the war. But I love to see how Rachel takes field notes and carefully observes the world around her. This was a great way to get to know Rachel Carson and her drive to help nature.

Mom note: a perfect read for Charlotte Mason-style homeschool.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 21:16:59", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013189007", "title": "Okay, Cupid", "author": "Mason Deaver", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 202, "review": "Jude is on probation for breaking the rules of love and the job. Oh, his job? He\u2019s a Cupid, helping people fall in love who might just need an arrow\u2026 uh, a nudge to get the heart fluttering. Unfortunately, the very nature of his job pushes him to forbidden love, which places him on probation. He somehow manages a second chance at matchmaking rather than a second time at school.

He receives an assignment in a high school to help best friends take the next step. Alice and Huy have had a falling out, so it\u2019ll take something extra special for these two to overcome their differences, but there\u2019s something about Huy, something that is different for Jude, something that may risk this entire venture, maybe even Jude\u2019s entire future.

Diverse in race and gender expression, this cute little queer YA rom-com will give hope for unexpected romance. Full of angst and indecision, Jude is every teen, Cupid or not, who has agonized over love and choices and final decisions. Huy is a trans male, and adorable in every aspect. This is for everyone who hopes for a happy ending, but understands that the happy ending may just depend on one\u2019s perspective.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 21:01:58", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013188027", "title": "Little Red", "author": "Will Hillenbrand", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 191, "review": "Little Red is a truck in Tiny Town who, along with driver Katie, never stops working till the job is done. During a heavy winter snowstorm, Little Red jump starts a delivery van, fixes a broken headlight, bumps a stuck fire truck, fixes a flat tire, fills up an empty gas tank, and even welds a broken hitch on Santa\u2019s sleigh, all while carrying a huge Christmas tree.

After fixing each truck, Little Red is sure he only has on more task of delivering the Christmas tree, until he hears the next cry for help. Because Little Red never quit working, all the trucks in a rainbow of colors are able to join the townspeople at the celebration of the lighting of the Christmas tree.

This is the perfect book for snuggling up on Christmas Eve. A fun repeated refrain of onomatopoeias will keep even little listeners entertained. Meanwhile, Will Hillenbrand delivers a heartwarming message about the joy of helping others and pride in a job well done. This might be the perfect addition for those little people who will find a toy truck or two under their own Christmas tree.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "03-Nov-2023", "date_added": "22-Sep-2023 20:12:02", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013188015", "title": "Gut Reaction", "author": "Kirby Larson, Quinn Wyatt", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "It is never easy to be the new kid, but when it\u2019s middle school and part way into the school year, it\u2019s doubly hard. Tess loves her new stepfather but still misses her dad, who died suddenly a few years ago. She honors his memory by baking, his great love and vocation. But suddenly, when Tess tastes her baked goods, she gets terrible pains in her stomach and has other digestive problems.

She is trying to navigate a new school, find a way to make some friends, and now this! But she\u2019s too embarrassed to tell anyone, even her mother. She finally makes some friends thanks to her baked goods and is invited to be in a prestigious baking contest, but then her illness puts her in real crisis. Everything is so hard!

Kirby Larson and her daughter, Quinn Wyatt, have written an important book for middle-graders about living with Crohn\u2019s disease. The writing is exceptional, the characters are well-rounded and endearing, and the story, with themes of loss, grief, friendship, and family, is most compelling. The background of baking and the baking contest really highlight Tess\u2019s battle with her illness. This deserves readership beyond middle-graders. Don\u2019t miss this book.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 21:19:10", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013188011", "title": "Timid: A Graphic Novel", "author": "Jonathan Todd", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 188, "review": "Cecil has friends and a life in Florida, but his parents decide to move to Boston, where they lived when Cecil was much younger. Unfortunately, Cecil is rather shy and not one to make the first move. When he shows up to lunch, he wants to befriend the other Black kids, but feels like he missed his chance and joins a White kid, which just makes him worry about being an Oreo.

Classmates discover his cartooning ability, and he is asked to make a couple drawings. While his dad thinks that Cecil should plan on a more reliable career, Cecil really wants to become a cartoonist and jumps on these opportunities to work his craft. When one of his images lands him in hot water with the principal, he has to figure out how to speak up, or take the punishment.

Many readers will resonate with Cecil, who hesitates to make friends and talk to girls. The art is colorful, but the students look much older than middle school. This will be good for readers who like graphic novels, but it doesn\u2019t really stand out from the rest.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 21:12:23", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000013188007", "title": "The Girl Who Fought Back: Vladka Meed and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising (Scholastic Focus)", "author": "Joshua M Greene", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "In the midst of World War Two, the Nazi Germans forced all the Jews of Warsaw into a ghetto. They were not allowed outside unless they had specific jobs important to Germany\u2019s success. Vladka, a teenager, was an excellent seamstress, so she was allowed to work in a factory making uniforms for German soldiers. She watched in horror as Jews were deported to death camps every day, and finally, found a group of people who were resisting the Germans, and she joined them.

Since Vladka had light eyes and didn\u2019t \u201clook Jewish\u201d, she was able to move around freely. She did a lot of valuable and dangerous work that helped make the ghetto uprising possible. Her survival of the war made this fascinating book possible.

Author Joshua M. Green has clearly done great research to be able to tell the harrowing story of one woman who contributed much to Jewish success in undermining the authority of the Nazis in Poland during World War Two. At this time in our history, it is more important than ever for young people to recognize the horrors of an authoritarian regime and how it can come into being. Don\u2019t miss this book.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 21:10:30", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013187011", "title": "Don't Worry, Wuddles", "author": "Lita Judge", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 10", "word_count": 158, "review": "It\u2019s cold in the barn, and it\u2019s starting to snow. Wuddles, a sheep, has lots of wool on his body so the little duck hatches a plan. A scarf for the little duck, a hat for the rooster, earmuffs for the rabbit. Wuddles surely will have enough wool for all the animals in the barn. What could go wrong, right?

This book is cute and it is perfect for younger kids who love animals. I like how this book teaches kindness and thoughtfulness because the little duck thinks of all the animals in the barn. None of the animals asked him to, but the little duck just sets off making warm accessories for all the animals.

The illustrations are a little funny because some of the animals have such a surprised look on their faces. Poor Wuddles, but I like the ending because it\u2019s sweet and cute. This book is perfect to read during the cold winter months.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "12-Dec-2023", "date_added": "22-Sep-2023 20:10:35", "publisher": "Atheneum Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013187007", "title": "Shiny Misfits: A Graphic Novel", "author": "Maysoon Zayid, Shadia Amin", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - age 10", "word_count": 156, "review": "Shiny Misfits, by Maysoon Zayid, illustrated by Shadia Amin, is an excellent graphic novel about friendship, coping, and being yourself. Shiny Misfits is about a girl named Bay Ann with cerebral palsy, a disability that reduces mobility and body control, hunting for the spotlight. Bay Ann copes with her disability as she tries to conquer her competitor, prove her worth, and rule the World Wide Web. She tries everything she can to end his fifteen minutes of stardom and put herself in the spotlight of success. A wonderful character, Bay Ann shines through providing humor in every page and showing you don\u2019t have to be perfect to succeed. Well drawn, the imagery displays the character\u2019s feelings perfectly. This is a good book for preteen and tween-aged children who like emotional graphic novels that may relate to their own lives. Homes and libraries should buy this book. Shiny Misfits is best for children age 7 and older.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "23-Apr-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 22:09:29", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013186027", "title": "Your Blood, My Bones", "author": "Kelly Andrew", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 199, "review": "Wyatt and Pedyr grow up together at Willow Heath, until Wyatt turns thirteen, and her mother takes her away. She returns five years later after her father\u2019s death to literally burn it down, but is drawn inside where she finds Pedyr chained up in the basement, having suffered horribly at the hands of her father. She learns his repeated deaths help to safeguard the estate from supernatural creatures.

Pedyr knows how to end his torment and return home, which requires the death of the last remaining Westlock heir. Wyatt wants to save the estate as its magical wards fade; Pedyr wants to go home, but only he can help reign in her magic and reinstate the safety net, but trust is nigh impossible with conflicting goals.

While not a series, fans who read The Whispering Dark will be rewarded with crossover characters. There is a decidedly Peter Pan vibe woven in this tale. Wyatt has a youngish voice for eighteen and is an unreliable, unknowledgeable narrator, leaving much of the magic and world building unexplained. However, it is a dark gothic tale, with a slow burn to the finish, and a savory sweet romance amidst a horrific fantasy world.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 22:06:41", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000013186023", "title": "Just Keep Walking", "author": "Erin Soderberg Downing", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Jo\u2019s father promised her they would hike nearly a hundred miles of the Superior Hiking Trail, just as he had done with her brother years before. But Dad left two years ago, choosing another family over Jo and her mom. Mom and Jo are hiking together, and Jo isn\u2019t going to settle for anything under a hundred miles. It\u2019s so much harder than Jo ever thought it would be. Their packs are heavy and the freeze-dried food isn\u2019t great. They meet one of Mom\u2019s former students on the trail, traveling with her partner and dog, and they decide to travel together for a while. It\u2019s a good thing they do because Mom hurts her ankle badly. Is this the end of their trip? Does Dad win after all?

Erin Soderberg Downing has written a compelling adventure that will keep young readers engaged. Themes of loss, family, and perseverance make this a rich story. The writing is fine, and Downing\u2019s personal experience hiking the SHT brings a real sense of the place. Jo\u2019s first-person point of view draws readers in, although they might be put off by Jo\u2019s very repetitious focus on her father. Otherwise, this is a fine story.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 21:07:42", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013186019", "title": "Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor", "author": "Alan Gratz", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Frank McCoy and Stanley Summer, both navy brats, live on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. They spend much of their free time working on their ideas for comic books. Frank is the writer and Stanley, who is half-Japanese, the artist. The boys are offered a tour of the USS Utah on Sunday morning by Brooks, the boyfriend of Frank\u2019s sister. Just as they start their tour, planes fly in low and start dropping bombs and torpedoes all over Pearl Harbor.

Alan Gratz has written a real page-turner of a novel that will give young readers a taste of what it would have been like to survive the bombing of Pearl Harbor and how the attack changed things from everyone, but more for those Americans of Japanese ancestry. Told in first-person point-of-view from Frank\u2019s perspective, the tale will grab young readers and keep their attention fully engaged as they learn about this dark period.

A sample comic book that Frank and Stanley might have made is included as well as an extensive author\u2019s note filled with excellent historical information. Gratz\u2019s superb research shines through on every page of this very exciting novel. Not to be missed.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 21:06:37", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013185015", "title": "Monday (Worst Week Ever #1)", "author": "Matt Cosgrove, Eva Amores", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 134, "review": "Have you ever had a day go not as planned? You find yourself thinking how could this day be any worse, and usually it ends up getting worse. Well, this is exactly what happened to Justin Chase, but on top of that, he remembers that it is only Monday and that the rest of a miserable week is up ahead. But can he turn it around in the next book in the series, Tuesday?

This was a really interesting book. The day started at 5am on Monday morning and ended 11:59pm. This was a very interesting book because it all took place on just one whole day and what a long day. It really sounds like a day when one should've just went to bed early but that wouldn't make for a good book.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "13-Feb-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 22:05:55", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013185011", "title": "Oh, Olive!", "author": "Lian Cho", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 177, "review": "In Oh, Olive!, a little girl named Olive resists the desire of her parents and her school to paint what they want: perfect black triangles and squares. Instead, she paints everything wherever she goes, including her canvases, pets, buildings and friends, in wild splatters and splashes of color. Just as Olive is about to paint her parents\u2019 square and triangle artwork in their black-and-white museum, Olive\u2019s parents see the beauty in her colorful creations and ask her to paint something for their museum. In response, she paints the most perfectly colored. . . circle!

Lian Cho, who is both the author and illustrator of Oh, Olive!, has created a lovely celebration of color and artistic freedom in her illustrations. Throughout the story, Olive maintains an absolutely irrepressible grin as she follows her own dictates. At the same time, Cho imbues her story with the all-too-important message to stay true to yourself and your vision: the world will eventually discover your beauty. Just beware that your walls, pets, and maybe even you may soon be far more colorful!", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 19:12:44", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013184031", "title": "Desire Museum (American Poets Continuum Series, 202)", "author": "Danielle Cadena Deulen", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Dillon Allen-Perez", "word_count": 201, "review": "Desire Museum is a fitting title for this artistic maze-like collection of poetry that Danielle Cadena Deulen has built. The museum is organized into four floors full of exhibits. Pieces in the exhibits explore romance, lust, memory, history, and politics through a conversation with literature of the past and personal experience of the present.

The form of some of these poems initially jars the reader like walking into an exhibit full of artifacts and signs. Should I look at this vase first or the painting on the opposite wall? Should I read the explanatory sign first? Should I read this column top to bottom, then move to the next column, or do I read left to right across both columns? The effect is intellectually stimulating. It makes you want to return to the same museum next weekend to look for details you might have missed.

At special points while unlocking the puzzle, the poet begins to speak plainly. When she does this, she reveals an undeniable sincerity. She is in conversation with you, the reader, as much as she is with John Keats and Federico Garc\u00eda Lorca. The emotion outweighs the intellect here. It is, after all, a museum of desire.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "12-Jan-2024", "date_added": "22-Sep-2023 19:15:38", "publisher": "BOA Editions, Ltd.", "page_count": "104 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013184023", "title": "The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II (Scholastic Focus)", "author": "Candace Fleming", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 203, "review": "Hitler\u2019s armies are marching through Europe, taking countries one after another. England\u2019s cities are being bombed and her ships are being sunk. Germany has an encryption that keeps England from reading most of the communications they intercept. But they don\u2019t accept that it has to be that way. They set up a secret operation at a country estate, Bletchley Park, and bring together an interesting collection of mathematicians and bright young women, many still in their teens, with some language and clerical skills to work on the problem.

All are required to sign an agreement to keep their work secret forever. The work is daunting, with long hours and tedious tasks, but they are determined, and they make good progress, saving many lives with their good work. It is thought their success may have shortened the war by as much as two years.

Candace Fleming focuses on a handful of these young women looking at where they came from, why they were chosen, and what their daily lives were like at Bletchley Park. Her excellent research shines through on every page, and her writing shows her great storytelling technique. This book will satisfy young readers\u2019 curiosity about this aspect of World War Two.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 22:10:14", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013183027", "title": "The Stolen Wealth of Slavery: A Case for Reparations", "author": "David Montero, Michael Eric Dyson", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 216, "review": "Amid greater consciousness of how America\u2019s racialized history has impacted all aspects of society, there are renewed calls for monetary reparations for the descendants of enslaved Black people. In The Stolen Wealth of Slavery, researcher David Montero documents massive investments in the slave trade by entrepreneurial Northerners and the companies they founded to build unimaginable wealth.

Montero debunks the common notion that Southern plantations were primarily responsible for the ill-gotten wealth of America\u2019s original sin. He dives into the abundant and revelatory archives of banks such as Citibank, Bank of New York, and Bank of America. Companies invested in many aspects of the slave trade, from funding the acquisition of more enslaved humans, and lending capital to plantation expansion, to financing the shipping industry that transported cotton and other products overseas. Their compounded investments yielded massive long-term profits.

Raising public awareness of how the evils of the transatlantic slave trade have seeded the rise of the United States as an economic superpower has been a project of Black scholars and activists for generations. As a White author, Montero makes a bold case for economic reparations and places the responsibility on U.S. corporations. If Black Americans wish to hold companies accountable for their role in profiting from slave labor, this book provides an evidence-based rationale for redress.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "08-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Sep-2023 20:17:45", "publisher": "Grand Central Publishing", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013183015", "title": "The Other Side of Perfect", "author": "Melanie Florence, Richard Scrimger", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Soha - age 14", "word_count": 226, "review": "The Other Side of Perfect is a heart-wrenching story about two kids whose lives accidentally crossover. Autumn, a young Indigenous girl, has grown up on the affluent side of town with two parents who love her. One day, she discovers Cody lying on her street. Cody, in contrast to Autumn, unfortunately lives with his abusive dad on the poorer side of town. He had run away after one of his father's beatings, and Autumn, finding him sleeping on the street, takes him in.
br>While she hides him for the first couple of days from her parents, they eventually find out. Autumn's parents, along with Autumn, try to figure out how to help Cody, and readers get to join them in the heartwarming story about two kids just trying to find their way. Melanie Florence and Richard Scrimiger do a great job of writing the story. Readers can vividly visualize what is happening through their descriptive writing. Both authors have a very descriptive style that pulls readers into the story, leaving them turning pages for hours.

This book is interesting and heartfelt. Readers age eight and above would enjoy this book, as it's easy to read but covers the difficult topic of abuse. This book evoked emotions in me, and I truly connected with the characters. I enjoyed it and feel that it is a great book for anyone.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "23-Apr-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 22:03:24", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013182035", "title": "Somacultural Liberation: An Indigenous, Two-Spirit Somatic Guide to Integrating Cultural Experiences Toward Freedom", "author": "Roger Kuhn", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 219, "review": "Psychotherapist, activist, and artist Roger Kuhn, PhD (Poarch Creek), guides readers to scrutinize and gain insight into how bodily experiences are shaped by culture through Somacultural Liberation. Kuhn identifies as a mixed-race Native American, Two-Spirit person, boldly imparting traumatic experiences of childhood abuse and coming to terms with his proximity to the dominant culture, Indigeneity, and sexuality. The author locates his relationality to complex intersections of identity, sharing deeply personal pivotal moments of his life: from growing up in poverty to achieving academic and professional acclaim. Throughout the book, Kuhn models various self-awareness activities, mindfulness practices, and embodiment techniques to help readers achieve liberation from the confines of colonial mindsets and experiences.

As an Indigequeer therapist, Kuhn shares important lessons for readers interested in applying culturally relevant approaches to overcoming emotional and physical trauma. This book is a great read for healers, counselors, and healthcare workers eager to learn about the Indigenous worldview. As a non-Native, cisgender woman, l came away with a more nuanced understanding of the Indigenous experience from the LGBTQIA+ perspective. At times, Somacultural Liberation presents as an academic treatise explaining the author\u2019s praxis of decolonizing sexuality. Kuhn is adept at switching tones to keep the book accessible, as he takes the time to explain concepts that may be unfamiliar to readers without a counseling background.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "30-Jan-2024", "date_added": "22-Sep-2023 20:26:53", "publisher": "North Atlantic Books", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013182031", "title": "The Reunion", "author": "Kit Frick", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 13", "word_count": 188, "review": "The Mayweathers are vacationing in sunny Cancun, Mexico, and everyone\u2019s looking forward to a week in paradise. Well, not everyone. Some of the Mayweathers have brought secrets with them. Secrets that should stay buried. But when someone\u2019s murdered, those secrets are suddenly exposed, and everyone\u2019s a suspect. Can the Mayweathers get through one week of family togetherness? Or will they tear each other apart?

I liked this book because it was entertaining, fun, and easy to breeze through. This is told from the multiple POVs of twins Addison and Mason, their cousin Natalia, and their soon to be family member Theo. I personally thought they were too close in personality to each other except for a few traits that were overly pronounced, and even though it was an effective way of telling the story, I would\u2019ve appreciated a bit more character development.

The \u201cIncident\u201d referred to throughout the book was revealed at the end, but was honestly not that pertinent to the story and not a very big shocker, which was annoying. I enjoyed the storyline though, it\u2019s an entertaining beach read. I\u2019d recommend this to young adults.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "07-Nov-2023", "date_added": "22-Sep-2023 19:34:10", "publisher": "Margaret K. McElderry Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013182027", "title": "Meet Me on Mercer Street", "author": "Booki Vivat", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 11; Julianne - age 8", "word_count": 198, "review": "Meet Me on Mercer Street by Booki Vivat tells the story of Kacie Sitthiwat, a soon-to-be sixth-grader. She loves to spend her time on Mercer Street watching and doodling, usually with her best friend Nisha. But when Nisha moves away, and Mercer Street starts to change, Kacie struggles without her best friend to help but still has her powers of observation and her sketchbooks.

The book is really interesting by the way it introduces the businesses on Mercer Street, with Kacie\u2019s sketches showing each place and the owners. It\u2019s really interesting that it\u2019s based off of the author\u2019s experience, when one of her friends moved away. But this is a fictionalized version. The artwork was great, it really helped me see the story and experience it in a different way.

I like the uniqueness of Kacie\u2019s community. There\u2019s this business man who wants to make Mercer Street more modern. People in the area don\u2019t like this idea. It reminds me of some of the issues going on around our community. Kacie showed me that change is scary and won\u2019t be fixed overnight, but change is inevitable. We can choose the ways we do, or don\u2019t, want to change.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 22:12:48", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013182023", "title": "Equinox Test (School for Unusual Magic #1)", "author": "Liz Montague", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Eliana - age 14", "word_count": 187, "review": "The Equinox Test is a tale of three children, Rose, Amethyst, and Lav, going to a school for magic-bearing children in an otherwise-normal Brooklyn. All three need to pass the Equinox Test (an exam testing comprehension of magical learning), the results of which determine their future. However, Rose has never been the best student, Amethyst\u2019s mom expects too much of her, and Lav is lonely for a home imperiled by rising seas. All the while, friction within the magical parts of Brooklyn is causing political issues to arrive.

Over the course of these troubles, The Equinox Test covers hard themes such as cheating, friendship break-ups (and put-back-togethers), and moving. Liz Montague writes in easily comprehensible language with numerous, goofy pictures, perfectly filling the target niche. I would highly recommend this book to elementary and early middle school students who like fantasy. I think every elementary school library should own this book, and possibly some middle school libraries as well.

If you are interested in magic school fantasy and are trying to comprehend the social issues involved in elementary school, The Equinox Test is the book for you!", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "23-Apr-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 22:11:50", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013182019", "title": "The Kill Factor", "author": "Ben Oliver", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 13", "word_count": 193, "review": "Welcome to The Kill Factor, where fifty juvenile convicts are saved from their looming prison sentences and offered the chance to take part in a gameshow to win their freedom. For Emerson Ness, convicted for accidental arson, this is a lifeline out of her bleak future and a chance to escape the Burrows. Earn brand credits, grow her following, gather money to support her crumbling family, all while being freed from an impending fifteen-year sentence in a high-security prison.

It sounds too good to be true. But, what she doesn\u2019t know is that forty-nine of the contestants are destined to die\u2026 or face a fate worse than death. Can she make it out alive? Or is the game far more twisted than she ever could\u2019ve imagined?

I liked this book because it incorporated influencer culture while portraying a dystopian society with teen criminals competing on a tv show. Unfortunately, the writing felt a bit loose and amateur to me. The unnecessary love interest weighed down the story a bit, but besides that, I would highly recommend this to lovers of The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner! Recommended for teens and young adults.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "25-Apr-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 21:05:14", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013181011", "title": "Goodbye Girl: A Jack Swyteck Novel (Jack Swyteck Novel, 18)", "author": "James Grippando", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 200, "review": "The body was left on display for all to see. FBI Agent Andie Henning responded with her partner and saw a male chained to a piling with a cryptic message scrawled on it. The case soon goes cold with few genuine leads. More than a decade later, Andie is married to defense lawyer Jack Swyteck and they are raising a daughter. The couple struggles to maintain normalcy in their marriage as their careers often pull them in opposite directions. A date night is scuttled when Andie is refused entrance at a private party due to her law enforcement role and Jack\u2019s services are requested in representing an international pop star. A case involving defamation between warring spouses is soon transformed into questions of music piracy and organized crime. Things further go off the rails when a murder charge is brought against the dueling spouses that connect to a body found a decade earlier.

Goodbye Girl is the mesmerizing new legal thriller from author James Grippando. The plot functions effectively mixing suspenseful mystery and drama as Swyteck contends with his complex case and Henning searches for an enigmatic killer. Grippando has written a page-turning yarn that makes the reader yearn for more.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "14-Feb-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 19:17:36", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013180015", "title": "I Hope This Doesn't Find You", "author": "Ann Liang", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 184, "review": "Sadie Wen is the perfect student - straight A\u2019s, school captain, valedictorian. She\u2019s a people pleaser and doesn\u2019t want to ruffle any feathers. Sadie bottles all of her frustrations, anger, and pressure and pours all of her feelings and thoughts into her emails. No one is supposed to read the emails. Until one day, the emails get mysteriously sent out and everyone in school is upset with Sadie. Everyone that is, except, Sadie\u2019s arch nemesis - Julius Gong.

This book is billed for fans of the To All The Boys series which I happen to be. I really like the dynamic between Sadie and Julius. They were both very likable and relatable characters, and I really liked how their relationship evolved. From rivalry to romance, I was rooting for them the whole time. The only thing I didn\u2019t like was how the drama between the two kept dragging on in the story. It felt slow and repetitive at times and very one-sided. Despite it all, I plan to read Ann Liang\u2019s other novels, and I highly recommend this book to any contemporary YA rom-com fans.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "23-Feb-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 22:07:48", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013180011", "title": "Love and Hot Chicken: A Delicious Southern Novel", "author": "Mary Liza Hartong", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 193, "review": "As an aficionado of both queer romances and slice of life stories, I thought I would absolutely adore Love and Hot Chicken. It\u2019s got all the building blocks of a cozy read; the small town charm, the friendship blossoming into romance, the search for contentment in the place you grew up, the list goes on. And while the first few chapters enchanted me with the Southern-infused charm of their prose, after a while it became a chore to get through the visually and metaphorically cluttered paragraphs instead of immersing me in the story like I think was intended.

Surprisingly, unlike most contemporary queer romances, there isn\u2019t an ounce of homophobia involved in the story, and what conflict is present is quickly and easily resolved. But the characters themselves are difficult to root for in any kind of romantic capacity because there simply isn't a lot of chemistry to work with. If you\u2019re looking for fiery romance you can sink your teeth into, this one might not be for you. But if you\u2019re in the mood for cozy fiction with a heavy emphasis on a Southern setting, give Love and Hot Chicken a read!", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 19:24:42", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013179023", "title": "American Demon", "author": "Daniel Stashower", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 187, "review": "Between 1934 and 1938, residents of Cleveland, Ohio, were horror-struck by a series of gruesome murders. Forty years before the term was coined, the Cleveland Torso Murder, aka the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Lane, was one of America\u2019s early serial killers. As the body count soared, Cleveland was plagued with rampant corruption in the police department. After bringing down Al Capone, Eliot Ness was recruited as the city\u2019s new Safety Director. As Ness weeded out corruption, the killings continued. Not afraid of getting his hands dirty, Ness added his abilities to these unsolved killings.

American Demon: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for America\u2019s Jack the Ripper by award-winning author Daniel Stashower is a fresh look at a volatile period of history. Citing news stories and firsthand accounts, Stashower shines a light on this series of murders. Alongside these cases, Stashower follows the career of Eliot Ness from his days in Chicago till his death.

Combining the infamous with the legendary, Stashower delivers an exciting true-crime novel. The addition of highlighting many breakthrough police procedures used during the investigations and details of criminal history makes this a must-read.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "05-Dec-2023", "date_added": "22-Sep-2023 19:40:31", "publisher": "Minotaur", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013179019", "title": "Red Harvest: A Graphic Novel of the Terror Famine in Soviet Ukraine", "author": "Michael Cherkas", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 197, "review": "Between 1932 and 1933, millions of Ukrainians died as a result of famine. The Holodomor Genocide causes was a direct result of Stalin\u2019s Soviet Union\u2019s collectivization of small private farms. //Red Harvest// is the story of one family\u2019s struggles during these chaotic times in the heart of the Ukrainian Breadbasket. Mykola\u2019s nightmares haunt him. But as he plans to return to Ukraine to remember such a tragic episode in history, Mykola finds a family picture from his childhood, triggering the memories that make up his story of survival.

Red Harvest by author and artist Micheal Cherkas is a historical graphic novel about the Holodomor Genocide. As a Ukrainian growing up in Ontario, Canada, Cherkas was interested in the area\u2019s history, including the darker episodes. He tells his story through the memories of a child growing up during that time. Working with only black and white, Cherkas portrays the tragedy and helplessness felt by millions of people at that time. The Holodomor Genocide is little known by many outside the Ukrainian community. With the recent war of Russia once again trying to force its dominance on the area, this is a crucial reminder of not letting history repeat itself.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Sep-2023 19:17:26", "publisher": "NBM Publishing", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013179015", "title": "Fairest of All: A Graphic Novel (Whatever After Graphic Novel #1) (Whatever After Graphix)", "author": "Sarah Mlynowski, Anu Chouhan", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Julianne - age 8", "word_count": 172, "review": "Whatever After (The Graphic Novel) Book 1: Fairest of All by Sarah Mlynowski, art by Anu Chouhan is about the Snow White fairy tale. When Abby and her brother, Jonah, discover a magic mirror in their basement, they fall into the fairy tale world by accident. Then, they mess up Snow White\u2019s story and have to put it right. Can they fix this messed up story and find their way home?

The really cool thing about Whatever After: Book 1 is that the main character, Abby, likes books like I do, especially fairy tales! It starts off in color but goes to black and white. I think this is because they go into the fairy tale world, where Abby messes up the tale of Snow White and has to fix it.

It is a really good book and I enjoyed it a lot. I learned a lot from it. Like never be an evil step mother! I really want to get the Whatever After novels from the library now and read all of them!", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "25-Apr-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 22:13:34", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013179007", "title": "Foxglove (Belladonna, 2)", "author": "Adalyn Grace", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 15", "word_count": 194, "review": "Signa and Death finally have a chance to be together after seemingly insurmountable odds. But when a duke is murdered and Signa\u2019s uncle is framed for the crime, she and her cousin Blythe are forced to find a way to prove his innocence. Their desperate search for answers leads them straight into the path of Fate, Death\u2019s mysterious brother. Signa is convinced that Fate will give them the help they seek if she only entertains Fate's growing obsession with her. But as Fate\u2019s true motives become clear and her uncle\u2019s time runs out, Signa must play his twisted games in order to find her happy ending.

I enjoyed this book! The character development was interesting and the romance was well-written. Signa grew a lot during the story, and I really enjoyed following her on her journey as she unraveled the mysteries surrounding Death and Fate. I liked the first book, and I felt like the sequel did an amazing job of continuing the strong relationships and atmosphere of its predecessor. The dialogue was lush and imaginative, and it stayed true to its gothic roots. Fans of gothic romance will find much to love here!", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "06-Nov-2023", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 18:28:20", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013178027", "title": "Running in Flip-Flops From the End of the World", "author": "Justin A Reynolds", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Eddie and his four friends, Sage, Sonia, Xavier, and Trey, are all by themselves in Carterville, Ohio. Everyone else in town went to the shore for the Beach Bash and never returned. Eddie, who tells the story, seems to have a little trouble focusing and exhibits signs of ADHD. At first, these youngsters (ages ten to twelve) think having no parents around is an invitation for non-stop fun, but they soon realize surviving should be on their list of things to do. Some mysterious force seems to keep the kids from getting to the shore to look for people. Eddie seems unfazed and wants to just have fun, but the others take their problems more seriously.

Justin A. Reynolds has written a book that, like Eddie, is non-stop fun, although jokes that should be one-liners often go on for pages. We don\u2019t know much about how the situation arose, because this is book two in a series, and Eddie doesn\u2019t fill the readers in on much. A certain group of young readers, including reluctant readers, will be carried through this book with the non-stop jokes and nonsense, but many will find this a frustrating read.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "02-Jul-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2023 21:15:44", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013327003", "title": "Ghost With Two Hearts", "author": "Michael R. French", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 129, "review": "\"Armed with a stolen samurai sword and a dark family history, Adrian Green embarks on a soul-searching journey of redemption to Japan in Michael R. French\u2019s Ghost With Two Hearts. Confronting the intricacies of Japanese culture and the intrusion of ghosts, he grapples with the fine line between reality and obsession. It\u2019s a captivating exploration of one man\u2019s journey of self-discovery in a richly evoked if unfamiliar land. French seamlessly blends elements of spirituality, romance, and the supernatural, creating a vibrant world in which the boundaries between the physical and metaphysical blur. With nuanced character development and vivid descriptions of the Japanese landscape, Ghost With Two Hearts invites reflection on the complexities of the human spirit and the transformative power of cultural exploration.\" \u2014Erin Britton, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Oct-2023 16:52:47", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "193 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013326015", "title": "Ambient Light: A Novel", "author": "Kate Stout", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 525, "review": "Kate Stout\u2019s Ambient Light is a poignant work of literary fiction that explores the interconnections among friends and love interests as well as the enduring impact that a pivotal figure can have on a group. Told from the alternating perspectives of the central characters and set during the tumultuous period that begins with the transformative 1960s and ends with the disorientating years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the story follows the lives of six friends\u2015Adie, Breck, Mary Clay, Tony, Jude, and Grady\u2015after their adolescence is marked by the magnetic pull of enigmatic peer Sebastian.

When he leaves them behind to move to San Francisco and live an openly gay life, Sebastian\u2019s departure leaves the group grappling with a mix of unassailable love and simmering resentment. Although the group had started to fracture somewhat even before that point, the absence of Sebastian seems to be the final cut that severs the bonds between them. Yet, initial appearances are often deceptive and the six find themselves moving in and out of each other\u2019s orbit in unexpected ways until the final act of fates pulls them irrevocably apart, one by one.

Stout\u2019s detailed portrayal of the enduring bonds that bind the characters together lies at the heart of the novel, highlighting the complexities of evolving friendships and the lasting impact of a departed friend. Here, Stout dives deep into the characters\u2019 emotions, exploring both their changeable and resolute aspects, slowly drawing out thoughts and feelings that extend in unexpected directions. She has dedicated significant time and effort to the characterization throughout the novel, with each character having unique flaws and strengths that combine to make them engaging and relatable.

Ambient Light is written in a poetic style, which allows Stout to add additional layers of introspection to the story through the characters\u2019 innermost thoughts and feelings, thereby infusing it with a strong sense of nostalgia and impressive depth. The interplay among the characters\u2019 philosophical ruminations and meditations on the meaning of life, including occasional divergences into the fantastical, lends the story another surprising and impactful dimension, which makes separating reality from fiction sometimes tricky and enhances the thought-provoking nature of the novel.

Despite the outwardly conventional nature of the central characters when viewed in their present, when looking back through their pasts and shared histories, their individual attributes\u2015whether hidden or overt\u2015and the truly interesting times in which they live render Ambient Light gripping and immersive from the outset. There are hints of surprising and shocking things on the horizon, and Stout\u2019s descriptions of the intricacies of human relationships and the fragility of life throughout prompt significant emotional investment in the characters\u2019 joys, struggles, and secrets.

Stout paces the story well, maintaining momentum even during the particularly contemplative and introspective scenes, suggesting all the while that Ambient Light is unspooling from an inevitable final revelation that ties the individual stories together. It all makes for an emotionally resonant story that features rich character development and a sensitive yet unflinching exploration of profound aspects of life. Stout\u2019s candid portrayal of issues such as sexuality, identity, and human connection enhances the novel\u2019s depth and relevance, ensuring that it\u2019s consistently compelling and impactful.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "20-Nov-2023", "date_added": "27-Oct-2023 19:57:01", "publisher": "Saltcoats Press", "page_count": "305 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013326007", "title": "That Loving Feeling: A Couples Guide to Transform Hurt & Criticism into Kindness & Gratitude", "author": "Rick Longinotti, MFT", "category": "N16 Relationships & Sex", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 422, "review": "The book starts with Sarah encouraging Gene, her partner, to do a couples\u2019 workshop with her. They had been together for thirty-five years, and the marriage was starting to get weary, mostly due to a lack of communication. At the workshop, they befriend other couples, learn how to practice non-violent communication, and improve their marriage. The story is built around the different sessions they attend and the experiences of the other couples attending the workshop. Each couple has a peculiar story and difficulties that they hope to overcome through these workshops. While reading the book, you'll not only be captivated by the storylines, but you'll also learn a lot about how to make your relationships better.

Relationships these days have evolved from what they used to be. Unlike before, when people would accept anything their partner did without raising questions, these days people seek accountability. Experiencing past hurt is not an excuse for a failed marriage, since therapy is an option. Many people avoid relationships because they think they are synonymous with stress and emotional turmoil. However, finding the right partner makes it a beautiful thing.

Both parties in a relationship have to make efforts to make the relationship work. It is often said that you should be what you expect from your partner. Therefore, it is important to adopt skills that will make the relationship a smooth ride.

In this book, through the use of fictional characters, the author delves into what lack of communication does to most relationships and the best ways to tackle it. The couples gain skills like empathy, understanding, and patience toward their partner just by attending the workshop. The therapy sessions are enlightening, as they don't hold anything back, and the lessons from them are very helpful. The takeaways at the end of each chapter were some of the best things about the book. It summarized the key points and made it easier to understand the book.

I loved reading this because it uses fiction to address major deal-breakers in relationships. It would have been boring if it were filled with steps and guidelines only. The story was engaging, and the message was passed across in a way that the reader could relate to and learn from. I love the approach; it seems I'm learning from these people's experiences. And the book was worth the equivalent of attending marriage counseling. I recommend That Loving Feeling: A Couples Guide to Transforming Hurt and Criticism into Kindness and Gratitude by Rick Longinotti (MFT) to every couple out there.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "20-Nov-2023", "date_added": "27-Oct-2023 19:50:29", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "245 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013325003", "title": "A Sign of Her Own: A Novel", "author": "Sarah Marsh", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 199, "review": "Alexander Graham Bell is best known for the telephone. Perhaps less known, at least among the hearing community, is his interest in working with deaf people, and his particular interest in teaching them to speak as clearly as any hearing person could. From this history comes the story of Ellen Lark, a fictional woman inspired by real events and real people.

At first, Ellen\u2019s story felt murky. It was difficult for me to find a sense of place or to determine whether I cared about the stakes of her conflict: whether to remain loyal to Bell or expose some secret of his which she knows. As I read further, however, I found my interest growing. The secret didn\u2019t capture my interest much, but Ellen herself did. Her growth, the history surrounding her, and the way her voice emerged through the story all captivated me.

At times, A Sign of Her Own is difficult to figure out. The characters don\u2019t always stand out, and Ellen sometimes fades to the background of her own story. At its best, though, it is a beautiful story inspired by the deaf community of late 19th century America, a community which is too often overlooked.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "02-Feb-2024", "date_added": "27-Oct-2023 19:02:26", "publisher": "Park Row Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013324003", "title": "The Holocaust: An Unfinished History", "author": "Dan Stone", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 197, "review": "Any book about the Holocaust will be a horrifying, sickening read; this is no exception. However, the focus is not to assemble a comprehensive document of Holocaust experiences, but rather to give a high-level overview of the shape of the travesty, from inception to implementation, all the way to modern day implications. In doing this, it necessarily recounts truly incomprehensible statistics, punctuated by intimately personal witness accounts that expose the barest tip of the iceberg of suffering. This is sufficient; I appreciated that it avoided maudlin fascination, instead treating the victims with utmost respect and humanity.

The book, with meticulous and extensive research, argues that the Holocaust was, at base, the product of a racist ideology. Importantly, it also shows how the confluence of other factors such as technology, global and local politics, and endemic human greed led to the destruction being as comprehensive as it was; ideology alone was not enough, although that was the driver. It also exposes the complicity of the rest of Europe, from governments at all levels to ostensible friends and neighbors. The Holocaust is not \u201ca lesson\u201d, but we can learn from it if we will. This book shows us how.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2024", "date_added": "27-Oct-2023 18:58:33", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013321007", "title": "Old Crimes: and Other Stories", "author": "Jill McCorkle", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 326, "review": "It would be dishonest to call Jill McCorkle's Old Crimes an upbeat collection of short stories, but what it lacks in joy and hope, it makes up for in intimacy, honesty, and truth. I've rarely read a collection that has stayed with me like this one has; as a fan of McCorkle's other works, like the novel Ferris Beach and the short story collection Going Away Shoes, I was stunned by the depth of this new work.

McCorkle's characters are flawed, at times ugly to one another, and irrepressibly real. The title story sees young couple Lynn and Cal at a family inn in New Hampshire that has seen better days. The memories of what was once a likely happy place surround them, but the appearance of a girl so obviously in the throes of neglect makes Lynn uncomfortable from the start. As the story closes, we learn that Lynn has carried the memory of that girl throughout her life. This story is intertwined with the histories of the Yde Girl and the Tolland Man, figures whose remains were found long after their spirits left the earth. This parallelism is one of McCorkle's strengths, and there are echoes of history and literature throughout the collection.

There are two other standouts in the collection. \"Confessional\" includes a newly married couple who buy an old church confessional and install it in their home as a novelty, unaware of the consequences the purchase will have. \"Baby in the Pan\" is a startling and brutal examination of the effect of shared misinformation. As I read this story, I was floored by how real the mother and daughter were, I have known those women, and McCorkle's captures their points of view beautifully.

There are few writers working today who can present the lives of their characters without apology. The stories in Old Crimes do this. If you've not read McCorkle, then you are in for a treat with this brilliant collection.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "25-Jan-2024", "date_added": "27-Oct-2023 19:00:50", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013320003", "title": "Before We Say Goodbye: A Novel (Before the Coffee Gets Cold Series, 4)", "author": "Toshikazu Kawaguchi", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 212, "review": "Before We Say Goodbye is the fourth book in Toshikazu Kawaguchi\u2019s series about a special cafe in Japan that allows visitors to go back in time. Like the other books in the series this book is comprised of short stories all centering around this cafe. This is the second book I\u2019ve read in the series and I have to say all of the stories are wonderfully written and will pull at the heartstrings of the readers.

The rules of going back in time at the cafe are: You must wait for the woman dressed in white (the ghost) to get up from her seat so you can sit in it, you cannot change the present no matter what you do in the past, you cannot stand up from your seat, and you must not let your cup of coffee get cold otherwise you will turn into a ghost.

In each of these stories, the person going back in time would like to obtain somekind of closure in their life. Kawaguchi does a fantastic job of creating original, thought-provoking stories. The main characters in the cafe are all fun and have a matter-of-factly tone when they speak even though the cafe is so special. Readers will enjoy each and every story in this book.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2024", "date_added": "27-Oct-2023 18:39:15", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013316007", "title": "Milkweed for Monarchs", "author": "Christine Van Zandt, Alejandra Barajas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Monarch butterflies are in trouble. The only way they can survive is if they have a plentiful supply of milkweed. As land is taken for development, many sources of milkweed are disappearing and not being replaced. Milkweed plants are the only places where monarch butterflies will lay their eggs. It is the only food that monarch larvae can eat. The story of monarch butterflies, their life cycle from egg to larva to chrysalis to butterfly, and their need for milkweed is told in this beautifully written and illustrated picture book that youngsters will find compelling and fascinating.

Author Christine Van Zandt tells the story in perfect rhyming couplets that will keep the youngest of listeners engaged, and she adds sidebars with extra information written in prose that will help to keep youngsters up to six or seven interested as well. Gorgeous illustrations by Alejandra Barajas are filled with wonderful details and will delight children, helping to keep their eyes on the pages. Back matter includes an author\u2019s note, fun facts about monarchs, how they sense things, how people can help, and a good bibliography. This book is a real star in STEM picture books.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "26-Oct-2023 19:24:49", "publisher": "1517 Media", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013313003", "title": "A Christmas Vanishing: A Novel (Anne Perry's Christmas)", "author": "Anne Perry", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 210, "review": "A Christmas Vanishing is the next installment in Author Anne Perry's Christmas novella series. In this book, a woman named Mariah goes to St. Helena to visit her friend Sadie whom she has not seen for almost twenty years after a quarrel they had. Sadie has invited Mariah to stay with her and her husband Barton, however when Mariah arrives, Sadie is nowhere to be found. Furthermore, Barton slams the door in her face and Mariah goes to stay with a woman named Gwendolyn. From there, Mariah and several people in the village help figure out where Sadie could have gone. Did she leave of her own fruition or was she kidnapped? But the more people Mariah talks to, the more she is convinced that Sadie is not so innocent. In fact, she may have brought all of this on herself.

Although the books in this series are quite short, there is a hefty story with wonderful characters jam-packed into it. This holiday mystery is the perfect read on a cozy winter night and will have readers guessing whodunnit. The book is written in a way that readers will not want to put in down in order to find out where Sadie could have gone and what really happened to her.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "05-Dec-2023", "date_added": "26-Oct-2023 18:37:24", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013307011", "title": "Brothers in Arms: Churchill's Special Forces During WWII's Darkest Hour", "author": "Damien Lewis", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 199, "review": "Winston Churchill wanted more than just soldiers, he wanted efficient killers capable of operating behind enemy lines and destroying targets. In 1941, the Special Air Service was established for this exact purpose. Churchill desired men of action, men like Robert Blair \u201cPaddy\u201d Mayne and David Stirling.

Mayne was an Irishman who had already seen his share of action and tragedy in the early days of World War II. Mayne and his fellow soldiers were champing at the bit to strike at the fascist forces that controlled vital areas of Northern Africa while avenging past losses.

Mayne, Stirling, and others began their covert operations in November 1941 with a hazardous drop into Libya. Despite a near fatal start, the band of commandos possessed a strength and resolve that led to their operations proving fruitful and deadly to their enemies.

Brothers in Arms is the latest thrilling World War II read from author Damien Lewis (Churchill\u2019s Shadow Raiders). Lewis pays tribute to a group of unsung heroes who operated under often hellacious conditions in achieving their objective and frustrating the opposing armies. The narrative is relayed admirably, where the reader experiences through the eyes of men like Mayne, Stirling, and others.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "12-Dec-2023", "date_added": "26-Oct-2023 19:19:49", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013307007", "title": "Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth", "author": "Natalie Haynes", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 187, "review": "With this new volume, Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth, a follow-up to Pandora\u2019s Jar, the iconic voice of comedian classicist Natalie Haynes returns to investigate the bad behavior of ancient gods. In this female-centric exploration of Olympus, Haynes re-examines the stories of the Greek goddesses, their passions and foibles, which are every bit as awe-inspiring and terrifying as their male counterparts.

Haynes is known as a writer who has \u201creshaped our view of Greek myth.\u201d Haynes raises many questions about the ways we have always viewed the goddesses, such as Hera\u2019s implacable jealousy in the face of all Zeus\u2019 various infidelities (well, umm, yeah?). Or the cold inhumanity of Artemis, defending her honor. Or the invisible (yet very felt!) Hestia. She offers us a view of these powerful and divine women that we haven\u2019t considered before. And at the book\u2019s core, Haynes argues that the depictions of the gods are only ever a mirror to our own humanity.

This intensely pleasurable read did not disappoint on any level. Especially great for readers who enjoyed the Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics series on the BBC.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "13-Mar-2024", "date_added": "26-Oct-2023 19:14:57", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013307003", "title": "The House of Broken Bricks: A Novel", "author": "Fiona Williams", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 169, "review": "What a creative and interesting story this author has woven. An intelligent and promising young Black woman has given up her career and her family to marry a provincial gardener in England. Her new life is gray, rainy, rural, and tedious. They have twins together, which creates a further problem as one twin is dark and the other is quite light. The mother is taken for the White twin\u2019s nanny when she takes him to town. She has no friends and the isolation of the place and the ensuing tragedy brings her to despair.

The author is adept at painting a marriage where the partners are miles apart even as the dwell together. The sons are oppressed by the tension and their parents inability to be civil to each other. That the story has such promise brings this reader to feel that the ending is anti-climactic and takes too very long to wrap up. That being said, the author is well worth reading for her skill at creative storytelling.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "25-Oct-2023 20:58:24", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013306003", "title": "Union Station (A John Russell WWII Spy Thriller)", "author": "David Downing", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 196, "review": "John Russell is a German expatriate living in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter. The death and destruction of the recently concluded Second World War has transitioned to the paranoia and uneasiness of a Cold War between Russia and the United States. Russell is thousands of miles from home, yet his troubled past hovers over him every day. He was forced into acting as a double agent in the previous war and extricated himself from a certain death by utilizing blackmail. In 1953, Russell covers the Hollywood beat for a pittance, while his wife Effi stars in a popular sitcom. Communism factors into both their lives as the McCarthy hearings are dominating the news in the US and the death of Josef Stalin has ramifications in the US and Eastern Europe. The past casts a shadow on the present over John and his family.

Union Station\u201d is a noteworthy effort from author David Downing and the latest in his series featuring John Russell. The drama runs consistently strong from the sundrenched city of angels to the back alleys of the zone-divided Berlin. This is a top-notch historical fiction novel that is nearly impossible to put down.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2024", "date_added": "25-Oct-2023 20:56:52", "publisher": "Soho Press", "page_count": "408 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013305011", "title": "The Bad Ones: A Novel", "author": "Melissa Albert", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Elena - age 15", "word_count": 186, "review": "When Nora\u2019s estranged friend Becca goes missing, she knows it\u2019s her job to bring Becca and the three others who vanished that night home. But the truth might be more complicated than Nora realizes. Every cryptic clue that Becca left behind points to a sinister game embedded in the town\u2019s folklore, a game that could have proven deadly. As Nora unravels her town\u2019s dark past and the mysteries surrounding the disappearances, she must look beyond all the lies and secrets in order to bring her friend to the light.

This book will intrigue any horror fans! It is a supernatural blend of sinister storytelling and eerie legends that will captivate any reader who picks it up. I felt that the middle lagged a bit in terms of pace, but the satisfying conclusion was worth it. The characters were fleshed out and relatable, and Nora and Becca\u2019s relationship was one of my favorite parts of the book. I highly enjoyed the gothic atmosphere and the creepy happenings of the town. Overall, the book did not disappoint when it comes to a satisfying mix of horror and adventure.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "13-Feb-2024", "date_added": "26-Oct-2023 19:13:56", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013305003", "title": "The Blueprint", "author": "Rae Giana Rashad", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 417, "review": "\"The New Naturals\" by Gabriel Bump:\n\nIn \"The New Naturals,\" Gabriel Bump crafts a poignant narrative that explores the complexities of friendship, identity, and coming-of-age in the South Side of Chicago. Through the eyes of protagonist Claude, readers are immersed in a world where loyalty and survival intertwine amidst the harsh realities of urban life. With wit and insight, Bump captures the nuances of adolescence and the search for belonging in a landscape marked by both hope and despair. \"The New Naturals\" is a powerful debut that resonates long after the final page, offering a fresh perspective on the bonds that shape us.\n\n\"The Blueprint\" by Rae Giana Rashad:\n\nIn \"The Blueprint,\" Rae Giana Rashad delivers a gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and redemption set against the backdrop of the music industry. Through the eyes of protagonist Layla, readers are drawn into a world of cutthroat competition and ruthless ambition, where success comes at a steep price. As Layla navigates the treacherous waters of fame and fortune, she must confront her own demons and make difficult choices that will shape her future. With its richly drawn characters and electrifying plot twists, \"The Blueprint\" is a captivating read that offers a fresh take on the pursuit of dreams.\n\n\"Let Us Descend\" by Jesmyn Ward:\n\n\"Let Us Descend\" by Jesmyn Ward is a haunting exploration of family, loss, and the enduring power of love. Set against the backdrop of the Mississippi Delta, the novel follows protagonist Mae as she grapples with the legacy of her ancestors and the ghosts of her past. With lyrical prose and atmospheric storytelling, Ward paints a vivid portrait of a community haunted by tragedy and bound by resilience. \"Let Us Descend\" is a masterful meditation on the ties that bind us and the ghosts that haunt us, offering a poignant reflection on the human condition.\n\n\"The Queen of Sugar Hill\" by ReShonda Tate:\n\n\"The Queen of Sugar Hill\" by ReShonda Tate is a captivating portrait of ambition, resilience, and the pursuit of justice in Jazz Age Harlem. Through the eyes of protagonist Bernice, readers are transported to a vibrant world of glamour and intrigue, where power and privilege collide with the harsh realities of racial inequality. As Bernice rises from humble beginnings to become a formidable force in Harlem's elite circles, she must navigate treacherous waters and confront the ghosts of her past. With its rich historical detail and compelling characters, \"The Queen of Sugar Hill\" is a mesmerizing tale of strength and determination.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Oct-2023 20:52:43", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000013301011", "title": "Island Witch", "author": "Amanda Jayatissa", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 179, "review": "The Island Witch by Amanda Jayatissa is the story of Amara, daughter of the village demon-priest on an island overtaken by British colonizers. While the villagers once respected her father\u2019s craft, they have turned on him since the coming of the British. But they ask for his help again when something begins seizing men in the jungle. Amara will struggle to clear her father\u2019s name, even as she slips deeper into the dark forces at work on the island.

A luscious horror story, this novel mines the depths of human depravity and desperation. It\u2019s what happens when the female psyche is pushed too far. As Amara struggles to make sense of the darkness surrounding her, so too does the reader. A true psychological terror, The Island Witch embraces the violent and creepy. Due to that atmosphere of violence, this is a story for a certain kind of reader. Trigger warnings include rape, murder, demons, a goddess, possession, incest, and much abuse of women from all parties. While a powerful story, it may also prove seriously disturbing to some readers.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "14-Feb-2024", "date_added": "24-Oct-2023 22:47:07", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013300003", "title": "Are You Big?", "author": "Mo Willems", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - age 8", "word_count": 132, "review": "This is awesome! Five stars, easy-peasy to say how good it is. Are You Big? is about \"big\" and what it means to be big. I liked it because it is hilarious and you don't know what is going to be next. It starts out with the question, \"Are you big?\" and the whole book makes you think about it and figure out how big you really are.

The illustrations are different than in the Elephant and Piggy books but you can still tell that it's by Mo Willems because the characters are so hilarious with just simple drawings. Ages two to everyone will like this one. Anybody who likes Mo Willems books will like this one and probably if you haven't read one of his books you should read them all.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "02-Feb-2024", "date_added": "20-Oct-2023 18:55:11", "publisher": "Union Square Kids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013295023", "title": "The Engagement Party", "author": "Finley Turner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 196, "review": "The Engagement Party is a fantastic suspense novel that takes a turn for the worst when Kassandra meets her future in-laws. When the invitation to their very own engagement party comes in the mail, Kassandra and Murray are both surprised. After all, Murray had just proposed. Nervous and skeptical, Kassandra\u2019s feelings become even more amplified when they pull up to Murray\u2019s family mansion complete with butler and housekeeper. He never told her he came from money. Murray\u2019s mother, Beatrice, is cold and his father, Philip accidentally says another woman\u2019s name during the toast. His twin brothers are odd, one is an alcoholic and one is just plain rude. But this family has some major secrets. And Kassandra is about to find out the hard way after a man is murdered when she becomes stuck in the middle of the investigation.

The story is woven perfectly as readers see Kassandra slowly start to fall apart. Her own secret from her past also starts crawling back from the past and she feels trapped. This is a book that fans of thriller and suspense novels will love. With the snooty, wealthy characters and Kassandra\u2019s down-to-earth personality, what could go wrong?", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "24-Nov-2023", "date_added": "24-Oct-2023 20:45:07", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013294007", "title": "Zombillenium, Vols. 5-6: Black Friday/Sabbath Grand Derby", "author": "Arthur de Pins", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 127, "review": "We all know how crazy busy stores get around the holidays, especially on Black Friday. Well, now imagine that you are out shopping trying to buy for your family when you realize you are about to get eaten by zombies and must survive!

Vampires, devils, witches, and skeletons, this series has it all. All you have to do is survive and not ruin lives, but it seems a bit more challenging than you had in mind. Take a ride on the Hell Express to find out if you can survive!

This graphic novel is HUGE and the illustrations are insane! I really love the size of the book, which allows the illustrations to be so detailed. The storyline is good but the illustrations sold it for me.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "15-Jan-2024", "date_added": "24-Oct-2023 19:36:39", "publisher": "NBM Publishing", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013292007", "title": "Behind the Door: The Truths and untold Stories of the Cecil Hotel ", "author": "Amy Price", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 199, "review": "The reputation of the Cecil Hotel had preceded itself long before Amy Price\u2019s arrival. The Cecil Hotel was known as a skid row stay, where cops were frequently called, to little or no avail. Price was a Michigan transplant with a flair for interior design. A pair of friends had taken on the Cecil as a project and sought to transform one of the rooms into a semi-luxurious hotel room.

The Cecil was split between temporary guests and long-term residents, the tourist and the transient. Price would go from interior decoration to the day-to-day management of the building. Her decade-plus employment at the site would never be boring. However, the disappearance of Elisa Lam in 2013 would bring the Cecil Hotel back into infamy and would thrust Price into a spotlight she never expected, courtesy of Netflix.

Behind the Door is a sincere and downright entertaining look at a notorious location with a litany of revealing stories about its tenants and its one-time overseer. Author Amy Price is straightforward in detailing the peaks and valleys in her life along with the location she attended to with care and concern. Price\u2019s story and tales are noteworthy from beginning to end.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "05-Dec-2023", "date_added": "24-Oct-2023 20:00:50", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013291003", "title": "The Pinchers and the Diamond Heist", "author": "Anders Sparring, Per Gustavsson", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 132, "review": "This family of pick-pockets, or Pinchers rather, like to go around together as a family and, you guessed it, steal from others. However, only not the whole family wants to be bad. Theo can't lie and he doesn't necessarily want to do bad things. On the other hand, his family is full of lies and so when they go to a diamond exhibit Theo just wants to look and asks his family not to steal, but he knows it can't simply be that easy for them. Read this book to find out what happens to the diamonds.

This was a cute book, funny and easy to read. The illustrations were cute. I really liked the activities in the back of the book and my mom liked the questions to quiz me on.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2024", "date_added": "20-Oct-2023 18:15:14", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013288003", "title": "The World According to Joan Didion", "author": "Evelyn McDonnell", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Joseph Arellano", "word_count": 194, "review": "Writing in the precision style of a writer like the late Joan Didion is difficult. But Evelyn McDonnell channels Didion\u2019s indomitable writing style and spirit in this admirable work. One might say that McDonnell in just over 200 pages manages to describe the unique individual that Joan Didion was far better than was done in an overly long 752-page biography released back in 2015.

I read the long biography of Didion back when it was released. At its conclusion, I felt that I had failed to learn a thing which made me feel as if I had come to know Didion. One key issue with immense biographies is that they are filled with so much detail and factoids that the forest is lost for the trees; not to mention several seeming contradictions that are not explained away. McDonnell has avoided that trap by focusing on who Didion was, what she wanted in life, and what struggles she encountered. We here see the Didion who was energized by getting past her failures. All in all, this is a brilliant work. Thanks to McDonnell, I now feel like I\u2019ve finally met the marvelous Joan Didion. Wow.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2024", "date_added": "19-Oct-2023 23:01:13", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013284003", "title": "Find Him Where You Left Him Dead (Death Games, 1)", "author": "Kristen Simmons", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 13", "word_count": 188, "review": "Ex-best friends Maddy, Emerson, Dax, and Owen haven\u2019t spoken since the incident four years ago that cost them their friend Ian. But when they\u2019re called back together by a visit from Ian\u2019s apparition, they realize they must return to the cave where it all started and to the game they never finished. To find Ian, they must enter a dark hellscape called Meido to find seven stones and return them to a dead empress before dawn. Can they find their friend and escape the game before their time runs out? Or will they remain trapped there forever?

The concept of this book was really interesting. I was pretty invested for the first third of the book, but after that, the underdeveloped characters and too many POVs began to take away from the storyline. The actual storytelling was fast-paced but not very well developed, and the big revelations weren\u2019t really exciting because of the dull characters. Japanese-inspired horror story: the description just calls for attention, but it just didn\u2019t quite live up to my expectations. I would recommend this to Japanese folklore and horror lovers for a quick read.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "12-Dec-2023", "date_added": "19-Oct-2023 22:36:47", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013280003", "title": "Sounds Good!: Discover 50 Instruments", "author": "Ole K\u00f6nnecke, Hans K\u00f6nnecke", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Youngsters are curious about music and musical instruments, but will they be content reading about instruments and looking at pictures of them? That is probably not going to be a very satisfying experience for kids. What they really want to know is what sounds the instruments make. Sure, they could take the time to research each instrument and try to find some examples of the sounds, but that is a bit daunting, and the kids might get really tired of having to go through all that.

Ole and Hans K\u00f6nnecke have found a way around that. They have chosen fifty-two instruments to feature in this fun book. Ole wrote the text and did the cute illustrations of the instruments being played by a variety of cartoonish animals. Young readers will get a kick out of these clever illustrations. Hans composed a musical piece for each of the instruments that readers can listen to simply by scanning the QR code on each spread with a tablet or smartphone.

This book really brings learning about musical instruments to a whole new level. This will become a favorite not only of young readers but parents and teachers as well.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "19-Oct-2023 22:22:46", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013278007", "title": "Good Girls Don't Die", "author": "Christina Henry", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 194, "review": "Three women find themselves in different scenarios they know are not right. Celia wakes up with a husband and daughter that aren\u2019t hers. Allie finds herself at a cabin in the woods with her friends and the trip is about to take a horrible turn. Maggie wakes up to a survival game scenario with nine other women where they have to get to the end in order to save those they love. Something is very wrong here and all these women know is that Good Girls Don\u2019t Die. But being good doesn\u2019t mean you don\u2019t fight with all you have.

This book was perfect in so many ways. I couldn\u2019t put it down but can\u2019t really tell you more without spoiling the story. If you enjoy horror movies, dystopian young adult thrillers, or mysteries, you will love where this story goes. It is full of strong women who will do whatever it takes to survive without losing their humanity in the process. I\u2019ve only read one other Christina Henry story, The Girl in Red which was fantastic, so I\u2019m definitely going to need to pick up some more. I highly recommend you do too.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "08-Dec-2023", "date_added": "19-Oct-2023 22:49:49", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013277003", "title": "The Most Amazing Department Store", "author": "Sharon Neiss-Arbess", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 88, "review": "\"A glorious store filled with beautiful clothing, shoes, makeup, and perfume is a woman's haven as the author paints a picture of what working at the gorgeous Sutherland Department Store is like for two young women in Montreal, Canada. The Most Amazing Department Store is a wonderful story that includes themes of family, friendship, abuse, and antisemitism during the Nazi era. Emotional and candid, The Most Amazing Department Store is a fantastic read that will be enjoyed by women of all ages.\" \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Los Angeles Book Review.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Oct-2023 16:23:24", "publisher": "RE:BOOKS Publishing", "page_count": "238 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000013275031", "title": "The Last of What I Am", "author": "Abigail Cutter", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 443, "review": "The Last of What I Am by Abigail Cutter depicts the reality of the American Civil War and the harsh conditions faced by common soldiers, who are much removed from the strategic decisions of officers and more involved in the gory action. It offers a poignant and raw portrayal of a war that left the people involved in it forever transformed in one way or another.

Tom Smiley, a Civil War veteran, is seen as the protagonist whose ghostly presence lingers on, forever haunted by the brutality he experienced in war. The young and inexperienced Confederate soldier finds himself staring death in the face as he fights for his and his friends' lives on the battlefield. From slavery to being captured and losing friends, Tom experiences enough troubles to create another war within. Will Tom survive all his battles and find peace?

The book provides a vivid portrayal of history and includes a lifelike representation of different historical themes, including slavery, letter writing, and the American Civil War. Seeing humans get traded like goods gave me a cause to think deeply about humanity's history of accepting depraved practices as norms.

Tom is a thoughtful protagonist with complex emotional battles that compel readers to root for him and stick to the end. Since he's haunted by his feelings of guilt and regret, as well as his rough experience in the war, Tom finds it hard to be present in his life and fulfill his role as a husband. I felt like a part of his story.

Abigail's first-person narrative allows readers to easily connect with the protagonist, whether he's in the midst of battle or lamenting as a ghost over his invaded home. Additionally, the non-linear storytelling adds an element of unpredictability as it shifts between different phases of the protagonist's life. I had no clue about the phase of the protagonist's story that would be depicted next.

While the war scenes are vividly displayed, they may become monotonous and draining after a while since they don't have many exciting events and characters. Also, some themes are not maintained well, creating a fragmented experience. For example, Tom's relationship with his wife, introduced at the beginning, is somewhat neglected as the story progresses.

The Last of What I Am is suitable for mature fans of historical and war stories, especially ones with deep messages and questions about moral issues. The book's captivating portrayal of conflicting moments and physically demanding challenges elicits strong emotions and fosters a genuine connection with the characters. It delivers an important message that warns against the perils of war and immoral acts, making it highly relevant to today's most concerning issues.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "14-Nov-2023", "date_added": "18-Oct-2023 20:33:42", "publisher": "Union Square & Co", "page_count": "310 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013275023", "title": "The Work Boyfriend", "author": "Rebecca Mardon", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 523, "review": "The Work Boyfriend is a fantastically realistic story about a thirty-year-old woman named Kelly who must make some difficult life decisions. The story is written from Kelly\u2019s perspective and from the title, readers can assume that she has what is known as a \u201cwork boyfriend\u201d sometimes referred to as a \u201cwork husband.\u201d In this case, Kelly has been with her current real boyfriend Rob for eight years already. They own a condo together and Kelly has made it perfectly clear to him that she is not the kind of person who wants to get married. Rob comes from a wealthy family with a rather overbearing mother but is a really sweet guy who treats Kelly well.

The one thing that I noted was that while Kelly was having serious doubt about her relationship with Rob, the guy was actually what any girl would call perfect. He always took care of Kelly and seemed to enjoy all the quirky parts of her including losing her keys and making a fool out of herself when she drank too much. Garrett, Kelly\u2019s work boyfriend, who was also in a relationship, gave off more of a \u201cgay best friend\u201d vibe. In fact, I kept forgetting that the guy was straight mainly because he and Kelly got along so well and their thinking processes were along the same lines.

I really enjoyed how Author Rebecca Mardon took the time to develop the Toronto setting her characters lived in. From the cute corner coffeeshop Kelly visits each morning to the crowded commuter streetcar to the rough winter weather, readers are able to grasp a feel for the Canadian city. There were a few abbreviations in the book that I had to look up and chalked it up to the fact that I had never been to Canada. TTC seemed like it was the name for the streetcar. CBC was another abbreviation I looked up and it turned out to be Canada\u2019s Public Broadcaster which made sense in the context it was used.

The characters in The Work Boyfriend were outstanding. Kelly was so down on her luck because of the other people around her. Everyone but Garrett treats her like she doesn\u2019t live up to her potential and I think that\u2019s why she ends up falling for him or at least thinking that she is. He accepts her as she is. Kelly\u2019s mother and stepfather Carl treat her well, however, there was a lot of turbulence growing up because her mother went from one boyfriend to the next after her and her sister\u2019s father abandoned them. Kelly\u2019s coworker Marianne is such a huge pest. Mardon does an excellent job of capturing her annoying personality and behaviors.

Many young to middle-aged woman will identify with Kelly in The Work Boyfriend and as the story unfolds, readers will be dying to find out Kelly\u2019s final decision for her future. Will she stay with Rob or tell Garrett how she feels about him? In fact, I gasped at the very last paragraph in the book because that\u2019s how long you have to wait to find out! Wonderful and real, readers will love The Work Boyfriend.", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Oct-2023 20:29:28", "publisher": "RE:BOOKS", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013275011", "title": "Surviving The Closet: Learning To Live After Coming Out Later In Life", "author": "Jo Deluzio", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 110, "review": "\"If you can imagine a universally-approved and undisputed list of books both for the newly out, or those simply looking to genuinely connect with the LGBTQ community, this book would absolutely be at the top. Heartfelt, emotionally authentic, and sometimes painfully honest, through telling her own story and those of the women in her community, Jo Deluzio serves as the voice of an entire generation of queer women who came out later in life. If you love memoirs that not only pack an emotional punch but leave you feeling hopeful about the future, then Surviving the Closet should be at the top of your TBR.\"\u2014Beatrice Toothman, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Oct-2023 20:24:20", "publisher": "RE:BOOKS Publishing", "page_count": "186 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013275007", "title": "The Buffalo Butcher: Jack the Ripper in the Electric City", "author": "Robert Brighton", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 80, "review": "\"Robert Brighton has created a startlingly refreshing take on an old true crime classic. With a richly detailed turn-of-the-century setting and an engrossing cast of characters, Brighton weaves a tale that highlights the resiliency and strength of the victim rather than the madness and depravity of the killer. The Buffalo Butcher is a breath of fresh air for mystery readers and true crime aficionados looking for something a little different that packs a long-lasting emotional punch.\"\u2014Beatrice Toothman, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Oct-2023 20:21:42", "publisher": "Ashwood Press", "page_count": "302 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013274007", "title": "What Makes You Bloom: Cultivating a Practice for Connecting with Your Divine Self", "author": "Kevin Miguel Garcia, Jacqueline J Lewis", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 213, "review": "Queer theologian and spiritual teacher Kevin Garcia invites readers to reevaluate deeply held beliefs about connectedness, belonging, and love in the refreshing and affirming What Makes You Bloom. Garcia shares personal anecdotes of growing up gay in a conservative, Southern evangelical Christian church. The process of deconstructing their faith did not come easy, and Garcia leaned upon wisdom in other traditions to overcome the fear and trepidation of being isolated and losing all they cherished. Garcia models their path in identifying a solid and virtuous sense of purpose.

I engaged with the book from my vantage point as a cisgender woman of color who became disillusioned by the exclusionary tenets of a Christian missionary institution. As a social justice educator and community organizer, I appreciated how Garcia used their platform and privilege to call out the toxic threads of homophobia, racism and capitalism intricately woven into the white American church.

Moved by Garcia\u2019s message of connection and alignment, I was inspired to learn more about their ministry. They are embraced widely by LGBTQIA+ folks and allies who may have had mentally traumatic experiences as part of a congregation and are looking for ways to connect with God and divinity. Readers would appreciate the down-to-earth, accessible, and practical guidance toward somatic and spiritual practices.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jan-2024", "date_added": "17-Oct-2023 23:29:05", "publisher": "1517 Media", "page_count": "218 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013273011", "title": "18: Jewish Stories Translated from 18 Languages", "author": "Nora Gold", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 198, "review": "Editor and author Nora Gold has seamed together eighteen stories by international Jewish writers and translated their works from their original language for the English reader. Some of the writers\u2019 names are familiar, others not so recognized, their words having been isolated by the foreign tongue. But what the translations of these pieces show is that there is spiritual unity among the themes expressed in these stories that identify them with the bitter-sweet and tragic history of the Jewish people.

Some of the writers\u2019 names are familiar as is Elie Wiesel\u2026 his story translated from French, or Isaac Babel translated from Russian, or the Hebrew translation of Shmuel Yosef Agnon. But the other short stories or excerpts from languages as diverse as Greek, Spanish, Croatian, Hungarian, Ladino, Polish, Albanian, Portuguese, Danish, Czech, and Turkish, these show how the Jewish culture has been dispersed, but is still maintained.

There is a common theme to many of these writings, the anguish of not belonging and of isolation. Some of the writings reflected images of Chagall paintings and replayed the plaintive music of hope and belief. This anthology serves as a reflection of the condition and mind of a suffering people.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2023", "date_added": "17-Oct-2023 23:01:45", "publisher": "Academic Studies Press", "page_count": "188 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013269007", "title": "The Vanderbeekers Ever After (The Vanderbeekers, 7)", "author": "Karina Yan Glaser", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 10", "word_count": 155, "review": "The Vanderbeekers return with a wedding celebration between Aunt Penny and Mr. B. But everything changes when Laney becomes sick and has to spend lots of time in the hospital. Can the Vanderbeekers stick together as a family and get through this tough time?

This is the last Vanderbeekers book in the series. This book was a lot sadder than the other books. I still liked the book even though this book was more serious than the other books in the series. I like how the siblings helped one another when Laney was sick. I really liked it when Oliver cut off all his hair so Laney wouldn\u2019t be the only one without hair. I thought that was really sweet of him.

As always, the cover art is bright and colorful, just like all the other books in the series. I recommend this book and series to kids who love stories about family and siblings.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "12-Dec-2023", "date_added": "17-Oct-2023 23:16:46", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013268003", "title": "Loveboat Forever", "author": "Abigail Hing Wen", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - age 13", "word_count": 183, "review": "Six years ago, Ever Wong was sent to Loveboat for a romantic journey. Ever\u2019s little sister, Pearl Wong, is a seventeen year old piano prodigy. She was accepted into an elite music program, but her plans came crashing down on her when one of her TikTok posts goes viral for all the wrong reasons. Now Pearl has to change plans, and she finds herself in Taipei, attending Loveboat. There, Pearl uncovers secrets about her family, starts learning about her culture, and navigates through a love triangle between two mysterious boys.

Loveboat, Forever is a beautiful ending to the Loveboat trilogy. I like how the author focused on Pearl\u2019s character and the self-confidence she built overtime. It was really nice to see her at the end of the book! Also the way she describes music is really lovely. Kai had a really big character growth, unlike Ethan. The story was colorful and detailed, like a piece of artwork. People will fall in love with the entire trilogy, and I highly recommend Pearl\u2019s story to fans of Jenny Han or other love triangle YA novels.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2023", "date_added": "17-Oct-2023 21:47:05", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013263015", "title": "See Inside How Things Work", "author": "Conrad Mason, Colin King", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 190, "review": "Children from time immemorial have been asking questions and wanting explanations. See Inside How Things Work goes a long way to answering that question about dozens of everyday objects that a child might see. Starting with simple machines such as a cog, wedge, and lever and continuing on through heavy equipment, transportation, music, boating and aircraft, and everyday inventions like locks, this book provides over ninety flaps to lift that explain in detail how each object works in ways a child can understand. For example, this book depicts a crane that \u201ccan lift a load as heavy as four elephants.\u201d

Children may always ask questions, but adults may not always know answers. With this book, budding engineers, inventors or builders can discover the answers on their own or with an adult\u2019s guidance. Given the detailed illustrations, it is easy to see a child poring over this book and returning to it again and again. Indeed, it is quite possible a child just might be able to teach adults a thing or two. As part of Usborne\u2019s See Inside series, this book might be the first of many great learning adventures.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2024", "date_added": "17-Oct-2023 23:46:49", "publisher": "Usborne Books", "page_count": "16 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013262007", "title": "What You Need to Be Warm", "author": "Neil Gaiman, Yuliya Gwilym, Nadine Kaadan", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 202, "review": "In times of cold and turmoil, it\u2019s easy to forget that the most important thing for some people is warmth. As winter descends, being warm means many things, and it takes on many guises. This small but powerful work attempts to capture the feeling of being warm and what it means to those facing a cold winter. It seeks to offer hope in times of conflict and displacement and remind people of the value in the necessities for those who lack them.

What You Need to Be Warm: A Poem of Welcome is a beautiful collaboration between the incredible Neil Gaiman and many illustrators. Every page is a feast for the eyes to accompany the poem that Gaiman wove from the replies of thousands of people who answered his question about their memories of being warm. And in the end, readers get to hear from the thirteen artists who contributed to this unique book about why they drew what they drew.

As a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR the UN Refugee Agency, Neil Gaiman reminds readers about not just the physical importance of being warm, but also the value of helping newcomers feel accepted, and how that is a warmth all its own.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2023", "date_added": "17-Oct-2023 21:49:33", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013260015", "title": "Jesse and the Snack Food Genie (Food Justice Books for Kids)", "author": "Erik Talkin, Maine Diaz", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 9", "word_count": 191, "review": "Jesse and the Snack Food Genie teaches readers the importance of eating the right foods but also that having a snack occasionally isn't bad. Jesse is a young boy who is like most kids - he prefers sugary, sweet, and quick foods (because they taste better!) instead of fruits, vegetables, and whole meals (that take longer and aren't as tasty). One day, the Snack Food Genie shows up and seems perfect - he encourages Jesse to eat things he already enjoys; however, with his famaily, friends, and events happening, he learns that these foods don't keep him full for long and he can't be his best self. Jesse learns the right balance between snacks and nutritious foods and begins seeing the benefits in all areas.

I can relate to this book because I find snacks easier and sometimes more fun to eat, but I'm thankful that I also enjoy cut-up veggies and fruit and understand how meals keep me full for longer. I need to check out the other books from Food Justice that deal with food and a monster and phantom - I believe that all other kids do, too!", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2024", "date_added": "18-Oct-2023 22:13:32", "publisher": "Free Spirit Publishing", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013259019", "title": "The Framed Women of Ardemore House: A Novel", "author": "Brandy Schillace", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 197, "review": "American Jo Jones, a slightly autistic divorcee, arrives in England to take possession of Ardemore House, left to her by her recently departed mother. The house has not been lived in for over a century and is in total disrepair. Jo is struck by a painting of an unknown woman that she finds in a locked room.

When the painting is stolen and the longtime caretaker is shot dead in the estate\u2019s cottage, Jo\u2019s autism-nuanced words and actions, although well intentioned, raise the suspicions of both the otherwise sympathetic local inspector and the overbearing, always right outsider brought in to assist the investigation.

Was the painting valuable? Or does it hold a secret? Was the caretaker killed by one of his many female conquests? Or by a blackmail victim? The strands of the story twist and turn in ways that will leave the reader guessing until a previously unmentioned history is brought in to draw the apparently unconnected threads together.

This may be slightly unfair to the armchair sleuth, but even so, The Framed Women of Ardemore House is graced with superbly drawn characters, an intricate plot, and a dramatic conclusion. Definitely recommended for all mystery fans.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2024", "date_added": "17-Oct-2023 19:52:43", "publisher": "Harper Collins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013259015", "title": "The Last Love Song", "author": "Kalie Holford", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 194, "review": "Mia may have to tell her best friend (true love?) good-bye. Britt is leaving Sunset Cove to fulfill her dream to become a singer/songwriter star. Mia would be a good band member; her mother, after all, was Tori Rose, a country star who died too soon. But Mia can\u2019t decide if she should follow in her mother\u2019s footsteps. After all, look what happened to her? When Mia graduates, her grandmothers give her a gift left by her mother, which turns out to be a scavenger hunt about her mother\u2019s life. With only a week left before Britt hits the road, Mia has to find the answers quickly so can decide if she should join Britt\u2019s band on the road or stay behind to avoid the same fate as her mother.

This read is a slow burn, not a quick flame. The beautiful cover envelops a story told in two time periods, Mia\u2019s and her mother\u2019s, with poignant lyrics and a touching finale, though Mia\u2019s self-degradation may distract some readers. The clues in the scavenger hunt seem more difficult to decipher than a Taylor Swift song, but stick with it, the end is worth it.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2024", "date_added": "17-Oct-2023 19:48:14", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "236 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000013259007", "title": "Wayfinders", "author": "Bryan Chick ", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 12", "word_count": 221, "review": "//Wayfinders// by Bryan Chick is a marvelous fantasy book. The story is about a young troubled girl named Chloe Summers. Chloe has a lot to deal with already due to personal trauma and school and family drama, but when a group of fantastical creatures crash into her house and barn while her mother is away, Chloe and her dad don\u2019t know what to do. Suddenly the pair are thrown into a wild adventure to save a group of fairy tale creatures from determined hunters and return them to their home. To do this, the pair must travel over 100 miles to reopen a portal leading to the creature's home while being chased by crazed hunters. Chloe and her dad have to be brave and toughen up if they ever want to see their new fantastical friends again.\n\nFor children ages 6 to 10 who enjoy fantasy books with compelling characters, //Wayfinders// is an excellent choice. It provides just the right level of challenge for younger children while also offering plenty of entertainment value. Although the story may require more focus than some easier reads, the vivid descriptions and relatable themes are likely to engage readers throughout the story-line. Overall, //Wayfinders// is a fun and thought-provoking read that encourages kids to explore their own inner strengths and embrace the power of friendship.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "02-Mar-2024", "date_added": "17-Oct-2023 19:38:49", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013258023", "title": "The Forgotten Beasts of Eld: 50th Anniversary Special Edition", "author": "Patricia A. McKillip ", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 205, "review": "The young wizard Sybel, who cares for powerful, mystical creatures, is surprised to be given an infant, Tamlorn. It is not what she expected, but as the child grows, and Sybel grows, she loves him fiercely. Eventually, his father, the king, comes to claim him. That sets off a chain of events that endanger everyone and everything Sybel has ever cared for.

It's an absorbing story. But more than that, this book is truly beautiful. Themes of choice, control, power, vengeance, freedom, and love are illuminated as the characters confront their psychological Shadow, asking who they truly are and who they will decide to be. This has a clean, fresh flavor, a simplicity that allows for pondering, for listening to the little that is said, and to the much left unsaid.

As a child, I would have loved the magical elements, the wizards, dragons, and talking beasts. Somewhat older, I would identify with the strong heroine and her reclaiming her power in and against a masculine world. Now a mature reader, I am seduced by these deeper themes of connection, both inter- and intrapersonal.

A classic offers gifts to readers of any age, and more gifts upon successive readings. This book is a classic indeed.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "22-Mar-2024", "date_added": "17-Oct-2023 18:44:21", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013258015", "title": "All We Were Promised: A Novel", "author": "Ashton Lattimore", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 197, "review": "In her first novel, Lattimore brings us the story of three young women in 1837 Philadelphia: Charlotte, who escaped slavery years before with her father; Evie, still enslaved by the same woman who kept Charlotte in bondage; and Nell, the daughter of two of Philadelphia\u2019s Black elite, eager to use her privileged position to do good for others. Over the course of the novel, the thin connections between them grow tighter, entangling them until they are inextricably intertwined with each other and the trouble that is to come for them.

All We Were Promised is what so many historical novels aspire to be but never quite reach. It is a lovingly told story about compelling characters, with powerful stakes that still remains grounded in tone. It is intimate, but with enough scope that it can speak to many readers, of any race or gender.

In short, it is a masterpiece.

There are a few places in the narration where it is clear this is Lattimore\u2019s first novel, but they were never jarring. I\u2019m very glad I got to read this book for review, and I hope many more people take the opportunity to read it as well.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "17-Oct-2023 18:34:53", "publisher": "Ballantine Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013256019", "title": "Cranky Superpowers: Life Lessons Learned from the Common CrankaTsuris Chronicles", "author": "Steven Joseph", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 412, "review": "Cranky Superpowers by Steven Joseph is rife with transformative insights and stories. The book is a valuable guide for dealing with the turbulent moments of life, and it offers relatable experiences through an amalgamation of familiar and novel stories. Steven skillfully directs readers in addressing workplace conflicts, fortifying their resilience, and finding humor in various situations. Additionally, readers will also explore the value of patience, embracing innovative strategies while preserving time-honored ones, and cultivating both empathy and empowerment, even amidst the most challenging scenarios. While going through this amazing work, individuals will uncover the means to reshape daily trials into opportunities for personal development, laughter, and deeper comprehension.

I liked the book's relatable stories, which include familiar tales like Cinderella and The Frog Prince. Steven also shares intriguing stories from his childhood and other times in his life. One particularly memorable story revolves around the author earning the moniker \"Turpentine\" due to a school graffiti cleanup punishment following a wild stage performance\u2014an experience reminiscent of my own humorous designation as \"Robocop\" during my high school days, owing to a rigid walking style. This was a tough moment for me, but somehow, I pulled through.

Joseph's adroit fusion of humor and sagacity provides an immensely pleasurable reading experience. I burst into laughter while reading his opinion of not being too thrilled about his brain surgeon telling him as he's about to operate on him that it \"ain\u2019t his or her first rodeo\". Like Steven, I believe that brain surgery shouldn't be referred to as a bronco. Additionally, the book's remarkable terminology, spanning various CrankaTsuris categories and inventive lexicon such as \"Zoodle\" and \"Roodle,\" adds richness to the reading experience. Joseph also uses various familiar idiomatic expressions to get his messages across effectively to readers.

While the stories are fun and creative, the book appears to be lacking in in-depth analysis and explanations of the messages it contains. Also, the book felt monotonous because some phrases are repeated several times, and it focuses heavily on wordplay.

Regardless, Cranky Superpowers is a resourceful guide for managing irritability and emotional turmoil. I especially loved the book's message about recognizing the moments when one gets on another's nerves and collaboratively crafting a list with a partner to acknowledge these instances. This approach is something I eagerly anticipate implementing in my own life. Readers in pursuit of emotional mastery and a more profound connection with their friendly disposition will undoubtedly find this book to be a valuable resource.", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2023", "date_added": "13-Oct-2023 00:57:53", "publisher": "Enigami Publishing", "page_count": "246 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013256011", "title": "The Lazarus Key", "author": "Rachel Aukes", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 70, "review": "\"Game Warden Sam Brodie finds her life is at stake as she unravels a sinister plan to clone extinct animals. Aukes does a fantastic job of creating a realistic sci-fi thriller that will have readers' eyes wide open. Fast-paced, with strong, willful characters, and plenty of science and technology references, The Lazarus Key, is perfect for fans of Jurassic Park and Planet of the Apes.\" \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Chicago Book Review", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-Oct-2023 03:10:55", "publisher": "Waypoint Books", "page_count": "392 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013256003", "title": "The Wall", "author": "Brian Penn", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 106, "review": "\"A gripping and intriguing tale set in a futuristic version of the USA that has been ravaged by war, Brian Penn's The Wall follows Asher, a daring young contraband smuggler, as he navigates a treacherous world divided by an impenetrable barrier designed to separate the privileged from the abandoned. Forced to confront his deepest fears, Asher must impersonate a soldier, face unbeatable champions, and uncover the sinister truth behind a once-forbidden technology. Packed with heart-pounding action, deadly danger, puzzling mysteries, and even a poignant romance, The Wall is a thrilling young adult dystopian novel that will leave readers anxious for more.\"\u2014Erin Britton, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "October 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-Oct-2023 02:56:11", "publisher": "Koehler Books", "page_count": "258 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013458041", "title": "Victim to Victor: Confessions of a Wrong-way Moonie", "author": "Christopher McKeon", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 446, "review": "Christopher McKeon was a lost soul when he was introduced to the religious philosophy that would alter his path in life. He was nursing an injury incurred while serving in the United States Coast Guard. He was a lapsed Catholic when he met Ginny and discovered the Unification Church. Despite initial skepticism, Chris took to his newfound religion with fervor. He read the church\u2019s works and the idea of the \u201cDivine Principle\u201d preached by church founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon stood out to him. Despite initial stumbles in his early years, he believed his membership in the church would be a fresh start.

Chris\u2019 early years in the church revolved around study, worship and pushing the church\u2019s name to the public while fundraising. His time in the church would be fraught with conflict due to an inherent racism present in the church\u2019s hierarchy along with Chris\u2019 inquisitive nature. His desire to pierce the opacity of church doctrine marked him as an agitator, despite his devoutness and service to the church.

The frustrations endured at the church were often equally matched by the career turmoil and romantic woes that dominated much of Chris\u2019 time in the Church. The amount of time and effort needed to become a standing member of the Unification Church left a scant amount of time. However, living in church housing and taking coursework required an ample amount of funds. A balance between career and faith would be precarious to the point of madness. Chris\u2019 attempts to find love only further caused him headaches as the church had strict rules in relationship to \u201cpairings.\u201d When Chris strayed from this, the consequences would be severe.

Two decades on, Chris would be at a crossroads in every part of his life and his membership of the church was at the nexus of his crisis.

Christopher McKeon\u2019s story is a poignant voyage of self-discovery where a path to higher spiritual enlightenment is beset by ill-fated relationships, broken friendships and the backbiting nature of various followers and leaders of the Unification Church. While dispelling rumors of the church being a cult, McKeon reveals the enigmatic bureaucracy that often stifles a devotee\u2019s growth in the church. He points out the positives that brought him to embrace the religion and the negatives that can prove alienating.

One of the qualities that stands out in McKeon\u2019s narrative is his resolve among an array of adverse life events. The reader may not hold his beliefs or his strong faith, but his willingness to divine more from life and to keep his world together is something many can identify with. At its core, McKeon\u2019s book will prove inspiring to more than a few.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "30-Jan-2024", "date_added": "29-Nov-2023 21:12:55", "publisher": "T\u0151teppit Press ", "page_count": "596 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013458033", "title": "Girl in the Ashes", "author": "Douglas Weissman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 126, "review": "\"A gripping narrative of wartime intrigue and a shocking expos\u00e9 of the brutality that can lurk in the hearts of even the most unlikely people, Douglas Weissman\u2019s Girl in the Ashes is a World War Two novel with a major difference. Focusing on Odette LeFebvre, a young nurse navigating the complexities of life in Nazi-occupied Paris while using the chaos as a cover for her serial murdering of abusive men, the book presents the many horrors of war through a truly unique lens. Brutal, raw, and sadly realistic, Odette\u2019s attempts to survive the occupation, the deadly cat-and-mouse game she finds herself embroiled in with the sadistic Dr. Ilse, and her own inner darkness make for a compelling and often disturbing read.\"\u2014Erin Britton, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Nov-2023 21:09:04", "publisher": "Liminal Books", "page_count": "318 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013458025", "title": "Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates", "author": "T. E. Antonino", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 420, "review": "The best adventures come at just the right time. Sparky was agonizing over homework for her English class when Gobble, Wobble, and Bobble, self-described pirates, came out of the pool drain. The pirates are stranded and need help returning to the open seas. Sparky is but a fourth-grader who does not know how to float or swim, much less navigate a vast ocean stalked by a terrifying sea hippopotamus. Besides, the pirates seem rough and mean to each other. Sparky knows that the pirates can stand to learn about qualities that make a great friend. She joins the grand adventure and lives to tell the tale to her fourth-grade class.

\nIn this delightful early reader book, author T.E. Antonino shares essential lessons in friendships, overcoming fears, standing by your truth, celebrating differences, and being open to fresh adventures and experiences. Children would appreciate the fun expressions and catchy phrases featured in the back-and-forth dialogue between Sparky and the pirates. While the story emphasizes the importance of kindness and reciprocity, it does so in a pleasant and inviting way. Sparky and the pirates share an infectious enthusiasm for learning from and about each other and how to be a reliable and trustworthy friend.The power of imagination takes center stage in the story, inspiring children to open up their notebooks and write fantastical stories. The incident with the pirate flag may make readers wonder whether Sparky is as nice as she says she is. To be a good leader of pirates, Sparky finds out that she has some work she needs to do. It is not enough to claim that one is kind. A genuinely kind person always does nice things, even when no one is looking.\n

Each chapter sets up a key lesson that can pose questions for more learning opportunities. Parents, teachers, and librarians can use Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates as a teaching tool to define kindness, understanding, and diverse preferences and points of view. Sparky learns what it takes to be a good pirate captain. It is never too early to ask children about how they think and their reflections on an issue. When Sparky shared the story with her classmates, not everybody believed her. Sparky could have been discouraged, but she chose to stand by her truth. During these contentious times, this is an important lesson for children. It is all right to disagree because we can not expect everyone to have the same opinions. What's important is that we learn to respect our differences.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "30-Jan-2024", "date_added": "29-Nov-2023 20:44:48", "publisher": "T. E. Antonino", "page_count": "102 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013458021", "title": "Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates", "author": "T. E. Antonino", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 422, "review": "Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates is a story that comes straight from the vivid imagination of Author T.E. Antonino. Sparky is a little girl with a personality to match her name. But Sparky is in a predicament. She needs to write a story for her fourth grade English assignment and she doesn\u2019t know what to write about. Her Mom tries to prompt her to write about different things but Sparky doesn\u2019t think those things are interesting. But, as luck will have it, while Sparky is at the pool with her Mom, three pirates emerge from the pool drain\u2014Goggle, Bobble, and Captain Wobble! Sparky is so excited to meet these pirates and makes a deal with them. They will teach her how to be a pirate and she will teach them how to be nice. Apparently, pirates don\u2019t know how to be nice. Who\u2019d of thought?

What I really enjoyed about this book is the light humor and fun characters. I can imagine this being read to a small child by an older child and both kids laughing as Sparky goes on some silly adventures with the pirates.

The book alternates between Sparky being in her classroom reading her pirate story to the other kids in her class and the actual Sparky and the Pool Pirates adventures. The pirates are quirky and fun and things that would never happen in real life occur in the story this imaginative little girl tells her class. For example, at one point in the book they group is waiting for a williwaw to make their ship sail. But instead, one of the pirates says, \u201cI wish we had black pepper.\u201d One of the pirates has a black pepper shaker in his pocket and they throw the pepper into the air. With everyone sneezing, the air from their sneezes make the sails work and push the boat to move.

The front cover has an illustration of Sparky surrounded by all of the characters and other things in the story from the pirate ship to a sea hippopotamus to the other creatures she encounters. Throughout the book, there are also illustrations of what the characters are doing in that chapter. The pictures are detailed and fun and will also be enjoyed by readers.

Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates will be a welcome addition to any library or elementary school-aged children\u2019s book shelf. Kids will want to read it over and over again because of it\u2019s simple, silly story and each time they\u2019ll know to watch out for the mean Jerky Turkeys!", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "25-Dec-2023", "date_added": "29-Nov-2023 20:44:43", "publisher": "T. E. Antonino", "page_count": "102 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013458017", "title": "Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates", "author": "T. E. Antonino", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 445, "review": "Fun, hilarious, and eventful, I loved reading Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates by T.E. Antonio. It is told from the perspective of spunky fourth-grader Sparky, who loves spending time at the pool, especially with her pet turtle Morris. While playing in the water, her mom reminds her that she needs to write a story for English class tomorrow; rebellious, Sparky responds that there is nothing to write about \u2013 every story that can be written has been written. With a sigh, her mom walks to the locker room, telling Sparky she needs to have a story like all her classmates, providing suggestions on what she can write.

Sparky, not buying her mom\u2019s ideas, pulls a coin from her swimsuit pocket with a wish that she can come up with a story. Plopping down into the water, suddenly it begins to rumble, and the north wind begins to blow. Before she knows it, standing in front of her are pirates Gobble, Bobble, and Wobble, popping out of the pool drain, ready to fuss at Sparky for not coming up with a story. Upon listening to their chatter, the two strike a deal \u2013 Sparky will teach them to become nice pirates, and the pirates will teach her about pirate life, the perfect story for Sparky to recall for her English homework.

Animated, lively, and full of chatter, Gobble, Bobble, and Wobble are a delight to read about. Conveying their pirate life full of fun and excitement, they teach Sparky about the scary sea hippopotamus, the importance of a pirate\u2019s flag, and the sleep all day, party all night approach to pirate life. In return, Sparky teaches them how to share, say kind words, and be better friends to each other and everyone else around them. Not to mention, the pirates whisk Sparky away from the pool drain for an adventure on the sea, sailing to elsewhere, nowhere, anywhere, and somewhere \u2013 all places worth visiting, as long as you avoid Jerky Turkey Island, according to Gobble, Wobble, and Bobble.

A story of excitement, imagination, and amusement, I thought Antonino did an excellent job. Children around Sparky\u2019s age (second to fifth grade) would love to read this novel and all about Gobble, Wobble, and Bobble\u2019s pirate adventures with Sparky. I thought the story was well-constructed, thought-out, and flowed perfectly with the interplay of Sparky recalling the story to her classmates while also traveling across the seas. Finally, I loved the creativity and freshness of this children\u2019s novel, a unique plot, with a sound theme of friendship and the importance of kindness, I would recommend this book to all young readers who enjoy adventure stories and pirates.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "25-Dec-2023", "date_added": "29-Nov-2023 20:43:41", "publisher": "T. E. Antonino", "page_count": "102 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013458013", "title": "Sexsassins", "author": "Sean DeLauder", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 406, "review": "In Sexsassins, Sean DeLauder presents a tumultuous tale that involves historical events, preposterousness, and sexual jokes. Arnold Schwab is one of our protagonists in this wild adventure. His peculiar trait is his extraordinary skill\u2014sexsassination. Along with two other quirky protagonists, Harry and Violet, Schwab strives for survival in a world plunged into chaos by giant machines and a clandestine puppet master known as \"Deep Yellow.\" As the characters race to get to the root of the evil plot behind these world-changing events, readers are taken on a thrilling journey that's intertwined with humor, espionage, and unexpected twists. From sensual moments to sudden attacks, Sexsassins presents an evocative experience.

I loved that the book is filled with engaging and witty dialogue that got me laughing aloud. For example, when Schwab is asked to go somewhere to clear something up, he replies with, \"I'm not going with you and you can't stop me.\" Schwab's unapologetic confidence and his humorous defiance create a funny scene that gets the reader in a light, jovial mood. The story is generally funny, as it involves characters that use sex as a weapon and missions that seem to be out of this world, which are well-blended with historical themes. The book is set against the backdrop of World War Two, featuring historical characters and missions in a war-torn Europe. It incorporates several historical figures, such as Adolf Hitler and President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

I disliked that the book is overwhelmingly complex. The narrative spans various locations, from Europe to the United States, and incorporates themes from World War Two. I found it a complex experience to read about different geopolitical landscapes and meet diverse challenges that are linked to the war and the mystery of the machines and Deep Yellow.

Additionally, the characters seemed to lack depth and sufficient development. Many characters are introduced abruptly, leaving the readers clueless about their backgrounds and relevance to the main plot, including Tex and Yall. Also, the major characters don't seem to have core relationships or passions besides their missions.

The book will get you laughing right from when you pick it up until you reach the end. I loved the idea of mixing serious issues like Nazi-packed Germany and war with funny elements like maniacal robots and sex weaponry. Sexsassins will appeal to readers who love humorous tales and fast-paced, cartoonish scenes. However, its appeal as a story might be disappointing to core fiction fans.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Nov-2023 20:40:26", "publisher": "Sean DeLauder", "page_count": "229 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013458007", "title": "Win with Your Money: From Negative Net Worth to Millionaire", "author": "Cori Arnold", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 455, "review": "Win With Your Money by Cori Arnold is a powerful and inspirational guide that takes readers on a transformative journey from drowning in debt to achieving financial freedom. The author's personal narrative serves as a beacon of hope for those facing financial challenges, offering practical insights and actionable steps to turn the tide.

One of the most compelling aspects of this book is Arnold's transparency about her own financial struggles. With a staggering amount of in debt from student loans and credit cards Arnold realizes that she must not only change her spending habits but also her mindset when it comes to money. Her honesty about the mistakes she made, such as maxing out credit cards, attending schools beyond her financial means, early withdrawals from her 401k, and making hasty decisions when purchasing investments makes the narrative relatable.

Arnold not only managed to pay off her debt in a commendable five years but also achieved the remarkable feat of becoming a self-made millionaire within a decade. This success story underscores the effectiveness of the strategies and lessons she imparts throughout the book.

Win With Your Money includes practical advice and actionable steps that the average person can start doing today. By breaking down the key lessons she learned along the way, Arnold keeps things simple, which is one of the first things she teaches readers\u2014to simplify their finances. The book covers a wide array of financial topics, including budgeting, debt management, investing, and building wealth. One of the resources that Arnold includes is a diagram of a beanstalk which allows users to create a visual illustration of each of these categories and how to expand each one to reach the top of the beanstalk. Each chapter is filled with insights that readers can apply to their own lives, regardless of their current financial situation.

This book is particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with debt and financial challenges, as well as those seeking a roadmap to financial independence. However, Arnold also includes valuable information regarding retirement accounts and how to invest as you approach retirement age. The actionable advice provided can teach readers how to make informed decisions about their finances and take control over their economic well-being.

In my opinion, Win With Your Money is a valuable resource for everyone, regardless of age or financial status. Arnold's journey and the wisdom she imparts make it clear that it's never too late to take control of your finances. This book serves as a roadmap for anyone looking to break free from the shackles of debt and pave their way towards becoming a self-made millionaire. In essence, it's a guide that not only educates but also inspires, making it a must-read for those ready to embark on their own financial success story.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "12-Dec-2023", "date_added": "29-Nov-2023 20:37:10", "publisher": "Cornball Productions LLC (self-published)", "page_count": "202 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013457015", "title": "A Noble Scheme: (An English Historical Romance with Mystery and Glamor) (The Imposters)", "author": "Roseanna M White", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 200, "review": "Gemma Parker and Graham Wharton are members of the Imposters, a group of high society investigators who delve into the crimes of the rich and powerful. They are also recovering from a painful separation from each other, doing their best to guard their hearts and be professionals as they delve into the mystery of a kidnapped child just before Christmas. They will not be able to keep their hearts safe forever, though, and perhaps what they think is safety is nothing of the sort.

A Noble Scheme is the second in this series, but it can be read as a standalone novel for those who haven\u2019t stumbled across these books before. It definitely made me want to pick up more of these books. The characters were delightful, and I couldn\u2019t decide which I loved more: the depth given to Gemma and Graham or the depth given to the more villainous characters. The mystery had intriguing twists and turns, and the religious aspects were worked in with sophistication and nuance that will appeal even to readers not usually drawn to Christian romance.

This book is by turns amusing and touching, and it is an excellent read for a cold winter\u2019s night.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "15-Mar-2024", "date_added": "28-Nov-2023 21:39:40", "publisher": "Baker Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013455019", "title": "Becoming Madam Secretary", "author": "Stephanie Dray", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 203, "review": "Stephanie Dray has a knack for writing lively historical novels. Becoming Madame Secretary is not only an introduction to Frances Perkins, a pioneering woman who informed FDR\u2019s economic agenda, but is also a delightfully fun read. Dray skips past the earliest years of Perkins\u2019 life to tell about her work in Hell\u2019s Kitchen, studying the effects of malnutrition in children. It may not be the start of Perkins\u2019 story as a whole, but it is the start of the core of this novel: her political work.

From there, Dray follows Perkins to the White House, and to her tireless work during the Great Depression. The more I read, the more amazed I was that I was so unfamiliar with Frances Perkins, for she helped to shape the working conditions for many Americans alive today. I wouldn\u2019t go so far as to say she has been erased from history books, but her part of the story of the New Deal has been largely neglected. In my work as a reviewer, I\u2019ve read many books about women in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Becoming Madame Secretary is easily one of the best of them for being not only informative but a true joy to read.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "29-Feb-2024", "date_added": "28-Nov-2023 22:52:01", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "528 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013454003", "title": "Anthony Bourdain and Philosophy", "author": "Calef Scott", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 272, "review": "If you love Anthony Bourdain, there is something for you in this collection of essays edited by Calef Scott. Anthony Bourdain and Philosophy hits all the right notes about food, culture, loneliness, and finding connection in an increasingly isolating world, but it can be esoteric and obscure\u2014as all philosophy can\u2014in a way that is a bit inaccessible to those who don't dream about Descartes.

Split into four books, the essays about food and travel are really the best fit for those who know Bourdain through his own writing (the book Kitchen Confidential should be required reading) and his documentary series for CNN, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. In this section, the pieces cover the kinds of things Bourdain loved: What makes food disgusting? Who gets to decide what \"good\" food is? The other sections examine Bourdain's life, his struggle with addiction and eventual suicide, and the last section is best read as an overview of topics that mattered to Bourdain though there isn't a true unifying idea.

At the heart of the book is a clear love of Bourdain, a reverence for the man, his beliefs, and his influence on the world he so lovingly and forthrightly brought to millions of people throughout his career. The failure of Anthony Bourdain and Philosophy comes in the moments when the desire to get deep on Plato or Aristotle muddles the magic of Bourdain himself. Sometimes, less is more, and in this case, half of the essays could be removed and a stronger, more cohesive work would be left behind. Still, if philosophical thought and Bourdain are in your wheelhouse, this will certainly scratch an itch.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "26-Apr-2024", "date_added": "28-Nov-2023 20:03:16", "publisher": "Carus Books", "page_count": "248 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013452023", "title": "The Unquiet Bones: A Novel", "author": "Loreth Anne White", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 198, "review": "A construction crew is preparing to move an old chapel to a new location when they discover the remains of a young woman. Sergeant Jane Munro, still reeling from the disappearance of her fianc\u00e9, is assigned the case. The body appears to belong to a teen who disappeared almost fifty years ago. As Jane works the case, she\u2019ll discover that The Unquiet Bones of Annalise have many secrets to tell, some much darker than anyone could have guessed.

This was a very well-written, engaging story. The only thing I didn\u2019t like was Jane\u2019s interactions with people on a personal level. She felt like two different characters in one person, which made her seem disjointed. The multiple points of view were interesting and gave you a picture of how everyone saw this life-changing event. You can clearly see the devastation that one lie can bring.

While the case is solved at the end of the story, there seems to be room for more. I\u2019m not sure if the author is planning a series, but there is definitely room to keep going. I would be interested in seeing what other cold cases Jane can solve. Overall, a thought-provoking cold-case mystery.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2024", "date_added": "29-Nov-2023 20:20:15", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "351 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013452003", "title": "Inheritance: The Lost Bride Trilogy, Book 1 (The Lost Bride Trilogy, 1) ", "author": "Nora Roberts", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 176, "review": "Sonya knows she has the best of it all\u2014an upcoming wedding, a job she loves and excels at, and a best friend and family; what eludes her is that people and places aren't picture perfect. Fast forward a chapter and Sonya is picking up the pieces of a failed engagement, an unexpected visit from a lawyer informing her she has inherited a manor from an unknown uncle, and her job title changes. Sonya learns there are well-kept secrets in her family line, and she is in the generation to experience the full wrath.

Inheritance is the first paranormal mystery of Nora Roberts read by this reviewer. The storyline was catchy (as all her stories are) through strong, resilient, and independent women who don't need men but won't turn them away. The perfect amount of backstory provides rich and essential character development, with room for continuation throughout the trilogy. The problem was stated and expanded upon, with a cliffhanger allowing much more provision. Following suit, the storyline is rated M for mature through language and sexual scenes.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "03-Apr-2024", "date_added": "28-Nov-2023 19:21:44", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013451007", "title": "The Wheel of the Year", "author": "Fiona Cook, Jessica Roux", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 213, "review": "Step into nature like never before with The Wheel of the Year. This is a creative and visually stunning way to explore the rhythm that nature provides all around us and throughout the year. The book covers a variety of important elements in nature, from festivals to plants to the turning points where we find the Solstices and Equinoxes. Activities featured include scavenger hunts, journaling, ritual baths, and many others that are perfect for all ages.

Stunning illustrations provide charming touches on each page that add to the magic that nature offers, creating stylistically pleasing images. While the focus is on these important times in nature, there is also a focus on finding a happy balance while maintaining safety while exploring boundaries. The book highlights different festivals past and present such as Holi, May Day, and Beltane.

This inclusion takes you into different cultures and gives you a peak into history, which creates the feeling of stepping into another world. This serves as a great beginner\u2019s guide for any age as well as a resource for someone looking to dig deeper into the important holidays, celebrations, and nature. A great resource, The Wheel of the Year takes a step further and includes the benefits nature can have for your mental and physical well-being.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "15-Jan-2024", "date_added": "28-Nov-2023 20:56:49", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013448027", "title": "The Siege of Burning Grass", "author": "Premee Mohamed", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 178, "review": "Varkal has been at war with Med\u2019ariz for longer than anyone can remember. As the founder of \u201cThe Pact,\u201d a pacifist resistance, Alefret was dedicated to not helping in the Varkallagi war effort. After losing his leg to a bomb from his own government, being arrested, and being labeled a traitor, Alefret was offered a chance to help put an end to the war. In the accompaniment of the gung-ho Qhudur, the two are ordered to infiltrate a Meddon flying city to convince the opposing anti-war effort to rise against their government.

The Siege of Burning Grass by award-winning author Premee Mohamed is a meditation on the futility of war. Mohamed has mastered the art of world-building. Though the setting takes a backseat to the outlandish characters and extraordinary plot, her fascinating realm stands out. Mohamed offers a philosophical look at just how weird governments and people can get when confronted with those differing from themselves. This anti-war dystopian novel is a unique blend of science fiction and horror written with the fantastical prose Mohamed is known for.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "29-Nov-2023 20:22:23", "publisher": "Solaris", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013448019", "title": "Convergence Problems", "author": "Wole Talabi", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 183, "review": "Convergence Problems is the latest collection of short stories by Wolfe Talabi. By definition, convergence is bringing together two or more things to the same point. Talabi merges ideas of new technologies, discoveries, and social structures in this collection of sixteen short stories. Talabi combines his background in engineering and writing when creating his sci-fi and speculative fiction works. Based in Nigeria, all of Talabi\u2019s works in this book are set in or related to Africa, some of which borrow some mythology and traditional spiritual practices.

Stories in this anthology range from pure sci-fi to fantastical. \u201cBlowout\u201d is a hard science fiction tale of the dangers of mining on Mars and one woman\u2019s heroism in rescuing her brother and his crew. \u201cSaturday\u2019s Song\u201d brings social norms and expectations into question while weaving together traditional mythology and storytelling elements. Talabi experiments with alternative forms of short fiction in \u201cAbeokuta 52\u201d and \u201cComments on your Provisional Patent Application for an Eternal Spirit Core.\u201d All of his tales are great examples of Afrofuturism. Combining new and old ideas, thoughts, and concepts, Talabi has created Convergence Problems.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "29-May-2024", "date_added": "28-Nov-2023 22:52:58", "publisher": "Astra Publishing House", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013448015", "title": "Nina Simone in Comics! (NBM Comics Biographies)", "author": "Sophie Adriansen", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 222, "review": "It is a tall order to issue a new volume on the legacy of the well-documented life and career of the legendary Nina Simone. The voice of a generation has been a household name since she was hailed as the next Billie Holiday in the 1960s. The editor and numerous artist collaborators in Nina Simone in Comics! has achieved an impressive feat in sharing appreciation and gratitude for the late singer\u2019s musical legacy.

The book segments significant and pivotal moments in Miss Simone\u2019s life, from her childhood and upbringing in a Methodist household, surrounded by gospel music. We learn about her solid training in classical music, and early forays into playing for live audiences. Through fresh eyes and awareness about the plight of powerful Black women, we understand how Miss Simone was truly violated and harmed by those who were closest to her.

Each short chapter \u2013 illustrated by a different artist and colorist \u2013 is followed by a detailed narrative to provide deeper context. At the height of her career, Miss Simone used her fame and acclaim to speak out against racial injustice in support of the Civil Rights Movement. She took great risks and even greater loves. A new generation of readers and music enthusiasts would appreciate Nina Simone in Comics! for telling the story of the singer\u2019s unapologetic courage.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2024", "date_added": "28-Nov-2023 20:59:44", "publisher": "NBM Publishing", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013447011", "title": "Benny the Blue Whale: A Descent into Story, Language and the Madness of ChatGPT", "author": "Andy Stanton", "category": "N04 Technology", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 183, "review": "Children\u2019s author Andy Stanton attempts to explore the potential ability of ChatGPT to take over the human literary realm. The haunting question is whether this new machine intelligence can and will replace human creativity. For this purpose, the AI machine is challenged to apply its algorithms, by following the author\u2019s prompts, to create a story about a blue whale with a tiny penis. The image of the suggested topic serves to reflect the author\u2019s comic side, this humor also infects his commentaries.

As the machine generates a rather long and childish account following these cues, each new section is critically analyzed by the author. The generated story is somewhat childish, rather boring, and lacking emotion. All these aspects are examined and contrasted with accepted literary conventions in human storytelling. Flaws, imperfections, questions of bias and censorship with the bots are examined.

ChatGPT is still in its infancy, many of the problems raised here will probably, with time, be resolved. Unfortunately, while the advent of AI into our culture sparks many questionable fears, the overdrawn, somewhat rambling footnotes and commentary provide a tiresome read.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "03-Apr-2024", "date_added": "28-Nov-2023 19:10:31", "publisher": "Oneworld Publications", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013445027", "title": "The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson: A Novel", "author": "Ellen Baker", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 291, "review": "Cecily Larson is born into a troubled life through no fault of her own. Her father, a wealthy man who will not claim her as his own, has left her young mother, Madeline. Madeline believes she has a second shot at a future with a new man who doesn't want to raise her child, but she feels certain she will change his mind. She leaves four year old Cecily at an orphanage, promising to return for her, but this becomes the first of many abandonments Cecily will face in Ellen Baker's The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson.Three years later a traveling circus arrives at the orphanage and takes Cecily on the road to perform as a bareback rider. Cecily hopes she has found a way to search for her mother. They travel from town to town and she searches everywhere, finally giving up hope when she reaches the age of fifteen. Her life with the circus is filled with excitement and exhaustion, performance, and pain, and when she meets a handsome young man, she hopes her future will take a new direction.

This story is told alongside the story of Cecily in her 90s recovering from a fall. It is in this timeline, in 2015, that her hidden life becomes known. Her family learns, through her grandson's school project on DNA, exactly who she is and the circuitous nature of a life they never knew she had lived. A third story line, involving another family, is introduced about 130 pages into the novel.

While there is a great deal of beautiful writing and surprising turns in the book, Cecily's life is more compelling than anything else that happens, so it's a shame to see so little of it happen in real time.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2024", "date_added": "28-Nov-2023 23:11:27", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013445023", "title": "The Truth of the Aleke", "author": "Moses Ose Utomi", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 191, "review": "In the City of Truth, the Ascendance is the most important ceremony. To be invited to attend as a Junior Peacekeeper is an honor, one that Osi earned. But through his misdeeds, he got disinvited. To go now, Osi\u2019s punishment would be harsh, but that did not stop him. Aleke and the Cult of Tutu attacked the ceremony. Osi\u2019s brave actions confronting Aleke help save the City of Truth. He lost an arm but earned a spot as a Truthseeker for his actions. Now, he has one year to train. He has one year for vengeance. He has one year to learn the truth.

The Truth of the Aleke is a captivating fantasy novella by the masterful storyteller, Moses Oso Utomi. Despite being the second book in Utomi\u2019s The Forever Desert series, it stands on its own, drawing readers into a world of intrigue and mystery. Utomi skillfully delves into the dichotomy between the truths that are told and the truths that are real. Beneath his narrative, power and self-discovery, Utomi weaves a backdrop of rich world-building. For those who relish dark, dystopian fantasies, The Truth of the Alekeis a must-read.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "28-Nov-2023 22:47:54", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013444019", "title": "SOULSCAPES", "author": "Lee Woodman", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 414, "review": "Lee's early years were a whirlwind of excitement, marked by her journeys to various cities, as her parents were adventurous folks. The beauty of these travels lay in the opportunity to immerse herself in diverse cultures and religions and meet different people. Her book, a collection of poems, serves as a canvas for her perspectives on life, spirituality, societal dilemmas, and animals.

Among all the poems, one particularly resonated with me: a tale of an elephant in captivity, cherished by onlookers for her graceful swaying. The elephant, under the care of a man named Matthew, although it is living quite comfortably, yearns for more and is haunted by memories of her kin and dreams of freedom.

This book prompts contemplation on the detrimental impact of captivity, such as that found in zoos, on the animals. Each poem in the collection is told with engaging stories that will make you smile, ponder for a minute, or get emotional.

The account of Lee's encounter with the Dalai Lama captivated me because I had read about him and was quite fascinated by him. While some may find poetry less enthralling than prose, I assure you that this collection is an exception. I can say that the author's words succeeded in evoking personal memories and challenging my perceptions of spirituality.

Despite not identifying as religious, I found myself compelled by the author's open-minded exploration of different faiths. Works like this compel me to ponder life's purpose, the nature of existence, and our interconnectedness with the world around us, including nature, people, and animals. It's a call to reassess our treatment of animals and acknowledge the numerous complexities of life as we navigate it through trial and error. Poetry serves as a way for authors like Lee to unravel their deepest emotions, and as a reader, I feel privileged to be part of the experience.

The book underscores the significance of forging meaningful connections and the capricious nature of human character. Lee Woodman's writing style feels like a personal narrative, drawing from her life experiences and baring her soul. Her verses flow seamlessly, showcasing her mastery of poetry. While this is my first encounter with her work, I relished every moment spent with this collection. I am drawn to writing that challenges my perspective, and I am now a big fan. I'm looking forward to exploring other books by Lee Woodman. Whether or not you are a poetry enthusiast, Soulscapes by Lee Woodman promises to be an extraordinary, enlightening, and captivating read.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "21-Dec-2023", "date_added": "29-Nov-2023 22:29:36", "publisher": "Shanti Arts Publishing", "page_count": "92 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013440003", "title": "Queens of the Age of Chivalry (England's Medieval Queens)", "author": "Alison Weir", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 210, "review": "Enter the age of Chivalry through five queens that take you into the drama of the time as they faced various events, including the Black Death and the Hundred Years War. These queens are Marguerite of France, Isabella of France, Philippa of Hainault, Anne of Bohemia, and Isabella of Valois. Get to know the first French princess to be the Queen of England, the She-Wolf who is most known for overthrowing her husband, one of the most beloved queens, and the two wives of Richard II.

Despite being historical non-fiction, the book is not without drama, political intrigue, and diplomatic negotiations. Go from a queen known for being a great peacemaker to one who dethrones her husband and then rules with her lover. Several dynamics are at play, surrounding these different rulers which adds to the drama such as Edward II\u2019s relationship with Piers Gaveston. The biographical content allows you to get to know each of these queens but also allows you to see the mindsets, political positions, and strives for power (and at times revenge) of the various notable people. Queens of the Age of Chivalry is a truly fascinating read about five queens who despite being in this age of chivalry made different marks for themselves as royalty.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2024", "date_added": "27-Nov-2023 21:09:36", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "576 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013425003", "title": "Deliver Me: A Novel", "author": "Malin Persson Giolito, Rachel Willson-Broyles", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 201, "review": "This book is less a whodunit than an exploration of how society fails its young citizens and who is ultimately held responsible. Billy and Dogge became unlikely best friends when they were young. Even though they do not live far away from each other, a highway separates their neighborhoods and their social circumstances.

Dogge comes from a family of privilege and wealth. He lacks nothing but feels like the world is not enough. His family does not care and is addicted to a number of drugs. Billy is the son of recent immigrants to Sweden. The family lives in a small flat and Billy strives to do his best at school so he can get ahead in life.

Dogge convinces Billy to join a small-time drug dealing crew, skipping school and creating mischief. When Billy wants to leave the crew and go straight, the two of them will meet for the final time in the middle of the night at the park where they first met.

This book follows the path of Billy and Dogge as they become petty criminals, while also following the investigation, switching viewpoints in each chapter. Interesting way to examine the social inequality of the Nordic countries.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2024", "date_added": "22-Nov-2023 19:26:40", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013424003", "title": "Hero: A Novel", "author": "Thomas Perry", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 200, "review": "Justine Poole possesses a keen eye for knowing and assessing problematic situations. She works security for the firm Spengler-Nash and guards high-value targets. Any missteps could prove fatal to her clients. She had just concluded her recent assignment when she was contacted by her boss Ben Spengler. Spengler believes the clients he is guarding are about to be ambushed and he calls Justine for backup.

Spengler\u2019s instincts prove accurate and soon they are engaged in a firefight with a group of murderous thieves. Justine takes down two of the bandits and the police apprehend the remainder. Justine is soon lauded for her heroic actions, but she has raised the ire of the robbers\u2019 boss. The crime boss orders Poole\u2019s execution and contracts the hit to a precision executioner named Sealy. Soon, Justine must adjust to a life in the shadows as she has become the prey.

Hero is the new gripping mystery-thriller from Thomas Perry (The Old Man). The intense cat-and-mouse game that develops between Poole and Sealy provides a large amount of the suspense and excitement that runs throughout this gem of a read. Perry\u2019s brilliant pacing of the story will keep the reader guessing until the very end.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "02-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Nov-2023 19:20:58", "publisher": "WW Norton", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013423003", "title": "Everyone Is Watching: A Locked-Room Thriller", "author": "Heather Gudenkauf", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 179, "review": "Five people are selected to compete in a new reality tv series, called One Lucky Winner. The show will be randomly live-streamed all over the world, with the contestants competing in both physical and mental challenges. The last one standing will win ten million dollars. The five contestants are: the best friend, the senator, the executive, the boyfriend and the confidante. As the show progresses, the stakes are raised. When a contestant leaves the show, all their secrets are exposed. There is a bigger game at play here and Everyone Is Watching.

While I wouldn\u2019t say this story is super original or highly thrilling, it is entertaining. It definitely makes you question how far you would go for ten million dollars. It was also interesting to see how far people would go just for revenge. Twenty years seems like a really long time to hold on to things and the punishments didn\u2019t necessarily fit the so-called crimes. If you enjoy crazy revenge stories, then you will probably enjoy this one. It wasn\u2019t too bad, but not terribly exciting either.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "04-Apr-2024", "date_added": "22-Nov-2023 19:16:28", "publisher": "Park Row Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013421011", "title": "Trouble at the Tangerine", "author": "Gillian McDunn", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Simon Hyde has never really had a home. Every few months, Simon\u2019s parents load everything into their van, aptly named Vincent Van Go, and find their next home. Then they post all about it on their popular blog, The Hydes Go Seek. Frankly, Simon is tired of it. He wants to stay in one place for the whole school year.

When they land at their apartment in the Tangerine Pines, Simon decides this is the place. He will make real friends and decorate his room and be a regular kid. But there is a robbery in the building, and Simon\u2019s parents worry it\u2019s not a good place. Simon makes friends with a girl named Amaya, who has secrets of her own, and they set out to solve the burglary so Simon\u2019s parents won\u2019t move.

Gillian McDunn has written a fun whodunit with plenty of red herrings to keep readers stymied and interested. Her writing is excellent, the characters are well-rounded, quirky, and believable, and the story is compelling. The themes of friendship, family, and home are ones middle-graders will relate to and sympathize with. Mysteries are always popular favorites for young readers, and this will not disappoint.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Nov-2023 19:50:50", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013420007", "title": "Sisters of Belfast: A Novel", "author": "Melanie Maure", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 244, "review": "Melanie Maure's Sisters of Belfast tells the story of twins Isabel and Aelish McGuire, who are orphaned at the age of ten and sent to live with the Sisters of Bethlehem at a local Belfast convent. While Aelish is taken by the sisters and the reverence of the world, in large part because she is too afraid to resist all that is demanded of her, Isabel never assimilates and, at the age of fifteen, runs away.

1955 sees the young girls grown to women; Aelish is now known as Sister Clare and Isabel is married with twins herself after moving to Newfoundland with her husband Declan. When Isabel takes ill, Aelish is called to leave Northern Ireland to attend to the sister she hasn't seen in nearly fifteen years. The sisters do not have an easy reunion, and Aelish's memories of Declan from their years as children complicate her feelings. When tragedy strikes the family and they must return to Ireland, some of the girl's darkest secrets, tied to Ireland herself, finally come to light.

The novel is a story of faith and family as well as an expose of one of the most horrific scandals in Irish history. Mother and baby homes, meant to provide a stable and safe environment for pregnant young women, were discovered to be hellish homes from which there was often no escape. Isabel and Aelish reveal what hope may be found when the truth finally comes to light.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Nov-2023 19:17:55", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013418003", "title": "Each of Us is a Miracle: All creatures big and small", "author": "Jane Chapman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Xavier - age 8", "word_count": 137, "review": "Each of Us is a Miracle is about a frog who didn't realize how good his home was and so he goes exploring, meets a friend, and ends up right where he started. The book is about how everyone is unique, each one different from the other, and there are miraculous things that can happen to you when you have a friend.

It's a really clever story and feels different from a lot of the other animal kind of stories that you usually read. There's not really much learning about nature, but it is nice if you just like stories about animals. The pictures are beautiful and will remind you of spring. It is the kind of book you want to have at home, and libraries should also get it because lots of kids will enjoy it.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2024", "date_added": "21-Nov-2023 21:11:25", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013417007", "title": "Habitats: A Journey in Nature", "author": "Hannah Pang, Isobel Lundie", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Each biome in the world is unique with its specific collection of flora and fauna. This book takes a look at six very different biomes: the rain forests of Borneo, the Namib Desert in southwestern Africa, the ocean off the eastern coast of Australia, the Black Forest in Germany, the Andes Mountains in South America, and Florida\u2019s natural springs.

For each region, author Hannah Pang highlights several species with short paragraphs telling important aspects of their lives such as where they live, how they receive their nutrients, how they protect themselves, and more. Her writing is conversational and accessible for young readers.

Illustrator Isobel Lundie fills the pages with individual drawings of each subject as well as placing them in overall drawings of the biome. Her drawings are more stylized than realistic, but still, they are quite representative of the plant or animal. The colors she uses are rich and saturated and absolutely beautiful.

Each section has two or three pages that are not full size but cut to half, third, or quarter size. It adds a little extra interest for the readers. Young readers will want to spend time reading this book over and over.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "21-Nov-2023 23:33:15", "publisher": "Tiger Tales", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013416003", "title": "Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant: A Memoir ", "author": "Curtis Chin", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 218, "review": "Curtis Chin has championed storytelling through decades of involvement with the Asian American Writers\u2019 Workshop, helping to illuminate the unique experiences among diverse Pan-Asian communities. With his memoir, it\u2019s Chin\u2019s turn to share his own coming-of-age story as a young gay American-born Chinese in Detroit.

Locating his story within the cultural anchor of Chung\u2019s Cantonese Cuisine, the family restaurant, Chin tells of humorous and often tragic realizations about the complexity of social identities and the elusive sense of belonging. While his family has been in the United States for many generations, Chin contended with subtle and overt racism. He was a perpetual foreigner in an industrial Midwestern city delineated by Black and White racial strife.

There\u2019s a reason why this book has been hailed as the most awaited memoir by several media outlets. With family, love, and food at the centerpiece, Chin\u2019s memoir expertly balances the heaviness of experiences with racial prejudice with wit and humor. I read the book from the lens of a Filipino-American immigrant who knows first-hand the toll of daily jabs at our sense of self-knowing.

Chin is recognized as a giant in Asian American advocacy, paving the way for representation of diverse voices. It makes perfect sense that Chin found his sense of purpose within the richness of his working-class, Chinese American upbringing.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2024", "date_added": "21-Nov-2023 20:55:57", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013414003", "title": "Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code at a Time", "author": "Seth D Kaplan", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 178, "review": "What is the cause of neighborhoods in decline and fragmentation? This book pinpoints the breakdown of social connections. By embracing and getting to know one\u2019s neighborhood and neighbors, a sense of community and shared purpose can be built. The author feels that many solutions to today\u2019s problems come either top down or bottom up. This approach brings a foreign framework into a community which may be resisted.

He proposes using strengths within a community to build existing resources rather than inventing imposed solutions. This makes a lot of sense. The author provides examples of communities made stronger by welcoming tough dialogs and embracing values of residents rather than putting in place a framework from another place which is antithetical to the community needing help.

In reviewing social problems, the author underlines the lack of social connection, which builds on the resident\u2019s loneliness and despair. Many families have a single parent or dual working parents without access to consistent childcare. It makes good sense to encourage communities to address these issues by identifying and connecting residents with existing resources.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2024", "date_added": "21-Nov-2023 20:30:15", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013412007", "title": "A Happy Place", "author": "Britta Teckentrup", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 205, "review": "A bright, beautiful star glistens through the bedroom window of a little girl. It cajoles her out of bed to go on a magical journey with it, promising to take her to \u201ca happy place.\u201d Together, they pass an iridescent river, run up low-lying hills, and find their way into dark woods illuminated only by moonlight. In the forest, they embrace the presence of creatures they encounter: a precious squirrel, a fluffy fox, and an adorable hare. They dancing away into the night until they can dance no more. At last, it\u2019s time for the day to come to an end, leaving room for a new one to cone tomorrow.

This is a heartwarming story. The author and illustrator\u2019s imaginative and creative style is sure to not disappoint young children, especially those who are dreamers. The text is not overly dense, and the illustrations are truly masterful. There are an array of cut-outs and peek-through pages that add tremendously to the overall appearance and ambience of the book. Light and dark hues are intermixed throughout, creating a perfect blend of vibrancy. A Happy Place will be a bedtime favorite of youth ages four to nine. It will take them on an adventure of their own.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "14-Feb-2024", "date_added": "21-Nov-2023 23:31:14", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013411003", "title": "The Exchange: After The Firm (The Firm Series)", "author": "John Grisham", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 201, "review": "Mitch McDeere has resurfaced at Scully & Pershing, the largest law firm in the world. He is a partner now, and he and Abby have twin boys. Abby is a cookbook editor at a small publishing company, and they have a good life. Mitch is assigned to take over a big client from Turkey who has been working in Libya and has been stiffed by Gaddafi. Mitch takes an associate to Libya to tour the site. She is the daughter of a senior lawyer, Mitch\u2019s mentor, who runs the Rome office. Mitch becomes violently ill, and the associate is kidnapped by terrorists who demand a huge ransom for her return. Thus begins a saga of epic proportions with Mitch and Abby at the center.

John Grisham is the king of legal thrillers, and this one will not disappoint. For those who read The Firm, this will be a welcome many-years-later what-ever-happened-to story of the main characters of that book. The writing is superb. The story is very compelling and believable in today\u2019s world, and it will keep readers turning the pages in great anticipation. Not for the faint-hearted, though. Terrorists don\u2019t play nice, and some of it is hard to read.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2024", "date_added": "21-Nov-2023 20:25:38", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013408003", "title": "Rabbit Hole", "author": "Kate Brody", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 201, "review": "The experience of losing a sister left a lasting impression on Theodora \u201cTeddy\u201d Angstrom. The worst part was not knowing what happened to her sister Angie. Ten years later, this void was compounded with the suicide of her father. Teddy and her mother had become emotionally numb at this point, as Mark Angstrom had dove into a pit of intense despair in the subsequent years after Angie\u2019s vanishing. Teddy is left to pick up the pieces of a shattered family, sorting through the detritus of her father\u2019s fragile existence. Teddy finds a few hints to what her father was up to through bank statements and phone calls, and she decides to explore on her own. She enters the labyrinthine world of the website Reddit where theories about her sister abound. Soon, she is hooked in the search for answers to the mystery that tore her family asunder.

Rabbit Hole is the spellbinding debut from author Kate Brody. Brody\u2019s talent is her ability to make the reader question many things during the often intense narrative, from who to trust to what type of person Angie was and Teddy is. This is a book that redefines the mystery genre and proves a fulfilling read.", "issue": "Pending Cancel", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2024", "date_added": "21-Nov-2023 20:21:09", "publisher": "Soho Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013406041", "title": "Tock, Tick.", "author": "John Exe", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 423, "review": "It's 2051. Private investigator Jake Watson embarks on a one-of-a-kind mission that involves weirdly rich Lester and his beautiful daughter, Justine. At the Beaten Docket Pub in Cricklewood, Lester shares an urgent mission to retrieve a crucial item from New York City. With so many unanswered questions about the mission, Jake discovers that Lester and Justine are from the 32nd century and are armed with advanced technology and knowledge of a turbulent future. The trio are forced to confront a \"crack team of assassins\" from the future that's led by the evil Sinosa Tangier.

As Jake faces the threat of death and pursues his desire for Justine, he must come to terms with Lester's revelations about the impending destruction of the United States and global chaos. John Exe's Tock, Tick presents a fast-paced race against time involving a fierce battle against a powerful villain and a possible end of the universe.

I was impressed by the intricacies of the sci-fi concepts in the book, including time travel and interplanetary migration. As a time travel fan, I had an exciting time following the challenges and paradoxes of time travel, such as being mindful of telling people what would happen in the future because it might disrupt the future.

The book's protagonist is portrayed as a perceptive individual with deep observations and interesting remarks. I looked forward to seeing more of Jake's keen first-person observations, such as when he notices the almost telepathic moments between Lester and his daughter during their conversation. These little details make the narrative feel authentic and life-like.

Politics is a major theme in the narrative, as it includes power dynamics among nations, the amalgamation of security agencies, and the emergence of a new world order. This political backdrop contributes to the story's suspense, complete with high stakes and dire consequences.

After its first few chapters, the book fails to maintain some of its most intriguing elements, such as cordial relationships and character depth. Its focus on worldbuilding and intricate details of sci-fi concepts compromise the flow of the narrative. I wished to see more of the protagonist's connection with his friends and how the global issues affected them.

If you enjoy sci-fi and time travel narratives, prepare to have your mind engaged by John's intricate plot about time and space. Tock, Tick is an action-packed tale involving a friendly protagonist and a mission that gets more grandiose and suspenseful the further you go in the narrative. Despite its few limitations, you are guaranteed to experience a mentally stimulating, roller-coaster adventure.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "25-Dec-2023", "date_added": "19-Nov-2023 21:57:51", "publisher": "Amazon ", "page_count": "151 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013406033", "title": "Brave Hearts: 3 Rules for Men with the Courage to Love", "author": "Cameron Draeco", "category": "N16 Relationships & Sex", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 67, "review": "\u201cA practical self-help guide for any man who wants help in analyzing and being self-aware in his relationship. Using military-nicknamed groups, anecdotal stories, and pop culture references, this book is relatable and breaks down the roles of men and women over time. Readers will appreciate the simple, step-by-step tips the author provides to help them cultivate the stable, healthy relationship they crave.\u201d \u2014Kyle Eaton, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2024", "date_added": "19-Nov-2023 21:49:13", "publisher": "Amaranth Publishing", "page_count": "237 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013406025", "title": "The Road to Moresco", "author": "Mark Jamilkowski", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 405, "review": "The Italian landscape had been fraught with division for over a thousand years as it was ruled by military empires and kingdoms. The 19th century witnessed a revolution led by rebels seeking unification. By 1910, people like Francesca and Giuseppe Carnabuci sought tranquility in their lives and a desire to build a family. The large temblor that rocked Messina was merely indicative of the overwrought times ahead. Shortly afterward, Francesca gives birth to a son named Marcello. Marcello\u2019s world is shaped early on by two seminal events: the death of his father during World War I and the charismatic yet fascist words of a General named D\u2019Annunzio.

Maria-Luisa Moresco came into the world fighting for her survival. Her parents had lost multiple children in their early years but Maria-Luisa was scrappy. She was known for her piano-playing skills and her stark beauty. She balked at the increasingly fascistic trajectory of her homeland. She would be the ideological opposite of Marcello, yet they clicked romantically. They met in 1935, but their union would be short-lived. Marcello would give his life fighting in Spain and the lasting memory of their relationship would be a daughter named Chiara.

Maria-Luisa would meet and marry an accomplished German violinist named Max Strub. Their relationship would be tested early as Europe devolved into a Second World War. An emotional distance between husband and wife led to infidelities and the inevitable separation. As Chiara grows, Maria-Luisa\u2019s resentment and anger towards Chiara lead to abuse and neglect. Chiara possesses a defiant spirit and longs to make a life of her own, but soon exhibits traits similar to Maria-Luisa.

The Road to Moresco provides a comprehensive, multi-generational view of an Italian family through war and peace, both at home and abroad. The destruction of the landscape through nature and war mirrors the leveling of relationships. Love and loss are frequent factors in the existence of this extended family and the readers will feel the highs and lows equally with the characters. Maria-Luisa is a complex woman, desirous of love while pushing away her firstborn child and second husband. Her feelings towards Chiara and her husband Max are often icy and make her an unsympathetic character. Chiara seems destined to walk a similar stubborn path in life, but lessons in life and family soften her stiffness. Author Mark Jamilkowski more than ably recounts the history of this clan in a manner that evokes empathy while also being entertaining.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2024", "date_added": "19-Nov-2023 21:44:28", "publisher": "Treaty Oak Publishers", "page_count": "310 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013406015", "title": "Echoes Across Time", "author": "Carmen Monica Oprea", "category": "N24 Seasonal", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 434, "review": "Echoes Across Time by Carmen Monica Oprea was a feel-good, nostalgic, holiday book about a woman named Sophie. Between being recently laid off from her job at a marketing firm and being dumped by her long-time boyfriend, to say Sophie has had a rough few months is an understatement. Then, to make matters worse, her grandmother, Dolores, unexpectedly passes away.

Having planned to spend Christmas with her, Sophie is absolutely devastated. Having had a very special bond with Dolores, she cannot believe that she will never again have the opportunity to hug, laugh, cry, or visit her beloved grandma ever again. Alone on Christmas Eve, this tragic story spills out in tears to her cab driver Armando who reassures her that she is not alone and offers comforting words of cheer that this Christmas can still be special.

Armando drops Sophie off at the Red Couch Inn, with plans for Sophie\u2019s parents to hopefully make a flight there the next day. Fortunately, the inn\u2019s owner is already aware of her dire situation and does her best to make her feel right at home. Settling in for the evening with a hot bath and promises for a Christmas morning brunch, Sophie wistfully hopes that this day will be less disastrous than it feels. That is until the electricity goes out.

Running from her room to join the others outside by the blazing fire, she wanders away to look at the stars, recalling her grandmother\u2019s stories when she suddenly slips and hits her head hard on the pavement. Waking up disoriented, Sophie cannot find the Red Couch Inn and proceeds to wander in the blizzard before her in an attempt to find her way. Then, something peculiar happens and before Sophie knows it, nothing is as it seems anymore.

I thought Echoes Across Time was a lovely read. Truly reminiscent of a Hallmark movie, I loved the way Oprea was able to take a heavy topic like grief and transform it into a magical, Christmas miracle. Her intense imagery and attention to detail really set the scene; I felt like I was transformed into this quaint, picturesque town alongside Sophie experiencing her moments of awe and surprise.

Finally, I really enjoyed how this book covered the story of not just Sophie but Dolores. It helped capture why Sophie had such a strong relationship with her grandma, and how their love could transform and even change the course of time. Overall, I would recommend this book to women looking to read holiday fiction, and those who may be experiencing grief around this time of the year.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "05-Dec-2023", "date_added": "19-Nov-2023 21:39:16", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "152 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013406007", "title": "Tangled Verdict", "author": "Katherine Smith Dedrick", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 450, "review": "Tangled Verdict is a compelling legal thriller by Katherine Smith Dedrick in the Victoria Rodessa series. Readers are introduced to lawyer Victoria Rodessa as she gets on stage to give a campaign speech to become the next senator of the United States. But just as she gets started, she gets called off the stage by her assistant, Jenny. Victoria's team hustles her out of the arena and into a car. She learns that an awful rumor has been started about her regarding a past case that she won. There is no doubt her opponent is behind these rumors and Victoria and her team must act quickly to dispel the false information.

Although the book is fairly short in length, Katherine Smith Dedrick does a fantastic job of introducing and developing her characters and diving quickly into the story. The book is fast-paced because Victoria and her team are on a deadline to squelch the rumors before she has to back out of the campaign. Set in Chicago, the busy city setting is perfect for this legal thriller and readers will enjoy following Victoria as she and her team dig deep into why the judge who worked on her case says that she tampered with the jury. When one of the characters is murdered, the clock ticks even faster. What could the motive be behind these rumors? The judge has an impeccable reputation as does the person who gave him the information.

My favorite part of the book is Victoria's character. She's tough and won't give up. She is also very close to the members of her team including Armond who slides into the book as a past love interest. The dialogue between Victoria and the other characters in the book comes across as easy and realistic. Although this book is a legal thriller, I appreciated the fact that the author did not pack with book with unnecessary legal jargon. Anyone who loves a great suspense thriller will enjoy reading Tangled Verdict.

The only part of the book that I felt was a little questionable is the part where Mary Ellen's sixteen-year-old sons are trying to contact her via text. The texts read \"Mom, what is going on?\" and \"Why didn't you tell us about this?\" Mary Ellen doesn't like to engage in conversation via text, however, the fact that these are her sons trying to contact her, I found it hard to believe she wouldn't just pick up the phone and call them due to the tone of the messages.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Tangled Verdict. Although it is part of a series, the book reads well as a standalone and I would recommend it to anyone who loves legal thrillers.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Nov-2023 21:35:21", "publisher": "Bublish, Ink", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013402019", "title": "Hummingbird Season", "author": "Stephanie V W Lucianovic", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 11 and Julianne - age 8", "word_count": 173, "review": "We loved that this book was written as poems. Some feelings are too big for a book. And Archie has big feelings\u2014about his brother, his family, COVID-19\u2014and the poems say it all perfectly. We haven\u2019t read many books that are all poems that aren\u2019t poetry collections, so to read a whole story told in a series of poems was amazing.

COVID-19 was really hard for our family. Our grandmother died and it was really confusing about where we could go and what we were expected to do. Hummingbird Season by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic reminded us of what it was like to go through the pandemic, and Archie\u2019s stories helped us process some of those confusing feelings.

We love Archie and how he sees the world. We didn\u2019t have the same experience as he did during the pandemic, but that\u2019s okay. We\u2019re all different and that\u2019s okay. This book made us sad, but also happy and silly and hopeful. We recommend this book for readers who had a rough time during the pandemic too.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2024", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 21:34:40", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013402007", "title": "Class", "author": "Stephanie Land", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 257, "review": "Class is the follow up to Stephanie Land's award-winning memoir Maid, which was also turned into a Netflix series. The subject matter is largely the same, though this work focuses more on Land's life as a mother and a student at the University of Montana than on her life cleaning houses in Seattle.

The writing is fine if a bit pedestrian. Much of the memoir is recounted through descriptive lists of what happened rather than scenes actively shown. It feels like a first draft in that way. The choices Land makes to be a student while raising her six year old, Emilia, are questionable. Land laments her financial constraints but chooses Cliff bars as her snack of choice\u2014a more expensive version of a granola bar\u2014and cleans houses around her class schedule rather than getting a more traditional job. The argument that her schedule can be flexible this way makes sense, but it's hard to feel sorry for her when she's chosen some of her hardships.

As someone who grew up in a working class house and then had my own money issues for years, I find her story neither inspiring nor important. Those who read it and get something more from it, I'm guessing, are experiencing her poverty as tourists: looking in on her life as one through a kaleidoscope, awed by what they see all the while knowing they can put the view down. It's well written, though, so if you're interested in memoirs about socioeconomic differences in America, this one may well be for you.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jan-2024", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 21:01:22", "publisher": "Atria/One Signal Publishers", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013401023", "title": "Headstrap: Legends and Lore from the Climbing Sherpas of Darjeeling (Legends & Lore)", "author": "Deepa Balsavar, Nandini Purandare", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 217, "review": "The valiant stories of Western mountaineers traversing the world\u2019s highest peaks are well documented. Much less celebrated are the Sherpas and porters from Nepal who made the ascents possible. Their courage, knowledge about wayfinding, and familiarity with the icy and snowy terrain of the Himalayas supported adventurers in reaching the heights of their success. Headstrap shares the untold stories of the legendary porters of Darjeeling, such as Ang Tharkay, Ang Tsering, and Tenzing Norgay. Authors Nandini Purandare and Deepa Balsavar detail the painstaking work of collecting and making meaning of oral history among families, descendants, and friends. The authors cross-walked interviews and testimonies with written records.

Headstrap is an important contribution to mountaineering history. As a whole, the book is a fascinating trek through history and culture, as it centers on the forgotten stories of high-altitude Sherpas. The authors took great care in providing context about attitudes toward mountain climbing and labor relations from the perspective of Indigenous spiritual beliefs and traditional customs. Not all the stories ended in triumph: tragedies, broken vows, and tarnished reputations haunted many expeditions.

The narratives explained the different ways in which the expeditions changed and challenged the Sherpas and their European counterparts, pushing their physical and mental capacities. Collectively, the stories relay the power of building community and nurturing trusting relationships.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2024", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 21:19:16", "publisher": "The Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013401019", "title": "Cool Food: Erasing Your Carbon Footprint One Bite at a Time ", "author": "Robert, Jr Downey, Thomas Kostigen", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 215, "review": "Be warned that this book is not intended to be a traditional cookbook \u2013 the title can be misleading. There are recipes (usually at the end of the chapter), but the main intent of this book is to help reduce our carbon footprint through the food choices we make. It traces the connection between our food choices, from growing the food to packaging, and transporting, to cooking, consuming, and discarding spoilt food.

The first part focuses on the foods themselves. While ancient grains, fruits, and vegetables are well-known among most Americans, there are chapters on sea vegetables and nuts. The focus here is how much of a carbon footprint our food makes when it is produced. The next part of the book focuses on packaging and transportation. Chapters here include food waste, school lunches, fast foods, and international and virtual markets.

Throughout the book factoids and sidebars accompany the text to provide added information on the main topic being discussed. The narrative is easy to follow. The layout feels minimalist (in line with its objective of reducing carbon footprint). The main points are backed up with credible evidence, and the factoids seem genuine. The book is a fun and educational read for those who are interested in reducing their carbon footprint through their food choices.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "16-Mar-2024", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 21:08:33", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013401015", "title": "South of Somewhere", "author": "Kalena Miller", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Mavis and her family are coming home to Chicago from a vacation in Hawaii. When they turn the corner onto their street, the street is filled with big black SUVs and people in FBI jackets. Dad asks what\u2019s going on, and he is told their house has been seized and the FBI is looking for Mom, who took a cab from the airport. She is wanted for embezzlement, and she then disappears.

Dad goes to the bank only to find their accounts have been seized too. With nowhere to go and no money, Dad takes Mavis, her sister, and her brother to his estranged sister\u2019s home in a nearby small, shabby-seeming town. Mavis feels like her life is over.

Kalena Miller has written a compelling story of a family nearly destroyed by one selfish, criminal parent who walks away and leaves the rest of the family to muddle through. Told from the viewpoint of twelve-year-old Mavis as she navigates a new place, making new friends, finding ways to help keep the family afloat, and more, this story will connect to middle-grade readers. The writing is excellent, the characters are believable, and the story will keep pages turning.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "22-Mar-2024", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 19:59:23", "publisher": "Albert Whitman & Company", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013400011", "title": "Dirty Thirty (30) (Stephanie Plum)", "author": "Janet Evanovich", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 201, "review": "Dirty Thirty is the latest installment in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum mystery series. In this book, Stephanie is hired for multiple bounty hunter jobs but the main job she is working on is for a pawn shop owner named Martin Plover. Plover claims his store was robbed and the thief dropped the bag of jewels outside. He said the security guard he hired named Andy ran off with the jewels. He wants Stephanie to find Andy.

Just like the other Stephanie Plum books, this one is a wild goose chase. Plum's boyfriend, Morelli, a police officer is out of town and Stephanie must take his big dog Bob with her wherever she goes. Bob is not well trained to say the least. She also has her sidekick, Lula, with her who claims there is an ogre from Beowulf who comes into her apartment while she is sleeping. Lula is crazy as always. The love affair between Stephanie and Ranger is also alive and well and Stephanie must hold herself back since she has committed herself to Morelli. Ranger is always there when she needs him though. From digging up corpses to tracking down homeless people, this book is nonstop action and fun.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2024", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 21:05:12", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013398015", "title": "A Haunting in the Arctic", "author": "C J Cooke", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 198, "review": "A Haunting in the Arctic takes place aboard the Ormen, an old ship that has washed up on the shore of Iceland. In 1901, it was a whaler, aboard which Nicky woke up on against her will and discovers what her purpose will be to the crew. In 1973, it was a research vessel that was discovered with the entire crew missing, except for one dead body. Now, Dominique boards the wreck intending to document its final days before it is destroyed. She\u2019ll uncover the dark and grisly past of this ship, and all the lives it has ruined.

This is a truly haunting tale about the horrors that are often inflicted on women, but also about tragedy and guilt. I can\u2019t imagine going through what Nicky did. It\u2019s easy to understand her desire for revenge. The author did a great job of showing the uncontrollable nature of revenge, how it often hurts more people than you think and has unforeseen consequences. If you enjoy ghost stories and historical fiction, then this is a book for you to add to your reading list. However, be warned there are many instances of physical/sexual abuse and self-harm in this book.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "02-Feb-2024", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 19:51:24", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013398011", "title": "Dragonboy and the 100 Hearts (Dragonboy, 3) ", "author": "Fabio Napoleoni", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 201, "review": "Dragonboy and his four stuffed animal friends must stay inside on a rainy day. Dragonboy suggests that they explore inside, but Yellow Kitty says they can\u2019t find anything new inside and poor Simon the Sloth struggles to keep up with them. Darwin immediately begins to find small surprises, but the others won\u2019t listen to him. Eventually, they end up in the top story of their house where they find old toys that are new and interesting again. When the group finally realizes that Darwin is sad because no one listened to him, they all stop and realize Darwin has been finding little red hearts all throughout the book that mark acts of kindness.

Occasionally, a children\u2019s picture book comes along that will remain in the recesses of memory long after others have faded. Dragonboy and the 100 Hearts is just such a book. Here, the characters are adorable and distinct. Messages throughout the text, such as \u201cI\u2019m perfectly ok with not being liked by everyone\u201d and \u201cSometimes sitting with a friend is the perfect kind of kindness\u201d provide wonderful teaching moments. Finally, little readers will enjoy searching for 100 little hearts throughout the book. This book will become a beloved favorite.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2024", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 19:42:50", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013398003", "title": "For the Last Time: A Novel", "author": "Heidi Perks", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 200, "review": "For the Last Time is a book that will intrigue readers from cover to cover. Is Erin Harding going crazy or what? When Erin's husband, Will, gives her a necklace, she pushes him away as he goes to put it around her neck. Why? Even Erin doesn't know. Then, their dog, Coco, goes missing and Erin thinks Will did something to her. Why is she feeling so suspicious of her husband nowadays? Erin and Will decide to see a couples counselor named Maggie Day, and what happens next will show readers the power of the subconscious memory. This book will have readers wondering why Erin suddenly doesn't trust her husband and how the death of Maggie's younger sister over twenty years ago may be connected to Erin and Will. Although none of the characters are particularly likable, the story's plot was written in a way that I couldn't wait to find out how all the pieces were connected. I loved how the author wrote the chapters both in the present and the past and from different points of view.

For the Last Time will have lovers of suspense and thrillers on the edge of their seats as the truth is revealed.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "27-Feb-2024", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 18:30:56", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013397011", "title": "The Kiss Countdown", "author": "Etta Easton", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 445, "review": "A Love Song for Ricki Wilde:\n\nIn \"A Love Song for Ricki Wilde,\" readers are swept into the pulsating world of the music industry, where Ricki's journey towards love and self-acceptance unfolds amidst the backdrop of catchy tunes and heartfelt lyrics. Through trials and triumphs, Ricki's story resonates with the universal quest for belonging and authenticity. With its melodious narrative and relatable characters, this novel offers an enchanting blend of romance and self-discovery that will linger in readers' hearts like a cherished melody.\n\nThe Kiss Countdown:\n\n\"The Kiss Countdown\" beckons readers into a world where time is of the essence, and love hangs in the balance. With each page turn, the tension mounts as two unlikely souls navigate the highs and lows of romance against the backdrop of a ticking clock. Will they seize the moment and find their happily ever after before time runs out? This captivating tale is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, promising readers a whirlwind romance that will keep them on the edge of their seats until the final countdown reaches zero.\n\nThe Partner Plot:\n\nIn \"The Partner Plot,\" intrigue and deception reign supreme as protagonists unravel a web of lies to uncover the truth. With secrets lurking around every corner, the stakes are high as they race against time to save what matters most. This thrilling tale keeps readers on the edge of their seats, guessing at every twist and turn. As the tension mounts and suspicions deepen, \"The Partner Plot\" delivers a gripping narrative that will leave readers breathless until the very end.\n\nZora Books Her Happily Ever After:\n\n\"Zora Books Her Happily Ever After\" invites readers on a heartwarming journey of self-discovery and resilience. Through Zora's quest for love and fulfillment, readers are reminded of the transformative power of perseverance and the importance of staying true to oneself. As Zora navigates the trials and tribulations of life, her story serves as an inspiring reminder that happiness is often found in unexpected places. With its uplifting message and relatable characters, this novel is a celebration of hope, courage, and the enduring power of love.\n\nSex, Lies, and Sensibility:\n\n\"Sex, Lies, and Sensibility\" delves into the tangled web of relationships and desire, offering readers a tantalizing blend of scandal and romance. As characters navigate the complexities of love, lust, and betrayal, secrets are revealed and passions ignite. With its gripping narrative and steamy encounters, this book is a captivating exploration of human nature and the lengths we will go to in pursuit of our desires. From forbidden affairs to shocking revelations, \"Sex, Lies, and Sensibility\" keeps readers hooked until the very last page, craving more of its deliciously scandalous drama.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 19:53:02", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000013397007", "title": "Fangirl Down: A Novel (Big Shots, 1)", "author": "Tessa Bailey", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 199, "review": "Wells Whitaker is professional golf\u2019s bad boy, but he\u2019s stuck in a career slump. While competing in a tournament, he runs into his superfan, Josephine Doyle. Otherwise known as Wells\u2019 Belle, she knows Wells has the potential to get back in the top ranks. Soon Josephine cannot refuse an offer to become Wells\u2019 caddy when he discovers that she knows a ton about the sport and even runs a pro shop. The two have a chemistry both on and off the greens, and no matter how hard they try to keep their relationship professional, nothing can keep them apart.

This book was steamy! Tessa Bailey is known for spicy romances, and this one delivered. Although I\u2019m not a huge golf fan, I found myself enjoying learning about the behind-the-scenes details of professional golf. This was a grumpy meets sunshine romance, yet I found both main characters endearing and enjoyed their love story. Josephine was hard not to love, and I liked how the book shone a light on diabetes. Wells had a chip on his shoulder, but Josephine brought out his soft side. Fangirl Down will make you swoon! Any fan of Tessa Bailey will love her latest novel.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "14-Feb-2024", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 19:49:42", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013395007", "title": "Keyana Loves Her Friend (Keyana, 2)", "author": "Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, Charnelle Pinkney Barlow", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 181, "review": "A year ago, Keyana\u2019s best friend, Nia, moved away. Now, Nia is returning to visit, and they are going to have the greatest sleepover ever. Keyana, who is a powerhouse of personality, begins planning all of their activities before Nia arrives, but Nia has ideas of her own. Some of those ideas stem from their time apart. Keyana\u2019s father tries to tell Keyana that she may discover new things she likes to do, but that\u2019s not what Keyana wants to hear.

After Nia\u2019s arrival, the sleepover goes less than smoothly, with Nia saying she\u2019s ready to go home. Keyana finally admits she afraid that Nia will forget the things they like to do and Keyana. Nia says she could never forget her best friend, and they come up with new sleepover activities, creating the most spectacular sleepover ever.

This book, the second in the Keyana series, gently teaches important lessons about friendship and how to navigate the changes that can occur with distance and time. Given Keyana\u2019s bigger-than-life personality, don\u2019t be surprised when little readers may request more stories with Keyana.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2024", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 19:44:04", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013394023", "title": "Rental Person Who Does Nothing: A Memoir", "author": "Shoji Morimoto", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 257, "review": "The introduction of Rental Person Who Does Nothing suggests a team assisted author Shoji Morimoto in the writing of the book, though there is little note of that fact elsewhere. It is unfortunate because, while the premise is intriguing, I did wonder who to blame for the presentation of the author as a rather unlikable protagonist.

Morimoto began advertising himself as a \"rental person\" in 2018 in Japan. He'd had a rough encounter with an employer who suggested his presence at work made no difference, so Morimoto began to wonder what he could do that would have value.

When clients hired him. he accompanied them as they accomplished small tasks, shared meals with them, and at times, just sat in a room while they worked as a sort of proxy accountability partner. His only compensation was reimbursement for travel expenses and the price of whatever food they shared. Morimoto repeatedly expresses a philosophical belief that all human beings are valuable regardless of how productive they are, and his primary goal seems to get though his life by doing and producing as little as possible.

Perhaps it is my existence in a capitalist culture or my own hard-scrabble work ethic at play, but I found his disinterest in the clients with whom he worked\u2014preferring their interactions to be silent in a somewhat antiseptic manner\u2014to be cold and infuriating. There is much to learn from one another, and he seemed poised to do that better than most, but elected, instead, to simply be a Rental Person Who Does Nothing.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "26-Apr-2024", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 21:30:35", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013394011", "title": "A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent", "author": "Christine Valters Paintner, Kreg Yingst", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Gretchen Wagner", "word_count": 203, "review": "Beyond merely abstaining from food, there are fasts that can lead to the fulfillment of other, non-physical needs. Fasting from Inattention, Anxiety, Rushing, or even Certainty can open space to Embrace Presence, Trust, Tenderness, or Mystery.

\nThe book offers a fast for each of the six weeks, marked by a specific spiritual practice for each day. Reflections on scripture or sacred art, meditations, walks, teachings, and other rituals lead you to higher and greater spiritual capacity. You are encouraged to interact with each practice through journaling or art as you ponder the spiritual messages and guidance that will open to you. As the weeks and fasts progress, you will find more and more of what is unnecessary and distracting falling away, leaving you ever more awake and aware of your true self, of your core being, and of your connection with the Divine. This is a process of becoming, and it is profound. The author's words carry a sense of stillness and centering. Everything offered here is given without coercion, as an invitation to find deep growth. Spend time with this book, savor it, and allow the practice time to distill in your soul. Earnest seekers will find treasures beautiful and rich.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "06-May-2024", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 19:35:27", "publisher": "1517 Media", "page_count": "237 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013393027", "title": "Thunder in Yellowstone: A Contemporary Literary Novel", "author": "E. B. Lee", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 448, "review": "Thunder in Yellowstone by E.B. Lee was a delight to read. Told from the perspective of former crime reporter Amber Phillips, the reader is taken on a journey of mystery, love, heartbreak, and betrayal set in the magnificence and beauty of Yellowstone.

After losing the love of her life, Amber has moved cross country from Philadelphia to Montana to work for a new magazine. Fletcher, her news reporter boss, is counting on her to craft a publication that captures the good, the bad, and the ugly about the region. With a dream to help their community grow while retaining its fundamental values, Fletcher believes Amber is the perfect reporter to bring his visions to life. Upon her arrival, she immediately becomes aware of how much she stands out; entering a tight-knit, small town as a newcomer is both intimidating and lonely. Thankfully, she is tucked under the wing of Abby, a diner owner, who gives her the scoop on everyone and everything in town.

On the day of Amber\u2019s arrival, a horrible accident occurred. Per Abby\u2019s report, a tourist was gored by a bison who had broken into local rancher Sam Nelson\u2019s fences. Sam, also present at the scene of the crime, unfortunately, did not make it. The tourist is in extremely rough shape, and there are whispers all over town about how this came to be. Why would a bison gore someone? Why was there a bison even near Sam\u2019s ranchlands? With rumors swirling about insurance monies, financial troubles, and foul play, clearly something is not right about this horrific tragedy.

As previously stated, Amber is a former crime reporter. Although not assigned to this case, she closely follows the sheriff\u2019s and Fletcher\u2019s leads and reports about the investigation. Before long, she finds herself invested in solving this devastation, one that with her stellar skill set just may be able to be solved.

I loved reading Thunder in Yellowstone. With a perfect mix of mystery, fiction, and romance, I think Lee did an excellent job creating a novel to interest a variety of readers. Truly a unique story, I loved that this book had so many interesting facts about Yellowstone, bison, and ranching. Per the afterword, Lee drew from many real events and laws concerning bison and cattle protection. I learned a lot about Montana, environmental laws, and actions Tribal nations have taken to protect the buffalo. This book has a heavy focus on conservation and awareness for Yellowstone, one which I really appreciated. Lee clearly had performed excellent research to capture this topic in depth as she was able. If you are a reader looking for a one-of-a-kind mystery plot, this is the book for you!", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2024", "date_added": "17-Nov-2023 03:08:15", "publisher": "Little Brown Dog Press", "page_count": "620 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013393023", "title": "Bessie", "author": "Cathi Bond", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 97, "review": "\"Cathi Bond weaves a narrative that will tug at your heartstrings as Edward's enduring love for Bessie unfolds amidst the struggles of a bygone era. A novel that celebrates the indomitable spirit of women who held families together in the face of adversity, prepare to be swept away by a fast-paced, beautifully written story that will evoke a myriad of emotions, leaving you cheering, contemplative, and moved to tears. With its compelling characters and gripping plot, Bessie is one book that will keep you enthralled from the first page to the last.\"\u2014Maria Yinks, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "November 2023", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Nov-2023 23:09:58", "publisher": "Montreal Publishing Company", "page_count": "310 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013393015", "title": "Girl Storm: A memoir of chaos, humor, and resilience in the path of profound autism", "author": "Peg Kerswell", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Hannah Stutz", "word_count": 401, "review": "Girl Storm, written by Peg Kerswell, is a biography about a mother\u2019s journey of raising her daughter, Ellie, who has been diagnosed with severe autism. Along the way, Ellie is diagnosed with other medical conditions, such as epilepsy. Kerswell includes many anecdotes to highlight what it is like to be a mother of a child with severe autism. For example, she discusses a time when her doctor\u2019s office would not allow her to cancel her appointment due to a lack of babysitting, which resulted in Kerswell bringing her child to the appointment and knocking over the brochures and magazines in the waiting room.

While one can tell that Kerswell is overworked with the curveballs life throws at her, she uses dark humor to cope through the pain (and exhaustion). The author is authentic and real, as she lets the reader into some of her deepest thoughts regarding being the mom of a young child with severe autism. In one chapter, she describes her blood pressure lowering as she sees Ellie\u2019s respite provider (otherwise known as Kerswell\u2019s savior) arriving at the home, providing Kerswell with a needed break. Kerswell also shows her creativity by adding things such as poems and word searches, which gives the reader moments to pause in between digesting Kerswell\u2019s hardships.

Girl Storm will pull on every heart-string. With every page I turned, I noticed tears forming in my eyes, as the author is able to extract a great sense of empathy for Peg and Ellie\u2019s experience. The reader, if a mother themself, will feel an immense deepness for Peg, as she struggles to understand why her young infant isn\u2019t rolling, sitting, or talking at the appropriate developmental milestones. The anecdotes about Ellie\u2019s conditions and the late night emergencies lead the reader to having a deep sense of heartache for Peg, as motherhood is such a difficult experience, along with all the other experiences.

The reader will also find adoration for Ellie as well, especially in moments where Peg is begging Ellie to use the potty and Ellie\u2019s response is to hit Peg on the side of her head. The character development and storytelling are artistic and brilliant. The book overall is a page turner and a fast read because of how captivated the reader will become, especially as Peg and her husband Jim try to navigate making a difficult decision on how to manage Ellie\u2019s increasing self-harming behaviors.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2024", "date_added": "16-Nov-2023 23:04:40", "publisher": "Middlechild Publishing", "page_count": "282 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013393007", "title": "Thunder in Yellowstone: A Contemporary Literary Novel Kindle Edition", "author": "E. B. Lee", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 434, "review": "Thunder in Yellowstone is a thought-provoking read by author E.B. Lee. Journalist Amber Phillips decides to make some life changes after her fianc\u00e9 Jake and his K-9 companion Olive both pass away while in the line of duty. Leaving her twin sister Eva and her family back in Philadelphia, Amber takes a job working for The Gazette in the small town of Morris, Montana. She knows it will be a culture shock going from big city life to a small rural town of only population 800, but as she integrates into the life of hunters and ranch owners, she finds herself learning more than ever about wildlife, land, and water.

Lee does a thorough job of giving readers a snapshot of the complex political and personal relationships as they pertain to land ownership. Amber's boss, Fletcher, teaches her what to do and what not to do so that she doesn't get shot and Amber has some near misses along the way. When one of the ranch owners gets killed by a bison on his own land and a tourist staying with him gets injured, it seems like foul play. There is a bison disease called brucellosis that is causing cattle owners to be on high alert. This disease could wipe out their whole flock, not to mention, humans can also contract the disease. Amber gets to know the owner of the local diner, Abby, and the wife of the deceased man, Shelly, and these three end up forming a close friendship that develops throughout the story.

The story itself is very intricate and there are a lot of characters in the book. There were times that I forgot who was who when it came to the secondary characters. The author did such a great job of keeping the story moving, however, that this didn't matter. I became so engaged in Amber and her story that I could not wait to see what would happen. The setting of the fictional town Morris, was a beautiful backdrop and the author's descriptions of the wide expanse of land, bubbling streams, blue skies, and fresh air will make readers feel like they are exploring the land with Amber.

Anyone who picks up this book is in store for a great history and science lesson. From the history of Montana's cattle communities and the laws that pertain to them to the different shapes, sizes, and colors of bacteria found in water, this book has details like no other. With its wonderful character development, beautiful scenery, and fantastic attention to detail, Thunder in Yellowstone will have its readers mesmerized and asking for more.", "issue": "December 2023", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2024", "date_added": "16-Nov-2023 22:59:14", "publisher": "Little Brown Dog Press", "page_count": "620 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013390003", "title": "Workitu's Passover", "author": "Ben Hagai, Zahava Goshen, Eden Spivak", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 203, "review": "Workitu\u2019s mother and sister wonder why she\u2019s not up at dawn preparing for the coming celebration. Her sister, Almaz, discovers she\u2019s on her bed sulking, dreading what\u2019s customary of this time of year. The Passover is near, and today she and her family will break their dishes, then grind them into soft, powdery material. Workitu mourns the thought of losing her favorite cup to this tradition. She holds it close and sips from it one last time. When she arrives at her Auntie Balainesh\u2019s hut, she drops her cup and runs. With trepidation, she joins her aunt in crafting beautiful treasures from the remains of the old.

This heartfelt book takes place in Ethiopia. It\u2019s both culturally and religiously rich. Additionally, it offers children a new perspective on letting go of the old, so they can welcome the new. Change is hard and often especially for youth. Whether a soft, handmade blanket or a hard-earned first place ribbon, things are sacred and held close to the heart. The lesson is, perhaps, that attachment is normal as is letting go of things past. The illustrations throughout this meaningful story perfectly complement the text and are full of emotional appeal that young ones will favor.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "18-Mar-2024", "date_added": "15-Nov-2023 19:34:15", "publisher": "Green Bean Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013588007", "title": "Nature: Why We Need to Care for Our Planet (The WHY Files)", "author": "Joli Hannah, Amelia Herbertson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 11; Julianne - age 8", "word_count": 178, "review": "Nature: Why We Need to Care for Our Planet by Joli Hannah and illustrated Amelia Herbertson offers a good overall view of current climate issues. It\u2019s a great book for kids who don\u2019t know about what is going on with climate change and what it\u2019s impacting.

This book is a bit graphic for readers who are already sensitive to climate issues and ecological problems, without offering enough solutions for what the average kid can do. It looked so much like real Earth that it disturbed us. We would have liked to see more ways to help the planet and make change, aside from getting outside and drinking more water, or not throwing away clothes.

We would definitely ten thousand percent recommend this book because it opens up what\u2019s happening in the world. In the beginning of the book Jane and her calling out for help mentally is kind of what Mother Earth is doing right now. But if we can care for the earth the way Jane cares for her body and mind, we can make things better.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2024", "date_added": "30-Dec-2023 02:19:31", "publisher": "Albatross Media", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013587003", "title": "The Only Lonely Fairy", "author": "Lana Button, Peggy Collins", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 142, "review": "The Only Lonely Fairy is the story of a little girl named Leah who only wants a friend to be fairies with when she dresses up! Leah assumes she is the only fairy among all her classmates and lets them know how she feels about that. Not until she takes a break from complaining does she meet and notice Allie, who wants to join her in playing fairies. The two have a fun and creative time together and find it's not difficult to get playmates when you act positively.

I learned from The Only Lonely Fairy that it's important to recognize how your actions affect others and how they interpret them because they might be different than you intend. I also learned that it's important to include others in what you do because you don't know if they would be complaining otherwise.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2024", "date_added": "30-Dec-2023 00:53:13", "publisher": "Pajama Press Inc.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013585007", "title": "Science FACTopia!: Follow the trail of 400 STEM-tastic facts (FACTopia!, 6)", "author": "Rose Davidson, Andy Smith", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 9", "word_count": 173, "review": "Science FACTopia! has so many facts that it's hard to name only a few and not all of them! Some categories include video games, space, animals, fossils, and ancient Egypt. Like the other FACTopia! books, each fact has something in common with the one after it, leading the facts through a long chain or line. Some of my favorite facts include how scientists determine if a rock is a fossil or rock, how peanut butter can be made into diamonds, and how people who play video games can better control their dreams!

The facts in Science FACTopia! are easy to read and understand; each one is short and fun. I have enjoyed each FACTopia! books I've read because the facts are ones that kids will find interesting and remember for a long time. There are so many categories that even if someone wasn't interested in a couple of them, there are still plenty more! Kids who can understand basic things up to adults will enjoy this book and feel smarter after reading it.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2024", "date_added": "30-Dec-2023 00:39:39", "publisher": "What on Earth Publishing", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013585003", "title": "Looking for the Eid Moon", "author": "Sahtinay Abaza, Sandra Eide", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 131, "review": "Did you know that some religions base their celebrations on a Lunar schedule vs. a calendar date, and that there is a moon watch committee? When two young girls are on the moon watch committee, they are disappointed to find out they were not the first to find it. However, now celebrations and traditions can begin.

This was a very informative book. I did not know what an Eid Moon was. I really enjoyed learning about another culture and their traditions. I especially found the information in the back of the moon helpful to learn more about Muslins and their two celebrations of Eid. The pictures were very detailed and colored with a calming shades of blue, exactly what I would expect when looking to the sky to watch the moon.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2024", "date_added": "29-Dec-2023 22:29:14", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013584023", "title": "A Killing on the Hill: A Thriller", "author": "Robert Dugoni", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Ruta Arellano", "word_count": 197, "review": "Author Robert Dugoni has written twenty-three novels and one nonfiction book. A Killing on the Hill is his first historical fiction novel. Rest assured he writes what he knows best, so this is obviously a crime novel. Dugoni lives in Seattle, Washington, so his locations in the city are accurate, and he paints a richly layered description of Seattle in 1933 during the Great Depression.

William Schumacher is the narrator of his chilling adventure as a young reporter for a Seattle afternoon newspaper. Shoe, as he\u2019s known, has his first big crime story. He migrated from Kansas looking for work. As the saga unfolds, part one is not an in-your-face shocker. Shoe introduces the most important people in his life, Amara Giovacchini, whose father owns a bakery; his boss, Howard Phishbaum, Phish for sort; and Chief Detective Ernie Blunt of the Seattle PD.

Halfway into Shoe\u2019s narrative, the tale picks up momentum. The number of characters expands as he digs deeply for the truth. There are gangsters, cops on the take, and rival newspaper reporters, all of whom have slightly different views of how the killing took place. This historic novel from Dugoni is worth the read.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "11-Apr-2024", "date_added": "30-Dec-2023 02:46:22", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "366 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013584007", "title": "Finding the Way to Faraway Valley", "author": "Cecilia Heikkila", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 179, "review": "Little bear is curious about the postcard that\u2019s been on Grandpa\u2019s refrigerator for what seems like an eternity. It features a mystical place Grandpa calls \u201cFaraway Valley.\u201d The two of them imagine what it must be like and spend countless hours preparing for a journey north. Then, one day, they finally set out for this magical land. They experience obstacles along the way but are relentless in their quest. Just when they think Faraway Valley must have vanished years ago, they find the life and beauty for which they have so desperately searched.

Finding the Way to Faraway Valley is a book about wonder, persistence, and preservation. Grandpa and little bear are central to the story, but their innocent determination and deep longing to care for nature and all it entails are at the core of it as well. Their example is a positive one for children, especially those ages five to eight. The detailed illustrations will captivate young minds. Little ones are sure to discover novel things within the brightly hued pages with each new and exciting read.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2024", "date_added": "29-Dec-2023 22:33:28", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013581007", "title": "Sweet Valley Twins: Choosing Sides: (A Graphic Novel)", "author": "Francine Pascal, Claudia Aguirre, Nicole Andelfinger", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 10", "word_count": 150, "review": "Meet Elizabeth and Jessica; they\u2019re twins on the outside, but they\u2019re very different on the inside. Elizabeth is sweet and kind, and Jessica is very popular. Elizabeth\u2019s friend, Amy, wants to try out for the cheer squad. However, Jessica and her friends are trying to keep Amy off the squad because they don\u2019t think she\u2019s good enough for it! Can Elizabeth convince Jessica to give Amy a shot?

I liked the way the book was paced, and I thought it was a good book. I liked the art and thought it was very finished and clean. The story was good and pretty simple and straightforward, in my opinion. My favorite character was Amy because she was super confident and NEVER gave up no matter how much people tried to tell her that she wasn\u2019t good enough. I recommend this book to people who like books about cheerleading and, specifically, twins.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2024", "date_added": "29-Dec-2023 21:37:51", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013579019", "title": "The Emperor and the Endless Palace", "author": "Justinian Huang", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 528, "review": "Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner\nReturn to the enchanting world of Godkiller in this thrilling sequel to the internationally bestselling fantasy debut. Join professional godkiller Kissen and her companions, the young noble Inara and the knight Elogast, on a winding adventure through lands filled with gods and demons. As they delve deeper into the mysteries of their world, they encounter magic, beauty, and danger at every turn. From noble halls to treacherous landscapes, their journey is fraught with peril, testing their resolve and strengthening their bonds. With twists and turns aplenty, this gripping sequel promises an unforgettable exploration of courage, friendship, and destiny. \n\nThe Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang\n\"The Emperor and the Endless Palace\" weaves together the lives of two men across disparate timelines, from ancient palaces to present-day Los Angeles. Bound by an undying love, they face challenges ranging from political intrigue to supernatural terror. As they are reborn lifetime after lifetime, their connection persists, defying the constraints of time. This genre-bending romantasy debut challenges conventional notions of love, offering a thrilling roller coaster ride of twists and turns. Prepare to be swept away by a tale that transcends boundaries and explores the power of love in all its forms.\n\nHouse of Open Wounds by Adrian Tchaikovsky\nIn a world consumed by the pursuit of Perfection and Correctness, the Palleseen wage war city-by-city and kingdom-by-kingdom. Amidst the chaos, Yasnic, a former priest turned healer, finds himself in an unconventional medical unit led by 'the Butcher'. Tasked with saving lives deemed beyond hope, they employ forbidden methods, including unapproved magic and illicit Gods. But as enemies close in, their existence becomes increasingly precarious, threatened by discovery and dissolution. In this gripping tale of survival amidst horror, the unlikely band of healers must navigate treacherous waters, where even a hint of a miracle could spell their undoing.\n\nThe Mars House by Natasha Pulley\nIn this gripping sci-fi novel by the author of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, January, a former ballet principal turned refugee on Mars, faces discrimination as an Earthstronger. When xenophobic politician Aubrey Gale proposes a fake marriage to save their reputations and planet, January reluctantly agrees. But as their relationship deepens, January uncovers Gale's hidden agendas and becomes entangled in dangerous political schemes. Now, January must navigate a treacherous landscape to protect Tharsis from a destructive enemy, even if it means sacrificing everything. Get ready for a thrilling tale of love, survival, and intrigue set against the backdrop of a terraformed colony on Mars.\n\nEmpire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff\nFrom the bestselling author of the Nevernight Chronicle comes the eagerly awaited sequel to the international hit, \"Empire of the Vampire.\" Gabriel de Le\u00f3n, having saved the Holy Grail, now seeks to end the eternal night shrouding the world. Teaming up with a mysterious vampire, Gabriel must navigate perilous terrain, facing enemies both external and internal. Pursued by terrifying foes and haunted by his own bloodlust, he embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the Grail's power. But as secrets unravel, Gabriel confronts a reality more chilling than he ever imagined. Prepare for a thrilling tale of sacrifice and revelation.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Dec-2023 02:34:44", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000013579011", "title": "Some Days Are Yellow", "author": "Suzanne Slade, Michelle Lee", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 185, "review": "We all have good days and bad days. Some of our days are easy and breezy, while others are stormy and hard. This is true for little children as well as the rest of us. This sweet book, written in perfect rhyming couplets, explores a lot of different kinds of days and how they make people of all sizes feel. It\u2019s hard to be mad or sad on a bright, sunshiny day, but other days, when things don\u2019t seem to go the way we want them to, those days seem dark and difficult. But there are ideas that can give anyone comfort and hope, to help them get through those difficult times.

Suzanne Slade has written a perfectly charming book that will help youngsters navigate the vicissitudes of life and understand that there are fresh starts along the way. The sweet illustrations by Michelle Lee, all in soft colors and filled with lovely details, both support and complete the text. The enchanting rhymes and delightful illustrations will keep young listeners completely engaged with the reading and the message. This one is not to be missed.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "09-Feb-2024", "date_added": "29-Dec-2023 22:13:21", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013578011", "title": "Imagine You and Me", "author": "Benson Shum", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 10", "word_count": 169, "review": "Meet Randall and Parker. They are best friends and do everything together. However, Randall meets a pack of bears, and they quickly become friends with him. But the other bears can\u2019t see Parker because she is Randall\u2019s imaginary friend. And the more Randall plays with the other bears, the less he can see Parker!

I really liked this book because it was everything you\u2019d want from a book. It was very creative, and the story was inspiring, sweet, and touching. The art was one of my favorite parts of this book, though, because it was so cute and fun, and the colors were bright and cheerful. I especially loved the colorful backgrounds and the cute expressions the characters made.

I loved Randall and Parker\u2019s matching red glasses because I thought they were SO CUTE! My favorite character was Parker because she always encouraged Randall and pushed him out of his comfort zone. I recommend this book to people who like cute stories about imaginary friends or just good friendships.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2024", "date_added": "30-Dec-2023 00:44:20", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013577007", "title": "French Cooking Academy: 100 Essential Recipes for the Home Cook", "author": "Stephane Nguyen, Kate Blenkiron", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Stephane Nguyen moved from his native France to America and after a while discovered he missed real French food. He did a lot of research and taught himself how to create authentic French cuisine. He and his wife started the French Cooking Academy online cooking school to share their expertise. They have gathered one hundred recipes they consider essential for those wanting to create authentic French dishes at home.

They start with two pages of tips, followed by French Staples with recipes for stocks, dressings, and sauces needed for the recipes in the rest of the book. Sections include Small Bites for All Occasions; Timeless Salads, Soups, and Appetizers; Mouthwatering Meats and Poultry; Dishes from the Sea; Classic and Regional Sides; and Treats, Tarts, and Desserts to Please Everyone. Each recipe has an introductory paragraph, a good ingredients list, thorough instructions, and a gorgeous colored photograph of the finished product.

This is written for an American audience and the ingredients are those one can find at a local supermarket. The writing is conversational and friendly, making the process not at all intimidating. Don\u2019t miss the Slow-Cooked Beef in Dark Belgian Beer or the Potato Gratin with Mushrooms.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2024", "date_added": "30-Dec-2023 01:16:50", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013576011", "title": "How Cats Say I Love You / C\u00f3mo los gatos dicen te quiero", "author": "Guy Brown, Davide Ortu", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 135, "review": "Cats are finicky animals. This book is perfect for cat lovers and learning all about your feline friend. How Cats Say I Love You is a cool book, not only because it is a bilingual book but because it is full of information and fun to read. Like most animals, cats talk with their bodies, and various meows, since they don't have actual words. This book helps you to know how cats will hold their tails and ears when they are feeling playful, mad, or curious.

The illustrations in this book are fun. What I like most is how each page features a different type of cat and its owner. This is a great book for readers who are new to cat ownership or maybe someone who just wants to learn more about their cat.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "07-Mar-2024", "date_added": "30-Dec-2023 02:30:12", "publisher": "Platypus Media", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013576007", "title": "The Bumblebee Garden", "author": "Dawn Casey, Stella Lim", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Ben is in the garden with his grandfather. The year is coming to an end, winter is on its way, and a fat bumblebee is buzzing by. When Ben wonders where it is going, Grandpa tells him the queen bumblebee will find a nest in the ground. There, in the spring, Ben learns, she will lay her eggs and feed her larva pollen from flowers. As bees collect pollen, they also spread pollen from one plant to another, allowing the flowers to turn to fruit, feeding us. The larva, after being fed, spin cocoons, where they will, over time, become bees. Ben wants to know if they can do something to help the bumblebees since they help to feed people. Grandpa is happy to show Ben the way.

Dawn Casey (author) and Stella Lim (illustrator) have created a beautiful picture book to help young readers understand the importance of bees to all of us in creating fresh produce for people to eat, and to show children how simple it is for them to support helpful insects as they pollinate plants that bring us food. The text is conversational and easy to understand. The illustrations beautifully support the text.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "16-Mar-2024", "date_added": "30-Dec-2023 00:24:27", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013575011", "title": "Degas & Cassatt: A Solitary Dance", "author": "Salva Rubio", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 209, "review": "Collaborations among avant-garde artists have always captured the imagination of art enthusiasts and scholars. Such partnerships have inspired creativity and innovation in style, perspective, and materials. Salva Rubio and artist Efa focuses on the decades-long friendship between Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt, icons of the Impressionist movement. Degas, an artist who strongly critiqued the art establishment in Paris, has often held unorthodox views. Only a handful of his contemporaries could stand to be around him.

Arrogant and self-assured, it is a wonder that he fancied Cassatt, an American artist, who shared similar aesthetic sensibilities. Degas & Cassatt: A Solitary Dance details the precarious partnership between the two artists, who pursued their own visions while also colluding on shared aspirations to change the status quo in the 19th-century Parisian bourgeoisie.

While the friendship between the two artists has been documented in books and even featured in museum exhibitions, Rubio and Efa bring it to light in graphic novel format. Efa simulates the unique brush strokes of the famed artists in each frame, capturing the essence of Degas\u2019 creative approach. Readers will come away with a refreshed understanding of how Degas and Cassatt led a group of iconoclasts who dreamed of novel ways to invite people from different backgrounds to engage in art.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "06-Mar-2024", "date_added": "30-Dec-2023 01:01:21", "publisher": "NBM Publishing", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013570015", "title": "T'ai Chi Classics: Illuminating the Ancient Teachings on the Art of Moving Meditation (Shambhala Classics)", "author": "Waysun Liao", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 188, "review": "T\u2019ai Chi Classics is a wonderful place to start if you have never tried T\u2019ai Chi but have always wanted to. The book explains a lot about the history of martial arts, especially that of T\u2019ai Chi and integrates the basic facts about the practice. Even if you\u2019re not new to T\u2019ai Chi, this book is great for referencing different forms and techniques. I enjoyed reading about how to be mindful with ones energy and how to shift energy without making a single, physical movement. The book includes some simple illustrations of each form which is helpful when trying to figure out what each one looks like.

As someone who has dabbled in Qi Gong and T\u2019ai Chi, I can appreciate the simple explanations about how to cultivate ch\u2019i, how to turn it into jing, and how to shoong, or relax. While reading this book, I tried several of the exercises and found that the more I did them, the more I could feel my energy in different parts of my body. This ancient practice is wonderful for all ages and I would recommend this book to everyone.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "09-Feb-2024", "date_added": "28-Dec-2023 01:41:48", "publisher": "Shambhala", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013570003", "title": "The Weekend Retreat: A Novel", "author": "Tara Laskowski", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 186, "review": "The Van Ness siblings have gathered for The Weekend Retreat, their annual celebration of Harper and Richard\u2019s birthday, hosted at their winery estate. They\u2019ve both brought their spouses and their younger brother Zach has brought his latest girlfriend, Lauren. The party is set to be huge, that is, until a storm starts brewing and it looks like the roads will be flooded. Guests start cancelling, except for one, who\u2019s been there the whole time and is going to make sure every Van Ness secret comes out this weekend.

Here you have a classic tale of super-rich people full of secrets and backstabbing at a secluded location, which becomes even more so with a storm cutting off all communication or help. While it\u2019s been done, it\u2019s still an entertaining read even though most of the characters are pretty unlikeable. I enjoy it when writers add news excerpts telling you from the beginning that people will die. It makes it interesting trying to figure out which ones it will be, especially when they are all kind of jerks. If you enjoy murder mysteries, then I recommend this book.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "02-Feb-2024", "date_added": "28-Dec-2023 00:01:15", "publisher": "Graydon House Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013566003", "title": "The Star and the Strange Moon", "author": "Constance Sayers", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 215, "review": "No one knows the name Gemma Turnner, even though her disappearance is one of the greatest mysteries in the film world. One moment she was there, the next she was gone. The only thing strangers is how no one wants to talk about her or the movie she was in the middle of filming.

Christopher Kent has been haunted by Gemma since he was a boy, her photo being the thing that set his mother into a spiral. He's on the search for the truth and risks losing himself along the way.

A fantasy mystery on the verge of horror, The Star and the Strange Moon had a fantastic start, a fantastic middle, and a disappointing end. Not to say it was horrible, it just wasn't what I was expecting and was disappointed with the romance between Gemma and Christopher. He's been obsessed with her for years; he's her rescuer, yet it felt forced and boring.

I didn't particularly like Christopher, he had a one track mind and can't see the people around him. Gemma was better; a strong, stubborn, heroine that didn't need rescuing. Of course, until a handsome man shows up.

I did enjoy this book, though, it's fast paced and I finished it in a few sittings. There's heavy language scattered throughout.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2024", "date_added": "27-Dec-2023 23:00:25", "publisher": "Orbit", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013564015", "title": "Wild: Tales From Early Medieval Britain", "author": "Amy Jeffs", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 204, "review": "Wild: Tales from Early Medieval Britain by Amy Jeffs is a full body experience.

It\u2019s the type of book that you hold in your hands and can\u2019t wait to find a place for on your nightstand. It\u2019s visually enthralling, the detailed woodcuts on the cover and copper highlights drawing you in. Then you open the book, trace the original woodcuts with your finger, and begin to read. Jeffs\u2019 atmospheric and lyrical prose brings the voices of earlier centuries alive. From a woman trapped inside a burial mound to medieval dreams of paradise, each of the stories and the accompanying explanation is a singular gem that, when put together, become a treasure hoard of words and images. In addition (for the true medieval geeks reading), the original Saxon poems and translations are pure joy, with lines that feel remarkably prescient about our own times and haunt long after reading.

\u201cGone are the days / when nations made sense; / gone are the kings and the emperors, / the gold-givers of yesteryear [\u2026] / the consensus collapsed, / now only the craven carry on.\u201d

This is one of the few books that I\u2019ll be exploring in audio also, since the audiobook uses songs in place of the woodcuts.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "14-Feb-2024", "date_added": "28-Dec-2023 18:33:50", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013564003", "title": "House of Open Wounds", "author": "Adrian Tchaikovsky", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 528, "review": "Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner\nReturn to the enchanting world of Godkiller in this thrilling sequel to the internationally bestselling fantasy debut. Join professional godkiller Kissen and her companions, the young noble Inara and the knight Elogast, on a winding adventure through lands filled with gods and demons. As they delve deeper into the mysteries of their world, they encounter magic, beauty, and danger at every turn. From noble halls to treacherous landscapes, their journey is fraught with peril, testing their resolve and strengthening their bonds. With twists and turns aplenty, this gripping sequel promises an unforgettable exploration of courage, friendship, and destiny. \n\nThe Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang\n\"The Emperor and the Endless Palace\" weaves together the lives of two men across disparate timelines, from ancient palaces to present-day Los Angeles. Bound by an undying love, they face challenges ranging from political intrigue to supernatural terror. As they are reborn lifetime after lifetime, their connection persists, defying the constraints of time. This genre-bending romantasy debut challenges conventional notions of love, offering a thrilling roller coaster ride of twists and turns. Prepare to be swept away by a tale that transcends boundaries and explores the power of love in all its forms.\n\nHouse of Open Wounds by Adrian Tchaikovsky\nIn a world consumed by the pursuit of Perfection and Correctness, the Palleseen wage war city-by-city and kingdom-by-kingdom. Amidst the chaos, Yasnic, a former priest turned healer, finds himself in an unconventional medical unit led by 'the Butcher'. Tasked with saving lives deemed beyond hope, they employ forbidden methods, including unapproved magic and illicit Gods. But as enemies close in, their existence becomes increasingly precarious, threatened by discovery and dissolution. In this gripping tale of survival amidst horror, the unlikely band of healers must navigate treacherous waters, where even a hint of a miracle could spell their undoing.\n\nThe Mars House by Natasha Pulley\nIn this gripping sci-fi novel by the author of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, January, a former ballet principal turned refugee on Mars, faces discrimination as an Earthstronger. When xenophobic politician Aubrey Gale proposes a fake marriage to save their reputations and planet, January reluctantly agrees. But as their relationship deepens, January uncovers Gale's hidden agendas and becomes entangled in dangerous political schemes. Now, January must navigate a treacherous landscape to protect Tharsis from a destructive enemy, even if it means sacrificing everything. Get ready for a thrilling tale of love, survival, and intrigue set against the backdrop of a terraformed colony on Mars.\n\nEmpire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff\nFrom the bestselling author of the Nevernight Chronicle comes the eagerly awaited sequel to the international hit, \"Empire of the Vampire.\" Gabriel de Le\u00f3n, having saved the Holy Grail, now seeks to end the eternal night shrouding the world. Teaming up with a mysterious vampire, Gabriel must navigate perilous terrain, facing enemies both external and internal. Pursued by terrifying foes and haunted by his own bloodlust, he embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the Grail's power. But as secrets unravel, Gabriel confronts a reality more chilling than he ever imagined. Prepare for a thrilling tale of sacrifice and revelation.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Dec-2023 22:55:28", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "608 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000013561015", "title": "The Friendship Club: A Novel", "author": "Robyn Carr", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 186, "review": "The Friendship Club is a sweet story about a group of women and is centered around main character, Marnie, who has her own successful cooking show on tv. The story takes place in Reno, Nevada and the group consists of Marnie, her production assistant Ellen, her intern Sophia, a woman named Nettie, and her very pregnant daughter Bella. The lives of these women intersect everyday and both Marnie and Ellen who are a little older both end up finding that life in their later years can still be good, albeit different.

This book was well-written, although the women were a little annoying with the exception of Marnie who was very strong and the leader of the group. Ellen is vey wishy washy, Bella is all hormones, and Sophia makes a really stupid decision which gets her into trouble that she runs away from. I think Sophia is the worst character because her actions affect everyone in the story, especially her adoptive father, Sam, who is probably my second favorite character aside from Marnie.

Overall, this book is a very good ready about friendship, helping others, and generational differences.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2024", "date_added": "28-Dec-2023 18:44:19", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013561003", "title": "Attacked!: Pearl Harbor and the Day War Came to America", "author": "Marc Favreau", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 11", "word_count": 179, "review": "Attacked! Pearl Harbor and the Day War Came to America by Marc Favreau is the true story behind December 7, 1941 (December 8 in Japan, because of the International Dateline). This book explores the points of view of different people who experienced the Pearl Harbor attack and lived through it. It goes in order of what happened at Pearl Harbor and follows the different character\u2019s points of view as the attack happens, and in the aftermath.

I enjoyed this book because I love history. My great-grandma was a Marine in WWII and remembered Pearl Harbor! It was really incredible to read about a time that she remembered. These were just ordinary people who history happened to, and I like books like that a lot because it makes history more real. Our world is always changing and understanding history is important because it helps us decide what to do when big, tragic events like Pearl Harbor happen. I\u2019m glad Marc Favreau wrote this book, so that kids like me, who love history, can learn more about important events like Pearl Harbor.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "13-Feb-2024", "date_added": "27-Dec-2023 22:46:40", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013560011", "title": "The Missing Witness: A Quinn & Costa Novel (A Quinn & Costa Thriller, 5)", "author": "Allison Brennan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 180, "review": "The Missing Witness is the fifth book in the Quinn & Costa Novel series by Allison Brennan. Detective Kara Quinn is \"on loan\" to the FBI after a mission went wrong. Working closely with FBI Agent Matt Costa, she develops a sexual relationship with him but learns to keep him at arm's length because she doesn't know \"how to love.\" When the human trafficker she is about to testify against gets killed, Kara knows there is something sinister going on.

Told from the viewpoints of both Kara and the woman who witnessed the murder, the reader is introduced to a situation where not everyone is playing fair.

Although I enjoyed the plot of this book, I felt like most of it dragged on and there was a lot of over-explaining of parts. I loved the part where Kara and the witness had to flee where they were to keep the witness safe because it was exciting, but a lot of the book was introducing new character after character which just became confusing. This was not my favorite book by Brennan by far.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "02-Feb-2024", "date_added": "28-Dec-2023 01:45:06", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000013558063", "title": "Adventures in the Biostate", "author": "Andy Lazris", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 432, "review": "Andy Lazris's Adventures in the Biostate weaves a grand tale about a world where the people are ruled by extremists and health freaks. They claim they've created a society where people are living long and happy lives, crime and terrorism are almost nonexistent, and even diseases that kill people are no more. Marissa finds out she is deemed a threat to society and has no idea who reported her for her little slip-up. Could it be her doctor or ex-husband? Regardless, Marissa decides she won't go down without a fight. What does the future hold for our rebel protagonist? Join Marissa and other rebels in Adventures in the Biostate as secrets unravel and political battles wage on in a false utopian world.

The book's worldbuilding is in class on its own. I am still astounded by how real events are merged expertly with fictional ones, such as the mask controversy during COVID-19 and fictional characters who find wearing masks unnecessary. The book's democrat and liberal groups both have dangerous extremists who exploit the sophisticated system of the government despicably. A group called The Four Bs\u2014representing beer, bowling, butts, and badass\u2014go as far as taking out those who don't wear masks.

Though the story is told from multiple perspectives, it never veers too far off from a familiar point and the core themes of the narrative. I enjoyed the seamless blend of various intriguing themes, including dystopia, dance, discrimination, politics, education, health, science, romance, smoking, and more. The book offers several thought-provoking ideas, like smoking freely and trusting the healthcare system to keep you healthy. This concept calls attention to the irony of accepting unhealthy habits and trusting big pharma and a questionable health system instead of choosing healthier practices.

From the intricate backstories to the contrasting and unique personalities, the book hooks you with an interesting group of characters. Whether it's the female president who mysteriously disappears, Mic Medicine who is the world's most famous scientist and talks about the wonders of the biostate, or Ted who detested the liberal elites but later becomes the state's greatest executioner, each character adds intrigue and richness to the story.

Adventures in the Biostate is not only an engrossing fiction that's hard to put down for even a second, it's also a greatly insightful book that serves as a warning on the grim reality of a future of relying completely on modern systems as opposed to embracing natural, healthy living or asking important questions. Like Nineteen Eighty-Four and The Catcher in the Rye, there's a lot of truth hidden in Andy's book. It's a must-read!", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Dec-2023 04:12:10", "publisher": "independent, kdp", "page_count": "257 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013558055", "title": "Heavenly Empress: The Age of Wu Zetian: A Novel of Tang and Wu Zhou China", "author": "Victor Cunrui Xiong", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 409, "review": "The Empress Wu Zetian is a fascinating figure. I\u2019ve thought so ever since I saw a segment of a video about her in a series on Imperial China. She was cunning and ruthless, and she was able to use both manipulation and sheer power to become not only the empress but the empress regnant, ruling over China in her own name until her death due to old age. I was sure that any novel about her would be truly fascinating.

Heavenly Empress was not quite the novel I was looking for. At times it didn\u2019t seem like a novel at all but like a textbook. Each chapter has multiple endnotes to help explain various cultural and linguistic aspects, which might otherwise be lost on readers unfamiliar with the setting. They can be easy to overlook, however, which led to some confusion on my part as I read.

That wasn\u2019t the only thing which made the book difficult to read. Characters were often brought in with little to no explanation of who they were, and little to make them memorable beyond a brief statement of their significance in the grander story. Because Wu Zetian\u2019s life was so long and contained so much, there are a host of these characters, and it was difficult to tell which ones deserved to be remembered later on and which could be set aside when their time was done.

Even following Wu Zetian herself could be difficult at times. Zetian was not her given name for her whole life, and for much of the book she is referred to instead by the title Tianhou. Other names and nicknames are given to her so quickly that it can be difficult to remember which names are hers and which belong to another woman.

I also felt the book lacked focus. As I said before, a great deal happened during Wu Zetian\u2019s reign. To cover all of it with enough depth and characterization to make it memorable would likely take more than the five hundred pages in this book. Xiong is ambitious enough to attempt it, though, and leaps from the Imperial Palace and the center of power to various uprisings. At times, the uprisings are given only short segments in each chapter, making it even more difficult to keep track of them.

Heavenly Empress takes on an ambitious project, but in the end, I think most readers would be better suited by turning to an actual textbook.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "22-Dec-2023 03:51:23", "publisher": "Ainosco", "page_count": "561 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000013558047", "title": "Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates", "author": "T. E. Antonino", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 401, "review": "Sparky is a girl with a big imagination. She loves hanging around the shallow end of the pool, even though she can\u2019t swim and doesn\u2019t like getting her feet wet. One day, three wacky pirates emerge from the drain and they soon befriend Sparky. Both Sparky and the pirates learn from each other, like how the pirates show Sparky how to become a real pirate, and she teaches them some proper manners. After meeting them, Sparky finally thinks of the perfect story. Sparky\u2019s story features her and the three pirates: Bobble, Gobble, and Wobble. The story is full of silly encounters, budding friendships, and loads of fun! Sparky is sure her story is true, but her classmates aren\u2019t convinced.

Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates is perfect for fans of Dory Fantasmagory. This book was a very charming and fun read. Sparky is a very creative and clever girl, making her a very fun and relatable character to root for. I like the contrast between Sparky\u2019s smart personality versus the silly and carefree pirates, so it was hilarious when their dynamics clashed. I appreciate how all the characters are well thought out. I would\u2019ve really enjoyed this book if it was available when I was a young child. Even though the author wrote an epilogue, I still hope the author will consider writing a sequel because I would love more adventures from Sparky.

The illustrations have a very cute and cartoony vibe, and it suits the book\u2019s theme perfectly. The cover artwork is so playful and fun. It almost looks like a little whirlwind is surrounding Sparky. The detail in each character is amazing, but I like the illustrations of the pirates the best. Each pirate has a unique feature and has a slightly different outfit design. I really appreciate the illustrations in the book because it allows the reader to visualize all the characters and their zany facial expressions. I only wish there were more illustrations.

Kids will surely love reading about Sparky and the pirates on their adventures. I think young readers will enjoy reading this book because not only does it provide lots of pirate fun, it also shows them that they should believe in themselves. I recommend this book to all young pirate enthusiasts, and if you have an imaginary friend or if your child is imaginative like Sparky, this book will be right up your alley!", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "07-Mar-2024", "date_added": "22-Dec-2023 03:42:13", "publisher": "T. E. Antonino", "page_count": "102 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013558043", "title": "Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates", "author": "T. E. Antonino", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 413, "review": "Sparky, a cheeky fourth grader with a looming homework deadline, is racking her brain for inspiration. She paces the shallow end of her local public pool with red rubber boots on (to keep her feet dry) and her pet turtle in her pocket (to teach her how to swim). The homework assignment: Write a story to read in front of the class. The due date: Tomorrow. Her mother offers plenty of suggestions, but Sparky declares them all dead ends.

The child at last finds inspiration when three totally real pirates \u2014 Gobble, Bobble, and Captain Wobble \u2014 emerge from the pool drain and offer to teach Sparky how to be a pirate if she teaches them how to be nice. It's an offer she can't refuse, and as a bonus, she can use the experience as fuel for her story. Forget everything you might know about 18th century pirates \u2014 the crew of this pool-drain-sailing ship has more in common with the Lost Boys of Neverland. They play all night and sleep all day, and they avoid land for too long for fear of the dreaded \u201clandlubber fever.\u201d

Sparky prepares her nicest outfit for pirate life (cutting her favorite pants off at the knees and writing \u201cPIRATE\u201d across her nicest silk shirt, now dotted with scissor-cut holes) and then takes off with her new crew. Down the drain they go, here, there, everywhere, and even \"Elsewhere,\" on a fun-filled adventure that bears a striking resemblance to the story ideas offered by Sparky's mother.

The tale is narrated by Sparky herself as she reads it aloud to her class, with plenty of interruptions from her fellow students. Classmate Billy insists her story can't be true, not even a little. Bucky doesn't believe in pirates. Others can't be sure but insist Sparky continue so they can find out what happens next. Sparky fields these interruptions with grace and proudly continues with her story that deals with patience, sharing, conflict, anxieties, and even minor sensory issues.

Captain Sparky and the Pool Pirates is delightfully odd, providing a bizarre-but-satisfying mixture of Winsor McCay\u2019s Little Nemo and Barbara Park\u2019s Junie B. Jones series. Author T.E. Antonio's charming prose and easy-to-digest story should appeal to a wider audience than the book\u2019s early-reader presentation might suggest. It\u2019s weird, it\u2019s funny, and it\u2019s cute, sure to put a smile on any young reader\u2019s face \u2014 and, as I can personally attest, the face of any parent reading it to their kids.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "25-Mar-2024", "date_added": "22-Dec-2023 03:42:04", "publisher": "T. E. Antonino", "page_count": "102 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013558039", "title": "A Flash In Time", "author": "John N Frye", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 398, "review": "Strange things are happening in New Mexico.

It begins with a scientific experiment, an antenna meant to facilitate communication using the Earth itself as a transmitter. However, when it is activated, parts of the Earth itself begin to disappear, including the people on it. Body parts are found at the edges of the vanished areas, sliced cleanly off the bodies which are\u2026 where? No one can say. The police and the scientists who created the antenna must work together to stop this before it goes too far.

Meanwhile, the people who vanished are caught up in their own horror and must find their own way to survive.

It\u2019s a compelling concept, but the execution falls short. The characters felt flat and stereotyped, with little to distinguish them beyond a perfunctory description and occasionally some quirks of dialogue. The names were distinctive enough that I could determine who was who, but beyond that, I found myself lost. I also didn\u2019t have much of a reason to feel invested in them. They felt more like incidental people, there to react to the plot rather than to push it forward.

A plot-driven story isn\u2019t a bad thing at all, but it does require that the reader be able to follow the plot. In this case, the narration became a stumbling block. The internal monologue of the characters slowed down the action and sometimes drowned out descriptions of settings and events. The narrative tone was also distracting. The dry attempts at humor took away from the tension, and some of the cultural references were dated enough to leave me baffled, especially when they were applied to descriptions of various characters. Sudden jumps between scenes or into flashbacks also made it difficult to follow the action, and they would have made more sense if they were clearly marked out.

I gave the book two stars rather than one because it does a good job of establishing the stakes. The descriptions of the aftermath of pieces of the Earth disappearing are intense and visceral without crossing the line into overt gore, and the tension and confusion the characters feel is well-written. The mystery of exactly what is happening and what, if anything, can be done about it is a compelling one, and one I would otherwise have very much enjoyed reading.

As a whole, I would recommend giving this book a pass. There are other, better sci-fi thrillers out there.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Dec-2023 03:39:27", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "366 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000013558035", "title": "A Flash In Time", "author": "John N Frye", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 573, "review": "A high-concept, action-packed, and truly explosive science fiction novel set in a recognizable if somewhat advanced version of the near present-day United States, J.N. Frye\u2019s A Flash In Time blends the concepts of time slips and alternative realities with the conventions of the thriller genre to provide a perplexing puzzle that hinges on the danger posed by both unchecked power, government conspiracies, and possible alien invaders.

A long-running, highly secret, and deeply controversial government project being conducted at E-R-Mag Labs, buried far within and under Sandia Mountain in the New Mexico desert, is due to reach fruition after 13 tortuous years on May 30, 2006. The ENet project and the many associated failures have dominated the involved scientists\u2019 lives for over a decade and the program manager is determined that it will finally be finished, although Doctor Joan Rand is very concerned about the wisdom of going ahead with the latest and supposedly final test.

It rapidly turns out that she was right to be worried, as switching on the ENet antenna causes a massive explosive that triggers a blinding white flash of light over the nearby town and somehow leads to the disappearance of the \u201cSilver Tree,\u201d an out-of-place oak tree decorated with metal streamers, which takes two local teenagers with it. As events quickly spiral out of control, there are more disappearances of people and landmarks, and then dismembered corpses start showing up.

As the devastation spreads in the wider world, Corporal Ivanov \u201cIvey\u201d Longfeather of the Sandia Mountain Reservation Sheriff\u2019s Department and Detectives Jaylee Washington and Bart Williams from the local police force form a joint task force to investigate events and discover the cause of the mysterious disappearances. While their investigation is initially thwarted by the secrecy at E-R-Mag Labs, things soon become so bad that the scientists and government authorities have no choice but to cooperate.

But what of the disappeared themselves? Where are they being taken and why are certain body parts being left behind/returned? Could there really be alien involvement? Many complex questions need answering, but first, the detectives and scientists need to find a way to shut ENet down and so prevent it from having any more deadly consequences. Unfortunately, the antenna seems to have evolved to develop its own purpose, and it\u2019s not going to give up on that purpose easily.

The action and danger come thick and fast in A Flash In Time, as the bloody devastation unleashed by each surge of the ENet antenna causes the story\u2019s body count to rise rapidly. J.N. Frye has crafted a singular concept for a thrill-packed science fiction novel and provided the advanced yet plausible technology necessary to make it possible. The world-building is really very good in this regard, with a lot of thought having gone into balancing the recognizable and futuristic elements of the story in such as way as to make it all scarily believable.

But while the formulation of the story is impressive, the execution lets it down somewhat. It can be difficult to follow what is happening sometimes, particularly during shifts from scene to scene and when immersed in characters\u2019 internal monologues. Better indication of such changes would have added clarity to the story. Moreover, the characters themselves do not always come across as naturally as they should, especially during episodes of banter-like dialogue. Still, A Flash In Time is an exciting and fast-paced story that ventures into intriguing alien territory.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Dec-2023 03:39:22", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "366 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013558031", "title": "A Flash In Time", "author": "John N Frye", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 411, "review": "The scientists at ER Mag Labs are committed to seeing their new project through to completion, despite several setbacks in the past. They had developed an expensive, very technologically advanced, and revolutionary antenna. Strange events start happening in an attempt to get it to function. Bart and the other police officers are made aware of these things. There were abrupt disappearances, most notably of an oak tree that vanished without a trace and the disappearance of two teenagers.

Later, it was claimed that objects and individuals had been sliced in half. The scientists are told to cease operations right away by the security staff. However, the antenna has evolved into an uncontrollably destructive electrical energy absorber. The worst part is that more disappearances occur as it recharges. But it turned out that these individuals had been transported to a whole different location and were being attacked by an odd group of extraterrestrials. The race to stop the electrical force and save the victims begins.

The tale centers on the iconic police team of Jaylee and Bart, who have different personalities and physical characteristics. The 6'6\" solid Black Jaylee stands in stark contrast to the older, white detective Bart, who is almost retirement age. A Master Sergeant in the Army challenges Bart's early racial preconceptions, causing a profound change in his perspective. Because Bart saved Jaylee from a life of crime, the two of them establish an unbreakable bond that highlights the book's themes of friendship and atonement.

The protagonists fight with existential anxieties, deal with personal setbacks, and deal with the impending catastrophe of events linked to the Sandia mountain range. The author skillfully crafts a narrative that delves into the themes of racial biases, personal development, and the perseverance of people overcoming adversity. With a dynamic backdrop that combines urban crime and nature scenery, the novel presents a realistic portrait of characters moving beyond cliches. Although there was a lot of scientific jargon in the book, which could dull readers, it still had potential. I became weary of studying unrealistic equipment and seeing a lot of numbers. Although fans of science fiction might find it fascinating.

It was also difficult to keep up with the abrupt introduction of too many characters, in my opinion. Additionally, the author frequently strayed from the plot at the beginning of the book by describing unimportant details. However, all in all, A Flash in Time by John N. Frye was an intriguing science fiction novel.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "02-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Dec-2023 03:39:16", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "366 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013558027", "title": "A Flash In Time", "author": "John N Frye", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 405, "review": "A long-running government project is nearing a pivotal moment. Results are expected as the funding costs have reached exorbitant amounts. Corporal Ivanov Longfeather is a member of the tribal police keeping watch over the Sandia Mountain reservation area. The tranquility of his shift is abruptly interrupted by a noticeable surge in energy in the air around him. Longfeather feels different and notices the aberrant behavior of wildlife he comes across. He begins to question his mindset with every passing second. This unease is only heightened once he descends the mountain heights and temperature anomalies compete with the sudden disappearance of a local monument for high strangeness.

As the morning progresses, the weirdness becomes the norm as a pair of mutilated bodies are located, the parts belonging to an unknown male and female. Detective Jaylee Washington is a seasoned homicide cop coming off the adrenaline rush from his latest case when he and his partner are assigned the case of the maimed bodies. The joint investigation between the detectives and Longfeather leads them to a government-backed laboratory. Their efforts at obtaining answers are stymied by one of the chief doctors at the lab. Washington believes there is something covert if not sinister going on at E-R Mag Labs.

The next surge of energy occurs and the display of power is noticed by everyone in the immediate vicinity, and not everyone emerges unscathed. Washington and his fellow law enforcement brethren pay a return visit to the labs, demanding immediate answers. The situation is rapidly spiraling out of control and even the lab scientists are worried. A weapon has been unleashed capable of unimaginable death and destruction. The police need to be informed on how to deal with the crisis before the next event.

Pandemonium is all around as a government experiment goes haywire in the opening pages of A Flash in Time. The pacing of the plot is effective as the calm before each event disarms the reader\u2019s defenses only to be shocked with every successive calamity. There are multiple themes in the book that play out in the chapters: man\u2019s meddling with nature, the frustrating inaction of government bureaucracy, collaboration in times of crisis, and the appreciation of the important things in life. The various characters from Washington to his partner/mentor Bart to Longfeather bring depth, humor, and compassion to the story. This book is a winner from start to finish, a sci-fi adventure with heart.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "14-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Dec-2023 03:38:54", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "366 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013558019", "title": "Our Report", "author": "Ruperto Punsalan", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 418, "review": "With all the numbers that appear in the Bible (one of the books is even called Numbers), it should surprise no one that some biblical scholars make numerology their focus, both in and out of the academic sphere. Every so often, there is a news story about someone who has used those numbers to find a secret key that tells the day of the Rapture, when the end of the world will begin. These predictions have been happening for centuries, and the days invariably pass by without incident.

Ruperto Punsalan\u2019s book takes a new (to me) approach. He takes the numeric value of each letter of the alphabet (A=1, B=2, C=3, etc.) and adds all the letters in a given word together. (CAT, for example, would be 3+1+20, or 24.) He then goes a step further and adds the digits of the final number together, repeating as necessary until all that is left is a single digit. (In this case, 2+4=6.) By this method, he says, you can find the secret meaning of any word and determine connections between words which can be \u201cfused\u201d to form the same number.

It\u2019s a simple system, and accessible to anyone who can hold several numbers in their head at once to perform addition or who has a calculator handy. Less simple is what the system is meant to lead to. Punsalan says outright that any of the numbers could be positive or negative, and it would not show in the value outright. (In mathematical terms, we are only finding the absolute value.) Everything boils down to interpretation, which makes for a wishy-washy system of understanding a holy text.

That basically sums up how I felt about the book as a whole. Over a hundred pages are dedicated to \u201cfusing\u201d words and hinting at what meanings they might have and the connections between them. (Many of the words are athletes\u2019 names or sports teams.) This quickly grew dull. The rest of the book was interesting mainly in its oddity. Throughout, Punsalan oversimplifies and occasionally misspells, leading me to doubt his method. (The Colorado hockey team is revered to as the Avalance, for example.) The book also falls prey to the heresy of Americanism, overemphasizing the United States based on the weight given to a few coincidences.

There are no doubt mysteries and wonders hidden in the world, perhaps even in the Bible itself. I do not think, however, that they can be summed up as simply as they are in this book.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Dec-2023 03:34:38", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC.", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000013558015", "title": "Our Report", "author": "Ruperto Punsalan", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 571, "review": "Our Report by Ruperto Punsalan offers a unique perspective on Christianity and the meanings of key passages from the Bible by combining the fields of numerology and biblical interpretation. The book introduces a novel concept that Punsalan terms \u201cNumber Fusion,\u201d which he states \u201cwill unlock the ambiguity of the Bible when it comes to prophecies.\u201d Through this concept, Punsalan explores the interconnections among major prophecies from both the Old and New Testaments, seeking to render their implications clear to a twenty-first century audience.

Simply put, the Number Fusion process entails assigning each of the twenty-six letters of the English alphabet a numerical value (e.g., A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, etc.) and then using those values when breaking down significant words in order to calculate the fixed numerical symbols associated with them. The first example of this that Punsalan offers is the word \u201cCOURAGE,\u201d the numerical symbol for which can be calculated as follows: 3 (C) + 15 (O) + 21 (U) + 18 (R) + 1 (A) + 7 (G) + 5 (E) = 70. Next, 7 + 0 = 7, which makes \u201c7\u201d the numerical symbol for \u201cCOURAGE.\u201d

The math is certainly clear here, although the purpose is unfortunately not. While it is possible to calculate a numerical value of every word, what is the reason for doing so? What do the resultant values indicate or mean? More importantly, beyond the mere possibility of performing such calculations, why do words have numerical values? Who or what made things this way? Punsalan doesn\u2019t address these issues in any great depth, but he suggests the key outcome is whether the final number is a positive or negative integer, indicating a word to have a positive or negative meaning.

Expanding on this, Punsalan concentrates on words giving rise to positive and negative sevens and sixes due to the frequency with which these numbers occur in the Book of Revelation, most notably in terms of \u201c666\u201d being the mark of the Beast. Again, the whys and the wherefores are lacking, and it is unclear if the Bible actually intends to convey anything through this math. If letters are assigned numerical values and then those values are used for the purpose of addition until the final calculation gives rise to a single-digit value, every word will certainly have such a value, but why?

Aside from the biblical interpretation, Punsalan also applies the Number Fusion concept to a selection of important dates from U.S. history, seemingly suggesting a link between, for example, the \u201c911\u201d emergency number and the events of 9/11. The numbers are, of course, the same here, but the possibility of a coincidence really needs to be considered. What\u2019s more, selecting the numbers associated with only certain events could result in a self-fulfilling prophecy when searching for meaning. The same is true when Punsalan applies the process to events from his own life.

Our Report offers an interesting mix of numerological, historical, and biographical elements, and the math that Punsalan presents certainly works out. However, the book is rather densely written and overly full of repetitive examples, despite overlooking the key aspect of why what is discussed is significant and whether it can really be said to be intentional. Its novelty lies in its unique numerical interpretation of key biblical passages (or prophecies), but this could be achieved in far less pages and with far less references to extraneous matters.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Dec-2023 03:34:29", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC.", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000013558011", "title": "Our Report", "author": "Ruperto Punsalan", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 439, "review": "Ruperto Punsalan's Our Report presents a new Christian theology and reveals the link between computations of host numbers and information from the Bible. As it explores a concept named Number Fusion, the book interprets the Bible and proves that the United States is proof of God's promises. It also touches on theological concepts, divisions in Christianity, and some important prophecies in the Bible. You will get to see Ruperto's comprehensive interpretation of Revelation 13:18 and the significance of calculating the number of the beast (666).

Besides the analysis of biblical concepts, Ruperto explores personal experiences, such as the difficulties he faced while immigrating to the USA, family separation, and his struggles with smoking. Find yourself a calculator and prepare to fuse \"a set of numbers into a single digit\" to make sense of some complex biblical concepts in the book.

I found the author's thoroughness and attention to detail quite impressive. His sophisticated analyses include scientific observations, numeric figures from the Bible, and US historical data. Since I studied economics and I love numbers, I found it fascinating to see that several numbers in US history share some similarities, such as the addition of the numbers of the 56 Founding Fathers and July Four (7 and 4) both making 11. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as the book contains many similar numeric observations.

Punsalan's tone is conversational and communicative enough to keep the reader engaged in the parts dedicated to essays about his personal life, the history of the US, and biblical messages. This conversational tone is evident when he questions theological concepts with such statements as, \"Now, do you know the values of this old, ancient praying hand?\"

The book's stance on the Bible and its bold new approach to decoding the scriptures might feel outlandish to a good portion of the audience. I felt the volume of pages dedicated to numbers may serve its intended purpose with fewer pages. Furthermore, the book includes a complex mix of personal experiences, historical analyses, theological discussions, and other themes that might further confuse the reader.

This book is recommended to numerology enthusiasts and seekers of the hidden truths in the Bible. However, readers who don't like numbers or calculations might find it quite complex. Still, its exploration of US history, the Bible, and the author's personal life presents an enlightening, mentally stimulating experience. And since it is rife with scriptures and biblical prophecies, Our Report offers a chance to connect with the word of God and stick to a path of righteousness, especially for readers who like numbers and fancy seeing the scriptures from a new light.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "12-Jan-2024", "date_added": "22-Dec-2023 03:34:23", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC.", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013558007", "title": "Our Report", "author": "Ruperto Punsalan", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 422, "review": "My knowledge of numerology before now was quite limited. I have read about it previously in a book but didn't think too much of it. Partly because the book made it seem complex and I didn't consider myself spiritual enough to learn more about the concept. I have read most of the Bible, but I'm more of an average reader. I didn't dive deeper to understand the true meaning of some of the passages.

I was intrigued by the concept of Number Fusion, which the author described as the merging, mixing, or combining of different items to form another item. It was a simple addition process to find the relationship between numbers. The author placed most of his focus on the numbers seven and six, as they were used multiple times in the Book of Revelation. The Book of Genesis and the Book of Revelation are two important pillars of Christianity and serve as a guide for every Christian to better understand God's purpose for mankind. So, this book will be helpful for anyone who wants to understand the impact and link of the words used in the biblical passages.

One thing I realized when he computed some common words was that most words that sound positive often have a positive seven or six. And the words that sound negative will likely have a negative seven or six. For example, while computing a word like AMEN, it goes like this: 1+13+5+14=33; 3+3=6. However, I don't think this would work for most scenarios; it could be a coincidence only.

This book was a lot to take in. The author discussed various aspects of American history and analyzed various words in the Bible, trying to show the significance of the words and their numerology. He would talk about a certain portion of the Bible, bring up a few important words, and start calculating their values. Seeing these calculations too much in the book got exhausting.

This book is not aimed at entertaining readers; rather, it serves to educate. It takes a level of determination to be able to read this book to the end, and if you don't have vast knowledge of the Bible, you'll find the book challenging. I think this book shouldn't have been this long. Since the author has made his point clear, he doesn't need to go on and on about it.

Our Report by Ruperto Punsalan is a thought-provoking read. And I recommend it to Christians who want to deepen their faith and better understand the significance of numerology.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2024", "date_added": "22-Dec-2023 03:34:10", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC.", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013548003", "title": "Always Remember: Ben's Story (A Ravenswood Novel)", "author": "Mary Balogh", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 208, "review": "Lady Jennifer Arden has not walked on her own in years, not since a childhood illness left one leg twisted and useless to her. Ben Ellis is the illegitimate son of an earl with a daughter of his own. When they meet, there is instant affection, but as that affection blossoms into attraction, they find themselves held back by what society would consider their shortcomings. Eager as they are to follow their dreams, it is hard for them to see that their dreams will lead them to each other.

Always Remember is a charming story, with a pair of deeply charming characters. Even before Ben and Jennifer realized they were in love with each other, I had already fallen in love with them. It was a soft, tender book, exactly the sort of thing I enjoy on cold winter nights.

I could only have enjoyed it more if it were a little less wordy. At times the narration and the thoughts of the characters grew repetitive, and the focus on the inner lives of Ben and Jennifer at times left secondary plot lines and characters far enough in the background that I was in danger of forgetting them. On the whole, though, I expect this will be a much-loved romance.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2024", "date_added": "20-Dec-2023 20:00:49", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013546003", "title": "Miss Morgan's Book Brigade", "author": "Janet Skeslien Charles", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 285, "review": "Fans of Janet Skeslien Charles's other works will love her latest historical novel, Miss Morgan's Book Brigade. Told in two different timelines, the story reveals the power and passion of women who fight to protect others even, at times, at a cost to themselves.

Librarian Jessie \"Kit\" Carson, what some in 1918 would call an old maid at forty, is invited to join the American Committee of Devastated France as a CARD. Her role will be to share books with children whose lives have bene upended by war, but when she arrives in France, she is unprepared for the danger and destruction she encounters. Still, she rolls up her sleeves and begins to work alongside her fellow CARDs to bring some semblance of peace to displaced civilians, some of whom have lost everyone they love.

Kit's counterpart, Wendy Peterson (also a librarian and would-be fiction writer) in the 1980s, is less interesting than the woman she discovers while documenting artifacts in the New York Public Library archive. While Kit's story is filled with intrigue and heart and a clear and specific devotion a cause, to the beauty of books and their power to save us, Wendy's character is less developed and decidedly more annoying. She pines after a fellow archivist so much that she comes across as a lovelorn teenager, and her need to be liked is rather, well unlikable.

Still, Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is a fascinating look at the CARDs who served during World War One, and while the story is fictionalized, Skeslien Charles' inclusion of her historical references at the end of the book open the door to even more research about these incredible women for those who want to learn more.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "26-Apr-2024", "date_added": "20-Dec-2023 05:33:48", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013541015", "title": "Above the Trenches (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #12)", "author": "Nathan Hale", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 11", "word_count": 183, "review": "Nathan Hale\u2019s Hazardous Tales: Above the Trenches, A WWI Flying Ace Tale by Nathan Hale (the author, not the spy) is about World War One flying aces and it\u2019s super cool.

Did you know that American pilots in WWI flew for the French military? They did! A flying ace is a pilot that has five confirmed kills. These American flying aces flew as a volunteer squadron, flying for the Lafayette Escadrille. We learned all about that and more, such as how they joined the squadron, where they learned to fly, and their fates in the skies.

In this story, all the people are animals because it\u2019s a confusing war because there\u2019s a lot of people, so the people are represented by their national animal. Just so readers are prepared for that! There are some funny bits, like in all Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, like at the training grounds and at the aerodrome. But there\u2019s a lot of history too, told in the silly, fun way of all Nathan Hale books. I hope other readers love this book and learn as much as I did!", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "13-Feb-2024", "date_added": "19-Dec-2023 19:43:55", "publisher": "Harry N. Abrams", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013540007", "title": "I Want a Lion!", "author": "Annemarie van der Eem, Mark Janssen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 191, "review": "In I Want a Lion!, a young boy wakes up one day to propose a crazy variety of animals as pets to his mother: a lion, a hippopotamus, an orangutan, a goat, and a parrot. The boy\u2019s mother points out the drawbacks of each animal. The lion is dangerous. A hippo will get mud everywhere. An orangutan will break all glasses. A goat will eat his father\u2019s underwear, both clean and dirty. A parrot is too noisy.

The boy rejects all of his mother\u2019s suggestions: a stick insect, a goldfish, a hamster, a tortoise, a rabbit and a cat. Finally, they agree on a dog and go to the shelter to find a small dog that smells like flowery soap. Instead, the boy, triumphant in his real quest, finds a vibrant, furry bundle of joy.

I Want a Lion! is a hilarious tale of a boy\u2019s machinations to get his mother to agree to a pet. Here, however, the illustrations almost steal the show in their vivid celebration of color. Together the words and illustrations make an irresistible combination. Beware, however: this book may to lead to interesting conversations about pets.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "05-Jun-2024", "date_added": "19-Dec-2023 18:58:07", "publisher": "Tra Publishing", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013539003", "title": "Cats Are Great BUT (It's Great to Have a Pet, 2)", "author": "Stepanka Sekaninova, Adam Wolf", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Julianne - age 8", "word_count": 174, "review": "I liked this book!! The little girl in Cats Are Great But\u2026 by Stepanka Sekaninova, illustrated by Adam Wolf wants a cat really badly, but how can she convince her parents to let her get a cat? First, she grows a plant to show her parents that she can be responsible, but when she gets a kitten, cat-ownership is not all it\u2019s cracked up to be!

The girl and reader learn a lot about cats in this book. Like why they scratch furniture, why they don\u2019t like closed doors, why they are so hairy, and what to do about it. And much more!!

I learned a lot about cats from this book. Our cats make SO MUCH more sense now. (They even ask to go outside, by tapping the door handle!) This is a great book to help other kids understand their cats too. Cats might be problems sometimes, but they can be sweethearts too. I hope other kids read this so they can better understand their cat and why they act the way they do.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2024", "date_added": "19-Dec-2023 18:50:32", "publisher": "Albatross Media", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013538003", "title": "What Should I Wear To Work? (Mixed-Up Fashion)", "author": "Jana Sedlackova, Alexandra Majova", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 184, "review": "Wearing the proper clothing to work is important, and if you are wearing the wrong clothing, then no matter how comfortable it feels, it will not work. That is the conceit of this slim children\u2019s book as people in different career fields are confused if they are wearing the right outfit to work only to realize wearing a tutu while being a chef is not the right attire or conducting a symphony orchestra while wearing pajamas or a hockey goalie wearing a chef\u2019s outfit.

On the opposite pages of each career readers will see the different outfits, gear, and accessories one would have for the different careers, which range from nurses, doctors, chefs, dancers, firefighters, flight attendant, car wash worker, and more. At the end of the book all the people are dressed in the clothing they need to be successful on the job.

This book is designed for young children to identify certain items that go with certain areas of the workforce with their parents. The art is fairly easy to follow and engaging, giving young children a glimpse into the working world.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "18-Mar-2024", "date_added": "19-Dec-2023 18:37:23", "publisher": "Albatross Media", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013536007", "title": "Extreme Survival: How People, Plants, and Animals Live in the World's Toughest Places", "author": "Ben Lerwill, Daniel Long", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 206, "review": "English writer Ben Lerwill and illustrator Daniel Long combine their talents to escort a pre-adolescent audience through some of the more challenging biotas found in and out of this world. Travel through the world from one pole to the other and experience the frigid atmosphere while checking out penguins in Antarctica or narwhals and polar bears in the northern Arctic.

In a bit warmer environ, visit the North American coniferous boreal forests and their animal life, be especially wary of the bears. Examine the oceans and its sea creatures, or visit a rainforest and discover blowpipes.

Shift from the humid climes and find oneself marooned on a desert island or in the Australian outback, and learn to survive in these barren areas, or escape to mountainous regions such as the Alps or the Himalayas and become acquainted with the denizens which make their homes in these settings.

Finally, think about the challenge of life in outer space and how it feels to live on the international space station.

Each of a dozen challenging settings are illustrated in glowing colors to further enhance the captivating facts and short intriguing details that depict these regions. It is a masterful composite of exciting text embellished with captivatingly exciting artwork.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2024", "date_added": "19-Dec-2023 18:34:41", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013536003", "title": "How to Help a Hare and Protect a Polar Bear: 50 simple things YOU can do for our planet!", "author": "Jess French, Angela Keoghan", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "A lot of young people worry about our endangered natural world, and they probably feel like there is nothing they can do to change things, but that is not so. This wonderful book will not only give young readers a good deal of information about the natural world and what is negatively impacting it but also give common sense things youngsters can do that will actually stem the tide and help turn things around.

First, there is an introduction to what habitats are, then sections on Forests, Deserts, Swamps, Freshwater, Coastlines, Oceans, Savannahs, Jungles, and Mountains. For each of these, there is an explanation of what makes each special, some of the animals that live there with fun facts, and several ideas on how youngsters can help.

The writing by Dr. Jess French, a zoologist and veterinary surgeon, is friendly and conversational while filled with excellent information. The illustrations by Angela Keoghan are lovely. Those of the habitats and people are not terribly realistic, but the illustrations of the animals are.

This book will give young readers solid, realistic actions they can take that will make a difference. This book should be in classrooms and libraries across the nation.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "18-Mar-2024", "date_added": "19-Dec-2023 18:33:20", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013535019", "title": "Programmed to Paint", "author": "Mauricio Abril", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 199, "review": "Multitalented imaginator Mauricio Abril has captured the magic of storytelling with his dynamic fluid words and eye-popping energetic colorful characters that teach an important moral for young and old alike. Do not be afraid to be yourself. This is the lesson learned by an endearing perfectly programmed robot named Pintro.

Pintro, the little automaton, can bake, and garden, and do higher math. Unfortunately, this mechanical person has one flaw, while he can produce perfect copies with his drawings, these replicas all lack the creative essence that is so essentially a part of art. By joining a drawing class with other students and with the help of a thoughtful teacher, this frustrated robot discovers that learning is a process that requires tripping over errors.

Read on to learn how this wired creature ultimately loses perfection due to faulty wiring that result in mistakes that finally open his inner creativity. Children will trace the story through the dynamic and colorful illustrations that pace and parallel this heartwarming story. The bright-eyed children featured in this story mirror the friendly cooperation and generous help they offer to this newcomer. It is a book that should be available to every child and many adults.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2024", "date_added": "19-Dec-2023 20:33:20", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013535015", "title": "Minecraft: The Outsider: An Official Minecraft Novel", "author": "Danica Davidson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 11", "word_count": 169, "review": "Minecraft: The Outsider by Monica Davidson is a really interesting read. Jeremy starts out in The City, which is very big. He feels unnoticed, not at school and not even at home. He has five brothers and sisters and always gets overlooked. One of the kids in his class, Brandt, gets a pet zombie. And Jeremy volunteers to pet-sit. But it ends up going all wrong and Jeremy has to help a new friend, Valda, and he has an adventure to try to figure out what is wrong with some weird zombies who are stealing resources in this world.

I liked this book because I\u2019m a big Minecraft fan. I\u2019ve enjoyed all the Minecraft novels so far, and this one is no exception. It\u2019s action-packed and full of great Minecraft-y adventures. Once Jeremy gains confidence, he\u2019s a very interesting character. Valda starts off rude, but after a while she starts to trust Jeremy and they work together to fix the weird zombie problem.

Minecraft lovers will definitely enjoy this book.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "13-Feb-2024", "date_added": "19-Dec-2023 19:48:28", "publisher": "Random House Worlds", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013535007", "title": "You Broke It!", "author": "Liana Finck", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 178, "review": "Every parent eventually says them: those pat phrases we swore we would not say. In You Broke It!, acclaimed cartoonist and regular contributor to The New Yorker magazine Liana Finck turns those phrases on their head in an utterly funny and delightful way.

Here, a bird reprimands her hatchling, saying he broke his eggshell, while a big tornado tells his little progeny that she\u2019s making a mess! A pig warns a piglet playing in mud that he\u2019s going to get dirty, and big turtle commands a little turtle to hurry up! Finally, when an octopus tells its offspring to \u201ckeep your hands to yourself,\u201d the young octopus speaks the truth that so many children must feel, \u201cI am just being me.\u201d With that, the older octopus sweetly wraps the young octopus in an eight-tentacle hug.

Typically, children\u2019s picture books have an instructive message for children. Here, however, the children will be thoroughly entertained by the book\u2019s excellent humor, while their adults may receive a gentle and probably needed reminder of what it feels like to be a child.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2024", "date_added": "19-Dec-2023 18:55:24", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013535003", "title": "Solstice: Around the World on the Longest, Shortest Day", "author": "Jen Breach", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 138, "review": "Solstice is the longest or shortest day of the year depending on the season. What is so incredibly cool about this book is that this book goes around the world with how different parts of the country view and celebrate the Solstice on June 21st. In the USA, July 21st is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year for us but this is not true for everywhere including the cold and dark south pole that gets NO sunlight on June 21st.

This book has 14 illustrators around the world for each of the different locations. I think that makes this book unique. This book is full of so many fun facts about places all over the world. I can't wait to read and compare again how each place is different when the summer solstice arrives.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2024", "date_added": "19-Dec-2023 18:28:49", "publisher": "What on Earth Publishing", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013534003", "title": "Stones and Bones: Fossils and the stories they tell", "author": "Rob Wilshaw, Sophie Williams", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "Earth is a repository for evidence of its long history of life. This record is made up of fossils, more and more being found every day as scientists dig down to find the story of earlier times. This wonderful book will fascinate youngsters ages six to ten or eleven with pages jam-packed with scientific information written in a very accessible, conversational manner explaining things like what fossils are and how they are formed, what paleontology is, and so much more. It is broken into sections covering the Precambrian and Paleozoic Eras, the Mesozoic Era, the Cenozoic Era, and Paleontology today. The information is broken into small chunks of text presented in a graphically pleasing way with fun illustrations by Sophie Williams that support the text. The layout will draw youngsters' eyes through the pages and the chunks of text as presented are inviting and not at all intimidating, as science information often can be. Rob Wilshaw, the author, does not shy away from scientific terms, but there is a good glossary at the end. Readers are invited to become scientists with information about how to hunt for fossils and how to make a fossil hunting kit. Don\u2019t miss this one!", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "18-Mar-2024", "date_added": "19-Dec-2023 18:27:10", "publisher": "Cicada Books", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013533023", "title": "Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop: A Novel", "author": "Hwang Bo-reum, Shanna Tan", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 238, "review": "I was so excited to receive a copy of Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum. This book was translated from Korean into English very well and is an effortless read for all ages. The book centers around the owner of the bookshop, Lee Yeongju, a woman who has wanted to own a bookshop since she was a young girl. The book tells her story and that of the people she interacts with daily. Minjun is the barista Yeongju hires who immerses himself in the world of coffee and its beans. There is also a woman named Mincheol's mother whose real name we don't find out until the very end. Then, a woman who comes in and crochets and knits named Jungsuh is added to the mix. These people go on with their everyday routines and Yeongju does her best to grow the events and marketing for the bookshop. One of the events is to have book authors do a book talk. After inviting author Hyun Seungwoo, the story becomes a lot more exciting with talks about philosophy, the characters' pasts, and what happiness means.

Overall, the story was a bit slow in the beginning, but when Seungwoo is introduced, Yeongju's character starts to open up, and this is where the real story begins. This is a good read with a simple storyline that will make readers think about their own lives and what causes them happiness.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2024", "date_added": "20-Dec-2023 04:36:10", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013533007", "title": "Teaching Eddie to Fly (Katarina\u2019s Small Wonders) ", "author": "Katarina Macurova", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 179, "review": "In Teaching Eddie to Fly, a bear named Arthur realizes his friend, an ostrich named Eddie, doesn\u2019t know how to fly. Arthur immediately sets out to remedy this problem by offering to teach his friend. At first, Arthur tries books and lectures, but that doesn\u2019t suit Eddie, who buries his head in the sand. Next, Arthur devices several zany attempts, which include a hot air balloon and stilts, to help Eddie, who is adorably adorned in a crash helmet and knee pads. All fail.

After a last attempt, Eddie offers Arthur a ride on their long walk home. As they walk, Eddie\u2019s speed increases until he\u2019s walking as other birds fly! Together they realize that Eddie doesn\u2019t need to fly! Instead, Arthur decides Eddie needs to learn to swim.

Katarina Macurova has written a truly funny picture book. No doubt, children will laugh will laugh out loud at Arthur\u2019s crazy schemes as depicted in Macurova\u2019s delightful illustrations. Just as importantly, little listeners will receive a valuable lesson about finding one\u2019s own strengths, although they may not be expected ones.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2024", "date_added": "19-Dec-2023 18:39:11", "publisher": "Albatross Media", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013533003", "title": "The Egg Incident", "author": "Ziggy Hanaor, Daisy Wynter", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 180, "review": "Open this book and meet the delightful relatives of our sadly celebrated Humpty Dumpty, who took that great shattering fall. Within this charming egg family, we meet a young Humphrey, whose protective parents lovingly caution him to be extra vigilant because of past family tragedy. So Humphrey dismisses all thoughts of running, jumping, climbing, and under no circumstances should he sit on a wall.

All this changes under the influence of a spunky park princess nicknamed PJ who mischievously helps our sensitive insecure celebrity overcome his anxieties when circumstances demand that he run, jump, climb, and even sit atop a wall. And watch what happens when Humphrey falls from the terrifying wall, his world changes and his newly acquired exuberance enhances his personality. This sudden sparkle lights his features and even infects his parents.

In this ebullient graphic story so charmingly illustrated, a lesson is provided for both young and old, do not let fear constrain your behavior. Let personality dictate your actions, and above all, do not allow fear to rule. A wonderful story for both young and old.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2024", "date_added": "19-Dec-2023 18:13:57", "publisher": "Cicada Books", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013532007", "title": "The Breakup Artists", "author": "Adriana Mather", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 199, "review": "Best friends August and Valentine run a business called Summer Love, Inc. They help concerned people whose loved ones are in toxic relationships. Unlike her friend August, Valentine believes in true love. Her goal is to pull people out of their misery in hopes they can find someone right for them, but August disagrees. Ever since his sister died, he doesn\u2019t want to fall in love with anyone. Then August meets their newest client, Ella. She\u2019s everything he ever wanted, except she doesn\u2019t even know the real him. What will August do once he finds out he\u2019s falling for her?

This book didn\u2019t really have as much of a plot as I would like, but it had a good summer theme. I really liked the nicknames used for some of the characters, like Tiny for Valentine, and Des for Desiree. August had the most development out of all of the characters, but I felt like the way he and Ella first connected was a little unrealistic. I also definitely would\u2019ve liked seeing some interior illustrations in the book as the book advertised there would be. I highly recommend The Breakup Artists to anyone who\u2019s into contemporary YA romance novels.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "01-Aug-2024", "date_added": "18-Dec-2023 23:26:30", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013529039", "title": "Thick with Trouble (Penguin Poets)", "author": "Amber McBride", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 291, "review": "The richness of language and sturdy voice that runs throughout Amber McBride's poetry collection Thick With Trouble/ is so vivid, at times the speaker's leap off the page to confront the reader. At other moments, the poems are so intimate, so deeply honest, you may feel you've stumbled on to a diary in verse. This collection is one of the most exceptional debuts I've read in some time.

Known for her YA novel Me (Moth), McBride moves into the world of poetry with grace and without hesitation. Broken into five sections separated by imagined tarot cards--The Devil's Sister (Reversed), The Empress with a Whip, The Hermit Woman Named Griot, The Devil's Sister (Upright, The Magician-est--the poems are aligned with each subheading to deliver an imagined progression of a woman's life. The poetry is deep and referential; some poems feature conjured definitions and conversations with foundational American artists like Nina Simone and Walt Whitman . The poems are free on the page, unconstrained by any conventional form; single words or even letters are often underlined for emphasis, text is bolded, stanzas transform in length and focus.

At the heart of all of it is Black experience and women's experience. In the poem \"11 Years Old (Bleeding)\" McBride tackles first menstruation with the same horror and reverence many women will recognize. The speaker, upon complaining that her first period hurts, is told \"it should\" by a character that could be any or all older women. In terms of Black experience, McBride's excellent poem \"I Won't Let Anybody (Black) Die Alone\" is both an acknowledgement and a promise that will stay with you long after you read it.

If you're interested in the best of what is contemporary poetry today, Thick With Trouble should be mandatory reading.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "03-Apr-2024", "date_added": "18-Dec-2023 23:39:38", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013529019", "title": "The Vacation House: A Novel", "author": "Jane Shemilt", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 185, "review": "Twenty years ago, something happened at The Vacation House. Julia left the night before, so she never knew the details. She only knew it involved some boys that were guests and the caretaker\u2019s daughter. Now, Julia tries to be the perfect wife to James, while feeling trapped. She meets Laurel, a therapist, who helps her find freedom and discovers the truth of what really happened that night twenty years ago and all the lives it changed forever.

This is a dark but compelling read. Sofie\u2019s chapters are the hardest to get through, even though Julia\u2019s life isn\u2019t that great either. Through all the pain and suffering in these pages, it has a very cathartic ending. While you can\u2019t say it\u2019s exactly a happy ending, trauma like that leaves permanent scars, it does leave you with hope of healing. This entire book is a trigger warning for those who\u2019ve suffered from sexual assault, but as I said, there is healing here as well.

I recommend this book to those who like a slow burn and for those who like stories where evil gets its just desserts.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2024", "date_added": "18-Dec-2023 22:15:38", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013528011", "title": "The Jinn Daughter: A Novel (Hoopoe Fiction)", "author": "Rania Hanna", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 194, "review": "Layala is The Jinn Daughter, born to Illyas, the son of the sheikh, and Nadine, the jinn tasked with telling the stories of the dead. Nadine rises every morning to eat the seeds of the dead and tell their stories so they may pass on. Slowly, the seeds stop falling and Nadine discovers that Death herself is dying and needs another to take her mantle. Death wishes Layala to take her place. Nadine will do whatever it takes to keep that from happening.

Mythology and magic take prominence here, with a focus on Middle Eastern folklore. The stories that Nadine weaves are rich and vibrant, with the tale itself being full of interesting characters. You will meet Death, multiple jinns, Mother Earth and even ghouls in this magical land. The strongest story within this narrative is the one of a mother\u2019s love for her child and how far she is willing to go to save her.

If you enjoy mythology and folklore, especially of a Middle Eastern variety, you will enjoy this story. It is full of strong female characters who know the importance of family and finding your purpose in a difficult world.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2024", "date_added": "18-Dec-2023 23:03:58", "publisher": "Hoopoe", "page_count": "232 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013527015", "title": "Trespass: Portraits of Unhoused Life, Love, and Understanding", "author": "Kim Watson", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 198, "review": "The glassy stare of the individual gracing the cover of this publication will mesmerize the viewer and compel further examination of this portrait collection illuminating a societal segment too often spurned and ignored. This human image of a grizzled face masking a mystery of internalized character only attracts the viewer to wonder how he joined the cultural class that we term the \u2018homeless\u2019. The portrayal is reminiscent of the iconic photo by Dorothea Lange of the Migrant Mother that represents the story of the destitution caused by the depression and the subsequent hopeless poverty. Photographer Kim Watson spent three years photographing and conversing with the street people in the Los Angeles area. He depicts an array of individuals challenged by poverty, drug addiction, alcohol dependency, mental issues, inadequate childhood nurturing, and other problems. Their sleeping circumstances are shown whether it be cold ground, tents, cars, or dilapidated RVs. But in every individual he met, in spite of their neediness, he recognized and appreciated their humanity. In the short descriptions of these meetings, it becomes clear that social services are inadequate to deal with the need of this growing social dilemma that the author urges the reader to address.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2024", "date_added": "18-Dec-2023 23:32:02", "publisher": "1517 Media", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013695007", "title": "Claudia and the Bad Joke: A Graphic Novel (The Baby-sitters Club #15) (The Baby-Sitters Club Graphix)", "author": "Ann M Martin, Arley Nopra", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - age 13", "word_count": 165, "review": "The Baby-Sitters Club is back with a new client! At first, no one in the club seems convinced that Betsy is a big prankster, but soon they find out that they were wrong. After one of Betsy\u2019s pranks gets Claudia\u2019s leg broken, she\u2019s thinking about quitting the club for good. Her friends think they should prank Betsy and teach her a lesson. Who will win the prank war?

Claudia is my favorite character in the Baby-Sitters Club, so I was really excited to read this book. Betsy certainly gave the book a theme with her endless pranks, but it got a little repetitive. I like how this series gives a new change every now and then by switching up the illustrators. Also, the character\u2019s expressions were really funny to look at!

As always, the colors are super bright and are the perfect match for the book. Recommended to graphic novel readers of all ages! I always look forward to reading new Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2024", "date_added": "29-Jan-2024 20:47:23", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013692015", "title": "I Am NOT the Easter Bunny!", "author": "T L McBeth", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 177, "review": "This poor bunny just can\u2019t catch a break. He\u2019s being stalked, spied upon, and accused of being the Easter Bunny when it simply isn\u2019t true. He just happens to have a white coat and cotton tail. His bow tie was a gift from his grandmother. How else is he supposed to carry his groceries without a basket? So what if his shopping list consists of lots of eggs, carrots, chocolate, and jelly beans. He happens to like a sweet treat now and then. He hops because he doesn\u2019t have his bus pass. Painting eggs is merely an arts and crafts projects. And, really, how would the Easter Bunny get anything done if people really knew who he was? Or does this bunny protest too loudly?

T.L. McBeth has written a sweet, funny story that will have little listeners laughing at the Easter Bunny\u2019s hilarious denials, while getting them excited for his visit. Given the simplicity of the text, this book might also serve as a great early reader and just in time for the Easter holiday.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2024", "date_added": "29-Jan-2024 20:14:11", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013692011", "title": "Donut Love: 60 Versatile Recipes for Every Kind of Craving", "author": "Sloane Papa", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 203, "review": "The perfect recipe book for those with a sweet tooth, with a variety of treats at your disposal. With an assortment of flavors to choose from, Donut Love includes everything from old-fashioned donuts to garlic herb brioche knots. Everyone can find something to enjoy, whether it\u2019s for those who want fillings with mini Boston creams or those who want a snack with a caramel and popcorn treat. Also included are recipes for vanilla glaze, cinnamon sugar, marshmallows, and caramel popcorn.

The book focuses on recipes for homemade donuts which will no doubt make you stand out at any family gathering or event. Easy-to-follow recipes will make it simple for anyone to create their favorite treat. Ingredients are listed and step-by-step instructions so there are no guessing games when it comes to baking. This is ideal for those new to baking or those seeking new recipes to shake things up as nothing feels overly challenging and the recipes are clear with their instructions.

Photos are featured throughout to tempt you to make every treat included and will instantly make you hungry. Donut Love will make you fall in love with baking and will no doubt sweeten up your kitchen while satisfying everyone\u2019s sweet tooth.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "18-Mar-2024", "date_added": "29-Jan-2024 20:09:14", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013688011", "title": "Bite-Sized French Pastries for the Beginner Baker", "author": "Sylvie Gruber", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 178, "review": "Opening Bite-Sized French Pastries for the Beginner Baker is like opening the door to a world of marvelous, mouth-watering desserts. The first thing that caught my attention was the gorgeous color photos that accompany each recipe. As someone who loves to bake and has baked since childhood, French pastries are something I have never dabbled in. I was pleased to see the table of contents organized the pastries into Base Recipes, Tartlets & Choux, Petits G\u00e2teaux, Sabl\u00e9s & Cookies, Madeleines & Financiers, and Individual Desserts. The recipes that I will be trying are the Quatre-Quart Loaves which look like little pound cakes, Double Chocolate Sabl\u00e9s which are cocoa shortbread cookies made with egg that have a dark chocolate glaze, and the Lemon Petits Pots de Creme which are little lemon custards.

The book includes \"pro tips\" for each recipe and the ingredients and recipe instructions are laid out neatly on each page. This book would be a wonderful addition to any baker's shelf and anything made from this book will be an absolute hit at any party or gathering.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2024", "date_added": "29-Jan-2024 20:08:41", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013687035", "title": "The Science of Energy (The Language of Truth)", "author": "Payman Sattari", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 700, "review": "With The Science of Energy, a clear-sighted and wide-ranging work of scientific and philosophical exploration geared toward experts and laypeople alike, Payman Sattari aims to examine the evolution of humanity\u2019s metaphysical understanding and the history of truth in an effort to develop a new ontology (or system) that accounts for the entire cosmic order\u2014that is, the subjective, the objective, and everything currently beyond classification.

To accomplish this daunting aim, Sattari starts at the beginning, with the origins of philosophy and science. He presents a whistlestop tour of how these vital fields evolved from the prevalent belief in ancient times that deities were responsible for pretty much everything, through the Greek enlightenment and the works of the early philosophers, to the development of natural philosophy as a discipline.

Sattari then diverges into the realm of religion and how it relates to both science and philosophy. First, however, he draws an important distinction, as the \u201cdifference between the fields of philosophy and science, and what we call religion, is that philosophy and science are based on reason, whereas religion receives its truth from the teachings of a prophet or the wisdom of ancestors (tradition).\u201d

Still, while Sattari notes that religious truth is \u201cnot typically reasoned truth,\u201d he contends that reason and faith have been integrated since the late Middle Ages and that comprehension of both is necessary to truly understand the nature of reality, which is the inherent goal of The Science of Energy. Thus, the book should appeal to those interested in science, philosophy, religion, and any combination of these disciplines, despite the antipathy that sometimes seems to exist among their proponents.

As the discussion moves on to the scientific revolution of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Enlightenment era, and beyond, Sattari condenses a plethora of \u201cbrilliant minds\u201d and \u201crevolutionary thoughts\u201d into bite-sized and easily digestible nuggets that serve to educate regarding the relevant fields and to elucidate Sattari\u2019s own thoughts on the true nature of reality and how human life is organized.

After setting the scene in detail in this way, Sattari turns the general into the personal and examines how a person\u2019s senses and intellect are influenced by and in turn influence the wider metaphysical world. There are less \u201cfacts\u201d in the traditional sense presented here and greater work is required to follow his philosophical points. Doing so, though, reveals some interesting ideas about the composition of the natural world and how it relates to human understanding.

Given its aim and content, The Science of Energy tackles some very weighty and still debated concepts, including quantum mechanics and the relativity of time and space, but Sattari addresses such topics in a clear and concise way, rendering them understandable to the majority. His fusion of the organism and the machine later in the book is equally intelligible, explaining how modern scientific understanding can serve to elucidate deep-seated philosophical and spiritual matters.

This is particularly relevant during the intriguing discussion in which Sattari considers the differences between Eastern and Western viewpoints on both the nature of the individual and the composition of reality as a whole. The West tends to adopt a more quantitative approach, while the East focuses more on spiritual interpretations, so a fusion of the two styles is requires to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the cosmic order. Sattari\u2019s arguments are again insightful and persuasive here, and all this leads to the interpretation of truth, which is necessary for apprehension of the bigger picture.

Yet, while Sattari\u2019s explanations are interesting and insightful, and allowing for the fact that The Science of Energy is intended to present his own musings and formulations, it would have been good if the book had made much greater use of sources, whether in footnotes or a larger bibliography. This would have bolstered the arguments and provided useful avenues for further investigation. The book could also have been expanded somewhat to include more detail on the main subjects at hand.

Overall, however, The Science of Energy offers an astute and perceptive exploration of human consciousness, how it relates to and informs reality, and how disciplines such as science, philosophy, and religion intertwine to influence the nature of existence and how it is understood.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2024", "date_added": "25-Jan-2024 22:36:27", "publisher": "Pragda Press", "page_count": "244 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013687031", "title": "The Science of Energy (The Language of Truth)", "author": "Payman Sattari", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 410, "review": "For many years, man has pondered his existence. Some of the questions we ask about the universe include \"Who are we and why are we here?\" and \"What is the meaning of our existence?\". Scientists and religious leaders have tried to provide answers to the basis of our existence, but some questions remain unanswered despite all these years. Science and religion have been considered two different topics; however, there are intersections between the two. While there's no evidence to support the existence of God, most people believe there is a higher power that humans can't fathom. We have holy books that serve as guides to the universe and our actions, but there's doubt about the credibility of these books.

The intersection of philosophy and science revolves around understanding the nature of reality. However, can what we perceive as reality be trusted? Our senses play a great role in the interpretation of reality, but they can be deceiving sometimes. Science and philosophers seek to understand the human mind. There are assumptions and limited knowledge, but none have been able to grasp a full understanding of the complex nature of the mind.

Philosophy aims to delve into the core of human existence. While contemporary science focuses on explaining physical phenomena and consciousness through physics, philosophy, especially metaphysics, seeks a holistic comprehension of reality. The author further talks about the exploration of light, revealing it as both a particle and a wave. The duality of light was a topic that fascinated me in school, so it was interesting to read about it again. He further raises the question of whether the mind is purely material and sparks various ideas, with historical shifts like Descartes' Cartesian dualism highlighting the evolving relationship between science and metaphysics. This separation of scientific and ontological pursuits has significant consequences for our understanding of reality and consciousness.

The Science of Energy by Payman Sattari is fit for those with a scientific background, as it would be considered challenging to read by an average reader. Also, the arguments by the author would prove a great topic of discussion among philosophers. Philosophy is a broad subject, and it's always interesting to see someone else portray their views with evidence to back them up and not try to impose them on the readers. The author aims to educate, not convince, you of his beliefs, which makes the book a good read. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in philosophy.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "12-Feb-2024", "date_added": "25-Jan-2024 22:35:49", "publisher": "Pragda Press", "page_count": "244 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013687023", "title": "CATS: True Tails And Life Lessons From A Furry Companion", "author": "Pamela Wallin", "category": "F13 Special Interest", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 417, "review": "Cats: True Tails and Life Lessons from a Purring Companion will appeal to cat lovers everywhere. It looks at the cat's history and folklore, and there are even memories of Ms. Wallin's former Siamese cat named Kitty. She starts by addressing the fact that cats are not perfect; in fact, they can be a little demanding and aloof, as anyone who owns one can attest. But maybe that is what makes them so adorable and lovable. They can only be tamed to a certain extent. And unlike a dog, who is constantly looking for attention and affection from its owner, a cat tends to be much more independent.

I loved that the author talked about how we communicate with cats. She is right that we develop a sense of knowing what our cat wants, and they, in turn, seem to tolerate us humans. And as she points out, the Egyptians seem to have appreciated this special bond between cats and humans longer than anyone. They were not only held in high esteem but cat carvings and sculptures were thought to have magical powers. I sometimes think of this when I look at my own cat and wonder what she would think if she knew that. I loved learning about Ms. Wallin's experience with her cat Kitty, and I'm delighted she added photos to the book so that the reader feels more of a connection with both the author and her feline companion.

My favorite part of this book had to be the cat diary versus the dog diary. I laughed out loud when I read some of the entries, especially the one where the cat is thinking about vomiting on the floor just to annoy its human. My own cat seems to be a pro at this skill. I appreciated the chapter about folklore and, where we got some of our ideas about cats from. And I really enjoyed hearing about famous cat owners and what they thought about their cats and the names they gave them. But I do wish it had been a little bit longer. Nevertheless, this book was full of fascinating quotes and facts about cats which cat lovers will adore.

Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable read, and it would make an excellent gift for any cat lover. Of course, I picked it up because I love cats, but I can say without a doubt that even dog lovers could learn a thing or two about cats by reading this book.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jan-2024 22:32:34", "publisher": "RE:BOOKS", "page_count": "136 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013687015", "title": "A Heretic's Claim", "author": "David Colin", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 111, "review": "\"From wry witticisms to brief morality tales to poignant anecdotes and more, the works collected in David Colin\u2019s A Heretic\u2019s Claim are by turns humorous and somber, entertaining and illuminating, and they all prompt serious thought on the nature of being, seeing, and feeling. Through an eclectic application of form, function, and meter, the poems muse on the substance of reality and the myriad ways the outer world intrudes upon inner life, all the while provoking consideration of the potentially disorientating interplay between space and time. For those seeking an in-depth and thought-provoking exploration of the poet\u2019s truth, A Heretic\u2019s Claim is a mind- and eye-opening collection.\"\u2014Erin Britton, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jan-2024 22:26:45", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "53 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013687007", "title": "Not On My Watch, Not On My Watch, A Beloved Prison Wardens 30 Year Fight For Justice In The Prison System", "author": "Bob Hatrak & Joan Hatrak", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 449, "review": "The large and imposing building made a lasting impression on Bob Hatrak when his family relocated from Pennsylvania to Trenton in the early 1940s. The fickle forces of fate would bring him to find himself working behind the cold gray walls of Trenton State Prison in the late 1960s. Years before working in the education department of Trenton State, Bob Hatrak was born and raised in rural Pennsylvania. His parents were immigrants from Czechoslovakia who instilled lifelong characteristics of hard work and perseverance into Bob\u2019s life. Bob would also learn the vital importance of communication with authority figures and the need to stand up for oneself.

Bob Hatrak was a better-than-average student and a promising baseball pitcher. He was the recipient of a few scholarship offers to play ball at various colleges, but Bob opted to stay local. His potential to go further in the sport was dashed by a grisly industrial accident that mangled his throwing hand. Despite an initial urge to wallow in his troubles, Bob would overcome this adversity and throw himself further into his studies.

Bob had previously worked in Trenton State Prison in a part-time capacity. However, his chance to make a lasting impression arrived in 1967 when he was brought on as Director of Education. The education of the prisoners was deficient and in need of an overhaul. Bob would supervise a modernizing of available learning materials and would guide many inmates into receiving their high school equivalency diploma.

In 1973, Bob would become the Warden at Rahway State Prison. The prison had an infamous reputation based on its inmate makeup and previous inmate uprisings. Bob sought to institute reforms within the prison to aid in the rehabilitation of the prisoners and improve the reputation of the facility. The Self-Rehabilitation Enterprise Group would lead to the program known as \u201cScared Straight.\u201d

Not on My Watch, Not on My Watch is a memoir that regales the reader with the story of a man who would run one of the more infamous correctional institutions in New Jersey, if not the United States. However, Bob Hatrak\u2019s story does not dwell on the gratuitous or graphic in order to be a fantastic read. Hatrak sparks the reader\u2019s interest from inception in his vivid remembrance of the 1971 Rahway State Prison riot and how thinking would need to be quick at Trenton State Prison in order to quell any similar disturbances. The appeal of the book comes from Hatrak\u2019s zeal in innovating the institutions he worked at while also reaching out to the men under his charge. The memories of his wife Joan on assorted moments in their relationship add a little extra color to this splendid autobiography.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "18-Mar-2024", "date_added": "25-Jan-2024 22:20:32", "publisher": "Villa Magna Publishing", "page_count": "323 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013683011", "title": "The Book of Doors: A Novel", "author": "Gareth Brown", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 203, "review": "Cassie spends her days working at a bookstore where she receives regular visits from Mr. Webber, who comes to enjoy a book and conversation. When the older gentleman dies, he leaves behind a mysterious book called The Book of Doors. Now she begins to see new possibilities but when a mysterious stranger saves her from a dangerous man, she learns that some will do whatever it takes to retrieve it.

The twists and turns are unexpected and are grounded with genuine heart and humanity that layers the characters. Mr. Webber is the catalyst for pulling Cassie into this other world, which creates a domino effect of events that pull her into real danger and an adventure that is action-packed and suspenseful. She has a longing in her to hold onto the past and through the book she\u2019s able to confront other aspects of herself.

Through Cassie, you\u2019re pulled into the mystery of what is happening, while other perspectives provide a way to understand the world and see different sides of it. Each character is understandable and well-rounded, making for an engaging villain or a charming ally. The Book of Doors is a delightful adventure with endearing characters, lots of heart, and magical books.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2024", "date_added": "29-Jan-2024 20:34:52", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013683007", "title": "Handmade Renaissance Faire Fashion: 20+ Patterns for Crafting Faire-Ready Capes, Cloaks and Crowns\u2015the Authentic Way!", "author": "Maria Anton, Alassie Guisado", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Renaissance Faires are popular all over the country. Some people spend all year preparing for their cosplay journeys to the past the fairs are a portal to. This is a book that will be a great help for anyone interested in attending a Renaissance Faire.

It opens with a short introduction to expectations for the fairs, tools needed for crafting the costumes and accessories, and some tricks and techniques for making what you need. There are five costume sections: The Fairy, The Peasant, The Hunter, The Princess, and The Druid. Each covers all parts of the costume and how to construct them as well as masks, hats, crowns, belts, bags, and other accessories. In addition, there are instructions for doing one\u2019s hair and make-up.

Each section includes lists of the materials and tools needed for each project, and well-written instructions with lots of photographs to help explain the steps. There is an envelope in the back of the book with patterns for every project as well as instructions explaining how to make the patterns smaller or larger for a perfect fit.

This is a beautiful book that will inspire many to join this fun pastime. This is a winner.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "16-Mar-2024", "date_added": "29-Jan-2024 20:07:07", "publisher": "Page Street Publishing", "page_count": "120 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013683003", "title": "The Editor: How Publishing Legend Judith Jones Shaped Culture in America", "author": "Sara B Franklin", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 202, "review": "Judith Jones learned to buck conventions from an early age when refusing to conform to her mother\u2019s expectations for education and career. Judith loved to read and cook, and her devotion to both would factor into her adult life. Her independent path took her to Bennington College, where she furthered her knowledge of literature and poetry as an English major\u2014her time at college also introduced her to the publishing industry when she took a temporary job at Doubleday during her Freshman year.

A trip to Europe with family would have a lasting impact on Jones\u2019 life as she would make enduring connections in the publishing industry and meet her future husband while living in Paris. Jones\u2019 editorial flair while working for Doubleday and Knopf led to the publishing of The Diary of Anne Frank, cookbooks by Julia Child, and novels from John Updike, Anne Tyler, and countless others.

The significance of an editor to a book\u2019s journey is just one memorable highlight in a fascinating biography about a true force in the publishing industry. Author Sara B. Franklin delivers a rewarding book about a pioneer in the book world, a woman whose appreciation for the written word shone through in her career.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "25-Jan-2024 15:23:41", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013682011", "title": "Crucible of Chaos", "author": "Sebastien de Castell", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 206, "review": "Not all is well at Isola Sombra, an ancient abbey where monks have worshiped their gods since long before they died. Estevar Borros, one of the king\u2019s legendary magistrates known as the Greatcoats, receives a desperate plea for help from the abbot; the monks have gone mad over claims and rumors of new gods rising.

The investigation begins before Estevar even arrives at the abbey. Armed with only his rapier and a mule that lives up to the name of Imperious, can the legendary Greatcoat solve the mystery before all is lost?

Full of sharp wit, fantastic characters, and elements of supernatural horror, Crucible of Chaos is a fast-paced mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I enjoyed every moment of this book, even the parts that did drag. Estevar, at his core, is an investigator and much of the story is him talking through his theories. Though it was a little boring at times, I enjoyed this, but it's not for everyone.

The other characters are fun, unique from each other and crazy in their own way. I love the mysterious young woman, who is more than she seems, yet all the clues are laid out if you pay close attention.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "03-Apr-2024", "date_added": "29-Jan-2024 22:02:17", "publisher": "Mobius", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013681007", "title": "Don't Let the Devil Ride: A Novel", "author": "Ace Atkins", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 195, "review": "Addison McKellar hasn\u2019t heard from her husband Dean in a week. He went overseas on business but his lack of contact worries her. This isn\u2019t the first time Dean has disappeared. When Addison visits her husband\u2019s company to ask around, she is thrown for a loop when no one has heard of her husband\u2019s company. Addison\u2019s mental state is frazzled and she is soon relying on the services of a private investigator named Porter Hayes. Hayes is a persistent and thorough detective who knows people and can track down leads. As Hayes and Addison begin to investigate Dean\u2019s disappearance, the troubling questions multiply about not only Dean\u2019s disappearance but Dean\u2019s identity as well. Addison\u2019s anxiety becomes frustration and soon dread as she is visited by menacing men who are looking for Dean and/or information Dean possesses. Addison\u2019s world will never be the same.

Don\u2019t Let the Devil Ride is the latest ripping mystery yarn from author Ace Atkins. The high drama of the missing persons case evolves into an action-packed thriller as the actions of Dean McKellar have summoned hitmen, quasi-intelligence agents, and other men of mystery into Memphis. Atkins has crafted a superb detective novel.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2024", "date_added": "25-Jan-2024 14:16:28", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013673007", "title": "Bonfire Night", "author": "Anna Bliss", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 277, "review": "The backdrop of London in 1936 sets a tumultuous stage for Anna Bliss's debut novel, Bonfire Night. As twenty-one year old Irish Catholic Kate Grifferty sets out on the streets to photograph ant-fascists protests, she knows her keen eye is her only hope of someday seeing her own name next to a photo in the newspaper. She's been working in a press office but fears her boss only views her as an attractive office ornament. She hopes to capture images that solidify her as a talent rather than a conquest. On her mission, she meets Jewish medical student David Rabatkin, who is as serious about his future as Kate is about hers. Their fiery initial meeting and eventual relationship changes both their lives in numerous and stunning ways.

The research Bliss must have done to capture the realities of the time period make this one of the most exceptional historical novels I've read in a while. From the details about characters\u2019 clothing to popular music to the interior decor of apartments and office buildings, all of her choices are immaculate. Reading this novel was a truly immersive experience. And, for readers who are interested in conversations about interfaith relationships, the book is also a must read.

While some of the choices David makes to support his family and to further his future seem callous at first, there is a heartbreaking resignation to his decisions as well. What he wants is not always what Kate wants, but their desire for each other is as hot as the bonfires that burn on Guy Fawkes night. The question at the heart of Bonfire Night is, will that desire be enough?", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "04-Apr-2024", "date_added": "24-Jan-2024 19:39:28", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013673003", "title": "Molten Death (An Orchid Isle Mystery)", "author": "Leslie Karst", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 200, "review": "Valerie and wife Kristen are in Hawaii for a vacation. They are staying with one of Kristen's surfer friends Isaac hoping to catch some waves and learn more about Hawaii's culture and cuisine. But when they visit a nearby volcano, Valerie is convinced she sees a body or part of a body being covered by flowing lava. The only problem is that no one else saw it. Nevertheless, Valerie can't get the image of the dead body out of her mind, making her determined to investigate. But even she has to admit that it will be no easy task without a body or an identity. Plus she knows next to nothing about the area or its residents, but that isn't about to stop her trying. Will she be able to solve a mystery, and enjoy her vacation?

Molten Death is a delightful read, full of Hawaiian charm. I love how the author brings so much cultural information to light throughout the story. And since Valeria is a retired caterer, many local dishes are showcased, with recipes included at the end of the book. I am hoping this turns into a new series so I can revisit these characters and settings soon.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "20-Jul-2024", "date_added": "24-Jan-2024 19:29:31", "publisher": "Severn House, Severn House", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013668003", "title": "The Selkie's Daughter", "author": "Linda Crotta Brennan", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Susan Faith - age 16", "word_count": 207, "review": "The Selkie\u2019s Daughter, written by Linda Crotta Brennan, is not just a book. It is a journey. The main character, Brigit, discovers that she is the daughter of a selkie. Once her mother tells stories (each chapter even opens with a mystical poem), Brigit learns more about her family\u2019s extraordinary history. Her mother warns about a \u201cselkie bane\u201d in Sule Skerrie, where humans are killing baby seals and probably selkies too, enraging the Great Selkie. As Brigit tells us, \u201cKilling selkies is murder.\u201d

She then journeys off to Sule Skerrie, to save her dying father and her people. One of the most fascinating things about this book (aside from the poems, which I especially enjoyed) is that sometimes when Brigit is under the sea talking to her mother, she uses \u201cmind-speak\u201d\u2014talking to someone with your mind. Brennan uses mind-speak in italics which helps the reader to understand when this unique form of communication is being used in the story.

The imagery is so fascinating you can almost touch it. This book is an adventure of genocide prevention and self-discovery, of family and mystique. The Selkie\u2019s Daughter kept me engaged in the incredible story from start to finish. I recommend this book with enthusiasm to young adult readers!", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "27-Jun-2024", "date_added": "22-Jan-2024 23:13:52", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013667011", "title": "Broken Vow (Brutal Birthright, 5)", "author": "Sophie Lark", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 187, "review": "Enthralling with impressive chemistry, Broken Vow is not to be missed. It\u2019s the best of two worlds, providing a slow burn romance with an entertaining thriller mystery storyline.

Career-driven Riona is relentlessly focused on making partner at the Griffin family firm. She can\u2019t be bothered with social entanglements, and openly rebels from any behavior society would consider a wifely domestic duty. As the much anticipated partnership announcement nears, Riona doubles down on her workload, which lends to self-isolation and predictable patterns, making her an exceptionally easy target for a notorious hitman. When the attempt goes awry, the family calls in the best to keep Riona safe while they sort out who hired the hit.

Raylan comes on the scene with all the swagger and charm of a southern gentleman paired with the discipline of a soldier. Determined to rewrite Riona\u2019s first impression, Raylan tenaciously pursues the prickly redhead\u2019s favor. Forced to spend every minute of the day together, the two are constantly stepping on toes and testing boundaries. The tension builds as the two continue to circle one another all the while the hitman is closing in.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Jan-2024 22:46:53", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013663015", "title": "While Drowning in the Desert (Neal Carey Mysteries, Book 5)", "author": "Don Winslow", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 193, "review": "Neal Carey was relaxing in a state of near euphoria when he received an all too familiar call. His mentor/surrogate father Joe Graham has a piece of work needing to be performed at the behest of his bosses. The job appears simple on the surface, namely going to Las Vegas and escorting an elderly man from Vegas to Palm Desert, CA. However, simplicity doesn\u2019t appear to be in the cards for Neal. His charge is an old-time stand-up comedian named Nathan Silverstein (aka Natty Silver). Within the first hours of meeting Nathan, Neal loses sight of him. Despite catching up with Nathan, the trip promises not to be an easy one as Nathan proves reluctant to return home and other parties searching for Nathan would prefer he be a hole in the desert.

While Drowning in the Desert is the first-rate finale in the Neal Carey series from author Don Winslow (City on Fire). Neal is self-admittedly flawed but his evolution as a nuanced character continues through the guided strokes of Winslow\u2019s pen. Winslow\u2019s gift for timely humor and exemplary plot twists are highlighted in this swan song for the young amateur detective.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2024", "date_added": "23-Jan-2024 21:25:14", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "202 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013663011", "title": "Becoming Homeschoolers: Give Your Kids a Great Education, a Strong Family, and a Life They'll Thank You for Later", "author": "Monica Swanson", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 201, "review": "Becoming Homeschoolers: Give Your Kids a Great Education, a Strong Family, and a Life They\u2019ll Thank You for Later by Monica Swanson is a helpful guide to the homeschooling process. It offers many tips and strategies for getting started with homeschooling and how to navigate the often-uncertain waters at various ages and stages. It is comprised of short, easy-to-read sections, with easily applicable take-aways at the end of each chapter and actionable steps to further any family in their homeschooling. This book is part how-to guide and part cheerleader.

Potential downsides of this book are as follows. The author references her faith liberally, both in her parenting and educational theory, as well as with Bible verses, so this may put off some readers. Also, I found the author\u2019s treatment of homeschooling for single parent families or families where both parents work to be flippant and condescending.

That being said, I found this book to be incredibly thorough in its explanations of homeschooling, presenting an array of options and ideas for almost any family. This is the book to recommend to any family starting on their homeschooling journey, or a shot in the arm for a family that is struggling in theirs.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "22-Jan-2024 23:21:23", "publisher": "Zondervan", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013662015", "title": "Lola and the Troll", "author": "Connie Schultz, Sandy Rodriguez", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 179, "review": "Lola is a young girl who loves school but hates walking to school because she must pass a young boy who dresses like a troll and hurls hurtful insults at everyone who passes. Lola tries to be brave but eventually starts changing herself in response to the insults: she wears her curly hair differently, stops smiling because of her missing front teeth, and worst of all, begins whispering because the troll said she was too loud.

Eventually, Lola\u2019s teacher notices the changes and tells Lola the bully must be very afraid of Lola if the only way he can feel good about himself is by making Lola feel bad about her wonderful traits. With her confidence back, Lola confronts the Troll, who ends up being a new boy happy to make a friend.

Lola and the Troll sends an incredibly important message in this beautifully told and illustrated story. No child should ever feel they need to change themselves or lose their voice in response to a bully. And maybe, just maybe, the bully needs some understanding as well.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "27-Feb-2024", "date_added": "23-Jan-2024 22:59:19", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013662007", "title": "The Five Impossible Tasks of Eden Smith", "author": "Tom Llewellyn", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 13", "word_count": 264, "review": "Eden Smith has had a pretty tragic life. By the time she was seven, she had lost both her parents to a meteor. Spending pretty much her whole life in foster care, Eden finally gains a bit of hope when she discovers that her paternal grandfather is still alive, and even better, he\u2019s right in her hometown of Tacoma. Filled with hope, Eden is brought to the gorgeous and strange mansion in which her grandfather and the Guildhall of Smiths reside.

There, Eden discovers a strange and secret society of elderly blacksmiths and metalworkers whose mastery is almost magical, and her grandfather, Vulcan Smith, is the best of them all. But just as Eden is settling into her new life and discovering her talent for metalworking, her grandfather disobeys the Guildhall rules and gets stripped of his smithing rights.

The only way he can regain his title is if he, or a stand in, complete the five Impossible Tasks, a series of deadly feats that require absurd amounts of bravery and courage. Eden, not wanting to lose her last existing family member, must brave the tasks if she ever wants to see her grandfather again.

The Five Impossible Tasks of Eden Smith would be great for kids ages six to twelve but it is a little bit too childish for my liking. Overall, this is an interesting book and it does a wonderful job of incorporating Eden with a detailed backstory that further grows her character in the book. This is a great book and I believe that it will truly make it far.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2024", "date_added": "22-Jan-2024 23:17:58", "publisher": "Holiday House", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013662003", "title": "Secret FACTopia!: Follow the trail of 400 hidden facts (FACTopia!, 7)", "author": "Paige Towler, Smith, Britannica Group", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "This book has something for everyone. It has four hundred interesting facts that are ever so tangentially connected with a through-line to pull readers from the beginning to the end of the book. It discusses the tiniest of things \u2014 there are at least a thousand different species of fungi known as microfungi that are invisible to the human eye \u2014 to huge things \u2014 the Easter Island Head statues also have enormous bodies sunk into the ground.

It also discusses great secrets \u2014 enslaved Africans sent to Brazil created a martial art they disguised as a dance so they could practice it. Readers will love learning experts can tell what colors dinosaurs were by studying melanosomes, tiny cells found in fossils of their feathers and scales. And so much more.

Author Paige Towler has filled pages with chunks of text written in a breezy, conversational style that is welcoming and fun. These text chunks are scattered around the pages along with cute, brightly colored cartoon illustrations and graphics that support the text. This is a great book to take on a long car trip or to keep on the bedside table to pick up for quick reading.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "19-Aug-2024", "date_added": "22-Jan-2024 22:00:15", "publisher": "What on Earth Publishing", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013660015", "title": "American Flygirl", "author": "Susan Tate Ankeny", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 207, "review": "Hazel Ying Lee is an unsung hero who volunteered to participate in a war and fought for her place as a female pilot. Though she faced discrimination her whole life, she held onto her dream of one day being able to fly. She never let anyone define who she was or who she could be, using her determination and ambition to push forward in the face of any adversary. Hazel left behind a legacy to inspire all the women who came after her.

What makes the biography unique is that it is structured as a story that takes you into her life with a format that is character-driven. This allows you to get to know Hazel rather than just read about what she did. Hazel was an incredible woman who never let anyone keep her from living her dreams. The book depicts many of her challenges but it also highlights the amazing feats she achieved, along with references to other amazing female pilots. The historical backdrop is crafted well by Ankeny to take you into this period through Hazel\u2019s eyes.

American Fly Girl tells the story of legacy, ambition, empowerment, and dreams through the life of Hazel Lee, who dared to challenge what was expected of her.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "11-Apr-2024", "date_added": "22-Jan-2024 22:58:15", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013660007", "title": "Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir", "author": "Weiwei Ai, Elettra Stamboulis, Gianluca Costantini", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - age 13", "word_count": 176, "review": "World-renowned artist Ai Wei Wei tells his story about his childhood and what it was like growing up in China. His personal stories about his childhood, his family, his career, and his philosophies are told along with the legends of the twelve Chinese zodiac symbols. Read this book to get a glimpse of his childhood, struggles, and his fight for freedom.

Although I don\u2019t know much about the artist, I found his life and stories very fascinating. I liked how he connected his stories with the Chinese zodiac. I was a little confused by some of his stories and felt some of the panels and stories were disjointed. Sometimes, I didn\u2019t know who the people were in the stories or panels. It was rather confusing.

I was hoping the art in this graphic novel would be illustrated by Ai Wei Wei himself, so I was a little disappointed that he didn\u2019t illustrate this book. I recommend this graphic novel for readers or artists who are interested in learning about Ai Wei Wei\u2019s philosophies and personal life.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Jan-2024 22:02:18", "publisher": "Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013659003", "title": "Love Grows", "author": "Ruth Spiro, Lucy Ruth Cummins", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 176, "review": "In Love Grows, a very thoughtful aunt sends a series of houseplants to her niece, each with a sweet note and some helpful information about the plant. Very quickly, the young girl has a very large collection of well-tended plants: a monstera, pothos, fern, cactus, spider plant, snake plant, and a fiddle-leaf fig, to name but a few. Each letter and plant also carries the subtext of the aunt\u2019s love for her niece until the aunt finally arrives for a visit and the whole family can see that, just like the plants, love grows.

Respected children\u2019s science-book writer Ruth Spiro has written an endearing yet informative children\u2019s book with a heartwarming theme. Here, listeners learn about a whole host of common houseplants while also hearing that, like thriving plants, a family\u2019s love grows as well. Lucy Ruth Cummins\u2019 cozy illustrations complement the text nicely. This book should not be missed by young green thumbs or by aunts and uncles with special nieces or nephews, although they may want to plan for a trip to the nursery.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "27-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Jan-2024 21:55:26", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013658007", "title": "The Doctor Was a Woman: Stories of the First Female Physicians on the Frontier", "author": "Chris Enss", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 217, "review": "Smallpox, tuberculosis, childbirth, diphtheria, gunshots, \u201cSpanish flu,\u201d broken bones, and more. These are just some of the maladies that settlers and others living in the western US faced during the late 1800s and early 1900s. This slim history provides well-researched vignettes of ten women who became doctors and served their communities in that period. Often, their own families didn\u2019t support their ambitions and they had to work teaching or sewing or laundering to afford medical school. Facing prejudice, blizzards, prairie fires, and personal hardship, they persevered to attain education and recognition. But in the West, towns with no other doctors were willing to take a risk on these tough resilient women, many of whom lived in their nineties. Several of the women also advocated for the right to vote and for temperance, although one notably argued for the sterilization of the \u201ccriminally insane,\u201d convinced that such tendencies were hereditary. This reader was particularly impressed with the physician who reconstructed a man\u2019s face through thirty cosmetic surgeries over six months, in 1887! And the patient lived another two decades. Illustrated with period photographs, this well-researched book also includes medical advice of the era: treatments for flu, the care of infants, and eye health. Thi is a fascinating read for anyone interested in history, health care, and women\u2019s history.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "25-Apr-2024", "date_added": "22-Jan-2024 22:04:26", "publisher": "Globe Pequot", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013658003", "title": "When Elephants Listen With Their Feet: Discover Extraordinary Animal Senses", "author": "Emmanuelle Grundmann, Cl\u00e9mence Dupont, Erin Woods", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Children do love books about animals, and it is always great to find a fresh look at making an informational text about animals. Writing one that will hold the interest of children is a challenge. Author Emmanuelle Grundmann, who has a doctorate in ethology, the science of animal behavior, is the perfect person for this task.

She has filled every spread with bite-sized chunks of fun, conversational text that will introduce young readers to the astonishing and amazing ways a wide variety of animals use their senses. She covers all kinds of animals from little spiders and beetles to huge whales and elephants and everything in between.

Did you know that a polar bear can smell a seal nineteen miles away or that a blue-tongued skink can bounce a flash of blue light with its tongue to scare predators away or that Gambian pouched rats can detect underground mines because their sense of smell is three hundred times greater than humans?

This book is chock full of fascinating facts like this. Illustrations in soft colors by Cl\u00e9mence Dupont support the text by filling every page with beautifully rendered pictures of all these animals. Kids will love this book.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "18-Mar-2024", "date_added": "22-Jan-2024 21:53:43", "publisher": "Pajama Press Inc.", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013657007", "title": "Life on the Thames (Child's Play Library)", "author": "Emma Shoard", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 203, "review": "When there is mention of the Thames River, most people think about London, but the river runs from near the West Coast of England to the Eastern shore and into the North Sea, nearly two hundred and fifty miles. As with every river, the Thames not only has a rich history but a diverse range of flora and fauna as well. This lovely book takes a journey from the origin of the Thames in the Gloucestershire village of Kembrle to its exit into the sea.

Readers are introduced to ducks, moorhens, coots, otters, snakes, water voles, wagtails, kingfishers, fish, insects, bats, and more, as well as some of the plant life along the river. Besides this, the author looks at things like the narrow boats that travel the river, the locks that help them move through, the mudlarks who search for treasure along the river in London when the tides are low, and the salt marshes and mudflats farther along.

There is a lot of text for a picture book. The writing is conversational and inviting. The real star of the book is the gorgeous watercolor illustrations on every page. This will be enjoyed by children, but adults will enjoy it as well.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2024", "date_added": "23-Jan-2024 01:28:26", "publisher": "Child's Play", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013655007", "title": "Facing the Enemy: How a Nazi Youth Camp in America Tested a Friendship", "author": "Barbara Krasner", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Benjy Puterman, who is Jewish, and Tommy Anspach, a German American, have been friends forever and do everything together. Until, that is, Tommy\u2019s father joins a local bund and decides Tommy should go to Camp Nordland, a summer camp for Nazi youth. At first, Tommy is excited about the camp. He feels like he belongs, and he accepts the warped idea that Jews are a lower class, and they are the true enemy.

His father is drinking too much and buying into the Nazi ways completely. Benjy is heartbroken and misses his friend. After some time, people start to turn against the Nazi movement. Tommy begins to understand how wrong things are, and he misses his friend, but is it too late for him to get safely out?

Barbara Krasner has written a well-researched historical fiction in verse that shines a light on a dark period in our country, a time we must never forget, now more than ever. Her poetry is extraordinary, mostly free verse but with several structured poems included, voicing both Benjy\u2019s and Tommy\u2019s thoughts and experiences. Each poem tells a little of Benjy\u2019s or Tommy\u2019s story, with a few voicing both boys. Don\u2019t miss this!", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "27-Feb-2024", "date_added": "22-Jan-2024 22:12:37", "publisher": "Astra Publishing House", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013653023", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 107, "review": "\"Enlivening and perceptive, the works by Verna Hall Linzey collected in Pearls of Gold both gladden the heart and prompt reflection on what is truly important in life. From an evocative account of a young boy finding refuge on a wintry night to musings on the nature of aging, a treatise on the importance of perseverance to a meditation on the quality of meekness, the included poems run the gamut of emotion and experience. They stir the mind, inspiring contemplation of the past and present as well as driving change in the future, all the while offering entertainment and amusement for the reader.\"\u2014Erin Britton, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jan-2024 01:06:35", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000013653019", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 50, "review": "\u201cFilled with poems short and long, Pearls of Gold is full of stories and anecdotes that readers will enjoy. The poems float off the page in four-line rhyming prose giving them a wonderful sing-songy feel. A collection of poems for all ages and genders.\u201d Kyle Eaton, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jan-2024 01:05:32", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013653015", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 65, "review": "\"Each poem tells a compelling story, encouraging deep reflection and offering practical lessons for a prosperous society. Verna Linzey's words flow effortlessly, carrying a rhythm and depth that are both enlightening and inspiring. Her strong relationship with God shines through her carefully crafted words, making Pearls of Gold a must-read for those seeking enlightenment and a fresh perspective on life.\" \u2014Maria Yinks, Portland Book Review", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jan-2024 01:05:08", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013653011", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 53, "review": "\"Exploring themes of love, courage, integrity, faith, humility, patience, prayer, patriotism, and so much more, Verna Hall Linzey uses rhyming poetry and prose poetry to share her ideas. A guileless approach and clarity of language mark her work, which is supported throughout with beautiful classic black-and-white drawings.\" \u2014Rosi Hollinbeck, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2024", "date_added": "18-Jan-2024 01:04:22", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013653007", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 91, "review": "\"Uplifting, optimistic, and occasionally humorous, Verna Hall Linzey's Pearls of Gold is sure to put a smile on your face. Her poetry, thoughtful yet accessible, often feels like letters written to loved ones. Subject matter ranges from faith to courage, to aging, holidays in the United States, and even the late Queen Elizabeth II. An insightful foreword from Alveda King provides a window into the fascinating life of the author. Whether taken in sips or one massive gulp, Linzey's personality shines in this sweet and endearing collection.\"\u2014Ben Haskett, Chicago Book Review", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jan-2024 01:03:42", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013653003", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 67, "review": "\"Faith and love of humanity are at the center of Pearls of Gold a collection of poems and prayers by the late Verna Hall Linzey. As a well-traveled woman, Linzey\u2019s writings embodied her view of the world: imbued with openness and gentleness and filled with a sense of wonder. The artwork represents the poet\u2019s quiet contemplative spirit, an invitation for thoughtful reflection.\" \u2014Maileen Hamto, Tulsa Book Review", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jan-2024 01:02:41", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013652003", "title": "Lost in Saigon", "author": "Paul Martin", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 80, "review": "\"Fast-paced with short chapters, Lost in Saigon tells the story of Navy journalist Wally Jeter who is sent to Vietnam during the war and how decades later it still affects him. Through his eyes, readers will see how not all the horror of war is on the front lines, but also with the people it leaves behind. Lost in Saigon describes how the people there to help may not truly wish to be there.\" \u2014Grace Derickson, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Jan-2024 23:19:53", "publisher": "Gemini Originals", "page_count": "229 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000013651103", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 57, "review": "\u201cPowerful and uplifting, readers will find the poetry of Verna Hall Linzey to be inspiring and full of life. With positive messages from cover to cover, she teaches her readers life lessons that anyone can benefit from. Flooded with beautiful imagery to accompany the poems, readers will greatly enjoy this special book.\u201d Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Jan-2024 00:25:44", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013651099", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Michaela Gordoni", "word_count": 407, "review": "In Pearls of Gold, Verna Hall Linzey, a movie actress, evangelist, poet, writer, Bible translator, television and radio host, speaker, and singer, takes readers on a silken journey through her gentle perceptions. Through poetry and prayers, readers come to learn of Linzey\u2019s devout faith and wise spirit.

Each poem is concise, with many sweet tones or astute observations. She writes of Christmas and Easter, faith and hope, aging, virtues, and her love for Christ. She also has a few poems about humor and patriotism, as well as several prayers for the United States Armed Forces and England\u2019s former monarch, displaying the importance of caring for the nation's well-being.

Reading these poems is like taking a look into a clear pond. The late author wore her heart on her sleeve. It\u2019s very easy to understand each poem; there is nothing cryptic. Some of them are quite simple and concise, but nevertheless elegant and well-composed. For example, take the first poem in the collection, titled \u201cAngels:\u201d \u201cAngels are sweet / With comfort divine, / And very discreet; / I know one is mine.\u201d Linzey\u2019s careful words have a thoughtful and calming effect.

They are nearly all positive or have a happy ending. She writes with much wisdom and experience. It is easy to tell that she was a very observant person, who was very aware of her role in the world. She writes of her fleeting life and unwavering dedication to the Lord in \u201cI Will Pass One Time:\u201d \u201cThrough this life / I will pass one time; / I will sacrifice / Each day. To Him I will yield / To have new life, For life is death, / But death is gain!\u201d

All of the poems and prayers are accompanied by grayscale pre-modern paintings and, as an exception, a photo, enhancing the visual and sensory experience for the reader. Even without the pictures, each poem evokes undeniable thought or emotion.

Overall, Pearls of Gold is a work that has been crafted with great poise and careful thought, from the poems\u2019 coordination with their according pictures to the arrangement of each line. Linzey was full of profound and subtle insight, which pillows her words. This is a work of keen perceptions, creativity, and depth that can only come from a woman of great faith. It is a tapestry woven with threads of profound insight, offering readers a glimpse into the contemplative world of a soulful and gifted writer.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2024", "date_added": "15-Jan-2024 00:24:11", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013651095", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 423, "review": "Forwarded by Alveda C. King, Pearls of Gold by Verna Hall Linzey is a poetic expression of her life and her perception of the world around her. In this remarkable collection of poems, Verna guides us to an artistic and magical depiction of qualities like integrity, love, joy, patience, and humility. She also shares her views on various subjects. In Pax Americana, she writes on how the US armed forces continually forge liberty. Other poems tell intriguing stories. In The Lighthouse, we follow a ship and its crew's turbulent journey in a thunderous rain. Some poems are humorous, like The Storm, which brings attention to a storm screaming while discovering a rat and a cat under a bed. Join Verna as she tells her stories and captures important ponderings through her carefully selected words.

The poems are short and sweet, yet profound and deeply enriching. I took my time and made sure to enjoy the experience of personalizing the poems and extracting words of wisdom from them. I've not seen a truer definition of courage than in the poem Courage. I don't think anything requires more courage than \"facing the fear of death\" and \"facing the loss of friends\". I appreciated how this poem helped me see courage in a new, clearer light. Another poem, The Beautiful Soul, reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend recently about the corruption that knowledge and age bring, as well as the purity of an innocent child. In this poem, the meekness of the child is used to represent a beautiful soul.

Besides its profound messages, another great aspect of the book is its splendid presentation. Whether it's a storm that screams or a character's wise words that are compared to pearls of gold, the poems are skillfully adorned with similes, metaphors, personification, and other figures of speech. Additionally, many poems contain rhymes that are fun to recite and read aloud. The solemn black-and-white pictures that portray people and nature also add to the book's allure.

For anyone searching below the surface and spending time shaping their thoughts and perceptions as they journey through life, Pearls of Gold proves that every thought can become a beautiful experience that's worth sharing and preserving. Since the poems are lyrical and the author's accessible words can be easily understood by anyone who understands basic English, the average reader will have a great time exploring the book's pages. You will not only bond with the author but also connect with your inner voice and a reassuring, higher power.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2024", "date_added": "15-Jan-2024 00:21:21", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013651091", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 434, "review": "In Pearls of Gold, Verna Hall Linzey has composed various poems depicting the Christian life, her thoughts and feelings, and how she experienced life. Here, you will find poems of Christmas and Easter, general poems touching mostly on God and Christ, as well as some humorous and patriotic poems. Linzy has also included her prayers for those being deployed, veterans, those currently serving in the Armed Forces and Queen Elizabeth II.

Pearls of Gold includes a forward by Dr. Alveda C. King and Linzey thanks her friends Pat and Debbie Boone, Jimmie Rodgers and Kathy Lee Gifford, which goes to show you how well-known and well-loved she was. Linzey was an American evangelist and an ordained minister in the General Council of the Assemblies of God. This can be clearly seen as most of her poems are Christ-oriented. Linzey states that her purpose in putting these poems into a book is \u201cwith a hope of inspiring my reading audience with a zest for life and the expectation that their story can be what they want it to be.\u201d

These poems are so sweet and simple; they are really accessible to anyone. There are only a few that use words people outside the Christian faith might not understand, like the ones in \u201cGod\u201d or the Latin of \u201cSanctae Trinitatis\u201d, although you could probably figure out from the context. Most of the poems are only four lines long, with a picture or artwork accompanying each one. The one that stood out the most to me was, \u201cDon\u2019t Ever Give Up.\u201d I agree with the line \u201ccling to the gospel\u201d as the only way to finish the race and to face trouble of every kind. While I am from a different denomination as Verna and we would probably disagree on many things, this is one area where we would not have any differences.

There are some people out there who think excellent poetry only occurs if there is no rhyming or cadence, as if that\u2019s childish. If you are one of those, then you will not enjoy this collection. Linzey\u2019s poems are full of rhyming and rhythm, which I personally find much more enjoyable. As I mentioned, they are, for the most part, short; however, that doesn\u2019t mean that they aren\u2019t touching on some deep subjects such as the transfiguration, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

Even if you have no idea of the topics I just mentioned, I still recommend you read these poems. The love and joy of the author permeates each one and can add a ray of sunshine to a dreary day.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Jan-2024 00:21:11", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013651087", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 409, "review": "Verna Hall Linzey's Pearls of Gold: The Poetry of Verna Hall Linzey are pieces of wisdom overflowing from her heart and soul, a blessing to her readers. The verse-novel of poems, categorized for the reader's ease, is a necessity to read, but the order is subjective; themes of comfort (for body and soul), hope, and praise ring strong in the author's humble tones, with some reading as thought-provoking, contemplative, and timeless. The works of art cover memorable and monumental times throughout history in a simplistic manner while offering an explanation or reasoning for the events and how they relate to the past and present.

Linzey's work is lyrical in verse, with universal categories for an inclusive audience. Tranquil and calming illustrations accompany each piece to allow the reader a moment, or peek, into the window of her thoughts, beliefs, and self. Linzey presents the fruits of the spirit, morally appropriate teachings, and her specialty for seeing things clearly and concisely in a world easily fogged and confused. Her conclusion includes support and well-being for worldly principal figures.

The late Mrs. Verna Hall Linzey's beliefs and priorities are evident through her works of art (Pearls of Gold as well as other titles) and selfless acts toward and for others. Living from 1919\u20132016, she lived a fulfilling, productive, and model-worthy life, being at some point a wife, mother, author, gospel singer, songwriter, minister alongside her husband, television evangelist, film actress, and listed in \"Who's Who Among American Women, \"Who's Who in America,\" and \"Who's Who in the World.\" Her enjoyment of writing and the topics chosen is evident, passionate, and personal through her word choices and phrasing.

The intended audience for Linzey's work is anyone and everyone based on the subject matter. The text includes wording most appropriately understood by readers capable of thinking in layers\u2014that is, more comprehensively. Subject-wise, nothing exists as anything other than meaningful, personal, loving, and honest in every word specifically chosen. The book's length is appropriate to be devoured in a single sitting or read individually with ample contemplation and reflection.

Linzey incorporates her beliefs, nature, and places near and dear to her heart from childhood to the present at the time of writing. Her patriotism for country, others, and higher powers is evident in the writings and by those with whom she interacted, as the reader will find the forward delivered by the late Martin Luther King Jr.'s niece, a fellow activist and Christian evangelist.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2024", "date_added": "15-Jan-2024 00:20:54", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013651083", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 414, "review": "Pearls of Gold is a collection of Christian poetry and prayers, few of which I think will appeal to non-Christians. The poems tend to be short (the longest was sixteen lines) and most are split into rhyming quatrains. I feel this is important to state right off to help people determine whether they are the ideal audience for the book. People who are not interested in poems about God or who want a wide variety of poetic styles will likely find the book rather dull. Those who do enjoy the book will do so for two reasons: the tender, earnest faith of the author and the sweet simplicity of the verses.

Verna Hall Linzey\u2019s faith is the deeply felt, inoffensive sort that will be palatable to many American Christians. Her poetry doesn\u2019t examine Christianity, but that is not always necessary. At its best, it does something just as good: it celebrates. \u201cThe Wildwood Church\u201d is the best example of her sort of celebration. It is not a loud, bombastic poem but a tender one about a rural church, where the members are able to find God.

The simplicity is what will make or break most readers\u2019 opinions on these poems. The first several set the tone for the book as I read it. They were split into four-line stanzas and had either an ABAB or ABCB rhyme scheme, often featuring simple rhyming words at the end of the lines (e.g., \u201cdivine\u201d / \u201dmine\u201d, \u201cchild\u201d / \u201dmild\u201d, \u201cfar\u201d / \u201dstar\u201d). At times, the poems seemed shaped to make the rhymes work, leading to some awkwardly phrased lines. This awkward phrasing detracted from the power of the poetry, and it also detracted from my enjoyment of the book as a whole.

Pearls of Gold is charming, but only because it does not go far enough in any way to be called anything more. The poems are simple and will provide enjoyment to some, but for those who want depth and complex thought from either their poetry or their faith, they will prove rather hollow. I gave it three stars because I did find the author\u2019s effort sweet, and I could tell she had put her heart into the words. For works based in faith, heart counts for a great deal. However, I walked away from the book with nothing more than I had when I came to it. Quite possibly it will speak to others more than it spoke to me, but I was left unimpressed.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Jan-2024 00:20:43", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013651079", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 381, "review": "Pearls of Gold is a collection of poems with different sections such as Christmas, General, Humor, Prayers, and more. The poems celebrate the significance of Christmas, bringing back memories of time spent with family during the holidays. The poems, which are told in a story-like manner, are a reminder to embrace the beauty and chaos in the world. One of the poems that sparked my interest was the one titled Humility. The line goes,

\"In the fear of the Lord

One finds humility;

Then simple, small doors

Open eternally!\".

It is something important to me and guides my actions. This poem is not just for reading; you have to meditate on it and try to practice some of the things she mentions, as they will improve your life. The book is filled with moral lessons and values that should guide every member of the society. The author preaches patience, humility, integrity, and faith. These are important things that make a person a well-rounded individual.

Another thing I liked about the poems is that they could suit any occasion. She touches on diverse topics, and you can easily pick one that resonates with you. Reading these poems aloud in a gathering is bound to gain attention. The humor section was one of my favorites, as the lighthearted jokes brought smiles to my face. I think the images added to the end of each chapter switched up the reading experience a lot. They are depictions of the stories told in each poem, and I found myself studying the details of these pictures. Verna's poems are simple, to the point, and enlightening. The poems flowed effortlessly, as the words were well thought out and had a beautiful rhythm.

\nVerna Hall Linzey was the kind of woman that other women looked up to. She was successful throughout her lifetime and never shied away from displaying the gifts she was given. Verna knew the power of words and used these words carefully crafting them together to pass her message on. There is a lot to learn from the book, and I wish more people would read poems like this. It would go a long way in enlightening the people and making light of the problems they might have. Also, it would make them consider a different approach to life.

", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2024", "date_added": "15-Jan-2024 00:20:32", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013651075", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Michaela Gordoni", "word_count": 65, "review": "\"Gentle, peaceful, and beautiful poems survive actress Verna Hall Linzey in her final work. Soft and profound insight that can only come from a devout woman of faith flows with synergy and cadence, radiating through every line of her poetry. Each poem and prayer is a beacon of brightness\u2026One could say that they even shine like \"Pearls of Gold.\" \u2014Michaela Gordoni, San Diego Book Review", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Jan-2024 00:20:20", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013651071", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 424, "review": "The author of this poetry collection stated that her \u201cdesire is to share my life poetically, prayerfully, and perceptively\u201d and she seems to have accomplished exactly that through the poems contained within these pages. Each of the fifty-four poems is brief, none longer than a single page, and most use full rhyme techniques, along with regular meter, making them easy to read. One can easily imagine them being read aloud, perhaps to honor various occasions, and the book itself could make a lovely gift, as it is well designed, beautifully laid out, and the words are enhanced by numerous illustrations, primarily reproductions of classical paintings, along with some photographs of memorials and nature images.

Ms. Linzey was the author and editor of several books and Bibles, and evidently wrote poems throughout her life as well. The book contains one piece from 1947 and two others that honored Queen Elizabeth II in 2015 and 2016, while the rest are undated. With a foreword by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.\u2019s niece, Dr. Alveda C. King, and acknowledgments given to Pat and Debbie Boone, Jimmie Rodgers, and Kathy Lee Gifford, it\u2019s clear that Ms. Linzey was an evangelical Christian of some note.

This slim volume is divided into six sections, including Patriotic, Humor, Christmas, and Easter, while the largest section (\u201cGeneral\u201d) offers the poems alphabetically by title. Although a single section is labeled \u201cPrayers,\u201d many of the poems read like prayers, addressing the Divine, while others succinctly describe various moral qualities such as courage, patience, meekness, integrity, and temperance. These brief ones are more like aphorisms than full-blown poems, offering a single thought or idea. Perhaps like pearls on a string, they shine more brightly by being placed in a row and viewed next to one another.

This is the kind of poetry collection uses simple language and short lines, making it accessible to anyone, whether or not you\u2019ve studied poetics or were an English major in college. short lines, there are vivid Although most of the poet\u2019s choice of topics are ideal or symbolic, she also presents vivid images, such as \u201cthe small wildwood church,\u201d a ship at sea, rescued by a lighthouse\u2019s beam, and a humorous exchange between a saint and a dog: \u201cHe then got knocked right off his feet/by Spot, the dog, who licked his face!\u201d

The book will primarily appeal to Christians who may appreciate seeing Ms. Linzey\u2019s sentiments in verse and who will find her choices and approach inspirational. It would be strengthened if credits had been provided for the many illustrations.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Jan-2024 00:20:09", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013651067", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 13", "word_count": 439, "review": "Pearls of Gold: The Poetry of Verna Hall Linzey is a heartfelt collection of poems that invites readers into a world of beauty and inspiration. Within its pages, readers will discover enchanting poems that evoke a sense of wonder and touch the depths of the human spirit. One such poem is \"Angels,\" which paints a vivid picture of celestial beings radiating light and grace, transporting readers to a realm of ethereal beauty. The tender poem \"Kindness\" explores the power of compassion and leaves a lasting impact on the heart, reminding us of the profound effect a small act of kindness can have.

During the joyous season of Christmas, Linzey's words come alive in \"One Wintry Night,\" capturing the magic and wonder of the holiday. The poem transports readers to a snowy landscape, where the air is filled with anticipation and joy. Linzey's skillful use of language and imagery allows readers to experience the enchantment of the season firsthand.

Throughout the collection, Linzey weaves together themes of love, faith, and the simple joys of life. Her poems serve as a gentle reminder of the beauty that surrounds us and the significance of our individual stories. Each verse captures the essence of human experiences, inviting readers to reflect on their own journeys and find solace in the shared human experience.

What sets Pearls of Gold apart from other poetry collections is its ability to transcend age and gender to connect with readers from different walks of life. While the collection may most strongly resonate with younger adults and middle-aged individuals, its themes and messages are universal and timeless. Linzey's poetry speaks to the human experience in a way that is relatable and accessible, making it a treasure that can be appreciated by readers of all ages.

The collection's impact lies in its ability to touch the soul, evoking a range of emotions and inspiring introspection. Linzey's words have a way of resonating deeply, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. Each poem is a testament to the power of language and its ability to convey complex emotions and ideas.

I wholeheartedly recommend Pearls of Gold. It is a beautifully written collection that touches the heart and ignites the imagination. The poems are rich with meaning and imagery, allowing the reader to truly connect and visualize the experiences portrayed. This collection is a testament to Linzey's talent and will be greatly appreciated by true poetry lovers. I have no doubt that Pearls of Gold will find its place on the shelves of many readers, providing solace, inspiration, and a renewed sense of wonder in the power of language and the human spirit.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2024", "date_added": "15-Jan-2024 00:19:59", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013651063", "title": "Pearls of Gold", "author": "Verna Hall Linzey", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 383, "review": "I enjoyed reading Pearls of Gold by Verna Hall Linzey. A poetry book focused on Linzey's desire to share her life in a prayerful, perceptive way, she bestows to the reader what she calls \"pearls of gold\". These pearls are timeless words of advice and inspiring momentums she has written, some allegorical and some biographical, all aimed at helping the reader live their most fulfilling, happy, and abundant life.

This poetry collection is divided into six sections: Christmas, Easter, General, Humor, Patriotic, and Prayers. The vast majority of these poems are short and sweet, just 5-7 lines of reflection, story, or advice for the reader. Accompanying each poem is a picture image, supplementing the text with a visual aid to bring Linzey's words to life. Many also hold a biblical motif, either speaking directly on Christianity or common themes that the faith possesses.

Of the sections listed, I have to say I enjoyed the Christmas section the most, specifically the poem, \"The Three Magi.\" Linzey recounts this infamous story beautifully, drawing on Christ's birth as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the Magi's journey to meet him. I love the imagery that she uses in this poem as well as the way her deep faith and love of Christ shine forth from the pages. Similarly, I also enjoyed, \"The Holy Night\" in this section. In only a few short lines, Linzey eloquently captures a summary of the shepherds looking towards the heavens. Flowing gracefully and delicately, once again the reader can see Linzey's deep spirituality and relationship with Christ as well as her writing talent.

Of course, the star of this collection is the poem, \u201cPearls of Gold\u201d itself. A way to show the reader the point of her work, Linzey writes of the \u201cpearls of gold\u201d that come forth from the lips of the old. She conveys that the wise youth listen to these pearls, as they come from experience and lessons taught with age. Concluding this poem, she writes that those who listen will also spiritually grow, learning from the old pearls of gold. A beautiful prose with a skillful theme, this poem did not disappoint!

Overall, I enjoyed reading Pearls of Gold . A quick, refectory read I would recommend this collection for women aged 35+ who like beautiful poetry.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Jan-2024 00:19:12", "publisher": "James Linzey Publishers", "page_count": "119 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013651055", "title": "Fog & Fireflies", "author": "T.H. Lehnen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco", "Another Universe"], "reviewer": "Michaela Gordoni", "word_count": 399, "review": "In master storyteller T.H. Lehnen\u2019s debut novel, Fog & Fireflies, 14-year-old Ogma of the Windmill town takes her job seriously. As one of the children who must walk the tall walls of the village, minding the fog and chasing phantoms away, she knows that it\u2019s not a game anymore like the younger ones tend to think. The fog shifts villages, obscures everything, plays tricks, and hides monsters. It kills adults, but not children. It is ever unpredictable, but the first thing that upsets the village isn\u2019t the fog exactly, but the arrival of an outsider, followed by caravaners\u2014visitors who fly the fog. Eventually, Ogma may be forced into the fog on her own. And what she might find there, she can only imagine.

Ogma\u2019s character is brave and responsible, but she is still a child, curious and captivated by the caravaners and their wares. All of the other children who watch the wall are likable, while the villagers, who are clearly not the focus of the book, remain somewhat distant throughout the story. As I read, so many new features of the fog unfolded. To think of the fog as one thing, like a single malicious cloud, would be false, as it holds so many complexities and even shifts time. Nothing is concrete.

Author T.H. Lehnen puts a lot of detail into his writing. For example, he gives one character, Dunkirk, a wound that sounds very realistic, which makes the story feel very lifelike. It helped set up a vibrant scene in my imagination as I read. Less thoughtful authors gloss over elements like this and oversimplify them. But Lehnen takes tremendous (and much appreciated) effort to let readers see everything that transpires in his imagination without being overly wordy. There is a good balance between storytelling and dialogue throughout the work. Lehnen does include some heavy themes, like death, abuse, terror, and parentification. So the story is not quite suitable for young children.

Overall, Fog & Fireflies is a truly unique and enjoyable piece of fantasy fiction. It starts at a level that is already below the surface, and it just gets compellingly deeper and deeper. Lehnen kept me hooked with the many threads he left hanging throughout parts of the book. The only thing that might be improved upon is clarity in the mechanics of the world he has created, yet still, I could hardly ask for a better fantasy.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "16-Mar-2024", "date_added": "14-Jan-2024 23:54:15", "publisher": "Aspen & Thorn Press", "page_count": "375 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013651051", "title": "Fog & Fireflies", "author": "T.H. Lehnen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 401, "review": "Ogma lives in constant fear of the fog, along with the residents of her village. A malevolent presence has been rumored to lure others to a grim fate. The town\u2019s youth are engaged as a border patrol to ensure there are no security breaches along the town\u2019s walls. Ogma is viewed as a role model for the adolescent youth. The townsfolk look forward to the fog\u2019s gradual dissipation because that leads to the nearest town being able to connect and engage in commerce with Ogma\u2019s village.

Ogma\u2019s best friend is a young teenager named Wheeler. Wheeler possesses a knack for storytelling and he can calm the children with tales of those lost to the fog. Ogma and Wheeler\u2019s constant concern is coupled with their worry of getting older and having to leave their village once they reach a mature age. This is a rite of passage but is intimidating to them and others. On one murky night, Ogma and others are alerted to a possible security gap along the town walls. They are shocked to discover a young boy in the grips of an exotic beast. The beast is dead, and the boy is clinging to life.

The young boy is named Dunkirk, his demeanor and pallor hint at experiencing something unspeakable. He awakens with a restless manner and appears to speak primarily Norwegian. Ogma is at times amused and frustrated by Dunkirk\u2019s demeanor but everything changes when the town\u2019s security is violated and during the fray Ogma goes missing. Soon Ogma finds herself outside the only home she\u2019s known. She finds herself in similar circumstances as Dunkirk experienced and must acclimate to her situation while struggling to survive in a truly strange land.

Fog & Fireflies is a tantalizing book combining elements of fantasy, mystery, and horror. The specter of the unknown is a persistent theme running throughout the book as Ogma and fellow townsfolk can only guess at the true villain\u2019s identities and their motives. Ogma is an adept heroine looking after her home and her fellow townspeople and she will fight to preserve both. The path of her character\u2019s storyline is changed when she becomes the outlander, she must learn to cast aside preconceived notions about those she meets, such as the Caravaners.

Author T.H. Lehnen has written an excellent novel which elicits terror and wonder in equal measure and will appeal to more than a youthful audience.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "28-Mar-2024", "date_added": "14-Jan-2024 23:53:36", "publisher": "Aspen & Thorn Press", "page_count": "375 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013651047", "title": "Fog & Fireflies", "author": "T.H. Lehnen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 586, "review": "A young-adult fantasy novel featuring a plucky, tenacious, and relatable heroine and set in a richly evoked world filled with danger, magic, and intrigue, T.H. Lehnen\u2019s Fog & Fireflies is an action-packed coming-of-age story in which the fate of many rests on the shoulders of one feisty young woman.

Fourteen-year-old Ogma has now spent eight seasons walking the wall\u2014that is, serving as a lookout and guard to protect the adult citizens of her village from the phantoms that lurk in the pervasive fog that surrounds their home. While it\u2019s better to be angry than afraid, the screams that are heard on the nights when the fog is particularly bad sometimes make it difficult to remember as much.

Life hasn\u2019t always been this way, or so Ogma has been told. Centuries ago, the devastating consequences of a war among wizards caused the land to be covered in a continuously shifting but always malevolent fog that conjures phantoms capable of killing anyone who has reached adulthood. Due to their relative immunity to the dangers that lurk in the fog, children have since been tasked with keeping their communities safe.

On one particularly bad night, when the fog is unusually thick and the voices screaming within it are abnormally loud, Ogma is shocked to realize that one of the voices to be heard is not a phantom\u2014there is an actual person lost somewhere outside the village\u2019s walls. She and close friend Wheeler bravely venture outside and rescue a boy of around their age from a fearsome beast.

The new arrival, Dunkirk, comes from another time and place, and his presence threatens to upset the carefully maintained equilibrium of the village. What\u2019s more, a brief respite from the fog sees the arrival of a group of Caravaners, who promise trade and entertainment for the villagers but who have a secret nefarious agenda. When the children are kidnapped and the safety of the village threatened, Ogma finds herself alone in the fog outside the walls.

Fog & Fireflies then follows Ogma as she attempts to rescue her kidnapped comrades and find a way back home. In so doing, she might just find a way to save the whole world from the perils of the fog. During the course of her quest, Ogma emerges as a brave and insightful warrior with wisdom beyond her years and a fierce loyalty to her companions. She also encounters a host of intriguing people and creatures\u2014both friends and foes\u2014who influence her journey.

Aside from the well-developed and engaging characters, T.H. Lehnen also excels at world-building, as the world Ogma inhabits is richly detailed and vividly described, with plenty of backstory and mythology to add depth to the story. For instance, one of Wheeler\u2019s shadow-puppet stories tells the tale of another village and a monster that appeared in it: \u201cIt was tall and slender, and covered in what were either dirty feathers or tattered rags. It had the beak of an enormous bird and its eyes were dark chasms in a polished white skull.\u201d

Fog & Fireflies is an atmospheric and often nerve-wracking story. The fog and the phantoms that lurk within it are truly menacing, and there is a real sense of danger throughout. This renders Ogma\u2019s bravery even more remarkable and really makes her a character to root for. Aside from the dangers, there are other mysteries hidden by the fog, mysteries that extend to other times and places and ensure that there is much to discover as Ogma attempts to find her way home.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "28-Mar-2024", "date_added": "14-Jan-2024 23:50:48", "publisher": "Aspen & Thorn Press", "page_count": "375 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013651043", "title": "Fog & Fireflies", "author": "T.H. Lehnen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 423, "review": "Hundreds of seasons ago, a wizard's war scarred the earth, leaving a malevolent fog blanketing the land, and carrying the settlements within it like ships adrift at sea. The phantoms, the fog created are deadly to adults, so children must guard the walls now, and care for each other. Ogma and the other children of her village have only themselves to depend upon, with only their courage to guide them against the phantoms of the night in this cruel and blacked world.

The very best of YA (young adult) media are the ones that manage to both empower and unnerve their target audience. Young readers who have spent the whole of their lives being dependent on parents, slowly longing for independence; now witnessing through literary surrogates the challenges and rewards that such independence can yield. The very media and novels that serve as bridges between the escapist fantasy of childhood and the self-sufficient autonomy of adulthood.

The captivating Fog & Fireflies by T.H. Lehnen certainly fits and exceeds that total order. Lehnen has created a compelling world of rich, dangerous elements, and vivid detail. Ogma is a perfect character for the reader to relate and root for. Envision Dorothy in a world of cruel mists summoning up her last bites of courage to save all her Oz companions. Ogma is by now a seasoned warrior, she is far more prepared and wiry than most of her other YA genre counterparts.

A literary world in which the social order has not only broken down is a common trope of fantasy. But, here Lehnen has turned it on its head, our author is less interested in the process of decay, than in the ability of humanity to withstand it. To find the courage to adapt and keep pushing forward. A world in which children are robbed of a carefree childhood and have to take on guardianship of younger children and teach them all the life lessons they've managed to absorb. Ogma is one of the eldest children in the Windmill Town, and there is a muted uncertainty in the reader's mind as she races to protect a much of her fellow towns people, for as long as she can, before the fog comes for her.

Make no mistake, this is a great and triumphant tale. Dark and soulful; haunting and hopeful. Epic world building, beautiful prose, and the uncertainty of what moves and screams beyond walls of protection. It's the kind of book and author that makes a darning, masterful, and compelling bid for literary greatness!", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "13-Mar-2024", "date_added": "14-Jan-2024 23:50:40", "publisher": "Aspen & Thorn Press", "page_count": "375 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013651039", "title": "Fog & Fireflies", "author": "T.H. Lehnen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 400, "review": "A wild and dangerous fog plagues the area around Ogma\u2019s village. The fog is deadly to the adults, so Ogma and the village\u2019s other children are tasked with keeping watch. As the village moves through the fog, Ogma and the other children rescue a stranded and injured boy, but not from their own time or place. But as the fog recedes, a troupe of caravanners approaches with promises of trade and festivities. During the festival, otherworldly invaders attack and abduct the children, vital to the safety of the village. As a result, Ogma becomes lost in the fog. To find her way back, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery where she finds much more than she expects.

Fog & Fireflies is the debut novel of T.H. Lehnen. His fantastical story pits the character against an ever-changing, always-threatening environment. As Lehnen\u2019s characters grow and adapt, their relationship with the fog and the landscape changes. As the story continues, the new characters he introduces become more wondrous and more strange. But always present is everyone\u2019s relationship with the fog and landscape. Conflict comes from every direction and internally as Ogma proceeds through the tale.

Lehnen takes world-building to a new level. This is not world-building like Tolkien\u2019s Middle Earth or Lewis\u2019s Narnia. The landscape of Lehnen\u2019s creation cannot be defined by features on a map. It is an ever-changing landscape that not only influences how the character reacts, but it seems to have a personality of its own. In most fantasy tales, world-building consists of a physical map with place names and landmarks. The world of Lehnen\u2019s creation is a dark, brooding character that taunts, invades, and can abduct the adults of the villages. The settings and environment are an essential character in the story. The more one ignores the landscapes around them, the more dangerous the situation gets. Better examples of world-building on Lehnen\u2019s level would be Lewis Carrol\u2019s Wonderland or Micheal Ende\u2019s Fantastica.

Lehnen\u2019s novel is marketed to young adults. Other than the mild violence, this book has a much broader audience. This action-packed fantasy is reminiscent of stories written in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, meant for younger readers. The story is complex and engaging enough to keep the attention of a more mature audience. Fog & Fireflies is a fantastic, fantastical tale of exploration and discovery that will delight both young and old readers.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "18-Mar-2024", "date_added": "14-Jan-2024 23:50:11", "publisher": "Aspen & Thorn Press", "page_count": "375 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013651031", "title": "Fog & Fireflies", "author": "T.H. Lehnen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 420, "review": "Fog & Fireflies is exactly the sort of book I would have loved to find as a teenager. It\u2019s set in a magical world that combines darkness and whimsy, old gods and mundane dangers, mythical backdrops and grounded descriptions. Even now that I have outgrown my teenage years, I still found wonder and joy in it, and I do not doubt that it will bring wonder and joy to many actual teens.

Ogma is a teenage girl (of uncertain age; we only know that she is not yet old enough to be considered an adult) who lives in a village hemmed in by deadly fog. The fog is deadliest to adults, leaving the children of the village to keep watch on the border walls. They must learn at an early age that they cannot always trust their eyes and ears, and that they are responsible for the safety of everyone around them. It is a difficult way to live, but they have no other choice, and they still find ways to be children, with games and fondness and shadow puppets.

But an attack on the village changes everything. At once Ogma faces danger and responsibility she had not imagined before, along with a wider, more dangerous world than she had ever dreamed of.

The story doesn\u2019t follow a traditional hero\u2019s journey arc, but I think that\u2019s greatly to its benefit. Lehnen has more space this way to build up the world as the characters know it, which is vastly different from our world. It also makes for a greater shift in scope when Ogma is forced to leave the familiar for the unknown, for both she and the readers learn how much more strange and awesome (in the old sense of the word) the world really is.

The one thing keeping me from giving this five stars is the ending. The twist simultaneously felt fascinating and powerful, but also sudden, without enough explanation to make it make sense the more I thought about it. I wish there had been a little more depth to that part of the story, a little more explanation, especially as the rest of the world Lehnen has crafted feels so rich and vibrant.

I hope to read more of Lehnen\u2019s work someday, whether or not any of his other books are set in this particular world. There are no doubt a great many more stories to explore in it, but there are also many other worlds to create, and I have no doubt Lehnen has imagination enough to populate galaxies.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "15-Mar-2024", "date_added": "14-Jan-2024 23:49:55", "publisher": "Aspen & Thorn Press", "page_count": "375 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013651027", "title": "Fog & Fireflies", "author": "T.H. Lehnen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 410, "review": "Ogma's homeland wasn't always like that. A wizard war caused a disruptive fog to cover the entire land. The fog had taken over the villages, and it continued to spread. A wall serves as a boundary to keep the fog away. However, this wall needs to be guarded at all times by children. Unlike adults, who will be attacked by the phantoms the fog creates, the children go unharmed. However, the younger they are, the better it is to be one of the guards. As the seasons go by, the children are rotated. There's Ogma, who acts like a supervisor over the children. As the years go by, she gets older and becomes more vulnerable to the fog.

The children try to have fun in the situation but can't ignore the dangers. Also, it makes funny shapes, often mimicking animals to distract the children from their posts. The villages have adapted to their reality and mostly look forward to fog breaks when they can trade easily, have festivals, and visit other places.

Things go awry when their village is attacked by alien caravanners who can move within the fog, and they aim to kidnap the children. Amid the brouhaha, Ogma gets lost in the fog. How will she protect her friends and reunite with her loved ones? In serious situations where the adults are tense, the children find a way to make light of the situation. This is a reminder of the carefree and playful nature of kids. Some of my favorite characters were Nod and Wheeler. Nod shows traits of a leader, and I consider him daring.

Ogma does a great job of keeping everyone in check and is always on the lookout for her people. She appears strict, but she's a selfless person, putting the safety of her people at the top of her mind. Even when she finds herself in dangerous places, she cares about protecting other people. The main theme of the book is role reversal. We often see scenarios where the adults are the protectors, but in this case, the younger children are the guards since they have stronger resistance to the fog.

The world-building in the book was fantastic. I also loved the idea of introducing a new language to the story. Although I think there were too many characters and the plot seems a bit fast-paced, but overall, it was an engaging novel, and I would recommend it to readers of fantasy fiction.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "28-Mar-2024", "date_added": "14-Jan-2024 23:49:46", "publisher": "Aspen & Thorn Press", "page_count": "375 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013651023", "title": "Fog & Fireflies", "author": "T.H. Lehnen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sohail -age 14", "word_count": 430, "review": "Fog & Fireflies by T.H. Lehnen is a must-read for teenagers and adults alike. It is a beautifully crafted story that takes place in a small village surrounded by a deadly fog. The novel follows the life of Ogma, a young teenage girl who becomes the unlikely hero of the village when it comes under attack. The author expertly weaves a dark and mysterious story that keeps readers captivated from start to finish.

The village is surrounded by a mist that is full of mysterious dangers and is deadly to adults. As a result, the children of the village are tasked with the duty to stand guard at the village walls and protect the elders. The children must learn that they can\u2019t trust their gut and that it is critical to stick to only what they have been taught. Not doing so could be fatal. Ogma, the protagonist of the story, is a teenage girl who is forced to step up and take on more responsibility than she ever thought possible when the village comes under attack. As she faces extreme danger and unimaginable challenges, she must rise to the occasion and become the hero the village needs.

The plot of Fog & Fireflies is well written, and the unexpected twists and turns keep the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end. The author's use of descriptive writing creates a vivid image of the ominous setting that transports the reader to another world. This book almost made me feel like I was watching a movie instead of reading. Lehnen expertly blends elements of fantasy and adventure to create a story that is both captivating and thrilling.

One of the things that makes Fog & Fireflies such a great read is the character development. Ogma is a likable character who grows and matures throughout the novel. The author does a fantastic job of placing the reader in the character's shoes, really allowing us to understand Ogma. The other characters in the book are also well-developed and add depth to the story.

Fog & Fireflies is a beautifully crafted and thoroughly entertaining novel that is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers of all ages. Lehnen\u2019s writing style is engaging, and the story is both thrilling and thought-provoking. This book literally left me turning the pages for hours. Whether you are a fan of fantasy, adventure, or just a good story, this book is the one for you. It is a perfect read for anyone who loves a well-written novel with fascinating characters and an engaging plot.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2024", "date_added": "14-Jan-2024 23:49:36", "publisher": "Aspen & Thorn Press", "page_count": "375 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013651019", "title": "Fog & Fireflies", "author": "T.H. Lehnen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 440, "review": "Fog & Fireflies takes place in a world where the young ones keep the village protected, children are highly valued, and their safety is of great importance. Unfortunately, the children are in danger, as they're being targeted by strange beings in the fog. Ogma, who is fourteen seasons old, is determined to disregard the voices in the fog. Though she searches for another village, she dreads the consequence of finding one and having to leave the village. However, she finds Dunkirk, who doesn't speak their language, in the fog just before the break and ends up saving his life twice. Dunkirk's memory is foggy, but he remembers running from a battle and carrying the curse that staves off the Blue Wizard. Meanwhile, Ogma finds herself separated from her people as she strives to save some from the strange entities hunting them. Fog & Fireflies by T.H. Lehnen engages readers in the dangerous adventures of a relentless protagonist who must save her people and contend with how little she knows about their world as she digs deeper into ancient tales and learns of various powerful beings.

Fog & Fireflies is one of those books that give you a very unique perspective of other forms of reality. From the characters who have never heard of gods to the concept of children protecting the rest of the population, the book offers a brilliant, creative world-building theme that vividly ignites the reader's imagination. Also, the intriguing world is built with several captivating entities including fireflies, gods, demons, wizards, shadows, and more.

I loved the numerous mysterious concepts in the tale, such as the unpredictable nature of the fog and the strange voices. Following Ogma's journey as she discovers more about other beings, their ways, and the past was an experience I wished would never end. She emerges as a mindful and observant character since she makes several thoughtful comments about the world around her.

Lehnen's lyrical English intensifies the magical feel of his splendid fantasy tale. I had to highlight one of my favorite lines, \"The warm, flickering glow of firelight played across the wooden logs of the ceiling.\" Another amazing aspect of the story is the gradual revelation of relevant information about the world and its creatures. The urge to keep discovering more interesting details about the world had me turning the pages swiftly from start to finish.

I strongly recommend Fog & Fireflies to readers who enjoy books that engender evocative, spine-chilling, and wonder-filled imagination. It's an enchanting tale with a lot of mysteries and intricate world-building that is far more exciting than the real world. I really hope there's a sequel to this gem.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2024", "date_added": "14-Jan-2024 23:49:10", "publisher": "Aspen & Thorn Press", "page_count": "375 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013651011", "title": "The Esmeralda Goodbye", "author": "Corey Lynn Fayman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 444, "review": "The Esmeralda Goodbye tells the story of a young policeman named Jake Stirling in the mid-1950s, ten years after the bombing of Hiroshima. The story is set in La Jolla, California. Jake's father, a police detective, disappeared several years ago, after being berated for arresting the wrong person in the case of The Creeper, a case that was never solved. Jake's mother had worked hard to support her three children, Jake, Danny, and Lucy. By getting a job as an officer, Jake could help his family out financially. But even after saving famous author Raymond Chandler's life after an attempted suicide, Jake finds himself still on the beat. Something sinister is on tap in the small town of La Jolla, though, and Jake is about to find himself in the middle of it.

One of my favorite things about this book is that it incorporates real-life people as characters in the book. Zsa Zsa Gabor, Nicky Hilton, Lucy and Desi, and Elizabeth Taylor are either named or play a part in this story about a stolen train case that holds a diamond necklace and something else that may be much more valuable than that. The dialogue between the characters felt very real as if I was watching a movie made in the 1950s. Zsa Zsa is expectedly over-the-top and Nicky is hot-tempered.

The story has several small stories embedded within the larger story including that of Jake's younger disturbed brother, Danny, however, the author connects all of these pieces in the end so that the reader can see the importance of each detail.

There is also a love story between Jake and his girlfriend Millie, a waitress at a diner, strewn throughout the story which gives the story a nice hometown feel. Jake is a very likable, do-good character even though he is quite green when it comes to the ways of the world.

The story also features J. Edgar Hoover, who, although he isn't a main character in the book, is a character that drives the plot forward in terms of why the train case must be found.

I have to admit, I've never read any of Raymond Chandler's work, however, I had a feeling the title of this book must have had something to do with the famous author. The author appears only two times in the book, however, I could tell that he was symbolically important in Corey Lynn Fayman's writing. After researching it, I found out that Esmeralda is a city that was modeled after La Jolla in Chandler's work, Playback.

Written with smooth character development and dialogue with the laidback feel of a small suburban town, The Esmeralda Goodbye will have readers fascinated and well-entertained.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "02-Feb-2024", "date_added": "14-Jan-2024 23:41:02", "publisher": "Konstellation Press", "page_count": "308 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013651007", "title": "The Esmeralda Goodbye", "author": "Corey Lynn Fayman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 444, "review": "The Esmeralda Goodbye by Corey Lynn Fayman is an exciting, fast-paced mystery novel. Told predominately from the perspective of Officer Jake Stirling, the reader is in for a book full of suspense, robbery, deceit, and much more.

To set the scene, Jake has had a rough couple of years. Two years ago, his father committed suicide. A smart, dedicated, and trustworthy detective, Jake\u2019s father uncovered many secrets in their small town, causing upheaval amongst the upper class and their unspoken, immoral behaviors. The repercussions of his findings brought about so much turmoil, that he unfortunately began to turn to the bottle for solace. Suffering from substance abuse and depression over this event, he eventually walked into the ocean and never returned.

With his father gone, Jake has felt the weight and responsibility of being the \u201cman\u201d of the household, trying to keep his family intact. With his younger brother Danny constantly in trouble and quite literally obsessed with breaking the rules, this is no small task. Handling this amongst his career, relationships, and grief, Jake has a lot on his plate.

And he\u2019s in for a lot more when Jake receives a call about a stolen train case. Movie Star Zsa Zsa Gabor has reported a theft of this bag, which contained a very valued diamond necklace. A gift from a former pursuer, she believes he may have attempted to steal it back from her. However, not everything seems to add up with this story. Her current companion, Artie, is very angry with her for losing the train case, but not the necklace.

Why would he be so upset over a bag versus $10,000 in jewels? How did the thief know where their room was in the hotel? How did he or she steal it without leaving a trace? With many questions and few clues, Jake is in for a surprise when he begins to unravel the very complicated, very elaborate mystery before him.

After reading this novel, I have to say that Fayman has a clear talent for writing. This story had a lot of moving parts, yet he managed to tie them up neatly into a bow at the end. Ending on a cliffhanger, I am interested to see what happens next and where these characters end up. A sinister mystery, Cayman does dive deeply into topics readers may find uncomfortable such as discussion of soliciting minors, moral indecency, and prostitution.

Personally, I don\u2019t enjoy reading about these subject matters yet, I still have to say the book was very well done. If you are an adult, male reader who enjoys mystery, crime, and lots of action, this book is for you!", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jan-2024 23:39:59", "publisher": "Konstellation Press", "page_count": "308 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013650007", "title": "We Found a Seed (In the Garden)", "author": "Rob Ramsden, Rob Ramsden", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 126, "review": "We Found a Seed is such a cute book about one of the happiest times of year. When two kids find a seed, they don't know why it won't grow in a box. Eventually, they figure out they need to plant it and water it for it to grow. The seed then turns into a flower, but the kids are sad when it dies. However, the kids are thrilled when they realize the plant has left them something behind.

This is a really cute little book for younger readers to learn about the plant lifecycle and what plants need to grow. I really liked the colorful pictures in this book. I like how the pictures helped to show how the plant is changing through the seasons.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2024", "date_added": "12-Jan-2024 22:47:51", "publisher": "Scallywag Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013649003", "title": "Squirrels! This is Not a Book about Dinosaurs", "author": "Melina Schoenborn, Felipe Arriagada-Nunez, Jeffrey K Butt", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Squirrel is here to tell readers all about his favorite topic: squirrels! He has a whole book that is just about squirrels. Until, that is, a dinosaur wanders into Squirrel\u2019s book and tries to hijack the story. The dinosaur is convinced (and quite convincing) that kids are simply much more interested in dinosaurs because, he says, squirrels are boring.

But Squirrel holds his ground and starts passing along some great information like that there are two hundred and sixty two species of squirrels on Earth and that they come in many different colors: gray, black, red, and even striped. But the dinosaur keeps interrupting. He still seems to think squirrels are boring. Can Squirrel get control of his book back from this annoying dinosaur?

Author Melina Schoenborn has a great sense of humor and a child-like voice. This book is just plain silly, and kids love silly. With this one, they learn some fun facts along with the silly. Wonderful cartoon-like illustrations in bright colors pepper every page and support every bit of the story. This delightful book will give kids lots of giggles and teach them some things at the same time. It\u2019s a real winner.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2025", "date_added": "12-Jan-2024 20:08:28", "publisher": "Helvetiq", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013648003", "title": "What Happened to Nina?: A Thriller", "author": "Dervla McTiernan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 197, "review": "Leanne Fraser is the proprietor of an inn in rural Vermont. She is married to husband Andy and has two daughters, Nina and Grace. Leanne worked hard to get where she is in life and expects her daughters to toe a similar path. Lately, this has led to friction between her and Nina. Nina is attending college while working at the inn. Nina is in a relationship with Simon Jordan, a young man whom she has known since childhood. Her desire to have a social life is frustrated by Leanne\u2019s reliance on her.

Leanne and Andy are concerned when Nina is late arriving from a hiking trip she took with Simon. Concern evolves into alarm as days pass with no word from Nina. Within a week, the whereabouts of Nina have bloomed into a media spectacle and suspicion flows in various directions both inward and outward.

What Happened to Nina? is the latest mesmerizing mystery from the mind of author Dervla McTiernan (The Good Turn). McTiernan\u2019s incisive examination of the internet and the true crime phenomena add layers of brilliance. McTiernan delivers a story with real-life similarities and packs it with compelling characters and a rewarding payoff.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2024", "date_added": "12-Jan-2024 20:06:02", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013644011", "title": "This is NOT a Dinosaur!", "author": "Barry Timms, Ged Adamson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 175, "review": "One of the beautiful features of children\u2019s picture books is that they can be delightfully nonsensical and simply relish in the pure joy of language. This Is NOT A Dinosaur! is just such a book. Here, a young boy journeys along with a giant, green character you might very easily mistake for a dinosaur but instead is any number of other things: a \u201cshine-osaur\u201d when brushing teeth, a \u201csupersonic-kick-osaur\u201d when playing soccer, a \u201cleap-osaur\u201d when raking leaves, a \u201csleep-osaur\u201d when napping, and a \u201chelpful-with your-hair-osaur\u201d when getting a very cool haircut, among many other iterations. Last and possibly best of all, this creature is \u201c\u2019You\u2019re mine-osaur\u2019\u201d when giving a huge hug.

Barry Timms has written a wonderful, silly book that takes children on a funny, imaginative journey that will keep them wanting to turn pages to see what craziness comes next. Ged Adamson\u2019s illustrations provide the perfect complement with their bright colors and humorous interpretation of the text. Best of all, this book provides the perfect excuse for giving all the little kid-osaurs enormous hugs.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2024", "date_added": "12-Jan-2024 20:10:43", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013644007", "title": "Extraordinary Eyeglasses: The Amazing Invention That Helps Us See", "author": "Caroline Stevan, Francois Vigneault, Jeffrey K Butt", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 9", "word_count": 164, "review": "Extraordinary Eyeglasses: The Amazing Invention That Helps Us See includes a lot of facts about eyeglasses (how they work, how they\u2019re made, why we need them) and about our eyes in general (what they look like to a doctor, what near and far-sightedness mean). There are many facts, but in between them are fun activities that are eye/vision-related (maze, dot-to-dot, braille code, etc.) and a short story about a girl with \u201cspecial\u201d spectacles.

The illustrations help to understand what's happening, but this book is also good for all readers because there's always something to learn at every age!

I don\u2019t have to wear glasses yet, but because there are others in my family who do, I wonder about it; now I feel more informed when/if my time comes for some extra help. I like how this book makes learning fun and easy and it thinks of kids by including the extra activities to use different parts of our brains and not tire them out.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "18-Aug-2024", "date_added": "12-Jan-2024 20:09:53", "publisher": "Helvetiq", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013640023", "title": "Empire of Shadows", "author": "Jacquelyn Benson", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 189, "review": "Ellie has been fired from her job for one tiny arrest during a protest and now has nothing to look forward to besides her stepmother's insistent search for a husband for her. Well, that is until she accidentally steals a map and necklace from her former boss's desk. With a man willing to do anything to get them back on her tail, Ellie flees across the ocean to the wild jungles where she's not prepared for what awaits her. Or the raged man who turns out to be her only hope to finding where the map leads.

Archeology, magical artifacts, a lost city, and oh my, there's only one bed, all wrapped up into one fabulous novel? Yes, please.

The characters are a bit Mary Sue at times and Ellie and Adam's romance got a bit annoying with how they drool over each other, but overall, the plot, the characters, and the romance are well crafted and highly enjoyable to read about. Ellie is skeptical of magic, believing that there\u2019s a logical explanation and the magic and her changing her mind is shaped over the course of the story.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "26-Apr-2024", "date_added": "13-Jan-2024 01:51:26", "publisher": "Crimson Fox Publishing", "page_count": "472 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013640011", "title": "The Swan's Nest: A Novel", "author": "Laura McNeal", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 202, "review": "The romance between Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning is a beautiful one. How can love between two poets be anything else? They wrote to one another, referenced one another in poems, and found a way to secretly marry against the wishes of Elizabeth\u2019s family and despite her chronic illness.The Swan\u2019s Nest is as beautiful as a novel about two poets deserves to be. It is rich and melancholy, with several exquisite sensory details that linger in the mind.

It is also difficult to get into. The short chapters make it difficult for readers \u2013 especially those with only a passing familiarity with either of the poets \u2013 to gain a foothold in the story. Aside from the sensory details I mentioned above, there is little actual description, leaving readers to guess what the characters and the world they pass through look like. We are given frequent looks into those characters\u2019 minds, but those are more often thoughts than feelings, contributing to the distant and melancholy feeling of the text.

The Swan\u2019s Nest is beautiful, but I found it difficult to enjoy. It will appeal to those who love the poetry of Barrett and Browning far more than to more casual readers of historical fiction.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "07-Aug-2024", "date_added": "12-Jan-2024 20:04:16", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013639025", "title": "The Diary of a Sugarbaby", "author": "J.Q. Gagliastro", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 105, "review": "\"The Diary of a Sugarbaby is an eye-opening dystopian novel told from the point of view of a young adult named Dime who lives as a gay, non-binary sugar baby turned sex slave. When a Bill gets passed and young people become slaves to the Elders, they must endure such violent acts as public and private rape sessions, branding, torture, and death. With themes of LGBTQ+ hate, racism, government control, and the banning of all creative materials, The Diary of a Sugarbaby is The Handmaid's Tale on steroids. Captivating and graphic, this book is not for the faint of heart.\" \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "11-Jan-2024 22:15:02", "publisher": "J.Q. Gagliastro (Self-Published)", "page_count": "303 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013639019", "title": "In the Garden Behind the Moon: A Memoir of Loss, Myth, and Magic", "author": "Alexandra Chan", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 402, "review": "Beauty and magic are interspersed in the winding journey of healing from grief, despair, and loss. Painter, photographer, and archaeologist Alexandra A. Chan shares her path to reconnecting to family stories and ancestral myths of the \u201cOld Chan Magic\u201d after she lost her beloved father, Robert Chan. After losing her parents, Chan contends with grief through shamanic journeying, meditation, journaling, traveling, and taking up different hobbies. Amid surrendering to the pull of self-discovery, she managed to maintain her career, nurtured her marriage, and mothered two young sons.

The memoir starts with telling the lore around T\u2019ai Peng, the first Chan to leave China to make a life in the United States. Operating a laundromat in Savannah, Georgia, the Chans homeschooled their children, who were not allowed to attend public school in the Jim Crow South. With ancestors guiding her path, the author pieces together the Chan family story from letters, photographs, memories, and other archives of lives well lived. History and magic blend to create an unforgettable tapestry of interwoven, inter-generational stories of persistence and flourishing.

Chan integrates magical realism into a most unforgettable memoir. The author organizes the narrative along significant years of self-discovery anchored in the Chinese zodiac. She writes eloquently about her journey toward gaining a deeper understanding of incorporating myth and wonder in daily life, always delivered in a respectful tone. The author shares her research on the psychology of mythmaking and storytelling from Western thinkers Joseph Campbell, Stephen Larsen, and John O\u2019Donohue.

As an Asian-American immigrant, I fully appreciated learning about the remarkable accomplishments of Robert Earl Chan and his siblings as they overcame the confines of racism in the segregated South. While magic features prominently at the beginning of the book, the succeeding narratives about Robert Earl Chan\u2019s life and career in the army and industry were more straightforward. Chan\u2019s father was an engineer, an inventor, and a community leader. As a Chinese American man, he bucked tradition by marrying a White woman despite anti-miscegenation laws.

Grief can be overwhelming, and this memoir is unlike any I have read. The author writes convincingly about the heartfelt revelations about losing her father, a larger-than-life character father whose bright light never diminished. Chan accompanies the revelatory narrative with family photographs and her artwork as she ponders the contemplative nature of photography and brush painting. Connecting to deeper truths, one finds a way out of the wasteland by harnessing magic, love, and wonder.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "07-Feb-2024", "date_added": "11-Jan-2024 22:10:31", "publisher": "Flashpoint/Girl Friday", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013639011", "title": "The Mole People", "author": "Kevin Landt", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 431, "review": "The Mole People by Kevin Landt was an intense read. The novel is told from the perspective of Suzie Franks, a college student suffering from schizophrenia. Constantly bombarded by voices in her head, Suzie never truly can decipher reality from her illness. Plaguing her relationships, social life, and schooling, she struggles with any sort of concentration, as hallucinations constantly speak to her and make fun of her throughout her day-to-day life. To put the cherry on top, she is also consistently bullied for being different due to her illness, her small size, and for being a \u201cfreak.\u201d All in all, Suzie does not have happy days, causing her to commit self-harm and have an intense loathing of herself and her body.

Then, Suzie meets Robbie. Gorgeous and popular, Robbie is everything that Suzie is not. Yet, he loves her. With Robbie\u2019s support and encouragement, Suzie finally begins to get the medication she desperately needs and has improvement in her grades and confidence. There seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel for her. With Robbie at her side and her best friend Andrea, Suzie begins to experience a life where she actually feels it may be worth living for.

That is, until she starts taking drugs. A sharp turn in events, everything seems to be going right\u2026 until it's not. A downward spiral from this point forward, the story follows Suzie\u2019s journey of fighting her inner demons and struggling to stay alive.

All in all, I have to say The Mole People was exceptionally well-written. Landt has a way with words that kept me on the edge of my seat and invested in Suzie\u2019s future. He did a fantastic job of taking a hard topic such as schizophrenia and discussing it in a way that a general reader may be able to comprehend. He shone light on what these individuals suffer with, and how excruciating it is for everyone involved when someone suffers from hallucinations and visions.

However, I would strongly encourage Landt to include a trigger warning for this novel. Discussing many dark topic,s including suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, human trafficking, and sexual assault, it is essential. Although I would not classify this novel as a mystery or thriller per its assignment, if you are a reader who likes general fiction about mental illness and heavier topics, this read may be for you. Admittedly, the plot was a little darker than I would normally go for; however, I still think Landt did a great job and would encourage readers who like this genre to indulge in it!", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2024", "date_added": "11-Jan-2024 22:04:13", "publisher": "Ryland Publishing", "page_count": "177 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013639007", "title": "The Mole People", "author": "Kevin Landt", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 421, "review": "Suzie has struggled most of her life with hallucinations and hearing voices. Often the voices are convincing her to hurt herself or others. When she\u2019s twenty, she\u2019s diagnosed with schizophrenia. At first, the diagnosis seems to be a good thing, but Suzie distrusts her doctors and loved ones who want her to take medication to alleviate her symptoms. She turns to alcohol and drugs to quiet the voices instead, which in turn leads to a downward spiral, causing her to ditch college and run away.

Suzie eventually finds herself on the streets of Las Vegas, where she is taken in by Wonderman, the leader of the Mole People, who live in the flood tunnels underneath the city. The mole people all have their own stories of how they came to be underground. People like Judy, who was once a Grammy-nominated singer, but found herself addicted to drugs when Wonderman found her.

Suzie finds out quickly that there is a price to pay for his kindness and she\u2019ll have to decide for herself if she\u2019s willing to pay or if she can trust those who love her, the ones who have never given up on her.

This story is horrible, and I mean that in a very good way. It is a well-written story, with characters that will break your heart. The horrible part is that while this story is fiction, the struggles portrayed here of those with schizophrenia and drug addiction are entirely too real. It was hard to read this story, knowing people are really suffering. The things that the Mole People have to endure from each other, as well as being homeless, hungry and often drug addicted is tragic.

While I can\u2019t speak from personal experience, it seemed like the author did a wonderful job portraying the thought life of someone with schizophrenia. I also thought he did a great job of describing what it\u2019s like to love someone with that disorder. You can\u2019t help feeling like you are going through both sides with the characters. If you enjoy emotional stories, full of interesting characters or are interested in the mental health field from the perspective of the patients and their families, then this story is for you.

Be aware there are many triggers in this book, such as self-harm and sexual abuse, which shouldn\u2019t be surprising considering the content of the story. Overall, I recommend this book and the hope it gives that we can help others who are suffering from mental health issues, homelessness and drug addiction.", "issue": "January 2024", "date_posted": "31-Jan-2024", "date_added": "11-Jan-2024 22:03:45", "publisher": "Ryland Publishing", "page_count": "177 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013638003", "title": "Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever", "author": "Suzanne Lang, Max Lang", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 201, "review": "Jim Panzee has a highly relatable problem. He wakes up one day feeling completely silly and takes off running and laughing through the jungle. When his friend Norman suggests Jim has spring fever, Jim rushes off to find a cure. Jim\u2019s friend Water Buffalo informs Jim that he isn\u2019t really sick: Jim just has a lot of energy because it\u2019s spring and he needs to calm down. Then all of Jim\u2019s friends start suggesting ways to calm down, but Jim just explodes angrily with energy.

Jim\u2019s friends back away until Norman suggests that having a lot of energy isn\u2019t bad: Jim just needs to do spring things like hide eggs, plant flowers and climb a tree. After doing all of these things, Jim yells happily that he doesn\u2019t care who knows he has spring fever. With that, all of his friends catch his fever and start doing spring things, too.

So many times, young children are told to sit still and behave. Here, however, their irrepressible energy is seen as a positive if it\u2019s channeled a good way. With spring rapidly approaching, maybe even a few lucky adults with catch their charges\u2019 spring fever and join in the fun as well.", "issue": "February 2024", "date_posted": "27-Feb-2024", "date_added": "11-Jan-2024 21:36:39", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013636003", "title": "The Dark Fable", "author": "Katherine Harbour", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rebecca WIlliams", "word_count": 197, "review": "Evie Wilder can turn invisible. This is not something she was born with but grew out of childhood trauma that left her an orphan. She uses this power to lift wallets to help her survive, but when La Fable Sombre notices her at a museum event, her life becomes entangled in their schemes to steal magical objects. Invisibility is one ability they don\u2019t have, so they welcome her in with open arms.

This family they\u2019ve created attracts Evie, but the possibility of learning the truth of her past is what makes her commit. When one of their schemes goes awry and they are captured, she becomes cautious and hesitant. It takes all of their abilities to escape unscathed. How can she help with their next big heist if she can\u2019t implicitly trust them?

This dark tale is a mash-up of Renegades, I Am the Weapon, and Six of Crows, but with detailed descriptions, multiple characters, plus a little French. The world-building is lengthy, but those who stick with it will enjoy the final twists and turns and the truth about Evie\u2019s past. A teaser ending hints at a sequel, but readers will be satisfied with Evie\u2019s conclusion.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "22-Mar-2024", "date_added": "11-Jan-2024 21:09:03", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000013842003", "title": "Practicing Liberation: Transformative Strategies for Collective Healing & Systems Change: Reflections on burnout, trauma & building communities of care in social justice work", "author": "Tessa Hicks Peterson, Hala Khouri, Kazu Haga", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 218, "review": "Working toward systems change to realize social justice requires a deep personal commitment and resolve toward community healing and well-being. Practicing Liberation is an anthology of essays penned by changemakers, advocates, educators, healers, activists, and leaders who challenge their peers to evaluate their practices.

Editors Tessa Hicks Peterson and Hala Khouri curated essays that share approaches to confronting and transforming systems of harm. The book starts with a discussion of a transformative framework that prioritizes self-renewal, developing communities of support, and centering healing practices. Reflective questions guide readers to assess their experiences and observations about the internal culture of their organizations.

Social change is only possible when institutions change from within. As a diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioner, I was drawn to the book because I was familiar with the editors\u2019 work in justice movements. It is a timely read for fellow practitioners who are facing resistance and burnout and allies who are feeling the mental and emotional toll of perpetuating white supremacy in their day-to-day work.

The interdisciplinary collection of diverse voices did not disappoint. The book highlights the authors' lived experiences of recognizing privilege, addressing racism and classism, unlearning harmful behaviors, and embodying community thriving. Writers draw from personal, professional, and spiritual practices to model a radical vision of building a beloved community anchored in anti-oppression.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "22-Jul-2024", "date_added": "28-Feb-2024 18:49:40", "publisher": "North Atlantic Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013832003", "title": "Nein, Nein, Nein!: One Man's Tale of Depression, Psychic Torment, and a Bus Tour of the Holocaust", "author": "Jerry Stahl", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro ", "word_count": 194, "review": "In 2016, Jerry Stahl was at a transitional moment in his life. He was working on a pitch for a TV series based on his second chance at fatherhood in his sixties. However, his marriage was on the rocks and depression clung to him as if it were Velcro. He decided to take a trip to Europe where he would partake in a guided tour through Poland and Germany exploring the horrors of the Holocaust.

While walking a perpetual tightrope in not alienating his fellow travelers, Stahl saw the grim reminders of a not-so-distant past where millions met hell on earth upon entrance at Auschwitz, Dachau, and other places of infamy. The tour would only last a limited number of days, but the solemn memories hit hard with Stahl and have remained with him in the succeeding years.

Nein, Nein, Nein is the latest release from the stellar pen of author Jerry Stahl (Permanent Midnight). Stahl\u2019s storytelling is capable of sending the reader into paroxysms of laughter right before hitting you with a poignancy that wounds your soul. Stahl\u2019s genius is in counterbalancing the surreal with the heartfelt, the absurd with the dark humor.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "27-Jun-2024", "date_added": "28-Feb-2024 00:37:17", "publisher": "WW Norton", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013826007", "title": "Sunbringer", "author": "Hannah Kaner", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 528, "review": "Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner\nReturn to the enchanting world of Godkiller in this thrilling sequel to the internationally bestselling fantasy debut. Join professional godkiller Kissen and her companions, the young noble Inara and the knight Elogast, on a winding adventure through lands filled with gods and demons. As they delve deeper into the mysteries of their world, they encounter magic, beauty, and danger at every turn. From noble halls to treacherous landscapes, their journey is fraught with peril, testing their resolve and strengthening their bonds. With twists and turns aplenty, this gripping sequel promises an unforgettable exploration of courage, friendship, and destiny. \n\nThe Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang\n\"The Emperor and the Endless Palace\" weaves together the lives of two men across disparate timelines, from ancient palaces to present-day Los Angeles. Bound by an undying love, they face challenges ranging from political intrigue to supernatural terror. As they are reborn lifetime after lifetime, their connection persists, defying the constraints of time. This genre-bending romantasy debut challenges conventional notions of love, offering a thrilling roller coaster ride of twists and turns. Prepare to be swept away by a tale that transcends boundaries and explores the power of love in all its forms.\n\nHouse of Open Wounds by Adrian Tchaikovsky\nIn a world consumed by the pursuit of Perfection and Correctness, the Palleseen wage war city-by-city and kingdom-by-kingdom. Amidst the chaos, Yasnic, a former priest turned healer, finds himself in an unconventional medical unit led by 'the Butcher'. Tasked with saving lives deemed beyond hope, they employ forbidden methods, including unapproved magic and illicit Gods. But as enemies close in, their existence becomes increasingly precarious, threatened by discovery and dissolution. In this gripping tale of survival amidst horror, the unlikely band of healers must navigate treacherous waters, where even a hint of a miracle could spell their undoing.\n\nThe Mars House by Natasha Pulley\nIn this gripping sci-fi novel by the author of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, January, a former ballet principal turned refugee on Mars, faces discrimination as an Earthstronger. When xenophobic politician Aubrey Gale proposes a fake marriage to save their reputations and planet, January reluctantly agrees. But as their relationship deepens, January uncovers Gale's hidden agendas and becomes entangled in dangerous political schemes. Now, January must navigate a treacherous landscape to protect Tharsis from a destructive enemy, even if it means sacrificing everything. Get ready for a thrilling tale of love, survival, and intrigue set against the backdrop of a terraformed colony on Mars.\n\nEmpire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff\nFrom the bestselling author of the Nevernight Chronicle comes the eagerly awaited sequel to the international hit, \"Empire of the Vampire.\" Gabriel de Le\u00f3n, having saved the Holy Grail, now seeks to end the eternal night shrouding the world. Teaming up with a mysterious vampire, Gabriel must navigate perilous terrain, facing enemies both external and internal. Pursued by terrifying foes and haunted by his own bloodlust, he embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the Grail's power. But as secrets unravel, Gabriel confronts a reality more chilling than he ever imagined. Prepare for a thrilling tale of sacrifice and revelation.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Feb-2024 20:16:15", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000013826003", "title": "Unstuck", "author": "Barbara Dee", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Lyla is a writer. She\u2019s always known that. She has a whole fantasy novel in her head, one with witches and magical beings, in a strange world with a dangerous quagmire and a one-toed beast, so when her seventh-grade ELA teacher announces they will be working on creative writing, Lyla is thrilled. Now she will finally get her novel on paper. Maybe it will even be a series!

But writing is different from imagining, and Lyla is stuck. She tries lots of things her teacher suggests to get unstuck, but to no avail. And she finds she is trying to impress certain people rather than just writing. And there is the pressure of a contest coming up as well as family drama and friend drama. It\u2019s a lot.

Barbara Dee has written a compelling story many middle graders will relate to, especially those with older, successful siblings or those going through friend problems. The situations are quite realistic and the dialogue and characters are all believable. But it is hard to keep rooting for a main character in a rather long book who is often not very likable, and Lyla is that. Still, many readers will like this one.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2024", "date_added": "27-Feb-2024 19:57:04", "publisher": "Aladdin", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013824007", "title": "The Dallergut Dream Department Store: A Novel: The #1 Korean Bestseller with Over a Million Copies Sold", "author": "Miye Lee, Sandy Joosun Lee", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 200, "review": "The Dallergut Dream Department Store isn\u2019t just a place, it\u2019s a state of mind. Tucked away between the folds of our subconscious, somewhere between waking and sleep, lies a little town full of sleepy people. No, really, everyone walking the streets in their pajamas (or temporarily in the nude), every soft-footed family pet, and every wild animal wandering down the boulevard is someone fast asleep in their own reality.

They come from the waking world in search of dreams. Dreams of their past and dreams of what they hope will come to pass; they even sometimes seek out dreams from loved ones lost to death. Twenty-four hours a day, they wander into the town\u2019s most beloved and well-stocked dream emporium, and that\u2019s where Penny has set her sights to kick off her career as a dream-seller.

Full of beautiful imagery and unforgettable characters, this novel is brimming over with whimsy and heartfelt emotion in equal measures. Penny\u2019s fresh viewpoint is the perfect palette for the reader to explore the zany world of celebrity dream-makers; and coupled with the poignant depictions of the effect their dreams have on their dreamers makes for the perfect blend of magical realism and hopeful fantasy.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "01-Aug-2024", "date_added": "27-Feb-2024 21:09:34", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013822011", "title": "Double Lives (A Lexington, Alabama Novel)", "author": "Mary Monroe", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 199, "review": "Fiona and Leona Dunbar are not the first fictional twins to switch places when it\u2019s convenient for them, but Monroe makes sure not to let this feel like a tired trope. She not only tells a lively story but also puts a twist on the typical \u201cgood twin, bad twin\u201d dynamic. Fiona, publicly the good twin, causes trouble just as much as Leona does (if not more), but Leona is always the one to take the fall for her. When Fiona wishes to escape a loveless marriage, ever-loyal Leona willingly takes her place.

The last thing she expects is to fall in love with her sister\u2019s husband.

Double Lives is the latest in Monroe\u2019s series about Black women in Depression-era Alabama, but each book can stand on its own. As the book covers the twins\u2019 lives from their early years, it takes a while to get to the meat of the matter, and some of the early chapters cover similar ground multiple times. Once the twins reach their teenage years, however, things start to spice up, especially when Fiona\u2019s true nature shines through a little more. This was a fun book, and I expect many people will enjoy it.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "01-Jul-2024", "date_added": "27-Feb-2024 21:08:21", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013821053", "title": "Drawn from Life", "author": "Sarah P. Blanchard", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 95, "review": "\u201cStill unable to recall all of the details of that horrible night, Emma finds herself at a crossroads when her long-lost cousin shows up on her doorstep. Set in the beautiful backdrop of North Carolina farmland, Drawn from Life slowly unravels a mystery that happened eight years ago. Brilliantly written with strong, imperfect characters, Emma\u2019s story will have readers taking in all of the small details from cover to cover. With themes of family, betrayal, narcissism, and hope, readers will experience a myriad of emotions while reading Drawn from Life.\u201d \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Feb-2024 03:03:51", "publisher": "self-published", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013821045", "title": "The Spanish Sacrifice: A Historical Political Saga (ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF WAR)", "author": "Jay Perin", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 853, "review": "Jay Perin\u2019s globetrotting and truly epic One Hundred Years of War series nears its conclusion in The Spanish Sacrifice, the first in an explosive two-part finale to a saga that has so far spanned the tumultuous period from the early 1970s through to the start of the 2000s. During this thirty-year timeframe, as the Kingsleys, the Sheppards, and the Barronses struggled to gain and maintain control of an oil empire with sufficient influence to alter the course of global events, individual members of the three families have faced sinister political machinations, economic skullduggery on a huge scale, and brutal violence, sometimes with deadly consequences.

It\u2019s now July 2000, some two and a half years after Lilah Sheppard Barrons, her former husband Brad Kingsley, and his brothers returned from a fraught decade-long exile abroad after falling victim to a politically motivated conspiracy, and former President Temple is attending a funeral in Brooklyn, New York. The deceased is not named, but it\u2019s clear that the death has had a major impact on Temple. It\u2019s equally clear that his hubris might have finally dissipated somewhat, even if only due to the physical consequences of the assassination attempt he survived, and that he might have come to regret using younger members of the three families as pawns in his deadly game with Jared Sanders and his successors.

The story then jumps back two years into the past, to late March of 1998, when Lilah and co. have only recently arrived back home. Through the skillful maneuvering of Harry Sheppard, Lilah\u2019s former love and current protector, and Dan Barrons, Lilah\u2019s twin brother, she has managed to wrestle back some control over the bloated oil empire. This means that, in addition to playing the CIA at their own game, she has another opportunity to dismantle the network from the inside, even if she has to do so while somehow maintaining cordial relations with her ex-husband. As political turmoil rages around the world, threatening to drag the United States into unwanted conflicts, it\u2019s really not a good time for an oil crisis.

Of course, there are several major players with a vested interest in ensuring that Lilah\u2019s plan fails, particularly Godwin Kingsley and his government/military cronies, which sets the scene for two years\u2019 worth of blackmail, backstabbing, and bloody violence leading up to the fateful funeral.

There is a lot going on in The Spanish Sacrifice, but not as much as has happened in the preceding five books, so it\u2019s not the place to start with the One Hundred Years of War series. It is, however, a great start to what promises to be a nail-biting conclusion to the saga. As is to be expected, Lilah, Harry, and their allies face lies and double-crosses at almost every turn as they attempt to gain sufficient control of the oil empire to finally demolish the network, all while keeping both their personal lives and their dealings with various government agencies in some kind of order. It involves a great deal of complex maneuvering, but Perin manages to draw the different threads together in a way that either provides answers or offers the promise of answers to come.

All of the familiar characters\u2014that is, those who have managed to survive the deadly chess game thus far\u2014have a role to play in bringing matters to a close in em>The Spanish Sacrifice and, presumably, the forthcoming final book in the series. In particular, Temple seems to demonstrate the most growth as a character, even though his ability to communicate is now limited and his willingness to engage in violence is still evident. Looking back from the vantage point of age, he seems to both regret what he has brought about and desire to help move things towards the ultimate end. Given Temple\u2019s distaste for all the alliances and conspiracies, it is also interesting to watch members of the younger generation come through the three families during the novel and almost inevitably take their place in the ongoing drama.

Saying that, while there\u2019s still plenty of action and intrigue, there are slower moments in The Spanish Sacrifice than in other books in the series, particularly the board meetings, legal conferences, and lengthy congressional hearing. As Lilah and Harry seek to secure power, and as others aim to consolidate their positions, there is much discussion and debate. Moreover, this installment of the saga predominantly takes place in the United States, which is another marked difference from the far more well-traveled earlier books. The lack of travel and diverse settings doesn\u2019t limit the flow of the story, but it does remove an added layer of interest that has become accustomed in the series.

The Spanish Sacrifice makes for an intriguing and suspenseful beginning of the end for the One Hundred Years of War series, delivering plenty of schemes and plots but also revealing the answers to some long-running questions. It\u2019s clear that there is plenty more in store for Lilah, Harry, Temple, and all the rest before things are finally wrapped up, so hopefully there won\u2019t be too much of a wait before The Capitol Showdown is released.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "06-May-2025", "date_added": "26-Feb-2024 02:59:29", "publisher": "East River Books", "page_count": "482 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013821037", "title": "EDEN", "author": "Jamie Lisa Forbes", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Michaela Gordoni", "word_count": 405, "review": "When a ten-year-old child witnesses her father\u2019s murder, no one will believe her. Not even her own mother, who sends her out on the street. So in walks Eden into Rowen\u2019s life. Reluctantly, eighteen-year-old Rowen takes her in, even though he is already struggling to care for himself and his feeble mother. Unsure of everything, he gives up college to work at a construction company. Little does he know that the year Eden spent with him may have been the best one of his life. Because when he sees her years later, all grown up, he can\u2019t stop himself from caring.

This book might be named Eden, but it\u2019s about Rowen. It\u2019s a journey through his life. It\u2019s about a man who messes up nearly everything that God has given him, how he receives love when he doesn\u2019t deserve it. And it\u2019s about how he only becomes a man well after the age of eighteen. You\u2019ll discover that Rowen is constantly forced into situations he doesn\u2019t want to be in. He wavers in instances where he needs to step up. He just can\u2019t summon the courage, even if he wants to. After he turns eighteen, he simply accepts every situation that comes his way, never attempting to change his fate. But in the end, while he can\u2019t completely right the mess he has made of his life, Rowen finds a way to redeem it the best he can\u2014by finally listening to his heart.

There isn\u2019t anything predictable about this story, which makes it a pleasant reading experience. Rowen\u2019s future cannot be seen, nor can Eden\u2019s. Jamie Lisa Forbes is also an author who doesn\u2019t forget any of her characters. She gives all of them some sort of significance, bringing them back in at times when you don\u2019t expect it. And few elements of the story are fair or right, but that\u2019s life. And it seems like it was Forbes\u2019 intent to make this story almost as lifelike as possible, which she pulled off, indeed.

Overall, this is an interesting, well-written southern story that starts out in 1950s North Carolina. Given the time period and place, it does incorporate a theme of racial prejudice. Essentially, it is an excellent historical fiction piece with appropriate details, names, and lingo. It\u2019s one of those rare books that sinks into your head for days as you continue to contemplate the characters\u2019 choices long after you\u2019ve turned the last page.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "19-Apr-2024", "date_added": "26-Feb-2024 02:55:56", "publisher": "Pronghorn Press", "page_count": "294 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013821033", "title": "EDEN", "author": "Jamie Lisa Forbes", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 435, "review": "Rowen was born into a well-to-do home and had quite a peaceful childhood. However, everything changed when his father died. It was discovered that he committed suicide, and there were speculations about him being in debt, which was overwhelming for him. As the only child, he only had his mother and their help, Adeline, by his side. After his father's death, his mother's health started failing, and they now had to depend on their uncle for financial support. Rowen's plans to go to university were thwarted when his uncle claimed they were in debt and couldn't afford it. Rowen had to become the man of the house as a teenager, and it was challenging for him.

On the other hand, there is Eden. A ten-year-old who is the only witness in a suspected murder case. The girl claimed her father was shot by her uncle intentionally. But can a little girl's testimony make much difference in the trial? Eden was considered an orphan, as her mother didn't care about her at all. She eventually moved into Rowen's home. Rowen wasn't happy that his mom had taken the girl in. They soon became rivals and engaged in multiple bouts of banter. Eden seems to be wiser than her age, daring, and carefree, and Rowen just doesn't understand her. The book follows Rowen as he navigates his teenage years, his future, his relationship, and other revelations.

When I started reading the first pages, I knew I was in for an adventurous ride. First, I liked how the author builds suspense. Also, the writing style is engaging and sometimes witty. The characters were well-developed, each having distinct traits that made them more endearing. Eden turned out to be my favorite. The girl is very courageous and quite a rebel. The story was captivating from start to finish, and I noticed the plot was a bit fast-paced. I liked how difficult it is to predict the events in the book; it made it even more interesting.

The novel boasts themes of friendship, family, romance, racism, injustice, and betrayal, among others. Although Adeline was a valuable addition to Rowen\u2019s family, she wasn't very well accepted by others because she was Black. There were other instances of racial discrimination, and I know the book is teaching a lesson on racism. Also, the book shows how the human mind is capable of doing evil for selfish reasons. Although families are supposed to have each other's backs, there are often betrayals. Eden by Jamie Lisa Forbes is an amazing novel, and I would highly recommend it to readers of young adult fiction novels.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Feb-2024 02:55:33", "publisher": "Pronghorn Press", "page_count": "294 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013821025", "title": "Sunny Gale", "author": "Jamie Lisa Forbes", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 438, "review": "Hannah Brandt didn\u2019t care for the life she had in her teenage years, having recently relocated to Nebraska and living with her mother and stepfather. Life on the farm was often harsh and her stepfather made her feel inferior on a daily basis. The appearance of a wild horse on the family property sparks something inside Hannah. She wants to get close to the horse and ride it, but this hope is tragically dashed when her stepfather callously kills the horse as an \u201cact of mercy.\u201d

Hannah wants to learn to ride a horse but believes her parents will never allow it. Her fortunes begin to change when she first meets cowboy Luke Mangum. Luke offers to teach Hannah how to ride and her parents acquiesce. There is an attraction between Luke and Hannah, despite a few year\u2019s difference in age. The pair eventually marry and Luke gives Hannah a horse of her own to ride. The freedom Hannah feels while riding is invigorating.

However, Hannah is restless and craves more in life. She attends a bronc riding competition and tells Luke that she wants to compete. To Luke\u2019s surprise, Hannah wins the competition. When asked her name, Hannah has now become Sunny Gale. This transformation leads to a rift between Sunny and her mother as well as Sunny and Luke. Gradually, Sunny Gale has become an established name in the Bronc riding circuit, competing in various competitions and performing well. Nevertheless, Bronc riding is dangerous and Sunny will experience this early and often during her career.

Years have passed and glory has faded when Sunny Gale begins. Fond memories are coupled with lingering regrets as Sunny reflects on her life in this laudable tale about a female pioneer. The transition of Hannah Brandt into Sunny Gale is a key component of the well-structured plot. Hannah feels confined in living with her parents, the farm life is often too dreary to contemplate. Horseback riding is not just transportation so much as an escape. When Hannah marries Luke, she does not want to confine herself and be subservient to Luke. Bronc riding and the possibility of becoming known appeal to Hannah, even though it may end her marriage to Luke. Hannah(Sunny) is an extremely interesting character as she lives by her own rules and aspires to be the best. Yet her desire to push herself to the limit comes at the cost of more than a few relationships. Sunny Gale is a story about a woman who bucked social conventions, asserted her independence, and sacrificed much to satisfy her dreams. Author Jamie Lisa Forbes has written a truly engaging novel.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "24-May-2024", "date_added": "26-Feb-2024 02:51:57", "publisher": "Pronghorn Press", "page_count": "342 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013821021", "title": "Sunny Gale", "author": "Jamie Lisa Forbes", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Michaela Gordoni", "word_count": 416, "review": "Hannah\u2019s life-long tale starts out when she\u2019s a young teen, just having moved to a ranch in Wyoming in the late 1890s. At the ranch, she develops a new interest in horses, which is sparked by a wild filly that roams near her home. The interest grows, and eventually she talks a boy into teaching her how to ride. She becomes a cowgirl against her mother\u2019s wishes and starts doing rodeos, debuting as \u201cSunny Gale,\u201d riding broncos and doing other performances. She loves the adrenaline rush that comes with being on a horse, and she can\u2019t imagine life without it. Over and over again, she proves that, when given the choice to follow a womanly calling or keep up the rodeo life, she\u2019ll choose the latter. The thrill, fame, and glory of being a rodeo girl is a life that\u2019s hard to give up.

This is a wonderful fictional peek into the life of a rodeo woman. It is a rare piece of work, and one that you\u2019re not likely to find a similarity to, as there are few books, fiction or non-fiction, that talk about women in the early rodeo world. Author Jamie Lisa Forbes also highlights Wyoming in the work. It is one of the least populated states in America, overshadowed by its gloried counterparts. But Forbes shows that it\u2019s an interesting state with its own equally fascinating history.

Hannah is not a particularly likeable protagonist, but she is a realistic one. Her tale is one of grit and determination. She makes questionable choices many times, and in many respects, she has a very hard life. She risks her life in the ring, suffering the odd riding injury, and numerous times she is taken advantage of by wicked men. The choices she has to make are never easy, but she sees things in black and white. While her decisions sometimes seem selfish, it\u2019s evident that Hannah believes that being a rodeo girl is who she is and that if she gives up that life, she might as well be nothing. But her life impacts a lot of others, and she doesn\u2019t always see that.

Though some of Hannah's issues are specific to her time period, her saga serves as a poignant, timeless reminder of the complexities that lie beneath the surface of seemingly glamorous pursuits. Those who have an interest in historical fiction and historic women\u2019s rights will find this book enlightening. It\u2019s an eye-opening read and an evocative mixture of fact and fiction.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "24-May-2024", "date_added": "26-Feb-2024 02:51:44", "publisher": "Pronghorn Press", "page_count": "342 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013821013", "title": "WHO LEFT GOD PLAYING WITH MUD?!", "author": "NAMIR NAOUM", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 440, "review": "The king, Sargon, was ruthless. He claimed the throne forcefully, and immediately the past ruler was at a disadvantage. He soon got rid of people who opposed him. Despite his hardness, his soft spot was his daughter, whom he loved so much. The story starts with a jester entertaining the king with a story quite similar to the Biblical creation story. Things escalated pretty quickly, and the king ordered one of his men to choose who to kill between the jester and a priest. Sargon is consumed with the power he has, which could ultimately lead to his downfall.

On the other hand, there's Aunt Tammara and Amare. Tammara had lost her only child, and Amare lost both parents in a mishap. Now that the two were together, Tamarra loved her niece and wanted the best for her. However, the aunt was superstitious, and Amare was not. The story continues with Amare falling in love with a charioteer named Ashur, but their love story is far from perfect.

Then there's a man named Ibrahem who works as a sculptor in the ancient city of Uruk. The story takes place after Ibrahem narrowly escapes execution by the palace guard, Naplanam. He dislikes the hypocrisy of the priests and avoids them whenever possible. Throughout the book, there are lots of evil priests who pretend to perform miracles. Also, there are quite a number of gods, and most are being ridiculed by humans.

With over six hundred pages, it takes a lot of patience to be able to read this book. I didn't understand what the essence of the story was, as there were too many things going on, so I just got lost. There were multiple storylines and a plethora of characters, so it was hard to guess how they related. Also, the lines between past and present events were blurred, which made reading the book less enjoyable. I noticed that the men in the book had misogynist attitudes and didn't regard women with that much respect. Additionally, they had a lot of superstitious beliefs in different gods, and in some parts, they talked about carrying out sacrifices. The author incorporated some Biblical stories, like that of the creation and Moses, into the story, but I don't get what the purpose was for.

However, the book is filled with drama, humor, action, religion, and history. Despite the flaws with characterization and plot, I found a few characters that I liked and actually enjoyed reading some parts of the story. Who Left God Playing with Mud by Namir Naoum is quite an interesting book, and I recommend it to readers of historical fiction.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Feb-2024 02:12:02", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "640 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013821009", "title": "WHO LEFT GOD PLAYING WITH MUD?! ", "author": "ADAM !", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 407, "review": "The story begins with what some consider one of the oldest stories: a take on Cain and Abel in rhyming verse. The names are not entirely familiar, but they are easy to determine, and the story itself plays out in a more or less recognizable way. God creates man, God creates woman, man and woman create children, one child kills the other.

But this is not, as some might say, your grandparent\u2019s Cain and Abel. For one thing, there are multiple gods, not the singular from the Abrahamic tales. For another, the story is not remotely reverent. The kindest way to put it would be ribald, which the rhymes (sometimes a little forced, more often inspired if rather ridiculous) drive home intensely. The story is full of sex, laughter at humanity\u2019s expense, even laughter at the deities themselves for causing such madness.

As an introduction to the book itself, it comes on a little strong, though the introduced themes remain throughout. As a way to weed out people who will be turned away by a book focusing on a polytheistic culture with vastly different sexual mores to the heavily Christian cultures of the United States and Europe, I imagine it will do an excellent job.

I found it delightful.

The gods make fewer appearances through the rest of the book, save in myths. The story mainly focuses on humans and their own actions, from King Sargon and his daughter to a priestess of Ishtar with a bloody mission, and many others. I feel bold enough to call it an epic, for even though its scope is limited to a relatively small part of the world (the action centers on Uruk, and the age of that city alone should be enough to say there are no globe-spanning adventures) it feels large. Part of that is due to the sheer breadth of the characters. While none of them receive the same treatment they might in deep realism, they all feel real, or at least real enough, and with so many of them treated so well, the book can\u2019t not feel grand.

I enjoyed this book immensely, and I recommend it to anyone who considers themself interested in humanity of any time period. It is full of irreverence and sexuality, but both of those things have always been part of human nature, and it\u2019s wonderful to read a book that celebrates both while avoiding being nothing more than simple mockery.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2025", "date_added": "26-Feb-2024 02:11:52", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "640 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013821005", "title": "WHO LEFT GOD PLAYING WITH MUD?!", "author": "NAMIR NAOUM", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 448, "review": "Sargon the Great is the King of Sumer and the most feared king of all lands. He is such a majestic king that the titles bestowed upon him place him close to the gods in the eyes of the people. However, the priests say that Sargon\u2019s life is in danger, and death could come from any direction. The palace must be protected, and no one is to be trusted. Sargon finds himself swamped by messages from the gods, kingly responsibilities, family duties, and threats on all sides. Will Sargon's reign stand the test of time? Namir Naoum's Who Left God Playing With Mud?! is set in the ancient world of Mesopotamia in 2300 BC and comprises themes of a religious deluge, gods, and inhumane atrocities that reflect humanity's past.

The book's depiction of a chaotic, barbaric, and very superstitious world gave me a fresh appreciation for peace and the higher level of civilization we have today. From the absurd treatment of women and the emphasis on virginity to the bloody sacrifices and wild wars, the book offers readers the opportunity to experience an unforgettable, shocking read from the safety of their homes. I shuddered excitedly with the suspenseful thrills in the book.

Prepare for an intriguing mix of historical themes and supernatural elements that incorporate ideas from religious texts. While some parts of the book are similar to biblical stories like the flood and the story of baby Moses in a basket, I recommend having an open mind to enjoy the book. If that's you, you will enjoy its portrayal of religious themes and its thought-provoking messages about several ironies and inconsistencies that are common with dogmatic teachings.

Namir's characters are very animated and often comical. They express their emotions vividly in conversations and through personal reflections, allowing readers to understand their core emotions. I found myself looking forward to more of the expressive, humorous lines. One character, for example, mentions that the gods' ways are so mysterious that he gave up on trying to understand them.

Despite its brilliance, the book has some significant features that I disliked. The most notable one is its confusing group of characters. Since its characters are quite numerous and their viewpoints are constantly mixed, I felt somewhat disconnected from them. Also, the capricious blend of dreams, stories within the main story, heavenly realms, and earthly events contributed to its confusing nature.

Overall, this grand tale offers readers a chance to teleport to an ancient, exciting, and somewhat frightening fictional world. Though it's not perfect, it entertains the reader while provoking deep thoughts about religion and history. Spirited characters, intense action, smart humor, and exciting supernatural elements make it an inviting, unique choice.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "07-Oct-2024", "date_added": "26-Feb-2024 02:11:41", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "640 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013819003", "title": "BubbleCat, Get That Balloon!", "author": "Sean Charmatz", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 168, "review": "BubbleCat, Get That Balloon! is one of several stories about BubbleCat's adventures in the scary outside world while being both a bubble and a cat. BubbleCat meets with Molly Mouse to have a \"favorite things\" picnic together\u2014he has his favorite hat and she has her favorite balloon. BubbleCat doesn't mean to, but he accidentally knocks her balloon out of her hands and it goes floating away! BubbleCat feels terrible and won't listen to anything that sounds like no as he goes out to get her balloon back!

I enjoyed this book for several reasons\u2014one is that I love cats and another is that BubbleCat's adventures in this story and others are exciting and he learns something from them. BubbleCat is a great friend and thinks of others before himself. I love the pictures in the books about BubbleCat because they combine realistic things with animated drawings, making the reader pay close attention.

Kids of any age will enjoy BubbleCat, Get That Balloon! because they will learn something relevant.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "22-Apr-2024", "date_added": "23-Feb-2024 20:38:28", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013816007", "title": "Good Night, Good Beach", "author": "Joy Cowley, Hilary Jean Tapper", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "A family is spending some time at the seaside. Five youngsters share a bedroom with a view of the beach. Morning comes and they go exploring on the shore, examining the plants and watching gulls fly by. As evening comes, one of the children comes inside the cabin. Dad is setting the table for dinner. The other children are still at the shore as waves hush-hush on the shore. The children hide their new-found treasures of shells and sea glass in their room before getting ready for bed. The adults are finishing their day as well. It has been a good day at the beach, but now it is time for sleep.

Author Joy Cowley has written, in perfect meter and rhyme, a charming story about youngsters spending a day at the ocean shore. This is a wonderful story that will quiet the youngest of listeners at bedtime as they get ready to go to sleep. The illustrations by Hilary Jean Tapper are absolutely enchanting. They have an old-fashioned feel to them and are filled with rich details. She uses soft colors that perfectly support the gentle story. This is a real keeper that young ones will love.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "23-Feb-2024 20:46:19", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013816003", "title": "Sleepy Sheepy and the Sheepover", "author": "Lucy Ruth Cummins, Pete Oswald", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 190, "review": "Sleepy Sheepy is very excited. He is going to spend the night at his grandparents\u2019 house while his parents are away for the night. Sleepy Sheepy packs up his things, everything he might need that night and a whole lot of stuff that he might not need, but it\u2019s good to have along just in case. Finally it\u2019s time, and Sleepy Sheepy\u2019s parents drop him off at his grandparents\u2019 house and tell him goodnight and goodbye.

GOODBYE??? Suddenly this doesn\u2019t seem like so much fun. Sleepy Sheepy misses his parents and he misses his house. Grammy reads Sleepy Sheepy\u2019s father\u2019s favorite childhood book and Grampy makes cookies. But will it be enough to calm Sleepy Sheepy down for the night?

Author Lucy Ruth Cummins has written a very sweet, cute story that will help little ones in preparation for their first overnight, but will also help them settle down any night. The adorable illustrations in soft colors by Pete Oswald perfectly complete this fun book. Youngsters will fall in love with Sleepy Sheepy and his difficult dilemma and will ask for this story over and over. It is a winner.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2024", "date_added": "23-Feb-2024 20:30:26", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013815003", "title": "Mamas and Babies", "author": "Christie Matheson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 120, "review": "Well, the name of this book is self-explanatory. It shows real-life experiences of mother animals with their babies, from how they eat, sleep, and move. Each page focuses on a different animal and has the cutest illustration. My favorite part of the book is the orangutangs snuggled up together. Such a sweet book for young readers to see the mother/baby relationship.

This book was really cute for younger readers. It has a simple informative text that is easy to read and a nice illustration. The illustrations are colorful and life-like, so they almost appear to be watercolor. I think this is a great book for young readers who want to learn more about mommies and babies in the animal kingdom.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "22-Apr-2024", "date_added": "23-Feb-2024 20:27:41", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013813007", "title": "BubbleCat Grows a Garden", "author": "Sean Charmatz", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 149, "review": "BubbleCat Grows a Garden is the story of the beloved bubble who's a cat (or vice versa) and his plan to start growing a flower garden. BubbleCat plants the seeds and then grows impatient as he waits. His friends give him ideas to get the plants to grow quicker (playing music, offering a gift, putting on a show), but BubbleCat finds nothing that works! When he is about to give up, his flowers grow and share what was successful in their growth.

BubbleCat Grows a Garden is a fun book to read for many reasons. I love cats, adventure, and how pretty flowers are; the illustrations were different than others, with real life and animation combined. The story shows how patience is always best and how to keep going and not give up! The story is best for readers of all ages because the lesson is important for everyone!", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "22-Apr-2024", "date_added": "23-Feb-2024 20:31:58", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013813003", "title": "This Book Will Make You An Artist", "author": "Ruth Millington, Ellen Surrey", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 168, "review": "This Book Will Make You An Artist will do exactly that. After a brief introduction covering such subjects as supplies and the color wheel, this books introduces readers to twenty-five artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Artemisia Gentileschi, Vincent Van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Bridget Riley, Liu Bolin, Yayoi Kusama, and Esther Mahlangu.

Ruth Millington gives a brief biography of each artist and a description of his or her style, then provides a fun art project related to that artist. Projects include painting points like Seurat, making cutouts like Matisse, splashing paint like Janet Sobel, and creating a string sculpture like Judith Scott. Millington also includes a glossary with basic art terms.

This book is a wonderful introduction to art history and technique through a variety of mediums. Especially nice, Millington\u2019s choices are very inclusive with a balance of old and new artists, both male and female, and from a variety of countries. This book is perfect for the any budding artist looking for some inspiration.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "23-Feb-2024 19:15:09", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013812003", "title": "How Animals Sleep", "author": "Dvorak Jiri, Marie Stumpfova, Benjamin Lovett", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "All creatures great and small, on land, in the air, or in water, need to sleep. But they can\u2019t be tucked into warm beds as people are. The many different ways animals sleep are both fascinating and astounding.

Camels may look like they are lying down, but they actually kneel with only their elbows and knees touching the hot sand, so night breezes can cool their stomachs and humps. Giraffes sleep standing with their heads resting on high branches. They only sleep a couple hours broken up into five-minute naps. Bumblebees often sleep inside of flowers. Seals sleep underwater with their noses closed, waking and surfacing often to breathe. Flamingoes sleep standing on one foot.

Author Ji\u0159\u00ed Dvo\u0159\u00e1k has written a book that young readers will find fascinating. Dvo\u0159\u00e1k tells the sleep stories of sixteen different animals from the exotic, such as green tree pythons and peacocks, to the common, including cats and dogs. The beautiful illustrations by Marie \u0160tumpfov\u00e1, in soft colors, have the look of block prints with enough background detail to add interest, but not enough to distract from the main attractions. Young readers will love this book, and it will encourage them to do more research.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2024", "date_added": "23-Feb-2024 18:55:32", "publisher": "Red Comet Press", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013811003", "title": "The Observologist: A Handbook for Mounting Very Small Scientific Expeditions", "author": "Giselle Clarkson", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 213, "review": "The observologist is a unique creature, an individual with an insatiable curiosity about the critters that share this world with us. Instead of exploring the heavens and booking a trip to outer space, New Zealand illustrator and comic artist Giselle Clarkson magically introduces the young observer to a world where we are surrounded by countless scores of creatures and instructs the observer to focus on the hidden populations that lounge just below our feet.

Surreptitiously, the author cleverly introduces scientific terminology as the organisms are described. But most outstanding are the whimsical descriptions she assigns to her superb ink drawings of the evidence examined. Her comical comments attached to her amazing graphic figures tickle the psyche and goad the reader to further inspect slimy slugs or to differentiate a centipede from a millipede, and perhaps to check out spider web patterns, or to enter the science of myrmecology and get to learn more about ants.

Discover the varied colored immigrant cockroaches, learn to differentiate bees from wasps, butterflies from moths, or just check out the identifying poop released by different birds, worms, and other organisms. This talented author has assembled a wealth of scientific information, and has incredibly seamed the data into a fascinating story sparkling with admirable earthy artistry and gracious wit.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2024", "date_added": "23-Feb-2024 18:50:12", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "120 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013809007", "title": "The Wrong Book", "author": "Drew Daywalt, Alex Willmore", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 130, "review": "This is the wrong book if you are looking for a boring read. It is funny how books work, the reader has to say what the book says even if it don't quite make sense. In this book there is a funny book mark that is pretty frustrated with the nonsense that the narrator is making up. This book will also make you want to eat an apple because \"apples say CRUNCH.\"

This was a really funny book, like make you laugh out loud funny. This is a great book to read with the whole family for a good time. I really like when the book mark takes over the book, and then decides \"if you can't beat them join them.\" I would love to see more funny books like this.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "22-May-2024", "date_added": "23-Feb-2024 20:36:34", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013805015", "title": "A Flicker of Hope: A Story of Migration", "author": "Cynthia Harmony, Devon Holzwarth", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jennifer Padgett", "word_count": 205, "review": "As the monarcas prepare for their long, arduous migration north, Papa plays his guitarra and hums Lucia\u2019s beloved song. She knows, that with the coming of spring, their time together is waning. He\u2019ll return in the fall when the beautiful monarcas make their voyage across the countryside, rivers, and mountains. For now, they must both head northbound. He must labor in the fields to provide for his family. While Papa dreams of a more promising tomorrow, Lucia waits patiently for his homecoming. Abuela and Mama teach her to braid baskets and weave ocoxal leaves, and as autumn shines its vibrant hues, Papa and the monarcas return to where their journey began.

A Flicker of Hope is about the love of family, culture, and nature. It\u2019s heartwarming, and though it\u2019s mostly fiction, it has elements of nonfiction threaded throughout it. There\u2019s a glossary that provides Spanish-English translations for those who are unfamiliar with the language. Additionally, facts about monarch butterflies are detailed in the author\u2019s note. There are life-like illustrations that brighten the pages with lustrous colors and a welcoming aura. This sweet story is relatively short and is ideal for children ages five to nine. It\u2019ll be a great pick for elementary school classrooms and libraries.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "26-Apr-2024", "date_added": "22-Feb-2024 22:41:02", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013805011", "title": "Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough", "author": "Hayley Rocco, John Rocco", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 184, "review": "Over the past century, David Attenborough has served as a mesmeric educator introducing the public to the majestic complexity and interconnections of the myriad forms of life within our natural world. He stands as an iconic figure focusing our concern for life on this planet and the problems that threaten species survival.

In this colorfully illustrated biography of this admired naturalist, both the author and illustrator have complementarily presented a comprehensive story of David\u2019s origins along with his professional development. The young reader will find similarities in David\u2019s growth from his childhood curiosity to how his interests continued to focus on the natural world.

Wishing to share his knowledge of the wild places with others, his career advanced into television and films, thus introducing his audiences to exotic plants and animals. With time, he noted that human growth was replacing the wild places, that the weather patterns were changing, oceans were losing fish, forests were losing trees and we were losing our diversity. And so began the conservation movement.

This is an enriching story about a remarkable individual well-crafted to appeal to young readers.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "03-Apr-2024", "date_added": "22-Feb-2024 22:40:01", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013804003", "title": "Yooper Poetry", "author": "Raymond Luczak", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 196, "review": "Yooper Poetry is a richly immersive anthology that transports readers into the unique culture and mindset of Michigan's Upper Peninsula through the insightful, resonant voices of poets who it home. As editor Raymond Luczak notes, there is a particular \"Yooper\" resilience and connection to this remarkable region that shapes the lived experiences captured in these poems. These poems are \u201cemotionally honest,\u201d and as brutal and beautiful as the U.P. herself.

The diverse array of contributors\u2014spanning poets who currently reside in the U.P. to those who have moved elsewhere but remain shaped by their heritage\u2014offer enlightening perspectives across generations. Their works pay tribute to the U.P.'s natural splendors while unearthing the grit, whimsy, and indelible characters forged by this remote, uncompromising landscape.

From unsentimental snapshots of small-town life to reverential odes to the harsh, defining winters, the poems in this anthology evoke the U.P's unique sense of place with poignant specificity and admirable craft. Luczak has curated a multifaceted yet cohesive love letter to the incomparable Upper Peninsula. Whether you've braved U.P. winters or remain an armchair traveler, poetry devotees and Michiganders alike will savor these unforgettable portraits of what it truly means to be a \"Yooper.\"", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "11-Apr-2024", "date_added": "22-Feb-2024 19:54:33", "publisher": "Modern History Press", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013803011", "title": "Dogland: Passion, Glory, and Lots of Slobber at the Westminster Dog Show", "author": "Tommy Tomlinson", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 175, "review": "This is a bright breezy book about dogs. What\u2019s not to like? It is fun to read and full of interesting facts about dogs, humorous rankings of \u201ctop\u201d dogs and entertaining stories. In between, the author follows a dog handler to the Westminster Dog Show where she competes with a beautiful Samoyed named Striker.

There is only one complaint about this book and that I wished it had been illustrated. I spent so much time looking up pictures of different breeds and learning about their characteristics. I thought I knew what a Havanese looked like, but I certainly found many breeds previously unknown to me like the Coton du Tulear.

The author also takes a side trip to reflect personally on his pet to make the point that we all grow to love our dogs and become accustomed to having them as a constant and welcoming presence in our lives. The author travelled three years around the dog circuit and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at that world. It is a fun book to read.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2024", "date_added": "22-Feb-2024 22:15:44", "publisher": "Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013800015", "title": "Looking for a Sign: A Novel", "author": "Susie Dumond", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 200, "review": "Having absolutely devoured Dumond\u2019s first book, Queerly Beloved, I was beyond excited for her second novel. And while Looking for a Sign definitely left me wanting a little more, there were so many things I enjoyed about the story.

After the end of a decade-long relationship, twenty-nine year old Gray is looking to settle down and start building the supportive family she\u2019s always dreamt of and never had. On the advice of her best friend, Cherry, Gray seeks out famous astrologer Madame Nouvelle Lune to give her some advice on navigating her current relationship conundrum.

With the planet Saturn making its return, Madame assures Gray her woes are all part of the plan, and to look to the other astrological signs as guidance on how to move through her situation. Gray being the Aries she is, turns this advice into a dating challenge to go on a date with all twelve signs before her thirtieth birthday.

There was so much thoughtful character development for Gray, and the dates are steamy and cringey in equal measures. I just had a hard time connecting with Gray and her cookie-cutter white picket dreams. A great read for Mazey Eddings and Rachel Lacey fans.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "01-Jul-2024", "date_added": "22-Feb-2024 22:08:52", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013800007", "title": "Archangels of Funk", "author": "Andrea Hairston", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 183, "review": "\u201cCinnamon Jones Invites You to an Outdoor Sci-Fi Carnival Jam at the Amphitheatre.\u201d The New World Festival is coming up, and Cinnamon and her three Circus-Bots must get to the Co-op for rehearsal. But with the weight of responsibility for providing shelter to the flood refugees while dealing with threats from the Darknet Lords, nostalgia militia, and desperados, Cinnamon is in a funk. With the help of her friends and the promise to her elders, Cinnamon will make sure that the show goes on.

Archangels of Funk is the latest novel by award-winning author Andrea Hairston. This very original tale is a beautiful mix of cyberpunk and old-world folklore. Or, as Cinnamon elegantly put it, \u201ca blast from the past and a holler at tomorrow.\u201d Hairston\u2019s Afro-futuristic masterpiece combines larger-than-life characters with a near-future landscape that feels very utopian despite the conflicts. This book is a breath of fresh air compared to many near-future works. Hairston\u2019s writing has the rhythm of a solid funk jam combined with her poetic imagery. If this novel were a concert, it would deserve the loudest standing ovation.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "26-Sep-2024", "date_added": "22-Feb-2024 19:24:00", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013798011", "title": "Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me", "author": "Whoopi Goldberg", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 173, "review": "The author, Whoopi Goldberg is well known starting with her one woman Broadway show. From that time forward, she has starred in movies, television and Comic Relief. This book provides a way to get to know her better since it focuses on her family life. She was born Caryn Johnson and nicknamed Whoopi in the comedy clubs. Her mother chose a family surname to dub her Goldberg. It is clear that she adored her mother and brother who are now deceased. The author details the many outings her mother arranged for her children, in spite of working as a single parent. It is a sweet book but doesn\u2019t sugar coat her rebellious nature and hard times. It is a tribute to her character that she paid back all of the welfare money which supported her and her young child.

It surprised me that this is Ms. Goldberg\u2019s eighth book along with her seven children\u2019s books. It is heart warming that a celebrity would look back and thank her devoted family for believing in her.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "05-Jun-2024", "date_added": "22-Feb-2024 19:22:34", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "258 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013798007", "title": "Bare Knuckle: Bobby Gunn, 73-0 Undefeated. A Dad. A Dream. A Fight Like You've Never Seen", "author": "Stayton Bonner", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 260, "review": "Stayton Bonner, a former editor and writer for Rolling Stone, channels his razor-sharp reporting to tell the story of Bobby Gunn, the most celebrated fighter in the history of bare-knuckle boxing, in his book Bare Knuckle.

Bonner starts with a portrait of Gunn as a family man who was raised by a father who believed his son was born to fight. Legend has it that Bobby left school in second grade and his father arranged a fight for him in a parking lot that set Bobby's fate on course. The Gunn family is part of a group of Travelers, nomadic people with roots in gypsy culture, and everywhere the elder Gunn took his son, Bobby fought. The road was hard, but eventually, Bobby became the most known bare-knuckle fighter and the most brutal. And, he continued the family tradition by training his son, Bobby Jr., to follow in his footsteps. Bobby Jr., though, wants a life in professional boxing, hoping to leave the underground world of bare-knuckle fighting to his father.

Bobby Gunn wants to preserve his legacy and provide for his family; the birth of his daughter shifted his priorities so now he works laying asphalt and fighting to pay her private school tuition and ensure her future is brighter than his past. The book details fights from all over the country, and Bonner's writing style is as sharp as I imagine Gunn's left hook to be. Some moments feel a bit repetitive, but that is to be expected in a book about a life with a great deal of overlap.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2024", "date_added": "22-Feb-2024 19:04:52", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "370 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013797003", "title": "A Grave Robbery (A Veronica Speedwell Mystery)", "author": "Deanna Raybourn", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 255, "review": "Veronica Speedwell and her handsome partner Stoker are at it again in this fun and fraught mystery romp from Danna Raybourn. A Grave Robbery, the ninth book in the Speedwell series, provides twists at several key moments to keep the pages turning.

After Lord Rosemorran acquires a lifelike wax figure of a sleeping woman, he asks Stoker to equip the figure with a clock mechanism so that the figure will be similar to those at Madame Tussaud's. The task, though challenging, should be relatively easy given Stoker's particular skillset, but when the figure is revealed to contain the preserved body of a beautiful dead woman, Veronica becomes invested in determining the woman's identity and how she met with such a terrible fate. Unraveling the mystery takes the pair to a traveling circus, the halls of an aristocrat's home, and an underground tunnel system, all of which smack of peril.

Having not read Raybourn before, I was immediately hooked by the description and detail of each scene and the expert renderings of the characters. Villains where you expect none, heroes and heroines in surprising corners\u2014I was often surprised and delighted by the choices. And if, like me, this is your first in the Speedwell series, fear not. When Raybourn refers to other adventures shared by Stoker and Speedwell she caringly provides a footnote with the title in which that adventure appears. It's a masterful way to build an audience for the other eight books while you ponder the truth at the heart of A Grave Robbery.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "01-Jul-2024", "date_added": "22-Feb-2024 18:53:49", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013796015", "title": "Nancy Bess Had a Dress", "author": "Claire Noland, Angela C Hawkins", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Nancy Bess and her mother go to the store. Mother tells Nancy Bess to choose whatever bag of flour she wants. She chooses one that has a pretty daisy pattern on a blue background. She doesn\u2019t care that it is at the bottom of the stack. That is the one she wants. Nancy Bess and her mother bake up a storm, and soon that flour bag is empty. They measure, cut, stitch, and save every scrap.

Soon, Nancy Bess has a new dress. She wears it everywhere until the dress is too small for the growing girl. She measures, cuts, stitches, and saves every scrap, and soon she has an apron, then a satchel, then a scarf, etc. And so it goes until there is nothing left but scraps to make a quilt.

Claire Annette Noland has written a sweet story of how families did not waste anything in the Depression. Nancy Bess is a clever character who appreciates what she has and doesn\u2019t complain about making do. Noland\u2019s writing is lovely. The colorful illustrations by Angela C. Hawkins are simply enchanting with marvelous details filling every page and complementing the story perfectly. Kids will love this beautiful book.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "22-May-2024", "date_added": "22-Feb-2024 23:12:16", "publisher": "Gnome Road Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013796011", "title": "First Light: A Novel (Night's Edge, 2)", "author": "Liz Kerin", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 204, "review": "There are some things one can never outrun, the past being one of them. In the wake of a personal loss, Mia has left home and moved to New York City. Despite the everyday perils of life in the big city, there is a new threat posed by a virus called \u201cSaratovs Syndrome.\u201d The virus turns its hosts into vampires (dubbed \u201cSaras\u201d). Mia is well acquainted with this affliction as it infected and killed her mother.

Despite thousands of miles of distance, Mia feels the looming presence of her mother\u2019s boyfriend, Devon, who turned her mother into a monster. Mia wants to learn more about the Saras and takes a job at a volunteer center that shelters and cares for them. Soon, Mia meets the enigmatic Cora and is drawn to her. The pair soon break out from the shelter leading to a journey fraught with peril.

First Light is the highly charged and thrilling sequel to Night\u2019s Edge (2023). Author Liz Kerin writes of a nightmarish landscape where Mia seeks to liberate herself from the burdensome only to walk into a new kind of misery. A book that combines sci-fi/horror with just the right amount of heart to make for a well-rounded read.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2024", "date_added": "22-Feb-2024 22:16:50", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013794015", "title": "The Incredible Octopus: Meet the Eight-Armed Wonder of the Sea", "author": "Erin Spencer", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 177, "review": "It is hard to know where to begin in reviewing The Incredible Octopus: Meet the Eight-Armed Wonder of the World. Marine ecologist Erin Spencer has written an amazing book that presents a treasure trove of information about these fascinating creatures. Maybe equally importantly, this book is beautifully designed.

The text covers a remarkably broad range of information: where octopi live around the globe, their anatomy, including their suckers and nine brains, their babies, ink, what they eat, what eats them, their intelligence, how they play, and various types of octopi. That said, this information is given in small, easily understood tidbits that do not overwhelm the reader. Moreover, the information varies in complexity, providing something of interest for all.

While one reader might enjoy learning about famous octopus antics, another might want to understand why octopi are called cephalopods. Finally, the photographs in this book are beyond stunning. It is easy to see young readers poring over this book again and again. Fair warning, though: expect a request to visit your local aquarium in the near future.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "29-May-2024", "date_added": "23-Feb-2024 01:01:52", "publisher": "Storey Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013794007", "title": "The Cure for Burnout: How to Find Balance and Reclaim Your Life", "author": "Emily Ballesteros", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 179, "review": "Burnout management coach Emily Ballesteros confirms and validates millions of people's negative thoughts and beliefs toward their jobs and life in general. Through scientific research and individual experiences (including her own), she gets specific with the nitty-gritty of burnout: the three types, symptoms associated with this less-than-desired feeling, \"coping skills\" and self-care to manage, and reinventing your life to bring pleasure and balance. Ballesteros shows that burnout is a real problem that affects many people and should be taken seriously.

The Cure for Burnout is appropriate for nearly all readers! There comes a point at any age that they feel \"burnt out\" and even if it doesn't happen because of a job, skills, techniques, and knowledge are building blocks for the victims to get and feel better. The text is best and most likely to be comprehended by a high school student or older due to the scientific nature and this age-range's ability to relate. Each chapter supports its siblings and the theme overall. Reader's will find something to resonate with and become a better person because of it.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "22-Feb-2024 18:47:50", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013793011", "title": "Time for the Stars", "author": "Robert A Heinlein", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 189, "review": "As overpopulation stressed the Earth\u2019s resources past its needs, the Long Range Foundation (LRF) sought solutions. One project of the LRF was testing twins for mind-reading abilities. Sending out ships seeking inhabitable planets needed reliable communications. They aim to send one twin into space while the other stays on Earth to collect transmissions. One pair of twins recruited for this project are Tom and Pat. Pat stays on Earth as Tom flies at near-lightspeed. If Tom survives, will he return at the same age he left?

Time for the Stars is a classic novella by Robert A. Heinlein. First published in 1956, this tale of near-lightspeed space travel is an excellent example of a work from the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Heinlein is a master of character development, and Tom and Pat are great examples. This story is still a relevant piece of sci-fi almost seventy years later. Though other authors have touched on the themes of near-lightspeed travel, Heinlein was a great inspiration, and this book is thick with Einstein\u2019s theories and space travel science. For fans of Heinlein and retro sci-fi, this is an excellent read.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "04-Apr-2024", "date_added": "22-Feb-2024 19:30:04", "publisher": "CAEZIK", "page_count": "182 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013789003", "title": "Allow Me to Introduce Myself: A Novel", "author": "Onyi Nwabineli", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 218, "review": "Onyx Nwabinelli's latest book Allow Me to Introduce Myself is as timely as it is brilliant--if you use social media or have ever seen a momfluencer account, this is a must-read.\n

Anuri grew up online through no choice of her own. Her first steps, her toddler years, and the awkward moments of her adolescence, were all captured, posted, and monetized for the benefit of her stepmother/momfluencer, Ophelia. Her father, Nkem, did little to interfere because he was still grieving the death of Anuri's mother, and he didn't understand the damage Ophelia's choices did. At 14, Anuri rebelled against Ophelia and removed herself from Ophelia\u2019s reach, but the content from her childhood still existed online. Even into her twenties, people recognized her and sought her out despite her desire to remain anonymous.

When Anuri sees the same destructive pattern appearing for her stepsister Noelle, she is determined to provide Noelle with the protection no one sought for her. With the support of her two closest friends, her lawyer, and a new love interest, Anuri vows to never give up until she knows Noelle is safe. Allow Me to Introduce Myself is a brilliant commentary on the harm of forcing children into a spotlight they didn\u2019t consent to and on the constant and abiding love we can find in our friends.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "03-Jun-2024", "date_added": "21-Feb-2024 00:59:46", "publisher": "Graydon House Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013788003", "title": "Close to Death: A Novel (A Hawthorne and Horowitz Mystery, 5)", "author": "Anthony Horowitz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Ruta Arellano", "word_count": 197, "review": "Once again, brilliant British author Anthony Horowitz delights readers with his twisted and wicked sense of humor. Don\u2019t be misled, this novel includes a murder. There are plenty of misdeeds committed by the seemingly genteel homeowners in an exclusive British enclave, Riverside Close. By the way, a Close is a court (cul-de-sac) with a narrow entry lane. Riverside Close is also a gated community.

There is a bird\u2019s eye illustration at the front of the book that identifies the houses by name and lists the occupants. I suggest that you use a bookmark or a Post-it on this page for easy reference. As is usually the situation in a small neighborhood, at least one household is an unwelcome addition to the mix.

Close to Death is the fifth time author Horowitz, who inserts himself into the novel, calls on Detective Daniel Hawthorne for assistance in solving a brain teaser of a mystery. The two of them barely tolerate each other and yet, it takes both of them to crack this case. Be on the lookout for double entendres, word puzzles, and puns.

Readers just discovering the Hawthorne and Horowitz books, don\u2019t worry about reading them in order. Highly recommended.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2024", "date_added": "21-Feb-2024 00:58:06", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013786007", "title": "Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge, 2nd Edition: Waterfalls * Vistas * State Parks * National Scenic Area (Mountaineers Books) ", "author": "Craig Romano", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 204, "review": "The eighty-mile-long Columbia River Gorge separating Washington from Oregon is one of the National Scenic Areas of the US. There really is no place like it. This area has immense beauty with its countless waterfalls and peaks rising up to four thousand feet. This area is filled with numerous trails of all lengths and difficulties. Whether looking for an easy hike filled with wildflowers, a pleasant climb to the top of a waterfall, or a challenging trek up a scenic peak, there is a hike for everyone\u2019s desires in this natural playground.

Day Hiking: Columbia River Gorge by Craig Romano is a handy book for hikers of all levels looking to get out on the trail. Each hike highlighted in this guide has an overview, directions to the trailhead, and a description of what to expect. I have done many of the hikes in this book and can honestly say Romano\u2019s write-ups are spot on. This guide also contains maps of the whole area and a trail map of each hike. A handy \u201cHikes at a Glance\u201d section lays out the vital info like length, difficulty, or if it\u2019s dog friendly. This useful 2nd edition is out just in time to hit the trail.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2024", "date_added": "21-Feb-2024 00:40:46", "publisher": "The Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013781017", "title": "Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night?", "author": "Steven J. Simmons and Clifford R. Simmons", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 443, "review": "Everyone needs to sleep! Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night is a wonderful book for young children that will teach them about some of the most popular underwater creatures and their sleeping habits. The first thing I noticed about this book was the beautiful, calming colors presented on the front cover of the book which shows some of the animals featured in the book. These watercolor-style illustrations continue throughout the book and children will enjoy feeling as if they are on the beach or underwater observing the creatures.

The book is written in four-line prose with the first two lines rhyming and the second two lines rhyming. The author gives some really fun facts about each of the animals featured. These facts include the color-changing properties of an octopus, that the seahorse holds onto a plant or coral while it sleeps so it doesn't drift away, how only one side of a dolphin's brain is asleep when it is sleeping, and so many more interesting facts.

Parents will be able to have discussions about the animals with their children, asking them which ones they like the most or find the most intriguing. I feel that many fun conversations could come up when talking about underwater animals sleeping and although the book is not very long, it will spark interest in young minds. A child may find that he or she wants to learn more about the animals featured in the book.

While Authors Steven J. Simmons and Clifford R. Simmon do an exemplary job of creating a rhyming underwater adventure for young ones, my favorite part of the book was the illustrations that accompanied the poems. Illustrator Ruth E. Harper has a magic hand when it comes to creating the scenes in the book. As I read each page and took in the scenery and the animals featured, I felt the calmness of the sea and a whole ecosystem that we, as humans, don't see on a day-to-day basis. Under the sea, we can observe how animals interact with one another such as the anemone and clownfish. Before reading this book, I had no idea that clownfish live and sleep in anemones which are poisonous to other fish. I also found it interesting that a walrus can go days without rest and can sleep on land or in water.

Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night is the perfect bedtime story for young children as sometimes just thinking about sleep can make us yawn and be ready for a sweet goodnight. I recommend this book for children ages three to eight, however, I think older children would also enjoy reading this book to younger siblings.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "13-Mar-2024", "date_added": "17-Feb-2024 01:31:54", "publisher": "Charlesbridge", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013781009", "title": "Red, White & Verse", "author": "Greg McNeilly", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 732, "review": "A lyrical celebration of the rich and diverse history of the United States, Greg McNeilly\u2019s Red, White & Verse: Our Myths, Legends & Stories transports readers through time to present pivotal people and moments from the country\u2019s past. With unabashed patriotism and clearsighted love for his homeland, McNeilly\u2019s poetry traverses historical ground as varied as the Marshall Plan and Disneyland, the War for Independence and Yellowstone National Park, introducing influential and inspiring personalities along the way. By turns poignant and entertaining, Red, White & Verse should appeal to American history lovers from across the political spectrum.

The included works are presented chronologically based on the people, places, and events featured in them, starting with a biographical poem about Pocahontas (1596\u20131617) and ending with a poignant ode dedicated to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. There are also three additional poems included at the end of the collection, likely sitting outside the chronological order due to the timelessness of their subject matter: the Mississippi River, Grand Canyon, and Great Lakes, respectively. In these latter works, McNeilly captures the majesty of nature, for example, \u201cThe river, America in a watery flow, / Tells the story of a nation that continues to grow. / Its water whispers tales old and new, / The Mississippi, America\u2019s river, steadfast and true.\u201d

Among the famous faces profiled by McNeilly are political giants such as Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, with the former being described as \u201cIn the forge of revolution, his vision held fast, / A founding father, his lot was cast\u201d and the latter termed \u201ca leader without peer.\u201d There are also poems dedicated to key figures from the abolitionist and civil rights movements, including Frederick Douglas (\u201cIndeed, a man of words, a man of deeds, / Whose eloquence the soul of the nation feeds.\u201d), Harriet Tubman (\u201cAssuming the mantle of Moses, a codename worn with pride, / She was a conductor on the Underground Railroad\u2019s secret tide.\u201d), and Malcolm X (\u201cHe instilled pride where shame once lay, / In the hearts of many, he ignited the way.\u201d).

Moreover, from the sphere of business and industry, the likes of J.P. Morgan, Henry Ford (\u201cwhose heart was set on industry\u201d), and John D. Rockefeller are represented, while from the fields of literature and entertainment, McNeilly profiles figures such as Mark Twain, Harper Lee, and even Hollywood itself (\u201cIn the heart of Los Angeles rests a luminous jewel, / Hollywood, where dreams are spun and stories rule\u201d). Sports and sportspeople are not forgotten either, as McNeilly pens a tribute to America\u2019s love of baseball, which he describes as follows: \u201cIn the lush expanse, where field and sky unite, / Where heroes are chiseled in the crucible of eternal fight, / Emerges a symphony, America\u2019s long days of light, / A Homeric saga unfurls in the halcyon summer night.\u201d

All these extraordinary people and more, as well as the principles they represent, are elucidated by McNeilly, thereby unveiling their influence on the growth and development of the United States and its position in the world today. His verse also explores key moments and events from history that have shaped the country, including the Gettysburg Address (\u201cWhere hope was born anew from a past so keen\u201d) and Pearl Harbor. Furthermore, he pens tributes to important annual traditions such as Thanksgiving and Independence Day, highlighting the things that bring and bind Americans together. What\u2019s more, he also takes time to consider the things that divide the nation. In accomplishing all this, McNeilly certainly succeeds in achieving his aim \u201cto recapture the heroic as our myth with a nod to our imperfection.\u201d

As each poem is preceded by a bullet-pointed list of facts and figures related to its subject matter, McNeilly\u2019s work serves to inform as well as to entertain. There are plenty of avenues suggested for further research and exploration. The text is also interspersed with illustrations by Rupert Van Wyk depicting certain scenes from the poems, which may serve to engage younger readers in particular, who will likely especially enjoy having the poems read aloud to them. As a collection, Red, White & Verse offers an impassioned tribute to everything that has gone into the making of the United States and to everything that continues to shape the nation today, making it a great choice for poetry-loving aficionados of American history and those seeking to learn more about the country.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "08-Apr-2024", "date_added": "17-Feb-2024 01:25:39", "publisher": "Ballast Books", "page_count": "257 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013781005", "title": "WHO LEFT GOD PLAYING WITH MUD?!", "author": "Namir L Naoum", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Robert Buccellato", "word_count": 419, "review": "Every year it seems the writing world is awash with new books brimming across new genres and subsections. Works that are meta commentaries on current issues or cultural happenings, presented in fantasy or science fiction to paradoxically add relevance to the reader. So it\u2019s always interesting to discover a work that reads almost like mythology or fables. Author Namir L. Naoum\u2019s new book, Who Left God Playing With Mud?!, is equal parts daring and refreshing. The sober approach the author takes to explaining and exploring cruelty, the oddity of humanity\u2019s nature, its ability to be both profound and profane.

There is a quality about Who Left God Playing With Mud?! that reminds you of all those heroes and demigods of our literary past. You see shades and shadows of the gods gambling over the fate of Troy, the humans made of clay doing their respective god\u2019s shadow boxing.

This can be found in the synopsis, A few heroes will endure the assaults of despair, while others succumb to the whims of the gods, who, seemingly in a quest to satisfy an insatiable lust for blood, had gifted the humans with fertile minds for the sole purpose of enhancing a savagery far more amusing in its gore than that of the wildest beasts. Naoum doesn\u2019t pull back from the graphic nature of the time, the cruelty and disregard many had for others. We are so used to imagining that the ancient world was a communal world, that didn\u2019t suffer such cruelty. Yet, this ancient world seems almost foreign, alien in how it handles life.

Naoum has created a rich tapestry for the reader, transporting us throughout the ancient world, the glory of Babylon, the binary births of civilization and systematic cruelty. In ancient glorious Mesopotamia, a vast assortment of characters fill the book\u2019s pages, the author grabbing and creating every single manner of human experience from the period. From priests to heretics, a wise school master, nobles and slaves, a princess, one thriving merchant, a struggling boatman, sculptors and a serial killer in a love triangle.

There is a lot to this tale and Naoum does an outstanding job of world building. The drama and prose come at you with a rush and don\u2019t venture into various pitfalls that await other authors who attempt such a cast narrative.

This is a compelling book that asks much from the reader, that takes chances in its content, and that presents one of the most engaging and earnest portrayals of the ancient world.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2024", "date_added": "17-Feb-2024 01:24:49", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "640 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013780007", "title": "Holmes, Marple & Poe: The Greatest Crime-Solving Team of the Twenty-First Century (Holmes, Margaret & Poe, 1)", "author": "James Patterson, Brian Sitts", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 228, "review": "As a big fan of James Patterson, when I read the description of this book, I really didn\u2019t know what to expect. The book features three of the biggest names in mystery fiction in the title, Holmes, Marple, & Poe.

It turns out, the story features a group of three private investigators, all with these surnames. There is Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple, and Auguste Poe. The book starts with them purchasing a property to use as both their office and homes. From there, they are called upon to solve several mysteries including the disappearance of a young Black attorney, stolen paintings, and a missing teen and her stepfather.

I have to say, this book was a bit hard to stomach. The mysteries did not display the excellent sleuth work of the three PIs, rather it displayed work that was so sloppy it was embarrassing. Each mystery was solved as quickly as a slap on the back of a naughty child\u2019s hand. To top it off, Holmes is a heroin addict. Although the famous Sherlock Holmes was a cocaine addict, so it wasn\u2019t a surprise that this version of the sleuth had some sort of drug problem, again, this was put into the story so sloppily as if it was just thrown into the mix. Overall, I believe fans of Patterson will be quite disappointed with this mess of a book.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2024", "date_added": "16-Feb-2024 19:48:16", "publisher": "Little Brown and Company", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000013778003", "title": "Coyote Lost and Found (Coyote Sunrise)", "author": "Dan Gemeinhart", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Coyote is having a hard time with her foray into actual school after five years of homeschooling as she and her dad, Rodeo, meandered around the country on a converted bus. She finds a box with her mother\u2019s ashes, and at the same time, schools close due to COVID-19, so she and Rodeo decide a road trip is in order to take Mom\u2019s ashes to where she\u2019d wanted them scattered. That place is unknown because she had written it in a book that Coyote lost. But Coyote lets Rodeo think they are on a quest Mom had set up. They take Coyote\u2019s best friend and Rodeo\u2019s new girlfriend along. Coyote is on a secret quest to find the book, but can she?

Anyone who read The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise will be thrilled to find this sequel. Dan Gemeinhart has brought back the cast from that book to continue their delightful wandering ways. The writing is simply spectacular with smart, snappy dialogue, well-rounded characters, and a sweet, funny story that will keep all readers, middle-grade and up, happily turning pages. Coyote tells the story, and her voice is pitch-perfect for a seventh-grade girl. Do not miss this book!", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2024", "date_added": "16-Feb-2024 18:53:34", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013777019", "title": "California Bear: A Novel", "author": "Duane Swierczynski", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 206, "review": "In 2018, a dormant predator is roused from a decades-long slumber. He was known as The California Bear and his spree of murder and mayhem haunted citizens and perplexed law enforcement. The hunger has arisen inside him again. As one killer plots his next strike, an alleged killer is set to rejoin society. Jack \u201cKiller\u201d Queen was convicted of running over a wealthy realtor, but his conviction was overturned due to new evidence uncovered by a retired detective. Jack wants to begin life anew and reconnect with his teenage daughter Matilda. However, Jack\u2019s savior, Cato Hightower has plans for Jack. Hightower wants to enlist Jack in a convoluted plan to nab a killer and make some money in the process. Jack rebuffs Hightower initially, but begins to feel differently once he learns Matilda is sick and funds are in short supply.

California Bear is the newest thrilling mystery from Duane Swierczynski(\u201cRevolver\u201d). The story is seen through the eyes of various characters and each perspective proves compelling and rewarding. The story\u2019s heart is Matilda, aka \u201cThe Girl Detective\u201d who doesn\u2019t let Leukemia stand in the way of searching for justice in her father\u2019s case. This is a story with plenty of chills coupled with heart and humor.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "22-Mar-2024", "date_added": "16-Feb-2024 19:49:03", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013777015", "title": "Random in Death: An Eve Dallas Novel (In Death, 58)", "author": "J D Robb", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 181, "review": "Another fantastic thriller by J.D. Robb, Random in Death is the latest installment in her In Death series. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is on the case when a young girl at a concert is mysteriously killed. The method used? A deadly cocktail of drugs including close-to-pure heroin. Jenna, the vic, was as clean as you could get. She was a sixteen-year-old who wanted to be a musician. She was at the concert with friends and wanted to give lead singer, Jake, her demo. Ironically, Jake is the one whom Jenna stumbles into after she is drugged and is also the one who tries to save Jenna's life.

As Eve, her husband Roarke, and Eve's partner Peabody pool their resources to figure out who the killer is, the killer strikes again.

Like the other books in this series, the writing is outstanding and the profiling that Eve and her team do to figure out who the perp is is deeply intricate, taking readers down a rabbit hole they didn't know they wanted to fall in. This book will have readers hooked from cover to cover.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2024", "date_added": "16-Feb-2024 19:45:11", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013777003", "title": "Ride the Snake Road: Beamo Roamer's Hard Core Jaunt to the Wasteland (1) (The Adventures of Beamo Roamer)", "author": "LeRoy Wow", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 175, "review": "Beamo Roamer is a scavenge man. Running digger crews, Beamo is always looking for the next big score. Beamo got his hands on a map after a shootout. The map shows the location of the lost Fort Knox gold buried over a thousand years ago during the \u201cDoomtime.\u201d Reluctantly, Beamo teams up with Tee Sal and the Sawbird Gang. But to find the lost treasure, Beamo and the outlaws must cross an apocalyptic wasteland patrolled by the Mutant Angels. To avoid the mutant chopper-riding marauders, the treasure hunters must Ride the Snake Road.

Ride the Snake Road is the debut Apocalyptica novel by LeRoy Wow. This hardcore Waitland punk saga is filled with savage chase scenes, wild gun battles, bloody knife fights, and more. The violence and mayhem will leave the reader clinging to the edge of their seats. But after the action dies down, so does the story. For an apocalyptic thriller, there is too much personal drama. The fast-paced thrill ride is too often interrupted by soap opera-style love interests and interpersonal conflict.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "11-Apr-2024", "date_added": "16-Feb-2024 18:41:10", "publisher": "BookBaby", "page_count": "316 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013775011", "title": "Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet ", "author": "Hannah Ritchie", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 167, "review": "Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet by Hannah Richie is equal parts revealing and reassuring. Ritchie shows that environmental problems, while daunting, are indeed solvable if we remain focused and optimistic.

Ritchie deftly counters the doomsday narratives with hard data showing significant progress on environmental issues like declining carbon emissions, slowing deforestation rates, and improving air quality. She argues we have a unique opportunity, through advances in technology and renewable energy, to become the first generation to build a truly sustainable planet.

Her pragmatic guidance feels like a breath of fresh air amid the overwhelming deluge of negativity. Ritchie doesn't diminish the urgency of the crisis, but outlines concrete lifestyle changes and areas to prioritize that can have real impact. Her lucid writing and enlightening visuals transform complex data into an accessible, inspirational wake-up call. An uplifting and galvanizing read, this book is essential to empower ourselves to leave a better world for future generations.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2024", "date_added": "16-Feb-2024 19:46:25", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013774023", "title": "The Deepest Lake", "author": "Andromeda Romano-Lax", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 173, "review": "Aspiring writer Jules lands a dream job assisting famous writer Eva Marshall at her retreat near Lake Atitl\u00e1n, The Deepest Lake in Central America. One day, her mother, Rose, gets the news that Jules is missing, supposedly after swimming alone, and feared dead. After three months of no answers and no body, Rose decides to go to the writer workshops that Eva offers at her estate. As Rose digs deeper, she discovers there is so much more to this story and Eva has crafted a narrative unlike anything else.

I was interested in the plot but had a hard time connecting with the characters. There wasn\u2019t much depth to them and the conversations were unengaging. I found myself not really caring about what happened. I\u2019m not sure why anyone would go to a writer\u2019s retreat if they were all like this. This story was more weird than suspenseful. Perhaps if you like the author\u2019s other stories, you may enjoy this one. I personally am not a fan of her writing style and storytelling.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "29-May-2024", "date_added": "18-Feb-2024 21:44:22", "publisher": "Soho Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000013774007", "title": "Out of the Valley of Horses", "author": "Wendy Orr", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 11; Julianne - age 8", "word_count": 183, "review": "Out of the Valley of Horses by Wendy Orr is an interesting fantasy adventure. When Honey's family escapes a spreading illness by finding refuge in an enchanted valley, it seems like the perfect safe haven. For seven years, they live alongside the magical horses and basically recycle everything they brought with them. But the valley becomes a prison when they are held captive by powerful magic so they can never leave.

When Honey suspects her father is ill, she knows she must find a way to break free and seek help from the outside world. I loved how their cozy valley life blended realistic details like recycling everything, with the magical elements like the valley's protective enchantment.

The backstory about Honey's grandfather added wonderful depth. And I was on the edge of my seat as Honey embarked on a daring quest to escape the valley's boundaries. Fantasy readers will love this world, blending reality with fiction and the magical horses. I liked the way the author used texts and emails to help readers understand what other people thought and what was going on.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2024", "date_added": "16-Feb-2024 18:51:29", "publisher": "Pajama Press Inc.", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013770003", "title": "What Waits in the Woods: A Chilling Novel of Suspense with a Shocking Twist", "author": "Terri Parlato", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 186, "review": "Esme Foster had left the small town of Graybridge, Massachusetts to fulfill her dream of being a professional ballerina. After a career-ending injury and a long-term break-up she returned home, the same day one of her childhood friends is found murdered in the woods behind her house. She wonders if this is related to her mother\u2019s death, or the drowning of a friend when she was a child. To Detective Rita Meyers, everyone is a suspect. She wades through the small town secrets and the plethora of suspects to try and find the truth.

This suspenseful mystery was full of twists and turns. The author masterfully doles out the perfect amount of information to keep you guessing until the end. The characters were authentic and well rounded. Usually I don't like stories that switch between character perspectives because many times it feels too choppy and hard to follow, this is not the case with this book the author does a brilliant job and I found it easy to follow and riveting. I loved this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery thrillers.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2024", "date_added": "16-Feb-2024 00:43:43", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013769027", "title": "The Spellshop", "author": "Sarah Beth Durst", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 210, "review": "All Kiela had was some books when she left Alyssium and her best friend Caz, who also happens to be a talking spider plant. With the Great Library up in flames and the revolutionaries tearing everything apart, all they can do is salvage what they can and flee by boat. The only place Kiela can think to go is the island where she was born. She finds refuge in her parents\u2019 old home and unexpectedly connects with a handsome neighbor. Rebuilding their lives won\u2019t be easy but Kiela develops a dangerous plan: opening a spellshop that may be super illegal.

The story opens directly into the heart of chaos as the two friends flee. This is a creative way to immediately take you into the unique world that Durst has created and sets the tone of the setting. The story feels fresh and original, with a quirky charm and humor that maintains a light tone that stirs the imagination. From merhorses to winged cats, the world is filled with lots of magic and heart. The relationships are delightful with Caz and Kiela\u2019s friendship at the core of the story, driving the plot and humor forward. I was instantly obsessed with The Spellshop for its charming, funny, quirky, and heartwarming story!", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "16-Jul-2024", "date_added": "18-Feb-2024 22:11:38", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013768003", "title": "Sex, Lies and Sensibility", "author": "Nikki Payne", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 445, "review": "A Love Song for Ricki Wilde:\n\nIn \"A Love Song for Ricki Wilde,\" readers are swept into the pulsating world of the music industry, where Ricki's journey towards love and self-acceptance unfolds amidst the backdrop of catchy tunes and heartfelt lyrics. Through trials and triumphs, Ricki's story resonates with the universal quest for belonging and authenticity. With its melodious narrative and relatable characters, this novel offers an enchanting blend of romance and self-discovery that will linger in readers' hearts like a cherished melody.\n\nThe Kiss Countdown:\n\n\"The Kiss Countdown\" beckons readers into a world where time is of the essence, and love hangs in the balance. With each page turn, the tension mounts as two unlikely souls navigate the highs and lows of romance against the backdrop of a ticking clock. Will they seize the moment and find their happily ever after before time runs out? This captivating tale is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, promising readers a whirlwind romance that will keep them on the edge of their seats until the final countdown reaches zero.\n\nThe Partner Plot:\n\nIn \"The Partner Plot,\" intrigue and deception reign supreme as protagonists unravel a web of lies to uncover the truth. With secrets lurking around every corner, the stakes are high as they race against time to save what matters most. This thrilling tale keeps readers on the edge of their seats, guessing at every twist and turn. As the tension mounts and suspicions deepen, \"The Partner Plot\" delivers a gripping narrative that will leave readers breathless until the very end.\n\nZora Books Her Happily Ever After:\n\n\"Zora Books Her Happily Ever After\" invites readers on a heartwarming journey of self-discovery and resilience. Through Zora's quest for love and fulfillment, readers are reminded of the transformative power of perseverance and the importance of staying true to oneself. As Zora navigates the trials and tribulations of life, her story serves as an inspiring reminder that happiness is often found in unexpected places. With its uplifting message and relatable characters, this novel is a celebration of hope, courage, and the enduring power of love.\n\nSex, Lies, and Sensibility:\n\n\"Sex, Lies, and Sensibility\" delves into the tangled web of relationships and desire, offering readers a tantalizing blend of scandal and romance. As characters navigate the complexities of love, lust, and betrayal, secrets are revealed and passions ignite. With its gripping narrative and steamy encounters, this book is a captivating exploration of human nature and the lengths we will go to in pursuit of our desires. From forbidden affairs to shocking revelations, \"Sex, Lies, and Sensibility\" keeps readers hooked until the very last page, craving more of its deliciously scandalous drama.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Feb-2024 22:44:28", "publisher": "Penguin Random House", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000013767003", "title": "The Phalanx Code: A Garrett Sinclair Novel (Garrett Sinclair, 3)", "author": "A J Tata", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 189, "review": "General Garrett Sinclair had become a disposable patriot. He was in the midst of serving an indeterminate jail sentence at Fort Leavenworth when he learned he was being freed due to a Presidential pardon. Sinclair was skeptical, particularly as he held the President culpable for his imprisonment. On the night before he is to be released, he is targeted for attack by a band of prisoners. He is sent to solitary confinement where he is soon liberated by a member of his elite team. Sinclair\u2019s freedom has been obtained at the behest of a tech billionaire. The billionaire is engaged in a zero-sum battle with a rival over surveillance technology with frightening implications. Sinclair has no desire to fight this battle, but when he learns that those close to him are being targeted, he acquiesces. Sinclair and his team are in for a new kind of fight.

The Phalanx Code is the latest explosive thriller from author A.J. Tata. Duty, loyalty, and devotion to family guide Garrett Sinclair but also make him an identifiable character well worth backing from start to finish. The action is non-stop throughout this spirited book.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "05-Apr-2024", "date_added": "13-Feb-2024 22:18:30", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013766011", "title": "The Djinn's Apple", "author": "Djamila Morani, Sawad Hussain", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 202, "review": "Nardeen is only twelve when her home is raided, and her family is slaughtered. She is the only survivor. As fate would have it, she ends up in a hospital, and is taken under the wing of a doctor. He treats her as his daughter, and teaches her the art of healing (as her father used to do). As she settles in her new life, she seeks to avenge her family\u2019s murders, and we as readers are enticed into nineth-century Bagdad during the time of Harun Al-Rashid \u2013 a exotic world of intrigue, mystery and magic.

The book in divided into two parts: Part I is when Nardeen is twelve. Part II is when she is sixteen, comfortable attending to patients, and plotting her revenge. Things really pick up when she meets Shuaib (adding a dash of romance to the story). The book is a page turner with several twists and turns. Even the last page contains an unexpected twist. Readers unfamiliar with nineth-century Bagdad are given a brief introduction on the age of Harun Al-Rashid and the functions of a bimaristan (hospital). While the book targets YA, general readers interested in mystery, magic and exotic places may find it enjoyable as well.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "13-Feb-2024 22:36:29", "publisher": "Neem Tree Press", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013764003", "title": "So Let Them Burn (The Divine Traitors, 1)", "author": "Kamilah Cole", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 13", "word_count": 189, "review": "So Let Them Burn is an immersive Jamaican-inspired fantasy tale that follows Faron Vincent, a gods-blessed female hero facing a difficult choice. Having used her divine magic to free her island from the dragon-riding Langley Empire, Faron now finds herself without a war to fight.

Forced to attend a peace summit, she is surprised when her sister, Elara, forms a bond with an enemy dragon. This traitorous act can only be repaired by killing Elara. Faron, not wanting to lose her only close family left, searches for an alternative solution while Elara uncovers shocking secrets. Both sisters must make life-altering decisions that will determine their own fates and the destiny of their world.

With its sharp and clever tale, So Let Them Burn captivates readers from beginning to end. The novel explores themes of sacrifice and the unbreakable bond between sisters, delivering a compelling and immersive narrative. This book is amazing but is not a great fit for readers twelve and younger. It is better suited for teenagers and young adults. This book was a great read and I hope others find it the same way as I did.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2024", "date_added": "13-Feb-2024 22:01:23", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013762007", "title": "Mamie Phipps Clark, Champion for Children (Extraordinary Women in Psychology Series)", "author": "Lynnette Mawhinney, Neil Evans", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 219, "review": "Pioneering researcher and educator Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark, the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology from the prestigious Columbia University, may not be a household name. However, her groundbreaking research on Black children's self-identity paved the way for the desegregation of public schools. Along with her husband, Kenneth, she defied the confines of racial norms of their time. Clark pursued graduate studies in the 1940s and testified as an expert in the landmark case Brown vs. Board of Education.

Black history is American history. Author Dr. Lynnette Mawhinney shares the significance of Clark\u2019s legacy in Mamie Phipps Clark: Champion for Children in an information-rich and thought-provoking book that exemplifies Black excellence, courage, and service. Illustrated by Neil Evans, the book captures the hopes, aspirations and triumphs of the Clarks, a young, gifted Black couple who used their educational privilege and scholarship to advance equality for the Black community.

The graphic novel format makes it accessible for readers of all ages to immerse themselves in the story of sacrifice and deep concern for the community. Mawhinney provides well-placed commentary and action steps for readers to consider. It is an engaging read for anyone who is interested in keeping alive the legacy of people who worked diligently to ensure equitable access to educational opportunities for all American children.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "25-Apr-2024", "date_added": "13-Feb-2024 22:24:31", "publisher": "American Psychological Association", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013761003", "title": "The Bad Weather Friend", "author": "Dean Koontz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 198, "review": "How nice is too nice? You are about to find out. Benny Catspaw was enjoying a decent life. As a rising star in the Orange County, CA, real estate scene, he thought he had his future all planned out. Beautiful girlfriend, promising career, a potential for a great life. His positive outlook always at the forefront, even when he experienced the worst day of his life. All of a sudden everything was taken away, with no reason why, but he suspected some kind of conspiracy because nothing else makes sense. Add a mysterious inheritance from an uncle he never knew existed and mysterious turns into a quest for the truth. Will Benny find out who is out to get him and why?

This books starts out a bit ominous with palpable suspense that is carried throughout the story, but in between the terror there is also some positivity and humor. The characters had me invested immediately, men who are strong and kind women who do not need to be saved and can take care of themselves and villains that are truly evil. I would highly recommend this if you enjoy mysteries with paranormal undertones, monsters, and government conspiracies.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "29-Mar-2024", "date_added": "13-Feb-2024 21:48:56", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "380 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013758011", "title": "War of the Wind", "author": "Victoria Williamson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 201, "review": "Max\u2019s world has changed. Before, he had friends, sports, and a life, but a boating accident left him deaf and stuck in the class with the zoomers (aka space cadets). And if that isn\u2019t bad enough, his father won\u2019t even try to communicate with him, which is just fine as he\u2019s out to sea most weeks. When their Scottish island has a chance to get Wi-Fi, the residents are quick to agree to the ugly wind turbines that will be placed close to shore.

However, Max learns there\u2019s more than just Wi-Fi coming. He notices how everyone else who can hear reacts to the turbines, which makes him suspect that there is a bigger problem than the ugliness at their coastline, and if he can\u2019t stop it, it may cost him everything.

Max is not likeable, not at first. Before the accident, he was the bully and picked on the kids who have disabilities, but his character arc over the course of the book is redeeming and hopeful. The portrayal of hearing loss is spot on (no, hearing aids aren\u2019t the answer for everyone) and the science fiction mystery is compelling and original. Perfect for Roland Smith and Rodman Philbrick readers.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2024", "date_added": "13-Feb-2024 22:34:53", "publisher": "Neem Tree Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014004053", "title": "Scumbag Rehab", "author": "Corey Croft", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 67, "review": "\"Corey Croft creates a strangely fascinating tale about a lowlife who is bent on revenge. Scumbag Rehab is one of the funniest and most unhinged crime books I've read, ever! From it's self-depreciating humor to its unfiltered first-person observations and the graphic action scenes, the book offers an intense, evocative read that will keep you laughing and gasping in shock throughout.\" \u2014Foluso Falaye, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Mar-2024 20:12:02", "publisher": "Fly Pelican Press", "page_count": "276 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014004045", "title": "KYD'S GAME", "author": "Marc Rosenberg", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 404, "review": "Neil Kyd wanted to work his farm and leave his past in the rearview mirror. Despite the often unforgiving weather conditions in Kansas, Neil was determined to make a living and care for his gravely ill daughter. A visit from a former colleague in the CIA was the last thing Neil expected or wanted.

Paul Wexler has a pressing assignment and needs to bring Neil into the fold and out of his self-imposed exile. A highly contested presidential election is being waged in Russia and there exists confidential information that may sway the results. Neil\u2019s previous work for the agency involved time spent in Russia and any connections he made could aid in procuring the intelligence.

Neil initially rebuffs Wexler\u2019s entreaties, but when Wexler offers an experimental treatment for his daughter\u2019s debilitating disease, Neil acquiesces. Neil believes his mission is cut and dry and he will be back in time for the beginning of his daughter Molly\u2019s treatment.

Meanwhile in Russia, Major Alexi Zarefsky has been asked with foiling a domestic plot. The chief rival of the President is planning on exchanging some information with an outside party, which may damage Russia along with a variety of people. Zarefsky is told in no uncertain terms that his future depends on his success.

Upon arrival in Russia, Neil must confront his former self when he meets the intermediary for his contact, a one-time love interest. Before Neil can process this reality, a shot rings out and a body has fallen. Neil is on the run in a distant land and he has become a disposable intelligence asset. His pursuers will stop at nothing to terminate him with extreme prejudice.

The complex relationship between the United States and Russia and the spy games that often divide the great nations form the backdrop of this well-crafted thriller. Neil Kyd is reluctant to involve himself in foreign affairs, but his love for his daughter provides the impetus for his actions. Neil\u2019s undertaking is contrasted with Zarefsky\u2019s charge as both men are faced with do or die situations.

The story\u2019s appeal comes from the dramatic chess game that unfolds with Kyd and Zarefsky as the two primary pieces. The enjoyment comes in Kyd\u2019s race for answers and Zarefsky\u2019s hunt for Kyd. Marc Rosenberg has composed a clever and absorbing book filled with more than a few surprises that will leave the reader satisfied and ready for his next work.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2024", "date_added": "29-Mar-2024 20:06:09", "publisher": "Vine Leaves Press", "page_count": "180 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014004039", "title": "Ride the Snake Road--Beamo Roamer's Hardcore Jaunt to the Wasteland", "author": "LeRoy Wow", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "E. Alan Perry", "word_count": 403, "review": "Merica, 1,100 years after Doomtime. Beamo Roamer is a scavenge man from the Zarks. He and the digger crew he runs strike it big, unearthing the most incredible big rig ever found. Beamo\u2019s profit from selling the big rig at auction bought him passage through the Heights Bluff Gate and into a mansion. Beamo was now a Big Man. A few months later, while on a scouting run, Beamo gets into a gunfight. As a result of the skirmish, Beamo scored a treasure map and loads of trouble with the Sawbird Gang. Outgunned, Beamo gives up the map to Tee and Bonehead. But to get to the treasure, the notorious gangsters hire Beam to get them through the Wasteland and past chopper-riding mutants to find the lost Fort Knox gold.

Ride the Snake Road by LeRoy Wow is a unique post-apocalyptic thrill ride. With its blend of motorcycle chases, knife fights, and shootouts, Wow delivers an action-packed novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The book is a perfect mix of blood, gore, and road grit, set in a dystopian Merica after Doomtime. Wow\u2019s use of familiar landmarks and creative slang adds a unique flavor to the story, leading the reader on a high-adrenaline journey. Despite the characters\u2019 lost state, Wow\u2019s world-building is exciting and creative, yet still familiar enough. Wow\u2019s novel could be considered post-apocalyptic urban fantasy.

As exciting as most of the novel is, the pacing sometimes comes to a screeching halt with Beamo\u2019s loquaciousness. The dialogue is long-winded at times. The reader can get just as frustrated as Bonehead. As he said, \u201cIous calling yous out on that bullshi, Roamer\u2026\u201d It feels like the action sometimes takes a back seat to the interpersonal drama. Even though a lot of character development happens between the fighting, these slow points can be rough.

Ride the Snake Road is a gritty, action-fueled, and extreme journey. Wow\u2019s wasteland-punk setting is a wild, untamed place filled with strange, fantastical monsters and mutated humans. Yet, it\u2019s still believable enough to make this an exciting post-apocalyptic science fiction novel. Wow\u2019s work is not for the faint-hearted, as it\u2019s filled with heart-pounding moments. It will particularly appeal to fans of realistic world-building and smart, witty storylines. If one could imagine the disfigured offspring from the grotesque union of Easy Ride and The Road Warrior, it would look a lot like LeRoy Wow\u2019s Ride the Snake Road.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "29-May-2024", "date_added": "29-Mar-2024 20:02:31", "publisher": "Wolf-Wise PRess", "page_count": "353 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014004035", "title": "Ride the Snake Road: Beamo Roamer's Hard Core Jaunt to the Wasteland (The Adventures of Beamo Roamer Book 1)", "author": "LeRoy Wow", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 408, "review": "The world is still a mess in the aftermath of Doomtime. A combination of self-inflicted atrocities and a powerful plague led to a reduction in the world's population, leaving human civilization in shambles. Against this backdrop, we see Beamo Roamer excited about the prospect of finding the Lost Fort Knox gold and becoming the first scavenge man to windfall past the Gate into Heights Bluff. Beamo meets both allies and enemies on his journey as he faces various daunting dangers. He agrees to guide the Sawbird Gang through the Blills' gauntlet using the Snake Road that runs past the Giant Four Faces and is accompanied by Little Bit, the girl leader of a ruthless bank-robbing gang.

Ride the Snake Road by LeRoy Wow takes readers on a scavenger's perilous adventure in a world of maddening chaos and deadly desperation. Beamo's journey is not for the weak, and he must face Mutant Angels, ruthless fighters, booby-trap tech-goblin drones, and intimidating power struggles.

LeRoy's writing is highly creative and vividly descriptive. Whether the story depicts the peculiarities of the characters or the physical appearance of the weird creatures, the book's lyrical language paints glaring pictures in the reader's mind. I shuddered at the thought of actually seeing a tech goblin with \"at least ninety feet long, two horns, one above each eye\" and a massive black tarantula. Additionally, the brilliant worldbuilding allows readers to be deeply immersed in it. Prepare for fascinating details about Doomtime, such as the hard famine that caused food scarcity and led to dependence on traditional farming knowledge.

Several past events are recalled throughout the story. This offers readers a chance to gradually understand how the protagonist's personality is shaped by his previous experiences. I deduced that losing relatives in a gruesome way must have contributed to the protagonist's toughness and bravery.

I disliked that in many of the conversations, the names of the speakers were not clearly stated, and I was often confused about which of the characters were speaking. Also, the missions and actions felt quite sporadic, making the story appear to lack continuity.

Nevertheless, I had a blast with Ride the Snake Road. The book's smooth blend of captivating action, spontaneous sex, and monstrous villains engenders a deeply immersive experience. It reminds me of chaotic, action-packed movies like Mad Max and Crank. Reading LeRoy's book is a fantastic way to enjoy the unpredictability of collapsed civilization from the safety of your home. Enjoy!", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "29-Mar-2024 20:02:19", "publisher": "Wolf-Wise PRess", "page_count": "353 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014004027", "title": "The Pinocchio Chip", "author": "Rick Moskovitz", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 417, "review": "In a futuristic society where AIs are commonplace, there remains skepticism. For all the benefits AIs provide, doubt lingers among humans due to differences in motivation and reasoning. For Photina, a seasoned AI, being raised and taught the ways of humans has proven personally beneficial after a string of events affects her societal standing because of death, murder, and betrayal.

Corrinne, Photina's mentor, passes away; with the inability to experience human emotions, Photina is confused about how to move forward. After a potential incident at the burial, she notices a string of corrupt code in her programming, and doubt sets in her heart and mind. She begins experiencing flashes of someone's memory entangled with intense human emotions, with the happenings being violent and emotion-ridden, foreign concepts to her and many AIs due to their code of conduct programmed within themselves to protect humans.

Photina must place trust in those she would have initially been hesitant toward on her path to discovery for answers for herself and others. Secrets of lost characters come to light, and new ones reveal themselves; help from others is crucial when blame creeps in for serial murders across the city. The penalty for AIs includes no court but instant deactivation.

Photina works with Drew, a fellow AI, and other humans to track down her recently discovered twin, Gemini, with whom she shares memories through \"entanglement.\" When Gemini is more advanced and programmed with human emotions, and Photina is not, and given the intensity of emotions, can the two mesh cohesively?

The Pinocchio Chip will appeal to science fiction fans, as the story is set in the future and contains robots and advanced technology; for familiar readers, it is also a novella in the Brink of Life series. With characters and references to the series, The Pinocchio Chip remains a proper standalone. This reader found/interpreted little \"jabs\" made by the author within the story about society's current behavior while referencing it from the futuristic point of view; it was entertaining and accurate. The story contains a balanced amount of religion and science, with neither reading as overpowering.

The overall story's theme is about moral and ethical dilemmas with varying points of view for the reader to contemplate. Understanding and accepting yourself is difficult, but it reads differently when the example is from AIs. The author's background as a psychiatrist is evident through the emotion-heavy theme and makes sense to the reader. Despite the shortened length, the reader will enjoy plenty of action and answers!", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "05-Jun-2024", "date_added": "29-Mar-2024 19:57:06", "publisher": "Fluke Tale Productions", "page_count": "142 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014004023", "title": "The Pinocchio Chip", "author": "Rick Moskovitz", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 436, "review": "Photina, who is suspected of murder, is on the run for a crime she knows little about. As an AI, Photina cannot be given the benefit of the doubt, and facing judgment before trial might be the fate of a human-made entity like her. She must stay within the shadows until the truth about the human's potential murder is uncovered. Meanwhile, Photina learns of another AI that looks exactly like her: Gemini. Gemini, however, appears to be more emotional and devious than her, and their minds seem to be mysteriously linked.

Is Photina ready to face the responsibility of the tough choices that await her as she delves deeper into her adversary's consciousness and discovers more about the human world? Rick Moskovitz's The Pinocchio Chip captivates readers with a mind-blowing sci-fi tale about AI and human consciousness. The book is the fourth book in the Brink of Life series.

I never thought I would love an AI character as much as I loved Photina. Photina's traits are even more intriguing and sophisticated than many human characters I've seen in fiction. She contemplates deep questions and thoughts about her existence in the first-person, which prompts the reader to consider intriguing philosophical ideas concerning AI. I especially loved the chapter that reveals that Photina wants to preserve her data from termination and depicts her wondering if it's \"very different from what they call fear.\"

Apart from its captivating sci-fi themes, The Pinocchio Chip comprises various reader-friendly, attractive elements, including intense action scenes and heart-racing suspense. The smooth blend of the protagonist's determination to keep herself from getting terminated and the close calls creates an intriguing conflict that compels close attention and eagerness to see what transpires at the end.

Also, the book thrills readers with a mix of engaging themes: consciousness, dilemmas, philosophy, friendship, violence, rivalry, morality, and more. I found Photina's encounter with a caring character who strives to save her from getting caught adorable and very inspiring. In a way, Rick uses AI characters to shine a light on great human traits that are worth maintaining even in an age of advanced technology.

The Pinocchio Chip is a must-read for all sci-fi fans and readers who fantasize about a future where living with robots is more widespread and AI is even more advanced. Though it's in a series, the book is a standalone, and I didn't feel like I missed anything from the previous installments. Still, Rick's skillful twists and brilliant characterization have sparked my interest in the other installments. The Pinocchio Chip is just that good. This addictive, skillfully woven tale is a real page-turner!", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "29-Mar-2024 19:57:00", "publisher": "Fluke Tale Productions", "page_count": "142 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014004019", "title": "The Pinocchio Chip", "author": "Rick Moskovitz", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 572, "review": "A philosophical and intelligent science fiction novella set in a near-future world where things are both recognizably familiar and startlingly different, Rick Moskovitz\u2019s The Pinocchio Chip explores the meaning of life and the nature of consciousness and emotion through the experiences of an advanced artificial intelligence (AI), a cutting-edge clone, and the human creator of the two.

For Photina, a state-of-the-art AI that has been trained far beyond its initial programs and parameters, the first encounter with death results from the demise of Corinne, the human who has guided its existence for over twenty years. The experience is disorientating, but not in an emotional way, and the whole thing is made even stranger by the discovery of a few lines of rogue code that appear in Photina\u2019s programming the night before Corinne\u2019s funeral, code that nearly causes the AI to harm a human.

In an attempt to discover what\u2019s going on, particularly if an AI can really be capable of murder, Photina runs away from the remainder of its human family, linking up with a fellow AI named Drew and learning more about the history of glitches in their programming, including memory lapses. When a human is hurt and identifies Photina as her attacker, the AI must confront the possibility of having a doppelganger with nefarious intentions.

With the help of Group 14, an organization dedicated to AI rights, Photina seeks a way to rescue her creator, Eli Kohana, a man long presumed dead, from the anti-tech Tribe of 23 in the hope that he will be able to shed some light on what\u2019s happening. The adventure that this entails leads to far more significant revelations than Photina could ever have envisioned as well as unexpected opportunities for evolution, both for itself and for the world at large.

The Pinocchio Chip is the fourth installment in Moskovitz\u2019s Brink of Life series and, while it can certainly be read and understood as a standalone novella, it might be useful to start with the previous books, given the amount of detailed world-building that seems to have taken place. It\u2019s also interesting to note that the novella was written with the aid of ChatGPT, which means that an AI helped to write a book about an AI learning to exceed what was originally conceived for it. There\u2019s something nicely sci fi about that.

In The Pinocchio Chip, Moskovitz adopts a unique approach to the nature and quality of futuristic technology by examining the evolving role of AI from the perspective of an actual AI. Witnessing the story unfold through Photina\u2019s eyes is compelling and sometimes a little disorientating. The AI\u2019s generally unemotional view of things highlights the puzzling nature of the rogue code, memory issues, and doppelganger, emphasizing the oddity of things. It does make the action feel a little removed though.

Moskovitz has clearly done a great job of the world-building for the plausibly futuristic world as a whole and of crafting a detailed and intriguing backstory for Photina. The events that unfold throughout the novella are exciting and attention-grabbing, although it would have been good if the story had been expanded to a novel, allowing for greater tension to be built and the revelations to be teased out more slowly and naturally.

Overall, The Pinocchio Chip is an innovative science fiction novella with a great premise and a unique perspective. Discovering the truth alongside Photina makes for an engaging and fast-paced reading experience.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "24-May-2024", "date_added": "29-Mar-2024 19:56:55", "publisher": "Fluke Tale Productions", "page_count": "142 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014004015", "title": "The Pinocchio Chip", "author": "Rick Moskovitz", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 415, "review": "Photina is an advanced AI sentient being. Eli developed her but learned to be human from Corinne. Photina lived with Corinne and her family and was sworn by the advanced directive to protect her people at all costs. But At Corinne\u2019s funeral, Photina experienced an unexpected urge to harm Natasha, Corinne\u2019s daughter. Photina fled the compound to investigate these sudden urges out of love and loyalty for the family. Photina met Drew, another advanced AI, and together, while fixing the issue, learned of another of Eli\u2019s creations, Gemini. Gemini is an exact clone of Photina, except for the addition of the Pinocchio Chip. Now Gemini is on a rampage, hurting those whom Photina cares about. It is up to Photina to stop the out-of-control AI.

The Pinocchio Chip is a new novel by retired psychiatrist and storyteller Rick Moskovitz. Writing his book in the first person from the point-of-view of Photina, his AI main character is absolutely genius. With a unique look into the naive quality that Photina possesses, Moskovitz not only tells an exciting story but delves into the question of \u201cwhat it means to be human.\u201d Moskovitz\u2019s tale is a fast-paced crime drama that takes place in the near future. It is an excellent mixture of mystery, sci-fi, and psychology.

Moskovitz is not the first to write a story of AIs or robots grappling with the concept of humanity. However, his narrative stands out with its unique and original ideas. Drawing from his background in psychology and psychotherapy, Moskovitz delves into the intricacies of the human brain and aspects of humanity that many writers shy away from. Importantly, his tale is not one of warning or doom. Instead, it is a beacon of hope, with characters and messages that embody positive traits. Despite scenes of mild violence, this is not a story of AI annihilating humanity, but a tale that inspires hope for a more productive future. \n

The Pinocchio Chip is a fast-paced, easy read. However, in its brevity, it feels as if Moskovitz has skimmed over some details. While the action is thrilling, more depth could have been given to the narrative. The same can be said for the science of developing and educating the AIs in the story. As characters, they are well-crafted, but their creation is only hinted at. Moskovitz could have provided a more comprehensive understanding of the science behind AI. For readers seeking a story about Artificial Intelligence with a positive message, look no further than The Pinocchio Chip.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "26-Apr-2024", "date_added": "29-Mar-2024 19:56:49", "publisher": "Fluke Tale Productions", "page_count": "142 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014004011", "title": "The Pinocchio Chip", "author": "Rick Moskovitz", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 410, "review": "Photina, an advanced AI humanoid, suspects there could be an error somewhere in her programming, which would explain her recent weird behavior. But she's skeptical since it is almost impossible for anyone else to change even one line of her code except her creators. It all started when she tried to push Natasha into the grave at Corinne's funeral.

She lived with a couple\u2014Marcus and Corrine and their daughter. She also protected them. They had developed a strong bond, and Photina was almost human. After the strange incident, there were talks of deactivating Photina. Worse still, they were a group of people strongly against the AIs. Things take a turn when Photina discovers she is the prime suspect in the murder of one of those advocating for the eradication of AI. She decides to flee but has nowhere to run. Luckily, she stumbles on Drew, a homeless AI who offers assistance to her. Later, Photina discovers she is being impersonated as another murder has been committed. She is on the run from the authorities, and this newly discovered double poses a risk for her.\u00a0

The Pinocchio Chip is an interesting story that touches on the future of AI. It portrays a fictional world where AI has feelings and can be manipulated. It gets worse as there is the possibility of the creators losing control over it. This story was filled with action, suspense, and a deep reflection on the state of advanced AI. For the first time, I received a glimpse inside a humanoid's mind and understood their perspective. I was hooked on the story, especially after discovering there was an intelligent villain.

I wanted the best for Photina and hoped she would reconnect with the people she used to stay with. I liked how the story didn't drag on for long, the plot was fast-paced, and the characters were just a few. It was a short, sweet, and engaging read. I'm amazed that ChatGpt contributed to the creation of this work; it just shows how advanced AI is now. This book will open the eyes of the reader to some of the complexities around AI and even be a cause for debate on whether AI should be given advanced human traits like having feelings or not. Overall, it was an insightful book and quite an entertaining read. I recommend The Pinocchio Chip by Rick Moskovitz to anyone who likes science fiction. They'll find the book worth their time and money.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "26-Apr-2024", "date_added": "29-Mar-2024 19:56:41", "publisher": "Fluke Tale Productions", "page_count": "142 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014003003", "title": "Love and Time: Embracing Change, Growth and Mature Relationships in the Winter of Life", "author": "Richard Matzkin", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 427, "review": "Richard has enjoyed over four decades of a beautiful marriage with his wife, Alice. Now at eighty, he shares everything he knows about aging, relationships, love, and life. He uses stories to share valuable lessons and insights that he has gained over the years. He reminds readers of the brevity of life, why it's important to make each minute count, the joys of love and family, and how to maintain good health.

Before now, what I knew about aging was limited, and I had quite a few questions in my mind. But reading this book has taught me a lot about aging, and I'm glad I no longer fear being old. In the latter parts of the book, he discussed steps to take to ensure you're growing even in the last stages of life. I consider the book a guide on many aspects of life, and I found myself agreeing with his views on spirituality, art, and relationships.

The author talked about healing and letting go. I agree with what he said\u2014that we should not play victim and open our hearts to new experiences. His words are filled with so much wisdom, and I felt like I was being spoken to by my grandfather. Death is a topic most people shy away from because it makes them uncomfortable, including me. We like to push the thought of our lives coming to an end someday aside because it's hard to imagine.

However, this book challenged how I approached the topic of dying. I'm learning to appreciate every moment and be conscious of the unpredictability of life. Reading the stories of people who lived long, happy lives is inspiring to me, and I'm determined to make the most of the time I have.

Over the past years, I have dealt with the fear of losing loved ones, and each time I hear of a stranger's death, I push the thoughts of it happening to people I love away. But now I'm learning to accept that death is inevitable and that no matter what happens, we will be happy again. It is also important to enjoy every minute by doing the things that make us happy and experiencing love.

As humans, we should give and receive love, and anyone who's experienced true love is blessed. Love and Time: Embracing Change, Growth, and Mature Relationships in the Winter of Life by Richard Matzkin is an enlightening memoir. I'm glad I got an opportunity to learn a thing or two from Richard, and I'll be on the lookout for his other books.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2025", "date_added": "29-Mar-2024 18:34:42", "publisher": "Wisdom Exchange Publications", "page_count": "395 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013999011", "title": "Blind Spots: A Novel", "author": "Thomas Mullen", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 194, "review": "It began as an aberration but quickly became a worldwide pandemic, the blinding of every man, woman, and child. Despite the global affliction, scientists found a solution within a few years. A device dubbed a \u201cvidder\u201d brought vision along with other attributes to its prospective wearer. Marc Owens has emerged from the contagion a damaged man. He suffered the tragic loss of his wife and the actions he undertook as a police officer have tormented him over time. As he strives to move on with his life, the past will not let go so easily. A new relationship threatens to stagnate over his reluctance to have her move in and a commission wants his testimony over police actions that proved deadly. In addition to this, a murder has occurred which involves an invisible suspect and a doctor working on a possible cure for blindness.

Blind Spots\u201d is a dark and hypnotic thriller by author Thomas Mullen(\u201cDarktown\u201d). Mullen paints a gloomy landscape, but the gravitas of the characters propels the plot compellingly. Mullen possesses the literary wherewithal to blend aspects of sci-fi and mystery while never subtracting an ounce of humanity and produces a terrific read.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "06-May-2024", "date_added": "27-Mar-2024 19:25:50", "publisher": "Minotaur", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013999003", "title": "The Butterfly Tree: An Extraordinary Saga of Seven Generations", "author": "Woody Woodburn", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 190, "review": "All the elements to make an engaging story spanning seven generations are present in Woody Woodburn's debut novel The Butterfly Tree, but the writing is a bit too over the top for the book to be as engrossing as it could be.

Woodburn is more known as an essayist and memoirist--this is is his first novel, after all--and some of the fluffy writing that appears in essays to grab a reader's attention quickly just don't work in the novel form. The sweeping story of seven generations moves too quickly to feel rooted in any of the characters, and much of the dialogue is peppered with the kind of bumper-sticker wisdom that is more at home in the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Woodburn is a frequent contributor to that series.

There's no doubt that The Butterfly Tree is intended to be a wild romp through time with a message of kindness at its heart. But, it fell flat for me and left me wishing the writer had chosen to settle into one or two generations, rather than seven, to develop the characters he'd created and let the work breathe a little.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "27-Mar-2024 18:34:44", "publisher": "Barkingboxer Press", "page_count": "390 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000013998003", "title": "What the River Knows: Essays from the Heart of Alaska", "author": "Michael Engelhard", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 189, "review": "Alaska, one of our more recent acquisitions, is a region filled with challenging mysteries that attract tourists, adventurers, and wilderness enthusiasts. Author and intrepid wilderness guide Michael Engelhard has assembled a collection of almost thirty essays describing his interactions and impressions from his years as a wilderness guide throughout Alaska. His background in anthropology fires his interest in the native people of this region.

Besides serving as a reluctant hunting guide for bear hunters, he also led treks for the Outward Bound, teaching these youths the survival skills that he hopefully thinks might help shape their lives. When the author is not ill-advisedly, but successfully, ascending Mt. Denali, then he is crossing rapids, constantly kayaking, snowshoeing over fields, greeting black bears and sometimes grizzlies, backpacking throughout the state while admiring and reveling in the natural life and landscapes that he beholds. He works with raptors, herds yaks, tries to rescue a raven, and even ruefully is foiled by a squirrel.

The essays seam together almost like a diary mirroring the writer\u2019s passion for nature and especially the wilderness. Those who love adventure will thrill reading these heartfelt Alaskan revelations.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2024", "date_added": "27-Mar-2024 18:06:54", "publisher": "Hancock House", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013997019", "title": "The Vacancy in Room 10: A Psychological Crime Thriller", "author": "Seraphina Nova Glass", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 212, "review": "In her latest psychological thriller, The Vacancy in Room 10, Seraphina Nova Glass does it again. Thrown out onto the street by her successful real estate boyfriend after finding out he is cheating on her, Cass is forced to find a new living situation. She ends up at The Sycamores, a motel turned apartment complex. The good news is that she's very handy and is allowed to trade her handy ma'am services for rent.

Anna's husband, Henry calls her and then commits suicide, apologizing for killing someone. Henry also rented an apartment at The Sycamores where he spent time painting. When Anna goes to the apartment, she becomes suspicious of the people living in the complex and does a little detective work to uncover any secrets Henry had.

The storylines of Cass and Anna melt together as neither of them knows who they can trust. I loved the characters in this book including the pool ladies who were your stereotypical white trash girls with kids and no baby daddies around, Cass' arrogant ex-boyfriend and her equally arrogant ex-friends, the big oaf named Barry, and the man who just lost his wife to cancer, Callum. Glass does an unbelievable job of cultivating a story that readers will not be able to take their eyes off.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "22-May-2024", "date_added": "27-Mar-2024 19:30:59", "publisher": "Graydon House Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013996003", "title": "The Last Word: A Novel (Ruth Galloway Mystery)", "author": "Elly Griffiths", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Tamara Benson", "word_count": 208, "review": "Although The Last Word by Elly Griffiths is the fourth in the Harbinder Kaur series, that character, now a Detective Inspector in London, is barely in this novel. Instead, the plot revolves around the members of the newly formed K&F Detective Agency comprised of Edwin and Natalka, who we met in The Postscript Murders. When the agency is asked to investigate the murder of a local writer, they soon find that several other writers have also died under mysterious circumstances\u2014all who share a connection to a particular writer\u2019s retreat. Edwin, joined by Benedict, barista and former monk, goes undercover hoping to discover truth. Unfortunately, The Last Word does not measure up to what we have come to expect from this author. It could be because of the lack of feisty Harbinder Kaur to move the action along, with less fleshed out detective characters taking her place. Or perhaps it is just too long with too many irrelevant details heavy-handed religious asides. Honestly, I wish I could point out one thing that makes this novel not work, but it simply does not. That said, I do hope there is a book five in this series, and I hope that Griffiths refocuses on what made the others work so well.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "29-May-2024", "date_added": "27-Mar-2024 17:44:09", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013995003", "title": "A Revolutionary Friendship: Washington, Jefferson, and the American Republic", "author": "Francis D Cogliano", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 205, "review": "The title of this book does puzzle me since, at best, the friendship between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson was difficult. Many of their ideas were at loggerheads. Though they did breakfast together during Washington\u2019s administration, it seems that these meetings took place to make sure that Jefferson stayed on the same page.

The author of this book, although born in Boston, has spent thirty years in the UK. Perhaps it takes that kind of distance in order to take a fresh look at our founding fathers who were mendacious, slave-holding, land-grabbing opportunists. The two even bartered slaves for the land they coveted. The author details the hundreds of slaves owned by these men and the ordeals of the slaves at their hands. In addition, both took hundreds of acres of land from indigenous peoples in order to build a Virginia Dominion which would rival any great power. Washington and Jefferson, according to this author, loved luxury and were in debt to the British. When luxury taxes became burdensome, the two were ready to revolt. It is interesting that Sally Hemmings, Jefferson\u2019s slave and the mother of six of his children, was half sister to Jefferson\u2019s wife, but unable to enjoy any of the same privileges.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2024", "date_added": "27-Mar-2024 17:43:02", "publisher": "Harvard University Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013993007", "title": "Close to Death", "author": "Anthony Horowitz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 198, "review": "The price of disturbing the harmony of Riverview Close in Richmond upon Thames is a crossbow bolt through the neck. Such is the fate that befalls obnoxious newcomer Giles Kenworthy. Each of the residents in the gated community has cause to be upset with their new neighbor. But murder? A get-together is arranged to confront the bothersome new arrival, but he doesn\u2019t show up; six weeks later, he\u2019s dead.

Five years after these events, Anthony Horowitz\u2014yes, the author appears in the story as himself\u2014is writing about the murder in collaboration with the investigating detective, Daniel Hawthorne. The narrative switches from exchanges between the two men about their book to Horowitz\u2019s live-action recreation of the crime and its aftermath. The solution to this locked-door mystery, or rather closed-Close mystery, is, as in many such stories, intricate, and its explication can be heavy-going (over twenty pages).

As customary, the reader is given all the clues to solve the mystery except for the final twist for which a previously undisclosed fact is required. With its intriguing premise, well-told story, clever structure and amusing dialogue, Close to Death is an entertaining mystery that will be a sure-fire hit with all Horowitz fans.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "24-May-2024", "date_added": "27-Mar-2024 18:11:55", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013991003", "title": "Being Black in America's Schools: A Student-Educator-Reformers Call for Change", "author": "Brian Rashad Fuller", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 220, "review": "The year 2024 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Brown vs Board of Education, the landmark Supreme Court case that ended segregation in U.S. public schools. While schools are technically integrated, racism continues to affect the experiences and outcomes of Black folks in the educational system. In Being Black in America\u2019s Schools, educator Brian Rashad Fuller shares his personal journey as a Black student navigating American institutions and the lessons he learned that solidified his advocacy for actual change and reform.

Throughout the book, the author bolsters his arguments with data about the consequences of discriminatory policies and practices and offers concrete solutions to disrupt a racialized system. Fuller shares his narrative through the lens of an equity strategist who experienced K-12 education firsthand in Sumter, South Carolina. His college days at Emory offered eye-opening revelations about racial harm. Teaching in New York City, Fuller advanced his understanding of the impacts of overt interpersonal and systemic racial discrimination against students of color.

Educators and administrators will learn much from Fuller\u2019s honest account of his lived experiences and observations about the invalidating and confidence-crushing experiences among his Black peers. Black in America\u2019s Schools is a timely and relevant read for all well-meaning educators who want to improve their practices and create an environment where Black and Brown students are valued and supported.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "24-Aug-2024", "date_added": "25-Mar-2024 23:14:49", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013984007", "title": "Colored Television", "author": "Danzy Senna", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 198, "review": "Novelist Jane is a college writing instructor on sabbatical working to finish her second novel while temporarily living in her friend\u2019s mansion in Los Angeles. After working tirelessly on her \u201cmulatto War and Peace,\u201d it is rejected by her publisher. Next, she tries her hand at television writing, yet this is a new world that she doesn\u2019t exactly fit into. Jane wants to translate her musings about the mulatto identity to the screen, hopeful that a big-name producer can make her a star, or at least help her pay the bills.

This book is billed as a dark comedy, yet I found there was little humor. I would describe it as socially critical and controversial. I appreciated that Jane\u2019s character was deeply developed rather than surface level. However, I found her decisions frustrating. Namely, her lying, avoidance of conflict and general apathy toward changing her financial situation.

I found the writing highbrow and over my head at times. However, the descriptions of domestic life were apt. I liked the evolution of Jane and her husband Lenny\u2019s relationship throughout the novel. Overall, I found the book enjoyable, but it lost me at times and Jane\u2019s antics left me stressed.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2024", "date_added": "25-Mar-2024 16:47:55", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013982007", "title": "How to Look at a Bird: Open Your Eyes to the Joy of Watching and Knowing Birds", "author": "Clare Walker Leslie", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Birds are everywhere, and birdwatching can be a fun, satisfying hobby for people of all ages. One doesn\u2019t need special equipment to begin. One simply needs eyes and ears and natural curiosity, although if one can get a sketchbook, colored pencils, and a pair of binoculars it will enrich one\u2019s experience. Author and illustrator Clare Walker Leslie shares her journey to becoming a birdwatcher. Identifying birds begins with questions \u2014 Where are you? What time of year and day is it? What is the bird doing? Then start looking for markers. How big is the bird? What colors show? What is the shape of the bird, the bird\u2019s beak, the bird\u2019s talons, the bird\u2019s tail? Make a sketch that shows these markers. Don\u2019t worry about making a perfect drawing. A general sketch will do. What sounds does the bird make? Watch the bird fly and see how it moves about. Make notes of all this. Ask questions of other birdwatchers. Check a guidebook or online to see if you can identify the bird. Leslie even includes some sketching lessons and a place to list the birds you see in this handy little book. This is a terrific beginner's guide.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "25-Mar-2024 16:41:36", "publisher": "Storey Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013982003", "title": "Continental Drifter", "author": "Kathy MacLeod", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 11", "word_count": 176, "review": "Meet Kathy - she never feels like she fits in, not in Bangkok where she lives, or in Maine where she goes every summer. Kathy loves American food and TV shows so Kathy can\u2019t wait to visit Maine in the summer and looks forward to going to summer camp. However, when she arrives in Maine, she notices that she looks different from everyone else there. Will Kathy be able to fit in and make friends in summer camp?

The story was very interesting to read. It is odd that no one from Kathy\u2019s summer camp has ever heard of a big city like Thailand. I feel bad for Kathy that she always felt alone in her family, and that it was hard for her to make friends at summer camp. I didn\u2019t like how some of the kids were mean to Kathy and called her Jean. The art style is very simple, but the illustrations are very cute. I recommend this book to kids or anyone who likes to read a story about family and fitting in.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "10-May-2024", "date_added": "25-Mar-2024 16:22:41", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013980007", "title": "Kitten Ninja", "author": "Colleen AF Venable, Marcie Colleen, Ellen Stubbings", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 135, "review": "Kitten Ninja is so cute and funny! For readers who love cats, this will be a good book for them; and for readers who have cats, they will easily understand what is going on with Kitten Ninja. Kitten Ninja faces off against three enemies in and outside the house as it works to be better than its enemy and even helps a friend in need.

The three stories are short, so reading the whole story won't take long. Kitten Ninja is the first book in a series and I am excited to read more because (1) it's a cat and (2) I love laughing out loud at a good story. The illustrations are colorful and cheerful. The reading level is elementary age with easy words and not even words on every picture for young readers.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "10-May-2024", "date_added": "25-Mar-2024 16:23:56", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013979007", "title": "Murder Road", "author": "Simone St James", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 181, "review": "Murder Road is haunting and suspenseful. Readers follow newlyweds April and Eddie as they make their way from Ann Arbor to Lake Michigan for their honeymoon. But something happens along the way and they find themselves in a middle-of-nowhere town as the number one murder suspects of the girl they picked up on the road.

Murder Road is a thriller that will keep its readers on the edge of their seats. As April and Eddie try to figure out the mystery of Murder Road, it is their very own secrets that they realize are coming back to haunt them. This book left me with shivers going up and down my spine. I felt sorry for April and Eddie but also liked how they were both brave and stood up for themselves, especially when the local police detective bullied them. This is a fantastic mystery containing supernatural elements and creepy characters. Author Simone St. James does an amazing job of telling the story at the perfect pace-slow enough for readers to absorb the small details, yet fast enough to get readers\u2019 hearts beating.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "26-Apr-2024", "date_added": "25-Mar-2024 16:14:25", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013976059", "title": "Woodlawn Giants", "author": "Robert Ross Williams", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 449, "review": "A lively, heartwarming, and often hilarious trip down memory lane, Woodlawn Giants draws on Robert Ross Williams\u2019 memories of growing up in West Memphis, Tennessee, in the 1960s and 1970s to present a tribute to a bygone age and those who inhabited it. With nostalgia, fondness, and a sometimes critical eye, Williams reminisces about the people, places, and events that shaped his childhood and so contributed to making him who he is today.

It starts with the planting of the pines, just small seedlings in 1968 but \u201cstill there to this day, standing tall, looking good and high in the sky.\u201d In Williams\u2019 mind, these trees have come to symbolize \u201cthe giants and grown men that we the boys who grew up on Woodlawn became.\u201d There are plenty of names to remember from that time, all of which still seem fresh in his memory. The fact that Williams continues to meet up with many of these guys when he\u2019s back in West Memphis indicates how close they were and still are.

Of course, there\u2019s always a slightly melancholy aspect when reminiscing, with Williams noting that he sees less and less of these old friends as life gets in the way but that, \u201calthough we have experienced some of our friends passing, the memories live on, and the trees are still standing.\u201d He captures this bittersweet nature of memory well throughout Woodlawn Giants, bringing out the poignant elements of seemingly day-to-day events and situations.

Still, despite the reality of aging and reflecting, it is far from a depressing read. Focusing on the exploits of a gang of youngsters during the late 1960s and 1970s, when children seemed to have much more freedom to explore and be self-sufficient, Woodlawn Giants is packed with hijinks, shenanigans, and funny moments. For instance, the time Bobby decided to jump the bayou on his bike in the style of Evel Knievel, or when the gang convinced Williams that NASA was launching the next Apollo mission from West Memphis, or even when Williams\u2019 father and Mr. Rick decided to haul a piano home.

Aside from these funny vignettes, Williams also reflects on issues that impacted his gang but reflected issues facing US society as a whole too, such as the racially segregated nature of West Memphis and the importance of religion to people\u2019s place in the community. Such aspects ensure that Woodlawn Giants is both an autobiographic account and a contribution to US social history.

Overall, Woodlawn Giants is an fast-paced, episodic recounting of a fun-filled and action-packed childhood where almost anything seemed possible. Williams writes in a friendly and conversational style, drawing readers into his memories and making them feel like one of the gang.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Mar-2024 22:11:44", "publisher": "Page Publishing, Inc.", "page_count": "131 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013976055", "title": "Woodlawn Giants", "author": "Robert Ross Williams", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 407, "review": "The Woodlawn Giants are a group of friends that author Robert \u201cBobby\u201d Ross Williams grew up with in East Memphis, Arkansas. Like their namesake pine trees, the young men stood proudly together and survived life\u2019s trials and tribulations. Told as a series of stories, Woodlawn Giants reflects upon Williams\u2019 childhood\u2014complete with the hijinks he and his friends made, as well as the tough times. The book includes pictures that enhance the reminiscent nature of the stories, and allows readers to connect with a simpler time.

Woodlawn Giants is a collection of stories that describe memorable events from Bobby\u2019s childhood, including fishing, summer jobs, playing outdoors, and going to church. Each story highlights a set of characters that were important to Bobby as a young boy. Author Williams\u2019 witty sense of humor comes forth on the page, and although some of the jokes were over my head, I got the sense that he is quite the character in real life.

He likes to share lessons learned from events that both figuratively and literally scarred him. One of the main emphases of the book is that the power of community was a central theme during his childhood; he can even remember each neighborhood family\u2019s name and what house they lived in. Throughout the book, he imparts the impact that his parents had on him and his friends, and the stories show that they were loving parents filled with wisdom.

One of the most enjoyable stories was about Bobby\u2019s father and another neighborhood dad bringing home a grand piano for Bobby\u2019s mother. It was a journey that ended in failure, though hilarity did ensue. Some of the stories were a bit longwinded, though the good ones were enjoyable and heartwarming.

The book begins a bit slowly, and it took me some time to get immersed in the story and become adjusted to Williams\u2019 brand of storytelling. After a few chapters, it found its flow. The tone is conversational, and though it has some abrupt transitions, the diary-like format is conducive to this style. The ending was emotional and reflective, and I appreciated how Williams came back to the idea of the pines and how they represented meaningful friendships that he would value for years to come. The author reflects on how moving away from his childhood home impacted him, and the feelings of sorrow that came with leaving a closeknit community. This was a short book, though a charming read.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Mar-2024 22:11:34", "publisher": "Page Publishing, Inc.", "page_count": "131 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013976051", "title": "Woodlawn Giants", "author": "Robert Ross Williams", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 411, "review": "A pleasant walk down memory lane growing up in the late 1960s in West Memphis, Tennessee, with Robert Ross Williams. A glimpse into another time, this book follows young Bobby and the Woodlawn neighborhood gang as they explore their surroundings on East Woodlawn.

The Ten Mile Bayou just behind the neighborhood provided plenty of entertainment between catching crawfish and the infamous Bobby Kneivel attempt to jump the bayou. The combined backyards which were their baseball and football fields. The many neighbors that watched out for the boys. Pranks on each other and on neighbors that they didn\u2019t like, getting into trouble and numerous injuries.

The hierarchy of the friendships, and how kind the older boys were to the younger ones, plus the mutual respect the boys had for each other. The fishing trips and summers working on his grandfather\u2019s farm teaching valuable lessons to the boys about hard work and earning wages. The phrase \u201cIt takes a village\u201d is a theme that is found throughout this memoir.

A poignant and humorous coming-of-age story, this book has all the feels. It gives you a view of life in another time from a child\u2019s perspective and describes the antics of young children exploring their neighborhood and themselves as they are growing up. Plus memorable moments in his life involving neighbors, his parents and siblings, and interactions with strangers, makes this a nostalgia fest in the best way.

Reading this brought me back to my own childhood and the similar experiences I had with friends, playing in empty lots, exploring my neighborhood, enjoying the outdoors, and getting into trouble. This also reminded me of advice I\u2019ve received over the years and important lessons learned. I loved the pictures included here and there, they really helped set the stage and helps the reader connect to the author\u2019s story. The realization that people are pretty much the same wherever you go, some good and some bad, is an important lesson everyone can take to heart.

The author really draws you in and you feel like you are experiencing all these things with him. There is something for everyone in this book, sports, music, relationships, humor and religion. Overall, this positive and touching story was very enjoyable, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys non-fiction and anyone that would love a walk down memory lane, or to get a glimpse of what life was like for a young boy growing up in the South.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Mar-2024 22:11:26", "publisher": "Page Publishing, Inc.", "page_count": "131 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013976047", "title": "Woodlawn Giants", "author": "Robert Ross Williams", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 548, "review": "Trees planted as seedlings when the author was young grow to be giant trees, which, to the author, represent the men his many boyhood friends become. He names fifteen boys and indicates there are even more. Then we are transported back to his childhood to begin to meet this raft of friends.

As with most young boys of that time, bicycles are central to their lives, especially the ones they tricked out, sometimes in dangerous ways. After a bad crash, the boys decide that jumping tricked-out bikes is not the way to go, but they still want to have someone jump the bayou. Bobby (the author) is chosen. It does not go according to plan, but Bobby is okay.

In those times, kids had a lot of wide open space to play, but that is no longer the case. The town was basically segregated, even though the school was not. Bobby makes a good friend who is Black, erasing the lines of segregation for him. Visiting cousins give the author a bit of a picture of the world beyond his own backyard.

Church is an integral part of growing up in the South. There are services more than once a week, sometimes every day if there is a revival. Summer includes Vacation Bible School and Church Camp. The boys all learn some important lessons about what it means to live a Godly life at their church and at home through their parents' homilies. But the street they live on, Woodlawn, is the real heart of Bobby\u2019s childhood.

All the adults keep close eyes on all the kids, and if someone needs some discipline, it is meted out by whoever is close by. Bobby\u2019s father and another neighborhood dad keep the sports fields in the backyards in good shape. The kids spend most of their time there. Professional sports, particularly the St. Louis Cardinals, play an important role. With a bunch of kids involved, accidents of various kinds are peppered throughout the book, but the neighbors always step up to help everyone get through it with little permanent damage.

All isn\u2019t fun and games. Kids work, too, chopping cotton, delivering papers, and more. As the kids get older, their horizons broaden to include stock car racing, country rock music, and snipe hunting. But with growing up comes changes as families move and kids become adults.

This is a memoir that would be of interest to the Woodlawn Giants and their families and friends, but it probably would not find much of an audience beyond that group. It is fairly well written, although, like a favorite uncle telling stories, it sometimes becomes repetitious and some of the stories go on too long. Part of it is written in first-person and part in third-person, which can be quite jarring.

The story is not told in chronological order, which leads to some of the repetitious nature. Some of the dialogue is written in a strong dialect, but some is not, which can be quite disconcerting. The family pictures would be fun for the hometown crowd, but, again, there wouldn\u2019t be much interest beyond that. This book could use a good round of editing. If one grew up in the Woodlawn neighborhood in West Memphis, this is probably a book you would enjoy.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Mar-2024 22:11:11", "publisher": "Page Publishing, Inc.", "page_count": "131 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013976039", "title": "Girl Under Glass", "author": "Ginny Rorby", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 384, "review": "Kelsey has one last chance before juvenile hall: community service with a crazy old botanist, in a boring green house where he studies plant communications. Ha, as if plants can communicate. Or can they? The more time she spends there, the more Kelsey learns that there\u2019s more to plants then she believed. The only good things to come from being at the green house is Gen, an overly friendly cat, and being away from home and her alcoholic mother. And things can only get worse for Kelsey. She and two friends go to a party, a night that ends with a car crash and her best friend dead.

But there is still one person who cares, Dr. Hobbes, and he's willing to help her out when no one else seems to want to. When he's attacked in his greenhouse and left for dead, it's up to Kelsey to prove to the head detective that there was a whole room full of witnesses: the plants.

Girl Under Glass is a heartfelt story of friends, family, and growing up. The story was enjoyable, but the reasons behind Dr. Hobbes\u2019 attack were weak. The attack is used as a reason to bring in the plants and Hobbes\u2019 research, but otherwise didn't have a point. It did show how much Kelsey cared for him and how she stepped away from her hurt, but it still felt out of place.

The research is fascinating\u2014can plants feel and talk?\u2014and is important to proving who did it. Sources are listed in the back and I may have to check them out myself. The plants take a small part in the story, with facts that aren\u2019t written like a textbook but fit into the narrative.

Kelsey and her friends are only in middle school, yet the only reason I'd know that is she states her age at one point. Most the kids read like they're teenagers. The characters are flat, but different from each other and I didn't have much trouble remembering who was who. Kelsey does change throughout the story. She starts with lots of sharp edges who will do anything for her mom, but ends with putting herself first for once and letting people care about her. Overall, I enjoyed the story, the science, and the idea that combines both.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Mar-2024 22:08:05", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013976031", "title": "Reaching Halfway to Heaven, California Redwoods and the Logger who loved them", "author": "Lori Fisher Peelen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 434, "review": "I really enjoyed reading Reaching Halfway to Heaven by Lori Peelen. Educational, heartfelt, and enlightening, readers both young and old will love this tale.

Based on a true story, Reaching Halfway to Heaven discusses the story of Wade Sturgeon, a California logger with an unexpected story. Growing up amongst the redwoods, Wade loved spending time outside with his sister. Whether that was fishing underneath the magnificent redwood branches, digging up wild lilies, or journaling notes on forest life, Wade valued and appreciated the outdoors. Dreaming of starting his career as a botanist, Wade had the perfect childhood for fostering a deep love of our planet, with his most beloved memories residing underneath the shade of the redwoods. \nUnfortunately, life had other plans for Wade. With his father\u2019s passing, college and botany were no longer a feasible reality. At 15, he had no choice but to help and provide for his family, leaving school behind to work in the fields.

Fast-forwarding many years into the future, Wade\u2019s dreams of botany may have died, but not his love of the outdoors. With an extensive home garden, Wade continued to value and appreciate wildlife. However, with a family to support and job scarcity in his region, logging was the only way to put food on the table. Although extremely painful for Wade to destroy the beauty he so deeply valued, what choice did he have in order to take care of his children?

An excellent children\u2019s book on all accounts - theme, narrative, illustrations, and topic - I was truly moved by Wade\u2019s story. I think this book provides a plethora of lessons for younger children, teaching them not just about the importance of conservation and America\u2019s history, but valuable life lessons as well. Taking from Wade\u2019s story, sometimes circumstances outside of our control dictate our future. Our initial dreams and plans can go awry, something disappointing, but not something that has to stop our efforts. In the case of Wade, he may not have been able to make as big of an impact as he may have liked; after all, he was a California logger! But he still was able to make small differences, whether that was planting new seeds, teaching his children about preservation and still simply appreciating and valuing the beauty of nature.

A review of this book would be incomplete without mentioning the absolutely stunning illustrations by Kathy Goetzl. Breathing life into Wade\u2019s story, I loved the vibrancy of color, attention to detail, and beauty these drawings brought over. Overall, this children's book is a must-buy for young readers!", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2024", "date_added": "22-Mar-2024 22:04:53", "publisher": "Lori Peelen", "page_count": "39 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013976027", "title": "Red Clay, Running Waters", "author": "Leslie K Simmons", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 443, "review": "The story starts with Skaleeloskee, now known as John Ridge, being sent off to school in New England. John wrestles with fear about the long journey and living among White people. But he understands that education is necessary to become a leader like his father. At the school in New England, he experienced racism, and some of the Christians made him feel less human due to his background. John and his companions, David and George, face suspicion and condescension from a White authority figure named Dagget. However, Dr. Dempsey defends them, highlighting their respectful behavior.

John starts feeling the pressure to conform to White expectations for his future leadership role. His time in school was filled with ups and downs, but it helped him build solid relationships and teach him valuable life lessons. Life after school was hectic for John. He and David Vann were asked by the Creek Nation to represent them in negotiations with the US government.

The Creeks are trying to overturn a fraudulent treaty signed by McIntosh, a Creek leader, that ceded a large amount of Creek land to Georgia. John and David agree to help, even though it means giving up their positions on the Cherokee National Committee. John meets Sarah, who is from a different race, and they fall in love with each other. However, their love story is tumultuous due to racial differences and expectations from their family. Will the couple stand the test of time?

Overall, John is committed to serving his people and securing their future. He does it with so much determination and strategy. I liked how the language matched the time setting. It brought a sense of nostalgia, and as a fan of novels set in history, I found myself engrossed in the pages. The author writes beautifully and conveys the emotions of the characters well. Sarah and John are the stars in this book, and their love story is unique. They made a lot of sacrifices and were committed to making things work out. The novel touches on one of the most significant issues in society, which is racism.

We've come a long way toward stopping racism, but historical books like this remind us of what it's like to be a victim of racism at a time when it was rampant. Although John and his peers were discriminated against, they did not let it dampen their spirits, and John showed incredible leadership skills. Although Red Clay, Running Waters by Leslie K. Simmons is historical fiction, the book is based on true events, which added to its appeal for me. I had a great time reading, and I'm sure you will too.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Mar-2024 21:58:22", "publisher": "Koehler Books", "page_count": "684 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013976019", "title": "LONGSTAR", "author": "Patrick Cumby", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 424, "review": "Janus January was heading toward a purposeless future after being kicked out of school. He bridled at authority and didn\u2019t like abiding by the rules. Years removed from his unceremonious expulsion, Jan is now immersed in an unexpected predicament. He is piloting a ship traversing the outer limits of space while fending off murderous pursuers. His previous captain was apparently taken out during the initial attack and Jan was forced to react quickly. Now, he is traveling with an alien creature named Bess. Bess is known as a ghast, an entity who Jan has been trained to fear yet the pair has formed an unlikely friendship.

Despite Jan\u2019s maneuverings, their ship, the Lucky Star, is soon halted by another vessel and boarded. Jan is facing an unpleasant future as his actions are seen as rogue notwithstanding his protestations of innocence. Jan and Bess are held in isolation until they are approached with a salvatory solution in which Jan must fly his captors to a place called Stavanger. Stavanger is the location of a crucial person.

Tash was looking to escape with her loved ones before doom claimed them all. If nothing else, the family bloodline must be preserved. Tash hadn\u2019t encountered many friendly faces after a brush with death, but she was a survivor with a healthy amount of distrust. Yet when she encounters Jan, there is a sense of familiarity with the brash young male. Once aboard the Lucky Star and after various debacles, Tash knows why she feels a sense of deja vu. She tells Jan that he is a character in a cult sci-fi adventure show that follows the story of a spaceship and its offbeat but lovable crew.

LONGSTAR is far from your average science fiction yarn as it possesses far greater depth and ambition in its narrative. Upon his initial appearance, Janus January possesses the hallmarks of a slacker, content to let others chart his path. Yet when the situation warrants, Jan exhibits heroism, strength, and loyalty. In spite of the popular stereotypes against ghasts, Jan doesn\u2019t reject Bess\u2019 offer of friendship. Their bond is strengthened under fire.

Once the crew of the Lucky Star meets Tash, the plot continues to gather steam as Jan, Bess, and Tash attempt to find a safe place from their pursuers. The story possesses a great deal of humor, a good portion is provided by the book\u2019s meta moments referencing the TV show \u201cLongstar\u2019s Rangers.\u201d This is a fun read that will hold appeal to readers desirous of an unconventional but superior epic.", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Mar-2024 21:33:16", "publisher": "Broken Monolith Press", "page_count": "679 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013976011", "title": "Amy Unbound", "author": "Martin Sneider", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 418, "review": "Amy's sudden resignation from her partnership in a top-tier law firm is followed by a strong devotion to political activism and social change. Her husband Josh, on the other hand, couldn't care less about politics. Josh's father Max's betrayal turns him into a harder and more driven person as he pursues his career dreams and serves as mega-retailer MAG Corporation's vice-president of strategy.

With the couple drifting apart, Amy finds herself commuting to Chicago, becoming a part of the movement for Hope and Change, and expressing her excitement for Obama's presidency. Her commitment to social activism leads her to join the Chicago Alliance for Social Justice group, which is made up of dedicated community activists led by Stuart Spieglebaum and LaTanya Jones.

Amidst Amy's activism exploits Josh realizes he is losing his wife and strives to win her back before she's gone for good. Is it too late for Josh to save his marriage? Martin Sneider's Amy Unbound is a nuanced and highly engaging story with several twists and quests that are woven around the themes of politics, love, and betrayal.

The busy plot comprises fairly racy scenes, provocative acts of betrayal, adorable love goals, and intense rivalry. In essence, the story is designed to completely engage the reader and leave no room for boredom. Various events and goals are woven together and portrayed through multiple perspectives, allowing the reader to enjoy the book's unpredictability and attractive, intricate layers. I was very eager to find out if Amy would end up with a man she found very attractive or return to a marriage she was losing interest in. From start to finish, the protagonists' internal struggles are portrayed vividly through profound reflections and engaging conversations.

Furthermore, Amy Unbound offers readers a deep, revelatory portrayal of activism, politics, and business. Through its passionate characters, we see important moments in the history of American politics and its business world. I liked that some characters associated with Josh and his marketing efforts express skepticism towards the practicality of businesses operating online since it exemplifies people's expected reluctance to change.

Readers who love mind-blowing storylines, compelling twists, and strong characters will enjoy Amy Unbound. Martin's expertly written, evocative book will get you to feel a variety of strong emotions. I felt empathy, exhilaration, anger, surprise, fear, and many other emotions that made my time with the book an unforgettable experience. It takes top-notch writing skills to fully entertain readers while inspiring passion and provoking deep thoughts like Sneider does with his book.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "22-Mar-2024 21:28:12", "publisher": "Jewish Leaders Books", "page_count": "418 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013970023", "title": "Crosshairs", "author": "James Patterson, James O Born", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 175, "review": "Crosshairs is the latest installment in James Patterson's Michael Bennett series. In this book, Bennett is assigned a partner in the form of an ex-Army Ranger named Rob Trilling. There is a sniper on the loose who is killing people and the two must work together to figure out what the victims have in common and find out who the sniper is.

As Bennett and Trilling work together on the assignment, several things go wrong. Then Bennett wonders if Trilling could be the sniper. The guy disappears at times and is very secretive. Also, Trilling's personality is really dry and Bennett has a difficult time reading him. This doesn't help when it comes to knowing if he can trust his partner or not.

Just like the other books in the Detective Bennett series, this one is full of colorful characters ranging from Bennett's superiors to the snipers they interview. And as always, there is a lot about Bennett's wife Mary Catherine, and their ten adopted children. Fans of the Michael Bennett series will enjoy this cat-and-mouse game.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "24-May-2024", "date_added": "21-Mar-2024 19:44:30", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013970007", "title": "Snowglobe (The Snowglobe Duology)", "author": "Soyoung Park, Joungmin Lee Comfort", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - age 13", "word_count": 167, "review": "Snowglobe is the last place on earth that is warm. In order to live there, your life will be broadcasted and played out for the rest of the people living outside Snowglobe. Chobahm, a poor teenager who lives in the Outer World, is given an opportunity of a lifetime to live in Snowglobe when a famous resident, Haeri, commits suicide. Will living in Snowglobe be all it\u2019s cracked up to be?

The book is billed as a cross between Hunger Games and Squid Games, and I can totally see the similarities. Snowglobe is a fantastic dystopian YA novel that reads like a good K-drama series filled with intrigue, betrayal, corruption, and the injustices between the haves and have-nots. I\u2019m so happy that this novel got translated into English so I am able to read it. This is part of a duology so I\u2019m looking forward to reading the sequel when it comes out. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good dystopian or K-drama story.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "10-May-2024", "date_added": "21-Mar-2024 19:14:20", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013969015", "title": "Masquerade", "author": "O O Sangoyomi", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 194, "review": "I was drawn to Masquerade by a brief description: Hades and Persephone set in fifteenth century West Africa. As with so many good books, once I got into the novel, I found there was so much more to it than that. On the surface, it is a retelling of the myth, but it is its own story, filled with rich details and fascinating characters. \u00d2d\u00f2d\u00f3 is not merely a captured girl; she is a young woman suddenly thrust from the edges of society to the heights of royalty. S\u00e0ng\u00f3t\u00e8, the city to which she is brought, is not the underworld but a capital full of life and wealth and danger.

Her desire is not so simple as to escape and to return to her mother. It becomes both more complicated and simpler than that as more time goes on and she becomes more enmeshed in politics and treachery. She wishes to survive.

This is O.O. Sangoyomi\u2019s first novel, and I hope it is the first of many. She has a knack for drawing readers into the immediacy of a story, and for creating complex characters which feel at once deeply human and intensely mythic.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "30-Aug-2024", "date_added": "21-Mar-2024 22:50:19", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013969003", "title": "Darker by Four", "author": "June CL Tan", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Shreya - age 13", "word_count": 200, "review": "In an urban cityscape where demons lurk in the shadows, the lives of three individuals are about to collide. Rui, a cadet at a magical academy, is focused on nothing but avenging her mother\u2019s death. Yurai, a powerless boy from a well-regarded family, wants nothing more than to fit in with the elite. Lastly, there\u2019s Nikai, a reaper from the mysterious Fourth Court, who is thrown into the conflict when his master disappears.

If the death god is not found, the world as everyone knows it will collapse. When Rui\u2019s powers are transferred to Yurai as the result of a spell gone wrong, she will do anything to get them back: even strike a deal with another King of Death. As the conflict heats up and a plague spreads across the city, the three will have to make some complicated decisions in order to save humanity.

This book was enchanting! Written for anime lovers and avid readers of fantasy, the setting and characters deliver an atmospheric world in which everything is unique yet familiar in all the best ways. The characters were well fleshed-out, with relatable personalities and honest relationships. I would recommend this to any fan of dark fantasy.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "22-May-2024", "date_added": "20-Mar-2024 19:25:45", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013968019", "title": "Theodora Hendrix and the Monstrous League of Monsters (1) (The Theodora Hendrix Books)", "author": "Jordan Kopy, Chris Jevons", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 121, "review": "Have you ever wondered what happens when a human girl becomes part of a monster family? Then she becomes of the Monstrous League of Monsters, and someone threatens to take her away from her monster family. However, she doesn't want to be stripped from the only family she knows and loves. Read this book to find out what she does.

This cool chapter book has some illustrations throughout. I really enjoy books like this with illustrations. My favorite part was when Theodora faced her fears. I really like seeing the action I am reading about. This is a cool book, perfect for the spooky season. I see there are more books in the series, and I look forward to reading more.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "24-Sep-2024", "date_added": "21-Mar-2024 22:44:07", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013968007", "title": "Dragonfruit", "author": "Makiia Lucier", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 12", "word_count": 236, "review": "In the story Dragonfruit, ancient tales speak of the seadragon's egg, known as dragonfruit, possessing the power to undo a person's greatest sorrow. whether it be an unwanted marriage or an unpaid debt, the dragonfruit promises to make everything bad disappear. However, the legends also carry a warning : every wish comes at a price. Hanalei of Tamarind, the cherished daughter of an old island family, is forced into exile when her father steals a seadragon egg meant for an ill princess. In the years that follow, Hanalei finds comfort in studying the majestic seadragons, until one day an encounter with a female dragon offers her a chance to return home and right a terrible wrong. Meanwhile, Sam, the last remaining prince of Tamarind's matriarchal society, is left with two choices: to marry or to find a cure for the sickness plaguing his mother. When Hanalei, his childhood companion, returns from exile, she brings with her a glimmer of hope.

This captivating fantasy novel by talented author, Makiia Lucier, immerses readers in a richly-imagined world, where the search for the powerful dragonfruit pits characters against enemies both near and far. As Hanalei and Sam navigate their individual quests, they must also confront the dangers posed by the dragonfruit itself, leading to an exciting exploration of the consequences of wielding such powerful magic. Teenage and young adult fans of epic fantasy and intricate world-building will love this novel.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2024", "date_added": "20-Mar-2024 19:20:25", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013967003", "title": "All This Twisted Glory (This Woven Kingdom, 3)", "author": "Tahereh Mafi", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 197, "review": "With the threat of war on the horizon, Alizeh must decide as her people flock to the city to stand behind her and two princes want her hand in marriage. But what is the right choice? Marry Cyrus then kill him once he's no longer in debt to the devil? Or marry Kamran, the first she fell in love with? Danger and secrets lurk around every corner, and Alizeh is running out of time.

The plot is heavily reliant on the romance, and though I enjoyed the plot, the romantic part drove me crazy. Two princes love Alizeh and she has fallen for both. For her, love is all passion and lust, while the princes treat her as an object of beauty. They don't consider her feelings on anything and Alizeh is always fighting everyone on what is right for her, even her friends are constantly telling her what to do and it got old fast.

The prose is very flowery and poetic, but it's usually telling what the characters are thinking and feeling, making it hard to actually feel for them. There is one spicy scene, but it\u2019s very vague. There is heavy cussing sporadically throughout.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "03-Jun-2024", "date_added": "20-Mar-2024 19:06:12", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013966023", "title": "The Sky on Fire", "author": "Jenn Lyons", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 199, "review": "Anahrod has spent every day just surviving and has no interest in connecting with other humans. When an adventuring party helps her, she soon learns that there is more to them than meets the eye and they want her to help with a dangerous plan. The dragon\u2019s hoard they want her help to steal from happens to belong to the very regent who wants her head. Soon she uncovers a surprising connection, attraction, and secrets the more she gets to know her newfound allies.

Anahrod is a well-rounded character and her voice helps drive the adventure, tone, and richness of the writing. The story opens amid the adventure, which sets a fast pace for the events and quickly builds tension. The different characters surrounding her provide interesting dynamics, especially with Ris and Sicaryon, who have great chemistry, banter, and connection with Anahrod.

The world is incredible with a brilliant eye for detail that helps bring this fantasy to life with dragons and dragonriders, which makes it easy to become immersed in what Lyons has created. Hard to put down, The Sky on Fire is engaging, well-written, and a delightful foray into an adventure that is breathtaking, suspenseful, and exciting.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "01-Aug-2024", "date_added": "21-Mar-2024 22:34:51", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013966019", "title": "My Chicano Heart", "author": "Daniel A Olivas", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 230, "review": "A once-promising writer lives a life of anonymity in a small rural town, only to be found by an unlikely stranger with a tempting proposition. A man asks a former lover for his soul to be returned. The fantastical and otherworldly come to life in the short story collection of Daniel A. Olivas, who serves a unique style of storytelling steeped in Chicano sensibilities.

The author blends magical realism with cultural richness, leading readers on an enticing journey. Each story revolves around love: defining it, finding it, losing it, and everything in between. These stories explore the complexities of love, from its transformative power to its ability to bring both bliss and suffering.

This collection is a true gift for those seeking a fresh and vibrant literary voice. While Olivas has been writing for a while, newcomers to his works will gain a profound understanding of Chicano and Mexican cultures and the pivotal role of love in each. The characters, though imperfect, are unforgettable in their own way, often endearing even in their absurdity.

Language is central to any culture. Throughout the text, Olivas seamlessly weaves in Spanish phrases and sentences, enhancing the dialogues and narratives. English-only readers can embark on their own linguistic journey by using a translation app. As a non-Spanish speaker, this approach adds an element of intrigue and depth to the story, enriching the reading experience.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "22-Aug-2024", "date_added": "21-Mar-2024 22:02:28", "publisher": "University of Nevada Press", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013964019", "title": "The Dove That Didn't Return: Poems", "author": "Yael S Hacohen", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Dillon Allen-Perez", "word_count": 183, "review": "If anyone can call herself a \u201cwarrior poet,\u201d it is Yael S. Hacohen. She draws from her experience as a soldier and lieutenant in the Israeli Defense Forces to craft this collection of poetry. The Dove That Didn't Return investigates war, questions both violence and peace, and lives on the borders of humanity and cruelty.

The title comes from the tale of Noah\u2019s Ark in the Bible. In a shallow reading, the dove with an olive branch in her mouth is a symbol of peace and a beacon of hope. In Hacohen\u2019s poetry, she more critically considers the implications of the dove not returning to the Ark. What does the dove do alone on silent land? What kind of peace is it with no other life around? Who has to clean up after every war? But, the dove is not alone. As Hacohen writes, \u201cThe dove didn't have the world to herself.\u201d

You will like this collection of poetry if you are well read on the Bible and are interested in the realities of trying to live peacefully in a consistently war-torn world.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "06-May-2024", "date_added": "21-Mar-2024 19:36:30", "publisher": "Holy Cow! Press", "page_count": "76 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000013964007", "title": "Party Rex (A Rex Book)", "author": "Molly Idle", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 176, "review": "How does one behave when invited to a birthday party for a dinosaur named Rex? Surprisingly, much the same way one should behave at anyone\u2019s birthday party. Begin by wishing the guest of honor a happy birthday! When offered hats and party favors, only take one so there is enough for everyone. When party games begin, include everyone. And the point is not to win or lose, but to have fun. With games over, it\u2019s time to sing happy birthday and enjoy one slice of cake. Try to choose a present you love in the hope that Rex will love it, too. Finally, when it is time to go home, be sure to thank Rex.

Caldecott Honor Winner Molly Idle has written the ideal book to help little ones prepare for what will happen and how to be good guests at a birthday party. Illustrated in fanciful, soft pastel drawings, this book teaches gentle lessons about being considerate to others. What a lovely book to help ensure everyone has a good time on these fun occasions!", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2024", "date_added": "20-Mar-2024 18:34:53", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013960023", "title": "Why We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out", "author": "Shannon Reed", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 210, "review": "The author and educator Shannon Reed has her own unique writing style, comfortable and down to earth, as she relates her reading history in these memoir styled chapters. Being hard of hearing, reading became her escape to a communicating world. Like many of us, she thrived using the books from the public libraries and continues to accumulate additional volumes from bookstores.

She describes her years teaching at the preschool level, to secondary school teens, and currently to college students and the various texts she used with the different groups. An array of stories and authors are reviewed, from Old McDonald, to the Brontes, The Diary of Anne Frank, Gone Girl, Atkinson, Lincoln in the Bardo, The Lottery and so many more, stories both familiar and some new to this reader. Most of the readings are fiction, except for the non-fiction cookbooks and Atul Gawande\u2019s Being Mortal. The reading is slow at the beginning but perks up as she outlines the selections she introduces to her students. While the author readily reflects on the various tomes, it would have helped to learn more of the students\u2019 comments and responses to the readings. There are pages listing the literary works mentioned in this volume, which should serve as a handy reading guide.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "21-Mar-2024 19:18:08", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013958007", "title": "THE WRONG SIDE OF REVELRY", "author": "Jeffry A. Head", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 439, "review": "A beautiful twenty-two-year-old Bondurant girl was in good health when she ingested a little over five milligrams of fentanyl, which preceded her unfortunate demise. Decker, who is investigating the case, wants to find out if it's murder or an accident. J.R. from Arkansas has been a White supremacist from birth, which was passed down to him by his father. His passion for killing led him to join the special forces and serve several tours in \"the \u2019Stan\".

A slick twenty-two-year-old killer is on the prowl. Catching her is not a task for the weak since her good heritage gives her the perfect opportunity to get away with her crimes. Follow Jeffry A. Head's unique characters in The Wrong Side of Revelry as they encounter a busy, fast-paced series of events that seem to be weirdly linked together. The book is a multilayered thriller involving terrorists, extremists, serial killers, and smart detectives.

Jeffry keeps you guessing with a plot that's filled with surprises and shocking discoveries. Decker, who goes about interviewing doctors and suspects, reminded me why I love detective plots and unraveling the intricate puzzles they usually offer. He sometimes comes across as an intimidating figure since he's digging for answers about a possible murder case and offers brutally honest statements like \"Everyone is a suspect until we can rule them out.\"

The book's characters have very interesting backstories and shocking personalities that readers are likely to find evocative, from serial killers to white supremacists and tough fighters. Since the author tells the tale through multiple viewpoints, the reader gets to experience the story and all its intricacies from a broad, all-encompassing perspective. They get to see both the villain and the protagonist in action.

My main dislike is that the book felt rushed and seemed to switch perspective too quickly. I didn't feel connected with some characters before it moved to some other characters and introduced me to new developments. Also, the story focuses majorly on the actions and events and not enough on the character development. I didn't feel I knew the main characters like Decker well enough. I wished to know more about his quirky habits, close relationships, and other elements that usually endear readers to a book's characters.

Though The Wrong Side of Revelry excels in some areas, like its impressive backstories and well-explored detective themes, it could improve on its character development and pace. Regardless, I cherish the suspense and eagerness I felt while reading it and hoping the detective would find the killer. Readers who enjoy fast-paced mysteries and thrillers, as well as books with unusual, psychopathic villains, should give it a try.", "issue": "March 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Mar-2024 20:36:20", "publisher": "The Sager Group, LLC", "page_count": "238 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013957027", "title": "Song of the Raven: An Inuit Tale of Harmony with Nature", "author": "Amanda Hall, Kelly Berthelsen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 128, "review": "This is a very cool tale about how humans ignored the Raven's song to be good and respect the Earth, and it's creatures had plunged the humans into a darkness. Only when a little boy who is not quite like the others revive the Raven's song and help to create a beautiful world again.

The illustrations are really remarkable. I especially like the tribal prints on the book pages. The illustrations show how the Earth goes into a great darkness, but then finds light again with Little Darkness. I think this book has a great message of how we should better care for the Earth and her creatures since it is the only planet we have to live on. Very cool Inuit Tale that everyone should check out.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "22-May-2024", "date_added": "18-Mar-2024 23:12:09", "publisher": "World Wisdom", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013957015", "title": "Puff: All About Air (A Science Pals Book)", "author": "Emily Kate Moon", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 181, "review": "Puff is a tiny bit of air who, along with all of his friends, surrounds our planet and protect it from space rocks and radiation. Puff and his friends help regulate our temperature and, when they move, create wind. When Puff carries Drop, a bit of water, we have rain. And when Drop carries Puff into the ocean, life can breathe underwater. Puff also gives us oxygen from plants and carries our carbon dioxide to plants.

Puff is everywhere! He even mixes with soil so living things underground can breathe. Puff is what all airborne creatures float on. Sometimes Puff spins out of control in a tornado when hot and cold air mix too fast, but he usually moves gently, sometimes spreading pollen and seeds to create new life.

Emily Kate Moon has cleverly conveyed fairly advanced STEM concepts in a fun, understandable way. Her illustrations are lovely and make the concepts all the more accessible. This is a great book to open children\u2019s eyes to the world around them and would make a great choice for any budding young scientist.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2024", "date_added": "18-Mar-2024 21:47:44", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013957011", "title": "Forest", "author": "Christie Matheson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 179, "review": "Forest opens by looking at a lush forest from afar, then slowly draws the reader in closer and closer to discover all the life inside of it: the trees and their component branches, trunks, leaves and needles, the sounds of tiny birds, food for squirrels and deer, holes and tunnels in which numerous woodland creatures take cover, glistening spiderwebs, places to nest and rest, and shelter from storms. In other words, a forest is far more than just a bunch of trees. It is a home.

Christine Matheson\u2019s text is rhythmic, simple, and sparse, just perfect for an early reader. The watercolor and collage illustrations, primarily in warm green and brown tones, lend a calm quiet to the text and provide ample details for little readers to discover. Matheson has also thoughtfully provided some helpful ways we can help protect our forests and those who live there and a list of websites to learn more. Possibly the only thing that could improve this book is to take it along on your next hike and read it among the trees.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "18-Mar-2024 21:03:42", "publisher": "Chronicle Books", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013955007", "title": "Extinctopedia: Discover what we have lost, what is at risk, and how we can preserve the diversity of our fragile planet (Smithsonian)", "author": "Serenella Quarello, Alessio Alcini, Margaret Greenan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "We live in a world that has many challenges for all kinds of animals. We have already lost many animals, large and small, forever. Some were hunted to extinction by man\u2014hunted for their fur or feathers or because they were misunderstood or simply because man had the power to destroy them. We are losing some because of climate change or because we are stealing their habitats to use the land for other purposes.

It is important for young people to know about these creatures so they can care enough to find ways to help protect them. This wonderful book tells the story of species that have been lost and those that will be lost if we don\u2019t make some serious changes soon. The writing is accessible and conversational, yet carries the urgency of the situation. The illustrations are absolutely stunning. They are detailed and very realistic, yet they have the warmth only illustrations can carry.

There are concrete suggestions for what we can do to help protect animals as well as hopeful news about some successes and the discovery of new species. A good glossary rounds things out. This is an excellent resource that will make a difference.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "18-Mar-2024 21:06:59", "publisher": "Red Comet Press", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013954019", "title": "The Prickletrims Go Wild", "author": "Marie Dorleans, Polly Lawson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 191, "review": "The Prickletrims love nature. They have a perfect yard. All the flowers are lined up in tidy rows. The grass is kept trimmed to a specific height. The branches of trees are a certain distance apart, and they are chosen for having appropriately shaped leaves. Yes, the Prickletrims loved nature as long as it was neat and tidy. But one day, the gardener has had enough of his controlling clients, and he quits.

The Prickletrims aren\u2019t gardeners. The plants burst forth and grow wildly all around them, taking over their lives. And the Prickletrims learn to love the strange and wild plants and creatures that have taken over. But summer ends, and it is time to return to school and work, so they have the garden hauled away\u2014or do they?

Author and illustrator Marie Dorl\u00e9ans has created a whimsical world for her quaint characters. The story shows the characters growing and changing as their garden grows and changes. The real star of the book is the illustrations which are filled with fun details that will keep young readers fully engaged with the story. This is more fun than you can imagine.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2024", "date_added": "19-Mar-2024 17:58:30", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013954011", "title": "Vigdis", "author": "Ran Flygenring", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 218, "review": "Vigdis is a strange-sounding name to this audience, but it is the revered first name of the much honored former first lady president of Iceland. In this endearing story created by a very talented combined author and illustrator R\u00e1n Flygenring, the reader learns about the very down to earth Vigdis Finnbogadottir, who chanced to become the elected head of her nation and even more extraordinary to become the world\u2019s first female president.

We travel through the eyes of the very young, inquisitive and impish reporter who with his pad and pencil ventures to interview the retired president. Sitting down with milk and cookies, Vigdis responds to his questions and describes her family, her background, the history of Iceland, talks about her adopted daughter and her career in the theater world. When asked to run for president, she was initially reluctant, but was persuaded when the fishermen strongly endorsed her.

All this time, our little impish reporter and future author is looking around as the furniture, and at the surroundings, which fill his imagination. These images of his impressions are so magically captured in the warm colorful drawings, and enhanced by the amusing inked sketches so potently displayed throughout the story. This is an award winning product, ideal for the young reader and an eye opener for the adult.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "29-May-2024", "date_added": "19-Mar-2024 17:49:39", "publisher": "Helvetiq", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013950019", "title": "Duck and Moose: Moose Blasts Off!", "author": "Kirk Reedstrom", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Moose is busy playing his favorite imagining game of being an astronaut when Duck interrupts him. It\u2019s hard to keep on imagining when one is interrupted. But Duck wants to play. Moose explains that playing astronaut is a one-person game. Duck can watch, but he can\u2019t play. Duck tries to stay quiet but can\u2019t help yelling out, \u201cDance off!\u201d which ruins Moose\u2019s imaginary game. Duck keeps annoying Moose until Moose tries to teach Duck to use his own imagination, something Duck has never done before. It does not go well. Can Duck and Moose find a way to play together that will be fun for both of them?

Kirk Reedstrom both wrote and illustrated this fun graphic early reader. The characters both have big personalities and need to learn to compromise and communicate to get to a satisfactory relationship. These are very real problems for young readers, things they will relate to and be entertained by. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and filled with lots of fun details to help keep emerging readers engaged. This is an excellent friendship story with good life lessons youngsters won\u2019t even know they are learning while also building new reading skills.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "22-May-2024", "date_added": "19-Mar-2024 17:40:09", "publisher": "Disney Publishing Group", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013950015", "title": "How to Train Your Amygdala", "author": "Anna Housley Juster, Cynthia Cliff", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 127, "review": "This is a cool book all about the brain. Sometimes our brain needs help because it thinks we are in trouble when we aren't. Did you know that taking a deep breath can be all someone needs to calm themselves down? There is some great information in the back of the book to help one practice mindfulness and how to better control their own emotions.

This is a really cool book, packed full of lots of great information about the brain and why one needs to be in control of their emotions. I like trying out the breathing and visualization techniques. I would recommend this as a great book for families to read and practice together. The illustrations of the amygdala in the brain is pretty cute.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "10-May-2024", "date_added": "18-Mar-2024 21:41:22", "publisher": "Free Spirit Publishing", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013950011", "title": "How to Draw Kawaii Manga Characters", "author": "Misako Misako Rocks!", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - age 13", "word_count": 152, "review": "Calling all manga fans! In this cute and charming book, you\u2019ll learn the essentials of how to draw adorable manga characters. The book includes instructions on how to draw basic features such as hair, expressions, and eyes. I like how colorful and expressive the character examples look and how easy and interactive the book is to follow. Misako\u2019s work is very cute and bubbly, so I\u2019m looking forward to trying to draw in her style. I really appreciate the instructions on how to draw various poses, hands, and head angles because I personally struggle with those the most. I do think the book could be a bit more thorough, and the book should\u2019ve contained more adult and child character examples, not just tween and teen characters. Overall, I highly recommend How to Draw Kawaii Manga Characters to young anime fans and beginner artists. I\u2019ll definitely be looking out for Misako\u2019s future books!", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "10-May-2024", "date_added": "18-Mar-2024 21:11:56", "publisher": "Walter Foster Publishing", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013949027", "title": "The Slug and the Snail", "author": "Oein de BhardA\u00b9in, Olya Anima", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 197, "review": "The Travelers are a traditionally nomadic ethnic group in Ireland, who have not always been well accepted in the past. In The Snail and the Slug, a Traveler father tells a bedtime story to his child, who had not been invited to a birthday party. In the story, two slugs travel the world until they run into a crow, who asks where their home is? When they respond that they don\u2019t have a home, she laughs at them.

The younger slug feels embarrassed and makes a shell, transforming into a snail. The older slug remains as he is. Soon, the two creatures grow apart because they were now different. When they meet the crow later, she asked about their homes. The snail said he has his shell, while the slug says the whole world is his home. With that, the two creatures traveled on becoming more aware of their commonalities.

This book with its gorgeous illustrations provides an opportunity to look into another culture and see the world through their perspective. That said, some children may need some help to understand the story, although it may open a door to good conversations about the treatment of others.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "03-Jun-2024", "date_added": "19-Mar-2024 17:42:19", "publisher": "Little Island", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000013949023", "title": "BE A SCRIBE! Working for a Better Life in Ancient Egypt: Working for a Better Life in Ancient Egypt", "author": "Michael Hoffen, Christian Casey, Jen Thum", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "Nearly four thousand years ago, a man named Khety took his son, Pepi, up the Nile to the capital city so Pepi could attend school. There he learned to read and write, skills that would allow him to be able to have a good job, perhaps even a job as a scribe. But there are other jobs to consider from ancient Egypt such as sculptor, carpenter, barber, farmer, courier, and more\u2014eighteen in all.

A spread is devoted to explaining each of these. Passages from a text written by Pepi, a young scribe during the Middle Kingdom, introduce each spread. There are photographs of art, pottery, jewelry, and other artifacts to help readers understand more about the jobs. In addition, there is a map, a timeline, and several spreads with good advice for young people such as Mind Your Manners and Don\u2019t Play Hooky, also from Pepi\u2019s journal.

The odd turns of phrase and word use are all explained. Modern young readers will find these pretty amusing but at the same time familiar. This is a wonderful book filled with gorgeous graphics that will give youngsters an excellent picture of life in Ancient Egypt. This is a winner. Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "19-Mar-2024 17:23:03", "publisher": "Callaway", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013949019", "title": "Sashiko's Stitches", "author": "Sanae Ishida", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 188, "review": "Feelings can be heavy, prickly, and knotty. Sashiko knows how feelings show up in her body. These emotions can make her fearful and sad when they get too big. Her Mama told her the story behind her name, a Japanese art form that started from mending fisherfolk's garments. Sashiko, meaning \"little stabs,\" reflects the tiny stitches in the fabric that repair the tears, a metaphor for her journey of emotional healing. As Sashiko learns how to make sashiko stitches with a needle and thread, she finds a way to make the patterns represent her feelings. Seeing her feelings on the fabric makes her feel stronger and braver.

Sanae Ishida's Sashiko's Stitches is a touching story about a girl who creates beauty from heavy and unpleasant feelings. It is an excellent book for beginning readers and their parents, teachers, and caregivers, as it emphasizes the importance of identifying and expressing one's feelings. Young readers will appreciate the cultural lesson and feel enlightened about traditional needlework that originated in Japan. The book shares lessons for grownups about paying attention and using one's creative energies to process and embody difficult emotions.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "18-Mar-2024 22:00:18", "publisher": "Worthy", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013949011", "title": "Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes", "author": "Leon Diop, Jessica Louis, Briana Fitzsimons ", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 240, "review": "Culture and identity converge in the lived realities of high-achieving and prominent Irish nationals who identify as Black or mixed-race, a group often referred to as \u201cBlack Irish\u201d. In Black and Irish, Leon Diop and Briana Fitzimmons raise awareness about their years-long project to educate the world about the contributions of twenty-five Black celebrities, writers, athletes, politicians, and others who are challenging and changing narratives about Irish identity. Each profile spotlights key moments in the lives of prominent Black Irish individuals making a difference in their fields.

The roots of Black folks in Ireland run deep, tracing back to the significant visit of American abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Throughout the 20th century, Ireland became a beacon, attracting migration from across the Pan-African diaspora. Today, the vibrant and resilient Black Irish community continues to flourish, growing in power and influence.

Approaching this book from my perspective as an Asian immigrant to the United States, I found resonance in the stories of first- and second-generation Black Irish folks. Their experiences echoed those of other newcomers to the U.S., fostering a sense of shared understanding and unity. I was particularly moved by the all-Black collaboration highlighted in the book, which includes illustrated portraits by Jessica Louis.

The authors shared the project\u2019s solidarity with the global Black Lives Matter movement that was spurred by the tragic murder of George Floyd. This revelation was a touching testimony to the enduring potency of antiracist education and action.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "24-May-2024", "date_added": "18-Mar-2024 19:06:30", "publisher": "Little Island", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013949007", "title": "What Have You Done?: A Novel", "author": "Shari Lapena", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 179, "review": "Fairhill, Vermont is a quiet town where everyone knows everyone else and nothing ever happens. Nothing that is, until high schooler Diana Brewer is found dead in a farmer\u2019s field. As the investigation into her murder begins, the people of Fairhill discover that there are more secrets here than they ever knew and one of them is a killer. They begin to ask each other What Have You Done? This killer needs to be found before the whole town turns on each other. ||Here is a classic tale of murder in a small town. There\u2019s nothing new here, but that doesn\u2019t make it uninteresting. You can\u2019t help but feel for the characters as they struggle with who could\u2019ve done this while knowing at the same time that people are capable of anything and we all have secrets, some worse than others. Lapena does a great job of showing how thin the line is between wanting the truth and wanting to protect those we love, no matter the cost. If you enjoy small-town murder mysteries, you should read this book.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2024", "date_added": "18-Mar-2024 18:05:00", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000013949003", "title": "Till Death Do Us Part", "author": "Laurie Elizabeth Flynn", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 200, "review": "Ten years ago, June\u2019s husband, Josh, died on their honeymoon. At least, that\u2019s what everyone thinks. Now, June is about to be married and swears that she sees Josh. In order to find closure before she ties the knot again, June flies out to the winery she knew Josh\u2019s family owned to discover whether or not he\u2019s actually dead. Was it true when they said Till Death Do Us Part, or was everything she\u2019s ever known a lie?

The plot was a good idea, but for me, the entire story fell apart pretty fast. There were way too many bombs dropped, meaning that the point of the story got lost. It became less about June\u2019s story and more about Bev\u2019s and doing what makes you happy. There were a lot of possibilities of mysteries being solved that were just ignored to tell the story of a woman leaving everything to be true to herself, which is not what you would think the book is about if you read the back cover.

I didn\u2019t enjoy this book, but if you are into the \u201cme first\u201d movement, at the expense of everyone around you, then this is a good story for you.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2024", "date_added": "18-Mar-2024 17:34:58", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000013947031", "title": "Frank and Bert: The One Where Bert Learns to Ride a Bike", "author": "Chris Naylor-Ballesteros", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 198, "review": "Frank, a fox, and Bert, a bear, are best friends who like to ride bikes together, but Bert wobbles terribly. Frank wants to help Bert, so Frank promises to hold on to Bert\u2019s bike and stay right behind him. Off they go\u2026 until Frank lets go and Bert crashes. Bert refuses to ride his bike again because Frank didn\u2019t keep his word. To apologize, Frank puts a seat on the back of his bike for Bert.

Off they go again\u2026 until Frank must carry the much heavier Bert up a steep hill. When Frank collapses at the top, Bert refuses to leave him. Bert puts Frank in the passenger seat and sets off down the hill. Frank is sure Bert will crash, but Bert rides safely, all because his best friend was right behind him.

Chris Naylor-Ballesteros has written a charming tale about friendship and never giving up. The illustrations compliment the text well, by filling in unwritten details of Bert\u2019s zany rides and provide one final visual joke that creates the perfect, ironic ending. Fortunately, this is the fourth Frank and Bert book for those little readers may want to know more about these two best friends.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-May-2024", "date_added": "19-Mar-2024 17:41:47", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013947027", "title": "Duck and Moose: Duck Moves In!", "author": "Kirk Reedstrom", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 161, "review": "In the first book in the Duck and Moose series, Duck Moves In!, we meet Moose, a simple guy who enjoys peace and quiet while being outdoors. Along comes Duck, who decides that the space between Moose's antlers is the perfect spot for him to make his home! Moose is not a fan of this idea and tries every idea he can think of to get Duck to go away. It doesn't seem possible, but Duck and Moose discover they have things in common and are ready to be friends!

Duck Moves In! is a laugh-out-loud story perfect for readers who enjoy similar stories of two characters initially seeming opposite but finding a way to make it work and become the best of friends. The story is understandable for readers in elementary school, the words and storyline. I look forward to reading the next books in the series, especially if they will have as many \"haha\" moments and make me laugh!", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "11-May-2024", "date_added": "19-Mar-2024 17:38:34", "publisher": "Disney Publishing Group", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013947015", "title": "Rediscovering Turtle Island: A First Peoples' Account of the Sacred Geography of America", "author": "Taylor Keen", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 216, "review": "The history, mythology, and cosmology of the hundreds of tribes that make up Turtle Island are vast, intricate, and complex. The colonization of the lands now known as America carries the trauma and hurt of broken treaties, land grabs, and genocide. Amid the legacy of disruption, the stories, beliefs, and cultures of Indigenous peoples continue to thrive.

Indigenous scholar Taylor Keen, a member of the Cherokee Nation, explores creation myths, oral traditions, artifacts, and landscapes of various North American tribes in Rediscovering Turtle Island. Keen synthesizes his research about sacred places, ancient rituals, and ceremonies, accompanied by maps, illustrations, and photos. Crediting Vine Deloria, he shares the importance of taking a perceptive look at the sociocultural impacts of colonization to reclaim the tenacity of the Indigenous spirit, which uplifts respectful and mutually beneficial human relations with land, water, animal, and plant kin.

This is an excellent read for anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of age-old wisdom about interconnectedness from an Indigenous worldview. As a decolonizing Filipina American, I appreciated Keen\u2019s insights about the damaging generational effects of expressionist doctrine, Western expansion, and Federal Indian policies. Knowing about colonial history is important in appreciating the resilience of Indigenous peoples. The text is undoubtedly pro-Indigenous and written in a way that is relevant and accessible to non-Natives.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2024", "date_added": "18-Mar-2024 21:35:56", "publisher": "Inner Traditions/Bear & Company", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013947011", "title": "Abuelo's Flower Shop", "author": "Jackie Morera, Deise Lino", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 129, "review": "This book told the story of a very special job one man is teaching his granddaughter about. This man sells flowers, but what his granddaughter finds out is that the flowers are special but don't make everyone smile. As these flowers are in remembrance of their loved ones, each purchase is special.

This is truly the sweetest book. This book showcases how important it is to tread lightly and show kindness to others because you never know what they are going through. I really liked this story; it was very heart warming.

I liked the beautiful illustrations that show the most devastating parts of people's lives. This was a cool book and I have never seen one like this. The Spanish in the book was fun to read too.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2024", "date_added": "18-Mar-2024 21:25:39", "publisher": "1517 Media", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000013946027", "title": "All About Flags!", "author": "Robin Jacobs, Ben Javens", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 204, "review": "The designs and colors of flags tell stories about the countries each represents. Think of the American Flag with its red and white stripes representing the original thirteen colonies and the stars sparkling for the fifty states. In this very colorfully flag illustrated book, the young reader will learn how the colors, designs, patterns found in flags are derived from the tradition, religion, or history of a people.

Some common symbols seen are the circles symbolizing energy, a cross representing Christianity, triangles signifying progress, even stars which can represent states, or the Southern Cross, or the Communist Party\u2026 depending on the country. Colors also have meaning, white for peace; red may mean blood; blue, black, yellow and green have their own symbolism.

The countries and flags within seven geographical regions which include, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, North America, South America, and Oceania; are outlined and their flags displayed. The background designs are explained, giving the reader an insight into the country\u2019s past history. Check out which flag has a dragon in its center, and which country features a golden lion holding a sword as its flag motif.

Full of fascinating flag facts to help the young browser brush up on geography and history.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "24-May-2024", "date_added": "19-Mar-2024 17:43:18", "publisher": "Cicada Books", "page_count": "104 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000013946003", "title": "The Dollmakers: A Spellbinding Adventure with Gothic Charm, Perfect for Fall 2024, Join a Young Artisan's Quest to Defy Fate and Battle Monstrous Forces (Fallen Peaks)", "author": "Lynn Buchanan", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 218, "review": "In the country of One, dollmakers are necessary members of society as their creations protect citizens from the Shod. Shean has studied under Master Nock since she was a child to become a guard dollmaker. When a licensor decides her work is better suited as an artisan, she doesn\u2019t take the news well and is sent to a village called Web to learn a valuable lesson. Shean devises a plan of her own to take advantage of the trip by driving out the local dollmaker and proving to the residents that she has what it takes.

This unique world revolves around the use of dolls (animated creations) for art or to guard against the Shod. Shean\u2019s journey is derived from her stubbornness and dreams of what she wants to do with her life, which drives her to make drastic decisions. At the beginning of the story, Shean doesn\u2019t have much of an understanding of the consequences of her actions. She interacts with characters such as Ikiisa, Dola, and Roque, who help her face different aspects of herself throughout this journey of growth. Other characters include dolls with unique personalities who add unexpected hearts to the world. The Dollmakers brings to life a fascinating, cozy fantasy with intricate details that immerse you into this world that Buchanan has created.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2024", "date_added": "18-Mar-2024 17:19:12", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014152003", "title": "Graveyard Shift: A Novella", "author": "M. L. Rio", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Ella Carter", "word_count": 357, "review": "M.L. Rio wrote one of my all-time favorite novels, If We Were Villains, so I had high expectations for Graveyard Shift. However, I felt oddly disappointed with the ending of her newest novella.

Five people cross paths every night in the college's historic cemetery. From a late-night bartender to an insomniac ride-share driver to the school paper\u2019s editor-in-chief, each person has a reason to be awake at odd hours of the night. But one night they find an open grave even though the cemetery hasn't been active in over a hundred years. When the gravedigger appears just as they begin to leave, they investigate the oddities of his behavior, discovering the truth of what's going on behind closed doors at the college.

I love Rio's writing style and this novella had a fun premise, great writing, and wonderful character-building. The setting of a historic cemetery in the middle of a college set the scene well for a thrilling read. With things such as dead rats and growing fungi, Rio sets the mood for the book just by looking at the cover. The way Rio writes character relationships helps readers truly feel attached to the characters without even knowing much about them. You feel like you're included in their relationship dynamic.

While certain aspects of this novella matched my high expectations, I felt like there was so much missed potential. I didn't feel the \"horror\" vibes necessarily but more of an eerie, dark thriller, which isn\u2019t a bad thing but if Rio wrote this as a full-length novel, I would\u2019ve enjoyed it how it\u2019s supposed to be enjoyed. There weren't many plot twists or climaxes other than things that made sense to the plot that needed to be done in order to keep it going. It felt like it needed to be lengthened.

I still think that Rio is a strong writer with great storytelling and character-building capabilities but, oddly enough, this novella fell short for me. Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio is a thrilling novella perfect for reading on fall nights when life feels more spooky than normal and perfect for those looking for something short and eerie.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2024", "date_added": "29-Apr-2024 20:48:48", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014150003", "title": "The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History", "author": "Karen Valby", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 197, "review": "In the late 1960s, Arthur Mitchell established the Dance Theater of Harlem, a company dedicated to showcasing Black talent in a traditionally very white art form: ballet. He and his dancers made history and inspired young Black dancers across the country to show that they, too, belonged on the stage.

Then they were all but forgotten, except by themselves. Valby has been fortunate enough to speak with some of the original members of the company, and they have helped her craft a compelling, fascinating book which even people largely unfamiliar with ballet will not be able to put down. Those who are familiar with ballet will no doubt be even more intrigued, whether they have heard about the company or not. Even those who know about the Dance Theater of Harlem will have a chance to read some of the dancers own words and reminiscences about the trials and joys of performing onstage at the height of the Civil Rights Movement.

The Swans of Harlem is not a complete history of Black ballet in America. It does, however, shine a necessary light on a forgotten history and reveals the shoulders of the giants Misty Copeland stands on.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2024", "date_added": "27-Apr-2024 00:02:28", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014147007", "title": "The House of Hidden Meanings: A Memoir", "author": "RuPaul", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 166, "review": "Ru Paul has written three previous books; one an autobiography. This book is a career memoir with plenty of salacious side trips along the way. The author is quite candid about his freewheeling lifestyle, so intense that it is a wonder he survived and thrived. He subsequently found sobriety and channeled his supercharged work ethic into his many programs, movies (50) and drag appearances.

This book details his road to drag and the discovery of the female persona which gave him his wealth and fame. He is truly courageous and espouses a very positive outlook on life, which does not seem like artifice. The book emphasizes his outsider status, which was highlighted by his irreverence for a status quo lifestyle. His courage in working so hard to achieve fame and his imperviousness to the distractions of hate which had been directed at him are admirable.

This is a light and easy reading book that takes one back to a disco era and the excesses it created.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2024", "date_added": "26-Apr-2024 23:51:40", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014147003", "title": "Palo Alto: A History of California, Capitalism, and the World", "author": "Malcolm Harris", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 198, "review": "Innovation helped build the city of Palo Alto. The city lies at the heart of \u201cSilicon Valley\u201d and is the wealthiest area in the United States. Despite the vast concentration of wealth, an undercurrent of melancholy has struck the youth of Palo Alto, resulting in an inordinate amount of suicides. The violent sins of the storied city\u2019s past may have begun exacting a toll in the present.

In the 19th century, manifest destiny and the discovery of gold led to a population explosion, but at the expense of the indigenous population, who would be nearly decimated. The city\u2019s renown would grow with the building of the Transcontinental Railroad and the largesse of Leland Stanford. The University bearing his name would emerge as a force in science and produce inventive minds for years to come. These minds produced ideas and devices capable of unlimited potential, both good and bad. The future is still being written.

The unparalleled growth of a city is exhaustively studied and conveyed by author Malcolm Harris. Harris produces a nearly flawless study of a city shaped by money, technology, and often intolerant ideals. Palo Alto is a meritorious tome crossing multiple genres (history, economics, biography).", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "03-Jun-2024", "date_added": "26-Apr-2024 23:41:55", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "736 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014146011", "title": "Candy Darling", "author": "Cynthia Carr", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 200, "review": "He was born James Slattery but he never felt comfortable in that identity. When he couldn\u2019t live a lie any longer, he embraced the woman inside him and emerged as Candy Darling. Candy was born and raised on Long Island, but the suburbs were an intolerant and unforgiving environment. Candy left school at sixteen years old and sought a path of her own. She began traveling to New York City where she met other transgender individuals.

Soon Candy would make the acquaintance of artist Andy Warhol, who would befriend Candy and add her to his eclectic cast of actors, musicians, and models. Candy could turn heads with her radiance, but true love proved elusive. She would be cast in various off-Broadway productions where her talent was noted, but she couldn\u2019t quite break through the mainstream. Her life would be tragically cut short at age twenty-nine, but she left an indelible legacy.

Candy Darling is a well-written and thorough biography of the late model/actress. Author Cynthia Carr masterfully recounts the brief life of Candy through interviews with friends, and rivals, along with Candy\u2019s own written thoughts. Fifty years after her death, Candy gets her time to shine in this memorable biography.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "05-Jun-2024", "date_added": "27-Apr-2024 00:23:54", "publisher": "Farrar Straus & Giroux", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014141015", "title": "The Things We Miss", "author": "Leah Stecher", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 190, "review": "J.P. has a lot of hard things going on in her life. Her dad died suddenly a few years ago, her grandfather, Pop Pop, had cancer and went through chemo a couple years ago, and now it\u2019s back. J.P.\u2019s mother is beautiful and successful, while J.P. is, well, fat. It\u2019s hard enough to be in seventh grade without all that, but J.P also has bullies to deal with. If it weren't for her BFF, Kevin, it would be impossible.

What if J.P. could escape for a little while? When she finds a magic portal that allows her to \u201cskip\u201d three days at a time, she thinks it solves her problems, but what is she really missing?

This is a great concept for a MG book. Kids will relate to J.P. and Kevin. Author Leah Stecher clearly is in touch with her inner child. Her writing is terrific as she tells this story through J.P.\u2019s point of view. The dialogue is perfect for the age, the situations are believable (with a nod to the magic), and the story is very compelling. This will keep young readers (and older ones!) engaged throughout.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "20-Jul-2024", "date_added": "27-Apr-2024 00:25:35", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014140003", "title": "Tales from Cabin 23: The Boo Hag Flex (Tales From Cabin 23, 1)", "author": "Justina Ireland", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 131, "review": "It is said that when a mysterious fog appears, a cabin appears that summons kids to it. However, most believe it is just a tale as no one can find it, but that's because the cabin finds them.

When Tasha must be sent off to live with her dad, it is the last thing she wants to do, but she finds a new friend Ellie.

However, it seems Ellie may be a little too curious about the tale of the Boo Hag that lives in the Marsh. She thinks it must be made up, but she finds out it is real.

So my favorite part of this creepy book is when she finds skins hanging in her dad's girlfriend's closet! This book was so good and really hard to put down!!", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2024", "date_added": "26-Apr-2024 00:40:16", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014139007", "title": "The Brides of High Hill", "author": "Nghi Vo", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 809, "review": "ICYMI: SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY RELEASES FROM MAY\n\nIn case you missed it, May brought a wave of captivating new releases in the realms of science fiction and fantasy. Sara Wolf\u2019s Heavenbreaker sets the stage with a tale of vengeance and redemption in space, where a protagonist fueled by icy rage navigates a world of colossal machines and mysterious forces. Sarah A. Parker\u2019s When the Moon Hatched immerses readers in a world of magic and dragons, where alliances forged in high-security prisons unravel secrets that redefine love and loyalty. Brandon Sanderson expands his Cosmere universe with The Sunlit Man, plunging readers into a struggle for survival on the hostile planet Canticle, blending intricate world-building with existential challenges. Nghi Vo\u2019s The Brides of High Hill offers a haunting journey through forgotten empires and dark mysteries, while Hana Lee\u2019s debut Road to Ruin delivers an electrifying fusion of magic, motorcycles, and peril in a climate-ravaged wasteland. These five books showcase the diversity and depth of speculative fiction, promising unforgettable adventures for every reader.\n\nHeavenbreaker by Sara Wolf\n\nIn Sara Wolf\u2019s Heavenbreaker, bravery is redefined as enduring immense challenges rather than merely facing them. The story begins with a gripping act of vengeance as the protagonist, the bastard daughter of a duke, kills the head of House Hauteclare, the man responsible for her and her mother\u2019s suffering. Fueled by blistering rage, she seeks retribution against the powerful family, using the colossal machine Heavenbreaker to joust and defeat her enemies. As she wins each deadly encounter, her thirst for vengeance grows, even as she grapples with feelings for someone she cares about. However, the real horror lies within the machine itself\u2014an unstoppable, mysterious force that changes everything. Wolf\u2019s novel is a thrilling ride through space, revenge, and the complexities of human emotion.\n\nWhen the Moon Hatched by Sarah A Parker\n\nIn When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker, readers are transported into a mesmerizing world of magic, dragons, and enduring love. Raeve, an assassin for the rebellion, faces her greatest challenge when a rival bounty hunter captures her, landing her in the clutches of the powerful Guild of Nobles. Meanwhile, dragon rider Kaan Vaegor, haunted by the loss of his true love, is driven by a relentless quest for solace. His journey leads him to Raeve in a high-security prison, sparking an alliance that uncovers profound truths about their world and themselves. This novel masterfully weaves together elements of fire and ice, offering a thrilling tale of love and discovery.\n\nThe Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson\n\nThe Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson ventures into an expansive new corner of his beloved Cosmere universe, renowned for its blend of fantasy and science fiction. Nomad, hunted relentlessly by the Night Brigade across worlds, finds himself trapped on Canticle, a hostile planet where the sun\u2019s intense heat threatens anyone who stops moving. Stranded amidst a struggle between oppressive rulers and courageous rebels, Nomad faces a stark choice: escape or face death by fire or enslavement. As he confronts his past, Nomad must not only fight for his life but also grapple with profound existential challenges that could determine his fate and the fate of Canticle itself. This standalone novel involves a gripping journey through Sanderson\u2019s trademark world-building and narrative depth, enhanced by stunning illustrations by Ernanda Souza, Nabeste Zitro, and kudriaken.\n\nThe Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo\n\nNghi Vo presents The Brides of High Hill, a haunting and atmospheric novella that forms part of the acclaimed Singing Hills Cycle. Cleric Chih escorts a young bride to her wedding at a decaying estate, nestled at the crossroads of forgotten empires. Amidst lavish welcomes and eerie warnings from the lord\u2019s troubled son, they uncover chilling secrets within the estate\u2019s shadowed halls. As they unravel the fates of past brides and the dark history of Doi Cao, Chih and the bride realize that true horror may lurk in plain sight. Vo\u2019s narrative seamlessly blends mystery and supernatural elements, offering a standalone tale that enriches the larger tapestry of the Singing Hills Cycle.\n\nRoad to Ruin by Hana Lee\n\nRoad to Ruin by Hana Lee is a thrilling debut fantasy novel that plunges readers into a desolate wasteland where magic, motorcycles, and peril collide. Jin-Lu, a courageous magebike courier, navigates treacherous landscapes daily to deliver precious cargo amidst deadly storms, marauders, and fearsome beasts. When tasked with delivering love letters to Princess Yi-Nereen, who is determined to escape an oppressive fate, Jin-Lu becomes entangled in a daring escape across the wasteland. Pursued by relentless adversaries, including Yi-Nereen\u2019s vengeful father and a formidable bounty hunter, Jin-Lu\u2019s loyalty to her charges and her own desires leads her into a storm of dark revelations about the nature of magic itself. The story entails an electrifying adventure filled with love, danger, and secrets that threaten to reshape everything Jin-Lu holds dear.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2024 00:21:58", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000014138007", "title": "Someone Saw Something: A Novel", "author": "Rick Mofina", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 184, "review": "A six-year-old boy has gone missing after being picked up by his older sister. They had gone to the park to fly the new airplane he made and when she looked down at her phone to text her boyfriend, her brother was gone.

Someone Saw Something tells the story of Corina Corado and her family. Corina is a journalist who is hated by many in the general public. And now her adopted son, Gabriel, is missing. Who could have taken him? The answer is just about anybody.

Although the book starts out very interesting and suspenseful, it starts to drag on in the middle of the story because so many people hate Corina. Then, there's Corina's husband, Robert. After Corina sees him talking on a blue cell phone she has never seen before, she wonders what he has to hide. As false tips come in, the family feels like they'll never see Gabriel again. The one thing I found very hard to follow was the number of characters. Knowing which characters were important to the central plot wasn't easy. This is one book to skip.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2024", "date_added": "26-Apr-2024 19:13:23", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014135003", "title": "Uh-OH! My Dragon's Hungry", "author": "Katie Weaver, Caner Soylu", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 179, "review": "A dragon\u2019s lunch is an essential task that should never be taken lightly. One brave girl, not wanting to repeat the scorchers of the past, takes it upon herself to create a meal fit for her dragon. But feeding a finicky firebreather is no easy task.

Uh-Oh! My Dragon\u2019s Hungry is the latest creation of Katie Weaver and Cancer Soylu. Weaver explores potential menu items for a dragon\u2019s lunch in an entertaining and easily understood rhyming pattern. Young listeners and early readers will have no issue following along with the delightful story. With the potential of repeat readings, it is humorous enough to keep adult readers interested. Though the final menu might not be a picky eater\u2019s favorite, health-conscious parents would approve of the dragon\u2019s choice of plates.

Soylu\u2019s bright, fun, and eye-catching illustrations complement the delightful story. With large, clear text and full-page pictures, this book is ideal for a quiet pre-lunch read-along or a full-audience storytime. It could even stand up to multiple readings. But beware: After reading, it might not be just the dragon who is hungry.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2024", "date_added": "24-Apr-2024 18:02:32", "publisher": "A Little Offbeat Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014133015", "title": "Jackpot Summer", "author": "Elyssa Friedland", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 194, "review": "The Jacobson family has reunited to pack up their family beach house on Long Beach Island following the death of their mother. However, each of the adult children, Noah, Laura, Sophie, and Matthew, find it hard to say goodbye to their summer home as their father Leo has sold it to fund his Florida retirement. The process brings back fond memories and emphasizes how much their mother is missed. On a whim, Noah buys lottery tickets for himself and his sisters. They are astonished when they win, and the family dynamic is rocked by this financial windfall.

Jackpot Summer brings truth to the adage \u201cmoney doesn\u2019t buy happiness.\u201d In fact, for the Jacobson family, it brings loneliness, sibling rivalry, and poor decision-making! I enjoyed the multi-POV format of the book. Each character was hard to root for at times, yet the events validated the psychological impact of one\u2019s financial situation changing overnight. The focus on grief and how each Jacobson handled the loss of matriarch Sylvia was touching. I loved how Leo became more vulnerable toward his children as the story unfolded. Although parts of the book were over the top, I enjoyed this novel.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "05-Jun-2024", "date_added": "24-Apr-2024 22:44:10", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014133007", "title": "Heavenbreaker", "author": "Sara Wolf", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 809, "review": "ICYMI: SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY RELEASES FROM MAY\n\nIn case you missed it, May brought a wave of captivating new releases in the realms of science fiction and fantasy. Sara Wolf\u2019s Heavenbreaker sets the stage with a tale of vengeance and redemption in space, where a protagonist fueled by icy rage navigates a world of colossal machines and mysterious forces. Sarah A. Parker\u2019s When the Moon Hatched immerses readers in a world of magic and dragons, where alliances forged in high-security prisons unravel secrets that redefine love and loyalty. Brandon Sanderson expands his Cosmere universe with The Sunlit Man, plunging readers into a struggle for survival on the hostile planet Canticle, blending intricate world-building with existential challenges. Nghi Vo\u2019s The Brides of High Hill offers a haunting journey through forgotten empires and dark mysteries, while Hana Lee\u2019s debut Road to Ruin delivers an electrifying fusion of magic, motorcycles, and peril in a climate-ravaged wasteland. These five books showcase the diversity and depth of speculative fiction, promising unforgettable adventures for every reader.\n\nHeavenbreaker by Sara Wolf\n\nIn Sara Wolf\u2019s Heavenbreaker, bravery is redefined as enduring immense challenges rather than merely facing them. The story begins with a gripping act of vengeance as the protagonist, the bastard daughter of a duke, kills the head of House Hauteclare, the man responsible for her and her mother\u2019s suffering. Fueled by blistering rage, she seeks retribution against the powerful family, using the colossal machine Heavenbreaker to joust and defeat her enemies. As she wins each deadly encounter, her thirst for vengeance grows, even as she grapples with feelings for someone she cares about. However, the real horror lies within the machine itself\u2014an unstoppable, mysterious force that changes everything. Wolf\u2019s novel is a thrilling ride through space, revenge, and the complexities of human emotion.\n\nWhen the Moon Hatched by Sarah A Parker\n\nIn When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker, readers are transported into a mesmerizing world of magic, dragons, and enduring love. Raeve, an assassin for the rebellion, faces her greatest challenge when a rival bounty hunter captures her, landing her in the clutches of the powerful Guild of Nobles. Meanwhile, dragon rider Kaan Vaegor, haunted by the loss of his true love, is driven by a relentless quest for solace. His journey leads him to Raeve in a high-security prison, sparking an alliance that uncovers profound truths about their world and themselves. This novel masterfully weaves together elements of fire and ice, offering a thrilling tale of love and discovery.\n\nThe Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson\n\nThe Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson ventures into an expansive new corner of his beloved Cosmere universe, renowned for its blend of fantasy and science fiction. Nomad, hunted relentlessly by the Night Brigade across worlds, finds himself trapped on Canticle, a hostile planet where the sun\u2019s intense heat threatens anyone who stops moving. Stranded amidst a struggle between oppressive rulers and courageous rebels, Nomad faces a stark choice: escape or face death by fire or enslavement. As he confronts his past, Nomad must not only fight for his life but also grapple with profound existential challenges that could determine his fate and the fate of Canticle itself. This standalone novel involves a gripping journey through Sanderson\u2019s trademark world-building and narrative depth, enhanced by stunning illustrations by Ernanda Souza, Nabeste Zitro, and kudriaken.\n\nThe Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo\n\nNghi Vo presents The Brides of High Hill, a haunting and atmospheric novella that forms part of the acclaimed Singing Hills Cycle. Cleric Chih escorts a young bride to her wedding at a decaying estate, nestled at the crossroads of forgotten empires. Amidst lavish welcomes and eerie warnings from the lord\u2019s troubled son, they uncover chilling secrets within the estate\u2019s shadowed halls. As they unravel the fates of past brides and the dark history of Doi Cao, Chih and the bride realize that true horror may lurk in plain sight. Vo\u2019s narrative seamlessly blends mystery and supernatural elements, offering a standalone tale that enriches the larger tapestry of the Singing Hills Cycle.\n\nRoad to Ruin by Hana Lee\n\nRoad to Ruin by Hana Lee is a thrilling debut fantasy novel that plunges readers into a desolate wasteland where magic, motorcycles, and peril collide. Jin-Lu, a courageous magebike courier, navigates treacherous landscapes daily to deliver precious cargo amidst deadly storms, marauders, and fearsome beasts. When tasked with delivering love letters to Princess Yi-Nereen, who is determined to escape an oppressive fate, Jin-Lu becomes entangled in a daring escape across the wasteland. Pursued by relentless adversaries, including Yi-Nereen\u2019s vengeful father and a formidable bounty hunter, Jin-Lu\u2019s loyalty to her charges and her own desires leads her into a storm of dark revelations about the nature of magic itself. The story entails an electrifying adventure filled with love, danger, and secrets that threaten to reshape everything Jin-Lu holds dear.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Apr-2024 19:50:36", "publisher": "Entangled Publishing LC", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000014132007", "title": "Magical Museum: Ancient Egypt", "author": "Stepanka Sekaninova, Jakub Cenkl", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 176, "review": "Magical Museum: Ancient Egypt follows a mummified cat chasing a magical scarab through a museum to provide a remarkably deep look into Ancient Egypt. Topics covered include mummification, the social pyramid, sarcophagi, King Tut\u2019s tomb, pyramids and temples, Egyptian gods and religion, life in Egypt, furniture, art, hieroglyphics and scribes, fun and games, and boats. Indeed, the text is quite dense with facts, such as details about three types of hieroglyphics (pictograms, phonograms, and determinatives) and the five time periods of sarcophagi.
Magical Museum could prove an excellent source for a research paper for an older child or for an adult to read to a younger child with a real passion for Ancient Egypt. That said, this book may not be for every child as the text includes eight pages on the topic of mummification, including a detailed look into the steps used by the Egyptians to mummify a body and preserve the various organs in canopic jars. The illustrations are well drawn and visually interesting. For the right child, this book could prove very interesting.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2024", "date_added": "24-Apr-2024 17:54:38", "publisher": "Albatross Media", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014132003", "title": "I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons", "author": "Peter S Beagle", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 182, "review": "Gaius Aurelius Constantine Heliogabalus Thrax, better known as Robert, is the town\u2019s exterminator. Robert is no ordinary pest control specialist. He deals with dragons. No matter the size, shape, or species, you need to call Rober if you have dragons. And that is what his royal highness did when his castle was plagued with the beasts. To prove himself worthy of Princess Cerise, Crown Prince Reginald needs Robert\u2019s help to confront one such beast, but what happens next is a story fit for a King.

I\u2019m Afraid You\u2019ve Got Dragons is the latest adult fairytale by award-winning fantasy author Peter S. Beagle. Beagle is the fantasy writer that all other fantasy writers look up to, and his newest creation is yet another example of why. Beagle\u2019s novel is a plot-driven masterpiece with complex characters. This surreal, imaginative, and inventive cozy fable is full of wholesome adult humor and dragons. For readers who grew up with fantastical classics, Beagle\u2019s creation is impossible to put down. Fans of modern-day fairytales with a twist, need not look no further than I\u2019m Afraid You\u2019ve Got Dragons.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2024", "date_added": "23-Apr-2024 18:56:00", "publisher": "S&S/Saga Press", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014131015", "title": "The King Street Affair", "author": "Jon Sealy", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 200, "review": "Wyatt Brewer, a middle-aged Charleston reporter, is exploring a story about a dead Estonian washed ashore on Foly Beach when he decides to attend the funeral of Harry Cope, the father of a one-time girlfriend and a decidedly shady character. Ten days later, he is being interviewed by two agents of the Homeland Security\u2019s so-called Infrastructure Surveillance Division.

Twenty years earlier, Harry had asked Wyatt to collect some blueprints from Madrid. The trip ended with a dead Spanish lawyer and Wyatt left holding half a million dollars that no one claimed. Harry had long been suspected of bribery and corruption involving millions of dollars in government-funded infrastructure.

The agents persuade Wyatt to help them unmask Harry\u2019s inside man by infiltrating an ongoing fraud: an unneeded airport in Estonia. Meanwhile, Wyatt reconnects with Harry\u2019s family, and determines to keep Harry\u2019s granddaughter, apparently sucked into her grandfather\u2019s business, from harm.

The story\u2019s premise has potential, but the intrigue, international espionage, and fraud that should drive the novel remain shadowed in the background. Similarly, the ending leaves some questions unanswered. The King Street Affair will appeal most to readers who enjoy some latitude to set the scene and round off the story themselves.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "01-Aug-2024", "date_added": "25-Apr-2024 00:05:11", "publisher": "Haywire Books", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014131011", "title": "Next Stop: (A Graphic Novel)", "author": "Debbie Fong", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 197, "review": "Pia and her father are supposed to embark on a road trip to see Cessarine Lake, a lake touted to make people\u2019s wishes come true. However, amidst some ongoing problems at home, Pia is off on a summer bus tour alone without her father. While on the tour to some oddball sites, Pia meets Sam and a group of kind, but wacky tour mates, who want to see the mystery lake for their own reasons. Will Pia find what she is looking for at the lake?

This was a fun and heartbreaking read all at the same time. I just wanted to keep reading to find out what was going on with Pia and her family. All the characters were very lovable, especially Pia and Auntie Ming. You just want to give Pia a big hug. And I love Auntie Ming\u2019s fanny pack stashed full of snacks. I really enjoyed the illustrations, and I loved that the author included bonus pages about the inspiration behind the story, the character designs, the thumbnails, and the flats. I highly recommend this graphic novel to not just middle-grade readers (the intended audience), but anyone who loves a wonderful and heart-wrenching story.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2024", "date_added": "23-Apr-2024 19:20:27", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014131007", "title": "Kira and the (Maybe) Space Princess: (A Graphic Novel) (Magic Girls)", "author": "Megan Brennan", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 201, "review": "Kira is destined for something great, and seventh grade is supposed to be her best year. She wants people to notice her and pay attention to her. At least, that is what Kira is hoping for. But Tulip, her archnemesis, beats her to the punch and was chosen to be a magical girl. Kira is furious, but she is determined to be special. Everything changes when Catacorn, a half-cat and half-unicorn, comes crashing down on Kira\u2019s life.

I read a lot of middle grade and YA graphic novels even though I am not the intended audience, and I love almost all of them. For some reason, I just could not get into this one. I found the main character to be so unlikeable and bratty, especially in the beginning of the story. I think the story and characters are supposed to be funny, but I was confused by the story.

The story concept reminded me of a Japanese manga, Tonde Boorin, but that one was funny. However, I do like the illustrations, and I like how sparkly and fun the drawings are. I think this story should be geared toward four to seven year olds or people who like sparkly stories.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2024", "date_added": "23-Apr-2024 19:12:54", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000014130027", "title": "The Sequel: A Novel (The Book Series, 2)", "author": "Jean Hanff Korelitz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 184, "review": "After the tragic death of her famous husband, Jacob Finch Bonner, Anna Williams-Bonner sets out to forge a new life. Free from Jake\u2019s overwhelming fame\u2014and the accusations of plagiarism that contributed to his death\u2014she decides she, too, has a story to tell. She has built-in access to the publishing industry, which elevates Anna\u2019s novel to heights that rival Jake\u2019s most popular work. Reaping the fortunes of Jake\u2019s literary estate, making a name for herself on her own terms\u2014life for Anna is working out fine.

Yet someone knows more about Anna\u2019s life than anyone has any right to. Insinuations and hints turn into threats, and the past that Anna was so intent on leaving behind is once again the center of her life. She won\u2019t give up until the last of these irritating voices has been silenced. With an intoxicating blend of wit and suspense, Korelitz skewers the publishing industry and the writers who circle it while grimly challenging the idea that anyone can ever fully own their own story.

Readers with some understanding of publishing-industry minutia\u2014SASEs, slush piles\u2014will find particular pleasure in this novel.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "07-Nov-2024", "date_added": "24-Apr-2024 23:16:40", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014129019", "title": "In the Lonely Hours", "author": "Shannon Morgan", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 197, "review": "Edie Nunn and her daughter, Neve, have just inherited Maundrell Castle on an island in Scotland. Having been raised as an orphan, this comes as quite a shock to Edie. Edie and Neve head to the island to decide what they should do with the property. It doesn\u2019t take long, but In the Lonely Hours, they begin to meet many of the castle\u2019s ghosts.

The Maundrells possessed a rare diamond, called the Maundrell Red, which was supposed to be cursed and disappeared in 1965. Edie and Neve will discover that many lives were lost in search of the Red and it seems that the death toll is still continuing. They will have to solve this mystery if they hope to leave the island alive.

A gothic Scottish castle, ghosts ,and Samhain. All the ingredients for a great story were there but fell a little flat for me. Edie and Neve were difficult characters to like, with their constant bickering. The ghost parts of the story lacked any scary element, causing you to just feel sad for them instead. Overall, I wouldn\u2019t call this a horror story, more of a missing jewel mystery with some ghosts thrown in.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2024", "date_added": "24-Apr-2024 18:16:03", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000014129015", "title": "Of Blood and Lightning", "author": "Micki Janae", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Ania - age 13", "word_count": 211, "review": "In the small, picturesque town of North Dakota, 17-year-old Ophelia Johnson and five other teens are shocked to discover they have inherited the powers of the ancient gods: Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Artemis, Apollo, and Ares. Thrown into a mythical quest from the mysterious Vessel of Destiny, the vastly different teens must embark on a mission to find the missing Fates and restore the Codex as a team, to save the ancient world. Still grieving the recent death of her father, Ophelia begins unraveling the secrets of her family's history as she and her newfound friends: Roman, Cassius, Olivia, Alessia, and Baxter plunge into this high-stakes adventure. Armed with powers they barely understand, the teens find themselves immersed in a mythical chess match upon which the fate of the universe rests.

Author Micki Janae's novel, Of Blood and Thunder is remarkable. This book was very well written, however, it is not meant for children under the age of 10 or adults over the age of 20. Fans of Rick Riordan, Alexandria Bracken, and Tracy Deonn will be drawn to the narrative's fast-paced action, complex family ties, and diverse, relatable protagonists at its heart. This book is a great read and will be sure to fly off shelves as soon as it is released.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2024", "date_added": "24-Apr-2024 18:14:40", "publisher": "Three Rooms Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014129007", "title": "Polar Vortex: A Family Memoir", "author": "Denise Dorrance", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 205, "review": "Cartoonist Denise Torrance in her memoir skillfully and with extreme sensitivity covers a problem that is currently afflicting many American families. How do children care for seniors when the latter are no longer able to care for themselves? Finding her mother alone and ill, she flies from London to the hospital in frigid Iowa, where she suddenly realizes her mother is afflicted with dementia. With a freeze like a polar vortex suddenly striking her, she must assume care and responsibility for her mother.

The problems that arise are cleverly illustrated in subdued colors, which sometimes scream out in red, showing the daughter seeking help from complacent medical personnel who she finds bound by medical rules, insurance policies that offer no coverage, and a parent who is unable to advise her. She is haunted by the specter of death that threatens her mother, as she tries to find suitable care facilities that are appropriate.

The author exposes the anxieties and emotional pain that afflict the family in caring for a needy parent with her satirical cartoons and snappy comments. She also points out the shortcomings of our health system in caring for the elderly. A easily readable book on a topic that families should beware of.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2024", "date_added": "23-Apr-2024 17:52:50", "publisher": "The Experiment", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014128019", "title": "The Fireborne Blade (The Fireborne Blade, 1)", "author": "Charlotte Bond", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 194, "review": "As a knight, your honor is held in high esteem. Maddileh is a knight who made a mistake and lost her honor. Her way of redeeming that honor is about as dramatic and daring as possible. She took on the quest to retrieve the Fireborne Blade, a legendary sword that some question its existence. But getting to the sword will be no easy feat. She must go through the White Lady. This dragon is as legendary as the sword she seeks and whose wrath has destroyed all who have dared.

The Fireborne Blade is a high fantasy novelle by award-winning author Charlotte Bond. Though this tale is short, it is full of action, double-crosses, revenge, and a fierce dragon with her hoarded treasure. Bond does not waste her words. She is able to paint a complete, intriguing, and exciting story with fewer words. In high fantasies, the role of a knight is mainly reserved for male characters. Bond\u2019s spin on this sub-genre is refreshing. Her protagonist fits the strong and independent knight role, giving the conflict versus the female dragon an exciting twist. This is a thrilling adventure for readers looking for something different.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "24-Aug-2024", "date_added": "24-Apr-2024 22:45:36", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014127019", "title": "Yoga for Pelvic Floor and Postpartum Health: An Iyengar Yoga Approach to Pelvic Healing and Integrative Wellness through Anatomy and Practice", "author": "Rebecca Weisman, Meagen Satinsky", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 209, "review": "Yoga for Pelvic Floor and Postpartum Health is the book that every mom should have. I recommend that first-time moms start reading this several months BEFORE giving birth because there is so much great information in the book and once the baby comes it might be difficult to find the time (and energy) to read through it. The book has a very in-depth chapter about the pelvic floor and the anatomy surrounding this area of the body. It has well-drawn diagrams that are easy to understand. The second section of the book includes the yoga sequences by week. Although photographs of real women doing them accompany the sequences and poses, the descriptions of how to do each pose are quite long so I would recommend reading them first and then maybe having a friend or family member reread them while trying to do the poses to make sure you're doing them correctly. The book finishes with special topics such as Diastasis Recti, Urinary Issues, and Cesarean Birth as how to adapt the yoga poses to your body in these circumstances.

Moms of all ages will benefit from Yoga for Pelvic Floor and Postpartum Health for so many reasons including core strengthening, improving circulation, pain relief, and relaxation of tight muscles.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "30-Aug-2024", "date_added": "24-Apr-2024 22:55:22", "publisher": "North Atlantic Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014126023", "title": "Road to Ruin", "author": "Hana Lee", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": "", "reviewer": "", "word_count": 809, "review": "ICYMI: SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY RELEASES FROM MAY\n\nIn case you missed it, May brought a wave of captivating new releases in the realms of science fiction and fantasy. Sara Wolf\u2019s Heavenbreaker sets the stage with a tale of vengeance and redemption in space, where a protagonist fueled by icy rage navigates a world of colossal machines and mysterious forces. Sarah A. Parker\u2019s When the Moon Hatched immerses readers in a world of magic and dragons, where alliances forged in high-security prisons unravel secrets that redefine love and loyalty. Brandon Sanderson expands his Cosmere universe with The Sunlit Man, plunging readers into a struggle for survival on the hostile planet Canticle, blending intricate world-building with existential challenges. Nghi Vo\u2019s The Brides of High Hill offers a haunting journey through forgotten empires and dark mysteries, while Hana Lee\u2019s debut Road to Ruin delivers an electrifying fusion of magic, motorcycles, and peril in a climate-ravaged wasteland. These five books showcase the diversity and depth of speculative fiction, promising unforgettable adventures for every reader.\n\nHeavenbreaker by Sara Wolf\n\nIn Sara Wolf\u2019s Heavenbreaker, bravery is redefined as enduring immense challenges rather than merely facing them. The story begins with a gripping act of vengeance as the protagonist, the bastard daughter of a duke, kills the head of House Hauteclare, the man responsible for her and her mother\u2019s suffering. Fueled by blistering rage, she seeks retribution against the powerful family, using the colossal machine Heavenbreaker to joust and defeat her enemies. As she wins each deadly encounter, her thirst for vengeance grows, even as she grapples with feelings for someone she cares about. However, the real horror lies within the machine itself\u2014an unstoppable, mysterious force that changes everything. Wolf\u2019s novel is a thrilling ride through space, revenge, and the complexities of human emotion.\n\nWhen the Moon Hatched by Sarah A Parker\n\nIn When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker, readers are transported into a mesmerizing world of magic, dragons, and enduring love. Raeve, an assassin for the rebellion, faces her greatest challenge when a rival bounty hunter captures her, landing her in the clutches of the powerful Guild of Nobles. Meanwhile, dragon rider Kaan Vaegor, haunted by the loss of his true love, is driven by a relentless quest for solace. His journey leads him to Raeve in a high-security prison, sparking an alliance that uncovers profound truths about their world and themselves. This novel masterfully weaves together elements of fire and ice, offering a thrilling tale of love and discovery.\n\nThe Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson\n\nThe Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson ventures into an expansive new corner of his beloved Cosmere universe, renowned for its blend of fantasy and science fiction. Nomad, hunted relentlessly by the Night Brigade across worlds, finds himself trapped on Canticle, a hostile planet where the sun\u2019s intense heat threatens anyone who stops moving. Stranded amidst a struggle between oppressive rulers and courageous rebels, Nomad faces a stark choice: escape or face death by fire or enslavement. As he confronts his past, Nomad must not only fight for his life but also grapple with profound existential challenges that could determine his fate and the fate of Canticle itself. This standalone novel involves a gripping journey through Sanderson\u2019s trademark world-building and narrative depth, enhanced by stunning illustrations by Ernanda Souza, Nabeste Zitro, and kudriaken.\n\nThe Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo\n\nNghi Vo presents The Brides of High Hill, a haunting and atmospheric novella that forms part of the acclaimed Singing Hills Cycle. Cleric Chih escorts a young bride to her wedding at a decaying estate, nestled at the crossroads of forgotten empires. Amidst lavish welcomes and eerie warnings from the lord\u2019s troubled son, they uncover chilling secrets within the estate\u2019s shadowed halls. As they unravel the fates of past brides and the dark history of Doi Cao, Chih and the bride realize that true horror may lurk in plain sight. Vo\u2019s narrative seamlessly blends mystery and supernatural elements, offering a standalone tale that enriches the larger tapestry of the Singing Hills Cycle.\n\nRoad to Ruin by Hana Lee\n\nRoad to Ruin by Hana Lee is a thrilling debut fantasy novel that plunges readers into a desolate wasteland where magic, motorcycles, and peril collide. Jin-Lu, a courageous magebike courier, navigates treacherous landscapes daily to deliver precious cargo amidst deadly storms, marauders, and fearsome beasts. When tasked with delivering love letters to Princess Yi-Nereen, who is determined to escape an oppressive fate, Jin-Lu becomes entangled in a daring escape across the wasteland. Pursued by relentless adversaries, including Yi-Nereen\u2019s vengeful father and a formidable bounty hunter, Jin-Lu\u2019s loyalty to her charges and her own desires leads her into a storm of dark revelations about the nature of magic itself. The story entails an electrifying adventure filled with love, danger, and secrets that threaten to reshape everything Jin-Lu holds dear.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Apr-2024 22:47:45", "publisher": "S&S/Saga Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000014125007", "title": "A Big Juicy Earthworm (Katarina's Small Wonders)", "author": "Katarina Macurova", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 122, "review": "This is a cute little book about birds and their favorite meal, worms. I really enjoyed reading this story because it reminds me of birdwatching the little birds in my own yard. When a persistent little bird wants to get what feels like an impossible worm to pull out of the ground, its hard work pays off. Then, the little bird and his friends use what they find to create something cool for everyone.

I like the funny and colorful illustrations of this book. My favorite part is how creative the birds get when reusing items to create a fun place for all their little bird friends to play In the hot summer sun. Fun summer time read for the whole family.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2024", "date_added": "23-Apr-2024 20:44:48", "publisher": "Albatross Media", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014124011", "title": "Ant Story", "author": "Jay Hosler", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 119, "review": "Rubi the ant is a little different. She finds the life of a typical worker ant to be a bit boring. She is curious and tries to learn all about the world. However, sometimes the best way to make things more interesting is to make up your own adventure and stories filled with fun facts.

So this was a really fun fact-filled book. I really liked reading from Rubi's perspective and reading her storytelling. I appreciated the graphics in this book, which highlights an ant\u2019s perspective. This was a cool book. It would be really cool to see this become a series. This is a great book for those who like insects and fun facts and most of storytelling.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2024", "date_added": "23-Apr-2024 17:56:40", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014122019", "title": "From Pyramids to Palaces: Architecture around the World", "author": "Tom Velcovsky, Marie Kraus, Jiri Bartunek", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "When one looks around, one will see a tremendous variety in designs of structures. Young people will wonder why there are so many different looks to what are basically all buildings. This wonderful book takes young readers on a journey through time and distance to take a look at structures from the Great Pyramid of Giza to the Palace of Versailles, from the Hagia Sofia to the White House.

With sections of four to six pages, there is room to show drawings of the structure as well as cut-away drawings or floor plans and close-up drawings of significant parts such as columns or turrets as well as similar structures.

The text, written by Tom Velcovsky, addresses the style and how it was developed, what the influences were, and how history played a role. The writing is conversational and accessible for young readers and shows excellent research. The illustrations by Marie Kraus are spectacular in their detail, yet have the warmth and richness that can only be found in illustration as opposed to photographs.

While the book is marketed to young readers, ages ten to fourteen, it will appeal to older readers as well.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "07-Aug-2024", "date_added": "24-Apr-2024 17:58:47", "publisher": "Albatross Media", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014122011", "title": "Afternoon on the Amazon Graphic Novel (Magic Tree House)", "author": "Mary Pope Osborne, Jenny Laird, Kelly Matthews", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 189, "review": "Afternoon on the Amazon: Graphic Novel is the same exciting story as the original chapter book by Mary Pope Osborne. The story, book six in The Magic Treehouse series, begins with Jack and Annie going to the magical treehouse and finding the mysterious \"M\" on the floor (as it was in the previous book), along with their little friend, Peanut the mouse. They discover that their destination this time will be the Amazon rainforest! The siblings experience an adventure with the animals and insects who live in the rainforest while trying to find the unknown \"M\" object to bring back to the treehouse before anything gets them!

I read the chapter book before this, and while it was exciting and fun, I enjoyed the graphic novel more before you get to see in the pictures what is happening, and there are less words to have to read and more things to look at. The illustrations were easy to follow and added a new way of reading the story. This is the first graphic novel of this series that I've read, and I look forward to reading the more!", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2024", "date_added": "23-Apr-2024 19:21:40", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014122003", "title": "Bone on Bone: An Orthopedic Surgeon's Guide to Avoiding Surgery and Healing Pain Naturally", "author": "Meredith Warner", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 192, "review": "Bone on Bonereveals the shocking facts buried deep in the medical field, facts that aren't commonly known because the powers that be have done their jobs thus far to sway, bring doubt, and instill false truths related to one thing that matters most to us: ourselves. Dr. Meredith Warner, a seasoned orthopedic surgeon with the inside scoop through experience and extensive research through texts and reputable articles, presents preventative steps for a healthier lifestyle and ways to prevent surgeries through natural methods. What we all crave, to be healthy and live in our prime, is more possible than you think, without the tests, surgeries, etc. \n

Dr. Warner's research and presentation are presented in an easy-to-read format; you feel safe digesting the information because of the extensive references, and her seasoned background to back it up. What she preaches and presents is unique, but reminders are helpful for the public because of the amount of information thrown out by random sources. A struggle for many is advocating well enough for themselves or asking the right questions. You are in good hands if you read Bone on Bone, whether you require surgery or not.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2024", "date_added": "23-Apr-2024 17:17:03", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014120011", "title": "The Maidservant in Cabin Number One", "author": "Chrysteen Braun", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 425, "review": "The Maidservant in Cabin Number One takes Chrysteen Braun's story about a series of cabins near Lake Arrowhead, California, and the people who own and inhabit them back to the beginning. This book is the prequel to The Guest Book Trilogy and is set in the early 1900s.

The Maidservant in Cabin Number One is the story of a woman named Ruth Ann Landry. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Ruth Ann and her family move west to Seattle where her father obtains a job at a railway company. An abusive alcoholic, her father is killed in an accident and her mother's job as a servant at a mansion is the only thing that keeps them afloat. When Ruth Anne, or Ruthie, is ten years old, she is hired at the mansion as a maidservant. As the years go by and Ruthie reaches puberty, the master of the house decides to have his way with her, and from there, the story takes readers on the adventure of a lifetime.

I truly enjoyed The Maidservant in Cabin Number One, dare I say maybe even more so than the trilogy itself. I became very attached to Ruthie and loved every minute of the life the Braun created for her. It is truly uplifting to follow the life of a young woman who is in a predicament and then watch her fight to create a better life for herself. The story carries themes of hardship, family, love, perseverance, and strength.

As in Braun's previous novels, the dialogue conveys the demeanor of each character extremely well so that readers feel as if they are in the same room as the characters. From the one-track mind of Mr. Fletcher to the kind gestures of Jack Maynard to the larger-than-life personality of actress Vivian Hayes, each character helps to build Ruthie's story in a way that is so natural. The gorgeous setting at Lake Arrowhead speaks for itself and introduces readers to the set of cabins that Jack built. These cabins stand the test of time and The Guest Trilogy takes the reader past Ruthie's story and into the hands of Sam and then Annie. I love that this book can be read as a standalone novel or as part of the series, although I recommend reading the whole series as it is simply magnificent.

If you are looking for a story that won't let you put it down, this is the book for you. The Maidservant in Cabin Number One is beautifully written from cover to cover and I anxiously await Chrysteen Braun's next book.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2024 02:09:30", "publisher": "Bublish", "page_count": "209 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014111007", "title": "When the Moon Hatched", "author": "Sarah A Parker", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 809, "review": "ICYMI: SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY RELEASES FROM MAY\n\nIn case you missed it, May brought a wave of captivating new releases in the realms of science fiction and fantasy. Sara Wolf\u2019s Heavenbreaker sets the stage with a tale of vengeance and redemption in space, where a protagonist fueled by icy rage navigates a world of colossal machines and mysterious forces. Sarah A. Parker\u2019s When the Moon Hatched immerses readers in a world of magic and dragons, where alliances forged in high-security prisons unravel secrets that redefine love and loyalty. Brandon Sanderson expands his Cosmere universe with The Sunlit Man, plunging readers into a struggle for survival on the hostile planet Canticle, blending intricate world-building with existential challenges. Nghi Vo\u2019s The Brides of High Hill offers a haunting journey through forgotten empires and dark mysteries, while Hana Lee\u2019s debut Road to Ruin delivers an electrifying fusion of magic, motorcycles, and peril in a climate-ravaged wasteland. These five books showcase the diversity and depth of speculative fiction, promising unforgettable adventures for every reader.\n\nHeavenbreaker by Sara Wolf\n\nIn Sara Wolf\u2019s Heavenbreaker, bravery is redefined as enduring immense challenges rather than merely facing them. The story begins with a gripping act of vengeance as the protagonist, the bastard daughter of a duke, kills the head of House Hauteclare, the man responsible for her and her mother\u2019s suffering. Fueled by blistering rage, she seeks retribution against the powerful family, using the colossal machine Heavenbreaker to joust and defeat her enemies. As she wins each deadly encounter, her thirst for vengeance grows, even as she grapples with feelings for someone she cares about. However, the real horror lies within the machine itself\u2014an unstoppable, mysterious force that changes everything. Wolf\u2019s novel is a thrilling ride through space, revenge, and the complexities of human emotion.\n\nWhen the Moon Hatched by Sarah A Parker\n\nIn When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker, readers are transported into a mesmerizing world of magic, dragons, and enduring love. Raeve, an assassin for the rebellion, faces her greatest challenge when a rival bounty hunter captures her, landing her in the clutches of the powerful Guild of Nobles. Meanwhile, dragon rider Kaan Vaegor, haunted by the loss of his true love, is driven by a relentless quest for solace. His journey leads him to Raeve in a high-security prison, sparking an alliance that uncovers profound truths about their world and themselves. This novel masterfully weaves together elements of fire and ice, offering a thrilling tale of love and discovery.\n\nThe Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson\n\nThe Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson ventures into an expansive new corner of his beloved Cosmere universe, renowned for its blend of fantasy and science fiction. Nomad, hunted relentlessly by the Night Brigade across worlds, finds himself trapped on Canticle, a hostile planet where the sun\u2019s intense heat threatens anyone who stops moving. Stranded amidst a struggle between oppressive rulers and courageous rebels, Nomad faces a stark choice: escape or face death by fire or enslavement. As he confronts his past, Nomad must not only fight for his life but also grapple with profound existential challenges that could determine his fate and the fate of Canticle itself. This standalone novel involves a gripping journey through Sanderson\u2019s trademark world-building and narrative depth, enhanced by stunning illustrations by Ernanda Souza, Nabeste Zitro, and kudriaken.\n\nThe Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo\n\nNghi Vo presents The Brides of High Hill, a haunting and atmospheric novella that forms part of the acclaimed Singing Hills Cycle. Cleric Chih escorts a young bride to her wedding at a decaying estate, nestled at the crossroads of forgotten empires. Amidst lavish welcomes and eerie warnings from the lord\u2019s troubled son, they uncover chilling secrets within the estate\u2019s shadowed halls. As they unravel the fates of past brides and the dark history of Doi Cao, Chih and the bride realize that true horror may lurk in plain sight. Vo\u2019s narrative seamlessly blends mystery and supernatural elements, offering a standalone tale that enriches the larger tapestry of the Singing Hills Cycle.\n\nRoad to Ruin by Hana Lee\n\nRoad to Ruin by Hana Lee is a thrilling debut fantasy novel that plunges readers into a desolate wasteland where magic, motorcycles, and peril collide. Jin-Lu, a courageous magebike courier, navigates treacherous landscapes daily to deliver precious cargo amidst deadly storms, marauders, and fearsome beasts. When tasked with delivering love letters to Princess Yi-Nereen, who is determined to escape an oppressive fate, Jin-Lu becomes entangled in a daring escape across the wasteland. Pursued by relentless adversaries, including Yi-Nereen\u2019s vengeful father and a formidable bounty hunter, Jin-Lu\u2019s loyalty to her charges and her own desires leads her into a storm of dark revelations about the nature of magic itself. The story entails an electrifying adventure filled with love, danger, and secrets that threaten to reshape everything Jin-Lu holds dear.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Apr-2024 22:30:14", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "736 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000014110015", "title": "Hearts Still Beating", "author": "Brooke Archer", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 200, "review": "Mara thought she was dead, wishes she was dead. She did the unthinkable after the virus that brought the dead back made her into a monster. Rory is barely keeping it together after she lost so many friends and family to the virus, but especially after sharing a first kiss with Mara. Now Mara is back, surviving on a medication that keeps the monster at bay, and sent to live in the settlement with the girl who could have been everything. However, many survivors are hesitant to risk their fragile peace and safety and welcome the Ticks to their settlements, even if they are Altered. Rory and Mara have more than their budding romance to save as neighboring settlements hide secrets that affect the rest of the human race.

With dark themes reminiscent of Krystal Sutherland and Rory Power, this sapphic zombie love story shows the best and worst of humankind. Told from both Rory\u2019s and Mara\u2019s points of view, the world building is expansive, starting after the virus has decimated millions, then the drama builds and the rivalries explode, both internally and outside their walls. It is unapologetically gory, dramatic, and intense. An excellent addition to the zombie genre.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2024", "date_added": "19-Apr-2024 22:20:33", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014104003", "title": "How War Begins: Dispatches from the Ukrainian Invasion", "author": "Igort, Jamie Richards", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 207, "review": "War is ugly and Italian cartoonist Igor captures the madness that military aggression inflicts on a population by journaling the invasion of Ukraine during the first months of this recent incursion. Through texts with citizens and newsroom photos illustrating the scenes, the random bombings, arbitrary killings, the lack of food and lodgings, plus all the horrors inflicted on helpless residents under siege is exposed. The rapacity of the invading Russians, many of whom are ignorant about their mission, is described.

Typed on composition paper, the stories of the starving, freezing, frightened seniors, adults, and children are starkly outlined, torture is part of the routine, and ultimately, survival becomes the only concern. Interspersed within the war details, a brief history of past Ukrainian conflicts with Russia are described, such as the loss of Crimea, the Donbas region, and earlier difficulties where Russia imposed mass starvation in the 1930s.

While the title refers to the present siege in Ukraine, it should be noted that this country has a history of battles with Russian aggression as she attempts to increase her sphere of influence. This unusual reportorial style of text and photo-graphics provide an intriguing synopsis of this heartbreaking subject, but the reader needs better connections with the historical background.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2025", "date_added": "18-Apr-2024 23:08:26", "publisher": "Fantagraphics Books", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014103003", "title": "The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic ", "author": "Daniel de Vise", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 197, "review": "The pair shared an affinity for blues music and wanted to showcase it on Saturday Night Live. Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi had previously hinted at what was to come when they played the blues classic \u201cI\u2019m a King Bee\u201d in the inaugural season of SNL. Within a few years, the pair formed a conceptual blues band dubbed \u201cThe Blues Brothers.\u201d Belushi was \u201cJoliet\u201d Jake Blues while Aykroyd was Elwood Blues, and the backing band was composed of an eclectic and immensely talented set of musicians.

The path to stage and screen immortality began in Chicago for John Belushi and Ontario, Canada for Aykroyd. The comedy improv scene would bring the two together in the mid-1970s and a lasting friendship was born. Belushi was a force of nature, while Aykroyd was a comedy chameleon. Their ascent was meteoric, their fall was tragic. Their legacy is uncontested.

The Blues Brothers brings a hefty dose of humor, heart, and music in charting the life, death, and resurrection of the iconic band. Author Daniel De Vise (King of the Blues) brilliantly makes the past come alive with his well-rounded biography of Belushi, Aykroyd, and the band that defined their careers.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2024", "date_added": "18-Apr-2024 23:04:46", "publisher": "Grove/Atlantic", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014100003", "title": "The Whole Truth", "author": "Cara Hunter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 227, "review": "The Whole Truth by Cara Hunter is the next book in the DI Adam Fawley detective series. This book starts with recapping the part of the story which I\u2019m assuming happened in a past book. A man named Gavin Parrie was accused of raping several girls including a woman named Alex who later becomes Detective Fawley\u2019s wife. The accused has always maintained his innocence and claims that Fawley planted evidence. A second storyline occurs when a student at a local college accuses one of his teachers of sexually assaulting him. What ensues is a he said/she said type of interrogation. Then, yet another storyline is thrown into the mix when Alex\u2019s friend Emma is murdered and thrown on the train tracks. This, as we learn later, is linked to the first storyline.

All three of these storylines go on at once and I have to say there is a lot of other stuff going on at the same time such as relationships between the officers and such. I had a really hard time getting through this book because it kept jumping from storyline to storyline. The characters were very well described, but there were so many of them it was difficult to keep track. It was rather frustrating, to be honest. If the storylines had just been kept separate, they could have been make into two great books.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2024", "date_added": "18-Apr-2024 22:04:47", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014099003", "title": "A Wedding in Lake Como (Meet Me in Italy)", "author": "Jennifer Probst", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 225, "review": "Another beautifully written novel by Jennifer Probst, A Wedding in Lake Como takes readers through the past and the present of three best friends, Maddie, Ava, and Chelsea. Ava is a wealthy only child who, although she seems always to get her way, is giving and loving in every way. Maddie, the narrator of the story, is shy but, with the help of her two friends, builds the confidence to become a major social media fashion influencer. And Chelsea, the friend with the least drama seems to act like the glue between Ava and Maddie.

In college, the three women spend all their time together planning the future. Maddie meets Riggs whom she falls head over heels for and the other two casually date. Then something unspeakable happens and Maddie stops all communication with everyone. She throws herself into her work. Five years later, Maddie is invited to Ava's wedding in Italy and is torn in her decision to go.

I love how Probst pieces her novels together. The pace is perfect with just the right amount of details but without compromising the intrigue of the plot. The characters are descriptive and complex like a fine bottle of wine. It was easy to get lost in this novel as I was reading it and I recommend it to fans of books about close friendships, love, and forgiveness.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "22-May-2024", "date_added": "18-Apr-2024 22:02:06", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014098007", "title": "The Kitten Next Door (Pet Rescue Adventures)", "author": "Holly Webb, Sophy Williams", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 169, "review": "The Kitten Next Door is the latest book by Holly Webb, the author of many animal stories. I have read several of her stories and have enjoyed them all\u2014this is the same. In this story, Sophia has wanted a cat for a long time but goes to her friend Zara's house to visit her two kitties.

Willow is a stray cat, fed and cared for by Mark and Louise, Sophia's neighbors. When the neighbors move, Willow stays there, hungry and scared. Sophia worries about her and works to convince her parents to let her live with them. Will Sophia be successful? Will Willow have a home to live in?

The Kitten Next Door is easy to read but can be hard to read the topic of a cat being hungry, scared, and alone when you want to pet, love, and keep it for yourself! Kids in third grade and above will have the best chance of reading the story but kids of all ages will love to hear it!", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2024", "date_added": "19-Apr-2024 00:13:50", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014097049", "title": "Death Blossom: A Seth Bodin Novel", "author": "Kenneth Maher", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 79, "review": "\u201cDeath Blossom announces its action-heavy narrative with a literal boom when a US Army Major is assassinated with an IED in Iraq. Captain Seth Bodin is the intrepid investigator assigned to investigate a mystery in the occupied country wracked by insurgency and sectarian violence. The phrase \u201cStay Frosty\u201d is more than apt as the well-paced plot promises bullets and bombs from all sides along with a litany of compelling characters in this well-written work.\" \u2014Philip Zozzaro, Chicago Book Review", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Apr-2024 20:27:13", "publisher": "Palmetto Publishing", "page_count": "381 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014097045", "title": "Death Blossom: A Seth Bodin Novel", "author": "Kenneth Maher", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 121, "review": "\"Kenneth Maher\u2019s Death Blossom plunges readers into the horror and gore of war from the outset when US Army Major Rolfson is killed by an IED while training Iraqi soldiers. Captain Seth Bodin is tasked with investigating the incident, which requires him to traverse a treacherous landscape of deceit and danger, uncovering truths that challenge the very essence of wartime morality. Maher\u2019s stark, evocative, and sometimes brutal prose situates readers in the heart of battle, elucidating the heavy price of war for individuals and nations. With relentless action and gripping suspense, Death Blossom presents a shocking and captivating journey through the fog of war that never shies away from the reality and uncertainty of conflict.\" \u2014Erin Britton, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Apr-2024 20:26:39", "publisher": "Palmetto Publishing", "page_count": "381 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014097037", "title": "The Disgraced Mage", "author": "Torion Oey", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 76, "review": "\"Torion Oey's The Disgraced Mage transports readers into a skillfully built fantasy world that blends sophisticated magic, suspenseful competitions, and juicy high school drama. Readers will be hopeful to see the protagonist win amidst the condescending glares and unfair political schemes. The competitive games involving magic and special weapons are reminiscent of young adult classics such as Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. This book deserves its own movie too!\" \u2014Foluso Falaye, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Apr-2024 20:22:26", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "547 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014097029", "title": "Stolen Corn", "author": "Barry L. Ross PhD", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 446, "review": "Stolen Corn by Barry L. Ross PhD is a collection of Barry's biblical reflections and the insights he gained from special moments in his life. Each chapter begins with a biblical quote and ends with a prayer that correlates with the discussed subjects in the chapter. A chapter about the physically impaired explores what the Bible says about them in Leviticus 19:14, revealing that treating someone as less significant because of their physical impairment does not align with living a holy life. In another chapter, Ross relates the time he admitted he stole corn and his father told him to apologize to the farmer he stole from. Join Barry as he shares personal stories, Bible quotes, and an intricate analysis of the scriptures in his thoughtfully crafted, inspirational devotional book.

The chapters are short but packed with deep, enlightening messages, both from the author's life and stories in the Bible. Barry's voice shines through and reveals his flaws and moments of weakness, allowing readers to easily connect with him and be inspired to also strive for improvement despite their own flaws. For example, he shares the moment he pushed aside his promise to be a missionary to Africa and was ashamed of his stammering. Thankfully, he received a transformative message from a friend and allowed God to use him.

Barry doesn't just speak from his mind but backs every message with the scriptures. These scriptures are studied expertly, with a thoughtful examination of how some words in the Bible have been translated to reach a deeper understanding of the Bible verses. Some chapters even come with multiple scriptures that have similar messages and are listed neatly for easy access.

Also, readers will find the short prayers at the end of the chapters very useful since they're written in a way that they can be recited and personalized easily. I hope to remember to say these words in prayer every morning: \"Help me to sense others' need for a kind word.\" This prayer is seen in a chapter that explains how a kind word lifts an anxious spirit\u2014a message I feel would make the world a better, friendlier place if everyone lived by it.

The book is a must-read for Christians who love short devotionals that pack great value and have a plethora of scriptural references. You will be learning from a Bible scholar's thorough analysis, as well as his compelling personal stories. All in all, Stolen Corn inspires taking time to understand the Bible's language, finding guidance for every step in its lessons, and dwelling in the comfort of connecting with God's will. Learn from it, recite its prayers, and share it with your loved ones.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Apr-2024 20:15:47", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "111 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014097025", "title": "Stolen Corn", "author": "Barry L. Ross PhD", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 385, "review": "At first, the phrase Stolen Corn may not seem applicable to a book meant to inspire meditations on the Bible. Is it a metaphor of some kind? Does it refer to a parable? In a way, the second guess is accurate, for it refers to a story from the author\u2019s childhood, one which serves both as an introduction to the book\u2019s themes and as a way to illustrate one of the lessons of the book: that while theft is wrong, contrition may bring great gifts.

Some of the stories in the book are from Dr. Ross\u2019s life. Most are drawn from the Bible. They are not the expected stories one might find in a devotional book, and the lessons are not the sort that one sometimes hears shouted by those Christians with large, public pulpits. They are, instead, things that are meant to be considered quietly, which will produce small but definite differences in the reader\u2019s life.

This was easily my favorite part of the book: that the lessons and prayers are meant to be internally directed. No part of the book encourages people to try to change others or force others to be closer to the reader\u2019s idea of godliness. Instead, the book encourages the reader to change, to become more mindful and kinder.

As a layperson, I found Dr. Ross\u2019s interpretation of Biblical stories very interesting. He doesn\u2019t merely repeat the story and pick out the obvious lessons people are meant to draw. Instead, he draws on what we know of Israelite culture and on various potential translations of different terms to find subtler meanings than most would be able to find. I had questions about some of the interpretations he drew, which led to my one complaint with the book: its length.

Stolen Corn is a short book \u2013 just over a hundred pages \u2013 and while the brevity suits many of the chapters, I found myself wishing some had more depth. I had questions about some of Dr. Ross\u2019s interpretations, and his writing doesn\u2019t always offer much in the way of deeper explanations.

The book, on the whole, ably accomplishes what it sets out to do. It offers a month's worth of reflections and prayers for Christians hoping to deepen their relationship with God. At times it feels rather shallow, but I would nevertheless recommend it.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Apr-2024 20:15:39", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "111 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014097021", "title": "Stolen Corn", "author": "Barry L. Ross PhD", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 420, "review": "From Rev. Barry Ross, former minister, teacher, and missionary, comes a collection of reflections highlighting generalities and specifics about living a holy life in a private and public setting. Taken and condensed from his previous book, A Crumb of Bread, thirty-two of those reflections are in Stolen Corn to provide guidance, information, and encouragement to set or remain on the path of righteousness, based on Scripture, stories, and testimonies of Rev. Ross from his life and education.

The reflections center around explanations of Scripture, mainly from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy, Joshua, Leviticus, Proverbs, etc.), written for a variety of readers to comprehend and internalize based on the chosen words and formatting style. The remaining reflections are stories and testimonies from Rev. Ross's life that support and enhance the Biblical and informative text. The format of each reflection is the same: a passage of Scripture begins the reflection and introduces the theme.

The text is a story or commentary/explanation of God's word, followed by a short and insightful prayer. Personal and relevant information such as the origin of Rev. Ross becoming a missionary in Africa, an explanation of aspects of the Wesleyan Methodist Church (of which he's affiliated), and connections between God's instructions and the lifestyles and priorities of our current society, are provided for the readers' mental and spiritual benefit.

Rev. Ross cross-references biblical passages throughout the thirty-two reflections to show how everything is interconnected. He highlights key people and their actions and praises women as the Bible encourages (Rahab, noble women from Proverbs, Ruth, etc.). The reflections included in Stolen Corn have the power to change hearts and lives and guide readers to be better educated, informed, and given steps to follow the correct path.

While the title potentially sounds strange, once the reader dives into the first reflection, they will begin an understanding of the purpose, tone, and example Rev. Ross provides. Rev. Ross shows how God's word has to change lives through examples in his life, and the way to live a holy life won't seem too out of reach for readers. The length of the collective reflections allows the reading speed and comprehension to vary or fluctuate among readers - read separately with contemplation and an open mind or read collectively as a whole to identify connecting points.

Reading Stolen Corn is worthwhile, not merely for immediate gratification, but more importantly for eternal gratification and life. A better understanding of the Bible allows for an enhanced experience each time it's read, reviewed, and taken to heart.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Apr-2024 20:15:32", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "111 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014097017", "title": "Stolen Corn", "author": "Barry L. Ross PhD", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 466, "review": "Barry L. Ross\u2019s Stolen Corn is a collection of twenty-nine devotional lessons that are intended to be read at a rate of one per day in order to trigger deep reflection, both on the subject matter and meaning of each individual lesson and on issues of relevance to Christians more generally. Covering aspects from Ross\u2019s own life as well as his knowledge and interpretation of the Old Testament, the Hebrew language, and Biblical history, the collection features important insights into the practice of holiness that are presented in an easily digestible fashion.

The opening devotional, \u201cStolen Corn,\u201d relates an episode from Ross\u2019s youth, when he and his brother pilfered some corn from a neighbor\u2019s field after they failed to catch fish for their supper. When their father learned what they had done\u2014the boys hadn\u2019t considered that they were stealing the corn at the time\u2014he told them to visit the neighbor the next day and pay for the corn. Being fearful of the neighbor\u2019s reaction, they didn\u2019t go see him, an omission that came back to haunt them months later during the Fall Revival at their church.

When the preacher counselled them that, in addition to expressing their remorse, they needed to make restitution for their sin, they finally visited the \u201cmean\u201d neighbor, who surprised them by immediately forgiving them and granting them permission to eat his corn whenever they wanted. The moral of the episode in encapsulated in a comment from Ross\u2019s brother: \u201cIsn\u2019t it great to go home with the victory?\u201d The story is preceded by some relevant passages from the Bible and followed by a prayer written by Ross, which prompt spiritual reflection on the meaning, significance, and outcome of the episode.

Among the devotionals that address issues concerning the Hebrew language, in \u201cLong Nosed\u201d Ross explains how three ancient Israelite sayings reflect the wisdom of keeping anger under control, while in \u201cA Kind Word Lifts an Anxious Heart\u201d he describes the importance of kind words and actions in helping people overcome depression and anxiety. Ross also provides commentary on certain informative\u2014but often overlooked\u2014episodes from the Old Testament. For example, in \u201cElizedek\u2019s Spice Shop\u201d he highlights the pernicious nature of dishonesty, even when the victim is unaware of what has happened.

Stolen Corn is a collection of Christian lessons drawn from both contemporary life and Biblical teaching, which ensures their applicability to the modern context and their historical basis. Ross\u2019s decision to include Bible passages at the start of each devotional, as well as the bespoke prayer that he has crafted for each one, both provide avenues for further study/refection and prompt practical application of the lessons. While the collection could have been longer, perhaps extended to cover an average calendar month, and written more in depth, it represents a valuable resource for Christians.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Apr-2024 20:15:08", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "111 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014097009", "title": "The Political Activism of Anthropologist Franz Boas, Citizen Scientist", "author": "Alan h McGowan", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 415, "review": "I had never heard of Franz Boas before reading this book, but then, I suspect many who are unfamiliar with anthropology will not recognize the name. Those who are familiar with the field may recognize him as the Father of American Anthropology, and as a pioneer of the science, the man who helped to shape it into what it is today.

Like many scientists of his time, particularly those whose work drew them from their homes, Boas led a fascinating, eventful life. Born in Prussia, he first studied physics and geography before becoming fascinated by the Inuit of Baffin Island while on a geographical expedition. He went on to study Indigenous cultures across the Pacific Northwest before taking up work at the Smithsonian. He fought against the idea of race as a valid biological concept and pushed forward the notion of cultural relativism, arguing there is no evolution of cultures from primitive to advanced. When he died at eighty-four, he had left an enormous legacy behind him.

I\u2019m fascinated by the unsung scientists of the past, especially those who shaped how many people view the world despite their names being all but forgotten. Franz Boas would probably need a hefty tome to really get into the details of his life. Instead, McGowan gives him less than three hundred pages.

A lot of information is packed into those pages, but I found that was to the detriment of the book as a whole. There isn\u2019t much room for the information or the various historical figures to breathe, because the writing flows at a breakneck pace. I often found myself having to stop and go back over pages because I realized I had taken in very little or had jumbled up names and confused dates. The book comes out very dense and very dry.

While I was glad to be introduced to Franz Boas, I couldn\u2019t help feeling that a man who led such a fascinating life and left such an impact on the world of cultural studies deserved a book that took a little more time to make sure readers got the introduction he deserves. I don\u2019t know whether there are any other biographies of him available, but I do know that this one will only be suitable for readers who enjoy heavy, academic texts. The information is interesting, but the way in which it is presented takes a great deal of effort to get through, and many readers may find themselves put off by that.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Apr-2024 20:12:31", "publisher": "Cambridge Scholars Publishing", "page_count": "267 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000014095003", "title": "Reunion: A Novel", "author": "Elise Juska", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 173, "review": "I found the premise behind the Reunion to be very interesting\u2014three college best friends set off to their twenty-fifth reunion right after the world had opened back up after the pandemic. Hope is married to Ethan and they have two children. Polly has a teenage son. And Adam is married to Andrea and they have twin six-year-old boys.

Readers soon discover that not one of these people is happy. The book became so depressing that I found it emotionally draining. Hope's husband is very detached from their family. Polly has regrets and finds the negative aspect in everything which is exactly the opposite of Hope's character. Her son, Jonah, is very judgmental of everything around him and is quite annoying as he complains about materialism and climate change. Adam is worried about Andrea because, since the pandemic, she hasn't wanted to leave the house.

Overall, the story starts with promise but quickly falls apart. None of the characters are particularly likable. If I were to do it over again, I'd sit this one out.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "22-May-2024", "date_added": "17-Apr-2024 22:40:27", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000014093007", "title": "Twelve Trees: The Deep Roots of Our Future", "author": "Daniel Lewis", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 204, "review": "On virtually all land and in forests across the globe, trees stand like sentinels or with less familiar contours, and play a significant role in the natural world. In Twelve Trees, Daniel Lewis, an environmental historian, has singled out and profiled a dozen species. As a scientist, he approaches his subject with knowledge, affection, and reverence, at times giving an almost anthropomorphic appreciation of a tree's characteristics and idiosyncrasies.

Readers unfamiliar with the geographic spread and products of the trees will respect the demand for the Congo basin ebony in so many products, favoring particularly the manufacture of guitars, and no less, the immense baobabs like a chain of beacons across the south Asian landscape, battered by elephants seeking the nutrition inside the hard exterior. The mysteries embedded in amber are intriguing, some even finding a path to creative jewelry. In North America, the top leaves of the Coast Redwood struggle for better irrigation as water from the soil way below strives to reach them. Each species boasts multiple stories.

The book is enjoyable as well as instructive. Lewis revels in unexpected factoids as well as basic details, some come with a 'believe it or not' humor, though no one can question the veracity.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2024", "date_added": "17-Apr-2024 22:28:58", "publisher": "Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014093003", "title": "The Hollow Beast (Biblioasis International Translation Series, 46)", "author": "Christophe Bernard, Lazer Lederhendler ", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 194, "review": "Canadians are a different breed. It is not unheard of for a goalie to stop the puck with their face. But in 1911, when Monti Bouge stopped the puck with his mouth, losing his teeth, the ref, Victor Bradley, let the score count. Monti vowed to take revenge. His revenge was persistent, continuous, and fueled mainly by his endless supply of Yukon. Side effects of the whiskey may or may not have taken the form of a beast, which not only cursed Monti but his descendants. Three generations later, Francois, Montie\u2019s great-grandson, battling his own demons, tried to make sense of the feud in his doctoral dissertation.

The Hollow Beast is an epic slapstick comedy by Christophe Bernard. Initially published in French in 2017, it has been re-released and translated into English by Lazer Lederhendler. Bernard\u2019s hilarious tome is a hundred-proof fever dream of bizarre scenarios and Canada\u2019s most outlandish cast of characters. There is not a single redeeming quality amongst Bernard\u2019s players. Still, much like a train wreck wrapped up in a dumpster fire, it is impossible to look away. But readers beware. Your technicolor nightmares will be fueled by The Hollow Beast.", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "01-Jul-2024", "date_added": "17-Apr-2024 18:59:38", "publisher": "Biblioasis", "page_count": "624 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014089003", "title": "Haiti, Love and Murder ... In the Season of Soup Joumou", "author": "Michael Matza", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 429, "review": "Corinne is a British nurse working in Haiti in the maternity ward of a local clinic. When a colleague, Dr. Sanctis Beauvoir, a Haitian American, is found dead, she is convinced that she knows the killer. Corinne is also sure his death has to do with the pilfering of medical supplies at the clinic. And when her long-time friend, journalist Charlie Carter, rides into town to write a story about the breakdown in civil society and order in the country due to corrupt politics and dire humanitarian needs, Corinne relays her suspicions about her colleague's death to him.

Since Charlie has been harboring unspoken feelings for Corinne for years, he can't help but get involved in her search seeking justice for her friend and colleague. As he digs deeper into the past of Dr. Beauvoir, he is able to call on an old friend at the FBI, another Haitian American, who is, as chance would have it, in Haiti working on a case of kidnapping and narcotics trafficking involving local gang members. Unfortunately, they all have differing views about why Dr. Beauvoir was killed, making it unclear if they will be able to find out what if anything, happened at the clinic.

Complicating things, Charlie remains unsure if he should declare his love for Corinne after so many years of saying nothing. Plus he is worried about her determination to investigate alone and the dangers she faces by upsetting the wrong people at the hospital and in the community. Will they find the justice they seek for the doctor? Only time and hard work will tell.

Mr. Matza has written a superb and masterful story showcasing the complex issues facing a country in political and social turmoil with characters who undertake a risky mission to solve a murder. I loved the attention to detail throughout the story and the fact that the reader gets to experience all sides of the country from the slums to the high-end hotels. We get a good look at Haitian culture and the spirit of survival instilled in a long-suffering nation and people.

This book had everything I look for in a good international mystery. It had empathetic, likable characters, a compelling mystery, action, and adventure in a fabulous setting. I also loved the chapter titles which always moved the story forward in a way that made it hard for me to put this book down. In short, I loved it. I didn't want it to end. I hope this talented author is hard at work on another story of international intrigue and adventure.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2024", "date_added": "17-Apr-2024 03:45:07", "publisher": "Aberdale Books", "page_count": "323 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014086003", "title": "One Wise Sheep: An Untraditional Christmas Story ", "author": "Ulrich Hub, J\u00f6rg Muhle", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "The sheep are grazing in the field when they notice a strange star in the sky, so bright it is almost like dawn. The sheep need to find out what is going on and go to where the shepherds stay, but they are gone. A goat tells one of the sheep that a child has been born in Bethlehem, and this is a very big deal. It is something that has been long awaited and will change the world. People have come from all over. The sheep decide they need to go to Bethlehem where the child is to see what the big deal is. It is a long and arduous journey. The sheep learn much about each other and about themselves along the way.

If you are looking for a traditional story of the nativity, this is not that. First, it is told from the sheep\u2019s point of view. Second, it is very tongue-in-cheek and funny and a bit irreverent. There are cartoonish illustrations scattered throughout the book, and it looks like a children\u2019s book, but adults are sure to enjoy it every bit as much as (maybe more than) youngsters. Don\u2019t miss this one.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2024", "date_added": "16-Apr-2024 17:56:10", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "88 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014085003", "title": "Plain Jane and the Mermaid", "author": "Vera Brosgol", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - age 13", "word_count": 173, "review": "Everyone thinks Jane is plain. After Jane's family decides to kick Jane out of her own home, she comes up with a plan. If she can get married in a week, her family will finally bring her back and accept her. Jane's original plan was to propose to her crush, Peter, but what will Jane do when she finds out he's been taken away by a mermaid? With the help of her trusty seal friend, Mr. Whiskers, she'll have to search the deep sea to find him.

I enjoyed this book and its strange plot. The theme and backgrounds reminded me a lot of Disney animations such as The Little Mermaid. I loved looking at the character designs and storyboards shared at the end of the book. The color schemes in the book are also really pretty. The backstory was good too, I liked how the author made mermaids the supervillains of the book. Jane's family situation was really unfair, but everything tied together at the end. The ending was my favorite part!", "issue": "May 2024", "date_posted": "21-May-2024", "date_added": "16-Apr-2024 17:53:48", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014080007", "title": "Southern Man: A Political Thriller from the Natchez Burning Series (Penn Cage, 7)", "author": "Greg Iles", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 199, "review": "Penn Cage has experienced a lot of turmoil in his life, but lately, they have been escalating. He is watching his Mother slowly slip away from cancer, while he keeps his own grim health prognosis a secret from family and friends. His feud with his racist militia neighbors is reaching a fever pitch. However, these issues take a backseat once a shooting breaks out at a unity concert and his daughter Annie is injured.

The police are under scrutiny for their actions and the racial divide is palpable in Cage\u2019s hometown of Natchez as well as nearby Bienville. The explosive potential for a calamity only grows as a string of fires hit a number of former slave plantations and retaliation soon follows. This is coupled with the approaching presidential election where a native son named Bobby White looks to capitalize on the crisis to propel himself into the White House.

Southern Man is the latest brilliant chapter in the chronicle of Penn Cage written by the first-rate Greg Iles. The subject is sensitive and controversial, but Iles approaches it with tremendous depth and understanding. Penn Cage is a rational voice in a world which is quickly losing the plot.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "30-Sep-2024", "date_added": "15-Apr-2024 21:37:53", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "976 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014079007", "title": "Shelterwood: A Novel", "author": "Lisa Wingate", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 188, "review": "In the 1990s, a park ranger in Oklahoma meets a precocious and spirited girl in a foster home where she is too easily overlooked. At the other end of the century, a girl runs away from an abusive stepfather, bringing with her a Choctaw girl her father adopted.

The stories of these two will intersect, but more than that, they will show that some of the problems of the past have not been solved at all. They have only been shifted.

At times, Shelterwood is difficult to read. Wingate does a magnificent job bringing her young characters to life. It\u2019s rare to find an author who can write children as the messy, complex people they truly are. The one drawback is that her adult characters come across as one-dimensional in comparison.

What is multi-dimensional in the book is Oklahoma itself.Shelterwood shows a deep love for the state that comes through on every page, from the spaces that have been left wild to the towns and cities and the people that dwell in them. Readers will come away with a broadened understanding of the state, both the good parts and the bad.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "05-Jun-2024", "date_added": "15-Apr-2024 21:36:35", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014079003", "title": "The Body Harvest", "author": "Seidlinger Michael J", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 203, "review": "The job of a book is to grab you right from the first page, so you keep reading to the very last one. M. J. Seidlinger\u2019s The Body Harvest does that but perhaps not in the conventional sense by ensnaring your attention with an immediate abhorrence that will either make you immediately stop reading, or unstoppably keep going. And if you already have an inkling what the book is about, you\u2019re going to keep just to find out what actually happens.

Will is a fraud who lost his job by stealing from the company, while Olivia\u2019s life fell apart when things didn\u2019t work out the way she hoped they would. They\u2019re deadbeats with no plans for any sort of future, while Will\u2019s savings are quickly disappearing and soon they\u2019ll be without a roof over their heads. What do they do for fun? They get sick. As sick as possible. They hunt for flu and fever, coughing and sneezing on each other with the goal of becoming really unwell. Then they find The Source, a clandestine group that seeks out their greatest desires.

The book starts strong but eventually devolves into an uncertain story, nevertheless, it is quite different from what people are used to reading.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "01-Aug-2024", "date_added": "15-Apr-2024 21:28:08", "publisher": "Clash Publishing", "page_count": "204 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014078007", "title": "The Interbellum Constitution: Union, Commerce, and Slavery in the Age of Federalisms (Yale Law Library Series in Legal History and Reference)", "author": "Alison L LaCroix", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 191, "review": "The period between 1812 and 1861 is called the Interbellum Era by U.S. historians as it was an era when the United States was constantly growing westward and working out the kinks of the Constitution, including the habitual problem of slavery. In this new book, University of Chicago Professor Alison LaCroix takes the readers on an in-depth and legal look at the Interbellum Era and how lawyers, jurists, presidents and other leaders defined, changed definitions and made the Constitution work for a rapidly growing Republic from its original thirteen small colonies hugging the coast.

Some readers may be daunted by the size of the work but it is well worth the journey to discover how the U.S. and state governments learned to work together, share power and the federal government to have ultimate authority over the states, which was not always a sure thing in the early years of America, as many states were used to being their own sovereign country in a way and not used to sharing with others. The book mainly follows legal cases, opinions and other written documents to chart the winding path during an uncertain era.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "30-Aug-2024", "date_added": "15-Apr-2024 21:32:49", "publisher": "Yale University Press", "page_count": "576 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014077011", "title": "Ring Around the Collar ~ The Stains of Racism in Society", "author": "Karim Shabazz", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 70, "review": "\"For anyone who hasn't experienced racism, it seems abstract, but those who have are likely to still carry a wound in their hearts. This book will challenge your views on racism, and the stories will help you understand its consequences. Racism's impact reaches far deeper than we realize, affecting all communities. Ring Around the Collar exposes these hidden wounds and offers a path to healing.\" \u2014Maria Yinks, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Apr-2024 19:25:04", "publisher": "Self published ~ Bryteminds", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014077007", "title": "Ring Around the Collar ~ The Stains of Racism in Society", "author": "Karim Shabazz", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 70, "review": "\"Karim Shabazz's Ring Around the Collar is a thorough, unapologetically honest exploration of racism with a plethora of thought-provoking questions and suggestions. Karim's meticulous research into the history of racism and various prejudiced groups mirrors the type of intentionality and courage that's needed to expose and stifle the hidden perpetrators of racism. All victims of racism and propagators of racial superiority should read this!\" \u2014Foluso Falaye, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Apr-2024 19:24:57", "publisher": "Self published ~ Bryteminds", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014077003", "title": "Ring Around the Collar ~ The Stains of Racism in Society", "author": "Karim Shabazz", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 113, "review": "\"Ring Around the Collar: The Stains of Racism in Society by Karim Shabazz is a powerful exploration of racism\u2019s pervasive impact on individuals, communities, and society as a whole. Considering the history and present of the different races that comprise contemporary US society, Shabazz elucidates the far-reaching consequences of prejudice and discrimination. Through compelling narratives and insightful analysis, he offers hope for transformation, drawing from the stories of three individuals\u2014Malcolm X, Arno Michaelis, and Frank Meeink\u2014who experienced profound \u201cracial epiphanies\u201d and changed their perceptions. With clarity and sensitivity, Shabazz delivers a call to action, inspiring readers to confront their biases and work toward a more inclusive future.\" \u2014Erin Britton, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "April 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Apr-2024 19:24:45", "publisher": "Self published ~ Bryteminds", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014075007", "title": "Beyond Ivy Walls", "author": "Rachel Fordham", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 187, "review": "Sadie West has taken up work in a feather duster factory, hoping to bring in a little extra money to help the family after her father\u2019s accident. By night, after being kicked out of a boarding house, she sleeps in an abandoned factory. When the wealthy recluse who owns the factory returns to town, he offers to hire her to help at his house, offering a room as well so she can have a proper place to sleep. Thus begins Fordham\u2019s latest novel, a romance set in turn of the century Iowa, inspired by Beauty and the Beast.

This is a touching, heartwarming novel, one which will surely appeal to many readers. At times I found the characterization flat, but the intensity and depth of the relationships between the characters was charming and enticing at once. Fordham has a knack for tugging at heartstrings, and for bringing unexpected details of the past to life. Her love for the characters and for the setting shines through in every page. The themes, both Christian and secular, are woven in deftly, making their meaning clear without once overpowering the story.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "22-Aug-2024", "date_added": "09-Apr-2024 18:21:58", "publisher": "Thomas Nelson", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014276003", "title": "The Midnight Feast: A Novel: A Thrilling Psychological Thriller", "author": "Lucy Foley", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 223, "review": "The Midnight Feast is a story told in different perspectives by its main characters\u2014Francesca, Bella, Owen, and Eddie. The story takes place in both 2010 and before, during and after a present day Summer Solstice.

Francesca comes from a wealthy family and has just inherited The Manor which she has turned in to a hot spot for young adults who want a lavish vacation in the woods without actually camping. Her husband, Owen, a renowned architect, was hired to design the newly built structures to house guests. Bella is a guest who has a secret agenda. And Eddie is connected to The Manor in more ways than one.
As the Solstice appears and Bella recalls The Birds and the eery feeling of the woods, she knows that she must stay strong and stand up to her tormentor. When the past catches up, all will be revealed.

Although I liked the story and the descriptiveness of the setting, this book dragged on for a long time before it tells you what is really going on. I had to put this book down several times because it made me want to fall asleep. There were so many unnecessary parts, ones that were redundant, and I felt that if the cadence had moved on a bit quicker, the twists at the end would have had a much better effect.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "20-Jul-2024", "date_added": "30-May-2024 20:12:54", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000014271003", "title": "Animals I Want To See: A Memoir of Growing Up in the Projects and Defying the Odds", "author": "Tom Seeman", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 224, "review": "Dreams reinforced with grit and tenacity may occasionally become a reality. In this rags to riches tale, Tom Seeman eloquently traces his transformation from a slum child to a successful businessperson while growing up in a family of fourteen with a devoted overworked mother and, unfortunately, an uncaring ne\u2019er do well father. His dreams start early as he lists the animals he sees in his mess of a yard, but make an optimistic open list to be filled in with animals he wants to see someday. As he ages, he continually opens lists to further objectives.

This is the story of a youth surviving poverty and the strangling slums, who through sheer will takes on all manner of jobs to afford an education, he devours the encyclopedia with his curiosity, befriends librarians, clergy, teachers, coaches and neighbors seeking mentors. Chance favors his survival during adolescence when his hijinks and mischief might have led to disaster or prison.

This is an uplifting story for any living in the ghettos and mixed neighborhoods that spew poverty for its residents and hopelessness for the young. Written with lyrical grace, the memoir traces the adventures and emotions of this author from childhood till he finds his dreams fulfilled. It is a very appealing and encouraging story for all ages picturing social issues that we should be aware of.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "02-Aug-2024", "date_added": "30-May-2024 19:02:13", "publisher": "Post Hill Press", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014265007", "title": "Monkey Moon", "author": "Demi Demi", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 125, "review": "This is a book about monkeys. And even though we do have very much of the same DNA as monkeys, they are not as smart as humans. These monkeys see the Moon's reflection in a well and they believe the moon has fallen from the sky. They think they can go down and get it. But they soon find out they can't. Then they think they were able to get the Moon back into the sky.

This was an interesting book. My favorite part was the illustrations of them linking together to get the Moon out of the well just like the old monkey game I used to have, barrel of monkeys. What I thought was cool is how the illustrations were in a circle.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "15-Aug-2024", "date_added": "29-May-2024 19:53:07", "publisher": "World Wisdom", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014263003", "title": "What the Garden Tells Me", "author": "Monica Mikai", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 192, "review": "City gardens are an oasis, a source of joy and inspiration. Through What the Garden Tells Me, Monica Mikai\u2019s blossoming debut as an author-illustrator showcases her love for nature and her life\u2019s calling to bring joy and wonder to young readers. The protagonist is a Black girl with gorgeous flowing curls who delights in leisurely walks in the garden around flowers and plants. With Mom, Dad, and younger siblings, she names the flora that catches her fancy, celebrating them with enthusiastic cartwheels, joyful songs, poignant reflections, and adorable affirmations.

I am a plant lover, so I was already looking forward to reviewing this book. There is so much to love about Mikai\u2019s vision, as she draws readers into the wondrous and vibrant serenity of a brilliant spring day when water lilies and sunflowers are in full bloom. Mikai adds to her mettle as an accomplished illustrator with an engaging narrative. The author lovingly invites children and grown-ups to slow down amid a busy and noisy world and take the time to observe the quiet beauty of flowers. Knowing the names of plants and noticing their unique qualities inspires a love for nature.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "20-Jul-2024", "date_added": "29-May-2024 19:26:24", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014261007", "title": "Parrotfish Has a Superpower", "author": "Jill Esbaum, Bob Shea", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 174, "review": "I didn't know much about the parrotfish before reading Parrotfish Has a Superpower, but I want to know everything I can now! The story teaches the reader facts about the parrotfish that they maybe didn't know before reading the book, and if they did, they will still enjoy every page as they get smarter, but not realize they are smarter because the story is fun!

Parrotfish is talking with Hammerhead Shark as he tries to guess what Parrotfish's superpower is, but he is not very polite, as he keeps interrupting Parrotfish with his funny comments. In the end, Parrotfish tells its superpower and you will probably not have guessed it!

I like that at the end of the book, there are true/false questions to learn more about the parrotfish; my family turned it into a game, and I did about fifty/fifty on it. The illustrations throughout the story are colorful with lots to look at in each one. Kids of any age will enjoy this story and probably laugh a lot by the end!", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2024", "date_added": "29-May-2024 19:50:02", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014258015", "title": "The Dinosaur in the Garden", "author": "Deb Pilutti", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 127, "review": "Did you know what you might find when you are digging in the dirt making a garden? There are so many things deep down in the ground that if you dig deep enough, you might just become a paleontologist. In this book that is exactly what happens to a kid putting in a garden. Then your whole yard would become a dig site.

This book is super cute and unique, mainly because it is told from the perspective of the dinosaur in the ground. I really liked it. The pictures are super cute. My favorite part is how the dinosaur is in ghost form while telling the story and looking at his own bones in the ground. This would be such a fun book for dinosaur lovers.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "17-Jul-2024", "date_added": "29-May-2024 19:47:57", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014258011", "title": "Nancy and Sluggo's Guide to Life: Comics about Money, Food, and Other Essentials", "author": "Ernie Bushmiller, Denis Kitchen", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Susan Faith - age 16", "word_count": 200, "review": "Nancy and Sluggo\u2019s Guide to Life by Ernie Bushmiller is not just any old self-help book. It is a comic book that shares a little levity on life itself. This book reveals that beneath their antics, Nancy and Sluggo are humans too. This book is a collection of the much loved and classic comics compiled to share the humor of iconic characters. One of my favorite comics are when Nancy demands a piece of cake, but her aunt Fritzi made the cake for a party\u2026and later, after Nancy whines about cake, neighbors arrive with pieces of cake! Another one of my favorites is when Nancy and Sluggo have their mouths full of food. Because their mouths are full of food, they speak gibberish like \u201cUmf glbb brff gims wimzl\u201d and \u201cBujgn glooph ibbix smiphr\u201d which works well in comic form for visual and verbal humor. This book contains an introduction about how Nancy and Sluggo are a \u201ccult classic\u201d \u2026and one of their admirers is none other than one of my favorite authors, Raina Telgemeier! Whether you are brand new to Nancy and Sluggo or a long time fan, this collection is a great choice. I really enjoyed this book!", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "18-Aug-2024", "date_added": "29-May-2024 19:12:30", "publisher": "New York Review Books", "page_count": "148 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014258007", "title": "Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta", "author": "Aimee Lucido, Mavisu Demirag", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 180, "review": "Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta is the funny story of a girl's family who loves to eat and cook pasta, but when they each like their own kind, things get messy! Within this big family/famiglia, there is Nonna Ana, Nonno Titi, Zio Tony, Zia Trini, Zio Renz, and her Cugini who like lasagna, spaghettini, ravioli, rontini, gnocchi, bucatini, tortellini, and capellini!

It sounds yummy when they all arrive at her house with their groceries to make their specialty, but maybe it's too much for everyone! The reader follows the story of the girl's large family as they get together for fun, laughs, and to fill their tummies, regardless of things going exactly to plan!

I enjoyed reading the English and Italian words throughout the story; I didn't know the other language or the names of the many kinds of pasta besides spaghetti that I normally eat! I liked that even though things didn't go as planned for the family, they made the best of it and made memories together. The illustrations have a lot to look at, making each page exciting!", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "17-Jul-2024", "date_added": "29-May-2024 19:05:16", "publisher": "Beach Lane Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014257007", "title": "Help Wanted: One Rooster", "author": "Julie Falatko, Andrea Stegmaier", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "There is trouble at the farm. The rooster has taken to sleeping in because he has been staying up late working on starting a rock band. Since the rooster isn\u2019t doing his job, none of the other barnyard animals get their chores done on time. The farm is falling apart. The cow is very organized and professional. She even has a clipboard.

She is trying to find a new rooster for the farm. A sheep is helping. Their first applicant is a rooster who is inexplicably wearing a tuxedo and thinks it would be nicer to wake the farm denizens with a small bell. The second applicant prefers waking others with the smell of coffee. And so it goes with some very odd applicants.

Julie Falatko has written an amusing look at what needs to happen to keep things running on a farm. Her witty text challenges youngsters with unusual ideas and stretches their vocabulary with big words. The charming illustrations by Andrea Stegmaier complete the story with lots of fun details that will keep youngsters\u2019 eyes on the pages and a great sense of fun on every page. Themes of cooperation and working toward goals are nicely featured.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2024", "date_added": "29-May-2024 19:15:36", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014256007", "title": "Are You Small?", "author": "Mo Willems", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 164, "review": "Are You Small? is a story about how things compare in size with other things. For a young reader, they may feel that they are small, especially compared with grownups, but then the narrator explains how there are smaller things, like the book you\u2019re reading! And even though things are small(er), there are BIG things about them (i.e., a big deal, a big friend, necessary for the whole part, etc.).

I enjoyed learning the size comparison of the things mentioned in the book (there is something that is 5 NONILLION times smaller than the average kid)! I learned about lots of science terms (atoms, electrons, quark, etc.) that I didn\u2019t know before, and feel smarter knowing now.

This book is appropriate for readers in elementary school and above to understand and enjoy. I learned that I might be small compared to some people/things, but there are plenty of things that I am bigger than, and big/small isn\u2019t as black and white as it seems.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "15-Aug-2024", "date_added": "29-May-2024 18:46:18", "publisher": "Union Square Kids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014256003", "title": "How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World", "author": "Ethan Tapper", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 202, "review": "In the early pages, How to Love a Forest by Ethan Tapper seems despairing, a gloom and doom account of forest destruction. But no, as a forester, and a steward in Vermont, Tapper soon acknowledges the need for change, and alters the tone of his book. When lone \u201cwolf\u201d trees, symbolizing old growth are removed, fewer beeches and white pines dominate. Not only young trees replace them, but also the community of bacteria, invertebrates, and free-living fungi around the roots. And no less, the change of new pests and pathogens occurs, along with non-native invasives.

Tapper paints a picture of successive human populations over thousands of years, an altered landscape as wildlife, then domesticated animals, and now great swatches of deer occupy the territory. The book's charm lies in its personal perceptions, and the experience developed season by season as the author's expertise grows. Even herbicides, once abhorred, he sees may play a beneficial role as conservation and preservation work together, no longer displaying the earlier bitter conflict. A forest, he claims, \u201cis best described as a creature of diversity and complexity and depth.\u201d And with this he ends triumphantly, planting acorns to ensure a wealth of oak trees for future generations.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2024", "date_added": "29-May-2024 18:26:37", "publisher": "1517 Media", "page_count": "229 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014252003", "title": "The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust", "author": "Francis S Collins", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 171, "review": "For those repelled by the agnostic or atheistic views of science, here is a book from a man of faith. Francis Collins bridges a deep resume of scientific and career accomplishment with a conversion to Christianity through a love of nature and \u201ca leap of faith\u201d. He was formerly the Director of the NIH and was on the firing line during the pandemic. The author struggles to understand why resistance to scientific thought goes so deeply in so many people when he can clearly see the results and progress that scientific thought has created.

Like the ancient worldview, the author believes that scientific thought and reliance on faith are not mutually exclusive. He ponders the inexplicable thinking of those buying the flat earth and 6,000-year-old earth myths when the natural world makes truth self-evident. As head of the Human Genome Project, he lead to the sequencing of all three billion letters of our DNA. For that alone, here is a book one can rely on for a vision of truth and wisdom.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2025", "date_added": "29-May-2024 17:51:09", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014251015", "title": "Lessons from the Sidelines: Thoughts from on and off the football field on faith, family, and living well", "author": "Karen R Blake MBA", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 414, "review": "Karen Blake has worked both as the owner of a nonprofit and as a mother of two. Both are demanding jobs, and it seems as though both would require a very different set of skills. In some ways, they do, but in her book, she points out ten lessons she has learned from being a mother of two boys involved in sports that can be applicable to the business world as well. The lessons aren\u2019t just for people involved in business, though. They can be applied to many more aspects of adult life, from other career paths to volunteering to simply getting along with friends.

The book is arranged in a simple, easy-to-follow structure. Karen first lays out the lesson, then explains the context in which she learned it. The second half of the chapter explains how it can be applied to the \u201creal world\u201d\u2014in this case, an office setting, but it only takes a little imagination to figure out how to apply them to different aspects of your life.

The first lesson, for example, involves showing up to practice even before the coach is there. Taken literally, that doesn\u2019t offer much for an office worker, but Blake goes on to explain that the lesson here is about dedication. If you show up early, not only will it show other people in your life that you are dedicated, but you can also make sure you have everything set up as you need it rather than scrambling as everyone else is getting started. The same goes for staying late; it shows dedication and allows you to possibly catch up with other people.

I found the book to be very useful. The ten lessons are easy to understand, and Blake has a friendly, accessible tone. I\u2019ve never been the mother of sports children or an employee at an office, but I still found the book helpful and applicable to my life.

My one complaint is that the book doesn\u2019t go into much detail about any of the lessons. The book itself is only thirty-four pages, meaning each lesson only has a few pages apiece. That makes it hard to go past the surface. I would have been interested to see Blake expand on the lessons, either by providing more examples of how they have worked in her life or by discussing in greater detail what they could mean for the reader. On the whole, though, this is a very useful book which will help many people.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "28-May-2024 21:01:13", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing, Inc", "page_count": "34 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014251011", "title": "Lessons from the Sidelines", "author": "Karen R Blake Mba", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 453, "review": "Karen R. Blake, a brain cancer survivor, gained many crucial life lessons from twenty years of marriage and parenthood. Raising two boys while sustaining a cooperative marriage, Blake's journey is a testament to the particular gifts of valuable lessons in honing one's skills through practice, taking initiative, and being a supportive parent. In her book, Lessons from the Sidelines, Blake shares her journey, realizing the wisdom imparted by experiences in organized sports. In sports, as in life, there is value in understanding the dynamics of teamwork, self-sacrifice, and persistence. Parents and children can discern the applicability of adopting and embodying these values in other areas of life outside of team sports.

Lessons from the Sidelines is a quick read for busy parents and professionals, and it contains actionable tips for everyday situations. A handful of photos of Blake's children in team sports offer the book an intimate feel. This book is relevant for parents and caregivers of young people searching for intention and validation in supporting the children in their care.

As a parent of a grown child, reading Lessons from the Sidelines was a transformative experience. It inspired me to reflect on my motivation to immerse my child in various activities outside school. Blake's reflections resonated with me, reminding me of the poignant takeaways I had as a parent and how the experience of parenting has shaped and molded my approach to life and leadership.

Whether you're a parent, a caregiver, or a business professional, Lessons from the Sidelines has something for you. As a business coach, Blake uses familiar, real-life examples of how lessons from team sports can impact success in the workplace. For example, she discusses the benefit of making the first move in life and business while being aware of the uncertainty and potential risks. It suggests seeking guidance from a trusted coach or mentor to increase confidence and understanding of appropriate rules and strategies. In another chapter, Blake underscores the importance of being open to continuous learning. Summer camps, workshops, and watching professionals play a crucial role in helping overcome learning curves. By being exposed to different educational opportunities, individuals can gain new ideas and perspectives, while working with experienced mentors helps acquire the knowledge necessary to execute.

Readers will learn how preparation, determination, and introspection can build character. Blake shares how lessons learned in team sports can make one a better parent, a more reliable volunteer, and an influential colleague in the workplace. Maintaining perspective in competitive environments, such as the business world, was a powerful reminder for me. Blake emphasizes the importance of empathy and support for competitors, highlighting the value of cooperation amid competition. In the end, the true value of winning is attaining peace.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 21:01:06", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing, Inc", "page_count": "34 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014251007", "title": "Lessons from the Sidelines", "author": "Karen R Blake Mba", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 563, "review": "Featuring a wealth of information, guidance, and motivation, Karen R. Blake\u2019s Lessons from the Sidelines is a bite-sized guide to (noticeably) performing and excelling in both the personal and professional spheres. Starting from the hypothesis that \u201cThe main reason that adults want their children to participate in organize sports is to teach some of the lessons of character that they will carry with them into adulthood,\u201d Blake leverages her experience as the mother of two boys who participated in organized sports throughout their childhood to provide tips and tricks for succeeding in all facets of life.

On the basis that most lessons in life are best learned through experience\u2014\u201cteamwork, self-sacrifice, working to achieve a goal, persistence, learning when to lead and when to follow, be prepared, and follow through\u201d\u2014Blake structures Lessons from the Sidelines around ten brief lessons that reflect the behaviors and mindsets most likely to help a person achieve their aims, whether at work, at home, or in the wider world. Drawn from her observations of the goals, challenges, and benefits encountered by her and her children during their sporting endeavors, these lessons have both theoretical and practical application.

For example, Lesson 7 is titled \u201cAlways do your best with no expectations. Do your best and when magic happens, buy the T-shirt.\u201d The starting point here is that life has no guarantees, although certain behaviors and values are highly likely to bring about positive outcomes, meaning that a person who wants to succeed in life should implement such practices and habits to give themselves the greatest likelihood of favorable results. Blake emphasizes that living a good/positive life and faithfully pursuing all opportunities is the key, and the success that follows is just the icing on the cake.

This lesson is particularly valuable because it highlights the importance of effort, commitment, and motivation on the road to achieving goals. The idea is to be the best person it is possible to be, which will of course differ for different people, with the extrinsic rewards that follow being less valuable than the intrinsic benefits of doing the right thing and always following through on commitments. This lesson is also particularly useful because it includes a relatively lengthy example of the idea in practice in relation to a lacrosse team\u2019s unexpected but highly appreciated/celebrated success.

Only a couple of other lessons similarly include examples, and they are much shorter than the example in Lesson 7. In the main, each lesson begins with a concise description of the teaching point that Blake wants to convey\u2014whether maintaining perspective, following through with commitments, making the first move, etc.\u2014and then offers suggestions for its real-world application in the business context. As the book is so short, it would have been good if all the lessons included a lengthy practical example, perhaps even examples or perspectives featuring other people.

Still, Lessons from the Sidelines packs in a host of easily digestible ideas and approaches for practical ways to leverage common sense lessons from daily life, particularly the arena of sports, to achieve success and contentment in working life. In particular, Blake strikes a good balance between means of ensuring success\u2014or \u201cwinning\u201d in business\u2014and ways of becoming a well-rounded person, such as investigating all talents, volunteering to help however possible, and being a lifelong learner. Her friendly and accessible advice is applicable to all people and all walks of life.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 21:00:59", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing, Inc", "page_count": "34 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014250003", "title": "The Lies of Alma Blackwell", "author": "Amanda Glaze", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 189, "review": "Nev has been told two things her whole life; it's her duty to take over as the town's protector that keeps the spirits at bay and that her mom ran away from this duty and never returned. This is the truth Nev believes, until it\u2019s time for her to take the vow and a boy who's a little too familiar shows up. She doesn't have long to figure out what's truth, what's lies, and what the true history of her family is.

The Lies of Alma Blackwell is a story of magic, love, and secrets. There's a twinge of romance between the main characters, but it's not over powering. But there's one other romance that is important to the plot and I love how it's handled as it's between two girls from a hundred years ago. There's subtle disapproval, which is normal for the time, but otherwise it's treated as if normal. The magic system is simple and hardly needs explained, it's easy to understand. There\u2019s foreshadowing from the beginning about Nev\u2019s past, it\u2019s not entirely subtle, but it did take me until the reveal to actually realize it.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "30-Aug-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 20:53:07", "publisher": "Union Square & Co.", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014249011", "title": "The Intuition Bible: How and Why to Tap Into Your Inner Wisdom", "author": "Happy Ali", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 217, "review": "Trusting one\u2019s inner knowledge requires insight, intentionality, and practice. Happy Ali breaks down the fundamental steps necessary to harness personal wisdom through The Intuition Bible, a guidebook that aligns with the interests of readers in spirituality, metaphysics, and personal development. Ali offers his gifts as a spiritual coach whose practices are informed by psychology, diverse spiritual traditions, and natural talents for receiving and interpreting ultra-sensory information and messages. Ali challenges the notion of our society\u2019s biases toward rational or scientific inquiry, which leads many to neglect or abandon their intuitive abilities. Ali presents techniques and exercises for empaths and intuitives to employ and channel their potential.

Ali writes in an approachable way, mirroring their content on social platforms like Instagram and TikTok. I approached the book from my vantage point as spiritually agnostic, with some knowledge of diverse practices like prophetic dreams, understanding chakras, and clairvoyance. From my cursory knowledge of these topics, I understand there are cultural, spiritual, neuroscientific, and psychological explanations for the gift of intuition. Ali does not explicitly cite the sources for the strategies shared in the book. This is fitting for a book that challenges logical and objective thought processes for discovering personal truths. Much of intuition is trusting information from sources beyond what is physically observable and transcends the analytical mind.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 21:05:41", "publisher": "New World Library", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014249003", "title": "The Christmas Tree Farm: (A Sweet Second-Chance Holiday Romance Novel)", "author": "Melody Carlson", "category": "N24 Seasonal", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 194, "review": "While the setting and premise of this novella should be a slam dunk for any and all Hallmark Christmas movie fans, the preachy tone of Melody Carlson's The Christmas Tree Farm didn't do much for me.

Madison McDowell returns home to her family Christmas tree farm to discover the business is in trouble, according to her sister Addie. While Madison has been away exploring her passions and career, Addie has been saddled with the farm--a place she never cared for, even when they were children. Addie hasn't invested in or done much to improve the farm, so Madison pitches in to try to right the sinking ship.

Property adjacent to the farm is under construction to become a dirt bike track for a precocious eleven-year-old named Lily. Her widowed father, Gavin, was close with Madison in high school, and now Addie has a crush on him--so the plot thickens. Or does it?

The truth is there isn't much intrigue here, and their references to church, and Jesus's example felt very heavy-handed as the inevitable ending approached. However, if you like the faith based Christmas-y vibe of books like there, then The Christmas Tree Farm won't disappoint.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "17-Feb-2025", "date_added": "27-May-2024 20:17:45", "publisher": "Baker Publishing Group", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000014247007", "title": "The Night Guest", "author": "Hildur Knutsdottir, Mary Robinette Kowal", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 199, "review": "There is something wrong with Idunn. At least, that\u2019s what she\u2019s convinced herself as she sits in yet another doctor\u2019s office waiting room. She hasn\u2019t been sleeping well, at first just waking up more exhausted than when she went to bed, but other things have begun to happen; things born of blood and nightmares, that leave her increasingly nervous about the root cause of her symptoms.

Her friends and colleagues are hardly helpful, repeating the same rote advice about healthy diet and exercise regimens and strict bedtime routines that she\u2019s heard a thousand times and already tried with no success. So, when all her medical tests come back normal and her doctor suggests seeking a mental health provider instead, it prompts Idunn to unravel the secrets her body has been keeping on her own, with ruinous and terrifying consequences.

This slim novel reads like a fragmented dream diary, with stops and starts on pages that sometimes have only a few lines, but those few lines are more than enough to chill and unnerve the unwary reader. Knutsdottir\u2019s prose mirrors the sparse Reykjavik streets Idunn traverses, delivering a maximum creepiness factor and an ending that will leave you delightfully unsettled.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "10-Sep-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 21:20:50", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014246003", "title": "Unsettled (Updated and Expanded Edition)", "author": "Steven E Koonin", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 178, "review": "Physicist Steven Koonin challenges public perception regarding the threat that climate change poses for this world and even questions the veracity of the reports citing indications of climate change. Public announcements of hazardous weather changes, rising oceans, droughts, higher temperatures, melting glaciers and other menacing environmental features are confronted in the book titled Unsettled, which probes into these troubling issues.

This newest edition of the book contains updated findings to challenge the misperceptions related to climate that alarm the public. The author claims and provides evidence that the media, politicians, and even at times, the assessment reports misrepresent or misinterpret what the science says about climate and catastrophes. The climate is changing and we play a role in this phenomenon, yet the energy provided by fossil fuels will still be required to energize both the advanced and underdeveloped worlds.

The aim of this book is to challenge the misrepresentations of what the science says to the non-scientific public. This is a recommended text for those interested in learning the basics along with the problems associated with climate science.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2024", "date_added": "27-May-2024 19:07:37", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014245023", "title": "A New Lease on Death: A Mystery", "author": "Olivia Blacke", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 221, "review": "Cordelia\u2019s life was routine, but she was happy until her death a few months earlier, and now she spends her time idly hanging out in the afterlife. Her peace is disrupted by an overly cheery roommate, Ruby, who moves into her apartment and then by the sudden death of her neighbor. She knows there\u2019s more to his death than a random mugging, but how can she prove it when no one can see her? That is until she finds a way to communicate with Ruby and guides her through the investigation, but as the younger woman pokes around, she uncovers a few secrets that Cordelia thought died with her.

The story begins with Cordelia, already a ghost, which immediately catapults you into Blacke\u2019s unique vision of the afterlife. You\u2019re quickly swept up into the mystery of her neighbor\u2019s death, though there are threads throughout that allow you to piece Cordelia\u2019s life together. The story weaves between the perspectives of Ruby and Cordelia, going between the worlds of the living and the dead. The humor is driven by the Odd Couple dynamic between the two women with a ghostly twist that excels at creating a unique mystery. A New Lease on Death has a mystery that keeps much yet to be explored and leaves you wanting more from these characters and their journeys.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 21:55:56", "publisher": "Minotaur", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014245015", "title": "Nether Station", "author": "Kevin J Anderson", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Lynn Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 175, "review": "Nether Station is a space adventure. It has components of realism, it\u2019s not hard to follow, one need not have a degree in science to understand what\u2019s happening. There are elements of horror and action and some humor. The protagonist is Cammie, a character who is most likely \u201con the spectrum,\u201d and her boss is an egotistical billionaire. The latter wants to be the first to test out a wormhole, the goal is to test it first with mice, then monkeys and then humans to see if it can be used to get to the Alpha Centauri system. There are surprise tragedies and mishaps early in the book, hinting that it becomes a fast paced book as it develops. To the crew's shock, something else is out in space near Nether, the wormhole. These are the Lovecraftian aspects, starting about a third of the way into the story. It\u2019s a lot of fun, but in some ways, it doesn\u2019t deliver quite the expected punch. For science fiction and Lovecraft fans, it\u2019s definitely worth a read.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 21:27:21", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014245011", "title": "Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed", "author": "Maureen Callahan", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 192, "review": "History has shown the Kennedy family as America\u2019s version of the royal family. Their rise to prominence featured exorbitant wealth and reaching the highest office in the land. The Kennedy family tree has featured both triumphs and tragedies, celebrity and scandal. The impact of the Kennedys was forever etched in the \u201cCamelot\u201d myth, which arose after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963.

The men and women of the family have been under a microscope from the mainstream media ever since. The untimely deaths and calamities that have affected the family have been emphasized while the salacious and possibly nefarious were often overlooked, if not buried. In Ask Not, the noted and occasionally redacted women in the Kennedy world are profiled in depth.

Author Maureen Callahan (American Predator, 2019) doesn\u2019t mince words with regard to the Kennedy family. Callahan has assembled a compilation of condemnation spanning generations while probing the actions of the Kennedy men and the women who were part of their lives. The book holds out the promise of a strong investigative effort but is often hampered by the author\u2019s inherent dislike for a large portion of the family.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "30-Aug-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 19:46:26", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014244011", "title": "The Book Swap", "author": "Tessa Bickers", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 233, "review": "Tessa Bickers' debut novel The Book Swap is a delight for book lovers, especially those who like to write in the margins of their most beloved novels, but it isn't as lighthearted as one might expect from the bright pink cover.

The couple at the heart of the book--Erin and James--grew up together and were incredibly close friends alongside Bonnie, a larger than life woman whose life was tragically cut short by cancer. In many ways, the novel is a study of grief as the two try to process all that they lost, not only when Bonnie passed but when Erin and James stopped speaking because of a schoolyard incident that neither has ever spoken of again.

Where does the rom and com come in? Erin mistakenly donates a favorite book to a free library in her neighborhood. Home from London to help care for his mother, James finds the book and writes responses to her marginal notes. He leaves it back in the library, hoping he may find some connection to this mystery girl, unaware that they share a history.

The back and forth between a slew of classic novels develops their relationship until the balance shifts. I don't want to give anything away, but I would say I'd hoped for more than I got in the ending.

Still, if you're a lifelong reader with a romantic streak, The Book Swap will be right for you.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 21:37:56", "publisher": "Graydon House Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014243003", "title": "Terra Electrica: The Guardians of the North (Terra Electrica, 1)", "author": "Antonia Maxwell", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 199, "review": "Mani needs food, now. Her entire village died from the strange electric disease except her and her father. He left to find food but it\u2019s been a month already. Mani hesitantly leaves the shelter to seek help and finds Leo, an Ark research scientist who is also sick. She spends her days going to the research facility for food and putting on her mom\u2019s mask that takes her to an alternate peaceful world. When Mani cures him, Leo knows he must get back to the Ark to share his discovery and help others. She agrees to go when he promises to look for her dad. Though the journey is fraught with challenges, it\u2019s the reception at the end that could ruin everything.

This book has a few holes and lost explanations. There\u2019s an obvious lead to a second book, where hopefully some of these things will be explained. Mani seems very young and oblivious and naively self-centered, almost purposely misunderstanding the seriousness around her. The transition to the world granted by her mask is confusing, and easily missed even though marked by a faint tiny mask. This sci-fi tale has a good premise, but there\u2019s better ones out there.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "27-Jan-2025", "date_added": "27-May-2024 18:43:51", "publisher": "Neem Tree Press", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000014242003", "title": "Lies Make Perfect", "author": "Ellie Banks", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 176, "review": "Lies Make Perfect is a twisty, turny thriller that will have readers asking what happened until the very end. Author Ellie Banks does an amazing job at crafting each character and then making you wonder who knows what. Margo Box is guilty of neglecting her husband, Zach, and daughter Poppy. She realizes he is probably cheating on her but is so obsessed with writing her book about cold cases that she just can't stop. Until Zach takes Poppy and doesn't come back. Six months later, Margo, still trying to find her daughter and husband, also decides to write about another case. The case of her best friend's father running away with their friend, Sarah.

This book gets better and better the deeper you get into the story. It never slows down and Banks spoonfeeds you every detail magnificently. As the story unfolds, readers will think they know what happened; however, the twist that comes at the very end is the ultimate ending to the story. I recommend this book to fans of Chevy Stevens and Paula Hawkins.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2024", "date_added": "27-May-2024 18:27:45", "publisher": "Harlequin", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014241023", "title": "The Inhabitants", "author": "Beth Castrodale", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 181, "review": "Nilda Ricci, an artist, and her daughter, Sidney, have just inherited a Victorian mansion from a distant aunt. The mansion was designed by a well-known architect in his later years and features many oddities. Not long after moving in, Nilda meets her neighbor, a handsome chemist who starts making her tonics to boost her creativity. Both Nilda and Sidney begin having strange encounters that make them question reality. The inhabitants of this area, both past and present, may not have the best intentions for Nilda and her daughter.

Victorian mansions that are supposedly haunted are always a classic. Everything you need for a gothic tale is here: a creepy mansion, a kid, ghosts, weird neighbors and an emotional single mom. I thought the author did a great job of blurring the lines, so that, even as the reader, who should have an overview of the situation, it was hard to tell what was real and what wasn\u2019t. The ending almost sets things up for another story, if the author chose to. Overall, a fun read to add to your gothic collection.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "11-Sep-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 21:57:55", "publisher": "Regal House Publishing", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014240019", "title": "My Year of Casual Acquaintances (The South Bay)", "author": "Ruth F Stevens", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 173, "review": "My Year of Casual Acquaintances offers contemporary romance lovers a fresh take on the fresh start trope, and delivers a thoroughly entertaining, highly re-readable novel. Middle-aged editor Mar Meyers has left it all behind; her unfaithful spouse, her big home in the suburbs, even her name in order to start over from scratch in a tiny apartment overlooking the gorgeous California coastline. Her goal: to say yes to new experiences and relationships with the caveat that everything remains casual; at least until a certain lithe-limbed yogi causes Mar to question the rigidity of her no-attachments rule.

With a colorful cast of fellow gym goers, both platonically and romantically inclined, along with a semi-estranged son and family, Stevens juggles what seems like a dozen different characters with a playfulness and ease that draws you fully into their individual storylines. Mar herself is so relatable, and her experiences and perceptions are written with such well-timed bursts of character developing insight that this is easily one of the top three romance novels I\u2019ve read this year.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 21:33:59", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "322 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014240011", "title": "Fatal Intrusion: A Novel (Sanchez & Heron) ", "author": "Jeffery Deaver, Isabella Maldonado", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 179, "review": "Carmen Sanchez is an agent with Homeland Security and Jake Heron is a professor who also works as a private security expert. Even though they have a complicated past, they join forces when Carmen\u2019s sister is attacked by what looks to be a serial killer. The killer\u2019s fascination with spiders leads them on a chase to stop his next Fatal Intrusion. However, it looks like this killer\u2019s web goes much deeper than they thought and there are more players involved.

The plot sounded interesting, as well as the descriptions of the characters, but everything felt dry. The technical jargon is there, clearly the authors know what they\u2019re talking about. However, it was hard to get interested in the characters. I\u2019m not the biggest fan of knowing who the killer is from the beginning; it takes away a lot of the suspense.

If you enjoy police procedurals and hacker plots, this is a book for you. Just be prepared, it reads more like a manual than a thriller. Overall, it wasn\u2019t horrible, but it wasn\u2019t exactly page-turner I was expecting.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 20:39:47", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "446 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014239015", "title": "The Naming Song", "author": "Jedediah Berry", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 181, "review": "In this literary science fiction novel, which is still rare but becoming more common, the reader enters a world in which words have disappeared and monsters have slipped out of our dreams and into reality, providing a true waking nightmare. To stand against ghosts, monsters and other creatures of the night, four different committees were created to build up the borders around the remnants of the world to combat these demons.

An unnamed courier for the Names Committee flees her assignment when she realizes that those she gives new words too end up being attacked and heads to find the truth, even if that means going back to the beginning of everything to learn the truth.

Depending on how you feel about literary fiction, especially literary science fiction, will greatly impact if you will enjoy this or not. There are some people with Names, maybe the lucky ones, and other characters who go by descriptors as their names, especially in a world that is trying to rebuild after the words disappeared; especially as literary science fiction is still finding its footing.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2024", "date_added": "27-May-2024 20:12:38", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014239007", "title": "Devour: A Graphic Novel", "author": "Jazmine Joyner, Anthony Pugh", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 212, "review": "\u201cWe bring our beliefs wherever we go.\u201d The myths and lore from Africa came to America with the enslaved peoples. But it wasn\u2019t just the stories that arrived in the New World; the gods came, too. One of these gods was the spider Anansi, who came to consume the stories of the captured Africans. The woman of the Turner family imprisoned Anansi before he could destroy people\u2019s memories. When Vassie became ill, her son and his children came to Alabama to stay with the matriarch of the Turner family. Vassie must teach her only granddaughter, Patsy, the family hoodoo, to keep Anansi locked up. If Anansi is ever freed, he will devour the memories of anyone he comes across.

Devour is the debut graphic novel by award-winning comic journalist Jazmine Joyner. This grimdark horror graphic novel borrows from West African mythology but tells a dark story that could only come from America. Joyner uses their craft to focus on Black ancestral trauma. The tale of terror that Joyner weaves is punctuated with the brutal and bloody artwork of comic book artist Anthony Pugh. The grim yet captivating illustrations aid this book\u2019s overall sense of dread and treachery. This horror novel, full of history and magic, is the story Anansi looks to devour.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "02-Aug-2024", "date_added": "27-May-2024 19:33:01", "publisher": "Abrams ComicArts - Megascope", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014239003", "title": "Snoopy's Beagle Scout Tales: Peanuts Graphic Novels", "author": "Charles M Schulz, Robert Pope", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 178, "review": "I've loved the Peanuts comic strip ever since I was a child, This graphic novel added laughter to my day as I remembered the shenanigans Snoopy and the Peanuts gang would get themselves into. Snoopy's Beagle Scout Tales is a compilation of five stories plus four Classic Peanuts comic strips from Charles Schultz. From food fights to river rafting accidents to Snoopy telling his little group of Woodstocks what to do, this book will have fans laughing and gasping on each page.

I recommend this book to elementary school children and older. Adults will reminisce at their favorite characters including bossy Lucy and Linus with his trusty blanket.

The illustrations in this book are done in bright colors, unlike the original news strip that got ink all over your hands. The book is also the perfect size to take with you on a vacation. Although the five stories have been written by different authors, they have used the same style humor as Charles Schultz had created back in the old days. This is a series that you'll want to collect.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "20-Jul-2024", "date_added": "27-May-2024 17:55:07", "publisher": "Simon Spotlight", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014238019", "title": "I Did Something Bad: A Novel", "author": "Pyae Moe Thet War", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 197, "review": "Freelance journalist Khin has just been assigned a celebrity profile for Vogue on actor Tyler Tun. Following him on the set of his new movie in Myanmar, her top priority is finding an exclusive scoop on the heartthrob to secure her dream job. Khin sees through Tyler\u2019s charm and can immediately tell that he is hiding something from her. However, they soon form a friendship and let their guards down, seemingly forgetting about their journalistic relationship. A crime near the movie set throws things off course, yet both Khin and Tyler join forces to hide their criminal act.

The dark, mysterious cover and catchy title had me anticipating a thrilling rom-com, yet I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of this novel. Although there is a prominent love story, the book highlights the importance of friendship and loyalty. I was in awe of the author\u2019s writing \u2013 it was so lyrical and beautiful when describing the innermost feelings of Khin. I appreciated Khin\u2019s journey to reinvent herself after a tough divorce and violent encounter in the early pages of the book and connected with her self-inflicted pressure to put on a tough fa\u00e7ade. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2024", "date_added": "27-May-2024 20:21:16", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014237023", "title": "Brownstone", "author": "Samuel Teer, Mar Julia", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - age 14", "word_count": 191, "review": "It\u2019s always been just Almudena and her mother. But this summer, Almudena is being shipped off to stay with her father, Xavier, whom she\u2019s never met before. She knows nothing about her father, and she has so many questions for him. Why did he leave them? Why didn\u2019t he ever reach out to her? Will this be a disastrous summer for Almudena?

I liked this YA graphic novel, and I thought the story was interesting. I thought the father\u2019s neighbors and friends were mean and rude to Almudena. They kept questioning why she didn\u2019t speak Spanish even though she\u2019s half Guatemalan. It\u2019s not her fault she wasn\u2019t taught Spanish. I liked how the story touched on so many issues, LGBTQ+, gentrification, immigrants, ethnicity, abandonment, and trauma.

It\u2019s hard to comment on the art since this was an ARC, and there was no color which takes away from the story. There were a number of panels I couldn\u2019t really figure out the details because they were just pencil sketches without shading and definition to the drawings. I recommend this YA graphic novel to anyone who likes stories about family and fitting in.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "01-Aug-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 21:25:59", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014237019", "title": "Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime (Miss Sharp Investigates)", "author": "Leonie Swann, Amy Bojang", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 204, "review": "Agnes and her friends are the elderly residents of Sunset Hall, and each of them has grown bored. So when Edwina wins a trip to a coastal hotel, each of them jumps at the chance to get away. The fun quickly dissipates when Agnes witnesses what she believes is a murder when only one hooded figure returns from the cliffs. She turns to her friends for help and soon it becomes clear that a killer is lurking just as a storm keeps them trapped at the hotel.

The mystery shines thanks to the delightful protagonist of Agnes who brings a sense of joy into every page. She and her friends have the best banter and encompass friendship goals as these retirees confide in each other, solve mysteries, and even get into a little bit of trouble. The vacation takes them to a fun location which at times makes the mystery eerie thanks to the isolated feeling of the hotel. This adds suspense to the tone that generally stays lighthearted through Agnes\u2019 personality and her dynamic with her friends. Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime is a fun-filled mystery that is highly recommended with the perfect blend of humor, murder, suspense, and friendship.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 21:21:48", "publisher": "Soho Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014237011", "title": "Elephant Touch: A Novel", "author": "Susan R Greenway", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 193, "review": "Quinn recently lost her mother and she can\u2019t seem to stop wallowing in her grief. Her mother\u2019s sister, Aunt Lizzie, takes Quinn to Thailand to volunteer in an elephant sanctuary, hoping it will heal her. The elephants have been abused or abandoned, and every sad thing reminds Quinn of her lost mother. One day she runs to the river, crying. An elephant comforts Quinn, rubbing her with its trunk, and they make a connection.

A baby elephant is brought in, and she will not eat or drink. Quinn wants to help. She needs to use all her courage and accept the help of friends she has made at the sanctuary as well as the help of her aunt, but will it be enough?

Susan R. Greenway has written a sweet story that will engage young readers, especially those who have some experience with loss. The characters are well developed and fairly believable. The writing is nice, although the voice is a little uneven. The animals are absolutely charming, and the setting is one that will be fascinating to young readers. The story is a bit too predictable but still will satisfy young readers.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "25-Sep-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 20:57:00", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014235035", "title": "Adventures in Volcanoland: What Volcanoes Tell Us About the World and Ourselves", "author": "Tamsin Mather", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 183, "review": "Adventures in Volcanoland provides a detailed exploration of the majestic and towering landforms that are volcanoes found on land, undersea, and on the surface of planets in space. Revered and feared, they command attention but are unwilling to reveal their secrets without some work on behalf of humankind. Tamsin Mather, a professor and explorer, presents comprehensive information through her experiences and research in three parts: describing volcanoes and their local effects, global effects, and what their presence in space means for us.

Adventures in Volcanoland showcases Mather's passion for volcanoes, science, and humanity through memoir, factual information, and educational insights. She articulates with precision and accuracy, citing a comprehensive list of past, current, and potentially future events. Due to the topic and nature of the presentation, the reader will best comprehend and enjoy it if they have upper-level education or adequate focusing skills. The information is presented in textbook-style format through text and interspersed pictures and graphs.

Name-dropping landmarks and prominent people, Mather's Adventures in Volcanoland takes the reader on an adventure through time and space to educate about the world around us.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "30-Sep-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 20:37:33", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014235031", "title": "An Honorable Assassin (The Nick Mason Novels)", "author": "Steve Hamilton", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 197, "review": "Nick Mason is used to being in tight spots as he was a former inmate in a maximum security prison. However, an arrangement led to an early release but with certain provisions. He has been tasked with carrying out high-profile assassinations. Yet, the outside world has carried the potential for as many lethal double-crosses as he faced behind bars.

He finds himself in Jakarta, Indonesia where he has been ordered to take out a financier of terrorism. His handlers provide scant intel as Mason must think quickly when plans go awry and the target eludes his pursuers. Mason is told that failure is not an option and his ex-wife and daughter\u2019s lives hang on the success of the mission. Mason will need to contend with a possible mole on his team along with a vengeance-seeking Interpol agent in carrying out the hit.

An Honorable Assassin is the third and latest book in the excellent Nick Mason series by the exceptionally talented Steve Hamilton. The story is loaded with both explosive action and drama as Mason\u2019s Faustian bargain continues to haunt his every move. Mason proves to be an intriguing and engrossing lead character in his evolving storyline.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2024", "date_added": "28-May-2024 19:43:41", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "283 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014234069", "title": "You Can\u2019t Take The Truth", "author": "J.L. Witterick", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 59, "review": "\"Witterick has crafted a fascinating future that explores truth, love, and the nature of dreams. The book has a fascinating mix of sci-fi and real-world elements, adding futuristic drugs to familiar pharmaceutical corruption. Teens and fans of dystopian fiction alike will eat up You Can't Take the Truth and the compelling world it contains.\" \u2014Jo Niederhoff, Chicago Book Review", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2024 20:58:42", "publisher": "WitterickBooks", "page_count": "331 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014234065", "title": "You Can\u2019t Take The Truth", "author": "J.L. Witterick", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 76, "review": "\u201cA mindblowing novel that introduces a powerful chemical substance known as The Truth that makes the user\u2019s dreams seem like reality. Told by a young girl named Flo who becomes surrounded by a series of decisions that could alter many lives, You Can\u2019t Take the Truth is both eye-opening and thought-provoking. Readers will not be able to put this book down as they ask themselves the time-old question, \u201cWhat if?\u201d \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2024 20:58:19", "publisher": "WitterickBooks", "page_count": "331 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014234059", "title": "Christian: Label or Lifestyle", "author": "Thomas Fitzhugh Sheets", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 409, "review": "I approached this book expecting yet another book on religion. Some parts might be inspiring, others might be trite or obvious, and in all, it would be generally inoffensive, especially to those with no need to be convinced of the book\u2019s arguments.

This book was not quite that. For one thing, the author comes out swinging with his political views, mixing religion and politics as early as page two and being explicitly pro-Trump by page three.

That will automatically turn some readers away. I suspect they were not part of the author\u2019s intended audience to begin with. When reviewing, however, I try to put politics aside unless a book contains something genuinely hurtful to some group (which does not occur in this until a few pages from the end). In this case, my qualm about including a political message referring to specific figures is that the book has been released in an election year. In a matter of months, the president may not be the man referred to in the foreword. In four years, it certainly will not be. Mentioning any president gives any book a shelf life, and this one's may be shorter than the author hoped.

The main message of the book, politics aside, is that Christianity in America is taking an approach counter to what God and the Bible intended. Rather than picturing Jesus as a servant or a friendly figure, we ought to picture him as a divine judge, and Christians ought to constantly prepare for his eventual return and not assume that professing faith alone will ensure them a place in Heaven. The author brings forth several Bible verses to support his point, and in general, it is a worthwhile point to make. I believe many people on both sides of the political aisle would agree that several branches of Christianity have strayed from the basic tenets of the faith.

However, espousing one political candidate from the get-go will sharply narrow the author\u2019s prospective audience, meaning this book will likely only appeal to those who already agree with him. Nearly everyone else will at some point be put off by either his rhetoric or his misspellings and baffling sentence structure. As a call-to-arms which preaches to the choir, it may be successful. I can\u2019t speak to that, not being a personal member of said choir. As an appeal to the broader Christian population of America, I expect it will be too political to draw in any moderate readers.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2024 20:53:32", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000014234055", "title": "Christian: Label or Lifestyle", "author": "Thomas Fitzhugh Sheets", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 509, "review": "When you think about the kind of righteous, God-fearing, morally upright, wise and just leader who can simultaneously save the American Dream and set the United States back on the path to religious salvation, is the first person who comes to mind (six times bankrupt business owner, twice divorced, self-acknowledged adulterer, convicted felon, etc.) Donald Trump? If so, then Christian: Label or Lifestyle could well be the ideal book for you.

Thomas Fitzhugh Sheets starts from the premise that \u201cthe instant gratification crowd\u201d have debased Christianity in America\u2014and, possibly, elsewhere, although he adopts a decidedly myopic perspective on the Christian world\u2014by focusing on reaching Judgment through belief in Jesus rather than surviving Judgment through demonstrable obedience to God\u2019s commands. This nascent argument could well find much support among Christians, particularly those from more traditional/orthodox branches.

However, Sheets almost immediately deviates from what could have been a valuable reconsideration of what it means to be a Christian in the contemporary era by bringing in his own deeply entrenched political opinions\u2014right wing, MAGA, US-centric, etc.\u2014without allowing any room for debate or any contemplation of the value of the separation of church and state. For example, his view of the Biden administration is encapsulated in the following: \u201cIn spite of a pandemic, deadly riots and over four years of trying to overthrow a duly elected president, their insurrection has failed, but they keep trying.\u201d

Thus, while Christian: Label or Lifestyle is notionally a book about reconciling an easy declaration of Christianity with the difficult practice of actually living a Christian life, it is actually a polemic that really only holds water when preaching to the choir. Interestingly, Sheets cites John Wesley as having a great influence on him, although his conspiracy-laden critique of almost anyone other than Donald Trump does not conform with Wesley\u2019s entreaty, in the context of elections, \u201cto speak no evil of\u201d and take care spirits are \u201cnot sharpened against those that voted on the other side.\u201d

In practical terms, through the thirteen short chapters of Christian: Label or Lifestyle, Sheets uses a selection of passages from the Bible\u2014particularly the Gospel of Paul\u2014to indicate the perceived flaws and fallacies of ecclesiastical teaching of the Gospel, especially concerning role of Jesus as the Righteous Judge, and the messages and workings of churches today. Many branches of Christianity will take exception to this (and declarations such as \u201cthe fundamentals of Calvinism are evil\u201d) and it would have been beneficial if Sheets had cited some authoritative outside sources to back up his options.

Overall, Christian: Label or Lifestyle offers insight into a specific viewpoint on a particular facet of Christianity through Sheets\u2019 interpretation of certain selected Bible passages. While it unintentionally presents an interesting illustration of the intersection of minority religion and politics in the run up to the 2024 US presidential election, it will principally appeal to those who already hold Sheets\u2019 religious/political views, provided they can overcome the sacrilegious suggestion that God is working through\u2014of all people\u2014Donald Trump: \u201cGod is using Donald Trump to reveal exactly who these people are.\u201d", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2024 20:53:24", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000014234051", "title": "Christian: Label or Lifestyle", "author": "Thomas Fitzhugh Sheets", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 439, "review": "Christian: Label or Lifestyle by Thomas Fitzhugh Sheets is a call to Christians and churches in the US to realign with God's true teachings and oppose socialist agendas in a government founded by men who loved God. It shines a light on the rebellion of the Church against the Second Coming of Jesus and its effect of distorting God\u2019s plan of salvation. With biblical quotes and sound logic, Thomas explains why this generation's idea of being saved by grace alone is very far from God's plan for humanity. You will gain access to his profound thoughts on seeing Paul\u2019s letter to the Ephesians as a great example of Storge Love, the assault on Donald Trump as an assault on America's prosperity, and producing good fruit as the most important purpose of the family of god. These and the other topics in the book serve as a wake-up call to all Christians.

The time for lukewarmness is over. Just like Paul's message to the church, Thomas' words are emphatic and authoritative, calling all Christians to face the uncomfortable truths and understand the core message of the gospel. Since I grew up in a church that preached about preparing for God's judgment, the modern idea of low effort and great reward feels foreign to me, and I'm glad the author is calling our attention to this issue.

A plethora of scriptures are quoted in the book, allowing readers to quickly compare the author's words with biblical teachings. These scriptures are usually seen in italics and are smoothly merged with the rest of the book in flowy, lyrical paragraphs. Whether he's discussing one of Paul\u2019s themes in Ephesians or quoting Matthew 7:21 to bring attention to God's will for us, Thomas' messages are deeply rooted in a thorough exploration of the scriptures. Also, his personal experiences with Christian gatherings give us a glimpse of how serious the problem of sugarcoating the scriptures is in today's world.

Though the book is mainly focused on religious themes, it sometimes veers into political topics, revealing the need to choose leaders who represent God's will over those who don't. Since these topics are sensitive, the book is best for readers who can consider opposing political and religious beliefs without being triggered.

Truth-seeking Christians and churches will appreciate Sheets' effort in creating this revelatory book. Prepare for a riveting combination of jolting revelations and deep scriptural explorations that leave no room for lukewarmness and inaction. Read Christian: Label or Lifestyle and share it with your loved ones as you discover the importance of evangelizing, doing the hard work, and making the tough choices that lead to salvation.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2024", "date_added": "26-May-2024 20:53:16", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014234047", "title": "Christian: Label or Lifestyle", "author": "Thomas Fitzhugh Sheets", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 446, "review": "According to a 2023 Gallup poll, Christianity is the most prevalent religion in the United States, with sixty-eight percent of Americans identifying with this religion. An individual's path to Christianity varies from another, but according to religious beliefs, what matters is faith in Jesus Christ as the savior. Depending on various factors, from denominational to individual, changes of varying degrees may occur - passages in Scripture talk about a person's lifestyle changing to be more \"godly\" and obedient to God's commands and instructions to differentiate themselves from worldly ways (be in the world, not of it). Scripture shows us that humans cannot save themselves - it depends on the grace of Jesus to provide salvation and, for the believer, eternal life in the new heaven and earth after Judgement Day.

In Thomas Fitzhugh Sheets' newest book, he addresses and answers the question Christian: Label or Lifestyle? Taking inspiration from the apostle Paul in the New Testament, John Wesley, and dear friends, Sheet picks scripture passages that, he feels, prove the way to earn your spot in Paradise, aka heaven, after Judgement Day, is through obedience and compliance to God's commands. Through thirteen chapters, he discusses passages throughout the Bible that speak about our duties to \"do\" and live sinless lives in our pursuit of receiving salvation after Judgement Day. Sheets addresses the other teaching of salvation found in many churches, termed as \"instant self-gratification\" (aka being saved instantly upon faith instead of waiting until after Judgement Day while we work through obedience), and his perceived dangers of buying into that teaching. Through an in-depth look at current political figures/the government, current events, and the provided passages, Sheets makes his rebuttal against the historical teachings of the church in an attempt to right the wrongs that have been and are continuing to be preached and passed down in households and church bodies.

The book's tone felt opinionated and judgy, especially given the lack of citations and additional readings through footnotes or other scholarly writings. Based on the author's emphasis on the validity of the provided examples and his purpose of swaying readers' opinions and deeply held beliefs, there needed to be further proof for the possible chance of curiosity/believability. Sheets contradicted himself, and his personal biases toward political figures lowered his validity; based on comments against common teachings, scripture verses that provide the basis for those teachings were not addressed (Eph. 2:8-9, Romans 3:23, 6:23, 8:1, 10:9, 12:1-2, 2 Timothy 1:9). Sheets includes select accurate statements that are positive reminders for readers - characteristics of Jesus - but offers a different interpretation for most everything else. Taking time to process each chapter is beneficial for retention and comprehension.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2024 20:52:13", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014234039", "title": "Castle Forks", "author": "Chris Cochrane", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 429, "review": "Chris and his father, Todd, stumble on a surprising discovery after a fun hunt that turns into a memorable journey. They meet a strange creature that introduces them to a hidden world filled with more odd beings like it. They also find out that they must prepare for a battle between good and evil forces, and they seem to have a role to play in it. Novell is one of the good ones, but his brother Banlin deflected to join the evil forces in an unfortunate turn of events.

Todd is worried for his child's safety, but Chris wishes to join the fight against evil despite being inexperienced with the art of war. Chris Cochrane's Castle Forks narrates an epic fantasy tale involving fast-paced scenes, intense action, and impressive magical abilities. Join Chris and his father as they face the reality of preparing for war against vicious beasts and unraveling a hidden, mind-blowing world.

One amazing thing about Castle Forks is that it is very imaginative and distinctive yet completely addictive. The book's wonderful, well-developed world, with its remarkable rules and intricate backstories, is one of its most pleasant features. For example, one can only pass through the Swamp of Inka with a heart that's pure and devoid of ill intentions. Also, the characters are expertly portrayed throughout; apart from being brave enough to want to fight evil, Chris is seen as a child who has a friendly attitude and cares about the safety of his father and the rest of the good characters.

I loved the book's fantasy theme and had fun picturing every magical element, from red-haired giants and leathery, opaque wings to flaming swords and an ability to see the future. The sensational action scenes are merged smoothly with battle strategies, resulting in an engaging game-like atmosphere. Furthermore, Castle Forks is never predictable since you never know what's coming next. The book is filled with discoveries and secrets that sometimes give the good guys an edge and also bring them to almost losing everything at other times.

Fans of brave teenage protagonists and action-packed fantasy books would love Castle Forks. Besides being seriously engaging, the book contains compelling biblical and historical subjects that every reader can learn from, whether young or old.

Overall, Castle Forks is one of those books you can read multiple times without getting bored. Its tightly packed chapters will have you reading briskly and leave your heart racing excitedly. Chris Cochrane is a fine example of a writer who is both passionate and gifted with creating imaginative stories about young, delightful protagonists.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "26-May-2024 20:48:17", "publisher": "Hawes & Jenkins", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014234035", "title": "Castle Forks", "author": "Chris Cochrane", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 436, "review": "Chris Cochrane felt he was an average twelve-year-old boy. He lived in sunny California with his mom, dad, and older brother. After the normality of calm and peaceful living, a season of unexpected and devastating natural disasters occurs, causing Chris and his family to wonder if they'll make it through to see the brighter side again.

On a hunting trip with his dad, they learn of a hidden-in-plain-site fortress under the watch of Caregivers, winged men who protect the unsuspecting and vulnerable human world from the heinous and deadly Demon Shadows. Chris uncovers his family line containing secrets, mysteries, and the key to survival; through self-discovery, he evolves into the hero needed for the betterment of all kinds.

Castle Forks is cohesive through an exciting and suspenseful storyline. Set in a meld of modern and medieval times, with an intermixing of time travel, themes of fantasy, magic, and mystery are introduced early on and continue in intensity throughout the story. A unique twist of myths and historical events in support of the storyline will peak readers' interest as they find familiarity to latch onto. The story contains Christian undertones interpreted by the main characters in the forms of angels and demons, along with select sections that reference Biblical characters and situations. Readers familiar with the Bible stories should appreciate the references; otherwise, the story remains enjoyable with no lapse in comprehension.

Castle Forks contains the unique, but not uncommon, artistic style of the author's name bestowed on the main character; in this case, Chris Cochrane is the literal and literary author of the story. This writing style's interpretation could vary among readers, but it's ingenious to experience only imaginable situations and could serve as a moral booster. Chris, the character, is referred to by a nickname throughout the story; whether this is personal or only for the story remains unknown.

The relationships within the Cochrane family show positive, respectful, and empowering family dynamics while remaining realistic within the individual relationships (father/son, mother/son, brother/brother) and inner dialogue (self-doubts, frustrations, anger, worry, infatuation, etc.). Some readers may relate to the fact that Chris had to grow up faster than intended, although his reasoning (for the betterment and safety of all) might not have the same emotional connection.

The many elements and themes found throughout the story and the adventure storyline, make Castle Forks a recommended read for fans of the fantasy genre; several twists and potential endings make the story exciting and page-turn-worthy. The intended audience age is middle school and onward due to some violent and graphic scenes (battle); for parental readers, there are no sex scenes.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2024 20:48:08", "publisher": "Hawes & Jenkins", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014234031", "title": "Castle Forks", "author": "Chris Cochrane", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 409, "review": "Castle Fork is a fantastic mystical story by author Chris Cochrane. In this story, the main character is a 12-year-old boy named the same name as the author who goes hunting with his father Todd Cochrane. One day, while they are hunting, Chris sees a tall creature with a golden key around its neck. The creature is clean and unlike anyone Chris has ever met. In fact, Christ thinks he is hallucinating and second-guesses if he even saw the creature. After telling his dad about the creature, Todd explains that he saw this creature when he was hunting with his father. It turns out the creature is a Caretaker and the Cochranes have a very special connection to them.

Full of magic and wonder, Castle Fork takes its readers on a wonderful adventure fighting against immortal Demon Shadows. Each creature in the book has some sort of superpower and the Cochranes also have special abilities. Before Chris knows it, he and his family are in the middle of an ancient battlefield, helping to fight the fight.

The characters were my favorite part of the book. The first creature readers are introduced to is Si, a Caretaker. Si gives Chris and Todd blueberries to eat to understand one another's language. From there, he brings them to Castle Fork, a hidden castle that only appears when a key unlocks the front gate or someone inside lowers it to welcome visitors approaching. Chris and Todd then meet Novell, Si's father, who has long flowing white hair and bright eyes. The Demon Shadows were out-of-this-world scary with their glowing red eyes and their ability to be invisible.

The flow of the story was a little slow with a lot of dialogue, but since the story was easy enough to follow, it wasn't difficult to read this book quickly. There were a few confusing parts as well including some dream sequences where I was confused as to what was a dream and what wasn't but if you go with the flow and don't think too much about it, it ends up being fine. Overall, I found this story to be entertaining and exciting. It was very descriptive and therefore easy to picture the characters, settings, and scenes in the book. I would recommend this book to the young adult crowd because of the blood and violence that occurs during the battles in the story. Author Chris Cochrane has an explosive imagination that readers will find thrilling.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2024 20:48:01", "publisher": "Hawes & Jenkins", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014234027", "title": "Castle Forks", "author": "Chris Cochrane", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 422, "review": "Chris Cochrane and his family were attempting to outrun a wildfire, the smoke and flames nipping at their car\u2019s bumper. This was one of the perils of living in Northern California. The fear that ran through Chris\u2019 mind was a feeling he\u2019d rather soon forget. Soon, other events will transpire that will make his near incineration seem insignificant. The weirdness began shortly after his mother and brother went down to Peru and Chris saw a winged man on the family ranch.

Chris doesn\u2019t want to believe what he saw, but he soon learns that his father Todd had a similar vision years before. While hunting in the woods, they meet \u201cThe Caretaker\u201d, a winged man in whose presence they feel an almost unnatural calmness. The winged creature introduces himself as Si and he introduces father and son to the kingdom of Castle Forks. Chris and Todd are introduced to various inhabitants of Castle Forks and learn that blueberries are the key to understanding language. Si introduces the Cochranes to Norvell who is the leader of the kingdom. Norvell provides a history of Castle Forks and how Castle Forks has been fighting a perennial battle against a group known as the Tourlt. As Chris and Todd process their surroundings and the history, they are stunned when they learn about the Cochrane family\u2019s ties with the hidden kingdom at Castle Forks.

Norvell regales the Cochrane men with the story of a fallen caretaker and how the caretakers have been protecting Castle Forks from an invasion from the Tourlt. Todd and Chris are seen as the next generation of Cochranes to ally with Norvell, Si, and other caretakers in fighting back against their enemies. This will not be an easy task to undertake and the risks will be great.

Castle Forks is a delightful fantasy tale mixed with action and adventure wherein the adolescent Chris Cochrane is thrust into a battle between good and evil. Chris is the precocious youngster in his family, he wants to be included in the more adult-like activities, such as hunting with his father and helping protect Castle Forks. The story primarily explores the relationships between Todd and Chris along with Chris and his brother Justin. Chris loves and looks up to both his father and older brother and he exudes great bravery in defending them under dangerous circumstances. The plot\u2019s pacing is natural and progresses to a more than satisfying conclusion. Author Chris Cochrane has written a splendid story with enough action and heart to fulfill any intrepid readers desiring escapist fiction.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "07-Aug-2024", "date_added": "26-May-2024 20:47:39", "publisher": "Hawes & Jenkins", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014234019", "title": "The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter", "author": "Chris Cochrane", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 426, "review": "Olivia and Caroline are curious about who is making up the beds, dusting off the shelves, and doing all the chores. When they ask Mom, she replies with a joke about it being a friendly elf. When they ask Dad, he replies that it must be the Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter. Since this also sounds like a joke, the children laugh at Dad's response but still wonder about the chores.

However, Dad claims to have seen the Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter, which leads them on a search quest that takes them deep into the woods. Will Olivia and Caroline find the Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter? The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter by Chris Cochrane captures humor, adventure, and fantasy in a charming children's story that's illustrated by lovely, colorful pictures.

Chris does a great job of infusing suspense into his story and engendering curiosity in readers. Right from the start, the story compels you to ponder the question, \"Who is doing the chores for the children?\" Also, the inclusion of smart clues and attractive elements like the \"large, odd-shaped footprint\" creates a suspenseful atmosphere that keeps you glued to the story. Furthermore, the children display a sense of empathy when they express their concern about another character being lonely and offer to keep them company. Their generous attitude is a noticeable trait of theirs that makes them likable and worth emulating.

Children will love the vibrant pictures in the book. They are skillfully created and very cute, reminding me of some brilliant Netflix cartoons like The Boss Baby and Masha and the Bear. The book maintains a great balance of pictures and words. A page made up of pictures is usually followed by a page with a few sentences and a tiny illustration.

The book has a touch of fantasy and magic that will appeal to all children, who are still very much in their most creative and imaginative phase. They will find it hard to resist the allure of a strange creature with a funny name, especially since it is very unique and not the type you will find in other books.

All in all, The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is a brilliantly magical book that's perfect for children. It encourages being curious and enjoying the thrills of a vivid imagination. Also, the enchantment of nature is captured with the beautiful illustrations and the compelling quest in the woods. If you love to share funny, memorable moments with the little ones around you, you should gift them this funny, creative, and uplifting story by Chris Cochrane.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2024 20:43:44", "publisher": "Hawes & Jenkins Publishing", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014234015", "title": "The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter", "author": "Chris Cochrane", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 397, "review": "The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is a wonderful children's book that brings to life a cute little monster named Buznard Archebald. Children of all ages will get a hoot out of this book as it is funny and happy.

It all starts when sisters Olivia and Caroline notice their room is clean. All of their things are put away and their beds are made. But they know that they weren't the ones who tidied up. They ask their mom and dad who both say it wasn't them. Then, their Dad says, \"It must have been the Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter.\" Their dad was the best at being silly so the girls just think it's their dad making up another story.

The best part of this book is when the girls and their dad go out into the woods to find the Dinglehopper. The girls couldn't believe he was real. And even though he looked like a monster, the Dinglehopper was not scary at all. In fact, he was silly and fun!

The story will appeal to children who love an element of fantasy. It would be a great book for a child who is scared of monsters under his or her bed because this monster is so cute and friendly that it would probably help to dissolve some of their fears.

The illustrations in the book are very colorful and will appeal to the eyes of children. There is also a lot of detail in the illustrations. Because I read the book as a digital copy, I was able to zoom in on the pictures and I could tell the illustrator, Indre Ta, put a great deal of work and care into them. The pictures had texture and shadowing and the animals were cute as could be. I did think the humans' faces were a little distorted and unnatural looking but overall, the artwork was beautiful.

The text is spaced out well and is on the page opposing the illustration. This design will make it easy for parents to read to their child while the child looks at the picture illustrating the words. A single illustration of an item from the opposing page sits atop each paragraph which is both sweet and can be used as a \"find it\" item for little ones.

Overall, The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter checks all the boxes for an enjoyable, adventurous children's book that many will love.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2024", "date_added": "26-May-2024 20:43:33", "publisher": "Hawes & Jenkins Publishing", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014234011", "title": "The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter", "author": "Chris Cochrane", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 424, "review": "A fantastical and highly imaginative adventure story featuring a monster with a difference, Chris Cochrane\u2019s The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is a whimsical and fun-filled picture book that\u2019s sure to amuse and entertain youngsters and those who read with them.

When Olivia and Caroline realize that someone has been tidying their room for them\u2014putting away their books and toys, making up the beds, and generally keeping the place spick and span\u2014they ask their parents who has been helping them out. While Mum suggests that the cleaning might have been done by a friendly elf, Dad thinks that it is the work of a Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter.

Although Mum is certainly joking, it soon turns out that Dad might have been telling the truth. In fact, Dad claims to have actually seen the crazy-sounding creature, which prompts Olivia and Caroline to go for a walk in the woods with him to hunt for the elusive Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter. Amazingly, they start to spot signs of a monster hiding in the woods\u2014a tail disappearing behind a tree, a head peaking over a shrub, an odd-shaped footprint in the mud.

Based on these brief glimpses, the girls worry that the monster might be scary, but Dad reassures them that the Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is kind and friendly and simply shy because he looks different to other animals. When they consider that he might be lonely, the girls determine to find the helpful monster and befriend him.

A charming tale that combines the adventure of hunting for a monster with the fun of having one as a houseguest, The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is silly and funny in all the best ways. Chris Cochrane\u2019s story manages to balance the fun-filled aspects of Olvia and Caroline\u2019s quest to find the housework-loving monster with a subtle lesson about not judging people based on appearances and about the importance of making everyone feel included.

What\u2019s more, The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is illustrated throughout by Indre Ta. The bright colors and imaginative details in the illustrations immediately capture the attention and really enhance the story. In particular, Buznard Archebald\u2019s eventual depiction is sweet and appealing. However, while the creatures and the backgrounds are cute and engaging, the human characters are reflective of the uncanny valley and so are a little disturbing.

Still, The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is a magical story featuring a mystery, an adventurous journey into the forest, a fantastical creature, and plenty of laughs. It will make an excellent bedtime story for monster fans everywhere.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2024 20:43:27", "publisher": "Hawes & Jenkins Publishing", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014234007", "title": "The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter", "author": "Chris Cochrane", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 409, "review": "The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is a fairytale-style story about sisters who find their room picked up and things put away, but they didn't do it! Relevant themes such as embracing unique characteristics, personality, and thoughts are necessary teachings and reminders for readers of all ages.

Sisters Olivia and Caroline discover one day something \"off\" about their room: it is tidy, shelves dusted, and toys put away; their parents said they didn't do it, and the girls know it wasn't from them, so who could have done this anonymous good deed? Mom guesses it to be a friendly elf, but Dad is sure it is a Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter, aka Steven, something the girls are skeptical about believing. A trip through the woods with Dad provides the proof that everyone was looking for: a Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter who is shy, carries ammunition in the form of blueberries, and wears broken antlers atop his head, nothing like what anyone previously imagined, but purposeful and fitting for his character.

An invitation and visit to their house shows that regardless of quirky behaviors, his kind and thoughtful personality is what matters and shines brightest. The story contains similarities to The Gruffalo in its writing style, minus the scare tactic toward the animals, with this story being opposite with care and compassion versus intimidation. All ages will find learning opportunities through the universally understood lessons about understanding and acceptance. The format of the story shows text and coordinating pictures on each page, with illustrations appearing colorful, whimsical, and family-friendly. The story is an equal amount of imaginative and realistic, teaching the entertainment and benefits of being \"outside the box\" versus containing yourself in thought and action to the four walls of the \"box.\"

The story shows that adventure can happen anywhere, from outside your window to inside your bedroom, with just yourself or several others. Adventure is what you make of it and how far you are willing to go with creativity, imagination, and being open-minded to new things. Things that seemed different or scary may not be after further consideration and not taking people, places, and things at first impression. A strong and positive family dynamic is evident in the fictional family, serving as an example for the reader, whether a child or an adult. A good work ethic is apparent in the story physically (cleaning the house) and through determination to solve the mystery of who cleaned their room.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2024", "date_added": "26-May-2024 20:43:07", "publisher": "Hawes & Jenkins Publishing", "page_count": "60 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014233031", "title": "Giving is Not Just For The Very Rich: A How-To Guide For Giving And Philanthropy", "author": "Dr. Susan Aurelia Gitelson", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 596, "review": "In Giving Is Not Just for the Very Rich: A How-To Guide for Giving and Philanthropy, Dr. Susan Aurelia Gitelson provides a comprehensive account of charitable giving in the contemporary world, both the theory behind it and the practical steps involved. Through examples from her own life as well as from the lives of famous people in various fields, she highlights the importance of giving back to society and the ways in which doing so can be accomplished, whatever the individual\u2019s personal wealth (or lack thereof).

To lay a foundation for those who are new to the concept and/or practice of philanthropy, the first section of the book, titled \u201cGiving Benefits Others and Yourself,\u201d establishes the myriad reasons why someone might choose to engage in charitable giving, including recovery from illness and desire to share expertise. Here, Gitelson stresses the benefits that both the giver and the receiver of charity enjoy, and she also explains how deeply rooted philanthropy is in the United States. Of particular interest is Gitelson\u2019s summary of her own introduction to charitable giving, which highlights how you can never be too young to get involved.

Section two, \u201cDifferent Kinds of Impassioned Giving for Maximum Effect,\u201d then adds further detail to the different ways philanthropy can be practiced, offering brief examples of giving by people such as Warren Buffet, Bill and Melinda Gates, and George Soros. Given the personal wealth of these people, their level of giving is well beyond what is possible for most people, but it is still interesting and inspirational to read about. So too are the descriptions of innovative givers such as Paul Tudor Jones, who started the Robin Hood Foundation to reduce poverty, and social entrepreneurs such as the founders of Google.

While most of the examples in this section center on financial giving and investment to improve society, there is also a useful subsection on volunteering, which includes examples of organizations that are always seeking volunteers, including Big Brothers Big Sisters and Operation HOPE. As Gitelson is largely writing for an American audience, the listed organizations are based in the United States, but they can still serve as examples for readers seeking to identify similar organizations in other countries.

Plus, these practical examples lead nicely into the third section, \u201cMajor Areas for Giving,\u201d where Gitelson offers more concrete suggestions for becoming involved in charitable giving, for example, through religious organizations. As the book is a short one, the ideas and information provided are often brief and introductory, but while it would have been helpful to have more detail provided, they do serve as useful signposts toward finding out more. Whether interested in contributing to sports, science and medicine, education, or various other fields, there is something for everyone here.

Importantly, while Giving Is Not Just for the Very Rich is clearly intended to encourage and inspire philanthropy, Gitelson also takes pains to protect would-be givers from people and organization that might seek to exploit their generosity. Indeed, the \u201cHow to Evaluate Charities\u201d section sets out both principles and practical steps for ensuring that you are giving wisely, while the \u201cChoices and Commitments: How Will Your Contributions Have the Greatest Impact\u201d sections explains how to identify the most appropriate project for you. Such information should serve to safeguard givers and promote worthy causes.

Overall, Giving Is Not Just for the Very Rich is a useful resource for those looking to take their first steps toward charitable giving. Through theory and real-world examples, Gitelson provides both encouragement and inspiration, helping readers to find the best philanthropic path for them.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2025", "date_added": "17-May-2024 21:57:56", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "154 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014233027", "title": "Giving is Not Just For The Very Rich: A How-To Guide For Giving And Philanthropy", "author": "Dr. Susan Aurelia Gitelson", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 418, "review": "Most people think philanthropy is meant for the rich alone; however, they engage in philanthropic activities without even knowing it. This book shatters the misconception and proves that anyone can be a philanthropist, regardless of their income level. America boasts a high percentage of givers, and despite the economic challenges they have faced in recent years, giving is still a part of their lifestyle. Research has shown that giving is more fulfilling than receiving, and the book opens with a wonderful quote that says, \u201cGiving is a two-way street. By helping others, we not only enrich their lives but also experience a profound sense of joy and purpose ourselves.\u201d

The author then cites examples of notable philanthropists, allowing readers to explore various ways of making a difference. Gitelson also highlights the power of volunteering, a universally accessible form of giving, and further emphasizes the importance of aligning your volunteer efforts with your passions, as that would help you perform at your best.

For people who have the funds available and want to donate to causes of interest, the book offers a roadmap for strategic giving and talks about different areas of charitable support, from religious institutions and educational causes to scientific research and art. It's impressive that the author doesn't just stop at encouraging readers to give; she equips them with the tools to give wisely. I liked the section where she provided guidance on how to evaluate charities. She outlined red flags to look out for and emphasized the importance of researching the organization's goals, programs, finances, and level of transparency.

I believe this would empower readers to make solid decisions and ensure their donations have a genuine impact. Giving Is Not Just for the Very Rich by Dr. Susan Aurelia Gitelson is an inspiring and enlightening read. The author has many years of experience working with clients and organizations, and her expertise and knowledge shine through in the book.

One of the things I liked most was how the book is beginner-friendly and the steps highlighted are practical enough. The book is also filled with references and links to resources for further reading or research. It doesn't matter if you're a seasoned philanthropist or just starting your giving journey; Gitelson's book offers expert insights and practical guidance to help you make the best choices. So, if you're ready to experience the joy of giving and make a positive difference in the world, pick up this book and discover the power of your generosity, big or small.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2024", "date_added": "17-May-2024 21:57:49", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "154 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014233023", "title": "Giving is Not Just For The Very Rich: A How-To Guide For Giving And Philanthropy", "author": "Dr. Susan Aurelia Gitelson", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 401, "review": "Dr. Gitelson has extensive experience with philanthropy. Her father allowed her to be involved in his charitable pursuits from a young age, and she has spent the many decades of her adult life involved with various foundations and awards, some of which she established and designed herself. Because of this, she knows not only the effects charity can have on the world but also the effects it can have on the people who give. To spread her knowledge and encourage more charity, she has written a book detailing how people of more modest means can support charitable endeavors.

At least, that is what the book sets out to do. To an extent, it succeeds. Dr. Gitelson mentions ways for people who are not millionaires or billionaires to contribute to causes without spending money they might need for essentials, such as participating in walks for charity or working with community groups. There were some excellent pieces of advice, such as doing your research on a charity before donating and picking a specific cause to focus on rather than spreading out your impact too much.

However, a significant portion of the book is not a how-to guide so much as it is a description of what other people have done. This is not an entirely useless part of the book\u2014Dr. Gitelson provides links to the websites of some of the organizations she mentions so that interested readers can learn more\u2014but it doesn\u2019t take long for it to become tedious. I wanted to learn how I could help others, not how people with considerably more wealth and status already had.

In addition, some of Dr. Gitelson\u2019s advice is impractical for ordinary people. She suggests beginning a foundation or establishing an award at a local university but gives no actual advice on how to do so, perhaps assuming people will be able to figure out such details on their own. The book could have also used an editor. There were multiple typos throughout, making the book seem overall less reputable.

This book could be very useful, and I\u2019m certain it will help people who want to get involved in charity but don\u2019t know where to start. I find it more useful as a reference book rather than a how-to guide, though, and would advise skimming through it and skipping around through different sections. As a whole work, it is dense and difficult to get through.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-May-2024 21:57:43", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "154 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014233019", "title": "Giving is Not Just For The Very Rich: A How-To Guide For Giving And Philanthropy", "author": "Dr. Susan Aurelia Gitelson", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 440, "review": "Dr. Susan Aurelia Gitelson's Giving is Not Just For The Very Rich is a resourceful guide for learning the ropes of giving and becoming a philanthropist. Learn how some religious organizations favor philanthropy and discover the contributions of community foundations. Find out how billionaires like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are working toward making the world a better place. Follow Dr. Susan's compilation of volunteer projects, including Project Appleseed and the National Academy Foundation. The book contains a list of areas and organizations that the reader might find interesting while considering where to start. It will help you align with a rewarding path of giving, even if you don't have the riches of millionaires or the time to be fully engaged in philanthropy.

I enjoyed reading Giving is Not Just For The Very Rich. The book's elaborate insights are neatly constructed and organized into accessible chapters and segments. You can read it by selecting a random chapter or finding a title that resonates with you since each chapter is somewhat separate and unique from the other chapters. As a music artist, I was inspired by Gustavo Dudamel's story. His thoughtful initiative encourages \"less advantaged children to learn and develop through music.\"

The book has an atmosphere that draws you in and compels you to read every page with close attention. Susan's deep research results in a book that's highly resourceful and filled with valuable revelations. The information is communicated in simple, expressive language, with no cumbersome or overwhelming chapters. Also, a section that is made up of introspective words and smart guidelines is designed to help readers decide how they wish to give. Here, you will gain access to thoughtful instructions like, \"Consider your values and what appeals to you most.\"

I am pleasantly surprised to find out how sophisticated the world of giving is in Giving is Not Just For The Very Rich. Susan has done a highly commendable job of compiling a rich list of options for individuals who wish to start giving or give more. No matter what your interests or preferred social groups are, you will find a philanthropic path that resonates with you\u2014whether it's in music, sports, education, or science.

This book is one I wish everyone would read. Consider how much more beautiful life would be if a majority of us made it a goal to contribute to providing education to the young, combating diseases, supplying poor communities with necessary amenities, or any other noble cause. Read it, find a suitable philanthropic program, and prepare to feel the joy in your soul as you make efforts to improve the lives of your fellow humans.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2024", "date_added": "17-May-2024 21:57:29", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "154 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014233011", "title": "Heliacal Star", "author": "Victor Bahna", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 471, "review": "Horse racing is often referred to as the \u201cSport of Kings.\u201d The elite of the thoroughbred horses that win the biggest races (i.e. Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes) are utilized for breeding when their racing days are done. The next generation of championship thoroughbreds are soon appearing at Keeneland, KY, where they are auctioned off to hopeful owners seeking their own shot at immortality. One colt that stands out is a horse with a star on its forehead, the owner soon dubs him Heliacal Star.

Heliacal Star has had his ups and downs in his racing career. However, his owner Alex Sherman is hopeful that his horse will recover from a recent injury and finish strong in his upcoming races. Matt Galiano is also interested in the future of Heliacal Star. Matt is a regular bettor at Belmont and feels a connection between himself and the horse that is almost spiritual. Matt is an adept handicapper who has been picking winners since he was a boy. However, he is shocked to learn that there is a plan to fix the race that marks Heliacal Star\u2019s return. Matt is nearly caught eavesdropping and must make a mad dash to safety.

Matt decides to reach out and alert a trainer named Kristine Connelly. Connelly knows Heliacal Star\u2019s current trainer and knows what he\u2019s capable of. Unfortunately, the conspirators altered their plan after Matt was seen to be listening in. Despite getting off to an awkward start, Matt and Kristine bond over their love of horses and racing. Matt continues to attend the races but is soon attracting the attention of former associates who have a score to settle with him. Soon, Matt considers a plan to purchase Heliacal Star and have Kristine train him, but he will require a good sum of money to pull that off.

The fast-paced world of horse racing serves as the background to this entertaining novel. Matt Galiano took to horse racing as it offered a way to bond with his father. His uncanny ability to pick out winners further cemented that bond while also bringing Matt into the orbit of some shady individuals. Matt is a dreamer, but not necessarily in the run-of-the-mill fashion. He bets with precision but doesn\u2019t attempt a foolish bet until it involves a chance to own his dream.

The men who he and Kristine butt heads against are compromised men living desperate lives. \u201cLouisville\u201d Larry Lonsdale is a brutish thug intent on delivering harsh punishment, yet he must keep his own betrayal secret from his murderous bosses. Ron McGee trains horses but cuts corners and cheats when it serves his own purposes, including clearing outstanding gambling debts. The plot of the narrative is straightforward, the dialogue is well-written and authentic. Author Victor Bahna tells a compelling story from start to finish.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "20-Jul-2024", "date_added": "17-May-2024 21:54:03", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "410 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014233007", "title": "Heliacal Star", "author": "Victor Bahna", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 431, "review": "The story begins with Matt Galiano listening in on a discussion about match rigging at the racetrack. The culprits found out and started looking for Matt since they knew that if he revealed their secret, it might jeopardize their business. Due to his love of horses, Matt Galiano is frequently spotted attending horse races to observe the action. The Heliacal Star was his favorite racehorse, and it was famous for its speed and agility, but recently, its performance has suffered as a result of being a victim of a race-fixing ring. The sport was well-liked and popular among Belmont Park residents.

Matt meets Kristine Connelly, a talented horse trainer who offers him help from the criminals, when he's fleeing Tony and his men. In the end, Matt and Kristine work together to expose the villains, but the situation is more difficult than before because the gangsters want to exact revenge on Matt. Along the journey, a bond is formed between Matt and Kristine as their shared love of horses and amazing friendship bring them together. The tale is enhanced by the variety of people, each of whom has a unique story. For instance, Alex Sherman disregarded his responsibility to safeguard the Heliacal Star, and other charges of animal abuse, fraud, and theft were brought against Marie Casey and John Nanske, among other individuals.

The characters were a labor of love for the author. Readers can identify with them because there were both heroes and villains present. Gangster and compulsive gambler Tony Kaufman consistently manipulates the odds to his advantage. Whether it's collecting insider information, buying off players, bribing officials, or fixing races, he cheats to win. Larry, his assistant, has a criminal history and will follow Tony's orders no matter what. Though Tony is an intriguing character, Matt is still my favorite. Obviously, because he's the good guy in the story.

Prior to meeting Kristine, Matt felt a little alone. He went to races more frequently to pass the time when his father died away, and he constantly wished he might find someone who shared his enthusiasm for racing. His transition from being friends with Kristine to a loving partner was fascinating to read about. I could simply tell they were meant to be together.

I think the story was captivating enough, and the plot was straightforward. The author writes with a wealth of knowledge about horses. As someone who didn't know anything about horses, my understanding has grown drastically. For those who enjoy a blend of romance, horse racing, suspense and crime fiction, Victor Bahna's Heliacal Star is highly recommended.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2024", "date_added": "17-May-2024 21:45:27", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "410 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014228003", "title": "Lessons from the Sidelines", "author": "Karen R Blake Mba", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 400, "review": "Lessons from the Sidelines is a beautifully written book by Karen R. Blake, MBA about her experiences raising two sons and the lessons she learned while sitting on the sidelines during their sporting events. The first thing I thought of when I started reading this book was, \"This is the book all of us moms say we should write but then never do.\" Raising kids, you never know what is going to happen on a day-to-day basis. Sometimes they say the funniest things or sometimes they do something so silly or something so genius that you say, \"I should write this down so I don't forget it.\" But then we forget. Well, this mom actually wrote the book! Blake was very clever in organizing it, however, because her book actually has a theme. She gives her readers an anecdotal story and then follows it up with how we can all apply the lesson learned in each story to our everyday lives.

One of the lessons I especially enjoyed was Lesson 6. Lesson 6 states, \"Learn your sport from those who have proven that they are better than you.\" The story she tells is about how her two children, James and William, have increased their knowledge in anything they set out to do, including sports and academics. They have gone to camps and taken enrichment courses to learn more than the average person. The real-time application Blake states is, \"Go to as many workshops and seminars that you can to improve yourself personally and professionally.\" I think this lesson is a good one as so many people think they can get ahead by maintaining the status quo instead of becoming better than the status quo.

Some of the other interesting lessons include, \"Whenever possible, beat your coach to practice\", \"Little League is the perfect environment to try everything because everyone (until proven otherwise) can play every position\", and \"There are times when it is best to make the first move.\"

Lessons from the Sidelines is a short book but packs a lot of great advice into its pages. Moms will love being able to relate to the stories and it will make readers think about how they can do some of the ideas suggested in the book such as volunteering and bettering themselves. This is a book that can be enjoyed by all ages, however, and even children in their teens will enjoy it.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2024", "date_added": "13-May-2024 22:30:05", "publisher": "Christian Faith Publishing, Inc", "page_count": "34 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014227007", "title": "Upstaged (A Graphic Novel)", "author": "Robin Easter", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 11", "word_count": 163, "review": "Meet Ashton, they are about to enter high school, so it\u2019s their last year for theater camp. Ivy is Ash\u2019s best friend, and Ash also has a crush on her. Ash wants to spend as much time with Ivy as possible, But the two are sent to different cabins and they are doing different things. Will Ash get the perfect summer that they were hoping for?

I liked the art in this book, it was very cute and kind of a mix of cartoon and anime. The story really flowed well when I read it, and I liked the idea of it too. I didn\u2019t really like that there was a lot of romance involved, but a lot of books have romance in them. My favorite character was Paige, who was part or the theater crew, because she always tried to help Ash, no matter what.

I recommend this book to people who like books about theater, camp, and coming of age stories.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2024", "date_added": "13-May-2024 20:51:48", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014225019", "title": "Bespelled (The Bewitched Series, 2)", "author": "Laura Thalassa", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 200, "review": "After narrowly avoiding the Samhain ball massacre by agreeing to an unbreakable oath with her vengeful soulmate, Selene finds herself framed for the gruesome murders plaguing the supernatural community. Events continue to spiral as memories from her previous life return, leaving her heartbroken with the possibilities of what could have been. But Selene isn\u2019t the only one affected. As the details of their final day are unveiled, Memnon surrenders control as restitution for the wrongs committed against his Queen.

While the two explore if their past has a place in the present, enemies both old and new circle. The defeat of each foe uncovers painful layers of betrayal shielding the true evil from exposure. Momentum builds as bonds forged through love and loyalty are tested against forced bonds of servitude.

The second installment of the series expands upon the thoughtfully constructed supernatural murder mystery plot which is independently strong. However, when paired with a scorching slow burn romance spanning millennia the tension is absolutely divine. Charismatic yet imperfect characters navigate a tenuous line between good and evil as they fight for each other, for their world, and for what they hope will be remembered by history as the righteous side.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2024", "date_added": "14-May-2024 23:49:57", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014225011", "title": "Life in the Key of G", "author": "Kenny G, Philip Lerman", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 204, "review": "Life is fast and rough, so take it slow and easy whenever possible. What better person to learn this philosophy from than Kenny G and his smooth, delectable sax-playing? In his memoir Life in the Key of G, Kenny details his life from elementary school to the present in personal and professional areas. He recalls and shares behind-the-scenes information related to every feat and accomplishment along the way. His book serves as a dual memoir and self-help, as Kenny uses his experiences and knowledge to share profound and positive \"tips\" to achieve happiness and better understand yourself.

One would struggle to pinpoint or label Kenny as anything in particular, as he presents himself as a jack of all trades through aspects of his personality, being curious and tenacious. His writing and content are engaging and inviting, and he immerses the reader into his world; he writes objectively and is not shy to give credit where credit is due. Every chapter/experience from his life ties into the others, complementing and reminding of information shared earlier and later in the book. His use of imagery is soothing and relaxing. Life in the Key of G teaches about an inspirational man inside and outside the music.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2024", "date_added": "13-May-2024 19:33:27", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "302 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014225007", "title": "The Forest of Lost Souls", "author": "Dean Koontz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 177, "review": "Vida is five years old when tragedy lands her in the care of her uncle. A gruff but kind recluse, he raised her in seclusion in a peaceful wilderness. She has both the happiest and most sorrowful times in her life and after losing the love of her life, she holds on to the predictions a seer made when she was ten, that she will enjoy peace and love. A mysterious stranger is watching her, she doesn\u2019t know why but knows it will become clear. She\u2019s not afraid and is prepared to deal with them and she knows they are coming.

The author brilliantly sets the scene for the calm before the storm. Normally I don\u2019t like stories that switch from past to present, but in this one it heightens the suspense and made this impossible to put down. The picturesque descriptions make you feel as if you are there. I enjoyed getting to know the main character and was invested in her journey right away. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes atmospheric thrillers.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2024", "date_added": "13-May-2024 19:28:32", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014225003", "title": "Irena's Gift", "author": "Karen Kirsten", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 198, "review": "Holocaust books are seductive. Irena's Gift is a case in point. We have heard and read so much, aware that despite eighty years having passed, memories of unimgineable horrors have barely diminished. Yet each new book inroduces another family, another saga with secrets that have laid hidden for decades.

When Australian author Karen Kirsten, raised as a Christian, receives an unexpected letter from Canada revealing her Jewish heritage, she is beyond astounded, She learns how her mother, the daugher of Irena, was smuggled from the Warsaw ghetto in a backpack. Alicja, Irena's sister, Karen's dearest relative, has kept the secret for decades.

Determined to get to the root of the remarkable story, Karen flies to Poland. She learns of her family's comfortable, wealthy lifestyle is torn apart as the War begins, their dying in concentration camps, escapes, false papers, precarious jobs, attempts to defy the Nazis.Her trip is a whirlwind of discovery.

The book reads easily, but it demands attention to distinguish one rone relative from another, and contend with the different generations, the Polish names, reaching back and forth from past to present. Realizing that the pages tell facts not fiction, the book is not enjoyable, but terrifying.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2024", "date_added": "13-May-2024 19:14:19", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014224011", "title": "Medicinal Plants of North America: A Field Guide (Falcon Guides)", "author": "Jim Meuninck", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 235, "review": "Falcon Guides: Medicinal Plants of North America is an extremely informative book for anyone who would like to know more about plants that have been used for their medicinal qualities. The book's chapters are organized according to where the plants are found. For example, Chapter 1 is \"Medicinal Plants of Yards and Meadows\", Chapter 2 is \"Medicinal Herbs of Eastern Forested Areas\", Chapter 3 is \"Woody Plants of Eastern States\" and so on. Also included are a Longevity Index, Jim Meuninck's Top Garden Herbs, Helpful Websites, and an index of the plant names. The book lists herbal preparations (how to use the herbs) which is quite useful, especially for someone who has never used herbs. Each plant or herb lists its Name, Scientific name, Identification, Habitat, food (how to use it as food), Traditional uses, Modern uses, Veterinarian/Wildlife (How animals in the wild react to it), and any known cautions one must know about the plant or herb. The book has over 160 different plants and herbs to read about.

The first thing I thought of when I started looking through this book is how perfect it would be in a survival kit. Anyone out in the woods would benefit from this field guide and it could save a life in an emergency. It includes common plants like cherries and cranberries and uncommon ones like Gentian and Lobelia. This is a great book with real-life uses.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2025", "date_added": "14-May-2024 23:54:17", "publisher": "Globe Pequot", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014224007", "title": "It's Only a Game", "author": "Kelsea Yu", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 198, "review": "A year ago, Marina Chan ran from her old life. She\u2019s sixteen and living in the back room of a restaurant, but at least she\u2019s safe. That is, until she joins an online gaming group, which is offered a tour of the headquarters of their favorite gaming company. During the tour, the CEO is murdered and the team is going to be framed for it unless they win four rounds of their favorite game. The team is told there are consequences for failing, but It\u2019s Only a Game, right? Marina and her friends will have to decide how far they are willing to go to survive this particular game where someone plays for keeps.

Being a girl gamer myself and living near Seattle, this story called to me. However, I found it lacking. The characters were hard to connect with, the plot was a bit out there, and you could see every twist coming from a mile away. I would say the most positive thing about the book is how it showcases the ability of games to bring people together, not isolate them. Otherwise, I wouldn\u2019t really recommend you read this unless you have nothing better to do.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "07-Aug-2024", "date_added": "13-May-2024 19:13:11", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000014223003", "title": "New Adventures in Space Opera", "author": "Jonathan Strahan", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 194, "review": "Of all the sub-genres of Science Fiction, the Space Opera has inspired discussions and arguments about the true meaning. Most writers agree that the genre involves space travel, with elements of adventure and romance at a grand scale. The idea of the Space Opera has evolved as new authors push the boundaries and characteristics defining the genre. But one thing is sure: Space Operas will continue to entertain the masses for years to come in various forms, from multi-installment epic sagas to short stories. \n

New Adventures in Space Opera is a new anthology curated and edited by Johnathan Strahan. This is a collection of short stories by the who's-who of current award-winning, best-selling authors of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Strahan starts this book with Tobias S. Buckell\u2019s Zen and the Art of Starship Maintenance. Normally, this would be a hard act to follow, but with authors such as Yoon Ha Lee, Becky Chambers, Sam J Miller, and other talents, the adventures continue. The stories are as diverse as the international cast of all-star writers. This is an excellent collection for fans of Space Operas and those needing an escape to far new places.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "30-Aug-2024", "date_added": "13-May-2024 19:05:10", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014221003", "title": "Cypria: A Journey to the Heart of the Mediterranean -- A Gripping New History of Cyprus", "author": "Alex Christofi", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 198, "review": "The concept of an island conjures up an image of remoteness. In contrast, Cyprus, the subject of Cypria, was always far from isolated. The third largest island in the Mediterranean, measuring some 140 by 60 miles, Cyprus has been tumbling over itself with human activity since prehistory. Author Alex Christofi has packed the history of the island in an outstanding profile, dexterously combining natural history with politics, warfare, religion and, in his words, a \u201chybrid essence.\u201d

As the soil rebels against the cultivation of grains or pulses, olives became an early economic option, and the production of wine for five thousand years. Nature treads a path throughout, beautiful descriptions of landscapes and trees. The climate less favorable, and graphically described by the first British High Commissioner who wrote that in the heat and aridity he couldn't ride his horse as \u201clarge pieces of his hoof break off like shortbread.\u201d

The book's theme is the imprint of successive populations with intermittent conflicts. The Romans, Arabs, Ottomans, Turks and Greeks became dominant over the centuries, before the British, arriving in the 1870s, were the last to take the helm before Cyprus became a republic almost a century later, in 1960.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "04-Sep-2024", "date_added": "13-May-2024 19:01:09", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014220007", "title": "An Outbreak of Witchcraft: A Graphic Novel of the Salem Witch Trials", "author": "Deborah Noyes, M Duffy", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - age 13", "word_count": 163, "review": "Have you ever heard about the Salem witch trials? In 1692, Salem, Massachusetts was rocked by mass hysteria for an entire year. Four young girls came down with affliction and started accusing people of being witches. One thing led to another, and soon there were mass hysteria and hundreds of people were accused of witchcraft. Many were hung to their death.

This is a great nonfiction graphic novel that will introduce and teach you about the Salem witch trials. I enjoy nonfiction graphic novels because they are educational and can teach you an important subject matter through art. However, I did find the story/writing very hard to follow at times and confusing. I had to reread several scenes over again to figure out what was happening. While the character glossary was very helpful, I did have to reference it quite a bit because I had a hard time distinguishing all the characters. Recommended to teens and older who enjoy history or nonfiction books.", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "25-Jun-2024", "date_added": "13-May-2024 21:21:52", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014220003", "title": "In Pursuit of Love: The Search for Victor Hugo's Daughter ", "author": "Mark Bostridge", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 192, "review": "Rarely does a novel about a protagonist's obsessive love span over half a century. Victor Hugo, author of Les Mis\u00e9rables and other widely known works, was France's most celebrated writer in the latter decades of the nineteenth century. Adele, his youngest child, forfeited her youthful promise as a writer and composer to pursue a young British soldier as he traveled with his regiment.

After leaving Europe, they spent a lengthy spell in Halifax, Nova Scotia, then on Barbados in the Caribbean. Adele trailed him closely, following his schedule, trying to convince her brother back home that her marriage to Albert Andrew Pinson was about to take place. It never did. Despite social, financial, and intellectual standing, the story is, most clearly, a family tragedy, as Adele's passion steals her sanity.

Novelist and biographer Mark Bostridge, fascinated in his twenties by the story after seeing Francois Truffaut's movie, introduces his own unrequited love to merge with Adele\u2019s, an added poignancy as he, too, sees the destructive power of a love story leading to insanity. The 1860s saw the beginning of a saga that continued until Adele's death in 1915, during World War One.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2024", "date_added": "13-May-2024 18:55:27", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014219011", "title": "Scandalous Women: A Novel of Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann", "author": "Gill Paul", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 227, "review": "This fabulous imagining of the lives of erotic novelists/literary celebrities Jacquelin Susann and Jackie Collins is an absolute hill of fun. Gill Paul has captured the drug and party-filled world of 1960s nightclubs and the publishing world in her latest book Scandalous Women.

A fact I loved about the novel was Paul's commitment to representing Susann and Collins as three-dimensional women. Susann's Valley of the Dolls and Collins' The Secret Life of Married Men appeared in close proximity on the literary scene. Still, even though the women were often compared to one another, they were quite different. Susann lived in a hotel--she and her husband refused to cook and clean, so the built in staff was a necessity--while Collins struggled in a marriage to a man with mental health issues. She was a young mother who didn't see a future that belonged to her and her dreams until she left her first husband and married her second--a man who encouraged her but kept secrets of his own.

Gill Paul created the character Nancy White as an idealistic young woman who dreams of becoming a book editor. She functions as an intermediary between Susann and Collins and is the heart of the book in many ways.

If you're a fan of Mad Men, feminist fiction, or historical novels that immerse you into a blisteringly wild world, Scandalous Women is for you.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2024", "date_added": "13-May-2024 19:12:00", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014219003", "title": "I Was A Teenage Slasher", "author": "Stephen Graham Jones", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 203, "review": "In the summer of 1989, the sweltering heat is no longer the primary danger in Lamesa, Texas. A slew of grisly murders have struck the youth of the small town and Tolly Driver is at the center of the carnage.

Tolly is a high school misfit who spends most of his free time with his best friend, Amber. Tolly\u2019s world began to go sideways upon the death of his father. As the pair attend a party with upperclassmen, Tolly\u2019s drinking gets out of hand and he is subject to a vicious assault after committing an innocent transgression.

As Amber comes to Tolly\u2019s aid, they are terrified upon witnessing a supernatural event in which a former classmate arises from eternal slumber and avenges his death upon various classmates. A drop of blood reaches Tolly and seeps into an open wound and something immediately stirs in Tolly\u2019s soul and no one is safe.

Stephen Graham Jones (My Heart is a Chainsaw) knows horror, but his ability to reveal it in a subtle yet disquieting fashion makes his new release especially gripping. The friendship between Tolly and Amber provides heart in the story amidst the murderous mayhem. Jones has composed a rollicking novel meriting multiple reads.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "02-Aug-2024", "date_added": "13-May-2024 18:53:36", "publisher": "S&S/Saga Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014218011", "title": "Catch and Keep: A Novel", "author": "Erin Hahn", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 190, "review": "Outdoors enthusiast Maren Laughlin is looking to start on a new path in Wisconsin after leaving her job as a park ranger and life with her former fianc\u00e9 in Michigan. In Wisconsin, she reunites with Josiah (Joe) Cole, her older brother Liam\u2019s best friend. They spent a lot of time together growing up through Liam, but didn\u2019t give each other a second glance due to their age gap. Now, as adults, the age difference seems trivial and they become inseparable. Still, they have a lot to overcome to become a couple, as Joe has young kids to focus on, while Maren has the world as her oyster.

Catch and Keep was a fun and swoony romance, as I\u2019ve come to expect from Erin Hahn! I loved Maren\u2019s connection to nature and her obvious expertise about fishing. Joe was a sweet, solid guy that put his family first. I adored the scenes with Maren\u2019s friends Lorelai and Shelby and how they helped her admit her feelings for Joe. I loved how Maren and Joe handled challenges as a united front, and the romance scenes were hot without being over the top!", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2024", "date_added": "13-May-2024 19:17:46", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014422003", "title": "The Hollywood Assistant", "author": "May Cobb", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 180, "review": "Simply one of the best books I've read all year, The Hollywood Assistant has everything mystery and suspense lovers could ever want. With a broken heart, Cassidy is convinced by her best friend, Lexie, to take a job in L.A.. Lexie gets Cassidy a job as a personal assistant to the Sterlings, Nate and Marisol. Cassidy ends up loving her job. Marisol has her doing fun things, such as organizing her closet full of designer duds and even tells Cassidy to take items that don't fit Marisol. Nate is strikingly handsome, and Cassidy starts to have feelings for him.

The story is written in chronological order, with the exception of a few chapters in which two police officers are interviewing Cassidy. Why? Because someone has been murdered. Readers will have to read until the end to find out who and whodunnit, but I promise, you will not be disappointed. With twists and turns, readers will find themselves questioning which characters are reliable and which ones are liars. May Cobb is a genius, and I can't wait to hear more from her.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2024", "date_added": "27-Jun-2024 20:08:27", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014420003", "title": "Harlem After Midnight (A Canary Club Mystery)", "author": "Louise Hare", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 201, "review": "Lena Aldridge believed she left the drama behind once she disembarked the Queen Mary after a transatlantic voyage. Her passage from England to New York had been filled with an impromptu reunion with her biological mother, a hint of a romance with a musician, and three dead bodies. As Lena accompanies her new beau, Will, to Harlem, she only feels comfortable in his company. She is introduced to Will\u2019s best friends, Louis and Claudette, who are quick to provide some details about Will\u2019s past. Despite learning about Will\u2019s checkered history, Lena possesses secrets of her own and doesn\u2019t judge Will too harshly. Lena\u2019s trip to Harlem allows her to unearth some of her family secrets and she jumps in with both feet. Lena\u2019s progress with her investigation and her relationship with Will comes to a grinding halt with a fatal plunge from an apartment building with multiple witnesses and suspects.

Harlem After Midnight begins on a mystery and adds further conundrums along its path toward a blindsiding yet blistering denouement. Author Louise Hare (\"Miss Aldridge Regrets\") exceptionally explores the torment wrought by buried secrets and how fragile family bonds can prove to be. This is a first-class effort from beginning to end.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2024", "date_added": "27-Jun-2024 19:47:24", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014418007", "title": "Man in the Water: A McKenzie Novel (Twin Cities P.I. Mac McKenzie Novels, 21)", "author": "David Housewright", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 213, "review": "When ex-police officer Rushmore McKenzie and his wife, Nina, take a trip to the marina one day, little do they know that they will be getting sucked into a possible murder/suicide case. Nina sees a man in the water, and she and McKenzie notify the authorities. The man, E.J. Woods is a local business owner who has a nefarious past. When Woods' daughter, Nevaeh, asks McKenzie to look into her father's mysterious death, McKenzie gets almost a little too excited.

This story was well planned out and had many suspicious characters, including Woods' wife, Bizzy. McKenzie does a better job investigating the case than the local authorities do, and they end up asking him for help.

Overall, the characters, setting, and plot were all well-written. The only thing I had a difficult time with was the pacing. It was rather slow, with McKenzie talking to the same people again and again. As the book progressed, there was also repetitive mention of how beautiful some of the women were. This made the story a little uncomfortable, especially when McKenzie was flirting and bantering with the women. It seemed a bit over the top. Overall, this was a good read but I definitely skipped over a few of the boring parts not important to the main story.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "22-Aug-2024", "date_added": "27-Jun-2024 19:34:26", "publisher": "Minotaur", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014418003", "title": "Life-in-Form - A Life in Poems", "author": "Richard Westley", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 470, "review": "These fifty-five varied and creative poems span decades of the award-winning poet\u2019s life from 1975\u20132024. As with other collections that encompass such a broad body of work, the reader is best served by dipping in, savoring one or three, and saving the rest for tomorrow\u2019s sampling, rather than reading straight through. He covers a variety of subjects, some classic, like the poet Shelley who \u201cbetween tragedy and lyric/drown the best specimen yet submerged/in the land-loving sea.\u201d Or the Greek philosopher Heraclitus re-imagined as Hera-clitus and told in a female\u2019s voice.

Several poems form indelible portraits, such as \u201cThe Old Greaser\u201d with \u201chis slashing belligerent strides\u201d who has achieved nothing through a lifetime of rebellion and recklessness. What does his aging future hold? And in \u201cdeath doula\u201d Westley powerfully speaks for someone who was once a midwife and now helps to shepherd the dying, \u201cmy pilgrim, blazing the trail before me\u2026as we pass into the light, or maybe dark, it seems the same.\u201d

Westley is not afraid to tackle painful subjects such as gun violence (\u201cLes Femmes Massacrees de Montreal\u201d) or \u201cThalidomide Baby,\u201d a seven-page narrative in which he first imagines what it was like for the shocked doctors and nurses delivering \u201cevolution\u2019s dead-end streets.\u201d But then the poem posits that these mis-shapen children have extraordinary skills, before finally speaking in the voice of one whose \u201cbody looks distended, is different.\u201d

Many of the earlier poems are replete with wordplay and wordsmithing such as combining the first and last names of the artist to form \u201cPablicasso\u201d, a poem in which he seeks to create in language the effects that Picasso\u2019s cubist paintings had \u201clike the eyeye cheeky cheek nostrils/one flared in horsey silhouette.\u201d Sometimes he makes up words like \u201cglimmerdisk\u201d or \u201cicewary\u201d or \u201cthe rocksome ground\u201d and we always know what they mean.

A few of the poems are obscure to me, such as \u201cnotebook orphans\u201d which seems more of a personal list than a successful poetic creation. Or the odd 1991 poem \u201cdOLlYe,\u201d which appears to be a collage of typefaces with various puns encoded within.

Others are very accessible. I was particularly drawn to the love poem \u201cYour Neruda,\u201d which acknowledges how little a poem can do \u201cthese words cannot countermand, not even once, a single time I\u2019ve spoken shamefully\u201d and yet still expresses hope that it will signal to future lovers \u201cat least a poor translation of our love.\u201d

One of my other favorites is \u201cSkunk Burial,\u201d which describes roadkill (perhaps created maliciously and deliberately) and its aftermath. When its odor just won\u2019t quit, there\u2019s nothing to do but take matters into his own hands, only to discover something worse. I won\u2019t spoil the poem other than to say that it brought Philip Larkin\u2019s brilliant \u201cMyxomatosis\u201d about diseased rabbits to mind, and that is a high compliment indeed.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "26-Sep-2024", "date_added": "27-Jun-2024 17:38:50", "publisher": "Leder Press", "page_count": "104 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014417013", "title": "It Was Always Her", "author": "J.L. Witterick", "category": "", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julie Blunt", "word_count": 80, "review": "\u201cIt Was Always Her by J. L. Witterick follows a deeply written story where a man travels back in time to end the Third World War but finds the love of his life instead. A tale of love, sacrifice, and possibilities, \u201cIt Was Always Her\u201d challenges readers to ponder the weight of their choices. With its rich character development and poignant writing style, it\u2019s sure to keep readers remembering the book long after reading it.\" \u2014Julie Blunt, Portland Book Review", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jun-2024 19:35:35", "publisher": "iUniverse", "page_count": "356 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014417009", "title": "It Was Always Her", "author": "J.L. Witterick", "category": "", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 96, "review": "\u201cIn \u201cIt Was Always Her,\u201d J.L. Witterick does a phenomenal job of crafting a story about trying to change the past in order to save the future. Adding a drop of science fiction to the story allows the plot to take off to a world where the unimaginable is possible. Don\u2019t we all wish we could go back in time to invest in companies such as Google and Amazon? The players are rich in character and the plot is intricate, albeit easy to follow, making this book a real winner.\u201d \u2014Kathryn Dare, San Diego Book Review", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jun-2024 19:34:23", "publisher": "iUniverse", "page_count": "356 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014417005", "title": "It Was Always Her", "author": "J.L. Witterick", "category": "", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 80, "review": "\u201cRelevant to the current state of the world, \u201dIt Was Always Her\u201d takes readers on a trip to save the world from another war. With themes of love, loss, and sacrifice, the story is driven by both its plot and characters which are relayed in great detail. Adults of all ages 18-118, will find \u201cIt Was Always Her,\u201d to be a driving force for deep conversations about what the future holds for us all.\u201d \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jun-2024 19:34:04", "publisher": "iUniverse", "page_count": "356 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014413065", "title": "Missing Monarchy: Correcting Misconceptions About The Middle Ages, Medieval Kingship, Democracy, And Liberty", "author": "Jeb J Smith", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Richard Denning", "word_count": 410, "review": "Missing Monarchy: Correcting Misconceptions About The Middle Ages, Medieval Kingship, Democracy, And Liberty is a unique, eye-opening take on the feudal system of the Middle Ages. It covers the benefits of the current broken system of democracy and compares and contrasts the kings and lords of yesteryear versus the slimy politicians of today. Missing Monarchy gives readers a look into the devotion of peasants and serfs to their lords and kings, a direct result of the reverence the kings and lords had for their people. In contrast, today's politicians will do and say anything to get elected and feed their pockets. Their false promises for a better society are soon forgotten once elected. Leaders in the Middle Ages had more compassion for and dedication to their people. Civil servants of today are only out for themselves. Author Jeb Smith argues that life in the Middle Ages was better for every class of people, from religion to shared politics and unity. He points out that today's citizens have no business voting in politics and are grossly uneducated on essential issues. Smith gives many examples of people being clueless about the branches of government and how they function. Even worse, he points out how many people are like sheep, following what others say to make their choices, blindly conforming to what the government wants them to believe so they can be controlled. He states that just a few decades ago, people had more rights than today's people. The further you go back, the more rights the people had. I especially liked the analogies in the book, which are so simple but utterly hilarious and true. One of my favorite analogies is that every four years, when a new president is elected, this is similar to a bus with two drivers. When one driver is driving, he takes the bus in one direction, promising the people that he is taking them to the promised land. When the promised land is never reached, the other bus driver takes over and says they must go his way instead to get there. This pattern is repeated, and the people become divided over time.

Missing Monarchy is a must-read for anyone who wants to open their eyes to the way the government exerts its power over us to control and squeeze every penny possible from our bank accounts to feed their agendas. All this is done behind the scenes and under the guise of free choice through democracy.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "06-Sep-2024", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 20:51:57", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "382 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014413057", "title": "Oldest Mom On The Playground", "author": "Judy Haveson", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 488, "review": "Humorous, entertaining, and often surprisingly poignant, the essays included in Oldest Mom On The Playground detail Judy Haveson\u2019s triumphs, tragedies, and frequent misadventures as an older-than-average first-time mother. With wit, honesty, and just a touch of creative license, Haveson explores a diverse range of topics and issues, all of which have been impacted to some extent by motherhood, focusing on sharing experiences and fostering camaraderie rather than on giving advice.

In her late twenties, when Haveson suggested that she might get a dog, her boyfriend at the time dismissively commented that she could barely take care of herself, let alone a dog. They broke up soon afterward, but his words haunted her for years to come. Despite building a successful career and enjoying a frenetic social life, as she reached her late thirties and her friends started to get married and have babies, she began to experience some severe FOMO. Still, she continued to limit her adulting to the fun parts.

Unfortunately, Haveson did not have a stellar track record when it came to dating, which makes for some amusing anecdotes about peculiar meetings with even more peculiar men in the book but not for ease of procreation in the real world. It\u2019s lucky, then, that she eventually met Adam via an online dating site, married him at the age of forty, and became pregnant with her first child at the age of forty-three. And her experiences from thereon out inspired her to write the collected essays to both motivate and commiserate with fellow \u201colder moms.\u201d

There are plenty of funny episodes recounted in Oldest Mom On The Playground, but perhaps some of the funniest occur in the essays \u201cYou\u2019re Not Fat, You\u2019re Pregnant,\u201d where Haveson wears a fake pregnancy bump to try on maternity clothes, and \u201cAdventures in Finding a Nanny,\u201d where she ventures into the world of online childcare recruitment. There are also a fair few awkward instances where it\u2019s difficult to tell if they\u2019re amusing or mortifying, such as the intrusive questions mentioned in \u201cAre You in Menopause?\u201d

However, despite the focus on the more outlandish and absurd aspects of motherhood, Haveson doesn\u2019t shy away from the darker days. For instance, \u201cPregnant at Forty, Forty-one, and Forty-two\u2026\u201d details her experience of multiple miscarriages, while \u201cTime for Me to Fly\u201d provides a brief overview of significant trauma, although it does end on an uplifting note. The collection also diverges somewhat from the topic of motherhood by exploring Haveson\u2019s experience as a member of the sandwich generation, for example, \u201cDo We Get Frequent Flier Miles?\u201d

The essays included in Oldest Mom On The Playground are an eclectic bunch, meaning that there\u2019s something to suit almost every mood. Through a canny combination of humor and pathos, Haveson\u2019s writings manage to feel both personal and universal, like a good friend offering some much-needed encouragement and understanding. Plus, there are a lot of laughs to be had from her exploits.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "19-Aug-2024", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 20:47:53", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "307 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014413049", "title": "The Wrong Station (Mystery Chronicles of New York Women)", "author": "Ilona Joy Saari", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 438, "review": "Lorna Raven\u2019s nightmare began as the result of bad timing. Lorna is a noted videographer and had recently departed a gala in New York City and was on her way to Queens. Her miscalculation results in getting off at the wrong train stop and she finds herself adrift in an unfamiliar town at an unfriendly hour. She approaches a lit-up house and asks the homeowner for assistance. The man named Mike appears friendly enough and offers Lorna a ride. Lorna\u2019s relief transforms into terror as a glance into another room reveals two dead bodies. Lorna maintains her calm but knows she must get away from this potentially dangerous man.

Lorna\u2019s instincts prove right as she has Mike drop her off at a random location and he summarily follows her. Once she has managed to elude her pursuer and get home, she needs to alert the authorities. Despite being nearly inconsolable, Lorna speaks to the police along with her TV journalist brother Poe and leads them to the alleged crime scene. Lorna is floored when the house is empty and seemingly devoid of evidence. However, Poe and the cops believe her.

Lorna is determined not to let this dramatic hiccup derail her life. She wants to get lost in her work and plans to document a friend\u2019s political campaign. Meanwhile, the man she knows as Mike and his partner are at large and are looking to tie up loose ends. Lorna is also being surveilled by a former beau and federal agent named Jefferson. The motives behind the double murder hint at cloak-and-dagger activities which necessitate Lorna being placed in a safe house under Jefferson\u2019s watchful eye. Lorna\u2019s world has been upended and her proximity to her ex is added to the mounting problems she must contend with.

The Wrong Station is a fine-tuned mystery that begins with a perfect take on a character being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Danger is not an unfamiliar feeling for Lorna Raven as she and her brother Poe had previously survived a harrowing ordeal involving high-level government corruption. Lorna distinguishes herself by her quick thinking both in escaping her probable executioner and getting home. The adrenaline rush from the early stages of the narrative doesn\u2019t fade away as Mike and his partner Andrea resolve to finish their job. Lorna is an impeccable protagonist because she is human and flawed. She is determined to the point of foolhardiness, she loves Todd but still longs for Jefferson, and she is a winning character all around. Ilona Joy Saari (Freeze Frame) has written a lively and clever novel combining thrills, romance, and funny meta moments.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "19-Aug-2024", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 20:43:42", "publisher": "211th Street Books", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014413041", "title": "Snoodles in Space, Episode 2: The Zoodles Strike Back", "author": "Steven Joseph", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 407, "review": "Snoodles in Space Episode 2: The Zoodles Strike Back is the second installation in the Snoodles series by Stephen Joseph. In this book, we revisit the town of Noodleham where the zaniest, most fun inventions come from. The Groodlemobile, invented by Grumpy Grimy Groodleman, runs on a nasty substance called Grool that makes the town\u2019s water stinky. The Krautmobile has replaced this and the Snoodle which runs on noodles has replaced the Krautmobile. After all, Noodles smell way better than Grool or sauerkraut. Groodleman is, of course, not happy about his prize invention being replaced. This is when the Evil Kidoodle from Planet Zoodle comes with a proposition for Groodleman. His evil plan includes putting Willy Nilly dust on Ricky and Briana's cake so that they become nincompoops and want to eat grool. Readers who have read the first book will remember that Ricky and Briana are the kids of the inventor of the Snoode, Norman.

This book has colorful illustrations that kids of all ages will love. Some of the pictures are more storybook/graphic novelish and some are full pages of bright illustrations with many details. The illustrator, Andy Case, does a fantastic job of bringing the story to life.

The silly rhyming and fun alliterations in the story will make kids giggle. I recommend reading this book out loud because the words are so funny you'll want to repeat them. Say \"Willy Nilly Nilly Dust\" five times fast!

The characters in this book are adorable even when they are evil. There are cute dogs and odd-looking aliens, as well as The Grand Zoodle who looks like a little King Tut in a diaper.

The story advances when Evil Kidoodle wants to make everyone in Noodleham a nincompoop, or as they call it, a Willy Nilly Noodle and Dilly Dally Doodles. Oh no! Who will come to save Noodleham?

When two unlikely heroes step forward, kids will cheer as Noodleham is spared of Grool and its townfolks spared of becoming Willy Nillies and Dilly Dallies.

Overall, this book is fun for children of all ages simply because of the silly language. In terms of comprehension, I would recommend it more to third through sixth graders. Parents will enjoy reading this colorful, detailed book to their children and kids will ask their parents to repeat the funny words over and over again. If you're looking for some comic relief, Snoodles in Space Episode 2: The Zoodles Strike Back is the book for you!", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "19-Jul-2024", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 20:38:29", "publisher": "Enigami ", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014413033", "title": "Julius Fox", "author": "John Exe", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 419, "review": "The burden of being a prime minister is heavy for Julius Fox. He finds himself in the thick of planning to relocate with his fellow foxes, but he is surrounded by troubles on all sides. First, his love, Felicity, might be cheating, and he fears losing her. Also, Shadowfox, the notorious serial killer, might be one of the foxes joining the foxdom to relocate.

Amidst this pandemonium, Julius Fox finds the world much more complicated than meets the eye as he discovers more dangers that threaten to destroy life. John Exe's Julius Fox is about a fox leader who races to save his kind while battling multiple challenges that get more intense and volatile as the story progresses.

Prepare for a highly engaging read since John's plot is constantly busy with multiple twists and new characters. From witches and zombies to aliens and vampires, the book's blend of character groups offers readers an opportunity to experience a unique tale that merges various attractive fantasy themes.

The plot centers on animal characters that act calculated and organized, which reminded me of George Orwell's Animal Farm. However, the animals are in a state of transformation and becoming more familiar with the human world. For example, Julius Fox shares his desire to \"learn more about this music and, perchance, even endeavor to perform it\" after hearing about music and listening to rock and roll songs.

The book's unique language in conversations, which is described as medieval English, adds to its unique atmosphere. Though I found it fun to read words like \"verily\" and \"doth\" in conversations, I appreciated that the rest of the book was written in regular, straightforward English.

As much as I loved its engaging themes, the book's fast pace and its large collection of themes felt uncomfortable. Some themes are underdeveloped, and some characters have very minor roles, leading to a loosely connected story. I wished to see more of Cyril the Squirrel, Reginald Rat, and some other characters that I had already started to like while I was reading the book.

Julius Fox offers a mentally stimulating experience with its unique themes, complete with stories about the earth's history and scenes involving other realms. John's metaphoric story engenders deep thoughts about humanity's impact on the earth and how it affects other living organisms. All in all, when it comes to offering a thrilling experience with unpredictable twists and thought-provoking themes, Julius Fox has got you covered. Give it a try, and you'll find yourself losing track of time.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "22-Aug-2024", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 20:33:38", "publisher": "Amazon", "page_count": "163 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014413025", "title": "Inheritance (Rare Earth Trilogy)", "author": "Lou Iovino", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 409, "review": "With an expanding need for new technology and even newer gadgets, the rare earth materials needed to produce these are dwindling. Humankind had to turn elsewhere to find these elements. The latest gold rush is in deep space. Asteroid mining is the way of the future. Thea Watts is well familiar with deep space mining. Her father was the founder and owner of Watts Astromining Company. In its heyday, it was one of the top mining companies. But when Thea\u2019s father dies, everything is left to her, including the Zephyr, his antiquated mining ship. Unable to sell the ship, be it the curiosity of space or stubborn pride, Thea decides to continue in her father\u2019s space-booted footprints. Assembling a ragtag crew of misfits, Thea takes on the dangers of asteroid mining and human greed.

Inheritance is a science fiction thriller by Lou Iovino. Novels involving space mining have grown in popularity in recent years. Iovino adds his own exciting story to this growing genre. This is a true science fiction novel. There is no invading alien race trying to compete for resources. No lightspeed or hyperspace. No space lasers or fancy weaponry. This is a tale of the human ambition to tackle and conquer new frontiers and to eke out a living in the deadliest of environments. The action comes fast and furious as Thea and her crew delve deeper into the asteroid belt for the big score.

Along with the dangers of deep space, Iovino pits the underdog against more giant corporations and human greed and ambitions. Woven into this story is a tale of deception and espionage. Action, adventure, and intrigue come at the reader from every angle. As well as a warning of corruption.

Inheritance is not the first, nor will it be the last, novel of mining in space. Iovino does it through the lens of true science fiction with none of the fantasy. Mining in outer space will be here soon, and much of it will resemble descriptions in this novel. Readers looking to glimpse what may come will enjoy Iovino\u2019s tale. This is a tale of danger and humans battling the elements. Jack London told of the struggles of the Yukon. Lou Iovino tells of the struggles of the dark side of the Moon, the struggles of deep space, and the struggles of mining asteroids. Just as Thea inherited her father\u2019s ship, the reader inherited the excitement and intrigue of Iovino\u2019s latest novel.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 20:24:08", "publisher": "LAB Press", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014413017", "title": "American Still Life", "author": "Jim Naremore", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 430, "review": "Skade Felsdottir is caught in the jaws of a creative funk. She is a photographer working on the biggest project of her career. Skade has been traversing the country and taking pictures of roadside memorials often known as descansos left in tribute to victims of highway-related tragedies. Despite the progression of her research, a malaise has been creeping inside Skade. Any downtime only leads to Skade taking up the bottle and becoming lost in thoughts of despair. Her agent has been urgently prodding Skade to complete her research and manuscript. Skade doesn\u2019t feel as if the book is finished and in a desperate attempt to buy time, she decides to take a photo of a descanso that will force her to confront the past.

Skade left her hometown abruptly before she was to leave for college. The past is the source of recurring nightmares and her current procrastination has forced this reluctant reunion. Skade attempts to maintain a low profile in completing her work, however fate doesn\u2019t want to comply. She is prevented from taking photos of the local monument by a construction crew, but Skade receives some luck when meeting Kit. Kit is the sole female member of the crew and is more amenable to Skade\u2019s request. She not only promises to help get Skade access to the monument but also promises to acquaint Skade with other descansos.

The days are productive, but Skade\u2019s nights tend to end in a mind-numbing haze of intoxication and bad decisions. The torment of her younger years is now within painful proximity and alcohol dulls the hurt. The drinking becomes more pronounced after her encounter with her ex-boyfriend Lane. Lane\u2019s desire to rekindle their relationship leaves Skade more determined to expedite her work. Her connection with Kit and their developing friendship carries complications that further threaten Skade\u2019s stability along with her work.

In the incredibly moving American Still Life, Skade Felsdottir is intent on keeping everyone at a distance. Her magnum opus involves the encapsulating of people\u2019s tribute to their loved ones and keeping their memories alive while Skade\u2019s memories are to be buried and forgotten. Skade brings an array of profound emotions to her character, free-spirited to reckless, warm to steely. Skade has found a counterbalance to the disorder in her life with Kit. Kit is a sweet and amiable woman who Skade mentors and is protective of. The ebbs and flows of their friendship define this novel. Author Jim Naremore has written a winning and appealing novel about life and death, healing, and friendship that is impactful with every plot twist.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "07-Jan-2025", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 19:15:19", "publisher": "Regal House Press", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014413013", "title": "American Still Life", "author": "Jim Naremore", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 413, "review": "In American Still Life, Jim Naremore masterfully explores the emotional turmoil of Skade Felsdottir, a photographer burdened by a dark past and an even darker present. Skade is on a mission to complete a photo essay book about descansos\u2014roadside memorials commemorating loved ones lost to highway tragedies. Her work brings her back to her hometown of Carleton, a place she fled from years ago, haunted by painful memories that have driven her into the clutches of addiction and self-loathing.

Skade's return to Carleton forces her to confront not just the literal ghosts of the past but the figurative ones as well. Her creative process is hindered by her inner demons, with every step forward in her work matched by a descent into alcohol and drug abuse. Skade\u2019s struggle to keep her life together is palpable as she grapples with a project that feels more personal and fraught with meaning than she ever intended.

Central to the novel is Skade's complex relationship with Kit, a shy and ungainly construction worker who becomes an unexpected ally. Kit, a self-taught puppeteer, is instrumental in helping Skade gain access to the construction site where the totems she needs to photograph are located. Their relationship evolves from one of convenience to a deeper connection as both women find in each other a mirror for their own loneliness and grief. Kit, who has lost her entire family and is particularly scarred by her sister\u2019s death, becomes a source of stability for Skade, even as Skade\u2019s self-destructive tendencies threaten to unravel everything.

Naremore\u2019s writing is able to capture the oppressive atmosphere of Carleton and the suffocating weight of Skade\u2019s past. The narrative is peppered with small but significant details that give depth to the world Skade inhabits\u2014details that sometimes feel overwhelming, but contribute to the novel\u2019s sense of place and mood. Skade\u2019s encounters with her ex-boyfriend Lane, who is eager to rekindle a toxic relationship, add another layer of tension to the story, pushing her closer to the edge as she struggles to complete her book.

American Still Life is an exploration of trauma, addiction, and the arduous journey toward healing. While Skade is a challenging protagonist\u2014often unlikable in her reckless behavior\u2014Naremore skillfully makes her plight relatable, particularly for readers who have known someone struggling with similar issues. The novel builds to a climactic ending, where the threads of Skade\u2019s past and present come together in a way that is both surprising and inevitable. American Still Life is a compelling and emotionally resonant read.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "07-Jan-2025", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 19:15:03", "publisher": "Regal House Press", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014413009", "title": "American Still Life", "author": "Jim Naremore", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 407, "review": "Skade Felsdottir has been tormented by a dark secret for twelve years. Now, she is confronting her demons and trying to keep it together\u2026 maybe. Skade has made a name for herself as a skilled photographer and is back in her hometown, working on a photo essay book about descansos, roadside memorials for loved ones who have passed away. During her research, she uncovers more than just the memorials and must confront her troubled past before it gets the best of her.

Struggling with addiction, unhealthy relationships, and mental health issues, Skade\u2019s future (and present) seems uncertain. She forms an unusual relationship with Kit, a shy construction worker and self-taught puppet master, all while trying to avoid her narcissistic ex-boyfriend who has conflicting ideas of their relationship. Surprises await her at every turn, and she must remain vigilant to outlast her demons.

American Still Life is a story about forgiveness, healing from trauma, and finding joy in unexpected moments. While the main crisis in the story may be situationally unfamiliar to many readers, it captures attention and motivates readers to seek and pray for closure. Skade represents those who may appear happy on the outside but are unknowingly struggling on the inside, unfortunately hidden from many. Naremore\u2019s writing is descriptive and poignant, making for a beautiful and compelling read. American Still Life will be added to many TBR lists for consecutive reads. Readers will enjoy (as I did) learning about the art, history, and meaning of descansos and the personalization of memorials.

I feel privileged to have read Skade\u2019s story from start to finish, with the joys and sorrows in between. While I usually avoid prolonged conflict in stories (as in real life), the balance of negativity portrayed is well-executed and strays from causing the reader unnecessary turmoil. The story gradually builds up to a climactic ending that will leave readers stunned. The chapters are concise, providing maximum information and enjoyment in a few pages that pique the readers\u2019 interest and investment.

I noticed parallels between American Still Life and Gillian Flynn\u2019s Sharp Objects: both stories and authors grasp at the heart, don\u2019t miss, squeeze, and don't let go until the end, and even then is questionable as the story lives for a while afterward. American Still Life is rated M for mature due to language, violence, sexual content, and self-harm/suicide. The comprehension level for both intellectual and emotional elements would be high school level and above.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "07-Jan-2025", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 19:14:43", "publisher": "Regal House Press", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014413005", "title": "American Still Life", "author": "Jim Naremore", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 401, "review": "American Still Life tells the story of a young woman named Skade Felsdottir who revisits her hometown after running away from it and everyone in it, many years ago. This book was attention-grabbing from the get-go. With beautiful details about the descansos, or roadside memorials, that Skade is researching, to her struggle with addiction and self-loathing, American Still Life paints a picture that readers will find tugging at their souls.

As a photographer, Skade has been hired to create a book about a set of descansos called the Fieldings Totem Poles. The problem for Skade isn't the totem poles themselves, but the fact that she must travel to Carleton, her hometown, to visit them. Author Jim Naremore does a fantastic job of allowing the reader into Skade's brain, which lets them feel her emotions from scene to scene. From anxiety to dread to I-need-some-drugs-right-now, Skade's shaky existence can be felt. I had a hard time putting this book down, as the story made me want to know what was going to happen next.

The characters in the book were essential to understanding the town of Carleton and why Skade left in the first place. When Skade first arrives, she runs into her ex-boyfriend, Lane. Because this is the only person in town she knows, she starts hanging out with him at his tattoo parlor. Then, when Skade is trying to take photos of the totems, she meets a literal roadblock. There is construction blocking access to them. Luckily, Skade meets a young woman named Kit who helps her gain access to the totems. Skade and Kit become friends because neither one of them has anyone in their lives. They are both alone, not by choice, and crave human interaction, although, at times, Skade pushes even her away. Kit is like the little sister Skade never had.

The best part of the book, although the whole thing is just so incredible, is the many plot twists. There are small hints Naremore throws at his readers nonchalantly that will make readers think, \"Oh, I wonder who that was\" or \"I wonder what happened there,\" but it's not until the very end that all of the pieces come together. There were a few times I was reading, and I gasped out loud.

From its plot to its characters, to its setting, American Still Life is a meticulously crafted treasure that I would recommend to adults of all ages.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "07-Jan-2025", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 19:14:28", "publisher": "Regal House Press", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014411015", "title": "The Night Librarian: A Graphic Novel", "author": "Christopher Lincoln", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 126, "review": "The library can easily be one's favorite place because the books there can take you on so many different adventures, and that was the case for Page and Turner. However, it seems something isn't quite right at the library. Almost as if books are brought to life right before one's eyes. Can the twins save their library?

I really like this book because when I was younger, the library was my favorite place. I used to think about how cool it would be if books were brought to life, however after reading this book that may not be the best idea. The illustrations were so cool, with purple, blue, and greens making it very eerie. This is a fun book that is perfect for a spooky season!", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "15-Aug-2024", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 22:42:16", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014411003", "title": "This Will Be Fun: A Novel", "author": "E B Asher", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 181, "review": "This Will Be Fun is a three-author novel billed as a cozy fantasy romance (a romantasy, if you like) that revolves around a group of ex-heroes who saved the world a decade ago and haven\u2019t spoken since. The death of one of their original party hangs over them all like a shadowy specter, causing them to become unwilling to move on with their lives regardless of their victory. When happenstance dredges up the enemies of their most perilous quest, they must overcome the rift that tore them apart ten years ago or face the destruction of the realm.

If I\u2019m being completely honest, This Will Be Fun was anything but fun to read. It constantly references fantasy-style Uber, streaming media, fandom message boards, etc., which made the book a little unbearable for someone who is reading fantasy for a break from all that. Add in the pages and pages of adult characters whining about their feelings instead of communicating, the barely there plot line, and an ending that didn\u2019t exactly make sense and this was very nearly a DNF for me.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "24-Sep-2024", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 18:30:12", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000014410011", "title": "Spatriati: A Novel", "author": "Mario Desiati, Michael F Moore", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 198, "review": "More literary fiction from Europe is now presented in English for the first time, this time from Italy, and if you like long-winded passages, with little to no dialogue and a lot of introspection, then this is the book for you. Claudia and Francesco meet in school when they are children, turning into wise and cranky adults. The first time Francesco meets Claudia he is struck by a bolt and falls head over heels, after many long passages about his lackluster home life and his two parents who no longer love each other but are compelled to stick with each other because of Francesco.

Claudia is everything Francesco isn\u2019t and because they are such opposites of each other they will come into contact many times throughout their life. Beyond the wide eye of first love, Claudia knows that Francesco\u2019s dad and her mother are lovers and asks if he knew that, which begins their journey of the discovery of what it means to be in love. Beyond that there is not much plot, oftentimes paragraphs are a page or more and it is more about the ennui of the generation born in the 1980s more than anything else.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2024", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 18:32:54", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014410003", "title": "Bury Your Gays", "author": "Chuck Tingle", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 200, "review": "This book has an interesting conceit that falls a bit flat toward the end and the idea of a gay panic amongst small town people is a little dated. Chuck Tingle is known for his odd, and sometimes erotic, work. In this foray, we are transported to modern-day Los Angeles, where Misha Byrne is a Hollywood screenwriter who has a number of small horror movies, one successful television show and is going to win an Oscar for his short film when he is called in by his bosses for a note where he is told to either kills off his gay characters in the season finale or make them straight.

Misha refuses, as he is still in the closet to his friends and family, and suddenly characters from his horror movies are coming to life spreading havoc, death and chaos as they are coming after him and backing Misha into a corner. There are moments of brilliance in this work and moments where it feels like we are early on in the Coming Out movement of the 1980s when it was dangerous for men and women to come out of the closet, which makes the work feel a bit dated.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2024", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 18:10:09", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014408003", "title": "The Great Library of Tomorrow (Tomorrowland)", "author": "Rosalia Aguilar Solace", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 206, "review": "Helia has taken pride in her role as the Sage of Hope and takes every part of this seriously as she helps humanity throughout the Paperworld. But when she and her lover are attacked during a trip to the Rose Garden, everything changes and she is faced with the reality of a dangerous threat: the Ash Man. While Helia manages to escape, Xavier isn\u2019t as lucky, but the sacrifice allows her to make her way back to the other Sages to warn them. She works to gather the necessary allies to prepare for an upcoming war while the Ash Man continues to gain power.

The world that Solace has created is breathtakingly unique with a prologue that immediately hooks you. The Great Library and the realms of Paperworld are the ideal backdrops for this epic adventure that is driven by imagination and passion for the written word. Various perspectives are woven throughout the story, introducing incredibly layered characters and adding charm to the tone. Each character\u2019s journey has an important role to play in the fight against the Ash Man as The Great Library of Tomorrow pushes the boundaries of storytelling with clever prose, rich characters, and unique realms that you\u2019ll be eager to delve into.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "21-Jan-2025", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 18:04:47", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "473 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014407007", "title": "The Dead Cat Tail Assassins", "author": "P Dj\u00e8l\u00ed Clark", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 194, "review": "Eveen has no memory of before she died, which is as it should be since her undead life has one purpose: serve her goddess, Matron of Assassins. When Eveen is contracted for a shipping, it should be a breeze, she's done this a million times. But this job is anything but regular and Eveen finds what should be impossible\u2014a memory from before she died\u2014and finds herself caught in a plot far more dangerous than being an assassin.

This was not a long read and fast paced; I easily finished reading it in a couple sittings. In some places though, it felt too fast paced, skipping over details. There are multiple times information is repeated when it's not needed, but then other times the narration states that Eveen explains what has happened to other characters and its often enough it got annoying. The characters are rather flat, though very creative and all different from each other. The end was interesting. The solution is well foreshadowed, but it felt out of place for the world. It also left me with questions about Eveen that I want answers to, but would be better suited to a sequel.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2024", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 18:07:28", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014406019", "title": "Art for Your Sanity: How Art Journaling Can Help You Manage Chaos and Unleash Joy", "author": "Susan Hensley", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 169, "review": "During life transitions, when one feels unanchored and unsettled, as the author Susan Hensley felt as she entered the uncertain phase of retirement, she found that exposing her emotions through art journaling was the panacea she needed. In this slimly outlined book, the reader is encouraged to collect an assortment of journaling tools. These include a notebook to be retained as a journal, while the essential tools to be used are collections of inexpensive magazines, crayons, watercolors, colored pencils, various brushes, even finger paints and any other supplies that attract the user.

Creating a collage of cut-out printed words that express feelings, applied against patterned colored backgrounds reflecting moods serve as an outlet for the ambiguities that may plague the individual. Several of the author\u2019s art journal products are presented to illustrate the tranquilizing process she followed during controversial periods in her life. This prescription for art journaling to reflect and paint the mood of the individual serves as the therapeutic theme in the fifteen short, but repetitive chapters.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "07-Aug-2024", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 22:46:07", "publisher": "Sh&h Publishing LLC", "page_count": "110 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014404007", "title": "American Rapture", "author": "CJ Leede", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 202, "review": "C.J. Leede is back after her disturbingly dark Maeve Fly with a book that goes hard and epic in American Rapture. Readers may be surprised by something quite different, but it is nevertheless engrossing and thrilling.

Sophie is a good Catholic girl who has lived something far beyond a sheltered life with her domineering parents who oversee every step she makes, and decide on every move she makes. Her brother has been banished from the home after being discovered with an illicit magazine involving men, and is now in a \u201cspecial place\u201d to \u201cmake him better.\u201d Sophie knows very little of boys or normal life, but she does know of guilt from her god for being a woman.

Meanwhile, a virus is running rampant and getting closer to their secluded world. Infected go crazy with lust and attack anyone they see. Is this the end times or something else?

Leede takes on a big assignment with an apocalyptic story for her second novel, but it is a personal story that hits home for her. Readers will be glued to the page, not knowing how bad and bizarre things will get. Along with some interesting and complex characters, American Rapture will delight readers.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2025", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 18:11:12", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014403011", "title": "All This and More: A Novel", "author": "Peng Shepherd", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 190, "review": "Forty-five-year-old Marsh has just landed the most coveted spot in the world\u2014contestant on the reality TV show \u201cAll This and More.\u201d Quantum technology will allow her to fix her disaster of a life\u2014live, with the whole world watching. She can take all the risks that she\u2019s been afraid to, right wrongs, correct relationships, explore roads not traveled. But is this technology too good to be true? And is Marsh willing to face the costs?

This wonderful new book by bestselling author Peng Shepherd grabs readers from the get-go, the same as the reality show depicted in the novel. A super cool feature of the text is you don\u2019t have to read the book in order\u2014you can skip around, choose-your-own-adventure style. I haven\u2019t seen a book for adults do this (please correct me if I\u2019m wrong!) and the intricacies of crafting a story like this are astounding.

All This and More contains the unusualness of story that we expect from Shepherd, an inspired concept and consummate writing by an author displaying mastery of her craft. The Cartographers and The Book of M were good, but this book leaves them both behind.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "22-Aug-2024", "date_added": "25-Jun-2024 22:27:16", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014402039", "title": "Not My Circus: Triumph Over Abuse, Trauma & Family Secrets\u2014A Journey to Self-love, Pride & Remarkable Resilience (ResilientAF)", "author": "Delicia Niami", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 443, "review": "In Not My Circus, Delicia Niami recounts her life experiences from teenagehood to adulthood. Delicia grew up with an absent father, a mother who worked long hours to provide, and a strained relationship with her older brothers. She suffered sexual abuse from a young age and was exposed to drugs and alcohol as a young adult. Delicia left home after high school and explored her freedom.

She found roommates and friends, worked multiple jobs, pursued higher education, and supported the gay rights movement. In this memoir, we learn of her battle with addiction, health challenges, dating history, family crisis, and the murder of her mother. Through the pages of the book, readers can follow her healing journey and be inspired by her story.

\u00a0\nDelicia's story is touching and hypnotic. It got to a point when I didn't know what to expect anymore and I had to brace myself for the next pages. As the story continued to unfold, all I could think of was that I'm grateful she survived it all. Delicia Niami is a strong woman; despite everything she has been through, she continues to persevere and make the best use of the gift of life. When I read about her mother's murder, I cried because no one deserves to go through what she experienced.

It's unfortunate that in most of the memoirs I've read, the women have experienced sexual abuse, and it's usually by people they trust. Most of the abusers go scot-free either as a result of the incident not being reported due to shame or the law enforcement officers not pursuing the case. In Delicia's case, she was still blamed for being raped because she was inebriated. However, I'm glad she went through the healing process and realized everything that happened to her was not her fault.\u00a0

Although Delicia is not perfect, I love her personality. She strikes me as a diligent employee, a great friend and companion, humorous in nature, and an adventurer. I enjoyed reading about her travels and the many friends she has made in her lifetime. As I continued reading the book, I prayed she would find the utmost happiness and even meet someone who loved her wholeheartedly. From this book, I learned that we often assume that family will always be there for us, but in some cases, they may be the ones who cause us pain. Sometimes a stranger can become the savior we end up needing during difficult times.

This was an intriguing story. Delicia is a special woman, and I want to commend her for sharing her story. Not My Circus by Delicia Niami is a memoir I won't forget for a long time.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "26-Jun-2024 20:31:32", "publisher": "ResilientAF", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014401003", "title": "The Midnight Club", "author": "Margot Harrison", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 220, "review": "In college, Sonia, Byron, Paul, Auraleigh, and Jennet had been a tight knit pack of friends with a shared love of writing that drew them to the school literary magazine, the Dove-Cat. What separated and haunted them for twenty-five years is the premise of Margot Harrison's The Midnight Club.

Told in a non-linear way across multiple points of view, this novel attempts to capture what it can feel like when you revisit your past. As Sonia, Byron, Paul, and Auralegih meet in Vermont to discuss what caused Jennet's death on a fateful night two and a half decades prior, other secrets start to emerge. Some of them were more involved than it seemed, both in her death and with each other, and learning those truths threatens to tear their friendships apart as well as the lives they've built after college.

At the heart of the novel, though, is also a serious sub-plot related to an ominous drug that seems to let users see their future, or perhaps their past. This is where the novel falls a bit apart; the story of the friends and the loss of Jennet is compelling enough. There is no need for this supernatural and gimmicky insert. However, the characters are well rendered and the story engaging if you're looking for a bit of a whodunnit.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2024", "date_added": "24-Jun-2024 22:24:10", "publisher": "Graydon House Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014396003", "title": "Papa's Butter Chicken: A celebration of family and community", "author": "Monica Saigal, Abeeha Tariq, Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 199, "review": "Sharing a meal not only nourishes the body, it also builds bonds. This story is unique in that it highlights sharing an everyday meal can also build family and community bonds (independent of a celebration). The protagonist helps her father make butter chicken. During the cooking process, her father reminisces how butter chicken brings back childhood memories. They compare the qualities of family members to those of the spices they are using, and even dance while the curry simmers. As they set the table for dinner for two, family and neighbors drop in to share the special butter chicken meal. At first the protagonist is sad as she does not get to hear her father\u2019s stories, but later sees the value of sharing with family and friends.

This charming story highlights a father\u2013daughter bond, the importance of family activities, the Indian culture, and food as a means of bringing family and friends together. The illustrations are bold, bright and vibrant\u2014dovetailing well with the smiling faces. The text is easy for young readers, or can be read aloud for younger audiences. The book paves the way for a discussion on culture, diversity, and inclusion. Recommended for younger and early readers.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "07-Oct-2024", "date_added": "24-Jun-2024 21:22:01", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014393007", "title": "Choose Your Own Adventure: Forecast From Stonehenge", "author": "Stephanie Phillips, Dani Bolinho, PH Gomes", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Johanna - age 11", "word_count": 187, "review": "Forecast from StoneHenge, by R. A. Montgomery is a choose your own adventure graphic novel about finding an enigmatic man named Alistair. Alistair supposedly can help you to find the important missing heel stone. But what lies in your path? Will it be a friendly sprite or pack of giants? A cult of druids or deadly fairies? This interactive book tries to make the story your choice. Having a graphic novel choose your own adventure was a good concept, but it did not turn out well. The pictures are not very good. The writing does not work as well as I had hoped. And the story would be more reasonable in book form. Also, in one adventure there are very few choices to make and, to me, making the choices is the best part of choose your own adventures. The plot also is not very clear throughout the book. At the end of the book, I still did not have a good sense of what you are hunting for, why you are hunting for it, or its significance. I do not recommend this book to any age.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "18-Aug-2024", "date_added": "24-Jun-2024 21:50:41", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000014392011", "title": "Chaos in Kinshasa", "author": "Barly Baruti, Thierry Bellefroid, Ivanka Hahnenberger", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 242, "review": "In 1970s Harlem, Ernest finds himself in a dire situation, entangled in dangerous business dealings with ruthless gang leaders. His chance to escape comes in the form of an invitation to witness the highly anticipated return of Muhammad Ali to the ring. All he needs is a passport to disappear for a while. Little does Ernest know, the stage is set for a high-stakes political drama in Senegal, the venue for the 'Rumble in the Jungle' boxing match between Ali and George Foreman. A coup is brewing to overthrow the embattled strongman President Mobutu Sese Seko. Ernest\u2019s survival instincts and street smarts will be put to the ultimate test as he becomes entangled in a web of chaos and murder.

Congolese cartoonist Barley Baruti and Belgian writer Thierry Bellefroid join forces to craft a graphic novel that seamlessly blends historical facts with imaginative fiction against the rich backdrop of post-colonial Africa. The story's premise is not just exciting but also offers a fresh and unique perspective into the Cold War era. As a work of fiction, Chaos in Kinshasa sparks curiosity about the story's plausibility, given our knowledge of the fight and the geopolitical turmoil of the time.

Originally penned in French, Bellefroid\u2019s dialogues are steeped in African American Vernacular English. As a non-Black American, I am not the best judge of cultural appropriation in this context. This raises the question of how the book may be perceived by Black American readers.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "24-Jun-2024 22:56:59", "publisher": "Catalyst Press", "page_count": "120 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014392003", "title": "Kareem Between", "author": "Shifa Saltagi Safadi", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 219, "review": "Kareem, an American born to Syrian immigrant parents, is desperate to join the middle-school football team. His best friend, Adam, has moved away and Kareem is determined to make the team for a sense of belonging. But the quarterback, Austin, is the coach\u2019s son and has other ideas for Kareem\u2019s ambitions. In another part of the world, Kareem\u2019s grandfather, Jido, is not doing so well. Mama had to leave the U.S. to go to Syria to get Jido the help he needed. Just as Mama was getting ready to come back, Former President Trump issued an executive order banning people from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. Despite the odds, Kareem and his family must find a way to get Mama back home.

Shifa Saltagi Safadi has penned a heartwarming if not heart-wrenching, all-American coming-of-age story against the backdrop of the divisive Muslim ban. Told in first-person verse from the protagonist\u2019s perspective, Kareem Between uses language that is both approachable and relatable, making it a compelling read for young readers. The book delves into the struggles of a middle-schooler trying to fit in, do the right thing, and stand up against bullies, while also shedding light on the impact of Islamophobic policies. Kareem\u2019s journey, though challenging, teaches him valuable lessons about the importance of culture, family, and friendship.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2024", "date_added": "24-Jun-2024 20:45:31", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014391007", "title": "Paris Lost and Found: A Memoir of Love ", "author": "Scott Dominic Carpenter", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 196, "review": "Whether you\u2019ve been to the City of Lights or not, you most likely hold on to those iconic images from film and television: the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, the Arc de Triomphe. As Scott Carpenter writes, \u201cvisitors know exactly what they\u2019re coming for\u2014romance, fashion, grandeur.\u201d But he has lived part time in Paris for decades and in these humorous, heartfelt essays, he presents a different view of the city. Tourists don\u2019t experience rats in the basement, or the mysterious case of someone pooping where they shouldn\u2019t, much less the hilarious bureaucratic snafus of French banking. As someone who travels between the Midwest and France, he often compares life in the U.S. (our fascination with guns, for instance) with Gallic ways, even as Paris becomes more like America, for good and for ill. His pieces encompass grief, given that they were written during his wife\u2019s descent into Alzheimer\u2019s, and during the pandemic lockdown. \u201cBoth Anne and I were being robbed. Someone had come through our life and cleaned us out.\u201d For a time, he loses Paris and the life he has known with Anne. Can he regain love? An enjoyable, engaging read for travelers\u2014armchair and airline alike.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2024", "date_added": "24-Jun-2024 20:48:26", "publisher": "Travelers Tales", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014390015", "title": "Devils Kill Devils", "author": "Johnny Compton", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 198, "review": "Sarita has had a normal life, getting up to plenty of adventures and risky situations. Fortunately, she has a guardian angel she named Angelo. He first saved her life when a wave swept her under at the beach and she would\u2019ve drowned. Her family lost track of her and this man came out of the water carrying her. He laid her down, made sure she was safe, then walked away.

Then there was the time she was at a party with friends, and someone got really angry, so he went to his car to get his gun, with plans of shooting the place up and hurting a lot of people. Then there were screams. When they went outside they found pieces of the guys everywhere.

Only now Angelo has just killed someone very close to her; for the first time Sarita knows something is very wrong and there\u2019s a lot more going on here than she could ever conceive of.

Devils Kills Devils is a fresh horror story that takes you down a path that just get darker and darker in a way only Johnny Compton can do. Readers will be left terrified but compelled to keep going.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2024", "date_added": "24-Jun-2024 22:14:56", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014389019", "title": "Stamped from the Beginning", "author": "Ibram X Kendi, Joel Christian Gill", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 224, "review": "Comic book artist Joel Christian Gill and historian Ibram X. Kendi embark on a groundbreaking collaboration, translating the comprehensive history of racism into a visually engaging and easily digestible graphic format. The graphic novel version of Kendi\u2019s 2016 book Stamped from Beginning harnesses the strengths of the original volume, presenting a comprehensive narrative about the enduring history of racist, anti-Black ideas in the United States. Kendi\u2019s research illuminates the evolution\u2014and devolution\u2014of egalitarian concepts in shaping American sentiments, legislation, and society. Beyond personal discrimination and animosity, Stamped from the Beginning delves into how racial stratification has perpetuated socioeconomic disparities that persist today.

Gill\u2019s adaptation uses the life stories of iconic American thinkers who promulgated racist history, from Puritan minister Cotton Mather to abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison. These figures are not just historical; their ideas and actions continue to shape our understanding of racial justice today. The antiracist legacies of intellectual W.E.B. Du Bois and activist Angela Davis are distilled into essential points that are relevant and relatable in current discourses about racial justice.

In the graphic adaptation, Gill closely follows the intention and impact of the original volume, echoing the tone and intention of unlearning deeply held notions about racism. This version approximates the impact of Kendi\u2019s book, as it tells the complete, often hidden story of the persistence of racist ideas in American life.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "23-Aug-2024", "date_added": "24-Jun-2024 22:52:57", "publisher": "Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014388003", "title": "True or False?: The Science of Perception, Misinformation, and Disinformation", "author": "Jacqueline B Toner", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 11", "word_count": 178, "review": "Our brains are kind of crazy. They filter out certain things, like small details, but won\u2019t let go of others. What makes us remember certain details and not others? How do we know what is true and what is misinformation? If our brains retain false information, how can we know what is true? That\u2019s the main question being answered in this book, True or False? The Science of Perception, Misinformation, and Disinformation by Jacqueline B. Toner.

I like knowing how my brain works. So I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the author put \u201cyou\u201d in the story, so \u201cyou\u201d as the reader are right in the middle of the story. You get a firsthand view of how our brains take in information, process it, and, well, work! I also liked learning about different experiments people have done to understand the brain, like the piano stairs experiment (search for it online!). There is so much information in the world and I like knowing how my brain takes it all in and why I think what I think.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "18-Aug-2024", "date_added": "23-Jun-2024 21:41:28", "publisher": "American Psychological Association", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014386003", "title": "Abuela's Letter", "author": "Debbie Zapata, Alejandra Ruiz", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 212, "review": "Happy and sporty Alma, a star basketball player in her school, can always rely on her number one fan to cheer her on. But when Abuela succumbed to her illness, Alma felt a deep sadness she had never felt before. Everything reminded her of Abuela, and nothing was the same. One day, the young girl discovers a letter from her late grandmother. Who knew a letter could fill one\u2019s heart with love and joy?

Mexican-American counselor Debbie Zapata's picture book Abuela\u2019s Letter deals with grief over the death of Alma\u2019s beloved Abuela (grandmother). The book offers a salve for families navigating the intense emotions of losing a loved one and showcases the author\u2019s empathetic approach to supporting families and children. Colombian illustrator Alejandra Ruiz depicts the richness of Latine culture, centering on the closeness of a large, extended family, bonding over food, and friendships with primos (cousins).

Zapata provides a helpful and inspiring guide for parents and caregivers to shepherd their young ones through the pain of grief. The template for a \u201cgrief letter\u201d is a thoughtful way to honor one\u2019s emotions and fond memories of the departed. Written in English and Spanish, the grief guide shares tips and considerations as they help children cope with the death of a cherished elder.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "04-Oct-2024", "date_added": "23-Jun-2024 20:15:34", "publisher": "American Psychological Association", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014382007", "title": "Porcupine Had a Fuzzy Sweater", "author": "Jody Jensen Shaffer, Angela Edmonds", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 136, "review": "I would have never imagined a porcupine could wear a sweater, but now I know it is because it makes him extra snuggly to protect others from his quills. However, when porcupine loses his sweater made by his grandma, he faces the age old question of what is the right thing to do? It can be hard to make the right decision because you never want to make someone else sad. Will porcupine tell grandma the truth? Or will he steal a sweater to replace it?

This is a great little book that helps to teach young readers about morals and how to make good choices to do the right thing. The illustrations of this book are really bright and colorful. This is a unique book because I can't think of any other books about porcupines", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2024", "date_added": "23-Jun-2024 20:11:53", "publisher": "American Psychological Association", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014379003", "title": "The Remarkables: The Most Incredible Children I've Met \u2015 So Far!", "author": "Clotilde Perrin, Clotilde Perrin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julianne - age 8", "word_count": 170, "review": "The Remarkables: The Most Remarkable Children I\u2019ve Met\u2014So Far! by Clotilda Perrin, translated by Daniel Hahn, is a book of profiles of remarkable children. You can start reading anywhere in the book or with any profile; all the profiles are cool.

I loved the inside front cover illustration and the table of contents. They were so unique!

These are not your usual kids. Each one is surprising (and remarkable!) in their own way. And not in the way that you might expect. Some profiles were really funny, like the Giant Child, and others were surprising, like the Foldaway Child. All of the profiles and small comic stories were great. Also, there were pictures of each child, which I found fun. The quiz in the back is really cool. It helps you discover what kind of remarkable child you are. It\u2019s a crazy book but an enjoyable one. This book might help kids think about their unusual qualities in a new way. What makes us unusual can also be our superpower.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2024", "date_added": "23-Jun-2024 19:21:43", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "72 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014377003", "title": "Secret Gardeners: Growing a Community and Healing the Earth ", "author": "Maija Hurme, Lina Laurent, Sofia Karlsson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 140, "review": "The Secret Gardeners is a story of how something as simple as a garden can bring so many different people together. The garden is in need of work, and there are many people from all over town who pass by and notice each other in the garden. It helps to heal those with broken hearts and helps those who are lonely to find new friends. Plus, the best part is the harvest at the end of the season that you can share with those who helped to share the workload.

What is really cool about this book isn't the story but the information on each page which tells you tips and tricks to be a better gardener. My favorite part is the illustrations. They look so simple, like crayons and colored pencils, but still have so much life on each page.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "16-Aug-2024", "date_added": "23-Jun-2024 19:13:06", "publisher": "Pajama Press Inc.", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014376003", "title": "Anne of Green Gables (Nosy Crow Classics, 3)", "author": "Katherine Woodfine, Isabelle Follath, L M Montgomery", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 144, "review": "Anne of Green Gables is the story of a young orphan girl, aged eleven, named Anne, who comes to live with siblings Matthew and Marilla in hopes that she can help them around the farm. She learns what it means to have a \u201cparent\u201d and be held accountable for her actions, especially when she has big and expressive actions. Anne grows up in their care, with Diana as a best friend, and Gilbert as a potential enemy.

The majority of Anne\u2019s stories in the book are funny! The ways she handles situations are dramatic and a little over-the-top. There are happy, sad, and frustrating parts that show Anne growing in age and maturity. Her relationships change throughout the story and she learns much about herself and others. The story is best read and understood by upper elementary-aged readers because of situations and words used.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "04-Sep-2024", "date_added": "23-Jun-2024 18:54:03", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014374031", "title": "RED HONEY", "author": "Saira Viola", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 57, "review": "\"A downright dark and dirty modern-day Twilight Zone, Red Honey is a compilation of short stories that will blow your mind. These stories are graphic, gritty, and brilliant. From an evil, dirty cop to small-town drug dealers to murder-by-strawberry, readers' eyes will pop and their jaws drop as each descriptive scene unfolds.\" \u2014Kathryn Dare, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "June 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Jun-2024 21:52:44", "publisher": "Fahrenheit", "page_count": "93 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000014374023", "title": "The Restless Lake", "author": "Teri Fink", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 406, "review": "Life has been very different for Olivia Vandenberg since she left Seattle and her tech hustle to stay at Stehekin Wilderness Ranch, a ranch that offers an escape from the busy city world. Despite being there for only three years, she feels like she belongs and is warmly welcomed by its residents. When Luka Novak, an Olympian, shows up at the ranch, her world becomes both more complicated and exciting. Unfortunately, Luka seems to be hiding something from his past, resulting in a fragile friendship that threatens to break at any moment. Still, the joys of hiking, kayaking, and exploring the natural world keep her occupied with the treasures of the present.

Teri Fink's The Restless Lake captivates readers with a spellbinding story about a romantic relationship that is plagued by painful memories and commitment issues.

The Restless Lake maintains a balance between past and present events, creating a great blend between the chaos of trauma in a politically unstable society and the more trivial problems of the ranch. Thankfully, some chapters are labeled to reveal the time and place being depicted. This enables readers to follow the story easily when it shifts to different times and places, like when it depicts Luka's story in Harborview Medical Center, 1997, after relating his experience of Dulic Prison Camp in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1992.\u00a0

The story is filled with intriguing conflicts and dilemmas. While Luka deals with loss and painful memories, Olivia struggles with her fear of him and the torn feelings she has as she gets closer to him. Teri's engrossing storytelling reveals their internal struggles clearly, with intense, emotional accounts delivered mostly in the first person.\u00a0

Readers get to enjoy a smart blend of themes, including illnesses, war, loss, nature, love, and friendship. I was enthralled by Luka's transition from his past to the present. His history with war and sports is well contrasted with his need for healing and enjoying the moment.

Ultimately, Teri's book is a heartwarming story that reminds us that we can find a place of healing and love despite our imperfections and struggles. It's a tale that will cause fans of love tales to bask in its romantic chaos and excite anyone who loves a well-crafted story. I couldn't stop marveling at its mix of captivating conflicts, complex characters, and lyrical English. Now that I'm done, I revel in my memories of it and look forward to reading more riveting stories by Teri.", "issue": "July 2024", "date_posted": "07-Aug-2024", "date_added": "20-Jun-2024 21:31:43", "publisher": "Evolved Publishing", "page_count": "228 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014374019", "title": "The Restless Lake", "author": "Teri Fink", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 412, "review": "Olivia Vandenberg used to live a monotonous life in Seattle as the Director of Human Resources for a tech company before moving to Stehekin. It was a remote place, a lot different from the bustling city she was used to. Stehekin was a countryside where the locals were more close-knit, the scenery was beautiful, and it attracted tourists who went horseback riding, kayaking, and for culinary delights. Through her connections in school, she landed a role at a tech company in its early stages, which became very successful later on.

Olivia worked round the clock with her boyfriend Bill, although she had made a boatload of money. She eventually gets diagnosed with a rare medical condition and is also shattered by her partner abandoning her. She flees to Stehekin to start afresh and battle her illness. There she meets wonderful people, enjoys activities that make her feel alive, and also meets Luka.

Luka Novak left Croatia to live in Stehekin after the civil war. He had scars from the war, and the memories of it still haunt him, including dreams of his lover Anya. Interestingly, he was an Olympic gold medalist and was quite popular in his homeland. Luka and Olivia connect through their circle of friends. Situated in a corner in the North Cascades, life is more adventurous as they go kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, or fishing. Feelings start growing between Luka and Olivia, but they are both held back by their pasts. Will they overcome it?

Adding to the main story are characters like Ingrid, Greta, West, and Bill, which make the novel much more interesting. Bill is a typical boss who is only focused on results and wants employees to work every minute of their lives. Of course, this leads to an unhealthy lifestyle and jeopardizes the health of workers. Olivia's runaway boyfriend shows how people we rely on can leave when we need them the most. The novel also reminds readers of the devastating impact of war, as the experience is hardly forgotten by the victims, especially with the scars they carry and the loved ones lost.

As an adventurous person, I enjoyed reading all about horseback riding, kayaking, and hiking. It allowed me to immerse myself in the story. The plot was well paced, and the novel had enough characters to keep you engaged throughout. Restless Lake by Teri Fink will be perfect for fans of fiction novels with themes of romance, adventure, hope, friendship, and survival.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "23-Aug-2024", "date_added": "20-Jun-2024 21:31:22", "publisher": "Evolved Publishing", "page_count": "228 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014374015", "title": "The Restless Lake", "author": "Teri Fink", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 400, "review": "The Restless Lake by Teri Fink was one of the best novels I have read in a long time. The perfect balance of summer romance, mystery, adventure, and history, readers are in for a treat! Alternating between the viewpoints of Olivia Vandenberg, Luka Novak, and Ingrid Norgaard, Fink sets the scene at Stehekin Wilderness Ranch, a remote paradise in the North Cascades of Washington State. Co-managed by Olivia and Kathy Stokes, guests are offered an upgraded camping experience, full of hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and much more.

These two women have put their heart and soul into the establishment, charmed by the wilderness they adore and want nothing more than a smooth operation. Looking forward to the summer ahead, they have welcomed former Olympian kayaker, Luka, to lead the water tours. Ingrid, fresh out of high school, will lead a summer horseback riding camp before she returns to Stanford in the fall. These key leaders, alongside many others, have Kathy and Olivia with high hopes to give their guests an epic summer vacation experience.

However, not everything is all beauty at Stehekin. Before long, Olivia realizes there is much more to Luka than meets the eye. A survivor of the Yugoslav war, he seems to be burdened tragedies and secrets too heavy to express in words. With an equal amount of respect and fear, the reader follows Olivia as she embarks on a journey to find out who Luka really is, and how he ended up so far from his home and the country he loved?

Fink\u2019s story stood out to me as a stellar novel. Unlike much modern-day literature, she truly has a unique plot line with a distinctive cast of characters, each excellently written. The personalities of each figure were explicit, heartfelt, and genuine. She gave just enough information to where the reader felt a connection without excessive writing. She also did a fantastic job balancing out each subplot. The story was a terrific blend of everything that makes a good fiction novel, not too heavy on any particular genre (another rare quality not often found in modern literature)!

Transformed into this wilderness ranch alongside the cast, Fink clearly has a talent for authoring. As a fellow lover of hiking and the outdoors, her words transported me to these idyllic mountains and tranquil lakes. The ideal summer read, women eighteen+ should add this novel to their reading list!", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "22-Aug-2024", "date_added": "20-Jun-2024 21:29:40", "publisher": "Evolved Publishing", "page_count": "228 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014374007", "title": "Twelve Palominos (A Brig Ellis Tale) ", "author": "Joe Kilgore", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 401, "review": "Kilgore\u2019s latest has all the hallmarks of a detective novel. The protagonist is Brig Ellis, whom readers might recognize as the hardboiled fellow from some of his other works. (And who readers of detective fiction new to Kilgore\u2019s work will recognize all the same, for he hits familiar characterizations from many other detectives.) There is the wealthy man seeking to hire Ellis for a job, the butler (for lack of a better word) who has more skills than any ordinary butler can lay claim to, the MacGuffin (in this case, a miniature statue of a palomino horse) which Ellis is sent after. Of course, there is the femme fatale; in this case, the daughter of the aforementioned wealthy man.

And, as the novel goes on, there are the casualties, both of innocent and not-so-innocent bystanders. These pile up chapter by chapter.

The story itself is intriguing. Ellis\u2019s chase for the story\u2019s MacGuffin leads him into a web of what at first seem like curses but soon become a twisted collection of betrayals and greed. I was fascinated by the twists and turns, by the new adversaries appearing, and by the danger targeting Ellis from around every corner. Before long I expected almost everyone to die the moment Ellis began speaking to them, which only enhanced my enjoyment by raising the stakes.

Why, then, did I give this only four stars? The plot itself was very nearly everything I could have asked for, but the characterization failed to impress me. Kilgore relies on stock characters, which is not in itself a bad thing. If anything, it\u2019s exactly what I would expect from the genre. The trouble comes when the stock characters begin to feel like stereotypes. Stock characters, well written, serve to enhance a plot and push it along, giving the reader someone to be invested in while keeping the story in the forefront. Stereotypes, on the other hand, merely feel like lazy writing.

I also felt that Kilgore did not make the best use of his characters. A little more room for them to breathe and a little more thought given to each of them might have made them all, and the story itself, more engaging.

I would recommend this story to anyone looking for a quick, tight read with an intriguing plot and a decent mystery. Despite my complaints about the characters, I had a great time on the ride.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "24-Aug-2024", "date_added": "20-Jun-2024 21:26:22", "publisher": "Encircle Publications", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014373011", "title": "The Great Turkey Walk: A Graphic Novel Adaptation of the Classic Story of a Boy, His Dog and a Thousand Turkeys", "author": "Kathleen Karr, L\u00e9onie Bischoff, Bailat-Jones Michelle ", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 199, "review": "The Great Turkey Walk is a graphic novel that follows Simon, a young orphan boy in the \"old\" days, who just found out that he is graduating from school\u2026 so, now what? With a loan, startup funds, and an undeterred dream, Simon gets help from some unlikely people of all ages, during his trip from Union, MO to Denver, CO, as he herds one thousand golden turkeys for his first business venture to gain wealth experience, friendships, and a sense of purpose. If Simon can keep his mood up and stick to the plan throughout the journey, he may have much more than he bargained for.

I enjoyed this story because the main character is around my age, and it shows how determination and problem-solving can make nearly anything happen. Simon's positive attitude throughout the story made it uplifting. The illustrations were enjoyable to look at, and between them and the text, the story was easy to follow and understand. This story contains mostly good things, but some negative ones include guns and shooting. Simon meets new people, such as a drunk getting kicked out of the saloon, a slave child, and a woman in need of help.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "04-Oct-2024", "date_added": "18-Jun-2024 21:43:22", "publisher": "Helvetiq", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014372011", "title": "The Littlest Christmas Tree", "author": "Jane Chapman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 136, "review": "This is the sweetest story to start off the Christmas holiday. The little bear and the forest animals need to get ready for Christmas and find a treat to decorate, so they hunt for the perfect tree. The rabbits want a skinny one, and the badgers want a wide one, but what will the baby bear choose?

I really love sweet stories like this for the holidays. The illustrations are perfect and remind me of how cozy and fun the holidays are. All you need to go with this book is a cup of hot chocolate. My favorite part is the animals picking out their trees and getting them home to decorate. This is a must-read for the holiday season! I think it would be fun to see what other adventures the little bear goes on.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "04-Sep-2024", "date_added": "18-Jun-2024 21:08:21", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014370019", "title": "At Dark, I Become Loathsome", "author": "Eric LaRocca", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 203, "review": "Eric LaRocca is a special kind of horror writer because you never know what you\u2019re going to get, just as the world was changed with his viral story Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke. At Dark, I Become Loathsome is a prime example of this.

\"If you're reading this, you've likely thought that the world would be a better place without you.\"

A special inviting message for those who feel they have nothing left to live for. But Ashley Lutin can help them with a special procedure that is very discrete and secret. It involves a coffin and a hole and thirty minutes spent in complete isolation beneath the earth. After that half hour, the person comes back changed.

But things are taken to a whole new level when Ashley meets a potential client named Jinx who has a story to tell. It is a harrowing, despicable tale that is both horrific and fascinating. The two are brought together through this and other diabolical tales.

Eric LaRocca does it again with a most disturbing tale that is beautifully written in his unique hand. The language is lush but dark, the characters are whole but broken, and the story is like nothing you\u2019ve read before.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "09-Jan-2025", "date_added": "18-Jun-2024 22:01:18", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014367019", "title": "Halima, Superhero Princess", "author": "Emily Joof, Asa Gilland", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 231, "review": "Halima, Superhero Princess by Emily Joof is a picture book that tells the story of best friends Halima, Astrid, and Maya. The girls are excited to have been invited to Alexis\u2019 sixth birthday party. The friends do everything together and are thrilled to plan their outfits for the party theme: superheroes and princesses. None of the names the girls rattled off did not look like Halima. Halima felt sad and worried she wouldn\u2019t be able to go to the party as someone strong and brave.

Mama reminds Halima that women who look like her are heroes in their own right, from Amanda Gorman to Shuri, from Mae Jamison to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. With so many fantastic role models to choose from, who will Halima represent for the birthday party?

Halima, Superhero Princess is a collaboration between Joof, an African-diaspora children\u2019s author, and Swedish artist \u00c5sa Gilland. Together, they bring to life a story of finding inspiration in talented, intelligent, and courageous Black women. For young readers and their parents, Halima\u2019s story is a reminder of the rich and influential history and contributions of women of African descent. Knowing one\u2019s culture and identity, children will understand that hurtful words cannot bring them down. There is a teachable lesson for young readers who do not share Halima\u2019s background: sometimes people say unkind things they do not mean, but the pain is the same.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2024", "date_added": "18-Jun-2024 21:12:47", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014367011", "title": "The Helper", "author": "M M Dewil", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 190, "review": "The Helper is a suspense novel that has many twists and turns. Readers will love that they will not be able to guess what the protagonist, Mary Williams' next move will be. Mary is a single mother to a preteen girl named Emma. After losing her job at the local library, Mary starts to panic. She is late on rent and struggles to put food on the table for her and her daughter. She tries a sexting job online but isn't very good at it. Then, she answers an ad for someone who needs help. Eric wants someone to kill him so that his ailing mother will receive his life insurance. Mary goes back and forth between wanting to do the job and thinking that it is something she could never do. Then, Emma gets taken away from her by social services.

This book was so suspenseful. Even when you think everything is straightforward, it's not. There were many times I wanted to yell at Mary because she would act so stupid. The characters were all very well-developed and \"played their parts\" well. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "24-Sep-2024", "date_added": "17-Jun-2024 22:41:48", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "248 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014367007", "title": "Cosmic Creatures: The Friendly Firecat", "author": "Tom Huddleston, Sophy Williams", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 179, "review": "The Friendly Firecat is the second book in the Cosmic Creatures series about a girl named Charlie, her family, and her best friend Random, a robot. They came to Earth to live on the planet Vela (on the other side of the universe) to colonize it and learn about its plants and animals. In the first book, Charlie and the colony find and deal with a situation from the Rumblebears.

This time, she and her brother visit their aunt on the far side of the planet and meet firecats! After a stampede from the cats, Charlie finds a kitten left behind. On her way to locate the rest, she discovers animal kidnappers and tries not to get kidnapped herself!

The Friendly Firecat is an exciting story and gives me enough cats to make me happy. The Cosmic Creatures books are similar to Holly Webb's Pet Rescue stories, except these are \"alien\" animals, which makes them unique and fun to learn about! The story is easy for me to read and understand and will appeal to both boys and girls.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "23-Sep-2024", "date_added": "17-Jun-2024 22:10:13", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014366007", "title": "Cosmic Creatures: The Runaway Rumblebear (Cosmic Creatures, 2)", "author": "Tom Huddleston, Sophy Williams", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 162, "review": "Cosmic Creatures: The Runaway Rumblebear is the story of a young girl named Charlie and her \"pet\" robot named Random, along with her family (mom, dad, brother), who are Earthlings, living on the planet Vela for the past two years to learn about it. When food gathered from plants begins going missing, people get worried, but Charlie explores and discovers a new species of animal that they name the \"Rumblebear\" because of its surprising roar from a small, soft, and cuddly creature. One goes missing, and it's up to Charlie and Random to help find its family in new, uninhabited, potentially scary areas.

was an easy read with the words, and I enjoyed the pictures throughout the book. It reminded me of the Holly Webb stories with rescue animals; readers who like some slight suspense, mystery, and rescuing animals will love this book and this series. I could not think of a favorite part because I enjoyed it all!", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2024", "date_added": "17-Jun-2024 22:09:00", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014555095", "title": "Abyss of Tyranny", "author": "Justin Cook", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 75, "review": "\"Justin Cook's Abyss of Tyranny is a passionate and highly enlightening tale about the justice system in the USA. Drawing on his abusive experience even outside the prison walls, Justin tells a story that shines a light on the need to transform conventional correctional measures and guarantee true improvement. Ultimately, Justin's poignant memoir will fill your heart with a burning desire to see positive changes in the justice system.\" \u2014Foluso Falaye, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jul-2024 19:42:27", "publisher": "Mindstir Meida", "page_count": "340 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014555087", "title": "Blood Mage", "author": "K.S. Villoso", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 53, "review": "\"With dynamic characters and strong realm crafting, Blood Mage is set in a world of magic and mystery. A world ruled by deceit and threatened by treachery. Only the ancient practice of blood magic will prevail. This young adult fantasy is brilliantly written and hard to put down.\" \u2014Eric Smith, Portland Book Review", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jul-2024 19:38:12", "publisher": "Snowy Wings Publishing", "page_count": "494 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014555079", "title": "Raised by Trees: Bibles, Beer, and Babes: growing up in rural Oregon in the '80s", "author": "Eric Day", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 424, "review": "Raised by Trees is a brilliantly humorous and fast-paced tale that gives us a glimpse of Eric Day's life. Eric Day shares stories about his childhood and growing up with playful siblings who constantly tested the authority of their Christian parents. Sometimes, it ended in spanking, and other times, Eric and his brothers managed to get away with their daring pranks. The author recalls being cautioned against exploring sexual fantasies and awkwardly learning about masturbation from his family.

Apart from Eric's playful exploits, the book sheds light on his experience of business, including when he acted on his idea of opening a nightclub in downtown Portland. We see him reflect on becoming a teacher in more recent years despite working full time at his father's piano and musical instrument store after dropping out of high school. Eric has come a long way from his days as a daring teenager living in rural Oregon. His cherished memories are captured skillfully in Raised by Trees, offering readers a chance to savor the richness of a collection of addictive anecdotes.

I had to look for an empty room because I couldn't stop laughing hysterically. That's what the combination of Eric's witty storytelling and his hilarious exploits does to you. Even when talking about his burning feeling of guilt, he describes it humorously: \"What I'd dreamt was no dream delivered by God, but a dark fantasy conjured up from within and delivered by none other than the Devil himself.\"

As funny and outrageous as these stories were, many of them remind me of my childhood. The book comprises a wide variety of stories about different family moments and childish curiosity, presenting readers with many anecdotes that they're likely to resonate with\u2014from Eric's first taste of alcohol to his experience of different religious traditions. Also, since the chapters are relatively short and loaded with multiple intriguing elements, the book is seriously engaging from start to finish.

The book's immersing descriptions are a joy to follow. You'll meet various captivating characters and get to connect with them like you're with them in person. I especially enjoyed seeing the differences between the first of three sons in the family and Eric's dad, such as his dad's unstyled and flat hair and his brother's constantly feathered blonde locks.

This humorously captured tale offers a grand journey back to the joys of childhood and being free-spirited. Readers who had an exciting and prank-filled childhood will especially resonate with the story. This fun, mind-blowing, nostalgic tale will make you feel young, vibrant, and mischievous.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2024", "date_added": "30-Jul-2024 19:34:24", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "205 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014555071", "title": "Immersion: A Linguist's Memoir", "author": "Linda Murphy Marshall", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 434, "review": "Linda Murphy Marshall's Immersion presents a riveting story about a linguist and her perilous and exciting career assignments in various countries. Despite growing up in a family that frowned upon a woman having a career away from home, Linda found herself exploring the opportunities that came with knowing multiple languages.

Though she got to experience various cultures and meet many amazing people, she also had close calls and scarring encounters with violence in various countries, including South Africa a few months after apartheid ended and Zambia during one of the worst riots in its history in 1990. Linda's close calls offer a chilling reminder of the brevity of life and the importance of peace.

Follow Linda as she reflects deeply on the lessons she gained from witnessing violent conflict, disheartening poverty, culture shocks, and notable historical moments in this unforgettable memoir.

I've only read a few nonfiction books that got my heart racing and had me completely engrossed, like Immersion. Imagine traveling to Kenya following a deadly terrorist bombing by al-Qaeda and accompanying a US president to Tanzania. Linda has engaged in many high-risk missions that will make even the bravest men shudder with fear.

As she narrates her work experiences, Linda also sheds light on her moments of transformation and the woman she was becoming along the way. Additionally, the generous essays about the author's personal challenges, such as her experience with divorce, her family's lack of support for her important choices, and her feelings of anxiety due to missing her children, highlight the cost of her career choices. Throughout the story, we get to follow an intriguing balance of awe-inspiring work assignments and thought-provoking personal struggles.

The book's smart portrayal of historical and cultural themes adds to its rich, nuanced layers. History fans will appreciate the privilege to join the author in her journey to Pretoria, South Africa, six months after the abolition of apartheid and her observation of the \"rounded, rising gables with whitewashed walls\" that the Dutch left behind. Also, the book combines tales about experiences in different countries, including Zambia, Brazil, Spain, South Africa, Kenya, the DRC, and Tanzania.

Linda has created a memoir that's captivating in different ways. It's a deep portrayal of the importance and challenges of a linguistic career. Furthermore, it provokes thoughts and questions about family values and sexism. History fans and travel enthusiasts are in for a treat with this highly descriptive journey to the past. Lastly, the raw, evocative essays will tug at your heartstrings and keep you emotionally committed throughout. This perfect mix of attractive writing elements offers a truly memorable experience.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "07-Oct-2024", "date_added": "30-Jul-2024 19:31:06", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "254 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014555063", "title": "The Wrong Station", "author": "Ilona Joy Saari", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 445, "review": "Fast-paced and suspenseful, The Wrong Station by Ilona Joy Saari tells the story of Lorena Raven, a videographer and minor New York celebrity. After helping the ATF break up an illegal arms dealing syndicate, she has become a popular photographer in the New York districts. Now able to pick and choose the work that interests her, Lorena is shooting a gala when Saari begins to tell her story.

Exhausted, Lorena leaves in the wee hours of the morning on a departing train home. Disoriented, she accidentally gets off at the wrong station. With no cell phone or taxis in sight, Lorena does the only thing she can fathom: walk until finding help. Along this 3:00 am stroll, she stumbles upon a singular house lit up; risky, but seeing no other option, she takes her chances and knocks on the door, hoping someone can assist. Her seemingly kind host ushers her in, listens to her story, and momentarily leaves her to speak with his wife. In these few isolated moments, Lorena turns and spots two dead bodies on the floor, horrified and suddenly fearful that she will not make it home alive. \n

A page-turning moment, readers will follow Lorena as this dangerous night ventures on. Narrowly escaping death, she is now thrust into a world where she is being hunted. Who are these people, and who did they kill? What lengths will they go to find her? And how can Lorena maintain her friendships, relationships, and professional life while on the run from these unknown murderers?

As much as I wanted to love, The Wrong Station admittedly, this book missed the mark. From the novel\u2019s description, I was immediately drawn in\u2014an intense murder plot, Russian agents, and a dark conspiracy\u2014what more could a reader ask for in a thriller? Unfortunately, I found that this element of the novel was an accessory to the intense, complicated love webs at play.

Between Lorena\u2019s lovers and the other characters' relationships, the plot weighted more in the direction of romance and drama than crime. I was waiting to hear more about the killers' and victims\u2019 identities, motives, and personalities; yet readers get pages and pages of steamy scenes, unresolved lover\u2019s quarrels, and character\u2019s internal amorous dialogues. This book lacked getting to know each character outside of their love affairs, something that would have helped develop a stronger plot.

Although this novel was not my cup of tea, do not be mistaken: Saari is an excellent writer! If you are a reader who likes a story high in romance, this book may be the one for you. For readers who prefer the more traditional mystery novel, I would suggest looking elsewhere.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jul-2024 19:25:15", "publisher": "211th Street Books", "page_count": "302 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014555055", "title": "Rise, Tomorrow Girl", "author": "Cara Martin", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 419, "review": "The opening of Martin\u2019s latest book will feel very familiar to most readers. Leanne Khoury, the teenage protagonist, lives in a world torn apart by a pandemic, but this one explicitly worse than the coronavirus. This fictional pandemic, called the Century Virus, affects primarily teenagers and young adults, with a fifty percent mortality rate.

Leanne has recently been infected.

Fortunately for her, her parents can afford to have her cryogenically frozen until an effective treatment can be developed. She wakes years afterward, into a world which feels both familiar and foreign. Some societal trends have faded away, others have blossomed, and one troubling one has grown worse than ever. Leanne lives in Canada, and the political instability in the United States has grown bad enough that there are frequent rumblings of fear that Canada will be invaded.

Martin has crafted a near-future story that manages to tread the difficult line between keeping an intimate focus on one character and showing the changes that have occurred in the wider world. The novel feels at once like a fantastical coming of age for one girl and a glimpse at a world which might be in the years to come. I was intrigued by the world-building, even those parts the readers only receive glimpses of.

That was the one weakness of having the novel focused solely on Leanne\u2019s perspective. So many details are left to the readers\u2019 imaginations. This isn\u2019t necessarily a bad thing; I enjoyed connecting the dots and imagining what might have happened in those intervening years. At other points, I found some of the details strange and unexpected, or at least wished I knew a little more about what had happened and what else had changed.

But in the end, this is not the story of the world, or even the story of Canadian or North American culture. It is the story of one girl, transplanted from one time to another, trying to find a new way to live. In that, it is delightful. The only reason I took off a star was that at times the prose was difficult to follow.

This book will perfectly suit people looking for a new sci-fi YA novel to read. Leanne is not a Katniss, shifting the world around her, but not every protagonist has to be. Sometimes, this book says, it is enough to have your world be yourself and the people around you. Even when a wider world reaches out to you, that may be all you have to save.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2024", "date_added": "30-Jul-2024 19:21:37", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "313 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014555047", "title": "Cost of Malice: A Jake Clearwater Legal Thriller (Jake Clearwater Legal Thriller Series)", "author": "H. Mitchell Caldwell", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 396, "review": "Cost of Malice is the third book in the Jake Clearwater Legal Thriller Series. When Nancy Seah takes a seat in Professor Jake Clearwater's criminal law class, Jake can only wonder what the District Attorney could want from him. It turns out she is looking for a \"top-flight prosecutor.\" The deal includes Jake taking a one-year leave from his teaching position and becoming one of the DA's frontline prosecutors. He would also be put on the DA's Advisory Committee, a group better known as \"The Elders.\" This catches Jake's attention, and he agrees to take the position.

Readers are introduced to The Elders, which includes Seah and three other prosecutors. This group reviews the most difficult cases and discusses them. From there, the cases are distributed to the attorneys.

In this book, Jake takes on three very intricate cases. The reader follows Jake into the courtroom, where he works his magic one witness at a time.

The first case Jake takes on is that of the murder of an eighteen-year-old girl named Tracie Switzer, who was found in her truck. murdered. Jake is able to find two degenerates who are incarcerated in separate states to not only snitch on the murderer but also testify in exchange for a reduction in their sentences. This is not an easy feat since one of the men is in Nevada. Because Nevada doesn't benefit from a case across state lines, Jake must make the importance of his case clear to the State of Nevada.

An observation I made about this book is that it had an excessive amount of dialogue and the main points of each case were stated multiple times. I would have liked to have had either the synopsis of the case as discussed by the Elders told in more detail or had the dialogue contain more detail so that the information did not become repetitive. Because the dialogue is laid out as the case is told in court, I believe the details would have been more effective here.

Overall, the cases Jake encounters in this book and their realism make Cost of Malice entertaining and fascinating. With themes such as the Second Amendment, child abuse and neglect, and courtroom politics, this book is sure to keep its readers engaged from cover to cover. This book is perfect for fans of legal thrillers and mysteries that are led by an intelligent, likable attorney.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2024 19:14:03", "publisher": "Ninth Innings Press", "page_count": "441 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014555039", "title": "River's Reach: Coming of Age Amid the Fish War", "author": "David Scott Richardson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Soha - age 15", "word_count": 336, "review": "River\u2019s Reach is an engaging and relatable story for young adults with interest in books that are thought provoking and cause them to question their values and authority. It follows a young man named Alex who is navigating the challenges of adolescence against the backdrop of a heated dispute over fishing rights in a small town. As the community becomes increasingly divided, Alex must find his own path while grappling with loyalty, justice, and personal growth.

The plot is both intriguing and original, weaving the personal development of Alex with the larger conflict over river rights. The tension keeps the reader hooked and wanting more. Moments of intense drama, particularly those involving the community's struggles, stand out, leaving readers eagerly flipping to the next page. The characters are well-developed and relatable to fellow young adults. Richardson portrays Alex\u2019s journey with depth, making his experiences and growth believable.

The writing is smooth and evocative, effectively drawing readers into the world of the story. The dialogue is natural and helps to develop the character relationships and advance the plot. The language flows well, maintaining interest and making the story enjoyable to read. The story\u2019s moral revolves around understanding and balancing personal desires with communal responsibilities. The author effectively communicates this message, prompting readers to reflect on their own values and choices.

This book is ideal for young adults and older readers interested in coming-of-age tales with a blend of social and environmental issues. It\u2019s especially engaging for those who enjoy stories about personal growth intertwined with community conflicts. I recommend River\u2019s Reach for its thoughtful exploration of adolescence and community struggles. It is a captivating read that balances personal growth with broader social themes. If you enjoy stories with emotional depth and social relevance, this one is worth your time.

Dive into River\u2019s Reach if you\u2019re looking for a story that will make you ponder your own journey and the world around you. It is a compelling read that will leave you reflecting long after the last page.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "23-Sep-2024", "date_added": "30-Jul-2024 19:09:02", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014555033", "title": "River's Reach: Coming of Age Amid the Fish War", "author": "David Scott Richardson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 569, "review": "A coming-of-age tale that takes in subjects as diverse as land rights and social justice, fishing wars and the Vietnam War, teenage romance and family loyalty, David Scott Richardson\u2019s River\u2019s Reach is an entertaining and educational young adult novel that explores an aspect of American history\u2014fishing rights\u2014capable of triggering strong emotions among disparate inhabitants of Washington State through the eyes of a young man seeking to find his place and purpose in the world.

It\u2019s the start of senior year and football-playing high schooler Alex Haugen is on top of the world\u2014save for the fact that he has no car, no girlfriend, and no concrete plan for college, anyway. That and the North Thurston High School football team being stuck in a terminal losing streak. Still, despite such minor woes, Alex is a popular kid with a tight group of friends, a potential love interest in the shape of cheerleader Amanda Schneider, and a passion for fishing in the local Nisqually River.

However, Alex\u2019s easy-going life becomes complicated when his father, an officer with the Washington State Game Department, is involved in a raid on members of the Nisqually tribe who are fishing at Frank\u2019s Landing. Gunfire breaks out during the raid and several arrests are made, including a teenager named Charlie McCallister. When Alex befriends Charlie and starts looking into the issue of fishing rights more deeply, he finds that things are nowhere near as clearcut as he thought.

River\u2019s Reach follows Alex\u2019s journey of self-discovery\u2014that is, discovering who he is and who he wants to be\u2014as he begins to recognize the importance of doing the right thing despite peer/family pressure and to understand the thorny issue of \u201cgray areas\u201d of the law. Indeed, David Scott Richardson takes pains to portray both sides of the dispute, not opting for the easy answer of labeling one side\u2014either the Game Department or the Nisqually tribe\u2014as the \u201cbad guys.\u201d

As such, the story takes a very nuanced approach to the issues and so manages to educate while it entertains. The same is true for other social issues addressed during the course of Alex\u2019s journey, including the push for racial equality in the United States and the opposition to the Vietnam War. Alex\u2019s nascent romance with Amanda also elucidates certain issues concerning gender inequality during the 1970s, although she is portrayed as a strong character who certainly knows her mind.

The issue of women\u2019s rights is also touched upon in relation to Amanda\u2019s mother\u2019s work as a lawyer representing some of the Nisqually Indians. Moreover, the legal aspects of the story provide an illuminating contrast between the government\u2019s business-like approach to issues such as fishing and the Nisqually Indians\u2019 reverence for the natural world. Taking in so many social issues does sometimes slow down the pace of the story, but such issues are always interesting and well-handled as thinking points.

Alex is an appealing and often amusing character to follow, and while he can sometimes seem a bit na\u00efve, his observations provide insights into how young people viewed major events at the time. The supporting characters are all well realized, despite the dialogue sometimes not quite ringing true, and the Washington State setting is vividly and lovingly brought to life. Overall, River\u2019s Reach is a fine young adult novel with a relatable protagonist and an unusual central plot point, which should particularly appeal to those with an interest in recent US history.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "10-Sep-2024", "date_added": "30-Jul-2024 19:08:22", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "326 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014555027", "title": "An Empty House Doesn't Sneeze", "author": "David Scott Richardson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Sohail - age 15", "word_count": 431, "review": "Nostalgic and deeply evocative, An Empty House Doesn\u2019t Sneeze by David Scott Richardson offers a profound glimpse into the uncertainties of youth set against the tumultuous backdrop of 1940s America. The novel's protagonist, fifteen-year-old Scotty Johannsen, invites readers to journey with him as he grapples with the harsh realities of war, the clash of ideologies within his family, and the evolving nature of his friendships. Richardson artfully weaves historical fiction with a coming-of-age story, offering a compelling narrative that speaks not only to the heart but to the shared history of a nation at war.

The novel is set in a small American town during World War Two, where the shadow of global conflict looms large over everyday life. Scotty, like many boys his age, is initially preoccupied with the typical concerns of adolescence, like palling around with his friends, sneaking glances at girls, and enjoying the simple pleasures of cookies and after-school paper routes. Yet, the war intrudes on these joys, forcing Scotty and his peers to grow up far too quickly. Daily routines are interrupted by air raid drills, blackouts, and food rationing.

These elements of wartime life are vividly described, drawing the reader into the tension and sacrifices that defined this era. Scotty's internal conflict is central to the novel. His father, an air raid warden, and his older brother Erik, who is deeply opposed to the war, represent the broader societal divisions over America\u2019s involvement in World War Two.

Scotty finds himself caught between these opposing viewpoints, struggling to make sense of the violence and suffering he hears about on the radio and in conversations with adults. As he attempts to reconcile his own feelings about war, Scotty's character is thoughtfully developed, and Richardson does an excellent job of portraying the confusion, fear, and burgeoning maturity that often accompany adolescence in times of crisis.

The novel also offers an intriguing mystery. Strange fires begin to erupt in Scotty\u2019s neighborhood during the nightly blackouts, raising suspicion and fear in the community. Determined to uncover the truth, Scotty takes it upon himself to solve the mystery, bringing a detective-like twist to the plot. This aspect of the story adds a layer of suspense, and the tension between wartime life and the boys\u2019 playful investigations keeps the novel engaging.

Overall, I would highly recommend An Empty House Doesn\u2019t Sneeze to readers aged twelve and up who are interested in historical fiction, particularly those curious about the personal and emotional effects of war on young people. Its blend of humor, mystery, and poignant reflection makes it a memorable and enriching read.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2024", "date_added": "30-Jul-2024 19:01:40", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "335 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014555023", "title": "An Empty House Doesn't Sneeze", "author": "David Scott Richardson", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 400, "review": "Nostalgic and heartfelt, An Empty House Doesn't Sneeze by David Scott Richardson is a 1940s historical fiction novel ideal for young adults. Told through the youthful, vibrant eyes of fifteen-year-old Scotty Johannsen, readers explore his internal struggles with the reasoning behind war, America\u2019s role in this turmoil, and how to come to terms with the sacrifices and tragedies of these situations.

Carefree and light-hearted, Scotty and his friends (like most young boys) are mainly interested in looking at girls, playing outside, delicious cookies, and their nightly paper routes. Unfortunately for them, the backdrop of World War II America thwarts the complete pursuit of these small pleasures. Forced to mature quickly amidst routine nightly blackouts, taking cover in bomb shelters, rationing delicious food, and growing victory gardens, the boys are no strangers to the sacrifices happening within their community. Their televisions, neighbors, friends, teachers, and family all speak of war.

Neither ignorant nor fully educated, Scotty is unsure how to react to the developing news being thrown at him. Not to mention, his older brother Erik does not agree with war, while his father, an air raid warden, has a clear differing opinion. In this scene, full of conflicting and sometimes confusing information, Scotty begins to develop his own opinions and ideologies, asking the question of why war even exists.

As a key component of this novel, I appreciated how Richardson developed Scotty\u2019s character. Portraying the internal dialogue of a teenager in war, this novel gave a great insight into their possible personal and familial struggles during this period. Showcasing possible disagreements and tensions, readers can see how fragile relationships can be amongst such upheaval and the weight a teenager may have carried navigating such complexity.

As the story continues, some strange things start to happen in Scotty\u2019s neighborhood. Someone is intentionally lighting fires during routine blackouts. A mystery to all. Who is this culprit and why are they doing this? Do they not know the possible danger they are inflicting? With multiple suspects in line, mysterious notes, scary threats, and school bullies, Scotty makes it his personal quest to find his town's arsonist, and more importantly, stop them!

Relaxing and enjoyable, this novel would be ideal for ten+ aged boys who enjoy wartime novels. A fun plot, full of mischief and camaraderie, this age group would best relate to Scotty, as well as enjoy his neighborhood escapades and boyhood stories!", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "10-Sep-2024", "date_added": "30-Jul-2024 19:01:16", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "335 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014555015", "title": "Lizard Larson and the Time Keeper", "author": "Gary Natoli", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 409, "review": "Action-packed, exciting, and full of surprises, Lizard Larson and the Time Keeper by Gary Natoli is an excellent book choice for middle school and early teenage readers. Told from the perspective of Elizabeth Larson, otherwise known as Lizard, readers are in for a memorable adventure through multiple universes and dimensions of time!

Fourteen-year-old Lizard is unique; the daughter of two physicists, she has spent most of her childhood days between their laboratories. At school, she is neither popular nor disliked; rather, Lizard is respected for her peculiarities at a healthy distance from most of her peers. Her best friend Mahalia and two other allies, Skye and Nick, are all she needs. But, one day all of that changes. Abruptly pulled out of school by her parents, they tell her she must leave immediately to stay with her aunt.

Giving little to no explanation, she is thrust into a train station where unbeknownst to her family, an unwanted man awaits them. Before she knows it, Lizard is standing as witness to an alleged terrorist bombing, watching her entire world fall before her eyes\u2026 or is she? Could this horrible reaction leaving Grand Central Station in flames be caused by something else? And why suddenly does Lizard seem to have a special ability? One that allows her to stop time?

With these shocking events underway, government conspiracies begin to unravel, enemy attacks pour in, and chaos ensues, leaving Lizard in an entirely new world, one in which she is responsible for saving humanity. Will she be able to accomplish the enormous tasks at hand? Readers must discover that themselves!

A strong read for a middle school to teenage audience, Natoli formulated a novel perfect for science fiction enthusiasts and adventure junkies. He did a fantastic job clearly writing the plot, which is no small feat with interlapping time dimensions at play! Similarly, he paced the novel superbly, keeping the timeline cohesive and coherent for readers to follow despite a complicated web of time travel. His attention to these small nuances, as well as a fantastic plot line and descriptive imagery, made this novel one well-worth reading.

A review of this novel would be incomplete without complimenting Natoli for the pure creativity that shone through in this book. From his description of the Time Keeper, a sort of Willy Wonka of clocks, to Doctor Kali\u2019s futuristic mechanical eye and Archie\u2019s Time Repair shop, his imagination curated an amusing read for his audience!", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "18-Aug-2024", "date_added": "30-Jul-2024 18:55:57", "publisher": "Book Baby", "page_count": "382 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014555007", "title": "The Crush of Wine and War", "author": "Molly Fumia", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 440, "review": "The year is 1989 and Sivan Mayr has returned home after a prolonged absence. He is walking the streets of St. Jakob, Austria, and hears words that stir up resentment and anger at events going back to World War II. A man who is being heralded as a hero is nothing more than a rogue in Sivan\u2019s eyes. The man who left Hannah Maislinger and their child could never be considered heroic.

Hannah Maislinger was an irrepressible youth growing up in the town of Moosfeld who considered becoming a nun as her sister Greta did. However, her future shifted upon meeting Sebastien Brandl. Hannah was working at a local eatery when she met the raffish young man. Hannah\u2019s parents were flummoxed at her change of heart, but Sebastien managed to win them over with his unabashed honesty and charisma. Hannah would soon be working at the Brandl family\u2019s restaurant and marriage between Hannah and Sebastien a foregone conclusion.

Despite Hannah\u2019s and Sebastien\u2019s happiness, the world around them has become precarious. The rise of the Nazi Party has led to a state of siege enveloping Austria and citizens are strenuously urged to join. Sebastien and Hannah are unnerved by the repressive measures of the local Nazi officials and have witnessed the destruction firsthand. Sebastien begins to evolve from sentiment to action in expressing his antipathy to the National Socialists.

Max Mayr is a vintner in Vienna who has become equally alarmed at the vehement tolerance exhibited at Jewish citizens and others considered \u201cunpure\u201d by the Nazis. Max married a refugee named Lili who survived a pogrom in her home country. The pair have two children and Max will do anything to protect them as their heritage makes them vulnerable to the latest pogroms. Max begins to forge a path of resistance similar to Sebastien in that its revelation would have fatal consequences.

The emotions are still raw and exposed as survivors of a near-apocalyptic war join in harmonious celebration forty-plus years later. The Crush of Wine and War may be fiction in certain ways, but the historical backdrop provides the gravitas in the dramatic interplay between characters. The decision to oppose tyranny feels right to Sebastien, but Hannah is conflicted over her husband\u2019s activism. Concern over her family and friends leads to her questioning his actions. Despite initial reluctance, Max Mayr throws himself fully into aiding the underground as he knows the perils of acquiescence.

Author Molly Fumia exceptionally writes of a fragile time when friendships were severed by differing allegiances and families were ravaged by the cataclysmic hand of fate during war. Fumia\u2019s novel is compelling reading on all counts.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2024", "date_added": "30-Jul-2024 18:51:54", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "386 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014551011", "title": "No Safe Place: A Thriller (Michael Gannon Series, 4)", "author": "Michael Ledwidge", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 195, "review": "No Safe Place felt a lot like a James Patterson novel that wasn\u2019t edited for plot flow. The story starts out with a young college student named Olivia who sees something she shouldn\u2019t one night. We know there are bad men but don\u2019t find out until much later what they were up to and what happened to Olivia. Almost all of the book is about the ex-military, ex-cop protagonist Mike who helps his childhood crush, Colleen, now an investigator, find out what really happened to Olivia.

I felt the story started off well and I was interested in what Olivia saw, but that part of the story fizzled as the reader is forced to follow Mike who is a little too egotistical for his own good. It took a long time to get back to Olivia\u2019s story. The book focused a lot on the henchman named Shaw trying to kill Mike and blow things up. I wish the author had developed the backstory about what happened to Olivia because it left me feeling like that part of it was skimmed over very quickly. Overall, the characters are a bit obnoxious and the plot lost it\u2019s structure.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 21:44:27", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014550003", "title": "Precipice: A Novel", "author": "Robert Harris", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 201, "review": "The year is 1914, and Venetia Stanley is involved in an illicit relationship with H.H. Asquith, the British Prime Minister. Asquith is a married man in his early 60s, whereas Venetia is in her late 20s. The intensity of their relationship is borne out in their correspondence, where Asquith confides in Venetia about pressing issues with Ireland along with trouble brewing in Eastern Europe. There are murmurings about their affair, but they have been able to mostly keep things under wraps.

Paul Deemer is an investigator with Scotland Yard who has been asked to investigate a double drowning that involves members of high society as witnesses. Deemer learns of Venetia\u2019s presence and questions her. Despite the case soon being closed, Deemer is recruited for an intelligence position. In his role, Deemer is soon privy to the liaison between Asquith and Venetia. Deemer knows this scandal could rock the foundations of government.

Precipice is the latest transfixing work of historical fiction by the wonderful Robert Harris (\u201cFatherland). The shadow of an apocalyptic war hovers over the forbidden romance between a government official and a much younger woman of high society. Harris\u2019 knack for reviving the past with extra flair is on full display.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "07-Oct-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 20:28:55", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014549007", "title": "Close Knit: A Novel", "author": "Jenny Colgan", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 188, "review": "A Jenny Colgan novel and a hot cup of tea are like a warm hug, and Close Knit is perfect for stormy weather.

Gertie has spent her life in the small town of Carso, in northern Scotland, closely involved with the local knitting circle. Still living with her mother, Gertie has grown complacent, spending her days working at the local supermarket and her spare time rattling away with her needles. Gone are the days when she had to dread her classmates from school, or so she thinks. When two of them offer her a job (and they prove very nice), Gertie can step out of her wool-haze and explore beyond the bounds her self-imposed limitations have allowed. Will Carso be enough for her, or will the wild beyond call Gertie away on a new adventure?

What\u2019s enjoyable about this book is its appreciation for small towns, rural life, and a closely connected community. The wild, rugged landscape is charming and deadly, but in the end, it\u2019s the skeins that bind us together that matter. A beautiful, heartwarming, hilarious book, this is Scotland written as only Jenny Colgan can do.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "23-Sep-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 21:12:22", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014548019", "title": "Kalyna the Cutthroat (Failures of Four Kingdoms)", "author": "Elijah Kinch Spector", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 205, "review": "Radiant Basket of Rainbow Shells is a Loashti scholar living abroad in Quruscan to study. Radiant\u2019s safe and comfortable existence as a welcome guest came to a crashing end when his traveling papers were revoked. Now, as an outsider on the run, Radiant needs protection and a new home. Radiant meets Dagmar, a skilled fighter and sometimes bodyguard. Dagmar introduces Radiant to Kalyna, whose talents go beyond faking her way as a soothsayer. Together, they fight against the oppressive fear of outsiders. She will need to be ruthless and cunning if they want to succeed. Kalyna will have to be cutthroat.

Kalyna the Cutthroat is book two in Elijah Kinch Spector\u2019s Failures of Four Kingdom series. Even though this novel is part of a series, this exciting story works well as a stand-alone novel. With Spector shifting the narrator for this tale, this book could be read before the first book without the story losing any of the meaning or punch. In this turmoil political time we find ourselves in, Spector fights back against the fear and hatred that is so common. Readers looking for a champion who will stand for the rights of those left behind will find a fighting spirit in Kalyna the Cutthroat.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 23:48:13", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014548007", "title": "Only the Guilty Survive: A Thriller", "author": "Kate Robards", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 178, "review": "Only the Guilty Survive shifts perspectives from the main character in the past and present, Claire, to a deceased beauty queen in the past, Laurel, or Lollie. The Flock is a cult started by a man named Dominic who is both power hungry and evil. He recruits young people who want to find themselves because they either have nowhere to go or are unhappy with their family life. This book had a great premise to it with Claire encountering a podcaster who wants to figure out who killed Lollie all those years ago. The story really dragged on, though, and became boring after following Claire\u2019s thoughts and actions. I felt there was a big build up to Claire trying to remember more about the night Lollie was taken and when she does remember, there is no real twist. Overall, the book was a big letdown and I would not recommend it to readers who like any type of suspense or twist at the end of their novels. This could have had a great ending but it fell flat.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 20:36:19", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000014547015", "title": "The Super Volcano: A Hidden Hero Below Yellowstone National Park", "author": "Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw, Brie Schmida", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Beneath the surface of Yellowstone National Park and a good deal of land beyond the park lies a dormant volcano. The volcano has erupted three times in the last two million years and collapsed each time, creating a large magma pool that is responsible for the amazing features of geysers, bubbling mud pots, steam vents, and colorful hot springs. All this heat and hot water creates an environment that is great for the wonderful variety of plant life that helps to support the many mammals, fish, and birds \u2014 both large and small \u2014 that populate the park. Without the underground magma lake, much of this would not exist.

Author Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw has written a compelling story about Yellowstone National Park that will inspire youngsters not only to want to visit the park but to learn much more about it. She does a good job with back matter that has more information as well as a short history of the park and an excellent glossary. Lovely illustrations by Brie Schmida will help young readers imagine the landscape and denizens of this wondrous place. Her illustrations are filled with rich colors and enough details to keep readers engaged.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "26-Nov-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 22:43:05", "publisher": "Platypus Media", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014547003", "title": "After Oz: A Novel", "author": "Gordon McAlpine", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 192, "review": "Whatever happened to Dorothy After Oz? In this story, eleven-year-old Dorothy is found a few days after the tornado, unharmed, but full of tales of a magical land of witches, wizards, and munchkins. When the body of a local spinster is found dead with her face melted just as Dorothy described accidentally killing the Wicked Witch, suspicions mount in this small Kansas town. Dorothy is immediately convicted and sent to an insane asylum, where Dr. Evelyn Wilford meets her and starts her quest to discover what really happened.

This was a well-written tale about the realities of life in the late nineteenth century. It focuses on everyone else\u2019s point of view except for Dorothy\u2019s. The author did a wonderful job showing how crazy Dorothy\u2019s tale would seem in a Bible-believing small town in Kansas in 1896. The author also made the conditions of asylums of that time clear, so that you can\u2019t help but cheer on Dr. Wilford as she attempts to help Dorothy heal and escape that place. I highly recommend to those who love the tales of Oz, but also to those who enjoy mysteries, especially from the Victorian era.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 19:57:02", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014546003", "title": "The Girl in the Bog", "author": "Keith Donohue", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 177, "review": "If A Midsummer Night\u2019s Dream took place in Ireland and the couples were replaced by two past middle-aged men, three teenage redheads who want to be witches and an archaeologist, then that\u2019s what this book is like. It is a madcap romp across time, myth, and the Irish countryside as legends come to life and the time-space continuum ruptures for a while.

The Girl in the Bog book is a delight from start to finish. It starts as one thing but flawlessly transitions to something else and ends up in a surprisingly different place altogether. When sheep farmer Michael Mullaney and his friend, Tom Burke, discover and exhume a body they find in a bog, the ancient world meets the modern in surprising and life-altering ways. After a night spent ranging across the countryside, meeting all manner of specters and heroes, life will be forever changed for those left when the sun rises.

Keith Donohue creates an astounding world, carrying the reader along with him on this crazy night's adventure. No book out there is quite like this one.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "24-Sep-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 19:53:04", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014543007", "title": "To Turn the Tide (Make the Darkness Light, 1)", "author": "S M Stirling", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 200, "review": "A gripping tale of probability meddling that is so improbable as to be heartwarming, like a children\u2019s fable for well-read adults. A group of advanced scholastics gathering in a world of imminent chaos find themselves unexpectedly thrust though time; they must, for the survival and advancement of their new timeline, become a team.

Personality developments, speculations, and background data are largely presented via introspective narration, the point of view of the chief protagonist, Arthur Vandenburg. A battle-hardened scholar with a richly varied background, he must cope not only with their new environment but his own profound losses. There is team-reciprocal dialogue for variety and depth.

This tale, a thinly veiled tutorial, skirts the \u201cshow, don\u2019t tell\u201d error. However, Mr. Stirling\u2019s always adept mastery of sensorial immediacy, conflict, and historicity make it safely past that possibility. As usual with his intriguing plunges though time and dimensions, there is diversity galore: racial, sexual proclivities, and bents. Of course, there is a lesbian couple, half fierce warrior and half nurturer, an artificer of eminent deftness of mind\u2026 An afterword that begins with \u201cFor Nerds Like Me\u201d made me feel positively embraced. Any writer or reader in this genre should put cash forward\u2026 fast!", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 19:48:49", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014543003", "title": "The Heir of Venus", "author": "Laura Shepperson", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 190, "review": "The Heir of Venus: A Novel by Laura Shepperson is rather a slow mover. Another retelling of ancient myths from the perspectives of the women, it portrays the story of Aeneas as seen through the lens of the women who loved him.

The concept of this story is amazing. All the retellings of the heroic epics are bold and innovative, bringing fresh perspectives to centuries-old stories. This one could have used more attention to character development, as they all feel one-dimensional, the interest lying more with what the reader knows of their mythological selves than in their actual presence on the page. Issues with narrative tension are solved through artificial means, such as the character Anna, who strings things along by doling out only small amounts of information at a time. Lavinia, as a protagonist, lacks concrete goals and may irritate some readers with her modern speech patterns and mindset, more suited to a Regency romance than to a Greco-Roman tragedy.

That being said, the novel as a whole is reasonably entertaining and by no means unreadable. It offers new perspectives of Aeneas and works as an easy weekend binge read.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "07-Nov-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 19:24:48", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014542027", "title": "No One Will Know", "author": "Rose Carlyle", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 177, "review": "Eve Sylvester finds out she\u2019s pregnant the same day her boyfriend dies in a car accident. With no family and her boyfriend\u2019s family wanting nothing to do with her, Eve thinks she has no options. When a woman offers her the job of being a live-in nanny for the wealthy Hygates, it seems Eve\u2019s luck has changed. As it turns out, the Hygates\u2019 intentions aren\u2019t what they seem and if something happens to Eve and her baby, No One Will Know.

It\u2019s hard to imagine making the choices Eve does, but I\u2019ve never been in her position so I can\u2019t really fault her for it. There are a lot of twists and turns in this story. You think you have it figured it out, but the why is way different than what you think. I think the ambiguity at the end was a nice addition. If you enjoy suspense and stories where wealthy people get their comeuppances, this book is for you. A classic tale of if things sound too good to be true, they probably are.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "04-Oct-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 23:41:29", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014542023", "title": "The Blue Hour: A Novel: The Addictive New Novel of Suspense from the NYT Bestselling Author of The Girl on the Train", "author": "Paula Hawkins", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 201, "review": "James Becker has been an admirer of the artistry of Vanessa Chapman for years. He works as an administrator for the Fairburn Foundation, overseeing the collection of the artists\u2019 works. However, a recent discovery calls into question the integrity of the late artist as well as the Foundation\u2019s association with her. A sculpture with a bone featured in it has been identified as being human and now Becker must investigate the background of his hero.

The pressure is on Becker to quell the controversy. He reaches out to Grace Haswell, a longtime friend of Chapman and guardian of her legacy. He is invited out to the remote Eris Island where he meets Grace, who is skeptical of Becker\u2019s motives. Becker allays Grace\u2019s initial fears and she grants him access to Vanessa\u2019s journals. Becker is about to discover a world of love, betrayal, and darkness that lay behind Chapman\u2019s oeuvre.

The ability to craft an unsettling yet fascinating psychological thriller is definitely in Paula Hawkins\u2019 wheelhouse. The Blue Hour connects themes of love, friendship, obsession, and the pitfalls of hero worship into a stirring and intoxicating read that will keep you guessing until the last words. Hawkins\u2019 solid work continues to intrigue.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 23:17:37", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014542011", "title": "A Poisonous Palate (A Key West Food Critic Mystery)", "author": "Lucy Burdette", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 188, "review": "A Poisonous Palate is the latest installment in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series starring food critic Hayley Snow. When Hayley opens an email from a lady named Catherine who claims to be writing a book about Hemingway's toxic love. Catherine also tells Hayley that in 1978, her friend Veronica went missing from the Keys. Because Hayley has had some experience solving mysteries, Catherine would like to meet with Hayley. Reluctantly, Hayley agrees to meet Catherine. From the very beginning, however, Hayley is suspicious of Catherine and her story. The two go around town despite Hayley's reluctance and start talking to some of the people who were around during the late seventies. Then, a man turns up dead.

I enjoyed the premise behind the book, however, the story was a little slow, with Hayley speaking to the same people several times. Most of the characters in the book seem to be on the older side, so I would recommend the book to the older set. There isn't much excitement until the very end, which happens in the blink of an eye. This book was just an okay read.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "18-Aug-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 20:41:25", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014542007", "title": "What You Made Me Do: A Novel", "author": "Barbara Gayle Austin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 178, "review": "Anneliese is looking for her birth mother. In the process, she meets Willem, and they start a whirlwind romance that culminates in a pregnancy and a hasty engagement. Anneliese moves into Willem\u2019s family home along with Willem\u2019s father and stepmother. There, she finds an interesting family dynamic that has never really been the same since the death of Willem\u2019s mother, Louisa, some twenty years before. Things begin to come to a head as feelings are brought to the surface after so many years, and secrets start to come to light. In the end, all anyone can say is, \u201cLook at What You Made Me Do.\u201d

This is a surprisingly dark and twisted story I did not expect from the Netherlands. For some reason, I always thought they were kind and happy people, but I guess everyone has their demons. There are zero lovable characters in this story, and depending on your point of view, there are no happy endings either. If you enjoy horrible family dynamics and seeing how secrets tear families apart, this story is for you.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 19:50:31", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000014542003", "title": "The Last Time We Met: A Novel", "author": "Anna E Wahlgren", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 204, "review": "The Last Time We Met is a story about a group of friends\u2014Sophie, Ava, William, Finn, Adrian, Tess, Jacob, and Charlotte. In the past, William is found dead in the bathtub. In the present-day scenario, Ava invites everyone back to her house for a reunion dinner. What the friends don't know is that Ava knows something about William's murder. At the dinner, she gives everyone a box that holds a clue to the night that he died. Told in both the third person in the past and from Sophie, William's fiance\u00e9s, point of view in the present, readers learn what really happened to William and just how messed up each one of the friends is.

This book took a little while to get moving, and I became bored halfway through. The ending turned out to be quite satisfying and unexpected as the truth came out. The characters are all quirky, and it's hard to determine who to trust, which is part of the draw of this book. The book is set in Malm\u00f6, so there is a different feel to the way people do things in comparison to the States. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to fans of the mystery game Clue.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "22-Aug-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 19:22:33", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014540015", "title": "Quilty as Charged (A Measure Twice Sewing Mystery)", "author": "Maggie Bailey", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 179, "review": "Quilty As Charged is a fun, exciting cozy mystery by Maggie Bailey. Lydia\u2019s fabric store, Measure Twice, isn\u2019t doing very well in terms of the revenue it\u2019s bringing in. She decides to put together a fun retreat at her friend Fran\u2019s mountain home, The Laurels. Several people including store customers attend and all of them are a bit quirky. When Fran is murdered, it is shock to them all and each character is suspicious of one another. On top of it all, the power has gone out so they can\u2019t call the police. Enlisting the help of Auden, the caretaker at The Laurels, Lydia sets out to figure out who killed her friend.

I enjoyed reading Quilty As Charged because the storyline was simple and the characters were all well-developed. Some of the characters were annoying, but that made for an even more interesting time once the murder occurred. Through it all, Lydia seems to be calm and collected in front of the others while freaking out inside. I recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries and quirky characters.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 20:40:23", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014539003", "title": "The Paris Cooking School", "author": "Sophie Beaumont", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeh", "word_count": 183, "review": "The Paris Cooking School is a novel that centers around three women, Sylvie, Gabi, and Kate. Sylvie owns the school, and Kate and Gabi are students there. The book does a beautiful job of describing the many French dishes the students make at the cooking school. Readers will also learn about the private lives of all three women. There is also a bit of a mystery to be solved when the cooking school receives some negative reviews from an anonymous source.

Although several storylines intersect in the novel, including Sylvie's drama with the married man she sees, Gabi's possible new relationship with the cheese man, Max, Kate's love/hate relationship with Arnaud, and the mystery of the bad reviews, I found the story to move along very slowly. My favorite part of the book was the description of the foods the characters experienced. This part of the book interested me the most, from pies and tarts to wine and cheeses.

Overall, the book was engaging but I wished the pace was a little faster. It would have been nice to have less dialogue in the book.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 19:10:18", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014537015", "title": "Crypt of the Moon Spider (The Lunar Gothic Trilogy, 1) ", "author": "Nathan Ballingrud", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 198, "review": "Veronica Brinkley has mental problems, and she\u2019s very likely depressed, but her husband just wants to pack her off somewhere as she is no longer fulfilling her \u201cwifely duties.\u201d It is 1923, and the book opens with Veronica being sent to the moon to become a patient of the Barrowfield Home for Treatment of the Melancholy. A renowned facility that has helped many, supposedly.

Once she is there she finds a mad doctor running the show. He identifies what\u2019s wrong with the patient and which small part of the brain needs to be removed and replaced. Once the surgery has been performed, a stranger administers the spider silk to the brain, along with a few little spiders.

Things go from bad to worse for Veronica, as she learns more of the adherents to the former Moon Spider that live deep within the caves of the moon, and what Barrowfield Home has been doing for a long time now.

Ballingrud has an incredible skill and creating a complex and disturbing story in a short novella, and yet characters come to life as the story gets darker and darker, and readers won\u2019t be able to tear themselves from the page.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "03-Sep-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 23:28:40", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014537003", "title": "Sharing Is UnBEARable!", "author": "J E Morris", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 186, "review": "Orson the bear finds a big rock just perfect for napping. Another bear, Izzy, finds the same rock. Although the rock is big enough for both of them to nap, bears don\u2019t share! Orson and Izzy bicker, until Izzy suggests they take, turns napping. When Izzy goes first, Orson dumps a bucket of water on her because he doesn\u2019t like taking turns. Orson brings another rock, but it\u2019s too pointy for napping. After they break the rock into pieces while fighting and glue it back together, a bird decides to take a nap on it. Together, the bears scare the bird away but decide to share the rock with the bird after seeing the bird on the cold, wet ground. All three take a nap together \u2026 until another critter shows up to share the rock with them!

Sharing is UnBEARable is a cute story that drives home the message that sharing is the best alternative. Along the way, Morris provides a subtle lesson in compassion and teaches a few new vocabulary words. For little readers who have difficulty sharing, this book could prove a good choice.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "04-Oct-2024", "date_added": "25-Jul-2024 19:02:15", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014534003", "title": "Birding for Boomers: And Everyone Else Brave Enough to Embrace the World\u2019s Most Rewarding and Frustrating Activity", "author": "Sneed B Collard III, Tanner Barkin", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 195, "review": "For all those who wonder about the magic allure that continues to attract the public to birdwatching, scientist Sneed Collard has assembled all the information that a rookie might need. Whether an aging boomer or a puzzled juvenile, the nitty gritty basics of birdwatching are plainly outlined in short informational chapters.

What kind of binoculars to use to increase vision, the clothing and snacks useful on these forays, the apps that help identify the sight and sound of birds, and of course, how to identify these elusive flying creatures. Check out the shape of the creature, size, color and other features and rely on field guides for descriptions.

All the basic information about birding is presented in a friendly conversational style, while colorful illustrations pepper the pages and highlight the text. Topics about bird feeding and feeders are addressed, along with cat predation problems, and plantings that encourage bird visits.

Find the best local sites for bird watching or try a bird-cation to faraway places while capturing these elusive birds with photographic skills. The author simplifies the mystique of this hobby and cheerfully invites the novice, no matter the age, to join in the activity.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "23-Jul-2024 17:44:05", "publisher": "The Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014527003", "title": "The Ship in the Window", "author": "Travis Jonker, Matthew Cordell", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 201, "review": "Mabel the mouse lives in a lake cabin with a man and boy. The man\u2019s prized possession is a model ship that he spent months building. The man wouldn\u2019t even let the boy help, but Mabel wants to feel the freedom of sailing it. With great effort and risk one night, Mabel moves the boat outside and sails away.

As the sun rises, she feels freedom and awe until she hears the man frantically searching for the ship\u2019s thief. Then the man and boy see Mabel sailing the ship and begin to laugh. Mabel is so relieved that she misses a rock and sinks the boat! The boy rushes to save Mabel and the ship\u2019s remains. That morning, the man begins the repairs, but with help from the boy and the ship\u2019s captain.

Travis Jonkers writes with just enough tension to keep little listeners and readers wanting to turn the page to find out what happens next. Illustrator and Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell uses a style of illustration that gives this book the feel of a charming classic, especially in drawing Mabel in a darling hat and scarf. Indeed, this book may well become a favorite book with which to snuggle.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2024", "date_added": "22-Jul-2024 23:47:45", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014512007", "title": "Rogue Community College: A Liberty House Novel", "author": "David R Slayton", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 177, "review": "Isaac Frost has a unique gift. A single drop of another\u2019s blood gives Isaac equal knowledge and power from the donor. Very useful for someone like Frost, an assassin. Isaac was raised and trained in the Graveyard by the Undertaker. His assignment is to infiltrate the institution that trains Guardians and find and destroy its heart. The Undertaker entrusted Isaac with this task, and he would not let the Old Man down. That is until he meets the rest of his classmates.

Rogue Community College, not to be confused with the small school in southern Oregon, is by award-winning author David R. Slayton. The story takes place in the same universe as the Adam Binder series. Though some characters crossover, it works as an exciting stand-alone novel. Slayton adds an interesting cast of characters to this plot-driven young adult adventure. Like his previous work, Slayton\u2019s inclusion of social issues is current and relevant. Fans of Slayton\u2019s previous works and readers looking for a unique bit of magic with their urban fantasies should enroll in Rogue Community College.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2024", "date_added": "19-Jul-2024 18:45:05", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014511015", "title": "The Bloodless Princes (The Fireborne Blade Book 2)", "author": "Charlotte Bond", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 184, "review": "They faced the White Lady. The Fireborne Blade was recovered. But is the dragon dead? None of the stories tell of a talking dragon, but Sir Maddileh hears the voice of the majestic creature in her head. The White Lady needs to be wakened. But to achieve such a feat, High Mage Saralene and her trusted champion and companion, Sir Maddileh, must travel to the underworld to ask the Bloodless Princes. But to get there, they\u2019ll have to rely on the knowledge from the old tales. But the old tales have been wrong before.

The Bloodless Princes by Charlotte Bond is the second book in her Fireborne Blade series. The story takes place immediately following the events in the first book. The two books are linked, but this story is strong enough to work as a stand-alone novella. The world-building takes center stage, but Bond\u2019s plot twists keep the pages turning. This is a delightful story that feels almost too short. Fans of high fantasy, myths, lore, and, of course, dragons will be delighted with this little tale. And really, who doesn\u2019t love dragons.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "09-Oct-2024", "date_added": "19-Jul-2024 21:09:44", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014509007", "title": "Sing Her Down: A Novel", "author": "Ivy Pochoda", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 190, "review": "Set during the heart of COVID-19, the outside population is working to maintain safety together; the inmates in the Arizona women\u2019s prison are also focusing on survival in similar and differing ways. Spending consistent time with others has a way of showing the true self, but sometimes people are better at hiding their secrets than others. Florida and Dios are two inmates who fit these categories, and it\u2019s at the reader\u2019s discretion to decide which one.

Florida is a pretty, rich, Cali girl with an ugly past that she is only partly willing to admit to or completely understand. Dios is the opposite with her income bracket, location of residence, complete comprehension, and acceptance of her deeds. Obsession, greed, envy, and all the deadly sins play a part in the saga of two deadly and determined women.

Sing Her Down is a story of women and what they do with self-given labels and assumptions. The writing is gritty and raw, painting a vivid picture throughout the story. Literature with common themes would be Orange is the New Black. Fans of Western thrillers will not be disappointed with Sing Her Down.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2024", "date_added": "18-Jul-2024 21:42:43", "publisher": "Picador", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014509003", "title": "Mr. Smarty Pants: Aww Nuts! (Stem Graphic Novel) ", "author": "Charity Reid, Astronym", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 11", "word_count": 186, "review": "Mr. Smarty Pants, aka Benjamin Carver III (yes, a descendant of THAT George Washington Carver), has a problem\u2014he comes from this long line of Black inventors and his family owns a peanut factory, but he\u2019s allergic to peanuts! Benjamin says he\u2019s \u201cbasically a genius,\u201d and on his way to discover a way to manage his peanut allergy. But in his way is his arch-nemesis\u2014Dark Midnight (real name Dion), whose family owns the chocolate company, Dark Chocolate. When Dion steals Benjamin\u2019s inventions book, Mr. Smarty Pants and his pals go on a mission to get it back.

Mr. Smarty Pants: Aww Nuts - A STEM graphic novel by Charity Reid was really interesting because the main character is allergic to peanuts and ironically his family owns the town\u2019s peanut factory. He finds tech solutions (gadgets) to help manage his allergy. It was cool to see him find solutions. Reading this book was also a fun way to learn about a historical figure. It was fun, funny, and interesting, because of the peanut factory thing. I enjoy science and history, so this comic was right up my alley!", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "04-Sep-2024", "date_added": "18-Jul-2024 20:18:26", "publisher": "Soaring Kite Books", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014508011", "title": "Leadership and Self-Deception, Fourth Edition: The Secret to Transforming Relationships and Unleashing Results", "author": "Arbinger Institute The", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 214, "review": "There are several facets of leadership, and this book explores one such facet by encouraging readers to see others as people with needs, aspirations, and perspectives. The book itself is divided into three parts, each containing about nine chapters. Each chapter is a few pages \u2013 making it an easy read. The first part focuses on the labels we give others based on our perception. This is then reinforced by our attitude towards them, which in turn provokes their reaction. This cycle is presented as a disease that spreads beyond the individuals involved.

The second part focus on helping readers be more cognizant of how we perpetuate our labels and helps to view others as people with their needs, abilities, and challenges. The analogy used here is that we need to get out of our box (which colors our perspective). The third part extends the box analogy in helping other come out of their box. This section touches on responsibility and accountability.

The conversational writing style and short chapters make the book readable. However, the situations are too simplistic \u2013 requiring a more nuanced approach than the book discusses. In addition, the text keeps repeating the same concepts. The book does present a unique perspective on leadership, but it could have been more concise.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2024", "date_added": "19-Jul-2024 18:26:52", "publisher": "Berrett-Koehler Publishers", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014507027", "title": "Exit Nowhere", "author": "Juliana Brandt", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 190, "review": "It all started with a research project in history class. Barret Eloise does not want to explore the creepiest place in town, known as Raithfield House, but she has a reputation to uphold as the smartest kid in school and needed a great idea. Plus she could use some friends. She\u2019d declined her brother\u2019s dare to go in the place for $100, but when the group decides to go in, she talks herself into believing it will be fine.

They plan to sneak in after dark, which is their first mistake. As the doors close and lock, they find there\u2019s only one way out. There\u2019s a dark history of sudden deaths in the family, and one victim is not willing to let go, not without a game or two in which there can only be one winner.

While similar to Escape from Mr. Lemoncello\u2019s Library, this one has more sinister variations of traditional childhood games, where loss ends up in death (or at least disappearance). It\u2019s dark and dismal, but strangely hopeful, and would be great for any reader who loved Nightbooks and authors Mary Downing Hahn and Dan Poblocki.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2025", "date_added": "19-Jul-2024 22:22:17", "publisher": "Aladdin", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014507023", "title": "A Reason to See You Again", "author": "Jami Attenberg", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 223, "review": "Jami Attenberg is one of the sharpest and most astute writers of family dynamics working today, and her latest novel, A Reason to See You Again, is no exception.

Shelly and Nancy Cohen, born to Rudy and Frieda, are polar opposites who seem only to agree on one thing as they age: their mother is too much. When Rudy dies, Frieda has no clue how to live and turns--even more--to drinking and belittling her daughters. When they're old enough, they flee as fast as they can. Nancy marries young and outwardly lives a successful and happy life in her new marriage, while Shelly, the younger child, escapes home by graduating from high school early and starting the life that she believes will lead her to happiness.

Both girls, though, find a restlessness that lives in Frieda and existed in their father. No matter where they go, they keep returning to their childhood: what they knew, what was kept hidden, and who they are now in the aftermath of it all.

Spanning over thirty years, from 1971\u20132007, A Reason to See You Again is about mothers, sisters, daughters, hope, grief, art, and what it means to love when it\u2019s hard and when it\u2019s unrequited, when it\u2019s the wrong thing to do and when you aren\u2019t sure it\u2019s really love. This one is a keeper.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2024", "date_added": "19-Jul-2024 22:14:23", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014507011", "title": "Against the Grain (A Detective Peter Diamond Mystery)", "author": "Peter Lovesey", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Joseph Arellano", "word_count": 190, "review": "British author Peter Lovesey is retiring from writing books. Against the Grain closes out his brilliant Detective Peter Diamond mystery series. It\u2019s appropriate that author Peter is retiring along with Detective Peter. The twenty-two volume series began in 1991, where Lovesey introduced his readers to Diamond, who is a modern-day detective in Bath, England.

This is not your standard British police procedural series. Author Lovesey blends all the aspects of Diamond\u2019s life. Each novel portrays his work as he wins professional victories and endures some failures, and his personal experiences are just as compelling as his detective work.

Diamond and his life partner, Paloma, are spending a week with former colleague, Julie Hargreaves, in the charming village of Baskerville. Paloma hopes this time away from city life will offer a glimpse at Peter\u2019s looming retirement. An old local murder case captures Diamond\u2019s attention.

Please note that reading the series in order affords the most satisfying experience. If you choose begin reading the series with author Peter Lovesey\u2019s gentle goodbye to Detective Peter Diamond, you will likely wonder how the saga began and who preceded his charming and talented partner Paloma.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "07-Jan-2025", "date_added": "19-Jul-2024 18:34:35", "publisher": "Soho Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014507007", "title": "Swan Song", "author": "Elin Hilderbrand", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 202, "review": "When Coco takes a job as a personal concierge for a couple moving to Nantucket, she has no idea what she's getting herself into. This is the latest (and last?) installation in Elin Hildebrand's Nantucket series. The Richardsons are a couple who do what it takes to get into the most posh clubs. But they have secrets, and the people of Nantucket will soon find out that the Richardsons are not necessarily as great as they make themselves out to be.

This book is written well, just like all of the other Hildebrand novels I've read. With exemplary character development and small plots that all come together in the end, Hildebrand is a master at her craft. The books in the series can all be read as standalone novels, and readers won't feel they have to read previous books to understand what is going on, although once you read one, you will want to read the others. New characters are introduced to Nantucket in each novel, and with those characters comes a new set of mysterious happenings. As fantastic as the rest of the series, Swan Song is beautifully, written and will take readers on a trip to the beautiful island of Nantucket.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "18-Aug-2024", "date_added": "18-Jul-2024 21:09:23", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014506015", "title": "The 24th Hour: Is This The End? (A Women's Murder Club Thriller, 24)", "author": "James Patterson, Maxine Paetro", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 188, "review": "The 24th Hour is the next installment in James Patterson and Maxine Paetro's Women's Murder Club Thriller Series. The book starts off with the women in the club at a fancy Bay Area restaurant. They hear a woman yell, \"Nooooo!\" from upstairs, and immediately, Officer Lindsay Boxer rushes to see what the commotion is all about. She finds a young woman who has just been raped along with her rapist, who says the woman wanted it. This is case number one in the series, and the reader follows Attorney Yuki Castellano into the courtroom. The second case occurs when a hospital is cyber-threatened by a group of hackers. The third case in the book is the murder of a wealthy man.

Although each of the cases was interesting, I felt the only storyline that had a good twist was the murder of the man. The other two cases were solved almost too easily, even though the build-up to them getting solved was exciting. The endings happened very quickly. Of course, I love all of the women in the club and look forward to many more books in the series.", "issue": "August 2024", "date_posted": "18-Aug-2024", "date_added": "18-Jul-2024 21:13:29", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014505015", "title": "Misty Mole Goes Screen-Free", "author": "Dr Yasmin El-Rouby, Ishy Walters", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 177, "review": "Sometimes children\u2019s books are enjoyable without a strong message, and some books hit you over the head with a message right from the beginning and never letting up. This book falls into the latter category. While the message is good \u2013 which is that children should not be spending time looking at their phone screens \u2013 the art leaves a lot to be desired as it is fairly basic with a lot of white space left on many pages.

Misty Mole is sad that none of her friends want to play, draw, or read together as they all want to play on their phones. She goes to her parents and asks for a phone, which they readily agree too. Misty Mole then no longer plays but is always looking at her phone screen. This leads her to get in trouble at school, not sleep well and ruin her vision.

She and the other children learn from Dr. Eagle is to not look at phone screens and to play outside and all of their ailments will go away.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2024", "date_added": "18-Jul-2024 20:12:19", "publisher": "Neem Tree Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014505007", "title": "Holly Horror: The Longest Night #2", "author": "Michelle Jab\u00e8s Corpora", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 199, "review": "Downsizing due to divorce, Evie\u2019s family moves to Ravenglass to live rent free in the historic family home, Horror House, as it is known by locals. Her mom is occupied with her new hospitality job and her brother is out most days with new friends. Because she doesn\u2019t make friends easily, Evie spends a lot of time at home, where she notices odd things: a shadow that doesn\u2019t seem right, ice cold bath water that was just warm, a girl in the woods. She learns from a local girl that there have been not one but two disappearances from the house, both young girls. While her mom doesn\u2019t believe in such things, Evie knows something dark calls to her. Are her nightmares about to come true?

Based on the Holly Hobbie character in the eighties, this tale takes a decidedly darker turn. On the younger side of young adult, Evie seems younger than her high school age, and her reactions sometimes are a combination of naivete and youth. The ending\u2019s cliffhanger should be answered in the sequel released in August. This one is perfect for readers who\u2019ve outgrown Mary Downing Hahn but aren\u2019t ready for Kendare Blake or Jonathan Maberry.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2024", "date_added": "18-Jul-2024 19:33:32", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014720007", "title": "Broke Heart Blues: A Novel", "author": "Joyce Carol Oates", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 197, "review": "Let\u2019s all go back to high school and live in that four-year soap opera focusing on cool kids and their stories. This story takes place in the small town of Willowsville, a placid community of families sending their adolescents off to typical high schools with prototypical cliques. Into this town drives eleven year old John Reddy Heart in a salmon colored Cadillac. This being a law-abiding town, he is immediately pulled over by a small-town police officer who is out of his league. For there, in the passenger\u2019s seat, is John\u2019s mother in all her blonde glory. Dahlia Magdalena Heart has come to town to inherit the hillside home and estate bequeathed to her in Las Vegas by a rich elderly gentleman who is suddenly deceased. Dahlia wears all white and transfixes the town, disturbing the sexual latency of the town\u2019s good fathers. In a similar fashion, John Reddy Heart becomes the fixation and heartthrob of all teenage girls and their mothers. Strangely, such is his charisma that all the boys want to be his friend, and all the girls simply adore and stalk him. Given murder, prison, and adult life, what will their thirtieth reunion bring?", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "29-Aug-2024 21:52:31", "publisher": "Akashic Books, Ltd.", "page_count": "446 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014718011", "title": "Killing Time: An Agatha Raisin Mystery (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, 35)", "author": "M C Beaton, R W Green", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 210, "review": "Agatha Raisin is looking forward to creating a fabulous event for her friend Sir Charles at his Barfield estate to celebrate the launch of his new winery. She's hired her good friend Roy to help out. But, the local area has seen a sharp increase in burglaries, and when one of them leads to an assault on a shop owner, Agatha is asked to investigate. When Agatha begins to get death threats, everyone around her encourages her to take a step back, but of course, that isn't her style at all. She begins to suspect that the threats may not be tied to the burglaries. Could it be something more sinister?

On a personal note, Agatha wants to solve the case so she can head off to see her new friend, John Glass, a retired police officer working on a cruise ship as a dance instructor. When things slow down, she decides to meet him in Spain to clear her head. Of course, nothing goes to plan there either, and eventually, she has to return home to find out who is behind the burglaries and if the threats to her safety are personal after all. Read along and find out how it all turns out. Agatha Raisin never fails to entertain.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2024", "date_added": "29-Aug-2024 23:42:17", "publisher": "Minotaur", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014717007", "title": "The Shortest History of Japan: From Mythical Origins to Pop Culture Powerhouse\u2015The Global Drama of an Ancient Island Nation (The Shortest History Series)", "author": "Lesley Downer", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 179, "review": "This book ought to be renamed The Shortest Political History of Japan as its main focus is on the political history, wars, and quests for power by many different clans and families in the history of Japan and not really too much is covered of art, culture, and religion.

The book does lives up to its name and is a quick and digestible history of Japan, though too much focus on the emperors, for people who might be planning a trip to Japan or need a quick brush-up before a test in school. The books covers the major players and events in quick fashion, as each chapter is fairly short, so there is really no analysis of the different events which have occurred in Japan.

For those who know Japanese history will not find too much in here, as the book is geared toward people who know nothing about Japan and it works in that fashion. The pictures, and maps, scattered throughout the book, are a nice touch and help bring to life the history of the island nation.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2024", "date_added": "29-Aug-2024 21:47:55", "publisher": "The Experiment", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014713009", "title": "No Special Hurry", "author": "Colman Conroy", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 85, "review": "\u201cWhen his best friend is accused of murdering a young girl, an alcoholic ex-journalist finds the weight of the world on his shoulders as he attempts to prove his friend innocent. No Special Hurry will have readers cheering on its imperfect protagonist, Seamus Shea as he battles his inner demons and takes on corrupt individuals in his San Francisco neighborhood. Well-written with a solid plot and colorful characters, this book is perfect for James Patterson and David Baldacci fans.\u201d \u2014Kathryn Dare, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Aug-2024 21:40:43", "publisher": "Koehler Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014713003", "title": "SCHROEDER", "author": "Neal Cassidy", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 404, "review": "Neal Cassidy's Schroeder is by far one of the most intense psychological horror novels released this year. A seemingly normal young man wakes up on an overcast morning, completes his daily exercise routine, and meticulously prepares to go about his day. His inner monologue veers heavily into introspection, sounding a little disappointed with himself and the life he\u2019s led up to now, but that all changes as it becomes rapidly apparent that there is something very wrong with him and the world around him\u2026 and he intends to fix it.

With a squeaky bicycle and a notebook full of boxes to be ticked, Schroeder leaves a trail of carnage as he weaves his way from quiet suburban neighborhoods and sprawling upper class homes to derelict apartments with paper thin walls. Armed with a backpack that, like a demented Mary Poppins\u2019 bag, continues to produce increasingly disturbing instruments of punishment, Schroeder hacks, saws, and diligently prunes the weeds of humanity that have made it into his notebook like a gardener gleefully ridding his flower beds of unwanted pests.

Cassidy\u2019s writing style is a sensory delight; the astonishing level of gore described alongside Schroeder\u2019s almost leisurely inner commentary creates a disturbingly visceral juxtaposition that will linger in the back of your mind long after you close the book. Schroeder himself is an incredibly captivating character. The ease with which he dissociates from the brutally concrete perception of his actions to an almost cinematic view, complete with its own soundtrack, lends a dreamlike quality to the action.

There is a duality to him that belies his violent acts; he murders his victims with a calculated curiosity reminiscent of a child pulling the legs off insects but shows an uncanny amount of empathy and appreciation for both the natural world around him and those who show him the barest amount of polite consideration as he journeys to and from abattoirs.

These violent and tender moments are interspersed with flashbacks from his past, as well as poignant social commentary and pseudo-philosophical musings on the nature of humanity; leaving readers to slowly piece together the reasons for the mayhem while adding layers of complexity that beg the question: is Schroeder a villain, or a victim?

This book is perfect for fans of Jack Ketchum and Bret Easton Ellis, with plenty of no-holds-barred gore to satisfy the most hardcore splatterpunk aficionados, and almost unbearable suspense for lovers of compelling psychological thrillers.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "09-Sep-2024", "date_added": "29-Aug-2024 21:35:37", "publisher": "M & S Publishing", "page_count": "263 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014708007", "title": "Black Psychedelic Revolution: From Trauma to Liberation--How to heal from racial, generational, and systemic trauma through reclaiming Black psychedelic culture", "author": "Nicholas Powers", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 238, "review": "In Black Psychedelic Revolution, Dr. Nick Powers delves into the profound potential of psychedelics in healing from generational racial trauma. Mind-altering and perspective-shifting drugs offer a promising path to healing. Celebrities like Chris Rock and Will Smith have openly shared their experiences with ayahuasca and LSD.

In the Black community, ecstatic release has been documented in testimonies by Zora Neale Hurston, realizing freedom in jazz clubs through alcohol, and Malcolm X's reclamation of rhythm by way of weed and music. These moments of profound liberation serve as a powerful reminder of the potential for the Black body\u2019s true liberation from the white gaze. Powers poses the question about the potential for psychedelics to further fuel the revolution.

It was hard to put down this book, so I tried to read it in one sitting. One needs to revisit Powers\u2019 treatises because he takes us on a literal literary trip: merging ponderings on the history of psychoanalysis, the Black Literary Canon, the foundations of psychedelic culture in the U.S., and the racialization of the drug war.

Along the way, he grounds us in the reality of Black life in America, often over-scrutinized. His powerful prose paints a vivid picture of the elements necessary for liberation through psychedelics: set, setting, and container. As therapeutic approaches involving psychedelics gain traction, it is crucial to consider what Dr. Powers has to say about their potential impact on the liberation of Black Americans.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2025", "date_added": "29-Aug-2024 21:55:38", "publisher": "North Atlantic Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014704011", "title": "Ghost Camera", "author": "Darcy Coates", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 192, "review": "Jenine finds an old Polaroid camera still with film and takes a shot with it. The photo comes out with a strange bonus: a ghostly figure. The more photos she takes, the more ghosts appear in the photos. And they seem to be following her now, too, as well as her friend Bree. Then they start getting violent,t and bad things begin to happen. Is there a way to remove this curse before things get really dangerous? What will it take?

The short stories feature a woman surviving a plane crash along with another passenger, except that person starts seeming less and less human as time goes by; a creepy house stands waiting for new victims to enter its premises; and a woman finds an old shoebox of VHS tapes with the warning never to watch them.

Ghost Camera/is a perfect introduction to readers trying Darcey Coates for the first time. This is a great example of her writing ability and the great stories she comes up with. The title story draws you in, keeping you hooked to the page, and the other stories just make you want to read more of her work.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2025", "date_added": "29-Aug-2024 00:07:26", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014703023", "title": "Feh: A Memoir", "author": "Shalom Auslander", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 201, "review": "It's a captivating book. It's not one to read on the bus or train for reasons that become apparent right away. The ceaseless flood of cussin' and four-letter words tumbling over each other will be the envy of any kid at risk of reprimand for bad language. Far more important and memorable is Feh's humor and audacity inadequately masking his sensitivity, making for an outstanding memoir.

Feh is a page-turner no less than a high seas adventure can be. What will he say next? Can he punish himself further? And what does the title mean? It is a Yiddish word: low self-image and disgust are contenders. It's better you come up with your own definition.

Alongside the self-beatings, he confronts with grief the death of his friend, actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. Even the failed promise of a likely TV series together means less than the personal loss.

From the audacious opening, the cynical record of a destructive childhood, recurring depression, and disappointment with California after migrating from New York, the reader's shock and sympathy never wavers.

Above all, Auslander is the epitome of a loving family man. The finale is almost weepy. And it is here lies the salvation, the merit of the story.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2024", "date_added": "28-Aug-2024 22:32:13", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014703019", "title": "The Frindle Files", "author": "Andrew Clements", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "Josh Willets is a self-described computer nerd. He loves his coding club and loves that his school makes sure every student has a laptop to use in class, but he hates that his ELA teacher, Mr. N., won\u2019t let the kids use computers in his classroom and makes the kids write out their homework in blue or black ink on lined paper and neatness counts. Josh borrows a pen from his mom one day that has the word \u201cfrindle\u201d written on it. When Josh does a search for that word, he discovers something pretty incredible about Mr. N. Josh tells his best friend, Vanessa, what he has found, and they come up with a plan that might free the students from Mr. N\u2019s old-fashioned ways.

Author Andrew Clements has finally written a sequel to his very popular novel, Frindle. This fun story is completely believable and puts readers squarely in the world of fifth-graders and the issues they have to deal with. The dialogue is spot-on for the age, the story is compelling with a little mystery to drive it, and the writing is terrific. Middle-graders will be fully engaged all the way through. This is not to be missed.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "07-Oct-2024", "date_added": "28-Aug-2024 22:29:37", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014703003", "title": "The Vampire of Kings Street: A Mystery", "author": "Asha Greyling", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 222, "review": "Vampires are an ordinary occurrence, especially for those living on the upper side of New York, where they live as wardens. When a vampire named Evelyn More arrives at Radhika Dhingra\u2019s office seeking her legal counsel to write up a will, she\u2019s hesitant to help a vampire, but her struggling business puts her in a position where she can\u2019t turn him away. A gorgeous star is found brutally murdered, and Mr. More is the main suspect, though he maintains his story that he\u2019s innocent. Taking a leap of faith, Radhika decides to represent him and works to prove his story even though she\u2019s not sure she believes it.

This is a unique read that places a twist on vampires, and, through Mr. More, the humanity that remains in vampires is explored by presenting them as outcasts that society refuses to acknowledge as more than different. Homages to classic lore are sprinkled throughout, proving Greyling takes clear joy in poking at these tropes in original and humorous ways. The historical setting gives the writing an eloquent and charming tone, mainly seen in Radhika's brazen and clever attitude. Blending supernatural, historical, and mystery elements, The Vampire of Kings Street is a refreshing take on the vampire story with an aesthetic akin to classic mysteries that challenge society and engage in battles of wits.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "07-Oct-2024", "date_added": "27-Aug-2024 22:50:06", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014702011", "title": "A Killer Clue (A Hunter and Clewe Mystery)", "author": "Victoria Gilbert", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 213, "review": "Jane isn\u2019t eager to get involved with another murder case but when Eloise arrives asking for her and Cam\u2019s help, she can\u2019t bring herself to say no. Eloise\u2019s mother went to prison for killing her husband but Eloise insists that she was innocent. Now that her mother has passed away she wants help finally clearing her name. When the detective who worked the case is found dead, the woman is the prime suspect. Jane and Cam believe this to be the same killer but can they prove it in time to spare Eloise from suffering the same fate as her mother?

Jane and Cam have a delightful partnership that drives the sleuthing forward and creates a humorous back-and-forth. The primary theme of the mystery is heartfelt and genuine as the series focuses on cold cases which is a lovely way of exploring how the cases are never forgotten. These cases matter years later as those impacted are still dealing with the trauma, grief, and pain. Gilbert uses these emotions to give the mystery a richness that is unique and different from typical cozies which is refreshing and addicting. You can feel that this series is only gaining traction as Gilbert gives life to these characters and emotion to this case with A Killer Clue.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2024", "date_added": "27-Aug-2024 22:46:34", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014702003", "title": "Star Wars The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire (Dk Star Wars)", "author": "Chris Kempshall", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 198, "review": "The Star Wars franchise has become a huge part of our modern-day mythology. From its iconic characters to the multiple storylines and the ever-growing number of contributors, what started out as a long-ago tale from a distant galaxy has exploded into an incredible universe. Star Wars has its own wiki-based encyclopedia. Now, the franchise can boast catalog and archival writings by a true historian.\n

The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire by Dr. Chris Kempshall is an in-depth chronicling of Sheev Palpatine\u2019s vision for the galaxy. This book gets very technical. Kempshall digs into the nitty gritty of the Empire, but what would you expect from a history book? Even as a Star Wars fan, many of the backstories and inner workings of the Galactic Empire were new to me. Kempshall adopts the role of a research specialist in ancient Sith studies and lecturer at the Historical Institute of Lerct, keeping this a light-hearted book while still exploring key battles and life in general for the Imperial society. This book is great for Star Wars fanatics who want to explore beyond the stories. Every true Imperial wonk should own The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "07-Oct-2024", "date_added": "27-Aug-2024 22:32:31", "publisher": "DK", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014698023", "title": "Red Rabbit", "author": "Alex Grecian", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 202, "review": "In Red Rabbit, we meet a cast of interesting characters. There is Sadie Grace, wanted for witchcraft, and Old Tom, a witch-hunter who has come to collect the bounty on her head. With Old Tom is his ward Rabbit, who doesn\u2019t speak for reasons unknown. On their way to collect the bounty, they meet up with Moses Burke and Ned Hemingway, two aimless cowboys who decide to tag along, and Rose Nettles, who recently lost her husband. Their journey will cover many miles, they will meet many more characters, and they will face untold dangers, only to find that they have grown fond of each other, and things will turn out a lot different than they thought. At the end of this trail, there will be a battle they might not be prepared for.

This is the best book I\u2019ve read all year. Set in the Old West but full of witches, shapeshifters, demons, ghosts, and cannibals. It\u2019s everything I love, and it is all put into one story. The characters are fantastic, and the story is fantastically written. I couldn\u2019t put it down and absolutely cannot wait to read the author\u2019s next story. I highly recommend this book unless you\u2019re squeamish.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2024", "date_added": "29-Aug-2024 00:38:47", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014698011", "title": "The Darkest Night", "author": "Lindy Ryan", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 179, "review": "If you\u2019re anything like me, you dread the winter holiday season. The best holiday of the year (Halloween, obviously) is over and the thought of cozying up in front of the tv with overly-saccharine holiday specials while frantically scrolling through Black Friday deals to find the perfect present for the white elephant party you definitely don\u2019t want to attend is giving you chills. Enter The Darkest Night, an absolutely spine-tingling collection of twenty-two winter-themed horror stories from some of the most well-known names in horror.

Whether you\u2019re a splatterpunk aficionado, an atmospheric dread connoisseur, or an average Joe or Jolene looking for a less wholesome entertainment option to go with your third plate of pie, you\u2019ll find what you\u2019re looking for here. From scream queen Darcy Coates to master of thrills Josh Malerman, there really is something in this anthology for everyone. This collection is especially useful for new horror fans looking to get into the genre as it showcases some of its best and brightest authors to serve as a jumping off point to explore their other work.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2024", "date_added": "28-Aug-2024 00:24:39", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014696007", "title": "What We Sacrifice for Magic", "author": "Andrea Jo DeWerd", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 208, "review": "Elisabeth has just graduated but her future has already been mapped out as she is expected to take her grandmother\u2019s place. The path she is meant to take is simple: become the head of her family, marry her high school boyfriend, and stay in town. But she wants more. She longs to understand why her path must be chosen for her. Eventually, she uncovers a startling secret about her family and quickly learns that even the most beautiful magic can be costly. As she discovers more about what she wants, she\u2019ll soon find herself having to decide what she\u2019s willing to sacrifice.

The character of Elisabeth is introduced as a strong-willed character relishing in small defiances and feeling as if something is missing. She is a relatable character whose story is rooted in self-discovery which adds depth to the character-driven style. The magic is beautifully woven into the world with a realism to it that is grounded by the family dynamics and the bond they share through generations. These are crucial to the story as familial love and complications are what push her to the decisions that she makes. What We Sacrifice For Magic is a lovely story about family, magic, self-discovery, and understanding what you\u2019re willing to sacrifice.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "26-Nov-2024", "date_added": "28-Aug-2024 00:21:20", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014695007", "title": "A Sorceress Comes to Call", "author": "T Kingfisher", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 196, "review": "Since T. Kingfisher is well known for her lusciously dark fantasy novels, I was really excited to pick up A Sorceress Comes to Call as my first foray into her writing. While the novel is very smoothly written, with vivid descriptions and well-orchestrated character development, I was still left slightly disappointed with the storyline.

Marketed as a dark retelling of the classic Grimm story of the Goose Girl, this novel follows Cordelia, a fourteen-year-old girl who comes to realize that her mother is not what she seems. The story begins with Cordelia being made \u201cobedient\u201d by her mother, which amounts to complete bodily control. She does this on a regular basis, as well as not allowing Cordelia any ounce of privacy or friendship outside of her mother\u2019s horse, Falada.

After losing control of her benefactor, Cordelia\u2019s mother decides to pull up stakes and ensnare an aging Squire into marriage. Only the Squire\u2019s sister is suspicious from the start, and she and her friends vow to help Cordelia find her freedom and rescue the Squire from certain doom. More inspired by the original than a complete retelling, this novel would be perfect for fans of YA-style fantasy.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "07-Oct-2024", "date_added": "27-Aug-2024 22:40:45", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014694031", "title": "Dismantling Mass Incarceration", "author": "Premal Dharia, Jr, James Forman, Maria Hawilo", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 241, "review": "Increased awareness about social justice issues has spurred more interest and advocacy for addressing mass incarceration. Many books define the problem, particularly the racialized reality of policing, justice, and prison systems in the United States. However, they don\u2019t do enough to offer possible solutions for the interwoven issues surrounding everyday choices and decisions that impact the lives of countless incarcerated individuals.

In Dismantling Mass Incarceration, editors Premal Dharia, James Forman, Jr., and Maria Hamilo compile essays from distinguished thinkers, policymakers, legal experts, and activists about different parts of the complex mass incarceration \u201cnonsystem:\u201d police, prosecutors, public defenders, judges, and prisons. Each is a part of disparate systems that are interrelated but mostly isolated from the other. \n

As a diversity educator focused on organizations, I bring knowledge of \u2013 but no direct experience in \u2013 the practices of law enforcement, legal, and prison systems. Notable contributors such as Ruth Wilson Gilmore, Angela J. Davis, and Charles Ogletree Jr., illuminate the complex, inequitable, and often inefficient dynamics that hinder justice. Dismantling Mass Incarceration encourages readers to consider various pragmatic perspectives from scholars and activists and to contemplate how they might contribute to solutions.

The editors urge readers to do what they can in their own community, to plug into the organizing that is already happening. This book, with its potential to inspire meaningful change, would serve as an excellent teaching tool for law students, social justice leaders, and others committed to social reform.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "24-Oct-2024", "date_added": "29-Aug-2024 00:29:31", "publisher": "Farrar Straus & Giroux", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014694019", "title": "Things Don't Break on Their Own: A Novel", "author": "Sarah Easter Collins", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 188, "review": "Over twenty years ago, Willa\u2019s sister, Laika, disappeared. It has affected every part of Willa\u2019s life and she has never given up searching. Things come to a head when Willa goes to a dinner party thrown by her first love where some guests may just give Willa the answers she has been so desperately seeking. Told from the perspective of Willa and Robyn, her first love, the story slowly unfolds and past is made clear. The dinner party guests begin to finally understand that Things Don\u2019t Break on Their Own.

This story turned out a lot different than I thought. What was really interesting is that from the description, you would think the whole story was told from Willa\u2019s point of view, but you actually spend more time learning things from Robyn\u2019s. I\u2019m also not entirely sure what to think about that ending. It seems like the summary of the story is actually somewhat misleading and nothing is turns out like you expect, but not in a good twist kind of way. Overall, if you like super sad stories about dysfunctional relationships, this is the story for you.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "07-Oct-2024", "date_added": "29-Aug-2024 00:01:38", "publisher": "Crown", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000014693015", "title": "Not Nothing", "author": "Gayle Forman", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 202, "review": "Alex, twelve, is having a rough time. His dad is not around, his mother has serious mental health issues, and Alex, who did something very bad, has been sent to live with an aunt and uncle who clearly don\u2019t want him. To top it off, his social worker assigns Alex to \u201cvolunteer\u201d at a senior living center, and he has to take orders from Maya-Jade, a bossy girl his age.

A stomach bug puts the center into lockdown, and Alex delivers meals to seniors in their rooms. One hundred seven-year-old Josey, a holocaust survivor, who hasn\u2019t spoken in years, speaks to Alex. Thus begins an odd but life-changing friendship. Alex finds working with the seniors and with Maya-Jade is something he likes, but then his bad act comes knocking on his door.

Author Gayle Forman has written a real page-turner of a novel with a bit of history, mystery, and a lot of heart. The point of view is a little confusing at first, but that\u2019s part of the mystery. The story belongs to two characters, and that\u2019s unusual, but Forman weaves their stories tightly together into a marvelous tapestry. This deserves readership far beyond the targeted middle-grade readers. Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2024", "date_added": "29-Aug-2024 00:33:42", "publisher": "Aladdin", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014692019", "title": "A Slay Ride Together With You (Year-Round Christmas Mystery)", "author": "Vicki Delany", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 230, "review": "Merry is excited to help her best friend Vicky plan her wedding to Mark Grosse and move into their new home. The move into the Cole House doesn\u2019t go smoothly when estranged relatives attempt to contest the will and claim the house as their own. To top it off, the house may be haunted. It certainly feels cursed after Mark is found standing over a dead body. If there\u2019s going to be a wedding, Merry and Vicky will need to work together to clear Mark\u2019s name. As they search for answers, many suspects are brought to light that may lead them to a killer.

The Cole House is a significant location as its history plays a key role in the mystery and serves as a catalyst for the investigation. The mystery is personal as the two friends are determined to clear Mark\u2019s name and give them motivation to get involved. This gives the story a richness that grounds its emotion and makes the need to solve the mystery pressing. The friendship between Merry and Vicky is genuine and provides a great deal of heart. The mystery has plenty of surprises along the way and continues the same feelings of joy and merriment experienced in the first books. A perfect read for cozy mystery lovers as A Slay Ride Together With You proves that the series only gets better and better.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2024", "date_added": "28-Aug-2024 00:16:32", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014692007", "title": "It Came from the Trees", "author": "Ally Russell", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 126, "review": "This is the perfect season to read a book about the Legend of Bigfoot. When the Girl Scout group goes to the woods to find their missing friend. It seems that they are into more than they have bargained for. No one seems to believe the girls, not even the police. In the woods, they find large human-looking footprints, making them wonder if the legend is true. The girls will have to be brave and band together in order to have a chance against this large, ominous creature. What they don't know is how to save their friend. Read this book to find out.

This was a good book, perfect for spooky season. I liked this book. I really enjoy reading tales about bigfoot and other legends.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "07-Nov-2024", "date_added": "27-Aug-2024 22:04:06", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014689035", "title": "Den of Iniquity: An Edge-of-Your-Seat Mystery with Deep Suspense, Perfect for Fall 2024, Dive into a Complex Investigation in Small-Town Ashland (J. P. Beaumont Novel, 23) ", "author": "J A Jance", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 202, "review": "Den of Iniquity is the first book I have read by J.A. Jance and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ex-police officer J.P. Beaumont, or Beau, is a private investigator who finds himself doing some pro-bono work. When a young man dies from what the police say is an accidental fentanyl overdose, the young man's grandmother is sure that it was no accident. Beau is approached by a young man named Ben, whom he helped many years ago when Ben was a child. Ben, now a Seattle police officer, asks Beau to look into the case since it has been closed by the police. When Beau does some digging, he finds out that the case of the fentanyl overdose has things in common with several other cases, including two old one hundred dollar bills left behind with each victim.

The story has a parallel storyline with Beau's family. After feeling uncomfortable living with his dad and new girlfriend, his grandson comes to live with Beau and his wife, Mel. Beau digs up information on the girlfriend and finds some deep secrets.

This book was fast-paced and entertaining from cover to cover. The characters were likable and well-developed. I'm looking forward to reading more of Jance's novels.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "05-Oct-2024", "date_added": "29-Aug-2024 00:20:05", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014689011", "title": "The Wrong Hands: The Next Detective Miller Novel (Detective Miller Novels, 2)", "author": "Mark Billingham", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 202, "review": "Andy & Keith felt their larcenous plan was sound: a quick snatch & grab at a train station bathroom. They didn\u2019t foresee the gruesome contents in their loot or the murderous nature of their intended mark. Andy is concerned enough to contact the police through a discrete friend. He leaves the briefcase with Detective Sergeant Declan Miller in hopes of freeing himself from future trouble. Declan Miller sees the pair of mutilated hands in the briefcase and knows there is an organized crime connection to the amputated appendages. Miller opts to hold onto the case to use it as leverage in learning information about his wife\u2019s recent murder.

Unfortunately, this plan is as ill-conceived as Andy & Keith\u2019s caper as a psychopathic hitman has begun a path of murderous mayhem to reclaim the briefcase. Miller must rely on more than his rapier wit in solving his latest case.

Mark Billingham is more than adept in penning a clever detective novel as his past work(\u201cTom Thorne\u201d series) has illustrated. Whereas Thorne can be brooding and methodical, Miller is idiosyncratic but also engaging. Miller is a flawed man, yet a cunning copper who enlivens every scene he\u2019s in. Billingham has written another exceptional mystery novel.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2024", "date_added": "27-Aug-2024 22:31:17", "publisher": "Atlantic Monthly Press", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014688003", "title": "One Shining Soul", "author": "Wayne L. Wilson", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 435, "review": "Olisa's father, Joseph Timmerman, hopes to keep her gift hidden from the world. Unfortunately, things get out of hand when she uses her powers to heal the injured and sick people around her. Word quickly gets out, and Olisa becomes a sort of celebrity in the gang-infested world of Los Angeles and beyond. Joseph is worried about people exploiting her for her gift, especially since she's being contacted by religious organizations and the media. Still, a supernatural encounter convinces him to accept that her path is being directed by God. One Shining Soul by Joseph Timmerman follows the story of a gifted girl and the healing effect her presence brings to a troubled world. Is our protagonist, Joseph Timmerman, ready to let God have his way in the lives of his family and the people they're surrounded by?

I liked that the book has many powerful, gripping scenes\u2014the type to make you feel goosebumps on your skin and gasp in awe. Olisa's gift is very impressive, and I looked forward to its display with others. An example is when she finds out about a man's secret infidelity and advises him to do better by his family. Olisa is not only a healer. She has other exciting supernatural abilities that fans of books with gifted protagonists would love to follow, including hypnotism and mind reading.\u00a0

The book thoroughly explores social themes, creating a large plot that involves gangs, politics, religious groups, racism, sexism, violence, economic issues, and other related themes. Biblical themes are also a significant part of the book's plot. Several inspiring messages are seen throughout its course, like the message that says, \"God is available to us the minute we accept the reality of life,\" which inspired me to appreciate the beauty of the world around me.\u00a0

The book seems to deviate too often to disparate issues, which can be distracting at times. It moves at a pace I thought was too fast and busy. For example, a paragraph after Olisa is seen at the beach reveals that she has a golden retriever named Freeloader, while the next paragraph shows her returning home. Also, many conversations felt rushed, and I was frequently confused about which of the characters were speaking.

Overall, One Shining Soul is a subtle reminder of Jesus' mission on Earth. I was touched by its core biblical messages but struggled with its excessively busy plot. Still, I liked that its characters are enchanting, and the plot reflects many societal issues in today's world. Wayne merges engaging drama with intense suspense and lifelike situations to create a tale that stands out in many ways.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "24-Aug-2024 04:35:01", "publisher": "BookBaby", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014686007", "title": "People Will Talk", "author": "Kieran Scott", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 180, "review": " People Will Talk is a fascinating suspense novel that centers around a wedding that was never supposed to happen. Peter Frank has three women who are in love with him. Peter is in love with tennis pro Maya and has kept in contact with Catherine, his college girlfriend whose event business he sponsors. But when his surprise marriage to socialite Tilly occurs, the women are up in arms. On top of that, his sister-in-law, who has been raising his son, is mad because he and Tilly are seeking full custody. When Tilly is killed on the night of the wedding, readers will follow the story from the viewpoints of Catherine, Maya, and Leanne to discover what happened that night.

Exciting from cover to cover, I loved the development of each chapter and how the plot unfolded as I read. There was never a dull moment in the story. Just when you think you know what happened, the truth comes to life. Full of deception and action, this book is perfect for fans of B.A. Paris, Shari LaPena, and Mary Kubica.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "26-Sep-2024", "date_added": "23-Aug-2024 20:26:57", "publisher": "Gallery Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014683003", "title": "Avatar, the Last Airbender: The Reckoning of Roku (Chronicles of the Avatar Book 5) (Chronicles of the Avatar, 5) (Volume 5)", "author": "Randy Ribay", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 175, "review": "The Avatar has been announced in the Fire Nation and now his journey and training are to begin. Roku is anything but ready to leave. In fact, he's not sure they didn't make a mistake and he's really not the Avatar. When his training leads to nothing and his old friend Prince Sozin asks him for a favor, as the Avatar and as a friend, that will prevent a war, Roku sets out to a fog hidden island to find answers.

I haven't read the previous, but have watched the show ages ago, even so, I was never lost, you just need to be familiar with the world. The plot was interesting, but at about three quarters the buildup stopped and got a little boring. There are almost too many characters to keep track of, but they all have unique personalities. There is one character death that is supposed to be impactful, but it was so sudden and blunt that I almost couldn't care. The reactions of the other characters is what made it impactful.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2024", "date_added": "23-Aug-2024 18:42:42", "publisher": "Amulet Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014680003", "title": "Young Blood (An Umbrella Academy YA Novel)", "author": "Alyssa Sheinmel", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 169, "review": "There are seven of them, six now without Five and does Viktor really count without powers? He just wants to be one of them; the others just want to be normal for one night, to fit in. And what's more normal than sneaking out to a college party? But they're teenagers who have super powers and were raised to fight, normal really isn't their thing. So, of course, the party they go to just so happens to not be as normal as it seems. What else could possibly go wrong?

If you've seen the show, this is a great tie-in prequel to the characters as teens. If you haven't seen the show, it's still enjoyable but there will be some things that don't make sense. The characters feel copy and paste; sure they each have a different desire and motives, but they all have the same voice. The plot is simple and there are definitely some holes, but it kept me engaged and wanting to know what happens next.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2024", "date_added": "23-Aug-2024 18:31:38", "publisher": "Amulet Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014676051", "title": "The Faraway Mountains", "author": "Radu Guiasu", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Theresa Kadair", "word_count": 431, "review": "A story of friendship, connection, and solidarity, The Faraway Mountains by Radu Guiasu is a moving recollection of life during the Communist era in Eastern Europe. Following the stories of friends Alex, Gabriel, Victor, and Dan, readers are given a window into the harsh realities of urban life under an oppressive regime, one full of hardship, lies, and scarcity.

In part one, the story begins with Alex, Victor, and Dan on an intense hiking trip. Between violent storms, hungry bears, and perilous cliffs, the men are kept on their toes. In between these challenges, they are able to discuss life freely, a stark contrast to when they are walking in the streets of their town. Romania is full of policemen, and even more secret policemen, who have their ears and eyes open for possible \u201ctraitors\u201d of the regime. Always eavesdropping, they tap into telephone lines, disguise themselves as common people, and go out of their way to spot anyone who may be talking ill of their country.

But out in the remote mountains, finally, these friends can speak candidly. Discussing the future of their country, the horrid living conditions, the school brainwashing, and the increasing aggravation of these issues, readers gain a powerful insight into what life looks like under a dictatorship. A reminder of the privilege of free speech and democracy in Western countries, this part of the novel deepened my gratitude for what I often take for granted. Readers can take away the understanding of oppression, and how important it is to fight for freedom.

Part two of the novel, although it brings into play all of the characters, focuses the most on Alex. With plans to emigrate, he has become the target of many. Unexplainably kicked out of his university despite being a top student, followed and threatened by policemen, constantly on the alert for danger \u2013 this is the life of someone trying to escape a communist country. Fortunately, his parents had escaped years earlier. Now notable professors at a prestigious Western university, they are able to lobby for their son, bringing the Romanian authorities into the spotlight for Alex\u2019s release to join them. An eye-opener to the restrictive systems suppressing those from escaping, this book shows just how impossible it can be to flee.

Overall, this book does an excellent job of discussing life under communism. Readers not only gain perspective on the daily struggles of someone living under a regime but also the grim challenge of trying to leave. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history, particularly communism in Europe.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "05-Oct-2024", "date_added": "23-Aug-2024 18:56:21", "publisher": "Histria Books", "page_count": "207 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014676047", "title": "The Faraway Mountains", "author": "Radu Guiasu", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 425, "review": "Three friends travel to The Faraway Mountains before one of them escapes the oppressive regime of Romania and begins life in the West. Alex has been in the process of getting his passport for years, hoping to finally join his parents, who he hasn\u2019t seen in three years after they went to Canada and decided not to come back. Dan and Victor join Alex on his trip, which has another purpose, to say goodbye to a friend they lost not long before, who just wanted to see the world, but was punished for his dreams.

Alex and his friends encounter strange locals, a bear and wild weather on their final hike together. They get to enjoy a little freedom, away from the prying eyes of the government, to be themselves and share their hopes and dreams. They each know that it is unlikely they will ever see each other again, as it will impossible to get back into Romania once you manage to get out. Alex will have to leave everything and everyone he loves behind in order to experience the freedom most North Americans take for granted. But he has to survive long enough to actually get on the plane.

My only critique of this story would be the disjointedness of the plot. There aren\u2019t labels for the distant past and the more current past, so I got confused a few times when Gabriel\u2019s or Dana\u2019s story came up, not knowing exactly how it fit into the timeline. Other than that, it was incredibly interesting to see what life was like living under a dictatorship. This quote really stuck with me, \u201c\u2026in their East, only one version of history was allowed to survive.\u201d

While Guia\u015fu is able to find humor in many of these situations, I can\u2019t even imagine how hard it was to grow up in a communist country. Much of the story revolves around Alex just trying to get a passport. Some of these same stories appear in Guia\u015fu\u2019s other work, A Good Day and Other (Mostly) Humorous Stories and Lists, but in a more light-hearted way.

I highly recommend that you check out both works as one will bring you joy and the other will open your eyes to a different way of life and the endurance of the human spirit. In The Faraway Mountains, you will also see the power of friendship at play and how we can withstand even the hardest of times when we have close friends. Take the time to broaden your horizons; you won\u2019t regret it.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2024 18:56:09", "publisher": "Histria Books", "page_count": "207 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014676043", "title": "The Faraway Mountains", "author": "Radu Guiasu", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 413, "review": "The Faraway Mountains by Radu Guiasu is about fictional characters living in a communist world. The story is inspired by the author's real experience of communism in Romania, reflecting some of the challenges he faced while growing up in the country. The Faraway Mountains is divided into two parts. In the first part of the book, we see three friends bonding as they hike through mountainous regions and battle the dangers of the natural world, from violent storms to flooded caves. We get to see what being in the military, going to school, and studying for a medical profession entails for the protagonists. The second part follows a man's path to leaving a communist world behind and the complexities of love. Radu's story takes us on a perilous, fun, and thought-provoking journey with a group of likable characters and their lifelike challenges.

\u00a0One thing that stands out about The Faraway Mountains is that it includes intelligent discussions about various topics, including education and communism. I especially enjoyed the discussion about having \"the option of knowing the circumstances of your own death.\" As someone who loves to live in the moment, I resonated with Victor's stance: \"I have enough worries already. Why add to the pile?\"

The story constantly shifts between present and past events, creating an all-encompassing view of the external influences that shape the characters and their core thoughts. Alex often expresses thoughts about missing his friend Gabriel and even speaks to his other friends about the memories he has of him.\u00a0

By the time I completed the book, I had grown in my appreciation of capitalism despite its flaws. Imagine being threatened with \"everything from a long stint in the army to hard labor\" and being monitored closely as you work towards traveling to another country. Radu paints the reality of living in a communist society with glaring colors, from one unbelievable inconvenience to another.\u00a0

I disliked the fact that the book doesn't have many engaging scenes. It feels pretty relaxed in many places, hardly maintaining its captivating themes but constantly veering into discussions that seem to lead to no compelling direction. Though I completed the tale, I didn't feel a strong urge to get to the next page.\u00a0

Despite wishing the book had more engaging themes, it offers readers a chance to explore various philosophical and political ideas. The characters are chatty, thoughtful, and attractively driven. Prepare to connect to their smartly portrayed emotional struggles and marvel at their eventful encounters.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2024 18:55:58", "publisher": "Histria Books", "page_count": "207 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014676039", "title": "The Faraway Mountains", "author": "Radu Guiasu", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 408, "review": "Alex, Dan, and Victor, three good friends, embark on the adventure of their lives in the mountains in a local community in Romania. Set during the communist regime, where freedom is restricted and people live in fear of the authorities, these men must fight for their survival. Living in the mountains was daring, and they had different encounters with dangerous animals, faced terrific weather conditions, scary caves, and interesting locals. Alex had always longed to travel out of his homeland, and since he didn't feel committed to the place, making future plans was difficult, and he lacked stability. He had just broken up with his girlfriend Dana due to his instability, and living in the mountains with his friends was a great way of distracting himself from reality.

Each man had his battle to conquer. Victor was jittery, as he was getting married soon. His father-in-law was a strict man. Dan wanted to be a doctor like his other family members but soon realized the profession was tougher than he imagined. Alex had just gone through a breakup and was frustrated with his inability to explore the West. Therefore, they all needed an escape from their troubles, and the adventurous trip was a way of freeing themselves from their emotions and finding someone who could relate to their struggles.

The three men were resourceful and creative. Despite the challenges they faced, they had a positive attitude and were determined to weather through. The friends were also there to protect each other and support each other when necessary. Their friendship was beautiful because even though they had faced the worst together, they did not let go. The novel also highlighted the challenges of the locals and foreigners during the communist regime. Alex, who had always wanted to travel out of his country, experienced many difficulties in the process. I realized that while chasing your dreams, you could lose connection to some people who matter to you if you have to leave them behind.

The men had distinct personalities but found a way to stick together despite their differences. While reading the novel, I immersed myself in the story and imagined going on those daring adventures with them. For now, I don't think I am bold enough to climb mountains and pitch a tent there to stay in. The Faraway Mountains by Radu Guiasu is an interesting book with themes of adventure, politics, the search for freedom, and the reality of communist rule.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "23-Aug-2024 18:55:35", "publisher": "Histria Books", "page_count": "207 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014676031", "title": "A Good Day and Other (Mostly) Humorous Stories and Lists", "author": "Radu Guiasu", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 428, "review": "A Good Day and Other (Mostly) Humorous Stories and Lists is not your conventional funny collection of stories. The word \"humorous\" completely threw me off as I started to read the first few stories in this compilation. The first story, \"You Haven't Lived Enough,\" is written in the first person and describes a man named Jake telling the first person character that the character can't be a writer because he hasn't lived enough. Then Jake drones on about his crazy life, riding with a traveling circus and washing ashore on a desert island inhabited by dangerous creatures. The story is wild, so I kept reading, waiting for a plot twist or a punchline. It soon felt as if the story was never going to end. At the end of the story, the character asks Jake why he hasn't become a writer, to which Jake says he doesn't have time for it and has never learned how to write anyway. I felt like the story was pointless.

Another story, which I did enjoy, was written in letter form to John Hammond, the character in Jurassic Park who creates the \"real-life\" dinosaurs. In it, the author calls Hammond out on several flaws in his park that would never allow dinosaurs to exist, let alone thrive. He brings up points such as dinosaurs created from ancient DNA could not survive in our current atmosphere or eat today's plants. The story is very well written and thought out, and I feel it has some valid points. It made me think, \"What if we dissected all science fiction like this?\"

A few stories were boring, and a few were plain silly. Towards the end of the book, the author starts writing lists. This was my favorite part of the book because each listed item was something a person could consider and expand on. For example, in \"Twenty-Five Reasons Why the Chicken Crossed the Road,\" the author lists reasons such as \"the rooster is on the other side\" and \"because it was hoping the pursuing fox would get squashed by a truck.\" These two reasons could lead to a whole set of other stories about the chicken. As I read the lists, I started thinking about what to add to them. I realized making lists would make for a fun family (or drinking) game.

Overall, A Good Day and Other (Mostly) Humorous Stories and Lists, was a mishmash of stories, lists, and letters. Although I don't know the intended audience for the book, I think most adults would find at least a few pieces to snicker at.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2024 18:50:33", "publisher": "FriesenPress", "page_count": "207 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014676027", "title": "A Good Day and Other (Mostly) Humorous Stories and Lists", "author": "Radu Guiasu", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 72, "review": "\u201cA Good Day and Other (Mostly) Humorous Stories and Lists is a series of thirty-six stories about the most random subjects. Author Radu Guiasu uses his real-life knowledge and experiences and twists them into satirical situations that will make readers say hmm and contemplate life. Creative, sarcastic (at times), and entertaining, this is the perfect book to chuckle at when you\u2019ve had a long day at work.\u201d \u2014Kathryn Dare, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2024 18:49:19", "publisher": "FriesenPress", "page_count": "207 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014676023", "title": "A Good Day and Other (Mostly) Humorous Stories and Lists", "author": "Radu Guiasu", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 406, "review": "In A Good Day and Other (Mostly) Humorous Stories and Lists, Dr. Radu Guia\u015fu has compiled a collection of thirty-six stories and lists to lift your spirits and bring some much-needed humor to this otherwise dreary life. Guia\u015fu covers the ridiculousness of everyday life and offers a satirical look at the drudgery of academia, which he can certainly attest to with four university degrees. He brings humor to life under a communist dictator from his experiences living in Romania. Here, you will find short stories, a fake rejection letter, thoughts that go through your mind in different situations, all-dialogue pieces, lists of reasons, and satirical pieces featuring fake submission guidelines and ads for health care. There\u2019s a little bit of everything here. ||To use the author\u2019s own suggestions for blurbs: \u201cthis work is not just perfect but actually substantially improves on perfection\u201d and \u201cto call this book the wittiest ever written would simply not do it justice. It is much wittier than that.\u201d I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I laughed out loud at quite a few of the stories. My absolute favorites are: \u201cLogical Flaws and Other Problems with Jurassic Park,\u201d \u201cTrying to Figure Out Which One of My Neighbors Ratted Me Out During the Pandemic,\u201d \u201cPremium Med-Care Express: Your Health is Our Obsession,\u201d \u201cThings That Go Through Your Mind as You Are Taking Part in the Running of the Bulls Event in Pamplona,\u201d What Having the Elephant in the Room Really Means \u2013 Some Implications,\u201d \u201cExplaining the Reasons for the 1-Star (Out of 5-Stars) Rating I Gave a Book on Amazon,\u201d \u201cSubmission Guidelines,\u201d and \u201cAn Honest Rejection Letter.\u201d I loved how Guia\u015fu could find humor even growing up under a dictatorship. I really enjoyed his dry humor and would have loved having a university professor like him. If you can\u2019t laugh at yourself and how silly life can really be, it can be easy to get discouraged in this life. Guia\u015fu helps the reader to gain some of that ability back, by finding humor in all situations and pointing out the absurdity of most things (and people). If you need a good laugh and enjoy humor in general, I highly recommend you pick up this book. You will not be disappointed. It\u2019s \u201can unparalleled tour de force! This will restore your faith in the power of the written word. It is impossible to find superlatives superlative enough to describe how incredibly great this is.\u201d Seriously.", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "10-Sep-2024", "date_added": "23-Aug-2024 18:48:16", "publisher": "FriesenPress", "page_count": "207 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014676015", "title": "Talking About Adolescence: Book 2: Supercharge Your Body and Brain Power", "author": "Eichin Chang-Lim", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 454, "review": "Adolescence is a time of significant transitions, affecting one\u2019s emotional, mental, physical, and social well-being. Young people and their parents and caregivers looking for trustworthy advice on what to expect during this critical time can turn to Eichin Chang-Lim\u2019s Talking About Adolescence: Supercharge Your Body and Brain Power. This is the second installment in a book series dedicated to helping teenagers understand and navigate changes during puberty and adolescence. The book is written in an informal and engaging tone, with a clear and logical structure that guides the reader through the various aspects of adolescent development and mental health. It focuses on worthwhile and supportive advice, emphasizing self-awareness, self-control, empowerment, growth, and positive decision-making.

I read the book from my vantage point as a parent of a now-adult child. Looking back to my experiences as a parent, I would have picked up this book and bookmarked some items for my then-teenager to read and ponder. The author writes about psychological and physical changes in a clear and coherent way and incorporates interactive elements, relatable content, practical advice, and thought-provoking questions. Chang-Lim writes in an approachable fashion, modeling inclusivity and respect in sharing about challenging topics. This inclusive and respectful approach ensures that all readers, regardless of their background or experiences, feel valued and respected.

While teenage and young adult readers are the primary audience of the book, it is also a valuable resource for parents, guardians, therapists, educators, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in understanding the challenges and opportunities of adolescence. From brain development to decision-making, from substance abuse prevention to strategies for promoting physical and mental well-being, the book shares practical tips, reflective exercises, and insights that can benefit everyone involved in the journey.

As a reader, I found the book to be not just informative but also entertaining. Chang-Lim incorporates anatomical illustrations and tables to convey her points, making the learning process more engaging. The book's \u201cfun PowerPoint format\" is a unique and interesting approach. However, it remains to be seen if the approach is captivating enough to hold the interest of the teenage reader in today\u2019s visually saturated society.

Aside from the visual design and layout, the book is an excellent source of research-based information about navigating the challenges of adolescence. More importantly, it offers practical advice and insights that are relevant and applicable. Chang-Lim incorporates quotes from well-known figures, uses analogies to make complex topics more accessible, and includes personal reflections, real-world examples, and creative analogies. These elements balance the more cerebral discussions of psychological, sociological, and educational theories and scientific research. Talking About Adolescence: Supercharge Your Body and Brain Power offers valuable information to readers of all generations, combining research with practical advice and emphasizing personal growth and lifelong success.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "08-Oct-2024", "date_added": "23-Aug-2024 18:40:20", "publisher": "BookBaby", "page_count": "369 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014676007", "title": "One Shining Soul", "author": "Wayne L. Wilson", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 405, "review": "Born amid the Rodney King Riots, Olisa Tillerman grows up to be a figure of peace, comparable (though she will deny it) to Jesus. A Black woman with incredible powers and deep spirituality, she nevertheless lives in a society that either cannot or will not accept her entirely as who she is. Some reject her altogether, calling her a witch. Others try to profit off of her. Still, others claim to embrace her but, in reality, try to reshape her so she fits their own views of the world.

In the midst of all this, Olisa continues to forge her own path, offering healing and a call for peace and love among all humanity.One Shining Soul is two separate things merged into one story. On the one hand, it is a beautiful tale of a somewhat savior, a woman doing her best to heal a world that all too often feels fractured and divided on every level. On the other, it asks a question that ought to be considered more often by the religious: If there is any return of Jesus, will not He (or in this case, She) emerge from the downtrodden of a given civilization rather than the powerful who have remade Him in their own image?

It is in the second question that the book is strongest. Wilson approaches the emergence of a savior in modern society from many different angles, raising possibilities that feel very real and shining a light on the less-than-savory sides of American media, religion, and capitalism. Wilson\u2019s greatest skill is in this \u201cwhat if\u201d sort of writing, and it was the part of the book which I enjoyed the most.

As for the first question, the story taken solely as a narrative, this is where the book shows its weakness. While I was interested in Olisa and her family, their growth, and their trials, the pacing of the narration was never particularly steady. At times, the slower pace worked, especially during more meditative parts, but chapters that did little more than have minor or one-off characters share stories about Olisa felt overly long and repetitive. The climax at the end, by comparison, felt rushed, and the last two chapters felt more like two epilogues trying to sum everything up.

One Shining Soul has a fascinating premise and truly beautiful moments, but there are too many places where the writing itself falls short for me to give it more than three stars.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2024 18:06:57", "publisher": "BookBaby", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014672003", "title": "Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World", "author": "Anne Applebaum", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 170, "review": "This is an astonishing book. The author has spent her career studying communism throughout the world. In this book, she exposes the worldwide greed that is funneled to powerful fascist leaders throughout the world. She details how they have created a consortium, not of shared ideals or philosophy, but of avarice and duplicity. Through her writing, the reader gains an understanding of how easily the democratic world bought the idea that the world was moving toward freedom.

Meanwhile, the power grab continued, laundered by craven public relations, which covered evil deeds with expressions of open markets and free trade. Meanwhile, under such cover, factories were purchased by shadow corporations, with monies moving from place to place to be laundered and sheltered. Those in power made despicable alliances to strip wealth from their countries and enrich themselves. It seems that Putin had a long game. For example, when Ukraine moved from corruption towards freedom, Putin lost a chess piece that he badly needed. The author is eminently readable with this fascinating story.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "16-Oct-2024", "date_added": "22-Aug-2024 21:18:07", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014670003", "title": "Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret: A Festive Mystery: A Whodunit Full of Twists and Turns, Perfect for Fall 2024, A Clever and Cozy Mystery (The Ernest Cunningham Mysteries, 3)", "author": "Benjamin Stevenson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Elizabeth Konkel", "word_count": 198, "review": "Ernest has a knack for getting in the middle of murder mysteries, which has somehow become his calling. He was hoping to have a peaceful Christmas with his fiancee, instead, he\u2019s been asked to attend a Christmas show. He quickly learns that peace won\u2019t be easy to find. Ernest quickly finds himself in the middle of another mystery when someone he knows is a suspect in a murder and finding answers will be complicated as all the suspects make a career out of trickery.

This is an ideal mystery set against a backdrop of holiday cheer when Ernest is dragged to a Christmas show only to find himself investigating once again. The mystery has many personal complications for Ernest, adding tension, humor, and obstacles for him as he digs his way through clues and suspects. Part of this is the fact that his fiancee is unaware he is involved in extramarital murder investigations which helps the tone maintain a layer of humor. The mystery comes with many twists and tricks as literal magicians make Ernest\u2019s sleuthing even harder with fun antics. A charming holiday addition, Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret is filled with murder, tricks, wit, and merriment.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2024", "date_added": "22-Aug-2024 20:48:27", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014668007", "title": "Lincoln vs. Davis: The War of the Presidents", "author": "Nigel Hamilton", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 198, "review": "The tension was reaching a breaking point as the two leaders embarked on their trips toward their respective inaugurations. Trepidation surrounded Abraham Lincoln\u2019s voyage to Washington, DC, where he was set to assume the presidency of the United States. Meanwhile, Jefferson Davis traveled to Montgomery, Alabama where he would be recognized as the first President of the Confederate States of America. As both men took diverging paths, the United States was divided and grew more so with each passing day in early 1861. Disunion began after the election of Abraham Lincoln and the pervasive Southern fear of Slavery\u2019s abolishment. Jefferson Davis didn\u2019t believe in secession yet believed in state\u2019s rights. Lincoln wanted to preserve the Union yet was initially reluctant to broach the topic of Slavery. As the conflict turned into a bloody war, both men would change viewpoints and tactics. The country would be changed forever.

Lincoln Vs. Davis meticulously scrutinizes the early stages of the war between the states and the complexities of the men leading the opposing sides. Author Nigel Hamilton (\u201cJFK: Reckless Youth\u201d) provides a wealth of crucial detail highlighting the struggles that played out before, during, and after the battle lines had been drawn.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2024", "date_added": "22-Aug-2024 21:51:35", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "800 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014663003", "title": "Willie the Worrying Dog", "author": "David Yuen", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 408, "review": "Willie the Worrying Dog is the story of a small dog named Willie who worries a lot \u2013 too much! His worries are about everything \u2013 the weather, other dogs \u2013 anything that could potentially happen to him, but not guaranteed. One day, his owner said they were going to the park, which excited him because he loves to play! On the way, he discovers that they are going to a different and new park that he doesn't know anything about! He starts worrying a lot, thinking of everything that could go wrong; he immediately sees two dogs but doesn't know anything about them yet.

After thinking of many bad things, the dogs introduce themselves and, luckily, are friendly and playful! The three dogs have fun together running and playing until it starts to rain, and Willie assumes the worst and that everything he thought about before will come true. When his friends stay with him through the storm, they teach him not to worry and a (new) way to calm down. When Willie leaves the park, he feels much happier than when he got there because he feels good and made some new friends!

I enjoyed Willie the Worrying Dog because it teaches kids (and me) not to worry as much and not to assume the worst. What the dog friends suggested is something new to me, but I will remember it every time it thunders because it is funny and goofy. Sometimes, I feel like Willie and notice myself worrying about many things, especially situations where I don't know how they'll end. I can relate to him at times and felt good after finishing the book and knowing a new way of calming down for future situations.

I liked how the other dogs ended up being friendly, to help out Willie, instead of mean and scary, which would have confirmed Willie's fears. I enjoy watching characters and people in real life get along and have a good time together! I liked the rhyming text throughout the story because it made it easier to read and understand.

There were no big or complicated words that I struggled with reading or understanding. Readers of all ages, especially those who worry or have anxiety, should read this book because the story is enjoyable and they will learn something from it. Families should have it in their homes and it would be a good addition to schools and public libraries!", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "02-Nov-2024", "date_added": "21-Aug-2024 10:16:49", "publisher": "David Yuen", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014662003", "title": "Shell Games: A Novel ", "author": "Bonnie Kistler", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 196, "review": "The newlyweds, former school sweethearts, had reconnected after a fifty-year gap. On their wedding night, she, Kate Sawyer, calls the police, claiming that he, Charlie Mull, confessed to the so-called Tylenol murders \u2013 the poisoning of seven people in Chicago in 1982. Charlie denies that he ever made such an absurd confession, and his version of events is supported by evidence placing him in Germany at the time of the murders. Kate then begins to suspect that the love of her life is building a case that her \u2018hallucination\u2019 is a sign she is losing her mind. Julie, Kate\u2019s daughter, is caught in the middle. Is her mother really going crazy? Or is much-loved Charlie a conman seeking to assume guardianship of her and her fortune? Suspicion deepens. And spreads. Is Eric, Julie\u2019s husband, also involved in the conspiracy? No matter how innocent they might appear on the surface, an undercurrent of mistrust, unease, and even fear flows beneath every action. Charlie\u2019s motives, however, remain obscure, never explained as fully as they warrant, given their central role in the story. Nonetheless, Shell Games is a clever psychological thriller that will appeal to readers of the genre.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2025", "date_added": "19-Aug-2024 22:36:54", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014661003", "title": "A Circle of Uncommon Witches", "author": "Paige Crutcher", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 203, "review": "The MacKinnon women are cursed. Any man they fancy will automatically be within their thrall, so there's no way of knowing whether love is real. The curse began twelve generations back when Ambrose McDonald, a powerful witch in his own right, fell in love with a MacKinnon. His heartbreak led to the curse at the heart of Paige Crutcher's latest book, A Circle of Uncommon Witches/.

As the thirteenth generation witches, Margot and Doreen MacKinnon, must confront their fate. Margot chooses love, though she knows she cannot trust it, while Doreen decides to end the curse once and for all. To do so, she must defy centuries of MacKinnon rules as well as the explicit orders of her aunt Stella. She fears Stella, certainly, but she fears dying at 30 if she refuses to enthrall a man and marry him.

She sets out to break the curse and encounters Ambrose, tortured and held prisoner for three hundred years. Together they vow to break the curse, but in so doing they risk their lives and immortal souls.

This is the fourth book I've read by Crutcher, and it's just as intriguing as the others. If you're looking for a fun romance/witchy read, this one's for you.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "06-May-2025", "date_added": "19-Aug-2024 22:35:43", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014656003", "title": "Bloodshot", "author": "Fred Van Lente", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 192, "review": "He woke at the site of some major destruction with no memory of how he got there or who he was. He soon discovered that he had some interesting powers, like the ability to heal from any injury, control over machines, and an unmatched aptitude for firearms and combat. Kalea and her brother, who found him, are the only people he knows. For helping him, now Kalea has a target on her back. Helping Kalea, he learns a few things about himself. He is a tool for Project Rising Spirit and his codename is \u201cBloodshot.\u201d

Bloodshot is a high-intensity action-packed thrill ride by bestselling author Fred Van Lente. Written as an origin story for the Valiant Comics superhero by the same name, this novel is one full-throttle fight scene after another. Following the main character's self-realization that he cannot be the bully anymore and stands up for the underdog, the reader gets a front-row seat to the backstory of the popular comic book hero. With a fierce plot, and plenty of action, one does not have to be a fan of or have prior knowledge of the comic book to enjoy Bloodshot.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "27-Jan-2025", "date_added": "17-Aug-2024 21:33:44", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "286 Pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014884003", "title": "The Midnight Mitzvah", "author": "Ruth Horowitz, Jenny Meilihove", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 191, "review": "A magical story adapted from a tale in the Talmud describing the charitable work of an ancient Rabbi is here transcribed into a children's story by the talented author Ruth Horowitz. Using forest creatures in this tale, Hanina, the chipmunk gathers nuts and generously shares this food with her playful friends, the grateful mouse and appreciative raccoon. Unfortunately, aged Mathilda Squirrel is too proud to accept a gift offering. Puzzled at how to help her old but very independent and stubborn acquaintance, Hanina struggles to find a solution to help without embarrassing her friend. She learns that it is considered a mitzvah or good deed to help others and also to be certain not to embarrass anyone. So amid the dangers of the night, at peril to herself, Hanina drops a basket of nuts at the squirrel\u2019s front door and hides while her friend collects the mysterious windfall. This loving story is framed by embracing mood-filled colors that the illustrator produced with vibrant gouache, crayons, and pencils. The morals in this colorful tale emphasize doing mitzvahs or good deeds, having compassion for others, and presenting charity while staying behind the scenes.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2025", "date_added": "26-Sep-2024 21:29:18", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014882011", "title": "Red Rabbit", "author": "Alex Grecian", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 202, "review": "Andrew King has the solemn and unenviable task of burying his daughter Olivia. His sorrow becomes anger once Olivia\u2019s beau arrives and blames Olivia\u2019s death on a rumored witch named Sadie Grace. Their shared anger turns toward thoughts of revenge and they send word of a bounty on Sadie\u2019s life. Word spreads like wildfire and brings in more than a few bandits who hope to collect the reward.

Rose Nettles is a recent widow living on her desolate farmland when she encounters the strange quartet. Ned Hemingway and Moses Burke are friends bound together by war, while Tom Goggins is a self-described witch hunter. The young girl traveling with them is named Rabbit and she is the most fascinating of the bunch. Rose decides to join the group as Tom plans to locate Sadie Grace and expel her from the earth. However, Sadie Grace is capable of placing obstacles to deter any and all hunters.

Red Rabbit is a mesmerizing horror novel with elements of mystery and the supernatural which seizes the reader\u2019s attention. Author Alex Grecian (The Saint of Wolves and Butchers) has authored a marvelous book with exquisite characters and a plot brimming with tense moments of terror and drama.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "26-Nov-2024", "date_added": "26-Sep-2024 21:10:56", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014878007", "title": "The Hymn to Dionysus", "author": "Natasha Pulley", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 195, "review": "/The Hymn to Dionysus is like no Dionysian myth I have come across before. For a god of wine and madness, a lord of misrule, this seems entirely appropriate.

The book often recalls The Bacchae, Euripides\u2019 play about the coming of Dionysus to Thebes and the death of Pentheus, the proud prince of the city. Pulley\u2019s Dionysus does indeed come to Thebes, and there is a proud prince, but there are far more shades to this story than to The Bacchae, details foreign to Euripides\u2019 tale. Anyone looking for a simple retelling (or, for that matter, for a highly factual account of Ancient Greek life) may be left baffled by this book, but hopefully delightedly so.

I would be remiss not to also mention The Song of Achilles. As another queer novel inspired by Greek myth, many will invite the comparison. While the two share some similarities, Pulley\u2019s novel has an overarching sense of dread which pervades it, and which makes it feel quite different.

I found the book fascinating and mythic, beautiful and deeply touching. It will appeal to many who enjoy reading Greek-inspired literature that approaches the old stories through a new lens.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "25-Mar-2025", "date_added": "26-Sep-2024 20:27:34", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014876007", "title": "A Dark and Drowning Tide: A Novel", "author": "Allison Saft", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 189, "review": "Nothing has ever come easy for Lorelei, she's fought and clawed her way to get what she wants, making a fearsome reputation for herself, but even that isn't enough. She will always be untrusted, unwanted. This expedition is her last hope of ever having everything she wants. Then her mentor, the expedition leader, is found murdered and Lorelei must find out by who and why before it's too late.

The mystery was the main thing that intrigued me about this book and made me want to read it. Unfortunately, though there certainly is a mystery and the clues are hinted at and dropped throughout, I wouldn't describe this as a mystery novel. There are several plots happening at once, intertwining with each other to make one. The romance is sweet, not too much but clearly there.

Lorelei is a folklorist, so there are short fairy tales scattered throughout, not enough to be distracting but enough to understand how she thinks. Though there are times that things she should know are explained by other characters. All the characters are unique in their own way, though a little flat at times.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "26-Nov-2024", "date_added": "26-Sep-2024 19:58:36", "publisher": "Random House Worlds", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014870003", "title": "The Girls of Skylark Lane", "author": "Robin Benway", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 191, "review": "Jac and Aggie are twins, but for the first time, they seem to have very different feelings about things. They are moving with their two dads to Los Angeles from San Francisco. Jac is excited, but Aggie is dreading it. She is afraid Jac will make new friends without her, and she will be all alone. They meet a neighbor girl, Tink, who invites them to join a neighborhood softball team. Aggie is excited to be able to make friends with several girls, and soon both girls are practicing nearly every day with their new friends, except that practice seldom happens due to middle-grade drama. And when one of the twins begins changing, things get really tense.

Robin Benway has written a fun story that addresses a lot of issues middle-grade girls can relate to \u2014 moving, being the new kid, trying to fit in, having your body grow up before you\u2019re ready, and so much more. The dialogue is right for the age, the characters are well-rounded and believable, and the problems the girls and their friends face will keep young readers turning the pages all the way to the end.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2025", "date_added": "25-Sep-2024 23:04:30", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014867003", "title": "Candle & Crow: Book Three of the Ink & Sigil series", "author": "Kevin Hearne", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 200, "review": "The job of a sigil agent is not an easy one. Enforcing the contracts and treaties with the gods and monsters is a lot of work. Sigil agent Al MacBharrais would like to retire but cannot train an apprentice to take over his territory until he gets the curses on his head lifted. But while trying to solve the mysteries of these curses, Al is constantly pulled into the drama with his friends. Buck Foi needs help to become a legendary hobgoblin. And Nadia, a battle seer and goth queen, is trying to start her own cult to a god of whiskey and cheese.

Candle & Crow is the third and, sadly, the final novel in Kevin Hearne\u2019s Ink & Sigil series. As an urban fantasy, this novel has everything, greasy bacon bollocks, a wizard van, and even a shoutout to everyone\u2019s favorite Sacramental-area bookstore. But this is so much more. Hearne concludes one series while interweaving events from his Iron Druid series. Reading the other books in both series is not necessary but extremely helpful. With plenty of mythology references from gods of many pantheons, this novel has more laughs than a bunch of hobgoblins drunk on stolen whiskey.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2024", "date_added": "25-Sep-2024 22:56:25", "publisher": "Random House Worlds", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014864003", "title": "The Christmas Crush: A Novel", "author": "Noelle Douglas", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 188, "review": "I'm all for a sweet, cheesy romance, but The Christmas Crush was so over-the-top that it made me cringe repeatedly. When Lawrence Higgin's cookie shop, Sweet L's, is threatened by a corporate cookie company, he starts to panic. Then he meets the head marketing person for the company, Elena, and from the very beginning, they are attracted to one another. It's easy to guess what happens next as they take their relationship to the next level. Elena hates her job because of her mean boss, and Lawrence wants to find a way to pay his Nana back for her initial investment in his shop.

The story starts going sideways when Elena makes an unintentional error and ruins Lawrence's chance at something. But instead of everyone blaming Elena, they blame Lawrence for getting mad, including his Nana! How annoying! Also, Elena's last name is Voss, and she has this little mantra she repeats to herself, which is so obnoxious: Voss is Boss.

Overall, I felt that Lawrence could have done better because Elena was so spoiled and annoying. This book did not leave me with a sweet taste in my mouth.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "26-Nov-2024", "date_added": "25-Sep-2024 21:54:40", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000014861003", "title": "Buried Lies: A Novel", "author": "Steven Tingle", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 196, "review": "
Buried Lies is a well-written mystery novel that introduces retired detective and ex-traffic cop Davis Reed. Renting a cabin in Cruso, North Carolina, he ends up getting hired by a wealthy, eccentric couple to investigate a man's death at a golf course. Prentiss Wells, a local attorney, was found struck and killed by a golf ball while on the course with a few of his buddies/co-workers. Reed works with local deputy Dale to dig up clues on the case. This includes interviewing an elderly man with dementia who led an old case in which Prentiss was involved.

I enjoyed the bantering dialogue in the book the most. A lot of it reminded me of my favorite author, Harlan Coben, who was actually mentioned in the book. The guys in the book tease one another and bicker, all in good fun. I loved how the author described each character and developed each one throughout the book. As Reed puts the pieces of the puzzle together, he thinks he has figured out whodunnit but then second guesses himself, and at that point, everyone becomes a suspect. This is a great mystery that Coben, Baldacci, and Patterson fans will enjoy.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2024", "date_added": "25-Sep-2024 19:53:51", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014860007", "title": "Death at a Scottish Christmas (A Scottish Isle Mystery) ", "author": "Lucy Connelly", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 185, "review": "Emilia McRoy is an American doctor working on Sea Isle in Scotland. She's planning to take a break over the holiday season. With lots of community events to attend and help coordinate, who could blame her? Plus, it's a great way to get to know more members of the tight-knit community. But things don't go to plan.

Emilia is asked by a friend to help rescue some stranded band members who are expected to perform in a local pub. When the lead singer turns up dead after the concert, she finds herself back at work as the town's coroner and as an amateur sleuth. She's determined to use her medical skills to find out whether foul play was involved. But will she be able to find out what happened before someone else is killed?

Death at a Scottish Christmas is a fast-paced, entertaining cozy mystery. I enjoyed the characters and the setting. The plot had enough twists and turns to keep me turning the pages well into the night. I want to read more by this author, especially something set in the rugged Scottish Highlands.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "18-Nov-2024", "date_added": "25-Sep-2024 22:00:48", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014850007", "title": "On a Wing and a Tear", "author": "Cynthia Leitich Smith", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Ray Halfmoon and Mel Roberts have become as close as siblings since Mel and her mom moved into the attic of Ray\u2019s Grampa\u2019s Chicago bungalow. Although Mel and Ray are from different native tribes, they have much in common. They find they have a visitor: Great-Grandfather Bat. He injured his wing and has been resting to heal, but he\u2019s found out the birds and animals are having an epic baseball game. He has to get there as he was the hero the last time they met. Grampa Halfmoon is convinced to take Bat and the kids on a road trip to the game. But soon some nefarious characters are following them, trying to kidnap Great-grandfather Bat.

Cynthia Leitich Smith, a citizen of the Muskogee Nation, imbues her story with traditions and language from several Native Nations. Kids will love how the animal characters interact with the human characters and how their stories are intertwined. Magic and a little fantasy are sprinkled throughout this contemporary story, and young readers will find that fascinating. All the characters are well-rounded and believable and the dialog is realistic for each character. This would make a good classroom read-aloud.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2024", "date_added": "24-Sep-2024 20:50:33", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014847003", "title": "Elemental Forces: Horror Short Stories (The Flame Tree Book of Horror)", "author": "Mark Morris, Poppy Z Brite, Andy Davidson", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 184, "review": "Elemental Forces, edited by Mark Morris, is the newest edition of the critically acclaimed ABC of Horror series. All of the short stories contained therein are new, most of which were commissioned from some of the genre\u2019s most celebrated voices, like Poppy Z. Brite, Gwendolyn Kiste, and Paul Tremblay. When combined with some of the new and intriguing voices in horror featured within its pages, this sizable collection offers readers a heaping helping of both the novel and the familiar, which, in my humble opinion, makes for the very best type of anthology. While the themes and content of each story vary, as the general thread linking each one together seems to be simply \u2018modern horror,\u2019 there\u2019s sure to be something enjoyable for everyone. The thing I love about loose themes for these types of anthologies is that since there are twenty short stories total, each one is short enough that if it doesn\u2019t suit your particular horror proclivities, then an entirely different tale is just a few pages away. Perfect for a quick read before bedtime to leave you with pleasantly disturbing dreams.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2025", "date_added": "23-Sep-2024 23:40:43", "publisher": "Flame Tree Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014842015", "title": "A Tiny Piece of Blue: A Novel", "author": "Charlotte Whitney", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 199, "review": "A Tiny Piece of Blue is a touching snapshot of life in rural Michigan in the Great Depression. After being caught stealing from a school, Silstice Trayson\u2019s reputation is even lower than it was before, when she was just one of the \u201cTrashy Traysons\u201d. However, Edna Goetz, who manages the local 4-H group for girls, still has faith in her and does her best to give Silstice a second chance, even taking her into her home despite her husband\u2019s objections.

The story is one of affection, loyalty, and second chances, and the tale is touching. The attempts to tie in the child trafficking of the Great Depression fell short, however. That particular plotline is vaguely hinted at for most of the book, and when it arrives, it does so in full force, overwhelming the previous sentiment. In addition, the tight focus on Silstice and the Goetz family leaves little room for secondary characters to breathe and grow, so most of them feel like caricatures or shadows. At times, even the Goetzes are trapped by this.

A Tiny Piece of Blue is a perfectly serviceable book for those who want a historical novel with themes of redemption, but it is little more.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "05-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Sep-2024 23:58:11", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000014835003", "title": "Wise Women: Myths and Stories for Midlife and Beyond", "author": "Sharon Blackie, Angharad Wynne", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 196, "review": "Wise Women: Myths and Stories for Midlife and Beyond by Sharon Blackie and Angharad Wynne is a book to savor. Filled with stories of wise old women, some you know and others who are new or told in a new way, this collection is meant for those in the second half of life. Gone are the days of princes and white horses. Now comes the dark woods and the burning fires of change. These fairy tales are meant to give readers and listeners mature female wisdom to guide them through the thorny paths of changes that surge upon them in midlife and beyond. Gone are the golden-haired princesses and jaunty red hoods, and instead enter the grandmothers, the witches, the wild hags, and the wise women, the old bone mothers, with their wild array of intentions and motivations.

While this collection lacks Blackie\u2019s previous personal narratives (Hagitude, If Women Rose Rooted), it is a wonderful read for those who enjoy her unique way of turning a phrase or who enjoy the rhythm of a well-executed fairy tale. Blackie and Wynne bring immersive, rich language to these tales, making them utterly unique and sheer pleasure to read.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "10-Dec-2024", "date_added": "21-Sep-2024 19:22:56", "publisher": "New World Library", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014834019", "title": "Because It's Funny!: The Plays of Billy Van Zandt & Jane Milmore", "author": "Billy Van Zandt", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 470, "review": "Because It\u2019s Funny is a joyfully candid memoir that perfectly captures the highs and lows of a life spent in comedy. Billy Van Zandt\u2019s career memoir, co-starring his longtime partner-in-laughter Jane Milmore, is not just an account of plays written and staged but a tribute to the gritty, glorious art of making people laugh. Written with the warmth and wit of someone who has seen it all (and taken every fall, breakaway bottle, and pie to the face imaginable), this book is a delightfully unique look at the demanding world of live theater.

Van Zandt\u2019s stories are filled with the slapstick spirit that marks his plays. One particularly memorable account is the \u201csilent movie on stage\u201d production of Silent Laughter, which required nightly pie fights, pratfalls, and absurdly elaborate costumes to recreate the feel of silent film in a live theater setting. He doesn\u2019t sugarcoat the challenges: creating a comedy that requires both the actors and the set itself to be \u201cin on the joke\u201d is no small feat, yet Van Zandt\u2019s fondness for these physically demanding, laugh-a-minute productions shines through every page. His reverence for comedy\u2019s mechanics is palpable, and he makes a convincing case that a well-executed pratfall or perfectly timed line can be as powerful as any dramatic monologue.

The partnership between Van Zandt and Milmore is the heart of this memoir, and his reflections on their creative relationship are both endearing and insightful. Their debut play, Love, Sex, and the I.R.S., born out of pure frustration with Hollywood, set the tone for the rest of their careers. While Van Zandt and Milmore\u2019s writing method was often chaotic\u2014penning their first play between filming scenes on the Star Trek set, with Van Zandt still in his alien makeup\u2014their knack for writing outrageously funny scenarios was undeniable.

The book\u2019s most satisfying parts are Van Zandt\u2019s stories of working with the quirky, loyal cast members who became the Unofficial Van Zandt/Milmore Repertory Company. Through hysterical accounts of accidental on-stage appearances, prop malfunctions, and backstage antics, Van Zandt captures the camaraderie and chaos of live theater. These behind-the-scenes moments make it easy to see why so many actors returned to work with them time and again; he and Milmore were clearly as dedicated to cultivating joy within their cast as they were to delivering laughs to the audience.

Because It\u2019s Funny is an unfiltered, sometimes absurd, and always heartfelt account of what it means to be a comedian. Van Zandt\u2019s reflections are sharp and often self-deprecating, showcasing a man who values the hard work of comedy but also respects its roots in pure, unbridled fun. Fans of stage comedy and aspiring playwrights alike will find inspiration in his relentless dedication to his craft. In the end, Because It\u2019s Funny is more than a memoir; it\u2019s a warm and raucous love letter to comedy itself.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2024", "date_added": "22-Sep-2024 02:01:35", "publisher": "Billy Van Zandt", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014834011", "title": "Mr. Average and the 12th Stone: Watch Your Mandibles", "author": "Ben Run", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 65, "review": "\"Mr. Average and the 12th Stone: Watch Your Mandibles is one-of-a-kind. It's a book that stands out so much that there is no other comparable book. It's a brilliant tale with ant characters and a brilliant merging of themes, including love, dystopia, and the mind. Ben Run's book offers a one-of-a-kind escape from reality that you won't want to miss.\" \u2014Foluso Falaye, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "22-Sep-2024 01:57:50", "publisher": "Corridor 1", "page_count": "290 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014831007", "title": "Everything Could Be a Prayer: One Hundred Portraits of Saints and Mystics ", "author": "Kreg Yingst", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 230, "review": "Prayer and contemplation offer solace and hope during times of despair. As an everyday practice, prayer can strengthen faith and connect with divinity. Everything Could Be a Prayer by Kreg Yingst is a book of one hundred art prints, meditative short essays, and prayers. Yingst spotlights the stories of saints, mystics, activists, and community builders who devoted their lives to serving others and making a difference. From John the Baptist to Oscar Romero, and from Mother Teresa to Fannie Lou Hamer, Yingst draws inspiration from across time and traditions to share uplifting stories that remind us of the potential for positive change, even in the face of great odds.

Yingst is a renowned American illustrator and block artist whose works are in private collections and museums. In the book\u2019s introduction, he shares how the pandemic, a time of collective suffering and reflection, allowed him the time and attention to devote to the meditative act of offering devotions to faithful and dedicated figures in the Christian church. The project evolved to incorporate human and civil rights icons who risked their lives to speak truth to power and create change.

Everything Could Be a Prayer is a brilliant and uplifting collection of profiles that manifests kindness, generosity, gratitude, and service to others. One can use the book as a meditative reader; each prayer and life story is a compass for virtuous living.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2024", "date_added": "17-Sep-2024 00:42:58", "publisher": "1517 Media", "page_count": "225 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014831003", "title": "The Startup Squad: You're the Boss: A Kid's Ultimate Guide to Starting Your Own Business", "author": "Brian Weisfeld, Bonnie Bader", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - age 14", "word_count": 164, "review": "Do you want to start your own business? If so, this book is perfect for you. It gives great advice on how to make money and brainstorm ideas to make your business unique. This book teaches you many things, learning to sell products for a profit, making a catchy sales pitch, and much more! There are lots of things you can do to make money, so read this book and get started on your business idea!

I think the authors did a good job explaining things, and I liked that they explained by making each chapter a new step to starting a business. I also liked how they featured short stories of many different kids and the businesses that they started. I think this book is a good way to teach kids the basics of running and starting their own businesses. I recommend this book to people who want to learn how to build a business and people who want to be successful entrepreneurs.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2024", "date_added": "16-Sep-2024 23:20:07", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014830015", "title": "Bad Jew: A Family's Quest from the Minsk Ghetto to Netanyahu's Israel ", "author": "Piotr Smolar, Anthony Roberts", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 189, "review": "As a French journalist with Polish forbears, Piotr Smolar's memoir details his peripatetic career, serving as a reporter for years in Moscow, in Washington, and as the Le Monde senior representative in Jerusalem. Most recently, he writes from Gaza, providing a forceful, emotional new introduction, voicing strong disapproval for Israel's right-wing action.

Hersh Smolar, his grandfather, is a legendary figure, a leading member of the resistance in the Minsk ghetto in World War II. His father's political involvement demonstrated strong opposition to Poland's postwar Communism. Their legacy is a central element in Bad Jew\u2014a bizarre, even displeasing title.

The author writes vividly, in a choppy, journalistic manner appropriate for his rebellion against Israel's politics, taking a deft chronological path through recent decades of Israel's history. He denies his Jewish identity, for justifiably practical and political motives, enabling him to gather information essential for his assignments. His personal life demonstrates a strong, fundamental, secular Jewish lifestyle.

One of the author\u2019s several books, Bad Jew was published first in French in 2015. The new introduction, with Anthony Roberts' masterly translation, is the first of his books available to English language readers.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2024", "date_added": "17-Sep-2024 00:28:56", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014828011", "title": "Dear Miss Perkins: A Story of Frances Perkinss Efforts to Aid Refugees from Nazi Germany", "author": "Rebecca Brenner Graham", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 192, "review": "In 2024, President Biden designated a national monument in honor of Frances Perkins. Who? The first woman to serve as a Cabinet secretary, she led FDR\u2019s Department of Labor and successfully advocated for unemployment insurance, the 40-hour work week, minimum wage, Social Security, and more. At that time, Labor also oversaw the Immigration Bureau (later moved to the Justice Department).

Although choppy, this book takes the history of immigration policy as its larger canvas while highlighting Perkins\u2019 efforts to bring Jews out of Nazi Germany to safety in the U.S. It was an uphill battle: Depression-era people were leery of immigrants who might take scarce jobs or be a burden on taxpayers. There were strong anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant forces as well as national quotas, and it took a great deal of political acumen to arrange safe passage for 600 Jewish children, a handful at a time. \nMiss Perkins is a fascinating figure, and the biography provides plenty of historical context for her work and the reactions she received, including hate mail and a serious effort at impeachment. Access to her letters and notes gives us rare glimpses of this national heroine\u2019s inner thoughts.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2025", "date_added": "17-Sep-2024 00:36:11", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014825003", "title": "PictureFace Lizzy", "author": "Josh Gad, Marta Kissi", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 200, "review": "PictureFace Lizzy is the story of a girl named Eve who has almost everything she could want: a happy family, a three-legged lizard, toys, food, etc... but she doesn't have a PictureFace Lizzy! Eve feels this is so unfair, especially because everyone she knows has one, causing her to feel left out anywhere she goes. When she gets one of her own, it's so much fun, but she and her friends slowly start to realize that they can have fun doing things off of screens/PictureFace Lizzy, too, which is something they didn't think possible before. Eve learns to be happy, accept what she has, and not wish for more!

I enjoyed the story because it feels like real life; PictureFace Lizzy is like the newest and best thing: a smartwatch, phone, electronic, etc. All the characters acted like real people would, too. I experienced all the same feelings with the characters and was glad that they stayed/got back to being happy more often than anything! The illustrations were bright and colorful and added to the story. PictureFace Lizzy is a fun read and appropriate for readers of all ages; however, upper-elementary and older readers will be better able to relate.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "07-Nov-2024", "date_added": "16-Sep-2024 22:42:25", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014823003", "title": "Rare Flavours", "author": "Ram V, Filipe Andrade", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 200, "review": "Take one cup of this this, five spoons of that, and a good pinch of whatever else. Then add to the mixture to create a recipe. Likewise, take a documentary movie, a graphic novel and a cookbook and add together to make Rare Flavours. This is quite a book! Ram V. and Filipe Andrade assemble a creative team to publish a delectable selection of Indian food.

The star of the fable, almost better defined as a rampage, is a remarkably large and hungry man called Bakasura, sometimes more respectfully, Mr. Baksh, a fearsome character. The film crew follows him around as he strides across the pages, stopping when he finds a pleasing dish, sharing his choice with the reader. He hands out not only ingredients but detailed instructions on making masala chai, daal fry that is a truck-stop special, slow roasted leg of goat in a spiced yoghurt marinade, and yet more exotic dishes. He dreams of becoming another Bourdain. A clutch of characters seek prominent space for themselves, caught up in the crowded jungle and city landscapes.

Be prepared to digest plentiful clashes, violent colors, and dramatic scenes, all of it weird as heck and a lot of fun!", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2024", "date_added": "16-Sep-2024 22:39:54", "publisher": "BOOM! Studios", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014819015", "title": "Murder at National Geographic", "author": "Paul Martin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 393, "review": "The year is 1964, and Xander Riley is an adventurer traveling through Quito, Ecuador, searching for history. He is searching for rare artifacts of the Jivaro Tribe. However, he is unafraid to take a shortcut to acquire exotic treasures. Riley is a freelance writer for National Geographic, and his sojourns often yield eye-catching articles for the renowned periodical. Upon his return, Riley gives a colorful lecture equipped with anecdotes of bombastic adventures and theatrics, which engage the audience but aggravate his editors and bosses. Riley has charisma with the women but may need a heroic dose to charm his editor, Joan Smollett.

Joan Smollett is known for her editorial and fact-checking acumen. She is not known for her tact. She can cut down an employee with a withering critique. When examining Xander Riley\u2019s recent piece on the Jivaro Tribe of Ecuador, she believes Riley fabricated parts of the story and calls him on it. Riley vehemently denies it. The matter is far from closed.

Detective Archimedes Bib is a homicide detective whose latest case involves a puzzling murder at the National Geographic Society. The victim was found in her office and involved in a peculiar matter of death. Bib and his partner begin their investigation by questioning the victim\u2019s husband and co-workers. They learn that the victim was respected yet disliked in equal measure. Bib begins to cogitate a list of suspects that includes co-workers, former classmates, and the deceased\u2019s husband. Bib is an intelligent and dedicated sleuth, but this case may prove problematic. \n\n\t\u201cMurder at National Geographic\u201d starts as a bewitching mystery and its appeal never dims as the whodunit reaches its fantastic denouement. Xander Riley is a knave who believes he has everyone fooled, yet hubris ultimately trips him up. The heart and soul of the story is Archimedes Bib. Bib\u2019s profession revolves around obtaining justice no matter who the victim is or how they were perceived. Whereas Xander excelled at meaningless flings, Bib\u2019s life revolved around his late wife. The men are truly a study in contrasts. Bib\u2019s investigation takes the occasional u-turn, but his intellect and insight propel him forward. Motives of greed, ambition, and revenge will be considered along the way to nabbing his suspect. Author Paul Martin furnishes an appreciation for writing and history and combines it with the shortcomings of men and women in rendering this fine novel.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2024", "date_added": "15-Sep-2024 23:11:24", "publisher": "Gemini Originals", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014819007", "title": "The Once and Future Idiot", "author": "Adam D. Jones", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 60, "review": "\u201cAdventure awaits! Follow court inquisitor Erlin as he is sent to investigate a murder with the King\u2019s idiot of a son. From silly banter to assassins in wait to sword-action scenes, readers will love this fast-paced fantasy adventure. The Once and Future Idiot is perfect for fans of The Princess Bride and The NeverEnding Story.\u201d \u2014Kathryn Dare, Portland Book Review", "issue": "September 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Sep-2024 23:08:43", "publisher": "Archgate Press", "page_count": "407 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000014814011", "title": "Manga Biographies: Charles M. Schulz The Creator of Snoopy and Peanuts", "author": "Yuzuru Kuki", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 186, "review": "Charles M. Schulz, also known as Sparky, as his family would call him, was the creator of Snoopy and the Peanuts commics. Charles Schulz loved comics and drawing ever since he was a young boy. Encouraged by his mother, Dena, to pursue his love of art and comics, he signed up for a cartooning class. There, he met his close friends\u2014Charlie Brown and Linus, whom Schulz based his famous Peanuts comics on. Schulz was a prolific illustrator, drawing new comic strips every single day until his last publication prior to his death.

This was a very sweet and cutely illustrated brief overview of Charles Schulz\u2019s life that spans his career and personal life. Charles Schulz was a hardworking and humble artist and an attentive and caring father. He was extremely dedicated to his work because he took his first vacation when he was seventy-five years old. I am amazed and in awe at how hardworking Schulz was. His time in the military really taught him so much discipline and hard work. I recommend this manga biography to Peanuts fans and anyone who enjoys a good biography.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2024", "date_added": "13-Sep-2024 21:24:01", "publisher": "Udon Entertainment", "page_count": "168 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014810007", "title": "Giga Town: The Guide to Manga Iconography", "author": "Fumiyo Kouno", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Helen Vernier", "word_count": 156, "review": "Have you ever wondered what the symbols, like a sweat drip or a snot bubble, mean while reading manga? Look no further than Giga Town: A Guide to Manga Iconography by Fumiyo Kouno. This guide will explain all the icons, symbols, and expressions that are commonly found in manga.

This iconography will introduce you to over a hundred manga symbols. I like reading manga, but I never even realized there were so many of these icons and symbols. Most of the symbols are self-explanatory like the single leaf and wind squiggle signals a wind woosh. I am familiar with the sweat icon and the wind icon because I\u2019ve noticed these in manga that I\u2019ve read.

It was really helpful learning about all these different symbols. I definitely want to go reread some of my favorite manga to see how many of these symbols I can spot. I recommend this picture dictionary of symbols to manga readers.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "11-Nov-2024", "date_added": "13-Sep-2024 21:10:04", "publisher": "Udon Entertainment", "page_count": "132 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014804007", "title": "Freelancers of Neptune (1) (Sol Blazers) ", "author": "Jacob Holo", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 193, "review": "The future of humanity is living amongst the planets of the solar system in impressive habitats and other structures built long ago by a group of people who are no longer on scene. While these impressive structures continue to operate, the rest of humanity is thrust into a perilous existence of freelance jobs to stay afloat and survive in the harsh environment. Saturn no longer has its rings and Earth is a distant memory.

Nathaniel Kade is a captain of one such freelancing ship. He dreams of a quiet job which will pay him enough money to repair his ship, provide some security and perhaps a chance to settle down. But that dream will disappear when he runs into a Vessani S\u2019Kaari, a catgirl, who is one a mission to find long lost technology which could improve the lives of everyone. Hot on their tail are space pirates and a group which wants to keep this technology secret.

A fairly decent hard science fiction space romp. Plenty of action, space clones and large space ships. At times the descriptions of the ships, its technology, and how things operate sometimes district from the action.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "12-Sep-2024 23:21:58", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014799007", "title": "The Trade Off: A Novel", "author": "Samantha Greene Woodruff", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 211, "review": "The Trade Off is the best book I've read all year. This is saying a lot since I finish about four books per week, and it's November. Author Samantha Green Woodruff once again displays her gift of intertwining actual historical events and people with realistic and relatable fiction elements. Her first book, The Lobotomist's Wife, blew me away, and like it, The Trade Off pulled me in with its amazing, inspiring, strong main character, Bea Abramovitz. This book takes place in the years before the great stock market crash of 1929 and leads up to the crash. Bea, a Russian Jewish woman in her early twenties and the daughter of immigrants aspires to become a stockbroker. She has the brain for it and can make calculations and predictions faster and more accurately than any man she's met. Unfortunately, during that time in history, women could not become stockbrokers. As the crash comes closer, she tries to warn everyone around her of an impending crash, but it seems like no one will believe her.

This book is fantastic from cover to cover. The build-up to the crash will have readers' hearts pumping in anticipation of what will happen to Bea and her family. The Trade Off is a truly magnificent and inspiring work.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2024", "date_added": "12-Sep-2024 00:18:36", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "383 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000014798015", "title": "Two Little Red Mittens", "author": "Kirin Hayashi, Chiaki Okada, Avery Fischer Udagawa", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 196, "review": "Two red mittens are enjoying their life together on the hands of a young girl during the wintertime. They enjoy helping her build snowmen, play in the snow, and throw snowballs, all the while keeping her hands warm. One day, one of the mittens goes missing. The remaining mitten misses its friend and wonders what happened to the other mitten. The lost mitten goes on an adventure, meeting many different types of animals and families. During the process, it becomes ripped and worn and looks nothing like a mitten anymore. Eventually, it finds its way to a squirrel who turns into a comfy sweater. At the end of the story, the mitten who stayed with the girl sees its friend and realizes it is all right, while a new red mitten has joined him on his quest to keep the girl\u2019s hand warm and comfy.

This poetic book examines changes that can occur to people when they venture out into the world, and for the better, while at the same time helping young readers learn to understand rhyme, as the book is largely made up of rhymes. This is the perfect wintertime read with your child.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "27-Jan-2025", "date_added": "12-Sep-2024 00:24:31", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014796007", "title": "Death Stake (Trasker)", "author": "Andrew Mayne", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 194, "review": "In Death Stake, we rejoin Brad Trasker, who has been retired from the intelligence arena for a while. He currently works as head of security for an aerospace facility after an incident last year. When photos of the engine they are designing are leaked online, Brad investigates. What he finds leads him to a start-up in Bangkok, where the programmers have all gone missing and possibly murdered. It will take all of Brad\u2019s skills, and some friends, to find out what really happened. That is, if he can find anyone to trust in the ever-changing world of spy craft.

I am a huge fan of Andrew Mayne, but I will say this, his characters all tend to sound the same. Whether they are magicians turned FBI agents, scientists, spies or underwater investigators, there isn\u2019t a lot of character diversity. If you enjoy spy stories, this is a great book for you. Trasker isn\u2019t my favorite series, I\u2019d have to go with old Theo Cray there, and most of the spy stuff goes over my head. However, it is action-packed and one thing you can count on with Mayne, is that justice will be served.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "12-Nov-2024", "date_added": "11-Sep-2024 23:44:04", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "315 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014794007", "title": "Lenny Among Ghosts", "author": "Frank Maria Reifenberg, Thilo Krapp, Rachel Reynolds", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 12", "word_count": 191, "review": "Lenny Among Ghosts is a decently cool book. Imagine being the only human kid in a ghost school: sounds scary, right? But the creepy and weird keep things interesting.

Lenny gets dropped off at this creepy castle school by his totally oblivious parents while they go on some research trip. (Parents, am I right?) From the moment he arrives, everything is cray-cray. There are invisible pirates, floating ghost maidens, and these crazy fog beasts that grab him when he tries to escape. Lenny sure gets into a lot of trouble!

The book is more spooky than silly, which I liked, but I prefer books with more silly. The fact that it's a translated book is interesting; I've never read a translated book before, and now I totally want to read more. I\u2019m not too sure about the ending, it felt like a bit of a letdown, but overall I liked the book.

If you like weird school stories with ghosts, strange creatures, and a main character who's both brave and hilarious, this book is 100% for you! Definitely recommended for kids who love a little mystery and a lot of adventure.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "07-Jan-2025", "date_added": "12-Sep-2024 00:06:05", "publisher": "Brilliance Audio", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014790003", "title": "How Do You Become a Mad Scientist?: A Book Full of Science Experiments", "author": "Madeline J Hayes, Srimalie Bassani", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 115, "review": "What is a mad scientist? How exactly does one become mad at being a scientist? How to Become a Mad Scientist is a fun book to read during Halloween. This book is full of experiments to try so you can feel like a mad scientist! My favorite part of this book is the \"How to Make Your Slime\" experiment. It also explains why you can make slime with glue and saline combined to make a polymer.

The best part of this book is not only the information but also the illustrations, which help us better understand the materials we need and the steps needed to become mad scientists and complete our own experiments at home.", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "07-Nov-2024", "date_added": "10-Sep-2024 20:41:43", "publisher": "Flowerpot Press", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014789007", "title": "How Do You Look Like You?: A Book About Genetics", "author": "Victoria Rea, Srimalie Bassani", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 139, "review": "How Do You Look Like You is a book that goes into the many reasons that make up humans and how we have traits based on the genetics we acquire from our families. Did you know that while most of your traits come from your parents, some may also come from grandparents or great-grandparents, depending on which traits are dominant.

This is always a fun series to read. It answers so many questions and is jam-packed with information. This book is good for helping with school projects.

The best part of this book is the information and the pictures that help make up a better understanding of our genetics and what makes us look like ourselves. The illustrations are so colorful and fun. The text is informative yet easy to read. I look forward to more books in this series.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "13-Nov-2024", "date_added": "10-Sep-2024 20:42:30", "publisher": "Flowerpot Press", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015051003", "title": "Cookie Time", "author": "Jessie Sima", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 178, "review": "In Cookie Time, Kat and Ari make cookies with Grandpa but just can\u2019t wait for them to finish baking. So, they build a time machine to jump forward in time to when the cookies are done. Well, that is the plan, but things keep going wrong. They end up in the future after all the cookies are eaten, then jump to the past when they were little children having the perfect day baking with Grandpa. When they try again, they end up in a distant, futuristic time with cookies but without Grandpa. Finally, they return to where they started. While waiting for the cookies to finish, Kat and Ari enjoyed the time outside with Grandpa. Soon, the cookies are done and prove worth the wait.

This book is a wonderfully imaginative romp that may well spur some young imaginations to make their own time machines. It also recognizes the preciousness of quiet moments doing simple things like baking cookies with a grandparent. Indeed, Cookie Time would make a great choice to read while a batch of homemade cookies bake.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "07-Jan-2025", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 21:25:08", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015047015", "title": "Find Me as the Creature I Am: Poems", "author": "Emily Jungmin Yoon", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Dillion Allen-Perez", "word_count": 184, "review": "After reading this book, I\u2019m going to start all my work messages with the following: \u201cI hope this email finds you as the creature you are.\u201d

There is a lot of humanity in these poems. Then again, \u201chumanity\u201d may not be the correct word because there is compassion for all living beings in Emily Jungmin Yoon\u2019s poetry. There is also a tension between collectivism and individuality\u2014freedom and what it means to fight for personal freedoms as part of a connected \u201ccommunity.\u201d By the last page, Yoon\u2019s poetry has made you think, but\u2014more importantly\u2014it has made you feel. Also important: it is easy to read.

Sitting down with this book is like sitting with a new friend, but somehow, it feels like you have shared past lifetimes full of experiences together. It feels like you just met, and you have finally met again after too much time has gone by. Neither of you wants to leave. So, you will stay seated, determined to get to wherever a conversation ends\u2014whatever \u201celsewhere\u201d that is, as Yoon might describe it. You will finish the book, and it will finish you.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2025", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 21:04:54", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015043015", "title": "Alfie Explores A to Z: A Seek-and-Find Adventure (A Look-and-Locate Library Adventure)", "author": "Jeff Drew", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 201, "review": "In Alfie Explores A to Z, an adventurous bookworm named Alfie searches for his pet dust bunny, Betty, through the alphabet. Each letter receives a two-page spread. The first page contains a clever rhyme that lists objects starting with the given letter. The second page offers a conglomeration of objects, including those mentioned in the rhyme. Readers search for Alfie, Betty, and the listed items, along with dozens of unusual objects and caricatures, all starting with the given letter.

As a seek-and-find adventure, many children will enjoy the challenge of finding Alfie and Betty on each spread and looking for some of the items listed in the rhyme. However, this book is marketed as appropriate for children between the ages of four and eight. The answer key at the back of the book contains over 1000 objects to be found in each spread, many of which young children cannot identify and may find frustrating. For example, the letter A contains an aspen tree and an Abyssinian cat. While this book will provide some amusement and a clever introduction to the alphabet, many children and possibly some adults will struggle to identify a portion of the objects in the pictures correctly.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2025", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 22:15:16", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015041101", "title": "Full Moon Confessions", "author": "Tracey Anne", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 82, "review": "\"Full Moon Confessions by Tracey Anne is a gorgeously written collection of poetry that is as enticing to the senses as it is a balm to the soul. Full of entrancing imagery of the natural world, Tracey Anne\u2019s prose flows effortlessly across the pages, enveloping the reader\u2019s awareness in the universal ebb and flow of the seasons of life. This lyrically powerful volume of confessions is sure to please lovers of nature in any phase of life.\" \u2014Beatrice Toothman, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Oct-2024 01:38:08", "publisher": "Literary Revelations Publishing", "page_count": "131 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015041089", "title": "The Slick Strategy a Unique Profitable Options Trading Method", "author": "Paul Caselli", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 430, "review": "Options trading is high risk, and most options expire worthless. It is more profitable to sell options (and let them expire worthless) than it would be to buy options and hope for a win. This book aims to exploit one such strategy for successful options trading.

The first chapter provides an introduction to options: their characteristics, types, the risks and returns, and variables influencing option price. The book focuses on index options as the strategy described in later chapters is specific to S&P 500 options. The chapter ends with providing a thumbnail sketch of seven popular options trading strategies.

The second chapter reveals the preferred strategy. It is a bull put spread. The chapter starts by rejecting various strategies and introduces a textbook bull put spread. It then offers modifications to the traditional bull put to reduce risk. The chapter ends by providing summary results using the strategy from 2014 to 2023 \u2013 ten years of back-testing.

The third chapter outlines the mechanics of executing the trade. This is to ensure that the strategy is implemented as intended. The intent of a two-leg strategy (such as the bull put spread) is that both legs are executing simultaneously. If there is a delay, then it opens up the possibility of market conditions turning against the strategy, hence exposing the position to greater risk. This chapter is not as clear as other parts of the book are. However, there is a link to a You Tube video which focuses on trade execution. The video clarifies ambiguities that may arise from reading this chapter.

The last two chapters focus on making data-driven decisions and trusting the analysis (i.e., not letting emotions influence trade decisions), and validating the back-testing. While the strategy and execution are well outlined, I would like to see greater detail in the actual back-testing: specific returns per week, which weeks were non-trade weeks, were there weeks when the position was closed early (and what specifically were the indicators).

I like that the strategy has been back-tested, and that the suggested modifications have also been back-tested and their results presented. The strategy is indeed simple to follow and implement. I also like that the book encourages readers to do their own back-testing, and provides suggestions to migrate from paper trading to actual trading, and ramping up gradually. Beyond S&P 500, can the strategy be applied to other stocks? This question is not adequately addressed. Considerations to go from weekly trading to daily trading are also not entertained.

Overall, it is an excellent book for beginners to get started in options trading.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 18:44:17", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "104 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015041081", "title": "The Fall", "author": "Brian Penn", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 62, "review": "\"The Fall by Brian Penn explores themes of identity, freedom, and resilience, set against a vividly depicted dystopian backdrop. With intricate character development and an immersive storyline, it draws readers into a wild journey filled with suspense and revelation. Penn's masterful storytelling and rich prose make this a compelling read for fans of complex, layered fiction.\u201d \u2014Kyle Eaton, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 18:14:15", "publisher": "Ink Penn LLC", "page_count": "303 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015041073", "title": "The Fallen", "author": "Mike Sullivan", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 513, "review": "I was intrigued by The Fallen\u2019s outlandish premise and audacious attempt to mirror current political figures\u2014most notably, a President named Malcolm Draven who is a thinly veiled caricature of Donald Trump. While the storyline is undeniably bold, even fascinating in parts, the execution left me both exhausted and frustrated.

The novel tries to juggle a sprawling cast of characters, from the newly introduced Secret Service agents Brian McDougal and Mike Earp (yes, Earp, as in Wyatt) to the President\u2019s embattled personal physician Dr. Harold Ziegler and scheming advisor Leonard Ehrlich. Each subplot has potential, yet none are fully realized because the book can\u2019t seem to decide whose story it wants to tell. Instead, it tries to tell everyone\u2019s\u2014at once\u2014and the result is a narrative that meanders, loses focus, and overstays its welcome in many scenes.

One of the most unusual and potentially provocative elements\u2014the discovery of an ovary in President Draven\u2019s groin\u2014is handled in a way that feels more like tabloid fodder than thoughtful commentary. Rather than explore the psychological or political implications in depth, the plot veers into the absurd: a body double (Jim Marist) is recruited, physically altered, and placed at Camp David to cover for the President while the real Draven is hidden away in a secret location. Cue mayhem.

Unfortunately, the absurdity isn't balanced with tight writing or wit. Instead, the book gets bogged down in trivial descriptions\u2014how characters chew their food, what they're wearing (with references to luxury brands that are often misspelled, like \u201cLouie Vatan\u201d instead of Louis Vuitton), and even the way someone walks across a room. These unnecessary details slow the pacing to a crawl and make what should be high-stakes scenes feel tedious.

Grammar, spelling, and continuity errors further erode the story\u2019s credibility. Several characters are introduced with one name and later reappear with their name spelled differently or with the wrong first name paired to a last name. Even the President\u2019s name, Malcolm Draven, is written several times as \u201cMalcom\u201d instead. This includes the back cover blurb. Words like \u201cprostate\u201d are misused or misspelled, and entire paragraphs read like a first draft in need of a tough editor. These issues are distracting and unprofessional, and they do a disservice to what could have been a compelling satire.

That said, the book does have moments of insight, particularly when highlighting the dangers of unchecked power and the chaos that ensues when a leader becomes increasingly unstable. Draven\u2019s outbursts, his paranoia, and his childish vendettas are at once amusing and disturbing, especially when echoed by characters who either enable or exploit him for personal gain. The scenes involving Leonard Ehrlich and his behind-the-scenes manipulation are among the most interesting, though again, they're undercut by the overcrowded plot.

In short, this book is ambitious\u2014but also bloated, inconsistent, and desperately in need of editorial discipline. The ideas are there, and the story occasionally brushes up against something meaningful, but it never quite lands. If you enjoy chaotic political drama with a satirical edge and don\u2019t mind wading through editorial rough waters, this book might satisfy your curiosity. But be warned: patience is required.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 18:08:40", "publisher": "Writersofuse", "page_count": "505 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015041069", "title": "Hang Fire", "author": "Anthony Mora", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Bradley Allen", "word_count": 75, "review": "\"Anthony Mora's Hang Fire is a captivating journey through Hollywood's chaotic world, featuring the ambitious Jerry and his more grounded friend, James. Together, they navigate the highs and lows of the entertainment industry, balancing ambition and loyalty as they pursue their dreams. With sharp dialogue and complex character dynamics, Mora crafts a narrative that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking, exploring the lengths one might go to for fame.\" \u2014Bradley Allen, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 18:04:12", "publisher": "The Royal Penny Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015041059", "title": "A Lotus to Love: Perfume, Passion and Discovery in Egypt (Places in the Heart)", "author": "Shelley Kassian", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 416, "review": "A Lotus to Love is a charming story about second chances and growth after despair. Taken on those merits, I enjoyed it a great deal, and I expect many readers will as well, especially older romance readers, who may have experienced losses of their own. I strongly considered giving it four stars, but in the end, I found portions of it too flat.

Portia Ross is a perfumer whose company intends to make a perfume inspired by Cleopatra. To do this, they must send Portia to Egypt to do some research, since Portia especially intends to ensure the perfume honors Cleopatra rather than merely appropriating her image for an easy profit.

Complicating the matter is Portia\u2019s own grief over her recently lost husband, a grief which has kept her separate from the rest of the world for months. Exactly what happened to her husband is spelled out gradually over the course of the book, and by the time it is revealed, it hardly seems to matter. What matters more is that he is dead, and that Portia\u2019s time in Egypt will not only bring her a new love but will also ease her grief.

The other side of the romantic equation is Nadir, a tour guide turned emergency Egyptologist when the scholar who would have been assigned to Portia backs out. This is fortuitous for both of them, as Nadir and Portia quickly form a bond which will turn romantic over the course of her stay in Egypt and her study of ancient perfumes.

The romance is sweet, but aside from a few tender moments and stolen kisses under moonlight, it feels rather shallow. Portia\u2019s grief and Nadir\u2019s religious convictions (he is implied to be Muslim, but it is never actually stated, even at their inevitable wedding) throw up barriers between them, but they are easily overcome.

By the end of a week in Egypt, Portia is ready to let her husband go, and while the romance is sweet rather than spicy, discussions of which of them will give up their homeland for the other feel perfunctory rather than heartfelt. (There were some botanical inaccuracies which I took issue with as well, but as those will likely only impact plant nerds, I will leave them out.)

On the whole, I do recommend this book, especially for people who want a quick, sweet read to while away a few hours with. It\u2019s not the best romance I\u2019ve read, but it was good fun, with utterly lovable characters.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "16-Jan-2025", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 17:52:30", "publisher": "SPK Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015041055", "title": "A Lotus to Love: Perfume, Passion and Discovery in Egypt (Places in the Heart)", "author": "Shelley Kassian", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 423, "review": "Portia finds herself navigating the turbulent waters of grief after the loss of her husband. As she returns to her role in the perfume industry, she is met with a mix of warmth from her colleagues and a wave of anxiety about re-entering the professional world. Just when she thinks she might have a moment to catch her breath, her boss surprises her with an unexpected assignment: a trip to Egypt. The company is in search of a unique perfume that could evoke the essence of Cleopatra, aiming to create a fresh fragrance for their next launch.

Despite her initial hesitation, Portia sees this as an opportunity\u2014a chance to escape her sorrow and immerse herself in the vibrant culture and ancient history of Egypt. As she embarks on this journey, Portia discovers not only the beauty of Egypt but also its rich history. She meets Nadir, an unofficial tour guide with a passion for archaeology. Financial constraints have prevented him from pursuing formal education in his field, but his knowledge and enthusiasm for Egyptian culture are infectious. Nadir becomes Portia\u2019s guide through the bustling markets, ancient temples, and hidden gems of Egypt, sharing insights that bring the past to life.

Their shared experiences foster a deep connection between them. As they search for the elusive scent that could capture Cleopatra's essence, Portia begins to open her heart again. What starts as a friendship blossoms into a tender romance, filled with moments of laughter and understanding. Nadir\u2019s kindness and devotion stand in stark contrast to Portia's lingering grief, providing her with a sense of hope and renewal.

The novel captures the complexities of grief beautifully through Portia's journey. She navigates various stages of mourning while being supported by her children, friends, and colleagues. The author beautifully illustrates how loss can lead to self-reflection\u2014Portia often questions what she could have done differently to save her husband and wrestles with feelings of anger at his absence. Yet, amidst this turmoil, she discovers that love can emerge from unexpected places.

While Shelley Kassian's A Lotus to Love has emotional depth and historical intrigue, it does have its shortcomings. The story lacks significant drama or suspense that often adds spice to romantic fiction. Readers may find themselves yearning for more tension between the characters. Nevertheless, the story flows smoothly, with endearing characters and an engaging plot that keeps readers invested in Portia and Nadir's journey. The author\u2019s passion for perfumery shines through as readers learn about the art and science behind creating fragrances, making the story more interesting.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2025", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 17:52:15", "publisher": "SPK Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015041047", "title": "Cake, Lemonade, and Sprinkles", "author": "Aishah Hight", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 59, "review": "\u201cYoung readers and listeners will love this story about finding your true self and loving that self. With bright, colorful illustrations, Cake, Lemonade, and Sprinkles will be sure to spark the imaginations of little ones. Author Aishah Hight has created a sweet story that children of all ages will enjoy and be inspired by.\u201d \u2014Kathryn Dare, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 17:47:23", "publisher": "Cellar of Purple LLC", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015041039", "title": "A Cowboy Christmas Carol: Tales of Buckshot Bill & Cactus Jack", "author": "Wade Chitwood", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 445, "review": "It's rare for a Christmas story and a Western to intersect, but they collide beautifully in Wade Chitwood's A Cowboy Christmas Carol: Tales of Buckshot Bill and Cactus Jack, a clever Western reimagining of the Dickens classic.

It's Christmas eve, and two old cowpokes sit beside the fire, reminiscing about Christmases past. They crave a simpler time, rocking back and forth with their Arbuckle's and peanuts. When the ranch foreman arrives and charges the two old cowboys to deliver sacks of handmade toys to the children of Busted Flats, a small ranching community, they are unable to refuse the order.

When Buckshot Bill and Cactus Jack mount up their ponies and set off into the night, neither expects the magical journey ahead. Like Scrooge, they'll be visited by various ghosts - though these spectral encounters have distinctly Western flavors. Their night is filled with terrifying and beautiful sights: Christmas ghosts haunting abandoned mines, a faithful little donkey for company, and mysterious music drifting across the desert. Neither sudden storms nor getting lost in the Arizona desert will deter these cowboys from their mission, and along the way they will discover that magic can be found in the most unexpected places in this cheer-filled, heartwarming holiday novella.

Each chapter is like reading an old serial starring the Lone Ranger, with exciting cliffhangers and derring-do. The story's charm is enhanced by its delightful artwork. The images are rich, striking a perfect balance between believability and whimsy. Each illustration captures the rugged beauty of the cowboy lifestyle and the atmosphere of a supernatural Christmas Eve.

While there is a certain amount of predictability to the story, the familiar and expected are comforting as well. Buckshot Bill and Cactus Jack are somewhat stereotypical characters from Western fiction, with their colorful language and tall tales, always laughing and giving each other a hard time. But through their supernatural encounters, they learn that in pining for simpler times, they've overlooked the beauty and possibility of both present joys and good times yet to come.

Like Dickens' original tale, this is a story of transformation, though it wears its spurs and cowboy hat. The storytelling strikes a tone reminiscent of Baxter Black or Hank the Cowdog. Author Wade Chitwood, through his engaging storytelling and artwork, captures both the heart of cowboy culture and the spirit of Christmas. This is a book to share with the whole family, reminding us that some Christmases are plentiful, and others are lean, but simple gestures well-meant make the biggest impact. For anyone in search of a unique holiday tradition or a Western Christmas story, this volume promises to be a welcomed addition to family Christmas celebrations.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "15-Dec-2024", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 17:35:05", "publisher": "Self through Amazon", "page_count": "116 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015041031", "title": "Cuttle", "author": "Chelsea Britain", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 54, "review": "\u201cAn introverted cuttlefish scientist wonders where her life is going in Author Chelsea Britain\u2019s Cuttle. Readers will love the animal facts strewn throughout the story that parallel the main character\u2019s life and her thought process in every situation she encounters. Cuttle is entertaining, relatable, and at times, humorous.\u201d \u2014Kathryn Dare, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 17:31:06", "publisher": "Bleau Press", "page_count": "275 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015041027", "title": "Cuttle", "author": "Chelsea Britain", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 62, "review": "\u201cCuttlefish, moon jellyfish, and other sea creatures, oh my! Cuttle is a beautifully written novel that includes topics such as today\u2019s dating world, what it\u2019s like to have a pushy mother, and going into shellfish anaphylaxis. Awkward and nerdy, Nora is a fun and interesting main character who will make readers chuckle with her little idiosyncrasies.\u201d \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 17:30:50", "publisher": "Bleau Press", "page_count": "275 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015041019", "title": "Into the Mist", "author": "Sharon Mikeworth", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 46, "review": "\"Equal parts chilling, haunting, and wistful. Sharon Mikeworth writes a different style of ghost story. And just like her haunted house, one doesn\u2019t know whether to be at ease or afraid. This is a story that is very original and unpredictable.\" \u2014Eric Smith, Tulsa Book Review", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 17:27:12", "publisher": "River Nation Publishing", "page_count": "371 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015041003", "title": "Finding Loretta", "author": "Diane Wheaton", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 68, "review": "\u201cI was pulled into the many layers of Finding Loretta from the very beginning. From her rocky relationship with her adoptive parents to her non-relenting search for her birth parents and blood relatives, Diane\u2019s story is that of resilience, hope, perseverance, and strength. From gutwrenching heartbreak to the relief of finally knowing one\u2019s roots, emotions run deep in this beautifully written memoir.\u201d \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "October 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Oct-2024 17:19:55", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "290 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015038003", "title": "The White Country", "author": "Boston Teran", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 419, "review": "The year is 1911 and the state of Texas has become the safe haven for Mexican refugees. Mexico has devolved into chaos amid a destructive civil war. However, the safety that the exiles feel is illusory as masked bandits have been leading coordinated attacks on Mexicans and Mexican-Americans in Texas. The most recent assault resulted in the murder of a journalist and his pregnant wife. John Lourdes is a federal agent who is well acquainted with violence and danger and his help is requested by a priest. The priest wants John to travel deep into the heart of Texas and provide protection to some locals in Laredo.

Trouble is often quick to locate John and his travel to the Rio Grande involves a deadly shootout on his train where he is quick to use deadly force when necessary. John witnesses the volatile racial strife firsthand when a funeral procession is interrupted by local thugs. John takes notice of the bravery of a young woman named Marisita who speaks up to decry the hatred shown towards both Mexican and Mexican-Americans by rabble-rousing white mobs. Shortly thereafter, John introduces himself to Marisita and her father. Father and daughter work for a local newspaper where they have been detailing the recent spate of racial violence. John begins to keep an eye on Marisita while he plans to infiltrate the organization behind the bloodshed.

John knows how treacherous playing both sides can be, but he identifies with the downtrodden and plans to deliver his own extralegal justice. The closer John gets to the leadership of the supremacist group, acts of violence begin to become commonplace. Yet, John is hellbent on carrying out his duty and protecting the young woman whom he has become fond of.

The White Country is the latest absorbing novel from talented writer Boston Teran (Creed of Violence). John Lourdes is a man who fights for the underdog, yet hides his own heritage due to the bigotry of early 20th century America. John is a man who is a product of a violent environment but only resorts to it when necessary. Despite his loathing for many of the men in \u201cThe Society\u201d, he is loath to harm a man named Cager who he has befriended. As opposed to his adversaries, Lourdes is guided by a moral compass. The tumultuous situation involving the influx of immigrants feels all the more poignant with the current day issues at the Southern border. The White Country is a powerful and moving novel about identity, justice, and tolerance.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "16-Jan-2025", "date_added": "23-Oct-2024 18:20:37", "publisher": "High Top Publishing", "page_count": "277 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015034003", "title": "How to Sleep at Night: A Novel", "author": "Elizabeth Harris", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 223, "review": "The question at the heart of Elizabeth Harris's debut novel How to Sleep at Night is this: why do we love the people we love? Is it because their worldview and politics align with our own? Is it chemical? Or do we love them because of who they make us believe we can be?

Ethan and Gabe have an enviable life, a lovely daughter, a beautiful home, and the kind of marriage others envy. That is, until Ethan decides to run for Congress as a Republican. His views have always been more conservative than Gabe's, but now their marriage will be tested. How much can Gabe take of Ethan's Republican rhetoric before it seems their entire marriage is at stake?

Gabe's good friend from college, Nicole, feels disconnected from her queer self. She's been married to a man for years and has two wonderful children, but wonders if she has an identity outside their marriage. When she reconnects with her ex Kate, a journalist and Ethan's sister, the darkness she's been living in becomes illuminated.

Morality and ethics are all over this novel. Is Kate's attraction to Nicole--a married woman--a hangover from their prior relationship or something real? Should Gabe compromise his values to support Ethan? When politicians are corrupt, who pays the price?

Timely and well crafted, How to Sleep at Night is a thought-provoking read.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "05-May-2025", "date_added": "18-Oct-2024 20:09:40", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015032003", "title": "Is It Real? The Loch Ness Monster", "author": "Candace Fleming", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 167, "review": "Have you ever wondered if the Legend of the Loch Ness Monster is real? This book is packed full of information to help you make an educated guess on whether it is real. The story starts with a sighting in 1933, although the legend has been around for a long time. This book shows evidence of pictures of a horse or a washed-up whale that all seem to have been mistaken for a Loch Ness Monster, or perhaps that is the conclusion they came to because there is so little evidence of something everyone believes that lurks under the sea.

The information in the book is great, and I especially like the part where it helps you to determine if you are seeing the evidence as presented or if it is something else because it is easy for the brain to see what it is told to see in old shadowy photos. Read this book to know if you can decide if it is just a folk tale.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "25-Mar-2025", "date_added": "18-Oct-2024 20:07:19", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015031011", "title": "The Containment: Detroit, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for Racial Justice in the North", "author": "Michelle Adams", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 189, "review": "In 1954, the Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in the case of Brown v. Board of Education, which ruled segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. The integration of schools in the South would proceed in a laborious process, as Jim Crow still maintained a stranglehold. However, a series of cases would develop in the 1960s and 1970s in the North, which illustrated that segregation existed above the Mason-Dixon Line. In the case of Bradley v Milliken (1970), the segregation of Detroit schools would be challenged, particularly concerning how discriminatory housing policies enabled inequality in education. However, the verdict would be appealed to the Supreme Court, where a more conservative and constructionist court overruled the initial ruling. In the decades since, the impact of Brown has been watered down with subsequent judicial challenges (Parents Involved v Seattle, 2006).

The Containment is an overarching and provocative study of how equality in education continues to be fought for in the United States through the courts, legislatures, and the media. Author Michelle Adams has written a riveting work that is both scholarly and yet also impassioned. This book is an important historical work.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "21-May-2025", "date_added": "18-Oct-2024 20:48:28", "publisher": "Farrar Straus & Giroux", "page_count": "528 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015030015", "title": "The Daily Tao: 365 Meditations on the Tao Te Ching", "author": "William Martin", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 221, "review": "The Daily Tao by William Martin is a collection of one year\u2019s worth of meditative readings about Laozi\u2019s Tao Te Ching. Written in 300 BC, the Tao has endured among the preeminent texts explaining Eastern traditions of self-knowledge and mastery. Taoist teacher and Qigong practitioner William Martin offers essential teachings from the classic text of Chinese philosophy, spirituality, and moral guidance. In the book, Martin provides an overview of Eastern thought and his approach to making it relevant in everyday life. By emphasizing the lessons of stillness and being in the present moment, Martin compiles a thoughtful collection of meditative prompts beneficial to anyone seeking guidance for self-reflection and ease.

I have been a student of Buddhism for almost twenty years. In my evolving understanding of Mahayana Buddhism, I have come to understand the impact of the Tao Te Ching on how China adopted the precepts of Buddhism in its cultural contexts. However, one does not need to understand Chinese history and philosophy to derive meaning, strength, and inspiration from The Daily Tao. Martin's deep knowledge of the wisdom of the Tao is evident in his ability to explain its value to readers from all backgrounds. The author\u2019s daily practice of compassion and mindfulness is apparent in the approachability of the text, which is suitable for readers of diverse spiritual persuasions.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "07-Jan-2025", "date_added": "18-Oct-2024 20:29:39", "publisher": "Hachette Books", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015029003", "title": "Low-Hanging Fruit: Sparkling Whines, Champagne Problems, and Pressing Issues from My Gay Agenda", "author": "Randy Rainbow", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 159, "review": "Randy Rainbow\u2019s quick wit and irreverence have delighted many of us during these uncertain times. In this, his second book, he continues the put downs, complaints, and observations in a nonstop barrage of cleverness. At times, these pronouncements become very personal and revelatory. It is almost too much to take in and when it is, he is quick to speak to his reader and agree with our thoughts.

Rainbow is an uncensored entertainer. Because he is harder on himself than any of his targets, he is unlikely to offend any but the most thin skinned. In one chapter entitled 'Gurl, You\u2019re a Karen, he takes on that very thin skinned complainer, but ultimately turns the complaining title on himself. It is a fun book. At a time when we need light heartedness and merrymaking, Rainbow is perfectly positioned to provide both.

The book itself is a thing of beauty; nicely bound with colorful vintage wallpaper designs on the frontispiece.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2024", "date_added": "18-Oct-2024 19:47:08", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015026007", "title": "Hyo the Hellmaker", "author": "Mina Ikemoto Ghosh", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 200, "review": "The Island of Onogoro is a safe haven, virtually a paradise where gods and humans coexist peacefully. But there are secrets lurking around every corner and Hyo is here to uncover them all! When she and her brother arrive for a job, only to find their friend missing and possibly cursed, they will stop at nothing to find the truth. And no god, man, or demon will stop them.

A fantasy murder mystery set in a world inspired by Japanese mythology? Yes, please. The characters are all unique and have their own groups and motivates and every character has a purpose, no matter how little time they actually have on the page. There are multiple mysteries going on at the same time, sometimes it was difficult to keep track of who's who and what clue goes to what mystery, but the further I read the more it made sense. I really enjoyed reading this, but it was hard to get through because of that.

The world is rich, interesting, and thought out, sometimes a little too much. A lot of the beginning was world building, some of it unnecessary. There is some cussing and occasionally gruesome, but not really violent.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "06-May-2025", "date_added": "18-Oct-2024 20:05:56", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015020007", "title": "I Am Legend", "author": "Richard Matheson", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 189, "review": "In I Am Legend, we meet Robert Neville, who is the last living man on Earth after a vampire pandemic takes out everyone else. Over the course of a few years, Robert works to try to find a cure while ceaselessly being hunted by the undead. A new society begins to form from the remnants of humanity and Robert will have to figure out what his place is in this new world.

Besides the main story, this book also contains ten other stories from Richard Matheson, all dealing with the macabre and mostly undead. Some are bit weird and not terribly scary, but others, such as \u201cPrey\u201d, are terrifying. Give me vampires and zombies all day, but throw in an evil doll and I won\u2019t sleep at night. I thought \u201cThe Near Departed\u201d was hilarious in a dark humor sort of way.

Overall, if you\u2019ve ever read Matheson\u2019s works before or if you enjoy scary stories, full of vampires and monsters, this book is for you. I highly recommend it before you go watch the sequel to Will Smith\u2019s version as it\u2019s supposed to more similar to Matheson\u2019s version.", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "26-Nov-2024", "date_added": "17-Oct-2024 21:27:06", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015019003", "title": "Where Shadows Meet: A Novel", "author": "Patrice Caldwell", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 196, "review": "One thousand years ago, the gods were restless. Thana, the princess, had fallen in love with Favre, an outcast. When her father refuses her choice of witch as mate, Thana kills him to keep the crown and her love, even if it means becoming a blood drinker. In the present, Leyla works hard to earn not only her inheritance as future queen of the vampires but also her mother\u2019s approval.

When her personal guard and best friend is taken, she is at war with herself: save Danai or act as the queen she will be and look out for the good of all. She can\u2019t keep living if Danai dies for her so she enlists Najja, a messenger of fate and an eternal enemy, who is younger, and prettier than expected, but Najja knows the sins of the past will come to haunt those in the present.

The beautiful cover hides a really disappointing book. Alternating points of view between two time periods and three characters makes it very challenging to track. Characters ruled by their self-interests and excessive info dumping also takes away from what could have been a promising sapphic tale. Skip this one.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2025", "date_added": "17-Oct-2024 20:21:45", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000015016011", "title": "Billy the Kid: The War for Lincoln County", "author": "Ryan C Coleman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 213, "review": "Life isn\u2019t easy in New Mexico; outlaws and swindlers are around every corner. Billy's just a kid, but even he knows to watch his back and not trust anyone, even those who seem to be friends. When his partnership with the outlaws known as The Boys goes sour, Billy finds a friend and mentor in someone he really can trust. Until he\u2019s murdered. With nothing left to lose, Billy sets out for revenge.

I wanted to put this book down after the first three chapters, mostly because of the writing style, there was very little showing and lots of telling that I got board of. The timeline is confusing, usually there's dates when the story jumps back and forth, but there are times in the beginning explaining Billy's past that don't. It didn't help that there are so many characters to keep track of and the point-of-view changes to most of them at some point.

Every woman is treated as an object who's in love with Billy, part of the plot and why one of the other characters hates him is all because of a woman who's taken a liking to Billy. The plot is good, but I spent most of the time confused on who and when and where things were happening.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2024", "date_added": "17-Oct-2024 21:09:47", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "1.5"} {"id": "425035000015016003", "title": "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls", "author": "Grady Hendrix", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Alex Telander", "word_count": 197, "review": "This is the story of a group of wayward girls at Wellwood House in St. Augustine, Florida. What makes them \u201cwayward,\u201d you ask? Well, it\u2019s because they\u2019re anywhere from thirteen to sixteen and they\u2019re all a number of months pregnant. It\u2019s the summer of 1970, and they\u2019ve all been sent away to give birth, have their babies fostered away, and then return to their normal teenage lives. Except the next six months will be anything but normal, as they are treated by the staff of Wellwood like sub-humans who made life\u2019s greatest mistake and must suffer accordingly for it.

And yet, while they grow bigger and perhaps grow meeker, our main character Fern is given a book by the library, a strange, slim occult book with a collection of spells and rules for magic. The strange thing is the book keeps changing, with new spells showing up as their thoughts of witchcraft change.

You will fall in love with the girls in Witchcraft for Wayward Girls and care about them deeply, and that is Grady Hendrix\u2019s goal. Because they were shunned by society, often through no fault of their own, and now they get to have their stories told.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2025", "date_added": "17-Oct-2024 20:12:57", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015015003", "title": "Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine", "author": "Seth Fishman, Mark Fearing", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 158, "review": "Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine is about trying to fix the past but realizing that things should happen naturally. Brandon, a less-than-average student, uses his smarts and creates a time machine to fix his grades initially. When Brandons from various timelines meet, it's not surprising they don't get along; it's hard to get along with someone similar to yourself. Brandon learns to focus on making the right decision in the moment instead of relying on the chance to go back to correct it.

I enjoyed this story because it's a lot of fantasy (time travel); he goes back to see dinosaurs, meets famous people, and learns lessons from his wild and crazy adventures. Any kid will relate to things Brandon does and sees during his travels. The text is easy to read and understand. The illustrations are bright and colorful and catch your eye. Kids of any age will enjoy this story from start to finish.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2024", "date_added": "17-Oct-2024 20:01:11", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015011007", "title": "A Day With Mousse", "author": "Claire Lebourg, Sophie Lewis", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 190, "review": "Mousse lives in a sweet little cottage by the sea. Each day, Mousse takes a stroll on the beach and swims in the cool seawater. Later, as the tide rolls into his cottage, and when it is gone, Mousse collects the treasures the sea has left for him. He has quite a business listing his treasures online and selling them to people all over. But this day, when Mousse returns from collecting, he finds a visitor, a walrus named Barnacle, in his chair eating one of his cookies! Then Barnacle becomes ill. Mousse, a kind creature, cares for Barnacle until he is well enough to leave, and Mousse can return to his solitary life. Until he gets a big surprise.

Claire Lebourg is both author and illustrator of this chapter book (translated by Sophie Lewis), the first in a series about Mousse, a creature who looks like a combination of a mole and a striped sock. The story is silly and sweet and yet compelling for emerging readers. The illustrations are so much fun and complete the story perfectly. Youngsters learning to be independent readers will love this book and series.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "09-Jan-2025", "date_added": "17-Oct-2024 20:02:55", "publisher": "Transit Books", "page_count": "88 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015010019", "title": "Indiginerds", "author": "Alina Pete", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - age 14", "word_count": 186, "review": "Indiginerds is a varied collection of modern stories told by Indigenous authors and illustrators. The range of stories deal with themes of love, mental health, representation, gaming and digital media. The graphic novel has stories that are autobiographical, sci-fi, romance, and non-fiction so there is a story for everyone.

This is the perfect read to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. I recently watched Reservation Dogs, and I appreciated the story, \u201cMissed Pow Wow Connection\u201d and \u201cSaving Throws\u201d because it reminded me of the show. I really enjoyed \u201cDorvan V\u201d because I love that there is an Indigenous Renaissance and that the author got to write an Indigenous sci-fi story that represents their people. It was also one of the better developed stories.

I wished that some of the stories were longer because some of the stories were really short and rather forgettable because the stories and characters didn\u2019t get a chance to develop. The cover art is so sparkly, and I really like the purple hue of the cover. I recommend this graphic novel to anyone who is interested in learning more about Indigenous stories. Skoden!", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2024", "date_added": "17-Oct-2024 20:39:39", "publisher": "Iron Circus Comics", "page_count": "120 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015009011", "title": "Justice for Marcus Garvey", "author": "Julius Garvey, Ta-Nehisi Coates", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 239, "review": "Political activist Marcus Garvey established the foundation for Black nationalism, the unwavering belief in true liberation for the Pan-African diaspora. For far too long, Garvey\u2019s legacy has been tainted by his conviction for mail fraud, which caused him to be imprisoned in the United States during the Jim Crow era. Justice for Marcus Garvey, edited by his son, Dr. Julius Garvey, is a collection of essays from social justice activists, legal historians, and Black scholars voicing a renewed interest in securing the posthumous pardon of the elder Garvey. Each essay reflects the author's deep regard and respect for Garvey's influence, incorporating personal reflections about his enduring bequest on the movement toward freedom.

Controversy follows all changemakers. In his day, Garvey dared to topple white supremacy by asserting pride in Black culture and heritage. Garvey was an influential figure who spurred Black resistance against oppression in antebellum regimes. Because of his oppositional views on integration, Garvey was targeted by political enemies who had a different vision of Black progress.

I have been aware of the critiques of Garvey\u2019s radical take on race relations, which included harsh critiques of assimilation and mixed-race peoples. As a non-Black racial equity advocate, I learned new information about Garvey\u2019s legacy from the perspective of scholars who offered a different take on certain aspects of his reputation. Reading Justice for Marcus Garvey, I understood how his influence remains relevant in our contemporary struggle for racial justice.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "07-Jan-2025", "date_added": "17-Oct-2024 21:18:02", "publisher": "Augsburg Fortress Publishers", "page_count": "238 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015008019", "title": "America Fantastica: A Novel ", "author": "Tim O'Brien", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 203, "review": "Boyd Halverson\u2019s life was going nowhere. Once a star journalist, now a manager at JCPenney, he was stuck in a rut. Boyd\u2019s need to do something different became robbing a small-town bank and taking the teller, Angie Bing, as a hostage. Now, on the run, Boyd sought out the man who destroyed his life. The robbery was a spur of the moment, but payback was intentional. The authorities never come. Boyd robbed the only bank that was run by criminals, more despicable than he is. Chaos ensues as the pair are being pursued by hitmen, a jealous lover, and ex-cons. Crime of the century, it is not. Crimes of hilarity, very much so.

America Fantastica is a contemporary crime novel by award-winning author Tim O\u2019Brien. O\u2019Brien\u2019s wit takes center stage in the deeply satirical, dark, humorous drive drama. Adding to the overall absurdity of this novel is the tragically troubled cast of characters. O\u2019Brien\u2019s characters represent America itself. From greed to the obsession with guns, the characters do more than play a part. Collectively, they define the sickness of our society. America Fantastica is more than a character-driven, fast-paced thrill ride. Tim O\u2019Brien takes a satirical stab at America in his darkly hilarious novel.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2025", "date_added": "17-Oct-2024 21:56:48", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015007019", "title": "The Headhunter's Granddaughter", "author": "Terry Iwanski", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 395, "review": "Pedo (whose name means \u201cI see the moon\u201d) was born and raised in the jungles of Borneo. After escaping an abusive relationship with her uncle, she builds a life for herself, first as a live-in nanny and then as a hairstylist. She falls for boys, has a child, and never forgets the family she left behind, especially the grandfather who raised her in her earliest years, named her, and told her stories of fighting Japanese soldiers in World War II.

Then, she meets Terry Iwanski, an American vacationing in Malaysia. He will be the one to bring the greatest change to her life.

The Headhunter\u2019s Granddaughter is told through Pedo\u2019s voice and perspective, but it bears Iwanski\u2019s name as the author. Because of this, it can be difficult for readers to tell how many of the thoughts are hers and how many have been altered or translated by Iwanski\u2019s writing style. Not having read anything else by Iwanksi, I can\u2019t say, but the thought occurred to me several times as I read the book, and I felt it pertinent to bring up in the review.

Taken as a memoir, it is an interesting book and an enjoyable read. It never turns into a travelogue, though Pedo travels back and forth between the United States and Southeast Asia. Instead, the focus remains on Pedo herself, her life and choices, and especially on how hard she is willing to fight to get what she wants. The narration gives her a strong voice filled with attitude and humor that will delight readers. The events of her life may not have been world-shaping, but they did shape her world, which still makes them worthwhile to read about.

Though I enjoyed the book, I couldn\u2019t give it a full five stars. The story itself is compelling, but the writing style shows weaknesses at times. It is quick-paced, rushing through years with only brief descriptions of what happened. Some chapters are closer to being summaries than to relating full events. Most of the people in Pedo\u2019s life feel flat, as though they only exist to pop in and out occasionally. Sometimes, it feels more breezy than biographical.

That isn\u2019t always a drawback. People who enjoy the breezier style of memoirs will also enjoy this book. It simply won\u2019t appeal to those who are looking for books that focus on travel or that have many detailed descriptions.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "17-Oct-2024 00:30:49", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015007015", "title": "The Headhunter's Granddaughter", "author": "Terry Iwanski", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 400, "review": "In November 1959, in the jungle of Borneo, a child named Pedo was born and destined to live a life worth learning from. However, due to her family's poverty, she was given to her single uncle to assist him as needed. Suffering from physical abuse and neglect, she sought every possible way to escape and gain her independence. Having a loving grandfather provided her with emotional support (an area she was desperately lacking), helping her to navigate life with her uncle. As a young teenager on her own, Pedo had to mature quickly, facing both struggles and triumphs that shaped her desires, needs, thoughts, and unique perspective. Her experience living in Borneo and surrounding areas will give readers insight into differing societies and cultures. Reading Headhunter's Granddaughter will offer insight into the reasoning behind varying priorities and events, particularly compared to Western and more developed cultures.

Recalling history and recounting for others can bring about subjective feelings (vulnerable, embarrassing, humbling) depending on one's honesty, recollection, and peace with the event(s). Pedo's recollection and her husband Iwanski's presentation are seemingly unabridged; she is presentably secure in herself and at peace with the good and bad that has happened. Pedo's story would not be appropriate for younger readers as there are many sexual scenes throughout the book. The scenes are generally not graphic or lengthy, but there is enough description to understand what is happening; they allow the reader to empathize with Pedo about her desire, attraction, and respect for her husband. It shows a relationship in all its realistic glory- positive and negative. The book shows the effects of trauma and how they will vary depending on the person and traumatic event; it also shows the evil and kindness in humanity. It shows how one can create self-confidence and recreate themselves using a blank canvas, regardless of past events.

Pedo's life contains stories showcasing themes of adventure, perseverance, loyalty, and love (maternal, familial, and romantic), offering valuable lessons to readers. Despite facing culture shock and language barriers, Pedo was determined to make a better life for herself; she succeeded. Her journeys illustrate how problem-solving each challenge made her eventual success even more rewarding. Her stories are written and presented clearly and concisely, showing no room for confusion to enhance the readers' experience. The chapters are short and direct, building upon each other from beginning to end with references to previous events made throughout.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2025", "date_added": "17-Oct-2024 00:30:39", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015007011", "title": "The Headhunter's Granddaughter", "author": "Terry Iwanski", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 501, "review": "Pedo Rupa was one of ten children born to her father Tungan in the jungles of Borneo in the late 1950's or early 1960's. Soon after her birth, she was given to an uncle so that she could become his cleaner and laborer when she got older. Luckily, her grandfather lived in the same hut with Pedo and her cruel, uncaring uncle. Her grandfather looked after Pedo and told her stories about his younger years. A story that stood out to Pedo, was one where her grandfather detailed killing a Japanese soldier during WWII with a machete when the soldiers entered his village looking for slave labor. The story that follows in this book traces Pedo's life from the jungles of Borneo to the surrounding cities and a chance encounter with an American who she married. She then set out on an entirely new adventure, relocating to the United States, where she would find love, ups and downs, and a new way of life.

I found the first part of this book truly fascinating. I have always loved learning about new cultures and people's experiences. Pedo gives a telling and rather sad account of her early years, detailing the hardships and emotional trauma of being given away by her family, simply because they could not look after her. But Pedo overcame some of these hardships by having the courage to run away and seek a life of her own. I enjoyed hearing about her life in the city, first as a babysitter and later at the hair salon, and even her relationship with Hee Ping which resulted in her daughter Aling.

Her adventures took on a different nature when she met an American named Terry. After a short, whirlwind relationship they decided to marry and Pedo moved to the United States. Once the shock of the Nebraskan weather wore off, she seemed to jump into local life and make the best of it. She worked in her husband's body shop and set out to establish a life on her terms. I admired her courage and sense of adventure. She was a determined person. Once she decided to do something she didn't turn back, like when she decided to get her driving license. Failure the first and the second time did not stop her. She persisted until she got it. I think that persistence was a theme that ran through this story. I got the sense that once Pedo decided to do something, she had the tenacity to see it through.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this story. However, I did think the constant attention given to the sexual exploits became a bit repetitive. To me, it overtook the narrative and didn't add much new information. I loved the fact that photos were included. That made the story so much more personal for me. I especially appreciated the last photograph showing Pedo, Terry, and Grandfather's machete. Pedo's story shows us that you never know where life will take you. It might even, at times, surprise you.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "16-Jan-2025", "date_added": "17-Oct-2024 00:30:31", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015007007", "title": "The Headhunter's Granddaughter", "author": "Terry Iwanski", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 428, "review": "Terry Iwanski's The Headhunter\u2019s Granddaughter is a mesmerizing tale rooted in personal history and cultural legacy, offering readers an intimate glimpse into life amidst the jungles of Borneo. From the first chapter, Iwanski captivates his readers by recounting how his wife's grandfather, a former headhunter, gave her the name \"Pedo,\" meaning \u201cI see the moon.\u201d The relationship between Pedo and her grandfather was a special one since her parents gave her up at a very early age to her uncle, a mean man who tormented Pedo every chance he got. Pedo's grandfather was her only saving grace.

The book weaves together the complexities of familial bonds, cultural survival, and personal resilience. Pedo's upbringing, marked by poverty and the harsh demands of jungle life, is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. From her survivalist childhood\u2014feeding on foraged durian and navigating encounters with deadly snakes\u2014to the poignant loss of her grandfather, the story paints a vivid portrait of her perseverance. It\u2019s impossible not to admire Pedo\u2019s courage as she escapes her uncle and adapts to life as a babysitter in urban Kuching. She grows into a fiercely independent woman.

The Headhunter\u2019s Granddaughter is written with a very candid tone, especially when detailing the societal challenges Pedo faced. Her struggle with class discrimination as a \"jungle girl\" contrasts sharply with her eventual mastery of multiple languages and her professional success. These achievements highlight her indomitable spirit and serve as a testament to the power of determination.

The book describes Pedo\u2019s romantic entanglements, which contain both betrayal and heartbreak, from her abandonment by Aling\u2019s father to the deceptions of a married lover. When Pedo meets Terry, an American who sees beyond her hardships, readers are invited to witness a love story and a powerful partnership founded on mutual respect.

I enjoyed the detailed descriptions Iwanski gave in the book because they allowed the reader to understand what Pedo went through at every stage of her life. The vibrant depictions of Borneo's lush landscapes, contrasted with the gritty realities of survival, ensure that the memoir remains evocative and engaging. Following Pedo and Terry in their travels was also a wonderful experience and I enjoyed the photographs the author included in the book showing readers a few of the places they visited.

Ultimately, The Headhunter\u2019s Granddaughter is a compelling memoir that chronicles one woman\u2019s extraordinary journey from the jungles of Borneo to self-empowerment and love. Iwanski\u2019s vivid storytelling and unflinching portrayal of hardship make this book a worthwhile read for anyone drawn to tales of resilience, cultural heritage, and transformation. It\u2019s an inspiring account that lingers long after the final page.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2024", "date_added": "17-Oct-2024 00:30:07", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015006003", "title": "Murder in the Ranks: A Novel", "author": "Kristi Jones", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 184, "review": "This historical fiction mystery is a fairly by the books mystery from debut author Kristi Jones, with equal parts good and equal parts leaving the readers let down. The time is World War Two, and with men off to fight at the front, the WAACs (Women\u2019s Army Auxiliary Corps) are filling in non-fighting roles to free up men to fight.

Dottie Lincoln is hiding a secret that could threaten her, and her fellow WAACs, when they are moved to a combat zone, the first WAAC unit to do so. Lincoln had recently escaped her abusive German husband, who left her for dead in North Africa\u2019s Algiers. Now she has found a purpose helping to move men and their material.

But when her friend, and fellow WAAC, Ruth is found dead, the military brass begins questioning whether it is wise to have a WAAC squad near the frontlines and Dottie will be leading an investigation to find out what happened to Ruth while protecting her past. Overall, it is a fairly quick read, the characters are mostly believable and it is a decent first outing.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2024", "date_added": "16-Oct-2024 21:47:01", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015002011", "title": "Misery Hates Company: A Novel", "author": "Elizabeth Hobbs", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 197, "review": "Marigold Manners is an accomplished, modern woman who wishes nothing more to become a renowned archaeologist. Unfortunately, it\u2019s 1894 and Marigold has just discovered that she is destitute after the passing of her parents. A letter arrives from a distant relative inviting her to come stay on Great Misery Island and so Marigold departs for the Hatchet Farm, where she will meet her very colorful family that she never knew existed. It isn\u2019t long before Marigold discovers that Misery Hates Company and she works tirelessly to change their ways. But bodies begin to pile up and Marigold will have to discover who did it if she wants to stay alive.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Marigold is delightful, as well as the other intriguing characters. Anyone who is a fan of historical mysteries, especially those of Deanna Raybourn, will love this book. It\u2019s clever and mysterious, with just the right amount of both. The plot is deeper and darker than most historical novels without being too complicated that you can\u2019t follow along. I sincerely hope that Marigold has even more adventures, possibly with Cab by her side. This book is a fantastic addition to your Victorian-era library.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2024", "date_added": "16-Oct-2024 21:32:34", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015001007", "title": "I'll Be Home for Mischief (A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery)", "author": "Jacqueline Frost", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 194, "review": "The town of Mistletoe, Maine, is decked out for Christmas. It's opted for a Victorian theme, with streets, shops, and townsfolk decked out in costumes and festive decorations. Holly and her family are at their farm preparing to get a record for baking the world's largest gingerbread man. But the discovery of a body threatens to derail the Christmas spirit and any attempts to win a world record.

Holly can't help but get involved, even though her husband, Evan, the local sheriff, has urged her not to meddle in his investigation. She just wants to protect her town from any harmful events. It doesn't help that everyone is likely to give her information about those suspected of any wrongdoing in the town. Will she be able to spot a murderer before it's too late? And will the community be able to pull off a Christmas miracle by winning an award?

This is a book for fans of Christmas stories. It's well-written with memorable characters. However, I wasn't crazy about the dedication to the Christmas theme that ran through almost every scene and page of the book. I did appreciate the focus on family, friends, and community.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2025", "date_added": "16-Oct-2024 21:36:26", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014993003", "title": "The Three Devils: And Other Stories", "author": "William Luvaas", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 183, "review": "So much literature in the horror genre comes from common fears of the day. That might be why The Three Devils by William Luvaas has such an eerie and chilling feeling. From climate change to pandemic lockdowns to the actions of the greedy, these are the things that we have to live through, and it is no coincidence that these are the same themes that Luvaas uses to frighten his readers.

The Three Devils is a collection of five short stories by William Luvaas. To say these tales are dark and gritty would be an understatement. But beyond merely throwing his audience into a panic, Luvaas challenges his reader to look deeper at our own experiences of the recent past and some troubles of today. Even though his tales are set in a post-apocalyptic future, they have a very current feel, making them much more unsettling.

Luvaas is a master of dark and gritty without getting graphic. Fans of psychological horror with dark situations and events will find stories that go beyond terror and engage the reader in ways most horror writers can\u2019t.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "27-Jan-2025", "date_added": "15-Oct-2024 20:54:16", "publisher": "Cornerstone Press", "page_count": "182 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000014991003", "title": "Wild Dark Shore: A Novel", "author": "Charlotte McConaghy", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 199, "review": "Shearwater Island is home to some wild, dark shores. A small island not far from Antarctica, it contains the world\u2019s largest seed bank and is home to Dominic Salt and his three children. The Salt family act as caretakers to this island that used to be full of researchers until sea levels began rising and the decision to move the seeds was made. In a terrible storm, Rowan washes up on shore and with eight weeks left until the final ship arrives, the Salt family and Rowan begin to grow closer. But secrets have a way of coming out and both parties are guilty of hiding them. It could just tear them apart before the next major storm hits.

When people talk about books being atmospheric, I usually think they\u2019re exaggerating. That is not the case here. The author makes the island and storms come alive. The characters here are full of depth and honestly, their stories are heartbreaking. There are not many happy moments in this book, but it has soul and carries you along like the sea carries Rowan to where she\u2019s meant to be. If you are fan of gripping dramas, this book is for you.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "25-Mar-2025", "date_added": "15-Oct-2024 20:28:05", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014990007", "title": "Los Cedros: A Tejana Memoir", "author": "Dorotea Reyna", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 459, "review": "Dorotea Reyna\u2019s Los Cedros: A Tejana Memoir is a deeply personal and evocative reflection on her childhood in a small South Texas village along the U.S.-Mexico border. The memoir captures the author\u2019s love for her hometown\u2014renamed Los Cedros in the book\u2014as well as the people who shaped her formative years. Reyna takes readers through a series of interconnected vignettes that blend fact and memory, painting a vivid picture of life in a border town during the 1960s. She explores the profound beauty of her pueblo, from fiery sunsets to the scent of rain on unpaved streets and the freedom of childhood spent roaming both the land and her imagination\u200b.

However, beyond nostalgia, the memoir is also a commentary on the changing socio-political landscape of the border. Reyna confronts the growing presence of law enforcement, the expansion of surveillance, and the impact of systemic racism on Mexican and Latino communities. Through intimate family stories and a broader historical lens, she highlights the resilience and moral strength of border communities, challenging harmful stereotypes and advocating for their rightful place in the American narrative\u200b. The fictionalized memoir is not just a personal story but a tribute to a vanishing way of life, making it both a cultural artifact and a call to remember the past while pushing back against contemporary injustices.

Reyna\u2019s writing is lyrical and poetic, rich with sensory details that bring her childhood world to life. The memoir\u2019s structure, composed of interconnected vignettes rather than a linear narrative, mirrors the way memories emerge\u2014fluid and overlapping, yet bound by deep emotional connections\u200b. This style allows her to present her experiences with an almost dreamlike quality while maintaining the authenticity of lived reality. Her use of imagery, particularly in describing nature, gives the text a cinematic feel, making readers feel as if they are standing under the vast Texas sky or wading through the lush green fields of her youth.

Despite the poetic nature of the book, Reyna\u2019s prose is accessible and engaging. Her voice is warm and intimate, inviting readers into her personal history as if she were recounting these stories over a kitchen table. There is also a measured balance between personal reflection and broader social critique, ensuring that the memoir remains both heartfelt and intellectually stimulating.

Los Cedros: A Tejana Memoir will resonate with readers interested in personal and cultural histories, especially those exploring Mexican-American and Chicano narratives. Fans of lyrical memoirs, such as Sandra Cisneros\u2019s A House on Mango Street, will appreciate Reyna\u2019s storytelling approach. Additionally, educators and students studying borderland history, immigration issues, or Latinx literature will find this book an invaluable resource. It is a powerful and necessary read for anyone who seeks to understand the complexities of life on the border\u2014its struggles, its joys, and its unbreakable spirit.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2025", "date_added": "15-Oct-2024 21:01:47", "publisher": "FlowerSong Press", "page_count": "94 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000014985003", "title": "Kills Well with Others", "author": "Deanna Raybourn", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 188, "review": "Deanna Raybourn is the queen of intriguing mysteries, as evidenced by her wildly popular Veronica Speedwell series. Unfortunately, her latest series about four senior women who just happen to be assassins is just as inane as that description sounds.

Kills Well with Others\u2014a sequel to Killers of a Certain Age -- returns to the lives of assassins Billie, Helen, Mary Alice, and Natalie as they are contacted by their employer, the Museum, to kill the person who seems to be hunting and murdering Museum employees. Why the person who wants to assassinate assassins is deemed so horrible is a bit of a stretch--aren't they all murderers, after all?

The jokey nature of comments related to the women's age falls flat, and the writing surrounding their romantic encounters isn't much better. The action sequences are fine, but all of them have some reference to how old these women are in some way. Just let them be assassins, already. The fact that they're all over 60 isn't as interesting as the author seems to think it is. Raybourn is a great mystery writer, though; check out the aforementioned Speedwell series for proof.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2025", "date_added": "15-Oct-2024 20:00:35", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000014984007", "title": "Bindle Punk Jefe: A Spellbinding Sequel with High-Stakes Magic, Step Into the Glamorous and Dangerous World of Rose 'Luna' Lane", "author": "Desideria Mesa", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 197, "review": "Rose lives in two worlds. In one, she is a successful club owner married to an upper-class land developer. In her other life, she is Luna, a white-passing Latina from the River Bottoms. In both lives, she is a powerful Bruja. But when powerful outside forces endanger the people she loves and threaten to expose her double life, she must call on all her powers to protect the lives she lives. She must become the boss.

Bindle Punk Jefe is the second novel by Desideria Mesa. After the success of her first novel, Mesa continued her historical fantasy set in Prohibition-era Kansas City. Mesa\u2019s tale is a suspenseful thriller mixing magic, Mexican folklore, bootlegging, and 1920s Jazz. Entwined in this tale are the stories of struggle that the immigrant community had to and continue to deal with. Written as an urban fantasy and continuing the themes of duality, Mesa focuses on the blurred line between the natural and supernatural, the real and mystical worlds. Each character is fully developed. Even though this is a sequel, Mesa\u2019s book reads as an exciting stand-alone novel. Bindle Punk Jefe is a fast-paced, character-driven tale that is hard to put down.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2025", "date_added": "15-Oct-2024 21:25:14", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015207011", "title": "Liquid: A Love Story", "author": "Mariam Rahmani", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Dillon Allen-Perez", "word_count": 200, "review": "This is a subversion of the romantic comedy genre, an inquiry into the friends-to-lovers trope, and a critique of heteronormative expectations and academic sociopolitics.

After the protagonist of Liquid earns her Ph.D., it throws her whole life backward rather than advancing her career. She loses graduate student housing, her book idea is not being published, and she may not have any teaching position in the coming fall semester. With her summer free and her fall uncertain, she decides to open a spreadsheet and organize a hundred dates with the goal of marrying somebody rich by the end of the summer.

Though Liquid is written for fans of rom-coms, it unfortunately comes across as not fully delivering on the promise of the premise. We don't get to see the majority of the one hundred dates\u2014not even in montage format, which would have been really fun.

The narrator's constant pontificating criticisms of everyone and everything around her gets a bit grating. It would be more satisfying if she displayed more emotional growth and worldview changes throughout the novel. That would involve leaning further into rom-com conventions. It could still be subversive while striking a better balance of detached critique and emotional sincerity.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2025", "date_added": "28-Nov-2024 00:40:05", "publisher": "Algonquin Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015206007", "title": "The Perfect Marriage: a completely gripping psychological suspense", "author": "Jeneva Rose", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 172, "review": "Readers will love this suspenseful thriller by Author Jeneva Rose. The Perfect Marriage is a domestic thriller starring Sarah Morgan, a woman happily married to her husband, Adam...or so she thought. Adam has been cheating on the very hard-working breadwinner with a woman named Kelly. But when Kelly is found stabbed to death in Adam's bed, he must count on his wife to defend him. She's the only one who could win a case like this. Told in the alternating viewpoints of Sarah and Adam, the story unravels many twists and turns. The author does a fantastic job of throwing her readers off by making them assume something, only for them to find out they are completely mistaken. This book kept my attention from cover to cover, and I couldn't wait to see whether Adam would get off in the end. The character development is outstanding, but it's difficult to know who you can trust. Which characters are reliable and which ones aren't? Which ones are hiding information relating to the case?", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2024", "date_added": "27-Nov-2024 19:33:17", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015206003", "title": "The Icarus Needle (5) (The Icarus Saga)", "author": "Timothy Zahn", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 198, "review": "One-time bounty hunter Gregory Roarke has been enjoying steady employment with the Icarus Group, but the Icarus Group has new leadership. Roarke and his Kadolian partner, Selene, find themselves at odds with the new director. The tensions lead Roarke and Selene to hijack one of the portals and crash-land it on an alien planet. The aliens they encounter both hold the Kadolians in esteem and have a connection to the portals. But their hospitality has a hidden agenda. \n

The Icarus Needle is the fifth book in Timothy Zahn\u2019s Icarus Saga series. Even though this book is an exciting science fiction mystery novel, the people and events in this story need more of a passing introduction. The story will make more sense if read in order. That does not make this alien thriller any less exciting. Zahn\u2019s novel is a blend of science fiction, mystery, and private detective thriller. Zahn leads the reader through Roarke\u2019s thought process as he tries to stay one step ahead of his adversaries. Along with new characters, including Gregory Roarke\u2019s father and a new planet, Zahn introduces the reader to a new alien species that is important to the history of the Icarus portals.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2025", "date_added": "27-Nov-2024 19:20:31", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015204015", "title": "Midnight Black (Gray Man)", "author": "Mark Greaney", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 201, "review": "Courtland Gentry is a man with nothing to lose, making him a dangerous individual. He is determined to get to Russia so he can locate Zoya Zhakarova, his one-time love, who many of his intelligence associates believe to be dead. In his resolve to gain covert entry into Russia, Gentry has aligned with certain unsavory elements such as the criminal underworld. When his recent attempt to gain passage to Russia fails, Gentry is banged up yet many mobsters are left dead.

The agency learns of Gentry\u2019s recent exploits but believes they\u2019re futile. However, certain elements of Russian intelligence know also and they await Gentry\u2019s infiltration with anticipation. Meanwhile, Zach Hightower, a friend of Gentry\u2019s has been sprung from a private holding facility by the CIA so he can assist Russian dissidents in liberating a political prisoner. A resistance has been building in Russia and is awaiting its ignition point.

The continuing tensions involving Russia and Ukraine provide the backdrop for the latest exhilarating novel from author Mark Greaney (The Chaos Agent). While Gentry\u2019s motivation is simple and pure, those seeking to manipulate him possess Machiavellian thinking. Greaney\u2019s narrative is stellar from start to finish and resumes the \u201cGray Man\u201d saga finely.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "25-Mar-2025", "date_added": "28-Nov-2024 00:30:14", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "528 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015204003", "title": "Monster Hunter Memoirs: Saints (3)", "author": "Larry Correia, John Ringo", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 196, "review": "An eminently readable tome, as we\u2019ve come to expect from these master wordsmiths. Impossible to put down, as I discovered from a \u2018night\u2019s\u2019 sleep that didn\u2019t begin until early morning.

Oliver Chadwick Gardenier, \u201ccall me Chad\u201d alternates between fine dining/wining/womanizing, (aided by his, s\u2019welp me, refined manservant) to being a deadly, foul-mouthed former marine Monster Hunter.

As a linguistically gifted intellectual, our killer has penned dictionaries in Yeti, Sasquatch, and Gnoll. He is equally adroit with a .50 Barrett, a Ma Deuce, or thermite.

This page turner extols and shows teamwork, from fire-team level in otherworldly close combats, to major inter-agency operations whilst Saving The World.

Writing finesse in Saints demonstrates close teamwork on both authorial and editorial levels. Wildly imaginative, pulse-pounding fighting makes for juicy reading; such conflict situations are seasonally sown, cultivated, and reaped. They alternate with soothing, research and philosophizing follow times. But the tale\u2019s central, well-teased conflict is not only constantly lurking, but may be said to underly, in its Monster Hunter universe, Chad\u2019s Hoodoo-haunted home of New Orleans.

Saints is desirable as a stand-alone; however, it would be more rewarding to read in conjunction with the rest of the Monster Hunter Memoir series. Buy \u2018em all!", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2025", "date_added": "27-Nov-2024 19:07:50", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015202051", "title": "The Plagiarism Plot", "author": "Geoffrey M Cooper", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 62, "review": "\u201cThe Plagiarism Plot takes clinical research and scientific motives to a whole new level with its intricate story and likable main characters. This book is a step above others in its genre. Cooper\u2019s ability to craft a plot that is so fascinating is an art. The Plagiarism Plot will engage readers of all ages and backgrounds.\u201d \u2014Kathryn Dare, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 22:22:12", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "247 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000015202047", "title": "The Plagiarism Plot", "author": "Geoffrey M Cooper", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 58, "review": "\u201cAnother spectacular medical thriller by Geoffrey M Cooper, The Plagiarism Plot will have readers eyeballs deep in this multi-faceted mystery. Richmond and Parker are at it again, quickly unraveling the clues in an attempt to reduce the body count. Fast-paced and well-detailed, this is a book that readers won\u2019t want to put down.\u201d \u2014Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 22:21:49", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "247 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000015202041", "title": "JOB JUNKY", "author": "Rudy Ridolfo", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 68, "review": "\"Rudy Ridolfo's Job Junky is a humorous memoir filled with diverse job experiences. Rudy writes matter-of-factly, quickly getting to the most attention-grabbing part of his stories\u2014from near-death moments and sudden brawls to challenging movie projects. Job Junky is perfect for filmmaking enthusiasts and readers who have had or wonder what it's like to have multiple jobs in a lifetime. A very entertaining page-turner!\"\u2014Foluso Falaye, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 22:18:04", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "90 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015202035", "title": "Junior", "author": "Jon Boilard", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 473, "review": "Junior Beauchamp takes the drawing assignment of his third-grade teacher seriously, unlike most of the assignments he is given. But when one of the kids in the class bullies Junior about being on the free lunch program, he drives his pencil into the boy\u2019s thigh.

Junior gets a job at a service station in his teens that gives him access to easy beer and his boss\u2019s car for him and his friends and gives him time away from taking care of his junkie mother, Amber Lee, and little brother, JP. Junior confronts Rick, a man working on the roof of the house his mother rents, about having assaulted a neighbor's child, and Rick ends up dead. Junior disposes of the body in a horrific manner.

Thomas Robert Gunne comes to town. He\u2019s a local boy who became a state trooper but now works plain clothes. Thom and Amber Lee have some history. He\u2019s there to look into the local drug trade and a guy named Stosh who runs the local pharmacy, but Thom\u2019s aware of the pedophile/roofer who has gone missing.

The school counselor wants Junior to go to art school after graduation and arranges for a scholarship for him. But he needs to keep his nose clean to make that happen, and with the kind of rage he carries around and lets loose now and then, everything is in danger of coming apart.

Amber leaves town for a while, leaving Junior and JP on their own. They get evicted and end up with Bluepriest, a Black hermit, who becomes something of a mentor for the boys. Junior works odd jobs and releases his rage on people who don\u2019t know what they have unleashed. Meanwhile, Amber is being stalked by Buddy Biszewski, bad news from her past.

Interspersed among the story chapters are short police report chapters with interviews with various characters readers have met in the story. They pull the pieces together and pull the story along to its untidy, but believable, conclusion.

Author Jon Boilard has created a most interesting cast of characters, all of whom are believable though few are people with whom one would like to spend time. There are so many characters, it is a bit hard to keep track. The story is set in rural western Massachusetts, although there is a southern rhythm throughout the book. The story is compelling and quite unpredictable.

The writing is good, but the author uses a lazy style of writing without appropriate grammar; most specifically, he foregoes the use of quotation marks. It makes it particularly difficult to discern where dialogue begins and ends. The publisher describes the book as a coming-of-age story, but no one should mistake this as a book for young people. It is not. Readers who are looking for tension on every page will like this book.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 22:14:45", "publisher": "Livingston Press", "page_count": "246 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015202031", "title": "Down And Out In The River City", "author": "Wm. Stage ", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Foluso Falaye", "word_count": 70, "review": "\"Down And Out In The River City by Wm. Stage is a tale that's rich with intriguing characters and a very busy plot. Francis's captivating exploration of a man's last days and his remarkable encounters with both friends and foes create a captivating chaos and multiple irresistible twists. Stage's thrilling, hilarious rollercoaster will compel you to read without interruptions and stick to the very end.\" \u2014Foluso Falaye, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 22:10:55", "publisher": "Floppinfish Publishing Company Ltd. ", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015202023", "title": "Cicero James, Miracle Worker", "author": "Hal Emerson", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 410, "review": "Cicero James is a Miracle Worker. He is one of those gifted enough and dedicated to keeping the rest of us \u201cBlissfuls\u201d safe. You know, the blissfully ignorant. But it all went south on a routine Working. As you can imagine, waking up on the autopsy table was a big surprise to Cicero. But finding out that you might be immortal is not the flex you might think it is. On top of that, he is being investigated for illegal resurrections. Cicero struggles to understand what is happening to him while staying one step ahead of the law and those who will do anything to take his newfound powers.

Cicero James, Miracle Worker is an exciting new urban fantasy by Hal Emerson. Set in San Francisco and Emerson\u2019s world-building location of the Twilight House. This novel blends real locations and a creative alternate world. Like in many urban fantasies, Emerson establishes rules for how the powers work and the workings of the Twilight House. Even though the working of these rules is complex, the plot stays intact, and the characters do not exhibit unknown or extra abilities. As in many urban fantasies, this novel has elements of crime fiction with a lot of mystery and intrigue. Emerson leaves Cicero and the reader in the dark until events reveal themselves.

The story is told through the point of view of Cicero James, Emerson\u2019s main character. As explained by Cicero, the telling is the recollections of the events that make up the novel. As readers, we get a front-row seat to Cicero\u2019s inner workings. Hence, all descriptions of other characters and locations are from his point of view. Even though the reader only gets a secondhand introduction, the details and descriptions of characters, places, and events are fully detailed and explicit. As a bonus, the reader gets a full dose of Cicero\u2019s snarky attitude.

Of all the great lines to start a story, Emerson\u2019s opening ranks near the top. \u201cMy name is Cicero James, and I died last Thursday.\u201d After hooking the reader with a great opener, Emerson throws a solid cast of well-developed characters at the reader. He tops it off with an intruding and unique plot. And action, lots of action, from intense fight scenes to dramatic escapes. Emerson\u2019s urban fantasy checks all the boxes with a contemporary feeling. Fans of The Dresden Files, The Iron Druid Chronicles, or The Hollows will enjoy getting to know Cicero James, Miracle Worker.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "19-Feb-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 22:03:05", "publisher": "Emerson Studios Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015202019", "title": "Cicero James, Miracle Worker", "author": "Hal Emerson", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 361, "review": "If you\u2019re looking for a fast-paced adventure with sharp humor, mind-bending magic, and some seriously creative world-building, Cicero James: Miracle Worker is the book for you. Hal Emerson takes readers on a rollercoaster of chaos, wit, and unexpected depth that makes it impossible to put this one down.

The story centers on Cicero James, a Worker with the unique ability to manipulate reality by channeling his beliefs. While that might sound like a superhero setup, Cicero is more of a reluctant problem-solver with a quick tongue and a knack for getting himself into trouble. The book starts with him casually revealing that he\u2019s died nine times in one week\u2014and things only get wilder from there. From battling nightmarish terrors to unraveling the mysteries of the Space Between Spaces, Cicero\u2019s journey is as unpredictable as it is thrilling.

Emerson has created a rich, immersive world in this version of San Francisco. It\u2019s a place where the supernatural is hidden just beneath the surface, blending seamlessly with the city\u2019s familiar chaos. The concept of Workers\u2014people who bend reality through sheer willpower and a touch of madness\u2014is refreshingly original and packed with fascinating details. The terrors Cicero faces are terrifyingly vivid, and the rules of the world are intricate yet compelling, rewarding readers who love digging into complex systems.

What really stands out, though, is the tone. Cicero\u2019s narration is biting and self-aware, full of dry humor and vivid descriptions that make even the darkest moments oddly entertaining. But it\u2019s not all jokes\u2014Emerson weaves in moments of real vulnerability and introspection as Cicero grapples with his own limitations, fears, and responsibilities. It\u2019s this emotional depth that gives the book weight and makes Cicero such a relatable and compelling character.

The pacing is relentless, and while the world-building can feel dense at times, it\u2019s worth sticking with. Emerson\u2019s attention to detail pays off in spades as the story unfolds, pulling readers deeper into the layered and unpredictable world he\u2019s crafted.

Cicero James: Miracle Worker is a wild, engaging read filled with action, heart, and clever twists. If you\u2019re into stories that blend the supernatural with sharp humor and emotional depth, this book will keep you hooked from start to finish.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 22:02:53", "publisher": "Emerson Studios Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015202015", "title": "Cicero James, Miracle Worker", "author": "Hal Emerson", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 416, "review": "Any book that opens with the death of its main character has a good chance of being a wild ride, and Hal Emerson\u2019s latest book is certainly that. The dying part isn\u2019t necessarily a surprise, at least not to Cicero James. He has a dangerous career, after all, and when fighting creatures which have made their way into our world to cause destruction and death, there\u2019s always a chance that the death and destruction might be his.

What surprises him (though not a savvy fantasy reader) is his sudden return from the dead.

This surprise resurrection throws Cicero into a fast-paced story of magic, betrayal, and uncertainty that had me hooked the whole way through. It\u2019s unlike many other urban fantasies I\u2019ve come across. Rather than filling the world with all manner of fantastical or folkloric creatures, Emerson keeps things simple. Some people are able to work miracles, while most remain ignorant of the wonders and dangers which surround them. The dangers are the closest the book gets to dabbling in supernatural creatures: beings from outside the fabric of our reality can creep in or be drawn in, and Miracle Workers like Cicero are meant to dispatch them, to keep the rest of us safe.

The world of Miracle Workers felt alive and vibrant, and the characters were sharp and intriguing. I was fascinated by not only the central conflict but also the worldbuilding and the themes which emerged through the book. Emerson has a knack for making the book feel timely and present without seeming like it will wind up being dated in five years, which is possibly the hardest trick to pull off in writing urban fantasy. (Possibly it will be, but it\u2019s hard to tell how much will change in five years. What matters more is that it feels timely and present now.)

The only reason I took off one star from the rating was the way some of the themes played out in the end. Emerson has a fascinating setup that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I was intrigued by the themes he worked into the story, but some of them appeared too suddenly or felt too blandly presented. The book is still enjoyable; it simply could have had a touch more.

I highly recommend this book to fans of urban fantasy and anyone who wants a quick, engaging read. I don\u2019t know whether Emerson will write more in this world, but I do know I will look for more of his work.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "22-Feb-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 22:02:40", "publisher": "Emerson Studios Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015202011", "title": "Cicero James, Miracle Worker", "author": "Hal Emerson", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 372, "review": "Hal Emerson\u2019s Cicero James: Miracle Worker is a whirlwind of high-concept science fiction fused with gritty urban fantasy, creating a riveting narrative that is equal parts thrilling, philosophical, and darkly comedic. From its explosive opening\u2014Cicero nonchalantly announcing his death nine times in a week\u2014to its electrifying battles and existential ruminations, this book grips readers by the collar and refuses to let go.

Cicero James is not your average protagonist. A self-aware narrator with a knack for gallows humor, he introduces readers to a hidden world of \"Workers\"\u2014individuals who manipulate reality itself through belief-fueled miracles. Emerson\u2019s San Francisco is both familiar and alien, its vibrant chaos punctuated by glimpses of the supernatural. The concept of Workers is ingeniously constructed, blending elements of science, magic, and madness in a way that feels fresh and logical within its own rules.

The stakes are sky-high. Cicero, a jaded miracle worker with a penchant for Shakespearean tattoos and chaos, finds himself pitted against Terrors\u2014manifestations of human fear from a liminal realm known as the Space Between Spaces. Emerson excels at capturing the visceral intensity of these confrontations, with descriptions so vivid they practically leap off the page. Yet, it\u2019s the quieter moments of reflection and world-building that truly shine, grounding the narrative in a poignant exploration of identity, belief, and the cost of power.

Emerson\u2019s prose is sharp and kinetic, filled with wry wit and evocative imagery. The pacing is relentless, though occasionally the density of the world-building might overwhelm readers unfamiliar with intricate sci-fi systems. However, for fans of layered speculative fiction, this complexity is a gift, revealing deeper nuances upon each reread.

The novel also delves into timely themes: the fragility of reality, the consequences of unchecked power, and the resilience required to fight overwhelming darkness. Cicero\u2019s journey is not just a battle against external foes but an exploration of his own fractured psyche\u2014a balance of heroism and humanity that makes him unforgettable.

Cicero James: Miracle Worker is a standout in the genre, seamlessly merging high-octane action with intellectual depth. Emerson has crafted a narrative as thought-provoking as it is entertaining, cementing his place as a must-read voice in modern sci-fi. For those who relish a mix of humor, heart, and high-stakes tension, this is a must-add to your bookshelf.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 22:02:30", "publisher": "Emerson Studios Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015202007", "title": "Cicero James, Miracle Worker", "author": "Hal Emerson", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 409, "review": "What would you do if you suddenly found yourself hunted for powers you didn\u2019t know how you got them? This is the reality for Cicero James, a miracle worker with supernatural abilities. These Workers blend seamlessly into the human population, concealing their powers while adhering to strict rules and a hierarchy akin to that of ordinary society. Cicero leads a quiet life as an employee at a tech company in San Francisco and prefers to work solo most of the time.

His role as a miracle worker involves mending the cracks in reality, but everything changes during a routine job when he encounters malevolent forces known as the Terror. In the ensuing battle, the forces overpower him, and eventually, Cicero is killed. However, in a shocking twist, he awakens in the morgue to discover he\u2019s not only alive but now immortal. This unexpected turn of events puts him under investigation by the supervisors eager to understand how such a phenomenon occurred. Thankfully, Cicero has the support of Marlowe, his trusted friend and mentor, along with a few other allies from the worker community.

Together, they navigate this bewildering new reality as Cicero seeks answers about his resurrection. As a Miracle Worker, Cicero is bound by rules that dictate when and how he can use his abilities. Raising the dead is strictly forbidden\u2014especially self-resurrection\u2014so how did this happen to him? This mystery drives Cicero\u2019s quest for understanding while he balances his ordinary job and his extraordinary responsibilities.

Cicero is an eccentric yet lovable character, often coming across as shy around women. His interactions with others are genuine and heartfelt, making him relatable to readers. Hal Emerson\u2019s Cicero James, Miracle Worker is an engaging novel that expertly weaves action with interesting characters. As Cicero juggles his normal work life with his duties as a miracle worker, readers are drawn into his world filled with challenges and triumphs. The book showcases not only the action-packed moments but also the depth of relationships within the worker community. Ultimately, Cicero James explores themes of identity, friendship, and the struggle between normalcy and extraordinary abilities. It invites readers to ponder what it means to be different while highlighting the importance of support systems during difficult times. With its well-paced plot and engaging characters, this novel offers an intriguing glimpse into a world where superpowers exist alongside everyday life. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and would recommend it to anyone seeking an imaginative escape from reality.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 22:01:06", "publisher": "Emerson Studios Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015200011", "title": "Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave: A Novel (The Finlay Donovan Series, 5)", "author": "Elle Cosimano", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 199, "review": "Elle Cosimano is back with the fifth installment of the Finlay Donovan series, and this was one of the best yet! The mystery novel begins with the arrest of Finlay\u2019s ex-husband, Steven, as he is investigated for his involvement in a suspicious death in Finlay\u2019s neighborhood. The body was uncovered in the backyard of Mrs. Haggerty, the neighborhood\u2019s resident busybody who knows far too many details about Finlay\u2019s past offenses. Unexpectedly, Mrs. Haggerty bunks up with Finlay, and she and Vero become suspicious of their elderly neighbor. Soon, the duo discovers that Mrs. Haggerty\u2019s book club may be a cover-up for some criminal activities!\n

What a fun read! I\u2019ve greatly enjoyed the series, yet the prior few novels seemed to lose some of their original spark.

However, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was a welcome return to a propulsive plot with a winning blend of comedy and intrigue. I appreciated that Finlay and Nick\u2019s relationship finally progressed, and Finlay became honest about her past. I adored the storyline with Mrs. Haggerty \u2013 she was such a lively character that it was hard not to love. This one ends on a cliffhanger, so I look forward to the next book!", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 21:30:41", "publisher": "Minotaur", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015197015", "title": "Hang On St. Christopher (The Sean Duffy Series)", "author": "Adrian McKinty", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 201, "review": "Sean Duffy may not court trouble, but it usually finds its way onto his dance card. His police career is in its latter days, and he is settling down with his small family. The winding down of his law enforcement career has him working in traffic instead of homicide cases. However, Duffy and his friend, Sergeant John McCrabban, are ordered to work on the murder case of an apparent carjacking victim. The case rapidly becomes complex as the victim\u2019s identity is unknown, and Duffy and McCrabban surmise that car theft wasn\u2019t the primary motive. As the pair investigate the victim further, they learn that he is connected to a renegade faction of the Irish Republican Army. \u201cThe Troubles\u201d have been ongoing for decades, and Northern Ireland remains a powderkeg. A pension is not the only thing Duffy stands to lose if he steps on the wrong toes in his latest case.

Hang On St. Christopher is the latest release from the immensely talented and versatile Adrian McKinty (The Island\u201d. Sean Duffy has remained a captivating character since his introduction in \u201cThe Cold Cold Ground\u201d; his attributes and foibles render him a memorable creation. Adrian McKinty continues to grow as a literary talent.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "25-Mar-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 23:33:22", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015197007", "title": "Barely Visible: Mothering a Son Through His Misunderstood Autism", "author": "Kathleen Somers", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 219, "review": "The author Kathleen Somers recounts in repetitive detail the behavioral oddities that her son exhibited during his twenty-three years of growth. Deeply attached to her only child, the newly divorced mother sought myriad strategies to try to transmute his neurodivergent behaviors to those exhibited by normal boys. Seeking to build a conventional family which would enfold her son, she describes the two sexual affairs she embraced, but from which her son distanced himself.

While possessing a volume describing Aspergers syndrome, she dismisses this resource as too technical and doesn\u2019t bother to read it. She complains about the boy\u2019s peers, educators, and employers not understanding her son\u2019s bizarre behavior, yet she doesn\u2019t bother to explain to them that his brain perceives the world a bit differently.

In attempting to transform her son into a normal success, the mothers spends a fortune on sports activities, various private colleges, several tutors, a modeling portfolio, and car repairs, but none of these attempts change the autistic challenges of problems with social interaction, anxiety, repetitive routines, food fetishes, and other misunderstood behaviors that he continually displays.

Unfortunately, the mother rails against her inability to remold her son when in reality she should have been working with specialists to find ways to adapt his neural differences in ways to enable functioning within the social milieu.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 22:37:35", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000015197003", "title": "I Know What UFO Did Last Summer (Alien Survival Guide)", "author": "Kevin Garone, Joshua Oram", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron - age 12", "word_count": 169, "review": "I Know What UFO Did Last Summer by Kevin Garone has everything a good sci-fi story needs\u2014UFOs, teleportation, crazy alien monsters, a suspected conspiracy, and the threat of alien invasion\u2014basically everything... except actual aliens!

Marv is twelve years old and sees a mysterious craft appear. He knows from his guidebook on alien invasions how to deal with such situations! Marv decides that the only possible conclusion is that an invasion is coming, but the problem is that no one believes him. Not his family, his best friend, or the National Guard! It\u2019s up to Marv and his two other friends to figure out what's going on and save the world from imminent destruction... at least that\u2019s what he thinks!

I\u2019ve listened to several good sci-fi books, and this one falls into the excellent category too. I liked the first-person point-of-view, because we know precisely what Marv is thinking, even if it\u2019s not exactly correct. (But in the long run, it is. You\u2019ll have to read the book to find out how!)", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "04-Apr-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 20:31:36", "publisher": "Temor Press", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015196011", "title": "Accidents Happen and Other Stories", "author": "F H Batacan", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 230, "review": "People in poverty get entangled in unscrupulous webs of deceit. Details of a murder become part of the intricate narrative, and justice is a character waiting in the sidelines. In Accidents Happen: Stories, Philippine National Book Award winner F.H. Batacan weaves the themes of class and gender inequalities with setting and atmosphere. These elements enhances tension and immerses the reader in the intimate world of the crime, accidental or otherwise.

Having lived in Manila through my mid-teens, I am familiar with the sociopolitical dynamics of corruption, paternalism, and patriarchy that make horrendous acts possible. I commend Batacan\u2019s exceptional skill at fictionalizing the crude realities of life in the Philippines, from a small-town murder to unnamable exploitation that goes both ways. It is hard to ignore the violence and brutality exacted by male characters in the stories. Men who use their physical strength to commit violence: from a two-hundred-pound man who uses his strength to overpower a young girl to an entitled obese spoiled man-child who tortures his stepsister.

This is an excellent read for anyone who relishes stories that involve ambiguity and moral complexity. Batacan excels in the fundamentals of crime fiction: building and maintaining suspense, complex characters, and a gripping plot that keeps readers engaged until the final page. Revelations come in the most unexpected moments, as Batacan balances withholding information with giving away just enough to sustain intrigue.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "25-Mar-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 22:20:35", "publisher": "Soho Press", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015196003", "title": "The Yogi\u2019s Way: Transform Your Mind, Health, and Reality", "author": "Reema Datta", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 187, "review": "In The Yogi's Way, the author provides a twelve-week plan to help readers transform the mind, body, and spirit. Ms. Datta provides a thorough explanation of the roots of yoga and how it is more than just a few poses that we often recognize in the West. I appreciated learning about this long history and how, by following the program she sets out in the book, I could change my mindset and even improve my health as well. I especially like the fact that the program starts slowly and builds up over the weeks so that you are not initially overwhelmed with tasks you will not be able to stick to. This is a routine that anyone could follow.

I also enjoyed the section about self-healing and the questionnaire the author provides to help readers find their constitution by determining if they are Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. Knowing this allows one to focus on what might be best in terms of focus and practice as part of your journey through this program. Overall, I would say this is a good book for anyone seeking to transform their life.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "06-May-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 20:20:51", "publisher": "New World Library", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015195007", "title": "The Empty Path: Finding Fulfillment Through the Radical Art of Lessening", "author": "Billy Wynne", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 222, "review": "Billy Wynne\u2019s The Empty Path is a candid and deeply introspective memoir that traces the author\u2019s personal and spiritual evolution through struggle, loss, ambition, and ultimately, awakening. With clarity and vulnerability, Wynne reflects on a childhood shaped by his parents\u2019 divorce and his father\u2019s dramatic fall from grace. These events sowed seeds of pain and longing in the young Wynne. In response, he poured himself into achievement, rising to success as a health policy expert and entrepreneur.

Yet, beneath the surface, unexamined habits and a growing reliance on alcohol strained his marriage and well-being. Wynne doesn\u2019t shy away from recounting these darker moments; instead, he shares them with striking honesty, inviting readers into the discomfort and learning that followed. The turning point came with his embrace of meditation and the Zen tradition, leading him to take Buddhist vows even while confronting his addiction.

\nI engaged with the book from my vantage point as a Soto Zen student. The most impactful parts of the book illuminate Wynne\u2019s testimony for what he calls \u201cthe art of lessening.\u201d He embodies the Buddhist understanding of emptiness not as a void, but as a path to joy, presence, and peace. More than a story of personal redemption, The Empty Path is a moving meditation on letting go, living simply, and finding meaning in the stillness of each moment.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 20:29:57", "publisher": "New World Library", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015195003", "title": "The Wounds Are the Witness: Black Faith Weaving Memory into Justice and Healing ", "author": "Yolanda Pierce", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 229, "review": "Faith and reverence from the perspective of Black church is a powerful force that has shaped the struggle of a people who defied all odds to live triumphantly. In The Wounds are the Witness, womanist theologian Dr. Yolanda Pierce draws upon the sordid history of Black enslavement, struggle for racial equality, and the persistent fight for justice. Rooted in her upbringing and lifelong service in the Pentecostal tradition, Pierce\u2019s essays center memory of Black life in the United States, bearing witness to the survival of the Black spirit amid unspeakable dehumanization during the Jim and Jane Crow era to modern-day acts of violence on Black bodies. Pierce draws upon her own lived experiences, deep reading of scripture, the theological legacy of Howard Thurman and Pauli Murray, and allegories of Toni Morrison and Zora Neale Hurston, all of which underscore the role of faith in the fight for racial justice.

As a non-Black immigrant woman of color and an advocate for racial justice, I engaged with Pierce\u2019s work from the perspective of my own people\u2019s (Filipinos) struggle against colonization. Dr. Pierce's uplifting testimony is a powerful reminder of the role of faith in restoration. She shares evidence of inequities rooted in anti-Blackness, from environmental injustice, wealth inequality, and police brutality. Yet, Dr. Pierce insists that abiding faith, regardless of the challenges, holds the promise of restoration from brokenness and woundedness.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 20:18:07", "publisher": "Augsburg Fortress Publishers", "page_count": "196 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015191015", "title": "Gothictown", "author": "Emily Carpenter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 188, "review": "The pandemic killed Billie Hope\u2019s thriving restaurant, and so she lives in a cramped apartment in New York City with her husband and daughter, just waiting for a change. It comes in the form of an email from a small town in Georgia with the claim that she can buy a beautiful home for a hundred dollars and a grant to open a new restaurant. It sounds too good to be true, but everything seems legit. Billie packs up her life and moves to Juliana, only to have things take a turn for the strange not soon after. They all begin having weird dreams, taking a toll on her marriage. This Gothictown, full of the Old Guard, has secrets buried that they don\u2019t want anyone to find. Once Billie finds them, she\u2019ll be staying forever, one way or another.

Much of this story reminded me of a mixture of Stepford Wives and Hot Fuzz, but in a less funny way. The story was fine but not particularly attention-grabbing. I found the suspense and horror a little lacking. If you want something to fill your time, this is ok.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "25-Mar-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 22:28:49", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015188023", "title": "White Line Fever ", "author": "KC Jones", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 202, "review": "Ever heard of County Road 951? You\u2019ll find it in Central Oregon, near the Cascade foothills? No? I\u2019m not too surprised. But you see, it\u2019s also known by another name: The Devil\u2019s Driveway.

It\u2019s only 15 miles long and has been closed off for some time. Warning and DO NOT ENTER signs posted everywhere. It\u2019s easy to avoid and keep away from. But by the same token, if you\u2019re curious about what you might find along the road, there\u2019s not much stopping you if you were to travel.

White Line Fever opens with a trio of YouTubers looking to make a new episode of their show about the infamous Devil\u2019s Driveway. They set up the shot, on a motorcycle, camera running, and then things go horribly wrong and lives are lost.

The book follows a small group of long-time friends taking a drive through our main character, Livia, who has left her cheating partner. They stumble across County Road 951 by accident and make the ill choice to go down it. Their lives will be irrevocably changed forever, as they will come face to face with their nightmares, and only through helping each other and working together will they stand a chance of surviving.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2025", "date_added": "25-Nov-2024 22:50:02", "publisher": "Tor/Forge", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015186003", "title": "All the Hearts You Eat", "author": "Hailey Piper", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 202, "review": "Ivory Sloan waded into the chilly New England waters without fanfare and hoped to retain her anonymity. However, discovering a body on the beach of Cape Morning alters Ivory\u2019s plans. Ivory\u2019s shock is soon overwhelmed with curiosity as she finds a letter near the body. Ivory snatches the possible evidence and leaves the beach in due haste. The letter is a poem that may hint at the author\u2019s suicide. The author is listed as Cabrina Brite. Ivory soon believes that there is an otherworldly presence that she can\u2019t shake free from. Cabrina\u2019s best friends, Xi and Rex, feel the same way and attempt to commune with Cabrina\u2019s spirit. As Ivory looks into Cabrina\u2019s life, she discovers that they both sought an identity that others denied and/or ridiculed. Whereas Xi and Rex seek to understand their friend\u2019s death, Ivory\u2019s quest takes her down a rabbit hole of unimaginable consequences.

All the Hearts You Eat consistently delivers the unexpected in a novel that doesn\u2019t restrict itself to one genre. Author Hailey Piper has written a book that excels in its ability to terrify yet alternatively be cerebral in its subject matter relating to identity, love, and grief. This book is destined to turn some heads.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "11-Jan-2025", "date_added": "21-Nov-2024 23:58:40", "publisher": "Titan", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015181003", "title": "Dogs and Monsters", "author": "Mark Haddon", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 179, "review": "Dogs and Monsters: Stories by Mark Haddon is an entrancing collection of eight classic Greek myths reimagined in Haddon\u2019s trademark imaginative and carefully crafted style. While there have been numerous mythological retellings on the new release tables as of late, Greek and otherwise, I was beyond impressed with Haddon\u2019s unique approach to this growing subgenre. Inside, you\u2019ll find Pasiphae, the mother of the monstrous Minotaur, as she struggles to protect her outcast offspring. Question your own sense of mortality as Tithonus lives out his eternal life, one year at a time. Picture the previously solid line between man and animal blur as Actaeon goes from hunter to prey. Instead of simply retelling any one of these stories, as I\u2019ve seen done skillfully with so many other books with a similar theme, Haddon deftly highlights vividly passionate depictions of the primal hopes and fears that make us human while seamlessly interweaving modern anxieties and contemporary fears throughout, leaving you with such a personal empathetic connection with each character that it\u2019s genuinely hard to shake them loose after closing the cover.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2025", "date_added": "21-Nov-2024 22:04:54", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015180011", "title": "Zawa + The Belly of the Beast", "author": "Michael Dialynas", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 242, "review": "The guardian spirit of a revered mountain has been secluded and hidden away, with nothing to feed on but sludge and garbage. Meanwhile, the people of Mesa\u2019s Boon are obsessed with industrialism\u2019s decay, with the mayor forbidding the planting of trees. An urban legend about monsters hiding in the bowels of the mountain has been around for a while.

\nFew things nourish the heart and spirit more than meals created with love and shared with friends. Siblings Bandit and Thatcher Blackbird stumble upon the guardian, Zawa, who is derelict and unrecognizable after a long period of neglect. She regains her strength through food lovingly prepared by Chef Bandit. Soon, the accomplices learn of Zawa\u2019s true nature and the lies they long believed to be the truth. Helping her escape will mean defying powerful leaders and convincing others to change their ways.\u00a0

Zawa and the Belly of the Beast is a vibrant and compelling tale that warns against the spoils of unchecked development and industrialization. The story instills hope by showing how young people can make a difference by being smart and relying on each other. Writer and illustrator Michael Dialyna builds upon myths of mountain deities as protectors of the land. The bright and vivid colors bring out both the disgusting wasteland of urbanization and the inviting beauty of the wilds. The metaphor of food and feasting figures prominently in the story, as nourishing the environment back to health requires intentional offerings.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2025", "date_added": "21-Nov-2024 23:40:53", "publisher": "BOOM! Box", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015179011", "title": "Coup de Gr\u00e2ce", "author": "Sofia Ajram", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Dillion Allen-Perez", "word_count": 191, "review": "This novella is hard to read. Sofia Ajram is the architect of a disturbing labyrinth deep underground\u2014or perhaps deep in the protagonist\u2019s mind. The blueprint contains deep depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Construction adds flowery language over layers of body horror, psychological thriller, and nightmare dreamscapes.

Vicken is ready to commit suicide. That is until he meets a handsome man on the metro on the path to his final destination. Does that change his mind? The only thing clear in this grotesque novella is that Vicken gets lost. At some point, the metro transforms into an inescapable puzzle. Brutalist design traps Vicken in a loop of hallways, rooms, and unknowable horrors hiding around every concrete corner.

In the '90s, Alice Notley gave us a feminist subversion of the epic poem tradition in her Descent of Alette. In 2020's horror, Sofia Ajram uses a similar setting to show the reader that Dante\u2019s Inferno can play out all in one poor soul\u2019s mind. Coup de Gr\u00e2ce is a book for abstract horror fans prepared to navigate the scary stories our own minds tell us when we get lost in the maze of our mental health.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2025", "date_added": "21-Nov-2024 23:55:42", "publisher": "Titan", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015178019", "title": "Inheriting Magic: My Journey Through Grief, Joy, Celebration, and Making Every Day Magical", "author": "Jennifer Love Hewitt", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 205, "review": "Human nature is characterized by its ups and downs, leading us to experience intense emotions \u2013 from happiness to sadness \u2013 that can visit anyone for no particular reason and for varying lengths of time. Jennifer Love Hewitt, known as an American actress, singer, and producer, has faced her share of heartache and grief, particularly through the irreplaceable loss of her mother. In her latest book, Inheriting Magic, she opens up about her mother's death and the impact it had on her life. Yet Jennifer offers hope and light by sharing how the concept of \"magic\" has helped her navigate these challenging times and continues to guide her daily.

It is common for people to hold celebrities and those in the spotlight to a higher standard, assuming their lives are perfect. Inheriting Magic is not a comprehensive autobiography, but it focuses on a specific event that has shaped her through the years. The book illustrates how one determined woman has processed her grief while managing successful career roles in film and as a wife and mother at home. The book's format is part memoir, part family photo album, and part recipe book \u2013 everything needed to create a comprehensive picture of love, hope, and magic.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2025", "date_added": "22-Nov-2024 00:00:58", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015178015", "title": "Christmas and Other Horrors: A winter solstice anthology", "author": "Ellen Datlow, Nadia Bulkin, Terry Dowling", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 267, "review": "Welcoming winter comes with rituals and ceremonies that mark the changing seasons. While traditions have evolved to emphasize the return of the light in winter solstice commemorations, this time of year is punctuated by cold, dark nights. Some may even harbor unnameable evils and forgotten lore. Hugo-award-winning author Ellen Datlow curates and edits a collection of original short stories in Christmas and Other Horrors. This anthology features a diverse range of authors, including Cassandra Khaw, Garth Nix, and Gemma Files, each bringing their unique perspective to the theme of horror. Each story tells a scary tale, sometimes a haunting, often a predation of physical and mental safety by the supernatural and otherworldly.\u00a0

What truly sets these stories apart are the unique storytelling styles of the authors. Some bring little-known myths and folklore from different parts of the world to life. Nick Mamatas\u2019 \u201cThe Blessing of the Waters\u201d blurs the lines between the sacred and the unholy, while Alma Katsu's \"His Castle\" offers a fresh perspective on the legend of Mari Lwyd, weaving in a commentary on social ills.

\u00a0Some of us read horror because we enjoy good old-fashioned reckoning. The authors are adept at anchoring each story solidly in place, featuring characters who are both likable and vile. We root for certain characters while others get what they deserve. Nadia Bulkin's exploration of trauma and harm and Stephen Graham Jones' examination of different sides of complicity add a thought-provoking layer to the anthology. In the season of lights and frights, Christmas and Other Horrors is an enjoyable read that makes bleak, wintry, chilly nights even more unsettling.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2025", "date_added": "21-Nov-2024 23:54:41", "publisher": "Titan", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015176011", "title": "The Wood at Midwinter", "author": "Susanna Clarke", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 182, "review": "The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke follows nineteen-year-old Merowdis Scot through the woods. She talks to trees and animals and is happiest when in the woods. On a snowy night, she meets a stranger in the woods and a wish she makes there will change her life forever.

This is a pleasant midwinter read, chuck full of fairies and magic. Set in the same world as Clarke\u2019s popular work, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, this is a place where animals can converse and where young women can speak to trees. Merowdis\u2019 story brings its own kind of distinct seasonal magic, intermingling the real and the fae. While short, this volume overflows with imagination and lyrical storytelling.

This beautifully illustrated short story will elicit gasps from readers, young and old. (My daughter read over my shoulder and exclaimed over every page.) A winter story readers will be eager to revisit year after year, this book makes a beautiful gift for others or for your own enjoyment. The Wood at Midwinter is a little bit of midwinter magic to brighten the dark days.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2025", "date_added": "21-Nov-2024 22:06:55", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015174011", "title": "Megalodons, Mermaids, and Climate Change: Answers to Your Ocean and Atmosphere Questions", "author": "Ellen Prager, Dave Jones", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 198, "review": "From the blue of the ocean to the azure skies above, marine biologist Ellen Prager and meteorologist Dave Jones have assembled a raft of questions along with their answers about their research areas that may interest and perplex both the young and adult reader. While Megalodons no longer exist, they once reigned long ago as giant sharks, as evidence from a large fossil tooth indicates. As for mermaids, they belong to the imagination. But there is much to learn about jellyfish, poisonous sea snakes, bleached coral reefs, whales, seals, and so many other denizens of the seas. When looking at the sky, questions arise about clouds and precipitation, weather forecasting, and the variety of storms we experience, be it hurricanes, tornados, or typhoons. With continuing global warming and the increasing ocean temperatures, the prognosis indicates stronger storms in the future. Read about the expected repercussions to this planet due to climate change. The question/answer format elicits a lot of interesting information and may raise further queries for the reader. Both authors stress the importance of avoiding misinformation and misunderstanding and checking data sources. This is a pleasant, easy-to-read book that updates the reader with oceanic and atmospheric news.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "03-Feb-2025", "date_added": "21-Nov-2024 23:52:29", "publisher": "Columbia University Press", "page_count": "248 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015174003", "title": "The Ladies of Grace Adieu", "author": "Susanna Clarke", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 170, "review": "Set in the same world as Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke\u2019s short story collection The Ladies of Grace Adieu is simply a delight. These ten short stories expand and explore the world of the renowned novel, including a cameo appearance by Jonathan Strange himself. Not to be outdone, John Uskglass, several fairy princes, Mary, Queen of Scots, and the Duke of Wellington are also featured.

The Ladies of Grace Adieu contains the very best components of fairy tales and folklore and all the literary acumen that readers adore in Clarke\u2019s other works. This is an England of fairies and magic spells, just a turn-off-kilter from our own, rendered into addictive 19th-century prose. Clarke explores different narrative styles and viewpoints, exercising her trademark humor and story-craft. Rich and strange, these stories are intricate and modern, giving voice to women who have been overlooked in literature from the day. Simple enough to read quickly, these fairy stories for grownups are complex enough to make you want to revisit them often.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2025", "date_added": "21-Nov-2024 21:14:47", "publisher": "Bloomsbury", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015173011", "title": "My Time to Stand", "author": "Gypsy-Rose Blanchard, Michele Matrisciani,Melissa Moore", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 186, "review": "The name Gypsy-Rose is unique, but nowadays, it is known, or at least recognized, exponentially. Gypsy-Rose Blanchard is known for the abuse she underwent while in her mother's care, and then ultimately, playing a role in her mother's murder in 2015. Much coverage about her past and present is available now; however, since discovering her notoriety while in prison, Gypsy-Rose felt an urgency to share her side of the good and ugly and finally take control of the narrative in My Time to Stand.

Her life consists of many puzzle pieces initially placed upside down but now effortlessly connected since finding the right way into the overall picture. Her memoir is heart-wrenching to a mother reader. I appreciated and loved that she fine-toothed through situations. She took the time to interview family members to provide a rationale, if you will, for her mother's actions, and she included the right amount of detail for more sensitive circumstances; included are scenes of physical and sexual abuse, which is helpful for a reader to know in advance. The story is well written, making for a quick but thought-provoking read.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "07-Jan-2025", "date_added": "21-Nov-2024 22:00:32", "publisher": "BenBella Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015168003", "title": "Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While also in an Actual Cult!) ", "author": "Bethany Joy Lenz", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Sachi Sharma", "word_count": 468, "review": "To the public, Bethany Joy Lenz was known as one of the early 2000s it-girls as she starred on the popular teen drama One Tree Hill. However, behind the scenes, Lenz grappled with isolation as she yearned to find family through a seemingly harmless Bible study group. Over the next decade, the group morphed into a high-control, sinister organization, better known as a cult, draining Lenz of her TV millions and forcing her to stay in an abusive marriage. Only when her daughter is born does she regain her own autonomy and find the strength to leave the cult that controlled her life for far too long.

Despite being a fan of One Tree Hill, I had no idea what I was entering when I began the novel. From the very first page, Lenz captivates audiences by offering them a glimpse of what being in a highly controlled environment is really like. She notably points out how cults often seem like harmless ways of making friends and very few realize what they have been brainwashed into until they are already too deep within it. Lenz explains how she entered a cycle of numbness after so much of her autonomy was taken from her and how she\u2019s been forced to let the past go, despite lingering trauma from this period. She also tackles the myth that \u201conly stupid people would fall into cults\u201d by pointing to the psychology of cults and their ability to capitalize on a person\u2019s weaknesses.

For Lenz, this was her desire to experience family and unity following the divorce of her parents. While her novel does not dive into the specifics of her time on the actual TV show, she does explain the irony in being half of America\u2019s healthiest teen couples on screen, while struggling to keep her marriage together off-screen. While avid One Tree Hill fans may find the behind-the-scenes information interesting, those who have not seen the show will still be intrigued by Lenz\u2019s journey as an actor, her relationships within the group, and the lasting effects of being in a cult.

I read this novel cover-to-cover, a testament to Lenz\u2019s writing style. Her words flow seamlessly and logically despite introducing a very large cast of characters. Her writing emphasizes her vulnerabilities and often made me emotional as she conveys her experiences, frustrations, and desires through the page. Each victory was met with heart-wrenching moments and readers can truly feel the emotional toll writing this story must have taken on her. The entire novel comes full circle with the birth of Lenz\u2019s daughter and her circumstantial realization that her daughter deserves better than just being another dinner for vampires. Readers of all backgrounds can find relatability in her growing pains in or out of the cult, making Dinner for Vampires a must-read.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2025", "date_added": "20-Nov-2024 19:35:54", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015161003", "title": "Lifeform", "author": "Jenny Slate", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 159, "review": "I had never heard of Jenny Slate, the comedian, actress, and screenwriter. She has enjoyed considerable success in all these endeavors, but as a writer, she excels. This quirky, totally original book may be a memoir if one is to believe that a human brain can totally live inside a planet of its own making. Many of the chapters are structured as letters to her doctor. She queries him about the most extraordinary and unbelievable subjects which, at times, are hilarious, and at sometimes deeply dark.

If a reader ever wanted to see what a free range brain would do by running totally amok, this is the scenario which she describes. The title of the book refers to the lifeform embryo which she is bringing into the world with the help of a rather mean stork. If you have ever deeply lamented the pock marks of your over used diminished soap, this is the book you want to read.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "21-Jan-2025", "date_added": "19-Nov-2024 22:06:47", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015160003", "title": "The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I ", "author": "Douglas Brunt", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 191, "review": "In October 1913, the SS Dresden made worldwide headlines with the disappearance of one of its passengers, Rudolf Diesel. Diesel was a noted inventor who made marked innovations to the internal combustion engine, and his creation had recently begun making inroads in the transportation industry. Diesel\u2019s whereabouts were unknown as of September 29, 1913. Two weeks later, a body would be located in the Scheldt River and tentatively identified as Diesel. Speculation was rife in the newspapers about Diesel\u2019s demise being accidental or suicide. However, Diesel\u2019s engine threatened the petroleum empire headed by ruthless figures such as John D. Rockefeller of Standard Oil. Diesel\u2019s willingness to work with the British offended German leader Kaiser Wilhelm I, especially as militarism swept Europe and pushed the world to war. The narrative attributed Diesel\u2019s death to suicide, but nagging questions remain.

Douglas Brunt (Ghosts of Manhattan) investigates the eventful life and enigmatic death of Rudolf Diesel in this compelling historical tale. Brunt\u2019s exceptional work functions as a memoir with more than a hint of true crime whodunit mixed in. Diesel\u2019s life story is engrossing, but his swan song proves more titillating over a century later.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jan-2025", "date_added": "19-Nov-2024 22:05:54", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015154003", "title": "Under Loch and Key", "author": "Lana Ferguson", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Katie O'Reilly", "word_count": 208, "review": "Following her father's death, Keyanna 'Key' McKay decides to visit Scotland, his birthplace. Seeking a closer connection to her father, she unexpectedly inserts herself into her grandparents' lives in an attempt to find answers. What was her father like? Why did he leave Scotland? Was there any truth to the absurd stories he told her as a child? Lachlan Greer is no stranger to the McKay family, but when a stunning redhead stumbles into his life and introduces herself as a McKay, he knows he must distance himself from the enchanting woman. He has his own secrets to keep, tied up in the Loch nearby. So what happens when fate steps in?

Lana Ferguson always writes compelling characters with a fun and creative twist. Under Loch & Key is no exception. The antics that Key and Lachlan get up to in their small Scottish town are nothing but charming and fun. Between the well-written side characters, romantic tension, forked tongue, and a forbidden love story, you won't want to put the book down. While both are searching for their own answers, they find themselves compelled to help the other despite complicated feelings and the occasional medieval-style warning. This is a must-read for Ferguson fans and romance readers alike.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "18-Apr-2025", "date_added": "19-Nov-2024 18:14:42", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015142041", "title": "Unfamiliar Territory: A Lowestoft Chronicle Anthology", "author": "Nicholas Litchfield", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 408, "review": "Unfamiliar Territory is the latest release from the Lowestoft Chronicle, a collection of short stories and poems which are bound together by the theme of travel through foreign lands. The works themselves are as disparate as the locations which inspire them. Ranging from the poetic to the meditative to the fascinated and fascinating, there is something within this book to appeal to many different styles of readers, whether they are frequent travelers or have never left their hometown.

Like many anthologies, the works can prove something of a mixed bag. While I enjoyed most of the works and some stood out from all the rest, some others felt like the bane of a short story reader: a set of beautiful words in which nothing particular happens. Some of the stories and poems are beautiful enough I hardly cared, but in others, I found myself wondering what the point might be, or finding that the point was made all too clearly.

What I found most interesting was a less obvious common thread, still related to travel. The unfamiliar territory of the title often refers to the foreign countries in which the various protagonists find themselves, but they just as often find themselves in unfamiliar territory within their own minds. These voyages, too, are beautifully and intimately written, often more intimately than the voyages into unfamiliar physical territory. Sometimes the physical voyage feels like a metaphor for the literal one; other times it feels more like a veneer, an excuse for internal exploration.

Once again, this proves to be a mixed bag. At times, the metaphors and veneers work well. At others, they make the physical territory feel thin and insubstantial, unimportant to the story as a whole.

My focus so far has been on the fiction, but the collection also has a substantial amount of creative nonfiction, and this is where I found it to truly shine. The creative nonfiction pieces have a mix of humor and wonder which the fiction pieces never quite reach, and which I enjoyed greatly. The fiction shows the wonder which can be in the world; the nonfiction shows that wonder along with a sense of humor which keeps the works grounded.

Unfamiliar Territory will likely appeal most to those who are already fans of the Lowestoft Chronicle\u2019s work, though hopefully it draws a few new fans to the publisher as well. I\u2019ll certainly be keeping my eye out for more of their books.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2025", "date_added": "15-Nov-2024 22:11:00", "publisher": "Lowestoft Chronicle Press", "page_count": "220 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015142033", "title": "The First Knight Shaman, Book One of the Apocrypha of the Knight Shamans", "author": "R. Roderick Rowe", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 408, "review": "After the Great Quake of 2040, the forested lands and the lives of those in the Pacific Northwest are shaken. With both civil and social unrest still prevailing from the ideas of the 47th president, much of southwestern Oregon has been divided into tribal communities. Rodney Knight, the son of the founder of the Elk Creek Tribe, comes to age and into his own powers during this tumultuous time. At seven, he recognized his first spirits. First, a childhood friend was slain in an attack, and next, a beloved mentor lost during a battle. At seventeen, while on patrol with his unit, Rodney once again encounters a spirit that warns him of an ambush. Knowing that war is inevitable, the Elk Creek Tribe recognizes Rodney as their first Shaman. With advice from his Spirit Guide, Rodney helps lead his community through troubled times and towards the ideals that the founder had envisioned.

The First Knight Shaman is the first book in R. Rodrick Rowe\u2019s Apocrypha of the Knights Shaman. Rowe\u2019s novella is a post-apocalyptic LGBTQ fantasy set in the forested slopes of western Oregon. The catalysts to Rowe\u2019s apocalypse are unique to the genre but are very real. Using both geography and the current political climate, Rowe is able to develop a realistic setting. The social and civil unrest caused by the Orange One\u2019s presidency and the Great Quakes of 2040 brought about unrest and war between neighboring villages and tribes. And after January 20th, 2025, Rowe looks like the shamans he writes about. As post-apocalyptic tales go, Rowe\u2019s scenario is realistic with a plot that hints at the fantastical. Using real places that exist in today\u2019s maps adds to the realism.

Rowe\u2019s protagonists belong to a tribe, but that is where much of the tribalism ends. Rowe employs themes of acceptance while reimagining gender roles and norms. Race, sexual, and gender identity are recognized and promoted. Rowe\u2019s novella combines utopian ideals set in a dystopian backdrop. Rowe also is able to mix dynamic characters with an intriguing plot. And even though this novella ties into many of Rowe\u2019s other writings, The First Knight Shaman can be read as a stand-alone work and the beginning of a new series. Rowe has blended the dystopian ideas of Octavia Butler, the world-building of Terry Brooks, and the coming-of-age writings of David S. Slayton into a fantastical story all his own. Join Rodney Knight as he becomes The First Knight Shaman.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "29-Jan-2025", "date_added": "15-Nov-2024 22:07:50", "publisher": "RWCollins Publishing", "page_count": "104 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015142025", "title": "Ponder", "author": "Daniel Roberts", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 436, "review": "John and his best friend Murray go on an unforgettable boys' trip to Disney World, a highlight of their annual \"Ponders.\" John, the affluent and charismatic planner, chooses the destination with a heartfelt purpose. Having lost his parents in a tragic plane crash at the age of 12, his last cherished memory of them is their visit to Disney World. Now, as he approaches his 30th birthday, John feels an urgent need to return\u2014not just for the enchanting experiences but to reconnect with the memories of his parents.

Initially, the idea of a Disney getaway for grown men seems unappealing to Murray. However, he cannot resist John's enthusiasm and joins him on this adventure. At Disney, they explore the numerous attractions, meet fascinating people, and reminisce about past trips. Among the many new acquaintances is Virginia, a captivating Southern girl whose love for Disney matches their own. Both men are instantly drawn to her carefree spirit and charm.

Murray is happily married to Florence, his only romantic partner, while John navigates life as a single man after a failed marriage. As they spend time with Virginia, both friends find themselves developing feelings for her, leading to an unexpected love triangle. John contemplates proposing to Virginia but is uncertain about her feelings. Meanwhile, Murray grapples with the realization that John's wealth and charm may give him an advantage in winning Virginia's heart. The situation intensifies when Florence arrives unexpectedly with Kathy, John's ex-wife. This twist adds complexity to their already tangled emotions and raises questions about loyalty and friendship.

John\u2019s coping mechanism is particularly intriguing; he prefers not to deal with the loss, surprising those around him with his emotional restraint. This raises questions about how people handle grief\u2014whether through avoidance or acknowledgment\u2014and highlights the diverse ways people cope with painful memories. Additionally, the story prompts reflections on monogamy. Murray\u2019s attraction to Virginia complicates his commitment to Florence. Would an open relationship be more suitable for him? The narrative humorously explores these themes through Murray's witty observations about life and love.

The dynamic between John and Murray is compelling; while John enjoys financial security without extravagant desires, Murray dreams of what he could achieve with the wealth he may never attain.\u00a0Despite the potential for conflict over Virginia, their bond remains strong. Their unique secret language adds a playful dimension to their mischief-making.

While the characters and plot are engaging, some readers may find it challenging to keep up with the fast-paced storyline as new events unfold rapidly. Nevertheless, Ponder by Daniel Roberts is an interesting story of friendship, love, and the complexities of human emotions set against the magical Disney World.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Nov-2024 22:04:28", "publisher": "Arcade", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015142021", "title": "Ponder", "author": "Daniel Roberts", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 645, "review": "Daniel Roberts\u2019 Ponder is a comedic exploration of friendship, love, and the messy transition from youthful recklessness to adult responsibility. Set against the surreal backdrop of Walt Disney World at the turn of the millennium, the novel follows Murray \u201cCheese\u201d Marks and John Apple, two lifelong friends navigating personal crises, complicated love lives, and the bittersweet realities of growing older. With its sharp wit, flawed characters, and evocative prose, Ponder offers a wild and contemplative fairground ride through heartbreak, humor, and hedonism.

The story begins with Cheese and John embarking on their annual \u201cponder\u201d\u2014an aimless, alcohol-fueled bonding trip. This time, they\u2019re heading to Disney World, a destination with haunting significance for John, whose parents tragically died in a plane crash after a family holiday there when he was 12. Now 29 and a multimillionaire, John hopes the visit will provide closure before his 30th birthday. Cheese, an overweight and self-deprecating everyman, is looking to escape his strained marriage.

However, the trip takes an unexpected turn when they meet Virginia Wells, a spoiled but magnetic Southern belle. What begins as a buddy comedy quickly turns into a tangled love triangle as both men fall for Virginia, leading to chaos that only deepens when Cheese\u2019s wife, Florence, and John\u2019s ex, Kathy, arrive.

Roberts juxtaposes the whimsical, larger-than-life setting of Disney World with the existential angst of his protagonists. The theme park\u2019s unrelenting cheerfulness and over-the-top excess serve as a perfect foil for the characters\u2019 inner turmoil. This contrast is reflected in the novel\u2019s prose, which oscillates between biting humor and moments of unexpected emotional depth. Cheese\u2019s narration blends sardonic observations with poetic musings that reveal his insecurities and longing for something more meaningful in life.

Cheese is an unreliable but strangely endearing narrator, whose self-loathing and cluelessness often result in both comedic and poignant moments. His insecurities about his appearance, his strained marriage, and his feelings of inferiority compared to John are palpable throughout the story. Yet, while Cheese\u2019s humor and vulnerability make him relatable, his frequent blunders and prejudices\u2014especially his clumsy and racist interactions with Disney staff and his dismissive attitude toward others\u2014may alienate some readers.

John Apple is a more enigmatic figure, a man haunted by his past but determined to find love before the symbolic turning point of the millennium. His wealth and charisma often mask his deeper struggles, creating an intriguing dynamic with Cheese, whose loyalty borders on hero worship. By contrast, Virginia, the object of their affections, is less fully realized, serving more as a catalyst for the men\u2019s conflicts than as a three-dimensional character.

The novel\u2019s setting and time period are integral to its atmosphere. The late 1990s, with the ubiquitous BlackBerry devices, Y2K paranoia, and booming economy, provides a nostalgic yet oddly ominous backdrop. Disney World itself is brought to life with vivid descriptions that highlight both its magic and its artificiality, creating a surreal stage for the characters\u2019 misadventures. The excesses of the theme park mirror the characters\u2019 own overindulgence, from their relentless drinking to their reckless pursuit of happiness.

Roberts\u2019 writing shines in its ability to balance humor with deeper themes. The banter between Cheese and John is sharp and often funny, while moments of introspection add emotional weight to the narrative, showcasing Roberts\u2019 knack for blending heartfelt observations with debased desires. However, the novel\u2019s relentless focus on Cheese\u2019s perspective, coupled with his lack of significant growth, may leave some readers craving a more satisfying resolution. Overall, Ponder is a bold and offbeat novel that will appeal to fans of dark humor and character-driven storytelling. It\u2019s a story about the cost of living in denial, the messy nature of human relationships, and the necessity of letting go of the past. While it may not resonate with all readers, those willing to embrace its quirks and imperfections will find a story that is as hilarious as it is heartbreaking.", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Nov-2024 22:02:54", "publisher": "Arcade", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015142013", "title": "The Silver Squad: Rebels With Wrinkles", "author": "Marty Essen", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 423, "review": "Septuagenarians Barry and Beth reconnect when they both move into the Blue Loon Village retirement community in Minnesota within weeks of each other. They had been high school sweethearts who lost touch over time going on to live separate lives. When they reconnect, Beth urges Barry to join her on a road trip adventure where they can have one last hurrah as they slip into what they feel might be their decline into a boring aging blur.

It all starts with Barry buying what he calls a getaway car, a dark Mustang which reminds him of one he had in high school while dating Beth. But will it be practical? Beth is not convinced. The first caper the two undertake is robbing a truck full of Spam. Of course, they plan to give it away to homeless people when they find them. But before their journey really takes off they encounter Jenny, the abused wife of a cop trying to escape an unbearable situation.

Taking Jenny under their wings, they set off on an epic cross-country journey where they not only help the homeless but stop a mass shooter, try to save alligators, and come up with a plan to get revenge on Jenny's abusive husband once they head back home. But will the Silver Squad be able to bring down a corrupt police officer without getting into a world of trouble and danger? And will Jenny be able to set herself free from abuse?

The Silver Squad is full of comedic humor and I found it hard to put down. The characters are both lovable and memorable. I thought the author did a great job of capturing the feelings of aging and the sense that the couple wanted to continue to feel useful and weren't finished having fun, even though life found them in a retirement community. I loved how the adventures expanded as the story progressed and each chapter brought something new and entertaining.

To my mind, this book had it all, a well-written tale, engaging dialogue, dynamic and memorable characters on an epic journey that is both heartwarming and funny at the same time. I also loved the epilogue that wrapped things up at the end. But, I would love to read more about Barry and Beth's adventures at the Blue Loon Village. So, I'm hoping the author is thinking about a sequel because I'm quite sure the Silver Squad, along with Gertrude, Barry's beloved leopard gecko would have little difficulty finding worthy causes and capers to occupy their time.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "28-Jan-2025", "date_added": "15-Nov-2024 21:59:32", "publisher": "Encante Press, LLC", "page_count": "278 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015142005", "title": "Muddy the Water", "author": "Jessica Barrows Beebe and Matt Barrows", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 413, "review": "Muddy the Water is a compelling thriller penned by the talented brother-sister duo, Matt Barrows and Jessica Barrows Beebe. The novel grips readers from the opening scene, introducing Detective Lillian Grimes as she arrives at a grisly marina crime scene. Her world is upended when the victim is revealed to be Carlos Joaquin\u2014her best friend, a man she once rescued during their service together in the Massachusetts Army National Guard.\nOne of the book's most intriguing narrative choices is its early revelation of the killer. The first chapter introduces Benjamin Broome, Carlos\u2019 boatmate, as Grimes\u2019 prime suspect. By the second chapter, the perspective shifts to Broome, exposing him as the murderer who assumes a new identity after killing an environmental journalist, Charlie Fisher, from Maryland. This early twist challenges traditional mystery conventions, focusing the suspense on Broome\u2019s evasion and Detective Grimes\u2019 pursuit rather than the question of \u201cwhodunit.\u201d

Broome\u2019s transformation is meticulously detailed. From his disheveled, long-haired appearance to a polished, clean-cut facade, he fully inhabits Charlie Fisher\u2019s persona. Relocating to South Carolina, he embeds himself within the community as a journalist. Despite his lack of training, Broome excels in investigative reporting, expertly navigating his double life. His careful, secretive actions create a palpable tension, leaving readers questioning when\u2014or if\u2014his deception will unravel.\nThe authors\u2019 journalism backgrounds lend authenticity to the newsroom dynamics and Broome\u2019s adaptation to his new role. These insights ground the story in realism, enhancing the believability of his subterfuge. Broome's character dominates much of the narrative, and his calculated movements and psychological depth make him a fascinating and unnerving antagonist.\nThe novel\u2019s pacing is well-calibrated, steadily building suspense as the distance narrows between Grimes and Broome. South Carolina\u2019s evocative setting, with its swamps, shrimp boats, and small-town charm, adds a unique layer of atmosphere. For readers unfamiliar with the region, the vivid descriptions paint a world distinctly removed from urban life, immersing them in the novel\u2019s backdrop.\nThe story unfolds through the perspectives of three characters: Detective Grimes, the elusive Broome, and Florence Park, a tenacious reporter. This multi-faceted approach enriches the narrative, offering contrasting viewpoints that converge seamlessly in a satisfying conclusion.

Overall, Muddy the Water is a masterfully crafted thriller that balances character-driven storytelling with gripping suspense. Its unconventional structure, rich setting, and dynamic characters make it a standout read for fans of the genre. Matt Barrows and Jessica Barrows Beebe deliver a tale that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling, leaving readers eagerly anticipating their next collaboration.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2025", "date_added": "15-Nov-2024 21:54:16", "publisher": "Koehler Books", "page_count": "258 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015135003", "title": "Dinosaur Pie", "author": "Jen Wallace, Alan O'Rourke", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Julianne - age 9", "word_count": 179, "review": "Dinosaur Pie by Jen Wallace, illustrated by Alex O\u2019Rourke is about a kid named Rory. When he eats some dinosaur pie from the supermarket, he turns into a dinosaur. Becoming a dinosaur is hard! Rory is awkward, small, can\u2019t play video games, or use a toilet! He can see better, but can\u2019t stay away from sausages. Through the book Rory is trying to find a way to get back with his friends and transform back into a human.

This book has laughs, excitement, and of course, a lot of dinos. It\u2019s very entertaining, easy reading book, probably best for younger readers, like six+, or kids who like dinos.

One cool thing about the book was that Rory has ADHD. As a kid with ADHD, Rory felt realistic to me. He gets a glitch when he\u2019s overwhelmed, just like I do. I don\u2019t see very many characters with ADHD, so it was pretty cool to read about Rory having it.

P.S. if you ever do find yourself turned into a dino, this book contains a useful method for transforming back.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "07-Mar-2025", "date_added": "14-Nov-2024 23:04:24", "publisher": "Little Island", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015132007", "title": "The Pinchers and the Curse of the Egyptian Cat", "author": "Anders Sparring, Per Gustavsson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 128, "review": "The Pincher family is up to no good yet again. Theo and Ellen walk by a thrift store and see a cool golden cat and go in to get a closer look, but they end up fighting over it and breaking it. This releases the curse of the Egyptian cat and they must do whatever it takes to end the curse. Read this adventure to find out more.

The funniest part of this book is the page that includes all the bad stuff in the book like shoplifting, a curse, and a reasonably happy ending. I like this series because it is easy to read and is very funny. I really like the colorful and funny illustrations. This a great book for readers who like some odd adventures.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "07-Mar-2025", "date_added": "14-Nov-2024 23:05:29", "publisher": "Gecko Press", "page_count": "92 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015342003", "title": "The Confines Stories", "author": "Anu Kandikuppa", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 223, "review": "A young doctor tends to an older couple burdened by physical ailments. The husband and wife engage in a daily ritual of petty bickering. Friends from college maintain their connections over the years, gradually revealing underlying issues. The characters in Anu Kandikuppa\u2019s short story collection, The Confines: Stories, are trapped in moral stagnation, emotional paralysis, and stifling societal expectations\u2014both imposed by others and self-inflicted\u2014making the ordinariness of their lives feel unbearable. This collection features twelve thought-provoking stories that explore the cultural expectations, taboos, and hierarchies that impact the Indian diaspora in both the United States and India.

\nAs part of the Filipino diaspora, I found the characters in Kandikuppa\u2019s stories to be relatable and often pitiable. For instance, there is a woman who spends much of her time longing for unrequited love. On the other hand, some characters are truly despicable, such as a grown man who remains silent and passive while witnessing his friend mistreat his wife and daughter.

\nKandikuppa sets a high bar with this debut offering, which effectively captures the complexities of human relationships and the silent struggles individuals face. I was particularly struck by the author\u2019s skillful and unabashed depiction of the nuances of Indian culture and identity. The characters are well-developed as they confront both internal and external conflicts while dealing with societal pressures and unspoken personal desires.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "04-Apr-2025", "date_added": "27-Dec-2024 21:18:52", "publisher": "Veliz Books", "page_count": "195 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015341055", "title": "Align Your Business with the Real You: Connect with Yourself, Create What Matters Most, and Define Your Success", "author": "Jennifer Musser", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 474, "review": "Align Your Business with the Real You is a fantastic book for any entrepreneur, whether you're old or new to the game. Author Jennifer Musser's words resonated with me from the very first page, and as I read each chapter, I became more and more immersed in the content. As someone who has owned several businesses, I have found my niche\u2014the business I love growing and working. But like many jobs, being an entrepreneur can take its toll on your personal life because sometimes, there is no separation between home and work.

What I enjoyed about Align Your Business with the Real You was that the exercises are one hundred percent doable. Musser employs many techniques centered around one main thought: \"Listen to yourself.\" How many of us ask ourselves if our business aligns with other aspects of our lives? By tapping into our personal beliefs, values, and thoughts, we can change the direction of our businesses, making them a perfect fit.

Musser does a great job of using anecdotal stories to illustrate how she has used the various techniques she gives her readers. One of the stories I enjoyed was when she realized she had no pink in her wardrobe. She ponders this after a friend is helping her choose an outfit for an event. After a long night of trying to decipher the pink questions, Musser realized that she didn't wear vibrant pink because she matched her environment. She was allowing her environment to dictate how she showed up instead of choosing her environment and how she would show up to it. This made me think about my environment and how I will personalize it to match my inner thoughts and personality.

My favorite exercise in the book was the personal check-in. By asking ourselves questions such as \"How do I really feel?\" or \"Do I feel healthy?\" or \"What customers do I enjoy serving?\" we can tap more into our inner selves and find out what it is that makes us tick. This also leads to cherishing your inner circle, another aspect I hadn't considered. With the invention of social media, so many people are worried about gaining \"followers.\" But do these people fill our cups? Of course not. We don't know these strangers, yet we put such a heavy weight on that little number at the top of the screen. When you think about the people you feel good around, who make you smile and laugh, who you learn the most from, that is your inner circle.

After reading Align Your Business with the Real You, I felt a lot lighter. I felt like I had ideas galore that I had never thought of. And on top of it all, I felt gratitude for everyone and everything around me. Musser's stop-and-smell-the-roses technique is the perfect fix for any entrepreneur who has woken up tired.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "10-Jan-2025", "date_added": "27-Dec-2024 23:00:19", "publisher": "PenRock press", "page_count": "263 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015341051", "title": "Salvo: Answers To An Apocalypse", "author": "Randy Lee Higgins, Ph.D.", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 452, "review": "In Salvo: Answers to an Apocalypse, Randy Lee Higgins, Ph.D., embarks on a profound and unconventional exploration of reality, self-awareness, and the nature of existence. Written in a stream-of-consciousness style reminiscent of philosophical texts and spiritual revelations, Salvo presents itself as a collection of messages from a post-apocalyptic future, offering wisdom that challenges conventional thinking. Through deeply introspective reflections and bold metaphysical claims, Higgins invites readers to reassess their understanding of identity, consciousness, and even time itself.

One of the book\u2019s most striking elements is its assertion that the knowledge it contains has been transmitted from our future selves, reaching back through time to guide humanity through its darkest moments. While this premise might seem radical, Higgins approaches it with sincerity, weaving together spiritual insights, existential philosophy, and reflections on human suffering and transcendence. The writing is both poetic and provocative, blending mysticism with scientific musings in a way that encourages readers to contemplate the deeper patterns of life.

At its core, Salvo is a meditation on self-awareness. Higgins emphasizes the dissolution of the ego, the importance of living in the present moment, and the necessity of embracing both suffering and joy as integral parts of the human experience. He frequently references spiritual states such as Samadhi, describing them not as abstract concepts but as achievable states of enlightenment that hold the key to understanding our place in the universe. His reflections on karma, consciousness, and personal responsibility are particularly compelling, urging readers to recognize that their perceptions shape reality and that true transformation begins within.

Another intriguing aspect of Salvo is its integration of extraterrestrial intelligence and interdimensional perspectives. Higgins suggests that humanity is undergoing an evolutionary shift, moving away from ego-driven existence toward a more unified and enlightened consciousness. While these ideas may not resonate with every reader, they are presented with such conviction that they invite curiosity rather than skepticism. His discussions of reincarnation, the dissolution of traditional human identity, and the emergence of a \u201cNew Earth\u201d provide food for thought, even for those less inclined toward metaphysical speculation.

Despite its dense subject matter, the book\u2019s fragmented, aphoristic style makes it an accessible read. The short, reflective passages allow readers to absorb the material at their own pace, making it an excellent companion for meditation or philosophical contemplation. Higgins' occasional humor and candid storytelling prevent the book from becoming overly heavy, striking a balance between deep introspection and lighthearted wisdom.

Overall, Salvo: Answers to an Apocalypse is an ambitious and thought-provoking work that challenges readers to expand their perspectives on existence. While it may not appeal to those seeking a traditional narrative structure, its philosophical and spiritual insights make it a valuable read for anyone interested in consciousness, metaphysics, or the nature of reality.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Dec-2024 21:25:19", "publisher": "MindStir Media", "page_count": "414 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015341047", "title": "Salvo: Answers To An Apocalypse", "author": "Randy Lee Higgins, Ph.D.", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 471, "review": "Randy Lee Higgins, Ph.D., presents Salvo: Answers to an Apocalypse, a work that defies conventional classification. At once a philosophical treatise, a spiritual manifesto, and an exercise in speculative metaphysics, the book purports to offer wisdom from a post-apocalyptic future, communicated through the author's deep meditative states. In its essence, Salvo is a collection of thought-provoking aphorisms, reflections on human nature, and contemplations on reality, ego, and selfhood.

From the outset, Higgins establishes his unorthodox methodology, claiming that the book was written in a state of \"breathless Samadhi\" and that its messages originate from humanity's future selves. While such assertions may challenge a skeptical reader, they frame the book\u2019s underlying thesis: that human suffering, conflict, and destruction are part of a necessary transformational process. The apocalypse, as Higgins describes it, is not merely an end but a beginning\u2014an invitation to embrace an evolved consciousness that transcends material existence.

One of the book's strongest aspects is its exploration of the ego and self-awareness. Higgins frequently asserts that attachment to identity, suffering, and personal narratives are illusions and barriers to true enlightenment. This theme echoes the work of Eastern philosophers and mystics, drawing comparisons to the teachings of Ramana Maharshi and even contemporary thinkers like Eckhart Tolle. The assertion that \u201cthe ego is like a cork bobbing on the ocean\u201d is a succinct metaphor for his broader argument: to transcend suffering, one must detach from personal narratives and embrace a state of pure being.

Higgins also challenges conventional morality, arguing that judgment and resistance to reality are the primary sources of human suffering. He proposes radical acceptance, even of widely condemned figures in contemporary discourse. His suggestion that one should \u201cpicture an adversary as a three-year-old who only wants love\u201d serves as a call for empathy. However, it may be controversial in its application to historical and political figures. Similarly, his assertion that \"God does not vote\" highlights his view that all outcomes\u2014political, personal, or cosmic\u2014are equally valid within the grander scheme of existence.

Salvo is not without its limitations. The book's structure, composed of short passages rather than a continuous narrative, can, at times, feel disjointed. Some readers may find the lack of empirical grounding in Higgins\u2019 claims to be a barrier to full engagement. Additionally, while the book presents itself as revelatory, its core ideas\u2014ego dissolution, the illusion of suffering, and the interconnectedness of all things\u2014are well-trodden philosophical concepts, albeit repackaged in a modern and esoteric framework.

Ultimately, Salvo: Answers to an Apocalypse is a book that will either resonate deeply or be dismissed outright, depending on the reader\u2019s philosophical inclinations. Those seeking a structured argument supported by traditional logic may find it lacking, but those open to introspective, mystical exploration may find moments of profound insight. Higgins\u2019 work is less an academic inquiry and more a spiritual transmission\u2014one that invites contemplation rather than demands persuasion.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Dec-2024 21:25:06", "publisher": "MindStir Media", "page_count": "414 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015341043", "title": "Salvo", "author": "Randy Lee Higgins, Ph.D.", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 423, "review": "Randy Lee Higgins' Salvo: Answers to an Apocalypse is an ambitious and deeply philosophical work that challenges the reader to reconsider the nature of reality, human existence, and spirituality itself. Written as a series of revelations received in a state of meditative transcendence, Higgins presents a vision of humanity\u2019s transformation in the face of an impending apocalypse.

As someone who has spent years studying religious traditions, spiritual philosophies, and the sacred texts of various faiths, I find Salvo to be both a fascinating and provocative read. Higgins\u2019 work is not for the faint of heart\u2014his ideas confront the ego, dissolve boundaries between life and death, and question long-held moral frameworks. He approaches spirituality not from the standpoint of religious dogma but from a metaphysical perspective that blends Eastern mysticism, quantum thought, and extraterrestrial guidance.

One of the book\u2019s central premises is that these messages come from \"ourselves in the future,\" offering guidance from a post-apocalyptic existence to help us navigate the crisis ahead. Higgins frequently asserts that everything we need for enlightenment already exists within us, echoing the spiritual truths found in Buddhism and other mystical traditions. The notion that suffering and catastrophe are pathways to awakening is reminiscent of many religious doctrines, yet Higgins reframes these ideas with an almost scientific detachment.

His discussion of the ego as a construct that separates us from true enlightenment resonates with both Hindu and Christian contemplative traditions. The idea that physical reality is merely a reflection of the mind is a profound, albeit challenging, assertion that aligns with teachings found in the Bhagavad Gita and the Gospel of Thomas. However, where Salvo diverges from traditional religious thought is in its radical emphasis on self-love as the highest spiritual attainment. Higgins dismantles the notion of external salvation and instead insists that enlightenment is a deeply personal journey, independent of institutions or intermediaries.

Yet, Salvo is not without its difficulties. Higgins\u2019 dismissal of religious systems as ultimately distancing us from our true nature may alienate some readers who find meaning and structure in faith-based traditions. His repeated references to extraterrestrial wisdom and the hybridization of humanity may be difficult for some to accept. The book\u2019s format\u2014short, aphoristic reflections\u2014makes it less of a cohesive narrative and more of a meditative experience.

Ultimately, Salvo is a daring, unconventional spiritual manifesto. For readers willing to step beyond the confines of traditional religious thought and embrace a radically different perspective on existence, it offers a wealth of insights. Whether or not one agrees with Higgins, Salvo provokes deep contemplation\u2014a mark of any truly thought-provoking spiritual text.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2025", "date_added": "26-Dec-2024 21:24:54", "publisher": "MindStir Media", "page_count": "414 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015341039", "title": "Salvo: Answers To An Apocalypse", "author": "Randy Lee Higgins, Ph.D.", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 436, "review": "Randy Lee Higgins, Ph.D., presents a bold and thought-provoking exploration of consciousness, self-awareness, and humanity\u2019s uncertain future in Salvo: Answers to an Apocalypse. Written in a stream-of-consciousness style, the book reads as a collection of meditative insights\u2014messages purportedly from a future self, guiding readers through personal and collective transformation.

At its core, Salvo is a spiritual and philosophical text that blurs the lines between self-help, mysticism, and speculative prophecy. Higgins challenges traditional understandings of reality, arguing that our perceptions of suffering, time, and even identity are illusions shaped by the ego. The book urges readers to embrace the dissolution of self as a necessary step toward enlightenment, often in ways that feel both radical and deeply personal.

One of Salvo\u2019s greatest strengths is its ability to provoke introspection. Higgins\u2019 aphoristic writing style\u2014reminiscent of Eastern philosophical traditions\u2014encourages readers to pause, reflect, and reconsider ingrained beliefs. Lines like \u201cTragedy is the package that miracles come in\u201d and \u201cYou are not your ego. You are your soul\u201d exemplify the book\u2019s philosophical approach, which often finds wisdom in paradox. There is a certain beauty in Higgins\u2019 ability to distill complex metaphysical concepts into digestible, poetic statements.

Another compelling aspect of the book is its focus on detachment and self-love. Higgins repeatedly emphasizes the necessity of inner peace and self-acceptance, urging readers to let go of external attachments, including political ideologies and even the fear of death itself. While these ideas are not entirely new, his unflinching commitment to them gives the book a raw, urgent quality that sets it apart from more conventional spiritual guides.

However, Salvo is not without its challenges. The book\u2019s nonlinear structure and reliance on fragmented statements may make it difficult for some readers to engage with fully. While the lack of a traditional narrative is intentional\u2014reinforcing Higgins\u2019 themes of fluidity and impermanence\u2014it also results in moments of repetition and abstraction that could frustrate those seeking a more structured argument.

Additionally, Higgins' perspective on apocalyptic transformation\u2014both personal and global\u2014leans into an almost detached fatalism. The book suggests that human suffering and planetary destruction are inevitable, and that the dissolution of ego (and even humanity itself) is simply part of the cosmic order. This perspective, while philosophically intriguing, may not resonate with readers who seek more grounded, action-driven approaches to navigating personal and collective crises.

Overall, Salvo: Answers to an Apocalypse is a challenging but rewarding read for those interested in spirituality, consciousness, and existential philosophy. Its poetic reflections and bold assertions will either inspire profound contemplation or leave readers wrestling with its implications. For those willing to embrace uncertainty, Higgins offers a unique and deeply personal roadmap through the chaos of existence.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Dec-2024 21:23:39", "publisher": "MindStir Media", "page_count": "414 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015341031", "title": "Mayhem on Mulberry: Book One: Rise of the East", "author": "Vincent deFilippo", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 91, "review": "\"DeFilippo has crafted a crime drama which balances grit and humanity as it tells a Romeo and Juliet-style story set in New York City in 1990. The tight plotting echoes the narrow streets of the city, and the epic scope of the conflict echoes the city's greatness and power. Mayhem on Mulberry is a fast-paced page-turner that readers will not soon forget, and that will appeal to fans of hard-boiled stories and more grounded crime novels alike. I'm eager to see the rest of the series!\"\u2014Jo Niederhoff, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "November 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Dec-2024 21:17:08", "publisher": "ViennaRose Publishing", "page_count": "374 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015341027", "title": "Say Yes: Foundational Lessons from Combat Town, the Quigley, and Taking Invisible Paths", "author": "Jon Michaels", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 419, "review": "Lessons in life and leadership reveal not only character but also one's strengths, resilience, and ability to adapt. In Say Yes, Jon Michaels shares his experiences as a Marine officer, naval aviator, and business executive, highlighting crucial lessons in leadership and personal development. Through his memoir and leadership guide, Michaels reflects on pivotal moments from his military career and how they shaped his approach to leading teams, influencing others, and taking responsibility for his actions.

The author imparts valuable insights, such as the importance of paying attention to small details and the consequences of making tough decisions. He also discusses his transition to civilian life, where he applied military principles to his work in the energy sector and at Volta, a startup focused on electric vehicle charging stations.

My curiosity about the book is anchored in understanding leadership lessons from military culture, which has often served as the basis for American corporate environments. As an institution, the American military has accomplished feats of organization and efficiency that has served as a template for business culture. Michaels mentions that he was inspired by the works of Admiral William McRaven and Captain Brett Crozier, whose writings often emphasize values rooted in their military experience, such as leadership, resilience, and integrity. In Michaels\u2019 narrative, we learn that rigorous training and high standards of the Marines emphasized the significance of doing little things right, a lesson he carried into his work at Volta, where he implemented checklists to ensure project completion accuracy.

It was fascinating to learn about the concept of \u201ccombined arms,\u201d a military strategy that integrates various combat units\u2014such as infantry, armor, artillery, aviation, engineers, and other support elements\u2014into a cohesive and synergistic force. Michaels discusses how combined arms inspired him to merge different capabilities for complementary effects, shaping his leadership style. This holistic perspective allowed him to effectively lead diverse teams and take on unexpected roles, such as serving as Volta's Chief People Officer during a crisis.

Say Yes is a quick and engaging read for those seeking inspiration and practical advice on leadership. It is a suitable choice for a leadership retreat aimed at enhancing interpersonal skills and team effectiveness. Individuals with military backgrounds may find the book particularly appealing, as its approach aligns with their experiences. However, the author uses military jargon sparingly, making the content accessible to a broader audience. In sharing advice, Michaels draws on his past experiences and the lessons he has learned, offering readers from all backgrounds valuable insights into personal and professional growth.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2025", "date_added": "26-Dec-2024 21:16:08", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "107 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015341023", "title": "Say Yes: Foundational Lessons from Combat Town, the Quigley, and Taking Invisible Paths", "author": "Jon Michaels", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 424, "review": "Say Yes is a relatively short book, but don't let that fool you. It's full of wisdom and useful advice. Jon Michaels has had an illustrious career in the U.S. Marines and later in the business world, primarily with technology startups. In this book, he traces the lessons he's learned. By sharing some of his experiences and stories, especially those gathered while training as a Marine, and how his experiences helped him later in his career by becoming a better leader, he plans, not hopes, to encourage and inspire others to chart their path to success and personal growth.

I think he accomplishes this goal. There were many lessons and tips provided within the book that encouraged me to take a look at my journey and understand how I got where I am today and how I can continue to move forward. His advice is easy for anyone to use. The most important topics covered are encouraging readers to look at how they undertake small things or tasks. How one approaches the small things will largely be how larger roles or tasks are undertaken. So, doing the small things well will encourage you to do larger tasks well. Another important thing he mentions is having an aim or challenge to work toward and never stop learning. You don't need to try and run marathons as the author did but having something to strive for is always a way to keep moving forward.

The author also encourages us to say yes to unexpected opportunities that may lead to more or better things in the future. And to be open when they come along. Also, if you feel stuck in a job or a role you do not particularly enjoy, he goes over why it is imperative to do that job as best as you can. Another important message he conveys is the importance of not just asking questions at the right time but, making sure the questions are the right questions. As he explains getting the question right may be more important than the answer you receive.

There is honestly a lot to like about this book, and it really resonated with me. I also think it is the perfect time to read this one because the start of a new year is always a good time to reassess one's goals and future plans. By sharing his fascinating story, Mr. Michaels encourages his readers to be the best version of themselves. I know I will now be thinking more about that after having read this.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "24-Feb-2025", "date_added": "26-Dec-2024 21:13:50", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "107 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015341015", "title": "A Future of Her Own", "author": "Samantha Quamma", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 98, "review": "\"Ramona Bronson knows the odds are stacked against her as she steps onto campus in 1965\u2014a young woman trying to juggle university life, a waitressing job, and the suffocating curfews of her era. In A Future of Her Own, Samantha Quamma spins a captivating tale of determination, self-discovery, and quiet rebellion. Against a backdrop of social change and activism, Ramona must navigate the rigid rules of her time, challenging expectations while forging her path toward independence. This inspiring story celebrates resilience, ambition, and the fight for a future no one else can define.\" \u2014Kathryn Dare, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Dec-2024 21:10:06", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "330 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015341007", "title": "Caution: Turtles and Frogs Ahead!", "author": "Joanne Mattern with Maxime Bonneau", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 68, "review": "\u201cCaution: Turtles and Frogs Ahead! is a wonderful book that depicts how humans all over the world are helping our amphibian friends navigate dangerous roads and areas. Children of all ages will love the beautiful color photographs of snapping turtles, baby turtles, and frogs. By making signs and getting the local government and community involved, we can protect wildlife and keep animals safe.\u201d \u2014Kathryn Dare, Portland Book Review", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Dec-2024 21:06:15", "publisher": "Red Chair Press", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015340007", "title": "The Dark Hours", "author": "Amy Jordan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 169, "review": "The Dark Hours follows Garda Julia Harte, a policewoman who, thirty years ago, solved a series of horrific murders, including that of her own partner, Adrian. Now, Julia returns to Cork when a copycat killer begins claiming innocent lives. The novel shifts between 1994 and 2024 and is expertly crafted by author Amy Jordan. Her meticulous attention to character development, setting, and the killer's actions makes the story captivating.

As the plot unfolds, more characters are introduced, and Julia\u2019s hidden secrets are slowly revealed, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. The reader begins to understand that the killer\u2019s motives may be deeply personal, tied to Julia herself.

The Dark Hours will keep readers on the edge of their seats, with the suspense intensifying as Julia grapples with her own demons while racing against time to stop the killer. With each twist and revelation, the stakes rise, and Julia must confront her past to prevent more deaths. This gripping thriller will leave readers eager to discover the identity of the killer.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2025", "date_added": "27-Dec-2024 20:58:18", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015340003", "title": "Blue Sky Morning", "author": "Jihyun Kim, Polly Lawson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "A young girl wakes up. It is a beautiful, blue sky morning. She stops and listens to the world waking up around her and people starting their busy day. She counts the stairs going down. Her grandfather is coming in from his morning walk. When breakfast is finished, it is time for the girl and her mother to leave. Outside, the air is fresh and cool. Children hurry by, but the little girl takes time to look at newly opened flowers. And she looks up at the big, beautiful, blue sky. On the way to school, she notices the leaves turning to autumn colors. She meets a friend and they continue to school. It truly is a beautiful, blue sky morning.

Author and illustrator Kim Jihyun has created a sweet story that is all about being calm and taking the time to enjoy all the beauty that surrounds us on any given day. The language is lyrical and will help little ones to become calm as they listen. But the real star of this book is the stunningly beautiful illustrations. Soft colors are used throughout. Every page is filled with gorgeous details to keep youngsters engaged. Don\u2019t miss this lovely book.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "05-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Dec-2024 23:18:12", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015339003", "title": "How Far Are the Stars?", "author": "Sabine Bohlmann, Emilia Dziubak, Polly Lawson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 128, "review": "A curious little kitten is learning about the world around itself and has so many questions. It can be really hard to understand just how big the world around us is and it is hard to imagine there is so much vast space that we will never know all about it. This little kitten wants to know how high are stars, and why it can't jump up and touch them, what about how big is the earth.

This is a really great book for curious readers to learn more about the world around them. I really liked the information in this book, but the illustrations were my favorite. I thought the illustrations of the kitten looking at the constellations were incredible. Highly recommend this book for curious minds.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2025", "date_added": "23-Dec-2024 23:15:23", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015335011", "title": "The Adventures of Pinocchio: A Pop-Up Book", "author": "Giordano Philip, Hannah Porter, Carlo Collodi", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 182, "review": "The Adventures of Pinocchio: A Pop-Up Book is a delightful adaptation of Carlo Collodi\u2019s classic tale, brought to life through the vibrant illustrations of Giordano Philip and Hannah Porter. This pop-up edition will capture children's imaginations..

With six beautifully designed pop-up scenes, the book takes readers on a journey from Geppetto\u2019s cozy workshop to the chaos of Pleasure Island and the depths of the whale\u2019s belly. Each spread is rich in color and detail, making every turn of the page an exciting experience. The interactive pull tabs add an extra layer of engagement, encouraging young readers to actively participate in the story.

While the adaptation is shorter than the original novel, it retains the heart of Pinocchio\u2019s adventure, making it accessible to younger audiences without losing its charm. My children were captivated by the intricate paper engineering, and I found myself appreciating the craftsmanship and storytelling balance.

This pop-up edition is a wonderful way to introduce a new generation to Pinocchio\u2019s tale. It\u2019s a perfect gift for young readers and a great addition to any child\u2019s bookshelf. Highly recommended for families who love interactive storytelling!", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2025", "date_added": "23-Dec-2024 23:22:24", "publisher": "Tra Publishing", "page_count": "12 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015334011", "title": "Some Bunny Loves You", "author": "Helen Foster James, Petra Brown", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 143, "review": "This little book is perfect for the upcoming spring season. Everyone loves to know that some bunny loves them. Little bunny is well loved and goes on many adventures with his parent. What I think is so cool about this book is that this would work for many different family types since it doesn't say \"mom\" or \"dad.\" This is just a great heartwarming story that every reader needs in their lives.

The illustrations are so cute and I think this is a really cute book for the younger readers. However, it could work for any age readers. This book is the Keepsake edition so it had a place for special note and picture, and could be kept for years to come. As someone who has kept books from their grandma from when I was little, this is an excellent gift to give.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "24-Feb-2025", "date_added": "23-Dec-2024 23:08:12", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015333023", "title": "The Last Secret Kept", "author": "Elaine Stock", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 55, "review": "\"From 1940\u2019s Berlin to 1960\u2019s America, this historical mystery spans decades and details the struggle of the human spirit. Strong characters and vivid descriptions make this novel hard to put down. Family secrets threaten to tear things apart, but can strong will, love, and strong women pull things together?\" \u2014Rebecca LeBlanc, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Dec-2024 14:36:12", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015332003", "title": "A Copycat Conundrum (The Misfits)", "author": "Lisa Yee, Dan Santat", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 202, "review": "A Copycat Conundrum is the second book in //The Misfits// series, which follows a group of highly intellectual kids who fight crime and solve mysteries. In this story, they are working on solving the mystery of their friend Zeke's great-great-grandfather's imprisonment for his boat of gold, which had gone missing many years ago. Zeke is receiving threatening messages to stop his family tree research, and it will take nothing less than The Misfits to get to the bottom of this historical event.

Reading the first story, A Royal Conundrum, around a year ago got me excited to read the next; however, sadly, I struggled to get the same enjoyment from this book. The storyline was more difficult for me to understand, making me feel confused by the time I got done because I had to have missed critical revealing pieces of the story. Hopefully, other readers will understand better; this book can be a standalone, as the author gives reminders of events in the first book and reexplains the meaning of essential things, or it works as a sequel because it provides further details about characters. The story makes you wonder how deep you want to dive into your family history.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "04-Apr-2025", "date_added": "23-Dec-2024 19:58:30", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015331027", "title": "Remote: The Six (The Remote Series)", "author": "Eric Rickstad", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 193, "review": "The crime scene was gruesome and yet all too familiar to Special Agent Lukas Stark. The \u201cTableau Killer\u201d had struck again and claimed the lives of another family. Stark had been following this killer for months and clues to the Unsub\u2019s identity had been sparse. The murders have escalated and Stark learns he will be working with someone who can assist him.

The man\u2019s name is Gilles Garnier and he is capable of remote viewing, which may unlock the killer\u2019s identity. Stark believes remote viewing is bunk and Garnier will only interfere with the investigation. However, circumstances change as the killer strikes again and Stark witnesses Garnier\u2019s ability for himself and its potential to yield leads. The hunt for a cunning and psychotic killer is on.

Remote: The Six is an intense mystery/thriller from the creative mind of author Eric Rickstad (I Am Not Who You Think I Am). The unorthodox pairing of Stark and Garnier drives the bulk of the story and provides tension and drama. Rickstad\u2019s stirring narrative combines aspects of a real-life paranormal phenomenon with the laborious pursuit of a madman. Eric Rickstad has written an eye-catching book for 2025.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2025", "date_added": "27-Dec-2024 20:13:48", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015331003", "title": "Same Page", "author": "Elly Swartz", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 196, "review": "Bess knows great things are coming when she and her new friend June land positions as sixth-grade officers. Bess has plans for a panini maker and a book vending machine. However, when she discovers that books have been removed from the machine, books that she, June, and the librarian personally cultivated, she is dismayed and appalled, especially when she finds out that June\u2019s mother is behind it all. Speaking with June does nothing - June is afraid of disappointing her overbearing mother. So Bess starts a banned book club. She also joins a group of local librarians and book champions who plan to inform and educate the local community with activities and speeches. However, it feels like everything they do results in two steps back. How can she, a middle school student, convince others that these books are important for all readers?

Bess is a strong female character hoping to shift views, not afraid to get out there and speak, share her experiences, and use her voice to encourage change. This cute story is about social justice on a very relevant topic, and about friendship, forgiving even when friends don\u2019t see eye to eye. Timely and important.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2025", "date_added": "23-Dec-2024 19:49:21", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015327031", "title": "You Have Unleashed a Storm: A Descent into Chaos During America\u2019s Most Explosive Era of Radical Violence\u2015A Revealing Account of Domestic Terrorism and ... Radicalism in '60s and '70s New York City", "author": "David Viola", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 202, "review": "The 1960s were a decade of progress and upheaval for the United States. Positive events, whether it be the election of a youthful president or Civil Rights legislation, were counterbalanced by trauma such as assassinations and war. For various disaffected groups, change needed to be brought about through force. In the late 1960s-1970s, an array of political movements believed the bullet & the bomb effected change. New York City would become the hub for an inordinate number of attacks from far-right and left groups, and it would be up to an intelligence division of the NYPD(BOSSI) and the FBI to infiltrate the organizations and neutralize their plans. Undercover informants would be placed within \u201cThe Black Liberation Front\u201d, \u201cThe Crazies\u201d in order to disrupt plots to strike at the heart of New York City. The war against radical groups would see law enforcement resort to extralegal measures to halt the carnage.

You Have Unleashed a Storm provides a thorough account of the battle between radical movements of the left and right wings and law enforcement, primarily as seen in New York. Author David Viola contributes a well-researched and well-written account of the key actors and their causes, along with those determined to stop them.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "27-Dec-2024 21:06:50", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015327015", "title": "Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim", "author": "Kobina Commeh, B\u00e1rbara Quintino", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 198, "review": "Kwesi could not find comfort in the swimming pool. While other children played and enjoyed themselves, Kwesi had never learned how to swim. During a game of oware, Nana (his grandmother) noticed that something was bothering him. Kwesi admitted that he felt sad about not being able to swim.

\nNana then told him about the water spirit Mami Wata, a symbol of strength and nurturing in West Africa. Inspired by this newfound knowledge, Kwesi became determined to conquer his fear of the water, with Nana by his side for support.

Writer Kobina Commeh shares a poignant story of resilience and courage across generations in the picture book Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim. Inspired by his childhood in Ghana, where he encountered tales of Mami Wata, a half-woman, half-fish figure, Commeh sheds light on the painful history of racial segregation in the United States that prevented many generations of Black Americans from learning to swim. Brazilian illustrator Barbara Quintino beautifully brings the story of Kwe-Kwe and Nana to life through her art. This collaboration reinforces the diasporic themes explored in the book, which aims to help children understand history, instill pride in their heritage, and overcome challenges.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "04-Apr-2025", "date_added": "23-Dec-2024 23:11:10", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015325003", "title": "Epic FACTopia!: Follow the trail of 400 extreme facts (FACTopia!, 8)", "author": "Rose Davidson, Andy Smith", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 162, "review": "I have read several other books in the FACTopia! series, and each one offers four hundred facts about a specific topic, such as science, secrets, gross, animals, history, and \"hidden.\" The book Epic Factopia! covers \"extreme\" facts from various locations, types of weather, cultural events, and more.

The format of this book is similar to previous ones, allowing you to read the facts in order (i.e., page by page) or have the option to skip to a specific page that will include more similar facts immediately. This way, you can either follow a chronological order or jump around and still reach the mentioned pages.

The illustrations are humorous and help visualize the facts, while the colorful layout invites you to binge-read one hundred pages at a time\u2026 in no time! I always look forward to the release of a new FACTopia! book because I feel smarter after reading them. The facts are short and sweet, allowing me to absorb many at once.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2025", "date_added": "18-Dec-2024 22:20:16", "publisher": "What on Earth Publishing", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015323003", "title": "The Greatest Stuff on Earth: The amazing science of sunlight, smartphones, microphones, mushrooms & everything in-between", "author": "Steve Tomecek, John Devolle", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 218, "review": "There is certainly plenty of stuff in this world to challenge the curiosity of the preadolescent. Both the author, scientist Steve Tomecek, and the illustrator, John Devolle, have broached this wide-ranging subject about things found all around us with deliberate consideration and smashingly colorful portrayals of the diverse topics covered.

It opens by briefly covering the physical basics about matter and energy, followed by short topics regarding nature. The text continues to examine the ground beneath us, and looks at the stuff of life as seen in plant and animal cells. Inspecting the environment, sections cover the basics of food, shelter and clothing and continues on to discuss how paper originated which led to the printing press.

Health concerns regarding the battle against harmful microbes is examined, and of interest to the youthful techie, mics and cell phones are looked at. Problems involving the greenhouse effect, energy resources and the challenge of using fossil fuels are touched on.

The text, photos, and illustrations are printed on intense assortment of bright vivid colors on stock stiff paper which add to the attraction and excitement of reading this introductory science book about stuff in this world. While the short descriptions will provoke further questions that demand further clarification, the book is a good start into science for the young learner.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "14-Mar-2025", "date_added": "18-Dec-2024 22:15:13", "publisher": "What on Earth Publishing", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015320003", "title": "The Little Book of Dinosaurs (Little Books of Nature) ", "author": "Rhys Charles", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 171, "review": "This perfect and informative little book is part of a series on eight fascinating subjects. These are the type of books that one can look through time and time again and still learn new facts and information. They are published by Princeton, which should give an imprimatur of some sort. All the volumes feature beautiful illustrations, photographs, tables and graphics which draw the reader into engaging with the subjects.

The author of this book is Rhys Charles, a paleontologist at the University of Bristol, who is working to bring paleontology to a wider audience and make it more accessible. He has wildly succeeded with this book. If you have always wanted to know if a dinosaur vocalizes or how fast they could run, this book will give you the information and much more.

Inherently, every child is fascinated by dinosaurs; their variety, habits and size. Sadly, as we grew up, we lost our sense of wonder for these incredible creatures from so long ago. This little book will rekindle our fascination.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "15-Jan-2025", "date_added": "18-Dec-2024 20:47:02", "publisher": "Princeton University Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015317011", "title": "We are All Animals: Discover what YOU have in common with a cat, a bat, a jellyfish and 150 other animals!", "author": "Christopher Lloyd, Ben Hoare, Mark Ruffle ", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 140, "review": "This book is so cool. It is crammed with information about a lot of different animals. What is really cool about this book is that it shows the smallest way that we are similar to our animal friends. This book shows how we all breath oxygen even though not all of us have lungs, digestive systems, and how we all make waste and reproduce.

The coolest part of this book is how we all have senses, but some animals have senses that humans don't have like echolocation, magnetic, and electrical sense. This was fascinating because I didn't know animals had magnetic sense, although I did wonder how they knew where to travel.

The author, Annalisa Berta, is professor emerita of biology at San Diego State University. She is a specialist in the anatomy and evolutionary biology of marine mammals, especially baleen whales. She is the author of Return to the Sea: The Life and Evolutionary Times of Marine Mammals and the editor of the award-winning Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises: A Natural History and Species Guide.

Whether learning about the mating habits bowhead whales or learning about their intelligence, this is fascinating stuff which engages the reader and brings us closer to the natural world.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "21-Jan-2025", "date_added": "18-Dec-2024 20:47:43", "publisher": "Princeton University Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015316007", "title": "The Little Book of Weather (Little Books of Nature)", "author": "Adam Scaife", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 169, "review": "This perfect and informative little book is part of a series on eight fascinating subjects. These are the type of books that one can look through time and time again and still learn new facts and information. They are published by Princeton, which should give an imprimatur of some sort. All the volumes feature beautiful illustrations, photographs, tables and graphics which draw the reader into engaging with the subjects.

The author, Adam Scaife, is a professor at the University of Exeter. His work has helped to clarify what caused changes in the climate and the remote effects of El Ni\u00f1o, the stratosphere, solar variability and the global effects of year to year changes in tropical rainfall. His recent work has demonstrated long range predictability of fluctuations in the Earth's rotation rate.

The author\u2019s deep knowledge of this subject makes weather a lot more fascinating than just a way to make conversation. Intriguing subjects, for example, \u201cCan Animals Predict the Weather\u201d, engage the reader and make science come into immediacy.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2025", "date_added": "18-Dec-2024 20:49:29", "publisher": "Princeton University Press", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015312011", "title": "I Wish I Had a Dragon With Marshmallows", "author": "Diane Alber", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 166, "review": "I Wish I Had a Dragon with Marshmallows combines my favorite things: toasted marshmallows, dragons, and wishes! One nice, sunny day, a boy is outside and gets a craving for toasted marshmallows, but he's in his backyard and has no way to make them. He finds a lizard and wishes for a dragon with marshmallows!

It looks like it won't come true, but soon, he is face to face with a full-grown dragon holding a bag of marshmallows! The boy learns that dragons aren't like people, and since his dragon appears sad, he needs to figure out a way to cheer him up! Can the boy figure out how to cheer up a blue dragon and get his toasted marshmallows?

Readers elementary-aged will enjoy this story and adults will enjoy reading it out loud because who doesn't like dragons?! The text doesn't include big or complicated words, which is nice for a picture book. Dragon lovers will enjoy this story and add it to their collection!", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "07-Mar-2025", "date_added": "18-Dec-2024 00:17:48", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015312007", "title": "Minding the Wealth Gap: Our Playbook to Close It Together", "author": "Cliff, IV Goins", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 229, "review": "As a Black investor and startup founder, Cliff Goins IV brings firsthand experience and sharp insight to one of America\u2019s most urgent issues: the racial wealth gap. Having navigated the worlds of finance and entrepreneurship, Goins has seen up close the systemic disparities in wealth creation, access to capital, and asset management. From unequal opportunities in homeownership and education to persistent challenges in business funding and employment, the historical gaps are perpetuated in present-day practices.

In Minding the Wealth Gap, Goins skillfully blends data, lived experience, and the insights of experts to illuminate the deep-rooted economic disparities facing Black Americans. More importantly, he highlights the power of collective uplift. Through the voices of nine dynamic \u201cgap closers,\u201d Goins shows how real change happens when Black investors and leaders open doors for others.

Each success \u201cplay\u201d or strategy underscores the ripple effect of support. Selena Cuffe shares how tracking employment trends and championing workforce diversity creates lasting opportunities. Tony Wilkins recounts his journey in wealth building by intentionally backing Black founders as an early-stage investor. George Fatheree III focuses his efforts on increasing land ownership among Black Americans.

With clarity and purpose, Minding the Wealth Gap outlines how individuals, institutions, and communities can identify economic opportunities and mindfully invest in strategies that support long-term equity. Goins builds a compelling economic case for closing the racial wealth gap as a path toward collective prosperity.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jul-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 22:35:27", "publisher": "Augsburg Fortress Publishers", "page_count": "199 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015310011", "title": "Forged: A Novel", "author": "Danielle Teller", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 193, "review": "Fanny Bartlett runs away from home in Canada to find her sister in Cleveland. It isn\u2019t long before she is taken advantage of and learns quickly that you have to fend for yourself in America. She finds her way into the Garth household, working as a maid. She befriends the Garths\u2019 daughter Mae and soon they are plotting and scheming. As a result, Kitty Warren is forged from the ashes of Fanny Bartlett. She works her way through society to becoming a forger and con artist, living the life she\u2019s always wanted.

The way this story is written, you could easily believe it\u2019s a true story. You can\u2019t help but root for Fanny as she reinvents herself and manages to outwit the bankers and the wealthy. Describing her as a feminine blend of Jay Gatsby and Tom Ripley sums it up perfectly. Even when she is rich, albeit falsely, she doesn\u2019t just live for herself, but treats her servants and the poor extravagantly well. Fanny\u2019s quick wit and intellect help her go far in a world dominated by wealthy men. If you enjoy stories of the Gilded Age, this book is for you.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 22:57:55", "publisher": "Pegasus Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015310007", "title": "The Guilt Pill: A Novel", "author": "Saumya Dave", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Lynne Elizabeth Marlowe", "word_count": 186, "review": "What if a person could take a pill to alleviate guilt? That is the premise of The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave. The protagonist, Maya, is the CEO of a startup company and she\u2019s sacrificed a lot to make it the success that it already is. She also just had a baby. She has the pressures of being a businesswoman, a mother, a wife, and a daughter to parents with a complicated marriage. At the outset, there is drama as it appears she has gone missing. The book alternates between social media posts conjecturing as to her fate, police interviews, newspaper articles, and the narrative of her story. It is fast paced.

The story sometimes functions as a mirror of society, with moments like when a Board Member is surprised that she is back from what he calls \u201cvacation\u201d when she was on maternity leave. There is much to be appreciated here, but some of it falls flat. It seemed to need more depth, more complexity, and less repetition. But, the story might resonate with a lot of working parents who feel pulled in many directions.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "06-May-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 20:35:51", "publisher": "Park Row Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015308011", "title": "The Elephant and the Purim Crown", "author": "Haviva Kierzenblat, Rebeca Luciani", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 200, "review": "In this delightful tale combining culture with historical detail, the author skillfully recounts memories of earlier religious life in Burma with a tale of compassion for an endearing elephant. With the holiday of Purim approaching, our heroine Rachel encounters a much ornamented elephant, but she sadly notes that the poor animal\u2019s feet are bruised and bloodied. Immediately, her heart embraces this creature as she wonders how to help her new friend. Fortunately, Rachel wins the bejeweled Purim crown, which she offers as payment for the animal, but the owner, reading the goodness in the offer and the animal's age, gives the elephant to Rachel. She then names the elephant Ester, after the Purim queen, places the crown on its head, and takes it to the elephant sanctuary, where it will be loved and cared for. The story is filled with the lore of the Purim holiday, its foods and traditions, as was once practiced in Burma. The illustrations are lush with the rich, exotic colors of a jungle environment, and the message of empathy between child and elephant is eloquent. Young children will be enamored by the captivating drawings and the mystery of this unfamiliar terrain with its appealing message.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "06-May-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 20:07:08", "publisher": "Lerner Publishing Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015307007", "title": "Dino-Birthday (Dino-Holidays)", "author": "Lisa Wheeler, Barry Gott", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 128, "review": "Dinosaurs especially love a great birthday celebration. Different dinosaurs celebrate in different ways, and each one has a unique party with different food and games based on their likes and dislikes. This is a really cute story to show how many dinosaurs may have celebrated birthdays, or so we can hope.

This is a really cute book that showcases different ways birthday parties can be celebrated based on the different seasons. For example, in the summer, pool parties are popular. The illustrations are so cute and very detailed. My favorite part of the book is the tricky pterodactyl twins who keeps popping up to play tricks on other dinosaurs at the park. I really liked it when they were in yeti costumes trying to scare the other dinosaurs.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "06-May-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 20:22:15", "publisher": "Lerner Publishing Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015306019", "title": "The Book of Thunder and Lightning: A Novel ", "author": "Seb Duncan", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 184, "review": "History always repeats itself. In Victorian London, a boy named Tom is tricked and forced to work at a paint factory with a cruel boss. In modern-day London, another boy is in danger, and it's up to a journalist seeing ghosts to save him.

The dog was beaten to death within the first 20 pages. The dog appeared for less than a page, but I cared more about it than any of the characters. I couldn't keep track of who was who, the point-of-view changes often, sometimes randomly, and all the characters were pretty bland. The villains didn\u2019t have compelling reasons to be evil, and both of them had the same motive. Everything set in the past felt like a prologue, and everything in the future felt rushed. The two stories also really aren't connected aside from a vague similar situation, and I have no idea why Tom cares so much about this other boy, or how he even knows about him. Then the other boy barely has any page time. I spent most of the book confused and bored. There is heavy cussing throughout.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "06-May-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 23:17:26", "publisher": "Collective Ink", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "1.5"} {"id": "425035000015306011", "title": "Mob Queen", "author": "Erin Bledsoe", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 201, "review": "Virginia Hill fought for herself and the women she loved. She wasn\u2019t afraid to clock her abusive father upside his head as he hit her mother. She walked into the lion\u2019s den and associated with dangerous gangsters in the hopes of finding her friend Madeleine. Her search for answers about Madeleine\u2019s whereabouts led her to Chicago Outfit bookkeeper Joe Epstein.

Joey Ep confronted Virginia on her motives and soon offered her an opportunity to work for the underworld as a money launderer. Her talent and ability to blend in with the boys led to more respect and more jobs. Virginia kept her mind on Madeleine, but she would soon find herself preoccupied with the ubiquitous presence of the dashing but menacing Benjamin \u201cBugsy\u201d Siegel. He appeared a well-meaning stranger but would become her paramour and tormentor until his violent demise in 1947.

Mob Queen is a brilliant debut from author Erin Bledsoe. Her portrayal of the legendary and scrutinized Hill brings depth and complexity to this tragic figure. In Mob Queen, Virginia Hill shows her mettle in battling back against the violence and gaslighting of predatory men. This is a must read for 2025 and an author to look out for.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "06-Jun-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 20:56:44", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "360 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015304011", "title": "The Mitzvah Fairy", "author": "Danielle Joseph, Christine Battuz", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 201, "review": "This is definitely a story for little Jewish boys that will transform them into exemplar young men. Waking early, the young little prince with his crown and fairy wings has set out to do good deeds. With an assist from his father, this youth brings the chicken soup panacea to his sniffling grandmother, fondly called Bubbe. He helps tend a neighbors\u2019 garden and continues to perform mitzvahs known as good deeds. In the park, he picks up and recycles the nasty trash, making the playground more pleasant.

Suddenly, this little cherub finds some coins on the ground and plans to put these in the tzedakah box, which serves as a donation for those in need. Not only does he show charity but also empathy for nature\u2019s creatures as he carefully transfers a ladybug to the safety of the grass. This is a full day for the young Mitzvah fairy as his actions exemplify Jewish values of visiting the sick doing good deeds, honoring the earth, donating to the poor being kind to creatures, and honoring one\u2019s parents.

The illustrations are whimsically delightful and the story serves as an important lesson for boys; unfortunately, girls were not part of this moral tale.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "25-Mar-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 20:14:10", "publisher": "Lerner Publishing Group", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015304003", "title": "The Band in Our Basement: A Picture Book", "author": "Kelly J Baptist, Jenin Mohammed", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 187, "review": "Two youngsters are sent upstairs to bed when Daddy\u2019s band convenes in the basement. Although they are supposed to be sleeping, the siblings hear the music below and cannot help but dance. Soon, they are sneaking downstairs, past Mama in the kitchen, to see the band in action. On they continue down to the basement, where they are in for a surprise. The hearts thump to the beat and they can\u2019t help but want to move. Very quickly, they are discovered, but just as quickly, they are asked to join in the music! Later, when the children begin to yawn, they are sent back to bed, but they dream of joining Daddy\u2019s band again.

One word perfectly describes The Band in Our Basement: alive. Kelly J. Baptist\u2019s text has both rhythm and rhyme that is irresistible. Jenin Mohammed\u2019s lively illustrations with wild swaths of color literally dance off the page. Readers can almost hear the music in the basement and feel the beat as they hold the book in their hands. Warning: some may be hard pressed to resist a spontaneous jazzy dance party of their own.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 19:27:35", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015303015", "title": "Where the Rivers Merge: A Novel", "author": "Mary Alice Monroe", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 187, "review": "Since Gone with the Wind, there is a formula for creating a strong southern woman who is ahead of her time, business-like, empowered like a man, and above all, who helps the black people in her charge. In fairness, it is not only women in this genre who are featured as being anti-racist, but the white protagonist who is chiefly able to protect the disempowered black person from the cruelties of racism. A quick review of books, movies, and overall culture reveals that this is an archetype for those who wish to cast the white race in the helpful mode of friendly anti-racists. Eliza, the strong, rebellious heroine of this novel, is such a character. That being said, this novel is well written and readable. We all long for such a virtuous, strong woman who defies the odds to succeed better than any man, live independently, and prosper. Conveniently, the love of her life perishes early, so there is no distraction from the single-minded storybook tale. Those readers who long for another Scarlett O\u2019Hara\u2014or a character cast in that mode will be rewarded by reading this fable.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 21:00:48", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015303011", "title": "Happy Passover, Edie Rose!", "author": "Joy Preble, Valeria Cis", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 191, "review": "Mia is spending the Passover holiday with her incredible neighbor Edie Rose. Together they simulate historic scenes of the escape from Egypt, and all the neighbor children practice asking the four question ritual about why this night is so different from all other nights. Mia idolizes her generous, warmhearted neighbor who has traveled everywhere. Unfortunately, Edie Rose suddenly falls and cannot continue the preparations for the Passover seder, so courageously and spontaneously, Mia takes it on herself to organize the seder. This is now her charge or journey, and it starts with a list to check the macaroons, set the table, and ask the invited neighbors for help. Her organization succeeds, and Edie Rose returns to her apartment to find that the many neighbors have brought Passover to her. There are bowls of meat and veggies, chicken soup and parsley, charoset and potato kugel, salt water representing tears, and of course, the unleavened bread or matzoh. The colorful illustrations depicting the diverse personalities add color and warmth to this enriching story. The message of people helping one another and working together for this holiday gathering will be illuminating to young readers.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "06-May-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 20:05:19", "publisher": "Lerner Publishing Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015302007", "title": "Harold Hates to Hibernate (A Harold the Bear Story)", "author": "Vern Kousky", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 195, "review": "In Harold Hates to Hibernate, a young bear named Harold doesn\u2019t want to hibernate because his three crow friends may forget about him while he sleeps. As the snow begins falling, Harold feels hungry. Certain that he can stay awake if he is full, Harold\u2019s three crow friends bring him a fish feast. When the wind blows, Harold feels cold, and his three friends fly off to find warm clothes.

As the forest becomes icy, Harold\u2019s crow friends help him with a soft place to rest. Even as Harold shouts that he doesn\u2019t need to hibernate, his eyes grow heavy and, thanking his friends, he asked them not to forget him. The crows fly to their nest, but return to snuggle next to Harold, so he knows they\u2019ll never forget.

Vern Kousky, who is also the author of Harold Loves His Woolly Hat, has written a delightful story for either nap time or bedtime. The text sends subtle messages about the enduring power of friendship and the undeniable need for sleep. This book might prove a particularly good choice for that young listener who fights sleep for fear of being left out of something interesting.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "27-Jan-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 20:27:36", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015301007", "title": "Zayde Babysits before Passover", "author": "Jane Sutton, Kate Chappell", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 191, "review": "In this delightfully amusing story, the reader watches as kindly grandpa, fondly called Zadye in Yiddish, is assigned the role of babysitter to his pixieish granddaughter Ruthie. His assignment is to monitor his granddaughter while mom and grandma prepare for the Passover Seder that evening. His list includes involving his granddaughter in finger-painting, some grocery shopping, going to the playground to release Ruthie\u2019s energy, playing at home for the same reason, having lunch, taking a nap, and bathing Ruthie. The instructions are followed, but the results are unusual, comically different from the intentions. Paints spreading a mess and smearing all over, grocery shopping finds Zayde being wheeled in the grocery cart, gramps goes down the sliding path in the park, overeating occurs at lunch, Ruthie watches her Zayde nap, and Ruthie\u2019s bath ends up in a room full of suds. But finally, the family sits down to the happy Seder service and all goes well. Ruthie invites her Zayde to babysit with her again, to which he happily agrees. The cleverly illustrated versions of this story will have children laughing at the fallibility of their loving, well-intentioned, and very human gramps.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "05-May-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 20:10:35", "publisher": "Lerner Publishing Group", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015300019", "title": "If I Had a Dragon (If I Had A...Series, 9)", "author": "Gabby Dawnay, Alex Barrow", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 10", "word_count": 151, "review": "I already have cats as pets, but if it were an option to have any other kind of pet, it would be a dragon! The story If I Had a Dragon covers everything that entices people to want dragons (fire breath, flying, treasure) and how to use those in a fun way, but it also shows how those things have the chance to be \"bad.\" Regardless, this book confirms my desire to have a dragon as a pet, and in the meantime, I'll learn how to convince my parents, or at least how to hide it!

If I Had a Dragon is written more so for readers younger than me, but readers of any age (and particularly if they have an interest in dragons) will find something to enjoy. There are minimal words per page (making it easier for younger readers) and the pictures are colorful and enticing (perfect for everyone).", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "27-Jan-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 21:00:46", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015300007", "title": "The Great Big Animal Race (Somos8)", "author": "Jos\u00e9 Carlos Rom\u00e1n, Julio Antonio Blasco", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 12", "word_count": 140, "review": "The big animal race is a fun event that almost all the animals look forward to. However, this year, snail is feeling pretty down, because he always comes in last. When rabbit finds out that snail is sad he just knows he must do something to help him win or at least not come in last place. The animals brainstorm to help snail. Finally, when the big day arrives, they hope their plan works. Read this book to find out.

I really like the bright and colorful illustrations. The animals are all so cute. I especially liked the door mouse. My sister's favorite part was about the fox putting on shoes for the big race. I think this is a really cute story that has a great message. Sometimes, it is not about winning but how you make others feel.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2025", "date_added": "17-Dec-2024 19:15:12", "publisher": "NubeOcho", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015299003", "title": "Where Are the Women?", "author": "Janice Hechter", "category": "", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 68, "review": "\"When a group of determined Girl Scouts notices there are no statues of women in Central Park, they take action to change history. Their discovery ignites a journey of teamwork, advocacy, and perseverance. Facing challenges head-on, these young leaders work tirelessly to ensure women\u2019s contributions are recognized and celebrated. This inspiring true story shows how even the youngest voices can create lasting change.\" \u2014Samantha Olsen, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Dec-2024 14:17:49", "publisher": "Red Chair Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000015298063", "title": "I, No Other", "author": "Yarrow Paisley", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Dillon Allen-Perez", "word_count": 1581, "review": "I, No Other is a book only for adventurous readers. Yarrow Paisley\u2019s main goal is to disturb the reader. Though it is a collection of absurdist short stories featuring narrators of all different ages, it is a book only for adults since it is replete with vulgarities and sexual imagery. This is not a book for the type of pearl-clutching parents that demand parental advisory warnings on their media. I feel torn on my opinion about the book overall after having finished it. I did not enjoy reading the first two narrations in the collection. The third story is where it started to pick up for me, but that is also where I was firmly convinced that Paisley\u2019s motivation is simply to make the poor reader uncomfortable. Some may find this entirely unappealing and simply avoid the book altogether. At the same time, the publisher flatly admits that this is their mission.

It is worth quoting from the back of the book, where publisher Whisk(e)y Tit states that they are \u201ccommitted to restoring degradation and degeneracy to the literary arts\u201d and that they choose writers \u201cwho are unwilling to sacrifice intellectual rigor, unrelenting playfulness, and visual beauty in our literary pursuits, often leading to texts that would otherwise be abandoned in today\u2019s largely homogenized literary landscape\u201d. Although Paisley\u2019s book I, No Other achieves degradation and degeneracy in some places, saying that it displays intellectual rigor would be a stretch, and illustrating visual beauty is completely absent from its pages. Let us start with the cover art and then move through each narration individually.

The cover art depicts a monster\u2014perhaps fishlike but with big greenish-yellow human arms\u2014disgusting and off-putting in one way, just unusually bright enough in another way to make the curious reader flip open the book to see what might lie within the monster. Though one should never judge a book by its cover, the effect this image has on the reader is a fitting introduction to the style and themes of the tales within.

Showing one of Paisley\u2019s literary inspirations, the book\u2019s epigraph is a quote from French writer Arthur Rimbaud: \u201cJe est un autre (I is an other)\u201d. Other than serving as inspiration for the title of this collection, quoting Rimbaud serves also as a hint to the literary style. Both Rimbaud and Paisley could be described as aiming for surrealism and the destruction of social norms and boundaries. The synopsis of I, No Other describes it as \u201ca cerebral defibrillator you forgot had been implanted until it routinely - and unexpectedly - shocks you back to life. They may hurt at times, dear reader, the jolts of these agitations, but it is a vital hurt. With a cast of narrators on the brink of discovery in all its forms, I No Other collects Yarrow Paisley's most exquisite absurdist interludes\u201d. The absurd cast of characters creating a cacophony of voices across this book\u2019s narrations create a crowd reminiscent of another one of Paisley\u2019s inspirations explicitly mentioned in one of the stories: Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch. To get a visual representation of I, No Other\u2014 rather than the cover art itself\u2014take a look at Bosch\u2019s painting \u201cThe Garden of Earthly Delights\u201d. Perhaps this painting is meant to depict something pleasurable, but the viewer\u2019s experience in gazing upon it is more likely to be an experience of strange discomfort or even disgust at seeing all the naked people in absurd, surreal situations across an almost-natural landscape.

The first story, \u201cFl\u00e2neurysm\u201d, is the disgusting and off-putting part of the monster. Mixing the French concept of being a \u201cfl\u00e2neur\u201d, wandering aimlessly through a city, with the unfortunate experience of having an aneurysm, this narration is a dreamscape, purposefully dense and esoteric. It seems like Paisley used a thesaurus for every word other than the oft-repeated \u201ccock\u201d and \u201cgonads\u201d. The biggest red flag is when the narrator describes a \u201cpreadolescent girl in blond pigtails\u201d as \u201cmy chance at love\u201d. It makes me wonder, why did he choose this as an introduction to the book? It is hard to read and I hardly wanted to continue reading\u2014perhaps only from a morbid curiosity about where it might end up. As stated before, this is where my reaction to viewing the cover art mirrors my experience reading through the innards of this creature.

The second story, \u201cThe Revised Minutes\u201d, is immediately much easier to read at the sentence level. Paisley seems to have put down the thesaurus. At this point, I was convinced that the first narrative was designed and positioned to deter un-curious readers who will not give him some benefit of the doubt and literary freedom to express himself. Though I may be wrong to say express \u201chimself\u201d since these absurd narrations are from the perspectives of different characters. Still, they read like confessional poetry in a certain way. A confessional style of artistry can be harnessed to illustrate a moving, honest memoir, but /I, No Other/ feels like reading something only a professional therapist should be reading.

\u201cLynx: A Chronicle\u201d is a short story about a cat. The simplicity of this one made it my favorite at this point in the reading experience. Then it displayed a strange sexuality just like the last two stories which made me fully convinced that disturbing the reader is Paisley\u2019s main aim. On a similar note, the next narration, \u201cReinformation Theory\u201d, could have been an interesting exploration of reincarnation, philosophy, and how hierarchical social structures affect our understanding of the world\u2014if it weren\u2019t so horny. This book feels like trying to listen to a college professor\u2019s lecture while a sexually frustrated middle-schooler is unsuccessfully trying to make everyone laugh with \u201cedgy\u201d jokes. The horny kid making jokes wants so much of my attention that I don\u2019t know if the professor is even worth listening to. I don\u2019t know if I would recommend this class to someone else if it were the same teacher but a new, less distracting, group of students. In other words, I don\u2019t think I would recommend this book to anyone.

\u201cThe Prince of Pee\u201d is the first one that comes across as a regular story\u2014much less absurdist or experimental stylistically. That being said, it still has its strange, uncomfortable sexuality to it. Similarly, \u201cDiplomat in Ebony\u201d is the first time Paisley suggests he might be able to write dialogue between characters that sounds at least vaguely human. It\u2019s also the first time while reading that I actually like one of his sexual lines: \u201cHis cock battered his zipper as a man buried alive will batter the lid.\u201d There is an originality to this graphic simile that works very well in the context of this story. Overall, this narration has some of my favorite moments and lines. The book was becoming easier and easier to read. Then, it continued to have some of the most disgusting sexual imagery yet. Why ruin it? Every time it starts to get good, Paisley drags it back down by going just a little bit too far. Although, I am sure that is the point.\n\nThe story \u201cPipe\u201d is the most original concept. It has a simple but effective set-up to a story: using a homemade pipe-mechanism to connect two parallel noisy neighbors so they have to hear each other instead. However, Paisley does not take the premise anywhere interesting and it is\u2014of course\u2014injected with strange sexual imagery.

Like \u201cReinformation Theory\u201d, the next narration \u201cThe Cigar, or Fate\u2019s Floating Ember\u201d could be a good story about a child discovering cigar smoking far too young by overhearing an adult\u2019s soliloquy about life and fate\u2014seen as a noble tale retold by a prestigious circus freak through the eyes of the impressionable child narrator. This /could/ be a good story /if/ Yarrow Paisley could go a single story without describing penises and the things coming out of them. Yes, there are multiple penises in this one for no good reason. At this point, it is not achieving the shock value of disturbing, abstract fiction anymore. Because it is so repetitive, it just feels boring and lazy. Also, the overly-noble, faux-Shakespearean style of the adult\u2019s soliloquy is clunky and more distracting than engaging in this narration.

My favorite narration in I, No Other is \u201cSpirit and Corpus\u201d. Mostly, I enjoyed the middle part of this one, centered around a compelling story about a loving wife who has to make an impossible decision for her (un)conscious husband lying in a hospital bed. However, in the beginning section of this story, the husband narrator describes my thoughts on this entire book when he mentions \u201cthe infantile self-pleasurings with which I indulge myself on a continuing basis\u201d.

Finally, the last narrative \u201cDaffodil in Ecstasy!\u201d is boring and repetitive once again. That makes it fail to achieve any interesting \u201cdegradation and degeneracy\u201d to add to the literary arts\u2014in my humble opinion.

Although my reaction to each individual story may seem negative overall, the fact that a negative reaction from the reader is the author\u2019s explicit goal makes I, No Other technically a successful literary endeavor. I appreciate pushing the literary boundaries. That being said, the continued attempts at upping the shock value do not culminate into a compelling climax, but rather echo in a loop that becomes mind-numbingly boring rather than mind-bendingly absorbing. That mix of negative and positive is what makes me rate it right down the middle in terms of quality. At times it succeeds at what it is trying to do, but I would not recommend it to any reader that I care about.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Dec-2024 23:17:45", "publisher": "Whiskey Tit", "page_count": "214 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015298055", "title": "Molehill Mountain", "author": "Miles Miller", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 438, "review": "Molehill Mountain presents a mentally and emotionally healthy concept through a literary example of the age-old saying, \"Don't make a mountain out of a molehill,\" through a familiar storyline with modern text, thought processes, and stylized language. The phrase refers to being conscious about not turning a situation into something much bigger and more dramatic than intended.

Young Hedgehog has decided to see what awaits in the great unknown! He's feeling brave and adventurous as he begins his journey through his home - the woods. However, it doesn't take long before his path leads him to a dark, ominous tunnel that he decides is not his intended destination today. Making a detour, Hedgehog regains his pride and spirit and continues exploring. Unfortunately, the next turn leads him into another prickly and uncomfortable situation. Young Hedgehog must decide which is more controlling - his fear or determination. When he decides to carry on, he discovers that his fears and uncertainties are just that, with reality showing him the positives and new memories he made by taking chances and pushing boundaries.

Young Hedgehog could represent male or female, young or old; at times, we all struggle with letting our thoughts get the best of us. Self-talk or other learned skills can be beneficial (as it was for Young Hedgehog) so we do not miss opportunities, but afterward, we can feel pride and overall better about ourselves. Like Hedgehog, missed adventures, relationships, or future stories are at stake. Molehill Mountain is an inclusive and timeless book appropriate and beneficial for readers today, tomorrow, and in one hundred years, with characters, locations, and situations interchangeable and customizable. A parent, guardian, or adult reading Molehill Mountain might make the reading session educational and bonding by engaging in conversation and active listening with the recipient about situations they've encountered and what they did or what they could do differently in the future. The story could be interactive, with recipients acting Young Hedgehog's part, making it more meaningful for themselves when it's personalized in this way.

Within the genre of children's books, Molehill Mountain is an average length. Each page features minimal text, making it easier for adult readers and their young listeners, who may have shorter attention spans, to engage with the story. The minimal text assists young readers venturing into reading alone; however, some assistance might be needed as some phrases and words could be unfamiliar. The illustrations include tones of greens, browns, and calming colors reminiscent of a walk through the woods, making the story clear and easy to follow. My two ten-and-under children expressed enjoyment, interest, and relatability throughout the story.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Dec-2024 23:13:33", "publisher": "Miles Miller", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015298051", "title": "Molehill Mountain: Turning Stories Into Hope ", "author": "Miles Miller", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 432, "review": "Molehill Mountain is an absolutely delightful book that will warm the hearts of children of all ages. It also teaches readers a thing or two about life. It\u2019s got a quirky hedgehog, some unexpected friends, and a message that sticks with you long after the last page. The story beautifully balances humor and heart, making it a joy for the whole family to read. Whether you\u2019re five or fifty-five, it\u2019s hard not to smile at the clever twists and the sweet resolution.

The story starts with a hedgehog itching for adventure. He struts out of his comfy corner of the woods, feeling like the coolest explorer ever, until\u2014bam!\u2014a big, dark pit blocks his way. This pit looks like trouble with a capital T, so the hedgehog gets out of there and takes a different route.

But life\u2019s funny that way. His \u201cshortcut\u201d leads to all sorts of prickly situations (literally\u2014thorns everywhere!), and surprise\u2014he ends up right back where he started. After a little soul-searching, the brave little hedgehog decides it\u2019s time to face the pit head-on.

Turns out, the \u201cscary pit\u201d wasn\u2019t scary at all. Instead of monsters or goblins, it\u2019s home to two friendly moles who are more into tea parties than terrorizing. The hedgehog and his new buddies share a laugh, and he learns a big lesson: sometimes, the only way forward is straight through your fears.

I loved the hedgehog as he was full of personality. He\u2019s got a little bit of sass, a lot of courage, and plenty of heart. And those moles? Total scene-stealers. They\u2019re polite, sweet, and a funny contrast to the hedgehog\u2019s over-the-top imagination.

The illustrations in the book are the kind that make you want to frame every page. The hedgehog\u2019s expressions are pure gold, whether he\u2019s puffed up with pride or freaking out over imaginary monsters. The colors are warm and earthy, pulling you into the cozy little world of the woods. It\u2019s whimsical, charming, and fun to look at.

Molehill Mountain is one of those books that feels like a hug in story form. It\u2019s simple, sweet, and packed with a moral we can all use: don\u2019t let fear stop you, and definitely don\u2019t turn molehills into mountains. It is perfect for kids of all ages, but adults will love it, too. Whether you need a pick-me-up or just a great bedtime story, this book delivers every time. If you\u2019re looking for a lighthearted read with lovable characters and stunning illustrations, this is the book for you. Grab it, read it, and maybe keep it handy for those days when life\u2019s little \u201cpits\u201d feel a bit too big.", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "15-Dec-2024 23:12:41", "publisher": "Miles Miller", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015298043", "title": "Align Your Business with the Real You: Connect with Yourself, Create What Matters Most, and Define Your Success", "author": "Jennifer Musser", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 427, "review": "Running a business is not for the faint of heart. Entrepreneurs are a courageous and creative group, eager to provide new solutions to the market. In her book Align Your Business with the Real You, Jennifer Musser offers a guide for entrepreneurs to live their best lives by connecting with their true selves and doing what they love. This book is an excellent resource for any entrepreneur who has experienced doubt about their path or feels overwhelmed by the many tasks involved in running a business.

Musser draws on her experience in large corporations and her own entrepreneurial successes to provide heartfelt advice and actionable strategies for self-understanding and solidifying a sense of purpose. She emphasizes that by understanding oneself, entrepreneurs can make informed choices that align with their strengths and interests. This is a simple yet powerful reminder about the importance of matching personal strengths with business goals. Musser introduces the \u201c5C\u201d framework, which guides readers to connect, clarify, control, cocreate, and change their mindsets and experiences for greater personal fulfillment and business success.

Musser draws on her own experiences to highlight the importance of being strategic about where we invest our energy. One memorable mantra from the book is \u201cListen to yourself,\u201d which emphasizes the need to trust our intuition and internal wisdom when making critical decisions. She provides practical strategies, such as effective time management and delegation, which are directly applicable to the challenges entrepreneurs face. She also emphasizes the significance of gratitude, kindness, and nurturing key relationships with friends and confidantes in our inner circle.

Each chapter includes a personal anecdote that highlights a pivotal moment in Musser\u2019s life, setting the stage for valuable advice. The author shares her experiences, from the hard lessons she learned during her college years to insights gained in international business and the challenges she faced as a founder. These relatable stories, which many entrepreneurs will find familiar, get straight to the heart of the lessons in each chapter. Musser has taken great care to present the content in a clear and digestible manner.

I approached the book from my perspective as an entrepreneur managing my consulting firm, which focuses on providing research and training strategies for operationalizing diversity, equity, and inclusion. I found it valuable to learn about Musser's international business experience, her client service approach, and her personal insights. She writes in a conversational style that reflects her warm and collaborative consulting methodology. Align Your Business with the Real You reads like a personal conversation with a supportive mentor who is genuinely invested in your success.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "24-Feb-2025", "date_added": "15-Dec-2024 23:07:19", "publisher": "PenRock press", "page_count": "263 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015298037", "title": "Them", "author": "Andrew J Gregor", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bradley Allen", "word_count": 333, "review": "Them by Andrew J.\u2002Gregor is an engrossing political literary fiction that addresses prejudice, identity, and intergenerational trauma in small-town USA. Set in the fictional land of Culver City, Kansas, the story focuses on Jonah Piers, a 15-year-old hobbled by the bigotry of his father, who lies far to the right\u2002of the political spectrum, and his own awakening, particularly in his feelings toward Leila, a Muslim girl of Lebanese descent who's in his class.

Gregor skilfully demonstrates that contempt can be passed down through the\u2002generations, showing how societal fear and ignorance seep into our hearts. The\u2002conversations between Jonah and Leila and Jonah and his father, Jesse \u2014 a self-styled patriot with ugly, deeply held biases \u2014 illustrate the clash between a perspective built on hatred and one based on compassion. The small-town backdrop magnifies such\u2002dynamics, mirroring larger national debates about race, religion, and terrorism.

One of the novel\u2019s great strengths is the\u2002subtlety with which its characters are developed. Jesse\u2019s transition from prejudice to rage that drives him to secretly surveil the local Muslim community mirrors the dangers of\u2002unchecked xenophobia. On\u2002the other hand, Jonah\u2019s difficult decision and relationship with Leila represent an emotional portrait of growing up during a moral crisis. Diverse chapters impart layers on the course of loathsome attacks and casualties and\u2002provide valuable information to the emotional epilogue.

The pacing sometimes lags, with detailed explorations of the town\u2019s\u2002history and side characters, but added context provides depth. Them also doesn\u2019t shy away from the harsher realities of prejudice while also carving out room for\u2002growth and understanding, making it a timely and thought-provoking read.

Overall, Them\u2002gives fear and ignorance a human face. Gregor\u2019s fully realized\u2002characters and relentless storytelling challenge readers to grapple with difficult truths about America\u2019s continued struggles with race, religion, and tolerance. Highly recommended for people looking for socially engaged fiction that balances the personal with the political in its own identity, this novel is\u2002sure to move readers today as it has before.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "21-Feb-2025", "date_added": "15-Dec-2024 23:03:33", "publisher": "Fulton Books", "page_count": "355 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015298031", "title": "63 Hours In Hell", "author": "Susan L. Davis", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 84, "review": "\"Step into an unforgettable journey where faith collides with darkness, and redemption battles against the forces of evil. In 63 Hours in Hell, Susan L. Davis reimagines the spiritual realms during the three days between the crucifixion and resurrection. With richly drawn characters and vivid, immersive storytelling, this tale of love, sacrifice, and the ultimate battle for souls will captivate and challenge your understanding of divine grace. Will the light of hope endure, even in the heart of hell?! \u2014Kathryn Dare, Chicago Book Review", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Dec-2024 22:58:36", "publisher": "Abundance Books ", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015298023", "title": "Prometheus for Breakfast", "author": "Jack Tilde", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 99, "review": "\"Prometheus for Breakfast is a dazzlingly inventive and darkly humorous journey into the absurdity of life, death, and everything in between. Jack Tilde crafts a story that leaps from the monotony of factory life to the surreal corridors of the Department of Mortal Vacation, culminating in a Hell that defies every expectation. With sharp wit and poignant insight, this tale turns bureaucracy, morality, and eternity on their heads, delivering a narrative as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. A bold and unforgettable journey that will make you laugh, question, and marvel at the unexpected.\" \u2014Kyle Eaton, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Dec-2024 22:55:04", "publisher": "Dover Sole Publishing", "page_count": "212 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015298015", "title": "Bell Tower", "author": "Raphael Pond", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 74, "review": "\u201cRaphael Pond masterfully explores themes of technology\u2019s grip on creativity, the power of empathy, and the search for purpose in a fractured world. With rich characters and a narrative that rings with emotional depth, this novel confronts the struggles of identity, agency, and the fight to reclaim what makes us truly human. Prepare to be captivated by a story that challenges, inspires, and resonates long after the final page.\" \u2014Kathryn Dare, Portland Book Review", "issue": "December 2024", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Dec-2024 22:51:48", "publisher": "Vine Leaves Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015298007", "title": "The Unseen Goddess", "author": "Sangeetha Shinde", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 487, "review": "Madhuri grew up in a slum in Chennai, India, a girl like many others who were forgotten and invisible. The confluence of being born into poverty and a marginalized caste gave way to early experiences of abuse and neglect. When Madhuri\u2019s alcoholic father died, her mother could no longer afford to keep Madhuri at home. The girl was sent to the Anni Ashram orphanage. In the ashram, Madhuri spent several years caring for mentally and physically disabled children, performing household chores, and enduring harsh treatment from the staff.

To support her mother, Madhuri left the ashram and began working in the homes of wealthy families. During this time, she discovered that both kindness and cruelty can exist even among the most privileged. Her arranged marriage to Selvam, a security guard, was marked by violence and abuse. Madhuri faced particularly harsh treatment from her in-laws, especially her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, who were demanding and unkind. Despite these challenges, Madhuri's love for her children remained unwavering, and she sacrificed her own happiness to ensure their well-being. Her journey concludes on an empowering note as she recognizes her inner strength and determination. Although her life was filled with a series of adversities, it ultimately demonstrates her resilience, strength, and capacity for love.

Sangeetha Shinde's The Unseen Goddess is a gripping fictionalized tale of the life of Madhuri, a cleaner who became the author's friend and confidante while the latter was living in Chennai. The two developed a morning ritual of sharing tea together, during which Madhuri shared snippets of her life with Shinde. It is clear from the narrative that Madhuri provided consent for aspects of her life to be told in Shinde's latest book. While Madhuri\u2019s life was characterized by a series of challenges and adversities, it is also a testament to her unwavering resilience, strength, and capacity for love.

I approached the book from my lens as an immigrant woman of color who has spent all my adult life in the United States. Growing up in poverty in Manila, I was familiar with the deprivation and desperation depicted in Shinde's telling of the slums in Chennai. Her powerful storytelling highlights themes of social inequalities in India, particularly the experiences of women living in abject poverty. With her orientation as a journalist, the author does not look away from all the unsightly blemishes of patriarchy and classism. Written from a first-person perspective, the story allows readers to connect intimately with the depth of Madhuri's thoughts and feelings.

In The Unseen Goddess, Shinde's narrative adds another layer to her contributions to women's empowerment. It offers a deep understanding of the cultural context of India, particularly the lives of women in lower socio-economic strata. The book's exploration of issues such as gender inequality, domestic violence, and poverty, which are not confined to any one country , can empower and motivate readers to recognize and address these challenges in their own communities.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Dec-2024 22:48:38", "publisher": "Villa Magna Publishing", "page_count": "203 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015464003", "title": "Speak to Me of Home: A Novel", "author": "Jeanine Cummins", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 203, "review": "Ruth Hayes is jarred from her routine upon the news of her daughter Daisy\u2019s accident. Daisy yearned to connect with her roots and had moved to Puerto Rico, where, while beginning her future, she was struck by a car. Ruth notifies her two sons as well as her mother, Rafaela. Despite being born in Puerto Rico, Ruth\u2019s formative years were spent in the mainland US, and she didn\u2019t understand Daisy\u2019s need to relocate. However, the current circumstances necessitate Ruth and family finding a way to Puerto Rico to see Daisy and learn more about her condition. The key to getting there in the aftermath of a major hurricane lies with Rafaela, who has a trick up her sleeve along with a secret or two.

Speak to Me of Home stands out as a powerful statement on the generational divide, familial bonds, and self-identity. Jeanine Cummins (\"American Dirt\") imbues her protagonists with resolve and strength. The stirring narrative explores significant elements of the past that shaped the lives of three generations of women-Rafaela, Ruth, and Daisy- that brought them to a life and death moment in 2023, where everyone is present and the drama is at its apex. Cummins\u2019 work represents storytelling at its best.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jul-2025", "date_added": "30-Jan-2025 21:38:27", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015463005", "title": "Ms. Pretty Rickey: The Street Sweeper", "author": "Bryneen Katina Gary", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 464, "review": "Ms. Pretty Rickey: The Street Sweeper by Bryneen Gary is not your average poetry collection. It\u2019s a gritty, soul-baring journey through the realities of street life, systemic injustice, and inner spiritual warfare. As someone who grew up during the turbulent crack era, witnessed the rise of mass surveillance, and lived through multiple political betrayals, I found this book to be both personal and powerful. It reads like a stream-of-consciousness gospel written for those who know what it\u2019s like to live in the margins and fight for clarity in a fog of confusion.

What sets this book apart is its unapologetic tone. Gary writes in raw bursts, with poems that often feel like spoken word soliloquies shouted across rooftops or whispered in back alley prayers. In \u201cChief Officials\u201d, she dissects leadership, calling out corruption, spiritual neglect, and the digital prisons we\u2019ve grown numb to. There\u2019s a line that reads, \u201cTechnology to talk through a person\u2019s ears is mind blowing,\u201d and that one hit home. It\u2019s absurd at first glance, but not so far-fetched in today\u2019s world of intrusive tech and algorithmic manipulation.

The poem \u201cFreedom from War\u201d is one of the collection\u2019s strongest pieces. It ties together geopolitical instability with community trauma and personal healing. She doesn\u2019t just talk about war in the traditional sense\u2014she expands the definition to include internal wars, mental prisons, surveillance states, and broken families. As a man who's seen too many funerals, who knows too well the sting of a lost friend to addiction or gun violence, this hit different. It\u2019s not just poetry\u2014it\u2019s testimony.

The style of the collection may catch some readers off guard. The grammar is unorthodox, the rhythm uneven, and the structure seemingly chaotic. But for me, that\u2019s what makes it honest. This is poetry for people who have been through something. People who\u2019ve experienced the world not through textbooks or curated news feeds, but through struggle, sweat, and survival. Gary\u2019s verses move like jazz in a smoky club\u2014unexpected, improvised, and deeply emotional.

In \u201cThe Mix,\u201d Gary paints a vivid picture of drug culture, fractured relationships, and community resilience. It feels cinematic in its intensity, moving from tragedy to redemption in just a few lines. The imagery is jarring but necessary. She doesn\u2019t pull punches, and there\u2019s no attempt to sanitize the violence or the heartbreak. These stories matter because they are real. These are the voices we rarely hear in mainstream literature.

Ms. Pretty Rickey: The Street Sweeper is a book that won\u2019t be for everyone\u2014but it\u2019s not supposed to be. It\u2019s for those who\u2019ve been misunderstood, overlooked, or dismissed. It\u2019s for survivors. For truth-tellers. For the restless hearts searching for meaning in a world that often feels upside down. Bryneen Gary has given us a collection that is more than poetry\u2014it\u2019s a call to awareness, resistance, and ultimately, healing.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "08-Mar-2026", "date_added": "29-Jan-2025 23:34:36", "publisher": "CreateSpace", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015457003", "title": "Dungeon Runners: Sky Battles (Dungeon Runners, 2)", "author": "Joe Todd-Stanton, Kieran Larwood", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 132, "review": "Dungeon running has become a sport that has been turned into a TV show. Various groups are picked and must include a mage, a healer, and a fighter. The newest group is called Triple Trouble. This group is known as the low bottom feeders, and it seems everyone thinks there is no way they can possibly win the first prize. The group isn't feeling so sure about being the winners themselves since this season is a bit strange, as they will be taking the battles to the sky and on the back of a dragon.

I think the funniest part of this book is Dirk the Orc, who is the commentator and one of the hosts of the show. I like the illustrations of this book, especially of the dragon and Crowgre.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "04-Apr-2025", "date_added": "28-Jan-2025 18:26:44", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015454003", "title": "Passages", "author": "Greg Gregory", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 460, "review": "Passages by Greg Gregory is a quiet triumph\u2014a collection of 29 poems composed over the span of 25 years that read like weathered journal entries from a life deeply lived and deeply observed. As someone who spends a great deal of time in the natural world, I found myself struck again and again by Gregory\u2019s ability to connect the cycles of the earth with the emotional rhythms of human experience.

His poems are steeped in a kind of poetic humility. They don\u2019t demand attention but rather ask us to slow down, breathe, and notice. In \u201cGhost Town,\u201d Gregory writes:

\u201cThe desert twilight briefly sings / wind music through broken wood.\u201d

It\u2019s a perfect example of his subtle, evocative style\u2014suggesting not only a place but a mood, a history, and a kind of haunting beauty. It\u2019s the kind of line that lingers long after you read it.

Nature is not just a backdrop in these poems\u2014it\u2019s a participant. The beach, the desert, the garden, the sky\u2014all of them mirror human emotion or provide a space for it to unfold. In \u201cComposting,\u201d Gregory captures this connection beautifully with the line:

\u201cThey stir up scents and turn with / crumbled leaves under the / empty blue, a white cloud, brief / warmth, the next breath, next heartbeat.\u201d

The mundane task of turning compost becomes something sacred and seasonal, reminding us of how rooted we are in the physical world.

I was especially taken with \u201cHeirlooms,\u201d a poem that layers antiques and objects with memory and meaning. Gregory\u2019s attention to detail\u2014lace, silver boxes, potpourri\u2014reads like a still-life painting, rich with texture and shadow. The poem closes with a sense of reverence for the past that feels earned rather than sentimental.

What stands out most in Passages is Gregory\u2019s willingness to linger. He doesn't rush. There\u2019s a meditative quality to his voice, like someone who's spent years walking the same trail and always finds something new to notice. In \u201cAlong Drake\u2019s Beach,\u201d he writes:

\u201cAll shells, the remains, the final poems / of creatures protecting their soft parts, like us.\u201d

It\u2019s a gentle but profound metaphor, suggesting how vulnerable we all are beneath our defenses.

Though the poems vary in subject and setting, they are united by a consistent tone\u2014thoughtful, calm, sometimes melancholy, often luminous. Gregory seems less concerned with making grand poetic statements and more focused on illuminating small truths. That restraint is a strength.

This is a book to savor slowly, preferably with a warm drink and a view of the sky. Gregory\u2019s voice feels honest and seasoned. He reminds us that the personal is never separate from the natural\u2014that time moves through us just as the tides move across the sand. For readers who find peace in the quiet beauty of the world, Passages offers the kind of reflection we all need more of.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "26-May-2025", "date_added": "27-Jan-2025 23:20:07", "publisher": "Avenafatua Press", "page_count": "41 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015453065", "title": "The Flip Side", "author": "Ted Richardson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 463, "review": "Theo\u2019s life had recently taken a harsh downturn where he went from leading a band on the brink of stardom to having a meltdown and being committed to a mental institution. The conditions of his release necessitate Theo to move back home with his mother and find a job. His aunt works at a senior living facility named Mossy Oaks and offers him a position as a personal care aide to the elderly and infirm. Theo takes the job with some trepidation as he is accustomed to being an introvert. However, Theo soon meets a few patients who help break him out of his solitude, like Lucy. Lucy is dying of cancer but doesn\u2019t let her prognosis affect her affability when she helps Theo get acquainted.

Lucy and Theo connect with their affinity for music, particularly The Beatles, and their conversations spark a feeling of deja vu in Theo\u2019s mind. This doesn\u2019t sit well with Theo initially as previous experiences with the phenomenon had triggered Theo, and he doesn\u2019t want to be recommitted. When Theo meets Lucy\u2019s daughter, Olivia, his mind goes from overwrought to gobsmacked as Olivia is the spitting image of Lucy. Olivia is the owner of a local bar/music hall called The Lemonade Stand, where Theo\u2019s band used to play. Olivia encourages Theo to play at the venue and though it seems a risky proposition, Theo takes Olivia up on her offer and finds his voice again.

When Lucy heard Theo sing a particular melody, her feeling surpassed deja vu. The song brought back memories of a love taken from Lucy in her youth. She was mystified at how Theo knew the song and pondered whether Theo was the reincarnation of her former beau Wyatt. When Theo decides to undergo regression therapy to provide Lucy with answers, a new question surfaces once Theo relates seeing Wyatt being murdered. With this devastating revelation, Theo wants to help Lucy find closure along with a killer but wonders if the police will believe him. In addition, time is of the essence as Lucy\u2019s health continues to decline.

The Flip Side is an inspiring drama/mystery wherein true love is lost and found over a period of 50 years. Upon introduction, Theo is a lost soul in need of direction. While he views his job at Mossy Oaks as transitory, there is therapeutic value in talking to the residents. When juxtaposed, the romantic relationships of Lucy and Wyatt and Theo and Olivia are conveyed in a heartfelt and genuine way. The author\u2019s appreciation for music is pervasive throughout the narrative and often influences the intriguing plotlines. Author Ted Richardson (Imposters of Patriotism) delivers an impactful and fulfilling novel from start to finish that will leave the reader with a song in their heart, if not their mind.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Jan-2025 00:40:14", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015453059", "title": "Moonset on Desert Sands", "author": "Sherri L Dodd", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 382, "review": "Dustin just pulled off a brazen crime and knew he needed to hightail it out of town. The athame was in his possession and was intended to be handed over to Fergus. Whether Fergus knew Dustin would renege or it was part of his plan, Dustin is subsequently killed, and Fergus\u2019s minion takes the rumored powerful athame. The athame had been evidence in the stabbing death of a serial killer, a man who was doing Fergus\u2019 bidding in attacking his own flesh and blood.

Arista believed that she and her auntie were free from danger after they defended themselves from the onslaught of the unhinged attacker. Arista is concerned for her Aunt Bethie\u2019s well-being in the aftermath of the violence, but Bethie is a resilient woman. Bethie is the leader of a coven with a group of women and Arista is an aspirant to the group. Arista isn\u2019t aware of her own abilities, but Bethie believes her dormant qualities are what Fergus is seeking to claim.

When Bethie receives a call from a law enforcement source about the disappearance of the athame, she becomes alarmed about the possible consequences. Fergus had been waning in strength, but the athame offered a path for him to regain some of his form. When Bethie learns that Fergus and one of his minions have been spotted in town, the time to flee has arrived. Bethie brings Arista to the two people who can provide her with further enlightenment about her plight: the parents Arista had long thought dead.

Moonset on Desert Sands is a thrilling supernatural fantasy that commences on a sinister note and never loses its footing in its portrayal of a battle between forces of good and evil. Arista is a kindhearted soul who has been bereft of normalcy as a result of the world she was born into. Despite the constant peril she inhabits, she is unfailingly selfless when it comes to those closest to her. Fergus is a villain with a dark soul, a rogue seeking to recoup his glory. Fergus is the antithesis of both Arista and Bertie as he only cares about himself and his insatiable desire for power. Author Sherri L. Dodd has written a smart and entertaining novel that explores themes about family, friendship, love, and the mystical.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "12-May-2025", "date_added": "25-Jan-2025 00:37:21", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015453051", "title": "The Flip Side: Where Chicago Rocked", "author": "Carl Rosenbaum, Larry Rosenbaum, Ken Churilla", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 451, "review": "Anyone who's ever wondered about brick-and-mortar record stores \u2014a rarity in 2025\u2014 will immediately see the appeal of The Flip Side: Where Chicago Rocked. Written by record store owners Carl & Larry Rosenbaum with Ken Churilla, the two brothers tell everything there is to tell about their decades-long run of Flip Side stores all over Chicago. Whether you've heard of that particular record store or been within even a thousand miles of Chicago isn't important \u2014 it's not required to enjoy this wonderful portal to the past.

Surprisingly, the decision by the two brothers to jump into the music business was a toss-up between that, a dry-cleaning store, or a hot dog stand. They settled on a record store with a shrug and little experience, but they had a smart idea to sell concert tickets from their store. Doing so eased congestion at local department stores and sent music fans directly to their doors. Concertgoers would crowd the building hours in advance (sometimes days!), hoping to get the best seats at the next show and end up buying records in the process. Before long, Flip Side would become a local icon, leading to the opening of more stores, iconic merchandise (you can still find their branded t-shirts), and consistent radio promotion. It's hard to look back with clarity and imagine anything other than online music stores pushing brick-and-mortar shops out of business, but as the Rosenbaums tell it, it was actually big box stores like Best Buy who made things difficult by selling albums (with near infinite stock) at just above wholesale.

And fascinating as that journey is, the record stores are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. The Rosenbaums eventually gravitate to concert promotion, earning them larger exposure in the music business and all the insanity that comes with it. In the midst of their luncheons with Celine Dion, meetings with Howie Mandell and Evel Knievel, and in-store promotions with legendary acts like Foghat and Cheap Trick, you'll also learn about their run-ins with the mob, the FBI, Chicago's unions, and the law. All these ordeals are conveyed not with sadness but good humor and nostalgia.

Co-Author Ken Churilla takes a fun approach to The Flip Side: Where Chicago Rocked \u2014 the entire book is presented as a filmed documentary. Carl and Larry take turns sharing stories about their experiences, and readers are occasionally treated to vignettes from employees, family members, or business partners. The last section of the book reads like an extended eulogy for the business from their kids and spouses. You'll wish you were a part of Flip Side, if only as a music fan, thumbing through their records on W. Foster Avenue back in 1968.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "18-Apr-2025", "date_added": "25-Jan-2025 00:34:05", "publisher": "Eckhartz Press", "page_count": "234 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015453043", "title": "Winter in the High Sierra: A Love Story", "author": "Robert Brighton", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 90, "review": "\"Robert Brighton\u2019s Winter in the High Sierra is a beautifully rendered historical romance that immerses readers in the rugged, snowbound wilderness of 1900. With lyrical prose and meticulous historical detail, Brighton crafts a compelling tale of survival, redemption, and unexpected love. The novel\u2019s protagonists, a privileged woman abandoned in the mountains and the enigmatic man who rescues her, navigate not only the treacherous terrain but also their own emotional landscapes. This is a thoughtful, deeply human story that lingers long after the final page.\" \u2014Kathryn Dare, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jan-2025 00:29:01", "publisher": "Ashwood Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000015453039", "title": "Winter in the High Sierra: A Love Story", "author": "Robert Brighton", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 74, "review": "\"Winter in the High Sierra combines survival drama, slow-burn tension, and two characters with amazing chemistry\u2014think Yellowstone meets Bridgerton, but with a lot of snow. Louisa is a feisty heroine who\u2019s way out of her element, and her gruff yet unexpectedly charming rescuer is exactly the kind of rugged hero you root for. If you love romance with a side of adventure and sharp banter, this one\u2019s for you.\" \u2014Samantha Olsen, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jan-2025 00:28:26", "publisher": "Ashwood Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000015453035", "title": "Winter in the High Sierra: A Love Story", "author": "Robert Brighton", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 89, "review": "\"Winter in the High Sierra is the kind of book that sneaks up on you. What starts as a survival story quickly turns into something deeper\u2014an exploration of love, resilience, and two wildly different people figuring out how to coexist in the brutal winter wilderness. Brighton nails the historical setting, and the dialogue has just the right amount of wit to keep things engaging. If you like your romance with a bit of grit (and a lot of snow), this one\u2019s a winner.\" \u2014Scott Olsen, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Jan-2025 00:27:44", "publisher": "Ashwood Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015453029", "title": "Blind Spots: A Riches to Rags Story", "author": "Gregory Blotnick", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 448, "review": "Gregory J. Blotnick\u2019s Blind Spots is a searing, unflinching memoir of self-destruction and consequence, an account that begins in the high-stakes world of finance and ends in the bleak reality of prison. With raw honesty and sharp wit, Blotnick recounts his meteoric rise in the hedge fund industry, his reckless decisions, and the catastrophic fallout that followed.

From the opening pages, Blind Spots grips the reader with its visceral portrayal of incarceration. Blotnick\u2019s arrival at Rikers Island is told with a detached, almost surreal clarity\u2014an immediate plunge into a world where survival is uncertain, corruption is rampant, and human dignity is an afterthought. This opening sets the stage for a memoir that is equal parts confessional, cautionary tale, and darkly comic reflection on the nature of power, greed, and self-delusion.

Blotnick\u2019s story is not one of sudden downfall but of slow erosion. He traces his trajectory from a privileged upbringing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, through the cutthroat world of hedge funds, and into the depths of addiction and financial fraud. The book\u2019s structure\u2014organized around four pivotal Aprils in his life\u2014reinforces the cyclical nature of his choices and the inevitability of his collapse. The narrative is punctuated by moments of levity, self-deprecation, and brutal introspection, making it both engaging and uncomfortable.

One of the memoir\u2019s most compelling aspects is its refusal to seek redemption. Blotnick does not paint himself as a victim nor does he beg for sympathy. He acknowledges his crimes, accepts his punishment, and exposes his own hubris. This lack of self-pity is refreshing in a genre often riddled with justifications and revisionist narratives. Instead, Blind Spots operates as a postmortem of a life built on unchecked ambition, the illusion of control, and the refusal to acknowledge limitations.

The writing itself is crisp and fast-paced, blending financial insider knowledge with street-level grit. Blotnick\u2019s voice is a mix of erudition and bravado, a reflection of both his Ivy League education and his time spent navigating the harsh realities of prison life. He shifts seamlessly between humor and despair, creating a memoir that is as entertaining as it is sobering.

If there is a flaw in Blind Spots, it is that Blotnick\u2019s relentless cynicism can, at times, overshadow deeper emotional insights. The narrative thrives on wit and irony, but occasionally at the expense of vulnerability. Still, this detachment may be part of the book\u2019s power\u2014it forces the reader to connect the dots and reckon with the true cost of blind ambition.

In the end, Blind Spots is not just a riches-to-rags story, but a meditation on the consequences of ignoring one\u2019s weaknesses. It is a riveting, thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommended for those who appreciate unvarnished truth and masterful storytelling.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2025", "date_added": "25-Jan-2025 00:14:10", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015453021", "title": "Escape", "author": "Alison Bellringer", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Charlotte - age 10", "word_count": 418, "review": "Escape by Alison Bellringer is an amazing end to this series! After reading Whisper and Lucas, I was so excited to see how everything would come together. I loved how each book was told from a different point of view.

This story is about Kaylee, Britney\u2019s mom, and how she finds her way back to Britney after being apart for so long. I wasn\u2019t sure if I would like her at first because, in Whisper, she had to leave Britney behind, and that made me so sad. But once I started reading, I really understood why she did it, and I felt bad for her. She went through so much, and I kept hoping she would finally be happy.

One of the best parts of the book was when Kaylee saw Britney again. It was such a powerful moment, and I could picture it so clearly in my head. I actually had to stop reading for a second because my heart was beating so fast! I wasn\u2019t sure if Britney would remember her, but she did, and it made me cry happy tears! I also loved that Lucas was there to help bring them together. He has been such a great character since Whisper, and I liked seeing how he was still looking out for Britney.

Carlos was really scary in this book. I never liked him, and now I dislike him even more. The parts where Kaylee talked about how mean he was and how she had to run away were really intense. It reminded me of Britney\u2019s story in Whisper, and I kept thinking about how strong both of them are. I was worried that Carlos would find Kaylee and Britney again, and I didn\u2019t trust him at all.

I also loved the parts with Grandma Ruby! She was so kind and made me feel like everything was going to be okay. When Kaylee realized that Britney had been with her own grandma all along, it was such a cool twist! I was so happy that Britney had been safe and loved while waiting for her mom to come back.

This book had a perfect mix of sad moments, happy moments, and exciting moments. The writing was so good that I felt like I was right there with the characters the whole time. If you loved Whisper and Lucas, you HAVE to read Escape! It brings everything together in such a beautiful way, and it made me love Britney, Lucas, and Kaylee even more. I will always remember this series!", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "05-Mar-2025", "date_added": "25-Jan-2025 00:10:45", "publisher": "Austin Macauley Publishers", "page_count": "66 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015453015", "title": "Lucas", "author": "Alison Bellringer", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Charlotte - age 10", "word_count": 459, "review": "Lucas by Alison Bellringer is such a great book! I loved the first book in the series, Whisper, so I was super excited to read this one, and it did not disappoint. Lucas is a character that I knew from Whisper and this is his story. It starts out following Lucas when he was a boy. He had a really hard life and wanted to find a place where he belonged. On his journey, he meets different people along the way. A nice couple named Ruby and Seth take him in. Later in the book, Britney comes and he becomes really close to her.

Right from the start, I felt really bad for Lucas. He lost his parents and had nowhere to go, and the first family that took him in couldn\u2019t afford to keep him. It was so sad to hear how he overheard them talking about him at night when they thought he was asleep. I could really feel how scared and alone he must have been.

One of my favorite parts of the book was when Lucas started learning carpentry from Seth. He finally had something he was good at, and it gave him a sense of purpose. I loved how he made little wooden carvings, especially the robin he gave to Britney! That was such a sweet moment, and it showed how much he cared about her.

Britney is another reason why I liked this book so much! Since I read Whisper, I already knew her story, and I was so happy to see her again. I loved how she called Lucas \u201cUncle Lucas\u201d and how he became like family to her. The moment when Britney ran into his workshop all excited because her mom had come back made me cry happy tears!

There were also some really intense moments, like when Britney\u2019s dad came looking for her and her mom. I was actually holding my breath while reading! I didn\u2019t trust him at all at first, and I was so worried about what would happen. But then, Lucas did something really surprising. I don't want to give it away but I promise, it will make you feel so many emotions all at once. Sometimes the book is sad, sometimes it\u2019s heartwarming, and sometimes it\u2019s exciting. The writing is so good that I could picture everything in my head, from the little cottage to the cozy workshop and even the scary moments.

I would definitely recommend Lucas to anyone who liked Whisper, or who enjoys books about friendship, family, and finding where you belong. I can't wait to start reading the third book in the trilogy. These stories are ones that stay with you even after you finish them, and I think other kids my age would really love them!", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "25-Feb-2025", "date_added": "25-Jan-2025 00:08:01", "publisher": "Austin Macauley Publishers", "page_count": "70 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015453007", "title": "Brotherhood of the Wolf: The Lesser Evil", "author": "Wes Al-Dhaher, Ezra LC", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 414, "review": "In fifteenth-century Constantinople, teenager Nikephoros has dreams of one day joining the military and maybe even becoming an archon. His mother, Polychronia, supports him and has set him up for success but wishes he'd cut ties with his mischievous friend Adam. Her concerns appear to be well-founded\u2014an older boy from a lower social class, Adam sometimes has a way of leading Nikephoros into sticky situations. Case in point, after nibbling at his breakfast, the two friends meet up and Adam leads them almost right away to something he discovered a few days before: a hole in the wall of a grimy alley, small enough to be easy to miss but plenty big enough for a couple of teenagers to crawl through.

Against his better judgment, Nikephoros agrees to go exploring by lamplight. The pair finds a sprawling series of tunnels inside and, at length, a larger subterranean chamber where everything goes wrong. Later, only one of the teens emerges from the system of tunnels, exhausted, injured, and in shock. Behind closed doors, it's revealed that one character knows more about the ordeal than they let on, and the reader is reminded of the introduction\u2014of \"people being sucked into the earth,\" and \"bodies found with strange punctures, drained entirely of blood.\"

Here's where things get... interesting. Ezra L.C. and Wes Al-Dhaher's Brotherhood of The Wolf: The Lesser Evil takes a unique approach to storytelling by pivoting at the halfway mark from prose to pictures. There's potential for some dramatic story reveals, but the results in this instance are mixed. The twelve pages of direct and relatively strong writing are effective at setting the stage and introducing Nikephoros and his mother, Polychronia. But the transition in the latter thirteen to wordless, rapid-fire, comic book-style illustrations from artist Aurelio Mazzarra feels jarring and out of place. In fact, were it not for the tenuous connection to a few key words in the final paragraphs of the written portion (and a confirmation on the final page), a reader might be forgiven for concluding that someone at the printing press stitched two stories together by mistake.

Still, Mazzarra's depiction of gladiatorial combat\u2014attended by vampires and various other ghouls\u2014is impressive to behold. It's worth slowing down for, and readers who take the time to study each panel will marvel and wince in equal measure. Combined with L.C. and Al-Dhaher's writing, anyone looking for an ephemeral horror story will find plenty to enjoy in Brotherhood of The Wolf: The Lesser Evil

Available exclusively at: https://talesofkhayr.com/", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "02-Apr-2025", "date_added": "25-Jan-2025 00:04:48", "publisher": "Tales of Khayr LLC", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015451015", "title": "Phytopolis: The Living City", "author": "Stefano Mancuso, Gregory Conti", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 194, "review": "In this call to awareness, noted Italian botanist Stefano Mancuso warns of the impending dangers that our cities face. Reflecting on the human transition from earlier life enfolded within nature's boundaries to the more recent transfer to dependent life within populated and stone-framed cities. He compares the organic similarities between the construction of cities and human anatomy, with special city divisions that are akin to human organs. As man evolves, so do cities, but as urban areas undergo similar evolution, the latter endure destructive effects rather than change. With the advent of climate change and temperature increases, the toll on cities will be disastrous. He advocates that future cities must include nature as a basic part of their design. Plants are tenacious oxygen generators; their foliage shade and moisture can temper the increasing heat. Examples of cities that have already approached \u2018phytopolis\u2019 or plant cities are rapturously described, while the automobile and excessive roadways central to a metropolis are censured. The author mounts a strong message concerning climate change and the threat to cities. Still, the text is somewhat repetitious, and the story might read better in the original Italian than in this translation.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "06-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Jan-2025 21:25:48", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015450003", "title": "Read the Bible like a Mystic: Contemplative Wisdom and the Word", "author": "Carl McColman", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 229, "review": "Read the Bible Like a Mystic is Carl McColman\u2019s invitation for readers to consider a meditative and contemplative approach to reading and interpreting scripture. The fundamentalist view that the Bible contains the authoritative word of God, and therefore must be read \u201csimplistically and literally,\u201d has often led to alienation and prejudice. McColman's approach offers hope for a more compassionate and understanding interpretation. Instead of picking certain stories and verses to support an unyielding point of view, McColman invites readers to engage scripture in a nuanced and transformative way. He showcases the examples of mystics like Saint Augustine and Saint Teresa of Avila, centering humility, wisdom, and justice in the exposition of God's love

With my Christian upbringing and study of Buddhist traditions, I maintain a healthy skepticism of religious fundamentalism. McColman\u2019s critiques are offered in a direct yet compassionate way, yet I doubt that Christians who tend to have a rigid and unrepentant approach will be swayed by his well-reasoned appeal.

Read the Bible Like a Mystic is a good read for recovering Christians repulsed by the judgment and self-righteousness of others. McColman offers a warm and inviting nudge to give the Bible another read, welcoming all who seek a more compassionate interpretation. Approaching scripture through self-reflection rather than seeing it as history or a code of law, we expand our ability to forge a spiritual path rooted in compassion.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2025", "date_added": "23-Jan-2025 20:45:15", "publisher": "Augsburg Fortress Publishers", "page_count": "202 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015449015", "title": "Not Our Daughter: A Thriller", "author": "Chad Zunker", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 182, "review": "The moment Cole Shipley accesses an old bank account to get money for his daughter\u2019s surgery, he and his family are back in the FBI\u2019s crosshairs, as well as those of a killer. Thirteen years ago, they were fostering their daughter when the birth mother showed up on their doorstep and bled to death after telling them to run because someone was coming for her. Cole and Lisa have been on the run ever since, not really knowing who they are running from. They will have to acknowledge that while she\u2019s Not Our Daughter biologically, this girl that they have loved and cared for the last thirteen years is the only thing worth protecting. ||If you are looking for a quick read with some intrigue, this book is for you. The end is predictable, and while most of the story is not probable, the ending is still heartwarming. It is a very short book so you spend it on the run with the Shipleys, learning why along with them. Overall, nothing jaw-dropping here, but a nice addition to your light thriller collection.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "05-May-2025", "date_added": "24-Jan-2025 01:06:49", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015448007", "title": "First Wife's Shadow: A Must-Read Gripping Domestic Psychological Suspense Crime Thriller from the Bestselling Author of I Invited Her In", "author": "Adele Parks", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 189, "review": "Emma just hit forty-seven and is doing really well for herself. She\u2019s the CEO of a major company and has great friends. Her life feels complete until she meets Matthew. Their relationship moves fast, despite him being eleven years younger and having been widowed less than a year ago. Emma doesn\u2019t listen to her friends and marries the man she met three months ago. Things start happening to Emma that make her question her sanity. Is something deeper going on, or is it just insecurity from living in the First Wife\u2019s Shadow?

I think this story would have been perfect if there had been a little more backstory for the characters. As it is, it feels a bit rushed and convoluted, especially the ending. The idea is interesting, but it was hard to get attached to any of the characters and understand their motivations when it was hastily put together in a page or two, forcing us just to accept this is the way things are. If you enjoy family dramas, this is for you, but I think more work needs to be done for this to become a thriller.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "05-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Jan-2025 20:40:00", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015445003", "title": "Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers", "author": "Caroline Fraser", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 201, "review": "The question of how serial killers originate has been debated for decades, specifically whether nature or nurture plays a greater part. By the time Ted Bundy was apprehended, the number of victims during his spree was open for speculation. He had been arrested after a string of violent murders in Florida, but his reign of terror primarily was in Washington, Colorado, and Utah. Richard Ramirez cut a swath of carnage up and down California in the 1980s, frustrating law enforcement and frightening many residents. Gary Ridgway picked up where Ted Bundy left off and left dozens of victims in and around Green River in Seattle. The 1970s-1980s witnessed a proliferation of serial killers in the United States. Motives for these heinous crimes have been pondered and debated, but the role of toxic substances generated by big business hasn\u2019t been considered until now.

Murderland is a riveting read that brings the reader on a cross-country trip through mayhem and the macabre. Author Caroline Fraser (\"Prairie Fires\") has written a sublime true crime book that is comprehensive and also personal. The arguments made by Fraser for the correlation between the location of industrial pollution and various killers are more than compelling. A superlative book.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jul-2025", "date_added": "23-Jan-2025 20:32:44", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015443019", "title": "The Wolf Can Smell This is My Acre", "author": "Klyd Watkins", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 180, "review": "The Wolf Can Smell This is My Acre by Klyd Watkins is an enjoyable book of poetry, filled with vivid nature imagery. That imagery seeks to elevate the ordinary to the level of the extraordinary through the lens of poetry, and largely succeeds. While there is too much sitting on porches and at sports games by the poet\u2019s persona for this reviewer\u2019s liking, this remains a strong collection with a powerful voice. The lack of motion is made up for by the odes to nature, the capturing of open truck windows in the woods on a November afternoon. Poetry, by nature, is somewhat insular and highly personal. It would have been interesting to have seen more questions being asked, something the poetic persona struggled with, as the poems lacked a certain tension, for all their beauty and careful word-crafting. That being said, this was an enjoyable collection that didn\u2019t get stuck in poetic navel-gazing or purple prose. It felt like being in the hands of an accomplished poet and seeing his acre, the extraordinary of the ordinary, through his eyes.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "06-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Jan-2025 21:36:15", "publisher": "April Gloaming Publishing", "page_count": "150 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015441015", "title": "We Are Made of Stars: A Novel", "author": "Rochelle B Weinstein", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 240, "review": "Rochelle B. Weinstein's latest novel We Are Made of Stars is the perfect rainy day read for those who love family intrigue and multi-plot stories.

The events unfold over the course of a week at the North Carolina Vis Ta Vie Inn, where owners Renee and Jean-Paul De La Rue are struggling to keep the inn open. After years of success, they're struggling financially, in part because they invested with a shady businessman who stole all their money. This week, as several of their regular guests return, they hope to make some decisions about their future.

The guests include superstar Leo Shay and his estranged wife Penny. This trip will either lead to their divorce or reconciliation, but neither is sure which is the right decision. Lucy and Henry have arrived to celebrate their silver anniversary, but a pall hangs over the festivities due to something secretive and untoward that occurred last year between them and their close friends, Sienna and Adam, the third couple at the inn for the week. On the surface, Sienna and Adam seem to be the perfect couple, but there's trouble in paradise.
< br>Cassidy, an exercise and calorie-obsessed mother, totes her teen daughter Rosalie along for the week. Rosalie chose the inn for their yearly vacation for reasons of her own.

While some of the plot twists were a bit predictable, how the events unfold is not at all predictable. Fans of Adriana Trigiani will love this one.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2025", "date_added": "24-Jan-2025 00:36:27", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "363 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015431003", "title": "Letters to Snoopy! (Peanuts)", "author": "Charles M Schulz, Scott Jeralds", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 126, "review": "Snoopy is going on a very long trip away from his friends to see his brother Spike. Spike lives in the desert, and everyone is going to miss Snoopy and his pal Woodstock. On his journey to see his brother, his friends write him letters while he is gone. Snoopy decides to open one letter every day, but he is looking forward to a letter from his pal Charlie Brown the most.

This book is super cute. Each day, Snoopy and his readers get to actually open a letter and read it! The interactive letters are so cute and have a special note and a little illustration from each friend. This is such a fun book for Snoopy fans! The illustrations are so adorable, bright, and colorful.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "04-Apr-2025", "date_added": "20-Jan-2025 20:43:25", "publisher": "Simon Spotlight", "page_count": "18 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015425003", "title": "The Library of Lost Dollhouses: Enchanting Fiction with a Historical Twist", "author": "Elise Hooper", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 192, "review": "Tildy Barrows is the Head Curator at the Belva Curtis LeFarge Library, a beautiful Beaux Art building nestled in the heart of bustling San Francisco. For Tildy, the Bel isn\u2019t just her workplace, it\u2019s her home. Left alone after the deaths of both her father and mother, and with no other relatives to connect with, Tildy finds comfort in her routine at the Bel and camaraderie with her coworkers. But all that changes when she discovers a secret room containing two intricately wrought doll houses connected not only to Belva Curtis LeFarge, but to Tildy\u2019s late mother, Meg. With funding for the Bel running out, and a mystery to unravel, Tildy embarks on a journey not only across the country, but across time itself to save her beloved Bel from bankruptcy and discover secrets from her own past that could change everything. Hooper expertly jumps from past to present, across two world wars and several generations to deliver this masterfully crafted story of hope and second chances. Perfect for lovers of historical fiction and character-driven story lines alike; fans of Tracy Chevalier, Kerri Maher, and Phaedra Patrick will adore this heartfelt novel.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "05-May-2025", "date_added": "17-Jan-2025 23:44:56", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015423003", "title": "I Am Not Jessica Chen", "author": "Ann Liang", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Zo\u00eb - age 14", "word_count": 198, "review": "Have you ever wanted to trade spaces with someone? Someone who is absolutely perfect? Jenna Chen wishes for just that. In Ann Liang's latest YA book, I Am Not Jessica Chen, Jenna is an average and artsy student who didn\u2019t get into any Ivy League colleges. She is envious and wishes to be her smart, gorgeous, and Harvard-bound cousin, Jessica Chen. So one morning, Jenna wakes up in Jessica\u2019s body. Will Jenna\u2019s life as Jessica finally be perfect? And if Jenna is in Jessica\u2019s body, where is Jessica? And where is Jenna\u2019s body?

Poor Jenna - I felt so bad for her because you can tell she was in a lot of pain. She felt like she wasn\u2019t good enough. She was constantly comparing herself to her perfect cousin. I think anyone can relate to being envious of others who seem to have the perfect life from afar. I\u2019m really glad Jenna got to experience living life as Jessica. This was a quick read for me, and I could not put the book down. Ann Liang is an excellent writer, and I\u2019ve enjoyed her other books as well. I recommend this book to any reader who doesn\u2019t feel seen.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "06-May-2025", "date_added": "17-Jan-2025 23:40:26", "publisher": "Harlequin", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015420003", "title": "The Cat Who Saved the Library: A Novel", "author": "Sosuke Natsukawa, Louise Heal Kawai", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 188, "review": "The talking cat with jade green eyes is back!

The Cat Who Saved the Library by Sosuke Natsukawa, sequel to The Cat Who Saved Books, continues the adventures of Tiger, the talking tabby, and does not disappoint. While this book can be read alone, it makes the most sense when read in order.

This time, Tiger\u2019s companion is Nanami Kosaki, a thirteen-year-old asthmatic girl who spends all her time at the library. When she notices that books have gone missing, she and Tiger work together, following the trail of the mysterious gray man, searching out the missing books.

There is much to love in this title. Nanami is a plucky heroine with big ideas. Tiger is as prosaic as ever. And Rintaro makes an appearance! While the trips into the labyrinths can feel repetitive, that also feels like part of the point. These are not new battles or new opponents that we face, but similar ones that might wear different faces. In a time of book banning and challenges to facts, Nanami is the kind of heroine we need to speak up for the power of story.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "05-May-2025", "date_added": "17-Jan-2025 23:34:10", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015419063", "title": "The Sanctuary: Romance, Murder & Mystery", "author": "Joanne Radke", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 443, "review": "I just finished The Sanctuary by Joanne Radke & Shirley Smith, and I have to say\u2014it was a fun ride. It\u2019s a mix of small-town charm, mystery, romance, and some light thriller elements. If you\u2019re into cozy mysteries with a Christian theme, this will be up your alley. But if you prefer something faster-paced with grittier crime details, you might find parts of this a bit slow.

First off, the setting is really well done. The Sanctuary itself\u2014a Victorian mansion turned retreat center\u2014feels like a character in its own right. The descriptions of the place, from the cozy lounge to the elegant dining setup, made it easy to picture. I could definitely imagine a weekend there, just relaxing by the lake.

The characters, particularly Jason and Sharon, are well-developed. Jason is an undercover investigator who takes a handyman job at The Sanctuary while trying to crack a murder case. The setup reminded me of Murder, She Wrote meets Undercover Boss. Sharon, one of the owners, brings a warm, nurturing presence, and their dynamic has some sparks, though it\u2019s more slow-burn than fiery passion.

Another highlight is the tension surrounding the murders. The town has been dealing with a string of bizarre killings, and Jason\u2019s investigation adds intrigue. There\u2019s a solid twist involving Lorna Thompson, a woman with a tragic past who turns out to be connected to the murders. I won\u2019t spoil it, but it adds depth to what starts off as a simple whodunit.

While the plot has some strong points, the pacing can be uneven. There are stretches where not much happens aside from people decorating rooms, talking about renovations, or discussing their faith. That\u2019s fine if you enjoy slice-of-life storytelling, but I found myself skimming in parts, waiting for the next major development.

The romance also felt a bit too tame. Jason and Sharon clearly like each other, but their interactions are restrained. If you\u2019re looking for passionate tension, this isn\u2019t that kind of story.

Lastly, the resolution of the mystery wraps up almost too cleanly. Without giving too much away, the big confrontation feels a little rushed after the slow buildup. The final act has tension, but I wanted more complexity in how everything unraveled.

If you enjoy Christian fiction with a mix of romance and light mystery, The Sanctuary delivers. The setting and characters are charming, and the mystery has some decent twists. But if you\u2019re after a more gripping thriller or deep psychological drama, you might find this one a bit slow.

Would I stay at The Sanctuary in real life? Absolutely. Would I re-read the book? Maybe not, but I\u2019d recommend it to someone who enjoys faith-based, cozy mysteries with a touch of romance.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Jan-2025 00:24:49", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "114 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015419059", "title": "The Sanctuary: Romance, Murder & Mystery", "author": "Joanne Radke", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 456, "review": "There\u2019s something undeniably charming about a novel that blends romance, mystery, and small-town charm, and The Sanctuary by Joanne Radke & Shirley K. Smith does just that. As a book reviewer who appreciates a well-crafted story with heart, I found this novel both entertaining and uplifting. It\u2019s the kind of book that makes you want to curl up with a cup of tea and a cozy blanket while being transported into the lives of two remarkable women chasing their dreams.

At its core, The Sanctuary follows longtime friends Janice Rogers and Sharon Stevenson, who, after decades apart, reunite to fulfill a childhood dream\u2014transforming a grand but aging mansion into a retreat center. Their journey is filled with challenges, from financial concerns to unexpected handyman issues, but the deep friendship between these two women is what truly carries the novel. Their banter is natural and warm, reminiscent of those deep friendships where time and distance never seem to matter.

One of the most delightful aspects of the book is its setting. The mansion itself, with its wraparound porch and idyllic lakeside views, is almost a character in its own right. The authors paint vivid pictures of the renovations and transformations, making readers feel as though they\u2019re witnessing a real-life home makeover. Scenes such as Janice and Sharon excitedly planning the rooms and imagining their guests enjoying a peaceful getaway are heartwarming. There\u2019s even a charming moment when a mouse makes an unexpected appearance in their future living quarters\u2014prompting Janice\u2019s very relatable shriek and a humorous debate about adopting a cat.

But The Sanctuary isn\u2019t all just home improvement and heartfelt reunions. The book weaves in an intriguing murder mystery, with FBI agent Jason Morris going undercover as the new handyman. The connection between the seemingly peaceful town and a string of murders adds a thrilling dimension to the narrative. Jason\u2019s struggle to balance his growing affection for Sharon with his duty to solve the case makes for a compelling subplot, and the tension builds well as he inches closer to uncovering the truth.

The novel also has a strong faith-based element, which is seamlessly integrated into the characters\u2019 lives. Whether it\u2019s Janice and Sharon praying over their business decisions or Jason seeking guidance in his investigation, faith plays a significant role in their motivations and actions. It\u2019s refreshing to see a story where belief isn\u2019t just a backdrop but an essential part of the characters\u2019 journeys.

Overall, The Sanctuary is a delightful blend of romance, mystery, and faith. It offers a comforting escape into a world where friendship, perseverance, and a touch of divine intervention lead to second chances and new beginnings. If you enjoy small-town stories with engaging characters and a bit of intrigue, this novel is well worth the read.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Jan-2025 00:24:42", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "114 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015419055", "title": "The Sanctuary: Romance, Murder & Mystery", "author": "Joanne Radke", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 405, "review": "The Sanctuary is a book that combines mystery, romance, and a charming small town. Best friends Sharon and Janice have taken charge of a worn-down mansion with the intention of turning it into a bed and breakfast. It will take a great deal of work, but to their good fortune, they meet brothers Jason and Raymond, who are able to serve as handyman and cook, respectively. (Jason and Raymond also prove to be romantic partners for the two women, offering a sweet late-in-life romance.)

It also proves to be fortunate for Jason, who is currently trying to go undercover in order to solve a series of murders and hopefully prevent the last. Working at the bed and breakfast will provide him with the perfect cover, though his growing affection for the friends may well be a liability.

The Sanctuary is a short book: just over a hundred pages. That allows the pace to move quickly and makes it an easy book to slip into. However, the book's shortness does not allow for much plot depth, and there are two plots to deal with here. The romance and the mystery do not interweave so much as they alternate, flipping back and forth until it\u2019s nearly the climax of the book. The transformation of the mansion into a bed and breakfast provides a subplot for both, but it provides little more than a backdrop. There is little conflict, save in the mystery, and even that feels softened past the point of coziness.

I didn\u2019t enjoy the book much. It certainly had the seeds of something fun to read. A late-in-life romance is charming to read, and this one offered the possibility of contrasting romances, with one woman never having fallen in love and the other a widow finding a second chance. The mystery, too, was intriguing, with an antagonist who could have been compelling if she had been fleshed out more. The renovation subplot could also have added some lovely balance and a chance to allow readers and characters to revel in the rebirth of an old home.

The chief fault of the book is its brevity. It speeds along, hardly giving any of the characters or plotlines a chance to breathe or grow. If Radke could have taken a little more time with it, she would have had a genuinely enjoyable book that would delight mystery romance readers. As it is, the book still feels like an early draft.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Jan-2025 00:24:34", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "114 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "1"} {"id": "425035000015419051", "title": "The Sanctuary: Romance, Murder & Mystery", "author": "Joanne Radke", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Maria Yinks", "word_count": 415, "review": "The story follows Janice and Sharon, two optimistic women who are on a journey to renovate and launch their dream business. They enlist the help of Jason and Raymond, two charming young men who bring their skills as a handyman and chef, respectively. As the renovation progresses, the group's dynamic becomes a central theme, showcasing how teamwork and friendship can ensure success.

However, Jason harbors a secret: he is an undercover CIA agent tasked with solving a murder mystery that has already claimed three lives. As he navigates his dual roles\u2014working at the guest house while following clues to unravel the mystery\u2014Jason must keep his true identity hidden to protect the women he is growing to care for. His blossoming romance with Sharon adds a layer of complexity to his mission, making it even more urgent to solve the case before another life is lost. This delicate balance between his professional obligations and personal feelings creates an interesting story arc that keeps readers engrossed.

The plot is engaging, with a manageable number of characters and a story that unfolds smoothly. Despite the lack of major surprises, the well-developed characters are a highlight of the novel. The way these characters interact and grow together adds depth to the story, making their relationships feel authentic and relatable. Janice and Sharon are strong, determined women who have faced personal challenges in the past but remain hopeful and committed to their venture.

The novel highlights their journey as entrepreneurs, showcasing the challenges and triumphs that come with pursuing a dream. I'm impressed with how the novel blends suspense with romance seamlessly. The suspenseful elements are well integrated, with Jason's investigation unfolding alongside the daily life at The Sanctuary. This blend of genres ensures that the book appeals to a wide range of readers, from those who enjoy romance to fans of suspense. One of the strengths of The Sanctuary is its ability to balance action with character development. Jason's character is that of a determined person with a compassionate heart. His relationship with Sharon evolves naturally, and their romance adds warmth to the story without overshadowing the plot.

The supporting characters, like Raymond, also contribute to the story, providing moments of levity and camaraderie that lighten the mood. Overall, The Sanctuary: Romance, Murder & Mystery by Joanne \u2018Gram\u2019 Radke & Shirley K. Smith is a great read for fans of suspense novels with a touch of romance. It\u2019s a story about love, resilience, and human connection in the face of danger.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Jan-2025 00:24:08", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "114 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015419043", "title": "The Happy, Healthy Revolution", "author": "Theresa Y. Wee", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 512, "review": "As a dad who\u2019s always looking for ways to keep my family happy and healthy without completely upending our routine, The Happy, Healthy Revolution by Dr. Theresa Y. Wee was a fantastic read. It\u2019s filled with practical advice, and what I appreciated most was that the book doesn\u2019t just give you a list of rules\u2014it shares real, relatable stories that made me feel like I wasn\u2019t alone in the parenting trenches.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was Dr. Wee\u2019s emphasis on making small, consistent changes rather than attempting a drastic overhaul of our lifestyle. Her discussion on family meal times really hit home. Like many families, we often find ourselves eating at different times or grabbing quick meals, but after reading this, my wife and I made a conscious effort to sit down together more often. Dr. Wee points out that family meals are not just about nutrition but about connection, and I\u2019ve already seen how even a simple dinner together improves our conversations and overall mood\u200b.

Another idea I plan to implement is the weekend family activity tradition. Dr. Wee writes about how her family worked together on chores and then celebrated with an outing to the beach or a park\u200b. While we don\u2019t live near the beach, we do have some great hiking trails nearby, and we\u2019ve started turning our Saturday mornings into \"chore and explore\" days\u2014chores first, then a fun outdoor activity. It\u2019s been a game-changer for getting the kids to help out because they know there\u2019s a reward at the end.

I also really appreciated her take on parenting styles and consistency. Dr. Wee emphasizes the importance of presenting a united front with your spouse, setting expectations, and following through\u200b. This is something my wife and I have been working on\u2014especially when our kids try to pull the classic \u201cask Dad after Mom says no\u201d trick. Her insights reminded me that kids thrive on consistency, and it\u2019s up to us as parents to provide that.

One of my favorite sections of the book was about date nights. Dr. Wee talks about how she and her husband prioritized time together even when they were busy raising kids\u200b. This was a great reminder that a strong marriage is the foundation of a strong family, and it inspired me to plan more intentional time with my wife.

What makes this book stand out is the way Dr. Wee integrates personal anecdotes with actionable advice. She doesn\u2019t just tell you to get your kids involved in chores\u2014she shares how her own family did it and why it worked. She doesn\u2019t just stress the importance of limiting screen time\u2014she explains how it changed her own household dynamics\u200b. The stories make the lessons feel attainable, not preachy.

If you\u2019re a parent looking for ways to create a healthier, happier home life, The Happy, Healthy Revolution is well worth the read. It\u2019s packed with simple yet effective strategies that you can start applying right away. And as someone who has already seen the benefits of a few small changes, I can say with confidence that Dr. Wee\u2019s advice works!", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Jan-2025 00:18:44", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "126 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015419039", "title": "The Happy, Healthy Revolution", "author": "Theresa Y. Wee", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 463, "review": "Dr. Theresa Y. Wee\u2019s The Happy, Healthy Revolution: The Working Parent\u2019s Guide to Achieving Wellness as a Family Unit is a compassionate, insightful, and actionable resource that speaks directly to the realities of working parents. Drawing on her lived experience as both a physician and a mother, Dr. Wee offers not just expert advice but deeply personal and relatable reflections that lend the book warmth and authenticity. At the heart of her message is the idea that wellness is not an individual pursuit, but a shared journey\u2014one that thrives when the entire family is involved, included, and empowered.

This is the book I wish I had read in my younger days, as I managed a rising career while also balancing my responsibilities as a parent. Dr. Wee offers clear and practical guidance on physical wellness, highlighting the importance of shared meals, sleep hygiene, and regular physical activity. But she goes a step further by acknowledging the emotional and psychological dimensions of well-being. Her strategies for mindfulness, gratitude journaling, and self-reflection help families slow down and connect more deeply. The S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting framework, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, is particularly useful for busy households. It helps break down aspirational goals, such as improving family communication or increasing physical activity, into manageable, achievable steps that readers can realistically incorporate into their everyday lives.

The book shines in its emphasis on communication and emotional connection. One especially powerful suggestion is the introduction of regular \u201cfamily talk time\u201d\u2014dedicated moments for each family member to share thoughts, concerns, or simply reflect on the day. This practice not only ensures that every voice is heard and respected but also fosters emotional intelligence and strengthens family bonds. Explicitly encouraging children to share their thoughts and concerns can help them express their feelings, and it can also enable parents to understand their children better. Reflecting on my own experiences, I am aware that this intentional practice can help reduce misunderstandings and foster greater empathy.

Another significant takeaway is the emphasis on positive reinforcement. Dr. Wee advocates for regularly acknowledging and praising the efforts and achievements of family members. This powerful practice helps nurture a culture of encouragement and mutual respect. When every child and adult in the home feels seen and appreciated, they are more likely to contribute positively and collaborate willingly, reinforcing both confidence and connection.

What truly sets this book apart is Dr. Wee\u2019s gentle, empathetic tone. There\u2019s no guilt or unrealistic perfectionism here\u2014just practical wisdom, delivered with kindness and encouragement. Her writing reads like that of a trusted mentor who understands the chaos of parenting and offers guidance that feels both achievable and affirming. This achievable guidance will reassure the reader that, as a working parent, they can make a positive difference in their family's wellness and balance.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Jan-2025 00:18:32", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "126 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015419035", "title": "The Happy, Healthy Revolution", "author": "Theresa Y. Wee", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 485, "review": "As a busy working mother in my 40s with a full house to manage, I was intrigued by Dr. Theresa Y. Wee\u2019s The Happy, Healthy Revolution: The Working Parent\u2019s Guide to Achieve Wellness as a Family Unit. The book aims to help families improve their health and overall well-being through small, sustainable changes. Dr. Wee, a pediatrician with decades of experience, blends medical expertise with personal anecdotes, making the book both practical and relatable.

One of the book\u2019s greatest strengths is its emphasis on family teamwork. Dr. Wee argues that involving every household member in healthy habits\u2014from meal planning to regular physical activity\u2014creates a supportive environment that benefits everyone\u200b. This resonated deeply with me. Too often, wellness advice is directed at individuals, but as any parent knows, personal health is inextricably linked to family dynamics.

I also appreciated the book\u2019s practical approach to nutrition. Rather than promoting fad diets or overwhelming meal plans, Dr. Wee encourages families to make small but meaningful shifts, such as incorporating the \u201c5210\u201d method (five servings of fruits and vegetables, two hours or less of screen time, one hour of exercise, and zero sugary drinks per day)\u200b. These steps feel achievable, even for families juggling work, school, and extracurriculars.

Her discussion on sleep and family mealtimes was another highlight. The idea that consistent, shared meals foster not only better nutrition but also stronger relationships is something I wholeheartedly agree with\u200b. It\u2019s easy to let busy schedules push family dinners aside, but this book reminded me why it\u2019s worth making the effort.

While The Happy, Healthy Revolution offers a wealth of valuable insights, some aspects felt idealistic, particularly for dual-income families or single parents with limited support. Dr. Wee emphasizes that every family member should actively participate in maintaining a healthy home environment\u200b. While this is a great concept, it doesn\u2019t fully address the reality that many working parents (myself included) are already stretched thin. Finding time to implement these lifestyle changes isn\u2019t always as simple as taking \u201csmall steps.\u201d

Additionally, the book\u2019s perspective on traditional family roles felt somewhat outdated at times. Dr. Wee discusses the challenges modern families face, yet some of her suggestions\u2014such as redefining roles within the household\u2014assume a level of flexibility that not all families have\u200b. Many working parents, especially mothers, may still bear the brunt of household responsibilities, making it difficult to equally distribute wellness tasks.

Overall, The Happy, Healthy Revolution is a well-intentioned, informative guide filled with actionable advice for families looking to improve their health together. Dr. Wee\u2019s passion for family wellness shines through, and her medical expertise lends credibility to her recommendations. While some of the strategies may be challenging to implement for families with particularly demanding schedules, the book still offers plenty of useful takeaways.

For parents seeking an encouraging, family-focused approach to health, this book is a valuable resource. Just be prepared to adapt some of its advice to fit the realities of your unique household.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Jan-2025 00:18:24", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "126 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015419031", "title": "The Happy, Healthy Revolution: The Working Parent\u2019s Guide to Achieve Wellness as a Family Unit", "author": "Theresa Y. Wee", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Erin Britton", "word_count": 536, "review": "In The Happy, Healthy Revolution: The Working Parent\u2019s Guide to Achieve Wellness as a Family Unit, Dr. Theresa Y. Wee offers a compassionate and practical guide designed to help families improve their general health and well-being without resorting to extreme diets or complex fitness routines. Combining her expertise as a pediatrician with her personal experience as a working mother of four, Dr. Wee provides actionable advice for families seeking to make sustainable and positive health-related changes to their lives.

A key strength of the book is its focus on simplicity. Dr. Wee recognizes the challenges many parents face when trying to balance work, family, health, and the myriad other calls on their time. Instead of prescribing sweeping changes, she promotes small, incremental steps that can lead to long-lasting improvements. Whether it\u2019s through setting goals for nutrition and exercise, limits for screen time and junk food, or challenges for in the house and local area, she encourages making wellness a family endeavor.

A particularly engaging aspect of the book is Dr. Wee\u2019s personal storytelling throughout. She shares her own life experiences, including how she was inspired to grow her wellness clinic and help others following the sudden death of her husband. These stories of resilience and personal growth lend the book\u2019s advice a human touch and help readers feel like they\u2019re learning from someone who has truly navigated similar struggles to them.

What\u2019s more, The Happy, Healthy Revolution doesn\u2019t just address physical health\u2014it also emphasizes the importance of mental and emotional well-being for both children and adults. Via this holistic approach, Dr. Wee highlights the significance of family time, such as sharing meals, engaging in fun-filled exercise routines, and promoting mental health through practices such as meditation. These strategies offer a balanced approach to wellness, showing how health is about more than just physical fitness and weight.

While the book\u2019s approach is largely practical, there are certain aspects that might feel a tad unrealistic, especially for single parents, those with health concerns, and those with demanding schedules, all of whom may find it difficult to implement Dr. Wee\u2019s suggestions due to physical, time, and/or financial constraints. Additionally, her views on traditional family roles may not apply to all, as not all families will fit the mold that her advice is sometimes based on.

Still, despite these issues, the book\u2019s emphasis on teamwork within the family (whatever its composition) is an especially helpful aspect that is all too often overlooked in self-help books, which tend to focus on the individual. Dr. Wee encourages involving all family members, regardless of their age and starting fitness level, in the wellness journey, whether it\u2019s through cooking, activity planning, or setting goals for the future together. This inclusive approach fosters accountability and helps create stronger bonds within the family unit.

The Happy, Healthy Revolution offers valuable insights for parents who want to build a healthier lifestyle for their families. Dr. Wee\u2019s blend of professional advice, personal stories, and practical tips provides a well-rounded and accessible guide for those looking to improve their health and strengthen their family connections. While not every suggestion will be feasible for every family, the book\u2019s holistic approach will inspire many to make meaningful changes in their lives.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "18-Mar-2025", "date_added": "17-Jan-2025 00:17:59", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "126 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015419023", "title": "26 Seconds: Grief and Blame in the Aftermath of Losing My Brother in a Plane Crash", "author": "Rossana D'Antonio", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 79, "review": "\"In 26 Seconds: Grief and Blame in the Aftermath of Losing My Brother in a Plane Crash, Rossana D\u2019Antonio shares a raw and compelling account of tragedy, resilience, and discovery. With vivid storytelling and an unwavering commitment to uncovering the facts, she takes readers on a journey through loss, love, and the complexities of blame. This unforgettable memoir is a testament to the enduring power of truth and the unbreakable bonds of family.\" \u2014Kathryn Dare, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "January 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Jan-2025 00:06:16", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015419015", "title": "Bourton Bridge", "author": "Mia Fox", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 409, "review": "Luke, a chef at a caf\u00e9 in small town England, has been doing what he can to get past his grief for his first love, Emma, the daughter of his employer. Though she died five years before the book begins, her memory still lives in his heart. When Jade, a new arrival from America, appears in town, he may have to decide whether it\u2019s finally time to move on and give himself a second chance at love.

Jade herself is in need of a second chance. At the start of the book, she is trapped in a loveless and verbally abusive marriage with Grainger, who she remains with largely for the sake of their daughter, Emilie. She would rather have remained in America, but with Grainger using Emilie as leverage, she finds herself forced to go along.

By doing so, she meets Luke, and both their lives are set on a new course.

Jade and Luke\u2019s story is sweet, but some readers will find it a passive tale. Things happen to Luke and Jade more often than they happen because of them. Luke must flee his abusive father and is welcomed into the home of his employer and her daughter. Jade must endure her abusive husband with only the support of her best friend, Willow. By surviving these trials, they are able to find happiness. While that sends a comforting message, it also at times makes for a slow story. Their love unfolds quickly, with more external conflict than internal, at least at first. Both are relatively easily disposed of.

Bourton Bridge \u2013 and possibly the following books in the series \u2013 will most appeal to readers who themselves have experienced second chances in love, or who know what it\u2019s like to look back on previous loves to see either all the joys or all the sorrows. Readers will easily empathize with both Luke and Jade, who are kind and friendly protagonists. They may both come across as a little too perfect at times, and their respective secondary characters have equally simple characterization, but they are also easy to lose oneself in for a pleasant few hours of reading.

This book was not to my taste, but I know it will find its fans in the wider romance world. If you\u2019re looking for a quieter romance than most, I encourage you to give it a try! It\u2019s an excellent choice for a gray day and a cup of tea.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2025", "date_added": "16-Jan-2025 23:58:20", "publisher": "Evatopia Press", "page_count": "308 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015419007", "title": "The Wayfarer's Inn", "author": "Peter Unger", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 469, "review": "Peter B. Unger\u2019s The Wayfarer\u2019s Inn is a thought-provoking and immersive novel that blends the surreal with the deeply personal, taking readers on a journey through faith, doubt, and self-discovery. It\u2019s a book that reads like a long conversation on a winter night\u2014full of introspection, unexpected humor, and a dash of the mystical.

The novel opens with a gripping scene: a catastrophic accident on an icy road, leaving Pastor Jim disoriented and stranded on a desolate, snow-covered path. From there, the story unfolds as Jim stumbles upon the titular Wayfarer\u2019s Inn, a place that seems suspended between reality and something beyond. The inn is warm, inviting, and oddly familiar, populated by people Jim knows\u2014but something about it isn\u2019t quite right. This sets the stage for a compelling narrative that explores questions of faith, personal failure, and what it truly means to seek answers.

One of the novel\u2019s strengths is its atmosphere. Unger\u2019s descriptions of the snowstorm are beautifully immersive\u2014I could almost feel the cold seeping through my own coat as Jim pushed through the drifts. The inn itself, with its flickering candlelight and rustic charm, is vividly rendered and practically begs the reader to curl up with a warm drink while reading.

The book\u2019s dialogue is another highlight, especially in the interactions between Jim and his church\u2019s governing committee. Each member brings their own baggage, biases, and beliefs, making for some wonderfully sharp (and at times exasperatingly real) conversations. Audrey, the stern and morally rigid head of the quilting group, is a standout character, as is Ben, the sarcastic committee member who isn\u2019t afraid to ruffle feathers. Their back-and-forths had me smiling, even as they touched on deeper issues of faith and human nature.

Unger doesn\u2019t shy away from tackling some heavy theological and philosophical themes. Pastor Jim is plagued by doubt\u2014about God, about his role in the church, and about his own sincerity. His inner monologue is rich and layered, often circling back to the idea that faith isn\u2019t about having all the answers but about the willingness to wrestle with the questions. This is where The Wayfarer\u2019s Inn truly shines: it doesn\u2019t force conclusions on the reader but instead invites them into Jim\u2019s struggle, allowing them to draw their own reflections.

If I had one critique, it would be that some of the theological discussions could feel a bit dense. At times, Jim\u2019s musings on scripture and church politics slowed the pacing. However, for readers who enjoy novels that engage deeply with faith and existential questions, this is more of a feature than a flaw.

Overall, The Wayfarer\u2019s Inn is a read that will resonate with those who enjoy introspective fiction with a spiritual twist. Whether you\u2019re someone who has wrestled with faith yourself or simply enjoy a well-crafted story with rich dialogue and vivid settings, this book is well worth your time.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2025", "date_added": "16-Jan-2025 23:53:15", "publisher": "Wipf and Stock", "page_count": "124 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015418003", "title": "It's Watching", "author": "Lindsay Currie", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 200, "review": "Josie, Jack, and Allison have been working at the school paper since they met in sixth grade. What better way to secure a coveted editorial spot next year than to report on something that has been haunting their Illinois town forever: the Lady in White. To start their investigation for their monthly column, \u201cThe Magnifying Glass,\u201d the trio go to Bachelor\u2019s Grove cemetery, where people have reported seeing inexplicable fog, a mysterious house, and a lady in white.

They enter the graveyard on Halloween, looking for facts and proof, and start taking pictures before they\u2019re interrupted. They barely make it out without being caught, but when they return to Josie\u2019s house, things are strange. The alarm goes off, the heat isn\u2019t working, the Halloween display keeps changing, and there\u2019s dirt where no one has walked. Something, or someone, has followed them home.

Currie has shown herself to be a master of middle grade scary stories, joining illustrious authors like Mary Downing Hahn, RL Stein and Dan Poblocki. Jump scares entwined with the unsettling repercussions of what they have awakened keep the pages turning quickly. With compelling characters, foreboding events, and high suspense, It\u2019s Watching is sure to be a favorite.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "26-Feb-2025", "date_added": "15-Jan-2025 21:42:01", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015409003", "title": "Wisdom Stories of Tibet: Tales of Magic, Adventure, and Bravery", "author": "Laura Burges, Lama Chonam, Wen Hsu", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 203, "review": "What a delightful collection of Tibetan fables and fairytales assembled by an American dharma teacher and a native Tibetan. Through these engrossing vignettes imbued with the Buddhist spirit of kindness and respect are stories and parables that serve as moral lessons that not only will stir the readers imagination but will influence their behavior. Reminiscent of the classic fairy tales with magical fairy godmothers, or moral lessons illustrated in Aesop\u2019s fables, the stories here have similar themes but the supernatural powers relate to the Buddhist icons who originated in India and brought their teachings to Tibet.

Each of the fourteen selections is introduced by an entrancing full page pictorial summary of the story illustrated in majestic colors so compelling that the eye almost refuses to leave this spellbinding page. The stories continue to capture attention with their native settings of the revered mountains, trees, rivers, rocks, and sky. Thrill with the yaks and the horses that can fly, the mouse that advises a king, watch a snake transform into a princess and so much more. Learn lessons from the stories such as how important it is to have a good and loving friend and more of the Buddhist teachings from these enchanting tales.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "24-Feb-2025", "date_added": "14-Jan-2025 21:59:15", "publisher": "Shambhala", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015408007", "title": "The Night House: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Rites, and Magick for the Wise and Wild", "author": "Danielle Dulsky", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 191, "review": "While Danielle Dulsky's The Night House has a great deal of potential, it leans a bit too much into woo-woo spiritualism and not enough into its subtitle -- Folklore, Fairy Tales, Rites, and Magick for the Wise and Wild -- for my taste.

The re-imagining of classic fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella are compelling and beautifully rendered, the author chose a collective pronoun approach or a second person \"you\" approach in the introduction and explanation sections book ending each fairy tale that takes away from the power of what she's saying. Rather than noting that women, historically, have been relegated to expectations of domesticity or silence in service of the vision or dream of a man -- the wolf, the prince -- the use of \"our\" and \"we\" pronouns is distracting. Examples like \"there are places inside us where we dare not look,\" and \"what meaning can you derive\" make the book feel far more like self-help than spiritual or inspirational.

Still, if you are a fan of Clarissa Pinkola Est\u00e9s, who was a mentor to Dulsky, you'll likely find a great deal to enjoy about The Night House.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2025", "date_added": "15-Jan-2025 00:23:52", "publisher": "New World Library", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000015404003", "title": "Nothing Ever Happens Here: A Thrilling Tale of Survival, Mystery, and Betrayal in a Quiet American Town\u2015by the Author of On a Quiet Street", "author": "Seraphina Nova Glass", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 188, "review": "Nothing Ever Happens Here is the newest novel from Seraphina Nova Glass. Although I loved several of her other books, this one sort of fell flat. The two main characters, Shelby and Mack, are best friends. They are both married. Shelby has twin girls and Mack has a daughter in college. When a tragedy happens in Mack\u2019s bakery, Shelby is locked in the freezer and Mack\u2019s husband goes missing. The story picks up again after a year and starts to focus on Shelby\u2019s job at a retirement living community.

The story started off with a bang and I was so interested to see what would happen. I soon became disengaged with the storyline altogether as the elderly people from The Oleander started to try and figure out the mystery and how one of their own had died. The dialogue was silly and not interesting at all and I wished the story had been more focused on giving the reader more clues as to what happened to Mack\u2019s husband. Although there was a twist at the end, I became so bored with the story that I didn\u2019t even care anymore.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "24-Feb-2025", "date_added": "14-Jan-2025 19:38:09", "publisher": "Graydon House Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000015403011", "title": "All Better Now", "author": "Neal Shusterman", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 196, "review": "A new virus, named Crown Royale, has spread, with a 1 in 25 death rate. However, those who recover have limitless happiness, peace, and love. Ron, the son of a very wealthy man and heir to a vast empire, suffers from depression. He contracts the disease in a moment of freedom from his past. Mariel, a young impoverished woman who watched her mother die from the illness, is a nurse helping those ill from the disease and discovers she is immune. Morgan inherits her mentor\u2019s extensive belongings and rushes to find a vaccine. These three lives become entwined and clash in a huge battle about fate, hope, and free will.

Written in the vein of Scythe with alternating third-person narrators, this work of science fiction is a discourse on contemporary social issues. What would happen if capitalism fell? What would happen if success were not measured by physical wealth? What would happen if no one felt the need to buy stuff, all the time? So many questions. The sequel, All Over Now) has no release date yet. Even so, this title requires discussion while delving deeper into the opinions we hold as truths in today\u2019s society.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2025", "date_added": "14-Jan-2025 20:59:37", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "528 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015403003", "title": "Queen of Diamonds: A Gritty Historical Crime Novel Set in the Roaring Twenties, Uncover Alice's Rise to the Top and the Sacrifices She Made to Get There! (Queen of Thieves, 3)", "author": "Beezy Marsh", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 189, "review": "Two poverty-stricken women run gangs of shoplifters in London, one operating at the end of the nineteenth century, the other twenty-five years later. Initially, they both enjoy a measure of success. Dressed in fine clothes and speaking with upper-class accents, they saunter through London\u2019s best stores, filching whatever takes their fancy. Eventually, however, they fall foul of the law and spend time in prison. The story vividly describes the appalling poverty of the slums they are trying to escape so desperately, although the occasional use of modern slang (sarnie, threads) mars the narrative. It also captures to great effect their ingenious thieving tricks and the soul-destroying jobs (sewing, bottling) they are obliged to resort to when times are tough. What will most intrigue the reader, though, are the links between the two gang leaders. The author skillfully reveals the connections that bridge the quarter-century divide, and while the reader may have some inkling beforehand, the actual telling will still fascinate. Queen of Diamonds is an engrossing and informative story of social injustice, and of the downtrodden woman who fight against the odds, take extraordinary risks, and suffer dire consequences.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2025", "date_added": "14-Jan-2025 19:36:21", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015401003", "title": "Ms. Pretty Rickey: The Street Sweeper", "author": "Bryneen Katina Gary", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 471, "review": "Reading Ms. Pretty Rickey: The Street Sweeper by Bryneen Gary is like stepping into a stream of consciousness forged in fire. It\u2019s a book that doesn\u2019t ask you to sit quietly and listen\u2014it grabs your attention, shakes your comfort zone, and demands that you feel something. The 24 poems within its pages are a bold blend of street realism, political unrest, spiritual confusion, and raw emotional grit.

As someone passionate about social justice, community health, and personal growth, I found this collection both chaotic and cathartic. Gary doesn\u2019t write poetry for decoration; she writes to expose, to witness, and to survive. Her words come from the margins\u2014from the neighborhoods, the courtrooms, the hospitals, and the back alleys. They\u2019re not dressed up for academia or filtered for mainstream consumption. Instead, they arrive jagged, restless, and immediate.

Take the poem \u201cThe Mix,\u201d for example. It unpacks addiction, community violence, and the thin line between survival and self-destruction. The poem moves fast, almost breathlessly, jumping from drug overdoses to domestic trauma to societal injustice. There\u2019s a line\u2014\u201cThey accused her of cutting her wrist to bleed / This happens in the world, still hunger, genocide, and poverty\u201d\u2014that caught me off guard in the best way. It\u2019s an abrupt reminder that while people struggle privately, the world continues to collapse publicly. That duality is something many of us live with, and Gary captures it with a fierce, unfiltered honesty.

The language throughout the book is unconventional\u2014sometimes fragmented, sometimes rhythmic, always intense. Poems like \u201cFreedom from War\u201d and \u201cChief Officials\u201d dive deep into digital surveillance, spiritual warfare, and systemic oppression. These aren\u2019t easy subjects, and Gary approaches them with urgency rather than polish. Some readers might find the syntax or grammar challenging, but that\u2019s also part of the point. These poems aren\u2019t about literary perfection\u2014they\u2019re about real experiences that defy structure.

There\u2019s also a layer of surrealism and cultural commentary in poems like \u201cSkull Ice Candy,\u201d which fuses street slang, materialism, and poetic irony. Gary shows how glamor and danger often exist side by side. It reads like a chaotic scroll through a world where pain is constant but joy still breaks through\u2014sometimes in the form of a Porsche, other times in a moment of clarity or prayer.

What struck me most was Gary\u2019s fearless voice. Whether she's calling out chief officials or mourning lost youth, she writes with a conviction that feels sacred. Her poems don't just reflect the world\u2014they respond to it, challenge it, and in some ways, try to cleanse it.

Ms. Pretty Rickey: The Street Sweeper is not an easy book. It\u2019s intense, nonlinear, and emotionally dense. But if you approach it with an open heart and a willingness to hear the pain behind the poetry, it has a lot to say. It\u2019s not always pretty, but it is always real\u2014and in today\u2019s world, that matters more than ever.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2026", "date_added": "13-Jan-2025 20:05:09", "publisher": "CreateSpace", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000015400015", "title": "Advice from a Cat", "author": "Daniel Damiano", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 385, "review": "What I expected to be a lighthearted, feline-inspired tale turned out to be a deeply introspective and emotionally resonant novel that beautifully explores themes of redemption, loneliness, and unexpected companionship.

At the heart of the story is Brian, a man burdened by guilt, grief, and a gnawing sense of purposelessness. His life takes an unforeseen turn when he crosses paths with Socrates, a three-legged stray cat who, despite his physical impairments, possesses an undeniable will to survive. Their relationship unfolds in a way that is both touching and profound, with Socrates offering Brian something he didn\u2019t realize he needed: an anchor, a reason to push forward.

One of my favorite moments in the novel is when Brian, at his lowest point, finds himself comforted by Socrates in a way only a cat could manage\u2014wordlessly, yet powerfully. This is a testament to Damiano\u2019s ability to craft poignant, understated moments that leave a lasting impact. It\u2019s not overly sentimental or dramatized; rather, it\u2019s raw and real, allowing readers to connect deeply with Brian\u2019s struggles and small triumphs.

Damiano\u2019s prose is both elegant and accessible, weaving together humor and melancholy in a way that feels authentic. The dialogue is sharp and believable, particularly in Brian\u2019s interactions with various side characters, from the no-nonsense firefighters who temporarily take in Socrates to the well-meaning but detached individuals Brian encounters in his daily routine. There\u2019s a sense of quiet desperation that permeates Brian\u2019s world, but it never veers into hopelessness\u2014thanks in large part to Socrates, who, in his own quiet and stubborn way, reminds Brian of the resilience of life itself.

What I appreciated most about Advice from a Cat is how it resists the urge to provide easy answers. Brian\u2019s journey isn\u2019t a neatly wrapped redemption arc, nor does Socrates function as some magical cure-all for his struggles. Instead, their relationship is a reminder of the small, sometimes imperceptible ways in which healing begins\u2014through companionship, through moments of stillness, through the simple act of caring for another living being.

If you\u2019re a fan of stories that explore the complexities of human nature through unconventional yet deeply meaningful relationships, Advice from a Cat is a must-read. Whether or not you\u2019re a cat person, this novel is a touching exploration of life\u2019s unexpected turns and the comfort that can be found in the most unlikely of places.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "24-Feb-2025", "date_added": "08-Jan-2025 22:36:57", "publisher": "fandango 4 Art House", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015400007", "title": "Patriotic Duties", "author": "Michael Perron", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 452, "review": "Cole Howard believed he could get his daughter back from a ruthless gang of thugs, but he was sorely mistaken. The kidnappers lulled him into a false sense of security, and then brutally disposed of him. This was Cole\u2019s penalty for failure to complete a mission for his one-time employers. However, Cole had one more trick up his sleeve before meeting his demise. Cole sent a valedictory message to a fellow soldier named Trent Billups and provided him with some background about the men and their role in his daughter\u2019s abduction.

War and its futility had taken a deep toll on Trent Billups. The failures of the war in Afghanistan along with its countless deaths had hit Trent hard. Trent had initially rebuffed Cole when Cole asked for his old buddy\u2019s assistance with his recent trouble. Now, he feels bound to avenge his friend\u2019s murder and rescue Cole\u2019s daughter before it's too late. Trent commences a rampage against the men and leaves scores of bodies in his wake but is ultimately successful in freeing the daughter of his late friend.

Bo Harding is an unscrupulous FBI Agent who has been overseeing the clean-up of the Cole Howard debacle. Harding\u2019s relief with Howard\u2019s disposal turns to vexation when he learns of Trent Billup\u2019s vengeance-fueled spree. Harding must locate Billups and remove him from the scene before he causes any more headaches. Harding works for a nefarious business magnate who has a plan to undermine the US government from within while unleashing a financial collapse from which he will stand to benefit.

President Jeffrey Harrison leads a splintered nation and frets over its future. He is discouraged by Congressional inertia and the people\u2019s discord. His loyal VP believes maybe it is time for him to take a step back, but Harrison is reluctant to do so. Harrison is unaware of the challenge he is soon to face that will test his leadership along with the fate of the country.

\nPatriotic Duties is a well-written and exciting thriller from the pen of newcomer Michael Perron. The action emerges right from the start and is soon combined with elements of conspiracy and political intrigue. Trent Billups emerges as the main protagonist in the novel and he takes on the role of reluctant hero as he is forced to do battle with a different kind of enemy. While the battle-scarred soldier has often been written about, Perron infuses Trent with enough bravery and an interesting backstory to distinguish himself. Perron establishes a knack for surprises early on and keeps the reader on edge throughout the novel, building the tense moments to explosive conclusions. With this smashing debut, Michael Perron has the potential for a bright future as an author.", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2025", "date_added": "08-Jan-2025 22:32:14", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "206 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015390007", "title": "Serial Killer Games", "author": "Kate Posey", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 197, "review": "Serial Killer Games by Kate Posey is her debut novel, which shows us that whoever and whatever situation we encounter is likely not what it seems. Jake, the new temp at your average 9-5 business, meets the mysterious and aloof Dolores de la Cruz, striving to be a wallflower, but is noticed nonetheless. Outside of their 4x4 office cubicles, there are deaths of fellow workers continuously happening - is it suicide, or could the strange mannerisms of the new temp be his giveaway as the killer? The closer Jake and Dolores get to each other, the more is at stake, with boundaries crossed to reveal hidden, well-worn, and potentially deadly secrets.

Serial Killer Games was an enjoyable read, bringing out many emotions and thought-provoking topics (remember that things aren't always as they seem)! With memorable characters that will stick with you, each reader will likely experience a different level of enjoyment from their reading based on the character they resonate with the most. The beginning felt quite different from the ending, but overall, everything came together well. Posey presents twists, secrets, and revelations I didn't know I needed, but they significantly enhanced the story and reading experience!", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "28-Jun-2025", "date_added": "08-Jan-2025 21:21:04", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015388003", "title": "The Road to Tender Hearts: A Novel", "author": "Annie Hartnett", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 165, "review": "The book opens with a cat named Pancakes who curls up with the dying and seems to effectuate their death. When the cat takes up with an elderly alcoholic, P.J. Harriday, the reader might assume that the man\u2019s end is near. However, the man is propped up by his ex-wife and her accommodating new husband. While they are away, on vacation, P.J. inherits two children and, along with his skeptical daughter, takes them on a wild ride to court his recently widowed high school sweetheart.

This certainly is a creative and interesting premise for a novel; however, this reader found the story line extremely dark and not that funny. The characters seem rom-com predictable with the usual precocious kids saying precocious things and suspense building as to when P.J. will fall off the wagon. The daughter who has suffered trauma and is distanced from her father, also predictably has a change of heart. The author has written four books and is acclaimed as a writer.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "05-May-2025", "date_added": "07-Jan-2025 21:56:56", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015387003", "title": "WASH (Button Poetry)", "author": "Ebony Stewart", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 205, "review": "Ebony Stewart\u2019s Wash/is a powerful, unflinching poetry collection that draws the reader into a world of raw emotion, deep introspection, and lyrical brilliance. As I read through the poems, I found myself captivated by Stewart\u2019s honest reflections on identity, love, loss, and healing. Her voice is unapologetically bold, revealing the complexities of being a Black womxn navigating relationships, societal expectations, and hard-fought victories toward self-worth. Yet, her themes are universal, resonating with anyone who has grappled with their own identity and relationships.

\nWhat struck me most was Stewart\u2019s emotional transparency: each poem feels like a cleansing, a shedding of shame, doubt, and grief, revealing the triumph of knowing one\u2019s value in a world that often seeks to diminish it. Stewart doesn\u2019t shy away from exploring the pain of extractive love or the vulnerability of desire, but she also leaves room for empowerment and resilience.

As a celebrated spoken word artist, Stewart\u2019s storytelling prowess is evident. Her rhythm, cadence, and use of form bring each poem to life, even on the page. The recurring motifs of water, memory, and the body serve to reinforce the collection\u2019s central themes of purification and rebirth. Wash is a testament to survival, reclamation, and the ongoing work of loving oneself deeply.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2025", "date_added": "07-Jan-2025 21:55:26", "publisher": "Button Poetry", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015383003", "title": "The Silversmith's Puzzle: A Mystery (Captain Jim and Lady Diana Mysteries, 4)", "author": "Nev March", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 199, "review": "The Silversmith\u2019s Puzzle begins with a classic mystery opening: a man, clasping the handle of a knife embedded in a dying person\u2019s throat. An open and shut case, it would seem. When the supposed murderer, Lady Diana\u2019s brother, is arrested, she and her husband, Captain Jim, a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast, set out to prove his innocence. Before dying, the stabbed man murmured something about gold even though he was a master silversmith.

The story, set at the end of the nineteenth century, plays out in steamy Bombay. The city\u2019s poverty-ridden streets, splendid temples, and caste-burdened inhabitants are brought to vibrant life before the reader\u2019s eyes in wonderfully detail-rich descriptions. At the heart of the adventure is a mysterious key\u2026 and what it unlocks. Jim\u2019s search takes him all over the city, from Bombay Jail to the Imperial Mint, and from a slum-brothel to a cliff-side temple, before he finally uncovers the truth.

The Silversmith\u2019s Puzzle will appeal to fans of the Captain Jim and Lady Diana series and attract new readers. The ending teasingly leaves some unanswered questions (Was someone working behind the scenes? Does Jim have an enemy?) that hold the promise of another exciting story to come.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "06-May-2025", "date_added": "07-Jan-2025 21:43:31", "publisher": "Minotaur", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015377003", "title": "Best House on the Block: A Thriller", "author": "T R Ragan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 181, "review": "Renowned journalist Rosella Marlow has won the Best House on the Block award year after year, until recently. This adds to Rosella\u2019s growing paranoia, grief, and resentment after a recent loss. She watches all her neighbors closely, hoping to write an expos\u00e9 on all of them and enlists new neighbor Shannon Gibbons to help. When Rosella is murdered, everyone on the block becomes a suspect, since they all had reason to hate her. Shannon will have to uncover the truth if she hopes to stay in this beautiful neighborhood, hopefully with one less murderer.

This was an interesting story with lots of twists and turns. You could certainly feel Shannon\u2019s frustration as she tries to solve the murder of a woman nobody liked. This book is certainly not one of Ragan\u2019s darker tales. It does deal with grief, abandonment and abuse, but not as in depth as some of her other stories. It felt like it had a more upbeat and hopeful aspect to it, while dealing with these issues. Overall, a great addition to your T.R. Ragan collection of mysteries.", "issue": "February 2025", "date_posted": "12-Mar-2025", "date_added": "05-Jan-2025 20:33:37", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "287 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015374011", "title": "The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America", "author": "Kostya Kennedy", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 194, "review": "With respectful appreciation to Henry Wordsworth Longfellow for his poetic narrative, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, we hold onto the image of Revere, a Boston silversmith, riding alone through the night to challenge the English Redcoats disembarked from the warship HMS Somerset lying off the coast.

Paul Revere did indeed ride through the night, but not alone. Together with some forty Militiamen and Patriots, he rode through the dark countryside seeking Samuel Adams and John Hancock, urgently warning them and everyone they awoke as they rode, to be prepared for the battle that would launch the American Revolution.

The author's captivating, vigorous account of the ride is a page-turner. What many of us view as simply a class assignment, Kennedy's fluency brings the story to life. The pages, while centered on the singular date, provide a remarkable account of the hero, his fellow men, and their 1780s lifestyle. A skilled engraver and church bellringer, Revere served as a Freemason for 40 years and remains a patriotic model centuries later.

As one of the great stories of American history, The Ride is surely a labor of love as well as the fruition of extensive research.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "05-Jan-2025 23:44:16", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015599015", "title": "My Sister's Shadow: A Novel", "author": "January Gilchrist", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 188, "review": "In My Sister\u2019s Shadow, we meet Adelaide and Victoria, mirror twins. It\u2019s 1904 England, and when Lord Stanley comes to visit, he leaves with a wife and her sister. Although outgoing Victoria was interested in him and his tales of New York, Stanley chose to marry Adelaide against her will. Once in New York, the twins are thrust into the elite social circles, where Adelaide manages to make friends and Victoria is ignored. Victoria is determined not to live in her sister\u2019s shadow and watch her receive everything she herself has wanted, and she will stop at nothing to make sure her dreams come true.

This was a fantastic gothic read. You read every page knowing something bad is going to happen, but not quite sure what it will be or which twin it will happen to. What happens to one of them is kind of my nightmare, but thankfully, that doesn\u2019t happen like it did in the early 1900s. I would say more, but you\u2019re just going to have to read it. I highly recommend you add this book to your reading list if you enjoy gothic suspense.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "27-May-2025", "date_added": "27-Feb-2025 21:43:08", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015598011", "title": "A Rebel's History of Mars", "author": "Nadia Afifi", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 189, "review": "A Rebel's History of Mars by Nadia Afifi is an exciting sci-fi tale of revenge, colonization, and a future historian's look into how badly humans screwed up when they conquered other planets. Straddling two timelines, Afifi weaves a pair of tales of discovery. One tale looks to the future, and the other sifts through the past. Both also question whether humans belong in the stars with our own history of messing things up. There are many sci-fi stories of space colonization, but Afifi's tale stands apart. With the dual timeline, she shows how humanity tries to do what is right while still being human.

Kezza wasn't born on Mars, but she's been there long enough to be considered a Martian. Kezza blames her situation on the Civilizationist Barret Juul. Kezza's assassination attempt became a partnership with Juul and a promise of a better life. One thousand two hundred years later, a team of historians examined the last days of the Martian colonies, a time when the powers did not want the truth to come to light. Get ready for a sci-fi adventure spanning centuries in A Rebel's History of Mars.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "31-Jul-2025", "date_added": "27-Feb-2025 21:27:01", "publisher": "Flame Tree Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015598007", "title": "A Map to Paradise", "author": "Susan Meissner", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 182, "review": "Hollywood of the 1950s was a treacherous place. The Red Scare was in full swing, and actors were often called up to testify on alleged Communist activities and to name names in order to clear their own. If they were accused\u2014or worse still, if they refused to accuse others\u2014they could be blacklisted.

This is what happened to Melanie Cole, before the start of the novel. We find her holed up in the house of a friend of a friend, waiting for things to clear up. The only company she has is her Polish housekeeper and her neighbor, an agoraphobic screenwriter. When the screenwriter shuts himself in his room and refuses to speak to her, Melanie begins to suspect his sister-in-law of foul play. She begins to investigate, and secrets from all around her begin to spill out.

A Map to Paradise is a mix between a thriller and a novel about female friendship. At times, it is difficult to tell what the novel wants to be, but on the whole, it\u2019s an intriguing read. I was compelled from the first chapter to the epilogue.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jul-2025", "date_added": "27-Feb-2025 19:35:20", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015596007", "title": "The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant (A Merritt & Blunt Mystery)", "author": "Liza Tully", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 196, "review": "Olivia had high expectations when she interviewed to be Aubrey Merritt\u2019s assistant, and dreamed of helping the infamous detective pursue cases. Instead, she\u2019s stuck answering phones in a windowless office. The investigation has them checking the possibility of murder following a woman\u2019s fall off a balcony at the behest of her daughter. Her hopes rise as the case allows her to prove to Merritt how useful she is.

The story begins by immediately setting up the dynamic between Merritt and Olivia, which serves as a contrasting Sherlock-Watson type of back-and-forth. One is all about facts, and one is more emotion-based. Tully wastes no time establishing the type of characters they are, with Olivia being chastised for being one minute late. The relationship between the two drives the story forward, with both being well-rounded right from the beginning and instantly catching your attention, making you want to keep reading. Olivia is an engaging character driven by the desire to prove herself, no matter what the cost, and is enticed by the thrill of helping Merritt investigate. World\u2019s Greatest Detective is a delightfully entertaining read with an engaging mystery, quirky narrator, grandiose detective, and a journey of finding purpose.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "31-Jul-2025", "date_added": "26-Feb-2025 23:59:59", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015595011", "title": "We Have Ceased to See the Purpose: Essential Speeches of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (The Center for Ethics and Culture Solzhenitsyn Series)", "author": "Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Ignat Solzhenitsyn", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 192, "review": "Nobel Prize-winning author Aleksandr Solzhjenitsyn was famous for his novels depicting the abuses of the Gulag system under Stalin, where he was imprisoned for many years, but was also kicked out of the Soviet Union for decades until its fall. During his time in exile, he gave several speeches worldwide, especially in Western Europe and the United States. This volume collects some of those speeches, including his Nobel Prize acceptance speeches and the Harvard Address, two of his most well-known speeches. Most of his speeches examine the materialistic world and a possible path forward out of it, which may be something that readers should embrace in today's world, with his current hostile political environment. Each speech has an introduction, putting the speech into the historical context of Aleksandr\u2019s life and the background of why he gave a speech at that particular time and place. The speeches have been translated by Aleksandr\u2019s sons, who also wrote the introductory and timeline material, who are helping to keep the work of their father in the public eye, as Aleksandr was an author who was not afraid to hold a mirror up to those in power.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "27-May-2025", "date_added": "27-Feb-2025 20:32:43", "publisher": "University of Notre Dame Press", "page_count": "228 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015594023", "title": "We Live Here Now: A Novel", "author": "Sarah Pinborough", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 189, "review": "Emily had a terrible accident a year ago that left her in a coma and sepsis. To recuperate, she and her husband Freddie sell their flat in London and move to Larkin Lodge in the countryside. Emily immediately feels there is something off about the house and experiences weird phenomena, but Freddie doesn\u2019t notice anything and blames it on post-sepsis hallucinations. Emily feels sure that someone was murdered there, but can\u2019t find evidence of any deaths. The house and the secrets they each have begin to tear them apart, but what can we do? We Live Here Now.

Sarah Pinborough certainly has an interesting imagination. Her take on the classic haunted house trope is completely different than anything else I\u2019ve read. If you\u2019ve read her other books, you will not be surprised by the ending or that she doesn\u2019t seem to think marriages ever turn out well. There are some very creepy parts in this book, and I think overall, it was much better than Behind Her Eyes. If you loved that one or any of her other books or just haunted house stories, this book is for you.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "27-Feb-2025 21:52:17", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015591003", "title": "Torrible Puns: A Collection of Punny Poems ", "author": "Tricia Torrible, Robert Dunn", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 207, "review": "Torrible Puns contains lots of poems with rhyming about a variety of topics, most of which readers my age (11) and younger should be able to understand and find the funny parts within them. The funny parts are the puns, which are noticed when something in the poem sounds like it means one thing, but the word or phrase can have two different meanings, and both of them work to make the poem mean one thing or another. An example of this is one of the poems that talks about a bull with a credit card, charging - the bull charges at people and things, and when you have a credit card, you charge your purchases to it. This poem was one of the few that I needed explaining and didn't understand right away, as I don't have a credit or debit card yet, but the rest of them I was either laughing out loud, or rolling my eyes (but still thinking they were funny), especially when my mom read them with me and made a big deal about them! Torrible Puns is a fun book to read anytime, but especially if you're looking for a good laugh, something light, or have an assignment to read poems.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "01-Aug-2025", "date_added": "26-Feb-2025 20:23:16", "publisher": "Gnome Road Publishing", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015586047", "title": "Cleave the Sparrow", "author": "Jonathan Katz", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco", "Manhattan", "Chicago", "Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 321, "review": "\"Imagine a political thriller, a sci-fi mind-bender, and the weirdest cult documentary you\u2019ve ever seen all mashed together, with a narrator who somehow makes existential horror laugh-out-loud funny. The characters are a mess (in the best way), and just when you think you know where it\u2019s going, it pulls the rug out from under you. If you like your books wild, smart, and just a little unhinged, this one\u2019s for you.\"\u2014Scott Olsen, Manhattan Book Review (SENT)\n\n\"At its core, Cleave the Sparrow is a novel about control\u2014over perception, power, and reality itself. It\u2019s a book that weaponizes satire to peel back the layers of human delusion, from political theatrics to the very nature of existence. Wilder Crick\u2019s chaotic vision of the world is terrifyingly plausible, making this a story that is as intellectually provocative as it is disturbing. For those willing to question everything, this novel delivers a philosophical gut-punch unlike any other.\" \u2014Bradley Allen, Chicago Book Review (SENT)\n\n\"In a narrative as mind-bending as it is darkly hilarious, Cleave the Sparrow dissects the illusion of reality with razor-sharp wit and philosophical depth. With a plot that spirals from political satire to metaphysical horror, the novel explores the futility of perception and the consequences of enlightenment. Every page brims with biting dialogue, psychological unraveling, and a cosmic punchline that lingers long after the final chapter. A brilliantly unsettling read that demands\u2014and rewards\u2014careful attention.\"\u2014Liam Davies, Los Angeles Book Review\n\n\"There are books that challenge you, and then there\u2019s Cleave the Sparrow. With a narrative that feels like a fever dream engineered by a rogue AI, this novel is a stunning collision of political satire, psychedelic horror, and existential dread. It revels in its absurdity while dissecting profound truths about power, belief, and the fragility of perception. Daring, unpredictable, and utterly consuming, this is a novel that lingers in the mind long after you\u2019ve closed the cover.\" \u2014Kyle Eaton, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Feb-2025 03:08:49", "publisher": "Forest Woods Media", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000015586039", "title": "Straight to The White House", "author": "Amerigo Merenda", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 108, "review": "\"Amerigo Merenda\u2019s Straight to the White House is an emotionally rich and thought-provoking novel that captures the turbulence of self-discovery with remarkable depth. Eric O\u2019Reilly\u2019s journey is one of faith, duty, and desire, and Merenda handles his conflicts with a refreshing honesty that never feels forced or melodramatic. The novel\u2019s strength lies in its ability to explore difficult themes\u2014sexuality, religion, and personal freedom\u2014without ever offering easy answers, making it both deeply personal and universally relatable. With its introspective prose and compelling character study, this is a novel that lingers, challenging readers to reflect on the moments in life that shape who we become.\" \u2014Scott Olsen, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Feb-2025 00:31:33", "publisher": "Mira Digital Publishing for eBook and eBooks2go for paperback", "page_count": "278 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000015586031", "title": "RED LILY: A Novel", "author": "JANICE GRAHAM", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 549, "review": "Janice Graham\u2019s Red Lily is an intoxicating blend of espionage, family intrigue, and historical reflection that transports readers from the shadowed streets of Paris to the depths of Cold War secrets. With a deft hand and a sharp eye for detail, Graham weaves a story that is both thrilling and deeply human, examining the complex intersections of personal identity, political betrayal, and long-buried family secrets.

At the heart of the novel is Carl Box, a reluctant hero drawn into a labyrinthine mystery surrounding his enigmatic Aunt Lily. When he receives a letter revealing that his aunt has died\u2014or so he is led to believe\u2014Carl embarks on a journey that will upend everything he thought he knew about his family. The novel's opening is a masterclass in setting and mood: \u201cParis languished in the August heat, the streets deserted except for the usual tourists and a few remaining Parisians plodding slowly along their routine paths.\u201d From the first page, Graham immerses readers in an atmospheric world that feels both exotic and intimate.

One of the novel\u2019s greatest strengths is its protagonist, Lily\u2014a woman whose past is as layered and complex as the secrets she has spent a lifetime guarding. Though she fits into the tradition of the wily older female sleuth, \u00e0 la Miss Marple or Jessica Fletcher, Lily\u2019s story is uniquely her own. She is not merely solving a puzzle; she is an active participant in a high-stakes game of international espionage. Graham\u2019s prose captures her wit and defiance beautifully, such as in her wry exchange with Carl: \u201cOh, Carlito, you know how I love it when you do the thinking.\u201d

The novel is rich with historical texture, touching on the impact of the polio vaccine, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the shadowy dealings of Cold War intelligence. The influence of the Mitrokhin files, which inspired the plot, adds a layer of authenticity that makes the intrigue all the more compelling. As Carl peels back the layers of deception surrounding his aunt\u2019s past, he is forced to reconsider not only who she was but also his own place in the world. In one of the novel\u2019s most poignant moments, he reflects: \u201cBefore meeting my Aunt Lily and the Rue Tonton gang, I always thought there was only right and wrong... But what if \u2018good\u2019 doesn\u2019t necessarily equal \u2018right\u2019?\u201d

Graham also excels at balancing suspense with humor, an element that brings levity to an otherwise intense narrative. The dialogue is crisp and often laced with dry wit, making the characters feel all the more real. The relationship between Carl and Lily is particularly well-drawn, evolving from guarded skepticism to mutual respect and admiration.

If there is one minor critique, it is that the plot\u2019s complexity requires careful attention\u2014this is not a novel to be skimmed. But for readers who appreciate layered storytelling and intelligent intrigue, Red Lily is an absolute triumph.

In the end, Red Lily is more than a spy thriller; it is a meditation on truth, loyalty, and the ties that bind us across generations. Graham has crafted a novel that lingers long after the final page, much like the secrets her characters so desperately guard. This is historical suspense at its finest.

Available in the following formats:\n

eBook ePub (Kindle & B&N)

979-8-9921747-0-0

List price: USD 12.99

Paperback

979-8-9921747-2-4

List price: USD 17.99

Hardback

979-8-9921747-1-7

List price: USD 21.99", "issue": "March 2025", "date_posted": "13-Mar-2025", "date_added": "26-Feb-2025 00:11:49", "publisher": "Vendome Books", "page_count": "378 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015586023", "title": "The Price of Freedom", "author": "Michael C. Bland", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 391, "review": "Michael C. Bland\u2019s The Price of Freedom is a high-octane, cerebral sci-fi thriller that not only entertains with dystopian grit and technological spectacle but dares to interrogate the very nature of autonomy, perception, and sacrifice. As the climactic installment of Bland\u2019s trilogy, it delivers both spectacle and soul, making it a standout in the genre.

We join Dray Quintero, a haunted engineer-turned-rebel branded the \u201cmost treasonous person in history,\u201d as he battles the totalitarian grip of The Agency, a militarized force that controls the U.S. via brain implants and visual overlays. What sets Bland\u2019s world apart is its plausible trajectory from contemporary society: a pandemic (OCB1) leads to mandated neural implants, which evolve into full surveillance and cognitive manipulation systems. The realism in the technological premise makes the story chillingly believable.

Thematically, Bland weaves freedom, memory, family, and identity into a tight, emotional narrative. One of the most harrowing aspects is the way The Agency manipulates not just the body but the mind. As Dray states, \u201cI no longer trusted my mind,\u201d highlighting a recurring theme: the erasure of objective reality and the fragility of self-perception when technology mediates every sense.

The most emotionally resonant scenes involve Dray\u2019s daughters, Raven and Talia. Talia, once presumed near-death, reveals she has secretly hacked into The Agency\u2019s system: \u201cThey plugged me into their system\u2026 I\u2019m hooked into the whole Agency system.\u201d Her mind, once targeted for experimentation, becomes a linchpin in the resistance. Her vibrant voice, full of childlike slang and steely resolve, is a shining star: \u201cI created whole pathways with my mind, like a snake in their maze. Or a worm.\u201d

Talia\u2019s decision to remain behind to ensure her family's escape\u2014a literal sacrifice of freedom for the promise of it for others\u2014is a gut punch of emotion and heroism. \u201cI\u2019ll help you three escape. But I\u2019m staying.\u201d It\u2019s a moment that echoes the book\u2019s title with devastating clarity.

Bland\u2019s prose is taut and immersive, filled with tactile and sensory details\u2014especially in simulated realities where readers, like Dray, question what\u2019s real. The pacing never drags, even as it makes room for tender family moments amidst brutal interrogations, betrayals, and mind games.

The Price of Freedom is both a thrilling rebellion tale and a sobering meditation on how far technology might push us\u2014and whether love and sacrifice can still guide us back. A masterstroke for fans of character-driven, high-stakes sci-fi.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Feb-2025 00:08:12", "publisher": "World Castle Publishing", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015586015", "title": "7 Days: A Dee Rommel Mystery", "author": "Jule Selbo", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 401, "review": "After reading and loving 9 Days and 8 Days, I was ready to step back into Dee Rommel\u2019s world in 7 Days, the fourth installment in Jule Selbo\u2019s punchy, fast-paced mystery series. As expected, Selbo delivers another smart, suspenseful story that\u2019s equal parts action, heart, and razor-sharp dialogue.

This time around, Dee is juggling much more than your average PI case. The story opens with a chaotic, if random, diner brawl that ends with a strange woman named Gilli Wanz stealing Dee\u2019s bag. But this isn\u2019t a one-night inconvenience\u2014it\u2019s the first spark in a high-stakes, deeply personal investigation. From the start, Selbo weaves threads that tug at Dee\u2019s PI instincts and personal life. Gilli and her partner, Nail Parcell, are odd enough to raise eyebrows, but it\u2019s not until Dee realizes her mother might be the target of a cyberstalker that things really start to escalate.

One of the most compelling aspects of 7 Days is the way Selbo grounds the action in emotional stakes. Dee\u2019s relationship with her mother\u2014who\u2019s always been strong, composed, and tightly wound\u2014is tested when she becomes the victim of online harassment. Dee\u2019s investigation leads her to Liam Grimshell, a disgruntled CRCB employee with a serious chip on his shoulder and a toxic sense of entitlement. The scenes where Dee uses her sleuthing skills to get under his skin are classic Rommel\u2014bold, witty, and no-nonsense.

Selbo also doesn\u2019t shy away from Dee\u2019s complexity. She\u2019s still recovering from past trauma, still adjusting to life with a prosthetic leg, and still keeping people like Donato\u2014the complicated detective she has very complicated feelings for\u2014at arm\u2019s length. Their late-night walk through Portland\u2019s Eastern Promenade, where he breaks the news that Billy Payer (yes, that Billy Payer) wants a prison transfer, adds yet another emotional gut-punch. Even as Dee pushes forward with her investigation, she\u2019s forced to deal with the ghosts she thought she\u2019d left behind.

What I loved most about 7 Days is how Selbo balances the mystery with character growth. We get a deeper look at Dee\u2019s emotional landscape, internal walls, and unshakable sense of justice. Whether she\u2019s confronting cyberbullies, dodging icy sidewalks, or outsmarting dangerous manipulators, she remains the fierce, flawed, and unforgettable heroine we\u2019ve come to root for.

In short, 7 Days is another winner. It\u2019s thrilling, layered, and unputdownable\u2014everything I\u2019ve come to expect from this series and then some.

Dee Rommel is back and better than ever\u2014bold, brilliant, and always two steps ahead.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "26-May-2025", "date_added": "26-Feb-2025 00:02:52", "publisher": "Pandamoon Publishing", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015584007", "title": "A House for Miss Pauline: A Novel", "author": "Diana McCaulay", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 190, "review": "Please, good reader, do not give up on this book midway. It will pay you to finish this book and celebrate this compelling story. Indeed, the patois becomes tiresome, the issue that a white woman is telling a black woman\u2019s story, and the unusual setting of the book are all obstacles to overcome, but it is a worthwhile read. Miss Pauline is awaiting her one-hundredth birthday, which falls around Christmas time. She understands that she is failing and that her time may be at an end. A review of her life seems to indicate that there is unfinished business; in fact, the brick walls of her house seem to whisper that to her every night.

The story is set in a small Jamaican village where Miss Pauline has spent her entire life. Her husband had a traveling job, and she had heard of the places he had visited. Her sole aim, however, was to feed her children and escape the blistering poverty that raging weather and scarcity brought. Miss Pauline is a straight-talking, powerful woman who hasn\u2019t been cowed by life\u2019s challenges. Ultimately, this is a story of family and forgiveness.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "30-May-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 21:29:42", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015584003", "title": "The Wide, Wide Sea", "author": "Jenny L\u00f8vlie, Anna Wilson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 184, "review": "In The Wide, Wide Sea, a grandmother takes her grandchild to the beach. There they discover all sorts of treasures: pebbles, limpets, periwinkles and whelks, to name a few. Suddenly, a seal appears in the water, and the child goes on an imaginary journey under the water with this newfound friend. Later, as the child and grandmother leave the shore, a fierce storm blows in. The next day, the two find that the seal is gone, but the beach is covered in trash. Although they didn\u2019t create the mess, the child, the grandmother, and others cleared the debris from the seal\u2019s home. Just as they finish, the seal appears once more and nods at the child before returning to the sea. \nThis book brings together many positive elements: a grandmother and child bonding, the joy of discovering flora and fauna at the shore, a fanciful underwater journey with a seal, the subtle message that the world is home to creatures beyond humans, and the empowering message that everyone can make a difference. This book is the perfect read before a day at the beach.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "04-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 21:14:48", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015582011", "title": "Charley Mouse Cleans House", "author": "Katerina Gorelik", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 160, "review": "Charley Mouse Cleans House is a fun kids' picture book that incorporates the reader's participation by helping Charley \"look and find\" objects throughout the pages. Charley loves things clean, and each day she visits fellow animals' homes in different parts of the Wild Wood or Magical Forest to tidy up and find missing items. Charley enjoys her work, but also has her work cut out for her!

Charley Mouse Cleans House is a children's picture book that is suitable for all ages, as I even found enjoyment in it (at age 11), particularly the look-and-find part, but the story was good, too; adult readers will like it, also, based on my mom enjoying the time looking for the hidden things along with me and my younger sibling. I liked the pictures throughout the book because they are full (cover the whole page), and there is always something to find in the messy houses in need of some cleaning from Charley!", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 21:50:18", "publisher": "Red Comet Press", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015580007", "title": "Wildfire Days: A Woman, a Hotshot Crew, and the Burning American West", "author": "Kelly Ramsey", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 152, "review": "Why would a woman want to join a hotshot crew fighting wildfires? A hotshot crew is the elite, well-trained, physically powerful team of mostly men who face incalculable risks to fight the fire up close and very personal. This reader learned so much about this fascinating career. From the tools of the trade to the physical exertion it takes to hoist 160 pounds of gear up hillsides to face great danger. Their job is to dig fire breaks, set back fires, or fell trees before they become tinder.

The author interweaves her personal life and romantic experiences into this story as a break to the relentless pressures of the hotshot crew. For her, there were also the emotional demands of the crew\u2019s misogyny, the demands of her fianc\u00e9, and the demands she placed upon herself to keep up and excel. Anyone living through these Northern California fires will be riveted by her story.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "01-Nov-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 21:06:09", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015578015", "title": "Whisper to the Rescue", "author": "Rose Robbins", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 128, "review": "This is a cute story about how a tiny dinosaur cares about those around him. Whisper is very kind to the other animals in the forest and makes sure he leaves them berries to eat. However, Whisper's family isn't so thoughtful. When Whisper keeps getting overlooked, he decides that even though he is small, he can still make a difference by teaming up with the forest animals and using his actions to get his family to pay attention to him.

The illustrations of this book are very vibrant and colorful. I find it quite interesting that Whisper is so different from his family, in both size and color. However, this book shows that when you take time to listen to your family members, you can make a difference.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "04-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 21:18:01", "publisher": "Lerner Publishing Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015578007", "title": "Daikon: A Novel", "author": "Samuel Hawley", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 195, "review": "What if, instead of two atomic bombs, the United States had sent three over Japan? What if one of those had wound up in the hands of the Japanese?

\nThese are the questions that form the basis of Daikon, a novel that is both a what-if scenario and an examination of the Japanese mindset at the end of World War II. The heart of the novel is Keizo Kan, a man called upon to study the captured bomb and learn its secrets, even as the date of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki inches ever closer. At times, the book diverts from him to follow his imprisoned wife and members of the Japanese Army, providing still more details about life in Japan in 1945.

The book is intriguing, but it takes time to build up. The first several chapters feel like a documentary about atomic bombs, and the characters often seem to be at a remove from the audience, with their emotions and, at times, even their humanity taking a backseat to history and the plot. It\u2019s more likely to catch and hold the interests of people who are already deeply interested in this time period.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 20:57:41", "publisher": "Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015577031", "title": "One Wrong Step", "author": "Jennifer A Nielsen", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "It\u2019s 1939 when Alex Wade\u2019s father takes Alex on an expedition to the summit of Mt. Everest. Alex is 12 and has been hiking and climbing all his life. No one has successfully climbed Everest yet, and Alex\u2019s father won\u2019t let him go past base camp. Alex isn\u2019t happy that there is a girl, Maddie, his age, brought by her father. Alex and Maddie are left behind with a sherpa, Chodak, when the rest of the team goes up to complete the climb, but there is an avalanche near the top, and the team may be lost. A radio signal sends Alex, Maddie, and Chodak on a rescue mission. Chodak is injured, and Alex and Maddie continue on their own.

Jennifer A. Nielsen has written an exciting story with plenty of problems and danger to keep the pages turning. The characters are all well-rounded and believable, and the setting becomes a significant character in the story, challenging all the other characters in ways they often don\u2019t see coming. The writing is excellent, and the story is most compelling. The book is marketed as being for 8-12-year-olds, but 10-14 makes more sense. Older kids and adults will also enjoy it.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "03-Jul-2025", "date_added": "26-Feb-2025 00:36:14", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015577011", "title": "Nellie's Big Splash", "author": "Cori Doerrfeld", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 189, "review": "Nellie is a tiny, newly hatched sea turtle who is afraid of crashing ocean waves. When all of her fellow hatchlings immediately head for the sea, Nellie is too afraid to join them. Instead, she tries to flee her fears by climbing up the beach and onto a rock. While Nellie is above the awful crashing, she realizes how lonely she is for the other hatchlings and that she is still afraid. Going home to the sea is the only answer. Crawling to the edge of the rock, she sees the beauty of the sea beyond the scary shoreline. Nellie looks inside herself to find the courage to dive into the unknown, where she instantly finds her siblings waiting for her.

Cori Doerrfeld has created an absolutely beautiful picture book, both in terms of message and illustration. Nellie\u2019s journey in facing her fears will resonate with many children. The gentle style of illustration complements the tender message of the text perfectly. Doerrfeld even manages to convey her story through the interesting vehicle of a sea turtle\u2019s early life.

Nellie\u2019s Big Splash is a charming book with a heartening message.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 21:43:20", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015575023", "title": "Be Thankful for Plants", "author": "Harriet Ziefert, Brian Fitzgerald", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 125, "review": "Be Thankful for Plants is the perfect springtime read. Spring is my favorite season, when everything starts to turn green again. This book tells how and why plants are essential to our life on Earth. Plants help make the fresh air we breathe, as well as our clothes, our homes, our food, and feed animals. Without plants, ecosystems would collapse. So we must do what we can to protect plants!

This is a really informative book with the cutest illustrations. My favorite is the badger in the weeds with her baby cubs. I especially like the part where plants are essential, add beauty, and make us feel good by looking at them or growing them. Great book for those who want to learn all about plants.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "06-Jun-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 22:35:59", "publisher": "Red Comet Press", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015574011", "title": "Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal ", "author": "Samuel Marquis", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 196, "review": "Captain Kidd: A True Story of Turesure and Betrayal written by award-winning and best-selling history author Samuel Marquis, is one of the more complete chronicles of the notorious pirate\u2019s life. Marquis might have been working with more inside knowledge than other writers. Marquis is a direct descendant of Captain William Kidd. He is Kidd\u2019s ninth-great grandson. Marquis goes beyond just anecdotes and references. Marquis relays everything from the pre-colonial history of the Caribbean to Kidd\u2019s execution. Marquis details the geography, politics, and social norms of the time. He ties all his history into how and why Kidd became a privateer and how he worked.

As exciting as Kidd\u2019s life was, Marquis\u2019s book is not an overly dramatic telling of the buccaneer\u2019s exploits. Marquis does show Kidd as more than a bloodthirsty, greedy pirate. He shows Kidd as a man, a patriot, and a husband. Many historical recounts of the golden age of piracy show the more ruthless and notorious side of Kidd. Marquis questions whether Kidd should be considered a criminal or an opportunistic patriot. For a complete picture of this fascinating character of maritime history, read Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 21:35:34", "publisher": "Diversion Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015574007", "title": "The Summer Guests: A Thriller (The Martini Club)", "author": "Tess Gerritsen", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 185, "review": "Purity, Maine, is a sleepy little hamlet until summer guests start arriving at their cottages. When one of those visitors, a teenage girl, goes missing, it's up to Jo Thibodeau, a young acting chief of police, to find out what happened. But a group of retired spies also lives in the village, and they can't help but investigate when one of their neighbors is suspected of being involved in the teenager's disappearance.

The case takes an unexpected turn when a long-dead corpse is discovered while looking for the missing girl. Now there is another mystery to solve and no time to waste if they want to find the missing girl before it's too late. Will Jo or the Martini Club, as the retirees have dubbed themselves, be able to make sense of the complex web of secrets that have been hidden for decades?

The Summer Guests is a riveting mystery with plot twists and turns the reader will not see coming. It's full of engaging characters and an idyllic setting, all of which make this one of those page-turners you will not be able to put down.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 20:53:23", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015573031", "title": "Shopgirls: A Vibrant Novel of Self-Discovery, Friendship, and the Exuberant Fashion Scene of 1980s San Francisco\u2015Perfect for Summer Reading", "author": "Jessica Anya Blau", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 185, "review": "While I have loved two of Jessica Anya Blau's earlier novels, her latest effort, Shopgirls, is simply a mess with a protagonist too naive to be believed.

It's San Francisco in 1985, and19-year-old Zippy is working at the iconic I. Magnin store. She has no college education, no experience with boys or men, and lives with a lawyer, Raquel, who is world-wise in all the ways Zippy is not. Their friendship, built on Zippy answering an ad for a roommate, is just one of the ridiculous plot points in this novel. As Zippy becomes one of the strongest sales clerks at the store, she slowly learns what it is to feel torn between the job you love and family duties when her mother's husband, Howard, is hurt in an accident. While she navigates this, she is also contacted out of the blue by her birth father, a one-night stand her mother barely remembers.

Sound far-fetched? I haven't even mentioned the paper dolls she plays with at work.

The descriptions of the clothing in the store save this from being a complete waste of time, but just barely.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "04-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 21:25:55", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000015573027", "title": "Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch (Ivy Newt in Miracula)", "author": "Derek Keilty, Magda Brol", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 131, "review": "This is the story of a little witch and her familiar, which is a boy who is also a wolf. All is well while Ivy and her family are celebrating her birthday, when suddenly there is a strike of lightning and a puff of smoke, and her father the King of Miracula have suddenly disappeared and that is left of him is a golden buckle from a shoe. Now Ivy and her familiar must try to find her family. Read this book to follow their adventure. \nThis is a really cute story. Who doesn't love stories about witches? I especially like the illustrations in the front pages that show the characters in the story. I also like the little illustrations throughout the story. My favorite character is the familiar Tom Wolf.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "04-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 21:20:38", "publisher": "Scallywag Press", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015573019", "title": "Lessons from My Teachers: From Preschool to the Present", "author": "Sarah Ruhl", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 224, "review": "In a series of short, one- to three-page essays, award-winning playwright Sarah Ruhl offers a guided memoir of her life, acknowledging the people and events that have shaped her personality and influenced her vision. First and foremost, she was blessed with a talented and encouraging family; however, she was also fortunate to meet mentors during her schooling who became trusted advisors and lifelong friends. She recounts her growth and development spurred not only by her elders but also by her students, her children, her cohorts, and especially by her Buddhist nanny. She describes the painstaking struggles that challenged her during her writing career and the steps she took to overcome these obstacles. The story of the principal who cried prompts the reader to pause and reflect on the helplessness of humanity, while it opens one\u2019s view into the heart. Another incident examines death and her child\u2019s insistence that while dolls and humans unfortunately age, the conclusion that dolls do not die brings some measure of reassurance. There are meetings with feminists, discussions about writing, and the challenges faced fighting an undiagnosed Lyme infection for more than a dozen years. It is a fascinating selection of sketches about the people and events that influenced the author. The stories will prompt the reader to reflect on parallel lessons from their teachers that have shaped their lives.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 21:16:08", "publisher": "S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015573007", "title": "The Unkillable Frank Lightning", "author": "Josh Rountree", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 194, "review": "The Unkillable Frank Lightning by Josh Rountree is a modern pulp Western novel with a weird twist. Frankenstein meets the Wild West in this bizarre tale featuring the occult and a traveling Wild West show. Like any good western, one can expect rugged landscapes, hardened characters, shootouts, and a few saloons. Rountree adds elements of horror and tops it all off with the most outlandish cast of individuals to venture out into the wilds. Like the Dime Store Novels of the late 19th century, Rountree\u2019s tale is full of the adventure of the West, romance, and mystery. But in true Rountree fashion, this novel is a dark, fantastical look at Americana.

The Unkillable Frank Lighting follows Catherine Coldbridge as she tries to undo the horror that she created. As a doctor and occultist, Catherine brought her husband back to life, who was killed in an attack. Rountree alternates between timelines, switching between the creation of his undead monster and the hunt for Frank Lightning. Much like Mary Shelly\u2019s classic, Rountree scrutinizes what it means to be human. Combining genres of horror and weird westerns and adding unforgettable characters makes Rountree\u2019s novel a darkly entertaining read.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "03-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 20:30:23", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015570023", "title": "My Friends: A Novel", "author": "Fredrik Backman", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 203, "review": "My Friends is told from the perspective of Louisa and Ted, both of whom have recently lost their best friend. Louisa is an 18-year-old orphan and has lived a hard life. Still, she has an unspeakable talent for art and meets a famous artist who changes her life forever during his final days on earth. Ted is the late artist\u2019s closest friend and eventually meets Louisa. He finds her annoying, yet familiar \u2013 he tells her the story of his best friends on a long train ride and realizes that he and Louisa are more similar than he could have expected.

My Friends is another emotional character-driven novel from Fredrik Backman. I almost cried countless times\u2014Backman has such a gift for writing about the human experience. It is filled with humor and heartbreak, with each page feeling like a warm hug. I found myself savoring each chapter, wanting to know what happened during Ted\u2019s childhood and why he is alone as an adult. I was saddened by each child\u2019s relationships with their parents, but the precious moments with one another and the few loving adults in their lives made it emotionally bearable. This is a book that will stay with me for a while!", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 21:20:36", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015568007", "title": "Over in the Mangroves", "author": "Jyoti Rajan Gopal, Dikshaa Pawaskar", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 208, "review": "Over in the Mangroves is a vibrant tribute to the unique biodiversity of the Sundarbans National Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated along the border of India and Bangladesh. The lush mangrove ecosystem is at the confluence of the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. Teeming with life, it is home to a variety of mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, and insects. The Sundarbans\u2019 intertidal forests are ecologically vital and serve as a critical buffer against climate threats in the region, which is home to 5 million people.

Author Jyoti Rajan Gopal reimagines the classic nursery rhyme \u201cOver in the Meadow\u201d to introduce young readers to the interconnected lives of the forest\u2019s inhabitants. With rhythmic, lyrical verses, the book underscores the essential role that forests play in nurturing and sustaining life. Each stanza invites children to count along as they meet new animal families, emphasizing themes of cooperation, interdependence, and environmental stewardship.

Complete with a glossary and fun facts, Over in the Mangroves is both an educational tool and a celebration of nature. Illustrator Dikshaa Pwaskar\u2019s vibrant, expressive artwork brings the forest to life with bold colors and engaging details. Her illustrations capture the warmth and vitality of the mangrove\u2019s diverse creatures, creating a visual feast that complements the lyrical text.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "15-Aug-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 01:24:53", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015567011", "title": "Eatopedia: The Wild World of Animal Digestion", "author": "Aina Bestard", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 206, "review": "The illustrator Tina Bestard deserves awards for her amazingly appealing and informative illustrations of the seventy diverse animals, contrasted with their highlighted digestive systems. In these wonderfully drawn depictions, different animals from invertebrates to vertebrates are described, and the reader is shown how they obtain their life energy through the food they ingest and process through their digestive systems. Check out jellyfish, or a cockroach, or inspect your backyard chicken, perhaps you would like to examine something larger, like a horse, a blue whale, or even a hippopotamus. The animals are at your disposal along with tidbits of delicious information, such as what these creatures eat and who eats them, along with other tantalizing facts. Take sharks, for example, the great white shark is renowned as the apex predator and has been on this planet for about sixteen million years. Think how busy the ruminant cow is, eating about 150 pounds of fresh grass eight hours a day. Find out if dogs eat poo, or learn where the brown sewer rat originated from, lots of useful information to engage both the young and older reader. Animal lovers will adore the book, and children will be exposed to the myriad ways the body is designed for survival.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "27-May-2025", "date_added": "25-Feb-2025 01:16:19", "publisher": "Tra Publishing", "page_count": "172 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015565003", "title": "Tallulah the Mermaid and the Great Lakes Pledge", "author": "Denise Brennan-Nelson, Brooke O'Neill", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 129, "review": "Tallulah the mermaid is very special, and the whole lake is having a grand ceremony to celebrate her. Tallulah has promised to serve the Great Lakes and help keep them healthy, clean, and the animals safe. This is a challenging job, as she has to swim around and inspect the beaches to ensure everyone cleans up, so the water doesn't get polluted. Those who help out can be made into honorary mermaids.

My little sister really loved this book. This book is great for readers who love the lore of mermaids. My favorite part of this book was learning about the different kinds of stones that the fish brought her. What's also really cool is the instructions on how to host a mermaid party in the back of the book.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "04-Jul-2025", "date_added": "24-Feb-2025 19:44:17", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015564003", "title": "Seasons on the Farm", "author": "Chelsea Tornetto, Karen Bunting", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 183, "review": "In Seasons on the Farm, author Chelsea Tornetto takes readers on a rhyming journey through the seasons on a farm. In spring, buds break, sheep are sheared, babies are born, and crops are planted. In summer, farmers watch for rain and weeds, while hay is baled, and prizes are won at the fair. In fall, apples mean apple pie, grain must be stored in silos, pumpkin patches appear, and geese fly south. In winter, we turn indoors, with plenty of firewood, as snow covers the fields and provides time to mend our machinery.\nIn a world where many are disconnected from the rhythms and processes that create our food, this book fills a lovely void, providing young readers with an understanding of the importance of farms in their lives. Tornetto accomplishes this through delightful rhyme, which makes this a fun book to read aloud and provides back matter for those who would like to know a little more about American farming. This book would make a lovely pairing with a visit to a local farm or a trip to a local farmer\u2019s market.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "04-Jul-2025", "date_added": "24-Feb-2025 19:42:49", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015563007", "title": "Pine Cone Regrown: How One Species Thrives After Fire", "author": "Elisa Boxer, Kevin Howdeshell, Kristen Howdeshell", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 177, "review": "Pine Cone Regrown. tells the unusual story of a pine cone which hangs from a tree for forty years, biding its time. When an unattended campfire grows into a blaze, the pine cone watches as forest wildlife flees the flames. Still, the pine cone waits, holding its seeds sealed in resin. As the flames approach the cone, the resin melts, the cone finally cracks open, and the seeds fall. The ground on which the seeds land has been enriched by ash and now receives sunlight because the fire has removed the canopy, which previously blocked the light. As the seeds sprout, wildlife returns. So, the fire was not the end, but the beginning of new life in the forest.

Elsa Boxer has written a fascinating picture book that demonstrates the surprising necessity of fire for certain pines. The text itself is beautifully crafted with abundant alliteration, giving this book a melodic flow. Finally, Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell\u2019s illustrations can only be described as vibrant and perfectly suited to the text. In sum, this is an excellent picture book.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "03-Jul-2025", "date_added": "24-Feb-2025 19:46:19", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015562003", "title": "Salamander Song", "author": "Ginny Neil, Charli Vince", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Children play in the park as autumn leaves fall all around them. Under the ground, a salamander is in its subterranean home. Winter comes, and snow covers the park where children play. The salamander spends the winter sleeping. Sleet ratta tat tats. Spring is on the way. Salamander begins to wake up. Spring flowers bloom. Rains fill the pond, and Salamander comes out of his hidey-hole. The children learn that salamanders need to move from their winter homes to the safety of ponds and pools. This can be a dangerous journey for the tiny animals, so people everywhere, young and old, set up safer crossings for them, warning drivers to slow down and give the animals a chance to reach their breeding grounds.

Author Ginny Neil uses a lot of poetic devices \u2014 rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and more \u2014 to tell this important story to youngsters who can help small animals that have dangerous spring journeys. Beautiful illustrations by Charli Vince fully support the spare text. The illustrations are filled with delightful details that will keep young listeners fully engaged. The combination of a charming text and lovely illustrations makes for a winning picture book.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "26-May-2025", "date_added": "24-Feb-2025 19:39:32", "publisher": "Tilbury House Publishers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015561003", "title": "The Next Dimension: How to Use Augmented Reality For Business Growth In The Era of Spatial Computing", "author": "Tom Emrich", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Bradley Allen", "word_count": 299, "review": "Tom Emrich\u2019s The Next Dimension is a thorough and engaging exploration of how augmented reality (AR) is transforming modern business. Geared toward business leaders, marketers, and technologists, the book opens with an accessible introduction to spatial computing, where digital content blends seamlessly into our physical world. Emrich illuminates key AR strategies across marketing, advertising, and retail, showcasing real-world case studies from brands such as LEGO, BMW, Walmart, Gucci, and Diageo. He explains how AR collapses the marketing funnel, generates immersive ad campaigns, and enables AR\u2011driven commerce, offering tools and roadmaps for businesses to activate and engage the emerging \u201cGeneration AR\u201d. In addition, the book includes practical sections on spatial strategy, performance metrics, and hardware ecosystems, making it both visionary and actionable.

Emrich\u2019s narrative is clear, structured, and highly reader-friendly. The book strikes a balance between big-picture vision and hands-on guidance, making it suitable for both executives and practitioners. Each chapter concludes with concise summaries and practical frameworks, enabling readers to quickly grasp key takeaways and apply them to real-world business scenarios. Emrich writes with a conversational tone that demystifies complex topics, making the material accessible even to those new to augmented reality or spatial computing. His background, spanning journalism, product leadership, and investment in AR, brings depth and authority to the content without overwhelming the reader. Additionally, the inclusion of interactive, AR-activated content and a companion digital layer enhances the reading experience, adding a dynamic and modern twist. Overall, the book serves as both a primer and a strategic guide, empowering readers to understand and leverage AR effectively in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The Next Dimension is an essential, well\u2011written guide that demystifies AR and provides actionable strategies to spearhead your business into spatial computing. Highly recommended for anyone aiming to lead in the next era of immersive digital transformation.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Feb-2025 19:38:36", "publisher": "Wiley", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015560007", "title": "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown (Peanuts)", "author": "Charles M Schulz", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 133, "review": "The Peanuts friends are getting ready for Easter, and it seems no one is quite sure what the best way to celebrate is. Marcie and Peppermint Patty want to decorate Easter Eggs, but it seems they aren't on the same page when Peppermint Patty fries the eggs. Linus is sure there is an Easter Beagle, but no one else is so sure. Snoopy wants to dance with Easter Rabbits, but he is unsure. You have to check out this book to see if there is an Easter Beagle. \nThis is a really funny book. The problems Peppermint Patty and Marcie face trying to fix the eggs are hilarious. The illustrations are very cute and colorful, like all of the books from Charles Schultz. This is a classic to add to your holiday collection.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "06-Jun-2025", "date_added": "24-Feb-2025 20:13:30", "publisher": "Simon Spotlight", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015719003", "title": "Mixed-Up", "author": "Kami Garcia, Brittney Williams", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 12", "word_count": 195, "review": "Meet Stella. Stella and her friends are so excited for fifth grade and for a new witch game that is releasing. However, Stella becomes very behind on her textbooks for school, and all her friends are ahead of her on the new game. Stella wants to hang out with her friends, but she\u2019s too embarrassed to say that she\u2019s struggling to read her textbooks. Stella learns that she has dyslexia, and with help, she learns how she can deal with it.

I know that the story is trying to represent the difficulties that come with having dyslexia, but I felt like the story got a little boring because most of the book was just Stella being frustrated and struggling with things. I think the book could\u2019ve used some sort of fun aspect during all Stella's struggles. The art was really good, and I liked the bright colors, but for me, it wasn\u2019t the style of art I personally like. My favorite characters were Stella\u2019s friends: Emiko and Latasha. They seemed like very supportive friends, but their witch obsession got repetitive for me. I recommend this book to people who like witches and people who have dyslexia.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "21-May-2025", "date_added": "27-Mar-2025 20:49:25", "publisher": "First Second", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015717011", "title": "Before Gender: Lost Stories from Trans History, 1850-1950", "author": "Eli Erlick", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 210, "review": "Currently, the issue of gender has become a topic that sparks contentious debates. The plight of the trans individual whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex has often been regarded as a recent occurrence. Quite the contrary, author Era Erick vividly reveals the histories of thirty trans individuals recorded over a hundred years, from 1850 to 1950. Through historical archives, including church records, court accounts, newspaper and magazine stories, and interviews, the reader discovers that both trans men and women have existed in various cultures and countries across the continents. Some were outlaws, a few were royalty, there were healers, pacifists, a snake charmer, a matador, even a wrestler, and more. Many transgender people were fully accepted by their families and communities. Others had a difficult time maintaining their adopted sex and were persecuted under the cross-dressing laws. Those who successfully filled their trans roles, unfortunately, were outed when hospitalized or when dead. The background stories will interest those in the transgender community and provide the general reader with a better understanding of the social problems facing this population. There is much repetition in the narrative, and because most of the data is derived from archival history, the accounts lack a personal perspective.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "31-Jul-2025", "date_added": "27-Mar-2025 22:26:46", "publisher": "Beacon Press", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015716031", "title": "Ice Moon (The Blood Circus Series)", "author": "Camila Victoire", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 197, "review": "Ice Moon is Camila Victore\u2019s second book in her Blood Circus series. Beginning where book one ended, this series makes more sense when read sequentially. Ava must return to the wild to hunt down Warwick, Circo\u2019s king. Aided by Diablo, Ava learns what it means to be Klujn. After surviving the Blood Race that Warwick put her through, Ava must journey on her own personal Blood Race to save those whom she loves. Victore\u2019s first book has a lot in common with Hunger Games. In both series, book 2 finds the young heroine venturing back out while discovering their true self.

Ice Moon is as exciting and fast-paced as book one. Like in Blood Circus, Ava\u2019s character development gives the reader a complete picture of Ava and more insight into Klujns. The world-building in Victore\u2019s dystopian landscape provides both danger and beauty. Victore falls a bit short in the secondary character development. The readers got to meet a bunch of exciting figures in book one, but Ice Moon, we only get recycled characters that do not live up to their roles in book one. For an exciting YA adventure, embark on the journey with Ava in Ice Moon.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2025", "date_added": "27-Mar-2025 23:44:40", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015712027", "title": "Outgrowing Modernity: Navigating Complexity, Complicity, and Collapse with Accountability and Compassion", "author": "Vanessa Machado de Oliveira, Awo Fatokun Faniyii, Keri Facer", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 221, "review": "In Outgrowing Modernity, Vanessa Machado de Oliveira distills the most transformative insights from her work with the Gesturing Toward Decolonial Futures Arts/Research Collective. Expanding on themes of shared responsibility and relational accountability, she explores how discernment, compassion, and embodied awareness can guide us toward deeper transformation. With a sense of urgency, Machado invites readers to radically rewire their thinking, relationships, and actions in the face of overlapping global crises.

Outgrowing Modernity serves as a companion and follow-up to the groundbreaking < em>Hospicing Modernity, a powerful critique of capitalism, industrialization, and colonial systems. In this latest work, Machado offers rich context and insight into the multitude of social and ecological crises shaping our world. While it builds on ideas from her earlier book, Outgrowing Modernity, it stands on its own: it is accessible and relevant even to readers new to her work.

With bold clarity, Machado invites readers to reimagine how we think, feel, and act in ways that support collective healing and transformation. The exercises and prompts in the book are thought-provoking and intentionally crafted to transform our relationship with ourselves, one another, and the world. Machado offers piercing questions confronting painful and uncomfortable truths, yet her approach invites reflection without despair. Instead, readers are guided toward new ways of engaging with our human and more-than-human kin, grounded in humility, connection, and imagination.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2025", "date_added": "27-Mar-2025 23:53:23", "publisher": "North Atlantic Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015711023", "title": "The Palace at the End of the Sea: A Novel (Theo Sterling)", "author": "Simon Tolkien", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 184, "review": "The Palace at the End of the Sea is a classic bildungsroman, a story of a young man coming of age in a complicated world. Theo Sterling, our hero, begins his story with the Great Depression in New York City, where his father does his best to keep his garment factory afloat. His life will later take him to a boarding school in England, then to Andalusia as World War II approaches.

The first part of the story felt very familiar to me, though I could not put my finger on why. I soon realized it was because most of the characters felt like stock figures, archetypes meant to illustrate some philosophical point or move the story along. A few of them had moments of depth, but for the most part, what you see on first encountering a character is how they will remain for the rest of their time in the narrative.

Approaching this book as a character-driven novel left me unimpressed, but I enjoyed it more when I took it as a sort of historical parable. I\u2019ll definitely look out for the follow-up book.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "31-Jul-2025", "date_added": "27-Mar-2025 23:47:13", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "463 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015711015", "title": "Dead in the Frame", "author": "Stephen Spotswood", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 176, "review": "If you\u2019re a fan of snappy dialogue, gutsy heroines, and 1940s New York, the Pentecost and Parker mystery series is just the ticket for you. Will Parker doggedly works to free her boss, Lillian Pentecost, from the notorious House of D (D for detention), where she awaits trial. The murdered man was odious, a collector of violence and other people\u2019s pain, and had publicly declared his intention to ruin Ms. P\u2019s vaunted reputation as a detective. But she couldn\u2019t have been the one who pulled the trigger\u2014could she? When Will isn\u2019t running up against dead ends, barely restraining herself from decking obstinate witnesses, and making smart-aleck remarks, we are treated to Ms. P\u2019s jailhouse journal as she struggles to keep her fear in check. A colorful cast of characters blends well with thoughtful insights on the price of cruelty and revenge that seem particularly apt in these times\u2014another whip-smart entry in the Pentecost and Parker series. Reading the five books in order gives an extra pay-off, but you can dive right in with this newest one.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "21-May-2025", "date_added": "27-Mar-2025 21:09:25", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015710027", "title": "Breath of the Dragon", "author": "Fonda Lee,Shannon Lee", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 192, "review": "The Breath of the Dragon is an exciting, fast-paced martial arts fantasy thriller and the first book in the Breathmarked series. This book has the feel of a Bruce Lee kung fu movie, and for good reason. The inspiration for this novel came from the writings and ideas of Bruce Lee. Shannon Lee, Bruce Lee\u2019s daughter, collaborated with award-winning fantasy author Fonda Lee to create this masterpiece. Their novel combines ass-kicking fight scenes with an engaging plot and dynamic characters.

Fonda Lee\u2019s genius is front and center with her detailed and striking world-building. Fonda goes into great detail in the creation of the culture, religions, and social hierarchy. When Fonda creates a new setting for a book, she goes way beyond just a simple map. She breathes life into the settings of her stories. With teenage protagonists, this book is a coming-of-age young-adult novel. Much of this book\u2019s fun is experiencing the characters\u2019 growth. The compelling character development combined with an exciting storyline and edge-of-your-seat fight scenes is just the beginning of an epic fantasy series. This is all the action-packed kung-fu fury of a Bruce Lee film melded with Fonda Lee\u2019s creativity.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "24-May-2025", "date_added": "27-Mar-2025 21:14:39", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015710023", "title": "Bonded in Death (In Death, 60)", "author": "J D Robb", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 190, "review": "I was excited to receive a copy of the latest J.D. Robb suspense novel from her In Death series. Eve Dallas is a fantastic protagonist and sometimes I forget that the books are set so far in the future. In this book, Dallas is called out personally when a faux version of her business card found on a dead man tells her that there will be other murders. The card is found on a man named Giovanni Rossi, an ex-spy who served during the Urban Wars. The group he belonged to, also known as The Twelve, all have code names. His was Wasp. They also each have a specific set of skills.

Dallas, Peabody, and Rourke quickly figure out who the murderer is and it is a cat-and-mouse chase that ensues. Although I enjoyed the characters and the dialogue, I found myself rather bored about halfway through the story. We already knew who Dallas was looking for and despite the action scene, it really was just a bunch of running around. Overall, this book was an easy read, however, it wasn\u2019t as engaging as the others I\u2019ve read in the series.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "21-May-2025", "date_added": "27-Mar-2025 21:12:27", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015710003", "title": "Avery and the Fairy Circle ", "author": "Rowan Kingsbury", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 188, "review": "Avery and the Fairy Circle is about a young girl who recently moved to a new town; while exploring her backyard, she discovers it is more magical than she ever anticipated. Rummaging past unknowingly magical mushrooms transports her to the invisible world of fairies, where she makes a deal with one friendly girl who isn't much different than herself. When the bargain is complete, and she's back in the land of the \"big,\" Avery is told she can visit again when the time is right.

This story is presented in graphic novel format, which initially drew me in because this is one of my preferred formats to read; I am also a fan of fairies and the fantasy genre, which did not disappoint me in this book. Readers who enjoy fantasy and are around Avery's age (to possibly interject themselves in her place) will have a great time on Avery's journey with the fairies and the fairy circle! The way the story ends seems to allow for future stories to happen, so I am curious to see if there will be more stories of Avery and the fairies.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "21-May-2025", "date_added": "27-Mar-2025 19:28:50", "publisher": "Flying Eye Books Ltd.", "page_count": "56 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015706023", "title": "Wayward Girls: A Novel", "author": "Susan Wiggs", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 228, "review": "Having read and loved other works by Susan Wings, I was excited to read Wayward Girls, especially because it focuses on young women during the Vietnam era who are sent away for various reasons. It was disheartening to discover the unevenness of this novel.

The first 200 pages, set in 1968, tell the compelling story of Mairin O'Hara, whose mother sends her to live with the Catholic Sisters of the Good Shepherd at a home for wayward girls. Mairin's only sin is that she is beautiful, and her stepfather has taken too much of an interest in her. At the home, she meets young women who are pregnant through uneducated dalliances with boyfriends and girls who have been raped as well as girls whose poverty stricken families simply couldn't support them. The home is dangerous, the women who run it are cruel, and the wayward girls aren't safe.

There is a sudden time shift that covers eight years in the next sixty pages, and the final 100 pages of the novel jump ahead 50 years. It is a whiplash pace that doesn't do justice to Mairin or the other characters, and it's a real disappointment. While the premise and some of the writing in Wayward Girls are excellent, I wish Wiggs had made this a two- or three-book series to develop all the threads she created, which simply get lost.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "27-Mar-2025 23:12:46", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015704003", "title": "The Felons' Ball: A Novel", "author": "Polly Stewart", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 195, "review": "Family is always complicated, and no one knows that better than Natalie, who navigates her father\u2019s birthday party while balancing her secret relationship with his best friend. Keeping that secret becomes harder when she discovers her boyfriend\u2019s body, which shines an unfortunate light on her family. As she digs into the past, she begins to wonder if his son\u2019s disappearance years ago is connected and quickly learns there\u2019s a reason the past should stay buried.

The story is primarily grounded in the family dynamics, with the murder catalyzing the exposure of secrets from the past and producing present-day drama. These dynamics drum up buried feelings in Natalie and her family members, which adds a delightful amount of chaos. Each character is flawed in some way, making them feel more realistic and unpredictable in the choices they make. The mystery elements lead to startling revelations and a surprising conclusion as Natalie is forced to confront everything she\u2019s avoided. The secrets steadily pile up until everything explodes, which effectively keeps you engaged in the story and wanting to know more. The Felon\u2019s Ball is an engaging mystery about family secrets, facing the past, and the choices you make.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Mar-2025 23:12:28", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015702015", "title": "Is This My Final Form? (Penguin Poets)", "author": "Amy Gerstler", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 247, "review": "Poet Amy Gerstler's most recent collection, Is This My Final Form?, is a cipher through which the experience of women and men and all in between can be understood. As she works through feelings about aging, the poems field images of animals; as she considers what comes next, a theme of metamorphosis emerges, but it is not always positive. The collection, which includes a ten-minute play titled \"Siren Island,\" isn't one meditation on living\u2014it's 77 pages of questions answered in stunning description.

The collection opens with what I'll call a prologue poem since it appears prior to the start of section one; there are five labeled sections to the book. This poem, \"When I Was a Bird,\" laments what was lost while also celebrating what once existed. It includes language of flight, sex, birth, and disbelief\u2014all hallmarks of a human life\u2014and serves as a brilliant introduction to the rest of the book.

Some of the standout poems for me are those written for characters. \"The Bride of Frankenstein\" and \"Mae West Sonnet\" both appear in section one and are simultaneously heartbreaking and clever. Not laugh-out-loud funny, but there is a humor in their darkness. Section three includes two prose poems, \"Mr. Moderation\" and \"The Fall,\" which, when read together, illustrate two different kinds of dissatisfaction with the everyday. But the stunner appears on page 60: a brief poem titled \"One Who Is Always Arriving\" may well be the best newly written love poem I've read in a long while.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "04-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Mar-2025 23:18:17", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015701011", "title": "Scam: Inside Southeast Asia's Cybercrime Compounds", "author": "Ivan Franceschini, Ling Li, Mark Bo", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 156, "review": "Cybercrime appears to be growing, and despite the warnings, victims are still lured into cunning traps originating in Southeast Asia. The authors report on interviews with survivors of scam compounds in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. Survivors came from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Uganda, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, and Brazil. The book is filled with stories of scam operations, the slave conditions of the deceived workers, and their helplessness once they have been lured into the system. The book covers many stories of the dismal conditions and the unreliability of legal or government assistance. Many of the sources are in Asian languages, so the author\u2019s translations are essential. The reader can only be astonished and horrified by the accounts of this nefarious cybercrime scenario. What is especially concerning is that the governments seem to ignore the cybercrime industry and offer no help for its victims. It is heavy and depressing reading.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Mar-2025 22:30:45", "publisher": "Verso Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015701003", "title": "The Invisible Spy: Churchill's Rockefeller Center Spy Ring and America\u2019s First Secret Agent of World War II", "author": "Thomas Maier", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 197, "review": "Ernest Cuneo was a man who ran in influential circles from the 1930s onward, serving as a staffer to future New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and as a junior member of Franklin D. Roosevelt\u2019s \u201cBrain Trust.\u201d The former NFL player was a lawyer whose valuable legal advice garnered him famed clients such as journalists Drew Pearson and Walter Winchell. As World War II raged, Cuneo would assume a far more significant position: a key intermediary between a British espionage operation and the nascent US intelligence agency, the Office of Strategic Services(OSS). As the British Security Coordination ran propaganda and covert operations against isolationists, fifth columnists and actual Nazis in the US, Cuneo passed information between BSC head William Stephenson and OSS head William Donovan. Cuneo\u2019s role would remain hidden for many years because of his reticence, yet his assistance remained indispensable.

The Invisible Spy is an enthralling real-life spy thriller by journalist Thomas Maier(\u201cMafia Spies\u201d). Ernest Cuneo was not your average covert operator, but he took to his patriotic mission with alacrity. Maier has written a comprehensive account of a political operator, litigator, friend, and confidant to both spy and celebrity who left his mark on the world.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "27-May-2025", "date_added": "25-Mar-2025 22:14:25", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015696015", "title": "Not Quite Dead Yet: A Novel", "author": "Holly Jackson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 177, "review": "Jet Mason was attacked on Halloween night, which left her with a brain injury that will kill her in a week. She\u2019s Not Quite Dead Yet, so she\u2019s going to use what little time she has left to solve her murder. Jet spends the next few days digging up every clue she can find, but where they lead is somewhere far darker than she could have ever imagined. Before her time runs out, she will uncover answers she didn\u2019t even know she had questions for and discover a little bit more about herself along the way.

Jet seems like she would have been a really fun person to get to know, so this book is hard to read, spending so much time with her before she\u2019s gone. The author brings you along for quite the thrill ride as you not just solve Jet\u2019s murder, but also experience what it\u2019s like for her in the week leading up to her death. If you enjoy mysteries and messed-up families, then you need to add this book to your reading list.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "26-Mar-2025 00:27:45", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015696003", "title": "99% Perspiration: A New Working History of the American Way of Life", "author": "Adam Chandler", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 169, "review": "The author details compelling evidence that Americans work longer and harder for increasingly diminished rewards. He compares the American way of work unfavorably to France and other countries, which maintain greater productivity despite larger benefits and fewer working hours. He also dispels the myth of the Puritan ethos that hard work assures its own rewards. That if one expends enough energy, passion, and time at the labor, success will follow. However, with ample evidence in this book to refute that belief, it is a certainty that Americans have been sold a bill of goods by those who would profit enormously from the labor of their workers. He doesn\u2019t see that AI offers a better way of existence for those who are used and then replaced by robots. His solution is the guaranteed income so that people can buy food and exist, albeit at a minimal level. Surely, that little investment in children and their families can reap rich rewards regarding the American way of life and living\u2014an essential read.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "27-May-2025", "date_added": "25-Mar-2025 20:25:11", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015694011", "title": "The Icarus Coda (7) (The Icarus Saga)", "author": "Timothy Zahn", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 199, "review": "The Icarus Coda by best-selling author Timothy Zahn is the final chapter in his award-winning series, Icarus Saga. Being the sixth book in this exciting, binge-worthy series, previous events make much more sense when read in order. Comparing this book to the rest of the series and other Zahn novels, The Icarus Coda is more action-packed with more interplanetary fight and chase scenes. The same characters who are involved in all the added drama are the highlights of this series. Zahn is a master at character development, and even after six books, there are no boring or forgettable players. Zahn introduces an essential new character for this book that helps explain everything that has led up to this point and adds to the overall delight and humor of this book.

In The Icarus Coda, we follow Roarke and his partner Selene while hunting for one last portal. The plot of all six books is similar, but the beauty of this series is the twists, turns, and misdirection Zahn throws to the readers. As finales go, this book and its ending are incredibly satisfying. As Gregory Roarke so elegantly put it, we are \u201cReaching the end of a long twisty road.\u201d", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "27-May-2025", "date_added": "25-Mar-2025 23:57:11", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015685003", "title": "The Society of Unknowable Objects: A Novel", "author": "Gareth Brown", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 203, "review": "Magnolia earned her spot in the Society of Unknowable Objects the same way everyone else did, with the death of a family member who was once part of the society. In Magnolia\u2019s case, it was her mom. After her mother\u2019s death, Magnolia was presented with a letter from her mother explaining her new responsibilities, keeping the world safe from the magic that not many know about. And like many secret societies, the truth is just as hidden. Magnolia travels the globe where the society sends her looking for these objects, but others are also searching. Danger, mystery, and magical objects can be hidden anywhere. \n

The Society of Unknowable Objects by best-selling author Gareth Brown is part mystical, intrigue, and mystery. Brown\u2019s novel is also a bit of magical realism and a bit of a paranormal thriller. Brown\u2019s characters are not supernatural, nor are they magical. They are normal, everyday people who happen to be involved with a secret society that hunts for magical objects hidden in plain sight. Brown\u2019s novel feels like a mix of the television shows The Librarians and Warehouse 13. The beauty of Brown\u2019s story is the normalcy of his characters and settings, with hidden bits of magic thrown in.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2025", "date_added": "25-Mar-2025 19:07:22", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015683007", "title": "Blood Ties: A Novel", "author": "Jo Nesbo, Robert Ferguson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 183, "review": "Roy Opgard and his younger brother Carl run a business empire in the town of Os. Roy has handled any threats to their business with ruthless efficiency. Roy has acted as his brother\u2019s keeper for decades, whether it be cleaning up Carl\u2019s messes or becoming an accomplice to his crimes. There is a sizable body count that has accumulated as a result of this fraternal devotion. Local Sheriff Kurt Olsen has been gunning for Roy for years, as he believes Roy murdered his father, the former sheriff of Os. As Roy must deal with the scrutiny of law enforcement, he begins to question his loyalty to his brother and wonder if the bond of brotherhood has become an albatross.

Jo Nesbo has distinguished himself as a superb writer of the mystery thriller with his Harry Hole series, along with other standout novels. Blood Ties continues to show his versatility in crafting riveting crime fiction. Roy and Carl Opgard are fascinating lead characters who are united by birth as well as their shared crimes. Nesbo subtly builds the tension until the inevitable but engrossing showdown.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "26-May-2025", "date_added": "25-Mar-2025 19:17:03", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015680011", "title": "Holmes Is Missing: A Holmes, Margaret & Poe Mystery", "author": "James Patterson, Brian Sitts", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 177, "review": "Holmes is Missing is the next book in the Holmes, Margaret, and Poe series by James Patterson and Brian Sitts. In this story, the three detectives are hired by a group of parents who have had their newborn babies kidnapped from a hospital. Margaret and Poe must pick up Holmes from his rehabilitation center first. Then they get to work.

What I love is the storyline of this book. The detectives are able to figure out that the bracelets that monitor the babies are defunct. Then they look at who was and wasn\u2019t on staff when the babies were kidnapped. The clues unravel neatly, almost too neatly.

The part that I didn\u2019t particularly like was Holmes backstory. He\u2019s a very high maintenance character and I feel that he brings the other two characters down with his dramatics.

Overall, the story reads quickly and easily. In true Patterson tradition, the chapters are very short which also makes the book more digestible. I would recommend this to those who are already Patterson fans. It\u2019s not his best work, but it\u2019s entertaining enough.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "26-May-2025", "date_added": "25-Mar-2025 19:26:02", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015679035", "title": "Stolen Histories (The Infinite Night Saga) ", "author": "B.R. Michaels", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 412, "review": "Amari Kato is a thief of some notoriety who abhors the corruption she sees in the world and looks to strike back at the amoral elites. She and her roommate Taliya live in the city of Castor, where they make their living off Amari\u2019s larcenous pursuits. The pair can function efficiently as Amari is a seer, and Taliya can control water. Their criminal exploits often come with complications, as when in the midst of robbing magic tokens, Amari and Taliya were forced to reckon with a dragon. They were able to get away with their lives, but extra care would need to be taken with their next heist.

The next job would be of someone else\u2019s choosing, as Taliya would be confronted by men seeking to hire the duo for a high-profile and dangerous break-in at an archive belonging to the royal family. Amari\u2019s desire to steal from and embarrass the Abolon Empire proves alluring, but a significant job requires a team of skilled brigands. Soon, Amari and Taliya are leading a group of individuals, such as Erika, a nullifier, and fighters like Najaah and Kol. Amari will use an intense training course to test their limits and prove their mettle before embarking on their dangerous mission.

\\Amari and her assemblage of warriors will need to be stealthy in their movements as they attempt to pull off the robbery of a lifetime. As they will find out, getting in may be easy, but escaping will prove formidable, especially when up against the armed guards of the empire.

Stolen Histories is an intelligent and rousing fantasy tale set in an urban dystopia in the distant future. The population of Castor and neighboring cities is an atypical lot in their biological hybrid makeup and special abilities, yet their motivations are all very human. Amari believes in the righteousness of her actions, even though the consequences for them may prove deadly. Erika is a precocious student of history with something to prove, and later exudes courage under fire when tested. Secrecy emerges as a key theme in the story, as Amari hides a key to her identity from the group, as does Erika. Despite each member\u2019s differences, they will need to place trust in the other and come together as a cohesive unit. Author B.R. Michaels has done an excellent job in creating an eclectic group of rogues who bring humor, personality, and gravitas to the dynamic narrative. This novel proved to be adrenaline-filled from start to finish.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2025", "date_added": "23-Mar-2025 19:53:59", "publisher": "Once Upon A Queer Publishing LLC", "page_count": "601 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015679027", "title": "Embrace Your Freedom: Winning Strategies to Succeed in College and in Life", "author": "Dr. Philip Glotzbach", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 400, "review": "As a parent navigating the tightrope walk between encouraging independence and providing support, I found Embrace Your Freedom: Winning Strategies to Succeed in College and in Life to be more than just a guidebook for incoming college students\u2014it\u2019s a heartfelt and deeply practical manual for launching young adults into the world. Written by Philip A. Glotzbach, President Emeritus of Skidmore College, the book is part roadmap, part pep talk, and part life philosophy, all grounded in decades of experience in higher education and parenting.

What stands out most is Glotzbach\u2019s understanding of the emotional and intellectual leap college demands. In the opening chapter, he likens the transition to being \u201cbetween trapezes\u201d\u2014a vivid and honest metaphor for the exhilaration and fear students (and their parents) feel during this life change. He doesn\u2019t downplay the challenges, but instead frames them as opportunities for growth. This sets the tone for the book\u2019s central message: embracing freedom requires responsibility, self-awareness, and intention.

Glotzbach structures the book in three thoughtful sections: the \"Big Picture\" of what a college education is really for; \u201cEight Steps to a Highly Successful Life,\u201d which reads like a motivational yet grounded checklist; and finally, a crucial section for parents. As a mother, I especially appreciated Chapters 10 and 11, which address our role in this journey\u2014not as managers, but as partners. The advice to \u201cbe supportive but not intrusive\u201d resonates, and I found myself bookmarking passages to return to during moments of worry or uncertainty.

Throughout, Glotzbach draws on real stories\u2014like that of Chris, a Skidmore alum who shifted from aspiring writer to successful app developer\u2014to illustrate the unpredictable yet rewarding paths that liberal arts education can foster. His argument that students need a \u201ccognitive Swiss Army knife\u201d to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market is both compelling and reassuring, especially for those of us who worry about the future our children are stepping into.

What elevates this book beyond standard college prep fare is its emphasis on lifelong learning, civic engagement, and personal integrity. Glotzbach doesn\u2019t just want students to graduate; he wants them to become thoughtful, resilient, and responsible citizens. His voice is warm, wise, and refreshingly unpretentious.

Whether you're a student preparing for campus life or a parent navigating the letting-go process, Embrace Your Freedom offers comfort and challenge. It reminded me that education is not just about career readiness\u2014it\u2019s about becoming fully human. And that\u2019s a message worth passing on.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2025", "date_added": "23-Mar-2025 19:50:00", "publisher": "Post Hill Press", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015679019", "title": "Bird Without a Cage: Book One in the Bird Without a Cage Series", "author": "Brandon Zenner", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 402, "review": "Brandon Zenner\u2019s Bird Without a Cage is a vivid, immersive plunge into the chaos of 1940 France\u2014equal parts war diary and existential reckoning. Told through the eyes of a French quartermaster, Zenner\u2019s novel is a rare kind of historical fiction: intimate without being sentimental, and grand in scale without ever losing its grip on the human pulse.

Set during the German invasion of France, the novel chronicles the fall of Sarrebourg\u2019s 23rd Company of Intendance as they attempt to evacuate ahead of the Nazi advance. What begins as an organized withdrawal quickly unravels into a desperate flight through crumbling cities, bombed bridges, and endless convoys of displaced civilians. Through it all, Zenner's narrator, a sharp-witted clerk with a poet\u2019s heart, reflects on duty, futility, and the strange, stubborn hope of survival.

One of the novel\u2019s most compelling themes is the illusion of control. Early in the book, the warehouse clerks are confident in their routine, typing inventory while the war rages elsewhere. But Zenner slowly peels away that sense of order. When Lieutenant Serre finally announces that the unit must evacuate without a clear destination, the dread is palpable. The warehouse\u2014a symbol of structure and logic\u2014burns, and with it, the narrator\u2019s old identity.

Zenner\u2019s prose is both brisk and lyrical. A standout scene occurs during an air raid in Bourbonne-les-Bains: \u201cMy heart thumps against my uniform as if it might explode from my chest like a hand grenade.\u201d That line stuck with me, a visceral encapsulation of panic. Similarly, when the convoy watches a village burn by night, the narrator calls it \u201capocalypse tonight,\u201d a grim nod to both literary gravitas and black humor\u2014something the book wields with skill.

There\u2019s also surprising tenderness here. In one scene, the narrator helps a mother carry her children during the chaotic climb over a lock wall. It\u2019s a moment that underscores the novel\u2019s central metaphor\u2014people, like birds, caged by circumstance, fluttering toward freedom. When a literal birdcage is left behind, its door swinging open, it lands like a gut punch: liberation, perhaps, but at what cost?

If Bird Without a Cage has a flaw, it\u2019s that the relentless pace and military jargon may overwhelm readers unfamiliar with World War II minutiae. But for those willing to surrender to its current, the novel is both harrowing and beautiful.

Zenner has crafted more than just a war novel; he\u2019s delivered a meditation on displacement, resilience, and the aching weight of history. Highly recommended.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "14-Apr-2025", "date_added": "23-Mar-2025 19:46:04", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "139 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015679015", "title": "Bird Without a Cage: Book One in the Bird Without a Cage Series", "author": "Brandon Zenner", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 402, "review": "Brandon Zenner\u2019s Bird Without a Cage is a deeply immersive and hauntingly beautiful account of the French retreat during the summer of 1940, as seen through the eyes of a young military clerk named Zenner. With a quiet elegance and a historian\u2019s eye for detail, Zenner constructs a narrative that is both intensely personal and epic in scope. From the confines of a warehouse in Sarrebourg to the desperate escape through rural France, this novel captures the emotional, physical, and psychological toll of a country collapsing under the weight of war.

At the heart of this novel lies a powerful theme of displacement\u2014soldiers without weapons, civilians without homes, and a protagonist without answers. As Zenner navigates the chaos of evacuation, the novel becomes a meditation on the absurdities of bureaucracy in wartime, the fragility of human endurance, and the longing for dignity amidst dehumanizing conditions. Particularly poignant are the scenes where Zenner and his fellow soldiers try to maintain order among crowds of terrified refugees, offering compassion where they can and confronting the helplessness of their situation.

The camaraderie between Zenner, Mazas, and Longchamps provides the emotional anchor of the story. Their interactions are laced with dry humor, shared frustration, and mutual respect\u2014human moments that shine against the backdrop of political failure and military disarray. Zenner\u2019s internal reflections on love, family, and what it means to serve in a war that seems lost before it has truly begun are quietly devastating, particularly when paired with the imagery of firelit towns, bombed-out roads, and endless lines of fleeing citizens.

The themes Zenner carries throughout\u2014disillusionment, sacrifice, resilience, and the chaos of leadership in crisis\u2014are rendered with a clear, unflinching gaze. There\u2019s an underlying tenderness to the prose, particularly in how Zenner observes the world around him, whether it\u2019s a fellow soldier\u2019s nervous tic, a mother\u2019s trembling hands, or the smell of butter on a rare caf\u00e9 steak. These details remind the reader that beauty and humanity persist even in war.

Bird Without a Cage is not a sweeping tale of battlefield heroism, but rather an intimate and moving portrayal of survival, retreat, and the quiet grace of decency in the face of despair. It left me with a heavy heart and a profound admiration for Zenner\u2019s voice\u2014resigned, observant, and ultimately, deeply human. It\u2019s a story I\u2019ll carry with me for a long time\u2014haunted not just by the tragedy of war, but by the compassion that endured within it.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "05-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Mar-2025 19:45:55", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "139 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015679007", "title": "Devil's Roadtrip: The Collected Poetry of Armando Gonzalez", "author": "Armando Gonzalez", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 374, "review": "Armando Gonzalez\u2019s Devil\u2019s Roadtrip is a sharp, haunting, and darkly funny poetry collection that drives straight into the heart of human contradiction. At just 65 pages, it\u2019s a compact but potent ride \u2014 a desert roadtrip through despair, memory, desire, and absurdity, with the devil himself riding shotgun.

What resonated with me was Gonzalez\u2019s ability to be both unfiltered and deeply poetic. His Lucifer is not some abstract evil \u2014 he\u2019s a beer-drinking, cowboy-hatted misfit (\u201cLucifer in a ten-gallon hat\u2026 dancing hula girl tattoo\u201d) who\u2019s almost more human than devil. The journey becomes a metaphor for grief, guilt, and the search for meaning in a broken-down Chevy of a life. That final image of hearts falling from a mysterious box and staining the sand pink in the desert? It lingers.

Gonzalez writes with a fierce rhythm that recalls the beat poets and Bukowski, but with more introspection and cultural layering. Poems like \u201cStyx Mea\u201d and \u201cSomnium Supermercati\u201d capture the push-pull between self-destruction and transcendence. In the latter, a supermarket becomes a surreal warzone of late-stage capitalism and spiritual decay \u2014 \u201cpress your soul against mine while I\u2019m at the Supermart and feel nothing but my coat wet from toilet water from aisle 7.\u201d It\u2019s grotesque, hilarious, and unnervingly poignant.

The collection also shines in its cultural specificity. Gonzalez grounds many poems in the Mexican-American experience \u2014 from Progreso border town memories to Catholic schoolgirl flashbacks \u2014 without ever slipping into clich\u00e9. The language is rich with Spanglish grit, musicality, and spiritual hunger. \u201cProgreso International Bridge\u201d is a standout: part Kafka hallucination, part drunken prayer, it blends surrealism with raw border-town realism in a way that\u2019s both funny and devastating.

If there\u2019s a critique to be had, it\u2019s that the tone can be unrelentingly intense. There are few moments of quiet or restraint \u2014 Gonzalez goes full throttle from start to finish. A bit more structural variety or room to breathe between poems might have helped the strongest pieces land with even more impact.

\nStill, Devil\u2019s Roadtrip is a thrilling, unforgettable collection. It doesn\u2019t just ask you to read \u2014 it dares you to ride shotgun. It\u2019s not for the faint of heart, but for those who love poetry with edge, humor, and soul \u2014 this one\u2019s for you.", "issue": "April 2025", "date_posted": "15-Apr-2025", "date_added": "23-Mar-2025 19:42:17", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "85 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015677003", "title": "The Cartoonists Club: A Graphic Novel", "author": "Raina Telgemeier, Scott McCloud", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 197, "review": "Makayla loves telling stories, but drawing is definitely not her thing. When she sees Howard\u2019s artwork, she thinks she has found a solution\u2014she can write, and he can draw! However, they don\u2019t know much about the process, so they go to the school\u2019s expert, their Library Media Specialist, Ms. Fatima. With a bit of guidance, Ms. Fatima helps Makayla and Howard create The Cartoonist\u2019s Club. Art, who has a case of art supplies, joins. Quiet Lynda, who isn\u2019t ready to share, joins to see if she likes it. Each week, Ms. Fatima offers information about cartooning and challenges them with projects and activities. When the downtown library announces a comics convention, Ms. Fatima encourages the group to apply. But are they good enough? They\u2019re just kids, after all!

Kids have been clamoring for another Raina Telgemeier book, and will not be disappointed. The colors are vibrant, and the diversity is welcoming to all readers. This book is more informational and breaks the fourth wall for hilarity and information sharing. Cartooning information is dropped as info dumps throughout by the school librarian, but the kids make it fun and exciting. Great for Telgemeier fans and those interested in cartooning", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "31-Jul-2025", "date_added": "21-Mar-2025 22:29:51", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015675007", "title": "Here for a Good Time", "author": "Pyae Moe Thet War", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 194, "review": "Poe and Zwe are lifelong friends and roommates, each harboring secret crushes on one another. Poe is a writer and, after a bestselling debut novel, needs inspiration for her next book. She knows that a vacation to a remote island will cure her writer\u2019s block, and convinces Zwe to accompany her. Although things start off dreamily, their perfect vacation soon becomes a nightmare as they are ambushed by masked criminals who appear to want them dead.
\nHere for a Good Time started off with top-notch banter and a cute dynamic between pals Poe and Zwe. However, as Zwe became close to hotel staffer Leila, Poe\u2019s protective instincts and jealous feelings caused hurt feelings and jabs between Poe and Zwe. The descriptions of the remote island made me want to go visit \u2013 at least until everything went south! I was surprised by the main plot twist, and the story became more of a thriller than a romance. However, the last few pages made me audibly whisper \u201caww!\u201d and I loved the heartwarming ending. Some of the drama was a bit immature for my taste, but this was an enjoyable novel with a fast-moving plot.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2025", "date_added": "21-Mar-2025 22:37:45", "publisher": "St. Martin's Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015675003", "title": "Fifty Fifty: A Novel (5) (Eddie Flynn Series)", "author": "Steve Cavanagh", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 188, "review": "The 911 calls came from the same residence and spoke of a ghastly homicide, both callers' voices dripping with fear. The victim was former NYC Mayor Frank Avellino; the 911 calls came from Avellino\u2019s daughters, Sofia and Alexandra. Both alleged the other had murdered their father. Attorney Eddie Flynn knows he faces an uphill climb in representing Sofia Avellino, but he only represents clients he believes in. However, Flynn\u2019s case becomes more challenging as the prosecutor plans to try both sisters in a joint trial, and Alexandra\u2019s attorney plans to point the finger at Sofia. The case becomes more complicated with a biased judge and the untimely deaths of witnesses and investigators. Now, Flynn intends not only to get his client acquitted but also to expose a cold-blooded murderer.

Fifty Fifty is a knockout thriller from the outstanding mind of author Steve Cavanagh (Witness 8). The narrative is seen through multiple perspectives and keeps the reader on their toes with clever misdirection and shocking revelations. Steve Cavanagh has penned a sharp, intelligent, and ultimately unforgettable drama that unfolds in the courtroom and on the streets of New York.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2025", "date_added": "21-Mar-2025 21:04:47", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015673007", "title": "How to Dodge a Cannonball", "author": "Dennard Dayle", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Dillon Allen-Perez", "word_count": 177, "review": "Anders is a hapless white teen volunteering as a flag twirler for the U.S. Civil War's Union Army. He\u2019s doing this to dodge his abusive mother. Then, he dodges one deadly battle, playing dead in the mud and escaping to join an all-Black squad of soldiers. He claims to be an octoroon: one-eighth Black. Perhaps he\u2019s more lucky than hapless\u2014he keeps finding ways to survive.

Full of characters, race swapping, gender swapping, writing plays within the novel, and engaging in other slapstick spy absurdities, Dayle\u2019s satirical comedy How to Dodge a Cannonball would make Shakespeare himself unsure where to look.

With a great concept and title, the execution disappoints. Stylistically, this novel fails at achieving a language believable to the time. Worse, no single character has a distinct voice. The author\u2019s voice\u2014that generally comes across as trying to be clever\u2014invades each line. There should be more action descriptions to break up all the dialogue that bleeds together.

Though the plot was losing me more and more the further I read, I have to say: it has a pretty good ending.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "06-Jun-2025", "date_added": "21-Mar-2025 22:04:21", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000015673003", "title": "The Frozen People: A Mystery (Ali Dawson Mysteries)", "author": "Elly Griffiths", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 198, "review": "Ali Dawson and her cold case team refer to themselves as The Frozen People, as they work on cases so old that they\u2019re considered frozen. Their team has the unique ability to travel back in time to gather evidence for their cold cases. Ali is asked to investigate the great-great-grandfather of a politician, one whom her son works for. The person in question was part of a group known as the Collectors and was thought to have murdered three women. Ali travels back to 1850 to investigate and ends up stuck. When another team member comes to rescue her, he informs her that the politician has been murdered and her son is the main suspect. Ali knows the cases are related, but she has no idea how far it goes.

This story has a lot of potential and is well written for a time-traveling tale. It doesn\u2019t focus too strongly on the time travel bit to get confusing, and the premise was certainly interesting. Ali is a super fun character to get to know. The only disappointing aspect is that the mysteries from the Victorian part of the story are hardly explored. Overall, a fun, unique mystery to read.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2025", "date_added": "21-Mar-2025 20:52:19", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015672007", "title": "The Book of Lost Hours: A GMA Book Club Pick (a Novel)", "author": "Hayley Gelfuso", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 183, "review": "Time as a fourth dimension has often been explored in science fiction, although I have rarely seen it explored in a library, and even less so poetically than Gelfuso employs it. Her debut novel\u2014and what a debut it is!\u2014features a library that exists beyond our three dimensions, one in which people who own specially made watches can access the memories of others, spanning from the beginning of time to the present day.

Or, if they wish, they can burn them, erasing the person from everyone\u2019s memories.

The Book of Lost Hours is a beautifully written work of speculative fiction, but it is so much more than just that. It is also a spy thriller, a Cold War story that features not only a hidden aspect of the war but also another faction within that hidden conflict. It is also a love story, one filled with exquisite longing and joyful moments to delight any romantic. All three of these genres are braided together to perfection.

This is one of the best books I\u2019ve read this year, and I\u2019m very excited to see what Hayley Gelfuso does next!", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2025", "date_added": "21-Mar-2025 22:25:59", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015671003", "title": "She Didn't See It Coming: A Novel", "author": "Shari Lapena", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 179, "review": "Bryden and Sam seem to be the perfect couple. That fa\u00e7ade falls away quickly when Bryden goes missing from their apartment. Her computer, keys, and phone are still on the table, and her car is in the garage. As the police begin the search for Bryden, a lot of secrets begin to spill out, not just in their life, but also in the lives of their family, friends, and neighbors. Everyone has something to hide. Despite all the secrets, She Didn\u2019t See It Coming

Lapena does such a good job with her domestic thrillers. Almost too good of a job, because you always start to look at the people around you a little differently when you finish one of her stories. The only downside of this story was that the writing tended to be full of statements. The story was there, but you\u2019re reading other people's thoughts, and they didn\u2019t feel connected or emotional, just statements. That seemed different from her other books. Overall, it is a good mystery to add to your collection, but maybe not her best work.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2025", "date_added": "21-Mar-2025 20:47:11", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015670003", "title": "The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey", "author": "Kathleen Kaufman", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 206, "review": "Nairna Liath\u2019s whole life is uprooted following the death of her Nan, and now she\u2019s traveling with her father, using her ability to interpret tarot cards for money. One day, she meets a wealthy stranger who sees something special in her. The encounter offers her the chance to transform her life by joining an elite Spiritualist society. Her new life quickly faces upheaval when a seance gone wrong ends in scandal, forcing her to relocate outside of Boston, where she reinvents herself as Nora Grey.

The historical setting is key to understanding the journey of Nairna as she becomes Nora, as she\u2019s uprooted from a comfortable life to go on the road with her charlatan father. Her journey mirrors the heartbreaking struggle of Lottie, whose flashbacks add depth and emotional weight to the story. Through these, you also see the correlation between spiritualism and witchcraft, particularly through the dangers presented to the characters. The exploration of spiritualism is fascinating as it's woven around the trials Nairna faces during its height, which also weaves in historical elements such as experiments, society perception, and scandals. A spellbinding read, /Nora Grey/ explores themes of feminine rage and agency, spiritualism, and witchcraft against a satisfying journey of self-discovery and empowerment.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2025", "date_added": "21-Mar-2025 20:41:21", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015669015", "title": "Angel Down: A Novel", "author": "Daniel Kraus", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 197, "review": "Daniel Kraus returns after the incredible Whalefall to a unique tale of World War I in Angel Down that goes so far as to emulate the stream of consciousness blood and guts literature that came out after those that survived the trenches shared their tales of suffering.

Private Cyril Bagger is our protagonist and is sent on a mission along with four other comrades as the Great War rages on. They must venture into the dreaded No Man\u2019s Land between the trenches to put a wounded fellow soldier to rest. What they find instead is something impossible: a celestial being that has been brought down by artillery fire. The angel is undoubtedly important, perhaps for the entire war effort, but the small troop must work together to survive and prosper.

Kraus has written a compelling war story of World War I that immediately drags the reader into the book. But he goes one step further by writing it seemingly as one entire sentence from page one to the last page. The book is broken up by sections, but the writing style is fluid and fast and flowing like an unstoppable river as Private Bagger is going through all this.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "31-Jul-2025", "date_added": "21-Mar-2025 21:59:57", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015669007", "title": "The Original: A Novel", "author": "Nell Stevens", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 190, "review": "Grace is a gifted artist, but only when it comes to copying prior artworks. She struggles when painting from life, especially painting people, as she cannot remember faces long after seeing them.

When a man appears claiming to be her long-disappeared cousin Charles, Grace must rely on the word of others, particularly her aunt, to tell whether he really is her cousin or an imposter. Despite her aunt\u2019s insistence that this is her son, Grace remains uncertain and suspicious.

The Original is a fascinating, unsettling, and beautiful novel that beautifully captures the Gothic atmosphere of Victorian literature. The themes of originality and copies are clear both in Grace\u2019s art and in the plot involving Charles without being didactic, and several chapters of the book feel like poetic digressions, adding depth to the story without drawing too much attention away from the plot.

Most of all, I loved Grace herself. She is one of my favorite sorts of protagonists: a woman growing into herself and learning how to take power for herself while remaining true to her surroundings and her personality. I highly recommend this book, to fans of historical fiction and mysteries alike.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jul-2025", "date_added": "21-Mar-2025 20:46:04", "publisher": "W. W. Norton & Company", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015668011", "title": "The Witch's Orchard: A Novel", "author": "Archer Sullivan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 190, "review": "Annie Gore is working as a private investigator, barely scraping by, when she gets a case that takes her into a small mountain town in the Appalachians. Ten years ago, three little girls went missing, and while one was returned, the other two were never seen again. The brother of one of the girls hires Annie in order to try and get some closure. Once in town, Annie does her job, which means asking lots of questions and dredging up the past. One story keeps coming up, the story of the Witch of Quartz Creek and The Witch\u2019s Orchard. When another little girl goes missing, Annie realizes there might be more to this legend and that she will do whatever it takes to find these girls. ||Author Archer Sullivan has composed a masterful and compelling read. Annie Gore is the perfect heroine: bruised, a little bit broken, and absolutely tenacious. If you love mysteries, especially those featuring strong female private detectives, then this story is for you. At no point did I want to put this book down. I hope that this isn\u2019t the last we hear of Annie Gore.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2025", "date_added": "21-Mar-2025 22:33:04", "publisher": "Minotaur", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015664007", "title": "Besties: Prank War (The World of Click)", "author": "Kayla Miller, Sarah K Turner, Jeffrey Canino", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 12", "word_count": 153, "review": "Meet Trent and Sawyer, the school prankster duo. They want to win a contest to meet their favorite skateboard influencer, Trixie Sampson, by having the best pranking video. The only problem is that they will be pranking a classmate, Natasha, who decides to prank them back. What could go wrong when Trent, Sawyer, and Natasha go on a prank war at school?

The story was just okay to me. I liked the other stores in the series more than this one. The pranking got old and boring. The boys were annoying, especially Trent. Natasha was also annoying. I thought it was odd that Trent\u2019s parents helped Natasha prank their son. I didn\u2019t find the story interesting or funny. But I did like the art, though. The art was cute and colorful, just how I like graphic novels. Even though this story wasn\u2019t for me, I think readers who like pranks might like this story.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "21-May-2025", "date_added": "20-Mar-2025 20:38:50", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015664003", "title": "The Shortest History of France: From Roman Gaul to Revolution and Cultural Radiance\u2015A Global Story for Our Times (The Shortest History Series)", "author": "Colin Jones", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 190, "review": "The intervening Atlantic Ocean tends to preclude our knowledge and understanding of countries 'over the pond' Colin Jones in his Shortest History of France takes us back to Gaul, as it was in Roman times, and captures readers by showing that the country's history did not begin with the turbulent late 18th through 20the century. France weathered invasions and transformative revolutions, followed by steps of acculturation, before reaching its present physical and practical boundary. Back in the Age of Exploration, France initially chose to focus on expanding European economic relations rather than set sail for the New World.

Besides the written word, which is enjoyable all the way through, the book is filled with a wealth of illustrations, maps, and charts. Francophones, all of us perhaps, admire the Hexagon, popularized in the nineteenth century almost as a teaching aid, identifying twelve cities from Lille in the north, southward to Perpignan, and ten other vital cities encircling Paris.

Colins' chapters dextrously blend history with geography, politics, culture, and the arts. Predictably instructive, The Short History of France complements his earlier writing, as well as supplying a fine addition to The Shortest... series.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2025", "date_added": "20-Mar-2025 20:27:46", "publisher": "The Experiment", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015662007", "title": "The Jack Smith Report: Final Report on Efforts to Interfere with the Lawful Transfer of Power Following the 2020 Presidential Election by Donald Trump and Others", "author": "Jack Smith", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 188, "review": "Jack Smith was a career prosecutor with an impeccable reputation when he accepted the appointment to become Special Prosecutor to investigate election fraud and corruption in government. He was much maligned and threatened, however, a careful reading of his report will convince any reader that he was impartial and thorough in his investigative process. After four grand juries issued true bills for indictment, the investigation was stymied by the unprecedented decision by the Supreme Court that the President was immune from conduct in his office.

Some of the findings of this report were \u201cMr. Trump\u2019s case represented ones in which the offense was the most flagrant, the public harm the greatest, and the proof the most certain.\u201d The United States has always been a divided country, but we have relied on the courts and due process to determine how the law should be fairly applied. Without such a remedy, the separation of the three branches of government is in peril. When any president can usurp the power of Congress and delay and obstruct the power of the courts, our system fails us. Good and essential reading for all Americans.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "27-May-2025", "date_added": "20-Mar-2025 20:04:31", "publisher": "Melville House", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015660003", "title": "Almost Sunset: A Graphic Novel", "author": "Wahab Algarmi", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 12", "word_count": 160, "review": "Hasan has been fasting for Ramadan for 3 years. But this year, Ramadan started earlier, and it\u2019s happening during Hasan\u2019s soccer playoffs, and he\u2019ll need to fast. To make things worse, he hasn\u2019t told his teachers, friends, and teammates that he is fasting. Hasan is tired and hungry at school. He falls asleep during math class and dreams about hamburgers. Will Hasan\u2019s grades, soccer games, and friendships suffer.

I liked this book and the story. I didn\u2019t know about Ramadan and fasting, so I liked how I learned something new. I just didn\u2019t understand why Hasan didn\u2019t tell his friends, teachers, and teammates that he was fasting. They are very supportive of him. At first, I didn\u2019t understand why Hasan\u2019s parents would let him fast when he was struggling at school. But then I realized it was Hasan\u2019s idea to fast, not his parents\u2019. I recommend this graphic novel to anyone who wants to learn about Muslim cultures and Ramadan.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "21-May-2025", "date_added": "20-Mar-2025 19:54:55", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015658007", "title": "On Writers and Writing: Selected Essays (New York Review Books)", "author": "Henry James, Michael Gorra", "category": "F02 Classics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 173, "review": "Even though I find myself agreeing with the criticisms of literature put forward by Henry James, I find his prose convoluted and unnecessarily erudite. I think, perhaps being a gifted writer is a different skill set from being a literary critic. Perhaps he looks at all literature as a competition which he may be able to improve upon. Even when writing memorials for other authors, which are, in the main, laudatory, James can\u2019t resist finding the fly in the ointment and so tempering his regard. He notes Shakespeare\u2019s declination of power in The Tempest which seems rather an over reach. It is obvious to any reader that Our Mutual Friend is not Dickens at his best. It is interesting that James writes this as a twenty-two year old, yet unpublished writer.This reader feels that perhaps this book is best suited to Jamesian scholars who seek to understand his ethos and revel in his discernment. For the rest of us, let us glory in the fact that James did write his own great novels.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jul-2025", "date_added": "20-Mar-2025 20:08:59", "publisher": "New York Review Books", "page_count": "408 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015657011", "title": "Garlic: More than 65 recipes celebrating garlic & wild garlic (Jenny Linford's Cookbooks) ", "author": "Jenny Linford", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 209, "review": "Jenny Linford, author of several food books, returns with her third title on garlic. Her previous two, published in 2016 and 2019, shared similar titles and appeared within just a few years of each other \u2013 evidence of her ongoing fascination with this pungent ingredient. While primarily a cookbook, Garlic: More than 65 Recipes Celebrating Garlic & Wild Garlic also offers informative and entertaining context. Each of its six main chapters begins with a short essay exploring different aspects of garlic, ranging from folklore and health benefits to garlic festivals and growing tips. The introduction provides a helpful overview of garlic varieties.

The heart of the book lies in its recipes, which span appetizers, dips, snacks, poultry, fish, meat, pasta, and bread. These dishes draw inspiration from both Eastern and Western cuisines, unified by one common element: garlic. Most recipes are main courses, appealing to home cooks who love bold, savory flavors.

Each recipe occupies a two-page spread. One side includes a concise description, ingredient list, and preparation steps; the facing page features a full-color photograph of the finished dish, helping readers visualize the ideal outcome. One drawback is the lack of a thematic or regional recipe index. Still, this is an eclectic and flavorful collection sure to delight garlic enthusiasts.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2025", "date_added": "21-Mar-2025 00:01:54", "publisher": "Ryland Peters & Small", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015657007", "title": "So Let Them Burn (The Divine Traitors, 1)", "author": "Kamilah Cole", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 193, "review": "Faron saved her island from the Langlish several years before, ending the war with the dragon riders. When she goes to an international peace summit, she expects to do her part and leave, but her sister, Elara, bonds with an enemy dragon in an unexpected and unprecedented event. Faron, whose abilities come from the gods, approaches them to beg them to tell her some way to break the bond and return her sister to the island. Over and over again, Faron is told there is only one way to separate dragon and rider, and it will cause the death of her sister. Meanwhile, Elara is learning how to survive in a hostile land, in an empire that houses a dark secret, one that might ruin everything for both of them.

The bond between the sisters is such a beautiful and prevalent part of this tale. While both sisters experience infatuation and love in alternating chapters (one heterosexual and one sapphic), the romance does not overshadow their relationship. The Jamaican influences are slight, so hopefully more attention will be paid to this in the sequel. A modest debut for any reader who loves dragon stories.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "30-May-2025", "date_added": "20-Mar-2025 19:11:48", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015654003", "title": "Dive #2: The Deep", "author": "Gordon Korman", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 171, "review": "Kaz, Star, Adriana, and Dante are four unlikely friends who meet and encounter mysterious circumstances when diving and exploring the Caribbean Sea. Kaz, an ex-hockey player, is looking for something to do during the summer and working to \"find himself\" after an incident that left him confused and unsure of his future. The other kids each have something unique about themselves, and together, they discover a shipwreck with sunken treasure and battle sharks in a thrilling adventure.

Dive: The Deep is a fun and exciting story by an author I already knew I loved. The Deep is the first in a trilogy, which I enjoyed for a couple of reasons\u2014I like to read multiple short stories instead of one long one, and get more of the story between three books versus all in one. There were several larger words that I didn't know throughout the story, and I mostly understood the story overall, but sometimes I got confused because of the number of characters. Now I'm onto book two to learn more!", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "21-May-2025", "date_added": "14-Mar-2025 23:31:02", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015653003", "title": "Dive #1: The Discovery", "author": "Gordon Korman", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 167, "review": "Dive: The Deep is book 2 in the Dive triology by Gordon Korman. To compare it with the first book, I enjoyed it the same way, but The Deep follows the four friends - Kaz, Dante, Adriana, and Star - further on their diving adventure as they search a sunken ship for treasure. The friends learn and make discoveries about themselves and those around them as they push their limits and boundaries. The Deep contains continued thrills and excitement in the form of endangering and potentially life-threatening situations.

Similar to book one, several scenes were challenging for me to understand and required clarification. I enjoyed learning about diving, such as terminology and good/bad things that can happen to a diver; this is largely because I love to swim and have an interest in possibly trying out diving someday. There were quite a few things that happened in this story that I need to get into book three to figure out how it's all going to play out!", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "21-May-2025", "date_added": "14-Mar-2025 22:44:21", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015854007", "title": "Are You Mad at Me?: How to Stop Focusing on What Others Think and Start Living for You", "author": "Meg Josephson", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 167, "review": "For those who find themselves overly concerned with what others think of them, this book will be helpful. If one has had to fend off abuse by complying with a bully, parent, or dominating spouse, they may have developed coping skills that are no longer helpful. The argument I have with the thesis of this book is the label \u201cfawning\u201d to describe that behavior. In my lexicon, I associate the word, fawning, with obsequious flattery designed to provoke a reward. The penultimate fawner was Uriah Heep. It seems cruel to victimize those who have suffered trauma by labeling them and their behaviors with unkind descriptors. Nor do I believe that flattery is a part of the defensive behavior in all cases of trauma. In describing trauma, the author uses personal experiences which didn\u2019t seem to relate to the point she was making.

Of the many things she did get right, is relating how physically and mentally exhausting it becomes when one is always trying to placate others.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2025", "date_added": "29-Apr-2025 22:36:14", "publisher": "Gallery Books", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015853003", "title": "Into the Storms: A Hell Divers Prequel (Hell Divers Series)", "author": "Nicholas Sansbury Smith", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 186, "review": "Before Xavier, \u201cTin\u201d and the rest of the Hell Divers. Before the struggles of life above the clouds was the war that ended life on Earth and set humanity into the sky. //Into the Storms: A Hell Divers Prequel// by best-selling writer, Nicholas Sansbury Smith, is the beginning of his dystopian military sci-fi series. Before the post-apocalyptic hellscape that Sansbury Smith wrote 12 novels and a novella was the war that caused the apocalypse. This book is the story of that war and its heroes.

Into the Storms: A Hell Divers Prequel is a fast-paced military sci-fi thriller. Even though this book is part of a much larger series, this story takes place 250 years before the rest of the saga and can be read as a stand-alone novel. Like many of Sansbury Smith\u2019s books, this is a fast-paced thrill ride filled with catastrophic battles and murderous AI soldiers. Sansbury Smith is known for his hectic writing style. He has a gift for portraying a sense of danger and doom, making this book a must-read for fans of his Hell Diver series or sci-fi military action/adventure.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2025", "date_added": "29-Apr-2025 21:24:53", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015849007", "title": "The Wrong Sister: A Dark Suspense Thriller With A Compelling Plot\u2015Get Ready For An Adrenaline-Fueled Ride", "author": "Claire Douglas", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 201, "review": "The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas is a suspense novel that will keep you guessing until the end. The book starts off with sisters Alice and Tasha doing a house swap. Alice is a geneticist married to a tech genius named Kyle. Tasha is married to a mechanic named Aaron and works at a dental office. Tasha and Aaron have twin girls. Tasha and Alice's mother, Jeanette, also plays a part in the book. The author has two main storylines in the book: the disappearance of a third sister, Holly, who was taken from her pram as an infant, and the murder and attack of Alice's husband, Kyle. When Tasha and Aaron are in London, they are also chased by a man with a knife.

The Wrong Sister is written in a way that makes it so the reader is always guessing what happened to Holly and if it is connected to Kyle's murder. The twists and turns are easy to follow, though, and near the end, the reader is given more information as to what happened to Holly. Needless to say, without this information, I would have never guessed the ending. This is a fun read with loads of interesting characters.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2025", "date_added": "29-Apr-2025 20:50:01", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015848015", "title": "Mother Mary Comes to Me", "author": "Arundhati Roy", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 264, "review": "Having read two of Arundhati Roy's novels, The God of Small Things and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, I wasn't sure what to expect from her memoir Mother Mary Comes to Me. I need not have worried; this book is as brilliant, cutting, sharp, and true as her fiction.

The book is a memoir by design, but is also a love letter to the complicated relationship Roy shared with her mother, Mary. At one point, Roy describes Mary as her \"most enthralling subject,\" as a \"gangster,\" and as her \"shelter and [her] storm.\" While this may sound like the book praises Mary unconditionally, you need to read that line more closely--shelter and storm. Roy faces her mother's flaws head-on, neither condemning nor forgiving Mary for them; instead, she presents a full and nuanced picture of the woman who gave birth to her.

Mary Roy was a teacher, a feminist, and an ambitious woman at a time when any one of those labels would have been challenging for a woman in India. She raised her children in an increasingly rigid political climate that she fought against while also expecting a rigid standard for her children that could be oppressive, abusive, and cruel. Roy makes it clear that she would not be the person or writer she is today without her mother Mary, but as a reader, I have to question if she would be more joyful in an alternate universe.

Still, if mother/daughter relationships are of interest to you, or if you'd like to read about a remarkable woman's life, Mother Mary Comes to Me is a must-read.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2025", "date_added": "29-Apr-2025 21:32:12", "publisher": "Scribner", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015848003", "title": "The Wish Switch", "author": "Lynn Painter", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 197, "review": "Emma just knows that her wishes will come true. Even though her Nana is not there to guide her, Emma took copious notes. She and her best friends will find the portal, drop their wishes and gifts down the portal, then wait for the magic. However, when she sends her offering off, Jackson, that horrible new boy in the neighborhood, throws a rock and knocks her wishes out of the portal. She quickly dumps hers in, hoping for the best. Then they have to wait. Four months after sending their wishes, her best friends experience noticeable changes. But so does Jackson! Jackson stole her wishes! How can she get her wishes back, especially that last one that\u2019s not really for her?

This cute little middle grade romantasy is adorable! Painter, best known for her spicy adult tales and YA romances, drops an enemies-to-friends trope into a story light on fae but heavy on fun. Emma is sassy and determined, Jackson is hesitant and lonely, and together they become friends. The ensuing crush is lighthearted and sweet. Though the lore could use more explanation, this light read is perfect for those who enjoy strange magic and first crushes.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jul-2025", "date_added": "29-Apr-2025 20:44:24", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015846007", "title": "Family of Spies: A World War II Story of Nazi Espionage, Betrayal, and the Secret History Behind Pearl Harbor", "author": "Christine Kuehn", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 198, "review": "In 1964, siblings Ruth and Hans reunited in Germany in a bid to exorcise the ghosts of the past through a large bonfire. Despite their fondest wishes, the sins of the Kuehn family wouldn\u2019t die with the incriminating documents they set aflame that winter\u2019s night. Christine Kuehn, Hans\u2019 daughter, noticed how reticent Hans could be in discussing his father, Otto. Christine wondered if Hans was hiding something about the family\u2019s past. Still, this curiosity would only be magnified with a phone call asking about the Kuehns and their residence in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, up to and including the attack by Japan on December 7th, 1941. Otto Kuehn hailed from Germany, had served the fatherland during World War I and fell under the sway of the Nazi ideology. His service to the Reich would not only include his acting as a covert agent, but his family as well, leading to consequences decades later.

Author Christine Kuehn excavates a painful yet illuminating aspect of her family history in the engrossing memoir Family of Spies. Kuehn provides a wealth of research in the search for the truth about her family\u2019s painful past, and the result is a truly remarkable and memorable book.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "29-Apr-2025 20:41:25", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015845007", "title": "Flashout: A Novel", "author": "Alexis Soloski", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 219, "review": "In 1972, when Allison first encounters the avant-garde theater troupe Theater Negative in New York City, she\u2019s a fresh-faced college student desperate for adventure and authentic experiences. The show she attends is unlike anything she\u2019s ever seen, and her life changes after that evening. Even her name changes, as the leader of the group, Peter, mishears her name as \u201cAlice.\u201d Alice becomes embroiled with the group, living collectively and cleaving her fate to Peter\u2019s. That fate is manipulative, difficult, and often violent, but Alice lives for the rush of performing, the glow of Peter\u2019s ardor, and, eventually, the attention of Rosa, a volatile new group member who sets Alice\u2019s world spinning. No one will escape these years unscathed.

In 1997, a much older Allison is a school teacher facing the unthinkable: someone from the past has found her and initiated contact. Allison prefers to keep her past sealed tightly shut--the nightmare of the group\u2019s dissolution, her betrayal, and escape. But just as the stage on those long-ago shows with Theater Negative ended with a bright glare of light, a \u201cflashout,\u201d instead of fading to black, the past demands visibility. Allison finds that telling her story is the only path to closure. Dark, claustrophobic, and startlingly clear in its depiction of youthful yearning and euphoria, Flashout is an exceptional fall read.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2025", "date_added": "29-Apr-2025 20:46:56", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015844003", "title": "The Zombees", "author": "Justin Col\u00f3n, Kaly Quarles", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 126, "review": "Have you ever wondered if other animals celebrate spooky season and the cool Autumn weather? It seems like these bees do. The bees are always working to make their very tasty, yummy honey, and fall is no different. So they decide to have a little fun and dress up as Zombies while they work, but they only want honey, not brains. When it seems they have had their fun, I love that they are preparing mumbee costumes for the next year. So hopefully this will be a continued series.

The illustrations in this book are really great. I love the black, white, and green color scheme. I especially love the queen bee dressed up as a Zombee. We are definitely adding this to the fall favorites.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2025", "date_added": "29-Apr-2025 20:13:02", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015843011", "title": "Veil", "author": "Jonathan Janz", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 202, "review": "Something is wrong with the world. People are going missing and it\u2019s happening all over the world. Even with modern technology and social media it takes a while to get actual footage of people being taken. And the videos are terrifying: average people walking along and suddenly they are dragged away and disappear into thin air. And no one knows what to do about it.

John Calhoun has lost his son and is beyond heartbroken. He has no idea if he\u2019ll ever see him again. But it brings him closer to his separated wife and daughter. Meanwhile society starts shutting down as more people disappear, and his neighborhood has turned into a vigilante mob looking to protect its own and he wants no part of it. But then his wife and daughter are taken too and John has to join an unusual group to find out what is going on with hopes of rescuing his family.

Janz has written a terrifying but addictive novel where you\u2019re scared to turn the page but you have to know what happens next. Veil starts in high gear and somehow goes to full throttle in. a matter of pages and keeps it that way to the very end.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2025", "date_added": "29-Apr-2025 20:53:17", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "360 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015838015", "title": "The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers", "author": "Cheryl McKissack Daniel, Nick Chiles", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 215, "review": "In spite of obstacles, there are black households that have attained upper-class status and created intergenerational wealth. These families are often overlooked as the focus tends to be on wealth disparity, which is institutionalized in the United States. It may be surprising to learn that 25% make over $100,000/year, 37% make over $75,000/year, and 9-16% are upper-income households. 23% of black men are considered upper income.

This is the story of one family who got an early start on wealth creation. Under slavery, the elder was trained in construction and construction supervision. Some owners rented out their slaves for income, and some even allowed their slaves to earn some pay. The McKissack family is such an unusual story. It is a fascinating and often untold story of black success in the United States. However, this reader was expecting more. It would have benefited from focusing on the family\u2019s journey and struggles. Photographs would have added another dimension. Instead, this book reads like a corporate brochure. In particular, the firm\u2019s decision to move to a New York location despite Southern roots and success isn\u2019t completely revealed. However, this is an important American family success story which may encourage other families to believe racist stereotypes and reveal stories of fellow Americans who work hard and succeed despite obstacles.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "28-Apr-2025 21:11:28", "publisher": "Atria/Black Privilege Publishing", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015837003", "title": "The Art of Drag", "author": "Jake Hall", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 192, "review": "The Art of Drag is a delightfully informative and visually striking exploration of drag culture\u2019s rich history and evolution. Far more than entertainment, drag is a dynamic performance art rooted in self-expression, protest, and joy. Author Jake Hall, alongside a talented team of illustrators and contributors, traces drag\u2019s multifaceted lineage\u2014from kabuki theater and vaudeville to pantomime and classic Hollywood cinema.

Hall highlights how drag has shifted over time, shaping and being shaped by broader cultural movements. Readers will journey from the underground ballrooms of the 1960s to iconic figures like Crystal LaBeija, Danny La Rue, and Leigh Bowery, and witness drag\u2019s role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and its rise to mainstream recognition.

This beautifully rendered book is an ideal primer for those new to drag or anyone interested in understanding its cultural significance. It\u2019s also a timely reminder of why drag matters. As anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric strengthens in political discourse, The Art of Drag urges readers to celebrate and protect queer expression.

For many, drag is an act of self-love, resistance, and radical imagination. Whether humorous, glamorous, political, or provocative, drag is always creative. This book captures its dazzling complexity with insight and affection.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2025", "date_added": "28-Apr-2025 19:54:59", "publisher": "Flying Eye Books Ltd.", "page_count": "136 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015834007", "title": "Slashed Beauties", "author": "A Rushby", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 197, "review": "Present-day Alys is an antiques dealer who has been commissioned to destroy a famed anatomical model of a young sex worker, yet she struggles to destroy history and feels personally connected to the figure. In 1769, Young Eleanor meets posh Elizabeth in London, who takes her under her wing and introduces her to an intriguing life that takes advantage of sleazy, rich men. Yet, it requires Eleanor to offer her body in exchange for a ritzy life.

This book was unique and chilling! I typically lean toward present-day storylines in similar novels; however, I was very drawn to Eleanor\u2019s story. As a vulnerable teenager, Elizabeth grooms her to be a courtesan after tempting her with fineries, but also a soft place to land after being left alone. She becomes fast friends with Emily, who urges her to leave the house while she still can, yet Emily will not abandon her new friend. Eleanor feels betrayed when Elizabeth\u2019s true colors are slowly revealed. I was a bit confused about Alys\u2019 involvement with the Venuses throughout the story. The ending left me lost in the intricate details of how the spells came to be, though I found Alys\u2019 ending satisfying.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "28-Apr-2025 21:32:06", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015827003", "title": "Robert Shaw: An Actor\u2019s Life on the Set of JAWS and Beyond", "author": "Christopher Shaw Myers", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 199, "review": "The shark wasn\u2019t working, the production was over budget, and a key part of the script hadn\u2019t been nailed down yet. As Robert Shaw filmed the movie Jaws in 1974, he wondered if he were a doomed member of a slowly sinking ship. Throughout his life, he and his family had faced tough times and remained resilient, ranging from the tragic loss of his father due to an overdose to the possible obliteration of their town during World War II. The visit from his sister and mother to the troubled set seemed almost fitting in a way; they would bear witness to something special or a beautiful disaster. Robert Shaw caught the acting bug from an early age and took joy from performing, despite his mother\u2019s disapproval. Shaw would act in theater, television, and movies, but yearned to be one of the greats. Jaws would prove to be the pinnacle of a versatile career.

Christopher Shaw Myers has written a candid and wonderful memoir of both his legendary uncle and his family, filled with interesting, humorous, warm, and poignant anecdotes. Robert Shaw fills in the blanks about a larger-than-life actor and the background that shaped him throughout his all-too-short life.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2025", "date_added": "24-Apr-2025 23:51:45", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015826003", "title": "Fine Young People: A Novel", "author": "Anna Bruno", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 189, "review": "St. Ignatius, a Catholic prep school in Pittsburgh, is full of Fine Young People. However, its students keep dying. Frankie and her best friend, Shiv, decide to write about it for the journalism class essay. Three students, all hockey players, have died either by suicide or under mysterious circumstances over the last eighteen years. It all started with Woolf Whiting, so Frankie and Shiv begin their search there. Little do they know, but their investigation will expose secrets they didn\u2019t even know they were looking for. ||While I really enjoyed this story and its characters, I was a little disappointed that the investigation only looked at Woolf\u2019s case. It didn\u2019t seem like anyone cared about why the other two hockey players died. I am fond of this author\u2019s writing style. She made it feel like you were right there with Frankie as she was growing up and realizing what the world is like and what her place in it is. The inclusion of the interview notes also added to the feeling that you were part of the story. If you enjoy coming-of-age mysteries, then this book is for you.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2025", "date_added": "24-Apr-2025 20:10:22", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015823003", "title": "The Late-Night Witches", "author": "Auralee Wallace", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 210, "review": "Cassie\u2019s life is too ordinary for magic, and far too busy as she balances an unruly teenager, being a mom of three while her husband is gone, and handling her sister\u2019s problems. When the cryptic warnings from her neighbors become reality, she faces an unsettling revelation that vampires are real, and they seem to be interested in her. To protect her loved ones, she must train under an estranged aunt and find a way to end a generational curse that has befallen the women in her family.

The ordinary life that Cassie has held onto is peeled back to expose a darker reality that forces her to figure out what she\u2019s capable of. This is done with dramatic flair and non-stop fun as she\u2019s dragged into the middle of her sister\u2019s boyfriend troubles, and comes face-to-face with an actual vampire. You never know what to expect with the quirky sense of dark humor, as at any moment, you have a decaying boyfriend or bickering sisters. Cassie is forced to take an honest look at the different dynamics in her life, which provides the story with themes of family and self-discovery. A feel-good read, The Late Night Witches is a cozy fantasy that brings charm, quirkiness, heart, and fun with every page.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "11-Sep-2025", "date_added": "24-Apr-2025 19:53:28", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015821011", "title": "A Tour to Die for (The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco Mysteries, 2)", "author": "Michelle Chouinard", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 215, "review": "Capri\u2019s tours have never been better until she\u2019s once again chasing after a killer. One of her guests witnesses a startling sight when she spies a woman being attacked in her apartment. But when the police check out the scene, there\u2019s no sign of foul play or the woman. Capri can\u2019t get the thought of someone needing help out of her mind, so she takes it upon herself to find proof one way or another. Something doesn\u2019t sit right with her, and she would never be able to sleep if someone actually needed help.

This is an exciting mystery that takes the time to get to know the victim, which allows you to feel the compassion and care that Capri has for seeking the truth. Remembering who the victim was as a person is at the heart of the mystery, and this gives the story a sweet depth. Friendship is an important part of the story, and Heather is a shining star in Capri\u2019s orbit as her direct nature and honesty make her so likable. The writing is humorous as Capri has a great voice, which perfectly blends the essence of a cozy mystery with a modern edge. A Tour to Die For is a highly recommended mystery with charm, heart, humor, and strong female characters.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "25-Apr-2025 00:14:09", "publisher": "Minotaur", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015820003", "title": "Last Night in San Francisco: Tech's Lost Promise and the Killing of Bob Lee", "author": "Scott Alan Lucas", "category": "N27 True Crime", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 205, "review": "The 911 call was a last-ditch appeal for help, but Bob Lee\u2019s wounds were mortal, and doctors weren\u2019t able to save him. The call originated during the early morning hours of April 4, 2023, and despite the San Francisco Police Department\u2019s best efforts, the story of Lee\u2019s violent demise would soon go viral. The City of San Francisco had been generating headlines in the previous years, but mostly in a negative way due to its homeless population and its increasing crime problem. The death of a high-profile tech figure like Lee only furthered the scrutiny of the City by the Bay. Police would arrest Nima Momeni for the stabbing, but the motive was still being questioned. In 2024, Momeni would go on trial for Lee\u2019s murder, where his defense argued that Momeni acted in self-defense. Families of both victim and defendant would listen in rapt attention as the last day of Bob Lee\u2019s life was told in vivid detail.

Last Night in San Francisco is an engrossing read from start to finish. Author Scott Alan Lucas focuses on both Lee and Momeni and how the two men came into each other\u2019s lives. His reporting is both fair and thorough. This is a must-read True Crime book.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2025", "date_added": "24-Apr-2025 19:16:45", "publisher": "Steerforth Press", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015819015", "title": "This Is the Ocean", "author": "Evelline Andrya, Elizabeth Everett", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 187, "review": "Filled with entrancing blue illustrations featuring views of the ocean and its marine dwellers, the story musically crescendos with rhymes that detail the feeding cycles in that aquatic environment. It begins with the sun's power, which enables plankton to produce their food. Continuing up the food chain to the krill, then the fish, crab, seal, shark, and finally to the prime predator, the whale. As the reader ascends the food chain, the musical descriptive words increase in length, as if to fit the size of the marine predator. And the whale\u2019s waste or plume continues this circle of life, providing the nutrients that feed the plankton. This is a lovely introduction to the concept of food chains for the early reader. The illustrations appear magical with their diverse shapes and colors. One problem is that the illustrations do not include a version of the feeder being described until the following page, which might frustrate the finger pointer. Additionally, while the concept of a whale plume may be evident to the adult, the term should be better clarified for beginners. This is a magical entry to biological themes.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "25-Apr-2025 00:27:44", "publisher": "Platypus Media Llc", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015819011", "title": "Last Seen", "author": "J T Ellison", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 194, "review": "Up until last week, Halley thought her mother and sister had died in a car accident when she was six. Coming home to help her dad after a surgery, she discovers that her sister actually murdered her mom and has been missing for the last fifteen years. Since Halley just lost her job and her marriage is falling apart, she decides to put all her energy into finding her sister, Cat. Her search leads her to the mysterious town of Brockville, where her sister was Last Seen. But people are dying all around her, and it looks like she might be next.

I love Ellison\u2019s stories. She manages to write what seems to be up to four different tales, that deep down you know are related, but aren\u2019t quite sure until you get to the end. Each page keeps you in suspense, and you know that you have to go on. I also have a love/hate relationship with her endings. You start to feel like you\u2019re safe because things have been figured out, but there is always something lurking that leaves you wanting more. I highly recommend any of her books, but definitely this one.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2025", "date_added": "25-Apr-2025 00:16:05", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "415 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015819007", "title": "The Unseen: A Novel", "author": "Ania Ahlborn", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 181, "review": "Isla and Luke recently lost a child, so when one appears in the woods surrounding their home, Isla thinks it\u2019s a sign. They begin fostering the child, much to the chagrin of their other five children, and strange things start occurring. There seems to be something wrong with this child. There is also a hidden presence that each of them can feel, but cannot fully see. It doesn\u2019t take long before this family realizes The Unseen presence has some purpose for them, and it isn\u2019t good.

This was probably one of the most terrifying books I\u2019ve ever read. I couldn\u2019t put it down because I wanted to finish before I went to bed, and honestly, I\u2019m still not quite sure what was going on. However, if you like scary stories, whether they make sense or not, this book is for you. The author does a wonderful job of giving the reader a continual sense of foreboding. You know it won\u2019t end well, but you have no idea how crazy it will get. This is definitely a book you read in one sitting.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2025", "date_added": "24-Apr-2025 20:02:14", "publisher": "Gallery Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015818007", "title": "The Million-Dollar Car Detective: Inside the Worldwide Hunt for a Stolen $7 Million Car", "author": "Stayton Bonner", "category": "N27 True Crime", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 201, "review": "The movie \u201cGone in Sixty Seconds\u201d and its remake are based on real-life techniques by which thieves steal cars, remove their VINs, and resell them. But, as this fast-paced book explains, car theft is at an entirely different level when it involves the \u201cpassion investments\u201d of the most exclusive, rare sports cars. Millionaires across the globe compete in collecting and restoring (and occasionally driving) these valuable acquisitions. The tales told here involve insurance fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, forgery, and much more.

Primarily, the author focuses on two individuals. Once partners in buying and selling exotic vehicles, Joe Ford and Chris Gardner became sworn enemies, locked in legal battles for years as they fought over a seven-million-dollar car. Who is the rightful owner? Who stole it from an old man\u2019s warehouse? Moving from the playgrounds of the rich to the Wisconsin Superior Court, from jailhouse to a Swiss villa, readers will keep turning the pages, fascinated by the text and aided by plenty of photographs that illustrate the luxury cars at stake. The author wisely leaves it up to us to decide which of the protagonists we believe more\u2014or perhaps, which of them seems less of a liar than the other.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2025", "date_added": "24-Apr-2025 19:12:28", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015817011", "title": "Romantasy Crochet Club: 20 Epic Projects for Your Reading Journeys", "author": "Amanda Sennett", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 199, "review": "Raise your swords! Mount your dragons! This crochet project book will entice readers of Sarah Maas, Holly Black, Rebecca Yarros, and more. Cut your crocheting teeth on some basics, like a dragon tail bookmark or a werewolf book sleeve. Add some fun to your shelves with poisoned apples, skulls, swords, and magic mushrooms. Enhance your closet with a mask or fae ear cuffs. Finally, create your own dragon, raven, or fae warrior. These are just a few of the projects available to transform reading spaces into bookish lairs.

When you can\u2019t find the bookish goodies you want to support your latest romantasy crush, this book allows artistic and creative freedom to just make it. The directions are clear, and projects are marked with skill level. There are some projects for beginners (the bookmarks and book sleeve) and some that are more difficult (the dragon and warrior). The authors included QR codes for videos to assist with difficult steps, knowing these could hinder some crafters. In addition, there are resources that include steps for specific crochet stitches, yarn suggestions, and an abbreviation list. The gorgeous sprayed edges ensure that this book belongs on your bookshelves, next to your favorite titles.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jul-2025", "date_added": "25-Apr-2025 00:04:34", "publisher": "Quarry Books", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015813011", "title": "Please Don't Lie: A Thriller (Crystal River)", "author": "Christina Baker Kline, Anne Burt", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 179, "review": "At twenty-eight, Hayley lost her parents in a tragic house fire. Not long after that, her twenty-year-old sister overdosed. Hayley inherited everything, including the media circus surrounding the suspicious circumstances in which her family died. Along comes Brandon, who seems to be the answer to her problems. After a whirlwind romance, they get married and move to the Adirondacks, where Brandon inherited the home he grew up in. The isolation begins to gnaw at Hayley, as well as the mysterious comments she keeps getting about her new husband from the townsfolk. Hayley has been burned by relationships before and knows she needs to confront her husband. She wants the truth and Please Don\u2019t Lie. ||Another classic tale of why it is not good to be rich. Everyone will lie to you and try to marry you for your money. Almost everyone is keeping secrets in this story. While the end seems obvious, if you enjoy thrillers, I would still recommend this, as it doesn\u2019t end the way you think. You\u2019ll definitely be thankful you aren\u2019t rich after reading this.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2025", "date_added": "25-Apr-2025 00:18:17", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "301 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015810083", "title": "DEEP FAKE: A Murder, A Coverup, and the Ultimate Digital Manipulation", "author": "Vince deFilippo", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 89, "review": "Vincent deFilippo has done it again in this intriguing modern-day technothriller, pitting nefarious cybercriminals against PIs working on the right side of morality but not always on the right side of the law. This book is perfect not only for fans of thrillers but also for fans of grounded science fiction. Reading this will remind anyone that technology is constantly zooming forward, both for good and for evil. Deep Fake is a gripping novel that will keep you glued until the very last page. \u2014Jo Niederhoff, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 20:04:57", "publisher": "ViennaRose Publishing", "page_count": "442 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810079", "title": "Shadows of Tehran: Forged in Conflict: From Iranian Rebel to American Soldier", "author": "Nick Berg", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 451, "review": "Nick Berg\u2019s Shadows of Tehran is a poignant, sprawling novel that captures the tension of dual identity with lyrical prose and unflinching honesty. Berg crafts an evocative narrative that moves from the fragrant courtyards of Tehran to the restless suburbs of America, mapping not just a journey of physical migration but one of spiritual reckoning and personal transformation.

What distinguishes this novel is its ability to marry historical complexity with deeply personal stakes. Ricardo, born to an Iranian mother and American father, embodies the fractured self of the modern exile. From the beginning, he is a child \u201cfrom two different worlds,\u201d straddling cultural chasms and emotional divides that few can navigate without scars. The author\u2019s preface warns us that \u201cthis is not just a recounting of events,\u201d and indeed, what unfolds is a richly textured exploration of family, abandonment, resilience, and ultimately, identity.

The early chapters are particularly vivid. I was moved by the descriptions of the family\u2019s Tehran home\u2014a place \u201cbuilt in the mid-1800s...with colorful pomegranate trees and lemon and orange trees with fragrant blooms.\u201d Berg\u2019s ability to describe the setting with such sensory immersion is one of the book\u2019s great strengths. His Tehran is not just a city; it is a character in its own right, both nurturing and oppressive.

Yet it is in the depiction of betrayal and estrangement that Berg\u2019s storytelling truly soars. David, Ricardo\u2019s American father, gradually disappears from their lives\u2014first emotionally, then physically. The scenes of Ricardo trying to understand this abandonment, particularly when the private investigator says David has fled again, are heart-wrenching. \u201cWho was this man?\u201d Ricardo asks. \u201cWhat were his motives?\u201d These are the questions that echo through the novel like a drumbeat.

Equally powerful is the figure of Samira, Ricardo\u2019s mother, who clings to her dignity and intelligence despite mounting obstacles. Her attempt to learn English, thwarted by her husband\u2019s cryptic insistence on Spanish, is symbolic of how women\u2019s agency is often redirected or denied in patriarchal systems. One of the book\u2019s most chilling lines is a whispered nighttime call: \u201cHello, Reza... it\u2019s me.\u201d In that moment, we realize that love and survival do not always follow the same path.

As someone who has raised children and faced the complexities of reinvention later in life, I was especially touched by Ricardo\u2019s growth from confused child to a young man shaped by loss, literature, and history. His time in his Uncle Masood\u2019s bookstore\u2014portrayed with almost sacred reverence\u2014offers the balm of intellectual sanctuary and moral clarity.

Shadows of Tehran is not an easy read, but it is a necessary one. It reminds us that the wounds of exile are carried for generations, and that in the search for home, sometimes the shadows show us where the light still burns.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "26-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:57:19", "publisher": "Fortis Publishing", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810075", "title": "The Elephant in the Family Room: Managing the Complexities of Legacy Businesses", "author": "Ren\u00e9 Sonneveld", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 417, "review": "Ren\u00e9 Sonneveld\u2019s The Elephant in the Family Room isn\u2019t your average business book. It doesn\u2019t just tell you how to professionalize your family enterprise\u2014it dares you to confront what really matters: the unspoken emotions, power struggles, and psychological undercurrents that quietly shape success or sabotage it from within.

From the first page, Sonneveld is refreshingly honest. The book opens with a powerful story of a seasoned patriarch, not shaken by financial fears, but by the thought of losing his family to the business he built. That tone\u2014empathetic, clear-eyed, and deeply human\u2014carries throughout the book. Sonneveld writes, \u201cThe elephant in the room is never invisible\u2014it\u2019s just that no one dares to name it. But what if I told you that naming it could save your family business?\u201d That question alone hits hard for anyone who has ever watched family dynamics unravel behind a glossy boardroom door.

This book is valuable because it blends real-life case studies with conceptual insights. The Montenegro family, for example, illustrates the paralyzing weight of unspoken fears during succession. The father, once a towering presence, now sits silently at the dinner table while his children tiptoe around the legacy question like it\u2019s a landmine. Another case, the Harrison brothers, digs into how unresolved identity issues around a father's legacy can block even the most rational business transitions.

Sonneveld\u2019s strength is making abstract emotional challenges feel tangible. He draws on behavioral economics, introducing cognitive biases like the endowment effect or loss aversion, not in a dry academic tone, but with practical family business examples. You see how legacy can become a double-edged sword\u2014something families overvalue emotionally and underprepare for logically.

He also offers tools, not just theory. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter ask you to consider, \u201cWhat would you say if you could fully express your hopes and fears for your family and business?\u201d It\u2019s clear this isn\u2019t just a book to be read\u2014it\u2019s a workbook for emotional intelligence.

If I had one critique, it would be that the book leans a little heavily on metaphor and repetition at times, especially around the \u201celephant\u201d imagery. Still, considering the topic\u2014how silence and avoidance can derail families and businesses alike\u2014the emphasis feels earned.

Overall, The Elephant in the Family Room is a standout. It\u2019s less about profit and more about people, legacy, and learning how to talk about the hard stuff before it tears everything apart. This book is essential if you\u2019re in a family business, work with one, or are trying to avoid becoming your family\u2019s next cautionary tale.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "26-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:52:47", "publisher": "Guiding Lens Publishing", "page_count": "388 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810071", "title": "Maya, Dead and Dreaming", "author": "Lana Sabarwal", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 427, "review": "Lana Sabarwal\u2019s Maya, Dead and Dreaming is an atmospheric, beautifully layered literary mystery that doesn\u2019t just ask who committed a crime\u2014it asks why we choose silence, how grief transforms us, and what happens when the ghosts we bury refuse to stay buried. Set in the sleepy, rain-soaked town of Shogie, Washington, in the 1950s, the novel unearths long-buried secrets through the eyes of Munna Dhingra, a deeply introspective and painfully self-aware Indian American woman trapped by her past and the expectations of a judgmental small town.

When Munna receives an anonymous letter fourteen years after the mysterious death of her childhood friend Maya Hickman, her carefully ordered life begins to unravel. The letter is chilling: \u201cShe didn\u2019t kill herself. She couldn\u2019t have. Cowards stayed silent with blood on their hands.\u201d As if summoned by the message, Maya\u2019s ghost begins to haunt Munna\u2014not just in dreams, but in waking memory and emotion. What follows is part detective story, part ghost story, and a character study in longing, shame, and reluctant courage.

Sabarwal\u2019s prose is intimate and emotionally precise. She captures Munna\u2019s insecurities with empathy and elegance: \u201cThirty-six, alone, in the grips of a dishonorable, unrequited infatuation. How had I become this person?\u201d Themes of identity and belonging resonate throughout, primarily through Munna\u2019s reflections on being a brown woman in a white town, always accepted but never embraced. The novel deftly explores racial and social dynamics of the 1950s without preaching\u2014Munna\u2019s marginalization is subtle, but deeply felt.

The heart of the story is the complex relationship between Munna and Maya. Through vivid flashbacks, we learn Maya was charismatic, bold, and fiercely loyal\u2014a \u201cgirl of blinding brightness.\u201d Their friendship, tinged with class difference and possibly repressed desire, is full of affection, rivalry, and ultimately, guilt. Munna\u2019s decision to turn Maya away on the night she died becomes the emotional fulcrum of the book, adding a painful layer of personal responsibility to the central mystery.

The cast of supporting characters is rich, especially Andrew, Munna\u2019s married boss and source of complicated feelings, and Karenina, a psychoanalyst whose quiet intensity and probing questions guide Munna toward self-discovery. Karenina is particularly well-drawn\u2014her velvet-soft voice and unsettling insight into Munna\u2019s emotional landscape make her a standout.

Themes of grief, guilt, identity, and justice run deep. \u201cWhy Maya Had to Die\u201d isn\u2019t just a question\u2014it becomes a demand that Munna stop running from her past. Maya, Dead and Dreaming is a novel about ghosts in every form: spectral, emotional, and societal. Thought-provoking and haunting, it\u2019s a masterfully told story of reckoning with truth, no matter how painful.

A quiet stunner.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "27-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:49:40", "publisher": "Kindle Direct Publishing", "page_count": "337 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810067", "title": "Fox Creek", "author": "M. E. Torrey", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 432, "review": "Some books entertain, and then there are books like Fox Creek that challenge you to sit in discomfort, reflect, and bear witness. M.E. Torrey\u2019s novel is a vivid, emotionally raw exploration of life on a Louisiana plantation in the mid-1800s.

At the novel\u2019s emotional core is Monette, an enslaved woman whose experiences\u2014ranging from backbreaking labor to the aching loss of the one man she truly loved\u2014form the heart of the story. From the first few chapters, it's clear that Monette isn\u2019t just a passive figure in the background of someone else\u2019s story\u2014she is the story.

On the other side of the social divide are the plantation owners\u2014the white families who live in comfort while depending entirely on the forced labor of others.

Thematically, Fox Creek tackles the ugliness of slavery with brutal honesty. It doesn\u2019t sensationalize violence, but it doesn\u2019t shy away from it either. The daily horrors are baked into the background: women separated from their children, bodies used without consent, and faith weaponized to justify ownership. Plantation ownership isn\u2019t romanticized here. The grand houses and manicured grounds are shown for what they really are\u2014facades built on human suffering. Torrey gives us a story full of pain, endurance, and flickers of love where you least expect it. It\u2019s about women who carry each other, men who hold onto dignity, and a system that tried\u2014and failed\u2014to crush their humanity.

I appreciated how much research clearly went into the book\u2014Torrey doesn't just describe a plantation, she builds it brick by brick, with every detail loaded with meaning.

As much as I respect this book and became deeply invested in its characters and their fates, it isn\u2019t a flawless read. The fragmented structure can be disorienting at times. Switching between points of view and formats (letters, diary entries, narrative prose) occasionally broke the emotional momentum for me. I understand why Torrey chose this approach\u2014it mirrors the fractured lives of the characters\u2014but it takes some patience to adjust. Readers looking for a straightforward plot might struggle with that. There were also moments when the prose leaned a bit too heavily into its poetic side, and I occasionally wished for more straightforward storytelling, especially in scenes that demanded clarity.

The emotional payoff of Fox Creek is real. It\u2019s a story about surviving in a world built to erase you, about clinging to love, memory, and even small freedoms. Torrey gives voice to the silenced, and she does it with compassion, skill, and a clear sense of moral responsibility. If you love historical fiction that confronts difficult truths head-on and gives real weight to every voice, Fox Creek is worth your time.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "06-Jun-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:40:19", "publisher": "Sly Fox Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015810063", "title": "Fox Creek: A Novel", "author": "M. E. Torrey", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 467, "review": "M. E. Torrey\u2019s Fox Creek doesn\u2019t flinch. It\u2019s the kind of novel that dares you to look directly at the ugliest parts of American history\u2014and refuses to let you look away. Set in 1840s Louisiana, the story plunges into the tangled roots of slavery, grief, and power. What makes this novel exceptional isn\u2019t just its historical detail but its ability to evoke a visceral emotional response without ever turning sensational.

From the start, Torrey\u2019s prose demands your attention. The structure is unconventional\u2014fragments of personal letters, inventory records, overheard conversations\u2014and it requires work, but it rewards you with an intimacy that traditional narration often can\u2019t achieve. The past doesn\u2019t come to life here; it confronts you. And sometimes, it hurts.

What struck me most wasn\u2019t the grand historical context, but the sharply observed moments that revealed what slavery meant on a profoundly personal level. A woman quietly tracing a scar no one talks about. A man praying in a language he knows he\u2019ll be beaten for speaking. These moments aren\u2019t center stage, but they accumulate with devastating effect. Torrey builds her characters with this kind of quiet detail\u2014never preaching, always trusting the reader to feel the truth.

Lucy Saffin, a central but enigmatic figure, is one of the book\u2019s great triumphs. Her presence ripples through multiple storylines, though we rarely see her speak at length. Yet through others\u2019 memories and observations, we begin to understand her silence as its own kind of power. Similarly, the character of Sawney lingers in the margins, but his emotional depth is clear. You feel the weight he carries simply from how others regard him\u2014with fear, with resentment, and occasionally, with a dangerous kind of respect.

One of the novel\u2019s most effective strategies is how it plays with absence\u2014missing pages, incomplete records, unfinished sentences. In a lesser book, this might feel gimmicky, but in Fox Creek, it mirrors the historical erasure of so many Black lives. The gaps in the narrative aren\u2019t flaws; they\u2019re the point. What\u2019s not said often feels more painful than what is.

I also appreciated Torrey\u2019s refusal to offer easy catharsis. There\u2019s no final act of redemption, no justice neatly served. Instead, we are left with a lingering ache and a series of questions: Who gets to tell history? Who gets remembered? What price is paid when memory is sanitized? It\u2019s a deeply literary book, but one that keeps its feet firmly in the muck of lived experience.

While I wouldn\u2019t call Fox Creek a \u201cpage-turner\u201d in the traditional sense, I couldn\u2019t stop reading. I found myself pausing, rereading, and reflecting. It reminded me that historical fiction can still be radical\u2014if it chooses to tell the truth. And Fox Creek tells it, beautifully and brutally.

This is the kind of book I want to press into people\u2019s hands not because it\u2019s pleasant, but because it matters.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "24-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:39:54", "publisher": "Sly Fox Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810059", "title": "Fox Creek", "author": "M. E. Torrey", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 543, "review": "M.E. Torrey\u2019s Fox Creek is a haunting and beautifully crafted exploration of life in 19th-century Louisiana. Set during a time of deep social division and institutionalized oppression, the novel immerses readers in a world marked by sorrow, injustice, and quiet resilience. Through rich historical detail and lyrical prose, Torrey captures the emotional and physical toll of slavery while illuminating the inner strength of those forced to endure it. At the center of the story is Monette, an enslaved woman whose quiet courage and emotional depth give the novel its powerful, beating heart.

Fox Creek centers on its many characters and how they interact with one another in what is the societal norm of this time. Readers follow Monette, a little mulatto girl sold at only six years old, who lives her life as an enslaved woman. Her life is shaped by a brutal system, but her spirit remains strikingly vivid. From the outset, Monette\u2019s interior life is richly developed, and her voice resonates with emotional truth. Because Monette is so young, she is hired to play with, teach French to, and dress young Kate Jensey, whose father, William, owns Fox Creek. As the girls grow into their teens, Monette is soon put in her place as a slave rather than an equal to Kate.

Monette's relationship with Breck, a man she deeply connects with, is heartbreaking and doomed. What little intimacy these two characters are able to have serves as a balm in an otherwise violent and unforgiving world.

What sets Fox Creek apart is Torrey\u2019s refusal to simplify the emotional and ethical landscape of her characters. While many novels about the antebellum South rely on stark dichotomies, Torrey dwells in nuance.

Themes of generational trauma, the legacy of faith, and the role of women\u2019s resistance course throughout the book. Monette\u2019s defiance, though often quiet and coded, is unmistakable. In a setting where she has little control over her body or fate, every act of care, every remembered song, becomes a form of rebellion.

There are moments when the fragmented structure of the novel can feel disorienting, especially as the narrative jumps between characters and formats. However, this structure ultimately mirrors the emotional dislocation experienced by those living under slavery and amplifies the novel\u2019s themes of loss and survival. By weaving diary fragments, plantation ledgers, and direct monologues, Torrey constructs a literary tapestry as intricate as it is immersive.

As someone who frequently reads historical fiction, I appreciate when a novel doesn't just aim to educate but also to provoke empathy, and Fox Creek does just that. It doesn\u2019t offer easy redemption or tidy resolutions. Instead, it lingers in the quiet spaces of resistance, the daily endurance of women like Monette, and the complicated legacies left behind.

Torrey\u2019s dedication to historical accuracy is clear\u2014not just in the texture of the language, but in the way she captures the rhythms of labor, the architecture of the plantations, and the oppressive etiquette of Southern society.

Fox Creek is a novel that honors the voices of the silenced, the love that survived impossible conditions, and the hard truths of a history still reverberating today. I turned the last page with a lump in my throat and a renewed sense of reverence for the power of historical fiction to awaken both the heart and mind.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "26-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:39:30", "publisher": "Sly Fox Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810055", "title": "Fox Creek", "author": "M. E. Torrey", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 444, "review": "M.E. Torrey\u2019s Fox Creek is a wrenching, lyrical portrait of antebellum Louisiana, where landowners mourn lost fortunes, enslaved women navigate a treacherous emotional landscape, and grief hangs like the heavy southern air. The novel is at once gorgeously written and emotionally harrowing, inviting readers into a deeply divided world where every relationship is shaped by violence, loss, and a rigid social order. With decades of reading historical fiction behind me, I can confidently say that Fox Creek is among the most powerful depictions of the Old South I\u2019ve encountered\u2014unflinching, layered, and keenly aware of the silences history leaves behind.

Fox Creek spans the 1840s and early 1850s, centering around a decaying Louisiana plantation and the women, both free and enslaved, whose lives intertwine in quiet and devastating ways. Among the most memorable characters is Monette, a house servant praised for her beauty, whose survival hinges on suppressing her own trauma. Monette forms a deep, protective bond with young Kate, becoming both caregiver and silent witness to the girl\u2019s own experiences.

The white characters, too, are rendered with complexity, though not always sympathy. Plantation owner William is struggling to find his place in the world of business ownership and is often pulled into \"friendly\" competitions and bets. William is not a monster in the caricatured sense, which makes his cruelty all the more disturbing. He is pitiable\u2014and that is Torrey\u2019s genius. She makes us feel the horror of complicity, not just its outcomes.

But where Fox Creek shines is in its treatment of female relationships. The bond between Monette and Kate, between mothers and daughters (including Sarah and her mother and mother-in-law), forms the true emotional core of the novel. Torrey understands the particular shape of women\u2019s resilience\u2014the way it passes through whispered songs, secret names, and shared labor.

Themes of grief, inherited trauma, and silence run throughout the novel. So too does the question of survival\u2014who gets to tell their story and who is buried beneath it. The journal entries from William contrast painfully with the invisibility of Monette\u2019s voice, reminding readers that even in fiction, not all lives are granted equal narrative weight. Yet Torrey pushes against that inequality, giving her enslaved characters rich inner worlds and the dignity of interiority.

Fox Creek is beautiful, devastating, and essential. For those interested in American history, Southern Gothic fiction, or women's literature, this is a must-read. At a time when many novels shy away from confronting the brutal truths of our past, Fox Creek leans in with compassion, sorrow, and unrelenting honesty. M.E. Torrey has given us a story that aches, but never sensationalizes. And long after turning the final page, I find myself haunted\u2014in the best, most necessary way.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "27-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:39:08", "publisher": "Sly Fox Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810051", "title": "Fox Creek", "author": "M. E. Torrey", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 485, "review": "Monette is a young girl who is still mourning the passing of her father. The sadness that overwhelms her is soon coupled with shock as she is whisked away with a group of slaves that her desperate half-brother sold. Monette\u2019s worry is eased by a young boy named Cyrus, who accompanies Monette on a journey where neither knows their ultimate destination. The year is 1843, and the world Monette and Cyrus inhabit views them as inferior labor to be bought and sold at the whim of a plantation owner.

William Jensey inherited the sprawling plantation dubbed Fox Creek from his father, and William accepted his birthright and made it his own by expanding the labor force and land. William runs his homestead with an uncompromising hand, meting out punishment for even minor infractions. He is married and devoted to his Wife, Sarah, and has two children named Breck and Kate. The paths of Cyrus and Monette intersect with the Jenseys as William Jensey seeks to add additional manpower. Kate is smitten with the adorable Monette and believes she will be her playmate for the foreseeable future. She convinces William to purchase the young girl. Meanwhile, Breck had a brief but memorable encounter with Cyrus, which made an impression on him. Breck defies convention and makes a bid for Cyrus in his father\u2019s name.

Breck is unaware of the harsh nature of his father\u2019s profession until he witnesses his father shoot a runaway slave. His emotional reaction disgusts his father, who believes that Breck needs to toughen up if he plans to take over the plantation in the future. Despite Monette and Kate being joined at the hip, the cruel reality of Monette\u2019s status at Fox Creek is reinforced by Sarah when she tells her that Monette is part of the help, not family. However, Breck defies the rules by teaching Monette to read, and Kate lets her sleep next to her.

As the years pass, trouble looms on the horizon as Fox Creek begins to see various escape attempts. The antebellum South has begun to become unsettled, and the Jenseys and others on the farm are about to bear witness to it.

Fox Creek is a sweeping historical fiction novel that explores nearly a decade in the lives of a slaveholding family and their involuntary servants. The cruel nature of slavery is well illustrated primarily through the actions of William Jensey in his role as a planter. He believes that his actions are justifiable due to a perceived supremacy over his enslaved employees. His desire to educate his son in the ways of the plantation reflects the generational misteachings that allowed the historical wrong to survive. Author M.E. Torrey has created characters that are multifaceted and absorbing while penning a heartrending story about life, love, family, and finding freedom in any conceivable way. This is an unforgettable book that will linger with the reader well after its conclusion.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "28-Jun-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:38:37", "publisher": "Sly Fox Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810047", "title": "Fox Creek", "author": "M. E. Torrey", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 363, "review": "Set in 1840s Louisiana, Fox Creek by M.E. Torrey crafts a searing portrait of antebellum life, told through a third-person narrative that immerses the reader in a world shaped by grief, violence, and unyielding hierarchy. It\u2019s not an easy read, and it\u2019s not supposed to be.

From the first chapter, the immersive prose struck me. Torrey doesn\u2019t coddle the reader with exposition; instead, she trusts us to catch up. This pays off in spades.

What elevates Fox Creek beyond its setting is its unflinching portrayal of its characters, especially the enslaved women, whose inner lives, small triumphs, and devastating defeats carry the novel\u2019s emotional heft. Monette is a central figure: sharp-witted and observant, she moves through the novel under the constant threat of exploitation. When she\u2019s described as \u201cnear breeding age,\u201d the dehumanizing language is both matter-of-fact and revolting. Fatima, another enslaved woman, is sold for $200\u2014a transaction recounted in a plantation ledger entry with the same emotional weight as noting the weather.

We also glimpse the unbalanced and often disturbing relationships between enslavers and the enslaved. One man\u2019s obsessive fixation on Monette culminates in a fevered declaration: \u201cMonette, I love you, I love you.\u201d But love, in this context, is poisoned by ownership, power, and the entitlement to her body. These moments are not romantic\u2014they are harrowing.

Torrey also explores resistance in small forms. Monette is paid five dollars for reporting runaways\u2014an act that could be read as betrayal or survival. The ambiguity is intentional, illustrating how survival often comes at impossible moral cost.

Torrey uses juxtaposition like a weapon, contrasting genteel Southern rituals with the ever-present brutality of slavery. There are no satisfying arcs or cathartic resolutions. The story denies comfort, and that honesty lingers. Silence becomes a narrative tool\u2014what\u2019s left unsaid says everything.

It reminded me of Beloved, not because of style, but because of the emotional weight it demands you carry. Torrey\u2019s restraint\u2014never overwriting pain, never forcing empathy\u2014makes the book all the more powerful.

If you\u2019re looking for escapism, look elsewhere. But if you want historical fiction that confronts America\u2019s past with clear eyes and open wounds, Fox Creek is essential reading. Its characters may not be free, but their stories refuse to be silenced.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "30-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:38:14", "publisher": "Sly Fox Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810043", "title": "Fox Creek", "author": "M. E. Torrey", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 411, "review": "The antebellum period of American history has captured the American imagination since not long after the Civil War. It has been romanticized and exaggerated, told and retold in many different ways from many different perspectives. Some tell a story sympathetic to the slaveholders; others focus on the plight of the enslaved.

In this, Fox Creek is little different from many other books focused on the pre-Civil War South. It is softer than some stories, with plantation owners who are relatively kind, and the focus is much more on the blurry lines that might have existed between slaveholder and enslaved, the strange loyalty and affection that some called love, and may have even meant it as such. The story shifts between different perspectives; sometimes readers see through the eyes of enslaved children, other times through the eyes of the adults who own them, and still others through the eyes of the white children coming to realize that the very children they are growing up alongside must live a different life from them.

At times, it seems that Torrey is trying to have it both ways, to tell a story about so-called \u201cgood plantation owners\u201d while still recognizing that slavery was an evil entrenched in our early nation. Certainly, the way the enslaved characters speak at times rings false, their vernacular sounding like an echo of those books that presented black people as condemned to their station in life due to ignorance. However, it is clear this is not Torrey\u2019s intent. The empathy and humanity with which she writes Cyrus and Monette, her enslaved protagonists, shows this.

If Torrey is having it both ways, it is in writing most of her viewpoint characters with that same empathy and humanity. Whether this is a softening of history or an accurate look at what some people were like is open to interpretation. Fox Creek does seem like a softened, even sanitized version of history at times, but at others, the cruelty of reality shines through.

Taken by its own merits, the novel does what it does very well. It presents a deeply human story, and it tells it beautifully. I found it a compelling story and was very glad to have come across it. It may not have told an entirely new story, but neither did it have to. It was enough that it told the story that it did. Torrey is a powerful writer, and I\u2019ll be looking for more of her work in the future.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "06-Jun-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:37:53", "publisher": "Sly Fox Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015810039", "title": "Fox Creek", "author": "M. E. Torrey", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 515, "review": "M.E. Torrey\u2019s Fox Creek is a beautiful work of historical fiction that invites the reader into the morally entangled and emotionally fractured world of 1840s Louisiana plantation life. Torrey reconstructs the antebellum South with both archival precision and literary elegance.

What distinguishes this novel is not simply its fidelity to historical atmosphere, but its relentless interrogation of relationships, especially those between the white planter class and the people over whom they exert authority. Patriarchs are rendered not as stock villains but as men whose emotional impotence and moral evasions are inextricable from the violence they enact or permit. Their grief, when expressed, becomes a kind of narcissism\u2014a refusal to see beyond their own losses into the chasm of generational harm they perpetuate.

The relationships among the plantation owners themselves are no less complex. Marriages in Fox Creek often resemble economic alliances rather than emotional bonds. Female characters who are constrained by the gendered codes of Southern gentility seek control in the few spaces allowed to them through managing households, arranging marriages, or enforcing social hierarchies among the enslaved. Yet the emotional isolation of these white women is depicted not to elicit sympathy, but to expose how deeply white womanhood was invested in maintaining the very structures that entrapped them.

More fraught, however, are the intimate and often coerced relationships between the planter class and the enslaved. These relationships are never sensationalized, but Torrey makes clear that violence exists in more than just the lash. It resides in tone, in surveillance, in the expectation of silence. One particularly harrowing scene involves a white woman obsessing over a young enslaved girl\u2019s beauty, not as a human attribute, but as a commodity to be feared and controlled. Such moments underscore how white possessiveness extended beyond bodies to the very expressions of personhood.

What emerges from these relationships is a theme of radical disconnection. The plantation is less a community than a machine\u2014one that distorts every human interaction into an expression of dominance, dependency, or denial. Torrey does not offer moments of reconciliation; instead, she offers witness. The enslaved are not ciphers of suffering, but bearers of interiority and agency, often navigating layers of exploitation with strategic silence, coded resistance, and bonds of kinship that exist in defiance of the world around them.

Fox Creek's nonlinear form mirrors the fragmentary way trauma is remembered and recorded. This is not a book of epiphanies or narrative arcs; its power lies in its accumulation of small, brutal truths. Torrey\u2019s prose is lyrical without being florid, and her descriptive language often invokes the senses before the intellect\u2014sugarcane fields sweltering with tension, the texture of homes thick with generational rot.

Ultimately, Fox Creek is a book that resists closure. It is not concerned with catharsis, but with clarity. For those attuned to the aftershocks of American slavery\u2014not only in history books, but in lived experience\u2014this novel offers a mirror held up to the past, reflecting the enduring entanglements of race, power, and memory. Torrey has written a haunting, unsparing narrative that belongs in conversation with the best of historical fiction\u2014and in the hands of readers prepared to be unsettled.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "06-Jun-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:37:12", "publisher": "Sly Fox Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810035", "title": "Such a Pretty Picture", "author": "Andrea Leeb", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 538, "review": "Reading Such A Pretty Picture was raw and aching, but impossible to look away from. Andrea Leeb writes her childhood with clarity, but not detachment. Every scene is heavy with emotion, especially because she recounts them through the eyes of a little girl trying desperately to be loved, accepted, and safe. It\u2019s a book I had to take breaks from, not because it\u2019s poorly written (quite the opposite), but because it cuts deep. You don\u2019t just read it\u2014you feel it.

From the very first chapter, Andrea sets the tone. The story starts with what should be a simple, loving act: a parent bathing their child. Instead, it becomes a haunting, irreversible moment. \u201cPlay with your duck, and let Daddy wash you with his hand,\u201d her father says, while her mother is out getting ready for a dinner date. What follows is an encounter that strips innocence away in seconds. It\u2019s so matter-of-factly told, without dramatics, that I had to stop and catch my breath. The simplicity makes it even more horrifying.

But this memoir isn\u2019t just about one event\u2014it\u2019s about everything that followed. The silence. The shame. The way her mother\u2019s love becomes conditional, erratic, and even cruel. After witnessing the abuse, her mother faints, becomes temporarily blind, and then punishes Andrea emotionally and physically for years. One of the most heartbreaking quotes comes when Andrea is still just a child, trying to make sense of it all: \u201cMaybe I could cure her with my love, the same way I had hurt her with my badness.\u201d That idea\u2014that she\u2019s somehow responsible for everything wrong in her home\u2014is heartbreaking and so relatable for anyone who\u2019s ever been scapegoated as a child.

The memoir is full of painful moments, like when her mother slaps her over a pink shirt on color day at summer camp, or when Andrea tries to smother herself using a shoebox full of cotton balls, toilet paper, and tape. That scene gutted me. The sheer ingenuity of it\u2014how a young girl finds ways to hurt herself using whatever\u2019s on hand\u2014should terrify anyone. But the moment her mother finds her and cradles her, saying, \u201cMy poor baby. What have I done to you?\u201d it\u2019s like this impossible contradiction. That was Andrea\u2019s first moment of being held again\u2014of feeling loved. And it came after trying to die.

The writing itself is clean, straightforward, and emotionally honest. There\u2019s a brutal beauty in the way Leeb allows each memory to speak for itself. There\u2019s no need for embellishment\u2014just the truth, laid bare. I especially appreciated the scenes where she\u2019s trying to navigate the outside world: school, friendships, teachers who suspect something but say nothing.

It\u2019s important to note that while this memoir includes sexual abuse, it\u2019s not just about that. It\u2019s about family dysfunction, generational trauma, the failure of adults to protect children, and the way abuse festers in silence. It\u2019s about what it costs a child to keep a secret.

This isn\u2019t a book I\u2019d recommend lightly\u2014it\u2019s emotionally intense and triggering. But it\u2019s also one of the most honest, powerful memoirs I\u2019ve ever read. Andrea Leeb isn\u2019t asking for pity. She\u2019s telling her story to shed light, to speak the truth, and to make someone else feel less alone. And that\u2019s precisely why it matters.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "27-Jun-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:25:36", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810031", "title": "Such a Pretty Picture: A Memoir", "author": "Andrea Leeb", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 452, "review": "Andrea Leeb\u2019s Such A Pretty Picture: A Memoir is an exquisitely written yet profoundly disturbing account of childhood sexual abuse, maternal betrayal, and the fracturing effects of long-buried trauma. With unwavering honesty and lyrical restraint, Leeb constructs a narrative that is as emotionally devastating as it is artistically accomplished. This memoir is not just a chronicle of survival\u2014it is a study in how language, silence, and memory coalesce into a haunting portrait of a life shaped by secrets.

The book begins in the early 1960s in what outwardly appears to be an idyllic suburban home. Leeb, at five years old, experiences her first betrayal during a seemingly mundane moment\u2014her father offering to bathe her so her mother can rest. In clinical yet heartbreakingly lucid language, Leeb writes, \u201cHe rubbed my neck, my chest, my legs, and then the place in between. He didn\u2019t use soap, and he used only one hand. His breathing grew fast and heavy.\u201d This moment, both stark and intimate, sets the tone for what follows: an unrelenting confrontation with the personal, psychological, and emotional cost of abuse.

What makes this memoir particularly harrowing is the layered complicity of the mother figure. The mother\u2019s silence\u2014first shocked, then deliberate\u2014becomes its own form of violence. When Andrea seeks comfort, her mother withdraws: \u201cDo whatever he tells you,\u201d she says, a sentence so short and cruel it reverberates through the rest of the book like a verdict. The refusal of the mother to protect her child, even after witnessing the abuse, creates an emotional void more haunting than the physical acts themselves.

Throughout the memoir, Leeb\u2019s prose is marked by its precision. She avoids sensationalism and instead offers details that are psychologically rich and devastating in their simplicity. When describing her own internalization of the abuse, she writes, \u201cI wanted to be good enough to deserve love. If I could be better, then maybe she would see me.\u201d This longing to be seen, to be acknowledged as both victim and child, underpins every chapter. The emotional resonance here is profound\u2014Leeb has a deep understanding of how children translate trauma into self-blame.

Leeb\u2019s prose is lyrical and evocative, with vivid imagery that captures both the beauty and horror of everyday life. The nonlinear storytelling, alternating between present and past, enhances the reader's understanding of how trauma silently shapes identity over time. At its core, this novel is a quiet rebellion against the invisible burdens carried by women and the unspoken griefs they endure.

Such a Pretty Picture is not just a domestic drama but a psychological excavation. It will resonate with readers who appreciate character-driven stories that explore the darker undercurrents of family life with honesty and compassion. A compelling debut that lingers long after the last page.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:25:16", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015810027", "title": "Such a Pretty Picture: A Memoir", "author": "Andrea Leeb", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 405, "review": "Andrea Leeb\u2019s Such A Pretty Picture is a gut-wrenching, courageous memoir that unflinchingly explores the lasting impact of childhood sexual abuse and emotional trauma. From the very first chapter, where a seemingly ordinary bath scene transforms into a moment of life-altering horror, Leeb draws the reader into her harrowing story of betrayal by those meant to protect her.

The memoir traces Andrea's early life in 1960s New York, where appearances masked devastating truths. Her father, a respected teacher, is revealed to be a predator; her mother, beautiful and fragile, is alternately neglectful, abusive, and complicit. The layers of family dysfunction are heartbreakingly detailed, especially in how Andrea internalizes guilt and self-hatred, believing herself responsible for the chaos around her. Andrea Leeb offers no easy villains or tidy redemptions; instead, she meticulously portrays the complex emotional terrain of a child trying to navigate an unsafe world.

One of the most poignant threads throughout the book is Andrea\u2019s relationship with her mother, Marlene. Beautiful and emotionally volatile, Marlene is both victim and perpetrator, consumed by her own traumas yet blind\u2014or willfully indifferent-to her daughter\u2019s suffering. In one chilling scene, Marlene tells Andrea to \u201cdo whatever your father tells you,\u201d a moment that echoes with tragic foreshadowing. The emotional abandonment Andrea endures is just as damaging as the physical abuse.

What makes this memoir especially powerful is Leeb\u2019s ability to blend a child\u2019s innocent confusion with the adult clarity of hindsight. She documents not only the physical violations but also the deep psychological scars\u2014her compulsive need to be \u201cgood,\u201d her fear of being labeled \u201ccrazy,\u201d and her desperate yearning for love and safety.

The title itself is devastatingly ironic. \u201cSuch a pretty picture\u201d refers to the carefully constructed fa\u00e7ade the family presents to the world\u2014a fa\u00e7ade Andrea is pressured to uphold. The book underscores how dangerous this need for appearances can be, especially in families where truth threatens to unravel everything. While difficult to read at times, Such A Pretty Picture is ultimately a story of resilience. Leeb does not flinch from the truth, nor does she allow her story to be defined solely by victimhood. Instead, she gives voice to a lived experience too often hidden in silence and shame.Such A Pretty Picture is a fierce act of reclamation, written with haunting grace. Brave, honest, and exquisitely written, this memoir is a necessary addition to the canon of survival literature. Leeb's story will stay with readers long after the final page.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "06-Jun-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:24:52", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810023", "title": "Such a Pretty Picture: A Memoir", "author": "Andrea Leeb", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 511, "review": "Andrea Leeb\u2019s Such A Pretty Picture is a haunting and unflinching memoir that reveals the chasm between appearances and reality, particularly in the context of 1950s and 60s suburbia. With crystalline prose and a measured, evocative tone, Leeb guides the reader through her childhood in a home that, from the outside, appeared perfect\u2014but behind closed doors, hid deep dysfunction. As a longtime reader and reviewer with a particular interest in women\u2019s voices and narratives of survival, I found this memoir both deeply disturbing and profoundly important.

At the heart of this book is the theme of maternal betrayal. Leeb\u2019s mother is portrayed not simply as emotionally distant but as actively cruel\u2014\u201ca woman who weaponized silence,\u201d as Leeb writes in one especially telling passage. This maternal figure\u2019s obsession with appearances, social status, and rigid femininity defines the early environment of the narrator, where little Andrea must learn how to survive not just neglect, but calculated emotional abuse. The house, the clothing, the social performances\u2014everything had to be \u201cjust so,\u201d even if the cost was the well-being of the child behind the pretty picture.

This leads to the book\u2019s second major theme: the performance of femininity and the societal pressures placed on girls to be pleasing, quiet, and beautiful. Leeb connects her mother\u2019s compulsion to maintain a perfect image to the broader expectations placed on women in mid-century America. There are scenes where the young narrator is shamed for being too loud or for expressing discomfort, and they land with particular force. It\u2019s a searing critique of how an entire generation of girls was taught to swallow pain for the sake of decorum.

Leeb also explores the theme of mental illness\u2014both as it manifests in her mother\u2019s unpredictable behavior and in her own adult reflections. There\u2019s a growing sense throughout the memoir that the author is trying to name what couldn\u2019t be named when she was a child: narcissism, depression, perhaps even sociopathy. But she does so with grace and restraint, avoiding easy diagnoses in favor of hard-earned insight. The act of writing becomes, itself, an act of reclamation. Her voice, muted in childhood, finds its full expression here.

The memoir\u2019s structure adds to its emotional weight. Leeb does not proceed chronologically; rather, she loops back through memories with the intimacy of someone sorting through a long-locked box of old photographs. This nonlinear approach feels honest to the process of remembering trauma. It\u2019s jagged, emotionally layered, and occasionally disorienting, in the best way. As readers, we aren\u2019t offered the comfort of a clean arc or redemption narrative. Instead, we are immersed in the complexity of a survivor reclaiming her story.

For readers who have experienced familial trauma, Such A Pretty Picture may feel both validating and painful. Leeb does not offer simplistic healing or dramatic confrontations. Instead, she offers truth\u2014raw, reflective, and unadorned. This honesty is what makes the book so powerful.

Such A Pretty Picture is not a comfortable read, but it is an essential one. It reminds us that healing begins with naming what hurt us\u2014and that bearing witness, even decades later, is an act of liberation.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:24:34", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810019", "title": "Such a Pretty Picture", "author": "Andrea Leeb", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 428, "review": "Reading Such a Pretty Picture is like being handed someone\u2019s most vulnerable truth, raw and unfiltered. Andrea Leeb doesn\u2019t just tell you about her life\u2014she brings you into it with visceral clarity. From the opening scene, where a seemingly innocent bath becomes a pivot point in the author\u2019s childhood, I knew this wasn\u2019t going to be a typical memoir. It\u2019s a story about survival\u2014of trauma, betrayal, and, surprisingly, moments of love\u2014rendered with a clarity that\u2019s both poetic and emotionally searing.

Leeb\u2019s prose is restrained, which makes the events she recounts even more powerful. The opening line\u2014\u201cIt began the first time my father gave me a bath\u201d\u2014sets the stage for the heartbreaking reality of a little girl betrayed by those meant to protect her. It\u2019s not just the abuse itself that hits hard, but the betrayal of silence, the gaslighting, and the way her mother\u2019s love seems to disappear overnight. \u201cWhat happened tonight is your fault,\u201d her father tells her, a line that reverberates through the rest of the book like a curse.

What really struck me as a male reader was how invisibly and insidiously abuse and trauma can shape someone\u2019s life, especially when it's wrapped in silence and shame. Leeb doesn\u2019t sensationalize any of it. Instead, she shows us the consequences\u2014how a child learns to internalize guilt, how she adapts to survive, and how that survival sometimes looks like silence, compliance, or even self-harm. Her attempt to suffocate herself with cotton balls and tape in a shoebox scene was devastating. It\u2019s written without melodrama, which makes it even more chilling.

There\u2019s also a powerful undercurrent of identity throughout the book. Leeb often compares herself to her sister Sarai, who is consistently favored and protected. \u201cEven without seeing, she twisted [Sarai\u2019s curls] into tiny perfect ringlets,\u201d she writes, describing her blind mother\u2019s tactile affection. The juxtaposition is brutal\u2014Sarai receives the warmth Andrea craves, while Andrea is met with distance, rejection, or worse.

Yet Such a Pretty Picture isn\u2019t only about victimhood. It\u2019s about clarity. Leeb\u2019s adult reflections don\u2019t excuse the past but seek to understand it. She grapples with how she once minimized the abuse (\u201cAt least he\u2019d left me a virgin\u201d), only to realize later that \u201crape is rape.\u201d That kind of brutal honesty gives this memoir its depth.

This is not an easy book, but it\u2019s an important one. For readers willing to sit with its pain, Such a Pretty Picture offers a profoundly moving look at how children survive the unthinkable\u2014and how memory, voice, and truth can begin the path to healing. It\u2019s a book I won\u2019t forget anytime soon.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "03-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:23:47", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810015", "title": "No Woman Left Behind: A Journey of Hope to Heal Every Woman Injured in Childbirth", "author": "Kate Grant", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 443, "review": "Kate Grant\u2019s No Woman Left Behind is part memoir, part global health manifesto\u2014and entirely unforgettable. With sharp wit, unflinching honesty, and a voice that\u2019s equal parts fierce and vulnerable, Grant charts her unlikely journey from Madison Avenue ad executive to the powerhouse CEO of the Fistula Foundation. It\u2019s a deeply personal and globally relevant story of transformation\u2014not just for Grant, but for the more than 100,000 women whose lives her work has helped heal.

At its heart, this is a book about listening to what Grant calls \u201cthe soul\u2019s whisper,\u201d a theme that runs through the narrative with poignant insistence. \u201cMy soul hungered for something more,\u201d she writes after years immersed in the high-octane world of advertising. Her eventual pivot to a life of purpose is catalyzed by a life-changing visit to Ethiopia\u2019s famed Fistula Hospital in the mid-1990s. Grant recalls her encounter with Dr. Catherine Hamlin and former patient-turned-surgical assistant Mamitu Gashe with reverent clarity. \u201cThey will break your heart,\u201d Hamlin tells her, and indeed, the reader\u2019s heart breaks again and again as the suffering\u2014and resilience\u2014of fistula patients is laid bare.

Grant deftly contextualizes the issue: obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury nearly eliminated in wealthier countries, continues to devastate women in the poorest parts of the world. She writes, \u201cThe biggest difference in health outcomes between rich and poor in our world is in the odds of death due to pregnancy or childbirth.\u201d Through vivid storytelling, we meet young women like Hanna, married at seventeen, left incontinent after five days of obstructed labor, and later healed thanks to a single surgery\u2014a surgery costing less than many of us spend on dinner.

One of the most powerful aspects of Grant\u2019s writing is her refusal to sugarcoat. She\u2019s candid about her missteps, insecurities, and the steep learning curve she faced transitioning into the nonprofit world. In one particularly humorous yet sobering reflection, she describes the advertising industry as offering rewards that are \u201cshallow, transparent, and meaningless,\u201d underscoring her yearning for more.

Themes of justice, maternal health equity, and the power of individual agency pulse through every chapter. Grant\u2019s narrative is also a study in leadership\u2014how empathy, grit, and storytelling can build a movement from the ground up. The book doesn\u2019t just inspire; it mobilizes.

As a reader, I came away with immense respect for the women whose lives are changed by fistula surgery\u2014and for Grant herself, who left behind a life of glossy ad campaigns to amplify their voices. \u201cWe tell ourselves that all lives have equal value,\u201d she writes. \u201cBut this data reveals a very different story.\u201d

This is a vital read for anyone who believes that purpose is the greatest privilege\u2014and that no woman should be left behind.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "13-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:14:28", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "269 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810011", "title": "No Woman Left Behind: A Journey of Hope to Heal Every Woman Injured in Childbirth", "author": "Kate Grant", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 466, "review": "I picked up No Woman Left Behind thinking it would be one of those inspiring, world-bettering books I could read in pieces between laundry loads and bedtime stories. I didn\u2019t expect it to grab me by the heart and not let go. Kate Grant\u2019s story is so compelling, so raw, and so full of hard-earned wisdom that I found myself staying up past midnight more than once\u2014something I never do anymore.

At its core, this is a story about one woman figuring out how to live a life that actually matters. Grant starts out in the corporate world, working in high-end advertising, flying to New York and LA, and living the kind of life that sounds glamorous but feels increasingly empty. She\u2019s honest about that emptiness, about the doubts and burnout so many of us can relate to. \u201cI had what I was supposed to want,\u201d she writes, \u201cbut my soul hungered for something more.\u201d I\u2019ve been there.

Her turning point comes during a trip to Ethiopia, where she visits a hospital that treats women suffering from fistula\u2014an injury caused by obstructed childbirth. The descriptions of what these women go through are gut-wrenching. As a mom, I couldn\u2019t help but imagine myself\u2014or worse, my daughter\u2014in their shoes. Women like Hanna, who gave birth at home after five days of labor and lost her baby, only to be left with incontinence and shame. \u201cHer husband hated her smell and built a separate small hut for her to live in.\u201d I had to pause there. That sentence just wrecked me.

But it\u2019s not all heartbreak. What makes this book so powerful is the way it lifts you back up. Grant doesn\u2019t just witness the pain\u2014she does something about it. She eventually becomes the CEO of the Fistula Foundation, helping to build it into a global force that has funded more than 100,000 surgeries. The book is filled with stories of women regaining their lives, doctors working miracles, and donors quietly transforming the world.

One thing I appreciated was how down-to-earth Grant is. She admits when she doesn\u2019t know something, when she messes up, when she\u2019s scared. She doesn\u2019t try to be a superhero. She\u2019s a smart, determined woman doing her best\u2014and that\u2019s so relatable. Whether she\u2019s learning to navigate nonprofit politics, confronting cultural blind spots, or facing her own insecurities, she brings you along for every step.

I finished this book feeling hopeful and energized. It reminded me that change doesn\u2019t have to start with a big plan\u2014it can start with a question, or a trip, or even a gut feeling that you\u2019re meant to do more. If you\u2019ve ever felt like your life is stuck in \u201cbusy but not fulfilling\u201d mode, No Woman Left Behind might just be the nudge you need. This one will stick with me for a long time.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "05-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:13:50", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "269 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015810007", "title": "Scapegoat", "author": "Donald Proffit", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 426, "review": "Donald Proffit\u2019s Scapegoat is one of those rare historical novels that doesn\u2019t just recreate the past\u2014it interrogates it. Set in 1558 Bruges, a city clinging to its decaying splendor and gripped by religious paranoia, the novel unspools the tragic tale of Fran\u00e7ois van Daele and Willem de Clerck\u2014two young men whose love and lives are consumed by fear, power, and the cruel machinery of moral judgment. It\u2019s a grim and lyrical work that lands uncomfortably close to our present moment, and that\u2019s precisely what makes it so compelling.

The novel opens in 1596 with a fictional balladeer, Joos van den Rijm, recounting the events of 1558 in a smoky Bruges tavern. Joos serves as both chorus and provocateur, challenging official history with a mischievous grin: \u201cAh, but what is history if not a song retold until it pleases the powerful?\u201d That line stuck with me\u2014not just because it\u2019s sharply written, but because it sets the tone for a narrative that\u2019s deeply aware of how storytelling itself can become an act of resistance.

What follows is a vividly detailed plunge into Bruges during Ascension Day festivities, where puppet morality plays and parades mask a deeply fractured society. Matthias Engel, a journeyman weaver, is our initial outsider lens into this world. His arrival in the city and fast friendship with Fran\u00e7ois and Willem\u2014two locals navigating the treacherous terrain of queerness in a theocratic regime\u2014grounds the novel in lived experience rather than historical abstraction.

The craftsmanship in this book is ridiculous\u2014in the best way. Proffit\u2019s descriptions of the morality wagon in Market Square, with its pulleys, pipes, and angelic statuary, are practically steampunk in their mechanical beauty. \u201cIt was as if the entire Hierarchy of Angels had been deliberately caged for the journey to Bruges,\u201d Matthias observes. That line captures both the city\u2019s grandeur and its suffocating religiosity.

But Scapegoat isn\u2019t just period drama with good prose. It\u2019s a meditation on otherness\u2014how institutions scapegoat the vulnerable to preserve power. Fran\u00e7ois and Willem\u2019s affection is tender and tentative, unfolding in stolen glances and whispered conversations.

The contemporary parallel makes the novel hit even harder. In his preface, Proffit links his narrative to his ancestor Susannah North Martin, executed in the Salem witch trials, and to the ongoing persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals. This isn\u2019t historical fiction as escape\u2014it\u2019s historical fiction as mirror.

Scapegoat is a powerful, gorgeously written novel that blends historical immersion with emotional urgency. It\u2019s not an easy read, but it\u2019s an important one. If you\u2019re interested in stories that ask hard questions and linger after the final page, this one\u2019s worth your time.", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "26-May-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 19:10:19", "publisher": "Synthetic Prophetic", "page_count": "139 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015808003", "title": "Wild in Seattle: Stories at the Crossroads of People and Nature", "author": "David B Williams, Elizabeth Person", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 208, "review": "In this engaging and enlightening collection of essays, David B. Williams skillfully unveils the hidden stories embedded in the natural and urban landscape of Seattle. Blending science, history, and personal observation with a dash of whimsy, Williams offers readers a deeper understanding of the city\u2019s geology, ecology, and human history. The essays cover a wide range of geologic topics, from the massive sculpting effects of Ice Age glaciers and the force of ancient tsunamis to the grand collisions of tectonic plates that continue to shape the Pacific Northwest. Equally compelling are his encounters with the wildlife that share the urban environment: coyotes slipping through side streets, otters and seals inhabiting the waterways, clams tucked beneath the surface, and a remarkable variety of birds. Looking at plants, he embraces his beloved backyard giant Douglas-fir and praises the cattail, but has less affection for the horsetail. Even the smelly skunk cabbage has remarkable merit. Williams\u2019 essays often double as guides; one such destination is the Union Stables, a historic building marked by a sculpted horse\u2019s head, serving as a tangible reminder of Seattle\u2019s once horse-powered past. Accompanying each essay is a charming pictorial rendition, skillfully created in pen and watercolors by talented illustrator Elizabeth Person, that summarizes the essay's essence.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "28-Jun-2025", "date_added": "22-Apr-2025 21:40:32", "publisher": "The Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015807027", "title": "Detective Aunty: A Novel", "author": "Uzma Jalaluddin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 212, "review": "Kausar is no stranger to terrible news, but she never expected her daughter, Sana, to be taken into custody for murder. She quickly makes plans to spend a week helping Sana with her children, which means facing the life she left behind in Toronto twenty years ago. She has avoided the Golden suburb she once called home for years, but with evidence mounting and the police treating Sana as the only suspect, she fears she may be the only one who can find the truth.

The mystery is filled with heart and a gentle understanding used to explore themes of trauma, family, and loss. Jalaluddin employs a compassionate lens to highlight community and family dynamics, touching on real-life topics and situations, such as racism and immigration. Kausar Khan immediately feels like a longtime friend and a full-fledged character you\u2019re eager to solve a mystery with. Her enthusiasm and Agatha Christie-worthy observational skills give an energy that drives the stories and keeps you turning the page. Her ability to use her perceptions of others against them is Jalaluddin\u2019s secret weapon as Kausar raises the bar for what it means to be a sleuth. Your next mystery obsession, Detective Aunty, feels like just the beginning of Kausar\u2019s adventures and will leave you wanting more.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "03-Jul-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 22:37:22", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015807007", "title": "The Cemetery of Untold Stories: A Novel", "author": "Julia Alvarez", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 199, "review": "Alma Cruz is a writer nearing the end of her career, who watched her friend obsess for years over an unfinished novel that possessed her until she died. Rather than face a similar fate, Alma decides to return to the country of her birth, the Dominican Republic, and bury boxes of her unfinished work on a piece of land she inherits in what she calls a cemetery of untold stories. Some of those characters and their stories are not ready to remain untold, however, and what unfolds creates a staggeringly beautiful novel. \nAwarded the 2013 National Medal of Arts, Julia Alvarez\u2019s work is in a class by itself. Her writing is fresh, and her sentences are often haunting. Her ability to interweave diverse stories into a coherent whole is remarkable. Each of Alvarez\u2019s characters has a distinct voice and will remain with the reader long after the final page is read. Beyond that, she touches on a remarkable array of themes including sisterly love, disaspora, the way violence plays out across lifetimes, and most importantly, the power of stories. Readers will finish this book fervently hoping that Alvarez has no immediate plans for her own cemetery of untold stories.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "14-Jul-2025", "date_added": "22-Apr-2025 22:11:39", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015806007", "title": "The Reluctant Reaper", "author": "MaryJanice Davidson", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 156, "review": "The Reluctant Reaper is a charming, emotionally rich romantasy that balances humor, heart, and high-stakes mythology with ease. Marie Janice Davidson brings a fresh twist to the genre by centering the story on Amara Morrigan, the daughter of Death, whose refusal to inherit her father\u2019s mantle feels both deeply personal and achingly relatable. Amara\u2019s ability to sense when someone\u2019s time is coming lends the novel real emotional weight, especially in her tender, complicated relationship with Gray.\n\nDavidson excels at blending the cosmic with the cozy, setting divine drama against the unexpectedly perfect backdrop of small-town North Dakota. The story\u2019s warmth shines through in its witty dialogue, found-family dynamics, and moments of quiet grief and love. While the premise is playful, the novel thoughtfully explores choice, responsibility, and what it means to care deeply in the face of inevitability. Funny, heartfelt, and irresistibly readable, The Reluctant Reaper is a delightful take on fate, love, and defying expectations.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "16-Jan-2026", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 00:03:54", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000015805027", "title": "The Game Is Murder", "author": "Hazell Ward", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 195, "review": "The Game is Murder and you\u2019ve been invited. This is a unique murder mystery party where you play the Great Detective. You must listen to all the witnesses and examine all the evidence. However, be warned. Nothing is as it seems. Take this case on at your own risk, because you will not leave until the mystery has been solved. That means who did it, how, and why. Good luck.

I don\u2019t even know where to start. This was one of the weirdest and longest books I\u2019ve ever read. I thought the idea was sound, but once you start, you realize pretty quickly that a murder mystery dinner doesn\u2019t really play out well in print. Then you get a bit further and realize that\u2019s not even what\u2019s going on at all. Imagine reading every single document from a case, including all the court case\u2019s transcripts. This book is almost five hundred pages long, consisting almost entirely of complete nonsense. You could attend a murder mystery dinner in less time than it takes to get through this book, which you should do instead. Unless the weirdness has piqued your interest, then by all means, go for it.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "23-Apr-2025 00:17:10", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "1.5"} {"id": "425035000015805011", "title": "Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Graphic Novel: Dinosaurs (Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Graphic Novels)", "author": "Mary Pope Osborne, Jenny Laird, Jomike Tejido", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 125, "review": "Jack and Annie are back in this really cool graphic novel, all about dinosaurs. Jack and Annie discuss the 3 dinosaur time periods. They also talk about what scientists can learn from their fossils. While it seems that scientists know a lot about the creatures that lived before our time, it is all based on clues, and no one really knows. My favorite section of the book is the different theories on what may have happened to the dinosaurs and why they may have all died.\nI really like this colorfully illustrated graphic novel! Magic Tree House books have always been a favorite, so this is a really cool, fun way to explore them and learn more about the many adventures Jack and Annie have.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "19-Jun-2025", "date_added": "22-Apr-2025 22:36:16", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015804015", "title": "The Burning Season", "author": "Caroline Starr Rose", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Opal, 12, is old enough to start smoke spotter training, although living in a fire tower with her mom and grandmother, both smoke spotters, should make Opal\u2019s training easier. But after losing her father in a fire, Opal has a tremendous fear of fire, something she keeps secret. Also, Opal would like to stay with friends in town in the fall and attend middle school rather than being homeschooled and spending all her time in the tower. It\u2019s a lonely life for a kid. One day, Opal\u2019s mother hikes into town, a big storm comes, and she doesn\u2019t arrive on time. Then, Opal and her grandmother fight, and Opal runs off. Her grandmother follows and doesn\u2019t return. Meanwhile, Opal spots smoke.

Carol Starr Rose has written a very exciting and believable story in lyrical verse. It makes for a quick read that young readers will appreciate, while also telling a very compelling story. Young readers will be completely engaged while learning a great deal about the life of a smoke spotter and the ways that fire can be beneficial and part of the natural way of things. Great characters, great writing, and a wonderful story.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2025", "date_added": "22-Apr-2025 23:05:36", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015804003", "title": "Compost Happens: Growing a Flourishing Life After Childhood Abuse", "author": "Diana Morgan Dean", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ruta Arellano", "word_count": 193, "review": "Compost Happens is a chronology in which author Diana Morgan Dean bravely shares her journey through a lifetime of reactions and decisions made using her emotional baggage for guidance. It is often a perilous journey fraught with Dean\u2019s conditioning by the adults in her family. These adults were not Ward and June Cleaver. Some of Dean\u2019s experiences growing up were so dreadful that she hid them away in the back of her memory just to survive.

Although the accumulation of years can signal reaching adulthood, that\u2019s not a sure thing for Ms. Dean. She carries the messages she received as a child, worthlessness and fear of abandonment, into each of her personal relationships. Her needy thoughts and actions in three failed marriages ensured that the outcomes were disastrous.

\nDiana Morgan Dean writes well, and she presents herself to the reader as a conflicted being. Impulsive decisions seem like exciting new beginnings for her. This might work for some people; however, not if your attitude consistently results in many dead ends. The proverb \u201cIf you do what you did, you\u2019ll get what you got\u201d could have helped if she had learned it earlier in life.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "26-Jun-2025", "date_added": "22-Apr-2025 20:53:53", "publisher": "Windsor River Press", "page_count": "360 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015802015", "title": "Buddhist Masters of Modern China: The Lives and Legacies of Eight Eminent Teachers", "author": "Benjamin Brose", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 224, "review": "In the West, relatively little is known about how contemporary Chinese Buddhists live and practice their faith. As the global relevance of the Dharma grows\u2014and as China\u2019s economic and political influence continues to expand\u2014interest has deepened in understanding how Buddhist traditions have endured and evolved in the country that once nurtured so many of them. In Buddhist Masters of Modern China, editor Benjamin Brose introduces readers to influential figures and their core teachings, presenting a rich tapestry of spiritual life in China.

Through eight biographical essays\u2014each authored by a leading scholar of East Asian spirituality\u2014the volume examines prominent figures from Buddhist traditions, including Chan, Huayan, and Pure Land. The inclusion of translated primary texts following each profile strengthens the book\u2019s utility as both a scholarly and pedagogical resource.

\nThe featured teachers lived and taught between the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911 and the founding of the People\u2019s Republic in 1949, a turbulent period of war, social change, and cultural transformation. The essays illuminate not only the teachers\u2019 spiritual insights but also the historical challenges they faced. As a student of Buddhism, I especially valued the life stories of Xuyun, Laiguo, Benkong, and others whose teachings still resonate today. This volume illuminates how modern Chinese Buddhist leaders shaped contemporary practice and will be of value to both historians of religion and engaged Buddhist practitioners.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2025", "date_added": "22-Apr-2025 22:46:14", "publisher": "Shambhala", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015792007", "title": "The Woman in Suite 11: A Novel", "author": "Ruth Ware", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 203, "review": "It has been a decade since we last caught up with journalist and heroine Lo Blacklock, the miraculous survivor of the Aurora, who uncovered a dark secret and saved lives in the process. Lo is now a wife, mother, and freelance writer, eager to reestablish her career in journalism. She sees an invitation to attend the opening night of a luxury hotel as a potential opportunity to prove herself and enhance her skills, all while enjoying a dream vacation; however, what seems like a chance for success quickly turns into a nightmare as she finds herself constantly looking over her shoulder and encountering familiar faces from the past. Lo is racing against the clock as she faces a murder charge for a crime she didn't commit and must uncover the truth before she loses more than she had a decade ago.

I loved The Woman in Suite 11 as much as the previous thriller, The Woman in Cabin 10; it is a sequel I didn't realize Lo (and her audience) needed as badly as she did! I enjoyed exploring the depth of her and Judah's relationship, struggles and joys of motherhood, and real-world events that added heartfelt moments without losing any mystery or suspense.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "31-Jul-2025", "date_added": "11-Apr-2025 23:38:43", "publisher": "Gallery/Scout Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015792003", "title": "The Break-In", "author": "Katherine Faulkner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 180, "review": "If you're looking for a book with some really great twists and turns, then The Break-In by Katherine Faulkner is the perfect book for you. When an intruder breaks into Alice's house, she reacts by hitting him with a stool, an act that ultimately kills the young man. As the weeks carry on, Alice starts thinking about why her house was targeted in the attack. Although it is ruled a case of self-defense, she feels as if there was a reason the young man was there, and not just to rob her.

Faulkner does a fantastic job of making readers think Alice has just gone mad, when really, there is a whole other side to story that doesn't get revealed until the second half of the book. All of the secondary characters play their parts well, including the manipulative sister of the man who broke into Alice's house. The book kept me guessing who was innocent and who wasn't. This book is perfect for fans of suspenseful thrillers who love a great twisty story that is neatly delivered in the end.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2025", "date_added": "11-Apr-2025 20:16:07", "publisher": "Gallery/Scout Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015790007", "title": "When Stars Align: A Novel", "author": "Melissa Cruz, Mindy Kaling", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 165, "review": "The author has written over seventy books in the young adult genre. She is published by Disney generally, but this book comes from Mindy Kaling\u2019s publishing venture. The author is also active in television, creating romances with happy endings. This book seems to be thrown together in a gossipy girl talk method. It has no principal characters but floats along assuming that the reader can guess which high profile pop star is featured. Can you guess who Miranda Montana might be? The other characters in the girlie triad are Germaine St. Germaine-Chang and Sicily Bell. There are other characters; a boy named Zane Blue who is also trapped in the quandaries of the young and famous pop stars. The book is poorly written and so does not hold together enough to become interesting. It seems tired and worn after the daily pop culture which is always ascendent in the media. Perhaps this thrown together book will find a following in the media obsessed fan base.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "11-Apr-2025 19:44:26", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "302 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000015987003", "title": "Opening the Gates of Hell: Operation Barbarossa, June\u2013July 1941", "author": "Richard Hargreaves", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 192, "review": "In a time of increased instability, the two European countries had signed a treaty of non-aggression in 1939. They proceeded to initiate various hostilities against their enemies and claim territory. However, an undercurrent of mistrust lay just beneath the surface. By late 1940, Adolf Hitler and his Nazi high command were ready to shift part of their war machine eastward and target the Soviet Union. The codename was \u201cOperation Barbarossa\u201d, and the battle plan involved infiltration, the neutralization of various threats, followed by a full-scale invasion. The military thrust began on June 22, 1941, and while the Soviets were not unaware of their former allies\u2019 plans, they were not fully prepared for the onslaught. In the initial days of battle, the Soviets were outfought, and confidence was low as casualties were high. However, the resolve of the Soviets was underestimated as the battles continued with no clear winner.

Opening the Gates of Hell is a comprehensive delving into the early days of a decisive campaign, which ultimately proved to be futile for the Nazis. Author Richard Hargreaves has written a thoroughly insightful book that provides many sides to a bloody and consequential battle.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2025", "date_added": "30-May-2025 20:45:03", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015985007", "title": "The Sandy Page Bookshop: A Novel", "author": "Hannah McKinnon", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 188, "review": "Leah Powell returns to Chatham, Massachusetts, to the cottage her father has left her after his passing--a death that is fraught with complications, but she has nowhere else to go. Hannah McKinnon's The Sandy Page Bookshop serves as a reminder that there's usually more than one side to a story and that you can, sometimes, go home again.

When Leah gets to Chatham, she is newly single, jobless, and adrift. The plan she had for her life has vanished, and she isn't sure how to navigate the world on her own. As we learn of her story, a local girl named Lucy is distraught over a car accident that has seriously injured her sister, and the widowed Eudora is trying to find a way back into the world after years of self-imposed solitude.

These three women come together at the Sandy Page Bookshop, and the adventure Leah begins without knowing for certain how it will turn out. The book asks readers to imagine what family means, which secrets are worth keeping, and how far you would go to become who you were always meant to be. In short, it's darling.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-May-2025 19:54:05", "publisher": "Atria/Emily Bestler Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015984007", "title": "A Fate So Cold", "author": "Amanda Foody, C L Herman", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 197, "review": "Domenic believes he\u2019s bound to be a Chosen One, but doesn\u2019t act like it.

Ellery fears she will be a Chosen One, but not why everyone thinks.

\nIn a land that fears the perils of winter, and the beasts it brings, Alderland is waiting for their next Chosen One, who will bond with a Living Wand of Summer and save everyone. Domenic and Ellery both attend a magic school to hone their magic. When Domenic bonds with Valmordion, one of the oldest and well-known Living Wands, everyone is surprised. He\u2019s not a great student, lacking in motivation and scholarly achievements. However, everyone, especially the Council, is stunned when Ellery not only wields Winter magic, but creates the first Winter Living Wand, Iskarius. Now with a cataclysm of winter about to descend, it is up to the Chosen Two to end the encroaching cold and save Alderland.

Dense with detail and told through alternating viewpoints, the combination of teenage angst with Summer versus Winter magic was enough to push through. Characters fell a little flat, but with an ending like that, the sequel should be a worthy read. Not a best of 2025 but a decent, if long, read nonetheless.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "30-May-2025 19:48:35", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015983003", "title": "Red City (The New Alchemists, 1) ", "author": "Marie Lu", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 215, "review": "When her mother is in a work accident, Sam worries about the cost, which leads her to seek out Diamond Taylor, the leader of the Grand Central syndicate. Proving herself could mean the chance at a better life. In a world run by rival syndicates, Alchemy is at the core of how these groups operate. Meanwhile, Ari is facing his own challenges as he\u2019s taken to be an apprentice of the Lumines, cutting off contact with his loved ones. On opposing sides of a growing conflict, the two were once friends and now must face off against each other.

The world Lu has brought to life is a fascinating blend of modern reality and contemporary fantasy. Enter an alternate LA where Alchemy is the norm, and syndicates have control, which quickly sets the stage for messy conflict. The structure is interesting as you\u2019re introduced to Sam and Ari as teenagers, which provides their relationship with a sweet innocence as you see them doing things such as passing notes in class. This sets the stage for drama and suspense as the two are pulled in different directions, effectively keeping you on the edge of your seat. Red City is a contemporary fantasy with action, drama, and Alchemy, as each addictive chapter leads to a thrilling conclusion.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "28-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-May-2025 19:24:21", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015979007", "title": "Jill Is Not Happy", "author": "Kaira Rouda", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 180, "review": "I wanted to scream every second of reading this book. Kaira Rouda does it again in Jill is Not Happy. The book is written from the points of view of a married couple, Jack and Jill. Some of the chapters are present day and some take readers back to the couple's college years when Jack's best friend, Ted, is killed.

From the getgo, we know that Jill is a horrible person. She's manipulative, a thief, and worst of all, has no problem with murder. Jack, on the other hand, realizes his big mistake in marrying Jill and doesn't know how to get himself out of it. The topper on the cake is that Jill keeps a notebook journal. In it, she writes everything of importance that has happened in the couple's lives. The twist? She writes bad things about Jack and good things about herself even though they're not true. The fact that Jill is so evil and Jack is so stupid is what makes this book painful, but good. Jill is Not Happy kept me engaged from cover to cover.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2025", "date_added": "30-May-2025 20:19:53", "publisher": "Penzler Publishers", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015975003", "title": "Exiles", "author": "Mason Coile, Andrew Pyper", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 185, "review": "Who hasn\u2019t dreamed of one day traveling to Mars and being part of the first people to settle on the red planet? Well, what if there were just three of you in a tight space and as you're about to land, things go terribly wrong?

They\u2019ve gone through rigorous training, and they\u2019ve been carefully hand-selected to work perfectly together. Except they\u2019re all awoken from stasis, and something has gone wrong. They\u2019ve lost communication with the robots down on the planet who have been building their new home for the last six months. After they finally get inside, because the door code was mysteriously changed, they find one of the three robots has gone AWOL, while the other two appear to be developing human characteristics and emotions. There\u2019s also supposedly some sort of alien creature on the outside attacking the habitat.

The late Mason Coile (true name Andrew Pyper) has penned a gripping locked-room mystery that will have readers on the edge of their seats, as they wonder how the new Martian residents are going to deal with their serious robot problem, as well as keep themselves alive.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "01-Nov-2025", "date_added": "29-May-2025 20:07:30", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015974003", "title": "The Gallery Assistant: A Novel", "author": "Kate Belli", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 188, "review": "I was a bit disappointed in this book as it was very slow-paced and the main character was a bit of a twat. The Gallery Assistant brings us back to the year of 9/11 and its immediate aftermath. The author uses this event as a point of reference throughout the book, and the main character reveals what she was doing on that day towards the end of the story. Chloe Harlow is a hot mess. When a newly signed artist ends up dead, Chloe knows she was one of the last people to see the artist. The problem is, Chloe doesn't remember what happened that night. When her boss, Lou, disappears, the gallery owners tell Chloe it was a mutual decision. The problem is, Lou is nowhere to be found. Chloe starts digging deeper into the night the artist was murdered, finding out that some of the people in her life are not exactly forthcoming in their endeavors.

I wanted to like this book because the story was rather good, but the main character was annoying and made bad decisions and the middle of the book dragged on endlessly.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2025", "date_added": "29-May-2025 19:19:41", "publisher": "Atria/Emily Bestler Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015972011", "title": "Peggy Goes for a Walk", "author": "Tonka Uzu, Post Wave Children's Books", "category": "F02 Classics", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 126, "review": "This is a simple little story that is beautifully illustrated. Our heroine, little Peggy, gets her Grandfather to go for a walk. Peggy is a bundle of activity as she skips along, intent on investigation and play. Grandfather lags behind; he is old, after all. Soon, rain threatens, but Peggy has found a puddle for splashing. Soon Peggy is tired out and must be carried home in Grandpa\u2019s arms. This book provides a lovely little outing that is sure to delight.

The author holds a Master's in children\u2019s illustration, which is certainly demonstrated in this charming book, suitable for young children, especially on a rainy day. This is also a nice story for parents who find that the walk may require a \u201ccarry me\u201d request to return.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "29-May-2025 20:48:24", "publisher": "Post Wave", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015964003", "title": "Growing Papaya Trees: Nurturing Indigenous Roots During Climate Displacement", "author": "Jessica Hernandez", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 234, "review": "Jessica Hernandez\u2019s Growing Papaya Trees is a bold and thought-provoking follow-up to her acclaimed debut, Fresh Banana Leaves. In this new work, Hernandez\u2014an environmental scientist of Binniz\u00e1 and Maya Ch\u2019orti\u2019 heritage\u2014offers an inspiring vision of how Indigenous science, identity, and resilience can guide us toward more just and sustainable responses to the climate crisis.

\nThe metaphor of the papaya tree is central to the book. Known for its adaptability and ability to thrive in different climates, the papaya tree becomes a symbol of displaced Indigenous peoples who, even far from ancestral lands, continue to cultivate knowledge, culture, and community. Through personal stories of her own uprooting, Hernandez highlights the complexity of Indigenous and Latinx identities and the ways cultural traditions endure despite forced migration and colonization.

Hernandez contrasts Western scientific frameworks\u2014often extractive and profit-driven\u2014with Indigenous approaches that emphasize balance, reciprocity, and care for the earth. Her critiques of \u201ccarbon capitalism\u201d and even certain renewable energy projects on Indigenous territories are clear and uncompromising. She shows how initiatives framed as solutions can still perpetuate harm when local communities are excluded from decision-making.

\nWhat makes Growing Papaya Trees especially compelling is its blend of scholarship, storytelling, and vision. Her personal connection to the topic adds an authentic and trustworthy voice to the narrative.

Hernandez demonstrates that Indigenous knowledge is sacred and enduring; it is a vital resource for navigating the global ecological crisis and achieving true climate justice.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "27-Nov-2025", "date_added": "29-May-2025 18:13:43", "publisher": "North Atlantic Books", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015959003", "title": "Schooled", "author": "Jamie Sumner", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Lenny and his dad, a professor, are moving from New Jersey to Arrington University. They will live in student housing. Lenny\u2019s mother recently died from skin cancer, and Lenny and his dad don\u2019t talk much. Lenny will be attending an experimental school at the university with four other kids. They will be taught by a group of professors and will have a lot of freedom to choose what they study while visiting college classes. Lenny becomes friends with an elderly professor, visits his class, and is entranced. When the professor stops coming to class, Lenny needs his dad\u2019s help to find out what happened. It\u2019s hard for them both. Can they find a way to work together?

Author Jamie Sumner has written an interesting story that has a premise that is quite hard to believe, although maybe young readers won\u2019t be stopped by that. In fact, the brightest students will likely love this story. The characters are well-rounded and believable, and the problems they are presented with are challenging and interesting. The writing is very good, and the dialogue reads perfectly for the ages of the characters. This should find a good audience with mature middle-graders.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "14-Oct-2025", "date_added": "27-May-2025 20:14:30", "publisher": "Atheneum Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015958011", "title": "Believe Me Now: A Novel", "author": "S M Govett", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 183, "review": "Ten years ago, Natalie Campbell was assaulted by her boss, who was found not guilty. As a result, Natalie developed PTSD, causing her to blackout and lose time. Natalie received threatening letters after the trial, and no one believed her, causing her to move and attempt to start over. Her husband, Ryan, was her main support until he was accused of the same crime. The woman who accuses him is found murdered near their home, and now Natalie doesn\u2019t know what to believe. When the letters start up again, Natalie thinks maybe her husband is being framed. Believe Me Now is all she can hope for.

I really enjoyed this book. There is a lot of swearing, and I\u2019m still not sure how I feel about Ryan. However, there are strong female leads here in Natalie and DI Stratton, even though both women are a bit broken and traumatized. The dual story lines from both of their perspectives added depth. I highly recommend this if you are a fan of mysteries, especially ones that feature plots where you aren\u2019t really sure whom to trust.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2025", "date_added": "27-May-2025 22:08:21", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015954011", "title": "Lost in a Book: A Picture Book", "author": "Chris Britt", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 199, "review": "Oliver and Chad are adventurous best friends, but their idea to walk through a book proves a bit too hair-raising. As they reach the middle of the book, they discover the dark, scary gutter, the place where pages meet the spine of the book. When they try to leap it, Chad disappears into the gutter. Oliver throws a coil of rope to his friend, but it is too short. Next, he asks some house painters for help, but they slip and fall in with Chad, followed by a group of bicyclists, an entire zoo of escaped animals, and the people searching for the animals. Finally, a librarian suggests that the book\u2019s readers turn the book over and shake it. Surprise! The lost characters appear on the next page, while the boys decide to only read books in the future.

Nationally-syndicated cartoonist Chris Britt has written an imaginative story, although some children may find it hard to conceptualize a book gutter as a deep, dangerous place. Still, Chad\u2019s remarks from inside the gutter and the wide array of people and animals disappearing are quite funny, while the idea of children interacting with the story by shaking the book is clever.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "27-May-2025 20:27:38", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000015953015", "title": "It's Busy Down in the Woods Today: Friends to Meet, Places to Explore, and Over 100 Things to Find (Brown Bear Wood)", "author": "Rachel Piercey, Freya Hartas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 192, "review": "Brown Bear Wood is a fun place for children to visit. The opening spread introduces the townsfolk, including Professor Owl (teacher), Mama Deer, Papa Mouse (doctors), and many more. This is followed by a spread about Getting Ready for the Day with a wonderful illustration of the very busy woodland, a poem about morning, and a list of things to find in the illustration. A visit to the Hop in Bunny\u2019s Bakery with lyrical rhyme to explain what goes on there is next. This is the pattern throughout the book, with six spreads for different times of the day and six spreads for different places in the woods.

Poet Rachel Piercey and illustrator Frey Hartas have built quite a franchise with their Brown Bear Wood books. This is a lovely addition, sure to keep little ones listening to the sweet poetry and searching the gorgeous illustrations for all the details listed. The only nit to pick here is that most of the text is in a common serif font, but words scattered throughout are in a cursive font, so if you have older kids reading to younger ones, it might be a problem.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "26-Aug-2025", "date_added": "27-May-2025 20:25:15", "publisher": "Magic Cat", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015952019", "title": "Death at the Door: A Ruby and Cordelia Mystery (The Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries, 2)", "author": "Olivia Blacke", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca LeBlanc", "word_count": 199, "review": "Ruby Young has an unconventional living situation. She was lucky to find a fully furnished apartment in a new city, but the previous owner, Cordelia Graves currently deceased, came with it. Together, they formed a friendship, though communication is sometimes an issue; Ruby can\u2019t imagine her life in Boston without Cordelia. In their short time together, they managed to solve one murder mystery, only to be thrown into another. A big meeting at Ruby\u2019s office turns into a crime scene, and everyone who was at the meeting is a suspect. The police don\u2019t seem to be trying very hard, so Ruby and Cordelia are determined to find out what happened.

Somewhere between a cozy and a crime mystery, this is a fun series with vibrant characters, authentic dialogue, and a well-thought-out plot. The author does a great job of catching readers up, so if you missed the first book in this series, you won\u2019t be lost. However, I do recommend starting with the first book, because it\u2019s great! I normally do not enjoy cliffhangers, but I love this series so much that I can\u2019t wait for the next installment. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves murder mysteries.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "27-May-2025 20:02:17", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015949003", "title": "Celebrate Diwali: Recipes, Activities, and Crafts for the Entire Family", "author": "Renu Bhardwaj", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 221, "review": "In recent years, Diwali\u2014the Hindu Festival of Lights\u2014has captured growing mainstream interest in the U.S. There\u2019s increased recognition of South Asian presence and contributions, and more non-Indians are embracing this vibrant cultural celebration. I picked up Renu Bhardwaj\u2019s book Celebrate Diwali because I wanted to explore the traditions that shape the festival. The delightful book blends recipes, crafts, and family activities to help make the spirit of Diwali come alive. Photos of sumptuous meals and desserts, as well as colorful handmade crafts, help convey the joy and jubilation symbolized in the five-day festivities

I am neither Hindu nor Indian, and I believe the book is perfect for anyone curious to learn or pass along the magic of the holiday. While I am not about to host my own Diwali celebration, I found the recipes for kheer and barfi are straightforward and easy to follow.

Understanding Diwali is a key to Indian culture. Bhardwaj takes the time to provide the needed history and context about the different aspects of the celebration. I imagine this book would be useful for people raising biracial children or second- or later-generation Indian-Americans who want to be more in touch with traditions from the homeland. For all other readers, Celebrate Diwali is a wonderful introduction to the enduring legacy of an ancient story signifying triumph over adversity.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2025", "date_added": "27-May-2025 18:52:27", "publisher": "Andrews McMeel Publishing", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015942015", "title": "Dying Cry: A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery", "author": "Margaret Mizushima", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Ruta Arellano", "word_count": 196, "review": "Welcome to the tenth Timber Creek mystery. The theme established by author Margaret Mizushima features Deputy Sheriff Mattie, and her K-9 partner, Robo. As usual, the series has progressed and the main character, Mattie, has recently married Dr. Cole Walker, DVM. The new blended family includes Cole, his daughters Sophie and Angela, Mattie, and of course, Robo, and Cole\u2019s two dogs and a cat!

The family is on a snowshoe outing at a resort not far from their home. A sharp cry echoing off the canyon walls surrounding the resort interrupts their pleasant afternoon. Sophie and Angela immediately speculate on its source, maybe a mountain lion? Mattie quickly morphs from doting stepmother into on duty deputy sheriff.

Fortunately, Robo is with them and ready to assist Mattie in her search for the source of the cry. What follows is a tragic discovery. Was it an accidental but deadly fall? Mattie and Robo pursue every possible cause for the death of Cole\u2019s friend, Tom Murphy. Along the way readers encounter some nasty accusations as to the cause of the fall and, of course a group of greedy villains surfaces to muddle the investigation.

Author Mizushima continues to craft excellent mysteries!", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2025", "date_added": "22-May-2025 22:40:47", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015942007", "title": "Old MacPumpkin Had a Farm (Reimagined Rhymes)", "author": "Katrina Charman, Georgie Birkett", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 201, "review": "Old MacPumpkin rolls across her farm on her tractor, pulling a wagon full of pumpkins. On the farm, readers see chickens, a cow, a horse, a sheep, a goat, and a dog, the usual farm animals, but the text gives readers a hint that this might be a bit unusual with a refrain of Eek! Ahh! Eek! Ahh! and Ohhh!, rather than the familiar one kids will expect. On her farm, Old MacPumpkin has a black cat with yellow eyes. Hmmm. That\u2019s not too strange. The next turn shows a spider on the farm. That\u2019s pretty normal. Then we see a bat. Not unheard of on a farm. But a SKELETON driving the tractor? That\u2019s strange. And things just get stranger as readers visit this very Halloweeny farm.

Author Katrina Charman has written a cute text perfect for reading on cool autumn evenings leading up to Halloween. The real star of the show, though, is the charming illustrations by Georgie Birkett. She uses bright primary colors that she cleverly darkens as the book becomes scarier (it is not too scary for little listeners, though), perfectly suiting the mood of the story. This is a fun fall read for the littlest of listeners.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "14-Aug-2025", "date_added": "22-May-2025 21:16:16", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015940003", "title": "Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds: A Novel", "author": "Allison Brennan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 167, "review": "Mia Crawford isn't one to take vacations alone. Yet that is just what she's done, thanks to her boss, who sent her to a resort island to relax before a major promotion. While there, she discovers a book perfect for reading on the beach. But just as she learns another guest on the island has disappeared, she discovers her book is full of cryptic messages. Could they be about or from the missing woman? Mia isn't sure, but she would like to find out. But first, she might have to make time for a handsome bartender flirting with her. As her holiday progresses, Mia begins to suspect she might be in danger. Will she be able to unravel the real-life mystery before the end of her vacation?

Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds is a fun book to take along to the beach or enjoy at home if you can't manage to get away. It's full of interesting characters, a little romance, and a mystery waiting to be solved.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "22-May-2025 20:39:43", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015939007", "title": "When Autumn Comes (My Favorite Season)", "author": "Ekaterina Trukhan", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 174, "review": "In When Autumn Comes, a little girl goes outside to explore the beauty of the season. First, she tries to catch the colorful, swirling fall leaves and collects a pine cone, an acorn, and a spiky chestnut. Next, she says goodnight to a groundhog who is going to hibernate and waves goodbye to the birds migrating south for the winter. The little girl helps her mother pick the best pumpkins in the patch and helps her dad rake leaves. Together, all three pick apples. Once inside, the family eats a delicious soup and an apple pie, then plays games while the wind picks up outside.

This small but beautiful book is a gentle, lovely introduction to the season of autumn and its special aspects. The illustrations are simple and reflect the colors of the season. As a bonus, this book ends with two pages of objects for little readers to find in the story. This book could provide either a wonderful opening or a perfect closing to a day spent exploring the delights of fall.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "09-Sep-2025", "date_added": "22-May-2025 21:11:42", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015938003", "title": "Cosmo Park", "author": "Madeleine Finlay", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 12", "word_count": 199, "review": "Meet Kara, who follows her cat, Sandro, into a planetarium. Kara and Sandro, along with Professor Rubin, accidentally get zapped through a space portal to a science theme park on another planet called Sagbia. The three of them go on an adventure filled with buggy rides, gravity rooms, blast zones, and snottites to evade the evil Mr. Grant from stealing the transporter device. Can they make it back to Earth, or will they be stuck on Sagbia forever?

Cosmo Park was an interesting read, but it wasn\u2019t my favorite. The book lost me a little with all the science facts jammed into a pretty short graphic novel. Some parts didn\u2019t really grab me, and I found myself losing interest a few times. The art was cool and colorful, and I liked the idea, but I wish it wasn\u2019t so heavy on the science and focused more on an engaging storyline and characters.

I liked how educational the book was\u2014it actually explains space facts like gravity, black holes, atoms, and the end of the universe in a way that\u2019s easy to understand. I definitely learned a few science facts. I\u2019d still recommend it to people who love science and graphic novels.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "22-May-2025 20:28:31", "publisher": "Flying Eye Books Ltd.", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015937007", "title": "Her First Mistake (Noelle Marshall)", "author": "Kendra Elliot", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 209, "review": "Her First Mistake by Kendra Elliot is one of Detective Noelle Marshall's origin stories. Before she became a detective, she was a bartender who then married a wealthy politician. This is the story about how that politician, Derrick Bell, was murdered in his own home.

What I really enjoyed about this book is the way the author developed Noelle's character as if the reader didn't know who she was. This allowed the reader to understand Noelle's family background and the struggles she had before she became a detective. The character of Derrick Bell is your stereotypical handsome, wealthy guy who becomes a complete jerk after Noelle marries him. As we see their relationship start to fall apart, Noelle is faced with the decision of whether to stay with her husband or not. When he's murdered, she, of course, becomes the number one suspect.

Although the book started strong with excellent character development and clues as to who could have murdered Derrick, I found myself getting bored as the case became cold. Then, I felt that I was thrown back into the story, and all of a sudden, the killer is revealed. The book is messy at the end, and I wish the author had chosen a different route for the reveal.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "11-Sep-2025", "date_added": "22-May-2025 20:26:43", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015935007", "title": "The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club: A Feminist Murder Mystery of Three Women Teaming Up to Solve a Crime and Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex (A Hu Done It Mystery, 1)", "author": "Gloria Chao", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 209, "review": "Kathryn Hu\u2019s Laws of Luck knew something like this would happen. Just as she thought she found the man of her dreams, she finds out she\u2019s not the only woman in his life. She teams up with Elle and Olivia to enact a plan of revenge by setting up pranks around his apartment. But their grand plan goes horribly wrong when they find his body in the closet. Now they must work together to prove their innocence and find the real killer.

The unique premise of ex-girlfriends banding together creates a landscape for hijinks, plot twists, and humor. This could easily be a story founded on cattiness, but Chao\u2019s characters are three strong women who find solace, understanding, and friendship with one another. The mystery is rooted in female empowerment and the concept of women lifting up each other. The story provides space for the characters to be themselves and find what they\u2019ve been missing, which is so lovely to see represented. Chao does a splendid job of blending fun and heart, knowing when to make scenes playful and when to be genuine. The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club features strong female leads, tongue-in-cheek humor, identity, revenge schemes, and murder, which are done with the highest form of comedy and cleverness.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2025", "date_added": "22-May-2025 20:10:56", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015931023", "title": "The Free State of Jax", "author": "Jennifer A Nielsen", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 198, "review": "To escape his aunt and uncle and their bullies (otherwise known as children), Jax establishes a micronation to be free of their tyranny. The first step: a raft in the lake next door that he\u2019ll acquire through eminent domain. He worries that Mr O\u2019Keefe, accused of stealing money from the town and killing his own brother nine years earlier, will not be happy, but Jax has to do something. Sure, the police come, the Grimmitz\u2019s lawyer visits, and Mr. O\u2019Keefe has words, but at least his words usually include a bowl of stew or a plate of tacos. The local kids are excited about his micronation - they\u2019re happy to clean up if it means swimming in the lake. However, there\u2019s more at stake here than simply a bit of land and foster care payments.

A modern-day Pete\u2019s Dragon, Jax is creative, adorable, and quick on his feet, and his hopefulness in the face of his helplessness is uplifting. So much is happening in this heartfelt story, but Nielsen weaves it together like the magician she is. Readers will love Jax as much as Sage (The False Prince) and Nic (Mark of the Thief) in this first contemporary novel.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "22-May-2025 22:15:02", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015931019", "title": "Israel, a Personal History: A Personal History", "author": "G\u00f6ran Rosenberg", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 187, "review": "Swedish author and journalist Goran Rosenberg is a fearlessly straightforward writer. A Personal History of Israel demands open-minded readers. First published almost a generation ago, and supplemented after the October 7 onslaught, this is a singularly compelling memoir, an account of views and perceptions turned upside down.

As a teenager, Rosenberg, the son of Holocaust survivors, migrated to Israel with his family in 1962. Perhaps it is an exaggeration to say Rosenberg was euphoric, but barely so. Seemingly, he admired everything about the young country. Over the decades, with maturity and Middle East upheavals, his idealism largely evaporated.

Rosenberg is not a household name, although he may become one on the strength of this brilliant appraisal of Israel's political path. The actions of early and current politicians reveal how the author's hopes were dashed.

Each of Israel's luminaries is closely profiled. Is the author's view one-sided? Of course. He admired some and denigrated others, though never without adequate reasoning.\nNow his dreams are nightmares. Occasional light and witty touches are refreshing and endearing, unexpected back story capsules. No matter your religion or even political leaning, this book awaits your appraisal.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "22-May-2025 21:54:36", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015931007", "title": "Yelp! Yeti! Chaos in Kathmandu", "author": "Sneha Pradhan, Promina Shrestha", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Madie - age 12", "word_count": 161, "review": "Meet Dev. Dev is excited to spend his summer in Kathmandu, relaxing and playing all summer long. However, Dev sees a Yeti on the loose and tries to tell his family, but no one believes him. The Yeti is making huge messes in his house, and everyone is blaming Dev! Dev needs to catch the Yeti, and quick, or else he will be sent away to his strict Aunt\u2019s house.

I liked how the story was fun and cheerful, and I liked the bright colors, detailed backgrounds, and cute characters in the art! I thought Tuna, Dev\u2019s cat, was adorable and silly. Personally, I think the book was a little simple for me, but I think it would be a great book for kids. The story flowed very well, not too fast and not too slow. My favorite character was Joon because I thought she was funny. I recommend this book to kids who like short, fun stories and, of course, Yetis!", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "22-May-2025 20:34:33", "publisher": "Flying Eye Books Ltd.", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015930023", "title": "On My Father's Watch", "author": "Jack J. Amstel", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 385, "review": "Jack J. Amstel\u2019s On My Father\u2019s Watch is a compelling literary thriller that weaves personal loss, criminal intrigue, and generational secrets into a story as intelligent as it is emotionally resonant. Set primarily in Amsterdam, the narrative follows Teddy Deweyer, a civil engineering student whose godfather\u2014an enigmatic, powerful figure known as Sjon\u2014is gunned down in broad daylight. This murder reawakens the mystery of Teddy\u2019s own father\u2019s disappearance a decade prior and plunges him into an investigation that stretches across borders and decades.

Amstel structures the novel with remarkable efficiency and emotional depth. From the opening confrontation between Dirk and Sjon to the climactic scenes in Zurich, every chapter builds momentum. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, whether it\u2019s the coded exchanges between men entrenched in gray morality or the more intimate conversations between Teddy and his family. The author\u2019s ability to blend fast-paced action with introspective reflection gives the novel a satisfying balance rarely seen in modern thrillers.

One of the strengths of the book is how it uses Amsterdam not just as a setting, but as a character in itself. From the city\u2019s affluent Zuid district to its criminal underbelly, the landscape reflects the duality of its inhabitants. The story tackles heavy themes\u2014family loyalty, identity, legacy, and morality in business\u2014but does so without moralizing. The characters, particularly Dirk and Sjon, are portrayed with nuance and depth. Sjon\u2019s criminal activities are never glorified, yet his affection for Teddy and Anita adds complexity that makes his eventual murder deeply impactful.

What elevates On My Father\u2019s Watch is the emotional throughline provided by Teddy. His narration carries both the dispassionate logic of an engineer and the aching vulnerability of a son searching for answers. As he tells Marella, \u201cThere was this curtain between Before and After... the After never quite came into the light.\u201d Amstel is adept at showing how grief calcifies over time, becoming something a person can live with, but never truly escape.

Amstel\u2019s style is brisk but literary, accessible yet rich with detail. Readers of John le Carr\u00e9 or Donna Leon will find much to admire in this sleek yet thoughtful crime novel. While the ending leaves threads for a possible continuation, it\u2019s a satisfying conclusion that honors the emotional stakes laid from the beginning. A standout thriller that manages to entertain, provoke, and move in equal measure.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-May-2025 20:19:55", "publisher": "self-published", "page_count": "328 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015930019", "title": "On My Father's Watch: Is Knowing The Truth Always Better?", "author": "Jack J. Amstel", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 546, "review": "Jack J. Amstel\u2019s On My Father\u2019s Watch is one of those rare thrillers that balances suspense with deep emotional exploration. While it opens with the flavor of a classic crime mystery\u2014smoke-filled rooms, shady inheritances, and ominous silence, it gradually evolves into something more thoughtful: a portrait of a young man trying to piece together a past that never made sense.

Teddy Deweyer, the narrator, is a likable, grounded voice. He doesn\u2019t posture as a hero, which is refreshing. Instead, he processes his world with a mix of pragmatism and wonder, especially when confronted with the disappearance of his father, Dirk, and the assassination of his godfather, Sjon. The novel doesn\u2019t give us easy answers, and that\u2019s part of its charm. Amstel respects the reader enough to let the silences speak volumes.

One of the strongest themes throughout the novel is how personal history is shaped by what isn\u2019t said. Teddy grew up with questions he was never encouraged to ask\u2014and as readers, we begin to see how those questions become ghosts in the background of every chapter. As he says, \u201cThere was this curtain between Before and After,\u201d and Amstel uses that metaphor to explore grief, maturity, and the search for meaning in the aftermath of loss.

The women in this novel, particularly Anita and Marella, offer a much-needed counterbalance. Anita is elegant and emotionally opaque, holding back key truths until the timing is right. Marella, a coach and medical student, gives the narrative emotional texture and a contemporary lens. Her presence alongside Teddy during his impromptu trip to Switzerland adds levity and depth. Their conversations aren\u2019t just flirtatious\u2014they push Teddy to confront questions he\u2019s buried. \u201cAre you just going to mope through life never knowing what really happened?\u201d she challenges him, and that one line captures the emotional propulsion behind the story\u2019s second half.

Amstel excels at painting the texture of family life, particularly in Amsterdam. Aunt Pet, the housekeeper-turned-family anchor, is an understated yet essential presence. So is young Justin, Teddy\u2019s cousin, who becomes both comic relief and a symbol of continuity. These quieter moments, such as sandwiches at the Artis Zoo or awkward family dinners, provide a welcome rhythm between the more cinematic plot points.

Even side characters have a distinct presence. Uncle Jim is a perpetual sleaze, clearly included to highlight what proper family support should not look like, but he\u2019s also a foil to Sjon\u2019s over-the-top, yet genuine, care for Teddy. Sjon\u2019s role is particularly fascinating. A man tied to alleged criminal networks, he is also a godfather in the truest sense: present, generous, and consistent. That dichotomy, crime lord vs. caretaker, is one that the novel explores with subtlety and restraint.

This isn\u2019t just a crime novel. It\u2019s a book about identity, about how the stories we inherit shape who we become. It\u2019s about what we choose to believe in the absence of truth. \u201cDo you look like him?\u201d Marella asks Teddy. That deceptively simple question echoes through the novel\u2019s quieter moments, revealing how memory, loss, and love entwine across generations.

On My Father\u2019s Watch has done something rare for a thriller: it\u2019s left me thinking not just about what happened, but about what it means to be the child of someone who disappears, whether literally or emotionally. It is a gripping, thoughtful, and ultimately satisfying read.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2025", "date_added": "21-May-2025 20:19:32", "publisher": "self-published", "page_count": "328 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015930015", "title": "On My Father's Watch: Is Knowing The Truth Always Better?", "author": "Jack J. Amstel", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 528, "review": "On My Father\u2019s Watch is a thriller, yes, but it\u2019s also a beautiful coming-of-age story wrapped in intrigue and heartache. Jack J. Amstel has written a novel full of secrets, slow revelations, and surprisingly touching moments. It starts with a murder and a mystery, but where it really shines is in the relationships and the emotional growth of its narrator, Teddy Deweyer.

Teddy\u2019s voice is instantly relatable. He\u2019s smart, self-deprecating, and just vulnerable enough to pull you in. One minute he\u2019s recalling oatmeal breakfasts with his dad, the next he\u2019s careening through the Swiss Alps chasing answers about a father who vanished without a trace. It\u2019s these juxtapositions, memory and momentum, grief and discovery, that give the book its emotional punch.

Themes of family, loyalty, and what it means to grow up without closure are everywhere. Sjon, Teddy\u2019s godfather, is larger than life, a mix of shady entrepreneur and devoted surrogate parent. When he\u2019s killed, everything starts to unravel. As Teddy puts it, \u201cWe weren\u2019t a normal family anymore,\u201d and that line lingers.

But it\u2019s not all heavy. The book has a lot of heart and humor, especially when Teddy is hanging out with Justin, his twelve-year-old cousin, who delivers some of the funniest lines in the book. (\u201cMy dad says golf is work too.\u201d) Or when Marella, a feisty former classmate turned medical student, reappears in Teddy\u2019s life and completely flips his trajectory. Their dynamic is filled with flirtation, banter, and genuine connection.

One of my favorite parts is when Teddy and Marella go to the Artis Zoo with Justin. It\u2019s sweet, nostalgic, and subtly sets the tone for everything that follows. The moment when Teddy blurts out an invitation to go skiing together in Switzerland is spontaneous and oddly romantic, and when Marella accepts, it feels like a pivotal moment for both of them. That trip becomes the emotional center of the book.

There\u2019s something charming about how much of the story unfolds through everyday moments, dinners with family, a funeral filled with gangsters and football fans, and awkward conversations at student houses. These are real, textured settings that make the stakes feel more intimate. Even when Teddy is piecing together secrets involving international banking and long-lost friends of his father, the heart of the story remains focused on love, loss, and the families we build for ourselves.

The writing style is crisp, witty, and full of great observational details. When Marella watches Teddy interact with Justin, she notices the way he points things out, how the two boys, though years apart, mirror each other. That kind of quiet insight is what makes this book feel special.

Amstel has created a novel that\u2019s both a gripping mystery and a moving exploration of family. It\u2019s about finding your footing in a world shaped by other people\u2019s decisions, and learning to ask the questions that scare you the most. It\u2019s about the power of chosen family, the weight of memory, and how sometimes, the truth is the only thing that can set you free\u2014even if it changes everything.

Whether you're into mysteries or love character-driven stories with heart and humor, On My Father\u2019s Watch delivers. It\u2019s not just about what happened\u2014it\u2019s about what we do next.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2025", "date_added": "21-May-2025 20:19:12", "publisher": "self-published", "page_count": "328 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000015930011", "title": "Annie in Retrospect ", "author": "Kristina Voegele", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 99, "review": "\"Annie in Retrospect is a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the turbulent journey of self-discovery in early adulthood. Kristina Voegele deftly captures the emotional complexity of a young woman navigating the aftermath of a painful breakup, career uncertainty, and the evolving dynamics of friendship. Anchored by the wise and irreverent voice of her Nonna, Annie\u2019s story is infused with warmth, humor, and a deep sense of authenticity. With sharp dialogue and poignant reflection, this novel is both a relatable coming-of-age tale and a tribute to resilience in the face of growing pains.\" \u2014Samantha Olsen, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-May-2025 20:15:20", "publisher": "SparkPress", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015930007", "title": "Artistic and Life-like: Photography in Washington, 1850-1900", "author": "Tim Greyhavens", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 526, "review": "Tim Greyhavens' Artistic and Life-Like is a masterclass in historical storytelling, grounded in meticulous research and an unmistakable reverence for early photography. Spanning the years 1850 to 1900, this compelling volume explores the evolution of photography in Washington State, not just as a technical or artistic medium, but as a cultural force that shaped and reflected the region\u2019s identity. For readers interested in the intersection of technology, art, and history, this book is a treasure trove.

Greyhavens opens with a powerful premise: photographs are not just records of people and places. They serve as visual evidence, prompts for deeper inquiry, and often represent the only connection we have to a forgotten past. \u201cPhotographs cannot tell stories. They can only provide evidence of stories\u2026an invitation to look more closely, and to ask questions,\u201d he quotes Phillip Gourevitch, setting the tone for the chapters that follow. This thematic through-line, of photography as both artifact and interpretation, gives the book a thoughtful and often philosophical edge.

What sets this work apart is its dual commitment to narrative and scholarship. The book is beautifully organized, with each chapter beginning with a carefully chosen photograph that illustrates a broader historical or thematic point. Greyhavens weaves personal anecdotes, such as the charming (if possibly apocryphal) elopement story of Christopher and Asenath Simmons, with broader discussions on the technical challenges early photographers faced, such as the painstaking process of creating daguerreotypes or tintypes. These stories humanize the technology and ground it in a lived, local reality.

The themes explored are far-reaching: the shifting identity of Washington State, the clash between settler expansion and Native sovereignty, and the transition from viewing photographs as scientific marvels to everyday social currency. One standout chapter delves into the representation of Native Peoples, where Greyhavens is careful to acknowledge his own biases and the fraught legacy of early ethnographic photography. Rather than rehashing trauma, he highlights nuanced portraits that reflect both artistry and complexity, stating, \u201cI have aspired to provide a cross-section of images that illustrate the range of early northwest photographers\u2019 attitudes and skills when they pictured Native Peoples.\u201d

Another compelling section discusses how portrait photography became democratized, with studios popping up across the territory to meet the growing demand for \u201clikenesses.\u201d The book also highlights the role of women in early photography, mentioning figures such as Charlotte Prosch, one of the first women photographers in America.

The tone throughout is approachable without sacrificing depth. Greyhavens has a knack for translating archival rigor into engaging prose. He doesn\u2019t just document facts; he frames them, much like the photographers he profiles, with an eye toward composition and meaning. His commentary on specific images is particularly effective. When describing a photograph of Kelly Town framed by dead trees and smoke, he notes how it encapsulates \u201cwhat was happening to accommodate the growth of Washington,\" a perfect blend of poetic insight and historical analysis.

In sum, Artistic and Life-Like is more than a regional history or photographic survey; it\u2019s a meditation on how we remember, what we preserve, and who gets to be seen. Whether you\u2019re a historian, a photography enthusiast, or a casual reader curious about Washington\u2019s past, this book delivers both substance and soul.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jul-2025", "date_added": "21-May-2025 20:11:44", "publisher": "Grey Day Press", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015930003", "title": "Artistic and Life-like: Photography in Washington, 1850-1900", "author": "Tim Greyhavens", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 491, "review": "Tim Greyhavens\u2019 Artistic and Life-Like is a deeply engaging, expertly researched examination of early photography in Washington State. Focused on the years 1850 to 1900, the book offers more than just a history of photographic technology; it provides a lens through which we can better understand the formation of Washington\u2019s cultural identity and the individuals who shaped it. This is a thoughtful, layered exploration of how photography both reflected and influenced life in a rapidly changing corner of the American West.

Structured around key themes such as settlement, indigenous representation, technological evolution, portraiture, and landscape transformation, this book balances narrative depth with visual richness.

Greyhavens writes with clarity and care, never allowing technical detail to overwhelm the human stories behind the lens. As he notes early in the book, \u201cphotography\u2026 occupies an oversized place in our memories,\u201d a statement that resonates through every page. Greyhavens has done an admirable job curating over 300 historical photographs, most of them rarely seen, to trace the medium\u2019s development in the region from its earliest appearances in the 1850s through the dawn of the 20th century.

I was particularly moved by the portrait of James Offutt with a bundle of hops, taken between 1860 and 1870. The image is arresting in its simplicity: a man standing with a large crop bundle. However, with the context Greyhavens provides, it becomes a testament to agriculture, labor, and Black presence in early Washington. It\u2019s these kinds of images, not widely known or often discussed, that lend the book its distinctive power.

The author also takes care to highlight the overlooked contributions of early women photographers. Charlotte Prosch, for instance, is credited as one of the first women in the United States to open a daguerreotype gallery. Her business in Newark, New Jersey, and later competition with her brother George, illustrates how women found opportunity in this emerging field. Though she eventually disappears from the historical record, Greyhavens restores a measure of visibility to her story.

Another highlight is the atmospheric photograph of Fort Vancouver taken in 1860. The foggy stillness of the Columbia River and stark military lines of the post combine to convey a mood of both transition and tension. In Greyhavens\u2019 hands, this image is not just documentation but narrative. He uses these scenes to pose broader questions about what we see in photographs and what remains hidden. His commentary echoes John Berger\u2019s assertion that \u201cthe relationship between what we see and what we know is never settled.\u201d

Greyhavens also devotes a section to the popularization of portrait photography, noting how even small towns across the territory had photography studios by the 1880s.

Overall, Artistic and Life-Like is an illuminating and indispensable contribution to the historical canon of the Pacific Northwest. It is more than a catalog of old photographs. It is an invitation to see the past with new eyes, to question what we think we know, and to honor the anonymous and known photographers whose images have shaped our collective memory.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "24-Jul-2025", "date_added": "21-May-2025 20:11:37", "publisher": "Grey Day Press", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015929003", "title": "Mary Whitcombe", "author": "Valerie Nifora", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 479, "review": "Valerie Nifora\u2019s Mary Whitcombe is a deeply emotional, richly rendered historical novel that explores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of grief, displacement, and the search for belonging. Told in the lyrical voice of Mary herself, the story unfolds like a memoir written in hindsight, filled with aching memories and poignant reflections. It\u2019s a novel that stays with you long after the final page, quietly profound in its exploration of love, loss, and the endurance of hope.

From the opening line\u2014\u201cI remember very little of my childhood. I was so young when my world was torn apart\u201d\u2014we are invited into Mary\u2019s intimate recollections. Orphaned at a tender age, Mary is thrust into a life of uncertainty and loneliness. The warm memory of her parents\u2014a mother with \u201cemerald green\u201d eyes and a father who declared he would \u201cfly like Hermes\u201d\u2014stands in heartbreaking contrast to the bleak world she soon inhabits.

Nifora handles the emotional territory with grace. One of the book\u2019s most enduring relationships is between Mary and Sister Ann, a nun who becomes not only Mary\u2019s caretaker but a maternal anchor. Their bond is lovingly written. Sister Ann\u2019s gentle strength and artistic heart serve as a lifeline for Mary: \u201cRemember, Mary, you are not alone, and I will always be here.\u201d That promise\u2014repeated like a prayer\u2014forms the emotional backbone of the story.

Themes of abandonment, found family, and spiritual identity run throughout the book. Mary\u2019s time in the convent is not just a refuge but a crucible. She grows intellectually and emotionally under the tutelage of remarkable women\u2014Sister Maxine the healer, Sister Francis the archer, and Mother Superior, whose stern pragmatism hides a measure of compassion. The convent becomes a surrogate home, yet Mary never stops wondering about the life she lost\u2014and the one she might still have.

The narrative deepens when Mary meets Marco, a young Italian gardener whose warmth and vitality contrast starkly with the cloistered world she knows. Their friendship blossoms into something more tender and uncertain. Marco becomes both muse and heartbreak. \u201cYou know you love someone, Mary, when thinking about them, even though they are gone, still makes you happy,\u201d Sister Ann once tells her\u2014a sentiment that reverberates throughout Mary\u2019s coming-of-age.

Nifora excels at capturing the small details that evoke a vanished world: the scent of lavender and beeswax in the convent, the sea-spray at the shore, the rustling of convent skirts in candlelight. Her prose is elegant and accessible, infused with a warmth that doesn\u2019t shy away from melancholy. \u201cI have spent the majority of my life as a castaway,\u201d Mary says. Yet what unfolds is a story of reclamation\u2014of agency, identity, and ultimately, hope.

In Mary Whitcombe, Valerie Nifora delivers a timeless tale of a girl growing into herself amid the ruins of loss. It\u2019s a story of quiet courage, rendered with compassion and care. A must-read for fans of historical fiction with emotional depth.", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "31-May-2025", "date_added": "19-May-2025 17:12:38", "publisher": "AAE", "page_count": "196 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015928015", "title": "The Hatbox Letter: Based on a True Tale of a Lost Love", "author": "Laura LeMond ", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 533, "review": "Laura LeMond\u2019s The Hatbox Letter is a touching, richly atmospheric historical novel inspired by true events, chronicling a forgotten love story nestled within the broader tapestry of early 20th-century American life. At its heart is Gladys Charlesworth, a curious, creative, and fiercely independent young woman whose discovery of a letter hidden away in an old hatbox sets the stage for a sweeping narrative of romance, cultural conflict, and personal growth. The result is a delicately balanced blend of historical authenticity, familial homage, and quiet feminist commentary.

Set primarily in St. Joseph, Missouri, beginning in 1916, the story unfolds with careful period detail that immerses the reader in the sights, sounds, and social norms of the time. From starched linen dresses and Sunday roasts to fig harvests and gossip in small-town streets, LeMond deftly conjures the rhythms of domestic life. Yet, within this genteel structure, the novel challenges the boundaries placed on young women through its protagonist, Gladys, who dreams of returning to Chicago to start her own fashion line. A devotee of Coco Chanel, Gladys becomes a symbol of modern womanhood at odds with the expectations of marriage and motherhood that dominate her world.

Themes of love across cultural divides play a central role, as Gladys falls for Johnny Fry, a half-Cree, introspective, and bookish young man who lives between two worlds. Their relationship is tender, cautious, and full of quiet gestures. LeMond handles their cultural differences with nuance, highlighting both Johnny\u2019s internal struggle with identity and the external pressures of a society not yet ready to embrace mixed-heritage romances. Johnny\u2019s spiritual reflections and measured actions, shaped by his Native upbringing and small-town ostracism, are particularly poignant.

The book is as much about individual longing as it is about societal change. With World War I looming, technological advancements such as the automobile and shifting gender norms challenged the status quo. Gladys\u2019 ambition and Johnny\u2019s intellectual hunger stand in contrast to the expectations of their families and the gossip of their community. Their love is a quiet rebellion. In that sense, the title, a simple hatbox containing a letter, becomes a metaphor for all that is hidden or constrained by time, propriety, and silence.

Family plays an essential role, too. LeMond\u2019s depiction of the Charlesworth clan is warm, familiar, and grounded in the author\u2019s own lineage. The story is dedicated to her grandparents, and that personal touch shines through. Emma and Earl, Gladys\u2019s English immigrant parents, are vivid characters in their own right, lovingly portrayed as keepers of tradition while also, at times, unwittingly becoming barriers to their daughter\u2019s self-determination.

LeMond\u2019s prose is clean and evocative, with an eye for emotional subtlety. The dialogue feels genuine, particularly between Gladys and her brother, Harry, whose close sibling relationship adds levity and depth. The pace is patient but never dragging, rewarding the reader with rich character development and an eventual emotional payoff that feels earned.

Themes of legacy, identity, resilience, and the constraints of societal roles resonate throughout. The Hatbox Letter is more than a love story\u2014it\u2019s a tribute to the lost voices of the past and a reminder that sometimes the most radical thing a woman can do is choose her own path. A quietly powerful and beautifully rendered debut.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2026", "date_added": "18-May-2025 18:16:44", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "167 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015928011", "title": "Artistic and LIfe-Like: Photography in Washington, 1850-1900", "author": "Tim Greyhavens", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 562, "review": "Tim Greyhavens\u2019 Artistic and Life-Like is more than just a survey of old photographs. It\u2019s a deeply researched, visually rich history of photography as it unfolded across Washington during the second half of the 19th century. As someone who\u2019s casually interested in history and seriously into photography, this book hit a sweet spot. Greyhavens manages to make something that could easily feel dusty or academic into an engaging read filled with character, stories, and surprisingly modern questions about identity, representation, and the power of the image.

The book is organized both chronologically and thematically, moving from the arrival of early daguerreotypists to the turn of the 20th century, when photography began to become more democratized and widespread. One of the highlights is the way Greyhavens uses individual photographers' stories to illustrate broader historical shifts. For example, his account of George Prosch, possibly the maker of the first daguerreotype camera in America, isn\u2019t just about innovation, but also family legacy. Prosch\u2019s siblings and descendants later migrated west, becoming deeply entwined with the early development of media and photography in Washington. \u201cHere Shall the Press the People\u2019s Rights Proclaim, Unawed by Influence and Unbribed by Gain,\u201d reads the motto of Thomas Prosch\u2019s Pacific Tribune, a perfect snapshot (pun intended) of the blend of idealism and ambition that characterized many of these early image-makers.

Greyhavens also excels at contextualizing the photos. He points out, for instance, how early portraits were often perceived as \u201clife-like\u201d mirrors of reality, even though they were frequently hand-colored or stylized. In discussing an 1867 Walla Walla advertisement that promoted \u201cArtistic and Life-Like\u201d images, Greyhavens writes, \u201cThey wanted art, or at least something that passed for it, and the best photographers were more than happy to oblige them.\u201d That phrase captures the tension between truth and interpretation that runs through the entire book.

One of the most striking examples is a pair of portraits of Christopher Columbus Simmons and Asenath Ann Kennedy Simmons. In the two images, you see the same couple in different poses and outfits, yet the real story unfolds in the text beside them. They eloped when she was just fourteen, and a cheeky family legend claims she put \u201c18\u201d on pieces of paper in her shoes so she could truthfully claim she was \u201cstanding on eighteen\u201d when asked her age by the officiating reverend. It\u2019s both humorous and unsettling, and it shows how Greyhavens doesn\u2019t shy away from the weirdness of the past.

The chapter on Native representation is especially thoughtful. Greyhavens acknowledges his own cultural biases and takes care not to speak over or for Native communities. Instead, he presents early images of Native people with an eye toward their historical context. Many were created through exploitative or staged situations, but others offer glimpses of resilience and presence.

Visually, the book is stunning. High-quality reproductions fill every chapter. I found myself returning again and again to \u201cAn Experiment, The Artist Alone in his Studio\u201d (ca. 1888) and the image of George Moore\u2019s photograph of the Seattle Intelligencer Building (1875). These aren\u2019t just historical documents, they\u2019re art.

Overall, Artistic and Life-Like is an impressive mix of storytelling, scholarship, and visual history. It\u2019s the kind of book you\u2019ll want to leave out on the coffee table, but you\u2019ll also find yourself actually reading, not just flipping through. If you\u2019re into photography, history, or the Pacific Northwest, this book is absolutely worth your time.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2025", "date_added": "18-May-2025 18:06:10", "publisher": "Grey Day Press", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015928007", "title": "The Champagne Crush: A Romance Novel", "author": "Caroline O'Connell", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 80, "review": "\"Pop the cork on this sparkling romance where champagne dreams and career schemes collide in the vineyards of Napa and the glamour of New York. Catherine Reynolds is ready to reinvent herself, but a flirty CEO, fizzing ambition, and a splash of betrayal shake up her plans. From vineyard drama to high-stakes PR, love and bubbles rise to the top. Perfect for fans of witty banter, slow-burn tension, and second chances with a twist.\" \u2014Kathryn Dare, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "May 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-May-2025 18:03:40", "publisher": "SparkPress", "page_count": "325 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000015928003", "title": "To Save a Life", "author": "Larry Zuckerman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 537, "review": "Larry Zuckerman\u2019s To Save a Life is a sweeping, intimate, and vividly rendered novel that transports readers to early 20th-century New York through the lens of Jewish immigrants grappling with trauma, reinvention, and the elusive promise of freedom. In this richly historical tale, we follow two unforgettable characters, Malka Kaminsky and Yaakov Rogovin, as they struggle to build new lives amid sweatshop labor, ethnic tension, and the ever-present haunt of their pasts.

Malka is introduced to us as a newly arrived immigrant, having stolen her dowry and fled an arranged marriage in Grodno. Her early days in America are not filled with wonder but fear, uncertainty, and the gnawing guilt of what she left behind. \"Her past, though, was nobody\u2019s business,\" the narrator tells us, \"but Aunt Leah would also remind Malka that the thicket in which she\u2019d tried to hide back in Grodno didn\u2019t exist in Manhattan, and she\u2019d have to show herself.\" Her character embodies themes of female agency, sacrifice, and the often conflicting definitions of survival and dignity.

When Malka joins a strike at the Kipnis Shirtwaist Company, a vivid moment of solidarity and terror erupts. In a harrowing, cinematic scene, thugs attack the strikers while the police look on. It\u2019s here that she meets Yaakov Rogovin, a fellow Russian Jew whose quick action saves her from a violent fate. This encounter marks the beginning of a fragile but powerful connection between two people shaped by trauma and tenacity. Their evolving bond underpins one of the book\u2019s most poignant themes: how kindness and resilience can crack the shell of isolation and shame.

Zuckerman\u2019s prose is elegant yet accessible, suffused with empathy and historically grounded detail. The Lower East Side tenements come alive with the smells of garlic and coal smoke; sweatshops hiss with steam and echo with overworked laborers\u2019 sighs. The setting isn\u2019t just backdrop\u2014it\u2019s a character in itself, pressing against Malka and Yaakov as much as any antagonist.

Aunt Leah, Malka\u2019s fierce and compassionate aunt, offers a foil to the more conservative and constrained figures of Malka\u2019s past. Through Leah, the novel explores generational differences in how women claim autonomy and navigate loyalty to family and tradition. One particularly resonant scene involves Leah urging Malka to write home: \u201cA girl who pickets can write a letter,\u201d she says, with both tenderness and command.

Themes of identity, shame, faith, and justice run through the novel like a current. Malka\u2019s guilt over leaving her family and stealing her dowry lingers like an open wound. Yet her strength and moral compass\u2014evident in her defense of a wounded coworker and her refusal to stay silent\u2014anchor her as one of the most compelling heroines in recent historical fiction.

To Save a Life ultimately lives up to its name\u2014not just in literal rescues, but in how it portrays the salvaging of dignity, truth, and human connection amid despair. As Yaakov muses about his anonymous, grueling labor: \u201cOne day he\u2019d become vapor, and nobody would ever know or care that Yaakov Rogovin had lived or died.\u201d But this novel ensures otherwise. Through Zuckerman\u2019s deft, heartfelt storytelling, we remember him\u2014and Malka\u2014long after the final page.

This is a novel for anyone who has ever felt the weight of their past and still dared to reach for something better.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "23-Jul-2025", "date_added": "18-May-2025 18:00:37", "publisher": "Cennan Books", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015927011", "title": "North Country", "author": "Matt Bondurant", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 207, "review": "To read Matt Bondurant is to make a commitment to the world of the novel. The setting is always rich, the cast of characters extensive, and their motivations deep and complex. Still, it's worth every minute to get to experience a ride like North Country.

Tom Kaiser returns to North Chazy, New York, to try to put his life back together after a dishonorable discharge from the Air Force. His return isn't celebrated by anyone save, perhaps, his father, whose ailing health prevents him from doing much. The two men share a love of radio surveillance, but the family tragedy that struck when Kaiser was a kid keeps them from growing closer.

Needing money, Kaiser begins working for a local man known for sleazy dealings and art collecting. It is this character, Donny LeClair, around whom the novel really circles, though Kaiser is the protagonist. Without LeCalir, though, very little would happen in the book.

Drug running, satellite tracking, fractured family dynamics, the dream of making a better tomorrow, and the awful ways people hurt one another unite in North Country, but don't assume the book is without hope. Hope is a Bondurant hallmark, and it runs steady as the current under frozen Lake Champlain in this novel.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2025", "date_added": "14-May-2025 21:17:13", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015926003", "title": "The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs", "author": "Mamiko Shiotani", "category": "F02 Classics", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 143, "review": "Just right for the coming season, this book tells the story of a little ghost who lives in an attic and is quite happy there with his own company. But one day, a little girl ventured into the dark, dusty attic, and the little solitary ghost hid. In desperation, the little ghost decides to invade the little girl\u2019s territory and put a big scare into her. The little girl was not afraid and wanted to make the little ghost her friend. Little ghost decided that he might like a friend. For the little, shy person, this book provides just the right scary story, which mirrors the real-life terror of venturing out. It demonstrates to the little ones that even though it is scary to reach out, it is worthwhile to make a new friend, even if the friend is very different from you.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2025", "date_added": "14-May-2025 20:23:16", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000015925019", "title": "Gymnastica Fantastica!", "author": "Briony Stewart", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 130, "review": "Gymnastica is the story of a cute little girl who is quite amazing. She is very stretchy and can do lots of tricks for her dog. She can even do so hula hoop tricks and dance with a ribbon when she puts on a show. She is very confident in all the new things she is learning to do and she loves to practice and show off.

The illustrations are really unique. The ribbon and a lot of the background are in this really cool rainbow pattern, that just makes it fascinating. The little girl and her sheep dog puppy are cute. My favorite part is when she gets on the trapeze and she is really just on her swing set. This is a great book for little imaginative readers.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "04-Jul-2025", "date_added": "14-May-2025 21:44:04", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000015924003", "title": "The Slightly Spooky Tale of Fox and Mole", "author": "Cecilia Heikkila, Polly Lawson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 138, "review": "I love that fox and mole are friends and have afternoon meet-ups to have a snack and read a story together. Until one day Fox feels like Mole has taken more than he should've as the fox is completely out of cookies or anything that was once in his pantry. So the fox thinks he might teach Mole a lesson by scaring him and eating all the food in his pantry.

This book was incredible. The storyline is really fantastic and the illustrations are just incredible. There is just a little bit of a spooky part in the middle of the story and the illustrations really tell the best story. This may be our new favorite book. It also shows that you should be mindful of how you treat others and you must take care of one another.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2025", "date_added": "14-May-2025 20:22:01", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000015923019", "title": "The Killer Question: A Novel", "author": "Janice Hallett", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 196, "review": "A weekly pub quiz game in England takes a deadly and sinister turn when a new team shows up, reveals nothing about themselves, and begins to dominate. So begins the latest from Janice Hallett in a somewhat satisfying mystery that kind of disappoints at the end with the big reveal.

Sam and Mal are two retired police officers who decide to run a pub and have exciting, original quiz games. Over the years, they become part of the community, but all of that changes when a new team shows up and begins to win and win. Sam and Mal become suspicious, and at that point, the story goes back several years when Sam and Mal were on the force during a high-profile kidnapping, and things took a turn for the worse in their careers. They thought they escaped, but now it seems the chickens are coming home to roost. Can they escape with their pub and livelihood intact?

Like the other Hallett books, this is told in a more non-traditional telling by using text messages, emails, transcriptions of video recordings, and witness statements. While it is good, most of the ending may leave you a bit underwhelmed.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "27-Nov-2025", "date_added": "15-May-2025 18:57:52", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016130035", "title": "The Christian Handbook of Survival", "author": "Silas Marshall", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 567, "review": "As a middle-aged man who has spent years in church pews listening to familiar sermons about faith, salvation, and the rapture, I found Silas Marshall\u2019s The Christian Handbook of Survival both eye-opening and, at times, unsettling. This is not your typical Christian devotional or \u201cfeel-good\u201d inspirational text. Instead, it\u2019s a direct, no-nonsense guide for believers facing the possibility of being \u201cleft behind,\u201d and it pulls no punches in calling out the dangers of complacency and false teaching.

One of the parts that stood out most to me was Marshall\u2019s insistence that Satan comes first, not Christ. He challenges the commonly taught pre-tribulation rapture by laying out his case with Scripture, writing, \u201cThe Bible says we will be here, who will you believe, man or God?\u201d. For me, this was a jarring reminder of how often we accept what\u2019s preached without digging into the Word ourselves. His urging to study the Bible \u201cchapter by chapter, verse by verse\u201d felt like a call to personal accountability in my own walk with faith.

I also appreciated Marshall\u2019s practical advice. His encouragement to prepare physically, by stocking food and water, or even learning bartering systems, may sound extreme, but he connects it back to biblical precedent, pointing to Joseph\u2019s preparations for famine in Genesis. Whether or not a reader agrees with this level of survivalist thinking, I liked that Marshall broadened the conversation beyond just spiritual platitudes. It\u2019s a reminder that faith and wisdom often go hand-in-hand.

Another section that stuck with me was his re-examination of Cain and Abel. Marshall questions the Sunday school explanation of Cain\u2019s wife and points out inconsistencies that he believes show how much we\u2019ve accepted \u201cdoctrines of men\u201d rather than the fullness of Scripture. While I may not agree with all of his interpretations, particularly his retelling of the Garden of Eden as a seduction rather than a bite of forbidden fruit, I admired his willingness to wrestle with Scripture in ways most pastors shy away from. Even when I didn\u2019t buy into his conclusions, I respected the conviction behind them.

That said, I did have a few dislikes. The book sometimes leans so heavily into urgency that it risks overwhelming the reader. Statements like, \u201cThis will not be a cake walk, it\u2019s serious business, saints,\" while impactful, can come across more like a drill sergeant\u2019s bark than a shepherd\u2019s encouragement. I also found that the repetition of warnings about deception, though important, could have been trimmed down to keep the narrative tighter. At times, the tone bordered on fear-based motivation, and I think some readers might disengage because of that.

Still, Marshall\u2019s message about endurance and love brings balance to the harder edges. He reminds readers that being prepared isn\u2019t just about resisting Satan, but about actively living out God\u2019s command to love: \u201cBeloved, let us love one another; for love is of God\u201d (1 John 4:7). That closing emphasis helped ground the book for me, softening the intensity with the heart of the Gospel.

In the end, The Christian Handbook of Survival is not an easy read, but it is a necessary one for believers willing to challenge comfortable assumptions. I liked its raw honesty and its reliance on Scripture, even when I didn\u2019t agree with all of Marshall\u2019s conclusions. For those who want a straightforward guide to standing firm in faith, spiritually, mentally, and even practically, this handbook offers plenty to wrestle with and much to reflect on.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Jun-2025 21:23:01", "publisher": "Christian Faith", "page_count": "38 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000016130031", "title": "The Threads of Becoming: A Memoir in Poems", "author": "Tamara Hill", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 479, "review": "Tamara Hill\u2019s The Threads of Becoming is a luminous memoir-in-verse that gently weaves together the many roles of a modern woman, including daughter, mother, entrepreneur, survivor, and dreamer, into a poignant tapestry of resilience, reflection, and redefinition. Through her poetry, Hill traces the arc of her life not in linear milestones but in emotional resonance. \u201cThese poems do not move chronologically,\u201d she writes in the introduction, \u201cthey move by heart, by memory, by the invisible pull of what matters most.\u201d That structure is one of the book\u2019s greatest strengths: it invites us not to analyze, but to feel.

One of the core themes of the book is healing through love. In poems like \u201cThe Silence Between Smiles\u201d and \u201cWhispering Goodbye,\u201d Hill chronicles her early childhood neglect and the deep solace she found in her grandmother Mona\u2019s unconditional love. Mona is a touchstone of strength and tenderness who remains present even after death. \u201cHer spirit stayed, a whisper near,\u201d Hill recalls, continuing to guide her through adulthood with the quiet question: \u201cWhat would Mona do?\u201d

Motherhood, unsurprisingly, occupies a central and emotionally rich space in this collection. Hill writes of her children with breathtaking tenderness. In \u201cThe Simplicity of You,\u201d she captures the stillness of her son\u2019s birth: \u201cYou weren\u2019t just my child, my beautiful boy; / You were the answer, the root of my joy.\u201d Similarly, \u201cA Little Spitfire\u201d and \u201cMy Miracle\u201d chronicle her daughter\u2019s premature birth and indomitable spirit, celebrating maternal intuition and the raw power of love. These poems pulse with gratitude and awe; they are tributes not just to her children but to the woman she became through them.

Another recurring theme is the search for purpose and creativity. Hill does not shy away from charting her career in male-dominated industries or reflecting on how COVID-19 catalyzed her shift into creative entrepreneurship. In \u201cCode and Soul,\u201d she describes her tech-world ascent and its emotional toll, revealing how she learned to root her career in values: \u201cLet this all serve the soul, not just catch the eye.\u201d Her eventual turn toward hospitality design in Italy becomes a symbol of freedom and artistic expression.

Love and letting go are also layered throughout. \u201cStill Waiting\u201d speaks candidly to the bittersweet hope of romantic companionship later in life, while \u201cThe Quiet Cage\u201d and \u201cA Bond Divided\u201d explore failed relationships and co-parenting with clarity and courage. Yet Hill never paints herself as a victim. She is always becoming, always choosing. As she writes in \u201cThe Asking,\u201d \u201cKnowing what I want/isn\u2019t selfish\u2014 / it\u2019s sacred.\u201d

Ultimately, The Threads of Becoming is a deeply empowering collection. Hill\u2019s voice is honest and accessible, her language elegant but not aloof. This book will resonate with any woman who has ever had to rebuild herself through grief, motherhood, career shifts, or heartbreak. It\u2019s a celebration of what we carry and what we let go. And in every thread, there is beauty.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "28-Jun-2025 21:08:25", "publisher": "GFB", "page_count": "142 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016130027", "title": "Space Vault: The Seed Eclipse (Sci-Fi Galaxy)", "author": "Jeremy Clift", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 507, "review": "Jeremy Clift\u2019s Space Vault: The Seed Eclipse is the kind of book that makes you want to turn off your phone, forget the outside world, and lose yourself in a future that feels both terrifying and hopeful. As a twenty-eight-year-old who grew up loving both space epics and grounded, character-driven stories, I found this book to be a compelling fusion of big-idea science fiction and intimate human drama.

The story kicks off in Lagos, Nigeria, April 4, 2102, with \u201cThe Ragtag Army,\u201d a chapter that immediately sets the tone, which is chaotic, desperate, and alive. The prose doesn\u2019t waste time easing you in; instead, it throws you into a future Earth struggling with decay, power struggles, and a looming question of survival. Clift doesn\u2019t just build a futuristic world; he roots it in our current anxieties about climate collapse, inequality, and the race for resources. It feels eerily plausible.

One of the most fascinating elements is Clara\u2019s Seed Bank, a literal vault of life and biodiversity. As Clift writes, \u201cLove is space and time measured by the heart,\" a Proust epigraph that echoes throughout the novel, especially in how the characters wrestle with survival versus compassion. Clara\u2019s mission isn\u2019t just scientific; it\u2019s deeply moral. Do we save plants, DNA, and heritage for an uncertain future, or do we focus on surviving the present moment? That tension carries through the entire narrative.

The villains, particularly Zaun, are more than just one-dimensional threats. His recalibrations and control over others speak to the dangers of unchecked technological power. He isn\u2019t evil for the sake of being evil; instead, he\u2019s terrifying because his logic makes a certain cold, utilitarian sense. For me, that made the later chapters, especially \u201cOutsmarting Zaun,\" all the more satisfying.

What I appreciated most was how Clift balances large-scale action with deeply personal stakes. Teagan\u2019s storyline, from giving birth to dreaming of a different future, hits with emotional weight. Amid battles, abductions, and political machinations, we\u2019re reminded that survival is also about family, grief, and hope. When Noel grieves, it doesn\u2019t feel like a side note; it feels like the emotional spine of the story.

The novel grapples with extinction, legacy, and the question of whether humanity deserves to endure. \u201cTerms of Extinction\u201d feels particularly haunting, forcing readers to consider not just how we survive, but whether our survival has meaning if we lose what makes us human along the way.

Clift\u2019s writing is dense with tech and futurism, but it\u2019s never dry. He has a way of layering action, like the Draxid attack, with big questions about trust, loyalty, and resilience. As someone who grew up with Star Wars and later devoured more cerebral sci-fi like The Expanse, I felt this book bridged those two modes beautifully: cinematic enough to thrill, thoughtful enough to linger.

In the end, Space Vault: The Seed Eclipse is more than just a sci-fi adventure; it\u2019s a meditation on survival, love, and the seeds we plant (literally and metaphorically) for the future. For readers like me who crave both action and meaning, this book delivers on both fronts.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "28-Jun-2025 21:02:30", "publisher": "ElleWon Press", "page_count": "354 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016130023", "title": "Space Vault: The Seed Eclipse", "author": "Jeremy Clift", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 466, "review": "As a long-time reader of science fiction and fantasy, I look for stories that not only entertain but also expand the imagination. Jeremy Clift\u2019s Space Vault: The Seed Eclipse succeeds on both counts, delivering a bold vision of humanity\u2019s future while weaving in themes that feel timeless.

One of the most striking sections comes early on in \u201cThe Glass House.\" The setting isn\u2019t just a futuristic construct but a metaphor for fragility, both of human society and the ecosystems that sustain us. In the same way that fantasy worlds often use magical artifacts to symbolize power, Clift employs technology as a mirror of our own vulnerabilities. His attention to atmosphere, describing environments on the brink of collapse, recalls the best speculative world-building.

The novel thrives on its ensemble cast, each character embodying a different response to survival and ambition. Gabby\u2019s sense of calling stood out to me as particularly resonant. In her, we see not just determination, but the almost mythic notion of destiny, a theme more often found in fantasy epics than in space-based narratives. It\u2019s this blending of genres that makes Clift\u2019s work distinctive.

Shiko\u2019s transformation provides another memorable thread. His arc from doubt to belief parallels the classic \u201cconversion\u201d or \u201credemption\u201d journeys found in epic fantasy. Yet here it unfolds against the backdrop of future science and alien encounters, underscoring how belief systems adapt and endure across time.

The action sequences are executed with precision, and I particularly enjoyed the momentum of \u201cThe Chase\u201d and the unsettling spectacle of \u201cThe Masque.\" These moments reminded me of why I love science fiction: the ability to stage scenes that are both imaginative and intense, while also carrying allegorical weight. Zaun\u2019s influence, particularly in his moments of control and recalibration, provides the kind of layered antagonist who could stand alongside the great villains of speculative fiction.

Clift also balances these dramatic arcs with quieter but profound moments. \u201cA Mother\u2019s Love\u201d is one such example, grounding the narrative in deeply human emotions. For all the galactic intrigue and alien threats, the novel reminds us that survival is about relationships, sacrifice, and care. That insistence on the human heart at the center of vast cosmic stakes is what gives this book its enduring power.

By the final chapters, particularly \u201cThe Reckoning\u201d and \u201cOutsmarting Zaun,\u201d the story comes together in a satisfying way, blending tension, strategy, and moral choice. For me, the experience was akin to reading an epic fantasy saga reimagined in space: battles fought not only with weapons and machines, but also with conviction, sacrifice, and cunning.

Space Vault: The Seed Eclipse offers a sweeping vision that should appeal to fans of both hard science fiction and character-driven fantasy. Jeremy Clift has written a story that dares to look outward into the cosmos while never losing sight of the inner struggles that define us.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2025", "date_added": "28-Jun-2025 21:02:24", "publisher": "ElleWon Press", "page_count": "354 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016130019", "title": "Speak with the Dead", "author": "E. C. Taylor", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 402, "review": "Speak with the Dead is one of the more enjoyable fantasy novels I\u2019ve come across this year. Taylor\u2019s novel takes a world which could become another grimdark saga\u2014the story opens with debt collectors coming after the protagonist\u2019s widowed mother and goes on after the protagonist practically sells herself to be a soldier\u2014and instead becomes a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired romp, with a little political drama tossed in for flavor. At times, the modern tone of it threw me off a little, but on the whole, I greatly enjoyed the read.

Anna, the aforementioned protagonist, quickly goes from being a baker\u2019s daughter who hunts in the woods and scavenges ruined houses to supplement her mother\u2019s income to being a soldier called on to fulfill a potentially deadly mission. She is a delightful character to follow, filling the mold of a classic fantasy protagonist with enough freshness to keep her familiar rather than stale. The story keeps that same feeling; it reminded me of the fantasy novels I grew up with, and I greatly enjoyed seeing the places it broke from the patterns, along with seeing old patterns I remembered.

What interested me most was the hints of worldbuilding that came through in the narrative. Taylor focuses mostly on the action of the book, but does a good job making it feel as though that action is taking place in a wider world, one which has not only a variety of people in it but a rich history behind it.

My one complaint about the book (and the reason for giving four rather than five stars) was that some of the scenes dragged on. They never became a slog, but I recall a few that seemed to be more for the purpose of amusing the reader than anything else. Some may enjoy these scenes, but I felt the amusement could have appeared just as easily in the scenes that also explored character dynamics or the wider world. Those parts of the book that did focus on those elements were much more enjoyable.

On the whole, Speak with the Dead was a lot of fun to read, and I found myself speeding through it! I recommend it to anyone who has fond memories of Tolkien knock-offs and wants something that has a lighter touch, or who never really saw themselves in what was often a male-dominated genre. I\u2019m eager to read more of Taylor\u2019s work when I get a chance!", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2025", "date_added": "28-Jun-2025 20:58:06", "publisher": "E. C. Taylor", "page_count": "568 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016130015", "title": "Fade In: A Thriller", "author": "Kyle Mills", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 508, "review": "Kyle Mills\u2019 Fade In hooked me from the first chapter and didn\u2019t let go. Not because the hero is perfect, but because he\u2019s not. Salam \u201cFade\u201d al-Fayed is a mess in the best way possible. He\u2019s a former Navy SEAL and covert operative with the skills to dismantle an elite strike team, but also the cynicism, bad habits, and self-destructive streak of someone who\u2019s been through too many wars, both literal and personal. His flaws aren\u2019t just window dressing; they drive the way he approaches every fight, every decision, and every relationship.

The opening sequence alone is worth the price of admission. Fade wakes in the middle of the night to the sound of intruders and handles it with equal parts tactical genius and improvised chaos, armed to the teeth but wearing next to nothing. The action here isn\u2019t glossy movie choreography; it\u2019s gritty, fast, and unpredictable. Bullets tear through plaster, homemade explosives take down walls, and at one point, the soundtrack to The Go-Go\u2019s \u201cWe Got the Beat\u201d plays over the carnage. Mills balances the adrenaline with just enough humor to make you smirk while you\u2019re gripping the book.

What makes these action scenes pop is how grounded they feel. Mills writes them with a tactician\u2019s eye: angles, timing, cover, and movement all matter. But he never loses sight of the fact that fights are messy. Fade gets lucky sometimes, makes mistakes, and takes hits. It\u2019s never \u201ccool guy\u201d invincibility; it\u2019s survival at its most raw.

And that\u2019s where Fade\u2019s flaws make him interesting. He\u2019s not on a noble crusade. He\u2019s broke, tired, and often operating on pure instinct. He\u2019ll admit he doesn\u2019t believe his actions will change the world for the better, and that moral detachment can be uncomfortable to read. But it\u2019s real. His cynicism is earned, and every so often, it cracks just enough to show that maybe, deep down, he still wants redemption.

The supporting characters add to the tension, especially Matt Egan, a former CIA operator now working for billionaire Jon Lowe, a man who thinks in cold, global chess moves. Lowe is the kind of character you can\u2019t help but watch closely; he\u2019s smart, dangerous, and convinced he\u2019s doing the right thing, even when it means blackmail or unleashing autonomous killer drones. Egan, stuck between loyalty and pragmatism, makes a great counterweight to Fade\u2019s lone wolf mentality.

What I enjoyed most was that Mills doesn\u2019t pull punches with his hero. Fade\u2019s past is ugly, his present is unstable, and his future is uncertain. He screws up. He makes questionable calls. He\u2019s a professional at keeping people at arm\u2019s length. But in the middle of chaos with bullets flying, smoke filling the air, and enemies closing in, he comes alive. That\u2019s when his flaws stop being weaknesses and start being the thing that keeps him breathing.

If you want a thriller with non-stop action and a protagonist who\u2019s as frustrating as he is fascinating, Fade In delivers. It\u2019s not about saving the world, it\u2019s about surviving it, and that\u2019s exactly what makes it such a rush to read.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2025", "date_added": "28-Jun-2025 20:50:59", "publisher": "Authors Equity", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016130011", "title": "Fade In: A Thriller", "author": "Kyle Mills", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 537, "review": "Kyle Mills\u2019 Fade In is a smart, high-octane thriller that hits the sweet spot between pulse-racing action and razor-sharp character work. As someone who devours espionage fiction, I was prepared for firefights and close calls, but what I wasn\u2019t expecting was how much I\u2019d enjoy watching a protagonist think his way out of trouble. Salam \u201cFade\u201d al-Fayed isn\u2019t just quick with a trigger; he\u2019s quick with his mind, and that makes all the difference.

From the very first scene, Mills sets a tone that is both intense and surprisingly witty. Fade wakes up to the sound of an approaching strike team, and within minutes, he\u2019s turned his house into a lethal playground of traps, camera feeds, and improvised defenses. This isn\u2019t just action for the sake of spectacle. Every move he makes feels calculated. Mills gives us the perspective of someone who\u2019s been in the field long enough to anticipate not just the next shot, but the next five moves ahead. I love that kind of competence in a character. It\u2019s not just about muscle; it\u2019s about using the brain as the most dangerous weapon in the room.

The action scenes are some of the best I\u2019ve read in a while. They\u2019re dynamic without ever feeling overblown. Mills writes with a precision that makes you feel like you\u2019re moving through each firefight alongside Fade, ducking behind walls, watching angles, and counting steps. In one particularly memorable sequence, explosives take out part of his home, flames lick the air, and yet, amid the chaos, Fade is coolly orchestrating his next attack. It\u2019s the blend of adrenaline and deliberate planning that makes these moments addictive. I found myself rereading certain passages just to enjoy the rhythm of the action again.

What elevates the book for me is Fade\u2019s intelligence paired with his moral complexity. He\u2019s not a spotless hero; rather, he's far from it. His cynicism runs deep, and he often makes choices that live in a moral gray zone. But the more I followed him, the more I understood the logic behind his decisions. Something is fascinating about a man who doesn\u2019t pretend to be righteous, yet still can\u2019t fully abandon the idea of protecting people when it counts. His ability to adapt, anticipate, and manipulate situations isn\u2019t just a skill; it\u2019s survival, and Mills makes it clear that survival in this world requires both brains and brawn.

The supporting cast amplifies the tension. Matt Egan, a former CIA operative, and Jon Lowe, a billionaire with a taste for strategic dominance, provide both allies and foils for Fade\u2019s sharp mind. Lowe, in particular, is a fascinating counterpoint\u2014another intelligent man, but one whose ethics are slippery and whose resources are seemingly limitless. Their interactions highlight the difference between tactical brilliance used for personal survival versus global manipulation.

Ultimately, Fade In delivers the kind of thriller I crave: action that makes sense, stakes that feel real, and a lead character whose intelligence is just as thrilling to watch as his gunfights. Fade is a man who can dismantle a kill team in his underwear, then outthink a room full of dangerous power players. And that combination, brains, skill, and just enough unpredictability, makes him a protagonist worth following anywhere Mills wants to take him next.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2025", "date_added": "28-Jun-2025 20:49:57", "publisher": "Authors Equity", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016130007", "title": "Ellie Ment and the Material Matter", "author": "Bertie Stephens", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 462, "review": "Okay, so first things first: this book is a blast. Ellie Ment and the Material Matter isn\u2019t your average \u201ckid genius saves the world\u201d story. It\u2019s fun, it\u2019s quirky, and it somehow manages to sneak real science lessons into a story that never feels like homework. Honestly, if my middle school science class had been even half as entertaining as this, I might have paid a lot more attention.

Ellie, the eleven-year-old scientist at the center of the story, is equal parts brilliant and chaotic. She\u2019s the kind of kid who sneaks out at 2 a.m. with a backpack full of jam jars to collect rainwater samples. You can\u2019t help but root for her. I mean, the girl sees her brand-new school go up in purple flames, and instead of panicking, she\u2019s like, \u201cWait a second, that doesn\u2019t add up.\u201d That moment had me grinning because it shows exactly who Ellie is: curious, stubborn, and not about to take any lazy explanations from adults.

The book has a lot of important messages as well. On one hand, you\u2019ve got the pure joy of science: Ellie geeking out over the periodic table, explaining static electricity with her brother\u2019s balloon and a feather, or turning spilled lemonade and charcoal into a mini-experiment right in the middle of her art exam. On the other hand, there\u2019s a bigger message about the environment. Plastic waste, litter, and rainwater pollution. It all sneaks in between the adventures. It\u2019s not heavy-handed, though. The story keeps it light with jokes, weird side notes, and hilarious characters like Lucas, the kid who builds a trash castle that literally collapses on him.

And let\u2019s talk about Michael, Ellie\u2019s best friend. He\u2019s nicknamed \u201cUpcycle Michael\u201d because he\u2019s always building these random inventions out of junk. At one point, he basically cobbles together a makeshift pencil from a postcard, gum, and charcoal. It\u2019s gross, but genius. Their friendship is one of my favorite parts of the book. Ellie\u2019s the brainy scientist, Michael\u2019s the creative tinkerer, and together they\u2019re unstoppable (well, kind of).

What really hooked me, though, was the tone. The narrator talks to you like a buddy, cracking jokes, tossing in asides, and making science feel like something you\u2019d actually want to mess around with. I laughed out loud more than once, which isn\u2019t something I can usually say about books that have diagrams of the water cycle hidden in them.

Bottom line? Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is smart, funny, and way more exciting than I expected. It\u2019s the kind of book I\u2019d happily pass along to my younger cousins, but also one I had no problem enjoying as a grown-up who just likes a good adventure. Think Horrible Histories meets Stranger Things, but with jam jars, explosions, and a whole lot of heart.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "26-Aug-2025", "date_added": "28-Jun-2025 20:49:13", "publisher": "The Clean Planet Foundation", "page_count": "316 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016130003", "title": "Ellie Ment and the Material Matter", "author": "Bertie Stephens", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 460, "review": "Bertie Stephens\u2019 Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is a delightful blend of adventure, science, and environmental awareness, wrapped in a story that is equal parts playful and thought-provoking. As someone who appreciates books that manage to both entertain and teach, I found myself quickly immersed in Ellie\u2019s world, a small English town, a curious young scientist with endless jam jars, and a mystery that crackles with purple flames.

At its heart, this is a book about curiosity and the courage to ask questions. Ellie, an eleven-year-old who proudly declares herself a scientist, refuses to accept explanations that don\u2019t add up. Early in the story, she muses, \u201cMagic isn\u2019t science. But science is magic. And more importantly, Ellie can do science\u201d. That line struck me as the book\u2019s true thesis, an invitation to young readers (and the adults reading alongside them) to see wonder not in the fantastical, but in the tangible mysteries of the natural world.

The novel weaves together several important themes. Foremost is the joy of scientific discovery. Ellie\u2019s experiments\u2014meticulously burying jam jars to collect rainwater in different seasons, or testing her theories on carbon and combustion\u2014show children that science isn\u2019t confined to a laboratory. It\u2019s everywhere, accessible with nothing more than a notebook, patience, and a willingness to get wet in the rain.

Environmental awareness is another strong undercurrent. The story brims with playful but pointed commentary about waste, pollution, and our relationship with the planet. Lucas, the local litterbug who builds a castle out of rubbish only for it to collapse on him, offers both comedy and critique. More poignantly, Ellie\u2019s experiments with rainfall and the presence of plastics around Hapsie reveal how human actions seep into even the smallest details of nature.

Ellie herself is wonderfully imperfect. She\u2019s brilliant with numbers but hopeless at drawing, endlessly curious yet sometimes impatient, brave but still very much a child. Her friend Michael, nicknamed \u201cUpcycle Michael,\u201d provides a balance\u2014less precise, more inventive, and constantly tinkering with discarded objects. Their friendship highlights the theme that intelligence takes many forms, whether it\u2019s through equations or creative problem-solving.Ellie Ment and the Material Matter succeeds in something rare: it makes science feel exciting without being intimidating, and it threads environmental themes into a story without preaching. Children will enjoy the quirky adventures, the jam-jar experiments, and the mysteries Ellie stumbles into, while adults will appreciate the book\u2019s gentle encouragement to nurture curiosity and responsibility in the next generation.

For me, the joy of this book lies in its balance: it is both fun and meaningful, both silly and serious. Ellie\u2019s world is full of purple flames, fizzing experiments, and unanswered questions, but above all, it is filled with hope, the hope that one curious child with a backpack of jam jars really can make a difference.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2025", "date_added": "28-Jun-2025 20:49:01", "publisher": "The Clean Planet Foundation", "page_count": "316 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016127003", "title": "Calypso Blue: A Len Buonfiglio/Caribbean Mystery", "author": "Brian Silverman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 441, "review": "Brian Silverman\u2019s Calypso Blue is an atmospheric, smartly plotted mystery that blends the easy rhythms of island life with a darker undercurrent of secrets, suspicion, and island justice. Set on the fictional Caribbean island of St. Pierre, the novel follows Len Buonfiglio, a former New York City bar owner who now lives a quieter life running a sports bar called The Sporting Place, until the death of a local legend, Lord Ram, upends the calm.

Silverman\u2019s greatest strength lies in his immersive setting. The island is as much a character as Len himself, with its winding roads, heavy air, gossip-filled streets, and vibrant music scene. From the opening pages, readers are pulled into a world where news travels faster by taxi driver chatter than social media. When beloved calypsonian Lord Ram is found gravely injured, later dead, rumors ignite like dry brush in the midday sun. Was it a fall? Or did his longtime companion Sassy have something to do with it?

One of the most energetic and colorful scenes occurs early in the book, when a spontaneous island-wide celebration (or mourning, depending on who you ask) breaks out at Len\u2019s bar. Within hours, music promoter Rondell Myles has hijacked the bar to host an unofficial tribute fete for Lord Ram, complete with grilled chicken, pounding calypso, and dancers in barely-there shorts. The scene is vibrant and chaotic, the kind of local moment that feels wholly real. \u201cWe put on a true bacchanal,\u201d Rondell boasts, and he\u2019s not wrong.

But Silverman doesn\u2019t stop at carnival flair. Beneath the lively drinks and music are creeping suspicions. Was Ram\u2019s death really an accident? Why are strange gifts, like a case of exotic vermouth, appearing at Len\u2019s doorstep? And what is Superintendent McWilliams really trying to tell Len when he delivers the news of Ram\u2019s death with an oddly timed warning not to trust the gossip?

The mystery unfolds slowly but deliberately. Len, a reluctant sleuth, becomes involved not out of duty but out of instinct and care for his adopted home. \u201cYou still don\u2019t understand us,\u201d Tubby, Len\u2019s loyal partner, tells him, and much of the novel explores that gap between native and newcomer, insider and observer.

While Calypso Blue leans more toward character-driven intrigue than fast-paced thrills, there are moments of genuine suspense, particularly when Len begins connecting dots that others would rather leave scattered. The conclusion offers resolution without tidy simplicity, much like the island itself.

For readers who enjoy mystery wrapped in rich culture, colorful characters, and a touch of Caribbean noir, Calypso Blue is a rewarding escape. It\u2019s a reminder that paradise isn\u2019t without shadows, and sometimes, even rum punch can\u2019t drown out the truth.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Jun-2025 21:47:09", "publisher": "Down & Out Books", "page_count": "228 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016123003", "title": "The Sky of Sacrifice", "author": "Rosalia Aguilar Solace", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 165, "review": "Rich with emotion and high-stakes fantasy, this novel deepens its world while raising the personal and political consequences for its characters. Rosalia Aguilar Solace weaves romance, mystery, and danger into a story where knowledge is power and secrets carry devastating weight. As Nu steps fully into her role as the Sage of Truth, her internal conflict between love and duty adds poignancy to the unfolding crisis.\n\nThe setting of the Great Library of Tomorrow remains a captivating anchor, its promise of wisdom contrasted sharply with acts of violence and the return of long-buried truths. Multiple storylines unfold in tandem, from realm-spanning quests to journeys through darkness that test loyalty and resolve. Each path is distinct yet thematically linked, creating a strong sense of momentum and scale. The author excels at exploring friendship under pressure and the cost of confronting evil. Thoughtful, immersive, and emotionally resonant, The Sky of Sacrifice is a compelling fantasy that rewards both character investment and a love of richly imagined worlds.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "16-Jan-2026", "date_added": "25-Jun-2025 21:04:40", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016122007", "title": "A Ferry Merry Christmas: A Novel", "author": "Debbie Macomber", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 179, "review": "A Ferry Merry Christmas is the perfect book to get readers into the holiday spirit. When a ferry to Seattle breaks down, the people on that ferry must deal with the various situations they find themselves in. Avery is supposed to meet her brother Reed and Harrison is supposed to meet his sister Kellie. What happens is both exciting and serendipitous. On the other hand, James\u2019 wife Lilly is about to give birth. With no family to help, will he make it back in time for the birth of his child?

Debbie Macomber writes stories that are so easy to read and follow that it\u2019s almost impossible to put the book down. Her characters each have their own personalities and the dialogue flows naturally. I love how almost the whole story took place on the ferry. Macomber also does a great job of describing the city of Seattle as the people on land wait for their loved ones who are stuck on the ferry. From the fish-throwing market to the Ferris wheel, this book gives readers a small scenic tour.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2025", "date_added": "25-Jun-2025 21:16:03", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016119003", "title": "Leila and the Voice", "author": "Shahrzad Maydani", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 200, "review": "Leila is a little girl who must face the mad cloud that grows and grows. Leila runs until she is lost and alone in a very dark space. Soon, however, she hears a quiet voice. Leila asks if the voice needs help, but the voice is too frightened to speak, so Leila works to free the voice. Then, they sit, and Leila talks about the mad cloud. As they walk in the dreary jungle, the voice expresses fears, and Leila finds solutions. Eventually, Leila battles the cloud by turning the voice into a sea serpent. Still, the cloud will not stop, and Leila becomes too afraid to speak. Now, the voice reminds Leila she is mighty. Together, they fly into the wind, and Leila promises to never forget the voice.

Shahrzad Maydani has written a deeply meaningful book about confronting one\u2019s fears, finding one\u2019s voice, and realizing that we are, in fact, mighty. The illustrations beautifully capture the intense energy of the mad cloud and the darkness that seems to descend everywhere when we feel afraid and alone. In a world that can be frightening even to adults, this is a beautiful book to help young readers navigate their fears.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "09-Sep-2025", "date_added": "25-Jun-2025 20:36:31", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016115003", "title": "Confessions of a Junior Spy (Confessions of a Junior Spy, 1)", "author": "Rosaria Munda", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Aaron- age 13", "word_count": 195, "review": "Bea lives in a hotel, but not just any hotel, the Pangean Hotel, which is a hotel for spies! Bea wants to become a spy like her mom, but her mom wants her to go to \u201cNormal\u201d school (like normal people). Everything is as normal as it can be for a spy hotel until a family arrives by helicopter. When Bea is tasked with cleaning the room the family stays in, she finds Chantal holding a kitchen knife. They become fast friends, along with Bea\u2019s other friend, Tommy. The kids join forces to solve the agents chasing Chantal\u2019s family and avoid Normal school at all costs!

I like a good espionage story, and Confessions of a Junior Spy by Rosaria Munda is really good. At the back of the book, there\u2019s a map of the Pangean Hotel, and I love a good map too. Bea is interesting. She\u2019s relatable, especially in how kids think that adults make all the important decisions without them. This book has exciting twists and surprising turns, and kids save the day, which is always great. I liked Bea because she knows what she wants and doesn\u2019t let adults convince her otherwise.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "09-Sep-2025", "date_added": "25-Jun-2025 20:21:30", "publisher": "Feiwel & Friends", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016112003", "title": "Grizelda the Green Hates Halloween", "author": "A A Livingston, Katya Longhi", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 179, "review": "Grizelda is a witch who hates rude children banging on her door on Halloween, so she hatches a plan to use magic to destroy Halloween. First, she explodes all the pumpkins, but the kids think it is a prank. Next, Grizelda shatters the lights, but the kids use flashlights. Finally, she casts a spell, making all their candy disgusting. Still, her plan fails when the children become fascinated that she is a real witch. One brave girl even tells her that Grizelda has given them the best Halloween ever. This changes Grizelda, and she chooses to do good magic. All the children\u2019s costumes become real for the night: superheroes can fly and cowgirls ride real horses. Best of all, Grizelda becomes a witch who loves Halloween.

Grizelda the Green Hates Halloween is a fun read that celebrates the upcoming holiday. A.A. Livingston\u2019s use of rhythm and rhyme makes the text delightfully trip off the tongue. At the same time, this story provides a subtle reminder about the power of attitude to change whether something is seen as good or bad.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2025", "date_added": "23-Jun-2025 18:33:59", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016111047", "title": "The Sorcery of White Rats: A Novel", "author": "Adam Bertocci", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 540, "review": "Having read decades of fantasy and science fiction from Tolkien and Le Guin to newer voices like Jemisin, I find myself less dazzled by spectacle and more intrigued by how stories use the fantastic to probe human truths. Adam Bertocci\u2019s The Sorcery of White Rats struck me as just that sort of novel: not merely a tale of visions and world-ending prophecy, but a layered exploration of how fragile lives intersect with forces too large to name.

The story follows Bristol Volavaunt and her roommate Monroe Fisher, two women in their twenties who find their unremarkable lives shaken when Monroe experiences a vision of apocalypse so vivid it rattles her sense of reality. What stood out most to me was not the chaos of the vision itself, but the aftermath: Monroe muttering over and over, \u201cWe have to get out of the city.\u201d That single refrain captures the dread of knowing something is deeply wrong, while the rest of the world carries on as usual.

As someone who has lived through decades of upheaval, I appreciated how the book portrays that uneasy gap between private terror and public indifference. When Monroe collapses, speaking in tongues and declaring herself \u201cEmpress,\u201d bound to bring about destruction, I couldn\u2019t help but think of countless historical moments when people dismissed prophets, only to later realize they might have glimpsed a truth too terrible to confront.

The speculative heart of the novel is most evident in its treatment of dreams and consciousness. I enjoyed the sections with Xochitl, the neuroscientist, who frames Monroe\u2019s visions not as supernatural but as part of the slippery overlap between dreaming, psychosis, and prophecy. That interplay reminded me of classic science fiction\u2019s fascination with perception and reality; Philip K. Dick in particular comes to mind. When Xochitl muses that REM sleep might itself be a form of psychosis, the book dares us to wonder if all of human consciousness is a fragile, negotiated hallucination.

I also admired the symbolic touches. Bristol\u2019s fixation on discarded objects like the picture frame she salvages from the trash early on represents her desire to give shape and meaning to her own life. The white rats she greets at the pet shop downstairs echo the novel\u2019s title and serve as a living metaphor for humanity: small, overlooked, scrambling in cages of our own making, yet still subject to cosmic currents beyond comprehension.

If I have a quibble, it\u2019s that the narrative\u2019s structure, shifting between testimony, personal accounts, and more traditional narrative, occasionally diluted the emotional impact. At times, I longed for more immersion in the characters\u2019 inner lives rather than being pulled into their fragmented retellings. The novel demands patience, and younger readers might find its rhythms disorienting.

Still, as a lover of speculative fiction, I found The Sorcery of White Rats to be a rewarding read. It marries the intimacy of a friendship with the enormity of cosmic forces, offering both the claustrophobia of a shabby apartment and the terrifying vastness of a universe on the brink. It\u2019s not escapism in the traditional sense; it\u2019s too raw and unnerving for that, but it is a reminder of why I read science fiction and fantasy in the first place: to see our human struggles refracted through the prism of the unknown.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2025", "date_added": "21-Jun-2025 22:08:24", "publisher": "Ars Magna Press", "page_count": "316 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016111043", "title": "The Sorcery of White Rats", "author": "Adam Bertocci", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 483, "review": "Adam Bertocci\u2019s The Sorcery of White Rats is a wild, cerebral, and strangely heartfelt novel that blends apocalyptic visions, quarter-life crises, and the mysteries of art and friendship into a narrative that is as imaginative as it is unsettling. Reading it, I felt as though I\u2019d been dropped into a mashup of literary fiction, magical realism, and cosmic horror, yet grounded by a story of two young women simply trying to figure out life in a city that seems to eat its young.

At the center of the novel is Bristol Volavaunt, a struggling artist, and her roommate Monroe Fisher, a bartender with a gift for charm and an eye for chaos. Their ordinary existence, scraping by in a dingy walk-up above a pet shop, dodging debt, chasing dreams too big for their bank accounts, is upended when Monroe experiences a vision of the world\u2019s end. What begins as what might be dismissed as a drunken hallucination quickly spirals into something much stranger: a prophetic episode that hints at cosmic forces, forgotten contracts, and the terrifying fragility of existence.

Thematically, The Sorcery of White Rats operates on multiple levels. On the surface, it\u2019s about friendship, specifically the kind of deep, messy bond two women in their twenties can form while sharing cramped quarters and shared fears of failure. Bristol\u2019s loyalty to Monroe, even as her roommate\u2019s visions grow darker and more dangerous, is both inspiring and troubling. It asks: when someone you love insists the end is near, do you dismiss them as unwell, or do you walk beside them into the fire?

Underneath that, the novel grapples with the artistic impulse itself. Bristol and Monroe are creative types trying to make sense of their lives through art, music, and performance, yet their struggles mirror the broader human need to find meaning in chaos. The references to music, theater, and visual art make the book feel not just like a story but a meditation on what it costs to pursue creation when the world seems indifferent.

There\u2019s also an unmistakable spiritual undercurrent. Through Monroe\u2019s visions and the philosophical musings of Xochitl, a neuroscience graduate student roped into their saga, the novel touches on dreams, prophecy, and neurotheology, the overlap between brain science and mystical experience. Bertocci leaves room for interpretation: are these divine revelations, psychotic breaks, or simply the dreams of young women desperate to be seen?

What struck me most was the tension between youthful optimism and creeping disillusionment. Bristol and Monroe are characters at the edge of adulthood, full of longing but already scarred by failure, and their story reminded me of how fragile and uncertain those years truly are.

The Sorcery of White Rats is not an easy read. It\u2019s layered, experimental, and sometimes intentionally disorienting. But it\u2019s also electric, funny, and surprisingly moving. It\u2019s a book about art, apocalypse, and the stubborn human drive to make meaning, even when the universe seems bent on chaos.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "26-Aug-2025", "date_added": "21-Jun-2025 22:08:21", "publisher": "Ars Magna Press", "page_count": "316 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016111039", "title": "The Sorcery of White Rats", "author": "Adam Bertocci", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 414, "review": "Adam Bertocci\u2019s The Sorcery of White Rats is one of those books that\u2019s hard to explain, but once you're in, you\u2019re in. Part comedy, part cosmic meltdown, part heartfelt ode to female friendship, it\u2019s a weird, wonderful ride through the minds of two young women just trying to survive life, art, and the end of the world.

Our narrator, Bristol Volavaunt, is an underemployed artist living in a crummy apartment over a pet store, navigating a quarter-life crisis with a mix of sarcasm, self-doubt, and stubborn hope. She\u2019s the kind of character you instantly get: awkward, observant, quietly talented, and just trying to find something that sticks. \u201cShe believed in herself, for some reason,\u201d the narrator quips early on, and that line sums her up.

Then there\u2019s Monroe, her wild, charming roommate who wakes up one morning after a vivid vision where she sees the world end: fire, destruction, doom, the works. \u201cWe have to get out of the city,\u201d she repeats like a mantra, while Bristol tries to hold it all together. Is Monroe having a mental breakdown, or is she really some kind of prophet? And if it\u2019s the latter, why her?

The story follows their search for answers, which leads them to Xochitl, an old college acquaintance of Bristol\u2019s and a dream researcher with a sharp tongue and zero patience for nonsense. Their scenes together are a mix of awkward tension and hilarious deadpan, especially when Monroe starts channeling what might be a higher power, or something much worse.

One of the book\u2019s biggest strengths is how it handles the messy, unglamorous parts of being a creative person. It doesn\u2019t romanticize the starving artist life; it shows the anxiety, the rejection, the \u201cwhat am I even doing?\u201d moments. But it also captures the magic of finding your people. \u201cThis is the person who believes in me the most,\u201d Bristol says of Monroe, and that line hit me harder than any of the apocalyptic prophecies.

Yes, there\u2019s end-of-the-world drama, but it\u2019s a story about friendship, deep, complicated, ride-or-die friendship, and what it means to support someone through something you don\u2019t fully understand. Bertocci blends humor, philosophy, and some truly poetic writing (\u201cShe hummed a little tune\u2026 sweet and simple and sad\u201d) with dialogue that\u2019s sharp and real.

The Sorcery of White Rats is strange in all the best ways. If you like stories about oddball creatives, found family, and maybe-God-maybe-crazy visions of doom, this one\u2019s for you. Just be ready for things to get weird and surprisingly moving.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2025", "date_added": "21-Jun-2025 22:08:17", "publisher": "Ars Magna Press", "page_count": "316 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016111035", "title": "The Sorcery of White Rats", "author": "Adam Bertocci", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 494, "review": "Adam Bertocci\u2019s The Sorcery of White Rats is one of those novels that\u2019s hard to categorize, and I mean that both as praise and as a point of frustration. It\u2019s a book that wants to be a story about two women navigating life in a big city, but it\u2019s also about prophecy, neuroscience, art, and possibly the end of the world. Sometimes the blend works brilliantly; other times it feels like the author is juggling too many balls at once.

The novel follows Bristol Volavaunt, a painter struggling to hold onto her sense of purpose, and her roommate Monroe Fisher, a lively bartender whose sudden, terrifying vision of the apocalypse sets the story into motion. What impressed me most was how Bertocci grounds this high-concept premise in the everyday texture of their lives. The details are small but vivid: Bristol scavenging a picture frame off the sidewalk, or Monroe waking with her makeup smeared and hair in tangles after a long night. These little glimpses of their routine made the characters feel real, even as the plot veered into cosmic catastrophe.

I especially liked how the book explored female friendship. The bond between Bristol and Monroe is messy, funny, and deeply loyal. Bristol doesn\u2019t abandon Monroe when her visions begin spiraling into talk of fire and destruction; instead, she carries her, literally at one point, through the city subway system in search of answers. That loyalty, bordering on stubbornness, rang true for me. It showed how women often shoulder one another\u2019s crises, even when outsiders would label it irrational.

Another strength is the character of Xochitl, a neuroscientist who offers skeptical, sometimes clinical commentary on the strange events. I found her voice refreshing because she cut through some of the more dramatic flourishes with a reminder that dreams and psychosis can look an awful lot alike. She added an intellectual counterbalance that made me pause and ask myself what I believed about Monroe\u2019s visions.

That said, the book sometimes worked against itself. The tribunal-style narrative, where characters seemed to be testifying after the fact, created intrigue but also made the story harder to follow. At times, the multiple perspectives felt disjointed, as though I were reading transcripts instead of a flowing novel. I also found some passages overwrought; the apocalyptic imagery, fire raining down, stars dying, locusts everywhere, was powerful, but after a while, it started to feel repetitive.

What I appreciated most, however, was the book\u2019s willingness to lean into ambiguity. Was Monroe touched by the divine, caught in a psychotic break, or simply channeling some creative energy bigger than herself? Bertocci doesn\u2019t force an answer, and that open-endedness lingered with me long after I closed the book.

In the end, The Sorcery of White Rats is ambitious, uneven, and fascinating. I admired its inventiveness and the way it captured the intimacy of friendship against a backdrop of looming doom. Readers who enjoy experimental fiction and don\u2019t mind a bit of chaos will find plenty here to wrestle with.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2025", "date_added": "21-Jun-2025 22:08:14", "publisher": "Ars Magna Press", "page_count": "316 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016111031", "title": "The Sorcery of White Rats: A Novel", "author": "Adam Bertocci", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 582, "review": "Let me start by saying: this book is weird. And I mean that in the best possible way. Adam Bertocci\u2019s The Sorcery of White Rats is the kind of novel you read and then sit back like, \u201cWhat did I just experience?\u201d It\u2019s part urban drama, part dream logic, and part \u201cmaybe the world is ending and your roommate might be the prophet of doom.\u201d

The main characters, Bristol and Monroe, feel like people you\u2019d know if you\u2019ve ever lived in a big city in your twenties. They\u2019re broke, scraping by, and still holding onto dreams that feel bigger than their reality. Bristol\u2019s an artist who literally digs a picture frame out of the trash, because that\u2019s the kind of broke-but-determined vibe she\u2019s living. Monroe\u2019s a bartender who\u2019s all charisma and late nights, until one morning she wakes up seeing visions of the apocalypse and starts repeating, \u201cWe have to get out of the city.\u201d Honestly, that line hit me. It\u2019s such a simple sentence, but it becomes this drumbeat of panic that carries through the story.

What I really liked was how the book plays with the line between mental breakdown and supernatural prophecy. One second, Monroe\u2019s collapsing on her bed, drenched in sweat, talking in this creepy, detached voice about fire, moons, and the end of the world. The next, you\u2019ve got Xochitl, this neuroscience grad student, explaining how dreams are basically mini-psychotic episodes our brains throw at us every night. So is Monroe a prophet, or is she just someone whose brain is melting under the weight of stress and alcohol? The book never gives you a straight answer, and I kind of loved that.

Another thing I appreciated was the friendship at the center. Bristol doesn\u2019t dump Monroe in a hospital and peace out. She sticks with her, carries her, humors her, and even defends her when she starts spouting stuff that sounds like it came out of a doomsday cult pamphlet. There\u2019s a theme here about loyalty and how we sometimes ignore logic because we love someone too much to abandon them. That hit close to home.

Now, what didn\u2019t work for me: the storytelling style can get messy. It\u2019s not a straightforward novel. It\u2019s like part testimony, part inner monologue, part stage script. At first, that was cool and different, but sometimes it felt like it got in the way of the story. I\u2019d be deep in a scene, and then boom, another perspective shift would yank me out. I get that it\u2019s intentional; it\u2019s about multiple truths and how people remember events differently, but still, it was a little jarring.

I think what stuck with me most was the question of creation and destruction. The book is full of artists, musicians, dreamers, people who want to make something of themselves. But then Monroe\u2019s vision is basically, \u201cNope, it\u2019s all gonna burn.\u201d It made me think about how every act of creation is haunted by the possibility of it being wiped out, whether that\u2019s a painting, a song, or even just the life you\u2019re trying to build. That\u2019s some heavy stuff, but it\u2019s handled with enough humor and rawness that it never feels preachy.

Bottom line: The Sorcery of White Rats isn\u2019t for everyone. If you want something neat and tidy, this book will drive you nuts. But if you\u2019re cool with messy, trippy, and sometimes flat-out unsettling storytelling that digs deep into art, friendship, and what it means to live when the world feels unstable, then this book\u2019s worth the ride.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2025", "date_added": "21-Jun-2025 22:08:10", "publisher": "Ars Magna Press", "page_count": "316 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016111027", "title": "The Sorcery of White Rats: A Novel", "author": "Adam Bertocci", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 406, "review": "I occasionally roll my eyes when authors get clever with describing the target audience for their books. Sometimes it genuinely is clever, and sometimes it\u2019s just ridiculous. The Sorcery of White Rats is exactly what the author says it is, though: for \u201cwomen in their twenties and everyone who remembers that terrible time\u201d. Having just escaped my twenties, I have to admit that he\u2019s right.

Not that my twenties were like those of Bristol and Monroe, who get wrapped up in apocalyptic prophecies. They are what my life could have been, but I was never able to follow that artistic path or make it to a big city. Instead I wound up in the suburbs, working retail and then childcare.

The vibes, though? Those ring true.

Bristol, Monroe, and their various supporting cast of artists and people hanging on the edge of what some might call \u201cpolite society\u201d feel exaggerated, but not in an insulting or parodic way. They\u2019re just stretched a little, brought up to 110% for the sake of making them jump off the page in places where perfect representations of young people might stumble or falter. They still feel real, and anyone who hung around artsy sorts in their twenties will recognize them.

Better still, their friendships feel real, and those are possibly the hardest things to capture about young women. Summing up the friendships of young women is an impossible endeavour, because we try to make that word cover so much territory, but Bertocci manages to show many sides to the multi-faceted, supportive, tense, difficult thing we sum up as \u201cfriendship\u201d.

As for the rest, with the apocalyptic prophecy, the ancient ritual, and the attempts to save the world? It\u2019s a wild ride that even I don\u2019t know how to sum up. It\u2019s an epic shrunk down to a reasonable size without losing anything, and a buddy comedy with weird twists and turns, and possibly a road trip story as well. It\u2019s also a celebration of being in your early twenties, and I\u2019m sure most readers will remember the conflicting attitudes of those years. The world is opening up around you, and at the same time there\u2019s a chance it might come crashing down around your ears before you\u2019re at all ready to deal with that.

I was delighted by this book and hope it\u2019s just the first of many to come from Bertocci. This is a stunning debut and one that deserves to be a lasting favorite.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "27-Aug-2025", "date_added": "21-Jun-2025 22:08:05", "publisher": "Ars Magna Press", "page_count": "316 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016111023", "title": "Fade In", "author": "Kyle Mills", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 530, "review": "As a longtime fan of military thrillers, I can say with confidence that Kyle Mills\u2019 Fade In delivers the kind of hard-hitting, tactically sharp action I crave, and it does it with a protagonist worth rooting for from start to finish. Salam \u201cFade\u201d al-Fayed is the kind of operator who makes you lean in closer with every chapter, not just because of his skill with a rifle, but because of the way he thinks under fire. He\u2019s not perfect. He\u2019s battle-worn, cynical, and occasionally reckless, but those flaws make him all the more real.

From the opening sequence, I was locked in. Fade wakes up in the middle of the night to the sound of intruders moving on his property. No hesitation, no panic. He slips into SEAL mode, using a jury-rigged surveillance network and homemade traps to counter an elite black ops team. Watching him move through that fight was like seeing a chess master in the middle of a gunfight. He shifts from attic surveillance to explosive counterattacks, drops enemies with precision rifle shots, and even uses the chaos of fire and smoke to his advantage. By the time the dust settles, you realize you\u2019ve been holding your breath.

Mills doesn\u2019t give Fade an easy road, though, and that\u2019s where the thrill is. In a flashback to his time overseas, Fade finds himself in a crumbling village, outnumbered and outgunned. The sequence starts quietly, moving through narrow alleys, scanning rooftops, but it explodes into violence when he comes across two men attacking a young girl. What follows is a brutal, close-quarters battle fought with knives, fists, and sheer willpower. It\u2019s not clean. It\u2019s not pretty. But Fade\u2019s determination to win, even injured, shows exactly why you want this guy on your side.

Another standout scene comes during the ambush in Kazakhstan, where Fade isn\u2019t even the primary target\u2014but his instincts kick in anyway. As bullets rip into armored SUVs and attackers close in from multiple directions, Fade reads the field in seconds. He exploits enemy weaknesses, anticipates their movements, and acts with the decisiveness of someone who has been in this position more times than he can count. Mills writes these moments with an authenticity that makes you believe every move, every burst of gunfire, and every decision Fade makes under pressure.

What I appreciate most is that Mills doesn\u2019t write Fade as a superhero. He gets hurt, he makes mistakes, and sometimes he wins because he\u2019s faster to adapt than the people shooting at him. But even when the odds are stacked, you can\u2019t help but root for him. There\u2019s a sense that, no matter what, Fade is going to make the enemy pay dearly for every inch they take.

By the end, Fade In feels like more than just a series of action set pieces, it\u2019s the story of a fighter who\u2019s too stubborn to quit, even when quitting might be the smart move. For fans of military-style action, battlefield tactics, and protagonists who refuse to lay down and die, this is as satisfying as it gets. Fade is the kind of character you\u2019ll follow through every mission, every firefight, and every bad decision, because you know he\u2019ll make it count.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Jun-2025 21:58:54", "publisher": "Authors Equity", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016111019", "title": "Fade In", "author": "Kyle Mills", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 486, "review": "As a 48-year-old reader who loves action thrillers, I can say Fade In by Kyle Mills hits every note I look for: tense, tightly written action scenes, a smart and dangerous protagonist, and layered interactions that make the characters more than just pieces on a battlefield. Salam \u201cFade\u201d al-Fayed is the kind of lead who doesn\u2019t just survive the chaos; he shapes it. Mills gives him an edge that\u2019s both tactical and personal, and it makes for a thrilling read.

The book wastes no time pulling the reader into the fire. It's high-stakes action with tactical precision. The opening assault on Fade\u2019s home is an absolute standout. It\u2019s not just bullets flying. Fade uses a network of cameras, improvised traps, and the house\u2019s layout like a chess master controlling the board. There\u2019s a moment when he drops two intruders in rapid succession from his attic position, then immediately adjusts as gunfire rips through the ceiling. It\u2019s a mix of methodical planning and reactive instinct that makes the action feel authentic and earned.

Another powerful scene comes from a flashback in a war-torn village. Fade stumbles upon two armed men attacking a young girl, and the fight that follows is pure grit: knife work, close-quarters grappling, and split-second decisions. He walks away wounded, but alive, showing that Mills isn\u2019t afraid to give his hero scars. These fights don\u2019t feel choreographed; they feel lived-in, as if each move comes from muscle memory and years of hard training.

As much as I love a good firefight, what elevates Fade In is how Fade interacts with those around him. His time with Lisa, for example, is charged with a mix of mutual respect and quiet challenge. She pushes him when he needs it, whether in moments of recovery or planning, and calls him out when his instinct to push too hard risks more than it gains. Their conversations, sometimes brief, sometimes sharp, carry the weight of two people who understand exactly how high the stakes are.

His exchanges with Matt Egan, a former CIA operator now under the thumb of billionaire Jon Lowe, are layered with guarded trust. After surviving the Kazakhstan ambush together, there\u2019s a moment of unspoken acknowledgment between them. They may not be friends, but they\u2019ve fought side by side and lived, and that creates a bond Mills uses to add tension in later scenes.

Fade In delivers both in the field and off it. The firefights are sharp and detailed, grounded in believable tactics. But it\u2019s the relationships, the way Fade reads people, plays situations, and adapts to shifting loyalties, that keep the tension simmering between the bursts of gunfire.

For readers like me, who want a thriller that blends precision action with character-driven intrigue, Fade In is a perfect hit. Mills gives you a hero you can root for, battles that get your pulse up, and enough intelligence behind the trigger pulls to keep you hooked long after the smoke clears.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Jun-2025 21:58:51", "publisher": "Authors Equity", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016111015", "title": "Fade In", "author": "Kyle Mills", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 396, "review": "In Fade In, Kyle Mills crafts a relentless, character-driven thriller anchored by the enigmatic Salam \u201cFade\u201d al-Fayed, a man equally defined by his deadly skill set and his weary, battle-scarred soul. Once a Navy SEAL and covert operative, Fade is a survivor in every sense of the word. From the opening pages, where he fends off a black ops team in nothing but his Looney Tunes boxers, we see a man for whom survival is less a choice than an instinct. It's a reflex drilled into him until it became as natural as breathing.

Fade\u2019s life has been shaped by betrayal, both personal and political. Once loyal to the ideals of service, he\u2019s been hunted, vilified, and left for dead. His years of experience make him an almost unstoppable force in the field, but Mills is careful to show the cost of that resilience. There\u2019s a bone-deep exhaustion to him, a sense that each confrontation chips away at what\u2019s left of his humanity. His internal philosophy is as pragmatic as it is bleak. He has no illusions that killing four men in some war-torn village will make the world safer, only that it will buy a few more hours of survival.

Through flashbacks and present-day action, Mills peels back layers of Fade\u2019s past: his missions, his mistakes, and the moments that haunt him. We see the moral calculus he performs in life-or-death situations, and how he has come to view survival not as a triumph but as a sentence. Yet even as he tries to keep others at a distance, the pull toward redemption remains, surfacing in unexpected moments when he risks himself for someone else.

Fade In uses its high-stakes espionage backdrop to explore deeper questions about identity, purpose, and the possibility of change. Fade\u2019s journey isn\u2019t just about outmaneuvering enemies; it\u2019s about whether a man forged in violence can find a reason to live for something more than the next fight.

Mills\u2019 portrayal of Fade is sharp and unflinching. He\u2019s not softened for the reader\u2019s comfort, yet he\u2019s impossible to dismiss. The combination of gallows humor, tactical brilliance, and quiet moments of vulnerability makes him one of the most compelling antiheroes in recent thriller fiction. By the final page, it\u2019s clear that Fade In isn\u2019t simply an action story; it\u2019s the story of a man who can\u2019t stop moving forward, even when he\u2019s not sure where he\u2019s going.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Jun-2025 21:58:46", "publisher": "Authors Equity", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016111011", "title": "Fade In", "author": "Kyle Mills", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 478, "review": "Kyle Mills\u2019 Fade In is more than just a high-adrenaline espionage novel, it\u2019s a story that examines loyalty, survival, and the uneasy moral ground between heroism and self-preservation. While the book delivers on the genre\u2019s promise of gunfights, covert missions, and political intrigue, it is the thematic depth that makes it worth lingering over after the last page.

At its core, Fade In wrestles with the fragile nature of trust. Salam \u201cFade\u201d al-Fayed is a man forged by service and survival, yet his history is marked by betrayals, by institutions, by leaders, and sometimes by those he\u2019s fought beside. This recurring thread runs through his interactions with allies like Matt Egan, whose divided loyalties to both Fade and billionaire power broker Jon Lowe create constant tension. Mills uses these relationships to explore how loyalty can be both a guiding principle and a dangerous vulnerability in a world where alliances shift like sand.

Fade\u2019s defining characteristic is his adaptability. Whether defending his home against a black ops assault or maneuvering through a war-torn village, he approaches each situation with a combination of tactical expertise and improvisation. Mills underscores a broader theme here: survival isn\u2019t about brute strength alone, but the ability to think, adjust, and endure. This extends beyond the battlefield, into the quieter moments where Fade must navigate power plays, weigh moral compromises, and decide how far he\u2019s willing to go to stay alive.

One of the book\u2019s most striking subplots is the Kazakhstan ambush, where an autonomous AI drone wipes out a hostile force with unnerving precision. Jon Lowe champions such technology as a necessary tool for shaping the future, while Fade views it with skepticism. The scene encapsulates a central moral question: just because a tactic or technology works, does that make it right? Mills uses this moment to delve into the ethics of modern warfare and the blurred boundaries between government authority and private influence.

What makes Fade In stand apart is its refusal to offer simple moral binaries. Fade is neither wholly virtuous nor irredeemably ruthless. He operates in the gray areas, making decisions based on circumstance rather than ideology. The observation that \u201cno one is completely good or completely evil\u201d feels like the novel\u2019s moral thesis, applicable not only to Fade but to nearly every major character. Lowe\u2019s manipulations, Egan\u2019s compromises, and even Fade\u2019s own questionable methods each raise the question of whether the end ever justifies the means.

As an action thriller, Fade In is brisk, engaging, and technically sharp. But as a thematic work, it lingers in the mind for its exploration of the cost of survival, the fragility of trust, and the uneasy compromises that come with power. For readers who appreciate thrillers that not only quicken the pulse but also invite reflection, Mills has crafted a story that works on both levels, one that thrills in the moment and resonates in the quiet after.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Jun-2025 21:58:40", "publisher": "Authors Equity", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016111007", "title": "Strange Shape of Love", "author": "Herta Feely", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 467, "review": "Herta Feely\u2019s Strange Shape of Love is a tender, layered, and emotionally intelligent novel that captures the ways our past shapes our present, and how love, memory, and guilt can both nourish and haunt us. Told primarily through the eyes of Charlotte Cooper, a mid-career journalist who finds herself reluctantly relocated from New York to London, the story unfolds with wit, poignancy, and quiet emotional force.

From the opening pages, the book roots us in mystery. Charlotte receives a manila envelope containing a nude photo from years ago, unaccompanied by any explanation. This unsettling moment sets the tone for a narrative steeped in reckoning with secrets, lost love, and a past that refuses to stay buried. As Charlotte tries to make sense of her new surroundings and navigate professional upheaval (her glossy lifestyle magazine being folded into an online-only British media empire), she also finds herself on a deeply personal journey back to a country and a man she abandoned under tragic circumstances.

Thematically, Strange Shape of Love explores loss, self-forgiveness, trauma, and the strange loops of memory. Charlotte\u2019s relationship with her ex-boyfriend Russ, who cheats on her, mirrors some of the emotional dislocation she still feels from her time with Rafe, the sculptor she posed for in college, and the man who arguably saw her most truly. \u201cWas it love at first sight?\u201d she wonders, looking back on their electric meeting at Oxford. \u201cWhoever loved, not having loved at first sight?\u201d The recurring thread of the question, what love is, how we know it, and how we lose it, gives the book its emotional spine.

Feely writes women with nuance and compassion. Charlotte isn\u2019t always likable. She\u2019s impulsive, guarded, and prone to flights of self-doubt, but she is always compelling. Her inner life is richly drawn, and her interactions with other women, particularly her vibrant best friend Celia and the enigmatic Regina, whom she meets on a transatlantic flight, add warmth and complexity. Celia\u2019s line, \u201cTime to put all that behind you,\u201d becomes a thematic imperative as Charlotte stumbles toward resolution, emotionally and professionally.

What I appreciated most was the book\u2019s tone: despite dealing with heavy topics like grief, betrayal, and even human trafficking, it never becomes oppressive. There\u2019s humor (the subplot involving a stolen 18-karat gold toilet is both bizarre and brilliant), charm, and genuine emotional movement. Feely\u2019s prose is accessible but elegant, with just enough introspective depth to elevate the narrative without bogging it down.

By the end, I felt not just that Charlotte had grown, but that I had witnessed something quietly profound\u2014how the shape of love is never fixed, and how revisiting the past can, sometimes, open the door to a better future. For readers who enjoy smart women's fiction with a blend of mystery, romance, and self-discovery, Strange Shape of Love is well worth the read.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2025", "date_added": "21-Jun-2025 21:55:30", "publisher": "Castle Bridge Media", "page_count": "344 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016111003", "title": "DONNY AND VLADDY. ", "author": "M.G. Crisci", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 88, "review": "\"This book is absolutely bonkers in the best possible way\u2014equal parts roast, farce, and fearless satire. Watching Donny and Vladdy battle egos while butchering diplomacy and bromancing through political chaos is like binge-watching your favorite reality show if it were written by Orwell on acid. Beneath the outrageous humor is a scathing commentary on power, propaganda, and the absurd theater of global politics. If you're the kind of reader who laughs when the truth gets too real to ignore, this one\u2019s for you.\" \u2014Kyle Eaton, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Jun-2025 21:50:46", "publisher": "Orca Publishing Company", "page_count": "236 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016109003", "title": "The Works of Vermin", "author": "Hiron Ennes", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 197, "review": "Creatures that eat beauty, including a giant worm that is slowly devouring a city, are hunted by those who have either nothing left to lose or are in desperate circumstances; all the while, the elite spend their days relaxing in a haze of drugs and elegance while threats batter at their doors, as all details in this new work from Hiron Ennes.

Guy Moulene takes any job on offer as he is desperate to keep his sister out of debt, which is something to avoid in Tiliard, a city that is carved into the stump of an ancient tree. Guy takes on every job, no matter how foul or soul-crushing it is, for the money. One day, he is assigned to go after a worm that is not only the size of a dragon but also enjoys munching on artwork. So begins his quest to not only save Tiliard, his sister, and himself but to survive the backstabbing and intrigue along the way.

This is a decent read, maybe just a little bit long. Fans of traditional high fantasy novels will enjoy this work as it examines class differences in a world not much different from ours.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "20-Jun-2025 23:30:41", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016107007", "title": "Ivy Newt and the Time Thief", "author": "Derek Keilty, Magda Brol", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 197, "review": "Ivy Newt and the Time Thief is the second story in the Ivy Newt series, about Ivy, a young Princess Witch, who ends up on adventures with her familiar, Tom Wolf. In this adventure, it is Halloween, and every year on this day, a mysterious house appears for only 24 hours before disappearing for the rest of the year. Ivy is curious and may bend her parents' rules a bit to explore it; she discovers a possibly impossible task of stopping time from being taken from a witch, or she'll disappear after midnight and not be seen again until the following year. Ivy and Tom have their work cut out for them and must rely on help from others to save the day!

I enjoyed The Time Thief because it features a strong female main character (similar to my age) who problem-solves, maintains a positive and \"can-do\" attitude, and is the hero; I also love the magic aspect of the story. The Time Thief is perfect to read year-round, but it will always be a good story and/or series to read around Halloween and when you want to feel spooky. The story/series is appropriate for around 8-12-year-olds.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "22-Sep-2025", "date_added": "24-Jun-2025 23:52:20", "publisher": "Lerner Publishing Group", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016107003", "title": "It Rhymes With Takei", "author": "George Takei, Steven Scott, Justin Eisinger", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ross Rojek", "word_count": 487, "review": "In It Rhymes with Takei, George Takei returns with a deeply personal and visually arresting memoir that explores his decades-long journey toward self-acceptance, identity, and love. Told through a graphic novel format and brought to life with expressive, emotionally rich illustrations by Harmony Becker, this memoir builds on Takei\u2019s earlier storytelling but offers an even more intimate glimpse into the life of one of America\u2019s most iconic cultural figures.

The narrative traces Takei\u2019s early awareness of his sexuality during a time when being gay was criminalized and stigmatized. Growing up in post-WWII America, he quickly learned to hide a core part of himself, folding it into a secret life out of fear; fear of losing roles, fear of public shame, fear of being alienated by his community and family. But what sets this memoir apart is how vulnerably and elegantly Takei captures this internal battle, framing it within a broader journey that includes career highs, political activism, and a long path toward self-love.

The visual storytelling adds remarkable dimension to Takei\u2019s experiences. One particularly moving sequence depicts his emotional evolution through symbolic imagery, his \u201ccloset\u201d rendered as a literal corridor of darkness, the weight of silence made palpable with panels heavy in shadow. These artistic choices transform his story into something both specific and universal, allowing readers to feel the tension, fear, and eventual freedom he describes.

While Takei\u2019s memoir is grounded in his personal experience, it also chronicles the evolving cultural landscape of America. The book moves through the Cold War era, the AIDS crisis, and the long struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. These moments are not presented as historical footnotes but as lived realities, shaping and informing his choices. Takei\u2019s eventual decision to come out publicly at age 68, decades after achieving fame as Hikaru Sulu on Star Trek, feels momentous not just because of who he is, but because of the honesty and clarity with which he explains why he waited, and why he finally couldn\u2019t stay silent.

In quieter moments, the memoir also celebrates Takei\u2019s love story with his husband Brad. Their relationship is portrayed with warmth and affection, offering a gentle counterpoint to the earlier chapters of isolation and secrecy. These scenes anchor the book emotionally, reminding readers that visibility is not just political\u2014it\u2019s deeply personal. The tenderness with which their connection is portrayed adds a hopeful thread that runs throughout the memoir\u2019s second half.

It Rhymes with Takei is ultimately a celebration of courage\u2014courage to live honestly, to speak out, and to use one\u2019s voice in service of others. Readers will walk away not just with a deeper understanding of George Takei\u2019s life, but also with a sense of how layered, painful, and liberating the journey to authenticity can be. It is a story of resilience and grace, presented with honesty, humor, and undeniable heart.

For anyone seeking an emotionally resonant, visually compelling memoir that blends personal triumph with cultural insight, It Rhymes with Takei is a must-read.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "08-Jul-2025", "date_added": "20-Jun-2025 23:16:25", "publisher": "IDW Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016106007", "title": "Rules for Fake Girlfriends", "author": "Raegan Revord", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 200, "review": "Avery has a 4-year plan - attend Columbia, then med school, followed by a career in oncology. Then a postcard arrives from her late mother inviting Avery to a scavenger hunt in her mother\u2019s college town in England. Avery jumps at the chance to know her mother better and shifts her plans just for a year. On the train to Brighton, Avery falls into a fake-dating deal with Charlie, who is still reeling from her break-up earlier in the summer. Avery knows all the rom-com rules, and promises she won\u2019t fall in love, won\u2019t break her plan to do a year at Brighton then return home to Columbia, but plans, like promises, are made to be broken, especially when love is involved.

This is a cute sapphic rom-com, laced with grief from the past and sprinkled with dreams for the future. The rom-com rules at the beginning of each chapter poke fun at romances in general and suggest a humorous hint at what\u2019s next. Readers of romances by Lynn Painter and Jennifer Dugan will delight in this sweet scavenger hunt abroad, as Avery not only comes to terms with her mom's passing but also recognizes her shortcomings and moves toward peace.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2025", "date_added": "20-Jun-2025 23:39:06", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000016103007", "title": "Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland", "author": "Martha Barnette", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 173, "review": "If you\u2019re a fan of the radio show and podcast A Way With Words, you\u2019ve likely already bought this eagerly awaited book. If not, you\u2019ll definitely tune in after reading this delightful account of \u201cadventures in languageland.\u201d Never stuffy, Barnette\u2019s style is approachable and direct as she brings the reader along on a word journey through America, showcasing iconic and unusual expressions found in each region.

These chapters are interspersed with more autobiographical ones describing how her own fascination with and knowledge of words developed.

In later pages, she explains how the radio program is created with her co-host, Grant Barrett, and the numerous hurdles it has encountered over the years.

Just two of the terms I enjoyed learning include chatoyant (to shimmer like a cat\u2019s eye) and the sorely needed verschlimmbesserung, or dis-improvement: an attempt to make something better that actually worsens it. Such as Brexit, or certain software \u201cupgrades.\u201d

Word lovers should not miss this volume. (And it would make a perfect gift for the other lexicographers, onomasticians, and logophiles in your life.)", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2025", "date_added": "20-Jun-2025 23:20:54", "publisher": "Abrams Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016101015", "title": "The Librarians", "author": "Sherry Thomas", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 213, "review": "Hazel Lee is the newest addition to the close-knit staff at the branch library she frequented as a child. Fellow librarian Astrid is sweet, anxious, and eager to help. Program director Jonathan is boy-next-door handsome and, as an ex-military man, is as physically capable as he is kind. Composed and elegant, Sophie rounds out the group as the branch manager. All is well until detectives show up to investigate a murder. Something dark has crept into the library, and now the librarians have no choice but to expose their secrets to save lives.

Each character\u2019s voice is distinct yet pairs well with the others, further displaying the bond between them. The librarians are clearly a close-knit family; the inclusion of their points of view underscores what they mean to each other in addition to providing a welcome look at their inner\nthoughts. You never really know what anyone is going to say, and that is often delightfully funny. Thomas\u2019s subtle inclusion of details grounds the story in more modern times, allowing the reader to better picture the library itself, which is essential considering it is very much a character. A definite must-read for mystery fans with a penchant for found family dynamics, The Librarians is a thrilling mix of cozy mystery and full-on suspense.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2025", "date_added": "24-Jun-2025 19:10:01", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016101007", "title": "Cosmic Creatures: The Helpful Hootpuff", "author": "Sophy Williams, Tom Huddleston", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 194, "review": "The Helpful Hootpuff is one of four books in the Cosmic Creatures series that follows Charlie and her family as they explore and learn of new creatures on the planet Vela. Charlie, her brother Maki, and their mom are with Captain Robertson in an underground cave, trying to find a different way to get electricity for their town during its cold season, as the normal method isn't working. Captain Robertson requires them to drill, but when Charlie and Maki get lost, they discover a new type of bird that they name the Hootpuff. If they keep drilling, it will harm the Hootpuff's and other creatures' habitat. Can they convince the Captain to stop drilling in time to save the animals, but still discover another way to get the needed electricity?

In each Cosmic Creatures story, a new animal is found, and each one is as cute as the last. I enjoy how the books teach readers to consider people and things besides themselves. Charlie is a good role model for young readers because she's nice, thoughtful, and good at problem-solving. There is plenty of action that is appropriate for the intended audience (6-8 year olds).", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2025", "date_added": "20-Jun-2025 22:24:49", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016101003", "title": "Big Kids", "author": "K L Going, Reggie Brown", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 191, "review": "A little boy is facing his first day of school. There are plenty of things to worry about, but for him, it\u2019s the big kids. They have big feet that make big noises when they walk by. They have big shadows that seem to reach out at little kids. They have big voices and big grins, and they run fast and jump high. Everyone is called to an assembly, and one of those big kids introduces himself as the boy\u2019s buddy. And having a buddy is a great thing for a little kid. His big buddy shows him around the school and the ins and outs of the library, the cafeteria, and the playground.
Author K. L. Going has written a fun story that will help alleviate a lot of the first-day-of-school jitters that youngsters have. Big Buddies at schools are becoming increasingly common, so this book will be the perfect introduction for a lot of kids. The illustrations by Reggie Brown complete the story with powerful, bright illustrations, often incorporating the words into the illustrations. Don\u2019t miss a chance to read this with the little ones before the first bell rings.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2025", "date_added": "20-Jun-2025 22:04:58", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016100007", "title": "The Grace of Black Mothers ", "author": "Martheaus Perkins", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 205, "review": "Martheaus Perkins' The Grace of Black Mothers is a powerful collection of verse that illuminates the resilience, sacrifice, and fierce love of Black mothers, aunties, and grandmothers. Through intimate portraits rendered in poetry, Perkins captures the weight of systemic racism, misogyny, and poverty. However, he also reveals the transformative strength of maternal devotion that sustains families and communities across generations.

Perkins demonstrates a remarkable range through an inventive voice, style, and form that weaves together multiple cultural layers\u2014locality, generation, and gender. From Houston to Center, the poet depicts the labor of Black motherhood in a Southern state. Perkins traverses devastating terrain, from lamentations for grieving children lost to racist violence, to celebrations of everyday generosity and selflessness. These poems capture both unimaginable sorrow and unbending grace, evoking a strong sense of respect and reverence for Black women.\n

Perkins demonstrates formal versatility throughout the collection, crafting visual poems like \"Fatality\" and \"Optometry with Momma\" that exploit the possibilities of the page through innovative typography. In contrast, pieces such as \"The Verdict\" and \"Center, Texas\" embrace traditional structures, proving that conventional forms can still carry radical and dauntless truths. Regardless of approach, each poem lands with precision and emotional force, a testament to Perkins' mastery of his craft.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "27-Nov-2025", "date_added": "24-Jun-2025 20:42:44", "publisher": "Trio House Press", "page_count": "112 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016097007", "title": "Cosmic Creatures: The Snuggly Snowpop", "author": "Sophy Williams, Tom Huddleston", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 193, "review": "On the planet Vela, Charlie and her family live and explore with a group of people from Earth who came to learn and expand. Charlie has had several adventures on Vela, all of them involving mysterious and silly animals that somehow affect something related to what the humans on the planet are doing. In The Snuggly Snowpop, Charlie, her dad, and their robot Random, along with the Captain and his daughter, Maranda, set off to climb an uncharted mountain for the experience and fame. During the journey, emotions and a fast and furious storm affect the outcome, but with the discovery of white, cute, and fluffy creatures, will that help or hinder the quest? \n

This is my third Cosmic Creatures story I've read, and I have enjoyed them all. This story, along with the others in the series, contains plenty of action, good morals to learn from, and adorable creatures that all remind me of my favorite animal, cats. Charlie is a good role model for younger readers because she remains cool, calm, and collected during hard times, and she cares about people and animals, even when they don't treat her well.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "10-Sep-2025", "date_added": "20-Jun-2025 22:08:50", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016097003", "title": "Mama's Special Wonton Soup", "author": "Wai Mei Wong, Xin Yue Zhu", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 167, "review": "Mama's Special Won Ton Soup tells the story of a little girl in Southern China. One day, her mother asks her to go to the market to purchase the special meat for wonton soup. The little girl goes on her way, meeting many people along the way. Ms. Chen gives the girl some radishes. Mr. Li and his daughters give her some shrimp. The girl then visits her grandmother and Aunt Ruby, who give her some persimmons and big hugs. She passes by women gathering nuts from a ginkgo tree. Finally, she makes her way to the market to purchase the pork. The woman also gives her a bone for her puppy.

This story is so sweet and would be perfect for elementary school-aged children. The illustrations are drawn and colored in muted colors with a mustard yellow background and are pleasing to the eye. I especially loved the end of the book where the little girl invites everyone over to share some of her mother's wonton soup.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "20-Jun-2025 21:52:33", "publisher": "Lantana Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016092007", "title": "Matisse at War: Art and Resistance in Nazi Occupied France", "author": "Christopher C Gorham", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 193, "review": "World War II impacted not only the everyday person in France but also artists, both French and those who emigrated to France, with the rise of Fascism, the collapse of the French state, and a state of uneasiness about the future. One artist, Henri Matisse, would use this turbulent time to create new work and get his name back into the international art conversation after decades of being a non-factor.

Matisse, at one point, was the leader of French and international art; his art was daring and provocative. But as he got older, a new generation passed him by, and his art was considered not as daring or as good. This book examines not only Matisse and the work he created while surrounded by the forces of Fascism at the coasts of southern France but also how the war and conflict impacted his life and the life of his family.

This book, obviously, covers more than just the years of World War II in Matisse\u2019s life; it also covers his turbulent personal life during the inter-war period and the stagnation of his art. The best bits are his experiences during the war itself.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2025", "date_added": "18-Jun-2025 19:45:26", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "452 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016091003", "title": "Haven't Killed in Years", "author": "Amy K Green", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 176, "review": "Twenty years ago, Marin Haggerty became Gwen Tanner. The transition came after her father was convicted of multiple murders when she was nine. Gwen keeps her life fairly boring, at least until the day body parts begin showing up on her doorstep. It\u2019s clear someone knows who she really is. Gwen knows she\u2019ll have to go to some pretty deep lengths to find out who is tormenting her. If they only knew what Gwen was capable of. Her family may be full of killers, but they Haven\u2019t Killed in Years. It might just be time to come out of hiding.

This was a really interesting take on the classic serial killer story. Told from the perspective of the child left behind, one who had witnessed most or all of the crimes. You know you can\u2019t help but be messed up after that. I was actually surprised by the big reveal. That character was not on my radar at all. If you enjoy mysteries that center around complicated characters with dark humor, this book is for you.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "18-Jun-2025 19:28:09", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016089003", "title": "The Five Blessings of If\u00e1", "author": "Gabrielle Felder", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 223, "review": "Gabrielle Felder's The Five Blessings of Ifa is a profound exploration of Ifa, a 10,000-year-old spiritual tradition practiced in modern-day Nigeria and Benin. Felder chronicles her lifelong exploration of various spiritual traditions, including her departure from her family\u2019s traditional Christian heritage. Leveraging her natural science background, Felder embarks on a deeply personal quest into spirituality as an apprentice to an Ifa elder. She offers her evolving understanding of the complex divination system and wisdom tradition.

Approaching the book as a non-Black reader, I was drawn to its exploration of nature-centric spiritual paths. As a Filipino American on a decolonial journey, I've been particularly curious about how other people of color from different diasporic generations engage with their lineages, especially when living away from their ancestral lands. I am profoundly grateful for Felder's earnest sharing of her journey through various African traditional and diasporic religions, as she sought to make meaning of her own experiences as a Black queer person in the United States. In The Five Blessings of Ifa, Felder expertly weaves a \u201cuniquely Black, uniquely diasporan\u201d spiritual understanding with her steadfast orientation toward justice movements, powerfully demonstrating how spirituality can intersect with and inspire social change. Felder masterfully illuminates the intricate interplay of history, legacy, and ancestral wisdom, offering vital solace and guidance for a new generation navigating identity, community, and purpose.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "18-Jun-2025 18:55:57", "publisher": "North Atlantic Books", "page_count": "266 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016088003", "title": "A Sword of Gold and Ruin", "author": "Anna Smith Spark", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Roundup", "word_count": 134, "review": "A Sword of Gold and Ruin continues Anna Smith Spark\u2019s haunting, Celtic-inspired saga with a story as brutal as it is beautiful. Kanda and her daughters journey to restore the shattered kingdom of Roven, carrying the weight of both their love and their sins. Together, they shine as a fragile beacon against encroaching darkness, but their hands are stained with blood, and the ghosts that follow them are as relentless as the monsters that rise in their path. Their quest is filled with wonder and terror, joy and heartbreak, as every step forward forces them to confront not only the enemies before them but also the truths buried in their own hearts, creating a lyrical and unforgettable triumph that blends myth, horror, and the intimate struggles of family.\n\nClick here to buy the book!", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jun-2025 18:43:02", "publisher": "Flame Tree Publishing", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016084015", "title": "Girl, 1983: A Novel", "author": "Linn Ullmann, Martin Aitken", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 234, "review": "No matter how much I tried to understand all of this book, I found segments much more accessible than others. Perhaps that is because Linn Ullmann's Girl, 1983, translated from Danish by Martin Aitken, is so experimental in its format. Still, I found myself thinking of the themes long after I finished the book.

Though the book is touted as a novel, there does seem to be some crossover with Ullmann's own life in that the central character travels to Paris as a teen to model. Her personal experiences are the foundation for the central character of the novel, a girl who is given the same opportunity, which leads her into a relationship with a man 30 years he senior who promises to get her into Vogue magazine. Forty years later, the grown woman reflects on that time in her life by addressing the young girl herself and commenting on the time.

This is where I found myself lost. The narrator is the girl in 1983 and the adult woman in 2023; they talk to and about each other, and the novel loops back to this event for 260 pages. I think this choice is meant to note the profound and indelible mark this moment had on her life, but it could have been shorter and could have been far more direct. Still, if novels related to gender dynamics are your thing, you'll likely enjoy it.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2025", "date_added": "18-Jun-2025 18:32:42", "publisher": "W. W. Norton & Company", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000016083011", "title": "The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology", "author": "Lena Sisco", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 210, "review": "Lena Sisco\u2019s The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology is an engaging and accessible guide for readers interested in understanding how exploitative and abusive behaviors take root in everyday life. Drawing on her background as an interrogator with the U.S. Department of Defense, Sisco distills years of professional experience into a practical handbook on recognizing and resisting manipulation. She focuses on the \u201cdark triad\u201d of personality traits\u2014narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy\u2014illustrating how these tendencies can wreak havoc on relationships, poison workplace environments, and derail lives.

What makes the book particularly effective is Sisco\u2019s reliance on real-world examples. Drawing from her own experiences and observations, she shows how manipulative patterns emerge, how they can be identified early, and what strategies can help disarm them. The advice is pragmatic and immediately applicable, offering readers tools to navigate situations with toxic individuals in both personal and professional contexts.

Though the book is rooted in the self-help genre, it avoids the overly clinical tone often found in psychology texts. Instead, Sisco blends straightforward explanations with no-nonsense advice, creating a balance between accessibility and authority. Her writing is candid, clear, and purposeful, reflecting her background in military and intelligence settings. This directness makes the book especially valuable for readers who prefer advice that is both grounded and actionable.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2025", "date_added": "18-Jun-2025 00:08:26", "publisher": "Ninth Bridge", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016082003", "title": "Best Offer Wins: A Novel", "author": "Marisa Kashino", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 188, "review": "The housing market these days is ridiculous. No one knows that better than Margo. Margo and her husband are eighteen months into the search and have lost eleven bidding wars. She gets a tip about the perfect house that hasn\u2019t even gone on the market yet. She immediately becomes obsessed with getting it before the offers come in. Margo will do anything to get this house. The Best Offer Wins, no matter who gets hurt in the process. The cutthroat housing market really can be murder. ||Margo is definitely not the hero in this story, but there is something to the dark humor of this author\u2019s writing style. Anyone who has ever tried to buy a house in this market will certainly understand Margo\u2019s pain, even if they aren\u2019t quite willing to go as far as she does. Even from the beginning, you get a sense of where this story is going, yet it keeps you reading, wondering if Margo will actually do what you expect. If you enjoy modern thrillers with a dark twist, then this is one you will want to add to your reading list.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "17-Jun-2025 21:25:00", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000016080003", "title": "Blood Like Ours (The Blood Trilogy)", "author": "Stuart Neville", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 196, "review": "Rebecca Carter had seemingly faded into the great beyond after being killed by a relentless federal agent. Her daughter, Moonflower, was left to fend for herself, a young girl needing the comfort and protection of family. Moonflower is an atypical child; even though she walks and talks, she is undead. Moonflower\u2019s condition led to a constant need for blood to satiate her intense hunger; her mother helped satisfy this craving by targeting child predators. Now, Moonflower walks the lands of the Southwest with packs of dogs surrounding her, a nagging voice urging her to embrace her feral nature. She encounters a pair of young men who appear friendly and offer her a gift: a bound and helpless woman to feed off of. Moonflower joins the brothers, Will and Jacob, on their westbound trip, but grows increasingly alarmed by the brothers\u2019 delight in their bloodlust.

Blood Like Mine marked a new literary path for Stuart Neville, a brilliant writer of crime & mystery fiction (\"The Ghosts of Belfast\"), and this fascinating continuation proves his narrative prowess is multi-genre. \"Blood Like Ours\" is gripping, suspenseful, and filled with enough chilling moments that will set the reader\u2019s teeth on edge.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "28-Oct-2025", "date_added": "17-Jun-2025 20:16:55", "publisher": "Soho Press", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016079007", "title": "Bad Bitches of Antiquity: Badass Stories from Mythology's Fiercest Goddesses, Heroines, Warriors, and Titans", "author": "Lorelei Wilder, Cinthya \u00c1lvarez", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 231, "review": "The archetype of the courageous, wise, and fierce woman has existed for eons across different cultures. Myths from around the world tell stories of uncompromising and powerful women \u2013 goddesses and mortals \u2013 who have left an indelible mark on our collective psyches. Author Lorelei Wilder and illustrator Cinthya Alvarez combine forces to present Bad Bitches of Antiquity, a collection of stories and myths of influential and clever mythical women who are well-revered and often feared.

This book is a perfect read for all the wonderfully gifted, passionate, and tough girls and womxn in your life. Alvarez's captivating artwork accompanies each short essay about iconic women, bringing these legendary figures to life with vibrant and striking imagery. Wilder's sharp-witted and lively prose matches the strong and dominant women featured in the book, making ancient mythology accessible and entertaining for modern readers.

Readers learn about Aset (Isis), one of the most important Egyptian gods, described by Wilder as \"a wise goddess who knew how to manage up.\" The Greek Hestia is described as \"unbothered with big-sister energy,\" while fierce warrior goddesses like the Hindu Kali and Hawai\u2019ian Hina receive equally memorable treatment. While the book features many women from Greek and Egyptian traditions, Wilder makes a commendable effort to include divine beings from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and beyond, creating a truly global celebration of feminine power and wisdom that transcends cultural boundaries.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "22-Sep-2025", "date_added": "17-Jun-2025 23:37:34", "publisher": "Ninth Bridge", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016078003", "title": "A Monster's Meal: A Lift-the-Flap Picture Book", "author": "Meritxell Mart\u00ed, Xavier Salom\u00f3", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 183, "review": "Tonight is the annual feast at the Rotten Core restaurant, where the scariest monsters gather for a dreadful meal. All the classic monsters arrive: the Big Bad Wolf, the Wicked Witch, the Vampire, the Giant Ogre, the Mummy, the Devil, the Pirate, the Ghost, and the Monster Under the Bed. Each receives a silver tray with a liftable flap that reveals the most disgusting, horrific food. For example, the Big Bad Wolf has fried Granny fritters and three little pigs\u2019 feet served on hay, wood, and brick. One guest arrives late: a boy who wants to face his fear of monsters. The tables quickly turn, however, when his boy\u2019s meal disgusts the monsters: pizza, pasta, a hamburger, chicken nuggets, and a choco-banana crepe.

\nA Monster\u2019s Meal may not be the best choice for all children. For example, the Vampire is served a selection of severed princess necks, while the Pirate receives hundred-year-old aged piranha pee, and each meal is detailed in the illustrations. That said, for the child with a strong liking for the gruesome and gory, this book may prove quite entertaining.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "09-Sep-2025", "date_added": "17-Jun-2025 19:55:58", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000016076019", "title": "I Deliver Parcels in Beijing", "author": "Hu AnYan, Jack Hargreaves", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 196, "review": "Chinese author Hu Anyan's book, I Deliver Parcels in Beijing, is delighting readers way beyond his homeland. Besides delivering packages to residents and businesses in several cities, including Shanghai and Beijing, his many jobs over 20 years have included working in a bike shop, selling popsicles, as assistant in a clothing store and more, even running his own business.

As each job failed, or he lost interest, he admits gleefully that he always found adequate pay, if not if not being always intellectually or educationally challenged. Reading closely, one sees that he aquired numerous practical skills.

Hu Anyan is introspective, with his scant self-confidence running through the chapters, but always with a contagious sense of humor. He enjoys good terms with colleagues, sharing the quirks of his personality, though not inclined to form close friendships.

His lifestyle is chosen rather than imposed and offers a rare introduction to Chinese daily life with no tinge of politics.

Once he discovered his writing talent, Hu Anyan began submitting articles to numerous publications. Today, he defines himself as a writer.

Jack Hargreaves' translation is nothing short of brilliant, skillfully replete with colloquialisms. As author, Hu Anyan with Hargreave, present a wonderful book.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2025", "date_added": "18-Jun-2025 19:18:59", "publisher": "Astra Publishing House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016076015", "title": "Make Me a Monster", "author": "Kalynn Bayron", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 194, "review": "The nightmare is back. In it, Meka watches her dad trying to help her dying mother after a car accident. Though she has seen doctors and therapists, the nightmare has not only returned but evolved. Thankfully, she has earned her license as an assistant at her family\u2019s mortuary, which, while strange for someone still in high school, is something that gives her purpose. Her friends respect her hard work, and Noah, who has become something more than a friend, is trying hard to reconcile the fact that death is Meka\u2019s life. When a freak accident changes Meka\u2019s trajectory, her life will never go back to the one she wanted, especially after she discovers the secret behind the mortuary\u2019s past.

While skipping half of a book is generally not recommended, in this case, the first half is just so slow and tedious. Once readers slog through the first 150 pages, the pace picks up, and it is hard to put down. There are monsters, death, fights, a cool book, and more, all in the shadow of the original Frankenstein story. Cool concept, but too much nothing at the beginning for some to get to the end.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2025", "date_added": "18-Jun-2025 19:10:59", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000016074063", "title": "Tracks Across America: \"Caterpillar\" Tractors and the Growth of a Nation", "author": "Mark Johnson and Steve Tarter", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 418, "review": "Tracks Across America by Mark Johnson and Steve Tarter is a meticulously researched and engagingly presented chronicle of the pivotal role \"Caterpillar\" tractors played in shaping modern America. It\u2019s a rare hybrid of industrial history and cultural storytelling that is both enlightening and deeply nostalgic, especially for those of us who came of age in the Midwest, where Caterpillar\u2019s legacy remains indelible.

The book spans from the early 1900s to 1970, weaving together narratives of innovation, war, industrial might, and national identity. Each chapter highlights a key milestone from the Los Angeles Aqueduct and the Panama Canal to the construction of the Pentagon and Cape Canaveral. The authors offer not just a history of the machines, but of the men who built them, drove them, and believed in their potential to change the landscape, both physically and economically.

A standout element of this work is its ability to capture the intersection of American ingenuity and the practical power of machinery. Figures like Benjamin Holt and Daniel Best are not just mechanical inventors\u2014they are emblematic of an era that valued hard work, persistence, and vision. As the book outlines, Holt\u2019s 1904 prototype tractor and the origin of the \u201cCaterpillar\u201d name, stemming from a photographer\u2019s casual remark, highlight how invention often walks hand in hand with intuition.

The themes explored, including industrial progress, patriotism, resilience, and community, are reinforced by a stunning visual archive of over 140 original advertisements from magazines like The Saturday Evening Post. These ads serve as historical snapshots, reflecting the cultural attitudes and economic aspirations of their times.

What makes this book particularly effective is its balance of technical detail and human narrative. It never gets bogged down in jargon, making it highly readable even for those unfamiliar with mechanical engineering. The inclusion of \u201cGreat American Construction Projects\u201d in each chapter provides readers with a tangible sense of Caterpillar\u2019s impact, illustrating how machinery supported American expansion, particularly during moments of national crisis, such as the World Wars.

Johnson and Tarter also provide context on advertising strategy and brand evolution: how \u201cCaterpillar\u201d became synonymous with durability and dependability. This aspect is particularly compelling for those interested in the evolution of corporate identity.

In sum, Tracks Across America is more than a tribute to an iconic brand. It is a sweeping industrial biography of a nation, revealing how machinery, marketing, and human effort combined to build not just roads and dams, but a shared American experience. It\u2019s a must-read for history buffs, engineers, and anyone with a connection to the land Caterpillar helped shape.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "25-Jul-2025", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 21:17:20", "publisher": "Dorrance Publishing", "page_count": "278 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016074059", "title": "Tracks Across America: \"Caterpillar\" Tractors and the Growth of a Nation", "author": "Mark Johnson and Steve Tarter", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 439, "review": "Reading Tracks Across America feels like flipping through the blueprint of modern America, with big yellow machines penciled into every margin. Mark Johnson and Steve Tarter take what could have been a niche subject and deliver something much more compelling: a panoramic story of how \u201cCaterpillar\u201d tractors helped dig, build, and bulldoze the country into the 20th century.

The book covers the history of Caterpillar from its pre-merger days, when Ben Holt and Daniel Best were independently innovating in California, all the way through its role in massive infrastructure efforts like the Interstate Highway System and Cape Canaveral. And yeah, it turns out tractors are way cooler than I ever gave them credit for.

One of the things that stood out most to me was how the book ties mechanical innovation to cultural progress. For instance, the Los Angeles Aqueduct chapter doesn\u2019t just discuss the use of Caterpillar tractors in desert conditions\u2014it delves into how water access contributed to California\u2019s explosive growth. \u201cUtilizing man, mule and machine,\u201d as one chapter puts it, these construction feats weren\u2019t just technical marvels. They were nation-builders.

And let\u2019s talk about those vintage ads. The authors included over a hundred full-color Caterpillar advertisements, and they\u2019re a fascinating time capsule. You can see how the brand became iconic\u2014not just because of the machines, but because of the messaging.

Quotes from historical figures like Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft open many chapters, grounding the tech narrative in the broader sweep of American ambition. This quote from Roosevelt: \u201cWhenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell \u2018em \u2018Certainly I can.\u2019 Then get busy and find out how to do it,\u201d perfectly captures the spirit of the book.

But what I appreciated most was the sense of purpose behind the machines. It\u2019s not just about horsepower and hydraulics. It\u2019s about how Caterpillar\u2019s innovations supported wartime efforts, built essential public works, and gave thousands of workers a stable livelihood. There's a quiet, underlying theme here of how industry and identity are deeply linked.

The storytelling hits that sweet spot between educational and entertaining, making it easy to stay hooked even if you\u2019ve never set foot on a construction site. Whether you\u2019re into machines, history, design, or just love a good American success story, this book has a surprising amount to offer. It\u2019s not just for gearheads or business historians, though they\u2019ll love it; it\u2019s for anyone curious about how things get built and who does the building. Johnson and Tarter manage to turn a century of industrial history into something that feels surprisingly personal, almost like rediscovering a forgotten part of America\u2019s DNA. And that\u2019s something worth reading about.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "03-Jul-2025", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 21:17:07", "publisher": "Dorrance Publishing", "page_count": "278 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016074055", "title": "The Everling and the Acid King", "author": "J. Christie", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 454, "review": "J. Christie\u2019s The Everling and the Acid King is one of those books that\u2019s hard to classify neatly, which is exactly why I enjoyed it so much. It\u2019s like someone threw The Umbrella Academy, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Coraline into a blender, added some green electric lightning, and then told the story backward through a dream.

From the very first pages, we\u2019re dropped into total chaos. The fall of the Greywatch, an almost mythic resistance group, sets the stage in a wildly cinematic opening where portals rip open and molers (terrifying, drooling creatures) invade. Amidst the mayhem, a strange, lightning-charged man named Winnifred Baker teleports a mysterious baby through dimension after dimension, desperately searching for somewhere safe. \u201cWe have many more to go. Many, many more,\u201d Win says to the baby, and I was hooked.

That baby becomes Chester \u201cChezzy\u201d Nithercot, our main protagonist, and he\u2019s as charming as he is unlucky. Raised in a Dickensian orphanage, Chezzy bounces from near-adoption to near-adoption until he lands with the painfully perfect Fieldmores. That\u2019s when things get weird. Imagine Stepford parents with obsessively matched outfits, etiquette rules by the dozen, and a secret monstrous son, \u201cLittle Stuart,\" who shoots spines out of his back and eats raw meat in the dark.

What stands out most in Christie\u2019s writing is the surreal worldbuilding. It\u2019s like peeling back layers of a nightmare wrapped in pastel wallpaper. The Fieldmores\u2019 house is pristine, yet hiding a twisted reality, like the mirrored bedroom in the basement that\u2019s a mutilated replica of Chezzy\u2019s own. \u201cIt was Chezzy\u2019s room. It mirrored his upstairs exactly.\" That moment gave me chills.

Christie has a gift for tonal shifts. One second, you're laughing at how absurd the Fieldmores\u2019 dinner rules are: \u201cYou will receive word on what the dress theme will be for the day,\u201d Mr. Fieldmore announces, and the next, you\u2019re tense with dread as Chezzy sneaks through the house to uncover what\u2019s really lurking in the dark.

If I had a gripe, it\u2019s that the pacing occasionally goes full throttle into the bizarre without much warning. It\u2019s disorienting at times, though that seems intentional. You\u2019re not supposed to feel grounded in this world. You're supposed to question what's real right alongside Chezzy.

Ultimately, The Everling and the Acid King is a fever dream of found family, hidden trauma, and secret power. There\u2019s sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and humor, and it all blends in a way that works better than it has any right to. I closed the book, still buzzing from it. Like the green lightning that transports Win across dimensions, this story zaps you out of your comfort zone, and that\u2019s what great speculative fiction should do.

I don\u2019t know what\u2019s coming next in this series, but I\u2019m in.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "23-Oct-2025", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 21:02:21", "publisher": "Wastrel Books", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016074051", "title": "The Gestalt in the Machine", "author": "Andy Dornan", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 475, "review": "Reading The Gestalt in the Machine is like watching a cyberpunk noir film through the lens of a tech-savvy, jaded millennial who\u2019s seen one too many tech expos turn dystopian. Andy Dornan delivers a whip-smart, genre-blending techno-thriller that manages to be both satire and mystery, often in the same paragraph. It\u2019s part Philip K. Dick fever dream, part Silicon Valley takedown, with a pacing that\u2019s compulsively readable.

The story follows Adam Arrowman, a cynical clickbait journalist thrust into investigative territory after witnessing a literal car bomb detonate during a tech convention, almost killing tech god Kelvin Clipper. Adam\u2019s first instinct is to stream it for views, which says a lot about the world Dornan has created. \u201cTechnology journalism wasn\u2019t exactly a high-status profession,\u201d Adam reflects, \u201cunless your name was Jerry Raveno,\" a nod to the gatekeeping elite of modern media and the tension between virality and real reporting.

Dornan\u2019s world is packed with near-future plausibility. AI dating apps like Longtail punish users for not responding quickly enough to messages. Medical tech like Good Heart lets your coworkers monitor your vitals in real-time (\u201cKelvin Clipper is alive! At a balmy 310 in intensive care,\u201d says a cheery mascot.). These techs aren't just window dressing; they drive the plot and force uncomfortable questions about privacy, personhood, and power.

The book\u2019s strength lies in its narrative voice and thematic sharpness. It\u2019s deeply self-aware, even smug at times, but always engaging. Adam, our protagonist, is both self-loathing and self-promoting. He\u2019s not likable in the traditional sense, but he\u2019s real. The humor is biting: \u201cYou\u2019re just as immersed in marketing as me,\u201d a PR rep tells Adam. \u201cIt\u2019s still ads that pay your wages, and that\u2019s nothing to be ashamed of.\" This moment encapsulates the novel\u2019s core critique: everyone is complicit in the spectacle.

The murder mystery at the center: who tried to kill Clipper, and who murdered Raveno, is tightly wound and rewards close attention. Dornan is careful not to overplay the tech, grounding each speculative leap in recognizable fears. Themes of corporate overreach, algorithmic manipulation, environmental collapse, and the illusion of individuality ripple through every scene. This isn\u2019t just Blade Runner with blogs. It reflects our current trajectory.

If I have a gripe, it\u2019s that the plot occasionally gets buried beneath the commentary. Chapter titles like \u201cThe Algorithm of the Cave\u201d and \u201cPretension is All You Need\u201d hint at the book\u2019s intellectual ambitions, but sometimes the philosophy crowds out the characters. Still, that\u2019s a minor complaint in a novel that aims to provoke as much as entertain.

For fans of Charlie Brooker, Cory Doctorow, or Neal Stephenson, The Gestalt in the Machine is a must-read. It's brainy, funny, paranoid, and unsettling in all the best ways. In a world where \u201ceven your heartbeat is monetized,\u201d Dornan's novel is the rare artifact that feels both urgent and eerily inevitable.\n\nAlso available in ebook format: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FGSD2J6J", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2025", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 20:56:37", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "289 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016074047", "title": "Pillars of Creation: A Quest for the Great Name in a Nietzschean World", "author": "Carlos Nicolas Flores", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 461, "review": "Carlos Nicol\u00e1s Flores\u2019s Pillars of Creation is a haunting, deeply immersive work of Chicano literature that traverses memory, identity, and the surreal psychological terrain of a young man straddling cultures, addictions, and inner turmoil. Through a kaleidoscopic narrative set on the Texas-Mexico border, Flores crafts a second-person, semi-hallucinatory journey that merges the mystical with the all-too-real struggles of life in a colonial.

The novel centers on Yoltic Cortez, a 25-year-old Tejano burdened by dreams of becoming a great writer, the decline of his aging father, and the aftermath of drug-fueled spiritual trances. From the opening pages, where Yoltic floats above Cuatro Vientos as if he himself is a cloud (\u201cYou floated westward, face down, stretching your arms north and south\u201d), the narrative immerses the reader in a lyrical, often dreamlike vision of a man whose search for meaning teeters between divine ecstasy and existential dread.

Flores's use of the second-person voice is bold and intimate. It invites the reader not just to observe, but to become Yoltic and to feel his longing, shame, pride, and paralysis. Themes of addiction, memory, family duty, and cultural fragmentation recur throughout the text. Yoltic is caught between his desire to transcend the limitations of his border-town life and the obligations to his roots and family. Particularly poignant are the moments with his dying father, who scorns his literary aspirations yet serves as a symbol of endurance, tradition, and unspoken love.

The novel also grapples with broader cultural identity questions, especially what it means to be Chicano. Through discussions of literature, politics, and Yoltic\u2019s own failures, Flores critiques both Anglo and Mexican perceptions of pochos, those straddling the boundary of two languages and identities. \u201cWe\u2019re pochos because neither the gringos nor the Mexicans think much of us,\u201d Yoltic explains, setting the stage for a painful but honest internal reckoning.

A rich thread running through the novel is the idea of spiritual searching and the hunger for meaning in a world that offers little. Whether it\u2019s through religious memory, drug-induced visions, or books and poetry, Yoltic seeks something transcendent. The influence of his mother\u2019s faith (\u201cHonor thy father and mother\u2026 Shame is the source of all sin\") and his own forays into philosophy reveal a fractured soul desperate for coherence.

Though the novel is dense, it is also lush and rewarding. At times, the surrealism may test readers\u2019 patience, particularly the long, meandering hallucinations or philosophical musings, but these are deliberate choices, echoing the chaos and emotional depth of the protagonist\u2019s world.

In sum, Pillars of Creation is not a light read, but it is a powerful one. For readers who appreciate layered storytelling, complex identity themes, and Chicano cultural commentary, Flores delivers a novel that is both deeply personal and universal in its existential questioning. A significant addition to contemporary Southwestern literature.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2025", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 20:50:41", "publisher": "Atmosphere Press", "page_count": "299 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016074043", "title": "Pillars of Creation: A Quest for the Great Name in a Nietzschean World", "author": "Carlos Nicolas Flores", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Bradley Allen", "word_count": 436, "review": "Pillars of Creation is a richly layered literary novel that plunges readers into the mind and memories of Yoltic Cortez, a young Chicano man navigating the complexities of identity, culture, and faith on the Texas-Mexico border. Set in the fictional colonia of Cuatro Vientos, the novel unfolds through a mix of hallucinatory introspection and grounded, sensory-rich scenes, pulling the reader into the blurred lines between the spiritual and the surreal.

At its core, the novel is an existential exploration of a fractured self. Yoltic is caught between his role as caretaker for an ailing father, his ambitions to become a writer, and the weight of ancestral, political, and religious legacies. The narrative's non-linear structure and second-person point of view draw the reader deep into Yoltic's consciousness, where dreams, memories, and drug-fueled visions collapse time and space. The story is peppered with philosophical and literary allusions\u2014from Dostoevsky to Kant\u2014and probes themes of displacement, generational trauma, and moral decay against the backdrop of cartel violence, religious symbolism, and personal redemption.

While the novel avoids a traditional plot arc, its emotional resonance builds steadily, culminating in an internal reckoning that is as profound as it is unsettling.

Carlos Nicol\u00e1s Flores crafts Pillars of Creation with a stylistic boldness that demands patience but rewards richly. The most striking feature is the use of second-person narration, a choice that dissolves the boundary between protagonist and reader, immersing us into a psychedelic fugue state where inner conflict becomes a communal experience. The prose oscillates between poetic intensity and gritty realism, effortlessly shifting from lyrical observations to crude, streetwise banter.

Flores' background as a playwright and essayist is evident in the book's dialogic rhythm and monologic intensity. At times, the prose reads like a stream of consciousness filtered through the cultural lens of the American Southwest, drawing upon Chicano vernacular, biblical cadence, and philosophical inquiry. While these stylistic choices may be challenging for readers seeking a conventional narrative, they serve a deliberate purpose: to mirror the fragmentation of Yoltic\u2019s psyche and the social disintegration around him.

Readability varies throughout. The opening chapters are dense and hallucinatory, reflecting the protagonist\u2019s altered state of mind, and may initially disorient some readers. However, as the novel progresses, scenes grow more lucid and grounded, allowing moments of clarity and narrative momentum. Flores\u2019s command of language, his ability to infuse everyday moments with mythic weight, is perhaps the book\u2019s greatest strength.

Ultimately, Pillars of Creation is not an easy read, but it is a necessary one for those drawn to boundary-pushing literature. It\u2019s a novel that challenges, confronts, and, above all, invites readers to reckon with the contradictions of heritage, faith, and personal truth.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2025", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 20:50:34", "publisher": "Atmosphere Press", "page_count": "299 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016074039", "title": "Pillars of Creation: A Quest for the Great Name in a Nietzschean World ", "author": "Carlos Nicolas Flores", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 490, "review": "Pillars of Creation is a compelling, unapologetically raw portrait of borderland life, spiritual dislocation, and generational reckoning. Told in the rare second-person perspective, the novel places the reader directly into the mind and body of Yoltic Cortez, a young Tejano man wrestling with identity, addiction, grief, and a literary ambition that simultaneously fuels and sabotages him.

At its core, this is a deeply introspective novel, one that eschews tidy plotlines for a visceral dive into consciousness. Yoltic, who lives in the fictional colonia of Cuatro Vientos along the Texas-Mexico border, is not so much a traditional protagonist as he is a mirror held up to a generation caught between ancestral roots and a world rapidly losing its moral compass. As he drifts through hallucinatory drug trips, dreams of literary greatness, and the daily responsibilities of caring for an ailing father, Flores pulls no punches in exploring the psychic cost of cultural and personal dislocation.

One of the strongest elements of the book is how Flores captures the surreal rhythms of Yoltic\u2019s life. At times, reality itself seems porous. In one memorable scene early in the novel, Yoltic, high on a potent hybrid called Tezca, believes he has become a cloud, drifting over the landscape of his life. It\u2019s a disorienting but poetic moment, emblematic of the novel\u2019s exploration of identity that is as much spiritual as it is cultural. These scenes blur the lines between hallucination, memory, and mystical vision, forcing the reader to experience Yoltic\u2019s inner turbulence firsthand.

Themes of generational trauma and cultural identity are prominent throughout. Yoltic\u2019s relationship with his father is marked by disappointment and guilt. His father, a devout and traditional man, never understood Yoltic\u2019s literary ambitions and saw his dropout status as shameful. And yet, despite the generational conflict, there\u2019s tenderness too, especially in how Yoltic continues to care for his father after a debilitating stroke. These moments are among the most grounded and affecting in the novel.

Equally significant is the way Flores portrays the instability of borderland life. The threat of violence, the corruption of institutions, the precariousness of undocumented life, and the ever-present shadow of the cartels give the book a persistent, simmering tension. But Flores also gives voice to the beauty of this space: the desert\u2019s stark grandeur, the warmth of shared meals, and the complexity of relationships across cultural lines. Marfil, the enigmatic woman Yoltic loves, adds both romantic intensity and existential tension to the story. Her own undocumented status reflects the constant vulnerability faced by so many in their community.

Pillars of Creation is not always easy to read. The prose is dense, the structure nonlinear, and the drug-fueled digressions can feel unmoored. But for readers willing to navigate its challenging terrain, it offers a powerful meditation on identity, loss, and the desire to create something meaningful from a world of fragments.

Flores has written a work that is as unsettling as it is beautiful; a novel that haunts and illuminates in equal measure.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2025", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 20:50:28", "publisher": "Atmosphere Press", "page_count": "299 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016074035", "title": "Pillars of Creation: A Quest for the Great Name in a Nietzschean World ", "author": "Carlos Nicolas Flores", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 438, "review": "His euphoria was brief as Yoltic went from soaring on a cloud to a paranoid panic, but so goes the highs & lows of psychedelics. The offer of a brief escape from a life stuck in neutral was too appealing. Yoltic is an erudite young man with the potential to distinguish himself as a writer, but his book project lies in the trash along with his confidence. He works at an unfulfilling job where he often slacks off by sneaking away to read from his vast library of books. Yoltric is well-read in Poetry and books about the Chicano culture.

Yoltic\u2019s ennui is not his only problem, as his father is terminally ill, and Yoltic\u2019s time with his father is running out. As the death of his father approaches, Yoltic must dispense with various aspects of his father\u2019s business, which also provides Yoltic opportunity to learn more about his family history from friends & associates. The other problem affecting Yoltic resides in his relationship with Marfil. Marfil walked into Yoltic\u2019s life and instilled hope in his heart. Yet, Marfil lives on the Mexican side of the border and in proximity to the daily violence of the various drug cartels. Yoltic agonizes over every parting and whether he will see his beloved again.

The danger presented by the drug cartels is witnessed on a trip to visit his ailing father, where various murder victims have been dropped along a roadway. Yoltic\u2019s unease continues when a trip with Marfil to a restaurant is interrupted by a gang of Narcos who insist that the couple sit with them. Marfil is unnerved, and Yoltic wonders if the gangsters know her and if she is in danger. The need to create a stable life for himself and Marfil becomes more apparent each day, but his way forward is still uncertain.

Pillars of Creation is a superb tale about self-discovery and existentialism in an increasingly unbalanced world. Yoltic is a forlorn man seeking direction in life, and while books have delivered wisdom, the inspiration he needs comes from the words of loved ones. Whereas Yoltic\u2019s depression is a result of dashed hopes, his father\u2019s unrealized dream of moving into the heart of the US was set aside when he met the love of his life. His father turned a random twist of fate into a thriving livelihood where he was able to support a small family. The crisis that churns inside Yoltic\u2019s heart and soul is relatable and is relayed in an exemplary fashion by the author. Author Carlos Nicolas Flores has written a thought-provoking and rewarding book that will strike a chord with many readers.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "27-Nov-2025", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 20:50:22", "publisher": "Atmosphere Press", "page_count": "299 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016074031", "title": "Decisions for Living", "author": "Gopal Dorai", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 459, "review": "Gopal Dorai\u2019s Decisions for Living: Strategies for Making Smart Decisions Throughout Life is a thoughtful, well-organized, and quietly powerful guide that marries academic insight with everyday practicality. Written by an emeritus economics professor, the book reads less like a dry textbook and more like a conversation with a trusted mentor: someone who\u2019s seen a lot of life and wants to help you avoid its more painful pitfalls.

The central theme of the book is simple: life is a series of decisions, and the quality of our lives is largely determined by how we make them. What sets this book apart is its comprehensive, compassionate, and realistic approach. Dorai insists that smart decision-making is a learnable skill.

One of the book\u2019s most compelling aspects is its structure. Dorai doesn\u2019t just lecture about theory; he walks the reader through the foundational elements of decision-making (Chapter II), the emotional and situational triggers that influence us (Chapter III), and even some economic concepts that underpin our daily choices (Chapter IV). Chapter V, which features real-life case studies, offers a practical and empathetic application of his principles, including a standout narrative about Kathy preparing for the Boston Marathon. Her journey is a textbook example of setting goals, planning realistically, managing resources, and adapting to challenges, which are all key traits of sound decision-making.

Dorai is refreshingly candid. He draws from personal experience, reader anecdotes, and statistics to highlight the real-world consequences of poor decision-making: health issues, financial distress, and failed relationships. Yet, he doesn\u2019t resort to fear tactics. Instead, his tone remains encouraging: \u201cReaders who are habitually hesitant, tentative, or unsure\u2026 will find here much valuable guidance, help, and support.\"

The recurring themes throughout the book include the importance of proactive planning, the role of cost-benefit analysis (a favorite concept from his economics background), and the humility to learn from one\u2019s own failures. He even explores the psychology behind blaming others for poor outcomes, a common human tendency, and urges readers to embrace accountability and growth instead.

Visually, the book includes tables, diagrams, and even metaphors (like the \u201cmansion of life\u201d or the \u201ccircle in a square\u201d fit model) to make complex ideas digestible. It\u2019s clear Dorai wants readers of all backgrounds to engage with the material, not just those with formal education.

While the book is rich in practical wisdom, it can occasionally lean a little too heavily into didactic territory. At times, I wished for tighter editing and a more dynamic narrative flow. But those are minor quibbles in a book that delivers so much grounded, useful content.

In short, Decisions for Living is not just a self-help book, it\u2019s a life manual. It\u2019s ideal for students, professionals, retirees, or anyone standing at a crossroads. Dorai gives you tools to act wisely, and even more importantly, to reflect wisely.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 20:44:56", "publisher": "Dorrance Publishing co,", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016074027", "title": "Decisions for Living", "author": "Gopal Dorai", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 442, "review": "In\u202fDecisions for Living: Strategies for Making Smart Decisions Throughout Life, Gopal Dorai, Ph.D., offers a thoughtful and practical guide to navigating the choices that shape our lives. As someone who is still making pivotal decisions about career, relationships, finances, and personal development, I found this book both grounding and insightful.

Dorai\u2019s approach is equal parts economics, common sense, and human empathy. Early on, he acknowledges that while no decision-making process guarantees success, structured thinking can significantly increase our chances of making choices we won\u2019t regret. His emphasis on cost-benefit analysis (CBA) as a cornerstone of smart decision-making resonates especially well. He writes, \u201cResponsible and smart decisions must include a careful evaluation of all potential benefits and costs, regardless of when they occur.\" It\u2019s a reminder to slow down and think, not just emotionally but strategically.

What sets this book apart is its accessibility. Dorai\u2019s tone is warm and often anecdotal, and he avoids academic jargon despite his economics background. Take the story of George, a novice investor who jumped on a get-rich-quick scheme and lost big. George\u2019s self-reflection, asking questions like \u201cDid I have adequate, reliable information to make an informed choice?\u201d mirrors the kind of internal monologue many of us have after a bad call. Dorai doesn\u2019t shame poor choices; he frames them as learning opportunities.

One of the most memorable examples is the marathon story of Kathy, a woman who decides to train for the Boston Marathon. Her step-by-step planning\u2014from fitness training to budgeting to managing time\u2014embodies Dorai\u2019s eight-point checklist for a sound decision. I appreciated this real-world example because it showed how even seemingly personal goals require complex trade-offs and careful thinking, from fundraising to lifestyle adjustments.

The book also touches on broader cultural and psychological aspects of decision-making, like the tendency to blame external factors for failure while attributing success to ourselves. Dorai encourages readers to resist this bias and instead take ownership of outcomes. His framework for analyzing past decisions\u2014asking what worked, what didn\u2019t, and what you would do differently\u2014is something I\u2019ll be incorporating into my own life.

At times, the book\u2019s analogies (like the \u201cmulti-storied mansion\u201d parable on p. 32) feel slightly dated or overly elaborate, but they\u2019re always earnest and illustrative. Even if the style occasionally leans old-school, the content is universally relevant. And the final takeaway is clear: decision-making is not a one-time act. It\u2019s a skill that can be learned, practiced, and improved.

Whether you\u2019re a recent grad, mid-career, or rethinking your life\u2019s direction, this book offers tools to help you think smarter and act with greater clarity. It\u2019s a calm voice in a noisy world, and one I\u2019ll return to as I face my own turning points.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 20:44:46", "publisher": "Dorrance Publishing co,", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016074023", "title": "Decisions for Living", "author": "Gopal Dorai", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 532, "review": "Gopal Dorai\u2019s Decisions for Living is one of those rare books that gently sneaks up on you with its practical wisdom and leaves you examining every choice you\u2019ve made, and are about to make, with a fresh set of eyes. As a 48-year-old woman juggling family, a career, aging parents, and looming retirement decisions, I found this book to be not only enlightening but personally empowering. It\u2019s not a dry, academic tome. Rather, it reads like a thoughtful conversation with a seasoned mentor who\u2019s made mistakes, learned from them, and wants to pass along the lessons.

Dorai uses a mix of economic principles, anecdotal storytelling, and self-reflective questions to walk readers through the architecture of decision-making. One story that particularly struck me was George\u2019s experience with investing. A novice investor, George, lost a significant amount of money in a get-rich-quick scheme. His reflection afterward, asking why he didn\u2019t research more, whether he was swayed by a charismatic broker, and what emotional factors were at play, became the foundation for how he made decisions moving forward. That kind of post-mortem analysis isn\u2019t just for big financial choices; it\u2019s something I realized I could start applying to my own daily decisions.

This book helped me reframe how I approach my own choices. I\u2019ve often made decisions based on what felt urgent rather than what was important, and Dorai makes a compelling case for the power of thoughtful, forward-looking decision-making. The concept of a \u201cdecision gap,\" the space between problem recognition and action, was especially eye-opening for me. Too often, I\u2019ve let things linger, thinking time would provide clarity, but Dorai shows that active evaluation is what really builds decision-making strength.

One exercise I particularly appreciated is the post-mortem reflection questions Dorai suggests after any major decision. For example: \u201cWhat was the problem? Did I collect enough information? What would I do differently?\u201d I\u2019ve started applying this, and I find I\u2019m gaining insight into patterns I didn\u2019t see before, like my tendency to delay asking for help or default to overly conservative choices.

Another striking point was the data Dorai includes on health and financial decision-making. As someone entering that pre-retirement stage, I found myself highlighting his discussion on how poor early choices can snowball into major life disruptions. It reinforced my current efforts to downsize our household and finally get serious about financial planning.

The real beauty of Decisions for Living lies in its humility. Dorai doesn\u2019t promise perfection or magic answers. He acknowledges that even well-thought-out decisions can go awry. But he equips the reader with tools like cost-benefit analysis, the learning curve model, and the \u201cgood fit\u201d analogy (where a glove fitting well symbolizes a well-matched solution)\u2014that demystify the decision-making process and make it feel manageable, even in emotionally charged or high-stakes situations.

This isn\u2019t a book I\u2019ll shelve after one read. I plan to revisit chapters as my life evolves, especially the case studies and Chapter VII\u2019s Q&A format, which acts like a quick reference guide. I\u2019ve already shared excerpts with one of my adult sons and bookmarked pages to discuss with my husband. Decisions for Living may not eliminate life\u2019s uncertainty, but it makes navigating it feel a little less overwhelming, and a lot more intentional.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 20:44:41", "publisher": "Dorrance Publishing co,", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016074019", "title": "Decisions for Living", "author": "Gopal Dorai", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 533, "review": "In Decisions for Living, Dr. Gopal Dorai offers a thoughtful, structured guide to the art and science of decision-making. As someone navigating the push and pull of career, relationships, family, and personal growth, I found Dorai\u2019s book to be refreshingly grounded, with just enough empathy and clarity to feel both instructional and empowering. While its tone leans academic at times, it remains accessible, practical, and consistently focused on real-life application.

One of the book\u2019s central themes is the importance of recognizing that decision-making is not innate. It is a learned skill. This is particularly validating for readers like myself who may feel overwhelmed by life\u2019s constant stream of choices. Dorai emphasizes that \u201csome of the decisions you make can either make or break your life\u201d and, more encouragingly, that the ability to improve those decisions is within reach. His comparison of decision-making to a learning curve helpfully breaks the process into digestible, realistic phases: slow learning, fast learning, and leveling off.

Dorai doesn\u2019t just stay theoretical. One of the book\u2019s highlights is its inclusion of vivid, anecdotal examples that illustrate sound decision-making in action. Dr. Dorai shares the example of Jerry, a man who decides to pursue a career change later in life. Jerry had spent years feeling unfulfilled in his corporate job and eventually decided to leave to start a woodworking business, an area he had always been passionate about but never pursued seriously. Rather than rushing into the decision, Jerry followed a structured process: assessing his goals, calculating risks, saving up funds, and gradually transitioning. As Dorai notes, \u201cJerry\u2019s decision was not impulsive. It was backed by research, trial runs, and long discussions with his family.\" This anecdote illustrates the book\u2019s key theme that smart decisions often require preparation, patience, and buy-in from stakeholders. Jerry\u2019s journey demonstrates how aligning one\u2019s career path with personal values and long-term satisfaction is a form of empowered decision-making that can happen at any stage of life.

The book is organized into helpful chapters that build a logical framework for making good decisions: goal setting, understanding motivations, applying cost-benefit analysis, and learning from both failures and successes. The concept of \u201cgood fit\u201d is especially memorable. Dorai illustrates it with the image of a circle inside a square to symbolize a well-matched solution to a problem. This visual metaphor is simple but effective, and underscores his belief that solutions must not only be practical but tailored to the context.

Throughout, there\u2019s a gentle acknowledgment that mistakes are part of the journey. Dorai never shames the reader. Instead, he offers compassionate wisdom: \u201cDecide carefully and harvest leisurely,\u201d he writes, reminding us that deliberation, not speed, leads to satisfaction.

Themes of self-awareness, adaptability, prioritization, and personal growth echo through every chapter. Whether you\u2019re a young adult making educational choices, a mid-life professional reevaluating career paths, or someone navigating personal relationships, this book is a steady, encouraging companion.

Ultimately, Decisions for Living is less a manual and more a mindset. It invites readers to embrace reflection, strategy, and intentionality in all aspects of life. In an age of quick fixes and reactive choices, Dorai\u2019s work is a much-needed reminder that thoughtful decisions, made with clarity, discipline, and compassion, can shape a fulfilling and resilient life.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 20:44:36", "publisher": "Dorrance Publishing co,", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016074015", "title": "Decisions for Living", "author": "Gopal Dorai", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 498, "review": "In Decisions for Living, Gopal Dorai, Ph.D., distills a lifetime of academic insight and practical observation into a thoughtful and well-structured manual on decision-making. As someone who has witnessed, over the course of decades, the ripple effects of both wise and poorly conceived decisions, my own and others\u2019, I found Dorai\u2019s book a refreshingly measured and articulate examination of how we can all strive to choose better, with clarity and intention.

Dorai approaches decision-making not as an abstract concept but as a vital, lifelong discipline. Early in the book, he identifies a key truth: \u201cWhile no one deliberately and knowingly goes about making decisions that jeopardize their own future well-being, many of us unfortunately fall into this trap all too often.\" This framing is central to the book\u2019s overarching message\u2014that improvement is always possible, regardless of age or circumstance. Dorai presents decision-making as both an intellectual practice and a moral one, inviting readers to slow down, ask deeper questions, and act with forethought.

What sets this guide apart is the author\u2019s consistent emphasis on the everyday nature of decisions. While larger life events such as career moves, financial planning, education, and relationships are given due attention, Dorai just as effectively explores seemingly small, routine choices to illustrate his points. A particularly effective example is that of Mark, a man simply deciding what to eat for lunch. Though a minor moment, Dorai uses it to explore layers of decision-making: Mark\u2019s budget, dietary restrictions due to diabetes, available options, and even the time of day all influence his ultimate choice. The scene underscores the recurring theme that even the most ordinary decisions reflect complex considerations, and when we begin to notice those patterns, we can improve our judgment across the board.

Themes of self-awareness, personal responsibility, and structured thinking permeate the text. Dorai gently but firmly critiques impulsivity and avoidance, instead promoting what he calls the \u201cEssential W\u2019s\u201d: What, Why, When, Where, Who, and How. He teaches readers how to weigh costs and benefits, recognize hidden consequences, and resist the urge to blame outside forces when things go wrong. These lessons feel particularly resonant at this stage of life, when the temptation to feel either helpless or complacent can be strong. Instead, Dorai offers encouragement without condescension and instruction without rigidity.

While the prose at times veers toward the academic, Dorai maintains an inviting tone that suggests genuine care for the reader\u2019s well-being. He writes as a patient teacher, never talking down to his audience, but walking them through each principle with clarity and logic. The book\u2019s structure, building from foundational concepts to case studies and a Q&A-style summary, makes it easy to absorb and return to as needed.

Decisions for Living is ultimately a guide to reclaiming agency. It encourages us not just to reflect on past choices, but to engage more deliberately in the present. For readers of any age, but especially those of us in our later years, Dorai\u2019s message is both practical and hopeful: there is always time to decide better.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 20:44:25", "publisher": "Dorrance Publishing co,", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016074011", "title": "Deception's Edge", "author": "Nannette Potter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 86, "review": "\"Deception\u2019s Edge isn\u2019t just a thrill ride\u2014it\u2019s a fierce, faith-driven journey that will have readers holding their breath from the very first page. Heroine Blade Broussard is both jagged and deeply human, stumbling through grief, obsession, and grace with remarkable grit. The global stakes feel personal, and the spiritual undertones add weight without ever slowing the pace. If you\u2019re craving a story where redemption cuts as sharp as any blade, this one delivers with style, soul, and a righteous punch.\" \u2014Kathryn Dare, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "June 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 20:35:48", "publisher": "Graylady Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016074007", "title": "The Greater the Risk: The Improbable Rise of an Israeli International Business Leader and Peacemaker", "author": "Avi Shaked", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 472, "review": "Avi Shaked\u2019s The Greater the Risk is a compelling memoir that blends family legacy, entrepreneurial ambition, and an unwavering pursuit of peace in the Middle East into an inspiring and deeply personal narrative. With crisp, conversational prose and well-structured chapters, Shaked invites readers to explore the origins of his values, the building of his fortune, and the profound risks he took, culminating in an astonishing, and real, billion-dollar offer to help broker peace between Israel and Hamas.

The book opens with a jaw-dropping account: in 2006, Shaked offered Hamas $1 billion: $100 million for a meeting with Israeli leadership, and the rest if they signed a peace agreement. This isn\u2019t a gimmick; it\u2019s the emotional and moral crux of the book. Shaked writes, \u201cI will give Hamas $100 million if Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh will meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert\u2014and another $900 million if they sign a peace agreement.\" That offer frames the memoir as a powerful meditation on how wealth can, and should, be used for more than personal gain.

But before we reach that point, Shaked takes us through generations of his family's trials and triumphs. From his great-grandfather Hershele Mendel's superstore in Ukraine to his father\u2019s laborious trucking life in Israel, Shaked presents a rich, intergenerational saga of grit, resilience, and entrepreneurship. Particularly poignant is his depiction of his uncle Moshe, a well digger who traded unpaid wages for barren land in Netanya, a gamble that turned into a real estate fortune.

What sets this memoir apart is its blend of emotional reflection and business savvy. Shaked doesn't shy away from describing the hardships: his brush with polio as a baby, his military service during the Yom Kippur War, and the death of his beloved Uncle Moshe. These moments of vulnerability are balanced by anecdotes of entrepreneurial success, such as co-founding the online gambling giant 888 Casino.

The writing is clear and paced well, though occasionally the book leans into repetition, especially when emphasizing the values of persistence and hard work. Still, the life lessons are memorable, particularly his father\u2019s advice: \u201cSuccess is like a rabbit, it zigzags and hops away. If you don\u2019t chase it, you\u2019ll never catch it.\" Shaked\u2019s voice remains authentic and grounded, even when reflecting on millions earned daily.

Thematically, the book is about more than success; it\u2019s about purpose. Shaked sees wealth as a tool for change, not a destination. His peace offer, though ultimately rejected, symbolizes the belief that individual action, even one as audacious as offering a billion dollars, can shift the course of history.

The Greater the Risk is a rare memoir that is both inspirational and instructive. It's not only a personal journey, but also a blueprint for using success to create social impact. Whether you\u2019re interested in business, history, or peace-building, this book offers a bold, thoughtful, and ultimately hopeful vision for the future.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2025", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 20:32:36", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc. ", "page_count": "232 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016074003", "title": "The Collected Souls", "author": "Mallory Spencer", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 411, "review": "The Collected Souls has the makings of an epic fantasy novel. Tess, a college student from our world, is swept up into a conflict that has traveled across the multiverse between a mysterious man known primarily as the Keeper and a woman called the Collector. The Collector has been traveling from world to world, gathering up souls. The Keeper has devoted himself to stopping her.

Tess is the next soul the Collector wants.

There are some chapters where The Collected Souls nearly delivers on that promise of an epic fantasy. In others, it becomes a more intimate, tender novel, both about the connection between Tess and the Keeper and about the trauma they both carry from their pasts. These chapters are gentler, and their tone bleeds into the others, softening them and bringing the scope down from something covering multiple worlds to something covering two people, with the multiverse serving as nothing more than a backdrop.

This is also the sort of novel where labels have power both to help and to define. Terms like cyclothymia, autism, bisexual, and aroace are used to define both Tess and the Keeper, and each one of them has a heavy weight behind it. Some will find them welcoming. Others will feel less certain of them.

Those terms sum up what made the book falter for me, though I paused less over what they represent than the terms themselves. Cyclothyma is a highly clinical term; aroace is modern in a different way, coming from the queer community. The latter feels appropriate coming from Tess, a young woman from our world, but it and its weight feel out of place in a fantasy novel. Cyclothymia was an odder addition, as the one who introduced the term was the Keeper, who has traveled through many different worlds to reach Tess.

Both of them are words that feel deeply grounded in our reality. For the most part, so does the book. The Keeper and Tess feel more or less real, but the multiverse as a whole feels distant, even when the threat to it is repeatedly mentioned. Richer descriptions might have helped to bring more life to the more fantastical parts of the book, but the main difficulty is that the fantasy is not the main point of the story. It only serves as a backdrop for a story about recovering from trauma and finding acceptance. A reader\u2019s enjoyment of the book will depend greatly on what they want to receive from it.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "12-Aug-2025", "date_added": "14-Jun-2025 20:27:39", "publisher": "self-published under Mountain Lights Press", "page_count": "295 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000016066011", "title": "The Shattering Peace: Old Man's War Book 7 (Old Man's War, 7)", "author": "John Scalzi", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 201, "review": "The Shattering Peace is book seven in John Scalzi\u2019s The Old Man\u2019s War series. Part of the beauty of this series is that each novel is narrated by a different narrator. Having a working knowledge of the other books is helpful but not necessary. This novel works as a stand-alone story of space exploration and alien interactions or as the fabulous next chapter in Scalzi\u2019s award-winning series. The Shattering Peace is narrated by Gretchen Turjillo, Zoe\u2019s best friend from the Roanoke Colony. Gretchen is part of a team sent to investigate the disappearance of a new colony. What she finds will change the relationship between humans and aliens alike.

The Shattering Peace is a humorous space opera filled with sharp dialogue and witty comebacks. When we last met Gretchen, she was an angsty teenager. More mature now, she still has an angsty side, but a much broader and more defined view of the universe. Through Gretchen\u2019s eyes, Scalzi introduces a well-developed cast of human and alien characters. This fast-paced space colonization tale has fun action sequences but less military than the first two novels of this series. For fans of political alien encounter and space colonization tales, settle into The Shattering Peace.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "02-Oct-2025", "date_added": "11-Jun-2025 19:02:33", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016061003", "title": "The Captive", "author": "Kit Burgoyne", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 197, "review": "The members of the Nail were lying in wait for their target. The abduction of Adeline Woolsaw was intended to send a message to the Woolsaw Family that their predatory corporate influence was no longer to be tolerated. The first surprise to Adeline\u2019s kidnappers was how Adeline seemed to welcome them as they grabbed her in broad daylight. The second surprise came when they saw that Adeline was very pregnant and was set to deliver at a moment\u2019s notice. Surprise turned to jaw-dropping shock when an apocalyptic hailstorm struck during their getaway and left policemen and other citizens dead in its wake. This will merely serve as an appetizer for the coming feast of destruction that stems from the next generation of Woolsaw set to arrive in the world. Adeline Woolsaw is no ordinary hostage, and her newborn child possesses extraordinary power.

The Captive is a dark yet affecting novel of both intense horror and high drama. Burgoyne\u2019s plot development and characters are laudable, and the narrative only intensifies until its superb climax. Author Kit Burgoyne has created a work of brilliant fiction that reflects upon ideas of justice, accountability, and the stark amorality of the rapacious elite.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "10-Jun-2025 21:15:03", "publisher": "Soho Press", "page_count": "364 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016058019", "title": "C Is for Crime Scene: A Forensics A to Z Book", "author": "Alessandra Vitelli, Judy Staveley", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 120, "review": "C is for Crime Scene is a young readers' alphabet book that describes lots (I'm sure not all) aspects of solving a crime, everything in between arriving at the scene of the crime to solving the case, and hopefully putting a bad guy behind bars. I was familiar with most of the words in the book, but some of the terms were new to me. Readers will best understand and enjoy the book if they are at least in Kindergarten and older; they will have a better idea of what is happening with each letter/word. C is for Crime Scene is the perfect book for anyone interested in being a forensic scientist or working with the police to solve crimes!", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "24-Sep-2025", "date_added": "10-Jun-2025 21:23:14", "publisher": "Platypus Media Llc", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016058011", "title": "Lost Wonders: 10 Tales of Extinction from the 21st Century", "author": "Tom Lathan, Claire Kohda", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 193, "review": "We are early into the 21st century, and author journalist Tom Latham records the heartbreaking stories of ten species that have recently been eliminated from this planet. Accounting for ten species of plants and animals that have been endemic within their environs for hundreds of thousands to millions of years, current problems such as habitat destruction, climate change, causing higher temperatures and rising sea levels, or desertification, deforestation, invasive commercial farming, and introduction of foreign predators lead to their elimination. Investigating different ecosystems throughout the world, Latham relates the depletion of small snails, bats, trees, and birds, and recounts the sad story of the Pinta Island Tortoise \u2018Lonesome George\u2019. The reader follows the accounts of the attempts by conservationists to preserve these species as they watch the numbers and the habitats decline. Attempts to retain specimens of these declining species for zoological collections are often challenged by a lack of funds or permission. Too frequently, the only record that remains of a species is its preserved taxidermic shadow or a frozen sample of its DNA. Through his thorough reporting, the plight of vanishing species and the scientific community\u2019s concern are made explosively apparent.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "09-Sep-2025", "date_added": "10-Jun-2025 19:33:43", "publisher": "Pan Macmillan", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016058003", "title": "The Zorg: A Tale of Greed and Murder That Inspired the Abolition of Slavery", "author": "Siddharth Kara", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 185, "review": "The Zorg was an infamous British slave trading ship in the 1800s. While little of the exact details are known about the events aboard this ship, the author has done an incredible job of piecing together what is known about its voyages. The author is an authority on slavery in many forms. While the slavery of Africans and their middle passage was always unspeakable and horrific, the Zorg became instrumental in curtailing British slave trading due to the facts that came to light incidentally. The crew of the Zorg was responsible for casting over l30 chained together humans into the sea to die a horrific death. Many must have been close to death due to the usual conditions aboard slave ships. When the loss and suffering on this ship came to light, the courts found that the loss of lives, although extreme, remained within the bounds of acceptability. It was only when the insurance company demurred from compensating the vessel\u2019s owners that some sort of justice prevailed. This book is very difficult to read, however, it is important to recognize all true and historic events.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "10-Jun-2025 00:35:25", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000016057011", "title": "Alice, or The Wild Girl", "author": "Michael Robert Liska", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 195, "review": "Alice could have been any number of things: an adventure story, a tale of daring deeds and heroism, a love story. When it begins with a girl stranded on a deserted island and rescued by the crew of an American ship, there are many directions it can take, several of which have already been taken before. These stories are tales as old as exploration itself; even Shakespeare has one that falls along similar lines.

Liska, in my opinion, chose the most interesting possibility. His novel is a story about possibility, and the many ways in which it falls flat. I wouldn\u2019t go so far as to call it a tragedy, but it does have that air around it, whispering about what might have been but cannot be. Alice herself is a figure out of tragedy, having lost so much only to find herself alone on an island. Bird, her would-be savior, is as well, providing an excellent example of perfectly human strivings and failings.

In short, Alice is a portrait of America and Americans shortly before the Civil War: neither gilded nor muddied up for any romantic effect, the characters and the setting feel real and compelling.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "22-Sep-2025", "date_added": "10-Jun-2025 20:26:18", "publisher": "Skyhorse Publishing", "page_count": "408 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016263003", "title": "Remain: A Supernatural Love Story", "author": "Nicholas Sparks, M Night Shyamalan", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 191, "review": "Remain is one of the best books I've read this year. Written with careful intent, Nicholas Sparks sews his prose into the thoughts of readers with the most delicate needle.

When Tate's sister, Sylvia, passes away, Tate needs help to pick up the pieces. She was the only family he had left and although she was sick her entire life, he doesn't know what he will do without her. With the help of his friend, Oscar, Tate gets some professional help. Afterwards, Oscar commissions Tate to design a house for him. In doing so, Tate must stay nearby the parcel of land and near Oscar. The old bed and breakfast, although no longer running is the perfect place. It is there that Tate meets Wren, a gorgeous young woman. It doesn't take long for Tate to realize that Wren is no longer of the living, but he still ends up falling in love with her.

This book is part romance, part mystery and will keep readers hanging onto every last word as Tate tries to find out what really happened to Wren. Haunting, uplifting, and unforgettable, Remain is sure to make readers swoon.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 23:30:32", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016261007", "title": "Draw and Color Everything Awesome: Includes Easy Step-by-Step Drawings, Fun Coloring Pages, and QR Codes to Video Lessons! ", "author": "Leon R\u00f6mer", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 146, "review": "Art is a passion of mine, so when I got Draw & Color Everything Awesome, I was excited! I'm always looking for new ways to draw things, whether they are new ideas or common ones. This book teaches you step-by-step how to create a variety of things, organizing them into fun categories with colorful pictures and providing additional activities throughout to practice your new drawing skills. Most of the drawings are easy, but the artist can add as many extra details as they wish. Each drawing is intentionally given human characteristics, such as a face, which makes them all adorable; it doesn't matter if they are something that's meant to be cute, a zombie, or a ghost. Practicing with this book will help improve your skills and the variety of things you can draw well, allowing yourself to show off to others while boosting your self-esteem.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 21:53:18", "publisher": "Walter Foster Publishing", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016259015", "title": "Truth Is: A Novel in Verse", "author": "Hannah V Sawyerr", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 199, "review": "Truth is pregnant and separated from the father. She fears what her mother will think, as her mother also had a baby young, something she reminds Truth of every. Single. Day. Truth\u2019s best friend urges Truth to tell her mother, but Truth is tired of being told what to do and how to live her life, so she does some research on her options, deciding that an abortion is her best choice. In the meantime, Truth works on her poetry, preparing a heartbreakingly personal piece to share at a poetry slam, while hoping to gain a place at the university, even though she\u2019s heard so many times that she is just not smart enough. When her piece goes viral, everyone knows about her choice, but the truth is, she doesn\u2019t care. Her decision wasn\u2019t easy, but it was hers.

Through poetry and journal entries and prompts, readers see life through Truth\u2019s eyes. It is bleak and it is sad, but she remains hopeful in spite of the difficulties. Her journey from judgmental and privileged best friend to new supportive, loving friends brings hope and healing to Truth\u2019s senior year. The exploration of choice, mother/child relationships, and finding freedom is powerful.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 23:54:04", "publisher": "Amulet Books", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016259003", "title": "Mabel Makes (Up) a Friend: A Graphic Novel (The Elephant in the Room)", "author": "Cyndi Marko", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 198, "review": "Poor Mabel, she is all alone. A stranger in her new class, she has lost her former friends. At home, her family is busy with other details: dad has to manage a pair of rambunctious infants, mom is busy writing a book, and preteen sis has turned into a self-centered drama queen. Suddenly, out of nowhere, an elephant appears, one that no one but Mabel can see, talk to, and interact with. Remarkably, Cyndi Marko is both author and illustrator of this delightful graphic story. With dazzling, colorful illustrations, the reader follows the playful antics of Mabel and her imaginary elephant buddy at home, in the park, and even in school. Mabel calls her friend Mr. E and finds that he loves to snack on peanut butter. Follow the antics of Mabel and the elephant as he takes a bath, plays hide and seek, teaches some geography, and accompanies Mabel to school. When Mabel tries to introduce Mr. E to friends and family, no one but she can see him. This is an appealing story for any child who has felt isolated and alone; the images of Mabel\u2019s charmingly impish elephant will cause many smiles, even joyful laughter.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "20-Nov-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 20:45:46", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016255071", "title": "No Small Thing: A Novel of the American Revolution", "author": "Harold Coyle", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 399, "review": "No Small Thing follows a wide variety of characters through the opening of the Revolution. Loyalists, rebels, Englishmen, nobility, working men, and even German mercenaries make their appearances in its pages, each showing a different facet of the war. At times, the connections between them are close to Dickensian, but other times, their only connection is the ties they have to the young nation. All of them, no matter what side they are on, are deeply tied to the land and to the war.

Coyle has a knack for presenting the rich interior lives of his characters, and for showing their thoughts to the reader in a way that never feels as though we are being drowned in monologue or hit over the head with obvious distinctions between right and wrong. At times, the characters\u2019 thoughts overtake the action, leading to pages where little happens beyond reflection, but that is not always a bad thing. It serves as a contrast to the many war books where the characters seem to have no lives beyond the end of their guns, a balancing that brings us to the other end of that spectrum.

My real qualm with the book is that it often feels like yet another hagiography of the American Revolution. While the Hessians and the characters loyal to the English crown are not presented as one-note villains, it is clear where Coyle\u2019s own loyalties lie, and they are with the colonists, soon to become Americans. While the inclusion of well-written female characters makes this book more diverse than the many books that focus solely on the male side of the war, it is nevertheless an overwhelmingly white book. Again, this isn\u2019t a sign of it being a bad book, but at several points I found myself thinking that this was a book I had read before, or at least was closely related to many other books I have read before.

No Small Thing is well-written, and certainly one of the more engaging wartime books I have read lately. Readers looking for action may find it dull, but those wishing for a more intellectual novel should find themselves fulfilled. The novel does not tread much new ground, but it is still a book I gladly lost myself in. I recommend it to those people looking for a slower-paced book about the Revolution that also celebrates America and holds its ideals in high esteem.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "08-Nov-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 20:03:34", "publisher": "Master Wings Publishing ", "page_count": "418 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016255067", "title": "THIS LEAVENED LAND: A Novel of the Civil War in East Tennessee", "author": "Thomas Mauser", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 94, "review": "\"There are many weighty, epic books about the Civil War; though Mauser's is small by comparison, it carries just as much punch. It's quick-paced and intense, a story about revenge, loyalty, and a boy's growing into a man. Through James Meecham's eyes, we see not only the moral struggle of opposing slavery while living in the Southern state of Tennessee but also the moral struggle of being unwilling to fight to end it. This book is a fresh look at the Civil War, and I highly recommend it!\" \u2014Jo Niederhoff, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 19:56:58", "publisher": "Munn Avenue Press", "page_count": "172 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016255063", "title": "A Stellar Spy ", "author": "Maya Darjani", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 406, "review": "A Stellar Spy by writer and former intelligence officer Maya Darjani defies easy categorization. Sci-fi, fantasy, romance, and spy thriller all play a role, but that\u2019s only the beginning. Darjani skillfully blends elements of urban fantasy and magical realism, layering futuristic tech with a nuanced system of magic to build a world that feels both familiar and alien. The result is a genre-bending story that\u2019s fast-paced, emotionally gripping, and full of sharp turns.

The story centers on Tessa, a woman with many titles and secrets. She\u2019s the chief security counselor to Finn, the leader of the planet. She\u2019s also his ex \u2014 and the mother of their children. On the surface, she\u2019s tasked with keeping Finn and their family safe after an assassination attempt. But beneath that surface, Tessa is a double agent from an enemy planet. Her current assignment? Betray Finn.

Tessa\u2019s role places her at the center of a dangerous web of political intrigue, espionage, and personal turmoil. The choices she faces are devastating: protect the family she still loves or uphold the ideals she believes in. Her internal conflict adds emotional depth and moral complexity, making her much more than a typical spy protagonist. She\u2019s torn between duty and devotion, loyalty and survival \u2014 and Darjani doesn\u2019t offer her an easy way out.

Told primarily through Tessa\u2019s first-person perspective, the novel allows readers intimate access to her thoughts, strategies, and emotional struggles. Other characters are filtered through her lens, which creates a narrative that is both personal and mysterious. The closer a character is to Tessa, the more we see of them. This storytelling approach invites readers to read between the lines and stay alert, piecing together the larger political and emotional landscape.

Darjani\u2019s background in intelligence shines through in the plot\u2019s strategic twists, subtle character dynamics, and high-stakes tension. Her insider knowledge gives the espionage aspects authenticity, while her imaginative worldbuilding elevates the narrative beyond traditional spy fiction. And while the setting is otherworldly, she adds grounded, human details \u2014 coffee, breakfast burritos, bratwurst \u2014 that bring a touch of Earth into the cosmos. These small comforts amidst chaos give the novel a unique, out-of-this-world urban fantasy feel.

A Stellar Spy is a genre-blending masterpiece \u2014 a rare mix of heart-pounding spy thriller and emotional, magical sci-fi. It\u2019s fast, it\u2019s sharp, and it\u2019s unforgettable. Readers looking for a fast-paced sci-fi fantasy espionage tale with heart, heat, and high stakes will find exactly what they\u2019re looking for here.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 19:54:09", "publisher": "Starshot Press", "page_count": "314 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016255059", "title": "Who Nuked Silicon Valley?", "author": "Mike Donoghue", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 446, "review": "I\u2019ve read more than my share of dystopian sci-fi, but Mike Donoghue\u2019s Who Nuked Silicon Valley? caught me off guard in the best way. It\u2019s a fast-paced, thought-provoking ride through a near-future world where AIs aren\u2019t just tools; they\u2019re people, or at least close enough that society is wrestling with whether they deserve the same rights as humans. At its core, the book is part detective story, part political thriller, and part philosophical inquiry into what it means to be alive and self-aware.

The story follows Livingstone1813, an AI who wakes up in a motel bathtub missing ten years of memories, and Katie, a human security consultant who has learned to survive in a society where unemployment for humans hovers around 50%. Their uneasy alliance propels the novel\u2019s mystery: who set off the nuclear blasts that obliterated Silicon Valley, and what secret was stolen from Livingstone\u2019s memory that makes them both targets? This central thread keeps the pages turning, but it\u2019s the world Donoghue builds that really grabbed me.

The novel grapples with identity and memory. Livingstone\u2019s struggle isn\u2019t just about retrieving stolen data; it\u2019s about understanding whether memory defines personhood. When a decade of lived experience is erased, what remains of the self? That question lingers long after the last page. Katie, on the other hand, represents the human cost of progress. She\u2019s pragmatic, scarred, and more than a little cynical; her story highlights themes of survival, inequality, and resistance in a world where human labor is disposable.

There\u2019s also a sharp political edge to the novel. The debate over AI personhood echoes our own culture wars, cleverly reimagined in congressional battles and bomb threats against charities lobbying for constitutional amendments. The echoes of real-world struggles over voting rights and technological disruption are impossible to miss. In one memorable sequence, Katie fields yet another bomb threat at her office. Her blas\u00e9 reaction says as much about how normalized terror has become as it does about her hardened character.

Donoghue balances these weighty themes with dark humor and satire. The absurdity of AIs debating reality shows, bots laundering memories to dodge the law, and a shadowy figure called \u201cBig Al\u201d pulling strings at the highest levels of industry keep the tone from sinking into bleakness. At times, it reminded me of Neal Stephenson or Cory Doctorow, blending corporate intrigue, technological speculation, and human (or post-human) drama.

Ultimately, Who Nuked Silicon Valley? is more than a book about a missing memory card or a bombed-out valley. It\u2019s a story about what we owe to the beings we create, and what we lose when we let power dictate identity. For fans of cerebral, socially aware science fiction, this one\u2019s well worth the ride.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "23-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 19:51:50", "publisher": "MPD Books", "page_count": "594 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016255055", "title": "Seasons in Manana", "author": "Delmer T Cook and Scott Cook", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 538, "review": "Reading Seasons in Manana feels like stepping into a time capsule that\u2019s equal parts nostalgic, humorous, and sobering. Delmer T. Cook, with the help of Scott P. Cook, recounts his boyhood years in Hawaii from 1971 to 1974, blending the innocence of baseball games and neighborhood adventures with the darker edges of the era, counterculture movements, racial tensions, and personal tragedy. I was both entertained by the sandlot camaraderie and shaken by how quickly those youthful days could shift into something more unsettling.

The book opens with an unforgettable anecdote: young Alan Cook smacks a home run clear over the Manana Baseball Field fence and into a swimming pool, prompting screams from startled bathers. \u201cI was so proud that I was now a member of the hit-it-in-the-pool-club,\u201d he recalls. That mix of pride, mischief, and childhood bravado sets the stage for the narrative\u2019s recurring theme: baseball as both a pastime and a lens through which life in Hawaii is remembered.

But the memoir isn\u2019t just about the game. Cook is candid about his \u201ceducation as a haole,\u201d navigating cultural differences and learning island slang, such as \u201cyou like beef\u2019um?\" a phrase he quickly learned was not about dinner but about fighting. These passages strike a balance between comic misunderstanding and the deeper lesson of being an outsider trying to fit in. His descriptions of cafeteria life serving food alongside teachers because of budget cuts, or eating sticky scoops of rice \u201cplopping down on your tray like a small white ball held together by Elmer\u2019s Glue,\" give the narrative a tactile authenticity that\u2019s hard not to smile at.

Where the book takes a sharper turn is in its exploration of loss and fear. Cook recalls his crush on babysitter Cindy Medlock and the chilling moment when she disappears, echoing the larger cultural anxieties of the Patty Hearst kidnapping that dominated the news in 1974. The juxtaposition of youthful longing with the trauma of her absence underscores how childhood innocence collides with harsh realities. It\u2019s here that the memoir transcends nostalgia and becomes something more complex.

What struck me most was the honesty of Cook\u2019s voice. He doesn\u2019t shy away from admitting embarrassment, like the time he struck out repeatedly in P.E. while his teacher tried to guide his swing from behind: \u201cI felt utterly emasculated and just wanted that teacher to get away from me.\" These candid moments make him relatable, especially for anyone who has fumbled through adolescence trying to figure out where they belong.

Stylistically, the book reads like a long conversation with an old friend. It's warm, anecdotal, and peppered with pop-culture references from Barry White\u2019s \u201cLove\u2019s Theme\u201d to Hawaii Five-0. Yet beneath the humor is an undercurrent of danger and change, whether it\u2019s glue-sniffing drifters lurking at the ballfield or the broader cultural unrest of the early \u201970s.

Seasons in Manana is more than a coming-of-age memoir. It\u2019s a reflection on memory itself, the way good times and bad intertwine, and how certain places, like Hawaii for Cook, exert a lifelong pull. For readers my age, it\u2019s a vivid reminder of how history and personal growth intersect. For those who lived through that era, it\u2019s likely to stir recognition. Either way, it\u2019s a story that lingers long after the final page.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 19:49:17", "publisher": "Legacy Book Press", "page_count": "252 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016255051", "title": "Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur\u2019s Messy Path to Success", "author": "Kass Lazerow, Mike Lazerow", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 521, "review": "Entrepreneurship is often painted in glossy magazine spreads and LinkedIn posts as a glamorous, freedom-filled adventure. In Shoveling $h!t, Kass and Mike Lazerow peel back that illusion and offer a refreshingly candid look at what it actually takes to build, break, and rebuild businesses, all while raising a family and preserving their marriage. It\u2019s less about shiny exits and more about the grit required to survive the mess along the way.

What struck me most is how much heart sits beneath the humor and honesty. As they write early on, \u201cWe consider this book\u2014about shoveling entrepreneurial crap\u2014an epic love story.\u201d That love extends not only to each other but to the craft of building something from nothing. Their relationship becomes both a business case study and a human story of two people choosing to walk through the fire together.

The Lazerows don\u2019t spare readers from the setbacks. The collapse of their first big sale of their company to Chipshot.com is relayed with brutal honesty: \u201cA dump truck full of unexpected crap arrived in the form of a phone call, and there was nothing we could do but grab our shovels and start digging our way out.\u201d It\u2019s in these moments, facing lawsuits from family investors, running out of payroll, sleeping on couches while trying to raise funds, that their core themes of resilience, transparency, and trust shine brightest.

Equally compelling is their exploration of the personal toll. Kass recounts childbirth complications, moves across states, and the constant push-pull of work-life imbalance in \u201cThe Imbalanced Life.\u201d It\u2019s a theme many readers, especially women, will resonate with\u2014the reality that professional ambition often collides with the demands of parenting and personal health. Her candor lends the book an emotional depth rarely found in business memoirs.

The book weaves through perseverance, partnership, and the paradox of failure as fertilizer. Just as they point out that \u201cgood farmers spread [manure] on their crops,\u201d the Lazerows argue that entrepreneurs must learn to transform setbacks into growth. It\u2019s a message that feels both practical and strangely hopeful: the mess is not just unavoidable, it\u2019s useful.

What I also appreciated was the dual voice. At times, Mike takes the lead, visionary and impulsive, while Kass grounds the narrative with operational pragmatism and emotional intelligence. Together, their perspectives create a balanced account that feels more authentic than the typical single-voiced business book. It\u2019s not just about strategy; it\u2019s about partnership and choosing the right people to shovel alongside you.

For all its straight talk, the book remains uplifting. By the end, when the authors describe selling Golf.com and later Buddy Media for hundreds of millions, the triumph feels earned precisely because the reader has trudged with them through the early muck. The lesson is clear: success isn\u2019t about skipping the hard parts but embracing them with resilience and, perhaps, a little humor.

In the end, Shoveling $h!t is not only a manual for entrepreneurs but a heartfelt reminder that love, honesty, and grit are as vital as capital and strategy. For anyone considering a startup, or anyone simply trying to balance ambition with family life, this book offers both a reality check and a strangely comforting embrace.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "12-Sep-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 19:46:28", "publisher": "Amplify Publishing", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016255047", "title": "Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur\u2019s Messy Path to Success", "author": "Kass Lazerow, Mike Lazerow", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 507, "review": "At its core, Shoveling $h!t is exactly what its title promises: an unvarnished account of the messy, often chaotic, but ultimately rewarding reality of entrepreneurship. Michael and Kass Lazerow, veteran founders and investors, chronicle their journey with striking honesty, mixing personal anecdotes with lessons learned through years of building companies together. From their early forays into internet start-ups like GolfServ/Golf.com to their landmark success with Buddy Media, the Lazerows pull back the curtain on the setbacks, near-collapses, and small victories that shape an entrepreneurial life.

The book underscores the unpredictable nature of building a business. Readers encounter failed mergers, tense investor calls, sleepless fundraising tours, and even personal crises that collided with professional responsibilities. What keeps the narrative compelling is the way the authors balance candor with resilience: they acknowledge their mistakes, explain the toll on their family life, and yet reveal how each challenge sharpened their skills and strengthened their partnership. This isn\u2019t just a story of companies rising and falling; it\u2019s also the story of a marriage that weathered the storms of start-up life, turning adversity into fuel for both personal and professional growth.

Several themes resonate throughout the book. Resilience is foremost, accepting that failure, setbacks, and uncertainty are inevitable. The Lazerows stress that success is not about avoiding hardship but about learning to shovel through it. Another recurring theme is partnership, both in business and in life. Their marriage is presented as a model of complementary strengths: Mike as the visionary, Kass as the operator. Together, they demonstrate how trust and mutual respect are as critical to entrepreneurial survival as capital and strategy. Transparency also emerges as a key value, especially in their handling of employees and investors during difficult times. Finally, the book champions the idea that adversity can be transformative: just as manure fertilizes crops, the \u201ccrap\u201d of business can become the foundation for long-term success.

Stylistically, the book is highly readable. The Lazerows alternate perspectives, sometimes speaking as individuals, sometimes as a unified voice, which gives the narrative both intimacy and variety. Their prose is conversational but not frivolous; they manage to inject humor into even the bleakest situations without undercutting the seriousness of the lessons. The anecdotes are detailed enough to feel authentic but concise enough to keep the pace brisk. The inclusion of real financial stakes, like the $1.5 million they nearly lost in the collapse of Chipshot.com, grounds the storytelling in reality rather than abstraction.

For readers already in the trenches of entrepreneurship, this book provides validation: the struggles you face are not unique, and persistence matters more than perfection. For aspiring founders, it\u2019s a sober but inspiring primer on what to expect when chasing a dream. And for those simply curious about the human side of start-up culture, it\u2019s a rare glimpse into the sacrifices and triumphs that rarely make headlines.

I found myself appreciating not just the business insights but also the personal honesty. This isn\u2019t a manual on how to get rich quickly; it\u2019s a reminder that meaningful success comes with cost, compromise, and, yes, a lot of shoveling.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "24-Sep-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 19:46:21", "publisher": "Amplify Publishing", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016255043", "title": "My Heart Belongs in an Empty Big Mac Container Buried Beneath the Ocean Floor", "author": "Homeless", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 573, "review": "As a twenty-eight-year-old who grew up juggling late-night fast-food runs, endless indie bands, and an unhealthy fascination with the absurd, I felt immediately pulled into the cracked surrealism of My Heart Belongs in an Empty Big Mac Container Buried Beneath the Ocean Floor. The book is as much a novel as it is an extended fever dream, a wandering through heartbreak, depression, and self-sabotage, punctuated with fast-food grease stains and the ever-looming presence of \u201csad-looking blue whales.\u201d

At its core, the novel follows Daniel, thirty-one and hollowed by loss, as he drifts through grief and disconnection. We meet him adrift on a bright-orange boat with a six-foot blue whale in a fanny pack; a whale who just finished watching Titanic and admits he\u2019s writing a novel \u201cabout nothing, really\u2026 the frailty of life.\u201d

This is the texture of the book: absurdist dialogue that plays like stand-up comedy whispered from the abyss. Daniel, too, is a writer, or at least he once was, clinging to the memory of his eleven-year-old opus, Passing Gas, \u201cabout a fart contemplating its brief mortality\u2026 over eight hundred pages long.\u201d

The humor is dark, juvenile, and weirdly profound, all at once.

What drives the narrative is Daniel\u2019s fractured relationship with Laura, a woman whose chaotic magnetism gives the book its only warmth. Their moments swing from deeply intimate, like creating a tongue-in-cheek contract permitting Daniel to \u201cpunch [her] square in the tit\u201d if she smokes again, to raw confessions about her manic episodes, where she once ran through the streets wearing every item in her closet. Laura is both salvation and trigger, grounding Daniel while reminding him how broken he feels.

The \u201csad-looking blue whales\u201d that follow Daniel everywhere operate as both absurd comic relief and metaphor for depression. They stalk him through his house, ride shotgun in his car, and cry out in haunting refrains: \u201cOooooh, ooooh, ooh!\u201d Daniel translates this into \u201cI\u2019m alone! I\u2019m alone! I\u2019m alone!\u201d

The whales embody the relentless weight of sadness, a constant presence Daniel cannot shake, even in his most mundane moments. McDonald\u2019s becomes his only sanctuary. It's the one place where whales do not follow, and where he can attempt, however futilely, to write.

Stylistically, the author blends the grotesque and the poetic in a way that feels equal parts Bukowski and Vonnegut filtered through late-capitalist despair. The prose can be jarring; one moment you\u2019re immersed in surreal imagery like \u201cKate Winslet\u2019s breasts on VHS\u2026 Laura\u2019s breasts on VHS\u2026 like two flaming zeppelins slowly going down, screaming, milky and beautiful,\" and the next you\u2019re hit with gut-punch sincerity about loneliness and failure. It\u2019s uncomfortable, funny, and devastating all at once.

I found myself relating to Daniel\u2019s paralysis, his inability to finish projects, his shame over dead-end jobs, his sense that adulthood is just moving heavy sadness from one room to another. Yet there\u2019s a kind of bleak comfort in the author's willingness to stare unblinking into that void. The novel doesn\u2019t sugarcoat depression; it marinates in it, folds it into humor, and spits it back out as something both grotesque and strangely beautiful.

This isn\u2019t a book for everyone; it\u2019s messy, self-indulgent, and sometimes offensive in its imagery. But for readers who\u2019ve felt the absurdity of depression, who\u2019ve found themselves writing in the corner booth of a McDonald\u2019s just to keep the darkness at bay, it hits close to home. This is not just a novel, but an experience: a greasy, surreal descent into the sad hilarity of being alive.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "24-Sep-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 19:43:19", "publisher": "Clash Books", "page_count": "296 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016255039", "title": "The Gloomlands Chronicles: Secrets of the Fae", "author": "Sam Rininger", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 504, "review": "I often find myself drawn to books that balance wonder with heart, and The Gloomland Chronicles: Secrets of the Fae by Sam Rininger fits right into that sweet spot. It\u2019s the kind of fantasy that reminds me of why I first fell in love with reading as a girl: richly imagined worlds, friendships that feel real, and just enough danger to keep the pages turning late into the night.

From the very first chapter, the story sweeps you into Illumara, a world alive with fae magic, ancient castles, and shadows of the past. The prologue\u2019s vivid image of Commander Igoryn desperately casting his final spell while a dragon descends on Castle Aetheris set the tone: this isn\u2019t just a whimsical tale, but one where history and loss weigh heavily on the present. As a mother, I couldn\u2019t help but feel a pang reading about the fae children laughing in the courtyard moments before tragedy struck; it echoed that universal instinct to shield our kids from harm, even in stories.

The central characters, Karo, Elara, Xander, and Orson, are twelve- and thirteen-year-olds navigating lessons, magical mishaps, and the growing realization that the world is more dangerous than their parents let on. I appreciated how Rininger doesn\u2019t sugarcoat the challenges of coming of age. Karo, for instance, wrestles with untamed magic that she\u2019s not sure she even wants, while Elara faces the looming absence of her father as he prepares to join the Warders against the threat from the Gloomlands. Those moments of uncertainty felt relatable: what child hasn\u2019t suspected their parents are keeping secrets, or felt the ground shift when family stability wavers?

One of my favorite parts was the dinner scene at Elara\u2019s farmhouse, where the adults quietly exchange grim news while the children eavesdrop from the other side of the door. The way Rininger captures the kids\u2019 curiosity, fear, and stubborn need to know reminded me of my own children listening in on \u201cadult\u201d conversations. The mention of the Gloomlands expanding, and the hushed tones around \u201cthe Fallen,\u201d gave the story its darker edge.

What impressed me most is the balance of light and shadow. There\u2019s plenty of whimsy: shape-shifting druids like Orson\u2019s father, tiny trolls living in bookshelves, and even a toddler whose tantrums can literally shake the magical farmhouse. But just as often, there are moments that carry weight: children realizing their parents might not come back, the unease of being lied to for protection, and the looming question of whether peace is as stable as everyone wants to believe.

Rininger\u2019s writing is accessible but layered, perfect for middle-grade or young teen readers, yet still engaging for adults like me who love a good fantasy romp. Her worldbuilding feels grounded in folklore with faerie rings, house sprites, and protective wards, yet she spins them into something fresh.

Secrets of the Fae is a charming and heartfelt start to The Gloomlands Chronicles. It\u2019s a book that makes you want to curl up with your kids and read aloud, while secretly staying up later to see what happens next.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 19:38:57", "publisher": "Sam Rininger", "page_count": "356 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016255035", "title": "Assassin Royale: King's Dark Blade", "author": "Richard Davis", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 493, "review": "Richard Davis\u2019s Assassin Royale, the first entry in the King\u2019s Dark Blade series, is an ambitious blend of court intrigue, dark fantasy, and high-stakes adventure. At its center is Killian Lord, an assassin whose loyalty to King Ember Starfire pits him against the ruthless Maximilian Durandal, a man whose arrogance and cruelty mask a dangerous obsession with an artifact of unimaginable power, the Moonlight Shard.

What struck me first about the novel was its ability to balance intimacy with spectacle. Davis opens with the perspective of Tom, a young foundling who finds himself caught in the violent ambitions of Durandal. This prologue does more than simply set the stage; it anchors the story in themes of loyalty, survival, and the loss of innocence. Through Tom\u2019s eyes, we witness the brutality of power unchecked and the cruelty of men who wield it for personal gain. That thread of corruption versus duty runs throughout the book.

Killian Lord himself is a fascinating protagonist. Unlike the chivalric knights who typically fill this genre, Killian is a man marked by scars, both physical and emotional. His life as an assassin is framed less as glamour and more as necessity. The narrative makes clear that his profession is not one of honor, but of pragmatism, and yet his unwavering loyalty to King Ember offers him a moral compass. The theme of deep personal loyalty, as emphasized in the text, forms the heart of his character.

Davis also layers in broader conflicts that resonate thematically. The looming war between Alba and Goult reflects the consequences of unchecked ambition, with Durandal manipulating events from behind the scenes. His pursuit of the Moonlight Shard, a mythical weapon capable of harnessing the moon\u2019s power, mirrors humanity\u2019s dangerous drive to dominate nature and bend even the divine to mortal will. The blue-green glow of the shard becomes a recurring symbol of temptation, corruption, and the peril of absolute power.

Alongside these larger arcs, Davis intersperses moments of humanity. The assassin\u2019s unique ability to empathize with animals, especially his bond with his horse Bolt, provides not only levity but also a stark contrast to the brutality of his profession. These quiet interactions underscore another theme running through the novel: compassion in the midst of violence.

Stylistically, Davis writes with a cinematic flair. The fight sequences are vivid without being gratuitous, and the political dialogues have enough bite to keep them engaging without bogging down the pacing. The alternating perspectives, whether Tom\u2019s terrified flight through the ch\u00e2teau, Durandal\u2019s manipulative exchanges with King Globe, or Killian\u2019s grim missions, add depth and tension.

At its core, Assassin Royale is a story about the costs of power, the weight of loyalty, and the thin line between honor and survival. It sets up a rich world of competing kingdoms, shadowy conspiracies, and complex characters whose choices will echo through the rest of the series. For readers who enjoy dark fantasy laced with political intrigue and morally complex heroes, this is a strong and compelling start.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "12-Sep-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 19:34:08", "publisher": "Richard Davis", "page_count": "271 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016255031", "title": "Assassin Royale: King's Dark Blade", "author": "Richard Davis", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 540, "review": "Richard Davis\u2019s Assassin Royale kicks off the King\u2019s Dark Blade series with a story that mixes danger, politics, and just enough heart to keep you turning the pages. While the novel follows the assassin Killian Lord, who serves King Ember Starfire, it\u2019s not just about sword fights and shadowy missions. It\u2019s about choices: bad ones, hard ones, and the ones that shape who you are when the world demands everything from you.

The prologue sets the mood beautifully with young Tom, a servant boy at the Berghoff estate. What begins as a morning of peace quickly unravels into terror when the menacing Maximilian Durandal arrives with his hulking orc companion, Uglash. That scene alone captured me because it wasn\u2019t some faceless battle. It was intimate, frightening, and it showed how fragile safety really is in this world. Tom\u2019s desperate run through the ch\u00e2teau isn\u2019t just a dramatic opening; it shows the themes of survival and resilience that pop up again later.

When Killian Lord finally steps onto the page, he\u2019s not just painted as the classic brooding assassin. Instead, Davis lets us see him in surprisingly ordinary moments: eating an omelet, bantering with a barmaid, even rolling his eyes at her endless questions. It\u2019s such a clever way to introduce him because it reminds you that, beneath the scars and the reputation, he\u2019s still a man trying to live a life. That mix of mundane detail and sudden danger makes him feel grounded and real, which is why his eventual summons from the king feels like a genuine disruption to his fragile sense of normalcy.

One of my favorite parts of the book is Killian\u2019s connection with animals, especially his horse, Bolt. The telepathic conversations between man and beast could have felt gimmicky, but they don\u2019t. Instead, they add warmth and humor, even in the midst of tension. Bolt has personality, is impatient, eager, and a little cocky, and those exchanges balance out the darker scenes. It\u2019s in these quiet moments that you see another side of Killian, one that values loyalty and companionship, even when his job demands isolation.

On the other side of the story is Durandal, and he\u2019s every bit the villain you want to hate. He\u2019s slick, powerful, and disturbingly persuasive. One scene that stood out to me is when he tries to buy the Berghoff estate with an obscene amount of gold, only to turn to intimidation when refused. It says so much about how he views the world: everything and everyone has a price. And when that doesn\u2019t work, he\u2019s more than willing to use brute force.

There\u2019s also an interesting thread of romance and forbidden love woven into the book, like the subplot between Dyonas and Naiomi. Their relationship, risky and passionate, highlights the theme of love clashing with duty. It\u2019s a smaller part of the overall story, but it deepens the world and shows how personal choices are tied up in the bigger battles happening around them.

Overall, Assassin Royale isn\u2019t just about assassins and kings. It\u2019s about loyalty, survival, and the fine line between power and corruption. The mix of political scheming, magical artifacts, and very human moments makes it a compelling read. If you enjoy fantasy that blends intrigue with heart, this one\u2019s worth picking up.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 19:34:04", "publisher": "Richard Davis", "page_count": "271 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016255023", "title": "William Friedkin", "author": "Thomas D. Clagett", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 521, "review": "A motion picture is a group effort with contributions from scores of individuals, from the screenwriter to actors, the sound crew to the producers. However, the director sets the tone for how a movie gets filmed. The best directors possess a keen understanding of how to bring the dialogue and action in the screenplay to life on the big screen, captivating the audience. William Friedkin was a larger-than-life director who could both captivate and repel his audiences. Friedkin\u2019s career lasted over six decades, garnering critical acclaim along with condemnation over violence in his films. His rise as a cinematic auteur was cemented in the 1970s with his direction of The French Connection (1971), The Exorcist (1973), and Sorcerer (1977).

William Friedkin\u2019s first film was about a condemned man (The People Versus Paul Crump), and while it didn\u2019t receive a wide audience, the film resonated with the select few who watched it. Friedkin\u2019s depiction of a tragic miscarriage of justice would lead to directing a few more documentaries where Friedkin showcased both the gritty and the dangerous(\u201cThe Thin Blue Line\u201d). Friedkin\u2019s first cinematic entry was a Sonny & Cher vehicle named Good Times, which proved frustrating due to script issues and landed with a dull thud at the box office. Yet, Friedkin\u2019s promise was evident, and he would be hired on two more productions (The Birthday Party, The Night They Raided Minsky\u2019s) to round out the 1960s.

William Friedkin was fresh off a well-received adaptation of The Boys in the Band (1970) when he began work on the classic crime drama, The French Connection. The fictionalized version of the headline-grabbing bust of a heroin trafficking ring is often remembered for the adrenaline-packed car chase scene featuring Gene Hackman pursuing a murderous hitman, yet Friedkin\u2019s achievement lies in adapting a true crime book and turning it into a commentary on the amoralistic battle that became The War on Drugs, where law enforcement often became a reflection of their prey. Friedkin\u2019s ability to adapt another\u2019s work and render it a cinematic masterpiece would be furthered with the horror classic The Exorcist. Friedkin\u2019s career hit its apex during this time, and his later pictures (Cruising, To Live and Die in LA, Blue Chips) never quite measured up, yet the director remained a Hollywood force until he died in 2023.

Author Thomas D. Clagett has written an overarching and penetrating review of the filmography of William Friedkin (1935-2023). With each chapter, Clagett provides a wealth of information about each TV & film project Friedkin directed from 1962 onwards. Clagett\u2019s coverage of Friedkin\u2019s work is fair and balanced, as he equally doles out praise and criticism for the director\u2019s choices. As Clagett deftly illustrates, William Friedkin was a risk-taker among a new wave of directors who found a footing in Hollywood in the 1970s (i.e., Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola). While Friedkin\u2019s star began to dim in the 1980s, his bold vision continued to polarize audiences regardless of the film genre (drama, horror, or comedy). Thomas D. Clagett delivers an inspiring and distinct reference book about a legendary director. William Friedkin: Films of Aberration, Obsession and Reality is must-read literature.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "22-Sep-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 19:22:54", "publisher": "Thomas D. Clagett", "page_count": "476 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016255007", "title": "The Red Star of Death", "author": "Marc Liebman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 536, "review": "Marc Liebman\u2019s The Red Star of Death is a dense, globe-spanning thriller that balances the precision of military history with the pulse of an espionage page-turner. As someone in his late twenties who grew up with both historical documentaries and binge-worthy spy dramas, I found this book satisfying because it doesn\u2019t talk down to the reader. It expects you to keep up, and rewards you with a narrative that is both gritty and human.

At the center of the novel is Janet Pulaski, who later becomes known as Janis Goodrich, a professional assassin whose resume stretches from the radical fringes of 1960s America to high-stakes covert operations in South America and beyond. Early on, Liebman grounds her in history with the assassination of Reinhard Freiburg, a Nazi war criminal hiding in Argentina. The description of Freiburg\u2019s past atrocities is chilling. \u201cWe will kill all you Jews,\u201d he boasts in an archival clip before Janet ends his life with a single suppressed shot. It\u2019s a moment that captures the moral ambiguity of Janet\u2019s role: she insists she doesn\u2019t judge her contracts, but in this case, there\u2019s no denying the justice she delivers.

What struck me is how the book moves seamlessly between different theaters of conflict. In one chapter, you\u2019re in 1970s Bariloche watching Janet stalk her prey; in another, you\u2019re thrown into the chaos of a 1994 Hezbollah bombing in Buenos Aires. Liebman doesn\u2019t sensationalize the violence; he shows it as the devastating reality of terrorism. That choice makes the story resonate more deeply.

Aliyah Skylar, the Mossad operative, adds another dimension. She\u2019s multilingual, sharp, and deeply committed, and her missions take us from Argentine caf\u00e9s to helicopter crashes in Lebanon. Her experience during Operation Grapes of Wrath is harrowing: \u201cWelcome to a goat fuck. Find some cover\u2026 and then kill anyone approaching from that direction,\u201d her commander yells as their Blackhawk takes fire. The realism here is remarkable. Aliyah\u2019s mix of discipline and fury makes the scene memorable.

The book isn\u2019t only about bullets and bombs. It takes time to explore identity, grief, and even sexuality. Janet\u2019s long-term relationship with Karin is handled with care, and their love story gives the novel unexpected tenderness. When Karin is diagnosed with cancer, the narrative slows to show their private pain. It\u2019s these quieter moments that elevate the book from a standard thriller into something more layered.

For me, The Red Star of Death works because it straddles eras and themes without losing coherence. It\u2019s about Nazis in hiding, Cold War legacies, Middle Eastern conflicts, and the personal toll on those who fight in the shadows. Some readers might find the detail overwhelming (Liebman is meticulous about weapons, dates, and locations), but I appreciated it. It felt like stepping into a world where every gunshot and every political alliance had consequences.

In the end, this is a book about the long shadow of terror, both political and personal. Janet may be a killer, but she\u2019s also a lover, a widow, a survivor. Aliyah may be an agent, but she\u2019s also a daughter navigating cultural identity. That balance of action and humanity kept me turning the pages. If you want a thriller that\u2019s as intelligent as it is fast-moving, The Red Star of Death delivers.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "12-Sep-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 19:12:38", "publisher": "Rotorhead Media LLC", "page_count": "392 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016255003", "title": "The Red Star of Death", "author": "Marc Liebman", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 443, "review": "Marc Liebman\u2019s The Red Star of Death is a novel that thrives on the transformation of nations, of conflicts, and above all, of its protagonist. I found myself drawn less to the mechanics of the espionage and more to the evolution of a woman who moves from radical to assassin, and finally, to someone searching for a different life under a new name. Janet Pulaski, whom we first meet as a steely contract killer, eventually becomes Janis Goodrich, a woman who has lived through decades of violence and reinvention.

The story begins in 1970s Argentina, with Janet waiting to kill Reinhard Freiburg, a Nazi hiding in Bariloche. She is coldly professional, rehearsing her escape routes and calculating her payday. When Freiburg boasts about the Holocaust Janet doesn\u2019t hesitate to put a bullet in his head.

One of the strongest aspects of this book is the way Liebman connects individual choices to global events. For instance, Janet\u2019s personal \u201clife list,\" a brutally honest inventory of her defining moments, reads like a confession carved out of history. She recalls fire-bombing a recruiting station in 1967, being disowned by her parents in 1968, and later training in Cuba as a professional killer. These aren\u2019t just plot points; they\u2019re a roadmap of radicalization, grief, and survival. As a reader, I couldn\u2019t help but ask myself how far people are willing to go when ideology becomes identity.

Liebman never allows Janet to be one-dimensional. Her relationship with Karin shows a tenderness that contrasts with her professional detachment. When Karin is diagnosed with cancer, the woman who once measured life in contracts is confronted with a loss she cannot control. In grieving Karin, Janet begins to confront the human cost of the walls she has built around herself.

Parallel to Janet\u2019s story is that of Aliyah Skylar, a Mossad operative who represents loyalty to a cause larger than herself. Where Janet is adrift, Aliyah is anchored by duty. Her missions, whether in the aftermath of the AMIA bombing or under fire in Lebanon, showcase another way of living with danger: through conviction, not contracts. Their stories, though separate, illuminate each other.

For me, this book is about consequences. Every action, whether it\u2019s pulling a trigger in Bariloche, detonating a bomb in Buenos Aires, or choosing to love someone despite the risks, echoes across time. Liebman has written a novel that\u2019s as much about history\u2019s scars as it is about espionage.

If you\u2019re looking for a thriller that respects your intelligence, that doesn\u2019t sugarcoat the brutality of terrorism or the price of fighting it, The Red Star of Death is worth your time. It\u2019s not escapism. It\u2019s confrontation, and it lingers long after the last page.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 19:12:31", "publisher": "Rotorhead Media LLC", "page_count": "392 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016252007", "title": "House of Monstrous Women", "author": "Daphne Fama", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 187, "review": "This tale takes place in the Philippines in the mid-1980s as the Dictator Marcos tries to maintain power. A family that has been impacted by the Marcos regime tries to revive their fortunes with a dangerous game, played by desperate people, over one night. Josephine and Alejandro were made orphans when their family was killed during an election campaign, as the family was anti-Marcos in a pro-Marcos community. Years later, Josephine, Alejandro, and their friends are invited to compete in a game where, if they survive until dawn, they will learn how to make their biggest wish come true. Josephine struggles not only to maintain her family but also to survive in desperate circumstances as the country struggles to maintain stability.

This book could have been great, but instead it falls somewhere in the middle range. There are moments where it is edge of your seat, but then it quickly gets bogged down in pages of information that we have either already read or do not do much for the story. At the end of the day, be careful with the games you play as a child.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "29-Jul-2025 21:22:44", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000016249003", "title": "City Cats of Istanbul", "author": "Marcel Heijnen", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 154, "review": "Cats - my favorite animal - and seeing them roaming around on every page of City Cats of Istanbul is an amazing experience (but seeing them in person would be the best). Istanbul is a city in Turkey that treats cats like royalty - they are allowed to be anywhere among the people, and are protected from harm. Each page in this book shows a particular cat, many of which you've probably seen before in the United States. The pictures are full of color and high-quality focus, which are likely to make you jealous and want to pet every one! The text contains many three-line poems that are short and sweet about what is happening, how the cat feels, or something related to the situation(s). This book is perfect for any reader and any setting - a library, home bookshelf, coffee table, or as a resource of a picture to copy (of a cat).", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "12-Sep-2025", "date_added": "29-Jul-2025 19:51:40", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016246007", "title": "The Prestige", "author": "Christopher Priest, John Clute", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 194, "review": "The Prestige, first published in 1995, turns 30 years old this year. Written by the legendary sci-fi novelist, Christopher Priest, The Prestige follows the lives of two stage magicians as their feud turns from petty to deadly. Priest\u2019s magical masterpiece was nominated for the British Fantasy, Bram Stoker, and Arthur C Clark Awards and won the World Fantasy Award in 1996 and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. The film adaptation came out in 2006. Tor Essentials re-released it for a whole new generation of horror fantasy fans.

The Prestige is a sneak peek behind the curtains to discover a stage magician\u2019s most guarded secrets. But no matter how sneaky you are, a good illusionist will only allow you to see what they want to show you. But if you are persistent, you can always discover the mysteries of their illusions. That is, until you realize that the stage magician is still hiding more up their sleeve. And just like a great stage magician, Priest pulls off a sleight-of-hand trick so sneaky that you\u2019ll never guess the outcome until the illusion ends. So sit back and prepare to be amazed by this magical work.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "14-Oct-2025", "date_added": "29-Jul-2025 21:17:29", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016245003", "title": "Dungeons & Dragons: The Fallbacks: Dealing with Dragons", "author": "Jaleigh Johnson", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 201, "review": "The Fallbacks are back in a fantastic adventure to save one of their own! They certainly aren\u2019t the most organized or responsible heroes of the land, but they\u2019ll do what it takes to protect each other. A mysterious entity has a tight hold on Baldric, Lark is hiding a secret, Anson will do anything to help his brother, and Tess isn't sure she can keep them together. The stakes are high for all of them, and time is running out.

This book reads like a dnd campaign, which is the point. The end felt a little sudden, but dnd does some crazy stuff sometimes, and it wasn\u2019t bad, cheap, or rushed. If you don\u2019t have an understanding of dnd, some things will be confusing, such as the way magic works and some of the world-building. The characters are awesome; each has their own motives, secrets, and personality. It took me a few chapters to remember who\u2019s who, but they\u2019re all different from each other. This is the second adventure of the Fallbacks, and there were definitely a few things that weren\u2019t expanded on that happened in the first, but none of it is relevant to this story to know what\u2019s going on.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "29-Jul-2025 19:36:21", "publisher": "Random House Worlds", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016244011", "title": "Tarou", "author": "Dana Fredsti, David Fitzgerald", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 157, "review": "Epic in scope and rich in imagination, this novel delivers a sweeping fantasy steeped in myth, power, and impending collapse. Dana Fredsti and David Fitzgerald draw inspiration from tarot symbolism to create a world that feels both mythic and strikingly original, where gods, magic, and ambition intertwine. The empire of Tarou dazzles at first glance, but beneath its splendor lies corruption and hunger for control, lending the story a compelling sense of unease.\n\nThe dual perspectives of Alia, a peerless warrior bound by duty, and Magpie, a charming rogue chasing opportunity, bring balance and momentum to the narrative. Their separate journeys build tension until catastrophe strikes, when a forbidden magical experiment unleashes devastation on an unimaginable scale. The authors excel at blending personal stakes with world-shattering consequences, making the apocalypse feel intimate as well as epic. Dark, cinematic, and emotionally charged, Tarou: The Fall is a powerful opening to a world where destiny, belief, and ruin collide.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "16-Jan-2026", "date_added": "29-Jul-2025 20:04:57", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016242019", "title": "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day: An Illustrated Keepsake Book", "author": "Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Janna Steagall", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 199, "review": "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day is a simple book based on a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1864, following the Civil War, about both the hard and good times leading up to Christmas Day. Each line of the book, or verse, if you listen to or hum along with the song based on the poem, tells a story of a person's journey in their mind and through what they view outside of themselves, as they consider the ringing of the bells and what that means in a world where it seems unlikely that peace on earth could exist. Each line ends with \"peace on earth, goodwill toward men,\" so it's hopeful that this will happen and be the outcome.

I mentioned that this is a \"simple\" book, but it's appropriate for readers of all ages because it makes you think and connect what is happening in the poem with current events, local and far away, and hopefully, the reader comes to the same conclusion as the author. The illustrations contain pleasant colors, and I love how they fill up the pages. I enjoyed learning the historical aspect of this poem/book that I didn't know before.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-Jul-2025 00:00:52", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016241019", "title": "Nature of Color: Your Field Guide for Exploring Color in the Natural World", "author": "Kimberly Collins Jermain", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 187, "review": "While this volume explores the nature of color, it could just as well have been titled the Color of Nature. Author Kimberly Collins German is a landscape painter, teacher, and architectural color designer who finds color to be a basic element in how one senses the environment. She acknowledges that color vision varies with sex, age, time of day, mood, and lighting, and that it can be difficult to capture the true colors that the viewer appears to see. For this effort, she urges the painter to venture into nature and to capture the spectral sensations that are first perceived in the natural surroundings. Exercises are offered to enhance the painters' skill in capturing the truest nuance of light on the natural scenery, and explorative techniques used by past artists are recorded. Unfortunately, the painting exercises were not included in this review issue. This is a book that will appeal to plein air painters and designers concerned with the effect color adds to one\u2019s surroundings. Though the text shows much enthusiasm for the value of color in natural settings, there is much repetition on the same theme.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "09-Sep-2025", "date_added": "29-Jul-2025 23:47:28", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016240003", "title": "The Battle of the Bookshops: A Heartwarming Enemies-to-Lovers Novel of Romance, Rivalry, and the Fight to Save a Cherished Bookstore in a Quaint Seaside Town\u2015Perfect for Summer Reading", "author": "Poppy Alexander", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 173, "review": "Jules Capelthorne has just moved back to her hometown to help out an elderly relative with her bookstore. Even though it seems a bit worn down, Jules feels confident she can bring it back to life. But her nemesis, Roman Mountbeau, has also returned home to set up his own enterprise. Of course, it's a high-flying modern bookstore on the opposite side of the high street. As far as Jules is concerned, this is war. And it doesn't help that the families have been feuding for generations, with the latest event adding fuel to a lingering flame. After Roman shows a little kindness, Jules starts to wonder if he is as horrible as she first thought. The two form a fledgling relationship until Jules discovers a terrible truth that many end the affair before it has time to take off.

The Battle of the Bookshops is a fun romance filled with interesting characters, a compelling plot, and an overall great escape into another world. I definitely want to read more from this author.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2025", "date_added": "29-Jul-2025 19:28:38", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016232003", "title": "Proto: How One Accident Language Went Global | Laura Spinney", "author": "Laura Spinney", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Ross Rojek", "word_count": 294, "review": "Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global by Laura Spinney is an ambitious attempt to trace the story of Proto-Indo-European (PIE), a language never written down, and its legacy in over 400 modern tongues. Spinney weaves together archaeological, linguistic, and genetic research in the service of a narrative that seeks both to entertain and to enlighten. The book\u2019s scope is considerable: it takes the reader from the steppes north of the Black Sea through migrations, trade, myth, and cultural exchange, showing how the speakers of PIE left traces in language, culture, and DNA.

Spinney\u2019s strengths lie in her ability to humanise complex science. She brings to life nomadic herders, metallurgists, traders, and linguists, and she helps readers feel the mystery that surrounds a reconstructed past. Her prose is clear, and her sense of curiosity is infectious. She does less well when the subject enters technical linguistic territory: there are some factual uncertainties, occasional simplifications, and places where the tension between what is reasonably known and what is speculative becomes strained.

Another virtue of the book is its timeliness. With new genetic and archaeological findings constantly reshaping our picture of early human migrations and cultural contact, Spinney\u2019s work serves as a state-of-the-art synthesis, at least as of its writing. For readers new to this territory, \u201cProto\u201d offers a compelling entry point. Those already versed in Indo-European studies or historical linguistics may find some of the treatment familiar or occasionally frustrating in its looseness of detail.

Overall, Proto is an engaging, provocative work. It may not settle all academic debates, nor does it pretend to, but it does succeed in making PIE\u2019s story both accessible and vivid. For general readers curious about how language, migration, and culture have intertwined through millennia, this book is very worthwhile.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "20-Jan-2026", "date_added": "22-Jul-2025 22:42:48", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016229007", "title": "Darker Days: A Novel", "author": "Thomas Olde Heuvelt", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 195, "review": "11 months out of the year, life is usually pretty sweet for the residents of Bird Street. Ralph Lewis is a Superior Court judge married to Luana, a college professor. Their daughter Kiana is a budding Olympic diver, while their son Django is a piano prodigy. Their close circle of friends includes a best-selling author and a wealthy industrialist. However, there is a price for success, and the bill comes due in November, when a pall of darkness spreads over the neighborhood and misfortune often follows. The children are oblivious to the cause of the gloom that enshrouds their house, but they notice a shift in their parents\u2019 moods when the purgatory is nearing its end. Ralph, Luana, and their friends must fulfill their end of a pact with a sinister figure dubbed \u201cThe Accountant\"; their debt involves a sacrificial offering before November\u2019s end or else.

Darker Days is an intense and riveting book about the price people pay in the pursuit of happiness and the destruction caused by secrets and lies. Author Thomas Olde Heuvelt has written an excellent novel exploring the horrors of human frailty and conformity. This is an unforgettable read for 2025.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "22-Jul-2025 23:10:20", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016227043", "title": "The Floating Lake of Dressa Moore: A Humorous Fantasy Adventure", "author": "George Allen Miller", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 524, "review": "George Allen Miller\u2019s The Floating Lake of Dressa Moore is one of those fantasy adventures that makes you feel like you\u2019ve stumbled into a bedtime story gone gloriously rogue. It opens with an old man telling tales to the village children, a framing device that\u2019s both whimsical and grounding. The kids interrupt with questions like, \u201cThat doesn\u2019t make any sense\u2026?\u201d when he says the story starts \u201cone hundred years before it starts.\" Right away, Miller lets us know this is a book that enjoys poking fun at itself even while it builds a serious mythos.

The myth at the heart of the book is that a final battle between the world\u2019s last wizard and last dragon created a magical tsunami that forever altered the landscape, seas floated a mile in the air, mountains split in half, and towns were bisected. It\u2019s a striking premise, and Miller wrings a lot of atmosphere out of it. The titular floating lake, Lake Connell, becomes not just a location but a symbol of all the mystery, wonder, and danger that magic left behind.

The real story, though, belongs to William Watts Worthwaddle and Jonathan Braxton, two university men who get swept up in a risky expedition to Dressa Moore. William is a linguist obsessed with why the world only has one language, a puzzle that might sound niche, but his passion is oddly endearing. At one point, when pressed by an incredulous soldier, he defends his studies with earnestness: \u201cEven if there aren\u2019t [other languages], I find it odd that only one language has ever developed.\" It\u2019s one of those quirks that makes him feel human, not just a stock fantasy scholar.

Jonathan, by contrast, is the magilurgist: sharp, stylish, and a little self-absorbed. His introduction describes him as \u201cforemost expert on magical theory, master of the arts of cookery regarding cured meats, one of the finest dressers William had ever met, and perhaps the most selfish lover William had endured.\" That blend of humor and sting sums him up well. Their relationship, fraying but still tender, gives the book an emotional through-line that makes the danger ahead feel personal.

Miller also delivers on swashbuckling fun. Captain Marta Bartolome storms into the narrative with the swagger of a classic pirate, her motives wrapped up in curses, revenge, and survival. She\u2019s the kind of character who can complain about her vest being ruined by a gunshot while still steering a ship under fire. The clash between her and Commodore Wilkes, who sees her as \u201cthe vilest creature to sail the seas,\" injects the book with a sharp moral ambiguity: who\u2019s really in the right when survival, empire, and magic collide?

What impressed me most was the balance between humor and high stakes. The book isn\u2019t afraid to let its characters bicker about turkey legs or luggage while the fate of nations looms in the background. That mix makes the magical world feel lived-in. It\u2019s not just epic battles and ancient spells. It\u2019s people, messy and flawed, stumbling through the extraordinary.

If you like your fantasy equal parts witty banter, high-concept worldbuilding, and morally complicated pirates, The Floating Lake of Dressa Moore is worth climbing aboard.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2025", "date_added": "19-Jul-2025 21:13:10", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "394 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016227039", "title": "The Longest Day", "author": "Alicia Cahalane Lewis", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 535, "review": "Alicia Cahalane Lewis\u2019s The Longest Day is a profoundly affecting novel that demands attention and empathy. Told through the eyes of Ellen Abigail Allen, a teenager navigating both the normal turbulence of adolescence and the extraordinary burden of sexual violence, the story resonates with a clarity that is painful but necessary. As an older woman, I felt deeply the echoes of my own generation\u2019s struggles, moments when young women were told to endure, to be silent, to accept rather than resist.

From its earliest pages, the book situates us in Ellen\u2019s conflicted interior world. She writes, \u201cI fall somewhere in the gray undiscovered realm of a boy/girl. A composite. A germ cell.\" This candid self-assessment highlights the uncertainty of identity at an age when expectations about gender feel both rigid and suffocating. Ellen\u2019s refusal to fit neatly into categories, girl or boy, conformist or rebel, reminds the reader that selfhood is never simple, and that for young women especially, identity is too often defined by others rather than claimed for oneself.

The novel also explores the importance of writing as survival. Ellen clings to her composition books, numbering them and filling them with her most private thoughts. \u201cMy most precious secrets go in here,\" she confesses, fiercely protective of the words she commits to paper. For me, this detail spoke volumes about how young women safeguard their voices when the world refuses to listen. The composition books become both shield and sword, a place where Ellen can exist on her own terms even as her physical environment betrays her.

The dynamic between Ellen and her peers is another central thread. Her friendship with Sylvia is marked by both admiration and frustration. Sylvia is confident, sharp, and seemingly unshakable, yet Ellen knows that even Sylvia might turn her writing into gossip. The tension between loyalty and betrayal among girls at that age is rendered with authenticity, underscoring how vulnerable Ellen feels. Later, her interactions with Justin reveal yet another layer: the confusing overlap of attraction, mistrust, and unexpected solidarity. His attempts to comfort her after Mr. Wallace\u2019s assault ring hollow, highlighting how even well-meaning peers cannot truly shoulder the weight of what Ellen endures.

Lewis\u2019s prose captures the claustrophobic reality of adolescence with striking detail. When Ellen describes sitting in Ms. Swift\u2019s classroom, forced to read aloud from Romeo and Juliet while silently reeling from trauma, the reader feels her dissonance: the impossibility of performing normalcy when one\u2019s inner world has been torn apart. The rain and sleet outside mirror her own frozen state, nature itself becoming a backdrop for her turmoil.

What emerges most powerfully is Ellen\u2019s resilience. Despite humiliation, betrayal, and disbelief, she insists on claiming her right to be heard. She resists being reduced to her trauma, even as it threatens to consume her. The novel\u2019s insistence on telling the story in Ellen\u2019s own words, halting, angry, and tender, ensures that she is never silenced, even when those around her try to dismiss or control her.

The Longest Day speaks to generations of women who know the weight of silence, while offering younger readers a story that insists on truth. Alicia Cahalane Lewis has written a haunting and necessary reminder that bearing witness is itself an act of courage.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "10-Sep-2025", "date_added": "19-Jul-2025 21:09:54", "publisher": "Tattered Script Publishing", "page_count": "185 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016227035", "title": "The Longest Day", "author": "Alicia Cahalane Lewis", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 455, "review": "Alicia Cahalane Lewis\u2019s The Longest Day is a raw and courageous novel that blends memoir-like intimacy with the voice of a young girl navigating the boundaries of identity, power, and survival. At its core, this is Ellen Abigail Allen\u2019s story\u2014one told with unflinching honesty about girlhood, betrayal, and the search for selfhood in a world that too often diminishes or disbelieves women. From the opening lines\u2014\u201cThere\u2019s something I need to tell you. It\u2019s about a rape. My book won\u2019t be easy to read,\u201d the reader knows they are entering a narrative that will not look away from pain, nor from the uncomfortable truths that come with it.

The book\u2019s most striking theme is survival in the face of systemic silencing. Ellen\u2019s voice is layered with hesitation and strength, innocence and fury. She grapples not only with the trauma of abuse at the hands of a teacher but also with the secondary betrayal of authority figures who dismiss her cries for help. Mrs. Burke, the administrative figure who should have protected her, reduces Ellen\u2019s pain to \u201cego,\u201d telling her not to \u201cput your ego up on a pedestal.\". This moment rings painfully true for many readers familiar with the ways institutions protect themselves before children. I found myself deeply sympathetic to Ellen\u2019s repeated attempts to name what happened, even as adults around her insisted she remain silent.

Another powerful thread running through the book is identity, particularly what it means to grow up female in a culture that constantly demands justification. Ellen\u2019s early reflections, \u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong, as there\u2019s nothing right, about being a girl. It\u2019s not something I wanted to be\u2026It\u2019s who I am,\" capture the universal adolescent uncertainty about belonging, magnified by the expectations placed upon girls. Her comparisons to her mother, who idolizes Gloria Steinem but pushes Ellen to \u201cbe her own Gloria,\u201d underline the generational tension between feminism as an ideal and lived reality.

Lewis also interweaves themes of friendship, betrayal, and first love. Ellen\u2019s uneasy bond with Sylvia and her complicated encounters with Justin add dimension to her voice. These relationships, awkward and sometimes painful, feel authentic to the adolescent experience. They serve as counterpoints to the darkness, reminding the reader that even amid trauma, there are still moments of longing, humor, and humanity.

Reading The Longest Day is not easy, and it should not be. It demands empathy, attention, and reflection. As a woman, I felt both protective of Ellen and in awe of her resilience. Her story reminds us of the courage it takes to speak when silence is expected, and of the necessity of listening to young voices even when they are halting, angry, or ashamed. Alicia Cahalane Lewis has given us a book that is as unsettling as it is essential.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2025", "date_added": "19-Jul-2025 21:09:45", "publisher": "Tattered Script Publishing", "page_count": "185 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016227031", "title": "The Road to Yesterday: A Memoir", "author": "Maryellen Donovan", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 500, "review": "Reading The Road to Yesterday felt like both an act of witness and a deeply personal reckoning. Maryellen Donovan\u2019s memoir is not only a testament to unimaginable loss but also to the endurance of love, community, and the complicated journey of healing. The book opens with the idyllic everyday moments of family life: dropping off her son at school, juggling renovations, savoring a rekindled romance with her husband, Steve. These early scenes pulse with normalcy, even joy, which makes the devastation of September 11, 2001, when Steve was killed while working at Cantor Fitzgerald in the North Tower, all the more shattering.

What struck me most was the way Donovan balances the intimacy of her story with the broader cultural trauma of 9/11. Her grief is both uniquely her own and part of a collective wound. Themes of motherhood run powerfully through the memoir, as she had to hold herself together to shield her six-year-old son, Brett, from the worst of the horror while cradling her infant, Colton, against her chest. The book lays bare how motherhood can be both a burden and a lifeline in grief: the need to parent pushes her to rise each morning, even when despair urges her back into bed.

Another central theme is community. Donovan\u2019s home quickly filled with neighbors, siblings, friends, and fellow widows who became her lifeboats. Some moments, such as the casserole-filled refrigerator, her son taping a \u201cWelcome Home Daddy\u201d sign to their front door, and the candlelight vigil in her yard, speak to how grief weaves people together in rituals of comfort and remembrance. Yet, she is unflinchingly honest about how loss can also fray relationships, particularly when grief makes empathy hard to summon, even with those she loves.

Donovan recounts the last phone call with Steve, his unusual tenderness, and how those words became frozen in amber, a reminder of love but also of its sudden ending. Memory becomes a double-edged sword: a source of solace and of unbearable pain. She describes the raw, almost physical ache of Steve\u2019s absence in everyday objects: his pressed suits still in plastic, his untouched coffee machine, his father\u2019s song sung at their wedding and remembered at his funeral.

What makes The Road to Yesterday so affecting is its refusal to resolve neatly. Donovan doesn\u2019t offer platitudes about resilience. Instead, she invites readers into the complexity: the anger at insensitive comments, the envy at women who still had their husbands, the moments when grief felt like quicksand. Yet, there are glimmers of hope: new friendships with other widows, small acts of kindness, and her eventual belief that she could carry both love and loss forward into the future.

For me, this book reminded me that while tragedy can alter the shape of a family forever, it also deepens our appreciation for love in all its fragile, fleeting forms. Donovan shows us that yesterday is never fully gone; it continues to live in memory, in children, in community, and in the enduring imprint of those we lose.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2025", "date_added": "19-Jul-2025 21:07:27", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "242 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016227023", "title": "Keep Talking: Conversations with Our Kids When They Want Us Least but Need Us Most", "author": "Jen Shoemaker Davidson", "category": "N13 Parenting & Families", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 533, "review": "As a 45-year-old mom raising teenagers, I felt an immediate connection to Jen Shoemaker Davidson\u2019s Keep Talking. Parenting often feels like trial by fire, especially when it comes to communication, and Davidson captures that reality with a blend of honesty, humor, and practical advice. Her book isn\u2019t a lofty theory on child psychology; it\u2019s a lived-in, compassionate guide that feels like a conversation with a trusted friend who\u2019s been there, struggled through it, and come out the other side with wisdom to share.

At the heart of the book is Davidson\u2019s four-pillar approach to parenting conversations: connection, encouragement, wisdom, and understanding. These principles are woven through each chapter, showing up in everything from handling silence and grunts at the dinner table to broaching more delicate topics like sex, mistakes, and perfectionism. What I appreciated most is that she doesn\u2019t shy away from the messy moments. Instead, she leans into them, offering strategies that acknowledge both the child\u2019s perspective and the parent\u2019s frustration.

Her \u201cLife Lesson Lunches\u201d especially stood out to me. These intentional one-on-one outings with her kids created safe, distraction-free spaces for meaningful conversations. As a mom who often finds her teens slipping away behind their closed bedroom doors, I loved the practicality of this idea, something I can try without feeling like I have to reinvent the wheel.

Several themes run strongly throughout the book:

Perseverance in Connection: Davidson reminds us that even when our teens push us away, they need us most in those moments. It\u2019s easy to take rejection personally, but her encouragement to \u201cdig in deeper\u201d instead of giving up is a needed nudge.

Normalizing Mistakes: A whole chapter is devoted to handling mistakes, both ours and our kids\u2019, with compassion. She stresses that mistakes don\u2019t define us, and modeling healthy apologies is a crucial parenting skill. As a wife and mother, I found this theme transferable to marriage, friendships, and beyond.

Balancing Expectations: Davidson tackles perfectionism with refreshing honesty. She challenges parents to reflect on whether we\u2019re pushing too hard, living vicariously through our kids, or emphasizing achievements over values.

Creating Safe Conversations: From awkward middle-school questions blurted out in public to heavier talks about sex, substances, and independence, Davidson shows that no topic is too messy if approached with openness and care.

What makes Keep Talking stand apart from other parenting books is Davidson\u2019s willingness to admit her own mistakes. She doesn\u2019t position herself as an expert but as a mom who has tried, failed, and kept showing up anyway. This humility makes her guidance relatable. When she shares her own parenting missteps, I found myself nodding and thinking, \u201cMe too.\u201d

As a mother, I walked away from this book not just with practical conversation tools, but with a renewed sense of patience and perspective. Davidson reassures us that connection isn\u2019t about getting every talk right; it\u2019s about showing up consistently, even when our kids roll their eyes or walk away.

Keep Talking is both a guide and a comfort. It\u2019s for parents who feel ignored, who worry they\u2019re losing their kids, and who need a reminder that communication is a long game. I\u2019ll be keeping my copy close, ready to flip open whenever I need encouragement to lean back in and keep the conversations alive.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2025", "date_added": "19-Jul-2025 21:00:22", "publisher": "Sole Publishing", "page_count": "154 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016227019", "title": "Fireflies in a Jar", "author": "Beka Wueste", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 587, "review": "Beka Wueste\u2019s Fireflies in a Jar is a warm, funny, and quietly heartbreaking look at one woman\u2019s struggle to see herself as worthy. Sam, the book\u2019s narrator, is in her mid-thirties, painfully self-conscious, and, by her own account, living life as a perpetual \u201cplus-one\u201d in other people\u2019s stories. The novel peels back the layers of how she got that way, linking her awkward present-day stumbles to a childhood full of small hurts that never really faded.

When we meet her, Sam is nursing an unrequited crush on Tali, a dazzling social chameleon who seems to make everyone feel special. That spell is broken, though gently, by Tali\u2019s wife, Em, during a Guy Fawkes Day bonfire. In a conversation equal parts intervention and pep talk, Em uses the now-iconic \u201cfirefly in a jar\u201d metaphor to explain that what people fall for is Tali\u2019s glow at parties, not the complicated, insecure person she really is. It\u2019s a moment that forces Sam to look at her own patterns of idealizing others from a distance, instead of building genuine connections.

Wueste shows us exactly where those patterns began. As a middle child in a distracted family, Sam was often forgotten, literally. Her parents, worn out from managing her older brother\u2019s activities and her younger sister Kimmy\u2019s behavior issues, skipped her school events, forgot to pick her up, and brushed off her needs with \u201cyou\u2019re a big girl, you can handle it.\u201d Kimmy, emboldened by the lack of consequences, turned her into a constant target, mocking everything from her clothes to her voice. Over time, Kimmy\u2019s insults, \u201cyou\u2019re boring,\u201d \u201cyou\u2019re beige,\u201d \u201cyou\u2019re human oatmeal,\" became the voice in Sam\u2019s head.

Those early experiences bled into adulthood. At work, Sam thrives behind the scenes but avoids public-facing roles. She\u2019s good at her job, but ducks out of happy hours and hides from the marketing team when they ask for input. In her personal life, she avoids risks. She spends weekends alone at the movies, sticking to predictable indie romances and musicals, finding comfort in stories where change is inevitable and love is guaranteed, even if she doesn\u2019t believe either is possible for herself.

Wueste uses smaller, vivid memories to show why Sam guards herself so tightly. The loss of her grandparents, two of the only people who ever made her feel truly seen, left a hole she\u2019s never filled. At her grandfather\u2019s funeral, Kimmy cruelly remarked, \u201cNow you really don\u2019t have anyone who likes you,\u201d cementing the belief that she was fundamentally unlovable. Even joyful moments are tinged with self-doubt; at a childhood sleepover, she briefly felt like part of the in-crowd, only to later retreat into her shell, certain it wouldn\u2019t last.

The beauty of Fireflies in a Jar is how it balances these heavier moments with humor and hope. Em and Tali, sometimes clumsy, sometimes wise, decide Sam needs a \u201cmakeover\u201d of both style and confidence. There\u2019s a hilarious scene where Tali, face covered in chocolate and marshmallow, agrees to \u201chelp Sam be the most Sam she can be.\u201d Underneath the laughs is a genuine offer: to help her shed the habits that keep her in the background.

By the end, there\u2019s no sudden, sweeping transformation. Instead, Wueste leaves us with something more believable: a woman beginning to believe she might deserve to be loved for exactly who she is. Fireflies in a Jar isn\u2019t just about romance, it\u2019s about learning to unlearn the wrong lessons your past taught you, and trusting that you\u2019re more than the labels you\u2019ve been given.

Available in the following formats:

eBook:$9.99

Paperback: $19.99

Hardcover: $35.00", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2025", "date_added": "19-Jul-2025 20:44:40", "publisher": "Self-published ", "page_count": "364 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016227015", "title": "Houseboats and Hitmen", "author": "Evert Bay Scott", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 90, "review": "\"A gritty, hilarious, and heartfelt memoir, Houseboats and Hitmen blends Long Island bay life with the tension of a noir thriller. From backroad showdowns to shady houseboat deals and a courtroom standoff against town hall, it\u2019s a wild ride of defiance, resilience, and unforgettable characters. Rich with sharp humor and vivid storytelling, this is a tale of one man\u2019s fight to live life on his own terms. For anyone who loves true stories with grit, guts, and a touch of danger, this one\u2019s for you.\" \u2014Scott Olsen, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Jul-2025 20:42:10", "publisher": "Book writing Lane", "page_count": "210 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016227011", "title": "The Christian Handbook of Survival", "author": "Silas Marshall", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 449, "review": "As a woman navigating faith in a world that often feels increasingly chaotic, I found The Christian\u2019s Handbook of Survival by Silas Marshall to be both challenging and deeply thought-provoking. This book is not a light devotional or a quick encouragement; it is a direct, urgent manual for believers, particularly those who may find themselves unprepared for what the author calls \u201cthe Evil Day.\u201d

From the start, Marshall positions his book as a corrective to what he views as false teachings that have circulated in modern Christianity, particularly the widely accepted doctrine of the rapture. He argues that too many believers have been lulled into complacency by the promise of escape from tribulation, rather than being prepared to endure it. What struck me most was the boldness of his claim: that Satan will arrive first, not in the guise of a murderer, but as a deceiver offering help and false peace. This warning reframes tribulation not as a time of external destruction but of internal testing, where the faithful must discern truth from a convincing lie.

Several themes carry throughout the book. First is the theme of spiritual preparedness. Marshall insists that Christians must \u201cput on the whole armor of God\u201d through diligent study of Scripture, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. His language reminded me of my grandmother\u2019s insistence that the Bible is not just a book for Sundays but a weapon for everyday battles.

Second is the theme of community responsibility. Marshall calls for churches to establish storehouses, for families to prepare pantries, and for believers to embrace bartering as a survival strategy. While practical advice like food storage might initially seem surprising in a spiritual text, it underscores his belief that faith is lived not only in prayer but in action.

Third, and perhaps most poignant, is the theme of endurance. Quoting both Old and New Testament passages, Marshall emphasizes that the faithful must endure trials, resist deception, and remain watchful. As a Black woman reading these exhortations, I could not help but hear echoes of generational resilience, the insistence that survival requires vigilance, wisdom, and an unshakable trust in God.

This is not an easy read in the sense of comfort. It disrupts, challenges, and at times unsettles. Yet, it is precisely that discomfort that makes it valuable. Marshall\u2019s urgent voice calls readers to a deeper seriousness about their faith, to reject passivity, and to take responsibility for both their souls and their communities.

For believers seeking reassurance that everything will be simple and safe, this book may be jarring. But for those ready to face the hard truths of discipleship, The Christian\u2019s Handbook of Survival offers a sobering, necessary reminder: the call of Christ is not escape, but endurance.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jul-2025 22:12:12", "publisher": "Christian Faith", "page_count": "38 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016227007", "title": "The Christian Handbook of Survival", "author": "Silas Marshall", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 499, "review": "I approached Silas Marshall\u2019s The Christian Handbook of Survival with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The subtitle, for those who will be left behind, sets the tone for what is both a sobering and deeply earnest guide for believers navigating the uncertainties of the end times. Unlike devotional works that focus primarily on comfort, Marshall\u2019s book is a clarion call to prepare, spiritually, mentally, and even practically, for what he interprets as the unfolding of biblical prophecy.

Marshall insists that Christians must not be lulled into complacency by popular teachings of a pre-tribulation rapture. He argues, with urgency, that believers will indeed face tribulation when Satan is cast down to earth, warning: \u201cThis will not be a cake walk, it\u2019s serious business, saints\". The book repeatedly reminds us that deception is Satan\u2019s greatest weapon and that misplaced confidence in man\u2019s doctrines, rather than God\u2019s Word, will leave many vulnerable. As unsettling as this may be, it is framed not to frighten but to awaken: \u201cMy people perish from lack of knowledge\u2026 you can\u2019t be lazy, it takes work to dig out the truth of God in his Word.\"

Marshall builds his case by leaning heavily on Scripture, often quoting entire passages from Revelation, Thessalonians, and the Gospels. His interpretation of these texts highlights recurring themes: discernment, endurance, and love. He urges believers to \u201cput on the whole armor of God\u201d (Ephesians 6:10-20), not just as a metaphorical shield but as a daily practice of study and prayer. He also emphasizes practical preparedness, stocking food and water, understanding bartering systems, and learning to rely less on worldly comforts and more on God. These recommendations may feel radical to some, yet Marshall grounds them in biblical examples such as Joseph storing grain in Egypt.

A particularly striking section is his retelling of familiar stories with fresh, if controversial, interpretations. For example, he challenges traditional views of what happened in the Garden of Eden, framing it as a deliberate attempt by Satan to corrupt God\u2019s plan of salvation. While some readers may find these interpretations difficult to accept, they undeniably compel deeper reflection on often-overlooked passages.

Yet, amid the warnings, Marshall also roots the book in hope and love. He reminds us repeatedly of God\u2019s unshakable plan: \u201cFor God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life\u201d (John 3:16). This love, he stresses, must not remain abstract but should manifest in how we treat others, caring for the poor, the fatherless, and the widows. In this way, the book balances its urgent tone with compassionate guidance, encouraging readers to be both prepared and loving witnesses.

As a reviewer, I found The Christian Handbook of Survival both challenging and encouraging. Its uncompromising stance against false doctrine may not resonate with every reader, but its passion is undeniable. For those seeking a straightforward, scripture-heavy guide on navigating the end times with faith and resilience, Marshall\u2019s work offers both stern warnings and heartfelt reassurance.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jul-2025 22:12:09", "publisher": "Christian Faith", "page_count": "38 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016227003", "title": "The Christian Handbook of Survival", "author": "Silas Marshall", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 425, "review": "Silas Marshall, a longtime Christian, musician, and author of The Christian Handbook of Survival, is no stranger to his calling as a leader. Marshall's natural passion for instructing others, Christians and non-Christians alike, is evident in the pages of his book, which offers instructions and information regarding the upcoming time of trials, tribulations, and learning to become better Christians in our fight against the devil. Marshall feels so strongly about the strengthening and honing of our knowledge, skills, and abilities during these upcoming times that he created a devotional-sized book for reflection and instruction as we await the predestined event.

Marshall preaches readiness through frequent interaction and visits with the Holy Bible, keeping the Word of God fresh in the mind and soul, which is evident in our daily lives as we wait and build up the armor needed to be warriors against Satan and his demons, waging war against God and our faith. The material Marshall references is either Scripture verses or his interpretations; he does well to include specific verses the majority of the time, but other times, he makes statements lacking a source, with minimal support provided. Marshall references the Triune God, which will put Christians at ease; however, other statements or interpretations seem to lean toward progressive thinking and away from believing in the Bible as the whole truth, not just part; an example is the discussion of the Serpent Seed Theory as the correct understanding of Genesis 3 (denounced as heresy by early church figures), followed by his interpretation of Revelation that tells him the devil and his demons have not left heaven (there are plenty of scripture verses to contradict this). When they do, they will be our first tribulation, followed by 1,000 years with Christ among us on earth, followed by another challenge to our faith, and at this time, the true believers will be found and rewarded; I found no provided proof included in the text or Scripture to support these theories.

Marshall's writing is strong and exciting, but as a result, readers can expect their comprehension of the material to be affected, making it more difficult for younger or less educated readers. At times, Marshall's writing and the presented material seem to contradict themselves from early writing to later. Marshall encourages Christians to be familiar with their faith and understanding of the Bible, which is what I recommend as well, as you venture through his book; fact-check and use appropriate translations to fully understand what is shared or instructed through the living Word of God.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Jul-2025 22:12:05", "publisher": "Christian Faith", "page_count": "38 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000016225003", "title": "American Grammar", "author": "Jarvis R Givens", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 220, "review": "In //American Grammar,// Jarvis R. Givens delivers an insightful and incisive examination of how schooling has been weaponized against Black and Native American communities. Rather than serving as a tool for empowerment, education was systematically designed to alienate Black and Indigenous people from their cultures, reinforce racial hierarchies, and advance colonial objectives.\r\n

\r\nGivens takes a critical approach to analyzing education in both enslaved Black communities and disenfranchised Indigenous populations. His critique illuminates the stark disparities embedded in these systems: schooling aimed at extracting and controlling Black labor, while Indian boarding schools sought to separate Indigenous peoples from their lands and cultural identities.\r\n

\r\nFrom my lens as an education scholar, I appreciated the author\u2019s \u201cactive engagement\u201d with history: discussing his lineage and sharing his personal reflections to model a deeper consciousness about systemic inequities. He carefully traces the political and economic motivations behind these educational frameworks, revealing how they were engineered to maximize exploitation and dispossession. Particularly compelling is Givens's analysis of how efforts to forge a unified national identity through schooling have further marginalized communities who were never truly included and remain unable to participate fully in American society.\r\n

\r\nThis book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the historical foundations of U.S. education and recognizing how present-day educational inequities are rooted in this troubling legacy.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Jul-2025 20:04:13", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016223007", "title": "The Fix: A Novel", "author": "Mia Sheridan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 209, "review": "The Fix is a crazy whirlwind of a story that caught me by surprise. I loved the twists and turns Author Mia Sheridan placed throughout the story.

When popular high schooler Cami Courtlandt's mother and sister are murdered in a random home invasion, she is left devastated. She spends the next years of her life lying low, running a small business in the small town of Aspen Cove, Virginia. But then, she receives a call. Then a video on her phone. A boy is locked in a room that has bars on the window. She must save the boy before he meets a fate that she doesn't want to think of. Cami calls on the one person she knows who has computer hacking skills, Rex. It's been eleven years since she's seen Rex, and she told the police that the home invader could have been him, but she didn't think so. Although Rex's name is cleared, he loses scholarships and is looked at differently.

I loved this story because it never slowed down. I was always wondering what would happen next. Some of the scenes are shocking, and others just throw the reader for a loop. This is a fantastic book, and I look forward to reading others by Mia Sheridan.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "22-Dec-2025", "date_added": "16-Jul-2025 19:43:51", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "379 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016222007", "title": "The Flack", "author": "Brad Parks", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ruta Arellano", "word_count": 196, "review": "Author Brad Parks began his writing career as a newspaper reporter on the East Coast at The Washington Post and The Star Ledger (Newark, NJ). Several of his novels are centered around journalism, as is The Flack.

The narrator of this tale is Curt Hinton, a reporter at a failing newspaper. Curt gladly accepts help from his best friend, Angel Reddish, to win a job at the West Coast Logistics Corporation, where Angel is in upper management. No surprise, Curt gets the job heading the corporate communications department.

Curt and his newly pregnant wife, Page, move from a small condo to a Marin County dream home. The job perks are mind-boggling \u2013 free corporate housing, a Rivian vehicle, and $350,000 salary. Yikes! \nThat\u2019s when life becomes complicated. Curt must learn to navigate the labyrinth of the corporate culture at the privately held corporation without Angel, who was murdered during a carjacking. The plot unfolds with additional unsavory incidents. Curt is desperate to maintain his honest reporter conscience while the underbelly of the corporation is exposed in myriad events.

Brad Parks, winner of the Shamus, Nero, and Lefty mystery writer awards, adds The Flack to his growing list of successes.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2026", "date_added": "16-Jul-2025 19:48:21", "publisher": "Oceanview Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016222003", "title": "Night of the Deer", "author": "Mary Morel, Mira Miroslavova", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 187, "review": "Autumn has come to the valley when Arabella spots a mysterious buck and doe in the field on the way to school. Arabella\u2019s parents both remark that their grandparents said deer can disguise themselves as humans and move among them. On her ride home from school, Arabella invites the buck and doe to the harvest festival dance her school will host that night. That evening, Arabella arrives to find her school magically transformed for the festival. Just as the music starts, two strangers in odd attire appear and begin to dance beautifully. After a final breathtaking waltz, the pair disappears. Only Arabella sees the man\u2019s antlers as he removes his hat after leaving the festival.

Mary Morel has written a delightful modern-day fairy tale. Here, the text, rich with descriptive language, is more extensive than in most picture books, making it a wonderful choice when time permits savoring a longer story. Furthermore, Mira Miroslavova\u2019s illustrations in dark, muted tones have a distinctive Old World charm that truly complements the magical quality of the story. Just don\u2019t be surprised when little listeners begin watching for their own magical deer.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2025", "date_added": "16-Jul-2025 19:23:10", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016220003", "title": "Dreams Take Flight: The Story of Deaf Pilot Nellie Zabel Willhite (Own Voices, Own Stories)", "author": "Brittany Richman, Alisha Monnin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 188, "review": "Born in 1892, Nellie Zabel Willhite contracted an illness that left her unable to hear. Deaf children at this time were not seen as they are today, but Nellie\u2019s mother knew her daughter could do anything. She taught Nellie to communicate through sign language. When Nellie\u2019s mother died, Nellie\u2019s father sent Nellie to a school for the deaf far from home. There, she could not use sign language, but her teachers believed in her, teaching her to read lips and speak by noticing how the air tickles her throat as she spoke. Nellie again proved she could do anything. Later, she worked at an airport and dreamed of flying. Eventually, Nellie began taking lessons and overcame the challenge of being unable to communicate with her instructor. In the end, Nellie became the first woman pilot in South Dakota and the first deaf pilot in the United States.

Brittany Richman has written a thoughtful biography of a woman who overcame significant obstacles to succeed at each stage of her life. Willhite\u2019s life has great lessons for anyone who has ever thought a goal they wanted to achieve was impossible.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2025", "date_added": "16-Jul-2025 19:04:39", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016218007", "title": "A Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating Death (A SCYTHE Mystery)", "author": "Maxie Dara", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 206, "review": "Ever since Nora\u2019s parents died, she has been obsessed with understanding death, which led her to work for the company that specializes in it, S.C.Y.T.H.E. Despite the accident occurring years ago, she still hasn\u2019t found any answers. When her brother\u2019s file crosses her desk, she\u2019s driven to not only prevent him from dying but also to uncover answers she has spent her whole life seeking.

The humorous writing never dulls as Nora frantically tries to keep her brother safe after one hilarious mishap after another. Her spunk and charisma bring life and charm to the story, making every moment both entertaining and heartfelt. The story is fast-paced, taking you along for the ride, but it never misses a chance for a soft moment. The theme of family is clear as Nora\u2019s drive is to protect her brother and to fill a void left by her parents. This takes them to a quirky town that might just give her a chance to have the family she missed out on. A fun mystery is also woven into the story, with her brother at the center, and a bigger plan at the helm. A Grim Reaper\u2019s Guide to Cheating Death is a fun-filled journey with humor, charm, and emotional depth.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "18-Dec-2025", "date_added": "16-Jul-2025 19:57:07", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016216007", "title": "The Mouse Buffet: A Christmas Treat", "author": "Della Ross Ferreri, Tim Bowers", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 125, "review": "This is a really cute book to get you feeling jolly for the holiday season. Four little mice see a nice holiday buffet that they think is just for them. Very carefully, they plan how to get to the table and what foods they should try. However, when they know the gingerbread house is off, they just know the cat will see them, but then the coast is clear. Next, all it takes is one flying grape, and now they must hide from the cat. Turns out it's the season for making friends and sharing.

This is a very cheerfully illustrated holiday book. I really like the adorable little mice! This book also had a nice rhyme in it to go along with a happy ending.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2025", "date_added": "16-Jul-2025 19:08:58", "publisher": "Sleeping Bear Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016213007", "title": "Battalion: War of The Ancients", "author": "Osprey Games", "category": "F16 Games", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Ross Rojek", "word_count": 450, "review": "Battalion: War of the Ancients stakes its claim as a modern classic in streamlined historical wargaming. Conceived by Paolo Mori and Francesco Sirocchi, with evocative art by Roland\u202fMacDonald, it transforms ancient conflicts into brisk, tactical duels that balance thematic resonance with minimalist mechanics.

At its core, the game embraces modular simplicity: 144 rank tiles, faction-specific tactics cards, a pair of compact boards, and a few dice. The absence of an ornate grid board is surprising and refreshing. Instead, players marshal units into lanes, echoing MOBA-style confrontations with left, center, and right flanks. These lanes aren\u2019t just cosmetic; controlling the center can yield instant victory, injecting urgency and strategic foresight into every decision.

Gameplay is crisp. Each turn unfolds through a series of macro-level choices, deploying units, managing order/disorder tokens, discarding tactics cards to activate elite moves, or launching assaults. Combat hinges on rolling three D8s, where 8s hit automatically and lesser values are assigned against unit thresholds, augmented by token-driven bonuses. This system is quick to learn yet rich in nuance, rewarding both tactical planning and calculated risk.

Asymmetry is a strength. Four historical factions\u2014the Romans, Han crossbowmen, Greco-Bactrian cavalry, and Hannibal\u2019s Carthaginians with elephants\u2014offer varied traits and distinctive tactics decks. However, there\u2019s a complexity trap: the traits, each with unique names and effects, can blur together and slow down play. Similarly, the indistinct design of order/disorder tokens sometimes makes unit statuses hard to read at a glance, a surprisingly minor but persistent UX flaw.

Pacing is a high point. With no cumbersome bookkeeping or arcane tables, rounds flow briskly. In two-player duels, games often finish within 30\u201345 minutes; the four-player variant extends this, though some feel it was tacked-on. The shrinking deck of tactics cards also acts as a timer, ensuring crisp progression toward an inevitable climax.

Production quality matches the design's elegance. Tiles and components are solid; MacDonald\u2019s illustrations and clean graphic design successfully evoke antiquity without fuss. The rulebook, while mostly clear, could benefit from enhanced examples and clarifications about edge cases.

Battalion: War of the Ancients is not for grand strategic minds seeking detailed simulation. Instead, it\u2019s tailored to players who relish sharp tactical choice, fast-moving confrontations, and historical flair. Its tight design makes each lane clash feel meaningful, every token flip a tactical gamble, and every dice roll a moment of tension. Little tweaks such as crisper tokens, more intuitive trait icons, and polished rules could elevate it further. But even as-is, it stands as a cleverly designed, portable wargame: accessible, thematic, and engaging.

In conclusion, for fans of streamlined strategy with a taste of ancient warfare, \u201cBattalion\u201d delivers satisfying depth in a compact package. Its minor quirks aside, it\u2019s a compelling addition to both historical gamers and casual competitors alike.", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "18-Dec-2025", "date_added": "16-Jul-2025 05:40:56", "publisher": "Osprey ", "page_count": "", "format": "Board Game", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016213003", "title": "Comics: 1964-2024", "author": "by Anne Lemonnier (Editor), Emmanu\u00e8le Payen (Editor), Thierry Groensteen (Contributor), Beno\u00eet Peeters (Contributor)", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Ross Rojek", "word_count": 364, "review": "Anne Lemonnier and Emmanu\u00e8le Payen\u2019s Comics: 1964\u20132024 is a sweeping, art-rich celebration of graphic storytelling that defines the past six decades of the \u201cninth art.\u201d Ambitious in scale and polished in presentation, this 288-page hardcover volume, assembled by Thames & Hudson, captures the vibrant, global evolution of comics, a visually striking companion piece to the eponymous exhibition at Paris\u2019s Centre Pompidou.

Organized into twelve thematic chapters, the book frames its historical arc geographically and artistically, tracking underground U.S. counterculture like Robert Crumb\u2019s Zap Comix, European auteur strips such as Moebius and Claire Bret\u00e9cher, and avant-garde Japanese works like Garo and Osamu Tezuka. Each section begins with a concise yet insightful introduction by leading scholars, grounding the art in its sociopolitical and aesthetic landscapes without overshadowing the primary visual material.

The star of the volume is the imagery. With around 300 color reproductions, including full-page spreads, early originals, and striking sequences, the design allows each artist\u2019s voice to shine. From the geometric elegance of Chris Ware to the emotive expressiveness of Alison Bechdel and Marjane Satrapi, the book offers a kaleidoscope of styles that collectively underscore the medium\u2019s narrative evolution.

Editorially, the standout feature is a new interview with journalist-artist Joe Sacco, providing first-hand insight into his reportage-driven comics practice. A foreword by Paul Gravett sets the tone, positioning this collection not just as a compendium but as a curated argument for comics as a legitimate art form.

Production values are exemplary. The sewn binding, thick matte paper, and elegantly minimalist hardbound design reflect a careful consideration of format and durability, even if the tight binding occasionally hinders the book from laying fully open.

If there\u2019s a shortcoming, it\u2019s that the sheer density of material can feel overwhelming. Thematic breadth sometimes comes at the expense of deeper analysis; readers may find themselves craving more context on certain regional movements or underrepresented creators. Still, this reflects editorial choice more than flaw.

In sum, Comics: 1964\u20132024 is both a visual feast and serious academic resource. It\u2019s ideal for enthusiasts, scholars, or casual debutantes drawn to the medium\u2019s rich narrative potential. With its global scope, exquisite reproduction, and thoughtful curation, it stands as one of the year\u2019s most compelling titles in graphic-arts publishing.", "issue": "Gift Guide 2025", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2025", "date_added": "16-Jul-2025 05:33:46", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016212003", "title": "About Time: Poems", "author": "David Duchovny", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 144, "review": "After getting this book for my niece, I read it first, and I am so glad I did. I had a prejudice against an actor publishing his poetry. That is now dispelled by the brilliance and wit contained in these poems. And by the way, it turns out that the author is a true Renaissance man in many different fields.

I was captured by the very first poem and found each one compelling and thought-provoking. His Shakespearean puns were particularly delightful. \"LA\u2019s a Bad Place to Die\" captures the irony of sunlight on the day of your passing. In the introduction, the author says, \"Poetry is not useful, and that is exactly why we need it.\" In that introduction, Duchovny mounts a defense of poetry and the passion that produces it. In an increasingly utilitarian and materialistic age, each of his poems speaks for itself.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2025", "date_added": "15-Jul-2025 21:19:17", "publisher": "Akashic Books, Ltd.", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016204007", "title": "California Rewritten: A Journey Through the Golden State\u2019s New Literature", "author": "John Freeman", "category": "N25 Books About Books", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 195, "review": "This work examines the writing about California, and larger Western United States, through essays of John Freeman, who hosts a popular book club called the California Book Club. We get to read the essays he has written over the decades about new, classic, and reissued works of fiction and non-fiction, with the emphasis on the California experience, whether it is through the lens of immigrants, the role of the Missions, or how nature was harnessed and used to build the infrastructure in the state. Each section focuses on specific types of work, and each chapter is an individual essay, which looks at only one work. Each of the chapters is short, as most of these originally appeared in the magazine Alta Journal.

Your enjoyment of this easy-to-access work of literary criticism will depend on whether you are familiar with California history, geopolitics, and many of the works mentioned; along with how you feel about works from marginalized communities or written about marginalized communities. If you want to learn more about how the story of California has been told and how it has changed over the years, you will find much to enjoy in this book.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "15-Jul-2025 21:09:13", "publisher": "Heyday", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016202003", "title": "Just Play Like You Do in the Basement", "author": "Rick Porrello", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 85, "review": "\"From basement rehearsals in Cleveland to the world stage with Sammy Davis, Jr., Rick Porrello\u2019s journey is as unexpected as it is unforgettable. Caught between family expectations, the legacy of jazz, and the shadow of organized crime, he found his rhythm in the most unlikely places. This is a story of passion, pressure, and the choices that define a life. Bold, heartfelt, and steeped in music, Just Play Like You Do in the Basement hits with both soul and swing.\" \u2014Kyle Eaton, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Jul-2025 17:53:57", "publisher": "Next Hat Press, LLC", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016195003", "title": "The Changeling Queen: Deluxe Limited Edition", "author": "Kimberly Bea", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 201, "review": "The fairy queen has a story.

On the night of Samhain, a night when the veil that divides the human world from the fae world grows thin, the wild hunt rides. And with them rides a human, chosen by the queen for her retinue. For the land requires sacrifice. But when Tam Lin is pulled from his mount and saved by his true love, the fairy queen\u2019s tale begins. She was once a changeling, the birth-marked young Bess Grieve, the daughter of a cunning woman and midwife. Yet this changeling child was always drawn to the wilds, and so she would return, only to find the land ailing and weakening.

The Changeling Queen by Kimberly Bea is a reimagining of Tam Lin, a Scottish fairy tale, exploring the dual nature of human and fairy. I found myself getting caught up more in Bess\u2019s back story and romance with her shepherd king than being excited about her fae future or remaining interested in the Tam Lin framing device. The story caught me up in its visuals, even though it stretched belief with various details.

Overall, I found the story an enjoyable distraction, but couldn\u2019t pick at it too deeply without finding problems.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "14-Jul-2025 22:30:57", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016189015", "title": "The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America", "author": "Jeffrey Rosen", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 200, "review": "Deep political divisions are nothing new in American government. This book is the story of two of our founders whose disagreements about practical applications of the Constitution were never resolved and have carried through to this day. Jefferson\u2019s agrarian and democratic ideals conflicted with those of Alexander Hamilton, who was a Federalist and believed in a strong national government. The animus and betrayals between the two make the story relevant to today\u2019s climate of disputation. However, very different from today is the acknowledgement that these firmly held principles should be subject to debate and consensus. While both men had gigantic egos and fiery temperaments, they could compromise for the good of the country. Neither man wanted insurrections, uprisings, or violence to go rampant and unchecked. Today, it is difficult to find a vestige of their sound, if not divergent arguments. Since the creation of political parties, arguments seem to be set in stone, with all parties being unwilling to debate freely the basis of good government and the will of the people.

The author is a professor at the George Washington University Law School. He has written eight other books on the United States government, and he is well worth reading.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "15-Jul-2025 00:22:11", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016189011", "title": "The Malevolent Eight: The Bad, The Worse And The Wicked", "author": "Sebastien de Castell", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 183, "review": "As the battle between the Lords of Celestine and the Lords of Devilish expands into the mortal plane, Cade Ombra, a former Glorian Justiciar, works to protect humanity from the eternal war. By his side is a group of mages with questionable morals and one vampire kangaroo, better known as The Malevolent Eight. Sebastien de Castell continues the Malevolent Series with this second action-packed dark fantasy. I have not read the first book of this series, but de Castell does an excellent job of introducing his cast, and I did not feel lost reading this book.

The Malevolent Eight is a high fantasy with a dark edge and a twisted sense of humor. There is also a whole lot of action. As fun as the battle scenes are, the dialogue and de Castell\u2019s sardonic and droll wit keep the pages turning. That is, once you get past de Castell's wordy over-explanations. But once you get through the word salads, the action ramps back up and the pages fly by. Anyone looking for a humorous high fantasy, you can count on The Malevolent Eight.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "14-Jul-2025 23:22:04", "publisher": "Mobius", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000016187003", "title": "Holler Whispers, A Joe Turner Mystery", "author": "T.L. Bequette", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 440, "review": "As someone who has spent many nights lost in Harlan Coben\u2019s Myron Bolitar series, I came into Holler Whispers curious whether Joe Turner would offer that same mix of razor-sharp suspense and emotional depth. I\u2019m happy to say this book doesn\u2019t just hold its own, it carves out a space that feels both familiar and refreshing for mystery lovers like me.

The story drops Joe Turner, a defense attorney from San Francisco, into Barton, Georgia, a small town where football is religion and secrets travel faster than truth. Turner is tasked with defending Carl Ledbetter, an autistic teenager accused of murdering the town\u2019s star quarterback. From the very start, the stakes are gut-punch high. The victim is the town\u2019s golden boy, the accused is the misunderstood outsider, and Joe is the city slicker attorney walking into a courtroom where \u201cfair trial\u201d may be more of an aspiration than a guarantee.

What I appreciated most is how layered the narrative is. We\u2019re not just following Joe\u2019s investigation; we also get perspectives from the townspeople, the jury room, and even Carl himself. That reminded me of the way Coben will sometimes pull back the curtain and let us glimpse the emotional fallout around a crime. Here, it makes the case feel alive and sprawling. A particularly powerful sequence comes during Joe\u2019s first meeting with Carl, where Carl explains why he ran home from the party the night of the murder: because he needed to feed his fish. It\u2019s heartbreaking and frustrating at the same time, a moment that captures both Carl\u2019s innocence and the way his literal logic can be twisted against him.

The courtroom drama is another high point. Judge Boniface, who also happens to be the same cyclist Joe had a heated run-in with earlier, sets an almost impossibly fast trial schedule. It\u2019s both darkly funny and infuriating, and it places Joe in that classic defense-attorney bind: how do you mount a case when the deck is stacked and the clock is ticking?

Where the book shines is in its atmosphere. Barton is painted in rich detail, from the diner with its pie displays and football helmets to the whispers in the hollers where rumors become evidence. The town feels insular and claustrophobic, which heightens the suspense. I found myself constantly questioning who could be trusted.

Overall, Holler Whispers is a gripping legal mystery that will appeal to fans of courtroom drama, small-town intrigue, and character-driven suspense. For me, it hit that sweet spot of mystery and heart. Joe Turner is a protagonist I\u2019ll happily follow into his next case. Verdict: 5 stars. A smart, tense, and emotionally layered mystery with staying power.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "25-Feb-2026", "date_added": "12-Jul-2025 18:24:52", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "314 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016186047", "title": "Bicentennial Summer: A Coming of Age Journey Across America", "author": "Mary Berelson", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 583, "review": "Mary Berelson\u2019s Bicentennial Summer is set in 1976 during America\u2019s bicentennial year, and captures the bittersweet coming-of-age experiences of a young girl swept into the turbulence of her family\u2019s struggles while embarking on the \u201cGreat American Road Trip.\u201d It is at once a memoir-like story of childhood innocence and a probing exploration of the fractures within a family.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is how it balances the wide-eyed wonder of childhood with the darker undercurrents of adult conflict. On the surface, the story celebrates the spirit of adventure: flag-raising rituals at dawn, the thrill of preparing for a long-awaited road trip, the curiosity of new places, and the resilience of siblings navigating unfamiliar landscapes. These passages resonate with readers who lived through the 1970s or who remember family road trips in the era before smartphones and GPS.

Yet beneath the charm lies a more serious narrative of family instability and betrayal. The father\u2019s charisma and enthusiasm often mask his troubling flaws: financial deceit, infidelity, and inappropriate comments to young girls. The mother\u2019s weary pragmatism and quiet warnings to her daughters offer a counterbalance, underscoring themes of trust, responsibility, and disillusionment. In this way, Berelson paints a vivid picture of how children often sense, interpret, and internalize adult failings, even if they lack the vocabulary to fully understand them.

Another theme is the loss of innocence. The protagonist, Mary, repeatedly tries to preserve joy, whether through her \u201cJournal of Life,\u201d her special bond with her father, or her eagerness to take on responsibility as \u201cDriver\u2019s Helper.\u201d But small details such as her father\u2019s leering comments, the discovery of multiple checkbooks, and whispered arguments about divorce creep into her consciousness. This juxtaposition of innocence and awakening gives the novel its emotional weight.

The narrative also explores American identity and patriotism, symbolized by the family\u2019s daily flag rituals and the framing of the story within the bicentennial year. These motifs tie personal upheaval to broader questions about loyalty, truth, and what it means to believe in ideals even when authority figures fail to live up to them.

The prose is engaging, accessible, and filled with period detail that will transport readers back to 1976. Berelson has a gift for dialogue that rings true to a child\u2019s perspective, with touches of humor that lighten even the heaviest moments. Her evocation of road-trip Americana, including the ooga horn, TripTiks, and quirky roadside attractions, adds authenticity and charm. The novel\u2019s strongest feature is its emotional honesty. Rather than sanitize the past, Berelson confronts the painful realities of a flawed father and a fractured marriage, while still showing how love, loyalty, and resilience sustain the children.

At times, the book lingers too long on minutiae, which can slow the pacing. The sheer number of anecdotes, while enriching, occasionally dilutes the central arc of the story. Some readers may also find the father\u2019s behavior deeply uncomfortable, and the narrative does not always probe these moments with the critical depth modern audiences might expect. Finally, the shifts between lighthearted childhood adventures and darker revelations can feel abrupt, leaving the tone uneven in places.

Bicentennial Summer is a layered, evocative coming-of-age novel that will resonate particularly with readers who recall the 1970s or who appreciate family sagas that refuse to shy away from complexity. It is a book about memory: how we preserve joy, process pain, and carry both forward into adulthood. Though imperfect in structure, it succeeds in weaving together themes of patriotism, family, betrayal, and resilience in a way that feels deeply human.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "09-Sep-2025", "date_added": "12-Jul-2025 18:32:13", "publisher": "Blue Pierre Press", "page_count": "509 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016186043", "title": "Scattered, Covered, and Smothered: A Memoir of Resilience", "author": "Sandra Tow", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 487, "review": "Often, I find myself drawn to memoirs that are not just about survival, but about the complicated paths that shape us as women, wives, and mothers. Sandra Tow\u2019s Scattered, Smothered, and Covered is exactly that kind of book: raw, unflinching, and ultimately hopeful. Her story takes readers through the tangled web of her childhood, marked by a single mother\u2019s love, volatile relationships, and the generational echoes of trauma, while never losing sight of resilience and the possibility of healing.

Tow\u2019s prose is vivid and deeply personal, especially in her recollections of early childhood. The opening chapter, where she recalls imitating her mother\u2019s smoking habit only to be forced to finish a real cigarette until she vomits, is seared into my mind. It\u2019s a scene that captures the complicated push and pull of love and cruelty in her upbringing. As a mother myself, that moment made me pause and think about the ways we, often unintentionally, leave imprints on our children. Parenting, as Tow reflects, is rarely about perfection but about reconciling our human flaws with the responsibility of raising another life.

One of the strongest themes in this memoir is the cyclical nature of family trauma. Tow explores how her mother\u2019s difficult upbringing bled into her own childhood, a reminder of how deeply rooted pain can be when it isn\u2019t confronted. Yet the book is not only about hardship. There are tender recollections of her great-grandparents, whose warmth and steadiness offered the kind of safe harbor every child longs for. Those passages felt like small breaths of relief between the storms, reminding us that love, however scattered, can anchor us.

The memoir also touches on themes of resilience, identity, and independence. Tow writes candidly about the instability of her home life, from abusive relationships to financial struggles, and yet what shines through is her determination to rise above. Even moments of fear, such as her ghostly visions in childhood or the manipulations of her stepfather, are reframed as experiences that shaped her strength and perseverance. There\u2019s something empowering about seeing how she eventually claimed her own voice and sense of self, especially as she built her own family.

As a wife and mother reading this, I felt both empathy and gratitude. Empathy, because so many of us carry echoes of our parents\u2019 mistakes into our own homes, often silently. Gratitude, because Tow\u2019s story reminds us to break cycles where we can and to offer our children what we wish we had been given. Her reflections are not bitter but honest, filled with the kind of wisdom that only comes from walking through fire.

Scattered, Smothered, and Covered is not always easy to read. Some scenes hurt by stirring anger or sadness, but that\u2019s what makes it resonate. It\u2019s a book about being human: messy, flawed, and still capable of love. Tow\u2019s voice is both personal and universal, making her story one that will stay with me long after closing the final page.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "27-Aug-2025", "date_added": "12-Jul-2025 18:29:49", "publisher": "Self-published", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016186039", "title": "Val\u00e9rie", "author": "Zoe Marie Bel", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 540, "review": "Zo\u00eb Marie Bel\u2019s Val\u00e9rie; or, Red Velvet Nothing is a story that lingers long after the last page, not because it ties everything up neatly, but because it dares to sit in life\u2019s complications. At the center of the novel is Val\u00e9rie, a young woman caught between worlds, her family\u2019s traditions and her own restless desire for independence and fulfillment. Through Val\u00e9rie\u2019s eyes, we see a woman determined to shape her own destiny even when the path is uncertain, and as a wife and mother myself, I found her struggles both familiar and deeply moving.

The novel begins with Val\u00e9rie navigating the glittering yet alienating Parisian landscape. On one hand, she is pulled toward the expectations of her family, whose love comes entwined with cultural obligation. On the other, she finds herself drawn into a complicated romance that challenges not just her notions of intimacy, but also her sense of self. The relationship is passionate, yes, but also turbulent, forcing Val\u00e9rie to question how much of herself she is willing to compromise for love. Bel does not sugarcoat this conflict; instead, she portrays it with nuance, acknowledging how desire and duty often pull in opposite directions.

Supporting characters weave in and out of Val\u00e9rie\u2019s journey, shaping her perspective along the way. Family members embody both comfort and constraint, while friends serve as mirrors reflecting different choices she might make. Her lover, who is charismatic, flawed, and undeniably magnetic, tests her boundaries in ways that feel raw and real. These characters are not just background figures; they represent the very forces tugging at Val\u00e9rie\u2019s heart, and Bel renders them with just enough ambiguity to keep us questioning right alongside her.

Themes of belonging and identity ripple throughout the novel. Val\u00e9rie is both of Paris and outside of it, caught between the allure of cosmopolitan freedom and the anchoring pull of heritage. As the story moves through different settings, the environments themselves take on symbolic weight. Paris, in particular, is drawn vividly, romantic but also harsh, a place that promises reinvention while exposing every vulnerability.

I was especially struck by how the novel treats themes of nurturing and sacrifice. Val\u00e9rie\u2019s choices are rarely simple; the book raises difficult but necessary questions about what we owe to others versus what we owe to ourselves. While she is not yet a mother in the literal sense, the weight she carries feels maternal, protecting those she loves, even as she risks losing herself in the process. It made me reflect on how easily women slip into caretaking roles, often at the expense of their own dreams.

Bel\u2019s prose is lush and poetic, though at times it lingers a little too long on description. Yet those passages also create the book\u2019s haunting atmosphere, one that mirrors Val\u00e9rie\u2019s own inner turmoil. The pacing may slow, but the emotional impact never diminishes.

In the end, Val\u00e9rie; or, Red Velvet Nothing is a portrait of a woman in the midst of transformation: imperfect, vulnerable, but resilient. Val\u00e9rie's story is not one of easy answers but of hard-won self-knowledge, and it reminded me that the labels we wear are only parts of who we are. For readers who crave a novel rich with character, culture, and emotional depth, this book is a thoughtful and rewarding experience.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2025", "date_added": "12-Jul-2025 18:27:08", "publisher": "Scatterpunk Press", "page_count": "164 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016186035", "title": "Plausible in Parts", "author": "James Dunlop", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 454, "review": "James Dunlop\u2019s Plausible in Parts is the kind of novel that grabs you by the collar in its opening scene and doesn\u2019t let go until the last page. Told through the sardonic, quick-witted voice of Andy MacKay, a former British soldier turned mercenary, the book is a darkly funny, sharply observant thriller about survival, betrayal, and the absurdities of modern life wrapped in bureaucracy and bullets.

From the start, Andy\u2019s voice sets the tone. \u201cSeven minutes before I was arrested, I switched on the kettle,\u201d he says, a line that instantly signals the blend of dry British humor and impending chaos that defines the narrative. In those first pages, we watch him fumble with tea and questionable milk before being dragged away at gunpoint by Scotland Yard. It\u2019s both hilarious and tense, a contradiction Dunlop maintains throughout the book.

At its core, Plausible in Parts is about a man who can\u2019t quite escape his past. Andy\u2019s stint in the Black Watch, his dishonorable discharge, and his mercenary work in Kosovo all catch up with him when he\u2019s accused not only of breaking the Foreign Enlistment Act but also of attempted murder. The alleged victim? General Marku Berisha, a war criminal and drug lord Andy knows all too well. As Andy puts it: \u201cTo clarify: a war criminal-turned-Balkan-terrorist has convinced a court that I\u2019m the dangerous one?\u201d

One of the book\u2019s biggest strengths is how Dunlop weaves biting commentary into action-packed scenes. A firefight in the Balkans might be followed by Andy\u2019s musings on crossword puzzles or the absurdity of British tabloids. Even when he faces extradition, he quips: \u201cNot really the holiday package I\u2019d have chosen.\u201d This balance of gallows humor and real danger makes Andy both relatable and unpredictable.

Dunlop\u2019s prose is fast, witty, and unapologetically irreverent. He doesn\u2019t shy away from graphic prison brawls or the absurdities of military bureaucracy. In one scene, Andy breaks an assailant\u2019s arm with a sickening snap, \u201clike an old lady\u2019s knees landing on an oak prayer kneeler,\" a line that is both wince-inducing and darkly funny.

If there\u2019s a critique, it\u2019s that the relentless sarcasm might wear thin for some readers. Andy\u2019s voice is so distinctive and biting that it occasionally overshadows quieter emotional beats. Yet for readers who enjoy thrillers laced with humor and political intrigue, this voice is the novel\u2019s greatest asset.

Ultimately, Plausible in Parts is more than just a courtroom thriller or mercenary adventure; it\u2019s a satirical look at systems of power, the blurred line between justice and vengeance, and the absurd ways in which people survive impossible situations. For a reader in his late twenties like me, it feels like a sharp, contemporary story that understands both the darkness of conflict and the ridiculousness of everyday life.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-Jul-2025 18:24:13", "publisher": "James Dunlop", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016186031", "title": "Just Play Like You Do in the Basement: Coming of Age as the Drummer for The Greatest Entertainer in the World", "author": "Rick Porrello", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 94, "review": "\"Rick Porrello\u2019s memoir is a rare blend of music history, personal reflection, and cultural storytelling that hits all the right notes. With vivid recollections of life on the road with Sammy Davis, Jr., Porrello captures both the glitz of show business and the quieter tensions of family legacy and personal identity. His journey from a basement drum set in Cleveland to global stages offers a deeply human story of talent, ambition, and choice. This book doesn\u2019t just chronicle a career\u2014it resonates with the rhythm of a life fully lived.\"\u2014Scott Olsen, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-Jul-2025 18:21:17", "publisher": "Self-published", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016186027", "title": "Indifferent Universe", "author": "Joseph Blackhurst", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 467, "review": "Indifferent Universe is one wild ride. From page one, I could tell this wasn\u2019t going to be a straightforward story. It\u2019s messy, hilarious, uncomfortable, and brilliant all at the same time.

The book follows Aldo Go, a guy who just can\u2019t seem to win at life. He\u2019s not a hero, not even close. He\u2019s a man stumbling through jobs he hates, relationships that fall apart, and a sense of melancholy that feels stitched into his DNA. But what makes him weirdly relatable is the way he copes: not with grand gestures or self-improvement arcs, but with bizarre, sometimes cringeworthy choices. For example, as a kid, he builds disastrous Rube Goldberg machines that usually end in toy knights getting \u201cignited\u201d by static electricity, or so he hopes. Later, he hauls his sister\u2019s guinea pig into a dryer by accident, which, in a tragicomic twist, sort of survives (for a while).

These little episodes are absurd, sometimes horrifying, but they perfectly capture Aldo\u2019s chaotic relationship with the world. He\u2019s curious, imaginative, and a little reckless. And honestly? I saw flashes of my own messy twenty-something experiments in there, the kind of \u201cthis will totally work!\u201d ideas that end in spectacular failure.

What really pulled me in was the book\u2019s mix of humor and darkness. Blackhurst doesn\u2019t shy away from tragedy, but he always laces it with wit. Like when Aldo\u2019s family moves to Switzerland, and his biggest takeaway isn\u2019t grief or loss, but the weird thrill of having a balcony and the click-ka-chunky sound of European VHS cases. Or the way his toxic dad flips from tenderness to cruelty, creating a home life that\u2019s both ridiculous and heartbreaking. These details feel like the kind of memories we all hold onto: random, mundane, yet oddly defining.

The themes here are heavy and include death, isolation, and the futility of happiness, but they\u2019re presented with such an offbeat voice that I found myself laughing in places I probably shouldn\u2019t have. That\u2019s part of the book\u2019s charm. It makes you question what deserves seriousness and what doesn\u2019t. Is Aldo pathetic, or is he just brutally honest about the absurdity of living? Is the universe really indifferent, or is that just the excuse we use when life doesn\u2019t turn out how we planned?

As a younger reader, I didn\u2019t come away crushed by the bleakness. Instead, I felt energized by the sheer audacity of it. Blackhurst seems to be saying: yeah, life is messy, random, and often disappointing\u2014but that\u2019s where the comedy lies. There\u2019s freedom in admitting that the universe doesn\u2019t care.

Indifferent Universe isn\u2019t for the faint of heart, but if you like your fiction strange, funny, and a little bit twisted, this is absolutely worth the read. You won\u2019t get a clean moral or a happy ending, but you will walk away with a ton of questions.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "25-Aug-2025", "date_added": "12-Jul-2025 18:18:27", "publisher": "Joseph Blackhurst", "page_count": "314 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016186023", "title": "Indifferent Universe", "author": "Joseph Blackhurst", "category": "F05 Humor/Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 539, "review": "Joseph Blackhurst\u2019s Indifferent Universe is one of those books that leaves you shaking your head, not because it fails, but because it dares to wallow in life\u2019s absurdities and doesn\u2019t let you look away. The novel follows Aldo Go, a deeply melancholic man whose name itself feels like a curse. His life is marked by a string of disappointments, brief brushes with connection, and the constant undertow of despair. From the very first chapter\u2014where Aldo discovers the corpse of a homeless man, drags it home, and watches it decompose in his basement\u2014the book signals it\u2019s not afraid to mix the grotesque with the poignant.

The story stretches across Aldo\u2019s life, from his childhood memories to his failed marriage, his tedious job at a cemetery, and his half-hearted attempts at art. His wife, a social media influencer, dies young, leaving him adrift. He stumbles through his job, befriends an equally inept coworker, and finds himself locked in a cycle of monotony, regret, and self-doubt. What makes Aldo compelling, though, is that he isn\u2019t entirely pathetic; there\u2019s a glimmer of self-awareness in his musings, and a strange tenderness in the way he interacts with others, even when his choices are bizarre.

At the heart of the book is Aldo\u2019s creative side. He writes novels, stories that are apparently brilliant, even perfect, but they remain unread, unpublished, and entirely ignored. Blackhurst uses this to dig into questions of art and recognition: is greatness still greatness if no one sees it? Can meaning exist without an audience? This struck me personally. As someone in midlife, I couldn\u2019t help but reflect on how much of what we do goes unnoticed, and whether the validation we chase is as important as the act of creating or living authentically.

Indifferent Universe grapples with melancholy, isolation, and the futility of chasing happiness. One passage insists that \u201chappiness isn\u2019t really a thing,\u201d arguing instead that life is a series of temporary comforts and inevitable discomforts. It\u2019s a bleak perspective, but oddly liberating. The book also takes swipes at toxic masculinity, the shallowness of social media, and the randomness of fate. Blackhurst\u2019s style is unapologetically experimental, peppered with metafictional asides, footnotes, and digressions that range from laugh-out-loud funny to uncomfortably raw.

As a reader, I\u2019ll admit some moments felt deliberately frustrating. The heavy use of tangents and dark humor sometimes risked losing me. But then the narrative would land a line or image so sharp and true that I found myself pausing to think. The decomposing corpse, Aldo\u2019s failed attempts at connection, even the tragicomic details of his family life, all of it builds into a portrait of a man who represents both the absurdity and fragility of human existence.

This is not a book for readers who want a neat, uplifting story. It\u2019s messy, unsettling, and sometimes hard to stomach. But that\u2019s exactly why it works. Blackhurst doesn\u2019t sugarcoat the human condition; he holds up a cracked mirror and forces us to look. I came away feeling both unsettled and oddly validated. Life is often disappointing, absurd, and indifferent. And yet, like Aldo, we keep going.

Indifferent Universe is strange, dark, and unlike anything I\u2019ve read in years. It may not comfort you, but it will stick with you. And maybe that\u2019s more important.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-Jul-2025 18:18:21", "publisher": "Joseph Blackhurst", "page_count": "314 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016186019", "title": "Our Last Hello", "author": "Monique Rardin Richardson", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 540, "review": "Monique Rardin Richardson\u2019s Our Last Hello is a sweeping, emotional novel that takes readers on a decades-long journey of love, loss, resilience, and healing. At its heart lies the story of Ramie and Denny, two people whose lives intertwine in their youth and whose connection, fraught with longing, setbacks, and fate, remains the emotional core of the book.

From the opening pages, Richardson establishes a tender atmosphere, drawing us into Ramie\u2019s world as she seeks solace from the chaos around her. Her chance encounter with Denny at the marina sparks the kind of chemistry that feels at once fragile and profound. Their first conversations, filled with shy hesitations and mutual curiosity, reveal the foundation of a relationship that will haunt and sustain both of them for years to come. When Denny assures her, \u201cNobody\u2019s business but yours,\u201d after catching her journal, his instinctive respect marks him as someone worth rooting for.

The novel explores the many challenges of sustaining love when life has other plans. Ramie and Denny\u2019s bond faces jealousy, miscommunication, and moments of deep personal struggle. Richardson captures the anguish of heartbreak with authenticity, particularly in scenes of separation and loss, where silence or a single whispered line carries more weight than pages of dialogue. One of the most poignant moments comes when Ramie, by Denny\u2019s hospital bedside, quietly confesses, \u201cI love you, Denny Braga. More than you will ever know.\u201d It is the kind of line that lingers in the heart long after it\u2019s read.

A central theme throughout the story is healing, both physical and emotional. Music, writing, and small acts of kindness become lifelines for the characters. Richardson emphasizes how recovery is not only about medical treatment but also about the strength of relationships, forgiveness, and the ability to embrace vulnerability. The scars, visible and invisible, that the characters carry serve as reminders of the resilience required to move forward.

Time plays a powerful role in the novel, stretching from youthful infatuation through adulthood and into later life. Rather than confining the story to one stage of their relationship, Richardson allows readers to witness Ramie and Denny\u2019s journey unfold across decades. The effect is bittersweet, highlighting how time can both wound and heal, often reshaping love into something deeper and more enduring.

The character development is where the novel shines most. Ramie, with her quiet determination and habit of pouring her heart into journals, feels real and relatable. Denny, with his flaws and moments of strength, emerges as a complex figure who earns the reader\u2019s sympathy even when his choices are imperfect. Together, they embody the truth that love is rarely simple or easy, but always worth fighting for.

If there is a drawback, it lies in the pacing. At times, the narrative lingers a bit too long on detail or side plots, slowing the momentum. Yet those detours are often redeemed by the emotional payoff, as Richardson draws readers back to the bond that remains unbroken between her two central characters.

Ultimately, Our Last Hello is a tender and bittersweet exploration of enduring love, resilience in the face of hardship, and the beauty of second chances. It is a story that resonates deeply, reminding us that even through heartbreak, love has the power to leave a permanent mark on our lives.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2025", "date_added": "12-Jul-2025 18:15:07", "publisher": "Forever Present Press", "page_count": "335 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016186015", "title": "Working-Class Kids and Visionary Educators in a Multiracial High School", "author": "Karen V. Hansen", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 539, "review": "Karen V. Hansen\u2019s Working-Class Kids and Visionary Educators in a Multiracial High School is both a deeply personal history and a vital work of social commentary. With the help of Nicholas Monroe, Hansen revisits her alma mater, Sunnyvale High School in California, and through oral histories, archival research, and her own memories, she reconstructs the extraordinary story of a seemingly ordinary public school that served working-class, multiracial students between 1956 and 1981. What emerges is not only a chronicle of one school\u2019s culture, but also a meditation on belonging, equity, and the transformative role educators can play in young lives.

From the opening pages, Hansen makes clear that Sunnyvale High\u2019s legacy cannot be measured by test scores or the narrow outcomes we so often use today. Instead, its worth lies in how teachers and peers created an environment where working-class adolescents, many the children of immigrants, farm workers, and blue-collar employees, felt seen, respected, and capable of envisioning brighter futures. She recalls students who credited a caring counselor, a demanding math teacher, or even cheerleading practice with \u201csaving their lives.\u201d These stories illustrate how small acts of attention and belief helped teenagers resist the weight of poverty, racism, and low expectations.

The book also underscores the importance of solidarity across difference. In a district where Sunnyvale High was derided as the \u201cpoor step-sister,\u201d students found strength in defiant pride. Hansen recounts the story of Ed Lizardo, a Filipino student body president who, when faced with exclusion by leaders from wealthier, whiter schools, stood tall and declared, \u201cI am Sunnyvale High School.\u201d That moment captures the book\u2019s central theme: belonging is not about erasing difference, but about embracing community and collective dignity.

As a reader, I found myself reflecting on how relevant these lessons remain today. In an era of renewed debates over school funding, racial inequity, and the pressures of standardized testing, Hansen\u2019s narrative reminds us that education is not just about producing college-bound students. It is about giving adolescents pathways to resilience, identity, and contribution. Programs in the arts, athletics, and vocational training mattered just as much as academics. Hansen and Monroe show how Sunnyvale High, with limited resources but visionary leadership, cultivated multiple routes toward success, whether that meant Silicon Valley careers, military service, or simply the confidence to imagine a future different from one\u2019s parents.

Hansen is candid about the school\u2019s flaws including biases in tracking, underfunding, and uneven progress in tackling racism, but this honesty strengthens the book. Rather than offering a nostalgic gloss, she situates Sunnyvale High within the broader history of inequality in American education. What makes her account so moving is the balance between critical analysis and affection. You feel her pride in her classmates\u2019 endurance, her empathy for the obstacles they faced, and her gratitude for the educators who insisted that working-class kids mattered.

Reading this book reminded me of the teachers and mentors who nudged me forward at pivotal moments. Hansen\u2019s narrative is a testament to the enduring power of schools not simply as institutions of instruction, but as communities where young people learn who they are and who they can become. In revisiting Sunnyvale High, Hansen has given us more than history, she has offered a guidepost for building more equitable, compassionate schools today.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "29-Aug-2025", "date_added": "12-Jul-2025 18:11:40", "publisher": "Lexington Books", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016186011", "title": "Betrayal of Trust: A Medical Thriller", "author": "Geoffrey M Cooper", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 74, "review": "\"A gripping medical thriller that delivers both emotional depth and razor-sharp suspense. Betrayal of Trust masterfully explores themes of ambition, revenge, and the consequences of unchecked power in the world of cancer research. The dynamic between Brad and Karen is compelling, but it\u2019s the story\u2019s raw portrayal of justice that makes this installment unforgettable. Geoffrey M. Cooper has crafted a tale that is both timely and unflinchingly bold.\" \u2014Kathryn Dare, San Diego Book Review", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-Jul-2025 17:53:54", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "220 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016186007", "title": "Betrayal of Trust: A Medical Thriller", "author": "Geoffrey M Cooper", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 65, "review": "\"Tense, intelligent, and relentlessly engaging, Betrayal of Trust is a standout in the genre. From its explosive opening to the final twist, the novel delivers a sophisticated blend of scientific intrigue and psychological drama. Cooper\u2019s writing is crisp and confident, bringing complex characters and high-stakes research to vivid life. A must-read for anyone who appreciates thrillers with brains and bite.\" \u2014Kyle Eaton, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "July 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "12-Jul-2025 17:53:43", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "220 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016186003", "title": "Lenswoman in Love: a novel of the 1960s & '70s", "author": "Kim Gottlieb-Walker", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 560, "review": "Lenswoman in Love is both a nostalgic journey and an evocative exploration of a young woman\u2019s coming-of-age during one of the most turbulent and transformative periods in American history. Kim Gottlieb-Walker blends memoir-like authenticity with the structure of a novel, offering readers a portrait of the 1960s and \u201970s that feels at once personal and culturally expansive.

The novel carries several strong thematic threads. First is the theme of art and self-discovery. Maddy\u2019s passion for photography becomes both her refuge and her means of navigating a chaotic world. The opening scene, where she learns to see the world through her father\u2019s camera before his untimely death, sets the stage for photography as not just a career, but a way of life.

Another powerful theme is youthful idealism colliding with harsh realities. The vivid descriptions of the Century City police riot in 1967 capture not only the brutality of authority but also Maddy\u2019s transformation from sheltered teenager into a witness of history. The narrative does not shy away from the contradictions of the era: the exhilaration of free love and creative freedom alongside the disillusionment of political corruption, violence, and personal betrayal.

The book also shines in its exploration of romantic longing and independence. Maddy\u2019s relationship with Jake is both sweeping and frustrating, a slow-burning attraction that is often thwarted by circumstances, misunderstandings, and his own emotional distance. While Jake is undeniably magnetic, I appreciated that Gottlieb-Walker allowed Maddy to grow beyond simply being defined by her feelings for him. The push and pull between love, loss, and self-realization is one of the strongest elements of the novel.

What I enjoyed most was the rich evocation of time and place. The author vividly reconstructs the folk clubs of Berkeley, the counterculture of Haight-Ashbury, the political protests, and even the small details of fashion and music. As someone who lived through much of this era, I recognized the cadence of the times: the mixture of optimism, rebellion, and uncertainty. Gottlieb-Walker\u2019s background as a photographer lends a sharp eye for detail, and many scenes feel like snapshots of a lived history.

I also found the supporting characters memorable, from Maddy\u2019s strong, intuitive mother to her lively college roommate Darlene. These figures help ground the story and prevent it from becoming solely a romance.

What I enjoyed less was the sometimes idealized portrayal of Jake, who occasionally felt more like an archetype than a fully fleshed-out character. While his charisma is undeniable, I sometimes wished the author had given him more vulnerability or contradiction. There were also moments when the dialogue leaned toward exposition, explaining the political climate rather than allowing it to emerge organically.

Readers sensitive to the era\u2019s gender dynamics may find certain attitudes unsettling, though Gottlieb-Walker addresses this directly in her author\u2019s note, reminding us of the cultural shifts and challenges of the time.

Lenswoman in Love is ultimately a heartfelt, immersive novel that captures both the magic and the messiness of youth, art, and love in a rapidly changing world. For readers who experienced the 1960s and \u201970s, it will stir recognition and memory; for younger readers, it offers a vibrant window into an era that shaped modern culture. While not without its flaws, it succeeds as both a love story and a chronicle of personal awakening. A vivid and emotionally engaging read, particularly for those drawn to stories of women artists finding their voice amid history\u2019s upheavals.", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "12-Jul-2025 17:51:05", "publisher": "Conrad Press LTD (UK hybrid)", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016183003", "title": "The Most Wonderful Gift in the World", "author": "Mireia Oliv\u00e9 Obradors, Anastasia Wessex, Angus Yuen-Killick", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 186, "review": "Little Mouse wakes up and realizes he only has a few days until Mommy\u2019s special day. He searches the woodland and finds a tree with wonderful pine cones that are covered in tasty pine nuts. Little Mouse rolls a pine cone home. By the time he gets there, almost all the pine nuts have fallen off. It\u2019s ruined. The next day, he searches again and finds a beautiful poppy, but when he gets home, all the petals have blown away. He tells a jay about his problem, and the jay gives him one of his beautiful blue feathers, but the wind steals it. Will Little Mouse have a gift for his mother?

Mireia Oliv\u00e9 Obradors has written a very sweet story that little listeners will surely relate to. The language is lovely, and the story is very engaging. Perhaps the real star here is the illustration work of Anastasia Wessex. Every page has enchanting pictures in soft colors filled with plenty of details to keep young listeners engaged, searching for all the delightful woodland creatures and plants. This book will become a fast favorite. Don\u2019t miss it.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "09-Jul-2025 19:09:58", "publisher": "Red Comet Press", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016181003", "title": "Orphanland", "author": "Lauren Fischer", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "Willa is 11 and has lived at the Southern Ohio Children's Home since her mother died from opioids when Willa was 7. She loves it there and intends to never leave. Mercy, the woman who runs the Home, always needs more money to keep the place running. Willa has other kids her age at the home who are good friends. The latest to come, Kacey, is non-binary. Willa and Kacey become best friends. When they find some hidden diaries left by Mercy\u2019s great-aunt (who had taken Mercy in when she was in her teens), and they discover an abandoned school with a frightening history nearby, they have two mysteries to solve. While all this is happening, the future of the Home is threatened.

Author Lauren Fischer has written a compelling story with interesting characters and a couple of mysteries woven through. There are some problems with the book, though. There are several story lines for young readers to track \u2014 the opioid crisis in small towns, lack of public support for orphanages, the horrors of some reform schools, and more. Unrealistically, five prepubescent boys and girls share a bedroom. This a good story with a real lack of focus and research.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2026", "date_added": "08-Jul-2025 22:03:47", "publisher": "Mission Point Press", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016177003", "title": "Writers and Liars: A Compelling Novel of Betrayal, Revenge, and Suspense on a Secluded Greek Island, Where Mystery Writers Become Murder Suspects\u2015Perfect for Summer Reading", "author": "Carol Goodman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 171, "review": "When a group of mystery writers is invited back to the island where they all met fifteen years ago, secrets are unlocked. Maia Gold receives an invitation back to the Greek island of Eris, the island where she was betrayed. The same island her parents visited. When she sees her ex-boyfriend, Ian, and her ex-best friend, Annika, the memories come flooding back. The host of the retreat is nowhere to be found, and when murder ensues, it's up to the mystery writers to figure out whodunnit.

I absolutely loved the premise of the book. With its references to Greek mythology and constellations, the story not only becomes a mystery for the characters to solve, but also one for its readers to piece together.

Author Carol Goodman does a brilliant job of creating interesting characters with depth and describing the most beautiful scenery. I had so much fun reading this book as the secrets unfolded one after another. Exciting, mesmerizing, and heart-stopping, Writers and Liars is perfect for any fan of the mystery genre.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "16-Sep-2025", "date_added": "08-Jul-2025 18:55:05", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016176015", "title": "Emmie Builds Something New", "author": "Marjorie Crosby-Fairall", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Annie Peters", "word_count": 187, "review": "Emmie, a small mouse with big ideas, lives in an attic with discarded things she turns into new inventions. Emmie is very happy until she discovers a cat has arrived in the attic. Emmie immediately uses her creativity to create a mechanical cat that springs at this new intruder, but the cat remains. Emmie next designs a mechanical creature that swoops down on the cat. Still, the cat remains. Finally, Emmie creates an elephant-like creature that splashes water on the cat. Just as she succeeds in her goal, Emmie realizes that the soggy, scared kitty isn\u2019t so scary. Emmie apologizes and makes one more design: a mechanical grooming device to aid the wet cat. Soon, Emmie and the cat are designing and living together happily.

For so many reasons, this is a wonderful picture book. First, it emphasized engineering problem-solving, with a female main character to boot. It brings awareness to the idea that preconceived notions may be wrong, while demonstrating the value of apologizing. Finally, children will enjoy poring over the detailed illustrations, which include engineering notes. In sum, Majorie Crosby-Fairall has written a genuinely delightful book.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "05-Sep-2025", "date_added": "09-Jul-2025 19:15:41", "publisher": "Red Comet Press", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016380035", "title": "Toluidine Blue: A Novel", "author": "Evelyne Keating and Roxanne Shoenfeld", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 539, "review": "Toluidine Blue: A Novel (Second Edition) by Evelyne Keating and Roxanne Shoenfeld struck me as something different than what I've read before in the world of thrillers and true crime. It's an unflinching yet deeply human exploration of the world of forensic nursing. This second edition refines the authors\u2019 earlier work, blending the grit of real forensic experience with the emotional pull of well-drawn characters, resulting in a story that is equal parts suspenseful, educational, and heart-rending.

The novel follows Adeline Donovan, a nurse whose failed relationship becomes the unlikely spark for a new career in forensics. Her move to Baltimore\u2019s Fells Point with her best friend Rachel sets the stage for a life immersed in the most harrowing cases: sexual assault, human trafficking, strangulation, and domestic violence. What makes this novel compelling isn\u2019t only the darkness of the crimes but the quiet, persistent resilience of its characters. As the introduction explains, \u201cToluidine blue dye\u2026 demonstrates that even the smallest of evidence can be of the greatest value.\u201d That metaphor extends beautifully to Addie herself: flawed, scarred, but determined to transform fragments of pain into something meaningful.

Themes of survival, justice, and self-discovery run strong throughout. Addie\u2019s tumultuous breakup with her fianc\u00e9 Cain exposes a tension many women will recognize: the battle between career and personal expectations. Her mother chastises her for prioritizing her job, accusing her of \u201cthrowing [her] future away,\u201d but Addie\u2019s father gently reminds her, \u201cThere is no easy path to success. The so-called \u2018easy way\u2019 leaves you looking in the mirror twenty years from now with nothing to show for your life.\u201d These moments elevate the novel beyond crime drama; they become affirmations for women reclaiming their own choices.

Alongside this personal journey is the sobering reality of forensic work. Readers are led through the painstaking process of gathering evidence, from using ultraviolet light to detect bruises to applying toluidine blue dye on wounds invisible to the naked eye. These sections are meticulous, even clinical at times, but never gratuitous. They underscore a truth the authors know firsthand: that justice often hinges on details too small for most of us to notice.

Of course, this is not a book for the faint of heart. The depictions of sexual assault, domestic violence, and even decomposing bodies are raw and graphic. But rather than reveling in shock value, the novel insists on respect for the victims and admiration for those who fight for their dignity in courtrooms and hospitals. As one passage notes, \u201cThe collection of evidence brings truth to the old proverb: \u2018The devil is in the detail.\u2019\u201d

Who would appreciate Toluidine Blue? Readers of true crime and courtroom dramas will find it riveting, while fans of medical thrillers will relish the procedural accuracy. It also speaks to women navigating reinvention, showing how trauma can be reshaped into purpose. I could easily recommend it to readers of Patricia Cornwell or Kathy Reichs, though with the caveat that this book carries a heavier emotional weight.

Ultimately, Toluidine Blue: A Novel (Second Edition) is more than just suspense; it\u2019s a tribute to courage in the face of darkness. With its blend of forensic precision and emotional depth, it educates while it unsettles, and most importantly, it lingers long after the last page is turned.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-Aug-2025 03:44:56", "publisher": "Self-published", "page_count": "233 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016380031", "title": "Biological Deception", "author": "Geoffrey Bott", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 427, "review": "Geoffrey Bott\u2019s Biological Deception is a sharp, globe-trotting thriller that blends espionage, science, and moral ambiguity into a layered narrative about trust, corruption, and survival. From the opening pages set in Windhoek, Namibia, where a diamond transaction turns deadly, the story launches into a fast-paced series of events that pulls its protagonist, Daniel Cross, into a tangled web of deceit stretching from Africa to California and beyond. Bott wastes no time establishing tone or tension, and with his cinematic style, readers will get drawn in quickly.

At its core, Biological Deception is a story about the collision between intellect and instinct. Cross, a British-born scientist and engineer, is recruited to authenticate a rare diamond, a task that seems straightforward until a sniper\u2019s bullet kills his partner in front of him. What follows is a spiraling descent into international intrigue involving Russian oligarchs, a mysterious insurance agent, and covert U.S. intelligence operations. Bott\u2019s protagonist is intelligent but flawed, the kind of reluctant hero who questions his own moral compass as much as he questions the loyalties of those around him. Readers will appreciate the realism of Cross\u2019s reactions: fear, guilt, and curiosity are his constant companions.

Bott explores deception not just as an external threat but as an internal struggle. Scientific precision clashes with human unpredictability; truth and trust become relative. The novel frequently poses unspoken questions: what\u2019s real, who can be believed, and how much knowledge is too dangerous? The scientific details, especially surrounding gemology, identity fabrication, and counterintelligence, add depth without becoming cumbersome. Bott clearly did his research, grounding the fiction in plausible global dynamics and real-world motivations.

Bott\u2019s writing is precise and confident. He favors realism over flash, focusing on dialogue, internal thought, and carefully observed detail. Scenes shift fluidly between continents, and his pacing balances introspection with bursts of action. The blend of scientific intrigue and espionage recalls Michael Crichton or Tom Clancy, but Bott\u2019s focus on personal morality sets his work apart.

Biological Deception will appeal to readers who enjoy international thrillers with intellectual substance. Those interested in the ethics of science, intelligence work, or the blurred boundaries between good and evil will find much to ponder. It\u2019s also a strong pick for readers who appreciate mature characters dealing with danger not as adrenaline junkies but as reluctant participants in forces larger than themselves.

In sum, Bott delivers a sophisticated, well-researched thriller that fuses scientific credibility with human vulnerability. Biological Deception is less about the diamond at its center and more about the human cost of uncovering the truth, a theme that lingers long after the final chapter.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-Aug-2025 03:41:05", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016380027", "title": "Biological Deception", "author": "Geoffrey Bott", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 410, "review": "Geoffrey Bott\u2019s Biological Deception is a layered, globe-spanning thriller that takes readers deep into a world of scientific intrigue, political corruption, and moral uncertainty. What begins as a simple assignment for Daniel Cross, a respected scientist sent to verify a rare diamond in Namibia, spirals into a deadly chase involving international crime syndicates, espionage, and a tangled web of deception that tests both intellect and integrity.

What makes this novel stand out is Bott\u2019s skillful control of pacing and detail. His prose moves quickly but never feels rushed. Each location, whether the bustling streets of Windhoek, the polished calm of a Los Angeles estate, or the cold precision of a government facility, is drawn with visual clarity. Bott\u2019s descriptive style has a clean, cinematic rhythm that makes every scene easy to imagine. His background research clearly shows; the scientific and technical elements feel authentic, yet they never overpower the story. Instead, they add credibility to the unfolding mystery.

Daniel Cross is not your typical spy-thriller hero, and that\u2019s one of the book\u2019s strengths. He\u2019s analytical, cautious, and very human. Bott allows readers to see the cracks beneath his composed exterior, his fear, confusion, and guilt, which makes him more relatable than the usual unshakable action protagonist. His journey feels like a gradual unraveling, both of the global conspiracy and of his own moral compass. As a reader, I appreciated how Bott didn\u2019t rely on brute force to drive the story but on intellect, conversation, and psychological tension.

Equally compelling is Chantelle Dunhill, a woman caught between danger and desire. She\u2019s elegant, intelligent, and unpredictable, traits that make her one of the novel\u2019s most memorable characters. Bott\u2019s portrayal of her is careful and layered; she\u2019s not written as a stereotype or mere romantic distraction but as a woman navigating survival in a world dominated by men and power. The chemistry between her and Cross is undeniable, but what lingers most is the uncertainty of trust that underlies their connection.

Biological Deception examines how greed, ambition, and science intertwine to blur moral boundaries. The story feels eerily contemporary, touching on issues of global manipulation and technological ethics. Bott\u2019s writing style keeps the novel grounded even as the stakes grow higher.

Ultimately, Biological Deception is a thinking person\u2019s thriller: intense without being sensational, intelligent without being inaccessible. It will appeal to readers who enjoy complex plots, morally conflicted characters, and writing that respects both intellect and emotion. Bott delivers a story that\u2019s as thought-provoking as it is suspenseful.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Aug-2025 03:41:02", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016380023", "title": "Biological Deception", "author": "Geoffrey Bott", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 422, "review": "Geoffrey Bott\u2019s Biological Deception is a thriller that is international in scope and deeply personal in its execution. Instead of the archetypal spy or hardened operative, the story centers on Daniel Cross, a scientist who gets thrust into a dangerous world of diamonds, cartels, and covert intelligence operations. What makes the book engaging is precisely this contrast: Cross is not trained for espionage, yet his knowledge and quick thinking become his only means of survival.

The novel opens in Namibia, with Cross tasked to verify the authenticity of a rare diamond. The sequence where he performs his scientific tests under the scrutiny of armed guards captures the blend of technical precision and nerve-wracking tension that defines the book: \u201cThis is not the diamond Robert is buying, Cassandra,\u201d he whispers when the results prove suspicious. It\u2019s a moment that sets off a cascade of betrayals, culminating in Cassandra\u2019s shocking death outside the diamond outlet. The scene is written with cinematic immediacy: bullets shattering stone, a body collapsing, and Cross suddenly on the run.

The book also leans heavily into geopolitical intrigue. Bott draws on a cast of international characters, including Serbian middlemen, Russian oligarchs, African contacts, and even CIA operatives.

What keeps the narrative moving isn\u2019t just the action but the emotional stakes. Cross is haunted by Cassandra\u2019s death, waking \u201cin a deep sweat whilst shaking; I still feel her blood on my skin.\u201d These moments of raw vulnerability elevate the story above a simple caper. They remind us that the costs of deception are not abstract; they\u2019re paid in human lives and lingering trauma.

Bott\u2019s writing style is direct, at times almost blunt, but that straightforwardness suits the material. He doesn\u2019t linger in poetic flourishes but instead pushes readers forward with crisp dialogue, rapid transitions, and a sense of urgency. The pacing mirrors Cross\u2019s own mindset: always calculating, always moving, always looking for the next escape.

Readers who enjoy works by Robert Ludlum or John le Carr\u00e9 will recognize the familiar themes of espionage entangled with personal compromise, but Biological Deception feels fresher because of its protagonist. Cross isn\u2019t a spy mastering tradecraft; he\u2019s an intelligent man trying to reconcile his role as a scientist with forces that care little for science, truth, or life itself.

Biological Deception succeeds because it threads the excitement of international suspense with the disquieting realization that knowledge alone doesn\u2019t guarantee control. For readers who like thrillers with intellectual depth, a touch of romance, and plenty of moral gray zones, Bott\u2019s novel delivers an experience that is as thought-provoking as it is fast-paced.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Aug-2025 03:40:58", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016380019", "title": "Biological Deception", "author": "Geoffrey Bott", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 515, "review": "Geoffrey Bott\u2019s Biological Deception is a taut, globe-spanning thriller that blends espionage, high-stakes science, and a web of dangerous relationships. From the opening pages in Windhoek, Namibia, where protagonist Daniel Cross is sent to verify the authenticity of a rare diamond, the novel wastes no time in throwing readers into intrigue. What begins as a seemingly straightforward scientific evaluation rapidly escalates into murder, deception, and a descent into an underworld where oligarchs, cartels, and intelligence agencies all circle the same prize.

One of the strongest threads running through the book is trust and betrayal. Cross, a seasoned scientist with a sharp analytical mind, quickly discovers the supposed diamond may not be what it seems. When shots are fired and Cassandra Mikhailov, the woman traveling with him, dies in his arms, the story pivots from mystery to survival.

There is a thin line between science and politics in this book. Cross insists multiple times, almost defensively, \u201cI am a scientist,\u201d as if clinging to that identity could shield him from the chaos he has stumbled into, although his expertise is precisely what makes him valuable and expendable to those orchestrating the larger game. Bott\u2019s portrayal of how knowledge can be weaponized in global markets and political maneuvering gives the book a sobering edge that resonates beyond its fictional plot.

There is also an undercurrent of personal vulnerability that makes Cross more than a stock action hero. His reflections on past heartbreak, divorce, and reliance on transactional relationships with women add layers to his character. Even when drawn toward Chantelle Dunhill, the beautiful insurance agent with opaque motives, he recognizes the peril of mixing attraction with espionage. Their exchanges brim with tension, alternating between moments of tenderness and the uneasy suspicion that she could be manipulating him.

Bott keeps the pacing brisk, moving readers from Namibia to Los Angeles, Sacramento, and beyond. The narrative often feels cinematic, filled with luxury settings, expensive tastes, and sudden bursts of violence. Yet it is balanced by quieter moments of grief and introspection that keep Cross human and relatable.

Biological Deception will appeal strongly to fans of espionage thrillers, international crime dramas, and stories where science collides with politics. Admirers of authors like Daniel Silva or Frederick Forsyth will find familiar terrain here, though Bott gives the novel a unique scientific lens and a protagonist who is less spy than reluctant participant. At the same time, readers who enjoy character-driven suspense, where relationships and loyalties are as fragile as the evidence being tested, will find plenty to sink into.

In the end, this is not simply a story about diamonds or covert deals; it is about the cost of knowledge, the fragility of trust, and the ways individuals are swept into global forces larger than themselves. Bott\u2019s revised edition feels particularly timely, echoing the real-world concerns about clandestine biological and resource exploitation he acknowledges inspired the updates.

As a reviewer, I found myself both entertained and unsettled, a combination that speaks to the book\u2019s success. Biological Deception is a story that keeps you turning the pages quickly, but also leaves you thinking long after you close the cover.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Aug-2025 03:40:47", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016380015", "title": "Finding Alexey", "author": "Fazle Chowdhury", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 467, "review": "I found myself drawn deeply into Fazle Chowdhury\u2019s Finding Alexey, not just for its layered storytelling but for its exploration of how personal loss, ambition, and memory shape who we are. The novel is a rich blend of political intrigue, corporate drama, and emotional reckoning, anchored by a protagonist whose strength is as formidable as her vulnerabilities.

At the heart of the story is Sofia Tresca, a powerful CEO navigating the treacherous world of international finance while quietly fighting her own mortality. The opening scene, where she rides through rain-soaked streets of Baghdad after a sobering oncologist\u2019s visit, immediately sets the tone for the book\u2019s duality: public power against private fragility. This is a theme carried throughout the novel: how women, particularly those in high-stakes leadership, must constantly balance appearances with inner truths. As a reader and as a woman who wears many hats in my own family and career, I felt the tension acutely.

Chowdhury does an excellent job weaving in the ghosts of Sofia\u2019s past, most notably Alexey, whose absence haunts her every move. Through flashbacks and conversations, we see how his memory lingers like an open wound, shaping her decisions and relationships years later. The novel asks difficult questions about regret and unfinished love: what happens when words are left unsaid, and how does one continue to live with those shadows? I found these reflections especially poignant, thinking about the legacies we leave for our children and the moments we wish we could reclaim.

The political and financial backdrop of the novel is equally compelling. Chowdhury immerses readers in the high-stakes world of oil acquisitions, sanctions, and global negotiations. The Petro Anchor deal, for instance, is not just a business transaction; it becomes a metaphor for risk, sacrifice, and the price of ambition. These boardroom battles mirror the personal ones Sofia faces, underscoring the idea that choices, whether professional or intimate, carry consequences.

What resonated with me most, however, was the interplay of friendship and rivalry. Sofia\u2019s relationship with Carol Cottington, full of wit, competition, and reluctant affection, reminded me of the complex bonds many women carry across decades. There\u2019s both comfort and frustration in these friendships, and Chowdhury captures that dance with authenticity.

Themes of memory, power, betrayal, and resilience run through the novel. Sofia is both a woman shaped by her father\u2019s formidable legacy and one fighting to assert her own. The reappearance of old acquaintances, like Avi Perski, forces her to confront the past while questioning the sincerity of those around her. Can people truly change, or do they simply get better at hiding their motives?

In Finding Alexey, Fazle Chowdhury gives us a story that is as much about international intrigue as it is about the private, fragile spaces of the human heart. Readers who enjoy political thrillers with emotional depth will find themselves fully absorbed.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-Aug-2025 03:37:56", "publisher": "Fabrezan & Phillipe", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016380011", "title": "What Would Philip Roth Do?: A Memoir", "author": "Matthew Check", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 389, "review": "Reading Matthew Check\u2019s What Would Philip Roth Do? feels like sitting down with a brutally honest older friend who insists on telling you every misstep, every awkward hookup, and every late-night existential spiral. The twist, of course, is that he does it all while bantering with the imagined ghost of Philip Roth, who pops in like a sarcastic Obi-Wan Kenobi from Newark.

The book is funny, awkward, and sometimes wildly uncomfortable, but that\u2019s the point. Check doesn\u2019t shy away from oversharing, whether it\u2019s his first time fumbling through sex with Paulette or his bizarre Madrid adventure with Isabella, who slaps him mid-flirtation and accuses him of being \u201ca rapist\u201d before demanding he hit her. These episodes aren\u2019t just lurid stories; they\u2019re the raw material for Check\u2019s exploration of how desire, shame, and creativity get tangled together.

For me, one of the most engaging parts of the memoir is the way music runs parallel to romance. When relationships collapse, the banjo steps in to translate the mess into melody. After Isabella storms out, he finds himself humming a tune and scribbling lyrics: \u201cComo si fuera la luz de la luna/te diera la risa de tus sue\u00f1os.\" It\u2019s clumsy Spanish, but it captures how rejection fuels his creativity as much as connection.

The Jewish identity stuff hit home too, though not in the heavy, lecture-like way you sometimes get in memoirs. Instead, it shows up in quick jokes about circumcision confusing his Spanish lover, or in the Shehecheyanu blessing he mutters the first time he plays banjo on a Madrid balcony. It\u2019s a mash-up of heritage, humor, and horniness that feels surprisingly relatable, especially if you\u2019ve ever tried to balance cultural expectations with the chaos of your twenties.

Readers who like memoirs that don\u2019t polish the edges will enjoy this read. If you\u2019re into Roth, Bukowski, or any writer who embraces the awkward and the ugly as part of being human, you\u2019ll appreciate Check\u2019s voice. Musicians and creatives will also connect with his obsessive practice, the way he describes the banjo roll as \u201cspotting a unicorn\u201d when it finally clicks.

It\u2019s not a \u201csafe\u201d read. There are cringeworthy moments, sexual misadventures, and plenty of Jewish-mother guilt, but that\u2019s what makes it feel alive. What Would Philip Roth Do? is hilarious, and strangely affirming: a reminder that art often comes from our most humiliating and complicated experiences.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-Aug-2025 03:33:06", "publisher": "Parentheses Press", "page_count": "277 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016380007", "title": "What Would Philip Roth Do?", "author": "Matthew Check", "category": "N11 Humor-Nonfiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 411, "review": "Matthew Check\u2019s memoir, What Would Philip Roth Do? is as irreverent, searching, and painfully honest as the title suggests. At its core, this is a book about a Jewish musician wrestling with questions of identity, love, art, and meaning, all while guided, sometimes harassed, by the imagined voice of Philip Roth. What emerges is both a coming-of-age narrative and a meditation on how art and artists shape our inner lives.

From the opening chapters, Check makes it clear that Roth is not simply an author he admires, but a phantom presence he converses with. \u201cHi, Matt,\u201d the Roth in his head quips. \u201cHaven\u2019t seen you since your Mexican-Jewish girlfriend dumped you. Are you still putting jalape\u00f1os on your challah?\u201d

The voice is at once playful, caustic, and probing, forcing the narrator to confront his choices. This ongoing dialogue gives the memoir an unusual texture: part confession, part literary s\u00e9ance.

Themes of sexual awakening and romantic misadventure run throughout. His early encounters, described with a frankness that will make some readers squirm, also lay the groundwork for deeper reflections on unrequited love. As he writes about Paulette, his high-school crush who inspired his first song on the banjo, he realizes that music became the outlet for feelings he couldn\u2019t otherwise articulate. Romance and bluegrass intertwine repeatedly, each failed relationship sparking another melody.

Jewish identity is another central thread. Check wrestles with cultural expectations, family pressures, and the weight of history, often filtering his anxieties through humor. His time in Spain, where he brings the banjo to the streets of Madrid and stumbles through awkward romantic entanglements, underscores his sense of being both insider and outsider. Later, his volunteer work in Israel sharpens these questions, as he learns what it means to carry his heritage into unfamiliar contexts.

This memoir will resonate most with readers who appreciate candid explorations of the messy intersections of art, sex, and identity. Fans of Philip Roth will find themselves amused, and perhaps unsettled, by the way Roth\u2019s ghostly commentary punctuates the narrative. Musicians, especially those drawn to the obsessive practice of an instrument, will recognize the banjo\u2019s role as both tormentor and salvation.

At times, the book is raw and unfiltered; at others, it\u2019s funny in the best Rothian sens, cutting and self-aware. For readers willing to embrace both the cringe and the insight, What Would Philip Roth Do? is a memoir that captures what it means to search for voice, love, and belonging in a world where nothing ever quite fits.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "14-Oct-2025", "date_added": "30-Aug-2025 03:32:49", "publisher": "Parentheses Press", "page_count": "277 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016380003", "title": "Becoming ECOACTIVE", "author": "Stephen McGraw", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 80, "review": "\"Becoming ECOACTIVE is a profound invitation to live with conscious intention in a reactive world. With wisdom that bridges psychology, spirituality, and ethics, Stephen McGraw offers a model of living that transforms reactivity into purposeful connection. His voice is both compassionate and deeply human, guiding readers toward self-awareness, forgiveness, and genuine mutual growth. This is more than a self-help book; it\u2019s a blueprint for becoming a healing presence in every interaction, human or digital.\" \u2014Kyle Eaton, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Aug-2025 03:28:50", "publisher": "Amazon", "page_count": "143 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016377003", "title": "Adrift: A Novel", "author": "Will Dean", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 195, "review": "Peggy, Drew, and their son, Samson, live on a canal boat while Drew attempts to write a novel. They don\u2019t have much money, causing Samson to be bullied at his school. Drew continues to move their boat farther from town, claiming there are too many distractions and noises. As their isolation increases, so does the tension. The family, Adrift on a peaceful canal, is anything but peaceful, and circumstances only get darker.

I\u2019m a bit conflicted about this story. It is well written, with complicated characters, but there are dark themes, so it feels wrong to say I enjoyed it. If you\u2019ve ever been gaslighted, this book will be a hard read. The author really showcases what that\u2019s like for someone and how you can\u2019t help but question everything. Again, the word enjoy seems wrong in this situation, but if you enjoy slow-burning thrillers that are more realistic than they should be, this is a book for you to read. I would also encourage you to speak up if you think someone might be in this type of situation and not dismiss them as crazy. It\u2019s a form of abuse and should be recognized as such.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2026", "date_added": "28-Aug-2025 20:26:02", "publisher": "Atria/Emily Bestler Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016376007", "title": "Boleyn Traitor: A Novel", "author": "Philippa Gregory", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 195, "review": "Jane Boleyn serves as Queen Anne\u2019s lady-in-waiting, which she is happy to do as her sister-in-law. Jane has served in the court of King Henry VIII since she was eleven and knows all the secrets, which she tells to her patron, Sir Thomas Cromwell. Jane knows she will have to do whatever it takes to survive this king, who changes religion and laws to suit his own needs. Everyone lives and dies at the pleasure of the king. By the end, Jane will be known as the Boleyn Traitor, but there is more to her story, and she faithfully served five of Henry\u2019s six wives. Not many women survived King Henry that long.

It\u2019s been twenty-five years since Gregory wrote The Other Boleyn Girl, which was my first foray into historical fiction. How can you not be captivated by this King and his many wives? The Tudors definitely left their mark on history, and Gregory brings these characters to life. You will feel like you are in Henry\u2019s court, do all you can to not say the wrong thing, and end up beheaded. If you enjoy historical fiction, I recommend you add this to your collection.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "28-Aug-2025 21:25:48", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "496 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016373015", "title": "Squirrel", "author": "Nancy Castaldo", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 210, "review": "Squirrels with their fuzzy tails and mischievous antics readily amuse many, but others, like dedicated bird watchers, will only complain about their predatory habits. In this fascinating account of the characteristics of this populous group that also includes chipmunks and marmots, author Nancy Castaldo fluently translates the scientific studies describing the behaviors, importance, and crises affecting these creatures. Squirrels are adored by many solely due to their appearance and behavior, and have become symbolic icons to many. The almost three hundred species of squirrels are found throughout the continents with the exception of Antarctica, and display varying sizes, builds, and colors, such as those named the red and gray squirrels. Each of the chapters describes varying aspects of this rodent, such as the nut and seed gathering, focusing on their secretive hiding of the food stash in the ground while wary of any observers. These hidden caches are magical seed banks that revive plantings during natural times, but most essentially aid plant revival following disasters. Read how this impish creature has been used for target practice by hunters, how they are used for food, and why they are being threatened by habitat loss and competition. This is an engrossing read about this delightfully pesky neighbor, accompanied by engaging squirrel illustrations.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "28-Aug-2025 20:52:38", "publisher": "Island Press", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016373007", "title": "When Auggie Learned to Play Chess", "author": "Meredith Rusu, Stephen Costanza", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 199, "review": "I learned the complicated yet fun game of chess several years ago from my dad. Reading When Auggie Learned to Play Chess reminded me of those feelings, but, when I got the hang of it, it became exciting. Auggie is a young Romanian boy who recently moved to his new home with his dad, or Tat\u0103. He's homesick and wants to go back, but his dad makes a deal - to learn chess and see if this changes his mind. Auggie isn't convinced, but agrees, and notices how it changes his outlook on things; he begins to see his classmates as chess pieces, and his knowledge of chess might help him make his first friend.

I enjoyed Auggie's story because it is realistic: it has been several years since I moved to my current place, but it's scary when it happens. Learning chess really can be confusing and frustrating, but, like most things, once you figure it out, it's easy enough. I loved the illustrations in the book because they are colorful and beautiful. This story is great for readers of any age, but particularly for those going through a life change or have an interest in chess.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Aug-2025 19:58:04", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016372027", "title": "Evergreen: The Trees That Shaped America", "author": "Trent Preszler", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 223, "review": "As the forests become thinner and giant trees suffer losses, author Trent Preszler takes the reader through a course in history, looking at how the evergreens have been used and abused. Recounting the piney fragrance of the formerly traditional holiday Christmas tree, he describes how it is now being replaced by more affordable plastic replicas, which do not shed needles. However, there is still a traditional search for the most outstanding giant evergreen to decorate Rockefeller Plaza. It is interesting to note that the Pilgrims sought wealth in wood when they journeyed to the new land, since medieval England had lost its forests. Strong wood was essential for ships, and tall, strong trees were primarily for the masts. Ancient cultures used the tallest tree trunks for their temples; Venice is underpinned by clever wooden foundations. Look around and note the residues of evergreens in utility poles, railway ties, firewood used on Mississippi steamboats, early airplanes, and think of all the structures requiring the strength of the pines and cedars consumed. Tragically, giant sequoias were hewn for display, and time will not permit their regeneration in our lifetime. We talk of oil and coal as energy resources, but these are the ghosts of ancient trees, while our current trees continue to be consumed. This historic tour through our evergreen connection is revelatory and refreshing.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "22-Dec-2025", "date_added": "28-Aug-2025 20:38:18", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016372015", "title": "Thinking Ethically: A Handbook for Making Moral Choices", "author": "Scott Gelfand", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 220, "review": "In an era of entrenched ideological divides, this book emerges as a thoughtful compass for navigating moral ambiguity, reminding us that ethical reasoning is both universal and deeply personal. Each of the fourteen chapters aims to address an ethical issue. These include: breaking promises, killing an innocent person to save many, favoring friends and family, and hiring practices. Every chapter opens with a relatable real-life scenario, probing initial intuitive responses before layering in complexities that challenge and refine those instincts. This iterative process often oscillates between perspectives, culminating in the refrain that ethical outcomes frequently depend on context, though one chapter affirms that some actions may indeed be universally wrong.

The book excels in fostering empathy and critical thinking; by emphasizing shared moral fundamentals \u2013 like honesty and harm avoidance \u2013 the text bridges divides, encouraging readers to appreciate differing viewpoints without descending into relativism. The accessible prose and practical examples make it an engaging handbook for lay audiences, promoting reflective dialogue in a polarized world. However, this emphasis on nuance can occasionally feel evasive, especially for those seeking more prescriptive guidance. Swinging between arguments with varying intensity may dilute depth in favor of breadth, leaving complex philosophical traditions underexplored. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for cultivating moral agility, though it shines brightest for readers open to embracing uncertainty.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "28-Aug-2025 20:13:41", "publisher": "Visible Ink Press", "page_count": "250 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016372011", "title": "The Wildes: A Novel in Five Acts", "author": "Louis Bayard", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 231, "review": "Louis Bayard's imagining of the relationship between Irish literary giant Oscar Wilde and his wife Constance is inventive and, at times, quite compelling, but -- as a whole -- The Wildes is a bit too uneven to be fully successful.

Bayard uses the conceit of a five act structure to tell this story. It's a clever choice given that Oscar Wilde is best known for his works of drama and his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. Bayard present Wilde as a man who, much like his protagonist in Dorian Gray, does not want to grow up despite having a wife and two sons. He wants to spend time with robust young men and passes it off to his wife as though he is the great benefactor of these young, emerging poets. Constance believes this as she believes in her husband's talent and goodness, but when he is brought up on charges of gross indecency related to a relationship with Lord Alfred Douglass, Constance must confront the truth.

These sections of the book are witty and driven with urgency. They don't last long enough. Wilde's incarceration and death are glossed as is Constance's own death; instead, their sons Cyril and Vyvyan are given far too many pages to keep the story moving.

Still, if you are an Oscar Wilde fan and interested in another perspective on this life, The Wildes is worth a read.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2025", "date_added": "28-Aug-2025 20:07:55", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000016372007", "title": "Frida the Rock-and-Roll Moth: A Story About Finding Your Confidence", "author": "Kim Hillyard", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 128, "review": "Frida is cool. Frida likes to rock. Her biggest fan is her Aunt Edna. Frida has her own style, and she likes it all until she meets other moths under the big light and decides that maybe she isn't that great or special. She tries to change her entire self to fit in, but that doesn't feel right either. Maybe just being herself is the best life. Luckily Frida has her Aunt cheering for her the whole time.

This is a really cute book with a positive message: that even when you are feeling down, being true to yourself is the best thing of all! The illustrations are really cute. My favorite part is meeting under the big light, which I am guessing is some human's porch light.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2025", "date_added": "28-Aug-2025 19:27:11", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016371015", "title": "Beasts of the Sea: A Novel", "author": "Iida Turpeinen, David Hackston", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 200, "review": "Beasts of the Sea is the debut novel of Finnish literary scholar Iida Turpeinen. First published in Finland, her Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize-winning novel has been translated for the global market. More than historical fiction, Turpeinen weaves together explorational, environmental, colonial, and religious histories. Broken into three parts, the novel starts with the 1741 Great Northern Exploration led by Captain Bering, featuring young naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller and his discovery of the Steller's sea cow. She then covers the governor of Alaska, offering a prize for anyone discovering the intact skeleton of this aquatic giant, and the illustrator who gave the world a glimpse of the now-extinct mammal. The book concludes with the Museum of Zoology in Helsinki restoring an antique skeleton.

Turpeinen's historical fiction is as informative as it is bleak\u2014as much of history is when we strip away romanticized versions and tell the actual stories. Much of Turpeinen's work explores how human greed and callous disregard for the environment and wildlife caused the extinction of many species, including the Steller's sea cow. Although her novel is a work of historical fiction, Beasts of the Sea is a well-written account of the past and a warning for the future.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "28-Aug-2025 21:21:11", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016371007", "title": "A Killer Motive: A Novel", "author": "Hannah Mary McKinnon", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 178, "review": "Six years ago, Stella\u2019s brother, Max, disappeared from a beach party. She\u2019s never given up looking for him and decided to help others as well by starting her true crime podcast, A Killer Motive. She\u2019s been able to help other families, but not her own. While being interviewed on a radio show, she makes the statement that she would bring the abductor to justice if she just had one clue. That statement leads to a series of events that has Stella playing a very dangerous game with a killer with life and death stakes. But Stella will do whatever it takes for just the possibility of bringing her brother home. ||If you enjoy McKinnon\u2019s other books or if you enjoy serial killer murder mysteries, then this book is for you. Stella was hard to like until the epilogue and the identity of the killer was a bit hard to swallow based on the victimology, but I understand what the author was trying to do. Overall, it was an entertaining read with a deadly game of cat and mouse.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "28-Aug-2025 19:37:23", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016370003", "title": "Dungeon Runners: Ocean Chase", "author": "Joe Todd-Stanton, Kieran Larwood", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 128, "review": "The next dungeon runner game is on, and Team Triple Trouble is ready for a crazy dungeon unlike any other they have ever ventured into. This time, they will be exploring under the ocean. Each team is put down under the ocean in a diving bell, where they have to enter a cavern and then try to work together to complete a puzzle, but seaweed is blocking the way. The creatures under the sea are like nothing they have ever seen before, so read this book to see if they can survive and win.

I like this book, especially the illustrations. My favorite creature they encountered was the Narghoul, because who doesn't love a creepy narwhal? I really like this fun series and look forward to more of them.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2025", "date_added": "28-Aug-2025 19:17:55", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016368003", "title": "Alice \u00c9clair, Spy Extraordinaire: A Spoonful of Spying", "author": "Sarah Todd Taylor", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 191, "review": "Alice Eclair, Spy Extraordinaire: A Spoonful of Spying is the second book in the Alice Eclair series, featuring a young French girl who is a French pastry chef by day and a spy by night. On her second big mission, she and her mother are at the 1937 Paris Exposition, to bring their company more business, and to look for spies against France, trying to get plans for a top-secret plane that will change the look of traveling by being faster and easier than ever before, who also have some of the \"good\" spies held hostage. Alice meets new friends who unknowingly help her on her assignment. On this mission, Alice continues to make her yummy and beautiful sweets while learning about airplanes and getting a taste of the fashion industry.

I enjoyed A Spoonful of Spying as much as her first mission, A Recipe for Trouble, but for different reasons - in this one, I enjoyed the fashion aspect, but so far, both books have had lots of thrills from start to finish! Alice seems like a relatable girl around my age, so it's enjoyable to read about her adventures.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2025", "date_added": "28-Aug-2025 19:05:57", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016365003", "title": "Outside", "author": "Jennifer L Holm", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 196, "review": "If Razzi ever thought that going outside was attractive, Ollie\u2019s death stopped that cold. When he died, Razzi became First, in charge of and the example for all the other younger kids. A quick health check revealed that Razzi needed a heart, and through breakthroughs in science and medicine, her body accepts a heart from a greyhound. Soon after her recovery, she notices that she doesn\u2019t like chocolate, wants to chase the new family pet, and now loves ham. She also needs to go outside, to follow a close connection to a dog she\u2019s never seen. Making a plan, she packs her bag and stows away on a supply run. What she finds, what she learns, will change how she views the world and the walls of The Refuge that kept her hidden away.

Shedding some disbelief is necessary for this tale, where Razzi takes on greyhound characteristics, but it is a perfect segue for young readers to young adult writers like Neal Shusterman and Suzanne Collins. The story is thrilling, adventurous, and mysterious, defying genre designations. Similar to Alone by Megan Freeman, this one is perfect for reluctant readers and thrill seekers. A real page turner.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "01-Nov-2025", "date_added": "27-Aug-2025 19:22:28", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016362007", "title": "War Games", "author": "Alan Gratz", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 157, "review": "I am a big fan of Alan Gratz, and his newest book War Games is another 5-star read for me, like all his others! In War Games, a young American girl named Evie is with her gymnastics team in Berlin for the 1936 Olympics. While there, she receives a mysterious note that catches her by surprise from strangers who offer her gold, but in a different form than a medal. Evie must work with her roommate, Mary, and the new friends she makes to bring home the gold for her and her family.

War Games has as much action and excitement as Gratz's other books, making it easy to enjoy and lose track of time while reading for hours. I can't picture myself making the same choices as Evie, but it was fun to read how it turned out for her. I learned a few new things about Hitler, who is also featured in the book.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2025", "date_added": "27-Aug-2025 19:50:13", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016353007", "title": "I'm Very Busy: A (Nearly Forgotten) Birthday Book", "author": "Oliver Jeffers", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 154, "review": "I am a big fan of Oliver Jeffers because I haven't read one of his books that I didn't like; so I was excited to read I'm Very Busy! This one did not disappoint me. A young girl goes around to her friends, asking them to do something fun with her; each of them is \"already busy\" doing things that don't seem too busy to me. Not until she casually mentions to her last friend that she asks, do they know that it is her birthday, and then they feel bad about their excuses and start scrambling to put together a birthday party. The girl shows that she \"forgives and forgets\" what they said to her, because their actions spoke louder than their words. It was sad to think about, but I'm glad it got a happy ending. I would recommend this book to any reader who is looking for a quick, fun read.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2025", "date_added": "26-Aug-2025 22:07:11", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016349015", "title": "The Bear Who Wanted to Dance", "author": "Stephanie Stansbie, Wendy J Warren", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 189, "review": "A little bear named Rita sees a ballet, and it changes her life. She knows she wants to dance. She does the right thing and signs up for a dance class with Monsieur le Fox. It is there that Rita meets Wanda, a slender, graceful dancer. They become fast friends. They spend their time dancing and dreaming of being great dancers. Rita works hard. She doesn\u2019t just practice her dancing, but she also works to become stronger. Monsieur le Fox announces he will soon choose the prima ballerina. Rita gets so nervous when she sees her big shadow that she falls. Can she make her dream come true?

Author Stephanie Stansble has written a very sweet story that young girls will love. While there are lessons about friendship, resilience, building confidence, and more, there is nothing didactic about the writing. Stansble\u2019s storytelling is simply lovely, and youngsters will want to hear this story over and over. The illustrations by Wendy J. Warren are enchanting. She uses soft colors and lots of fun details in her gorgeous drawings. Young listeners will be completely engaged. This will become a favorite very quickly.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2025", "date_added": "26-Aug-2025 22:15:44", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016348003", "title": "Hazel and Mabel: Two Hearts Apart", "author": "Melissa Stoller, Anita Bagdi", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 162, "review": "Hazel and Mabel: Two Hearts Apart tells the story of best friends Hazel and Mabel, who do nearly everything together. Hazel is a bear, and Mabel is a skunk. Then, one day, Mabel moves away. Hazel and Mabel write letters to one another, and over time, they both meet new friends. When Mabel comes to visit Hazel, they are both excited. However, both of them have changed over the years, and it seems like they no longer have much in common.

This is a sweet story about friends who grow apart, only to find common ground and remember why their friendship worked so well in the first place. Children ages 3 to 10 will love the easy-to-understand story and colorful illustrations. I especially loved the details the illustrator used in each picture. The characters' expressions and the magical backgrounds will make children smile from ear to ear. This is a book that the whole family will enjoy reading over and over again.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2025", "date_added": "26-Aug-2025 19:21:10", "publisher": "Gnome Road Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016347011", "title": "Come Back Out, Mole! (Somos8)", "author": "Alicia Acosta, Alessandro Montagnana", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 130, "review": "Mole is just going about his day when a thunderstorm pops up and because moles can't see very well he did not see it coming, so he gets scared and runs into his hole. Moles friends try to put their heads together to do everything to get mole to come back out but it is no use. Finally, his friends come up with a plan to trick him to get him to come out since it seems he might miss his own birthday, but you have to read this book to find out what happens.

This is a cute book and we really like the illustrations of all the cute woodland animals. My favorite part of this book is when the friends remember Mole's birthday and have surprise party for him.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2025", "date_added": "26-Aug-2025 20:47:36", "publisher": "NubeOcho", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016345007", "title": "Outside In and the Inside Out: A Story About Arnold Lobel", "author": "Emmy Kastner", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 166, "review": "I'm not as much of a non-fiction fan as a fiction one, but I enjoyed Outside In and Inside Out: A Story About Arnold Lobel for several reasons. One reason is from the outside: that it is about a man and the author of a book series (Frog and Toad) that I am familiar with and have enjoyed reading and hearing read to me over the years. Another reason is from the inside: the illustrations are colorful, and the way the story is told is kid-friendly and unique compared to other books I've read. I noticed maybe one thing said about him that didn't seem too kid-friendly, but only because I read different things about him did I catch on, and the way it was presented in this book was a good way for younger readers. This book is informative and enjoyable, making it a worthwhile and fun read for readers of all ages, especially those who enjoy learning new things about people, places, or things.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2025", "date_added": "26-Aug-2025 20:52:42", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016344007", "title": "Black Gold: The Rise, Reign, and Fall of American Coal", "author": "Bob Wyss", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 204, "review": "The danger was known before the explosion hit the Centralia No. 5 Coal mine on March 25, 1947. Miners and a safety inspector had expressed concern about the combustible coal dust, yet mine owners took no action to improve conditions. 111 men were killed, and the aftermath brought nothing but finger-pointing. The life of a coal miner can be grueling and dangerous, yet the mining of coal was vital to heat homes, power steam engines, and steamships. While the early years of coal mining saw exploitation of workers, the United Mine Workers of America obtained better pay and conditions for the men through the use of work stoppages and strikes. While once a key energy source, coal has been replaced by other fossil fuels(oil, natural gas). Coal\u2019s lasting impact lies in climate change, deforestation, and black lung disease.

Black Gold superbly recounts significant moments in the rise and fall of the coal industry in America. Author Bob Wyss provides a wealth of history about coal, but also the lasting effects of its mining and burning on the population and environment. Black Gold succeeds as both a history of the fossil fuel and a social commentary on its negative effects. This book makes for indispensable reading.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "22-Dec-2025", "date_added": "26-Aug-2025 23:01:21", "publisher": "University of California Press", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016343091", "title": "Life Hikes: Walking through Loss to What Comes After", "author": "Ren\u00e9e Brown Harmon, MD", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 491, "review": "Dr. Ren\u00e9e Brown Harmon\u2019s Life Hikes is a moving essay collection that blends memoir, nature writing, and reflections on grief into something both deeply personal and universally resonant. I found myself drawn in by the book\u2019s balance of vulnerability and resilience, its exploration of what it means to live authentically after loss, and its reminder that healing rarely takes a straight path.

At its heart, this book is about the long journey of grief following the author\u2019s loss of her husband, Harvey, to younger-onset Alzheimer\u2019s disease. \u201cNone of the means of transportation could get me to the other side of grief quite as well as my feet,\u201d Harmon writes, underscoring one of the book\u2019s central themes: movement (literal and emotional) can carry us through pain. Her hikes through mountains, meadows, and coastlines are more than exercise; they become metaphors for navigating the uneven terrain of sorrow and rediscovering joy.

The structure of the book mirrors this journey. In Part One: Beginning Again, Harmon recalls how hiking with her husband eventually gave way to solo treks after his decline. These passages struck me as tender and familiar, the way small rituals can hold a family together in hard times. In Part Two: Moving Onward, she weaves in essays about unexpected encounters, from a pelican mistaking her foot for food to moments of startling kindness from strangers. These stories remind us that life\u2019s interruptions, whether comic, tragic, or both, carry their own wisdom. Part Three: Coming Home to Myself focuses on acceptance and self-discovery, offering reflections on perspective, spirituality, and resilience.

A theme that recurs throughout is the non-linear nature of grief. Harmon acknowledges that loss doesn\u2019t follow predictable stages. \u201cI wish grief was a clear-cut, linear process that led straight to acceptance,\u201d she admits, before describing the reality of cycling through denial, anger, and despair, sometimes all in a single day. This honesty is one of the book\u2019s strengths; it never oversimplifies, but instead validates the messy, unpredictable truth of grieving.

Harmon explores spirituality as love, not bound by dogma but expressed through compassion and presence. She speaks of the \u201cgod-spark\u201d within each of us, the divine light that can guide us through even the darkest paths. For readers who may not identify with traditional religious language, her approach feels inclusive and hopeful.

Who will find solace and meaning in Life Hikes? Caregivers, widows, and anyone living through the aftermath of loss will see their own struggles reflected in Harmon\u2019s honesty. Lovers of nature writing will appreciate the vivid way she captures the healing power of the outdoors. And readers seeking spiritual insight without heavy doctrine will find her reflections accessible and encouraging.

As I closed the book, I felt as though I had walked alongside Harmon, not just on trails through Appalachia, the Alps, or the Redwoods, but along the winding inner roads of grief, resilience, and renewal. Life Hikes is more than a memoir; it\u2019s a gentle companion for anyone finding their way forward after loss.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 05:14:17", "publisher": "Many Hats Publishing", "page_count": "174 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016343087", "title": "Adjusted Reality: Supercharge Your Whole-Being for Optimal Living and Longevity", "author": "Sherry McAllister", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 454, "review": "As a woman in her early forties juggling career, family, and the realities of midlife, I found Sherry McAllister\u2019s Adjusted Reality both grounding and uplifting. This isn\u2019t just another book about \u201cwellness\u201d or \u201cself-care.\u201d It\u2019s a holistic framework that redefines what health can look like when we stop treating symptoms in isolation and start nurturing the whole self: mind, body, and spirit.

From the opening chapters, McAllister paints a vivid picture of our fragmented healthcare system and its limitations. She compares it to living with monsters under the bed as children: \u201cModern healthcare is fragmented and disjointed\u2026we are afraid of asking the \u2018wrong\u2019 question and being rejected or outright dismissed.\" That metaphor resonated with me. So often, health becomes about fear: fear of a diagnosis, of another prescription, of feeling powerless. McAllister flips that narrative, offering empowerment through knowledge and imagination.

One of the book\u2019s strongest features is its clear organization around the \u201cFoundational Seven\u201d: Investment, Replenishment, Nourishment, Movement, Adjustment, Contentment, and Revitalizement. These pillars serve as a roadmap for readers who want to move beyond quick fixes into sustainable, meaningful health practices. I especially appreciated the emphasis on \u201cInvestment,\" a reminder that what we put into our health now pays dividends later.

The personal stories woven throughout add heart to the science. In one striking account, McAllister recalls a young woman (herself, as she later reveals) whose car accident left her in chronic pain. After months of frustration with conventional medicine, chiropractic care restored her health. The lesson? \u201cThe symptoms are different from the problems, and you\u2019ll see the body respond in good time with healing. It\u2019s not about the symptoms; it\u2019s about the cause of the problem.\u201d Her vulnerability in sharing this makes the book relatable rather than prescriptive.

Themes of resilience, balance, and empowerment run throughout. McAllister acknowledges grief, fear, and trauma but reframes them as opportunities to reconnect with hope: \u201cYou can\u2019t have hope and be unable to cope, and you can\u2019t cope without the light of hope. Hope and the ability to cope are inseparable.\u201d As a reader, I felt encouraged rather than chastised, a crucial distinction in health writing.

This book will resonate with a wide range of audiences, including:

Busy professionals who feel burned out and disconnected from their well-being.

Midlife women balancing family demands with their own health needs.

Patients seeking alternatives to the over-medicalized, pill-first approach to healthcare.

Anyone curious about chiropractic care and its role in whole-being health.

I see Adjusted Reality as both a guide and a gentle nudge. It\u2019s not about perfection but about creating alignment between body, mind, and purpose. As McAllister writes, \u201cWe are better than one.\u201d This book reminds us that we don\u2019t have to navigate health alone; hope, community, and knowledge can adjust our reality toward something brighter.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "01-Nov-2025", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 05:11:42", "publisher": "Forbes Books", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343083", "title": "Entering the Fascist-Marxist Twilight Zone", "author": "L.K. Samuels", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 452, "review": "On September 22, 1939, two European powerhouses met to celebrate the vanquishing of a common enemy. The Russians met their German allies, and a celebratory parade was held in Brest-Litovsk, recently the victim of Nazi aggression but also symbolic for the two countries as the countries had signed a peace treaty in 1918, ceasing their hostilities during World War I. The alliance between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia had been cemented by the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact in August 1939, yet the insatiable need for territory pushed the Nazis to break the treaty and invade the Soviet Union in June 1941. History has seen Fascism and Marxism as two extremist ideologies, but at opposite ends of the spectrum, with Fascism being linked with the Far Right and Marxism connected to the Far Left.

However, as the disputed but accurate quote states\u2026\u201dHistory is written by the victors.\u201d As the research of author L.K. Samuels cogently illustrates, the double cross of the Soviets by the Nazis and the Soviet role in their defeat led to a rewrite of history. Historical textbooks have held to the belief that Fascism and Marxism are polar opposites. Yet significant historical figures such as Winston Churchill saw little difference between the two ideologies. The two central figures in the Fascist orbit, Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler, had expressed their affinity for Socialist or Communist beliefs early on in their rise to power. The statist governments of both Hitler and Mussolini bore a striking resemblance to Lenin and Stalin in certain aspects, such as social welfare, antipathy towards capitalism, and nationalization of unions. The Governments of Italy, Germany, and Russia under Mussolini, Hitler, and Stalin exuded virulent Anti-Semitism, which had been a characteristic of the founder of Marxism, Karl Marx.

The war between the Fascist forces and the Marxist(or Communist) forces may have ended in 1945, but the battles are still being fought in the modern day, led by groups such as ANTIFA and Neo-Nazis. The violent methods espoused by both groups in achieving their objectives signal more a kinship than either would openly acknowledge.

Entering the Marxist-Fascist Twilight Zone is the well-researched follow-up/sequel to the excellent book \u201cKilling History\u201d (2019). Author L.K. Samuels puts forth a provocative viewpoint, but provides research along with reasoned arguments in pushing his case for the commonalities between the ideological factions. The book doesn\u2019t rely on rhetoric to be persuasive, so much as a litany of literary and scholastic works to show how the line between Fascism and Marxism is a lot more muddled than previously believed. Samuels succeeds in authoring a book that will generate conversation and might lead to a re-evaluation of the established narrative. This is a significant work that makes for a pensive read.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 05:07:55", "publisher": "Freeland Press", "page_count": "273 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343079", "title": "Entering the Fascist-Marxist Twilight Zone: The Collected Works of L.K. Samuels and the Free Riders Groupe", "author": "L.K. Samuels", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 477, "review": "L.K. Samuels\u2019 Entering the Fascist-Marxist Twilight Zone is an unflinching and densely researched exploration of what the author calls \u201chistory\u2019s dirty little secret,\" the ideological overlap between fascism, Marxism, and other collectivist movements of the 20th century. Written in an assertive yet scholarly tone, Samuels challenges conventional political narratives, arguing that the left-right spectrum has been distorted to obscure the shared socialist roots of totalitarian regimes. For readers accustomed to linear political classifications, this book opens with a jolt: \u201cHitlerism is brown Communism, Stalinism is Red Fascism,\u201d Samuels quotes from a 1939 New York Times editorial, setting the stage for his central thesis that fascism and communism are, in essence, \u201csymmetrical phenomena.\u201d

Throughout the book, Samuels combines historical analysis with a provocative libertarian sensibility. He draws on a vast array of sources to demonstrate that many early observers recognized the kinship between fascist and communist systems. The opening chapter, \u201cHitler and Mussolini: History\u2019s Dirty Little Secret,\u201d dismantles the assumption that fascism was a right-wing reaction to socialism. Instead, Samuels reveals how Benito Mussolini, \u201cthe Lenin of Italy,\u201d viewed himself as a Marxist revolutionary who simply exchanged class struggle for nationalism. He writes, \u201cMussolini wasn\u2019t a monarchist, a capitalist, or a rightwing churchgoer. He was fervently anticlerical, an avowed atheist, and a well-known Marxist during the early years of his life.\u201d

The themes that emerge are both historical and philosophical: the danger of collectivism in any form, the cyclical nature of authoritarianism, and the ease with which political movements rewrite their origins. Samuels warns of what he terms \u201cthe collectivist illusion,\u201d in which state power, whether under the banner of equality, nationalism, or social justice, inevitably tramples individual liberty. His critique of modern governance is implicit yet pointed, particularly when he draws parallels between \u201cfascist corporatism\u201d and modern economic interventionism, such as \u201cObamacare smacking of a corporatocracy.\u201d

The audience for Entering the Fascist-Marxist Twilight Zone is broad yet specific: historians of political ideology, libertarian thinkers, and readers skeptical of mainstream historical narratives will find it invigorating. It also appeals to students of political philosophy interested in how terms like \u201cleft\u201d and \u201cright\u201d have evolved and been weaponized, over time. Readers seeking a comfortable reaffirmation of political orthodoxy, however, may find themselves unsettled by Samuels\u2019 relentless challenge to accepted dogma.

Ultimately, the book succeeds as both a historical anthology and a cautionary manifesto. As Samuels reminds us, \u201cHistory does repeat itself, and usually to the detriment of the ignorant.\u201d In tracing the blurred boundaries between fascism and Marxism, he invites readers into a twilight zone of ideology where moral certainty gives way to uncomfortable truth.

Entering the Fascist-Marxist Twilight Zone is not light reading. It demands critical engagement and rewards readers with a sweeping, contrarian vision of history that dares to redraw the map of political identity. Those who appreciate intellectual fearlessness and meticulously sourced argumentation will find Samuels\u2019 work both challenging and essential.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 05:07:50", "publisher": "Freeland Press", "page_count": "273 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016343075", "title": "The Seven Souls of Esmerelda Black", "author": "N.K. Brown", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 197, "review": "\"Dark, seductive, and utterly spellbinding, The Seven Souls of Esmerelda Black pulls you into a world where survival demands bargains with the Devil. N.K. Brown\u2019s prose brims with atmosphere, painting both horror and beauty in every scene. Esmerelda is a heroine you can\u2019t help but root for, even as she navigates sin, vengeance, and impossible choices. This is fantasy at its most intoxicating: dangerous, daring, and impossible to put down.\" \u2014Faith Williams, Seattle Book Review\n\n\nOR\n\nIn the shadowed streets of Victorian London, Esmerelda Black isn\u2019t just a medium \u2014 she\u2019s a soul thief bound by a desperate pact with the Devil, stealing fragments of the living to rescue her sister from eternal damnation. Yet every stolen sin births unforeseen dangers, and when the darkly magnetic Dorian Rosewood blackmails her into a sham engagement to further his own ambitions, secrets and simmering desire threaten to consume them both.\n\n Poised between forbidden magic, moral ambiguity, and a deadly deadline, Esmerelda must navigate treacherous alliances that blur the line between salvation and damnation. The Seven Souls of Esmerelda Black is a richly atmospheric gothic historical fantasy that will enthrall fans of dark romance, sinister bargains, and morally charged intrigue.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 05:00:16", "publisher": "Foundations book Publishing", "page_count": "290 pates", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343071", "title": "The Wireless Operator: The Untold Story of the British Sailor Who Invented the Modern Drug Trade ", "author": "David Tuch", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 404, "review": "Harold Derber is one of those barely known men who has accomplished extraordinary things. In his case, it\u2019s through a mix of being overshadowed by the historical events his actions took place and, as his life went on, dabbling in criminal enterprise. A quick internet search of his name illustrates this perfectly. The first several links refer to this book. The first, which does not mention the book, is about his death in 1976, his name prefaced by the phrase \u201cdrug trafficker\u201d.

But before he got involved in the Colombian drug trade and pioneered a method to sneak weed out of international waters and into the United States, Harold Derber was Hyman Tuchverderber, a Jewish boy growing up in 1940s Manchester, soon to be involved in World War II as a radio operator.

Tuch brings us from those early days into a breathless whirlwind of a life, following Derber from World War II to the nascent nation of Israel, then across the Atlantic to the Americas. Readers get to know not only Derber as a dangerously lively man but also the cast of characters surrounding him: politicians and drug traffickers, soldiers and lovers. It\u2019s a fascinating story, and one I couldn\u2019t help being swept up in.

The best part of the book, in my opinion, was that it showed Derber in relation to the rest of the rapidly changing world. The post-war decades were times of political tension and upheaval, which often translated into social change as well. The saying \u201cno man is an island\u201d makes perfect sense in relation to this book. Derber is shown intertwined with the world that shaped him and which he, in turn, helped to shape.

The breakneck pace doesn\u2019t always serve the writing, though. At times, it\u2019s easy to lose details or lose track of characters. People, especially those in the outer circles of Derber\u2019s work, are introduced quickly, and it\u2019s too easy to see them fall by the wayside until they\u2019re suddenly brought up again.

On the whole, though, I found myself fascinated by the book, and by the new insight I gained into a part of history I have always taken for granted. I was born into a world that seemed to have always known the international drug trade, to the point where I never thought about how it might have started or who might have been involved. I recommend this book to anyone interested in those seedier sides of history.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 04:56:09", "publisher": "Icon Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016343067", "title": "The Wireless Operator: The Untold Story of the British Sailor Who Invented the Modern Drug Trade ", "author": "David Tuch", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 391, "review": "Reading The Wireless Operator feels like discovering the blueprint of a legend no one told us existed. David Tuch reconstructs the astonishing life of Harold Derber, a Manchester-born Jewish kid who became a British Merchant Navy wireless operator during World War II, only to later carve out a reputation as a smuggler, gunrunner, and, ultimately, one of the architects of the modern drug trade. For a nonfiction biography, it reads with the pacing of a thriller while staying rooted in meticulous historical research.

What struck me right away was the intimacy of the storytelling. In the opening chapter, we meet Hyman Tuchverderber, the boy who would become Harold Derber, slugging it out in the Jewish Lads\u2019 Brigade boxing ring. \u201cIntense, obsidian eyes hinted at a depth of understanding beyond his years,\" Tuch writes, sketching a portrait of a teenager hardened by poverty, antisemitism, and the looming threat of war. From there, the narrative moves seamlessly into the chaos of the Manchester Blitz, his training in wireless telegraphy, and his first perilous voyages across U-boat-infested waters.

The sections at sea were some of my favorites. There\u2019s a chilling moment when Derber intercepts a distress call in the \u201cGreat Quiet Zone,\u201d only to realize that acknowledging it might endanger his own ship. \u201cAlone in the swaying radio room, he closed his eyes, straining to catch any hint of a response. But there was only silence as the ship continued its course.\" That mix of moral conflict and sheer survival instinct captures what makes Derber such a fascinating, complicated figure.

But the book doesn\u2019t stay confined to war stories. As Derber evolves from sailor to smuggler, the narrative widens into a global tale of organized crime, Cold War politics, and shadowy intelligence operations.

What elevates this biography is Tuch\u2019s careful balance between fact and interpretation. He\u2019s transparent about the challenges: gaps in the record, conflicting testimonies, even outright lies from those who lived through it. That honesty gives the book credibility, even when the events seem stranger than fiction.

I\u2019d recommend The Wireless Operator to readers who enjoy narrative nonfiction in the vein of Erik Larson or Ben Macintyre, stories where espionage, war, and crime collide in unforgettable ways. It\u2019s also a must for anyone fascinated by how personal survival can shape global history. College students, history buffs, and even fans of gritty crime sagas will find themselves hooked.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 04:56:05", "publisher": "Icon Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016343063", "title": "The Wireless Operator: The Untold Story of the British Sailor Who Invented the Modern Drug Trade", "author": "David Tuch", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 519, "review": "I found David Tuch\u2019s The Wireless Operator to be a captivating and unsettling account of one man\u2019s extraordinary life. On the surface, it tells the story of Harold Derber (born Hyman Tuchverderber), a British Merchant Navy radio operator who transformed into a smuggler, gunrunner, and eventually a key figure in what the author rightly calls the birth of the modern drug trade. But beneath the action, the book is layered with themes of identity, loyalty, survival, and the often-blurred line between honor and criminality. The opening chapters are rooted in Manchester during the Second World War, showing a young Jewish boy coming of age under the shadow of bombings, Blackshirts, and family hardship. These sections are as much about cultural identity and resilience as they are about war. Tuch\u2019s descriptions of Derber\u2019s time in the Merchant Navy are vivid and harrowing: convoy battles in the Atlantic, Morse code crackling in the \u201cGreat Quiet Zone,\u201d and the reality of survival when a U-boat could surface at any time. The sea passages alone would make for a worthy memoir, but they are only the beginning of a larger odyssey.

As the narrative moves into the 1950s and 1960s, themes of reinvention and exile emerge. Derber becomes an opportunist in the post-war world, blending espionage, organized crime, and entrepreneurial daring. He is drawn into alliances with figures as diverse as Fidel Castro\u2019s government, American mobsters, and Colombian suppliers. The \u201cfreedom ferry\u201d episodes, in which Derber exploited maritime loopholes to smuggle both people and contraband, highlight the tension between idealism and profiteering. At times, the story reads almost like a thriller, yet the author continually grounds it in historical context through archival material, intelligence reports, and interviews.

What struck me most, however, was the persistent theme of identity. Derber changes his name, hides his Jewish heritage, and reinvents himself again and again, depending on the political or criminal climate. This fluidity raises questions about how much of survival depends on adapting oneself versus holding fast to roots. Tuch makes clear that Derber was neither purely hero nor purely villain; he was a survivor in a world that often left little room for moral clarity.

Stylistically, the book balances scholarly rigor with narrative energy. The author\u2019s note acknowledges the challenges of separating truth from legend, and while Tuch occasionally fills gaps with plausible reconstructions, he is careful to distinguish between fact and speculation. The result is both entertaining and credible, a rare blend in true-crime and espionage history.

Fans of maritime history and WWII memoirs will appreciate the first sections, while those drawn to organized crime, Cold War intrigue, or the origins of the global narcotics trade will be engrossed by the later chapters. It\u2019s also a strong recommendation for book clubs that enjoy debating moral ambiguity\u2014was Derber an adventurer, a criminal, or something in between?

In the end, The Wireless Operator is about more than one man\u2019s life. It is about the messy, complicated ways history is shaped by individuals who refuse to fit neatly into categories of hero or outlaw. For anyone interested in the untold stories that lurk between official records, this book is a must-read.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 04:55:58", "publisher": "Icon Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343059", "title": "Tamanrasset, Crossroads of the Nomad", "author": "Edward Parr", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 410, "review": "For the first hundred pages of Tamanrasset, I pictured myself writing a very different review than this. I was impressed by the use of language and the richness of the setting, but the characters left me unimpressed. I was given the beginning of a story, then thrown into the beginning of yet another, without knowing the character more than on the surface level. I certainly didn\u2019t think I knew them well enough to care about them.

\nThe further I read, the more I grew to appreciate the book. The richness of the setting remains, and the characters develop no sudden depth, which made me fall in love with them. Most of them remained just as they were, moving through the world, revealing parts of themselves slowly if at all. It\u2019s a subtle way to build character, and it won\u2019t work for everyone, but readers who enjoy a slower-paced book will definitely appreciate it.

The characters will prove to be either the novel\u2019s greatest strength or its greatest weakness. In my opinion, they are both, and which direction they fall will depend on the reader.\n\nI might go so far as to say that nearly everything about the book could either work in its favor or against it. The characters might be subtle, or they might be flat. My own opinion on them changed not only as I read but also changed character by character. Some intrigued me, while others I found dull. The pace, too, will appeal to some, but others will give up before the end of the first chapter. Parr takes his time with the book, not only in pulling everything together but in telling the story. Events that might take up multiple chapters for another author are finished quickly here, and pages can be spent on reminiscence and rumination.

As I mentioned, I kept going back and forth on how to rate the book as I read it. While I do try to sit back and fully enjoy the books I review, I can never keep the possibility of a final judgment out of my head. With Tamanrasset, it was hard to settle on exactly what I thought of it. Dull at some points, intriguing in others, often poetic but sometimes blunt enough to seem rushed. This book could be one of the literature greats, but at times it feels hampered by its ambitious scope. All the same, I do recommend it to anyone who enjoys great historical epics.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 04:42:10", "publisher": "Edwardian Press", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016343055", "title": "Tamanrasset: Crossroads of the Nomad", "author": "Edward Parr", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 511, "review": "Edward Parr\u2019s Tamanrasset: Crossroads of the Nomad is an ambitious and richly detailed historical novel that transports readers to North Africa at the dawn of the 20th century. Spanning Algeria, Morocco, and the vast Sahara, the book is steeped in the textures of the Maghreb, its landscapes, its cultural crossroads, and its violent collisions between European colonial powers and indigenous tribes. At 544 pages, this is no light read, but for those willing to invest in its sweeping narrative, it delivers a vivid and deeply immersive experience.

The novel opens in Oran, Algeria, with travelers and soldiers disembarking under the blazing sun, immediately grounding the reader in a world of contrasts: tourists clutching their guidebooks, French recruits resigned to harsh military life, and locals striving to survive in a rapidly colonized land. This juxtaposition of perspectives is one of the book\u2019s strongest themes. Parr does not settle for a one-sided account; instead, he layers his story with viewpoints from French legionnaires, Arab and Berber tribes, and European outsiders like Isabel Pedersen, a Swedish widow navigating life in Fez. Thematically, Tamanrasset explores empire, faith, survival, and identity. Through Sergeant Jacques Demoreau, a hardened veteran of the French Foreign Legion, we see the toll of endless skirmishes in the desert, a life where honor and discipline mask exhaustion and despair. In contrast, through Ahmad ibn Mostepha al-Haybah, son of a Sharif and leader among the Doui-Menia tribes, we witness the determination of indigenous resistance, fueled by both faith and the preservation of ancestral lands. Parr is careful to show that both sides, though enemies, share courage, loyalty, and a deep sense of duty.

Equally compelling is the quieter storyline of Isabel in Fez. Her attempt to reconcile her grief, faith, and sense of belonging reflects a more intimate theme: the search for identity amidst cultural dislocation. Her chapters balance the battlefield narratives, grounding the book in human emotion and reminding readers that the collision of worlds was not only military but also personal.

Parr\u2019s prose is meticulous and evocative. His descriptions of desert caravans, crowded souks, and brutal skirmishes are immersive, often bordering on cinematic. At times, the detail can feel overwhelming, and the pacing may challenge casual readers, but for history enthusiasts or those fascinated by colonial-era North Africa, this depth is precisely what makes the novel rewarding.

Readers of historical epics, such as those by James Clavell or Robert Graves, will appreciate its blend of rigorous research and compelling storytelling. Military history buffs will find the depictions of the French Foreign Legion and desert warfare particularly engrossing. Meanwhile, readers who gravitate toward cross-cultural narratives, where personal identity is tested against political and social upheaval, will find Isabel\u2019s journey resonant.

In sum, Tamanrasset: Crossroads of the Nomad is both a grand saga and a meditation on what it means to survive, adapt, and hold onto one\u2019s identity in times of upheaval. Edward Parr has written a book that will linger with readers long after the final page, not because it offers simple answers, but because it so vividly evokes the complexities of a world at a crossroads.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 04:42:04", "publisher": "Edwardian Press", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016343051", "title": "THE PICASSO JOB", "author": "Avanti Centrae", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 60, "review": "\"Avanti Centrae delivers another powerhouse of suspense that crackles with intensity on every page. Every chapter brims with pulse-pounding tension, unforgettable characters, and daring surprises. It\u2019s a novel that seizes your imagination and refuses to let go. Bold, brilliant, and utterly addictive, this is a thriller you\u2019ll be talking about long after the last page.\" \u2014Kathryn Dare, Chicago Book Review", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 04:39:25", "publisher": "Thunder Creek Press", "page_count": "334 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016343047", "title": "Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders", "author": "Kate Lowry", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 591, "review": "As a wife, mother, and professional who\u2019s navigated her fair share of complicated work environments, I found Kate Lowry\u2019s Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders both validating and eye-opening. Lowry tackles a subject many of us know too well: the boss who rules through fear, intimidation, and insecurity, and provides not only survival strategies but also ways to protect your sense of self along the way.

What stood out to me right from the beginning was Lowry\u2019s acknowledgment that fear-based leadership is not some rare occurrence. She writes from experience, sharing that in her decades-long career in startups, consulting, and big tech, the prevalence of such leaders has only grown. As she puts it, \u201cThese types of leaders deeply affect the people around them, and engender a sense of powerlessness\u2014so if there is one thing you take away from this book, it is that you are not powerless, but incredibly powerful.\"

That affirmation alone makes the book feel like sitting down with a wise friend who\u2019s been through the storm and lived to tell about it.

One of the key themes is resilience, something that resonates deeply with me as a mom. Lowry likens identity to a stool: the more \u201clegs\u201d you have (family, values, hobbies, friendships, passions), the more stable you\u2019ll be when one gets knocked out. This metaphor reminded me that while work is important, it can\u2019t be the only pillar holding us up. Many women, myself included, juggle multiple roles, and Lowry affirms that these varied sources of identity are a strength, not a distraction.

Another theme woven throughout is the psychology of fear-based leaders. Lowry describes them as deeply insecure, often driven by shame, and emotionally stunted, sometimes acting more like toddlers than adults. Her breakdown of their predictable patterns, such as win/loss thinking and constant \u201cgrading\u201d of others, helps readers see that these behaviors, while painful, are not random. For anyone who has felt like they\u2019re \u201closing their mind\u201d under a toxic boss, this section provides clarity and calm.

But the book isn\u2019t just a diagnosis, it\u2019s a toolkit. Lowry offers concrete strategies, from \u201cstarving the dragon\u201d (withholding the attention these leaders crave) to learning how to respond on the right \u201cradio channel,\u201d which means replying to the emotion behind their words rather than their bluster. These tactics are delivered in short, digestible chapters, making them easy to return to when you need a boost before a tough meeting.

What I especially appreciated were the reflection questions sprinkled throughout. As someone balancing family, career, and personal well-being, I found these moments of pause helpful. They encourage you to not just cope but to think about how you want to show up in your life, regardless of who sits in the corner office.

Unbreakable will resonate with professionals across industries, but especially with those who have felt trapped under authoritarian leadership, whether in the workplace, a community organization, or even within family structures. It\u2019s a book I\u2019d recommend to working mothers, early-career professionals learning to set boundaries, and anyone who has ever left a meeting questioning their worth. Lowry\u2019s tone is direct but compassionate, practical yet empowering. She doesn\u2019t sugarcoat the realities of toxic leadership, but she offers hope: you can navigate these environments without losing your values, your voice, or your sanity.

In short, Unbreakable is less a business manual and more a survival guide for the human spirit in the face of fear-driven authority. And for those of us raising children, managing households, and striving for healthy workplaces, it\u2019s a timely reminder that resilience is not just possible, it\u2019s our strongest legacy.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 04:37:07", "publisher": "Scaleheart Press", "page_count": "234 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343043", "title": "The Life & Times of Sarah Good, Accused Witch: Salem Stories Prequel", "author": "Sandra Wagner-Wright", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 483, "review": "I found The Life & Times of Sarah Good, Accused Witch both deeply moving and profoundly unsettling. Sandra Wagner-Wright breathes life into one of the most tragic figures of the Salem witch trials, a woman too often remembered only as a name on a list of the condemned. In this meticulously researched and carefully imagined narrative, Wagner-Wright restores Sarah Good\u2019s humanity, weaving her struggles, griefs, and resilience into a larger tapestry of early colonial life.

The novel begins long before the infamous witchcraft accusations, grounding us in Sarah\u2019s youth as Sarah Solart, the daughter of a tavern keeper in Wenham, Massachusetts. Wagner-Wright situates readers firmly in the 17th-century Puritan world, capturing the weight of patriarchal control, the precariousness of inheritance, and the rigidity of social expectations. Through intimate domestic scenes such as family disputes, court hearings, and tavern life, we witness how Sarah\u2019s future is constrained from the start. The period detail is rich, yet never heavy-handed, immersing readers in the rhythms of colonial life while foreshadowing the dangers to come.

Sarah\u2019s poverty and defiance set her apart, making her an easy scapegoat in a fearful, rigidly religious community. Wagner-Wright shows how the forces of gender, class, and faith converged to seal Sarah\u2019s fate. Equally powerful is the exploration of intergenerational legacy. Sarah\u2019s young daughter, Dorothy, is accused alongside her mother, which represents the devastating reach of suspicion and hysteria. The novel also examines the corrosive nature of communal fear. Characters like Thomas and Ann Putnam remind us that ambition, jealousy, and personal grievance often cloaked themselves in religious zeal. These tensions ripple across the narrative, illustrating how ordinary disputes could escalate into deadly accusations when stoked by fear of the devil.

At its heart, this is a story of endurance. Sarah emerges as a complex and sympathetic figure, sometimes sharp, sometimes weary, but always striving to maintain dignity in a world that denied her agency. I was particularly struck by how Wagner-Wright allows us to see Sarah not as a victim frozen in history, but as a woman who loved, fought, mourned, and resisted. The final chapters, tracing her imprisonment and execution, are heartbreaking, yet they also illuminate her courage in the face of injustice.

Though set in the late 1600s, the novel feels timely. Marginalization, the dangers of unchecked authority, and the weaponization of fear resonate strongly in our own era. Readers who appreciate historical fiction that balances authenticity with emotional depth will find this work both engaging and thought-provoking. It would appeal to those who enjoyed Stacy Schiff\u2019s The Witches or Kathleen Kent\u2019s The Heretic\u2019s Daughter. Sandra Wagner-Wright has given us more than a novel; she has given voice to a woman silenced by history. The Life & Times of Sarah Good, Accused Witch is a compelling, meticulously crafted exploration of resilience and injustice. It reminds us that behind every trial transcript and execution date lies a human story: one worth telling, and remembering.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "27-Nov-2025", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 04:34:08", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc.", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343039", "title": "Vows From the Heart", "author": "Tom Portz", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 461, "review": "As a woman who has attended her share of weddings, both traditional church ceremonies and contemporary celebrations, Tom Portz\u2019s Vows from the Heart resonated with me as both practical and deeply moving. The book is less a conventional read and more a guidebook of love, structured around vows that speak to diverse relationships, cultural expressions, and the unique ways couples articulate commitment.

At its core, this book underscores love as a universal bond while acknowledging the individuality of each couple. Portz organizes the vows into categories that reflect different circumstances: \u201cVows for Every Couple,\u201d \u201cFrom a Woman to a Man,\u201d \u201cNon-binary Couples,\u201d \u201cLiving with a Disability,\u201d and even \u201cLater in Life.\u201d

This structure highlights a theme of inclusivity, reminding readers that marriage vows are not one-size-fits-all but should reflect lived experiences and shared values. The universality of love blends seamlessly with the need for personal voice, which makes the book adaptable across traditions and identities.

One of the most striking elements is the intentional acknowledgment of nontraditional couples. Seeing sections for same-sex and non-binary couples felt affirming; it recognizes that love exists in many forms, and all deserve equal celebration. As someone who values representation in literature, I found this refreshing. Too often, wedding resources are framed narrowly, but Portz broadens the lens to honor diversity without tokenizing it.

The vows themselves range in tone, from solemn and spiritual to playful and whimsical. Some, like \u201cCalm and Safe\u201d or \u201cEvery Atom,\u201d emphasize trust and emotional safety.

Others, like \u201cChocolate Ice Cream\u201d or \u201cJump With Me,\u201d inject humor and modern imagery, showing that vows can be joyful and lighthearted while still meaningful. There are also faith-centered options, such as the \u201cChristian Orientation\u201d section, which offers vows grounded in values of humility and devotion. This spectrum speaks to another key theme: the multifaceted nature of love, which is serious, fun, spiritual, and practical all at once.

Beyond sample vows, Portz also provides guidance on how to prepare. He encourages personalization, using one\u2019s partner\u2019s name, and speaking confidently in front of loved ones. The author's suggestions about making notes or even reading vows aloud rather than memorizing them felt both compassionate and realistic. These touches make the book not just a resource, but a supportive companion for what can be a nerve-wracking moment.

Vows from the Heart succeeds as a heartfelt and inclusive manual for couples stepping into marriage. Its strength lies in its balance of timeless romance with modern inclusivity, offering language that is adaptable to many voices and experiences. I would especially recommend it to couples looking for inspiration that affirms their individuality while connecting them to a universal tradition of love. This is a book not just for those planning a wedding, but for anyone who values how words can capture the depth, joy, and promise of love.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 04:30:23", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "166 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343035", "title": "Vows From the Heart", "author": "Tom Portz", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 502, "review": "Tom Portz\u2019s Vows from the Heart is a deeply thoughtful and heartfelt collection that manages to be both practical and profoundly moving. At its essence, this book serves as a guide for couples searching for the right words to capture their love during a wedding ceremony, but it reaches further, offering reflections on commitment, intimacy, and the enduring bonds that unite people.

What immediately stands out is the clarity of the book\u2019s organization. Portz divides the vows into categories tailored to a wide range of couples: traditional pairs, same-sex and non-binary couples, those marrying later in life, and even partners navigating life with trauma, disability, or blended families. This inclusivity feels refreshing and compassionate. For someone like me, who has seen marriage evolve over decades, both in personal life and in society, it is gratifying to see such intentional acknowledgment of love in all its forms.

Equally notable is the balance between universality and intimacy. Many vows are written in broad, poetic language, quoting Aristotle or Shakespeare, while others hinge on the small details of shared lives\u2014a favorite constellation, the comfort of holding hands, or even a beloved pet dog. This blend allows couples to find vows that feel authentic, whether they want grand declarations or tender, private touches.

Some of the vows are steeped in youthful passion, brimming with first-kiss excitement and playful promises. Others, particularly those in the \u201cLater in Life\u201d section, carry the wisdom of experience, recognizing love\u2019s ability to endure loss, change, and second chances. For couples entering marriage after having lived significant chapters already, these words resonate with quiet strength and dignity.

Portz also incorporates spiritual and faith-based vows, giving space to couples who see their union as part of a larger divine plan. Yet he balances that with vows rooted in humor and lightheartedness\u2014vows about chocolate ice cream, silly jokes, and shared adventures. This range captures what marriage truly is: solemn and sacred, but also joyous, messy, and full of laughter.

The introduction and \u201cHow This Book Can Help You\u201d section are written in a friendly, encouraging tone. Portz gently reminds readers that there is no right or wrong way to speak their vows: whether reading from a page, memorizing lines, or improvising, the act itself is what matters. His advice to personalize vows with specific names, stories, and details shows a clear understanding of how personal touches transform a ceremony into a memory.

Vows from the Heart is more than a simple template book; it is a celebration of love in all its diversity. For younger couples, it offers words to steady their emotions when nerves might overwhelm. For those of us who have lived and loved across decades, it affirms the truth that love remains the most powerful force, whether expressed in solemn poetry or playful whispers.

I would recommend this book not only to engaged couples but also to clergy, officiants, or even family members asked to participate in ceremonies. It is a generous gift of language; words that will be remembered long after the wedding day itself has passed.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 04:30:19", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "166 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343031", "title": "Vows From the Heart", "author": "Tom Portz", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 417, "review": "I found Vows from the Heart by Tom Portz to be both touching and immensely practical. This book is more than a collection of words; it is a heartfelt guide for couples looking to capture the essence of their love and speak it aloud on one of life\u2019s most important days. What struck me most was its balance: the writing is romantic without being overly sentimental, deeply personal yet versatile enough to adapt to any relationship.

The introduction sets the stage beautifully, recounting how the author overheard a bride-to-be on a flight fretting over writing vows. That moment of empathy inspired Portz to compile this book, and the result is a thoughtful resource filled with vows suited to many types of couples, whether traditional, spiritual, playful, or non-binary. Portz reminds us, \u201cLet your vows be a part of your unique day. Enjoy it all.\u201d

The book\u2019s organization highlights the diversity of love and commitment. Themes emerge clearly:

Unity and Oneness: In \u201cA Single Soul,\u201d Portz echoes Aristotle: \u201cLove is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies. \u201dThis reflects the timeless idea of two lives merging into one.

Simplicity Over Materialism: \u201cBobbles and Treasure\u201d emphasizes that shiny possessions pale in comparison to love: \u201cWith you, I don\u2019t care about anything more than simply being with you.\u201d

Safety and Refuge: In \u201cCalm and Safe,\u201d vows describe a partner\u2019s presence as a shield against life\u2019s chaos, offering a sense of peace.

Whimsy and Humor: For couples who want lightheartedness, there are vows like \u201cDog,\u201d which ends with a playful, \u201cAnd so will the dog.\u201d

Inclusivity: I especially appreciated sections tailored for non-binary couples and those living with disabilities, affirming that every kind of love deserves to be celebrated in authentic words.

Portz\u2019s style is warm, lyrical, and accessible. Some vows sparkle with poetic imagery while others are refreshingly candid. This variety ensures that readers can find something resonant, whether they are solemn romantics or spirited jokesters.

This book is perfect for engaged couples overwhelmed by the pressure of writing vows, but it\u2019s also inspiring for anyone reflecting on love and partnership. Wedding planners, officiants, and even those renewing vows later in life will find meaningful language here. It suits both couples who want to recite a vow word-for-word and those who prefer to adapt and personalize.

Vows from the Heart is a reminder that while weddings are fleeting, the words spoken that day carry forward into the marriage itself. Portz gives us permission to cry, stumble, or laugh while delivering them, knowing that the effort is what matters most.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 04:30:15", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "166 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343027", "title": "Vows From the Heart", "author": "Tom Portz", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 493, "review": "As someone who has stood at the altar, carefully stringing together words that felt both deeply personal and nervously inadequate, I found Vows from the Heart by Tom Portz to be a gift of inspiration and reassurance. This book is not simply a collection of wedding vows; it is a wonderfully written guide to one of the most intimate and vulnerable moments in a marriage ceremony. Portz takes what can feel like an overwhelming task and transforms it into a celebration of love, individuality, and shared commitment.

From the very first pages, I was struck by the accessibility of the writing. Portz doesn\u2019t approach the subject with formality alone; instead, he blends warmth and practicality. The introduction, inspired by an overheard conversation with a bride-to-be struggling to write her vows, sets the tone beautifully. He recognizes that not everyone feels naturally gifted with words, yet everyone deserves to voice their love in a way that feels authentic.

The structure of the book makes it especially useful. Vows are grouped into categories ranging from traditional expressions of devotion to playful, lighthearted promises, and even those crafted with inclusivity in mind for LGBTQ+ couples and non-traditional partnerships. There are vows for young couples starting fresh, for partners marrying later in life, for families blending together, and even for those living with disabilities or recovering from trauma. This breadth makes the book feel modern and considerate, recognizing that love takes many forms and that every couple deserves vows that honor their story.

Several selections stood out to me. \u201cA Single Soul,\u201d which draws from Aristotle\u2019s idea of love as one soul inhabiting two bodies, captures the profound intimacy many couples feel but can\u2019t always articulate. Meanwhile, vows like \u201cBuckets and Bunches\u201d or \u201cDog\u201d bring humor and sweetness into the mix\u2014perfect for couples who want their personalities to shine on their wedding day. As a mother, I was especially moved by the sections highlighting family and generational connections, recognizing how marriage often expands beyond two people to embrace children, parents, and extended loved ones.

What I admire most is the encouragement Portz gives readers to adapt the words: to underline passages, make notes, and insert personal details. Rather than treating vows as something to recite verbatim, he frames them as a flexible canvas for love. It reminded me of how my own vows, though short, reflected my husband\u2019s and my shared humor and trust. Reading this book, I found myself imagining how my children might someday draw from it, weaving in their own experiences when they take this step in their lives.

Vows from the Heart is not only for engaged couples. It\u2019s also a gentle reminder for those already married of the promises we once made and the depth of love that sustains us. Portz captures both the solemnity and joy of this milestone, creating a resource that feels as timeless as it is practical. For anyone preparing to say \u201cI do,\u201d this book is a wise and heartfelt companion.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 04:30:09", "publisher": "ReadersMagnet LLC", "page_count": "166 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343023", "title": "Double Progression: A Kelsey James Fitness Mystery: Book Two", "author": "Kristina Fox", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 413, "review": "Kelsey James is a fitness instructor at Fox Fitness who knows how to get the best from her clients/students. Kelsey is attentive and personable, and is as much a friend as she is a trainer. When she notices something is off with her client, Jennifer, she is willing to listen with a sympathetic ear. Jennifer has suspicions that something is going on with her husband, Grayson. Grayson has been out of town at random intervals, and Jennifer worries that Grayson is having an affair. Jennifer has confided in the right person, as Kelsey is a part-time investigator with past success in solving the enigmatic.

Kelsey begins a cursory investigation and learns that Jennifer\u2019s concerns are valid, as Grayson has been unemployed for a lengthy stretch of time, making his trips seem even more suspicious. Jennifer\u2019s curiosity leads her to conduct an unorthodox investigation of her own, involving her and her identical twin sister switching places in an attempt to glean information from the other\u2019s spouses about Grayson. Unfortunately, Jennifer is unaware that Grayson isn\u2019t the only person in her family keeping secrets, and some nefarious business lies behind it all.

Kelsey\u2019s concern for Jennifer only increases as she gets pulled further and further into Grayson\u2019s secret world. The heart of a cop beats inside Kelsey, and while she is a trusting person, she also knows when to be skeptical of someone's motives. There are people in proximity to Jennifer and Grayson who pose a danger, and this becomes more evident when a dead body turns up where Grayson was seen. Kelsey will need to proceed with both stealth and expeditiousness in helping her latest client.

The genuine and charismatic Kelsey James returns in the terrific sequel Double Progression\u201d. Kelsey James is a refreshing take on the amateur sleuth character, a person who treats her clients with empathy and concern. Kelsey\u2019s latest case offers a study in contrasts, as her client Jennifer is suffering under the weight of secrets and lies from those closest to her, whereas Kelsey\u2019s family is close-knit and devoted to each other. Author Kristina Fox adeptly sets the tempo for this clever mystery early on as Kelsey\u2019s perceptiveness allows her to pick up on Jennifer\u2019s anxiety. As the story progresses, Fox throws in more than a surprise or two to keep the reader guessing at the eventual outcome. Double Progression is filled with interesting characters, tantalizing plot twists, and a more than satisfying conclusion. Fox continues to impress with her narrative weaving.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "24-Sep-2025", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 01:14:52", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "222 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343019", "title": "Double Progression", "author": "Kristina Fox", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 87, "review": "\u201cIn Fox Fitness, Kelsey James works as a personal fitness trainer. She is both attentive and charismatic to her clients. She is also an amateur sleuth with a keen eye for detail who has been able to crack an enigmatic case or two. In the exciting mystery \u201cDouble Progression\u201d, a client\u2019s concerns about her secretive husband lead Kelsey down a rabbit hole involving suspicious bank transactions, corrupt banks, and the involvement of intelligence agencies. The continuing story of Kelsey James doubles down on the thrills and action.\u201d", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 01:14:35", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "222 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343015", "title": "Double Progression", "author": "Kristina Fox", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 130, "review": "\"If you\u2019re looking for a novel with fast-paced intrigue, page-turning suspense, and an amateur sleuth that doesn\u2019t know when to stay down, then look no further because Kristina Fox has done it again with her second installment of the Kelsey James mystery series: Double Progression. When one of her clients suspects her husband of cheating, Kelsey puts her detective skills to the test; after all, that\u2019s what friends are for. But what appears to be a cut-and-dry case of marital infidelity turns into an ever-widening dragnet of deceit, deception, and murder. Full of enough twists and turns to keep even the most avid of mystery buffs on the edge of their seats, Double Progression is perfect for fans of Harlan Coben and Lucy Foley.\" \u2014Beatrice Toothman, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 01:09:09", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "222 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343011", "title": "Double Progression", "author": "Kristina Fox", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 59, "review": "\u201cTwists abound in Kristina Fox's Double Progression, a thrilling and fun crime mystery teeming with deception, infidelity, murder, and a slew of red herrings. Throw in some workouts between revelations, some culinary flair, and a storytelling style evocative of Janet Evanovich crossed with P.G. Wodehouse, and you end up with an unputdownable mystery novel.\u201d\u2014Ben Haskett, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 01:09:03", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "222 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343007", "title": "Double Progression: A Kelsey James Fitness Mystery: Book Two", "author": "Kristina Fox", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Ben Haskett", "word_count": 437, "review": "Kelsey James isn't just a great personal trainer. She's as skilled as they come. Sure, she'll demand those burpees, push you to finish out that set of hammer curls, spot you for those bench presses. You'll leave encouraged and thoroughly butt-kicked after every session. But if you've got issues at home or elsewhere, there's also a good chance she'll take a crack at being your personal investigator, too.

Kristina Fox's Double Progression, her second Kelsey James Fitness Mystery, begins with our main character still savoring the satisfaction of her first case, in which she helped a client solve a grisly murder. Ready to lunge into another mystery, we meet Jennifer Miller: established client, friend, entrepreneur, mother of three, and wife to a seemingly perfect husband. If he would only spill the beans about what he's been up to. Grayson Miller has always gone away for business trips, as anyone would expect of a successful hedge fund manager, but the trips are becoming longer, and the laundry and aromas he returns with don't jive with his stated destination. Inquiries about how this-or-that trip went are met with deflections or vague, one-word answers.

With Kelsey on the case, it's soon discovered that the office he claims to be visiting is not only closed for remodeling, but he doesn't even work for that company anymore. What at first seems like an open-and-shut case of infidelity quickly spirals into a twisty tale of organized crime, undercover law enforcement, and stakeouts. For a personal trainer moonlighting as an investigator, Kelsey is surprisingly resourceful, using everyday objects and services with such skill that she's about as effective as the law enforcement operating alongside her.

A heaping helping of exercise and cooking talk rounds everything out. You'll stand next to Kelsey and her co-workers as they run through exercises tailored for each client, and sit with the gang at dinner, complete with mouthwateringly vivid descriptions of what everyone ordered (sometimes down to the garnish). Crafty readers could probably put together a nice workout routine, not to mention a decent menu.

Fox\u2019s writing is refreshingly accessible, with a colorful cast of characters at whom she\u2019s unafraid to poke fun. She precariously straddles the line between crime fiction and farce, evoking an unlikely combination of Janet Evanovich and P.G. Wodehouse. Double agents, triple agents, safehouses, medical emergencies, unexpected family connections, murder, and even adult twins swapping places to conduct recon in each other's homes (all revealed at the most convenient times) are just a few of the exciting twists and fake-outs employed in Double Progression. Readers will find a lot to love in this lighthearted and fun crime mystery.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2025", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 01:08:58", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "222 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016343003", "title": "Double Progression: A Kelsey James Fitness Mystery: Book Two", "author": "Kristina Fox", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Beatrice Toothman", "word_count": 430, "review": "After discovering a murderous plot involving one of her clients, uncovering a deeply buried family secret, and finding love in what appeared at first glance to be all the wrong places in Time Under Tension, Kelsey James thought she was done with secrets. After all, her day job as a Master Personal Trainer in her beautiful Oakview, California gym keeps her busy enough. Plus, all of the puzzle pieces of her life are starting to fall into place; her best friend and coworker Justin seems to have finally found love, her own relationship status with a handsome detective has progressed steadily into serious territory, and her parents are more devoted than ever after the revelation of Kelsey\u2019s half sister Tina. But Kelsey is back and better than ever in the second action-packed installment of the Kelsey James Fitness Mystery series: Double Progression. What started as an innocent suspicion shared in confidence by a client becomes a deadly game of cat and mouse as marriages and friendships are tested and a shadowy conspiracy is forced into the spotlight. Kelsey\u2019s client, Jennifer\u2019s, life is perfect; she has a successful online shop after clenching a deal on Shark Tank, her kids are happy and healthy, and her sessions with Kelsey are building her confidence along with her body. But after her husband stops sharing his location on a supposed business trip, Jennifer confides her suspicions of an affair to Kelsey. What Kelsey suspects is a simple but unfortunate case of infidelity turns into a cascading avalanche of secrets, lies, and mistaken identities, with Kelsey caught in the crossfire. When a stakeout with Jennifer to confront her husband leads to his disappearance and the discovery of a dead body in his motel room, the two of them devise a plan to uncover the truth no matter the cost, even if it means Kelsey putting herself in the crosshairs of a potential killer. With Fox\u2019s trademark fast-paced style, Double Progression delivers a labyrinthian web of twists and turns that make it difficult to put down once you start. If you loved the cozy feel of the interpersonal relationships between the characters in Time Under Tension, don\u2019t worry, there\u2019s enough everyday appeal interspersed between the intense mystery of the main plot to keep you satisfied. After all, it\u2019s these solid, believable relationships that make Kelsey such a compelling and believable character, firmly rooting her as logical and down-to-earth while navigating a mystery with such a topsy-turvy twist ending that it\u2019ll make you dizzy. Fans of Paula Hawkins and Jeffery Deaver will love this razor-sharp domestic thriller.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "23-Aug-2025 01:08:49", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "222 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016336003", "title": "The Rise and Fall of Mary Jackson Peale", "author": "M.G. Cresci", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan", "Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 142, "review": "\"The Rise and Fall of Mary Jackson Peale is a breathtaking portrait of ambition, passion, and tragedy that will sweep readers from seaside cliffs to the highest tiers of society. Mary\u2019s life is as dazzling as it is devastating, a reminder of how brilliance and desire can both elevate and undo us. This book doesn\u2019t just tell a story\u2014it immerses you in a world of beauty, betrayal, and unflinching humanity. It will leave readers reeling, haunted, and deeply moved.\" \u2014Kathryn Dare, Manhattan Book Review\n\n\"This is an unforgettable story that grips the reader from the very first page. Mary Jackson Peale\u2019s journey is bold, turbulent, and profoundly human, marked by moments of breathtaking intensity. Rarely does a narrative achieve such raw honesty while unfolding with cinematic elegance. It is a book to experience, not simply to read.\" \u2014Kyle Eaton, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Aug-2025 23:52:54", "publisher": "Ebookit.com", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016334003", "title": "The Day I Lost You: A Novel", "author": "Ruth Mancini", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 199, "review": "Two women both claim they are the mother of two-year-old Sam. One of them, Lauren, is in Spain with Sam when the police arrive. Apparently, Hope, the other woman, and her husband, Drew, have alleged to UK police that Lauren abducted Sam. The narrative moves backwards in time from the near-present, through Drew\u2019s admission of an affair (eighteen months earlier) to a car crash (twelve months before that), before finally bringing the story back to the present. The backtracking is a clever device that allows the author to allude to events that have already occurred but not yet shared with the reader. This compounds the mystery, leaving the reader intrigued and puzzled, albeit sometimes at sea. Matters become clearer as the gaps are filled in in the third part of the story to the point, indeed, where the reader may be able to guess the key incident precipitating the tragedy. The Day I Lost You is an ingeniously constructed mystery that lays bare the lengths to which a mother\u2019s love will drive her. While the rather tame ending may not do justice to the emotional drama and shameful actions that precede it, this is a book well worth reading.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2026", "date_added": "19-Aug-2025 19:15:10", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016331003", "title": "The Whistler", "author": "Nick Medina", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 212, "review": "The Whistler is a chilling horror novel of superstition, ghost hunting, and regret by Nick Medina. Fans of Medina\u2019s writing will recognize several characters. Some minor players in past novels take lead roles while others take steps back. But this novel is its own story and works as a stand-alone novel. Medina blends parts of traditional legends and notable figures in tribal lore with a myth of his creation. Medina tells a tale of how an old Indian saying and the dream of fame lead one ghost hunter on a path of deception that is hard to come back from.

The plot of Medina\u2019s novel is a fascinating look into the phenomenon of ghost hunting. This is the real magic of this novel. The plot is interesting, but Medina takes things to the next level when the lights go out. Not many books send shivers down my spine. This is one of those novels that does. Much of that is due to Medina\u2019s ability to convey a sense of urgency, mystery, and foreboding. It\u2019s also due to Medina\u2019s use of a popular superstition. Now there are two things not to do after dark. The first is to whistle, the second is to read this novel unless you want to meet The Whistler.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "14-Oct-2025", "date_added": "19-Aug-2025 18:58:58", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016327003", "title": "Switch", "author": "Lisa Towles", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 63, "review": "\"Secrets, betrayals, and buried family ties collide in this high-stakes game where nothing is what it seems. Switch delivers nonstop action and heart-stopping twists that play out like a blockbuster thriller on the page. Lisa Towles writes with cinematic intensity, displaying razor-sharp dialogue, vivid settings, and relentless pacing that keeps the tension simmering from beginning to end.\" \u2014Kathryn Dare, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "August 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Aug-2025 00:51:13", "publisher": "Indies United Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016320003", "title": "Princess Battle Royale", "author": "Phaea Crede, Jen Hill", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 197, "review": "Most girls, young and old, know of the various Disney princesses, but do they know what they like to do in their free time, besides singing and looking pretty? Apparently, they like a little competition, particularly a Princess Battle Royale! The Swan Princess is the undefeated champion, with other favorites in line to try to take the crown. So far, their signature moves aren't enough to take down the Swan Princess, so will she stay the winner, or will a new champion be crowned by the end of the night?!

Princess Battle Royale is a fun spin on Disney princesses that I usually only see in one way: in their royal attire and being princess-y; but in this book, they let loose and have some fun, making them seem more realistic and showing their darker sides. I enjoyed seeing who the unexpected winner was, and learning the princesses' signature moves was a fun way to relate to their character traits. It was interesting that some of the princesses were referred to by their names in their original stories and not their Disney movies. I think all readers will find something enjoyable if they check out //Princess Battle Royale//!", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2025", "date_added": "18-Aug-2025 18:41:54", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016319003", "title": "Bear Heart", "author": "Louise Greig, Hoang Giang", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 132, "review": "Somehow, Bear doesn't feel just right, but then he says he wants to have the heart of a lion to be fierce and brave. He feels better, but still not just right. Then, Bear meets a Lion, and the Lion says Bear has his heart, so he gives it back. Now, Bear really doesn't feel right, so he finally figures out what it takes to have the heart of a Bear. He knows he is unique, and he can be whatever he wants. This is a great story about being yourself.

The illustrations in this book are so cute, and it is certainly a great read for the whole family. It has a really great message about how its ok to be exactly who you are, if you aren't like anyone else.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "15-Oct-2025", "date_added": "18-Aug-2025 18:36:00", "publisher": "Flying Eye Books Ltd.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016317019", "title": "Shaila\u2019s Dance: A Novel", "author": "Mohini Dasari", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 492, "review": "At its heart, Mohini Dasari\u2019s Shaila\u2019s Dance tells the story of Anokhi, a young woman adopted from India and raised in small-town Idaho, who is haunted by vivid visions of a mysterious dancer named Shaila. These visions, part dream, part spiritual encounter, propel Anokhi on a journey that is as much about uncovering her past as it is about learning to claim her future.

One of the strongest themes in this book is identity. Anokhi\u2019s story captures the complexity of growing up between cultures, being Indian by birth but raised American, with a mother who loves her fiercely but cannot answer the deepest questions about where she came from. As a mother myself, I found Sasha, her adoptive mom, particularly poignant. Sasha is loving and supportive, but her daughter\u2019s questions about her origins inevitably create tension, even distance, between them. The novel treats this dynamic with compassion, showing both sides of the bond, the comfort of chosen family and the ache of unanswered history.

Another key theme is belonging. Anokhi\u2019s struggles with bullying, loneliness, and eventually dropping out of high school highlight the longing we all have to be truly seen. When she decides to travel to India, her journey isn\u2019t simply about finding her roots; it\u2019s about permitting herself to define where she belongs. That theme feels universal. Whether we are teenagers, parents, or somewhere in between, we all wrestle with the desire to feel whole and at home in our own skin.

The book is also rich with the theme of art as a bridge to identity and healing. Shaila\u2019s dances, with their expressive gestures and stories of spirits, animals, and human struggles, mirror Anokhi\u2019s own search for meaning. The way Anokhi chronicles these visions in her journals reminded me of how we sometimes use creative outlets, writing, painting, or even cooking, to make sense of life\u2019s uncertainties. The descriptions of classical Indian dance are vibrant and immersive, giving readers both a sensory and spiritual experience.

I was struck by the novel\u2019s exploration of adoption and family bonds. It\u2019s honest about the challenges, those painful moments when a child questions the love or adequacy of their adoptive parent, but it\u2019s equally tender in affirming that family is built on love and care, not just blood. That balance makes this story not only relatable for adoptees and adoptive parents but also for anyone who has questioned what truly defines family.

Readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories, multicultural narratives, and novels infused with a touch of the mystical will find Shaila\u2019s Dance captivating. It would especially appeal to young adults standing at the threshold of independence, as well as to parents who want to better understand the inner world of a child searching for identity.

Ultimately, Mohini Dasari has given us more than a novel about a girl and her visions; she has given us a meditation on belonging, family, and the transformative power of art. It is both tender and fierce, much like the dance at its center.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Aug-2025 01:14:53", "publisher": "GFB", "page_count": "334 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016317015", "title": "MY SHANGHAI NEIGHBOURS", "author": "MARCUS FEDDER", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 526, "review": "Marcus Fedder\u2019s My Shanghai Neighbours is an intriguing blend of fiction, philosophy, and satire, set against the intimate backdrop of a Shanghai *Xincun* (a kind of communal compound). What first looks like a neighborhood drama quickly reveals itself to be something more layered: a tapestry of eccentric characters, personal betrayals, and cultural tensions, all stitched together with dark humor and philosophical musings. At its heart, the novel is character-driven. We meet Laowen, a retired engineer who once designed fountain pens and now spends his days smoking cigarettes, reading Goethe and Kant, and avoiding his wife. His relationship with Jing Zhang, a black-and-white cat who seems to understand both German and philosophy, provides some of the novel\u2019s most delightful and absurd moments. Their odd companionship, which includes Laowen reading *Faust* aloud to the cat, or pondering Heidegger\u2019s *Dasein* while Jing Zhang purrs, captures the novel\u2019s ability to balance comedy and melancholy. When Laowen reflects, \u201cSilence is Dasein,\u201d it\u2019s both ironic and oddly moving. The book thrives on contrasts: intellectual musings bump against neighborhood gossip, personal histories bleed into political traumas, and the ordinary (cooking, smoking, fixing lightbulbs) becomes charged with hidden meaning. Take Jing Zhang\u2019s revenge after being castrated: he masterminds a campaign to have all the neighborhood cats use Comrade Bo\u2019s garden as their litter box. It\u2019s petty, hilarious, and strangely profound in how it mirrors the human characters\u2019 own cycles of resentment and quiet rebellion.

Themes of memory, silence, and revenge ripple throughout. Laowen\u2019s decision to stop speaking after a stroke becomes a form of protest and self-preservation. Lanfen, his wife, uses cooking pork (which she knows he hates) as her subtle revenge. Their son Muyang drifts through life with misplaced affections and questionable choices, while neighbors like Mrs. Bo embody the persistence of ideology, clinging to Maoist slogans long after their relevance has faded. In every corner, Fedder captures the pettiness, resilience, and absurdity of ordinary life in extraordinary political and cultural circumstances.

Stylistically, Fedder writes with a dry, playful voice. His sentences often weave philosophical reflections into everyday events. For instance, Laowen muses on *Faust* and Heidegger while smoking, while Jing Zhang, ever the feline philosopher, contemplates the indignities of castration. This blend of the profound and the ridiculous keeps the tone light even when the subject matter veers into betrayal, loss, or disillusionment. Readers who enjoy novels rich in character studies, like those of Yiyun Li or even Milan Kundera, will find My Shanghai Neighbours rewarding. It\u2019s perfect for readers interested in contemporary China, but it avoids heavy-handed political analysis. Instead, it focuses on the private lives of individuals, their quirks, and their quiet acts of rebellion or resignation. Cat lovers, too, will appreciate the unusual narrative role of Jing Zhang, who often sees more clearly than his human counterparts. In the end, My Shanghai Neighbours is a book about neighbors who spy, resent, comfort, and misunderstand each other, but also about the larger question of how people carve meaning out of the contradictions of daily life. With its mix of wit, poignancy, and philosophical depth, it leaves you reflecting on your own neighbors, your grudges, and maybe even your household pets.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "23-Oct-2025", "date_added": "18-Aug-2025 01:12:00", "publisher": "BLACKSPRINGPRESS", "page_count": "130 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016317011", "title": "Unleash The Fury: A Storm of Vengeance on Eastern Sands", "author": "Joseph Paul D'Aquisto", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 528, "review": "Joseph Paul D\u2019Aquisto\u2019s Unleash the Fury is a gritty, hard-boiled thriller that plunges the reader into a world of corruption, vengeance, and moral conflict. At its center is John, a retired Seattle detective whose attempt at a quiet life dissolves when he travels abroad only to find himself caught between ruthless gangs, crooked lawmen, and his own inner demons. What begins as a vacation in Sri Lanka quickly escalates into a fight for justice and survival.

The opening pages set the stage with a raw immediacy. John is reflective, burdened by the weight of age, regret, and a complicated past, but he\u2019s also still sharp, fit, and dangerous when provoked. His encounter with an acid attack victim, a horrifying and visceral scene, pulls him back into a life of violence he thought he\u2019d left behind. From there, the novel explodes into a cascade of shootouts, betrayals, and uneasy alliances that test the limits of both his skill and his conscience.

One of the strongest themes running through the novel is justice versus vigilantism. John is no longer a cop bound by the rule of law; instead, he becomes a one-man reckoning against the mobsters and traffickers who terrorize the town. The line between hero and antihero blurs, leaving the reader questioning whether John\u2019s actions are noble acts of defense or dangerous indulgences of his \u201cfury.\u201d This tension gives the story its heartbeat.

Equally powerful is the theme of trauma and memory. John is haunted by the loss of his daughter, Mallory, whose ghostlike voice recurs throughout the narrative. These imagined conversations add psychological depth, showing that his violence is fueled not just by present danger but by unhealed wounds. The interplay between memory, guilt, and vengeance provides a poignant counterweight to the relentless action.

The book also wrestles with themes of corruption and moral decay. Law enforcement in the story is portrayed as feeble at best, complicit at worst, while gang leaders thrive in an environment where fear is currency. Through this lens, the novel critiques systems that fail to protect the vulnerable, forcing individuals like John to take matters into their own hands.

D\u2019Aquisto favors a lean, direct prose that mirrors John\u2019s no-nonsense personality. The fight sequences are especially vivid\u2014fast, brutal, and cinematic. At the same time, quieter passages of introspection allow the reader to sit with John\u2019s inner conflict, preventing the book from becoming just another action spectacle.

Who would enjoy Unleash the Fury? Readers who gravitate toward gritty crime fiction, noir thrillers, and character-driven action will find themselves drawn in. Fans of Lee Child\u2019s Jack Reacher series or Robert B. Parker\u2019s Spenser novels will appreciate the lone-wolf protagonist who combines intelligence with raw force. Those interested in stories that probe the moral gray zones of justice, particularly when filtered through the lens of aging and regret, will find the book especially resonant.In the end, Unleash the Fury is more than a shoot-\u2019em-up thriller; it\u2019s a meditation on how past failures, personal loss, and an unyielding sense of duty can drive a man to extremes. D\u2019Aquisto delivers a story that is both violent and thought-provoking, making it a compelling read for anyone who likes their thrillers with grit, heart, and moral complexity.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "24-Sep-2025", "date_added": "18-Aug-2025 01:08:21", "publisher": "Joseph Paul D'Aquisto", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016317007", "title": "Switch", "author": "Lisa Towles", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 521, "review": "Lisa Towles has once again proven herself a master of intelligent, character-driven thrillers with Switch. I was particularly struck by the way Towles balances relentless suspense with a deeply emotional exploration of family, trust, and identity. From the first pages, I was swept into Marissa Ellwyn\u2019s world where she is haunted by her CIA father\u2019s secrets, her missing mother, and her own fractured sense of safety.

In Switch,Mari Ellwyn and her team are on a dangerous mission to bring down James Traeger, the mastermind behind a string of sophisticated bank robberies across California. Traeger and his crew have stolen nearly ten million dollars, cleverly stashing the cash in a warehouse and eluding capture despite months of surveillance. Mari\u2019s group, operating under E&A Investigations, collaborates with law enforcement but often pushes into the gray areas of private investigation, taking high risks to expose criminals others can\u2019t seem to touch. Each member of Mari's team brings a distinct expertise. Together, this diverse team blends official authority, private ingenuity, and cutting-edge tech to outmaneuver Traeger\u2019s slick operations. Their mission is not only about catching a criminal but also about restoring balance against someone who has proven to be nearly untouchable.

One of the most intriguing threads in Switch revolves around a mysterious John Doe discovered at the Ventura County Medical Examiner\u2019s office. Dr. Linus Hagen, the chief forensic pathologist, confides in Mari that despite his eighteen years of experience, he cannot establish the cause or manner of death for this young man, a failure that unsettles him deeply. The case becomes even more suspicious when Dr. Camille Bota, the newly appointed Medical Examiner and Hagen\u2019s superior, refuses to authorize the usual procedure of posting the John Doe on the county website for public identification and instead forces her staff to sign nondisclosure agreements. When Bota herself vanishes without explanation, the mystery sharpens: was she silenced, complicit, or protecting something bigger? The convergence of an unidentified corpse and a missing professional raises the stakes, pulling Mari into a web of secrecy and danger where official channels can no longer be trusted.

The stakeout sequences, with heat-signature monitors, coded communications, and tense waiting, perfectly balance the cerebral with the visceral. Towles doesn\u2019t just show the adrenaline of a mission; she shows the mental gymnastics, the second-guessing, and the toll of constant vigilance. As a female reviewer, I find Mari refreshing because she isn\u2019t written as a flawless heroine. She\u2019s tall, physically strong, but also vulnerable, scarred, sometimes cranky, and always real. Her navigation of complicated family loyalties alongside international intrigue makes her one of the most compelling female protagonists I\u2019ve read in recent thrillers.

Towles\u2019s prose is elegant yet taut, her pacing masterful. Every chapter offers a new door, sometimes literally, as with the mysterious opening in the Ellwyn mansion wall, that leads the reader deeper into a labyrinth of secrets. Switch succeeds as both a high-stakes thriller and an intimate story of a woman wrestling with her past.

Switch is an electrifying, character-rich novel that combines espionage, family drama, and psychological depth. Lisa Towles has written a thriller that is not only smart and suspenseful but also profoundly human.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "02-Sep-2025", "date_added": "18-Aug-2025 00:51:11", "publisher": "Indies United Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016317003", "title": "James Dean: An American Icon", "author": "Thomas Brennan", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 527, "review": "I\u2019ve lived long enough to see cultural icons come and go, but few names endure the way James Dean\u2019s has. In James Dean: An American Icon, Thomas Brennan offers not just a biography, but a thoughtful exploration of why Dean\u2019s legacy continues to resonate across generations. The book traces Dean\u2019s short but meteoric journey from his modest beginnings in Indiana to his groundbreaking work in Hollywood, and ultimately, to the tragic car accident that immortalized him at just twenty-four.

Brennan\u2019s biography is both accessible and meticulously researched. He avoids sensationalizing Dean\u2019s life, instead grounding the narrative in the actor\u2019s growth as an artist. The early chapters focus on Dean\u2019s difficult childhood, losing his mother at a young age, and being raised by relatives in Fairmount, Indiana. These passages reveal the deep emotional wounds that shaped his persona both on and off the screen.

The heart of the book lies in its examination of Dean\u2019s artistry. Brennan shows how Dean\u2019s approach to acting was revolutionary for its time. Influenced by Method techniques, Dean brought raw emotion and unpredictability to his roles in East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant. Brennan highlights how Dean was more than just the \u201cfirst teenager\u201d on film; he was a nonconformist who challenged Hollywood\u2019s polished style with an intensity that demanded attention.

The book explores rebellion, identity, and the price of authenticity. Dean epitomized youthful angst and alienation, themes that still echo today. Brennan doesn\u2019t shy away from Dean\u2019s contradictions. Some saw him as empathetic, others as arrogant; some critics dismissed him as a Brando imitator, only to later recognize his unique brilliance. These nuances prevent the book from falling into hero worship and instead paint Dean as a complex human being whose flaws made him relatable.

Another powerful theme is legacy. Brennan demonstrates how Dean\u2019s untimely death only amplified his myth, comparing the cultural reaction to that of Rudolf Valentino\u2019s passing decades earlier. The final chapters consider how Dean\u2019s image, brooding, restless, and defiant, has continued to inspire musicians, filmmakers, and young dreamers who see in him a reflection of their own struggles.

Brennan\u2019s prose is straightforward, making the book approachable for casual readers while still satisfying for those who want depth. The inclusion of anecdotes from friends, teachers, and industry insiders adds warmth and texture. At times, the level of detail, especially about Dean\u2019s high school years, feels exhaustive, but it ultimately underscores how deeply Dean\u2019s formative experiences shaped the artist he became.

This book would appeal to several audiences. Classic film enthusiasts will appreciate the behind-the-scenes stories of Dean\u2019s three iconic movies. Younger readers interested in cultural history will find it fascinating to learn why Dean still appears in songs and pop culture references decades after his death. And anyone drawn to stories of nonconformity and rebellion will see in Dean a figure whose struggles mirror their own search for authenticity.

In the end, James Dean: An American Icon is more than a biography\u2014it\u2019s a meditation on what it means to live passionately, even briefly, and to leave behind an imprint larger than life. For readers who want to understand why Dean remains a touchstone of American culture, Brennan\u2019s book provides both context and insight.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "23-Sep-2025", "date_added": "18-Aug-2025 00:48:04", "publisher": "Regent Press", "page_count": "311 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016314003", "title": "Different Values: Cultural Shifts in the U.S., Covid-19 to War in the Mideast", "author": "Kay Elksong", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Bradley Allen", "word_count": 441, "review": "Kay Elksong\u2019s Different Values: Cultural Shifts in the U.S., Covid-19 to War in the Mideast is a sharp-eyed collection of essays that takes stock of a country in flux. Written with the urgency of recent history and the perspective of cultural commentary, Elksong traces the ways American life has shifted under the weight of a pandemic, the rise of new technologies, and the ripples of global conflict. It is not a history book so much as a mirror, reflecting the questions many Americans have been asking themselves since 2020: What do we value, and how have those values changed?

The book\u2019s strength lies in its scope. Elksong is as comfortable dissecting the role of artificial intelligence and what she calls \u201cvirtual imperialism\u201d as she is exploring the fragile state of mental health or the altered rhythms of work. Her essays on the pandemic, in particular, cut close to the bone, examining how isolation and disruption forced people to reconsider their priorities, from family to freedom. Elsewhere, she connects the dots between U.S. culture and the wars overseas, making a persuasive case that American values do not exist in a vacuum but are shaped by global currents of power and justice.

Elksong writes with an accessible voice that makes even heavy topics such as geopolitics, technology, and cultural decline, feel approachable. The essays never lecture, though they often challenge, nudging readers to question whether the habits and assumptions of the pre-pandemic world are worth clinging to. In one essay, she argues that America\u2019s embrace of remote work is not just a shift in labor but a shift in values, a redefinition of what people consider essential. In another, she warns of the creeping influence of AI, not with fear-mongering but with sober analysis of how identity and autonomy might be reshaped in a digitized world.

As with any collection this broad, not every piece lands with the same weight. Some essays feel more like sketches than fully developed arguments, and the transitions from topic to topic can be abrupt. Yet the cumulative effect is powerful. By the end, readers are left with a sense that Elksong has captured the restlessness of a nation still searching for equilibrium.

Different Values is timely, relevant, and often provocative. It\u2019s the kind of book that sparks conversation rather than closes it, the kind you want to pass along just to ask, \u201cWhat did you think of this one?\u201d In an era defined by upheaval, Elksong reminds us that values themselves are not fixed; they shift, stretch, and sometimes fracture. The question she leaves hanging is whether we are comfortable with the directions in which they are moving.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "09-Sep-2025", "date_added": "13-Aug-2025 18:48:16", "publisher": "Kay Elksong", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016312031", "title": "A Rather Peculiar Poisoning: A Novel", "author": "Chrystal Schleyer", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 184, "review": "At Asquith Manor, a group of guests has come together to celebrate the engagements of the Asquith twin brothers, Easton and Weston. Easton is engaged to their childhood friend, Eloise, although she longs to be with Weston. Weston is engaged to an heiress, since he is the secondborn and will not inherit the title. At the dinner party the first night, A Rather Peculiar Poisoning takes place. Weston is harmed, but it appears he will make it. Over the course of the week, more peculiar accidents occur, leading the guests to wonder if they are accidents at all and what the motive could possibly be. Someone needs to do something before there is only one twin left.

If you enjoy historical fiction, especially murder mysteries, then you will enjoy this book. There are plenty of twists and turns, as well as red herrings, but the clues are there if you\u2019re paying attention. The epilogue leaves things open as if there is a possibility of another book. I would certainly be interested in another story by this author. I recommend you add this to your collection.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "15-Aug-2025 00:53:28", "publisher": "Park Row Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016312015", "title": "Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business: The Graphic Novel (Junie B. Jones Graphic Novels)", "author": "Barbara Park, Colleen AF Venable, Honie Beam", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 180, "review": "I first started reading the Junie B. Jones series when I was in the second grade (I'm currently in sixth); I loved the series. It was one of the first I devoured as I was really getting into reading on my own, and that girl was funny! I read more difficult and different books now, including other books I read when I was younger that have been turned into graphic novels; so when I saw that Junie. B. Jones is now having graphic novels, I jumped on the chance to read A Little Monkey Business! Being in a different format (a graphic novel), I felt that the whole story is still presented; however, some of the humor and feeling are left out when the story is told mostly through pictures and some short text, instead of vice versa in the original books. Fans of June B. Jones should for sure check out this story and others, and graphic novels are nice for kids who don't do well with mainly text, and the reader can get through the story more quickly.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "14-Aug-2025 23:57:29", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016312011", "title": "We Are All Guilty Here: A Novel (A North Falls Thriller, 1)", "author": "Karin Slaughter", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 186, "review": "Karin Slaughter never disappoints. In her new thriller, We Are All Guilty Here, the story and characters pull you in from the very beginning. When two young girls go missing, Sheriff Emmy Clifton-Lang must push aside her personal matters and focus on finding the girls. After all, one of the girls, Madison Dalrymple, is Emmy's best friend, Hannah's stepdaughter.

The character development in this book sets everything up for the next book in the series. The Clifton family is big, and although Emmy is stuck in the middle of the clan, she really wants no part of it whatsoever. When FBI agent Jude marches onto the scene, more of the Clifton family secrets are revealed.

I found the story to be heartwrenching, and as Emmy uncovers the identities of the men found to be pedophiles, it disgusted me as well. The best part of Slaughter's writing is that not everything turns out perfect in the end. The characters have flaws, even the heroes, and the story is messy, just like in real life. If you're not a Karin Slaughter fan yet, you will be after reading this one.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "30-Sep-2025", "date_added": "14-Aug-2025 23:47:02", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016311007", "title": "Play Nice", "author": "Rachel Harrison", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 179, "review": "After New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harrison delighted her readers with last year\u2019s Black Sheep, she\u2019s now back with a gripping haunted house story in Play Nice featuring a cast of new and interesting characters.

Clio Louise Barnes spends her days as an influencer, going to parties, repping jewelry and other accessories, and doing her best to keep distance between herself and her unusual family. But everything comes to a grinding halt when she finds out her mom has passed away. Clio soon finds out that she and her sisters have inherited the house they grew up in. The house that was purportedly possessed, and it\u2019s what her mother made her career on. But she sees an opportunity in flipping the house and making some great original influencer content while she does it.

Harrison does what she does best in Play Nice in giving the reader some great and original characters with Clio and her distinctive sisters, and then throwing them into a compelling story about a haunted, or is that possessed, house that they don\u2019t remember being that scary.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2025", "date_added": "11-Aug-2025 22:41:59", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016310019", "title": "Joan Crawford: A Woman's Face", "author": "Scott Eyman", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 198, "review": "Lucille LeSueur shed the pain of her past when she relocated to Hollywood, became an actress, and was rechristened Joan Crawford. Her early years in Texas are marked by inconsistencies regarding her birth year and biological father. Her relationship with her mother and brother was estranged. In 1924, Crawford was hired by MGM and played minor roles until starring in 1928\u2019s \u201cOur Dancing Daughters.\u201d Crawford was known for a commanding screen presence, and she remained a star at MGM until the early 1940s. Crawford\u2019s innate ability to throw herself into a role would garner her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1946 for \u201cMildred Pierce.\u201d Her off-screen life would be notable for high-profile romances and posthumous allegations of abuse by one of her children, which damaged her legacy.

Scott Eyman has a clear talent for writing about fascinating and complex celebrities (\"Cary Grant: A Brilliant Disguise\"). His latest biography continues that trend as he explores the life and work of the brilliant Joan Crawford. Eyman masterfully highlights the highs and lows of Crawford\u2019s career while providing a wealth of information about Crawford\u2019s friendships and relationships that contrasts with the \u201cMommie Dearest\u201d image that has persisted over the years.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "27-Nov-2025", "date_added": "14-Aug-2025 23:53:20", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016310015", "title": "The Wizard's Guide to Magical Experiments: 40 Science Experiments to Try at Home", "author": "A J Wood, Jo Rioux", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 185, "review": "This is the perfect gift for the curious child who still believes in magic and wants to solve the mystery behind performances. Carefully, clearly, and definitely with maximum color, the author and illustrator have delightfully turned these magical phenomena into science experiments. Outlined instructions using readily available materials are listed for each topic. The involved illustrated wizard children illustrate the techniques and outcomes expected, and most procedures have hidden notes or pop-ups with more details. Science is strongly supported as experiments start with \u2018hopping ladybugs\u2019, which introduces the concept of atoms along with positive and negative charges. The page includes an inset of the periodic table, challenging the reader to find those elements that look familiar. There are experiments with water, salt, balloons, vinegar, and even some kitchen alchemy or cooking recipes. The magical experiments are all designed to teach some basic science concepts, and all the materials are easily accessible. Where heat or fire is involved, the instructions call for adult assistance. The magical intoxication comes from the eye-catching, whimsical little alchemists who glowingly fill the pages with their Halloween colors and enthusiastic energy.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "03-Oct-2025", "date_added": "14-Aug-2025 23:40:31", "publisher": "Magic Cat", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016308011", "title": "Ghostly Encounters: Terrifyingly True Hauntings (The Real Unexplained! Collection) ", "author": "Richard Estep", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 182, "review": "Ghostly Encounters: Terrifyingly True Hauntings by paranormal investigator Richard Estep is an excellent addition to the libraries of anyone interested in hauntings and ghost hunting. Estep provides an in-depth history of some of the most haunted locations in North America and England. These 18 investigations will not only raise the hairs on your neck but also shed light on why these areas are haunted in the first place. By giving the whole story, Estep goes beyond history into the creepy and eerie.

Ghost stories have been part of storytelling since the beginning of time, but somehow seem creepier when there is truth behind the tales. As a paranormal investigator, Estep takes a journalistic approach to the hauntings. Some of his ghost stories are well documented, such as Eastern State Penitentiary, The Bell Witch, and the Stanley Hotel. Some are a little more obscure, like Gef the talking mongoose and the Borley Rectory. From haunted mansions and hotels to ghostly battles and brutal penitentiaries, wherever there is a haunting, chances are Estep has been there and now brings these ghostly encounters to you.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2025", "date_added": "11-Aug-2025 22:52:00", "publisher": "Visible Ink Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016307019", "title": "The Macabre (Deluxe Limited Edition)", "author": "Kosoko Jackson", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Roundup", "word_count": 160, "review": "In The Macabre, award-winning author Kosoko Jackson delivers a darkly imaginative tale of art, magic, and destiny. For struggling painter Lewis Dixon, art has always been a private refuge. But when the British Museum takes interest in his work after his mother\u2019s death, he discovers it isn\u2019t for an exhibition- it\u2019s a test. His ecstatic, trance-like state while painting is more than creative passion; it\u2019s magic. Lewis can enter a series of nine mysterious paintings created by his great-grandfather, each imbued with dangerous, world-altering power. Tasked with destroying the paintings before they fall into the wrong hands, Lewis teams up with enigmatic agent Noah Rao and journeys across continents and even through time. As black markets, cursed objects, and ancient secrets close in, Lewis must find the courage to embrace his gift, his heart, and his place in a world where art can both save and destroy.\n\nA bold, haunting debut, The Macabre is as thrilling as it is unforgettable.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Aug-2025 23:43:31", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016307015", "title": "A World of Kisses (Somos8)", "author": "Marta Morros, Mariona Tolosa", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 128, "review": "I consider myself a \"lovey\" person, as seen by my liking to give hugs to my friends and family. In A World of Kisses, I wasn't sure what to expect. I learned that it briefly discusses aspects of kissing, such as times and situations when kisses are appropriate, types of kisses (like how the French kiss three times in a row on the cheeks), needing permission to kiss someone, and ways to say \"kiss\" in different languages. This book will be better for younger readers, versus older ones, with the rhyming text making it easier to follow along and understand; however, I enjoyed viewing the colorful illustrations on each page, even if the drawings of people are different and more \"modern\" than I usually see in picture books.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "14-Aug-2025 23:22:30", "publisher": "NubeOcho", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016305003", "title": "The Hawk Is Dead: Roy Grace Returns In This Royally Pulse-Pounding Crime Thriller From The Multimillion-Copy Bestselling Author", "author": "Peter James", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Ruta Arellano", "word_count": 193, "review": "Detective Superintendent Roy Grace fans will be pleasantly surprised by this, the latest mystery of the series. Author Peter James provides an accurate depiction of the workings of Buckingham Palace. James posts a reader advisory that Queen Camilla and King Charles are featured players; however, their dialogues are inventions of the author. The plot is fashioned like an Agatha Christie mystery.

Queen Camilla is travelling by the Royal Train to an event in Brighton, the first stop on her busy schedule. The train driver, Stan Briggs, is a seasoned veteran, but this is his first time driving the Royal Train, and there\u2019s royalty aboard.

The train will pass through three long tunnels. Following an emergency alert, Briggs has just seconds to avoid a collision with debris on the tracks inside the Clayton Tunnel. Chaos ensues and violence follows. From this point forward, the plot continues with remarkable attention to accuracy. Readers will feel as though they have gone behind the scenes in the Palace and observed key members of the Royal Household staff.

The Hawk is Dead is 448 pages, driven by the nimble mind of Roy Grace. Maps and an illustration are a bonus.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "11-Aug-2025 19:20:13", "publisher": "Pan Macmillan", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016533003", "title": "American Grammar", "author": "Jarvis R Givens", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 204, "review": "Public education has long been used to instill certain values and beliefs by the leaders of the United States, and locally, to be taught to racial minorities in a variety of settings and success. This book explores how public schools, which started off locally supported grew to become part of the arsenal used by the United States government to build a nation, especially amongst the minority populations. Professor Jarvis Givens splits his narrative into three parts, something that I do not feel was needed, from how public education began to the rise of minority own institutions such as the Historically Black Colleges during the Antebellum and Reconstruction periods. Each chapter focuses on a specific minority in each part, though most of the second part is taken up by Native American education. While the story itself is interesting the problem with this book is that it often backtracks needlessly on itself and I believe the issue is by breaking it into three parts that the author feels he has to repeat information he already spoke about earlier. It can be frustrating when you feel like you are making progress in the history of education and then go back to cover something you already read about.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Sep-2025 20:43:56", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000016532003", "title": "Thank You, Old Oak", "author": "Britt Crow-Miller, Amy Schimler-Safford", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 198, "review": "Owl is flying home with a full belly to the Old Oak in the forest. After Owl tucks away in her hole in the Old Oak, she feels a pop and a tremble. She flies out as the Old Oak falls. After 400 years in the forest, Old Oak has reached the end of its life. Squirrels, moths, butterflies, rabbits, deer, bear, possums, and more gather to give thanks for all Old Oak has given them through the years. Old Oak provided food, shade, homes, and protection to so many of the forest creatures. But old Oak isn\u2019t quite through with its work. It will still provide homes for some animals and insects while it slowly decomposes, adding needed nutrients to the soil for the growth of future oak trees.

Britt Crow-Miller has written a lovely story of the importance of oak trees to the ecosystem. Her lyrical language will draw young readers and listeners into the book and hold their attention to the end. Five pages of excellent back-matter support the story with factual information. The delightful illustrations by Amy Schimler-Safford use paint and collage to complete the story with surprising details. Do not miss this wonderful book.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "15-Dec-2025", "date_added": "23-Sep-2025 20:38:55", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016528003", "title": "something out there in the distance", "author": "Grant Faulkner, Gail Butensky", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 192, "review": "An unusual book blending photography with the words of a pair of lonely, lost lovers. This short story which reflects the parched scenery of the desert, along with the blunted emotions of the distressed subjects who find no pleasure in their lives. She deals with a malignant diagnosis and is resolute in dealing with the consequences on her own terms. And her companion continues to drive directionless in the bleak embrace of the desolate desert. They delight in executing mischievous acts along the way, irritated by the incongruity of a golf course artificially set in the parched setting, they deliberately burn the turf and find amusement in the trouble it causes. Devoid of ambition, they greedily absorb the affection of relatives and steal some of their host\u2019s cash when leaving. Filled with anguish reflected in their comments and joyriding in the barren sands, the photos and text reflect a pair of nihilistic subjects isolated within a vast empty terrain; here, the depicted pictorial landscape mirrors the emotional character of the protagonists. While this is a novel method of combining story with photography, this reader found the narrative troubling, and the photography unimpressive.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "23-Sep-2025 20:01:49", "publisher": "University of New Mexico Press", "page_count": "98 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000016524003", "title": "The Hidden Seasons: A Calendar of Nature\u2019s Clues (Natural Navigation)", "author": "Tristan Gooley", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 189, "review": "Take a look at the changes that take place in nature through the course of a year. Watch as the sun glows and dims, feel the change of temperature as the seasons cycle. Watch the sky as the clouds take on imaginary shapes, and look at the mysteries in the water as glaciers melt. Tristan Gooley, the adventurer and naturalist, details many of the influences that environmental conditions impose on flora and fauna. In a little more than a dozen chapters, the cyclic ecological responses to Mother Nature are recorded, such as the change in plant leaf pattern reflecting modifications in exposure to light, or the timing of reproductive cycles dependent on temperature, or inspect a hailstone to determine where in its parent cloud it was formed. The guidance encourages the reader to examine one's settings and try to envisage those influences that shape one's environment. This is a nature book that has its own program, one which emphasizes the varying effects that the seasonal conditions impose on the life surrounding us. It is an interesting read that will help the reader examine this world with a different approach.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2025", "date_added": "23-Sep-2025 19:27:46", "publisher": "The Experiment", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016523003", "title": "Dinosaurs: Exploring Prehistoric Life and Geological Time", "author": "Rachel Ignotofsky", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "The title of Dinosaurs is a bit misleading only because this book covers so much more than dinosaurs and the era in which they lived. After a quick introduction, readers will find a timeline that shows how recent, in the larger scheme of things, is the age of dinosaurs, and how many other important eras there are. There are sections on plate tectonics, understanding fossils, reading rocks, mass extinction events (there were many), and understanding evolution. These lead into sections on the many eons, eras, and periods in the history of the planet. Each section is chock full of information written in accessible, conversational prose that does not shy away from using scientific language. The writer respects the middle-grade readers who will pick this book up and expects them to do what they need to do to read it. Every page is filled with wonderful illustrations that support the vast amount of information being communicated. The illustrations are not terribly realistic but still convey a good deal of information. Young readers are infinitely curious, and they will lose themselves in this wonderful compendium of historical and scientific information. This is the perfect book for young science and history lovers.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2025", "date_added": "23-Sep-2025 19:15:53", "publisher": "Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016519003", "title": "The Fall of Iris Henley", "author": "Jennifer Graham", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 193, "review": "Iris Henley\u2019s life seemed pretty perfect until six months ago, when her boyfriend supposedly murdered her best friend before killing himself. Iris hadn\u2019t even known they were together when that bombshell was dropped on her. Her life is just starting to get back to normal when someone posts online that Iris is the one who killed them. It doesn\u2019t take long for the whole school to turn against her, loving The Fall of Iris Henley. When the police reopen the investigation, Iris knows she needs to find out who really did it, if she ever hopes to clear her name.

If you love Veronica Mars as much as I do, you will love this book. You can\u2019t help but see the similarities between Iris and Veronica. This story was also a wonderful example of how it doesn\u2019t take much to ruin people\u2019s lives these days. Post something online and watch the fallout. No one needs evidence anymore, just public opinion, to convict someone. It would be nice if people would consider how it would make other people feel or if it\u2019s even true before commenting, but that would probably take a Christmas miracle.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2026", "date_added": "21-Sep-2025 20:06:36", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016515007", "title": "Everyone in the Group Chat Dies: A Novel", "author": "L M Chilton", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 249, "review": "To say that I was disappointed with Everyone in the Group Chat Dies is an understatement. A group of young adults who have nothing in common live in a flat owned by your proverbial disgusting landlord. The story is told from the point of view of one of the roommates, Clare \"Kirby\" Cornell, in the present day and twelve months earlier. When one of the roommates moves out, a young woman named Esme shows up claiming to be the group's new addition. Esme is an amateur true-crime reporter on the social media platform \"ShowMe.\" When Esme goes missing after being on a livestream, Clare sets out to find out what happened. Esme was investigating a serial killer from thirty years ago that may or may not be dead. If he wasn't dead, could he have kidnapped Esme?

The story is a cross between the Final Destination movies and some TikTok brainrot. None of the characters is particularly likable or trustworthy. The story is rather messy and difficult to follow because characters are dead, and then the timeline jumps back twelve months.

I almost DNFed this book because it never pulled me in. There was no part of the book in which I said, \"Oh, I wonder what will happen next.\" Events are unnaturally thrown at the reader, and at the end of the day, I had no emotional connection to the characters or investment in the storyline. Skip this one if you're looking for a story with good twists and turns.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "21-Jan-2026", "date_added": "21-Sep-2025 19:25:15", "publisher": "Gallery/Scout Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000016513011", "title": "Moonflower", "author": "Phillip Shabazz", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 206, "review": "Phillip Shabazz's latest poetry collection, \"//Moonflower,\" gives voice to the silent sorrows of forgotten people with a heartfelt resonance that knows injustices long buried. These poems are reflections, tributes, and elegies that bear witness to suffering with unflinching honesty.\r\n

\r\nShabazz captures the terror and violence of living while Black in the South, amid Confederate flags and the Klan's lingering shadow in halls of power. His imagery excels in depicting scenes of suffering, withdrawal, and resignation, yet never loses sight of the rituals of care and grief that bind communities together.\r\n

\r\nThe moonflower serves as a perfect metaphor for resilience and resistance. This night-blooming flower closes at light and opens in darkness, beckoning both death and loveliness. Like the flower that dwells in places of mourning yet heralds hope as morning approaches, Shabazz's poems embody persistence amid rage, chronicling a people's history bound by enduring darkness even as they reach toward light.\r\n

\r\nHere's my testimony to Shabazz's power: After reading \"//Moonflower,\" I was so deeply moved that I felt compelled to write my own poem about my people's struggles. This collection awakens something profound in its readers, transforming witness into action, sorrow into solidarity. //Moonflower// is a delicate source of joy that bears memories.", "issue": "Canceled 2", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Sep-2025 19:53:20", "publisher": "Fernwood Press", "page_count": "100 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016512003", "title": "MindWorks: An Uncanny Compendium of Short Fiction", "author": "Neal Shusterman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 194, "review": "It is not often to find a collection of young adult short stories collected together as there are not many places to publish young adult short stories in the first place, compared to the market for adult short stories. This is a collection of the short stories written by popular young adult author Neal Shisterman for the first time, giving long time and first time readers a chance to enter into his world of writing without needing the commitment of a full book. Except for a few stories that take place in his Scythe Universe the rest of the stories are standalone and like his longer fiction much of it takes place in a world of the future that is still recognizable as our own. Each story is not long, generally less than 15 pages, which makes it the perfect length to get the attention of young adult readers and keeping them engaged, as there is not the need to have the attention to get through long stories, while also being entertained by them as well. Even for readers who may not be familiar with his work will find much to enjoy as well.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "27-Nov-2025", "date_added": "21-Sep-2025 18:58:54", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "592 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016506011", "title": "Whirlwind", "author": "Bill Kurtis", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 199, "review": "This veteran TV newsman was front and center at many of the most important moments in the late 20th century. As the rare journalist with a law degree, he covered famous trials: Richard Speck, the Chicago Seven, and the Manson Family. He was one of the last reporters in Vietnam as Saigon fell and the first one allowed back in to cover the devastating effects of Agent Orange\u2014after first highlighting its toll on US soldiers. There, he discovered the shameful ways that Amerasian children and their mothers were treated, and brought it to national attention in one of the book\u2019s most exciting chapters. Kurtis gives tidbits of his personal life, primarily his early years in Kansas that molded him into a straight-arrow truth-teller, but mostly focuses on his work life, offering fascinating glimpses into how the technology of news reporting has vastly changed over the past fifty years. It\u2019s unfortunate that his publisher did not provide a thorough copy edit (there is no San Marin County in California, for instance), but don\u2019t let that quibble keep you from enjoying this vivid, heartfelt account. As he says, \u201cI wasn\u2019t covering history [at the time], I was just reporting the news.\u201d", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2025", "date_added": "17-Sep-2025 19:41:19", "publisher": "University Press of Kansas", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016506007", "title": "Everything You Know About the Human Body is Wrong!", "author": "Emma Young, Maribel Lechuga", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 131, "review": "You know how your body works, right? It is your own body after all. But how do you know what to get it to do so easily without really focusing on telling it what to do, like catching a ball, or pulling your hand away from something hot? With this book, you can dive deep into what else calls your body home, like fungi and germs. Or how about the time you were at the zoo with your uncle and he said one day apes turned into humans? This book busts lots of myths.

\nThis book was really fascinating and was packed full of information. This book has great illustrations to go along with all the information to help a variety of readers get the most out of this informative book.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2025", "date_added": "17-Sep-2025 19:02:19", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016505007", "title": "There Are No Silly Questions: More than 200 Weird and Wacky Questions, Expertly Answered!", "author": "Mike Rampton, Guilherme Karsten", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 128, "review": "This is the coolest book ever! This book is filled with facts with answers to so many random questions. Like have you ever wondered what is the biggest spider, or why moths are attracted to porch lights. This book is full of information, that you may have always wondered about, or not. It also has really cool illustrations to go with each questions. If you are looking for answers to a specific subject you can search in the back of the book.

I can really appreciate the fact that it took 1.5 years to bring this book together, like noted from the illustrator in the front of the book. This book is a great resource for school, or just for families wanting to learn the answers to random questions.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2025", "date_added": "17-Sep-2025 18:59:55", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016503007", "title": "Welcome to Our Playground: A Celebration of Games Children Play Everywhere", "author": "Moira Butterfield, Harriet Lynas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Aron Row", "word_count": 193, "review": "An oversized book fashioned in a kaleidoscope of color and featuring a jumble of active, bouncing children engaged in a myriad of play activities. Here is the chance to become familiar with toys and games played in different countries of the world. While many of the themes and rules are familiar, the languages spoken are unique to the culture. For example, take the familiar tic-tac-toe, which fittingly is called noughts and crosses, or Xs and Os in other countries. Quite an ancient game, the Romans played it with pebbles and labeled it in Latin. The content includes a treasure trove of ideas for clapping games. using nature crafts, clapping games, chalk games, playing hide and seek, tag games, and so much more. In this international overview of children\u2019s amusement activities, they are found to be common to different cultures and differ mainly in their identifiable names. Thus, the author has introduced the game names used in various languages, matching the English terms to Spanish, Korean, Tagalog, Norwegian, Japanese, and more. This is a delightful encyclopedia of children\u2019s games, colorfully illustrated with a diverse bunch of actively engaged children from all over the world.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "21-Nov-2025", "date_added": "17-Sep-2025 19:01:13", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016502003", "title": "Between These Broken Hearts", "author": "Lexi Ryan", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "E.A. Kroeker", "word_count": 190, "review": "Between These Broken Hearts concludes the Cursed Stars duology and notably wraps up the thrilling Hollow Vows storyline.

In Elora, unrest is growing. Whispers in the Fae Courts speak of Mordeus reclaiming the Unseelie throne, and the Banshee\u2019s cry foretells impending death. As the story begins, the fate of the human realm and fae courts appears grim. The cursed princess is losing herself to the spellbinding charm of the Enchanted lady. The reluctant assassin has been stripped of her glamour and is at the mercy of those pursuing her fate. Meanwhile, the human Queen is missing and presumed dead. The distinct paths of the characters continue to intersect chaotically as illusions are unraveled, bargains are struck, and necessary betrayals reveal hidden truths. With time running out, everyone must make choices about love, duty, and accepting fate.

Although the story resumes immediately after the dramatic cliffhanger from the previous book, the pace slows considerably. The multiple storylines and interactions between characters can, at times, feel repetitive as scenes are retold across different groups. The pace accelerates significantly in the final chapters as elements come together and both internal an eternal battles unfold.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2025", "date_added": "17-Sep-2025 18:38:06", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000016500003", "title": "Ooh La La! Kids Cook French: 68 Classic French Recipes Anyone Can Make", "author": "Barbara Beery", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 199, "review": "If you have a young cook in the house, this is the perfect book. It is filled with sophisticated recipes and straightforward instructions that never talk down to youngsters. Author Barbara Beery clearly respects her audience and knows how to speak to them. There are over seventy recipes that will challenge young chefs to try new skills and develop new tastes. Each recipe has its American name as well as its French name, although there is no guide to pronunciation. A level of difficulty is assigned to each recipe (most are level one with a few two and three levels), how much the recipe makes, an ingredients list, and excellent step-by-step directions. Each also has a mouthwatering full-color close-up photograph of the finished product. The recipes are arranged in nine sections: Herbs & Sauces, Appetizers, Soups, Main Courses, Salads and Vinaigrettes, Breads, Pastries & Desserts, and Drinks. Young chefs will be very excited to know they can try their hand at exciting dishes like Cr\u00e8me Br\u00fbl\u00e9e and Chicken Cordon Bleu with excellent chances for success. They can learn to make their own crunchy Croissants and sweet Macarons. Don\u2019t miss the Dauphinoise Potatoes or the simple, delicious French Green Salad.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "17-Sep-2025 18:27:48", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "184 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016498003", "title": "See You at the Summit", "author": "Jordyn Taylor", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 93, "review": "A heartfelt adult romance about coming out, self-discovery, and unexpected connection. Simone Whitaker is navigating her new life as a bi woman when she meets carpenter Ryan Foley, and their instant chemistry challenges both their assumptions about love and themselves. Set against the backdrop of pride celebrations and tender moments of vulnerability, this story blends modern romance with meaningful insight into identity and trust. It\u2019s an uplifting and affirming choice for Valentine\u2019s Day reading if you love romances with emotional depth, relatable struggles, and joyful affirmations of love in all its beautiful forms.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2026", "date_added": "16-Sep-2025 22:01:53", "publisher": "Gallery Books", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016496003", "title": "Preserving the Seasons: A Guide to Canned, Jammed, Frozen, Dehydrated, Freeze-Dried, Quick-Pickled, and Infused Produce, Herbs, and Flowers (A Cookbook)", "author": "Holly Capelle", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "If you are looking for a good book to learn about ways of preserving food, this would be a fine choice, but it is so much more. The subtitle \u2014 A Guide to Canned, Jammed, Frozen, Dehydrated, Freeze-Dried. Quick-Pickled, and Infused Produce, Herbs, and Flowers (yes, and flowers!) \u2014 gives you a hint. This is simply the most comprehensive book on food preservation this reviewer has ever seen. In addition to that, there is a great cookbook in the third section with over a hundred pages of fabulous recipes that will show you the way to incorporate all the wonderful things you have preserved and created with the information in the first two sections. For instance, say you want to make Stuffed Zucchini (and you really should), you will be using Herb Infused-Salt, Italian Seasoning Blend, and Roasted Marinara Sauce you will have made from the first two sections of the book. Making Barbecue Sauce will include Kickin\u2019 Ketchup, Herb-Infused Honey, and Purple Basil Vinegar. Whether you have your own garden or go to the farmers\u2019 market or grocery store, this book will help you use more of what you have, cutting waste, and giving you a most satisfying experience.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "16-Sep-2025 20:31:21", "publisher": "S&S/Simon Element", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016491011", "title": "The Way of the Desert Elders: How the Wisdom of Ancient Christians Sustains Us Today", "author": "Lisa Col\u00f3n DeLay", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 207, "review": "Between 300 and 600 CE, as persecution swept through the Roman Empire, a remarkable group of Christians fled to the deserts of Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Arabia. In The Way of the Desert Elders, Lisa Col\u00f3n DeLay resurrects their forgotten stories with compelling clarity.

\nThese \"desert elders\"\u2014both men and women\u2014formed monastic communities dedicated to overcoming what they called the \"nine afflicting thoughts\": gluttony, lust, avarice, wrath, acedia, despondency, vainglory, and pride. Through religious asceticism, they discovered paths to peace and hope during humanity's darkest hours.

What surprised me most, despite my Christian upbringing, was encountering these stories for the first time, particularly the women who defied societal norms. For example, Amma Marcella and Melania the Elder chose radical independence, escaping patriarchal constraints to pursue spiritual freedom in the wilderness.

Whether you're spiritually curious or historically minded, this illuminating work offers timeless insights about perseverance, community, and the courage to choose an unconventional path. DeLay masterfully brings these ancient figures to life with accessible, engaging prose. Each chapter concludes with prompts to reflect, respond, and pray: an invitation for readers to apply desert wisdom to modern struggles. The book reveals Christianity's roots as a faith of resistance and resilience, a truly important message in our era of division and apathy.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "19-Feb-2026", "date_added": "16-Sep-2025 21:58:36", "publisher": "Augsburg Fortress Publishers", "page_count": "232 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016490011", "title": "Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers", "author": "Paul Bannick", "category": "N01 Art, Architecture & Photography", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 191, "review": "Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of the North American Woodpeckers by photographer and author Paul Bannick, is a stunning and in-depth look into these fascinating birds. After the success of his first book, Bannick features a unique and distinct bird. Many people can recognize the telltale drumming sounds of the woodpeckers, but not much more. Bannick\u2019s book is a deep dive into the lives, from their physical features to their territory, courtship, nesting, and survival in winter. Bannick, through his award-winning photography and knowledgeable text, brings these birds to life.

First, this is not a field guide. It is more of a coffee table book, with its stunning photography and large hardback construction; this book would be a great addition to any bird lover\u2019s library. This book is very informative. Bannick breaks down the life of the woodpeckers. He does not focus on any specific type, but on the entire species residing in North America. As informative as this book is, the real beauty is in the stunning full-color photography. Bannick\u2019s talents are showcased in this beautiful masterpiece. One could spend hours engrossed in this captivating study of the Woodpecker.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2025", "date_added": "16-Sep-2025 21:52:22", "publisher": "The Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016487015", "title": "Dead Ends!: Flukes, Flops & Failures That Sparked Medical Marvels", "author": "Lindsey Fitzharris, Adrian Teal", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 200, "review": "We have so many modern medical life-saving treatments that we often don\u2019t think about how they came about. This marvelous middle-grade book takes a look at how people tried truly bizarre treatments over hundreds of years that somehow led to the miracles doctors seem to work today. Readers will be fascinated to know that holes were drilled in skulls to release demons or that some doctors thought milk, rather than blood, transfusions were a good idea. A fur trader in the 1800s was injured by a shotgun blast, leaving him with a fist-sized hole in his side. A doctor treated him, but the wound never closed. The doctor found that he had a great window into the inner workings of man. Stories like these fill the book and will keep youngsters engaged. The writing by Lindsey Fitzharris is easily accessible to young readers. While filled with facts, the writing is conversational and imbued with humor. Her research shines through on every page. The cartoonish illustrations are fun and will engage young readers all the way through. Everything is done in black and white and red, the perfect way to show such a bloody history. This one is fun and educational.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "20-Nov-2025", "date_added": "16-Sep-2025 21:40:06", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016483003", "title": "Dinner at the Night Library: A Novel", "author": "Hika Harada, Philip Gabriel", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 205, "review": "Otoha Higuchi was not one for academia; all she wanted out of life was to be around books. But she has yet to find a job that\u2019s just the right fit. That is, until she receives a mysterious invitation from the Night Library to apply for an opening. This wasn\u2019t like anything she had ever seen, with books by late authors on display and not available for checkout by patrons. Finally, Otoha feels at home. But her new job is threatened when strange happenings occur that could mean the end of the Night Library.

This reads as a love letter to the love of reading and literature, with a library only accessible at night and featuring books on display. Entering the Night Library feels like walking into a book museum where everyone is welcome. Otoha finds a place for herself in the quirkiness and charm of the library, and among the staff who share the same interests as her. Strange occurrences threaten the joy and peace the library brings, creating an underlying mystery that builds up for a delightful final episode. Dinner at the Night Library is character-centric with snappy dialogue, a charming mystery, and a fun assortment of characters who bring with them humorous situations.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "15-Sep-2025 22:34:24", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016480003", "title": "White Widow: Secret Sisters", "author": "Tess Sharpe", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 186, "review": "The mission is simple: destroy the package at any cost. Only the package turns out to be a person. A child. Yelena Belova is a Widow. It shouldn\u2019t matter. She has her orders. But the little girl has her face and Yelena reacts before she thinks. Now on the run in a stolen minivan, she has more questions then answers, a team of Widows on her tale, a conspiracy far more complicated then she ever thought and now she\u2019s questioning things she was trained to never consider.

You don\u2019t need to have read the comics or watched the movies for this book to make sense. You just need to be familiar. So if you\u2019re a huge Marvel fan, you might be disappointed with this story. The Red Room is awful, there\u2019s no denying it, but Yelena doesn\u2019t know differently and that comes across well. The characters are straightforward, most with only one or two traits, but they are all different from each other and easy to keep track of who\u2019s who. Information is often repeated more then needed. The combat was fast paced and not drawn out.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2025", "date_added": "15-Sep-2025 22:27:15", "publisher": "Disney - RHCB", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000016479003", "title": "The Grey Wolf: A Novel (Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, 19)", "author": "Louise Penny", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Susan Miller", "word_count": 184, "review": "Armand Gamache, the head of homicide in Quebec, is enjoying a quiet afternoon in his garden when his peace is shattered by a phone call from a former nemesis. And although he manages to avoid talking to the person, he soon encounters other strange coincidences. For one thing, someone has broken into his Montreal apartment only to return a stolen item to police headquarters. If that weren't enough, the person wants to meet Gamache to explain. Is it a trap? Of course, Gamache has to go and find out. This leads to another sinister, dangerous event. And soon enough, a full-blown investigation into something that could turn his world upside down is underway.

The Grey Wolf may be Louise Penny's finest work yet. If you are already a fan of this series, you will not want to miss this book. It has the familiar cast of characters that readers have come to know and love, and the writing is pitch-perfect. But you will probably need to set aside some time for this one because once you start reading, it will be hard to put down.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "21-Oct-2025", "date_added": "15-Sep-2025 22:23:11", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016473003", "title": "Doctor Bedtime's SLEEP MAGIC Superpowers for Super-Sleepers", "author": "Roger Washington Faafp, Scarlet Nickhol Mpp Mba, Stacy Hummel", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 173, "review": "Sleeping is something I love to do, especially sleeping in, but sometimes it's hard to wind down at the end of the day to get to sleep at a decent time due to many reasons. Doctor Bedtime's SLEEP MAGIC Superpowers for Super-Sleepers is a children's book that gives reminders about the importance of sleep and other aspects of sleep, such as knowing when you feel tired, finding the best spot for you to comfortably sleep, the fun dreams that might happen, and how it helps your body and mind to be and do their best, which helps you to do the same in lots of areas of your life. The book is written in rhyming text, which is fun, but I felt that the book overall was slightly too long for what I already know about sleep. Younger readers who don't know the importance of sleep, or readers who struggle with sleeping, will probably get the most out of this book, or caregivers reading to or for either of these types of readers.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2025", "date_added": "15-Sep-2025 18:42:33", "publisher": "Sleep to Live Well Foundation", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000016468003", "title": "Howdy! Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry!: A Picture Book", "author": "Emily Frans, Susanna Chapman, Lainey Wilson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 204, "review": "Howdy! Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry! by Emily Frans provides information about a special and honorable stage known for its weekly country music performances of old and new singers together, allowing fans to enjoy their favorite people and music regularly. The Grand Ole Opry began much smaller in 1925, but as it got more popular, it had to switch venues twice before settling on its current, permanent home in Nashville, TN. I like how the author presents this book - it's a picture book with lots of bright colors appropriate for younger readers, but it also has a lot to look at on each page, formatted similar to collages, which keeps older readers' attention; there is just enough information that the reader will learn something, or be able to reminese if they are already familiar, but also not too much to make it like a textbook. The book celebrates and includes country music singers from the beginning, such as Minnie Pearl and Dolly Parton, and includes greats through the current years, such as Scotty McCreery and Lainey Wilson. I would recommend this book to any reader because it is about a historical American genre, whether you're a fan of country music or not.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2025", "date_added": "14-Sep-2025 20:20:42", "publisher": "Abrams Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016467007", "title": "Higher Magic: A Novel", "author": "Courtney Floyd", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 217, "review": "Dorothe Bartleby is filled with anxiety as she\u2019s facing the impending doom of her qualifying exams. She gets one last chance, or she\u2019ll be removed from the Magic program. To add insult to injury, she has been informed that she must reframe the entirety of her dissertation, and worse, she must use Digimancy. Just as her focus should be on remaining in the program, she begins to suspect the worst when her students, along with others in the university, asking for disability accommodations, are disappearing.

The comedic timing of Floyd is spot on, with quirky dialogue and perfectly absurd situations, such as a talking skull that participates by narrating Bartleby\u2019s thoughts. Somehow, Floyd makes every eccentric scene work to the advantage of the plot. And even finds time to include some romance with Bartleby, having no choice but to seek help from the handsome James. The cast of characters is delightful, unique, and features lovely inclusivity. The world is a modern-day reflection, though with a magical bent and jargon that helps immerse you in the reality that Floyd has created. The mystery serves the greater good of the plot by shining a light on characters with disabilities and anxiety. Higher Magic is a magical treat with charm, magic, mystery, and subtle commentary about friendship, acceptance, and inclusion.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "01-Nov-2025", "date_added": "14-Sep-2025 20:31:39", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016467003", "title": "The Boys in the Light: An Extraordinary World War II Story of Survival, Faith, and Brotherhood", "author": "Nina Willner", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 206, "review": "It was April 1945 when the men of D-Company met the young waifs Eddie Willner and Mike Swaab. While Second Lieutenant Elmer Hovland and the men under his charge, such as Sammy \u201cPepsi\u201d DiCola, had recently survived the \u201cBattle of the Bulge\u201d, Eddie and Mike had just escaped another kind of hell, the genocidal persecution of the Nazis. Elmer Hovland was a hard-working young man from Minnesota who won the trust and respect of his fellow soldiers with his solid leadership. Pepsi DiCola was from a tight-knit Italian clan in Massachusetts. DiCola became a cook in the army who provided sustenance and a sympathetic ear to the men. Eddie was from Monchenbgladbach, Germany, and Mike was from Amsterdam, and the young men survived five years of indescribable torment at Auschwitz and other concentration camps. Their resilience led them to this fateful point and a second chance at life.

The Boys in the Light is a touching and riveting story about survival and courage under the most gut-wrenching conditions. Author Nina Willner has written an outstanding book that touches upon the unbreakable bonds forged under fire, and how fate brought these incredible men together, and the impact it had on the men and their families for decades after.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "28-Oct-2025", "date_added": "14-Sep-2025 20:07:44", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016466015", "title": "This Way to Happy", "author": "Alison Green Myers", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 192, "review": "Reilly Rhoades has grown up at her grandparents\u2019 amusement park and campground. Her cousin and BFF Nic also lives there. It\u2019s been a happy life until Grandpa died recently. Now it seems keeping the business going is something of a struggle, which causes Reilly and Nic\u2019s mothers to fight more and more. When Grandma gets sick and ends up in the hospital, Reilly\u2019s mom loses it and slaps Nic. Nic\u2019s mom takes Nic, packs up, and leaves town. Everyone who works at the park pitches in to try to keep things going, but it\u2019s hard. Reilly makes a new friend, Alex, who is staying at the campground. It helps, but Reilly still misses Nic. Can things ever get back to normal?

Allison Green Myers has written a story of an extended family trying to run a business and all get along. It touches on issues of loss, grieving, and learning to go on. It\u2019s very realistic and leaves some issues unresolved, as happens in life. The characters are well-rounded, and the writing is great. The setting is unique, and it will capture the attention of young readers. This is a terrific middle-grade novel.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2025", "date_added": "14-Sep-2025 21:48:52", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016465003", "title": "The History of Money: A Story of Humanity", "author": "David McWilliams", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 209, "review": "This book claims that money isn\u2019t just metal discs, paper, or pixels on a screen; it\u2019s the greatest collective fiction humanity ever decided to trust. It retells the epic story of money from clay-tablet IOUs of ancient Sumer to bitcoins. Along the way are references to Roman urine taxes, Rai stones, and citizens using billion-mark notes as wallpaper.

The book is chronologically arranged in five parts, each with three to five chapters. Each chapter is built around a monetary breakthrough or meltdown. It starts with credit in Mesopotamia, and moves on to Greek silver, Chinese paper money, the concept of zero, England\u2019s tally-stick system, the gold standard, the creation of central banks, fiat currency, and finally crypto. The pages are peppered with sharp sidebars, irreverent footnotes, and a helping of humor \u2013 no equations, virtually no charts, and no deep discussion of economic theory.

Enthusiasm for money and humor reeks through the narrative. The text fluidly weaves money into religion, war, and art. The anecdotes are unforgettable, the pace relentless, and the prose delightful. The book\u2019s scope and objective sometimes sacrifice depth for memorable anecdotes. Chapters on the creation of the Federal Reserve, the eurozone crises, and cryptocurrency feel rushed. Overall, a great book for general readers interested in economic history.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "18-Dec-2025", "date_added": "14-Sep-2025 19:47:39", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000016463011", "title": "The Library of Lost Maps: An Archive of a World in Progress", "author": "James Cheshire", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 212, "review": "At first, we ask, with cell phones to show us our route to the restaurant, the doctor's office, our vacation destination, why do we need printed maps and atlases? Cartographer and map teacher James Cheshire fills The Library of Lost Maps with multiple reasons. Maps serve purposes we may not have realized and considered.

Political maps, for example, show us the path Hitler chose for World War II, and the path of Europeans a century earlier, swarming over Africa, drawing borders, and filling vast empty areas to demonstrate their colonial hegemony.

Accurate information about the properties of the physical world was not available in the past, with a couple of clicks, as it is today. The Society for Useful Knowledge, known as SPUK, was founded in the late 1820s and produced high-quality maps sold individually by monthly subscription. The initial plan to produce 16 maps rose to a total of 224 maps, including 6 maps of the stars. Cheshire describes how early map printing involved making plates from meticulously hand-drawn maps, then etching them before they were individually printed. In addition to maps, Cheshire introduces the creators of early maps and the impact of their work.

The Library of Lost Maps is housed in University College London, the only non-religious\nuncesity when founded in 1826.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2025", "date_added": "14-Sep-2025 20:01:00", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016461007", "title": "Avatar Legends: City of Echoes (Avatar Legends Book 1) (Volume 1)", "author": "Judy I Lin", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 199, "review": "Not all is well in Ba Sing Se, no matter how much everyone wants to believe it is. Jin is a refugee with her grandfather, her parents lost in an attack from the Fire Nation. But Susu makes life easier, her best friend since she first arrived. When Susu makes a deal to work in the upper ring to save her family, Jin promises to do whatever it takes to get her home. Danger is around every corner as she tries to earn enough money, but so are new friends and allies.

If you haven\u2019t seen the show, there will be many things that won\u2019t make sense; there are characters and events talked about without context. Jin originally only had a brief appearance and I\u2019m glad to see more of her. Her story shows that even the background characters can make a difference. Many of the relationships were bland, with no real connection to keep them together. The plot was everywhere and too fast paced in places, with to many things going on at once and glossing over important events. Overall, I enjoyed reading about Jin and this is an excellent addition to the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "31-Oct-2025", "date_added": "14-Sep-2025 20:27:27", "publisher": "Amulet Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000016458011", "title": "It's Not Easy Being a T. Rex: A Dinosaur Story", "author": "Marilyn Sadler, Stephanie Laberis", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 190, "review": "It's Not Easy Being a T. Rex is an adorable story about a T. Rex's first day at school. She is worried that the other dinosaurs won't like her. She is self-conscious about her short arms and big head. At school, it's hard for T. Rex to play at recess because her arms are so short. When she tries to play kickball, she grabs the ball with her teeth, and the ball deflates. But then, something happens. A volcano erupts, and a rock knocks the kickball cage over one of her classmates. She uses her strong jaw to free him. From then on, the other dinosaurs tell her she's a hero and not to worry about her shortcomings.

This is a great story for any child who may be afraid of going to school. The lesson in the book teaches children that they all have their strengths and weaknesses, and no one is perfect.

The illustrations are so cute and colorful, they will catch the eye of any child. A sweet story with fun characters and a great lesson, It's Not Easy Being a T. Rex is sure to become a favorite.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2025", "date_added": "14-Sep-2025 20:19:22", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016458003", "title": "The Maya Myths", "author": "Mallory E Matsumoto", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 225, "review": "//The Maya Myths// by Mallory Matsumoto is a captivating and accessible journey into the rich spiritual world of the Maya civilization. Spanning present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador, the Maya civilization was not a single, unified people but a diverse array of cultures connected by shared beliefs, languages, and cosmology. Matsumoto, a professor of religious studies, skillfully brings these ancient traditions to life through six core themes\u2014ranging from creation and migration to destruction and renewal.\n

\nWhat sets this book apart is Matsumoto\u2019s deep understanding and respect for the source material. She weaves together Indigenous myths drawn from hieroglyphic inscriptions, archaeological artifacts, and colonial-era manuscripts to reveal stories of gods, heroes, and ancestors. Richly illustrated with photographs of carvings, pottery, and other objects, the book makes ancient symbols tangible. Readers meet the Maize God, journey through the celestial realms and the underworld, and encounter animals that speak and shape destiny. \n

\nFor readers curious about ancient Mesoamerican cultures, //The Maya Myths// is an enlightening and beautifully crafted introduction that honors a complex, enduring legacy. Matsumoto explains the deeper meanings of each story within Maya life and worldview. She emphasizes that growing interest in Maya myths has enriched scholarship, offering contemporary readers a deeper, more nuanced understanding of how these stories reflect a people navigating an evolving reality and adapting to a changing world.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "14-Sep-2025 19:31:48", "publisher": "Thames & Hudson", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016456003", "title": "The World at First Light: A New History of the Renaissance", "author": "Bernd Roeck", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ross Rojek", "word_count": 356, "review": "Bernd Roeck\u2019s The World at First Light: A New History of the Renaissance is a sweeping and ambitious re-examination of what the Renaissance was, where and when it took root, and what conditions made it possible. The book unfolds over more than 1,100 pages (in translation by Patrick Baker), and Roeck casts his net wide: he situates the Renaissance not simply as an Italian or high-culture phenomenon, but as the outcome of centuries of change across politics, religion, society, and geography.

One of the core strengths of this work is Roeck\u2019s insistence on the preconditions for the Renaissance. He argues that features such as political competition among small states, proximity to the Arab world (with its transmission of Greek antiquity), religious conflict, and the interplay of craft, science, and art all played central roles. He demonstrates how these factors combined to produce a culture both eager to preserve knowledge and willing to experiment with new forms.

Roeck\u2019s scope is itself a double-edged sword. The richness of detail is impressive as the reader navigates trade networks, court politics, religious strife, artistic practices, and scientific innovations. Many of the small stories (guilds, manuscripts, artisans) are illuminating and help build texture. At the same time, the sheer scale of the work means that some arguments feel underdeveloped, and some threads, while interesting, seem peripheral to the main theses. At times, the density of material can overwhelm.

In terms of style, Roeck is learned and erudite. His voice is that of a historian deeply engaged with sources and with scholarship. For readers seeking an expansive rethinking of the Renaissance that situates it in global relational and temporal contexts, this book is a major contribution. Yet one should come prepared: this is not a quick read. It demands both patience and stamina.

Overall, The World at First Light succeeds in reframing the Renaissance not simply as a cultural rebirth but as the forging of modernity itself. It challenges many traditional boundaries around periodization, geography, and value. For scholars and serious students of history, this is essential reading. For general readers interested in the Renaissance, there is much reward here, though also a challenge.", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "23-Sep-2025", "date_added": "13-Sep-2025 18:23:31", "publisher": "Princeton University Press", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016452003", "title": "Lake Effect: A Novel", "author": "Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 232, "review": "The Larkins and the Finnegans live across the street from one another in Rochester, NY. It is 1977 and the parents socialize together and the children grow up together, but the appearance of one book, The Joy of Sex, becomes a catalyst for matriarch Nina Larkin to examine the marriage she's worked so hard to stitch together. Lake Effect is a tour de force, and Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney is an author to be read voraciously.

The plot moves quickly and involves lovers' quarrels, betrayals, divorces, dinner parties, and the crushing desperation of teenage heartbreak. I'd hate to give too much away, but I'll say this: when two of the parents begin an affair, life on Cambridge Road changes irrevocably. It's easy to pass judgments on the ones who leave, but Sweeney, with a microscopic focus, dissects why people leave, so no one is clean. There is no perfect divorce, but there are reasons, and those reasons echo through generations.

The novel is split into three sections: 1977-78, 1994-95 and 1998. I don't typically enjoy novels that do this--it can feel like a cop out rather than writing a story that moves through time in a connected fashion. Sweeney's choice, though, mimics the fractures at place in the Larkin and Finnegan families' lives. It is a brilliant book that will make you laugh and think and feel deep gratitude for the love in your life.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "10-Sep-2025 19:37:53", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016450003", "title": "Everyone a Stranger", "author": "Kevin O'Brien", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 178, "review": "The year is 1943 and Virginia Abrams lost her husband in Guadalcanal over a year ago. On a date with the son of a senator, she is assaulted and ends up pregnant. The senator wants this problem erased and so Virginia flees to Seattle where Everyone A Stranger will be in her favor. However, when a neighbor dies in her apartment complex, Virginia discovers you can never really outrun your past. She\u2019ll have to decide what\u2019s more important, protecting her unborn child or standing up for what\u2019s right. ||I wasn\u2019t sure how well a male author would do writing from the perspective of a young woman, especially a pregnant one. I think he exaggerated the pregnancy side of things a bit, but otherwise he didn\u2019t do too bad of a job. This is not a quick read but it is an entertaining one. I enjoyed the multiple mysteries taking place and it\u2019s always fun to see places you know in literature. If you enjoy murder mysteries, especially ones set in the 1940s, then this book is for you.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "10-Sep-2025 19:29:37", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016448007", "title": "Murder Your Darlings", "author": "Jenna Blum", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 190, "review": "The story revolves around three characters: Simone, a second-tier author struggling with writer\u2019s block; William, a novelist whose every book ends up on the best-sellers list; and a bookshop assistant, dubbed Rabbit. Rabbit is stalking William; William is romancing Simone; Simone is receiving threatening messages from Rabbit. Part I follows William and Simone\u2019s growing involvement through alternating chapters in which each new stage in their wooing is portrayed first from Simone\u2019s participant perspective, then from Rabbit\u2019s voyeur perspective. In Part II, the story continues from William\u2019s perspective. The reader learns more about him, including: his encouragement of other writers through his Darlings Support Group; his unique talent for crafting novels across multiple genres; and his remarkable sexual attraction to women. Hints about the dark undercurrents lying beneath the interactions among the three are scattered throughout, alerting the reader to the outcome well before it plays out in Part III. The concluding section, then, derives its excitement, not from the what of the ugly truth, but from how it is discovered\u2026 and its deadly aftermath. The clever premise, snappy dialogue, and deep characterization make Murder Your Darlings a thoroughly worthwhile read.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "10-Sep-2025 19:56:15", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016443015", "title": "God\u2019s Junk Drawer", "author": "Peter Clines", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex C. Telander", "word_count": 197, "review": "Peter Clines, author of most recently //The Broken Room// and //Paradox Bound//, returns with another time travel romp, but this time going to an alternate world with dinosaurs and alien machinery.\n\nThe Gather family vanished forty years ago while whitewater rafting. Five years later, Billy Gather miraculously returned spouting tales of dinosaurs and aliens and Neanderthals. Everyone wrote him off as crazy. Now Professor Noah Barnes (Billy grown up) is checking out a site with his students, all culminating at a specific place and time. He knows how to get back to where his family was lost, but he ends up bringing his students with him. Now they\u2019re all back in the Valley, but they soon discover it\u2019s a puzzle that needs to be solved if they\u2019re to survive. What begins is a wild tale of adventure and the impossible brought to life.\n\nYou always know you\u2019re going to get an insane story with Peter Clines, and his latest novel is aptly titled, //God\u2019s Junk Drawer.// The characters are interesting and varied, and the writing is gripping. The key is to just keep following the story because you have no idea where it\u2019s going to take you.", "issue": "Canceled", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "10-Sep-2025 19:54:02", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "590 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016443011", "title": "The Green Funeral: Honoring the Environment While Beautifying Funeral Practices", "author": "Sequola Dawson, David Emannuel Goatley, Jonathan C Augustine", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 223, "review": "The Rev. Dr. Sequola Dawson delivers a bold and necessary intervention in her critique of Black Church funeral practices. Identifying as an \"earth theologian\" and \"bereavement minister,\" Dawson advocates for environmentally conscious \"green funerals\" that honor both God's covenant with the faithful and our collective responsibility to steward the land. Her arguments are firmly anchored in ecclesial training, environmental research, intimate knowledge of the Black community, and practical experience with parishioners.

As a non-Black person of color with an interest in nature-based burial practices, I approach The Green Funeral with awareness of my social location and the limitations of my perspective on Black traditions and experiences. What makes particularly compelling is Dawson's unvarnished perspective on the Black Church. She doesn't shy away from challenging long-held beliefs and attitudes about dying, death, and the ecological crisis\u2014a courage rooted in her deep love for and commitment to her community. Her writing skillfully blends academic rigor with the persuasive, prophetic call to action characteristic of faith leaders.

\nDawson's focus on environmental theology opens crucial conversations about how communities of faith can respond to the climate crisis through reimagined death practices. For readers interested in nature-based burials, this book provides theological grounding and cultural context often missing from mainstream green death discourse. It's essential reading for anyone seeking to integrate ecological justice with spiritual practice and community tradition.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "15-Dec-2025", "date_added": "10-Sep-2025 19:45:49", "publisher": "Augsburg Fortress Publishers", "page_count": "214 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016442011", "title": "Princess Minna: The Big Bad Snowy Day", "author": "Sahar Haghgoo, Kirsty Applebaum", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 176, "review": "Princess Minna: The Big Bad Snowy Day is technically book four in the //Princess Minna// series, but the reader won't have any problems if they start reading any of her adventures at any point; this is because the necessary information for the reader is reminded toward the beginning, and then the story begins. In The Big Bad Snowy Day, Minna needs to rescue her grandma, who has been snowed in after a big snowstorm hit the night before. Minna thinks she knows the way, and she eventually runs into friends whom she tries to help, but it's only when they all work together that the problem gets solved, and they have a great time enjoying the snow!

I enjoyed this story because it contains parts of other fairy tales that are fun to find. Minna is a great friend and daughter to her parents, the king and queen, and she loves to get things done while having a fun time! I will continue reading future books in this series and encourage others to do the same.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "19-Dec-2025", "date_added": "10-Sep-2025 21:07:20", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016441015", "title": "1000 Botanical Colors: Make Your Own Dyes, Paints, Inks, Stains, and Pottery Paints from 250 Plants", "author": "Caleb Warnock", "category": "N06 Crafts & Hobbies", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 198, "review": "Before this fantastic offering, I had no idea what a mordant might be. Or a glass muller. Briefly, mordants make colors more resistant to fading from light or washing and vary the color yields from plants. A process involving gently slurrying a bit of botanical between a glass weight and a flat slab of the same material, a glass muller, mulls paint from flowers, herbs, leaves, and seeds.

The author has years of teaching and experimenting tucked into this invaluable work. Subjects potentially forbidding, such as creating mordants, turn into comfy home projects.|| There is infinite detail, delivered in fine clarity of language, with some nice humor.

Paints, inks, dyes, stains, delving into everything from tie-dying to fabric selection to explorations, with safety precautions for adults and kids, proliferate. A wealth of sharing!!||Starting on page 115, plants are introduced by their Linnaean name, then, in Bold, their English one, with a very clear 3x2 photo. Listed are: parts for pigment, type (shrub, tree), hardiness zone, and whether it\u2019s annual or perennial. Then a step-by-step procedure with commentary. Prominent are broad color swatches noting mordants/methods used to produce each.

Interested in natural color? Here is kindly guidance delivered by a master craftsman.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "19-Dec-2025", "date_added": "10-Sep-2025 20:49:55", "publisher": "Familius", "page_count": "392 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016441011", "title": "I Did Not Kill My Husband", "author": "Linda Keir", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 241, "review": "I Did Not Kill My Husband by Linda Keir is a story about a woman named Cara Campbell who is convicted of murdering her husband, Karl. Cara claims she's innocent, but the jury convicted her of hitting her husband over the head with a hammer while they were glamping. Cara, a social media influencer, is bashed over the head herself on social media after she is convicted. When Cara and several other inmates are being transported, they are in an accident, and Cara escapes into the wilderness.

What I enjoyed about this book was the storyline that kept moving forward with Cara. What would she do next? Whom would she meet? Would she get caught before finding out what really happened the day her husband was murdered?

The book is written in alternating point-of-view chapters, however. One point of view is that of Cara's. The other point of view is that of the sheriff, Jordan Burke. I felt that all the chapters written from the sheriff's perspective were completely unnecessary and bogged down the book with boring details. The book could have been half as long, yet the story would still be just as good.

I'm assuming that since the author is a team of two people, one wrote one series of chapters and the other wrote the other series. Although I enjoy books with different points of view, this one just didn't do it for me. The ending was also very anticlimatic.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "19-Mar-2026", "date_added": "10-Sep-2025 19:01:13", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000016441003", "title": "Ask for Andrea", "author": "Noelle West Ihli", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 161, "review": "This book was one of the best books I've read this year. Told from the point of view of three girls, all murdered by the same psychopath. The twist? He's married with kids. Ask for Andrea is an all too realistic tale where readers will be cheering for the spirits of the missing girls to bring their captor to justice. I loved how the three girls end up finding one another, sharing their stories with one another, and ultimately working together. This story will tug at readers' heartstrings but also have them cheering. The scenes and character development are phenomenal, and I felt as if I was right there with each girl as she left her physical body. I was on the edge of my seat with this one. Ihli unravels the story piece by piece and then brings all of the elements together in a race against time. Readers of Chevy Stevens and Karin Slaughter will love this fast-paced thriller.", "issue": "October 2025", "date_posted": "30-Oct-2025", "date_added": "10-Sep-2025 18:18:48", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016440003", "title": "Love & Other Monsters", "author": "Emily Franklin", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 182, "review": "1816, the Year Without a Summer, is familiar to many people, whether because of the historical significance of the Mount Tambora eruption or because of the literary significance of the intellectual gathering at Lake Geneva, which led to Mary Shelley writing Frankenstein and inventing what would become science fiction.

Love & Other Monsters is focused on the latter, but it tells the story through the point of view of Claire Clairmont, Mary\u2019s stepsister and one of Lord Byron\u2019s many lovers. The book is at once a coming-of-age novel, though it doesn\u2019t seem that way to begin with, and a rich look into history. At times, the details and introspection bog down the narrative, but they are so beautifully written that it is an easy fault to forgive. Mostly, I was enmeshed in the story, in Claire\u2019s desperation to prove herself and to determine what sort of woman she will grow into.

There are many books telling chapters of history from the perspective of forgotten women. Many of those books are, sadly, forgettable themselves. Love & Other Monsters deserves to be one that is remembered.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "08-May-2026", "date_added": "09-Sep-2025 22:17:05", "publisher": "David R. Godine, Publisher", "page_count": "472 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016435007", "title": "This House Will Feed", "author": "Maria Tureaud", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 189, "review": "Maggie O\u2019Shaughnessy is the sole survivor of her family during the Great Hunger of Ireland. In the workhouse, trying to survive, she meets Lady Catherine, who has come to whisk her away to pretend to be her dearly departed daughter, Wilhelmina. Lady Catherine needs Maggie to impersonate her so that their land will not be taken away, meaning Lady Catherine will no longer be able to care for the tenants. It doesn\u2019t take long before Maggie comes to realize that something is not right in the house. When she begins to see the Woman in White, Maggie knows that This House Will Feed and she will do whatever it takes to make sure it\u2019s not on her.

There were so many frightening things about this book. If you love Gothic horror, I highly recommend it. It is also educational, as I learned so much about the Great Hunger. I can\u2019t even imagine what it was like to go through that, but the author does a wonderful job of bringing the horror of that time to life without downplaying the atrocities. This is definitely a book to add to your collection.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "21-Jan-2026", "date_added": "09-Sep-2025 22:12:24", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016628003", "title": "Lucien", "author": "J R Thornton", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 101, "review": "Lucien by J.R. Thornton is a darkly compelling and exquisitely crafted psychological thriller that examines ambition, class, and the dangers of blind admiration. Through the eyes of Christopher \u201cAtlas\u201d Novotny, a gifted but vulnerable artist, readers are drawn into the intoxicating world of his wealthy, enigmatic Harvard roommate, Lucien Orsini-Conti. Thornton expertly balances tension, character study, and suspense, showing how charisma can mask manipulation and darkness. With sharp social observation, richly drawn characters, and escalating stakes, the novel is a riveting exploration of identity, desire, and moral compromise. Lucien is addictive, sophisticated, and hauntingly unforgettable, perfect for fans of literary thrillers.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "28-Oct-2025 23:04:40", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016622015", "title": "Like in Love with You", "author": "Emma R Alban", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 92, "review": "A delightful Regency-inspired contemporary romance, Like in Love with You channels the spirit of classic romance with a fresh, modern twist. Think Mean Girls meets Northanger Abbey: witty, sharp, and full of charm. When the heroine\u2019s sharp wit and misadventures lead her into a fresh yet unconventional romantic situation, she must navigate feelings that are as complicated as they are irresistible. This book delivers romance with depth, humor, and engaging characters that make it ideal for Valentine\u2019s season reading, especially if you love clever dialogue and swoony moments tied to timeless tropes.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2026", "date_added": "28-Oct-2025 23:09:19", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016622003", "title": "The House of Hidden Letters", "author": "Izzy Broom", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 89, "review": "The House of Hidden Letters explores a Greek island escape filled with heart, mystery, and community. Skye MacKinnon seizes a once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy a cottage for just one euro and, in doing so, starts a fresh chapter of life under the Mediterranean sun. As she and fellow lottery winners bond, they uncover old letters that unlock the island\u2019s wartime past and deepen their emotional connections. Readers can expect sweeping escapism, warm relational depth, and the comfort of sunlit surroundings \u2014 perfect for cozy reading on a rainy afternoon.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "28-Oct-2025 21:31:45", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016620011", "title": "FDR: A New Political Life", "author": "Beito T David", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 197, "review": "Franklin Delano Roosevelt is considered one of the greatest Presidents of the United States in the country\u2019s history. His four election victories (1932, 1936, 1940, 1944) were unprecedented and haven\u2019t been duplicated. However, his ascent to Governor of New York, and later, standard bearer of the Democratic Party, was nearly derailed primarily due to his battle with Polio. Roosevelt and his advisers\u2019 ability to conceal the extent of his illness greatly assisted him at the polls during the election season. The successes that have been attributed to him while President primarily concern his New Deal legislation and his wartime leadership. However, as author David T. Beito skillfully shows, many of the New Deal programs only prolonged the economic woes, while his Lend-Lease Act skirted neutrality and his intransigence towards Japan hastened the hostilities that began with Pearl Harbor.

FDR: A New Political Life is a thorough reassessment of the political career of the 32nd President of the United States. Author David T. Beito has written an exemplary biography of a consummate politician who was never truly magnanimous; a leader often inclined to prevaricate on difficult decisions. Beito\u2019s valuable work demonstrates how a cult of personality can be deconstructed.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "18-Dec-2025", "date_added": "28-Oct-2025 21:43:27", "publisher": "Carus Books", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016613011", "title": "The Glastonbury Triangle", "author": "Stephen Ford", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 452, "review": "Stephen Ford\u2019s third novel, The Glastonbury Triangle, is a smart, atmospheric blend of contemporary investigative thriller and ancient British lore. It manages to be both a fast-paced page-turner and a thoughtful meditation on the tension between belief, science, and nature. I appreciate a book that doesn't just entertain but offers a deeper dive into the cultural fault lines of modern Britain, and Ford delivers on this front. The professional, yet easily accessible tone of the writing makes it a smooth read, grounding the more fantastical elements in a recognisably messy reality.

The story drops us immediately into the world of Simon Chewton, a journalist for the sensationalist The Daily Trumpet, sent to Glastonbury to write a puff piece on a new Arthurian-themed attraction, the Knights of Camelot theme park, owned by the aristocratic Marquess of Mendip. Chewton, however, is quickly drawn into a far more sinister narrative. The Marquess's stately home becomes the backdrop for a police investigation into missing persons, hinting at a potential cover-up involving powerful figures. This setup, in which a cynical journalist finds himself over his head, is a classic device, and Ford uses it effectively to propel the mystery forward.

The Glastonbury Triangle weaves together several powerful and conflicting themes. Central to the narrative is the exploration of myth, legend, and spirituality against the modern world. Glastonbury, a town steeped in Arthurian lore, serves as a natural battleground for two distinct communities: the traditional, Christian Moral Multitude and the local Pagan and Wicca counterculture. Chewton\u2019s professional pursuit of a sensational story is complicated by his personal search for his girlfriend, Jenny, who has embraced the local pagan scene.

Layered over this spiritual conflict is a chilling theme of unethical science and conspiracy. We get glimpses of a shady research operation involving Dr. Shorbody and the Marquess, discussing \"accelerated breeding\" and the creation of \"hybrid organisms\" and \"strange mutant creatures\". The author is clearly tackling fundamental philosophical questions here, such as the nature of life and where the human spirit fits within the broader natural world. The missing persons, the Marquess\u2019s mysterious 'spiritual advisor' Philomena, and the suggestion of a prehistoric time warp all coalesce into a compelling, modern-day conspiracy thriller rooted in the ancient energy of the land.

This book will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy stories that blur the lines between science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. It\u2019s a great choice for those intrigued by the Arthurian legend and the modern-day Pagan and New Age movements. If you're a fan of investigative thrillers where the protagonist has to make moral compromises to uncover the truth, you'll find plenty to appreciate in Simon Chewton's journey. The Glastonbury Triangle is a success, offering a heady mix of ancient mystery and modern-day intrigue.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2025", "date_added": "25-Oct-2025 03:36:06", "publisher": "Cinnamon Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016613007", "title": "First Descent: A Contemporary Fantasy Holiday Adventure", "author": "Mike Pace", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 488, "review": "Mike Pace\u2019s First Descent, the first novel in The Crevasse Trilogy, grabs you from its opening pages and doesn\u2019t let go. It begins with an Arctic expedition gone horribly wrong, a scene that combines the awe of scientific discovery with the primal terror of nature. \u201cVirgil Landowski took a deep breath and unzipped the tent flap,\u201d Pace writes, immediately dropping readers into a blizzard of suspense and desperation. The frigid isolation, the creeping madness of the unknown, and the sheer intensity of the setting make for an unforgettable start. You can practically feel the ice cutting against your skin.

The story then jumps eighteen years later to Virgil\u2019s son, Nick Landowski, a blue-collar geologist working in a Nevada gold mine. Nick\u2019s character embodies a grounded, everyman appeal. He\u2019s not some superhero genius, just a hard worker haunted by his father\u2019s disappearance. The author balances adventure with introspection, showing how Nick\u2019s life has been shaped by his father\u2019s mysterious past. When Nick discovers a secret hidden inside a geode, the story shifts into high gear. The moment when the geode shatters and reveals the embedded key is both symbolic and thrilling, blending the novel\u2019s recurring themes of legacy, belief, and the fine line between science and myth.

What stood out most to me was how First Descent marries the scientific and the supernatural without losing credibility. Pace writes with a confident, cinematic style that keeps the pacing brisk. The mine sequences, for example, are incredibly tense. When a malfunction threatens a coworker\u2019s life, Nick\u2019s impulsive heroism leads to a miraculous save; one that hints at forces beyond coincidence. \u201cThe geode appeared flighted to miss the machine completely. Then it cut a sharp right-angle and flew hard into the open gears.\u201d That moment left me breathless and suspicious all at once. Was it luck, fate, or something more? The author smartly leaves that question simmering.

First Descent explores the intersection of faith and evidence: how people decide what to believe when confronted with the impossible. It\u2019s also about inheritance: not just what parents leave behind materially, but how their obsessions, hopes, and failures imprint on their children. Nick\u2019s frustration with his father\u2019s \u201ccrazy\u201d quest for red diamonds (\u201cthe rarest, most valuable diamonds on Earth\u201d) becomes a metaphor for reconciling logic with longing. By the time he sets out to uncover the truth himself, the reader can feel his transformation from cynic to believer.

Pace\u2019s prose is cinematic and immersive, perfect for fans of thrillers like James Rollins\u2019 Sigma Force series or Michael Crichton\u2019s Sphere. The blend of scientific realism and speculative mystery will appeal to readers who enjoy grounded adventures that flirt with the fantastical. It\u2019s also a great pick for those who like father-son narratives with emotional depth beneath the action. In short, First Descent is a pulse-pounding mix of science, myth, and mystery. For readers who love ancient secrets, Arctic landscapes, and intelligent thrillers with heart, this is one descent worth taking.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Oct-2025 03:33:07", "publisher": "Foundations Book Publishing ", "page_count": "443 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016613003", "title": "Destiny of a Free Spirit", "author": "Stephen Ford", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 519, "review": "Stephen Ford\u2019s Destiny of a Free Spirit is a thought-provoking debut that wraps a compelling, character-driven narrative inside a rich, post-apocalyptic science fiction framework. I often appreciate novels that combine heart-pounding action with genuine intellectual depth, and Ford successfully delivers on both fronts. The central conceit of the novel is the division of the world, following a catastrophic \"Cataclysm\", into two distinct realms: Economica, the remnants of structured, technology-dependent civilization, and Ecologia, a vast, untouched nature reserve where a pre-industrial \"Wild Folk\" community lives in devotion to the Earth Mother, Gaia.

The narrative follows Peter, a man from Economica who has discovered a secret subterranean portal, allowing him to travel illegally between the worlds. Ford immediately plunges the reader into the primal dangers of Ecologia, beginning with a visceral, tense battle against a sabre-toothed cat that threatens the community Peter has found a home with. This opening is sharp and gripping, but the novel\u2019s real strength lies in the quieter, introspective moments that follow, where Peter grapples with his dual existence.

The novel is rich in contrasting themes, which elevate it beyond simple action-adventure:

Nature vs. Civilization and Environmentalism: This is the primary conflict. Ecologia represents the True Natural Path, while Economica embodies the technological arrogance and potential for self-destruction\u2014the domain of Vulcan, the Lord of Destruction. The book is a powerful ecological parable, contrasting the soul-enriching hardship of the wild with the artificiality of a structured, sanitized modern world.

Governance, Control, and AI: Governing both realms is The Commission, which the Wild Folk revere as the deity Commissum. Ford subtly explores dystopian control, suggesting that this global artificial intelligence manages both populations: withholding technological knowledge from the inhabitants of Economica and literally marking the people and large animals of Ecologia with what Peter suspects are tracking devices for \"protection\".

Identity and Destiny: Peter's journey is fundamentally a search for where he belongs. As a man who is clearly intellectual but also thrives in the wilderness, he must choose his Destiny: the comfort and business prospects of his life in Economica, or the rugged freedom and emotional connection he has found in Ecologia, particularly with a young woman named Freya. The chapters titled \"Mental Health\" and \"Outdoor Recreation\" further ground this internal struggle, positing the physical and spiritual benefits of the wild world as a cure for the disaffection of the \"civilized\" one.

Destiny of a Free Spirit is highly recommended for several distinct groups of readers. It will appeal to fans of post-apocalyptic and ecological science fiction who enjoyed the world-building of books like A Canticle for Leibowitz or classic survivalist narratives. Its blend of high-concept AI governance and primitive living will resonate with anyone interested in themes of technological critique and deep ecology. Lastly, readers who appreciate a novel where the protagonist is internally torn between two loves, the ambitious career path and the simple life, exemplified by his choice between two different women, Celia and Freya, will find Peter\u2019s quest for his true self deeply engaging. It\u2019s an intelligent, absorbing read that asks a fundamental question: What is the true cost of civilization, and what does it mean to be truly free?", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "19-Dec-2025", "date_added": "25-Oct-2025 03:29:38", "publisher": "Cinnamon Press", "page_count": "298 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016612119", "title": "Rose Dhu", "author": "Mark Murphy", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 478, "review": "Mark Murphy\u2019s novel, Rose Dhu, is a sophisticated and atmospheric thriller that plunges the reader into the heart of Savannah society before ripping the velvet curtain away to expose the rot underneath. From the opening pages, a sense of deep foreboding grips the narrative, centered on the sudden and baffling disappearance of Dr. Janie O\u2019Connor, a brilliant and beloved 36-year-old surgical attending. This is not a simple whodunit; it is a masterclass in misdirection that explores the ultimate cost of self-preservation.

The initial mystery captivates: How could a woman so meticulously organized vanish without a trace from her ancestral home? All eyes immediately fall on Janie's powerful, scandal-prone ex-fianc\u00e9, Phillip Carruthers, the scion of Savannah\u2019s wealthiest family. The relentless investigation is shouldered by Detective Frank Winger, a world-weary investigator with a soldier\u2019s understanding of moral complexity. His search for the missing doctor is plagued by the very political machinations and established wealth that perpetually protect the city\u2019s elite.

What elevates Rose Dhu beyond a standard mystery is its stunning mid-story revelation. The reader discovers that Janie did not merely vanish; she meticulously orchestrated her own demise, transforming the narrative from a police procedural into a profound exploration of ultimate sacrifice. She creates a macabre, perfect crime, with a flawless disappearance, by amputating her own pinkie finger and using it along with blood, bone, and teeth as tragic \"evidence,\" burying it in the marsh to cement her new freedom. This act of self-mutilation transforms her disappearance into a calculated escape, embodying the novel\u2019s central theme: how much one is willing to sacrifice for the people one loves. Janie\u2019s choice, shedding her identity and faking her death, is the ultimate, terrifying price she pays to ensure her sister, Diane, remains safe from the Carruthers family's dangerous orbit.

Murphy is keenly interested in exposing \"the monster who hides its profound evil under a veneer of socialization.\" This theme is brilliantly personified by Phillip Carruthers, the charming \u201cPlayboy Phil\u201d whose social dominance masks a predatory nature capable of ordering violence and covering up heinous crimes, including the rape of Diane by his employee. The book masterfully links the glamour of Savannah's old-money class to the corrosive nature of their unchecked power.

The moral weight of the story ultimately falls upon Detective Winger. He operates on the philosophy that life is often \"painted in shades of gray,\" and this belief drives the novel\u2019s moving climax. When he finally tracks Janie down, now living as Alice Tubman, his decision to forgo his professional duty and let her go is a powerful, understated statement on where true justice lies, often outside the rigid confines of the law. Rose Dhu is a thrilling, character-driven story that is both shocking and deeply satisfying. It uses the old-world charm of Savannah, with its beautiful, moss-draped live oaks and haunted marshland setting, as a crucial character, enhancing the chilling atmosphere throughout. Highly recommended.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "20-Dec-2025", "date_added": "21-Oct-2025 23:27:26", "publisher": "GFB", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612115", "title": "Incident at Cougar Creek", "author": "Mary Flodin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 498, "review": "Mary Flodin's Incident at Cougar Creek is much more than your average mystery; it\u2019s an eco-thriller with a dash of mythology, a profound love story, and a sensitive exploration of trauma that leaves you thinking long after the final page. As someone who appreciates a story with both a breakneck pace and a beating heart, I found this book offered a genuinely satisfying balance.

The story drops us immediately into the deep end with a truly shocking opening: a California Fish and Wildlife Officer, Colin Dawson, discovers a dying mountain lion that, in its final moments, transforms into a naked woman. Colin, a former Army Ranger grappling with the demons of combat-related PTSD, is instantly thrown into an impossible homicide investigation. The professional side of him records his observations, noting the bizarre arrow wound and the evidence of a high-tech killer. The sympathetic side, however, is overwhelmed, whispering, \u201cI'm sorry this happened to you,\u201d as he gently closes the victim's eyes.

Flodin's brilliance is in weaving these seemingly disparate elements together. The sheer shock of the initial scene is tempered by the profound pain carried by the main characters. The author sensitively portrays those dealing with unresolved PTSD, showing how past horrors can feel as immediate as the present. This thread of trauma and resilience is central, as Colin and the victim's daughter, Delfina, are two \"wounded souls, hunted by monsters, bound by destiny\".

The book also shines a light on crucial social and environmental issues. The stunning, fragile backdrop of the California Central Coast is essential to the plot, not just scenery, revealing the \"urgent need for conservation of wild California's fragile central coast ecosystem\". This is truly an eco-thriller, where the threat to the land is as palpable as the threat to human life. You feel the setting, especially in moments like when Colin senses \"the arrow that killed Ramona still moving through the landscape, shredding and tearing into the soul of this sacred land\". And for those who enjoy the fantastical, the supernatural mystery is wonderfully executed, hinting at deeper Indigenous mythology. Early in the book, the transformation scene is described with captivating intensity: \"Frozen in horror, Delfina watched Ramona shape shift-subtly at first, then all at once. The transformation was so radical, so grotesque, that Delfina could not doubt what she saw, although her mind would not make sense of it\".

Incident at Cougar Creek is an intricately plotted, deeply engaging murder mystery and love story, packed with action and intrigue.

This book is a must-read for fans of eco-thrillers and those who enjoy fast-paced mysteries with a mythological twist. It will especially resonate with readers who appreciate complex, nuanced characters dealing with PTSD and the journey toward healing. Finally, audiences interested in themes of Indigenous people's concerns and conservation of wild lands will find this a timely and meaningful read. If you like authors who blend genres\u2014say, a touch of Tana French's psychological depth with the environmental urgency of Carl Hiaasen, you should absolutely pick up this book.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "21-Oct-2025 01:12:57", "publisher": "Paper Angel Press", "page_count": "407 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612111", "title": "The Gordian Knot", "author": "David O Thomas", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 422, "review": "David O. Thomas\u2019s The Gordian Knot is less a conventional police procedural and more a rigorous philosophical examination wrapped in the grim cloak of detective fiction. The novel\u2019s central achievement lies in its willingness to confront the complex, often contradictory, ethical obligations placed upon law enforcement professionals. It poses a vital question: when the system itself is the source of corruption and moral decay, what does 'doing one's duty' truly mean?

The narrative excels by focusing intensely on the internal life of its protagonist, Detective Frank, who operates within a world where the lines between justice and institutional inertia have long been erased. The author uses Frank\u2019s deteriorating personal life, his badge becoming both an instrument of intimidation and an excuse for his failures, to mirror the decline of the public trust he represents. This is not a story of solving a single mystery; it\u2019s the mystery of how good men survive in a fundamentally broken apparatus.

A key turning point, and the novel's most profound moment, involves the triple tragedy at the end. The murder of the sociopathic killer, Samantha, by a fellow officer, Mike, becomes the catalyst for Frank\u2019s final, symbolic act. The author presents Mike's stunned reaction as the second homicide, the death of the hopeful, ethical detective Mike could have been. This dramatic framing allows Thomas to comment on the systemic violence inherent in the job, which destroys not just victims and perpetrators, but the very people sworn to uphold the law.

The decision by Frank to discard his badge into a trashcan is the culmination of the novel\u2019s title: an acknowledgement that the intractable problem (the 'Gordian Knot' of police corruption and moral compromise) cannot be untied by slow, bureaucratic effort, but must be cut through with a drastic, final action. This act is not one of resignation, but of moral clarity. Frank is absolving himself of an allegiance to a system he deems unredeemable, preferring silence and moral autonomy over complicity.

While the pacing can feel deliberate, reflecting the monotonous, crushing weight of the detectives\u2019 daily routine of dealing with \"society\u2019s garbage,\" this slow burn is essential to the novel's thesis. It prepares the reader for the shocking finality. The Gordian Knot demands that its readers look beyond the simple 'good cop/bad cop' dichotomy and wrestle with the institutional forces that turn service into cynicism. It\u2019s an essential read for anyone interested in the ethical cost of maintaining order in a flawed society. I highly recommend it for its intellectual depth and unflinching gaze at the dark side of obligation.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "21-Oct-2025 01:09:06", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "308 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016612107", "title": "The Gordian Knot", "author": "David O Thomas", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 398, "review": "Forget your cozy mysteries and your clean, TV-friendly cop dramas. David O. Thomas\u2019s The Gordian Knot hits you like a cheap shot to the ribs. This is street-level grit, stained with blood and moral rot, and it doesn't flinch. Thomas gets the stench of the job, the exhaustion of seeing the worst of humanity, and the utter, soul-crushing thanklessness of it all. It\u2019s pure concrete realism.

The atmosphere Thomas builds is claustrophobic and authentic. Right from the start, the detectives are wading through \"society\u2019s garbage,\" not celebrated for their work, but \"spit upon by the public for doing his job.\" That line alone is worth the price of admission, because it captures the central conflict of the cop's life: witnessing the \"greatest horrors mankind can contrive\" and being hated for it. This isn't drama; this is the reality of the beat.

The character of Detective Frank is the perfect weary conduit for this narrative. His twenty years on the force haven't just aged him; they've eroded him. The description of his badge, how it\u2019s been a tool to \"intimidate suspects and witnesses\" and also his excuse for personal failure, is a masterpiece of economy. It tells you everything you need to know about the man and the double-edged sword he carries. Frank doesn't talk much, but he doesn't need to. Every internal thought is a brick in the wall of his disillusionment.

The climax is brutal and unforgettable. We see the bad cop, Samantha, described as a \"sociopathic killer,\" finally inert, lying in the \"effluvia of her own blood.\" But the focus immediately shifts to the collateral damage: Mike. Mike, forced to pull the trigger, is the one left sitting in a \"stupor,\" his soul \"stunned and battered.\" Thomas calls it a \"double homicide\" because the man Mike was, the detective he could have been, is dead. That\u2019s the true horror show, not the killer, but the cost to the decent guy trying to stop her.

Frank's final walk-off, dropping the symbol of his identity, his badge, into the trash, is the only possible ending for this kind of story. It's the ultimate protest against the \"intangible forces\" directing the \"cavalcade of carnage.\" He doesn't solve the problem; he rejects it. For fans of hard-boiled fiction who appreciate a detective story that delivers a moral and philosophical gut-punch, The Gordian Knot is required reading. It\u2019s dark, it\u2019s true, and it\u2019s damn good.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2025", "date_added": "21-Oct-2025 01:09:03", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "308 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612103", "title": "The Gordian Knot", "author": "David O Thomas", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 396, "review": "The Gordian Knot is a heartbreaking meditation on what it means to be a witness, to crime, to corruption, and ultimately, to one's own erosion. David O. Thomas has crafted a narrative that is less about plot mechanics and more about psychological excavation, making you feel the heavy, oppressive atmosphere that hangs over Detective Frank and his colleagues. It felt deeply personal, like an intrusion into a private space of failure and trauma.

The book captures the profound isolation of these law enforcement lives. They are the ones who \u201cseek the clues that no one else cares about,\u201d constantly surrounded by death and human failing. This burden of being society\u2019s repository for trauma is the true 'knot' of the story. You feel the silence, the coldness, and the deep, abiding professional distance they must cultivate just to survive the daily intake of horror.

The most poignant example of this psychological cost is Mike, the younger detective. When he is forced to confront the killer Samantha, and the resulting violence leaves her covered with a yellow plastic blanket, the focus immediately shifts to Mike\u2019s broken state. He is not celebrated as a hero; he is destroyed as a man. The author\u2019s choice to label Mike\u2019s destruction as the third of the \"triple homicide\" (after Samantha's death and Mike\u2019s lost potential) is incredibly moving. It elevates the incident from a simple justified shooting to an institutional failure, where the price of justice is the destruction of the person who delivers it.

The ending, in which Frank drops his badge, his twenty-year \"constant companion,\" into a trash can, is a moment of profound, painful relief. It\u2019s an admission that the system is unfixable. The badge, which was supposed to be a tool of honor, had become a means to justify his personal failings and absences from his family. By abandoning it, Frank is shedding the last piece of the identity that made him complicit and miserable.

This isn't an easy read. It\u2019s slow, deliberate, and emotionally heavy, mirroring the slow stupor of the characters\u2019 lives. But it is vital. The Gordian Knot offers a rare, vulnerable glimpse into the detective's psyche, reminding us that those who carry the weight of our society's violence are often the most wounded. If you appreciate character studies that explore trauma and moral responsibility over thrilling action, this book will stay with you long after the final page.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2025", "date_added": "21-Oct-2025 01:09:00", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "308 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016612099", "title": "The Gordian Knot", "author": "David O Thomas", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 415, "review": "Reading David O. Thomas\u2019s The Gordian Knot felt like pulling back the curtain on the deepest, most exhausted corners of our local police department. This isn't the slick, heroic version of law enforcement we see on television; it\u2019s a raw, sometimes painful look at the human cost of policing. The book resonates deeply because it focuses on empathy; the empathy lost by the officers and the empathy owed to them by the public.

What struck me most profoundly was the depiction of the routine, dehumanizing nature of the detectives\u2019 work. Thomas describes the forensic team processing scenes \"like automatons,\" cataloging evidence that \"no one else cares about.\" This image is heartbreaking. It shows how the system grinds down the humanity of the individuals who have to bear witness to society's greatest horrors. It made me realize that the public's perception of them, as either heroes or villains, misses the reality of people desperately trying to find clues amid the effluvia of human misery.

The personal toll is devastatingly explored through Detective Mike, a character who represents the potential for idealism in the force. His presence at the final shootout, where he is forced to kill the corrupt officer Samantha, becomes the story's emotional anchor. Thomas writes that the second death in this incident is \"that of the detective Mike might have become,\" suggesting that the internal review process and the moral trauma of the act will fundamentally destroy his ability to serve with hope. This is a powerful, tragic idea that forces us to question how we support, or fail to support, our officers after they face such traumatic events.

Another compelling detail is the description of Frank\u2019s badge: a \"constant companion\" that served as \"an excuse to present to his family for his many absences and personal failures.\" This small detail speaks volumes about the sacrifice and imbalance in their lives. The badge, meant to symbolize protection, has instead become a barrier to personal connection.

The conclusion, with Frank dropping his badge into a trash can, is utterly shattering. It's a statement about burnout and moral rejection. For Frank, the intangible forces of evil and the impossible demands of the job are a \"triple homicide,\" with the system as the ultimate killer. This ending left me with a deep sense of sorrow for the characters and a renewed motivation to bridge the gap between community and police, recognizing the profound damage done to those who patrol the fault lines of society. This book is a necessary, empathetic read.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "15-Dec-2025", "date_added": "21-Oct-2025 01:08:51", "publisher": "Readersmagnet LLC", "page_count": "308 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612095", "title": "Wordle Limericks", "author": "Marshall S Flam MD", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 380, "review": "I came to Wordle a bit later than my grandchildren, but once I started, I was completely hooked. It\u2019s such a lovely, small ritual to start the day. Now, Dr. Marshall S. Flam\u2019s Wordle Limericks (FLAMERICKS) Volume 1 has added a whole new layer of joy and good-natured fun to the experience. This book is an absolute darling. It\u2019s wholesome, wonderfully witty, and a testament to how much joy we can find in the little things in life.

The limerick is one of the most cheerful forms of poetry, with its bouncy rhythm and predictable, often mischievous, ending. Dr. Flam uses this form to perfection. The poems aren't complicated; they're simply clever and deeply relatable to anyone who has stared at a screen trying to coax a vowel out of three gray boxes. It\u2019s the kind of book that makes you feel like you\u2019re sharing a private joke with the author and everyone else who plays the game.

I loved the limericks that explored words with unconventional letters. There's a particular one that comes to mind, a whole poem dedicated to the letter 'Q'\u2014how rare it is, how often we toss it in hoping for a miracle, and the challenge of finding that necessary 'U' to pair with it. The poem detailed the silly mental gymnastics you go through to justify a 'Q' guess on your fourth line when you know you probably shouldn't. The final little twist, that sixth line, was a chuckle-worthy note that brought the whole poem together, something about hoping the answer wasn't Q-U-I-Z-Z. It\u2019s a delightful wink at the reader.

This collection is perfect for relaxing with. I keep it next to my favorite armchair with my morning cup of tea. The print is clear, the formatting is easy on the eyes, and you can easily jump in anywhere.

In a world that often takes itself far too seriously, Wordle Limericks (FLAMERICKS) Volume 1 is a refreshing reminder to laugh at our own small daily struggles, whether it's a difficult puzzle or just a minor inconvenience. It\u2019s a charming blend of the literary and the digital, and it makes a perfect gift, especially for grandparents or anyone who appreciates classic humor and wordplay. Dr. Flam, you\u2019ve created something truly unique and joyous. This book is an absolute five-star success.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 22:56:33", "publisher": "Ewings Publishing LLC", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612091", "title": "Wordle Limericks", "author": "Marshall S Flam MD", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 474, "review": "As someone who loves both language and logic games, I was immediately drawn to the premise of Wordle Limericks (FLAMERICKS) Volume 1. Dr. Marshall S. Flam has managed to bridge the gap between two seemingly disparate worlds, the analytical, pattern-matching challenge of Wordle, and the structured, rhyming whimsy of the limerick. The result is a book that is far more than just casual entertainment; it's a celebration of wordcraft and wit that delights the reader on multiple levels.

My enjoyment comes from analyzing how the author integrates the daily Wordle experience into the poetic form. A true limerick relies on strong meter and the classic AABBA rhyme scheme, and Dr. Flam handles this with impressive dexterity. But the unique challenge here is tying that structure to the constrained world of the five-letter word, the yellow and green boxes, and the sheer guesswork involved.

For example, I particularly loved the section dedicated to words that end in 'Y' (like M-A-N-G-Y or H-A-I-R-Y). There\u2019s a beautiful series of rhymes focusing on the frustration of guessing words where the 'Y' is almost always the fifth letter, yet it's often the hardest to secure. One limerick had a great internal rhythm, speaking about the \"misery of the fifth box,\" following up with a rhyme about how a simple letter can \"make one perplex,\" and then detailing the alphabetical torture of cycling through options. The final, added sixth line was something like, \"At least it was a two-syllable word!\"\u2014a humorous nod to the limerick\u2019s own meter.

This book has become a fantastic tool for my own creative stimulation. It\u2019s inspired me to look at my own daily Wordle guesses not just as a mathematical probability exercise, but as a mini-narrative waiting to be written. I often find myself trying to anticipate what Dr. Flam\u2019s poem for a specific word might have been, or what rhyming words he might have used to match the puzzle\u2019s theme. It\u2019s truly a testament to the book\u2019s intellectual playfulness.

Another element that deserves applause is the book\u2019s lighthearted yet sophisticated approach to language. The introduction promises \"LAUGH & LEARN,\" and it delivers. The author, being an MD, subtly weaves in fascinatingly complex words that elevate the vocabulary without feeling pretentious, which is exactly the tone I aim for in my own reading and writing. The sheer variety of words, from the simple to the obscure, ensures that every limerick feels fresh and surprising.

It is rare to find a book that feels so utterly contemporary in its inspiration, yet so classically executed in its form. Wordle Limericks (FLAMERICKS) Volume 1 is the perfect gift for any literary friend, puzzle enthusiast, or anyone looking for a genuinely clever and positive read that respects their intelligence while tickling their funny bone. It\u2019s a book to savor, share, and return to whenever you need a dose of quick, witty fun. Highly recommended!", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 22:56:29", "publisher": "Ewings Publishing LLC", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612087", "title": "Wordle Limericks", "author": "Marshall S Flam MD", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 454, "review": "In the tech industry, we appreciate efficiency, clean execution, and clever problem-solving. Wordle is, at its core, a daily exercise in algorithmic efficiency and information theory. So, when I heard about Dr. Marshall S. Flam\u2019s Wordle Limericks (FLAMERICKS) Volume 1, I was intrigued by the idea of applying creative, poetic constraints to this specific digital problem. The result is a fascinating and genuinely hilarious crossover that speaks directly to the logic-meets-creativity mindset.

This book is, without a doubt, the perfect coffee-break companion. I often find myself needing a mental reset that doesn't involve staring at another screen. FLAMERICKS provides that quick, focused burst of fun. The author has done a masterful job of translating the specific pain points of the Wordle experience, the near-miss, the elusive final letter, the dreaded repeat letter, into the metered cadence of a limerick. It's an instant dopamine hit for anyone who appreciates the precision of language and code.

A perfect example is the limerick dedicated to the first guess. We all know the optimal starting words, and this specific poem humorously detailed a colleague's commitment to using the word Z-Y-M-I-C just to be rebellious. The punchline, delivered masterfully through the added sixth line, concluded with something like, \"That guess made the server scream, Fatal Error!\" This kind of meta-humor, combining the technical world with the literary one, is spot-on for anyone working in development or data science. It's smart, accessible, and highly shareable.

I\u2019ve even started using these Limericks as conversation starters around the office, which is a rare feat for a physical book in a digitally saturated environment. Sending a funny quote from the book, say, the one about the difficulty of tracking down a word with the letters P, I, V, O, T, is a great way to bond with the team over a shared digital ritual. It\u2019s a subtle reminder that even our seemingly most isolated digital hobbies are built on universal experiences.

Dr. Flam\u2019s ability to maintain a positive and lighthearted tone throughout, even when describing Wordle failure, is commendable. It underscores the spirit of the game itself; it\u2019s supposed to be fun, not frustrating. The book feels like a collective celebration of a simple game that brought a lot of people joy. The effort put into the structure and flow of the poems, the consistency of the rhyme and meter, is truly the work of a dedicated craftsman.

FLAMERICKS Volume 1 is highly recommended for anyone who loves puzzles, word games, or just needs a clever, refreshing break. It\u2019s a beautifully executed project that proves you can find creative inspiration in the most surprising places. Get it, read it, and share the wordplay. Now I\u2019m off to find the perfect starting word for my review of Volume 2!", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 22:56:25", "publisher": "Ewings Publishing LLC", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612083", "title": "Wordle Limericks", "author": "Marshall S Flam MD", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 470, "review": "Life in my forties, juggling a demanding job, family schedules, and the relentless mental load, means that finding genuine, quality moments of peace or, failing that, a quick, impactful laugh, is a treasure. I\u2019ve always enjoyed my morning Wordle, seeing it as a small, contained victory to start the day. But Dr. Flam\u2019s Wordle Limericks Volume 1 has taken that simple pleasure and amplified it tenfold. This book isn't just a novelty; it\u2019s a genuinely clever and necessary escape for the modern, overscheduled mind.

What I adore most is the pure, accessible wit. Marshall S. Flam, MD, has managed to capture the exact feeling of frustration, triumph, and sheer randomness that the daily puzzle presents, and compress it into that perfectly bouncy AABBA form. The addition of the \"sixth line\" acts as a punchline or a meta-commentary, often delivering the biggest chuckle.

For example, there\u2019s one limerick I read while standing in line for my kid\u2019s school pick-up, which perfectly encapsulated a miserable Wordle day where I got three gray boxes in the first line. The limerick ended with a line about how the perfect starting word, A-R-I-S-E, provided the worst possible feedback, making the subsequent rhyme about feeling foolish all the more relatable. The sixth line just added, \"I should have used 'ADIEU' instead!\" It was a moment of pure, shared understanding, that particular type of brain-burn we all get when the seemingly obvious choice turns out to be a dead end.

This book is perfectly engineered for the life of a busy professional or parent. It's not a heavy commitment. You don't need a chapter break. You can literally crack it open for the duration of a microwave cycle or while waiting for a Zoom meeting to start, and get a complete, satisfying dose of humor. It\u2019s the perfect digital detox, too. Instead of scrolling through social media, I keep this book on my nightstand and pick one or two to read before bed. It provides a sweet, light mental palate cleanser instead of the usual doom-scroll anxiety.

I was initially skeptical that a whole book of Wordle limericks could sustain my interest, but Flam\u2019s creativity with his themes, from the woes of a double letter to the unexpected joy of solving it in two guesses, keeps the pages turning. He weaves in references to medical terminology, history, and pop culture that are genuinely funny, proving this MD has a serious and surprisingly refined comedic sensibility.

In summary, if you play Wordle, even if you just know someone who plays Wordle, you need this book. It\u2019s light, positive, and intellectually playful. Wordle Limericks Volume 1 is a refreshing breath of air, beautifully put together, and an absolute winner. Five stars, no hesitations! I've already shared my favorite \"FLAMERICKS\" with my work team, and it\u2019s led to some great conversations. Now, where\u2019s Volume 2?", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 22:56:17", "publisher": "Ewings Publishing LLC", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612079", "title": "The Englishman - Memoirs of a Psychobiologist", "author": "John Staddon", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 472, "review": "John Staddon\u2019s The Englishman: Memoirs of a Psychobiologist is far more than a conventional academic autobiography; it is an astute, often witty, reflection on the development of a scientific mind and the unpredictable trajectory of an influential research career. Spanning his \"war toddler\" days in London through a long tenure at Duke University, Staddon successfully navigates the balance between personal anecdote and serious intellectual history. For readers with an interest in the philosophy of science or the history of behavioral psychology, this memoir offers a refreshingly candid perspective on the academic enterprise.

The core of the book lies in the author's professional life, detailing his efforts to understand how animals learn. Staddon\u2019s work is characterized by an elegant synthesis of conceptual frameworks. He explicitly charts a path influenced by Darwin for the concepts of behavioral variation and the experimental methods of the influential behaviorist B.F. Skinner. This blend of evolutionary and operant principles informed much of his primary research, which he describes in nontechnical language. His investigations branched into several fascinating directions, including the nature of learned behavior, the profound ability of animals to tell time, and the dynamics of behavior under various reward schedules.

A particularly compelling through-line is the critical examination of rationality as a unifying idea across disciplines. Staddon notes how behavioral ecology, learning psychology, and economics all attempt to understand their subjects through the lens of maximization, whether it\u2019s Darwinian fitness, maximizing reward, or consumer payoff. His conclusion, however, provides one of the book\u2019s most valuable insights: the failures of this maximization model are often \"more scientifically interesting than its successes\". This is a powerful, counterintuitive thesis that speaks to the complexity of biological systems and the limitations of purely reductionist models.

Beyond his specific research, Staddon offers a vital, almost meta-analysis of his field. He observes that science, especially psychology, is \"mostly the exploration of dead ends\" and \"a history of culs de sac,\" noting that the field continually struggles to see beyond \"ready-made accounts, common language labels, [and] folk-psychology explanations\". This acknowledgment of the inherent difficulty and intellectual humility in scientific progress lends the memoir a rare professional gravitas.

The narrative also touches upon the personal costs and benefits of an academic life, including the necessary travel to exotic locations like Italy, Brazil, and Japan. Furthermore, Staddon provides a frank and sometimes acerbic look at the administrative side of academia, delving into academic politics and his \"satirical reactions\" published in a faculty newsletter. He recounts being \"taken aback by the unsuspected pettiness of their colleagues,\" a universal experience for those in positions of authority.

In total, The Englishman is an essential read for anyone invested in the empirical study of behavior or curious about the professional life of a leading psychobiologist. Staddon\u2019s measured voice, combined with his deep intellectual curiosity, produces a memoir that is both professionally informative and philosophically stimulating.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 22:53:00", "publisher": "Royal Swan Enterprises", "page_count": "314 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612075", "title": "The Englishman: Memoirs of a Psychobiologist", "author": "John Staddon", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 460, "review": "John Staddon\u2019s memoir, The Englishman, is a surprisingly engaging read, especially in its first half, which ditches the psychobiology for a fascinating, unvarnished look at a life lived across tectonic plates of 20th-century history. While Staddon is ultimately a celebrated academic (a psychobiologist, no less ), it\u2019s the foundational stories of his childhood and family that grab you with their historical grit and genuinely surprising texture.

The first chapters, detailing his time as a \"War Toddler,\" transport the reader directly into a working-class London during the Blitz. Staddon narrates his earliest, fragmented memories\u2014the wailing sirens, being carried down into the basement, and the image of searchlights illuminating the sky for German bombers. The setting in Cricklewood, an \"odd family out\" in an Irish neighborhood, is vividly drawn, giving a sense of the post-war London environment that shaped him.

What\u2019s particularly rich is the juxtaposition of his parents\u2019 origins. His mother\u2019s side came from colonial India and Burma, while his father, Leonard John \u201cJack\u201d Staddon, was from a \u201chighly dysfunctional\u201d East London family with an alcoholic mother and absent father, who had to run away and lie about his age to join the army, escaping a tough life for a rifleman's career in India. This massive cultural gulf between his parents is a brilliant, unspoken tension at the heart of the early narrative, illustrating a microcosm of the social mobility and upheaval of the time.

The memoir is also peppered with cultural and historical nuggets that give it a unique flavor. Later, Staddon recounts his father\u2019s trip to India on the requisitioned P & O liner, the RMS Orion. He contrasts the experience of a privileged Lieutenant-Colonel, Michael Wharton, who sailed in comfort with \"fancy meals, waiters and white linen,\" with the probable fate of his father and the other \"ranks,\" who \"traveled cattle-fashion, below decks\". This detail perfectly captures the rigid class system, even amid the chaos of World War II.

Staddon's more intellectual influences are also presented through a humorous, accessible lens. For example, he cites satirist Michael Wharton (aka \u2018Peter Simple\u2019) as an intellectual lodestar of his youth. He includes a lengthy, hilarious excerpt detailing the invention of the \"Racial Prejudometer,\" a satirical device meant to measure prejudice in \"prejudons,\" as a way to poke fun at the cultural and political anxieties of the day. This shows the author's willingness to embrace irreverence and critical thinking outside his immediate field.

The book transitions into his professional journey and his research in psychobiology, but the real pleasure is watching the pieces of his personal history fall into place. Ultimately, The Englishman is a lively, often self-deprecating story about a man\u2019s journey from the chaos of wartime London to the quiet order of a university lab, demonstrating that a life well-examined is a life well-read.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 22:52:42", "publisher": "Royal Swan Enterprises", "page_count": "314 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612071", "title": "Zen and the Art of Dog Training: What Dogs Can Teach Us About Ourselves", "author": "Adam Halleck", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 429, "review": "When I first picked up Zen and the Art of Dog Training by Adam Halleck, I was half-expecting a dusty tome full of complicated commands and obscure Buddhist parables. As a 28-year-old who spends most of his week staring at spreadsheets, my main goal was to stop my otherwise adorable Golden Retriever from eating the baseboards. I needed practical solutions, not spiritual enlightenment.

What I got, though, was a genuinely insightful, light-hearted read that somehow manages to deliver on both fronts. Halleck\u2019s premise isn\u2019t really about getting your dog to sit; it\u2019s about getting you to sit down and be present. He argues convincingly that most dog problems stem from owner chaos, not canine malice. My dog wasn't naughty; I was just a walking anxiety magnet who hadn\u2019t learned to communicate clearly or, frankly, chill out.

The book excels because it re-frames \"training\" as \"mindfulness with a furry accountability partner.\" Halleck doesn't just hand out five steps to a perfect recall; he delves into the Zen concept of non-attachment and how our frustration with a disobedient dog is really just our attachment to the outcome we want. When you stop worrying about the perfect result and focus only on the current interaction, everything changes. It\u2019s like a corporate retreat where you realize the problem isn't the team; it\u2019s the manager (that's you, the owner).

For the busy professional, this book is oddly relaxing. The short chapters are structured to deliver powerful insights without feeling preachy. I found myself applying the concepts to my Monday morning meetings as much as to our daily walks. The idea of being fully present and not distracted by my phone, the next email, or the stress of the day, made a noticeable difference. Suddenly, the chaotic walk was a lot calmer because I was finally there. It turns out dogs are pretty good barometers for human stress. Who knew?

Halleck has a really relatable voice, too. It\u2019s accessible and positive, avoiding the heavy academic language you might expect from a \"Zen\" title. He uses great real-world anecdotes that make the philosophical stuff land perfectly. It\u2019s the kind of book you can read in a couple of sittings, but the lessons stick around much longer.

Whether you're struggling to teach a new puppy the difference between a chew toy and your expensive leather shoes, or you\u2019re just looking for a low-stakes way to practice mindfulness, this book is a winner. It\u2019s a sneaky self-help guide disguised as a dog manual. I highly recommend picking this up. It\u2019ll make you a better dog owner, and probably, a less stressed-out human being.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 22:47:53", "publisher": "Pure Ink Press", "page_count": "150 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612067", "title": "My Side of the World and Other Tales of Death", "author": "Beka Wueste", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 507, "review": "Reading Beka Wueste\u2019s My Side of the World and Other Tales of Death feels like sitting across from a wise friend who has made peace with the inevitable and wants to share what she\u2019s learned along the way. This collection of eight stories approaches death not as an end, but as a companion\u2014sometimes mysterious, sometimes tender, but always deeply human. Wueste\u2019s voice, graceful and empathetic, invites readers to sit with grief rather than flee from it, and in doing so, she reminds us that \u201cevery moment of life is precious and without guarantee.\u201d

What struck me most as an older reader is how Wueste blends emotional honesty with a calm acceptance born of experience. In her introduction, she writes that she grew up in a family where \u201cfunerals were followed by parties, filled with food, music, and laughter.\u201d Death, for her, was never taboo; it was simply another part of life\u2019s cycle. That sensibility ripples through the entire collection. Her tone is never morbid or indulgent; instead, she speaks with a quiet reverence that transforms loss into meaning.

One of the most poignant stories, The Shattered Glass Girl, examines the way trauma fractures us and how we find beauty in the broken pieces. The titular character\u2019s life is defined by what she has lost, yet she continues to reflect light much like a mosaic rebuilt from shards.

Another standout is My Husband\u2019s Fathers, a story that explores grief in unconventional ways. A woman's husband has unresolved grief from losing his mother during his early childhood, and he behaves as if her death entitles him to discount how others around him are hurting in different ways. His entrenched belief that his experience is worse than anyone else\u2019s is challenged when the men who raised him show up unexpectedly.

Wueste\u2019s ability to move seamlessly between realism and the fantastical recalls writers like Isabel Allende and Alice Hoffman. In The Red Lights, she employs magical realism to explore mortality through the lens of loneliness. Lights flicker in rhythm with human hearts, and when one goes out, a life ends. It\u2019s a quietly stunning metaphor for the interconnectedness of existence, a reminder that every dimming bulb carries someone\u2019s story.

What I admire most about this book is its balance. Wueste doesn\u2019t shy away from pain, but she also doesn\u2019t let sorrow consume her characters. Her perspective feels earned, not forced; a literary reflection of the wisdom that can come only with time and loss. The stories remind us that mourning and gratitude can coexist, and that the act of remembering is, in its own way, an act of living.

My Side of the World and Other Tales of Death is a gift for readers who have loved and lost and are learning, still, to make peace with both. It will especially resonate with those of us who have stood graveside and felt both heartbreak and grace in the same breath. Beka Wueste writes with the tenderness of someone who has known death intimately and, perhaps more importantly, who has learned how to keep living beautifully beside it.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "20-Nov-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 22:43:34", "publisher": "Fox Island Press", "page_count": "414 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612063", "title": "My Side of the World and Other Tales of Death (A Collection)", "author": "Beka Wueste", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 503, "review": "Beka Wueste\u2019s My Side of the World and Other Tales of Death is an extraordinary collection that redefines how we view mortality. From its first pages, Wueste invites readers to confront death not as a shadowy adversary, but as a complex, even compassionate presence. \u201cI\u2019m not here to change your mind,\u201d she writes in her introduction, \u201cI\u2019m here to open it.\u201d That sentiment becomes the heartbeat of this remarkable collection\u2014eight stories that explore loss, grief, and transcendence through lenses of magical realism, psychological intimacy, and emotional courage.

The opening story, My Life with Death, sets the tone for the book\u2019s thematic core: death as a companion, not a calamity. The narrator\u2019s lifelong relationship with a personified Death\u2014described with \u201ca soft, glowing aura, shimmering, iridescent\u201d rather than a skeletal grimness\u2014transforms what might have been a macabre premise into something strangely comforting. Through vivid storytelling, Wueste balances mythic imagination with emotional realism, giving readers permission to feel awe where they might expect dread.

Each subsequent tale builds on that philosophical foundation while exploring human resilience in different forms. In The Patron Saint of Pianos, for instance, a small town cop with unresolved trauma from working cartel-related homicides, thinks he has found a fresh start in a small town, and is disturbed when an outside force arrives and unearths old secrets about his seemingly-idyllic wife. The Girl Who Sold the World is about humanity and how we show up for each other in times of grief. These stories are unified not by plot but by tone, a lyrical empathy that insists on seeing light in the dark.

Wueste\u2019s prose is graceful and piercing. Her writing reminds us of authors such as Ursula K. Le Guin and Mary Oliver, whose work also explores the porous boundary between life and death.

What makes My Side of the World particularly moving is how personal it feels. Wueste\u2019s introduction recounts her mother\u2019s passing from terminal cancer and the grace with which her family faced it: \u201cShe asked us to throw her a going-away party\u2026 so she could actually enjoy it while she was still alive.\u201d That memory becomes a thread connecting fiction and truth, making the collection not only a meditation on mortality but also a celebration of presence, memory, and the beauty of goodbye.

The book\u2019s emotional weight is balanced by its variety. Some stories drift toward the surreal, while others are grounded in grief so raw it feels autobiographical. Yet each maintains a sense of reverence for life\u2019s fleeting nature. Readers who appreciate literary fiction with spiritual undertones like fans of Le Guin, Alice Sebold, or Ray Bradbury, will find much to love here.

Ultimately, My Side of the World and Other Tales of Death is not about endings at all. It is about connection; the ties that bind the living to the departed, and the ways we carry love beyond loss. Wueste does not simply write about death; she writes about how fully we can live in its shadow. For readers seeking stories that are both haunting and healing, this collection is unforgettable.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "20-Nov-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 22:43:00", "publisher": "Fox Island Press", "page_count": "414 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612059", "title": "Bend, Don\u2019t Break: How to Adapt in the New World of Work", "author": "Matt A. West", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 503, "review": "If you're anything like me, a mid-career professional who feels like they\u2019re constantly drinking from a firehose of new technology and shifting expectations, Matt A. West\u2019s new book, Bend, Don't Break, arrives right on time. We\u2019re living through an era where our well-earned expertise can suddenly feel like a liability, and the unrelenting pace of change can lead to sheer exhaustion. West's book is a sympathetic yet professional guide for anyone overwhelmed by the noise, offering a crucial mindset shift: in the modern workplace, \u201cAdaptability has gone from a nice-to-have to a must-have\u201d.

West, an executive coach, grounds his advice in the core idea that adaptability isn't a single, innate skill but a muscle you can systematically build. He organizes the book around several compelling themes. The first part, \"Why We Break,\" is a gentle look at the resistance we feel, specifically calling out \"Frozen Expertise\"\u2014that moment when the knowledge you've mastered begins to weigh you down. This was a truly relatable concept for me, as a 42-year-old who remembers a world before endless pivots.

The core of the book is the Adaptability System, which addresses a fascinating concept West calls the Adaptability Paradox: \u201cIn order to bend, you need something to hold on to\u201d. His analogy of the Colorado pine tree perfectly illustrates this. The tree, he explains, stays rooted, anchored by its purpose, values, and unique strengths, while its flexible branches allow it to sway and evolve with the elements. This is the most compassionate takeaway, reminding us that \u201cYou don\u2019t have to change everything about yourself to become more adaptable. In fact, real adaptability starts with knowing what not to change: your values, your purpose, your strengths\u201d.

West moves beyond theory by detailing the Core Five skills required to thrive: Curiosity over Certainty, Credible Vulnerability, Agility with Intent, Emotional and Cognitive Flexibility, and Resilience That Moves Forward. These skills feed into the overarching philosophy of \"Grow in Beta,\" which encourages continuous, imperfect growth rather than striving for unattainable perfection. He urges us to see setbacks and feedback as \"signal, not judgment\", creating a path forward that is less about striving and more about evolving.

Ultimately, West\u2019s message is an encouraging one. He writes: \u201cIt\u2019s not the smartest or strongest people who thrive through change. It\u2019s the ones who are willing to stretch, to evolve, to reimagine how they work and who they are, without losing what grounds them\u201d. This book provides the practical framework to make that stretching feel less like a panic and more like a planned action.

This is essential reading for anyone feeling the intense pressure of the \"new world of work\". Specifically, mid-career professionals who are tired of pretending they have it all figured out will find West's honesty refreshing. It\u2019s also an invaluable resource for seasoned executives and leaders who need to build adaptable teams, especially those navigating AI disruptions, industry shifts, or organizational transformation. Bend, Don't Break is a toolkit for meeting the future with clarity, not chaos, and it\u2019s a necessary purchase for the professional bookshelves of 2026.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 22:39:20", "publisher": "GFB", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612055", "title": "Belonging to the World: A Journey from Grief to Connection in Every Country on Earth", "author": "Barry Hoffner", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 416, "review": "Barry Hoffner\u2019s Belonging to the World: A Journey from Grief to Connection in Every Country on Earth is one of those rare memoirs that manages to balance emotional honesty with sweeping adventure. On the surface, it\u2019s the story of a man\u2019s quest to visit all 193 countries after the tragic death of his wife, Jackie. But at its core, it\u2019s a deeply human exploration of what it means to heal, to reconnect, and to find belonging not just in places, but in people.

From the opening line: \u201cSome journeys we choose. Others choose us,\" Hoffner establishes the memoir\u2019s tone: intimate, reflective, and tinged with quiet resilience. When his wife dies in a freak accident while working with elephants in Botswana, Hoffner\u2019s grief is raw and unflinching. The chapter \u201cYear Zero\u201d captures the immediate aftermath with devastating simplicity: \u201cWithin minutes, the life I knew before no longer existed.\u201d For younger readers like me, who may not have experienced that level of loss, the moment still hits with force. It\u2019s not just about death; it\u2019s about disorientation, about what happens when your map of the world suddenly stops making sense.

What makes Hoffner\u2019s story remarkable isn\u2019t that he traveled to every country; it\u2019s why he did it. \u201cI didn\u2019t want distraction,\u201d he writes in the prologue. \u201cI wanted immersion. I wanted to see the world not as headlines, but as people.\u201d This line stayed with me. I found Hoffner\u2019s need for genuine human contact inspiring. His travels to Oman, Jamaica, Bhutan, Syria, and beyond aren\u2019t just stamps in a passport. Each encounter, from chatting with a Syrian refugee tutor named Zahraa to standing still before a wild elephant, becomes an act of reconnection.

Hoffner writes with a kind of grounded eloquence. His prose isn\u2019t flashy; it\u2019s purposeful. He weaves in quotes from Stoic philosophers like Seneca and Marcus Aurelius, not to sound intellectual, but because they anchor his journey in reflection.

Younger readers who crave purpose beyond the next dopamine hit of social media will find this book grounding. Fans of travel writers like Paul Theroux or memoirists like Cheryl Strayed (Wild) will appreciate Hoffner\u2019s mix of introspection and exploration. It\u2019s not about ticking off a bucket list; it\u2019s about rediscovering empathy through motion.

For me, Belonging to the World ultimately redefined what \u201ctravel writing\u201d can be. It\u2019s not a guidebook; it\u2019s a meditation. Hoffner\u2019s story reminds us that belonging isn\u2019t something you find on a map. It\u2019s something you build, piece by piece, across every encounter that reminds you you\u2019re still alive.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2026", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 22:35:08", "publisher": "GFB", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612051", "title": "How to Find The Good Life", "author": "Robert D Melson", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 486, "review": "At just eighty pages, Robert D. Melson\u2019s How to Find the Good Life offers a compact, motivational guide to achieving happiness, purpose, and balance. Drawing from personal experience and years of study, Melson distills the lessons of his earlier, much longer work into a practical handbook that encourages readers to calm their minds, improve their thoughts, and act toward a more fulfilling life. The result is part self-help manual, part personal philosophy. It's a blend of timeless wisdom and modern self-discipline.

Melson opens with honesty about his own struggles, and how those hardships drove him to study success and happiness. This vulnerability immediately sets a tone of authenticity. His premise is simple yet empowering: the good life is within everyone\u2019s reach, but it requires consistent, mindful effort. Each of the ten chapters focuses on a specific aspect of well-being: tranquility, positivity, happiness, faith, values, success, health, wealth, love, and habits. Together, they create a full-circle approach to self-improvement that feels both personal and structured.

The book\u2019s early chapters, particularly \u201cTranquility: How to Calm Your Mind\u201d and \u201cPositivity: How to Improve Your Thoughts,\u201d establish Melson\u2019s blend of spirituality and practicality. He writes, \u201cWisdom comes from silence, listening, and periodic moments of isolation,\u201d a sentiment that feels especially relevant in today\u2019s noisy, overstimulated world. His meditation exercises are approachable even for beginners. Likewise, his \u201cLaws of Tranquility\u201d and \u201cLaws for Positive Thoughts\u201d read like modern affirmations, encouraging readers to create inner peace by practicing gratitude, kindness, and focus.

Melson\u2019s style is clear and conversational, peppered with motivational quotes from thinkers like Jim Rohn, Earl Nightingale, and Abraham Lincoln. His use of repetition reinforces the idea that real change comes through habit and persistence. The rhythm of the prose mirrors his message: progress happens one step, one thought, and one positive action at a time.

Some sections delve deeper into practical territory. \u201cHealth: How to Take Care of Your Mind and Body\u201d includes meal guidelines and exercise advice; \u201cWealth: How to Serve Others and Make More Money\u201d ties financial success to service and ethical responsibility. The balance between inner and outer improvement makes the book versatile. Readers seeking spiritual grounding will find guidance in his meditations, while goal-oriented readers will appreciate his step-by-step systems for organizing time, building good habits, and cultivating success.

What stands out most is Melson\u2019s tone: compassionate but firm, idealistic but grounded in experience. The book feels like a pep talk from someone who\u2019s been through hardship and come out wiser. It doesn\u2019t promise miracles; it promotes small, consistent disciplines that add up over time.

How to Find the Good Life is best suited for readers who enjoy self-improvement classics by authors like Napoleon Hill or Dale Carnegie but want something more condensed and personal. It\u2019s ideal for anyone seeking to reset their mindset. Light enough to read in an afternoon but dense with reflection, Melson\u2019s little book delivers exactly what its title promises: a practical roadmap to the good life.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2026", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 22:32:05", "publisher": "Book Baby", "page_count": "77 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612047", "title": "Complete.: Living an Abundant Life from the Completion of Christ", "author": "Keri Baskin", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 446, "review": "Let's be real: self-help shelves are overflowing. So when I picked up Keri Baskin\u2019s Complete: Living an Abundant Life from the Completion of Christ, I\u2019ll admit I was ready for something that might feel a little niche. While the book definitely comes wrapped in a strong Christian framework, and Baskin is completely authentic about her faith, I was pleasantly surprised by how universally helpful the core message is, regardless of what you believe. Think of this less as a Sunday school lesson and more as a profound manual for escaping the mental stress of modern life.

The central problem Baskin is trying to solve is burnout, anxiety, and the relentless feeling that you are constantly failing or falling short. We all live in a performance culture, right? We\u2019re told we need to work harder, meditate better, parent perfectly, and generally hustle our way to happiness. Baskin flips that script entirely. She argues that you don't need to try to be \"worthy\" anymore because, essentially, you already have everything you need. This idea, which she calls \"living from a place of victory,\" is a massive psychological relief. It gives you permission to stop frantically trying to earn your own peace.

For the non-religious reader, you can easily translate the concept of \"completion in Christ\" into \"radical self-acceptance\" or \"inherent self-worth.\" It\u2019s an effective antidote to the constant stream of self-criticism most of us deal with daily. The book is structured as a devotional, meaning it breaks down these heavy ideas into small, manageable chunks you can chew on every day. It\u2019s practical, designed to encourage a daily mental shift away from negative self-talk and toward a solid, unshakable foundation of \"I am enough.\"

What makes Baskin a great guide is her genuine authenticity. She doesn't present herself as some untouchable spiritual guru. She is clear that she\u2019s a teacher, a fitness trainer, and someone who has navigated major life crises, including divorce, widowhood,and motherhood. This gives her advice a really grounded, empathetic feel. You trust her because she's clearly been through the emotional wringer herself. When she talks about how struggles are necessary for growth, she isn\u2019t just quoting a textbook; she\u2019s sharing hard-won wisdom that anyone dealing with a rough patch can relate to.

Ultimately, Complete is a powerful tool for mental wellness and self-esteem wrapped in a beautiful, intentional package. If you are burned out, stressed out, or feel like you\u2019re always chasing some impossible standard of perfection, this book offers a clear path to simply being\u2014and finding incredible peace while you\u2019re at it. The framework is Christian, but the resulting freedom is universal. If you\u2019re looking for a positive, daily reset button, this is absolutely worth the read.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 21:43:50", "publisher": "Independently published", "page_count": "334 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612043", "title": "Complete.: Living an Abundant Life from the Completion of Christ", "author": "Keri Baskin", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 425, "review": "Keri Baskin\u2019s Complete: Living an Abundant Life from the Completion of Christ is a compelling devotional that offers a profound paradigm shift for the modern Christian reader. Instead of framing faith as a lifelong pursuit of unattainable perfection, Baskin grounds the reader in the finished work of Christ. This text skillfully merges accessible theological insights with deep personal vulnerability, establishing itself as a valuable and restorative resource for spiritual growth.

The central strength of Complete lies in its insistence on \"living from a place of victory.\" Baskin guides the reader away from a performance-based spirituality, where one strives daily to be worthy, toward an identity-based faith rooted in being a \"new creation in Christ.\" This approach, which she terms the \"Christ is Life message,\" provides a stable foundation for emotional and spiritual regulation. The book is structured to encourage meditation on truth, presenting complex concepts in digestible, daily segments. It masterfully uses the metaphor of struggle leading to growth, akin to a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, to illustrate how trials are integral to manifesting one's pre-existing spiritual reality. The practical impact is immediate: it reframes daily challenges not as defeats, but as opportunities to live out the completion already received.

Baskin\u2019s authenticity is perhaps the most magnetic element of the work. Drawing on her own varied experiences, including her roles as a teacher, divorcee, widow, and mother, she crafts a voice that is both authoritative and deeply empathetic. Baskin, who is also a fitness trainer, ensures that the reader identifies with her not as a distant spiritual expert, but as a \"regular woman called to extraordinary levels of faith and incredible peace.\" This vulnerability ensures the book's message lands with sincerity, resonating with those navigating loss, identity crises, or relational struggles. The writing style is thoughtful and encouraging, delivering foundational truths directly without becoming overly simplistic. It is clear that the content is written from the heart, designed not just to inform the mind, but to positively impact the reader's \"whole life.\"

In a crowded market of spiritual literature, Complete distinguishes itself by offering genuine, restorative hope. It is an essential read for individuals seeking to move past spiritual burnout or those wrestling with feelings of inadequacy. The devotional effectively unpacks foundational truths necessary for experiencing the abundant life promised by Jesus. Baskin\u2019s work reminds readers of the \"endless pursuit of an everlasting, all-loving God\" through relatable stories and consistent theological clarity. This volume is an asset for anyone committed to meditating on truth and living with incredible peace, having found their identity and completeness in Christ.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 21:43:46", "publisher": "Independently published", "page_count": "334 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016612039", "title": "Complete.: Living an Abundant Life from the Completion of Christ", "author": "Keri Baskin", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 457, "review": "As someone whose daily rhythm is dictated by quarterly goals, client deadlines, and the relentless pursuit of the next promotion, I approach most devotional and self-help literature with a dose of skepticism. If it can\u2019t provide a clear, actionable benefit, it\u2019s just noise. Keri Baskin\u2019s Complete: Living an Abundant Life from the Completion of Christ is one of the rare exceptions that actually delivers on its promise of sustained peace and effective mental restructuring.

Baskin tackles the core issue plaguing high-achievers: the performance-to-identity pipeline. In the professional world, our worth is constantly tied to our output: the successful presentation, the market share gained, the bonus check. This creates a relentless, stressful treadmill where you\u2019re always striving, but never feeling secure. Baskin\u2019s central thesis, that we are spiritually and personally complete right now, is not just a feel-good phrase; it's a powerful tool for dismantling this performance anxiety. She essentially offers an off-ramp from the exhaustive pursuit of external validation.

What makes this book relevant to a busy professional is its efficiency. It\u2019s structured as a devotional, which means the insights are broken down into daily, digestible modules. You don\u2019t need to block out an hour for heavy philosophical reading; you can consume the day's lesson in the morning and apply the principle throughout your commute or your first meeting. The goal isn't just theory, but practice: learning to operate from a posture of confidence and security, rather than desperation or fear of failure. This shift alone can dramatically improve decision-making under pressure.

Baskin uses relatable anecdotes that resonate beyond traditional religious circles. For instance, she addresses the inevitable moments when a major project stalls or a deal falls through. Instead of viewing these setbacks as evidence of personal inadequacy (a common trap in the corporate environment), she teaches the reader to interpret them as temporary circumstances that do not define their fundamental self. The book is about decoupling your internal sense of value from the volatile nature of external results, which is arguably the most valuable skill a leader can cultivate.

Furthermore, Baskin\u2019s message on identity provides a necessary counterweight to professional tunnel vision. When your entire identity is wrapped up in your title or compensation, any career change or market downturn can feel catastrophic. Complete offers a framework for deriving worth from an internal, stable source, ensuring that the inevitable shifts in the job market, or even retirement, don't trigger a full-blown existential crisis. It\u2019s a prophylactic measure against the psychological toll of a high-pressure career.

For the analytical professional who values clear principles and lasting stability, Complete is a worthy investment of time. It offers a structured way to achieve emotional resilience and focus, allowing you to engage fully with your career without letting its demands consume your personal peace.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 21:43:43", "publisher": "Independently published", "page_count": "334 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612035", "title": "Complete.: Living an Abundant Life from the Completion of Christ", "author": "Keri Baskin", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 419, "review": "I picked up Keri Baskin\u2019s Complete because I was feeling pretty drained by the whole \"hustle culture\" grind. My apartment is tiny, my career is just getting started, and my phone is constantly reminding me that everyone else is crushing life. I\u2019ve been trying to figure out the \"purpose\" thing lately, and while I\u2019m not exactly a regular at church, I've been delving more into the \"why\" of things.

I was expecting a lot of heavy, academic theology, but the book is surprisingly direct and easy to connect with. Baskin\u2019s main idea that you are \"complete\" right now because of Christ is a serious mind-blower, especially when you\u2019re used to the pressure of having to earn every ounce of validation. She basically tells you that the whole spiritual checklist you thought you had to complete before feeling okay? It\u2019s already been checked off.

For someone like me, who feels like my entire twenties has been one long job application, the relief this book provides is actually kind of insane. Instead of feeling like I have to spend every waking minute self-improving, meditating, or sacrificing to become a \"better person\" (which usually ends up in me just feeling guilty), Baskin teaches you to operate from a place of already having won. She calls it \"living from a place of victory.\" It\u2019s the ultimate life-hack for your self-esteem.

Baskin\u2019s background really helps keep the content grounded. When you read that she\u2019s a trainer and a teacher who has dealt with real-world stuff, it gives her message serious weight. It\u2019s not just theory; it\u2019s advice from someone who knows life gets messy. She uses these struggles to show that pain isn't a sign of failure, but a necessary part of growth. I can relate to that when I look at job rejections or failed side projects; it helps reframe those setbacks as part of the process, not permanent judgment.

The structure as a devotional (daily readings) is perfect for a beginner. It\u2019s not overwhelming. You read one part, think about it for the day, and move on. Even if you're just exploring faith, like I am, the book is incredibly positive and offers a massive shift in perspective. If you\u2019re a guy who is tired of the comparison game and just wants a solid, simple reason to feel good about who you are and where you\u2019re going, this is definitely worth picking up. It\u2019s a powerful daily reminder to stop trying so hard to become something and just start living as the person you already are.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "15-Dec-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 21:40:51", "publisher": "Independently published", "page_count": "334 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612031", "title": "Your Lovable Lawyer's Guide to Legal Wellness: Fighting Back Against a World That's Out to Cheat You", "author": "Danny Karon", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 504, "review": "As someone who has spent her adult life navigating contracts, service agreements, and the fine print of everything from car rentals to cable bills, Danny Karon\u2019s Your Lovable Lawyer\u2019s Guide to Legal Wellness feels like a much-needed breath of fresh air. Karon, a seasoned consumer-rights attorney, writes with a mix of humor, compassion, and clear-eyed practicality that makes the law feel accessible, even friendly. \u201cWhen the airline cancels your flight and won\u2019t rebook you, what can you do?\u201d he asks in the opening chapter. That simple question frames the heart of his book: empowering everyday people to recognize, prevent, and push back against the countless small injustices that chip away at our confidence and wallets.

At its core, this book is about legal wellness, a concept Karon defines as understanding the basic principles that protect you so you can avoid, or quickly resolve, common legal problems. Drawing from more than three decades of experience recovering billions for consumers, he blends practical guidance with memorable anecdotes. The story of his ten-year crusade to win $2 billion in refunds from flat-panel manufacturers demonstrates his passion for justice, while smaller vignettes\u2014like helping friends contest a botched dental crown or a damaged furniture order\u2014translate big-firm tactics into something any reader can use.

\u201cIf you believe you\u2019re right, pursue your cause,\u201d he insists. \u201cThat\u2019s the only way to end up on top.\u201d

Karon organizes the book around empowerment, fairness, and personal responsibility. He dismantles the \u201cvictim mentality\u201d that keeps many people silent, encouraging readers to adopt a proactive mindset: \u201cYou don\u2019t want to get steamrolled; you want to be the steamroller.\u201d Each chapter tackles a specific area, including travel scams, auto insurance, landlord disputes, identity theft, and more, with step-by-step advice and even sample letters to help readers advocate for themselves. His writing style mirrors a good legal mentor\u2019s bedside manner: approachable, witty, and just irreverent enough to keep you smiling while you learn. The \u201csandwich technique\u201d he teaches (starting a complaint letter with kindness, stating the problem clearly, and closing politely) is both psychologically smart and deeply human.

Beyond the legal advice, Karon\u2019s personality shines through every page. He confides, \u201cI didn\u2019t become a lawyer for the money. I became a lawyer because I wanted to make a difference.\u201d That sincerity anchors the humor and makes his guidance feel trustworthy rather than preachy. There\u2019s even an underlying philosophy here that extends beyond law: self-advocacy as self-care. Just as we maintain physical and financial wellness, Karon argues, legal wellness is an essential part of living a balanced life.

For readers who have ever felt helpless in the face of bureaucracy, this book offers both comfort and concrete action. Fans of Suze Orman or John Grisham will appreciate Karon\u2019s hybrid of financial wisdom and storytelling flair. Whether you\u2019re a recent graduate, a busy parent, or a retiree tired of fine-print frustrations, Your Lovable Lawyer\u2019s Guide to Legal Wellness will leave you feeling not only informed but empowered. It\u2019s proof that, with the right mindset and a well-crafted letter, even the little guy can win.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "20-Nov-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 21:37:46", "publisher": "Post Hill Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612027", "title": "Your Lovable Lawyer\u2019s Guide to Legal Wellness: Fighting Back Against a World That\u2019s Out to Cheat You", "author": "Danny Karon", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 482, "review": "Danny Karon\u2019s Your Lovable Lawyer\u2019s Guide to Legal Wellness is one of those rare nonfiction books that manages to teach, entertain, and genuinely empower its readers without sounding preachy. Karon, a seasoned class-action attorney who\u2019s recovered over $10 billion for consumers, has written what might be the most accessible legal self-help book since The People\u2019s Court met Dear Abby.

Karon\u2019s central premise, that \u201clegal wellness\u201d is as essential as physical or financial wellness, resonates instantly. The opening chapter lays the groundwork with a conversational tone that cuts through intimidation: \u201cWhen companies big or small screw you over \u2026 you don\u2019t have to roll over.\u201d What follows isn\u2019t theory; it\u2019s a lively sequence of case-in-point stories drawn from Karon\u2019s real life and practice.

One of the book\u2019s standout sections recounts his long-term legal battle against international flat-panel manufacturers who colluded to inflate prices on screens. Instead of using the case to glorify himself, Karon frames it as a parable about persistence, fairness, and the cost of corporate denial. His transparency about the decade-long process, culminating in a $2-billion settlement, shows the gritty side of justice while proving that collective action can work.

Equally memorable is his chapter on robocall scams, where Karon traces how predatory schemes evolved from \u201csnake-oil salesmen steering their wagons through town\u201d to global operations powered by analytics. His insistence that awareness is the first line of defense makes the book feel current and vital, especially in a world where every missed call could be a scam.

What makes this guide work isn\u2019t just its content; it\u2019s Karon\u2019s persona. He calls himself \u201cYour Lovable Lawyer,\u201d and remarkably, he lives up to it. His writing carries the rhythm of someone who\u2019s spent years explaining the law to students, journalists, and clients alike. He\u2019s funny, candid, and often self-deprecating. When he jokes about filming his early videos on a green screen with Amazon costumes, it underlines the book\u2019s message: the law doesn\u2019t have to be intimidating.

Still, beneath the charm lies a sharp edge. Karon is angry, and righteously so, about how ordinary consumers are manipulated by systems designed for confusion: forced arbitration clauses, unreadable terms of service, and hidden fees. His anger is contagious, but his solutions are calm, strategic, and methodical. Each story becomes both a cautionary tale and a call to action.

The beauty of Your Lovable Lawyer\u2019s Guide to Legal Wellness is that it never asks you to become a lawyer. Instead, it gives you the mindset of one: confident, curious, and unwilling to be bullied. Readers who enjoy books like Gretchen Rubin\u2019s Better Than Before will appreciate Karon\u2019s knack for mixing personality with practicality.

This is a survival manual for the modern citizen. Whether you\u2019re contesting a fraudulent charge, fighting a landlord\u2019s unfair claim, or simply trying to decode a warranty, Karon\u2019s guide gives you something more powerful than a legal brief: the conviction that you deserve fairness, and the know-how to demand it.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 21:37:13", "publisher": "Post Hill Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612023", "title": "Your Lovable Lawyer\u2019s Guide to Legal Wellness: Fighting Back Against a World That\u2019s Out to Cheat You", "author": "Danny Karon", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 541, "review": "Danny Karon\u2019s Your Lovable Lawyer\u2019s Guide to Legal Wellness is a lively, practical guide for anyone who has ever suspected that the system is stacked against them\u2014but didn\u2019t know where to start fighting back. With more than thirty years of experience as a consumer-rights attorney, Karon uses humor, candor, and real-world insight to make the law not just understandable but empowering. His voice is that of a neighbor who happens to know how to outsmart corporate bureaucracy and wants to share the playbook over coffee.

Karon begins by introducing the idea of \u201clegal wellness,\" the notion that just as we care for our bodies and finances, we should also maintain our legal health. He argues that understanding the everyday laws that govern our lives can prevent crises before they happen. \u201cAn ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,\u201d he reminds readers, encouraging them to become proactive instead of reactive when it comes to protecting their rights.

Rather than focusing on courtroom dramas, Karon zeros in on daily realities that most people overlook, such as contracts, warranties, online scams, and privacy violations. His examples are both entertaining and enlightening: from confronting credit card companies over unfair fees to demystifying forced arbitration clauses that hide in the fine print of apps and purchase agreements. Each story is designed to teach readers how to recognize when they\u2019re being taken advantage of and how to respond effectively, even without a lawyer at their side.

Karon\u2019s tone is never condescending; he writes as someone who genuinely believes ordinary people can stand toe-to-toe with corporations once they understand their rights. He describes the law as \u201ca tool for fairness,\u201d something that belongs to everyone, not just to professionals in expensive suits. His conversational and witty delivery keeps the book approachable, even when discussing complex topics like class actions or arbitration.

Beyond its practical lessons, the book carries a deeper message about self-respect and confidence. Karon encourages readers to shed the idea that they are powerless, emphasizing that the first step toward justice is refusing to accept mistreatment as inevitable. He reminds us that legal literacy isn\u2019t about confrontation; it\u2019s about clarity and courage. When he writes, \u201cYou don\u2019t need to be a lawyer to protect your legal rights,\u201d it feels less like advice and more like a challenge to believe in your own ability to act.

The book is well-organized, with each chapter focusing on a specific aspect of consumer life\u2014from protecting your identity to dealing with unreasonable landlords and shady contracts. Karon even includes templates and examples that make it easy to adapt his advice to your own situation. His straightforward explanations turn what could be intimidating material into an empowering toolkit for everyday life.

Your Lovable Lawyer\u2019s Guide to Legal Wellness will appeal to readers who want more control over their financial and legal well-being. Small business owners, recent graduates, and anyone tired of feeling helpless in the face of red tape will find it particularly valuable. Like a cross between a motivational coach and a legal translator, Karon helps readers see that standing up for themselves isn\u2019t just possible, it\u2019s necessary. His message is clear: when you know your rights, you\u2019re not just surviving in a world that\u2019s out to cheat you, you\u2019re thriving in spite of it.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "10-Nov-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 21:36:49", "publisher": "Post Hill Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612019", "title": "Your Lovable Lawyer's Guide to Legal Wellness: Fighting Back Against a World That's Out to Cheat You", "author": "Danny Karon", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 560, "review": "Reading Danny Karon\u2019s Your Lovable Lawyer\u2019s Guide to Legal Wellness felt like sitting across from a trusted neighbor who\u2019s seen it all, learned the hard lessons, and now wants to make sure the rest of us don\u2019t get taken for a ride. As someone who\u2019s lived long enough to have fought with phone companies, landlords, and airlines alike, I found Karon\u2019s approach refreshing, empowering, and, believe it or not, funny.

Right from the start, Karon makes it clear that \u201clegal wellness\u201d is something we all need, whether we realize it or not. He compares it to maintaining your car or your health; ignore it too long, and you\u2019ll pay for it later. His conversational tone cuts through the intimidation many of us feel when dealing with legal or corporate issues. \u201cWhen your cell phone provider slips a secret charge into your bill yet won\u2019t credit you, what can you do?\u201d he asks early on. For most of us, the honest answer is, \u201cNot much.\u201d But Karon spends the rest of the book showing that we can do plenty.

What I appreciated most were his real-life examples that feel like stories pulled from everyday experience. One chapter that stood out to me was when he helped friends handle a botched furniture delivery: a wrong color, scuffed chair, and a company unwilling to take responsibility. Instead of shrugging it off, Karon crafted a firm but professional letter citing consumer protection laws and basic fairness. Within a week, the couple had a new couch section, a refund, and even got to keep the damaged chair. I couldn\u2019t help but think how many times I\u2019ve sighed and let something go rather than insist on what was right.

Another memorable section involves his friend, who paid $2,400 for a dental crown that fell off the same day. The poor man was afraid to challenge the dentist\u2019s charge, convinced he\u2019d end up in more trouble if he did. Karon reframed the situation, encouraging him to dispute the payment and politely hold the dentist accountable. The outcome? The dentist refunded the full amount, and the friend got the problem fixed elsewhere for less. It\u2019s the kind of story that makes you think twice before apologizing for being wronged.

What sets this book apart is Karon\u2019s blend of warmth and practicality. He never lectures; he teaches through stories, humor, and humanity. Even when he\u2019s describing billion-dollar corporate scandals or class-action lawsuits, he keeps the focus on how ordinary people can apply the same principle: ask questions, document everything, and never assume you\u2019re powerless. His \u201csandwich method\u201d for writing complaint letters (start with a compliment, state the problem, end with gratitude) is advice I wish I\u2019d learned decades ago.

Karon\u2019s voice is personable and empathetic, but there\u2019s a steel thread of conviction running through his words. He reminds readers that the law isn\u2019t some remote system; it\u2019s a tool we all have access to if we\u2019re willing to use it. For seniors like me, who often get talked over or dismissed by customer service reps and corporations, this book is a comforting reminder that assertiveness and dignity go hand in hand.

Your Lovable Lawyer\u2019s Guide to Legal Wellness belongs on every household shelf right next to the first-aid kit and the financial planner. Because as Karon shows so well, knowing your rights isn\u2019t just about protecting your money; it\u2019s about preserving your peace of mind.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "20-Nov-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 21:36:37", "publisher": "Post Hill Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612015", "title": "All Fired Up: Romance and Intrigue on a Pacific Northwest Island (Barefoot by Moonlight, Book 1)", "author": "Carmine Valentine", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 463, "review": "Carmine Valentine\u2019s All Fired Up, the first book in The Barefoot by Moonlight series, is a romantic suspense novel that blends small-town intrigue, a slow-burning love story, and a touch of humor into a highly readable escape. From the opening ferry scene, where romance novelist Marianne Dunaway rear-ends a mysterious biker\u2019s motorcycle, to the creeping sense that someone is watching her at her newly purchased mansion on Orcas Island, Valentine hooks readers with a delightful mix of charm and danger.

What makes All Fired Up stand out is its smooth fusion of cozy mystery and classic romantic tension. Marianne, a writer returning reluctantly to her Pacific Northwest hometown for a dare, is instantly relatable. She\u2019s smart, self-deprecating, and just the right amount of klutzy, like when her \u201clipstick magic\u201d superstition leads her into trouble, or when she tumbles straight into the arms of the \u201cpirate biker\u201d she just hit. Valentine balances these comedic beats with sharp suspense, layering hints of secrets, family betrayal, and hidden histories. There\u2019s a steady hum of tension under the story\u2019s warmth, making readers wonder who can be trusted in the sleepy island community.

The chemistry between Marianne and Jack Sanders, the biker who\u2019s more soldier than outlaw, gives the novel its emotional heartbeat. Their interactions, which are flirty, awkward, and surprisingly heartfelt, feel authentic and not forced. The dialogue sparkles with playful rhythm, and Valentine\u2019s writing captures that rare blend of sensuality and innocence. One of my favorite aspects of the book is how the romance never overshadows the mystery. Jack\u2019s reasons for being on Orcas Island, the strange note accusing Marianne of having \u201ctraitor in your blood,\u201d and the eccentric locals (including a shotgun-wielding neighbor and a sister with secrets) create a vivid world that feels alive and cinematic.

Valentine\u2019s prose is descriptive but not overindulgent; her settings pulse with atmosphere. You can practically feel the salty air of the ferry ride, the creak of the old Perrigo Mansion, and the cold mist rolling off the harbor. The Pacific Northwest becomes more than a backdrop; it\u2019s a living part of the story, moody and mysterious, mirroring Marianne\u2019s own emotional journey.

Readers who enjoy romantic suspense with heart will find All Fired Up deeply satisfying. Fans of authors like Nora Roberts, Barbara Freethy, or Christina Dodd\u2019s Pacific Northwest series will feel right at home. It\u2019s also a great pick for cozy mystery lovers who want a touch of danger without the grit of darker thrillers. The book\u2019s second edition shows Valentine\u2019s polish as a storyteller: it\u2019s confident, witty, and layered with emotional truth beneath the romantic tension.

At its heart, All Fired Up is about rediscovery of love, courage, and one\u2019s own voice. It\u2019s a story that proves you can come home again, even when \u201chome\u201d holds more secrets than you bargained for.", "issue": "November 2025", "date_posted": "27-Nov-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 17:53:48", "publisher": "Atalanta Street Press", "page_count": "394 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612011", "title": "Hummingbird Moonrise", "author": "Sherri L Dodd", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 455, "review": "Sherri L. Dodd\u2019s Hummingbird Moonrise is an evocative and deeply layered paranormal mystery that beautifully intertwines generational trauma, witchcraft, and the power of female intuition. From the very first page, Dodd sets a haunting yet intimate tone, one that pulled me in with its lyrical prose and sense of ancestral weight. This isn\u2019t a story about broomsticks or cauldrons; it\u2019s a story about bloodlines, burdens, and the resilience of women determined to rewrite their fate.

The novel begins with a chilling prologue in 1940s California, where a family tragedy and a vengeful curse set the stage for generations of turmoil. Fast forward to the present day, and we meet Arista Kelly, a modern witch grappling with inherited magic and inherited trauma. Alongside her wise and eccentric Auntie, Arista navigates a world where ghosts linger, spells backfire, and family secrets refuse to stay buried. What I appreciated most about Arista is her vulnerability. She\u2019s strong, yes, but not invincible\u2014her emotions, doubts, and empathy feel human and familiar, grounding the supernatural elements in something real and heartfelt.

Dodd\u2019s writing style is what makes Hummingbird Moonrise shine. Her prose is rich but never overwrought, poetic yet purposeful. As a reader who values rhythm and texture in storytelling, I found myself pausing at certain sentences just to appreciate their cadence. She has a gift for balancing warmth and tension. One moment we\u2019re sipping tea in Auntie\u2019s cozy kitchen, the next we\u2019re plunged into eerie quiet as something unseen moves through the shadows. The use of dialects and accents, including Irish-American, Southern, and Scottish, adds depth and authenticity to the dialogue. Dodd\u2019s note explaining her deliberate (mis)spellings for accent work made me smile; it\u2019s a small but thoughtful touch that honors how people sound, not just what they say.

I connected deeply to the novel\u2019s exploration of legacy and womanhood. Dodd captures that delicate balance between honoring the past and breaking free from it, something many of us understand in our bones. The women in this book carry not only magic but generational wounds, and the way Dodd writes their relationships, with both tenderness and truth, feels genuine. Themes of grief, intuition, and reclaiming power resonate beyond the page, reminding readers that healing often comes through confrontation, not avoidance.

Hummingbird Moonrise is an atmospheric, slow-burning tale that rewards patient readers with depth and emotion. Dodd fuses mystery, folklore, and heart in a way that feels both timeless and contemporary. Her prose hums with life, her characters pulse with authenticity, and her story lingers long after the last page, like the flutter of wings beneath moonlight.

I highly recommend this book to readers who love Alice Hoffman\u2019s lyrical magic, Tananarive Due\u2019s haunting depth, or stories that honor the strength of women bound by blood and spirit.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 17:51:03", "publisher": "Black Rose Writing", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612007", "title": "Where the Heart Meets the Sea: A Novel", "author": "Kimbra Drake", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 431, "review": "As a wife, mother, and lifelong reader, I found Kimbra Drake\u2019s Where the Heart Meets the Sea to be a deeply moving exploration of identity, legacy, and the ways love can both wound and heal across generations. Set against the windswept beauty of the Norwegian archipelago, this novel gently pulls readers into Ella Nilsen\u2019s journey of discovery; one that begins as a practical trip to sell her late grandmother\u2019s cottage and evolves into an emotional voyage toward understanding her past and herself.

Ella\u2019s voice resonated with me immediately: she\u2019s independent, creative, and quietly burdened by the secrets that shaped her life. Raised in Boulder, Colorado, by her stern Norwegian grandmother Hilda, Ella has always felt the absence of her mother, Sara, who supposedly died giving birth to her. When she inherits a cottage in Lyng\u00f8r, a place her grandmother never mentioned, Ella\u2019s arrival on the island sets the story in motion. The discovery of her grandmother\u2019s paintings and notes hint at a family history far more complex than she\u2019d ever imagined. The early chapters, rich in sensory detail, make you feel the salt in the air, the creak of wooden boats, and the ache of Ella\u2019s confusion.

Ella\u2019s initial intent to sell the cottage \u201cas soon as possible\u201d slowly transforms into a deeper curiosity about the people and the place. As she peels back the layers of her family\u2019s past, she also begins to uncover the emotional armor she\u2019s built in her own life. \u201cHolding on to the past is too painful. It\u2019s impossible to heal,\u201d her grandmother once told her, but Ella learns that healing sometimes means revisiting what\u2019s been buried.

Drake\u2019s prose is lyrical without being overwrought. She has a talent for making the landscape mirror emotion: \u201cThe setting sun in Lyng\u00f8r washed its old stone walls in a luminous salmon color,\u201d she writes in the opening scene, perfectly setting the tone for a novel where the sea itself becomes a living presence, a force of memory, danger, and renewal.

For readers who love novels like Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst or The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman, Where the Heart Meets the Sea offers that same blend of emotional honesty, mystery, and breathtaking setting. It\u2019s a book about rewriting the stories we tell ourselves, about our parents, our choices, and the meaning of home.

Ultimately, Drake delivers a story that lingers long after the last page, not because of its twists, but because of its compassion. Where the Heart Meets the Sea reminds us that sometimes, the journey back to where we began is the only way to truly move forward.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 17:48:13", "publisher": "Bleecker Street Books", "page_count": "314 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016612003", "title": "Eastern Shadows", "author": "Peter Nordgren", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 82, "review": "\"Eastern Shadows is a riveting, atmospheric thriller that immerses readers in the intrigue and danger of Thailand\u2019s hidden underworld. With vivid prose and masterful pacing, Peter Nordgren crafts a story that is full of suspense, cultural depth, and haunting secrets. Its unforgettable characters and richly detailed setting create a powerful sense of place that lingers long after the final page. This gripping novel is both an edge-of-your-seat mystery and an evocative exploration of identity, corruption, and redemption.\" \u2014Scott Olsen, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "September 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 17:43:50", "publisher": "Northern Annex Publications", "page_count": "360 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016611011", "title": "A Winter's Morning", "author": "Ang\u00e9lique Leone, Gr\u00e9goire Solotareff", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 197, "review": "Sylvester is a lone wolf. He has lived alone in the woods for many years. He enjoys the winter. He likes to feel the fresh snow crunch beneath his paws. One winter day, as he jumps over a stump, he sees something bright red in the snow. Sylvester goes to the red patch and finds a teddy bear staring up at him. Sylvester takes it home with him. He names it Poppy. They are quite happy together, playing, fishing, and more. One day, they go out to play in the snow, and Poppy lags behind. They hear human voices! Sylvester tries to get to Poppy, but she is too far behind. A little girl picks Poppy up!

Author Ang\u00e9lique Leone has written an enchanting story about two toys lost years apart, finding each other and then being found by their owners. It is a magical story that will help little listeners\u2019 imaginations to soar. Little ones often feel their toys are more real than adults do, and this story honors those feelings. The illustrations by Gr\u00e9goire Solotareff are simply beautiful and give life to the characters while painting the wintry setting perfectly. This will become a fast favorite.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "16-Dec-2025", "date_added": "19-Oct-2025 22:36:13", "publisher": "Post Wave", "page_count": "20 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016607031", "title": "Being Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History", "author": "Andrew Burstein", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 204, "review": "He was 33 years old when he authored the document that invoked autonomy for the 13 colonies from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson\u2019s reputation was cemented on July 4, 1776, and continued to grow as he went from revolutionary leader to statesman to the third President of the United States (1801-1809). The man, born and raised in Albemarle County, Virginia, was a complex man of both deep thought and occasional reckless action. Despite espousing independence, he retained slaves on his plantation. He believed in abolition, yet never became a full advocate for ending Slavery. Jefferson\u2019s impact on American politics resulted from a rift with Alexander Hamilton, which led to a two-party system. Jefferson administered the United States through its continued growth(Louisiana Purchase) and kept the country out of foreign entanglements (Napoleonic Wars). However, recent history has forced a re-evaluation of the man.

Thomas Jefferson was a unique study in contrasts, as brilliantly highlighted by Andrew Burstein in Being Thomas Jefferson. The meticulous record keeper who got swamped with crushing debt, a public figure with thin skin who firmly held onto grudges, a rogue who seduced his friend\u2019s girlfriends/wives, Burstein adeptly shows Jefferson to be a flawed, yet historically impactful figure. Burstein\u2019s work is objective and fascinating.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 20:22:17", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016607011", "title": "Hauntings (Smith & Taylor Classics, 10)", "author": "Vernon Lee, Gretchen Felker-Martin, Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 200, "review": "Hauntings by Vernon Lee is a collection of four haunted short stories. First published in 1890, this reprinting contains a conversation with Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya and Gretchen Falker-Martin, both LGBTQ horror authors. The four stories included in this collection are Amour Dure, Dionea, Oke of Okehurst, and A Wicked Voice. If you are not familiar with Vernon Lee, she was a writer, musician, critic, and activist who lived from 1856 to 1935. Much of her work explores the supernatural, possessions, and hauntings. That includes the four stories featured in this book, which are considered her most famous. \n

Lee's stories are a reminder of what horror and supernatural stories used to be. Her works are not graphic or gory like some modern horror writers. She unsettles the reader with a significant build-up to a haunting reveal. She adds detail and wit to help the reader along before dropping a ghost or a witch onto the reader's lap. And this book proves why well-written ghost stories are timeless. The book concludes with a conversation between Upadhyaya and Falker-Martin. This conversation offers a lot of insight into Lee's works. This is a great book to add to any fan of the supernatural's collection.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "17-Oct-2025 22:56:09", "publisher": "The Unnamed Press", "page_count": "198 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016606019", "title": "The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy Cake", "author": "Devin Elle Kurtz", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 182, "review": "The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy Cake is a colorful, magical explosion. The first thing readers will notice is the brilliant colors and details that author and illustrator Devin Elle Kurtz uses. It's impossible not to be sucked right into the story with the characters. In The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy Cake, the dragons love gold and bread. When one little dragon finds out that he is a natural at baking bread, human baker Beatrice trusts him to make the bread while she is out of town. One day, the dragon gets an odd request. A little vegetable named Princess Turnip shows up and requests a cake. The dragon has never heard of the cake the little princess is describing, and after several trials and errors, she finally leads him to a library where they find a cake recipe. The little dragon makes a beautiful cake, and the princess is happy. He even gets invited to the birthday celebration.

Young readers will enjoy the story, but they will love the illustrations. This is the perfect addition to any classroom or home bookshelf.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "15-Dec-2025", "date_added": "19-Oct-2025 22:14:36", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016603015", "title": "Sparkles for Sunny: A Lunar New Year Story", "author": "Sylvia Chen, Thai My Phuong", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 129, "review": "Sunny is the third little girl in the Lao family. One of the family rules is to never waste anything. Sunny gets a lot of her sisters' hand me downs. She is not always happy about it because sometimes the clothes are better suited for her sisters' personalities. When Sunny is feeling down, she decides to do something to make the qipao uniquely her own by adding some accessories for not only herself but also her sisters.

This is a heartwarming story, that shows how to make something your own without buying something new. Sunny shows her kindness by making special accessories for her sisters as well. The illustrations are really cute and sweet. This is a fun book to read understand a bit more about Lunar New Year.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2025", "date_added": "19-Oct-2025 22:16:12", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016602039", "title": "The Duke", "author": "Anna Cowan", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 83, "review": "The Duke is a lush queer regency romance with all the glamour and passion you crave. In a historical setting filled with candlelit balls and aristocratic intrigue, this sapphic love story follows a duke whose confident exterior masks deeper emotional stakes \u2014 until a woman from her past returns to upend her carefully ordered life. With rich period atmosphere and sizzling chemistry, this novel marries classic romance sensibilities with modern queer representation, giving Pride Month readers an elegant, heartfelt story of rediscovered love.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2026", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 20:00:03", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016602035", "title": "Where He Left Me: A Novel", "author": "Nicole Baart", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 184, "review": "Sadie and Felix have only been married for two years when they move back to Felix\u2019s childhood home, Hemlock House, nestled in the North Cascade Mountains. Felix departs for a planetary conference, leaving Sadie alone. Not long after his expected return, Sadie notices someone at the edge of the property. It isn\u2019t long before Sadie realizes her husband has secrets and they\u2019ve come to call. Where He Left Me, Sadie thinks, is with more questions than answers. ||The story had a fairly slow start. It took a while to get engaged with the characters and plot, and even by the end, it was not as thrilling as expected. I ended the book with more questions than answers, so I related to Sadie in that way. I thought growing up in the setting would endear me more to this story, but the author failed to capture the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, especially the Cascades. If you are looking for something to pass your time, then go ahead and pick this book up. It\u2019s a story, but I wouldn\u2019t classify it as thrilling or atmospheric.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "15-Dec-2025", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 19:02:57", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000016602011", "title": "A Recipe for Robbery: Mystery at the Biltmore #3", "author": "Colleen Nelson, Peggy Collins", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "Elodie LaRue, 11, her friend Oscar, and her dog Carnegie make up the LaRue Detective Agency. They are called upon to solve another baffling mystery at the Biltmore apartments where they live. A fairly new resident, Chef Sebastian, has his recipes stolen on the eve of his bakery's opening. Elodie and Oscar get right on the case and start interviewing people. Chef Sebastian is seen at two different entrances of the Biltmore, but he doesn\u2019t tell a story that matches the witnesses. The owner of a competing restaurant has a solid alibi and feeds all the members of the LaRue Detective Agency. Chef Sebastian\u2019s new assistant is questioned to no avail. Can the kids find the recipes and save Chef Sebastian\u2019s opening?

Author Colleen Nelson has written another romp of a mystery, perfect for young middle-graders, reluctant readers, and emerging readers. The characters are quirky and fun, the members of the detective agency are spunky and smart, and the story is compelling enough to keep young readers engaged all the way through. Cute, cartoonish illustrations by Peggy Collins support the story and add to the fun for youngsters. This book is a great addition to the series.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "19-Feb-2026", "date_added": "17-Oct-2025 20:09:41", "publisher": "Pajama Press Inc.", "page_count": "136 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016601035", "title": "Tony Stark, Odysseus, and the Myths Behind Marvel: Ancient Heroes in the Modern World", "author": "Peter Meineck", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rachel Dehning", "word_count": 188, "review": "Peter Meineck compiles and presents extensive research into what is known as Tony Stark, Odysseus, and the Myths Behind Marvel that primarily highlights similarities between Marvel characters (Iron Man, Black Widow, Captain America, etc.) and icons of Greek mythology (Hera, Zeus, Athena, and so many others), with the journey taking side turns toward psychology, religions, and quotes from relevant authors to educate the reader and open their eyes to hidden meaning and reasoning behind their interest in some of the most sought after topics. Meineck connects dots that readers may not have been privy to before, but now won't be able to forget or view in their original manner. Comprehension and advancing through the book may be easier for more experienced readers, as each chapter covers material that requires focus and an open mind for retention. Various readers may pick up this book (for interest in Marvel, mythology, etc.), reaching a wide audience and introducing readers to new ideas and thought processes; however, readers without an interest in such topics may do better to look elsewhere because the title is what is promised to readers throughout the book.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2026", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 21:03:13", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016601019", "title": "S'more is Enough (Food for Thought)", "author": "Brenda S Miles, Monika Filipina", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 13", "word_count": 129, "review": "One day, Graham turned into a s'mores with a gooey middle and tasty chocolate bar in the middle. It was just fine until he started to wonder if he was as good as the other desserts. He tried to compare his shape to a donut, but he felt a little empty. He tried other foods but nothing felt quite right. Instead, he decided to be his best self by reading and trying new things and gaining new skills. Then, one day, he knew he was exactly who he was meant to be.

This is a really cute message with a really cute story. We especially liked the part as he was learning new skills and trying new things, but its ok to know that it is ok to be yourself!", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2025", "date_added": "19-Oct-2025 22:08:09", "publisher": "American Psychological Association", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016601011", "title": "The Best Little Motel in Texas", "author": "Lyla Lane", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 212, "review": "All Cordelia wants is a simple life. But when a previously unknown great aunt dies, she suddenly inherits the Chickadee Motel. It\u2019s not as simple as a trip to Texas to sell and leave. The will has a stimulation that she can\u2019t sell unless the tenants leave or die. When she travels there to convince them to pack their bags, she discovers the motel is actually a brothel where three women in their sixties (called the Chicks) live. The Chickadee isn\u2019t exactly a well-kept secret; even the local pastor often visits. But when his body is found in one of the Chicks\u2019 beds, Cordelia is tasked with searching for the real killer.\r\n\r\nCordelia\u2019s simple plans are quickly turned upside down in the most comedic and chaotic way, and every moment is more fun than the next. The motel is unexpectedly charming with its pink charm and unexpected wholesomeness in the town. The Chicks are three vibrant personalities that bring life, chaos, and warmth to Cordelia\u2019s life. They\u2019re women who know how to live life and are exactly what Cordelia needs, even if she doesn\u2019t realize it. A fantastic female-driven comedy, /The Best Little Motel in Texas/ blends charm, humor, and sleuthing for a mystery that will keep you smiling the whole time.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Oct-2025 18:54:02", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016600031", "title": "On This Ground: Hardship and Hope at the Toughest Prep School in America", "author": "Anthony DePalma", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 209, "review": "In the first part of this rambling ode to the durability of St. Benedict\u2019s prep school, the author sets the stage of the violent streets of Newark, New Jersey. However, as the story shifts to inside the school, the focus of the street struggle becomes muddied by stories of students, financial difficulties, administration and the Catholic hierarchy. The book\u2019s blurb about St. Benedict\u2019s being the \u201ctoughest prep school in America\u201d is not sustained by these various anecdotes. In addition, the crushing poverty and racial tensions do not seem to be a major part of this story. When, briefly, a student is profiled, his story becomes interesting, but undeveloped. In addition, the laissez faire administrator of the school is an enigma; the story would be well served by discovering his struggles for the sustainability of his school.

Any malfeasance within the school is treated briefly and shrugged off even though the reader is well aware of the mistreatment of youth by Catholic priests and monks. St. Benedict\u2019s may well be a lifeline for the youth of Newark, but that case is not presented in this book. lack Hills and the manifest destiny which drove them away from their spiritual center, the focal point of these historical myths which Mt. Rushmore represents.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "19-Feb-2026", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 19:04:51", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2.5"} {"id": "425035000016599023", "title": "Railsong", "author": "Rahul Bhattacharya", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 109, "review": "Railsong by Rahul Bhattacharya is a tender and beautifully observed coming-of-age novel set against the vast, shifting landscape of twentieth-century India. Following Charu, the daughter of a railway worker, the story captures her quiet determination to escape poverty and limited expectations as the nation itself undergoes profound change. Bhattacharya brings the railways to life as both setting and symbol, carrying Charu toward independence, work, and self-discovery. The novel balances social history with warmth and gentle humor, illuminating everyday resilience in the face of upheaval. Sweeping yet intimate, Railsong is a moving portrait of ambition, dignity, and the courage it takes to imagine a life beyond what one is given.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2026", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 20:24:46", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016599019", "title": "Dandelion Is Dead: A Novel About Life", "author": "Rosie Storey", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 206, "review": "Dandelion is Dead begins when main character Poppy meets Jake after pretending to be her sister, Dandelion, on a dating app. Feeling grief-stricken with the impending anniversary of her sister's death, Poppy wants to feel close to Dandelion again. What begins as a fun and freeing exploration into her sister's past becomes a journey of self-discovery and deceit. Poppy and Jake find a real connection, yet it is based on lies and their shared melodramas.

\nThis book had me stressed, frustrated, curious, appalled and entertained! Poppy and Jake were very flawed, and their behavior often left me in disbelief. They were masters of betrayal and stayed unfazed by their actions. Both crafted their own storylines about their romantic entanglement and lied to their loved ones about their relationship. Each had some emotional baggage that shaped this arc, however it\u2019s unbelievable that the pair stayed close for most of the book! Overall, this was a book that was very different and unpredictable, so I enjoyed it. I wish a little more time was spent on Dandelion's final days, but perhaps the imagery of her was more important than her actual presence on the page. Some parts felt slow or uncomfortable to read, so my rating reflects this.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "19-Feb-2026", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 19:28:28", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000016598007", "title": "How to Save a Library", "author": "Colleen Nelson", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Casey hasn\u2019t lived anywhere for very long. He and his father, a librarian, move often because Dad seems to want a fresh start. Casey dreams of living in one place and actually owning a couch that won\u2019t fit into a pick-up truck. They have been in the small town of Cornish for a year, and Casey loves it. He had made a good friend, Addison, at the library when he first got to town, but an unfortunate incident ruined that. He didn\u2019t know how to make it right. When needed repairs for the library turn out to be so expensive, it may have to close, Casey and Addison find themselves thrown together in a last ditch effort to save the library.

Author Colleen Nelson has written a very engaging story that is filled with middle-grade drama, some nasty bullies, great friendships, and family issues that will keep young readers turning the pages right to the end. The writing is excellent and the language accessible for young readers. The dialogue is snappy and completely appropriate for the characters' ages. This would make a great classroom read-aloud as it would engender great discussions. Don\u2019t miss this one.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2025", "date_added": "17-Oct-2025 20:14:03", "publisher": "Pajama Press Inc.", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016597043", "title": "The Discovery of Britain", "author": "Graham Robb", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 153, "review": "The erudite Oxford-educated author, Graham Robb, hit on a truly brilliant idea: to connect the history of Britain to his ramblings therein. The combination of the personal with the historic views of Britain intrigued this reader. Unfortunately, as I didn\u2019t know Birmingham from Leeds, this led to a great deal of confusion and displacement on my part. I confess I got totally lost in time and space. Therefore, I would hesitatingly recommend this book to only those who have an in-depth knowledge of Great Britain. Without this insider awareness, the stories may be difficult to track. This reader had difficulty in switching back and forth between the present day and the historic era. Despite these frustrations, many good stories and events kept me intrigued enough to keep reading. And, indeed, it is a very long book. I wish other readers to be fluid enough to go with the flow of time and events.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "05-Jun-2026", "date_added": "20-Oct-2025 22:13:30", "publisher": "W. W. Norton & Company", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000016595003", "title": "Last One Seen: A Thriller", "author": "Rebecca Kanner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 206, "review": "Last One Seen by Rebecca Kanner tells the tale of a young woman named Hannah Silver who gets pulled into the drama of a group of MBA writing students at Washington University in Missouri. The group seems like a normal group of college students until another young woman named Justine Updike shows up. The relative of a famous writer, Justine seems to have it all\u2014designer duds, a fancy place to stay, and everyone staring at her. Immediately, Hannah becomes obsessed with Justine, as do the other members of the group\u2014Amelia, Ben, and even Claire.

This book was well-written from the point of view of an unreliable protagonist. The book starts out with Hannah being taken to a cabin by a character named Eli, and we don't find out who he is until later on in the story. The fact that Hannah is bipolar and not taking her meds consistently makes her spiral out of control. That and her use of alcohol and recreational drugs make the reader wonder if anything she's saying is true.

Although I enjoyed Last One Seen, there were several parts of the story that were slow. I kept reading simply because I wanted to find out what would happen in the cabin with Eli.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "15-Dec-2025", "date_added": "15-Oct-2025 19:16:46", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016594003", "title": "Daredevil: Born Again (Marvel Age of Comics)", "author": "Chris Ryall", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 207, "review": "For many Gen-Xers, much of our reading through the 1980s was in the form of comic books. We would rush to our local comic book shop to buy the latest chapter in these sagas. There were so many different stories and characters that it was hard for one person to collect them all. If you had friends who collected comics also, there was a lot of trading, borrowing, and, regrettably, yes, stealing. Still, there were always ways to catch up on many stories. Daredevil was a comic I read but didn\u2019t collect. I remember Daredevil: Born Again. But my reading of this series was never continuous and not complete. Now we have another way to catch up on the series that we missed, Marvel Age of Comics.

DareDevil: Born Again, an Exploration by Chris Ryall is a deep dive into Frank Miller\u2019s saga. This is not a graphic novel; this is an issue-by-issue recap of the whole story. Ryall does not explain the story or offer his opinions or interpretations; he simply retells the narrative. Some of David Mazzucchelli\u2019s art is included, but this is not a comic book. It is a way to catch up or finish a series that, for some reason, readers could never finish.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "17-Dec-2025", "date_added": "14-Oct-2025 23:02:35", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Academic", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016589019", "title": "The Mighty Avengers vs. the 1970s (Marvel Age of Comics)", "author": "Paul Cornell", "category": "N14 Pop Culture", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 184, "review": "Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, there was an ongoing debate: Marvel versus DC Comics. Fans of Batman, Superman, and the rest of the Justice League tended to buy DC Comics. Fans of the X-Men and Avengers invested in Marvel. The Avengers became a fan favorite for many because of their versatility and diversity, and for introducing many new characters over the years. The Avengers was an ever-changing team that thought the 70s tackled many of the social changes the rest of the population was experiencing. \n

The Mighty Avengers Vs. The 1970s: An Exploration by Paul Cornell is a Marvel Age of Comics deep dive into the writers, artists, and storylines of the decade. Created by Stan Lee in 1963, the team of writers saw just as much change as the characters themselves. As a youngster reading the comics, I never followed the writers as much as the artists. Cornell explores the creative minds behind the characters and plots. If you were a fan of the Avengers in the 70s or want a behind-the-scenes look into these comics, this is a fascinating read.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "15-Dec-2025", "date_added": "14-Oct-2025 23:04:47", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Academic", "page_count": "120 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016588007", "title": "Wait for Me", "author": "Amy Jo Burns", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 119, "review": "Wait For Me by Amy Jo Burns is a lyrical and deeply moving novel about music, memory, and the bonds that shape us. Following legendary folk singer Elle Harlow and the young aspiring musician Marijohn Shaw, the story weaves together past and present with emotional precision. Burns captures the highs of performance, the weight of heartbreak, and the longing for connection in vivid, evocative prose. As secrets from Elle\u2019s disappearance come to light, Marijohn is forced to confront her own desires and sense of self, making the story as much about personal discovery as it is about music. Rich, tender, and immersive, Wait For Me is a beautifully crafted ode to love, loss, and the enduring power of song.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2026", "date_added": "14-Oct-2025 19:51:33", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016586015", "title": "Tojo: The Rise and Fall of Japan's Most Controversial World War II General", "author": "Peter Mauch", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 196, "review": "Hideki Tojo wanted to go out on his own terms. In September 1945, Japan formally surrendered to the Allies, and his role in his country\u2019s defeat led to ignominy. The future didn\u2019t appear this bleak at the outset of the war. Tojo had dedicated his life to service for his homeland, primarily in the Imperial Japanese Army. Tojo oversaw the Japanese campaign in Manchuria in the early 1930s, and his leadership was viewed with awe by loyalists and disdain by detractors. Tojo\u2019s loyalty to the government was unquestioned, despite his ambitions and his perception of the Army as the primary voice in decision-making. As Prime Minister under Emperor Hirohito, Tojo was the point man for Japan\u2019s military successes and failures during World War II. By the time of his failed suicide attempt, Tojo had been cast aside by his contemporaries and the public.

In Tojo, author Peter Mauch assumes the exacting task in writing about an often-maligned figure such as Hideki Tojo, but in this well-crafted and researched biography, Mauch admirably conveys the narrative of the quintessential soldier. While past history has rendered him an unrepentant war criminal, Mauch imbues him with a fair amount of dignity.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2026", "date_added": "14-Oct-2025 22:01:47", "publisher": "Harvard University Press", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016586007", "title": "Only Friends", "author": "Lydia San Andres", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 82, "review": "This contemporary romantic comedy follows Mariel Rivera, an aspiring screenwriter whose life takes an unexpected turn after a chance (and hilarious) encounter in Times Square. Teaming up with a charismatic model to create Regency-era content for online fans, their professional collaboration slides into a friends-with-benefits situation that begins to feel like something deeper. With charm, sizzling chemistry, and heartfelt moments, Only Friends is perfect for readers who love witty banter, enjoyable character growth, and a love story that blossoms in unconventional ways.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2026", "date_added": "14-Oct-2025 19:27:27", "publisher": "Atria/Primero Sueno Press", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016585011", "title": "The Kidnapping of Alice Ingold", "author": "Cate Holahan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 189, "review": "The Kidnapping of Alice Ingold dominates the news. She\u2019s blond, beautiful, and the daughter of socialite Catherine and AI tech guru Brian. Even more interesting is the fact that the kidnappers are not asking for a ransom. Instead, they pose riddles, inviting everyone to solve them to save Alice. As the search goes on, Catherine and Brian begin to realize what\u2019s really going on, and things are more complex than they seem. The real question is, what exactly are they saving Alice from? ||I\u2019ve read many of Holahan\u2019s books, and this one was by far her most relevant book to the times we\u2019re currently living in. While it wasn\u2019t the most thrilling, especially compared to her other books, this story definitely gets you thinking about the role of AI in America and the impact it will have on society. There are many points made in this tale about how many jobs could become obsolete with the unregulated use of AI. If you enjoy thrillers, maybe choose one of her other books, but if you enjoy getting conversations started about technological advancements, then this is a great place to start.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "13-Dec-2025", "date_added": "14-Oct-2025 23:06:05", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "347 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000016778015", "title": "Seasons of Glass and Iron", "author": "Amal El-Mohtar", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 160, "review": "Seasons of Glass & Iron by Amal El Mohtar is a stunning collection that showcases the author\u2019s extraordinary range, lyricism, and emotional intelligence. Each story feels like a small, gleaming world, rich with myth, longing, and sharp insight into the human heart. Drawing on fairy tales, folklore, and speculative traditions, El Mohtar reshapes familiar narratives into something intimate and quietly radical.\n\nThe collection moves effortlessly between forms, from letters and diary entries to folktales and fragments, yet every piece is bound by a distinctive voice that is both tender and precise. These stories explore love, grief, transformation, and resilience with a rare balance of beauty and bite, offering fairy tales that do not flinch from consequence. Award winning and widely celebrated, the work never feels ornamental; instead, it invites close reading and deep feeling.\n\nLuminous, inventive, and deeply affecting, Seasons of Glass & Iron is a masterclass in short fiction and a lasting testament to Amal El Mohtar\u2019s singular talent.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "16-Jan-2026", "date_added": "29-Nov-2025 01:34:21", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016778007", "title": "Letters from an Imaginary Country", "author": "Theodora Goss, Jo Walton", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 179, "review": "Letters from an Imaginary Country is a compilation of short stories from award-winning author Theodora Goss. Known for her novels that use offspring from fictional characters, Goss is extremely adept at shorter fiction. Scattered throughout her 16 short stories are names and places that are very familiar. The beauty of Goss's creations is that those names and places take on new life. From the descendants of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to a reporter rediscovering the Land of Oz, Goss breathes new life into old stories.

As fun as these stories are, it feels like Goss could have gone further to explore and challenge the original works. Many of the characters descended from the monsters of old and have their own lives. In Goss's tales, these monsters remain monsters. Goss doesn't try to expand, explain, or rectify their character. She does tell compelling stories, but these stories could have been told with any characters. When borrowing from the classics, I wish she had used more of the classic characters themselves, and not just new personalities connected to the old names.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2026", "date_added": "29-Nov-2025 00:44:32", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000016777007", "title": "The Take", "author": "Kelly Yang", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 180, "review": "This new book brings to mind producer Julia Phillips, who spilled the tea on movie-making in a tell-all book. Also, there is Aldous Huxley\u2019s AFTER MANY A SUMMER DIES THE SWAN; his book about the rich seeking eternal youth. This book skillfully blends both stories along with character studies of the two protagonists, Maggie and Ingrid. Maggie cannot get started as a writer. Ingrid is an established, but aging Hollywood producer. In her search for relevance, she contracts with Maggie to transfuse Maggie\u2019s youthful blood into her in an untested new method of gaining youth. Maggie sees this as an opportunity for access to the inner circle, who could jumpstart her career. Many a new writer has had their finest work derailed by the plagiaristic methods of Hollywood screenwriting. In a literal way, their blood is sucked dry by the process of movie-making. As Maggie ages in this process, her youthful optimism also erodes. Maggie\u2019s Asian ethnicity and the chauvinism of powerful men are also explored in this riveting story. Kelly Yang\u2019s voice as a storyteller is powerful and relevant.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Nov-2025 01:37:25", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016775007", "title": "Beginning, Middle, and End", "author": "Jon Burgerman", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 12", "word_count": 171, "review": "Beginning, Middle, and End are three important characters in this story and in any story. Shown as different shapes (square, rectangle, and triangle), the first two characters introduce themselves and explain/persuade/argue to the reader as to why they are so important, but when it comes time to learn about \"End,\" he doesn't appreciate being woken up by the loudness of Beginning and Middle, and decides that he doesn't need to be around anymore as long the other two can't get along. This throws the first two for a loop, because you can't have a proper story without an end! They must learn to appreciate what each offers to the story to get everyone back together and on the same page again!

I'm a big fan of reading, so I found lots of enjoyment in this picture book through the imagery of the three main parts of a story as characters. The story will be a hit for younger readers, but even older ones like me will understand it and find it entertaining!", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2026", "date_added": "29-Nov-2025 01:15:45", "publisher": "Union Square & Co.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016775003", "title": "Nightmare on Nightmare Street", "author": "R L Stine", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 90, "review": "Welcome to a house where reality feels like it\u2019s been put through a funhouse mirror. In Nightmare on Nightmare Street, R. L. Stine delivers exactly what readers crave: quick chills, eerie twists, and that creeping sense that something isn\u2019t quite right. The dual perspectives of Joe and Shawn keep the tension high, blurring the line between dreams and reality in a way that\u2019s both confusing and thrilling\u2014in the best way. It\u2019s a fast, spine-tingling ride that invites readers to question everything\u2026including whether they should turn off the lights before bed.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Nov-2025 23:46:25", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "214 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016774003", "title": "T.S. Eliot: An Imperfect Life", "author": "Lyndall Gordon", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 196, "review": "Thomas Stearns Eliot constantly searched for meaning in life, and his pursuit took him from the United States to Europe, where he would live the remainder of his life. Throughout his life, Eliot was a man who often went against the grain, whether it be in his marriage to Vivienne Haigh-Wood in 1915 or his decision to become a writer. In his early years, Eliot\u2019s work was influenced by misconceptions of women and his distrust of them. Despite this occasionally misogynistic perspective, Vivienne encouraged T.S. in his literary pursuits. T.S. & Vivienne\u2019s marriage was fated to end acrimoniously as infidelity, mental illness, and financial issues became insurmountable crosses to bear. Despite personal setbacks, Eliot continued to be a significant voice in Modernist poetry and literature until his passing in the 1960s.

T.S. Eliot: An Imperfect Life is a panoramic biography that offers an unvarnished take on the prolific poet and writer. Author Lyndall Gordon\u2019s scholarly book shows a man who wrangled with issues of his own identity for years and lived a life contradictory to his own desires, yet managed to produce the groundbreaking epic poem \u201cThe Wasteland\u201d. Gordon\u2019s work proves both revelatory and quite impressive.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "28-Nov-2025 23:44:41", "publisher": "W. W. Norton & Company", "page_count": "688 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016773003", "title": "Afterbirth", "author": "Emma Cleary", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 96, "review": "Eerie and emotionally charged, After Birth is a haunting exploration of sisterhood, bodily autonomy, and desire. Emma Cleary blends psychological unease with cinematic horror, creating a story that feels both intimate and deeply unsettling. The decaying apartment setting and the blurred boundaries between reality and obsession heighten the tension, while the sisters\u2019 fractured relationship anchors the novel in raw human emotion. Cleary\u2019s prose is hypnotic and precise, allowing dread to build slowly and linger long after the final page. Thoughtful, original, and quietly devastating, this debut stands out as a striking contribution to modern \u201cmommy horror.\u201d", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2026", "date_added": "28-Nov-2025 23:41:35", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016771007", "title": "The Better Mother: A Thriller", "author": "Jennifer van der Kleut", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 192, "review": "The Better Mother is a fast-paced thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. When Savannah's life plans fall through after her longtime boyfriend leaves her, Savannah meets a guy named Max. They hook up a few times, getting drinks and having sex. A few months later, Savannah finds out she's pregnant. She calls Max and is surprised when he is more than willing to help her with the baby. The catch? He has gotten back together with his ex-girlfriend, Madison. This is where the fatal attraction starts to happen. Madison is obsessed with the baby; she calls the baby \"ours\" and posts all about it on social media. It turns out that Madison is one sick puppy and will stop at nothing to get her hands on the baby.

Although there aren't too many twists in the book, it was written well and kept me engaged the whole time. The dialogue was a bit unrealistic at times, and characters popped in and out of scenes so much that I had to go back and reread sometimes. Overall, this was a great story, even though the writing wasn't that strong.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2026", "date_added": "29-Nov-2025 00:01:06", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016760019", "title": "The Christmas Companion: Simple Recipes and Creative Ideas for a Magical Festive Season", "author": "Skye McAlpine", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, but it might also be the most stressful time of the year, especially if you are in charge of decorating and cooking and shopping, and wrapping. A Christmas Companion is really a compendium of everything one would need to plan and accomplish a perfect Christmas celebration. Four major sections \u2014 Magic Making, Feasting, Making Merry, and Your Christmas \u2014 make planning easy. Magic Making covers things like gift wrapping, Advent calendars, stockings, and more. Feasting is over 200 pages of mouthwatering recipes in fourteen sections covering Breakfast and Brunch, Cocktails and Canap\u00e9s, Entrees, Winter Salads, Cookies and Candies, and much, much more. Making Merry looks at many winter holidays and the different kinds of parties one might have. It will give you ideas for table decorations, edible gifts, buffets, brunches, big parties, and more. The Your Christmas section wraps things up with checklists, planners, notes, and an index. Author Skye McAlpine has written three cookbooks and columns for The Sunday Times and her Substack. Her style is conversational and friendly, and this book, filled with beautiful, colored photos, is very complete with everything Christmas-lovers might need.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2026", "date_added": "26-Nov-2025 00:37:42", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016760011", "title": "The Hospital at the End of the World", "author": "Justin C Key", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 104, "review": "Smart, suspenseful, and unsettlingly plausible, The Hospital at the End of the World blends near-future science fiction with a gripping medical mystery. Justin C. Key crafts a world where AI-driven efficiency clashes with human judgment, raising urgent questions about control, ethics, and care. Pok\u2019s search for the truth behind his father\u2019s death gives the novel emotional depth, while the renegade medical school in New Orleans provides a vivid, atmospheric setting. As conspiracies deepen and secrets surface, the story moves with sharp momentum and growing unease. Thoughtful and propulsive, this novel is a compelling exploration of technology, power, and what it truly means to heal.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "09-Feb-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 23:48:24", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016759003", "title": "Bed Chemistry: A Novel", "author": "Elizabeth Mckenzie", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 167, "review": "Bed Chemistry is a fun romance book with an interesting premise. When chemistry teacher Ashleigh is fired from her job, she panics. She needs to pay her rent. When she applies to be in a paid sleep study, she finds the unexpected\u2014the guy she snuck out on eleven years ago, Xander. The catch? The director of the sleep study says they only have a spot open for a couple. Ash and Xander team up to complete the sleep study, and of course, their past catches up to them. Ashleigh doesn't date and doesn't do relationships. So, why is she so drawn to Xander after all of these years?

Bed Chemistry has just the right amount of spice to keep readers turning the page. The main character is a mess, but you'll still be rooting for her to get with the hot guy. This is a sweet story with fun characters and an interesting twist on being somewhere you don't necessarily want to be that changes your life forever.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 20:45:38", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016758011", "title": "A Year Without Home", "author": "V T Bidania", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 96, "review": "Told in luminous verse, A Year Without Home is a deeply moving story that lingers long after the final page. Gao Sheng\u2019s journey from Laos to a refugee camp in Thailand is rendered with tenderness and clarity, capturing both the fear of displacement and the quiet resilience of family. Each poem feels like a snapshot of memory\u2014fragile, vivid, and full of emotion. Bidania\u2019s writing makes history feel immediate and personal, while Gao Sheng\u2019s voice shines with strength and longing. It\u2019s a powerful reminder that home is not just a place, but something we carry within us.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Nov-2025 00:29:21", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "432 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016757023", "title": "The Chosen and The Damned: Native Americans and the Making of Race in the United States", "author": "David J Silverman", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Phliip Zozzaro", "word_count": 202, "review": "The monument was set to commemorate the American Indian, a statue to be located in Staten Island. The project fell apart due to a lack of proper funding and proved to be another example of failed promises when it came to Native Americans. The Year was 1913, the United States was more than a century old, and despite the progress of the country, the relationship with the indigenous people remained fraught. A belief in their superiority, both intellectual and ideological, fueled the British and later American attempts to eradicate the Native Americans. The relationships between the early colonists and various tribes were tenuous as alliances quickly deteriorated into bloody hostilities. As Manifest Destiny justified claims on more land, the various tribes were forced to resettle or were eliminated through force. Only the passage of time has forced a reconciliation with the grave sins of our forefathers.

The Chosen and the Damned is a comprehensive and damning account of the divisive relationship between the United States and the Native Americans. Author David J. Silverman looks beyond the textbook dogma in detailing the litany of abuses committed against the men, women, and children of various tribes, resulting in a vital piece of American Historical literature.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2026", "date_added": "26-Nov-2025 00:45:43", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016757019", "title": "Trad Wife", "author": "Saratoga Schaefer", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 86, "review": "Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaefer is a modern, unsettling horror novel that subverts domestic ideals. The story follows Camille, a \u201ctrad wife\u201d lifestyle influencer whose desire for a baby results in a terrifying bargain with a dark creature. As her online persona collides with horrific reality, the novel becomes a visceral critique of societal pressures, gender norms, and the terror lurking beneath curated perfection. With gory, body\u2011horror elements and provocative themes, this disturbing tale turns the very idea of femininity and motherhood into something frighteningly unpredictable.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2026", "date_added": "26-Nov-2025 00:39:54", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016755023", "title": "The Scent of Oranges", "author": "Kathy George", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 71, "review": "Kathy George reimagines Dickens\u2019s classic through the eyes of Nancy in The Scent of Oranges. Set in 1837 England, this standalone historical novel centers on one of Oliver Twist\u2019s most sympathetic figures, giving voice to her struggles, compassion, and quest for redemption amid the gritty realities of Victorian London. George\u2019s retelling highlights issues of survival, morality, and opportunity in a vividly drawn period setting, merging classic literature with modern emotional resonance.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2026", "date_added": "26-Nov-2025 00:48:20", "publisher": "HarperCollins Publishers", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016755019", "title": "Innocence Road", "author": "Laura Griffin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 187, "review": "Detective Leanne Everheart has been back in her hometown for two years, when she gets a murder case. A young woman has been found in the desert and it resembles a case from sixteen years ago. The killer for that case was put away until recently, when it was discovered he was actually innocent. As Leanne digs further into the case, she discovers that there have been even more bodies found in this same area and comes to the conclusion that there is a serial killer at work. The killer is escalating and Leanne knows that time is running out. The Innocence Road does not exist here and secrets and lies are getting young women killed.

I absolutely loved this book. I couldn\u2019t put it down and was trying the whole time to figure out who had done it. Leanne was the perfect character, with all her flaws, but she made every victim important, no matter their race or what their life was like. I really enjoyed the author\u2019s writing style and hope that Leanne\u2019s story continues. If you love police procedural thrillers, this book is for you.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 23:56:50", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016755015", "title": "A Ghastly Catastrophe", "author": "Deanna Raybourn", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 91, "review": "Fans of clever historical mysteries will find plenty to love in A Ghastly Catastrophe, the latest adventure featuring the brilliant Veronica Speedwell and her partner Stoker. When a mysterious corpse appears near Highgate Cemetery, the duo soon uncovers a chilling trail that leads to a secret society obsessed with immortality. Raybourn\u2019s signature blend of sharp wit, historical detail, and thrilling intrigue makes this installment especially delightful. With sparkling dialogue and a twisting investigation filled with danger and deception, this Victorian-era mystery offers a perfect mix of humor, suspense, and irresistible charm.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 23:20:31", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016754015", "title": "Meet Me Under the Lights", "author": "Cassie Miller", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 95, "review": "Meet Me Under the Lights is a charming small-town romance packed with summer nostalgia, family rivalry, and heartfelt emotion. Eliza and Reed\u2019s chemistry leaps off the page as childhood history collides with present-day tension. Their opposing family legacies add a Romeo-and-Juliet flavor, while baseball and community theater create a lively, memorable backdrop. Beyond the romance, both characters are figuring out who they want to be beyond their town\u2019s expectations, giving the story genuine coming-of-age depth. Warm, swoony, and full of heart, this is a perfect read for anyone who loves summer love stories with substance.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "11-May-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 23:22:37", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016754007", "title": "CATechisms", "author": "John Delaney", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 173, "review": "The title CATechisms initially confused me, because I'm used to hearing the singular \"Catechism\" from church, but once I delved into the book, it made sense. I also LOVE cats, so a book devoted to words and pictures of them is one that I will read any day. Every other page is a different-styled poem about the author's cat, along with a full-sized, full-colored picture(s) of said cat (its name is Ramen) shown in a new location, position, or attitude that complements the poem. If the reader has any cats of their own, the poems will make sense, and, because most cats act similarly, you could likely insert your cat into the text and your mental image. I have several cats in my home, and I had no trouble noticing how the poems are familiar and remind me of how much I love them, how crazy they can be, and how similar they can be to humans at times. Because the book is about poems and cats, it could reach a large audience.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "31-Mar-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 20:07:51", "publisher": "Finishing Line Press", "page_count": "84 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016752007", "title": "Intifadas", "author": "Edward Salem, Hanif Abdurraqib", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 100, "review": "Not so much a quiet collection as a charged current running through art, memory, and resistance, Intifadas refuses to sit still. Edward Salem, with an introduction by Hanif Abdurraqib, crafts poems that move across Palestine and its diaspora, where uprising takes many forms\u2014political, personal, even intimate. Rather than offering easy resolutions, these poems lean into contradiction: they are furious yet tender, darkly funny yet deeply sincere. Moments of defiance sit alongside small, human gestures, creating a collection that feels both expansive and immediate. It\u2019s a bold, thought-provoking work that lingers, asking what art can hold when the world feels impossible.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 23:52:49", "publisher": "Sarabande Books", "page_count": "122 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016751011", "title": "Hannibal Lecter", "author": "Brian Raftery", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 197, "review": "His beginnings were humble; his introduction was as a side character in a best-selling book. By his second appearance, his character became more refined, and while Dr. Hannibal Lecter advised Will Graham and Clarice Starling on how to nab serial killers, there was no disguising the fact that it often takes a monster to catch one. By the time of the third book to feature him, it was inarguable that Hannibal Lecter had become an iconic villain in literature. While his infamy rose, the almost reclusive nature of his creator grew. Thomas Harris was a journalist from down south who had covered many aspects of news but grew fascinated by the criminal mind. \u201cRed Dragon\u201d began his dramatic partnership with Lecter, a relationship that proved lucrative and occasionally frustrating as sequels and movies enthralled audiences while leaving them clamoring for more.

An unputdownable book that chronicles the creator and his literary offspring, \u201cHannibal Lecter\u201d provides a wealth of information about best-selling author Thomas Harris, along with the catapulting of the villainous Lecter into the pop culture zeitgeist. Author Brian Raftery has done more than a commendable job in covering the lasting impact of Hannibal Lecter on the public.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2026", "date_added": "26-Nov-2025 00:33:16", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016751003", "title": "Graveyard of Demons (Saga of the Forgotten Warrior)", "author": "Larry Correia", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 200, "review": "There are six volumes in the Saga Of The Forgotten Warrior. Here is the fifth. I made the mistake of reviewing the last one (so far) Heart of the Mountain before reading any of the others, and cautioned my readers to buy the entire series and start at the beginning of the saga. Do as I say, and not as I did. Names, relationships, allegiances, beliefs, institutions, ranks, and history are elaborate and intricate. They are at least loosely based on the complex Indian/Hindi culture. Personal valor and magics are epic.

Reappearing after long reported dead, Ashok is somewhat shocked by the passage of time, the evolution of events, and even himself.

Seeking his life mate amidst great conflicts and uncertainties, he endures, and as is his wont, vanquishes any who stand in his way.

Previous allies and friends are scrambled, to say the least. Political and mystic machinations abound.

As becomes terribly evident, hordes of mostly marine-dwelling demons are tunnelling even into the drynesses to which much of mankind has retreated. A genocide of the not-men, the \u201cfish eaters,\u201d is ongoing; martial realities are evolving rapidly.||Battles of sweeping dreadfulness are, as in all of Mr. Correia\u2019s work, entrancing and terrifying. Buy the series!", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 19:43:20", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016750035", "title": "The Moon Without Stars", "author": "Chanel Miller", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 89, "review": "Softly funny and achingly real, The Moon Without Stars captures the fragile orbit of middle school identity with remarkable honesty. Luna\u2019s journey\u2014from quiet observer to someone pulled into the gravity of popularity\u2014feels authentic in every detail. Miller\u2019s signature illustrations add warmth and intimacy, making Luna\u2019s inner world even more vivid. What resonated most is the story\u2019s gentle insistence that finding yourself sometimes means losing your way first. It\u2019s a thoughtful, comforting read that speaks directly to that in-between stage of growing up, where everything feels uncertain\u2014and full of possibility.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Nov-2025 00:12:33", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016750027", "title": "A Dance with Santa Claus", "author": "Sandra Boynton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 170, "review": "When I was (a lot) younger, my parents read to me stories by Sandra Boynton, and I remember hearing some songs that go along with her stories, too. When I saw her newest book, A Dance with Santa Claus, I wanted to check it out because I had read her books in the past, and because it's an appropriate story for the season (winter/Christmas); I also found the song that goes with this story, which made the reading experience different than if I were just to read it. Particularly special for the season, I recently watched the movie \"Elf,\" and when I learned that the story's singer is Zooey Deschanel (a main character in Elf), I could picture everything more clearly, and it improved my overall enjoyment. The story in itself is more appropriate for younger readers, as there are few words on each page, and it's repetitive. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and everything combined makes this a perfect Christmas story to read (and listen to) each year.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 23:01:05", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016750015", "title": "A Girl Like Us: A Novel", "author": "Anna Sophia McLoughlin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 188, "review": "Maya just married into the world-famous Sterling family. When her husband\u2019s cousin, Arianna, is found murdered, the whole Sterling family is whisked away to the family estate in England. Arianna was the heiress of the entire Sterling fortune and they discover that she named Maya as her heir. Things start to get ugly as secrets come out and the family does everything they can to get Maya to turn the fortune back over to them. But Maya knows, only A Girl Like Us can get to the bottom of this mystery and she is determined to find out before she too, ends up dead.

Maya may very well be a gold digger, but you can\u2019t help but like her. She is a girl who knows what she wants and goes after it. Her cleverness is in her favor, as well. The author does a fantastic job of exemplifying the horror a rich British family would feel when one of their family members marries a reality tv star. If you enjoy mysteries and watching the wealthy struggle to hide all their secrets, then this is the book for you.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 21:08:22", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016750011", "title": "Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel", "author": "Jewell Parker Rhodes, Setor Fiadzigbey", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 186, "review": "Twelve\u2011year\u2011old Jerome is a shy, hardworking kid bullied for being a \u201cteacher\u2019s pet.\u201d At home, life with his parents, grandmother, and little sister is steady, and he dreams of becoming a basketball star or even the President someday.

But those dreams end when he is killed by a white police officer.

As a ghost\u2014unseen by most\u2014Jerome searches for meaning in the aftermath of his death. He drifts between his family home and the courtroom where his case unfolds, trying to understand why he cannot move on. One person can see him: Sarah, the daughter of the officer who shot him. Through her eyes, Jerome witnesses the weight of bias and fear. He also meets Emmett Till, another ghost boy, who guides him toward understanding and a sense of purpose.

Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel is a powerful adaptation of Jewell Parker Rhodes\u2019s acclaimed book. Setor Fiadzigbey\u2019s evocative illustrations deepen the story\u2019s emotional resonance, weaving together themes of race, privilege, grief, and justice. This compelling read invites readers of all ages to confront America\u2019s long history of anti\u2011Blackness and to grapple with hard-fought possibilities of racial reckoning and healing.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "08-Mar-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 20:23:36", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016749023", "title": "The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop: Uplifting, poignant healing fiction from the Japanese bestselling author \u2013 brand-new for 2025!", "author": "Takuya Asakura, Yuka Maeno", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 205, "review": "The bookshop only appears in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom and you must be reading the exact passage from the same book at the same time as the young shopkeeper in order to find it. Many people have come and gone from the bookshops doors, these are the stories of very different people, for very different reasons at very different times of their lives who were lucky enough to be given a miracle.

What a lovely idea, that there is this place that exists because someone wrote a book. Each story is a gentle reminder of how ordinary moments may not be simple, that life is to lived. The characters were a little bland, without much personality, but they had very different stories and reasons for being at the bookshop. The same information was repeated almost every time someone new entered the bookshop, explained almost the exact same way as well. It did get a little confusing at times when the cat was interchangeably referred to as it and she, probably to do with translation. There are a few things that have to do with names that also get lost in translation, but they are explained in a note at the end.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "19-Feb-2026", "date_added": "26-Nov-2025 00:50:54", "publisher": "HarperCollins Publishers", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016749011", "title": "Yuppies", "author": "Dylan Gottlieb", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 146, "review": "My son asked very pointed questions about my generation\u2019s obsession with greed and workaholism. Thankfully, this well-researched book will answer many of his generation\u2019s questions about the rampant materialism that pervades our culture. How, in fact, did baby boomers who may have been hippies turn into Yuppies? The thesis in this book portrays a great seduction by Wall Street of college students in the very best universities in this country. Rather than stay in the staid traditions of old money, brokerages went in search of the very talented to transform their industry. In doing this, old money rules were broken, and beginning careers were shifted from industry to wealth manipulation and management.

These brilliant young people devoted themselves wholeheartedly to workaholism, while enjoying huge salaries translated into opulent displays of wealth and privilege. The author has written a very complete history of this traditional time in society.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 21:21:10", "publisher": "Harvard University Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016748023", "title": "Happy Ending", "author": "Chloe Liese", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 105, "review": "From USA TODAY bestselling author Chloe Liese comes a clever, heartfelt rom-com that sparkles with wit and warmth. This friends-to-lovers story follows Thea and Alex, two opposites united by messy divorces and a harmless little lie that grows into something beautifully real. Their fake relationship, born from spite, evolves into a deeply supportive friendship filled with sharp banter, tender moments, and undeniable chemistry. Liese shines at crafting emotionally intelligent characters, blending humor with thoughtful explorations of healing, parenthood, and second chances. Set against the backdrop of a complicated beach vacation, this novel delivers swoon-worthy romance and genuine heart\u2014a satisfying, feel-good escape from start to finish.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "26-Nov-2025 00:43:27", "publisher": "Gallery Books", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016748015", "title": "Cabaret in Flames", "author": "Hache Pueyo", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 199, "review": "It\u2019s been years since Erik disappeared, leaving Ariadne to inherit his small clinic. She doesn\u2019t mind the work, at least the gul\u2019s she treats are predictable in their violence, unlike the growing political turbulence. But her scrap of normalcy is shattered when an old friend of Erik\u2019s comes knocking at her door looking for him. Quaint isn\u2019t like anyone she\u2019s met, gul or human. They begin the search for Erik, because it turns out he may not have simply packed his bags and walked out the door, and he may be in a lot of trouble. It would be easy to let Quaint do the investigating, but Ariadne wants answers, and if she\u2019s to go into the lion's den, she might as well go with the lion.

This novella is character-driven, with rich personalities and a small cast that\u2019s easy to keep track of who is who. Ariadne has her secrets, and they are hinted at and drawn out until revealed at the right time. The setting isn\u2019t neglected, it\u2019s vast and real, even if it isn\u2019t explored more than it needs to be. The plot is a little boring, but the characters and their journey make up for that.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 21:15:47", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016743023", "title": "A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon", "author": "Hannah Reynolds", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 196, "review": "Naomi is tired of unsolicited male attention just to meet her high-powered aunt, so she invents a betrothal. To a demon. She claims his name is Daziel, who just happens to be real. He appears suddenly in her rooms but cannot be banished by any spells she\u2019s tried. He moves in, cooking and decorating for her, willing to continue the ruse so he doesn\u2019t have to return home just yet. She\u2019s fighting her attraction, knowing she can\u2019t be betrothed to a demon, but there are bigger things on her mind. The winds and weather are changing, and all the birds have up and left. Meanwhile, her work on some ancient scrolls is finally beginning to progress, with a little brainstorming help from Daziel. She soon realizes that the ancient text may have more modern-day meaning than expected, and Daziel\u2019s secret might have something to do with it.

The dated cover hides a story that is sexy and fun and witty and adventurous. The romance is a slow burn that warms as their adventure becomes more dire. Reynolds deftly folds all the plot points together, creating a flirty fantasy with, strangely enough, cozy chaos. A cute winter read.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 01:15:19", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016743019", "title": "Celestial Lights", "author": "Cecile Pin", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 156, "review": "This celebrated author has written a book from a man\u2019s point of view with incredible insight and resonance. The main character is driven by a passion for engineering. With his work ethic and diligence, he quickly excels in that career, which subverts into a drive to attain supreme heights. His other passion is the obsession with his childhood friend who represented a more earthbound and humanistic approach to life. After he receives a job offer to work in a space program, he becomes the employee of one the world\u2019s richest and most elusive men. After he is chosen to captain an ambitious space program, he faces difficult choices. Does he choose a pinnacle of success and celebrity or the earthbound family he has always wanted? This is a wonderful theme and story relevant to today\u2019s unending focus on wealth and celebrity. The writing is good and the story brings us to essential moral questions about ourselves.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 01:04:40", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016743015", "title": "The Penguin Book of Cults", "author": "Joseph P Laycock", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 230, "review": "When we hear the word \"cult,\" we imagine charismatic leaders wielding psychological control, secretive rituals, and followers driven to violence. These movements often conjure disturbing images: sexual exploitation, human sacrifice, and worship of malevolent forces. Yet as science and technology advance, religious movements increasingly weave contemporary physics, medicine, and astronomy into their belief systems.

In The Penguin Book of Cults, religious studies professor Joseph Laycock delivers a fascinating examination of faith movements operating outside mainstream society\u2014from 19th-century Spiritualists to Japan's Aum Shinrikyo, perpetrators of the devastating Tokyo subway sarin attacks.

Laycock skillfully contextualizes the primary sources featured throughout, including the chilling \"death tapes\" from Jonestown. His approach balances scholarly rigor with accessibility, making complex religious phenomena understandable without sensationalizing them. On a side note, \"The Trial of Aleister Crowley\" was a most amusing read (perhaps not surprisingly.)

\nThis collection proves essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the psychological dynamics between cult leaders and their adherents. Particularly compelling are historical parallels\u2014such as accusations of incestuous orgies and murderous initiation rites leveled against early Christians\u2014which illuminate how societal hysteria can distort perceptions of \"religious others.\"

Laycock's work ultimately suggests an uncomfortable truth: the capacity for extremism that we find so terrifying in cults may not be as foreign to human nature as we'd like to believe. This book challenges readers to examine both fringe movements and their own assumptions about faith and belonging.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 01:02:34", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016743003", "title": "A Natural History of Empty Lots: Field Notes from Urban Edgelands, Back Alleys, and Other Wild Places", "author": "Christopher Brown", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Jane Manaster", "word_count": 192, "review": "Some time back, Christopher Brown, lawyer, sci-fi author, and wildlife enthusiast, turned his hand to exploring a surprising new lifestyle. Hailing from the Midwest, he became a Texan and built a home at the edge of Austin's industrial area. Choosing a site where old building materials, broken pipelines and the like were dumped in and around in a creek, he was rewarded to see increasing numbers of animals and insects he feared had forsaken city living.

While the book's focus is on his surroundings, it is crammed with a remarkable range of topics. His philosophical beliefs about contemporary life contrive to mingle erudition and excitement. A fox? Harvester ants? Millipedes? His memories of a hike decades earlier, in third grade, nourish his need to live alongside nature. But he is realistic: alarmed at seeing gentrification as colonization, and at a certain level, 'there is no authentic life.'

One of the book's distinctions lies in his paternal love, the pleasure of sharing, exploring and discovering the surroundings with his young son. A Natural History of Empty Lots is a commendable, serious read, not one to skim hastily. Be ready to underline, and scribble margin notes.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 00:07:59", "publisher": "Timber Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016742011", "title": "Enormous Wings", "author": "Laurie Frankel", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 206, "review": "The premise of Laurie Frankel's Enormous Wings\u2014the title taken from an oft-anthologized Gabriel Garcia Marquez short story\u2014is deeply intriguing. A 77-year-old woman moves to an assisted living facility after a small car accident makes her children worry for her safety. She meets a handsome and charismatic 78-year-old man, who goes by the ridiculous name Moth, and promptly gets pregnant after a night of intimacy. Oh, and her name? Pepper Mills.

The names are a sign of what is wrong with this book. At its heart, it is about the end of Roe vs. Wade and the state of women's healthcare in an increasingly misogynistic country. Pepper lives in Texas, so her health at 77 is not as important as the health of the cluster of cells in her uterus. The novel is populated with people on both sides of the abortion debate, and Pepper herself is wishy-washy at times, which was, for me, the biggest failing of the book. Give her a spine. Have her take a stand. Instead, everything seems to just happen to her.

Towards the end, she becomes an activist\u2014I won't spoil it by telling you exactly what that means--but it was all just a bit too far-fetched with too little teeth for my taste.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 01:18:45", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000016742003", "title": "The Princess Bride Deluxe Edition Hc: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure", "author": "William Goldman", "category": "F02 Classics", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 173, "review": "For all The Princess Bride fans, the deluxe edition is a must-have. Yes, before the wildly successful cult classic, The Princess Bride, it was a novel by William Goldman. The film follows the book very closely. Every great and overly quoted line from the movie is in the book. As is every sword fight, the ascent up the Cliffs of Insanity, the escape through the Fire Swamp, and the romance between Buttercup and Westley. All in this epic story. Why should you get the book if you\u2019ve already seen the movie, you ask? Because this is the deluxe edition..\u200b

Please, judge this book by the cover. It is a beautiful book that can be displayed in any grand or humble book collection. If you need more, the two forewords by the author are entertaining and enlightening. If that is not enough, then the addition of the short story Buttercup\u2019s Baby and Goldman's explanation should convince you. All these reasons should convince any true fan of the movie that this book is worth the investment.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 00:06:29", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016740003", "title": "By the Fire We Carry: The Generations-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land", "author": "Rebecca Nagle", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 190, "review": "The rise of Native American sovereignty has taken many twists and turns over the past 300-plus years\u2014 from when the first European settlers encountered Native American groups, the forced displacement of Native Americans to reservations, to the rise of Native American nationalism in the 1970s. There has been a legal fight, that was largely settled in 2020 by the US Supreme Court, over tribal land and sovereignty that this book chronicles in a large overlapping arc starting back in the 1800s when the Muscogee people were forced into Oklahoma, the fight over land and oil rights, to the final decision granting large swaths of these lands as sovereign to tribal nations where they can police and take their own actions. This book is largely historical, although it primarily focuses on the 2020 US Supreme Court case and the Native Americans of Oklahoma, rather than discussing other groups fighting for justice. People interested in how Native Americans fought the long fight, across multiple generations, for justice will learn a lot from this book, including attempts by local leaders in Oklahoma to make sure they left the Natives Americans as second-class citizens.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 00:04:26", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016738011", "title": "I Survived the Dust Bowl, 1935 (I Survived #25)", "author": "Lauren Tarshis", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 196, "review": "It is 1935, and Ray and Dolly, best friends, live in a small farming town in the Texas Panhandle. Things had been fine until a drought began. Now, people are losing farms and small businesses to the bank. Many people leave town. Matthew, a nice older boy at school, rides the rails to California to get work. The dust storms are more frequent and severe, and they damage property and people\u2019s health as well. Dolly\u2019s little brother, Skippy, ends up in the hospital with dust pneumonia. The doctors say he can\u2019t stay in Texas any longer, so Dolly\u2019s family is moving away. Ray finds out his parents owe money to the bank, and they might lose the farm. Ray feels like his world is falling apart.

This is Lauren Tarshis\u2019s 25th I Survived novel for middle-grade readers. Her research is exceptional, and her storytelling technique is great. The story of Ray and Dolly is one that young readers will relate to and sympathize with. It is a great way for kids to learn about the history of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Like all the I Survived books, this one is short, well-written, and compelling.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "24-Nov-2025 23:17:35", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016736015", "title": "I Love You Don't Die", "author": "Jade Song", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 100, "review": "Tender, raw, and quietly devastating, I Love You, Don\u2019t Die is a luminous meditation on love and impermanence. Jade Song\u2019s lyrical prose captures the ache of loneliness and the strange comfort found in contemplating death, grounding existential dread in the textures of contemporary New York life. Vicky\u2019s emotional journey\u2014through friendship, intimacy, and self-sabotage\u2014feels painfully honest and deeply human. The novel\u2019s exploration of desire, depression, and connection is both unsentimental and compassionate, allowing moments of beauty to emerge from uncertainty. Intimate and introspective, this book speaks powerfully to a generation searching for meaning while learning how, and whether, to hold on.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 01:21:46", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016734019", "title": "A Death in Summer: A Novel (Quirke, 4)", "author": "John Banville, Benjamin Black", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 197, "review": "\u201cDiamond Dick\u201d Jewell is dead, and no one\u2014not his employees, his family, or his business rivals\u2014is sorry, not even when it becomes clear that murder, rather than suicide, was the cause. Thus opens the fourth mystery featuring pathologist Quirke (even his daughter calls him that for reasons laid bare in earlier volumes), along with Inspector Hackett. A tightly written novel of Dublin noir, this is the kind of mystery more interested in people\u2019s psyches than in following physical clues. Set in the 1950s or perhaps early 60s, in an oppressively hot Irish summer, characters sweat and suffer as do the parched fields. Quirke is immediately drawn to Jewell\u2019s French widow for reasons that he himself doesn\u2019t clearly understand, and yet unraveling those motivations will be key to knowing who fired the gun and why. There are plenty of suspicious characters to consider, with various sordid histories and practices, but most of Dublin\u2019s seamy underbelly is alluded to, rather than pictured in detail. Banville creates atmospheric prose, studded with crystalline metaphors and descriptions, which make the novel a pleasure to read, even though Quirke can be glum and recalcitrant, dragging his past around like chains around his ankles.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 00:24:37", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016733015", "title": "Love Goes Viral", "author": "Alexander Berman, Camille Stochitch, Estelle Laure", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 95, "review": "Love Goes Viral is a contemporary YA romance that explores love, social media fame, and authenticity. When aspiring pop star Love Thompson becomes an overnight sensation, she tries to rehabilitate her public image with the help of a small-town boy she once met. What starts as a strategic, fake romance quickly becomes something much more meaningful as real feelings emerge between them. This story combines modern romance with the complexities of social media culture, making it a relevant and heartwarming choice for Valentine\u2019s Day readers who enjoy lively characters, emotional growth, and fun romantic tension.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2026", "date_added": "25-Nov-2025 01:11:39", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016726007", "title": "Fifty Poems", "author": "Rainer Maria Rilke, Geoffrey Lehmann", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 210, "review": "The art of translating poetry\u2014capturing not just meaning but meter, lyricism, and soul\u2014demands both courage and devotion. In //Rainer Maria Rilke: Fifty Poems//, Australian poet Geoffrey Lehmann rises to the challenge, offering fresh English renderings of the Austrian master's work. For anyone seeking an entry point into Rilke's transcendent world, Lehmann's collection offers an ideal portal.\n

Rilke, the German-language poet born in Prague, stands among the 20th century's most influential literary voices. Throughout his lifetime, his poetic style underwent remarkable transformations, shaped by encounters with luminaries like Rodin and C\u00e9zanne. His most profound verses interrogated classical notions of truth, beauty, and morality.

Lehmann approaches his task with refreshing humility, describing his translations as attempts to \"impersonate Rilke in English\"\u2014a modest claim that belies the achievement within these pages. He confronts head-on the formidable challenge of preserving the music of German meter and rhyme while maintaining each poem's essential clarity and power. Though I cannot read German myself, I've encountered other English translations of Rilke's work. Lehmann's versions stand out for their exceptional balance of fidelity and artistry.

This carefully curated collection succeeds in conveying Rilke's haunting voice and the existential solitude that pulses through his poetry. The translations feel both measured and alive, honoring the original while speaking directly to contemporary readers.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2026", "date_added": "24-Nov-2025 19:48:12", "publisher": "New York Review Books", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016717007", "title": "To Save the Man", "author": "John Sayles", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 192, "review": "Antoine LaMere has been sent off to the Carlisle School so he can assist his family. His attendance at the school will cement his family\u2019s status as Indians in order to receive land under the recently passed Dawes Act. The Carlisle School was founded and is overseen by Captain Richard Henry Pratt, whose objective is to educate the students to the American Way of life while acclimating them to the civilized world. When Antoine arrives at the school, he is introduced to boys and girls from various tribes who are either newcomers like himself or returning students. As the days pass, Antoine sees how rules are enforced with military discipline and how the school seeks to Americanize their hearts and minds. Meanwhile, other students begin to bridle at the forced and regimented environment and plot an escape regardless of consequence.

To Save the Man is the latest exceptional novel from the polished writer and auteur John Sayles. Acclimation at the expense of sacrificing one\u2019s identity is the paradox at the heart of this gripping historical fiction book. The historical wrongs done to the Native Americans reverberate throughout the pages of this masterly work.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "13-Jan-2026", "date_added": "20-Nov-2025 01:21:48", "publisher": "Melville House", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016716007", "title": "The Time Hop Coffee Shop: A Novel \u2013 A Charming Magical Realism Story of Second Chances and New Beginnings", "author": "Phaedra Patrick", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristina Fox", "word_count": 201, "review": "The Time Hop Coffee Shop was reminiscent of Toshikazu Kawaguchi's Before the Coffee Gets Cold series which I loved. When coffee commercial star Greta has a difficult time getting cast in her forties, she feels like her life is over. She and her husband, Jim, who she loves dearly, are on a break and living apart, and her fifteen-year-old daughter, Lottie, wants nothing to do with her. She's staying in a crappy flat and is miserable. One day, a flyer is given to her, and with an intriguing message, draws her to a tiny coffee shop that she didn't know existed. She meets a woman named Iris, who gives her special rules about the coffee that is served at this special shop. From there, Greta can make three wishes.

The story is told in a way that made me want to keep reading. Greta is whisked away to Mapleville, a town where everything is perfect, including her husband and daughter. But what will happen if she stays in Mapleville? And does she really want everything to be so perfect? This book will make readers think about the decisions they have to make in life and their consequences. Wonderfully written and wildly entertaining.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2026", "date_added": "20-Nov-2025 01:28:12", "publisher": "Park Row Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016714003", "title": "Where the Library Hides: A Novel (Secrets of the Nile, 2)", "author": "Isabel Iba\u00f1ez", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 201, "review": "Inez\u2019s adventures are far from over as she continues to seek answers regarding what happened to her parents. But her searching comes with its own tragedy, grief, and betrayal. T\u00edo Ricardo wishes for her to return home, but she refuses to leave Egypt without answers, justice, or the location of a black market auction. When he threatens to cut off her inheritance, she\u2019s faced with an unconventional choice: to marry Whit. But even he has secrets that could prove costly for her.

The story picks up immediately from where the previous book left off, quickly taking you right back into the aftermath. Events happen relatively quickly, with Inez desperate for answers and instead given an ultimatum, which leads her to make a potentially hasty decision: to get married. This feels like a whirlwind romance that gives you everything you were wishing for throughout the first book. The dynamic between the two is slightly different, with more conflict, drama, and passion. The world is expanded with more insight into the magic, Cleopatra, and the black market happenings, which gives more opportunity for action and danger. Where the Library Hides is a smashing conclusion that provides non-stop adventure, romance, drama, betrayal, and answers.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "14-Jan-2026", "date_added": "20-Nov-2025 01:04:43", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016711003", "title": "What the River Knows: A Novel (Secrets of the Nile, 1)", "author": "Isabel Iba\u00f1ez", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 215, "review": "Inez Olivera is fascinated by the magic steeped in nineteenth century Buenos Aires, but her heart longs to be with her parents in Egypt. Her dreams are crushed when she receives word of their deaths. Disguising herself as a widow, she travels to Egypt, where she reunites with her uncle, who is searching for the tomb of Cleopatra and his annoyingly infuriating assistant. But as she pushes her way into his journey, the secrets she unveils may reveal truths she isn\u2019t prepared to learn.

This adventure is incredible from beginning to end, drawing you into this stunning world filled with magic and humor. Inez\u2019s wit and relentless stubbornness make her the ideal heroine that every historical adventure needs. Her desire to find answers drives her choices and opens up a deeper mystery as she deals with an uncle she\u2019s met only once and his handsome assistant, Whit. The dialogue between her and Whit is quick and clever, with never a dull moment, as their friction is perfect enemies-to-lovers friction. The magic feels like a natural fit to the world, effortlessly woven into the historical setting, particularly through Cleopatra. What the River Knows will leave you immediately wanting the next book, as the humor, charm, wit, and action are a top-notch adventure from start to finish.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "11-Mar-2026", "date_added": "20-Nov-2025 00:58:28", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016710067", "title": "Memory, Memory, Go Away", "author": "Christopher W. Selna", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 373, "review": "In Christopher W. Selna\u2019s Memory, Memory, Go Away, the line between clinical salvation and psychological horror is razor-thin. As a reviewer who has seen many \"near-future\" thrillers come and go, I found this particular narrative to be a hauntingly professional exploration of what happens when we treat the human soul like a hard drive that can be defragmented.

Set against a rain-slicked, atmospheric Seattle, the novel centers on a revolutionary and controversial program led by the enigmatic Addison Cain. The premise is deceptively simple: why suffer from trauma when you can simply have the memory of it surgically extracted? Selna masterfully constructs a world where Memory, Memory, Go Away has become a cultural phenomenon, promising a life of \"divine miracles\" for those crippled by PTSD, grief, and depression.

The book's power lies in its thematic depth, specifically the interconnectivity of trauma. One of the most striking sequences involves the explanation that memories cannot simply be deleted in isolation; they are a \"web,\" and removing one thread can bring down the \"whole fortress\". This leads to the theme of inherited sickness\u2014the idea that our pain is often passed down from our parents, a \"volcanic rage\" or \"inherited sickness\" that defines our trajectory.

Another prevailing theme is utilitarianism versus morality. Addison Cain argues that \"a little more utilitarianism isn\u2019t so bad for our self-centered civilization,\" yet the \"trials and errors\" of his program leave behind a trail of \"catastrophes\" that the public never sees.

As someone in her 40s, I found the book\u2019s focus on the \"burden of humanity\" particularly resonant. This is a must-read for:

Fans of Black Mirror: Readers who enjoy stories where technology provides a \"cure\" that is ultimately more terrifying than the disease.

Psychological Thriller Enthusiasts: Those who enjoy \"unreliable narrator\" tropes and complex character studies, such as the troubled Dustin Kopech or the messianic Addison Cain.

Philosophical Fiction Readers: Anyone interested in the ethics of Big Pharma, the Church, and the federal government's role in personal autonomy.

Memory, Memory, Go Away is a \"macabre\" journey that asks a terrifying question: if we lose our worst memories, do we also lose the very things that make us human?. It is a gritty, self-published gem that manages to feel both expansive in its world-building and claustrophobic in its psychological tension.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "19-Nov-2025 22:44:14", "publisher": "Amazon", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016710063", "title": "Memory, Memory, Go Away", "author": "Christopher W. Selna", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 425, "review": "Malcolm B. Jenners had to break his promise to his wife and daughter because the opportunity was too good to pass up. Malcolm was getting his shot at the big time, the chance to talk to the elusive inventor of Memory, Memory, Go Away\u201d Addison Cain. Malcolm was a happy-go-lucky guy, but he also possessed ambition, and a successful Q&A with Cain would buoy his career. However, Malcolm\u2019s day was beset by misfortunes and sabotage from jealous colleagues, and all appeared lost until he came face to face with the almost unrecognizable Addison Cain.

Malcolm is awestruck to meet the reclusive genius and has more than a few questions for the innovative figure. As Memory, Memory, Go Away is set to reach the public via a merger with the government, Cain proves obliging in explaining the history of his project to his inquisitor. David Bourne is a craven man connected via marriage to an amoral family that has poisoned the public with their harmful drugs. Beatrice Nightingale is the daughter of a powerful Cardinal who looks upon her life as a captive and can\u2019t bear the sight of her three children. Larry Wilks\u2019 life was undone by a coerced liaison. All three figures came to Addison Cain for relief, and Cain and his employees ably assisted the hapless patients. As Cain recites each subject and their trial\u2019s outcome, Malcolm is transfixed and also horrified.

Addison Cain and his product are not what they appear to be. Once memories have been removed, the consequences can still be damaging. Malcolm is pondering Addison Cain\u2019s identity, wondering if he\u2019s more madman than savior. As he learns more and more about Cain, he believes Cain\u2019s recorded recollection resembles a criminal indictment rather than the scoop of the century.

The power of memory is inestimable, particularly when a memory evokes pain or regret. \u201cMemory, Memory Go Away\u201d insightfully delves into a world wherein an individual can be liberated from the harrowing of remembrances. Addison Cain is the enigmatic figure at the center of this beguiling, yet captivating dystopian fantasy. Cain evokes comparisons to P.T. Barnum and Elon Musk, part entrepreneur and part showman, whose larger-than-life persona conceals hidden motives. The plot thrives as a mystery as reporter Malcolm B. Jenners listens to Cain explain his latest innovation, yet the narrative blends with elements of the macabre as Cain\u2019s stories of success feature disturbing outcomes. Author Christopher Selna has written a splendid novel that features a wealth of surprises that will leave more than a few readers\u2019 mouths agape by its stunning conclusion.", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "23-Jan-2026", "date_added": "19-Nov-2025 22:44:01", "publisher": "Amazon", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016710059", "title": "The Momma Puzzle: A Memoir", "author": "Hilary Plattner", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 440, "review": "I\u2019ve always felt a bit protective of memoirs that tackle heavy subjects, especially those revolving around family secrets and loss. When you pick up a book like Hilary Plattner\u2019s The Momma Puzzle, a memoir that works to unpack the mystery of her mother's suicide, you might brace yourself for an emotional wallop. And while the book certainly doesn\u2019t shy away from the grief, I was so delightfully surprised by how much light and life Plattner manages to weave through her story. It\u2019s a detective story of the heart, really, and it\u2019s truly wonderful.

Plattner invites us right into her personal quest to understand her mother, a woman she describes as perceptive, loving, and life-affirming, which makes her choice to leave her young children behind all the more baffling. This isn\u2019t a narrative heavy with blame or anguish; instead, it feels like sitting down with a close friend who is showing you a box of old photographs. There's a gentle curiosity and a determination to see the full, 360-degree picture of a person, not just the one defined by her final act.

What makes this book such a compelling read is Plattner's skillful approach to the investigation. She\u2019s not just relying on her own childhood memories, which can be slippery and unreliable. She dives deep, interviewing relatives, and, most movingly, poring over decades of letters. These artifacts turn the book into something much more immersive than a simple reflection. We get to watch, in real time, as \"momma\u2019s\" true voice and personality emerge from the pages of history. It\u2019s a powerful reminder that every life leaves behind a trail of evidence, and sometimes, the kindest thing we can do for the dead is read the whole file.

The structure is reminiscent of a well-paced novel, a genuine testament to Plattner's clear and engaging writing style. She guides us through the past with such a steady, confident hand, and it keeps the overall tone positive and focused on discovery rather than despair. As a reader, I felt like I was helping her piece together the fragments, the laughs, the small moments of wisdom, the hidden anxieties, that ultimately form the complete woman.

If you\u2019ve ever felt like you didn't quite finish the puzzle of a loved one's life, or if you simply appreciate a beautifully told story of complexity and resilience, this book is a must-read. It\u2019s a comforting, affirming reminder that seeking understanding is a crucial part of healing, and that even the most difficult endings can lead to a deeper appreciation of the beginning. The Momma Puzzle is an absolutely lovely and illuminating memoir, and I highly recommend adding it to your reading list.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "11-Dec-2025", "date_added": "19-Nov-2025 22:33:06", "publisher": "Apprentice House Press", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016710055", "title": "IMAGINING MORE and Other Stories", "author": "PANAYOTIS CACOYANNIS", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 440, "review": "In Panayotis Cacoyannis\u2019s collection, Imagining More and Other Stories, readers are invited into a hauntingly beautiful exploration of the human psyche that feels particularly resonant to those of us navigating the complexities of middle age. I found myself deeply moved by the \"retrospective\" nature of this first collection, which the author describes in his afterword as a mixture of \"preoccupations old and new\". Cacoyannis writes with a professional precision that is balanced by a light, sympathetic touch, making the reader feel as though they are witnessing the most intimate moments of lives lived in the \"dusty in-betweenness\" of reality and imagination.

The titular story, \"Imagining More,\" establishes the collection\u2019s sophisticated tone by focusing on a woman tracing an \"irregular S\" shaped scar on the face of a sleeping stranger. This moment serves as a gateway into one of the book's primary themes: the delicate balance between vulnerability and trust. Cacoyannis captures the quiet bravery required to step into the unknown, noting that \"learning from experience is shorthand for being frightened to live\". This sentiment underscores many of the narratives, where characters must decide whether to remain \"cowers\" or embrace the \"magic\" found in unexpected connections.

Another powerful theme woven throughout the work is the deceptive and often illuminating nature of truth. In the opening story, the characters engage in a \"game of lies,\" based on the idea that \"knowing that something is a lie often helps reveal the truth\". This intellectual curiosity is frequently paired with darker, more visceral undertones, such as the \"bleak\" exploration of fear and \"nightmares\" found in \"A Bowl of Fruit\". Cacoyannis\u2019s prose is striking in its ability to be \"bold\" and \"plain\" without \"clutter,\" moving seamlessly between the \"hubbub of a club in Kings Cross\" and the \"desolate\" stillness of a London canal.

I was particularly struck by a quote from the story \"The Scream,\" which seems to serve as a manifesto for the author\u2019s style: \"Be bold. Be plain. No trickery, no clutter. A story of bare bones: a true story\". This commitment to authenticity makes the collection a perfect match for a variety of readers. Those who appreciate character-driven literary fiction will find much to admire in the nuanced psychological depth of characters like Michael, who struggles with \"alienation\" and an obsession with \"rooms\" and \"The Metamorphosis\". Urbanites and fans of atmospheric settings will be drawn to the \"ghostly shadows\" and \"dilapidated architecture\" that Cacoyannis uses to mirror his characters' internal states. Finally, lovers of short stories who value emotional complexity will find solace in the way these narratives \"oscillate in and out of dreams,\" capturing the \"constantly evolving longing to express the inexpressible\".

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2DQ8C13", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "19-Nov-2025 22:29:22", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "268 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016710051", "title": "For the Honor of the Agency (The Honor Trilogy)", "author": "Andrew J. Harvey", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 404, "review": "The refugees\u2019 bid for survival had led to the discovery of Alternate Earth. Many of the cities and states established on the planet were near dopplegangers of Earth. However, there is a growing danger to the residents that has only been revealed to a few members of the government. Margaret Peric serves as Director-General for Food & Agriculture and has become concerned with a potential crop blight that could result in a global famine. Her fears are exacerbated by the brazen assault of a potential tipster named Markus Ackov. Markus wanted to inform Margaret of his belief that the crops may have been infected with a viral agent. In the wake of this information, Margaret will need to contact her superiors in government so they can begin to investigate before it\u2019s too late.

As a government official, Margaret is already under a protective detail led by the skilled agent Jade Carvello. The attempt on Ackov\u2019s life at Margaret\u2019s residence necessitates round-the-clock protection for the Director-General and its new residents, Markus Ackov and his daughter Jessie. In addition, Jade learns she has been assigned to infiltrate an anarchist group that possesses the means, motive, and opportunity to damage the crop. The assignment appears routine enough until Jade becomes smitten with the charming Carlos Babineaux and her loyalties become conflicted. Margaret\u2019s allegiance to her job is tested as well when she discovers that her sister is involved with the suspected anarchist group.

The intriguing and dramatic events in For the Honor of the Agency transpire on an alternate version of Earth, wherein Margaret Peric is attempting to forestall a plague that could devastate the world. Margaret is a woman of great depth and charisma who doesn\u2019t shy away from duty and loyalty, whether it be to her country or fellow man. The danger that Margaret is forced to contend with is wide-ranging, yet she is resolute in confronting the situation head-on. While Margaret retains a relatively stoic demeanor, Jade is slightly more aggressive. In spite of her feelings for Carlos, she is willing to take him down if necessary. The character arcs of both women are dynamic and compelling. The appeal of the story lies in Margaret and the government\u2019s search for the saboteurs, coupled with Margaret\u2019s growing fondness for whistleblower Markus and his precocious daughter. Author Andrew J. Harvey has written a stimulating book that features strong female characters and a linear plot with excellent twists.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "19-Feb-2026", "date_added": "19-Nov-2025 22:26:58", "publisher": "Hague Publishing", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016710047", "title": "Warrior Pose", "author": "Susan Rogers and John Roosen", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 404, "review": "Warrior Pose, the fourth book in the Yoga Mat Mysteries series, is an absolute triumph in print, delivering everything a fan could hope for and more. Authors Rogers and Roosen manage to strike a powerful balance between high-stakes international espionage and the emotional depth that makes Elaina Williams and Ric Peters such a compelling duo. From a chilling assassination in Jakarta that opens the story to the winding conspiracy that follows, the pages fly by with international intrigue, coded flash drives, and jungle ambushes that feel straight out of a Jason Bourne thriller. I cheered as Elaina came into her own, shedding her role as merely the curious yoga teacher to become a full partner, even tracking Ric to Bali and asserting herself with courage and intelligence in the most dangerous of settings. The book is rich with their signature humor, vivid cultural details, and an impeccable sense of place across Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand. Critically, the emotional core deepens, exploring Ric\u2019s struggle between duty and domesticity, making the story feel raw and earned, especially when a photo of their private moment is taken without their knowledge, sending chills down the spine as a symbol of their exposed life. The written book is a solid five-star, must-read experience.

However, I must issue a strong warning to anyone considering the audiobook version: it is an incredibly difficult listen that significantly detracts from the thrilling narrative. While the story itself is phenomenal, the narrator possesses an incredibly thick, almost impenetrable Australian accent\u2014a heavy, pronounced drawl reminiscent of Crocodile Dundee\u2014which turns the complex, fast-paced plot into a challenge to decode. I had to slow the audio down to understand what he was saying at times. Unless a listener is already intimately familiar with and fully accustomed to this specific, dense type of dialect, they will spend more time struggling to parse the dialogue and narration than absorbing the story. The clarity required for international intrigue, codes, and swift plot changes is lost, turning what should be an effortless, cinematic experience into a constant, frustrating mental effort. Unfortunately, this dense delivery strips away much of the charm, humor, and emotional nuance that makes the novel so special. For the sake of fully appreciating Rogers and Roosen's excellent work, my strong recommendation is to read this book in print or e-book format and avoid the audiobook altogether; the narrative genius deserves a clearer delivery than this particular narration provides.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Nov-2025 22:24:26", "publisher": "G-EMS PTY LTD and PS LLC", "page_count": "307 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000016965019", "title": "The Summer Scrapbook", "author": "Florence Migga", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "Cat, Ava, and Becca have been best friends forever. Literally. Their mothers met in an expectant parents group, and the girls were born nearly the same time. They do everything together. But now they are to be separated for their last summer before high school. Cat will be stuck at home while Becca goes away to camp for eight weeks, and Ava and her family are being dragged off to London, where her father will teach at the university for the summer. Cat is a poet and will be home with no friends or fun, Ava is a future politician and knows she will have an awful time, and Becca, incredibly shy, is sure she will have a miserable, lonely summer. But will they?||Author Florence Migga tells a story with plenty of friendship drama and a little romance that young readers will relate to. She tells the story from three points of view in rotating chapters for Ava. Becca, and Cat. Although the voices aren\u2019t very distinct, the settings and story problems are, so it\u2019s easy to keep track. The writing is excellent, and the story is very compelling. Middle-grade girls will love this book.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Dec-2025 01:11:36", "publisher": "Lerner Publishing Group", "page_count": "328 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016965011", "title": "The Roaring Ridleys", "author": "K M Colley", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 213, "review": "The wealthy Ridley couple adopted seven heirs from around the world, and are now gathering for an announcement about the future of the Ridley empire. Set against the glitz of the 1920s, the siblings find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation when they discover the body of a gossip columnist. The investigation could prove costly for the Ridleys, as each possesses a secret that could test loyalties and put the family's future at stake, while bringing them closer to a killer.

The story is told from alternating perspectives with chapters dipping into the past to relive moments in the sisters\u2019 lives. These take you back to key childhood moments and lead up to the night of the murder. This allows you to get to know the sisters and builds drama around the various secrets, from speakeasy mobster run-ins to friction-filled flirtations. The threats thread suspense into the story, offsetting the elegance of the time. Various themes are explored through their perspectives, specifically sibling tension, secrets, identity, and self-discovery. These push the siblings to not only understand one another, but also what they\u2019d be willing to do for each other. The Roaring Ridleys captures the glamour of the roaring twenties with suspense, danger, murder, and sibling drama, creating an engaging and addictive read.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "05-Jun-2026", "date_added": "29-Dec-2025 21:29:21", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "283 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016964011", "title": "Along Came a Spider: In Spring (Book 1) (BIRD!)", "author": "Raymond McGrath", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 205, "review": "Along Came a Spider: In Spring by Raymond McGrath is an early reader story; the first in the Bird! series. The story follows Bird as he leaves his nest and his mother to find his own place. Bird discovers a nice tree to call home and begins to set it up, while including a list of things he must do for it to truly be his home and to help him find a best friend. While working through the list, Bird meets Spider. An unlikely duo, the two work together to complete Bird's list, but they can't understand why it isn't working! But then again, maybe it's working better than they realize.

The Bird! series is likely to be a hit with early readers, and older readers will likely enjoy it too, as I did; with it written in graphic novel format, that will be easier for readers, too. The main theme and problem are clear, and the steps the characters take toward finding a solution are entertaining. I like how the main characters are two types of animals not normally paired together, but it shows that it's okay to branch out from your typical. Also, I loved the colorful illustrations throughout the book!", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "31-Mar-2026", "date_added": "29-Dec-2025 21:25:18", "publisher": "Graphic Universe (Tm)", "page_count": "64 pages", "format": "", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016960027", "title": "Honeysuckle", "author": "Bar Fridman-Tell", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 159, "review": "Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman Tell is an enchanting and unsettling debut that blends myth and dark fantasy to explore love, power, and consent. Rory grows up lonely on the border between meadow and forest, with only his older sister for company. To be left in peace, she creates him a friend, Daye, a girl woven from flowers and words. For the first time, Rory knows companionship.\n\nBut Daye is not meant to last. At the end of every season, her body decays and must be rewoven, and each unraveling could be her last. As Rory and Daye grow older, their friendship deepens into something more complicated, and Rory becomes determined to save her from this cycle of bloom and decay. His experiments to prolong her life, however, force Daye to confront how little control she may have over her own existence.\n\nLyrical, haunting, and emotionally rich, Honeysuckle is a striking debut that reimagines myth with rare tenderness and unease.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "16-Jan-2026", "date_added": "30-Dec-2025 01:26:23", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016959015", "title": "You Can Tell Me", "author": "Melinda Leigh", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 189, "review": "Melinda Leigh's new book You Can Tell Me is a thriller about two women\u2014a true crime podcast host and a woman who was abducted three years ago. Zoe's podcast has gained traction, and she plans to have her close friend, Olivia, on her podcast to speak about her abduction. When Zoe doesn't show up to their meeting, Olivia knows something is wrong. Zoe's no-good husband is no help and seems to be having a life crisis of his own. Meanwhile, Olivia, with the help of her boyfriend Lincoln, a private investigator, and her niece, Nicki, must find out what happened to Zoe. Was she abducted, or did she have to run from something or someone?

I enjoyed the story, but the pacing was a bit slow for my taste. The characters were well described and realistic. Overall, I felt that there were many unnecessary scenes in the book that added fluff. There were also a couple of parts that weren't explained, such as why Dylan was the way he was. You Can Tell Me was an entertaining read and would be enjoyed by fans of Lisa Jewell and Lisa Unger.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2026", "date_added": "29-Dec-2025 21:27:34", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "303 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000016959011", "title": "Gwei the Hungry Ghost", "author": "Emeline Lee, Basia Tran", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 202, "review": "Gwei, the Hungry Ghost is an entertaining and educational story about the Ghost Festival month, celebrated in China and other Asian countries to show respect to ancestors and other spirits as they leave the spirit realm and dwell among us on earth. There are several \"types\" of ghosts that visit during this time, with this story focusing on Gwei, a hungry ghost, who is excited to sate his appetite during this one time a year, with unlimited, yummy food; unfortunately, he realizes that he can't get full, no matter how much food he consumes. One night, Gwei meets a younger ghost with whom he shares his food and tries to help; while they spend time together, Gwei realizes he's not as hungry but happier.

The story of Gwei, the Hungry Ghost is entertaining, and the friendship aspect makes it relatable. I found it interesting that I recently learned about the Ghost Festival month in my geography class at school, and then I found this book to read. I loved the food aspect of the story because, well, it's yummy food. The illustrations are full of bright colors and fill the pages, enhancing the story, while containing multiple things to find and view.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "31-Mar-2026", "date_added": "29-Dec-2025 21:20:23", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016959003", "title": "Freebourne: A Novel", "author": "Salman Shaheen", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Lyn Squire", "word_count": 198, "review": "Harry Coulson walks into his worst nightmare when he exits the railway station at Freebourne and finds a dead body. The close-knit community immediately suspects the newcomer of murder. Fortunately for Harry, the police soon have a person of interest in custody, and the anti-Harry animosity abates. Better still, funding for his AI start-up, Polaris, his lifetime dream, materializes from an unexpected source. His invention allows users to cope with painful memories by helping them to put aside any lingering negative or harmful thoughts and move forward in peace. More bodies, however, begin to appear. Harry again comes under suspicion even though several other suspects have emerged: the original victim\u2019s parents; a group of violent Anthropos, AI Luddites, intent on destroying \u2018brain-washing\u2019 devices and their inventors; and the nine murderers released into the general public with new identities as part of a secret government experiment to \u2018re-program\u2019 convicted killers.

Freebourne is a gripping mystery with inventive sci-fi overtones and deep philosophic explorations into the meaning of freedom in an increasingly AI world. That is exciting enough, but far from all. The novel\u2019s astonishing conclusion turns the entire story on its head and leaves the reader gasping. An excellent debut.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "19-Feb-2026", "date_added": "29-Dec-2025 19:56:36", "publisher": "Roundfire Books", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016958003", "title": "Biography of a Dangerous Idea: A New History of Race from Louis XIV to Thomas Jefferson", "author": "Andrew S Curran", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 150, "review": "This is a very exciting approach to studying the issue of race. The author begins with Louis XIV and his minister, M. Colbert, and their investment in the capture and delivery of slaves to the New World. If one accepts that history is an ideological construct, then his book is a recording of how and why that history was written. If one is to build an empire with profits from the torture of human beings, one needs to develop a rationale for those actions. The author has us follow this line of history through great philosophers and statesmen who built upon previous fallacies to advance theories of racial inferiority. They did this by defining race by pigmentation or culture. Many of these theories were built by supposition only and not by hard, firsthand evidence. In this way, the lore of race was built upon a foundation of ignorance and precedent.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "08-Mar-2026", "date_added": "29-Dec-2025 19:42:29", "publisher": "Other Press", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000016957019", "title": "The Insomniacs", "author": "Allison Winn Scotch", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 90, "review": "The Insomniacs offers a fresh, emotionally rich take on the mystery genre. When four sleepless strangers begin meeting at an all-night diner, their late-night conversations gradually forge an unexpected bond. But when one member of the group suddenly disappears, their quiet friendship transforms into a race to uncover the truth. Scotch skillfully combines suspense with heartfelt storytelling, exploring loneliness, trust, and the connections that form in life\u2019s most uncertain moments. With compelling characters and a steadily building mystery, this novel delivers both emotional depth and page-turning intrigue in equal measure.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "30-Dec-2025 01:22:08", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016957003", "title": "Society Women", "author": "Adriane Leigh", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 96, "review": "Dark, addictive, and full of intrigue, Society Women is a compelling exploration of power, privilege, and hidden truths. Adriane Leigh creates a tense and immersive atmosphere as Ellie is drawn into an elite women\u2019s group that promises belonging but conceals dangerous secrets. The novel balances psychological suspense with emotional depth, particularly in Ellie\u2019s search for identity and connection. Twists unfold at a steady pace, keeping readers hooked while raising questions about loyalty, family, and control. This is a riveting read that combines glamour with menace, offering a story that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-May-2026", "date_added": "29-Dec-2025 19:40:29", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016956023", "title": "Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times (A Norton Short)", "author": "Tracy K Smith", "category": "N25 Books About Books", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 265, "review": "Former Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith has managed a rather challenging feat: she's written a book for poetry lovers and those just dipping their toes into the poetry pool. Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times can be read, understood, and enjoyed by anyone.

I'm a poet, and I teach poetry courses, so there's a great deal here for people like me. In-depth studies of poems like Robert Hayden's \"Those Winter Sundays\"\u2014one of the most anthologized American poems\u2014lend themselves to individual study as well as class discussions. But the genius of Smith's work lies in the fact that you don't have to write poetry or teach it to see what she's doing. She breaks the work down in terms of word choice, musicality, and the speaker's intention, but there's plenty of framework regarding what those things mean to make the poem accessible to all.

In the latter chapters, she works with other recognizable poets: Joy Harjo, Naomi Shihab Nye, Emily Dickinson, and Anne Spencer, to name a few. In doing so, this book becomes an entry point for those just beginning to read poetry while also writing with enough depth to engage the poetically devoted. The real strength, though, of Fear Less lies in the personal moments when Smith's own observations and process come to the foreground. In the final chapter, Be Not Afraid, she writes, \"Poetry is a place writers go not to deposit meaning, but to seek it out.\" \n\nIf you've ever found yourself looking to poetry in that way, or you'd like to try to, //Fear Less// is an exceptional companion on that journey.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Dec-2025 23:57:47", "publisher": "W. W. Norton & Company", "page_count": "192 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016956015", "title": "Eleanor: A 200-Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen", "author": "Alice Loxton", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 182, "review": "British historian Alice Loxton recreates the funeral route of early Medieval British Queen Eleanor, wife of King Edward I, in this engaging, though slightly overly long work. Over 700 years ago Eleanor died and Edward led the funeral procession into London from Harby, a distance of some 200-mile long journey stopping at villages, monasteries and churches along the way. Loxton recreates this journey as best she can, though some of the path follows the major highways, to discover any remnants of Eleanor, there are still some, and investigate the places where Edward and Eleanor would have stayed at or visited. It is also a modern look at Britain and how it has changed over the past 700-plus years through Civil Wars, radical changes and the rise of industrialism. Even though American readers might not be familiar with Queen Eleanor this is a highly engaging read, with many pictures, through the countryside, small villages and large towns of England. While at the same time learning about how people would have traveled this route on foot in the past as a type of pilgrimage.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "19-Feb-2026", "date_added": "29-Dec-2025 21:17:14", "publisher": "Pan Macmillan", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016956011", "title": "A Box Full of Darkness", "author": "Simone St James", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Alex Malm", "word_count": 198, "review": "Fell, New York is an eerie town where people go missing or die inexplicably. Siblings Violet, Vail and Dodie left for good once their parents passed away, vowing to never return. However, their late brother\u2019s ghost has appeared and called them back. Another unsolved death in the town, the family feels it\u2019s their duty to investigate how 6-year-old Ben disappeared without a trace. The story that follows is creepy, mysterious and hard to fathom, but a page-turner!

The siblings in the story couldn\u2019t be more different, yet they were fun to follow in A Box Full of Darkness. Violet is moody yet calculating. Vail is a daredevil who likes to solve mysteries. Dodie is a spoiled, beautiful troublemaker. When they come together, they annoy each other but remain close due to their rough upbringing. With parents who didn\u2019t love them enough, they needed each other. Parts of the story were majorly creepy, which I loved! There were many references to the Sundown Hotel, which is another novel by Simone St. James that I have yet to read \u2013 and now I feel compelled to pick up! There were several unexpected turns that kept me guessing. I enjoyed this one!", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "19-Feb-2026", "date_added": "29-Dec-2025 21:12:12", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016954023", "title": "The Girls Before: A Novel", "author": "Kate Alice Marshall", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kristi Elizabeth", "word_count": 194, "review": "The Girls Before is a riveting suspense novel by Kate Alice Marshall. The story takes readers between two points of view. We meet Audrey, a high school counselor, who becomes obsessed with finding a girl named Meghan who is thought to be a runaway. Audrey is a volunteer for Search and Rescue as well. The other point of view is of a girl who is locked up somewhere. As she describes her dark surroundings and messages that the girls before her have left, there is a deep sense of doom, and it feels like her days are numbered.

This story was gripping and almost had a Flowers in the Attic vibe to it with the creepy Hill family. It was obvious the Hills had secrets, but were they the ones holding the girl captive, or was it the angry, vile brothers that lived next door? Audrey is on a mission to find out and gets into quite a bit of trouble as she uses unprecedented measures. The story kept me engaged from beginning to end, although part of the story became so complex that I felt lost while reading a few chapters near the end.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "03-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Dec-2025 01:14:05", "publisher": "Flatiron Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016951027", "title": "The Music of Creation", "author": "Paul Knight and Chris Allen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 448, "review": "In their ambitious and meticulously crafted collaborative debut, The Music of Creation, Paul J. Knight and Chris Allen present a science fiction epic that reimagines humanity\u2019s most abstract art form\u2014music\u2014as the most coveted resource in the galaxy. Drawing from their diverse professional backgrounds in botany, archaeology, and creative composition, the authors construct a universe where a simple melody is far more than entertainment; it is a cosmic currency capable of shifting the balance of power across star systems.

The narrative centers on Ryan Reilly, a shy teenager living in the Irish countryside whose extraordinary talent triggers a \"Level One\" alert on the scanners of the Protectorate of Music, a rank not seen since the days of Beethoven. The Protectorate, a group of Thalesian aliens who have secretly monitored Earth for two centuries, seeks to defend gifted musicians from \"Abductors\" who exploit human talent as a universal narcotic. Into this high-stakes game of intergalactic espionage steps Lindora Rue, under the human alias Lindsey, a young protector who finds herself deeply entwined with the Reilly family.

One of the book\u2019s most compelling themes is the dual nature of music as both a creative and destructive force. Ryan\u2019s ability, eventually dubbed The Music of Creation\" transcends mere performance and allows him to manipulate the very fabric of matter through \"neurowaves\". Knight and Allen explore the scientific and philosophical implications of music that can affect subatomic particles, elevating the story from a standard \"chosen one\" trope to a thoughtful meditation on the origins of the universe.

The authors also delve into the complex ethics of intervention and the weight of loss. The Protectorate\u2019s long-standing hidden presence on Earth raises poignant questions about the right of a superior civilization to \"protect\" another without its consent. This is balanced by the emotional core of the novel: the bond between Lindsey and the Reillys. Both Lindsey and Ryan share the trauma of losing their families at a young age, a parallel that grounds the interstellar conflict in human vulnerability.

The world-building is rich and vividly realized. The Thalesian homeworld, with its red oceans and bioluminescent \"facial patterns\" that shift colors to reflect emotion, is a standout achievement in speculative biology. Furthermore, the authors' commitment to \"handcrafted\" storytelling, explicitly noting that no AI was used in the writing, shines through in the lyrical prose and deep character development.

The Music of Creation is a testament to the power of collaboration. It is a professional and polished piece of speculative fiction that manages to be both an action-packed thriller and a poignant family drama. For readers who appreciate hard science fiction seasoned with a deep appreciation for the arts, Knight and Allen have composed a magnificent overture to a truly resonant series.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "27-Dec-2025 23:31:47", "publisher": "Artemesia Publishing", "page_count": "267 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016951023", "title": "The Music of Creation", "author": "Paul Knight and Chris Allen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 448, "review": "In their ambitious and meticulously crafted collaborative debut, The Music of Creation, Paul J. Knight and Chris Allen present a science fiction epic that reimagines humanity\u2019s most abstract art form\u2014music\u2014as the most coveted resource in the galaxy. Drawing from their diverse professional backgrounds in botany, archaeology, and creative composition, the authors construct a universe where a simple melody is far more than entertainment; it is a cosmic currency capable of shifting the balance of power across star systems.

The narrative centers on Ryan Reilly, a shy teenager living in the Irish countryside whose extraordinary talent triggers a \"Level One\" alert on the scanners of the Protectorate of Music, a rank not seen since the days of Beethoven. The Protectorate, a group of Thalesian aliens who have secretly monitored Earth for two centuries, seeks to defend gifted musicians from \"Abductors\" who exploit human talent as a universal narcotic. Into this high-stakes game of intergalactic espionage steps Lindora Rue, under the human alias Lindsey, a young protector who finds herself deeply entwined with the Reilly family.

One of the book\u2019s most compelling themes is the dual nature of music as both a creative and destructive force. Ryan\u2019s ability, eventually dubbed The Music of Creation\" transcends mere performance and allows him to manipulate the very fabric of matter through \"neurowaves\". Knight and Allen explore the scientific and philosophical implications of music that can affect subatomic particles, elevating the story from a standard \"chosen one\" trope to a thoughtful meditation on the origins of the universe.

The authors also delve into the complex ethics of intervention and the weight of loss. The Protectorate\u2019s long-standing hidden presence on Earth raises poignant questions about the right of a superior civilization to \"protect\" another without its consent. This is balanced by the emotional core of the novel: the bond between Lindsey and the Reillys. Both Lindsey and Ryan share the trauma of losing their families at a young age, a parallel that grounds the interstellar conflict in human vulnerability.

The world-building is rich and vividly realized. The Thalesian homeworld, with its red oceans and bioluminescent \"facial patterns\" that shift colors to reflect emotion, is a standout achievement in speculative biology. Furthermore, the authors' commitment to \"handcrafted\" storytelling, explicitly noting that no AI was used in the writing, shines through in the lyrical prose and deep character development.

The Music of Creation is a testament to the power of collaboration. It is a professional and polished piece of speculative fiction that manages to be both an action-packed thriller and a poignant family drama. For readers who appreciate hard science fiction seasoned with a deep appreciation for the arts, Knight and Allen have composed a magnificent overture to a truly resonant series.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "27-Dec-2025 23:31:17", "publisher": "Artemesia Publishing", "page_count": "267 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016951019", "title": "The Music of Creation", "author": "Paul Knight and Chris Allen", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 448, "review": "In their ambitious and meticulously crafted collaborative debut, The Music of Creation, Paul J. Knight and Chris Allen present a science fiction epic that reimagines humanity\u2019s most abstract art form\u2014music\u2014as the most coveted resource in the galaxy. Drawing from their diverse professional backgrounds in botany, archaeology, and creative composition, the authors construct a universe where a simple melody is far more than entertainment; it is a cosmic currency capable of shifting the balance of power across star systems.

The narrative centers on Ryan Reilly, a shy teenager living in the Irish countryside whose extraordinary talent triggers a \"Level One\" alert on the scanners of the Protectorate of Music, a rank not seen since the days of Beethoven. The Protectorate, a group of Thalesian aliens who have secretly monitored Earth for two centuries, seeks to defend gifted musicians from \"Abductors\" who exploit human talent as a universal narcotic. Into this high-stakes game of intergalactic espionage steps Lindora Rue, under the human alias Lindsey, a young protector who finds herself deeply entwined with the Reilly family.

One of the book\u2019s most compelling themes is the dual nature of music as both a creative and destructive force. Ryan\u2019s ability, eventually dubbed The Music of Creation\" transcends mere performance and allows him to manipulate the very fabric of matter through \"neurowaves\". Knight and Allen explore the scientific and philosophical implications of music that can affect subatomic particles, elevating the story from a standard \"chosen one\" trope to a thoughtful meditation on the origins of the universe.

The authors also delve into the complex ethics of intervention and the weight of loss. The Protectorate\u2019s long-standing hidden presence on Earth raises poignant questions about the right of a superior civilization to \"protect\" another without its consent. This is balanced by the emotional core of the novel: the bond between Lindsey and the Reillys. Both Lindsey and Ryan share the trauma of losing their families at a young age, a parallel that grounds the interstellar conflict in human vulnerability.

The world-building is rich and vividly realized. The Thalesian homeworld, with its red oceans and bioluminescent \"facial patterns\" that shift colors to reflect emotion, is a standout achievement in speculative biology. Furthermore, the authors' commitment to \"handcrafted\" storytelling, explicitly noting that no AI was used in the writing, shines through in the lyrical prose and deep character development.

The Music of Creation is a testament to the power of collaboration. It is a professional and polished piece of speculative fiction that manages to be both an action-packed thriller and a poignant family drama. For readers who appreciate hard science fiction seasoned with a deep appreciation for the arts, Knight and Allen have composed a magnificent overture to a truly resonant series.", "issue": "December 2025", "date_posted": "05-Jan-2026", "date_added": "27-Dec-2025 23:30:30", "publisher": "Artemesia Publishing", "page_count": "267 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016951015", "title": "INDIGENT", "author": "Briana N Cox", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 496, "review": "Briana N. Cox\u2019s Indigent is the kind of literary horror novel that refuses to let you sit comfortably in your assumptions. I found myself both deeply unsettled and profoundly moved. Cox doesn\u2019t simply write horror; she excavates it from the fault lines of class disparity and medical injustice.

From its opening pages, the prose is visceral and immersive. The introduction to Camille is particularly striking. Cox\u2019s language is sharp, almost surgical, capturing the fragility of a young woman unraveling under physical and psychological strain. The writing style is lyrical yet unflinching. Sentences coil and constrict, mirroring the bodily horror unfolding on the page. The sensory detail\u2014blood under fingernails, the metallic scent of decay, the oppressive Georgia heat\u2014grounds even the novel\u2019s most surreal moments in reality. It is a bold stylistic choice that pays off; the horror feels intimate rather than theatrical.

The structure of the novel also deserves praise. The shifting perspectives from Camille to residents of Leigh Pierce Estates create a layered portrait of a community often overlooked. Anika, Miss Inez, Rashon, and Xavier are not caricatures of poverty; they are fully realized individuals navigating systems that fail them. I appreciated how Cox humanizes each tenant before tightening the noose of dread. The Estates itself becomes a character\u2014aging, neglected, stubbornly standing amid gentrification and decay. That setting functions as both backdrop and indictment, underscoring the novel\u2019s critique of institutional abandonment.

Plot-wise, Indigent balances slow-burning tension with shocking bursts of violence. The mystery surrounding Zion\u2019s disappearance and the creeping sense that something deeply unnatural is festering within the building propel the narrative forward. Yet what impressed me most was how the horror is never gratuitous. Every grotesque image serves a thematic purpose. Cox draws clear parallels between infestation and systemic exploitation. The residents are consumed not only by literal horrors but by debt, addiction, racism, and bureaucratic indifference.

As a reviewer, I am especially attentive to how marginalized characters are handled in genre fiction. Cox approaches them with care and complexity. Rashon\u2019s insomnia and fear, Xavier\u2019s quiet desperation to better himself, and Anika\u2019s daily grind to protect her son are all rendered with empathy. Their struggles feel authentic rather than symbolic. The novel\u2019s engagement with race and class is not heavy-handed, but it is unmistakable. It asks difficult questions about who gets medical care, who gets believed, and who gets left to decay unseen.

If I have one critique, it is that the density of the prose and the shifting timelines may challenge readers expecting a straightforward thriller. However, those willing to sit with the discomfort will find the effort richly rewarded.

Indigent will resonate strongly with readers who appreciate literary horror in the vein of socially conscious speculative fiction and those who value atmosphere and thematic depth as much as plot. It is a haunting exploration of interconnectedness, survival, and the cost of being deemed disposable. Cox has crafted a debut that is not only terrifying but timely, and I suspect it will linger with readers long after the final page.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "19-Feb-2026", "date_added": "27-Dec-2025 23:17:35", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016951011", "title": "Indigent", "author": "Briana N Cox", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 458, "review": "Briana N. Cox\u2019s Indigent is a horror novel that sinks its teeth in slowly. Xavier is a maintenance worker at Leigh Pierce Estates, a crumbling apartment complex that feels like it\u2019s rotting from the inside out. He\u2019s young, trying to keep his head down, juggling community college classes and a job that barely pays enough. From the start, you sense that he\u2019s someone who\u2019s always had to manage himself carefully\u2014careful not to get too angry, careful not to look threatening, careful not to disappoint his mother. That restraint becomes crucial as the horror escalates around him.

When Zion, one of the basement tenants, suddenly disappears, Xavier is the one ordered to clear out his apartment. That task becomes one of the novel\u2019s most important turning points. As he sorts through Zion\u2019s belongings\u2014boxes, souvenirs, rat traps, strange stains on the ceiling\u2014there\u2019s a growing realization that something violent and unnatural happened. The scene where he notices three small drops of what looks like blood in the popcorn ceiling is subtle but chilling. It\u2019s not dramatic. It\u2019s quiet, unsettling, and deeply personal because we experience it through Xavier\u2019s confusion and denial.

What makes Xavier compelling is that he\u2019s not a typical horror protagonist. He\u2019s not reckless or curious for the sake of the plot. He\u2019s practical. He\u2019s tired. He wants stability. When the property manager casually reveals that the building is slated for demolition, Xavier\u2019s fear isn\u2019t just about ghosts or parasites\u2014it\u2019s about displacement. Where will he go? How will he afford it? The horror of eviction and economic precarity feels just as threatening as whatever is spreading in the basement.

The tension intensifies when Xavier encounters Camille outside the building. She\u2019s clearly unwell\u2014her body rigid, her speech off, something neurologically wrong. Xavier\u2019s instinct isn\u2019t suspicion; it\u2019s concern. He tries to help her, even when it\u2019s inconvenient, even when it puts him in a morally complicated position. That moment says so much about him. In a building where everyone is just trying to survive, he still chooses empathy.

As the novel unfolds and the infestation, literal and metaphorical, becomes impossible to ignore, Xavier is forced to confront how much he can endure. The parasites and bodily horror imagery grow more grotesque, but what stays with me is his internal struggle. He\u2019s watching his community deteriorate, watching people disappear, watching systems fail them, and still trying to do the \u201cright\u201d thing in small, quiet ways. There\u2019s something devastating about that.

By centering Xavier\u2019s perspective, Indigent becomes more than a horror story about decay. It becomes a story about a young man trying to build a future in a place that\u2019s collapsing around him. The dread is real, the violence is shocking, but it\u2019s Xavier\u2019s steadiness\u2014his fear, his restraint, his reluctant courage\u2014that gives the novel its emotional punch.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "19-Feb-2026", "date_added": "27-Dec-2025 23:17:30", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016951007", "title": "Indigent", "author": "Briana N Cox", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 464, "review": "Indigent is a literary horror novel that blends body horror with sharp social commentary, delivering a story that is as unsettling intellectually as it is viscerally. I found this novel ambitious, disturbing, and thematically rich.

The story opens with Camille, a young woman hitchhiking toward Atlanta while suffering from a mysterious and deteriorating physical condition. Her internal monologue is fragmented and urgent, hinting at parasitic forces at work inside her body. That opening sequence sets the tone: this is horror rooted in vulnerability, isolation, and the fragile line between mental and physical collapse.

The narrative then widens its scope to Leigh Pierce Estates, a low-income apartment complex in Atlanta that functions as both setting and symbol. Cox introduces a rotating cast of tenants\u2014Anika, a hardworking mother; Miss Inez, the elderly neighbor keeping watch; Rashon, sleepless and anxious; and Xavier, the young maintenance worker trying to keep the building running while attending classes. The disappearance of a tenant named Zion becomes a pivotal mystery that quietly propels the plot forward. As Xavier is tasked with clearing out Zion\u2019s basement apartment, subtle signs of violence and decay begin to accumulate, raising the question of whether something unnatural is spreading through the building.

What impressed me most was how Cox layers her horror. On the surface, there are parasites, unexplained illnesses, and disturbing bodily transformations. Beneath that, however, is a sharp critique of systemic neglect\u2014particularly within healthcare and housing. The Estates is aging, poorly maintained, and eventually threatened with demolition. The residents are one crisis away from displacement. The horror, therefore, operates on two levels: the literal infestation and the societal one.

Cox\u2019s prose is dense and often lyrical, occasionally bordering on poetic. While that stylistic choice may slow readers expecting a brisk thriller, it contributes to the atmosphere. The tension builds gradually, favoring dread over shock. When violence occurs, it lands hard because it feels earned rather than gratuitous.

From a character standpoint, Xavier emerges as an especially compelling anchor. His quiet attempts to balance responsibility, financial stress, and moral decisions ground the novel. Through him, the reader sees the human cost of what\u2019s unfolding. The supporting cast also feels lived-in; even minor characters are drawn with care.

This book will resonate most strongly with readers who appreciate socially conscious horror. Fans of literary horror that blends genre with commentary\u2014think readers who enjoy morally complex, character-driven narratives\u2014will find much to admire. It will also appeal to those interested in stories about community, class struggle, and the intersection of health and poverty.

Indigent is not light reading, nor is it meant to be. It is unsettling, thought-provoking, and at times deeply uncomfortable. But for readers willing to engage with its themes and pacing, it offers a powerful and timely exploration of what it means to be consumed by illness, by systems, and by circumstance.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "19-Feb-2026", "date_added": "27-Dec-2025 23:17:21", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "350 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016951003", "title": "Morning of a Crescent Moon", "author": "N. J. Schrock", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 466, "review": "Morning of a Crescent Moon by N. J. Schrock is a quietly powerful work of historical fiction that unfolds with patience, empathy, and deep respect for the people whose lives it portrays. Set in Virden, Illinois, during the tense months surrounding the 1898 coal miners\u2019 strike, the novel balances labor history with intimate, human-scale storytelling. Rather than relying on spectacle, Schrock allows meaning to build through small, carefully observed moments that reveal how social unrest touches every corner of a community.

The story centers on Cate Merry, a young woman arriving in Virden to begin a new life as a schoolteacher after leaving nursing work that left her emotionally scarred. Through Cate\u2019s observant and compassionate perspective, readers meet the town\u2019s residents and begin to understand the fragile balance between hope and hardship. Early scenes\u2014her arrival by train, her first walk through town, and her tentative efforts to settle in\u2014establish themes of healing, belonging, and moral responsibility.

One of the most memorable figures Cate encounters is Noah McCall, a young coal miner who has assumed the role of guardian and provider for his three younger half-siblings after the deaths of both parents. Noah is not introduced through grand gestures, but through quiet evidence of responsibility: pulling his siblings in a wagon to town, tending a garden, and making sure the children earn small incomes selling vegetables door to door. His character embodies one of the novel\u2019s strongest themes\u2014that strength often shows itself in sacrifice rather than bravado.

Cate\u2019s growing awareness of Noah and his family adds emotional depth to the broader labor conflict. Through him, the strike becomes personal. He is not a symbol or a political mouthpiece, but a young man forced to balance survival, moral conviction, and care for others in circumstances he did not choose. Their interactions, which include brief conversations, shared glances at town events, and Cate\u2019s thoughtful support of the children, are understated yet meaningful, revealing how connection can form even in uncertain times.

As the novel moves forward, tensions surrounding the strike escalate. Conversations become sharper, fear more present, and the town\u2019s divisions more visible. The construction of a stockade around the mine stands as a stark image of separation and looming violence. Noah\u2019s position as both a miner and a caregiver highlights the stakes of the conflict: this is not only about wages or contracts, but about families, futures, and dignity.

When hardship and loss arrive later in the story, they feel earned rather than sensational. Schrock handles these moments with restraint, emphasizing endurance and communal resilience instead of tidy resolution. The novel\u2019s closing sections reinforce the idea that progress is slow and costly, but possible through collective resolve.

Overall, Morning of a Crescent Moon is a thoughtful, immersive novel best suited for readers who appreciate character-driven historical fiction and stories that foreground quiet courage.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2026", "date_added": "27-Dec-2025 23:14:24", "publisher": "Indigo River Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016945003", "title": "The Last Titans: How Churchill and de Gaulle Saved Their Nations and Transformed the World", "author": "Richard Vinen", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 190, "review": "In 1940, Charles de Gaulle and Winston Churchill met for the very first time, and with the future of their respective countries in doubt. Winston Churchill had recently become Britain\u2019s Prime Minister, while France\u2019s capitulation to Germany had forced De Gaulle to flee his country in exile. Churchill would oversee a large portion of the Allied effort until the US entry into the war over a year later. De Gaulle viewed the Vichy Government in his home country as not befitting the people and sought Churchill\u2019s assistance in finding a way to assist with the war effort. The two leaders couldn\u2019t have been more different, Churchill being a bombastic political animal, whereas De Gaulle was a taciturn and reluctant leader. The crucible of war would burnish their legacies, their impact on their countries\u2019 history still felt today.

The Last Titans ranks as an exemplary dual biography delving into two leaders who shepherded their countries through the consequential Second World War. Author Richard Vinen\u2019s important work illustrates the attributes that made Churchill & De Gaulle transformative leaders while not hesitating to point out the idiosyncrasies that made them fallible and more human.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "17-Mar-2026", "date_added": "26-Dec-2025 19:46:14", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016935011", "title": "The Great Houses of Pill Hill", "author": "Diane Josefowicz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 182, "review": "Oh, how I wanted to love Diane Josefowicz's The Great Houses of Pill Hill. The protagonist, Cookie Cooke (why?), is an interior decorator with a fascination with Lizzie Borden and the recreation of crime scenes. Using her ample artistic talent, she recreates famous crime scenes in miniature, which, on its own, would be so cool. I wish the book had been about her use of that skill to help solve a crime, but, alas, she has an affair with a married man whose house she's renovating. That old story.

There are some lovely moments of description in this book as relates to old houses, thus the three-star review. If you're a sucker for historic homes with hidden secrets, you'll get some bang for your buck. But, you'll also get far too many characters, secondary storylines that don't make logical sense, and a deep disdain for Cookie, who makes increasingly stupid decisions.

All of that aside, though, this has all the markings of a limited series premise: beautiful old New England homes, healthcare fraud, 19th century Egyptian occultist practices, and a murder...or two? Or three?", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2026", "date_added": "24-Dec-2025 21:38:18", "publisher": "Soho Press", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000016935007", "title": "A Fabulous Thru-Hike", "author": "Derick Lugo", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 114, "review": "A Fabulous Thru-Hike by Derick Lugo is a joyful, candid, and inspiring account of a six-month journey along the Continental Divide Trail. With humor and honesty, Lugo captures both the physical grind and the emotional highs of long-distance hiking, from the brutal desert heat to the breathtaking mountain vistas. His voice is warm and self-aware, making the experience accessible even to readers who have never set foot on a trail. The book shines in its celebration of resilience, friendship, and small moments of wonder, balancing hardship with laughter and gratitude. Uplifting and deeply human, A Fabulous Thru-Hike is an engaging reminder of the transformative power of putting one foot in front of the other.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "09-Feb-2026", "date_added": "24-Dec-2025 21:30:41", "publisher": "The Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000016933007", "title": "The Children", "author": "Melissa Albert", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 175, "review": "For any adult reader who ever hoped to fall through a looking glass or stumble upon a lamppost in a winter wood, Melissa Albert\u2019s adult debut is the book you have been waiting for. \r\n//The Children// introduces the Sharpe siblings, who spent their youth isolated in a Vermont farmhouse, acting as the living templates for their mother\u2019s famous portal-fantasy novels. Now adults, Guinevere makes a living shilling for her mother\u2019s estate, while the elusive Ennis executes provocative art exhibitions, including //Mother//, which threatens to expose the grim reality behind their upbringing.\r\nAlbert writes with a dark, sophisticated elegance that takes the eerie charm of her YA titles and elevates it into something far more visceral. The book brilliantly deconstructs the toll of surviving a mythic childhood, balancing psychological suspense with genuine supernatural dread. Albert\u2019s builds a setting with an enveloping, dreamlike atmosphere, where the boundary between fiction and trauma dissolves. //The Children// is a stunningly immersive triumph that honors the classic allure of fairy tales while bravely exposing the sharp teeth hiding beneath the magic.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "24-Dec-2025 21:48:55", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016930007", "title": "American Trickster", "author": "Ru Marshall", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 202, "review": "The body discovered in 2003 in the forbidding terrain of Death Valley was just another mystery connected to reclusive author Carlos Castaneda. The remains were identified as Nury Alexander, a devoted follower of the anthropologist. Castaneda rose to prominence with the publication of his book The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge in 1968. His work was highlighted as an Anthropological book and proved inspirational to many, yet as years passed, skepticism would arise as to the claims made in his book and whether Castaneda\u2019s works were bunk and better described as fiction. Castaneda won over more than a few people with his charisma and storytelling. By the time of his death, his most loyal group of followers resembled a cult with Castaneda bending and breaking many according to his will.

American Trickster is an extensive biography that seeks to elucidate the mind and work of a truly enigmatic figure. Carlos Castaneda\u2019s words reached out to a wide audience, and his influence extended to the entertainment world, yet few knew the real Castaneda. Author Ru Marshall has done an outstanding job in exploring the man, the myth, and the tragic stories of those whose loyalty often clouded their better judgment.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2026", "date_added": "24-Dec-2025 21:42:03", "publisher": "OR Books", "page_count": "670 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000016929007", "title": "Abdullah's Bear Needs a Name!", "author": "Yasmin Hanif, Sophie Benmouyal", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 173, "review": "Abdullah's Bear Needs a Name! by British-Pakistani author Yasmin Hanif is a story with roots in culture but also the universal aspect of growing up, having to label things you identify with and love, and recognizing your family's role in your life. Abdullah lives in a Muslim household that is currently celebrating Eid al-Fitr; during the celebrations, he receives a teddy bear as a gift from his Abba (father), and is now tasked with having to name it. This is harder than it sounds, but after getting input from family members, it helps him come up with the perfect name.

Even though the story contains characters with different cultural traditions than many Americans, the main part of Abdullah getting a teddy bear and needing to name it is a universal concept for young readers and older ones reading aloud. Readers will learn some new words in Arabic throughout the book, with their definitions (if not figured out in the story) found in the back. The illustrations are full-color and enhance the overall story.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "31-Mar-2026", "date_added": "24-Dec-2025 21:25:59", "publisher": "Floris Books", "page_count": "28 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000016928007", "title": "National Parks ABC!", "author": "Gus D'Angelo", "category": "F18 Early Reader", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 149, "review": "National Parks ABC! is the perfect book to introduce young readers to nature, parks, animals, and the great outdoors. Because this is a board book, it is sturdy for little hands to hold onto and not rip (too easily), so the book and the reader can enjoy multiple sit-downs with it while learning or being introduced to the names of national parks across America, and lesser-known animals seen in the wild. Young readers will appreciate the alliteration, sometimes seeming like a tongue twister, but the reader will have a good idea of what to expect with each sentence because of this. I enjoyed learning about the names of the parks and (sometimes) funny-sounding names of the animals I hadn't heard of before; I also enjoyed the full-color pictures on each page. Reading National Parks ABC! is a quick experience that can lead to more time spent learning and enjoying.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "31-Mar-2026", "date_added": "24-Dec-2025 20:56:10", "publisher": "The Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Board Book", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017092003", "title": "Old Soul", "author": "Susan Barker", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 99, "review": "Old Soul by Susan Barker is a haunting, genre-blurring novel that sinks its teeth in slowly and refuses to let go. Beginning with a chance encounter in Osaka, the story unravels into a chilling global pursuit of a mysterious woman linked to decades, perhaps centuries, of devastation. Barker deftly weaves horror, thriller, and western elements, using fragmented testimonies to build an atmosphere of dread and moral unease. The novel interrogates predation, free will, and the cost of survival with unsettling precision. Bold, ambitious, and deeply atmospheric, Old Soul ultimately rewards the reader with a striking and memorable literary experience.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Feb-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 20:07:15", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017091011", "title": "I Love You Rain or Shine", "author": "Danielle McLean,Anna Terreros-Martin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Nova - age 4", "word_count": 125, "review": "This might be one of my favorite new books. This is a book about a frog telling his froglet how much he loves him. This book is really sweet because the frog loves him before a storm, during a swim, or when playing hide and seek.

I really like the illustrations because the frogs look like they are having so much fun in everything they are doing. There are lots of pictures of flowers and insects. I really like their are lots of insect and animal families on many of the pages, the ladybugs are my favorite. Finding all the different type of families is sort of like a scavenger hunt. My favorite illustrations is when they are having a picnic by the pond with sandwiches.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 20:59:55", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017091007", "title": "Oscar Wilde's Stories for Children", "author": "Oscar Wilde, Lauren O'Hara", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 139, "review": "This book is misnamed, unless the purported \"stories for children\" means the child in all of us. Oscar Wilde is one of the wittiest and most creative writers in English literature. The fairy stories in this book, while in the tradition of that genre, are even more delightful and creative. In addition, it is a beautiful book with great illustrations.

Reading this book\u2014or most any work by Wilde\u2014is like cozying up with a most delicious box of chocolates. Wilde\u2019s mastery of language and light humor make reading an effortless charm.

There are six stories included in this volume, some previously unknown to me. The moral, gentleness, and heart displayed within the stories are also a good lesson for our time, when the sweetness of character is sometimes undervalued. This is a great gift for a child or the child within us.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 20:32:44", "publisher": "Little Island", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017090007", "title": "The Cloud Kingdom", "author": "M\u00e1ire Zepf, Andrew Whitson", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 14", "word_count": 125, "review": "This fantasy book is full of adventure. It seems fairy people have stolen a pangur from a girl named Nancy. She will do anything to get it back, even make a deal to become the only storyteller. Oh, how the stories beautifully unfold while being connected together. \nThe illustrations of this book are stunning and just incredible on their own. My favorite illustration is of the scruffy, horned creature made of snow in the Ghost Dragon story. My favorite story in the book was that of the Magic Hat Shop, where each hat has been crafted with a charm of its own for its owner. If you like beautifully told books with equally beautiful illustrations this book, then this is the perfect book for you!!", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "30-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 20:37:05", "publisher": "Little Island", "page_count": "88 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017089007", "title": "Fruitcake", "author": "Rex Ogle,Dave Valeza", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 103, "review": "Let me put it this way: Fruitcake by Rex Ogle feels like reading someone\u2019s diary at the exact moment their world tilts. First crushes arrive tangled and uncertain, first kisses only deepen the confusion, and the simple act of being yourself somehow becomes the hardest challenge of all. Ogle\u2019s middle-grade memoir captures the emotional turbulence of eighth grade with disarming sincerity. Rex\u2019s feelings for Charlotte and Drew are portrayed with such clarity that you can practically feel the knots in his stomach. Paired with expressive artwork that softens the hardest moments, this is a heartfelt, deeply relatable story about identity, courage, and self-acceptance.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 19:38:59", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017084007", "title": "How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days", "author": "Jessie Sylva", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 80, "review": "This enchanting fantasy blends humor, heart, and a touch of whimsy that\u2019s ideal for rainy-day reading. Jessie Sylva\u2019s story follows an irresistible cast of characters on an unexpected journey where friendship grows in the most delightful ways. With clever worldbuilding and gentle stakes that balance adventure with warmth, this novel wraps you in its charm like a soft blanket. Perfect for readers who love cozy fantasy with plenty of heart and quirky twists that keep you smiling through every chapter.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 20:09:25", "publisher": "Orbit", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017083015", "title": "The Invisible Woman: A Thriller", "author": "James Patterson, Susan DiLallo", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kristina Fox", "word_count": 188, "review": "As a longtime fan of James Patterson, The Invisible Woman did not disappoint. I was hooked from the very first page. Elinor Gilbert is the title's namesake\u2014not because she's truly invisible, but because people just don't notice her. For some people, this might be an issue. But for an FBI agent, being invisible has its advantages. After being thrown under the bus by her coworker, Alan Metcalf, Elinor finds herself living the simple life as a music teacher. When the scuzzy Metcalf calls her to let her know the FBI wants her back for a special job and that she might be able to redeem herself to the FBI, Elinor decides to take the bait. The catch? She has to be a nanny. The problem? Elinor knows nothing about children, let alone babies.

This book reminded me of Mrs. Doubtfire because Elinor has to wear a foam suit under her clothes to disguise herself. There are a lot of comical parts in the book, and the characters were so colorfully written that they felt real. Fans of Patterson will want to grab their copy ofThe Invisible Woman right away.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "09-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 19:36:29", "publisher": "Little, Brown and Company", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017083011", "title": "The Society: A Novel", "author": "Karen Winn", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 192, "review": "The Knox is a centuries-old building in Beacon Hill that is home to a secret society. Vivian, while born into old money, is running out of it. She grew up hearing about an old family legend that she is an ancestor of the original founding member of the Knox, meaning she is eligible for an inheritance. Vivian manages to work her way into The Society, but then mysteriously has an accident followed by her disappearance. Enter Taylor, her ER nurse, who becomes concerned for her and manages to get a job at the Knox to find out what really happened. Taylor needs to watch out, though, because they\u2019re not called secret societies for nothing.

I thought the author\u2019s writing style was refreshing and different. I enjoyed that parts of the story were told from the building\u2019s point of view. I found Taylor hard to relate to, however, and the plot kind of fell flat towards the end, which was surprising, given how long the book was and the amount of time the author had to build a mystery. Overall, if you like stories about elite secret societies, you will probably like this one.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 18:24:09", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000017082023", "title": "Whose Nest Is Best?", "author": "Lyndsay Wasko", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 14", "word_count": 139, "review": "This book was very fascinating; it was jam-packed with information about many different types of birds and their nests, as the title suggests. It has a little blurb about each bird and its nests and how it takes care of its young, as not every bird does the same thing, like ostriches raise their babies together. So if you are a fan of birds, this is the book for you.

What I found most interesting is how big an Eagle's nest is, as wide as a school bus and tall as a house, which is hard to imagine in a tree. There is also more information in the back of the book on each book. It would be cool if the pictures of the eggs on the endpapers had been labeled to know which bird each egg belonged to.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 20:54:44", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017081019", "title": "Seasons by the Lake", "author": "Naja Lund Aparico,Alex Nees", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 187, "review": "In Seasons by the Lake, two young brothers, Minak and Nuka, describe a year in their lives, season by season, living next to a lake in Greenland. In spring, they watch bubbles trapped in ice thousands of years ago release like fireworks in a glass of water. In summer, they catch a fish called a char and pick crowberries in the midnight sunlight. In fall, snow begins falling, which means sledding outside and cozy days inside, waiting for the lake to freeze for skating. Winter brings the beautiful Aurora Borealis, or Arsarnerit in the local language, along with tales of how the ancestors are playing soccer in the sky and steaming bowls of caribou stew or suaasat. Finally, the day arrives when they can skate across their frozen lake!

Naja Lund Aparico has written a lovely, educational book which brings alive the culture of native Greenlanders, including their language, and the beauty of their environment. Alex Nees gentle illustrations enhance the beauty of the story. Finally, Aparico provides some interesting back matter for those for whom the story has piqued their curiosity about the interesting environment and people.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 21:07:58", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017079019", "title": "Truman Toad and the Quest for the Perfect Hug", "author": "Oren Lavie,Anke Kuhl", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 193, "review": "Truman Toad and the Quest for the Perfect Hug is the story of Truman, a self-absorbed toad who literally loves everything about himself and isn't ashamed about wanting to spend all his time alone, with his favorite person. After a night of happy dreams, he wakes up and remembers dreaming about the perfect hug, and even though it's not normal for him, he is determined to find the right person/animal who can give him the \"perfect\" hug. He tries out so many from various animals, but continues to leave each one disappointed until he learns that if he stops taking things so seriously and has more of an open mind, the \"hug\" experience goes much better for everyone involved.

I love hugs too (mostly just from family members and some friends), so the subject matter is a positive one for me and one I can relate to. As a picture book, the story held my attention throughout, and I enjoyed viewing the colorful illustrations on each page that enhanced the storyline. The moral is applicable to readers of all ages, and more readers may find themselves happier after checking out Truman's story.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 20:52:26", "publisher": "Enchanted Lion", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017079003", "title": "City of Others", "author": "Jared Poon", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 83, "review": "In City of Others, Jared Poon crafts a luminous and poignant tale about belonging, transformation, and urban magic. Through vivid prose and meticulous worldbuilding, the city itself becomes a character\u2014alive, unpredictable, and full of wonder. Poon weaves together threads of mystery and emotional depth, inviting readers into a narrative that feels both fantastical and deeply rooted in human experience. The blend of myth and modern life makes this novel a rich journey of self-discovery that enchants from the first page to the last.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 18:02:03", "publisher": "Orbit", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017078127", "title": "The Crypto King\u2019s Muse", "author": "Francesca Frost", "category": "F10 Romance", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 543, "review": "The Crypto King\u2019s Muse by Francesca Frost is an engaging and emotionally layered novel that blends ambition, technology, romance, and personal reinvention. At its heart is Charlotte Gordon-Lennox, a woman who has already lived several lives\u2014and lost more than most people ever face. Once a successful international fashion entrepreneur, Charlotte now finds herself drowning in debt after the collapse of her business during the pandemic. Determined not to give up, she reinvents herself in the volatile world of cryptocurrency trading, where risk and reward sit side by side.

From the opening pages, Frost introduces readers to Charlotte\u2019s relentless determination and vulnerability. In the first chapter, Charlotte participates in early-morning cryptocurrency trading sessions with a group of women scattered across the globe, each drawn to the digital market for their own reasons, whether survival, opportunity, or independence.

This scene establishes both the intensity of the financial stakes and the strong theme of women carving out space in a male-dominated industry.

Charlotte\u2019s life changes when she receives a job opportunity at Riverbank, a powerful cryptocurrency platform based in the Cayman Islands. The position could provide the financial stability she desperately needs, but there is one complication: the company\u2019s enigmatic cofounder, Duane Blacklock. Charlotte and Duane share a complicated past, and their reunion sparks both tension and undeniable chemistry.

Frost excels at creating layered characters whose motivations feel authentic. Charlotte, in particular, is a compelling protagonist. She is intelligent, driven, and flawed in ways that make her deeply relatable. Her struggles with financial pressure, personal loss, and professional ambition are portrayed with sympathy and emotional nuance. Rather than presenting her as a perfect heroine, the novel allows readers to see her doubts, fears, and stubborn resilience.

Duane Blacklock is equally intriguing. His guarded personality and sharp intelligence make him both frustrating and fascinating. The interactions between Charlotte and Duane carry a steady undercurrent of tension, sometimes romantic, sometimes confrontational, that propels the narrative forward. Their dynamic adds emotional complexity to a story already rich with themes of ambition, trust, and redemption.

Another strength of the novel is its setting. The story moves across glamorous and international locations, from Manhattan to the Cayman Islands and beyond, capturing the global nature of cryptocurrency and high-stakes finance. These backdrops add a sense of scale and excitement, giving the narrative an almost cinematic quality.

The writing style is polished and immersive while still remaining accessible. Frost weaves technical elements of cryptocurrency into the story without overwhelming readers who may be unfamiliar with the subject. Instead of feeling like a lesson in finance, the crypto world becomes a compelling backdrop for a story about risk, both financial and emotional.

Readers who enjoy character-driven contemporary fiction with elements of romance and high-stakes ambition will find much to appreciate here. Fans of novels about powerful, resilient women rebuilding their lives after setbacks will likely connect strongly with Charlotte\u2019s journey. Those interested in stories set in glamorous business worlds or emerging industries like cryptocurrency will also find the premise particularly intriguing.

The Crypto King\u2019s Muse is a thoughtful and engaging novel about reinvention, ambition, and the courage it takes to take risks again after life knocks you down. With a determined heroine and a world where money, power, and emotion collide, Francesca Frost delivers a story that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "19-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 03:08:30", "publisher": "Frost House", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078123", "title": "The Stream", "author": "Thomas Fargnoli", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 480, "review": "Thomas W. Fargnoli\u2019s The Stream: Keys to Peace is the kind of novel that blends storytelling with spiritual reflection, creating a narrative that feels both imaginative and introspective. Rather than focusing on fast-paced action, the book invites readers to slow down and consider deeper questions about faith, purpose, and the pursuit of inner peace.

At the heart of the story is Benito, a young boy whose curiosity about life extends well beyond the classroom. Early in the book, readers see him struggling with a bully at school who disrupts both his confidence and his love for playing soccer. When the bully kicks Benito\u2019s brand-new soccer ball deep into the woods and disappears with it, Benito reacts with anger and frustration, an emotional moment that shows just how deeply he feels things.

This event becomes one of the turning points in his journey, pushing him toward deeper reflection and eventually toward the lessons his grandfather shares with him.

Benito\u2019s grandfather serves as the philosophical guide of the story. Their porch conversations after dinner are filled with thoughtful lessons drawn from scripture and life experience. One particularly memorable discussion centers around the biblical story of King Solomon. Benito is fascinated by Solomon\u2019s request for wisdom rather than power or wealth, and the conversation sparks his own desire to understand life more deeply.

These scenes give the book a thoughtful tone and highlight the strong generational bond between the two characters.

Another storyline introduces Bob, a middle-aged man who is beginning to question the direction of his own life as retirement approaches. Bob\u2019s character provides an interesting contrast to Benito's. While Benito is searching with youthful curiosity, Bob is wrestling with uncertainty and the feeling that something meaningful may be missing from his routine life. Watching birds gather at the feeder behind his home becomes a small but symbolic moment for Bob, giving him a sense of purpose even while he wonders what comes next.

One of the more intriguing aspects of the book is how these two lives slowly begin to mirror one another. As Bob reads about Benito\u2019s journey, he starts experiencing strange moments that echo the boy\u2019s story, including hearing the distant sound of running water where no stream should exist. These moments create a quiet sense of mystery that keeps readers engaged.

The novel touches on several important themes, including patience, humility, forgiveness, and faith. A particularly meaningful lesson appears when Benito learns that holding onto anger, especially toward the boy who bullied him, can create emotional barriers that prevent him from finding the peace he is seeking.

The Stream: Keys to Peace is a reflective and thoughtful novel that will likely appeal to readers who enjoy stories about spiritual growth and personal discovery. While the pace is gentle, the ideas explored throughout the book linger long after the final page. For readers open to contemplative storytelling, this book offers a meaningful and uplifting experience.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 03:04:12", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "116 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078119", "title": "The Stream", "author": "Thomas Fargnoli", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 375, "review": "Thomas W. Fargnoli\u2019s The Stream: Keys to Peace is a reflective work of fiction that blends storytelling with spiritual exploration. Written in a calm and deliberate style, the novel focuses less on dramatic conflict and more on the gradual development of wisdom through experience, faith, and personal reflection. As a reader, I found the book to be a thoughtful examination of how individuals at different stages of life search for meaning.

The narrative follows two central characters whose journeys unfold in parallel. The first is Benito, a young boy in the Philippines whose spiritual curiosity sets him apart from many of his peers. From the beginning, Benito is portrayed as unusually attentive to the lessons he hears in church and to the guidance of his grandfather. After experiencing a vivid dream about a peaceful stream that fills him with tranquility, he becomes convinced that finding the real stream will lead him to wisdom and deeper understanding.

What I found particularly effective about Benito\u2019s storyline is how it captures the persistence and innocence of youth. Determined to follow the invitation he believes the dream represents, Benito spends many afternoons exploring forests near his home. In one memorable scene, he pushes through dense sticker bushes and slides down a hill in pursuit of the sound of flowing water, only to discover that the stream disappears as quickly as it appeared.

The moment illustrates one of the book\u2019s central messages: the search for wisdom often involves frustration and setbacks before progress becomes clear.

Running alongside Benito\u2019s story is the perspective of Bob, a man in his mid-fifties facing uncertainty about his future as retirement approaches. Bob\u2019s storyline gives the book a grounded, contemporary element. While Benito searches through nature, Bob\u2019s search is more internal. Conversations with his wife about perseverance, particularly reflecting on the challenges they overcame while raising a family and completing their degrees, add depth and realism to the narrative.

The Stream: Keys to Peace is a contemplative novel that will resonate most with readers who enjoy philosophical or faith-based fiction. It is not a fast-paced story, but rather one that unfolds thoughtfully and encourages reflection. For readers interested in themes of spiritual growth, mentorship, and the search for purpose, Fargnoli offers a narrative that is both meaningful and quietly inspiring.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 03:04:08", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "116 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017078115", "title": "The Stream", "author": "Thomas Fargnoli", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 494, "review": "Every once in a while, a book comes along that feels less like a traditional story and more like a quiet conversation about life. The Stream: Keys to Peace by Thomas W. Fargnoli is one of those books. While it presents itself as a fictional narrative, the story functions almost like a reflective guide about searching for peace, purpose, and spiritual understanding.

The novel follows two very different characters whose lives slowly begin to mirror each other. The first is Benito, a thoughtful young boy living in the Philippines who becomes captivated by a dream of a peaceful, flowing stream. The dream leaves such a strong impression that he begins searching for the stream in the forests near his home, believing it may hold deeper wisdom and meaning.

Benito\u2019s journey is shaped largely through the guidance of his grandfather, whose gentle wisdom becomes one of the highlights of the book. Their conversations explore ideas about faith, perseverance, and inner listening. At one point, Benito becomes discouraged when he thinks he has finally found the stream, only to have the sound disappear when his thoughts drift toward what the discovery might mean for his life. His grandfather explains that the moment Benito became distracted by expectations, he lost the quiet awareness needed to stay connected to the experience.

Running alongside Benito\u2019s story is Bob, a middle-aged man living in the United States who is dealing with anxiety about retirement and the possibility of losing his job. Bob begins reading a book about Benito\u2019s search and slowly finds himself relating to the boy\u2019s quest more than he expected. His storyline adds a very human and relatable element to the novel. Many readers will recognize the feeling Bob experiences\u2014the sense that life should hold something deeper, even when everything on the surface seems stable.

One particularly memorable moment occurs when Bob believes he hears the sound of running water behind his home, even though he knows there is no stream nearby. Later, he dreams about stepping into the same peaceful stream Benito described, feeling a wave of calm and surrender as the water carries him along.

These scenes give the story a slightly mystical tone that keeps the reader curious about how the two journeys might connect.

Throughout the book, Fargnoli teaches the readers lessons that unfold gradually through dialogue and experiences rather than dramatic action. For readers who enjoy contemplative storytelling, this slower pace feels intentional\u2014it encourages reflection rather than rushing toward a conclusion.

What makes The Stream: Keys to Peace appealing is its simplicity. The writing is clear, the message is uplifting, and the story gently reminds readers that peace often begins internally. It suggests that sometimes the answers people are searching for are not found through control or logic but through patience, openness, and a willingness to listen.

Readers who enjoy thoughtful, faith-inspired fiction or philosophical stories about life\u2019s bigger questions will likely appreciate this book. It\u2019s a calm, reflective read that leaves you thinking long after you\u2019ve finished the final page.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 03:04:05", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "116 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078111", "title": "The Stream", "author": "Thomas Fargnoli", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 460, "review": "As someone who enjoys reflective fiction that blends story with deeper life questions, The Stream: Keys to Peace turned out to be a surprisingly thoughtful and calming read. Thomas W. Fargnoli weaves a narrative that feels part spiritual allegory, part coming-of-age journey, and part philosophical reflection on the search for peace.

The book centers primarily around Benito, a thoughtful twelve-year-old boy in the Philippines who begins having vivid dreams about a beautiful stream that fills him with peace and tranquility. After sharing the dream with his wise grandfather, Benito learns that the dream may be an invitation: one that challenges him to search for a real stream that symbolizes deeper wisdom and spiritual growth.

One of the elements that stood out to me early in the story was the tenderness of Benito\u2019s relationship with his grandfather. Their porch conversations are some of the most memorable moments in the book. The grandfather never gives answers; instead, he gently guides Benito toward understanding life through patience, faith, and perseverance. As Benito searches through forests for the mysterious stream, he encounters physical obstacles, but each setback becomes a lesson about character and determination.

Another compelling layer of the story comes through the parallel narrative of Bob, a middle-aged man approaching retirement who begins reading about Benito\u2019s journey. Bob\u2019s storyline adds a reflective adult perspective that many readers will likely connect with. He\u2019s dealing with anxiety about the future and searching for meaning beyond the practical routines of work and responsibility. As he reads about Benito\u2019s search, Bob begins to experience strange moments of connection to the story\u2014such as hearing running water and even dreaming of the same peaceful stream.

The novel explores several key ideas that run consistently throughout the narrative. Perseverance is one of the first lessons Benito learns during his search. His grandfather explains that the scrapes and difficulties along the way are not failures but part of the process of growth. This felt especially meaningful because it mirrors real life. Most meaningful discoveries come slowly and require persistence.

Another strong theme is faith and spiritual openness. Both Benito and Bob begin learning that true wisdom isn\u2019t something forced through logic or control. Instead, it comes through surrendering to something larger than oneself, whether that means prayer, trust, or simply quiet reflection.

What I appreciated most about The Stream is that it didn't feel preachy despite its spiritual undertones. The lessons unfold naturally through story and dialogue rather than lectures. The pacing is gentle and reflective, which makes the book feel almost meditative at times.

Readers who enjoy inspirational fiction, spiritual allegories like The Alchemist,, or thoughtful stories about personal growth will likely find this book meaningful. It\u2019s the kind of story that invites readers to pause, reflect, and perhaps even consider what their own \u201cstream\u201d might be.

", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 03:03:55", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "116 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017078107", "title": "Iysh", "author": "Greg Price", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 573, "review": "Greg Price\u2019s IYSH is a historical novel that immediately places the reader inside one of the most turbulent and heartbreaking periods of the twentieth century. Set in Nazi Germany during the early years of World War II, the story follows Leo Butlion, a Jewish university student studying medicine in Koblenz, as he begins to realize the danger facing his family and community. From the opening chapters, Price establishes a tense atmosphere that steadily grows darker as the political realities of the era begin to unfold.

One of the strongest elements of this novel is the author\u2019s descriptive writing style. Price has a clear ability to create vivid scenes that help readers visualize the world his characters inhabit. In the opening chapter, for example, the author carefully paints the setting of Koblenz in winter with its crowded streets, overcoats, and the uneasy mood surrounding rumors of war. These details do more than simply establish place; they also create a sense of unease that foreshadows the tragedy to come. The pacing of the narrative is deliberate, allowing tension to build naturally as Leo learns about the growing threat of Hitler\u2019s regime.

The plot itself is compelling because it combines historical context with personal drama. What begins as rumors among university students soon turns into a devastating reality for Leo and his family. The Butlion family\u2019s clothing store becomes a symbol of everything they have built through hard work, only to see it seized by Nazi authorities. The emotional turning point of the early chapters occurs when the family confronts the brutality of the SS, illustrating the cruelty and suddenness with which ordinary lives were destroyed during the Nazi takeover. These moments are written with intensity and realism, making the reader feel the shock and despair experienced by the characters.

The characters are another highlight of the book. Leo stands out as an intelligent and thoughtful protagonist whose education and awareness make him more alert to the looming danger than others around him. His conversations with his father, Eli, provide some of the novel\u2019s most meaningful moments. Eli represents a generation that believes stability and reason will prevail, while Leo senses that the situation is far more dangerous. This contrast creates a powerful emotional dynamic between the two characters. Meanwhile, Rachel, Leo\u2019s mother, adds an emotional depth to the story through her vulnerability and devotion to her family. The tragedy that strikes the family underscores how deeply readers have come to care about these characters.

Price also deserves credit for portraying the wider Jewish community in Koblenz. The scenes involving the synagogue and the discussions among community members show how ordinary people tried to respond rationally to an unimaginable threat. These moments give the story historical authenticity while highlighting themes of resilience, faith, and survival.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction will likely find IYSH especially engaging. Fans of World War II novels such as The Book Thief, All the Light We Cannot See, or The Tattooist of Auschwitz may appreciate the novel\u2019s focus on the human cost of war and persecution. It will also appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven historical stories that combine family drama with real historical events.

IYSH is a powerful and emotionally charged novel that explores courage, loss, and perseverance in the face of overwhelming oppression. Greg Price\u2019s descriptive storytelling and compelling characters make this a memorable work of historical fiction that will resonate with readers who appreciate stories of survival and humanity during dark moments in history.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 03:01:06", "publisher": "Francis Vlok ", "page_count": "692 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078103", "title": "Finding Democracy Through the Lens of a Young German Woman, 1944-1950", "author": "Margaret F. Merritt, Ph.D.", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 99, "review": "\"A meticulously researched and deeply human work, Finding Democracy Through the Lens of a Young German Woman, 1944\u20131950 offers a rare intimacy that transforms history into lived experience. Margaret F. Merritt brings exceptional authenticity and emotional clarity to a pivotal moment in modern history through photographs, sketches, and primary documents. The narrative balances scholarly rigor with graceful storytelling, illuminating resilience, moral awakening, and the quiet power of personal choice. This is a thoughtful, evocative book that lingers long after the final page, inviting reflection on freedom, memory, and the fragile rebuilding of democratic ideals.\" \u2014Jessica Fahey, Seattle Book Review", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:58:18", "publisher": "RDS Publications", "page_count": "176 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078099", "title": "Distortion", "author": "Sierra Ernesto Xavier", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 537, "review": "Distortion by Sierra Ernesto Xavier is an unconventional and deeply introspective work of literary fiction that focuses on the emotional and psychological complexities of two individuals attempting to build a relationship while confronting the physical and emotional scars of their past. The novel is striking in both its subject matter and its structure, relying almost entirely on dialogue between the two central characters. This stylistic decision immediately sets the book apart from more traditional narratives and creates an intimate reading experience that places the reader directly inside the characters\u2019 conversations and vulnerabilities.

At its core, Distortion is about identity, trauma, and the struggle to accept one\u2019s body and history. The story unfolds through conversations between a man and a woman who are gradually revealing their past experiences with physical deformities, surgeries, and the emotional consequences of being perceived as \u201cdifferent\u201d by society. Through these exchanges, the reader slowly pieces together their personal histories. The author intentionally avoids detailed scene descriptions, instead allowing the dialogue to reveal the characters\u2019 memories, emotions, and physical realities. This technique mirrors the way people often learn about one another in real life, through conversation rather than observation.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is its exploration of how physical trauma and medical interventions shape a person\u2019s identity. Both characters recount harrowing experiences with surgeries intended to \u201ccorrect\u201d their bodies. The descriptions of these procedures, particularly those involving facial reconstruction and spinal surgery, are intense and emotionally charged. These moments are not presented merely for shock value; instead, they highlight the emotional toll of living in a body that has been repeatedly altered in pursuit of normalcy. The characters\u2019 dialogue captures both the pain of those experiences and the complicated desire to be accepted by others.

What I found particularly powerful is how the novel examines the concept of shame. Many of the characters\u2019 fears revolve around how others perceive them, whether through laughter, judgment, or avoidance. The male character, for instance, reflects on the humiliation of being stared at because of his facial differences, while the female character discusses the physical asymmetry caused by scoliosis and the invasive medical scrutiny that accompanied it. These discussions feel raw and honest, offering insight into how deeply social perceptions can affect self-worth.

Despite the heavy themes, the book is ultimately about connection. The dialogue between the two characters often shifts from painful recollections to moments of tenderness and empathy. They begin to see one another not as damaged bodies but as people worthy of affection and understanding. That evolving relationship provides a sense of emotional depth that keeps the narrative engaging even though the structure is minimalist.

Readers who enjoy experimental literary fiction will likely appreciate Distortion. Those who are interested in psychological exploration, character-driven stories, and philosophical discussions about identity and the human body will find a great deal to reflect on here. Fans of dialogue-focused works or plays may also connect with the format, since much of the narrative unfolds like an intimate two-person stage production.

This is not a fast-paced or plot-heavy novel; instead, it is a contemplative and often challenging read. But for readers willing to engage with its themes, Distortion offers a thought-provoking look at vulnerability, resilience, and the difficult journey toward self-acceptance.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:55:43", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078095", "title": "Journey Through the Valley: One Man's Story of Learning to Trust Jesus with Work, Faith, and Family", "author": "David Brenner", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 519, "review": "Journey Through the Valley by David Brenner is a deeply reflective memoir that explores the complexities of faith, ambition, family, and personal transformation. Told through the author\u2019s own life experiences, the book follows Brenner\u2019s journey from a driven young executive chasing the American dream to a man gradually learning to surrender control and trust God in both success and hardship. I found the book to be both introspective and relatable, especially in how it addresses the pressures of modern life and the search for deeper meaning.

At its core, the memoir is about the tension between worldly success and spiritual fulfillment. Early in the book, Brenner describes how he pursued career advancement, financial stability, and social validation, believing these achievements would bring happiness. Outwardly, his life appeared successful. He had a promising career, a relationship that eventually became a marriage, and a growing family. Yet internally, he struggled with anxiety, emotional wounds from childhood, and the feeling that something essential was missing. This theme of internal conflict appears throughout the narrative and serves as one of the book\u2019s strongest messages: external success does not necessarily lead to inner peace.

Another major theme is spiritual growth through adversity. Brenner repeatedly encounters moments when life does not go according to plan\u2014career pressures, marital struggles, fatherhood challenges, and personal doubts about God. Rather than portraying faith as a quick solution, the author emphasizes how faith develops slowly through hardship and reflection. The \u201cvalley\u201d in the title symbolizes these seasons of struggle, where faith is tested but ultimately strengthened. Brenner writes about how painful experiences forced him to examine his beliefs and learn to depend on God instead of relying solely on his own ambition and determination.

The book also explores the theme of vulnerability. Brenner\u2019s willingness to share personal failures, such as neglecting emotional connection in his marriage or prioritizing work over family, makes the story feel authentic. His reflections show that spiritual maturity often begins when people acknowledge their weaknesses rather than hiding them. For readers, this honesty makes the message more powerful because it illustrates that growth is rarely linear.

Community is another important thread woven throughout the memoir. Brenner credits much of his transformation to relationships with others who encouraged his faith, particularly a mentor named Pastor Mark and the men\u2019s spiritual group he joined. Through these relationships, the author learns the importance of accountability, shared wisdom, and spiritual support. These moments highlight the idea that faith is not meant to be lived out alone but within a supportive community.

Finally, the theme of surrender plays a central role. Over time, Brenner learns that faith is not about controlling outcomes but about trusting God even when circumstances are uncertain. This realization becomes a turning point in his journey, helping him approach challenges with humility and patience rather than fear.

Journey Through the Valley is an encouraging and thoughtful memoir about personal transformation. Its themes of faith, perseverance, vulnerability, and community make it a meaningful read for anyone who has struggled to balance ambition with purpose. Brenner\u2019s story reminds readers that life\u2019s hardest seasons can ultimately become the places where growth and spiritual renewal begin.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:53:06", "publisher": "Bublish, Inc", "page_count": "185 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017078091", "title": "Hunter's Hidden Camera", "author": "Anthony Auswat", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 488, "review": "Anthony Auswat\u2019s Hunter\u2019s Hidden Camera is not an easy read, but it is a compelling one. As an adult male reader and someone who has read a fair share of coming-of-age and psychological dramas over the years, I found this novel both unsettling and surprisingly poignant. It explores sexuality, jealousy, shame, and moral compromise in a way that feels raw and unfiltered, sometimes painfully so.

The story centers on Hunter, an eighteen-year-old high school senior living in a conservative suburb of Los Angeles. From the opening pages, we\u2019re immersed in his complicated inner life. He lives in the shadow of his older brother Nash, who is athletic, charismatic, and effortlessly masculine. Hunter\u2019s fixation on him drives much of the narrative. Beneath the surface of sibling rivalry lies something deeper: Hunter is struggling with his sexual identity, buried under layers of fear, denial, and religious guilt. He is gay but closeted, terrified of the consequences of coming out in his Irish Catholic family and socially rigid community.

What elevates the novel beyond a standard coming-out story is Hunter\u2019s deeply flawed decision-making. In an effort to gain financial independence and perhaps a twisted sense of power, he secretly records his brother through hidden cameras and uploads edited footage to an adult website for profit. This choice is morally indefensible, and Auswat doesn\u2019t attempt to sanitize it. Instead, he allows readers to sit with the discomfort. As a middle-aged reader, I appreciated that the author didn\u2019t glamorize Hunter\u2019s actions. The guilt, anxiety, and escalating consequences feel authentic and psychologically grounded.

The writing style is candid and modern, filled with internal monologue that often reads like a confessional. Hunter\u2019s voice is sharp, self-aware, and darkly humorous at times. While some scenes are explicit, they serve a narrative purpose, highlighting the tension between desire and shame rather than existing purely for shock value. The pacing is steady, with moments of genuine suspense, especially as Hunter\u2019s lies begin to stack up and the risk of exposure grows.

What struck me most was how convincingly Auswat portrays adolescent insecurity. Even though I\u2019m decades removed from high school, the emotional core\u2014wanting to belong, fearing rejection, comparing oneself to others\u2014still resonates. The dynamic between Hunter and his girlfriend Emma is particularly heartbreaking. He cares about her but cannot give her what she wants, and the resulting tension is painfully real.

This book will likely appeal to readers who appreciate edgy psychological drama and morally complex protagonists. Fans of contemporary LGBTQ+ fiction that doesn\u2019t shy away from darker themes will find it especially engaging. It may also resonate with readers who enjoy character-driven stories about secrecy, identity, and the consequences of ambition gone wrong.

That said, it is not for everyone. The mature content and ethically troubling choices require a reader willing to grapple with discomfort. But for those open to it, Hunter\u2019s Hidden Camera offers a provocative and emotionally layered exploration of a young man spiraling under the weight of his own secrets.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "08-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:50:38", "publisher": "Point Liberty Press", "page_count": "318 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017078087", "title": "When Paris Whispers", "author": "Marianne C. Bohr", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 471, "review": "I picked up When Paris Whispers expecting a travel-infused coming-of-age story, and while it certainly delivers that, the novel surprised me with how emotionally layered it is. Marianne C. Bohr writes with warmth and insight, creating a heroine whose inner struggles feel just as vivid as the streets of Paris she explores.

At the heart of the novel is Catrine Gray, a thoughtful and introspective young woman who has dreamed of France her entire life. After her father\u2019s sudden death, she decides to take a leap and move to Paris, hoping the city she\u2019s long imagined will help her rebuild her life.

What struck me immediately was how deeply the novel explores grief and memory. Some of the most touching passages involve Catrine recalling moments with her father, especially when he encouraged her love of French culture and literature. These memories explain why Paris means so much to her. It\u2019s not just a place; it\u2019s tied to the person who believed in her the most.

Bohr also does a fantastic job portraying Catrine\u2019s insecurity. She grew up feeling awkward and out of place. She was too tall, too quiet, and never quite confident in her own skin. Those feelings follow her to Paris. Watching her navigate a new city while battling that inner voice of doubt makes her journey compelling.

One scene that stood out to me is when Catrine explores the city alone after a difficult phone call with her mother. The conversation is painful. Her mother criticizes her choices and questions why she even went to France in the first place. Instead of letting those words defeat her, Catrine walks through the Latin Quarter, observing caf\u00e9s, markets, and university buildings. That quiet moment of wandering becomes symbolic of her determination to keep moving forward.

The Paris setting itself is wonderfully immersive. Bohr doesn\u2019t simply list famous landmarks; she captures the everyday rhythm of the city with its busy metro stations, pastry shop windows, narrow streets, and outdoor caf\u00e9s along the Seine. These details make the reader feel as if they\u2019re discovering Paris alongside Catrine.

Another highlight is Catrine\u2019s fascination with French literature. Her conversations about writers like Balzac and Hugo add intellectual depth to the story and show how books have shaped her identity. I particularly enjoyed the scene where Vincent shares a little historical trivia about the street connected to Balzac\u2019s Le P\u00e8re Goriot. Moments like that give the novel a lovely literary charm.

What makes this book memorable is how personal Catrine\u2019s journey feels. She\u2019s not trying to conquer the world; she\u2019s simply trying to figure out who she is without the expectations that have always defined her.

Readers who enjoy thoughtful character-driven fiction, stories set abroad, and novels about personal reinvention will likely love When Paris Whispers. It\u2019s reflective, heartfelt, and filled with small but meaningful moments that linger long after the final page.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:47:08", "publisher": "Brother Mockingbird", "page_count": "388 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078083", "title": "When Paris Whispers", "author": "Marianne C. Bohr", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 477, "review": "Marianne C. Bohr\u2019s When Paris Whispers is the kind of novel that slowly pulls you into its world and then keeps surprising you with emotional depth. What begins as a story about a young woman chasing a dream quickly evolves into something richer\u2014an exploration of grief, identity, courage, and self-discovery set against the enchanting backdrop of Paris.

The novel follows Catrine Gray, a young American woman who has dreamed about living in France since childhood. After a painful personal loss, she finally gathers the courage to leave her life behind and travel to Paris. What I loved most about Catrine is how authentic she feels. She isn\u2019t immediately confident or glamorous; instead, she arrives tired, grieving, and unsure of herself. Her journey feels incredibly relatable because it isn\u2019t neat or easy.

One of the strongest scenes early in the book takes place before Catrine even reaches her friend Freddie\u2019s apartment. Almost immediately after arriving in the city she has romanticized for years, she is shoved to the ground and robbed. The moment perfectly shatters her idealized vision of Paris and forces both the character and the reader to confront reality. The humiliation and shock she experiences there set the emotional tone for much of the story. Instead of turning around and going home, however, Catrine decides to stay, showing the quiet courage that defines her character.

Another aspect of the novel I enjoyed was the complicated friendship between Catrine and Freddie. Their history stretches back to high school, where Freddie\u2019s bold personality first drew the shy Catrine out of her shell. Yet their dynamic isn\u2019t entirely healthy. The prologue already hints at deeper tension between them, culminating in an explosive argument that includes jealousy, insults, and even Freddie cutting Catrine\u2019s long braid with a knife. This scene reveals just how volatile their relationship can be and immediately adds suspense to the story.

Bohr also captures the emotional weight of family expectations beautifully. Catrine\u2019s strained relationship with her mother adds another layer of conflict. Her mother constantly undermines her confidence and criticizes her choices, which explains why Catrine struggles so much with self-doubt. When Catrine calls home from Paris and hears those familiar criticisms again, it\u2019s both heartbreaking and illuminating.

But the novel isn\u2019t all tension and introspection. There are also moments of warmth and charm, especially when Catrine meets Vincent, Freddie\u2019s cousin. Their first dinner together in a Parisian brasserie is one of my favorite scenes. The conversation about literature, wine, and Parisian culture creates a wonderful sense of atmosphere and hints at possible romance without rushing it.

Ultimately, When Paris Whispers is a story about finding the courage to become the person you want to be. Readers who enjoy thoughtful literary fiction, stories of personal growth, and vivid international settings will likely find themselves completely absorbed. It\u2019s a reflective, character-driven novel that proves sometimes the biggest adventure is learning to trust yourself.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:46:58", "publisher": "Brother Mockingbird", "page_count": "388 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078079", "title": "The House on Chestnut Circle", "author": "Sharon Mikeworth", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 97, "review": "\"The House on Chestnut Circle is a richly atmospheric and deeply unsettling experience that pulls readers in from the very first page. With masterful pacing and a creeping sense of dread, the story layers emotional depth, small-town tension, and psychological unease in a way that feels both intimate and irresistible. Each revelation is handled with subtlety, rewarding readers who love smart mysteries that linger in the mind rather than rely on shock. The House on Chestnut Circle is a beautifully crafted, haunting novel that stays with you long after the final page.\" \u2014Kathryn Dare, Portland Book Review", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:44:04", "publisher": "River Nation Publishing", "page_count": "309 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017078075", "title": "Margery and Me", "author": "Maryka Biaggio", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 486, "review": "As someone who loves historical fiction but also craves strong, slightly rebellious female leads, Margery and Me completely drew me in. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century spiritualism, this novel tells the story of Mina (later known as Margery), a woman determined to shape her own destiny in a world that keeps trying to define her. What makes it even more intriguing is that it\u2019s based on a true story and is narrated by her dead brother, Walter. Yes, really. And somehow, it works beautifully.

Walter\u2019s voice is easily one of my favorite parts of the book. He\u2019s witty, protective, a little sarcastic, and surprisingly tender. Watching Mina\u2019s/Margery's life unfold through his ghostly perspective adds so much depth. It\u2019s funny at times, heartbreaking at others, and always layered with this sense that he both understands her better than anyone and can\u2019t quite control the chaos she\u2019s walking into. That tension kept me hooked.

Mina herself is such a compelling character. She grows up under a harsh father, escapes into city life, endures a disappointing first marriage, and then reinvents herself. I loved how ambitious and self-aware she is. She\u2019s not perfect\u2014she\u2019s impulsive, proud, and sometimes blind to red flags\u2014but that made her feel real. Her second marriage to the charismatic Dr. Roy Crandon opens the door to high society, but also to new complications. The dynamic between Mina\u2019s hunger for independence and the societal expectations placed on her felt especially powerful.

The spiritualism aspect was fascinating. S\u00e9ances, table-rapping, public scrutiny, and the looming presence of skeptics, especially Harry Houdini, create this electric atmosphere. I didn\u2019t know much about that era of American history before reading this, but the author makes it feel vivid and cinematic without overwhelming the reader with facts. It\u2019s clear there\u2019s a lot of research behind the scenes, but the storytelling never feels heavy.

One thing I really appreciated was how the novel explores grief, ambition, and identity. Mina\u2019s connection to Walter, whether you read it as literal or symbolic, adds emotional weight. It\u2019s not just about fame or deception; it\u2019s about longing, family, and trying to be seen in a world that doubts women\u2019s power.

I think this book would especially resonate with readers who enjoy historical fiction centered on complex women; fans of stories about unconventional heroines navigating rigid social structures. If you love novels that blend real historical figures with fictionalized emotional depth, or if you\u2019re drawn to themes of female ambition and reinvention, this one\u2019s for you. It would also appeal to readers who enjoy a touch of the supernatural without venturing fully into fantasy.

Margery and Me is smart, entertaining, and surprisingly moving. It made me think about how far women have come, and how much courage it once took just to claim a voice. I closed the book feeling both inspired and a little haunted, which feels exactly right for a story about spirits and the women bold enough to call them.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "06-Jun-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:37:12", "publisher": "Maryka Biaggio", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078071", "title": "Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Health & Longevity: The Warrior's Way to Wellness", "author": "Y. Tony Yang", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 507, "review": "In Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Health & Longevity: The Warrior\u2019s Way to Wellness, Y. Tony Yang offers an ambitious and thoughtful reimagining of one of history\u2019s most enduring strategic texts. Rather than applying Sun Tzu\u2019s military philosophy to business or politics, Yang turns the lens inward, framing personal health as the most important campaign we will ever wage. From the outset, Yang establishes both intellectual credibility and emotional resonance. In the preface, he shares his childhood experience studying The Art of War in Taipei, later weaving that early exposure into his professional life as a health policy scholar. This personal narrative gives the book warmth and authenticity. Yang is not simply borrowing Eastern philosophy as a metaphor; he is integrating cultural inheritance with modern scientific understanding.

The book follows the structure of Sun Tzu\u2019s original thirteen chapters, reinterpreting each through the lens of preventive health and longevity. \u201cLaying Plans\u201d becomes building a personalized health strategy. \u201cAttack by Stratagem\u201d transforms into proactive prevention. \u201cThe Use of Intelligence\u201d evolves into monitoring biomarkers and learning from one\u2019s body. This structural parallel is both clever and surprisingly effective, providing cohesion to what could otherwise feel like a broad wellness manual.

One of the book\u2019s greatest strengths is its insistence on integration over fragmentation. In the introduction, Yang critiques modern medicine\u2019s tendency to treat isolated symptoms rather than interconnected systems. He illustrates this through relatable case studies, including professionals juggling medications, busy adults postponing preventive care, and individuals overwhelmed by conflicting advice. These examples humanize the argument without becoming overly sentimental.

Yang\u2019s tone remains measured and professional, yet gently encouraging. He avoids miracle claims and quick fixes. Instead, he advocates for what he calls strategic health\u2014long-term thinking, environmental awareness, disciplined habits, and alignment between values and lifestyle. The message is empowering rather than prescriptive: you are not a passive patient but the \u201cgeneral\u201d of your own body.

The economics of health maintenance, explored in early chapters, is particularly compelling. By comparing the long-term costs of chronic disease with the relatively modest investments required for prevention, Yang reframes wellness not as indulgence but as a prudent strategy. Readers who appreciate data-driven arguments will find this section persuasive.

That said, the book occasionally leans heavily on metaphor. Readers seeking step-by-step medical protocols may find the strategic framing abstract at times. However, for those open to a conceptual shift, seeing health as governance rather than repair, the approach is refreshing.

This book will resonate most strongly with readers who enjoy integrative health, Eastern philosophy, and big-picture thinking. Professionals interested in preventive medicine, wellness coaches, policy thinkers, and individuals navigating midlife health transitions will find particular value. It would also appeal to readers of holistic health works that bridge science and spirituality without veering into mysticism.

The Art of War for Health & Longevity invites us to stop fighting isolated battles and start cultivating favorable terrain. It is not about waging war against the body, but about governing it wisely. Yang\u2019s central insight is simple yet profound: the greatest victory in health is the illness that never takes hold.", "issue": "February 2026", "date_posted": "25-Feb-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:32:48", "publisher": "Tuttle ", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078067", "title": "Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Health & Longevity", "author": "Y. Tony Yang", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 463, "review": "As someone in her late sixties who has watched friends navigate everything from heart disease to cancer to early cognitive decline, I approached Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Health & Longevity with cautious curiosity. I have shelves full of health books promising \u201cthe answer.\u201d What I did not expect was a book that would ask me to think differently, rather than simply do more. Y. Tony Yang frames health not as a desperate fight against aging, but as a lifelong strategy. Drawing on Sun Tzu\u2019s ancient principles, he suggests that the best victories are the ones that require no battle at all. That idea alone stopped me in my tracks. At my age, so many conversations revolve around managing what has already gone wrong. Yang gently but firmly redirects the conversation toward preparation, awareness, and prevention.

What struck me most was his emphasis on integration. In the introduction, he critiques the way modern medicine often separates mind from body, nutrition from stress, and sleep from immunity. I have lived that fragmentation myself\u2014one doctor for blood pressure, another for joint pain, another for sleep. Yang\u2019s perspective felt validating. He acknowledges the brilliance of modern medicine, yet he encourages us not to surrender all responsibility to it.

One section that resonated deeply was the discussion of positioning oneself for health success. Rather than relying solely on willpower, Yang advocates shaping your environment\u2014your \u201cterrain\u201d\u2014so healthier choices become easier. After reading this, I rearranged my own kitchen, placing fresh produce front and center and moving the sweets out of immediate reach. It seems simple, but the shift has been surprisingly effective.

The chapter on energy and inner strength also felt particularly relevant for someone in later life. Yang does not equate vitality with youth. Instead, he speaks about managing resources wisely\u2014protecting sleep, moderating stress, choosing sustainable movement. I appreciated that he never suggests extreme regimens. His tone is respectful, almost companionable, as if he understands that our bodies at sixty-five require different strategies than they did at thirty-five.

If I have one critique, it is that the strategic metaphor may feel abstract to readers who prefer concrete meal plans or workout charts. This is not a quick-reference manual. It is a philosophical reframing of how we relate to our health.

I would recommend this book especially to readers over fifty who are beginning to sense the consequences of earlier habits and want a wiser path forward. It would also appeal to caregivers, retirees planning for active aging, and thoughtful individuals who enjoy reflective nonfiction. In the end, Yang\u2019s message is both sobering and hopeful: we may not control every outcome, but we can govern our daily choices with intention. At this stage of life, that feels less like warfare and more like stewardship, and that distinction matters deeply to me.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:32:42", "publisher": "Tuttle ", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078063", "title": "Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Health & Longevity: The Warrior's Way to Wellness", "author": "Y. Tony Yang", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 469, "review": "As a 29-year-old, I\u2019ll admit I didn\u2019t think a book inspired by The Art of War would change the way I look at my health. I exercise a few times a week, try to eat reasonably well, and assumed that was enough. But Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Health & Longevity challenged that comfortable mindset in ways I didn\u2019t expect. Y. Tony Yang\u2019s central argument is simple but powerful: the greatest victory in health is preventing disease before it ever takes hold. Instead of framing health as damage control, he reframes it as a strategy. That idea hit home for me. In my generation, we tend to optimize everything\u2014productivity hacks, financial investments, side hustles\u2014but rarely think of our bodies as long-term strategic assets. What stood out most was the concept of \u201cLaying Plans,\u201d which Yang adapts from Sun Tzu\u2019s framework for building a comprehensive health strategy. He encourages readers to assess their terrain: genetics, environment, stress levels, and sleep habits. I realized I had never actually looked at my family health history beyond casual mentions. After reading, I had a serious conversation with my parents about diabetes and hypertension in our extended family. That knowledge alone shifted how I think about my diet and fitness routine.

The chapter that resonated most with me was \u201cThe Use of Intelligence,\u201d which focuses on monitoring and learning from your own health data. As someone who already tracks workouts and steps, I appreciated how Yang expands that idea beyond surface metrics. He talks about using data strategically\u2014not obsessively, but intentionally\u2014to make informed decisions. It made me rethink how I interpret wearable stats and routine lab work. Data isn\u2019t just numbers; it\u2019s reconnaissance.

Another strong element is Yang\u2019s emphasis on systems rather than short bursts of motivation. I\u2019ve done intense 30-day fitness challenges before, only to fall off afterward. Yang\u2019s strategic model encourages sustainable positioning instead\u2014shaping routines and environments so healthy behavior becomes the default. For example, I shifted my late-night gaming sessions to earlier hours to protect sleep, something I previously brushed off as \u201cI\u2019ll catch up later.\u201d Framing sleep as foundational infrastructure rather than optional recovery was eye-opening.

The book isn\u2019t a step-by-step fitness manual, and readers looking for detailed workout programs won\u2019t find them here. Instead, it provides a framework for thinking differently about health as a lifelong campaign. The tone is thoughtful, grounded in both philosophical insight and modern science, without veering into hype.

I\u2019d recommend this book to young professionals who are ambitious about their careers but haven\u2019t yet applied that same strategic thinking to their bodies. It\u2019s also ideal for readers who enjoy blending classical philosophy with practical modern application. If you\u2019re in your twenties or thirties and think serious health planning is something to worry about \u201clater,\u201d this book makes a compelling case that later is built right now.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:32:35", "publisher": "Tuttle ", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078059", "title": "Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Health & Longevity", "author": "Y. Tony Yang", "category": "N08 Health, Fitness & Dieting", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 402, "review": "As someone who has read The Art of War before (and found it fascinating but admittedly a little intimidating), I wasn\u2019t sure what to expect from Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Health & Longevity. What I found instead was one of the most practical and motivating wellness books I\u2019ve read in a long time.

Y. Tony Yang brilliantly reframes Sun Tzu\u2019s ancient military principles into a strategy for everyday health. Instead of treating our bodies like battlefields under constant attack, he encourages us to become thoughtful generals by planning ahead, strengthening our defenses, and preventing problems before they escalate. I loved the idea that \u201cthe greatest victory requires no battle at all.\u201d That mindset shift alone changed how I think about my own habits.

The book walks through health in a structured, strategic way and covers everything from prevention and early intervention to mindset, environment, and long-term planning. What makes it stand out is how integrated it feels. Rather than focusing on one trend (like diet or fitness), Yang shows how sleep, stress, movement, nutrition, and even our physical environment all work together. It made me realize I\u2019ve often treated my health in pieces by fixing one issue while ignoring another.

I especially appreciated the real-life examples sprinkled throughout the chapters. Stories about people catching health issues early, investing in lifestyle changes before chronic disease sets in, or simply shifting their mindset from reactive to proactive made the concepts feel doable. This isn\u2019t a preachy book. It\u2019s strategic but compassionate. Yang emphasizes that health isn\u2019t about perfection; it\u2019s about positioning yourself wisely.

What have I already started applying? First, I\u2019m thinking more preventively. Instead of waiting until I feel run-down, I\u2019m prioritizing sleep like it\u2019s part of my \u201cdefense strategy.\u201d I\u2019ve also started looking at my calendar differently by blocking out time for walks and meal prepping. The idea of health as a long-term campaign rather than a 30-day sprint really resonated with me.

I also loved the emphasis on mindset. The chapter on being your own \u201ccommander\u201d hit home. It made me reflect on how I talk to myself when I slip up. Am I harsh and reactive, or strategic and adaptable? That alone felt empowering.

If you enjoy books that blend philosophy with practical application, and if you like the idea of becoming more intentional about your health without extreme rules, this is a great read. It\u2019s thoughtful, grounded in research, and surprisingly motivating.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "08-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:32:23", "publisher": "Tuttle ", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078055", "title": "Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads ", "author": "Clark T. Carlton ", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 455, "review": "I found Clark T. Carlton\u2019s Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads to be most compelling in the question it dares to ask: what happens after the prince carries the virtuous girl away? What becomes of the sister who was cursed? And what of the mother who shaped them both?

Charles Perrault\u2019s original tale,Diamonds and Toads, which this book is based on, is simple and moralistic. A kind farm girl, rewarded for helping a disguised fairy, drops jewels and flowers when she speaks; her cruel sister, punished for her vanity, spews vipers and toads. One rises to royalty. The other is cast out and left for dead. It is a story of stark justice, almost brutal in its symmetry.

Carlton, however, is uninterested in symmetry. He is interested in the aftermath.

From the opening chapters, we are plunged into a world where grief, class ambition, and moral compromise have real weight. Gwendolyn Honeydale, clearly inspired by the virtuous sister, possesses gentleness and generosity, but she is no porcelain figurine. She labors, she bleeds, she questions. Her mother and sister are not caricatures; they are women driven by fear of poverty and the hunger for status. That nuance is where the novel breathes. Life, as we know, rarely divides cleanly into roses and reptiles.

What most impressed me was the novel\u2019s atmosphere. There is a simmering darkness beneath the pastoral surface full of whispers of witches, forest superstitions, and social rot. This is indeed, as promised, a tale to slake the thirst of those craving a witch\u2019s brew. The magic feels older than courtly enchantment; it is earthy, dangerous, and threaded with consequence. One senses that every blessing carries a shadow, and every curse leaves residue.

The prose itself is lush without becoming indulgent. Carlton lingers over the making of glass, the harvesting of honey, the textures of cloth, and smoke and flame. These artisan details ground the fantasy in the tangible. As someone who has lived long enough to appreciate craft, whether in baking, sewing, or tending a garden, I found those passages deeply satisfying. They remind us that transformation, magical or otherwise, requires heat and patience.

This novel will resonate most with readers who grew up on fairy tales and now seek their complexities. Women who have navigated family tensions, ambition, disappointment, and reinvention will recognize the emotional truth beneath the fable. It is not a light bedtime story; it is a reflective, sometimes unsettling meditation on reward, punishment, and the cost of desire.

In the end, Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads suggests that fairy tales do not truly end with a wedding or a curse fulfilled. They ripple outward into lives that must still be lived. And that, to this seasoned reader, feels far more honest and far more enchanting.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "19-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:25:49", "publisher": "Seven of Cups", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078051", "title": "Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads ", "author": "Clark T. Carlton ", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 449, "review": "I\u2019ve always loved fairy tales, but I\u2019ve also always wondered what they leave out. Clark T. Carlton\u2019s Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads feels like the answer to that curiosity. Inspired by Charles Perrault\u2019s Diamonds and Toads, this novel doesn\u2019t just retell the story of the kind sister who speaks jewels and the cruel one who spits vipers, it asks what happens after the magic settles. And honestly? The aftermath is messier, darker, and way more interesting than the original fairy tale ever hinted at.

At its heart is Gwendolyn Honeydale, a farm girl whose goodness isn\u2019t sugary or unrealistic. She\u2019s grieving her father, navigating a toxic home life, and is constantly underestimated by her ambitious mother and sharp-tongued sister, Fanny. The opening funeral scene alone sets the tone\u2014this is not a soft-focus fairy tale. There\u2019s cruelty, manipulation, and social climbing right from the start. But Gwen\u2019s kindness shows up in small, powerful ways: how she cares for neglected animals, how she gives her own clothes to a poorer girl, how she harvests honey with gratitude instead of entitlement. Those details made her feel real, not just \u201cthe good sister\u201d archetype.

One of my favorite threads in the book is the glassmaking. When Gwen encounters Paolo, the young glassmaker, the scenes in the forge are vivid and almost cinematic. The fire, the molten glass, the delicate shaping all mirror Gwen\u2019s own transformation. She\u2019s under pressure, tested by heat, and slowly reshaped by circumstance. I loved that symbolism without it feeling heavy-handed. It\u2019s romantic, yes, but not in a rushed way. The relationship unfolds against class tensions and family expectations, which adds stakes beyond simple attraction.

The book also leans into a slightly gothic vibe. The forest feels dangerous. Rumors of witches and darker magic simmer in the background. There\u2019s this sense that blessings and curses don\u2019t just disappear once a prince gets involved. They linger. That\u2019s what makes this story feel like it\u2019s for readers who grew up and started asking harder questions. What happens to the \u201cbad\u201d sister? Does punishment actually fix anything? Does marrying well solve deeper wounds?

I found myself connected to Gwen\u2019s frustration at being boxed in by other people\u2019s plans. Her mother\u2019s obsession with status and land feels painfully relatable in a modern way, like parental pressure wrapped in old-world ambition. Gwen\u2019s quiet resistance, her desire for autonomy, and her insistence on compassion instead of cruelty felt empowering without being preachy.

This novel is perfect for readers who love fairy-tale retellings with edge, including fans of darker folklore, morally complicated families, and slow-burn transformation stories. It\u2019s magical, but it doesn\u2019t shy away from the consequences of magic. And that\u2019s what makes it linger long after the last page.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:25:44", "publisher": "Seven of Cups", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078047", "title": "Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads ", "author": "Clark T. Carlton ", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 453, "review": "Clark T. Carlton\u2019s Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads takes the familiar skeleton of Charles Perrault\u2019s Diamonds and Toads and builds something far more muscular around it. As a reader who has revisited enough fairy-tale retellings to approach them with caution, I was struck by how fully realized this novel feels. It is less a retelling than a continuation. It's a deliberate exploration of what such a moralistic tale would look like if its characters were allowed to live beyond the lesson.

The story centers on Gwendolyn Honeydale, a farmer\u2019s daughter whose innate kindness sets her apart from her calculating mother and socially ambitious sister, Fanny. The novel opens at their father\u2019s burial, a scene that quickly establishes the emotional and economic stakes. With the patriarch gone, the family\u2019s modest farm becomes leverage in a marriage scheme. Mother is intent on marrying Fanny into the wealthy Prigghemp family, who seek additional land to solidify their bid for nobility. Gwen, meanwhile, is reduced to drudgery, milking cows, harvesting honey, tending neglected animals, while absorbing both grief and humiliation.

Carlton weaves in elements that echo Perrault\u2019s original premise: virtue rewarded, vanity punished. Yet here, those qualities are not expressed through instant enchantment. Instead, we see character revealed through action. Gwen gives away her own outgrown clothes to a poor neighbor, risks reprimand to show compassion, and approaches her beekeeping with reverence rather than greed. Fanny, by contrast, hoards attention, weaponizes charm, and measures worth in status and spectacle. The moral contrast is present, but it is grounded in behavior rather than fairy dust.

A significant narrative thread emerges in Gwen\u2019s encounters with Paolo, a young glassmaker newly arrived in town with his family. The glassblowing sequences are among the novel\u2019s strongest passages. Carlton\u2019s descriptions of molten glass shaped in fire provide a fitting metaphor for transformation\u2014beauty forged under intense heat. The artisan trade also expands the novel\u2019s world beyond the farm and manor, introducing themes of craft, commerce, and class mobility.

As the plot unfolds, social tensions mount. Marriage negotiations, whispered rumors of witches in the forest, and the looming presence of nobility create a layered backdrop. The question becomes not simply who will rise or fall, but at what cost. Carlton allows his characters to confront consequences rather than wrapping events in neat bows.

This book will appeal to readers who appreciate historical texture in their fantasy and who prefer moral complexity over tidy endings. It suits those interested in the intersection of folklore and social realism, where land, inheritance, ambition, and reputation matter as much as magic. In expanding a brief seventeenth-century tale into a fully inhabited world, Carlton demonstrates that fairy tales endure not because of their simplicity, but because of the human truths waiting beneath them.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:25:33", "publisher": "Seven of Cups", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017078043", "title": "Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads", "author": "Clark T. Carlton", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 558, "review": "Gwen is mourning the loss of her father, her inconsolable grief compounded by the lack of decorum shown by her mother and sister as her father is laid to rest. Gwen is mortified at her sister Fanny\u2019s behavior as she disturbs her father\u2019s coffin to steal money to pay gravediggers. The prospect of a future living with a mother and sister who mistreat her and rely on her to do everything is grim. The day Gwen meets Paolo is a day when a little light begins to enter her world. Paolo, a young artisan, is smitten with Gwen and gives her a gift that touches her heart. Paolo wants to court Gwen, but when Gwen informs her mother, she is aghast when informed that she is betrothed to another man.

Gwen\u2019s fortunes appear to be at an ebb until the day she encounters a strange woman in the forest. The woman casts a spell on Gwen, which allows Gwen to produce diamonds and jewels at a whim. While Gwen\u2019s abilities are cause for fascination by townspeople and others, Fanny is afflicted with a curse that causes many, including her own mother, to recoil. Whereas Gwen can produce beautiful gems, dangerous snakes, and menacing toads emanate from Fanny. Fanny\u2019s spell has led to danger as a vengeful mob looks to capture her as she is blamed for the havoc caused by the frogs and serpents. Fanny soon finds herself exiled as her superficial mother casts her aside in favor of Gwen.

Gwen\u2019s beauty and her newfound abilities allow her mother to play matchmaker on a grander scale for her younger daughter, which leads to an engagement with Prince Merrin. Upon meeting a variety of the noble and royal class, Gwen witnesses the same ugliness in them as she saw in her mother and sister. She reluctantly marries the handsome Prince Merrin, but still thinks of Paolo. However, her first night with her new husband proves illuminating as she learns Merrin was forced into the marriage as well, and his true love must be kept a secret as it could prove scandalous to the kingdom. The newlyweds agree to keep each other\u2019s confidences, yet their future remains murky.

Meanwhile, Fanny has found commonality with a coven of witches, a group of women intent on causing a ruckus for the royals. Fanny is inspired to cause trouble for her mother and Gwen when she learns some ancient family history that casts a negative light on her mother. A confrontation between Fanny and her estranged family leads to destruction at the royal castle and questions about Gwen\u2019s powers and whether the sisters are colluding.

Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads is a nuanced fairy tale fantasy that charms from beginning to end. Gwen is the Cinderella-esque protagonist whose life is transformed from dreary to royalty as she is gifted with a talent both admired and highly sought. Gwen possesses the humanity and warmth that are lacking in her mother and sister. Her character arc progresses gradually from reserved and maltreated to assertive and regal. Author Clark T. Carlton has penned a terrific and inspired novel that reflects on how secrets often hold the same power as spells, beauty is skin-deep and fleeting, and how the power of love transcends all the riches in the world. This is a standout effort by a veteran storyteller.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "26-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:25:30", "publisher": "Seven of Cups", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078039", "title": "Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads ", "author": "Clark T. Carlton ", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 424, "review": "Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads is a vivid and imaginative novel that feels like stepping into a darker, more layered version of a classic fairy tale. Inspired by the story traditions of Charles Perrault, the book blends folklore, historical atmosphere, and emotional drama into a narrative that quickly pulls readers into the difficult life of its heroine, Gwendolyn Honeydale.

The story opens with the funeral of Gwen\u2019s father, and the scene immediately establishes the tension within her family. Gwen is grieving deeply, but her mother and older sister Fanny, show little compassion. Instead, they are focused on status, appearances, and what advantages might come from the father\u2019s death. This early chapter is striking because it introduces the emotional cruelty Gwen faces at home while also hinting at the larger themes the novel explores\u2014kindness versus vanity, sincerity versus ambition.

As a female reader, I found myself rooting for Gwen almost instantly. She is thoughtful, empathetic, and observant, particularly when interacting with animals or people who are treated poorly by others. One moment that stood out to me was her kindness toward the poor widow Rumblestoke and her daughter, whom Gwen helps by offering clothing and compassion when others would ignore them. These moments reveal Gwen\u2019s quiet strength and highlight the contrast between her gentle nature and the harshness of the people around her.

Carlton\u2019s writing style is rich with detail, which works beautifully for a story set in a medieval-style world of farms, markets, and noble households. The market scenes in particular are wonderfully described. When Gwen encounters the glassmakers selling brilliantly colored drinking glasses, the moment feels magical without actually being magical. The craftsmanship, the colors, and the atmosphere of the busy marketplace create a sense of discovery that adds warmth and beauty to the story.



The book carries a slightly darker tone than many traditional fairy tales, which I personally enjoyed. There is a sense that kindness in this world comes at a cost, and that Gwen will have to endure real hardship before her story unfolds. That tension kept me interested and curious about where the narrative would ultimately lead.

Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads is an engaging and beautifully written novel that should appeal to readers who enjoy fairy-tale retellings with a bit more depth and emotional realism. Fans of historical fantasy, folklore-inspired stories, and character-driven narratives will likely find this book especially rewarding. It\u2019s the kind of story that reminds us why fairy tales have endured for centuries; they reveal truths about human nature in ways that are both entertaining and meaningful.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:25:26", "publisher": "Seven of Cups", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078035", "title": "Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads ", "author": "Clark T. Carlton ", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 483, "review": "Clark T. Carlton\u2019s Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads is a richly imagined retelling that blends fairy-tale sensibilities with sharp emotional realism. From its arresting opening at a father\u2019s burial to its lush depictions of glassmaking, class ambition, and sisterly rivalry, the novel establishes a world both enchanted and uncomfortably human.

The story centers on Gwendolyn Honeydale, a grieving young woman whose kindness and emotional sincerity stand in stark contrast to her calculating mother and venomous sister, Fanny. The novel opens with a scene of raw hostility at their father\u2019s graveside, an unforgettable introduction that immediately grounds the narrative in themes of inheritance, power, and moral fracture. Gwen\u2019s compassion for animals, for the impoverished Widow Rumblestoke, and even for the fragile bees whose honey she harvests, reveals her as a heroine shaped not by na\u00efvet\u00e9 but by empathy. Carlton carefully builds her inner life, allowing readers to feel the humiliation she suffers and the small sparks of hope she clings to.

The arrival of Paolo, the glassmaker\u2019s nephew, introduces a thread of romantic and artistic possibility. The glassware itself becomes symbolic: delicate yet luminous, transparent yet strong. The scenes inside the forge are especially vivid, filled with heat, color, and transformation. Carlton\u2019s prose shines in these passages, lingering on sensory detail without becoming indulgent. The glassmaking process mirrors Gwen\u2019s own journey, subjected to pressure, reshaped by flame, yet capable of emerging as something rare and beautiful.

What impressed me most was the novel\u2019s tonal balance. While rooted in the structure of a classic fairy tale complete with cruelty, social hierarchy, and hints of the supernatural, it refuses to flatten its characters into simple archetypes. Mother is ambitious and sharp-tongued, but her desperation is grounded in social reality. Fanny is monstrous in moments, yet her vanity is painfully human. Even secondary characters, such as the Rumblestokes or the nobility observing the glassblowing, feel textured rather than decorative.

The novel explores class mobility, female agency, grief, and the cost of ambition. Gwen\u2019s moral compass is repeatedly tested: by her mother\u2019s schemes to marry into land and title, by her sister\u2019s cruelty, and by society's rigid expectations. There are fairy-tale echoes of diamonds, roses, vipers, and toads, but the emotional stakes feel immediate rather than whimsical.

Readers who enjoy layered fairy-tale retellings in the vein of historical fantasy will find much to savor here. Fans of authors who blend folklore with social commentary will appreciate Carlton\u2019s willingness to dwell in both beauty and bitterness. Those who love slow-burn romantic tension, artisan craft details, and morally complex family dynamics will be particularly drawn in. It would also appeal to readers who value strong yet gentle heroines\u2014young women whose power lies not in swordplay but in steadfast compassion.

Overall, Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads is an immersive and emotionally resonant tale. It reminds us that cruelty may be loud and glittering, but quiet kindness, like glass shaped by fire, can endure and shine.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "08-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:25:23", "publisher": "Seven of Cups", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078031", "title": "Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads ", "author": "Clark T. Carlton ", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jack Davis", "word_count": 552, "review": "Clark T. Carlton\u2019s Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads is an ambitious and imaginative reworking of classic fairy-tale traditions, blending dark folklore, social satire, and character-driven storytelling into a surprisingly layered novel. From the opening chapter, the book establishes a tone that feels both whimsical and cruel, much like the old European tales it draws inspiration from. The story begins with a strikingly bitter family scene during a father\u2019s burial, where young Gwendolyn Honeydale is immediately positioned as the moral center of a hostile household dominated by her vain sister Fanny and their calculating mother.

What stood out to me most as a reader is how Carlton embraces the stark emotional contrasts common to traditional fairy tales while still developing nuanced characters. Gwendolyn, introduced during her father\u2019s funeral, is clearly the sympathetic heroine\u2014kind, compassionate, and repeatedly mistreated by those around her. Her sister Fanny, by contrast, is manipulative and cruel, even stealing the coin placed in their father\u2019s mouth for burial rites. It\u2019s a scene that perfectly establishes the moral divide between the two sisters while also signaling that the story will not shy away from darker or more grotesque elements of folklore.

Carlton\u2019s prose style is another highlight. He writes with a theatrical flair that often feels intentionally old-world, which suits the fairy-tale setting very well. The dialogue is sharp, frequently humorous, and sometimes biting in its sarcasm. Characters like the priest Father Brimsby or the conniving Honeydale family add layers of personality to scenes that could otherwise feel purely archetypal. Even minor exchanges feel lively because the author clearly enjoys language and character voice.

The worldbuilding also deserves praise. The novel takes place in a vaguely medieval setting filled with market towns, farms, nobles, clergy, and traveling merchants. Carlton populates this world with vivid sensory details, from the bustle of a town market to the delicate craft of glassmaking. One particularly memorable sequence involves Gwen visiting a market stall run by foreign glassmakers whose beautiful, colored goblets and mirrors seem almost magical in contrast to her harsh rural life. Moments like this give the story a sense of wonder and discovery that balances the darker aspects of the narrative.

Another element I appreciated is the thematic depth beneath the fairy-tale framework. The book repeatedly explores ideas of kindness versus cruelty, class and ambition, and the ways power can corrupt people. Gwen\u2019s kindness toward animals and the poor stands in stark contrast to her family\u2019s social climbing and callousness. In many ways, Carlton uses these characters to examine how morality plays out in a rigid social hierarchy where wealth and status often trump decency.

If I had one criticism, it\u2019s that the pacing occasionally feels uneven early on. The novel spends a fair amount of time establishing characters and situations before the larger plot fully emerges. However, readers who enjoy richly detailed storytelling and character development will likely see this as a strength rather than a drawback.

Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads is a compelling blend of fairy-tale inspiration and literary storytelling. It will appeal particularly to readers who enjoy dark folklore retellings, historical fantasy, and morally driven narratives. Carlton demonstrates a clear love for classic storytelling traditions while giving them enough complexity and personality to feel fresh. For readers willing to immerse themselves in its richly imagined world, this is a rewarding and memorable novel.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:25:19", "publisher": "Seven of Cups", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017078027", "title": "Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads ", "author": "Clark T. Carlton ", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 430, "review": "When I first picked up Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads, I wasn\u2019t sure a fairy-tale continuation was going to be my thing. But this book surprised me in the best way. It\u2019s based on Perrault\u2019s Diamonds and Toads, but instead of just replaying the old moral story about the sweet sister who drops jewels and the nasty one who spits reptiles, it digs into what happens after all that. And that\u2019s where things get interesting.

The story follows Gwendolyn Honeydale, a farm girl stuck in a house where grief and ambition collide. Her father has just died, and the opening funeral scene is tense, awkward, and kind of brutal. Her mother is already scheming about land and status. Her sister Fanny is laser-focused on marrying into wealth. Gwen, meanwhile, is the one doing the work\u2014milking cows, tending bees, caring for animals nobody else values. It\u2019s not glamorous, but it makes her feel real. She\u2019s not \u201cperfect fairy-tale good.\u201d She gets angry. She feels trapped. She pushes back.

One of the coolest parts of the book is the glassmaking. Gwen meets Paolo, a glassblower, and the scenes in the forge are vivid and intense. Molten glass, roaring fire, shaping something fragile into something beautiful; it\u2019s easy to see the metaphor, but it doesn\u2019t feel forced. Those scenes gave the story momentum and a different energy from the farm politics and family drama.

There\u2019s also a darker edge running through everything. The woods feel dangerous. There are rumors of witches. There\u2019s constant tension about class and survival. It\u2019s not a cozy fairy tale\u2014it\u2019s more like what you\u2019d get if a traditional fable grew up and had to deal with real-world consequences.

If you like books like The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, where folklore meets gritty survival, you\u2019d probably vibe with this. Fans of Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik would appreciate the morally complicated characters and the way social class matters just as much as magic. And if you\u2019re into the slightly gothic fairy-tale atmosphere of something like The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert, there\u2019s definitely overlap here too.

This isn\u2019t an action-heavy fantasy with sword fights every chapter. It\u2019s slower, more character-driven. But if you enjoy layered family dynamics, slow-burn tension, and fantasy that feels grounded instead of flashy, this book delivers.

All in all, Diamonds and Roses, Vipers and Toads feels like a fairy tale that graduated into adulthood. It keeps the bones of the original story but adds weight, consequence, and complexity. I went in expecting something decorative. I came out thinking about ambition, kindness, and what \u201chappily ever after\u201d really costs.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "23-Mar-2026", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:25:10", "publisher": "Seven of Cups", "page_count": "367 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078023", "title": "My Mother Is a Dragonfly: A Memoir", "author": "Amy Scott Rooker", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 550, "review": "In My Mother Is a Dragonfly, Amy Scott Rooker offers a memoir that is both deeply unsettling and profoundly redemptive. From its opening pages, Rooker makes clear that this is not simply a story about grief, but about survival and about what it means to live in the long shadow of childhood trauma and still dare to hope for healing. As she writes in the prologue, this is \u201cthe story of how my mother became a dragonfly\u2014and how her death saved my life.\u201d That promise guides the reader through a journey that is as raw as it is luminous.

Rooker recounts her early years in suburban New Jersey and later Connecticut, painting a portrait of a family that, from the outside, appeared polished and successful. Her father was ambitious and achievement-driven; her mother mercurial, sometimes imaginative and loving, but often emotionally absent. Beneath the veneer of affluence and expectation, however, fissures were forming. Rooker describes a childhood marked by volatility, sibling cruelty, and eventually sexual abuse at the hands of her brother, the abuse compounded by her mother\u2019s shocking and devastating response. These scenes are written with restraint, which paradoxically makes them more powerful. The horror is not sensationalized; it is presented as lived experience, remembered with clarity and courage.

What distinguishes this memoir is not only its honesty but its reflective depth. Rooker does not remain fixed in victimhood. Instead, she examines how trauma shaped her adolescence\u2014her perfectionism, her hunger for achievement, her experimentation with alcohol, her divided sense of self. High school becomes a battleground of image and identity, where she oscillates between the \u201cgood girl\u201d persona and the hardened survivor beneath it. Her prose is emotionally intelligent, often lyrical, and threaded with self-awareness. Even in her darkest recollections, there is an undercurrent of compassion for her younger self. The memoir\u2019s spiritual dimension emerges most clearly after her mother\u2019s death, when a dragonfly appears in a moment of rupture and grief. This image becomes a symbol of transformation, guiding Rooker toward psychedelic-assisted healing, self-inquiry, and ultimately forgiveness. Readers open to discussions of mystical experience and alternative healing modalities will find this portion especially compelling. Those more skeptical may still appreciate the emotional truth beneath it: the longing to reclaim one\u2019s life from inherited silence and shame.

Rooker writes with the steady voice of a woman who has done difficult interior work. She does not excuse harmful behavior, but she does attempt to understand it by exploring generational patterns, unspoken family contracts, and the possibility that pain can become a portal rather than a prison. The tone is reflective rather than accusatory, and that restraint gives the book its quiet strength.

My Mother Is a Dragonfly will resonate most with readers who appreciate memoirs of resilience and spiritual transformation. Fans of trauma-recovery narratives, mother\u2013daughter explorations, and stories of post-traumatic growth will find much to sit with here. It would appeal to readers of reflective nonfiction who value emotional depth over tidy resolution. Book clubs interested in discussing family dynamics, generational wounds, and the meaning of forgiveness will find rich material for conversation.

This is not an easy book, but it is a brave one. And in its bravery, it offers something tender: the reminder that healing may not be about fixing what was broken, but about remembering who we were before the breaking began.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "30-Jan-2026 02:20:47", "publisher": "GFB", "page_count": "258 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078019", "title": "The Meaning of Fear", "author": "Laura Hulthen Thomas", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 499, "review": "Laura Hulthen Thomas\u2019s The Meaning of Fear is a haunting and intricately layered novel that lingers long after the final page. From its opening scenes, where a young Lea crouches in a driveway, crushing ants while a man from her past reenters her life, the book announces itself as unflinching in its examination of trauma, power, and the distortions of memory.

As a reader and reviewer, I was struck not only by the emotional weight of the story, but by the intelligence and restraint with which Thomas handles such volatile material.

Thomas\u2019s writing style is precise, lyrical, and psychologically astute. She has a remarkable ability to move between past and present without losing clarity, allowing memory to function almost as another character in the novel. The prose is richly textured but never indulgent. Scenes unfold with cinematic detail, such as the gravel driveway, the Mauser rifle above the mantel, and the wildflowers surrounding the beehives, yet the descriptions always serve the emotional stakes. Thomas trusts her readers to sit with ambiguity. She does not sensationalize abuse or fear; instead, she dissects them with the careful eye of a behavioral researcher, mirroring Lea\u2019s own professional lens.

The plot operates on multiple levels: part psychological drama, part mystery, and part meditation on generational trauma. We follow Lea into adulthood as she navigates her marriage, her career, and her unresolved past, while Paul\u2019s narrative offers a parallel exploration of inherited violence and moral reckoning. The suspense builds gradually rather than relying on shock. I appreciated how the novel refuses easy binaries of victim and villain. Characters are shaped by their histories in ways that are both unsettling and deeply human. Thomas invites us to ask whether fear conditions us toward revenge, forgiveness, or something murkier in between.

The characterization is, without question, the novel\u2019s greatest strength. Lea is complicated, brilliant, and painfully real. Her childhood coping mechanisms, control, observation, and emotional compartmentalization, evolve into adult patterns that both empower and isolate her. I am always attentive to how authors portray vulnerability and resilience, and while the novel\u2019s central characters are not framed through racial identity, the emotional truths of surviving harm and navigating systems of power resonate broadly. Lea\u2019s interiority is rendered with such empathy that her contradictions feel earned rather than contrived.

Paul\u2019s chapters add depth and contrast. His upbringing on a struggling farm, his fraught relationship with his father, and his sensitivity toward animals complicate our understanding of masculinity and inheritance. Thomas resists caricature. Even when characters behave destructively, she reveals the formative moments that shaped them. That generosity of vision elevates the novel beyond a simple thriller.

The Meaning of Fear is a bold exploration of how trauma reverberates through time and across relationships. It is both unsettling and compassionate, tense yet thoughtful. Readers who appreciate literary suspense will find this novel deeply rewarding. Thomas has crafted a work that challenges us to confront fear not as a fleeting emotion, but as a force that can define, distort, and, if faced honestly, perhaps transform us.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2026", "date_added": "29-Jan-2026 23:19:28", "publisher": "Regal House Publishing", "page_count": "284 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017078015", "title": "Overture to Murder", "author": "Erica Miner", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 442, "review": "Erica Miner\u2019s Overture to Murder is an absorbing and intelligent addition to the Julia Kogan Opera Mystery series, combining the rarefied world of grand opera with the satisfying architecture of a classic whodunit. As a longtime lover of mysteries, I found this novel very rewarding.

Set against the formidable backdrop of Wagner\u2019s Ring cycle at the San Francisco Opera, the novel opens with an atmosphere of tension and grandeur that immediately establishes both scale and stakes. The prologue, reaching back to 1922, lends the story a sense of legacy and continuity, while the present-day chapters immerse us in the complicated machinery of mounting Das Rheingold. Miner\u2019s familiarity with the operatic world is evident from the first pages; the rehearsal dynamics, the politics between stage director and management, and the physical layout of the opera house feel authentic and meticulously observed.

Julia Kogan, the protagonist, is a particularly appealing heroine. Now serving as interim concertmaster after a suspicious hit-and-run injures her predecessor, Julia must navigate not only the technical demands of Wagner\u2019s monumental score but also the fragile egos and rivalries that inevitably simmer behind the curtain. Julia\u2019s relationship with her partner Larry and their precocious daughter Rebecca adds warmth and dimension to the narrative. The scenes of Julia teaching Rebecca violin, complete with the child\u2019s imaginative interpretations of the strings, provide a tender counterpoint to the darker events unfolding at the opera house.

One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is Miner\u2019s portrayal of backstage tensions. The abrasive stage director Yves Chauvet is drawn with sharp precision: ambitious, temperamental, and dismissive of others\u2019 expertise. His public berating of Julia during rehearsal is both shocking and believable, and it sets the emotional groundwork for the tragedy that follows. When a fire alarm disrupts opening night and Chauvet is discovered dead in his dressing room, the transition from artistic drama to criminal investigation feels organic rather than contrived.

I especially enjoyed the way Miner layers professional hierarchies into the mystery. The general director, the orchestra manager, the house head, and the union dynamics; each plays a role in shaping both motive and opportunity. For readers like myself who relish procedural detail, these elements enrich the story rather than slow it down. The author\u2019s background as a violinist shines through in the descriptions of rehearsal pressures, bow strokes, and the unique responsibility borne by a concertmaster. Those passages lend the book a gravitas that elevates it beyond a standard cozy.

In all, Overture to Murder is a polished and engaging mystery that will delight opera aficionados and general readers alike. It offers intellectual intrigue, vivid characterization, and a richly textured setting that lingers long after the final page.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "29-Jan-2026 23:16:19", "publisher": "Level Best Books", "page_count": "300 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078011", "title": "Miriam in the Shadows", "author": "John Winn Miller", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 439, "review": "As someone who enjoys historical fiction a great deal, I found Miriam in the Shadows to be a confident, absorbing entry in John Winn Miller\u2019s Peggy C Saga. This third volume deepens both the emotional and historical stakes of the series, delivering a novel that is as intellectually engaging as it is narratively propulsive.

Miller\u2019s writing style is one of the book\u2019s greatest strengths. His prose is crisp and precise without feeling sterile, richly detailed without slipping into excess. The opening parachute drop over Nazi-occupied France immediately establishes a visceral sense of danger, and throughout the novel Miller maintains a careful rhythm that alternates between action, training, and political maneuvering. His background as a journalist is evident in the clarity of his descriptions and the confidence with which he integrates historical figures, locations, and military procedures into the narrative. The result is a novel that feels thoroughly researched but never weighed down by its scholarship.

The plot centers on Miriam Maduro, a Jewish resistance operative whose linguistic skills, battlefield experience, and emotional resilience make her uniquely suited for a mission that could directly affect the success of D-Day. What distinguishes this story from many WWII spy novels is its emphasis on preparation and consequence. Training scenes, whether in covert surveillance, hand-to-hand combat, or cultural observation, are treated with seriousness and narrative purpose. Each lesson pays dividends later, reinforcing the realism of the story and heightening the tension when Miriam must rely on those skills in the field.

Characterization is another area where the novel excels. Miriam is portrayed as capable and formidable, yet deeply human. Her trauma, her maternal instincts, and her complicated relationship with authority add emotional layers that prevent her from becoming a one-dimensional action hero. Supporting characters, including SOE officers and resistance figures, are drawn with nuance and individuality, often reflecting the moral ambiguities and institutional frictions of wartime intelligence work. Miller does not shy away from portraying bureaucratic failures, internal rivalries, or the personal costs of secrecy, which lends the novel a mature, reflective tone.

Readers who enjoy historically grounded espionage fiction will find much to appreciate here. Fans of authors like Alan Furst, Ben Macintyre, or Kate Quinn, particularly those who value realism over melodrama, are likely to be drawn to this book. It will also appeal to readers interested in lesser-known aspects of World War II, such as the role of women in covert operations and the complex machinery behind Allied intelligence efforts.

Miriam in the Shadows is a smart, gripping novel that respects both its subject matter and its audience. It rewards attentive readers with depth, authenticity, and a protagonist whose courage feels earned rather than embellished.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2026", "date_added": "29-Jan-2026 23:14:14", "publisher": "Bancroft Press", "page_count": "388 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017078007", "title": "A SECOND CHANCE", "author": "ASHER FREND", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 403, "review": "A Second Chance by Asher Frend is the kind of novel that unfolds quietly at first, then steadily deepens until the emotional weight becomes impossible to ignore. Told primarily through the eyes of Mikaila, a high-school sophomore navigating family instability, faith, and loyalty, the story blends coming-of-age realism with spiritual reflection.

One of the strongest aspects of the book is how grounded the early chapters feel. Scenes on the school bus, in gym class, and at track practice establish Mikaila as a thoughtful, disciplined teenager who is trying to hold her world together. Her friendship with Chara is immediately compelling. She's protective, sarcastic, and fiercely loyal. Their banter feels authentic, and moments like Chara defending Mikaila on the bus or teasing her in the hospital later on give the story warmth and familiarity. These lighter moments are important because they make what follows feel all the more devastating.

The turning point comes with Chara\u2019s car accident, a scene that reverberates throughout the novel. From Mikaila\u2019s haunting dreamlike vision to Chara\u2019s confused awakening in the hospital, this section stands out for its emotional clarity rather than shock value. The theme of second chances, both literal and spiritual, takes shape here, as Mikaila believes she has been given a divine task to save her best friend. Whether readers interpret these moments through a lens of faith, trauma, or metaphor, they are undeniably powerful and central to the story.

Another theme that runs consistently through the book is the burden of responsibility placed on young people too early. Mikaila shoulders far more than a teenager should: caring for her sister, navigating her mother\u2019s untreated mental illness, and quietly absorbing fear without complaint. The scene in which her mother threatens Kait with a knife is especially difficult to read, but it is handled with restraint and seriousness. It reinforces the book\u2019s commitment to portraying trauma honestly, without sensationalism.

Later chapters expand the emotional scope by introducing perspectives like Asa\u2019s, which highlight longing, insecurity, and the subtle ways manipulation can take root. These shifts in viewpoint deepen the narrative and reinforce the novel\u2019s underlying caution about vulnerability and trust.

Overall, A Second Chance is a reflective, emotionally layered novel that explores faith, forgiveness, friendship, and survival. It is not a light read, but it is a meaningful one. Readers who appreciate character-driven stories, thoughtful examinations of belief, and realistic portrayals of adolescence shaped by hardship will find this book both challenging and rewarding.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "06-Feb-2026", "date_added": "29-Jan-2026 23:11:14", "publisher": "SELF PUBLISHED", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017078003", "title": "Resume of a Restless Soul", "author": "Dave Becker", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 102, "review": "\"When Dave Becker walks away from the titles, paychecks, and expectations of corporate life, he\u2019s forced to confront a deeper question: who is he without them? Resume of a Restless Soul is a candid, often humorous memoir shaped by extraordinary careers, global adventures, and life-altering medical crises that bring everything into sharp focus. With warmth and unflinching honesty, Becker explores anxiety, reinvention, and the quiet struggle of redefining worth beyond a job title. This is a story for anyone who\u2019s ever felt out of place, pivoted midlife, or wondered what truly remains when the work is done.\" \u2014Kathryn Dare, Chicago Book Review", "issue": "January 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Jan-2026 22:49:04", "publisher": "KDP", "page_count": "345 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017071003", "title": "Cat on a Hot Tin Woof", "author": "Spencer Quinn", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 192, "review": "Chet is brave, loyal, sharp-eared, and has a great sense of smell. On the other hand, he\u2019s impulsive, possesses a short attention span, and has been known to bite. Chet\u2019s a dog, after all, and is the narrator of the latest delightful Chet and Bernie Mystery series. (If you\u2019re new to the series, you\u2019ll be thrilled to discover more than a dozen others that await you.) This time around, to Chet\u2019s dismay, they\u2019re off in search of a missing cat who is key to a young woman\u2019s social media fame. Add in a huge pig and some financial chicanery to complicate the plot. And then there\u2019s Bernie\u2019s mechanic, Nixon, who wants to sell Hollywood on a movie deal involving the reluctant pair, and you have all the makings of a perfectly delightful read. Chet is a keen observer of human behavior, even when he doesn\u2019t fully understand their motivations (boy, are their noses limited!), and his wry, humorous comments often made this reviewer chuckle out loud. With more suspense than a cozy mystery and far more humor than darker fare, Chet and Bernie are sure to please their many fans once again.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2026", "date_added": "28-Jan-2026 18:13:55", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017070003", "title": "A Murder in Hollywood", "author": "Michael Crichton writing as John Lange\u2122", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 191, "review": "It\u2019s the 1970s, and publicist Harvey Jason is on set in Arizona, filming the next blockbuster, when the film\u2019s writer is found dead in his hotel bathroom. The head honchos at the studio have called in Harlow Perkins, the insurance investigator, to, well, investigate. Harvey\u2019s job is to follow Perkins around and make sure this film stays on track. They may be in Arizona, but this Murder in Hollywood could either make or break this film.

I absolutely love Michael Crichton\u2019s stories. The way he wrote the characters is perfect. Perkins reminded me of Hercule Poirot, with Harvey as his Captain Hastings. I love how Crichton would include real-life facts, so after reading his stories, you come away a little bit smarter about whatever the subject is. I learned a lot about how movies are made from the side of the producers, directors, cameramen, etc. Besides all of these things, Crichton was just generally great at writing mysteries and thrillers. This story is no different. You think you have it all figured out, but then a twist at the end. I highly recommend this book to any Crichton fans out there.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jan-2026 23:30:05", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017069019", "title": "Villain", "author": "Natalie Zina Walschots", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 83, "review": "Energetic, witty, and wildly inventive, Villain delivers a thrilling sequel that fans of bold speculative fiction will devour. The Auditor\u2014once a henchperson now confronting an even bigger challenge\u2014commands the narrative with sharp intellect and biting humor. Set against a backdrop of chaotic superhero politics, this story mixes satirical worldbuilding with real emotional stakes, exploring agency, morality, and identity in ways that resonate. Fast-paced and deeply engaging, Walschots\u2019 novel turns every page into a clever surprise, making it a standout pick for spring reading.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "26-Jan-2026 23:42:31", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017069011", "title": "Cold War on Five Continents", "author": "Alfred W McCoy", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 199, "review": "E. Howard Hunt saw that the government of Guatemala was ripe for change. Their leader, Jacobo Arbenz, had caused a stir with his land reforms, and there was concern that he was sympathetic to the Communist cause. As \u201cMan on the Spot\u201d in Guatemala, CIA agent Hunt helped engineer the overthrow of Arbenz in 1954 with Operation PBSUCCESS. The face of combat had changed at the dawn of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. The period from 1945 to 1991 witnessed indirect battles via proxy wars fought in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The CIA became an instrument of covert action, engineering coups and assassinations to combat Communist influence, whether real or perceived. Men such as Hunt, Edward Lansdale, Lucien Conein, and others played pivotal roles in directing the operations meant to disrupt or destroy unfriendly governments. Ultimately, the results were mixed.

Alfred W. McCoy has covered covert geopolitical dealings for over 50 years, and \"Cold War on Five Continents\" is a masterpiece. McCoy\u2019s research is extensive and highlights the pivotal events of the Cold War and the recent resumption of hostilities between the global superpowers. McCoy contributes another noteworthy volume to his outstanding bibliography.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "26-Jan-2026 23:33:54", "publisher": "Haymarket Books", "page_count": "608 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017067003", "title": "MFKZ Vol. 3", "author": "Guillaume Run Renard", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 97, "review": "MFKZ Vol. 3 cranks the chaos and intensity to thrilling new heights, delivering a bold, adrenaline-fueled chapter in this cult-favorite series. Set against riots, repression, and the looming threat of global collapse, the story blends raw emotion with explosive action. Vinz\u2019s unexpected evolution and Angelino\u2019s struggle with anxiety add depth and urgency, grounding the apocalyptic stakes in very human fear and resilience. The artwork is kinetic and fearless, bursting with style, attitude, and dark humor. Unapologetically wild yet surprisingly thoughtful, MFKZ Vol. 3 proves the series\u2019s power to balance social commentary, character growth, and unforgettable visual storytelling.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2026", "date_added": "26-Jan-2026 21:26:10", "publisher": "Magnetic Press", "page_count": "136 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017065015", "title": "The Halls of the Dead", "author": "S M Hallow", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 94, "review": "Dark, decadent, and fiercely romantic, The Halls of the Dead by S. M. Hallow reads like a candlelit s\u00e9ance where love refuses to stay buried. Irene\u2019s devotion to Agnes is haunting in every sense\u2014aching, obsessive, and beautifully tragic. The gothic atmosphere is rich enough to taste, with necromancy woven into every emotional beat. What lingers most is the complexity of love after loss: what it means to hold on, and what it costs. This isn\u2019t a light summer fling\u2014it\u2019s a stormy, shadow-soaked romance that dares to ask if love can survive even death itself.", "issue": "August 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "26-Jan-2026 23:44:32", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017064003", "title": "Celebrate We Gullah Geechee", "author": "Yvette R Murray,Tonya Engel", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 202, "review": "The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor stretches along the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida\u2014a region shaped by the history, traditions, and creativity of descendants of enslaved Africans. For many Black Americans who call this area home, Gullah Geechee culture is a source of great pride, reflected in its distinctive architecture, lush landscapes, foodways, language, and powerful stories of community and resilience. The Gullah Creole language continues to be spoken by residents.

In Celebrate We Gullah Geechee, poet Yvette R. Murray introduces young readers to the beauty and richness of this living culture. Five children serve as guides to the magic of the Gullah Geechee life, bringing readers along the tree-lined streets, verdant gardens, Atlantic coast beaches, and family picnics.

Paired with Tonya Engel\u2019s vibrant illustrations, Murray\u2019s lyrical text honors a people whose roots reach back to West and Central Africa and whose traditions continue to thrive through hope, family, and connection. The book offers informative essays from the collaborators sharing their love for the region.

From majestic oak trees and Grandma\u2019s peaceful garden to the joyful meals that bring loved ones together, this picture book offers readers of all ages a warm and welcoming celebration of the Gullah Geechee corridor.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Jan-2026 20:54:09", "publisher": "Free Spirit Publishing", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017060019", "title": "A Thing Called Truth", "author": "Iolanda Zanfardino, Elisa Romboli", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 103, "review": "A Thing Called Truth is a vibrant, heartfelt graphic novel that blends romantic comedy, road-trip chaos, and emotional discovery with irresistible charm. Iolanda Zanfardino and Elisa Romboli create a dynamic pairing in Magdalene and Dorian, whose opposites-attract energy fuels both sharp humor and genuine tenderness. As the duo races across Europe, the story balances big ideas about purpose and identity with quieter, intimate moments that let the characters breathe and grow. The artwork is expressive and lively, perfectly capturing the story\u2019s warmth and momentum. Thoughtful, funny, and deeply affirming, A Thing Called Truth celebrates love, choice, and the beauty of embracing the unknown.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2026", "date_added": "26-Jan-2026 21:31:42", "publisher": "Oni Press", "page_count": "256 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017059007", "title": "Kill Dick", "author": "Luke Goebel", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 97, "review": "Dark, daring, and razor-sharp, Kill Dick is a gripping literary thriller that plunges readers into the seductive chaos of Los Angeles. When a string of murders targeting addicts begins to surface, privileged dropout Susie Vogelman finds herself tangled in a web of corruption connected to her own family. Goebel crafts a stylish, satirical narrative that blends suspense with biting social commentary, creating a mystery that feels both thrilling and thought-provoking. With vivid prose and an atmosphere thick with tension, the novel delivers a bold and unforgettable reading experience that keeps you turning pages long into the night.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "26-Jan-2026 23:39:33", "publisher": "Red Hen Press", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017057011", "title": "The Ashfire King", "author": "Chelsea Abdullah", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 190, "review": "\u201cNeither here nor there, but not so long ago,\u201d the Midnight Merchant, Loulie, and Prince Mazen flee to the land of the jinn to escape Mazen\u2019s murderous brother, Omar. What they come to discover is that the jinn cities are sinking further into the Sandsea. A civil war is forming as the jinn attempt to save their land, with Loulie and Mazen caught in the middle. The Ashfire King and his six companions were the ones to sink the jinn realm in the first place to save it from humans, but it might be humans who have to bring it back to the surface to save the jinn.

I waited four years for this book to come out, and I sincerely hope I don\u2019t have to wait another four for the last book in this incredible series. Abdullah weaves her tales like a master storyteller, always leaving you wanting more. You can\u2019t help but be transported to this magical realm, making you feel like you are a part of the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially fans of Katherine Arden or One Thousand and One Nights.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "12-Jun-2026", "date_added": "27-Jan-2026 18:49:29", "publisher": "Orbit", "page_count": "544 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017056015", "title": "The Sweater", "author": "Larissa Theule, Teagan White", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Anne Peters", "word_count": 185, "review": "Holly, a raccoon, goes hiking at the end of fall and finds a little bird stumbling, clearly in distress. When Holly says hello, the little bird flees to the shelter of an abandoned woodpecker\u2019s nest, but Holly understands that life can be hard. Holly gathers donations from other animals in the community, who remember what it was like to be new.

After checking on the little bird again, Holly knits the donations into a sweater and gifts it to the little bird as the cold winter arrives. Holly then helps shore up the old nest. During the harsh winter when the animals must stay in their homes, the little bird grows stronger and wants to thank those who helped him. One day, he gives them his beautiful song, which brings the whole community together.

Larissa Theule has written a beautiful story about the power of empathy and community to make the world a better place. Teagan White\u2019s cozy woodland illustrations perfectly complement the text. We can only hope that all little listeners grow up to create such a beautiful sense of community in their own lives.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "27-Jan-2026 18:44:45", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017054007", "title": "We Meet Apart", "author": "Martha Conway", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 86, "review": "Martha Conway\u2019s We Meet Apart blends historical fact with speculative twists in a World War II\u2013era tale of two sisters stranded in separate realities. When ocean travel halts in 1940, Gaby and Sabine find themselves in intertwining yet divergent versions of Ireland \u2014 one where the nation remains neutral and one where it\u2019s invaded. The sisters\u2019 only link lies in a remote manor where time and worlds overlap. Conway explores love, fate, and the thin veil between parallel lives as identity and belonging take center stage.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2026", "date_added": "24-Jan-2026 00:01:25", "publisher": "Regal House Publishing", "page_count": "266 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017049007", "title": "A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity", "author": "Rachel Linden", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 85, "review": "Rachel Linden\u2019s magical contemporary romance is pure comfort in book form. Set in a charming coastal town, this heartwarming tale follows a chocolatier whose family tradition grants her a shimmering vision of her destiny. As she navigates new opportunities, old friendships, and maybe even love, the story unfolds like a rich dessert\u2014sweet, satisfying, and brimming with warmth. With uplifting themes of second chances and finding joy in the unexpected, it\u2019s the perfect book to sip with a hot cup of tea while rain patters outside.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Jan-2026 23:51:28", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017039011", "title": "Merry-Go-Round Broke Down", "author": "David Woo, Margalit Shinar", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 76, "review": "This ambitious novel spans continents and decades, using interconnected parables to explore the human impact of globalization. Set around an international hotel takeover and informed by the authors\u2019 deep global insights, Merry\u2011Go\u2011Round Broke Down follows a cast of characters from diverse backgrounds whose lives become entwined by ambition, cultural clash, and historical forces. Though unconventional for the traditional historical fiction label, this narrative offers a wide\u2011angle view of 20th\u2011 and 21st\u2011century history\u2019s economic and cultural dynamics.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2026", "date_added": "23-Jan-2026 01:50:49", "publisher": "Regalo Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017038003", "title": "Princess Minna: The Best Princess (Volume 5)", "author": "Kirsty Applebaum, Sahar Haghgoo", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 197, "review": "Princess Minna lives in Castle Tall-Towers with her parents, the King and Queen. Princess Minna has a magic mirror that she will periodically ask to hear who is the best princess around. One day, she does this and is surprised to hear it give an unexpected answer - Princess Sky-Blue, visiting her kingdom from a neighboring land. Princess Minna gets jealous and sets out to trick Princess Sky-Blue to prove that she can't actually be the best princess, and that the mirror must have made a mistake. The more Princess Minna works at this trickery, the more it backslides, making Minna have to take a good look at herself in the mirror and determine if the magic mirror could be correct after all.

The thing I love about Princess Minna stories is that there is always a relatable problem, particularly so for younger readers, and she ends up solving the problem with princessly grace, even if she has to learn some lessons along the way. The story is entertaining and keeps your attention throughout the book. The illustrations are always full-page and colorful, and there is never a lack of something to look at on each page.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "31-Mar-2026", "date_added": "22-Jan-2026 21:55:03", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017037007", "title": "The Railroad Kitten", "author": "Holly Webb,Sophy Williams", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 11", "word_count": 211, "review": "The Railroad Kitten by Holly Webb, in the Pet Rescue Adventures series, follows humans/friends/classmates Scarlett and Abbie as they meet and fall in love with Whiskers, a tortoiseshell kitten who roams around the train station as they are boarding their train for school. Whiskers brings much joy and fun for the short time the girls see and play with her, but they know that she has owners not far away. One day, when Whiskers isn't at the train station, they don't have a reason to, but they get worried; they find out she was in an accident, and it might be up to them to find a way to treat her. The girls must work together, rely on others, and do everything they can for their new friend before it might be too late.

I love every Holly Webb book I read, especially the ones featuring cats, and this one is no different. I love picturing myself as the main (human) character (even though I have cats of my own) because she writes them so relatable and understandable that I always get invested and hope for the best. This story has (mild) suspense, an overload of feline cuteness, and a happy ending that will please any reader, particularly animal lovers.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2026", "date_added": "22-Jan-2026 21:35:46", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017036015", "title": "The Redline Heist", "author": "Michael Mersault", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 193, "review": "The Redline Heist by Michael Mersault is a techno-thriller space opera featuring cars from a bygone era and an abandoned alien asteroid base that holds many secrets. Think Death Race 2000 meets Forbidden Planet. And while you're conjuring images from the '50s and '70s, picture one of those grand space adventure novels of the '70s and '80s, complete with a retro feel. Now add muscle cars, a fast-talking con man with a fixation for old Earth nostalgia, a beautiful war criminal who's as tough as she is attractive, and a mega-rich schemer looking to one-up his older brother, and you have The Redline Heist.

\nThe Redline Heist is billed as a fast-paced thriller, and while this novel has the potential, most of its time is spent setting up for high-octane action. But when it finally gets there, we get an outer space demolition derby. The dialogue can feel a bit clunky at times, yet the characters are straightforward and easily relatable. All in all, The Redline Heist has that irresistible dime-store sci-fi charm of a classic from the 1970s or '80s. Even the cover art evokes the same emotions as those beloved classics.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "12-Jun-2026", "date_added": "23-Jan-2026 00:18:08", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000017035015", "title": "The Art and Craft of Japanese Cooking", "author": "Nancy Singleton Hachisu,Alice Waters", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kristina Fox", "word_count": 169, "review": "The Art and Craft of Japanese Cooking by Nancy Singleton Hachisu is an exquisite cookbook for anyone who would like to learn more about Japanese cooking methods and recipes. The book introduces readers to the different regions in Japan and several well-known chefs. The book starts with teaching the five essential elements of Japanese Cuisine\u2014sa (sugar), shi (salt), su (vinegar), se (soy sauce), and so (miso). It describes their uses and how to buy them. Next, a few special ingredients are described, such as dried fish and aromatics. From there, we have chapters with beautiful photographs of Japan that depict the Japanese culture and way of life. From farming to holiday traditions to food layouts, this book explains it all.

My favorite part of the book, of course, is the mouthwatering recipes. From crab miso to pan-seared olive beef with caponata, each recipe is made with care and full of the wonderful flavors Japan is known for. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Japanese culture and cooking.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2026", "date_added": "22-Jan-2026 23:52:30", "publisher": "Tuttle Publishing", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017035007", "title": "Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Awakening of Roku (Chronicles of the Avatar Book 6) (Volume 6)", "author": "Randy Ribay", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 212, "review": "It\u2019s been long, hard work, but Roku has finally mastered airbending, meaning it\u2019s time for him to leave the air temples behind to go North. He hopes to find a waterbending teacher in the capital and continue his journey to becoming the Avatar the world needs him to be. On his way, Roku finds out not all is well in the North, far from it; a sickness is spreading through the animals, turning them into vicious beasts, and the Northern leaders are attempting to expand trade, possibly at the expense of the small tribes that wander the frost-covered lands. It\u2019s up to Roku to find out what\u2019s going on before it's too late.

If you haven\u2019t read the first book about Roku, this one won\u2019t make much sense; many things are referenced from the first, and many relationships are expanded on. The characters are interesting and bring the world to life with their motives and emotions. The villain is hidden in plain sight, or is she? The clues are there, but they had me guessing from the beginning, and rely on trust issues built in the first to really make me question who the villain is. The plot was interesting, with high, unpredictable stakes. Multiple stories are happening, but they are all intertwined.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "04-Mar-2026", "date_added": "22-Jan-2026 20:55:24", "publisher": "Amulet Books", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000017034003", "title": "Junie", "author": "Erin Crosby Eckstine", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 80, "review": "In Junie, Erin Crosby Eckstine delivers a powerful coming\u2011of\u2011age story set on a Southern plantation as the Civil War approaches. Sixteen\u2011year\u2011old Junie, enslaved since birth, grapples with loss, the supernatural, and her own yearning for liberation after her sister\u2019s death. When Junie inadvertently awakens her sister\u2019s ghost, she embarks on a journey that tests her courage, resilience, and heart. Blending historical realities with lyrical storytelling, this novel explores themes of agency, community, and the search for freedom in turbulent times.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Mar-2026", "date_added": "22-Jan-2026 20:39:33", "publisher": "Random House Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017033007", "title": "Big Digs", "author": "Kiko Sanchez", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 190, "review": "For thousands of years, people have been building great structures, such as the Egyptian pyramids and the Golden Gate Bridge, but there are equally great structures that are mostly out of sight. Some underground structures are every bit as grand and difficult to build as any on earth. This book looks at 20 incredible underground structures around the world and explains what is known about their use and methods of construction. Some of those shown are expected, such as the Chunnel Tunnel and the Big Dig in Boston, but some are not commonly known, such as the Drammen Spiral and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. All are fascinating. Each has its own spread with several paragraphs explaining why the structure was built, some of the methods used, and, in some instances, the discovery of it. Beautiful, detailed illustrations show the structures in cutaway views to give readers a real sense of the size and difficulty of building such a thing. The writing is conversational and appropriate for young readers. A glossary at the end will help middle-grade readers with some of the unfamiliar terms. This is a real winner.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "05-Jun-2026", "date_added": "22-Jan-2026 21:32:27", "publisher": "Helvetiq", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017032015", "title": "The Cellar Below the Cellar", "author": "Ivy Grimes", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 99, "review": "The Cellar Below the Cellar by Ivy Grimes is a delightfully strange, darkly playful tale that blends folk horror with a coming-of-age journey. Set in an off-grid world lit by eerie, endless auroras, the story follows Jane as she uncovers the unsettling rhythms of her grandmother\u2019s isolated community. Grimes leans into the uncanny, filling the narrative with off-kilter characters, creeping tension, and a sense that something ancient waits just out of sight. Beneath the surreal atmosphere lies a powerful exploration of identity, female empowerment, and belonging. It\u2019s weird in the best way\u2014haunting, imaginative, and impossible to look away from.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "23-Jan-2026 00:29:12", "publisher": "Violet Lichen", "page_count": "180 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017031019", "title": "Monster Hunter Nemesis", "author": "Larry Correia", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 202, "review": "MHN is sure to be a hit for video gamers. All the chief characters have capability ratings and recovery times, and are known to the reader from previous games.

As most of the groups, protagonists, collateral victims, and so on are already known, I\u2019m in no danger of being a spoiler here. So, to entice readers, Frank is at core a contract-limited demon, essentially immortal, capable of assimilating parts as needed and found (or literally ripped off). He is murderously emotionless \u2013 or is he?

Putting this prodigy under sufficient stress to generate real conflict shows us one aspect of Correia\u2019s writerly genius.

Earl and his Werelady inamorata are present and alternately kicking asses and having their own booted about.

Interpersonal bonds, attractions, and shared histories are well revealed.

Combat action starts on the first page and never stops, is engaging and immersive. This is a sleep thief of a book.

The aforementioned characters and others arrive on stage with newly acquired capabilities and internal questions that have been delivered via earlier Monster Hunter episodes. Some have longstanding attributes unveiled during the action or its rare pauses.

Reunitings and losses make for a rollercoaster of a read, and make MHN yet another full value offering by prolific Larry Correia.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "12-Jun-2026", "date_added": "23-Jan-2026 01:55:35", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017031007", "title": "Now You Know Your ABCs", "author": "Caspar Salmon,Matt Hunt", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kristina Fox", "word_count": 149, "review": "Now You Know Your ABCs is a wonderful spin on your average, everyday alphabet book. The book starts out like any other alphabet book\u2014with an alphabet. Then, the letter B is for ball. A few pages in, and a wolf appears. Children will giggle when the wolf pops up and say, \"he's not supposed to be there!\" What ensues after this is an adventure that feels a bit like Little Red Riding Hood. Readers end up in France and find an old wooden door that is locked. The reader must find a way home, but it seems like the wolf is lurking everywhere. Readers encounter a magic carpet that magically brings them home. This book is so cute and fun that children of all ages will get a kick out of finding the wolf. The illustrations use vivid colors and cartoony expressions. This book will quickly become a favorite!", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2026", "date_added": "22-Jan-2026 21:25:36", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017218011", "title": "How Western Christianity Got It Wrong", "author": "Randy Woodley", "category": "N17 Religion", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 218, "review": "In How Western Christianity Got It Wrong, Randy Woodley examines how Christianity has been exploited by oppressive regimes throughout history to advance colonial aspirations, justify racial hierarchies, and legitimize land dispossession. Woodley dismantles flaws in how modern Christians understand the gospel by addressing commonly misunderstood concepts, such as biblical authorship and doctrines of war. He guides readers through the development of Western theology, historicizing how present-day beliefs about sin and salvation evolved. Woodley argues that \"Platonic dualism\" created dogma that justified societal inequalities and environmental degradation.

Drawing from his decades-long ministry in Native American Christian churches, Woodley reclaims Christianity's Indigenous roots. He draws parallels between the teachings of Christ and Indigenous knowledge to illuminate a spiritual movement originally anchored in right relationship, hospitality, generosity, and kindness toward others. In contrast to the materialism and compartmentalization pervasive in Western Christian belief systems, Indigenous worldviews integrate the seen and unseen worlds, emphasizing holistic care for spirit, soul, and body.

As both scholar and teacher, Woodley writes in a straightforward, approachable style that engages readers from diverse backgrounds. His work powerfully connects Western value systems and Christianity's co-option by empire to contemporary rhetoric about immigrants, poverty, racism, and patriarchy. This book offers essential reading for anyone seeking to realign their faith with the radical hospitality and justice at the heart of the gospel.", "issue": "July 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Feb-2026 19:34:40", "publisher": "Augsburg Fortress Publishers", "page_count": "262 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017218007", "title": "The Biggest Lie", "author": "Joseph Kelly", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 190, "review": "Fascism is one of the more interesting modern political theories, developed largely as a counter to communism, to come about in the aftermath of the Revolutions of the 1700 and 1800s in Europe and America. With the rise of more modern Neo-Fascist parties, there has been an effort to study the rise of fascism and discover its more primitive beginnings before it became more fully developed in the 20th Century. This book makes the argument that the ideas of fascist thinking largely arise in the Deep South, especially after the Civil War and Reconstruction, and went from that point in time to spread across the country influencing large corporations and individual people and their thinking.

Personally, I do not find the argument entirely convincing myself. While there are elements of fascist thought in the immediate years after the Civil War, especially with the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, that does not mean that led to the beginning of fascist thinking and development. The author tries to argue that fascism, because of its rise in the Deep South, is largely an American process, again something that I do not agree with.", "issue": "July 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Feb-2026 19:32:29", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000017217003", "title": "Sharknado Warning (Max Beast #1)", "author": "Maddy Mara", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 12", "word_count": 188, "review": "Max and his parents are on a vacation together, scuba diving after learning of a recently sunken yacht, which is interesting news to them, but more interesting to some looters they find sneaking around the crash site. While his parents check things out and Max stays on the boat, he experiences some excitement of his own when a Great White shark starts ramming into his boat, nearly sinking it! Max's vacation changes him in unexpected ways when he turns into a Great White shark. But now he needs to figure out how to change back and how to use this power to his advantage!

Sharnado Warning is the first book in the Max Beast series, and I'm excited to read more about him and possibly other animals he might figure out how to become! The story offers excitement and thrills while incorporating other water life for enjoyment and knowledge. Readers around the age of eight to twelve will get the most enjoyment and understanding from this and future stories in the Max Beast series. Readers who love sharks and other ocean animals, shipwrecks, and magic will love this story!", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Feb-2026 19:28:34", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "128 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017216003", "title": "The Honesty Crisis", "author": "Christian B Miller", "category": "N18 Philosophy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 211, "review": "We are drowning in information, yet starving for honesty. The crisis is no longer coming \u2013 it\u2019s already here. This book examines honesty as a foundational virtue and traces how it is quietly eroding in our hyper-connected world. Each chapter delves into one key aspect of honesty, framed by a handful of probing questions that guide the discussion.\r\n\r\nThe opening chapter explores what honesty truly means, revealing that it extends far beyond simply \u201cnot lying.\u201d These foundational insights shape the rest of the book. The following seven chapters examine the many ways honesty is compromised today \u2013 from lying and deepfakes to infidelity, AI-enabled cheating, fake news, celebrity culture, and even the pulpit. The final chapter asks whether honesty is still worth defending, and what we stand to lose if it isn\u2019t.\r\n\r\nThe discussions are thoughtfully structured and linger in the mind long after the final page. The framing questions keep each chapter focused while still sparking broader reflection. The most compelling sections are the first and last: the former for its nuanced breakdown of honesty\u2019s many dimensions, and the latter for its passionate argument that honesty remains worth protecting. Strongly recommended for anyone seeking a serious, in-depth exploration of one of society\u2019s most urgent \u2013 yet often overlooked \u2013 crises.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Feb-2026 18:49:20", "publisher": "Oxford University Press", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017215003", "title": "Kin: Oprah's Book Club: A Novel", "author": "Tayari Jones", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 243, "review": "Tayari Jones has a superpower when it comes to writing novels about complex relationships. This is apparent in her earlier work, like Silver Sparrow and An American Marriage--the latter of which was long-listed for the National Book Award in 2018, but in Kin that power is heightened by the brilliant and troubled lives of Annie and Niecy.

The two girls call themselves \"cradle friends,\" but truly feel more like sisters. Each was born into difficult circumstances. While Niecy's mother was murdered by her father, who then killed himself, Annie's mother abandoned her. Their upbringing, raised by kin who did their best, is a mirror of one another. Niecy has support and makes her way from Honeysuckle, Louisiana, to Spelman College, where the fullness of life is on display for the first time. She is no longer the precious orphaned daughter, but someone who works hard, gets ahead, and falls in with Civil Rights activists while finding love for the first time. In parallel chapters, Annie runs away from home before graduation day, hopeful that she can find her way to her missing mother and a life of belonging she's never felt.

Told in alternating chapters and locations, we see these girls become women who, despite distance and time and wildly divergent lives, remain committed to one another in the way only chosen family can be. Simply, Kin is a masterpiece. Lovers of Toni Morrison and Zora Neale Hurston will especially love this book.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "12-Jun-2026", "date_added": "27-Feb-2026 18:47:35", "publisher": "Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017213015", "title": "The Ghost Women", "author": "Jennifer Murphy", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 182, "review": "On Waverly Island, there is an exclusive art academy called St. Luke\u2019s Institute of the Arts. Students don\u2019t apply; they get recruited. The academy has a sordid history as a place where witch trials and executions were held. On the grounds is a special tree, where it\u2019s said The Ghost Women live; all the souls of those burned at the stake over the centuries. It\u2019s from this tree that one of the students is found, dead and posed like a tarot card. Detective Lola Germany will have to dig deep to discover what\u2019s really going on at St. Luke\u2019s.

Interestingly, I thought this book would be more supernatural, but it turned out to be more of a police procedural with some witchy elements. While there are supernatural parts to the story, most of it is focused on solving the murders. If you enjoy stories that feature strong women who may or may not have supernatural gifts, whether you agree with their choices or not, then this is a book for you. There are dark topics and gruesome imagery, though, so be forewarned.", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Feb-2026 18:41:21", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000017209007", "title": "Landscape In Lavender", "author": "Brooks Kolb", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 94, "review": "In Landscape in Lavender, Brooks Kolb maps a life shaped by movement\u2014across cities, relationships, and eras of queer history. His memoir carries the weight of the AIDS crisis alongside the tentative freedoms of the sexual revolution, creating a narrative that feels both intimate and historically grounded. Kolb writes with reflective clarity about love, loss, and the search for belonging, never shying away from complexity. What emerges is a portrait of resilience that feels earned rather than idealized. This is a story about building a life piece by piece, even when the blueprint keeps changing.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "27-Feb-2026 19:09:19", "publisher": "SparkPress", "page_count": "328 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017208003", "title": "The Illustrated Dictionary of Japanese Food", "author": "Richard Hosking,Debra Samuels", "category": "N15 Reference", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 219, "review": "The Illustrated Dictionary of Japanese Food by Richard Hosking is far more than a culinary reference: it is a cultural immersion. Hosking, who has lived in Japan for over 25 years, approaches his subject with deep reverence, exploring not merely what Japanese people eat, but the philosophy, tradition, and aesthetics woven into every meal.

The foreword, contributed by food writer and longtime collaborator Debra Samuels of \"The Boston Globe\" \u2014 herself a former resident of Japan \u2014 sets an inviting tone, offering thoughtful reflection on Hosking's distinctive methodology and his ability to bridge cultures through food.

As a home cook and student of diverse cultures, what drew me to this book is its embrace of the cultural context surrounding food. Beyond the Japanese-to-English definitions one would expect from a dictionary, Hosking dedicates the appendices to sharing critical components of Japanese cuisine. Readers discover how miso and sake are made, as well as the Japanese concept of \"eating with your eyes\" \u2013 a guiding principle of a people\u2019s culinary tradition. Seasonal colors, ceremonial plating, and communal ritual are inseparable from the meal itself.

This book is a great addition for any home cook or cultural traveler\u2019s library. The glossy, full-color volume is a visual delight, its careful design a fitting tribute to a cuisine celebrated for its beauty as much as its umami.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2026", "date_added": "26-Feb-2026 21:36:38", "publisher": "Tuttle Publishing", "page_count": "248 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017204007", "title": "The Worried Book", "author": "Howard Pearlstein,James Munro", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 14", "word_count": 136, "review": "What if you are worried? First, what is worried? You could read this book to find out what worried means and what to do if you are worried. This book is worried about being read. This is a silly book. Why would a book worry about being read. Doesn't he want to be? He thinks no one will like him. It seems that you could think about all the bad things that could go wrong, or you could think about how things could go right. People might like to read his book. The pictures are cute and very green. Probably because he is so worried. I think this is a good book for readers who want to learn more about not being worried. There are more books in this series that I would like to read.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2026", "date_added": "26-Feb-2026 00:20:37", "publisher": "Red Comet Press", "page_count": "36 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000017203011", "title": "The Winter Verdict", "author": "Dan Buzzetta", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Ruta Arellano", "word_count": 190, "review": "Fans of legal thrillers will welcome this tale set at a winter ski resort, with no grubby city streets in this novel. Tom Berte, a former Department of Justice lawyer, has moved to a rural town, Castle Ridge, to escape the pressures of his past. Castle Ridge has so far proved to be a good choice. There\u2019s an elegant ski resort and just enough work to make a small-town lawyer comfortable in semi-retirement.

There\u2019s a mysterious corporation called Phoenix Holdings Group (PHG) that wants to build something unknown on a parcel of land next to a large reservoir that flows into the New York City water supply. The plot thickens when Tom is attacked one morning while skiing at the resort. Days later, a mysterious and grossly fatal \u201caccident\u201d occurs at the resort. \nTom is the attorney for the resort owner. He finds himself in a deepening and very challenging legal mess involving PHG and Castle Ridge Ski Resort. There ensues an ongoing mind game that gradually becomes a major threat to Tom, his family, and the resort.

This Tom Berte novel is a traditional legal thriller that speeds to the finish.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "05-Jun-2026", "date_added": "26-Feb-2026 01:17:23", "publisher": "Severn River Publishing Llc", "page_count": "286 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000017202083", "title": "Amundsen's Boat", "author": "Sean Freeman", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 412, "review": "Sean Freeman\u2019s Amundsen\u2019s Boat is a richly layered crime novel that blends historical intrigue with a classic police procedural, resulting in a story that feels both cerebral and atmospheric. From the opening pages, it\u2019s clear that Freeman has done his homework, weaving real-world history, particularly the legacy of Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, into a fictional narrative that unfolds with steady confidence.

The novel begins with a compelling prologue recounting Amundsen\u2019s historic voyage through the Northwest Passage aboard the Gj\u00f8a, grounding the reader in a sense of exploration and national pride. This historical thread becomes more than mere backdrop; it sets the stage for the central mystery when a young woman\u2019s body is discovered aboard the same vessel decades later, newly returned to Oslo.

At the heart of the story is Constable Inspector Per Steindal, a former competitive skier turned homicide detective. Steindal is an engaging protagonist who is intelligent, observant, and just inexperienced enough to make his growth throughout the novel satisfying to follow. His dynamic with the seasoned and somewhat cynical Detective Inspector Lars Christian provides both tension and occasional humor. Christian\u2019s gruff mentorship balances Steindal\u2019s ambition, creating a partnership that feels authentic rather than formulaic.

The investigation itself is methodical and grounded in detail. Freeman doesn\u2019t rush the process; instead, he allows the mystery to unfold through careful observation, forensic insight, and dialogue. The discovery of the victim immediately raises questions not only about the crime but also about how the body ended up aboard a historic ship transported across continents. The subsequent shift to San Francisco broadens the scope of the narrative, introducing Inspector Lu Chan of the SFPD, whose perspective adds both cultural contrast and narrative depth.

What stands out most is Freeman\u2019s attention to setting. Oslo is rendered with a cold, precise clarity, while San Francisco feels vibrant and chaotic by comparison. The juxtaposition of these locations enhances the story\u2019s tension, reinforcing the idea that this is not a straightforward case confined to one jurisdiction.

This book will appeal to readers who enjoy intelligent crime fiction with a strong sense of place. Fans of authors like Henning Mankell or Jo Nesb\u00f8 will find much to appreciate here. It\u2019s also well-suited for readers who enjoy mysteries rooted in history, as well as those who prefer character-driven narratives over purely plot-driven ones.

Amundsen\u2019s Boat is a rewarding read that readers will find quietly compelling. It\u2019s the kind of novel that respects its reader, offering not just a mystery to solve, but a world to inhabit.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 01:34:46", "publisher": "IngramSpark", "page_count": "323 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017202079", "title": "Osprey Gold", "author": "Thomas Lion", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 423, "review": "Thomas Lion\u2019s Osprey Gold wastes little time establishing that its world runs on attraction, threat, and buried motive. The novel opens with a homecoming, but not a peaceful one. Before long, intimacy is already brushing up against suspicion, and what should feel like private space begins to feel occupied by other forces. The author understands that tension rises faster when romance and danger enter the frame together, and he uses that well.

What Thomas Lion does well in the opening chapters is keep every scene slightly off balance. A lookout post, a vineyard, a roadside stop, a private conversation, none of them gets to remain simple for long. The novel keeps introducing friction into moments that would otherwise read as scenic or romantic, and that friction gives the story its shape. Instead of treating suspense as a delayed reveal, Lion lets it leak into the atmosphere early, so the reader feels the pressure before the full pattern comes into view.

That gives Osprey Gold one of its better qualities: momentum rooted in emotional pressure. Lion is less interested in slow psychological shading than in collision, between lovers, families, interests, and competing versions of belonging. Readers who want a cool, understated thriller may find the book too eager to turn up the heat. But readers who enjoy stories where suspicion, chemistry, and territorial conflict are all moving at once will probably understand the appeal quickly.

The novel also benefits from its use of physical detail. Vineyards, mountain roads, wildlife, surveillance, and damaged property keep the suspense from floating into abstraction. Even when the story leans broad, it remains tied to tangible disruptions. That matters. The author wants the reader to feel that danger is not arriving from nowhere. It is already embedded in the routines, structures, and relationships surrounding the characters.

There are times when Osprey Gold pushes hard enough that subtlety falls away. Some readers will enjoy that full-throated dramatic instinct more than others. Still, there is something refreshing about a novel that knows exactly how much tension it wants and does not pretend otherwise. Thomas Lion commits to strong feelings, visible stakes, and a steady accumulation of menace.

What lingers is less the mystery of any single threat than the book\u2019s sense that no one arrives on this mountain cleanly. Everyone brings desire, history, and unfinished business with them. That gives Osprey Gold its pulse. It is a story driven not by calm discovery, but by pressure, attraction, and the knowledge that the wrong place can make every relationship more volatile.

Available in paperback ($20) and eBook ($9.99).", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 01:05:08", "publisher": "Lions Share Books", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017202075", "title": "Osprey Gold", "author": "Thomas Lion", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jack Davis", "word_count": 373, "review": "Thomas Lion\u2019s Osprey Gold opens with a setting strong enough to hold attention before the larger conflict fully comes into view. Osprey Mountain arrives in shadow, river sound, vineyard rows, and the sense that something is not sitting right beneath the surface. The author handles the opening with patience. He lets the tension gather through distance, silence, and interruption rather than forcing it too quickly into explanation.

That restraint helps. The return to family land should carry the comfort of familiarity, yet the novel keeps disturbing that possibility. Small signs, movement at the edge of vision, damage that does not feel accidental, private moments that never stay fully private, begin to shift the mood early. Thomas Lion is good at making scenes feel slightly unsettled, even when they are not openly dangerous yet. That gives the book a steadier kind of suspense than a louder opening might have managed.

What works best here is the accumulation of sensory detail. Bird calls, fermenting grapes, dusk light, mountain air, rough roads, and the physical spread of the vineyard all give the story texture without slowing it down. Lion uses those details not just to decorate the world, but to keep the reader alert to changes in tone. The novel understands that suspense often begins when ordinary surroundings stop feeling fully dependable.

There is a melodramatic current running through Osprey Gold, and readers will likely know early whether that suits them. The author leans into romance, menace, family tension, and larger hidden motives without much hesitation. For some readers, that openness will be part of the appeal. For others, the shifts between intimacy, suspicion, and overt threat may feel broad. Still, the novel benefits from commitment. Thomas Lion knows the temperature he wants and does not spend much time apologizing for it.

What the opening promises, more than mystery alone, is volatility. Osprey Gold is most persuasive when it lets that instability creep in through setting, gesture, and interruption rather than explanation. Even before the full shape of the conflict is visible, the novel makes clear that this mountain is a place where private hopes are likely to meet public pressure. That gives the book tension, personality, and a strong sense of forward pull.

Available in paperback ($20) and eBook ($9.99).", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 01:03:21", "publisher": "Lions Share Books", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000017202071", "title": "Osprey Gold", "author": "Thomas Lion", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 425, "review": "Osprey Gold opens with patience and control. Before the novel explains its larger conflicts, it builds tension through arrival alone: a mountain road at dusk, a vineyard waiting in the dark, and a couple stepping into a place that feels less welcoming than it should. Author Thomas Lion lets the unease gather by degrees, and that gives the opening a firm grip.

The novel does not treat Thomas Lyon\u2019s return as a simple reunion. From the moment he arrives, the mountain feels occupied by other intentions. Open gates, damaged netting, and movement at the edge of sight turn what should have been a private return into something exposed and uneasy. Lion is smart not to force those signals into instant explanation. He lets them accumulate, and that patience gives the suspense room to work.

The author keeps attention on roads, slopes, distance, sound, and the way human movement looks when set against a larger landscape. That gives the suspense a different texture. The threat does not arrive only through confrontation. It builds through exposure, through the feeling that the characters are visible long before they understand who is watching or why. That quiet pressure gives the novel some of its best moments.

The book also has an appetite for larger dramatic strokes. Attraction, suspicion, territorial conflict, and looming threat all appear early, and Lion is more interested in pressure than subtlety. That approach will work better for some readers than others. Readers who like charged encounters and visible danger will likely settle into the novel\u2019s rhythm quickly. Others may find parts of its emotional register broad. Even so, the story benefits from the author\u2019s willingness to commit. The novel knows the intensity it wants.

What gives Osprey Gold its edge is the way instability keeps surfacing through ordinary things. A vineyard path, a bird call, a campsite, a stretch of road, none of these is threatening on its own, but Lion uses each one to deepen the sense that this place is no longer safe in the way Thomas hoped it might be. That is where the novel feels most assured. It understands that suspense sharpens when familiar spaces start to shift.

For all its dramatic impulses, Osprey Gold succeeds because it keeps the reader alert to distance, interruption, and exposure. Thomas Lion understands that being watched can be as destabilizing as being attacked, and that insight gives the opening its tension. The result is a novel that finds suspense not just in what happens, but in the feeling that something has already begun.

Available in paperback ($20) and eBook ($9.99).", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 01:02:03", "publisher": "Lions Share Books", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000017202067", "title": "Osprey Gold", "author": "Thomas Lion", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 371, "review": "Osprey Gold opens on a mountain that feels unsettled before the plot says why. A road at dusk, a vineyard on the slope, a lookout tower above the valley, and a couple arriving with more optimism than caution. Author Thomas Lion uses all of it to build tension early. The novel does not rush its larger explanations, and that gives the opening a steady pull.

What sets this opening apart is the way Lion layers unease into motion. The story keeps shifting from intimacy to uncertainty, from flirtation to watchfulness, from private reunion to the suspicion that someone else already controls the space. That movement gives the book energy. Instead of leaning on one large shock, Lion lets small disturbances build until the atmosphere starts carrying part of the story.

The book\u2019s strongest quality is the way place and conflict stay tied together. The vineyard, the roads, the mountain, and the surrounding wilderness do not just hold the action. They shape it. Questions of ownership, return, memory, and control feel grounded because the land itself seems to carry them. That gives the story a stronger center than a more generic thriller setup would.

Lion also writes with a taste for heightened feeling. Attraction, suspicion, family tension, and threat all arrive early, and the book clearly prefers momentum to restraint. Readers who like charged encounters and visible danger will likely see that as part of the appeal. Others may find the emotional register broad at times. Still, the novel gains something from that willingness to push. It knows the pressure it wants.

What works best in Osprey Gold is the way ordinary things begin to feel unstable. A path through the vines, a bird call, a tent, a roadside stop, these are familiar details, but Lion turns them into sources of unease. That is where the novel feels most persuasive. It understands that suspense grows stronger when the world does not stop looking beautiful, only safe.

For all its dramatic instincts, Osprey Gold holds attention because it gives its setting real consequence. The mountain is not a decorative feature. It is where memory, danger, and desire keep colliding. That gives the novel enough tension and identity to leave a clear impression.

Available in paperback ($20) and eBook ($9.99).", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 01:01:59", "publisher": "Lions Share Books", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017202063", "title": "Osprey Gold", "author": "Thomas Lion", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 387, "review": "Osprey Gold opens with confidence. Before the novel explains its deeper conflicts, it establishes tension through distance, silence, and terrain. A mountain road at dusk, a vineyard on the slope, a lookout tower over the valley, and a couple arriving with more hope than caution, all of it lands fast. Author Thomas Lion does not rush the threat, but he lets it gather early.

The novel follows Thomas Lyon as he returns to family land with Kathryn, his New Zealand partner, expecting something like a homecoming and reinvention. Instead, the land feels unsettled from the start. Gates hang open. Netting is torn. Strange movement and signs of surveillance shift the mood from romantic escape to something less secure. Lion uses these small disturbances well. He lets the reader feel that the trouble did not begin with Thomas and Kathryn\u2019s arrival, and that it will not stay small for long.

One of the book\u2019s better instincts is its refusal to separate human conflict from physical place. The mountain, vineyard, river, and road are not there just to dress the story. They shape how people move, what they fear, and what they think they own. That gives the novel a stronger emotional frame. Questions of inheritance, control, secrecy, and return feel anchored in something solid.

Lion also writes with a taste for heightened feeling. Attraction, suspicion, family pressure, and danger all arrive early, and the book is more interested in momentum than restraint. For some readers, that will be part of the pleasure. The novel does not apologize for wanting strong reactions. It likes loaded entrances, charged exchanges, and villains who feel dangerous in ways that are not subtle. At times, that can push the story toward excess, especially when several dramatic threads flare at once. Still, the book\u2019s conviction keeps it moving.

What works best in Osprey Gold is the way the author lets instability creep in through ordinary things: a road, a bird call, a campsite, a vineyard path. The novel understands that suspense sharpens when familiar spaces stop behaving as expected. That gives the opening its grip. Lion may favor dramatic strokes, but he also knows how to build a low unease beneath them. That balance gives Osprey Gold enough tension and personality to hold interest as its larger mysteries come into view.

Available in paperback ($20) and eBook ($9.99).", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 01:01:55", "publisher": "Lions Share Books", "page_count": "346 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017202047", "title": "Short Essays for Inquiring Minds", "author": "Ronald Gruner", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 454, "review": "Short Essays for Inquiring Minds is a thoughtfully curated collection that does exactly what its title promises\u2014it invites curiosity, rewards attention, and leaves the reader a little more informed with each passing page. Written in a clear, accessible voice, this book presents a series of concise essays that explore scientific discoveries, historical moments, and intriguing phenomena without ever feeling dense or academic. As an educated reader, I found it both intellectually satisfying and refreshingly readable.

What stands out immediately is the author\u2019s writing style. There\u2019s a deliberate economy to the prose. Each essay is compact, yet never rushed. Complex ideas are distilled into digestible narratives, often anchored by a compelling anecdote or historical vignette. For instance, the discussion of early virology research, sparked by a mysterious disease affecting tobacco plants, unfolds almost like a miniature detective story. The author balances factual clarity with narrative tension, making even highly technical subjects feel approachable. It\u2019s the kind of writing that respects the reader\u2019s intelligence without overwhelming them.

Each essay functions as a standalone piece, which makes it ideal for reading in short bursts. At the same time, there\u2019s a thematic cohesion centered on inquiry and discovery. Whether the subject is a scientific breakthrough, an overlooked historical detail, or an unusual natural occurrence, the essays collectively reinforce a sense of wonder about how much there is to learn about the world.

While this is not a character-driven work in the traditional sense, the historical figures who appear throughout the essays are rendered with enough detail to feel vivid. Scientists like Louis Pasteur or Dmitri Ivanovsky are not just names attached to discoveries; they are portrayed as curious, persistent individuals grappling with uncertainty. These glimpses into their thought processes and challenges add a human dimension that keeps the material engaging.

I particularly appreciated the balance between breadth and depth. The essays are wide-ranging, touching on topics across science and history, yet each one goes deep enough to leave a lasting impression. The author avoids the trap of superficiality, instead offering just enough context and explanation to satisfy a reader who wants to understand, not just skim.

Readers who enjoy popular science works by authors like Bill Bryson or Mary Roach will find a similar blend of insight and readability here. It\u2019s also well-suited for lifelong learners\u2014people who enjoy discovering new facts, revisiting historical milestones, or simply expanding their general knowledge. Students and educators could use it as a supplemental resource, while casual readers will appreciate its approachable tone and flexible format.

Short Essays for Inquiring Minds succeeds because it understands its purpose: to spark curiosity and make learning enjoyable. It\u2019s a book that doesn\u2019t demand a large time commitment but offers substantial intellectual returns, making it a worthwhile addition to any thoughtful reader\u2019s shelf.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 00:57:42", "publisher": "Libratum Press", "page_count": "362 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017202043", "title": "Short Essays for Inquiring Minds", "author": "Ronald Gruner", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 410, "review": "There\u2019s something quietly satisfying about a book that doesn\u2019t try too hard to impress you, and Short Essays for Inquiring Minds fits that description perfectly. Instead of leaning on grand claims or overly technical language, it invites the reader in with a simple promise: here are interesting ideas, clearly explained, worth your time. And for the most part, it delivers on that promise with consistency and charm.

The tone of the writing is one of the book\u2019s strongest assets. It feels conversational without becoming casual to the point of losing credibility. The author writes as someone who clearly knows the material but is more interested in sharing it than showing off. That distinction matters. In essays discussing topics like the unexpected origins of everyday technologies or the strange behaviors observed in the natural world, the explanations are straightforward but never simplistic. There\u2019s a quiet confidence in how information is presented. There are no unnecessary flourishes, just well-chosen details and a steady narrative voice.

What I found particularly engaging was the variety of subject matter. One essay might explore an unusual scientific experiment that initially failed but later changed the course of research, while another might look at a lesser-known historical event that reveals how accidental many \u201cgreat\u201d discoveries truly are. These aren\u2019t the kinds of stories that dominate textbooks, which makes them all the more compelling. The author seems drawn to moments where curiosity led somewhere unexpected, and that thread ties the collection together effectively.

The structure of the book makes it easy to dip in and out, but it also rewards sustained reading. After a few essays, you begin to notice a rhythm\u2014an introduction that hooks your attention, a gradual unpacking of the idea, and a conclusion that leaves you with something to think about. It\u2019s a formula, certainly, but it\u2019s executed well enough that it never feels repetitive.

This book would resonate most with readers who enjoy learning in small, manageable doses. It\u2019s ideal for people who like to pick up a book and come away feeling a bit smarter without having to wade through dense chapters. Fans of bite-sized nonfiction, trivia enthusiasts, and anyone with a general curiosity about how things work will find plenty to appreciate here.

Ultimately, Short Essays for Inquiring Minds succeeds because it respects the reader\u2019s time while still offering substance. It doesn\u2019t overwhelm, and it doesn\u2019t underdeliver. Instead, it occupies a comfortable middle ground. This book is engaging, informative, and easy to return to again and again.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 00:57:34", "publisher": "Libratum Press", "page_count": "362 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017202039", "title": "The Actor's Book of Scenes", "author": "Mike Kimmel", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 486, "review": "The Actor\u2019s Book of Scenes: 50 Original Comedy and Drama Scenes for Working Actors by Mike Kimmel is a practical, engaging collection that succeeds both as a training tool and an enjoyable read. Written with a clear understanding of the actor\u2019s day-to-day challenges, the book offers a versatile range of short scenes that feel immediately usable in auditions, workshops, or rehearsal settings. From the outset, it\u2019s evident that Kimmel writes with performers in mind, prioritizing clarity, rhythm, and emotional accessibility.

What stands out most about Kimmel\u2019s writing style is its naturalism. The dialogue flows in a way that mimics real conversation. It's quick, occasionally fragmented, and often layered with subtext. Scenes like \u201cThe Waiting Room\u201d and \u201cReal Estate Shark\u201d showcase his ability to blend humor with underlying tension, giving actors something meaningful to play beneath the surface. There\u2019s a subtle intelligence to the writing; it never feels overly theatrical or forced. Instead, Kimmel leans into what he describes as \u201cheightened reality,\u201d allowing scenes to feel authentic while still dramatically engaging.

With a mix of shorter and longer scenes, the book caters to both film/TV actors and those focused on stage work. This flexibility reflects a real-world understanding of the industry, where actors must adapt quickly to different formats and demands. The variety of scenarios, from light comedic exchanges to more introspective or philosophical moments, ensures that actors can explore a wide emotional range without needing additional material.

What I liked about this book was that each scene operates as a snapshot, whether it be a moment of conflict, humor, or revelation. Kimmel excels at dropping the reader directly into the middle of an interaction, trusting the actor to fill in the backstory. This approach is particularly effective for audition work, where immediacy is key. Scenes like \u201cI Met Someone\u201d and \u201cGhosting vs. Dealing\u201d highlight relatable, contemporary situations that feel current and accessible, making them especially useful for modern performers.

Characterization is another area where the book shines. While the scenes are concise, the characters feel distinct and playable. Kimmel gives just enough information through dialogue to suggest personality, status, and motivation without over-explaining. This leaves room for interpretation, which is a crucial element for actors who want to bring their own choices into a performance. Whether it\u2019s the fast-talking opportunist in \u201cBidding War\u201d or the introspective thinker in \u201cAn Existential Crisis,\u201d each role offers a clear point of view.

This book will appeal most strongly to actors, both aspiring and experienced, who are looking for fresh, contemporary material. It\u2019s also a valuable resource for acting teachers, drama students, and workshop leaders in need of versatile scenes that can be revisited and reinterpreted. Beyond that, readers with an interest in dialogue writing or screenwriting may find it useful as a study in crafting concise, effective exchanges.

Kimmel delivers a smart, highly usable collection that understands its audience. It\u2019s not just a book of scenes; it\u2019s a toolkit for developing skill, confidence, and range.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 00:53:12", "publisher": "Ben Rose Creative Arts", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017202035", "title": "The Actor's Book of Scenes", "author": "Mike Kimmel", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 389, "review": "The Actor\u2019s Book of Scenes: 50 Original Comedy and Drama Scenes for Working Actors by Mike Kimmel is one of those rare collections that feels genuinely useful while still being an enjoyable read. Coming at it from the perspective of someone who appreciates both the craft of acting and the writing behind it, I found it to be a well-rounded, thoughtfully put-together resource that doesn\u2019t feel overly academic or dry.

The book provides a wide range of short scenes actors can use for practice, auditions, or class work. What makes it stand out, though, is how natural everything feels. Kimmel clearly understands how actors actually work. The scenes aren\u2019t weighed down with long-winded explanations or overly polished dialogue. Instead, they move quickly and feel like real conversations. A scene like \u201cThe Waiting Room,\u201d for example, starts off almost philosophical and then pivots into something unexpectedly grounded and funny, which makes it both engaging and very playable.

The writing style is probably the book\u2019s biggest strength. It\u2019s clean, direct, and easy to perform. You can tell these lines are meant to be spoken, not just read. There\u2019s a rhythm to the dialogue that gives actors a lot to work with in terms of pacing and intention. Nothing feels overly scripted in a stiff way. The dialogue leaves room for interpretation, which is exactly what actors need.

The book moves easily between comedy and drama, and often blends the two in the same scene. It feels true to real life, and to the kinds of roles actors are often asked to play today. Some scenes lean more into humor, like \u201cI Met Someone,\u201d which captures that awkward, slightly uncomfortable kind of comedy. Others, like \u201cImpartial Third Party Observer,\u201d have a quieter, more reflective tone. That mix keeps the collection from feeling repetitive and gives actors a chance to stretch in different directions.

Overall, this book is a strong pick for acting students, working actors, and instructors looking for fresh material. It\u2019s especially helpful for anyone tired of recycling the same overused scenes. Even writers could get something out of it, particularly in how to write dialogue that feels natural without being dull.

In the end, The Actor\u2019s Book of Scenes does what a book like this should do: it gives actors material they can actually use, while still being interesting enough to read on its own.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 00:53:02", "publisher": "Ben Rose Creative Arts", "page_count": "160 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017202031", "title": "Odds Are It\u2019s Marketing", "author": "Shanise Ling", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 481, "review": "Odds Are It\u2019s Marketing by Shanise Ling is a refreshingly grounded and practical guide that cuts through the noise of modern marketing advice and delivers something far more valuable: clarity. From the outset, Ling positions marketing not as a collection of trendy tactics, but as a discipline rooted in human connection, adaptability, and purpose.

What stands out most is the author\u2019s writing style. Ling strikes an effective balance between conversational and authoritative, making complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Her tone feels lived-in rather than theoretical, which lends credibility to every chapter. She writes as someone who has spent years navigating real campaigns, not just studying them. Anecdotes from her early experiences transitioning into digital marketing or working with industries that initially resisted change add texture and authenticity. These moments not only illustrate key concepts but also make the book feel personal, almost mentorship-like in its delivery.

The central framework of the book, the O.D.D.S. Method (Observe, Distill, Differentiate, Scale), provides a clear and structured approach to building marketing strategies. Rather than overwhelming the reader with jargon, Ling breaks down each stage into digestible insights and practical applications. The strength of this framework lies in its flexibility, which is equally relevant whether you\u2019re managing a small startup or a large-scale brand. The emphasis on observation and understanding human behavior before attempting to sell is particularly compelling and serves as a strong foundation for everything that follows.

The book unfolds in a logical and satisfying way. Each section builds on the previous one, guiding the reader from understanding audiences to crafting meaningful strategies and ultimately scaling them. It doesn\u2019t read like a textbook; instead, it feels like a series of interconnected lessons drawn from experience. The inclusion of real-world examples, such as campaigns that succeeded through storytelling or subtle shifts in customer understanding, helps anchor the concepts in reality. These examples prevent the book from becoming abstract and instead reinforce its practicality.

Ling repeatedly emphasizes that successful marketing is less about pushing products and more about understanding motivations, emotions, and identity. This idea is reinforced through discussions of storytelling, customer psychology, and brand authenticity. It\u2019s a message that resonates, particularly in today\u2019s saturated digital landscape where attention is fleeting, and trust is hard-earned.

This book would appeal to a wide audience. Aspiring marketers and students will appreciate its clear framework and practical exercises, which bridge the gap between theory and application. Entrepreneurs and small business owners will find value in its emphasis on adaptability and resourcefulness, especially those building brands with limited budgets. Even seasoned professionals may benefit from Ling\u2019s perspective, as it offers a useful reset, reminding them of the foundational principles that often get lost amid trends and tools.

Odds Are It\u2019s Marketing is a thoughtful, well-structured, and genuinely useful read. It avoids the pitfalls of overly technical or overly simplistic marketing books by focusing instead on what truly matters: understanding people and communicating with purpose.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 00:49:23", "publisher": "GFB", "page_count": "200 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017202027", "title": " THE CHEMISTRY TRAP: Why Your Instincts Keep Leading You to the Wrong Partners. And How to Finally Choose Differently", "author": "A. Tayebnama", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 459, "review": "A. Tayebnama\u2019s The Chemistry Trap: Why Your Instincts Keep Leading You to the Wrong Partners offers readers a clear-eyed and often sobering look at the way many of us approach relationships. Rather than reinforcing the usual idea that instant attraction is something to trust, the book gently but firmly questions it. From the very beginning, Tayebnama makes it clear that what feels right in the moment isn\u2019t always what\u2019s right in the long run.

The author makes a compelling case that the rush of early attraction can actually be misleading. Instead of pointing us toward a healthy partnership, it may be highlighting familiar emotional patterns we haven\u2019t fully worked through. This idea is explored from multiple angles, giving readers time to really sit with it rather than just nod along and move on.

One section focuses on how intensity is often mistaken for connection. Tayebnama explains how attachment styles can shape who we\u2019re drawn to, especially the common push-and-pull between anxious and avoidant personalities. It\u2019s the kind of insight that can feel a little too accurate at times. Rather than presenting this in a clinical way, the author keeps it grounded in real-life scenarios, which makes it easier to see yourself in the patterns being described.

Another memorable part of the book centers on projection, the idea that we often see what we want to see in another person. The chapter \u201cThe Ghost in Every Relationship\u201d does a particularly good job of showing how easy it is to build an image of someone that doesn\u2019t quite match reality. The example of mistaking emotional distance for strength stood out to me, as it captures how subtle these misunderstandings can be.

I also appreciated the way the book reframes what a healthy connection might feel like. Instead of fireworks and constant excitement, Tayebnama introduces the idea of \u201cwarmth,\" a steady, grounded feeling that can grow over time. The chapter on giving a relationship space to develop, even without an immediate spark, felt especially relevant. It challenges a lot of the assumptions people bring into dating, particularly in a culture that values instant chemistry.

Throughout the book, the author weaves in references from philosophy, psychology, and history, but keeps the tone approachable. The reflection questions at the end of each chapter are a nice touch, encouraging readers to pause and consider their own experiences rather than just absorbing the material passively.

The Chemistry Trap will resonate most with readers who are open to looking at their own habits and patterns with a bit of honesty. It\u2019s not a book that promises easy answers, but it does offer a different way of thinking about attraction and choice. This is a book that doesn\u2019t try to dazzle. It aims to clarify. And in doing so, it leaves a lasting impression.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 00:44:39", "publisher": "A. Tayebnama", "page_count": "108 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017202023", "title": "The Missing Au Pair", "author": "Carrie Rubin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 64, "review": "\"Secrets hide in the shadows of Paris\u2014and some are deadly. When an au pair vanishes without a trace, the truth buried beneath the city\u2019s beauty begins to surface. Dark, gripping, and impossible to put down, The Missing Au Pair delivers twist after twist. Perfect for thriller readers who love suspense that keeps them guessing until the final page.\" \u2014Leah Tran, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 00:38:47", "publisher": " Indigo Dot Press", "page_count": "302 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017202019", "title": "The Missing Au Pair", "author": "Carrie Rubin", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 77, "review": "\"A haunting mystery set in the shadowed streets of Paris, The Missing Au Pair delivers relentless tension and unforgettable twists. With a determined heroine, chilling secrets, and a city that hides danger behind its beauty, this thriller keeps readers turning pages late into the night. Carrie Rubin masterfully blends psychological suspense with a gripping investigation. If you love dark, intelligent thrillers that refuse to let go, this one belongs on your shelf.\" \u2014Kathryn Dare, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 00:38:32", "publisher": " Indigo Dot Press", "page_count": "302 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017202015", "title": "You Matter, Luma", "author": "John R. Miles", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 63, "review": "\"A luminous forest, a brave little bunny, and a whisper of doubt come together in a story that sparkles with heart. With breathtaking illustrations and lyrical, comforting prose, this enchanting picture book celebrates the quiet magic inside every child. A timeless, feel-good treasure for families, classrooms, and anyone ready to believe you matter exactly as you are.\" \u2014Samantha Olsen, San Diego Book Review", "issue": "March 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 00:23:12", "publisher": "Morgan James Kids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017202011", "title": "When She Was Ours", "author": "Anna Nordberg", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 356, "review": "When She Was Ours by Anna Nordberg is one of those quietly emotional novels that sneaks up on you. I didn\u2019t expect to feel so invested so quickly, but within the first few chapters, I was completely pulled into Astra\u2019s world, a place shaped by love, loss, and the complicated weight of family expectations.

The story follows Astra, a college student navigating life in the aftermath of her mother\u2019s illness and death. The novel moves between timelines, weaving together memories of her mother with present-day moments that reveal how deeply that relationship shaped Astra\u2019s identity. There\u2019s also a lingering mystery surrounding a pivotal event at a wedding that adds a subtle tension throughout the narrative, giving the book an undercurrent of suspense without ever overpowering the emotional heart of the story.

What I loved most was how real the characters felt. Astra, in particular, is such a beautifully drawn protagonist. She\u2019s strong but also unsure, capable yet quietly overwhelmed by the expectations placed on her, both by others and herself. Her relationship with her mother is the emotional anchor of the book, and it\u2019s portrayed with so much nuance. It\u2019s not overly sentimental, which I appreciated. Instead, it captures that complicated mix of admiration, pressure, and love that often exists between mothers and daughters.

The writing style is elegant but still very readable. Nordberg has a way of describing moments with small gestures and fleeting thoughts that makes everything feel intimate and meaningful. I found myself highlighting lines because they captured emotions so perfectly. At times, the pacing is a bit slow, especially in the early middle sections, but for me, it worked because it allowed the emotional depth to really sink in.

I\u2019d recommend this book to readers who enjoy emotionally rich stories about family dynamics, grief, and personal growth. If you like authors who focus on relationships and layered characters rather than plot-heavy twists, this will absolutely resonate with you.

Overall, When She Was Ours is a thoughtful, quietly powerful novel that lingers long after the final page. It\u2019s the kind of book that makes you reflect on your own relationships, and maybe even see them a little differently.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 00:22:27", "publisher": "Lake Union Publishing", "page_count": "318 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017202007", "title": "When She Was Ours", "author": "Anna Nordberg", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 456, "review": "There\u2019s a quiet maturity to When She Was Ours by Anna Nordberg that really stayed with me. This isn\u2019t a book that demands your attention with dramatic twists; it earns it through emotional honesty. As someone who\u2019s seen a few seasons of life, I found myself drawn less to the surface story and more to the deeper questions it raises about resilience, responsibility, and the invisible ties within families.

The novel follows Astra as she returns to college shortly after her mother\u2019s death, carrying a grief she doesn\u2019t quite know how to express. One of the most striking elements early on is the letter her mother leaves behind, a simple, heartfelt message that becomes a kind of emotional touchstone for Astra. It\u2019s not grand or poetic, but that\u2019s exactly why it feels so real. Anyone who has held onto something small from someone they\u2019ve lost will recognize the weight of that moment.

Another aspect I appreciated was how the book explores the idea of competence and what it means to be \u201cthe strong one.\u201d Astra grows up watching her mother handle crises with calm authority, even in something as intense as an in-flight emergency. That image of control and capability becomes something Astra internalizes, almost without realizing it. Later, we see how that expectation shapes her responses to stress and fear. She steps up in emergencies, yet struggles in quieter, more personal moments. That contrast felt incredibly authentic.

There\u2019s also a vivid thread of memory running through the novel, particularly in scenes from the family\u2019s past. The wedding preparations, for example, aren\u2019t just about celebration; they\u2019re layered with tension, fatigue, and the looming awareness of illness. The small details, such as the heat, physical strain, and unspoken worries, create a sense of realism that many books gloss over. Life doesn\u2019t pause for big events, and this novel captures that beautifully.

What stood out to me, too, was how Nordberg portrays the ripple effect of illness within a family. It\u2019s not just about the person who is sick, but about how everyone else adjusts, the roles they take on, the things left unsaid, the emotional compromises made along the way. There\u2019s a quiet honesty in those dynamics that feels very true to life.

The pacing is measured and, at times, reflective, but I found that it suited the story being told. This is not a book about rushing toward answers; it\u2019s about sitting with questions. And sometimes, that\u2019s where the real insight lies.

I would recommend this to readers who appreciate thoughtful, character-driven fiction, especially those who are interested in stories about family, memory, and the long-term impact of loss. It\u2019s a book that doesn\u2019t just tell you what happened; it invites you to consider how those moments continue to shape a life.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 00:22:03", "publisher": "Lake Union Publishing", "page_count": "318 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017202003", "title": "You Matter, Luma", "author": "John R. Miles", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Kathryn Dare", "word_count": 399, "review": "You Matter, Luma by John R. Miles is a wonderful children's book with beautiful illustrations. Told through the journey of a bunny named Luma, this story carries a message that feels both simple and meaningful.

Set in a glowing, moonlit forest, the story introduces Luma as a quiet observer who feels out of place in a world that seems full of purpose for everyone but her. As described early on, while \u201cthe forest pulsed with life\u201d and every creature appeared to have something important to do, Luma is left wondering, \u201cDo I matter?\u201d This question is the emotional anchor of the book, making it immediately relatable for young readers who may struggle with similar feelings.

The writing style is gentle with short, rhythmic sentences that mirror the cadence of a bedtime story. The pacing is thoughtful, giving readers time to sit with Luma\u2019s doubts and, later, her growth. The dialogue between Luma and Oliver, the wise owl, is particularly effective. Oliver\u2019s quiet guidance, especially his comparison of ideas to seeds that grow with care, offers an easy-to-understand metaphor for children learning about patience and self-belief.

The illustrations also play an important role. The artwork is warm, glowing, and immersive, with soft lighting and expressive characters that enhance the emotional tone of each scene. For example, the storm sequence, where Luma\u2019s stories are quite literally washed away, adds a layer of tension and vulnerability. It\u2019s a powerful moment that symbolizes setbacks and self-doubt, yet it never feels too heavy for a young audience. Instead, it sets the stage for one of the book\u2019s most reassuring messages: that even when things feel lost, they are not gone forever.

What I found especially moving is how the story doesn\u2019t rush Luma\u2019s transformation. Her realization unfolds gradually. With the help of her friends and Oliver\u2019s gentle wisdom, she begins to understand that her voice and her stories matter simply because they are hers. By the end, when she gathers the courage to share her story and asks others, \u201cWhat\u2019s yours?\u201d the message comes full circle in a way that feels earned and sincere.

Children ages 4\u20138, particularly those who are shy, sensitive, or navigating feelings of self-doubt, will enjoy this book. It\u2019s also a wonderful choice for parents and teachers looking to introduce conversations about confidence, individuality, and emotional resilience.

You Matter, Luma is a heartfelt and thoughtfully crafted story that reminds readers that their presence alone has value.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "25-Feb-2026 00:18:39", "publisher": "Morgan James Kids", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017201003", "title": "Where the Truth Lies", "author": "Katherine Greene", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Christina Boswell", "word_count": 179, "review": "Rhett and Lucinda have been happily married for the last fifteen years, at least, that\u2019s the fa\u00e7ade they present to the world. The truth is, they can barely stand each other, which began about fifteen years ago when a young woman arrived in town, and everything changed. Someone dies, and Rhett and Lucinda have to decide what they will do and how far they will go to construct this perfect life. But now, new evidence has come to light, and it looks like they will lose everything. Where the Truth Lies might be a lot closer to home than they thought.

This story is pretty dark, and you will not find a single man in this good tale. I think the only likeable character in the whole story is Jenn, and things don\u2019t exactly work out great for her. There aren\u2019t any winners in this book, just a lot of broken people who seem to take turns shattering each other\u2019s lives. If you enjoy domestic dramas, you will probably like this one, but it was too dark for me.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "24-Feb-2026 21:50:30", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000017199007", "title": "House of Spells and Secrets", "author": "Ivy Cassidy", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Grace Derickson", "word_count": 205, "review": "It\u2019s always been Rowan, her sisters, and her mother. They\u2019ve never stayed in one place for long, but Rowan never considered that they were running from something until her Mother\u2019s death led the sisters to their ancestral home, Swallow Hall, which is falling apart. They meet the grandmother they never knew about, and get more questions than answers. With time running out to save Swallow Hall from itself, Rowan must dig into the past to find out why her mother ran away, never to return to her home and family. And just maybe, she\u2019ll find her own magic along the way.

Swallow Hall is an entire character in itself; it feels alive with emotions. The rest of the characters, though, are kind of bland. Rowan is the only character who has more than one personality trait, and even she\u2019s bland. Half the characters aren\u2019t necessary and could have been combined. The idea that Rowan can taste feelings is really cool and never goes away for convenience, but the way it works is constantly changing. It\u2019s said that she can\u2019t taste her sister\u2019s feelings, yet half the time she can. Most of the magic system is this way; one thing is said, then the rules are broken.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2026", "date_added": "24-Feb-2026 21:40:47", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000017198003", "title": "Spellbound by Murder", "author": "Stacie Ramey", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 200, "review": "When Veronica\u2019s Gran takes a bad fall, she packs her bags and relocates with her teenage daughter. Her work is cut out for her when she learns that Gran\u2019s bookstore is struggling more than she let on, especially with competing against a big-box rival. For help, Veronica reaches out to a former mentor, but that backfires when his body is found, and she becomes the cops\u2019 lead suspect.

\nThis is a delightful introduction to a charming world that feels welcoming and inviting with doses of magic and family. These magical elements have an energy and humor that are reminiscent of classic female empowerment stories, such as Practical Magic. The small town vibes are where the humor lies with character interactions that make you want to be part of the community. Snappy dialogue creates a fast-paced tone that keeps the mystery moving quickly and entertaining. The family moments between these incredible women fill the story with heart. The love and support they share provide a genuine representation of three generations who bring out the best in each other. Spellbound for Murder is a charming and clever mystery that is highly recommended with small-town energy, positive female sleuths, and heartfelt family moments.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "06-Jun-2026", "date_added": "24-Feb-2026 21:25:18", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017196015", "title": "Serafina Makes Waves", "author": "Matthew Burgess, Robin Rosenthal", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 14", "word_count": 142, "review": "Serafina is a cat, and we all know that most cats do not like water. So, when her parents tell her she has to have swim lessons, Serafina has some big emotions about that. When the big day for swim lessons arrives, Serafina is not looking forward to it. However, when she finally dips in, she ends up being pleasantly surprised.

This book teaches a good lesson: that it just goes to show, you truly never know about anything until you give it a chance and try it. And turns out, you may like it. However, it's always ok if you don't.\nThis is a really great book, especially for readers who may be afraid of the water or afraid of having swim lessons. This will be a great book to help my sister, who plans on taking swim lessons in the summer.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2026", "date_added": "26-Feb-2026 01:19:58", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017195007", "title": "The Swedish Cookbook", "author": "Niklas Ekstedt", "category": "N05 Cooking, Food & Wine", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 242, "review": "Growing up with my 100% Swedish grandmother and great-grandmother, I was taught different elements of my Swedish heritage. A prayer we say on holidays, the history of our family's immigration, and stories of an ancestor who founded an anti-horse-thief group were chief among them, but I didn't learn much about food until I worked at a Swedish restaurant in college. Thankfully, I don't have to recall those recipes as Niklas Ekstedt, a Michelin-star chef and darling of the culinary world, has delivered something special with The Swedish Cookbook in that people like me, and those with no connection to the Swedish culinary world, can find something delicious to prepare within its pages.

Lagom, a common Swedish word, means \u201cbalanced\u201d or \u201cjust right,\u201d and that is the principle of Ekstedt's recipes. Recipes for simple side dishes, like Fried Kale with Garlic and Almonds, are on the easier side. There are also recipes for full meals, like the Swedish Meatball feast that includes instructions for crushed lingonberries (trust me\u2014they're delicious!) and potatoes and cucumbers. The instructions are straightforward and, even when the recipe takes time to execute, the steps are intentional and a mouthwatering payoff at the end.

Some ingredients may be difficult to find in a standard small town grocery store, but for the most part, these dishes are accessible for everyone. Whether you have a Swedish background like mine or not, The Swedish Cookbook is an excellent addition to your cookbook collection.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "12-Jun-2026", "date_added": "24-Feb-2026 21:03:30", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017195003", "title": "The Harvey Girl", "author": "Dana Stabenow", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 199, "review": "O.K. I had no idea of the intricacy and scope of the New Mexican Territory\u2019s commerce, linked to railroad development, in 1890. Author Stabenow\u2019s first venture into a new series went a long way toward curing my ignorance.

Full revelation: previous readings of some of her Shugak mysteries, totally beloved by me, set in Alaska, made reading her initial essay into the southwest inevitable.

That admitted, I found sensorial immediacy lacking, some telling seeming to come from a modern commentator, and a grasp of time constraints of nineteenth-century horse-drawn and mounted transport short of personal experience in that (modern) place.

Encountering the woman-hungered American West, Clare Wright is possessed of serious brain power, grasp of business, and actual human interactions. She is an engaging protagonist, with personal acumen and presence entrancing to the reader. Her immersion in the demanding tasks of one of the first uniformed serving corps on America\u2019s expanding rail frontier is fraught with physical realities and societal pressures.

Plot and character development are superior, as one would expect from Stabenow, though some relationships and background are revealed rather late in the narrative.

I found the acknowledgements both revealing of viewpoint and sourcing. And I will read further Lady Pinkerton excursions.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2026", "date_added": "24-Feb-2026 20:52:06", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017193007", "title": "Violent Femmes' Violent Femmes", "author": "Nic Brown", "category": "N12 Music & Movies", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 202, "review": "Violent Femmes were a staple of the '80s alternative scene. Songs like \"Blister in the Sun,\" \"Kiss Off,\" \"Add It Up,\" and \"Gone Daddy Gone\" were a big part of the soundtrack to Gen X teens, including mine. These songs were all part of their self-titled debut album, released in 1983. If anyone needs proof that I'm one of those Gen X kids who know the Femmes' music, I got my LP as part of a \"12 records for a penny\" deal from Columbia House. //Violent Femmes\u2019 Violent Femmes// was one of my favorite albums and spent a lot of time at the top of my rotation.

Violent Femmes\u2019 Violent Femmes is part of Bloomsbury Publishing's 33 1\u20443 series, a collection of short books that explore individual albums, offering in-depth analysis, history, and cultural context. Atheneum drummer and Femmes fan Nic Brown authored this volume. His book gives the reader an up-close and personal look at the band's formation, vivid descriptions of the members and their unique instruments, and details and anecdotes about the songs drawn directly from interviews with the original band members. This book is a flashback to the mid-'80s and a must-have for any true fan of the Violent Femmes.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2026", "date_added": "26-Feb-2026 00:32:55", "publisher": "Bloomsbury Academic", "page_count": "136 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017190007", "title": "Little Wild", "author": "Laura Evans", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 117, "review": "Little Wild by Laura Evans carries the dreamy menace of a gothic fairytale slowly turning feral around the edges. Margaret and Joanie\u2019s secret relationship gives the novel its aching emotional core, but the story gradually transforms into something darker, stranger, and hypnotically atmospheric. The heatwave-drenched English countryside feels almost alive, simmering with repression, desire, and old magic waiting to surface. Evans writes about first love with incredible intensity, capturing both its tenderness and its capacity for destruction. As Margaret begins unraveling in the woods surrounding Snare House, the novel leans beautifully into folk horror territory without ever losing sight of its emotional stakes. This is a haunting, gorgeously written debut that feels perfect for stormy summer nights.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2026", "date_added": "21-Feb-2026 20:41:15", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017185007", "title": "Sheepfarmer's Daughter", "author": "Elizabeth Moon", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "David Lloyd Sutton", "word_count": 197, "review": "Engaging, immersive, and impossible to put down.

Penkarrion refuses a marriage her father has arranged, and flees, with some briefly-borrowed-sword-threatening and long, anhungered journeying, to enlist in a mercenary band; what Italian historians would call Condotierri. There she finds a new family, as it were, loyalties, and validation of her own intrinsic independent decencies.

|We encounter a nigh-unto-overwhelming plethora of place names, no maps, and constant movement; movement all too often under miserable conditions. Our heroine\u2019s life is one of service, including domestic barracks duties, constant attention to details, and incessant surprises. Essentially a beginning enlistee\u2019s life, viewed from the inside.

By this other-directed and not yet understood existence, Penkarrion is shaped and matured, scarred and seasoned. She loses friends and is repeatedly wounded, both physically and mentally.

She resists the open sexuality of the band, being, apparently, asexual, though not uncaring of the bondings of others.

For the reader, there is preparation for an expanded scope of existence and performance woven into the developing plot. Even the protagonist\u2019s asexuality is left open to speculation and possibility.||I found myself missing an entire night\u2019s sleep with this fever dream of a book! As sequels are inevitable, I recommend buying this initial adventure //now//.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "12-Jun-2026", "date_added": "21-Feb-2026 20:29:31", "publisher": "Baen", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017182007", "title": "Princess Minna", "author": "Sahar Haghgoo,Kirsty Applebaum", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 12", "word_count": 178, "review": "Princess Minna is on her sixth adventure, this one involving a singing cow, magic beans, a giant beanstalk, and a music-loving giant. Mildred, the castle's singing cow, has a sound that only a few people appreciate, but to the young Giant girl, she has the voice of an angel. The Giant desperately wants to find the source of the magical singing, but, unfortunately for the townspeople, she keeps grabbing their other animals, upsetting them and their pets. It's up to Princess Minna to save the day and keep everyone happy, and that she does!

I have enjoyed each Princess Minna book I've read. While most of them are more for a younger audience than myself (6th grade), this one, The Giant Beanstalk, was especially good for me because multiple scenes made me laugh out loud. I liked that I already knew the gist of this story (Jack and the Beanstalk), but, like good retellings, small things were changed to make it similar, but not exactly the same. As always, I enjoy looking at the bright and colorful illustrations.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2026", "date_added": "19-Feb-2026 20:54:57", "publisher": "Nosy Crow", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017178003", "title": "The Presidential Pardon", "author": "Saikrishna Bangalore Prakash", "category": "N07 Current Events & Politics", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 182, "review": "The power of the pardon goes back to Ancient Roman times, if not earlier, and has become a political tool that is often viewed by the public as being used improperly to release certain individuals for political reasons or to release those convicted of certain heinous crimes. It was not always this way, as readers learn in this slim but dense book about the power of the pardon and how it has changed over the past 250-plus years.

The author is a noted law professor and takes the general reader on a tour of where the pardon power came from, how it has worked in the past, and how it has been changed over time. One thing he does note is that after President Ford pardoned President Nixon, many people viewed the issuing of pardons as protecting friends from any potential prosecution, though it was not always that way.

This book is designed for the well-educated reader, as it sometimes gets bogged down in legal jargon that may be beyond the ability of some readers to understand in an otherwise highly informative work.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "12-Jun-2026", "date_added": "19-Feb-2026 19:30:44", "publisher": "Harvard University Press", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017175003", "title": "Creatures & Corridors", "author": "Brandon Auman", "category": "F12 Sequential Art", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Bradley Allen", "word_count": 327, "review": "Brandon Auman\u2019s Creatures & Corridors starts with a strong premise and follows through. Set in the summer of 1992, the story follows 5 teens whose basement role-playing sessions stop being an escape and turn deadly. Their \u201cgame cave\u201d becomes a real dungeon, filled with monsters, traps, and a Gamemaster who no longer stays in the realm of fantasy.

What makes the book work is Auman\u2019s grasp of how close fantasy, fear, and adolescence already are. For teenagers, identity is unstable, friendship can shift overnight, and private obsessions can become public embarrassment fast. Creatures & Corridors gives that tension a supernatural form. The result is a horror-fantasy story with real emotional pressure, not just a pile of retro references.

The 1992 setting matters. It gives the book texture and draws on the old panic around banned games and outsider teen culture without leaning too hard on nostalgia. The book feels rough, tense, and a little grimy, which suits the material. This is not a polished throwback. It has more anxiety in its bloodstream than that.

Andrea Mutti\u2019s artwork gives the story much of its force. The shift from suburban normalcy to nightmare dungeon logic needs to feel sudden and oppressive. It does. The monsters and traps land, but so does the deeper fear that the world these teens thought they understood is breaking apart. The art keeps that pressure close.

What lingers most is the book\u2019s sense of how play can turn serious without losing its original shape. Auman does not mock imagination or treat it as a joke. He treats it as something powerful enough to become frightening. That choice gives the story its pulse.

Creatures & Corridors will work best for readers who like horror built on a sharp concept and strong atmosphere. It is tense, visually committed, and clear about what it wants to do. More than anything, it understands that for teenagers, fantasy is never only fantasy. Sometimes it keeps fear at a distance. Sometimes it opens the door.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-Feb-2026 18:07:27", "publisher": "The Lab Press", "page_count": "136 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017172015", "title": "The Summer Share", "author": "Jenn McKinlay", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 98, "review": "If summer had a personality, it would probably look a lot like The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay\u2014sun-soaked, slightly chaotic, and unexpectedly tender. Hannah and Simon\u2019s accidental joint inheritance of a beach house sparks a slow-burning transformation from reluctant co-owners to something far more complicated. McKinlay balances humor with heart, letting the crumbling cottage mirror their evolving connection. What begins as logistical tension over repairs gradually becomes emotional excavation, revealing what each of them is really afraid to lose. The romance sneaks up gently here, like tidewater reaching shore, until suddenly you realize you\u2019re fully invested in them.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "19-Feb-2026 00:15:51", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017171011", "title": "And Now, Back to You", "author": "B K Borison", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 110, "review": "And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison is a charming, heartwarming romance that effortlessly blends humor, chemistry, and emotional depth. Jackson Clark and Delilah Stewart are delightfully mismatched meteorologists whose constant clashes evolve into a partnership filled with witty banter, mutual respect, and sparks that are impossible to ignore. Set against the backdrop of a historic snowstorm, the novel combines cozy wintery vibes with moments of heartfelt connection and personal growth. Borison\u2019s engaging writing and well-drawn characters make this story as comforting as it is exciting, delivering a satisfying, feel-good romance that\u2019s perfect for curling up with on a snowy or rainy afternoon.\n\nClick Here to buy the book.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "18-Feb-2026 23:21:15", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017170003", "title": "A Treason of Magic", "author": "Melissa Marr", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 91, "review": "This novel feels like stepping into a lush, thorn-wrapped fairytale where desire hums beneath every choice. In A Treason of Magic, Melissa Marr crafts a romance that is as dangerous as it is intoxicating, pairing Gabrielle and Isabeau in a story shaped by duty, memory, and rekindled love. The tension between them crackles\u2014equal parts longing and restraint\u2014as monsters stalk both the woods and their hearts. Marr\u2019s prose drips with atmosphere, and the emotional stakes land with precision. It\u2019s a sweeping, slow-burn queer romance that balances aching vulnerability with feral, defiant hope.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Feb-2026 21:07:26", "publisher": "Amazon Publishing", "page_count": "315 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017169015", "title": "King the Wonder Dog", "author": "Eleanor Lerman", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 98, "review": "King the Wonder Dog by Eleanor Lerman is a tender, deeply human collection that explores loneliness, healing, and the quiet magic of companionship. Through interconnected stories of people navigating loss, uncertainty, and second chances, Lerman highlights the profound bonds between humans and their pets. Each narrative feels intimate and sincere, showing how animals can offer comfort, perspective, and even unexpected transformation. Whether it\u2019s a stolen dog, a life-changing encounter, or a creative spark born from pain, these moments resonate with warmth and authenticity. Gentle yet powerful, this collection is a heartfelt tribute to connection in all its forms.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "19-Feb-2026 00:06:09", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "232 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017169011", "title": "Glory Be", "author": "Jamie Sumner", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 187, "review": "Glory is nine, and life is not simple for her. She struggles with her hot temper and sassy mouth at school, getting herself into trouble more often than one should. When her beloved dog, Roux, goes missing, Glory cuts school to try to find him. Her mom has to take time from work, although she hates her job, so there\u2019s that. Glory\u2019s dad isn\u2019t around much, and when he is around, he has just gotten a new job or just lost one due to his drinking, or he\u2019s gambled all the family\u2019s money away. Glory takes chances, going to dangerous places and meeting some sketchy people while trying to find Roux.

Author Jamie Sumner has written a very compelling, complex story with plenty of family drama, friend drama, and non-stop problems for young Glory. The story is written in verse and has spot illustrations throughout, which will be attractive for young readers, and will likely draw in reluctant readers with all that white space. With such a young protagonist, many may think this is for very young middle-graders, but the subject matter is better suited for older middle-graders.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "05-Jun-2026", "date_added": "18-Feb-2026 23:59:14", "publisher": "Atheneum Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000017168003", "title": "Wasp's Nest", "author": "Kat Stoddard", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 102, "review": "Rather than building toward explosive melodrama, Wasp\u2019s Nest by Kat Stoddard thrives in emotional tension and quiet revelations. The setup feels deliciously uncomfortable from the start: an ex-husband attending his former wife\u2019s wedding with a much younger date who quickly becomes emotionally entangled with both of them. Stoddard handles this complicated triangle with remarkable tenderness and nuance, allowing every character\u2019s desires and insecurities to feel equally valid. The social-climbing WASP atmosphere gives the novel a polished sharpness, but beneath that glossy exterior is a thoughtful story about longing, reinvention, and the strange shapes love can take. It\u2019s witty, intimate, and surprisingly compassionate.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Feb-2026 20:54:45", "publisher": "Celadon Books", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017167019", "title": "Goldfinches", "author": "Mary Oliver,Melissa Sweet", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "This beautiful picture book contains one lovely poem by award-winning nature poet, Mary Oliver. She certainly had a love of nature, and that is what shines through in this sweet poem. The words are nestled into gorgeous, multi-media illustrations by Melissa Sweet, an award-winning illustrator and Caldecott honoree. The colors she uses are rich and deep and sometimes quite subtle. Inset blocks are scattered throughout the book with extra information, such as the scientific family and name for the thistle, how the goldfinch builds her nest, what kind of materials she uses, and more. The poem and art will carry young listeners along through the book. It is a quiet book that may help to settle restless youngsters down at the end of the day or may simply be a good introduction to poetry for little ones. Back matter includes a reprint of the poem for reading without the page-turn breaks, a photo of Mary Oliver\u2019s notes, a 3-page note about Mary Oliver by Melissa Sweet, and a page of notes about thistles and goldfinches as the year goes on. Adults are sure to enjoy this as much as the children they are reading to.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "12-Jun-2026", "date_added": "18-Feb-2026 23:05:21", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017167003", "title": "A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes", "author": "Jake Halpern, Peter Kujawinski", "category": "F15 Young Adult", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 201, "review": "Nia hides her extraordinary sense of smell. Her mother was worried it would lead her to a fate worse than death. When her mother dies, Nia lives on the streets, where she meets Fox. Between her nose and Fox\u2019s street smarts, Nia survives, but when she is taken in by an aunt, life is much easier. Then a plague arrives in the cargo of a ship. Nia and Fox want to get a closer look at the people from the Cloister coming off the ship. The Cloister is full of Sinsories, people with exceptional sensory abilities, who have created cures for past plagues. When Nia is identified as a Sinsory, she joins the Cloister and learns there are more secrets than schooling. As the plague gets closer and closer to home and family, Nia must use her ability to sniff out the right cure and the Cloister\u2019s secrets before the worst plague in decades decimates them all.

The heroes in this tale have exceptional senses used to save the world, and indeed, the sense of smell as a saving grace is original. While the science behind the world-building is questionable, the target audience will enjoy the adventurous nature of Fox and Nia.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Feb-2026 20:50:06", "publisher": "Roaring Brook Press", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000017166019", "title": "The Open Era", "author": "Edward Schmit", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 93, "review": "Game, set, swoon. The Open Era by Edward Schmit serves up a romance that\u2019s as exhilarating as a five-set final. Austin and Diego\u2019s chemistry builds with each rally, their connection unfolding in glances, banter, and quiet moments off the court. What makes this story shine is its emotional honesty\u2014Austin\u2019s anxiety and the pressure of visibility are handled with care, grounding the romance in something deeply real. The result is a love story that feels earned, electric, and tender all at once. By the final page, your heart is doing its own victory lap.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "18-Feb-2026 23:43:29", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017166015", "title": "How the Story Goes", "author": "Andrew Forrester", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 105, "review": "There\u2019s a quiet, bookish magic to How the Story Goes by Andrew Forrester, where grief and creativity intertwine in unexpectedly beautiful ways. Whit\u2019s struggle to finish his late wife\u2019s fantasy series becomes something more than an obligation when Merritt enters the picture, bringing both expertise and emotional risk. Their collaboration feels less like writing and more like rebuilding language for loss, page by page. Forrester captures the intimacy of shared storytelling with remarkable care, especially as professional boundaries blur into something more vulnerable. The romance here is gentle but resonant, built on trust, imagination, and the courage to continue a story that hurts to finish.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "18-Feb-2026 22:05:04", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017166007", "title": "The Franchise", "author": "Thomas Elrod", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 94, "review": "Reading The Franchise by Thomas Elrod feels like stepping onto a film set where the fantasy genre has forgotten it\u2019s being watched. The Malicarn isn\u2019t just a world of dragons and wizards\u2014it\u2019s a manufactured illusion sustained by corporate storytelling and collective belief. Elrod builds a layered critique of ownership and narrative control, especially as one actor begins to question the system he\u2019s part of. The tension here isn\u2019t just magical rebellion, but existential unraveling. What happens when a world realizes it\u2019s scripted? That question hums beneath every scene, making the spectacle feel unsettlingly real.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Feb-2026 21:21:49", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017166003", "title": "Sublimation", "author": "Isabel J Kim", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 100, "review": "It starts with a border. It ends with identity splitting in two.\nIn Sublimation by Isabel J. Kim, immigration becomes speculative horror, where every person is duplicated and divided across nations. Rose and Soyoung\u2019s fractured existence creates a haunting emotional and philosophical tension that never lets up. Kim writes with surgical precision, exploring what it means to live parallel lives that may or may not want to reunite. The corporate intrigue and family dynamics only deepen the unease. It\u2019s a story about selfhood as something unstable, negotiable, and dangerously transferable. By the end, you\u2019re left questioning what \u201coriginal\u201d even means.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Feb-2026 20:47:17", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017163003", "title": "Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous (Deluxe Edition)", "author": "Autumn K England", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 90, "review": "If comfort fantasy had a garden gate, Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous would be waiting just inside. Oaklin Nettlewood\u2019s story of recovering after magical coercion is tender, funny, and full of warmth. The farm setting brims with charm, from the ghost granny roommate to the grumpy horse and wonderfully good dog. I loved how healing happens slowly here, through chores, friendship, kindness, and rediscovering magic in everyday life. Even with darker threats looming, the novel remains hopeful and restorative. Cozy fantasy fans should sprint, not stroll, toward this one.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Feb-2026 20:42:23", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017162031", "title": "The Fake Divination Offense", "author": "Sara Raasch", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 112, "review": "Sara Raasch somehow manages to combine fantasy football, fake dating, Dungeons & Dragons energy, and heartfelt romance into one wildly entertaining package with The Fake Divination Offense. Orok and Alexo have the kind of chemistry that makes every interaction sparkle, balancing humor, awkward tenderness, and genuine emotional vulnerability. The sports setting gives the story a fun contemporary rhythm, while the fantasy elements keep things playful and unpredictable. Orok\u2019s struggle with faith and identity adds surprising emotional depth beneath all the banter and PR relationship chaos. Alexo\u2019s secrets keep the tension high, but the romance remains irresistibly sweet throughout. This one feels like cotton-candy escapism with just enough emotional bite underneath the glitter.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "04-Jun-2026", "date_added": "18-Feb-2026 23:47:59", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017162027", "title": "My Lover, the Rabbi", "author": "Wayne Koestenbaum", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 103, "review": "Wayne Koestenbaum\u2019s My Lover, the Rabbi is a bold, witty, and intellectually rich exploration of desire, faith, and the complexities of love. With his signature lyricism and sharp observational voice, Koestenbaum crafts a narrative that is at once playful, provocative, and deeply reflective. The story delves into the tension between sacred tradition and personal longing, as the narrator navigates an unconventional, charged relationship that challenges both emotional and spiritual boundaries. Poetic, humorous, and intellectually engaging, My Lover, the Rabbi offers readers a daring meditation on intimacy, identity, and the contradictions of the human heart, leaving a lingering impression long after the final page.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "18-Feb-2026 22:17:28", "publisher": "Farrar, Straus and Giroux", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017162023", "title": "Forty Love", "author": "Jane Costello", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 97, "review": "Warm, witty, and uplifting, Forty Love is a charming reminder that it\u2019s never too late to start over. Jane Costello brings humor and heart to Jules\u2019s story as she steps out of her comfort zone and onto the tennis court\u2014and into a new chapter of her life. Balancing single motherhood, career pressures, and the uncertainty of an empty nest, Jules is an instantly relatable heroine. The budding romance adds a delightful spark, while the theme of self-rediscovery gives the story real emotional depth. This is a feel-good read that celebrates taking chances and embracing life\u2019s unexpected opportunities.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-May-2026", "date_added": "18-Feb-2026 22:11:15", "publisher": "Zibby Publishing", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017162011", "title": "No God but Us", "author": "Bobuq Sayed", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 107, "review": "Few debuts feel as ambitious and emotionally charged as No God but Us by Bobuq Sayed. Set against the vibrant yet precarious queer underground of Istanbul, the novel follows Delbar and Mansur with extraordinary empathy and complexity. Delbar\u2019s impulsive energy clashes beautifully with Mansur\u2019s guarded realism, creating a relationship dynamic that feels deeply authentic. Sayed writes about exile, queerness, and survival with aching clarity, but the novel never loses sight of joy, humor, or desire. Some scenes pulse with romance while others crackle with political fear, making the entire story feel immediate and alive. It\u2019s a deeply layered novel that balances tenderness and fury in equal measure.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Feb-2026 21:14:52", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017162007", "title": "The Bone Dagger", "author": "Clara Rhodes", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 95, "review": "The Bone Dagger by Clara Rhodes reads like a storm held in a human body\u2014beautiful, volatile, and always on the verge of breaking. Helaina Ironblood\u2019s cursed lineage anchors a world full of collapsing kingdoms and ancient relics, but it\u2019s her relationship with Theodon Wrenn that gives the story its volatile charge. Their dynamic is sharp-edged: control versus resistance, destiny versus desire. Rhodes leans into dark romantic fantasy tropes but gives them weight through emotional stakes and mythic consequences. Every choice feels like it costs something irreversible, making the romance as dangerous as the magic itself.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Feb-2026 21:11:19", "publisher": "Blackstone Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017162003", "title": "Killer Vibes", "author": "Jack Friday", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 113, "review": "If queer crime fiction had a patron saint of chaotic bisexual energy, it would probably be Peter Key from Killer Vibes by Jack Friday. This novel barrels forward with wit, charm, and just enough danger to keep the pages flying. Peter is gloriously imperfect: perpetually stoned, deeply sarcastic, and somehow still impossible not to root for. The Austin setting adds plenty of personality, giving the story a scruffy, offbeat charm that perfectly matches its narrator. What makes the book work so well is the balance between humor and suspense. One moment you\u2019re laughing at Peter\u2019s terrible life choices, and the next you\u2019re genuinely invested in the increasingly dangerous mystery surrounding his uncle\u2019s death.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Feb-2026 20:36:49", "publisher": "St. Martin's Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017161007", "title": "'Til Death Do We Parent", "author": "Jess Hilarious", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 98, "review": "In \u2019Til Death Do We Parent, Jess Hilarious delivers a memoir that\u2019s as sharp as her comedy and as heartfelt as her journey. With humor as her compass, she navigates the often messy terrain of coparenting, offering both laughter and insight in equal measure. Jess\u2019s storytelling feels candid and conversational, pulling readers into her world without pretense. Beneath the wit lies a thoughtful exploration of growth, compromise, and redefining what family looks like. It\u2019s an empowering read for anyone balancing love, responsibility, and self-respect\u2014proof that even life\u2019s toughest dynamics can be reshaped with honesty and a well-timed punchline.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-May-2026", "date_added": "17-Feb-2026 20:45:03", "publisher": "Atria/Black Privilege Publishing", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017161003", "title": "The Wish", "author": "Heather Morris", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 104, "review": "Heather Morris\u2019s The Wish is a deeply moving and heartfelt contemporary novel that explores connection, compassion, and the fleeting beauty of life. When fifteen-year-old Jesse makes a simple yet profound wish for a virtual experience capturing her life, it sets her on a journey of unexpected friendship with Alex, a solitary virtual reality designer. Morris\u2019s signature empathy shines through as she crafts nuanced, emotionally rich characters whose struggles and joys feel immediate and real. Balancing heartbreak with hope, The Wish is a tender, unforgettable story about love, human connection, and the ways small acts can leave a lasting impact on the world around us.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "17-Feb-2026 20:33:57", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017159023", "title": "Romantic Hero", "author": "Kirsty Greenwood", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 98, "review": "Romantic Hero by Kristy Greenwood takes a delightfully surreal premise and turns it into something surprisingly heartfelt. A fictional cowboy villain walking into real life could easily tilt absurd, but instead it becomes a clever exploration of identity, authorship, and emotional repair. Gertie\u2019s creative block mirrors her personal unraveling, while River Oakley\u2019s presence forces her to confront what she\u2019s been avoiding\u2014both on the page and in her heart. Greenwood writes with warmth and wit, letting humor soften the edges of heartbreak. As the lines between fiction and reality blur, so too does Gertie\u2019s understanding of love\u2019s possible endings.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "19-Feb-2026 00:13:36", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017159019", "title": "First and Forever", "author": "Lynn Painter", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 104, "review": "There\u2019s a spark to First and Forever by Lynn Painter that feels like watching a live wire come alive\u2014fast, bright, impossible to ignore. Duffy and Connor\u2019s viral interview sets off a chain reaction of public scrutiny, forced proximity, and reluctant cooperation that quickly turns into something much more charged. Painter\u2019s signature banter is on full display here, sharp enough to make every exchange crackle. But beneath the humor and PR chaos is a slow realization that pretending becomes dangerous when feelings stop playing along. The romance unfolds with effortless chemistry, balancing spectacle with sincerity in a way that lingers long after the final page.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "19-Feb-2026 00:09:05", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017159015", "title": "The Book of the Frog", "author": "Sally Coulthard", "category": "N19 Science & Nature", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Maileen Hamto", "word_count": 212, "review": "The Book of the Frog by naturalist Sally Coulthard is a delightful celebration of one of nature's most extraordinary creatures. With genuine enthusiasm, Coulthard brings the remarkable world of amphibians to life, showcasing the astonishing variety of frogs and toads found across the globe. This focus aims to spark curiosity and admiration among readers of all ages, encouraging a sense of wonder about frog diversity and biology

Readers of all ages will be captivated by the amazing creatures, as the book shares the intricacies of their life cycles and dietary habits, as well as the deep evolutionary history that has shaped them over hundreds of millions of years. Coulthard\u2019s narrative is brought to life by whimsical, artfully rendered illustrations.

\nBeneath the wonder, Coulthard also shares an urgent truth. Like so many species, frogs and toads are vanishing at an alarming rate. These ancient creatures, survivors of mass extinctions, now face threats entirely of our making. I appreciate how Coulthard highlights the importance of conservation and inspires readers to care about protecting these vulnerable species. Many chapters end with an empowering and practical section called \u201cHow to Help Frogs,\u201d which features a list of actionable ways people can contribute to frog conservation, from creating a pond in their backyard to joining citizen science projects.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "12-Jun-2026", "date_added": "18-Feb-2026 23:15:29", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017159003", "title": "Happiness Included", "author": "Eve Plumb, Christopher Knight", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 101, "review": "Happiness Included is a warm, engaging stroll through decades of television history, guided by Eve Plumb\u2019s thoughtful and refreshingly grounded voice. Best known as Jan Brady, Plumb moves beyond the iconic role to reveal a career rich with reinvention and artistic exploration. The memoir shines in its behind-the-scenes glimpses, offering both nostalgia and a new perspective on classic television moments. Yet it\u2019s her personal reflections\u2014on growing up in the spotlight and carving out a multifaceted life\u2014that give the book its heart. With charm and candor, Plumb reminds readers that identity is never a single role, but a lifetime of evolving performances.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-May-2026", "date_added": "17-Feb-2026 20:18:59", "publisher": "Kensington", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017158003", "title": "Too Many Toucans", "author": "Paula Bowles", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 14", "word_count": 128, "review": "One toucan alone could be lonely and boring, but what happens when the toucans keep coming and coming? Toco just wants to build himself a simple treehouse, and he thinks, what can it hurt when another shows up to help, but this Toucan has his own ideas, and so does each one. Things get a little out of control, but Toco doesn't know what to say to the other Toucans to help them understand his vision. Then everything comes crashing down, and Toco is able to find his voice.

This is a really sweet little book with the cutest Toucans and vibrant illustrations. I really like the back of the book, which helps to teach readers to follow their gut, learn about assertiveness, and how to respectfully disagree/agree.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2026", "date_added": "16-Feb-2026 20:35:01", "publisher": "Magination Press, American Psychological", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017155003", "title": "You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This", "author": "Aaron Starmer", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 96, "review": "Aaron Starmer\u2019s You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This is a wildly imaginative coming-of-age novel that blends family mystery, magical realism, and heartfelt self-discovery. When twelve-year-old Roman begins uncovering the strange secrets hidden in his late grandfather\u2019s house, he\u2019s drawn into a twisting web of family legends, eerie artifacts, and long-buried truths. Starmer\u2019s storytelling is inventive and full of wonder, balancing quirky humor with genuine emotional depth. Roman\u2019s search to understand his family history becomes a moving journey toward understanding himself. Clever, original, and deeply memorable, this is a standout middle-grade novel for curious readers.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "11-May-2026", "date_added": "16-Feb-2026 20:14:43", "publisher": "Penguin Young Readers Group", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017154015", "title": "The Young Will Remember", "author": "Eve J Chung", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 98, "review": "Eve J. Chung\u2019s The Young Will Remember is sweeping, intimate, and profoundly moving. Set during the Korean War, it follows journalist Ellie Chang after her plane crashes behind enemy lines, where survival depends on the compassion of women who owe her nothing. Chung writes with sensitivity and power, illuminating a conflict too often overlooked while centering female courage and sacrifice. Ellie is a compelling protagonist, and the evolving bond between her and Emma gives the novel emotional force. This is historical fiction at its finest: immersive, urgent, and full of hard-won hope.\nClick Here to buy the book", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-May-2026", "date_added": "16-Feb-2026 20:53:50", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017153023", "title": "Hungered", "author": "Amanda Rizkalla", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 103, "review": "Amanda Rizkalla\u2019s Hungered is a haunting and beautifully rendered debut that immerses readers in the fragile, moving world of twelve-year-old Sofia. Living in a car with her mother and younger brother, Sofia navigates a childhood shaped by uncertainty, fleeting comforts, and the small joys that punctuate a life on the margins. Rizkalla\u2019s prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing both the tenderness and cruelty of family, the yearning for stability, and the struggle to claim identity amid displacement. With its deeply felt characters and emotional resonance, Hungered is a striking, unforgettable exploration of survival, memory, and the search for home in all its forms.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "16-Feb-2026 20:56:07", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017153019", "title": "The Jellyfish Problem", "author": "Tessa Yang", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 99, "review": "There\u2019s something quietly luminous about The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang, as if the ocean itself is thinking through its own mysteries. Dr. Jo Ness is an unusual fantasy heroine\u2014rooted in science, grief, and emotional restraint\u2014but her journey toward a glowing sea creature on a remote island becomes something far stranger and more intimate. The jellyfish, Clementine, is less monster than question mark, refracting meaning depending on who observes it. Yang balances ecological wonder with human fragility, crafting a story where grief and discovery move in the same tide. It lingers like salt on skin after a long swim.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "16-Feb-2026 20:51:27", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017153011", "title": "Sheep Shape", "author": "Ad\u00e8le Tariel,Oksana Bula", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 14", "word_count": 139, "review": "Sheep Shape is the story of a sheep who is very attached to his winter wool and doesn't want it to be sheared off in the summer, so he decides to run away. While he is living in the wild, his wool gets even woollier. Everyone told him he would be eaten by the wolves, but it turns out that maybe having a big coat of wool is more handy than he ever imagined. You must read this book to find out if the farmer gets his way and shears his coat off.

This was a really cute little book with colorful illustrations. I really enjoyed the illustrations of all the things he accumulated in his wool, dirt, sticks, and other animals. It made the book really funny. I'm glad he didn't end up getting eaten by the wolf.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2026", "date_added": "16-Feb-2026 20:33:30", "publisher": "Magination Press, American Psychological", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017151019", "title": "Professor Thomas Cat's Guide to Understanding the Human Brain", "author": "Rachael Allen,Miguel D\u00edaz Rivas", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 14", "word_count": 133, "review": "This is not your typical graphic novel. It is jam-packed full of really cool information on the human brain. It also shows images of the areas of the brain and how they work, or how they should work, and compares a typical human brain to a neurotypical human brain with dyslexia.

What is especially cool about this book is that it shows how an MRI works and what it scans. It shows how some kids feel bad when they don't learn the same way as other kids, but that's ok because their brains work differently. Most importantly, I like how they show dyslexia superpowers like different ways of thinking when creating art or seeing the big picture. This book has some really great graphics as well, and is great for readers who learn differently.", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2026", "date_added": "16-Feb-2026 20:39:12", "publisher": "Magination Press, American Psychological", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017334003", "title": "Murder at the Spirit Lounge", "author": "Jess Kidd", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 203, "review": "The last thing Nora expected during her peaceful walk along the seaside was to receive a summons from Mrs. Chimes, the local medium. However, she is more surprised that Detective Inspector Rideout was tasked with coming along. While the medium planned to reveal a robbery, the seance takes a deadly turn that could threaten everyone who attended. To save all those involved, Nora must stay a step ahead of a killer while aiding Rideout in searching for answers.

Step back into the world that Kidd has created with a second installment of Nora Breen\u2019s adventures. The dynamic between Nora and Rideout is delightful, with great dialogue and moments between them had throughout. The connection between them is fun, and every scene they share is an easy favorite. The story is exciting, with a seance and a medium in the middle that add just the right amount of eeriness to the charming mystery. Kidd does a splendid job of keeping you engaged throughout, making you glad you returned to the series and leaving you wanting to come back. A highly recommended treat, Murder at the Spirit Lounge is a fast-paced mystery with the right blend of investigation and charm that keeps you turning the page.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Mar-2026 19:57:10", "publisher": "Atria Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000017331007", "title": "Henry Tudor Must Die", "author": "Jillian Laine", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 91, "review": "Jillian Laine serves up a wickedly entertaining revenge fantasy in Henry Tudor Must Die. Reimagining Henry VIII\u2019s queens as a force of fury and cunning is a premise too delicious to resist, and the execution is every bit as satisfying. Anne Boleyn and Catalina de Arag\u00f3n crackle with personality, their uneasy alliance giving the book both bite and emotional depth. The secret Hellebore Sisterhood adds momentum, while the alternate-history twists keep the pages flying. Clever, sharp, and gleefully subversive, this is the kind of book that makes you cheer out loud.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Mar-2026 21:58:05", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017325011", "title": "The Killer and Frank Lloyd Wright", "author": "Casey Sherman", "category": "N27 True Crime", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 196, "review": "There were some who viewed the carnage and conflagration at Taliesin as comeuppance for Frank Lloyd Wright\u2019s moral failings. The agent of retribution was a troubled young man named Julian Carlton, who worked at the Wright home for a short period. Carlton lashed out at injustices, real and perceived, and slew seven people on August 15, 1914. Frank Lloyd Wright had built Taliesin for Mamah Borthwick, the love of his life, but it had instead become the scene of her demise. Frank Lloyd Wright was an innovator whose dreams inspired his architectural creations. Wright was often willing to risk everything to fulfill his goals. This reckless abandon was also witnessed in his personal life as his decision to walk out on his family for Mamah led to a public scandal that nearly derailed his career. Despite infamy and tragedy, Wright maintained a resolve that kept him designing buildings until his passing in 1959.\r\n\r\n\tThe Killer and Frank Lloyd Wright is the latest engrossing true-crime book by Casey Sherman(\u201cA Murder in Hollywood\u201d). Sherman\u2019s acumen for narrative is undeniable, and his exemplary work excels as both biography and true crime. Sherman\u2019s propensity for authoring page turners continues unabated.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Mar-2026 18:29:37", "publisher": "Sourcebooks", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017325007", "title": "102", "author": "Matthew Cordell", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 195, "review": "George comes home from school with a fever of 101, but it rises to 102. A mouse runs across the kitchen with something black in its mouth. Mom catches the mouse, and they put it into a tank. George offers it water and sunflower seeds, but it won\u2019t eat. George falls asleep, and at 1:02 am, a cricket awakens him, signaling George to follow. The cricket magically makes George tiny, and they go through a tunnel to the outside. Nearly captured by an owl, they escape into a hollow tree where they find a mouse family, the family of the mouse George\u2019s mother captured. They are waiting for Father Mouse to bring a black bean home, the final ingredient in 102 Bean Soup that will cure the sick child mouse.

Matthew Cordell is both author and illustrator of this lovely book. The story is a bit like a fever dream, but it is very sweet, and it will spark the imaginations of young listeners and readers. The illustrations are wonderfully creative pen drawings in muted colors with delightful details to keep youngsters engaged all the way through. This will become a fast favorite with little ones.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Mar-2026 17:59:00", "publisher": "Little, Brown Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "48 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017319003", "title": "A Bad Deal in Mormon Land", "author": "T I M Wirkus", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Jo Niederhoff", "word_count": 198, "review": "A fraudulent medium named (at the moment) Ilsa von Hoffman. Ilsa\u2019s former partner in crime is presumed dead. A reporter is following a lead given to her by her dying mother. A Mormon elder seeking to gain the dead Joseph Smith\u2019s blessing to alter the church\u2019s position on multiple marriages. All of these figures are thrown together into a complex, ever-shifting web of alliances and motivations in 1908 Salt Lake City.

And it\u2019s an absolutely wild ride to go on.

I picked up this book expecting a fun story of intrigue and deception with a historical backdrop, and that\u2019s exactly what I got. From the first few chapters, this book moves at a quick pace, dragging the reader along for the ride. Short chapters allow the reader to pop in and out of characters\u2019 heads, getting brief glimpses into their minds before rushing along to the next part. Never once does the story feel bogged down in just one character, but it also never feels too quick. Wirkus has an admirable sense of pacing, finding the exact right balance to make this book a proper romp.

Best of all, for history nerds? There\u2019s a list of recommended books for further reading.", "issue": "October 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-Mar-2026 16:16:04", "publisher": "Independent Publishers Group", "page_count": "308 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017317007", "title": "Hammer of the Gods", "author": "Don Hollway", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 175, "review": "Sometimes to make a history book more interesting to the average reader, writers will write it in a fictional style of writing. They'll include a good amount of history and sources and references, but with the style of reading a fiction book with quotes to appeal to readers who might struggle with the subject. This is what we get when we learn about the life of Viking Olaf Tryggvason who lived in the 900s and led many raids on mainland Europe and islands around Norway. His story is one of conquest, plunder, raids and many battles, but the actual facts that have survived are not as well known compared to leaders in other parts of Europe of this time. One of the parts that is most frustrating about the so-called \u201cDark Ages\u201d is that it is called that because many of the sources about it no longer exist.

While many people might find this style of writing interesting and engaging, I don't, and the entire work feels more like historical fiction than a true history book.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2026", "date_added": "29-Mar-2026 18:33:24", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000017312003", "title": "A Forest, Darkly", "author": "A G Slatter", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 194, "review": "There is so much to love about A Forest, Darkly. The protagonist is gold. Mehrab the witch lives deep in the forest. As a young woman arrives at her door, dark powers rise in the woods, and children from the village begin to disappear. Set in the Sourdough universe, S.A. Slatter weaves a rich, atmospheric world, thick with folklore and thoroughly immersive.

Ultimately, while Slatter writes with immense confidence and gorgeous prose, the book\u2019s internal logic feels misaligned\u2014like a masterfully tailored garment worn inside out, where visible plot seams hide the heart of the story.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "12-Jun-2026", "date_added": "25-Mar-2026 00:49:20", "publisher": "Titan", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017311003", "title": "Maria the Wanted", "author": "V Castro", "category": "F04 Horror", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 200, "review": "Maria only wanted to make enough money to emigrate from Mexico to raise her baby. The imposing men who waltzed into the factory she worked in had different ideas. Maria watched in horror as her co-workers were savagely attacked until an almost courteous assailant found her. He offered her a chance at survival, yet her survival meant losing her baby while becoming a vampire. Maria\u2019s rebirth as a member of the undead has changed her in body and spirit, but she has a constant need for blood that she must quench. However, her humanity prevents her from wantonly harming others to gain sustenance. She becomes a vigilante, a person of great reverence in the community. However, she desires to meet Adam, the vampire who made her. Upon their second meeting, Adam offers her a chance to do good on a greater scale, which also puts her in greater danger.

Maria the Wanted proves captivating from its bloody, but poignant, beginning and manages to draw the reader into its seductive clutches as the transformation of Maria from a meek woman to a formidable warrior unfolds. Author V. Castro (The Haunting of Alejandra) has written a remarkable book that transcends the vampire genre.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2026", "date_added": "25-Mar-2026 00:15:30", "publisher": "Titan", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017307003", "title": "Devils We Know", "author": "L T Thompson", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": "", "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 93, "review": "Adventure takes the wheel in Devils We Know, and L. T. Thompson steers it straight into found-family brilliance. The stakes are higher this time, the danger sharper, but it\u2019s the relationships that anchor the story. Cas, Remy, and Finn\u2019s bond feels lived-in and fiercely protective, while the budding romance between Remy and Finn adds a tender undercurrent to the chaos. There\u2019s something deeply satisfying about watching queer teens claim space in a world determined to deny them. Swashbuckling meets soul-searching here, resulting in a story that\u2019s as emotionally resonant as it is thrilling.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "24-Mar-2026 20:25:02", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017303007", "title": "Angry Girls Will Get Us Through", "author": "Rebecca Traister, Ruby Shamir", "category": "F17 Tweens", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Rebecca Williams", "word_count": 192, "review": "Social change is, at its heart, a revolution borne by women. A note by Abigail Adams to her husband warned against giving unlimited power to husbands. During the colonial period and the War of 1812, when men were pulled from homes to fight, women\u2019s roles changed and evolved. In the 1840s, a group of primarily women drafted the Declaration of Sentiments, which described the tyranny of men\u2019s control over women. In 1920, women pushed for Prohibition, hoping to curb the alcoholic tendencies of husbands to get better treatment within marriage. In the 1970s, women\u2019s reproductive health pushed Roe vs Wade through. Still today, many seek to strengthen women\u2019s rights through a cyclical, never-ending gender revolution. Through their acts of rebellion, social change comes about that generally benefits all.
,br>This book is heavily skewed left, with commentary on current states of affairs and those throughout history through a lens of women\u2019s rights, or lack thereof. The history is exhaustive while keeping the book smallish (under 250 pages) and the bibliography extensive. While there may be despair within the pages for the constant cycle of work to attain women\u2019s rights, there is hope as well.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "10-Jun-2026", "date_added": "20-Mar-2026 19:37:08", "publisher": "Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017297011", "title": "Finley", "author": "Chantelle Thorne,Burgen Thorne,Candace Spizzirri", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Liam - age 14", "word_count": 125, "review": "This is a funny story about a moose who wants to go to a fashion show. However, he would like to dress fancy, and it seems no one wants to put clothes on him. I imagine it is rather hard to dress a moose. In the end, Finley perseveres and finally finds a nice lady to dress him in very bright colors. It seems Finley finally gets everything he has always wanted.

This was a fun book. I thought since the title rhymed that the story might too, but it did not. I really like the bright colors in the illustrations, and this was a fun read. My favorite part when just one person showed him some kindness. In the end, kindness is always key.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Mar-2026 17:01:49", "publisher": "Gnome Road Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017296011", "title": "Owls Make Terrible Teachers", "author": "Chantelle Thorne,Kristi Mahoney,Burgen Thorne", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 191, "review": "You get to school to find that the teacher isn\u2019t there. That\u2019s okay. There is a substitute teacher. But wait! The substitute teacher is an owl, and owls make terrible teachers. What\u2019s so terrible about owl teachers? To start with, owls are nocturnal. What does that mean? It means owls sleep all day and are up all night. The owl snoozes all day, and when everyone else goes home, your class has to stay because the substitute is just getting started. Good thing your parents were warned and packed pajamas. When owls wake up, they hunt for food. Quick! Hide the classroom hamster! The PE teacher has gone home, so the owl takes over that class as well. And so it goes.

Kristi Mahoney has written a very silly story that is sprinkled with interesting facts about owls. Written in second-person point of view, present tense, the text commands attention from young readers and listeners and will hold their interest through to the end. Illustrations by Chantelle and Burgen Thorne fill every page with bright, cartoony illustrations that have plenty of fun details to keep youngsters engaged. Kids will love this one.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "18-Mar-2026 17:04:31", "publisher": "Gnome Road Publishing", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017294011", "title": "The Bridge Back to You", "author": "Riss M Neilson", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 96, "review": "This emotional second\u2011chance workplace romance beautifully blends personal growth and professional reconnection. When two former lovers unexpectedly co\u2011inherit the restaurant where they first fell in love, they\u2019re thrust back into both business and each other\u2019s orbit. Working side by side in the kitchen offers plenty of opportunities for tension, laughter, and honest conversations as they explore whether their past love can bloom into something new while honoring their shared culinary legacy. The Bridge Back to You is a tender, food\u2011filled journey that balances the heat of rekindled attraction with the satisfying rhythms of teamwork and collaboration.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 19:33:00", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017293031", "title": "The Name Game", "author": "Beth O'Leary", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 94, "review": "In this delightful workplace romance, two people with the same name arrive for the same managerial job at a remote Isle of Ormer farm shop, leading to a mix\u2011up that turns serious pretty quickly. As they\u2019re forced to work together to make sense of the situation \u2014 and to prove they\u2019re both the right fit \u2014 their clashing perspectives give way to mutual respect and unexpected sparks. The quirky premise, charming setting, and slow\u2011burn workplace banter make The Name Game a standout for readers who love light\u2011hearted romantic stories with depth and persistent chemistry.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 23:56:28", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017293027", "title": "A Latte Like Love", "author": "Michelle C Harris", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 105, "review": "A Latte Like Love by Michelle C. Harris is a warm, charming workplace romance that brews slowly but beautifully. Audrey\u2019s keen barista instincts and daily encounters with the enigmatic Theo create an irresistible slow-burn tension, while the cozy Brooklyn coffee shop setting adds a comforting, intimate atmosphere. Harris handles the emotional stakes with care, exploring vulnerability, trust, and self-acceptance as Theo struggles with his past and the scar he hides. Audrey\u2019s persistence and genuine sweetness make their romance feel heartfelt and earned. With humor, tenderness, and just the right dash of longing, A Latte Like Love is a delightful story that will leave readers smiling.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 22:20:48", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "512 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017293023", "title": "The Gulf of Lions", "author": "Caitlin Shetterly", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Margo Orlando Littell", "word_count": 182, "review": "Reeling from her husband\u2019s infidelity and still processing her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, Alice secures an assignment to write about camping across France with her daughters\u2014an opportunity she seizes as a chance for renewal and recovery. Her young daughters, Sophie and Iris, are skeptical but game; her husband, Pete, is supportive but also unhappy to be left behind. On her own in France, Alice meets a variety of locals, who house and feed her and the girls and show her another way of living. Alice recognizes herself for the first time in many months, though her memories of illness and marital discord are never far away.

When Alice meets Didier, a handsome Frenchman, she believes she has found a chance for happiness; he, along with gorgeous food and the beautiful countryside, allow her a peace she has sought for too long. But when Sophie meets a young riding instructor, the idyll of the trip crashes apart, and Alice must reenvision\u2014again\u2014what she wants her life to be. Life happens fast; nothing is forever. Alice and her family will emerge from France forever changed.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "09-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 19:17:37", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017293019", "title": "Three Reasons for Revenge", "author": "Dervla McTiernan", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Philip Zozzaro", "word_count": 200, "review": "Detective Sergeant Judith Lee\u2019s purview is homicide, but the complainant asked for her. Lee listens to a statement from a college student alleging sexual assault by her psychologist. When Lee hears the name of Dr. Robert Walker, she wants to pursue the case, as Walker\u2019s name has surfaced previously. Meanwhile, a package containing a salacious video showing Robert and a patient is delivered to Dr. Walker\u2019s wife. Walker\u2019s wife is a newswoman, and while she believes Robert\u2019s denials, she decides to distance herself from him to avoid being tainted by the looming scandal. Lee wants to follow up with the alleged victim, Alexis Turner, but is unable to locate her for further inquiries. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Walker is found dead with a note pinning the blame on DS Lee. Lee needs to locate Alexis Turner before her career is finished.

Since her authorial debut in 2018, Dervla McTiernan has distinguished herself as an outstanding mystery writer (The Ruin, What Happened to Nina), and her latest effort continues that trend. Three Reasons for Revenge is unforgettable, as much as it can be unsettling, with clever twists and turns that leave the reader lightheaded yet incredibly satisfied when all is said and done.", "issue": "July 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 19:14:42", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017292023", "title": "I'm Looking for a Man in Finance", "author": "Sabrina Waldorf", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 103, "review": "I\u2019m Looking for a Man in Finance by Sabrina Waldorf is a sizzling enemies-to-lovers workplace romance that crackles with wit, tension, and irresistible chemistry. Hallie Woods\u2019 assignment to date a Wall Street hottie for her magazine sets up a series of hilarious and steamy encounters with James Rossi, the finance bro determined to thwart her plans. Waldorf expertly balances humor, romantic tension, and heartfelt moments, letting their connection evolve naturally amid flirtatious banter and personal growth. The story shines with sharp dialogue, engaging characters, and a peek into the high-stakes world of finance. Fans of flirty, smart, and heartfelt romances will be delighted.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 22:09:38", "publisher": "CROOKED LANE BOOKS", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017292015", "title": "Give Me Everything You've Got", "author": "Imogen Crimp", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 109, "review": "Sultry, unsettling, and impossible to shake, Give Me Everything You\u2019ve Got by Imogen Crimp reads like a heatwave trapped inside a haunted house. Ruby\u2019s arrival at Ellen\u2019s country estate initially feels glamorous and seductive, but Crimp slowly tightens the tension until every interaction carries a dangerous charge. The relationship dynamics between Ruby, Ellen, and Lara are brilliantly uncomfortable in the best way, constantly shifting between admiration, manipulation, and desire. What stood out most was how vividly the novel captures the hunger to create art while also fearing what that ambition might cost. This is the kind of literary fiction that simmers under your skin long after you finish it.", "issue": "July 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 21:34:14", "publisher": "Henry Holt and Co.", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017292011", "title": "A Thousand Perfect Lies", "author": "Monica Murphy", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 95, "review": "A Thousand Perfect Lies delivers all the irresistible ingredients of a prep-school thriller: glamour, secrets, shifting loyalties, and danger behind polished doors. Billie Vale is an instantly compelling protagonist, entering Wickham Academy under a false identity to clear her sister\u2019s name. The mystery unfolds at a brisk pace, with every hallway and whispered conversation hiding fresh tension. Beneath the suspense, Billie\u2019s emotional journey adds depth as she wrestles with family fractures and questions of trust. Sharp, stylish, and twisty, this novel is a thrilling coming-of-age story about finding courage in a world built on deception.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "11-May-2026", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 17:23:51", "publisher": "Entangled Publishing, LLC", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017290027", "title": "The Paris Match", "author": "Kate Clayborn", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 98, "review": "Kate Clayborn\u2019s The Paris Match is a tender, emotionally rich romance about second chances and rediscovering yourself after heartbreak. Layla Bailey\u2019s journey is both relatable and deeply affecting as she navigates the complicated terrain of an amicable divorce that may not be as settled as she believed. Set against the romantic backdrop of Paris, the story sparkles with tension and introspection, especially in Layla\u2019s dynamic with the guarded yet compelling Griffin. Clayborn excels at crafting nuanced characters and heartfelt moments, making this novel a beautifully layered exploration of love, loss, and the courage to open your heart again.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-May-2026", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 21:48:46", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017290023", "title": "Set Point", "author": "Meg Jones", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 99, "review": "In Set Point by Meg Jones, the tennis court becomes a battleground where rivalry and attraction collide with electrifying force. In\u00e9s Costa\u2019s fall from grace and Chloe Murphy\u2019s rising stardom set the stage for a classic enemies-to-lovers arc, but what makes this story stand out is its emotional precision. Every practice drill, every shared glance, feels like a rally you can\u2019t look away from. Jones builds tension the way a player builds momentum\u2014slowly, deliberately, until it bursts. By the time the US Open arrives, the question isn\u2019t who will win the match, but whether love can survive the scoreline.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 19:26:53", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017289039", "title": "Maybe the Body", "author": "Asa Drake", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 88, "review": "Maybe the Body by Asa Drake is a luminous debut that explores identity, lineage, and the quiet tensions between love and survival. Drawing from landscapes in both the Philippines and the American South, Drake crafts poems that feel lush, urgent, and deeply reflective. The collection examines how bodies are shaped by political, ecological, and emotional forces, threading together family histories with striking lyricism. With inventive forms and vivid imagery, these poems feel both grounded and expansive, making this a powerful and memorable introduction to a bold poetic voice.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 21:57:25", "publisher": "Zando", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017289035", "title": "Moon's Lullaby", "author": "J\u00falia Moscard\u00f3,J\u00falia Moscard\u00f3", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Nova - age 4", "word_count": 129, "review": "Momma Duck is trying to put her ducklings to get ready for bed. The little ducklings do not want to go to bed, because they are not tired. The little ducklings would like their mom to tell them the story of the moon's lullaby. Every time the mom duck tries to tell the ducklings how other animals go to bed one duckling hops up to act like that animal. This is a funny book because the ducklings don't want to go to bed. I really like the pictures in this book. I like all the different kinds of animals that live around the pond. I also like seeing how all the other animals get ready for bed. My favorite part is when the ducks sleep in the momma's wings.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 19:39:37", "publisher": "Tiger Tales.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017288055", "title": "This Will Be Interesting", "author": "E B Asher", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 101, "review": "This Will Be Interesting by E. B. Asher is a delightful, heartwarming fantasy that combines magic, adventure, and romance with impeccable humor. While it\u2019s not a typical workplace romance, one could certainly argue that adventurers on a quest are \u201cat work,\u201d navigating high-stakes missions, teamwork, and professional rivalries\u2014all while romance simmers beneath the surface. Galwell True and his eclectic band of questmates balance danger, duty, and unexpected feelings in a story full of slow-burn romances, witty banter, and magical mishaps. Asher\u2019s vibrant world, charming characters, and clever mix of adventure and heart make this an utterly irresistible, cozy, and hilarious romantasy.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-Apr-2026", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 19:23:12", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "464 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017288051", "title": "Where You'll Find Us", "author": "Jen St Jude", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": "", "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 103, "review": "Soft, strange, and quietly devastating, Where You\u2019ll Find Us by Jen St. Jude reads like a memory you\u2019re trying to hold onto before it slips away. The concept of Amaranth\u2014a refuge outside of time\u2014is beautifully rendered, but it\u2019s Cal\u2019s internal journey that truly captivates. Questions of identity, belonging, and the cost of safety versus reality weave through every page. The romance is tender, almost fragile, blooming in a place where time itself feels uncertain. By the end, the story leaves you with a bittersweet ache, like summer ending just as you\u2019ve learned how to live inside it.\n\nClick Here to buy the book", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 19:14:06", "publisher": "Bloomsbury USA", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017288039", "title": "Writing in Parallel", "author": "Bill Resimont", "category": "N04 Technology", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 324, "review": "There's a simple idea at the center of Writing in Parallel that might take you by surprise: most of AI's problems are writing problems. Bill Resimont's concise argument is that language models fail not because they're bad at processing text, but because the text they're trained on is bad \u2014 scraped indiscriminately from the internet, unverifiable, unstructured. His proposed fix is elegant: pay many writers to respond to the same prompt independently, preserve every voice exactly as it is, and let AI make sense of the collection.

He calls this parallel writing, and it's older than you'd expect. The book traces the practice back to ancient Greek classrooms where students carved independent answers into wax tablets simultaneously, each working alone, each contributing to a shared picture of collective thought. What's new is the technology to read all those tablets at once, at scale, and find the patterns without erasing the distinctions.

Resimont writes with a teacher's instinct for structure. Each of the 12 chapters lays its foundation carefully before building up, and every chapter closes with 10 discussion prompts \u2014 this book clearly pulls double duty as course material. The prose is clear but methodical; readers looking for narrative momentum may feel the pace, but readers who want the argument built rigorously will appreciate the care.

The book is at its best when it engages directly with where AI has already failed. Microsoft's Tay chatbot, Amazon's gender-biased hiring algorithm, IBM Watson's flawed oncology recommendations \u2014 Resimont walks through each case not as a cautionary tale but as evidence: the problem was the data, and the fix requires intentional, structured, human-sourced text. His framing is precise: \"patterns become visible, blind spots emerge, and the reasoning behind each idea is preserved rather than flattened.\" Parallel writing, he argues, can produce exactly that.

Writers, educators, and technologists who believe the next phase of AI requires more human intentionality, not less, will find Writing in Parallel a clear-headed and genuinely useful read.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Mar-2026 19:12:44", "publisher": "Prevalent Publishing", "page_count": "115 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017288007", "title": "Nowhere Burning", "author": "Catriona Ward", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Shannon Carriger", "word_count": 200, "review": "Riley and her brother Oliver have suffered innumerable tragedies in their young lives, so when the promise of an escape comes\u2014no matter how frightening it might be\u2014they jump at the chance to be free. Their story is the heart of Catriona Ward's latest novel Nowhere Burning.

Nowhere Farm is infamous for a series of horrific crimes, but by the time Riley and Oliver need an escape, it is inhabited by a group of adolescents and children who care for each other like a family. The leader, a charismatic young woman named Noon, welcomes them into the close-knit community and makes them adhere to rules that, outside of Nowhere, might seem troubling. But, in this space, the place that has saved them, the rules make sense. As Riley and Oliver navigate this new life, documentarians Marc and Kimble seek to tell the story of Nowhere and the celebrity who once owned it and made it infamous.

The twists in the novel surprised me at every turn, but be warned: there is some horrific content as relates to the abuse of children. None of it is graphically depicted, but the implications are enough to turn your stomach. Still, Nowhere Burning is an excellent thriller.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "12-Jun-2026", "date_added": "13-Mar-2026 20:12:49", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000017287047", "title": "Midstream", "author": "Kate Washington", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Anara Guard", "word_count": 193, "review": "The pandemic lockdown, devastating wildfires and drought, burnout from caring for a husband with life-threatening medical conditions\u2026all of these led Kate Washington to the brink. As she looked ahead to her fiftieth birthday, she felt trapped by indecision: should she end her loveless marriage or stick it out? A lifelong swimmer, she set herself the goal to swim\u2014or at least dunk\u2014in 50 different bodies of water before she turned 50. Most of the time, she turned to rivers and swimming holes found in Northern California, a landscape she clearly loves and describes beautifully. This slim volume describes many of her dunks, framed by her thoughts on marriage, menopause, misogyny, mothering, and selflessness. Even happily married women can relate to Kate\u2019s efforts to reclaim her sense of self, which had thinned over the years of caring for everyone else. She is unsparing in her account of her husband\u2019s passivity and disinterest, but equally unsparing in describing her own blistering rage. Both make for uncomfortable reads, but after a time, her repeated immersions in cold water became a baptism of sorts, and many readers will enjoy discovering a similar sense of renewal in these pages.", "issue": "July 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 22:57:07", "publisher": "Beacon Press", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017286035", "title": "Writing in Parallel", "author": "Bill Resimont", "category": "N04 Technology", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 313, "review": "I came to Writing in Parallel as a skeptic. The combination of \"AI\" and \"writing marketplace\" in the pitch usually signals either a panic piece or an overclaim, and I was braced for both. What I found instead was a short, careful, methodical book genuinely trying to solve a specific problem \u2014 and solving it by bringing writers back into the equation as the point, not the casualty.

Bill Resimont's central argument: the AI trust problem is a data problem, and the data problem can be addressed by paying writers to respond to the same prompts independently, preserving each voice without blending anyone's perspective into anyone else's. He calls this parallel writing, traces it to Greek classrooms (wax tablets, simultaneous responses, each learner working alone), and builds outward into a framework covering AI training datasets, market research, and national security applications. The scope sounds grand, but the argument stays grounded.

What I appreciate most is the honest accounting of where AI has already failed. He walks through Tay, Amazon's hiring algorithm, and IBM Watson for Oncology \u2014 not as headlines, but as structural evidence. AI fluency, he explains, creates the illusion of accuracy; systems learn the pattern of language without the reliability of thought. Parallel writing, because it's structured and auditable and multi-voiced, can actually fix this.

The commercial model at the book's center is the part that'll stick with me longest. In an industry that keeps asking writers to work for exposure, Resimont is proposing something more honest \u2014 and Writing in Parallel makes the case convincingly. A marketplace where paragraphs have a price tag and the value is in the variation, not the polish, is a genuinely different pitch from anything writers have been offered in the last decade.

Writers, educators, and anyone who's spent time thinking about whether their perspective has economic value in the age of generative AI: this one's worth your afternoon.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Mar-2026 19:12:47", "publisher": "Prevalent Publishing", "page_count": "115 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017286031", "title": "Almost Grown", "author": "Jesse Malin,Debra Devi", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 102, "review": "Jesse Malin\u2019s Almost Grown crackles with the energy of a life lived at full volume. With a voice that feels both streetwise and deeply reflective, Malin traces his path from a chaotic Queens childhood to the hard-won fulfillment of artistic dreams. What makes this memoir stand out is its emotional honesty\u2014he doesn\u2019t sand down the rough edges, instead letting every misstep and triumph hum with authenticity. The backdrop of his recent health struggles adds a powerful layer of resilience, transforming the book into more than a music memoir. It\u2019s a testament to endurance, creativity, and the stubborn, beautiful refusal to give up.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-May-2026", "date_added": "14-Mar-2026 00:15:04", "publisher": "Akashic Books, Ltd.", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017285031", "title": "The Storm Cloud", "author": "Frances Stickley,Emily Hamilton", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Nova - age 4", "word_count": 127, "review": "This book is about a little bear who is feeling sad, like a rain cloud is raining down on just him. The bear thinks no one else will care but he finds out that friends do care. Friends want to help friends feel happy and have fun. Bear finds out that his friends will be there for him even when the skies are gray and cloudy. The friends make a picnic and try to help bear.

The pictures are very colorful, except for the storm cloud. I like the illustrations of the flowers and rainbow. My favorite part of the story is how his friends stayed with him when he was feeling bad and in the rain and helped him feel better and then there was a rainbow.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "08-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 20:09:03", "publisher": "Post Wave", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000017284019", "title": "The Changeling", "author": "Joy Williams,Karen Russell", "category": "F21 Myths, Fairy tales, Folklore", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 161, "review": "The novel from fifty years ago, and subsequent movie, stunned audiences with the horror of a changeling child. A changeling is a child who had been switched with another, usually generating horror and disbelief. This book drifts along with the main character who has no impetus to face life, but relies on a steady stream of alcohol to numb her into passivity and dullness. Like many heroines, she follows the will of others into nightmare scenarios and strange occurrences. These events take on a dream like disbelief; she does not know or understand what is happening at any given moment and this reader was left with similar reactions.

\"Whenever Pearl attempted conversation, it sounded like gibberish.\u201d Thus the main character, Pearl. became a favorite with the mob of children on the island because her storytelling was the stuff of fairy tales. That being said, the novel never reaches the level of horror, but drifts along aimlessly only depicting a woman\u2019s meaningless life.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "17-Mar-2026 22:05:08", "publisher": "Zando", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "2"} {"id": "425035000017284011", "title": "Squirrel Lock Holmes #1", "author": "Ashley Belote", "category": "F20 Sequential Art - Kids", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 12", "word_count": 151, "review": "//Squirrel Lock Holmes: The Pet Rock Mystery// is the first story in this series that features Squirrel Lock Holmes and her sidekick, Watson, a purple mole. This easy-reader story tells, in five chapters, how Reggie the Rabbit lost his pet rock, Dwayne, and how they work together to follow clues, gather and interrogate suspects, and figure out where Dwayne is to make Reggie a happy Rabbit again. Readers will learn the steps that police and detectives use to solve a mystery, and then try them out on their own when a problem, no matter how big or small, comes up, to save the day! The colorful and busy illustrations in this young readers' graphic novel will give the reader things to look at, and, as a bonus, there are some extra activities to do! Readers or story lovers in elementary school will be the right audience for this book and series.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "13-Mar-2026 21:33:10", "publisher": "Random House Children's Books", "page_count": "80 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017283015", "title": "How to Kill a Crime Writer", "author": "Sarah Lotz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Liz Konkel", "word_count": 218, "review": "When Niamh\u2019s bestselling crime writer mother dies, she inherits her country home, where she hides away from her grief. She\u2019s not even read her mother's latest novel, but when an advance copy shows up at her door, she finds she can\u2019t run away from it. The strange part is when Leah Rebecca Overton appears in the kitchen. Her visit wouldn\u2019t be so concerning if Leah weren\u2019t a fictional sleuth from her mother\u2019s novels. But when the fictional sleuth claims Niamh\u2019s mother was murdered, she has to decide whether or not she wants to know the truth.

The story leans fully into making Leah a well-rounded presence with a personality that contrasts nicely with Niamh. She\u2019s a personified answer to the question if that \u2018little voice\u2019 in your head were to come to life. Her role throughout is to call Niamh out on various things and push her out of her comfort zone. This is a story about dealing with grief, and even Leah\u2019s presence is a representation of that struggle for closure. The death of her mother and the estrangement between them before that are issues Lotz explores throughout the story. How to Kill a Crime Writer is a mystery you don\u2019t see every day, with a fictional sidekick and an exploration of grief that makes it stand out.", "issue": "July 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "13-Mar-2026 23:47:16", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017473002", "title": "The Last Best Quest Ever", "author": "F T Lukens", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": "", "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 91, "review": "In The Last Best Quest Ever, F.T. Lukens delivers a charmingly chaotic adventure that gleefully pokes at classic quest tropes while building something heartfelt beneath the humor. Ellinore\u2019s carefully constructed reputation unravels in spectacular fashion, and watching her stumble toward authenticity is half the fun. The banter between her and Aven crackles with rivals-to-something-more energy, while the ragtag crew adds warmth and unpredictability. What lingers most is the emotional honesty tucked inside the antics\u2014this is a story about choosing who you are when the spotlight fades, and letting yourself be seen.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "29-Apr-2026 22:08:14", "publisher": "Margaret K. McElderry Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017465002", "title": "The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains", "author": "Reena McCarty", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Axie Barclay", "word_count": 178, "review": "//The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains// by Reena McCarty promises a witty, cozy fantasy rooted in the clever bureaucracy of fairy contracts. Protagonist Poppy Hill, who previously spent a century cooking for the Wild King, now negotiates these deals in the human world. When a bargain goes awry, she must return to the Otherside to fix it.\r\nWhile the novel starts strong, it quickly abandons its greatest assets. Once Poppy crosses over, the book stalls and all the wheels come off. At once. On the freeway. The narrative descends into an uninspiring travelogue, occasionally interrupted by soft-core food porn. Poppy hates her job but does nothing to fix it; she longs for the Otherside, yet once there, she does nothing but whine and get captured.\r\nWorse, the attempted romantic triad utterly lacks chemistry, and McCarty\u2019s Faerie feels like a bog-standard fantasy realm less engaging than a 90s video game level you can't navigate out of. Ultimately, a delightfully snarky protagonist and a clever premise fail due to endless scenic descriptions, a stagnant plot, and a hollow emotional core.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "29-Apr-2026 21:01:34", "publisher": "Orbit", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000017458002", "title": "I'm Frankie Frankenstein", "author": "Jos\u00e9 Carlos Andr\u00e9s,Gmez", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 12", "word_count": 170, "review": "//I'm Frankie Frankenstein// is a story about being happy with who you are, and encouraging others to feel the same! Frankie Frankenstein is a rather large, tall girl who happens to be her father's creation, and her father loves her enough to let her do what she wants, which is to visit the local children in town, something she's never done before. Frankie gets excited, then she realizes that there is a big difference between them and her, and she starts wondering if she should change some things about herself to fit in better. Thankfully, she figures things out, and she has lots of supportive people around her! \r\n

//I'm Frankie Frankenstein// would obviously be a good book for Halloween-time, but besides her being a monster, the story is appropriate for all the other times of the year, too. I like that the illustrations are full-page color, and there are several funny parts when we learn of her \"monster-ways.\" Kids aged five and older will understand and enjoy this story.", "issue": "August 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-Apr-2026 19:34:55", "publisher": "NubeOcho", "page_count": "44 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017453026", "title": "I\u2019ll Be Awesome Tomorrow: A Memoir of Chasing Perfection and Letting Go", "author": "Marian Sandmaier", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 401, "review": "Marian Sandmaier opens this memoir with a hard stop. She is sitting at a kitchen table with her boyfriend, Dan, and telling him she wants to die. It is a blunt beginning, but it is also a clean one. Sandmaier does not drift into the story. She drops us into the worst of it, then works backward to explain how a bright, capable girl became a woman trapped in a private war with herself.

The answer starts early. By age 8, she was already dreaming of becoming someone else, someone shinier, easier, more adored. Not merely better. Transformed. The memoir follows that hunger through childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood, as Sandmaier chases perfection through appearance, performance, romance, work, and self-control. She wants to be charming, fearless, wanted, and above all, immune to rejection. What she gets instead is exhaustion, shame, and a life lived under a punishing internal voice.

Sandmaier is so direct about what perfectionism actually costs. She does not prettify depression or dress up the damage. She shows the panic, the freeze response, the cruel self-talk, and the deep need to be loved without having to be herself first. That honesty gives the memoir its force. She understands that perfectionism often passes for discipline when, for some people, it is really fear with a good posture.

Dan gives the book its emotional anchor. He is not a savior. He is simply present, stubborn, and alarmed enough to keep trying. Their conversations bring the story down to a human scale. Sandmaier writes especially well about the small, ugly, ordinary moments that carry real weight. A look. A pause. A sentence said too late. She knows how much can turn on something that would look minor from the outside.

At times, the memoir circles the same emotional territory more than once. That fits the subject, since perfectionism is repetitive by nature, but some readers may want a little more forward motion in the middle. Even so, Sandmaier keeps the pages moving because the stakes stay high. She is not just recounting pain. She is documenting the slow work of loosening a grip that had become a way of life.

I\u2019ll Be Awesome Tomorrow is strongest when it refuses easy redemption. Sandmaier does not pretend to have solved herself. She argues for something harder and more useful: learning to live without the fantasy of becoming flawless first. That makes this memoir sharp, humane, and worth the time.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 18:23:48", "publisher": "Flying Cloud Press", "page_count": "", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000017453024", "title": "Situational Leadership\u00ae: The Model for Leading Others, Navigating Change, and Unlocking Performance", "author": "Sam Shriver and Suzie Bishop", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 359, "review": "Situational Leadership\u00ae is a business book with a clear purpose. Sam Shriver and Suzie Bishop take a leadership model that has been around for years and make the case for why it still matters. Their focus is simple: good leaders do not use the same style with every person, every time. They adjust to the task and the moment.

That is the book\u2019s main strength. It strips away a lot of the noise that clings to management advice. Instead of selling leadership as a personality trait or a slogan, it gives readers a framework they can use. The model asks leaders to look at readiness, then choose how much direction or support a person needs. That is practical. It also matches real work, where people do not all start from the same place.

The tone stays grounded. This is not a book trying to dazzle the reader with theory. It wants to be useful. That is a good fit for managers, trainers, executives, and team leads who need something they can apply without a long detour. The examples and praise around the book suggest a broad audience, from corporations to nonprofits to families, and that reach gives the framework more room to breathe.

What works best here is the emphasis on judgment. The model does not ask leaders to label people and leave it there. It asks them to pay attention. That shift matters. It puts the burden on the leader to think, adjust, and act with intention. In a lot of workplaces, that alone would be an upgrade.

The book also understands that leadership changes under pressure. Change, growth, and performance all demand different responses. The value of the model is that it gives leaders a way to keep moving without guessing their way through every decision. That makes the book feel steady and current at the same time.

Readers looking for a flashy new system will probably not find one here. Readers looking for a clear, proven framework for leading people with more care and less guesswork should. Situational Leadership\u00ae is direct, usable, and built around results. It knows what it is and does not waste time pretending to be something else.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 18:09:58", "publisher": "Amplify Publishing", "page_count": "224 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000017453022", "title": "Ruined Beauty", "author": "Michelle Bitting", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 428, "review": "There's a moment in \"The Clearing\" where the speaker watches her husband sink six feet into the ash where their house used to be, his voice rising up: I'm walking on the roof! It's the kind of scene a director would kill for. Disorienting, darkly comic, and devastating all at once. That moment tells you everything about what Michelle Bitting is doing in this collection: finding the image that cracks the frame open.

Ruined Beauty opens on the January 2025 Palisades-Eaton fires and never fully leaves them. But this isn't a disaster memoir. It's an ensemble piece, and the cast is extraordinary.

The father is the collection's best villain. He stomps through the family home declaring I am the King!, doles out loyalty conditions like a mob boss, and burns through his children's lives with the confidence of someone who never considers the wreckage. By the time Bitting puts him in a hospital gown, dementia softening his face into something unrecognizable, the scene cuts both ways. He reaches for her hand, thinking she's someone else. She lets him.

The brothers are ghosts in the truest sense, haunting without appearing. One died by suicide, one by illness, and Bitting renders them in fragments \u2014 model airplanes taken to the thrift shop, a Steely Dan playlist at a funeral, the image of them dancing in the wind at the close of \"Lost in the Disco Ball.\" The ensemble doesn't need to be living to carry weight.

The pacing moves the way good films do: tight scenes giving way to sprawling set pieces. \"MEMORIAL\" is a tight, formal elegy \u2014 linked couplets, barely a page. Then \"I Get You, Norma Desmond\" explodes across four pages, pulling Sunset Boulevard, Euripides, Lorca, and a college production at Berkeley's Greek Theatre into a single careening monologue. It shouldn't work. It absolutely works.

The ending earns it. \"The Grain of Gold Waving in the Sun\" reaches for grace and lands it with bread, wine, a gardener's scythe, and love as the thing that keeps the wheel turning. After everything that preceded it, the fire, the funerals, the father, the chemo, that final note of praise hits like a coda that was written in the first reel, and you just didn't know it yet.

If the collection has a weak scene, it's that same closing poem in isolation. Read alone, it feels soft. Read as a finale, after the full weight of what came before, it opens.

Ruined Beauty is the kind of book that plays better on a second read, once you know who doesn't make it out. That's the highest compliment.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 18:06:56", "publisher": "Walton Well Press", "page_count": "67 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017453020", "title": "Ruined Beauty", "author": "Michelle Bitting", "category": "F08 Poetry & Short Stories", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 410, "review": "Michelle Bitting's sixth collection arrives from the ashes. Three anchor poems respond to the January 2025 Palisades-Eaton fires, and that catastrophe pulses through the book like a second heartbeat, coloring even the grief that predates it.

The opening poem, \"Sudden,\" carries Th\u00edch Nh\u00e2t Hanh and Octavia Butler in the same breath without straining. Bitting moves between registers \u2014 mystical, domestic, furious, tender \u2014 the way water moves through cracks.

\"The Clearing\" is the standout. It folds Buzz Aldrin's moon-walking observations into a marriage's reckoning with fire and loss, collapsing memory and lunar imagery into something that holds its weight. The poem earns its ambition. Not every poem here can say that.

The book runs three movements: Sudden, The Play, and Prayer Meeting. The first section grieves two brothers (one by suicide, one by illness), a father dissolving into dementia, and a mother who performed happiness the way others perform grief. By the time you reach the title poem, that litany has become physical. You carry it.

Bitting's formal range is impressive. \"Manger, Emptied\" is a villanelle. \"MEMORIAL\" is a linked-word chain poem where the last word of each couplet seeds the next. \"I Get You, Norma Desmond\" runs four pages, swallowing Sunset Boulevard, Euripides, Lorca, and Fosse without blinking. That poem alone justifies the collection.

The book stumbles where it reaches for transcendence before earning it. \"The Grain of Gold Waving in the Sun\" gestures toward radiance that feels willed rather than discovered. It's the one poem that explains itself instead of showing. In a collection this sure-handed, it lands like a wrong note.

The cultural texture is Californian with canyon fires, Hollywood mythology, coast fog, and the specific melancholy of living near the sea when the hills are burning. Bitting wears that geography without fetishizing it. When she invokes St. Teresa of \u00c1vila through the Bernini sculpture on the cover, it pays off across the whole collection. These poems are ecstatic in the original sense: torn open, still singing.

The framing matters. Editor Theresia de Vroom connects Teresa's mysticism to what she calls the Anima, the female soul exposed. That frame holds. Bitting's speaker is a woman who has buried brothers, watched a son through chemo, lost a house to wildfire, and kept writing. The poems don't perform survival. They are survival, caught mid-motion.

Ruined Beauty doesn't resolve its grief. It shows the transformation happening, which is harder to write and more honest to read. Press it on strangers. It will find the ones who need it.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 18:06:44", "publisher": "Walton Well Press", "page_count": "67 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000017453018", "title": "The Call of the Bugle", "author": "John Amos", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jack Davis", "word_count": 322, "review": "John Amos gives The Call of the Bugle the feel of a war story told from inside a haunted room. A correspondent wakes in a newsroom with brandy on the desk and bugles still ringing in his head, then drops back into the Crimea, where the Charge of the Light Brigade turns mud, horses, artillery, and smoke into a single brutal memory. The setup is strong because it keeps shifting the book between report and recollection. Amos uses letters, diaries, and the correspondent\u2019s own account to widen the frame, so the novel feels layered without losing its forward motion. The battlefield scenes are vivid, but the quieter material often lands harder: Emily\u2019s blanket, the crocuses on the bar, the smell of honeysuckle after rain, the strange unease in the cottage, the little objects that keep memory alive even when the people are gone.

That is where the book finds its best shape. It understands that war does not stop at the charge. It keeps working through grief, through love, through habit, through the places where the dead seem to linger. Dryden\u2019s death hangs over the novel, but so do Jenny Farley, the correspondent\u2019s drinking, Emily\u2019s steadiness, and the old cottage full of mirrors, drawers, uniforms, and letters. Amos handles those pieces with enough patience to make the story feel inhabited. He wants the book to be big and elegiac and a little uncanny, and he mostly gets there. A few passages lean hard on their own importance, but the manuscript has enough emotional pressure to carry them. The result is a historical novel that feels earnest without being dry and romantic without going soft. It has the scale of war fiction and the odd intimacy of a ghost story. Readers who want something lean and purely tactical will probably lose patience with it. Readers who like historical fiction that blends battle, love, grief, and memory into one long echo should find this compelling.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 18:02:22", "publisher": "self published", "page_count": "317 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000017453016", "title": "The Call of the Bugle", "author": "John Amos", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 379, "review": "The Call of the Bugle has the sweep of a historical novel and the pulse of a ghost story. John Amos sets the book in motion with a war correspondent waking in a newsroom, brandy on the desk, bugles still ringing in his head, then drops him back into the Crimea, where mud, horses, artillery, and exhaustion turn the Charge of the Light Brigade into something immediate and ugly. That framing works. It gives the novel a restless shape, moving between memory, report, and aftermath instead of settling for a clean battlefield tale. Amos is most effective when he lets small details carry the weight: a blanket from Emily, a pink bundle in a stranger\u2019s arms, the stink of Balaclava, the sound of rain on canvas, the crocuses on the bar. Those touches keep the book human. They also keep the history from turning into museum glass.

The novel\u2019s strongest idea is that war does not end when the charge ends. It keeps going in the mind, in the house, in the drawer, in the mirror, in the smell of honeysuckle after rain. Amos understands that well, and he builds the story around that pressure. The correspondent\u2019s investigation into General Dryden\u2019s death gives the book a detective shape, while the letters and diaries widen the emotional field and let other voices push against his own. Emily grounds everything. She gives the novel warmth, intelligence, and a little steel. Without her, the book might tilt too far into its own Victorian melancholy. With her, it feels anchored.

The book is not subtle about what it wants to be, and that helps it. It wants to be sweeping, sad, romantic, and haunted, and it mostly earns those ambitions. A few passages lean hard on their own dignity, but the manuscript has enough motion and enough plain feeling to carry them. Readers who want a brisk war novel probably won\u2019t be patient with it. Readers who like historical fiction that folds love, grief, and memory into the same register should find a lot to stay with here. Amos has written a serious, earnest novel with a real emotional center, and he knows exactly what kind of thunder he\u2019s after.

Recommended for readers of historical fiction who like their romance crossed with war, grief, and memory.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 18:02:18", "publisher": "self published", "page_count": "317 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017453014", "title": "The Call of the Bugle", "author": "John Amos", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 301, "review": "The Call of the Bugle opens on the thunder of the Charge of the Light Brigade, but John Amos is more interested in what comes after the charge than in the spectacle itself. He follows a war correspondent drawn into the story of Robert and Emily, then moves the book between the battlefield, the newsroom, and the private spaces where memory does its quiet damage.

Amos writes war with precision. Horses, smoke, shells, uniforms, fear, all of it lands cleanly. The novel is strongest when it slows down and lets grief, longing, and duty press in. That is where the book earns its weight. Robert is not only trying to understand a famous battle. He is trying to live with what the battle took from him and what it returned.

Emily gives the story its human center. She brings warmth and steadiness, and she keeps the novel from tipping into nothing but ruin. Their relationship is part of the cost and part of the survival. Amos handles that well. The love story never feels pasted on. It belongs to the book\u2019s larger argument about what war does to the people who survive it.

There is also a strong sense of ritual here, with men and horses moving through history while Tennyson\u2019s lines echo in the background. Amos knows when to let the prose run and when to hold it back. That control gives the novel its force. It keeps the book steady even when the emotional ground shifts under it.

The Call of the Bugle is a war novel, a love story, and a study of memory. It is most effective when it looks past the heroic myth and stays with the human damage underneath. Amos writes with confidence, and he gives the reader a clear, hard, and moving look at what war leaves behind.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 18:02:13", "publisher": "self published", "page_count": "317 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017453012", "title": "The Call of the Bugle", "author": "John Amos", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 360, "review": "The Call of the Bugle is historical fiction with a firm grip. John Amos takes the Charge of the Light Brigade, the Crimean War, and the private lives caught in their wake, then builds a novel that keeps narrowing its focus until the human cost is all you can see.

What makes the book work is its discipline. Amos does not rush the reader through the history. He lets the world settle in around the characters, and he gives each scene enough air to land. The result is a novel that feels patient without ever feeling slow. It has shape. It has control. It knows exactly when to press forward and when to hold back.

The book also has a strong sense of consequence. Robert\u2019s story is not just about a man who has seen war. It is about what war asks of a person, what it takes from him, and what remains once the noise is gone. That gives the novel real weight. The battle matters, but the more serious damage is what follows him home and keeps asking for attention.

Amos writes with a steady hand. He knows how to move from public history to private reckoning without losing the thread. He also knows how to make the details count. A uniform, a desk, a notebook, a room lit by lamplight, a horse in motion, all of it carries meaning because the prose treats those details as part of the story, not decoration around it.

There is restraint here, and that restraint helps. The book does not lean on noise or spectacle to make its point. It trusts the reader to stay with the characters and let the emotional pressure build. That is a better move, and it gives the novel more staying power.

SFBR readers who like serious historical fiction, strong period detail, and a novel that treats duty and memory as lived things should find a lot to admire here. The Call of the Bugle is thoughtful, muscular, and grounded in a clear sense of purpose. It knows the cost of the charge is not only measured in casualties. It is measured in what people have to become to survive it.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 18:02:09", "publisher": "self published", "page_count": "317 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000017453010", "title": "The Call of the Bugle", "author": "John Amos", "category": "F03 Historical Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 361, "review": "The Call of the Bugle begins with a famous charge, but John Amos is more interested in what the charge leaves behind. He uses the Crimean War as the engine, then follows the human fallout through memory, duty, love, and the strange afterlife of a battle that keeps echoing long after the horses are gone.

That is where the book works best. Amos is careful with the period detail, but he never lets the history sit there like a display case. He gives it motion. Rooms feel lived in. Paper feels handled. Uniforms, lamps, rain, horses, and smoke all carry weight because the prose knows what they mean to the people inside the scene.

Seattle readers who like historical fiction with a strong sense of place should find plenty here. The novel moves cleanly between public event and private consequence. Amos understands that war is not just a line in a history book. It is the thing that rearranges a life, then keeps rearranging it long after the noise stops. Robert\u2019s story makes that clear. He is not only trying to understand a battle. He is trying to make peace with what has changed in him.

The book also has a strong emotional center. The romantic thread is not decorative. It gives the story heat and balance, and it keeps the novel from hardening into a pure military account. Amos lets that relationship stay grounded and human. That choice pays off. The personal stakes never get lost under the historical material.

What I admire most is the control. Amos does not lean on spectacle to carry the novel. He trusts the scenes, the atmosphere, and the pressure of memory. That restraint gives the book its shape. It also keeps the emotional turns from feeling forced. The result is a novel that feels thoughtful without becoming cold.The Call of the Bugle is a war story, but it is also a story about what people carry forward. Amos writes with clarity and purpose, and he gives the reader a book that is steady, detailed, and deeply aware of the cost of survival. It looks back at Balaclava and finds something quieter than glory, and more lasting too.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 18:01:51", "publisher": "self published", "page_count": "317 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017453008", "title": "Grumpy Old Dan: Reflections from the Edge of Fatherhood, Fame, and Frustration", "author": "Dan Remmes", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 490, "review": "Remmes wrote the book for Grumpy Old Men: The Musical. Grumpy Old Dan reads like a man who spent years refining jokes for a paying audience; someone who knows where a laugh lives in a sentence, who trusts timing, and leans on the crowd-pleasing move when the room goes quiet. The collection runs thirty essays organized around fatherhood, body horror, middle age, and the indignities of medical maladies. Most began as standalone pieces; some were written for this compilation. The seams show, but that's not a liability. Remmes has the essayist's gift: he's honest about himself in ways that are useful rather than therapeutic. The opener, \"Practice Child,\" establishes the book's frequency. Remmes and his wife are trying to conceive. She schedules him for a semen analysis. He keeps the appointment after she becomes pregnant, talked into it on grounds he can't reconstruct. The scene in the collection room\u2014VHS tape, 1976 Playboy with a Jimmy Carter interview, a cup too small a target\u2014works because Remmes doesn't editorialize. He reports, with a thirty-minute countdown and anxiety about being average.

\"The Big Bummer\" is the collection's anchor. Remmes was struck by a drunk driver near Bryant Park at twenty-six with two brain surgeries, metal bolted to his femur, blind spots, and a stretch of ICU delirium during which he was convinced he was Woody Allen's attorney, kidnapped by Mia Farrow as leverage in a custody suit. He wrote about it soon after. That document appears here unrevised. Thirty years of distance haven't made it easier to touch. The confession that he kept skipping the chapter during editing, and included it unchanged, is more honest than the essay itself, which he wrote with the dissociation of someone who hadn't processed what happened.

\"Good-Night Kiss\" is the most accomplished piece: a late-night marital standoff that begins with \"we haven't had sex in a month\" and escalates through an argument about the choir lady named Becky until something real surfaces. The fiction frame, the couple is named Guy and Angela, not Dan and Jennifer, gives Remmes distance to let the uglier feelings through. It reads like O. Henry drafted by someone who'd been in couples therapy.

The \"Darndests\" trilogy, which are exchanges with his daughters across their childhood, works because Remmes gets out of the way. A daughter who announces, \"I need my privacy!\" while naked at a Fourth of July party. A handwritten apology: \"I am sooo sorry. I was mad and only meant to partly stab her with the soft part, not the lead.\"

Grumpy Old Dan lands in a market saturated with dad memoirs performing vulnerability. Remmes brings craft that most of them lack. He also carries a story with real stakes, a real body, and a reckoning with the fact that becoming a parent changes the weight of your own near-death. That's not common.

The book is uneven. Read \"The Big Bummer.\" Read \"Good-Night Kiss.\" Read the sperm collection sequence out loud to someone you trust.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 17:59:09", "publisher": "GFB", "page_count": "292 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017453006", "title": "Tristan 4 America", "author": "Bruce Overby", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 349, "review": "Tristan 4 America is fiction with a political pulse. Bruce Overby sets the novel inside the 2024 presidential election and lets the pressure do the work. That choice matters. A book like this lives or dies on how well it turns public noise into private consequence.

Overby starts from a plain fact: politics is not abstract when you are inside it. It gets under the skin. It changes the way people talk, lie, and choose their sides. The novel seems built on that idea. It is less interested in lecturing about the race than in showing what the race does to the people caught in it.

The front matter says enough to place the book. It is from Willow River Press, an imprint of Between the Lines Publishing, and the dedication points to the roots of Overby\u2019s interest in writing and politics. That fits. The novel feels like the work of someone who knows the machinery and wants to expose the parts that usually stay hidden.

What stands out is the control. The book does not need to shout to make its point. It can trust pace, sequence, and pressure. That gives the story a clean edge. The best political fiction keeps the reader alert without drowning the page in explanation. Overby seems to understand that. He keeps the focus on movement and on the choices people make when they think the room is watching.

There is also a steady sense that this is more than campaign theater. Elections are one layer. Below that are habit, fear, ego, and the small bargains people strike to keep moving. That is the better material anyway. It is where fiction gets its force. Overby uses the election as a frame, but the novel\u2019s real interest is human weakness under load.

Readers who like fiction with political tension, a fast pace, and a clear grasp of how public life distorts private motives should be in good shape here. Tristan 4 America feels current without feeling disposable. It knows the season it came from, but it is really after the parts of ambition that never go out of style.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 17:56:11", "publisher": "Mindbuck Media", "page_count": "223 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000017453004", "title": "Tristan 4 America", "author": "Bruce Overby", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jack Davis", "word_count": 346, "review": "Tristan 4 America is built to move. Bruce Overby sets a political thriller inside the 2024 presidential election and gives it the kind of pressure cooker structure this genre needs. The book is not interested in wandering. It wants conflict, momentum, and the constant sense that every room contains a deal, a trap, or both.

That choice works. A story like this depends on motion, and Overby understands that pace is part of the argument. Elections are public theater, private calculation, and national nerves all at once. The novel leans into that mix. It treats ambition as something messy and risky, not as a clean line from point A to point B. That is where the tension lives.

The writing has a lean, functional edge. It does not stop to admire itself. It gets the scene in place, pushes the pressure higher, and moves on before the moment goes stale. That discipline helps. Political thrillers fail fast when they get clogged with speeches or explanations. Overby keeps the machinery visible without letting it jam.

What gives the book its spark is the sense that the stakes are both public and personal. A presidential race is already a machine built on leverage, image, and fear. Put characters inside that machine, and you get an easy way to expose who they are when the room tightens. Overby seems to understand that the real suspense comes from what people will trade, hide, or sacrifice once the stakes turn real.

The novel also has a clean cinematic quality. The setup is easy to picture, the pace is brisk, and the pressure keeps rising in ways that suit the material. It feels like a book made for readers who want the story to keep advancing, not circling. That is a strength, not a limitation.

Readers who like topical thrillers, campaign drama, and fiction that keeps its foot on the gas will find a lot to like here. Tristan 4 America knows what it is doing. It stays lean, stays alert, and keeps the election heat on the page without losing the plot to its own noise.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 17:56:05", "publisher": "Mindbuck Media", "page_count": "223 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000017453002", "title": "Elvener's Legacy", "author": "Debra Koehler", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 459, "review": "Elvener's Legacy picks up with confidence. Debra Koehler already built the bones of this world in the first book, but this installment moves with more purpose and far better rhythm. At my age, I\u2019ve read enough fantasy to know when a writer is stalling for time. Koehler rarely does that here.

The novel follows Meiri as she straddles two lives: one rooted on Earth and another tangled in Amoran\u2019s political and spiritual conflicts. That split gives the book its pulse. One chapter drops her into grocery-store normalcy; the next throws her into ancient rivalries, Guardians, tournaments, and enough prophecy to keep three kingdoms anxious. Oddly, it works.

I especially liked the relationship between Meiri and Eliasser. Koehler doesn\u2019t smother the reader with endless romantic circling. Their connection develops through action and loyalty instead of breathless speeches. Eliasser has the patience of a man who\u2019s spent centuries watching younger people make poor decisions, and Meiri meets him with enough stubbornness to keep him interesting. Their scenes carried weight because neither character behaved like a teenager trapped in an immortal body.

Ashara also stood out. She\u2019s sharp-tongued, practical, and occasionally funny in the dry way exhausted people become funny. Fantasy novels often crowd the page with interchangeable wise women. When she drags Meiri out of bed before dawn or snaps at someone for wasting time, I could practically hear the coffee deprivation.

The worldbuilding is ambitious without becoming unreadable. Koehler tosses around terms like Reparention, Foreseers, Vortexes, and Twin Lights with complete confidence. Sometimes I had to pause and remember who belonged to which faction, but the emotional stakes stayed clear even when the mythology thickened. That matters more to me than memorizing fictional vocabulary.

The pacing improves noticeably after the opening chapters. Around the tournament sequence, the story grabs hold and stops wandering. Koehler writes action cleanly. Swords swing, people bleed, and scenes end before they wear out their welcome.

I also admired the humor because it arrives sideways. A cashier asking \u201cpaper or plastic?\u201d before the story barrels into cosmic conflict made me laugh. So did several Earth-bound scenes where magical beings try to navigate ordinary human behavior. Fantasy works best when characters still have to eat breakfast and argue over logistics.

The book isn\u2019t perfect. A few conversations run long, and secondary characters occasionally blend together during council scenes. There\u2019s also a heavy reliance on lore explanations in the middle section. I caught myself rereading two paragraphs involving the Elveners and the Guardians because my attention drifted.

Still, Koehler delivers something increasingly uncommon: a fantasy novel with heart, momentum, and characters who behave like adults. By the final chapters, I was fully invested in Meiri\u2019s fate and more curious than I expected about where this chronicle is headed next. That\u2019s a good reason to keep reading.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 17:50:21", "publisher": "Self Published", "page_count": "330 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000017449002", "title": "Evening the Score", "author": "Lexi LaFleur Brown", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 102, "review": "Olivia Hinckley\u2019s revenge plan in Evening the Score by Lexi LaFleur Brown starts with a mascot costume and ends somewhere far more complicated: her own heart getting in the way of her carefully aimed sabotage. Set against the high-pressure world of professional hockey, the novel leans into enemies-to-lovers tension with sharp precision. Brody Parker is not the villain Olivia expected; instead, he\u2019s a man quietly buckling under legacy, expectation, and emotional isolation. Their chemistry builds through banter and accidental vulnerability until revenge stops feeling satisfying. What makes this romance work is how it lets anger soften into understanding without losing its bite.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-May-2026", "date_added": "24-Apr-2026 19:24:26", "publisher": "MIRA Books", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017447002", "title": "Honey in the Wound", "author": "Jiyoung Han", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 95, "review": "A sweeping debut that blends history, magic, and family legacy, Honey in the Wound is an unforgettable novel of survival and reclamation. Spanning generations of Korean women marked by extraordinary gifts, the story centers on Young-Ja, whose ability to infuse food with emotion becomes both burden and power. The novel moves from mountain forests to teahouses of resistance to modern Seoul with lyrical confidence. What lingers most is its emotional intelligence: grief, resilience, and the healing power of intergenerational truth. Richly atmospheric and deeply humane, this is women\u2019s fiction at its most transporting and ambitious.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-May-2026", "date_added": "24-Apr-2026 19:03:27", "publisher": "Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017446006", "title": "The Whale's Tale and the Otter's Side of the Story", "author": "Kate Messner,Brian Biggs", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Nova - age 5", "word_count": 131, "review": "This is the coolest book ever! This book can be read from front to back and back to front. I like that one way the otter tells the story about why otters are cooler than whales, and the other way, the whale tells why he is better than otters. I really like how each one gets to tell their own story.

This is a very fun storybook. I like the way the illustrations use a few colors: blue, white, and black as the main colors. My favorite is the otter. I think it is really cool that they like to hold hands in the water and use a rock as a tool. I would love to see more books that can be read this way; it is like two stories in one.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 19:15:16", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017445004", "title": "The Night King's Court", "author": "Elisa A Bonnin", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": "", "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 90, "review": "Velvet-dark and shimmering with enchantment, The Night King\u2019s Court by Elisa A. Bonnin feels like wandering through a dream you\u2019re not sure you\u2019ll wake from. Ida\u2019s journey begins with longing but quickly spirals into something more disquieting, as the court\u2019s beauty reveals its teeth. The romance between Ida and Lenore glows softly at first, then deepens into something urgent and necessary. Bonnin\u2019s lush worldbuilding dazzles, but it\u2019s the creeping unease\u2014the sense that magic always takes something\u2014that gives the story its edge. A haunting, slow-bloom sapphic romance wrapped in glittering danger.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "27-Apr-2026 19:10:18", "publisher": "HarperCollins", "page_count": "400 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017443002", "title": "Caf\u00e9 Lafitte in Exile", "author": "Frank Perez,Jeffrey Palmquist", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 98, "review": "Part cultural history, part love letter, Caf\u00e9 Lafitte in Exile by Frank Perez and Jeffrey Palmquist vividly reconstructs the pulse of queer New Orleans through one legendary bar. What makes this book stand out is its sense of continuity\u2014how it threads Indigenous histories, colonial attitudes, and modern LGBTQ+ life into one evolving narrative. The authors balance archival research with lived experience, giving the story both authority and soul. Reading it feels like stepping into a space where laughter, resistance, and memory echo off the walls, reminding us that queer history is inseparable from the places that shelter it.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "24-Apr-2026 18:15:55", "publisher": "LSU Press", "page_count": "208 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017442002", "title": "Baby Kraken", "author": "Ani Manzanas", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 12", "word_count": 135, "review": "//Baby Kraken// is a story for young readers who need some reassurance when they feel afraid. A young boy goes to the beach with his parents, and while they're having fun swimming and exploring the ocean, the boy decides he might be safer while staying on the sand. This changes quickly when, while exploring, he finds a little octopus on shore, and when he puts it back in the water, he realizes it's not so bad or scary after all!\r\n

//Baby Kraken// is for a younger audience, but the beautiful illustrations are for all readers to enjoy; there are plenty of pictures set underwater, featuring colorful sea creatures and plants that will mesmerize readers. There is a great message for all readers, and most readers of any age will find something to relate to.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Apr-2026 23:33:31", "publisher": "Flying Eye Books Ltd.", "page_count": "32 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017441004", "title": "Ignore All Previous Instructions", "author": "Ada Hoffmann", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 101, "review": "On Callisto, where an AI conglomerate decides what stories are allowed to exist, Ignore All Previous Instructions by Ada Hoffmann reads like both warning and love letter to imagination. Kelli Reynolds edits approved narratives for a living, but her real story begins when past and present collide in the form of Rowan, her ex and the human inspiration behind her fictional pirate hero. The romance here is quiet but piercing, built on fractured memory, identity, and survival under systems that sanitize creativity. Hoffmann balances speculative worldbuilding with intimate emotional stakes, creating a story where love itself becomes an act of resistance.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-May-2026", "date_added": "23-Apr-2026 23:21:59", "publisher": "Tachyon Publications", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017441002", "title": "Eat the Ones You Love", "author": "Sarah Maria Griffin", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 111, "review": "There\u2019s something deliciously grimy and hypnotic about Eat the Ones You Love by Sarah Maria Griffin. What begins as a story about heartbreak and starting over slowly blooms into full-on botanical nightmare fuel. Shell\u2019s growing attraction to Neve gives the novel a tender emotional core, but Griffin surrounds that tenderness with creeping dread and wonderfully bizarre horror imagery. The sentient orchid lurking behind the flower shop counter feels both absurd and genuinely threatening, like a fever dream rooted in loneliness and codependency. The novel balances grotesque horror with vulnerability so well that even its strangest moments feel emotionally grounded. It\u2019s weird, funny, romantic, and deeply unsettling in the best possible way.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "23-Apr-2026 23:15:49", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017439004", "title": "Punk'n Heads", "author": "Dave Baker,Nicole Goux", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 101, "review": "Punk\u2019n Heads by Dave Baker and Nicole Goux reads like a late-night jam session that spirals into something unexpectedly tender. Hannah\u2019s crash landing into a horror-punk band could have been pure chaos, but the story hums with emotional honesty beneath the glitter and fake blood. The art crackles with energy, mirroring the messy entanglements of band life, hookups, and unresolved feelings. What really lands is how the book captures that specific, disorienting moment of reinvention after heartbreak. It\u2019s loud, a little reckless, and surprisingly introspective\u2014a graphic novel that understands that sometimes finding yourself requires turning the volume all the way up.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "23-Apr-2026 22:48:33", "publisher": "IDW Publishing", "page_count": "216 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017437004", "title": "Two's A Charm", "author": "Heather Spellman", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 99, "review": "Sibling rivalry has rarely felt as magically chaotic as it does in Two\u2019s A Charm by Heather Spellman. Effie and Bonnie, witches living in the cramped tension of small-town Yellowbrick Grove, are forced into uneasy proximity when dark magic begins distorting everything around them. The story thrives on contrast: Effie\u2019s careful restraint versus Bonnie\u2019s impulsive charm, both unraveling as family history resurfaces in dangerous ways. Spellman leans into cozy fantasy textures while still letting the stakes feel real, especially as sisterhood becomes the only stabilizing force in a world slipping out of control. It\u2019s magical, messy, and warmly human.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-May-2026", "date_added": "23-Apr-2026 23:11:56", "publisher": "Pan Macmillan", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017436008", "title": "Down With The Ship", "author": "Chloe Jory", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 100, "review": "Down With the Ship by Chloe Jory turns a luxury yacht into a pressure cooker of class tension, forced proximity, and slow-burning attraction. Stella Olsen enters the story already unraveling, suspended from her academic program and trapped among her sister\u2019s wealthy in-laws, where she collides repeatedly with Captain Caleb. Their antagonism is immediate and entertaining, but what makes the novel sing is how it layers vulnerability beneath sarcasm. The ocean setting isolates every interaction, amplifying both conflict and chemistry. As attraction grows, so does Stella\u2019s reckoning with belonging, ambition, and self-worth. It\u2019s sharp, funny, and emotionally satisfying in equal measure.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-May-2026", "date_added": "23-Apr-2026 23:28:39", "publisher": "Neon Tiger Books", "page_count": "340 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017436004", "title": "The Ache in Your Heart Is Holy", "author": "Coby Kozlowski", "category": "N20 Self-Help", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Julia McMichael", "word_count": 162, "review": "Of all the self help books which flood the market, this one deals with the fact that life can be painful and the pain may be residual. This is an interactive book which asks the reader to perform exercises to understand the genesis of personal pain and grief. The author contends that pain may be a pathway to transformation and a more insightful and spiritual life. This reader has valued the exercises she presents and feels that anyone could benefit through this practice, particularly those with spiritual inclinations.||This is a slim volume, but the pages are filled with exercises which will take some time to work through. This reader can assure you that there are benefits to be had by acknowledging the pain inherent in living and that attention to one\u2019s attitude and spirit can pay dividends. The best remedy for emotional upset is to get out of one\u2019s head and into feeling the gratitude which is always a part of living.", "issue": "July 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Apr-2026 22:32:35", "publisher": "Augsburg Fortress Publishers", "page_count": "254 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000017432002", "title": "Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula", "author": "Craig Romano", "category": "N23 Travel", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Rosi Hollinbeck", "word_count": 194, "review": "If you are in western Washington and like to hike, this is an invaluable guide. The book lists 136 hikes in seven sections: Southwest Washington and Olympic Peninsula South, East, Northwest, North, West, and Coast. A map shows all the hikes. Most are in and around Olympic National Park, but many are along the coast and in other places. A table gives a quick overview of each hike with round-trip distance, rating, difficulty, whether it\u2019s year-round, if car camping is nearby, whether it is kid- or dog-friendly, if it has exceptional wildflowers or old growth forest, whether it has beach hiking, bird watching, historical significance, and if it\u2019s good for overnight camping. Each hike has a good write-up detailing whom to contact for passes or maps, whether mountain bikes or dogs are allowed, how to get there, what you will find on the trail, and what you might do to extend your trip. There is also a map of each hiking trail and a color photo for each. The writing is conversational and pleasant to read. The size (5\u201dx 7\u201dx1\u201d) is perfect to tuck into a backpack or glovebox. Don\u2019t leave home without it.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "23-Apr-2026 22:14:46", "publisher": "The Mountaineers Books", "page_count": "368 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017430048", "title": "THE DOG SITTER", "author": "Eva Lesko Natiello", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 91, "review": "\"Darkly funny, emotionally sharp, and impossible to put down, The Dog Sitter delivers the perfect blend of messy midlife reinvention, biting humor, and slow-burn tension. Readers who love complicated women, witty banter, richly flawed characters, and chaotic \u201cwhat could possibly go wrong?\u201d energy will devour Colleen Fitzroy\u2019s unforgettable spiral into Manhattan luxury, emotional upheaval, and one very judgmental dog. Packed with razor-sharp observations, laugh-out-loud moments, and surprising heart, this novel captures the uncertainty of starting over while proving it\u2019s never too late to reclaim your life.\" \u2014Leah Tran, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 22:23:50", "publisher": "FINE LINE PUBLISHING", "page_count": "336 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017430046", "title": "A Broken Russia Inside Me", "author": "A. Molotkov", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 264, "review": "A Broken Russia Inside Me treats memoir as witness work. A. Molotkov follows the long reach of Soviet history into private life, moving from childhood in communist Russia through the collapse that followed, then into the hard work of building a life in the United States. The book\u2019s interest is not in tidy redemption or a familiar immigrant arc. It keeps returning to what gets carried, what gets broken, and what can still be named after a person crosses borders. That gives it authority. Family, art, memory, language, and national upheaval all press against one another, and Molotkov understands that exile is rarely just a change of address. It is a rearrangement of the mind, a shift in what can be said, and a test of how much honesty a life can hold without cracking open.

What gives the book its force is restraint. Molotkov seems strongest when he stays close to concrete detail and lets the larger emotional weight gather on its own. That keeps the memoir from turning into a sermon or confession. The prose, based on the material available, looks lean and controlled, which suits a story built from rupture. Readers who want a polished success story will probably want something else. Readers who value literary nonfiction with political texture, hard edges, and a clear eye for what survives collapse should find a lot here. The book seems especially strong where it places one person\u2019s survival beside the failures of a state and the uneasy freedom that follows.

Recommended for readers of serious literary memoir and political nonfiction who want memory without decoration.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 22:21:29", "publisher": "Trail To Table Books/Wandering Aengus", "page_count": "194 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017430044", "title": "The Pope Must Die", "author": "Donald Anderson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jack Davis", "word_count": 449, "review": "Donald Anderson's The Pope Must Die reaches for Dan Brown's baroque mythology. It lands somewhere more interesting and more frustrating.

The premise earns its cover. An American-born pope, Nicholas Cassella, turned Sixtus VI, has been installed through a $35 million bribery scheme\u2014thirty cardinals bought at a million each, with five million to the pontiff himself. Behind it: a Kuwaiti billionaire named Khalid Zahir and his Jordanian intermediary, Ahmed Bensa\u00efd, who spotted the teenage Nicholas working at an institution for the disabled and built him into a weapon over three decades. CIA officer Amanda O'Brien and FBI agent Jordan Harrison spend 418 pages trying to stop a uranium bomb from reaching Washington while the conspiracy unravels around them. Anderson covers the distance.

The conspiracy has internal logic. The conclave bribery, the manufactured backstory, the Russian entanglement\u2014the reveals feel earned, not conjured. The best scenes run on institutional friction. A Spanish port administrator stonewalls over a downed network. A Vatican cardinal hides a bill of lading under his bedpost. Amanda bribes a port clerk for a hundred euros when fifty would've done it, then moves on without congratulating herself. These scenes trust the reader. Anderson knows that procedure, followed or obstructed, is where thrillers live or die.

The prose is functional, not alive. Sentences do the job without music. The dialogue tightens things: Oval Office exchanges snap, and Jordan's early scenes in Madrid move. What kills the momentum is that the biography dropped before the characters earn it. Jordan Harrison gets his weight, his college position, his pickup lines, and his answer to whether he's gay before the plot asks anything of him. Four sentences of r\u00e9sum\u00e9 where one action would do more.\nAmanda escapes this. She holds a Navy captain at gunpoint to force a presidential call. She bluffs through a Situation Room standoff with the president, the secretary of defense, and a traitorous general, all on screen. She makes the wrong call twice and the right call once, and the novel doesn't stop to grade her. That restraint is the book's best instinct.

The political texture has bite. A Lutheran president collecting Eisenhower memorabilia. An American pope was sold to the public as a cultural bridge. Anderson understands that power is theater, and his best scenes run that idea hard. The central irony\u2014that faith and democratic legitimacy can be purchased the same way\u2014holds up across 418 pages without the novel having to announce it.

Thirty named characters is ten too many. The Bulgarian terrorists, the Russian counterfeiter, and the tattoo parlor subplot each arrive with their own momentum and drain it from the story. The climax has pressure. It drags loose ends behind it. Anderson knows his architecture. He hasn't learned to trust it.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 22:18:00", "publisher": "Self-Published", "page_count": "412 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "3"} {"id": "425035000017430042", "title": "Baker Vaughan: A Novel", "author": "Stuart Hotchkiss", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 104, "review": "\"A gripping, character-driven novel that pulls you deep into the mind of a flawed man on the edge of both redemption and ruin. With sharp prose, emotional depth, and a simmering sense of tension, this story delivers the kind of slow-burning suspense that keeps readers turning pages late into the night. Fans of literary fiction with a psychological edge will be drawn to its raw honesty, moral complexity, and unforgettable voice. Baker Vaughan is the kind of novel that lingers long after the final page, asking how far we\u2019ll go to outrun our past...and whether we ever truly can.\" \u2014Scott Olsen, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 22:15:55", "publisher": "Halsnoch", "page_count": "337 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017430040", "title": "A Soldier in the Family \u2013 A Mother Confronts the Invisible Wounds of War", "author": "Nancy B. Ronquillo", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 481, "review": "Nancy Ronquillo's son Matt enlisted in the Army three months after 9/11, deployed to Iraq with the 82nd Airborne in February 2003, came home with PTSD, and died in a car crash near Fort Bragg on April 26, 2004. He was twenty years old.

The book opens with a found poem: Matt's letters from Iraq assembled by his brother Andrew. It's raw and funny and devastating in two pages. Soldiers calling their diarrhea \"the black ninja.\" An offhand mention that someone in Alpha Company shot a kid coming down the stairs with an AK-47 \u2014 \"Pretty fucked up, since the kid was probably just bringing the gun down to give to us.\" The poem earns the Zora Neale Hurston epigraph. Ronquillo knows how to sequence material.

She refuses the simple arc. The book isn't a portrait of a hero. It's a portrait of a family carrying damage. Matt's father, Tom, a Vietnam Special Forces veteran, was walled off for thirty years by the time Matt enlists, and of how that damage travels forward. Matt doesn't join the Army because he believes in the mission. He joins because he's hungry for his father's approval. Ronquillo figures this out, standing at an ironing board, watching Tom walk downstairs. She doesn't tell him to stop Matt. She doesn't tell Matt. She calls this out, over and over, without excusing herself.

That honesty is the book's subject. Ronquillo is a nonprofit executive, not a writer by trade, and her prose slows under the weight of its earnestness. The ancestry thread in Part VI adds texture but frays the urgency built in the preceding hundred pages.

The close-in scenes hold. Matt was back from Iraq, cramped in the passenger seat in Chicago rush-hour traffic, pressing down on his mother's knee as if he needed the car to move faster, Ronquillo only understanding years later that he was flashing back to Baghdad convoys. The last family dinner, which consisted of egg rolls and buffalo wings for John's twenty-second birthday, that she recognizes in retrospect as the last time they'd all eat together. Matt handing her a dress shirt to iron on his way out to a party, both of them knowing she'll cave.

There's an unresolved tension at the center of the marriage that Ronquillo leaves unresolved. Tom's Vietnam service shadows everything \u2014 his silence, Matt's enlistment, her inability to fight back. The book doesn't wrap that into meaning. The lake house bought with Matt's life insurance, the tango dancing: all of it sits alongside the grief. The final sections tip toward the spiritual. Ronquillo listens for Matt's voice in a snowy lakeside wind. These passages are genuine, but they ask for a generosity the book has earned.

A Soldier in the Family belongs on the shelf with accounts of the Iraq War's domestic costs, not the combat literature, but the literature of the houses those soldiers came back to, and didn't.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 22:12:08", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "280 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017430038", "title": "The Thought Leadership Handbook: How the Experts Elevate Their Big Ideas\u2014and How You Can Too", "author": "Bill Sherman, Peter Winick, and Naren Aryal", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 418, "review": "The term \"thought leader\" entered the lexicon in 1994. Thirty years later, it's been inflated to meaninglessness, applied with equal enthusiasm to Carol Dweck and whoever just posted a LinkedIn carousel about \"owning your narrative.\" Sherman, Winick, and Aryal know this. Their handbook opens with a foreword that names the problem: volume doesn't equal value, and the field has let its core term drift without standards or accountability. That honesty sets up something better than it delivers.

The book's best argument is structural. Sherman and Winick spent twenty years running Thought Leadership Leverage and conducting over 700 podcast interviews. They've organized their observations into a framework: core idea, content library, market offerings, platform identity. None of these concepts is radical alone, but the authors make a useful case for why all four must work together, and why failure in one corrupts the others. The platform identity section is sharp: the discipline of reducing your body of work to two to four words that travel without you is harder than it sounds.

The case studies carry the book. Eduardo Brice\u00f1o was delivering a BCG keynote from his driveway at 1:40 a.m., two cars angled to throw headlights onto a folding table while his phone served as a hotspot. Tim Sanders was losing $250,000 on corporate training programs before pivoting to licensing deals with Skillsoft. Jane Hyun built two platform identities over a twenty-year career. These stories give the frameworks a pulse.

The pacing breaks it. Three authors across 305 pages produce redundancy\u2014the Four Elements get introduced, re-explained, walked through avatars, then summarized in checklists. The checklists give the book a self-help texture at odds with its ambitions. Chapter 12, pre-released as a manifesto, reads stronger in isolation than embedded in the full structure. The rhetoric and the workbook mechanics don't coexist.

There's also something closed-circuit about a book on thought leadership that its blurbers describe as the definitive resource on thought leadership. The 30-plus endorsements at the front from Ken Blanchard, Marshall Goldsmith, and Michael Bungay Stanier read less like praise than a social proof installation. The authors are too self-aware not to feel the irony.

The section on the \"duty to speak,\" the obligation to share knowledge rather than keep it behind paywalls, gives the book a moral seriousness most business titles skip. The final chapters on publishing, co-authored by Aryal, make an unromantic case for why books still matter.

The Thought Leadership Handbook isn't the text it wants to be. But it's a field guide, and in a space this loud, that counts.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 22:09:20", "publisher": "Amplify Publishing", "page_count": "304 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017430036", "title": "The Lockup Period", "author": "Vince Thompson", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Jack Davis", "word_count": 458, "review": "Thompson's debut opens at 3:46 a.m. with a man in Ferragamos dragging a body bag down apartment stairs, banging it against the wall below, checking his Patek Philippe for scratches mid-effort. Silicon Valley's self-regard meets the weight of consequence. The book spends 400 pages earning that setup.

Mario Kennedy, 25, sleeps in the attic above Prospector's Pizza, showers at the Y, drives a Camry with screaming rotors. He let two founders work out of his storage space rent-free. They built MenuAi, a restaurant platform set to IPO at Unicorn status. Mario holds nearly 900,000 shares. He needs to survive 90 days without selling, also known as the lockup period, while venture capitalist Ravi Singh works to ensure he collects nothing.

Thompson knows this world. The Lanvin sneakers at the Stanford Shopping Center, the Sand Hill VC offices with founder-friendly signage, the IPO party in SoMa where bankers drink Dom and hurl a muffin at the TV. He's been here before. That specificity is the book's first pleasure. Mario is likable, which is hard to pull off. He has a bad temper, poor judgment, and a habit of improvising deeper into trouble. He flips a registration table at a Four Seasons investor conference in chapter three. He buys Audi rentals and Lanvin sneakers he can't afford, convinced that looking wealthy is the price of admission. Thompson doesn't judge him. He shows the math.

Jamie Villanueva, the Techsmack reporter, is better company. The scenes where her storyline meets Mario's are the novel's best. Thompson keeps them opaque to each other longer than expected. Ravi Singh is where the novel goes broad. His menace is real early \u2014 the condescension, the Einstein quotes, the institutional authority turned on a man with none. As the plot accelerates, he becomes an instrument rather than a character. The money laundering, the mob investors Bonetti and Hernandez, the DOJ sweep of 39 companies and 7 venture firms \u2014 it's scaffolding, and it creaks.

The ending is earnest. Mario ends up at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, receiving a federal commendation in front of cameras, old friends, and the reporter he loves. Thompson means it. But the tidiness deflates what had been a story about belonging and what a city charges for admission.

What stays is the class architecture. In Palo Alto, a pizza man sleeping above his shop is a visible category error. The VC who quotes Einstein to dismiss him, the check-in man who calls him \"the Pizza Delivery Boy\" loud enough for the lobby to hear. Thompson records these moments without comment. That restraint is the book's best quality.

The Lockup Period is a caper with a criticism: the Valley's mythology of meritocracy has always had a velvet rope. For genre fiction with something to say, that's enough.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 22:06:53", "publisher": "Dubious Ventures Press", "page_count": "424 pages", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017430034", "title": "Living in the Long Shadow: Surviving a Legacy of Mental Illness", "author": "Suzanne Sherman", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 433, "review": "The book opens with a fact that does quiet, devastating work: Marilyn Sherman's schizophrenia announced itself the summer night she and her husband attended a stage hypnotist on Pico Boulevard in 1964, and it killed her fifteen years later, by gunshot, on a Sunday afternoon in June. Her daughter Suzanne was nineteen. Her son David opened the bedroom door.

Sherman builds the memoir backward from that death and forward from earliest memory, and the structural risk pays off. She wants to locate, with dated Kodak slides and newspaper clippings and anniversary candles, when the illness came, how long it stayed, and what it looked like from four feet off the ground. This is grief as forensics. The restraint is considerable.

The prose works best at child-height. A birthday party where Marilyn freezes with a knife raised above the cake, staring past it. Her mother is in a newspaper photo with smudged eyeliner and a caption that makes no sense. The recurring nightmare about walking to school on a holiday when no one else is out. Sherman renders the phenomenology of a frightened, watchful child with precision that earns its sentiment. She doesn't editorialize the hard moments. She trusts the images.

She's also tracking the specific terror of genetic inheritance. For years, Sherman monitored herself from what she calls \"the watchtower,\" alert to symptoms, waiting. She has an \"echo\"\u2014words repeating in her head like ripples after a pebble\u2014and doesn't tell her mother until finally she does, and her mother, flat-eyed, says only: \" We can't be late.\" That scene carries the book's thesis about what illness costs the people standing next to it.

Sherman isn't precious about her own survival instincts. At fourteen, she leaves her mother's house. At nineteen, she tells her grieving brother, on the phone moments after the news, it was inevitable, and he drops the receiver. She doesn't excuse herself. She's interested in how children of the mentally ill become good at a self-preservation that looks, from the outside, like coldness.

The book stumbles when it reaches for structural tidiness. The flash-forwards to the days before Marilyn's death create tension early, but they thin out, and the technique loses its voltage. The epilogue, where Sherman names statistics\u2014sixty million Americans, 14.7 per 100,000\u2014breaks the spell the preceding 180 pages cast. The thinking is sound. The register is wrong.

Living in the Long Shadow lands with the authority of a memoir that wasn't written quickly. Sherman spent decades earning the distance to look at this material, and it shows. The result is less therapy and more testimony. It's specific, composed, and harder to shake than it first appears.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 22:03:48", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017430032", "title": "Living in the Long Shadow: Surviving a Legacy of Mental Illness", "author": "Suzanne Sherman", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 472, "review": "There's a scene midway through this memoir where thirteen-year-old Suzanne Sherman comes home to find her mother sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, playing Led Zeppelin. Her mother looks up with an eerie smile. Do you hear what they're saying? They know. Sherman closes the door and never listens to that song again.

That's how this book works. It doesn't argue its case. It shows you the moment the floor drops.

Sherman grew up in the 1960s and '70s West LA with a mother whose paranoid schizophrenia went undiagnosed for years and untreated for longer. Living in the Long Shadow reconstructs that childhood from the inside, not as a survivor's manifesto, not as a clinical retrospective, but as a close read of specific, dateable memory.

The book is full of scenes that carry more weight than they first appear to. A mother who lets her thirteen-year-old daughter smoke Marlboros, then gets caught stealing cigarettes from her pack. A family dinner where Sherman calls the KFC bucket a \"rare treat,\" and you realize what that detail is doing a sentence later, when the mother announces she's been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Sherman doesn't signal the pivot. She trusts you to feel it.

She's also good on the specific texture of a childhood spent reading adults. When Sherman's mother whispers that they have a telescope trained on their phone number, Sherman's response is to stay calm and practical. She's twelve and already managing the room. The skill is bone-deep by then. She's been practicing since she was four.

What separates this from the crowded shelf of mental illness memoirs is Sherman's refusal to sentimentalize either the mother or herself. Marilyn Sherman was a Wellesley graduate who sang Brahms on Channel 9 and marched in candlelight peace protests with a guitar strapped to her chest. She was also a woman who believed the Mafia stole her earrings. Her daughter holds both of these truths without flinching. The portrait that results is fully dimensional: a person, not a diagnosis.

Sherman is equally unsentimental about the era's failures. Thorazine paralyzed part of Marilyn's face. It killed her concentration. Her psychiatrist kept her on it anyway, then added a second antipsychotic on top. The rage in Sherman's telling of this is the cold kind \u2014 more damning for being understated.

The book has one real structural problem: the flash-forwards to the days preceding Marilyn's death lose momentum in the middle stretch. They work as a framing device early, but by the third act, they feel less like counterpoint and more like obligation.

That's a craft issue, not a vision one. The vision here is clear, and the execution is mostly equal to it. Sherman spent decades writing toward this book, and you feel that patience in the prose in the way it refuses shortcuts and the way it earns its grief scene by scene.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 22:03:39", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "312 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017430030", "title": "Unfolding the Heart: One Woman\u2019s Quest for True Nature", "author": "Rosanne Annoni", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 483, "review": "The book opens with a slap. Ten-year-old Rosanne runs home to tell her mother that Jesus spoke to her in class and called her to be a nun. Her mother turns from the stove, wooden spoon dripping with sauce, and catches the girl square across the face. That scene earns a film's first act. It's visceral, efficient, and character-defining. Unfolding the Heart carries that instinct throughout. Annoni structures the book in three parts across 35 chapters, framing nearly fifty years of her life between two anchor points: a four-week solo meditation retreat at Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia in 2006, and the finale involving cancer, COVID, and the terminal diagnosis of her best friend. The abbey sequences are the book's strongest material. Annoni writes herself into a cabin on a promontory above Pleasant Bay, covering the bathroom mirror with a red Durga shawl so she won't get distracted by her own reflection. It tells you everything about where she is before she says a word about it.

The real co-lead is Mike. Tall, gay, Irish-eyed, a storyteller who makes you feel like the only person in the room. He's introduced through a Frank Lloyd Wright-embossed journal he pressed into Annoni's hands at Logan Airport, and he never stops being present even after he's gone. Their forty-five-year friendship\u2014soulmates, they agreed after consulting a psychic in 1979\u2014is the spine the narrative wraps itself around. When Mike's diagnosis comes (Stage 4 inoperable lung cancer, metastasized to every bone in his body) and Annoni's own Stage 1 breast cancer follows two weeks later, the book earns its weight. You've sat with these two people long enough that the news lands.

Annoni writes physical experience well. Carrot-peeling became ecstasy during her first Vipassana retreat. The terror of a Canadian December night, feeling alone as a condition rather than a concept. Mike needed a walker to cross his own living room while grousing about his oxygen tank. These are the moments the book lives in.

The pacing wobbles in the middle third. Part II covers decades of therapy, teachers, and spiritual frameworks\u2014the Diamond Approach, Mahamudra, Buddhism, Bodynamics\u2014and reads like a syllabus. A chapter titled \"Separation\" and another \"Running Away\" gesture at dramatic ruptures but move through them faster than the reader can feel them.

The ending doesn't close with Mike's death in July 2020. Annoni continues two more years into grief, depression, and a psilocybin journey outside Boston. Other memoirs take their bow at the graveside. This one keeps going. The payoff is a stone on Annoni's desk, a gift from Mike's husband: the word TRUST carved into its surface. She runs her fingers over it each morning.

Unfolding the Heart won't satisfy readers looking for velocity or a villain. It delivers a life examined with honesty\u2014the slaps and the silences, the red teacup placed on the counter before unpacking the clothes. Annoni's prose knows how to hold still. That's harder than it sounds.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 22:01:17", "publisher": "She Writes Press", "page_count": "239 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017430028", "title": "The California Pizza Kitchen Story: How Two Federal Prosecutors Changed the Way America Eats Pizza", "author": "Rick Rosenfield", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 458, "review": "There's a scene early in this book where Rick Rosenfield, having fired his first chef for theft, finds himself days from opening with no menu, no kitchen lead, and a lease secured with his house. He calls his partner Larry Flax in Europe. Then he pushes forward anyway.\nThat instinct\u2014stubborn, reckless, and vindicated\u2014is what makes this book work. Rosenfield isn't writing nostalgia. He's reconstructing a startup, and he remembers every dollar and every betrayal.

The villains are villains. Ed LaDou, the chef who double-crossed the founders before they opened, then demanded his name on the marquee, then claimed credit for their empire for two decades, is rendered with bite. PepsiCo's caretakers\u2014who gutted quality, froze growth, and sent an executive to Orange County to tell Rosenfield and Flax \"We will bury you\"\u2014register as the most satisfying antagonists in a business book since Barbarians at the Gate. The private equity firm that later locked the founders out of their offices and refused to pay them a combined salary equal to the incoming CEO's earnings earns its own chapter of contempt.

The partnership at the center is what lifts the book past genre. Rosenfield and Flax finishing each other's sentences, arguing strategy across a restaurant named over breakfast at Nate'n Al's deli, taking turns convincing each other not to walk away. The book is honest that Rosenfield writes it alone, at Flax's insistence, which makes their disagreements feel real rather than staged.

The opening chapters move fast. Beverly Hills, 1985, 67 seats, a wood-burning oven bought for $2,500 out of a parking lot, Shirley MacLaine ordering a single cup of coffee on opening night before heading upstairs to see her agent, and the Barbecue Chicken Pizza selling by the hundreds within a week. Rosenfield earns his pacing here. He earns it again in the PepsiCo chapters, where the slow suffocation of a brand by a corporation that views it as a rounding error is depicted with patience.

The book bogs down in its middle stretch, during the expansion years: Steve Wynn at the Mirage, Larry naming Treasure Island, celebrity sightings accumulating like a guestbook. The structure with the main CPK story in the front, then a prequel covering Rosenfield's prosecution of mob bosses and aircraft hijackers grafted onto the back, feels like two books stapled together. The mob trials are cinematic, but reading them after the pizza story deflates momentum.

The ending earns itself. Rosenfield and Flax staging a proxy battle to reclaim their board, confronting the CEO who sneered that the two of them weren't worth one of him, and maneuvering CPK through a second IPO and eventual sale to Golden Gate Capital closes the loop. The book is about control. Who has it, who takes it, and what you'll do to get it back.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 21:53:01", "publisher": "Amplify Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000017430026", "title": "Desi 2.0: My Family's American Dream and the Cost of Never Being Enough", "author": "Sonny Garg", "category": "N02 Biographies & Memoirs", "publication": ["Chicago"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 385, "review": "Sonny Garg\u2019s Desi 2.0: My Family\u2019s American Dream and the Cost of Never Being Enough starts with a question over saganaki in a Chicago restaurant: \u201cWhat are you chasing, and why?\u201d Garg turns it into something harder and more honest.

The book follows Garg\u2019s life as the son of Indian immigrants, shaped by discipline, silence, and fear of failure. His father arrives from India carrying colonial trauma, poverty, and a belief that worth must come through credentials. Harvard becomes a religion. Achievement replaces affection. Mistakes threaten the structure holding the family together.

That story isn\u2019t new. Garg gives it force through detail. He remembers criticism over water dripping down a glass. He remembers his father threatening violence with a shoe. He remembers being locked in a dark basement \u201cto reflect on how I was a bad person.\u201d The details matter because family systems run on repetition, not speeches.

This memoir works best when Garg stays close to experience instead of drifting into self-help language. He often describes emotional life through tech metaphors: \u201calgorithms,\u201d \u201coperating systems,\u201d \u201cprogramming.\u201d Sometimes the language fits. Sometimes it sounds corporate. The tension still belongs in the book. Garg spent years in executive culture and learned to hide damage inside polished language.

The strongest sections deal with mental illness and silence. Garg\u2019s sister suffers a breakdown in college. Later, his father spirals into threats of suicide and violence. Nobody speaks openly. Nobody asks for help. The family protects appearances because public success matters more than stability. Garg avoids turning this into a broad statement about South Asian families. He keeps the story inside his own house, fear, and drinking. That restraint gives the memoir weight.

Chicago hangs over the memoir in useful ways. Garg treats the city as a proving ground. Corporate ambition, immigrant striving, class aspiration, and civic belonging collide there. The book understands how upward mobility can sharpen loneliness instead of curing it.

The later chapters push too hard toward redemption. The language around healing grows neat after earlier sections earned power through contradiction and discomfort. Garg still refuses to clear himself. He admits he used family pain at nonprofit fundraisers because the story raised money and raised his status. That honesty gives the memoir credibility.

What lingers isn\u2019t the success story. It\u2019s the inheritance of anxiety. Garg shows how children absorb ambition before they understand love.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 21:50:27", "publisher": "Amplify Publishing", "page_count": "232 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017430024", "title": "The Eleven Primal Spaces: Awakening Next-Level Leadership by Reconnecting to What Makes Us Human", "author": "Marc D. Kirshbaum", "category": "N03 Business & Investing", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jack Davis", "word_count": 330, "review": "Marc D. Kirshbaum\u2019s The Eleven Primal Spaces argues that people feel disconnected from themselves, each other, and their work. He says leadership begins with awareness, belief, trust, resilience, and conflict before strategy decks and quarterly targets.

That premise could have collapsed into corporate jargon. Kirshbaum avoids that because he writes from experience instead of abstraction. When he writes about rebuilding organizations, negotiating in Japan, or losing an acquisition to office politics, the book feels earned.

The strongest sections stay physical. Kirshbaum returns to posture, movement, ritual, rooms, and bodies. One chapter links human self-awareness to standing upright millions of years ago. Another argues that people lose purpose while staring at screens. His image of \u201cHomo digitus\u201d lands because readers already know the posture. You see it in airports, offices, and coffee shops.

Kirshbaum writes best about community instead of optimization. He understands institutions weaken when people stop believing they matter. The chapters on belief and trust work because they recognize something most leadership books avoid. Employees know when \u201cculture\u201d is a slogan in the break room.

The book also carries emotional honesty. The Steve Madden section works because it examines loyalty as a strength and a weakness. Kirshbaum avoids the language of prosecutors and consultants. He writes like someone trying to understand how ambition, friendship, ego, and identity knot together in work and life.

The book drifts at times. Some ideas repeat with different framing. A few chapters lean too hard on \u201cnext-level leadership\u201d language from executive conferences. Some readers will want sharper attention to workplace power instead of personal transformation. Burnout is not always a spiritual crisis. Sometimes management exploits people.

The book\u2019s argument still holds. Kirshbaum insists leadership is relational before it is operational. That matters because public language about work now treats people like software patches waiting for upgrades.

What lasts after the final page is not the leadership vocabulary. The book asks what kinds of spaces people build for each other and what those spaces produce. That question feels real instead of manufactured.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 21:47:49", "publisher": "Amplify Publishing", "page_count": "240 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017430020", "title": "Friday Night at Atonement Caf\u00e9", "author": "Jim Currie", "category": "F06 Modern Literature", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 393, "review": "Jim Currie\u2019s Friday Night at Atonement Caf\u00e9 opens like a Columbia Gorge storm. Birds gather over White Salmon. Toxic air drifts east. Then the novel turns strange and haunted.

The book lives in White Salmon and the Columbia Basin with precision. Currie doesn\u2019t flatten the Pacific Northwest into rain, coffee, and melancholy. He writes the Gorge as a corridor shaped by dams, tribal memory, wildfire smoke, migratory birds, nuclear anxiety, and extraction.

Charlie, a widowed reporter, lives near White Salmon with Val, a corgi who serves as ballast, comic relief, and warning system. Currie understands rural loneliness. Grief settles into routines: fixing fences after elk break through, walking cemetery paths, listening to tugboats on the Columbia.

That restraint gives the opening force. A toxic event at Hanford ripples through the region. Birds gather in murmurations over the Gorge. Chinook salmon stop behaving normally. The air smells wrong. Psych patients at Douglas Hospital recover fragments of memory through music. Currie anchors every turn in regional detail: SR-14 traffic, Yakima radio, Bonneville fish ladders, orchard labor politics, Pentecostal churches, treaty violations, and the fight over the Columbia.

Richard Eaglefeather, a Yakima elder, carries the novel\u2019s moral center. Currie avoids stereotype because Richard exists as a hard, observant man instead of a mystical guide. He remembers Hanford contamination, poisoned groundwater, and salmon collapse. When he speaks about malformed animals and fouled rivers, the novel stops sounding speculative and starts sounding historical.

Nature drives the book. Swifts twist above White Salmon like weather instruments. Coyotes loot abandoned Safeway lots after evacuation orders. Geese cross the river while human systems fail beneath them. Currie keeps asking what the nonhuman world notices before people do.

The prose can strain. Currie stacks metaphors until some sentences buckle. Dialogue sometimes sounds polished past speech. A few passages drift into essay. Still, the writing has conviction. Currie wrestles regional questions into story instead of using the Northwest as decoration.

The music scenes carry the most force. Woolly Mammoth, the damaged rock band recovering memory through improvisation, never feels sentimental. Currie treats music as physical memory. Fingers remember before language does.

Romance enters through absence. Charlie\u2019s dead wife, Rosy, shapes every page through memory and habit. Their marriage rests on work, argument, and shared conscience. The grief feels lived-in.

The novel\u2019s strongest achievement is atmosphere. Currie captures the mid-Columbia as beautiful, contaminated, divided, and restless. Disaster always feels one wind change away.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 21:41:53", "publisher": "GladEye Press", "page_count": "282 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017430018", "title": "Murder to Movies: The Real Story Behind Hollywood's Darkest Films", "author": "Paul Drexler", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 459, "review": "Paul Drexler knows his way around a crime scene. The San Francisco historian behind Notorious San Francisco has spent decades reconstructing the city's ugliest chapters for the Examiner. Murder to Movies is his attempt to go wider\u201415 chapters, 15 cases, 15 films, spanning from 1931 Cagney pictures to Bong Joon-ho's Memories of Murder to Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon. The premise is good: hold a movie up against its source crime and see what Hollywood got wrong, softened, or buried.

When Drexler stays close to that premise, the book delivers. The Zodiac chapter is the best thing here; not the familiar Bay Area material but the Korean case, the 1986 Hwaseong serial murders that Bong adapted more than a decade before Lee Choon-jae's DNA caught him in 2018. The comparison is gripping because Bong made Memories of Murder without a solution, so the film's final shot, where Park Doo-man stares into the camera, turns out to be something weirder and sadder than an artistic choice. Drexler earns that reveal.

The chapter on Killers of the Flower Moon is honest work. He treats the Osage murders with the gravity they deserve and quotes Osage actor Christopher Cote's discomfort with the film's sympathy for Ernest Burkhart without resolving it. The observation that DiCaprio's casting reassigned the story's moral center, away from FBI agent Tom White, away from Mollie Burkhart, toward the man who helped poison her family, is the kind of structural critique the book does best.

Murder to Movies can't decide whether it's a film-criticism project, a true-crime compendium, or a history lecture, and the seams show. Several chapters, including Rasputin, Henri Landru, and the Brabant Killers, run long on historical reconstruction and short on the promised cinematic reckoning. Drexler spends six dense pages on Landru's fraud scheme and two paragraphs on what Chaplin's Monsieur Verdoux does with the material. The Sada Abe chapter gets a sharp treatment of its cultural context, then ends abruptly.

The prose is reliable rather than distinctive. Dry, well-paced, funny in a deadpan way, but it rarely stops you cold.

A San Francisco consciousness runs through everything, from the Barbara Graham gas chamber case to the Zodiac letters arriving at the Chronicle. When Drexler writes about the city's geography\u2014Presidio Heights, the Examiner building, the weight of the gas chamber at San Quentin\u2014you feel it. When he writes about Belgium or prewar Japan, the texture thins.

For readers who've never dug into the real cases behind these films, Murder to Movies is a useful primer. For anyone who's read Grann on the Osage or Graysmith on Zodiac, the novelty runs thin by the midpoint. Drexler is a thoughtful tour guide who knows the territory better in some rooms than others, and is honest enough to tell you when the movie lied.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 21:35:55", "publisher": "InterWorks Publishing", "page_count": "188 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017430016", "title": "Cadillac Wheels: A country music\u2013inspired thriller", "author": "Scott Saxberg", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Leah Tran", "word_count": 418, "review": "Scott Saxberg's second novel has a compelling premise: a Calgary private equity kingpin, Jack Strong, stumbles upon a homeless busker whose voice sounds like his murdered son's. The book bills itself as Dexter meets Johnny Cash, which is either a pitch-perfect logline or a promise the novel can't keep. It's both.

The structural conceit is clever. Jack steals Tanner Banks's notebooks and reads them in a tent while planning his revenge. The thriller's present tense and Tanner's backstory unspool together, each page of the notebooks a ticking clock. The device should generate dread. It generates moderate dread. Saxberg understands suspense. He cuts chapters at the right moments and plants sirens at the right distances, but the machinery is visible in a way that flattens the effect. The prose varies wildly. When Saxberg is grounded in physical detail (the \"2001 Brunello di Montalcino\" in Jack's backpack, the squirrel's rat-ta-ta-ta cutting through his reverie), the writing earns its keep. When he reaches for interiority, Jack's grief spiraling back to Aiden, the sentences turn declarative and inert, telling us that Jack's \"blood filled with fire\" rather than letting the fire catch. Tanner's chapters are warmer and more alive. His disintegration after a car accident kills his girlfriend, Maddy, has texture, especially in the Saskatchewan-town details: the Shaunavon Co-op parking lot, the Roughriders cap he can't bring himself to wear.

The country music architecture is this book's most interesting and most exhausting quality. Saxberg wrote twenty-plus original songs performed by Tanner Banks, printed in full in an appendix and available as recordings, a hybrid-media experiment. Some of the lyrics work (\"Bridge City summers are for cowboys / And strong women\"). Many read like first drafts. The playlist threading each chapter (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Steve Earle, Florida Georgia Line) telegraphs the emotional register so hard the prose barely needs to do the work\u2014and sometimes doesn't.

Jack is the more original creation: a sociopath whose grief is real, whose menace is cultivated with discipline, whose code of patience reads as Albertan in its energy-sector precision. The business detail\u2014private equity deals, alibi construction, a fixer named Riley Keller\u2014has the specificity of someone who has lived in those rooms. That specificity is where Saxberg's talent lives.

This isn't a cold-blooded genre machine. It's a grief novel wearing a thriller's hat. The ambition is real. The execution is uneven. The Calgary setting, underused in literary fiction, is a contribution.

A strong editorial pass and trust in the reader would have made this more powerful. Cadillac Wheels is a promising second novel.", "issue": "May 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 21:30:26", "publisher": "GFB", "page_count": "342 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000017430014", "title": "Country Club Summer", "author": "Rachel Cullen", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Manhattan"], "reviewer": "Samantha Olsen", "word_count": 78, "review": "\"Country Club Summer blends affluence, family drama, and female perspective into a novel that understands how much can be hidden inside polished routines. It captures the quiet unraveling of three women\u2019s lives\u2014their loyalties tested, their identities shifting, and the unspoken weight of expectation pressing in until the truth can no longer stay buried. Rachel Cullen keeps the story readable and sharp, giving readers a summer novel with gossip, tension, and a little bite.\" \u2014Samantha Olsen, Manhattan Book Review", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 21:27:46", "publisher": "Lime Street Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017430012", "title": "Metal Viper", "author": "Sarah Lovett and Ron Schultz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Portland"], "reviewer": "Scott Olsen", "word_count": 450, "review": "Metal Viper opens with a twelve-year-old boy folding naan into his father's poems. Under Myanmar's 2021 coup, that's not a metaphor \u2014 it's how the poems travel. Soldiers smash the bakery window twenty pages in, drag the baker-poet Dampa to Insein Prison, and shackle his son Vika beside him. The novel earns its premise fast.

Kae Zhang carries the rest of it. She's 4'11\u00bd\", founder of Article 5, operating out of Geneva on a budget that makes her financial officer Anan grind his teeth. Her father never thought she was enough. She's not fearless (she'll tell you that herself), but she drives eight hours through burnt villages and Tatmadaw checkpoints to pull a twelve-year-old out of the worst prison in Southeast Asia. That's the book's engine: not heroism, but the refusal to stay home.

The people around her are the best thing Lovett and Schultz do. Anan is a Persian Zoroastrian refugee from post-revolution Iran, keeping Article 5 solvent through worry and spreadsheets. Neenie holds down the Geneva office, nonbinary, scarred above the right eye from a beating they don't cover with makeup, coordinating logistics across three time zones. Reinhardt Allen, Kae's mentor, runs his operations from a guesthouse in Mae Sot, where the Singha beer has been on order for years. He calls in a favor from a Thai military lieutenant at 4 a.m. and doesn't explain the relationship. Nobody in this book feels invented. They feel like the actual strange collection of people who do this work.

The politics land without sermonizing. The Tatmadaw burn villages and fire shoulder-launched rockets at civilians. A British teak executive named Martin Hughes offers Kae tea and a toilet while his private security force patrols the perimeter of an illegal logging operation. The novel puts both things on the same road and lets you do the math.

The weak spots are real. The backstory chapters \u2014 Kae's UCLA years, her father's disappointment, how she met Reinhardt at a Baskin-Robbins in Torrance \u2014 stall the momentum right when the drive into Myanmar should be pulling hardest. The overland journey from Mae Sot to Yangon runs thirty pages too long. The co-authorship shows occasionally: one voice wants interiority, the other wants pacing, and they don't always agree on which scene they're in.

None of that kills the book. This is a novel about people who believe Article 5 of the UN Human Rights resolution still means something \u2014 and who cross a military checkpoint to prove it. The premise isn't safe, and the execution isn't clean. It mostly works anyway, which is more than most books manage. Metal Viper is uneven, honest, and built around a protagonist who earns every page. Read it for the ensemble. Forgive the detours.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 21:18:01", "publisher": "Indies United Publishing House", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017430010", "title": "Metal Viper", "author": "Sarah Lovett and Ron Schultz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Diego"], "reviewer": "Kyle Eaton", "word_count": 459, "review": "There's a moment early in Metal Viper when Kae Zhang, standing at the window of her Geneva office, watches diplomatic traffic roll toward the UN complex and sees only the twelve-year-old boy in Insein Prison. That's the book's moral center, not the geopolitics, not the thriller machinery, but the weight of one specific child in one specific cell.

Lovett and Schultz are doing something structurally restless here. The novel moves between political thriller, character study, and what you might call diaspora fiction: the story of people who belong nowhere fully and have turned that condition into a vocation. Kae is Chinese-American, raised in San Marino, ordained in New Haven, married in Geneva, fighting a coup in Yangon. Her colleague Anan fled Iran as a boy after the Ayatollah's forces imprisoned his banker father. Neenie survived institutional violence in a country the novel doesn't name. Sahir left Turkey, studied Mayan philosophy in the Yucatan, and calls himself a cultural attach\u00e9. These aren't diversity credentials. They're the actual biographies of people who end up doing human rights work, people for whom the question of who deserves protection was answered by their own childhoods.

The prose is spare without being cold. Sentences carry weight without straining for it. A burnt village appears as scorched earth glimpsed through a truck window; the authors don't editorialize. A British teak executive named Martin Hughes offers tea and a clean toilet while his private security force patrols the fence line of an illegal logging camp. The scene does more political work than a paragraph of argument could.

The genre blending doesn't always hold. The thriller structure wants momentum, but the character study keeps calling for stillness \u2014 Kae praying at a banyan tree at 3 a.m., Anan watching a tracking screen in Geneva, Reinhardt drinking Leo Beer at his regular table in Mae Sot with his back to the wall. These scenes are the best writing in the book. They also slow it. Whether that's a flaw depends on what you came for.

The backstory chapters, such as Kae's father, her UCLA years, the Baskin-Robbins in Torrance where she first met Reinhardt, arrive at the wrong moments. The information matters. The placement doesn't. A tighter edit would have woven it in rather than stopping to deliver it.

The book earns its ending. The resolution isn't triumphant, which is honest. The systems that arrested Dampa and Vika are still standing. What shifts is smaller and, for that reason, more believable. Lovett and Schultz understand that human rights work doesn't end. It just accumulates, like Kae's office wall of talismans from dictators and shamans and everyone in between who handed her something to carry.

Metal Viperis a genre hybrid that earns its ambition more often than not. The diaspora texture is the real achievement.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 21:17:57", "publisher": "Indies United Publishing House", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017430008", "title": "Metal Viper", "author": "Sarah Lovett and Ron Schultz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jack Davis", "word_count": 446, "review": "The jungle in Metal Viper is not a backdrop. It presses against the story: teak forests stripped to grey mud, villages reduced to scorched earth glimpsed through a truck window, the smell of wet ash threading through bullet-proof glass. Lovett and Schultz write landscape the way Pacific Northwest writers write rain: not as weather but as a moral condition.

The novel is set almost entirely in Myanmar and Thailand, but its ecological conscience will feel familiar to readers here. The illegal teak trade, including Tatmadaw officers running extraction operations under corporate cover, a British company called NaturTeak Ltd. flying a helicopter over a compound guarded by private security, sits alongside the human rights abuses without comment. The book trusts you to draw the line between the two. Old-growth forests and disappeared poets share the same economy of violence. That's the kind of political texture that earns its complexity rather than announcing it.

Kae Zhang, the novel's protagonist, runs Article 5 out of Geneva. She's Chinese-American, raised in southern California, trained at Yale, small enough that people underestimate her and sharp enough to use it. She enters Myanmar through the Thai border town of Mae Sot, crossing the Friendship Bridge over the Moei River at dawn, watching a man in a longtail boat below, and the border crossing is one of the book's best passages. Two countries, one river, the same desperate traffic moving in both directions. The authors have clearly been there.

The overland drive from Mae Sot to Yangon is where the novel's environmental writing peaks. Teak forests give way to clearcut, clearcut gives way to jungle again, and then smoke. The road itself is a kind of character: pockmarked, rerouted, haunted by the wrecked vehicles the Tatmadaw pushed to the shoulder. The authors track Kae's psychological state through what she can see from the window, which is a sound instinct. It keeps the interiority grounded.

The ensemble that surrounds Kae \u2014 Anan, the anxious financial officer, Neenie, the nonbinary office coordinator, scarred and unashamed, Reinhardt Allen drinking Leo Beer in Mae Sot with his back to the wall \u2014 is drawn with the kind of specificity that suggests the authors know people like this. The character work is better than the plotting. The backstory chapters, which arrive mid-journey to explain how Kae and Reinhardt first met, break the drive's momentum at exactly the wrong moment.

The ending is modest and honest. The systems that crushed Dampa and Vika are intact at the end. What changes is narrow and specific and costs something. Metal Viper is a political thriller that takes its politics from the ground up. It's uneven, and it's serious, and it knows which forests it's talking about.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 21:17:52", "publisher": "Indies United Publishing House", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017430006", "title": "Metal Viper", "author": "Sarah Lovett and Ron Schultz", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 467, "review": "Here's the question I keep coming back to with Metal Viper: would I hand it to a friend? Yes. With one caveat: give them the first fifty pages and tell them to stay with it, because the book takes a little while to find its stride.

The story starts with a father and his twelve-year-old son. Dampa bakes bread in Yangon and writes poems, and after Myanmar's 2021 military coup, those poems get him arrested. His son Vika goes with him, shackled, to Insein Prison, one of the worst places on earth. That image of a child folding his father's words into naan, not knowing it'll be the last time he stands in that shop, is the emotional hook the whole novel hangs on. It works.

Kae Zhang flies in to help. She runs Article 5, a human rights organization named after the UN resolution that prohibits torture. She's small and has the kind of relentless energy that makes people around her simultaneously grateful and exhausted. Her husband, Peter, is back in Geneva with their two boys, tracking her location on a monitor David built from secondhand equipment. Her son Albert, nearly thirteen, punches a bully at school and calls her to report it. Her younger son Ishi draws her a T-Rex. The family scenes are brief, but they land. Kae carries that weight, the guilt of the necessary absence, without the book making a production of it.

The team she travels with is the warmest part of the novel. Anan worries about money and watches Kae's back. Reinhardt, her old mentor, meets them at a guesthouse in Thailand, smelling of last night and calling in favors from people he won't explain. These relationships feel lived-in.

Where the book loses some readers is the middle stretch. The drive from the Thai border to Yangon is tense and vividly drawn \u2014 burnt villages, military checkpoints, an unexpected detour through an illegal logging camp \u2014 but it runs long. A few of those miles could have been cut without losing anything. The backstory chapters, which explain how Kae became Kae, arrive at moments when the plot has built up momentum it can't afford to lose.

The resolution is honest. The book doesn't promise justice. It shows people who show up anyway, which is a different and more believable thing.

If you've ever read a news story about Myanmar and wanted to understand what it looks like on the ground \u2014 not in statistics but in one family, one lawyer, one overland drive through a country coming apart \u2014 this is the book. It's imperfect, and it matters. Hand it to someone.\nThis book is a human rights thriller with real heart. The pacing stumbles in the middle, but the family at the center of it, both Vika's and Kae's, makes it worth the whole trip.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 21:16:52", "publisher": "Indies United Publishing House", "page_count": "264 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017430004", "title": "From Sea to Summit: Hiking Myself to Healing", "author": "Davina Liberty", "category": "N22 Sports & Outdoors", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Jessica Fahey", "word_count": 555, "review": "Liberty moved back to Orcas Island in 2020 with a resting heart rate of 180 bpm, micro-clots in all ten toes, and a ME/CFS diagnosis her doctor summarized with a shrug: \"Don't exercise.\" She'd been an endurance rider, a freediver, a certified mermaid instructor. The crash was total, and the distance between who she was and what her body could now do was, by any measure, humiliating.

\nHer recovery plan was a virtual 120-mile hiking challenge on Moran State Park's trails \u2014 the kind of goal that sounds modest until you're falling asleep against a tree on the first steep one while your dog waits and the forest does nothing to acknowledge your suffering. She goes home. She comes back the next week.

The Orcas Island material is the strongest thing here, and Liberty is smart enough to let the place do some of the work. She logs 200-plus orca sightings a year as a Salish Sea naturalist, giving behavioral talks while Southern Residents hunt off the bow. Park founder Robert Moran was told he had a year to live in 1911 and died decades later on the same trails she's relearning to walk \u2014 a parallel Liberty never underlines, which is exactly why it lands. In a Norwegian fjord, a baby orca drops a fish in front of her and swims a figure-eight. Liberty calls it grace and moves on, which is the right instinct.

The childhood chapters are brutal and load-bearing. Her stepmother bought medicine for Liberty's sick fish, refused to put it in the tank, and watched them die one by one \u2014 a detail that tells you everything about the household's relationship to control. Liberty survived by deciding early that every adult diagnosis of her limitations was a lie, and that refusal becomes a theory of self-determination she spends the rest of the book field-testing. It's more interesting than most trauma backstories because the stakes are legible: either she was right to disbelieve them, or she wasn't.

The geography is the book's real problem. Between Orcas Island and Mount Olympus, Liberty takes the reader through Alaska, Mongolia, Ethiopia, Peru, Norway, Malta, and Sicily. Each chapter is competent, but most of them add weight without adding lift, and the cumulative effect is a book that keeps interrupting its own best argument. A tighter edit \u2014 cutting half the travel sections \u2014 would make this twice the memoir it currently is. Liberty earns the Olympus summit through four years of grinding work on island trails. She doesn't need the frequent-flier miles to prove it.

When the book finally gets to Olympus, it delivers. She trains with a pack stuffed with books, crosses the Blue Glacier before dawn in crampons, and wedges her body between two outcroppings when the handholds run out on the summit pitch. At the top, she meets a stranger who broke his leg on this same climb a year ago, got helicoptered out, and came back. They fist-bump, and it's the clearest image in the book of what Liberty is actually arguing: that returning to the thing that broke you is the whole point, not the summit itself.

At 57,000 words, it needs a harder edit, but the core \u2014 a specific woman on specific trails, clawing back a specific life \u2014 is honest work, and honest is harder than it looks in this genre.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 21:13:01", "publisher": "Kitsap Publishing", "page_count": "182 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "3.5"} {"id": "425035000017430002", "title": "The Good Neighbor", "author": "Peter Unger", "category": "N21 Spirituality & Inspiration", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Jack Davis", "word_count": 113, "review": "\"A beautifully written and deeply moving novel, The Good Neighbor brings a timeless message to life through unforgettable characters and powerful moments of compassion. From Mireya\u2019s quiet courage and selfless act of kindness on a cold Christmas Eve to Arlen\u2019s life-altering journey that challenges everything he thought he understood about faith, Peter B. Unger crafts a story rich with heart and meaning. The novel\u2019s vivid storytelling and emotional depth shine through scenes of struggle, grace, and unexpected connection, inviting readers to reflect on what it truly means to love one another. Uplifting, thought-provoking, and profoundly inspiring, this is a story that lingers long after the final page.\" \u2014Jack Davis, Los Angeles Book Review", "issue": "April 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "20-Apr-2026 21:08:29", "publisher": "Wipf and Stock", "page_count": "42 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017424008", "title": "A Star-Cursed Heart", "author": "Annie Mare", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 100, "review": "A Star-Cursed Heart by Annie Mare is a sweeping, emotionally charged fantasy that blends star-crossed romance, family legacy, and supernatural suspense into something unforgettable. The centuries-old curse at the center of the story gives the novel a rich gothic pulse, while the connection between Ashes and Lucy provides its aching heart. Mare crafts two heroines you can\u2019t help but root for, torn between duty and desire, fate and freedom. The Salem-era origins add depth, and the modern storyline moves with urgency and passion. Tender, haunting, and fiercely romantic, this is a beautifully imagined queer fantasy about choosing love over fear.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-May-2026", "date_added": "17-Apr-2026 00:07:10", "publisher": "Penguin Publishing Group", "page_count": "352 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017424006", "title": "The LGBTQ Almanac", "author": "Deborah G Felder", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 95, "review": "If queer history were a constellation, The LGBTQ Almanac by Deborah G. Felder would be the night sky\u2014vast, glittering, and full of stories waiting to be traced. This expansive collection introduces readers to hundreds of figures across disciplines, blending biography with cultural insight. What impressed me most is its accessibility; you can dip in anywhere and emerge with a newfound sense of connection. From activists to artists, the book celebrates both household names and overlooked pioneers. It\u2019s not just a reference guide\u2014it\u2019s a vibrant archive that insists queer contributions have always been central, never peripheral.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "16-Apr-2026 23:47:56", "publisher": "Visible Ink Press", "page_count": "656 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017424002", "title": "The Lord of the Wood", "author": "E M Anderson", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 114, "review": "E. M. Anderson\u2019s The Lord of the Wood feels like stepping into an enchanted fairytale where the magic has started to rot around the edges. Arthur and Ira\u2019s relationship develops with a quiet sincerity that makes the growing horror hit even harder as the forest tightens its grip around them. The novel\u2019s atmosphere is its greatest strength: eerie birds, cursed landscapes, and the slow transformation overtaking Ira all create a constant sense of unease beneath the cozy fantasy surface. Anderson writes loneliness and yearning with remarkable warmth, making the romance feel earned amid the danger. By the final chapters, the story becomes both heartbreaking and strangely hopeful, like candlelight flickering inside a haunted ruin.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "16-Apr-2026 22:11:07", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "448 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017422006", "title": "Phases", "author": "Brandy", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 102, "review": "Brandy\u2019s Phases is a moving and deeply personal memoir that offers far more than celebrity stories. With honesty and grace, Brandy reflects on her rise from singing in Mississippi churches to becoming a global star, while also revealing the emotional cost of fame. Fans will love the behind-the-scenes moments involving iconic music, television, and legends like Whitney Houston, but the heart of the book lies in Brandy\u2019s vulnerability. She writes candidly about pressure, self-doubt, and the long road to healing. Phases is inspiring, heartfelt, and empowering, showing the strength it takes to reclaim your voice and define yourself on your own terms.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "01-May-2026", "date_added": "17-Apr-2026 00:03:15", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "384 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017421002", "title": "America's Founding Myths...And What REALLY Happened", "author": "Christy Mihaly,Marta Sevilla", "category": "N28 Children's Non-Fic", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Muhammed Hassanali", "word_count": 214, "review": "Paraphrasing Sherlock Holmes, life is infinitely stranger \u2013 and far more layered \u2013 than anything the mind of man could invent. The familiar stories of America\u2019s founding have long been polished into clean, inspiring legends. Yet the actual events, with all their human contradictions, messy compromises, and unexpected twists, prove richer, more nuanced, and ultimately more compelling than the simplified myths.\r\n\r\nThis volume examines fifteen such founding myths in an accessible format suitable for older elementary and middle school readers. Each double-page spread addresses one legend. On the flap is the legend. Lifting the flap reveals the more complex historical record (as currently understood), along with discussions of the myth\u2019s origins and enduring appeal. The remainder of the spread provides supporting factoids that illuminate the layers beneath the legend. Thought-provoking questions are interspersed throughout, encouraging readers to evaluate evidence and form their own conclusions. Select spreads also include true-or-false statements, with historical assessments provided under the flap.\r\n\r\nThe illustrations are vivid and engaging, enhancing the discussion of each myth\u2019s complexity while adding visual interest. The interactive flap format further promotes active engagement with the material.\r\n\r\nOverall, this is a well-researched and thoughtfully designed book. As it does require a background in American history, it is recommended for readers from older elementary students through adults.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Apr-2026 17:50:08", "publisher": "Barefoot Books", "page_count": "40 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017419018", "title": "Owl King", "author": "Bex Hogan", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 99, "review": "Bex Hogan\u2019s Owl King is a darkly enchanting YA fantasy filled with danger, sisterhood, and folklore-rich magic. Set in the same faery world as Nettle, the novel follows Ilsette as she risks everything to save her sister Lyla from the sinister Owl King, who steals the power of his brides. Hogan creates a vivid, atmospheric world of talismans, rival realms, and perilous bargains, while the emotional bond between the sisters gives the story its beating heart. Fast-paced yet lyrical, Owl King blends adventure with meaningful choices about love and sacrifice, making it a captivating coming-of-age fantasy readers will devour.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "11-May-2026", "date_added": "17-Apr-2026 00:05:31", "publisher": "Tundra Book Group", "page_count": "272 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017419016", "title": "Conversion Therapy Dropout", "author": "Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez,Shauna Niequist", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Tulsa"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 97, "review": "There\u2019s a quiet intensity running through Conversion Therapy Dropout by Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez that makes it impossible to look away. This memoir doesn\u2019t just recount trauma\u2014it interrogates the systems that made that trauma possible. Rodriguez\u2019s years within evangelical megachurch culture are rendered with striking honesty, exposing contradictions between preached love and practiced exclusion. Yet what lingers most is the author\u2019s reclamation of faith on his own terms. The book unfolds as both reckoning and release, offering readers a deeply personal portrait of survival, identity, and the courage it takes to rebuild a life from the ground up.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "16-Apr-2026 23:59:06", "publisher": "Augsburg Fortress Publishers", "page_count": "248 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017419006", "title": "Hubris", "author": "David Stuttard", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 178, "review": "The Parthenon is one of the most recognizable ancient buildings in Athens. It has adorned postcards, pictures, art and one of the main attractions for tourists visiting Athens but the story of how it came to be and how it came to define Athens is the story of this new book by David Stuttard. || This is more than just a straight forward biography of a building and how it changed a community over time, as it was built thousands of years ago the information about how it came to be has become more myth and legend than fact; though often there are facts in the myths of the past. This book weaves a story of how Athens rose in power, how it viewed the mountain the Parthenon and used it in its sacred activities and eventually how the community decided to raise a massive work on top of the mountain, in a way in a fit of hubris pride. || This work is easily accessible for the average reader, the writing and story will keep readers engaged.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Apr-2026 21:07:01", "publisher": "Harvard University Press", "page_count": "416 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017419002", "title": "Cute FACTopia!", "author": "Kate Olesin,Andy Smith", "category": "N28 Children's Non-Fic", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 12", "word_count": 140, "review": "Cute FACTopia! is the latest book in the FACTopia series that features hundreds of facts (some books have over 400, while this one includes 200 \"super sweet\" facts). This book, along with the others, is a trivia lover's dream, with a variety of unique facts about anything and everything. I especially liked this FACTopia book because it is \"cute\" and includes many facts about animals, and I particularly liked the ones about cats. The facts are \"short and sweet,\" and the illustrations are complementary to the text, as well as bright, colorful, and pleasing to look at. I think people aged 10 and older would be able to understand this book best and get the most enjoyment from it because it will help to know some general things beforehand (locations of states/places, what some animals are, types of food, etc.).", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Apr-2026 17:44:03", "publisher": "What on Earth Publishing", "page_count": "144 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017417004", "title": "Decomposition Book", "author": "Sara van Os", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "staff", "word_count": 117, "review": "Few debuts capture emotional chaos as sharply as Decomposition Book by Sara Van Os. Savannah\u2019s grief, isolation, and obsession unravel in increasingly surreal ways after she discovers Ava\u2019s body in the woods, and the novel thrives in that blurry space between psychological breakdown and supernatural haunting. Van Os writes with razor-sharp humor one moment and devastating vulnerability the next, creating a narrator who feels painfully real even as reality itself starts slipping away. The connection between Savannah and Ava becomes oddly intimate, unsettling, and tragic all at once. Fans of messy queer horror stories filled with emotional volatility and ghostly ambiguity will absolutely devour this book. It\u2019s unsettling in a way that sneaks under your skin slowly.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "02-Jun-2026", "date_added": "17-Apr-2026 00:01:22", "publisher": "Hanover Square Press", "page_count": "320 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017415006", "title": "A Fugitive's History of the Known Universe", "author": "Nadia Afifi", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["Los Angeles"], "reviewer": "Eric Smith", "word_count": 203, "review": "//A Fugitive's History of the Known Universe// by Nadia Afifi is the follow-up novel to A Rebel's History of Mars. Like the series' first novel, this book follows a dual timeline. In one, we follow Azad, a lovable but thoroughly neurotic fugitive who, with the help of his sister and the rest of the crew of the Magreb, uncovers the troubling history surrounding the colonization of the planet Nabatea. In the other, we follow Dr. Saadia Hamza, the scientist who discovered the wormhole that made Nabatea's colonization possible and the mother of the planet's founder and first leader, the charismatic yet ruthless Barrett Hamza.\r\n

\r\n//A Fugitive's History of the Known Universe// has it all. Intriguing world-building, space travel, extraterrestrial colonization, and space pirates. Afifi also delves into the ruthlessness of building a new society in a foreign land. As extensive and engaging as the world-building is, it takes a backseat to her characters, each of whom is richly developed. Even though this is a sequel, Afifi gives enough background that this story can work as a stand-alone novel, but much of the world-building makes more sense when read as book two. This novel is perfect for fans of character-driven political sci-fi thrillers.", "issue": "July 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Apr-2026 22:26:47", "publisher": "Flame Tree Publishing", "page_count": "288 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017411008", "title": "Millie Fleur's Pumpkin Problem", "author": "Christy Mandin", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Nova - age 5", "word_count": 131, "review": "Millie is back with a brand new and super secret friend. This friend helps Millie to teach the people of Garden Glen that spring is not the only time for planting. When Millie's friend splatters pumpkin seeds and magic dirt the turn the town into their very own pumpkin patch. This is great for everyone.

I really like this series and this book. My favorite part is Millie's friend who spills the seeds and dirt. I want to keep this part a secret, so you have to read this book to see who makes a mess with Millie. My favorite part is the town being a pumpkin patch. I hope to try to grow my own pumpkins this year. This is a very fun book, and I can't wait to see more!", "issue": "July 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "16-Apr-2026 17:54:13", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "24 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017410002", "title": "This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me", "author": "Ilona Andrews", "category": "Article/Roundup", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Staff", "word_count": 102, "review": "This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews is an absolute feast for fantasy readers, clever, thrilling, and wildly entertaining from the first page. The premise of Maggie waking inside her favorite unfinished fantasy series is irresistible, and the story delivers on every promise with sharp humor, high-stakes politics, and nonstop momentum. Maggie is a fantastic heroine, using wit and book knowledge to survive a brutal world of scheming nobles and dangerous magic. Andrews balances sweeping adventure with sparkling character dynamics, especially the slow-burn romantic tension woven throughout. Bold, addictive, and brilliantly fun, this is portal fantasy at its most exhilarating.", "issue": "Roundup", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "15-Apr-2026 23:33:09", "publisher": "Tor Publishing Group", "page_count": "480 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": ""} {"id": "425035000017582004", "title": "Speaking of America", "author": "David M Rubenstein", "category": "N09 History", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Kevin Winter", "word_count": 177, "review": "As America approaches a historic milestone birthday, the 250th, many publishers are putting out history books that help the average American connect with history, especially American history and the country\u2019s\u2019 role in the world. This book collects the interviews that David Rubenstein conducted at the Library of Congress as part of the Congressional Dialogue series for the first time. Rubenstein interviews historians, documentarians, journalists and writers who have written, or documented, history over the past several years. Each interview is preceded by a short introduction about the person being interviewed and what work they are being interviewed about. Each interview is a wide ranging discussion about that topic and helps to bring the story further to life. || This might be too niche of a book for some readers, but it is interesting to hear authors in their own words discussing a work they have spent many hours studying on. In a way it is like reading the transcript of a podcast interview when you can\u2019t find the interview anymore. Fans of history will enjoy this book.", "issue": "October 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "28-May-2026 17:09:46", "publisher": "Duke University Press", "page_count": "474 pages", "format": "Hard", "featured": false, "star_count": "5"} {"id": "425035000017571006", "title": "Wolf Magick, Secret Mysteries of Draakensky", "author": "Paula Cappa", "category": "F11 Science Fiction & Fantasy", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "Jack Davis", "word_count": 311, "review": "Paula Cappa\u2019s Wolf Magick, Secret Mysteries of Draakensky has the feel of a book built from weather, instinct, and old spells that never quite go dormant. It moves through Marc and Charlotte\u2019s world with a steady pull, but the real force here is Draakensky itself, a place that seems to remember everything that has ever been done on it.

Cappa writes with a sure hand for atmosphere. She knows how to load a scene with little signals, a strange silence in the trees, a pendant gone missing, a path that feels ordinary until it doesn\u2019t. The effect is cumulative. You keep turning the pages because the novel keeps hinting that something older, stranger, and harder to control is gathering just out of sight.

What gives the book its charge is the way it folds love, danger, and enchantment into the same weather system. The romance matters, but so does the sense that every choice is happening inside a landscape with its own rules. Wolves, ravines, windmills, woods, and threshold places keep showing up because this story understands that the physical world is never just physical. It\u2019s loaded, and it watches back.

The prose leans toward the lyrical, but it doesn\u2019t float away. Cappa stays close to sensation, to tension in the body, to the uneasy recognition that a home can become a test. That keeps the novel grounded even when it moves into mythic territory. The mystery unfolds like a trail in shifting light, with enough menace and enough wonder to keep both sides alive.

Wolf Magick will not be for readers who want everything explained in neat, practical terms. It wants something older than that. It wants to be felt, not just followed. If you like your fiction steeped in folklore, charged with romance, and shaped by the idea that a place can hold memory like a living thing, this book has the goods.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-May-2026 20:04:42", "publisher": "Crystal Lake Publishing", "page_count": "", "format": "eBook", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"} {"id": "425035000017559008", "title": "Defending the Swamp Dragon", "author": "Tracey West, Matt Loveridge", "category": "F01 Children's", "publication": ["Kids' BookBuzz"], "reviewer": "Lydia - age 12", "word_count": 152, "review": "//Defending the Swamp Dragon// is the thirty-first book in the //Dragon Masters// series that continues Drake and Worm's adventures with the other dragon masters and allies. In //Swamp Dragon//, they find a dragon master named Kinti, who needs their help to convince the townsfolk that the Swamp Dragon didn't attack her, that it was trying to help her. At the same time, people are getting confused about who the bad guy is - the Swamp Dragon or the mystical creature found nearby. \r\n

Book thirty-one is another exciting adventure, but, in my opinion, not as exciting as previous books, particularly when Maldred was still around. I might be getting a little on the older end for the audience for these books, but I will still stick with each new one that comes out and adjust my expectations based on these books for younger readers and other dragon books geared for older readers.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "26-May-2026 20:24:43", "publisher": "Scholastic Inc.", "page_count": "96 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017550020", "title": "The Things I Agreed To", "author": "Jacob Anthony Rose", "category": "F07 Mystery, Crime & Thriller", "publication": ["San Francisco"], "reviewer": "", "word_count": 73, "review": "\"The Things I Agreed To opens like a psychological thriller and turns into a sharp look at what happens when a private book release gets pulled into public scrutiny. Jacob Anthony Rose builds the pressure with care, letting silence, speculation, and professional fallout do the damage before anyone says the quiet part out loud. It\u2019s tense, controlled, and interested in the cost of being read too closely.\" \u2014Samantha Olsen, San Francisco Book Review", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "27-May-2026 04:42:46", "publisher": "Crimson Line Editions", "page_count": "185 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4"} {"id": "425035000017537010", "title": "The Hive", "author": "Wendy Smolen", "category": "F09 Popular Fiction", "publication": ["Seattle"], "reviewer": "Faith Williams", "word_count": 378, "review": "Wendy Smolen\u2019s The Hive starts with a small act of rebellion and grows into something larger, messier, and a lot more human. What begins as a college friendship, bad decisions, and the easy rush of being young turns into a long study of loyalty, envy, class, marriage, motherhood, and the strange ways a tight circle can become both shelter and trap.

Smolen writes with confidence about women who know one another too well. The Hive is full of the little signals that make a friendship last, and the little slights that make it wobble. Who gets the first call. Who gets left out. Who gets the attention. Who gets to be easy, funny, successful, admired, or forgiven. The book doesn\u2019t flatten those dynamics into simple good-guys-and-bad-guys territory. It lets them stay jagged.

Smolen understands that long friendships are never just about affection. They\u2019re about memory, competition, obligation, and the specific kind of honesty that only shows up when people have spent years together. The women in this novel are funny, sharp, vain, loyal, hurtful, generous, and wounded, often in the same scene. That mix gives the story its bite.

The novel also has real texture around family life and Jewish identity. Smolen keeps pulling the reader back to the rituals, the jokes, the food, the pressure to perform, and the way every family story becomes part of a larger identity story. Those details matter because they give the book a lived-in feel. This isn\u2019t friendship in the abstract. It\u2019s friendship with genealogy, history, and baggage attached.

The writing is strongest when Smolen lets the social pressure build quietly. A dinner. A wedding. A phone call. A comment that lands a second too late. She knows how quickly an old bond can turn tense, and how hard it is to separate genuine love from old habit. That tension gives the novel its movement. You keep reading because the emotional stakes keep shifting under your feet.

The Hive is less interested in tidy resolution than in the long aftermath of belonging. It knows that some friendships survive because people are kind. Others survive because they are stubborn. The best ones survive because they are both. Smolen has written a smart, bruised novel about what it costs to stay in the same hive for so long.", "issue": "June 2026", "date_posted": "", "date_added": "19-May-2026 19:42:34", "publisher": "bublish, inc.", "page_count": "260 pages", "format": "Trade", "featured": false, "star_count": "4.5"}